Apple's delay in rolling out its generative AI upgrade for Siri raises concerns about their AI strategy. Tech analyst John Gruber criticizes the setback, suggesting Apple's focus on data privacy may hinder AI advancements. Even though competitors like Amazon and Google lead in AI features, Apple remains the most valuable company despite recent market performance dips.
Utah has enacted a law requiring app store operators like Apple and Google to verify children's ages for app downloads, starting in May. Social media platforms welcome the move, which aims to empower parents in overseeing their teens' app usage. However, the Chamber of Progress warns the law could face legal challenges over privacy concerns.
Apple plans to introduce Apple Watch models with built-in cameras by 2027 to enhance AI functionalities, informed by Mark Gurman of Bloomberg. These watches aim to provide contextual information about users' surroundings, marking an expansion of Apple's Visual Intelligence feature and a move towards in-house AI technology. the tech giant is aiming to introduce camera-equipped Apple Watches by 2027, as it looks to strengthen its position in the AI wearables segment, currently led by players like Meta.
China reassured foreign corporate leaders of its business prospects as Vice Premier He Lifeng met Apple and other major international firms, emphasizing its resilient economy. The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade encouraged Apple's supply-chain cooperation. Despite fewer American CEOs, U.S. firms remained optimistic about investing in China, with Corning CEO expressing long-term confidence.
Apple TV+, despite its popular shows and 45 million subscribers, is still a financial loss for Apple, costing over $1 billion annually. The company is reducing spending on films and focusing on direct-to-streaming releases. Apple's substantial overall profits cushion these losses as it aims to build the streaming service's long-term profitability.
Wipro Enterprises and Lakshmi Machine Works are set to join Apple's list of Indian suppliers, alongside Tata Group, Motherson Group, Aequs, and Bharat Forge. This move is aimed at de-risking Apple's supply chain and reducing dependence on China while strengthening its presence in India. Apple is leveraging local suppliers to lower costs and enhance supply chain resilience.
Apple lost an appeal against a regulatory ruling in Germany subjecting the tech giant to stricter controls. The German court supported the 2023 classification of Apple as a 'company of paramount cross-market significance for competition,' aligning it with Google and Meta. The court's decision follows scrutiny over Apple's data collection practices via its App Store.
Apple will begin exporting AirPods from India in April, assembling them at Foxconn's new Hyderabad facility. Initially, quantities will be small, but production will ramp up over the next few months. This move comes as Apple diversifies manufacturing away from China in response to rising costs and tariffs. India aims to attract more electronics production with lowered tariffs.
Calculations based on the data from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) showed that during the month shipments of foreign-branded phones in China decreased to 4.398 million units from 5.542 million units a year earlier.
In India, Apple is likely to take a similar route of integrating with Google, which has in turn partnered with Indian telecom operators Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio.
Apple successfully prevented Tinder-owner Match and a startup group in India from accessing its commercially sensitive data within an antitrust case. A CCI investigation accused Apple of market exploitation, but Apple denies wrongdoing. The final ruling could result in fines or changes to Apple's practices. Apple disputes the case's findings, which awaits a final ruling.
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