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- Monday February 03
- 10:30 amApple’s post-iPhone plan is working… so far
Macworld How long can Apple keep relying on the iPhone? Nobody knows, because there’s never been another product quite like it. But the plumpest golden goose in history isn’t going to keep laying eggs forever. Apple, to its credit, is fully aware of this. With its enthusiastic hyping of the latest cautious iPhone update, the company might occasionally sound faintly deluded: a little like the man in the old joke who falls out of a building and says to the people on each floor as he passes, “Everything’s fine so far!” But Apple is doing its best to find a cushion to land on. In the company’s latest financial results, we got an idea of how the cushion hunt is going, and the answer is “pretty well.” Tim Cook named Q1 2025 as Apple’s best quarter ever, with record revenue of $124.3 billion despite a small year-on-year dip in the iPhone’s fortunes. Who needs the iPhone when you have consistent growth in services to make up for any shortfalls? It’s certainly gratifying for the company to record its highest-ever quarterly revenue after launching one of its most boring iPhones (which didn’t even have its flagship feature at launch). But there are concerns we should discuss before we break out the champagne. One is that regardless of growth in other areas, the iPhone remains Apple’s most important product by an unhealthy margin. That burgeoning Services division, a portmanteau category combining various tenuously related revenue streams, brought in a total of $26.3 billion, compared to the iPhone’s $69.1 billion. Wearables, Home, and Accessories brought in a combined $11.7 billion, the iPad just $8.1 billion, and Macs $7.8 billion. In first place, there’s the iPhone. In second place is daylight. And only then do we get to the other products. In that light, it becomes a little clearer that simply growing services isn’t the straightforward solution to the iPhone’s eventual decline that it might sound like. This quarter, solid growth in services and iPads was just about enough to make up for a tiny drop for the iPhone. We’re still at a point where if the iPhone sneezes, Apple catches a cold. This wasn’t a sneeze. It was barely the first “Aaahh…” At some point, the iPhone will suffer a real setback, and we don’t yet know how Apple will handle that. Last week, research found that buyers of premium iPhones are becoming less inclined to pay extra for more storage, which could become a headache if it turns into a long-term trend. Apple has historically made a lot of money from iPhone storage upgrades, but with the rise of music streaming and cloud photo storage, there doesn’t seem to be quite the same demand. For a company of Apple’s size, it isn’t easy to pivot, and it should be applauded for trying its best to do so. By building a mixed-reality headset and an AI platform Apple has positioned itself for two possible post-smartphone futures, and by growing Apple TV+ and its other subscription services it has shored up revenues in the short to medium term. These are all positive steps. But the pivot hasn’t yet been tested. Dip or not, this was another epic quarter from the iPhone, and we don’t yet know what will happen when the good times finally come to an end. Foundry Welcome to our weekly Apple Breakfast column, which includes all the Apple news you missed last week in a handy bite-sized roundup. We call it Apple Breakfast because we think it goes great with a Monday morning cup of coffee or tea, but it’s cool if you want to give it a read during lunch or dinner hours too. Trending: Top stories DeepSeek is making everyone look silly except Apple, reckons the Macalope. Have you restarted your MacBook this week? You should, pleads Michael Simon. Stephan Wiesend explains why your VPN isn’t as secure as you think. Your next iPhone and Mac might cost a whole lot more thanks to political factors. Apple’s push into the smart home is a decade late but right on time. Apple should smarten up the HomePod mini 2 with these 5 upgrades. This MacBook Pro was too busted for even AppleCare+ to repair! Apple honors Black History Month with color-morphing Apple Watch band. Podcast of the week Apple released an update to iOS, so what should you expect? In the latest episode of the Macworld podcast we take a look at what’s in iOS 18.3, plus talk about the latest Apple news. You can catch every episode of the Macworld Podcast on Spotify, Soundcloud, the Podcasts app, or our own site. Reviews corner Mullvad review: A VPN that’s all about privacy. Mac Backup Guru review: A utility worth looking into. LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 review: Blazing back-up performance. The rumor mill New leak gives us a clear look at the iPhone SE 4–with a notch. It seems rumors of a Dynamic Island were mistaken. Software updates, bugs, and problems SLAP and FLOP browser vulnerabilities threaten nearly every Apple device since 2021. Whoops! Apple accidentally breaks watchOS updates on older devices. The latest iPhone update patches a security flaw exploited since 2023. We round up 5 small (but still kinda big) changes coming to your iPhone in iOS 18.3. On which subject, some iPhone users will soon get a ‘secret addition’ after upgrading to iOS 18.3. The latest iPhone update patches a security flaw exploited since 2023. And with that, we’re done for this week’s Apple Breakfast. If you’d like to get regular roundups, sign up for our newsletters. You can also follow us on Facebook, Threads, or Twitter for discussion of breaking Apple news stories. See you next Monday, and stay Appley.10:00 amApple releases Q4 2024 financial results, cites $124.3 in revenues and $36.3 billion profit | PowerPageApple releases Q4 2024 financial results, cites $124.3 in revenues and $36.3 billion profit
