Apple development + more things

Apple development

Apple development changes was at the forefront of Apple’s WWDC keynote for 2025. I think that the focus on Apple development changes were happening for a few reasons:

  • Apple got burned announcing sub-standard AI offerings last year.
  • The new translucent interface is divisive.
  • The multi-tasking iPad was interesting for power users, but most usage is as a communal device to consume content.
  • Apple has a number of small on-device models that do particular things well. Which is why Apple needs to get developers on-board to come up with compelling uses.
  • The Mac still has great hardware, passionate developers and a community passionate about great life-changing software. Apple development focus was coming home.

Apple Updates Its On-Device and Cloud AI Models, Introduces a New Developer API

China

The Next Labubu: What the Rise of Wakuku Tells Us About China’s Collectible Toy Wave | What’s on Weibo

Chinese cities are facing the financial abyss of their subway systems | Le Monde

Consumer behaviour

The gray wave: How an aging population is reshaping the economy | Mizuho Insights

College Students Are Using ‘No Contact Orders’ to Block Each Other in Real Life – WSJ

Culture

ChatGPT has changed how we speak – and how we think | TechFinitive

The working class always had ‘high’ culture – it was just stolen | The Independent

Energy

Rolls-Royce group wins government backing to build UK’s first small modular nuclear reactors | FT

Ethics

‘Positive review only’: Researchers hide AI prompts in papers – Nikkei Asia

Beyond Cannes – by Hamish McKenzie – The Substack Post

UNIQLO ‘Cai fan’ keychain kerfuffle: Where does inspiration end and imitation begin? | Marketing-Interactive

FMCG

Unilever acquires Dr. Squatch to expand men’s care portfolio | Personal Care Insights – the irony of this purchase given Dr Squatch’s positioning isn’t lost on me

Health

New Novo Nordisk drug could beat market leaders for weight loss, early results show | FT

Hong Kong

How my views on Hong Kong’s future have evolved | Stephen Roach

Luxury

Why luxury brands are sliding into the DMs | Vogue Business

Media

European broadcasters launch radio initiative to capture connected car opportunity – The Media Leader

Online

Creative Commons 4.0 has arrived on Flickr! | Flickr Blog

Security

Ingram Micro still silent 14 hours after global outage began • The Register

The Cyber Risks Behind The Iran-Israel-US Geopolitical Tensions | Forrester

UK govt says Chinese spying on the rise | Space War – so why did the UK sign off on the Chinese mega-embassy?

Taiwan

Digital Propaganda: How China Uses Short-Form Videos to Target Taiwan’s Youth | Small Wars Journal by Arizona State University

Technology

Samsung delays $44 billion Texas chip fab — sources say completion halted because ‘there are no customers’ | Tom’s Hardware

Thailand

One Eye on Asia: Pathida Akkarajindanon – ‘Thai ads can hit you harder than you expect’ | Branding in Asia

‘Blood Connect’ – Inspiring Gen Z in Thailand to Value Blood Donation | Branding in Asia