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☆ Today's the day: Apple is expected to reveal a 'jaw dropping' new product that faces an uphill battle
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Michael Liedtke | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

It'll be the company's first major new product since the first Apple Watch in 2014. Apple's goggles are expected be sleekly designed and capable of toggling between totally virtual or augmented options, a blend sometimes known as "mixed reality." Magic LeapDaniel Diez, Magic Leap's chief transformation officer, said there are four major questions Apple's goggles will have to answer: "What can people do with it? The anticipation that Apple's goggles are going to sell for several thousand dollars already has dampened expectations for the product. But those forecasts were obviously made before it's known whether Apple might be releasing a product that alters the landscape.

Persons: It'll, Apple, Steve Jobs, hasn't, Mark Zuckerberg, Tim Cook, Cook, it's, Sergey Brin, Daniel Diez, Magic, Dan Ives, Zuckerberg, Leap's Diez Organizations: Apple, Apple Watch, Meta, Google, Microsoft, Wedbush Securities, CCS Insight Locations: Cupertino , California, Italy, San Francisco

☆ CHART: We analyzed Apple's revenue per employee to show how it's avoided tech bloat and delayed layoffs
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Hasan Chowdhury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Data shows its revenue per employee trumps the rest of Silicon Valley, a sign of its efficiency. Apple's comparative efficiency is visible through one particular metric that is back in vogue: Revenue per employee. Insider analyzed revenue per employee at major tech firms between 2018 and 2022. Revenue per employee is a get-back-to-basics measure of efficiency and productivity, assigning a hard dollar value to individual workers. Rabois also criticized tech firms, specifically Google and Meta, for "over-hiring" — a practice Apple avoided during tech's boom years.

☆ A foldable iPhone may be able to shut itself to protect the screen if it's dropped, Apple patent application shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-19 | by ( Sam Tabahriti | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A patent application showed a foldable iPhone could close itself to protect the screen if dropped. Apple has not confirmed any plans to start producing a foldable iPhone. Speculation about a foldable iPhone has circulated online for several years without any confirmation from Apple. Ben Wood, chief of research at CCS Insight, told CNBC last October that a foldable iPhone would probably sell for about $2,500. Patent applications do not mean that Apple has any plans to start making a foldable iPhone but indicate the company is still mulling the idea.

☆ Google Glass was just discontinued — again — raising questions about whether anyone still cares about AR devices
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Aaron Mcdade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The original Google Glass was axed in 2015, and reintroduced as a business-focused product in 2017. Sign up for our newsletter for the latest tech news and scoops — delivered daily to your inbox. An older version of Google Glass, the latest business-focused version of which was discontinued Wednesday. Ultimately, the lofty price point of Google Glass, as well as privacy concerns tied to the camera, led to its lack in mainstream acceptance and subsequent discontinuation in 2015. The latest version is "built for creators looking to push the limits of immersive AR experiences," according to the product's website.

☆ 'Sea of sameness': Are smartphone makers out of ideas?
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

From bulky phones with antennas and handsets that flip open, to modern devices connected to the internet, the mobile phone market has evolved dramatically since its creation in 1973. In a lot of ways, they're core to how we live our lives, and we've developed a dependence on them. Beyond flashy cameras and more efficient chips, phone makers are struggling to find ways to entice consumers the same way they did years ago. "We now live in this kind of sea of smartphone sameness," said Ben Wood, chief analyst at tech research firm CCS Insight. "I think we have moved to a point now with mobile phones where people aren't kind of rushing out saying, 'I really want to get that new phone,'" Wood said.

☆ Next-gen mobile internet — 6G — will launch in 2030, telecom bosses say, even as 5G adoption remains low
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

"We have not completed the deployment of 5G yet," Ha Min Yong, chief development officer of SK Telecom , told CNBC last week. However, after hundreds of billions of dollars of investment into 5G networks, carriers have struggled to see the return. I don't see any use cases today that we can't do with 5G or its immediate evolutions," Watson told CNBC last week. Many of the current 5G networks are built on top of equipment and technology from 4G. There will also be more software that powers 5G networks helping with efficiency such as the management of data traffic.

