Zoom for Mac Update Patches Significant Vulnerability
15 AUGUST 2022 - If you’re still Zooming on your Mac for any reason, there’s an update about which you definitely need to know. MacRumors says the video conferencing app Zoom has fixed an issue that could allow the wholesale takeover of your machine. “In an August 13 security bulletin," reads the report:
…Zoom said version 5.7.3 to version 5.11.3 of its macOS app contain a vulnerability in the auto-update process that can be exploited by a local low-privileged user to gain root privileges to the operating system.
Version 5.11.5 of the Zoom app for Mac patches the vulnerability. It is available now.
Apple TV+ Teases “Lessons in Chemistry”
“Lessons in Chemistry” is a new drama series starring and executive produced by Brie Larson.
15 AUGUST 2022 - The world has gotten the smallest of first looks at an upcoming Apple TV+ series. The Cupertino-streamer issued a press release Friday teasing the series “Lessons in Chemistry.” The first look consists of - literally - two photographs and a synopsis. “Set in the early 1950s,” says said synopsis:
…“Lessons in Chemistry” follows Elizabeth Zott (…), whose dream of being a scientist is put on hold in a society deeming that women belong in the domestic sphere, not the professional one. When Elizabeth finds herself pregnant, alone and fired from her lab, she musters the ingenuity only a single mother has. She accepts a job as a host on a TV cooking show, and sets out to teach a nation of overlooked housewives – and the men who are suddenly listening – a lot more than recipes … all the while craving a return to her true love: science.
Academy Award winner Brie Larson (“Room,” “Captain Marvel”) plays Zott. She also serves as one of the show’s executive producers. Principal photography is underway now (hence the two photographs). “Lessons in Chemistry” hits Apple TV+ sometime in 2023.
Apple TV+ Takes Home Six HCA TV Awards
15 AUGUST 2022 - The Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards were held over the weekend - divided in an interesting way. Saturday night’s ceremony was for films and shows presented on broadcast or cable television, while Sunday was set for streaming titles. That is where one would find Apple TV+ nominated. The Cupertino-streamer carried home six trophies - two for “Ted Lasso” and four for “Severance”.
The site Discussing Film listed the winners. For “Severance” they included:
Best Writing in a Streaming Series, Drama
Dan Erickson for the episode “The We We Are”
Best Directing in a Streaming Series, Drama
Ben Stiller for “The We We Are”
Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Series, Drama
John Turturro
Best Streaming Series, Drama
“Severance”
While team “Lasso” was nominated all over the place, Apple’s hit comedy only grabbed two this year:
Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Series, Comedy
Brett Goldstein (Roy Kent)
Best Streaming Series, Comedy
“Ted Lasso”
Singing the streamer’s praises, Apple CEO Tim Cook took to Twitter Sunday night, saying:
Congratulations to the incredible cast and crew behind Severance and Ted Lasso on @AppleTVPlus for winning Best Drama and Best Comedy at tonight’s Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards! Proud of the Richmond footballers and Lumon’s macrodata refiners (and their outies, too).
Bloomberg: iPhone 14 Launch Orders as Strong as iPhone 13 Launch
iPhone 13 Pro - Image via Apple
12 AUGUST 2022 - An interesting bit of news from Bloomberg, highlighted by 9 to 5 Mac. According to the report, Apple has asked manufacturers to build 90-million iPhone 14s for the phone’s launch this year. That would match the 90-million iPhone 13s Apple’s believed to have requested for launch last year.
This seems to be seen as good news for a couple of reasons. For one - staying at the same level indicates that Apple is not expecting a slowdown, even #InThisEconomy. According to Bloomberg, Apple is “counting on an affluent clientele and dwindling competition to weather a global electronics downturn.” Additionally, the report says before iPhone 13, Apple used to launch with about 75-million units.
About the only thing that might make the alleged 90-million order disappointing is talk earlier this week of Apple ordering 95-million iPhone’s for launch. On Monday, a piece from Taiwan’s United Daily News indicated that the Cupertino-company has increased orders for the first round of iPhone 14s from 90-million units to 95-million.
It’s not that Bloomberg is contradicting UDN, necessarily. Whatever the case, indications that iPhone orders aren’t falling in #TheseTimesInWhichWeLive reads as better news that one might expect.
Apple and Epic to Argue Appeals on 21 October
12 AUGUST 2022 - The next round in the Epic v. Apple fight is fast approaching. A piece from Apple Insider says the US Court of Appeals will hear from the two parties in just over two-months.
Apple got most of what it wanted in the case, though the report says the company disagrees with the “anti-steering” aspects of the original ruling. Epic pretty much lost, and wants everything overturned.
And so, they head back to court on Friday 21 October. Weirder than happening on a Friday is how fast the whole thing could go. According to Apple Insider:
No scheduled time has been announced, but the court's docket has Epic Games versus Apple as its fifth case of the day. The format for the appeals court sees each side being given 20 minutes to make their case.
That’s practically a lightning round. Blink and you’ll miss it.
Apple Marks 40-Years in Australia with Educational, Environmental, and Social Justice Initiatives
Apple marks 40 years in Australia with new commitments to help advance renewable energy use, increase coding pathways, and support Indigenous communities.
12 AUGUST 2022 - This week marks 40-years of Apple in Australia. The Cupertino-company issued a press release Thursday marking the anniversary, and talking about initiatives down under - nothin’ kinky (as far as we know). Barely addressing the past, Apple CEO Tim Cook was quoted as saying:
We’re proud to celebrate Apple’s long history in Australia, and to deepen our shared commitment to protecting the planet and creating opportunity in people’s lives… We’re fortunate to have so many great partners, colleagues, and customers across this country, and we’ll continue working together to make the world a more equitable and just place for all.
Not unlike that quote, most of Apple’s press release addressed things to come. According to that:
Projects include developing new sources of renewable energy, expanding coding education programs, and forging partnerships with Indigenous-led nonprofits advancing equity and opportunity.
The power play involves buying energy from a wind farm set to go live in 2026. The release says “Apple’s investment in clean energy” from Upper Burdekin Wind Farm “will support [Australia’s] transition to renewables, and provide the equivalent energy to power 80,000 homes.”
On the coding side, the Cupertino-crew “announced an expanded partnership with leading Australian universities (…) that will bring coding education to even more students across the country.” That’ll come in the form of:
…two new Apple Foundation Programs that will provide four-week courses on the fundamentals of app development with Swift. In the period of one month, students will gain the skills to design and prototype their own apps and learn introductory coding skills.
Enrollment for those starts later this year. Courses will get underway in early 2023.
Finally, Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative makes the trip to the southern hemisphere. Quick reminder, that initiative is:
…Apple’s companywide effort to address systemic racism and expand opportunities for communities of color, focused on advancing racial equity in education, the economy, and the criminal justice system.
Alisha Johnson, Apple’s director of the program, is quoted in the release, saying:
Extending the company’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative to Australia is part of a long-term commitment from Apple to help support Australia’s Indigenous community by collaborating with organizations driving meaningful change.
The release goes on to say:
Apple’s initial funding grants will support organizations advancing equity through education, economic empowerment, and criminal justice reform…
Programs benefiting include [the Indigenous-led or Indigenous-involved groups] Deadly Connections, ID. Know Yourself, First Australians Capital, Art Gallery of NSW, and Original Power.
Apple Funds Original Podcasts in Search for TV+ Titles
12 AUGUST 2022 - Apple is making a push into podcasting to strengthen its push into TV, apparently. 9 to 5 Mac ran a piece earlier this week, highlighting a deal Apple’s made with “award-winning production company Futuro Studios.”
Under the arrangement, [the report says] Apple funds Futuro’s development of new podcasts but retains rights to the intellectual property to convert any of the works into video content — television shows and movies — for its streaming service Apple TV+.
A24 Producing Two-Part Steve Martin Doc for Apple TV+
12 AUGUST 2022 - News of a documentary from Apple TV+ for which I cannot wait - except for the part where I have to. The Hollywood Reporter says A24 is working on a two-part feature documentary on the life of actor/comedian/writer/musician Steve Martin - to be released by Apple TV+. Morgan Neville is set to direct. You may not know his name, but you’ve probably heard of his work. He helmed the Oscar-winning documentary 20 Feet From Stardom as well as the Mr. Rogers documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
The Hollywood Reporter says the film will trace Martin’s life “from his roots in stand-up comedy through today.” No word on a production schedule or release date for the double-feature. I find that really annoying, because - personally - I can’t wait.
Eva Longoria to Lead “Land of Women” for Apple TV+
Eva Longoria on “Seen” with Nick Barili - Image via on YouTube
12 AUGUST 2022 - News of another international series for Apple TV+. The Cupertino-company issued a press release this week announcing the six-episode dramedy “Land of Women.”
Based on Sandra Barneda’s best selling novel of the same name, the series centers on Gala, her aging mother, and her college-age daughter. When Gala’s husband skips town owing money to bad guys, the three women flee New York City, heading to the same Spanish wine town from which Gala’s mother fled 50-years earlier. They hope to keep their identities hidden, though history has a way of catching up, it seems.
“Desperate Housewives” Eva Longoria will play Gala in the series. She also serves as an executive producer. Carmen Maura (“Volver,” “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown”) plays Gala’s mom. The show will be “shot in both English and Spanish and made available to watch in each language,” according to Apple. “Land of Women” is currently in preproduction in Spain. No word on a premier date for the series.
Apple TV+ Gets “Physical” for Third Season
12 AUGUST 2022 - If you want to keep getting “Physical” with Apple TV+, there’s more in store. The Cupertino-streamer issued a press release Thursday announcing that the Rose Byrne-led dark comedy had been picked up for a third season.
Season-two of the series just finished last week. You can catch both seasons one and two now on Apple TV+.
Jon Hamm Joins Season Three of “The Morning Show”
20 AUGUST 2022 - Jon Hamm’s long, sad nightmare is over. The Hollywood Reporter says the actor has finally landed a role on Apple TV+.
If you don’t know the joke, Hamm did an ad for Apple TV+ earlier this year. In it, he complained about the fact the he wasn’t anywhere on the Cupertino-streamer. Flipping through Apple TV+ titles and happening upon “The Morning Show” he says, “Jen and Reese - feels like a missed opportunity.” Well, now the opportunity is taken, with the actor taking a prominent role in the third-season of the series. THR says Hamm:
…will play Paul Marks on The Morning Show. The character is described as a corporate titan who sets his sights on [the television network] UBA, pulling [the show’s leads] into his powerful orbit.
Production on season-three is expected to begin this month. No word on when it’ll land in the stream.
Strong Quarter for Foxconn Emphasizes Initiatives Beyond Apple
11 AUGUST 2022 - Foxconn parent Hon Hai Precision Industry posted a surprisingly strong June-quarter with a reported emphasis on not Apple. A piece from Bloomberg had Apple’s iPhone-making partner reporting revenue equal to ~US$1.1B. That beat analyst expectations by about US$100-million.
Mentions of Apple and not Apple were of particular interest. While the Bloomberg piece did point to strength for iPhone in the June-quarter as good for Foxconn, it also pointed to “worrying signs” tied to Mac and iPad shipments that were down from the year ago quarter.
There’s plenty to cheer Foxconn on, though. “Given the potential for a downturn in consumer appetite for gadgets,” says Bloomberg:
…the Taiwanese company has been expanding its revenue from corporate customers, logging solid sales in its cloud and network computing products in July.
Additionally, there’s Hon Hai’s planned push into electric vehicles. The piece says the “world’s largest contract manufacturer has targeted 5% market share in EVs in 2025…”
Ming-Chi Kuo Says iPhone 14 to Cost More at the High End
11 AUGUST 2022 - Despite points pointed by Bloomberg, TF International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo seems to think it’s still iPhone that’s buttering Foxconn’s bread. Hon Hai Precision Industry posted about its earnings on Twitter, and offered a bit of guidance. Quoting the post:
We achieved the highest-ever 2Q revenue and net profit attribute to the parent company. 1H 2022 revenue totaled (~US96.8B). Based on current business outlook, we raise full-year performance to “growing” from “roughly flat”.
That prompted Twitter star and TF International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo to respond in a couple of Twitter posts, wherein he indicated higher prices on the way for iPhone. The first said:
Hon Hai/Foxconn is one of the winners of the increased ASP of iPhone 14 series. I estimated iPhone 14 series ASP would increase by about 15% (vs. iPhone 13 series ASP) to $1,000-1,050 (USD) due to two iPhone 14 Pro's price hikes & higher shipment proportion.
While most expect Apple to deep-six iPhone mini this time around, it doesn’t sound like the analyst is calling for higher prices for the entry level iPhone 14, just the ones at the pro end.
EVs… corporate clients… Ming-Chi Kuo indicates that Foxconn’s good fortune is all about iPhone. Quoting his second Twitter post:
Hon Hai is the major [Electronics Manufacturing Service] for iPhone 14 series (with a 60-70% order proportion), so its revenue will markedly benefit from an increased iPhone 14 series ASP. No wonder Hon Hai raises full-year performance to “growing” from “roughly flat.”
Motley Fool Falls in Love with Apple + India
11 AUGUST 2022 - Interesting story on The Motley Fool on Wednesday. Under the headline, “1 Emerging Catalyst That Apple Investors May Have Missed,” the piece points out that, in the June-quarter, Apple sales “nearly doubled” in India.
Of course, anyone listening to the June-quarter earnings call would not, nay could not have missed that. Apple CEO Tim Cook mentioned it in his prepared remarks. Apple CFO Luca Maestri mentioned it in his prepared remarks. Apple CEO Tim Cook mentioned it again in a question and answer bout with Morgan Stanley analyst Erik Woodring.
Also, there’s some podcaster who keeps bringing it up.
What’s cool about the Fool - they’ve got numbers. Guesstimates put Apple’s revenue from Indian operations at ~US$3B in FY21. That’s expected to rise to ~US$4B in FY22. Kind of small potatoes compared to the $392B or so in revenue Apple’s expected to pull in in FY22 - but, you know… growth! And a good trajectory. The piece says the average selling price of a smartphone in India is US$211. The least expensive iPhone in India is US$533. And yet, there’s Apple making more money. Smartphone ASPs are said to be on the rise, and guess who’ll be there, waiting with open arms!
While the appetite for higher priced phones may be growing in India, Apple is working to make them more accessible. The Motley Fool piece points to Apple producing iPhone 13 there now. There was also a report last week that Apple and Foxconn plan to produce iPhone 14 in India at launch, rather than the country having to wait a quarter or two as it has in the past. Producing and selling iPhone in India eliminates import tariffs. That lowers the cost to consumers, and that should generate more sales.
Additionally, 5G is really just getting started in India. Motley Fool has Ericsson estimating that the country could be cranking through 500-million 5G phones a year by 2027. With the population at 1.3-billion, half-a-billion 5G phones per-year sounds kind of high. Even if the growth’s not that robust though, growth! “Apple's strong position in the premium end of the Indian smartphone market means that it is well placed to take advantage of this opportunity,” according to the Fool.
While the piece focuses on iPhone for India, iPhone is likely just the beginning. As CEO Cook told Morgan Stanley’s Woodring, “iPhone tends to be the engine for [markets like India], particularly at the beginning of creating the market there for Apple products.”
Needham & Co. Sees Doom for Standalone Video Streamers
11 AUGUST 2022 - When Apple announced Apple TV+, a lot of folks said it would be a failure. I wasn’t sure how we’d know. I argued at the time that Apple TV+ didn’t have to succeed by traditional standards. With iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watch, accessories, and a slew of Services, Apple TV+ could lose money for years and not even show up as a rounding error. I argued then that the only services that have to worry about making money in streaming are the services that don’t do anything but streaming - basically, Netflix. I don’t know that I thought in terms of Apple TV+ and services like it killing Netflix, though. And so, thanks go to Needham & Co. analyst Laura Martin for giving me a new way to think.
Martin did eight-minutes on Yahoo Finance this week, all about streaming services. Regarding Apple, Martin said:
They can actually destroy the streaming business because they have other businesses that will actually make up profit or higher profit… iPhones are $1,300 these days. They can make profit on some other part of their business that justifies them spending this money on sports rights.
Her thoughts weren’t limited to Apple, though. Rather, she seems to think if streaming’s all you’ve got - you ain’t got a lot. As I mentioned before - Apple TV+ is practically the last thing in Apple’s arsenal currently. Not only does it not need to succeed in streaming to stay afloat, all the other stuff it has can be used to support and promote Apple TV+. Disney has legacy content, plus ESPN, plus theme parks and cruise liners to support and promote Disney+. Whatever the hell HBO/Warner/Discovery is calling itself this week has tons of legacy content (Martin’s really into that). And finally, Netflix has… Netflix. I guess that could explain the streamer’s push into mobile games. Recent reports say Netflix subscribers have barely touched those, though it’s a pretty new initiative. Where Netflix is concerned, Martin seems most excited about the announcement last month that Microsoft will work with Netflix on ad sales. She seems to see that deal as step-one of Microsoft eventually buying Netflix.
Her thinking bums me out a tiny bit. There seems to be no place in her world for a good video service to survive by simply being a good video service. That said, I’m not sure she’s wrong. If such things interest you and you’ve got eight-minutes, it’s definitely worth a watch.
I wonder if she’s run numbers on Spotify.
Unfolding Sammy’s Foldable and Google’s RCScapades
11 AUGUST 2022 - So Samsung had its great big unpacked event on Wednesday, announcing a ton of stuff that’s probably really exciting to Android and Samsung fans. In the little scanning I did on the event, only one announcement caught my attention. According to a piece from CNET, Samsung has announced the Galaxy Z Fold 4 with a new camera, a modified design, and the “same $1,800 price.”
I was going to say, “Sammy is still trying to make foldable phones happen.” I guess that’s correct, though it may be the tech press trying harder - and who can blame them? I get it. Foldable phones are different. Some people who write about tech like different for different’s sake. They bemoan “evolutionary not revolutionary” because true-new means not staring at and writing about the same blessed thing for another full year. According to one piece from CNET:
Samsung sees foldable phones as being key to the future of its mobile device lineup. As one of the world's biggest smartphone manufacturers, Samsung influences the broader market.
Does it though? Another piece from CNET acknowledges that “Foldable phones have been widely available for about three years, but they still make up just a fraction of the smartphone market.” While updates to the Galaxy Z Fold 4 are said by CNET to be “a step in the right direction,” the reports says it’s “unclear whether [the new features] are going to be enough to convert those who aren't already interested in foldable phones.”
Cult of Mac thinks not, it seems. According to their headline, “Samsung’s flawed, foldable Androids show why folding iPhone remains years away.”
Personally, I’m not here to bag on Sammy’s new phone. I haven’t gone hands-on with it. I’m not sure whether the Cult has either, though they have seen hands-on videos. The thing that bothers them about as much as the $1,800.00 price tag is the visible crease in the foldable screen. Open it up and there’s still a physical line down the middle as there would be on almost anything foldable besides fabric. “iPhone users won’t tolerate such an eyesore,” says Cult of Mac.
Eh. I think if the use case was compelling enough, they’d tolerate it. They tolerated the EDGE network when 3G was available on other phones because they wanted iPhone. Same with 3G when 4G was available and 4G when 5G was available. They also keep buying phones with camera notches in the screen on the front and camera bumps on the back - technical accommodations that have been derided by some, yet never seem to stop consumers from screaming, “shut up and take my money!” Personally, I’d like it if we never got to a foldable iPhone because who wants that when they can have Apple’s stylish new AR glasses, giving you everything a foldable would without the unsightly crease. Or the screen!
“Message for you, Sir…”
The push by Samsung or the tech press or someone to make foldable phones a thing reminded me of a story that’s been kicking around this week: Google’s attempt to shame Apple into adopting RCS for iMessage. Short for Rich Communication Services, a piece from MacRumors says:
RCS is designed to replace the current SMS messaging standard. It offers support for higher resolution photos and videos, audio messages, bigger file sizes, improved encryption, emoji reactions, more reliable group chats, and more.
Sounds a bit like iMessage, doesn’t it? It does! So what’s Google’s issue? iMessage and RCS aren’t interoperable. The MacRumors piece says Google this week launched a new "Get the Message" website. The piece says the site:
…is aimed at addressing the "green/blue bubbles" issue between iPhone and Android users along with problems in cross-platform messaging such as low quality photos and videos, issues with group chat, end-to-end encryption, read receipts, and typing indicators, pointing out that these issues could be addressed if Apple adopted RCS. "It's time for Apple to fix texting," reads the website.
Of course, Apple would probably argue “it’s time to get an iPhone.” As would an editorial I read on Apple Insider. That site’s Andrew Orr recounted some of the same complaints presented by Google in favor of RCS. He then proceeded to lay waste. “Unlike iMessage,” he points out:
…end-to-end encryption is not built-in to RCS. Carriers and companies can add such encryption if they choose. Google added support for this encryption in 2020 but only for one-on-one conversations.
Like SMS, RCS relies on an active phone number. Texting gets tied to a cellular bill and can vanish if a payment is missed or because of other cellular network chicanery.
In iMessage, chats can be sent from a phone number or email address associated with an Apple ID. A SIM card isn't required for conversations with other Apple users.
The real swipe though: While “Google offers RCS communication in its Android Messages app as the default,” Google is almost as famous for killing products and services as it is for search. Not really, of course, but you get the point.
How’d We Get Here from There?
Why did foldable phones make me think of RCS? Because both leave me wondering what problem adopting them would solve for Apple. Are iPhone sales going to go up if you can fold them? Are iPhone sales going to go up if Apple adopts RCS? To the contrary, a piece from Ed Hardy over at Cult of Mac implies that Apple adopting RCS could actually hurt iPhone sales, since one of the key differentiators (blue text bubbles versus green) would be gone. Personally I doubt it, but it’s an okay argument for why Apple might not bother.
If the lack of whistles and bells is an issue, there is no shortage of messaging apps out there ready to bridge the gap. The Apple Insider editorial points out that WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger (God forbid) “support rich features that both [the iOS and Android] ecosystems can enjoy because they're using the same app.” If security is your concern, there’s Signal. Friends inside and outside the Robot Army have ways to solve these problems.
Could one see a future where Apple makes a foldable iPhone? Sure. It would be hard to argue that Apple needs to do so. Could one see a future where Apple adopts RCS? Sure. It would be hard to argue that Apple needs to do so.
Wedbush Names Apple a Top-Stock to Own for Remainder of 2022
10 AUGUST 2022 - Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives is still high on Apple. On Tuesday, Apple 3.0 ran part of a note he wrote. In it, he predicted tough times for smaller tech firms - though tech as an idea (the “4th Industrial Revolution” he calls it) will power through. His top-three tech stocks for at least the remainder of the year: Palo Alto Networks, Microsoft, and Apple. On the Cupertino-company specifically, Mr. Ives wrote:
AAPL: With China issues and supply chain as a “peak issue” in the rear view mirror for now, Cook & Co. laser focus their sights on the iPhone 14 production/demand cycle for the September launch of this next key iPhone model. We estimate roughly 225 million Apple customers have not upgraded their iPhones in 3.5 years, creating a strong pent-up demand story with iPhone 14 despite the darkening global macro backdrop. We maintain our OUTPERFORM rating and $200 price target.