It was a great quarter for Apple, even if there are a few warning signs that might be worth paying attention to. Apple on Thursday released its Q4 2024 financial results for its holiday quarter, citing its “best quarter ever” with revenues of $124.3 billion and a profit of $36.3 billion, up four percent year […] Source08:08 amiMac M4 $105 Off On Amazon
Get $105 off the 2024 iMac, featuring the M4 Apple Silicon Chip so you can reliably run your apps like Adobe Creative and Microsoft 365, multitask, and zoom through work, editing projects, presentations, and gaming. The iMac’s massive 24-inch Retina Display with 4.5K resolution delivers strikingly bright colors when you are watching a movie or […] The post appeared first on iLounge.08:07 ammacOS Sequoia 15.3 launched
Alongside the iOS and iPadOS 18.3, the macOS 15.3 also launched, coming in 6 weeks after the macOS Sequoia 15.2 was released and being the third big update for the operating system of the macOS Sequoia that was released in September. The update can be installed from the Software Update found in System Settings. You […] The post appeared first on iLounge.08:06 amiOS 18.3 launched
Apple launched the iPadOS 18.3 and iOS 18.3, six weeks following the release of iPadOS and iOS 18.2 software that was rolled out last year. The new release included big updates for the iPad and iOS 18, and can be installed OTA on eligible gadgets when you go to System Settings, then General, then Software […] The post appeared first on iLounge.08:05 amiPods owned by late Karl Lagerfeld put to auction by Sotheby’s
Uniquely decorated iPods including rare 1st gen models that were previously owned by the late Karl Lagerfeld, a German fashion designer, have hit the auction block. The cultural icon passed away back in 2019. Sotheby’s held the auction of these gadgets, which featured various custom iPods that were part of Legrfeld’s collection that are each […] The post appeared first on iLounge.08:00 amWait until you see what else this 100W cable can do
Macworld Never have a charger when you need one? There’s an easy way to change that. The GoCable is an 8-in-1 Charger that works with all Type-C and Apple Lightning Devices, but that’s not all it can do. This cable has some tricks up its sleeve, and it’s only $20.99 (reg. $44), but it won’t stay that way. Chargers gotta charge, and this one gets the job done with ultra-fast 100W power delivery. The built-in LED power display even tells you how much power you’re getting. This durable little cable also doubles as a keychain. You can also hook the built-in carabiner to your bag, and it might come in handy for more than just low batteries. The carabiner has its own hidden bottle opener and safe-proof cutter. No more opening boxes with your keys. You have until February 23 at 11:59 p.m. PT to get the Ultimate 8-in-1 EDC Charger on sale for $20.99. No coupon needed. GoCable: The Ultimate 8-in-1 EDC Charger – $20.99 See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.06:27 amAmazon slashes AirPods 4 to just $99, Apple Watch SE 2 drops to $169 in latest sale
Amazon's latest Apple deals provide bargain hunters with the lowest price on record for AirPods 4, along with 2025's best price on the Apple Watch SE 2.Amazon drops AirPods 4 to lowest price on record - Image credit: AppleKicking off the sale is a stellar price drop on AirPods 4, which are now marked down to $99.99. This is the lowest price we've seen on the earbuds without ANC. Those looking for Active Noise Cancellation can also pick up AirPods 4 with ANC for $149, also reflecting a $30 discount (and within a buck of the lowest price ever at Amazon). Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums04:57 amApple to drop multi-year AppleCare+ plans from retail stores
Apple will reportedly no longer offer the option to pay for two or three years of AppleCare+ coverage upfront at its retail stores. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)03:22 amThe Apple Vision Pro feature that could change how you work
Apple Vision Pro can transport you from a small, distracting room to an expansive outdoor landscape with the flick of a dial. These immersive environments are great for escaping — especially Mount Hood and the Moon. But here’s the thing. Bora Bora is perfect for relaxation — but the beach makes me want to unplug, not type away at a keyboard. Next, I would love to see Apple tackle more populated spaces like libraries and cafés. more…03:20 amThese five Apple products could launch as soon as next month
We’ve been off to a light start in 2025 in terms of Apple products, with the main announcement this year being the new Black Unity Sport Loop. However, we’re approaching the spring time, and Apple has five relatively major products in the pipeline. more…02:49 amApple Vision Pro anniversary: one year later, one less excuse
On this date a year ago, I was first in line for a demo of Apple Vision Pro at Apple Lakeside Shopping Center in New Orleans. Anticipating a line, I arrived an hour before the store opened. However, I still would have been first in line if I arrived 10 minutes early. It was launch day for Apple Vision Pro, unveiled eight months earlier, and many people were still discovering it was now available. One year later, Apple Vision Pro has improved enough through software updates to make it more capable than on day one. more…Sunday February 0211:25 pmHow to watch the 2025 Grammys tonight
