Apple News
Trump admin sent ‘long list’ of ‘tough’ demands to Vietnam in trade talks
The Trump administration has presented Vietnam with a a “long” list of “tough” demands in tariff negotiations, including measures that could compel Vietnam to reduce its dependence on Chinese industrial goods imports, according to two sources familiar with the discussions, as reported by Reuters.
Reuters:
Washington wants Vietnam-based factories to reduce their use of materials and components from China and is asking the country to control more carefully its production and supply chains, one of the people briefed on the talks said, without elaborating on whether quantitative targets were included… The list was sent to Hanoi at the end of May after the conclusion of a second round of talks with Washington aimed at avoiding 46% “reciprocal” tariffs on imports from Vietnam.
Reuters reported on Monday that the Trump administration wants countries to provide their best offers on trade negotiations by Wednesday, citing a draft letter to negotiating partners.
U.S. officials have long accused Vietnam of being used as a waypoint for Chinese goods destined for the United States. At times, according to the allegations, goods had “Made in Vietnam” labels despite having received no or insufficient added value in the country – allowing Chinese exporters to avoid high U.S. duties on their goods.
Aware of the U.S. criticism, Hanoi has launched a crackdown on illegal transhipment of goods. The effect has yet to be seen in trade flows, however, as exports to the United States and imports from China both reached a record high in April, according to the latest data.
Vietnam has also repeatedly shown its willingness to reduce non-tariff barriers and to import more U.S. goods, in line with long-standing requests from Washington.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple’s production in Vietnam has seen significant growth over the past few years, driven by the company’s belated efforts to diversify its supply chain away from China due to trade tensions, supply chain risks, and Vietnam’s favorable manufacturing environment.
In 2016, Apple had 18 production facilities in Vietnam, ranking fourth in Southeast Asia behind Malaysia (23), Thailand (19), and the Philippines (19). By 2022, this number increased to 27 facilities, making Vietnam the second-largest hub for Apple suppliers in the region, behind Thailand (28).
As of April 2024, Apple’s supplier count in Vietnam grew from 27 to 35, establishing Vietnam as Apple’s largest manufacturing base in Southeast Asia and the fourth-largest globally.
Foxconn, Apple’s primary assembler, has invested heavily in the country, including a $300 million expansion in 2022 and a total of $4 billion across five localities, employing around 80,000 workers.
Vietnam has transitioned from producing simpler products like AirPods (started in 2020) to more complex devices like iPads and MacBooks. By 2023, Apple began manufacturing MacBooks in Vietnam, with production scaling up significantly.
Vietnam now produces a significant portion of Apple’s products, including iPads, MacBooks, Mac minis, HomePods, Apple Watches, and AirPods.
By the end of 2025, Vietnam is expected to account for:
• 20% of global iPad production
• 20% of Apple Watch production
• 5% of MacBook production
• 65% of AirPod production
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Why Apple is again Cannes Lions’ Creative Marketer of the Year
This year, the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity announced Apple as the 2025 Creative Marketer of the Year. Given annually since 1992, the prestigious accolade is presented to a marketer that has amassed a body of iconic, Lion-winning work over a sustained period of time. This is the second time Apple has been honored with the prestigious honorary Award having been previously honored in 2019.
Now, Apple is an iconic marketer, an all-time, first ballot Hall of Famer. But in my opinion, 2024 has been a bit of a mixed bag. So why is this Apple’s year?
To discuss where this past year fits in the pantheon of Apple’s greatest hits, I called up Elizabeth Paul. A strategist by trade, Paul is the chief brand officer at award-winning ad shop the Martin Agency. You’ll know their work for major brands like Geico, UPS, the new Axe work with Pete Davidson, and much more. More importantly, she’s always up for some hot take banter about the work and culture around advertising and brands.
Paul told me when she was rewatching a lot of Apple’s 2024 work, she kept thinking about whether any of it would fit into her top 5 list of Apple’s all-time work. “Is there anything this year that would dislodge something else that I’ve loved for a long time?” she says. “I would say the thing that got closest to me was ‘Someday,’ which is beautifully done and really powerful.”
Listen to the podcast to hear us break down our top 5 lists of all-time Apple ads:
MacDailyNews Note: Earlier this year, commenting on being named Creative Marketer of the Year, Tor Myhren, Vice President, Marketing Communications, Apple, said, “We are incredibly grateful for this honor, which highlights the passion and creativity of an extraordinary team. Apple has always existed at the intersection of liberal arts and technology, and we work hard to channel our creativity into content that will inspire our users to unlock their own.”
More information on Cannes Lions, including details on the Awards, can be found here.
