This week, Apple faces a sales ban in Indonesia over unmet investment commitments regarding the iPhone 16. Amidst this, new iOS updates are on the horizon, but a scam app raises security concerns. Meanwhile, Apple expands its Seattle footprint, securing over 190,000 square feet. In entertainment, Apple TV+ shines with several SAG nominations, including nods for Harrison Ford, and teases the return of ‘Mythic Quest’ for its fourth season.

The discussion kicks off with the end of Apple’s extended holiday return window and a concerning stock downgrade, highlighting iPhone sales struggles and AI impact. Updates on iOS include the return of repeating operations in the calculator app. The spotlight shifts to new releases, with refurbished iPhone 15 sales in Europe and limited edition 'Year of the Snake' AirPods. Exciting tech news follows, as NVIDIA GeForce Now expands support for Apple’s mixed reality headsets. Plus, Apple announces its annual Swift Student Challenge to inspire young developers.

India is ramping up its tech manufacturing strategy, considering financial incentives for electronics. Apple updates include the acceptance of Matter certification for HomeKit and a substantial settlement for Siri's privacy issues. Safety measures for AirTags are addressed, along with the latest iOS updates aimed at easing AI notifications. Shazam shares its exciting initiative, 'Fast Forward 2025,' predicting 50 breakout artists, showcasing the dynamic intersection of technology and music in artist promotion.

- Bernstein Ups Apple Target to $260 - Apple Sets Dec-Q Earnings Release for 30 January - Parekh Replaces Maestri as Apple CFO - CAICT Posts Numbers That Might Worry Apple Investors - Apple China Runs Short New Year Sales Promotion - Apple MixC Hefei Set to Open 18 January - Cook Reportedly Donates $1 Million to Trump Inaugural Committee - Catch Ken on Mastodon - @macosken@mastodon.social - Chat with us in Patreon for as little as $1 a month. Support the show at Patreon.com/macosken - Send me an email: info@macosken.com or call (716)780-4080!

TSMC faces employment challenges at its Arizona plant, primarily filled by Taiwanese workers. There’s a heartfelt tribute to former President Jimmy Carter, marking his impact. Excitement builds for Apple TV+ as it announces a free preview weekend, inviting non-subscribers to enjoy original content. The conversation also reflects on the ups and downs of Apple's recent innovations and wraps up on a humorous note with New Year resolutions.

- BTIG Technical Strategist Sees Apple Shares Slumping - Trump Asks SCOTUS for Time to Work TikTok Deal - Zagg Warns of Data Breach - Sponsored by 1Password Extended Access Management - your solution for IAM and MDM. Learn more at 1Password.com/macosken - We're looking at three of our favorites A.I. films on Checklist 405 - Neo-el: Hacky Holidays Reloaded - online at checklist.libsyn.com - Catch Ken on Mastodon - @macosken@mastodon.social - Chat with us in Patreon for as little as $1 a month. Support the show at Patreon.com/macosken - Send me an email: info@macosken.com or call (716)780-4080!

- Wedbush Ups AAPL Target to $325 - Cue Filing Addresses Google Payments and Why Apple Wouldn’t Build a Search Engine - Meta Horizon App Tops App Store Free Apps List - Foxconn Eyes AR Glasses Market with Porotech microLED Deal - AppleInsider: Foxconn/Porotech Deal Could Be Big for Little Apple Devices - Apple Japan Announces New Year Sales Promotion - Apple TV+ Teases Upcoming Weekend Event - Sponsored by 1Password Extended Access Management - your solution for IAM and MDM. Learn more at 1Password.com/macosken - We're looking at three of our favorites A.I. films on Checklist 405 - Neo-el: Hacky Holidays Reloaded - online at checklist.libsyn.com - Catch Ken on Mastodon - @macosken@mastodon.social - Chat with us in Patreon for as little as $1 a month. Support the show at Patreon.com/macosken - Send me an email: info@macosken.com or call (716)780-4080!

- Wedbush: Apple Market Cap Will Soon Hit $4T - (RED) Lauds Apple for $3M Apple Pay Donation Campaign - WSJ: Advocacy Groups Urge Apple to Fix Age Rating Issues in App Store - Television 2 for Apple Vision Pro Brings Plex and Fulldome Viewing - Apple TV+ Streaming Snippet of “Severance” Season Two - Sponsored by 1Password Extended Access Management - your solution for IAM and MDM. Learn more at 1Password.com/macosken - We're looking at three of our favorites A.I. films on Checklist 405 - Neo-el: Hacky Holidays Reloaded - online at checklist.libsyn.com - Catch Ken on Mastodon - @macosken@mastodon.social - Chat with us in Patreon for as little as $1 a month. Support the show at Patreon.com/macosken - Send me an email: info@macosken.com or call (716)780-4080!

Discover the exciting news about nearby Apple Stores offering free holiday delivery in the US and Canada. Dive into Apple’s intriguing talks with ByteDance and Tencent on AI advancements in China. Learn about the government backing for new manufacturing facilities in Indonesia and how it relates to AirTags. Explore Apple's strategic dual-track approach in the VR/MR market, aiming at both premium and mainstream users. Plus, don't miss highlights from an immersive video series featuring a diver's daring record attempt!

No Mac OS Ken today, but there is a Checklist, brought to you by SecureMac! Artificial Intelligence - killing it in Silicon Valley and killing people in the movies. We're looking at three of our favorites A.I. films on Checklist 405 - Neo-el: Hacky Holidays Reloaded - online at checklist.libsyn.com - Catch Ken on Mastodon - @macosken@mastodon.social - Chat with us in Patreon for as little as $1 a month. Support the show at Patreon.com/macosken - Send me an email: info@macosken.com or call (716)780-4080!