Is Apple finally going to dip its toe into the fast-growing world of virtual reality?
Everyone’s been waiting for the Cupertino company to make its move as devices like the Samsung Gear VR become increasingly popular, and according to Indian actor Emraan Hashmi — who met with Tim Cook this week — “Apple VR” is on its way!
As part of Apple’s top-ranking executive’s trip to India, VP of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives Lisa P. Jackson this week visited “solar mamas” and a rural school where students are taught there lessons using iPads.
Tim Cook, Jeff Williams and other top Apple execs are on a packed tour of India right now, and to mark the occasion Apple has announced the opening of a new office in Indian tech hub Hyderabad that will focus on improving Apple Maps.
The office will create up to 4,000 jobs in the the region, and according to Chief Minister Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao, “is testament to [the] proactive approach, quality infrastructure and … excellent talent base we have in the region.”
Tim Cook doesn’t get much downtime to enjoy being the king of all things Apple, does he?
Recently he was troubleshooting in China, and now Apple’s CEO has landed for a week-long stay in India, with five other senior Apple execs, during which time they will meet with top execs and politicians in the country, visit the location of Apple’s new tech development center, and much more.
It’s been rumored for some time now, but according to a new report Apple’s main manufacturer Foxconn is on the verge of bringing iPhone production to India, thanks to a new manufacturing plant likely to be based in Maharashtra.
So far this year, vulnerabilities have been exploited to help unlock the older-generation iPhone 5s and 5c, both as part of murder investigations. However, the newer iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, and 6s Plus remain secure devices no government has been able to break into.
Although that record may have been broken in India, according to the country’s telecom minister.
Right now, Apple has less than 2 percent of the fast-growing Indian market. However, the company is unlikely to remain a bit-player for too long, with a new report stating that Apple shipments in the country grew 56 percent in the first three months of 2016 — making it one of the country’s fastest-growing vendors.
India might be willing to bend some laws to help Apple gain traction in the country, but when it comes to the company’s request to import and sell refurbished iPhones to the world’s second-largest mobile population, things aren’t quite so positive.
According to a new report, Apple’s application was turned down on the grounds that it might hurt local handset manufacturers.
And one of the companies behind the campaign to stop Apple? None other than decidedly non-local smartphone maker, Samsung!
Future iPhones are going to be so amazing, you probably haven’t even thought of the features Apple is going to add, Tim Cook claimed in a recent interview.
The Apple CEO appeared Monday on Mad Money in an effort to abate the company’s bleeding stock price following last week’s less-than-stellar earnings call. Cook reassured investors that the rumors of Apple’s demise have been greatly exaggerated once again.
While lackluster iPhone sales last quarter have scared off mega-investors and analysts alike, Cook promised some incredible innovation is in the pipeline. In addition to touting upcoming iPhone features, Cook’s wide-ranging conversation with Mad Money host Jim Cramer touched on everything from the Apple Watch being (inaccurately) dubbed a flop to Apple’s growing interest in India and much more.
Here are the highlights:
Despite disappointing earnings in other parts of the world, India is doing great for Apple right now — with iPhone sales up 56 percent over the past quarter, without Apple even having a brick-and-mortar retail store in the region.
Things may be about to get even better, however, as Apple’s plans to open Apple Stores in India have taken a leap forward as the country’s Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has recommended Apple be exempt from laws stating that foreign single-brand retailers must source at least 30 percent of their products locally.
All iPhones sold in India must feature a “panic button” from 2017, according to a new order signed into law by the country’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Ravi Shankar Prasad.
The law states that every phone must include a panic button and in-built global positioning system, designed to protect women.
Apple may become one of the first foreign companies granted a permit to open a retail store in India without sourcing 30 percent of its products from inside the country.
While this rule has previously proven to be a hurdle for foreign brands, in Apple’s case the Indian government appears likely to overlook it on the grounds that Apple is a “state-of-the-art” company manufacturing “cutting-edge technology.”
The 4-inch iPhone SE may be billed as Apple’s most affordable iPhone yet, but it won’t be nearly so reasonably-priced when it launches in India — one of Apple’s biggest potential markets — this Friday.
Compared with the $399 price tag it carries in the U.S. (which translates to around $430 after taxes in most states), the iPhone SE will set customers in India back 39,000 rupees ($586). For those keeping track at home, that’s a 36 percent premium compared with the U.S. price.
Apple’s plan to grow its market in India by selling imported used iPhones is running into problems.
In particular, Apple is being opposed by rival handset makers who worry that letting Apple do this will severely damage initiatives to promote local manufacturing, hurt recycling — and (last but certainly not least) damage their own businesses of selling cheap phones.
Apple is planning a major flagship retail store in India, with a design reminiscent of its Fifth Avenue Apple Store in New York, according to a new report.
Just like its iPhone-building rival Foxconn, Apple manufacturer Pegatron is reportedly planning to build factories in India, taking advantage of the cheap labor opportunities in the country compared to China.
Will tomorrow’s iPhones be “designed in California, built in India?” Signs are increasingly pointing to yes.
Apple is planning to import and sell refurbished iPhones in India as a way of getting its handsets into more people’s hands.
“An application from Apple regarding import of certified pre-owned iPhones for sale in India and manufacturing certified pre-owned iPhones for sale in India has been received in the ministry of environment and forests,” telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said today.
Android has long been the best platform for smartphone buyers on a budget, and now entry to Google’s ecosystem is even more affordable.
Indian handset maker Ringing Bells just launched the new Freedom 251, an ultra affordable device that looks a lot like an iPhone, priced at 251 rupees — or about $3.67.
As the next giant untapped market shimmering on the horizon, Apple is looking to grow its brand in India — and to do so it’s taking the bold step of exiting the rapidly-growing sub-Rs 20,000 ($290) smartphone category by stopping selling its older iPhone 4s and 5c handsets.
But the reason totally makes sense.
Apple has set its sights on taking over the smartphone market in India and its planning to bring more than just retail jobs to the country in the process.
The company confirmed today that it is planning to invest $25 million in a new office complex this year in Hyderabad that will bring 4,500 jobs to the area during the construction process.
India has indicated it will bypass the usual regulations for foreign companies and grant easy approval for Apple to establish retail outlets there.
This comes as CEO Tim Cook tries to tap new global markets, especially India, a country of 1.3 billion people where it has seen small gains in iPhone sales.
Speculation surrounding a “budget” iPhone died out when Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller promised it would never happen. But with iPhone 6s demand allegedly falling and the global smartphone market becoming increasingly saturated, could a more affordable phone give Apple a security net? Could it prevent the iPhone business from stagnating in the same way the iPad business has?
Join us in this week’s Friday Night Fight between Cult of Android and Cult of Mac as we bicker like children over these questions and more!
Apple posted record sales in India during the final quarter of 2015, positive financial news for Cupertino amid forecasters predicting a rough start to the new year.
Apple shipped a record 800,000 devices to India from October through December, a record spurred by a wider distribution base, discounts, buybacks and installment plans.
With the Chinese economy slowing, Apple’s got another heavily-populated country in its sights — with Apple India filing an application to open official Apple Stores with the country’s department of industrial policy and promotion.
“We have just received Apple’s proposal. We are examining it,” said India’s DIPP Secretary Amitabh Kant.
Apple has slashed the price of the iPhone 6s in India, reportedly after lower than expected sales over Diwali.
The handsets are now at least 16 percent cheaper than when they first launched two months ago — with the the basic 16GB iPhone 6s now costing between Rs 52,000 and Rs 55,000 ($785 – $830), down from the Rs 62,000 ($935) launch price. Many retailers are additionally offering other incentives to try and get customers to buy.