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Apple unveils winners and finalists of the 2025 Apple Design Awards
Apple on Tuesday announced the winners and finalists of this year’s Apple Design Awards, celebrating 12 standout apps and games that set a high bar in design. This year’s winners include development teams spanning the world whose work was selected for excellence in innovation, ingenuity, and technical achievement.
“Developers continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, creating apps and games that are not only beautifully designed but also deeply impactful,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations, in a statement. “We’re excited to celebrate this incredible group of winners and finalists at WWDC and spotlight the innovation and craftsmanship they bring to each experience.”
The awards recognize one app and one game across six categories: Delight and Fun, Innovation, Interaction, Inclusivity, Social Impact, and Visuals and Graphics. The winners were chosen from 36 finalists from around the world who have all demonstrated outstanding design experiences across apps and games.
Delight and Fun
Winners and finalists in this category provide memorable, engaging, and satisfying experiences enhanced by Apple technologies.
App: CapWords
Developer: HappyPlan Tech (China)
CapWords is a dynamic language learning tool that transforms images of everyday objects into interactive stickers — helping learners explore new words in a more intuitive and visual way. Supporting nine languages, the app is a delightful way to learn independently while immersing users in their surroundings.
Game: Balatro
Developer: LocalThunk (Canada)
Balatro is a satisfying fusion of poker, solitaire, and deck-building with roguelike elements. Players combine poker hands with joker cards — each with their own unique abilities — to create varied synergies. Hallmarked by clever details, gripping gameplay challenges players to advance their scores by crafting original decks to beat devious blinds and secure victory.
Finalists for this category include Lumy by Raja V; Denim by Feel Good Tech; Thank Goodness You’re Here! by Panic; and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown by Ubisoft Montpellier.
Innovation
Winners and finalists in this category provide a state-of-the-art experience through novel use of Apple technologies that set them apart in their genre.
App: Play
Developer: Rabbit 3 Times (United States)
Play is a sophisticated yet accessible tool that lets users build interactive prototypes with SwiftUI frameworks. Its thoughtfully crafted user interface is both powerful and easy to navigate, helping designers create interactive prototypes and collaborate across Mac and iPhone, all synced in real time for seamless creativity.
Game: PBJ — The Musical
Developer: Philipp Stollenmayer (Germany)
PBJ — The Musical is snack-based Shakespeare, a charming game that tells the story of Romeo and Juliet with condiments. PBJ creatively mixes rhythm-based gameplay with narrative storytelling and a wonderful soundtrack. And with haptic feedback, clever camera work, and fun dialogue, it’s joyful from the start.
Finalists for this category include Moises by Music.AI; Capybara by Digital Workroom Ltd; Pawz by Bootloader Studio Holdings Private Limited; and Gears & Goo by Resolution Games AB.
Interaction
Winners and finalists in this category deliver intuitive interfaces and effortless controls that are perfectly tailored to their platform.
App: Taobao
Developer: Zhejiang Taobao Network (China)
Taobao offers a convenient and engaging shopping experience on Apple Vision Pro, providing incredible 3D models comparable to their real-life counterparts. The immersive experience enhances shopping for users, taking into consideration placement, position, controls, size, and function, and giving people the ability to compare items side by side from an extensive selection of products.
Game: DREDGE
Developer: Black Salt Games (New Zealand)
DREDGE blends slow-burn horror with exploration and adventure. Players take the helm of a fishing boat to navigate eerie islands, uncover strange wildlife, and piece together a haunting mystery. The game offers seamless interactions and a fun world of hidden treasures across iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Finalists for this category include iA Writer by Information Architects AG; Mela – Recipe Manager by Silvio Rizzi; Gears & Goo by Resolution Games AB; and Skate City: New York by Snowman.
Inclusivity
Winners and finalists in this category provide a great experience for all by reflecting a variety of backgrounds, abilities, and languages.
App: Speechify
Developer: Speechify (United States)
With support for hundreds of voices in over 50 languages, Speechify is a powerful tool that transforms written text into audio with ease. Designed with accessibility at its core, and by offering features like Dynamic Type and VoiceOver, the app serves as a vital resource for people with dyslexia, ADHD, and low vision, as well as anyone who learns best by listening.
Game: Art of Fauna
Developer: Klemens Strasser (Austria)
Beautifully illustrated and mindfully designed, Art of Fauna is a puzzle game that blends vintage-inspired wildlife imagery with a deep commitment to inclusivity and conservation. Players can solve puzzles by rearranging visual elements or reordering descriptive text, making gameplay uniquely interactive. With features like full VoiceOver support and haptic feedback, accessibility is woven throughout the experience.
Finalists for this category include Evolve by GTA Solutions; Train Fitness by Train Fitness; puffies. by Lykke Studios; and Land of Livia by Split Atom Labs.
