Apple shares just had their best day since last May
Via Bloomberg L.P.: [Transcription] [Excerpt] M4 chips for Macs (Donan, Brava, Hidra)
The M4 chip line includes an entry-level version dubbed Donan, more powerful models named Brava and a top-end processor codenamed Hidra. The company is planning to highlight the AI processing capabilities of the components and how they’ll integrate with the next version of macOS, which will be announced in June at Apple’s annual developer conference.
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple announced it will host its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) online from June 10 through 14, 2024. Developers and students will have the opportunity to celebrate in person at a special event at Apple Park on opening day.
Apple Explores Home Robots After Abandoning Car Efforts
bloomberg.com: [Transcription] [Excerpt] The company has teams working on automated home devices The search is on for new growth sources after EV gets nixed.
Apple Inc. has teams investigating a push into personal robotics, a field with the potential to become one of the company’s ever-shifting “next big things,” according to people familiar with the situation.
Engineers at Apple have been exploring a mobile robot that can follow users around their homes, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the skunk-works project is private. The iPhone maker also has developed an advanced table-top home device that uses robotics to move a display around, they said.
The Pragmatic Optimist: Apple is not having a good 2024, with legal headaches & obscurity regarding its product innovation, that is causing investors to lose faith. Will it be able to engineer a comeback?
Cook said that Apple's head display products will be launched in China within the year
chinastarmarket.cn (Shanghai United Media Group): At the 2024 annual meeting of the China Development High-level Forum, Apple CEO Cook said that Apple's Apple Vision Pro headset products will be listed in the Chinese market this year, and the company is continuing to increase investment in research and development in China.
lipperalpha.refinitiv.com: [Transcription] [Excerpt] Breakingviews: Apple antitrust case is surprisingly simple.
Apple cannot stand athwart history. So argues the U.S. Department of Justice in an antitrust suit it brought against the $2.7 trillion iPhone maker on Thursday. Of all the lawsuits, fines and legislation lobbed Apple’s way, this case strikes deepest at what is essentially a simple problem. Apple changed the world by selling better devices – but its success could hinder the next big shift.
In this work, we discuss building performant Multimodal Large Language Models (MLLMs). In particular, we study the importance of various architecture components and data choices. Through careful and comprehensive ablations of the image encoder, the vision language connector, and various pre-training data choices, we identified several crucial design lessons. For example, we demonstrate that for large-scale multimodal pre-training using a careful mix of image-caption, interleaved image-text, and text-only data is crucial for achieving state-of-the-art (SOTA) few-shot results across multiple benchmarks, compared to other published pre-training results. Further, we show that the image encoder together with image resolution and the image token count has substantial impact, while the vision-language connector design is of comparatively negligible importance. By scaling up the presented recipe, we build MM1, a family of multimodal models up to 30B parameters, consisting of both dense models and mixture-of-experts (MoE) variants, that are SOTA in pre-training metrics and achieve competitive performance after supervised fine-tuning on a range of established multimodal benchmarks. Thanks to large-scale pre-training, MM1 enjoys appealing properties such as enhanced in-context learning, and multi-image reasoning, enabling few-shot chain-of-thought prompting.
Apple Still All-In on CarPlay After Auto Push Sputters
bloomberg.com: Welcome to our TOPLive Q&A on Apple’s failed car effort. After spending a decade and $10 billion to develop an electric vehicle, Apple canceled the initiative in February, abandoning one of the most ambitious projects in its history.
Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman will answer questions on the program, what it means for Apple, and what’s next for the company. Join us at 2 p.m. New York time for a live discussion. Please send your questions to bloombergqa@bloomberg.net.
End of car project leaves Apple without clear growth driver
Failed auto push illustrates struggle to get beyond iPhone, Mac, Watch
Company did get some new technologies out of car project
Apple has told us and committed to the European Commission that they will reinstate our developer account. This sends a strong signal to developers that the European Commission will act swiftly to enforce the Digital Markets Act and hold gatekeepers accountable. We are moving forward as planned to launch the Epic Games Store and bring Fortnite back to iOS in Europe. Onward!
Commission fines Apple over €1.8 billion over abusive App store rules for music streaming providers
ec.europa.eu: [Transcription] [Excerpt] The European Commission has fined Apple over €1.8 billion for abusing its dominant position on the market for the distribution of music streaming apps to iPhone and iPad users (‘iOS users') through its App Store. In particular, the Commission found that Apple applied restrictions on app developers preventing them from informing iOS users about alternative and cheaper music subscription services available outside of the app (‘anti-steering provisions'). This is illegal under EU antitrust rules.
investor.apple.com: [Transcription] [Excerpt] Senior Vice President Machine Learning and AI Strategy.
