Retail News CRM

Tag: apple

  • Apple’s new iPod Touch might be announced somewhere this week

    Apple’s new iPod Touch might be announced somewhere this week

    As Apple has done in the past prior to product launches, yesterday the company shut down its online store for a few hours. When it reopened, an updated iPad Mini and an all-new iPad Air were introduced.Earlier today, in a very unexpected move, the Apple Store was updated yet again. But rather than closing and then reopening it, the Cupertino giant simply added its improved iMac computers to the website. Now, according to MacRumors, it seems Apple may have yet another product update planned for tomorrow.

    The iPod Touch could be Apple’s third announcement this week

    Earlier this month, MacRumors received a tip claiming that Apple would announce new products on March 18th, March 19th, and March 20th. The first day would see the debut of new iPads, while the second would see the introduction of new iMacs. This has proven to be accurate thus far and, as a result, means the information about the third day is likely correct too. “What will Apple be announcing tomorrow?” You may be asking.

    Well, according to the tip, it’ll be an all-new iPod Touch. The current-gen iPod Touch dates back to June 2015 and is in dire need of a refresh. The model on sale now sports a tiny 4-inch Retina Display paired with an 8-megapixel rear camera and the aging Apple A8 processor. It’s also one of the few remaining Apple products to sport the company’s iconic home button but no Touch ID.

    Larger display, better processor, perhaps no headphone jack

    Considering Apple’s current focus on larger devices, the new iPod Touch will probably introduce a bigger display. The exact dimensions remain a mystery at the moment, but Apple’s new product might borrow the 4.7-inch display found on the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8. After all, this would avoid any unnecessary costs. Another big upgrade will presumably happen on the inside. In order to guarantee Apple’s usual 4-5 years of software updates, the new iPod Touch might adopt either the Apple A10 Fusion or the Apple A11 Bionic chip. The newer A12 Bionic is a possibility too, but this would probably increase the product’s cost too much.

    Like many of Apple’s other devices, there’s a strong possibility the next-gen iPod Touch will ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack. However, it should finally gain Touch ID, allowing for secure mobile payments, and receive a new set of updated cameras.

    Could the new iPod Touch focus on gaming?

    Once again, Apple’s next-gen iPod Touch will probably focus on music. But a recent trademark application revealed that Apple might also promote its mobile gaming capabilities. Over the years, iTunes and Apple Music support has become less of a selling point and more of a standard. As a result, the new iPod Touch might be marketed as a low-cost mobile gaming device instead.Interest in such a device will probably be quite limited initially, but the market does have potential for growth.

    Over the past few years, gaming smartphones have become much more popular and the market is gradually being flooded with them. Even Nintendo is said to be considering a gaming smartphone of its own, which means now could be the perfect opportunity for Apple to enter the market with a new iPod Touch.

    iPod Touch (7th-gen) release date and pricing

    If Apple does announce a 7th generation iPod Touch tomorrow, pre-orders will probably commence immediately prior to a release next week. Pricing does remain a bit of a mystery at the moment, but Apple could potentially stick with its current iPod Touch price points – the 32GB version retails for $199 while the 128GB model costs $299. The new iPod Touch should be available in an extensive range of colors, like the current-gen model. Apple could either keep the current iPod Touch finishes or adopt the iPhone XR’s colors.

    Lees ook:

  • Apple to announce AirPower and AirPods wireless charging case

    Apple to announce AirPower and AirPods wireless charging case

    According to Max Weinbach, Apple’s seventh-generation iPod Touch will make its international debut sometime tomorrow. Once again, specifics about the product weren’t provided but this announcement info does coincide with a previous rumor from earlier today. After the iPod’s announcement, Apple could proceed with the unveiling of two other products. Weinbach’s sources acknowledged that they haven’t worked on AirPower or the AirPods wireless charging case directly.

    However, they did confirm the possibility of these products launching later on this week. If Apple’s strategy so far is anything to go by, the AirPower charging mat will probably be announced on Thursday. This will presumably be followed in Friday by the debut of the AirPods wireless charging case. But if Apple wishes to cut the week short, it could announce both products simultaneously.

    As a further indication of Apple’s plans to launch AirPower soon, recent changes to the iOS 12.2 beta have resulted in “significant” modifications to the wireless charging code. More specifically, the operating system now includes the code “responsible for identifying that two devices are charging on the same mat,” something AirPower will support.

