Major changes are ahead for creators on entertainment subscription platform Patreon.
\nBeginning in November, Apple will require Patreon to use the tech giant\u2019s in-app purchasing system and remove all other billing systems from the Patreon iOS app.
\nAs Patreon wrote in a news release Monday (Aug. 12), this has two \u201cmajor consequences\u201d for creators. For one, Apple will begin applying its 30% App Store fee to all new subscribers who buy their memberships from the Patreon iOS app, in addition the same fee for anything purchased from a creator\u2019s Patreon shop.
\nIn addition, any creator now using first-of-the-month or per-creation billing plans will need to switch to subscription billing to continue earning in the iOS app, as that\u2019s the only billing type supported by Apple\u2019s in-app purchase system.
\nThe fee will not impact existing Patreon members, but only new memberships purchased from the iOS app from November onward.
\n\u201cWe didn\u2019t choose this path, but we\u2019re focusing our resources on making subscription billing an even better experience for creators and fans,\u201d Patreon wrote. \u201cThis will take time and we\u2019re committed to making it happen for every creator.\u201d
\nPYMNTS has contacted Apple for comment but has not yet received a reply.
\nTo help creators navigate the changes, Patreon says it has developed an optional tool that can automatically increase creator\u2019s prices \u2014 only in the iOS app \u2014 to offset the cost of Apple\u2019s fee.
\n\u201cThis way, you\u2019ll continue to earn at least the same amount per membership as you do on all other platforms,\u201d the news release said.\u00a0\u201cThat said, you deserve the chance to decide whether that\u2019s something you want. So, while the automatic price increase is the default option, you also have the choice to keep your prices the same and pay the 30% fee from your earnings.\u201d
\nThe news comes days after Apple said it was changing its Digital Markets Act compliance plan in response to the European Commission alleging that the company is stifling competition on its App Store. As reported here last week, Apple will allow developers to promote offers for purchases available at a platform of their choice, including another app marketplace, app or website.
\nThe post Apple Requiring Patreon to Switch to In-App Purchase System appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Major changes are ahead for creators on entertainment subscription platform Patreon.\nBeginning in November, Apple will require Patreon to use the tech giant\u2019s in-app purchasing system and remove all other billing systems from the Patreon iOS app.\nAs Patreon wrote in a news release Monday (Aug. 12), this has two \u201cmajor consequences\u201d for creators. For one, Apple will begin applying its 30% App Store fee to all new subscribers who buy their memberships from the Patreon iOS app, in addition the same fee for anything purchased from a creator\u2019s Patreon shop.\nIn addition, any creator now using first-of-the-month or per-creation billing plans will need to switch to subscription billing to continue earning in the iOS app, as that\u2019s the only billing type supported by Apple\u2019s in-app purchase system.\nThe fee will not impact existing Patreon members, but only new memberships purchased from the iOS app from November onward.\n\u201cWe didn\u2019t choose this path, but we\u2019re focusing our resources on making subscription billing an even better experience for creators and fans,\u201d Patreon wrote. \u201cThis will take time and we\u2019re committed to making it happen for every creator.\u201d\nPYMNTS has contacted Apple for comment but has not yet received a reply.\nTo help creators navigate the changes, Patreon says it has developed an optional tool that can automatically increase creator\u2019s prices \u2014 only in the iOS app \u2014 to offset the cost of Apple\u2019s fee.\n\u201cThis way, you\u2019ll continue to earn at least the same amount per membership as you do on all other platforms,\u201d the news release said.\u00a0\u201cThat said, you deserve the chance to decide whether that\u2019s something you want. So, while the automatic price increase is the default option, you also have the choice to keep your prices the same and pay the 30% fee from your earnings.\u201d\nThe news comes days after Apple said it was changing its Digital Markets Act compliance plan in response to the European Commission alleging that the company is stifling competition on its App Store. As reported here last week, Apple will allow developers to promote offers for purchases available at a platform of their choice, including another app marketplace, app or website.\nThe post Apple Requiring Patreon to Switch to In-App Purchase System appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-08-12T14:37:29-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-08-12T14:37:29-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Patreon-Apple-app-store.jpg", "tags": [ "App Store", "Apple", "Apple App Store", "Big Tech", "creators", "iOs", "News", "Patreon", "PYMNTS News", "subscription commerce", "subscriptions", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2049530", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/apple/2024/apple-updates-app-store-terms-after-criticism-from-european-commission/", "title": "Apple Updates App Store Terms After Criticism From European Commission", "content_html": "Apple is changing its Digital Markets Act compliance plan in response to the European Commission\u2019s accusation that the company is stifling competition on its App Store.
\n\u201cWe\u2019re introducing updated terms that will apply this fall for developers with apps in the European Union storefronts of the App Store that use the StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement,\u201d Apple said in a Thursday (Aug. 8) announcement.
\nOne of the key changes is that developers can promote offers for purchases available at a destination of their choice, including another app marketplace, app or website, according to the announcement.
\n\u201cDevelopers may design and execute within their apps the communication and promotion of offers,\u201d the announcement added. \u201cThis includes providing information about prices of subscriptions or any other offer available both within or outside the app, and providing explanations or instructions about how to subscribe to offers outside the application.\u201d
\nOther key changes allow developers to use an actionable link that can take users to their destination, to use any number of URLs, and to provide links with parameters, redirects and intermediate links to landing pages, per the announcement.
\n\u201cUpdated business terms for apps with the External Purchase Link Entitlement are being introduced to align with the changes to these capabilities,\u201d the announcement said.
\nApple said in the update that it made these changes in response to a June announcement by the European Commission.
\nThat announcement, in which the European Commission accused Apple of stifling competition in its App Store, marked the first time that European Union regulators used new digital rules against a Big Tech company, PYMNTS reported at the time.
\nThe accusations came as part of the EU\u2019s effort to enforce its Digital Markets Act, which aims to open the market and level the playing field for startups.
\nOne of the main concerns raised by the regulators focused on the restrictions Apple imposes on developers\u2019 ability to direct their customers to promotions outside the App Store.
