172990160 story [](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=programming)[](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=apple) Posted by msmash on Monday February 05, 2024 @03:40PM from the moving-forward dept. Apple, [in a blog post](https://pkl-lang.org/blog/introducing-pkl.html): _We are delighted to announce the open source first release of Pkl (pronounced Pickle), a programming language for producing configuration. When thinking about configuration, it is common to think of static languages like JSON, YAML, or Property Lists. While these languages have their own merits, they tend to fall short when configuration grows in complexity. For example, their lack of expressivity means that code often gets repeated. Additionally, it can be easy to make configuration errors, because these formats do not provide any validation of their own. To address these shortcomings, sometimes formats get enhanced by ancillary tools that add special logic. For example, perhaps there's a need to make code more DRY, so a special property is introduced that understands how to resolve references, and merge objects together. Alternatively, there's a need to guard against validation errors, so some new way is created to validate a configuration value against an expected type. Before long, these formats almost become programming languages, but ones that are hard to understand and hard to write. On the other end of the spectrum, a general-purpose language might be used instead. Languages like Kotlin, Ruby, or JavaScript become the basis for DSLs that generate configuration data. While these languages are tremendously powerful, they can be awkward to use for describing configuration, because they are not oriented around defining and validating data. Additionally, these DSLs tend to be tied to their own ecosystems. It is a hard sell to use a Kotlin DSL as the configuration layer for an application written in Go. We created Pkl because we think that configuration is best expressed as a blend between a static language and a general-purpose programming language. We want to take the best of both worlds; to provide a language that is declarative and simple to read and write, but enhanced with capabilities borrowed from general-purpose languages. When writing Pkl, you are able to use the language features you'd expect, like classes, functions, conditionals, and loops. You can build abstraction layers, and share code by creating packages and publishing them. Most importantly, you can use Pkl to meet many different types of configuration needs. It can be used to produce static configuration files in any format, or be embedded as a library into another application runtime. We designed Pkl with three overarching goals: To provide safety by catching validation errors before deployment. To scale from simple to complex use-cases. To be a joy to write, with our best-in-class IDE integrations._

Apple debuted a new sports app Wednesday (Feb. 21) — firming its foothold in the [lucrative live sports streaming market](https://qz.com/the-streaming-wars-have-made-it-more-expensive-than-eve-1850810008). Named Apple Sports, the app allows users to quickly compare teams’ stats and live betting odds. And while it’s the company’s first dedicated sports app, Apple has been signaling it would get into the game. The company first debuted a dedicated section in Apple News, called [My Sports](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/06/apple-unveils-new-ways-to-share-and-communicate-in-ios-16/), that allows users to follow stories on their favorite teams in 2022. But Apple made its first big bid for a spot in the live sports market when it announced an exclusive partnership [with Major League Baseball](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/03/apple-and-major-league-baseball-to-offer-friday-night-baseball/) in 2022; it’s since expanded to [include Major League Soccer games](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/11/apple-and-major-league-soccer-announce-mls-season-pass-launches-february-1-2023/). Apple’s competitors Disney and Amazon have their own deals with other leagues — [Amazon](https://qz.com/950778/nfl-deal-moves-amazon-amzn-another-step-toward-redefining-television) has exclusive rights to broadcast the NFL’s Thursday Night Football games, while [Peacock has golf](https://www.golfpass.com/) (thanks to its parent company NBC’s hold over golf telecasts). Then there’s Disney’s [ESPN+](https://qz.com/1251633/the-streaming-video-wars-are-just-getting-started), which has a host of its own partnerships with leagues like the National Hockey League, National Football League, and National Basketball Association. Apple Sports is different from just a statistics platform, though, because it also shows sports betting odds — meaning that Apple is not only tightening its relationship with to live sports streaming, but also the gambling that goes on with the games. Sports betting is less lucrative than media rights to sports games. The subsector, though, is growing quickly. The US sports betting industry posted a [record $11 billion in revenue](https://www.espn.com/espn/betting/story/_/id/39563784/sports-betting-industry-posts-record-11b-2023-revenue) last year, and experts have forecasted that it [could reach a value of $40 billion](https://twitter.com/SquawkStreet/status/1625540744541880336?lang=en) by 2030. Users can also opt out of viewing sports betting odds in their Apple Sports settings. The Apple odds -------------- The odds of Apple catching up to rival streaming platforms Amazon and Disney are in the tech giant’s favor. Things would go its way faster if Apple makes its boldest play yet: Outright owning ESPN. The tech giant is [reportedly interested in](https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/disneys-espn-could-be-valued-24-bln-likely-buyers-include-apple-verizon-bofa-2023-11-01/) purchasing the sports channel, with other likely contenders being Verizon and Bank of America. Apple did not respond immediately to Quartz’s request for comment on the deal. Apple’s entry into live sports, by the numbers ---------------------------------------------- Here’s a look at big numbers defining the game. 💰 [**$56 billion:**](https://www.sportsvideo.org/2023/11/27/global-value-of-sports-media-rights-nears-56-billion-sportbusiness-report-reveals/) Global value of sports media rights 📺 [**160 million:**](https://playtoday.co/blog/sport-viewership-statistics/) Number of Americans who watch sports at least once a month 🎰 [**45%:**](https://www.espn.com/espn/betting/story/_/id/39563784/sports-betting-industry-posts-record-11b-2023-revenue) How much sports betting revenue increased in 2023 🏈 [**$24 billion:**](https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/disneys-espn-could-be-valued-24-bln-likely-buyers-include-apple-verizon-bofa-2023-11-01/) Reported value of ESPN, with Apple being a likely buyer

Apple is canceling its plans to build an electric car, [according to multiple outlets](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-27/apple-cancels-work-on-electric-car-shifts-team-to-generative-ai?sref=fqqmZ8gi), ending a secretive project that has consumed immense resources over the past decade. Executives from the company made the unexpected announcement during an internal team meeting on Tuesday, forecasting layoffs and telling employees that many of them would shift to working on generative artificial intelligence, per reports. [ Do electric cars have an air pollution problem? ](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/feb/26/electric-cars-air-pollution-problem-brakes-tyres) Apple is believed to have spent billions of dollars attempting to develop an electric, semi-autonomous vehicle under the codename Project Titan, and its decision to kill the program is a major retreat from its previous strategy. The Apple chief executive, Tim Cook, [had hinted](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/05/tim-cook-interview-apples-car-plans-and-thoughts-on-elon-musk.html) at the company’s plans for a car in recent years, though he never fully committed to delivering a product. Although Apple did not formally announce its plans to offer a car, the project was a source of intense speculation among the automotive and tech industries. The company [hired executives](https://techcrunch.com/2022/07/27/apple-hires-lamborghini-executive-to-help-steer-ev-program/) from marquee car companies such as Lamborghini and Tesla to oversee its development, and [acquired](https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/26/apple-buys-autonomous-vehicle-start-up-driveai.html) the autonomous vehicle startup Drive.ai in 2019. Apple did not return a request for comment on the decision to end the program. The company’s announcement came as a surprise to the hundreds of employees who worked on the project, [Bloomberg reported](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-27/apple-cancels-work-on-electric-car-shifts-team-to-generative-ai?sref=fqqmZ8gi), and many may face job cuts. The company’s plans for an electric car have repeatedly shifted since it started devoting resources to the concept in 2014. The attempts to bring a product to market faced numerous setbacks since then, however. Apple [laid off dozens of employees](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/10/technology/apple-is-said-to-be-rethinking-strategy-on-self-driving-cars.html) connected to the project in a 2016 restructuring, and the key executive in charge of the project [defected to Ford](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/sep/08/apple-automotive-ambitions-dealt-blow-as-car-chief-joins-ford) in 2021. Earlier this year, [Bloomberg reported](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-23/apple-car-ev-set-to-debut-in-2028-with-limited-autonomous-driving?sref=fqqmZ8gi) that Apple’s estimated release date for the car had been delayed until at least 2028. Apple had also dialed back its ambitions for the car, according to Bloomberg, going from a fully autonomous vehicle to one with some self-driving capabilities along the lines of Tesla’s automobiles. In contrast, the company [had only a few years ago considered](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-18/apple-accelerates-work-on-car-aims-for-fully-autonomous-vehicle?sref=fqqmZ8gi) developing an entirely self-driving car with no steering wheel and a wrap-around seat interior like a limousine. In response to Apple’s decision to kill its electric car, the [Tesla](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/tesla) chief executive, Elon Musk, posted emojis of a salute and a cigarette on X. Apple will reportedly devote more of its resources to working on generative AI projects, including shifting researchers and engineers who formerly worked on the automotive effort to its special projects group. Cook [announced during a quarterly earnings](https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/1/24058647/apple-ceo-tim-cook-teases-generative-ai-iphone) call earlier this month that Apple was spending “a tremendous amount of time and effort” on artificial intelligence and would deliver generative AI features to consumers within the year.

