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Apple’s New CEO John Ternus Is Ready To Step Out Of His Comfort Zone 

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Apple’s next CEO John Ternus rose to power in the company through his expertise in hardware engineering. Up until now though, Ternus has maintained a relatively low profile, but once current chief executive Tim Cook steps down in September, he will be faced with taking over one of the biggest tech companies in the world. 

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Cook has managed to turn Apple into a $4 trillion superpower in the tech world throughout his 15-year run following the death of company co-founder Steve Jobs. 

In the current climate of the digital world with the rise of artificial intelligence, Ternus will be facing challenges to maintain Apple’s consistent relevance and image as prime innovators. He will also need to navigate supply chain relationships with figures like President Donald Trump and other major names. 

Ternus initially joined Apple 25 years ago, spending essentially his entire workforce life with the company. For the past five years he was responsible for overseeing the engineering behind the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. 

Ternus and his extensive experience made him the top contender to succeed Cook. This week, Cook and Apple officially announced the shift in leadership.

“[Ternus] is without a question the right person to lead Apple into the future,” Cook said. 

Ternus has worked on some of Apple’s signature newer products that were released under Cook’s run as CEO such as the Apple Watch, AirPods, and Apple Vision Pro. He also helped with the new, more affordable, MacBook Neo.

“The mentorship will undoubtedly ensure a smooth transition, and initially, I expect very few changes to the company’s strategy,” said Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight. 

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This transition comes at a major time for Apple. The company recently celebrated their 50th anniversary and are gearing up for their annual WWDC developers conference coming up in June. 

Competitively, Apple has fallen behind in the AI race, which will be the main focus at this year’s WWDC to see what Ternus will have in store when he steps into his new role. 

“The challenge for the new CEO is really to make sure Apple is able to crack AI as the new user interface and reinvent human machine interaction,” Forrester Research analyst Thomas Husson said.

Apple is also facing a “turbulent market amid geopolitical uncertainty,” Wood said. 

“The consumer electronics industry faces a perfect storm, with memory chip shortages and the war in the Middle East having widespread implications for consumer confidence. Apple will also need to decide how much it wants to continue its deep reliance on China for manufacturing,” he stated.

Developing relationships with important and notable figures is now a major part of being a tech CEO to one of the world’s biggest companies. Cook and Trump created ties during business challenges presented with the president’s trade and tariff wars with countries in Asia. 

Trump has hailed Cook after the CEO asked him for help with a “fairly large problem that only I, as President, could fix. That was the beginning of a long and very nice relationship,” Trump said. 

Ternus said in Apple’s announcement, when looking towards his future with the company, that he was “humbled to step into this role, and I promise to lead with the values and vision that have come to define this special place for half a century.”

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Apple and Google Remove Apps That Track ICE Agents After Federal Pressure

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What began as a niche tool for community safety has erupted into a national flashpoint over technology, free speech, and government power. Apple and Google have pulled a series of apps that crowdsource sightings of U.S. immigration enforcement officers, sparking outrage from developers, civil rights advocates, and immigration organizations that say the move represents corporate capitulation to the Trump administration’s political agenda.

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Former Hippie Commune That Shaped Steve Jobs’ Vision for Apple Now Listed at $5 Million

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A sprawling former commune in Oregon that was once a counterculture haven and the unexpected muse behind the name of the world’s most iconic tech company is now on the market for $5 million.

Located in McMinnville, the 388-acre property comprises five contiguous parcels of farmland, woods, and open pasture, along with a fully renovated main house, guest accommodations, and several outbuildings.

Described as a “storybook estate,” elk, turkey, deer, bears, and cougars roam the land, but beyond its physical charm, the land carries an outsized legacy in tech folklore. It’s the place that helped inspire Steve Jobs to name his company “Apple.”

The commune, once known as All One Farm, operated during the 1970s under the leadership of Robert Friedland, a charismatic spiritual seeker who later became a Canadian mining billionaire. It was here that a young, freshly dropped-out Jobs immersed himself in alternative living, Zen teachings, psychedelics, and the beginnings of a vision that would eventually change the world.

Jobs learned about leadership, intuition, and consciousness, which he later said shaped Apple’s ethos, as noted by The Oregonian in a retrospective on the site’s cultural influence.

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But perhaps most memorably, it was the property’s apple orchard — a lush, slightly wild grove that still grows today — that gave Jobs the spark for his company’s name. In Walter Isaacson’s biography of Jobs, the Apple founder explained that after returning from a trip to the farm during one of his fruitarian phases, the name simply clicked.

“I was on one of my fruitarian diets. I had just come back from the apple farm. It sounded fun, spirited, and not intimidating. Apple took the edge off the word ‘computer.’ Plus, it would get us ahead of Atari in the phone book.”

Jobs’ connection to the farm ran deeper than branding. His high school girlfriend, Chrisann Brennan, also lived there, and in 1978, she gave birth to their daughter, Lisa, at the commune.

