Originally published at: https://appletalk.com.au/2019/08/friday-morning-news020819/
The transcript of yesterday’s post-earnings call from Apple CEO Tim Cook and other Apple execs tell us about the things that we don’t get from figures alone. Services continues its upward trajectory, with over 1 billion Apple Pay transactions per month, with Apple’s Services category accounting for 21% of revenue but 36% of gross margin. Cook also had a bit to say about how the iPhone trade-in program was going well, the best-ever June quarter from Apple Retail, and a few other bits and pieces.
Apple has joined as a partner of the Data Transfer Project, an open-source program with the goal of making it easier to move your data between online services. Although many sites support being able to download your data, the idea is that eventually those data exports will be compatible with each other. Instead of downloading your data, maybe one day you’ll be able to transfer it to another online service.
Digitimes is saying that this year’s rumoured 16-inch MacBook Pro will feature narrower bezels to fit a 16-inch display in the chassis of the current MacBook Pro. Technically the display in the current 15-inch MacBook Pro is already 15.4 inches, so we’re not adding that much, but besides the larger display, slimmer bezels, the feature that everyone is hanging out for is a more reliable keyboard; whether Apple also includes features like a physical escape key remains to be seen.
One finance analyst claims this year’s iPhone will support the Apple Pencil, but this isn’t the first time we’ve heard this rumour before. Citi Research doesn’t have any kind of proven track record for Apple rumours either, so it’s hard to say where this is coming from. Of course, anything is possible, but I still remain unconvinced that you need a stylus on an iPhone outside of accessibility reasons.
When it arrives later this year, iPadOS will bring sweeping changes to how you use your iPad. One of those changes is how you’ll use gestures to navigate around and get things done, whether that’s opening multiple panels for multitasking, using Slide Over, or checking out the widgets from your home screen. Cnet runs you through the gestures you’ll want to be familiar with to get that much more out of your iPad.
A new class-action lawsuit has been launched against Apple for iPhone throttling. It’s unclear how this lawsuit is different to the 61 similar lawsuits that have been filed against Apple for the same thing, with Apple accused of fraudulent behaviour when it deliberately throttled older devices with worn batteries.
Apple’s latest Music Lab sessions are now in partnership with flavour of the month Billie Eilish, following on from their previous partnership with Madonna. Eilish’s track "you should see me in a crown" will be available for re-mixing by participants in Billie Eilish Music Lab sessions worldwide.
Apple has released the macOS 10.14.6 Supplemental Update, which fixes issues with sleeping Macs. That’s about all we know, but those interested in the update can get it from the Mac App Store.
Over in the US, Ikea are now selling two new AirPlay 2 compatible home speakers, with both products in the Symfonisk range appearing as a target for playing music from any compatible iOS device or Mac. There’s a lamp that looks like a HomePod with a lamp on top, or a bookshelf speaker that pulls double duty as a shelf for smaller items and a wireless speaker.
Apple’s latest Behind the Mac ad shows off college students in various industries using Macs. The message here is that Apple is interested in selling a lifestyle to college students, just in time for the back-to-school period.