➀ The article highlights the top five tablet vendors in Q3 2024 based on unit shipments, with Apple leading with 12.6 million units, followed by Samsung, Amazon, Huawei, and Lenovo. ➁ It provides a list of recommended articles related to the topic. ➂ The author thanks IDC for providing the data.
Recent #Apple news in the semiconductor industry
➀ The Apple Mac Mini M4 is reviewed as a significant milestone in mini computers; ➁ It outperforms previous generations and AMD/Intel mini PCs; ➂ The M4 chip and its features are highlighted, including the M4 Pro variant and its higher cost.
➀ Apple has been considering a streaming TV stick for years; ➁ The TV market is low margin and competitive; ➂ Apple's existing TV hardware is not very profitable; ➃ A streaming stick could provide a cheaper and more accessible option for Apple TV+ services.
➀ Apple's new M4 iPad Pros are available at new low prices with Amazon deals; ➁ Discounts of up to $200 are offered on various models; ➂ The deals are available just before Black Friday.
➀ Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS) is 13% off for $349; ➁ 2022 MacBook Air with M2 chip is 25% off for $749; ➂ Apple AirPods Pro 2 are 24% off for $189.
1. Apple had a strong Q4 and FY24 with improved profitability and expanding revenues, primarily due to new product launches. 2. Their Services business, with a 74% gross margin, is crucial for profitability, but hardware sales remain essential for ecosystem growth. 3. Despite robust earnings, Apple's stock valuation is historically expensive, with a 19% overvaluation suggested by the DCF analysis. 4. Challenges include competitive pressures in China, governance risks, and massive competitive forces.
➀ A tech enthusiast in India used a Faraday cage and a microwave jammer to bypass geo-blocking and unlock the hearing aid feature on AirPods Pro; ➁ The hack allows users to use AirPods Pro as hearing aids at a significantly lower cost compared to traditional hearing aids; ➂ The tech community is sharing this DIY solution to help those in geoblocked areas access the feature.
➀ With Christmas approaching, Best Buy offers great deals on smartwatches from Apple, Samsung, and Fitbit. ➁ Apple Watch Series 9, Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic, and Fitbit Versa 4 are highlighted with discounts. ➂ Features like Fall Detection, Crash Detection, and heart rate tracking are mentioned.
➀ Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reveals that the cheaper version of Vision Pro is unlikely to arrive until after 2027; ➁ Apple plans to launch an upgraded M5 Apple silicon version in 2025, but it won't be significantly cheaper; ➂ The author expresses mixed feelings about the Vision Pro, highlighting its impressive technology but narrow use case and high price.
➀ Apple's M4 and M4 Pro chips in the new Mac mini could potentially make it a competitive gaming machine; ➁ Despite powerful hardware, the Mac mini faces challenges in attracting game developers and becoming a living room console; ➂ Apple has shown interest in the gaming market with Apple Arcade and previous console attempts.
➀ The global tablet market saw a 20.4% year-over-year growth in the third quarter, with 39.6 million units shipped. Apple shipped 12.6 million units, with a 1.4% year-over-year growth. The new iPad Pro was too expensive to sell well. Samsung and Amazon also saw significant growth. ➁ The report includes a breakdown of the top five tablet companies, their shipments, market share, and year-over-year growth. ➂ The data is provided by IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker.
➀ Apple has postponed the production of the more affordable Vision Pro beyond 2027.
➁ The delay is due to the challenge of creating successful use cases for the device, akin to the HomePod mini's struggle to gain widespread acceptance.
➂ Apple's pricing strategy is under scrutiny, as its concept of 'affordable' may still be costly compared to competitors.
➀ Apple has introduced a redesigned Mac Mini with the latest M4 and M4 Pro silicon, downsizing to 5 x 5 inches; ➁ The Mac Mini features a new power button placement on the bottom and enhanced connectivity options; ➂ The device starts at $599 for the M4 model with 10 cores and 10 GPU cores, while the M4 Pro model with 12 CPU cores and 16 GPU cores starts at $1,399.
➀ Apple has launched the new Mac Mini with M4 and M4 Pro processors; ➁ The new Mac Mini offers up to 1.8X better CPU performance and up to 2.2X better GPU performance compared to the M1-based model; ➂ The M4 Pro model features 14 CPU cores and a GPU with up to 20 cores, twice as powerful as the standard M4 GPU.
➀ Apple refreshes the 24-inch iMac with the M4 lineup of processors; ➁ The new iMacs start at $1,299 and include Thunderbolt 4 and Apple Intelligence; ➂ The entry-level model features 16GB unified memory, with options for 24GB and 32GB.
➀ The Apple Vision Pro has faced challenges with high returns and a steep price point; ➁ Apple is reportedly scaling back production to better manage supply and demand; ➂ The device lacks compelling use cases and content, despite technological advancements; ➃ Apple is considering a more affordable version for future release.
➀ Apple and the UKESF's STEM programme; ➁ Kioxia's valuation dropping from $30 billion to $5 billion in seven years; ➃ Alps Alpine's new smallest tactile switch and Littelfuse's tact switch with change-over contacts; ➄ Collaboration on a new mission for delivering the Space Capable Asteroid Robotic Explorer (SCAR-E) to the Moon's surface.
➀ ASML's orders fell far short of expectations, leading to a stock crash and dragging down the semiconductor sector;
➁ Apple quietly released the new iPad mini, pushing its stock to a new high;
➂ The Paris Motor Show opened, with Tesla returning after 5 years;
➃ China's new energy vehicle retail penetration rate reached 53.3% in September;
➄ Starbucks is reducing promotions and discounts;
➅ ASML, Ericsson, LVMH, Johnson & Johnson, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, Charles Schwab, and State Street announced earnings.
➀ PC shipments in Q3 2024 decreased by 1.3% year-on-year; ➁ AI PCs did not boost demand due to unclear benefits; ➂ The US PC market grew by 5.6% in Q3 2024, with HP leading the market.
➀ Daliangguang's revenue in September reached NT$6.524 billion, a year-on-year increase of 17.08%. The total revenue for the third quarter reached NT$18.949 billion, a year-on-year increase of 39%. However, the revenue decreased by 7.04% month-on-month in September, showing a high start and low end trend. ➁ This decline may be related to Apple's performance, as British Barclays analysts revealed that Apple may have cut orders for iPhone 16 due to lower-than-expected demand. ➂ Daliangguang, founded in 1987, is a supplier of optical lenses for many major smartphone brands, including Apple, with whom it has a legendary history in the optical industry.