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9to5Mac Daily: January 15, 2026 – Conversation Regarding Apple Card Challenges and Progress in Apple’s AI Server Innovations

**9to5Mac Daily: Your Go-To Source for Daily Apple News and Insights**

In the rapidly changing realm of technology, keeping up with the latest news is vital, particularly for Apple fans. 9to5Mac Daily provides an easy way to stay informed on the most important stories and insights regarding Apple and its ecosystem. This daily podcast is crafted to bring the newest news, reviews, and analysis straight to your ears, simplifying the process of staying updated.

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9to5Mac Daily serves as a vital source for anyone passionate about Apple news and technology. With its easy access, daily updates, and engaging content, it stands as a leading resource for staying informed in the continuously changing tech landscape. Whether you’re a casual user or a devoted admirer, tuning into 9to5Mac Daily will keep you linked to the latest in Apple.

Apple TV Unveils New Thriller Series Starring Dakota Fanning

### Untitled Apple TV Project Starring Dakota Fanning

Apple TV has unveiled a thrilling new initiative that promises to engage viewers. This unnamed suspense drama will showcase Dakota Fanning in a prominent role, with her sister, Elle Fanning, taking on the role of executive producer. This endeavor is part of an expanding partnership between Apple and Sony Pictures Television, further cementing their collaboration in creating premium content.

#### Synopsis

As stated in a press release from Apple, the series will center around Dakota Fanning portraying an undercover Treasury agent. She becomes embroiled in a multibillion-dollar global conglomerate that has extensive political and criminal ramifications. While carrying out her mission, she grapples with her main target, the heir to a corrupt dynasty, whom she suspects might be a fundamentally good individual worthy of her affection.

#### Production Team

Alongside Dakota and Elle Fanning, the production crew features prominent professionals such as Brittany Kahan Ward, recognized for her contributions to “The Great,” and Julie Gardner, associated with “Lady In The Lake.” Kari Skogland, celebrated for her directorial achievements in “Smoke,” will helm the series. This eclectic and skilled team is anticipated to contribute a distinct vision to the project.

#### Distribution and Release Timeline

The unnamed thriller is being created by Sony Pictures Television, with Apple TV set to offer it exclusively. This initiative adds to an expanding portfolio of collaborations between Apple and Sony, which encompasses acclaimed series like “For All Mankind,” “Black Bird,” and “The Afterparty.” Although a release schedule has yet to be confirmed, viewers can expect an announcement regarding the show’s title soon.

#### Apple TV Subscription

Apple TV can be subscribed to for a fee of $12.99 monthly, providing access to an array of popular shows and films, including “Severance,” “The Morning Show,” and “Silo.” With the introduction of this new thriller, Apple TV continues to expand its content offerings, appealing to a diverse audience.

As excitement grows for this untitled venture, fans of Dakota Fanning and gripping stories alike have plenty to anticipate in the months ahead.

Three Overlooked Costco Items You Need to Explore

always purchase your technology from Costco. Whether you need a vacuum, a new microSD card for your Switch 2, or an awesome drumset, Costco will support you with some excellent sales that might surprise even members at their nearby warehouse clubs. While the chain is well-known for procuring fantastic local produce, it also serves as a treasure trove for those who enjoy uncovering unique bargains. Instead of doing all the legwork yourself, allow us to take the load off by showcasing some genuine finds you may have overlooked.

Given how often Costco refreshes its product inventory with new offerings, it can be quite difficult to spot the best discounts before they vanish. So instead of spending hours wandering through the store or browsing its website, kick back and enjoy as we outline the top hidden treasures you’ve been missing.

1. Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal + Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

If there’s one thing that remains true in the world of cleaning, it’s that Dyson products seldom come at a low price. In the case of Dyson, the costs are justified, as the brand transformed the vacuum cleaner industry with its cyclonic bagless system in 1993. Even now, Dyson vacuums are regarded as some of the finest in the market. The downside is, they tend to be quite expensive. That is, unless you shop at Costco.

The Dyson Cyclone V10 Animal + Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is currently available at Costco for $399.99, whereas it generally retails for $549.99. You can even witness this offer in action by searching for a comparable V10 model on <a href="https://r.bttn.io?btn_ref=org-225e4e0aac880b8f&btn_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fproduct%2Fdyson-cyclone-v10-animal-cordless-stick-vacuum-iron%2FJ3ZCSYCG7Z&btn_pub_ref=2076720-in_text-2" target="_blank" rel

Korea Rejects Elon Musk’s Appeal for Records in Apple Litigation

The government of South Korea has formally rejected Elon Musk’s appeal for documents from the Kakao super app in xAI’s lawsuit against Apple. Below are the specifics.

### xAI Might Still Have a Chance at Acquiring Some of the Requested Documents

In recent months, xAI’s legal team has dispatched letters to several Asian super app developers, looking for documents that it believes would back its assertion that Apple’s App Store regulations are unjust.

To summarize, here’s the situation: Elon Musk expressed on Twitter that Apple’s collaboration with OpenAI was hindering Grok’s success in the App Store. Shortly after, xAI initiated legal action against both firms.

In the lawsuit, xAI contends that Apple’s App Store regulations unlawfully inhibit super apps, as an effort to stop users from transitioning away from the iPhone. They also assert that Apple’s partnership with OpenAI solidifies this limitation on super apps.

Since taking over Twitter, Musk has concentrated on evolving X into a super app, a category that has experienced significant success in Asia. These applications consolidate services such as ride-hailing, food delivery, payments, streaming, and chat into a single platform, a concept that has yet to achieve genuine traction in Western markets.

