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☆ Meta, Microsoft and Amazon team up on maps project to crack Apple-Google duopoly
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Overture is aiming to establish a baseline for maps data so that companies can use it to build and operate their own maps. For many companies, Google 's and Apple 's maps aren't ideal, because they don't provide access to the underlying data. For example, app makers pay per thousand Google Maps lookups through an application programming interface (API). Apple allows access to Apple Maps for free for native app developers, but web app developers need to pay. Overture is only offering the underlying map data, leaving it up to companies to build their own software on top of it.

Persons: Marc Prioleau, Prioleau Organizations: Google, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, CNBC

☆ Apple opens Vision Pro headset applications for developers, but they can't talk about it
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Apple CEO Tim Cook stands next to a new Apple Vision Pro headset displayed during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in Cupertino, California, June 5, 2023. Apple opened up Vision Pro developer kit applications on Monday, ahead of a planned 2024 launch for the $3,499 headset. The device is a loan, not a sale, and it will remain Apple property to be returned after the Vision Pro headset launches. Apple revealed the Vision Pro, its new virtual reality product that the company says is its first "spatial computer," in June. Apple is interested in developers porting VR apps from other platforms and building new apps just for the Vision Pro.

Persons: Tim Cook, it's, It's Apple's, Apple Organizations: Apple, Apple Vision, Apple Worldwide, Conference, Vision Pro, Pro, Apple Watch, Vision Locations: Cupertino , California, London, Shanghai, Tokyo

☆ Apple reportedly considers raising the price of its new iPhone Pros
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-24 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Apple is considering raising the price of its high-end iPhone Pros when new models come out this fall, according to Bloomberg. Since 2019, Apple has sold a high-end iPhone Pro that starts in the U.S. at $999 and a Max model with a bigger screen for at least $1099. Now, Apple's newest high-end models could reportedly receive a price increase that would boost Apple's overall revenue by increasing the average selling price of a new iPhone. The new iPhone models could have a USB-C charger, instead of a proprietary Lightning charger, after new European regulations passed last year. The new Pro models could come with a titanium case and thinner bezels, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Persons: Ming, Chi Kuo, Sidney Ho Organizations: Apple, Bloomberg, Deutsche Bank Locations: Kolkata, U.S

☆ Apple stock pops on report it's developing its own equivalent of ChatGPT
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Apple stock popped briefly Wednesday after a Bloomberg News report said the company was developing its own artificial intelligence large language model internally. The move signals Apple is taking recent advances in AI technology seriously and is considering integrating them into future products. For the past year, technologists and investors have been enamored of large language models, an AI technology that can turn out text or code that looks like a human wrote it. Some Apple staffers believe the company is aiming for a significant AI announcement next year, according to the report. Aside from LLMs, Apple uses a lot of machine learning in its products, from Siri speech recognition to the ability of the Photos app to detect faces and pets.

Persons: Siri Organizations: Apple, Bloomberg, Ajax, Microsoft, Google, Meta, Qualcomm

☆ IBM reports earnings beat, but misses on revenue
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

IBM reported second-quarter earnings on Wednesday that topped analysts' estimates as the company expanded its gross margin. Revenue: $15.48 billion, versus $15.58 billion expected, according to Refinitiv. Net income for the quarter rose 13% to $1.6 billion from $1.4 billion, or $1.72 per share, a year earlier. IBM reiterated on Wednesday that it expects between 3% and 5% revenue growth through the end of the year in constant currency. The company's infrastructure division, which includes its mainframe sales, declined 14.6% to $3.6 billion in revenue.

