Instagram, YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, and Google’s Gemini trailed WhatsApp in the rankings of free apps.

Apple released its annual list of the most downloaded apps and games for the year yesterday (10 December). The list includes free and premium titles, as well as those included with an Apple Arcade subscription.

ChatGPT ranked fourth in 2024 while shopping app Temu held the top spot. The chatbot failed to crack the top ten in 2023, which is the year it launched.

Block Blast! was the most downloaded free game on iPhone while Minecraft took the top spot as the most purchased game.

YouTube was the number one free app on iPad while creativity app Procreate was the leading paid app. Roblox was the most downloaded free game for iPad.

The post ChatGPT tops Apple free app chart in 2025 appeared first on Mobile World Live.

The plan, backed by the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), would require device makers to activate Assisted GPS (A-GPS) on all smartphones to give authorities more precise location data during legal investigations, Reuters reported. According to documents seen by the news outlet, the proposal would remove users’ ability to switch off location services.

Today, law enforcement agencies rely largely on cellular tower data that can only provide approximate locations. Technology experts cited by Reuters said continuous A-GPS access could allow authorities to track users to within about a metre.

The COAI also urged the government to require device makers to disable location tracking alerts on users’ smartphones, warning they can tip off targets of investigations.

Regulatory overreach
Lobby group India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA), which represents Apple and Google, warned the government there is “no precedent anywhere else in the world” for compulsory, device-level A-GPS surveillance. In a confidential letter to the government in July, the group reportedly argued the technology “is not deployed or supported for location surveillance” and described the proposal as a potential “regulatory overreach”.

The industry association flagged risks to national security, noting that smartphones are widely used by military members, journalists and judges, who could be exposed if precise location data were misused or compromised.

The ICEA also told authorities that location tracking notifications are essential to maintaining transparency and trust, arguing that privacy protections should take priority.

India’s IT and home ministries are reviewing the proposal, but no decision has been made. A meeting with senior smartphone industry executives scheduled for this week has apparently been postponed.

The proposal follows a separate privacy controversy last week after the government scrapped a mandate requiring smartphone makers to preload a state-backed cyber safety app on all devices, a move that drew criticism from companies including Apple over privacy risks.

The post India mulls permanent GPS tracking on smartphones appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Bloomberg reported Dye is being replaced by Stephen Lemay, who lists his title on LinkedIn as UI designer.

Prior to leaving, Dye was VP of human design at Apple. Dye took over Apple’s user interface design team in 2015 after former designer Jony Ive was named chief design officer.

Ive left Apple in 2019 before selling his AI-device company to OpenAI in May for $6.4 billion.

Dye worked on projects such as iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch, TV, Vision Pro, and the recently introduced Liquid Glass, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Bloomberg stated Dye has also been helping Apple develop a range of smart home devices.

The news agency reported Meta Platforms is building a new studio with Dye in charge of design for hardware, software and AI integration of its interfaces.

Dye reports to CTO Andrew Bosworth, who leads Meta’s beleaguered Reality Labs division which develops wearables such as virtual reality headsets and smart glasses.

Dye will start his job as chief design officer on 31 December.

The post Meta Platforms snares Apple design executive appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Apple stated Subramanya will report into software boss Craig Federighi, leading critical areas around its AI business including Apple Foundation Models, ML research and AI Safety and Evaluation.

He is described by Apple as a “renowned AI researcher”, having most recently served as corporate VP of AI at Microsoft and previously spent 16 years at Google where he headed up engineering for Google’s Gemini Assistant.

Subramanya comes into the role at Apple at a time when the iPhone maker has faced pressure over its AI deployment, with the company slower to roll out features in comparison to rivals.

Apple said the new hire brings deep expertise in AI and ML research and in integrating that research into products and features, which will be important in its ongoing work around the technology and future Apple Intelligence features.

Giannandrea will stay on at Apple as an advisor before retiring in 2026. He has been at the company since 2018.

CEO Tim Cook thanked Giannandrea for his role in advancing Apple’s AI’s work, while adding the technology was central to its strategy and he was looking forward to utilising Subramanya’s expertise in the field.

As it attempts to boost its AI offering, Apple overhauled its management team in charge of Siri earlier this year. Cook also announced in August plans to significantly ramp up investment in AI.

The post Apple hires former Microsoft exec to lead AI charge appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Sources told the news agency Apple does not plan to comply with the order as it doesn’t follow “such mandates anywhere in the world” as they raise privacy and security issues for its iOS ecosystem.

The DoT sent letters to major smartphone makers requiring them to add the app to new devices in 90 days, Reuters stated.

The app, called Sanchar Saathi, or Communication Partner, cannot be removed by users. It is designed to track stolen phones, block the devices and prevent them from being used for fraud.

The government has defended the order, insisting it is necessary to help citizens verify the authenticity of a handset and report suspected misuse.

In August, Russia ordered all phones and tablets to come preinstalled with the state-backed MAX messenger app, developed by the largest social media company in the country VK.

