1. The author considers downgrading from AirPods Pro 2 to AirPods 4 due to discomfort with the fit of the Pro model. 2. Open-ear design of AirPods 4 is appealing for better comfort and potential improved fit. 3. Noise cancellation remains a priority, and the author is hopeful that AirPods 4 will meet these needs.

➀ The European Court of Justice imposed multi-billion dollar fines on Google and Apple; ➁ Apple was ordered to pay 13 billion euros in back taxes to Ireland; ➂ Google was fined 2.4 billion euros for abuse of its dominant position in shopping comparison services.

1. Apple loses landmark tax case against the EU and is ordered to pay €14.5 billion in unpaid taxes to Ireland; 2. The ruling ends a 10-year battle over Apple's tax payments in Ireland; 3. Apple expresses disappointment with the decision, emphasizing it has always paid all taxes owed and questioning the retroactive nature of the ruling.

➀ Apple unveiled its latest iPhone series, including iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max, featuring two new buttons and a richer color palette.➁ The new AirPods and Apple Watch were also released, with AI as a key highlight.➂ iPhone 16 standard version features a new dual-camera setup, A18 processor, and a camera control button.➃ iPhone 16 Pro version boasts the largest display in Apple's history, A18 Pro chip, and upgraded camera system.➄ Apple Intelligence, the company's new personalized AI system, was showcased with capabilities in language, image, and action.

➀ The 10th Generation iPad is on sale for 14% off; ➁ The iPad Mini (6th Generation) is on sale for 24% off; ➂ The 11-inch iPad Pro M2 is on sale for $400 off.

1. Apple's upcoming Mac Mini redesign for 2024 is expected to feature a significant overhaul, including the removal of USB Type-A ports. 2. The new Mac Mini will be the smallest Apple has ever built and will be equipped with the M4 silicon. 3. This change could signal a broader shift away from USB-A connectivity in future Apple devices.

1. Apple is expected to release the M4 MacBook Pro and a redesigned M4 Mac mini in November 2024. 2. The new Mac mini is rumored to be smaller and taller, with a footprint similar to the Apple TV 4K. 3. Apple may also unveil an M4 iMac, alongside other products like the iPhone 16 and Apple Watch X.

➀ A Texas resident used an Apple AirTag to track her recyclables, revealing that plastics sent to Houston recycling centers were not being recycled but instead dumped in an open-air lot. ➁ The Houston Recycling Collaboration, meant to revolutionize the city’s recycling program, has yet to open its processing facility, leading to a stockpile of waste. ➂ Advanced recycling technologies claimed by companies like Exxon are criticized for being ineffective and contributing to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

1. Apple's 9th Gen iPad (64GB, Wi-Fi) is on sale for $199, a 40% discount. 2. Apple's AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) are priced at $199, a 20% discount. 3. Various MacBook models and other Apple products are also available at significant discounts.

1. The iPhone 17 Air, expected to be released next year, is rumored to be significantly thinner than previous models; 2. It is speculated that the thickness of the iPhone 17 Air will be similar to that of the current iPad Pro, which is around 5.1mm for the 13-inch model and 5.3mm for the 11-inch model; 3. This reduction in thickness is seen as a premium feature that will appeal to design-conscious customers.

1. Capcom has updated its Resident Evil games on iOS to require an internet connection for launching, adding a form of DRM. 2. This move is seen as a way to gather additional data and possibly recoup costs, despite the games being single-player. 3. The sales performance of AAA games on iPhones has been underwhelming, with Resident Evil games selling fewer than 100,000 copies in total.

➀ Apple has laid off approximately 100 employees in its digital services division, indicating a strategic shift in business focus. ➁ Affected employees have been given 60 days to find another position within Apple. ➂ The largest layoffs were in teams responsible for Apple Books and Apple Bookstore, suggesting a reduced emphasis on these services. ➃ Other service teams, including those operating Apple News, have also been impacted. ➄ This move follows multiple rounds of layoffs in 2024, affecting various projects and departments within the company.

➀ iPhone 16 Pro models to feature larger screens and new color options. ➁ Standard iPhone 16 models to have vertically aligned cameras and improved camera lens coatings. ➂ All iPhone 16 models to include an 'Action Button' and a new 'Shoot Button' for photography. ➃ Exclusive AI features may debut on iPhone 16, enhancing Siri capabilities. ➄ iPhone 16 Pro models to use Samsung's high-performance M14 OLED panels and potentially redesigned Face ID. ➅ iPhone 16 to be powered by new A18 series chips with enhanced neural engines.

➀ Both A18 and A18 Pro are rumored to feature independent dies with reduced cache sizes. ➁ The two SoCs are said to share the same CPU cluster but have varying GPU cores. ➂ The standard A18 is expected to have a 5-core GPU, while the A18 Pro is rumored to have a 6-core GPU.

1. The Mac Studio, Apple's powerful compact desktop, is currently $200 off at B&H Photo. 2. This discount applies to the base model M2 Max with 32GB of RAM, suitable for most demanding workloads. 3. The Mac Studio, combined with the best monitors and keyboards, serves as an ultimate workstation for professionals.

➀ Apple is reportedly testing base-level Mac computers with at least 16GB of RAM. ➁ All new Macs are M4 Apple Silicon models, with even the lowest-end base model featuring 16GB of RAM. ➂ Apple is preparing a smaller Mac Mini, new MacBook Pro, and iMacs built around M4 chips for release later this year.

➀ Meta has canceled the development of its high-end mixed-reality headset, 'La Jolla', which was intended to compete with Apple's Vision Pro. ➁ The project aimed to use high-resolution, high-cost micro-OLED screens and was initially planned for a 2027 launch. ➂ Meta's investment in the Metaverse since 2019 ranges from $36 billion to $46.5 billion, with no profits and significant losses in its Metaverse unit.

➀ Apple is rumored to launch the iPhone 16 on September 10, potentially featuring AI capabilities and a removable battery. ➁ The new model is expected to have enhanced voice control and a larger screen size for the Pro and Pro Max versions. ➂ A significant software upgrade is anticipated to help regain market share in China, where sales have been declining.

➀ Apple is reportedly continuing to invest billions in developing its own cellular modems, despite challenges in performance and heating issues. ➁ Current Apple devices use Qualcomm modems, which are considered superior in the market. ➂ The motivation for Apple's in-house development includes reducing reliance on Qualcomm and potentially integrating a unified chip for all wireless functions.

1. The M4 MacBook Pro models are expected to launch in the fourth quarter of this year, with an October event likely. 2. All MacBook models will receive the new M4 chip, including a more affordable 14-inch version. 3. Other Apple devices, such as the Mac mini and iMac, may also upgrade to the M4 chip by the end of the year.