☆ Chinese smartphone giants are making a high-end play against Apple and Samsung
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Huawei spin off Honor had one of the most prominent booths at Mobile World Congress in February 2023. It was right next to Samsung's stand in a sign that Honor is targeting the South Korean firm in the premium end of the smartphone market. Chinese smartphone makers are looking to push into the high-end device market to challenge the dominance of Apple and Samsung after one of the worst years for the market on record. Last month, Oppo, the world's fourth-largest smartphone maker, launched its foldable smartphone called the Find N2 Flip which was priced at more than $1,000. Honor, a company spun off from Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei, then launched its $1,690 foldable smartphone called the Magic Vs.

☆ Apple may launch mixed reality device this year — but we're not scared, HTC CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Cher Wang, chairperson, co-founder and CEO of HTC, speaks at a keynote on the second day of the Mobile World Congress 2023. BARCELONA — The boss of consumer electronics firm HTC thinks Apple is going to launch its own mixed reality headset, but she's not worried about the competition. Speaking with CNBC at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, HTC CEO and co-founder Cher Wang said the Cupertino tech giant was likely to launch a mixed reality, or XR, product "very soon" — potentially as soon as this year. In January, Bloomberg reported that it is gearing up to release a mixed reality headset in the spring. "Apple and the entire industry realizes the potential and hence want to enter and eventually lead this segment," he added.

☆ As Apple rumors swirl, Chinese rivals launch foldable smartphones to challenge Samsung
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The near $1,700 device is Honor's attempt to challenge Samsung in the foldable smartphone market. Foldables hit global marketSamsung launched its first foldable phone in 2019 and really created this category of smarpthones. The Galaxy Fold series opens outwards like a book, while the Galaxy Z Flip opens up like a traditional flip phone. The market expects foldable phone shipments to jump 111% year-on-year to 30 million in 2023. It comes as speculation rises that Apple could be gearing up to launch a foldable device, though it may be an iPad rather than a smartphone.

☆ Chinese startup Realme launches $649 smartphone it says can be fully charged in just over 9 minutes
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Chinese smartphone upstart Realme has looked to push into international markets with its flagship phones. BARCELONA, Spain — Chinese smartphone maker Realme wants stand out in a crowded space of mid-tier devices. So on Tuesday, it launched a smartphone it claims can be fully charged in 9 minutes and 30 seconds. The company took the wraps off of its GT3 smartphone at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the largest mobile trade show in the world. But the timing has been tough, with the global smartphone market in 2022 suffering its worst year since 2013 in terms of shipments.

☆ Huawei spin-off Honor launches $1,690 foldable smartphone in challenge to Samsung, Apple
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Honor launched the Magic Vs foldable smartphone globally in a bid to take on Samsung in the premium end of the handset market. BARCELONA, Spain — Chinese smartphone maker Honor launched its foldable phone globally on Sunday, as it looks to compete with Apple and Samsung in the premium tier of the market. Huawei sold Honor to a consortium of buyers that includes the government of its headquarters city, Shenzhen. Honor launched its first smartphone overseas toward the end of 2021 and has since moved aggressively to bring more models to countries outside of China. "Although Honor is operating as a completely independent entity, it still has to regularly explain that is it not part of Huawei.

☆ Chinese tech giant Xiaomi debuts prototype augmented reality glasses joining Microsoft and Google
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Xiaomi took the wraps off its Xiaomi AR Glass Discovery Edition at Mobile World Congress 2023. The concept glasses work on augmented reality technology. BARCELONA, Spain — Xiaomi on Monday took the wraps off a pair of prototype augmented reality glasses as the Chinese technology giant looks to sell more products beyond smartphones. Augmented reality refers to digital media that can be superimposed over the real world that a person sees in front of them. Apple hasn't officially acknowledged or launched any kind of virtual or augmented reality headset.

