US iPhone Purchases At Apple Hit New Low As Most Users Prefer Mobile Carriers

A new study is sharing some very interesting stats about iPhone sales in the US and how people are no longer dealing with Apple through direct means to get their devices.

Instead, they’re resorting to mobile carriers to get the job done with ease, while another option is any retailer. And what’s interesting is how the picture is the complete opposite of what we saw take place before during the times of the pandemic.

In that stressful period, people were more reliant on getting phones through Apple directly instead of the hassle of resorting to mobile carriers.

The latest news on this front comes to us thanks to CIRP who just launched its latest stats that highlighted how carriers are regaining superiority as more buyers are going back to the stores to make a purchase.

During 2021, the CIRP highlighted how Apple was going to hit new highs after 27% of the American clientele purchased mobile phones from Apple Stores or through the company via an online purchase. Meanwhile, carriers had 66% of the majority but that again was a huge low when compared to previous stats for wireless providers.

But the tables surely turned in the year 2022 when the trends were reversing. Tech giant Apple saw shares for iPhones in the US drop by a whopping 24%. And as per the latest stats, the CIRP claims sales for US iPhone via Apple continue to be in decline, reaching a mere 17%. The breakdown provided included 11% arising from Apple’s physical stores while the 6% was from online purchases through Apple.

The biggest winners of them all were mobile carriers that account for a whopping 79% of the total sales of Apple’s iPhones. The CIRP says it feels the biggest factor linked to this are consumers going back to retain shops with 65% of the combined iPhone sales taking place in-store and the rest 35% happening online.

From the stats that are put in front of us, we can see how clients going back to in-store shopping and mobile carriers possessing thousands of points for purchases puts them at a clear advantage against tech giant Apple. Remember, the latter has less than 300 stores in America.

Another top factor that comes into play in this situation is how the carriers have put out some very intriguing incentives in the past few years including the chance to win iPhones free of any cost. And above that, carriers even provide the credit for those free devices over a 30 to 36-month timeframe.

Therefore, it means clients are more than likely to go back to that carrier and attain their iPhone after checking installment balances and providing updates about the status.

Tech giant Apple also provides its fair share of benefits through its Upgrade Program for the iPhone as well as the introduction of an Apple Card. These are some great ways to get enticing offers as well as the best promotions.

However, the major drop in sales means small revenue for the Cupertino firm as fewer clients are going to resort to buying AppleCare’s warranty that lasts for an extended period of time. Other than that, we’re going to see a decline in sales for other accessories from the company when buyers resort to wireless carriers. As you can imagine, both of these endeavors are deemed to be products through which the leading iPhone-making firm generates huge margins.

Hence, it seems like a period of tough luck for Apple.

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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Why Should You Invest On Your Website?

When it comes to modern business there's one common thread that leaves all players on the same field: Everything is online. It might sound like an exaggeration, but just thinking about it for a few minutes reveals how true this assessment is. After all who out there doesn't have a smartphone and spends at least multiple hours on it a day?

However, when it comes to businesses and brands an online presence is more than just an entertainment choice, it is a need. You might have heard many articles or guides emphasizing the importance of having a website and selling your product online, but the fact is that the real numbers might surprise you even more. So for today, we want to take a look at the key reasons why you might want to invest in your website and hire a dedicated Java, Python, or CRM development company to get your website to the next level.

Now, not everybody will need to arrange for custom CRM software or other high-end solutions, but one way or another you'll want to have a good and constantly updated website and today's goal is to explain all about that in a way that is easy to follow and to digest. So keep on reading to learn all the basics and begin updating your website in shape.

Everybody is buying online

Online retail is comfortable, and that's just a fact. We all have benefitted from it at least once, and the simple fact is that having access to a wide catalog of items from the comfort of your home with just a few clicks on the way is nothing short of amazing. It saves time, it saves money and most importantly it saves people the hassle, which means that clients are way more likely to invest in your product or services if they have an online presence.

Of course, we should look at the data to truly understand how massive of a shift online retail has been for the industry. According to Digital Commerce's calculations, at least 21% of all global sales are online, which means more than a fifth of all possible purchases worldwide are done through a computer or phone screen. However, that's not all, as the same study reveals that 75% of all consumers regardless of income level or nationality shop online at least once a month. So there's no denying how massive the lead potential is.

