CES 2026 dominated headlines this week, even without Apple's official presence. The annual tech extravaganza in Las Vegas showcased upcoming innovations, from crease-less foldable displays to AI-powered robots. But the Apple world had its own share of news, including a major shift in its financial services and a surprising stall in iOS adoption. Let's dive into the details.
Apple Card Finds a New Home at Chase
The rumors are true: Apple is moving its Apple Card business away from Goldman Sachs [https://www.goldmansachs.com/] to JPMorgan Chase [https://www.jpmorganchase.com/]. After two years of speculation, it's official. "The transition will take around two years," MacRumors [https://www.macrumors.com/] reports, and current cardholders can continue using their cards without interruption in the meantime. This is a significant move, potentially streamlining Apple's financial services offerings and leveraging Chase's extensive customer base. It will be interesting to see how Chase integrates the Apple Card and whether we see any changes to the rewards program or user experience down the line. I know a lot of users will be watching for this.
iOS 26 Adoption Stalls Amidst 'Liquid Glass' Controversy
Something's definitely up with iOS 26. Adoption rates are surprisingly low months after its release. According to StatCounter, only 15-16% of active iPhones are running iOS 26. That's a stark contrast to previous years. Just last year, iOS 18 had a 63% adoption rate in the same timeframe. The year before that, iOS 17 had hit 54%. Many believe the controversial 'Liquid Glass' redesign is to blame. The new interface has been divisive, and some users are clearly holding back on updating. For many users, the learning curve is too steep to update and adapt.
CES 2026: Foldable Screens and Communication-Focused Devices
CES 2026 [https://www.ces.tech/] was all about AI, robotics, and the future of displays. Samsung [https://www.samsung.com/] teased a crease-less foldable OLED display panel, sparking rumors it may be destined for Apple's long-awaited foldable iPhone. The elimination of the crease would be a game-changer, addressing a major usability issue with current foldable devices.
Clicks also unveiled the Clicks Communicator, an Android smartphone designed as a secondary device for focused communication. Clicks calls it akin to a Kindle's relationship to the iPad, which I found fascinating. The idea of a phone designed for less screen time is a bold move in today's hyper-connected world. Check out MacRumors' [https://www.macrumors.com/] CES 2026 hub for more highlights. I'm curious to see if this trend of mindful tech continues to gain traction.
Other headlines include:
"The elimination of the crease would be a game-changer, addressing a major usability issue with current foldable devices."
— Discussing Samsung's crease-less foldable OLED display- Logitech's Certificate Snafu: A security certificate expiry broke macOS apps, leaving Logitech [https://www.logitech.com/] users without their custom mouse and keyboard settings. Logitech has issued a manual update to fix the issue, but the blunder highlights the importance of certificate management. It's a good reminder to keep those software updates rolling.
- ChatGPT Health Launches with Apple Health Integration: OpenAI [https://openai.com/] has launched ChatGPT Health, allowing users to connect their Apple Health data for more personalized health-related queries. This could be a powerful tool for understanding your health and fitness patterns, but users should be mindful of the privacy implications of sharing sensitive data. The integration includes other health data services such as Function, MyFitnessPal, Weight Watchers, AllTrails, Instacart, and Peloton.
- Affordable 12.9-inch MacBook on the Horizon: TrendForce reports that Apple plans to release a low-price 12.9-inch MacBook in spring 2026, powered by a version of the A18 Pro chip. This could be a compelling option for students or anyone looking for a more budget-friendly MacBook, and it could shake up the laptop market. I'm excited to see how this pans out, particularly how it impacts Apple's existing MacBook Air lineup.
From foldable screens to financial shakeups and software stumbles, this week in tech has been full of surprises. As always, the mobile landscape is constantly evolving, and I'll be here to break down the latest developments. Stay tuned for more updates as these stories unfold.