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Tag: apple

  • Judge says Apple and one of its executives lied during Epic Games trial in 2021

    Judge says Apple and one of its executives lied during Epic Games trial in 2021

    Remember Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers? She was the judge who made the ruling in Apple’s 2021 legal battle against Epic Games that resulted from Apple’s decision to boot Epic and its popular Fortnite game from the App Store. Apple said that Epic included a link inside the App Store version of Fortnite that would allow users to buy in-app items for the game directly from Epic. This prevented Apple from taking the 30% cut it would usually take from the cost of paid apps and in-app purchases.

    Today, Judge Gonzales Rogers said in a court document that Apple “willfully” violated an injunction that she imposed on the company in 2021. She also wrote that Alex Roman, Apple’s Vice President of Finance “outright lied to the court” about the timing related to a decision made by Apple to place a 27% fee on some App Store purchases. The judge turned over the matter to U.S. attorneys who will now investigate whether Roman and Apple will be charged with criminal contempt.

    In a short but sweet response, Apple said, “We strongly disagree with the decision. We will comply with the court’s order and we will appeal.”

    Wednesday, Rogers ruled that Apple was in contempt and accused the tech giant of trying to violate the rulings she made in the 2021 case. The judge explained that after her decision in 2021, purchases made off-app by iPhone users would be expected not to have any commission or cut for Apple. But all Apple did in 2024 was reduce the cut it would receive from 30% to 27%.

    “In stark contrast to Apple’s initial in-court testimony, contemporaneous business documents reveal that Apple knew exactly what it was doing and at every turn chose the most anti-competitive option. To hide the truth, Vice-President of Finance, Alex Roman, outright lied under oath.”

    The judge also said that Apple never presented documentation about a meeting held in June 2023 that Apple CEO Tim Cook attended. Apple never told the court about this meeting until this year by hiding it from the court, according to Judge Gonzales Rogers. The judge ordered Apple to immediately stop charging commissions on purchases made for iPhone apps obtained through web links inside an app. As previously noted, that’s exactly what Epic did with its Fortnite app that kicked off all of this drama.

    “It’s a huge victory for developers, and it means all developers can offer their own payment service side-by-side with Apple’s payment service. This forces Apple to compete. This is what we wanted all along.”

    Additionally, Apple will be responsible for Epic’s attorney fees related to this issue. Judge Gonzalez Rogers had no sympathy for the company. “This is an injunction, not a negotiation. There are no do-overs once a party willfully disregards a court order,” the judge wrote.

  • Apple CEO Tim Cook reveals what Apple needs to build iPhone in the US

    Apple CEO Tim Cook reveals what Apple needs to build iPhone in the US

    While the tariff fiasco has brought red ink to the markets and chaos to the global economy, the ultimate goal according to President Donald Trump and his supporters, is to have manufacturing brought back to the United States. According to Trump’s Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who was appearing on CNBC, Apple CEO Tim Cook told him that there is a “key catalyst” that would be necessary for Apple to consider building the iPhone in the US.

    Lutnick says that he asked Cook when he was going to bring iPhone manufacturing to the States. Cook responded by saying, “I need to have the robotic arms to do it at a scale and precision that would allow me to bring it here.” Cook seems to be one of the few tech industry leaders who might not be a Trump supporter but who still commands respect from the president and vice versa.

    This relationship has helped Apple protect its most important product, the iPhone, from tariffs during both Trump terms. Recently, Trump temporarily exempted some consumer electronics including smartphones from the reciprocal tariffs that Trump imposed on US trading partners. This includes a whopping 145% tariff on products imported to the US from China which is where the majority of iPhone units are assembled.

    By using robots to do the tedious low-paying assembly jobs such as building an iPhone, Apple wouldn’t have to worry about finding Americans willing to work for the $3 to $3.70 per hour that iPhone assemblers reportedly make in Shenzhen, China. Without a robotic labor force, at the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, Apple would be paying twice that amount to build the iPhone forcing it to raise the price of the device.

