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    Apple’s $100b investment bolsters US tech ambitions amid supply chain pressures

    • Bulk of Apple’s actual production remains in Asia, mostly China, with ongoing supply chain diversification extending to Vietnam, India, and Thailand.
    • Apple has also inked  a supply deal with Samsung for advanced chips from its Texas facility for future iPhones.

    Apple’s bold pledge to inject an additional $100 billion into US operations is generating major headlines—and lots of speculation.

    The new commitment, announced by President Donald Trump, takes Apple’s promised investment in the United States to a staggering $600 billion over the next four years.

    The company is already well underway on a $500 billion initiative aimed at expanding its workforce by 20,000 employees and extending its domestic manufacturing presence.

    The announcement appears designed to underscore Apple’s willingness to respond to policy signals and stave off the threat of new tariffs, especially those looming 25 per cent tariffs on goods produced overseas.

    High-tech re-shoring

    During the Oval Office event, Trump hailed the move as a clear sign that tech giants are “coming home,” emphasising his administration’s drive for high-tech re-shoring.

    Meanwhile, Apple CEO Tim Cook highlighted the substantial American roots already present in many iPhone components: semiconductors, glass, and Face ID modules are all produced domestically.

    “Today, we’re proud to increase our investments across the United States to $600 billion over four years and launch our new American Manufacturing Program,” said Cook.

    “This includes new and expanded work with 10 companies across America. They produce components that are used in Apple products sold all over the world, and we’re grateful to the President for his support.”

    Samsung to supply chips

    Today, Apple partners with thousands of suppliers across all 50 states, supporting more than 450,000 supplier and partner jobs.

    However, Cook was upfront when asked about assembling entire iPhones stateside—final assembly, he acknowledged, will remain abroad “for a while.”

    Industry analysts have been quick to point out that, while the $100 billion headline is impressive, it’s still in line with Apple’s historic spending.

    More importantly, although Apple has long publicised US-based manufacturing efforts—in Texas, for example—many of these operations predate recent White House visits and announcements.

    The bulk of Apple’s actual production remains in Asia, mostly China, with ongoing supply chain diversification extending to Vietnam, India, and Thailand.

    That said, there is genuine muscle behind Apple’s push to strengthen domestic partnerships. The firm’s latest investment wave includes major players like Corning, Applied Materials, Texas Instruments, GlobalFoundries, and Broadcom.

    Notably, Samsung has also inked a deal to supply advanced chips from its Texas facility for future iPhones, with Apple stating these chips will help optimise device performance and power efficiency.

    This comes on the heels of Tesla’s $16.5 billion chip supply agreement with Samsung—another sign that US-based chip manufacturing is suddenly in high demand.

    Savvy manoeuvres

    The US silicon supply chain is on track to produce more than 19 billion chips for Apple products in 2025. That includes TSMC in Arizona, which is producing tens of millions of chips for Apple using one of the most advanced process technologies in America. Apple is this factory’s first and largest customer.

    Yet, despite political rhetoric and expanded supply chain deals, few experts believe that fully domestic iPhone production is likely any time soon. The costs and technical complexity are still enormous, with labour and logistics posing high hurdles.

    Ultimately, analysts see Apple’s large-scale pledges as savvy manoeuvres to manage political expectations and sustain the company’s technological edge while navigating an increasingly fragmented global trade landscape.

    IaaS public cloud market grows 22.5% to $171.8b in 2024

    • Surge propelled by organisations seeking enhanced operational agility, greater resilience, and optimised performance.
    • Emerging players—especially those offering AI-optimised IaaS or GPU as a Service —are now catering to businesses’ immediate needs for scalable, high-performance computing.

    The infrastructure as a service (IaaS) sector experienced remarkable expansion in 2024, posting a 22.5% increase and achieving a total market value of $171.8 billion, as reported by the research firm Gartner, Inc.

    Amazon maintained its leading position in this space, with Microsoft, Google, Alibaba, and Huawei rounding out the top five. Collectively, these five giants captured a commanding 82.1 per cent share of the world market.

    According to Hardeep Singh, Principal Analyst at Gartner, the sustained surge in cloud adoption is being propelled by organisations seeking enhanced operational agility, greater resilience, and optimised performance.

    Modernisation

    “To meet these goals, businesses are intensifying efforts to migrate and modernise their IT estates, turning to multiple cloud platforms, especially as artificial intelligence becomes integral to their strategies. Modernisation is often driven by the transition of existing workloads to the cloud and the wider deployment of cloud-native applications across a variety of settings,” said Singh.

    Another persistent force shaping the market is the heightened requirement for flexibility regarding data residency and sovereignty. Enterprises are keen on gradually adopting cloud technology while ensuring they retain local control over sensitive information and operational processes.

    AI investments

    With the global focus shifting to AI, cloud providers are pouring significant investment into developing advanced AI infrastructure as they compete for future leadership in this rapidly advancing field.

    Singh noted, “Though AI-related services currently represent a modest proportion of total IaaS revenue, cloud vendors expect AI to play a much larger role in the near future.”

