Debut of New Sci-Fi Show by Breaking Bad Creator Today on Apple TV

**Vince Gilligan’s Latest Series “Pluribus” Launches on Apple TV**

Vince Gilligan, famous for his iconic series “Breaking Bad,” has made a much-anticipated comeback to television with his new sci-fi drama “Pluribus,” which debuted today on Apple TV. The show features Rhea Seehorn in the role of Carol, a romance author who faces an unusual predicament: she is the solitary unhappy individual in a world taken over by a contagion that has turned the rest of humanity into a collective consciousness filled with unending joy.

**Synopsis**

While specific details about the plot have been kept secret, the concept of “Pluribus” is captivating. Carol, played by Seehorn, occupies a distinct role as the only person defying the overpowering tide of happiness that has engulfed the planet. The scenario intensifies to the extent that even the President contacts her, encouraging her to embrace the joyful community. Nevertheless, Carol’s path is not one of conformity; rather, she sets out on a quest to resist this imposed happiness, implying that excess in any form can result in severe repercussions.

**Locale and Relationships**

The series is predominantly set in Albuquerque, a well-known setting for fans of Gilligan’s earlier projects, including “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul.” Although it shares the same location and features Seehorn, “Pluribus” serves as a distinct storyline, separate from the “Breaking Bad” realm. This new narrative permits Gilligan to delve into fresh themes while still keeping a link to his origins.

**Cast and Production Team**

Rhea Seehorn is at the heart of “Pluribus,” with her portrayal bearing much of the comedic and dramatic essence of the show. The ensemble cast includes prominent actors like Carlos Manuel Vesga, Karolina Wydra, and Miriam Shor, who enhance the show’s vibrancy. Gilligan’s transition from crime drama to sci-fi marks a return to his earlier days, when he earned acclaim for his involvement in “The X-Files.” Initial reviews suggest that this shift has been a triumph, with critics reacting favorably to the series.

**Release Timeline and Future Outlook**

“Pluribus” begins with a two-episode launch, with a total of nine episodes scheduled for the inaugural season. New episodes will be released weekly, leading up to a season finale on December 26. Apple TV has expressed confidence in the series by committing to two seasons in advance, with a considerable budget reportedly around $15 million per episode, signaling high hopes for its success.

For those keen to experience this distinctive blend of humor and science fiction, “Pluribus” is currently available on Apple TV, where new subscribers can enjoy a 7-day free trial. As the series develops, audiences can anticipate an engaging exploration of happiness, individuality, and the human condition through Gilligan’s unique narrative style.

Apple Lowers Maximum Trade-In Values for Every Product

Apple has recently updated its trade-in value chart for a variety of devices, such as iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches. This change has led to maximum payments falling by as much as $145, with an average reduction of around 20% across most items. Here are the specifics of the new trade-in values.

### MacBook No Longer Available for Trade-In
In this update, Apple has announced that the MacBook is no longer a candidate for trade-in. This modification is part of Apple’s routine revisions to trade-in values for its offerings, which also encompasses certain Android smartphones.

### Updated Trade-In Values
The tables below present the revised trade-in values for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches:

