Apple is reportedly returning to a live, in-person format for its internal AI summit. Will it do likewise for public events?
COVID-19
Loosening Restrictions and Holding a Grudge
How over COVID is Apple? A “silent war” over a long held grudge, and “Mac OS Ken” turns 17. That’s what we see from the Observation Deck.
Holding a Grudge and Loosening Restrictions - TMO Daily Observations 2023-01-26
Secret sources tell the Financial Times that Apple is trying to lessen its ties with Google over feelings of betrayal tied to Android. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken discuss why it’s a good article anyway. Plus – Rumor has Apple loosening its COVID policies. Yay?
Whispers of New MacBook Pros and iPhone Sales - TMO Daily Observations 2023-01-17
With a new MacBook Pro announcement rumored for today, TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken question what might make a laptop exciting again. Plus – continuing to size-up iPhone sales for the current quarter.
The Good, the Bad, and That Sounds Ugly - TMO Daily Observations 2023-01-04
Good news from “iPhone City,” news goes bad for Apple from Nikkei, and The Information has information about an ugly sounding mixed-reality headset from Apple. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken kick it all around.
iPhone Availability and Two Big Misses for 2022 - TMO Daily Observations 2023-01-02
iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max are pretty easy to get these days. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken ponder why. Plus – Mac Pro and the standalone Apple Classical Music app both “missed” delivery in 2022. Which was the biggest miss, and does either matter?
Ken Ray's Most Important and Interesting Stories of 2022 - TMO Daily Observations 2022-12-30
TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts turns the tables on TDO Host Ken Ray today, asking Ken about his most important and most interesting stories of 2022. That the answers are COVID and AR respectively will likely come as no surprise.
China's COVID Crisis Is the Gift That Keeps On Giving
China’s COVID crisis may keep hitting Apple, iPad grows Apple in India, and the Apple/AliveCor fight continues.
Much More Than Zero COVID
A report of COVID in iPhone City, news of Mac production and repair, and the end is near for Dark Sky. That’s today from the Observation Deck
Way More Than Zero COVID and Slow AirTag Info - TMO Daily Observations 2022-12-21
With the closed loop broken and zero-COVID restrictions lifted, iPhone City workers are reportedly making iPhones while suffering with COVID – sometimes by choice, sometimes as directed by management. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken puzzle over the issue. Then, why the slow walk on AirTag info? And why can’t we prompt them to update?
Negative Zero COVID - TMO Daily Observations 2022-12-19
The closed loop at Foxconn’s iPhone City plant in Zhengzhou is open. Most of the plant’s COVID restrictions have been lifted as China pulls a big “never mind” on its zero-COVID policies. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken talk that over. Plus – Will Smith, AirDrop, and Continuity are in for Mailbag Monday.
iPhone Maker Foxconn Urges China Government To Ease Zero-COVID Policy
iPhone maker Foxconn’s founder wrote a letter to the Chinese government urging it to ease COVID-19 measures.
But Just Wait 14 Months - TMO Daily Observations 2022-12-02
Want a positive spin on the current quarter? Ken tries to convince TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts how great things will look for Apple in Q1FY24 – provided nothing goes wrong. Also – Android is getting one communications app to rule them all (and ditch the green text bubbles). Jeff fills us in on Sunbird.
Unrest for 'iPhone City' and Actual Cities in China
Pro iPhones aren’t getting easier to get, unrest in iPhone City and actual cities in China, and St. Louis gives togetherness the slip.
Rare Civil Disobedience in China Shows Country’s Frustration With COVID-19 Restrictions
Demonstrators across China are protesting the country’s strict COVID-19 restrictions and calling for President Jinping to step down.
Apple's iPhone Production Could Be Reduced by 6 Million Due to Worsening Situation at Foxconn iPhone Plant in China
Apple stands to lose around 6 million units of iPhone production due to the ongoing situation at Foxconn plant in China due to COVID-19.
Tension Builds at Apple's iPhone Plant in China, Workers Clash with Foxconn's Security
Tension escalated Wednesday at the Foxconn iPhone plant in Zhengzhou as workers started protesting about unfulfilled promises of the company.
Foxconn Freezes Hiring-Blitz for the Weekend Due to Limited Quarantine Space
Foxconn is experiencing a 3-day hiring freeze due to a lack of quarantine space. This news arrives as Apple continues with supply issues.
Foxconn Still Under COVID-19 Lockdown, Expects Revenue Shortfall
Foxconn, Apple’s largest iPhone assembler, reports it will see a revenue decrease because of recent COVID-19 lockdowns.
iPhone Assembler Foxconn Tries to Ease Worker Fears About COVID-19 By Downplaying the Real Situation
A new report says iPhone assembler Foxconn has downplayed the real COVID-19 situation, but this led instead to stricter restrictions.
Minus One Bloodbath Plus One Chaotic Mess - TMO Daily Observations 2022-11-08
TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk about how wrong Ken was about Apple shares after the weekend iPhone warning. Then, Jeff has many, many thoughts on the chaotic mess than has been Elon Musk’s handling of Twitter.
Apple Warns on iPhone 14 Pro Production - TMO Daily Observations 2022-11-07
A press release on a Sunday night? TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk about the bad iPhone news Apple offered and who the news was for. Plus – Major League Soccer may be Apple’s advertising test kitchen for that other football people like so much.
Trying to Retain Workers, Foxconn More Than Triples iPhone Worker Bonuses
Responding to growing discontent and workers quitting, Foxconn is dramatically increasing iPhone worker bonuses in Zhengzhou.
A Louder iPhone City and Considering the Plastic iPad - TMO Daily Observations 2022-11-01
Concerns around iPhone production and COVID lockdowns have grown louder since the weekend. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk through some of those. Plus – was Apple right to shelve a plastic iPad?