The post Apple balks at India order to preinstall security app appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Apple’s sell-through volumes rose 12 per cent year-on-year and its share hit 24.2 per cent, its highest-ever in a single month.

Counterpoint Research noted sales of the iPhone 17 exceeded its predecessor over the first six weeks of availability. It stated weekly trackers showed particular strength in the US, China and Japan, and noted the base model is an attractive prospect due to incorporating formerly high-end features at a more affordable price point.

China was the fastest-growing market for Apple’s phones during October, it reported, though highlighted a lack of availability of the iPhone Air in the country resulted in muted sales across the board.

Counterpoint Research stated other drivers are the current upgrade cycle in mature markets and demand for premium-tier devices.

Senior analyst Varun Mishra said greater availability of legacy iPhone models is another factor.

Earlier this week, Counterpoint Research predicted Apple would topple Samsung as the world’s largest smartphone vendor when 2025 shipments are tallied.

If accurate, it would be the first time in 14 years the US vendor beat its South Korean rival, the company stated.

The post Apple hits monthly iPhone high appeared first on Mobile World Live.

In a petition filed at the Delhi High Court, Apple contested an amendment made in 2024 which allows the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to levy penalties based on a company’s global revenue rather than only its India turnover.

Reuters reported Apple stated in court filings it could face a penalty of up to $38 billion if the sum is calculated at 10 per cent of its average global services revenue in the three fiscal years to 2024.

The news outlet reported Apple believes such a penalty would be “arbitrary” and “unjust”.

Apple argued penalties should be linked only to the revenue of the specific business unit found in breach of antitrust law, warning the current approach risks sweeping in unrelated parts of a company’s global operations.

Abusive conduct
The CCI began investigating Apple’s conduct in the country in 2022 following complaints led by online dating platform Match accusing the company of abusing its dominance in the iOS apps market.

In 2024, the CCI reportedly stated there is evidence Apple engaged in “abusive conduct”, including preventing third-party payment processors from offering in-app purchases.

The company denied wrongdoing and a final CCI decision is pending.

Apple told the High Court it had “no choice but to bring this constitutional challenge now” to prevent the amended rules from being applied retrospectively, after the CCI invoked them in an unrelated case earlier this month.

A court hearing is scheduled for December.

The post Apple challenges India law as $38B fine risk looms appeared first on Mobile World Live.

The research outfit said the 25 per cent market share is a milestone hit only in 2022, when Apple had fewer rivals in the premium segment. Sales of iPhones increased 37 per cent year-on-year in October. A year earlier it had a 19 per cent share.

Senior analyst Ivan Lam noted Apple’s new iPhone 17 series accounted for more than 80 per cent of unit sales, suggesting “we’re likely to see growth amplified as rising ASPs push the top-line higher”.

Amid a trade war with China spurred by increased US tariffs and trade sanctions, Apple’s fiscal Q4 (ending 27 September) sales in China dipped 4 per cent to $14.4 billion.

Overall smartphone sales in the mainland last month grew 8 per cent, with second place Xiaomi and third ranked Vivo recording 7 per cent and 4 per cent growth, respectively, while Huawei booked a 19 per cent decline. Its share dropped to 13 per cent from 17 per cent a year earlier.

Oppo’s sales rose 19 per cent, boosting its share by 1 percentage point to 13 per cent and propelling it ahead of Honor into fifth place.

The post China iPhone sales surge in October appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Senior leaders have reportedly ramped up succession planning in recent weeks, with hardware engineering chief John Ternus emerging as the leading internal contender. Cook, who turned 65 this month, has been at the helm for nearly 15 years.

Apple is not expected to confirm any transition until after it reports quarterly earnings in late January, though no final decision has been made and the timeline could shift.

The succession follows notable leadership reshuffles in 2025, following the departures of long-time CFO Luca Maestri and COO Jeff Williams earlier this year. Sources told FT that Cook’s transition is unrelated to Apple’s business performance as the company heads into what is projected to be a strong end-of-year iPhone sales cycle.

Richard Windsor, founder of Radio Free Mobile, highlighted Cook’s financial track record, noting the iPhone-maker’s valuation jump from $350 billion at the start of his tenure to around $4 trillion today. “Whether one loves or loathes Mr Cook, he has done a first-class job at taking what Steve Jobs invented and maximising value creation from it,” he noted.

But he warned the next CEO will face tougher strategic decisions as Apple contends with two potentially “existential” challenges: AI and the rise of metaverse-era devices. “There are two challenges that could completely upend the company,” he said, arguing Apple is “really struggling” in AI while rivals push ahead with LLM-powered assistants.

Windsor also pointed to emerging smart glasses momentum led by Meta and RayBan, arguing that if users prioritise glasses over smartphones, “the iPhone would have effectively become obsolete”, he said.

With this backdrop, Windsor argued Apple may need a new approach. “I think the company would be best served with a fresh pair of eyes,” he said, warning an internal appointment risks “more of the same, which is not what I think this company needs”.

The post Apple ramps up CEO succession planning process appeared first on Mobile World Live.

