Steve Jobs to Posthumously Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
06 JULY 2022 - The Presidential Medal of Freedom is set to be handed out tomorrow - Thursday 7 July, and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs will be a recipient.
Yes. They know.
According to the White House press release:
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.
The medal will be awarded to 17 people this week. Among the recipients are Olympian and advocate Simone Biles, former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, gold star father Khizr Khan, former U.S. senator John McCain (yes, they know), Denzel Washington, and Steve Jobs. Of Apple’s former CEO, the White House says:
His vision, imagination and creativity led to inventions that have, and continue to, change the way the world communicates, as well as transforming the computer, music, film and wireless industries.
Though the press release does not mention where people can view the ceremony, one imagines it’ll be available (live or later) on the White House YouTube channel.
Strategy Analytics: iPhone Wins China’s 6.18 Despite Minor Slide
01 JULY 2022 - China’s 6.18 shopping festival has come and gone, with iPhone standing tall among the smartphones. Not as tall as last year #InThisEconomy, but still far above the rest. But let’s back up: What is 6.18?
Originally a tenth-anniversary promotion for online super-seller JD.com, a piece from 9 to 5 Mac says it has now grown into “an 18-day shopping festival worth billions of dollars.” People wait to make certain purchases hoping for good deals, not unlike Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Prime Day here in the states.
You’d think 6.18 would be a good time for smartphones. Sadly, not #InThisEconomy. Citing numbers from Strategy Analytics, smartphone sales for 6.18 were down 25% versus 6.18 a year ago. And that is how iPhone’s fall of 4% actually ends up sounding good. Peng Peng, an analyst at Strategy Analytics, was quoted in the piece saying:
Apple solidified the leadership with impressive performance during 6.18 festival this year. Apple outperformed the market selling nearly 7 million iPhone units, modestly down -4% YoY.
That seven-million was half of the 14-million smartphones sold for 6.18, according to the firm. Strategy Analytics estimates that iPhone pulled in revenue of US$ 6.3 billion for the 18 days, putting Apple “top by revenue share across all major platforms (JD, TMall and Pinduoduo etc.).”
Ming-Chi Kuo Expects iPhone 14 to Be Stronger in China Than iPhone 13
01 JULY 2022 - As well as iPhone is doing now in China, news that the next round of Apple communicators could be stronger than the current line. TF International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo graced Twitter with that news on Thursday. Quoting the first two of four posts, the analyst said:
(1/4) The demand for iPhone 14 in the Chinese market may be stronger than that of the iPhone 13 from the viewpoints of distributors/retailers/scalpers.
(2/4) My latest survey indicates that some Chinese distributors/retailers/scalpers have to pay the highest prepaid deposit ever for iPhone 14 to ensure a sufficient supply, implying the iPhone 14 demand in the Chinese market will likely be higher than expected.
Based on what he’s heard, Apple is looking for enough components for 100 million iPhones for the second half of this year, with orders for Electronics Manufacturing Services standing at about 90 million. The way the analyst sees it, the “solid demand for iPhone 14 in the Chinese market may reduce market concerns about the risk of the iPhone 14 order cut after the launch.”
Apple Ups Price of iPhone in Japan
Image via Apple Japan
01 JULY 2022 - Surprising news for iPhone 13. A report from 9 to 5 Mac says Apple has raised the price of that device in Japan. According to the piece:
Apple on Thursday raised the price of iPhone models in Japan, making the product more expensive for Japanese consumers. In some cases, prices are now almost 20% higher, which may be a reflection of the local currency getting weaker against the dollar.
It was only the price of iPhone that went up, according to the report, with prices on other Apple hardware staying put. 9 to 5 Mac does note with interest that Apple didn’t wait until the launch of the next iPhone to raise the price. To the site, “this suggests that iPhone 14 will have a higher launch price in Japan compared to the launch price of iPhone 13 last year.”
Apple Allows Third-Party Payments in South Korea App Store
01 JULY 2022 - Apple has given in to the demands of South Korean regulators, though in a way that sounds nothing like caving. TechCrunch says “Apple announced Thursday that developers can now use a third-party payment system for the South Korea App Store.” Seriously though, it sounds neither easy nor worth the trouble. According to the report, Apple specified that developers will have to “submit a separate binary for iOS or iPadOS ‘distributed solely on the App Store in South Korea.’” Meanwhile the commission Apple will charge developers using third-party payment systems falls from Apple’s usual 30% all the way down to 26%. Developers will also have to make it clear to customers that features like Ask to Buy and Family Sharing will not be available, since Apple won’t be able to validate the purchase.
