JCB Boosts Payment Options in Apple Services Across 7 Asian Markets

<div class="layout layout--onecol"> <div class="layout__region layout__region--content"> <div class="field field--name-field-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1CKYwN" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1CKYwN.jpg"/> </div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"> <p> <strong> Customers in these seven markets can now use their cardholder status to make payments for Apple products. </strong> </p> <p> JCB cards These options have become accessible as payment methods for Apple services and the App Store in Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. </p> <p> Customers will now be able to utilize their JCB cards for transactions involving the App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV, iTunes, iCloud storage, and additional services. </p> <p> Yoshiki Kaneko, who serves as both the president and CEO of JCB International, stated that achieving this signifies a "substantial" step forward in enhancing the payment process for their cardholders. </p> <p> JCB International serves as the international division of JCB Co., Ltd., which is a prominent Japanese payment brand. </p> </div> </div> </div>

JCB Boosts Payment Options in Apple Services Across 7 Asian Markets

Customers in these seven markets can now use their cardholder status to make payments for Apple produ...

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Apple's AI Strategy Stumbles: Doubts Emerge

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1BVq1V" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1BVq1V.jpg"/> <p class="align-left"> Has Apple, the largest company globally, mishandled its generative artificial intelligence strategy? </p> <p class="align-left"> Questions arose after tech analyst John Gruber, who closely follows the company, published a scathing criticism in a blog post entitled "Something Is Rotten in the State of Cupertino"—Apple’s base of operations—earlier this month. </p> <p class="align-left"> The esteemed analyst and Apple fan expressed his frustration at having been less doubtful when the company revealed in June that its Siri chatbot would receive a significant generative AI (genAI) enhancement. </p> <p class="align-left"> The technology, set to be launched as part of the Apple Intelligence collection of iPhone software, aimed to elevate the significantly criticized voice assistant’s functionalities far beyond merely providing weather updates or configuring timers. </p> <p class="align-left"> Investors were counting on this update to kick off a crucial sales surge for the iPhone, where an enticing new feature on the device drives consumers to quickly purchase the newest and priciest versions of the phone. </p> <p class="align-left"> The anticipated enhancement of Apple Intelligence with the upgraded Siri was meant to boost demand beginning with the launch of the iPhone 16 in September. </p> <p class="align-left"> Rather than that, Apple discreetly declared on March 7th that the deeply customized version of Siri was not going to arrive as soon as anticipated. </p> <p class="align-left"> Increasing the stakes further, Amazon unveiled a new iteration of its Alexa voice assistant in February, which is driven by generative AI technology. </p> <p class="align-left"> "Extending our timeline beyond initial expectations, we expect to roll out these features over the course of this upcoming year," stated Apple. </p> <h2> Data privacy vs AI </h2> <p class="align-left"> Opinions differ regarding why Apple is struggling to capture the AI opportunity. </p> <p class="align-left"> According to Marcus Collins, who teaches marketing at the University of Michigan, Apple’s difficulties with generative AI and Siri might stem more from their emphasis on data privacy rather than an inability to innovate. </p> <p class="align-left"> To make AI personalized, it requires accessing large volumes of individual-specific information. </p> <p class="align-left"> "And Apple hasn't slowed down when it comes to privacy," Collins told AFP. </p> <p class="align-left"> However, at a certain stage, "individuals' data, contributions, and expressions are being utilized to enhance AI systems," and resolving this issue could prove more challenging than anticipated by Apple. </p> <p class="align-left"> According to tech analyst Avi Greengart, "It's somewhat disappointing that Apple has promoted Apple Intelligence extensively with theiPhone 16 launch since many of the features announced forApple Intelligenceare absent from the device." </p> <p class="align-left"> However, he warns that despite Google's Gemini AI capabilities in their Android devices being more advanced than what Apple has offered so far, consumers might not have observed significant differences. </p> <p class="align-left"> He stated that even the most advanced AI implementations on smartphones nowadays haven't essentially altered how you use your phone. </p> <p class="align-left"> Nobody has fully realized this vision yet, which buys Apple some time to close the gap—but they definitely need to do so. </p> <p class="align-left"> Nevertheless, even Apple's toughest critics argue that the company relies excessively on its past successes and the immense popularity of its iPhone. </p> <p class="align-left"> Furthermore, the setbacks concerning artificial intelligence followed shortly after the disappointing response to Apple's pricey VR device, Vision Pro, which has struggled to find an audience since its launch in 2024. </p> <p class="align-left"> Even though Apple has faced unfavorable press recently and its share price has dropped 8 percent since January, it still holds the position as the globe’s most valued firm, with its stock increasing by nearly 30 percent compared to last year at this time. </p> <p class="align-left"> Apple announced an impressive $124.3 billion in revenue for the final quarter of the fiscal year, despite the sales growth not quite meeting market forecasts. </p>

Apple's AI Strategy Stumbles: Doubts Emerge

Has Apple, the largest company globally, mishandled its generative artificial intelligence strategy? Questions arose after tech analys...

