Category: Apple Insider

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Apple to lead smartwatch growth through 2023, report says

 

By Mikey Campbell
Wednesday, June 19, 2019, 07:25 pm PT (10:25 pm ET)

Apple will be a primary growth driver of worldwide smartwatch sales through 2023, though its share of the market is expected to see erosion from an onslaught of competitors, according to research firm IDC.

Smartwatches are expected to lead growth in the wider wearable device segment over the next five years with shipments moving from 91.8 million units in 2019 to 131.6 million units in 2023, IDC said in a forecast released on Wednesday. The product category currently accounts for 41.2% of worldwide wearable shipments and will grow to 43.5% at the end of 2023, according to the IDC Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker.

Apple is anticipated to lead the pack and will end the five-year period with a 25.9% share of all watches, the report said. Following behind Apple Watch will be a motley crew of devices running Android, WearOS, Tizen and other first- and third-party wearable operating systems.

“Apple’s…nearest competitors follow by a long margin,” Ramon T. Llamas, research director for IDC’s Wearables team, said in a statement to CNET. “Android also plays a big role here, but it’s mostly known as a Chinese wearables platform.”

While IDC sees Apple Watch as a clear market leader, the five-year forecast terminates in a number slightly down from recent estimates. In March, the research firm said Apple clinched a 26.8% share of the smartwatch market in 2018 on 46.2 million shipments, up 39.5% year-over-year.

According to IDC, watches and “earwear,” like AirPods, will dominate the overall wearables sector come 2023, combining for a whopping 78.3% share of the market. Wristbands, like those popularized by Fitbit, are predicted to account for an 18.2% marketshare, up only 0.3% between 2019 to 2023.

In total, IDC anticipates 302.3 million wearable device shipments in 2023.

Today’s results are modified down from predictions aired in March, which pegged Apple to take 27.5% of all smartwatch shipments at the end of 2023. The earlier report also quoted total wearable device shipments at 279 million units over the same period.

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Tim Cook jumps to 69th spot on Glassdoor’s list of top CEOs

 

By AppleInsider Staff
Tuesday, June 18, 2019, 10:15 pm PT (01:15 am ET)

Apple chief Tim Cook on Tuesday was once again named to job website Glassdoor’s list of the top 100 CEOs in America, marking his seventh consecutive appearance on the annual employee rankings chart.

Cook achieved an average 92% approval rating to take the No. 69 spot on Glassdoor’s Employees’ Choice Awards, up significantly from last year’s 96th place finish. He was ranked 17th in Canada with a 94% approval in that country.

Cook’s best result came in 2016 when the executive reached the No. 8 spot with a 96% approval rating.

As noted by CNET, Cook is among a total of 27 tech sector executives to make the top 100 CEOs list for the U.S. in 2019.

VMware’s Pat Gelsinger took first position with an impressive 99% approval, while T-Mobile’s John Legere, Adobe’s Shantanu Narayen and Microsoft’s Satya Nadella landed in the No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 spots, respectively. Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, the only other tech executive aside from Cook to make the list since its inception, fell from No. 16 in 2018 to No. 55 this year.

Glassdoor forms its list by calculating results from anonymous employee reviews collected over the past year, according to a press release. More specifically, employees are asked whether they approve, disapprove or have no opinion about their CEO’s performance.

The Employees’ Choice Awards ranks 100 top CEOs in the U.S., 50 in the UK, 25 in Canada and 10 each for France and Germany.

Under Cook, Apple has become one of the world’s most valuable companies, though much of its success is derived from a single product: iPhone. The executive is an outspoken proponent of human rights, often leveraging his station to forward not only business-related initiatives like consumer privacy, but also wedge issues like LGBT equality.

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B&H Mega Deal Zone: Apple hardware slashed by up to $1,000

 

By Christine McKee
Monday, June 17, 2019, 10:08 pm PT (01:08 am ET)

B&H Photo is knocking up to $2,279 off electronics during its Mega Deal Zone Event, including hundreds of dollars off Apple MacBook Pros, iMacs and iPads. Prices start at just $499 for the Apple devices, with bonus perks, from sales tax rebates to free expedited shipping.

This Mega Deal Zone Event is courtesy of Apple Authorized Reseller B&H Photo and boasts cash discounts of up to $2,100 off electronics from popular brands, including Apple, Sennheiser, Samsung and more. Quantities may be limited at the reduced prices and the offers may sell out at any time. In addition to the markdowns, shoppers in eligible states can also receive a sales tax refund with B&H’s Payboo Credit Card, and most items qualify for free expedited shipping within the contiguous U.S.