Persons: Arvind Krishna, James Kavanaugh, Krishna Organizations: IBM, Economic, Revenue, Intel's, Hat Linux, Health, Systems Locations: Davos, Switzerland, Refinitiv

☆ Meta and Qualcomm team up to run big A.I. models on phones
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

But the AI boom has largely missed the companies that make leading edge processors for phones and PCs, like Qualcomm. The announcement on Tuesday suggests that Qualcomm wants to position its processors as well-suited for A.I. If large language models can run on phones instead of in large data centers, it could push down the significant cost of running A.I. Qualcomm will make Meta's open-source Llama 2 models available on Qualcomm devices, which it believes will enable applications like intelligent virtual assistants. Doing this will allow researchers and eventually commercial enterprises to use the AI models on their own computers without asking permission or paying.

Persons: Cristiano Amon, OpenAI's, Bard Organizations: Qualcomm, Milken Institute Global Conference, Calif, Meta, Nvidia Locations: Beverly Hills

☆ Bill Gates explains why we shouldn't be afraid of A.I.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

US philantropist Bill Gates speaks during the Global Fund Seventh Replenishment Conference in New York on September 21, 2022. For example, on Tuesday, senators received a classified briefing about AI and the military. In the blog post, Gates cites how society reacted to previous advancements to make the case that humans have adapted to major changes in the past, and they will do so for AI as well. Gates suggests that the kind of regulation the technology needs is "speed limits and seat belts." He proposes regulation that would clearly outline what kind of deepfakes are legal to make.

Persons: Bill Gates, Gates, He's Organizations: Global Fund Seventh, Microsoft, Intel, DARPA, International Atomic Energy Agency Locations: New York

☆ Apple just released a preview of its next big iPhone update. Here's what's new
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Josh Edelson | AFP | Getty ImagesIn June, Apple announced iOS 17, the latest version of the iPhone operating system. Here are some of the biggest changes in iOS 17. A new feature called NameDrop allows two iPhone users to share contact details by simply bringing their phones close together. So, if you have two dogs, Apple Photos can tell the difference between the two in search and other applications. In iOS 17, Apple will be able to automatically input two-factor authentication codes from emails received in the Mail app.

Persons: Tim Cook, Josh Edelson, it's, Apple’s autocorrect, Apple, Sofia Pitt, ”, Siri, It's, FaceTime Organizations: Apple's Worldwide, Apple, AFP, Getty, Google, AirPods, Sofia Pitt New, Apple Music, Spotify Locations: Cupertino , California, voicemails

☆ How to install the preview of Apple's new iPhone software coming this fall
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-12 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Apple just released a public preview of its big iPhone update, iOS 17, which includes several big changes, including better autocorrect, a landscape docking mode and offline apps. In previous years, installing a public beta involved enrolling your email address on Apple's website and a tricky process that involved installing a certificate. Here's what to do:Make sure your phone can install iOS 17, which it probably can if you bought it after 2018 or have an iPhone XS or newer. The option to select the iOS 17 public beta will be in a dropdown menu. Apple's iOS public beta has most of the features that will be included in the final release version but isn't ready for everyone yet.

Organizations: Apple

☆ ChatGPT app downloads are slowing down, BofA finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Analysts found that app downloads for ChatGPT and Microsoft Bing have slowed in recent weeks, citing Sensor Tower data, BofA analyst Justin Post wrote in a note Wednesday. Bing app downloads, which includes a ChatGPT-based chatbot in the U.S., were also down 38% in June. Microsoft's Bing, which uses OpenAI's ChatGPT technology, was down 40 basis points on an annual basis to about 2.8% of the market. The ChatGPT app was released in May and so far is available only for iPhones. Besides the app or Bing search engine, ChatGPT users can also access the chatbot through its website.

Persons: Microsoft Bing, Justin Post, Microsoft's Bing, Post Organizations: Bank of America Securities, Analysts, Microsoft, Google, Nvidia, iPhones . Bank of America, Bank of America Locations: U.S, ChatGPT

☆ Pokemon Go maker Niantic lays off 230 employees, cancels games
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Pokemon Go players are seen in search of Pokemon and other in-game items in the Pasadena Playhouse District. Niantic, a mobile games developer based in San Francisco, announced Thursday that it would lay off 230 employees as part of a reorganization. It will also shutter a Los Angeles-based studio, where most of the affected employees are based. The move highlights how the mobile games industry has shifted in the years since Niantic landed its first major hit, Pokemon Go, in 2016. Overall, App Store spending on games declined 5% in 2020 to $110 billion, according to an estimate from Data.ai, a research firm.