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MacBook Air M4 Hits Stores in Malaysia: Deliveries Begin This Week

<p> Apple’s latest MacBook Air for 2025 The newly launched MacBook Air, equipped with the advanced M4 chip, is now up for grabs in Malaysia. You can place your order through Apple’s Online Store. Shipments to Malaysia are scheduled to start as soon as this coming Friday. </p> <p> In addition to the upgraded processor, the latest MacBook Air comes at a more wallet-friendly price point, starting from RM4,499 for the 13-inch variant and RM5,499 for the bigger 15-inch edition. This updated MacBook Air also features a 12MP center stage camera. </p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"> The MacBook Air with M4 chip is now accessible via the Apple Online Store in Malaysia. </h2> <img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1CuTpM" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1CuTpM.jpg"/> <p> If you're keen, you could go ahead and place your order. order online The present delivery estimate is set for April 11, 2025, specifically for the Klang Valley area. However, picking up from the Apple Store at The Exchange TRX is currently unavailable. </p> <p> If you're a student or an employee in the education field, you can benefit from discounts by making your purchase through this channel. Education Store section. </p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"> Apple MacBook Air (M4) Price in Malaysia </h2> <p> The updated MacBook Air (M4) is available in four colors: Sky Blue, Silver, Starlight, and Midnight. Below is the official price list for Malaysia: </p> <p> <strong> MacBook Air 13 (M4) 2025 </strong> </p> <img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1CuQP9" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1CuQP9.jpg"/> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li> 10-core processor, 8-core graphics card, 16GB RAM + 256GB storage – <strong> RM4,499 </strong> (Education: RM4,069) </li> <li> 10-core processor, 10-core graphics card, 16GB RAM + 512GB storage – <strong> RM5,349 </strong> (Education: RM4,919) </li> <li> 10-core processor, 10-core graphics card, 24GB RAM + 512GB storage – <strong> RM6,199 </strong> (Education: RM5,769) </li> </ul> <img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1CuVy3" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1CuVy3.jpg"/> <p> <strong> MacBook Air 15 (M4) 2025 </strong> </p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li> 10-core processor, 10-core graphics card, 16GB RAM + 256GB storage – <strong> RM5,499 </strong> (Education: RM5,069) </li> <li> 10-core processor, 10-core graphics card, 16GB RAM + 512GB storage – <strong> RM6,349 </strong> (Education: RM5,919) </li> <li> 10-core processor, 10-core graphics card, 24GB RAM + 512GB storage – <strong> RM7,199 </strong> (Education: RM6,769) </li> </ul> <p> When placing an online order, you have the option to customize the memory and solid-state drive (SSD) storage choices. The MacBook Air 13" (M4) comes with up to 32GB of unified memory and 2TB of SSD storage, which can be configured at most. <strong> RM9,599 </strong> although the 15" model comes at a higher cost <strong> RM10,599 </strong> . </p> <p> You can find out more about the updates in the 2025 MacBook Air here. here . </p>

MacBook Air M4 Hits Stores in Malaysia: Deliveries Begin This Week

Apple’s latest MacBook Air for 2025 The newly launched MacBook Air, equipped with the advanced M4 chip, is now up for grabs in Malaysia....

