NUS Business School MBA ranked No. 1 in Asia for third consecutive year

Source: NUS. The NUS Business School.

The National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) is ranked first in Asia for the third year in a row in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Global MBA Rankings 2026.

The 2026 edition of the QS Global MBA and Business Masters Rankings evaluates programmes based on key performance indicators, including Employability, Return on Investment, Entrepreneurship and Alumni Outcomes, Thought Leadership, as well as Class and Faculty Diversity. The NUS MBA programme rose two places to 23rd worldwide, achieving its highest-ever global position in an evaluation pool that expanded by almost 15% from last year. It now ranks among the top 6% of 390 MBA programmes assessed globally by QS.

According to NUS, the latest results underscore the NUS MBA programme’s educational rigour, commitment to global competitiveness, and definitive impact on its graduates’ professional development and long-term career success.

In the latest rankings, the NUS MBA achieved an overall score of 87.0 out of 100. The programme scored at least 30% above the global average for key indicators such as Thought Leadership (82.5), Employability (83.9), and Return on Investment (94.2).

Employability remains a standout as the programme led the rankings in Asia with an improved employment rate of 95.0% for the class of 2024, compared with 83.3% in the previous year. Class and Faculty Diversity also advanced, with the programme improving 27 places to 56th globally with greater representation of women and international members across both faculty and student cohorts.

Distinguished Professor Andrew Rose, Dean of NUS Business School said: “Our position as Asia’s top MBA for the third consecutive year, alongside our historic rise to 23rd globally, reflects the School’s commitment to academic excellence, innovative research, and developing dynamic, adaptive leaders who can navigate complexity in a rapidly evolving global economy. While rankings are just one measure, they demonstrate the tangible positive impact our faculty, students, and alumni are having on business and community worldwide.”

The NUS MBA is designed to equip future leaders with a global toolkit and cross-cultural insight to thrive in a fast-changing world. Anchored in Singapore, the programme delivers a rigourous yet customisable curriculum. There is a deep focus on Asia, coupled with strong global exposure through international study trips and exchange opportunities with top partner universities worldwide.

Students can tailor their learning journey by choosing from over 50 electives across nine areas of specialisation. Through experiential learning, industry engagement, and a diverse international cohort, NUS MBA students gain the tools and perspectives needed to lead with impact, within Asia and beyond.

Details

View the QS Global MBA rankings can be found at: https://www.topuniversities.com/

The iPhone Air has a breakthrough design

Source: Apple. The iPhone Air is the thinnest iPhone ever.

Apple's iPhone Air, the thinnest iPhone ever made, features a breakthrough titanium design that is elegant, light yet more durable than any previous iPhone.

Its back is protected with Ceramic Shield, and the front cover uses Ceramic Shield 2, delivering 3x better scratch resistance. The iPhone Air also features a 6.5" Super Retina XDR display.¹ 

With the most Apple-designed chips in an iPhone — the powerhouse A19 Pro, N1, and C1X — iPhone Air is the most power-efficient iPhone ever made, Apple said. Paired with the redesigned internal architecture and software optimisations, iPhone Air has all-day battery life. A 48 MP Fusion Main camera enables the equivalent of four lenses with outstanding image quality, and the 18 MP Center Stage front camera takes selfies to the next level.

“The all-new iPhone Air is so powerful, yet impossibly thin and light, that you really have to hold it to believe it’s real. This huge leap in design and engineering is only made possible through Apple innovation, especially Apple silicon,” said John Ternus, Apple’s Senior VP of Hardware Engineering. 

“iPhone Air is a brand-new member of the iPhone family that delivers advanced features our users will love, like pro performance, a versatile 48 MP Fusion camera system, our innovative Center Stage front camera, and great all-day battery life — all in a breakthrough design that feels like you’re holding the future.”

Featuring a breakthrough design with pro performance, iPhone Air is the thinnest iPhone ever made at 5.6 mm. The grade 5 titanium frame has a high-gloss mirror finish, and a new plateau on the back that is precision-milled on both sides to house the cameras, speaker, and Apple silicon. This maximises space for the battery to deliver all-day battery life. The thin design also features the Action button, allowing easy access to a variety of functions with just a press, and Camera Control, to quickly launch the camera or enable visual intelligence.²

The 6.5" Super Retina XDR display features ProMotion, with an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120 Hz for smooth scrolling and stunning graphics. The Always-On display shows important information at a glance, and when not in use, it efficiently adjusts down to 1 Hz. The iPhone Air is easy to use outside with 3000 nits peak outdoor brightness — the highest ever on iPhone — and 2x better outdoor contrast.