☆ Nokia launches smartphone you can fix yourself, jumping on 'right to repair' trend
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-25 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The Nokia G22 smartphone from Finnish firm HMD Global comes with a removable back to let you swap out broken parts. The next smartphone to come from mobile icon Nokia is a handset that users can repair themselves. The Nokia G22, developed by Finnish manufacturer HMD Global, is a standard smartphone with a 6.5-inch screen and a 50-megapixel main camera. Right to repair refers to a movement among consumer rights campaigners to make it easier for consumers to repair their gadgets. There is one drawback with the Nokia G22 — it only meets the IP52 benchmark on resistance against damaging substances, meaning it is not immune to water damage.

☆ Another smartphone supports satellite connectivity, as mobile space race heats up
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

British smartphone firm Bullitt on Friday launched a new phone capable of sending text messages via space, joining a crowded race to commercialize satellite-enabled devices. They will have to have Bullitt Messenger — the firm's proprietary satellite messaging app — installed in order to reply. Satellite phones have been in the works for decades, but have not yet entered mainstream usage. Bullitt is also launching a Bluetooth accessory, the Motorola Defy Satellite Link, that lets any Android or iOS device connect to its Bullitt Satellite Messenger app, effectively enabling any phone to become a satellite phone. "The company is a trailblazer for satellite messaging but competition is snapping at its heels," Wood told CNBC.

☆ Chinese smartphone giant Oppo launches foldable flip phone as it bets on high-end market
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Oppo Find N2 Flip is a foldable smartphone that has a screen on the outside too. Oppo is looking to boost its position in the premium smartphone market with the £849 ($1024) device. Oppo launched a foldable flip phone for international markets, as the Chinese smartphone maker looks to boost its business outside of China. The Find N2 Flip marks Oppo's push to make a dent in the premium segment of the smartphone market and in the nascent foldable phone category. The Find N2 Flip, which was launched on Wednesday, folds in the middle like a traditional flip phone and boasts two screens.

☆ Apple's patent for a new kind of iPhone could boost sales, UBS says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Alex Harring | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

As speculation grows over the possibility Apple is working on a foldable iPhone or tablet, UBS took a look at the boost the company could get from such a device. The technology giant received a patent Tuesday for electronic devices with display and touch sensor structures, with the patent abstract specifically noting a "foldable electronic device" that might have a "flexible transparent wall portion that joins planar transparent walls." Drawings submitted with the application show "an electronic device with multiple foldable sections," Vogt said. Vogt said that a foldable smartphone could help Apple's rate of customers purchasing and upgrading. The company missed analyst expectations for iPhone revenue in its fourth quarter , while major retailers in China cut prices.

☆ Samsung unveils new Galaxy smartphone lineup with powerhouse camera
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The new lineup, which includes the 6.8-inch Galaxy S23 Ultra, 6.6-inch Galaxy S23+, and 6.1-inch Galaxy S23, look similar to last year’s models, but with new photo features, a longer lasting battery life (with faster charging speeds) and an exclusive chip. The cameras on the Galaxy S23+ and Galaxy S23 even have a subtle new look: the contour housing has been removed, which Samsung said marks a new era of design. The Galaxy S23 Ultra’s display comes with a reduced curvature to create a larger and flatter surface intended to improve the visual experience. Galaxy S23 Ultra, which comes with Samsung’s signature S pen, will start at $1,199.99, while the Galaxy S23+ starts at $999.99 and Galaxy S23 starts at $799.99. “The Galaxy S23 family demonstrates just how hard it is to tell a new story in today’s smartphone market,” said Leo Gebbie, principal analyst at CCS Insight.

"AMD remained resilient and even made gains in their datacenter chips...against Intel," said Wayne Lam analyst at CCS Insight. Chief Executive Lisa Su said she was confident AMD will keep gaining market share this year and that the second half would be stronger than the first. "First quarter should be the bottom for us in PCs and then grow from there into the second quarter and then into the second half," Su said on the earnings call. Analysts on average were expecting revenue of $5.50 billion, according to Refinitiv data. Analysts on average expected revenue of $5.48 billion, according to Refinitiv data.

