The case, which was filed in 2024 by investor Peter Landsheft in a federal court in California, followed announcements by Apple at its 2024 developer conference, where the company said a range of new AI tools would arrive with upcoming iPhones.

Those features did not appear when the devices launched later that year.

Shareholders argued the delay affected them, saying the company promoted features that were not ready. Apple later confirmed in 2025 that the upgraded Siri would not be available until 2026.

Under the proposed settlement, eligible iPhone users in the United States could receive between $25 and $95 per device, but the final amount will depend on how many claims are submitted.

The offer applies to devices that support Apple Intelligence, including the iPhone 16 range and the iPhone 15 Pro models, sold between June 10, 2024 and March 29, 2025.

Apple plans to open the claims process within 45 days of May 5, 2026. Customers will need to provide proof of purchase, along with their device serial number and Apple ID.

The company has not admitted wrongdoing. In a statement, it said, “Apple has reached a settlement to resolve claims related to the availability of two additional features. We resolved this matter to stay focused on doing what we do best, delivering the most innovative products and services to our users,”

Since introducing its AI drive, known as Apple Intelligence, in 2024, Apple says it has released several other tools. These include Live Translation, Writing Tools, Genmoji and a photo editing feature called Clean Up.

Attention now turns to Apple’s next developer event, Worldwide Developers Conference, where executives have confirmed the long-delayed Siri upgrade will be presented. The company is expected to outline how the assistant will handle more complex tasks and respond with better context.

Beyond software, there are also signs Apple may adjust its hardware plans. Reports say the base iPhone 18 could be pushed back, with more focus placed on higher-end models and new designs.

However, the settlement still needs court approval before payments can go ahead.

New figures from Counterpoint Research showed Apple’s shipments grew 20% year-on-year between January and March. That was the strongest performance among the country’s major phone makers.

The overall Chinese smartphone market, however, fell 4% during the same period. High memory chip prices and supply chain pressure weighed on sales across the sector.

Huawei kept its lead in the market with a 20% share after posting 2% shipment growth. Apple followed closely with 19%.

Counterpoint senior analyst Ivan Lam said Apple stood out while rivals raised prices.

“As most rivals raise prices, Apple stands out for value, with Chinese consumers knowing its products last at least three years,” he said.

That view appears to be helping Apple hold demand in a market where buyers have become more careful with spending.

Huawei also benefited from strong demand across both premium and lower-priced devices. Lam said sales of models such as the Enjoy 90 series helped lift its numbers.

Several other brands lost ground.

Xiaomi’s shipments dropped 35%, pushing it down to sixth place. Lam linked the fall to a strong performance in the same period last year, when the company benefited from aggressive discounts and government subsidies.

Oppo and Honor also posted declines of 5% and 3% respectively.

Vivo was one of the few brands to grow, recording a 2% rise, helped by strong Lunar New Year sales.

With these, Counterpoint expects more pressure in the second quarter as Chinese brands keep raising prices.

Lam said Apple and Huawei may cope better than others, with Huawei likely to gain further support from demand for cheaper handsets.

In a notice released on Tuesday, the company said the issue affects WebKit, the engine that powers Safari and many other apps.

A security researcher found the flaw, which could allow a malicious website to access data from another site opened in the same browser session.

Apple said the problem has now been fixed with improved checks on how web content is handled.

The update is part of what the company calls “background security improvements”. These are smaller updates that provide fixes between full software releases. They are available on devices running the latest versions of iOS, iPadOS and macOS.

Unlike regular updates, this one installs quickly and only requires a short restart. Apple said the feature is designed to push out urgent fixes without waiting for larger system upgrades.

The vulnerability involved a cross-origin issue in the browser’s Navigation API. If exploited, it could bypass the same-origin policy, a key security regulation that keeps data from different websites separate.

Apple did not explain how widely the flaw may have been used and also did not give further details on the discovery beyond crediting researcher Thomas Espach.

The Safari security update was released on March 17, 2026, by Apple, and applies to iOS 26.3.1, iPadOS 26.3.1 and macOS versions 26.3.1 and 26.3.2.

Apple has tested similar updates in recent months before rolling out this system globally. The company said it will continue to use background updates to address certain security issues more quickly.

This was revealed in a new report from Counterpoint Research, as Apple led international brands with a 21% increase, while HONOR recorded an 83% peak, supported by strong inventory and early-year growth.

This shows that Chinese manufacturers still led the MEA market, with Samsung and Transsion holding large market shares through high volume shipments and strategic stock management.

