Apple News
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway sells $23 billion in Apple shares in Q3
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway again significantly reduced its holdings in Apple in the third quarter of 2024. The investment firm sold 100 million shares of Apple stock, amounting to a $23 billion divestment. This follows an earlier sale of over 500 million shares, totaling $94 billion.
GuruFocus:
In addition to trimming its Apple holdings, Berkshire also reduced its position in Bank of America, divesting 23% of its stake for $10 billion and securing a $6 billion profit. Nevertheless, Berkshire still owns about 10% of the bank, and shareholders approved the reduction.
On the acquisition side, Berkshire made strategic moves, adding new positions in Domino’s Pizza with a $605 million purchase of 1.3 million shares, and Pool Corporation with $140 million worth of shares.
As of September 2024, Berkshire’s total equity investments amounted to $266.4 billion, reflecting a 4.9% decrease compared to the previous quarter.
MacDailyNews Take: In May, at Berkshire’s annual meeting, Buffett praised Apple, saying it was “extremely likely” that Apple will remain Berkshire’s largest holding at the end of 2024. Berkshire continues to hold $69.9 billion worth of Apple shares.
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Apple’s new ‘Plates’ ad spotlights Apple Pay
Apple has released a new ad, “Plates,” which promotes the convenience of Apple Pay for online shopping. The ad showcases how Apple Pay’s simple authentication process, using Face ID or Touch ID, allows for quick and secure purchases.
The commercial depicts a woman who collects plates. She notices an empty spot in her collection and uses Apple Pay to quickly and conveniently purchase a new plate with a single tap.
The ad concludes with the tagline “Pay the Apple Way,” emphasizing the ease and security of using Apple Pay, and matching the company’s Apple Pay website.
MacDailyNews Take: The sadness is strong with this one.
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Apple’s M4 MacBook Pro display secretly includes quantum dot tech
Display expert Ross Young on Thursday revealed that Apple used a quantum dot (QD) film instead of a red KSF phosphor film on its new MacBook Pro display.
Big Apple display news, they have adopted quantum dots for the first time. The latest MacBook Pro’s (M4) use a quantum dot (QD) film rather than a red KSF phosphor film.
In the past, Apple went with the KSF solution due to better efficiency and lack of cadmium (Cd), but the latest Cd-free QD films are very efficient, feature as good or better color gamut and better motion performance.
Big Apple display news, they have adopted quantum dots for the first time. The latest MacBook Pro's (M4) use a quantum dot (QD) film rather than a red KSF phosphor film.
In the past, Apple went with the KSF solution due to better efficiency and lack of cadmium (Cd), but the… pic.twitter.com/5olq9lEHs9
— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) November 14, 2024
MacDailyNews Take: Yet another M4-powered MacBook Pro selling point!
read more about quantum dot displays here.
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Apple pulls Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty news app from Russia App Store on request from Russian government
Apple has removed one of U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL)’s Russian-language news apps from the Russian App Store at the request of state communications regulator Roskomnadzor, RFE/RL said on Friday.
Reuters:
Under President Vladimir Putin, Russia has put dozens of opposition media websites on blacklists and banned several foreign social-media platforms in a crackdown it casts as part of an information war unleashed by the West after Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Moscow’s restriction of news sites ultimately limits Russians’ access to independent media. Moscow often accuses blocked sites of false reporting.
One of RFE/RL’s local websites in Russia, Siberia.Realities, said Apple had notified Radio Svoboda, which means “freedom” in Russian, that the Svoboda app was being deleted. The app houses Russian content from the Siberia.Realities and North.Realities projects.
Apple removed 25 virtual private network applications from its App Store in Russia at Roskomnadzor’s behest, the Interfax news agency reported in July, part of Moscow’s crackdown on services that help people circumvent online restrictions.
MacDailyNews Note: Apple in March 2022 halted all product sales in Russia in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
As for Russia, which has been fining Apple and demanding more an more censorship for years now:
Censorship reflects a society’s lack of confidence in itself. – Potter Stewart
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Apple preps smart home display with AI personality
Apple is preparing to unveil a new AI-enabled smart home device, as it works to catch up with rivals in the smart home market.
Sources tell Bloomberg News that the company is gearing up to announce the device as early as March and will position it as a command center for the home.
Technology Reporter Mark Gurman discusses his report on “Bloomberg: The Asia Trade.”
MacDailyNews Take: We’re ready!
Somebody’s going to crack the smart home market. After years of fits and starts, it might as well finally be Apple! – MacDailyNews, October 28, 2024
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Fed Chair Powell says no need to rush interest-rate cuts
Wall Street is expected to open lower on Friday, following U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s comments on interest rate cuts. Powell indicated that the Fed may take a cautious approach to future rate reductions, citing ongoing economic strength and persistent inflation. This news has led to a rise in bond yields and a decline in rate-sensitive stocks.
Reuters:
U.S. Treasury yields rose broadly after Powell’s comments, while Wall Street’s main indexes closed lower.
Traders increased bets that the Fed will keep rates on hold at its December meeting – pricing in a 45% chance, compared with 14% a month ago, according to the CME FedWatch tool. They now expect only about 71 basis points of total easing by the end of 2025, per LSEG calculations.