A Masimo spokesperson told Reuters a court in California had ruled the workout mode and heart rate notifications on Apple Watch are in breach of its patents.

The spokesperson hailed the win as significant in its efforts to protect its innovations and IP, with the company launching several lawsuits in multiple courts. The patent in this case expired in 2022, “and is specific to historic patent monitoring technology from decades ago”, added the spokesperson.

The legal dustup with Masimo is over the use of light-based pulse oximetry functionality, a feature which measures oxygen levels. 

Apple and Masimo have engaged in a long-standing dispute over light-based physiological measurement devices with the latter alleging the iPhone-maker has stolen its technology.

An Apple spokesperson said it disagreed with the fine and plans to appeal.

New proceeding
Separately, the US International Trade Commission (ITC) plans to hold a new proceeding to decide whether imports of some Apple smartwatches should be banned due, again, to patent disputes with Masimo.

In 2023, Apple announced it would stop selling two models of its Apple Watch, due to a patent ruling against the company by the ITC. The body blocked imports of Apple’s Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 devices in the US.

In August, the tech giant reintroduced the ability to monitor blood oxygen data in the US through a workaround.

At the time, Apple announced a redesigned feature would be available for customers who bought devices without the original version through software updates for the wearable and iPhone.

Apple won approval to sell the watches following a decision by US Customs and Border Protection.

Bloomberg reported Masimo is suing US Customs and Border Protection while Apple is contesting the ITC’s ban in a US federal appeals court.

*Additional reporting by Kavit Majithia

The post Apple hit with $634M fine over Masimo patent dispute appeared first on Mobile World Live.

The Mini Apps Partner Program is an initiative by the company designed to let developers deliver lightweight, web-based mini apps and games within native iOS or iPadOS apps.

These mini apps use standard web technologies such as HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and are distributed through a host app on the App Store.

To qualify for the programme, Apple stated a mini app or game needs to be released by a person or entity “that’s not directly or indirectly controlled” by the developer of a dominant app.

Apple stated the scheme aims to expand developer reach, enable dynamic user experiences and provide the flexibility of web content with the benefits of native app distribution.

The programme supports qualifying in-app purchases (IAPs), which must use Apple’s official payment system.

Revenue from IAPs is shared between the developer, host app owner and Apple.

Developers are required to be registered members of the Apple Developer Program while the host app needs to be published on the Apple App Store.

Bloomberg reported Tencent Holdings, the parent company of WeChat, is widely regarded as one of the most successful developers of mini apps.

The news agency reported yesterday (13 November) Apple cut a deal with Tencent to take a 15 per cent cut of purchases from WeChat mini games and apps sold in its App Store.

Apple has faced scrutiny from the European Union (EU) over its App Store policies, which critics have contented makes it difficult for developers to accept alternative payments.

In June, Apple made changes to its App Store policies in a bid to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The post Apple unveils programme for mini app developers appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Bloomberg reported Apple is working on a range of initiatives including an API allowing developers to support satellite-based connectivity within their own apps. Apple Maps could also get a satellite upgrade, with plans to allow users to use navigation without the need for a mobile or Wi-Fi signal.

While the iPhone currently supports basic messaging through satellite, the planned upgrades could include the capability to send photos. Bloomberg added the company is working on allowing users to utilise satellite connectivity even if their phone isn’t pointed directly at the sky.

A separate report from The Information indicated 5G networks could be improved with extra coverage by allowing them to also connect to satellite.

Apple has a long-term contract with Globalstar for its satellite capabilities, agreeing a deal worth $1.1 billion with the provider in 2024.

To support its planned upgrades, Apple is apparently willing to help finance infrastructure upgrades necessary from Globalstar.

In terms of consumers, basic upgrades around satellite would be free, but there would be a cost for more advanced features.

The post Apple readying major satellite-powered upgrades appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Apple nears $1B Google AI deal to power revamped Siri

What happened: Apple is reportedly close to finalising a $1 billion annual deal with Google to license its Gemini AI model for the next-generation of Siri.

Why it matters: The partnership would see Apple tap Google’s 1.2 trillion parameter system to power smarter features like summarisation and task planning, marking an upgrade from Apple’s current 150 billion parameter model. After reportedly testing OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude, Apple chose Gemini as an interim fix while it builds its own 1 trillion parameter AI model. Max Zhang, CEO at IT and intelligence consultancy CTOL Digital Solutions, noted the deal marks a “shift in the tech landscape” as, “for the first time, Apple acknowledges it can’t navigate the AI race solo”. Apple plans to host Gemini on its Private Cloud Compute servers, walled off from Google to maintain user privacy. “As Siri struggles with outdated tech, this partnership offers a lifeline while maintaining its fierce privacy ethos,” Zhang noted. However, he cautioned that while the collaboration provides Siri with a short term AI boost, “it also raises questions about dependency on Google for key technology”.

Deutsche Telekom, Nvidia team on €1B AI data hub

What happened: Deutsche Telekom and Nvidia teamed up on a €1 billion AI data centre in Munich, housing 10,000 Nvidia Blackwell GPUs to create one of Europe’s largest industrial AI clouds.

