News

Apple’s expensive prices are saving the company

Revenue grows amidst lack of growth on units sold

Published

November 3, 2018

Luigi Leonardo

Yesterday, Apple reported a less-than-stellar performance on the sales column. At the time, this verdict drew from the number of units sold, rather than actual revenue. As a result, Apple CFO Luca Maestri announced a new operating procedure: Apple won’t disclose unit sales anymore, going forward. Instead, the company will use revenue to report sales performance.

With the change, Apple now paints a different picture. Before, the company reported a relatively lackluster 46.9 million units sold, up by only 0.2 million from last year. Now, the company reports a US$ 62.9 billion in revenue, up by 20 percent from last year. From reporting less than one percent growth, Apple now enjoys 20 percent growth on the quarter.

According to Maestri, an exclusive focus on unit sales does not report actual sales performance. As we can now see, the switch changes Apple’s public performance. Naturally, Apple’s move also helps the company puff up its chest for the next quarter. However, it also tells something about Apple’s current pricing schemes.

Despite selling the same number of smartphones, Apple still grew its revenue by 20 percent. The difference is stark. Apple’s exorbitant pricing has done wonders for the company.

This year, Apple’s new iPhones come with a more expensive pricing scheme. Last year, the iPhones started at US$ 699 and topped at US$ 999. At the time, Apple pushed the envelope of how expensive iPhones can go. In 2018, Apple stepped further. This year, the iPhones start at US$ 749 and top at USD 1,449.

With the price change, Apple has successfully strategized around the market plateau. Instead of matching competitors with pure numbers, the company gets more revenue from the same number of phones. Clearly, the strategy works.

If anything, Apple has found a rhythm on how to extract more money from its current fan base. While they hide their unit sales from the public, Apple can toot their own horn with revenue success based on expensive unit pricing.

Related Topics:Apple iPhone XR iPhone XS iPhone XS Max

Apps

Disney+ launches a TikTok-coded vertical feed called Verts

Published

March 13, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

TikTok has changed how we consume media. Everything is now vertical. Even the most established streaming services, often a bastion for traditionally horizontal content, is adopting the different format. Now, Disney+ is getting a vertical feed called Verts.

Like its contemporaries, Verts presents a continuous feed of content but tailored to show the plethora of titles from the Disney+ library. This might include the first scenes of shows or notable highlights. The hope, of course, is to direct users to the longform content.

Directly from the Verts feed, users can easily add the respective title to their watchlist or go straight to the title’s page. In turn, the feed is accessible from the homepage since it has its own tab.

According to Disney, early experiments with the feature have driven engagement to available content. Right now, the feed is mostly for clipping enticing content from shows. However, the platform will experiment further with the format for new ways to tell stories.

Though Verts surely stands for “verticals” in this case, “adverts” might fit better as its full government name. Still, it might be a useful tool if you’re figuring out what to watch for the night.

Currently, Verts is available for Disney+ subscribers in the United States. Disney also has plans to expand the feature to ESPN for sports-related content.

Apps

Google Maps is finally getting a 3D mode

The app will also have a Gemini chatbot baked inside.

Published

March 13, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Some of today’s navigation apps are living in the future. Instead of a two-dimensional map, these apps render the user’s surroundings in 3D. It’s a nifty upgrade that helps drivers more accurately visualize directions on the fly. Finally, Google Maps is getting a much-needed upgrade and will take navigation to the third dimension.

In a new update rolling out today, the new Immersive Navigation feature will bring your surroundings to life. The 3D view creates a render of the surrounding buildings, overpasses, and terrain around the car. It takes the guesswork out of navigation by showing precisely where to turn and what landmarks to look out for.

In the same vein, you can now use Street View to preview your destination before you arrive. Google Maps will also highlight your destination’s entrance, side of the street, and nearby parking.

Outside of how the map is visualized, Google Maps is also infusing its service with Gemini. The new Ask Maps feature will let you engage with the app in a conversational manner. For example, if you’re in the middle of a long drive, you can now ask Maps where the best place is to stop over and have a coffee break. Ask Maps will provide directions, a potential itinerary, and even helpful links to book a reservation ahead of time.

Now, availability for both of these features is still a bit limited. Immersive View is rolling out today to compatible devices and vehicles in the United States. Further, availability will expand over the coming months.

Meanwhile, Ask Maps is available now in the United States and India for Android and iOS. A desktop version is coming soon.

Entertainment

KPop Demon Hunters is officially getting a sequel

Maggie Kang and Chris Applehans will return to write and direct.

Published

March 13, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

This feels like a formality at this point. Netflix and Sony have officially confirmed that KPop Demon Hunters is getting a sequel.

If you feel like you’ve read this exact title before, then you’re not alone. Since its massive success last year, the hit animated film constantly spawned talks of a potential franchise. It probably helped that the title quickly became Netflix’s most-watched film of all time. From the last we’ve heard of the rumors, Netflix was reportedly eyeing a 2029 premiere for the sequel.

Now, it’s official. As posted by Netflix itself, KPop Demon Hunters will get a sequel soon. Even better, the follow-up will be written and directed by the same duo, Maggie Kang and Chris Applehans.

Kang, who celebrated the first movie’s ability to tell a Korean story, says that there’s a lot more to explore in the film’s universe. “There’s so much more to this world we have built and I’m excited to show you. This is only the beginning,” she said.

Right now, the plot’s sequel is still unknown, especially since the Saja Boys were defeated in the first film.

Given how big the original movie got, the sequel is no surprise. Besides bagging the top spot on Netflix’s charts, the film also got an eventual release in theaters. KPop Demon Hunters is up for a potential Oscars win after it was nominated for Best Animated Feature. Its hit song, “Golden,” is also nominated for Best Original Song.