A Commerce Department report showed retail sales rose 0.4% in October on a monthly basis, compared with estimates for a 0.3% rise, according to economists polled by Reuters.
Stocks of vaccine makers lost ground after the President-elect selected Robert F Kennedy Jr, who has spread misinformation on vaccines, to head the Department of Health and Human Services.
BioNTech dropped 3.7%, while Moderna, and Novavax fell more than 2% in premarket trading. Pfizer dipped 1.3%.
Megacap stocks also fell. Nvidia edged 1% lower, Apple dropped 0.9%, and Alphabet was down 0.4%.
Powell’s comments come after both consumer and producer prices data this week pointed to persistent inflation.
MacDailyNews Take: On interest rates, Powell was way late to hike, then didn’t go nearly high enough, and then started cutting too early. Three strikes and you ought to be out.
In July 2023, the Fed stopped raising rates too soon. – MacDailyNews, July 2, 2024
A premature rate cut by the Fed is of higher probability in an election year. – MacDailyNews, April 2, 2024
As we wrote in February 2023, “When certain quarters, including the Fed, delude themselves and others that ‘inflation is transitory’ and waste at least a year before doing a mere portion of what is necessary* (interest rate hikes), the price will be paid for being delusional and late.”
‘Tis best to get a handle on inflation, if you know how, while you still can. – MacDailyNews, May 11, 2021
Stop the misguided crusade against domestic energy production and profligate federal spending and inflation will be stopped dead in its tracks. It’s not difficult. – MacDailyNews, May 11, 2022
For new generations, sometimes tough lessons have to be retaught and learned the hard way. As we go through this, remember: It’s always darkest before the dawn. – MacDailyNews, July 14, 2022
Inflation is repudiation. — Calvin Coolidge
When a business or an individual spends more than it makes, it goes bankrupt. When government does it, it sends you the bill… [which] comes in two ways: higher taxes and inflation. Make no mistake about it, inflation is a tax and not by accident. — Ronald Reagan
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President Trump’s second term is good news for Apple, TikTok, and Tesla – Gene Munster
Deepwater Asset Management Managing Partner Gene Munster outlines what he believes to be the reasons for America’s stock market reaction to the re-election of President Trump and what it means for tech investors over the next 4 years. Munster emphasizes an important point: “What’s going on with AI is much bigger than any political policies. Both mega-cap and small-cap tech have a green field ahead to capitalize on the AI paradigm shift.”
Gene Munster for Deepwater Asset Management:
Three reasons for the market move include (weight of total move %):
1. Money on the sidelines jumping back into the market (50%)
2. Reduced regulatory environment (40%)
3. Proposed Corporate Tax Cuts (10%)
• Apple: Cook’s relationship with Trump is strong and we expect the company to avoid the proposed blanket tariffs. Apple is seen as a global symbol of US strength and innovation, a brand that Trump will be reluctant to damage. Regarding Apple’s search deal with Google, my view is evolving and I now believe the outcome is a coin toss given Google’s recent loss regarding default search payment, which was initiated under Trump’s administration. Lastly, I don’t expect the DOJ to pressure Apple around App Store take rates.
• Meta: In March, Trump posted “If you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business. I don’t want Facebook, who cheated in the last Election, doing better. They are a true Enemy of the People!” Needless to say, TikTok is going to be around for a while.
• Tesla: At the highest level, a Trump administration is a meaningful positive for the company, because Elon is not only in Trump’s inner circle but has become almost a family member over the past four months. The relationships will likely make it easier for FSD to receive NHTSA approval, which would be a huge win for the company’s autonomy ambitions. Additionally, Tesla’s corporate tax rate could decline from 21% to 15%, and tariffs could keep Chinese EV competitors out of the US market.
MacDailyNews Take: As for Google’s search deal with Apple, Munster writes, “The outcome is a coin toss. If the deal gets voided, I believe it would be a net positive for Google and increase its operating income by 5-15% despite the company’s recent comments that voiding the agreement would have ‘unintended’ consequences.”
Munster is likely wrong about that. Google is an ad company masquerading as a search engine. Apple has a lock on the top demographics – you know, the people with money and the proven will to spend it. Losing Apple product users leaves Google with just a bunch of cheapskate Android settlers and Windows PC sufferers. Google’s ad business will suffer as a result.
Google pays Apple tens of billions of dollars annually to be Safari’s default search engine because Mac, iPhone, and iPad users are extremely demographically desirable (to any company that like to make profits) versus those who settle for Mac, iPhone, and iPad knockoffs.
In September 2023, Asymco‘s Horace Dediu did the math and arrived at the conclusion that Apple iPhone owners are 7.4 times more valuable than those who settle for Android phones.
Real iPhones vs. Poor Man’s iPhones. Same as it ever was. — MacDailyNews, April 22, 2022
The bottom line: Those who settle for Android devices are not equal to iOS users. The fact is that iOS users are worth significantly more than Android settlers to developers, advertisers, third-party accessory makers (speakers, cases, chargers, cables, etc.), vehicle makers, musicians, TV show producers, movie producers, book authors, carriers, retailers, podcasters… The list goes on and on.