#### iPhone Trade-In Values
| iPhone Model | New Trade-In Value (up to) | Previous Trade-In Value (up to) | Variation (%) | Variation ($) |
|—————————-|—————————–|———————————-|—————|—————-|
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | $670 | $700 | -4.29% | -$30 |
| iPhone 16 Pro | $550 | $580 | -5.17% | -$30 |
| iPhone 16 Plus | $450 | $470 | -4.26% | -$20 |
| iPhone 16 | $430 | $450 | -4.44% | -$20 |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | $470 | $630 | -25.40% | -$160 |
| iPhone 15 Pro | $400 | $500 | -20% | -$100 |
| iPhone 15 Plus | $330 | $440 | -25% | -$110 |
| iPhone 15 | $310 | $400 | -22.50% | -$90 |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | $370 | $455 | -18.68% | -$85 |
| iPhone 14 Pro | $300 | $380 | -21.05% | -$80 |
| iPhone 14 Plus | $240 | $300 | -20% | -$60 |
| iPhone 14 | $220 | $290 | -24.14% | -$70 |
| iPhone SE (3rd gen) | $80 | $100 | -20% | -$20 |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | $300 | $370 | -18.92% | -$70 |
| iPhone 13 Pro | $230 | $300 | -23.33% | -$70 |
| iPhone 13 | $180 | $250 | -28% | -$70 |
| iPhone 13 mini | $150 | $200 | -25% | -$50 |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | $220 | $280 | -21.43% | -$60 |
| iPhone 12 Pro | $160 | $220 | -27.27% | -$60 |
| iPhone 12 | $130 | $170 | -23.53% | -$40 |
| iPhone 12 mini | $90 | $120 | -25% | -$30 |
| iPhone SE (2nd gen) | $50 | $50 | 0% | $0 |
| iPhone 11 Pro Max | $150 | $180 | -16.67% | -$30 |
| iPhone 11 Pro | $130 | $150 | -13.33% | -$20 |
| iPhone 11 | $100 | $130 | -23.08% | -$30 |
| iPhone XS Max | $100 | $120 | -16.67% | -$20 |
| iPhone XS | $70 | $90 | -22.22% | -$20 |
| iPhone XR | $80 | $100 | -20% | -$20 |
| iPhone X | $60 | $60 | 0% | $0 |
| iPhone 8 Plus | $50 | $60 | -16.67% | -$10 |

Apple Arcade Grows Collection with Three New Titles: MySims and Toca Boca Jr Classics Included in Additions

After the launch of [Football Manager 26 Touch](https://apple.co/47Zkv97) a few days back, [Apple Arcade](https://apps.apple.com/arcade/subscribe?itscg=30200&itsct=arcade_box_subscribe) introduced three more titles today. Here are the specifics.

Each month, and sometimes multiple times within a month, Apple enriches [Apple Arcade](https://apps.apple.com/arcade/subscribe?itscg=30200&itsct=arcade_box_subscribe), its subscription platform that now features over 270 ad-free games from both independent and major developers.

Last Tuesday, [Apple Arcade](https://apps.apple.com/arcade/subscribe?itscg=30200&itsct=arcade_box_subscribe) welcomed Football Manager 26 Touch, reviving the title after its 2024 edition. Today, they have added three additional titles:

### MySims

Discover a new universe with MySims™—it’s your realm to reshape in this nostalgic re-release with enhanced visuals! Relocate to a town that has been having difficulties recently. With some imagination and assistance from the locals, you can help this place prosper. Enhance the town to draw in characters, including Chef Gino Delicioso and DJ Candy Supergroove, along with arcade owner Vic Vector and Cap’n Ginny, the town pirate. Find out what the citizens desire and require, so you can make their lives enjoyable in your Sim’s new community. Create a hot tub or jukebox from the ground up, construct homes and businesses from roof to entrance. Reveal special decorations and designs as you navigate the expanding town. From the furniture and items to the buildings and the town as a whole—each of your inventions is distinct. In MySims™, your creations… are what truly matter!

[Play MySims on Apple Arcade](https://apple.co/43NyAUI)

### MySims Kingdom

Set off on a quest of exploration to investigate and personalize the MySims™ Kingdom in this retro re-release with upgraded visuals! MySims™ Kingdom places you on a mission to assist King Roland and his subjects in breathing new life into the Kingdom. During this grand adventure, you will team up with friends, uncover intriguing landscapes, face challenges, and construct incredible inventions. And in classic MySims™ style, nearly everything is customizable, ensuring that every creation in your environment has a distinctive appearance! MySims™ Kingdom… start your own adventure of exploration and discovery!

[Play MySims Kingdom on Apple Arcade](https://apple.co/4oCl7Yj)

### Toca Boca Jr Classics

Presenting 9 games in one app, Toca Boca Jr Classics offers “a compilation of Toca Boca Jr’s favorite games,” including:

– **KITCHEN 2:** Step into the shoes of a top chef and let your culinary creativity flow!
– **PET DOCTOR:** Assist your animal pals in feeling their best.
– **BUILDERS:** Bring your wildest imaginations to life with builder buddies!
– **MINI:** Dive into self-expression and craft your own characters.
– **HAIR SALON:** Cut, color, style, and experiment with hair!
– **KITCHEN SUSHI:** Prepare signature sushi dishes for your clientele.
– **DANCE:** Dress up, groove, and create music videos!
– **BLOCKS:** Build your own communities from scratch.
– **LAB: ELEMENTS:** Conduct experiments, play with tools, and make discoveries!

