AllYouCanTech

Former Apple COO Jeff Williams Has Officially Retired

**Jeff Williams Retires: Reflecting on His Influence at Apple**

In July of last year, Apple revealed that its longtime Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Williams, would retire “late in the year.” It has recently been confirmed that Williams has clocked out for the final time, signaling the conclusion of an era for the tech powerhouse.

### Williams’ Final Day at Apple

Having overseen Apple’s operations for ten years, Williams had already stepped down as de facto COO earlier this year, transferring the duties to Sabih Khan, who now serves as Apple’s Senior Vice President of Operations. Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, conveyed immense appreciation for Williams’ efforts, stating, “Apple wouldn’t be what it is without him.” He emphasized Williams’ involvement in crafting a reputable global supply chain, introducing the Apple Watch, and formulating the company’s health strategy.

### Contributions and Duties

Beyond his role as COO, Williams directed customer service and support, the design team, and the engineering for both software and hardware related to the Apple Watch. He played a key role in establishing Apple’s overall health initiatives, which have become a crucial aspect of the company’s ecosystem.

As Williams made his exit, reports indicated that various aspects of his responsibilities would be reallocated. The health and fitness teams will now come under Eddy Cue, Senior Vice President of Services, while Craig Federighi will manage watchOS, and John Ternus will oversee the engineering of Apple Watch hardware.

### Leadership Shifts on the Horizon

Williams’ retirement heralds a broader shift in leadership at Apple, with several executives expected to step down in the near future, including Tim Cook. Presently, Ternus is regarded as a leading candidate for the CEO role, though a timeline for this transition remains uncertain.

### Conclusion

Jeff Williams departs leaving a legacy of innovation and excellence at Apple. His contributions have forged the company into a leader in technology and design, and his exit signifies a pivotal moment in Apple’s history as it gears up for new leadership and forthcoming challenges.

Firefox Unveils AI Window for Improved AI-Enhanced Browsing Experience

**Mozilla Unveils AI Window: A New Chapter in AI-Powered Browsing for Firefox**

Yesterday, Mozilla revealed an intriguing new experimental function for its Firefox browser named AI Window. This project is designed to consolidate the browser’s forthcoming AI features, offering users an inventive method to elevate their browsing journey.

### What is AI Window?

In a post on Mozilla’s Distilled blog, Ajit Varma, the VP of Product at Mozilla, characterized AI Window as “a novel, intelligent and user-governed area” within Firefox. This feature enables users to engage with an AI assistant during their browsing experience, providing assistance customized to their preferences. Notably, the feature is entirely optional, meaning users retain complete control over its functionality. If they deem it unhelpful, they can swiftly turn it off.

### User-Focused Strategy

Varma highlighted that although AI can deliver significant support, it may not attract every user consistently. Unlike other browsers that compel users to pick between universal AI integration or none at all, Mozilla is pursuing an alternative approach. The firm is encouraging users to take part in shaping the AI Window, making certain that the development process is guided by genuine user insights.

This “build in the open” tactic is a notable advantage for Mozilla. By involving users from the beginning, the company can sidestep errors and unnecessary duplication of features that have failed in competing browsers.

### How to Participate

Users keen on discovering the possibilities of AI Window can sign up for a waitlist by following [this link](https://www.firefox.com/en-US/ai/). For those wishing to delve further into the specifics, Varma’s complete blog post is accessible

iOS 26.2: Summary of New Features for iPhone Users

# iOS 26.2: Fresh Features and Improvements

iOS 26.2 is now accessible for beta testing, bringing a variety of fresh features and enhancements for iPhone users. This update aims to improve user experience across numerous applications, such as Apple Podcasts, Reminders, and more. Below is a detailed summary of the new features found in the latest beta version.

## New Features in iOS 26.2

### Reminders
A highlighted addition in iOS 26.2 is the new “Urgent” option in the Reminders app. This functionality enables users to set alarms for tasks designated as urgent, ensuring that crucial tasks aren’t missed.

### Apple Music
The Apple Music app has undergone considerable improvements, especially regarding its lyrics feature. Users can now view lyrics for songs in their library without requiring a Wi-Fi or cellular connection. This encompasses complete lyrics, translations, and beat-by-beat syncing.

### Apple Podcasts
iOS 26.2 brings three significant features to Apple Podcasts:
1. **AI-Generated Chapters**: The app will automatically generate chapters for podcast episodes using AI, while producers can still submit their own chapters.
2. **Podcast Mentions**: When a podcast mentions another show, users can easily access it via a link included in the episode description.