Social Impact
Winners and finalists in this category improve lives in a meaningful way and shine a light on crucial issues.
App: Watch Duty
Developer: Sherwood Forestry Service (United States)
During devastating wildfires in Southern California, Watch Duty once again served as a lifeline, delivering up-to-the-minute updates, evacuation information, and critical resources with clarity and reliability. The app reports information like active fire perimeters and progress, wind speed and direction, and evacuation orders.
Game: Neva
Developer: Developer Digital (United States)
Visually stunning and emotionally resonant, Neva is an action-adventure tale that follows a girl and her wolf companion through a ficitional world in decline. As the seasons shift, so does their relationship — offering a quiet meditation on care, connection, and the cost of environmental loss. With themes of friendship and leadership, players guide the pair through breathtaking landscapes, and a story that is as moving as it is timely.
Finalists for this category include Ground News by Snapwise; Opal by Opal OS; Ahoy! From Picardy by Daniel Jones; and Art of Fauna by Klemens Strasser.
Visuals and Graphics
Winners and finalists in this category feature stunning imagery, skillfully drawn interfaces, and high-quality animations with a distinctive and cohesive theme.
App: Feather: Draw in 3D
Developer: Sketchsoft (South Korea)
This drawing tool allows users to transform 2D designs into 3D masterpieces. Developed with a focus on creativity and user experience, Feather makes it easy for people of all skill levels to build advanced 3D modeling designs on iPad, drawing on touch and Apple Pencil interactions to help users bring their imaginations to life.
Game: Infinity Nikki
Developer: Infold Games (Singapore)
With its enchanted realm of color, detail, and rendering, Infinity Nikki is a true visual achievement. This cozy open-world adventure challenges players to collect wonderful things, and is packed with magical outfits, whimsical creatures, and unexpected moments.
Finalists for this category include Vocabulary by Monkey Taps; CellWalk by Timothy Davison; Control Ultimate Edition by Remedy Entertainment PLC; and Neva by Developer Digital.
MacDailyNews Take: To learn more about the Apple Design Award winners and finalists, visit developer.apple.com/design/awards or the Apple Developer app.
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Apple might consider a stock split in 2025 to signal confidence and attract investors
Apple, once the world’s most valuable company, now down to third place behind Nvidia and rival Microsoft, has faced a challenging 2025, with its stock declining 20% year-to-date, underperforming the S&P 500’s modest 0.2% gain. This lag, driven by concerns over antitrust issues, tariffs, competition in China, and slow-to-no progress in generative AI (GenAI), has sparked discussions about strategic moves to restore investor confidence. One such move could be a stock split, a tactic Apple has employed multiple times in its history (1987, 2000, 2005, 2014, and 2020). A stock split in 2025 could signal executives’ confidence in Apple’s long-term growth, make shares more accessible to retail investors, and position the company to attract new investment in a down year.
A stock split reduces the price per share by increasing the number of shares outstanding, without altering the company’s market capitalization or an investor’s total holdings value. For example, a 4-for-1 split, like Apple’s in 2020, would divide the share price by four while quadrupling the number of shares. Apple’s stock, trading at around $200, would drop to $50 after a 4-for-1 split, making it more affordable for retail investors. This accessibility is critical, as retail investors, empowered by platforms like Robinhood, play an increasingly significant role in market dynamics. Lower share prices can broaden Apple’s shareholder base, boosting liquidity and demand.
Beyond accessibility, and even more importantly as the ability to purchase fractional shares has now become widespread, a stock split would signal Apple’s confidence in its future. The company’s 2025 struggles — particularly its lag in GenAI compared to rivals like xAI, OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic — have fueled widespread investor skepticism. Apple’s AI efforts, centered on Apple Intelligence and Siri, remain starkly uncompetitive in generative tasks, contributing to a lack of confidence in the company and fueling its stock price decline.
A split would project optimism, suggesting Apple anticipates strong growth, especially as it prepares to unveil iOS 26, macOS 26, and other operating system updates at WWDC 2025 on June 9th. These OS and other announcements (new AI partnerships) could align with a split to boost positive sentiment.
Historically, Apple’s splits have coincided with periods of growth or recovery. The 2020 4-for-1 split followed a strong rally, making shares more accessible during a retail investing boom. Post-split, Apple’s stock rose significantly, driven by optimism around 5G iPhones and services growth. A 2025 split could similarly reassure investors, countering concerns about antitrust scrutiny or China’s competitive pressures.
Critics might argue that stock splits are cosmetic, as they don’t alter fundamental value. However, the psychological impact is undeniable. Lower share prices attract retail investors, who perceive the stock as “cheaper,” driving demand. Institutional investors, too, may view a split as a proactive move. With Apple’s huge cash reserves, it has the financial flexibility to invest in AI, counter tariffs, and navigate legal challenges, reinforcing the case for a split to project confidence and stability.