Prior to Apple, John spent 8 years at Google where he led the Machine Intelligence, Research, and Search teams. Before this he co-founded two technology companies, Tellme Networks and Metaweb Technologies. Earlier in his career John was a Senior Engineer at General Magic.
appleinsider.com: [Transcription] [Excerpt] John Giannandrea is Apple's senior vice president of Machine Learning and AI Strategy. He joined Apple in 2018 after his 8-year tenure at Google, leaving as head of Machine Learning. Giannandrea also oversees the Apple Car project. His first claim to fame happened while he worked at General Magic, an Apple spin-off in the '90s.
[Transcription] [Excerpt] For years, Apple fans have claimed a connection between the tech giant and Route 14 Investment Partners based on thin evidence.
We visited Route 14's Arizona proving ground and spotted a car with a sensor stack with a design like one Apple has been testing.
Project Titan? Source: Google via Car and Driver (Hearst Digital Media)
Apple to Wind Down Electric Car Effort After Decadelong Odyssey
bloomberg.com: [Transcription] [Excerpt] Executives tell staff to end work on endeavor known as Titan Employees on some car teams will move to Apple’s AI division.
Apple made the disclosure internally Tuesday, surprising the nearly 2,000 employees working on the project, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the announcement wasn’t public. The decision was shared by Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams and Kevin Lynch, a vice president in charge of the effort, according to the people.
@Quartr-App: This infographic that we've just created breaks down most of the key logic board chip suppliers for $AAPL's new Vision Pro. It's worth noting that the main M2 processor is designed in-house by Apple, based on $ARM's instruction sets, and manufactured by $TSM. The processor is also supported by Apple's new R1 chip, specifically designed for real-time data processing such as eye and hand tracking, and lag-free rendering. $TXN$ON$MU$ADI$DIOD$CRUS$LSCC
Bloomberg Pro for Vision revolutionizes financial professionals’ productivity with Apple Vision Pro
bloomberg.com: [Transcription] [Excerpt] Bloomberg today announced the launch of the all-new Bloomberg Pro for Vision app, a reimagined Bloomberg Professional® app built for the era of spatial computing.
Bloomberg continually seeks new opportunities to help its customers improve their productivity, both on the desktop and on the go. The new Bloomberg Pro for Vision app enables Bloomberg Anywhere subscribers to bridge the gap between the multiple monitors of their traditional desktops and the infinite canvas enabled by Apple Vision Pro.
Apple announces more than 600 new apps built for Apple Vision Pro
apple.com: [Transcription] [Excerpt] All-new spatial apps built for Apple Vision Pro join more than 1 million compatible apps available on the App Store to deliver a wide array of breakthrough experiences.
@udxs@pandemesi.co: Looks like the R1 in Apple Vision Pro is a CPU, ISPs, sensor controllers, and display controllers (and more), in a trenchcoat named "Bora"!
It's connected to M2 via PCIe and runs the same sort of RTOS Apple puts in devices like AirPods Pro.
On the M2 side, it looks like gets exposed as also controlling the motion units and even the motorized IPD.
There's also references to FPGA & ASIC drivers - an insight into how it was prototyped.
- The ISPs on the R1 are highly programmable and their firmware appears to be customized for Vision Pro. They appear to be M2/A15 ISPs "H14" though the Bora main firmware also references A14/M1 "H13".
- The AVP is capable of detecting prescription lens inserts via a framework called CorePrescription.
- Bora/ISP firmware & RealityCamera.framework reference Jasper, which appears to be the Face ID/IR array camera. Another model "Pearl" isn't configured for AVP.
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☑️ #131 Feb 2, 2024
Apple Vision Pro arrives in Apple Store locations across the U.S.
apple.com: All-new spatial apps built for Apple Vision Pro join more than 1 million compatible apps available on the App Store to deliver a wide array of breakthrough experiences.
Global smartphone market grows 8% in Q4, with Apple the year’s top vendor for the first time
canalys.com: [Transcription] [Excerpt] According to Canalys’ latest research, worldwide smartphone shipments grew 8% year on year in the fourth quarter of 2023, reaching 320 million units. This ended seven consecutive quarters of decline. Apple led the market in the fourth quarter with a 24% share of shipments, thanks to new iPhone launches. Samsung took second place with 17%. Xiaomi was third, with over 20% year-on-year growth in Q4. TRANSSION rose to fourth place for the first time, benefiting from emerging market recovery. With a 7% market share, vivo completed the top five. For full-year 2023, global smartphone shipments reached 1.1 billion units, a 4% decrease from the previous year. For the first time, Apple pipped Samsung to become the year’s top vendor in terms of shipments, though both rounded to 20% shares. Xiaomi, OPPO and TRANSSION held 13%, 9% and 8% shares, respectively.
