AppleInsider is supported by its audience and may earn commission as an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner on qualifying purchases. These affiliate partnerships do not influence our editorial content. Apple on Friday announced the discontinuation of the full-size HomePod , saying it plans to focus on production and development of the HomePod mini. Apple informed TechCrunch of the product's end of life in a statement today. HomePod mini has been a hit since its debut last fall, offering customers amazing sound, an intelligent assistant, and smart home control all for just $99. We are focusing our efforts on HomePod mini. We are discontinuing the original HomePod, it will continue to be available while supplies last through the Apple Online Store, Apple Retail Stores, and Apple Authorized Resellers. Apple will provide HomePod customers with software updates and service and support through Apple Care. The company plans to sell remaining HomePod units until … [Read more...] about Apple discontinues full-size HomePod, to focus on HomePod mini
Homepod mini
HomePod mini updated with new Handoff experience in OS version 14.4
AppleInsider is supported by its audience and may earn commission as an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner on qualifying purchases. These affiliate partnerships do not influence our editorial content. Apple has released a new HomePod and HomePod mini software update with a version number of 14.4 and a new Handoff experience for HomePod mini. The HomePod and HomePod mini run a specialized version of tvOS and receive updates sporadically when compared to Apple's other operating systems. Updates generally include bug fixes and improvements for features attached to the larger ecosystem. The last HomePod software update was for version 14.3 which was another bug fix update. HomePod Software Version 14.4 includes: Software version 14.4 includes bug fixes and the following new features with an Ultra Wideband (U1) equipped iPhone. Hand off music with visual, audible, and haptic effects from iPhone to HomePod mini Get personalized listening … [Read more...] about HomePod mini updated with new Handoff experience in OS version 14.4
Ad-supported HBO Max option coming in June
AT&T announced on Friday that it plans to launch a cheaper ad-supported version of HBO Max in June. The telecom giant has only released minimal detail on the plan. It hasn't yet announced pricing or an exact release date for the upcoming cheaper tier. AT&T expects the ad-supported HBO Max tier to combine with global expansion to drive subscriber and revenue growth in 2021. HBO Max will launch in 60 markets outside of the US in 2021. These will include 39 Latin America and the Caribbean territories in late June and 21 European territories in the second half of 2021. The company anticipates ending the year with between 67 and 70 million subscribers. The service had around 61 million subscribers at the end of 2020. The company expects its HBO unit to more than double its revenue in the next five years. "Zach Snyder's Justice League" is one of the high-profile HBO Max exclusives coming in 2021 In response to the pandemic, Warner Bros is … [Read more...] about Ad-supported HBO Max option coming in June
iPhone demand weakness just ‘noise,’ outlook remains strong, analyst says
Investment bank Morgan Stanley calls recent reports of weaker iPhone demand "supply chain noise," and sees the AAPL pullback as a buying opportunity for investors. In a note to investors seen by AppleInsider , analyst Katy Huberty says she agrees with reports of iPhone 12 mini weakness, but adds that the overall demand environment remains positive for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro lineup. For one, she cites reports that Apple is cutting iPhone production to 75 million units in the first half of 2021. Although Huberty admits this has contributed to recent AAPL underperformance, she says the news is "noise rather than anything that impacts the fundamental outlook." A recent Morgan Stanley check indicated that there's between three million and five million units of total iPhone build upside risk for the first half of 2021. That's because the bank's research indicates that build orders for specific iPhone 12 and iPhone 11 models are being revised up, not … [Read more...] about iPhone demand weakness just ‘noise,’ outlook remains strong, analyst says
Ten records Apple broke in its historic holiday 2020 quarter
AppleInsider breaks down every record Apple smashed in its gargantuan fiscal quarter ending in December 2020. Apple's first fiscal quarter was one to remember, breaking records left and right on its way to a staggering $111.4 billion in total revenue. While that number was the biggest takeaway, it was far from the only record the company shattered. Total revenue Apple brought in a staggering $111.4B in Q1 2021 During the 1Q 2021 financial quarter, Apple raked in $111.4 billion in total revenue. This is the first time the company has passed $100 billion for a quarter, breaking its previous record of $91.8 billion in the prior year's December-ending quarter. It's all the more surprising that Apple did this during a global pandemic, as many working families cut down on luxury purchases. Impressive iPad and Mac sales boosts may have partially reflected the greater need for work-from-home and Zoom-friendly computing devices. However, the iPhone continued … [Read more...] about Ten records Apple broke in its historic holiday 2020 quarter
Apple’s $111.4B Q1 shatters quarterly record with massive growth across all categories
AppleInsider is supported by its audience and may earn commission as an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner on qualifying purchases. These affiliate partnerships do not influence our editorial content. Apple earned $111.4 billion in revenue in the first quarter of 2021, blasting past the $100 billion barrier for the first time on double-digit growth across all product categories. Announced before the company's usual conference call with analysts, Apple's revenue of $111.4 billion for the quarter ending December 2020 represents growth of 21% on the $91.8 billion seen one year prior , itself a record-setting set of results. Earnings per share is set at $1.68, comparatively higher than the $4.99 seen in Q1 2020 before the four-way stock split . The gross margin of $44.3 billion is up from Q1 2020's $35.2 billion, while operating expenses are up/down year-on-year to $10.8 billion from $9.6 billion. Net profit is $28.8 billion, an improvement from $22.2 billion one … [Read more...] about Apple’s $111.4B Q1 shatters quarterly record with massive growth across all categories