Persons: John Hanke, Niantic, Hanke, Pokémon Organizations: Pasadena Playhouse, Marvel, Apple, Google, Meta, Quest Locations: Pasadena, San Francisco, Angeles, Silicon

☆ Nvidia downplays possible U.S. chip export restrictions
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Nvidia CFO Colette Kress downplayed the effect of the potential export restrictions at a financial conference on Wednesday, saying that they would not have an "immediate financial impact" but that further restrictions could hurt the company's growth in the future. "We are aware of reports that the U.S. Department of Commerce is considering further controls that may restrict exports of A800 and our H800 products to China," Kress said, referring to the company's chips. And the impact on our future business and financial results is there," Kress continued. Nvidia is the leader in the parts needed to build advanced AI systems, and AI engineers covet the company's A100 and new H100 chips. But according to the Journal, new Commerce Department limits could restrict the export of even those chips.

Persons: Colette Kress, Kress Organizations: Street, Nvidia, U.S . Department of Commerce, U.S, Department Locations: U.S, China, Washington

☆ Unity shares rise 15% after company announces A.I. marketplace
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

AI companies will be able to distribute their software to game makers and charge for it through Unity's Asset Store. The surge in Unity's price comes as company officials have talked about the potential they see in AI in recent weeks. "I think AI will change gaming in a couple of pretty profound ways. Separately, the company was also given an overweight rating and a target price of $48 by Wells Fargo analyst Brian Fitzgerald in a note Tuesday. Before Unity started directing investor attention to AI, it was closely linked to headset efforts, such as Meta 's, because its software can be used to create virtual reality apps.

Persons: John Riccitiello, Wells, Brian Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald, Riccitiello Organizations: Unity's, Associated Press, Unity, Apple, Vision Pro Locations: Wells Fargo

☆ Intel stock drops 6% as company updates chip manufacturing plans
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger speaks during the Mobileye Global Inc. IPO at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York on Oct. 26, 2022. Intel stock dropped 6% on Wednesday after the company gave investors an update on the company's turnaround plan to become a chip manufacturing company competing with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Intel plans to use its own chips to work out problems in its manufacturing before opening up the factories to third-party companies. "The manufacturing group will now face the same market dynamics as their foundry counterparts," Zinsner told analysts. Wednesday's update was focused on how Intel would use its manufacturing capabilities for its own chips.

Persons: Pat Gelsinger, David Zinsner, Zinsner Organizations: Inc, Nasdaq, Mobileye, Intel Corp, Intel, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Apple, Nvidia, Qualcomm, Samsung, IMS, Bain Capital, AMD Locations: New York, Austrian

☆ AMD reveals new A.I. chip to challenge Nvidia's dominance
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

AMD said on Tuesday its most-advanced GPU for artificial intelligence, the MI300X, will start shipping to some customers later this year. AMD's announcement represents the strongest challenge to Nvidia , which currently dominates the market for AI chips with over 80% market share, according to analysts. AMD CEO Lisa Su told investors and analysts in San Francisco on Tuesday that AI is the company's "largest and most strategic long-term growth opportunity." AI chips are one of the bright spots in the semiconductor industry, while PC sales, a traditional driver of semiconductor processor sales, slump. "I love this chip," Su said.