Moreover, a split could help Apple regain momentum among the “Magnificent Seven” tech stocks, where it currently trail by a significant margin. By making shares more accessible and signaling confidence, Apple could attract new investors, stabilize its stock price, and set the stage for a rebound. As WWDC 2025 approaches, a stock split could be a strategic move to reassure users, investors, and Wall Street analysts and position Apple shares for a stronger 2025, ahead of significant AI releases expected in 2026.
MacDailyNews Take: Even just a 2-for-1 split would signal confidence on the part of Apple’s management.
MacDailyNews Note: Apple has executed five stock splits in its history as a publicly traded company:
June 16, 1987: 2-for-1 Split
– Pre-Split Price: ~$79 (adjusted for subsequent splits)
– Post-Split Price: ~$39.50
June 21, 2000: 2-for-1 Split
– Pre-Split Price: ~$111
– Post-Split Price: ~$55.50
February 28, 2005: 2-for-1 Split
– Pre-Split Price: ~$89
– Post-Split Price: ~$44.50
June 9, 2014: 7-for-1 Split
– Pre-Split Price: ~$645
– Post-Split Price: ~$92
August 31, 2020: 4-for-1 Split
– Pre-Split Price: ~$500
– Post-Split Price: ~$125
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Apple TV+ in position to land new MLB package
Apple TV+ is poised to secure a new streaming package from Major League Baseball, according to Sports Business Journal.
Apple, which already broadcasts Friday Night Baseball, may acquire a Sunday night package previously held by ESPN, the outlet reported, citing sources. NBC, a Comcast division, has been rumored to bid for all of ESPN’s MLB rights after ESPN and MLB agreed to end their partnership post-2025 season. However, Apple could outbid NBC, particularly for Sunday night game rights.
Apple is believed to pay $85 million per season for Friday Night Baseball on Apple TV+, a deal announced in 2022 and running through 2028.
Austin Karp for Sports Business Journal:
Reports emerged late last month that NBC is bidding for all of ESPN’s current MLB rights, but the league — like many other properties — is weighing the pros and cons of potentially fewer dollars from a legacy media company with more reach vs. more dollars from a digitally native platform with fewer eyeballs domestically.
A source tells SBJ the offer from Apple would likely be more than what NBC would be eyeing, particularly if that package was focused on simply Sunday night rights.
Any deal would likely be a three-year pact, lining up MLB to have all its national rights (and maybe even a national “local” package) available in 2028, when deals with Fox Sports and TNT Sports also end.
MacDailyNews Take: Clearly, Friday Night Baseball is working for Apple if they want to add more MLB to Apple TV+.
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Don’t expect any new Apple hardware at WWDC 2025 next week
WWDC 2025 is nearing, with Apple’s opening keynote scheduled for Monday, June 9 at 10am PDT / 1pm EDT. The annual developer conference typically showcases updates to Apple’s software platforms, with iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26 expected to be revealed. The usual question looms: will Apple also announce new hardware?
Joe Rossignol for MacRumors:
The answer to that question is likely no. In his Power On newsletter last weekend, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said that Apple has no major new devices ready to ship, so there might not be any hardware announcements at WWDC 2025.
Apple could still surprise us on the hardware front, of course, and Gurman did not explicitly rule out smaller device announcements.
WWDC is always focused on software, but there are hardware announcements at the conference in some years. Most recently, Apple unveiled the Vision Pro and updated three Mac models at WWDC 2023. In 2024, however, it was a software-only affair.
MacDailyNews Take: Of course, it’s a conference for developers, so it’s mostly, and often exclusively, about software.
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Apple TV+ unveils first look at season five of globally acclaimed spy series ‘Slow Horses’
Apple TV+ revealed a first look at season five of “Slow Horses,” the Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning espionage drama starring Academy Award winner Gary Oldman. The highly anticipated six-episode fifth season will premiere globally on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, with the first two episodes, followed by one episode weekly until October 22, 2025.
“Slow Horses” is a darkly humorous espionage drama that follows a dysfunctional team of British intelligence agents who serve in a dumping ground department of MI5 known unaffectionately as Slough House. Oldman, who has been honored with Golden Globe, Emmy and BAFTA Award nominations for his performance, stars as Jackson Lamb, the brilliant but cantankerous leader of the spies who end up in Slough House due to their career-ending mistakes as they frequently find themselves blundering around the smoke and mirrors of the espionage world.