The growth in Q4 was strongest at both the entry and premium ends of the market, with devices priced between $100 and $249 rising 28% year-on-year. This was driven by feature phone migration in Africa.

Phones above $700 jumped 46%, helped by consumer financing and trade-in programmes. High 5G adoption also contributed, with shipments of 5G devices surging 22% as operators expanded coverage in emerging markets.

Samsung posted 53% year-on-year growth, maintaining volume leadership over Transsion by front-loading lower-cost inventory ahead of rising market prices.

Xiaomi and Transsion saw declines of 14% and 4% respectively, as expensive components and global memory shortages hit production. HONOR’s strong growth came from leveraging existing stock and early-year demand, rather than market expansion alone.

The report noted that Q4 2025 may be the final growth quarter for the entry segment. The market is reaching the limits of low-cost component stocks, and memory price hikes are expected to slow shipments in 2026.

However, the premium segment is healthy, underpinned by financing options, trade-in programmes, and a strong appetite for high-end devices.

Strong 5G adoption is pushing premiumisation in both established and emerging markets, including Jordan, Iraq, Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, and Sierra Leone.

While geopolitical challenges fluctuated through the year, the market stayed resilient thanks to steady oil prices, consistent purchasing power, and demand for modern technology.

The app, available from today, allows users to read complete messages, receive call notifications, and even send voice messages straight from their wrist.

The Meta-owned platform said this was driven by long-standing user requests. “This new experience will help you stay on top of your chats without needing to pull out your iPhone,” WhatsApp wrote in its announcement, adding that the app “will now support many requested features.”

For the first time, WhatsApp users can view full message threads directly on their watch instead of just previews. They can also record and send voice messages, react to incoming messages with emojis, and view clearer images and stickers on the display. 

The app also expands chat history visibility, allowing users to scroll through previous messages more easily.

All personal conversations and calls remain protected with WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption. The company reaffirmed its focus on privacy, saying the new app “maintains the same level of security users expect across all devices.”

The Apple Watch version is compatible with Series 4 or later models running watchOS 10 or newer. Users who have automatic downloads enabled will find the app installed automatically once linked with their iPhone, though a manual installation through the Watch app is also available.

The rollout follows WhatsApp’s focus on cross-device functionality. In May, the company released its long-awaited iPad app, offering group calls for up to 32 people, screen sharing, and multi-camera use.

WhatsApp confirmed that more features will be added to the Apple Watch app in upcoming updates. “We look forward to delivering even more useful functionality for people with Apple Watch in the future,” the company said.

With this release, WhatsApp joins Snapchat and Telegram in expanding messaging access to wearables. However, unlike its competitors, WhatsApp now provides full chat access, message reactions, and clearer media previews, giving it a noticeable edge on Apple’s smartwatch platform.

The law, enforced since March 2024, compels tech firms classified as “gatekeepers”, including Apple, Google, Meta and Amazon, to open their platforms to third parties, permit alternative app stores and payment systems, and end practices such as self-preferencing. It is currently under review, with the European Commission receiving stakeholder feedback up to September 24.

Apple says these policies are already limiting what customers in Europe can access. According to the company, several new features have been delayed, including iPhone-to-Mac mirroring, live translation with AirPods, and enhanced location-based tools in Maps. 

Apple says these features depend on its tightly integrated ecosystem and cannot be safely extended to third-party platforms without risking user data.

“It’s become clear that we can’t solve every problem the DMA creates,” Apple said. “Over time, it’s become clear that the DMA isn’t helping markets. It’s making it harder to do business in Europe.”

The Commission has dismissed Apple’s objections, stressing that obligations under the law are not negotiable. A spokesperson noted: “Gatekeepers, like Apple, must allow interoperability of third-party devices with their operating systems.”

The issue reveals how far governments can push top tech firms to open their systems without damaging user safety. Apple argues that sideloading apps and the rise of alternative marketplaces, both required under the DMA, expose consumers to scams, malware and pornography apps that were previously blocked from its App Store. The company says younger users and those less experienced with technology are most at risk.

Apple’s case aligns with concerns raised in Washington, where former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration repeatedly condemned the DMA as discriminatory against American technology firms. 

The issue has also come with penalties: in April, Apple and Meta were fined for non-compliance, with Apple facing a €500 million sanction over restrictions on developer communications.

Reports from policy think tanks such as EPICENTER and ITIF have added weight to Apple’s stance, arguing that the DMA’s rigid design risks stifling innovation, delaying product rollouts and spreading compliance costs to smaller businesses.