Otherwise, it sounds awesome.
Apple’s plan still has to meet with approval from the Korea Communication Commission. I hate to be pessimistic, but I really don’t think we’ve heard the last of this story.
Apple Support App Adds Arabic Support
01 JULY 2022 - News of a pretty big update for the Apple Support app. 9 to 5 Mac says the Cupertino-company has revved the app to version 4.7. The big part of the update is the inclusion of a new-to-the-app language. Arabic has been added as a supported language, according to the app release notes. Additionally, users can now modify their preferred contact phone number in the app. And of course, there are the usual performance enhancements and bug fixes.
Apple Support is a free application. It’s available now in the app store.
Apple Music Live(ish) to Feature Mary J. Blige
01 JULY 2022 - Apple Music Live performances are starting to look like a monthly thing. In May, Harry Styles kicked off the streaming service’s live performances. Just this week rapper Lil Durk continued the shows. Now, a piece from iMore says the music streaming service will do it again in July - this time with Mary J. Blige. Apple Music made the announcement Thursday on Twitter, saying, “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul @maryjblige takes #AppleMusicLive to NYC for one night only at the historic United Palace.”
While Apple Music subscribers will be able to watch the show, they won’t be able to watch it live, despite the word “live” right in the Tweet. According to iMore, Blige “will play a live show on July 13, and New York residents can apply to get free tickets…” Apple Music subscribers who can’t make the gig will be able to stream the show beginning 27 July.
Family Comedy “Best Foot Forward” Hits Apple TV+ 22 July
01 JULY 2022 - Plenty for adults on Apple TV+ and plenty for the pre-schoolers as well, though one could argue there’s decidedly little for pre-teens and teens. The Cupertino-streamer may target that demo, soon. Apple TV+ issued a press release on Thursday, announcing a premier date and a trailer for the family comedy “Best Foot Forward.” Quoting the release:
Based on the book “Just Don’t Fall” by real-life paralympic athlete, author, motivational speaker and comedian Josh Sundquist, the live-action series follows 12-year-old Josh Dubin as he goes from homeschool to public school, eager to experience everything middle school has to offer! But along the way, Josh also faces a brand-new set of challenges, including how to get an entire school of kids to see past his prosthetic leg, and get to know him for who he is.
It looks… sweet. But you can decide for yourself. “Best Foot Forward” hits Apple TV+ on Friday 22 July. Between now and then, you can catch the trailer trailer below.
Apple TV+ is Headed to San Diego Comic-Con
01 JULY 2022 - It seems Apple TV+ has hit the big time. No, it’s not some new award. Award season seems to have hit the summer doldrums. I’m talking about San Diego Comic-Con. The Cupertino-streamer issued a press release Thursday announcing its first-ever presence at the pop-culture and media event.
The company has four panels planned - three dedicated to specific shows and one to some of their production people. “Severance,” “For All Mankind,” and “Mythic Quest” each get their own panels, while the fourth will have creators, showrunners, and producers from “See,” “Invasion,” “Foundation” and “For All Mankind” sharing their “world-building insights…”
Of course, some of the coolest experiences at Comic-Con are the manufactured experiences - and Apple will be trying its hand at one of those. According to the press release:
…attendees will have the opportunity (…) to get “severed” as they immerse themselves in the world of Lumon Industries at an innovative “Severance” installation at the Hard Rock Hotel. The experience will take new Lumon employees through their first day on the severed floor where all of their senses will be required if they hope to be reunited with their “outtie.”
San Diego Comic-Con runs Thursday 21 July through Sunday 24 July. Apple says locations and times for panels will be announced closer to the convention.