In season five of “Slow Horses,” everyone is suspicious when resident tech nerd Roddy Ho has a glamorous new girlfriend. When a series of increasingly bizarre events occur across the city, it falls to the Slow Horses to work out how everything is connected. After all, Lamb knows that in the world of espionage, the London Rules — cover your back — always apply.
If you haven’t yet seen “Slow Horses,” here’s the trailer for season four, now streaming:
The stellar ensemble cast includes Academy Award nominee Kristin Scott Thomas, Emmy Award nominee Jack Lowden, Saskia Reeves, Rosalind Eleazar, Christopher Chung, Aimee-Ffion Edwards, Ruth Bradley, James Callis, Tom Brooke, and Academy Award nominee Jonathan Pryce. Season five will also welcome “Ted Lasso” star Nick Mohammed as a special guest star.
“Slow Horses” has been celebrated as “undoubtedly the best spy series on television,” a “truly epic espionage thriller” that is “utterly brilliant” and just “so damn good.” The complete first four seasons of “Slow Horses,” which are now streaming on Apple TV+, hold a Certified Fresh score, with two seasons receiving a rare, perfect 100% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. The globally acclaimed third season earned nine Primetime Emmy Award nominations, with a win for “Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series.” Season six of the widely hailed, darkly comedic spy drama was announced in 2024.
The series is produced for Apple TV+ by See-Saw Films and adapted for television by Will Smith. Jamie Laurenson, Hakan Kousetta, Julian Stevens, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Douglas Urbanski, Gail Mutrux, Smith and Graham Yost serve as executive producers on the series. Saul Metzstein, who earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for his work on “Slow Horses” season three, returns to helm season five.
Apple TV+ offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all of a user’s favorite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 573 wins and 2,614 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso” and Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”
MacDailyNews Take: Apple TV+ last October announced a new, six-episode sixth season for “Slow Horses.” The complete first four seasons of “Slow Horses” are now streaming on Apple TV+, and season five was announced earlier in 2024.
“Slow Horses” is one of the very best series on Apple TV+, and that’s saying quite a lot!
MacDailyNews Note: Apple TV+ is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $9.99 per month with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod touch can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.
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Major Apple supplier TSMC’s American expansion plans advance; CEO cites ‘warm’ talks with President Trump
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Chief Executive Officer C. C. Wei reaffirmed TSMC’s commitment to spend another $100 billion to ramp up manufacturing in Arizona over the next half-decade and highlighted productive discussions with American President Donald Trump.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Chief Executive Officer C. C. Wei blamed worsening traffic snarls for slight delays in expanding its base in southwest Japan, highlighting some of the snags in Tokyo’s signature chipmaking project.
He stressed productive discussions with US President Donald Trump, although Wei also said he told Trump that it will be “very, very difficult” for TSMC to complete the massive buildout in five years due to a shortage of skilled labor and the minimum required construction period.
Trump was warm in their exchange, Wei told reporters after hosting a shareholders’ meeting in Hsinchu, Taiwan, on Tuesday. “He said, ‘Do your best, that’s enough,’” Wei said.
The twin projects embody TSMC’s impetus to produce abroad as geopolitical tensions rise and demand grows for Nvidia Corp. chips essential for developing AI. TSMC has long operated mostly from its home turf of Taiwan but built a plant in Japan after securing a raft of commitments and incentives from Tokyo. It then announced plans to dramatically increase its US investment days after Trump took office.
The world’s largest contract chipmaker sits at the heart of that technology supply chain, producing cutting-edge chips for Apple Inc.’s iPhones [and Macs, iPads, Apple TVs, and other products] and Nvidia’s AI servers.
MacDailyNews Note: At the end of April, Major Apple supplier TSMC hosted U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick in Phoenix, Arizona where the company broke ground on its third fab facility in Arizona to mark the 100th day of Trump administration.
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[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]
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BofA: Apple stock has ‘significant’ long-term opportunities
Apple stock has been the weakest performer among the Magnificent Seven tech stocks, significantly trailing the S&P 500, which gained 0.2% in 2025. Down 20% this year, Apple faces headwinds from antitrust concerns, tariffs, competition in China, and slower progress in AI development. However, its lag behind the broader market and megacap tech peers is signaling to Wall Street that it may be a buying opportunity.
Angela Palumbo for Barron’s:
BofA Securities analyst Wamsi Mohan is one of Wall Street’s Apple optimists. He wrote in a research note on Monday that he sees a “significant,” long term opportunity for investors. He rates Apple stock at Buy with a $235 price target, which implies a 17% increase from Friday’s closing price of $200.85.
“We see Apple’s ecosystem and brand as key competitive advantages, with ability to open up new addressable markets through its deep R&D investments,” Mohan wrote. “This should help sustain growth even as the company faces regulatory, competitive and trade challenges.”