\nMargrethe Vestager, the EU\u2019s executive vice president in charge of digital policy, said at the time: \u201cThe DMA is not an excessive ask. [It] is plain vanilla to ask for a fair, open and contestable marketplace.\u201d
\nThe post Apple Updates App Store Terms After Criticism From European Commission appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Apple is changing its Digital Markets Act compliance plan in response to the European Commission\u2019s accusation that the company is stifling competition on its App Store.\n\u201cWe\u2019re introducing updated terms that will apply this fall for developers with apps in the European Union storefronts of the App Store that use the StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement,\u201d Apple said in a Thursday (Aug. 8) announcement.\nOne of the key changes is that developers can promote offers for purchases available at a destination of their choice, including another app marketplace, app or website, according to the announcement.\n\u201cDevelopers may design and execute within their apps the communication and promotion of offers,\u201d the announcement added. \u201cThis includes providing information about prices of subscriptions or any other offer available both within or outside the app, and providing explanations or instructions about how to subscribe to offers outside the application.\u201d\nOther key changes allow developers to use an actionable link that can take users to their destination, to use any number of URLs, and to provide links with parameters, redirects and intermediate links to landing pages, per the announcement.\n\u201cUpdated business terms for apps with the External Purchase Link Entitlement are being introduced to align with the changes to these capabilities,\u201d the announcement said.\nApple said in the update that it made these changes in response to a June announcement by the European Commission.\nThat announcement, in which the European Commission accused Apple of stifling competition in its App Store, marked the first time that European Union regulators used new digital rules against a Big Tech company, PYMNTS reported at the time.\nThe accusations came as part of the EU\u2019s effort to enforce its Digital Markets Act, which aims to open the market and level the playing field for startups.\nOne of the main concerns raised by the regulators focused on the restrictions Apple imposes on developers\u2019 ability to direct their customers to promotions outside the App Store.\nMargrethe Vestager, the EU\u2019s executive vice president in charge of digital policy, said at the time: \u201cThe DMA is not an excessive ask. [It] is plain vanilla to ask for a fair, open and contestable marketplace.\u201d\nThe post Apple Updates App Store Terms After Criticism From European Commission appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-08-08T15:38:52-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-08-08T15:38:52-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Apple-app-store-1.jpg", "tags": [ "Antitrust", "App Store", "Apple", "Big Tech", "Digital Markets Act", "EU", "European Commission", "international", "News", "PYMNTS News", "regulations", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2021765", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/apple/2024/buffetts-berkshire-hathaway-cuts-stake-in-apple-by-half/", "title": "Buffett\u2019s Berkshire Hathaway Cuts Stake in Apple by Half", "content_html": "Billionaire investor Warren Buffett\u2019s firm has reportedly cut its stake in Apple by half.
\nAs the Financial Times (FT) reported Saturday (Aug. 3), this reduction came as Buffett sold off $76 billion in stocks. His company, Berkshire Hathaway, reduced its Apple holdings by more than $50 billion to $84.2 billion during the second quarter, the report said.\u00a0
\nThe data indicates that Berkshire sold around 390 million Apple shares, or about half of its stake, per calculations by the FT. Selling the stocks gives Berkshire a record $277 billion in cash holdings, the report said.
\nBuffett began scaling back Berkshire\u2019s Apple stake last year, and in May reduced it again by around 13%. The billionaire indicated at the time that the sale was connected to his wish to avoid a higher tax bill if rates go higher to cover an increasing U.S. fiscal deficit.
\n\u201cIt doesn\u2019t bother me in the least to write that check and I would really hope with all that America\u2019s done for all of you, it shouldn\u2019t bother you that we do it and if I\u2019m doing it at 21% this year and we\u2019re doing it a little higher percentage later on, I don\u2019t think you\u2019ll actually mind the fact that we sold a little Apple this year,\u201d Buffett said.
\nThe sale came on the heels of Apple\u2019s quarterly earnings report, which included some discussion of the company\u2019s coming artificial intelligence (AI) features, dubbed Apple Intelligence.
\n\u201cIt will transform how users interact with technology, from writing tools to help you express yourself to image playground \u2014 which gives you the ability to create fun images and communicate in new ways \u2014 to powerful tools to summarize and prioritize notifications,” CEO Tim Cook said.
\nAs Apple Intelligence evolves, he said, the company is weaving ChatGPT into experiences within iPhone, Mac and iPad, he said, adding that AI has \u201cextraordinary possibilities.\u201d\u00a0
\nDuring the question-and-answer session with analysts, Cook argued that Apple Intelligence will offer a \u201ccompelling\u201d reason for users to upgrade their devices.
\nAs PYMNTS wrote, investor reaction to the report indicated \u201cwhat might be termed a muted response to at least some of the numbers and the commentary. \u2026 Call it, perhaps a \u2018show me\u2019 reaction on the part of investors, particularly where AI is concerned.\u201d
\n\u00a0
\nThe post Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Cuts Stake in Apple by Half appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Billionaire investor Warren Buffett\u2019s firm has reportedly cut its stake in Apple by half.\nAs the Financial Times (FT) reported Saturday (Aug. 3), this reduction came as Buffett sold off $76 billion in stocks. His company, Berkshire Hathaway, reduced its Apple holdings by more than $50 billion to $84.2 billion during the second quarter, the report said.\u00a0\nThe data indicates that Berkshire sold around 390 million Apple shares, or about half of its stake, per calculations by the FT. Selling the stocks gives Berkshire a record $277 billion in cash holdings, the report said.\nBuffett began scaling back Berkshire\u2019s Apple stake last year, and in May reduced it again by around 13%. The billionaire indicated at the time that the sale was connected to his wish to avoid a higher tax bill if rates go higher to cover an increasing U.S. fiscal deficit.\n\u201cIt doesn\u2019t bother me in the least to write that check and I would really hope with all that America\u2019s done for all of you, it shouldn\u2019t bother you that we do it and if I\u2019m doing it at 21% this year and we\u2019re doing it a little higher percentage later on, I don\u2019t think you\u2019ll actually mind the fact that we sold a little Apple this year,\u201d Buffett said.\nThe sale came on the heels of Apple\u2019s quarterly earnings report, which included some discussion of the company\u2019s coming artificial intelligence (AI) features, dubbed Apple Intelligence.\n\u201cIt will transform how users interact with technology, from writing tools to help you express yourself to image playground \u2014 which gives you the ability to create fun images and communicate in new ways \u2014 to powerful tools to summarize and prioritize notifications,” CEO Tim Cook said.\nAs Apple Intelligence evolves, he said, the company is weaving ChatGPT into experiences within iPhone, Mac and iPad, he said, adding that AI has \u201cextraordinary possibilities.\u201d\u00a0\nDuring the question-and-answer session with analysts, Cook argued that Apple Intelligence will offer a \u201ccompelling\u201d reason for users to upgrade their devices.\nAs PYMNTS wrote, investor reaction to the report indicated \u201cwhat might be termed a muted response to at least some of the numbers and the commentary. \u2026 Call it, perhaps a \u2018show me\u2019 reaction on the part of investors, particularly where AI is concerned.\u201d\n\u00a0\nThe post Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Cuts Stake in Apple by Half appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-08-04T16:26:09-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-08-04T16:27:39-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Warren-Buffett-Apple.jpg", "tags": [ "Apple", "Apple AI", "Apple Intelligence", "Berkshire Hathaway", "News", "PYMNTS News", "Warren Buffett", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2021287", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/apple/2024/report-apple-tells-wechat-parent-tencent-to-eliminate-payment-loopholes/", "title": "Report: Apple Tells WeChat Parent Tencent to Eliminate Payment Loopholes", "content_html": "Apple is reportedly pressuring the makers of China\u2019s most popular apps \u2014 WeChat and Douyin \u2014 to stop allowing in-app creators to steer users to payment systems outside the Apple platform.
