Your weekly look at the world of smartphones and mobile technology, this is the Phone Buzz on Friday 30th April 2021.

This Week’s Top Story

• As part of the iOS 14.5 update, Apple has implemented its new privacy controls, giving users more control of their personal information. Announced at last year’s WWDC, Apple delayed their implementation of the simple principle – an application must explicitly ask a user to allow an app to track the user’s behaviour, and that option is ‘off’ by default – an option that limits companies which are heavily invested in this approach. Companies such as Facebook. Chaim Gartenber explains what this will all look like to the user (The Verge), Ian Sherr offers a good overview of the issues (Cnet), and Facebook has been advising some advertisers on the likely impact of the move (Business Insider via 9to5Mac).

Apple Headlines

• Apple has announced it’s second fiscal quarter, which ended March 27th. Headline numbers include record Q2 revenue of $86.9B (up 54 percent year on year), net income of $23.6B (up from $11.2B), and iPhone sales of $47.6B, up from $29B  (Apple Newsroom).
• Those are not only big numbers, but also big increases. 2020 was… a challenging year for everyone. Apple may have made a success of it, but can that continue for another year? Samuel Axon takes a look at the success and the potential for ongoing growth (Ars Technica).
• Of note in the results is the steady and continued growth of Apple’s services division. It’s now the second-largest division of the company – behind the iPhone – and takes in the likes of the App Store, iCloud, Apple Music, and the various subscription services. It’s jumped from $13.3B in Q2 2020 to $16.9B in Q2 2021 (The Hollywood Reporter).
• If you’re not ready to jump into all the numbers, Jason Snell has put together his internet-famous charts for the quarter (Six Colors).
• The start of the week saw Apple update its major operating systems – not a surprise given the new features such as AirTags that needed to be supported after their reveals at the Spring Unloaded event, check for iOS 14.5, macOS 11.3, tvOS 14.5, and watchOS 7.4.
• Production on the next M class chip has begun, with a view to appearing on a mid-year MacBook Pro. Personally I suspect this will be the first ARM-powered 16-inch MacBook Pro and the high-end 13-inch MacBook Pro to complement the entry-level machines launched last November. Will it be the M2 chip, or the M1X? The geekerati are calling for the M2, but I’m not so sure (Forbes).
• Apple has quietly confirmed the upgrade prices on the new iMacs, prices that were not available at launch. It’s going to cost $200 to add 8GB of memory, and $200 to step up to 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB of SSD storage (9to5Mac)
• Every consumer electronics firm is dealing with the silicon shortage, and Apple is no exception. On the earnings call, Tim Cook noted that Apple will expect to be hit next quarter – ‘supply-gated not demand-gated’ was the key phrase. Any shortage is expected to hit the iPad and Mac portfolios first (9to5Mac).
• This week’s fun game… can you find anyone in Apple calling the iPad a tablet? (The Verge).
• The European Commission’s Anti-Trust regulator has charged Apple with breaking the EU’s competition rules. It focuses on the App Store’s handling of streaming music apps, and how Apple charges a higher commission on its rivals, and does not allow rivals to inform users there are alternative payment methods. This is the first step in a long process. Next up is Apple’s response, which can be filed at any point in the next 12 weeks (BBC News).

Android Headlines

• Smartphone sales during the first calendar quarter of 2021 are up more than 27 percent year on year. How much of this is down to the disruption due to the first months of the coronavirus pandemic is an open question. Samsung is top of the list with a 22 share, Apple is next with a 15 share, and SXiomi comes in with a 14 share to take bronze (Canalys).
• Also picking up good news from the analysts this week was Oppo. One of BBK Electronics’ brands (which includes OnePlus, Vivo, RealMe, and IQOO), Oppo has captured fourth place in the European smartphone market, with a six percent share of sales (Counterpoint Research).
• Speaking of OnePlus, both the OnePlus 9 and the OnePlus Watch are now on sale in the UK (OnePlus)
• It’s no longer commanding the market share it once did, but Sony’s Xperia linedetivered a profit to Sony’s Mobile Communications division in the last year, on sales of 2.9 million handsets (XDA Developers).
• HMD Global’s new branding system means that, while the Nokia 8.3 is likely to pick up a functional replacement its not going to be the Nokia 8.4. Instead, look for the Nokia X50 later this year; which should support  a SnapDragon 780G system on chip, an improved penta-camera as seen on the Nokia 9 PureView, and a fast refresh 1440p display (Notebook Check).
• Amazon has announced new Fire tablets. First up is the Fire HD 10, running a 1080p screen alongside reduced bezels compared to previous models; while the Fire HD 10 Plus adds in wireless charging and increased RAM. Running Amazon’s build of Android, these devices have typically been used to consume Amazon services, but with Microsoft 365 subscriptions and keyboard peripherals available, there’s a push into productivity (The Verge)
• Amazon also launched the Fire Kids Pro tablets, with 7-, 8-, and 10-inch tablets available. They come with kickstands, protective cases, and a year of Amazon Kids+ subscriptions (CNN).

Mobile Tech Headlines

• Three new laptops from Samsung this week, as it brings as much of its smartphone expertise to Windows 10. You have the Galaxy Book, Galaxy Book Pro, and Galaxy Book Pro 360. All three feature AMOLED displays, fast connectivity, and a new thin design to reduce weight (Samsung Newsroom),
• …although many were expecting an ARM based Galaxy Book S to be launched as well. I guess having Intel on stage mean the Qualcomm-powered Book S would have been a bit impolite (SamMobile).
• Microsoft is cutting its take from PC gaming titles in the Windows Store down to twelve percent. Thats a direct challenge to Steam, which takes thirty percent on the first $10 million earned before stepping down to 25 percent and 20 percent (The Verge).
• As well as Apple, it’s the week of quarterly results, I’ll pick out the results from Facebook, Microsoft, Qualcomm, and Samsung, for further reading.

And Finally…

• Does Google Assistant have trouble pronouncing your name? Or of your friends and family? Now you can help the AI to get its digital vocal cords around your circle. I’m curious to see how it copes with Muireadhach ua Flaithbheartach (Google’s Keyword Blog).

Ewan Spence

Ewan is the editor at Phone Buzz News. For over 30 years he has been covering the worlds of media and technology, from the early days of the first smartphone through to their essential role in today's society.