The iPhone Air introduces the Ceramic Shield 2 front cover, which is tougher than any smartphone glass or glass-ceramic. A new Apple-designed coating provides 3x better scratch resistance and improved anti-reflection to reduce glare. For the first time, Ceramic Shield now protects the back of iPhone, including the plateau, delivering 4x better resistance to cracks than the back glass on previous models. And with the titanium frame, iPhone Air exceeds Apple’s stringent bend strength requirements. 

Look out for the Center Stage front camera, which features the first square front camera sensor on an iPhone. The sensor offers a wide field of view and captures photos up to 18 MP. Users no longer have to rotate their iPhone to take a landscape selfie — they can take photos and videos in portrait or landscape while holding their iPhone vertically. For group shots, Center Stage for photos uses AI to automatically expand the field of view and can rotate from portrait to landscape to include everyone in the frame. 

The Center Stage front camera enables ultra-stabilised video in 4K HDR, and users can record on the front and rear cameras simultaneously with Dual Capture. During calls over FaceTime or third-party apps, Center Stage for video calls keeps users stable and positioned in-frame.

A versatile new 48MP Fusion camera system gives users the equivalent of four lenses in their pocket. The custom main lens enables the popular 28 mm and 35 mm focal lengths, while a 2.0 µm quad-pixel sensor with sensor-shift optical image stabilisation (OlS) excels in low light. Users can also get closer to their subject with the optical-quality 2x Telephoto capability, which features an updated Photonic Engine that captures more lifelike details and colour.

A new image pipeline built for iPhone Air enables Focus Control at the same level as multicamera systems, automatically capturing depth information so users can turn photos into portraits later in the Photos app. The iPhone Air also supports the latest generation of Photographic Styles, including a new Bright style that brightens skin tones and applies a pop of vibrance across the image.³

For video, the iPhone Air can record in 4K 60 fps Dolby Vision, and supports Action mode. Video is captured with Spatial Audio for immersive listening. Audio Mix lets users adjust sound after capture to boost voices and reduce ambient noise; and wind noise reduction minimises unwanted noise.

The iPhone Air design is made possible with Apple silicon. The A19 Pro, N1, and C1X chips make it the most power-efficient iPhone ever made, Apple said. The A19 Pro features a new six-core CPU that improves performance and efficiency for everyday tasks. 

The five-core GPU has an upgraded architecture, delivering next-level mobile gaming, including AAA titles. Neural accelerators are built into each GPU core, bringing up to 3x the peak GPU compute over the previous generation, excellent for powering generative AI models running on-device.

The N1 is a new Apple-designed wireless networking chip that enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. In addition to powering the latest generation of wireless technologies, N1 improves the overall performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop.

The C1X chip, on the other hand, is a new cellular modem designed by Apple. C1X is up to 2x faster than C1, and for the same cellular technologies, it is even faster than the modem in the iPhone 16 Pro, while using 30% less energy overall. 

The advanced Apple silicon, an internal architecture that maximises battery space, and software optimisations combine together to deliver fantastic all-day battery life. The new Adaptive Power Mode in iOS 26 also gets to know a user’s typical battery consumption and anticipates when they might run low, intelligently conserving power to help get them through the day.

The iPhone Air features an eSIM-only design that saves space internally.⁴ An eSIM offers greater flexibility, better security, and seamless connectivity compared to traditional physical SIM cards. An industry standard, eSIM is supported by over 500 carriers worldwide. It also makes staying connected while travelling even more convenient, allowing continued connectivity through affordable international roaming plans from users’ home carriers or local prepaid options available with more than 200 carriers. For better security, eSIM cannot be physically removed if an iPhone is lost or stolen, and managing travel eSIMs is even easier with a new streamlined setup in iOS 26.

The upcoming iOS 26 elevates the iPhone experience with a new design, Apple Intelligence capabilities, and meaningful improvements to apps. The design refresh with Liquid Glass brings greater focus to content while keeping iOS familiar. Apple Intelligence now translates text and audio on the go with Live Translation, helping users communicate across languages in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone.⁵ Updates to visual intelligence allow users to capture a screenshot and easily search or take action on anything they are viewing on their iPhone screen.² 

The on-device foundation model at the core of Apple Intelligence is available to all developers, with apps already offering new intelligent, privacy-protected experiences that can even be used when offline. New screening tools for calls and messages help eliminate distractions so users can focus on the conversations that matter most. The new iOS version also introduces new features in CarPlay, Apple Music, Maps, and Wallet, as well as Apple Games, a new app that gives players a single destination for all their games.