Mega Deals

Shoppers can find all of the deals on B&H’s Mega Deal Zone page, with Apple bargains highlighted below. These prices, which ring in as the lowest available, can also be found in our Apple Price Guide.

$499 Mac mini

Up to $1,000 off MacBook Pros

Up to $700 off iMacs

$560 off iPad Pros

Top Apple deals

AppleInsider has partnered with top Apple Authorized Resellers to bring you many exclusive promo code Apple discounts. Top offers can be found below, while a full list of the best bargains can be viewed 24/7 in our Apple Price Guide.

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Apple’s Tim Cook warns about ‘chaos’ & surveillance in Stanford speech

 

By Roger Fingas
Sunday, June 16, 2019, 03:23 pm PT (06:23 pm ET)

Apple CEO Tim Cook took an unusually dark tone in part of a Stanford University commencement speech on Sunday, highlighting the “chaos” caused by Silicon Valley, and the threat of corporate and government surveillance.

Tim Cook at Stanford

“Lately it seems this industry is becoming better known for a less noble innovation — the belief you can claim credit without accepting responsibility,” Cook said, quoted by CNBC. “We see it every day now with every data breach, every privacy violation, every blind eye turned to hate speech, fake news poisoning out national conversation, the false miracles in exchange for a single drop of your blood.

“It feels a bit crazy that anyone should have to say this, but if you built a chaos factory, you can’t dodge responsibility for the chaos,” he argued.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ6bRYJAr4o?start=4339&w=560&h=315]

The CEO’s comments reference not just privacy scandals at companies like Amazon, Facebook, and Google, but growing pressure on Facebook and Twitter to direct the same level of censorship at white supremacists and neo-Nazis that until recently was reserved for groups like ISIS. He also made reference to Russia’s interference in U.S. elections, and Theranos, an infamous startup that raised hundreds of millions of dollars towards blood testing technology that never worked.

On surveillance Cook said that it could have “stopped Silicon Valley before it got started,” and that people shouldn’t treat mass data collection as normal.

“If we accept as normal and unavoidable that everything in our lives can be aggregated, sold and even leaked in the event of a hack, then we lose so much more than data. We lose the freedom to be human,” he said.

Apple has increasingly made privacy a focus of its marketing, to the point of introducing a “Sign in with Apple” button in iOS 13 that eliminates the tracking associated with Facebook, Google, and Twitter sign-ins.

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ICYMI: iOS SCUBA diving HUD, Hot Wheels Smart Track, Quad 4K dock & more

During the week we don’t always have time to cover everything, so here are a few releases this week that went under the radar including a new iOS compatible dive computer, a futuristic Hot Wheel set, and more.

SCUBAPRO Galileo HUD

SCUBAPRO Galileo HUD

SCUBAPRO Galileo HUD

SCUBAPRO has launched a new mask-mounted dive computer that works wirelessly with iOS devices and Macs.

The Galileo HUD dive computer is built on the popular Galileo 2 wrist-worn dive computer but built into a more convenient heads-up display. By bringing a display right into view instead of affixed to your wrist or your console, divers can keep their surroundings in view. It allows divers to see their critical dive information such as bottom time, NDL, ascent/descent rate, and remaining air through their mask on a full-color OLED panel.

SCUBAPRO Galileo HUD

SCUBAPRO Galileo HUD

Galileo HUD is both Trimix and Nitrox compatible thanks to the included gas-integration transmitter. It can be mounted to many popular SCUBAPRO masks.

Post-dive, dive information can be transferred wirelessly via Bluetooth through to an iOS device or Mac (as well as Android and PCs) with the SCUBAPRO LogTRAK software.

The Galileo HUD dive computer is available on Amazon for $1,699 with the air transmitter bundled.

Hot Wheels id

Hot Wheels is bringing its popular cars to the future with Hot Wheels id. Available exclusively at Apple Stores, this new track and car set still features high-quality die cast cars but with embedded NFC chips that allow you to add them to the app and keep track of stuff like their speed around the track.

Hot Wheels id

There is also a new track available that has been redesigned, while still somewhat working with pervious Hot Wheels track.the new track works with the Race Portal which is how you add cars to the app and helps monitor their speed, total distance traveled, and more. The new track also enhances jumping, racing, and — of course — crashing.