\nThe iPhone maker has threatened to reject updates to WeChat from Tencent Holdings and to Douyin from ByteDance unless the companies close those loopholes, Bloomberg reported Friday (Aug. 2).
\nAn Apple spokesperson said in the report that the company\u2019s guidelines specify that the sale of all digital goods must go through its system and that it may reject app submissions that violate that policy.
\nTencent accepted Apple\u2019s demand that it eliminate links used by mini-game developers to accept payment outside the Apple platform but has disputed the company\u2019s demand that it disable an in-game messaging system, according to the report. Tencent has said that the messaging feature is important to the user experience.
\nByteDance closed similar loopholes on its Douyin app after Apple asked it to do so, the report said.
\nThe iPhone maker polices its app ecosystem to preserve quality and security, per the report.
\nAt the same time, its moves targeting Tencent and ByteDance come at a time when it is dealing with challenges in the Chinese market and facing regulatory scrutiny around the world, according to the report.
\nA standoff with Tencent, which is a dominant player in internet content in China, could add another conflict to those already faced by Apple, per the report.
\nIt was reported in July that after winning a lawsuit in China, Apple asked the court to edit the ruling it handed down to eliminate its references to Apple having a \u201cdominant position\u201d and to the potential that the firm\u2019s \u201cunfair pricing may hurt consumers.\u201d
\nThat move was highly unusual and highlights the sensitivities of Apple\u2019s position in the Chinese smartphone market, Bloomberg reported July 2.
\nApple has faced challenges in other markets, too.
\nOn July 11, the European Union (EU) said that Apple agreed to open its mobile wallet tech to rivals in order toavoid fines by EU regulators.
\nAlso in July, it was reported that India\u2019s antitrust watchdog said Apple abused its dominant place in the app store market, engaging in \u201cabusive conduct and practices.\u201d
\nThe post Report: Apple Tells WeChat Parent Tencent to Eliminate Payment Loopholes appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Apple is reportedly pressuring the makers of China\u2019s most popular apps \u2014 WeChat and Douyin \u2014 to stop allowing in-app creators to steer users to payment systems outside the Apple platform.\nThe iPhone maker has threatened to reject updates to WeChat from Tencent Holdings and to Douyin from ByteDance unless the companies close those loopholes, Bloomberg reported Friday (Aug. 2).\nAn Apple spokesperson said in the report that the company\u2019s guidelines specify that the sale of all digital goods must go through its system and that it may reject app submissions that violate that policy.\nTencent accepted Apple\u2019s demand that it eliminate links used by mini-game developers to accept payment outside the Apple platform but has disputed the company\u2019s demand that it disable an in-game messaging system, according to the report. Tencent has said that the messaging feature is important to the user experience.\nByteDance closed similar loopholes on its Douyin app after Apple asked it to do so, the report said.\nThe iPhone maker polices its app ecosystem to preserve quality and security, per the report.\nAt the same time, its moves targeting Tencent and ByteDance come at a time when it is dealing with challenges in the Chinese market and facing regulatory scrutiny around the world, according to the report.\nA standoff with Tencent, which is a dominant player in internet content in China, could add another conflict to those already faced by Apple, per the report.\nIt was reported in July that after winning a lawsuit in China, Apple asked the court to edit the ruling it handed down to eliminate its references to Apple having a \u201cdominant position\u201d and to the potential that the firm\u2019s \u201cunfair pricing may hurt consumers.\u201d\nThat move was highly unusual and highlights the sensitivities of Apple\u2019s position in the Chinese smartphone market, Bloomberg reported July 2.\nApple has faced challenges in other markets, too.\nOn July 11, the European Union (EU) said that Apple agreed to open its mobile wallet tech to rivals in order toavoid fines by EU regulators.\nAlso in July, it was reported that India\u2019s antitrust watchdog said Apple abused its dominant place in the app store market, engaging in \u201cabusive conduct and practices.\u201d\nThe post Report: Apple Tells WeChat Parent Tencent to Eliminate Payment Loopholes appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-08-02T14:49:29-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-08-02T14:49:29-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/WeChat-TenCent-China.jpg", "tags": [ "Apple", "Bytedance", "china", "Douyin", "Mobile Applications", "Mobile Payments", "News", "PYMNTS News", "tencent", "wechat", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2020830", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/apple/2024/apples-services-segment-grows-but-ai-still-remains-a-show-me-story/", "title": "Apple\u2019s Services Segment Grows, But AI Still Remains a \u2018Show Me\u2019 Story", "content_html": "Apple\u2019s latest quarter showed some resilience in services growth \u2013 and management noted the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to help transform the company\u2019s efforts to build out its ecosystem.
\nInvestors bid the shares up by about 0.5% after hours \u2014 indicating what might be termed a muted response to at least some of the numbers and the commentary, retracing only some of the losses seen during the day\u2019s official trading.
\nCall it, perhaps a \u201cshow me\u201d reaction on the part of investors, particularly where AI is concerned.
\nHardware sales in the fiscal third quarter inched up to $61.6 billion, as iPhone and Wearables sales slipped, but Mac sales gathered 2.9% to $7 billion. IPad sales surged 24% in the quarter, to $7.2 billion, boosted by new launches including the iPad Pro.