The quality of the customer matters. A lot.
Facile “analyses” that look only at market (unit) share, equating one Android settler to one iOS user, make a fatal error by incorrectly equating users of each platform one-to-one.
When it comes to mobile operating systems, all users are simply not equal. – SteveJack, MacDailyNews, November 15, 2014
Android is pushed to users who are, in general:
a) confused about why they should be choosing an iPhone over an inferior knockoff and therefore might be less prone to understand/explore their devices’ capabilities or trust their devices with credit card info for shopping; and/or
b) enticed with “Buy One Get One Free,” “Buy One, Get Two or More Free,” or similar ($100 Gift Cards with Purchase) offers.
Neither type of customer is the cream of the crop when it comes to successful engagement or coveted demographics; closer to the bottom of the barrel than the top, in fact. Android can be widespread and still demographically inferior precisely because of the way in which and to whom Android devices are marketed. Unending BOGO promos attract a seemingly unending stream of cheapskate freetards just as inane, pointless TV commercials about robots or blasting holes in concrete walls attract meatheads and dullards, not exactly the best demographics…
Google made a crucial mistake: They gave away Android to “partners” who pushed and continue to push the product into the hands of the exact opposite type of user that Google needs for Android to truly thrive. Hence, Android is a backwater of second-rate, or worse, app versions that are only downloaded when free or ad-supported – but the Android user is notoriously cheap, so the ads don’t sell for much because they don’t work very well. You’d have guessed that Google would have understood this, but you’d have guessed wrong.
Google built a platform that depends heavily on advertising support, but sold it to the very type of customer who’s the least likely to patronize ads.
iOS users are the ones who buy apps, so developers focus on iOS users. iOS users buy products, so accessory makers focus on iOS users. iOS users have money and the proven will to spend it, so vehicle makers focus on iOS users. Etcetera. – MacDailyNews, November 26, 2012We are currently about 1/4th of the way to being sustainable with Substack subscriptions.
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New Apple security feature reboots inactive iPhones after 3 days
Apple’s new iOS 18 operating system for iPhone comes with a novel security feature that reboots the smartphone if it’s not unlocked for 72 hours, according to security researchers.
Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai for TechCrunch:
On Wednesday, Jiska Classen, a researcher at the Hasso Plattner Institute and one of the first security experts to spot this new feature, published a video demonstrating the “inactivity reboot” feature. The video shows that an iPhone left alone without being unlocked reboots itself after 72 hours.
See the latest iOS inactivity reboot in action!
iOS 18 comes with improved anti-theft measures. Three days w/o unlock, the iPhone will reboot, preventing thieves from getting your data. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/H24Tfo1cSr
— Jiska (@naehrdine) November 13, 2024
“Inactivity reboot” effectively puts iPhones in a more secure state by locking the user’s encryption keys in the iPhone’s secure enclave chip.
“Even if thieves leave your iPhone powered on for a long time, they won’t be able to unlock it with cheaper, outdated forensic tooling,” Classen wrote on X. “While inactivity reboot makes it more challenging for law enforcement to get data from devices of criminals, this won’t lock them out completely. Three days is still plenty of time when coordinating steps with professional analysts.”
MacDailyNews Take: Anything that helps make iPhones more secure is a Good Thing.
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Google brings AI chatbot assistant ‘Gemini’ to Apple’s iPhone
Alphabet subsidiary Google on Thursday released “Google Gemini,” an iPhone app for its artificial intelligence chatbot on Apple’s App Store that introduces the latest generation of its voice assistant to iOS users.
Reuters:
The new Gemini app will include Gemini Live, a voice-based feature that allows users to have natural conversations with the chatbot. Apple has already said it will incorporate OpenAI’s ChatGPT into a refreshed version of its voice assistant, Siri.
Gemini is Google’s answer to ChatGPT, the popular application developed by Microsoft-backed OpenAI. Google initially launched it in February 2023 under the name Bard, and has since added more capabilities while weathering controversies.
Technical advances in AI spurred by the rise of large language models have fostered the emergence of a new generation of voice assistants far more capable than Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri and Google Assistant. Google’s Gemini Live is a replacement of Assistant, an eight-year-old product built using older AI technology.
Gemini on iPhone allows users to:
- Go Live with Gemini to brainstorm ideas, simplify complex topics, and rehearse for important moments.
- Connect with your favorite Google apps like Search, YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and more
- Study smarter and explore any topic with interactive visuals and real-world examples
- Unlock a world of expertise and get tailored information about any topic
- Plan trips better and faster
- Create AI-generated images in seconds
- Get summaries, deep dives, and source links, all in one place
- Brainstorm new ideas, or improve existing ones
MacDailyNews Take: Guard your privacy zealously. Alphabet’s Gemini Apps Privacy Notice is here.