Wedbush Sees Apple Strength in iPhone and Services for Rest of 2022
30 JUNE 2022 - While Apple earnings for the June-quarter may be a bummer, Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives reminds investors that the September and December quarters are coming. Apple 3.0 ran part of a note Ives wrote on Tuesday. On the June-quarter, COVID lockdowns and other turbulence led Apple to warn of a negative impact to revenue of between $4 billion and $8 billion. Even so, Ives & Co. think iPhone did slightly better than anticipated last quarter. But last quarter is so last quarter. According to the analyst:
…the Street is well aware of weakness [for the June] quarter and we believe ultimately is looking past June numbers to the September and December quarters with all eyes on the iPhone 14 production/demand cycle for the Fall.
On the next Jesus phone, Ives thinks Apple is looking at builds that are even with last year’s iPhone 13 builds - perhaps a little higher. That, he says, “speaks to Apple’s confidence that pent up demand for this next release remain healthy despite the jittery macro.”
What’s funny is, while his note says “all eyes” are on iPhone 14 production and demand, he’s cast his eyes elsewhere: Apple Services. Quoting his note again:
With Apple’s services business set to be roughly $80 billion of annual revenues this year and set to grow at a steady “double digit” clip into 2023, we believe this key revenue stream remains at the epicenter of Apple’s multiple and growth story during this market storm.
Mr. Ives has an “Outperform” rating on Apple shares. His price target on the shares is $200.
Cult of Mac Notes Slightly Improved Wait Times for 2021 MacBook Pros
30 JUNE 2022 - Last year’s MacBook Pros are getting a little easier to get. Cult of Mac says waits for 14-inch and 16-inch laptops powered by Apple’s M1 Pro processor are down from a few months, as seen in the spring, to roughly one-month, provided you don’t get fancy. According to the report:
Order a base model 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M1 Pro processor from the online Apple store and the delivery window is between July 22 and July 29. Order a base model 16-inch MacBook Pro with M1 Pro from the same source and it’ll also arrive in about four weeks.
Moving to the 16-inch M1 Pro Max pushes you out to the first or second week of August. While six-weeks feels like a long wait, the piece points out that some people who ordered that same machine in February had to wait until this month to take delivery.
Worth pointing out - Cult of Mac’s delivery times are for base models only. Checking Apple’s online store myself, I found that upping just the processor, just the memory, or just the storage pushed the delivery time out by a week. Changing two variables made it sort of seem like I broke the site…
Please don’t tell anybody.
Brazil Pushes for USB-C Ports for All Smartphones by 2024
30 JUNE 2022 - Add another country to the list of those looking for one standard charging port. The Mac Observer says Brazil looks set to require USB-C as a common charging port for smartphones sold in the country.
Brazil is far from the first country to make such a move. In early June the European Union said it had reached a deal to make USB-C the single charger type for smartphones and most other electronics sold across the region. That’ll start to go into effect in 2024. A similar proposal came from members of the US Congress just last week. While US lawmakers did not specify a preferred connector type, they did argue that:
Innovation should benefit consumers. It should not come at their expense, saddle them with incompatible accessories, and compel them to purchase different charging equipment for each device they own.
And I guess we’ll be done with innovation after that.
I said Brazil “looks set” to opt for USB-C only. A couple of points of note - first, as it stands right now, the one-connector rule would be for smartphones only - at least for the time being. The second point, this is not a done deal. The Brazilian regulatory agency Anatel has opened the proposal for comment. Those close on 26 August 2022. “If approved,” The Mac Observer says, “smartphone manufacturers including Apple will have to follow the rule by July 1, 2024.”
Apple “Universal” Gift Card Hits Countries in EU
Image via Apple Italy
30 JUNE 2022 - News of an Apple gift card move for Europe this week. A piece from iDownloadBlog says Apple’s overhauled, universal gift card has made its way to some regions in Europe - a couple of years after their debut.
Back in the day, Apple sold separate gift cards for digital goods and services versus physical goods. That day wasn’t that far back. The iDownloadBlog piece says Apple first introduced its universal gift card in 2010, though clicking on the link in the story indicates that that actually happened in 2020. Nearly a year later, the company did it again for Australia and Canada. Now, the piece says, the “overhauled” Apple gift card has turned up “in some of Europe’s biggest regions, including Germany, Italy and France.”