    By using robots to build the iPhone in the US, Apple would be able to reduce the cost to assemble the product and might even be able to cut prices for the iPhone. But Apple is still a long way from having a team of robots unplug themselves in the morning and head over to the assembly line where they silently build iPhone units. Yet, if you ask the Commerce Secretary, he’ll try to get you to believe that this technology is coming sooner than you’d think.

    Talking about the iPhone, Lutnick says about Tim Cook, “He wants to build it here, he’s going to build it here. The Commerce Secretary does agree with our position that Americans won’t work for the low wages Foxconn pays iPhone assemblers in China. He says that Americans will be running the iPhone factories in the States. “They’re not going to be the ones screwing components in.” Unfortunately, Lutnick doesn’t explain who will be.

    Cook is right and robotics can be the answer, but this is going to take time even with AI. Let me make a statement that many of you will find surprising. If the Trump administration is patient and allows time for the technology to catch up with the goal, the current administration might end up being known for helping change the world of manufacturing for the better. However, patience is not the strong suit of our president and his team.

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  • Instagram is reportedly changing its mind about this long-ignored Apple device

    Instagram is reportedly changing its mind about this long-ignored Apple device

    Instagram is finally working on something users have been asking for since the early days — a proper app for the iPad. According to a new report from The Information, Meta has started developing a version of Instagram made specifically for tablets. That means, more than a decade after launching exclusively on iPhone, the social platform could soon be much more usable on Apple’s larger screens. Sound familiar? I thought I’d heard that before.

    This change of heart doesn’t seem to be random. The push to bring Instagram to iPad is reportedly tied to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding TikTok. With a possible ban of TikTok in the United States being debated in Congress, Meta sees a real opportunity to win over creators who may be looking for a new home. Offering better tools and support for creators is one of Instagram’s current priorities — and that includes making sure the app works well on more than just phones.

    Instagram has long resisted building an iPad-specific app. Back in 2020, Instagram head Adam Mosseri said the company had limited resources and too many other things to work on. In 2022, he added that there just wasn’t a big enough group of users demanding an iPad app to make it a priority. As a result, users have been stuck using the iPhone version of the app on their iPads, which looks awkward and doesn’t take advantage of the extra screen space.

    However, we have seen how quickly Meta can make features appear seemingly out of thin air, especially when it involves one-upping a competitor. Let’s not forget how quickly the Meta-owned app “Threads” gained a ton of new features once the company realized that competing app “Bluesky” began to rise in popularity and eating into their user base.

    There’s still no official confirmation or timeline for release, and details on what the app might look like are limited. But the fact that Instagram is even considering it now shows how much the competition has shifted. TikTok already has an iPad-optimized app, and YouTube’s Shorts platform runs well across all devices. Instagram risks falling behind if it doesn’t meet creators where they are — and many of them use iPads for editing, planning, and posting content.

    If this finally happens, it could unlock a lot of potential for iPad users. Instagram now has a chance to capitalize on an opportunity to gain more users, and the timing couldn’t be more critical. Maybe this is one thing we can agree to be thankful to TikTok for. Maybe.

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  • Apple wants to make MacBook lids stronger and safer

    Apple wants to make MacBook lids stronger and safer

    Ever since Apple silicon elevated the MacBook lineup from just pretty laptops to actually very powerful ones they have become a fan favorite of the industry. Since then the MacBook has seen marginal performance upgrades each year but Apple is now considering improving another aspect of its laptops: the lids.

    The MacBook Air and MacBook Pro make use of magnets in their lids to detect when it is closed or open and to keep it closed securely when it’s the former. Apple has filed a patent that alleges that these magnets produce stray magnetic fields even when not in use. The company says that these magnetic fields have the potential to damage nearby items and cited credit cards as possible victims.

    Apple then goes on to describe a new magnetic system that it wants to develop for its MacBook lineup. The new proposed magnetic array will in essence be an electromagnetic system. Apple says that the magnets can be, in very simple terms, switched on or off depending on whether they are needed at the moment.

