Mac OS Ken

Exciting changes are on the horizon for Siri, with reports of a smarter version and a chatbot coming soon. Apple’s potential move into the chatbot space could be influenced by a surge in AI app revenues. Concerns over privacy and profit are raised, especially with plans to host the new technology on Google servers. An intriguing AI wearable pin resembling an AirTag is also in the works, while a recent cyberattack raises worries about leaked product data. Plus, Apple Fitness+ is launching in Japan, and the company continues to top global brand admiration lists.

Wall Street analysts weigh in on Apple as stock prices dip. Evercore boosts its outlook, anticipating a strong quarter, while Goldman Sachs sees a buying opportunity amid iPhone and services growth. Citi remains optimistic despite trimming its price target. A French court upholds Apple's app-tracking rules, ensuring privacy protection. Meanwhile, Apple TV teases the new season of "The Last Thing He Told Me," promising excitement for viewers. Stay tuned as firmware updates roll out for Magic Keyboards, enhancing user experience!

- Counterpoint: iPhone Won Q4 in China, Huawei Won the Year - MacRumors: Lengthening MacBook Pro Waits May Mean New Models Soon - Apple Posts Pictures of and Quotes by Martin Luther King, Jr. to Mark Holiday - "Drops of God" Season-Two Starts Tonight on Apple TV - Sponsored by CleanMyMac: Use code MACOSKEN20 for 20% off at clnmy.com/MACOSKEN - Catch Ken on Mastodon - @macosken@mastodon.social - Send Ken an email: info@macosken.com - Chat with us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month. Support the show at Patreon.com/macosken

Analysts reveal that Apple has slipped from its dominant role in the supply chain, with TSMC and NVIDIA taking the lead. A shakeup in AI chip demand is driving memory shortages and could impact device pricing. Meanwhile, Apple shortens Creator Studio trials just ahead of a major bundle launch. A legal fine in New Jersey highlights issues with in-store pricing signage. Additionally, upcoming changes in iOS 26.3 might make it harder to distinguish between organic and sponsored results in the App Store.

- Apple Pay China Adds Cross-Border Payment Support - JPMorgan Chase Takes $2B Charge Tied to Apple Card Acquisition - Grok Still Producing NCII in Standalone Appin US - New Apple Monitor Turns Up in Regulatory Filings in China - Apple Adjusts Maximum Hardware Trade-In Values - MacPaw Sunsetting EU's Setapp Mobile - Air France Adds Apple TV Titles to In-Flight Offerings - Apple Stores Open/Reopen in Montréal and Houston(ish) - Sponsored by Squarespace: Get 10% off of your first purchase of a website or domain with offer code MACOSKEN at Squarespace.com/MACOSKEN - Sponsored by Copilot Money: Get a two months free trial with Offer Code MACOSKEN at try.copilot.money/macosken - Catch Ken on Mastodon - @macosken@mastodon.social - Send Ken an email: info@macosken.com - Chat with us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month. Support the show at Patreon.com/macosken

A tight race for smartphone dominance in China has Apple on edge as Huawei edges ahead. The pressure is also on due to concerns over glass cloth fiber supply. Meanwhile, advocacy groups are pushing for Grok and Twitter's removal from app stores after alarming reports about non-consensual image production. Musk’s claims of ignorance add another layer of controversy, as California investigates the platform for abuse. In response, Twitter is implementing changes to block Grok from editing images inappropriately.

Ming-Chi Kuo discusses Apple's need for a partnership with Google as they develop their own AI technology. Mac shipment reports are analyzed, highlighting misleading headlines around year-over-year comparisons. The Apple Creator Studio bundles pro-level apps like Final Cut and Logic with exciting AI features. Apple TV announces a docuseries on tennis legend Andre Agassi and teases the second season of 'Monarch,' alongside the return of 'Hijack' with Idris Elba in a thrilling new scenario.

- Counterpoint: iPhone Topped Smartphone Shipments in 2025 - Apple to Base A.I. Models on Google Gemini Models - Cloud Compute and Apple Servers Should Keep User Data Safe from Google - Elon Musk Shocks Planet by Not Liking Apple/Google A.I. Announcement - Wedbush: Apple/Google Announcement Was Top of List of 2026 - Apple Crews Over 2025 Services Performance - Apple Seeds Second Developer Betas of blankOS 26.3 - Minor iOS Update Spotted in the Wings - Sponsored by Squarespace: Get 10% off of your first purchase of a website or domain with offer code MACOSKEN at Squarespace.com/MACOSKEN - Sponsored by Copilot Money: Get a two months free trial with Offer Code MACOSKEN at try.copilot.money/macosken - Catch Ken on Mastodon - @macosken@mastodon.social - Send Ken an email: info@macosken.com - Chat with us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month. Support the show at Patreon.com/macosken

- Evercore Ups Apple Target on iPhone Strength, Minimal Memory Worry - TSMC Sees Serious Rise in Revenue - India Eyes Total Access to Mobile Operating - Less Than a Month to Switch Apple Home Architecture - Twitter and Grok Generating Sexual Deepfakes and CSAM on Demand - People, US Senators Call for Action Against Grok Over CSAM Generation - Indonesia and Malaysia Block Grok - Apple TV Titles Nominated in 37th Annual Producers Guild Awards - Apple TV Picks Up Three Golden Globe Awards - Sponsored by Squarespace: Get 10% off of your first purchase of a website or domain with offer code MACOSKEN at Squarespace.com/MACOSKEN - Sponsored by Copilot Money: Get a two months free trial with Offer Code MACOSKEN at try.copilot.money/macosken - Catch Ken on Mastodon - @macosken@mastodon.social - Send Ken an email: info@macosken.com - Chat with us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month. Support the show at Patreon.com/macosken

- Apple Sets Earnings Report for 29 January - Apple Sets Annual Shareholders Meeting for 24 February - NYT Piece Restarts Talk of Ternus as Apple's Next CEO - Developers and Testers Get Week's Second Background Security Improvement Test - Much Ado About iOS 26 Adoption - Apple Launches a Few "Back to School" Sales Promotions - Apple TV Sets Mid-February Streaming Premier for "Eternity" - Apple TV Drops Trailer for Season-Two of "Drops of God" - Apple TV Starts Season-Three of "Tehran" - Sponsored by Copilot Money: Get a two months free trial with Offer Code MACOSKEN at try.copilot.money/macosken - Catch Ken on Mastodon - @macosken@mastodon.social - Send Ken an email: info@macosken.com - Chat with us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month. Support the show at Patreon.com/macosken