Apple iPhone: 10 years down, CEO says the “best is yet to come”

By tech2 News Staff /  09 Jan 2017 , 08:45

Today marks the 10th anniversary of Apple’s iPhone, a device that many consider to be a game changer in the smartphone space. While the iPhone has changed a lot in the past ten years, Apple CEO Tim Cook on the occassion of the iPhone’s 10th anniversary, said that “The best is yet to come.”

Apple commemorated the 10 anniversary of its hero product, by reminiscing about how Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone to the world, “a widescreen iPod with touch controls, a revolutionary mobile phone and a breakthrough internet communications device.” The company has sold billions of iPhone units since then turning the iPhone into a platform of with its own unique hardware and software services along with integration of other Apple exclusive features.

The company in a presser also mentioned that its iPhone inspired new products like the iPad and the Apple Watch and of course all of those apps that come from a unified iOS App Store.

“iPhone is an essential part of our customers’ lives, and today more than ever it is redefining the way we communicate, entertain, work and live,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “iPhone set the standard for mobile computing in its first decade and we are just getting started. The best is yet to come.”

“It is amazing that from the very first iPhone through to today’s newest iPhone 7 Plus, it has remained the gold standard by which all other smartphones are judged. For many of us, iPhone has become the most essential device in our lives and we love it,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing.

“iPhone is how we make voice and FaceTime calls, how we shoot and share Live Photos and 4K videos, how we listen to streaming music, how we use social media, how we play games, how we get directions and find new places, how we pay for things, how we surf the web, do email, manage our contacts and calendars, how we listen to podcasts, watch TV, movies and sports, and how we manage our fitness and health. iPhone has become all of these things and more. And I believe we are just getting started.”

While it may sound like a pretty picture, the iPhone, Apple’s hero product after the iPod is indeed losing steam. Sales have been slowing down and CEO Tim Cook recently took a pay cut following what was the first sales slump in 15 years. Indeed all eyes are on the special 10 anniversary iPhone (codenamed ‘Ferrari’)that is expected to showcase exotic technologies, which should help Apple keep the sales momentum going till the next year’s iPhone that is expected to be a complete redesign.

Apple team to meet government panel on 25 January to discuss its plans for manufacturing in India

  08 Jan 2017 , 12:18

A team of the US-based iPhone maker Apple will meet a group of senior officials from ministries, including IT and finance, on 25 January to discuss its demands for setting up a manufacturing unit in the country.

Officials from departments of commerce, industrial policy and promotion (DIPP), revenue, environment and forest, electronics and information technology (DeITY) will take part in the deliberations.

In a communication to the government, the Cupertino-based technology major has asked for several tax and other incentives, including long-term duty exemptions, to enter the manufacturing sector in India.

(Also Read: Apple demands for tax concessions and sops could adversely affect Make In India campaign)

However, the sources said the technology major should set up the manufacturing unit in India without seeking additional support.

As many as 42 companies are making mobile phones in India, including Chinese firm Huawei and Xiaomi, and no firm has approached the government for any additional incentives.

Currently, the government provides support by way of benefits under the Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (MSIPS) to boost electronic manufacturing.

The scheme offers financial incentives to offset disability and attract investments in the electronics hardware segment. It also gives subsidy for investments in special economic zones, among other benefits.

Apple’s products are manufactured in six countries, including Korea, Japan and the US.

Earlier, the finance ministry in May had rejected relaxing the 30 per cent domestic sourcing norms as sought by the iPhone and iPad maker as a pre-condition of bringing in FDI to set up single-brand retail stores in the country.

The company had sought exemption on the ground that it makes state-of-the-art and cutting-edge technology products for which local sourcing is not possible.

The government had also turned down the firm’s proposal to import refurbished phones and sell them in India.

The company sells its products through Apple-owned retail stores in countries like China, Germany, the US, the UK and France, among others. It has no wholly-owned store in India and sells its products through distributors such as Redington and Ingram Micro.

The government has announced incentives to promote electronic manufacturing in India and reduce the import bill.

PTI