\nCEO Tim Cook said on the call that services revenues were up 14% to $24.2 billion as paid subscriptions reached an all-time high. That growth rate matched the fiscal second quarter and represented an acceleration from the 11% pace seen earlier in the year.\u00a0
\nThe CEO noted on the call with analysts that Apple achieved record revenue \u201cin the majority\u201d of services categories, calling out advertising, cloud and payment services.
\nDetails on the call regarding payments were qualitative, and Cook stated that the company expanded tap-to-pay functionality on iPhone to more markets, including Japan, Canada, Italy and Germany.
\nAs noted here, the rollout of AI features is set to take time, and just this week the tech behemoth announced that its upcoming AI features will be delayed and will not be included in the initial launch of the new iPhone and iPad software update.
\nWith a nod toward AI, Cook said, \u201cIt will transform how users interact with technology, from writing tools to help you express yourself to image playground \u2014 which gives you the ability to create fun images and communicate in new ways \u2014 to powerful tools to summarize and prioritizing notifications.\u201d\u00a0
\nAs Apple Intelligence evolves, he said, the firm is integrating ChatGPT into experiences within iPhone, Mac and iPad, he said, adding that AI has \u201cextraordinary possibilities.\u201d During the question-and-answer session with analysts, Cook contended that Apple Intelligence will present a \u201ccompelling\u201d reason to upgrade hardware.
\nCFO Luca Maestri said on the call that \u201cboth transacting accounts and paid accounts reach a new all-time high with paid accounts growing double-digits year over year. Also, paid subscriptions showed strong double-digit growth. We have well over 1 billion paid subscriptions across the services on our platform \u2014 more than double the number that we had only four years ago.\u201d\u00a0
\nLooking ahead, he said that service-related revenues are expected to grow double digits, at rates similar to the first three quarters of the year.\u00a0
\nMaestri said on the call that the growing pool of customers has been using the ecosystem more often,\u00a0\u201cand we have seen this, consistently, for many quarters. \u2026 Every quarter more people using the ecosystem, both the free elements of the ecosystem and the paid elements.\u201d
\nAsked on the call about the impact of complying with Europe\u2019s Digital Markets Act rules, Maestri noted, \u201cWe have seen a good level of adoption from developers, on those changes. \u2026 It\u2019s obviously early stage. \u2026 Just to provide you a frame of reference, the\u00a0percentage of revenue that we generate from the European Union on the App Store is 7% of the total.\u201d
\nThe post Apple’s Services Segment Grows, But AI Still Remains a ‘Show Me’ Story appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Apple\u2019s latest quarter showed some resilience in services growth \u2013 and management noted the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to help transform the company\u2019s efforts to build out its ecosystem. \nInvestors bid the shares up by about 0.5% after hours \u2014 indicating what might be termed a muted response to at least some of the numbers and the commentary, retracing only some of the losses seen during the day\u2019s official trading.\nCall it, perhaps a \u201cshow me\u201d reaction on the part of investors, particularly where AI is concerned. \nHardware sales in the fiscal third quarter inched up to $61.6 billion, as iPhone and Wearables sales slipped, but Mac sales gathered 2.9% to $7 billion. IPad sales surged 24% in the quarter, to $7.2 billion, boosted by new launches including the iPad Pro.\nServices Momentum\nCEO Tim Cook said on the call that services revenues were up 14% to $24.2 billion as paid subscriptions reached an all-time high. That growth rate matched the fiscal second quarter and represented an acceleration from the 11% pace seen earlier in the year.\u00a0 \nThe CEO noted on the call with analysts that Apple achieved record revenue \u201cin the majority\u201d of services categories, calling out advertising, cloud and payment services.\nDetails on the call regarding payments were qualitative, and Cook stated that the company expanded tap-to-pay functionality on iPhone to more markets, including Japan, Canada, Italy and Germany.\nAs noted here, the rollout of AI features is set to take time, and just this week the tech behemoth announced that its upcoming AI features will be delayed and will not be included in the initial launch of the new iPhone and iPad software update.\nWith a nod toward AI, Cook said, \u201cIt will transform how users interact with technology, from writing tools to help you express yourself to image playground \u2014 which gives you the ability to create fun images and communicate in new ways \u2014 to powerful tools to summarize and prioritizing notifications.\u201d\u00a0\nAs Apple Intelligence evolves, he said, the firm is integrating ChatGPT into experiences within iPhone, Mac and iPad, he said, adding that AI has \u201cextraordinary possibilities.\u201d During the question-and-answer session with analysts, Cook contended that Apple Intelligence will present a \u201ccompelling\u201d reason to upgrade hardware.\nGrowth in Paid Accounts\nCFO Luca Maestri said on the call that \u201cboth transacting accounts and paid accounts reach a new all-time high with paid accounts growing double-digits year over year. Also, paid subscriptions showed strong double-digit growth. We have well over 1 billion paid subscriptions across the services on our platform \u2014 more than double the number that we had only four years ago.\u201d\u00a0 \nLooking ahead, he said that service-related revenues are expected to grow double digits, at rates similar to the first three quarters of the year.\u00a0 \nMaestri said on the call that the growing pool of customers has been using the ecosystem more often,\u00a0\u201cand we have seen this, consistently, for many quarters. \u2026 Every quarter more people using the ecosystem, both the free elements of the ecosystem and the paid elements.\u201d\nAsked on the call about the impact of complying with Europe\u2019s Digital Markets Act rules, Maestri noted, \u201cWe have seen a good level of adoption from developers, on those changes. \u2026 It\u2019s obviously early stage. \u2026 Just to provide you a frame of reference, the\u00a0percentage of revenue that we generate from the European Union on the App Store is 7% of the total.\u201d\nThe post Apple’s Services Segment Grows, But AI Still Remains a ‘Show Me’ Story appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-08-01T20:51:53-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-08-01T20:51:53-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/apple-earnings-2.jpg", "tags": [ "AI", "Apple", "Apple Intelligence", "Apple Services", "artificial intelligence", "Earnings", "Featured News", "iPhone", "Luca Maestri", "News", "PYMNTS News", "tap to pay", "Tim Cook", "Wearables" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2020711", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/apple/2024/apple-wants-implausible-iphone-antitrust-case-thrown-out/", "title": "Apple Wants \u2018Implausible\u2019 iPhone Antitrust Case Thrown Out", "content_html": "Apple wants an antitrust case accusing it of dominating the smartphone market thrown out.