[Play Toca Boca Jr Classics on Apple Arcade](https://apple.co/4qDxTXU)

Apple Arcade is offered as a

Apple Showcases Third-Party Applications Leveraging Liquid Glass in iOS 26 and Future Versions

# Apple Unveils iOS 26 with Liquid Glass Aesthetic

In September, Apple debuted iOS 26, presenting its groundbreaking Liquid Glass aesthetic. This fresh design philosophy has motivated third-party developers to upgrade their applications, aligning with Apple’s newest design principles.

## New Visual Showcase for Developers

To assist with this transition, Apple has launched a new section on the [Apple Developer website](https://developer.apple.com/design/new-design-gallery/). This visual showcase acts as a guide for developers, demonstrating how various-sized teams are utilizing the Liquid Glass design to craft engaging and adaptive experiences across Apple’s platforms.

The showcase includes side-by-side displays of popular applications before and after their redesign for iOS 26. This initiative not only underscores the aesthetic enhancements but also highlights the functional improvements that accompany the new design language.

## Highlighted Applications

Among the applications featured in the showcase are:

– Crumbl
– Tide Guide
– GrowPal
– Lumy
– Sky Guide
– Linearity
– LTK
– CardPointers
– American Airlines
– Lowe’s
– Photoroom
– OmniFocus 4
– CNN
– Essayist
– Lucid Motors

### Case Studies

**Linearity**: This vector-graphics design tool has been harmonized across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, enriching the iPad experience with a new two-column Inspector that enables users to browse and modify designs side-by-side. The app adjusts fluidly to window sizes, making intricate designs more approachable. On iPhone, enhancements in touch targets and gestures enable smoother interactions, even with one hand.

**Crumbl**: The Crumbl app employs the Liquid Glass design to highlight its brand photography. The recognizable pink branding has been woven into the content layer, allowing the visuals to dominate while preserving user-friendly controls.

## Discover the Showcase

Even for those who aren’t developers, the

Apple Celebrated in Forbes’ 2025 Compilation of America’s Top Employers for Veterans

Every year, *Forbes* and *Statista* survey almost 20,000 veterans employed by major U.S. companies to evaluate their employers. The rankings for 2025 were disclosed today, showing a notable rise for Apple in comparison to last year.

## Apple secures 18th place, significantly better than previous years

As per *Forbes*:

> “Veterans of our nation are recognized as some of the most capable and adaptable personnel in the United States. With their leadership abilities, proficiency in high-pressure environments, and skill in innovative problem-solving, U.S. veterans are generally essential assets to any organization. However, veterans may face challenges when transitioning into civilian careers. Aligning their distinct capabilities with corporate roles can often be tough. Additionally, veterans might need to navigate the stigma that can sometimes accompany service-related injuries or disabilities.”

This is why, for the last six years, *Forbes* and *Statista* have analyzed companies that successfully attract and retain veterans, with programs focused on skills advancement, health care benefits, housing support, and more.

Upon gathering insights from veterans, *Forbes* and *Statista* evaluate current and previous data to compile the final rankings, which comprise “the 150 companies that received the highest ratings.”

Last year, Apple was placed 36th, a significant jump from its 68th position in 2022.

In the 2025 rankings, Apple achieved 18th place, surpassing IBM (27th), Meta (28th), and Amazon (82nd), but trailing behind Google (2nd) and Microsoft (5th).

Apple provides a Veterans and Military Purchase Program, granting a 10% discount to “current and Veteran members of the US Military, National Guard and Reserve” and their immediate family. Additional details can be found [here](https://www.apple.com/shop/browse/home/veterans_military).

For this year’s Forbes’ America’s Best Employers For Veterans list,