Apple reports its first-quarter earnings after the bell Thursday. [The tech giant has had a rough 2024 so far](https://qz.com/apple-ev-cars-lawsuit-doj-iphone-sales-china-eu-spotify-1851360930). Its [weak iPhone sales abroad](https://qz.com/apple-iphone-sales-china-huawei-vivo-1851428360), [antitrust concerns](https://qz.com/apple-doj-antitrust-lawsuit-iphone-apps-imessage-1851375442), and [rocky stock performance](https://qz.com/apple-stock-goldman-sachs-microsoft-market-cap-tech-1851302169) have all been causes for concern for investors. But some analysts say there’s still reason to hope that Apple can beat expectations and see its shares rise as high as $250 in the 12 months ahead. Here’s what has caused Apple’s stock price to dip in recent months — and what analysts expect on Thursday and in the months ahead. Apple loses its ‘Magnificent Seven’ shine ----------------------------------------- Apple has been part of a group of high-flying Big Tech stocks dubbed the Magnificent Seven. But now it’s near the bottom of that group — and left out of a more exclusive one. The tech company’s shares have fallen 10% year-to-date as Apple dealt with regulatory scrutiny at home and abroad as well as an iPhone sales slump in China. The Department of Justice in March [sued Apple for allegedly creating an illegal monopoly in the smartphone market](https://qz.com/apple-lawsuit-us-doj-iphone-app-store-antitrust-1851355450), prompting a tumble in Apple’s stock price — so steep that [it lost over $100 billion in value](https://qz.com/apple-loses-billions-value-market-cap-antitrust-lawsuit-1851358147) in a single day. And [demand for iPhones in China](https://qz.com/apple-iphone-sales-china-huawei-vivo-1851428360) hasn’t been as weak as it is now since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The result has been Apple, along with Tesla and Google parent Alphabet, being relegated to a lower tier of the Magnificent Seven. The best-performing stocks are now known by many analysts as the “Fab Four”: Microsoft, Facebook parent Meta, Amazon, and Nvidia. Apple stock is still up about 2% over the last 12 months. Mixed views on Vision Pro ------------------------- Apple released its mixed-reality headset, Vision Pro, in February. But [weak demand](https://qz.com/apple-vision-pro-sales-1851426963) caused [the company to slash its 2024 sales expectations](https://qz.com/apple-vision-pro-sales-forecasts-analyst-1851431280) for the product in half. That’s not exactly shocking in the virtual reality subsector of the tech industry: Apple’s rival headset-maker, Meta, has been losing money on its virtual reality dreams since Mark Zuckerberg first claimed the metaverse was the way of the future in 2021. Skeptics were also wary of Vision Pro’s hefty $3,500 price tag and big promises before its launch. But top analysts still have faith in Apple ------------------------------------------ Analysts at Bank of America, Wedbush, and Morgan Stanley all advised buying Apple shares in recent notes to investors, placing their price targets for the stock between $210 and $250. Morgan Stanley analysts wrote on April 22 that overall iPhone demand remains stable despite the China slump, and they expect Apple earnings to slightly beat Wall Street’s forecasts. Wedbush analysts said it’s not over for Apple in China, foreseeing that anticipation for Apple’s AI-driven iPhone in 2025 will lift future demand in the country. And Bank of America’s Wamsi Mohan named Apple’s stock a “top pick” of the year on Monday. Apple will probably announce stock buybacks ------------------------------------------- Mohan said last week that Apple is expected to announce the authorization of stock buybacks, reducing the number of its shares in circulation and thereby raising investors’ stakes and their return on future dividends. Share buybacks raise earnings per share and, usually, a company’s stock price. [Apple spent the most of any tech giant on stock buybacks](https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/big-tech-stock-buybacks-apple-google-meta-microsoft-tesla-buffett-2023-8) over the last 10 years, paying a total of $621 billion to repurchase its own shares between 2013 and 2023. Google parent Alphabet spent about one-third of that figure on its stock over the same period. Over the last fiscal year, [Apple doled out $78 billion on stock buybacks](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/heres-much-stock-apple-repurchased-130000554.html), reducing its number of outstanding shares by about 2%.

 Apple CEO Tim Cook sidestepped questions about its [AI](https://qz.com/ai-artificial-intelligence-glossary-vocabulary-terms-1851422473) strategy during its second-quarter earnings call with investors Thursday. When asked exactly how Apple plans to monetize generative AI technology, Cook said, “We see generative AI as a very key opportunity across our products, and we believe that we have advantages that set us apart there.” Cook said the company would reveal more in “the weeks ahead.” That likely means Apple is waiting until its Worldwide Developers Conference the week of June 10. Beyond that vague allusion, Apple’s given no clear indication of its AI strategy, even as its competitors like Google, Microsoft, and Meta loudly and proudly announce AI feature after AI feature. The only hint at what could be coming was [its purchase of Darwin AI, a little known Canadian AI startup](https://qz.com/apple-generative-ai-buy-canadian-startup-darwinai-1851336368) that develops technology to make AI systems smaller and faster. Since Apple has no other known plan for AI other than reportedly [hiring some experts from Google](https://qz.com/apple-google-ai-experts-vision-lab-switzerland-1851445416) to work in a secretive Swiss laboratory, it would have made sense for Apple executives to lay out more details about how it will implement the technology, particularly how it plans to incorporate Darwin AI — especially as iPhone sales struggled, said Paul Marino, an executive at exchange-traded funds provider GraniteShares. Failing to give details about its latest acquisition could be a problem for Apple. “If they’re making these acquisitions. And they’re not implementing them. That’s going to be, I think, an issue after the earnings call,” Marino said. Still, Apple’s sales beat Wall Street’s expectations and its share price surged in after-market trading on news of [its largest-ever stock buyback of $110 billion](https://qz.com/apple-second-quarter-earnings-buyback-stock-1851453039). Our free, fast, and fun briefing on the global economy, delivered every weekday morning.

An anonymous reader shares a column: _When Apple CEO Tim Cook and a bunch of his deputies take the virtual stage next week to announce new iPads, they're going to spend a lot of time talking about specs. If the rumors are true, we're going to get new iPad Pros with OLED screens and thinner bodies, new Airs with faster chips and a correctly placed front camera, and a couple of new accessories. Before they even launch, I feel confident telling you these are the best iPads ever. But after all these years, I [still don't know how to tell you whether you should want an iPad](https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/2/24147271/apple-ipad-air-pro-let-loose-event-accessories-pencil). Or what you'd want to do with it. This has been true forever, of course. The iPad is the jack-of-all-trades in Apple's lineup, a terrific device in many ways that still feels increasingly redundant now that so many people have big phones and long-lasting laptops. Apple seems to have spent the last decade-plus enamored with the idea of the iPad as a shapeshifter -- a device that can be exactly what you need at any given time. The company loves that the iPad's use case is hard to pin down, that it means different things to different people. It's a fun, good, ambitious idea: The One Gadget To Rule Them All. The way to make that happen, though, is not to upgrade the chips or move the buttons or redesign the rounded corners. It's to focus less on the iPad itself and more on the things you attach to it._ _\[...\] The iPad is a screen and a processor, and everything else should be an add-on for whenever you need it. Give the gamers a controller and an external GPU. Give the music lovers a speaker dock, and give the smart home fanatics a bunch of buttons that connect to various devices. The photographers need lenses; the spreadsheeters need a keyboard with function keys. The Pencil and the Magic Keyboard are a start, but Apple needs to do much more. The company needs to spend less time worrying about the iPad itself -- a device famous for how long it lasts and that hardly anyone is using to its full potential -- and more time on how to make it more than just a tablet. (Plus, bonus for Apple: it's going to be a lot easier to get people to buy accessories than to convince them to upgrade their iPad when they don't need to.)_

 Apple stock jumped 7% Friday morning following the company’s [better-than-feared second-quarter earnings](https://qz.com/apple-second-quarter-earnings-buyback-stock-1851453039) report the day before. Apple beat Wall Street’s expectations Thursday, reporting sales of $90.8 billion for the three months ended March 30. The company also announced its largest-ever stock buyback, authorizing $110 billion in share repurchases and raising its cash dividend by 4%. Apple’s share price on Friday stood at $185. But [Wall Street analysts expect the stock to rise as high as $250](https://qz.com/apple-earnings-wall-street-forecast-iphone-sales-china-1851447141) per share over the next 12 months. Even a more bearish analyst, Gil Luria of D.A. Davidson — who is neutral on Apple, while other analysts have given it a “buy” rating — forecasts the share price rising to $200. That’s because investment firms are looking forward to Apple’s widely expected AI announcement at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in early June. “We believe that this year’s WWDC in June may be one of the most important events for Apple in recent memory, as we expect the company to announce its latest developments around how generative AI will be powering its future products and features,” Luria said in a note to investors Thursday. [Apple CEO Tim Cook has kept quiet on the company’s AI strategy](https://qz.com/apple-earnings-buy-darwin-ai-startup-acquisition-1851452819). But he seems confident that Apple is poised to not only catch up to its competitors, but also to have major success when it comes to developing and implementing [generative AI](https://qz.com/ai-artificial-intelligence-glossary-vocabulary-terms-1851422473) across its products. “We believe in the transformative power and promise of AI,” Cook told investors on a call Thursday, “and we believe we have advantages that will differentiate us in this new era including Apple’s unique combination of seamless hardware, software, and services integration; groundbreaking Apple silicon with our industry leading neural engine; and our unwavering focus on privacy.” Our free, fast, and fun briefing on the global economy, delivered every weekday morning.