☆ Folding iPad will launch in 2024, top Apple analyst Kuo says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Rohan Goswami | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Apple will slow the pace of iPad releases for the rest of 2023, with an eye toward releasing a foldable iPad by 2024, noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo wrote Monday. "I'm positive about the foldable iPad in 2024 and expect this new model will boost shipments and improve the product mix," Kuo wrote on Twitter. Kuo's prediction aligns with a report from analyst firm CCS Insight, which wrote in October that Apple would launch a foldable iPad before it launches a foldable iPhone. In 2021, Kuo had predicted the release of a foldable iPhone in 2024, the same year he now predicts a foldable iPad to launch instead. Kuo said he expects a foldable iPad to feature a carbon fiber kickstand sourced from Chinese manufacturer Anjie Technology .

"Everything hinges on the PC market recovery. Meanwhile, the data center market has also slowed from double-digit growth as businesses cut costs to ride out an economic slowdown. The company forecast first-quarter revenue in the range of about $10.5 billion to $11.5 billion. The company expects an adjusted loss of 15 cents per share versus expectations of a 24 cents per share profit. Revenue in the fourth quarter fell 32% to $14 billion.

"Everything hinges on the PC market recovery. AMD isn’t immune to this either," said Wayne Lam, an analyst at CCS Insight about Intel rival Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD.O). Shares of other microchip companies fell as well, with AMD down 2.4% and Nvidia Corp (NVDA.O) down 2%. PC shipments fell 16.5% to 292.3 million units in 2022, per data from research firm IDC, forcing chipmakers to cut back production and slash revenue forecasts. Meanwhile, the data center market has also slowed from double-digit growth as businesses look to cut costs to ride out an economic slowdown.

☆ Microsoft's $10 billion bet on ChatGPT's maker gives it a powerful new weapon in the cloud wars with Amazon and Google
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Hasan Chowdhury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Cloud, increasingly important to Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, is slowing down in the short term. But the company has a longer-term strategic weapon that could help it win the cloud wars: its once-in-a-generation bet on OpenAI. Any hint of a slowdown in growth for Microsoft's Azure, Amazon's AWS, and Google Cloud tends to provoke analyst angst. Even if there are immediate challenges for cloud growth, Microsoft sees its OpenAI bet, reported to be worth $10 billion, as a bigger strategic move. Microsoft Cloud, which also includes revenue from Office 365 and other products as well as Azure, represented around 50% of the company's overall revenue.

☆ Layoffs are a nail in the coffin for whatever the metaverse is
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( Hasan Chowdhury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Last week saw both Apple and Microsoft pause on speculative projects involving augmented reality and virtual reality, per reports. Apple has postponed its much-rumored augmented reality glasses because of technical challenges, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported. The metaverse was already a loose concept, a catch-all term for a vague theory that augmented reality and virtual reality is the future of computing, despite little evidence to back this up. Microsoft, reasonably early to the market with its HoloLens headset, has run into issues with one of its biggest customers: the US military. It's possible augmented reality and virtual reality devices do become popular among certain types of consumer, such as enthusiasts or gamers.

☆ Apple's upcoming headset will reportedly include auto-adjusting lenses and a dial to switch from VR to the real world
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Britney Nguyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Apple's anticipated mixed reality headset will have auto-adjusting lenses, The Information reported. It will also have a physical dial that the wearer can use to switch between VR and real life. The change to "xr," which stands for extended reality, signals that the headset will probably include both AR and VR capabilities. In December, noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo tweeted that mass shipment of the Apple headsets could be delayed to the second half of 2023 "because of software-related issues." As of early December, sales for VR headsets declined 2% from the previous year, CNBC reported.

☆ Metaverse off to ominous start after VR headset sales shrank in 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-28 | by ( Jonathan Vanian | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg demonstrates an Oculus Rift virtual reality (VR) headset and Oculus Touch controllers during the Oculus Connect 3 event in San Jose, California, U.S., on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. With the ad business mired in a slump, Zuckerberg has been looking to VR devices and related technology to pull Meta into the future. Taken together, the estimates of VR headset sales and shipments create a problematic picture for Meta, whose stock price has lost about two-thirds of its value this year. Meta's Quest 2 headset, released in 2020, is by far the leader in the VR market, according to several analysts. VR headset revenue in the U.S. doubled in 2021 from about $530 million in 2020, according to NPD.

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