Persons: Lisa Su, Su Organizations: AMD, Nvidia Locations: Vegas, Las Vegas , Nevada, San Francisco

☆ The 15-inch MacBook Air offers superb battery life and portability at an aggressive price
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

In this article AAPL Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTKif Leswing/CNBCApple announced a 15-inch MacBook Air last week. But if you held out and need a new laptop, the 15-inch MacBook Air hits the sweet spot for most people in terms of price, capability, and portability. The extra screen size makes a difference versus the 13-inch MacBook Air. The 13-inch M2 MacBook Air (silver) versus the 15-inch M2 MacBook Air (dark blue.) The 15-inch MacBook Air fits easily into a backpack or briefcase, and I didn’t really notice the extra 3.3 pounds while I was commuting with it on public transportation.

Persons: it’s, Kif, I've Organizations: CNBC Apple, MacBook, Meta, Microsoft Office, Google, CNBC, isn’t, Apple, Intel Locations: Stardew, Kif

☆ Apple hits record high one week after announcing Vision Pro VR headset
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Apple stock rose more than 1.5% Monday to close at $183.79 per share, which is the all-time-high share price for the company. The milestone comes a week after Apple's biggest product launch of the year. Last Monday, the company kicked off its developers conference, WWDC, and unveiled the Vision Pro headset, its first entirely new product line since 2014. In May, Apple CFO Luca Maestri suggested Apple's revenue may decline about 3% on an annual basis during the current quarter. Although Monday's stock price is a split adjusted all-time high, Apple's market capitalization isn't currently a record because the company has bought back some of its shares.

Persons: Luca Maestri Organizations: Apple, MacBook, Apple Watch

☆ Apple Vision Pro: Impressive specs, new way of interacting could help it break the VR curse
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +11 min

The Apple Vision Pro is significantly more powerful than nearly all competing products on the market. Huge specsThe new Apple Vision Pro headset is displayed during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference on June 05, 2023 in Cupertino, California. A new interfaceApple Vision Pro Source: AppleJust as the iPhone did, the Apple Vision Pro introduces a new kind of user interface. Apple Vision Pro Source: AppleEye tracking often uses small sensors to see where the user's gaze is resting. The Apple ecosystemApple CEO Tim Cook stands next to the new Apple Vision Pro headset.

Persons: what's, Inbar, Tipatat Chennavasin, Apple, Justin Sullivan, Avi Greengart, Chennavasin, Jamin Hu, Steve Kovach, Hu, Mac, Tim Cook, Sean Mann, Greengart, Mann Organizations: Apple, Engineers, University of Utah, Nintendo, Microsoft, Meta, Google, Sony, Nvidia, Fund, Superventures, Venture, Apple Vision, Apple Worldwide, Apple Vision Pro, Vision, Getty Locations: Cupertino , California, Apple's, iPhones

☆ Apple's next challenge: It needs apps for its Vision Pro headset, but it's not on sale yet
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks with members of the media next to Apple's new Vision Pro virtual reality headset, during Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, June 5, 2023. On Monday, Apple revealed its $3,500 Vision Pro "spatial computing" headset to the public ahead of a planned launch early next year. Now Apple needs to convince developers to make apps for it, even though the hardware isn't widely available yet. App support for the Vision Pro will be critical for its success. All this effort is to ensure the app store for the Vision Pro is stocked when it eventually goes on sale.

Persons: Tim Cook, Apple, Morgan Stanley, Erik Woodring Organizations: Apple, Apple's Worldwide, Vision, Union Locations: Cupertino , California, California, London, Munich, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo

☆ Apple hits record high ahead of VR headset unveiling
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Ashley Capoot | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Tim Cook, chief executive officer of Apple Inc., at the opening of the new Apple BKC store in Mumbai, India, April 18, 2023. Apple shares hit a record high Monday as the company prepares to launch a number of new updates and products, including its widely anticipated mixed-reality headset, at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference. The new headset from Apple would mark new investment into a technology that has been fraught with disillusionment. When Facebook rebranded as Meta in October 2021, it drew attention to VR and the metaverse headsets. But since then, sales for existing VR headsets have underperformed, usage has been worse and the anticipated explosion in successful VR software companies isn't yet a reality.

