Apple has discontinued more than 15 devices from its product lineup this week in what represents one of the company's largest product removals in recent memory. The eliminated products include several devices that are only one to two years old, according to reports tracking the company's product pages.

The discontinuations come as Apple continues to streamline its product offerings, though the company has not provided official statements regarding the reasoning behind the specific removals. The affected devices span multiple product categories within Apple's ecosystem.

Separately, a former Apple engineer has successfully raised $5 million in funding for a new wearable device designed to address privacy concerns in the note-taking technology space. The startup, called Taya, has developed a pendant-style device that records only the user's voice rather than ambient audio.

The Taya device represents an attempt to create a more privacy-conscious alternative to existing note-taking wearables, which have faced scrutiny over their recording capabilities. The pendant can be worn as an accessory and focuses specifically on capturing the wearer's speech for transcription purposes.

The funding round highlights continued investor interest in wearable technology, particularly devices that emphasize user privacy and data security. The company plans to use the investment to further develop its voice-recording technology and bring the product to market.