Zac Hall

Apple has defeated the total ban on charging a commission on web-based purchases that originate from links inside iOS apps. However, a fair rate will need to be established or agreed upon before Apple can resume charging a commission on linked-out purchases.

OpenAI has officially announced its GPT-5.2 upgrade to ChatGPT. This is the so-called “code red” reaction to Google Gemini that OpenAI calls its “most capable model series yet for professional knowledge work.”

Apple’s Always On Display has been fairly consistent since it debuted on iPhone 14 Pro. With iOS 26, Apple quietly changed how it works in a way that may not be obvious.

Smart scales that sync with iPhone and iPad offer a convenient way to monitor personal health metrics. Prices span from under $40 for basic features to around $500 for models with clinical grade body scans and easy-to-recommend solutions in between. For anyone who wants weight and related data to appear in the Health app, the key requirement is choosing a scale that supports HealthKit and Apple Health.

App age verification isn’t just a theoretical concept being debated in Congress. A number of laws have already passed that require platforms to verify age for users in select states.

For example, the Twitter/X alternative Bluesky went offline for me in August rather than comply with an age verification law where I live. This week, I can use the app again — as long as I share a bit of personal information with a third-party service I’ve never heard of.

This is likely a preview of what to expect for more apps in more places going forward.

Disney characters are coming to OpenAI’s Sora video generation app — this time, with permission. OpenAI and Disney just announced a “landmark agreement” that will see some Sora content appear on Disney+.

Apple CEO Tim Cook was spotted in Washington DC today where he met with lawmakers to push back against proposed App Store age policy that Apple says doesn’t protect user privacy.

Jeff Williams wasted no time finding his next thing after retiring from Apple. The former Apple chief operating officer has been nominated to Disney’s board.

Johny Srouji isn’t leaving Apple, according to Johny Srouji. According to a leaked memo obtained by Bloomberg, Apple’s chip boss has recommitted to staying at the company.

Apple has announced that its Fitness+ digital workout service will expand to more than two dozen additional markets next week. The move more than doubles the footprint for Apple Fitness+, and generative AI is helping to make it possible.

Earlier this week, it was reported that OpenAI was in a bit of a tizzy over the current state of Google’s Gemini generative AI model. A so-called “code red” declaration was made, which will reportedly result in the next upgrade to ChatGPT arriving sooner than expected.

Apple has released the release candidate of iOS 26.2 for iPhone. The RC version is available as an over-the-air update starting today.

Heads up, baseball fans. MLB: The Show is officially coming to iPhone. The game is already soft launched in one country and will launch globally in the future.

Strava just shared its 12th Annual Year in Sport Trend Report, and Apple Watch takes the gold medal in an important category.

Apple’s latest accessibility-focused short film is actually a really enjoyable music video for the song “I’m Not Remarkable” by Kittyy & The Class.

It’s also an excellent way to showcase Apple’s extensive range of accessibility features integrated into iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other devices. These features can significantly enhance the college experience for all students.

It’s officially time for Apple Music subscribers to recap their year in music. The 2025 Apple Music Replay is now available in Apple Music, providing a personalized look back at your year in music listening habits.

Apple has announced that John Giannandrea, the company’s Machine Learning and AI Strategy boss, is retiring from the company. The move may not come as a surprise for anyone closely following Apple and its AI missteps over the last few years.

We mentioned last week that in iOS 26.1, Apple changed how the Clock app icon’s seconds hand moves in low power mode. Instead of continuously moving, the seconds hand ticks with each second like a quartz clock.

Analog faces on new Apple Watches have a similar behavior, using a sweeping seconds hand in active mode and a ticking seconds hand in always on mode. If you’re like me and prefer the quartz-like movement, there’s a workaround that can help.

Looking for a free way to add a little cheer to your Mac for the holidays? Snowy is a free Mac App Store app that includes Christmas lights, a fun snow effect, and a festive, Aqua-inspired wallpaper.

Starting with iOS 26.1, Apple has updated the Clock app icon to work a lot more like an Apple Watch.