    Apple’s AirPods 2 might still be months away

    As you may have noticed, there has been no mention of AirPods 2. Unfortunately, this is because the sources believe Apple’s next-gen wearable won’t launch until September alongside the iPhone 11 series. Rumor has it that AirPods 2 will look fairly identical to the originals. But in the hope of improving grip and reducing slipperiness, Apple is believed to be preparing a new frosted glass-like coating. This same coating may be present on the 2019 iPhone series.

    The new AirPods should introduce always-on Siri – which will give users the option of activating Siri with the words ‘Hey, Siri’ – and some kind of water resistance. The updated accessory may also feature some health-related features such as a built-in heart rate monitor. Also expected from AirPods 2 is Apple’s W2 Bluetooth connectivity chip.

    This halves power consumption with respect to the W1 chip and should result in big battery life improvements. Better overall sound quality is likely too.

    What does Apple have left for its March 25 event?

    After what could potentially be an entire week dedicated to hardware, next Monday Apple is holding the “It’s show time” press event. And, as revealed by Weinbach’s sources, there will be no hardware announcements. Instead, the company will focus entirely on its new services. The main star next week is expected to be Apple’s highly-anticipated news-aggregating subscription service.

    For a rumored price of $10 per month, consumers will gain access to a range of premium new content provided by a wide range of suppliers. Reportedly, this new service will be available to iPhone, iPad, and Mac users through the existing Apple News app.

    Lees ook:

  • Change to AppleCare+ helps most of us using an Apple Pencil

    Change to AppleCare+ helps most of us using an Apple Pencil

    Apple used to demand that an Apple Pencil be purchased at the same time as an iPad in order to allow the accessory to qualify for AppleCare+ protection. According to MacRumors, this is no longer the case. For example, if you own an Apple iPad that is covered by AppleCare+, any first or second generation Apple Pencil you’ve purchased will be covered by the plan even if you bought the Apple Pencil separately from the tablet. So if you have AppleCare+ for iPad, you will be covered if your Apple Pencil sustains accidental damage up to two times a year. Both times, all you will have to lay out is $29 plus tax for each repair.

    And Apple Care+ will be in effect for two years from the date that the plan is purchased. If you buy an iPad, you have up to 60 days after your purchase to add AppleCare+ (the date of the Apple Pencil purchase doesn’t seem to matter). If you have to return your iPad because of accidental damage, it will cost you $49 plus tax.

    This news comes after Apple introduced a couple of iPads this morning. The new iPad Air and the new iPad mini both support the first-gen Apple Pencil only. The cost of AppleCare+ for both new tablets is $69 (more on this below), and this will include coverage for the first generation Apple Pencil regardless of whether you purchased the accessory with the tablet or not. For those who take their iPads with them wherever they go, it might make sense to have the device protected from accidental damage.

    AppleCare+ for iPad covers hardware damage to your iPad, the battery, the AirPort, included USB cable and power adapter, the battery, and the Apple Pencil. It also gives you 24/7 priority access to Apple experts through a chat or a phone call. You can mail in your repair using a prepaid mailing box provided by Apple, or bring it in to the nearest Apple Store or authorized repair center. And you will also be entitled to express replacement service.

    AppleCare+ for iPad can help protect your investment

    Apple Care+ for iPad will also provide answers to questions you might have on how to run certain aspects of iOS and iCloud, how to connect to wireless networks, and questions you might have about certain Apple branded apps such as FaceTime, Keynote, Numbers, Pages and more. The cost of AppleCare+ for 9.7-inch and 7.9-inch iPads (including the new iPad Air and iPad mini) is $69 or $3.49 a month over 24 months. For iPad Pro units, the cost is $129 or $5.99 a month over 24 months. Considering the cost of your new iPad, iPad mini or iPad Pro, it might not be such a bad idea to spend the money to protect your investment.

    And since Apple has made the change in AppleCare+ coverage for the Apple Pencil, we would be remiss if we didn’t tell you that the first generation accessory costs $99.99 while the second-generation variant is priced at $129.99. The latter is compatible with the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models that were released last year. The former is supported by the new tablets announced today along with the 9.7-inch iPad launched last year (6th generation), the first and second generation iPad Pro models, the 10.5-inch iPad Pro and the 9.7-inch iPad Pro.

    Since AppleCare+ is considered part of Apple’s services unit, Apple is counting on increased revenue from these plans to help boost services revenue to $50 billion by 2020. The unit had revenue of $25 billion in 2016, and also includes ApplePay, the App Store, Apple Music, iTunes and more. It is the second largest revenue generator for Apple following the iPhone, and is the most profitable part of the company.