\nThe tech giant says the U.S. government\u2019s suit \u201cbears no relation to reality\u201d\u00a0and should be dismissed by a federal judge, Bloomberg News reported Thursday (Aug. 1), citing a court filing.
\nThe Justice Department \u2014 joined by several state attorneys general \u2014 is suing Apple for allegedly keeping competitors from accessing its devices\u2019 software and hardware, thus making it harder for consumers to switch phones.
\n\u201cWe allege that Apple has maintained monopoly power in the smartphone market, not simply by staying ahead of the competition on the merits, but by violating federal antitrust law,\u201d Attorney General Merrick Garland said at the time. \u201cIf left unchallenged, Apple will only continue to strengthen its smartphone monopoly.\u201d
\nIn its latest filing, Apple denies that it holds a monopoly, and says it is not required to give software developers any more access to iPhones than they already do.
\n\u201cThe implausibility of the government\u2019s claim that Apple\u2019s conduct has eroded smartphone competition is underscored by the complaint\u2019s implicit recognition that the smartphone market exhibits ongoing innovation and vigorous competition,\u201d Apple\u2019s filing said.
\nThe company added that it faces \u201crobust competition from other smartphone manufacturers around the world, including Google and Samsung.\u201d
\nAs Bloomberg noted, the suit is part of a larger competition effort by the Biden administration, one that has been mostly focused on big tech, with companies like Apple, Google and Meta facing antitrust action in both the U.S. and Europe.
\nIn other Apple news, the company this week began rolling out developer betas for its devices that offer an early look at Apple Intelligence, its artificial intelligence (AI) suite.
\n\u201cApple\u2019s been a bit behind in the AI race,\u201d Bob Rogers, data scientist and CEO of Oii.ai, told PYMNTS on Wednesday (July 31). \u201cBy enhancing Siri and summaries with AI, I think users will be able to take advantage of \u2018conversational\u2019 searching.\u201d
\nThe new betas include writing tools, natural language search capabilities for Photos, priority message sorting for Mail and Siri improvements across iPhone, iPad and Mac platforms. Advances in voice search capabilities could substantially streamline the shopping process, that report noted.
\n\u201cUsers can speak naturally and conversationally, meaning searches are less focused on hitting keywords,\u201d Steven Athwal, CEO and founder of The Big Phone Store, told PYMNTS. \u201cSo it\u2019s faster and easier to find what they need, and search is done quicker.\u201d
\n\u00a0
\nThe post Apple Wants ‘Implausible’ iPhone Antitrust Case Thrown Out appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Apple wants an antitrust case accusing it of dominating the smartphone market thrown out.\nThe tech giant says the U.S. government\u2019s suit \u201cbears no relation to reality\u201d\u00a0and should be dismissed by a federal judge, Bloomberg News reported Thursday (Aug. 1), citing a court filing.\nThe Justice Department \u2014 joined by several state attorneys general \u2014 is suing Apple for allegedly keeping competitors from accessing its devices\u2019 software and hardware, thus making it harder for consumers to switch phones.\n\u201cWe allege that Apple has maintained monopoly power in the smartphone market, not simply by staying ahead of the competition on the merits, but by violating federal antitrust law,\u201d Attorney General Merrick Garland said at the time. \u201cIf left unchallenged, Apple will only continue to strengthen its smartphone monopoly.\u201d\nIn its latest filing, Apple denies that it holds a monopoly, and says it is not required to give software developers any more access to iPhones than they already do.\n\u201cThe implausibility of the government\u2019s claim that Apple\u2019s conduct has eroded smartphone competition is underscored by the complaint\u2019s implicit recognition that the smartphone market exhibits ongoing innovation and vigorous competition,\u201d Apple\u2019s filing said.\nThe company added that it faces \u201crobust competition from other smartphone manufacturers around the world, including Google and Samsung.\u201d\nAs Bloomberg noted, the suit is part of a larger competition effort by the Biden administration, one that has been mostly focused on big tech, with companies like Apple, Google and Meta facing antitrust action in both the U.S. and Europe.\nIn other Apple news, the company this week began rolling out developer betas for its devices that offer an early look at Apple Intelligence, its artificial intelligence (AI) suite.\n\u201cApple\u2019s been a bit behind in the AI race,\u201d Bob Rogers, data scientist and CEO of Oii.ai, told PYMNTS on Wednesday (July 31). \u201cBy enhancing Siri and summaries with AI, I think users will be able to take advantage of \u2018conversational\u2019 searching.\u201d\nThe new betas include writing tools, natural language search capabilities for Photos, priority message sorting for Mail and Siri improvements across iPhone, iPad and Mac platforms. Advances in voice search capabilities could substantially streamline the shopping process, that report noted.\n\u201cUsers can speak naturally and conversationally, meaning searches are less focused on hitting keywords,\u201d Steven Athwal, CEO and founder of The Big Phone Store, told PYMNTS. \u201cSo it\u2019s faster and easier to find what they need, and search is done quicker.\u201d\n\u00a0\nThe post Apple Wants ‘Implausible’ iPhone Antitrust Case Thrown Out appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-08-01T17:59:06-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-08-01T18:01:01-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Apple-antitrust.jpg", "tags": [ "Antitrust", "Apple", "Apple Antitrust suit", "Big Tech", "iPhone", "News", "PYMNTS News", "Smartphones", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2018661", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/apple/2024/apple-debuts-ai-features-with-new-developer-betas/", "title": "Apple Debuts AI Features With New Developer Betas", "content_html": "Apple has reportedly given users access to its first set of artificial intelligence (AI) features.
\nIt\u2019s part of the developer betas for the tech giant\u2019s iPhone, iPad and Mac operating systems, The Verge reported Monday (July 29).
\nAmong the features include a version of Siri with an updated design and ability to maintain context across multiple requests, email features such as smart reply and email summaries and natural language search in Photos, the report said.
\nAccording to the report, users who want to install the updates will need an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max or, for iPads and Macs, a system with an Apple Silicon chip. After installation, users will need to join a waitlist from their devices\u2019 Settings menu and wait for a notification that it\u2019s ready for them to access, the report said.
\nThis report follows Apple\u2019s announcement from earlier Monday that it was delaying the launch of its AI features \u2014 known as Apple Intelligence \u2014 not including them in the initial launch of the new iPhone and iPad software updates.