Apple is also introducing a new ecosystem of accessories to complement the iPhone Air:

• The iPhone Air Case with MagSafe — available in frost and shadow — has an ultra-thin translucent design with a lightly frosted interior, a high-gloss outer surface, and a protective reinforced polycarbonate frame. 

• The slim and lightweight iPhone Air Bumper — available in four matching colours — perfectly frames iPhone Air with a reinforced polycarbonate design for added edge protection.

• Crafted from 100% recycled yarn, the Crossbody Strap drapes comfortably, with embedded flexible magnets and stainless steel sliding mechanisms to adjust the length and maintain secure alignment. The Crossbody Strap will be available in black, light gray, blue, light blue, purple, sienna, green, neon yellow, tan, and orange.

• The iPhone Air MagSafe Battery has a thin and light design that seamlessly attaches to the back of the device. The MagSafe Battery quickly charges iPhone Air when the battery is low, and maximises battery life when connected throughout the day, delivering up to 40 hours of video playback when used together.

Apple 2030 is the company’s plan to be carbon neutral across its entire footprint by the end of this decade by reducing product emissions from their three biggest sources: materials, electricity, and transportation. The iPhone Air is made with 35% recycled content, including 80% recycled titanium, the highest ever for an iPhone, and 100% recycled cobalt in the battery. 

The iPhone Air is also manufactured with 45% renewable electricity, like wind and solar, across the supply chain. It is designed to be durable, repairable, and offer industry-leading software support, while meeting Apple’s standards for energy efficiency and safe chemistry. The paper packaging is 100% fibre-based and can be easily recycled, while a new titanium USB-C port is 3D-printed to be thinner and stronger, fitting into the slim design while using 33% less material than a conventional forging process. .

Details

The iPhone Air will be available in space black, cloud white, light gold, and sky blue, with 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB storage options. Prices start at S$1,599 in Singapore.

With Apple Trade In, customers can get S$275 to S$1,240 in credits via bank transfer when they trade in iPhone 13 or newer.⁶ To see what their device is worth and for trade-in terms and conditions, customers can visit apple.com/shop/trade-in.

Customers in more than 63 countries and regions, including Australia, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Türkiye, the UAE, and Vietnam, can currently preorder the iPhone Air, with availability beginning September 19. The iPhone Air will be available in 22 other countries and regions beginning September 26.

The iOS 26 will be available as a free software update on September 15. Some features may not be available in all languages or regions, and availability may vary due to local laws and regulations. For more information about availability, visit apple.com.

Apple Intelligence is available in beta with support for these languages: English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), Japanese, and Korean. More languages will be coming by the end of this year, including Turkish, Chinese (Traditional), and Vietnamese. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. For feature and language availability and system requirements, see support.apple.com/en-us/121115.

The iPhone Air MagSafe Battery will be available for S$139. The iPhone Air Case with MagSafe is available for S$75, iPhone Air Bumper will be available for S$59, and a Crossbody Strap costs S$89. The FineWoven Wallet with MagSafe will be available for S$89 in black, navy, midnight, purple, fox orange, and moss.

The Apple-designed 40 W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60 W Max will be available for S$59, and a Qi2 25 W-certified MagSafe Charger will be available in a 1 m length for S$59 or a 2 m length for S$79.⁷

AppleCare delivers service and support with flexible options for Apple users. Customers can choose AppleCare+ to cover their new iPhone. Both plans include coverage for accidents like drops and spills, theft and loss protection on eligible products, battery replacement service, and 24x7 support from Apple experts. For more information, visit apple.com/applecare.

Plans for iCloud+ start at S$1.48 per month, providing additional storage that is accessible across devices. The plans also give access to premium features such as event creation in the Apple Invites app, as well as Private Relay, Hide My Email, custom email domains, and HomeKit Secure Video. With Family Sharing, users can share their subscription with five other family members at no extra cost. 

Customers who purchase iPhone Air may receive three free months of Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple Music, Apple News+, and Apple TV+ with a new subscription. Offer and services availability vary by region. See apple.com/promo for details.

1 The display has rounded corners that follow a curved design. These corners are within a standard rectangle. When measured as a standard rectangular shape, the screen is 6.55" diagonally. The actual viewable area is smaller.
 
2 Visual intelligence is available on any Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone. Some capabilities may not be available in all languages and regions. For more details, see support.apple.com/en-us/121115#visual-intelligence.

