Apple had a full and challenging February despite not launching any new devices. There was a legal tussle between Apple and AliveCor, a company that accused Apple of infringing on its patents for heart rate monitoring. The International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled that Apple Watch sales should be banned in the US, but the 60-day Presidential Review period went by without President Biden stepping in. Apple disagreed with the ITC’s ruling and won a court argument, prompting AliveCor to appeal. Despite the ban, it cannot be enforced until all appeals are heard.
The changing attitude towards big tech companies, including Apple, was evident when President Biden called for antitrust action against tech firms during the State of the Union address. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) also suggested forcing Apple and Google to have multiple third-party app stores. It was revealed that Apple’s lobbying efforts led to the weakening of New York’s Right to Repair legislation, sparking criticism despite Apple being considered the most admired company in the world.
On a positive note, Apple recognized the unionization of its staff in Glasgow and successfully avoided mass layoffs during a difficult economic climate. Elsewhere, Apple suppliers in India announced plans to double their local workforce. However, a fire at Apple’s Lightning cable factory in India’s Tirupati district impacted operations.
Jony Ive, a prominent figure in Apple’s history, took on two significant design projects for King Charles’s coronation and Comic Relief charity. Apple’s revamped HomePod was also well-received by both consumers and repair engineers.
Despite these positive developments, Apple faces challenges, such as a potential $39 billion fine from the European Union over alleged antitrust practices with Apple Music, and a $12.12 million fine paid to Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) for alleged App Store abuses. These legal issues will likely drag on for an extended period.
