Can Apple buy its way to AI success?

Apple certainly seems all in on artificial intelligence these days, even though the company’s execs barely ever uttered the word “AI” before recently.

A lengthy string of AI acquisitions — and the recent shuttering of the secret Apple car project, reportedly to focus on generative AI initiatives — point toward a company scrambling to catch up with tech’s buzziest sector.

The latest indicator is Apple snatching up Canadian AI startup DarwinAI. After the deal, “dozens of DarwinAI’s employees have joined Apple’s artificial intelligence division,” according to Bloomberg, which broke the story Thursday.

Here’s what the DarwinAI acquisition might mean for Apple.

Also in today’s newsletter:

• On the sports front, the Apple Sports app just received its first update, adding March Madness basketball and Major League Baseball’s Opening Day to the mix. Plus, you can watch Major League Soccer for free this weekend on the Apple TV app. Score!

• If you’re one of those Mac or iPhone owners who uses Google’s Chrome browser, you’re in for some security-focused updates. Oddly, you’ll get them before Android owners.

• Need Apple’s most powerful laptop? It’s on sale now.

• Upcoming Apple TV+ limited series Franklin is about Benjamin Franklin, not Charlie Brown’s pal. The trailer looks interesting.

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

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