Apple's Multibillion Dollar Deal

More components will now be made in the United States

Brandon Butch
May 26, 2023

Good morning! ☀️ *Tim Cook voice*

More big iOS 17 features revealed, Apple is becoming more USA-made, Netflix is losing it, iOS 16.6, and more.

Estimated reading time: 3.7 minutes

📊 Poll

Last week, I asked if you’ve ever used a VR headset..

Honestly surprised so many have NOT used a VR headset!

Here were some of my favorite replies:

“Oculus 2. I can only wear it for 30 minutes or I start to develop a headache. The device sits & collects dust. Even my teenage kids ignore the Oculus like it's a parent.” Headaches/Nausea seem to be the most common problems. I’d imagine that’s something Apple is aiming to prevent.

“Very cool technology & immersive experiences, but the “wow” factor wore off quickly and I’ve barely touched my headset in the past 3 years. It’ll be tough for any company to sell such an expensive product when it’s hard to get a lot of practical use out of it.” I agree, and I think Apple is going to have to focus on the practical/daily use aspect in order to sell this headset at scale. Gaming isn’t enough.

“I used one for medical purposes. Was used as an aid in physical therapy“ Wow, I did not even know this was a thing. I bet Apple taps into this market as well.

“I use my oculus quest 2 everyday. I play modded beat saber, it’s a really good workout!” I love Beat Saber!

This week: For your next iPhone, how much storage will you need? And why?

How Much iPhone Storage Do You Need?

🚨 iOS 17 Has Some Surprises

While we were never expecting much from iOS 17, Mark Gurman just dropped some big news that finally gets me excited for the next big update! Here’s what he said to expect:

Smart Display

A locked iPhone in landscape mode will display information such as calendar appointments, the weather, and notifications
This is for always-on display devices
Will be reminiscent of smart home-displays

Journaling App & Mood Tracking

New default Journaling app is coming
It will analyze what each user's typical day is like, and could integrate with a mood tracking feature that Apple also has planned for iOS 17
The emotion tracking app will let users keep track of their mood, answer questions about their day, and view the results over time

AirPlay, SharePlay, Wallet, Find My

Apple is working with hotels to “make it easier for users to beam video and audio to devices they don’t own” via AirPlay
SharePlay is a total flop feature imo, but Gurman says it’ll get improved with iOS 17
Wallet will apparently get a “significant” update
Find My will also be improved

So these features sound pretty solid to me, but I’m still waiting to hear about the Control Center changes. I think that will be one of the headlining changes with iOS 17.

June 5th, hurry up!

🇺🇸 Apple’s Huge New Partnership

Apple just expanded their partnership with Broadcom in a new, multibillion-dollar deal. Here’s what you need to know about it:

Apple already works with Broadcom to make Wi-Fi and Bluetooth tech for the iPhone, but this new deal is for building out 5G components
This does not include the modem, as Apple is likely still working on their own in-house modem. This is expected in 2025
Apple says this deal is part of a $430 billion plan to invest in US spending over the next five years

Through this collaboration, Broadcom will develop 5G radio frequency components — including FBAR filters — and cutting-edge wireless connectivity components.

The FBAR filters will be designed and built in several key American manufacturing and technology hubs, including Fort Collins, Colorado, where Broadcom has a major facility.

Apple, PR

Let’s not forget, Apple is said to be developing a multipurpose wireless chip that combines cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity into a single package.

But since we’re likely still years away from that, Apple will rely on Broadcom's wireless (and Qualcomm's cellular) technologies in its products.

And if you’re wondering if the iPhone will ever be fully USA-made..well, I doubt it. It just simply wouldn’t make sense for Apple profit-wise.

Once everything is done in-house, maybe. But until then, don’t count on it.

🔐 Netflix is Cracking Down

We knew it was coming, but now Netflix has begun cracking down on password sharing - and it’s worse than we thought.

If you share your Netflix password with people outside of your household, you now have to pay for that
It costs an additional $8/month and you can only add one person outside of your household (or 2 if you have the most expensive plan)
You can only add additional users if subscribed to the Netflix Standard plan or higher
Extra members will get their own account & password

Wanna know what really sucks about this? If Netflix sees an uptick in profitability after the wave of backlash passes, other streaming services will copy this model.

I have to ask, and be honest, do you pay for your own Netflix account, or do you use a family or friend’s account? Vote below!

Do You Pay For Netflix?

PS: The new Max streaming service also launched this week, replacing HBO Max. You can check out the app here.

✅ iOS 16.6 Comes with This Feature

Contact Key Verification Alert in iOS 16.6

The first Beta of iOS 16.6 dropped last Friday and while it isn’t expected to be a big update, it will include one new feature we’ve been hearing about since last year: Contact Key Verification.

Lets Apple device owners verify that they are messaging the person they think they are, rather than a malicious bad actor who could have intercepted a message.
If the iPhone detects sus activity, you will get an alert
Designed for government, journalists, and others who are prone to malicious digital attacks

So not a feature many of us will care about, but it’s still cool to see it come to the iPhone and iMessage.

I would expect iOS 16.6 to release to everybody in July, likely right after the iOS 17 Beta is pushed out to Public Beta testers.

🤑 I Spent $1000 on an AirPods Case

Taken on my Sony A7IV

I joked about it last week, but now I have the Hermès AirPods Pro case!

Here are my thoughts after using the most expensive AirPods case I’ll ever touch.

Unboxing experience was exquisite. Truly feels like luxury
It’s made of Swift calfskin and I have to say, this is the softest leather I have ever touched (maybe that’s because I rarely buy nice things 🤣)
It comes in various colors but this Blue pops even more than I imagined, and it matches with mostly everything
The adjustable strap to wear as a necklace or crossbody is cool, but not my style
I’m afraid to take it out in public because I’m worried about dropping it

It’s designer, so of course it’s not worth the $990 price tag..but it’s still damn good lookin’!

Regardless, I only bought this to share on social media & with you guys, so you’re welcome 🤣. Now I have to return it & worry about it getting lost in transit.

Anyways, if you want to pick one up for yourself, here you go.