    Emerging players—especially those offering AI-optimised IaaS or GPU as a Service (GPUaaS)—are now catering to businesses’ immediate needs for scalable, high-performance computing.

    While these competitors may still constitute a relatively young segment, they are making their presence felt by enabling on-demand, flexible compute power tailored for the era of artificial intelligence.

    Burnley FC pioneers virtual reality fan experience at Turf Moor

    • Collaborates with Rezzil to deliver a next-generation experience to feel the pulse of the crowd and the drama on the pitch as if you’re right there beside the action.

    Burnley FC is shaking up the Premier League by inviting fans to experience matches at their iconic Turf Moor stadium—without ever stepping outside.

    Thanks to a groundbreaking collaboration with VR innovators Rezzil, supporters will get a ‘first-of-its-kind’ view of Burnley’s pre-season showdown against Lazio on August 9, all from the comfort of home.

    All it takes is a special headset. With it, fans are transported straight into the stands, complete with authentic match day commentary and roaring stadium sounds.

    Forget the days of peering at a flat screen—this is all about feeling the pulse of the crowd and the drama on the pitch as if you’re right there beside the action.

    Burnley’s chairman, Alan Pace, couldn’t be prouder. “This move embodies our forward-thinking approach to fan engagement and demonstrates how committed we are to supporters around the world. By embracing Virtual Reality, we’re bringing fans closer to the club than ever.”

    The magic behind this virtual leap? Manchester-based tech company Rezzil. While they’re best known for creating VR tools used by elite athletes for training and analysis, their mission to revolutionise football fandom is now fully underway. Rezzil’s Andy Etches puts it plainly:

    “We’re excited to team up with Burnley and the Premier League to deliver a next-generation experience. It really is the next-best thing to being at the match – maybe even better for some!”

    This is only the beginning for VR in football. As more clubs look to broaden their reach and deepen connections with distant supporters, experiences like Burnley’s could soon become the gold standard for match day excitement from anywhere in the world.

    5G smartphones capture 87% of second-quarter shipments in India

    • Rs10,000-Rs13,000 segment witness a 138% year-on-year increase.
    • Apple recorded remarkable strength in the premium segment—its share among phones priced above Rs50,000 shot up by 54% year-on-year, thanks in part to the strong performance of the iPhone 16 series and particularly the iPhone 16e.

    The Indian smartphone market is experiencing a massive transformation, with 5G devices firmly taking center stage.

    Data from CyberMedia Research (CMR) India shows that, between April and June 2025, 5G smartphones made up an impressive 87 per cent of total shipments, surging 20 per cent year-on-year. The rapid acceleration highlights how 5G is no longer an exclusive feature—it’s now the new normal for most Indian consumers.

    What’s catching everyone’s attention is the explosive growth at the budget end of the market. 5G smartphones priced between Rs8,000 and Rs10,000 have seen a jaw-dropping 600 per cent growth over the past year.

    This signals a dramatic shift toward making next-generation tech accessible to millions. The Rs10,000-Rs13,000 segment wasn’t far behind, witnessing a hefty 138 per cent year-on-year increase.

    Market registers 8% growth

    Clearly, affordable 5G is now powering the market, with first-time smartphone upgraders fueling much of this demand.

    Overall, the Indian smartphone market registered an 8 per cent annual growth for the quarter, driven by the widespread rollout of affordable 5G models, robust retail activity, and a strategic wave of new product launches aimed at different price points.

    When it comes to brand power, the landscape is shifting too. Vivo led the pack in Q2 2025, capturing a dominant 19 per cent share. Samsung followed in second place at 16 per cent. Apple, meanwhile, flexed its muscles with solid double-digit growth, now holding a 7 per cent slice of the overall market.

    Notably, Apple recorded remarkable strength in the premium segment—its share among phones priced above Rs50,000 shot up by 54 per cent year-on-year, thanks in part to the strong performance of the iPhone 16 series and particularly the iPhone 16e.

    Looking ahead, CMR forecasts that 2025 will bring moderate, single-digit growth for total smartphone shipments. The back half of the year is expected to be especially dynamic, as brands line up high-profile launches to coincide with India’s festive sales season. Expect a flurry of activity as companies court buyers eager for upgrades and new flagship models.

    On the innovation front, there’s plenty of buzz around artificial intelligence capabilities being built into newer models.

    However, CMR’s analysts point out that, despite rising awareness, AI hasn’t yet become a main reason for people to buy a new phone. Instead, Indian consumers remain focused on core essentials: long-lasting battery life, excellent camera quality, and reliable day-to-day performance.

    India okays 110 R&D projects focusing on 5G and 6G worth Rs304.70cr

    • Each of the R&D projects greenlit under the scheme has a development timeline ranging from one to five years.
    • Department of Telecommunications has been rolled out Financial Fraud Risk Indicator to curtail financial cybercrime.

    India is ramping up efforts to drive research and innovation in telecom, with 110 projects focusing on 5G and 6G technologies collectively receiving approval under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme.

