Results such as this really demonstrate the value of Apple's infrastructure and multiple revenue streams. A healthy income from multiple services on a range of device types, ensures sufficient cash to reinvest over time. It gives companies confidence and allows them to make long term predictions, plan, and react to the market in advance and be there with the next big thing.
This is at the core of why Apple is successful, not the oft touted advertising or marketing, and especially not kool aid fueled fanboyism.
It's easy to be the organic bit in front of the screen and talk about how this affects me - now. But these numbers, and others like them, are the reason we have such great products and services, because they represent the invisible process that makes it all possible, and therefore why it happens.
Today, Apple drives not just the tech industry, but all smart industries globally. Those still playing the: 'multiple choice ranges - build them cheap - sell them quick' game are ultimately doomed.
Proof of this profound statement lies in the position of Microsoft today. 10 years after Gates' departure, they are on a spiral out of existence. Sure, an annual 6.3% gain here looks good - on paper, but that arguably modest result was achieved from a much larger number of units and users than Apple has.
So they should not only have gained more, but they should be well ahead. The fact that they're not, is because they failed to build the infrastructure. And starting now, by yet again following Apple's lead and then blatantly copying them, will be too little too late.
Another fascinating lesson.
