Apple Faces Scrutiny from White House as Trump Aide Criticizes Tim Cook’s Stance on China

On today’s “Squawk on the Street” on CNBC, White House Senior Counselor for trade and manufacturing Peter Navarro reignited criticism of Apple’s reliance on China, pointing out CEO Tim Cook for what he characterized as years of postponed attempts to relocate iPhone manufacturing. Here’s the complete quote.

### ‘The longest running soap opera in Silicon Valley’

In a broad discussion covering tariffs, the FED, and Apple, CNBC’s Jim Cramer and Navarro conversed about Tim Cook’s recent difficulties in satisfying the Trump administration.

When Cramer remarked that “no matter where Apple goes, we find that they have to be taxed high,” and inquired, “What is sufficient for you?” Navarro replied:

> “Returning to the first Trump term, Tim Cook has consistently requested more time to transfer his factories out of China. I mean, it’s the longest running soap opera in Silicon Valley. And my issue with Tim Cook is he never takes the actions needed to actually accomplish that. And with all these new advanced manufacturing methods and the way things are evolving with AI and such, it’s unimaginable to me that Tim Cook couldn’t make his iPhones somewhere else in the world and in this country.”

Today’s interview occurred right after the conclusion of Trump’s 90-day tariff hiatus, which was succeeded by a new wave of tariffs targeting nations like Japan and South Korea. Apple’s shares mirrored the broader market’s decline, ending the day down 1.69%.

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Meta Names Apple’s Head of Foundation Models

Apple’s leading executive responsible for its internal AI models is departing the firm to join Meta. As noted by Bloomberg, Ruoming Pang is set to move to Menlo Park and will become part of Mark Zuckerberg’s elite Meta Superintelligence Labs team, as revealed last week.

### Apple’s AI challenges continue to emerge

Pang transitioned to Apple from Google in 2021 and had been overseeing the approximately 100-member team that supports features like Genmoji, Priority Notifications, and on-device text summarization within Apple Intelligence.

His departure signifies yet another setback for Apple’s goal to create competitive AI models internally. Reports indicate that Pang received a multi-million-dollar annual salary from Meta as part of Mark Zuckerberg’s ambitious initiative to gather top-tier AI talent, and he wasn’t the only hire confirmed today:

> “Meta on Monday also brought on Yuanzhi Li, a researcher from OpenAI, and Anton Bakhtin, who contributed to Claude at Anthropic PBC, according to other sources familiar with the situation.”

Bloomberg emphasizes that Pang’s team was pivotal to Apple’s ambitions for a next-gen Siri experience, even amid internal discussions regarding whether to continue using its own models or to turn to third-party options such as OpenAI’s or Anthropic’s offerings.

In recent weeks, Meta has recruited prominent figures like Alexandr Wang from Scale AI, former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman, Yuanzhi Li from OpenAI, and Daniel Gross, CEO of Safe Superintelligence.

Sources inform Bloomberg that Pang’s exit may not be the final one:

> “Pang’s exit could signal the beginning of a wave of departures from the AFM group, with several engineers expressing intentions to leave for Meta or other opportunities soon, the sources mentioned. Tom Gunter, a senior aide to Pang, left Apple last month, Bloomberg reported previously.”

The AFM team will now be headed by Zhifeng Chen. In contrast to the previous framework where most engineers reported directly to Pang, the revised organizational structure introduces a more decentralized management system, with several managers potentially including Chong Wang, Zirui Wang, Chung-Cheng Chiu, and Guoli Yin.

Apple TV+ Offered at $4.99/month on Prime Video This Week

### Subscribe to Apple TV+ via Prime Video for 50% Off

Amazon’s yearly Prime Day has transformed into a week-long celebration, and one of the most notable promotions this year is a substantial price reduction on Apple TV+ subscriptions. For a limited time, users can enroll in Apple TV+ through Prime Video for only $4.99 per month, which is a 50% discount from the usual price of $9.99.

#### What This Means for Subscribers

Last autumn, Apple TV+ became available within Amazon’s streaming platform, enabling users to sign up and view Apple TV+ content directly through the Prime Video application. This integration allows subscribers to use their Amazon login for payment, ensuring they can enjoy all Apple TV+ content smoothly within the Prime Video environment.

#### Current Offer Details

The promotional rate of $4.99 is valid for the initial two months of the subscription. Following this introductory phase, the subscription will automatically revert to the standard pricing of $9.99 unless canceled. This offer is open until Friday, July 11, in line with the Prime Day celebrations.

#### How to Subscribe

To benefit from this exclusive rate, interested users can sign up through Amazon’s website. This initiative reflects the combined efforts of both Apple and Amazon to establish comprehensive streaming TV aggregators, improving user experience by offering more adaptable subscription choices.

#### Recommendations for Apple TV+ Content

For newcomers to Apple TV+ or those seeking something to watch, there is an abundance of acclaimed shows and films available. Users can delve into various suggestions or read articles showcasing the finest content on the platform.

In summary, this limited-time promotion offers an excellent chance for streaming fans to explore Apple TV+ at a fraction of the typical cost. Don’t miss the opportunity to indulge in high-quality original programming at a discount.

Roborock Provides Substantial Savings on Robot Vacuum Cleaners for Prime Day

### It’s Prime Day Season: Irresistible Offers on Roborock Robot Vacuums

During this Prime Day season, Roborock is providing outstanding reductions on some of its leading robot vacuum models, with savings of nearly 40%. These offers accommodate various budgets, making it simpler for everyone to locate an appropriate robot vacuum, even at a lower price point.