3 The new Bright Photographic Style will be available in iOS 26 on iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

4 Use of an eSIM requires a carrier that supports eSIM and a wireless service plan. See carrier for details. To learn more, visit apple.com/esim.

5 Live Translation in Messages supports English (US, UK), French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Spain), and Chinese (Simplified). Live Translation in Phone and FaceTime is available for one-on-one calls in English (US, UK), French (France), German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain).

6 Trade-in values will vary based on the condition, year, and configuration of the eligible trade-in device.

7 The 40 W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60 W Max will be available in APME markets mainland China, Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines. 

Powering Saudi's rise in tourism

Source: Saudi Tourism Authority. Aerial view of Qiddiya at night.

While KSA’s heritage remains the soul of its travel experiences, the kingdom has also been unveiling projects of unprecedented scale and vision:

Qiddiya 

Just outside Riyadh, Qiddiya is set to become KSA’s capital of entertainment, sports, and culture. It will host a wide range of attractions, from motorsports and live performances to cultural experiences.

Among its most anticipated highlights is Six Flags Qiddiya, the first Six Flags Park in the region. Record-breaking rides and roller coasters are expected to redefine theme park entertainment in the Middle East.

Aquarabia Qiddiya City

Aquarabia Qiddiya City will be the kingdom’s first water theme park, and the region's largest. It is expected to open soon.

King Salman Park

Located in the heart of Riyadh, this will be one of the largest urban parks in the world. Combining culture, entertainment, and expansive green space, it will create a new focal point for both residents and visitors.

Over 1,000 new hotel rooms are set to open under brands such as Marriott, Accor, IHG, and Six Senses by 2030, catering to every type of traveller. These launches will not only redefine the country’s hospitality landscape but also set new global benchmarks in design, service, and sustainability.

KSA is also investing heavily in infrastructure that makes travel seamless and sustainable. Airport upgrades, new high-speed rail connections, and smart city developments will mean easier journeys, greater connectivity, and access to destinations that were once difficult to reach.

For Indonesian travellers, visiting KSA is now more accessible. Holders of a valid UK, US, or Schengen visa, complete with an entry stamp from the issuing country, can apply for an e-visa or visa on arrival. Umrah pilgrims can explore beyond the holy cities as well.

Apple unveils iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max

Apple has introduced the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, which deliver a leap in performance with the A19 Pro chip, enabling advanced camera systems, next-level mobile gaming, and Apple Intelligence. 

The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max deliver Apple’s best-ever performance to date, plus advanced battery life. The new brushed aluminum unibody design is crafted with a lightweight aerospace-grade 7000-series aluminum alloy to deliver the best-ever thermal performance in an iPhone. On the back, a plateau creates additional space for internal components — making room for a larger battery. The antennas are integrated around the perimeter for the highest-performing antenna system ever in an iPhone.

The new internal architecture features an Apple-designed vapour chamber to enhance heat dissipation and performance. Deionised water is sealed inside the vapour chamber, which is laser-welded into the aluminum chassis to move heat away from the A19 Pro, allowing it to deliver higher performance levels. The heat is then carried into the aluminum unibody, where it is distributed evenly, managing power and surface temperatures so that the phone remains comfortable to hold. 

Both models can charge 50% in 20 minutes with an optional high-wattage USB-C power adapter like Apple’s new 40 W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60 W Max.¹ 

Source: Apple. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max maximise performance and offer a leap in battery life.

“(The) iPhone 17 Pro is by far the most powerful iPhone we’ve ever made, with a stunning new design rebuilt from the inside out to maximise performance and deliver an enormous leap in battery life,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s Senior VP of Worldwide Marketing.

“With three 48 MP Fusion cameras, a new Center Stage front camera experience, and pro-level video features, the creative opportunities are endless. iPhone 17 Pro sets a new standard for the smartphone industry and is a massive upgrade for our most demanding users.”

Available in 6.3" and 6.9" sizes,² the Super Retina XDR display is protected by Ceramic Shield 2, tougher than any smartphone glass or glass-ceramic. The Apple-designed coating offers 3x better scratch resistance and improved anti-reflection properties to reduce glare. The displays feature ProMotion up to 120 Hz, Always-On, and 3000 nits of peak outdoor brightness — the highest ever on iPhone — plus 2x better outdoor contrast. For the first time, Ceramic Shield protects the back of the devices, delivering 4x better resistance to cracks than the back glass on previous models.

A19 Pro is Apple’s most capable iPhone chip yet. When paired with the Apple-designed vapour chamber, A19 Pro enables iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max to deliver up to 40% better sustained performance than the previous generation — ideal for gaming, video editing, and running large local language models (LLMs). 

