2024-09-07 15:00:00
As has become customary in MacMagazineevery first Saturday of the month we list here some of the hottest topics that happened in the world of Apple and technology in the past month.
This time, it won’t be any different: we’ll highlight some of the rumors that have been circulating, controversies related to certain social networks (
) and what to expect from Apple’s special event, which will take place the day after tomorrow.
Financial results
On the first day of August, Apple revealed its financial results for the third fiscal quarter 2024which was completed on June 29.
The main information passed on by the company to investors was its revenue of US$85.8 billion (an increase of 5% compared to the same period last year), within which US$21.5 billion were net profit and US$1,40 in earnings per diluted share â numbers above what Wall Street analysts expected.
Among the fastest growing sectors were the iPad, with US$7.2 billion in revenue (+24%) and Services, which raised US$24.2 billion(+14%).
To understand these numbers a little better, we have separated some graphs showing comparisons with previous quarters.
Mac mini even more⊠mini!
When Apple transitioned its Mac lineup from older Intel processors to the Apple Silicon (started in 2020), some Mac models were soon updated with a new design more aligned with a new visual language.
One of the Macs that didn’t get this makeover, however, was the Mac mini, which remains to this day with the design that debuted in mid-2010.
However, more recent rumors indicate that the Mac mini should finally receive a new design, which should have a much smaller casing than the current one, approaching the size of an Apple TV â although a little taller (about 3.58 cm in height).
According to rumors, two models are expected: the entry-level one, with chip M4 and a more powerful version, equipped with the upcoming processor âM4 Proââ both with a minimum of 16GB of unified memory (if everything goes well).
In terms of ports, these new Mac minis will, for the first time, be able to say goodbye to USB-A ports, in favor of up to five USB-C ports (three on the back and two on the front) â plus, of course, an HDMI port and a 3.5mm audio output.
Information from Apple’s supply chain has indicated that these new Macs should arrive by the end of the year (perhaps at an event in October, with a launch in November), along with updated versions of the iMac and of the MacBooks Pro â all with M4 line processors.
Robot a is iPad
Rumors of a smart home device that looks like an iPad with a hinged stand continue to swirl. Now, new information is corroborating the rumors.
Apparently, Apple has already allocated hundreds of people to work on this device, which should cost around US$1.000you will have access to Apple Intelligence and the ability to tilt the screen up/down and rotate it 360Âș.
Image: MacRumors
As part of its functions, it would allow the user to control smart home devices, make video calls and respond to voice commands, âfollowingâ the user around the environment. The device would also run a modified version of iPadOS, making it even more similar to its portable sibling.
Despite skepticism among company executives about the need for such a device, Apple is reportedly committed to leveraging its smart home product portfolio (with even more robots on the horizon). The idea, it’s worth noting, would be to launch this “robot iPad” sometime between 2026 and 2027.
Google monopolist
Speaking now about legal imbroglios, last month the American judge Amit Mehtahas decided to declare that the agreements between Google and Apple, which ensure that the Mountain View giant remains the default search engine on Apple devices, violate the country’s antitrust laws.
He concluded that these agreements harm both competition (by discouraging the growth of alternative search engines) and the companies themselves (Apple and Google), because while Google maintains control of around 95% of searches on smartphones, Apple has no interest in developing its own search engine.
Just to give you an idea, in 2022, Google paid US$20 billion to Apple to remain as the default search engine on the brand’s devices. Therefore, this is a decision that will also hurt (although only slightly) Apple’s pockets.
The decision is considered a victory for the United States Department of Justice (DoJ)but it is not yet complete. Google argues that its success is due to the quality of its services and has promised to appeal.
In any case, the case has now entered the sanctions phase, which will define the measures to be adopted to reduce the company’s influence. You can check out this article that explains some of these possibilities in more detail.
X suspended in Brazil
Certainly the most talked about topic in the world of technology in the last month was the minister’s decision Alexander de Moraesof the Federal Supreme Court (STF), to block the social network X (formerly Twitter) in Brazil.
The decision, taken on August 30 and implemented on September 2, led to access to the social network being blocked in the country until the company complies with three requirements:
- Block profiles with antidemocratic or criminal content;
- Pay the accumulated fines, which exceed R$18 million;
- Appoint a legal representative in the country.
A fine of R$50 milper day was decreed for those who decide to use a VPN 1 to access the social network, although it was not clear how these users would be tracked.
This all happened just days after X announced the closure of its Brazilian office operations, motivated by a âsecret orderâ from the Brazilian government. In addition, the company claimed that the minister had threatened to arrest the networkâs legal representative in Brazil for failing to comply with court orders, including the imposition of a daily fine of R$20,000.
The fact is that this fight had a big beneficiary: the competing social network Bluesky which topped the app store rankings last week. Weâll just have to wait and see how this story unfoldsâŠ
Special event coming soon!
Last but not least, Apple announced a few weeks ago that it will hold its traditional September special event next Monday (9/9). Titled âItâs Glowtimeâ (or âTime to shineâ in Portuguese), the event promises to bring a series of important announcements.
The biggest of these, of course, would be the âiPhones 16â, which, in addition to being expected to receive the much-speculated new âCapture buttonâ and larger screens on the Pro models, now appear to come in a bronze hue (replacing the blue Titanium), and fast charging of up to 40W.
In addition to the iPhones, Apple is also promising a worthy celebration for the tenth anniversary of the announcement of the first Apple Watch. The infamous new model could feature larger screens and perhaps the first visual change to the watch in years (or not). New models are also expected AirPods .
The event will take place at 14h(BrasĂlia time, equivalent to10hin Cupertino and at18hin Lisbon), at the Steve Jobs Theater, directly from Apple Park. But of course you can follow the full coverage of it here on MacMagazineboth on the website and on our YouTube channel.
So, anyone excited? 
Footnotes
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