Apple Inc - AAPL STOCK NEWS

Apple has unveiled the new Mac Studio, its most powerful Mac to date, featuring the M4 Max and M3 Ultra chips. The desktop computer offers groundbreaking performance with Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, up to 512GB unified memory, and up to 16TB SSD storage in a compact design.

The M4 Max version delivers up to 3.5x faster performance than its M1 Max predecessor, featuring up to 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU, and 128GB unified memory. The M3 Ultra model pushes capabilities further with up to 32-core CPU, 80-core GPU, and unprecedented 512GB unified memory support.

Key improvements include Thunderbolt 5 ports with 120 Gb/s transfer speeds, support for up to eight Pro Display XDRs, and enhanced AI capabilities, allowing it to run large language models with over 600 billion parameters. The new Mac Studio will be available from March 12, starting at $1,999.

Apple has unveiled its most powerful chip ever, the M3 Ultra, featuring groundbreaking performance improvements and innovative technologies. The chip combines two M3 Max dies using UltraFusion technology, integrating 184 billion transistors.

Key specifications include a 32-core CPU (24 performance cores and 8 efficiency cores), delivering up to 1.5x performance of M2 Ultra and 1.8x of M1 Ultra. The 80-core GPU offers up to 2x faster performance than M2 Ultra and 2.6x faster than M1 Ultra.

Notable features include support for up to 512GB unified memory, Thunderbolt 5 connectivity with 120 Gb/s data transfer speeds, and enhanced AI capabilities supporting large language models with over 600 billion parameters. The chip includes dedicated media engines capable of playing back up to 22 streams of 8K ProRes 422 video.

Apple has unveiled its new MacBook Air featuring the advanced M4 chip, introducing a new sky blue color option and a reduced starting price of $999 ($100 less than before). The laptop offers up to 18 hours of battery life, a new 12MP Center Stage camera, and support for up to two external 6K displays.

The M4-powered MacBook Air delivers significant performance improvements, including a 10-core CPU, up to 10-core GPU, and support for up to 32GB unified memory. It's up to 2x faster than the M1 model and 23x faster than Intel-based MacBook Air. Performance upgrades include 4.7x faster spreadsheet calculations, 8x faster video editing, and 3.6x faster photo editing compared to Intel models.

Available in 13-inch and 15-inch models, the new MacBook Air features macOS Sequoia with Apple Intelligence, including ChatGPT integration and enhanced privacy features. Pre-orders start today with availability beginning March 12, 2025. The device maintains its thin, light design while incorporating over 55% recycled content.

Apple has unveiled the new iPad Air featuring the powerful M3 chip, available in 11-inch ($599) and 13-inch ($799) models. The device offers significant performance improvements, being nearly 2x faster than the M1 version and up to 3.5x faster than the A14 Bionic model.

Key features include a 35% faster CPU, 40% faster graphics performance, and a 60% faster Neural Engine compared to M1. The new iPad Air supports Apple Intelligence with features like Clean Up tool in Photos and Image Wand in Notes. It's compatible with the new Magic Keyboard, now available at a lower price point starting at $269 for the 11-inch model.

Pre-orders begin March 4, with availability starting March 12. The device comes in blue, purple, starlight, and space gray, with storage options from 128GB to 1TB. Apple also announced an updated base iPad with the A16 chip and doubled storage, starting at $349.

Apple has announced a historic $500 billion investment commitment in the United States over the next four years. The company will expand its presence across multiple states, including a new 250,000-square-foot server manufacturing facility in Houston opening in 2026 to support Apple Intelligence infrastructure.

Key initiatives include doubling the U.S. Advanced Manufacturing Fund from $5 billion to $10 billion, establishing a Manufacturing Academy in Detroit, and accelerating investments in AI and silicon engineering. The company plans to hire approximately 20,000 people, primarily focusing on R&D, silicon engineering, software development, and AI/ML.

The investment package encompasses supplier relationships across all 50 states, direct employment, data centers, corporate facilities, and Apple TV+ productions in 20 states. Apple currently supports 2.9 million jobs nationwide and has paid over $75 billion in U.S. taxes in the past five years.

Apple has announced the iPhone 16e, a more affordable addition to the iPhone 16 lineup, featuring the A18 chip and Apple's first custom-designed C1 cellular modem. The device includes a 48MP Fusion camera with 2x Telephoto capability, Apple Intelligence integration, and enhanced battery life lasting up to six hours longer than iPhone 11.

The iPhone 16e will be available in black and white, starting at $599, with storage options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. Pre-orders begin February 21, with availability from February 28. The device features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, IP68 water resistance, and supports wireless charging and USB-C connectivity.

Key features include the Action button for quick access to various functions, visual intelligence capabilities, and satellite communication features for emergency services and messaging when outside cellular coverage.

Apple has launched Apple Invites, a new iPhone app designed to help users create and manage custom event invitations. The app integrates with various Apple services, including iCloud, Apple Music, and Maps.

The app features customizable backgrounds, collaborative photo sharing through Shared Albums, and integration with Apple Music for event playlists. Users can create invitations using Image Playground and Writing Tools powered by Apple Intelligence. The service is accessible via the iPhone app or web browser at icloud.com/invites.

While iCloud+ subscribers can create invitations, anyone can RSVP regardless of whether they have an Apple Account or device. The app requires iOS 18 or later, and certain AI features are to specific iPhone models running iOS 18.2 and above in select English-speaking regions.

PanOptis has launched a campaign highlighting Apple's (AAPL) alleged practices of undermining and underpaying innovators for essential patents, particularly concerning LTE technology. The company argues that Apple's approach involves exploiting innovative technologies while implementing policies that devalue them to maximize profits.

The campaign focuses on how Apple's strategy affects companies like Qualcomm, Ericsson, Nokia, InterDigital, Samsung, LG, and Panasonic, which invest billions in cellular R&D. According to Brian Blasius, PanOptis CEO, this behavior forces patent holders to settle for royalties far below their patents' true worth due to prolonged litigation costs.

PanOptis warns that this practice could stagnate mobile technological progress and disincentivize cellular R&D investment. An appellate hearing in the U.K. is scheduled for February 25 to address fair patent payouts.

Interlink Electronics (Nasdaq: LINK) announces its participation in Southern Manufacturing & Electronics 25, taking place February 4-6, 2025, in Farnborough, England. The company will showcase its portfolio of smart printed sensor solutions, including resistive force and pressure sensors, HMI solutions, piezoelectric sensors, and electrochemical gas and environmental sensors.

The company will also present its recently acquired conductive transfer technology, which enables electronics and sensors integration into textiles and fabrics. This award-winning technology targets smart fabric and textile applications in the wearables, consumer, medical, and automotive markets, contributing to what the company calls a 'textronics' revolution.