Welcome back! 🍎
Here’s the latest with Apple.

• Apple’s new iPhone launch strategy

• AI search is coming to Safari

• & more!

📊 Poll

Last week, we asked: Do you use Stage Manager on your iPad or Mac?

Here were my favorite replies:

This week: When doing research for a topic, do you use Google or AI (ChatGPT, Perplexity, etc)? More on this below.

🗞️ The Latest

🤖 Apple’s AI Search

Apple is planning to implement AI into its Safari browser soon. Here’s the latest.

• Apple’s SVP of services, Eddy Cue, said that Apple is actively looking at revamping Safari to focus on AI-powered search engines.

• This comes after Safari saw its first-ever decline in search volume, which Cue credits to people using AI for research instead of Google.

• He also said that AI search providers like OpenAI, Perplexity, and Anthropic will eventually replace standard search engines like Google. Apple could bring those options to Safari in the future.

• After this news broke, Google’s stock price plummeted, as Google pays Apple $20B/year to be the default search engine for Safari.

• The default search engine is unlikely to change this year. Instead, we’ll likely see additional options for the services mentioned above.

My take: As somebody who rarely goes to Google to research a topic these days, this move seems like an obvious one for Apple.

I don’t see Apple changing the default search engine away from Google anytime soon. The average user is still going to rely heavily on Google (instead of AI). But we’ll still get additional options in Settings when the AI partnerships happen.

I’d expect to see some of this come to fruition starting with iOS 19, given these statements come directly from Apple.

📲 Staggered iPhone Launch

For many years, Apple has had a predictable iPhone launch rollout: They release the base model iPhone, along with the Pro models in September. And then, in some years, they’ll release a budget-friendly model or a new color in the Spring. But that might be changing as soon as next year.

• Apple is planning to split its flagship iPhone lineup between two separate launch windows annually, starting next year.

• The iPhone 18 Pro models and a brand-new foldable iPhone will launch in the second half of 2026, followed by the standard iPhone 18 and an updated iPhone 18e in the first half of 2027.

• This shift is driven by rising competition, especially in China. Most rivals launch their flagship phones in the first half of the year, so Apple is closing the marketing gap.

• Splitting launches also avoids crowding the spotlight, ensuring budget models aren’t overshadowed by the Pro series.

• Below are the expected iPhone launch timelines.

The timeline outlined above aligns with the latest report from The Information, which also revealed Apple's plans to debut the iPhone 18 Pro/Pro Max, Air, and a new foldable device in Fall 2026, with standard models following in the Spring.

My take: With a foldable iPhone joining the lineup next year, this staggered launch strategy makes even more sense. It not only eases the marketing load but also helps Apple better manage manufacturing resources.

However, the downside to this staggered rollout is that Apple would have to make it clear that more/cheaper models are coming in the Spring.

But overall, I like this approach and think it will be a net positive for Apple and for consumers.

📰 Quick Bites

• Apple Designing Chips for Smart Glasses That Rival Meta Ray-Bans

• Apple’s Eddy Cue: ‘You may not need an iPhone 10 years from now’

• iPhone 17 Air Expected to Have Battery Case Due to 'Worse' Battery Life

• I tested every Apple Watch feature for battery drain. The usual advice is wrong

• Apple Watch Sales Falling Continuously Amid Lack of New Models

• Apple files appeal to wrest back control of its App Store

• Apple Music launches new ‘Viral’ playlist fueled by Shazam activity

• Google Gemini App Gets iPad Optimization

• If you used Siri from 2014-2024, you may have a claim against Apple

• Apple announces new 2025 Apple Watch Pride band, watch face, and wallpaper

• 20th-Anniversary iPhone Will Reportedly Feature an All-Screen Design

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