The stock hit an intra-day high of $190.37 , giving up a few cents before the closing bell.
Apple
Hodinkee Does the Watch-Lover's Interview with Sir Jony Ive
Check out this great interview with Sir Jony Ive by Hodinkee‘s Benjamin Clymer. It’s essentially the watch-lover’s interview with Jony Ive. Here’s a snippet:
A publicist makes his way toward the rope – yes, it’s velvet – and straightens the post to which it is attached. He looks at it once more, and adjusts it again. It all feels very natural. The elevator bank opens and Jony strides off. He swiftly passes the twice-considered rope and is greeted by the team. I go in for a hearty handshake. But as with each time I converse with this man who has designed much of the world around us, I stumble at his kindness. “So nice to see you, Ben.”
Beautifully written, this interview includes annotations by Mr. Clymer to explain why he asked what he asked. And all of it is a piece by a fine timepiece enthusiast for fine time piece enthusiasts. One of the tidbits I found particularly interesting is that Jony Ive said he never talked about watches with Steve Jobs, and that the Apple Watch was first discussed a few months after his passing. This is a great interview.
Share Buybacks and Apple's Future, Same Old Facebook, Google Duplex - ACM 461
Warning, this one went long: Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet discuss what Apple’s share buybacks say about Apple’s future. They also weigh WhatsApp’s founder leaving Facebook, and what it says about Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg. They go over when diving into Google Duplex, a demonstration that was as awesome as it was devoid of real value.
Let's Play Spot-Apple-Park from High in the Air
Check out this great aerial photograph of Apple Park from photographer Joseph Olesh that was taken from high in the air.
Apple Seeds macOS 10.13.5 Developer Beta 4
The biggest feature for end-users is continued testing of Messages in iCloud.
Apple Releases iOS 11.4 Developer Beta 4
So far, this release cycle for iOS 11.4 includes AirPlay 2, along with Messages in iCloud; HomePod stereo pairing was removed in developer beta 2.
Bill Gates Calls Apple 'Amazing,' While Warren Buffett Values How Consumers Make Apple Part of their Lives
Former Microsoft chairman Bill Gates called Apple an “amazing company” on CNBC Monday, while Berkshire Hathaway chairman Warren Buffett said he liked Apple because of the way consumers make the company’s products a part of their lives.
Apple HomePod Update Article Appears, but No Update Yet Available
The notes included in the article, however, list only current features with no other mention of an actual update, and a check in the Home app shows no update available, either.
Apple and Microsoft in Talks with UAE to End Ban on FaceTime and Skype
Voice-over-IP (VOIP) services face are banned in the UAE to protect local telecom monopolies, but the government also tends towards authoritarianism and listens in on communications of its citizens and vast numbers of foreign guest workers.
The Myth of the Failing iPhone X and Other Earnings Report Notes - ACM 460
Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet discuss the myth of the failing iPhone X, where that myth comes from, how it’s sustained, and how Apple’s own data says otherwise. They also talk about how Apple CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri tried to dispel those reports during Apple’s quarterly conference call with analysts. They also look at the indicators that HomePod, on the other hand, isn’t doing well, and Tim Cook’s continued insistence on focusing on sound quality when we really want a capable home assistant. They cap the show with some perspective on just how much money Apple is paying out to shareholders.
Apple's $100 Billion Share Buyback Program Explained
It’s the largest share buyback program in corporate history, and is in addition to Apple’s existing $210 billion stock buyback programs.
Apple CEO Tim Cook Says Privacy is a Fundamental Human Right
During Apple’s 2018 Q2 Earnings Report, Apple CEO Tim Cook said, “we believe privacy is a fundamental human right.” That’s a strong and inspiring stand.
Apple Reports Record $61.1 Billion in Revenues and EPS of $273, Beating Wall Street Estimates [Update]
Wall Street consensus estimates were for revenues of $60.8 billion and EPS of $2.68, making the quarter a solid beat for Apple. [Updated with more information about Apple’s results, a $100 billion share rebuy program, and a 16% increase in the company’s dividend.]
Apple Seeds iOS 11.4 Developer Beta 3
So far, this release cycle for iOS 11.4 includes AirPlay 2, along with Messages in iCloud.
Apple 2018 Q2 Earnings Report Today with All Eyes On iPhone Sales
Apple’s second fiscal quarter earnings report for 2018 is today, May 1st, and the big focus will be on iPhone sales.
Ming-Chi Kuo Quits KGI Securities, Stops Covering Apple
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, well known for his reports on upcoming Apple products, has left the firm.
Amazon Cyberpunk King, Tim's State Dinner, GrayShift Pudding - ACM 459
In this episode, Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet talk about how Amazon has quietly become the Cyberpunk king. They also discuss Tim Cook’s choice of dinner companions for the White House’s state dinner, and how Grayshift’s data breach is the proof in the pudding that backdoors and cracks get mishandled.
Apple Releases iOS 11.3.1: Includes Security Fixes and Addresses 3rd Party Screen Replacement Problem for iPhone 8
Apple’s patch notes specify two things: security and an issue affecting iPhone 8 devices with unauthorized third party screen replacements.
The EU Shazam Investigation, Amazon Key for Cars - TMO Daily Observations 2018-04-24
Bryan Chaffin and Dave Hamilton join Jeff Gamet to talk about the EU’s investigation into Apple’s planned Shazam purchase along with Amazon Key expanding to cars. They also mangle a few metaphors and dive into investigation theater.
Apple Says Switch to iPhone with 2 New Commercials: App Store and Portraits
They’re both part of Apple’s Switch to iPhone series, offering short metaphorical illustrations for why you should ditch other platforms for iPhone.
Amazon, Apple, and Home Robots - TMO Daily Observations 2018-04-23
John Martellaro and Andrew Orr join Jeff Gamet to look at Amazon’s Vesta home robot project and the possibility of Apple getting in on the competition.
Amazon's Vesta Project Means it's Time For Apple to Step Up its Robot Game
Amazon is reportedly working on a home robot code-named Vesta to ship in 2019, which means it’s time for Apple to step up its own robot efforts.
PSA: Apple Announces 13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) Battery Replacement Program
The company said a component failure may lead to battery expansion, and that affected devices can get their battery replaced.
Tim Cook Reminds Us Apple Is Making Earth Day Donations for Recycled Devices
Apple CEO Tim Cook tweeted a reminder that his company is making Earth Day donations for every device handed in to the company’s recycle program. Apple announced earlier this week that it would donate to conservation efforts for devices turned in for recycling through April 30th. Earth Day 2018 is Sunday, April 22nd (i.e. this weekend).
In honor of Earth Day, we’re donating to @ConservationOrg for every device we receive from customers this month through our new program, Apple GiveBack ? https://t.co/NmKimtkGpP
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 20, 2018