The European Commission maintains that the law is essential to increase competition and consumer choice. Its first formal review is expected to determine whether the rules will be tightened further, potentially extending obligations to social networks.

Apple has made it clear it will continue to comply with legal requirements, but it is also noting that the EU regulation may come at a high cost for users, fewer features, slower innovation and, paradoxically, weaker protections.

The new feature, available on both Android and iPhone, is aimed at breaking down communication limitations among WhatsApp’s global community of more than three billion people. 

Android users will initially access six languages, including English, Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic, while iPhone users will have access to over 19 languages from the start. More will be added over time.

To use the feature, a user only needs to long-press a message and select the “Translate” option. The translated version will appear instantly, and preferred languages can be saved for quicker future use. It works in one-on-one conversations, group chats, and even Channel updates.

Android users have an additional option: automatic translation of an entire chat thread. Once enabled, every incoming message in that conversation will be translated by default.

Meta noted that the function is built with privacy in mind. “Message translations were designed to protect the privacy of your chats. That’s why translations occur on your device where WhatsApp cannot see them,” the company explained.

The update is being introduced gradually and will reach users in different regions in phases. In embedding translation directly into the app, WhatsApp hopes to make communication easier and more seamless across cultures, ensuring users no longer have to rely on third-party tools.

The offer is timed to take advantage of the 618 shopping festival, one of China’s largest annual retail events. From now until June 18, Apple is offering extra credit on eligible device trade-ins, directly targeting the lead-up to China’s massive 618 shopping festival. 

This isn’t a generic promotion, it’s a sharp, tactical initiative by the company to claw back sales as consumer interest shifts toward other brands.

iPhone trade-in values are getting a temporary increase. For instance, customers can now get up to RMB 5,700  ($785) for trading in an iPhone 15 Pro Max. Even the lower-tier iPhone 15 pulls up to RMB 3,400 ($468) in credit. 

These incentives, which are available both online and in-store, come in addition to regular discounts currently being offered by major Chinese e-commerce platforms, some as steep as $351 off on certain iPhone 16 models.

The timing is not coincidental. The 618 festival, named for its June 18 climax, is one of China’s biggest annual retail events, usually surpassing $100 billion in total sales. For Apple, it is a huge moment to counteract its declining performance in the region.

According to first-quarter 2025 figures, Apple’s iPhone shipments in China fell 9% year-on-year. It’s not hard to see why, local companies are moving quickly with aggressively priced, high-spec alternatives. Meanwhile, Apple’s traditionally premium pricing has made it less competitive in a price-sensitive environment.

This is not just about selling phones, Apple is asking users to bring their old devices, walk into a store (or log in online), and commit now. And it’s not hiding its motivations. “From now until June 18, trade in for an extra $100 off your iPhone*,” the website says. The company knows it’s in a fight for market share, and it’s pressing every available advantage.

Apple’s trade-in programme in China also includes iPads and Apple Watches, but it’s the iPhone deals that are leading. While the tech giant frames the offer as an environmental win, stating that devices will either be refurbished for reuse or recycled for materials, this is unmistakably a commercial tactic.

The logistics are designed for minimal friction. Trade-in values are calculated upfront, customers are guided step-by-step through backup and return procedures, and credits can either be deducted at checkout or transferred to a bank account. For those not ready to buy, the cash-out option adds flexibility.

Apple’s China problem is beyond pricing. It’s about perception, adaptability, and timing. This trade-in is a nod to all three. The company is trying to change momentum. We’d see if that’s enough to reverse a 9% drop in sales.

It should make our lives easier, remove friction, automate repetitive tasks, and much more. However, in our quest to streamline and optimise the world around us, it is important that we don’t leave anyone behind.

This is true for all technology, and especially in the world of smart parking management systems. Technology must be inclusive, never exclusive.

While every person is different, age often affects how comfortable people are with new technology. Younger generations tend to adopt new tools quickly.

Older generations, especially those over 60, may be more hesitant, often preferring cash, paper tickets, or avoiding apps altogether.

At Parket, we saw this first hand at a parking site next to a retirement village, where many visitors were from an older demographic. It raised a big question: how do you modernise parking without leaving anyone behind?

In the era of doing away with paper waste, of removing inefficiencies in parking management and driving down upfront and ongoing costs, do we do so while excluding our parents and grandparents? Of course not.

And so, much like any other technology designed to improve life, smart parking management needs to cater to all generations.

This doesn’t mean a compromise in the intelligence or capabilities of digital solutions, it just means meeting people where they are, in a way that makes them comfortable.

