Wesley Hilliard

Kingsport, Virginia

Assistant Editor at AppleInsider

This account exists to prevent others from getting my user name. Find me on Mastodon. https://t.co/Kh9wHnYB2I

Featured in: Favicon

appleinsider.com Favicon

newsbreak.com Favicon

yahoo.com (+3) Favicon

flipboard.com Favicon

codeproject.com

Articles

On-device Apple Intelligence training methods seem to be based on a controversial technology

1 week ago | appleinsider.com | Wesley Hilliard

On Monday, Apple shared its plans to allow users to opt into on-device Apple Intelligence training using Differential Privacy techniques that are incredibly similar to its failed CSAM detection system. Differential Privacy is a concept Apple embraced openly in 2016 with iOS 10. It is a privacy-preserving method of data collection that introduces noise to sample data to prevent the data collectors from figuring out where the data came from.
Trump blinks: Floats suggestion that Apple might get a tariff exemption

2 weeks ago | appleinsider.com | Wesley Hilliard

In a press gaggle, President Donald Trump said that some companies that have been hit the hardest by the blockbuster tariffs applied by the administration may get some relief — and nobody has been or will be hit harder than Apple. It has been a rollercoaster week as President Trump finally enacted global "reciprocal" tariffs in an attempt to either bring manufacturing to the United States or be used as a negotiating tactic to lower other country's tariffs.
Apple to report Q2 2025 earnings on May 1

2 weeks ago | appleinsider.com | Wesley Hilliard

Earnings for what may be Apple's last quarter without massive tariffs, that saw releases of iPhone 16e, updated Macs, and new iPads will be announced on May 1, followed by a conference call. Apple's first quarter isn't always the most exciting one for the company, as the holiday quarter is tough to follow. However, there may be a mild boost to some categories when compared year-over-year thanks to new product releases.
Leaker wars escalate as Jon Prosser allegedly shows entire iOS 19 redesign

2 weeks ago | appleinsider.com | Wesley Hilliard

Jon Prosser has refined his iOS 19 leak concepts with more-rounded squircle icons, reflective elements, and more that bring it closer to Apple Vision Pro's visionOS. Apple operating systems rarely leak, if ever, but leaker Jon Prosser claims he has access to a recent build of iOS 19. A previous leak showed glassy elements Mark Gurman called outdated or inaccurate, but Prosser is back with a few more redesign tweaks to show off.
New post-tariff iPhone cost estimate comes in much lower at just 29% more

2 weeks ago | appleinsider.com | Wesley Hilliard

While the chaos of tariffs will make things unpredictable for some time, the latest analyst guess-work about what an iPhone 16 Pro Max could cost comes in with a much smaller increase in price than previously estimated. The United States Trump administration levied extreme tariffs against nearly every country, territory, and island, inhabited or not. The combination of nonsensical math behind tariffs and vague exemptions that won't apply to Apple chips makes price estimates difficult to ascertain.
Apple's Home Hub pushed back to 2026 after delayed Siri improvements

2 weeks ago | appleinsider.com | Wesley Hilliard

A report suggests that Apple will wait until a revamped Siri with contextual app data access launches to reveal its Home Hub project — likely in 2026. The so-called Home Hub has been rumored for almost as long as the HomePod has existed. Users seem interested in a "HomePod with an interactive display" similar to Google's and Amazon's products. It seemed as if Apple would launch such a product line sometime soon, but according to the Power On newsletter, that launch will now occur in 2026.
More Apple chips could be made in US thanks to TSMC & Intel joint venture

2 weeks ago | appleinsider.com | Wesley Hilliard

Apple could benefit from more chip fab availability in the United States in the coming years thanks to a joint venture that will bring TSMC talent to Intel foundries. The preliminary agreement between the competitors will give TSMC a 20% stake in the combined company, while Intel and other semiconductor companies will own the majority of shares. TSMC will bring talent and manufacturing methods to teach American employees and get the US-based Intel foundries running.
Apple security chief found not guilty of bribery charges over firearm permits

3 weeks ago | appleinsider.com | Wesley Hilliard

Apple security chief Thomas Moyer was accused of bribery after allegedly attempting to donate iPads in return for concealed firearm permits, but has been found not guilty. It's been an incredibly long few years for the head of global security at Apple, Thomas Moyer, as he was accused of bribing officials in exchange for firearm permits in 2020. The case was dismissed in 2021, but then reopened in 2023 when the Santa Clara District Attorney's Office appealed.
Apple CEO Tim Cook makes a cool $24 million in serendipitous stock sale

3 weeks ago | appleinsider.com | Wesley Hilliard

The remainder of Apple CEO Tim Cook's Restricted Stock Units couldn't have vested at a better time, with 108,136 shares sold just before tariffs were announced. It's not hard to figure out when Apple CEO Tim Cook is about to make a bunch of money, as his Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) sales take place at the same time every year. He made $16 million selling stocks in April 2024 and $50 million later that October. Wednesday's sale was shared via an SEC filing, which shows 108,136 shares were sold.
Mastercard may be in for a fight to stay Apple Card network provider

3 weeks ago | appleinsider.com | Wesley Hilliard

There's been a quiet battle between banks to be the next Apple Card issuer as Goldman Sachs moves on, but another battle is brewing between networks to take over from Mastercard. Apple is set to move Apple Card from Goldman Sachs at some point soon, but Apple could switch payment networks in the process. Goldman Sachs previously suggested it wanted to rid itself of Apple Card in 12 to 15 months as of November 2023 — so the move is past due.