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- Apple's biggest redesign in years
Good morning, tech enthusiasts. Apple is reportedly gearing up for one of its biggest software revamps ever—bringing sweeping changes to the look and feel of Macs, iPhones, and iPads.
While the announcement conveniently shifts attention away from Apple's AI delays, the bigger question looms: Will iPhone users embrace the first major UI redesign since 2013?
In today’s tech rundown:
Apple’s massive design overhaul
Startup making plastic from seaweed
Ex-Google CEO leading rocket startup
New battery tech for faster, lighter EVs
Quick hits on other major news
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
APPLE
Image source: Ideogram/The Rundown
The Rundown: Apple is reportedly planning a massive software overhaul, with iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16 set to radically change the iPhone, iPad, and Mac experience that users have grown accustomed to over the years.
The details:
Expected at WWDC 2025, the revamp will fundamentally change the look of all three operating systems, making them more consistent for users.
Bloomberg reports the new UI will simplify the way users navigate and control their devices, with refreshed icons, menus, apps, windows, and system buttons.
It is also expected to be based on Vision Pro’s software (to some extent) with a modern design language with 3D depth and translucent elements.
The overhaul, if it happens, will mark the most significant upgrade to the Mac since 2020’s Big Sur and the biggest iPhone revamp since 2013’s iOS 7.
Why it matters: Apple’s ecosystem spans over 2 billion devices, making a major design overhaul a bold but risky move—much like the mixed reactions to Big Sur and iOS 7. Still, a unified, modern aesthetic across devices stays true to the company’s design-first approach.
SWAY
Image source: Sway
The Rundown: Sway, a California-based cleantech startup, just developed an innovative and entirely scalable solution to replace single-use plastics with a sustainable alternative derived from seaweed.
The details:
Sway has created a seaweed-based material, TPSea, that can be used to produce compostable packaging, including polybags, retail bags, and wrappers.
The material is designed to fit seamlessly into existing plastic production systems, offering a viable and eco-friendly substitute for conventional plastics.
The company uses natural polymers found in seaweed, such as agar and carrageenan, to create the 100% biobased and microplastic-free material.
Sway, led by CEO Julia Marsh, raised $5M in seed funding in 2024 to scale production and has established partnerships with J.Crew and Burton.
Why it matters: Like Notpla and Loliware, Sway embraces circular economy principles—eliminating waste, extending material life cycles, and restoring natural systems. The startup also claims its products can decompose within 48 days, presenting a potential solution to the global plastic pollution crisis.
RELATIVITY SPACE
Image source: Relativity Space
The Rundown: Eric Schmidt, who served as Google’s CEO for nearly a decade from 2001 to 2011, took over as the chief executive of Relativity Space—a California-based startup developing 3D-printed reusable rockets with $2.4 billion in backing.
The details:
Relativity Space, which was part of the Y Combinator W16 batch, uses advanced 3D printing, AI, and robotics to build reusable rockets in 60 days.
The company is currently developing the Terran R rocket, powered by its proprietary Aeon R engine, with a planned first launch in late 2026.
It aims to compete with SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy and has already secured $2.9 billion in launch contracts.
Previously, the startup said it would achieve a private space mission to Mars by 2024, but its Terran 1 rocket failed to reach orbit in 2023, delaying plans.
Why it matters: Big Tech execs leading rocket companies has become a trend—Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Amazon exec Dave Limp have all taken the leap. Relativity is no less ambitious, with plans to colonize Mars. Schmidt, who has also made investments in the startup, steps in at a pivotal moment as it advances its next-gen reusable rocket.
DAQUS ENERGY
Image source: Ideogram/The Rundown
The Rundown: Cleantech startup Daqus Energy is pioneering a new technology that promises a cheaper, faster, and denser battery for electric vehicles—all while eliminating supply chain constraints for critical metals.
The details:
Daqus aims to replace traditional cathodes made from critical metals like cobalt and nickel with affordable and widely available carbon-based compounds.
The material — known as TAQ and developed by MIT in collaboration with Lamborghini — is light, highly conductive, stable, and insoluble.
The company recently secured $6M in seed funding led by Morningside and has now set up a dedicated R&D facility to accelerate its commercialization.
It says TAQ cathodes outperform conventional materials in energy storage and sustainability and are even lighter than LFP (iron-phosphate) batteries.
Why it matters: Affordable, lightweight, and fast-charging batteries have the potential to revolutionize electric mobility. While major players like CATL and LG continue refining battery tech, Daqus claims its production costs could be lower than even the cheapest lithium-ion batteries. However, scaling remains an early-stage challenge.
QUICK HITS
📰 Everything else in tech today
iPhone manufacturer Foxconn announced FoxBrain, its first large language model with reasoning capabilities, developed with Nvidia in only four weeks.
Meta is reportedly testing its first in-house AI training chip, developed in collaboration with TSMC, to reduce reliance on suppliers like Nvidia.
CoreWeave, an artificial intelligence infrastructure startup backed by Nvidia, signed a five-year contract worth $11.9B with OpenAI.
Helion, a startup developing safe and reliable fusion generators for electricity production, secured $425M in a Series F funding round at a $5.2B valuation
Rocket Companies, a fintech firm specializing in real estate services, acquired digital real estate brokerage Redfin in an all-stock deal valued at $1.75B.
Maserati canceled its upcoming MC20 Folgore electric supercar, citing insufficient customer interest in battery-powered luxury supercars as the reason.
Microsoft is ending support for its Remote Desktop app for Windows on May 27 and replacing it with the new Windows app, which launched in September.
Anti-aging advocate Bryan Johnson said he is “building a religion” called Don’t Die, aimed at aligning AI with humanity’s best interests and ensuring human survival.
Microsoft is reportedly planning to expand its gaming hardware lineup with the introduction of an Xbox-branded gaming handheld set in 2025.
Wayve, the U.K.-based autonomous driving startup that raised $1B last year, says it is nearing commercial debut with major automakers in Germany and the U.S.
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See you soon,
Rowan, Jennifer, Joey, and Shubham—The Rundown’s editorial team
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