Today, the property blends its counterculture roots with modern comforts. Real estate developer Damon Gustafson, the current owner, purchased the land after it had fallen into poor condition. It was in “complete and utter disrepair,” said listing agent Drew Staudt of Windermere Realty Group, who noted that Gustafson spent years restoring the buildings and replanting the once-neglected orchard.

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“This property will resonate with someone who values nature, privacy, true craftsmanship and the power of story. Whether envisioned as a statement estate, a destination retreat or a working vineyard, winery or other creative venture, the possibilities are wide open.”

The main residence now spans 5,200 square feet and includes artisan finishes, expansive decks, and sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. A three-bedroom guesthouse and renovated barns dot the property, including a small red barn that, according to oral histories, once served as Jobs’ sleeping quarters and early workspace during his brief stint at Atari. In one outbuilding, a classic Apple logo is emblazoned on the exterior, a nod to the site’s history.

The largest barn has also seen a dramatic makeover. Once a sacred meditation space for commune residents, complete with an “Om” symbol still etched into its wooden beams, it’s now outfitted with a ballroom floor and party-ready catering amenities.

Staudt said the property’s future is wide open. Its next chapter could be as a working orchard, a corporate retreat center, or even a private sanctuary steeped in tech mythology.

It’s rare to find a piece of land with such a rich history. For those seeking a slice of American counterculture with a side of Apple lore, the farm offers a unique setting.

“This is more than just a beautiful property,” said Staudt. “It’s a piece of modern folklore and a story ready for its next chapter.”

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Apple Announces New Accessibility Features For Individuals With Vision Or Hearing Impairments

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Apple has announced a wide range of new accessibility features on their devices for people with visual and/or hearing impairments. These features include live captions, braille readers, personal voice replication, and more.

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EU Hits Apple And Meta With $797 Million Antitrust Fine For Breaching Digital Markets Act 

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The European Union has fined tech giants Apple and Meta with a combined €700 million ($797 million) fine for breaching the Digital Markets Act. This marks the first enforcement of the EU’s digital competition law. 

According to CNN, the European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, has fined Apple and Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram, €500million ($570 million) and €200 million ($228 million) correspondingly. 

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Meta’s chief global affairs officer, Joel Kaplan, said that the EU’s decision is an “attempt to handicap successful American businesses.”

“This isn’t just about a fine; the Commission forcing us to change our business model effectively imposes a multibillion-dollar tariff on Meta while requiring us to offer an inferior service.”

The European Commission performed a year-long investigation in which they found that for a period last year, Meta had removed their users ability to use certain versions of its platforms that don’t process as much personal data unless they paid an extra fee. 

In November 2023, Meta took on a “consent or pay” advertising model in which European users of Facebook and Instagram were forced to either consent to “personal data combination” for personalized advertisements or pay for an ad-free version of the platforms, according to reports.

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A year after implementing that model, Meta introduced another free personalized advertising program that “processes less personal data.” The European Commission stated that they are currently assessing the new model to see if it aligns with their rules. 

The commission also found that Apple broke rules within the DMA as well. One of the rules stated that app developers that are distributing their apps in Apple’s App Store should have the ability to inform customers of alternative offers outside of the store and allow them to make those purchases if they see fit. 

However, due to Apple’s own restrictions, “consumers cannot fully benefit from alternative and cheaper offers,” the European Commission said in a statement.

An Apple representative said that the fine is “another example of the European Commission unfairly targeting [the company and forcing it] to give away the technology for free.”

“We have spent hundreds of thousands of engineering hours and made dozens of changes to comply with this law, none of which our users have asked for. Despite countless meetings, the Commission continues to move the goal posts every step of the way,” the representative stated.

Both Apple and Meta must pay their fines within 60 days or they could risk additional penalties.

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Apple Suspends AI Generated News Alerts After Complaints Of Misleading Headline Errors

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Apple has officially suspended a new artificial intelligence feature on its devices that was meant to summarize news headlines. The suspension comes after new outlets criticized and complained about multiple errors that made the summaries misleading and nearly completely false. 

A spokesperson for Apple said that the company was “working on improvements and will make them available in a future software update.”

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The BBC reported that the journalism body Reporters Without Borders stated these errors are a prime example of major tech companies rushing to roll out new innovative features and how dangerous that can be. 

“Innovation must never come at the expense of the right of citizens to receive reliable information. This feature should not be rolled out again until there is zero risk it will publish inaccurate headlines,” RSF’s Vincent Berthier said.

The BBC itself was one of the major outlets to make a complaint after the AI feature made a headline falsely telling readers that the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, Luigi Mangione, had shot himself. 

According to the BBC’s report, the feature also put out inaccurate headlines from Sky News, The New York Times, and the Washington Post. 

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“There is a huge imperative [for tech firms] to be the first one to release new features,” said Jonathan Bright, head of AI for public services at the Alan Turing Institute.

Apple has disabled the feature for news and entertainment apps a month after initial complaints were made. 

“With the latest beta software releases of iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3, Notification summaries for the News & Entertainment category will be temporarily unavailable,” an Apple spokesperson said.

“We’re pleased that Apple has listened to our concerns and is pausing the summarization feature for news,” a BBC spokesperson said.

