iPhone

Rumors of AAPL's demise have once again been greatly exaggerated. Moments ago, Apple reported Q1 earnings which not only beat on the top and bottom line, but also sold a record number of iPhonea in the quarter at a record 78.4 million, 2 million more than expected, at higher ASPs than expected. Earnings of $3.36 were higher than the $3.22 expected, on record revenue of $78.4 billion, above the $77.3 BN expected, and 3.3% higher than a year ago. While sales grew across the globe, revenue in China declined by 12% in the quarter, the 4th consecutive quarterly decline in a row.

Why has Apple started removing Iran-based apps from its App Store? Iranian iOS Apps which facilitate transactions for businesses and entities based in Iran have started disappearing from the App Store. The US tech giant opened up its App Store to the Iranians in September 2016. Reports over the weekend suggest that one of the largest e-commerce start-ups in the Middle East, Iran’s Digikala service had its app removed by Apple. “Unfortunately, there is no App Store available for the territory of Iran,” according to Apple.

Over the last 5 years, I have warned that T-Mobile would start turning up the heat in the US dead beat carrier business (see links below). I call them dead beat carriers because they relied on a virtual duopoly of cash cow cash flows and failed toi innovate. They actually allowed Silicon Value to capitalize on thier apathy, and now they are rlelgated to bg dumb utlitiy pipes in lieu of the lifeblood... the synapses of communication and commerce between all people an businesses. 

By Chris at www.CapitalistExploits.at

Warning: This story is entirely fictional except for all the parts which are not. It is the story of a 5-step process of the "evolution" of a family office.

I felt compelled to pen this missive since it’s representative of so many family offices out there and maybe in doing so one or two save themselves some potentially painful headaches.

Step 1: The Patriarch Builds His Wealth

It has gone from bad to worse for mobile chipmaker Qualcom, which just days after getting sued by the US government, which accused the chipmaker of engaging in monopoly tactics over mobile phone components, was also sued this afternoon by the world's biggest company. Apple filed a $1 billion lawsuit against its supplier, accusing Qualcomm of overcharging for its chips and refusing to pay some $1 billion in promised rebates for chip purchases.