Rivian has reworked its loan deal with the Department of Energy and now expects to borrow $4.5 billion to build its new factory in Georgia, down from the original amount of $6.6 billion.
Y Combinator Alum Skio Sells for $105M Cash with Only $8M Raised, Founder Reports
Subscription billing fintech Skio sold to its competitor Recharge in what was a healthy exit, according to its founder and former CEO.
As Tim Cook Steps Down, Apple Hits Record Sales Despite Looming Chip Shortage
Cook warned that Apple is facing supply-chain headwinds from RAMageddon that could impact its business.
Apple Announces All-Time High in R&D Expenditures with Growing Focus on AI Investment
Apple’s investment in research and development reached a record level in the company’s most recent quarterly results, showcasing a continued industry-wide emphasis on AI advancement. Here are the specifics.
### Apple’s R&D Investment Reaches $11.4 Billion
In its fiscal Q2 2026 announcement, Apple disclosed R&D expenses amounting to $11.4 billion, marking a 34% rise from Q2 2025, establishing it as the highest quarterly amount in the firm’s history.
Over the last few quarters, Apple’s R&D expenditures have consistently risen from approximately the $6 billion range in 2022 to over $11 billion today. Significantly, the company notably increased its investment between Q4 2025 and Q1 2026, exceeding the $10 billion threshold for the first time.
This growth was addressed during the conference call that followed the Q2 2026 earnings report.
When queried by Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan regarding Apple’s approach to investing in the AI space, including internally developed projects versus those dependent on partners, Apple CEO Tim Cook stated:
> “We are clearly investing more. You can see that in the OPEX (Operating expenses) numbers, and if you click down on those, a step deeper, and look at the R&D areas separate (from) SG&A (Selling, General and Administrative), you’ll find that R&D is even accelerating much higher than the company is. So we’re clearly investing, we’re investing in products and services.”
Notably, this was the only instance R&D expenses were specifically referenced during the call, and it was Cook who brought it to attention when asked particularly about AI.
Despite Apple’s rise in R&D spending, it still falls short of some of the largest tech firms, particularly those that have been making more aggressive investments in AI.
For comparison, in their latest earnings reports, Alphabet revealed $17 billion in R&D spending, up from $13.5 billion in the same quarter last year, Meta reported $17.6 billion, up from $12.1 billion, and Microsoft noted $8.9 billion, an increase from $8.1 billion.
Earlier today, Apple published its earnings report for the second fiscal quarter of 2026, reporting $111.2 billion in revenue, a 17% year-over-year increase.
For the complete details of Apple’s earnings results, follow this link.
China Unveils ‘Pre-6G’ Network Featuring Speeds Up to 10 Times Greater Than 5G
5G represents the fastest type of network currently accessible, yet China is delving into the forthcoming version. It already marks a substantial advancement over 5G.
Not long ago, China initiated trials for what officials aspire to establish as its inaugural 6G network. This “pre-6G” experimental network utilizes the foundation of an existing 5G infrastructure but is purportedly tenfold quicker than its forerunner. The experiment occurred in Nanjing, a key city in Jiangsu Province, showcasing not only the emerging technology’s speed but also features like exceptionally high bandwidth, reduced latency, and the integration of AI. Nevertheless, the specifics of AI’s role within the cellular network remain unclear.
Though the trial results were encouraging, 6G networks are far from being ready for public consumption. Engineers do not anticipate finalizing system specifications and functionalities until at least 2028. However, China is making a $485 million investment in 6G technologies and their related applications and talent, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the final version of 6G outpaces the recent pre-6G trial network’s speeds.
6G technology might finally enable holographic communication
To be straightforward, we are eager for 6G. This innovation could transform the communication sector if the speeds observed during the pre-6G network trials serve as any indication. However, connecting to websites and downloading applications at a quicker pace merely touches on the potential of 6G.
Throughout the network trials, engineers examined the various applications of 6G across multiple fields. These assessments included low-altitude inspections, industrial production, and even holographic communications. This last aspect is particularly noteworthy, as in 2024, <a href="https://www.bgr.com/tech/6g-m
The Wildest Moment in Musk vs. Altman Occurred While the Jury Was Out
Okay, I am not a lawyer so I only understood about half of what just happened. But I am fairly sure, given the context, that Elon Musk’s lawyers may have just fucked up big. Jared “James Brickhouse” Birchall, Musk’s finance guy and all-around fixer, took the stand after Musk today. Most of his testimony was […]
AI-driven demand for Macs surprised Apple
Apple said it will be supply-constrained on Mac mini, Studio, and Neo in the next quarter, too.
Sources: Anthropic could reach a $900B+ valuation in upcoming round within two weeks
Anthropic is asking investors to submit allocations for the AI companyâs latest fundraise within the next 48 hours, according to sources familiar with the matter.
9to5Mac Daily: April 30, 2026 – Key Points on OpenAI Mobile Device and Other Updates
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Apple Aims to Seek Tariff Reimbursements and Reinvest in Domestic Manufacturing
**Apple Pursues Refunds for Tariffs After Supreme Court Decision**
During the fiscal Q2 2026 earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed that the company is seeking refunds for tariffs imposed under the policies enacted by former President Donald Trump. This choice comes after a recent Supreme Court verdict that declared these tariffs unconstitutional.
In a pivotal 6–3 decision, the Supreme Court determined that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not provide the president with the power to impose broad tariffs. This ruling effectively nullifies the tariffs and permits companies, including Apple, to pursue refunds for the duties they have paid.
Cook mentioned that Apple is adhering to “the established processes” in its efforts to seek these refunds. Although he did not disclose the amount Apple anticipates recovering, he stressed that any funds obtained would be reinvested into U.S. innovation and advanced manufacturing. This effort is consistent with Apple’s larger commitment to U.S. manufacturing, as demonstrated by the American Manufacturing Program (AMP) initiated last year, encompassing a $600 billion, four-year investment strategy.
The AMP has seen recent expansion, with new collaborators like Bosch, Cirrus Logic, TDK, and Qnity Electronics joining the effort. Cook made these remarks during the Q&A portion of the earnings call, where he also commented on ongoing supply chain challenges, indicating that the Mac desktop shortage is likely to persist for several months.
For the second quarter of 2026, Apple reported revenue of $111.2 billion, reflecting a 17% year-over-year increase. As companies across different sectors pursue refunds for duties collected under the now-overturned tariff system, the potential total refunds could reach approximately $166 billion.
In a related remark, Donald Trump stated he would “remember” companies that opt not to seek refunds while criticizing those who do. Nevertheless, many businesses are proceeding with their claims following the Supreme Court’s ruling.
