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Imagine a doorbell that knows it’s you just by looking at your face! A few months back, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg shared that Apple is working on a smart doorbell and lock combo that uses Face ID. It would connect wirelessly to a special lock you can control without cords.

Today, a tech insider named Kosutami dropped a hint on X about something extra Apple might add: MagSafe. You’ve probably seen MagSafe on newer iPhones—it’s a handy way to snap on chargers or accessories with magnets. If the doorbell gets this feature, it could mean you’d charge it without plugging anything in, likely because its battery can’t be taken out. We’re not sure yet if it’ll also have a USB-C cable option.

Wireless charging with MagSafe sounds neat and easy. Most smart doorbells only need a charge a few times a year anyway. We wondered if MagSafe could also let you pop the doorbell off a magnetic plate, but that might make it too easy for someone to swipe it—so maybe not!

Gurman thinks this doorbell won’t hit stores until 2026 at the soonest. More rumors should pop up to clear things up as time goes on. Apple’s main rival here would be Ring, owned by Amazon since 2018. Apple will probably brag about how safe and private its doorbell is. They already have a HomeKit Secure Video setup that keeps recordings locked tight in iCloud, and this doorbell might include a special security chip too.

Apple seems ready to dive deeper into smart home gadgets. Besides the doorbell, they’re rumored to be launching a home hub this year and even a camera to take on Logitech’s Circle View. Kosutami, the leaker, is known for collecting rare Apple gear and sometimes nails these predictions. They were right about the iPhone 16 Pro’s metal battery case months ahead and showed off an Apple Watch band made of FineWoven material early. But they’ve been off too—like saying AirPods Pro 3 were coming in August 2024, which didn’t happen.

In Europe, a new law called the Digital Markets Act lets developers share iOS apps through other app stores, not just Apple’s. This means that for the first time, you can download a special adult app on your iPhone in the EU.

The app, named Hot Tub, is available on the AltStore PAL, which is like a different app store made by developer Riley Testut. Hot Tub provides a safe and private way to watch adult videos, with no ads or tracking. It’s described as “An elegant, native porn app. Thoughtfully designed, ethically made, and free to use.” Users can look for and watch videos from places like Pornhub and Xvideos right from the app.

Apple has strict rules against adult content in its App Store in many countries, including the U.S. and the EU. However, with the new EU law, apps like Hot Tub can exist outside of Apple’s control.

Apple still checks these apps from other stores for harmful software, but they don’t control what kind of content is allowed. This means other types of content like hate speech or adult materials can appear in these alternative app stores.

Phil Schiller from Apple mentioned in early 2024 that they usually try to keep certain content off the App Store or allow users to choose for themselves. But these controls don’t apply to apps in other marketplaces unless those marketplaces set their own rules.

AltStore was among the first new app stores to appear in the EU after Apple changed its rules to follow the EU’s new law. These alternative stores have to pay a small fee for each app download, but thanks to a special grant from Epic Games, AltStore doesn’t charge users to download it anymore.

Hot Tub might need to pay Apple a fee if it gets many downloads or makes a lot of money. It’s free to use, but there’s also a paid version. Apple’s rule from May 2024 says smaller apps don’t pay this fee for the first three years if they make less than 10 million euros annually.

Right now, Hot Tub is in testing mode and only available in the EU. People in the U.S. can’t download it because they can’t get apps from outside Apple’s App Store.

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The tech world’s attention often focuses on product launches and groundbreaking innovations. However, the inner workings of a company like Apple, particularly its governance and executive compensation, provide a fascinating glimpse into its strategic direction and priorities.

Apple recently announced that its 2025 annual shareholder meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday, February 25th, at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time. This meeting, while not typically a stage for major product announcements, offers a platform for shareholders to exercise their rights and for the company to address key governance matters.  

For those holding Apple stock as of January 2, 2025, the meeting provides an opportunity to participate in the company’s direction. Shareholders will be able to attend, cast their votes, and even submit questions through Apple’s dedicated virtual meeting website. Access will require a specific control number included in the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials distributed to shareholders. This virtual format has become increasingly common for large corporations, offering broader accessibility for shareholders worldwide.  

The agenda for the meeting includes several key items. Shareholders will be asked to vote on the re-election of the Board of Directors, a crucial process that ensures the company is guided by experienced and capable leaders. The meeting will also include a vote to approve executive compensation, a topic that often draws significant attention. Additionally, shareholders will be asked to ratify Ernst & Young LLP as Apple’s independent public accounting firm, a standard practice for publicly traded companies. Finally, the meeting will also include votes on various shareholder proposals, which can range from social and environmental concerns to corporate governance reforms.  

While Apple’s shareholder meetings are not typically known for revealing future product roadmaps or strategic overhauls, they can offer valuable insights. In past meetings, executives have occasionally touched upon broader industry trends and the company’s strategic thinking. For instance, last year’s meeting saw CEO Tim Cook discuss the growing importance of artificial intelligence, months before Apple unveiled its own AI-driven features. These brief glimpses into the company’s long-term vision are often of great interest to investors and industry observers.