Each car will run you $6.99, the Race Portal comes in at $39.99 and the Smart Track Kit is $179.99.

Orico M.2 transparent SSD enclosure

Orico has unveiled a transparent series M.2 NVMe SSD hard drive enclosure. The new enclosure supports UASP and TRIM, and connects through USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port. Orico claims that the enclosure can read & write up to 950 megabytes per second, assuming the drive is fast enough.

Drives up to 2TB are supported, and the enclosure fits the 2230, 2242, 2260, and 2280 sizes.

The enclosure retails for $39.99 without a drive, and is available with a heatsink in a variety of colors. A USB-C to USB-C and USB-A to USB-C cable is included.

Targus Quad 4K Docking Station

The new Targus DOCK570USZ docking station uses DisplayLink to allow a single host to connect to four DisplayPort monitors at 3840 x 2160 at 60Hz, or HDMI displays at 3840 x 2160 at 50Hz. Beyond just the displays, the dock provides up to 100W of power to an upstream device via the USB 3.1 type C connector, and has four USB-A ports connecting at USB 3.0 speed.

Network connectivity is supplied by a Gigabit Ethernet port, and it also has a 3.5mm combination audio in and out port.

The Targus DOCK570USZ retails for $399. It debuted at the InfoComm trade show, and will be available for purchase “later in 2019” according to the company.

Other notable releases

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Apple’s iOS soft keyboard target of new patent lawsuit

Apple’s vaunted iOS keyboard, a piece of user interface technology that helped usher in the smartphone revolution, is in infringement of a nearly 20-year-old patent covering similar input solutions, according to a new lawsuit.

Illustration of Higginson’s “Universal keyboard.” | Source: USPTO

Filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, a patent suit from Princeps Interface Technologies alleges Apple’s keyboard infringes on the work of Timothy Higginson, a technology industry lawyer and inventor.

At issue is Higginson’s U.S. Patent No. 6,703,963 for a “Universal keyboard.”

Filed in 2002 and granted in 2004, the intellectual property covers a multifunctional input device in which a set of static keys are programmed to output command signals based on a plurality of functional modes. An example provided presents functional sets, or modes, relating to email, PDA, fax and internet inputs.

These modes are further divided into multi-level domains which, when selected, dynamically change the output model of the device’s keys. For example, alphanumeric mode domains might display different sets of words, symbols or numbers, while domains in an internet navigator mode display URLs. Users can access more than one mode at any given time.

Other keys on the device are dedicated to traditional controls found on QWERTY keyboards. Patent language describes these keys as covering Esc, Alt, Ctrl, Shift, Caps Lock, Tab, Enter, Backspace and other typical inputs. A cursor control, in this case a joystick, is also offered.

According to the lawsuit, the ‘963 patent resolves “technical problems related to data input devices, and particularly, to problems related to the utilization of small profile data input devices.” More specifically, the input device adapts the QWERTY keyboard for one-handed or two-thumb use.

Apple debuted its first onscreen keyboard for a portable device with iPhone in 2007. Offering basic functionality at launch, the UI has been refined over more than a decade to include advanced features like AI-powered predictive text, multi-function key support, gesture integration and more. Apple is slated to introduce a new swipe-to-type keyboard called QuickPath when iOS 13 and iPadOS see release this fall.

Princeps appears to be a non-practicing entity created for the sole purpose of leveraging Higginson’s patents in court actions. The firm owns six properties invented by Higginson that were previously assigned to Yuvee, a tech consultancy and UI development firm he founded in 2004. While Yuvee holds active status in some third-party corporate databases, the company seemingly shuttered in 2016.

Princeps in its suit seeks damages and legal fees from Apple.

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Apple reportedly requires Comcast and Charter to sell iPad, Apple TV as part of iPhone deal

 

By Mikey Campbell
Thursday, June 13, 2019, 03:09 pm PT (06:09 pm ET)

In a bid to gain access to Apple’s popular iPhone, mobile industry newcomers Charter and Comcast reportedly agreed to somewhat onerous terms that require the cable giants to also sell iPad and Apple TV, some of which are offered with carrier subsidies.

Citing people familiar with the matter, CNBC reports Charter and Comcast agreed to Apple’s stipulations in return for access to iPhone. The deal was inked some two years ago, months prior to the launch of Charter and Comcast’s respective mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) services.

