American tech giant | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Services
Investors are turning to quality stocks as higher borrowing costs and a slower AI-driven rally reshape the market. Banks and strategists say quality can weather the downturn, with durable earnings, strong balance sheets, and cash flow guiding the next phase. Top analysts highlight hyperscalers and select AI-adopters as key exposures.
Sennheiser has released Momentum True Wireless 5 earbuds with user-replaceable batteries, combining premium sound with longevity. The design is refined and dust- and splash-resistant, but noise cancellation is average and touch sensors are finicky. Prices are $299.95.
Apple has announced the HomeView smart home hub and the iPhone Duo foldable, alongside updates to Mac and HomeKit devices. The devices are designed to deepen Apple’s domestic manufacturing push and expand its hardware ecosystem as Tim Cook’s successor, John Ternus, leads a fast-paced launch cadence.
Apple has launched HomeView, a 7-inch smart display that centralises control of its ecosystem and introduces an AI-powered Siri. It competes with Amazon’s Echo Show, offering features like FaceTime, Messages, and smart home management. The device starts shipping in November at $299.99, with a new line of HomeKit-enabled accessories announced.
TSMC has posted record profits on strong AI demand and is exploring a Texas site for its Terafab project, while expanding capacity in Arizona amid ongoing global capacity constraints. The company notes demand remains well above current supply, with plans to grow its U.S. manufacturing footprint.
Nvidia unveils Nemotron 3.5 Super VL and Bolt models for enterprise agents, promising fast task completion and on-prem deployment. Meta launches Muse Spark Open, an open-weight model optimized for Macs, highlighting long-horizon reasoning and safeguards. Both companies push open-weight ecosystems and local-use cases to appeal to businesses and privacy-conscious users.
France is facing nationwide protests over the cost of living and education, with tens of thousands in Paris and other cities. Clashes with police have intensified in several urban centers, while authorities warn of continued unrest as economic strains persist.
Apple has launched its $2,000 foldable iPhone Duo. Shipments begin today, with some buyers receiving day-one deliveries while others face January 2027 wait times due to limited supply and high demand.
Berkshire Hathaway has increased its investment in Italian tech group Bending Spoons, lifting its stake to 4% after a $330 million private placement. The move comes after a strong IPO performance and follows previous investments that have helped drive the company’s growth and deal activity.
Anthropic has announced a plan to dedicate 5% of its shares to a Public Benefit Fund, with potential to add more as the company’s value grows. The fund may support large nonprofit donations or distributions to specific populations, while excluding lobbying; governance details will follow ahead of an anticipated IPO.
Resale prices for Hermès Birkins have fallen from 2022 highs as supply in the second-hand market increases. Traders note softer demand and higher availability, challenging a business model built on scarcity. Hermès has not commented; outcomes depend on whether demand keeps pace with growing supply across global markets.
Markets have begun to stabilise as Treasuries attract inflows and AI-related debt issuance cools, amid a broader shift toward safe-haven assets. Traders are watching Fed policy as yields retreat from recent highs and tech stocks show tentative signs of recovery.
The rise of AI-generated music has prompted major platforms to act. Spotify and other services are removing AI-slop from recommendations, while Deezer offers a toggle to exclude AI-created tracks. Artists vary in stance, with Grimes and A$AP Rocky embracing some AI use but urging human credit. The debate centers on labeling, user choice, and the future of music charts.
Meta has told investors Muse, its AI personal assistant, is unprofitable now due to compute intensity but will become highly profitable as efficiency improves. The company plans to monetize Muse through transaction fees as it scales, with expectations of profitability next year while continuing to push Reality Labs losses toward reduction.
Anthropic introduces Claude Duet, an AI agent designed for professionals and small businesses. The tool provides daily briefs, monitors connected apps, builds dashboards, and can perform background tasks with user approval. It connects to thousands of apps via Claude Opus 5.5 and is accessible through Pro/Max subscriptions in the US. The feature is in a research preview.
The iPhone Duo has gone on sale with strong demand, but reports have emerged of inner-screen cracks and a hinge-related display glitch. Apple has said a small number of units are affected and will replace them under AppleCare.
Reports from Bloomberg, The Japan Times and TechCrunch describe early Duo units cracking along the center crease with audible crunches and display malfunctions after hours or days of use. Apple acknowledges an inner-display issue affecting a small number of units.