    Lees ook:

  • Fitbit Versa Special Edition with NFC support flies high

    Fitbit Versa Special Edition with NFC support flies high

    While it’s certainly not unusual to see older gadgets discounted shortly after new models are released, the recently unveiled Fitbit Versa Lite Edition is not actually an upgraded version of last year’s regular Versa. As such, deals on the original model weren’t exactly guaranteed, especially given Fitbit’s newfound success in a fast-growing global wearables market, owed in part to this specific low-cost Apple Watch rival.

    All things considered therefore, it’s definitely a nice surprise to be able to buy a Special Edition of 2018’s Fitbit Versa at a markdown of around 25 percent on Amazon right now. That translates into pretty hefty savings of 60 bucks (give or take a couple) for what was already one of the most affordable feature-packed smartwatches available in the US.

    In case you’re wondering what makes this device “special”, it’s the addition of an NFC chip compared to a standard Versa edition, which enables wrist payment support. We’re not talking about Google Pay, mind you, but rather’s Fitbit proprietary service, fittingly dubbed Fitbit Pay and compatible with credit and debit cards issued by more than 100 US banks

    You can get the marked-down Versa SE with a “Charcoal Woven” or “Lavender Woven” strap, both of which look… pretty unusual for a fitness-first wearable device. Otherwise, there’s no disputing the appeal of an inexpensive smartwatch with a decent touchscreen in tow, as well as stellar 4+ day battery life, a swim-proof design, built-in optical heart rate monitor, accelerometer, gyroscope, altimeter, and plenty of other tricks up its sleeve guaranteeing a top-notch activity and sleep tracking experience.

    Lees ook:

  • Jury decision means Apple must pay Qualcomm millions

    Jury decision means Apple must pay Qualcomm millions

    Earlier today, we updated a story to tell you about a ruling made by Judge Gonzalo Curiel of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. The judge said that Qualcomm is obligated to pay Apple nearly $1 billion in rebated royalties that it promised to pay Apple as long as the company didn’t attack the chip maker in court or to regulators.

    But another legal decision involving Qualcomm and Apple was announced today. A jury sitting in federal court in San Diego today, awarded Qualcomm the $31 million it was seeking from Apple after finding that the latter infringed on a trio of Qualcomm patents. That works out to $1.41 for each iPhone sold without a license for the Qualcomm technology used inside each device. Despite the award, when you consider the $1 billion that Qualcomm will have to rebate to Apple, the latter ended up approximately $969 million in the black.

    The $31 million that was awarded to Qualcomm covers a trio of patents. One allows a phone to connect to the internet as soon as it is booted-up. Another helps conserve the amount of battery power consumed by the graphics processor when in use, and the third covers how traffic flows between the app processor and the modem on a handset. As you might imagine, Qualcomm was happy with the jury’s decision while Apple said it was disappointed with it. Apple and Qualcomm still have a number of court battles remaining. For example, next month a trial will start up in San Diego that will deal with billions of dollars in royalties.

    “Today’s unanimous jury verdict is the latest victory in our worldwide patent litigation directed at holding Apple accountable for using our valuable technologies without paying for them. The technologies invented by Qualcomm and others are what made it possible for Apple to enter the market and become so successful so quickly.”-Don Rosenberg, general counsel, Qualcomm

    “Qualcomm’s ongoing campaign of patent infringement claims is nothing more than an attempt to distract from the larger issues they face with investigations into their business practices in US federal court, and around the world.”-Apple

    Qualcomm could be forced the way it sells chips to phone makers

    Qualcomm is also awaiting a couple of key rulings that could change the way chips are sold to smartphone manufacturers in the future. The court battle it had with the FTC earlier this year revealed why many phone manufacturers hate dealing with the chip maker. Qualcomm’s “no license, no chips” policy has infuriated these handset vendors because each of them end up paying for the Qualcomm chips used in its phones, and a license that is based on the number of phones each manufacturer ships whether it contains a Qualcomm chip or not.  Qualcomm also has been accused of not licensing its standards essential patents in a fair, reasonable and non discriminatory manner. These are patents that cover technology that a device must include in order to meet technical standards.

    On March 26th, the International Trade Commission (ITC) is expected to make another important ruling involving Qualcomm. In this case, an ITC judge originally ruled that while Apple had infringed on a Qualcomm patent, it would be against the public interest to give Qualcomm the iPhone sales and import ban in the U.S. that Qualcomm was seeking. But ITC regulations call for a review of that decision by the entire commission, and the result of that review will be announced a week from this coming Tuesday.

