Apple （6do encyclopedia）

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Apple Inc. is a multinational technology company that is headquartered in Cupertino, California. The company designs, develops, and sells consumer electronics, computer software, and online services. Apple is widely recognized as one of the most successful and innovative companies in the world, and its products are used by millions of people across the globe.

History

Apple was founded on April 1, 1976, by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. The company started out in a garage in Jobs’ home in Los Altos, California, with Wozniak designing and building the first Apple computer. The first product, the Apple I, was sold as a motherboard only, and customers had to provide their own keyboard, monitor, and power supply.

The Apple II, which was released in 1977, was the first fully assembled personal computer. It was a huge success, selling over 2 million units and establishing Apple as a leading player in the personal computer market. In 1984, Apple released the Macintosh, which was one of the first computers to use a graphical user interface and a mouse. The Macintosh was a game-changer in the industry, and it helped Apple gain a strong foothold in the market.

In 1997, after a period of declining sales and financial losses, Steve Jobs returned to Apple as CEO. He oversaw the development of the iMac, which was a huge success and helped revive the company’s fortunes. Under Jobs’ leadership, Apple went on to introduce a number of successful products, including the iPod, iPhone, and iPad.

Products

Apple is known for its high-quality and innovative products, which include:

• Mac: Apple’s line of personal computers, which includes desktop and laptop models.

• iPhone: Apple’s flagship smartphone, which is known for its sleek design and powerful features.

• iPad: Apple’s line of tablet computers, which are popular with both consumers and professionals.

• Apple Watch: Apple’s smartwatch, which enables users to receive notifications, make phone calls, and track health and fitness data.

• AirPods: Apple’s wireless earbuds, which are designed to work seamlessly with Apple devices.

• Apple TV: Apple’s digital media player, which can stream movies, TV shows, and other content to a television.

• HomePod: Apple’s smart speaker, which can play music and control smart home devices.

Services

In addition to its hardware products, Apple also offers a range of services and software, including:

• App Store: Apple’s digital distribution platform for mobile apps.

• iTunes: Apple’s media player and library, which includes music, movies, TV shows, and podcasts.

• Apple Music: Apple’s music streaming service, which allows users to listen to millions of songs on-demand.

• Apple Pay: Apple’s mobile payment solution, which enables users to make purchases using their iPhone or Apple Watch.

• iCloud: Apple’s cloud storage and backup service, which enables users to store and access files across multiple devices.

• Apple Books: Apple’s digital bookstore, which offers a wide range of books, magazines, and audiobooks.

Culture

Apple is known for its unique and distinctive culture, which is rooted in the company’s history and values. The company is committed to innovation, excellence, and design, and it encourages its employees to think differently and take risks. Apple’s employees are known as “Apple people,” and they are passionate about the company’s products and mission.

Apple is also known for its commitment to privacy and security. The company has been a vocal advocate for user privacy, and it has implemented a number of measures to protect user data. In 2016, Apple famously refused to comply with a request from the US government to unlock an iPhone belonging to a suspected terrorist, citing concerns about user privacy and security.

Controversies

Despite its reputation for innovation and excellence, Apple has been embroiled in a number of controversies over the years. Some of the most notable include:

• Labor practices: Apple has been criticized for its labor practices in overseas factories, with some workers alleging poor working conditions and low pay.

• Tax evasion: Apple has been accused of using tax loopholes to avoid paying billions of dollars in taxes.

• Antitrust: Apple has faced scrutiny over its App Store policies, with some developers alleging that the company engages in anticompetitive behavior.

• Environmental impact: Apple has been criticized for its environmental impact, with some critics alleging that the company’s products and practices contribute to climate change.

Despite these controversies, Apple remains one of the world’s most successful and influential companies. Its products and services have revolutionized the way we live, work, and communicate, and its impact on the technology industry is undeniable.

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Brian Chesky: I want Airbnb to become a physical social network

Financial Times

23-05-12 15:19

Airbnb co-founder Brian Chesky has launched a new offering called Airbnb Rooms, offering spaces in people's homes for rent. The move marks a return to the startup's original premise that saw its creators rent out air beds in their living room to help pay the rent on their apartment. This time around, however, Chesky says Airbnb Rooms is being launched due to the affordable cost of staying in someone's home, something that is attractive to customers as travel costs rise. According to Chesky, the average rental cost is $67 per night, compared to the increasing cost of staying in hotels.

https://www.ft.com/content/6c4677ff-b63f-45cd-bd18-23be16525613

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Only a small handful of stocks are keeping the U.S. stock market afloat. Plus, a 10-year look at equities vs. housing returns