    The biggest benefit seems to be that the magnetic array won’t produce stray magnetic fields when the MacBook lid is open. Apple may also be able to incorporate much stronger magnets to more reliably keep the lid closed without fear of damaging nearby items when the lid is open.

    The current magnetic array found in MacBook models is not really that strong that it would fry your credit card. So at first I thought this was a very unnecessary upgrade that Apple is thinking about. But the possibility of stronger magnets to keep the lid closed would definitely give the MacBook an even more premium feel.

    Many people who switch from a Windows laptop to a MacBook often mention how much more premium the latter feels. And while more expensive Windows laptops obviously feel more premium too, Apple has a reputation for classy products that it tries very hard to keep. As such the new proposed magnetic array could, in my opinion, give that reputation another slight boost.

    This is just a patent for now but it’s definitely a lot more easily achievable than so many of the more fantastical patents we see every day.

  • Your Apple Wallet is about to get much better

    Your Apple Wallet is about to get much better

    As we await the stable release of iOS 18.4 in April, the beta versions are already giving us a solid preview of what’s coming. The latest beta release reveals a useful new feature for tracking your spending that is set to land in Apple Wallet.

    In the first iOS 18.4 beta, the Wallet app introduced a menu labeled “Subscriptions & Payments.” Now, with the latest update, it has been rebranded to “Preauthorized Payments,” and as you might guess, this change shifts the focus more toward payments that have been authorized in advance.

    This section in Wallet will now display merchants that you have given the go-ahead to charge your Apple Pay for things like subscriptions, automatic top-ups and regular bills. So, if you use Apple Pay for things like adding money to your transit card or paying for your gym membership, those transactions should show up here.

    Apple seems to have recognized that calling this section “subscriptions” could be a bit misleading, so the new name – preauthorized payments – makes it clearer. However, while the name change is helpful, it doesn’t change the fact that you are still managing recurring payments across different sections rather than having them all in one place.

    Right now, if you want to check your subscriptions, you can do it through the App Store or your iPhone’s Settings, which is a bit faster and easier. Just tap the Apple Account section at the top with your profile picture and you will find the Subscriptions section there.

    Whether you go through the App Store or Settings, the Subscriptions page looks the same. It shows all your active subscriptions and when they are set to renew.

    While this works, I think the new addition to Wallet is a nice step forward in making it easier to track your recurring payments. It gives you a better view of your spending, which has been a key focus of the Wallet app lately.

    Still, I think Apple could make it even easier by bringing everything under one roof. Imagine being able to see exactly how much you are spending each month – whether it is for Apple TV shows, Netflix, or any other subscriptions – all in one place. It would save a lot of time and make managing your money that much simpler.

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  • Apple confirms your iPhone won’t be getting this key Apple Intelligence feature until next year

    Apple confirms your iPhone won’t be getting this key Apple Intelligence feature until next year

    Apple has announced that some of its planned artificial intelligence enhancements for Siri, its well-known voice assistant, will not be available until 2026, pushing back the initial rollout. This adjustment means certain features designed to make Siri more personalized and capable of handling tasks across various apps will require additional development time.

    The company released a statement explaining that their work on a more context-aware Siri, capable of understanding and acting on user-specific information within and between applications, is proving more complex than initially anticipated. Apple had previously indicated these features would be introduced in 2025. Now, users will have to wait longer to experience these advanced capabilities.

    Siri helps our users find what they need and get things done quickly, and in just the past six months, we’ve made Siri more conversational, introduced new features like type to Siri and product knowledge, and added an integration with ChatGPT. We’ve also been working on a more personalized Siri, giving it more awareness of your personal context, as well as the ability to take action for you within and across your apps. It’s going to take us longer than we thought to deliver on these features and we anticipate rolling them out in the coming year.
    Apple representative to John Gruber, Daring Fireball

    These planned improvements are part of Apple’s broader “Apple Intelligence” initiative, which includes a range of AI-driven features. Among the most anticipated are those that would allow Siri to interact more seamlessly with data stored on Apple devices. For instance, imagine asking Siri to find a podcast recommendation from a friend or to retrieve flight details sent by a family member. These actions would rely on Siri’s ability to access and process information directly from the device.