### Sleep Score
The Sleep Score functionality on the Apple Watch has been improved based on user feedback. The classification criteria have been refined, making it more difficult to achieve higher scores. The new levels are:
– Very Low: 0-40 points
– Low: 41-60 points
– OK: 61-80 points
– High: 81-95 points
– Very High: 96-100 points

### Apple News
The Apple News app has experienced design modifications to enhance navigation. Users will discover dedicated buttons for quick access to Sports, Puzzles, Politics, and Food sections. Moreover, a new “Following” tab has been introduced to better manage favorites and saved articles.

### iOS 26.2 EU Changes
For users within the European Union, iOS 26.2 extends the Live Translation feature with AirPods, which had been previously delayed. Nonetheless, it also removes Wi-Fi network syncing between iPhones and Apple Watches due to regulatory standards.

### Liquid Glass
iOS 26.2 upgrades the Liquid Glass feature, allowing users to modify the transparency of the clock on their Lock Screen. The Measure app also received a Liquid Glass design enhancement for its Level tool, accompanied by new animations across the system.

### CarPlay Updates
CarPlay users will enjoy two important updates:
1. The option to disable Pinned Conversations in the Messages app.
2. An increase in widget stacks available for certain vehicles, providing more customization.

### Additional Changes
Other minor modifications in iOS 26.2 include:
– A new “Enhanced Safety Alerts” menu for toggling alerts for earthquakes and imminent dangers.
– Support for tables in the Freeform app.
– An “Excluded Websites” menu in the Passwords app.
– A new Accessibility option for “Flash to Alerts.”
– Upgrades to the Games app, including sorting and filtering capabilities.

## Conclusion
iOS 26.2 is presently in beta testing for developers and public beta users, with a complete release anticipated around mid-December. As testing progresses, more features may be included, and users are encouraged to share feedback about their favorite updates. This release aims to enhance the overall functionality and user experience of iOS devices, marking an exciting advancement for iPhone users.

iPhone Progression: Advancing Past Steve Jobs’ Product Approach and Foreseeing Upcoming Developments

Apple’s Expanding iPhone Portfolio: Addressing Early Challenges

Apple Inc. has experienced considerable change since the death of its co-founder, Steve Jobs. The company has broadened its iPhone portfolio to cater to a varied and expanding user demographic, yet this diversification has resulted in some initial difficulties.

### Recent Changes to Apple’s iPhone Offerings

Over the past year, Apple has implemented significant modifications to its iPhone lineup:

– The iPhone SE has been phased out and succeeded by the iPhone 16e, which is positioned at a higher price tier with expectations for yearly updates.
– The iPhone Plus has been discontinued as well, paving the path for the new iPhone Air, which offers a distinct set of features and benefits.
– The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max have been upgraded with a more distinguished ‘Pro’ identity, featuring sturdier designs and enhanced camera capabilities.

Even with the rollout of these new models, the response has been varied. The iPhone 17 Pro seems to be performing well in terms of sales, while both the iPhone Air and iPhone 16e are reportedly encountering difficulties in the marketplace.

### Reflecting on Steve Jobs’ Product Philosophy

Steve Jobs was recognized for his focus on simplicity within product lines. Upon returning to Apple, he established a 2×2 product matrix to streamline the company’s offerings. This framework sorted products into consumer and professional categories, which aided in maintaining clarity for customers.

Traditionally, the iPhone lineup adhered to a similar format, including two consumer models (iPhone and iPhone Plus) and two professional models (iPhone Pro and Pro Max), with the iPhone SE acting as an affordable alternative. However, the recent adjustments have added complexity that strays from this usual structure.

### The Prospective Future of Apple’s iPhone Lineup

Looking forward, Apple is poised to launch six flagship iPhones within the next 18 months:

– iPhone 18e
– iPhone 18
– iPhone Air 2
– iPhone 18 Pro
– iPhone 18 Pro Max
– iPhone Fold

This broadened lineup offers both possibilities and hurdles for Apple. While it strives to meet the diverse needs of its user base, the intricacy of the offerings may bewilder consumers.

### Conclusion

Apple’s efforts to diversify its iPhone lineup illustrate its growth and the necessity to appeal to a wider audience. Nonetheless, the early challenges faced by the iPhone Air and iPhone 16e indicate that the company might need to refine its approach. As Apple navigates these initial hurdles, the emphasis will be on effectively distinguishing each product while preserving the simplicity that defined Jobs’ vision. The future of the iPhone lineup may call for patience and flexibility as Apple continues to progress in a competitive landscape.