One reason for Mohan’s continued optimism is the vast number of Apple products now in use around the world. He put the number at more than 2.3 billion, saying it makes results somewhat predictable because many users will inevitably upgrade their devices due to age, breakages, or just plain desire for a new gadget.
“Even in a tougher economic year, a certain base level of iPhone upgrades will happen…and services revenue from subscriptions will largely continue,” Mohan wrote. “This provides a floor under Apple’s financial performance.”
The problem for customers — and investors — is that Apple Intelligence isn’t a game changer yet, and the rollout of certain AI features has been delayed. It likely will take time for Apple to perform well in the race, but waiting could pay off if the company becomes a leader in on-device AI, also known as AI at the edge.
MacDailyNews Take: We’d like to see Apple at least add to Apple Intelligence’s GenAI options beyond just OpenAI’s ChaptGPT as it’s not even best-in-class in many areas and many other firms are improving/scaling rapidly.
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Apple CEO Tim Cook No.4 on list of Highest Paid CEOs
A new analysis from The Wall Street Journal revealed which CEOs heading up S&P 500 companies had the biggest pay packages in 2024. Apple CEO Tim Cook place 4th on the list.
Aislinn Murphy for FOX Business:
The Journal said its analysis looked at MyLogIQ data to rank a total of more than 400 CEOs who had been at the helm of S&P 500 companies for a year or longer.
1. Rick Smith – Axon Enterprises: Axon Enterprise CEO Rick Smith’s $164.53 million pay package was the only one of the S&P 500 companies last year in which the package was six figures, according to The Journal. Stock awards linked to company performance accounted for the bulk of his 2024 compensation. Axon, which makes Tasers and other products, had a market capitalization of over $58 billion as of Monday.
2. Lawrence Culp Jr. – GE Aerospace: Larry Culp is the CEO of GE Aerospace. The analysis pegged his 2024 compensation at $88.95 million, earning him the No. 2 spot.
3. Stephen Schwarzman – Blackstone: Blackstone compensated CEO Stephen Schwarzman about $84.03 million in 2024, The Journal reported. The private equity firm had nearly $1.2 trillion in assets under management as of the end of March. He co-founded Blackstone in the 1980s along with Peter Peterson.
4. Tim Cook – Apple: Apple CEO Tim Cook’s $74.61 million pay package included cash, equity, and other compensation, according to the Journal.
MacDailyNews Take: Can’t see what’s coming except for fat checks and endless stock awards. $74.61 million.
While Cook is hemming and hawing when faced with shareholders (virtually, of course, never again in person for as long as Cook remains), Apple is currently in scramble mode trying to catch up to rivals — including the world’s most valuable company, Microsoft — in generative AI, a technology the company seems to have completely missed while focusing instead on the not-ready-for-primetime Apple Vision Pro, visionOS, its now-canceled decade-long multi-billion-dollar electric vehicle boondoggle, replacing leather in iPhone cases and Apple Watch bands with overpriced junk in a quest to “save the planet,” forcing employees to endure a constant barrage of time-wasting zero-productivity DEI sessions, and myriad other various and sundry “initiatives” which Cook deems of import. – MacDailyNews, February 28, 2024
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Apple TV+’s new golf comedy series ‘Stick,’ starring Owen Wilson, premieres this Wednesday
“Stick,” starring and executive produced by Owen Wilson and created by Jason Keller, is a 10-episode series that will make its global debut on Apple TV+ with the first three episodes on Wednesday, June 4, followed by one new episode every Wednesday, through July 23, 2025.
In “Stick,” Wilson stars as Pryce Cahill, an over-the-hill, ex-pro golfer whose career was derailed prematurely 20 years ago. After the collapse of his marriage and getting fired from his job at an Indiana sporting goods store, Pryce hedges his bets, and future, entirely on a troubled 17-year-old golf phenom named Santi (Peter Dager). “Stick” is a heartfelt, feel-good sports comedy about a found family and their relationships set within the world of golf as it has never been shown before.
In addition to Wilson and Dager, the ensemble cast includes Marc Maron, Mariana Treviño, Lilli Kay, Judy Greer, and Timothy Olyphant, and features guest appearances from golf superstars such as Collin Morikawa, Keegan Bradley, Max Homa, Wyndham Clark and more. Additional cameos include broadcasters Jim Nantz and Trevor Immelman, Good Good’s Matt Scharff, Brad Dalke, and Garrett Clark, as well as golf enthusiast Dan Rapaport.
“Stick” is showrun by Keller, who also serves as executive producer alongside Wilson, Ben Silverman for Propagate Content, and Entertainment 360’s Guymon Casady. The series is also executive produced by Howard T. Owens, Rodney Ferrell, Drew Buckley, Lee Eisenberg, Natalie Sandy, Christopher Moynihan, Bill Callahan, Valerie Faris, Jonathan Dayton, and Jaffar Mahmood. Faris, Dayton and Mahmood serve as directors along with David Dobkin, MJ Delaney and John Hamburg.
Apple TV+ offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all of a user’s favorite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 569 wins and 2,607 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso” and Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”
MacDailyNews Note: Apple TV+ is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $9.99 per month with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod touch can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.
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Apple TV is privacy advocates’ go-to streaming device
Apple TV boxes offer significantly more privacy than other streaming hardware providers. Apple TVs prioritize privacy by avoiding automatic content recognition (ACR) tracking, unlike Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Google TV. Users can disable Siri, location tracking, and analytics sharing during setup. Apple doesn’t sell user data or serve targeted ads, offering a more private streaming experience.
Scharon Harding for Ars Technica:
One of the simplest ways Apple TVs ensure better privacy is through their setup process, during which you can disable Siri, location tracking, and sending analytics data to Apple. During setup, users also receive several opportunities to review Apple’s data and privacy policies. Also off by default is the boxes’ ability to send voice input data to Apple.
Most other streaming devices require users to navigate through pages of settings to disable similar tracking capabilities, which most people are unlikely to do. Apple’s approach creates a line of defense against snooping, even for those unaware of how invasive smart devices can be.
“Apple’s primary business model isn’t dependent on selling targeted ads, so it has somewhat less incentive to harvest and monetize incredible amounts of your data,” said RJ Cross, director of the consumer privacy program at the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG). “I personally trust them more with my data than other tech companies.”
MacDailyNews Take: Smart people who value their privacy, but we repeat ourselves, stream via Apple TV boxes. Tons more in the recommended full article here.
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Apple challenges ‘unreasonable’ EU order to open up user data to rivals
Apple has initiated a legal challenge against an EU directive requiring it to open its closed ecosystem to competitors like Meta and Alphabet’s Google, claiming the demands are excessive and hinder innovation. In March, the European Commission specified Apple’s compliance requirements under the Digital Markets Act.
Reuters:
Apple said the EU’s interoperability requirements create “a process that is unreasonable, costly, and stifles innovation.”
“These requirements will also hand data-hungry companies sensitive information, which poses massive privacy and security risks to our EU users,” it said in a statement. “These deeply flawed rules that only target Apple – and no other company – will severely limit our ability to deliver innovative products and features to Europe, leading to an inferior user experience for our European customers.”
Meta, Google, Spotify, and Garmin are among companies that have requested access to Apple users’ data.
The legal fight will likely take years to play out in court. Until then, Apple will have to comply with the EU order.
MacDailyNews Take: The U.S. has leverage and recourse. Expect both to be used.
Trump administration has been warning the EU against excessive regulation of American technology firms. On February 21st, President Trump issued a directive, “Defending American Companies and Innovators From Overseas Extortion and Unfair Fines and Penalties,” threatening to impose tariffs on Europe to combat what he called “overseas extortion” of American tech companies through digital services taxes, fines, practices, and policies.
See also: President Trump says Apple CEO Tim Cook called to complain about EU’s $17 billion in fines – October 17, 2024
The European Union arose because the Europeans couldn’t compete on their own with the rest of the world, so they each lined up to surrender their national sovereignty, unique cultures, and dignity for an undemocratic, opaque, wasteful, bloated, bureaucratic quasi-governmental blob – and, even with the EU’s thumbs all over the scale, they still can’t compete. — MacDailyNews, March 4, 2024
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What ‘low investor expectations’ mean for Apple stock
Absent from Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference next week will be the eagerly awaited artificial-intelligence update to Siri. Its rollout has been postponed indefinitely and is likely to be deferred to the next operating system update cycle, “though the exact timing is still uncertain,” according to analysts. This delay may be contributing to “low investor expectations” for the upcoming event, Citi noted on Monday. The firm’s analysts have consistently highlighted the delay as a negative factor for Apple stock, with Citi stating in March that it could impact full-year device sales.
Mackenzie Tatananni for Barron’s:
Regardless of this stumbling block, the analysts said Monday that Apple is ready to participate in the era of “personal AI server devices,” in which models are distilled and integrated directly onto devices.
The firm remains bullish on Apple’s competitive positioning, as the maker of a so-called full stack of hardware, software, and services. Another bright spot is the company’s 2.35 billion-strong user base, from which Apple can scrape large amounts of data “to optimize user experience.”
The analysts expect Apple to unveil a sweeping user interface redesign, making it “more consistent and simpler” and akin to the OS for Vision Pro, Apple’s mixed-reality headset.