Apple's first public LLM is called Ferret, powered by 8 Nivida A100 GPUs
notebookcheck.net: Apple is getting serious about generative AI, releasing its first Multimodel Large Language Model dubbed Ferret. The new AI model has been published under an open source license and was trained using 8 Nvidia A100 GPUs.
Emergency motion: Apple Inc. wins Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 appeal
Powered by OpenAI: Apple has recently faced a significant challenge with a sales and import ban on some of its Apple Watch models in the United States.
Dec 26, 2023
This ban, which began on December 26, was imposed by the United States International Trade Commission (ITC). The basis for the ban was a patented technology related to detecting blood-oxygen levels. This technology dispute originated from a complaint by medical device maker Masimo Corporation, which accused Apple of infringing on its "light-based oximetry functionality" in mid-2021.
Dec 27, 2023
However, the situation saw a pivotal change when, on December 27, the U.S. Court of Appeals temporarily paused the ruling that restricted the imports of Apple Watches. This pause was granted following an emergency request by Apple in response to the ITC's decision. In response to the ban, Apple had proactively removed the affected devices from its offerings, evidently taking swift action to comply with the initial ruling.
Apple has expressed disagreement with the USITC's decision and has appealed the ban to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The company is actively working to make its Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 available to U.S. customers once again. The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit temporarily lifted the ban (until January 12) while it considers Apple's request to continue sales for the duration of the appeal. The ITC has been given a deadline of January 10 to respond to this development.
This situation exemplifies the complexities that major tech companies like Apple often face regarding patent disputes and international trade regulations. The outcome of the ongoing legal process and the ITC's response will be crucial for the future availability of these Apple Watch models in the U.S. market.
USTR Statement on Section 337 Review: "On October 26, 2023, the U.S. International Trade Commission found that Apple, Inc. infringed two patents owned by Masimo Corporation and Cercacor Laboratories, Inc, both based in the United States. Since 2005, the Office of the United States Trade Representative has been delegated the President’s authority under Section 337 of the Trade Act of 1930 to review the ITC’s decision for a 60-day period. After careful consultations, Ambassador Tai decided not to reverse the ITC’s determination and the ITC’s decision became final on December 26, 2023."
ChatGPT: The specific details about the extension of this temporary lift until January 12 might be part of the latest developments in the case. For the most current information, I recommend checking the latest news from reliable sources or legal documents pertaining to this case.
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☑️ #126 Dec 20, 2023
Apple Card
Powered by OpenAI: Apple and Goldman Sachs are set to end their partnership for the Apple Card, likely within the next 12 to 15 months. This decision comes four years after the Apple Card's debut and follows the recent introduction of the Apple Card Savings Account. Goldman Sachs is reportedly seeking a buyer for its share of the partnership, which may involve negotiations over the value of its stake to make it more attractive to potential bidders.
One significant issue in finding a new partner for Apple Card is Apple's policy of not selling or sharing Apple Card user data, even with Goldman Sachs. This stance has made it challenging for Goldman Sachs to make the Apple Card partnership profitable. Future partners might seek access to Apple’s proprietary credit card data, a shift that could require changes in Apple's approach.
Potential partners to take over the Apple Card relationship include Synchrony Financial, Citigroup, and Capital One. Previously, JPMorgan Chase was considered but reportedly passed on the deal.
In terms of finances, Goldman was responsible for setting aside provisions for credit losses, and both companies shared actual loan losses. Apple handled marketing costs, while Goldman managed customer service. The Apple Card and Apple Savings have been successful, with $10 billion in deposits and strong growth, making it a less risky move for Apple to change partners.
There's speculation about who the new financial service provider for Apple Card and Apple Pay might be, with JPMorgan Chase and American Express being top contenders. JPMorgan Chase, in particular, is seen as a good fit due to its existing relationship with Apple and its network of debit cards that could integrate Apple Cash card, offering additional customer benefits like ATM access.
On Wednesday, December 20, 2023, Apple experienced outages affecting its online financial services, including Apple Card, Apple Cash, Apple Pay, and Wallet.
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☑️ #125 Dec 19, 2023
Apple Watch
Powered by OpenAI: Apple is pausing sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 in the United States due to an ongoing patent dispute with the medical technology company Masimo. The dispute centers around the blood oxygen sensor technology featured in these watches. The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) issued a ruling, and in response, Apple has decided to discontinue sales of these models in the US. The sales will be paused on Apple's website starting from December 21 and from Apple retail locations after December 24.