Additionally, it's important to note the sheer impact the pandemic left on the eCommerce space, as by 2020 the number of online sales had almost doubled as a result of the shift in habits that the pandemic caused. The most interesting part however is to note that these numbers did not go down, and they are still going up, so the market is there and is steadily growing.

This is why having a properly designed custom website can make the difference between a sale and a pass. According to studies, poor website design is one of the main reasons consumers abstain from online sales, as a good presentation not only makes it easier to use your website but also inspires trust in the clients. So if you want to start making a dent in the online sales space? You'll want a solid website by your side.

Your website is synonymous with visibility

Where do you go when you need to find information on something? Chances are you said Google, Siri, or something in that vein, and what do all of these elements have in common? They are online.

Google might as well be the homepage of the internet, and it's the main source of information for countless people around the globe. Which is something you need to take advantage of. A strong online presence not only means that the people who do find your website will remain interested, but it can also lead to more people noticing your website in the first place.

Google ranks websites based on its criteria of quality, which involves, content, product availability, and of course the all-too-famous SEO. However, what many people fail to mention is that site performance also plays a major role in how Google ranks websites. If a site is unresponsive or sluggish when Google bots analyze it it's going to appear less in results, and the only way to avoid that is to modernize your website with a custom design and infrastructure.

by Web Desk via Digital Information World

Worldwide Shipments of Smartwatch Witnessed A Year-over-Year Increase Following Two Consecutive Quarters

Counterpoint’s findings revealed that after the shipments declined continuously for the previous two quarters, Q4 2022 and Q1 2023, worldwide smartwatch shipments grew by 11% in 2023. Huawei is ranked second after two years for the first time, with a 58% year-over-year increase in domestic shipments. North America witnessed a decline of 9%. However, India has noted a surge of 70% year-over-year growth.

The research publication by Counterpoint called Global Smartwatch Model Tracker reported that the shipment in India skyrocketed by 70% year-over-year, acting as the catalyst for the market's recovery worldwide. China also experienced a decent increase in year-over-year smartwatch shipments. Furthermore, a remarkable change in the competitive environment has become apparent, with Huawei rising to the second spot in the rank for its share in the worldwide market.

Woojin Son, Research Analyst, reported that the company Huawei witnessed a notable surge in Q2 2023, now right below the first place in quarterly shipments, a success after two years of staggering behind. The company faced hindrances in growth due to sanctions and the diminished domestic market it faced. Huawei kept pursuing novel flagship products despite the Chinese market experiencing moderate recovery.

Woojin Son further stated that the company introduced new devices, such as the Watch 4 series, in Q2, making it the highest shipment since 2020 quarterly. Huawei is confident in its market recovery.

Leading company Apple witnessed a 10% year-over-year reduction in shipments in Q2 2023, dropping by 8 million units. This was the first time they had experienced such a decline after three years. Market share by Apple also dropped to 22% in Q2 2022.

However, Huawei has found success in the domestic market share, with an increase of 58% in shipments.

Fire-Boltt and Noise are two Indian brands that rose in popularity with a 70% and 86% year-over-year increase, respectively. Products by Noise priced below $50 witnessed a whopping 98% shipments. Fire-Boltt has also experienced similar success in widening its share in the market by focusing on affordable smartwatches.

Another leading contender, Samsung, experienced a 19% year-over-year shipment decrease in Q2 2023. However, its shipments increased in Indian and Chinese markets. On the other hand, in European and North American markets, Samsung faced a 13% and 24% year-over-year decline, respectively.

With an increase of 12% points, reaching 34% regional shipment shares, India has faced success after the stats from the previous year. 88% of Indian products priced below $50 ruled the smartwatch shipments in Q2 2023. boAt, Fire-Boltt, and Noise were responsible for 72% of all the shipments from India.

The Indian market broadening caused the share of Chinese markets to fall. Despite that, shipments from China increased by 5% after Q2 2022. Products below $500 increased to approximately 24% in China regarding revenue.

North America faced a 9% decline in Q2 2023 shipments. However, the revenue increased by 3% due to the demand for top-tier luxury products. Nonetheless, North American shares have declined in worldwide smartwatch revenues after looking back at the performance in Q2 2021 and Q2 2022.

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by Ahmed Naeem via Digital Information World

Meta’s Threads App Refuses To Give Up As It Incorporates More Features To Attract Users

While many of us may have assumed that Meta’s Threads app may not be able to recover from the constant decline in engagement and interest from users, the platform refuses to give up.

