SAN FRANCISCO: Apple on Tuesday introduced its first new iPod model in four years, highlighting music and games as it continued to make a priority of serving up digital content.
The new-generation iPod touch, essentially an iPhone without the phone calls, was available in more than two dozen countries at Apple’s online shop starting at $199.
“We’re making the most affordable iOS device even better with performance that is twice as fast as before, Group FaceTime and augmented reality,” said Apple vice president of product marketing Greg Joswiak.
“The ultra-thin and lightweight design of iPod touch has always made it ideal for enjoying games, music and so much more wherever you go.”
The iPod touch evolved from the original iPod digital music player first launched by Apple in 2007.
The iPod touch became popular with people, particularly parents of Internet-coveting children, who wanted mobile devices for getting online without the cost of telecommunications services.
The mobile devices can connect to the Internet using Wi-Fi hotspots.
Apple earlier this year unveiled streaming video plans along with news and game subscription offerings as part of an effort to shift its focus to digital content and services to break free of its reliance on iPhone sales.
An Apple TV+ service, an on-demand, ad-free subscription service, will launch this year in 100 countries, the company said.
Apple News+ was launched in the US and Canada in English and French and will be available later this year in Britain and Australia, the company said.
Separately, the company said it was launching a new game subscription service called Apple Arcade later this year with at least 100 titles at launch.
“iOS is the world’s largest gaming platform, and with three times faster graphics, games on the new iPod touch run even smoother and look even more beautiful,” Apple said in a release.
The first new iPod since the year 2015 comes as Apple shifts to emphasize digital content and other services to offset a pullback in the once-sizzling smartphone market, and with many news organizations struggling to monetize their online services.
Apple unveils first new iPod model in four years — new generation iPod Touch
Apple unveils first new iPod model in four years — new generation iPod Touch
- The iPod touch evolved from the original iPod digital music player first launched by Apple in 2007
- Apple earlier this year unveiled streaming video plans along with news and game subscription offerings
UAE non-oil business growth at 1-year high in February: PMI report
RIYADH: The growth of the non-oil private sector in the UAE ticked up to a 12-month high in February, driven by rapid increases in business activity and new work orders, an economic tracker showed.
In its latest Purchasing Managers’ Index report, S&P Global revealed that the UAE’s PMI rose to 55 in February from 54.9 in January.
Any PMI reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 reflects contraction.
The upturn of the non-oil private sector in the UAE aligns with the broader trend observed in the Gulf Cooperation Council region, where countries, including Saudi Arabia, are pursuing economic diversification efforts to reduce reliance on crude revenues.
In January, the Kingdom’s PMI stood at 56.3, the highest in the region, while Kuwait recorded a reading of 54.5.
“The UAE PMI signalled the strongest growth in non-oil business conditions for a year in February, with output increasing rapidly in response to strong inflows of new work. So far, the data points to an encouraging picture for the domestic economy in the first quarter of this year,” said David Owen, senior economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence.
According to the report, stronger output among non-oil sectors was driven by higher demand, successful contract wins, and growth in key sectors including construction, real estate, logistics, and technology.
Additional factors that contributed to this growth include rising tourist arrivals, the expansion of e-commerce channels, and growing demand for AI-related products.
While international orders also contributed to the expansion of the non-oil sector, the increase in export sales remained modest, suggesting that sales growth was mainly driven by domestic demand.
The analysis highlighted that employment numbers rose modestly in February, marking the largest uplift since last November.
UAE non-oil businesses successfully increased their inventories of purchased inputs for the second month running, supported by another rapid improvement in supplier delivery times.
Regarding the future outlook, non-oil firms in the UAE expressed optimism, although the level of confidence declined from the recent high in January.
“The outlook is positive, as demand has continued to pressure business capacity, suggesting additional expansions in output and employment may be necessary,” added Owen.
In the same report, S&P Global revealed that Dubai’s PMI slipped to 54.6 in February from 55.9 observed in January.
Rates of output and new order growth lost momentum, but remained sharp overall, with firms highlighting increased opportunities and new projects.
The release highlighted that demand was also lifted by various factors, including marketing activities, AI adoption, population growth and increased tourism.