Persons: Tim Cook, —, Kif Leswing Organizations: Apple Inc, Apple, Developers, Nasdaq, Facebook, Meta, VR Locations: Mumbai, India

Apple announced its mixed-reality headset, the Vision Pro, on Monday during its WWDC developer conference. The $3,499 headset is its first major new product since the Apple Watch in 2014. The Vision Pro will allow users to see apps in a new way, in the spaces around them. Disney CEO Bob Iger appeared on stage to announce that Disney+ would be available on the Vision Pro from day one of its release. Unity stock spiked over 20% and trading was briefly halted after Apple announced a partnership with the game development platform.

Persons: Bob Iger Organizations: Apple, Vision, Apple Watch, Microsoft, Disney

Apple's about to kick off WWDC 2023 where it's expected to unveil its highly-anticipated VR headset. Apple also typically uses the event to preview new software for the iPhone, iPad, Mac and Watch. Analysts and media reports say Apple could unveil a virtual reality headset that can also show the user the real world through high-powered cameras mounted on the device — a concept often called mixed reality. If Apple does release a headset, it will be its first major new product line since it announced the Apple Watch in 2014. Apple could also unveil updates to some of its other hardware, like the Mac line of computers, which developers use to write software for Apple's devices.

Persons: there's Organizations: Apple, Apple Watch

☆ Apple's practical approach to A.I.: No bragging, just features
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

On Monday during Apple's annual developer's conference, WWDC, the company subtly touted just how much work it's doing in state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and machine learning. As Microsoft , Google , and startups like OpenAI embraced cutting-edge machine learning technologies like chatbots and generative AI, Apple appeared to be sitting on the sidelines. But on Monday, Apple announced several significant AI features, including an improved iPhone autocorrect based on a machine learning program using a transformer language model, which is the same technology underpinning ChatGPT. Unlike its rivals, who are building bigger models with server farms, supercomputers, and terabytes of data, Apple wants AI models on its devices. On-device AI bypasses a lot of the data privacy issues that cloud-based AI faces.

Persons: Apple, Craig Federighi, OpenAI's Organizations: Apple, Worldwide, Conference, Microsoft, Google Locations: Cupertino , California

☆ Why Apple's VR headset could succeed where every similar product has failed
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

On Monday, Apple is expected to announce its first new major product line since the Apple Watch in 2014. During Apple's software-focused developer conference, WWDC, it could release its first mixed-reality headset, according to analyst research, media reports and increasingly, vague references from Apple itself. The headset, according to reports, will feature high-definition screens in front of the user's eyes. But since then, sales for existing VR headsets haven't been great, usage has been worse and the anticipated explosion in successful VR software companies hasn't happened. Apple's headset is expected to be more powerful than what's out there — even current $6,500 VR headsets.

Persons: what's, Apple, Wamsi Mohan, Microsoft's Hololens, Ming, Chi Kuo, Cowen, Krish Sankar, Peggy Johnson, it's Organizations: Apple, Apple Watch, Bank of America, Facebook, Meta, VR, U.S . Army, TFI Securities, CNBC

☆ The A.I. chip boom is pushing Nvidia toward $1 trillion, but it won't help Intel and AMD
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-25 | by ( Kif Leswing | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Demand for AI chips in data centers spurred Nvidia to guide for $11 billion in sales during the current quarter, blowing away analyst estimates of $7.15 billion. "The flashpoint was generative AI," Huang said in an interview with CNBC. Nvidia currently dominates the market for AI GPUs. "The data center of the past, which was largely CPUs for file retrieval, is going to be, in the future, generative data," Huang said. That's one reason why Nvidia's data center business grew 14% during the first calendar quarter versus flat growth for AMD's data center unit and a decline of 39% in Intel's AI and data center business unit.

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