The six-core CPU is the fastest CPU in any smartphone according to Apple, while the six-core GPU architecture includes neural accelerators built into each GPU core, a larger cache, and more memory than the A18 Pro. The GPU works in tandem with the new 16-core Neural Engine to power Al models, stunning graphics, and AAA gaming titles like Arknights: Endfield, enabling hardware-accelerated ray tracing and higher frame rates.³

The iPhone 17 lineup also introduces N1, a new Apple-designed wireless networking chip that enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. In addition to powering the latest generation of wireless technologies, N1 improves the overall performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and AirDrop.

The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max feature Apple’s best-ever camera systems with higher-resolution sensors front and back. Three 48 MP Fusion cameras — Main, Ultra Wide, and a new Telephoto — offer the equivalent of eight lenses, including the longest optical-quality zoom ever on iPhone. 

The new 48 MP Telephoto camera has a next-generation tetraprism design with a sensor that is 56% larger than the previous generation to improve sharpness in bright light and bring more detail to darker shots. The new 4x optical zoom at 100 mm offers a classic lens for portraiture, while the 8x optical zoom at 200 mm, the longest ever on iPhone, provides longer reach and more creative choice. 

With the updated Photonic Engine, the image pipeline uses more machine learning to preserve natural detail, reduce noise, and significantly improve colour accuracy. Digital zoom also increases up to 40x for photos, and users have even more options for customising their photos with next-generation Photographic Styles, including a new Bright style available in iOS 26 that brightens skin tones and applies a pop of vibrance across the image.⁴

The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max also introduce a new Center Stage front camera. Center Stage features the first square front camera sensor on iPhone, offering a wider field of view and higher resolution — up to 18 MP for photos. Users can now take photos and videos in portrait or landscape while holding their iPhone vertically. For group selfies, Center Stage for photos uses AI to automatically expand the field of view and can rotate from portrait to landscape to include everyone in the frame. 

The Center Stage front camera also enables ultra-stabilised video in 4K HDR, and users can now record on the front and rear cameras simultaneously with Dual Capture — perfect for speaking directly to camera while documenting behind-the-scenes action. During calls over FaceTime or third-party apps, Center Stage for video calls keeps users stable and positioned in frame.

With features like Dolby Vision HDR recording, 4K 120 fps, ProRes Log, and support for ACES, iPhone already leads the industry in smartphone video capture. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max unlock even more creative possibilities as the first smartphones to support ProRes RAW, Log 2, and genlock, a technique used to precisely synchronise video across multiple cameras and inputs. This helps creatives achieve accurate, professional-looking transitions and advanced creative techniques without hours of manual frame-by-frame alignment. Genlock is supported by the new Blackmagic Design Camera ProDock, and ProRes RAW is supported by Final Cut Camera and Blackmagic Camera, with APIs available to developers.

An industry standard, eSIM is a digital SIM that offers greater flexibility, better security, and seamless connectivity compared to traditional physical SIM cards.⁵ This capability is supported by over 500 carriers worldwide. ESIM-only models of iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will be available in Bahrain, Japan, KSA, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE, among other markets. These models feature an even larger battery, taking advantage of the space formerly occupied by the physical SIM to provide two additional hours of video playback, or up to 39 hours. 

An eSIM also makes staying connected while traveling even more convenient, allowing continued connectivity through affordable international roaming plans from users’ home carriers or local prepaid options available with more than 200 carriers. For better security, an eSIM cannot be physically removed if an iPhone is lost or stolen, and managing travel eSIMs is even easier with a new streamlined setup in iOS 26.

The upcoming iOS 26 elevates the iPhone experience with a new design, Apple Intelligence capabilities, and meaningful improvements to apps. The design refresh with Liquid Glass brings greater focus to content while keeping iOS familiar. Apple Intelligence now translates text and audio on the go with Live Translation, helping users communicate across languages in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone.⁶ Updates to visual intelligence allow users to capture a screenshot and easily search or take action on anything they are viewing on their iPhone screen.⁷ 

The on-device foundation model at the core of Apple Intelligence is available to all developers, with apps already offering new intelligent, privacy-protected experiences that can even be used when offline. New screening tools for calls and messages help eliminate distractions so users can focus on the conversations that matter most. The new iOS version also introduces new features in CarPlay, Apple Music, Maps, and Wallet, as well as Apple Games, a new app that gives players a single destination for all their games.

