Apple has filed fresh court evidence, including a forensic review of former engineer Chang Liu's old work laptop, alleging he used a confidential Apple circuit schematic and an internally named engineering tool while working at OpenAI. Apple also claims Liu enlisted OpenAI colleague Yu-Ting Peng to destroy evidence once he learned of the investigation, and that he exploited an authentication flaw to retain system access after leaving.
Apple has filed new court documents alleging forensic analysis of a laptop used by former engineer Chang Liu after he joined OpenAI shows he downloaded dozens of confidential Apple files, including a circuit schematic, and used proprietary internal tools. Apple also claims Liu asked a coworker to wipe Apple-issued devices once he learned he was under internal investigation, which Apple frames as an attempt to destroy evidence.
Apple reportedly pushed up the release of its new Mac mini and Mac Studio models this week, months earlier than its usual autumn schedule, after enterprise demand for AI-capable desktop Macs exceeded expectations. The Information reports Apple emphasized the ability to cluster multiple Mac Studios together to run large AI models, a feature targeted at business and developer customers rather than consumers.
9to5Mac's report details four months of using OpenAI's Codex agent on the Mac, highlighting its April addition of a Computer Use plugin that lets the AI see, click, and type within apps using its own cursor. The feature traces back to Sky, an AI assistant previewed by former Apple Shortcuts creator Ari Weinstein's startup, which OpenAI acquired before folding its tech into Codex.
A new interactive chart maps how Apple's interface guidelines have shifted across five editions—1982, 1987, 1992, 2008, and today—showing the relative space devoted to topics like menus, icons, windows, and accessibility. Each edition is rendered at equal height, with ribbon width indicating topic share and color coding whether a category held steady, expanded, reshaped, arrived, or dissolved between editions.
In its trade-secrets lawsuit against OpenAI, Apple filed new court documents claiming an initial forensic review of former engineer Chang Liu's MacBook found he used a confidential Apple circuit schematic in his OpenAI work and ran simulations with it. Apple also alleges Liu knew about his unauthorized cloud access, that OpenAI colleagues were aware of it, and that Liu instructed a colleague to destroy evidence once he learned of Apple's internal probe, with the colleague agreeing to comply.
Phil Schiller, who has led Apple's App Store since 2015 and joined the company in 1987, has stepped down from that role, according to Bloomberg. He'll remain at Apple as a Fellow working on unspecified projects, a title insiders view as a precursor to full retirement. Carson Oliver, a 14-year App Store veteran, will take over daily operations, and the App Store is shifting from marketing to Eddy Cue's services division.
Phil Schiller has reportedly stepped down from running Apple's App Store and product launch events, according to Bloomberg, though Apple has not made a formal announcement. He will remain at the company as an Apple Fellow working on unspecified projects, while App Store oversight returns to Eddy Cue, who led it before Schiller took over in 2015.
Satechi has released the OntheGo Foldable Stand Hub, an $80 accessory that doubles as a tablet, phone, or laptop stand and a USB-C dock. A ZDNET reviewer tested the device and found it solved long-standing ergonomic and connectivity problems that had left previous tablets gathering dust.
Apple is set to unveil its first foldable phone, the iPhone Ultra, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro line at next week's event. While earlier rumors suggested a delay into late 2026 or even 2027, the most recent supply chain reports from Weibo leaker Fixed Focus Digital and Cailian News Agency indicate the device remains on track for a September release, though with very constrained initial stock.
According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, Apple has internally prototyped and tested an Apple Pencil designed for its upcoming foldable iPhone, reportedly called the iPhone Ultra. However, Gurman says it's unlikely the stylus will be included when the device debuts at Apple's Sept. 9 event, with a shorter 'stubbier' Pencil variant possibly coming later.
Google has raised the price of its 4K Google TV Streamer to $149, a $50 jump from its original $99 launch price. The change is already reflected on the Google Store and at Best Buy, though Amazon still lists the device at its older price. The streaming box, which launched in 2024 and also functions as a smart home hub, joins a wave of price hikes across Google's product lineup, including the recently released Pixel 11 phones.