蘑菇AV

Amazon isn鈥檛 the only tech company looking at X with new eyes: Apple is also reportedly considering re-upping spending. Why the return? Despite the launch of a new video tab and other initiatives, X鈥檚 revenues remain unimpressive.

And 64% said major tech companies like Google, Apple, Meta, TikTok, and Microsoft don鈥檛 care about their mental health or well-being. Trust issues: Sixty-two percent of teens lack confidence that tech companies will protect their safety when profits are at stake, and about half (52%) doubt that their personal information will be kept secure.

Apple and Kuaishou joined the $10 billion club last year, and the new corporate top 10 list will hold relatively steady for the next couple of years. Worldwide total media ad spending will cross the $1 trillion threshold this year. Advertising will join an elite group of industries that have reached such heights. Worldwide ad spending has nearly doubled since 2016, and the outlook remains bright.

When Apple, which pledged $500 million to US manufacturing, faced UK pressure for an iCloud encryption backdoor, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard called it 鈥渁 clear and egregious violation of Americans鈥� privacy and civil liberties,鈥� per The Associated Press. Gabbard asked the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and other US agencies to review the request.

Apple considers pricier iPhones to spur sales: Can an even more premium iPhone help increase sales? Apple seems to think so. Meanwhile, carriers are discounting its latest models in China by $100.

Is Apple the next advertising titan? Apple committed to developing its ad business in 2022, but it faces stiff opposition from other Big Tech giants.

Apple tests AI-powered ad buying: Its tool focuses on App Store ads and allows advertisers to set budgets and cost per user before automatic placement.

Apple leads businesses leaning on China: The brewing tech cold war notwithstanding, companies like Apple need to rely on established supply chains. Continued foreign partnerships are essential to China鈥檚 recovery.

Apple鈥檚 intensifying in-house push: It already designs its own processors, and now it looks like Apple is moving to make its own Wi-Fi and 5G radios, displays, and touchscreens, reducing reliance on suppliers.

The wealthiest person vs. the most valuable company: Elon Musk is attacking Apple for ceasing advertising and threatening to pull Twitter from its App Store, setting up a monumental clash he can鈥檛 possibly win.

So far this year, there鈥檚 been Google versus Microsoft and TikTok versus 鈥� well, everyone. But another battle is emerging as Amazon and Apple go head to head for ad dollars, streaming viewers, and the health vertical.

With 34 million developers, a massive app ecosystem, and a burgeoning ad business, Apple could fast-track its metaverse ambitions behind its MR headset announcement.

Apple is making strides with a secret CGM project: The addition of a blood glucose monitor to the Apple Watch will drive sales beyond the diabetes patient pool to the 鈥渨orried well.鈥�

In the first half of 2023, connected devices became more shoppable, driven by retail media and emerging technologies like visual search, while Apple has emerged as a big winner, using its domination in the smartphone market to muscle in on ad revenues.

Another delay for Apple鈥檚 mixed reality headset: It鈥檚 been working on the technology for its next big product since 2015, but now delays are due to software and hardware issues. How can Apple succeed at a time of economic upheaval?

On today's episode, we discuss Apple鈥檚 dominance in the digital wallet arena. In our 鈥淗eadlines鈥� segment, we look at the ramifications of The Kroger Co.鈥檚 about-face on Apple Pay and how the EU is scrutinizing Apple Pay in its antitrust investigation. In 鈥淪tory by Numbers,鈥� we examine how Gen Z鈥檚 use of iPhones will keep Apple competitive in the digital wallet space and the success of Apple鈥檚 new savings account. And in our new segment, 鈥淲hat If,鈥� host Rob Rubin presents a few hypotheticals and discusses what things would look like if they were true. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst David Morris.

On today's episode, we discuss why Apple and Amazon will be the two most consequential advertising companies for the rest of the decade, the ceiling on their streaming ambitions, and how their tech and health investments stack up. "In Other News," we talk about whether TikTok has been able to reassure advertisers after its recent government hearing and the Federal Trade Commission outlining how companies should communicate their environmental claims. Tune in to the discussion with our director of Briefings Jeremy Goldman.

Nike and Apple eye opportunities in the metaverse: Nike is opening an online store and trading platform for digital sneakers, while Apple is reportedly working on its own virtual environment.

The AI-assisted search revolution will take place primarily on the nonretail battleground, which is still dominated by Google. But Google lost share of the market last year, and Microsoft and Apple are starting to appear a little closer in Google鈥檚 rearview mirror.

Apple鈥檚 VR headset, the Apple Vision Pro, became available in the US on February 2. Almost immediately after, brands began announcing immersive experiences that would be available for download on the headset.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss how the Apple monopoly trial could change the smartphone market, whether Aldi can take on Walmart, if gambling ads will get banned, the impact of Amazon's "Big Spring Sale," how seriously we should be taking drone delivery, where the happiest people in the world live, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Blake Droesch and vice presidents of content Suzy Davidkhanian and Paul Verna.

Apple uses safety and security to win over consumers. Birkenstock focuses on education, showcased through a three-part docuseries. And Taco Bell, with the help of Pete Davidson, apologized for 鈥渙ver-innovating鈥� its breakfast menu.