The newly unveiled updated Apple Watch Series 9 will be Apple's first-ever carbon neutral gadget that requires a simple tap of two fingers to work. The device, which will become available on September 22, was also made using renewable materials and clean energy, leading to a 75 percent decrease in the amount of carbon waste emitted. And for the first time, users will be able to control the watch simply by tapping together the index finger and thumb on their watch hand. The Series 9 will start at $399 while the Apple Watch SE will run you $249. The Ultra 2 model will set you back $799.

There's a good chance your smartphone contains tainted cobalt. The metal is a crucial ingredient in most of the lithium-ion batteries that power our devices, and 70% of it is mined in war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where children are often deployed to work in toxic environments. Though global brands like Apple and Samsung are keen to clean up their supply chain, DRC's dominance of the cobalt market makes the task difficult. These brands are also pressured by growing demand for cobalt, which Citigroup estimates will outstrip supply by 2023. That's because lithium-ion batteries also power electric cars, and every car battery needs as much as 1,000 times the amount of cobalt of a smartphone battery.

According to the report, Apple is seeking to lock down a long-term deal, securing several thousand metric tons a year, for a last five years. The move puts Apple in direct competition with other big players who are also looking for a similar agreement, and advantage. BMW, Volkswagen and Samsung's own battery division are thought to be engaged in similar negotiations for their own EV projects. It's clear from the piece that Apple is only seeking to secure material for batteries that go inside its consumer hardware. CEO Tim Cook has been open about his company's interest in the "autonomous systems" market, but wouldn't be drawn on what exactly was being worked on.