Apple TV+ is set to release its next major film, 'Eternity,' in February, starring Elizabeth Olsen, according to 9to5Mac. While January is packed with new TV shows, 'Eternity' is expected to be the streamer's big movie release for the following month.
In other Apple news, Apple shared data about how the Apple Watch helps users maintain their fitness resolutions past 'Quitter's Day,' which is known as the second Friday in January, according to 9to5Mac. The data, derived from approximately 100,000 participants in the Apple Heart and Movement Study over the past four years, shows a sharp increase in average daily exercise minutes in January, continuing into the spring, according to MacRumors. Apple Fitness+ has also launched new features, including multiweek programs, to help users establish exercise habits, according to both 9to5Mac and MacRumors. A limited-edition award can be earned by closing all three Activity Rings for seven consecutive days in January, according to MacRumors. Furthermore, a 'Quit Quitting' Strava challenge offers an Apple Watch badge for logging 12 workouts during the month, according to MacRumors.
Also, iOS 26.2 will introduce three new customization options for iPhones, according to 9to5Mac. Rumors are circulating about a second AirPods Pro 3 model with upgraded IR cameras, according to 9to5Mac. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian soldier's M1 MacBook Air reportedly stopped an artillery shell fragment and remained functional, showcasing Apple's product durability, according to 9to5Mac. Apple is also expected to launch more than 20 products in 2026, potentially starting in January, according to 9to5Mac.
However, the M5 Vision Pro launch may have had minimal impact on sales, according to a report cited by 9to5Mac. A report from the Financial Times claims that Apple's Vision Pro headset is still failing to gain traction among consumers, according to MacRumors. IDC data indicates that Apple shipped 390,000 Vision Pro units in 2024 and expects only 45,000 new units to ship in the latest quarter of 2025, according to MacRumors. Luxshare, the Vision Pro's assembler, has reportedly halted production, according to MacRumors. The Financial Times attributes the lack of broad sales to cost, form factor, and a lack of native VisionOS apps, according to MacRumors. Apple has also reduced digital advertising spending for the Vision Pro by over 95% in key markets, according to Sensor Tower via MacRumors.
In other news, Apple is planning to release a low-cost MacBook in 2026, which will compete with more affordable Chromebooks and Windows PCs, according to MacRumors. TrendForce reports that a 12.9-inch MacBook is expected in spring 2026 aimed at the entry-level to mid-range market with competitive pricing, according to MacRumors. The low-cost MacBook is expected to be equipped with a version of the iPhone 16 Pro's A18 Pro chip, according to MacRumors. The entry-level MacBook is expected to have a starting price between $599 and $899 in the U.S., according to MacRumors. The A18 Pro chip might only come with 8GB of RAM, and the MacBook would likely be equipped with regular USB-C ports due to the lack of Thunderbolt support, according to MacRumors. Color options could include silver, blue, pink, and yellow, similar to the iMac, according to Kua via MacRumors.
Duolingo has been using the iPhone's Live Activity feature to display ads, violating Apple's design guidelines, according to reports on Reddit via MacRumors. Apple's developer guidelines state that Live Activities should not be used for ads or promotions, according to MacRumors. Apps violating these guidelines can be removed from the App Store, according to MacRumors.
Finally, Amazon is offering discounts on Apple products, including the Apple Watch Series 11 at its lowest-ever price, AirTags, and Apple Pencil Pro, according to MacRumors. Samsung is also holding a New Year's sale on TVs, monitors, and more, according to MacRumors. Clicks Technology unveiled the Clicks Communicator, an Android 16 smartphone designed for communication, featuring a physical keyboard and a 'Prompt Key' for dictation, according to MacRumors.