For the just-ended quarter, Apple's profits missed Wall Street expectations for the first time since 2016, dragged down by iPhone sales falling for the first time since 2020.

The plan underscores efforts by firms to lower supply chain exposure to China amid trade and geopolitical tension and production disruption caused by China's Covid-19 containment measures.

The move was likely a pushback against Apple Inc's 30% cut on any payments made by users via apps on the iOS operating system, the report says.

He says Apple chief Tim Cook was clear that the iPhone maker had 'never considered' removing Twitter from its App Store.

The action, unconfirmed by Apple, would not be unusual as the company has routinely enforced its rules and previously removed apps such as Gab and Parler.

Demand for smartphones assembled at Foxconn's Zhengzhou plant has helped Apple remain a bright spot in a technology sector battered by consumer spending cutbacks amid surging inflation and interest rates.

An iPhone rental service could tap consumers' fear of missing out, or Fomo, and allow them to stay in fashion at a more affordable price.

The new prices, excluding auto-renewable subscriptions, will be effective as early as Oct 5.

Apple's Chinese suppliers Luxshare Precision Industry and iPhone assembler Foxconn have reportedly started test production of Apple Watch and MacBook in Northern Vietnam.

Apple's slightly higher expectations for the forthcoming iPhone 14 underscore a growing belief among Wall Street analysts that the Cupertino, California company's sales are likely to hold up better than the broader smartphone industry if major economies enter a recession.

Apple representatives say that they believe sophisticated attacks the new feature is designed to fight - called 'zero click' hacking techniques - are still relatively rare and that most users will not need to activate the new mode.

Google's threat analysis team says spyware made by RCS Lab targeted the phones using a combination of tactics including unusual 'drive-by downloads' that happen without victims being aware.