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News
Apple’s 2Q 2020 Earnings
And they, ever so slightly, beat the numbers from the same quarter last year
Revenue of $58.3 billion and profit of $11.25 billion in Q2 2020 vs $58 billion in revenue and $11.56 billion profit in the same quarter in 2019
Tim Cook credited increases in Services and Wearables revenue for helping maintian growth in the quarter.
Services revenue was at an all time record of a $13.35B for the quarter
And Wearables hit a quarterly revenue record of $6.28B
For the other categories Apple saw revenue of:
$28.96B for iPhone, down from $31B in the year ago quarter
$5.4B for Mac, down from $5.5B
$4.4B for iPad, down from $4.9B
Other notes
Gross margin for services is 65.4 percent. So profitable.
3rd party subscriptions grew over 40% year-over-year
Apple now has 515 million paid subscribers across all services.
Apple News now has 125 million monthly users
Tim Cook expects to reach the companies goal of doubling 2016 Services revenue in this year.
Perhaps not surprisingly Sensor Tower reported that first time downloads of iPad apps went above 1.1B, showing the first year over year growth since the fourth quarter of 2013
The top two categories were Games & Entertainment followed by Education apps.
Sign of the times.
Consumer spending on apps also showed the largest year over year increase since the fourth quarter of 2014 and went above $2B for the first time ever.
Lots of new names coming to Apple TV+
Along with current faces
Apple made a two year content creation deal with writer and producer Annie Weisman
Weisman is already the executive producer of the upcoming Apple TV+ show Physical
The new contract broadens her relationship with Apple and will see her develop other exclusive content and television shows for Apple.
“The Morning Show” show-runner Kerry Ehrin has also agreed to an extended with Apple
According to Variety the deal is a new multi-year extension which will see her developing exclusive projects for Apple TV+
Apple hired the BBC’s factual controller, Alison Kirkham expanding their original content division in the UK
Kirkham will join Apple TV+ this summer and head development of Apple’s European unscripted series and movies
At the BBC, Kirkham led award-winning documentary productions including Planet Earth II and Blue Planet II
Apple also set an overall deal with Alena Smith, the showrunner of ‘Dickinson’
Variety reports that Apple has acquired the rights to Ewan McGregor’s “Long Way Up” motorcycle travel series
Apple TV+ has announced a new documentary film ‘Dads’, which will be available on June 19.
Obviously timed to coincide with Father’s Day on June 21st
It’s a 80 minute documentary film from Bryce Dallas Howard, daughter of filmmaker and actor Ron Howard (who, not surprisingly, appears in the film)
The film mixes interviews with folks from everyday life and celebrities exploring the modern definition of being a father.
This is the first Apple TV+ project to come from Apple’s deal with Imagine Entertainment, Brian Grazer, and Ron Howard’s production company.
Sofia Coppola is the 1913 novel "Custom of the Country," by Edith Wharton into a new series for Apple TV+
Coppola is well know for films, but this will be the first time she has done a TV series
Coppola is also working on a movie for Apple TV+ called “On the Rocks” starring Bill Murray and Rashida Jones
It’s still not clear what’s going to happen with the second season of many of Apple TV+ series as production has halted on many of the services.
The cast of Mythic Quest has shot a special “quarantine” episode that is set to debut on AppleTV+ on May 22nd.
The episode will be ripped from real life with the employees of the company dealing with video game development while working from home.
The episode was show on iPhone and produced in “just a few days”.
The updated 13-inch MacBook Pro
Apple released the updated 13-inch MacBook Pro with the new updated scissor switch “Magic” keyboard
The updated MacBook Pro features new faster 10th gen Intel processor options, faster GPUs using Intel’s latest Iris Plus integrated graphics, up to 32GB RAM, and up to 4TB SSDs
The entry level of the line-up still uses 8th gen Intel processor and the screen remains unchanged from the previous model.
Early benchmarks show the new 10th gen processors delivering about a 15 percent performance increase over the previous models
The storage has been doubled across the line from the pervious generation with the base models having 256GB SSDs
All models now come with a touch-bar and physical `esc` key
The lower end models feature two Thunderbolt 3 ports but the highest end model has 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports.
All feature 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0
They also all have Dolby Atmos playback, and the new enhanced three-mic array built-in microphones with directional beam-forming
The model with 4TB ports is capable of driving an Apple Pro Display XDR at full 6K resolution.