    Depending on how this all shakes out, Qualcomm could end up with a whole new method of selling chips to smartphone manufacturers. And if it shows remorse and promises to reform, it just might be able to win back Apple’s business. From 2011-2015, Qualcomm was the exclusive supplier of modem chips for the iPhone. In 2016 and 2017, Qualcomm and Intel both supplied Apple with this component. Intel was the sole supplier of modem chips for the 2018 iPhone models, and is rumored to be the sole source of 5G modem chips for the 2020 iPhones.

  • Mass-production of a key component for 5G Apple iPhone about to Start

    Mass-production of a key component for 5G Apple iPhone about to Start

    Since Apple is expected to use Intel’s modem chips for its first batch of 5G compatible phones, we know not to expect 5G iPhones to be unveiled until 2020. That’s because Intel won’t have its modem chip for the next generation of wireless connectivity ready until next year. The chip maker will start work next quarter on the engineering projects it needs to finish in order to begin volume production of its 5G modem.

    Once Intel starts producing its 5G modem chip in 2020, it will compete with Qualcomm’s recently introduced Snapdragon X55 5G modem, the sequel to the Snapdragon X50 5G modem. The latter will be used on most 5G Android phones this year. It also will go up against the 5G modem chip designed by MediaTek. All three firms could still be in play to become the source of Apple’s 5G modem chips, although previous reports state that Intel has already won this battle. Sources cited in yesterday’s report say that Intel will also continue to generate revenue from selling its 4G modem chips to Apple for older iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 models.

    Apple currently has a contentious relationship with Qualcomm; over the last few months both sides have squared off in court on issues ranging from patent infringement to royalty payments. Just yesterday, one judge ruled that Qualcomm owed Apple close to a billion dollars in royalty payments it promised to rebate to the company (the actual figure is much. much higher says FOSS Patents). Meanwhile, a jury in San Diego yesterday ordered Apple to pay Qualcomm $31 million after it found Apple liable of infringing on a trio of patents. On March 26th, the International Trade Commission will rule on Qualcomm’s request for an exclusion order to be imposed on the iPhone in the U.S. Such an order would result in a sales and import ban of certain iPhone models in the states.

    Intel is now the exclusive source of modem chips for the iPhone

    During yet another trial held earlier this year (FTC v. Qualcomm), the plaintiffs called Apple supply chain executive Tony Blevins to the stand. Blevins testified that Apple had looked at sourcing 5G modems from Samsung and MediaTek. There is also speculation that Apple will design its own 5G modem chip, like it does for the A-series chipset that powers the iPhone and iPad. But Apple isn’t expected to deliver an in-house 5G modem design until 2021 at the earliest.

    From 2011 to 2015, Qualcomm was the exclusive provider of modem chips for the iPhone. That changed in 2016 when both Qualcomm and Intel were responsible for the modems used on the iPhone. That continued in 2017, and last year Apple sourced all of the modem chips used on the latest iPhone models from Intel.

    Apple is expected to be among the last major phone manufacturers to produce a 5G phone. Samsung has already unveiled its first 5G phone, which will debut on Verizon this summer. Huawei, LG and Oppo should also release 5G phones this year, and the 5G Moto Mod will allow the Motorola Z3 to support the faster data speeds as soon as Verizon flips the switch to turn on its new service. Once 5G service becomes more mainstream and less a curiosity, the faster data speeds will allow new services and businesses to be created. With 5G, a television series that takes 10 minutes to 15 minutes to download over 4G, will take only seconds to complete the task.

    When the industry transitioned from 3G to 4G LTE, Apple was one of the last major manufacturers to deliver a phone that supported the then-new technology. While a number of Android phones were launched with support for 4G LTE in 2011, Apple didn’t release a 4G LTE enabled handset until 2012’s iPhone 5.

    Lees ook:

  • Apple Watch saves lives says Studies

    Apple Watch saves lives says Studies

    A large study sponsored by Apple has revealed that the Apple Watch can detect an irregular heartbeat. 400,000 Apple Watch users were invited to take part in the study and the results were presented today in New Orleans at a meeting of the American College of Cardiology. 2,000 participants, or .5% of those wearing the smartwatch, received a notification about an irregular pulse. The 2,000 were sent a patch for their Apple Watch that included an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor to help detect atrial fibrillation (AFib).

    AFib, which is an irregular heartbeat, can lead to strokes, blood clots, heart failure and other serious issues. AFib contributes to 130,000 deaths a year in the U.S. The Apple Watch series 4 already includes an ECG monitor right out of the box, but the study was completed before this new variant of the timepiece was released. Returning to the study, about 33% of the 2,000 study participants who were flagged with an irregular pulse were told that they had AFib, according to the ECG patch that they were sent.