Why it matters: According to the pair, the facility will boost Germany’s AI capacity by 50 per cent in support of the country’s Made 4 Germany digitalisation initiative. With operations expected to begin in Q1 2026, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said the facility will “supercharge” Germany’s industrial base. Software player SAP will integrate its business platform into the cloud, linking AI models to industrial data to accelerate automation and smart manufacturing. Early partners also include Siemens, Perplexity, Agile Robots and Quantum Systems. Larbi Belkhit, ABI Research analyst, said the deal “marks a significant moment in Europe’s push toward AI sovereignty” as regional players invest in their own infrastructure instead of relying on hyperscalers. For DT, he said it “underscores its strategic repositioning to move into the GPU-as-a-service market via this AI factory,” while commercial success hinges on industrial uptake. According to Belkhit, “the real question now is what partnerships will telcos form when going to market, and at what layers of the stack?”

Orange reaches €4.2B deal for the rest of MasOrange

What happened: Orange struck a €4.2 billion deal to acquire the remaining 50 per cent stake it doesn’t own in Spanish operator MasOrange from private equity consortium Lorca.

Why it matters: The non-binding agreement strengthens Orange’s position in the group’s second-largest market in Europe, with the operator adding the deal “confirms its long-term industrial commitment in Spain”. A binding agreement is expected to be signed by the end of 2025, with completion of the transaction targeted for the first half of 2026 subject to regulatory clearance.. The buyout comes after Orange Spain and Masmovil merged in 2022 to create MasOrange, Spain’s largest mobile operator by connections. With over 25.8 million mobile lines, the operator leads rivals Telefonica’s Movistar and Vodafone Spain. In October.

The post Siri set for Google makeover; DT, Nvidia seal €1B AI deal appeared first on Mobile World Live.

According to Bloomberg, the agreement would give Apple access to Google’s 1.2 trillion parameter Gemini system to run key Siri capabilities such as summarisation and task planning. The custom Gemini model would mark a significant upgrade from Apple’s current 150-billion-parameter system.

Apple plans to host the Gemini model on its Private Cloud Compute servers, keeping user data isolated from Google’s systems. The company has already set aside dedicated AI server hardware to support the new model.

The iPhone-maker tested several AI systems including OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude before opting for Google’s Gemini as an interim solution while it develops its own 1 trillion parameter cloud-based model. The in-house system could be ready for consumers next year.

Apple and Google reportedly declined to comment.

Unlike earlier talks to plug Gemini into Siri as a chatbot, the current deal does not extend to integrating Google’s AI search or chatbot directly into Siri.

The move is part of a broader effort to overhaul Siri’s foundations and integrate it with the company’s wider AI-powered Apple Intelligence platform.

In an August staff call, CEO Tim Cook told employees that Apple had to lead the AI revolution, adding that a more personalised version of Siri is slated to launch next year. The enhanced voice assistant is tipped to debut with iOS 26.4 next spring, Bloomberg reported.

Apple’s Siri overhaul has faced persistent setbacks since it first teased the upgrade last year. In March, Siri chief Robby Walker reportedly lamented the delays to new AI features, stating the company was still unsure when the revamped voice assistant would launch.

The post Apple nears $1B Google AI deal to power revamped Siri appeared first on Mobile World Live.

For the period ending 27 September, Apple’s iPhone business brought in $49 billion in revenue, topping last year’s $46.2 billion. This was driven primarily by the iPhone 16 family of devices and a few weeks of iPhone 17 sales.

On a call with analysts Apple CEO Tim Cook stated the strong iPhone results were despite supply constraints the company faced for some iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 models.

Greater China revenue was below analysts’ expectations of $16.4 billion, coming in at $14.4 billion compared to $15 billion a year ago.

“The iPhone 17 family has been very well received there,” Cook said on the earnings call. “We do believe that we’ll return to growth in Q1. And that is largely based on the reception of the iPhone there.”

Revenue for the iPad segment was flat at $6.9 billion, while Mac revenue of $8.7 billion topped $7.7 billion from a year ago. Wearables revenue of $9 billion was down slightly.

The company had $27.4 billion in net income during the quarter, up year-on-year from $14.7 billion, though the latter figure had been impacted by a one-off charge.  

For Apple’s fiscal 2025 it booked $416 billion in total revenue, a 6 per cent increase.

Q1
Looking ahead, CFO Kevan Parekh expects revenue in the current quarter that includes the holiday season to grow between 10 per cent and 12 per cent.

“We expect iPhone revenue to grow double digits year-over-year, which would be our best iPhone quarter ever,” Parekh said.

The CFO said Apple is significantly increasing investments in AI and the company’s product roadmap. For the December quarter, Apple is expecting operating expenses to be between $18.1 billion and $18.5 billion.

PP Foresight CEO Paolo Pescatore told Mobile World Live the robust Q4 results combined with the upbeat guidance for the current quarter further reinforces user demand for the new iPhone 17 lineup.