These may seem like negligible changes compared to the much-awaited Siri update, but the analysts see them as evidence of Apple’s “continued efforts on a more consistent and better integrated ecosystem.”
MacDailyNews Note: Citi reiterated a Buy rating and $240 price target on Apple stock, $20.10 below its all-time high of $260.10 set on December 26, 2024.
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Insiders expect Apple’s WWDC 25 to be another AI disappointment
Apple, a year after debuting its AI platform, will do little at WWDC to show it’s catching up to leaders like xAI and OpenAI. Mark Gurman reports for Bloomberg News, “People within the company believe that the conference may be a letdown from an AI standpoint.” As the rest of Big Tech powers into the AI future, Apple is dangerously behind and, so far, looks to have little hope of catching up any time soon.
Mark Gurman for Bloomberg News:
A year ago, Apple Inc. unveiled its long-awaited entry to the generative AI space. With Apple Intelligence, the company assumed the role of the thoughtful latecomer that had taken its time to get AI right. Wall Street bought in to the idea, and consumers were curious. The message was clear: Apple may have been behind, but it wouldn’t be for long.
By August, when developers got their hands on the first beta version of Apple Intelligence, that narrative began to fall apart. It became obvious that the product was more branding than breakthrough.
MacDailyNews Take: Told ya so. Even before it happened. As usual.
Apple was caught flat-footed, due to a lack of vision on the part of leadership… So, the only solution is to partner with a [Google, OpenAI, Baidu, etc.] for the real GenAI stuff while pretending (marketing) really hard that some on-device AI Apple has whipped up in a few months is “insanely great Apple innovation” that’s at the heart of Apple’s 2024’s AI announcements when it’s really just an adjunct… Watch Apple make a big show of its on-device AI at WWDC and run many ads touting it from June onwards… This is what happens after a decade plus with a caretaker CEO at the helm after he hits the last page of his iteration playbook, yet attempts to stay in the game for too long. – MacDailyNews, April 1, 2024
The new “AI features” for iOS, iPadOS, and MacOS to be revealed at WWDC is mainly a marketing exercise. The pressure is on Apple’s marketing team to position the company as an innovator in the space (“only Apple does so much on-device AI which enhances users’ privacy to ‘stunning’ effect,” etc.) that also makes “smart partnerships” with other AI companies (OpenAI, for example; even though it’s currently forced to partner if they want to offer any real GenAI features). Now, more than ever, finding themselves so far behind, Apple needs to sell, sell, sell! – MacDailyNews, May 28, 2024
WWDC24’s “Apple Intelligence” dog and pony show happened on June 10, 2024.
It’s very easy to be a Johnny Come Lately. At MacDailyNews, you not only get it first, you often get it before it even happens.
With the one-year anniversary of Apple Intelligence approaching, the company finds itself in a bind. It needs to build some AI buzz at the June 9 Worldwide Developers Conference, but it has little to add to the conversation. Within the last few weeks, OpenAI struck a blockbuster partnership with Apple’s former design chief, while Google made major strides at its I/O event…
Apple needs a comeback. But that probably won’t be happening at this year’s WWDC. People within the company believe that the conference may be a letdown from an AI standpoint. Others familiar with the company’s planned announcements worry they could make Apple’s shortcomings even more obvious.
MacDailyNews Take: Our Takes age like bottles of very fine wine.
When you’re caught flat-footed like Tim Cook’s Apple, you pop into scramble mode to try to catch up. Early on, you hit it with a big marketing flourish (WWDC24) in order to buy some more time. Then you dribble out features as they get finished and actually exist. Classic vaporware. – MadDailyNews, July 31, 2024
Executing a vaporware strategy is an unfortunate necessity without a visionary CEO and it takes time to actually realize (code, test, build out datacenter infrastructure, etc.) a grand marketing vision. – MacDailyNews, September 10, 2024
You know, some people get upset when we point out that Tim Cook is a boring, reactive caretaker who’s not really the best person to be running Apple today or for at least the past several years.
Operations manager Cook should have been a 3-5 year stopgap after Steve Jobs’ untimely passing, running the iteration playbook, providing continuity for the company while it found a real CEO. Instead, he hung on — and keeps hanging on — well past his sell-by date.
Sigh.
You can be upset with us for having the temerity to call it like we see it, but the fact remains that Apple would be doing significantly better today with a visionary who’d have seen AI on the horizon, who’d have recognized the intrinsic importance of Siri and therefore invested in it instead of criminally neglecting it, and who wouldn’t have squandered the company’s gigantic leads in things like personal assistants and podcasting. – MacDailyNews, August 22, 2024
Apple needed new blood years ago, but the old blood simply won’t let go. – MacDailyNews, January 22, 2025
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