    To support these AI features while maintaining user privacy, Apple has been developing a new cloud computing infrastructure powered by its own chips. This infrastructure is designed to process data in a way that respects user privacy, a core principle for the company. The complexities of building and refining this system, while also enhancing Siri’s capabilities, appear to be contributing to the delay.

    This delay was actually first reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman last month, explaining that the company had been running into issues when it came to getting them working as expected in iOS 18.4, which is expected to roll out in April. He also predicted the possibility of a delay until iOS 18.5, which is expected in May. However, with a delay until next year, it is now looking like the delay is more serious than originally thought.

    While this news is disappointing, I believe Apple users would prefer the launch of a finished product, rather than an unfinished one with the potential to compromise user privacy. It will be interesting to see how Apple manages to deliver these features in the future, and how they balance privacy and functionality.

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  • Apple teases a new Air device

    Apple teases a new Air device

    Anticipation is reaching peak levels today as Apple has hinted at a new “Air” device launching this week, and while a MacBook Air refresh seems probable, many are hoping for an iPad or even an iPhone version. A brief social media post from Apple CEO Tim Cook, featuring a cryptic video and the phrase “There’s something in the air,” has fueled this anticipation.

    Though analysts like Mark Gurman from Bloomberg suggest updated 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models, powered by the M4 chip, are the most likely candidates, the desire for a new iPad or iPhone Air persists. This is especially true given recent reports of Apple clearing out existing iPad Air inventory, a common precursor to a new product launch. The timing aligns with past releases, as Apple introduced the M3 MacBook Air around this time last year.

    The possibility of a new iPad Air would enhance features and design improvements in Apple’s tablet line. Given how much many users enjoy the iPad, this would be a welcome change.

    The more distant, but still tantalizing, possibility is a new iPhone “Air” model. Although it is generally believed that this is too soon, the thought of a new iPhone model is still exciting. This iPhone rumor, while less likely, adds an element of surprise to the unfolding narrative.

    The focus on the M4 chip, if it does pertain to a MacBook, indicates Apple’s continued push for performance and efficiency in its laptop series. However, the prospect of a refreshed iPad or even a new iPhone “Air” model offers a different kind of excitement, especially with the focus on thin devices that smartphone OEMs seem to be heavily focused on lately. The clearing of iPad inventories adds some weight to this hope, even if the MacBook refresh is the most likely outcome.

    Personally, I’m hoping for the iPad Air. While the MacBook is always welcome, a new iPad Air would be a nice change for those who like tablets. A new iPhone would be even better, but that seems like a long shot.

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  • Siri on your iPhone could be getting help from one of its biggest competitors soon

    Siri on your iPhone could be getting help from one of its biggest competitors soon

    As previously reported, it looks like Apple might soon let you choose between different AI models to power Siri. Currently, Apple Intelligence allows users to route Siri requests through ChatGPT for richer responses. However, a recent discovery in Apple’s software code suggests the expansion of these integrations to include other AI models, like Google’s Gemini — and that this might happen soon.

    A code sleuth found references to both “Google” and “OpenAI” within the Apple Intelligence framework in a backend update accompanying the iOS 18.4 beta. This suggests Apple is preparing to offer users a choice of AI models, similar to how you might choose a search engine in your browser. While this doesn’t guarantee Gemini integration in the final version of iOS 18.4, it strongly indicates that Apple is actively working on it. It’s possible this feature could arrive in a later iOS 18 update, or perhaps be a key feature of iOS 19.

    The backstory here is that Apple has been working on improving Siri’s capabilities for years. While Siri has made progress, it has often lagged behind other virtual assistants in terms of understanding complex requests and providing contextually relevant answers. By integrating with third-party AI models like ChatGPT, Apple has already shown a willingness to look beyond its own technology to enhance Siri’s performance.
    The potential addition of Gemini and other models further underscores this approach. It signifies a shift towards a more open and collaborative approach to AI development, where different companies can contribute their expertise to create a better user experience.

