Bloomberg News‘ Mark Gurman reports that Apple’s lead AI researcher for robotics, Jian Zhang, has left the company to join Meta Platforms’ robotics division, contributing to a brain drain of AI talent from Tim Cook’s Apple.

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	Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Apple’s brain drain continues as lead AI robotics researcher leaves for Meta MacDailyNews Sep 2   READ IN APP   Apple CEO Tim Cook Bloomberg News‘ Mark Gurman reports that Apple’s lead AI researcher for robotics, Jian Zhang, has left the company to join Meta Platforms’ robotics division, contributing to a brain drain of AI talent from Tim Cook’s Apple. Meta confirmed Zhang’s move to its Robotics Studio on Tuesday. : ‎ Separately, three more AI researchers are leaving Apple’s in-house large language models team, adding to upheaval in that group, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The latest string of departures — all taking place over the last week — includes John Peebles, Nan Du, and Zhao Meng, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the moves haven’t been announced. They were all part of an Apple Foundation Models team that has lost roughly 10 members, including its chief, in recent weeks. The group was central to the creation of the Apple Intelligence platform, launched last year as part of the company’s bid to catch up in AI. Peebles and Du are heading to OpenAI, while Zhao is joining Anthropic PBC. Zhang, the robotics researcher, led a small team of academics focused on automation technology and the role of AI in such products. That team has already suffered some turnover, with one of Zhang’s reports, Mario Srouji, leaving to run AI products at Archer Aviation Inc. in April. ‎ MacDailyNews Take: Judging by the state of Apple Intelligence, how good could they be? Still, an exodus of talent in an ever-growing AI brain drain train doesn’t happen at company’s with inspiring, focused, visionary leadership. Nobody with any smarts wants to work for a canned video vaporware factory fronted by a cardboard cutout CEO clinging on a decade past his sell-by date. From what we hear about Apple today, especially in AI, we don’t blame them for leaving. ‎ Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you! Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon. The post Apple’s brain drain continues as lead AI robotics researcher leaves for Meta appeared first on MacDailyNews. You're currently a free subscriber to MacDailyNews. For the full experience, upgrade your subscription. Upgrade to paid   Like Comment Restack   © 2025 MacDailyNews 548 Market Street PMB 72296, San Francisco, CA 94104 Unsubscribe

Apple’s anticipated AirTag 2 may launch at next week’s annual iPhone event.

