By news@appleinsider.com (Malcolm Owen) Apple is significantly increasing its R&D facilities in China, with the expansion of an applied research lab in Shanghai and a new lab constructed in Shenzhen.Shanghai [Pexels/Wolfram K]Apple’s research and development spending is huge, having forked out approximately $7.7 billion in Q1 2024 alone. In a continued expansion of its R&D efforts, it is making two moves to its operations in China.One will be the expansion of an existing applied research lab in Shanghai, which is used to improve the materials and construction of Apple’s products and components, reports China Daily. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (William Gallagher) As part of further concessions to the European Union Digital Markets Act, Apple is now saying that developers don’t need to fire up their own App Stores, and instead, they can sell apps directly from their websites later in the Spring.Apple updates how developers are affected by its EU DMA complianceSince Apple first announced how it would comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, it has faced criticism that led to a round of changes. The company has now announced further updates and changes that it says comes after feedback from developers in the EU.The most significant change is that rather than creating a third-party marketplace on iOS, developers can sell their iPhone apps directly from their own websites. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (William Gallagher) In an interview on Monday, the European Union antitrust chief said that its $2 billion fine on Apple Music was over obvious consumer harms leading to discovery issues — despite Spotify holding more than twice the market share.Spotify’s App Store icon (left), Apple Music (right)European Commission Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager has been defending the EU’s $2 billion fine, saying that it was specifically to punish past behavior and ensure Apple does not block developers offering cheaper alternatives to customers.”[The fine is] the equivalent of 0.5% of global turnover, so obviously, this is not a fine that would sort of shake Apple as such,” she told CNBC. “What it does is that it punish past behavior… and for the future, not to be able to say to their app developers, listen, you cannot tell your customers that there is a cheaper offer.” Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (Malcolm Owen) Apple’s lobbying efforts under CEO Tim Cook has continued throughout the term of President Joe Biden, with executives, lobbyists, and Cook himself visiting the White House 87 times in four years.Apple CEO Tim CookAs one of the largest companies in the world, Apple has a vested interest in politics, as Big Tech companies continue to feel pressure from the U.S. government. It seems that Apple’s efforts have been fruitful, with it sending many people to the White House.In public documents seen by the New York Post, Apple’s lobbyists and executives have visited the White House for meetings at least 87 times during Biden’s term. Visitor logs show the meetings have occurred since 2021, with the list including 11 visits by Tim Cook. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (Charles Martin) Auto-generated podcast transcripts are now available in the Apple Podcasts app, and is one of the most useful features of the recent iOS and iPadOS 17.4 update. Here’s how to try it out for yourself.The release of iOS 17.4 brought a number of new features to Apple device users, including one for podcast listeners. Starting with iOS and iPadOS 17.4, as well as macOS Sonoma 14.4, listeners to the Apple Podcasts app can access auto-generated transcripts of the shows they enjoy.Initially, only English-, French-, Spanish-, and German-language shows will get auto-generated transcripts, but Apple will likely expand the number of languages supported over time. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (Wesley Hilliard) Apple released new MacBook Pro models with M3 in October 2023, but the company isn’t ready to slow down yet. Rumors suggest that the M4 MacBook Pro lineup is already in development.Apple is already working on the M4 MacBook ProThe transition to Apple Silicon from Intel left many unknowns, like how often Apple would iterate and release chipsets. The COVID-19 pandemic threw a curveball and ruined any ability to predict the cycle early on, but rumors of M4 entering development hint at what to expect going forward.Apple Silicon entered its third generation in October 2023 with the announcement of three chipsets — M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max. It was the first time Apple announced three chips at once, leaving only the M3 Ultra for a later date. Rumor Score: 🤯 Likely Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (Wesley Hilliard) Rumor suggests that Apple’s infinite canvas app, Freeform, will get a new “Scenes” feature in iOS 18 that improves navigation across large boards.Freeform is an infinite canvas app for planning and note takingFreeform is Apple’s basic attempt at an infinite canvas app and collaboration tool. It lets users attach images, links, text, and more to a whiteboard that can scroll forever in any direction.Navigating an essentially infinite board can prove challenging without the ability to jump to different locations easily. That’s where the rumored iOS 18 feature will help. Rumor Score: 🤔 Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (Amber Neely) Apple is planning on harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to buy and place ads in its App Store, similar to how Google’s Performance Max and Meta’s Advantage+ platforms work.Apple is testing AI-powered App Store ad placementsThe company has begun testing with a small group of advertisers. The platform automatically decides the best spot to place ads within the App Store.Apple has told advertisers that it is conducting tests to see if it can improve the performance of its Apple Search Ads. A source told Business Insider that they expect the company to introduce the product in the coming months. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (William Gallagher) Porsche has launched its new Taycan Turbo GT electric vehicle, and announced a Race Engineer Cockpit app for the Apple Vision Pro.Porsche’s new racing cockpit app for Apple Vision ProPorsche has already been working with Apple on using CarPlay into older cars, and integrating it further with forthcoming versions of the app. In unveiling the firm’s new Taycan Turbo GT EV, Porsche CEO Oliver Blume also thanked Apple for its partnership.The launch included breaking an EV lap record, and part of Porsche’s launch showed Blume watching the event on an Apple Vision Pro. As well as seeing TV-style coverage, Blume could also watch the view from the car, as well as constantly-updated data. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
By news@appleinsider.com (Christine McKee) In stock with free 2-day shipping, Apple’s upgraded MacBook Pro 14-inch is $200 off. Plus, save $50 on AppleCare.Get exclusive coupon savings on this 14-inch MacBook Pro.The exclusive $200 discount* can be activated with promo code APINSIDER at Apple Authorized Reseller Adorama. This particular model in Space Black features Apple’s M3 Pro chip with an 11-core CPU and 14-core GPU. It also has a bump up to 36GB RAM and 1TB storage, double the amount found in the standard 14-inch M3 Pro model. Units are in stock with free 2-day shipping within the contiguous U.S.Use code APINSIDER Continue Reading on AppleInsider