    This could be a major step forward for personal assistants. Having the ability to choose between different AI models could personalize the experience and allow users to leverage the unique strengths of each. For me, this is exciting because it’s proof that Apple is making some headway with the more helpful and intelligent Siri that has been promised. I often find myself frustrated with Siri’s limitations, so the prospect of it becoming more capable and adaptable is definitely appealing. It will be interesting to see how this plays out and what other AI integrations Apple might introduce in the future.

  • Apple makes a power play for your subscription dollars

    Apple makes a power play for your subscription dollars

    As previously reported by Mark Gurman, Apple Insider at Bloomberg News, Apple is showing clear signs that it intends to double down on its subscription strategy. From making significant changes to AppleCare and introducing the Apple Invites app for iCloud+ subscribers, these moves signal a clear push towards recurring revenue and a desire to integrate more services into its subscription ecosystem.

    Starting with AppleCare, the company is reportedly streamlining its device protection offerings, but this simplification comes at a cost. Previously, customers could choose between two AppleCare tiers: a standard plan covering typical hardware issues like cracked screens and battery problems, and a more comprehensive plan that also included coverage for theft and loss. If your phone went missing or was stolen, the premium plan would get you a replacement device, albeit with a deductible. Now, Apple is eliminating the basic plan altogether. This means the only option available is the more expensive theft and loss coverage, and that price is going up by 50 cents a month.

    Beyond the price hike, it’s also been reported that Apple will also be changing how you pay for AppleCare. Instead of the option to pay upfront for two years of coverage, customers will now be required to subscribe either monthly or annually. This shift to a subscription model locks users into recurring payments, further emphasizing Apple’s focus on predictable revenue streams. While some may appreciate the flexibility of monthly payments, others may miss the option for a one-time, longer-term payment.

    As you may have seen last week, Apple is also sweetening the deal for its iCloud+ subscribers with a new perk: the app and web service called “Invites.” This new app is Apple’s take on event planning apps like Partiful, aiming to simplify the process of organizing gatherings, from birthday parties to other special occasions. The app integrates with your photo library and music collection, allowing you to easily share memories and create a personalized experience for your guests.

    The iCloud+ tie in lies in that while users without a subscription can still download the Invites app to RSVP to events, the clear intention is to incentivize more people to sign up for a paid iCloud+ plan. By bundling this new app with iCloud+, Apple is hoping to demonstrate the added value of its subscription services and entice users to join the ecosystem. It’s a clever strategy: offer a unique and useful feature exclusively to subscribers, thereby making the subscription more attractive.

    According to Gurman, these latest changes reinforce the company’s commitment to subscriptions and its strategy of offering a range of interconnected services. As a consumer, I am wondering if further changes like these will be coming down the line as well from Apple, as the company looks for more opportunities to strengthen its bottom line.

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  • Apple needs a new Steve Jobs

    Apple needs a new Steve Jobs

    Since early 2024 it has been quite clear that Apple is trying its hand at new product categories in an attempt to secure another source of revenue. From the canceled car project to the Apple Vision Pro, the company is struggling to come up with the next big thing. And as Apple insider Mark Gurman points out in his newsletter Power On: that just won’t fly.

    A company as big as Apple can coast by on its existing products for a while. The iPhone and Apple’s accessories make up a major share of the company’s yearly revenue. But to stay at that coveted spot amongst the other giants of the world Apple will need to innovate and give consumers a reason to give it their business.

    And yet this massive and highly successful company has been failing to do that for years. Not because its new devices are bad — on the contrary most of them are top of the line — but because Apple is failing to connect with the consumer as it once did.

    When Steve Jobs passed away, current Apple CEO Tim Cook had a strategy to keep shareholders’ faith in the company: senior employees who barely work. This worked for a long time and designer Jony Ive’s work continued to help Apple put out unique and interesting products. After Ive left in 2019 it feels like most of Apple’s offerings have started stagnating.