The sheer level of optimism must be applauded by the app’s management who are still in the process of launching better features. That could potentially help in getting back the interest and revenue that we once saw at the start of the explosive launch.

The app jumped to 100 million members in a shocking time frame of less than 7 days. This was right after the launch, where a record-breaking growth continued to take place, touching to 128 million users. But since then, the figures kept on stalling and before we knew it, people were no longer interested in using the app as they failed to see anything that sparked their interest.

There was a constant call to have better features to enhance functionalities and while the app’s head Adam Mosseri vowed to work on everything that fans wanted, not a lot of progress was made in that regard, and if it was, the pace was not to the liking of users.

But now, things are changing as Threads is rolling out more elements to capitalize on the early interest of its members. Remember, people chose Threads because it gave them a simplified way to make accounts and retain their followers from Instagram.

Today, the newest stats regarding usage claim that only 10 million people are active on the platform on a daily basis. This is a major stumble from the 49 million that we saw last month. So things are going downhill for sure. Immediate measures were required to make a difference and save the app from further downfall.

At first, people saw Threads as the latest rival to take down Elon Musk’s X app but today, when you compare the stats, you can see how X is functioning with close to 250 million users that remain active on a daily basis. And each session comprises of close to 25 minutes.

• Also read: Delete Your Instagram Account with a Simple and Fun Guide

If you think the dream was over for Threads, it’s not the case. The worry and concern is there as engagement is in decline. But Threads has undergone its web version launch and that was a huge decision to better engagement. It still needs work but things look promising.

Next, the app is looking for better ways to market Threads so more people join the team by creating accounts. Meta’s executives want people to have a greater sense of awareness and such efforts would try to get more users to download and glance over why it’s such a platform that needs to be a part of your daily routine.

Threads usage dropped to new lows?

Zuck just got Adam to turn the Instagram > Threads growth tap on again

Meta is now pushing Recommended Threads amongst Instagram feed posts

h/t @mattstasoff pic.twitter.com/KzCHGiW0my

— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) August 31, 2023

Meta has a massive audience when it comes down to its other tools and we can see how its plans to get more people to install the app can assist in making them look in this direction. But at the same time, it’s risky because if the platform fails to provide a great experience and ensure people engage on it, every step of the way, then there’s no point in working so hard.

Threads just require that likeability factor, something that compels users to head in that direction.

The low figures for usage make things seem like things are still at square one but do not be deceived because the time taken for algorithms to grow isn’t much. Hence, fingers are crossed from Meta’s side for a successful future.

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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Innovative Android Malware Exploits Unconventional Data Theft Approach

Trend Micro, a reputable cybersecurity research entity, has recently unveiled a distinct strain of mobile trojan that employs an atypical communication technique to discreetly gather sensitive data from compromised devices. Using a novel protobuf data serialization approach, the virus is much more effective at gathering essential data from its target endpoints.

The "MMRat" malware, named by Trend Micro researchers, first appeared in June 2023, primarily targeting Southeast Asian victims. It's interesting to note that upon its initial detection, popular antivirus scanning services like VirusTotal failed to flag it as harmful, highlighting its complex architecture.

MMRat boasts extensive malicious functionalities, ranging from data aggregation to covert operations. Its multifaceted toolkit includes capturing network, screen, and battery data, extracting contact lists, logging keystrokes, seizing real-time screen content, recording and streaming live camera data, and even uninstalling itself when required.

One of MMRat's standout features is its real-time screen content-capturing capacity, which depends on quick and smooth data transmission. Here, the protobuf protocol assumes a prominent position and becomes essential to the smooth running of the malware. The virus uses a unique data exfiltration protocol and a variety of ports and protocols to enable data interchange with the authorized command and control (C2) server.

Trend Micro's comprehensive report highlights the uniqueness of the C&C protocol, intricately constructed around the Netty network application framework and the Protobuf protocol. This customized architecture encompasses well-structured message formats, incorporating the "oneof" keyword to proficiently handle diverse data types within a unified structure.

The stealthy activities of the infection frequently find refuge in phony mobile app shops posing as official government or dating applications. Significantly, a significant signal is revealed through permission requests despite the sophistication of these deceitful efforts. These malicious apps request permission to use Android's Accessibility Service, which is a blatant sign of their evil intentions. The good news is that users who use care and decline these permission requests effectively neutralize the malware's influence and prevent its potential for harm.