    57% of the Apple Watch wearers in the study sought medical help when they received a warning about an irregular pulse. That number might surprise consumers since it means that 43% of Apple Watch wearers in the study ignored the warning. Dr. Mitesh Patel, an assistant professor of medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine, noted that while the Apple Watch is good at detecting warning signs of heart disease, the watch needs to be combined with something that will motivate users to act on these warnings. In other words, receiving a warning without following up on it could prove fatal to the user.

    When an Apple Watch wearer in the study received a notification of an irregular heart beat, the notification would ask the participant to schedule a telemedicine appointment with one of the doctors associated with the study. At that point, the ECG patch would be sent to those receiving the notification, and was used to record the rhythm of their heart for up to one week.

    Only 57% of study participants receiving a irregular pulse notification sought medical help

    The researchers behind the study said that Doctors need to be careful when using data from consumer devices when treating patients. On the other hand, a Boston cardiologist named Dr. Deepak Bhatt said that the study was very important because more people will be wearing wearable devices in the future.

    “Atrial fibrillation is just the beginning, as this study opens the door to further research into wearable technologies and how they might be used to prevent disease before it strikes.”-Lloyd Minor, dean, Stanford School of Medicine.

    “The performance and accuracy we observed in this study provides important information as we seek to understand the potential impact of wearable technology on the health system.”- Dr. Marco Perez, co-principal investigator and associate professor of cardiovascular medicine, Stanford Medicine

    Apple plans on making a big push into healthcare, and the Apple Watch is at the vanguard of this decision. While the series 4 model includes an ECG monitor along with the heart rate monitor that all Apple Watch models have, the company is working on a way for the Apple Watch to show a user’s blood glucose reading without a needle stick. This reading is used by diabetics to determine how much insulin they need to inject to bring their blood sugars down to a normal level. Currently, diabetics need to draw blood and place a drop of it on a test strip inserted into a glucometer to get a reading. This test is done several times a day.

    If Apple succeeds in producing a non-invasive blood glucose test for the Apple Watch, this alone could help Apple stay on top of the smartwatch market.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Spotify says Apple Music has unfair advantages

    Spotify says Apple Music has unfair advantages

    The founder and CEO of Spotify, Daniel Ek, announced today in a blog post that Spotify has filed a complaint against Apple with the European Commission (EC). The executive says that when it comes to Apple Music and the App Store, the company gives itself an unfair advantage, violating EC antitrust regulations. Ek says that Apple does this through the “Apple Tax.” That is the 30% of monthly subscription fees that Apple takes on subscriptions made through its payment system.

    Ek says that because Spotify is forced to pay the “Apple Tax,” it has to raise its price in the App Store above that of Apple Music. Right now, both music streaming platforms have the same prices. That would be $9.99 a month for individuals, $14.99 a month for families with up to six members, and $4.99 a month for verified students. However, if you choose to pay your subscription fee through Apple (an in-app payment), Spotify charges $12.99 a month for individuals, $16.99 a month for families and $7.99 a month for verified students.

    Apple has released a statement criticizing Spotify for using the App Store to help it grow over the years without making any contributions to that marketplace.” The company refutes some of Spotify’s claims. For example, Apple says that it has allowed Spotify to update the app over 200 times. Apple says it rejected updates when Spotify didn’t follow the App Store rules. Apple also points out that 84% of the apps in the marketplace don’t pay it a dime, and accuses Spotify of wanting all the benefits of a free app without being free.”

    Additionally, the executive says that if it bypasses Apple’s payment system, Apple will limit Spotify’s communications with its subscribers. For example, Ek says that in some cases Apple won’t let it send emails to Spotify users who use the service on an Apple device. He states that “Apple also routinely blocks our experience-enhancing upgrades. Over time, this has included locking Spotify and other competitors out of Apple services such as Siri, HomePod, and Apple Watch.”

    “It’s why, after careful consideration, Spotify has filed a complaint against Apple with the European Commission (EC), the regulatory body responsible for keeping competition fair and nondiscriminatory. In recent years, Apple has introduced rules to the App Store that purposely limit choice and stifle innovation at the expense of the user experience—essentially acting as both a player and referee to deliberately disadvantage other app developers. After trying unsuccessfully to resolve the issues directly with Apple, we’re now requesting that the EC take action to ensure fair competition.”-Daniel Ek, founder, CEO, Spotify

    All Spotify wants, says its founder, is to be treated the same as apps that don’t pay the 30% tax such as Uber or Deliveroo. The executive says that all apps should be able to compete fairly, and Apple Music shouldn’t get an advantage because Apple owns the App Store. He adds that all App Store users should have a choice of payment systems, and not be locked into using Apple’s platform. And Ek says that all app stores should not be allowed to control communications, including marketing and promotions, between services like Spotify and its customers.