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  • With iOS 18, you can remotely take control of your mom’s iPhone to help her solve an issue

    With iOS 18, you can remotely take control of your mom’s iPhone to help her solve an issue

    This might have happened to you. If not, it’s bound to. You’re enjoying an evening at home when you get a call from your mom. Her iPhone has received an update but she doesn’t know what to do. You know exactly how to send her to the software update but vocalizing the directions to your mom might not be a good idea. After all, her iPhone is the first smartphone she’s ever owned after years of being the poster mom for Consumer Cellular. You can’t drive over to see her since she’s on the other end of the country, but thanks to iOS 18, there is something you can do.

    As long as both you and your mom are using an iPhone running iOS 18 or later, or an iPad powered by iPadOS 18 or later, you can remotely control your mother’s iPhone screen and show her exactly how to fix her issue. Requesting remote control of her screen is done via the FaceTime app on a video or audio call. You also must be listed in your mom’s Contacts if you’re going to take over her screen.

    Here’s how you are going to make this happen. Call your mom on FaceTime. When she answers, tap on the Share button. In the Share Sheet that will pop up, tap on Ask to Share. Then, ask your mom to tap on the Share button on her screen. That will allow you to see a blurred image of your call because you are then viewing things through her FaceTime app. Ask her to go to her home screen.

    Once she opens her home screen, you can start sending her drawings that can serve as directions since they will show up on her device. You want to send her to the new software update so you can draw an arrow to the Settings icon. Or, you can tap to animate a circle that will highlight on her iPhone display the area you tapped. Drawings and animations will blow away like dust in a windstorm so that the display doesn’t get too cluttered.

    Once mom understands what you are showing her, you can drop control of her device by tapping the Control button on your screen. She can stop you from having control any time by tapping the Stop button on her screen. At that point, you can still draw on her device. To end the sharing of the screen, ask mom to tap the Share button on her iPhone or iPad.

    Obviously, you can offer remote help to anyone with the same Apple device as you whether it is an iPhone or iPad. It doesn’t have to be your mother who can benefit from your knowledge although we’d bet that for many of you, mom will be the first person you help using iOS 18’s FaceTime Remote Control.

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  • The time for a new Apple Card issuer might finally be near

    The time for a new Apple Card issuer might finally be near

    It’s 2025 and the Apple Card saga is still unfolding. Last year, reports surfaced that talks between Apple and JPMorgan Chase had picked up, possibly signaling a move away from the current issuer, Goldman Sachs. A new player is joining the mix, while Goldman Sachs seems eager to bow out, particularly after the Apple Card missteps led to over $89 million in fines for both Apple and Goldman last year.

    A new report reveals that Apple is discussing with Barclays to take over from Goldman Sachs as its credit card partner, according to two sources familiar with the matter. This comes as the Wall Street giant pulls back from its consumer finance plans. Additionally, according to one of the sources, Synchrony Financial, a credit card issuer, is reportedly in talks with Apple about the potential partnership.

    Multiple financial firms are competing to replace Goldman Sachs, which partnered with Apple to launch the credit card back in 2019, according to the sources. While the appeal of working with Apple, one of the most recognizable names globally, is strong, some lenders have reportedly seen the initial terms of the deal as risky and not profitable. Talks between Apple and Barclays have been underway for months, but it could still take a while before an agreement is finalized.

    As mentioned earlier, JPMorgan Chase has also been in discussions with Apple about the partnership since last year. Although Goldman Sachs’ deal with Apple runs until 2030, Goldman CEO David Solomon recently suggested the collaboration could wrap up earlier. So, it’s no surprise that talks with other potential partners are in full swing.

    A switch in the Apple Card’s issuer could bring a host of new features and perks for cardholders, along with the possibility of a different or more consistent interest rate for Apple Card Savings accounts. Recently, Apple and Goldman Sachs reduced the savings rate again. Ultimately, as a consumer, I’m hoping that whoever Apple partners with next will result in a stronger and more competitive product for us.

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  • Apple is expanding its presence in the Middle East

    Apple is expanding its presence in the Middle East

    So much is happening in the Middle East right now and the other thing is that Apple is expanding in Saudi Arabia.

