Tim Cook praises China's DeepSeek in Beijing — the reason behind it

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Technology Insights Daily
April 04, 2025

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During a recent visit to Beijing, Apple CEO Tim Cook made headlines by praising the Chinese AI company DeepSeek, highlighting its impressive advancements in artificial intelligence and natural language processing. Cook’s commendation wasn’t just a casual remark—it reflects Apple’s growing interest in China’s rapidly evolving AI ecosystem and its potential to drive innovation globally. DeepSeek, known for its powerful language models and AI research, represents China’s ambition to become a leader in next-generation technologies.

By acknowledging DeepSeek publicly, Cook may be signaling Apple’s willingness to collaborate with or at least stay closely informed about key players in China’s tech space. It also helps strengthen Apple’s local presence and relationships at a time when geopolitical tensions and regulatory pressures are high. The praise serves a dual purpose: honoring technological achievement while fostering goodwill in a strategically important market for Apple, especially as it explores AI integration across its ecosystem, from Siri to the Vision Pro.

Apple has officially released the iOS 18.4 Release Candidate (RC), signaling that the final public version is just around the corner. The RC build is typically the last step before a full rollout, giving developers and beta testers a chance to experience the near-final version of the software. iOS 18.4 brings a host of improvements, including performance enhancements, bug fixes, and new features that continue Apple’s push toward a smarter, more integrated user experience.

Some expected updates include refinements to Siri's capabilities, deeper AI integration across system apps, and improved battery performance. Additionally, Apple is fine-tuning accessibility features and expanding regional support for certain functionalities. The RC release allows Apple to collect final feedback and address any last-minute issues before the wider release. If no major bugs are found, the official version of iOS 18.4 could be released to the public within a week, marking another step forward in Apple’s software evolution.

With the rollout of watchOS 11.4, Apple Watch introduces a powerful new alarm feature designed to make oversleeping a thing of the past. The update enhances the native alarm system with smarter, more customizable wake-up options. One standout addition is “smart escalation,” which gradually increases the alarm’s intensity if it senses you haven’t responded—ideal for deep sleepers. The update may also integrate with sleep tracking and haptic feedback, ensuring the alarm adapts to your sleep patterns and wakes you more naturally yet effectively.

Users can now set multiple alarms with varied tones and vibrations directly from the Apple Watch, without needing to rely on the iPhone. This feature is especially useful for those who wear their watch to bed for sleep tracking. With this update, Apple positions the Watch as not just a health companion but also a reliable sleep and time management tool.

Apple has announced a free firmware upgrade for the AirPods Max, bringing support for lossless audio and a new ultra-low latency mode, significantly enhancing the listening experience. This update comes as part of Apple's broader push into high-fidelity audio and gaming-ready performance across its devices. With lossless audio, users can now enjoy studio-quality sound with greater clarity and detail, especially when paired with Apple Music or high-resolution content.

The ultra-low latency mode is a game-changer for gamers and video editors, reducing lag between audio and visuals for seamless synchronization. While the AirPods Max already deliver premium sound, this upgrade brings them closer to audiophile-grade performance—without requiring new hardware. It's also likely tied to improvements in Apple’s new wireless audio protocol expected to debut alongside other 2025 products. For existing AirPods Max owners, this update extends the product’s life and makes it even more competitive in the high-end headphone market.

Meta is reportedly exploring the possibility of launching an ad-free paid subscription option for its platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, in the UK. This move would give users the choice to pay a monthly fee in exchange for an experience free from targeted advertising. The consideration follows growing regulatory pressure in Europe and the UK regarding data privacy and user consent for ad tracking.

An ad-free model would align with Meta’s efforts to comply with evolving digital laws while offering users more control over their online experience. Although Meta's core business relies heavily on ad revenue, the company is testing alternative monetization strategies in response to increasing scrutiny. If implemented, this subscription could mirror similar models being trialed in the EU. For users concerned about data usage and ad overload, the new option could offer a cleaner, more private experience—though at a cost. More details are expected soon.

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