However, this ban only applies to new sales of the affected Apple Watch models. Any Apple Watch that includes a blood oxygen sensor and has already been sold is not affected by this ruling and will continue to function without change. The Apple Watch SE, which does not have a blood oxygen sensor, remains unaffected and is still available for purchase. Additionally, the ITC order makes an exception for service, repair, or warranty periods of units sold before December 25.
Apple is currently exploring a range of legal and technical options to address this issue. They are working on submitting a workaround to the U.S. customs agency, which is responsible for approving changes to get a product back on the market. If the ITC order stands, Apple plans to take all measures to return the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to U.S. customers as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, for the 2024 Apple Watch models, there are expectations of new features, including a new look, blood pressure monitoring, and sleep apnea detection, enhancing their appeal to consumers.
Masimo CEO Addresses Smartwatch Patent Dispute With Apple: [Transcription] [Excerpt] Masimo CEO Joe Kiani says Apple should apologize for copying his company's patented technology for measuring blood-oxygen levels in Apple's smartwatches. A US import ban on certain Apple Watches is set to start December 25. Apple is working on a software fix, but Kiani says that won't solve the underlying patent infringement. He speaks with Caroline Hyde on "Bloomberg Technology."
☑️ #41 Jan 11, 2023
@Masimo: An ITC judge has ruled that Apple violated U.S. trade laws by infringing a Masimo pulse oximeter patent. Learn more
Masimo MASI announced that a U.S. Administrative Law Judge in Washington, D.C. ruled in favor of the company in a complaint filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) against the iPhone-maker, Apple Inc. AAPL.
LLM in a flash: Efficient Large Language Model Inference with Limited Memory
https://arxiv.org/abs/2312.11514: [Transcription] [Abstract] Large language models (LLMs) are central to modern natural language processing, delivering exceptional performance in various tasks. However, their intensive computational and memory requirements present challenges, especially for devices with limited DRAM capacity. This paper tackles the challenge of efficiently running LLMs that exceed the available DRAM capacity by storing the model parameters on flash memory but bringing them on demand to DRAM. Our method involves constructing an inference cost model that harmonizes with the flash memory behavior, guiding us to optimize in two critical areas: reducing the volume of data transferred from flash and reading data in larger, more contiguous chunks. Within this flash memory-informed framework, we introduce two principal techniques. First, "windowing'" strategically reduces data transfer by reusing previously activated neurons, and second, "row-column bundling", tailored to the sequential data access strengths of flash memory, increases the size of data chunks read from flash memory. These methods collectively enable running models up to twice the size of the available DRAM, with a 4-5x and 20-25x increase in inference speed compared to naive loading approaches in CPU and GPU, respectively. Our integration of sparsity awareness, context-adaptive loading, and a hardware-oriented design paves the way for effective inference of LLMs on devices with limited memory.
Apple introduces spatial video capture on iPhone 15 Pro
apple.com: [Transcription] [Excerpt] With iOS 17.2, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max users can now record spatial videos — a groundbreaking new capability that helps users capture life’s precious moments — and relive those memories on Apple Vision Pro, starting early next year.
When recording spatial videos, the iPhone uses both its advanced Main and Ultra Wide cameras, scaling the field of view from the Ultra Wide camera to match that of the Main camera. This process results in a single video file that offers a more immersive viewing experience. Spatial videos can be viewed as regular 2D videos on the iPhone and other devices, and they are stored in a new Spatial album in the Photos app. These videos can also sync across devices with iCloud.
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☑️ #122 Dec 4, 2023 🔴 rumor
Japan firm TDK Corporation to make iPhone Li-ion battery cells in India
business-standard.com: [Transcription] [Excerpts] Apple Inc is bringing its global lithium ion (Li-ion) battery cell supplier, TDK Corporation, to India. The leading electronic component and device maker from Japan will manufacture the battery cells in India to power the iPhones assembled in the country, say sources aware of the development.
The cells will be supplied to Apple’s Li-ion battery assembler, Sunwoda Electronics, which is already operating in the country and currently imports the cells from various markets around the world.
TDK, which acquired Li-ion battery and cell maker Hong Kong based Amperex Technology Ltd in 2005, recently bought 180 in Haryana to set up a unit to manufacture, among others, the cells for Li-ion batteries.
Commercial production to supply cells to Apple is expected to begin in the next 12-18 months
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☑️ #121 Dec 1, 2023
Inside An Apple Lab That Makes Custom Chips For iPhone And Mac
@CNBC: Apple has designed its own custom chips for iPhones since 2010, kicking off a trend followed by other non-chip giants like Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Tesla. In November, CNBC became the first journalists to film inside an Apple chip lab, where it tests its latest M3 chips that replaced Intel processors in all new Macs. We also got a rare chance to talk with Apple’s head of silicon, Johny Srouji, and Apple's senior vice president of hardware engineering, John Ternus, about geopolitical risks in Taiwan, slowdowns and what’s next in AI.
