Chapter 1: Super Bowl Highlights

Did you catch Apple's halftime show at the Super Bowl? While I missed it live, I made sure to watch the highlights the next day. The performance was truly impressive, even if I'm not a huge fan of Rhianna.

To kick off this week's discussion, let’s dive into the behind-the-scenes details of Apple’s grand show.

As soon as Apple was approached for the halftime slot, they jumped at the chance, signing a multi-year deal worth $250 million after Pepsi stepped back. The Super Bowl's halftime show is arguably the most coveted 12 minutes of media exposure, aligning perfectly with Apple's brand strategy.

Oliver Schusser, the vice president of Apple Music and Beats, remarked, "It felt like a no-brainer for us. It was the right moment."

True to their style, Apple maximized this opportunity by building excitement over several weeks. They featured Rhianna on various platforms, including podcasts, exclusive wallpapers, and remixes, even showcasing her on Shazam.

Interestingly, this garnered far more attention than the Grammy Awards, which only attracted 12.4 million viewers, compared to the 113 million who tuned in for the Super Bowl performance.

Chapter 2: Jony Ive's New Ventures

A few weeks ago, I shared that Jony Ive, Apple's former design chief, was tapped to create a red nose for the UK charity Comic Relief. His latest project is an emblem for King Charles’s coronation, set for May.

Although he officially departed from Apple in June 2019, many believe his engagement with the company waned long before that. Accusations arose that his recent designs favored aesthetics over functionality, and his current projects are distinctly non-tech-related.

The royal family revealed the coronation emblem through a tweet, which will be featured throughout various celebrations in May.

Chapter 3: Delays in Apple's AR/VR Headset Launch

The anticipated launch of Apple's AR/VR headset has faced yet another setback. Initially, Apple aimed to showcase the headset in the spring; however, insiders indicate that ongoing hardware and software issues have pushed the timeline back.

This delay raises questions about whether a spring event will still occur. The headset was intended to be the star attraction, and without it, Apple may resort to a simple press release for the Mac Pro instead of a grand event.

Now, the focus shifts to unveiling the Apple Vision at WWDC in June.

Chapter 4: The Economic Landscape

While Apple has largely avoided substantial job cuts, recent reports suggest that they are laying off hundreds of contractors. This move contradicts earlier assurances given to contractors about job security.

CEO Tim Cook has labeled layoffs as a "last resort," but since contractors are hired through third parties, this strategy allows Apple to reduce its workforce without the complications of severance or legal issues.

Chapter 5: The AI Debate

AI is a prominent topic these days, and Apple has entered the conversation by launching audiobooks narrated by AI voices instead of human voice actors. These books are clearly labeled as AI-narrated to prevent confusion.

To expedite this process, Apple partnered with Findaway Voices, a leading audiobook distributor. However, this practice has drawn criticism from voice actors who feel their voices are being exploited. Following complaints from SAG-AFTRA, Apple and Findaway agreed to halt uploads of audiobooks meant for machine learning.

Chapter 6: Tech in Politics

It seems even politicians can’t resist the allure of Apple products. Labour Deputy Leader Angela Rayner recently faced scrutiny for purchasing AirPods and an iPad Pro using taxpayer funds. In her defense, she stated that these tools are essential for her role as an MP and are completely transparent.

Chapter 7: Celebrating the Apple Lisa

This week marks the 40th anniversary of the Apple Lisa, the company's first GUI-based computer. The Computer History Museum celebrated this milestone with presentations from original team members.

Despite its revolutionary design and a hefty price tag of $9,995 (approximately $23,000 today), the Lisa was met with a lukewarm reception due to its slow processor and drive issues. Nonetheless, it significantly impacted the computing industry with its innovative graphical operating system.

Chapter 8: Future Display Speculations

Rumors have circulated regarding Apple’s plans for a new large mini-LED display, but recent tweets from panel expert Ross Young suggest that mass production is far off. This is disappointing, given the exciting specs that have been hinted at.

Young speculates that the earliest we might see this new display will be late this year.

Chapter 9: Powering Up for the Future

In a surprising move, Apple is significantly increasing its data center capacity this year, tripling it and boosting its power capacity by 233% to reach 2GW. This surge in capacity could indicate that Apple is preparing for something substantial on the horizon.

Could this be a hint that Apple plans to introduce a service to compete with ChatGPT?

And with that thought, I’ll sign off and let you enjoy your weekend. As for me, I’m looking forward to binge-watching the latest episodes of Shrinking and Truth Be Told, and perhaps catching Apple's major movie release, Sharper, starring Julianne Moore, Sebastian Stan, and John Lithgow.

Stay tuned for next week’s updates!

Chapter 10: Subscribe for More Insights

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The first video showcases a 24-hour experience wearing Apple's Vision Pro headset, providing insights into its features and usability.

The second video discusses the end of E3, the lackluster sales of PSVR 2, and various delays in the gaming industry, offering a comprehensive overview of recent developments.