The Globe and Mail

23-05-12 15:03

The New York Stock Exchange FANG+ Index has outperformed the S&P 500 by 36 percentage points in 2023. The index tracks the performance of the 10 largest US technology stocks, including Alphabet, Apple, Amazon, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Snowflake, Netflix, NVIDIA, Tesla, and Advanced Micro Devices. All members of the index are secular growth stocks, suggesting investors are concerned about the profits of more economically sensitive shares. Rallies driven by a limited number of firms are seen as less stable than those fuelled by a broad range of stocks within an index. The strong growth of these high-performing stocks has made them popular, pushing up valuations. The average trailing price to earnings ratio of the companies in the index is 41.5 times, compared with the S&P 500's 18.6. Successful broadening of earnings growth to more companies is needed to prevent a significant correction when the vast majority of these stocks inevitably fall.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/investment-ideas/article-only-a-small-handful-of-stocks-are-keeping-the-us-stock-market-afloat/

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Lawmakers ‘cowered’ to take on tech giants again, senator says

Washington Post

23-05-12 13:06

https://arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/MJY2GB3Z3CW3DAXSVDWIAG5NKU.jpg（图片大于 4 MB）

Sen. Chuck Grassley has criticised lawmakers' antitrust defeat for preventing any ability to regulate the tech sector. Grassley argues that the defeat has left some lawmakers cowering in the face of industry intimidation regarding antitrust efforts. Despite bipartisan support, the American Innovation and Choice Online Act to target major app stores was not passed amid a mass lobbying campaign from tech companies such as Amazon, Google and Apple. A bill targeting the practice of "self-preferencing" could also be similarly threatened. As the sector remains largely unregulated, failure to address antitrust laws could have far-reaching effects beyond competition issues. The STOP CSAM Act, which seeks to allow victims of child sexual abuse to sue app stores and platforms that knowingly facilitate exploitation, has recently been put forward, however, Grassley warned that opposition to the bill was already formidable.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/05/12/lawmakers-cowered-take-tech-giants-again-senator-says/

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India’s Tata Group said to get 5 per cent of Apple’s total iPhone orders in 2023

South China Morning Post

23-05-12 13:00

Indian industrial giant Tata Group is set to become one of Apple’s iPhone contract manufacturers, following the acquisition of Wistron’s southern Indian factory, according to research firm TrendForce. The company has received orders for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models, with the first wave of shipments set to head to India later this year. As Apple diversifies its supply chain outside China, Tata will become its fourth manufacturer for the models, with a 5% share of assembly orders in 2023. Foxconn, Pegatron and Luxshare Precision Industry will split the remainder.

https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3220390/indias-tata-group-said-become-apples-fourth-iphone-contract-manufacturer-accelerating-shift

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A free press needs the free market

The Globe and Mail

23-05-12 11:00

At its convention in Ottawa last week, Canada's Liberal party passed a resolution advocating increased measures to hold online information services accountable for the "veracity of material published on their platforms" and "limiting publication only to material whose sources can be traced". The resolution, which was passed without debate, represents "dreadful and dangerous" posturing from a party that should be committed to a free press, a Globe and Mail op-ed has claimed. It came in the same week that the Canadian government enacted the Online Streaming Act, which plans to increase Canadian content requirements on sites such as Netflix and Spotify.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/article-a-free-press-needs-the-free-market/

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Warren Buffett’s company recommits to Bank of America stock while dumping other banks

Associated Press

23-05-15 22:41

Berkshire Hathaway has sold stakes in US Bancorp and Bank of New York Mellon and increased its stake in Bank of America. It purchased almost 10 million shares of Capital One's stock in Q1 2021, according to an SEC filing. Although the filing didn't specify which investments were made by Warren Buffett and which were made by subordinates Todd Combs and Ted Weschler,​ Buffett generally only invests in large deals worth more than $1bn. The firm also bought 17.4 million shares of Occidental Petroleum stock during the quarter to bring its stake to almost 24%.

https://apnews.com/article/warren-buffett-berkshire-hathaway-stock-portfolio-investments-1e9851114cc5d3cc5f0c32cc8c00d00c

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Berkshire invests in Capital One, sheds four stocks

Reuters

23-05-15 22:12

Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway made an investment in Capital One Financial while it cut back on holdings in four other stocks, according to a regulatory filing from the Omaha-based conglomerate. The company has a new stake of $41.3m in Diageo, the alcoholic drinks firm, and holdings in Bank of America and American Express. It also trimmed its stakes in Bank of New York Mellon, TSMC and US Bancorp. Berkshire was a net seller of shares in the first quarter of 2019, according to the filing.

https://www.reuters.com/business/berkshire-invests-capital-one-sheds-bank-ny-mellon-2023-05-15/

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Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway sells entire stake in TSMC

CNN

23-05-16 04:32

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has sold its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) after his worries about Taiwan grew. Buffett had previously expressed concerns about the future of the self-governed democratic island where TSMC is based, amidst geopolitical tensions with China. This followed Berkshire's announcement in February that it had sold 86% of its TSMC shares, having purchased them only months earlier for $4.1bn. TSMC is the world's largest chip manufacturer and one of Taiwan's most valuable listed companies.

