Apple among biggest corporate lobbyists in Brussels, per report

9to5mac.com Oct 2, 2026

Apple among biggest corporate lobbyists in Brussels, per report

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 2, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

A Financial Times analysis revealed that Apple has met with EU policymakers 257 times since June 2024 and spends €8‑9 million annually on lobbying in Brussels. The report, sourced from the EU transparency register, ranks Apple second only to Google among U.S. tech firms, with Google holding 302 meetings. Apple’s lobbying outpaces European giants Total, Volkswagen, and Airbus combined, while Meta spends over €10 million. The data underscore American tech companies’ active engagement in shaping European digital policy.

💡 Why It Matters

· The findings illustrate the growing influence of U.S.
· tech firms on EU regulatory outcomes, potentially shaping the continent’s digital sovereignty agenda.

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Apple commissions photographers for new ‘Shot on iPhone Duo’ campaign

Apple today posted a six‑image carousel on Instagram featuring work by photographers Jake Michaels and Jason Nocito to showcase the iPhone Duo’s camera system. The images illustrate the device’s 48‑megapixel rear sensors, 12‑megapixel front lens, and a hidden FaceTime camera beneath the inner display, emphasizing new shooting modes and versatility. The rollout continues Apple’s decade‑long “Shot on iPhone” program, which has earned multiple Cannes Lions and two Emmy nominations for its advertising. Pre‑orders for the iPhone Duo begin on October 16, with shipments and in‑store sales slated for October 23. Apple highlighted the campaign as a visual proof point for the phone’s upgraded hardware and software capabilities. The showcase aims to inspire both consumers and creators to explore photography features.

💡 By pairing the Duo with acclaimed photographers, Apple turns a product launch into a cultural moment, reinforcing its brand as a leader in mobile imaging.

appleinsider.com · Oct 2

Optimistic AT&T tells iPhone 18 Pro Max iOS 27.0.1 update will fix…

AT&T sent a text alert to iPhone 18 Pro Max owners on its network, urging an immediate upgrade to iOS 27.0.1 to resolve reported cellular failures. The issue, affecting a limited subset of users, prevents the device from making or receiving calls and intermittently blocks texts and data, including emergency calls. Apple has released iOS 27.0.1 but has not publicly confirmed that it fixes the problem, and some customers say the update only addresses Face ID and touchscreen glitches. One user, Rod Santiano, reported that his phone was tested, found functional, yet replaced, and the replacement still exhibits the same symptoms. Apple has not acknowledged the call defect, leaving AT&T and Apple support as the only recourse for affected customers to resolve issues.

💡 With emergency calls at stake, the disconnect between carrier directives and Apple's silence forces users into a support maze, exposing how fragmented accountability can jeopardize critical communication.

9to5mac.com · Oct 2

Apple TV’s acclaimed ‘The Last First: Winter K2’ documentary now streaming

Apple TV has released the documentary “The Last First: Winter K2,” which has earned a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Directed by Amir Bar‑Lev, the film chronicles a 2021 winter expedition to Mount Godwin‑Austen (K2), following Icelander John Snorri Sigurjónsson and Pakistani climbers Ali and Sajid Sadpara. It explores the clash between traditional mountaineering teams, influencer climbers, commercial clients, and local Nepali guides, highlighting class, caste, and power dynamics amid life‑and‑death conditions. The documentary premiered in select theaters before streaming on Apple TV.

💡 The film exposes how commercial interests and social hierarchies shape modern high‑altitude climbing, offering a rare insider view that could influence future expedition ethics and policies.

appleinsider.com · Oct 2

New Final Cut Pro 13 features leak ahead of announcement

A YouTuber inadvertently disclosed details of Apple’s upcoming Final Cut Pro 13 update after posting a video that was later set to private. Reddit users traced a chapter list from the video, revealing new capabilities such as expanded language support for transcriptions, enhanced Pixelmator Pro round‑trip editing that reinserts edited frames, a Natural Motion Blur effect, pinch‑to‑zoom viewer controls, clip disconnect, and keyframe easing. These features address long‑standing user requests for tighter integration with third‑party graphics tools and more sophisticated animation controls. The leak follows the September 29 release of Final Cut Pro 12.4, which added iPhone 18 Pro Cinematic mode effects, and suggests Apple may launch version 13 in October, potentially alongside new hardware like a touchscreen MacBook Pro with OLED.

💡 The preview hints at a major workflow overhaul that could make Final Cut Pro a more competitive, all‑in‑one solution for professional editors seeking seamless graphics and motion tools.

macworld.com · Oct 1

Apple’s home hub isn’t what you think it is

Apple is poised to launch a new smart‑home hub, tentatively called HomePad, on October 13. The device will feature a 6‑inch square display, a metal base with perforated speaker holes, and a polished arm that mounts to a countertop, echoing the iMac G4 design. Powered via USB‑C, it will run a custom OS blending iPhone StandBy widgets, Apple Watch‑style screens, and Apple TV media functions. The hub will integrate Siri AI for voice and facial recognition, tailoring the interface to each household member’s calendar, notes, and media. A wall‑mounted variant is also rumored.

💡 Apple’s entry into the smart‑home market could redefine how consumers interact with home automation, positioning Siri as the central voice assistant across devices. The hub’s personalized, AI‑driven interface signals a shift toward more integrated, user‑centric home ecosystems.

9to5mac.com · Oct 1

HomePad launch nears, Apple Watch Readiness score, Ternus wants to make Apple…

Apple is set to launch its HomePad smart display on October 13, featuring a small square screen that has sparked speculation about its use case. Leaked images also reveal upcoming updates to the iPad mini and HomePod mini, hinting at a broader refresh of Apple’s ecosystem. Industry analyst John Ternus has called for Apple to become more agile, while Apple Watch users anticipate a new Readiness feature that could streamline setup. Benjamin and Chance discuss adding Touch ID to the Apple TV remote in a recent podcast.

💡 The HomePad’s release signals Apple’s push into home automation, potentially reshaping how users interact with smart devices. The new Watch Readiness feature could set a new standard for wearable onboarding, influencing competitor strategies.