How Apple Made the Space Black MacBook Pro Darker Than Ever
ifixit.com: [Transcription] [Excerpts] So how did Apple go above and beyond the standard anodization process to make a blacker, but still protected, anodized finish?
Fade to Matte
Enter Apple’s patent for an “anodized part having a matte black appearance”, the process they probably used to create this Space Black color.
In order to reduce the gloss and move from grey to black you need to make the bumps of the oxide layer even bumpier. Apple found they could etch the already rough anodized surface, making it more uneven. The resulting nooks and crannies further diffuse incoming light rays, sending them off in even more directions. Less white light makes its way to our eyeballs—resulting in that slick matte finish.
It’s kind of buried in the patent, but take a look at page 16, column 8, the paragraph around like 50, where it says the etching is done with a bath of hot phosphoric acid. (Phosphoric acid is one of the key flavours in cola drinks.)
Tony Finch.
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☑️ #119 Nov 4, 2023
The holidays are here. Wonder awaits.
apple.com/store: [Transcription] [Excerpts] Give the gifts the’ve been looking forward to all year.
Apple Patent Shows GPU Dynamic Caching Has Been in Development For Years
tomshardware.com: [Transcription] [Excerpts] Apple patented GPU Dynamic Caching back in 2020.
Dynamic caching and on-demand memory allocation can significantly benefit things like hardware ray tracing. Ray tracing is a computationally intensive rendering technique that simulates physical behavior of light to generate images. Given the complexity and variability of ray tracing computations, having the flexibility to allocate memory as needed and speed up access to frequently used data can significantly improve performance. What is also crucial for Apple is that its technology also allows to improve performance efficiency and in some cases reduce memory consumption, both of which are important considerations.
M3 Family of chips
All-New GPU Features Dynamic Caching, Mesh Shading, and Hardware-Accelerated Ray Tracing. Source: Apple, Inc.
Behind the scenes at Scary Fast: Apple’s keynote event shot on iPhone and edited on Mac
apple.com: [Transcription] [Excerpts] Capturing footage with multiple iPhone 15 Pro Max devices, the team utilized the integration between iPhone 15 Pro, the Blackmagic Camera app, and Tentacle Sync, showcasing the true power of the Apple ecosystem. Connected via Bluetooth, Tentacle Sync drives timecode and enables all devices on set — including Macs and preview screens — to be synced throughout the production. Beastgrip accessories, including cages and rigs, were also used during the production.
Source: Apple, Inc.
Source: Apple, Inc.
iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are also the first smartphones in the world to support the Academy Color Encoding System (ACES), a global standard for color workflows.
⇢ The Evolution of Apple Silicon (M3 Chips included) by OM.CO
M3 has a 10-core GPU that is 65 percent faster than M1 for graphics performance. M3 has an 8-core CPU, with four performance cores and four efficiency cores, that is up to 35 percent faster than M1 for CPU performance. And upports up to 24GB of unified memory.
M3 Pro has an 18-core GPU that is up to 40 percent faster than M1 Pro. Support for unified memory goes up to 36GB. The 12-core CPU design has six performance cores and six efficiency cores and is up to 30 percent faster than M1 Pro.
M3 Max has a 40-core GPU is up to 50 percent faster than M1 Max, and support for up to 128GB of unified memory. The 16-core CPU features 12 performance cores and four efficiency cores that’s up to 80 percent faster than M1 Max.
FCC Permits Very Low Power Device Operations in 6 GHz Band
fcc.gov: [Transcription] [Excerpts] WASHINGTON, October 19, 2023—The Federal Communications Commission today opened the 6 GHz band to a new class of very low power devices that will operate alongside other Wi-Fi-enabled devices. These rules will spur an eco-system of cutting-edge applications, including wearable technologies and augmented and virtual reality, that will help businesses, enhance learning opportunities, advance healthcare opportunities, and bring new entertainment experiences. The 6 GHz band is important for next generation Wi-Fi operations. The FCC, in recent years, expanded unlicensed use in 1,200 megahertz of spectrum between 5.925 and 7.125 GHz. That FCC decision has helped usher in Wi-Fi 6E, set the stage for upcoming Wi-Fi 7—the next generation of Wi-Fi—and played a major role in the growth of the Internet of Things. Today’s rules build off this success to allow for other types of operations in the band.
Vehicle announcements coming in late 2023. Screenshot. Source: Apple, Inc.
