Apple Stock News: Apple Expands Vision Pro Test Labs
Apple Stock News: Apple has expanded its Vision Pro developer labs to New York City, New York, and Sydney, Australia, providing developers with additional testing locations for their apps designed for the forthcoming headset. Originally launched in August, these labs aimed to assist developers in refining their visionOS apps for the upcoming device. Initially limited to Cupertino, London, Munich, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo, the expansion brings accessibility to East Coast developers in the United States and Australian developers without the need for long-distance travel. While any developer can apply to attend a Vision Pro lab, Apple does not reimburse travel expenses. The labs offer hands-on experience with the Vision Pro headset and guidance from Apple engineers, facilitating app testing and optimization.
In addition to the expanded labs, Apple has distributed Vision Pro developer kits to select developers, with a focus on those apps that best utilize the Vision Pro’s features and capabilities. Developers have several months to work on their visionOS apps before the headset’s anticipated launch in early 2024 in the United States.
New 24-Inch iMac Coming in 2024
Apple is set to release a new 24-inch iMac in 2024, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, aligning with previous reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Though the chip isn’t confirmed by Kuo, Gurman suggests it could be the M3 chip, featuring an 8-core GPU and 10-core GPU for improved performance and efficiency on a 3-nanometer process.
The existing 24-inch iMac with the M1 chip is overdue for an update, and it’s unlikely to have an M2 version, as per Kuo and Gurman. Reports of a 24-inch iMac with M2 and M2 Pro chips, as suggested by Mac Otakara, appear to be inaccurate.
Foldable iPad Now in Intensive Development
Apple is reportedly intensively developing a foldable iPad, with a potential announcement in late 2024. The company has been working on foldable products for four years, with a focus on the iPad before a foldable iPhone. Apple aims to create a cost-effective design but faces challenges, particularly concerning the panel and hinges, seeking help from Samsung and LG. Mass production is expected in 2025, and this development could boost iPad shipments in a declining global tablet market.
MacBook Sales Down 30%
MacBook sales are dropping significantly in 2023, as Apple has no new Mac launches planned for the year, says supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Sales are expected to be around 30% lower compared to 2022, with approximately 17 million units sold. The demand for the 15-inch MacBook Air has decreased significantly after the back-to-school period. Kuo believes that Apple’s decision to hold off on product launches in 2023 is to clear inventory for upcoming releases in 2024, possibly featuring the M3 chip. However, Kuo remains skeptical about the M3 chip’s potential to boost sales due to a lack of significant growth drivers. Nonetheless, Apple is set to have more favorable year-over-year sales comparisons in 2024.
