➀ Apple's MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac with M4 SoC may arrive later than expected in 2024; ➁ Leaker Mark Gurman suggests a possible delay to November; ➂ Speculation remains regarding the launch of new Macs in 2024.
Recent #Apple news in the semiconductor industry
➀ Apple has been 'a little disingenuous with its marketing' for AI features on iPhone 16; ➁ Some features are missing until 2025, and some are 'nowhere near as capable' as rival AI; ➂ Analyst Mark Gurman points out Apple's marketing tactics.
➀ Apple's iPhone 18 in 2026 will use TSMC's 2nm chips; ➁ Some iPhone 18 models might have 3nm chips; ➂ iPhone 17 models will use 3nm chips in 2025.
➀ The new iPhone 16 Pro features a redesigned A18 Pro logic board that is smaller and more densely packed; ➁ The logic board includes a larger metal cover for improved heat transfer; ➂ Apple has made changes to the battery design for easier repair and replacement.
➀ Apple has quietly withdrawn the iOS 18 update for iPads; ➁ Users reported their iPads bricked after updating; ➂ Apple acknowledged the issue and removed the update for M4 iPad Pros.
1. Apple announces the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max with advanced AI features and improved hardware; 2. New AI capabilities include document generation from notes, emoji and image creation from text, and summarization of notifications; 3. The iPhone 16 Pro Max features the largest display in the iPhone series, with a 6.9-inch screen and enhanced durability.
1. The Apple Watch Series 10 features a larger screen and a lighter body; 2. It includes a wide-view-angle OLED display that is 30% larger than the previous model, with improved brightness and a new always-on feature; 3. The device also introduces a water depth/temperature sensor, sleep apnea detection, and other AI-driven features.
➀ Apple's iPhone 16 launch event is set for September 10, according to a credible leak. ➁ The event will also unveil new Apple Watch and AirPods models. ➂ iOS 18, featuring Apple's AI advancements, will be detailed during the event.
1. Apple uses Google TPUv4 and TPUv5p clusters for AI model training instead of NVIDIA GPUs. 2. Apple utilized 2048 TPUv5p chips for iPhone-related AI models and 8192 TPUv4 chips for server AI models. 3. Apple's research paper suggests the possibility of creating larger, more sophisticated AI models with Google TPUs.
1. Apple's AI features under iOS 18 are delayed and will not be released with the iPhone 16. 2. The features will be available to software developers in the first betas for iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 next week. 3. The delay is due to additional time needed for bug fixes, and the features will be rolled out incrementally throughout the year.
1. Apple's foldable iPhone, codenamed V68, is in development and expected to be released in 2026; 2. The device will feature a clamshell design, aiming to be thinner than current iPhones; 3. Apple is focusing on reducing the crease and improving the overall design quality.
1. Amazon is holding a Prime Day early sale for Prime members from July 11th to 15th. 2. The iPad Pro Wi-Fi models are available at discounted prices, with the 512GB version priced at 154,500 yen, a discount of 18,300 yen. 3. The iPad Pro features an 11-inch Liquid Retina display, M2 chip, 8GB or 16GB memory, and storage options from 128GB to 2TB.
1. The first-generation HomePod has been classified as a vintage product by Apple; 2. Vintage products are those that have been discontinued from sale for 5 to 7 years, and may still be eligible for repairs based on parts availability; 3. The classification of the HomePod as vintage has raised concerns about the relatively short support lifecycle for a high-end audio product.
1. Apple Japan has launched an official LINE account; 2. Users who add the account as a friend will receive a limited edition wallpaper; 3. The account will provide the latest news, usage tips, and campaign information for products like the iPhone, and will also offer easy access to Apple Support and the Apple Store.
1. Apple has delayed the rollout of Apple Intelligence due to regulatory uncertainties under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA). 2. The delay affects features like Phone Mirroring, SharePlay Screen Sharing enhancements, and Apple Intelligence in iOS 18. 3. Apple is concerned about compromising product integrity and user privacy under the DMA's interoperability requirements.
➀ After two years of decline, AR/VR headset shipments grew by 10% in 2024, according to IDC.
➁ Meta leads the market with a 74.6% share, followed by Apple, Sony, ByteDance, and XREAL.
➂ Meta and XREAL are the only two among the top five companies that recorded year-over-year growth.
➀ Six months after the release, the USB-C version of Apple's AirPods Max will finally get lossless audio playback via USB-C.
➁ The new feature is expected to bring 'mind-blowing' sound quality and ultra-low latency audio.
➂ The official announcement suggests that the feature is targeted at audio creators.
➀ TSMC is making significant strides in its 2nm process technology;
➁ The technology is expected to be adopted in Apple's iPhone 18 family;
➂ The new iPhone is expected to be released in the second half of 2026.
1. Apple's valuation has recently corrected downwards due to trade war concerns and smartphone market saturation, but its free cash flow and stock buybacks remain strong investment points. 2. Apple has a strong track record in stock buybacks, with $95.0B worth of shares repurchased in FY 2024. 3. Despite risks of stalled iPhone growth, Apple's brand loyalty and potential new stock buyback plans make it a decent value at current valuations.
➀ The EC has charged Google with favoring its own services over rivals in its searches and ordered Apple to further open iOS to rivals’ connected devices.
➁ The EC argues that it is merely enforcing the terms of the 2022 Digital Markets Act.
➂ Many see this as the EC throwing down the gauntlet to the new US administration, which has threatened to impose tariffs on countries imposing fines on US digital services companies.