“Services [revenue] is firing on all cylinders, a key engine for future growth as it represents recurring revenue,” he noted.

The post Apple books revenue boost appeared first on Mobile World Live.

0:00 Intro  
3:00 Topic Panel Takeaways  
7:00 eSIM in Digital industries
10:00 Apple Air China Launch
13.30 OEM Device Strategy
16.30  Security Concerns
21.00 Travel, Roaming Use Case
25:00 Interview with Telna

The post Podcast: Is eSIM finally set to surge? appeared first on Mobile World Live.

The lawsuit was heard by the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) after being brought by academic Rachael Kent as a collective action for consumers against the company.

Complaints surround app commission fees charged by Apple for purchases made on iPhones or iPads since 1 October 2015.

In its judgement, the CAT found Apple abused its “dominant position by charging excessive and unfair prices” in commission to developers for iOS app distribution and in-app purchases.

Kent’s legal company Hausfeld & Co described the ruling as a “landmark legal victory for UK consumers” which “paves the way for £1.5 billion in compensation to be returned to nearly 36 million UK consumers and businesses”.

“The Tribunal found that Apple’s dominance of the App Store allowed it to shut out competition, stifle innovation and impose inflated fees on app developers, costs that were ultimately passed on to users,” it noted in its assessment of the decision, highlighting the company had broken European Union and UK laws.

BBC News and Reuters reported Apple planned to appeal the decision.

The CAT plans to hold a hearing “on the first convenient date after 3 November 2025”, with parties to discuss any appeals, costs and other consequential issues.

Apple’s policies for app distribution on its devices are also piquing the interest of the UK Competition and Markets Authority, which this week designated Apple and Google as having strategic market status for their respective operating systems.

The CMA’s move potentially opens the way to tougher regulation across a range of areas including app distribution if it feels open competition is lacking.

The post Apple could face hefty pay-out after losing UK case appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Its decision follows a ruling against Google earlier this month involving its general search and advertising services.

In a statement, the CMA explained legal tests had been met to designate the pair with SMS for mobile platforms, covering OSes, app distribution, browsers and browser engines on smartphones and tablets.

The regulator launched an investigation into the duo’s mobile platforms in January, gathering feedback from more than 150 stakeholders and engaging with the companies.

It found the pair have substantial, entrenched market power and a position of strategic significance in their respective mobile platforms.  

The CMA further highlighted: UK mobile device holders use either Apple or Google mobile platforms and are unlikely to switch between them; mobile platforms are the main way users access content on their devices through apps and businesses must develop and distribute content through the platforms to reach Apple and Android users; and ongoing technology developments involving AI are unlikely to eliminate the pair’s market power over a five-year designation period.

Reiterating its statement when assigning Google with SMS for its search and advertising services, the CMA stated the platforms designation is not a finding of wrongdoing and does not introduce immediate requirements.

However, it enables the CMA to make interventions to ensure mobile platforms are open to effective competition.

Will Hayter, executive director for Digital Markets, said the app economy generates 1.5 per cent of the UK’s GDP and supports 400,00 jobs, “which is why it is crucial these markets work well for business [sic] so they can invest, innovate and drive the growth the country needs”.

The UK joins the US, European Union and Japan in taking action to support businesses and consumers dependent on mobile platforms, the CMA added.

The post UK opens door to tougher rules on Apple, Google appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Apple TV will stream all of next year’s races after wresting the rights way from ESPN. CNBC reported the tech giant is paying $140 million to stream the races while Reuters noted Walt-Disney-owned ESPN previously shelled out $90 million.

Apple TV coverage will include all practice, qualifying and Sprint sessions as part of a $12.99 per month, ad free subscription. Some of the F1 races and all practice sessions will also be available for free in the app throughout the course of the season.

The iPhone-maker also has exclusive streaming rights with Major League Soccer but at an extra cost to its own plan.

F1 TV Premium, F1’s own content offering, will continue to be available in the US through an Apple TV subscription and will be free for those who subscribe.

Apple noted F1 is one of the fastest-growing leagues in the world, with a US fanbase which reached 52 million last year.

CCS Insight chief analyst Ben Wood hailed the move on LinkedIn.

“Huge news in the world of F1 and a significant step for Apple as it joins other big tech companies, such as Amazon and Netflix, in streaming live sports. This also adds a new layer of complexity for US consumers who want to enjoy live sports, requiring yet another streaming subscription.”

Amazon and Netflix have streaming rights for National Football League games, among other professional sports, during the current season.

“This is an incredibly exciting partnership for Apple and the whole of Formula 1 that will ensure we can continue to maximise our growth potential in the US with the right content and innovative distribution channels,” stated Formula 1  president and CEO Stefano Domenicali.

Apple stated the streaming deal built upon its previous relationship with F1 first established during the filming of its F1 The Movie which starred Brad Pitt. Domenicali noted F1 spent three years working with Apple on the movie.