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Why Apple's Streaming Services Are Struggling: The $1 Billion Conundrum

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/video/AA1oWzzb" data-reference="video"/> <p> Apple is reportedly losing $1 billion (€923 million) a year on its streaming service. As the last episode of the second season of its hit show ‘ <strong> Severance </strong> ’ airs this week, it’s a damning indictment of the tech firm’s Netflix competitor. </p> <p> Two sources close to the company confirmed to The Information that the tech firm has spent $5 billion (€4.62 billion) a year on Apple TV+ since it launched in 2019. </p> <div class="c-widget-related"> <div class="c-widget-related__title"> <b class="c-widget-related__title__text"> Related </b> </div> <ul class="c-widget-related__list"> <li class="c-widget-related__item"> 'Adolescence': How young men are being radicalised by social media </li> <li class="c-widget-related__item"> New James Bond film ‘fast-tracked’ by Amazon – release date and budget revealed </li> </ul> </div> <p> Apple’s huge investment into the video streaming market hasn’t reaped a similarly sized subscriber base. Despite shows like ‘Severance’ and ‘ <strong> Ted Lasso </strong> ’, it lags significantly behind competitors Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+. </p> <p> Netflix has the largest number of subscribers at just over 300 million. While Amazon Prime Video operates on a slightly different model, allowing non-subscribers access to individual titles to rent and buy, it’s estimated to have around 200 million subscribers. Disney+ also is estimated to have around 125 million subscribers. </p> <p> Although Apple hasn’t officially revealed its subscriber count, as it doesn’t release it as an individual statistic separate from other services like Apple Pay, The Information reports it at a lowly 45 million subscribers. </p> <p> Given Apple is one of the biggest companies on the planet, something is going disastrously wrong for the tech firm’s foray into video streaming content. </p> <p> It’s not like they haven't heaped piles of cash on impressive shows. Chiefly, there’s ‘Severance’. The dark sci-fi series about office workers with split consciousnesses was nominated for 14 Emmys after its first season in 2022. The Ben Stiller-produced show returned to screens this year and has immediately been in contention for the prestige TV gongs alongside ‘The White Lotus’ and ‘ <strong> Adolescence </strong> ’. </p> <div class="widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center"> <div class="widget__wrapper"> <div class="widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto"> <div class="widget__contents"> <img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1Bubas" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1Bubas.jpg"/> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p> Similarly, Apple has had other hits in shows like ‘Ted Lasso’, an upbeat football comedy series, and ‘The Morning Show’, a satire of network broadcasting shows. Across its original programming, Apple TV+ shows have earned more than 2,500 award nominations and 538 wins, Tim Cook, Apple CEO said in January. </p> <p> On the film front, Apple has also been no slouch. It achieved its first <strong> Best Picture </strong> win at the Oscars with <em> CODA </em> . It has since supported multiple high-profile directors to produce bold award season-friendly work like Martin Scorsese’s <em> Killers of the Flower Moon </em> , Ridley Scott’s <em> Napoleon </em> , and Steve McQueen’s <em> Blitz </em> . </p> <p> Yet somehow, all this money isn’t translating into subscribers. Apple is watching its investment pour straight down the drain. </p> <h2> Water cooler television </h2> <p> A major part of the problem is in the lack of social caché Apple TV+ seemingly has. Major stars sign up for expensive projects just for them to be dumped on the service without enough hype for it to drum up the kind of publicity that is innate to an HBO release. </p> <p> “Water Cooler Television” is a term in the industry to describe the kinds of shows that would leave such a widespread cultural impression, it would inevitably become the topic of conversation in offices around the world the next morning. </p> <p> Classic examples of water cooler TV are the slick big budget shows that came out of the beginning of the 21st century like ‘The Sopranos’, ‘Breaking Bad’ and most recently ‘ <strong> Succession </strong> ’. Through its decades-long reputation and weekly release schedule, HBO has been a master at capturing the ephemerality of a water cooler moment. </p> <p> ‘Severance’ is Apple’s first show that has somewhat replicated that level of cultural significance. Thanks to its deeply mysterious plot and confusing cliffhangers, each week it has become a genuine competitor for people’s attention. </p> <p> It’s the first time Apple has managed this feat though. There are countless examples of shows that had all the making of cultural impact only to land on entirely deaf ears. </p> <p> Last year, the platform premiered ‘Disclaimer’, the first TV series from Oscar-winning Mexican director <strong> Alfonso Cuarón </strong> starring <strong> Cate Blanchett </strong> Given such an illustrious lineup, it’s not surprising that the series premiered at the Venice Film Festival. However, despite Blanchett’s involvement, 'Disclaimer' failed to escape being categorized among the lackluster offerings of Apple TV+ shows. </p> <p> Adaptations of popular novels such as 'Lessons in Chemistry', 'Pachinko', and 'Shantaram' failed to gain traction. Similarly, the highly anticipated follow-up to 'Band of Brothers,' titled 'Masters of the Air,' did not manage to boost viewership. Conversely, Apple has upset audiences by prematurely canceling shows like the musical-comedy series 'Schmigadoon!', which only ran for a brief two seasons—perhaps they should rename it 'Into the Schmoods,' huh, you cowards? </p> <h2> Film figures </h2> <p> Just as streaming services are hesitant to disclose viewer numbers for their television shows, it remains difficult to assess the success of a platform’s movie releases, despite having access to box office statistics. <em> <strong> Murderers of the Blooming Moon </strong> </em> For instance, it was commercially unsuccessful, earning $158.8 million (€146.7 million) globally compared to its approximately $215 million (€198.6 million) production cost. </p> <p> <em> Napoleon </em> , which also enjoyed a theatrical run in late 2023, managed to gross about $221.4 million (€204.6 million), compared to its production budget of roughly $200 million (€184.5 million). Although trade publications suggested it did not come close to covering its costs, Apple maintained that the movie turned out to be profitable. </p> <p> Both movies directed by acclaimed filmmakers received a special opportunity typically not afforded to streaming service productions. These films had theatrical runs before being made available on the respective streaming platforms several months afterward. </p> <p> Apple is also evidently not prepared to abandon its investment in high-cost movies. This year, we can expect several highly anticipated releases. <em> F1 </em> film from <em> Top Gun: Maverick </em> director Joseph Kosinski, as well as the newest films from Guy Ritchie, Spike Lee, and Paul Greengrass. </p> <p> Concerns over cultural impact of shows dumped on streamers is not a problem solely owned by them. Time and again, Netflix releases a show to huge fanfare the week it airs only for it to fall out of conversation almost immediately. ‘Severance’, which has just been officially renewed for a third season, may see a tide change for the tech company’s nascent streaming venture. But whether Apple’s big financial gambit on streaming success will pay off remains to be seen. </p>