Apple on Tuesday [announced its latest iPad Pro with a new chip](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/05/apple-unveils-stunning-new-ipad-pro-with-m4-chip-and-apple-pencil-pro/) that it promises will majorly boost the efficiency of AI applications run on the device. Apple’s new M4 chip includes a CPU (central processing unit), GPU (graphics processing unit), and an NPU (neural processing unit). CPUs are the brain of a computer, while GPUs are designed to boost the quality of computer graphics. NPUs are made specifically for machine learning and generative artificial intelligence tasks. During the company’s “Let Loose” iPad event, Apple VP of hardware technologies Tim Millet said the M4 is an “outrageously powerful chip for AI” with its NPU “more powerful than any neural processing unit in any AI PC today.” Apple says the M4’s neural engine can perform 38 trillion operations per second, making it more than 60 times faster than its first generation NPU, [the A11 Bionic chip](https://www.apple.com/fi/newsroom/2017/09/the-future-is-here-iphone-x/). It also uses a lot less energy. “Compared to M2 \[Apple’s chip used in older generation iPads and MacBooks\], M4 can deliver the same performance using just half the power,” Apple said in its announcement, “and compared to the latest PC chip in a thin and light laptop, M4 can deliver the same performance using just a quarter of the power.” The announcement comes just less than two week before [Microsoft is expected a announce a new Arm-powered chip](https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/18/24104982/microsoft-ai-event-build-2024-satya-nadella) that the [company said would put its Windows laptops ahead of Apple’s MacBooks](https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/8/24116587/microsoft-macbook-air-surface-arm-qualcomm-snapdragon-x-elite) in terms of AI performance. Now, Microsoft could instead fall further behind. Apple is not only developing chips to sit within its devices, but also chips to run artificial intelligence software from data centers, according to reports from The Wall Street Journal this week. The company is [reportedly developing the AI chips](https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/apple-is-developing-ai-chips-for-data-centers-seeking-edge-in-arms-race-0bedd2b2) in partnership with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. There’s no known timeline for the initiative code-named Project ACDC, for “Apple Chips in Data Center,” so it’s unclear when Apple would release such chips, if ever.

Apple on Tuesday unveiled its next generation of iPad Pros and Airs — lineups that will boast faster processors, new sizes and a new display system CUPERTINO, Calif. -- Apple on Tuesday unveiled its next generation of iPad Pros and Airs — models that will boast faster processors, new sizes and a new display system as part of the company's first update to its tablet lineup in more than a year. The showcase at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, comes after the company disclosed its steepest quarterly decline in iPhone sales since the pandemic’s outset, deepening a slump that’s increasing the pressure on the trendsetting company to spruce up its products. Apple is expected to make a much bigger splash next month during an annual conference devoted to the latest version of its operating systems for iPhones, iPads and Mac computers — software that analysts expect to be packed with more [artificial intelligence](https://abcnews.go.com/alerts/ArtificialIntelligence) technology. Both lines of new iPads add bells and whistles but have adjusted prices to match. The iPad Pro sports a new thinner design, a new M4 processor for added processing power, slightly upgraded storage and incorporates dual OLED panels for a brighter, crisper display. Prices have been hiked to match its new offerings, with the 11-inch model going for $999 and the 13-inch model fetching $1,299. The new iPad Air has the faster M2 chip, boasts a new design, more base storage, a new 13-inch display option and a recentered camera. It will also support use of the new Apple Pencil Pro, which was a function previously exclusive to the Pro models. The 11-inch display will sell for $599 while the new 13-inch model will fetch $799. However Apple did announce a price reduction for its 10th generation iPad, which will now retail for $349, down from $449. Apple is trying to juice demand for iPads after its sales of the tablets plunged 17% from last year during the January-March period. After its 2010 debut helped redefine the tablet market, the iPad has become a minor contributor to Apple's success. It currently accounts for just 6% of the company's sales. “The enhancements were both needed and predictable, in a maintenance sort of way, and may help stanch some of the revenue loss in that product line,” Forrester Research analyst Dipanjan Chatterjee said of the new iPads. “But it’s nothing to get terribly excited about.” All the new models will be available in stores starting May 15, with preorders beginning Tuesday.

Apple on Tuesday unveiled its next generation of iPad Pros and Airs — lineups that will boast faster processors, new sizes and a new display system CUPERTINO, Calif. -- Apple on Tuesday unveiled its next generation of iPad Pros and Airs — models that will boast faster processors, new sizes and a new display system as part of the company's first update to its tablet lineup in more than a year. The showcase at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, California, comes after the company disclosed its steepest quarterly decline in iPhone sales since the pandemic’s outset, deepening a slump that’s increasing the pressure on the trendsetting company to spruce up its products. Apple is expected to make a much bigger splash next month during an annual conference devoted to the latest version of its operating systems for iPhones, iPads and Mac computers — software that analysts expect to be packed with more [artificial intelligence](https://abcnews.go.com/alerts/ArtificialIntelligence) technology. Both lines of new iPads add bells and whistles but have adjusted prices to match. The iPad Pro sports a new thinner design, a new M4 processor for added processing power, slightly upgraded storage and incorporates dual OLED panels for a brighter, crisper display. Prices have been hiked to match its new offerings, with the 11-inch model going for $999 and the 13-inch model fetching $1,299. The new iPad Air has the faster M2 chip, boasts a new design, more base storage, a new 13-inch display option and a recentered camera. It will also support use of the new Apple Pencil Pro, which was a function previously exclusive to the Pro models. The 11-inch display will sell for $599 while the new 13-inch model will fetch $799. However Apple did announce a price reduction for its 10th generation iPad, which will now retail for $349, down from $449. Apple is trying to juice demand for iPads after its sales of the tablets plunged 17% from last year during the January-March period. After its 2010 debut helped redefine the tablet market, the iPad has become a minor contributor to Apple's success. It currently accounts for just 6% of the company's sales. “The enhancements were both needed and predictable, in a maintenance sort of way, and may help stanch some of the revenue loss in that product line,” Forrester Research analyst Dipanjan Chatterjee said of the new iPads. “But it’s nothing to get terribly excited about.” All the new models will be available in stores starting May 15, with preorders beginning Tuesday.

[Apple](https://qz.com/apple-ev-cars-lawsuit-doj-iphone-sales-china-eu-spotify-1851360930) received a much-needed boost to its flagging iPhone sales in the Chinese market in March, fueled by rare discounts. Data from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, a government-linked research firm, showed that [iPhone sales grew 12%](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-08/apple-s-china-iphone-shipments-soar-12-in-march-after-discounts?sref=P6Q0mxvj) in March. Overall shipments of non-Chinese smartphones climbed to 3.75 million units year-over-year. That’s a 37% increase from the first two months of 2024, according to Bloomberg, which first reported the data. Apple has been struggling to compete with rivals like [Huawei Technologies](https://qz.com/intel-qualcomm-amd-huawei-china-export-license-chips-1851462940), Oppo, and Xiaomi, among other local firms. Huawei, especially, has seen a resurgence after releasing its latest smartphone series, the Mate 60 Pro, which helped its [profits double](https://qz.com/huawei-profits-smartphone-sales-us-sanctions-ai-chips-1851374124) in 2023.Plus, Chinese state agencies and firms backed by Beijing have been [ordered to ditch iPhones](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-15/china-s-apple-iphone-ban-accelerates-across-state-firms-government?sref=P6Q0mxvj) at work and rely on locally-made products. Cupertino, California-based [Apple sold just 50.1 million iPhones in China](https://qz.com/apple-iphone-smartphone-sales-slump-covid-samsung-1851410066) between January and March, an almost 10% decrease from the same time in 2023, according to the International Data Corporation. Data from the China Academy showed that foreign shipments of smartphones were down 27% during the first quarter of 2024. In January, Apple began offering discounts of up to 500 yuan ($70) on its iPhones in China — Apple’s first price cut on new models in years. A month later, Apple resellers slashed the price of iPhone 15 models [by as much as $180](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-29/apple-s-iphone-steeply-discounted-in-china-on-weak-demand?sref=P6Q0mxvj). Last week, despite its flagging sales, [Apple surprised investors by beating analysts’ expectations](https://qz.com/apple-second-quarter-earnings-buyback-stock-1851453039) for revenue generated in the greater China region. The company made $16.4 billion, down from $17.8 billion year-over-year, but more than the $15.3 billion [expected](https://www.marketwatch.com/livecoverage/apple-earnings-iphone-stock-q2-china-dividend-results-services?mod=home-page#:~:text=Apple%27s%20Greater%20China%20region%20generated,the%20%2423.1%20billion%20consensus%20view.). Apple CEO Tim Cook said last week that iPhone revenue in mainland China grew “on a reported basis” and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the market. [Cook visited Shanghai](https://qz.com/apple-tim-cook-iphone-sales-china-new-shanghai-store-1851351445) earlier this year to mark the opening of Apple’s 47th store in China. [Cook has also visited Vietnam](https://qz.com/apple-vietnam-investment-tim-cook-china-1851413072) to announce more spending on Apple’s Vietnamese suppliers and [met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo](https://qz.com/apple-iphone-manufacturing-indonesia-china-tim-cook-1851415318) to discuss manufacturing in the country. Despite Apple’s investment in China, it’s looking to [expand manufacturing elsewhere](https://qz.com/apple-iphone-production-india-china-1851399473) after a violent workers’ revolt at its largest iPhone factory in China in 2022 cost it an estimated [$1 billion per week](https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/25/tech/apple-foxconn-iphone-supply-china-covid-intl-hnk/index.html).