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Apple debuts The Weeknd’s immersive music experience for Apple Vision Pro
Apple on Thursday released “The Weeknd: Open Hearts,” an immersive music experience from the seven-time diamond-certified artist, available exclusively on Apple Vision Pro for a limited time. “Open Hearts” is captured in Apple Immersive Video, a remarkable 180-degree media format that leverages ultra-high-resolution immersive video and Spatial Audio to place viewers in the center of the action. Viewers journey alongside the artist on an electrifying sonic voyage as he weaves his way through a surreal, haunting cityscape. Fans are invited to see the immersive experience in its entirety — and enjoy the magic of spatial computing — by booking an Apple Vision Pro demo at their local Apple Store beginning tomorrow, November 15. Users can experience Open Hearts for free now with the Apple TV app on Apple Vision Pro.
“Apple Immersive Video brings The Weeknd’s creative vision to life in an entirely new way with Open Hearts, a groundbreaking music experience available only on Apple Vision Pro,” said Tor Myhren, Apple’s vice president of Marketing Communications, in a statement. “With Vision Pro, fans experience storytelling in ways that were not possible before: with immersive visuals and Spatial Audio that make them feel like they’re right in the middle of the action. This is an exciting leap forward in how music and technology come together to deliver memorable experiences for fans, and we’re proud to collaborate with The Weeknd to make it happen.”
Open Hearts was directed by Anton Tammi and heavily inspired by Los Angeles’s iconic downtown skyline. Tammi also directed the official music video for Hurry Up Tomorrow’s lead single, “Dancing In the Flames,” which was shot entirely on iPhone 16 Pro Max by Erik Henriksson and edited on Mac.
Apple Immersive Video revolutionizes the way fans enjoy music performances, and “The Weeknd: Open Hearts” is the latest installment in the growing catalog available on Apple Vision Pro for free. Concert for One, the next Apple Immersive music experience launching globally on Friday, November 22, invites fans to enjoy intimate performances from the world’s biggest artists. Through a set recorded at Air Studios in London alongside her 20-piece band, six-time BRIT Award-winning singer-songwriter RAYE offers her blend of R&B, jazz, and pop to viewers from the best seat in the house. The set will also be available in the form of a new EP, available in Spatial Audio exclusively on Apple Music.
Concert for One launches worldwide next Friday, November 22, with an intimate set from six-time BRIT Award-winning artist RAY
Last month, Apple debuted Submerged, the critically acclaimed immersive short film written and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Edward Berger. New episodes of Adventure and Wild Life will premiere in December, followed by new episodes of Boundless, Elevated, and Red Bull: Big-Wave Surfing in 2025.
Apple Vision Pro is available at all Apple Store locations and the Apple Store online in Australia, Canada, China mainland, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, the U.K., and the U.S., and will be available in South Korea and the United Arab Emirates beginning Friday, November 15.
MacDailyNews Note: New Apple Immersive Video episodes and films debut in U.S. English with subtitles in additional languages. Title availability varies by country or region. Users in China mainland can access select Apple Immersive Video titles from the Migu Video and Tencent Video apps, which are available to download for free on the App Store for Apple Vision Pro.
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Apple assembler Foxconn’s Q3 profit rises 14%, beats forecasts
Major Apple assembler Foxconn reported on Thursday a 14% rise in third-quarter net profit, driven in part by strong AI server demand.
Reuters:
The Taiwanese company, the world’s largest contract electronics maker, reported net profit for the July-September quarter rose to T$49.3 billion ($1.5 billion) from T$43.1 billion in the same period the previous year, according to Reuters calculations.
The profit beat analysts’ average estimate of T$46.3 billion.
MacDailyNews Take: Should provide some support to AAPL as it bops around $225.
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Apple TV+ workplace comedy ‘Mythic Quest’ returns for season four on January 29th
Apple TV+ on Thursday announced that the fourth season of its hit comedy “Mythic Quest,” hailing from creators Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day and Megan Ganz, will make its global debut on Apple TV+ with two episodes on Wednesday, January 29, followed by one new episode weekly through Wednesday, March 26.
Season four of “Mythic Quest” brings stars McElhenney, Charlotte Nicdao, David Hornsby, Danny Pudi, Ashly Burch, Imani Hakim, Jessie Ennis and Naomi Ekperigin back together under the same fluorescent office lights. The reunited team at Mythic Quest confronts new challenges amongst a changing video game landscape as stars rise, egos clash, relationships bloom and everyone tries to have a little more work work life balance.
Plus, as the upcoming fourth season of “Mythic Quest” reaches its finale, the much-anticipated anthology series “Side Quest” (FKA “Mere Mortals”) will make its global debut on March 26 with all four episodes. An expansion of the “Mythic Quest” universe, “Side Quest” explores the lives of employees, players and fans who are impacted by the game in an anthology format. The series stars McElhenney, Anna Konkle, Derek Waters, William Stanford Davis, Bria Henderson, Rome Flynn, Leonard Robinson, Gary Kraus, Annamarie Kasper, Esai Morales, Shalita Grant and many more in the leading roles across each installment.
“Side Quest” is developed and executive produced by Burch, John Howell Harris and Katie McElhenney, with Ganz, Rob McElhenney, David Hornsby, Day, Todd Biermann, Nick Frenkel, Michael Rotenberg, Margaret Boykin and Genevieve Jones also serving as executive producers.