    If Apple is eventually found to have violated anti-trust regulations in the EU, it can be slapped with a fine and be forced to make some changes to the App Store.

    Lees ook:

  • Apple’s AirPods 2 will help the ‘hearables’ segment to grow

    Apple’s AirPods 2 will help the ‘hearables’ segment to grow

    According to Counterpoint Research, wireless ‘hearables’ are the next big thing. The segment, which contains Apple’s AirPods and the Samsung Galaxy Buds, saw global sales of around 46 million units last year. But with the help of AirPods 2, this could catapult to 129 million units as early as next year.

    Samsung, Google, Bose, and LG are all expected to grow

    As noted by Research Director Pete Richardson, “2019 will be the year that hearables evolve into an important market.” For the most part, new releases from major brands will boost sales across the globe. However, the evolving digital habits of consumers are also expected to propel demand.

    The likes of Samsung, Bose, Huawei, and LG all hold relatively small market shares at the moment. But as interest in the segment picks up throughout this year and next, each one is set to experience relatively strong growth which should translate into larger market shares.

    New Google Pixel Buds and other releases from the likes of Amazon are expected to play an important role too. After all, these should integrate the likes of Google Assistant and Alexa, both of which are becoming increasingly popular among consumers.

    AirPods 2 will propel the ‘hearables’ segment to new levels

    As mentioned in the opening paragraph, for the foreseeable future Apple is expected to remain the biggest driving force of growth. Rumor has it that the brand is preparing a second-generation of its AirPods which should integrate a variety of new features and potentially some small design changes.

    From afar, AirPods 2 are expected to look identical to the originals. But upon closer inspection, a new frosted glass-like coating should be visible. This, according to rumors, will improve grip and reduce the slipperiness, which means the new AirPods shouldn’t fall out of your ears so easily.

    AirPods 2 should also introduce always-on Siri, which will allow users to activate the assistant with the words “Hey, Siri.” This feature was actually first teased way back in September by Apple but still hasn’t been confirmed officially.

    Joining the improved Siri will apparently be some kind of water resistance and potentially some health-related features. More specifically, an earlier report suggested Apple was researching the possibility of a built-in heart rate monitor. However, this extra is far from guaranteed. One feature that does seem extremely likely at this point is support for wireless charging through a new charging case. Allegedly, this feature, which will charge both the case and AirPods simultaneously, will take the battery level from 0% to 100% in just 15 minutes.

    Also expected from the new wireless accessory is Apple’s W2 Bluetooth connectivity chip. This can currently be found inside the Apple Watch Series 4 and halves the power consumption with respect to the W1 chip. As a result, battery life improvements are to be expected.

    Of course, Apple’s AirPods are primarily meant for music and Apple is set to bring some improvements to the overall sound quality.

    Most AirPods buyers aren’t bothered about sound quality

    Rather ironically, despite the fact AirPods are meant for music, consumers aren’t buying them because of their sound quality. Counterpoint Research recently conducted an online survey of over 200 people regarding their preferences. In the case of AirPods, 68% of correspondents cited “comfort & fit” as a key reason for buying them. This was followed by “ease of use” and “portability,” which were mentioned by 56% and 44% of people respectively.

    As it turns out, just 41% of the people surveyed cited “sound quality” as a reason for buying AirPods. For comparison, this factor was the key driver when it came to Bose products, with a whopping 72% listing it. “Noise cancellation” was also important with Bose headphones as it was cited by 68% of people.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Apple’s manufacturers gearing up production of new iPad and AirPods hardware

    Apple’s manufacturers gearing up production of new iPad and AirPods hardware

    Apple’s March 25 event is around the corner and naturally, rumors about it are abundant. The event is expected to be focused on new services but its almost inevitable that there will be a hardware release or two, even if there won’t be any dedicated time for them during the presentations. The latest news coming from distant Taiwan seems to confirm that. Some of Apple’s part suppliers are preparing to ramp up production of components for new products.

    Flexium Interconnect and Zhen Ding Technology are manufacturers of flexible PCB (printed circuit boards) that are reportedly starting production of PCBs for a new iPad model. Rumors are that Apple is going to refresh its iPad Mini. The last model of the line came out in 2015, so it’s long overdue for an overhaul. The revamp is expected to be primarily internal, however, so expect a familiar looking iPad with a more powerful chip.

    Both part suppliers are also providing components for the current line of iPhones. The release of a new iPad comes as a blessing for them since both saw their orders reduced after demand for the iPhones was weaker than anticipated.