    As of June 30, these projects represent a combined financial commitment of Rs304.70 crore, according to Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar.

    Launched on October 1, 2022, the TTDF scheme was crafted to turbocharge research and development in homegrown telecom technologies. Its purpose? To encourage synergies between academic institutions, budding startups, MSMEs, research labs, and key industry players.

    The collaborative approach aims to strengthen India’s telecom landscape by nurturing a pipeline of innovative products and solutions.

    Spectrum of stakeholders

    Each of the R&D projects greenlit under the scheme has a development timeline ranging from one to five years. As these initiatives are still at early stages, the TTDF is actively supporting a spectrum of stakeholders—government and private entities, small businesses, and new entrants alike—in their technological explorations of both 5G and the near-future 6G ecosystem.

    On another critical front, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has set its sights on curtailing financial cybercrime. A powerful new tool, the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI), has been rolled out.

    FRI assesses the risk level associated with each mobile number—labeling them as Medium, High, or Very High risk for fraud.

    This intelligence is delivered via the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), arming banks, NBFCs, and UPI service providers with actionable insights. The end goal? Enable quick intervention, extra checks, or even block suspicious transactions before fraudsters can strike.

    Financial scams

    Regulators aren’t leaving the integration of this risk rating system to chance. The Reserve Bank of India has advised banks and payment operators to plug FRI directly into their operations—allowing for real-time alerts, warnings, or even temporary stoppage of suspect transactions.

    The DIP’s impact is already visible: 34 financial organisations have taken decisive actions, resulting in the freezing of over 10 lakh bank accounts and wallets, while more than three lakh accounts have been slapped with credit and debit restrictions.

    Driving these safeguards is the Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU) project under the DoT, designed to protect consumers by cracking down on telecom-based cybercrimes and financial scams.

    As the digital ecosystem in India grows, these multi-pronged efforts are laying a foundation for secure, world-class communications and trustworthy digital transactions.

    ESPN acquires stake in NFL’s media assets

    • ESPN picks up licensing rights for three more NFL games annually to be shown on NFL Network.

    Disney has taken another bold step in redefining its sports portfolio, as ESPN and the NFL have struck a preliminary deal that’s set to reshape how fans experience football.

    The agreement, if finalised, would see ESPN acquire NFL media assets—including NFL Network, NFL RedZone, and NFL Fantasy—in exchange for a 10 per cent equity stake for the NFL in ESPN’s operations. Although both companies are keeping the precise dollar value of this stake close to the chest, the strategic implications for both parties are enormous.

    The move sets the stage for an unprecedented era of collaboration. With Disney’s rapidly growing streaming infrastructure, NFL content is about to find a whole new level of visibility.

    One of the key features of the plan is ESPN’s intent to weave NFL Network directly into its upcoming direct-to-consumer service, giving subscribers seamless access, while still preserving traditional outlets like cable and satellite for those who want them. For NFL fans, it means more ways to watch, right at their fingertips.

    Cross-platform synergy

    Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN, put it succinctly: this arrangement provides the “foundation for an even more robust offering” just as ESPN readies itself for the direct-to-consumer revolution.

    The partnership is also about much more than streaming. A second, non-binding pact will give ESPN rights to make creative use of NFL content and intellectual property across its newly acquired NFL media assets—think cross-platform synergy, deeper integration between TV and digital, and expanded programming possibilities.

    Mergers are also afoot in the world of fantasy sports. With this deal, ESPN takes the reins on distributing RedZone, and the once-separate NFL and ESPN fantasy leagues will unite, creating the league’s single official fantasy football destination.

    Deeper bundling opportunities

    The change promises to make managing and playing fantasy football more streamlined and engaging for millions of fans.

    Moreover, ESPN picks up licensing rights for three more NFL games annually to be shown on NFL Network, while the network, in turn, will now broadcast four games from ESPN’s NFL slate, keeping its yearly tally at seven NFL matchups.

    The shifting of games reflects the broader industry trend toward flexible, blended programming designed to meet fans where they are—whether on TV or with a streaming subscription.

    Industry watchers are pointing to this landmark partnership as a catalyst for deeper bundling opportunities with Disney+ and Hulu, boosting platform stickiness as the streaming landscape gets increasingly competitive. The vision: offer more sports, more flexibility, and fewer reasons for subscribers to jump ship.

    These major moves come as Disney continues to pivot from traditional television. In June, the company trimmed its global workforce, targeting specific departments rather than erasing entire divisions—part of a determined, ongoing effort to rein in costs amidst the changing pay-TV landscape.

    The numbers tell a clear story: in its most recent results, Disney reported a 13 per cent decrease in linear network revenue, contrasted by an 8 per cent growth in direct-to-consumer income, underscoring the company’s digital-first trajectory. Since last year, more than 8,000 positions have been cut as Disney pursues its $7.5 billion cost-savings target.

    For analysts, the NFL’s equity stake in ESPN reflects a stronger alignment of interests, where the league will be even more invested in ESPN’s success as sports broadcasting continues to evolve.