“Mythic Quest” is executive produced by Rob McElhenney and Day under their RCG banner, Rotenberg and Frenkel on behalf of 3 Arts, and Boykin, Austin Dill and Gérard Guillemot for Ubisoft Film & Television. Hornsby and Ganz also executive produce.
Both series are produced for Apple TV+ by Lionsgate, 3 Arts Entertainment and Ubisoft. The first three seasons of “Mythic Quest” are now streaming globally on Apple TV+.
Apple TV+ offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all of a user’s favorite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries, and series have been honored with 523 wins and 2,374 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso” and Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”
MacDailyNews Take: We never made it past season 1, episode 1. Should we give it another try?
MacDailyNews Note: Apple TV+ is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $9.99 per month with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod touch can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.
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Apple faces $3.82 billion UK antitrust lawsuit over iCloud storage
Confusingly-named U.K. consumer-protection group “Which?” has filed a 3 billion-pound ($3.82 billion) lawsuit against Apple, claiming the company breached UK competition rules with its iCloud storage service. “Which?” claims that Apple abuses its dominance by pushing users towards iCloud storage of data such as photos and messages without letting them back up their data with a competing provider. “Which?” claims Apple favors its own iCloud software over rivals’ offerings.
Edith Hancock for The Wall Street Journal:
The group also claimed that Apple overcharged users for iCloud subscriptions. Users get up to 5 gigabytes of free storage, but Apple charges a subscription for added capacity.
The group filed its suit to the U.K.’s Competition Appeal Tribunal seeking compensation for customers who have used iCloud since October 2015.
Apple said its users aren’t required to use iCloud and that it is working to make data transfer between services possible.
“We reject any suggestion that our iCloud practices are anticompetitive and will vigorously defend against any legal claim otherwise,” the company said in a statement.
MacDailyNews Take: macOS and iOS devices support third-party online storage services (for example: Box, Dropbox, and Microsoft One Drive). Apple’s Files app for iOS also supports third-party services including, for example, Box, Dropbox, and Microsoft One Drive. Users can also easily create their own private cloud storage system, bypassing the need for iCloud or third-party online storage services altogether.We are currently about 1/4th of the way to being sustainable with Substack subscriptions.
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Final Cut Pro 11 ushers in new chapter for video editing on Mac
Apple this week unveiled Final Cut Pro 11 — supercharged with intelligent new features — along with powerful updates to Final Cut Pro for iPad, Final Cut Camera, and Logic Pro. Offering new tools like Magnetic Mask and the highly anticipated Transcribe to Captions, Final Cut Pro 11 for Mac1 also supports the import, edit, and delivery of spatial video projects directly to Apple Vision Pro.
Final Cut Pro for iPad 2.1 advances the touch-first editing experience with support for Enhance Light and Color; new Live Drawing inks; haptic feedback; even more built-in content, including color-grading presets and dynamic soundtracks; and other meaningful workflow improvements. Final Cut Camera 1.1, the intuitive pro recording app for iPhone, adds support for 4K120 fps recording on iPhone 16 Pro, the ability to apply a preview lookup table (LUT) while recording, and capture of Log-encoded HEVC video for smaller file sizes. And to supercharge songwriting, beat-making, producing, and mixing, Logic Pro for Mac 11.1 and Logic Pro for iPad 2.1 add support for a new Quantec Room Simulator plug-in.
The new versions of Final Cut Pro for Mac and iPad, Final Cut Camera, and Logic Pro for Mac and iPad are available today on the App Store.
“Our creative apps give artists, producers, directors, and editors around the world the tools they need to express themselves and realize their artistic vision,” said Brent Chiu-Watson, Apple’s senior director of Worldwide Product Marketing for Apps, in a statement. “With the power of Apple silicon and state-of-the-art machine learning capabilities, Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro are faster and more intelligent than ever. These latest updates give creative professionals more stylistic interpretations to explore — whether that’s with fine-tuned masking for color grading or amazing sound processing — and greater versatility and efficiency in their workflows.”
Final Cut Pro 11
Final Cut Pro 11 takes full advantage of Apple’s M-series chips, introducing the powerful and intuitive Magnetic Mask; Transcribe to Captions,5 a highly requested feature that provides fast and accurate closed captions; spatial video editing; and a range of timesaving tools and workflow optimizations.
AI-Powered Features
In Final Cut Pro 11, editors can access two all-new AI-powered tools: Magnetic Mask and Transcribe to Captions. With Magnetic Mask, editors can effortlessly isolate people and objects in a video clip without the need for a green screen or more time-consuming rotoscoping. This powerful and precise automatic analysis provides additional flexibility to customize backgrounds and environments. Editors can also combine Magnetic Mask with color correction and video effects, allowing them to precisely control and stylize each project. And with Transcribe to Captions, closed captions can be automatically generated in the timeline using an Apple-trained large language model that transcribes spoken audio.
Magnetic Mask and Transcribe to Captions join existing AI-powered features made possible by Apple’s Neural Engine, including:
• Smart Conform to easily make social media-friendly versions of projects in square or vertical formats.
