This digest compiles the latest from Apple Insider.
Today’s Apple Insider Roundup
App Store gaming revenue bulletproof, as mobile gaming slows overall
Mobile gaming downloads are falling worldwide, but higher player spending is making the App Store more profitable anyway.
Mobile game downloads declined worldwide in 2025, but in-app spending remained strong. Rising player spending is reinforcing Apple’s App Store revenue model.
Mobile games raked in $82 billion from in-app purchases in 2025, with an average of $1.62 per download, even though total downloads dropped. Developers are now focusing more on keeping players and boosting subscriptions rather than quickly gaining new ones.
Tim Cook takes to X to tease a big week of launches
Tim Cook has posted to X a tantalizingly brief message about the start of March, saying that at long last, there will be multiple products debuting.
Ever since selected people were sent invitations to an “Apple Experience” taking place on March 4, 2026, it has been presumed that the company is about to make at least five announcements. Now Tim Cook appears to have confirmed this, with a post to X using the hashtag #AppleLaunch.
A big week ahead. It all starts Monday morning! #AppleLaunch pic.twitter.com/PQ9gM2Gl2r
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) February 26, 2026
RAM supply is so tight, Samsung may be charging Apple double
Apple has reportedly agreed to pay Samsung double what it used to for DRAM chips, the memory used in iPhones and Macs — even though it may not have needed to just yet.
Massive worldwide demand for AI servers has meant all manufacturers having a hard time securing what they need in memory, storage, and processors. It’s also meant Apple losing its previous ability to negotiate low prices and long-term deals.
The latest example of the pressures Apple and others are under concerns buying DRAM supplies from Samsung. DRAM is used as RAM in the iPhone and Apple Silicon Macs, and according to Dealsite, a South Korea financial news publication, Apple has just agreed to pay double what it has before.
Apple Home Key comes to everyone, everywhere with Aliro launch
After years in development, the Connectivity Standards Alliance has announced the release of the 1.0 version of Aliro, bringing an Apple Home Key-like experience to everyone.
The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) is a member-driven organization that develops the Matter smart home standard. Matter was designed to enable smart home devices to work across different ecosystems, and Aliro is a new specification within that framework.
Not much has been shared about Aliro since the original announcement. Recently, interest has increased as manufacturers prepare Aliro-compatible products, such as those showcased at CES 2026.
India may finally get Apple Pay by mid-2026
A new report backs up recent claims that India is shortly to get Apple Pay after years of complex negotiations.
In January 2026, it was rumored that Apple was in talks to get Apple Pay in India. Now Bloomberg is reporting which banks Apple is in discussions with, and when it may launch.
Apple is said to be in talks with three of the largest banks operating in the country:
Experience F1 tracks with 3D art in Apple Maps ahead of each race
Apple Maps has been updated with a new “2026 Formula 1 Tracks Around the World” guide that showcases each racing location. Updated 3D art will be added throughout the season, starting now with Albert Park in Australia.
It’s almost time for the first F1 season distributed by Apple TV to begin. Apple is known for its vertical integration and brand synergy, and it hasn’t wasted any time with F1 either.
As first discovered by 9to5Mac, Apple is promoting the F1 season in Apple Maps with a new guide. It is titled “2026 Formula 1 Tracks Around the World.”
Apple Vision Pro users will get to see Disney's 'Muppet*Vision 3D' in all its glory
“The Muppet Show” rebirth has brought Jim Henson’s creations back into the spotlight, and fans are awaiting news of the virtual return of the fan-favorite “Muppet*Vision 3D” via Apple Vision Pro.
Jim Henson was responsible for a lot of the world’s most popular entertainment, and even Apple has some in their studio. We’re not here to talk about Fraggle Rock, but instead, a green guy and his friends that are a little more popular.
It’s a great time to be a Muppets fan, as Seth Rogen’s new special seems to have successfully revived the brand. Long-time fans recently packed the theater for the first time in forever, and mourned the loss of the popular Muppet*Vision 3D attraction at Hollywood Studios in Orlando.
End of today’s Apple Insider roundup.
