iPhone 14 models topped global sales, becoming the most-shipped smartphone device in the first half of 2023. Apple shipped 26.5 million iPhone 14 Prop Max units between January and June, according to research firm Omdia’s Smartphone Model Market Tracker. There were 21 million iPhone 14 Pro units shipped and 16.5 million iPhone 14 devices. This success comes as Apple prepares for its next product demo event on Sept. 12. The Big Tech company is expected to announce the iPhone 15, two new Apple Watches, and the latest iOS upgrade. Here’s everything we know so far about the 15th generation of the iPhone. Apple is also planning a major upgrade for the iPad Pro sometime next year.

Also, Google “accidentally” leaked a photo of the Pixel 8 Pro on its own website the same day Apple announced its Sept. 12 event. There’s no launch date for Google‘s new mobile device yet, but the tech company usually holds its demo events in October.

Back to Apple. The company may debut a USB-C charging port with the iPhone 15 to align with European laws stating that all mobile phones, tablets, and cameras sold in the region must use USB-C for wired charging by Dec. 28, 2024. I don’t know about y’all, but I’m sensing Apple will surprise us with something at this event. Remember when the tech giant completely skipped over launching an iPhone 9 and introduced the iPhone X instead? I’ll never forget that.

IBM is celebrating more than 30 years as the official technology partner of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) with new AI-powered features across all digital platforms for the 2023 US Open Tennis Championships. Following success with similar AI tech first introduced at the 2023 Masters in April, IBM debuted generative AI spoken commentary and AI Draw Analysis to USOpen.org and the US Open app. I was fortunate enough to tour the IBM Data Center at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center this past week alongside IBM and USTA execs and Maria Sharapova, 2006 US Open champion.

The future of AI tech in sports is bright simply because of the ease of combing through datasets, viewing player highlights, and digging into rankings, all with intuitive digital interfaces on the web and mobile and fan engagement at the center. Check out my full download on the work IBM is doing with the US Open and how the tech corporation plans to expand its offerings to more big sporting events.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has ordered LA-based media and entertainment firm Impact Theory to pay $6.1 million in penalties for the unregistered offering of NFTs. The commission alleged that the company raised $30 million from hundreds of investors after encouraging them to purchase NFTs as an investment into the business. This is the first major NFT enforcement action that the SEC has pushed forward with as government entities crack down on crypto operations across the US. Impact Theory did not admit wrongdoing or deny the commission’s allegations as part of the settlement.

Meta is pushing forward on its metaverse plans with the beta testing launch of Horizon Worlds on mobile devices. Horizon Worlds is Meta’s premiere virtual reality, gaming, and social platform. This upgrade expands the digital destination beyond Meta Quest VR headsets, and the mobile version will operate like a typical gaming app. The Big Tech firm is also testing a web-based version of Horizon Worlds. Interested users can request access to the mobile and web versions of Horizon Worlds here.

Also, is Meta preparing to launch IGTV 2.0? Maybe. Instagram is internally testing a three-minute and 10-minute Reels feature with a more integrated video experience. There is no word on when the feature will expand externally.

• As OpenAI paces toward $1 billion in revenue, the AI leader launched ChatGPT Enterprise, the biz version of its successful AI-powered chatbot.
• Food delivery app company Instacart filed paperwork to go public on the Nasdaq under the “CART” ticker, and if all goes well, Instacart will be the first notable tech IPO to come through in nearly two years.
• As the SAG-AFTRA strike rages on, there has been a 137% surge in Cameo sign-ups and account reactivations as actors and writers flock to the video-sharing site to earn some income. Even SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher recently reactivated her account.
• Elon Musk demoed Tesla’s AI-enabled self-driving tech in a 45-minute grainy video posted on X, where he also doxxed Mark Zuckerberg’s home address when he said he was routing there. Elsewhere in Tesla‘s AI realm, the automotive maker is set to activate its Nvidia supercomputer to enhance its computing capabilities to train its full self-driving tech.
• Speaking of Musk and his business dealings, X/Twitter acquired a license to integrate crypto payments and trading on the platform in the US. While X further moves into the crypto space, the social network is working to stay out of courtrooms with 2,200 arbitration cases filed by ex-employees to face.
• Following in Microsoft‘s steps, Google will start charging large businesses $30 per user a month if they plan to indulge in AI integrations that it’s adding to Gmail and other productivity apps. Also, the Google Doodle turned 25 this week.