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq reached new highs on Wednesday as [Nvidia joined the $3 trillion market cap club, surpassing Apple,](https://qz.com/apple-nvidia-stock-market-cap-microsoft-tech-ai-1851521409) which also re-entered the same club. Now, the companies trail only Microsoft, which has a $3.14 trillion market capitalization. The S&P 500 reached a new intraday high of 5,354 points by jumping 1.1%, while the Nasdaq climbed 1.7% to hit a record 17,187 points. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 96 points, or 0.25%, to 38,807 as the market closed. The Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics will [release](https://www.bls.gov/schedule/news_release/empsit.htm) the job report on Friday. Last month, when the weak job reports came out, it [benefited the stock market](https://qz.com/dow-jumps-200-points-weak-job-data-rate-cut-1851466307). Investors hope the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates later this year. **AI boosts Nvidia and Apple** ------------------------------ AI chip maker Nvidia’s market cap surpassed Apple’s at $3.005 trillion during intraday trading on Wednesday, [as investors eagerly anticipate a 10-for-1 stock split scheduled for Friday.](https://qz.com/nvidia-keeps-hitting-records-before-a-big-stock-split-1851518499) Apple, [the first company to reach a $3 trillion market cap](https://fortune.com/2023/06/30/apple-history-3-trillion-market-value/), re-entered the club on Wednesday, achieving a market cap of $3.004 trillion. Both companies have reached new heights on the backs of AI. Nvidia announced its [next-generation Blackwell AI chip platform](https://qz.com/nvidia-new-ai-chip-blackwell-gpu-jensen-huang-gtc-1851346721) in March, and demand for both Hopper and Blackwell chips are exceeding supply. Similarly, Apple is focusing on AI innovation by [partnering with OpenAI](https://qz.com/apple-partnership-openai-chatgpt-iphones-siri-ai-google-1851520579) to integrate its chatbot, ChatGPT, into the iPhone’s operating system. Apple is expected to announce the deal at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, which starts on June 10. **Bitcoin is on its way to reaching its all-time high** ------------------------------------------------------- Bitcoin was trading above $71,000 on Wednesday as investors continued to pour into [spot Bitcoin ETFs](https://qz.com/best-spot-bitcoin-etfs-1851340637), [making Wednesday the best day for the cryptocurrency since March.](https://qz.com/bitcoin-crosses-71-000-as-spot-bitcoin-etfs-see-best-d-1851520662) Bitcoin is 3% away from its all-time high, [according to CoinGecko.](https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/bitcoin) The bullish sentiment spread across the crypto market, with the second-largest cryptocurrency, Ether, hovering around $3,800. Solana’s price jumped 3.5%, trading around $172, while Dogecoin was up nearly 2%, trading at $0.16. Moreover, BNB reached its all-time high of $711.56 on Wednesday, following a surge of over 5%. Overall, the global crypto market was up nearly 3%, at $2.63 trillion, [according to CoinMarketCap.](https://coinmarketcap.com/) _–Britney Nguyen and Laura Bratton contributed to this article_

[Nvidia](https://qz.com/nvidia-history-origin-ai-chip-jensen-huang-1851372906) on Wednesday briefly surpassed Apple in total market capitalization, as both companies crossed the $3 trillion threshold. Now the companies trail only Microsoft, which has a $3.14 trillion market capitalization. The iPhone maker was [the first company to ever reach a $3 trillion market cap](https://fortune.com/2023/06/30/apple-history-3-trillion-market-value/) last June. It fell out of the $3 Trillion club earlier this year as [the stock slumped amid a host of struggles](https://qz.com/apple-ev-cars-lawsuit-doj-iphone-sales-china-eu-spotify-1851360930) to start 2024. But it has rebounded in recent weeks, and it re-entered the club with a $3.004 trillion market cap on Wednesday. And AI chip maker Nvidia’s market cap surpassed Apple’s, at $3.005 trillion during intraday trading on Wednesday, [as investors eagerly anticipate a 10-for-1 stock split scheduled for Friday.](https://qz.com/nvidia-keeps-hitting-records-before-a-big-stock-split-1851518499) Apple stock was up about 1% in late-afternoon trading on Wednesday to about $196 per share. Nvidia stock was up almost 5% to about $1,220 per share. **Nvidia’s strong earnings and new AI chips** --------------------------------------------- Nvidia’s share price has surged by [132% so far this year and by 193% in the past year.](https://www.tipranks.com/stocks/nvda) In the past [five years, the stock has seen an astronomical rise of 3,174%](https://www.tipranks.com/stocks/nvda). Nvidia beat Wall Street’s expectations for its [first-quarter earnings results](https://qz.com/nvidia-earnings-q1-2024-1851494672), reporting revenue of $26 billion for fiscal year 2025 — up 262% from a year ago. The boost was driven by high demand for its Hopper GPUs, or graphics processing units, which are used in training and inferencing leading [large language models (LLMs)](https://qz.com/ai-artificial-intelligence-glossary-vocabulary-terms-1851422473), Nvidia said. The chipmaker announced its [next-generation Blackwell AI chip platform](https://qz.com/nvidia-new-ai-chip-blackwell-gpu-jensen-huang-gtc-1851346721) in March, and demand for both Hopper and Blackwell chips are exceeding supply, Huang said during the earnings call. He added that the company sees continued demand for Hopper despite fears of a pause as customers wait for Blackwell, which it expects to ship later this year. AI has also boosted Apple ------------------------- Apple announced better-than-expected results for the second fiscal quarter and its stock price has risen since then. In its latest earnings report since the company [announced its largest-ever stock buyback, authorizing $110 billion in share](https://qz.com/apple-stock-earnings-buyback-analysts-ai-wwdc-1851454018) repurchases and raising its cash dividend by 4%. It beat Wall Street’s expectations, reporting sales of $90.8 billion for the three months ended March 30. In addition, the iPhone maker is focusing on AI innovation. [The tech giant is partnering with OpenAI](https://qz.com/apple-partnership-openai-chatgpt-iphones-siri-ai-google-1851520579) to integrate its chatbot, ChatGPT, into the iPhone’s operating system. Apple is expected to announce the deal at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference which starts on June 10. The agreement will reportedly give the ChatGPT-maker access to potentially millions of Apple users, as the chatbot’s capabilities get paired with Apple’s applications and services. Not only this but [Apple is also pushing the world into the next era of telecommunications,](https://qz.com/apple-ai-smartphones-intelliphones-will-dominate-mark-1851507087) this one characterized by a new type of device: AI-powered “IntelliPhones” – devices that offer everything from virtual and augmented reality experiences to AI-generated personal assistance. _–Britney Nguyen and Laura Bratton contributed to this article_

Apple is going all-in on its artificial intelligence ambitions — and it’s apparently turning to the company that kicked off the generative-AI hype for help. The tech giant is partnering with OpenAI to integrate its chatbot, ChatGPT, into the iPhone’s operating system, [Bloomberg reported](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-06-05/why-is-apple-aapl-teaming-up-with-openai-both-companies-need-each-other?srnd=technology-vp&embedded-checkout=true). Apple is expected to announce the deal at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference which starts on June 10. The agreement will reportedly give the ChatGPT-maker access to potentially millions of Apple users, as the chatbot’s capabilities get paired with Apple’s applications and services. However, Apple is expected to make the AI feature an opt-in service, Bloomberg wrote, citing unnamed people familiar with the situation. It will likely be a “short- to medium-term relationship,” for Apple and OpenAI, Dag Kittlaus, co-founder of Siri before it was acquired by Apple, told Bloomberg. “But you can bet that they will be working hard building out their own competencies here.” Neither Apple nor OpenAI immediately responded to a request for comment. Apple is still in discussions with Google to use its Gemini AI chatbot in its devices, but reached the deal with OpenAI first, Bloomberg reported, adding that people said Apple may end up offering multiple third-party chatbots. Part of the reason for choosing OpenAI was better business terms and Apple’s trust in the firm’s technology being the top of the AI industry, one of the people told Bloomberg. Meanwhile, Siri is also reportedly getting an AI overhaul that will [let people control apps with their voices](https://qz.com/apple-siri-overhaul-let-people-control-apps-with-voices-1851511635). The new Siri system, powered by [large language models, or LLMs](https://qz.com/ai-artificial-intelligence-glossary-vocabulary-terms-1851422473) — a core part of generative AI technology such as ChatGPT — will enable the virtual assistant to control features within apps, Bloomberg reported. Siri may soon be able to send or delete emails, open specific publications on Apple News, and summarize an article on iPhone and iPad. In May, the New York Times wrote that a [new AI-powered Siri would be “more conversational and versatile,”](https://qz.com/apple-siri-ai-upgrade-chatgpt-openai-chatbot-1851470131) and be able to chat instead of just responding to questions.

Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, which begins next week, will allow the public to listen in as Tim Cook presents Apple’s latest and greatest product updates in his charming southern drawl. The company, which has fallen behind its Big Tech peers when it comes to developing generative artificial intelligence features, is expected to finally reveal more about its long-anticipated AI strategy. That reportedly includes AI updates for its iPhones and a partnership with OpenAI. The conference will kick off with Apple’s keynote address on June 10 at 1 p.m. ET. The keynote will livestream on YouTube as well as [Apple’s website](https://www.apple.com/apple-events/) and TV app. Here’s what you need to know about the conference. **It’s a go for ‘IntelliPhones’** ------------------------------------ Last year, Apple’s WWDC was all about the company’s expensive, mixed-reality headset, Vision Pro, which launched to mixed reviews in February. This year’s announcements will likely have a much greater impact on the future of the company. Apple is expected to launch the first iteration of an AI-powered operating system for its iPhone. AI-powered iPhones, which Bank of America analyst Wamsi Mohan has coined “IntelliPhones,” could be the wave of the future, eventually dominating the telecommunications market. Apple’s latest iPhone update, iOS 18, will debut at the WWDC on June 10. That’s expected to include [an array of AI features](https://9to5mac.com/2024/06/04/ios-18-visionos-2-heres-everything-to-expect-from-wwdc-2024/), from summaries of content in Safari (similar to Google’s AI Overviews) to a significant upgrade to Siri. Apple is also expected to announce a partnership with OpenAI for its iPhone. **Apple and OpenAI will buddy up** ---------------------------------- Apple has reportedly inked a deal with OpenAI that would allow iPhone users access to its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, according to Bloomberg. Neither Apple nor OpenAI has responded to Quartz’s requests for comment on the deal. The agreement would, conversely, [give OpenAI access to potentially millions of Apple users](https://qz.com/apple-partnership-openai-chatgpt-iphones-siri-ai-google-1851520579), baking in the chatbot’s AI abilities with Apple’s applications and services. Apple is expected to make the AI feature an opt-in service. Siri co-founder Dag Kittlaus [told Bloomberg that the partnership would likely be a “short- to medium-term relationship”](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-06-05/why-is-apple-aapl-teaming-up-with-openai-both-companies-need-each-other?srnd=technology-vp&embedded-checkout=true&sref=P6Q0mxvj) for the two companies rather than a long-term one. That leaves hope for other AI chatbot makers such as Google, a company that’s also reportedly discussing potential deals to put Gemini on Apple products.

 Apple has been widely critiqued for its radio silence on the AI front, as rival after rival announces new generative artificial intelligence chatbots, chips, and other features. The tech giant is finally expected to announce its AI strategy next week during [its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC)](https://qz.com/what-to-know-apple-worldwide-developers-conference-open-1851521968), but Apple’s tardiness on AI is “entirely on brand,” says Forrester principal analyst Dipanjan Chatterjee. Apple’s AI features will be less about the AI race and more about how they enhance Apple’s products for its customers, Chatterjee said. “The company has always been famously obsessed with what its offerings did for its customers rather than how it did it,” he wrote in emailed statements to Quartz. “The first iPod, for example, was about putting ‘1,000 songs in your pocket,’ not about the miracles of digitization and miniaturization. Hence, Apple was loath to talk about the guts of the tech that powered its devices.” Apple wasn’t the first company to put mp3s on small devices (i.e. with its iPods) or the first to make smartphones or smartwatches. But it ultimately became the dominant company in the markets for those products, so much so that it came under fire from both consumers and federal regulators. [Apple defeated a class action lawsuit](https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-apple-ipod-antitrust-verdict-20141217-story.html) in 2014 that alleged its iPod policies violated antitrust laws. The company faces a tougher case filed this year by the Department of Justice filed this year charging that it has monopolized the smartphone market. Bank of America analysts anticipate that Apple will eventually make AI-powered smartphones — [so-called “intelliphones”](https://qz.com/apple-ai-smartphones-intelliphones-will-dominate-mark-1851507087) — that will lead the future of telecommunications. Apple is expected to unveil the first iteration of such an iPhone on June 10, the first day of the WWDC. The company will reportedly unveil [new AI enhancements to Siri and a partnership with OpenAI](https://qz.com/apple-partnership-openai-chatgpt-iphones-siri-ai-google-1851520579) to put ChatGPT on its new iPhone operating system, the iOS 18. Chatterjee said “the time is ripe” for such announcements from Apple. But Chatterjee’s fellow Forrester principal analyst Thomas Husson cautioned that “for the time being, AI is not at a point where it will become the primary argument to buy a new smartphone.” Our free, fast, and fun briefing on the global economy, delivered every weekday morning.

Every year, Apple and Google announce major software updates that bring new features to our smartphones, like cosmetic overhauls to the home screen, stronger privacy protections and fun messaging tools. This year, the changes will feel more radical because the companies are focusing on reinventing our phones with artificial intelligence. At its annual software developer conference on Monday, Apple showed a host of enhancements coming this fall to iOS 18, its operating system powering iPhones. The new tools include a [revamped version of its voice assistant, Siri](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/10/business/apple-siri-ai-chatgpt.html), that is easier to talk to and an A.I. system that will generate images, create summaries of web articles and craft responses to text messages and emails. Apple’s news followed Google’s Android announcements last month, which included an A.I. system that automatically summarizes audio transcripts, detects whether a phone conversation is likely a scam and helps students with homework. Because A.I. tech is still new, it’s unclear whether these improvements will resonate with the masses. The change that will have a more immediate effect has to do with old-school text messages — also known as the [green bubble](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/29/technology/personaltech/apple-iphone-android-bubbles.html). Apple said its new software would adopt a messaging standard that would let iPhone users send higher-quality messages to Androids, addressing an issue that has made it more difficult for people to communicate for more than a decade. Apple and Google are set to release their free software updates for iOS and Android this fall. Here’s what to know about how our smartphones will change. Apple said it had completely reworked Siri, its 13-year-old virtual assistant. The assistant will soon be powered by Apple Intelligence, the company’s version of a “large language model.” That type of A.I. technology uses statistics and complex algorithms to guess what words belong together, similar to the autocomplete feature on your phone. It’s the same type of underlying technology we’ve seen powering chatbots like [OpenAI’s ChatGPT](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/13/technology/openai-chatgpt-app.html) and [Google’s Gemini](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/14/technology/google-artificial-intelligence-products.html). Apple said its system was more private than others’ because people’s data would remain on their iPhones. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and [log into](https://myaccount.nytimes.com/auth/login?response_type=cookie&client_id=vi&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2024%2F06%2F10%2Ftechnology%2Fpersonaltech%2Fapple-google-ai.html&asset=opttrunc) your Times account, or [subscribe](https://www.nytimes.com/subscription?campaignId=89WYR&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2024%2F06%2F10%2Ftechnology%2Fpersonaltech%2Fapple-google-ai.html) for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? [Log in](https://myaccount.nytimes.com/auth/login?response_type=cookie&client_id=vi&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2024%2F06%2F10%2Ftechnology%2Fpersonaltech%2Fapple-google-ai.html&asset=opttrunc). Want all of The Times? [Subscribe](https://www.nytimes.com/subscription?campaignId=89WYR&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2024%2F06%2F10%2Ftechnology%2Fpersonaltech%2Fapple-google-ai.html).

Apple shares climbed more than 7% to a record high on Tuesday by market close, a day after presenting new artificial intelligence features meant to increase the appeal of its devices, including the [iPhone](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/iphone), under the umbrella of “Apple Intelligence”. The rally comes as a breather for the stock, which has underperformed versus the benchmark S&P 500 this year, as [Apple](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/apple) grapples with weak sales for its premium consumer gadgets. Apple stands to add the better part of $200bn to its market value if the current stock price of $207 holds. At $3.18tn, its market capitalization is tens of billions shy of Microsoft’s, the world’s most valuable company. Nvidia, the largest benefactor of a boom in AI applications and number three in terms of market value, is at $2.97tn. At its annual developer event that kicked off on Monday, Apple revealed an improved Siri virtual assistant that can answer a wider range of queries and accomplish more complicated tasks than earlier, and several AI features across its apps that will be shipped with the latest operating systems for iPhones, iPads and Mac computers. At least 13 analysts raised their price targets on Apple’s shares after the developer event, and said the latest features could encourage a cascade of new purchases as the company prepares to announce a new line of iPhones in autumn. “Apple is demonstrating that it is invested in evolving its platform and devices to enable the next era of computing, interfaces and experiences,” Gartner analyst Tuong Nguyen said.

