This issue covers Apple’s return to design-led product development under incoming CEO John Ternus, WhatsApp’s new message animations on iOS, and AI world-model startup Odyssey’s $1.45 billion valuation. It also dives into the shift from T-shaped UX roles to cross-discipline “polymath architects,” non-developer AI system builders, the rise of SKILL.md for guiding AI coding agents, and the often-overlooked UX details that build trust in payment flows.

This edition covers Tesla’s trademark filing for “Megapod,” a turnkey AI data center rack including servers, networking, power, and cooling. It also delves into Apple’s challenge rebuilding its industrial design team after losing influence at the exec level. Finally, it explains how developers can use agent hooks to enforce guardrails and stop AI agents from breaking rules mid-work.

At WWDC 2026, Apple revamped its Image Playground generative AI, upgrading it from cartoonish styles to photorealistic output powered by Private Cloud Compute. Users can refine images through text prompts or by tapping, circling, or brushing areas they want to change. All generated or edited images carry a hidden SynthID watermark and can be used across Messages, Lock Screens, Contact Posters, and more.

This digest covers SpaceX’s $60 billion stock acquisition of AI coding startup Cursor, Apple’s plans for camera-enabled AirPods and a foldable iPhone by 2027, and AWS’s new S3 annotations feature for rich object metadata. It also highlights a robot debut by Genesis AI, Snap’s $2,195 AR glasses, Meta’s engineering shakeup, and OpenAI’s mounting losses.

After taking the helm just before Steve Jobs’s death, Tim Cook grew Apple’s value from $297 billion to $4 trillion by scaling the iPhone, overhauling manufacturing, and pushing Services. He built a just-in-time supply chain in China, launched products like AirPods and Watch, and prioritized shareholder returns even amid App Store policy debates.

Apple celebrated its 50th anniversary while facing significant challenges in the AI space. The company is shifting its strategy by partnering with Google for AI enhancements to Siri, amid concerns about user data and competition from rivals. Industry analysts suggest Apple must adapt quickly to maintain its relevance in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

This thread discusses issues related to enabling JavaScript for viewing Apple’s developer content. Users describe their experiences and seek solutions for properly accessing the site. It provides insights into common problems and troubleshooting steps.

Apple is set to kick off 2026 with the release of the iPhone 17e, new iPads, and updated Macs. CEO Tim Cook discussed various topics, including immigration and AI, during a recent meeting with employees. The company is also scaling back on a significant health service initiative.

Apple is partnering with Google temporarily to address immediate AI needs while preparing to produce its own AI-focused server chips by late 2026. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo highlights that this collaboration is aimed at managing expectations and enhancing Apple's AI capabilities amid growing competition in the field.

Apple is set to enhance Siri with Gemini, allowing for independent finetuning and improved emotional support responses. The partnership with Google will ensure that user data remains private, and the Gemini-powered Siri aims to provide more accurate answers and better handle complex queries. A gradual rollout of these features is expected, with some launching this spring.

After extensive negotiations, JPMorgan Chase is set to take over the Apple credit card program from Goldman Sachs, which involves approximately $20 billion in balances. Disputes over financial protections and profitability have delayed the agreement, with both banks considering walking away from the deal.