Key Aspects of macOS Tahoe That I Have Employed Following Two Months of Usage

### Discovering the New Functionalities of macOS Tahoe: What Resonated in My Workflow

macOS Tahoe has launched numerous productivity and continuity enhancements that promise to improve user experience. After a couple of months of usage, I’ve realized that merely a handful of these functionalities have blended seamlessly into my daily workflow. This article emphasizes the features that have left a lasting impression.

#### Live Activities Mirroring

Among the most notable features for me has been Live Activities mirroring. This addition has been a wonderful surprise, particularly for food orders. Even though I didn’t actively seek out iPhone Live Activity mirroring, it has become a consistent reminder of the updates in macOS this year.

As someone who prefers a tidy menu bar—utilizing applications like Bartender to conceal most icons—it’s easy to miss features like this. Nonetheless, Live Activities mirroring has shown to be practical, surfacing when required and enabling swift access to the app via iPhone Mirroring.

#### World Clock and List Calendar Widgets

With my global work responsibilities, the World Clock desktop widget has proven to be an essential asset. It aids me in managing time zones across Brazil, Pacific Time, Eastern Time, Mexico City, and Barcelona. Moreover, the List Calendar widget has turned out to be crucial for organizing my podcast schedules.

Both widgets can be accessed effortlessly with a swipe or a trackpad gesture, integrating so smoothly into my workflow that I often prefer using my Mac for quick checks over my iPhone. Despite my initial hesitance regarding desktop clutter, these widgets have become vital.

#### Honorable Mentions

– **Spotlight**: The inclusion of clipboard history, keyboard shortcuts, and automations in Spotlight is praiseworthy. However, as a seasoned user of Keyboard Maestro and TextExpander, I feel adequately equipped. For newcomers to automation, the enhanced Spotlight serves as an excellent introduction.

– **Control Center**: Initially, I believed that the ability to add Control Center items to the menu bar would not interest me, but it has turned out to be a genuinely beneficial feature. The introduction of Control Center was a highly awaited enhancement at WWDC, even if I don’t utilize it as often as others may.

– **Liquid Glass**: I admired the Liquid Glass redesign from its inception, although its influence on macOS feels less significant than on iOS. As a Dark Mode user, the updated transparency settings are subtle and less apparent, rendering it feel less impactful on macOS.

### Conclusion

Although macOS Tahoe has rolled out a range of features, not every one has struck a chord with every user. The Live Activities mirroring, World Clock, and List Calendar widgets have become integral to my workflow, while other functionalities, although impressive, have not made a considerable impression. What features have you found most beneficial in macOS Tahoe? Share your insights in the comments.

Apple Provides Complimentary Chapter from Carol’s Book ‘Pluribus’

### Pluribus: Apple TV’s New Sci-Fi Series and the Release of Bloodsong of Wycaro

Apple TV has just unveiled its latest must-see series, **Pluribus**, which has swiftly attracted attention for its captivating narrative and intriguing characters. The show stars Rhea Seehorn in the prominent role of Carol Sturka, a character who serves as a key player in the series and is also a bestselling author of romantasy novels.

#### Bloodsong of Wycaro Excerpt Now Available on Apple Books

In a creative marketing initiative, Apple Books has made available a complimentary chapter from Carol’s fictional novel, **Bloodsong of Wycaro**. This exclusive excerpt enables fans of the series to immerse themselves deeper into Carol Sturka’s world and experience the storytelling style that has enthralled readers within the show.

The excerpt can be downloaded from Apple Books, offering readers a sneak peek into the fourth installment of Carol’s grand romantasy trilogy. The description from Apple Books invites readers to accompany Lucasia, the captain of the duneship Mercator, as she traverses the perilous sands of Wycaro in search of a remedy for her ailing crew. The narrative promises a mix of adventure, romance, and intrigue, as Lucasia faces her past and the trials of her present.

#### Marketing Strategy and Series Availability

Apple TV’s promotional strategy for **Pluribus** has been recognized for its inventiveness, reminiscent of the marketing campaigns for other hit series such as **Severance**. The show currently offers three episodes, with new installments scheduled for release weekly until December 26.

For those keen to delve into **Pluribus** and the associated literary work, Apple TV is available for a subscription rate of $12.99 per month. The platform boasts a wide array of popular shows and films, including beloved titles like **Ted Lasso** and **Severance**.

#### Conclusion

The debut of the **Bloodsong of Wycaro** excerpt is a distinctive enhancement to the viewing journey of **Pluribus**, enriching the narrative landscape of the series. Fans are urged to download the free chapter and immerse themselves in Carol Sturka’s universe, while also enjoying the developing storyline of **Pluribus** on Apple TV.