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☑️ #114 Oct 17, 2023
Apple Vision Pro developer labs expand to New York City and Sydney
developer.apple.com: [Transcription] [Excerpt] We’re thrilled with the excitement and enthusiasm from developers around the world at the Apple Vision Pro labs, and we’re pleased to announce new labs in New York City and Sydney. Join us to test directly on the device and connect with Apple experts for help with taking your visionOS, iPadOS, and iOS apps even further on this exciting new platform. Labs also take place in Cupertino, London, Munich, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo.
Apple’s New Headset Relies on Eye-Tracking Tech. Here’s How it Works.
wsj.com (video): Eye-tracking technology may play a big role in the automotive industry in coming years.
The eye-tracking tech in Apple’s Vision Pro headset has impressed reviewers. But the technology itself has been around in some form for years. WSJ’s Dalvin Brown met with Swedish company Tobii, one of the leaders in the space, to learn how it works. Illustration: Rami Abukalam.
Some have experienced iPhone 15 overheating and Ming-Chi Kuo wants you to know it's not TSMC's fault!
🔹The Rebound episode 464. A technology podcast from Apple geeks Dan Moren, John Moltz, and Lex Friedman
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☑️ #111 Oct 4, 2023
💾 Floppy series - 2
iCloud encountered an error while trying to connect to the server
sixcolors.com: [Transcription] [Excerpts] Bitten by the black box of iCloud
iCloud is, when you think about it, kind of a thankless service. At its best you don’t notice it—everything, in the unofficial mantra of Apple dating back decades, just works. Your data is in sync across all your devices, changes update immediately, and you never get a single error message.
The thing is, like a lot of Apple tech, it’s a black box. Data goes in, data goes out. What happens in the middle…well, shrug. You just put your faith in the fact that what’s working will keep working.
But as anybody who’s ever tried to troubleshoot iCloud problems can tell you, when it goes wrong, trying to fix it is an exercise in frustration—as I learned recently, in a particularly spectacular fashion
Connection Error. Source: THE INCOMPARABLE INC.
“I’m sorry, I can’t tell you any more than this, but all your services should be back up pretty much exactly 12 hours after they went down.”
Are Intel and Apple silicon Macs diverging in Sonoma?
eclecticlight.co: [Transcription] [Excerpt] Sonoma is the fourth major version of macOS to support Apple silicon Macs. At some time, it’s likely that the system run by Intel and Arm-based models will diverge, allowing Apple’s chips to break free from the limits remaining on older hardware. Is this starting to show yet in macOS 14?
Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur. Screenshot. Source: Apple, Inc.
Apple may be quiet on AI, but it’s also the biggest buyer of AI companies
qz.com: [Transcription] [Excerpts] Microsoft and Google talk a lot about AI but haven't bought nearly as many startups as Apple.
What AI companies have Apple bought?
In recent years, Apple has bought AI startups focused on self-driving technology, voice design, music generation, and image recognition, according to PitchBook.
Deal Date | Companies | Description
2023
January 1, 2023 | WaveOne | Developer of a digital image compression technology designed to create and process clear images
2022
February 7, 2022 | AI.Music | Provider of an artificial intelligence technique in music
2021
January 15, 2021 | Curious AI | Developer of process prediction, optimization and control tools designed to unlock new business opportunities for the organization
2020
January 8, 2020 | Xnor.ai | Developer of machine learning software models for various applications.
February 28, 2020 | Voysis | Developer of a voice AI platform.
September 30, 2020 | Vilynx | Developer of a video analytics tool.
2019
February 15, 2019 | PullString | Developer of AI voice assistant tools.
June 25, 2019 | Drive.ai | Developer of self-driving technology.
November 5, 2019 | Spectral Edge | Developer of image processing and enhancement technologies designed to improve pictures and videos on mass-market devices.
2018
January 1, 2018 | Laserlike | Provider of an online search content engine.
Apple exec defends the decision to make Google its default search engine on iPhones and Macs
apnews.com: [Transcription] [Excerpts] WASHINGTON (AP) — A top Apple executive defended the tech giant’s decision to make Google the default search engine on Apple iPhones and Macs, saying there was no “valid alternative.’’
Testifying in the biggest antitrust trial in a quarter century, Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services, said Tuesday that there wasn’t “anybody as good’’ as Google at helping phone and computer users search the internet.
[Transcription] [Abstract] A propulsion system includes a first portion and a second portion that are independently controlled from one another. The first portion includes a first inverter and a first electric motor. The second portion includes a second inverter, a second electric motor, and a second disconnect link. A control system is configured to detect a fault in the first portion, the second portion, or combinations thereof, and determine a response to the fault. In one example, on detection of the fault in the second portion, the second disconnect link is disengaged to reduce electromagnetic drag torque by the second electric motor.