    At the same time, two other companies, Compeq Manufacturing and Unitech PCB, are now working on rigid-flex boards for the yet unannounced AirPods, according to sources within the industry. Tech insiders are still divided whether Apple is going to introduce the AirPods 2, or a less meaningful refresh of its popular earbuds that may consist only of a new wireless-charging case.

    If Apple does indeed announce new hardware products on March 25, preorders will likely begin either on the same day or within a week. If you’ve been itching for a new Apple gadget for a while, the time has almost come!

  • No original shows at launch for Apple TV service

    No original shows at launch for Apple TV service

    Apple’s TV service is still a no show, but that’s probably going to change very soon. The Cupertino-based company plans to use the March 25 event to outline how it will take on rivals like Amazon and Netflix, a new Bloomberg report claims. While Apple is gearing up to launch its TV service, the company needs to sign deals with Pay-TV programmers like HBO, Showtime, and Starz, which in return must decide whether or not Apple is either a threat or a potential partner.

    If everything goes well, Apple TV will offer HBO and Showtime TV shows at launch, but no original content, people familiar with the matter claim. Apple’s own movies and TV shows are still in development and might not be ready until later this year at the earliest. Although Apple may take the wraps off its TV service this month, it’s almost certain that it will not be actually available until fall.

    Another important thing to note is that Apple plans to integrate the TV service into the iPhone, iPad and set-top box’s TV app, which will offer two types of content: Apple original shows or content bought/funded by the company, as well as content from third-party media companies like HBO and Showtime.

    The same report mentions that the first partnerships are expected to be closed as early as Friday, but since the talks are still going on, it’s impossible to predict what will happen.

  • Free Spotify premium service for Samsung Galaxy S10 buyers

    Free Spotify premium service for Samsung Galaxy S10 buyers

    With the Samsung Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+ all officially launching today, music streamer Spotify has announced that its Android app will be pre-installed on all three models in the U.S. Additionally, the Spotify app will come loaded out of the box on the Samsung Galaxy Fold, and certain Galaxy A units in the states as well. The latter are mid-range phones offered by Sammy.

    Besides pre-installing the Spotify app on these Samsung Galaxy handsets, state-side users will receive a free six-month subscription to Spotify’s premium U.S. service as long as they are not a current subscriber to the music streamer. While Spotify does offer a free ad-supported tier of service, it does not come with certain features available to premium members. Those features include unlimited skips, and the ability to download music that can be played offline. Premium members can also play any track in Spotify’s library, and songs are streamed in High Quality.

    Spotify normally offers a free 30-day free trial to its premium tier, after which pricing is $9.99 per month. Families with up to six members can pay $14.99 monthly, and students with a verified .edu email address are charged only $4.99 a month.

    Last August, Samsung and Spotify teamed up to take on Apple Music. Spotify became Samsung’s new “go-to music service provider” as it tries to keep its lead over Apple Music world-wide. Launched in October 2008, Spotify has yet to turn a profit and has embarked on a campaign to transition subscribers from its free tier of service to a subscription plan.

  • Apple sales and profit slip

    Apple sales and profit slip

    Tumbling iPhone demand drove an uncharacteristic decline in Apple sales in the first quarter, trimming back its profit for the period.

    Sales of its iPhone range slumped 15 per cent year on year, and although burgeoning revenue from services like digital media subscriptions – up 19 per cent to a new high of US$10.9 billion – and other products compensated, total sales were down 5 per cent to $84.3 billion.

    Sales in China slumped 26.6 per cent during the period.

    Net income fell by $100 million, from $20.065 billion in the December 2017 quarter to $19.965 billion in the latest quarter. While the company championed setting “an all-time earnings per share record” that was a consequence of a share buyback program reducing the share pool rather than an improved bottom line.

    Commenting on the results, GlobalData Retail MD Neil Saunders said while Apple is still a money-making machine, the sales decline “symbolises a company that is starting to run out of steam”.

    “In our view, this is something to be corrected, not least because Apple is a costly company to run and it relies on strong revenue growth to drive up the bottom line. As this quarter’s figures show, failure to achieve that results in profit erosion.”

    Saunders said the slowdown in iPhone sales reflected Apple’s inability to come up with meaningful and valuable innovations that wow consumers.

    “The latest iPhones might be works of art from an engineering perspective, but they are essentially incremental products that lack the excitement and newness of earlier models. With the higher price points of top-end models, consumers expect a lot more for their money. The blunt truth is, Apple’s latest line up of phones doesn’t do that much more than the generations that came before.”

    He said the slowdown in China is a problem Apple shares with many other companies.