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	Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Apple may unveil AirTag 2 during ‘Awe Dropping’ event next week MacDailyNews Sep 2   READ IN APP   Apple AirTag Apple’s anticipated AirTag 2 may launch at next week’s annual iPhone event. In the November 2024 Power On newsletter, Bloomberg News’ Mark Gurman noted that the AirTag 2 will resemble the current model and “certainly not” include a rechargeable battery, sticking with a replaceable CR2032 “coin” battery that lasts about a year. Joe Rossignol for MacRumors: ‎ Apple introduced the current AirTag during its April 2021 event. For those unfamiliar with the AirTag, it is a Bluetooth accessory that you can attach to items like a backpack and keys, and you can then track the location of those items in the Find My app across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and iCloud.com. The following changes have been rumored: • A second-generation Ultra Wideband chip, for up to 3× longer item tracking range compared to the current AirTag • A more tamper-proof built-in speaker — an anti-stalking safety improvement • “Very low” battery life alerts, alongside existing “low” battery alerts • Vision Pro/spatial computing integration of some kind — details unclear ‎ MacDailyNews Note: Apple’s second-generation Ultra Wideband (UWB) chip, known as the U2 chip, offers several advancements over its predecessor, the U1 chip, enhancing spatial awareness and connectivity in Apple devices, including the expected AirTag 2. Here are the key features and advantages: • Extended Range: The U2 chip enables connectivity with compatible devices at up to three times the distance of the U1 chip. This allows for more reliable tracking and interaction over greater distances, such as finding friends in crowded spaces or locating items with AirTags. • Improved Precision Finding: The U2 chip enhances Apple’s Precision Finding feature, providing more accurate distance and directional data, down to centimeter-level precision. This improves user experiences in applications like Find My, making it easier to locate devices, AirTags, or even friends in busy environments like concerts or train stations. • Enhanced Device Integration: The U2 chip enables seamless interactions across Apple’s ecosystem. For example, it supports features like automatically opening the Now Playing screen on an Apple Watch Series 9 when near a HomePod playing music, or providing media suggestions via Smart Stack. It also improves proximity-based handoff between devices, such as transferring audio playback. • Power Efficiency: The U2 chip is designed to be more power-efficient, potentially extending battery life for devices like AirTags. This reduces the frequency of battery replacements, a big plus for AirTag users. • Broader Application Potential: The U2 chip opens up possibilities for new use cases, such as hands-free access in settings like hotels or workplaces, and more precise digital key functionality for cars (e.g., identifying which door a user is approaching). Its enhanced capabilities could also support future augmented reality applications and developer-driven innovations through Apple’s Nearby Interaction framework. • Backward Compatibility: The U2 chip maintains compatibility with existing U1-equipped devices, ensuring that newer devices like the iPhone 15 and Apple Watch Series 9 can still interact with older UWB-enabled products, while offering enhanced features for newer models. These improvements make the U2 chip a significant upgrade, enhancing location-based services, user convenience, and ecosystem integration. ‎ Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you! Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon. The post Apple may unveil AirTag 2 during ‘Awe Dropping’ event next week appeared first on MacDailyNews. You're currently a free subscriber to MacDailyNews. For the full experience, upgrade your subscription. Upgrade to paid   Like Comment Restack   © 2025 MacDailyNews 548 Market Street PMB 72296, San Francisco, CA 94104 Unsubscribe

As is typical this time of year, Apple has slashed the price of the MLS Season Pass for the rest of the 2025 season, dropping the annual subscription to $29, or $25 for Apple TV+ subscribers, from its usual $99 full-season price.

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	Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more MLS Season Pass drops to just $25 for rest of season and playoffs MacDailyNews Sep 2   READ IN APP   Major League Soccer’s MLS Season Pass on Apple TV As is typical this time of year, Apple has slashed the price of the MLS Season Pass for the rest of the 2025 season, dropping the annual subscription to $29, or $25 for Apple TV+ subscribers, from its usual $99 full-season price. Hartley Charlton for MacRumors: ‎ The reduced rate covers the rest of the current MLS season and playoffs, including access to every match live and on demand, with separate English and Spanish commentary, with French available for Canadian matches. Other features of the pass include “MLS 360,” a whip-around show featuring highlights and commentary from every game, and “Sunday Night Soccer,” a newly introduced featured match broadcast every Sunday. This price drop is consistent with Apple’s pricing strategy in previous years, gradually lowering the cost of entry as the season progresses. Monthly subscriptions remain unchanged at $14.99 per month, or $12.99 per month with Apple TV+. The discounted annual subscription is only valid through the end of the 2025 season, after which it will automatically renew at the standard $99 price unless canceled. ‎ MacDailyNews Take: That’s a great price to be able to watch Messi and Co. in the MLS playoffs! ‎ Please help support MacDailyNews — and enjoy subscriber-only articles, comments, chat, and more — by subscribing to our Substack: macdailynews.substack.com. Thank you! Support MacDailyNews at no extra cost to you by using this link to shop at Amazon. The post MLS Season Pass drops to just $25 for rest of season and playoffs appeared first on MacDailyNews. Invite your friends and earn rewards If you enjoy MacDailyNews, share it with your friends and earn rewards when they subscribe. Invite Friends   Like Comment Restack   © 2025 MacDailyNews 548 Market Street PMB 72296, San Francisco, CA 94104 Unsubscribe