Apple faces engineering setbacks with its first foldable iPhone, potentially delaying mass production and shipment schedules. Multiple sources briefed on the matter told Nikkei Asia that issues surrounding the engineering development are more complex than expected, and in the worst-case scenario, could push back the first shipment by months. The industry is closely watching Apple's entry into foldables, hoping it will boost the overall market.

Meanwhile, Chinese startup Rokid is integrating OpenClaw into smart glasses, allowing users to deploy AI agents with voice control. The open-source AI agent platform has quickly gained global popularity, and Rokid aims to accelerate AI glasses adoption by hosting multiple agents. Global shipments of AI smart glasses are forecast to surpass 15 million units in 2026, according to Omdia, with Meta currently dominating over 85% of the market.

These developments come amid significant workforce disruption, with over 80,000 tech jobs eliminated in the first quarter of 2026, half linked to AI expectations. While AI agents become more capable, tech leaders remain divided on the technology's impact. Some executives privately acknowledge AI could replace their teams, while publicly maintaining an upbeat tone about AI as a "value-add." The tension between AI advancement and workforce stability continues to shape Silicon Valley's landscape.