New accessories are also available for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max:

• The TechWoven Case has a new technical woven fabric that uses multiple coloured yarns, creating a dimensional texture and rich depth, while a protective coating provides resistance to scratches and stains. TechWoven cases will be available in black, blue, purple, sienna, and green.

• The iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case with MagSafe is crafted with a blend of clear polycarbonate and flexible materials with a scratch-resistant coating on the interior and exterior.

• The Silicone Case with MagSafe will be available in orange, terracotta, neon yellow, purple fog, midnight, and black.

• The new Crossbody Strap can be paired with the TechWoven Case and Silicone Case, giving users a hands-free way to wear the iPhone. Crafted from 100% recycled yarn, the smooth strap drapes comfortably, with embedded flexible magnets and stainless steel sliding mechanisms to adjust the length and maintain secure alignment. The Crossbody Strap will be available in black, light gray, blue, light blue, purple, sienna, green, neon yellow, tan, and orange.

Apple 2030 is the company’s plan to be carbon neutral across its entire footprint by the end of this decade. Product emissions are to be cut from their three biggest sources: materials, electricity, and transportation. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are made with 30% recycled content, including 100% recycled cobalt in the battery and 100% recycled gold plating in all Apple-designed printed circuit boards. 

Both models are manufactured with 40% renewable electricity, like wind and solar, across the supply chain. They are also designed to be durable, repairable, and offer industry-leading software support, while meeting Apple’s standards for energy efficiency and safe chemistry. The paper packaging is 100% fibre-based and can be easily recycled.

Details

The iPhone 17 Pro will be available in double the entry storage, 256 GB, as well as 512 GB and 1 TB. The iPhone 17 Pro Max will be available in 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, and for the first time, 2 TB storage capacities. Available in cosmic orange, deep blue, and silver, iPhone 17 Pro starts at S$1,749 and the iPhone 17 Pro Max, at S$1,899.

With Apple Trade In, customers can get S$275 to S$1,240 in credits when they trade in iPhone 13 or newer.⁸ To see what their device is worth and for trade-in terms and conditions, customers can visit apple.com/sg/shop/trade-in.

Customers in more than 63 countries and regions, including APME markets Australia, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Türkiye, the UAE, and Vietnam, can currently preorder iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Availability begins September 19. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will be available in 22 other countries and regions beginning September 26.

The iOS 26 will be available as a free software update on September 15. Some features may not be available in all languages or regions, and availability may vary due to local laws and regulations. For more information about availability, visit apple.com.

Apple Intelligence is available in beta with support for these languages: English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), Japanese, and Korean. More languages will be coming by the end of this year, including Turkish, Chinese (Traditional), and Vietnamese. Some features may not be available in all regions or languages. For feature and language availability and system requirements, see support.apple.com/en-us/121115.

Apple is extending free access to satellite features for an additional year for existing iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users. The free trial will be extended for iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users who have activated their device in a country that supports Apple’s satellite features prior to 12 am US Pacific time on September 9, 2025. For satellite feature availability, visit support.apple.com/en-us/105097.

A TechWoven Case with MagSafe will be available for S$89, a Clear Case for S$75, and a Silicone Case with MagSafe for S$75. The Crossbody Strap is priced at S$89. A FineWoven Wallet with MagSafe will also be available for S$89 in black, navy, midnight, purple, fox orange, and moss.
 

The Apple-designed 40 W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60 W Max will be available for S$59, and a Qi2 25 W-certified MagSafe Charger is offered in a 1 m length for $59 or a 2 m length for S$79.

AppleCare delivers service and support, with flexible options for Apple users. Customers can choose AppleCare+ to cover their new iPhone. Both plans include coverage for accidents like drops and spills, theft and loss protection on eligible products, battery replacement service, and 24x7 support from Apple Experts. For more information, visit apple.com/sg/applecare

 

Plans for iCloud+ start at S$1.48 per month, providing additional storage that is accessible across devices. Each plan also gives access to premium features such as event creation in the Apple Invites app, as well as Private Relay, Hide My Email, Custom Email Domains, and HomeKit Secure Video. With Family Sharing, users can share their subscription with five other family members at no extra cost.

 

Customers who purchase iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max may receive three free months of Apple Arcade, Apple Fitness+, Apple Music, Apple News+, and Apple TV+ with a new subscription. Offer and services availability vary by region. See apple.com/promo for details.

1 In the APME region, the 40 W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60 W Max will be available in mainland China, Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines.   

2 The display has rounded corners that follow a curved design. These corners are within a standard rectangle. When measured as a standard rectangular shape, the screen is 6.27" (iPhone 17 Pro) or 6.85" (iPhone 17 Pro Max) diagonally. The actual viewable area is smaller.

3 Arknights: Endfield will be available in early 2026. 

4 The new Bright Photographic Style will be available in iOS 26 on iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. 

5 Use of an eSIM requires a carrier that supports eSIM and a wireless service plan. See carrier for details. To learn more, visit apple.com/esim.

6 Live Translation in Messages supports English (US, UK), French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Spain), and Chinese (Simplified). Live Translation in Phone and FaceTime is available for one-on-one calls in English (US, UK), French (France), German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain). 

7 Visual intelligence is available on any Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone. Some capabilities may not be available in all languages and regions. For more details, see support.apple.com/en-us/121115#visual-intelligence.

8 Trade-in values will vary based on the condition, year, and configuration of the eligible trade-in device.

Asia’s creative business festival turns 20

Source: Branded. Poster for All That Matters 2025.

All That Matters (ATM), Asia’s premier business festival for the global entertainment and media industries, returns this year as part of a six-day celebration from 26 September to 1 October 2025 at the Hilton Singapore Orchard.

The festivities begin with Music Matters Live from 26 to 1 October, leading into All That Matters from 29 September to 1 October. Coinciding with Singapore F1 Week, ATM marks 20 years of shaping Asia’s cultural, creative and commercial landscape this year.

Launched in 2006 as Music Matters in Hong Kong, All That Matters has evolved into a one-of-a-kind platform where industries converge and the future of pop culture is defined. This year’s theme, Back to the Future, pays tribute to the enduring power of human creativity while diving into the transformative impact of AI, fandom, tech and innovation on entertainment.

In 2024, the event welcomed over 2,000 attendees and 150 speakers. This year, ATM features seven tracks: Music Matters, Sports Matters, Gaming Matters, Marketing Matters, Web3 Matters, Content Matters, and the Music Matters and Sports Matters Academies.

“When we started this journey 20 years ago, we had no idea that All That Matters would grow into Asia’s most dynamic convergence of entertainment and business,” said Jasper Donat, CEO and Co-Founder of Branded.

“All That Matters has become a front-row seat to the evolution of pop culture, technology and creative entrepreneurship in Asia and beyond. This year, we’re not only honouring our history but challenging ourselves and our community to shape what’s next.”

All That Matters breaks down silos between industries, encouraging bold new ideas and unexpected collaborations:

Music Matters will focus on AI, publishing, streaming, artist management, sustainability, touring and Web3. A free-entry music festival will take over multiple venues across Singapore, in partnership with CQ @ Clarke Quay. The festival will host 42+ global emerging artists.

Sports Matters covers OTT*, sports tech, women’s sport, live events, fan building, and sponsorship.

Gaming Matters will discuss the Metaverse, brand safety, live gaming, play-to-earn, and player wellbeing.

Marketing Matters is about purpose-driven marketing, sustainability, diversity, and brand creativity.

Content Matters topics include the creator economy, monetisation, branded content, platforms and intellectual property (IP).

Visit Web3 Matters to get updates on Blockchain, crypto, decentralised finance (DeFi), interoperability, fundraising, and future tech.

Last but not least, the AI track will have sessions on fan engagement, content creation, performance tools, and industry disruption.

Confirmed speakers include:

- Tina Hausmann, F1 Academy driver, Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 Team

- Amanda Staveley, CEO, PCP Capital Partners

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- Victoria Oakley, CEO, IFPI

- Ian Holmes, Chief Media Rights & Broadcasting Officer, Formula 1

- Jean Ng, ACE, Experience Development, Singapore Tourism Board

- Mark Chay, Secretary General, Singapore National Olympic Council

- Louis Piereck, Global Brand Director - Vaseline, Unilever Asia

- Danny Tang, Co-founder and CEO, Hero Esports

- Takeya Ino, President, Avex Music Creative

- Gita de Beer, Global Strategy and Incubator Brands, Heineken

- Zuber Mohammed, Global Head of Consumer Marketing, TikTok

- Alan Goh, CEO, Sport Singapore

- Shridhar Subramaniam, President, Asia and Middle East, Sony Music Entertainment