Comcast, which operates Xfinity Mobile, needs to sell a preset number of iPads at a subsidized cost, the report said. Along with a quota “in the thousands,” the arrangement sees Comcast eat the difference between iPad’s retail cost and the final subsidized rate.

For example, a 64GB iPad mini with cellular connectivity costs $492.99 through Comcast, while the same device sells for $529 on the online Apple store. Charter’s Spectrum Mobile MVNO does not stock iPad mini, but a 6th generation cellular-enabled 9.7-inch iPad listed on the carrier’s website carries a price tag commensurate with retail.

While Apple reported strong iPad revenue for the first quarter of 2019, the deal with Comcast was made at a time when sales were slumping. The report suggests Apple added terms to Comcast’s iPhone agreement in an attempt to goose sales of the then-struggling tablet line.

Details of Charter’s iPhone arrangement could not be learned, but the company does provide customers the option to add a 32GB Apple TV to their existing Spectrum cable subscription for $7.50 a month. After doling out $180 over a 24-month period, customers can keep the Apple TV. Alternatively, subscribers can lease a Charter set-top box for the same monthly fee, but are not allowed to keep the device when the contract expires.

Sources say the deal has helped Charter become the largest third-party seller of Apple TV units.

Thanks to iPhone’s mass appeal, Apple is able to leverage advantageous deals from the world’s largest wireless carriers. In Japan, for example, market leader NTT DoCoMo reportedly promised a 40 percent quota to get its hands on iPhone after losing marketshare to competitors that had access to the popular handset. A similar scheme in Korea landed Apple in hot water with local antitrust authorities in 2018.

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Apple Blowout Sale: Macs as low as $499, savings up to $900 off

 

By Christine McKee
Wednesday, June 12, 2019, 08:12 pm PT (11:12 pm ET)

B&H has slashed prices on new and closeout Apple hardware, with upgraded Macs as low as $499. Save up to $900 instantly on everything from MacBook Pros to iPads and Apple Watches, with free expedited shipping and special financing incentives. Shop the Apple sale today, as many of these discounts won’t last long.

Apple Sale at BH Photo


Apple Sale at B&H

$499 Macs and more

Kicking off the savings event, B&H has issued a $500 discount on Apple’s last-gen Mac mini. This configuration features a faster 2.8GHz Core i5 processor compared to the standard model, as well as a 1TB Fusion drive.

Along with Mac mini deals, B&H is making room for 2019 MacBook Pros by clearing out 2018 inventory with Apple discounts of up to $900 off. Like the Mac mini offer, these prices are the lowest available, according to our MacBook Pro Price Guide.

Apple’s 2017 iMacs are also discounted heavily during the blowout sale, with prices starting at $899 for iMac 4K systems and $1,399 for the larger 27-inch iMac 5K. These are the lowest prices we’ve ever seen on the 2017 desktop Macs.

Shoppers in eligible states can also take advantage of an instant sales tax loyalty rebate with B&H’s Payboo Card.

Mac mini with upgrades on sale for $499

Up to $900 off 2018 15″ MacBook Pros

Lowest prices ever on 2017 iMacs

New price drops: $560 off iPad Pros

Apple iPad Pro


Apple’s 2017 iPad Pro

Fresh price cuts are also in effect on Apple’s 2017 iPad Pros, with loaded 512GB models with Wi-Fi + Cellular capability falling to just $719 with free expedited shipping within the contiguous U.S. This represents $560 cash savings off MSRP, with optional AppleCare available for $129. These are the absolute lowest prices available, with many other Apple retailers charging hundreds of dollars more, according to our iPad Pro Price Guide.

iPad deals

Up to $420 off Apple Watches

Apple Watch blowout deals


Apple Watch blowout deals

Triple digit markdowns on Apple Watch Series 3 and Series 4 devices are also in effect at B&H Photo, with savings of up to $420 off. A variety of styles are on sale, from Nike+ models for working out, to sleek Space Black Stainless devices with Milanese Loop bands. Top picks can be found below, with more Apple Watch deals in our Price Guide.

Apple Watch Series 4 price drops

Apple Watch Series 3 (Stainless Steel) + free gift

Apple Watch Series 3 (Aluminum) + free gift

Additional Apple Deals

AppleInsider and Apple Authorized Resellers are also running a variety of exclusive promotions this month on Apple devices that deliver the lowest prices anywhere. These deals are as follows:

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Apple’s new protections for kids could force PBS to pull its apps

 

By Andrew O’Hara
Tuesday, June 11, 2019, 08:55 pm PT (11:55 pm ET)

Paula Kerger, Public Broadcasting Company president and CEO, warns that the popular “PBS Kids” streaming app may be pulled from the App Store due to Apple’s new privacy policies covering apps marketed to children.