    “The country is suffering from more sluggish consumer demand which has put the brakes on retail growth rates across many sectors. However, the issue for Apple is that this has coincided with a rise in competition from local phones and devices which has helped to eat into its own growth. In short, China is no longer the engine of growth for Apple that it once was and this makes Apple uncomfortably more reliant on mature markets to drive revenues. Some of those markets, like Europe, are also not delivering – thanks to very high price points and consumers that are hesitant to spend on big-ticket items.”

    From must have to might buy

    Saunders said Apple’s iPads and some of its Macs are good, quality items, however they are simply not impressing the market and Apple is losing its lustre in terms of producing compelling products.

    “In our view, Apple has moved from a position of ‘must have this and must have it now’ to ‘might buy this at some point in the future’. Price increases may mitigate this but, ultimately, such a shift can only ever result in a softer sales performance.”

    While services are performing well, Saunders said Apple must push much harder.

    “Amazon is successfully creating an ecosystem of services through Prime. Apple needs to do something similar by building on its Apple Music subscription and its App Store offering. Movies and television content are also needed to propel sales.

    “In our view, Apple should seriously consider a big acquisition such as Netflix. Content is a big growth area and is becoming increasingly linked to devices. Apple needs to play more heavily in this space both to generate new opportunities but also to defend its own device business.”

    While Apple remains a solid and financially successful company, he said, a lack of serious and significant innovation means it runs the risk of diluting future earnings.

    “Apple thrives off serving a mass market; at the moment its moves to provide more expensive items to fewer people will ultimately do further harm to the bottom line. The clear blue water that once existed between Apple and its rivals is much diminished. The company has time to reopen the gap, but to do so, it needs to pull something new and unique out of its hat sooner, rather than later.”

    Cook’s positive spin

    Apple CEO Tim Cook delivered a positive spin on the results: “While it was disappointing to miss our revenue guidance, we manage Apple for the long term, and this quarter’s results demonstrate that the underlying strength of our business runs deep and wide. Our active installed base of devices reached an all-time high of 1.4 billion in the first quarter, growing in each of our geographic segments. That’s a great testament to the satisfaction and loyalty of our customers, and it’s driving our services business to new records thanks to our large and fast-growing ecosystem.”

    At the end of the quarter, Apple’s net cash balance was $130 billion.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Apple CE promises new products will ‘blow you away’ soon

    Apple CE promises new products will ‘blow you away’ soon

    Apple CEO Tim Cook has promised investors the firm remains on track to double its 2016 revenues of almost US$25 billion next year, prompting a rise of more than 1 per cent in Apple stock on Friday.

    Speaking at the firm’s annual meeting in Cupertino, Cook claimed Apple is “planting seeds” and “rolling the dice” on new products set to “blow you away”.

    Cook indicated a range of new products under development for the Apple Watch and AirPods, and has previously stoked ongoing expectations for an AR glasses product. He also signalled an eventual drop in price for the MacBook Air laptop, currently retailing at US$1200, despite upgrading to a higher-resolution screen.

    The shareholder meeting saw the entire Apple board re-elected, including former US VP Al Gore, and included a political discussion that emphasised a variance in political ideology with that of the current US administration, despite an acknowledgement that the firm has worked successfully with the US government.

    It also implied criticism of other big tech firms who maintain data profiles of its users, such as Facebook.

    Cook said the company was also continuing to evaluate new businesses to buy to build its technology capabilities.

    Lees ook:

  • Apple appoints former Microsoft executive

    Apple appoints former Microsoft executive

    Apple has appointed Microsoft’s former Corporate Vice President Sam Jadallah to lead the “Home” products category at Apple. Even though Apple has not officially announced the appointment, Jadallah updated his LinkedIn bio to read – “Working on Home at Apple”, reflecting his new role with the iPhone-maker. However, along with Apple, Jadallah has also been tight-lipped over his hiring by the company.

    After Microsoft, Jadallah ran a smart lock start-up called ‘Otto’ that shut down in January 2018.

    “Hiring Jadallah is the latest signal that Apple plans to get serious about its own efforts in the ‘Home’ category,” the report said.

    Apple has a range of “Home’ products including HomeKit — its software service that connects with a variety of third-party products; and HomePod — a smart speaker for the home with voice recognition and music.

    Currently, Apple’s HomePod constitutes a small share of the home products market as compared to Amazon’s Echo and Google Home.

    Recently, Apple acquired a voicetech start-up called Pullstring to strengthen Siri against Amazon’s Alexa.

    “That purchase could help the smartphone-maker become the centre of a connected living room,” the report added.

    Lees ook: