Arizona Governor Says Main Construction Complete on TSMC Plant

01 SEPTEMBER 2022 - A simply hilarious story about Apple, Arizona, and TSMC on Wednesday - not necessarily in that order though. 9 to 5 Mac had the Grand Canyon state’s governor Doug Ducey saying that construction on TSMC’s main chip facility in the state is complete. “The plant is expected to fabricate some of Apple’s A-series and M-series chips,” according to the report, though that won’t happen for at least a couple of years.

Don’t worry - we’re not to the funny part yet.

9 to 5 Mac cites a report from South China Morning Post, which says in part:

Speaking at an investment conference during a visit to Taipei, Arizona governor Doug Ducey recalled meeting the TSMC leadership in 2017 and then in 2020 announcing the investment.

“Just over two years later TSMC has completed construction for its main facility and continues to make excellent progress,” he said, describing visiting the construction site as “even more impressive in person.”

The whole thing seems to have sent spasms through the TSMC halls. 9 to 5 Mac says the chipmaker issued a statement making it clear to no one in particular (China) that they’d talked with the Arizona governor, but he had not visited. Quoting South China Morning Post again:

TSMC said in a statement that the governor and his team did not visit the company, but did talk with them.

What’s up with the stiff arm? 9 to 5 Mac explains:

An earlier visit to TSMC in Taiwan by Nancy Pelosi sparked extremely strong reactions from China, including live-fire military exercises simulating a blockade of the island – something that would be part of an invasion plan. That being the case, it is likely that TSMC wanted to do everything it could to downplay Ducey’s visit – especially since the governor also described the state’s role in training Taiwan’s F-16 fighter pilots.

In my head right now, where Ducey is concerned, TSMC is like that Mariah Carey meme. “I don’t know her…”

I thought it was funny.

Marketwatch: Apple Hiring Execs for Ad Sales for Small Business

01 SEPTEMBER 2022 - Interesting news from Marketwatch this week. You know those small business advertisers that broke up with Facebook once Apple implemented App Tracking Transparency? Apple may be looking to give those small business advertisers a new home.

Lots of small businesses were reportedly hurt when Apple flipped the switch on App Tracking Transparency. That was the change in iOS 14 that did not stop services like Facebook from tracking users across the web. It did, however, require them to get permission first. Having failed to make a decent case for why people should say “yes,” many people told Facebook “no.” Without the ability to track, Facebook ads were seen as less effective, causing a lot of small businesses to drop advertising on the platform, causing Facebook to lose a lot of money.

Now, there are all of these small businesses that could maybe use an effective ad platform. And that is a void that Apple seems to be eyeing. Marketwatch says is has:

…found two recent job postings from Apple that suggest the company is looking to build out its burgeoning adtech team with folks who specialize in working with small businesses. Specifically, the company says it’s looking for two product managers who are “inspired to make a difference in how digital advertising will work in a privacy-centric world,” who want to “design and build consumer advertising experiences.”

No doubt such hires will prompt cries of hypocrisy against Apple, and accusations that the company killed Facebook’s ad business to bolster its own. It’s possible that case could be made, though a recent op-ed by Mike Peterson at Apple Insider argues, “Apple has never been against advertising — it's against invasive data collection.” One imagines that that is a distinction Apple will highlight going forward, and that its opponents will do their best to ignore.

Apple Pledges Support for Flood-Ravaged Pakistan

01 SEPTEMBER 2022 - Flooding is wreaking havoc across Pakistan, and Apple has pledged relief. A piece from NBC News says “monster monsoons” have left one-third of that country under water. According to the NBC report:

Pakistan’s government has said that more than 33 million people, around 15 % of the population, have been affected by the extreme weather.

The piece also says that more than 1,000 people have been killed, and roughly $10 billion worth of damage has been sustained. Now, a piece from Apple Insider says Apple’s CEO has pledged support. In a Twitter post on Wednesday, Tim Cook said:

The floods in Pakistan and surrounding areas are devastating humanitarian disasters. Our thoughts are with those that have lost loved ones, the many displaced families, and all those affected. Apple will donate to relief and recovery efforts on the ground.

Apple Issues iOS 12.6.5 Update to Stop Actively Exploited Vulnerability

01 SEPTEMBER 2022 - A very important update for some very old iPhones. MacRumors says Apple on Wednesday released iOS 12.5.6. You heard me - we are likely just days away from the release of iOS 16 and yet Apple’s reaching back in time to hammer out an old issue.

Old perhaps, but important. According to MacRumors:

The iOS 12.5.6 update fixes a major vulnerability that was actively exploited, so it's worth updating right away if you have an older device. The WebKit vulnerability was already fixed in the iOS 15.6.1, iPadOS 15.6.1, and macOS Monterey 12.5.1 updates.

The fact that Apple is making sure that devices that can’t move beyond iOS 12 are protected seems to speak to the seriousness of the issue. And so, if you are using an ‌iPhone‌ 5s, ‌iPhone‌ 6, ‌iPhone‌ 6 Plus, iPod touch 6, original iPad Air, iPad mini 2, and ‌iPad mini‌ 3 - your update awaits. Please get on it.

Fun/Unfun for Apple in Cars

Apple Exec Exits Did Global Board

01 SEPTEMBER 2022 - A potentially embarrassing shift on the board of Chinese ride-sharing company Didi Global. Bloomberg (via Yahoo! News) says an Apple exec who had been on the board has quietly slipped out the back. Quoting that piece:

Adrian Perica, Apple’s vice president of corporate development, has resigned from Didi’s board, according to a one-sentence release posted on Didi’s website [in August]. Didi didn’t respond to requests for comment. Apple declined to comment.

Add that to the year-long list of troubles for Didi. In June of last year, the company defied the wishes of the Chinese government and floated an IPO here in the states. After that (perhaps because of that), the report says Didi’s app was “pulled from China’s mobile stores, preventing meaningful growth and erasing more than 80% of its market value.” A piece from The Mac Observer says Chinese authorities ordered the app pulled because of the IPO, though a piece from 9 to 5 Mac says:

The Chinese government declared that Didi had been illegally collecting user data, fined the company, and ordered Apple to remove the app from the App Store.

Meanwhile, the Bloomberg report says the Chinese government issued a fine against Didi of $1.2 billion. That was said to be “for infractions that Beijing said compromised national security…”

Bad news for Didi though - so far - the two Apple connections are having a guy on Didi’s board and Apple being ordered to pull the Didi app. But connections between the two companies go deeper than that. Back in 2016, Apple invested $1B in Didi. Back then, Apple CEO Tim Cook said:

We are making the investment for a number of strategic reasons, including a chance to learn more about certain segments of the China market… Of course, we believe it will deliver a strong return for our invested capital over time as well.

Maybe not so much that second part.

Apple Gains in Car Wars (No Car Required)

There was conjecture at the time that Apple’s Didi investment was tied to whatever plans Apple had for making a car of its own, or perhaps learning how to run a fleet. While the Did investment seems to have yielded no fruit, the constant chatter around Apple and auto seems to be standing the Cupertino-company is good stead.

The consulting and advisory service Strategic Vision issued a press release Wednesday with a crazy assertion: Apple is among the top-three brands in the minds of buyers when they think about buying a future car.

Strategic Vision says its New Vehicle Experience Study “is the largest, most comprehensive survey of new vehicle owners in the US…” For close to three-decades, the firm says, it’s:

…asked new vehicle owners whether they would consider and how they feel about the quality of over forty-five automotive brands, including some not available in the US.

This year, they added one that’s not available at all - throwing Apple Car into the mix. Their finding: “if Apple builds it, customers will come.” Asked which brands they would “Definitely Consider,” survey responses went:

• Toyota (38%)

• Honda (32%)

• Apple (26%)

• Ford (21%)

• Tesla (20%)

“However,” says Strategic Vision President Alexander Edwards:

Apple’s strength doesn’t end here… What should be concerning to others is that Apple generates a greater amount of Love than any other automotive company, double that of strong brands like Honda, Toyota, and Tesla. For example, over 50% of Tesla owners would 'Definitely Consider' a future Apple vehicle; everyone should be prepared…

“The only weak spot in Apple’s position,” says the press release, “is they haven’t yet produced a vehicle…”

Details, baby, details…

Shortage of Low-Cost Chips Continues to Plague the Supply Chain

Image via TSMC

31 AUGUST 2022 - Just when you were starting to feel better about how things were going in the supply chain, along come executives in the supply chain. Bloomberg (via Yahoo! News) ran sort of a depressing piece on Tuesday. It had C. C. Wei, CEO of TSMC, saying things are kind of messed up. According to the report:

The world’s largest contract chipmaker can no longer meet demand for low-end chips at legacy factories, and it is building new plants, Wei said, suggesting that even mature chips may cost more in the months ahead.

The exec indicated that the production of $50,000 cars is being held up by chips that cost 50-cents. While the chips themselves are in short supply, their need continues to grow. Quoting Bloomberg again:

Shortages are showing up as a result of automakers adding more features to cars and increasing the silicon used by 15% every year, while smartphones now require two to three times the number of power management chips they did five years ago, [according to the CEO].

Australia Demands Anti-CSAM Answers from Microsoft, Meta, and Apple

31 AUGUST 2022 - Australia has an interesting, though vague, demand of Microsoft, Meta, and Apple: Tell us what you’re doing about stopping the spread of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). Highlighting a Reuters report, Apple Insider says “Australia's e-Safety Commissioner has sent what are described as legal letters to Apple and other Big Tech platforms,” demanding “information about strategies to detect and also to remove CSAM.”

It is unclear how much detail they want, but they want it within four weeks. And if they don’t get it, the Australian regulator is prepared to charge each company $383,000 (presumably Australian) each day until they do get the info. Of course, we have some idea of what Apple could do. Apple Insider reminds readers:

Apple famously announced measures to prevent the spread of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) in August 2021, only to face criticism over security and censorship. Apple backpedal its plans in September 2021, but as AppleInsider has noted, the addition of such measures is now inevitable.

No comment from Apple on the Australian demand, according to Apple Insider. Meta says it’s looking into the letter. Microsoft says it will respond within the 28-day window, according to the report.

Bloomberg: Apple Privacy Chief Horvath Leaves for Top Law Firm

31 AUGUST 2022 - Jane Horvath either has left or is leaving the big, round building. Bloomberg says Apple’s Chief Privacy Officer “is taking a job at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP…” US News & World Report says that firm is a:

…leading international law firm, [that] consistently ranks among the world's top law firms in industry surveys and major publications. The firm is distinctively positioned in today's global marketplace with more than 1,600 lawyers and 20 offices.

Meanwhile a piece from law.com listed the firm as the 15th highest grossing law firm in the world in 2021. As Apple’s departing Chief Privacy Officer, Horvath leaves a sizable void. Bloomberg points out that she has been “the company’s face in promoting its safeguards, alongside Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook.” Quoting the report:

Privacy has become central to Apple’s marketing efforts, and Horvath represented the company in its dealings with trade groups and Capitol Hill. She was also responsible for Apple’s compliance with privacy rules globally, such as GDPR, or General Data Protection Regulation, in the European Union. 

While parting is such sweet sorrow, there’s a decent chance she and Apple will cross paths again. The firm she’s joining has represented Apple before - and not that long ago. “Gibson Dunn most recently led Apple’s legal efforts in its fight against Epic Games Inc. over App Store commissions,” according to the Bloomberg piece.

Apple Adds Education Community Hub to Teacher Offerings

Image via Apple

31 AUGUST 2022 - Apple is expanding resources for educators. 9 to 5 Mac ran a piece earlier this week, announcing the creation of a new Education Community hub. Apple’s landing page describes it as “a professional learning hub designed for educators who use Apple technology.”

Building on the resources in Apple Teacher, the new hub includes a Forum, meant to “serve as the Community’s collaborative space for educators to connect…” It also features posts about educators in participating regions using Apple tools.

The program is currently in beta and currently only available in English. While no specific login or educator credentials are required, the piece says “only educators from the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand can create profiles to post content in the Forum.”

Apple Watch Takes Part in Stroke Prevention/Blood Thinner Study

31 AUGUST 2022 - News of another medical study from Apple. The Mac Observer says the Cupertino-company is taking part in a stroke prevention study, looking into whether Apple Watch could be used “to help minimize the use of blood thinners.”

The report lists two problems associated with blood thinners: They’re expensive and they thin the blood. I know. They’re supposed to. “However,” the piece says, “excessive use of this type of medication can lead to dangerously excessive bleeding.” Citing a report from the website Statnews, TMO says the study:

…will compare strokes, bleeding, and health care outcomes among people who are given the standard course of blood thinners. Another group will be directed to take medication only after an Apple Watch detects prolonged atrial fibrillation.

Lots of time, lots of partners, and a decent amount of money behind the study. According to the report:

The 7-year study managed to secure $37 million in funding from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Other partners include the American Heart Association, Johns Hopkins University, Stanford and the University of California – San Francisco.

The study is expected to begin next spring.

Report: Apple’s Paid Podcast Subscribers Grow 300%

31 AUGUST 2022 - Fun with numbers, without numbers: The Podcast Edition. Apple Insider ran a piece this week that had an Apple spokesperson telling Digiday that, when it comes to podcasts, “the number of subscribers had gone up by more than 300% since June 2021.”

Okay - 300% is a number. We don’t have starting numbers. Still, it’s notable. That 300% represents paid podcast listeners. In Apple Podcast parlance, “subscribers” are people who pay. Unpaid podcast listeners are called “followers.”

Come to this house. Be one of us.

Apple TV+ Picks Up “Acapulco” and “Trying” for Additional Seasons

31 AUGUST 2022 - News of a couple of series renewals for Apple TV+. The Cupertino-streamer issued a press release this week announcing the return of “Acapulco,” and it is returning fairly soon. In case you’ve forgotten, the bilingual coming of age comedy:

…[tells] the story of 20-something Máximo Gallardo (…), whose dream comes true when he scores the job of a lifetime as a cabana boy at the hottest resort in Acapulco…

The show is told in flashback. Season two picks up where season one left off. Enrique Arrizon returns as young Maximo, while executive producer Eugenio Derbez returns as modern day Maximo. The second season’s first two episodes hit Friday 21 October. The rest will hit one-a-week on following Fridays through the season’s 10-episode run.

Farther on the horizon - another Apple comedy gets to try, try again. And again and again. A piece from Apple Insider says the British sit-com “Trying” has been picked up for a fourth season. The news comes just ahead of season-three’s finale. That hits Apple TV+ this Friday 2 September.

About all we get from Apple’s announcement is that the show will be back. No plot points, no production details, and no premier date, according to Apple Insider.

Hanx101: Trivia Game from Tom Hanks Headed to Apple Arcade

Tom Hanks in the Apple TV+ film Greyhound

31 AUGUST 2022 - It is Tom Hanks’ world, and we are playing games in it. Or will be this Friday when a game created by the Academy Award winning actor hits Apple Arcade.

Engadget says the game “Hanx101 Trivia” is the actor/entrepreneur’s first game, though not his first app. Nearly a decade ago, the piece says, he released “Hanx Writer, a typewriter-themed writing app that became a hit on iPad.” As for the game, Engadget says:

Hanx101 Trivia will feature questions in several categories, including history, math, geography and food. You can try to beat your high score or face off against other players in head-to-head bouts and team matchups…

Did I ever tell you about the time I touched Tom Hanks? Don’t worry! It wasn’t as creepy as it sounds. Though I fear from his perspective… it may have been…

Ming-Chi Kuo: iPhone 14 Ready for Satellite Connectivity

30 AUGUST 2022 - It looks like all we need for satellite communication in iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 is for someone to go in on the deal with Apple. Not kidding.

TF International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo hit with a 10-point Medium post on Monday, full of some stuff that was encouraging and some that was very disheartening. Let’s lead with the good: Satellite communication is good to go for iPhone 14 and, it seems, iPhone 13. The past phone news is kind of surprising. In that point, the analyst says:

I learned that Apple had already completed the hardware development of satellite communication in the iPhone 13. The lack of support is because the business model had not been negotiated.

That appears to be the only sticking point for iPhone 14 as well. Like most, the analyst sees Globalstar as Apple’s most likely satellite partner.

Will the world get a satellite iPhone announcement at next week’s “Far Out” media event? While Apple’s star-studded invitation might make one think so, Ming-Chi Kuo is playing that one safe. “Hard to predict precisely when the iPhone will offer satellite communication service,” writes the analyst, “but I believe it will happen eventually.”

Here’s hoping. I mentioned a disheartening part of his post. The very first point in his list:

The increasing frequency of natural disasters and geopolitical conflicts in recent years will likely make emergency texting/voice services via satellite communication a must-have smartphone feature.

How’s your day going?

Nikkei Asia: iPad Production in China Back in Full Swing

30 AUGUST 2022 - I caught a couple of headlines around iPad production on Monday that left me scratching my head. You may remember reports from a couple of weeks ago that had iPad production grinding to a halt in China’s Sichuan province. The government there shut down all manufacturing as temperatures soared over 105-degrees Fahrenheit, and power for air conditioning for citizens was prioritized over power for factories. That was supposed to stretch until 20 August, though the shut-offs went longer than that.

At least some factories are back up and running now, and the conditions under which they reopened lead to the confusing headlines. One from Apple Insider said, “Foxconn reopens iPad plant with priority power grant from China,” while another from 9 to 5 Mac said, “Apple supplier Foxconn, Toyota restart Sichuan plants as heat wave eases.”

The funny thing is, they were both working from the same source: A piece from Nikkei Asia. That piece says… both: That the heatwave has broken and that:

Authorities appear to be supplying Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry, with power on a priority basis, taking into consideration the economic impact on the region.

According to the report:

The Chengdu plant of Foxconn, which assembles iPads for Apple, began to operate at normal capacity again on Thursday [25 August], a person close to the factory confirmed.

JP Morgan: Apple Supply Chain Stabilized (iPad Not Included)

30 AUGUST 2022 - Lead times for Apple products are looking pretty good - iPad not included. That’s the word from JP Morgan’s Global Product Lead Time Tracker, according to a piece from Apple Insider.

It makes sense that iPad waits would be long - it’s been hot in China, don’t you know. Otherwise, the piece says, “lead times for orders generally ‘moderated’ or ‘remained stable’ for all product categories…”

Off the shelf, you’re looking at roughly a week for a Mac, according to JP Morgan. The wait for Apple Watch is about four-days. The wait for an iPhone is a couple of days. And the wait for a pair of AirPods is down to about a day.

A couple of points to note - First, these are global average wait times. Your mileage may vary, depending on where you measure those miles. Second - it’s all about to get chucked out the window. Apple will almost definitely announce new iPhones and Apple Watches next week. Once orders begin, waits for those will likely stretch out weeks, as they do every time new iPhones and Apple Watches are introduced. That said, the current wait time for various products is not useless information. If we can be relatively certain that Apple’s supply chain is running smoothly, wait times for new products will probably be read as indicative of demand, rather than a hard to read mix of demand and supply chain issues.

iPad not included.

Wedbush Notes Strength for iPhone 14, Praise for Apple’s CEO

30 AUGUST 2022 - A note of praise for Apple and its CEO from Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives on Monday. Apple 3.0 ran part of a note he wrote, wherein he predicted strength for iPhone 14, with a side of “can you believe Cook & Co. pulled it off?” On the phone, the analyst says he and his:

• Are still looking for a 90-million unit launch, about even with last year’s iPhone 13 launch

• Believe Pro/Pro Max phones will see a price increase of $100

• See a run of about 220-million upgrades in FY2023, driven by pent-up demand, though held down a bit by general macroeconomic concerns

As for the praising, Ives note says:

Despite the zero Covid shutdowns in China that disrupted the Asia supply chain across the board in March-May and caused some white knuckles on the Street, [Apple CEO Tim] Cook yet again navigated Cupertino through the storm and now is set for another flagship iPhone 14 upgrade cycle…

Mr. Ives has an “Outperform” rating on Apple shares. His price target on the shares is $220.

Developers Get Beta 8 of iOS 16

30 AUGUST 2022 - As the days get shorter, the betas go higher - MacRumors says Apple on Monday seeded the eighth beta of iOS 16 to developers. That seems to have been the only one to hit to start the week. Both developers and public testers can likely anticipate release candidates for iOS 16, tvOS 16, and watchOS 9 in the next week or so. Expectations are that Apple will announce a release date for those three operating systems at next week’s “Far Out” media event.

Apple Updates Boot Camp to v6.1.19

30 AUGUST 2022 - While Boot Camp may be out of the public consciousness, it has not fallen off of Apple’s radar. Boot Camp is the software that lets Intel-based Macs run Windows. Just last week we heard word that Apple has issued a minor, bug-fixing update for the software. Now, a piece from MacRumors says Boot Camp 6.1.19 brings even more bug fixes, including tweaks to the Precision Touchpad driver.

If you’re a Boot Camp user, you probably know how to update it. Just in case though, MacRumors says:

Boot Camp users can navigate to the Start menu in Windows and open the Apple Software Update app to install the new Boot Camp drivers.

Roku, Samsung, and T-Mobile Offer More Free Apple TV+

30 AUGUST 2022 - More free Apple TV+. On the try-before-you-buy side, a piece from iLounge says both Roku and Samsung are making the Cupertino-streamer available for free for three months. Between now and 28 November, the piece says:

Samsung customers and owners of new smart TV models from 2018 through 2022 can receive a free trial for 3 months. All they need to do is open the native Apple TV+ app from their TVs and follow the on-screen instructions to redeem the offer.

While the report does not make it clear, one assumes that the Roku offer is similar - made through the Apple TV+ app on Roku-powered televisions and streaming devices. The post simply has Roku saying “that new subscribers get the service for three months without a charge.” After the free trial, charges kick in at the usual $4.99-per-month.

From free-trial to add-on - a piece from MacRumors says T-Mobile is now including Apple’s streaming service in one of its cellular plans - or will be, beginning 31 August. According to that report, T-Mobile:

…is adding an Apple TV+ subscription to its Magenta MAX plan, giving eligible T-Mobile customers unlimited access to Apple's original content…

For “Regular Magenta” customers, they’re on an extended try-before-you-buy. Those users have access to six-months free of Apple TV+, according to the report.