• Enhance Light and Color to automatically improve the color, color balance, contrast, and brightness of video or still images.
• Smooth Slo-Mo to generate and blend together frames of video — including footage captured on iPhone 16 Pro in 4K120 fps — for the highest-quality movement.
• Voice Isolation to enhance speech and optimize sound levels while reducing background noise from audio captured in the field.
Spatial Video Editing for Apple Vision Pro
Spatial video allows users to capture life’s precious moments and relive them on Apple Vision Pro. Final Cut Pro 11 now supports spatial video editing, allowing editors to import their footage and add effects, make color corrections, and enhance their projects with titles. The depth position of titles and captured footage can also be adjusted during the editing process. Spatial video clips can be captured directly with Vision Pro, or on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, and Canon’s new RF-S7.8mm F4 STM DUAL lens paired with Canon R7.
Users can choose from various viewing modes to preview the left- and right-eye angles on their Mac display. And with Mac Virtual Display, they can bring their edit into Apple Vision Pro, creating an enormous, private, and portable display that’s ideal for complex workflows. Later this year, users will be able to expand Mac Virtual Display to a new panoramic size, creating a massive 32:9 ultra-wide curved display that’s equivalent to having two 5K monitors side by side. Spatial videos can be exported directly to a user’s Photos library, viewed immediately on Vision Pro, or shared with others by uploading them to the native visionOS Vimeo app.
Timesaving Features, Blazing Speeds, and Pro Creative Tools
Final Cut Pro features advanced editing tools to help streamline creative workflows even further and save time:
• Magnetic Timeline, a trackless approach to editing footage, offers a fluid way to trim and edit a project. Editors can add and rearrange clips seamlessly, making adjustments while keeping video and audio perfectly in sync.
• With multicam editing, users can instantly sync multiple angles of a project and switch between shots during playback. And new keyboard shortcut options allow users to adjust the view of their timeline and reposition clips.
• Optimizations for Apple silicon allow editors to play back more streams of 4K and 8K ProRes video at full quality, add playback effects, and share their work with others at blazing speeds.
• Editors can create a lightweight copy of their library with enhanced proxy tools, decreasing file sizes to make transfer times even shorter.
• Using Compressor, editors can create custom export settings to deliver their work in a wide range of file formats, and import previous stereoscopic footage to reformat and pair with spatial video footage for an integrated editing experience.
• Using Motion, users can create stunning 2D and 3D titles, generators, and advanced visual effects that are accessible within Final Cut Pro.
Final Cut Pro for iPad 2.1
Final Cut Pro for iPad 2.1 brings beloved features to the touch-first editing experience. Powered by Apple silicon, Enhance Light and Color is an intelligent way to improve color, color balance, contrast, and brightness in video or still images in one simple step, and is optimized for SDR, HDR, RAW, and Log-encoded media. With haptic feedback for Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, users will feel a light pulse as they trim clips, move media, navigate the timeline, and resize viewer clips to snapping points.
Other meaningful workflow improvements include a new vertical pinch gesture that can expand or minimize clip height in the timeline; the ability to dynamically adjust the size and position of the viewer in Picture in Picture mode; and timeline support for recordings at 90 fps, 100 fps, and 120 fps on iPhone 16 Pro.
New inks for the Live Drawing feature on iPad let users add even more animations to videos with expressive new watercolor, crayon, fountain pen, and monoline pen options. And the content library expands with new modular transitions, color-grading presets, and dynamic soundtracks, along with the ability to easily highlight and overlay visuals with Picture in Picture and Callout effects.
Final Cut Camera
Final Cut Camera 1.1 brings intuitive pro controls for aspiring and professional directors. The update offers users the ability to capture Log-encoded HEVC video in standalone or Live Multicam sessions, so users can take advantage of the amazing dynamic range of Log while benefitting from reduced file sizes and even more recording time. Final Cut Camera also allows users to enable a LUT preview while recording in Log, showcasing the vibrancy of the original scene in SDR or HDR with the Apple Log LUT. With iPhone 16 Pro, users can record beautiful and crisp 4K120 fps footage for even smoother cinematic slow motion, import it into Final Cut Pro for iPad, and begin their edit.
A new advanced level helps users precisely compose shots with roll and tilt indicators, and for top-down shots, Final Cut Camera introduces a crosshairs indicator.
Logic Pro for Mac 11.1 and Logic Pro for iPad 2.1
Logic Pro for Mac and iPad supercharge songwriting, beat-making, producing, and mixing, and are an excellent companion for Final Cut Pro editors. Today, that experience gets even better with the new Quantec Room Simulator plug-in, which allows users to tap into the legendary sound of the most acoustically accurate reverb ever created, built using the original schematics, algorithms, and code from Quantec founder and inventor Wolfgang Buchleitner. Users can select the vintage Quantec QRS to add natural acoustic space to music while preserving sonic character, or the modern Quantec Yardstick for improved clarity and detail. The Quantec QRS technology is a great tool for video editors who want to add natural-sounding spaces to dialog, foley, and music.