Apple has been working on [generative artificial intelligence](https://qz.com/ai-artificial-intelligence-glossary-vocabulary-terms-1851422473) for a long time: The company [launched its voice assistant Siri in 2011](https://www.cnn.com/2011/10/04/tech/mobile/siri-iphone-4s-skynet/index.html). But it was caught empty-handed when the craze over AI caught fire — its flames fed by consumers, investors, and Big Tech companies scrambling to claim responsibility for the world’s latest and greatest AI technologies. Following the wildly successful launch of OpenAI’s AI chatbot ChatGPT in late 2022, tech giants Google, Microsoft, and Meta raced to announce new chatbots, custom AI chips, and AI software features. Nvidia’s stock has skyrocketed as demand for its AI hardware continues to soar above and beyond expectations; startups such as OpenAI and Anthropic are impressing the world with their chatbots. But for a year and a half, [Apple was dead silent](https://qz.com/apple-earnings-buy-darwin-ai-startup-acquisition-1851452819). CEO Tim Cook’s answers to pressing questions from the public, wondering when the world’s second-most valuable company (at the time) would seize on the latest technological phenomenon, were vague. But, finally, Apple on Monday unveiled its simply-named AI initiative Apple Intelligence, which [Cook swears isn’t a pun on “artificial intelligence](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/06/11/tim-cook-apple-interview/).” It’s a set of AI-powered features for Safari, Notes, Calculator, and (most importantly) Siri for the iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. But Apple still is still a long ways away from catching up to rivals. Experts have mixed opinions about whether Apple will succeed, and when that success would finally pay off. Can Apple beat rivals like Google and Microsoft? Maybe ------------------------------------------------------ When it comes to winning the AI race, Apple is trying to beat Microsoft in the AI personal computer market and Google in the AI smartphone market. While some analysts believe Apple’s future partnerships with AI innovators could lead the company to surpass long-time rival Google, [others think Google is still ahead](https://qz.com/apple-intelligence-ios-18-chatgpt-deal-google-analyst-1851532127). Morgan Stanley analysts said Tuesday that they think Google’s generative AI offerings for Android make it a stronger product than Apple’s iOS 18 update, its primary product that stands to benefit from AI. If Apple’s AI updates to the iPhone fall behind Google’s, Apple would lose its edge. And Microsoft is already ahead when it comes to the personal computer race. Sure, Apple’s got new AI features and ChatGPT 4-o for its next Mac operating system to be launched in 2025. But Microsoft already debuted its AI Copilot Plus PCs in late May, which also support ChatGPT 4-o. Apple won’t benefit financially for a while — but it’s been behind before ------------------------------------------------------------------------- While [Microsoft’s](https://www.ft.com/content/ec683341-5765-454d-97f7-76a2502ad66e) and [Google’s AI tools are already boosting sales](https://qz.com/google-stock-rally-ai-search-wall-street-analysts-1851438633) at the two companies, Apple won’t benefit from AI-related sales for “years,” Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman wrote in a newsletter Tuesday. That’s because Apple Intelligence launches this fall — and in beta mode, at that — and many AI features won’t be available until next year, Gurman noted. Apple may be behind its peers, and it will probably take a while to catch up. But the company managed to dominate multiple markets after being slow to release products before. Apple wasn’t the first company to put mp3s on small devices (i.e. with its iPods) or the first to make smartphones or smartwatches. But it ultimately became the most powerful company in the markets for those products, so much so that it came under fire from both consumers and federal regulators. Bank of America analysts anticipate that Apple will eventually make AI-powered smartphones — [so-called “intelliphones”](https://qz.com/apple-ai-smartphones-intelliphones-will-dominate-mark-1851507087) — that will lead the future of telecommunications.

174121037 story [](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=ai)[](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=apple) Posted by [BeauHD](https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauhd/) on Tuesday June 11, 2024 @06:00PM from the we'll-see-about-that dept. Yesterday, Apple made waves in the media when it [revealed](https://apple.slashdot.org/story/24/06/10/1940259/apple-brings-chatgpt-to-its-apps-including-siri) a partnership with OpenAI during its annual WWDC keynote. That announcement centered on Apple's decision to bring ChatGPT natively to iOS 18, including Siri and other first-party apps. During a followup interview on Monday, Apple executives Craig Federighi and John Giannandrea [hinted at a possible agreement with Google Gemini](https://9to5mac.com/2024/06/10/craig-federighi-says-apple-hopes-to-add-google-gemini-and-other-ai-models-to-ios-18/) and other AI chatbots in the future. 9to5Mac reports: _Moderated by iJustine, the interview was held in Steve Jobs Theater this afternoon, featuring a discussion with John Giannandrea, Apple's Senior Vice President of Machine Learning and AI Strategy, and Craig Federighi, Senior Vice President of Software Engineering. During the interview, Federighi specifically referenced Apple's hopes to eventually let users choose between different models to use [with Apple Intelligence](https://apple.slashdot.org/story/24/06/10/1832242/apple-unveils-apple-intelligence). While ChatGPT from OpenAI is the only option right now, Federighi suggested that Google Gemini could come as an option down the line: "We think ultimately people are going to have a preference perhaps for certain models that they want to use, maybe one that's great for creative writing or one that they prefer for coding. And so we want to enable users ultimately to bring a model of their choice. And so we may look forward to doing integrations with different models like Google Gemini in the future. I mean, nothing to announce right now, but that's our direction." The decision to focus on ChatGPT at the start was because Apple wanted to "start with the best," according to Federighi. _

[Apple’s newly announced partnership with the AI chatbot-maker OpenAI](https://qz.com/apple-openai-partnership-chatgpt-iphone-ipad-1851530584) will put the latest ChatGPT model on the next iPhones, iPads, and Macs. As OpenAI continues to face legal actions from news outlets and authors, the new deal with Apple raises the question: could Apple be found liable if courts rule that OpenAI violated copyrights? OpenAI has been [sued by authors](https://authorsguild.org/news/ag-and-authors-file-class-action-suit-against-openai/#:~:text=New%20York%2C%20N.Y.%2C%20September%2020,been%20used%20to%20train%20GPT.) and [news organizations](https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/openai-hit-with-new-lawsuits-news-outlets-over-ai-training-2024-02-28/) — including The Intercept and The New York Times — over the last year in multiple lawsuits accusing the ChatGPT-maker of copyright violations. The concern is that OpenAI is using writers’ original content without compensation to train its AI models, with those [writers saying the AI startup has stolen from them](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/05/microsoft-openai-sued-over-copyright-infringement-by-authors.html). Neil Elan, senior counsel at Stubbs Alderton & Markiles LLP, says Apple probably wouldn’t be held liable in such cases. “I don’t think it would have a direct impact on Apple,” he said. According to Elan, however, if courts rule in favor of plaintiffs, they might issue injunctions preventing OpenAI from continuing to collect data in an unauthorized way. On one hand, that could damage ChatGPT’s reputation and impact Apple negatively by virtue of association. On the other, such an outcome could be good for Apple users looking to protect their data when they use ChatGPT through Siri. Data privacy is a bigger legal risk for Apple when it comes to its partnership with OpenAI than copyright infringement, Elan said. That’s because “there’s no guarantee that it will be successful and it will protect all the users in the way that Apple represents.” Apple put privacy at the forefront of its [AI announcements Monday during its Worldwide Developers Conference](https://qz.com/apple-wwdc-live-updates-reveal-ai-features-strategy-iph-1851529951). Unlike other AI software, Apple said its AI tools will (in most cases) be powered by hardware that sits on your Apple device. In cases when more complex AI software requires more computational power, Apple will use a new model called “private cloud compute.” The model means Apple iPhone users’ data is sent more securely to servers run on Apple hardware. But Elan said “the private cloud compute policy might not be strong enough in certain areas” to fully shield Apple from legal concerns’ over customers’ privacy. And Apple doesn’t have as much control over users’ privacy when Siri outsources queries to ChatGPT. Still, users will be able to opt-in or opt-out of using ChatGPT-4o, and [OpenAI made big concessions](https://openai.com/index/openai-and-apple-announce-partnership/): the startup won’t store Apple customers’ requests of IP addresses. Apple is doing a lot more for user privacy than many other AI companies to date, too. “If Apple’s \[new privacy standards are\] accepted and hold up in practice, then it could establish a standard that other AI operators would then need to be held to,” Elan said. He said that would “cause a lot of other AI providers and operators to increase their security processes and protections and adopt similar safeguards.”

[Nvidia](https://qz.com/nvidia-history-origin-ai-chip-jensen-huang-1851372906) recently [joined Apple and Microsoft](https://qz.com/apple-nvidia-stock-market-cap-microsoft-tech-ai-1851521409) in the $3 trillion market cap club — and now it’s passed both companies to become the most valuable public company by market cap in the world. The chipmaker’s shares were [up 3.2% in mid-day trading on Tuesday](https://g.co/finance/NVDA:NASDAQ), boosting its market cap to $3.33 trillion. Meanwhile, Microsoft’s market cap is currently at $3.32 trillion, and Apple’s is at $3.28 trillion. Nvidia’s stock is up 181.7% so far this year. Earlier this month, [Nvidia briefly passed Apple](https://qz.com/apple-nvidia-stock-market-cap-microsoft-tech-ai-1851521409) in total market cap, reaching the $3 trillion threshold for the first time. In February, Nvidia became the [first semiconductor company to reach a $2 trillion valuation](https://qz.com/nvidia-is-on-the-way-to-becoming-the-first-chipmaker-wi-1851281048) after it reported record fourth-quarter earnings. In May, Nvidia [beat Wall Street’s expectations](https://qz.com/nvidia-earnings-q1-2024-1851494672), reporting record first-quarter revenue of $26 billion for fiscal year 2025 — up 262% from the previous year. After its first-quarter earnings report, Nvidia’s [stock price opened above $1,000](https://qz.com/nvidia-stock-opens-above-1000-first-quarter-earnings-1851495999), but it has since initiated a 10-for-1 stock split. Nvidia’s Hopper chips, which are used for training and inferencing some of the world’s most powerful artificial intelligence models, have propelled the company’s revenue and value amid the generative AI boom. In March, Nvidia unveiled [Hopper’s successor, Blackwell](https://qz.com/nvidia-new-blackwell-ai-chip-1851348043), which it said will start shipping in the second quarter of this year, and be with customers in the fourth quarter. Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang said the company will see revenue from its Blackwell AI platform this year. Earlier this month, Huang [announced Blackwell’s successors](https://qz.com/nvidia-amd-next-generation-ai-chips-blackwell-rubin-1851515467), the Blackwell Ultra chip for 2025, and next-generation AI chip platform, Rubin, coming in 2026. He said Nvidia plans to announce new chips on a “one-year rhythm.”