    The Cupertino giant is set to launch its first online store in Saudi Arabia in summer 2025, followed by multiple flagship physical stores beginning in 2026. The expansion includes plans for a notable retail location in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

    Apple will also provide customer service and support in Arabic for the first time, offering its full product range through online and physical channels. CEO Tim Cook emphasized the compay’s commitment to supporting local customers, businesses, and innovators.

    This expansion builds on Apple’s existing investments in the country, particularly its Apple Developer Academy in Riyadh, which was established in 2021 through partnerships with local institutions. The all-women academy has trained nearly 2,000 students in programming, enabling them to publish apps on the App Store.

    Apple is also expanding its educational programs, having recently hosted the country’s first coed Apple Foundation Program. The monthlong course focused on coding and app development, with an emphasis on gaming. Future programs are planned for spring 2025.

    Apple says its investment has significantly impacted the local tech ecosystem. Saudi developer earnings have increased by over 1,750% since 2019. Apple has spent more than 10 billion SAR (over $2,6 bln) with local companies over the past five years and continues to support technological innovation.

    Additional technological integrations include Apple Pay’s expansion in Riyadh, where users can now use Express Mode to pay for metro and bus transit by simply holding an iPhone or Apple Watch near a reader. Since its 2019 launch, many Saudi customers have transitioned from traditional payment methods to Apple Pay, the US company notes.

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  • Apple plans $1B manufacturing plant investment in Indonesia

    Apple plans $1B manufacturing plant investment in Indonesia

    Tech giant Apple plans to invest $1 billion in a manufacturing plant in Indonesia that produces components for smartphones and other products, Indonesia’s investment minister said on Thursday.

    In October, Indonesia banned sales of the iPhone 16 because it said Apple had not adhered to rules that require phones sold domestically to have at least 40% locally made parts. And this week, the government said it would increase the local content requirement.

    Investment minister Rosan Roeslani told reporters that details of the planned investment were still being ironed out, but when asked confirmed it was the expected $1 billion investment he had flagged earlier this week.

    “We will discuss with them some more … our hope is for everything to be announced in the next week after receiving a written commitment from them,” he said.

    Last week, the government had rejected a $100 million investment proposal from Apple to build an accessory and component plant as not enough to reverse the iPhone 16 ban.

    Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    Apple currently has no manufacturing facilities in Indonesia, a country of about 280 million people, but since 2018 it has set up application developer academies.

    Indonesia considers that strategy an attempt to meet local content requirements for the sale of older iPhone models.

    Companies typically increase the local composition through local partnerships or by sourcing parts domestically.

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  • Indonesia says Apple’s $100M investment proposal inadequate

    Indonesia says Apple’s $100M investment proposal inadequate

    Indonesia said a $100 million investment proposal from Apple to build an accessory and component plant was not enough for the country to allow the tech giant to sell its latest iPhone model, its industry ministry said on Monday.

    Indonesia in November banned sales of Apple’s iPhone 16 after it failed to meet requirements that smartphones sold domestically should comprise at least 40% locally-made parts.

    Indonesia has also banned the sale of Alphabet’s Google Pixel phones over a similar lack of use of local components.

    Indonesian authorities last week said Apple had put forward the investment proposal to lift the sales ban.

    Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    “We have done an assessment and this (proposal) has not met principles of fairness,” Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita told a press conference, comparing the proposal to Apple’s bigger investments in neighboring Vietnam and Thailand.

    Apple has no manufacturing facilities in Indonesia, but has since 2018 set up application-developer academies, which Jakarta considers a way for the company to meet local content requirement for the sale of older iPhone models.

    Companies usually increase the use of domestic components to meet such rules through partnerships with local suppliers or by sourcing parts domestically.

    Agus said Apple had an outstanding investment commitment of $10 million it should have carried out before 2023. He also wanted Apple to commit to new investment until 2026.

    The ministry would invite Apple to visit Indonesia to negotiate further, Agus said.

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