Let’s unpack some of the challenges we have experienced when catering to age groups older than 60. QR codes, which may be natural to someone younger, are outside the comfort zone of many older people.

We certainly found a resistance, among older groups specifically, to downloading apps onto smartphones.

There was a discomfort with digital payment systems and an explicit preference for cash and paper transactions. And so the question arose: How do we find smarter ways to manage parking?

When the iPhone launched it was revolutionary. Think about it: At the time phones were populated with tiny keyboards and looked like little computers.

Then, out of the blue, a smart phone was born that had one button and a screen – yet it had all the functionality of its predecessors, and much more.

We needed to design the iPhone of parking kiosks – something that gave users a sense of familiarity and comfort but which radically shifted the paradigm of what is possible in terms of parking management, payment and access control. The design was informed by prioritising how simple it is for people to use every step of the way.

We needed a keyboard redesign to include letters and numbers easily, we needed a simplified first interaction through to license plate entry and we needed to do this by removing unnecessary technological barriers. It was an iterative process built on observation and adaptation.

And then a breakthrough occurred. One afternoon I witnessed a pivotal moment when a couple who were aged 75 or higher walked up to navigate the smart kiosk.

This is what happened: The husband typed in the license plate of his car with his wife’s support, who read out the plate details to him.

They followed the simple steps on the screen, paid like they would in a shop, walked to their car, made their way to the boom which recognised their number plate and opened, and off they drove.

What happened was almost magical. By creating an interface that people can recognise but which is smart, the solution is able to bring completely offline people into the digital realm.

They experienced something as simple as paying for parking, except that it happened quicker, and without a paper ticket that needed to be inserted into an antiquated exit terminal.

The exercise transformed technological intimidation into user experience, and importantly, user confidence.

While this example demonstrates how older generations need not be alienated by digital transformation that is designed to improve functionality, especially in the realm of parking management, it also opens the door to solving one of the most common challenges in all paperless, app-based transitions.

How do you change the behaviour of a cohort of customers who are used to doing something one way, but are now “expected” to do it another way?

The smart kiosks offer a gateway, a bridge as it were, between the physical world of parking kiosks and the digital realm of intelligent parking management. Once users experience the system for themselves and develop trust and confidence, incentives to bring them into an app environment are far more effective.

Inclusive design isn’t just good practice, it’s essential. When we build technology that works for everyone, we create better experiences, foster trust, and open the door to wider adoption.

The smartest solutions are the ones that don’t leave anyone behind. If we’re building for the future, let’s make sure everyone’s invited.

The decision, though driven partly by high costs of operations and redesign initiative, is due to trade issues between the United States and China.

Multiple people familiar with Apple’s supply chain confirmed that while the company intends to justify the price jump with upgrades in design and functionality, there are internal concerns about public complaints on the increases seen as a direct result of the ongoing tariff fight.

Apple faces a potential $900 million tariff-related expense this quarter alone. But it’s not talking. There’s been no official word from the company confirming whether these costs will be passed on to customers. Yet the timing tells us something.

To manage the issue, Apple has been shifting more of its production to India, especially for the standard iPhone models. But high-end units like the Pro and Pro Max are still largely made in China. 

India, while emerging as a promising base, lacks the technical depth and infrastructure to handle production of Apple’s most advanced devices. A complete transition, according to insiders, is not realistic before 2027.

In an earlier announcement, U.S. and Chinese officials agreed to suspend reciprocal tariffs for 90 days to allow more room for dialogue. Despite this pause, a 20% tariff on Chinese imports remains, and Apple continues to be exposed. 

Recent concessions by the Trump administration offer some relief for tech manufacturers, exempting smartphones, laptops, and essential components, but the risk to Apple’s supply chain is still obvious.

Apple’s design vision is also evolving. This year, reports reveal the company will release an ultra-thin iPhone. But the bigger leap is set for 2027, Apple’s 20th iPhone anniversary. 

Bloomberg reported that Apple is developing a “mostly glass, curved iPhone” with no cutouts. It’s a great design that would show the company’s radical move in 2017 with the iPhone X.

There’s no question that Apple is facing a complex balancing act. On one hand, it must invest in innovation to maintain its premium appeal. On the other, it is fighting to avoid consumer blowback from higher prices triggered by global trade policies.

A senior U.S. official, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, noted after the recent trade talks: “We had a very robust and productive discussion on steps forward on fentanyl. We are in agreement that neither side wants to decouple.”