In its efforts to persuade Apple to modify the App Store’s rules, xAI has been utilizing an international agreement, known as The Hague Convention, to officially request documents from super app firms located in Asian nations, including Alipay in China and Kakao Corporation in Korea.

In the correspondence, xAI asserts that “Apple’s actions unlawfully restrict competition from ‘super apps,’” and goes on to seek the following:

– Documents related to the financial or strategic importance of selling or distributing Super Apps via various app stores.
– Documents sufficient to demonstrate how revenue is generated from the app in the U.S. and globally.
– Documents concerning the ranking of the app on any Apple App Store List.
– Documents regarding how Super Apps influence smartphone customers’ ability to switch devices.
– Documents sufficient to illustrate plans to integrate and/or current integration of Generative AI technology into the app and the reasoning behind it.
– Documents regarding how Apple’s policies, programs, product modifications, or other limitations have impacted the capacity to distribute or enhance the app.

Additionally, xAI defines “Documents” as:

– Emails and other types of correspondence
– Presentations and slide decks
– Notes and minutes
– Analyses, reports, studies, experiments
– Data, data analyses, and any related working documents, such as Excel spreadsheets or other software or tools
– Agreements
– Product requirement documents, product design documents
– Training and/or onboarding materials

The term “Documents” encompasses any metadata or other embedded information within a document.

This week, the Director of International Affairs at the Supreme Court of the Republic of Korea denied xAI’s request for Kakao-related documents, asserting that it was too broad:

“Reference is made to the above case seeking international judicial assistance to take evidence. We inform you that, pursuant to Article 5 of the HCCH 1970 Evidence Convention, the Letter of Request cannot be executed. Under Article 23 of the Convention, the Republic of Korea has declared that it will not execute Letters of Request issued to obtain documents for pre-trial discovery purposes. Therefore, evidence requests must specify the materials sought in detail rather than broadly stating them as all-related documents.”

In other words, the Korean government isn’t completely dismissing the idea of allowing Kakao to determine whether to provide documents, but xAI will have to be significantly more precise if it wishes for its request to progress.

SmallRig Unveils $90 S70 Microphone Kit at CES 2026, Crucial for Creators

### SmallRig S70 Mic Kit: A Transformative Tool for Creators

SmallRig has made a name for itself as a reliable brand among content creators, delivering creative solutions to improve video production. At CES 2026, they introduced the SmallRig S70 mic kit, a product that aims to boost audio quality for creators without exceeding budget limits.

#### The Significance of Audio in Video Production

In video production, audio quality holds immense importance. While viewers may forgive minor visual flaws, poor audio can result in instant disengagement. The S70 mic kit tackles this essential factor, providing a high-quality audio option at an appealing price of only $90. This price point is particularly attractive when compared to other favored alternatives, like the $330 DJI Mic 3 and the $99 DJI Mic Mini.

#### Contents of the S70 Kit

The S70 mic kit is packaged in a stylish, portable case and features:

– **Two Receivers**: One tailored for cameras with a 3.5mm output and another a compact USB-C receiver for smartphones. An Apple Lightning version is also available for a limited duration.
– **Two Microphones (Transmitters)**: Designed to be discreet, these feature a loop that clips onto clothing, reducing visual distraction.

#### Main Features of the S70 Mic Kit

1. **Dual Receivers**: The camera receiver has a gain control and a switch for Stereo or Mono recording, providing flexible audio management. The stereo setting is particularly beneficial for interviews, allowing individual voice isolation.

2. **Safety Track Mode**: This function lowers gain on the second track to avoid clipping from unanticipated loud noises, making it suitable for unpredictable filming scenarios.

3. **Customizable Microphones**: The transmitters are crafted to seamlessly blend with subjects, and SmallRig provides a set of eight colored covers to complement various outfits.

4. **Expert Audio Tuning**: The S70 features microphone tuning by a four-time Grammy Award-winning engineer, along with nine EQ presets to adapt audio to particular requirements.

5. **Noise Reduction and Gain Adjustment**: The kit offers three levels of noise reduction and five levels of gain adjustment, giving creators significant control over their audio output.

6. **Remarkable Battery Life**: The microphones provide up to eight hours of operation, with a total of 40 hours available when kept in the charging case.

#### Conclusion

The SmallRig S70 mic kit distinguishes itself as a complete, cost-effective option for creators aiming to improve their audio quality. With its adaptable compatibility for both cameras and mobile devices, along with a range of professional features, it is set to become a preferred audio solution for on-the-go content creators. As SmallRig continues to evolve and meet the demands of creators, the S70 mic kit exemplifies their dedication to quality and functionality in the creative industry.

Expert Perspectives on the Durability of QLED compared to OLED TVs

OLED and QLED displays. These two technologies lead the premium market. Given their elevated price points, it is reasonable to anticipate longevity, making durability just as significant as image quality when evaluating the two. Although both OLED and QLED provide superb visuals, they vary in the longevity of each panel technology.

QLED televisions typically offer a more extended lifespan compared to OLED variants due to the underlying technology — they utilize inorganic LEDs that endure prolonged usage more effectively. Nonetheless, this does not imply that OLED TVs lack robustness or quality. Their panel traits, however, make gradual deterioration more apparent over time, potentially leading to typical issues.

The disparity in durability between these two television screens is crucial for anyone considering a purchase, as image quality alone does not encompass the entire picture regarding future potential issues. Selecting the appropriate panel technology guarantees that the television remains an effective component of the home without a considerable decline in quality over time.

QLED TVs are resistant to the screen burn-in that impacts OLEDs