Apple and Qualcomm renew global patent licensing agreement

9to5mac.com Sep 25, 2026

Apple and Qualcomm renew global patent licensing agreement

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 25, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Qualcomm and Apple have extended their global patent licensing agreement, which originally expired in 2027, with a new deal effective April 1, 2027. The renewal follows a 2019 settlement that ended a 2017 lawsuit over Qualcomm’s licensing practices and royalty payments. The original agreement, which included a six‑year term and a two‑year extension option, was exercised by Apple to run through March 2027. Qualcomm announced the renewal without disclosing its duration, while Apple has not yet commented. The extension does not address current modem supply arrangements.

💡 Why It Matters

· The renewal secures a long‑term patent partnership that underpins future iPhone chip designs, reducing legal uncertainty for both firms.
· It also signals continued reliance on Qualcomm’s modem technology amid Apple’s gradual shift toward in‑house solutions.

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How to leave iCloud without losing your data

Apple users who cancel or downgrade iCloud+ risk losing years of photos, messages, and other synchronized data if they do not first export or back up each service. The article explains that iCloud is a collection of distinct systems—some sync live libraries, others back up devices or power Apple‑only features. It advises performing a thorough account audit, creating encrypted device backups, and moving data category by category to external storage or another cloud provider before disabling sync or canceling the plan.

💡 Properly exporting iCloud data protects users from accidental permanent loss of personal and business information that could otherwise be irretrievable after service termination.

9to5mac.com · Sep 25

Rare ‘Antennagate’ press conference Q&A video surfaces online

A full 47‑minute video of the post‑launch Q&A that followed Apple’s 2010 “Antennagate” press conference has been uploaded to YouTube by the channel Sir Mix‑A‑Lot Rare Music. The original event, held weeks after the iPhone 4’s release, featured Steve Jobs, then‑COO Tim Cook and SVP Bob Mansfield fielding press questions about signal loss when the phone was held a certain way. Jobs offered a free case or a full refund, and the session became famous for a photo of the executives pulling their caseless phones from their pockets. The newly surfaced footage provides the first complete visual record of the exchange, though the uploader’s source and Apple’s response remain unclear.

💡 It gives historians and analysts an unfiltered look at Apple’s real‑time crisis management and product‑design communication strategy.

appleinsider.com · Sep 25

Higher prices are just making iPhones more desirable in India

Apple’s latest iPhone 18 Pro is driving a surge in Indian demand despite higher prices, with analysts noting a near‑20 % increase over the iPhone 17 Pro and a projected market‑share rise to 10 % in 2026, up from 4 % in 2022. Consumers queued for hours at Mumbai and other flagship stores, motivated more by owning the newest model than by its technical upgrades. Zero‑interest financing, allowing monthly payments under 10 % of the $1,700 price tag, has softened the cost barrier. While Apple’s June‑quarter sales fell due to supply constraints, the brand has enjoyed four years of growth in the market. Competing entry‑level manufacturers, however, have seen sharp declines since early 2026. The trend underscores India's shift toward premiumization and challenges rivals' pricing strategies overall.

💡 The premium‑price pull shows Indian consumers now equate cost with status, giving Apple a rare growth lever in a market where rivals compete on price.

bgr.com · Sep 25

Apple Watch Series 12 Review: Better Health Tracking Makes This A Worthwhile…

Apple released the Series 12 smartwatch for $399, retaining the Series 11 design and a 24‑hour battery. Internally, Apple introduced a new S11 chip and a redesigned health‑sensing platform that samples heart rate every five seconds, splits heart‑rate variability into two metrics, and delivers a new Readiness score. These upgrades position the watch against competitors like the Oura Ring and Whoop. The device offers enhanced health tracking while keeping the familiar exterior and price point.

💡 The upgraded sensors give users more precise, real‑time health data, enabling better fitness and wellness decisions. This leap in accuracy could shift consumer expectations for smartwatch health monitoring.

9to5mac.com · Sep 25

Apple shares video highlighting new child safety features across its devices

Apple’s YouTube channel released a new animated video that demonstrates the company’s expanded child safety features across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The clip explains how parents set up a child account, then manage app access through Ask to Buy, approve or block websites with Ask to Browse, and control contacts. It also showcases enhanced Communication Safety, Time Allowances, and Schedules. The video follows Apple’s tradition of using simple, playful graphics to illustrate privacy and parental control options introduced with iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS 27.

💡 By visualizing these controls, Apple clarifies how families can enforce digital boundaries, reinforcing its commitment to child safety in an era of increasing online exposure.

appleinsider.com · Sep 25

How to watch ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’ for free in…

Apple TV will stream the classic Peanuts special “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” free of charge on October 17‑18, 2026, after the show’s long absence from CBS and PBS. The holiday‑season broadcast is part of Apple’s 2020 licensing deal with WildBrain and Peanuts Worldwide, which secures all Peanuts content through 2030. Viewers can access the film via a web browser or Apple TV app without an active subscription, though new or classic specials outside the free window require Apple TV access.

💡 The move restores a beloved seasonal staple to a widely accessible platform, ensuring that families can enjoy the tradition without additional cost. It also underscores Apple’s strategy to position its streaming service as a hub for nostalgic, family‑friendly content.