Earlier this year, Apple launched its first Apple Manufacturing Academy in Detroit. The academy is designed to offer free training in “smart manufacturing” for small and medium businesses from around the country, and was started in partnership with Michigan State University.

Today, Apple announced the first-ever virtual programming as part of the Apple Manufacturing Academy.

As the holiday shopping season kicks into full swing, it’s important to make sure you’re buying the right Apple product and getting the best deal possible. Here’s everything you need to know about what to buy and how to score some big savings on the best Apple gifts of the year.

Updated December 5, 2025: The latest pricing on MacBook Air, AirPods Pro, AirPods 4, and more.

Apple’s leadership shakeup continues. Apple has announced that two more executives are departing the company: Katherine Adams, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, and Lisa Jackson, vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives.

Benjamin and Chance react to the departure of not one, but two, key Apple executives this week with the news that John Giannandrea is retiring as SVP of AI, and design VP Alan Dye is leaving for a new job at Meta. Also, Apple finally agrees a deal with Tencent over commission for mini apps in WeChat, India tries to pre-install a state security app on iPhones, and the new Apple Music Replay launches. 

And in Happy Hour Plus, an analytics report claims baseball games drive more subscribers to Apple TV than its original series. Subscribe at 9to5mac.com/join. 

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After announcing the finalists last month, Apple today officially announced the winners of the 2025 App Store Awards. This year, the App Store Awards recognize 17 apps and games for their “technical ingenuity and lasting cultural impact.”

The winners were selected by App Store Editors for “demonstrating exceptional innovation, user experience, and design.”

Yesterday, Bloomberg broke the surprise news that Alan Dye, Apple’s vice president of Human Interface Design since 2015, is departing the company to lead a new design studio at Meta. Apple confirmed the departure in a statement attributed to Tim Cook, adding that 26-year Apple design veteran Steve Lemay will take over Dye’s role.

In a new post on Daring Fireball, John Gruber has some sourced info on the reaction inside Apple to this news.

Alan Dye, Apple’s vice president of Human Interface Design since 2015, is departing the company. Bloomberg reports that Meta has poached Dye as part of its push “into AI-equipped consumer devices.”

Stephen Lemay, a 26-year Apple design veteran, will take over the role from Dye, who officially joins Meta on December 31.

Did you just unbox some new AirPods 4 or AirPods Pro thanks to the killer Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals? If so, there’s a lot you need to know.

Over the last two years, AirPods have gotten significantly better thanks to new software updates from Apple. Here’s a rundown of new features you should try that were introduced as part of iOS 18 and iOS 26.

Apple’s annual Black Friday Shopping Event kicked off on Friday, and time is running out to take advantage. The deals officially end tonight at midnight.

You can score an up to $250 gift card with purchase of an eligible product, including select iPhones, Macs, Apple Watches, AirPods, and more. Head below for the full details.

As always, however, you can save far more in cash by shopping at other retailers. Our friends over at 9to5Toys are meticulously rounding up all of the best Cyber Monday deals.