#### Saros 10R

The **Saros 10R** is Roborock’s premier model, now offered with an exclusive 20% discount this Prime Day. Equipped with the innovative StarSight Autonomous System 2.0, this vacuum excels at navigating intricate households filled with obstacles. It features industry-leading HyperForce suction, adept at cleaning different floor types and addressing stubborn dirt.

Notable features include:
– A high-performance brush that avoids hair tangles, perfect for homes with pets.
– A dock that includes automatic dust collection, auto tank refilling, hot water self-cleaning, and an automatic detergent dispenser.

Initially priced at $1599.99, the Saros 10R is now available for **$1279.99**, providing a **$320** saving. This model is ideal for larger homes in search of premium features. [Purchase it on Amazon here](https://bit.ly/4eFru95).

#### Q7 M5+

For those mindful of their spending, the **Q7 M5+** is a superb option. Regularly priced at $429.99, it is now available at a **35% discount**, reducing the price to **$279.99**—a savings of **$150**.

In spite of its affordability, the Q7 M5+ delivers remarkable capabilities:
– 10,000Pa of HyperForce suction.
– A dual anti-tangle mechanism to minimize upkeep.
– LiDAR navigation for accurate cleaning.

The included 2.7L sealed dust bag permits up to 7 weeks of cleaning before it needs to be emptied. This model is perfect for first-time buyers or those on a budget. [Get it on Amazon now](https://bit.ly/3ZYx28E).

#### Qrevo S5V

The **Qrevo S5V** stands out during the Prime Day sale, featuring a substantial discount. Originally priced at $899.99, it is now available for **$549.99**, signifying a **39% discount**.

This mid-tier vacuum includes:
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– An auto-refilling water tank for continuous mopping over vast areas.
– A dust bin that can hold up to 7 weeks of debris.

With its FlexiArm design and dual spinning mops, it effectively cleans corners and around furniture. The Qrevo S5V is user-friendly, facilitating remote scheduling and settings adjustments through the Roborock app. [Acquire a Qrevo S5V for $549.99](https://bit.ly/3TWdk9S).

#### Additional Deals

Roborock has more attractive deals, including the **QV 35A**, now available for **$399.99** (originally $549.99), presenting an all-in-one solution with over 8,000Pa of suction power and an anti-tangle side brush—representing a **38% discount**. [Purchase it at Amazon](https://bit.ly/4lyVCFd).

Another budget-friendly choice is the **S10 S5+**, priced at **$349.99** (originally $549.99), featuring 10,000Pa of suction and a VibraRise 2.0 mopping system—providing a **36% discount**. [Buy it on Amazon](https://bit.ly/4lmaPdo).

Roborock also presents the **F25 RT**, a traditional wet-and-dry vacuum, available for **$209.99** during Prime Day, recognized for its edge-to-edge cleaning capabilities.

Keep informed about Roborock’s offers by following them on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/RoborockGlobal), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/roborockglobal/), or [X/Twitter](https://twitter.com/roborockglobal). Don’t miss these limited-time Prime Day bargains! Discover more on their [Amazon deals page](https://bit.ly/3TTm2pq) or their

Apple and Masimo Resume Legal Actions Concerning Appeal of Apple Watch Import Restriction

**Apple Challenges Ruling on Blood-Oxygen Sensor Restriction for Apple Watches**

Today, Apple appeared at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit aiming to overturn a decision that prohibited the U.S. sale of Apple Watches featuring blood-oxygen sensors. This legal confrontation holds substantial consequences for both Apple and the medical technology firm Masimo, which initiated the legal proceedings.

### A Brief Overview

The dispute between Apple and Masimo commenced in 2021 when Masimo accused Apple of violating multiple patents pertaining to blood-oxygen sensing technology. In 2023, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled in favor of Masimo, concluding that Apple infringed its intellectual property rights. As a result, the ITC imposed an import ban on the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2.

After the ruling, Apple temporarily ceased sales of both models in the U.S. but later resumed after obtaining a temporary hold on the ban. Nonetheless, when the court reinstated the ban in January 2024, Apple had to disable the blood-oxygen feature in newly sold models to align with the ruling.

In today’s appeal, Apple seeks to completely overturn the ITC’s ruling, reinstate the blood-oxygen capability on U.S.-sold watches, and persist in providing this functionality to its customers.

### Today’s Appeal

During the oral presentations, Apple’s lawyer, Joseph Mueller, contended that the ban unjustly deprived millions of Apple Watch users of the blood-oxygen feature. He maintained that Masimo’s assertions were baseless, emphasizing that the company’s first wearable with blood-oxygen tracking did not debut until 2022, two years following Apple’s launch of the feature.

Mueller remarked, “The ban lacked justification as Masimo only possessed prototypes of a smartwatch with pulse oximetry capabilities when it lodged its ITC complaint.” In reply, Masimo’s lawyer argued that Apple was mistaken in claiming that a “finished product” was essential to justify the ITC’s ruling.

The judges seemed to ponder whether Masimo’s subsequent development of a rival smartwatch justified the import ban, indicating that Apple’s arguments may have found favor with the court.

### 9to5Mac’s Perspective

While the court has not yet rendered a decision, today’s session suggested that Apple is altering its strategy. With earlier efforts to invalidate Masimo’s patents unsuccessful, Apple is now asserting that a patent dispute involving prototypes should not be adequate reason to exclude a flagship product from the market. The result of this appeal could have profound effects for both companies and the wearable technology industry as a whole.

As the situation progresses, the tech community will be closely observing to determine if Apple’s new legal strategy will produce a positive result.