from open AI: OpenAI and Apple announce partnership to integrate ChatGPT into Apple experiences Apple is integrating ChatGPT into experiences within iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, allowing users to access ChatGPT’s capabilities—including image and document understanding—without needing to jump between tools. Siri can also tap into ChatGPT’s intelligence when helpful. Apple users are asked before any questions are sent to ChatGPT, along with any documents or photos, and Siri then presents the answer directly. Additionally, ChatGPT will be available in Apple’s systemwide Writing Tools, to help users generate content for anything they are writing about. Users can also tap into ChatGPT image tools to generate images in a wide variety of styles to complement what they are writing. Privacy protections are built in when accessing ChatGPT within Siri and Writing Tools—requests are not stored by OpenAI, and users’ IP addresses are obscured. Users can also choose to connect their ChatGPT account, which means their data preferences will apply under ChatGPT’s policies. The ChatGPT integration, powered by GPT-4o, will come to iOS, iPadOS, and macOS later this year. Users can access it for free without creating an account, and ChatGPT subscribers can connect their accounts and access paid features right from these experiences. or from Apple's website:ChatGPT Gets Integrated Across Apple PlatformsApple is integrating ChatGPT access into experiences within iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, allowing users to access its expertise — as well as its image- and document-understanding capabilities — without needing to jump between tools.Siri can tap into ChatGPT’s expertise when helpful. Users are asked before any questions are sent to ChatGPT, along with any documents or photos, and Siri then presents the answer directly. Additionally, ChatGPT will be available in Apple’s systemwide Writing Tools, which help users generate content for anything they are writing about. With Compose, users can also access ChatGPT image tools to generate images in a wide variety of styles to complement what they are writing. Privacy protections are built in for users who access ChatGPT — their IP addresses are obscured, and OpenAI won’t store requests. ChatGPT’s data-use policies apply for users who choose to connect their account. ChatGPT will come to iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia later this year, powered by GPT-4o. Users can access it for free without creating an account, and ChatGPT subscribers can connect their accounts and access paid features right from these experiences.

* [Jalopnik](//jalopnik.com) * [Kotaku](//kotaku.com) * [Quartz](//qz.com) * [The Root](//theroot.com) * [The Inventory](//theinventory.com) Published10 hours agoUpdated9 hours ago We may earn a commission from links on this page. Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft battle it out to be the most valuable company in the world Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft battle it out to be the most valuable company in the world [Nvidia](https://qz.com/nvidia-history-origin-ai-chip-jensen-huang-1851372906) is [new to the $3 trillion market cap club](https://qz.com/apple-nvidia-stock-market-cap-microsoft-tech-ai-1851521409), but it’s already passed both Microsoft and Apple to become the [world’s most valuable public company](https://qz.com/nvidia-pass-microsoft-apple-most-valuable-public-compan-1851546918). The AI chipmaker’s stock was up another 2.3% in Thursday morning trading, and the shares have risen 188% so far this year. Nvidia’s market cap is currently $3.41 trillion, while Microsoft is at $3.29 trillion, and Apple is at $3.24 trillion. Earlier this month, Nvidia briefly passed Apple in total market cap as it crossed the $3 trillion threshold for the first time. In February, it became the [first semiconductor company to reach a $2 trillion valuation](https://qz.com/nvidia-is-on-the-way-to-becoming-the-first-chipmaker-wi-1851281048) after reporting [record fourth-quarter earnings](https://qz.com/nvidia-exceeded-wall-street-s-sky-high-expectations-1851276334). In May, the chipmaker once again [beat Wall Street’s expectations](https://qz.com/nvidia-earnings-q1-2024-1851494672), reporting record first-quarter revenue of $26 billion for fiscal year 2025 — up 262% from the previous year. After releasing its first-quarter earnings report, Nvidia’s [stock price opened above $1,000](https://qz.com/nvidia-stock-opens-above-1000-first-quarter-earnings-1851495999), but the company has since initiated a [10-for-1 stock split](https://qz.com/nvidia-stock-split-shares-ai-chipmaker-1851529396) which its shares started trading under on June 10. Nvidia’s Hopper chips, which are used for training and inferencing some of the world’s most powerful artificial intelligence models, have propelled the company’s revenue and value amid the generative AI boom. In March, Nvidia unveiled [Hopper’s successor, Blackwell](https://qz.com/nvidia-new-blackwell-ai-chip-1851348043), which it said will start shipping in the second quarter of this year, and be with customers in the fourth quarter. Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang said the company will see revenue from its Blackwell AI platform this year. Earlier this month, Huang [announced Blackwell’s successors](https://qz.com/nvidia-amd-next-generation-ai-chips-blackwell-rubin-1851515467), the Blackwell Ultra chip for 2025, and next-generation AI chip platform, Rubin, coming in 2026. He said Nvidia plans to announce new chips on a “one-year rhythm.” Our free, fast, and fun briefing on the global economy, delivered every weekday morning.

While [Microsoft was worrying about Google’s AI dominance](https://qz.com/microsoft-openai-partnership-fears-google-ai-dominance-1851449683), it should have been worried about Apple. Apple may have been quiet on AI while its rivals brought innovation after innovation to the budding market for generative artificial intelligence, but in typical Apple fashion, its lateness is no sign of weakness. Apple just snagged an “observer” seat on OpenAI’s board of directors, according to Bloomberg, which cited unnamed sources. The position — which will be filled by Apple’s App store head Phil Schiller later this year — is part of [Apple’s deal with OpenAI](https://qz.com/apple-openai-partnership-chatgpt-iphone-ipad-1851530584) to put ChatGPT on its devices. [Microsoft got its non-voting OpenAI board seat](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/29/microsoft-secures-non-voting-board-seat-at-openai-.html) in November of 2023. The company has a [multi-year, multi-billion dollar partnership](https://qz.com/microsoft-makes-its-third-multi-billion-dollar-investme-1850022458) with the powerful AI startup behind the world’s best-known chatbot (ChatGPT). Such board positions allow the tech giants to glean insights from OpenAI decision-making processes, though Microsoft and Apple have no control over those decisions. Historic rivals Apple and Microsoft have been neck-and-neck in the race to a seat as the world’s most valuable company over the last month. Microsoft’s major push into AI over the past year [helped it surpass Apple’s market capitalization for the first time since 2021](https://qz.com/apple-s-valuation-tops-3-trillion-1850595210) in January. [Apple finally caught up in June](https://www.reuters.com/technology/apple-beats-microsoft-return-worlds-most-valuable-company-2024-06-12/#:~:text=AI%2Dpowered%20Apple%20overtakes%20Microsoft%20as%20world's%20most%20valuable%20company,-By%20Sruthi%20Shankar&text=June%2012%20(Reuters)%20%2D%20Apple,to%20dominate%20artificial%20intelligence%20technology.), and now Microsoft’s market cap is just nose hairs (in Big Tech terms) ahead. Apple’s ChatGPT deal and OpenAI board seat isn’t the only case for its potential AI dominance. The company is [expected to announce future partnerships with Google](https://qz.com/apple-intelligence-ios-18-chatgpt-deal-google-analyst-1851532127) and other AI chatbot-makers in the future, and it’s working on its own AI tools ([dubbed “Apple Intelligence”](https://qz.com/apple-wwdc-live-updates-reveal-ai-features-strategy-iph-1851529951)) such as AI enhancements to its voice assistant, Siri, among other features. But while Apple’s OpenAI board seat is good for its financials, it’s another sign of the [growing entanglement between AI startups and Big Tech](https://qz.com/microsoft-apple-google-ai-consolidation-antitrust-scr-1851370263), which has [sparked antitrust concerns](https://qz.com/microsoft-nvidia-openai-doj-ftc-investigation-antitrust-1851522748). And as powerful firms take meetings behind closed doors, experts and former employees have said [their lack of oversight and transparency pose serious risks to society](https://qz.com/open-letter-from-ai-employees-says-ai-companies-pose-se-1851518657) — since no substantive AI regulation exists yet — such as proliferating misinformation and exacerbating inequalities. By the numbers -------------- **$10 billion:** Amount of [Microsoft’s investment in OpenAI](https://www.semafor.com/article/01/09/2023/microsoft-eyes-10-billion-bet-on-chatgpt) last year **$3.41 trillion:** Microsoft’s market capitalization on July 3 **$3.38 trillion:** Apple’s market cap on July 3 **$0:** [How much Apple is paying OpenAI](https://qz.com/apple-openai-chatgpt-no-money-1851537412) to put ChatGPT on its devices

