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Apple's annual shareholders meeting took place this morning in a virtual format, allowing shareholders to vote on proposals and submit questions to Apple executives. Apple does not typically reveal product info in shareholder meetings, and 2021 was no exception. Much of what was said was a recap of the Q1 earnings results and a reiteration of Apple's policies on privacy, the environment, and other core values.

apple-park-drone-june-2018-2.jpg

Apple CEO Tim Cook told shareholders that 2020 was a period of prolific innovation. "Apple makes the best, most useful, most innovative, most trusted products out there, and this year, we took that mission to another level," said Cook.

Cook declined to provide specific details on any upcoming products, but said there are "exciting things ahead for the iPhone" and "great things ahead for computing." Apple is working on new iPhone 13 models that will follow the iPhone 12 lineup, plus there are rumors of revamped and redesigned iMacs and MacBook Pro models that will feature even more powerful Apple silicon chips.

The AirPods Max are "hugely popular with reviewers and users alike," and the HomePod mini was described as "another hit" during the holiday season.

Cook said that Apple has acquired close to 100 companies over the course of the last six years. "We're not afraid to look at acquisitions of any size," said Cook. "Focus is on small, innovative companies that complement our products and help push them forward."

On the topic of the environment, Cook said that Apple is on track to meet its "most ambitious goal yet," which is to be carbon neutral across its entire supply chain by 2030. Meeting this goal is a companywide effort and that Apple's innovations and breakthroughs are setting it apart. "We firmly believe that all companies -- if they hope to be competitive in the future -- have to begin with leadership in this area," said Cook. Apple is also aiming to make all of its products without extracting anything from the earth in the future, and the "moonshot nature" of this goal has "created enormous energy internally" to make big changes. Apple in 2020 eliminated power adapters and headphones from iPhone packaging, which the company said was done to further environmental goals and reduce waste.

"I've always believed that the time to speak out is the time when you've got something to say," said Cook on a question asking why Apple was speaking out on privacy at this time. Cook said that he hopes Apple's efforts to improve privacy both in the App Store and in apps with App Privacy labels and App Transparency requirements will be a "ripple in the pond" moving the whole industry forward. Apple continues to support a comprehensive federal privacy law in the United States and worldwide laws and international agreements to protect the "fundamental rights of privacy everywhere."

On navigating the challenges of the pandemic, Cook said that Apple is still learning new things, but the "remarkable run of innovation and creativity" is a testament to employee resilience during a trying time. Apple employees adapted and collaborated better, but Cook said there is "no substitute for meeting face to face" and that most Apple employees "can't wait" to gather in the office again.

Cook also spoke on diversity and inclusion, pay equity at Apple, Apple TV+, App Store regulation, Apple's education goals, and, interestingly, Apple's identity.
In so many ways, the world has changed, but in fundamental ways, Apple has not. Apple is made up of people who want to spend their lives making things that enrich the lives of others, making them more fulfilled, more creative, and more human. We're comfortable saying no to a lot of things and laser focused on the areas where we can have the greatest impact, innovating relentlessly. Technology made by people, for people, and with people's well being in mind. At its best and most hopeful, technology should help us leave the world better than we found it.
Looking forward to the future, Cook said that he doesn't see challenges in 2021, but opportunities that will need to be managed "creatively, intelligently, and diligently." Cook said that across the current iPhone, Mac, and Apple Watch product lineups, there's never been a set of products with a "greater degree of future potential."

Cook said that there's never been a more challenging environment that Apple has operated in than this year's pandemic, but he is optimistic about the future and Apple is always thinking about how to help communities emerge stronger, fair and equitable recovery, and "how all of that can be helped by world class technology that puts humanity at its heart."

Article Link: Tim Cook Shares Details on Acquisitions, Future of Mac and More at Shareholders Meeting
 

44267547

Cancelled
Jul 12, 2016
37,643
42,516
Apple acquired over 100 companies in a 6 year span? That’s insane. It would be interesting to know how Apple will delegate what those companies will be responsible for within Apples roadmap infrastructure.

If I had to make a guess, I suspect those companies are probably being directed towards ‘Project Titan’, A.R, display tech [Think MicroLED] and health related tech/studies like the Apple Watch.
 

satchmo

macrumors 601
Aug 6, 2008
4,606
5,035
Canada
" Cook said that across the current ‌iPhone‌, Mac, and Apple Watch product lineups, there's never been a set of products with a "greater degree of future potential."

Is this set really any different from any other time? Or is he merely alluding to the age of Apple silicon.
 