In conclusion, the discovery of MMRat underscores the evolving landscape of mobile trojans. Its strategic utilization of the protobuf data serialization technique to augment data theft capabilities signifies a pivotal shift towards intricate and sophisticated tactics employed by cybercriminals.

Users must maintain caution and skepticism when granting rights to programs, even those that initially seem innocuous, in an age marked by developing security measures and detection techniques. Malicious actors and cybersecurity professionals are still at odds, with the latter working nonstop to outsmart the former's cutting-edge tactics for securing the digital sphere.

Read next: Apple's Hacking Adventure of 130+ iOS Bugs Unearthed with a Little iPhone Magic
by Rubah Usman via Digital Information World

WhatsApp to Roll Out IP Address Protection in Upcoming Update

A major component of WhatsApp’s recent actions has surrounded the instant messaging platform’s attempts to provide more security to its users than might have been the case otherwise. Individuals involved in its Google Play Beta Testing program saw an upcoming update that might greatly expand privacy for WhatsApp users, thereby making it a more secure platform overall with all things having been considered and taken into account.

This upcoming update revolved around encrypting the IP address of individuals taking part in a WhatsApp call. With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that you will notice a new toggle in the privacy section, one that will enable you to protect your IP address during a call.

It bears mentioning that this is the same section that can be used to screen calls from users that aren’t already in your contact list. This enables you to avoid calls that might come from scammers and the like, and the IP protection toggle is clearly part of WhatsApp’s wider privacy push. Such features are important because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up keeping users safe while they are exchanging messages on the platform.

However, one downside of turning IP protection on is that it might reduce the voice quality in your calls. Users that want an added layer of protection will be well served, and many would consider this to be a worthy trade off. In spite of the fact that this is the case, others would suggest that the degradation of call quality is not something that they would be willing to contend with.

It is yet to be seen when this feature will get a wider rollout. Only Google beta testers were able to get a look at it so far, so Android users will likely get the update sooner than iOS users. Either way, this update will be rolled out some time this year since it has already reached the beta testing phase which means that it is mostly complete.

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by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

TikTok Steps Up Transparency Game by Embracing EU DSA Standards

Do you remember when TikTok was first launched and suffused over every other app? TikTok really has the ability to attract anyone. Are you the one who cannot end their day without surfing on TikTok? Get ready, folks, because TikTok is pulling out all the stops to meet the shiny new regulations in town – the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA). The ones who dance to the beat of their own algorithm are now busting some moves to ensure they're in sync with user rights and data protection.

Keep your cheers to yourself for now since this program has more to offer. According to a recent TikTok announcement, EU customers will soon have the option to reject algorithmic personalization. Yes, you heard correctly. No longer will you feel like a puppet on a digital thread!

But that's just the opening act. TikTok isn't stopping there; they're going full throttle in the transparency department. EU's DSA wants to see platforms like TikTok spilling the beans on how they use your data. It's like a digital version of "tell us all your secrets." To keep things fair and square, these platforms are also supposed to let you opt out of data use if you're not feeling it.

The dancing on TikTok now becomes more complicated. They are launching an EU Online Safety Hub, where they will be displaying all of their DSA goodies. Consider taking a virtual backstage tour to observe the magic in action. This hub is jam-packed with information, including views into the content moderation circus, analyses of their data sorcery, and even a look into their ad-targeting concoction formulas.

Don't get too carried away, though. While it's cool to have all this info, most point back to their Help Center articles. But hey, knowledge is power, even if it's repackaged! All it requires from you is to get to the customer services. After all, this is the least you can do while using a free entertainment app, right?

But wait, there's more! TikTok's got a shiny new trick up its sleeve. They're adding a button that says "Report Illegal Content." It's like being the superhero who spots trouble and calls for backup. You can blow the whistle if you come across anything that smells fishy and goes against the EU rules.

• Also read: TikTok Marks Huge Milestone In AR Technology With The Launch Of Its Effect House AR Studio

Hold on, the show is still going on. TikTok is growing its ad library, which is analogous to a library with more advertisements than books. They're spicing it up with extra campaign information, so they aren't just commercials. Looking for more details of the memorable jingle? You can now.

So, what's the grand finale? Well, TikTok is ready to embrace these new rules, showing their moves on the transparency stage. It's a dance where the audience gets to know the steps, and the performers are making sure they're in tune with the crowd. TikTok is moving to the beat set by the EU's DSA with its customizable features, backstage access, and reporting options. Who would have thought that complying could be so catchy?

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by Rubah Usman via Digital Information World