O'Grady's PowerPage

Tag: economic

  • Rumor: Apple’s mixed-reality headset’s mass production pushed back, device may not debut at WWDC23

    Rumor: Apple’s mixed-reality headset’s mass production pushed back, device may not debut at WWDC23

    Apple is rumored to have once again pushed back production of its mixed-reality headset, and the device may not debut at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference, according to noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

    In a tweet, Kuo explained that Apple “isn’t very optimistic” about whether the headset will be able to create an “iPhone moment.” As a result, the company has chosen to delay the device’s mass production schedule to the middle to the end of the third quarter of 2023. Kuo believes that the delay adds uncertainty around “whether the new device will appear at WWDC 2023, as the market widely expects.”

    The delay could lower the number of expected units for 2023 to just 200,000 to 300,000 units. Previously, around half a million units were expected to ship this year.

    Apple’s cause for concern with the device is said to be anticipation of poor market feedback, catalyzed by the economic downturn, hardware specification compromises, the weight of the device, the readiness of the headset’s ecosystem and applications, and its high selling price. Kuo believes that the headset will be priced at $3,000 to $4,000, or even higher.

    Apple yesterday announced that ‌WWDC 2023‌ will be held between June 5 and June 9. Until now, all indications have suggested that this would be when Apple would introduce the headset.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via MacRumors and @mingchikuo

  • Apple pauses/slows down hiring for several of its divisions outside of research and development

    Apple pauses/slows down hiring for several of its divisions outside of research and development

    If you’re hoping to apply for a job with Apple, you might have to wait a bit.

    Per Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is currently freezing its hiring process for many jobs. The move seems to be a cost-cutting measure, and does not cover jobs related to research and development, especially those working on future devices and long-term initiatives.

    It’s thought that the move rounds out part of a plan Apple implemented in July to slow down new employee hiring and operational spending.

    It’s also been reported that Apple has “paused almost all hiring.” Apple has apparently told staff across multiple divisions that there will be no new onboarding of new hires for several months. Interestingly, Apple’s website continues to advertise job postings for several positions. Nevertheless, the report claims that Apple’s hiring process has been put on hold.

    Apple has stated that the company continues to hire new employees, but given the “current economic environment,” it’s taking a deliberate approach in some parts of its business.

    Per Apple:

    “We are very confident in Apple’s future and are investing for the long term. We want to be thoughtful and make smart decisions that enable us to continue fueling innovation for the long term.”

    Although Apple’s CEO Tim Cook denied that the company had frozen its hiring process, rumors of the measure started as early as July. Back then, rumors had it that Apple would slow down hiring and spending growth, although not corporate-wide.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via The Mac Observer and Bloomberg

  • Trump claims he’ll get Apple “to start building their damn computers and things in this country”

    eltrump

    Because one man’s stupidity should never be underestimated.

    GOP frontrunner, questionable billionaire, person who will say anything and outright failure that walks like a man Donald Trump, speaking at Liberty University yesterday, claimed he would reclaim lost U.S. manufacturing jobs if elected President, criticizing Apple in the process.

    “We have such amazing people in this country: smart, sharp, energetic, they’re amazing,” Trump said. “I was saying make America great again, and I actually think we can say now, and I really believe this, we’re gonna get things coming… we’re gonna get Apple to start building their damn computers and things in this country, instead of in other countries.”

    (more…)