FCC Commissioner Asks Apple and Google to Remove TikTok from App Stores
30 JUNE 2022 - A commissioner with the FCC wants Apple and Google to either remove TikTok from their respective app stores or explain to him why they will not. A piece from CNBC says Republican-appointed commissioner Brendan Carr has written to the CEO’s of the two companies warning of user information accessible by TikTok’s Beijing-based parent company ByteDance. According to the report:
Carr's letter cited a BuzzFeed News report from earlier in the month that said recordings of TikTok employee statements indicated engineers in China had access to U.S. data between September 2021 and January 2022.
Carr’s letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Picha warned the executives:
TikTok is not what it appears to be on the surface. It is not just an app for sharing funny videos or meme. That's the sheep's clothing… At its core, TikTok functions as a sophisticated surveillance tool that harvests extensive amounts of personal and sensitive data.
For its part, TikTok has issued what’s supposed to sound like a denial but kind of doesn’t? In a statement to CNBC a TikTok spokesperson said:
Like many global companies, TikTok has engineering teams around the world. We employ access controls like encryption and security monitoring to secure user data, and the access approval process is overseen by our US-based security team. TikTok has consistently maintained that our engineers in locations outside of the US, including China, can be granted access to U.S. user data on an as-needed basis under those strict controls.
Okay - but if you have the key and your boss says “unlock the door,” you’re unlocking the door, right?
No comment from Apple nor Google for the CNBC piece. Carr is looking for either the removal of the app or answers from the companies explaining why it’s not been removed by Friday 8 July.
Cupertino Loves Developers and Support Folk
Apple Promoting European Developers in New “Founders” Series
30 JUNE 2022 - Apple spent the middle of this week spreading the love. Some of that was for developers in Europe, while the rest went to the most active members of its Support community.
On the European front, a piece from Apple Insider says the Cupertino-company “has launched a new App Store editorial series called ‘Meet The Founders.’” The report says the feature “highlights smaller app developers throughout Europe.”
If you want to take a look, you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled. This does not appear to be a series to which one can turn. Rather, the piece says:
The new Founders series will appear in the App Store like other current editorial stories. Apple also occasionally sends App Store editorial content via email or social media.
Community and Then Some
On the supportive side, a piece from MacRumors says Apple has added perks for its Community peeps. The piece says the new, global “Apple Community+” program:
…aims to recognize and reward top contributors in the Apple Support Community by “providing access to special perks, white-glove experiences, and more.”
Membership is available by invitation only. The report says those invitations will go to people who:
…“embody the qualities that make [the Support] space warm and welcoming” by being engaged and active in the community, sharing quality content and helpful answers to technical questions.
Third and Final Season of “See” Hits Apple TV+ on Friday 26 August
Jason Momoa in the third season of “See,” premiering globally Friday, August 26 on Apple TV+.
30 JUNE 2022 - One of the first flagship series for Apple TV+ is riding off into the sunset. The Cupertino-streamer issued a press release Wednesday, announcing a premier date and a trailer for the third and final season of “See.” Showrunner and executive producer Jonathan Tropper is quoted in the release, saying:
We are thrilled to share this epic final chapter of “See,” which delivers all the intense drama, riveting action and heartfelt emotion fans have come to expect, as well as what we think is a deeply satisfying conclusion to our story.
I’ll be honest: I have never been interested in this show. But knowing that it has an ending - now I’m kind of curious. Seasons one and two are available to stream now on Apple TV+. Still starring Jason Momoa, the third season will be comprised of eight-episodes, the first of which will premier on Friday 26 August. Between now and then, you can see what’s in store below.
Evercore Lowers Apple Target from $210 to $180
29 JUNE 2022 - #InThisEconomy, Tuesday’s note from Evercore may have been unexpected, but it would be hard to call it surprising. It had the firm dropping its price target on Apple shares by $30. Apple 3.0 ran part of a note from the firm, filled with the usual, “It’s not Apple, it’s the planet.” Quoting the note:
Given continued volatility in the equity markets (particularly for tech stocks) due to increasing concerns surrounding a macro downturn resulting from inflation, rising rates, and geopolitical risk, we think it is worthwhile to assess the downside potential for our coverage (in the event of a recession).
Using the financial downturn in 2008/2009 as a guide, the firm lists a few reasons for the move, including:
“Incremental F/X headwinds”
“Slowing PC markets” for both consumers and business
A generally “conservative stance” in the enterprise space for at least the next six-months
With that, Evercore writes, “we are lowering our price target [on Apple] from $210 to $180 to reflect increased macro uncertainty.” That said, the firm maintains an “Outperform” rating on the Cupertino-company’s shares.