“The Quantec Room Simulator has been a key element to my sound for many years, appearing on records like Passion and Us. I also used it to build harmonic drones to start my live set, which then evolved into songs like ‘Across the River,’” said musician Peter Gabriel. “It’s wonderful that Apple is bringing the Quantec QRS back to life as a plug-in for Logic users around the world.”
With Reorder Mixer Channels, users can rearrange channel strips by dragging them, and can even select multiple channel strips to reorder them collectively. To make it easier to find and add any plug-in directly using a keyboard command, Logic Pro for Mac users can now search by category, company name, or even part of a plug-in name. Logic Pro for iPad also introduces Sample Folders, giving users access to their personal collection of samples directly from the built-in Sound Browser right from iPad, external storage, and iCloud Drive.
Pricing and Availability
• Final Cut Pro 11 is available today as a free update for existing users and for $299.99 (U.S.) for new users on the Mac App Store. New users can download a free 90-day trial of Final Cut Pro.
• Final Cut Pro for iPad 2.1 is available today as a free update for existing users, and available on the App Store for $4.99 (U.S.) per month or $49 (U.S.) per year, with a one-month free trial for new users.
• Final Cut Camera 1.1 is available today as a free standalone app on the App Store.
• Logic Pro for Mac 11.1 is available today as a free update for existing users and for $199.99 (U.S.) for new users on the Mac App Store. Logic Pro for Mac 11.1 requires macOS 14.4 or later. For more information, visit apple.com/logic-pro.
• Logic Pro for iPad 2.1 is available today as a free update for existing users, and available on the App Store for $4.99 (U.S.) per month or $49 (U.S.) per year, with a one-month free trial for new users. Logic Pro for iPad 2.1 requires iPadOS 18.1 or later. For more information, visit apple.com/logic-pro-for-ipad.
MacDailyNews Take: Smart editors use Final Cut Pro.
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Evercore names Apple a stock to watch in President Trump’s second term
On November 8th, investment advisory Evercore released a post-election investor note, naming Apple as a stock to watch during President-elect Donald Trump’s second term.
Usman Kabir for Insider Monkey:
Analysts led by Amit Daryanani wrote in a note to clients that the potential for Trump tariffs could negatively affect some companies with large exposure to China, other proposed policies should provide benefits. These include lower corporate tax rates and fewer regulations. Companies who source many components or assemble a large percentage of their products in China face risks, per the analysts.
Overall AAPL ranks 4th on our list of the AI stocks you should not miss.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple shareholders have a bright future.
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Apple faces potential class action lawsuit over crackling AirPods Pro issue
A group of Apple customers has initiated a class-action lawsuit against the company, alleging that Apple violated California consumer protection laws by continuing to sell AirPods Pro models that were prone to crackling or static sound issues. The lawsuit claims that Apple’s failure to address these persistent problems constitutes false advertising.
A few months after the AirPods Pro came out in October 2019, buyers began to complain about crackling, rattling, popping, and static-like noises affecting the AirPods Pro. The sound seemed to show up when something caused an earbud to move or vibrate, such as walking or running.
Apple tried to fix the problem with software updates, but the company ultimately launched an AirPods Pro repair program in October 2020. Customers with affected AirPods Pro were able to bring them to Apple for a fix or a replacement, but unfortunately, many customers found that their replacement AirPods Pro also suffered from the same issue.
As a result, Apple is now facing a class action lawsuit, with the plaintiffs requesting “relief” due to the defective nature of the AirPods Pro.
MacDailyNews Note: The United States District Court Northern District of California will need to decide if the case merits class action certification. More about LaBella et al v. Apple via SCRIBD here.
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Apple’s $350 Gold Link Bracelet for Apple Watch now available
Apple’s Gold Link Bracelet is crafted from 316L stainless steel alloy. The Link Bracelet has more than 100 components. The machining process is so precise, it takes nearly nine hours to cut the links for a single band.
The custom butterfly closure folds neatly within the bracelet. And several links feature a simple release button, so you can add and remove links without any special tools.
Apple’s Gold Link Bracelet is compatible with 38mm, 40mm, 41mm, 42mm, 44mm, 45mm, 46mm, and 49mm Apple Watch Models.
One size fits most as the band fits 150–200mm wrists.
MacDailyNews Note: For those ordering today from , the delivery date range is December 9 – December 16.
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Apple AirTags 4-Pack hits lowest price ever
Looking to keep track of your backpack, luggage, or pet? Amazon is offering a fantastic deal on Apple AirTags. Get a four-pack for 29% off, just $69.99, the lowest price ever. If you only need one, you can snag a single AirTag for just $19 – 34% off its regular price of $29.
Apple’s AirTag is a small and elegantly designed accessory that helps keep track of and find the items (and pets and children) that matter most with Apple’s Find My app. Whether attached to a handbag, keys, backpack, a pet, or other items, AirTag taps into the vast, global Find My network and can help locate a lost item, all while keeping location data private and anonymous with end-to-end encryption.