All that and it still has just a 720p FaceTime camera. Come on Apple.
Pricing starts at $1,299USD for an quad core 8th gen Intel Core i5 model running at 1.4GHz, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD
The higher end $1,799.00USD configuration features a 10th gen quad core Intel Core i7 processor running at 2.0GHz with 16GB or RAM and a 512GB SSD
What does this mean for a rumored 14.1-inch Retina MacBook Pro in 2020
This was a rumor that had been floating around
We know from Ming-Chi Kuo and others that Apple has been looking into Mini LED displays
He’d been discussing possible Mini LED updates for the iPads or MacBook Pro
Since that didn’t happen, it’s expected now that we might see the 14-inch Mini LED MacBook Pro in 2021.
There’s also hints that Apple might revive the 12-inch MacBook next year as their first ARM-based Mac with their own processor design.
Apple addresses AirPods Pro issues
Users reporting issues of crackling and noise cancellation issues
Apple had some possible remedies
Making sure your macOS and iOS software is up to date
Make sure you have the latest AirPods Pro firmware (should happen automatically)
Double check the issue with different audio apps
Noise cancellation performance can be impacted if the mesh gets gummed up with earwax or other debris.
Clean your AirPods Pro especially if you’ve noticed reduced bass response or more background noise when Noise Cancellation is enabled.
If issues persist contact Apple support.
The rumored Apple branded over the ear headphones might have a head and neck detection feature
Sources told 9to5Mac that the Apple AirPods Studios would detect when the wearer has them on their head or around their neck and pause or resume the playback accordingly. Similar to the AirPods in ear detection feature.
Another sensor will detect left and right ears for routing the audio channels, so it wont matter which side you have the ear cups on.
The report also claims pairing the device will unlock custom equalizer settings with low, medium, and high frequency adjustments.
It’s also believed they will offer Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode like the current AirPods Pro
In pervious shows we also discussed that they might have interchangeable materials that use magnets to swap out pieces depending on style and use. Leather for a ore high end look and plastics or more breathable materials for working out for example.
New iPad in 2020
Ming-Chi Kuo says that Apple will launch a new 10.8-inch iPad during the second half of 2020, followed by a new iPad mini that’s between 8.5-inches and 9-inches during the first half of 2021.
The new “entry level” systems will take on the same recent strategy Apple took with the iPhone 11 and iPhone SE. Offering the latest in custom Apple A-Series processors with a more affordable price tag.
Well, maybe not the latest, but newer? A12 Bionic chip which is already in the iPad mini and iPad Air
Jerry Hildenbrand of Android Central pointed out that the lowest cost iPhone has a processor with single-core performance that out performs the highest end Android phones.
And it’s not even just because of the A13 update. The iPhone 8s single threaded performance also beat out Androids top flagship phones.
It’s not clear if the 10.8-inch iPad wold be a replacement for the 10.2-inch iPad, at $329.00 USD, or the current 10.5-inch iPad Air.
Pushing the iPad mini’s display up from 7.9-inches to 9-inches is also interesting, but follows the trend toward larger display sizes, with possibly reduced bezels?
As for Apple’s augmented reality or mixed reality glasses Kuo says do’t expect to see those until at least 2022 at the earliest.
He says the delay is likely do to costs to make the lenses with would require multiple layers of lamination to "create (an) innovative MR/AR user experience."
Apple leaker Jon Prosser thinks that Ming-Chi Kuo’s timeline for the Apple glass might be a little off
He claimed in a tweak that he thinks Apple could reveal them in mid 2021 and claims to have seen the design saying, “They’re sleek as hell.”
HomePod sold out on Apple’s site leading up update speculation.
Reports that Apple chip supplier TSMC could announce plans soon to open an advanced chip factory in Arizona according to a report in the Wall Street Journal turned out to be true
TSMC had been talking to U.S. officials and Apple about a U.S. chip factory for some time, but it’s unclear if TSMC is getting financial incentives from the U.S. to build a factory in Arizona.
The new TSMC plant would produce about 20,000 wafers a month using TSMC’s five-nanometer fabrication process. The same spec chips expected to be used by Apple’s A14 processors in the 2020 iPhone.
TSMC plans to spend $12 billion building in Arizona and says the first batch of chips from the new facility would be expected in 2024
Construction on the new plant is expected to start in 2021.