\nA report earlier by Bloomberg News said the decision to hold off on rolling out the AI features is aimed at ensuring a smooth consumer release and addressing concerns over the stability of the technology. By offering developers more time to test and iron out any issues, the company hopes to avoid any major bugs or glitches.
\n\u201cThe delay in the release of Apple Intelligence comes as the tech giant aims to compete in the rapidly growing AI space,\u201d PYMNTS wrote Monday. \u201cThe company believes that the new features could help drive sales of the upcoming iPhone 16 models, which are expected to have minimal design changes. With software-related enhancements and a faster chip, Apple hopes to attract customers with the AI capabilities of its new devices.\u201d
\nMeanwhile, PYMNTS wrote earlier this month about what Apple\u2019s AI initiative could mean for mobile commerce. Tyler Rice, founder of kimchi.co and an iOS developer, told PYMNTS he sees significant potential in AI-driven mobile shopping.
\n\u201cA big one is a better search,\u201d Rice told PYMNTS. \u201cLLMs (large language models) allow for a better search experience so customers can more quickly find the products they are looking for or interested in.\u201d
\nThe post Apple Debuts AI Features With New Developer Betas appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Apple has reportedly given users access to its first set of artificial intelligence (AI) features.\nIt\u2019s part of the developer betas for the tech giant\u2019s iPhone, iPad and Mac operating systems, The Verge reported Monday (July 29).\nAmong the features include a version of Siri with an updated design and ability to maintain context across multiple requests, email features such as smart reply and email summaries and natural language search in Photos, the report said.\nAccording to the report, users who want to install the updates will need an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max or, for iPads and Macs, a system with an Apple Silicon chip. After installation, users will need to join a waitlist from their devices\u2019 Settings menu and wait for a notification that it\u2019s ready for them to access, the report said.\nThis report follows Apple\u2019s announcement from earlier Monday that it was delaying the launch of its AI features \u2014 known as Apple Intelligence \u2014 not including them in the initial launch of the new iPhone and iPad software updates.\nA report earlier by Bloomberg News said the decision to hold off on rolling out the AI features is aimed at ensuring a smooth consumer release and addressing concerns over the stability of the technology. By offering developers more time to test and iron out any issues, the company hopes to avoid any major bugs or glitches.\n\u201cThe delay in the release of Apple Intelligence comes as the tech giant aims to compete in the rapidly growing AI space,\u201d PYMNTS wrote Monday. \u201cThe company believes that the new features could help drive sales of the upcoming iPhone 16 models, which are expected to have minimal design changes. With software-related enhancements and a faster chip, Apple hopes to attract customers with the AI capabilities of its new devices.\u201d\nMeanwhile, PYMNTS wrote earlier this month about what Apple\u2019s AI initiative could mean for mobile commerce. Tyler Rice, founder of kimchi.co and an iOS developer, told PYMNTS he sees significant potential in AI-driven mobile shopping.\n\u201cA big one is a better search,\u201d Rice told PYMNTS. \u201cLLMs (large language models) allow for a better search experience so customers can more quickly find the products they are looking for or interested in.\u201d\nThe post Apple Debuts AI Features With New Developer Betas appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-07-29T18:09:38-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-07-29T18:09:38-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Apple-AI.jpg", "tags": [ "AI", "Apple", "Apple AI", "Apple Intelligence", "artificial intelligence", "iPads", "iPhones", "Macs", "News", "PYMNTS News", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2018150", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/apple/2024/apple-delays-ai-features-for-new-iphone-and-ipad-software-updates/", "title": "Apple Delays AI Features for New iPhone and iPad Software Updates", "content_html": "Apple Inc. has announced that its upcoming artificial intelligence (AI) features will be delayed and will not be included in the initial launch of the new iPhone and iPad software updates. The AI features, known as Apple Intelligence, are now expected to be rolled out to customers in October, a few weeks after the release of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 in September. However, Apple will make the AI features available to software developers for early testing via iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 betas.
\nAccording to Bloomberg, the decision to delay the AI features is aimed at ensuring a smooth consumer release and addressing concerns over the stability of the technology. By giving developers more time to test and iron out any issues, Apple hopes to avoid any major bugs or glitches. The company is also planning to release multiple updates to iOS 18 over the next few years to introduce the full set of Apple Intelligence features.
\nApple Intelligence includes various features such as prioritization of notifications, web page and voice note summaries, writing tools, a revamped Siri, and integration of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. However, even when the AI features are launched with iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, some functionalities, including significant changes to Siri, will still be missing.
\nThe delay in the release of Apple Intelligence comes as the tech giant aims to compete in the rapidly growing AI space. The company believes that the new features could help drive sales of the upcoming iPhone 16 models, which are expected to have minimal design changes. With software-related enhancements and a faster chip, Apple hopes to attract customers with the AI capabilities of its new devices.
\nPYMNTS has reported on the significant developments and competition among tech giants and startups in the AI landscape. Microsoft’s Bing is introducing a generative search feature to rival Google’s AI-powered offerings. OpenAI has also unveiled a prototype called SearchGPT, which aims to enhance information retrieval capabilities. The emergence of AI-powered delivery bots, such as Vayu Robotics, is reshaping eCommerce logistics by promising to reduce delivery costs. Additionally, AI startup World Labs, founded by AI pioneer Fei-Fei Li, has achieved unicorn status with a valuation of $1 billion in just four months. The company focuses on teaching computers to understand the 3D world. The integration of AI with edge computing is also gaining momentum, with potential applications in retail and manufacturing.
\nAs the AI boom continues, regulators are rushing to adapt and address potential antitrust issues. Competition watchdogs from the U.S., EU, and U.K. have joined forces to tackle concerns over market concentration and anti-competitive practices in the AI industry. They are particularly focused on controlling critical AI resources and scrutinizing tech giants’ investments. However, Meta has raised concerns about the EU’s strict AI regulations, warning of a potential “tech gap” between Europe and the rest of the world.