The post Apple TV speeds to US streaming deal with Formula 1 racing appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Data from Counterpoint Research showed the iPhone 17 series outsold its predecessor by 14 per cent in the two countries during the first ten days of availability, the first indication of consumer demand for the new series.

In China, unit sales of the base model, priced at $799, nearly doubled compared with the iPhone 16.

Senior analyst Zhang Mengmeng noted the base iPhone 17 mobile “is very compelling to consumers, offering great value for money”.

The iPhone 17 series was unveiled on 9 September and released in many countries on 19 September.

Apple began accepting orders for the iPhone Air in China on 17 October after being forced to delay the launch because operators required approval from authorities to use eSIM.

China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom recently secured clearance from regulators to start trials of eSIM services.

The post iPhone 17 off to strong start in China, US appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Altice shoos SFR suitors

What happened: SFR parent Altice France turned down a joint non-binding €17 billion offer from Orange, Bouygues Telecom and Free-iliad Group, shutting down immediate prospects of consolidation in France’s mobile market.

Why it matters: The offer, which the bidders argued would benefit consumers and support continued network investment and development, was dismissed by Altice owner Patrick Drahi, Financial Times reported. Although the French government is the largest single shareholder in Orange, economy minister Roland Lescure warned that any deal cutting the number of operators in the market from four to three would face intense scrutiny over potential price hikes for consumers. Despite the rejection, the three operators remain interested and have since issued a statement declaring they “remain convinced” of the merits of their proposal and intend to pursue discussions with Altice and its shareholders. Analysts at JP Morgan told Reuters the €17 billion bid was “better than expected” and the bid did spur optimism across European telecoms as Bouygues shares rose 9 per cent and Orange gained 3 per cent following the move.

Apple moves ahead with iPhone Air China launch

What happened: Apple confirmed it will launch the iPhone Air in mainland China next week after securing regulatory approval for eSIM services through the country’s three major operators.

Why it matters: China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom gained regulatory clearance to activate eSIM services on the device, marking the first iPhone model in the country to rely solely on the technology without support for physical SIM cards. Although Apple unveiled the device at its September product event, its rollout in China was delayed as local carriers awaited government clearance to deploy eSIM capabilities. CEO Tim Cook announced the update via Chinese social media platform Weibo during his second trip to China this year, when he also pledged fresh investment in the country despite US President Donald Trump’s calls to onshore manufacturing. Despite friction between the two countries, Apple’s shipments in China grew 0.6 per cent in Q3 amid sluggish overall demand, an IDC report found. According to Will Wong, senior research manager for client devices at IDC Asia Pacific, the cautious market temperature “turned consumers into value seekers”, which was “not entirely a negative development, as we saw this trend specifically benefit Apple’s new product launches”.

North America mobile economy on track to top $3.7T by 2030

What happened: The GSMA’s Mobile Economy North America 2025 report, unveiled at MWC25 Las Vegas, forecast mobile technologies and services will contribute $3.7 trillion to North America’s economy by 2030, up from $1.6 trillion in 2024.

Why it matters: The report cited rapid 5G growth, with connections rising from 55 per cent of total mobile links in 2024 to 89 per cent by 2030, fuelled by growing enterprise use of AI, private networks and IoT. The US remains the world’s largest 5G Fixed Wireless Access market, with 11.6 million connections last year projected to exceed 25 million by 2030. The new report was unveiled as MWC Las Vegas kicked off this week in North America, where leaders, operators and hyperscalers convened for two days of discussion on 5G, AI, intelligent infrastructure and satellite technology’s role inthe next phase of digital transformation. The report noted that private wireless, open RAN and satellite systems are key to this digital shift, with operators expected to invest $348 billion to advance next-generation connectivity.

The post Altice snubs SFR suitors; iPhone Air takes flight in China appeared first on Mobile World Live.

According to the device giant, the M5 chip delivers more than four times the peak GPU compute performance for AI workloads and up to 45 per cent higher graphics performance compared to its predecessor, boosting performance and energy efficiency across all three devices. Johny Srouji, Apple’s SVP of hardware technologies, described M5 as “the next big leap in AI performance for Apple silicon”.

The refreshed iPad Pro offers what the company called “the most advanced iPad experience ever”, delivering up to 3.5x faster AI performance than its M4-powered predecessor. Running iPadOS 26, the device adds AI-enhanced creative tools, faster multitasking and an Ultra Retina XDR display with tandem OLED technology for improved brightness and efficiency. The device is offered in 11-inch and 13-inch variants.

Meanwhile, the new 14-inch MacBook Pro version offers up to 3.5x faster AI performance and 1.6x faster graphics while maintaining up to 24 hours of battery life.

The upgraded Vision Pro headset, replacing the M2 processor from its first-generation model, offers sharper visuals, improved battery life and boosted refresh rates of up to 120Hz. Apple stated the new silicon significantly enhances the device’s ability to handle advanced augmented reality and AI tasks.

The iPhone-maker also introduced an updated head strap to address user feedback about weight and comfort during extended use. Apple’s Vision Pro has struggled to gain mass-market traction due to its $3,499 price tag, where rivals such as Meta Platforms are gaining momentum with more affordable products such as the new Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses.

