Massiveattack87

I looked at their balance sheet given their performance for Q2 2024. 

Cost of sales are down. So, Apple could improve their margin and income. At the same time, theire assets and liabilities are down. This leads to higher equity. Their FCF is stable and positive as always.

Given this fact, I understand why Apple takes the debt to buy back their stocks. 
What Apple is doing is simple: Being cash neutral. 

Apple would have no problem to have bigger cash reserves thanks to their enourmous FCF if Apple wanted to. 

At this rate of buybacks, there would be no share left in 2050. 

But all these buybacks and dividen payment work as long as Apple generates current or higher FCF. 

What we see is Apple is betting on generating the current FCF for long term. 

P.S.: Meanwhile, theire R&D expense is up QoQ and YoY. 

GM is not the only one. Mercedes Benz officially confirmed that CarPlay will not be supported for next models.

The reason of Mercedes is that Apple wants to strive for "All or Nothign" strategy. 
Mercedes Benz would have no issue to have CarPlay as long as basic features can be played by Apple, but Mercedes Benz is not willing to give up the entire control to Apple.

I fear that more and more OEMs would follow GM´s and MB´s decision not to support Apple CarPlay if Apple continues sticking to their "All or Nothing" strategy.

But Having driven EQS, I have to say that MB is way way behind in the UI/UX area. 
MB tries hard to present their cars as a modern technology, but it feels old somehow. 

Nothing can top the simplified UI/UX made by Apple. 

I ask myself if AAPL is gonna ever allow such apps when their goggle is ready for the mass market. 
The success of their goggle depends on nude and porn. 

Still an useless device so far.
Very "un-Apple" product without headset comfort. 

Maybe, it would be a good device after some generations. Maybe not. 

If you agree or not, the AVP would be pretty useless without porn and live sport given the perspective of a player.