Apple Sets 3QFY22 Earnings for 28 July
29 JUNE 2022 - What has Apple to say for itself #InThisEconomy? We’ll find out in a month. 9 to 5 Mac says the maker of phones and Ted Lasso has set the date for its 3Q fiscal year 22 earnings report. That’ll land with some sort of noise on Thursday 28 July.
With #TheseTimesInWhichWeLive being what they are, Apple declined to offer financial guidance last quarter, something it’s been doing (or not doing) since the March-quarter of 2020. About the only real prediction I could find from the last call had Apple saying that its Services segment was expected to grow double-digits, though that growth would be slower than the March-quarter, due to a dumpster-fire obstacles. Those include foreign exchange headwinds, shutting down sales in Russia, and more, more, more!
If you want to witness the aftermath as it happens, Apple will release Q3 earnings after the close of trading - 4:30 EDT/1:30PDT on Thursday 28 July. 30-minutes later, the company will host its call with financial analysts. That’ll be streamed live on Apple’s investor page. If that time does not work for you, it’ll also be available to replay there for a couple of weeks. Apple will make the call available as a podcast soon after, though that’ll also only be available for a couple of weeks. And - of course - I’ll do what I can to hit the highs and lows here, after the call.
SCMP: Foxconn Hiring Up for Next Round of iPhones
29 JUNE 2022 - Another sign of normalcy from Apple’s supply chain. We heard Tuesday that Apple suppliers are currently shipping components for the next round of iPhones. Now, a piece from South China Morning Post says Foxconn has started a new hiring spree for its Zhengzhou plant, aka “iPhone City.” According to the piece, new workers are being offered a bonus equal to US$1,345, while returning employees are being offered a US$1,420 bonus.
If you’re like me you’re thinking, haven’t we done this a time or two already? I thought so, and SCMP does acknowledge one of those times. In early May, Foxconn started an early hiring spree, though COVID-related lockdowns put a stop to that one day later. Toward the end of May, reports said that that hiring push was back on, though that’s where the SCMP post differs. Indications in that piece are that Foxconn started the early hiring, stopped it, and that this is the first resumption.
Whatever the case, between yesterday’s components story and today’s news of a hiring push, it sounds like things are swinging for the next round of iPhones.
Ming-Chi Kuo: Apple Will Miss 2023 iPhone Modem Target
29 JUNE 2022 - Apple’s attempt to free itself from Qualcomm on the 5G front may not be going as well as hoped. MacRumors highlights a series of Twitter posts from TF International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. According to those, “Apple's own iPhone 5G modem chip development may have failed,” though he actually meant such development missed an anticipated (though unannounced) timeline.
In November of 2021, Reuters ran a report that had Qualcomm saying that it would only supply about 20% of iPhone’s wireless modems by 2023, and that that would move to a single-digit percentage in 2024. While Qualcomm did not indicate whether it thought Apple would do the remainder of wireless modems itself, Apple was known to be working on modems of its own, leading analysts and Apple watchers like Ming-Chi Kuo to believe that next year would be the year for Apple’s self-made modems.
Now, the analyst thinks not. For this series of Twitter posts the analyst has on his Qualcomm hat, rather than his Apple chapeau. Quoting the first:
My latest survey indicates that Apple's own iPhone 5G modem chip development may have failed, so Qualcomm will remain exclusive supplier for 5G chips of 2H23 new iPhones, with a 100% supply share (vs. company's previous estimate of 20%).
Twitter post two has the analyst saying:
Qualcomm’s revenue and EPS in 2H23-1H24 will likely beat market consensus thanks to its sole supplier position for 5G chips of 2H23 new iPhones as Apple fails to replace Qualcomm.
Dire as it sounds for that team, the third Twitter post says Kuo believes:
…Apple will continue to develop its own 5G chips, but by the time Apple succeeds and can replace Qualcomm, Qualcomm's other new businesses should have grown enough to significantly offset the negative impacts caused by the order loss of iPhone 5G chips.
Kind of ups the stakes on this week’s Supreme Court Ruling re: Apple and Qualcomm.