Wall Street consensus estimates were for revenues of $60.8 billion and EPS of $2.68, making the quarter a solid beat for Apple. [Updated with more information about Apple’s results, a $100 billion share rebuy program, and a 16% increase in the company’s dividend.]
Apple
Apple Seeds iOS 11.4 Developer Beta 3
So far, this release cycle for iOS 11.4 includes AirPlay 2, along with Messages in iCloud.
Apple 2018 Q2 Earnings Report Today with All Eyes On iPhone Sales
Apple’s second fiscal quarter earnings report for 2018 is today, May 1st, and the big focus will be on iPhone sales.
Ming-Chi Kuo Quits KGI Securities, Stops Covering Apple
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, well known for his reports on upcoming Apple products, has left the firm.
Amazon Cyberpunk King, Tim's State Dinner, GrayShift Pudding - ACM 459
In this episode, Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet talk about how Amazon has quietly become the Cyberpunk king. They also discuss Tim Cook’s choice of dinner companions for the White House’s state dinner, and how Grayshift’s data breach is the proof in the pudding that backdoors and cracks get mishandled.
Apple Releases iOS 11.3.1: Includes Security Fixes and Addresses 3rd Party Screen Replacement Problem for iPhone 8
Apple’s patch notes specify two things: security and an issue affecting iPhone 8 devices with unauthorized third party screen replacements.
The EU Shazam Investigation, Amazon Key for Cars - TMO Daily Observations 2018-04-24
Bryan Chaffin and Dave Hamilton join Jeff Gamet to talk about the EU’s investigation into Apple’s planned Shazam purchase along with Amazon Key expanding to cars. They also mangle a few metaphors and dive into investigation theater.
Apple Says Switch to iPhone with 2 New Commercials: App Store and Portraits
They’re both part of Apple’s Switch to iPhone series, offering short metaphorical illustrations for why you should ditch other platforms for iPhone.
Amazon, Apple, and Home Robots - TMO Daily Observations 2018-04-23
John Martellaro and Andrew Orr join Jeff Gamet to look at Amazon’s Vesta home robot project and the possibility of Apple getting in on the competition.
Amazon's Vesta Project Means it's Time For Apple to Step Up its Robot Game
Amazon is reportedly working on a home robot code-named Vesta to ship in 2019, which means it’s time for Apple to step up its own robot efforts.
PSA: Apple Announces 13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) Battery Replacement Program
The company said a component failure may lead to battery expansion, and that affected devices can get their battery replaced.
Tim Cook Reminds Us Apple Is Making Earth Day Donations for Recycled Devices
Apple CEO Tim Cook tweeted a reminder that his company is making Earth Day donations for every device handed in to the company’s recycle program. Apple announced earlier this week that it would donate to conservation efforts for devices turned in for recycling through April 30th. Earth Day 2018 is Sunday, April 22nd (i.e. this weekend).
In honor of Earth Day, we’re donating to @ConservationOrg for every device we receive from customers this month through our new program, Apple GiveBack 🌏 https://t.co/NmKimtkGpP
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 20, 2018
Cybersecurity Tech Accord: 34 Tech Companies Just Promised a Bunch of Nothing
The Accord has gotten some positive headlines, but Bryan Chaffin doesn’t think the announcement stands up to logical scrutiny.
Cybersecurity Tech Accord, Cyberwar Is Now, Social Network Inertia - ACM 458
In this episode, Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet dissect the Cybersecurity Tech Accord, a pledge by 34 tech companies to do something vague and unlikely. The timing for the announcement is somewhat interesting because we are in the middle of an undeclared shadow cyberwar. They cap the show analyzing what it might take for any new social network to supplant Facebook.
Safari Technology Preview 54 Has Changes to Clipboard API, Beacon API, More
This look-ahead version of Safari includes eight big fixes, improvements, and new features.
Apple Reportedly Plans to Roll Magazine Subscription Service Based on Texture
The move was frankly expected in that Texture was a magazine subscription service when Apple acquired it, but Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman shed light on Apple’s specifics.
How to See Which Apple Products Have Extended Repair or Recall Status
Sometimes Apple extends device warranty coverage for specific issues, and keeps a list online so it’s easy to know if you have something that’s potentially due for repair or replacement.
The Mysterious Case of the Gold iPhone X Photos Published by the FCC
These photos are part of an FCC filing for an “Apple Inc. Smartphone -E3161A,” and clearly show a gold-colored device where no such device currently exists.
Quick Apple Video Tip on Managing Multiple Emails on iPad
Check out this video tip from Apple on working with multiple emails at a time on iPad. This is a new feature to me, and I bet for a lot of other people, too. The short version is that you can use the handle at the top of an email you’re writing to drag it down to the bottom of your screen, where it stays docked. That allows you to peruse your inbox. If you have just one docked email, tapping it brings it back up. If you have more than one, it gives you a Safari tab-like view to pick the one you want. It’s a nifty feature. Oh, and it works in portrait and landscape mode.
Apple Includes 13 New WebKit Features in Safari 11.1
The company detailed the WebKit changes in the release in a detailed post to the WebKit blog, included below.
Apple Music Tops 40 Million Subscribers, Gets a Vice President
Apple Music now has more than 40 million subscribers, up from the 36 million milestone made public earlier this year.
Mac Keyboards, Trusting Facebook, and Being Profitable and Green - ACM 457
In this episode, Bryan and Jeff discuss Mac keyboards, and what they like about clicky, long-throw keyboards, including the Azio Classic Retro BT keyboard Bryan just reviewed. They also go through a thought experiment on whether Facebook could ever earn our trust on privacy by radically reshaping their policies. They cap the show with a look at how Apple manages to be profitable and green, both.
Apple's iPhone 8 (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition Commercial, Music by Sofi Tukker
Apple has a spot out to promote the new iPhone 8 (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition. It’s very…red, with a soundtrack by Sofi Tukker, “That’s It (I’m Crazy).” This isn’t the kind of commercial likely to get a lot of TV airtime, but it’s racking up views on YouTube (224,000 and counting, after just a few hours).
Companies Committing to User Privacy, Apple's R&D Efforts - TMO Daily Observations 2018-04-10
John Martellaro and Andrew Orr join Jeff Gamet to discuss the push to get tech companies on board with user security pledges, and to talk about Apple’s R&D efforts.