At the end of June, Apple's App Store [rejected the Windows/retro PC emulator "UTM SE"](https://games.slashdot.org/story/24/06/25/001234/apple-says-no-to-pc-emulators-on-ios). But in a reversal Apple approved the app Saturday, [reports the Verge](https://www.theverge.com/2024/7/13/24198015/apple-utm-se-pc-os-emulator-for-ios). "We are happy to announce that UTM SE is [available](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/utm-se-retro-pc-emulator/id1564628856) (for free) on iOS and visionOS App Store," the developer [posted on X](https://x.com/UTMapp/status/1812238024220238180), "and coming soon to AltStore PAL." From the Verge: _After Apple [rejected](https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/24/24185066/apple-pc-dos-emulators-ios-rejection) the app in June, the developer said it wasn't going to keep trying because the app was "a subpar experience." Today, UTM thanked the AltStore team for helping it and credited [another developer](https://x.com/UTMapp/status/1812241740172263663) "whose QEMU TCTI implementation was pivotal for this JIT-less build."_ _As with [other emulators on the App Store, you can't do much with UTM SE out of the box. It doesn't come with any operating systems, though the app does](https://www.theverge.com/24139004/apple-app-store-retro-game-emulators-ios-console-ports-storystream) [link to UTM's site](https://mac.getutm.app/gallery/), which has guides for Windows XP through Windows 11 emulation, as well as downloads of pre-built virtual Linux machines. Mac OS 9.2.1 and DOS are listed in one screenshot from the UTM SE App Store page. Mac OS 9.2.1 and DOS are listed in one screenshot from the UTM SE App Store page._

174761122 story [](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=google)[ ](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=usa)[](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=apple) Posted by msmash on Thursday August 15, 2024 @03:20PM from the up-next dept. Californians' driver's licenses are going digital as people will soon be able to [carry them in their Apple or Google wallets](https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/08/15/california-digital-drivers-license-apple-google-wallet). From a report: _The governor's office says it's a secure and convenient tool that will allow users to more easily undergo ID verification, such as airport screenings. The virtual wallet capabilities, which are set to roll out "in the coming weeks," will allow users to add and access California driver's licenses and ID cards on their iPhones, Apple Watch and Android devices -- similar to credit cards. They will be authorized for use in TSA screenings, select apps and select businesses, such as Circle K. Participating airports in the state include SFO, SJC and LAX. The new format, which Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to announce Thursday, is part of the DMV's broader mobile driver's license (mDL) pilot, which launched last year. "This is a big step in our efforts to better serve all Californians, meeting people where they're at and with technology people use every day," Newsom said in a statement shared first with Axios._

174929490 story [](//apple.slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=apple) Posted by [BeauHD](https://www.linkedin.com/in/beauhd/) on Thursday September 05, 2024 @04:40PM from the what-year-is-it dept. Apple announced it is [planning to bring its Find My service to South Korea](https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/09/05/public-demand-gets-apple-to-finally-announce-find-my-for-south-korea) in early 2025. Originally [released](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Find_My) in 2010, the Find My service has been unavailable in South Korea, making it the last country without access to Apple's tracking feature. AppleInsider reports: _In July 2024, complaints from users in South Korea reached a point where they were finally petitioning the government to allow Apple's Find My feature to work. Any iPhone made for sale in South Korea had Find My permanently disabled, so it wouldn't work even when the owner was in a different country. Now in a statement on its Korean website, Apple has announced that it plans to bring Find My to the country shortly. "Apple plans to introduce the 'Find My' network in Korea in the spring of 2025," says a [brief statement](https://www.apple.com/kr/newsroom/2024/09/apples-find-my-network-coming-to-south-korea-in-spring-2025/) (in translation). "Users in Korea will soon be able to use the Find My app to find their Apple devices and personal belongings with their personal information protected, and check the location of friends and family." \[...\] According to the [user petition](https://petitions.assembly.go.kr/status/onGoing/1CAEA7C991955B46E064B49691C6967B) submitted to the National Assembly Petition website of South Korea, Apple has said that Find My is disabled "because of internal policy." _

On Monday, Apple will be holding its [annual iPhone event](https://www.fastcompany.com/91179580/apple-event-preview-september-2024-iphone-16-ios-18-ai-what-to-expect). This year’s presentation is dubbed “[It’s Glowtime](https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=zvdnvggt),” and Apple is expected to use the occasion to debut its new iPhone 16 series as well as new AirPods and new Apple Watches. Also on Monday, Apple is expected to announce the release date for iOS 18, the iPhone’s upcoming operating system. It’s very likely that Apple could make iOS 18 available to download on existing iPhones within a week—with September 13 or September 16 being the two most likely launch dates based on previous iOS releases. No matter when it actually happens, though, you’re just days away from being able to install iOS 18 on your iPhone. And if you plan on doing so, there are some steps you should take first to get your iPhone ready. The first step you should take before you install iOS 18 on your iPhone is to make sure your existing iPhone will actually run iOS 18. If your iPhone **can’t support it,** you’ll be stuck running iOS 17 **or an earlier operating system** for the rest of its life. Here are the iPhones that will be able to install iOS 18: * iPhone 15 * iPhone 15 Plus * iPhone 15 Pro * iPhone 15 Pro Max * iPhone 14 * iPhone 14 Plus * iPhone 14 Pro * iPhone 14 Pro Max * iPhone 13 * iPhone 13 mini * iPhone 13 Pro * iPhone 13 Pro Max * iPhone 12 * iPhone 12 mini * iPhone 12 Pro * iPhone 12 Pro Max * iPhone 11 * iPhone 11 Pro * iPhone 11 Pro Max * iPhone XS * iPhone XS Max * iPhone XR * iPhone SE (2nd generation or later) If you’ve got one of these iPhones, you’re golden: iOS 18 will be able to run on it. Another good practice is to make sure your iPhone is already running the latest iOS before you upgrade to iOS 18. This will ensure that you have the smoothest upgrade transition. Expand to continue reading ↓

Sep 11, 2024 11:13 AM Now that AirPods Max have finally been upgraded to USB-C, just a few Apple items are holding on. Can you guess all three?  Photograph: Jakub Porzycki; Getty It Feels Like we have been saying goodbye to Apple’s Lightning cable for some time, and that farewell appears to be all the closer following the company’s September Glowtime event. With the [slew of devices announced](https://www.wired.com/story/everything-apple-announced-iphone-16-apple-watch-series-10-new-airpods/), Apple has transitioned all of its flagship products to USB-C. However, the proprietary connector we know so well is still hiding in some corners of its product lineup if you look hard enough. But for how much longer? It's no secret that Apple's [transition to USB-C](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-usb-c-cables/) has felt messy and disorganized—WIRED writer Andrew Williams even wrote [a heartfelt eulogy](https://www.wired.com/story/apple-lightning-connector-eulogy/) for Lightning back in 2020. And yet, here we are in 2024, with a lonely few Lightning products still clinging on. So how did we get here? The Lightning connector was first announced in 2012 alongside the iPhone 5 as a replacement for yet another proprietary charger—the bulky and prone-to-failure 30-pin connector. Not only was Lightning much smaller, creating more space inside devices for [other components](https://www.wired.com/story/apple-iphone-15-usb-c/) (like bigger batteries), it also raised the standard for durability. Plus it was reversible, so whichever way you plugged it in, it would fit. However, proprietary chargers also gave Apple control. Every Lightning connector has a small Apple chip in it to help regulate voltage, and while that can be said to improve safety, it has also allowed the company to collect licensing fees from third-party accessory makers, leveraging the Lightning port via the company's Made for iPhone program. It's easy to see why it would want to hold on to the standard for as long as possible. With that said, the steady move to USB-C actually started on Apple’s own say-so, in 2018 with the iPad Pro. In 2020, the iPad Air followed suit, then the iPad Mini in 2021. Whether Apple would’ve eventually moved the iPhones over, too, we’ll never know, because in 2022 the [European Union stepped in and passed a law](https://www.wired.com/story/eu-law-usb-c-iphones-lightning/) that meant phones, cameras, and tablets sold in the region _had_ to pack a USB-C port by the end of this year. Apple said it would comply, but it wasn't happy about it, stating that such strict regulation “stifles innovation.” Whether or not the company ever truly believed that, the switch to USB-C doesn’t seem to have held Apple back. At its Glowtime hardware event, it took the opportunity to move the the rest of the [AirPods](https://www.wired.com/review/apple-airpods-max/) family to USB-C—_finally_ updating the [AirPods Max](https://www.wired.com/review/apple-airpods-max/) to the format and bringing it to the new AirPods 4, too. So which Lightning products are left? Aside from older, legacy iPhones and the first-gen Apple Pencil that remain on sale, the only current-generation products being sold that boast a Lightning connection are the Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad. It’s highly possible these [Mac accessories](https://www.wired.com/story/best-macbook-accessories/) could also be refreshed with USB-C by the end of the year. According to the [Power On newsletter](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-09-08/apple-event-staggered-ai-rollout-and-same-iphone-design-means-no-super-cycle-m0tkgzqg?srnd=undefined), Bloomberg'_s_ Mark Gurman expects Apple to hold another event in October to announce the M4-powered iMac, Mac Mini, MacBook Pro, and new iPad models. It would make sense for the company to tie in updated versions of its keyboard, mouse, and trackpad then. As for that legacy first-gen Apple Pencil, it could finally be discontinued, too. At this point, having [four different styli](https://www.wired.com/story/apple-pencil-pro-not-backward-compatible/) to choose from is overkill—especially when one of them requires removing the cap and awkwardly plugging it into an (old) iPad’s Lightning port to charge it. But it may take a bit longer for Apple to ditch those remaining iPhones from its store. Since the iPhone hardware event for this year has already passed, it's likely we won't see these models pulled from the catalog until next September—with the probability the company might also announce the long-overdue, next-generation iPhone SE with USB-C, too. Regardless, it means the Lightning cable remains within the Apple universe, for now at least. But the end is near, and 2025 could finally be the year that Lightning heads to the great proprietary recycling bin in the sky.