Why Apple's Streaming Services Are Struggling: The $1 Billion Conundrum

Apple is reportedly losing $1 billion (€923 million) a year on its streaming service. As the last episode of the second season of its hit...

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iPhone 16 Rilis 11 April 2025: Fanboy Sudah Bisa Pesan, Ini Dia Harganya di iBox dan iPhone

<p> <strong> TRIBUNPRINGAN.COM </strong> - Melalui situs web resminya yakni Apple Newsroom, perusahaan Apple dengan sah telah menyatakan tanggal rilis resmi untuk persediaan seri terkini iPhone 16 Series di pasaran Indonesia. </p> <p> Pengumuman itu mencakup informasi tentang tanggal peluncuran resmi iPhone 16 Series yang akan tersedia untuk dibeli di Indonesia sekitar dua pekan dari saat ini, yaitu pada 11 April 2025. </p> <p> Tapi menurut kutipan dari TribunNews, iBox telah memulai pemesanan awal atau pre-order untuk iPhone 16 mulai hari Jumat, tanggal 27 Maret 2025. </p> <p> Di sisi lain, informasi dalam pengumuman itu mencakup beragam jenis dan opsi warna atau varian yang akan diluncurkan di pasar dalam negeri. </p> <p> Di seri iPhone 16 yang terdiri dari iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16e, iPhone 16 Pro, serta iPhone 16 Pro Max, semuanya akan diluncurkan bagi para pembeli di Indonesia. </p> <p> Bagi opsi warnanya, iPhone 16 serta iPhone 16 Plus bisa didapatkan dalam variasi hitam, putih, pink, biru laut, dan ultramarin. Sementara itu, iPhone 16e baru tersedia dengan dua pilihan warna yakni hitam dan putih. </p> <p> Untuk seri Pro, iPhone 16 Pro serta iPhone 16 Pro Max menyediakan pilihan warna khusus yang meliputi Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, dan Desert Titanium. </p> <p> Dalam hal ruang penyimpanan, iPhone 16, iPhone 16e, dan iPhone 16 Plus menyediakan pilihan antara lain 128 GB, 256 GB, dan 512 GB. Di sisi lain, untuk model iPhone 16 Pro dan iPhone 16 Pro Max terdapat variasi kapasitas yang lebih luas yaitu mulai dari 128 GB hingga 1 TB. </p> <p> Walaupun sudah mengumumkan tanggal rilis serta beberapa jenis produknya, Apple masih belum menyampaikan detail resmi terkait harga setiap tipe dari seri iPhone 16 yang akan diluncurkan di pasar Indonesia. </p> <p> Saat ini, harga untuk seri iPhone 16 belum dipublikasikan pada halaman web resmi Apple Indonesia ataupun apple.com/id. Akan tetapi, Apple telah menginformasikan tarif standar bagi varian iPhone 16 series melalui website utama mereka di apple.com dan menggunakan nilai tukar dolar Amerika Serikat sebagai acuan. </p> <p> Berikut adalah harganya untuk setiap seri iPhone 16, seperti yang dilansir dari TribunNews.com: </p> <p> <strong> Harga iPhone 16 </strong> </p> <ul> <li> Harga dari iPhone 16 dengan kapasitas penyimpanan 128GB adalah 799 dolar