| Cult of Mac

Why the dream of Apple buying Disney won’t die

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Disney+.standalone.logo
The idea that Apple could buy Disney keeps coming up.
Photo: The Walt Disney Company

As legacy studios like Disney face formidable problems, a new report suggests CEO Bob Iger might revisit a “once-unthinkable option” — that Apple might buy the company, or at least a stripped-down version of it.

After all, in a near-future of even greater tech-company dominance over entertainment, Disney may need deep-pocketed protection. And its longstanding connection with Apple could come into play.

Apple buys AR headset startup Mira

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Mira headsets have been used in different industries, the military and in the Mario Kart ride at Super Nintendo World.
Mira headsets have been used in different industries, the military and in the Mario Kart ride at Super Nintendo World.
Photo: Mira

Just a day after Apple unveiled its Vision Pro AR/VR headset at WWDC23, news came along Tuesday that the company acquired Los Angeles-based AR headset startup Mira.

Mira makes headsets for other companies — notably Super Nintendo World theme parks — and holds contracts with the U.S. military.

Apple informs developers about upcoming App Store tax changes

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App Store must add third-party payments
App Store tax changes are coming in Brazil, Spain and some other countries.
Image: Apple/Cult of Mac

Apple has announced several tax changes for the App Store that go into effect starting May 31. The new rules will affect app developers in Ghana, Lithuania, Moldova, Brazil and Spain.

In Spain and Ghana, taxes on the proceeds earned from apps and games have increased. While in Lithuania and Moldova, the VAT rate on e-books and audiobooks has gone down.

Apple strikes big deal with Broadcom for US-made 5G components

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Apple struck a multibillion-dollar deal with Broadcom for 5G components made in the US.
Apple struck a multibillion-dollar deal with Broadcom for 5G components made in the US.
Photo: Brad Gibson/Cult of Mac

Apple said Tuesday it struck a “new multiyear, multibillion-dollar agreement” with technology manufacturer Broadcom to develop 5G radio frequency components in the United States.

“We’re thrilled to make commitments that harness the ingenuity, creativity and innovative spirit of American manufacturing,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook.

“All of Apple’s products depend on technology engineered and built here in the United States, and we’ll continue to deepen our investments in the U.S. economy because we have an unshakable belief in America’s future,” he added.

Apple’s online store opens in Vietnam on May 18

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Apple's online store in Vietnam is opening soon.
Apple's online store is coming to another Asian country.
Screenshot: Rajesh

Apple’s online store is expanding to Vietnam. The store will go live on May 18 at 9 am local time, giving customers access to Apple’s entire product lineup.

This will mark the company’s first direct official expansion in the Asian country.

Apple shines bright in a struggling smartphone market

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Want an iPhone 13 on the cheap? Here's your chance.
Apple dominated the smartphone market in Q1 2023.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Shipments in the global smartphone market declined by 14% YoY in Q1 2023 to 280.2 million units. Despite the slowdown, Samsung replaced Apple as the world’s largest smartphone maker during the period.

Apple, however, continued its dominance, with iPhones accounting for nearly half the revenue generated by the smartphone market in Q1 2023. The company also took the lion’s share of the market’s profit.

Autistic artists bank on iPad and Apple Pencil while training for Hollywood careers

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Exceptional Minds students use iPads and other Apple gear to prepare for creative film industry careers.
Exceptional Minds students use iPads and other Apple gear to prepare for creative film industry careers.
Photo: Apple

Apple said Friday it supports Exceptional Minds, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit academy preparing autistic artists to become animators, VFX artists and motion graphics designers in the film industry.

The tech giant’s Friday feature story focused on a number of interesting creatives learning at the academy with the help of iPads, Pencil and other Apple wares.

Tim Cook approves AR headset’s 2023 launch despite opposition from Apple design team

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Apple mixed reality headset
Apple engineers are under pressure to ship the AR headset this year.
Image: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly sided with COO Jeff Williams to launch the company’s AR/VR headset this year, despite the fact that Cupertino’s design team wanted to wait a few more years to launch a sleeker pair of AR glasses.

The headset’s launch time frame has been a point of contention inside Apple. Until 2019, when Jony Ive led the design deapartment, it was unimaginable to go against his team’s wishes.

Apple makes organizational changes to focus more on India

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iPhone 14 Pro in India
India's prominence inside Apple continues to grow.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple is making internal management changes to further focus on India. And for the first time ever, the company will make India its own sales region, highlighting its growing importance.

The South Asian country is already emerging as a major alternative to China for manufacturing its products.