“We look forward to working with them constructively on next steps. Our priority is the accuracy of the news we deliver to audiences which is essential to building and maintaining trust.”

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Apple Announces New AirPods Can Work As Hearing Aids 

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Last week, Apple held a product announcement event in which they revealed their newest AirPods model. In a feat of medical advancement, the company announced their newest AirPods Pro Model will double as “clinical-grade over-the-counter” hearing aids.

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Apple Addresses Reports of iPhone 15 Overheating

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Apple acknowledged user reports of overheating on some of its new iPhone 15 models, stating that a software glitch and certain apps are to blame.

The latest iPhone hit the shelves on September 22. Shortly after, users voiced their concerns about the device becoming uncomfortable to hold after limited use, sometimes reaching temperatures of more than 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius).

In a statement to CNN, Apple shared that it has “identified a few conditions which can cause an iPhone to run warmer than expected.”

Overheating can occur with the use of some recently updated third-party apps. The device may also run hot due to “increased background activity” the first few days after setup or a system reset.

According to Apple, the overheating problems currently affecting some iPhone models do not pose a safety risk and will not have any effect on the devices’ long-term performance. Apple also highlighted the fact that iPhones have thermal protections built in to help with overheating.

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The company is working with the developers of third-party apps whose recent updates were running in ways “causing them to overload the system.” Instagram, ridesharing service Uber, and racing game Asphalt 9 are just a few examples.

“We’re working with these app developers on fixes that are in the process of rolling out.”

Last week, Meta updated its Instagram app for the newest version of iOS to fix an issue where the app would cause the iPhone to overheat.

In addition, Apple acknowledged a bug in iOS 17 that could be affecting some users. It plans to release a software update to fix the problem, but no date has been set for the update’s release.

On Apple’s support page, users are cautioned that their devices may overheat when performing tasks such as restoring from a backup, using apps with heavy graphics processing, streaming high-quality video, and charging wirelessly.

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“These conditions are normal, and your device will return to a regular temperature when the process is complete or when you finish your activity. If your device doesn’t display a temperature warning, you can keep using your device.”

Despite the recent complaints, consumer demand for the iPhone 15 appears strong. Analysts reported that iPhone 15 pre-orders were doing better than initially expected in the days leading up to the release date, with robust demand also for the premium iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

In August, Apple reported that sales had dropped for a third consecutive quarter, totaling around $39.7 billion, shortly before the release of the new iPhones. The figure represents a decrease of about 2% in revenue from the previous year as fewer people upgrade their devices.

About 250 million iPhones, according to estimates, have not been updated in more than four years. A shift to a USB-C charging port and improvements to the processor and camera may incentivize users to upgrade this year.

The iPhone 15 Pro prices begin at $1,099, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max begins at $1,199. The base-level iPhone 15 goes for $799, while the Plus version, the iPhone 15 X, costs $899.

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France To Allow Apple To Sell iPhone 12s Again After Meeting Radiation Standards

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France may now allow Apple to sell their 12th generation iPhone model after weeks of the nation citing the device’s alleged high levels of electromagnetic radiation. Now, Apple has apparently met France’s electromagnetic radiation standards, allowing the company to start selling the phone again. 

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France’s L’Agence Nationale des Fréquences, or ANFR, confirmed this week that the iPhone 12 met the standards after Apple issued a new software patch for the phone.

According to Gizmodo, the agency stated they tested the phone’s specific radiation absorption rate, which measures the level of radio waves emitted by the device, and found that the iPhone 12 was back in compliance with the nation’s standards after the patch. 

Once Apple patches all iPhone 12s, they will be able to sell the devices in France again. 

It was about two weeks ago that France initially put a stop to the sales of iPhone 12s throughout the country after the ANFR claimed the device didn’t meet radiation standards. Other nations such as Belgium and Germany followed suit and began testing the devices themselves as well. 

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Apple has consistently claimed that the issue isn’t actually with their phones, but instead with France’s, and the EU in general’s, testing standards. They stated that the new software patch simply “accommodates” the testing protocols. 

According to Gizmodo, “The ANFR said the tests were performed by an accredited laboratory and found the SAR was 3.94 W/kg (watt per kilogram) after the update compared to 5.74 W/kg before the update. The measurements were taken when phones are kept close to the body, such as inside a user’s pocket.”

“France and other EU countries have placed limits on the amount of electromagnetic radiation that can be absorbed by a body. According to the French regulatory agency, the country monitors all waves between 100 kHz and 10 GHz,” the publication explained. 

According to the World Health Organization, there isn’t any definitive science that proves there are major health consequences to exposure from low-level electromagnetic fields and waves. However, the recent wave of 5G conspiracy theories spreading online hasn’t helped when it comes to people worrying about radiation in their personal devices. 

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Apple Officially Retires Lighting Charger for iPhones To Adopt USB-C Charging

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With the announcement of the iPhone 15 at Apple’s annual keynote conference, the company announced that they are officially retiring the iPhone’s lightning charger to adopt the USB-C charging technology that it has for its other devices.

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