Apple has hired a legal specialist from Meta as it reorganises its global litigation response organisation. The company is moving to strengthen its capabilities by integrating legal and government affairs work as it faces a growing number of legal challenges, including antitrust lawsuits and patent disputes. Scott Tucker, who worked at Meta for about six years, will take a newly created role overseeing commercial and patent litigation worldwide and legal work tied to Apple’s financial services.

Global smartphone prices have risen about 20 percent this year as memory prices surge, but manufacturers have not introduced low-cost battery replacement policies to support longer device use, criticism has emerged. Engadget said consumers are delaying new purchases and moving to used or refurbished phones, while battery replacement remains costly. Apple and Samsung charge about $89 to $129 for many out-of-warranty replacements. The debate is whether cheaper battery swaps can realistically extend device lifespans as prices climb.