- Akshat Rathee, MD, NODWIN Gaming

- Yat Siu, Co-Founder and Chairman, Animoca Brands

They will be joined by speakers from more than 70 global brands across music, sports, gaming, marketing, and media — including Activision Blizzard, AEG, Amazon Music, Asia Football Group, Battlefy, Beatdapp, Believe, CAPTIS Ventures, Concord, DFSB Kollective, F1 Academy, Gig Life Pro, Gold House, Google, Great Entertainment Group Limited, GSIC, Haldanes, IP.Global, Lego, LPGA, KOCCA, Luminate, Max Volume, Mediacorp, Merlin, Meta, Microsoft, Millenasia, National Arts Council, Netflix, Octagon, ONErpm, PropertyGuru, Razer, Reed Smith, rEvolution, Sayaka, Sega, Singapore GP, Sony Music Entertainment, SoundCloud, Sounds Australia, Spotify, Standard Chartered, Symphonic Distribution, Sync Summit, Sonvue, Temple Dao Music, The John Dykes Company, Times Music, Universal Music Group, Vinyl Media, Wasserman, Virgin Music, Women in Games, and the World Federation of Advertisers.

All That Matters will feature two academies – Music Matters Academy and Sports Matters Academy, for emerging leaders in the entertainment and sport industries.

The Music Matters Academy, presented by Tunecore, gives artists performing at Music Matters Live the opportunity to learn how to be successful in the music industry. They will hear from speakers and mentors from the likes of platforms like TikTok, as well as record labels and distributors.

The Sports Matters Academy aims to inform and inspire the next generation of sports industry professionals. Some of ATM’s pre-eminent Sports Matters speakers are featured. The Academy is free to attend for sports students, with Academy passes including free access to the main conference.

Details

All That Matters 2025
September 29 – October 1, 2025
Hilton Singapore Orchard
www.allthatmatters.asia

Tickets are now on sale at

*OTT stands for over the top, or businesses taking advantage of the traditional telecommunications network (ie running on top of it) instead of being offered as a service by the telecommunications service provider.

Viruses, Trojans still infecting our computers

Source: Surfshark Antivirus. PowerShell scripts dominate Windows malware, whereas viruses are the leading cause of malware for macOS.

Malware remains one of the main ways criminals steal money or data from people and companies. So far in 2025, Surfshark Antivirus has recorded 479K malware cases. Of these, 87% (419K) were on Windows, and the remaining 13% (60K) were on macOS. 

- Malware can cause extensive harm to internet users. Personal data breaches alone caused users US$1.5 B in losses in 2024.  

- Attackers are focusing their efforts on Windows since it holds the majority market share and therefore the biggest catch. 

Windows remains the most popular operating system (OS) worldwide, although its market share declined from 77% in 2020 to 71% in 2025. The second most popular OS is macOS, with a stable global market share of around 15%. For example, the OS breakdown in South Korea is Windows 85%, and macOS 6%. 

- PowerShell script malware is among the most common (22%) Windows infections, Surfshark said, giving hackers full control of a computer and its data; 

“PowerShell scripts are among the most common Windows malware and the most dangerous for users. They can give hackers full control of your computer and data. These scripts blend in, appearing like legitimate software operations. 

"For example, you might be browsing your favourite news site when a popup appears, saying: ‘Your system needs an urgent security update — click here.’ The pop-up shows the Windows logo and looks official, so you select ‘Update Now.’ Yet the ‘update’ actually uses a PowerShell script to install malware and connect to a hacker’s server. That’s how all your private data, including passwords and financial information, can become accessible to hackers,” explained cybersecurity expert Nedas Kazlauskas. 

- Mac users are most likely to catch viruses (28%) and Trojans (26%)

Viruses and Trojans exploit vulnerabilities in macOS. Most often, they are installed after downloading apps from outside the official App Store. Mac viruses and Trojans can also include browser-hijacking programs that attempt to steal users’ browser data, such as saved passwords in password managers.

Additionally, Surfshark’s expert draws macOS users’ attention to the “Other” malware category, which accounts for 16% of attack cases. “Hackers are experimenting extensively with macOS. They are searching for vulnerabilities and trying to install malicious programs. What makes it tricky is that it’s not really clear what their final goal is,” said  Kazlauskas.

Surfshark suggests:

- Have a working antivirus program. Regular virus scans are vital for detecting and eliminating harmful code; 

- Always update your operating system and apps. Unpatched devices are the easiest target for malware, but be cautious of pop-up windows that tell you to update or download software;

- Don’t open suspicious emails, attachments, or links. In most cases, phishing attempts lead to device infections; 

- Beware of suspicious links, particularly shortened ones circulating on social media. Usually, those lead to phishing or malware websites where personal data could be at much higher risk; 

- Use public Wi-Fi carefully. Avoid accessing sensitive accounts or data on unsecured networks.