Apple Stock News: Secure Chips in Taiwan
Apple’s COO Jeff Williams visited Taiwan to secure a stable supply of TSMC’s upcoming 2nm chips, per Economic Daily News. Meeting with TSMC’s President Wei Zhejia, Williams aimed to ensure access to the 2nm manufacturing process starting in 2025.
The iPhone 15 Pro features the A17 Pro chip, made with TSMC’s 3nm process, enhancing performance and efficiency. The new M4 chip in the iPad Pro also utilizes this technology. Transitioning to 2nm chips is projected to further boost performance by 10 to 15 percent and reduce power consumption by up to 30 percent compared to the 3nm process.
Early access to 2nm chips is vital for Apple, with TSMC being the sole producer meeting its scale and quality needs. This exclusivity aids in meeting demand and restricting competitors’ access. Apple has already secured TSMC’s 3nm capacity, with 2nm chips potentially debuting in the iPhone 17 lineup in 2025.
Support for Transit Cards
Apple has added the Navigo transit card to the Wallet app for iPhone and Apple Watch users in Paris, France, making it easier to pay for metro, train, bus, and other rides with a tap. Riders can purchase passes directly on their iPhone or in the Île-de-France Mobilités app, eliminating the need for ticket vending machines or reloading at retailers.
Real-time transit information for Paris will now be available in Apple Maps, offering schedules, live departure and arrival times, delays, outages, and connection details for multi-system trips. In Toronto, Canada, the PRESTO transit card will soon support the Wallet app too, allowing riders to pay effortlessly with Express Mode, even without unlocking their device.
EU Antitrust Fine
Apple is contesting a $1.95 billion fine from the European Commission for hindering competition from music-streaming rivals like Spotify. In March, the Commission fined Apple, alleging it abused its market dominance by preventing music streaming apps from informing users about cheaper subscription options outside the app. The EU also required Apple to remove “anti-steering provisions” for music apps in the European Economic Area (EEA). Apple responded by updating its App Store rules to allow these apps to inform users about alternative purchase options and include links for digital music subscriptions.
Apple has filed a lawsuit at the EU’s General Court in Luxembourg to challenge the decision. The Commission stated it is ready to defend its decision in court. Apple criticized the fine, claiming there was no credible evidence of consumer harm and arguing the ruling ignored the thriving, competitive market. Apple also noted that three related cases over the past eight years found no evidence of consumer harm or anti-competitive behavior. The fine concluded a long-running EU investigation initiated by a 2015 complaint from Spotify about Apple’s treatment of third-party music streaming services on the App Store.