The 2025 Grammys are one of the biggest televised concerts of the year, bringing together top artists and unique performances — here’s how to stream today’s event live on iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and more (for free). more…09:47 pmApple moves to open-source, unify Swift component across platforms
Apple has made the build system in its high-level programming language Swift — used by llbuild, the Swift Package Manager and Swift Playgrounds — officially open source.Image credit: AppleApple formally contributed the code of Swift Build to GitHub on February 1. The repository contributed by Apple also includes support for Windows and Linux, alongside Apple's platforms.Build systems take the code the programmer writes and turn that work into standard components like libraries and command-line tools used to create working applications. Currently, Swift offers two different build managers, which the Swift team identified as a source of developer issues. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums08:05 pmApple Watch faces are broken — and Apple’s latest move isn’t helping
Apple Watch Series 10 features a larger display, thinner design, and smarter watch faces. It’s the only model that displays seconds on the watch face in always-on mode. There’s just one catch: only three watch faces support this hardware feature. Now, that number has grown — to a whopping four. more…07:54 pmAmazon discounts Apple Studio Display to $1,299 to pair with new Mac deals
Amazon has introduced a fresh price drop on the Apple Studio Display for February, along with steeper price cuts on MacBooks and the M4 Mac mini that deliver up to $410 off.Save $300 on the Apple Studio Display.Expanding your screen real estate just got a little cheaper thanks to Amazon's $300 price cut on the Apple Studio Display. Pick up the 27-inch 5K Retina display for as low as $1,299.99. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums07:26 pmMeThreeSixty Review: Better Weight Loss with Advanced Scanning Technology
Losing weight is an uphill climb, but when you’re constantly motivated and see the results then you just might make it to your goal. Helping you along the way is MeThreeSixty, a 3D body scanning app that shows a visualization of yourself over time, taking into account important metrics as a guide. The developers of […] The post appeared first on iLounge.06:06 pmToday in Apple history: Gil Amelio takes over as CEO
On February 2, 1996, Apple revealed that Gil Amelio would take over from Michael "The Diesel" Spindler as Apple CEO. Things stayed bad though. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)06:05 pmApple to drop prepaid multi-year AppleCare+, but keep subscription option
Apple products will continue to come with a year of AppleCare included in the purchase, but the company reportedly intends to move its extended AppleCare+ plan to a subscription-only model.AppleCare logo — Image credit: AppleA new report claims that Apple will stop offering extended AppleCare plans at retail worldwide, including its own Apple Stores. The AppleCare+ subscription option will continue to be offered online, as it has since 2019.The shift is expected to take place before the end of February 2025. Rumor Score: 🤯 Likely Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums04:34 pmIPhones and Some Android Phones Will Support Starlink Direct-to-Cell Coverage in US
"iPhone devices are now eligible to test SpaceX-owned Starlink's direct-to-cell capability," Reuters reported this week, citing an announcement from T-Mobile: T-Mobile and Elon Musk's SpaceX are currently testing the Starlink cell network on a trial basis after receiving approval from the Federal Communications Commission in November last year. The trial offers 'text via satellite', while voice and data features will be added in the future, according to the T-Mobile website. T-Mobile initially only listed a few Android smartphones as eligible devices to test the network, but has now added iPhone devices with the latest iOS 18.3 software update. The next day stock prices fell for several direct-to-smartphone satellite companies, reports SpaceNews: Shares in Globalstar, which enables connectivity beyond the reach of cellular towers on the latest iPhones via a far-reaching partnership with Apple, closed down nearly 18% the following day. Constellation developer AST SpaceMobile slipped 12%. Canada's MDA, which is building at least 17 satellites for Globalstar after Apple agreed to cover most of the costs to replenish the constellation, also saw its shares fall more than 9%... "Combined, today's price action in Globalstar and satellite manufacturer MDA suggest a real investor fear that SpaceX could disintermediate the Apple-Globalstar partnership," said Adam Rhodes, a senior telecoms analyst at Octus. "However, it appears to us that there is room for both services. Based on the information we have seen, we do not anticipate that Apple views the T-Mobile-Starlink service as a replacement for the Globalstar MSS network, but rather it is choosing to enable the added feature on its T-Mobile phones...." B. Riley analyst Mike Crawford noted that Apple's two binding contracts with Globalstar extend well into the next decade, ensuring both capital expenditure (capex) and recurring service revenues. Thanks to Slashdot reader jjslash for sharing the news. Read more of this story at Slashdot.