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Apple Developing Custom Chips for Smart Glasses, AI Servers, and Next-Gen Macs

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Apple is advancing its hardware ambitions with the development of specialized chips designed to power future products, including its first smart glasses, AI servers, and next-generation MacBooks, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The tech giant’s reported progress on a low-power chip for smart glasses signals its intent to directly compete with Meta’s popular Ray-Ban smart glasses, a category that’s becoming increasingly central in the race toward consumer wearables integrated with AI.

The glasses-specific chip is said to be based on Apple Watch silicon, emphasizing power efficiency and compact form factors. It has been tailored to support multiple cameras — a key feature for augmented reality (AR) and immersive use cases — and could enter mass production as early as late 2026 or 2027, with TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) slated as the manufacturing partner.

Beyond Smart Glasses:
Apple is also reportedly working on AI-optimized server chips to support the Apple Intelligence platform — the company’s suite of on-device AI features introduced for iPhones. These capabilities include notification summaries, email rewriting, and integration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

The server chips would provide the infrastructure needed to process more complex AI workloads, marking a notable shift for Apple as it begins to build its own AI compute backbone, rather than relying entirely on third-party providers.

MacBook Chip Roadmap Expands:
In addition, Apple is said to be developing new Mac chips, expected to be named the M6 and M7, extending its in-house silicon strategy. Apple’s custom chips have already proven transformative in differentiating its Mac lineup, offering significant performance gains over Intel-based predecessors.

Earlier this year, Apple also unveiled its first custom modem chip for iPhones, reinforcing its long-term commitment to vertical integration — from semiconductors to software.

While Apple has not publicly commented on the report, its steady push into AR, AI, and custom hardware signals the company is not merely following trends — but aiming to shape them.

Super Micro Shares Fall After Forecasting Q4 Revenue Below Estimates Amid Tariff, Spending Concerns

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Super Micro Computer (SMCI.O), a leading AI server manufacturer, projected fourth-quarter revenue below Wall Street expectations, causing its shares to drop 5.4% in after-hours trading on Tuesday. The company cited economic uncertainty, tariffs, and delayed customer spending as near-term headwinds.

The San Jose-based firm forecast Q4 revenue between $5.6 billion and $6.4 billion, falling short of analysts’ average estimate of $6.82 billion, according to LSEG data. The company has benefited from surging demand for AI data center infrastructure, leveraging chips from Nvidia, AMD, and others, but has also faced accounting issues in recent months that sparked delisting concerns on the Nasdaq.

Despite some clients delaying purchases, Super Micro expects those deferred deals to materialize in the June–September quarter. However, investor sentiment remains cautious, particularly in light of growing concerns about AI investment slowdowns and tariff-related impacts.

Kim Caughey Forrest of Bokeh Capital Partners suggested the lowered guidance might be self-inflicted, rather than purely market-driven, while D.A. Davidson’s Gil Luria noted the possibility that Super Micro may be losing market share to competitors like Dell, rather than signaling a broader downturn in AI infrastructure demand.

For fiscal year 2025, Super Micro revised its revenue forecast downward to $21.8 billion to $22.6 billion, from a previously expected $23.5 billion to $25.0 billion.

The company had released preliminary results last week, but the lower guidance and uncertain macroeconomic environment continue to weigh on investor confidence.

Dell Workforce Declines by 10% in Fiscal 2025 Amid Cost-Cutting Efforts

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Dell Technologies reported a 10% reduction in its workforce for fiscal year 2025, as the company continues to streamline operations in response to ongoing cost pressures. The company’s total headcount as of January 31, 2025, stood at approximately 108,000 employees, down from 120,000 a year earlier. This reduction is part of Dell’s broader strategy to reduce costs, including limiting external hiring and implementing employee reorganizations.

Cost-Cutting Measures and Commitment to Diversity

In its annual report, Dell reaffirmed its commitment to diversity and inclusion, despite growing political scrutiny over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The company emphasized its dedication to equal employment opportunities and its efforts to implement inclusive policies that support its corporate goals.

While some other major companies like Meta and Alphabet have scaled back or eliminated DEI initiatives, Dell has maintained its stance on these values. However, this decision comes amid shifting political views, with President Donald Trump previously criticizing DEI initiatives and suggesting investigations into whether such policies might violate the law.

Financial Forecast and Challenges

Dell also disclosed a forecast for fiscal year 2026, predicting a decline in its adjusted gross margin rate due to increased costs associated with building AI servers in an increasingly competitive market. This follows a 5% reduction in the workforce during fiscal year 2024, signaling ongoing efforts to manage operating expenses while adapting to the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Conclusion

Dell’s workforce reduction and its continued focus on cost-cutting measures highlight the company’s efforts to stay competitive in a challenging market. The firm’s commitment to diversity remains steadfast, even as political and economic pressures influence corporate decisions. With forecasts indicating more financial challenges ahead, Dell will need to balance cost reduction with innovation to maintain its position in the AI server space.