Don’t Panic, you have an Apple Watch
Apple leaker Jon Prosser says he believes Apple next watch and watchOS will add some mental health capabilities
It’s been reported that the Apple Watch Series 6 will likely have a blood oxygen sensor and Prosser thinks Apple could leverage that to add detection for when you have a panic attack.
It would do this by combining data from oxygen levels and heart rate sensors to determine if you're hyperventilating.
It could then pop-up Apple’s Breathe app and offer guided exercises to help you calm down.
It’s also believed the watch could detect when wearers are experiencing high levels of stress.
Prosser says he hopes that Apple announces the new features at this years WWDC, but it could come later.
Hints that blood oxygen tracking capabilities are coming to a future version of the Apple Watch were found in leaked versions of iOS 14
It’s also expected that the next version of Apple Watch will bring new sleep tracking features to measure sleep quality, length, and other metrics.
The iPhone 12. All the things.
Or at least all the rumors we know.
Once again according to Jon Prosser
A total of four models across the 2020 iPhone 12 line-up
An entry iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Max, two iPhone 12 Pro models, and an iPhone 12 Pro Max
They will all feature OLED displays at 5.4-inch, 6.1-inch (Max), 6.1-inch (Pro), and 6.7-inch (Pro Max) displays respectively.
The Pro models will have a 10-bit Color depth and ProMotion (120Hz refresh rate) for buttery smooth scrolling.
Posser claims ProMotion could be disabled by Apple depending on how it impacts battery life.
4GB RAM in the 12 and the Max, with 6GM RAM in the Pro models
5G support, and a faster A14 chip.
128GB and 256GB storage options across the line with a 512GB option on the Pros
Aluminum body for the 12 and Max, Pros will have Stainless Steel
Dual camera system on the 12 and Max, with the Pros getting the Triple lens cameras with Apple’s new LiDAR system.
Pricing:
USD $649, $749 - iPhone 12 (entry level cheaper than the iPhone 11 by $50)
USD $749, $849 - iPhone 12 Max
USD $999, $1,099, $1,299 - iPhone Pro
USD $1,099, $1,199, $1,399 - iPhone Pro Max
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Feedback, commentary, opinions
Does Apple TV+ have a problem?
Play comment from John
If they don’t have shows that people are talking about at the office or at school do they have a problem?
I’ve been seeing Defending Jacob getting some buzz though I have not yet watched it.
I do think if you’re not at least taking a look at some of these shows you’re missing out on some great TV
You can play, and capture, your Apple TV screen over WiFi on your Mac using AirPlay
At least on Mojave or Catalina, don’t know how far back this goes.
Here’s how:
Open QuickTime Player
Choose File > New Movie Recording. (on Catalina you’ll have to give QuickTime screen recording permissions)
Click the arrow next to the “record” button and choose your Apple TV from the menu
The first time you connect to your Apple TV, it displays a code that you have to enter on the Mac.
You can also choose the Apple TV from “microphone” to record it’s sound
Then you’ll see your Apple TV streamed to your Mac.
You can use the Siri remote view Bluetooth to control the Apple TV viewed on your Mac.
Bonus tip for iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max owners from listener Donna
If you’re in Photo mode in the Camera app on iOS 13 you can press and hold the shutter button to take a video instead of a still photo
To take a bust shot press and hold the shutter button and slide left.
Impressions of the 16-inch MacBook Pro
How it came to be… the accident
Set-up was a bit tricky
Didn’t have a Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter
Tried to direct connect via USB 3, but that did not work
Was able to connect a USB HD clone and use Migration Assistant, but took 13 hours.
Re-authorizing everything is annoying. Every app I own needs some sort of security / privacy permissions (or it feels like that)
First impressions
The screen, reduced bezels
The Keyboard
TouchID is amazing
The TouchBar is fun, but I’m not sure yet how practical I’m going to find it in daily use
Space Gray finish seems to pick up more smudges
Apparently there is a thing about making sure to only charge on the right side for performance
If you charge on the left and plug in additional peripherals it can get hot and then the CPU throttling can kick in
iPad Board Games: The Starters
Listener John knows I’m a big fan of tabletop games and had a great question.
Many tabletop games have iPad versions and now that we are “distancing” he wanted to know which ones would be good for family and friends to play remotely together online.
I know many have online multiplayer modes, bit wasn’t sure which ones would be best for “private” groups
I reached out to my friend and fellow podcaster Dan Patriss and we’re going to share recommendation over the next three shows.
This week were going over some lighter more approachable games that are fun for everyone.
