Easy to use and built right into apps like Messages, Image Playground allows users to create fun images in seconds. Writing for Fast Company, Jesus Diaz, laments much of what he saw in Apple Intelligence during Apple’s canned WWDC keynote presentation. Jesus Diaz for Fast Company: ‎ In 1997, Apple unveiled its constitution: a black and white commercial that dared viewers to “Think Different.” Set against footage of trailblazers like Albert Einstein, Bob Dylan, and Mohammed Ali, the ad defined the company as a bastion of creativity, fighting the normalization of corporate America. It dared everyone to think in new ways, to be bold, and go against the grain. The company declared that we, the people who dare to do…

Gene Munster’s ears just pricked up; welling up in his eyes, a misty look of longing. A writer over at What Hi-Fi? on Wednesday suggested that Apple should make an OLED TV. Alastair Stevenson for What Hi-Fi?: ‎ This month there’s been a lot of talk about Apple’s latest “home cinema in a hand”, the new iPad Pro OLED… I can’t help but feel a slight feeling that, as cool as the new iPad Pro looks, Apple should go in a very different direction with its next device. Specifically, it should make a full-fat OLED TV. The reason I’m saying my wish out loud is that Apple has done all the background work it needs to create a really good…

After Apple’s better-than-feared fiscal second-quarter earnings report, a J.P. Morgan analyst hiked the firm’s AAPL price target from $210 to $225 per share while maintaining an “overweight” rating. Lee Samaha for The Motley Fool: ‎ The upgrade follows a good set of results from the company that allayed fears over lagging iPhone sales, particularly in China. That might sound surprising in light of the fact that iPhone sales did decline 10.4% year over year in the quarter to $45.96 billion. However, as management noted on the earnings call, last year’s fiscal second-quarter iPhone revenue was boosted by a “one-time impact” that added $5 billion to its sales, as it filled pent-up demand resulting from pandemic-related supply chain disruptions. Apple CEO…

Some investors might worry that Apple carries $108 billion of long-term debt on its balance sheet. That debt figure alone would qualify as the world’s 139th-most-valuable company. Can Apple afford this massive amount of debt? Neil Patel for The Motley Fool: ‎ Investors can look at some key metrics to determine whether a business is able to handle its debt burden. When scrutinizing Apple in this regard, it’s clear that the company has absolutely no problem at all with its borrowings. Apple’s debt ratio of 31% (comparing its debt to assets) has actually come down in recent years. And it demonstrates that there are ample assets backing the company. The business generated an incredible $114 billion in operating income in…

Apple stock continues to underperform the market, but one Wells Fargo analyst recommends buying the dip ahead of some potential positive catalysts, even if shares fall after its Q224 earnings release after market close on Thursday, May 2nd. Angela Palumbo for Barron’s: ‎ Apple stock has fallen 14% so far this year while the S&P 500 has gained 4.1% as analysts have concerns over the company’s struggles in China, a lack of clarity over new general artificial intelligence projects, and competition with lower priced offerings. Shares have dropped for each of the last five trading days alone. Wells Fargo analyst Aaron Rakers has chosen to remain bullish on the stock despite its recent underperformance, and wrote in a research note…

Apple faces a litany of challenges that have weighed on Apple stock, including missing the GenAI revolution, an antitrust lawsuit by the U.S. Department of Justice, CCP-controlled China, and more. Still, after being knocked down below $170, some investors might be wondering if AAPL is a buy right now. Patrick Seitz for Investor’s Business Daily: ‎ Wall Street analysts said the [DOJ’s antitrust] case will be a headline risk for Apple, which has a good chance of beat the rap. But the lawsuit could take three or four years to wind its way through the legal system. Other issues weighing on Apple stock include weak iPhone sales in China and legal problems over its App Store policies in Europe. Investors…