Application Number: 18174881
Application Date: 27.02.2023
Publication Number: 20230286386
Publication Date: 14.09.2023
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☑️ #106 Sep 13, 2023
Apple protests secrecy violation at Day 2 of Google anti-trust trial
washingtonpost.com: [Transcription] [Excerpts] The confidentiality of business information is an issue both inside and outside the courtroom.
In the meantime, lots of details of Google’s business are likely to emerge, under rules intended to preserve confidentiality of sensitive business information. On Wednesday morning, an attorney for Apple, which is not a party to the antitrust case, complained that government attorneys already have violated those rules. The Apple attorney, whose name was not immediately available, said that two numbers mentioned in passing in the Justice Department’s opening statement might create a “misperception” that they came from Apple’s confidential information. “That would be a violation of the rules of engagement here,” he said.
Justice Department attorney Kenneth Dintzer told Mehta the two numbers he’d said quickly on Tuesday were based on external sources, not from privileged information provided by Apple or Google. “This one slipped out,” he said.
Court transcript* (Day #1 9/12/23) “In 2020, Google paid 4 to 7 billion dollars under the ISA” *Justice Department attorney Kenneth Dintzer was discussing the search giant’s “Information Services Agreement,” or ISA, with Apple, in which Google pays for its search engine to have be the default on iPhones and other Apple devices.
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☑️ #105 Sep 13, 2023
Confirmed: The iPhone 15 is the most affordable iPhone since 2007
perfetrec.com: [Transcription] [Excerpt] The confidentiality of business information is an issue both inside and outside tApple announced the new pricing for the iPhone 15 lineup today. The iPhone 15, 15 Plus and 15 Pro will see their starting prices remain the same as last year at $799, $899 and $999 respectively. The iPhone 15 Pro Max will have its starting price increase by $100 to $1,199. Apple's decision to hold most iPhone prices stable over the last few years during a period of elevated inflation has made the latest iPhones cheaper in inflation adjusted terms.
Apple unveils iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max: Spatial video capture available later this year
apple.com: [Transcription] [Excerpts] Featuring a strong and lightweight titanium design with new contoured edges, a new Action button, powerful camera upgrades, and A17 Pro for next-level performance and mobile gaming
Coming later this year, iPhone 15 Pro will add a new dimension to video capture with the ability to record spatial video for Apple Vision Pro. Users will be able to capture precious moments in three dimensions and relive those memories with incredible depth on Apple Vision Pro when it is available early next year in the U.S.
Spatial video capture with iPhone 15 Pro: It works by holding the phone in landscape and exploiting the physical separation of the ultra-wide and main camera lens, in the rear camera module, to collate the 3D depth data.
Our most advanced 48MP Main camera 3x or 5x Telephoto camera with the longest optical zoom (120 mm lens) of any iPhone ever to fit in our compact Pro camera system. Ultra Wide camera
Apple Vision Pro is Apple’s first 3D camera
The Vision Pro headset can capture Spatial Videos and Spatial photos. iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be able to take Spatial video capture available later this year.
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☑️ #103 Sep 12, 2023
Apple Event
apple.com: [Transcription] [Excerpts] Watch today at 10 a.m. PT. View online at apple.com or on the Apple TV app.
iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13, Apple Watch Series 7, iPad mini and new iPad.
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☑️ #102 Sep 11, 2023
Qualcomm Announces Agreement with Apple for Chip Supply
investor.qualcomm.com: [Transcription] [Excerpts]SAN DIEGO, Sept. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Apple Inc. to supply Snapdragon 5G Modem‑RF Systems for smartphone launches in 2024, 2025 and 2026. This agreement reinforces Qualcomm's track record of sustained leadership across 5G technologies and products.
asymco.com: [Transcription] [Excerpt] As I remember it, at least 10 years ago, I began to hear anecdotes from developers who built apps for both iOS and Android about their economics. The story is that they tended to have twice as many users using Android but that iPhone App Store revenues were roughly twice those of Google Play Store. From that I devised a rule of thumb that an iPhone user was about 4 times more valuable than an Android user. Half the users, paying 4 times as much means double the income.
Pixar, Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, and NVIDIA Form Alliance for OpenUSD to Drive Open Standards for 3D Content
linuxfoundation.org: [Transcription] [Excerpts] SAN FRANCISCO – Aug. 1, 2023 – Pixar, Adobe, Apple, Autodesk, and NVIDIA, together with the Joint Development Foundation (JDF), a part of the Linux Foundation family, today announced the Alliance for OpenUSD (AOUSD) to promote the standardization, development, evolution, and growth of Pixar’s Universal Scene Description technology.