Each round AirTag is small and lightweight, features precision-etched polished stainless steel, and is IP67 water- and dust-resistant. A built-in speaker plays sounds to help locate AirTag, while a removable cover makes it easy for users to replace the battery. AirTag features the same magical setup experience as AirPods — just bring AirTag close to iPhone and it will connect. Users can assign AirTag to an item and name it with a default like “Keys” or “Jacket,” or provide a custom name of their choosing.
With the Find My network accessory program, the vast and secure Find My network now helps users locate and keep track of even more important items in their lives using the Items tab in the Find My app.
Once AirTag is set up, it will appear in the Items tab in the Find My app, where users can view the item’s current or last known location on a map. If a user misplaces their item and it is within Bluetooth range, they can use the Find My app to play a sound from the AirTag to help locate it. Users can also ask Siri to find their item, and AirTag will play a sound if it is nearby.
MacDailyNews Take: Get ’em while they last for here!
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Apple Arcade adds fifteen new games
This holiday season, Apple is launching new games for everyone from solo players to family and friends who want to enjoy games together. On Apple Arcade, subscribers can look forward to 15 new titles, including Skate City: New York, Talking Tom Blast Park, FINAL FANTASY IV (3D REMAKE)+, Gears & Goo (Apple Vision Pro), and more.
Available on the App Store, Apple Arcade is a family-friendly gaming service and the perfect way to share fun gaming experiences with loved ones. Arcade’s incredible catalog is available to play on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro, and all 250+ games are free of ads and in-app purchases. Players can step into the shoes of their favorite sports stars in recent hits NFL Retro Bowl ’25 or NBA 2K25 Arcade Edition; score the highest hand in the poker-inspired, deck-building sensation Balatro+; sneak around as a mischievous Sasquatch in Sneaky Sasquatch; or explore hundreds of other games — both new and old — from their favorite genres.
As millions of Apple users spend fun-filled time over the holidays playing their favorite games, Arcade offers new titles every month for players to discover.
Skate City: New York by Snowman and Agens is the ultimate skateboarding experience, with players navigating the iconic streets of the Big Apple and mastering hundreds of tricks in real-world locations. The game launches on January 9.
Skate City: New York by Snowman and Agens.
In Talking Tom Blast Park by Outfit7, players can join Talking Tom and friends in an epic battle to save Blast Park from the mischievous Rakoonz on December 5. Armed with wacky blasters like the Duckinator and Power Plunger, players must blast through waves of Rakoonz and their trash to restore fun to the park.
Talking Tom Blast Park by Outfit7.
FINAL FANTASY IV (3D REMAKE)+ by Square Enix is beautifully revived with updated graphics, and improved gameplay and voice acting for event scenes. The hit fourth game in the iconic FINAL FANTASY series is also the first title to introduce the Active Time Battle system that players have come to love in the franchise. The game launches on December 9.
FINAL FANTASY IV (3D REMAKE)+ by Square Enix.
Gears & Goo by Resolution Games, a new base-building and tower defense game, features interactive mechanics only possible in spatial computing. It will be available on Apple Arcade for Apple Vision Pro beginning January 9.
Over the coming months, the service will also release exclusive new games and award-winning titles from the App Store on Apple Arcade, including Boggle: Arcade Edition, PAC-MAN 256+, Hot Wheels: Race Off+, Barbie Color Creations+, and Little Cities: Diorama (Apple Vision Pro) on December 5; FF IV: THE AFTER YEARS+ on December 9; and Gears & Goo (Vision Pro), Three Kingdoms HEROES, FINAL FANTASY+, Trials of Mana+, Rodeo Stampede+, and It’s Literally Just Mowing+ on January 9.
MacDailyNews Note: More details can be found on the Apple Arcade tab on the App Store. For other great titles to dive into this holiday, check out these hot games on the App Store.
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iOS 18.2 supercharges AirPods with key Apple Intelligence upgrade
Apple’s latest iOS 18.1 update has significantly enhanced the capabilities of the AirPods Pro 2 with the introduction of Hearing Aid, Hearing Test, and Hearing Protection features. However, the upcoming iOS 18.2 update promises to further revolutionize the AirPods experience by integrating advanced Apple Intelligence features.
Ryan Christoffel for 9to5Mac:
Apple Intelligence launched in iOS 18.1, but some of its most highly anticipated new features are coming in iOS 18.2.
One such feature is ChatGPT integration with Siri… [O]ne of the many tidbits we learned when the first iOS 18.2 beta shipped is that ChatGPT can be your go-to assistant for any Siri request.
iOS 18.2 lets you say ‘Ask ChatGPT’ at the start of your Siri request to have it immediately sent to ChatGPT. Which can make your AirPods experience a whole lot like the movie Her…
None of the ChatGPT interactions through Siri and Apple Intelligence require AirPods. You can do it all on your iPhone or iPad, or in many cases with another pair of headphones. But doing all of this with AirPods feels like the future. And provides yet another reason to keep AirPods in your ears as often as possible.
MacDailyNews Take: With a Siri that’s equipped with awareness of your personal context, the ability to take action in and across apps, and product knowledge about your devices’ features and settings, we may finally be on the cusp of a truly usable Siri that not only competes with other personal digital assistants, but actually bests them and, as a result, sells more iPhones, AirPods, iPads, and Macs!
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