Apple Analyst Calls for CEO Tim Cook's Exit, Citing Lack of AI Progress

Walter Piecyk, an analyst at LightShed Partners, believes Apple (AAPL) CEO Tim Cook's exit could be beneficial for the company, citing a need for a "product-focused" CEO. Piecyk also believes Apple "fooled" investors about its AI plans, stating that the company's capex in AI has been non-existent. He suggests that acquiring Perplexity, a company with AI technology, could be a possible solution. Apple is struggling with declining revenue in China, weak performance from its Wearables segment, and competition in the Home and Accessories market. The iPhone 16 and AI platform have yet to show promising growth prospects.

Title: Apple's iOS 26 Beta 4: A Mix of Visual Tweaks and AI Enhancements

Apple has released the fourth beta of iOS 26, bringing a blend of visual improvements and AI-powered features. The update, released on July 22, reverses several changes made in previous betas, particularly in the handling of the Liquid Glass interface [1].

The Liquid Glass interface, which provides a more polished and reflective look, has been restored after a brief experiment with toned-down transparency. This "frosted glass" phase was met with user dissatisfaction, leading Apple to revert to the more polished version. Additionally, the Notification Center now includes an automatic darkening effect to enhance readability [1].

One notable return is the AI-generated notification summaries for news, which were previously disabled due to user complaints about inaccuracies. Apple has reintroduced this feature with a disclaimer, warning users that summarization may alter the original headlines and urging them to verify the information [1].

iOS 26 beta 4 also introduces a redesigned camera app interface with a launch prompt highlighting the new changes. Users can now disable Call Screening, silence calls from unknown numbers, and prompt unidentified callers to explain the reason for their call [1].

A new "Welcome" screen has been added upon update, featuring a dynamic background that shifts colors based on context or the time of day. Further changes may be discovered as Apple continues to refine the beta version [1].

Apple has also released the fourth beta versions of iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS, all expected to debut alongside the final release of iOS 26 in September, coinciding with the launch of the iPhone 17 lineup [1].

References
[1] https://www.businesstoday.in/amp/technology/news/story/apple-restores-liquid-glass-clarity-enhances-ai-tools-in-ios-26-beta-4-485892-2025-07-23