All devices are available to preorder immediately and will begin shipping on October 22, retailing with the same price tag as previous generations.

The post Apple revamps Vision Pro with new M5 Chip appeared first on Mobile World Live.

The news agency said the range to be produced in Vietnam includes security cameras and a display designed to control appliances and serve as a home command centre.

Its partnership with the EV carmaker also will increase production of iPads in Vietnam. Apple’s partners currently assemble Macs, iPads, AirPods and Apple Watches in the country.

Starting production of a new product line outside of China is a major shift for Apple, which has generally moved assembly out of the mainland to lower-cost locations, Bloomberg stated.

Since the US imposed new tariffs on China in March, Apple has accelerated its shift in manufacturing away from its base in the mainland.

In addition to its moves in Vietnam, Apple significantly boosted production of iPhones in India over the past year, with the country becoming the largest source of smartphones shipped to the US in Q2, overtaking China for the first time.

The post Apple partners BYD to build new gear in Vietnam appeared first on Mobile World Live.

According to the company’s latest Global Secondary Smartphone Market report, while sales across the US, Europe and Japan were largely flat with average growth of 1 per cent year-on-year, emerging regions such as Africa, India, Southeast Asia, Latin America and China posted stronger gains of around 4 per cent.

Africa recorded the fastest growth at 6 per cent, driven by the entry of organised refurbishers, improved supply chain integration and supportive government initiatives. Apple led the region with 7 per cent growth on the back of demand for iPhone 13 and newer models, while Samsung rose 4 per cent due to aggressive Galaxy trade-in promotions.

Meanwhile, India’s pre-owned smartphone market expanded 5 per cent, with Apple surging 19 per cent to the second position behind Samsung. Growing consumer appetite for premium refurbished devices and organised buy-back initiatives across retail and online platforms bolstered second-hand smartphones sales, with Samsung’s Galaxy S22 and S23 models among the top-selling models in India. Counterpoint noted that improved consumer trust in online C2C marketplaces and reduced reliance on Chinese imports strengthened local ecosystems.

Southeast Asia matched India’s growth rate at 5 per cent as Apple captured nearly half the market with 15 per cent growth while Samsung recorded a 3 per cent decline. Refurbished iPhone 12 and 13 models dominated sales across the region.

Rising costs
In contrast, established markets saw limited movement amid rising operational costs, market fragmentation, export declines and regulatory uncertainty. Europe grappled with profitability challenges and tariff-related uncertainty from US President Donald Trump’s controversial trade policies. Meanwhile, the US market remained cautious by maintaining robust inventories of spare parts, while Japan’s pre-owned programs gained traction through certified carrier-backed initiatives.

Globally, Apple’s iPhone 12 and 13 series remain the top refurbished sellers, though Samsung’s Galaxy S range is expected to pick up pace in select markets including the US later this year as demand rises.

The post Africa, India drive pre-owned smartphone surge appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Cook, on his second trip to China this year, posted on Weibo he is excited to announce the iPhone Air will be available in the mainland with orders opening on Friday (17 October).

The devices requires the use of eSIM technology and does not have the capability for a physical alternative.

Apple unveiled the iPhone Air, along with other products, in mid-September but was forced to delay the launch in China as operators required approval from authorities to use eSIMs.

China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom recently secured clearance from regulators to start trials of eSIM services.

In another post, Cook noted more than 90 per cent of its manufacturing in the country is now powered by renewable energy.

On his trip, the executive met with Kasing Lung, the Hong Kong-born artist who created the popular toy character Labubu, in Shanghai.

The post Apple moves ahead with iPhone Air China launch appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Puzder told the Financial Times the US would make formal submissions to the European Commission (EC), calling for greater clarity on whether the laws discriminate against US companies. “While the legislation may look facially neutral, I think that if the intent is to inflict economic pain on competitors outside of Europe to help European companies, that’s something that the United States would object to vehemently,” he said.

“We’re going to need to sit down and go through these acts with some care,” he stated, adding, “no US president can sit back and allow these kinds of infringements on Americans’ fundamental rights or, in fact, on American companies”.

The EC is currently running a public consultation, due to close on 14 October, on simplifying aspects of its digital legislation. The EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which came into force in 2022, aims to curb the dominance of big tech companies, with non-compliance carrying penalties of up to 10 per cent of global turnover.

However, the legislation has sparked backlash from major US players including Apple, Meta Platforms and Google. Last week, the iPhone maker called on the EU to repeal the DMA, stating the law is doing “the opposite” of what was promised by reducing choice, harming innovation and delaying feature rollouts for European users.

“The DMA should be repealed while a more appropriate fit for purpose legislative instrument is put in place,” Apple told the EC.

The watchdog stated it has no plans to repeal the DMA and has long maintained that the legislation applies based on a company behaviour and compliance rather than its origin.

The post US increases heat on EU over digital rules appeared first on Mobile World Live.