One of the most closely watched aspects of the shareholder meeting is the disclosure of executive compensation. Apple’s annual proxy filing revealed that CEO Tim Cook earned $74.6 million in 2024. This figure represents an increase from his 2023 earnings of $63.2 million.

Cook’s compensation package is multifaceted, including a base salary of $3 million, a significant portion in stock awards totaling $58 million, performance-based awards amounting to $12 million, and other compensation totaling $1.5 million. This “other compensation” encompasses various benefits such as 401(k) contributions, life insurance premiums, vacation cash-out, security expenses, and the cost of personal air travel, which Cook is mandated by Apple to utilize for all travel, both business and personal.   

It’s important to note that while Cook’s 2024 compensation exceeded his 2023 earnings, it was still lower than the substantial $99 million he received in 2022. This decrease followed a decision by Cook and the Board of Directors to adjust his total compensation after it approached the $100 million mark. This highlights a degree of self-regulation and consideration of shareholder sentiment regarding executive pay.

The structure of Cook’s compensation also reflects Apple’s emphasis on performance-based incentives. While a target compensation of $59 million was set, Cook earned more due to the cash incentive payout tied to Apple’s financial performance. This model aligns executive interests with those of shareholders, rewarding strong company performance.

Beyond the CEO’s compensation, the proxy filing also revealed the earnings of other key Apple executives. Luca Maestri (Chief Financial Officer), Kate Adams (Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Global Security), Deirdre O’Brien (Senior Vice President of Retail + People), and Jeff Williams (Chief Operating Officer) each earned $27.2 million. These figures provide a broader context for executive compensation within Apple, demonstrating a tiered structure that rewards leadership contributions across the organization. 

In conclusion, Apple’s annual shareholder meeting is more than just a procedural event. It’s a key moment for corporate governance, allowing shareholders to participate in important decisions and providing transparency into executive compensation. While it might not be the venue for major product announcements, it offers a valuable look into the inner workings of one of the world’s most influential companies. The 2025 meeting will undoubtedly continue this tradition, offering insights into Apple’s priorities and its approach to leadership and accountability.

For years, the intricate dance of microchip manufacturing has played out largely overseas, a complex global ballet involving specialized factories and intricate supply chains. But the landscape is shifting, and a significant new act is unfolding in the Arizona desert.

Recent reports indicate that Apple has begun manufacturing its sophisticated S9 chip, the powerhouse behind the Apple Watch, on American soil for the very first time. This move marks a pivotal moment, not just for Apple, but for the broader semiconductor industry in the United States.   

The news centers around TSMC’s advanced Fab 21 plant near Phoenix. TSMC, the Taiwanese Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, is a global giant in chip production, and their Arizona facility represents a major strategic expansion beyond their home base. This plant, already producing the A16 Bionic chip that powers certain iPhone models, has now added the S9 to its repertoire.  

The S9 chip, which debuted in the Apple Watch Series 9 and continues to drive the Apple Watch Ultra 2, is a marvel of miniaturization. It’s a System-in-Package (SiP), meaning multiple components are integrated into a single, compact unit. This intricate design, based on processing features derived from the A16, demands cutting-edge manufacturing processes.

Both the A16 and the S9 are built using TSMC’s 4-nanometer process technology, often referred to simply as “N4.” This shared technological foundation is key to understanding the recent shift in production. The fact that both chips utilize the same advanced technology has enabled TSMC to efficiently adapt its Arizona production line to accommodate the S9 alongside the A16. It’s like a well-oiled machine, smoothly transitioning to produce a similar, yet distinct, product.  

This development signifies more than just a change in location. It reflects a broader trend of bringing semiconductor manufacturing back to the United States. The strategic importance of domestic chip production has become increasingly clear in recent years, particularly in light of global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical considerations. Having a domestic source for these critical components reduces reliance on overseas production and strengthens national technological independence.  

The TSMC Arizona facility is still relatively young, with production capacity in its early stages. The current phase of operation, known as Phase 1A, has a monthly output of approximately 10,000 wafers. These wafers, the raw material for chip production, are shared between Apple’s A16 and S9 chips, as well as other clients like AMD.

Each wafer can yield hundreds of individual chips, depending on factors like chip size, design complexity, and overall production efficiency. Imagine these wafers as large sheets of silicon, meticulously etched with intricate circuits to create the tiny processors that power our devices.

The next phase of development, Phase 1B, is expected to significantly boost the facility’s capacity. Projections indicate a doubling of output to 24,000 wafers per month. This expansion represents a substantial investment in American manufacturing and a commitment to growing the domestic semiconductor industry.

The production of Apple’s S9 chip in Arizona is a significant milestone. It’s a testament to the advancements in American manufacturing capabilities and a sign of things to come. This move not only strengthens Apple’s supply chain but also contributes to the revitalization of the U.S. semiconductor sector, bringing high-tech jobs and expertise to American soil. It’s a story of innovation, strategic planning, and the ongoing evolution of the global technology landscape, playing out in the heart of the Arizona desert.

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