Based on all the dumbfounded and cynical replies, I don't think people understand why this is happening.
Anybody saying this is a response to recent anti-trust headlines doesn't understand how a company the size of Apple works. When an announcement like this is made, it means this program has been in the works for YEARS.
My guess, this is all part of Apple's slow shift towards a recurring revenue services model, and a better integration of customer & business incentives.
It used to be, the worst thing that could happen to Apple was the customer stops upgrading their phone.
But now, when the revenue growth is coming from services instead of hardware, it doesn't pay to piss off customers by making them buy a new phone a year early because the battery died.
The worst thing that can happen now under this new business model is the customer leaves the ecosystem or buys less services because they aren't happy with the hardware.
Hence why you're seeing Apple do things they never would have before. Capitulating on the MacBook Pro and rolling back on the Touch Bar, opening up to more repairability, etc. etc.
Anybody saying this is a response to recent anti-trust headlines doesn't understand how a company the size of Apple works. When an announcement like this is made, it means this program has been in the works for YEARS.
My guess, this is all part of Apple's slow shift towards a recurring revenue services model, and a better integration of customer & business incentives.
It used to be, the worst thing that could happen to Apple was the customer stops upgrading their phone.
But now, when the revenue growth is coming from services instead of hardware, it doesn't pay to piss off customers by making them buy a new phone a year early because the battery died.
The worst thing that can happen now under this new business model is the customer leaves the ecosystem or buys less services because they aren't happy with the hardware.
Hence why you're seeing Apple do things they never would have before. Capitulating on the MacBook Pro and rolling back on the Touch Bar, opening up to more repairability, etc. etc.