Submitted by Jon Reed on
Clearly the biggest news coming from Apple in this past week was the company's better-than-expected Q2 earnings report. Almost all numbers were up from the year ago quarter, beating both analysts' expectations and Apple's own Q2 guidance. Revenue, net profit and gross margin were all up, thanks to 43.7 million iPhone sales, compared to 37.4 million sales in Q2 FY 2013. The iPad disappointed, selling only 16.35 million units, down 16 percent from a year ago.
Apple also announced on Wednesday that its stock will be undergoing a seven for one stock split in early June. In addition to that, the Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend by 8%. Apple already pays about $11 billion in dividends
annually, making it one of the world's largest dividend payers.
iOS 7.1.1 was released on Tuesday. The minor update includes two keyboard bug fixes and some improvements to the Touch ID fingerprint sensor.
On Tuesday, in honor of Earth Day, Apple launched an expanded reuse and recycle program for electronic devices. The new program is divided into two parts - the iPod and Mobile Phone Recycling Program, which allows users to return iPods and receive a 10% discount off a new iPod, and return any mobile phone, regardless of manufacturer. The Reuse and Recycling Program offers Apple giftcards for Apple devices that can be reused.A new patent application from Apple was discovered on Thursday and details an "interactive three-dimensional display system." The system will use "a variety of known display techniques, along with a bevy of sensors, to create a pseudo-hologram" that users will be able to manipulate with various gestures.
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Another patent suggests that Apple is exploring the possibility of adding environmental sensors such as thermometers, humidity and pressure sensors to its mobile devices in the future.
As expected, more iPhone 6 rumors emerged this week. The latest rumor, from Japanese blog Makotakara, claims that the next generation iPhone will feature a curved display and a metal casing with rounder edges.
On Thursday, California legislators voted down a proposed "kill switch" bill. The law would have required smartphone manufacturers, such as Apple, to include anti-theft software on their phones. According to proponent Mark Leno, a staggering 1/3 of all robberies in the U.S. involve mobile devices. The mobile industry is pushing back saying that such software would leave devices open to hackers. Proponents say the industry doesn't want to lose money from its insurance partners.