Young girl using an iPad

Young girl using an iPad mini

Kerger aired concerns about the App Store in an interview at Recode’s 2019 Code Conference on Tuesday, saying the guidelines will prevent PBS from accurately evaluating whether its content and game features are working. Further, the rules could hinder the broadcaster’s ability to increase its apps’ effectiveness as educational tools.

Apple recently announced plans to limit data sharing in apps marketed to children. Starting Sept. 3, apps in the kids section of the App Store will no longer be able to integrate third-party advertising or analytics software. They also will not be allowed to transmit in-app data to third parties.

While the change is meant to have a positive impact by protecting children, it seems some companies developing beneficial software might be affected as an unintended consequence. PBS, a non-profit organization, does not aim to make money from kids, Kerger explained.

“We’ll have to pull down the apps, and we have millions of kids that are using our apps. So it’s a challenge,” she said. “We’re not selling stuff to kids.”

The PBS Kids streaming app has millions of users who would be negatively impacted should the app shutter. Kerger is reaching out to Apple in hopes of opening up a dialogue on how to best move forward. “Sit down and talk to us,” she implored to Apple and other platform operators.

Apple officially announced the new changes coming to apps intended for children at its Worldwide Developer Conference at the beginning of June.

The company has faced scrutiny over its handling of third-party apps that market device monitoring and parental control features that seemingly compete with its own Screen Time feature in iOS. In April, a New York Times report highlighted what appeared to be the targeted removal of apps designed to help users limit the time they and their children spend using devices like iPhone and iPad. Apple contested the claim, saying apps were pulled for their overzealous application of potentially invasive MDM technology.

Following an outcry from developers, Apple eased up on restrictions pertaining to apps that rely on MDM and VPN tech. Still, in an update to its App Store Review Guidelines, the company maintains “apps may not sell, use, or disclose to third parties any data for any purpose.”

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Goldman Sachs exec says winning customer loyalty with Apple Card more important than profitability

 

By Mikey Campbell
Monday, June 10, 2019, 07:05 pm PT (10:05 pm ET)

The head of Apple Card partner Goldman Sachs’ consumer banking business in an interview on Monday addressed concerns that the new credit card offering is not structured for maximum profitability, and implied customer engagement is more important than sheer financial gain.

Speaking at Business Insider’s IGNITION: Transforming Finance event on Monday, Omer Ismail, who leads Goldman’s Marcus division, said the fledgling online bank is using Apple Card’s unique customer-first features to gain a toehold in a new market.

Unveiled at a special Apple event in March, Apple Card was created for a digital world, with iPhone-enabled NFC capabilities and unique tools to help users keep track of and manage their expenses. Interest rates offered by Goldman are not the most competitive, but connected features in Apple Wallet urge customers to pay off their balance before incurring debt.

A true Apple product, Apple Card also boasts suite of platform-specific features designed to ensure user privacy and security. For example, Goldman is disallowed from using customer data for external or internal advertising purposes beyond a slice of information for internal reporting.

Due to its unique set of features — lack of fees, encouragement to pay less interest, no access to customer data — Apple Card is believed to be less profitable for its backers than a traditional credit card. A report in May claimed worries over profits led Citigroup, and potentially other major banks, to withdraw from negotiations to partner with Apple on the new card scheme.

Ismail, however, believes the features presented by Apple Card are in both the bank’s and the customers’ best interests.

“When I think about Marcus overall, the idea that doing right by the customer means being less profitable is just not an idea we subscribe to,” Ismail said. “If you do right by the customer, you’re going to ultimately win their loyalty.”

Launched five years ago, Marcus is a relative newcomer to the consumer finance segment. Goldman has rapidly built out the division’s product lineup through a series of acquisitions that includes credit card firm Final, which laid the groundwork for the banking giant’s first credit card offering in Apple Card.

Ismail notes Marcus lacks “legacy” business models and technology, suggesting a more streamlined outfit that can operate at a lower cost as compared to lumbering credit rivals. This agility, along with Marcus’ eagerness to get a foot in the door, puts the Goldman division in good position to take on a project like Apple Card.

Apple Card is due for release this summer.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rE8DqSadUjg&w=560&h=315]