If that sounds familiar, that’s not surprising. Apple 3.0’s Philip Elmer-DeWitt points out that Ives has been saying the “hundreds of millions of iPhones not upgraded” thing for quite a while now. Elmer-DeWitt figures Ives will keep saying it, as long as there are iPhones worth the upgrade.
Well - if you’re holding your phone from three-and-a-half-years… I mean, even if iPhone after iPhone after iPhone is deemed “evolutionary not revolutionary,” evolution four phones from now would likely feel like a revolution.
Ming-Chi Kuo: iPhone 14 Supply Chain Currently Kink-Free
10 AUGUST 2022 - For Apple to support the 200-something-million iPhone upgraders Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives is expecting, Apple’s gonna need 200-something-million iPhones. Right now, TF International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says that should not be a problem. Young MC took to Twitter on Tuesday with a quick update on the state of the supply chain. Quoting the post:
Although some investors have recently worried that the mass production and shipment schedule of the iPhone 14 models may be affected by geopolitics, my latest survey indicates that there are currently no impacts on the supply chain of the iPhone 14 models.
He’s probably talking about the “Made in Taiwan” versus “Taiwan, China” issue. We talked earlier this week about China’s insistence that Taiwan is actually part of China, therefore stuff made in Taiwan should be labeled “Taiwan, China” or “Chinese Taipei.” That’s actually been a rule in China for a while, though the country has pretty much let it slide. However, thanks to a recent visit to Taiwan by Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, China may stop looking the other way on such labelling. That could lead to fines or even rejection of Taiwanese imports in to China, which could gum up the iPhone 14 works. For now though, Ming-Chi Kuo says the machine seems to be humming along.
South Korea to Probe Apple and Google Over In-App Payment Rules
10 AUGUST 2022 - Whatever Apple did to get regulators off its back in South Korea seems to have missed the mark. South Korea requires app stores, including those run by Apple and Google, to allow developers to employ third-party payments options rather than being forced to use the payment mechanisms set up by the companies. A piece from TechCrunch says both Apple and Google have agreed to that, with each providing “a 4% discount from app store fees for using alternative payment operators.” Now, the piece says:
South Korea’s communication watchdog, the Korea Communications Commission (KCC), said Tuesday it will investigate Apple and Google over potential violations of the country’s in-app payment rule.
They make it sound new, though the report indicates the government is kicking an ongoing investigation up a notch. According to the report, the KCC says it’s been looking into the practices of Apple, Google, and the South Korean app store called ONE Store since 17 May. Somewhere along the way it decided that the companies may have breached South Korea’s telecommunication act passed last year.
Corrective action and fines are likely if the firms are found guilty. The next round of investigation begins next Tuesday 16 August. No word on a timeline for the proceedings.
Apple Pay (Actually) Goes Live in Malaysia
Image via Apple
10 AUGUST 2022 - It turns out AmBank was only a couple of days early. I told you yesterday that the Malaysian bank AmBank jumped the gun over the weekend - posting (then quickly pulling) news that it was now supporting (or was supported by) the contactless payment solution Apple Pay.
Well, now it is. A piece from The Mac Observer says Apple Pay has gone live with a number of financial institutions in Malaysia. They include MayBank, Standard Chartered Bank, and - yes - AmBank. “In a local press release,” the piece says:
…Apple said Malaysian customers with Visa and Mastercard issued by Maybank, AmBank and Standard Chartered Bank will be able to use Apple Pay.
The announcement also listed a number of retailers ready to take pay the Apple Pay way. According to the release:
Merchants such as KFC, Maxis, Machines, McDonald’s, Mydin, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, U Mobile, Uniqlo, Village Grocer, and Watsons — and apps and websites including Shopee, Sephora, Atome, and Adidas — now offer customers the ability to pay with Apple Pay.
With Malaysia in the mix, the Cupertino-company says Apple Pay is now up and running in over 60 countries and regions. It supports (or is supported by) “more than 10,000 bank and network partners worldwide,” according to Apple.