This digest compiles the latest from Apple Insider.
Today’s Apple Insider Roundup
Dock Your M4 Mac mini into this 32-inch 4K touchscreen monitor
Accessory maker Alogic has launched a 4K 32-inch touchscreen monitor, with a space to dock your M4 Mac mini.
At first blush, the Askpect Touch display, which sits atop an articulated arm, looks like most other 32-inch monitors. But it has some tricks up its sleeve, starting with the fact that it can be used in a whole new way.
Similar to Microsoft’s Surface Studio, this display can be moved into the perfect position, whether you’re drawing on its touchscreen display or watching a movie. And with support for 10-point multi-touch, the display supports tapping, pinching, and swiping.
Apple goes on the offensive, lashes out at EU about alternative app store failure
MacPaw is shutting down the Setapp alternative app store in the EU, and Apple hopes to get ahead of the European Commission by releasing a statement of its own, citing “political delay tactics.”
The Digital Markets Act forced Apple to open up its platform to third-party app stores, and three emerged — AltStore, Epic, and Setapp. Apple has faced criticisms over its implementation, with developers citing overly complex rules and high fees.
Apple was pressured in December to cut its fees again, but ultimately MacPaw’s Setapp alternative app store ended up being shuttered. It was obvious where the blame was going to be placed, so Apple got ahead of officials and released its own statement, shared by Bloomberg.
Apple Intelligence Pin, F1, leaker wars, and iPhone 18 rumors on the AppleInsider Podcast
On this week’s AppleInsider Podcast, Apple is up for more Oscar awards, is there an Apple Intelligence pin in the works, Craig Federighi now leads the Siri team, and more new iPhone 18 Pro rumors debated.
If the rumor of Apple making a “Star Trek” combadge kind of AI device doesn’t give you pause, it’s probably spoiled the lunch of ex-Humane staff. Nonethless, despite their failure, and others, Apple is said to be trying again.
Speaking of AI and devices, there’s more news about Craig Federighi‘s taking the lead on Apple Intelligence. With him leading it and now also Apple and Google’s deal to use Gemini being completed, we could see the Home Hub coming soon.
Apple Pay fees that don't cost the consumer a dime at center of $2 billion lawsuit
A consumer advocate in the UK has filed a lawsuit arguing that Apple Pay’s take of standard interchange fees that the bank charges harmed 50 million people to the tune of $2 billion. The problem is, there doesn’t seem to be any consumer harm.
Apple has been sued before over allegedly profiting unfairly over high fees charged to card issuers. Then card issuers Visa and Mastercard have been sued alongside Apple Pay for high fees charged to merchants.
Now according to The Guardian, a UK finance campaigner is going after Apple Pay for how its ‘hidden’ charges affect consumers. James Daley has filed a complaint with the country’s Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT), asking it to allow a class-action suit.
Apple is hosting a three-day Creator Studio event
Selected YouTubers and other creators have been invited to an Apple Experience in Los Angeles for the launch of Apple Creator Studio — and perhaps more.
Apple Creator Studio is a new subscription bundle centered on apps such as Final Cut Pro, and Logic Pro, Apple’s video and audio editors. It’s due to launch on January 28, 2026, and the timing of that had already led to speculation that Apple would simultaneously launch new Macs.
Now “creatorpreneur” Petr Mara has revealed an invitation he has had to an Apple Experience. The invitation has few details, but it is headed with an Apple logo that’s been stylized in the same way as Apple Creator Studio apps.
'F1' driving Apple's Oscar awards ambitions in 2026
“F1: The Movie” is Apple TV‘s latest film to be nominated for an Oscar as Best Picture, alongside three other nominations, though it failed to get any nominations for acting and directing.
Apple TV is famously the first streamer to win a Best Picture Oscar, having won in 2022 with “CODA.” It was then nominated for Best Picture in 2024 for “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and now in 2026 for “F1: The Movie.”
In all, “F1” has been nominated in four categories for the 98th Academy Awards:
iPhone 18 Pro Max smaller Dynamic Island dimensions detailed in new leak
Rumors have consistently said the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have under-display Face ID, allowing for a much smaller display cutout, which has now been detailed by a leaker.
Rumors have consistently discussed under-display Face ID for years, but it has never arrived. However, it may finally be time for it to be introduced with the iPhone 18 Pro.
In a leak first discovered by MacRumors, Ice Universe has shared the expected dimensions of the newly reduced Dynamic Island. They say it will be reduced by 35% from 20.76mm to 13.49mm.
Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible
TikTok America is here, but algorithm changes may take time
The new TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC has been created, and a new US-based algorithm will be put into place, which leave users with the choice to stick around or find an alternative.
On December 18, an agreement was finally made between US investors and ByteDance to bring TikTok within the requirements set by the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications law. Oracle, Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi state-run MGX will own portions of TikTok, and ByteDance will keep only 19.9% starting today.
A press release from TikTok confirmed that the deal went through and provided a few additional details about the new joint venture. Notably, they’ve confirmed that US users will still have access to TikTok globally.
End of today’s Apple Insider roundup.
