Tim Cook Meets Virtually With Austrian Chancellor to Discuss Global Health Crisis and EU Digital Capabilities

On Friday, Apple CEO Tim Cook met virtually with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz to discuss the global health crisis, digital infrastructure, and digital capabilities in Austria and the EU, according to a tweet by the Chancellor's official account.


The two also discussed the rapid digitalization of our lives and other current trends in technology.

Cook and Kurz met previously in January 2019 at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. That meeting, according to Kurz, was a "unique opportunity to learn about the philosophy behind one of the world's most iconic brands and a good conversation on how we can successfully shape Europe's digital future."

Alongside his meeting with the Austrian Chancellor, Cook also virtually met with German politician Markus Soder to discuss Apple's recent announcement that it will invest more than 1 billion euros in a new European Silicon Design Center in Munich.

Popular Stories

imac video apple feature

Apple Unveils First New Products of 2026

Monday January 26, 2026 1:55 pm PST by
Apple today introduced its first two physical products of 2026: a second-generation AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop for the Apple Watch. Read our coverage of each announcement to learn more:Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More Apple Introduces New Black Unity Apple Watch BandBoth the new AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided...
Second Generation AirTag Feature

Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More

Monday January 26, 2026 6:07 am PST by
Apple today introduced the second-generation AirTag, with key features including longer range for tracking items and a louder speaker. For those who are not familiar, the AirTag is a small accessory that you can attach to your backpack, keys, or other items. Then, you can track the location of those items in the Find My app on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and iCloud.com. The new...
iPhone 5s

iPhone 5s Gets New Software Update 13 Years After Launch

Monday January 26, 2026 3:56 pm PST by
Alongside iOS 26.2.1, Apple today released an updated version of iOS 12 for devices that are still running that operating system update, eight years after the software was first released. iOS 12.5.8 is available for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 6, meaning Apple is continuing to support these devices for 13 and 12 years after launch, respectively. The iPhone 5s came out in September 2013,...
M5 MacBook Pro

Apple Reportedly Aiming to Upgrade the MacBook Pro Twice This Year

Sunday January 25, 2026 11:46 am PST by
Apple plans to release new MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac Studio, and Studio Display models in the first half of this year, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In his Power On newsletter today, Gurman added that redesigned MacBook Pro models with an OLED touch screen "should be hitting toward the end of 2026," meaning that the MacBook Pro line would be upgraded twice this year. First up...
Apple Logo Spotlight

Apple to Launch These 20+ Products This Year

Sunday January 25, 2026 6:02 pm PST by
2026 promises to be yet another busy year for Apple, with the company rumored to be planning more than 20 product announcements over the coming months. Beyond the usual updates to iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, Apple is expected to release its all-new smart home hub, which was reportedly delayed until the more personalized version of Siri is ready. Other unique products rumored for ...

Top Rated Comments

FKrois Avatar
63 months ago
It's good to see that even third world countries such as Austria (yes I am also half Austrian) are receiving support when it comes to digitalisation. And yes, we are last in this area. It only took until 2019 for Apple Pay to come to Austria. So it only took one year longer than the implementation in Kazakhstan.

So thx to Apple for helping us, that are digitally last in line.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bluetoot- Avatar
63 months ago
That photo looks… off.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ian87w Avatar
63 months ago

It's good to see that even third world countries such as Austria (yes I am also half Austrian) are receiving support when it comes to digitalisation. And yes, we are last in this area. It only took until 2019 for Apple Pay to come to Austria. So it only took one year longer than the implementation in Kazakhstan.

So thx to Apple for helping us, that are digitally last in line.
Oh don't feel bad.
My country Indonesia is the largest country in SE Asia, 4th largest population in the world, but no Apple store (neither offline/online), no Apple pay. So Austria is already a few steps up. ?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tobiastimpe Avatar
63 months ago

Twitter comments seem to agree it's fake. Wonder why someone in his position would do this, though.
They probably just put a screenshot over the way too glossy screen of the MacBook.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ghanwani Avatar
63 months ago
Don't follow world politics but this guy is only 34!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
amartinez1660 Avatar
63 months ago

That photo looks… off.
Gonna go offtopic here: totally, the depth of field on the guy being so blurred makes the left edge of the screen look like it is in front of the guy.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)