| Cult of Mac

Foxconn could confirm U.S. manufacturing plans this week

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Terry Gou
But there's a definite chance of further delays.
Photo: Foxconn

Foxconn, Apple’s largest manufacturing partner, could this week announce its plans to open new manufacturing facilities in the U.S.

Sources say the Chinese company could hold an event in Washington, D.C. to announce new electronics plants in Detroit and Wisconsin — but it’s not yet clear whether those plants will be making goods for Apple.

iOS grows as iPhone 7 remains a top seller

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iOS and Android are killing off the competition.
iOS and Android are killing off the competition.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

iOS saw continued growth in almost every market around the world last quarter, according to the latest data, while iPhone 7 remains a top seller in key countries.

Android also achieved market share increases in every region but the U.S., while BlackBerry, Windows, and other mobile operating systems continue to die out.

Another 23 U.S. banks now support Apple Pay

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Apple in talks to bring Apple Pay to Israel
Apple Pay's reach extends even further.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple today confirmed another 23 U.S. banks and credit unions now offer support for Apple Pay. The moves comes just a day after Canadian banks Tangerine and President’s Choice Financial also announced support for the mobile payments service.

Android stealing market share from the iPhone the world over

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android-stealing-market-share-from-the-iphone-the-world-over-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads201604iPhone-SE-Galaxy-S7-jpg
iPhone SE to the rescue?
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Android
iPhone SE with Galaxy S7
iPhone SE to the rescue? Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Android

Apple’s new iPhone SE might be able to take sales from Android in some emerging markets, but it certainly won’t be able to stem the bleeding in many countries, where Google’s platform continues to rob iOS of its market share.

According to the latest figures, Android is up in China, Europe, and even the U.S. as the iPhone’s share falls.

27% of smartphone buyers in Europe swapped Android for iPhone last quarter

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27-of-smartphone-buyers-in-europe-swapped-android-for-iphone-last-quarter-image-cultofandroidcomwp-contentuploads201504iPhone-6-Plus-vs-Note-4-jpg
Consumers aren’t bored of the iPhone 6 yet.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android

Apple’s iPhones might be on the verge of a big refresh this month, but that doesn’t make them any less appealing to those looking to take a break from Android.

In Europe, 27 percent of smartphone shoppers swapped their Android for an iPhone last quarter, while 9 percent of consumers made the same switch in the U.S.

China, Brazil And India To Surpass U.S. As Largest Smartphone Markets By 2018

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While the U.S. market has been the biggest measure for success with handset makers over the last few years, all of that may soon change as the U.S. smartphone market quickly gets dwarfed by China and others.

According to a new report from ABI Research, China will displace the U.S. as the largest smartphone market by the end of 2013, but just five years later both India and Brazil will pass the U.S. too: