Top Stories

9to5Mac Top Stories: Apple’s AI deal with Google, Creator Studio, more

Chance Miller | Jan 17 2026 - 4:00 am PT

Welcome to 9to5Mac’s top stories of the week, where we recap the biggest news in the Apple world every Saturday. This week, we have Apple’s new Creator Studio subscription, Apple’s deal with Google for Gemini, and iPhone Fold specs. Plus, our usual slate of new podcast episodes, opinion pieces, and much more. Read on for all of this week’s top stories.

This week’s top stories

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Software
iPhone
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9to5Mac Podcast Network

AAPL Company

India antitrust watchdog grows impatient over Apple’s efforts to delay investigation

Korea rejects Elon Musk’s request for documents in lawsuit against Apple

Apple forced to ‘fight’ for chip capacity, pay higher TSMC prices: report

Apple will pay billions for Gemini; OpenAI decided against Siri deal – FT

WSJ: Inside Apple’s ‘unhappy marriage’ with Goldman Sachs for Apple Card

Apple reportedly faces critical chip component shortage as AI boom strains supply chain

Report: Apple to fine-tune Gemini independently, no Google branding on Siri, more

Apple drops to 7th in U.S. patent rankings for 2025 as grants fall 11%, per report

Apple shipments unchanged as PC market grew 10% during Q4 2025: report

Apple debuts ‘Apple Creator Studio’ subscription, here’s what you get

Apple didn’t do its Siri Gemini deal for us, but it’s still good news

Apple tests real-world Car Key performance with major car makers

Unsurprisingly, Elon Musk reacts poorly to Apple’s new Google Gemini deal

Apple confirms Google’s Gemini will power new Siri features

Eddy Cue touts ‘record-breaking year’ for Apple services, including TV, Music, more

Apple fights massive government overreach as India demands iOS source code

iPhone market share now bigger than Samsung, not just due to iPhone 17

Apple launching ‘revamped’ Health app later this year with these four upgrades

Software

Apple releases second iOS 26.3 beta for iPhone

Apple fights massive government overreach as India demands iOS source code

This new Apple Intelligence feature in iOS 26 might be one of my all-time favorites

iOS 26 tweaks iPhone Always On Display in a way you might not like

iOS 26.3 release date: Here’s when the next iPhone update will arrive

iOS 26.2 added new AirDrop upgrade, here’s how it works

Apple Notes could get a powerful new advantage in iOS 26.4, per report

iOS 26.3 public beta 2 now available, here’s what’s new

iOS 26’s Messages app adds five great new group chat features

iOS 26.2.1 could launch soon as next iPhone update

Here’s what to expect with Siri and Apple Intelligence in the coming months

iOS 26 adds new ‘Games’ app on iPhone, here’s what it does

iOS 27: New features, release date, and more

tvOS 26.3 and watchOS 26.3 beta 2 now available, plus more

iPhone

iOS 26 tweaks iPhone Always On Display in a way you might not like

Jeff Pu shares expected tech specs for the iPhone Fold

Rumor Replay: iPhone 18 leaks, Siri’s Gemini tidbits, more

This case makes your iPhone feel caseless [Hands-on]

iPhone SOS: Verizon promises credits as widespread outage is resolved

Leaker details iPhone 18 lineup screen sizes, Dynamic Island plans

iPhone market share now bigger than Samsung, not just due to iPhone 17

iPhone 17e launching as soon as next month: Here are five upgrades to look forward to

Fun Apple ad touts the iPhone 17’s scratch-resistant cover glass

iPhone 17 Pro case offers tribute to original 1984 Macintosh

Mystery AI lab that poached iPhone Air designer revealed

Mac

Apple’s new OLED MacBook Pro might be ahead of schedule, per rumor

New Apple external display appears in regulatory filing

Apple Creative Studio icons are ‘unique’ and not for all standalone purchase apps

iPhone 17 Pro case offers tribute to original 1984 Macintosh

Apple may have hinted at a high-end MacBook Pro launch on January 28

Apple shipments unchanged as PC market grew 10% during Q4 2025: report

More Hardware

How to get an Apple Watch Series 11 or Ultra 3 for (almost) free

Apple TV lands thriller series starring Dakota Fanning

Thriller ‘Hijack’ season two premieres today on Apple TV, starring Idris Elba

New Apple TV docuseries to explore the life of tennis legend Andre Agassi

Apple TV unveils return of major sci-fi series coming next month

Pluribus now has official merch for sale, here’s everything available

Eddy Cue touts ‘record-breaking year’ for Apple services, including TV, Music, more

Apple TV comedy that mocked Golden Globes wins Golden Globe for best comedy

Apps

OpenAI launches cheaper ChatGPT subscription, says ads are coming next

Apple Creator Studio might be exactly what I’ve been hoping for

Setapp Mobile 3rd-party app store for iPhone fails due to ‘still-evolving and complex terms’

Spotify increases US pricing by 8%, makes at least some people happy

Does Apple Creator Studio make subscription apps more palatable? [Poll]

Act surprised – Roblox AI-powered age verification doesn’t protect kids

Apple confirms Pixelmator for iOS will no longer receive updates

Apple announces Pixelmator Pro is coming to iPad

Apple debuts ‘Apple Creator Studio’ subscription, here’s what you get

‘Are You Dead?’ is now the top paid App Store app in China

PSA: Instagram password reset emails should be ignored

Indie App Spotlight: ‘Zephy’ makes plane spotting easy, with an AirTag-style interface

9to5Mac Podcast Network

Security Bite Podcast: The evolution of macOS threat hunting with Jaron Bradley

9to5Mac Daily: January 15, 2026 – Apple Card drama, Apple’s AI servers

Gemini Siri deal official, Apple Creator Studio, Vision Pro basketball

9to5Mac Daily: January 14, 2026 – New details on Apple-Google deal

9to5Mac Daily: January 12, 2026 – Apple’s Google Gemini deal is official

9to5Mac Daily: January 9, 2026 – Apple exec pay, more

Must-have MagSafe accessories for your iPhone:

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Author

Chance Miller chancehmiller

Chance is the editor-in-chief of 9to5Mac, overseeing the entire site’s operations. He also hosts the 9to5Mac Daily and 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcasts.

You can send tips, questions, and typos to chance@9to5mac.com.