Apple Stock News: Apple Card Users Earned More Than $1 Billion
Apple Stock News: Apple announced that the Apple Card has garnered over 12 million users in the U.S., resulting in cardholders earning over $1 billion in Daily Cash rewards in 2023. Daily Cash is earned on every purchase, with 3% cash back on Apple and select partner purchases, 2% on all Apple Pay transactions, and 1% on other purchases. Users can opt to receive Daily Cash on their Apple Cash card or deposit it into the Apple Savings Account, which offers a 4.50% APY. Almost 30% of users make two or more payments per month, and 600,000 users have added trusted individuals to their Apple Card. Despite nearing its five-year launch anniversary, the Apple Card remains exclusive to the United States. Additionally, Apple’s partnership with Goldman Sachs, the provider of Apple Card, is expected to end within the next 12 to 15 months, prompting Apple to find a new partner while assuring uninterrupted service for users.
iPhone 16 Models to Lack Significant Design Changes
Apple’s upcoming iPhone 16 models, set to launch later this year, will reportedly lack significant design changes, as indicated by Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo suggests that more comprehensive generative AI features may not be introduced until the iPhone 17 series in 2025 at the earliest. Foldable designs and advanced AI are considered key trends for high-end smartphones, and Kuo speculates a potential decline in iPhone shipments in 2024 due to Apple’s delayed focus on these areas. Rumors about the iPhone 16 include a “capture” button for video-related actions, responding to pressure and touch. Notably, the higher-end Pro models are expected to feature larger displays, with the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max having 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch screens, respectively, compared to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max’s 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays. The significance of these changes is subjective.
Interactive 3D Globe
CARROT Weather‘s popular app will be on Apple Vision Pro from Friday, featuring witty forecasts and redesigned for visionOS with key weather details. The app includes an interactive 3D globe highlighting global weather patterns. Users can engage with CARROT, an AI character, and play mini-games. The visionOS app launches around 7 a.m. Pacific Time, requiring a subscription ranging from $4.99 to $14.99 per month or $19.99 to $59.99 per year. CARROT Weather joins 250+ apps with native visionOS support on the Apple Vision Pro launch day, compatible with over a million iPad and iPhone apps.
Global User Protections
Apple expresses “deep concern” over proposed amendments to the Investigatory Powers Act in the UK, fearing unprecedented government powers to block global software updates. The legislation could enable the Home Office to reject security updates without public disclosure, alarming critics who dub it a “Snooper’s Charter.” Apple opposes the requirement to inform the government of security changes, particularly for global impact, and the immediate action on feature disablement without review. The company warns of adverse effects on privacy, innovation, and commerce, considering the withdrawal of services like FaceTime and iMessage in the UK to protect user security. Civil liberties groups also oppose the bill, arguing it turns companies into tools of surveillance. The proposed changes face debate in the House of Lords.