AS atau kira-kiraRp 13,2 juta (dengan asumsi nilai tukar 1 dolar AS setara dengan Rp 16.580). </li> <li> Harga dari iPhone 16 dengan kapasitas penyimpanan 256 GB adalah 899 dolar AS atau kira-kira setara dengan Rp 14,9 juta. </li> <li> Harga iPhone 16 dengan kapasitas 512 GB adalah 1.099 dolar AS atau kira-kira Rp 18,2 juta. </li> </ul> <p> <strong> Harga iPhone 16e </strong> </p> <ul> <li> Harga iPhone 16e dengan kapasitas penyimpanan 128 GB adalah 599 dolar Amerika Serikat atau kira-kira setara dengan Rp 9,93 juta. </li> <li> Harga iPhone 16e dengan kapasitas penyimpanan 256 GB adalah 699 dolar Amerika Serikat atau kira-kira setara dengan 11,6 juta rupiah. </li> <li> Harga dari iPhone 16e dengan kapasitas penyimpanan 512 GB adalah 899 dolar AS atau kira-kira setara dengan Rp 14,9 juta. </li> </ul> <p> <strong> Harga iPhone 16 Pro </strong> </p> <ul> <li> Harga dari iPhone 16 Pro dengan kapasitas penyimpanan 128 GB adalah 999 dolar AS atau kira-kira setara dengan Rp 16,5 juta. </li> <li> Harga dari iPhone 16 Pro dengan kapasitas penyimpanan 256 GB adalah 1.099 dolar Amerika Serikat atau kira-kira setara dengan 18,2 juta rupiah. </li> <li> Harga dari iPhone 16 Pro dengan kapasitas penyimpanan 512 GB adalah 1.299 dolar Amerika Serikat atau kira-kira setara dengan Rp 21,54 juta. </li> <li> Harga iPhone 16 Pro dengan kapasitas penyimpanan 1 TB adalah 1.499 dolar AS atau kira-kira setara dengan Rp 24,8 juta. </li> </ul> <p> <strong> Harga untuk iPhone 16 Pro Max </strong> </p> <ul> <li> Harga dari iPhone 16 Pro Max dengan kapasitas penyimpanan 256 GB adalah 1.199 dolar Amerika Serikat atau kira-kira setara dengan Rp 19,87 juta. </li> <li> Harga iPhone 16 Pro Max dengan kapasitas penyimpanan 512 GB adalah 1.399 dolar AS atau kira-kira setara dengan Rp 23,2 juta. </li> <li> Harga dari iPhone 16 Pro Max dengan kapasitas penyimpanan 1 TB adalah 1.599 dolar AS atau kira-kira setara dengan 26,5 juta rupiah. </li> </ul> <p> <strong> Harga iPhone 16 Plus </strong> </p> <ul> <li> Harga dari iPhone 16 Plus dengan kapasitas penyimpanan 128 GB adalah 899 dolar Amerika Serikat atau kira-kira setara dengan Rp 14,9 juta. </li> <li> Harga untuk iPhone 16 Plus dengan kapasitas penyimpanan 256 GB adalah 999 dolar AS atau kira-kira setara dengan Rp 16,5 juta. </li> <li> Harga iPhone 16 Plus dengan kapasitas penyimpanan 512 GB adalah 1.199 dolar AS atau kira-kira setara dengan Rp 19,8 juta. </li> </ul> <p> (*) </p> <p> <strong> Baca artikel DIWIDAlainnya di Google News </strong> </p>

iPhone 16 Rilis 11 April 2025: Fanboy Sudah Bisa Pesan, Ini Dia Harganya di iBox dan iPhone

TRIBUNPRINGAN.COM - Melalui situs web resminya yakni Apple Newsroom, perusahaan Apple dengan sah telah menyatakan tanggal rilis resm...

Read more »