In a move that steps up an escalating row between the US technology giant and the bloc’s regulators, Apple issued a fiery response to the European Commission (EC) which asked for routine feedback from companies and EU citizens about the law’s effects.

“The DMA should be repealed while a more appropriate fit for purpose legislative instrument is put in place,” Apple stated in response to the EC.  

The DMA entered into force in 2022 with the goal of curbing big tech dominance and promoting smaller players, with the EC threatening fines of up to 10 per cent of global revenue from companies that do not comply.

Apple was fined €570 million in April following an investigation into app store practices, and in June the company announced sweeping changes to its policies.

In a related statement on the DMA’s impact, Apple opened up further: “Regulators claimed the DMA would promote competition and give European consumers more choices. But the law is not living up to these promises. In fact, it’s having some of the opposite effects.”

Apple singled out
Apple argued that when features are delayed or unavailable, “EU users don’t get the same options as users in the rest of the world”. Secondly, it pointed out there was less differentiation because Apple was being forced to build features and technologies for non-Apple products, making options available to European consumers more similar.

“For instance, the changes to app marketplaces are making iOS look more like Android – and that reduces choice.”

Thirdly, it stated the DMA’s rules only apply to Apple, even though Samsung is the smartphone leader in Europe and Chinese companies are growing fast.

Instead of rewarding Apple for leading the way in building a unique, innovative ecosystem “that others have copied”, the DMA “singles Apple out while leaving our competitors free to continue as they always have”.

It also pointed to delays in introducing new features to the EU, such as live translation on AirPods and iPhone mirroring because of EU rules around interoperability.

“The DMA means the list of delayed features in the EU will probably get longer. And our EU users’ experience on Apple products will fall further behind,” added Apple.

The post Apple calls on EU to repeal DMA rules appeared first on Mobile World Live.

The SVP of Apple’s worldwide marketing used the retail launch of its latest products to launch the assault on regulator the European Commission (EC), BBC News and The Irish Independent reported.

BBC News reported Joswiak said the EC’s stance is dangerous. He apparently reiterated Apple’s long-held arguments any clampdown on its processes would harm consumers by hampering innovation and lessening security.

Apple was fined €570 million in April after the EC deemed its walled garden approach breaches elements of the DMA and has butted heads with the authority in various related areas for some time.

The Irish Independent explained the executive discussed the situation during a briefing in Apple’s home US state of California, with a recent block on a live translation feature included with its latest-generation AirPods apparently stirring up tensions.

BBC News stated the EC rejected an Apple call to drop an interoperability requirement relating to iPhones on 19 September, the same day its latest products went on sale in many countries.

Motown hit
Apple used the retail availability of its latest iPhone, Watch and AirPods to open its first store in the centre of the city of Detroit, Michigan, an event attended by CEO Tim Cook (pictured, right).

The vendor called the move “momentous” and lined the store up as one of many where enthusiasm for the latest products ran high.

Apple’s Detroit store may hold special significance for Joswiak, who graduated with a BSc in computer engineering from the University of Michigan in 1986, the same year he commenced his career with the vendor.

The post Apple SVP takes fresh aim at EU appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Reuters reported Apple applied AI models to sensor data for the notification feature, which is compatible with models dating back to the Watch Series 9.

The news site explained the iPhone-maker used AI to analyse the data from 100,000 people enrolled in a heart and movement study launched in 2019.

Reuters stated the AI models can determine if the signal data from the devices’ heart-related sensor could be matched with traditional blood pressure measurements.

Apple also apparently used multiple layers of machine learning to develop an algorithm which was then validated by a study of 2,000 participants.

It also notifies users to confirm blood pressure with traditional cuffs and consult healthcare professionals.

The feature has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration.

Apple plans to deploy the feature in over 150 countries, with experts noting its potential to aid early detection of hypertension and reduce related-health risks, while cautioning it is not a substitute for professional diagnosis. 

In 2023, Apple stopped selling two models of its Apple Watch, due to a patent ruling against the company by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) that was brought to bear by medical devices firm Masimo.

The post Apple taps into AI to power blood pressure alerts appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Bloomberg reported Walker was in charge of revamping Siri until Apple shifted oversight to software chief Craig Federighi in March.

The news site reported the same month Walker told team members a delay in releasing new AI features for Siri was ugly and embarrassing.

Updating Siri to better compete against assistants from Amazon and Google is reportedly a top priority for Apple.

It faced several delays for improving Siri with new AI-enabled features.

Apple stated in March features teased in June 2024 to allow Siri to tap users’ personal information and have more control of apps had been delayed, with a release planned sometime “in the coming year”.

It overhauled the management team in charge of redesigning Siri to include employees from its Vision Pro software group in April.

Walker’s LinkedIn profile shows his job title as senior director, answers, knowledge and information.

Bloomberg noted Walker still has a large role in developing Apple’s AI strategy despite the reduction in his duties and staff.

The news site stated he is working on a new AI-enabled web search system to compete against OpenAI and Perplexity.

The post Former Apple Siri chief Walker to depart appeared first on Mobile World Live.