Ken88

macrumors regular
Dec 28, 2020
161
109
Apple car news? Suddenly all quiet. Hmm would be nice if Apple already come out announced spring event DATE. Argh! The torture of waiting..speaking of which I predicted few days ago it will happen March 23 because 323 look THE SAME from the front or the back ▶️3️⃣2️⃣3️⃣◀️ Check out my YouTube channel and I’d appreciate if you would subscribe to my channel. Thank you.
 

kyleh22

macrumors 6502a
Apr 26, 2012
624
781
Baltimore, MD
Cook said that Apple has acquired close to 100 companies over the course of the last six years. "We're not afraid to look at acquisitions of any size," said Cook. "Focus is on small, innovative companies that complement our products and help push them forward."
Translation: We will buy companies that pose a significant threat to our products, regardless of size.
 

DelayedGratificationGene

macrumors 6502a
Jan 11, 2020
574
1,574
Apple car news? Suddenly all quiet. Hmm would be nice if Apple already come out announced spring event DATE. Argh! The torture of waiting..speaking of which I predicted few days ago it will happen March 23 because 323 look THE SAME from the front or the back ▶️3️⃣2️⃣3️⃣◀️ Check out my YouTube channel and I’d appreciate if you would subscribe to my channel. Thank you.
Patience....some things just take time...u can’t produce a baby in one month by getting nine women pregnant...Warren Buffett billionaire folk hero...
 

BaltimoreMediaBlog

Suspended
Jul 30, 2015
1,191
2,073
DC / Baltimore / Northeast
I refuse to believe that most people buy products based on the carbon neutrality of the company. I think Apple has put way too much money in this basket. If Apple was serious about carbon neutrality, they'd manufacture products in America and hire Americans. China has no interest in carbon neutrality. I bought my iPhone simply because I think it's the best product out there for what I want.
And yes, my comment is of a political nature, but it is mentioned in the story, hence worthy of a comment.
 

flottenheimer

macrumors 65816
Jan 8, 2008
1,430
476
Up north


On the topic of the environment, ... carbon neutral across its entire supply chain by 2030. ... Apple is also aiming to make all of its products without extracting anything from the earth in the future ... Apple in 2020 eliminated power adapters and headphones from iPhone packaging, which the company said was done to further environmental goals and reduce waste.

I'd really love to see Apple apply this ambition more clearly and visibly when designing new products. I applaud what they do on the sourcing-of-materials-side and on the software-updates-for-years-side. But they could do so much more.

A few examples:
  • AirPods with replaceable batteries would have been an obvious, more environment friendly design-feature. My less than 3 years old AirPods are only able to keep charge for around 40 minutes these days. They'll end up as waste together with millions of other pairs pretty soon. Could have served me for many more years if Apple had taken the well-being of our planet more serious.*
  • Way more durable Apple iPhone silicon-cases would also be a great move. They typically break apart around the bottom after less than a year of use (4 family members with iPhones in my household).
  • Easily broken/torn cables on power adapters/chargers and EarPods are a well documented missed opportunity. Several competitors have proven their ability to make much more durable cable alternatives.
* Yes they can be replaced by Apple, but the price is almost the same as a new pair and the having-a-product-repaired-procedure is not exactly easy for users.
 

Cosmosent

macrumors 68020
Apr 20, 2016
2,315
2,694
La Jolla, CA
First, thanks for the Recap, had completely forgotten about it.

I do think Cook's definition of "prolific innovation" is completely different than mine, & probably most on this planet.

What did Apple do in CY2020 WRT Technology that people really took notice ?

From my perspective, under Cook, Apple is 90% Marketing & ONLY 10% Engineering.

There is a reason I (now) refer to Cook as "Low Tech Tim".

Here in the States, & probably most places around the world, "true" innovation occurs at the smallest companies, NOT at the biggest.

BIG companies, Apple included, monitor the innovation out of Small Companies, & try to produce their own version of whatever it is, & then tell the world, "look at what we created !"

AND BTW, ZERO chance Apple acquires ANY company, BIG or small, where the Founder AND/OR CEO has demonstrated Insight into their particular Domain.

Were that to happen, Cook knows he'd be out within six months, replaced by the new guy OR girl.

That's why Apple NEVER seriously considered ANY BIG acquisition, e.g., Netflix OR Tesla !

Egos drive ALMOST ALL business decisions inside BIG companies !

Tim is a Manufacturing Operations Efficiency Specialist.

He was fantastic under Jobs.

The past five years OR so, I'd give him an A+ for Marketing, & a C- for Engineering & Technology !
 
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