“Universal Scene Description was invented at Pixar and is the technological foundation of our state-of-the-art animation pipeline,”
“OpenUSD is based on years of research and application in Pixar filmmaking. We open-sourced the project in 2016, and the influence of OpenUSD now expands beyond film, visual effects, and animation and into other industries that increasingly rely on 3D data for media interchange. With the announcement of AOUSD, we signal the exciting next step: the continued evolution of OpenUSD as a technology and its position as an international standard.”
Steve May, Chief Technology Officer at Pixar and Chairperson of AOUSD.
Describe, Compose, Simulate, and Collaborate on 3D Project: OpenUSD gives developers and content creators the unique ability to broaden interoperability across content tools, data types, workflows, and platforms. Source: The Linux Foundation
The Metaverse Standards Forum 3D Asset Interoperability Domain Group is enabling cooperation between the USD and glTF communities to build synergies and reduce overlaps, gaps, fragmentation, and industry confusion. Developers...
Universal Scene Description (OpenUSD) is an open and extensible ecosystem that encompasses a collection of fundamental tools and capabilities to accelerate workflows, teams, and projects, whether you are creating assets...
Universal Scene Description (OpenUSD) is transforming 3D data modeling across a variety of industries and is poised to be the open standard that enables the 3D evolution of the internet....
Join this 101 workshop where 3D artists can see how to connect and collaborate between multiple apps with the power of Universal Scene Description (OpenUSD) and NVIDIA Omniverse, accelerated by...
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☑️ archives Jul 24, 2023
Take your apps and games beyond the visionOS simulator
We can help you make sure your visionOS, iPadOS, and iOS apps behave as expected on Vision Pro. Align your app with the newly published compatibility checklist, then request to have your app evaluated directly on Vision Pro. Learn more
Apple Vision Pro developer labs
Experience your visionOS, iPadOS, and iOS apps running on Vision Pro. With support from Apple, you’ll be able to test and optimize your apps for the infinite spatial canvas. Labs are available in Cupertino, London, Munich, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo. Learn more
Apple Vision Pro developer kit
Have a great idea for a visionOS app that requires building and testing on Vision Pro? Apply for a Vision Pro developer kit. With continuous, direct access to Vision Pro, you’ll be able to quickly build, test, and refine your app so it delivers amazing spatial experiences on visionOS. Learn more
blog.unity.com: [Transcription] [Excerpt] Following the Apple Vision Pro and visionOS announcements at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2023, we are excited to share that Unity’s beta program for creating spatial experiences on the visionOS platform starts today. We worked closely with Apple to provide a deep integration of visionOS with Unity, enabling creators to bring beloved games and apps to a whole new audience and ecosystem, or create something entirely new.
Apple reportedly slashes Vision Pro output forecast
ft.com: Apple forced to make major cuts to Vision Pro headset production plans
The main reasons for the decision are the complexity of the headset design and production challenges. In any case, plans for a more affordable version of the device have had to be postponed.
About that, two people close to Apple and Luxshare, the Chinese manufacturer that will initially assemble the device, said it was preparing to manufacture fewer than 400,000 units by 2024.
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☑️ archives Jun 10, 2023
Wow, is Apple’s Vision Pro loaded with pixels (A new frontier for pixel density)
news.ycombinator.com (Thread + Articles): Cupertino’s pace-setter AR/VR display leaves the metaverse in the metadust
Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC23): Introducing Apple Vision Pro. Apple’s first spatial computer
apple.com: [Transcription] [Excerpts] At WWDC23, Apple unveiled Apple Vision Pro, its revolutionary spatial computer; the 15-inch MacBook Air, along with the powerhouse Mac Studio and Mac Pro; the breakthrough M2 Ultra chip; and exciting new features coming to iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS Sonoma, watchOS 10, tvOS 17, and AirPods.
Introducing Apple Vision Pro: Apple’s first spatial computer
apple.com: [Transcription] [Excerpts] CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today unveiled Apple Vision Pro, a revolutionary spatial computer that seamlessly blends digital content with the physical world, while allowing users to stay present and connected to others. Vision Pro creates an infinite canvas for apps that scales beyond the boundaries of a traditional display and introduces a fully three-dimensional user interface controlled by the most natural and intuitive inputs possible — a user’s eyes, hands, and voice. Featuring visionOS, the world’s first spatial operating system, Vision Pro lets users interact with digital content in a way that feels like it is physically present in their space. The breakthrough design of Vision Pro features an ultra-high-resolution display system that packs 23 million pixels across two displays, and custom Apple silicon in a unique dual-chip design to ensure every experience feels like it’s taking place in front of the user’s eyes in real time.
