Global Scans · Touch Interfaces · Weekly Summary

• [New] Apple plans to launch its first touchscreen MacBook Pro later this year, utilizing On-Cell touch technology. tradingkey.com
• [New] While New York and California strangle innovation with heavy-handed regulation, Florida has a chance to lead differently with smart, light-touch policies that unleash AI's potential, connect everyone with lightning-fast broadband, and enable technologies we have not yet imagined. APG Technology
• [New] Set to become Vancouver's first supertall and therefore its tallest building, the 1,033-ft tower's sea-sponge-inspired exterior will feature a diagrid exoskeleton. New Atlas
• [New] Despite an emerging trend of increased risk since then, the Trump Administration recently released a national AI policy framework that urges Congress to preempt state AI safety laws, opting for light-touch regulation. Progressive.org
• [New] The iPhone Fold will use a side-mounted Touch ID sensor rather than Face ID. Tech Insider
• [New] In the coming years, we can expect to see haptic technology integrated into a wide range of devices and applications, from smartphones and wearable devices to virtual reality systems and robotic surgical tools. Smart Columbus Insights
• Macron's European flotilla, led by France, and assembling in the Eastern Mediterranean, displays more than a touch of overkill: for the level of threat it faces, Cyprus must now be the best-defended country in the world. UnHerd
• Cornell researchers used stretchable fiber-optic sensors to create a soft robot gripper that can predict the ripeness of strawberries by touch. Robohub
• By 2026, AI agents will not be confined to specific niches; their pervasive nature will touch every industry, redefining operational efficiencies and competitive advantages. Futurism
• Many airlines including Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa offer free messaging-only plans even on their paid WiFi tiers, making it easy to stay in touch without paying for full internet access. HappyFares Blog
• By 2028, more than half of all connected devices are expected to feature haptic technology, which enhances the sense of touch in digital experiences. CSI
• Cornell researchers used stretchable fiber-optic sensors to create a soft robot gripper that can predict the ripeness of strawberries by touch, then gently twist them off their branch or vine without causing any damage. Robohub
• Apple's rumored foldable iPhone could bring side-by-side apps, iPad-style layouts, Touch ID, and a premium price of roughly $2,000. TechRepublic
• Kitchen trends 2026 bring an influx of plaster-like range hoods, most of which you will wish to touch instantly. Decorilla Online Interior Design
• Combined with two new Apple Watch models, Apple is already expected to release 11 products in 2026, as the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4 are expected to get a powerful new chip, while some rumours suggest that Touch ID could be coming to a new generation of Apple Watch Ultra. Yahoo
• Silver prices might touch $100 per ounce within 2026, particularly if China maintains its export restrictions. OpenTools
• While the immediate future might see continued price rallies and increased premiums, with predictions that prices could touch the $ 100/oz mark by 2026, the longer-term implications suggest a strategic pivot in how countries approach resource management. OpenTools
• By 2030, 50% of apps are expected to support at least one non-touch interface. Magai
• By 2026, AI agents - not simple chatbots - are expected to become mainstream, bringing a human touch to every interaction. commercetools
• In 2026, hospitality players are pursuing a dual objective: maintain the human touch that defines luxury while deploying AI, data governance, and integrated platforms to reduce risk, improve forecasting, and optimize energy and resource use. Michelin Key Hotels

Last updated: 06 July 2026