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/16/investing/berkshire-hathaway-taiwan-tsmc-stock-exit-hnk-intl/index.html

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The digital euro: a solution seeking a problem?

Financial Times

23-05-16 04:24

The European Central Bank's (ECB) plan to issue a digital euro has sparked controversy among citizens, financiers, and politicians who question the benefits of the scheme and fear it could replace cash and threaten decentralisation. Although the ECB plans to pilot the digital currency in coming months, its overall launch may not happen for another five to six years, and as such, the ECB is reportedly struggling to communicate the benefits of the programme. While officials believe that the digital euro will modernise European payments and provide a universal alternative to cash that is backed by the central bank, some opponents say it is unclear what problem it is seeking to solve. Additionally, there are concerns that it could create inefficiencies and complexity by creating a parallel payments system that would only be used by the digital euro.

The ECB, which is eager to promote the euro’s prominence globally, cites declining cash usage as a key motivation for the digital euro initiative. According to an ECB survey, cash usage has fallen from 79% of all point-of-sale transactions in the eurozone in 2016 to 59% in 2020. Policymakers worry that Europe is overly reliant on non-European payment providers like Visa, Mastercard, and even PayPal. Furthermore, as cash usage declines, some people may switch to other means of payment, such as stablecoins (digital tokens backed by fiat currency) or digital currencies launched by rival countries.

The ECB is keen to stress that the digital euro is intended to complement cash, not replace it. Still, bankers are reportedly worried that it could increase the likelihood of bank runs and require them to shoulder the costs of such a substantial project with little upside, especially as basic payments with the digital euro should be free. In any case, the ECB is poised to announce an implementation plan and pilot scheme in October, and this summer, the European Commission plans to set out legislative proposals that specify some of the key design features of the digital currency.

https://www.ft.com/content/7c892d3b-c646-4247-9504-5f755e486101

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Record buyback spree attracts shareholder complaints

Financial Times

23-05-16 04:23

Executives who award themselves large bonuses after their companies engage in share buybacks that have limited benefit to shareholders are facing criticism from prominent investors, according to research by asset manager Janus Henderson. Last year the biggest 1,200 public companies in the world returned a record $1.3tn to shareholders, triple the level of 10 years ago and almost as much as they paid out in dividends. US President Joe Biden recently introduced a 1% Wall St buyback tax and has now proposed quadrupling it.

https://www.ft.com/content/eaa1a31c-580c-405b-b438-a59504198ac8

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The race to bring generative AI to mobile devices

Financial Times

23-05-16 04:22

Advancements in generative artificial intelligence (AI) could transform mobile communications and computing at a faster pace than expected, according to the Financial Times. Tech firms have been attempting to embed generative AI into their software and services but faced higher computing costs, and increased internet search users come to expect AI-generated content in standard search results. By running generative AI on mobile handsets, costs could be lowered and services such as chatbots could be far cheaper for companies to run. Smaller, open-source models have made the technology more available to businesses wanting to use generative AI in their own services.

https://www.ft.com/content/6579591d-4469-4b28-81a2-64d1196b44ab

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Exclusive: LG Display to supply OLED TV panels to Samsung Elec

Reuters

23-05-16 03:03

South Korea's LG Display has agreed a deal to supply high-end TV panels to Samsung Electronics, which would help the loss-making flat-screen maker turn profitable. LG Display will initially supply 77-inch and 83-inch white OLED (WOLED) TV panels, with Samsung looking to expand in high-end OLED TVs, aiming to overtake Sony as the second largest supplier of OLED TVs worldwide. The deal could help LG Display take its OLED factory to full capacity, as the company has been operating below its full capacity due to a limited customer base and a pandemic-driven demand surge for new TVs tapering off due to soaring inflation and slowing economy.

https://www.reuters.com/technology/lg-display-supply-oled-tv-panels-samsung-elec-sources-2023-05-16/

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Tesla Executives to Visit India This Week in Pivot Beyond China

Bloomberg

23-05-16 08:30

Senior executives from Tesla are set to meet with Indian officials this week to discuss expanding its supply chain in the country. Senior managers in Austin, Texas-based Tesla’s business development, production and supply chain teams will meet with officials from the office of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The executives will discuss the sourcing of components for Tesla models, with Tesla expected to ask for India to cut import taxes on its cars. While Tesla has struggled to penetrate the Indian market, rivals including Mercedes-Benz have begun to sell locally built electric vehicles to cater to rising demand in the nation.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-16/tesla-executives-to-visit-india-this-week-in-pivot-beyond-china?srnd=next-china