\nThe post Apple Delays AI Features for New iPhone and iPad Software Updates appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Apple Inc. has announced that its upcoming artificial intelligence (AI) features will be delayed and will not be included in the initial launch of the new iPhone and iPad software updates. The AI features, known as Apple Intelligence, are now expected to be rolled out to customers in October, a few weeks after the release of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 in September. However, Apple will make the AI features available to software developers for early testing via iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 betas.\nAccording to Bloomberg, the decision to delay the AI features is aimed at ensuring a smooth consumer release and addressing concerns over the stability of the technology. By giving developers more time to test and iron out any issues, Apple hopes to avoid any major bugs or glitches. The company is also planning to release multiple updates to iOS 18 over the next few years to introduce the full set of Apple Intelligence features.\nApple Intelligence includes various features such as prioritization of notifications, web page and voice note summaries, writing tools, a revamped Siri, and integration of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. However, even when the AI features are launched with iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, some functionalities, including significant changes to Siri, will still be missing.\nThe delay in the release of Apple Intelligence comes as the tech giant aims to compete in the rapidly growing AI space. The company believes that the new features could help drive sales of the upcoming iPhone 16 models, which are expected to have minimal design changes. With software-related enhancements and a faster chip, Apple hopes to attract customers with the AI capabilities of its new devices.\nPYMNTS has reported on the significant developments and competition among tech giants and startups in the AI landscape. Microsoft’s Bing is introducing a generative search feature to rival Google’s AI-powered offerings. OpenAI has also unveiled a prototype called SearchGPT, which aims to enhance information retrieval capabilities. The emergence of AI-powered delivery bots, such as Vayu Robotics, is reshaping eCommerce logistics by promising to reduce delivery costs. Additionally, AI startup World Labs, founded by AI pioneer Fei-Fei Li, has achieved unicorn status with a valuation of $1 billion in just four months. The company focuses on teaching computers to understand the 3D world. The integration of AI with edge computing is also gaining momentum, with potential applications in retail and manufacturing.\nAs the AI boom continues, regulators are rushing to adapt and address potential antitrust issues. Competition watchdogs from the U.S., EU, and U.K. have joined forces to tackle concerns over market concentration and anti-competitive practices in the AI industry. They are particularly focused on controlling critical AI resources and scrutinizing tech giants’ investments. However, Meta has raised concerns about the EU’s strict AI regulations, warning of a potential “tech gap” between Europe and the rest of the world.\nThe post Apple Delays AI Features for New iPhone and iPad Software Updates appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-07-29T07:18:32-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-07-29T07:18:32-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Apple-antitrust.jpg", "tags": [ "AI", "Apple", "Apple Intelligence", "artificial intelligence", "iOS 18", "iPhone", "News", "PYMNTS News", "software", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2017541", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/apple/2024/apple-lowers-iphone-prices-in-india-after-country-reduces-customs-duty/", "title": "Apple Lowers iPhone Prices in India After Country Reduces Customs Duty", "content_html": "Apple has reportedly cut\u00a0the prices of iPhones in India after the country reduced its basic customs duty on mobile phones.
\nThis is the first time the company has reduced prices on current-generation Pro models in India, Seeking Alpha\u00a0reported Friday (July 26).
\nThe price reductions amount to between 3% and 4% on models across Apple\u2019s iPhone product range, according to the report.
\nApple\u2019s move follows India\u2019s reduction of its basic customs duty on mobile phones from the previous 20% to the current 15%, per the report.
\nThe Indian smartphone market grew 1% in the second quarter, with 36.4 million units shipped, independent analyst company\u00a0Canalys said in a July 18\u00a0press release.
\nCanalys attributed this modest growth to elections, seasonal demand and, in some regions, extreme weather conditions. The company added that inventory levels remain high, with some vendors focusing on reducing their existing stocks.
\nLooking ahead, Canalys expects the Indian smartphone market to see mid-single-digit growth in both the upcoming festive season and overall shipments this year.
\n\u201cThe market is grappling with challenges such as fluctuating demand in the mass-market segment, slow migration from feature phones to smartphone and increasing adoption of second-hand smartphones,\u201d\u00a0Sanyam Chaurasia, senior analyst at Canalys, said in the release. \u201cAs a result, brands often resort to creating unnatural demand through festive promotions.\u201d
\nApple opened its first\u00a0brick-and-mortar store in India in April 2023, when its sales in the country had jumped almost 50% amid a retail push.
\nIt was reported at the time that Apple was looking to India and its growing middle class as a chance to boost sales at a time when the company had seen tech demand diminish in other markets.
\nLowering prices in another market \u2014 China \u2014 led to a rebound in iPhone sales there. Apple offered aggressive\u00a0discounts on its official\u00a0Tmall\u00a0site in China and saw its iPhone sales rebound after falling earlier in the year.
\nApple\u2019s iPhone sales in China have been under pressure from other makers of high-end smartphones, including China\u2019s\u00a0Huawei, but they saw a 52% jump in April and a 40% increase in May.
\nThe post Apple Lowers iPhone Prices in India After Country Reduces Customs Duty appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Apple has reportedly cut\u00a0the prices of iPhones in India after the country reduced its basic customs duty on mobile phones.\nThis is the first time the company has reduced prices on current-generation Pro models in India, Seeking Alpha\u00a0reported Friday (July 26).\nThe price reductions amount to between 3% and 4% on models across Apple\u2019s iPhone product range, according to the report.\nApple\u2019s move follows India\u2019s reduction of its basic customs duty on mobile phones from the previous 20% to the current 15%, per the report.\nThe Indian smartphone market grew 1% in the second quarter, with 36.4 million units shipped, independent analyst company\u00a0Canalys said in a July 18\u00a0press release.\nCanalys attributed this modest growth to elections, seasonal demand and, in some regions, extreme weather conditions. The company added that inventory levels remain high, with some vendors focusing on reducing their existing stocks.\nLooking ahead, Canalys expects the Indian smartphone market to see mid-single-digit growth in both the upcoming festive season and overall shipments this year.\n\u201cThe market is grappling with challenges such as fluctuating demand in the mass-market segment, slow migration from feature phones to smartphone and increasing adoption of second-hand smartphones,\u201d\u00a0Sanyam Chaurasia, senior analyst at Canalys, said in the release. \u201cAs a result, brands often resort to creating unnatural demand through festive promotions.\u201d\nApple opened its first\u00a0brick-and-mortar store in India in April 2023, when its sales in the country had jumped almost 50% amid a retail push.\nIt was reported at the time that Apple was looking to India and its growing middle class as a chance to boost sales at a time when the company had seen tech demand diminish in other markets.\nLowering prices in another market \u2014 China \u2014 led to a rebound in iPhone sales there. Apple offered aggressive\u00a0discounts on its official\u00a0Tmall\u00a0site in China and saw its iPhone sales rebound after falling earlier in the year.\nApple\u2019s iPhone sales in China have been under pressure from other makers of high-end smartphones, including China\u2019s\u00a0Huawei, but they saw a 52% jump in April and a 40% increase in May.\nThe post Apple Lowers iPhone Prices in India After Country Reduces Customs Duty appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-07-26T14:19:32-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-07-26T14:19:32-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/iPhone-sales-Apple-India.jpg", "tags": [ "APAC", "Apple", "india", "international", "iPhones", "News", "PYMNTS News", "Retail", "Smartphones", "taxes", "What's Hot" ] }, { "id": "https://www.pymnts.com/?p=2017493", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/apple/2024/apple-signs-biden-administrations-commitment-for-ai-safety/", "title": "Apple Signs Biden Administration\u2019s Commitment for AI\u00a0Safety", "content_html": "Apple has signed onto the Biden administration\u2019s voluntary commitments regarding the safe development of artificial intelligence (AI), joining 15 other companies that have done so since last year.
\n\u201cToday, the administration announced that Apple has signed onto the voluntary commitments, further cementing these commitments as cornerstones of responsible AI innovation,\u201d the White House said in a Friday (July 26)\u00a0fact sheet.
\nThe White House first announced these\u00a0voluntary commitments in July 2023, saying they aim to help move toward safe, secure\u00a0and transparent development of AI technology.
\nAt that time, seven companies signed on:\u00a0Amazon,\u00a0Anthropic,\u00a0Google,\u00a0Inflection,\u00a0Meta,\u00a0Microsoft and\u00a0OpenAI.
\nThe commitments include a range of measures designed to better understand the risks and ethical implications of new technologies while providing greater transparency and restricting the potential for misuse, the White House said.
\n\u201cCompanies that are developing these emerging technologies have a responsibility to ensure their products are safe,\u201d the White House said in a July 21, 2023,\u00a0fact sheet announcing the voluntary commitments. \u201cTo make the most of AI\u2019s potential, the Biden-Harris Administration is encouraging this industry to uphold the highest standards to ensure that innovation doesn\u2019t come at the expense of Americans\u2019 rights and safety.\u201d
\nIn September, another eight companies signed onto the voluntary commitments: Adobe, Cohere, IBM, Nvidia, Palantir, Salesforce, Scale AI and Stability, the White House said in a Sept. 12, 2023, fact sheet.
\nAfter the announcement of the first round of\u00a0voluntary commitments in July 2023, observers noted that many of the practices agreed to were already in place at many AI companies and don\u2019t\u00a0represent new regulations, PYMNTS reported at the time.
\nThe commitment to self-regulation also drew criticism from consumer groups, including the\u00a0Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC).
\n\u201cWhile EPIC appreciates the Biden Administration\u2019s use of its authorities to place safeguards on the use of artificial intelligence, we both agree that voluntary commitments are not enough when it comes to Big Tech,\u201d\u00a0Caitriona Fitzgerald, deputy director at EPIC, said in a July 21, 2023,\u00a0statement. \u201cCongress and federal regulators must put meaningful, enforceable guardrails in place to ensure the use of AI is fair, transparent, and protects individuals\u2019 privacy and civil rights.\u201d
\nThe post Apple Signs Biden Administration\u2019s Commitment for AI\u00a0Safety appeared first on PYMNTS.com.
\n", "content_text": "Apple has signed onto the Biden administration\u2019s voluntary commitments regarding the safe development of artificial intelligence (AI), joining 15 other companies that have done so since last year.\n\u201cToday, the administration announced that Apple has signed onto the voluntary commitments, further cementing these commitments as cornerstones of responsible AI innovation,\u201d the White House said in a Friday (July 26)\u00a0fact sheet.\nThe White House first announced these\u00a0voluntary commitments in July 2023, saying they aim to help move toward safe, secure\u00a0and transparent development of AI technology.\nAt that time, seven companies signed on:\u00a0Amazon,\u00a0Anthropic,\u00a0Google,\u00a0Inflection,\u00a0Meta,\u00a0Microsoft and\u00a0OpenAI.\nThe commitments include a range of measures designed to better understand the risks and ethical implications of new technologies while providing greater transparency and restricting the potential for misuse, the White House said.\n\u201cCompanies that are developing these emerging technologies have a responsibility to ensure their products are safe,\u201d the White House said in a July 21, 2023,\u00a0fact sheet announcing the voluntary commitments. \u201cTo make the most of AI\u2019s potential, the Biden-Harris Administration is encouraging this industry to uphold the highest standards to ensure that innovation doesn\u2019t come at the expense of Americans\u2019 rights and safety.\u201d\nIn September, another eight companies signed onto the voluntary commitments: Adobe, Cohere, IBM, Nvidia, Palantir, Salesforce, Scale AI and Stability, the White House said in a Sept. 12, 2023, fact sheet.\nAfter the announcement of the first round of\u00a0voluntary commitments in July 2023, observers noted that many of the practices agreed to were already in place at many AI companies and don\u2019t\u00a0represent new regulations, PYMNTS reported at the time.\nThe commitment to self-regulation also drew criticism from consumer groups, including the\u00a0Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC).\n\u201cWhile EPIC appreciates the Biden Administration\u2019s use of its authorities to place safeguards on the use of artificial intelligence, we both agree that voluntary commitments are not enough when it comes to Big Tech,\u201d\u00a0Caitriona Fitzgerald, deputy director at EPIC, said in a July 21, 2023,\u00a0statement. \u201cCongress and federal regulators must put meaningful, enforceable guardrails in place to ensure the use of AI is fair, transparent, and protects individuals\u2019 privacy and civil rights.\u201d\nThe post Apple Signs Biden Administration\u2019s Commitment for AI\u00a0Safety appeared first on PYMNTS.com.", "date_published": "2024-07-26T12:43:10-04:00", "date_modified": "2024-07-26T12:43:10-04:00", "authors": [ { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" } ], "author": { "name": "PYMNTS", "url": "https://www.pymnts.com/author/pymnts/", "avatar": "https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f05cc0fdcc9e387e4f3570c17158c503?s=512&d=blank&r=g" }, "image": "https://www.pymnts.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Apple-AI-2.jpg", "tags": [ "AI", "AI regulation", "AI safety", "Apple", "artificial intelligence", "Biden administration", "News", "PYMNTS News", "What's Hot", "white house" ] } ] }