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Chris O’Dell: ‘I wasn’t a groupie – I was more of an emotional support’

Telegraph

23-05-16 07:00

Music industry personality Chris O’Dell is set to feature in a new documentary, Miss O’Dell: Sex, Love, Drugs & Rock 'n' Roll, that will describe her time spent serving in a range of roles (PA, tour manager, ego-massager) for some of the world’s biggest musicians during the 60s and 70s. Fluent in "emotional support" and drug runs, O'Dell claims involvement in moments ranging from singing with the Beatles to being the "mystery woman" on the cover of the Rolling Stones’ Exile on Main Street album. O’Dell remains a close friend of Pattie Boyd, ex-wife of guitarist George Harrison and, later, Eric Clapton. Initially a switchboard operator for the Beatles’ Apple label, O’Dell quickly found herself in diverse roles that saw her move from the Apple’s switchboard to the band’s personal assistant. “I wasn’t a groupie, or even a muse,” she said, “but more of an emotional support. I eventually became a therapist, an addiction counsellor… just without a licence.”

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/interviews/chris-o-dell-rolling-stones-the-beatles-interview/

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How Beyoncé makes her fortune – and how she spends it

Telegraph

23-05-16 12:00

Superstar Beyoncé could earn as much as $2.1bn through her Renaissance world tour, adding to the estimated $450m she currently possesses. The vast bulk of Knowles' fortune comes from her expanding beyond recorded music, including international tours, films, fashion and product endorsements. Knowles launched her company, Parkwood Entertainment, in the late 2000s as a creative agency, record label, production company and management company. She sought to control any Beyoncé-related project under the Parkwood umbrella, which has included films, sportswear partnerships with Adidas and endorsement deals with Samsung and L'Oreal.

The global entertainer, who found success at a young age, cofounded Destiny’s Child, managed by her father, Mathew Knowles. Through the popularity of the R&B group, Knowles received a solid financial foundation, enabling her to expand into various other areas such as the creation of her own entertainment enterprise. Now a self-made success, Knowles is almost legendary in status and minimal in her outward-facing social media presence, says Tatiana Cirisano, a music analyst at Midia Research.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/beyonce-billions-how-she-makes-it-spends-it/

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Netflix alerts telecoms groups over looming account-sharing crackdown

Financial Times

23-05-16 10:19

Netflix is trialling a crackdown on password-sharing in the UK as it tries to get non-subscribers to pay for the streaming service. It has held talks with UK telecoms groups, such as Sky, Virgin Media, BT and TalkTalk that offer Netflix as part of a bundled subscription to explore how the warnings will work. The companies are concerned calls to their call centres regarding the matter which will need close cooperation with Netflix. Telecoms companies may field questions and complaints once the crackdown rolls out through emails and “interstitials” related to the matter inserted into the start of programming.

https://www.ft.com/content/13f719af-b406-4c53-b283-d91e002dde5a

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US announces criminal cases involving flow of technology, information to Russia, China and Iran

Associated Press

23-05-16 16:43

The US Justice Department has revealed alleged cases of stolen sensitive technology that was passed to foreign adversaries, such as Apple’s software code for self-driving cars and materials used in missiles, going to countries like China, Russia and Iran. Criminal cases now being brought to light date back several years but the work of a task force, created this year, is being highlighted to disrupt the transfer of goods to foreign countries.

https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-iran-china-russia-0192f762d087469c1427b8e6d20ce014

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U.S. charges ex-Apple engineer for trying to steal tech for China

Nikkei Asia

23-05-16 16:27

The US Justice Department has charged a former Apple engineer with trying to steal the firm's autonomous driving technology and then moving to China. It was one of five cases announced on 21 November, designed to counter the illicit acquisition of US technology by countries that included China and Russia. The charges, the first announced by a special “strike force” established in February, come amid growing concern that foreign nations are gaining access to sensitive technology.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/U.S.-charges-ex-Apple-engineer-for-trying-to-steal-tech-for-China

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U.S. charges former Apple engineer with attempt to steal self-driving car tech

The Globe and Mail

23-05-16 15:11

The US Department of Justice has charged former Apple engineer Weibao Wang with attempting to steal the company's technology relating to autonomous systems, which include self-driving cars. Wang accepted a job with a Chinese firm developing autonomous vehicles after resigning from the iPhone maker in 2017.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/international-business/article-us-charges-former-apple-engineer-with-attempt-to-steal-self-driving/