Author: Richard

**Apple’s Performance in the 2025 PC Market: A Comprehensive Assessment**

As per IDC’s initial report, the PC market saw a remarkable increase of 9.6% year-over-year during the holiday quarter of 2025, with a total of 76.4 million units being shipped. This expansion was especially evident in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region, which recorded a 14% rise, closely followed by the Asia-Pacific (AP) region at 12%, and the Americas at 4%. Notably, this was the first quarter since Q3 2024 in which EMEA led the growth, while the Americas continued to trail.

The report connects the impressive shipment numbers to memory shortages, which compelled purchasers and brands to acquire inventory in anticipation of price hikes in 2026. Jitesh Ubrani, a research manager at IDC, pointed out that larger consumer electronics companies are better positioned to optimize their scale and memory allocations, thereby potentially seizing market shares from smaller competitors. Nevertheless, the severity of the memory scarcity poses challenges for smaller brands, which may find it difficult to endure, while consumers might postpone purchases or redirect their spending towards alternative devices.

For Apple, the company dispatched 7.1 million units in the last quarter, sustaining the same shipment volume as in Q4 2024. Despite this consistency, Apple’s market share decreased from 10.2% to 9.3%, indicating the broader market’s growth. Conversely, IDC’s full-year statistics for 2025 showed that Apple surpassed the overall market performance, achieving an 11.1% growth with 25.6 million units shipped, although it still fell behind Lenovo and ASUS, which posted growth rates of 14.5% and 13.4%, respectively.

The demand increase for the year was impacted by the conclusion of Windows 10 support and early-year tariff concerns. Looking forward to 2026, Jean Philippe Bouchard, IDC’s research vice-president, expects significant shifts in the PC market due to the changing memory landscape. He indicated that manufacturers might reduce PC memory specifications to control inventory, forecasting a turbulent year ahead for the sector.

In conclusion, while Apple sustained stable shipments in the holiday quarter of 2025, it managed to exceed the overall market growth for the year. The continuing memory shortages and shifting market dynamics are likely to influence the future scenario of the PC industry.

### Receive an Apple Watch at No Cost as a Fitness Incentive

For several years, John Hancock has been offering members of its Vitality Plus life insurance program the chance to obtain an Apple Watch by participating in regular physical activities. The program has recently broadened its offerings to feature the newest models, the Apple Watch Series 11 and Apple Watch Ultra 3. This initiative aims to promote healthier living while granting members valuable fitness devices.

### Operational Mechanism of the Program

Through the Vitality program, John Hancock enables life insurance clients to accumulate points through routine exercise. These points can be used to offset the monthly fees for a new Apple Watch. Initially, members are required to pay $25 plus tax for their Apple Watch, with the outstanding amount split into 24 monthly payments. The more active a member becomes, the lesser their monthly fees.

#### Getting Started

1. **Sign Up for a Vitality Member Account**: Complete the Vitality Health Review (VHR) to evaluate your health condition.
2. **Purchase Your Apple Watch**: Select from the Apple Watch SE, Series 11, or Ultra 3 and make the upfront payment of $25 plus tax. Be aware that higher-tier models may need an additional initial payment.
3. **Monitor Your Workouts**: Utilize your Apple Watch to keep track of various workout types, including walking, running, biking, and swimming.

### Accumulating Points

Members can greatly diminish their monthly fees according to the points gained through their workouts. Below is a summary of the costs linked to the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 depending on the points accrued in a month:

– **Zero Points**: $15.50 per month
– **240 Points**: $12.25 per month
– **360 Points**: $7.00 per month
– **500 Points**: $0.00 per month

For the Apple Watch SE:

– **Zero Points**: $9.25 per month
– **240 Points**: $7.25 per month
– **360 Points**: $4.25 per month
– **500 Points**: $0.00 per month

### Methods to Accumulate Points

Points can be gained through daily physical activities. A “Standard” workout yields 20 points, which entails:

– **Step Count**: 10,000 steps
– **Active Calories**: Based on personal thresholds from the Apple Health app
– **Heart Rate**: 60% of maximum heart rate for a minimum of 30 minutes

An “Advanced workout” provides 30 points and necessitates:

– **Step Count**: 15,000 steps
– **Active Calories**: Based on personal thresholds from the Apple Health app
– **Heart Rate**: 60% of maximum heart rate for a minimum of 45 minutes

### Final Note

The John Hancock Vitality program presents a distinctive opportunity for life insurance clients to acquire an Apple Watch while encouraging a healthier lifestyle. By monitoring workouts and accumulating points, members can significantly lower their monthly expenses for the device. For further details and to register, visit the [John Hancock Vitality website](https://www.johnhancock.com/life-insurance/vitality/apple-watch.html). This program is exclusively available to Vitality Plus life insurance members.

Apple has restarted its beta update process following a holiday hiatus, launching public beta 2 for macOS Tahoe 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, and more. This recent batch of public betas comes on the heels of the recently released developer beta 2.

The 26.3 software series seems to be fairly minimal in terms of new features. The key enhancements are located in iOS 26.3, which brings a tool for migrating data from iPhone to Android, improvements to the wallpaper gallery, and new settings designed for EU users. Other updates within the 26.3 series haven’t disclosed any substantial changes aside from bug fixes and performance enhancements.

As the beta cycle progresses, there could be unexpected developments, but it is anticipated that the updates will arrive shortly, setting the stage for a more feature-rich 26.4 cycle. Users are invited to share any discoveries from beta 2 for iPadOS 26.3, watchOS 26.3, or any other updates in the comments.

**Verizon’s FCC Petition: Modifications to Phone Unlocking Policy**

Verizon has recently achieved success in its request to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to alter the regulations regarding the unlocking of phones, leading to a less customer-friendly policy for its users. This adjustment is noteworthy, as it reshapes the environment for consumers intending to change carriers.

### FCC’s Ruling on Device Unlocking

The FCC has provided Verizon with a waiver permitting the company to lock phones to its network for longer durations. Formerly, Verizon was obligated to unlock devices 60 days post-activation. This latest decision indicates that Verizon will now only need to comply with the voluntary unlocking guidelines established by the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA). According to this policy, prepaid devices may be unlocked one year after activation, while postpaid devices are only eligible for unlocking after meeting contractual commitments, device financing arrangements, or early termination fees.

### Consequences for Consumers

This ruling complicates the process for consumers wishing to transition from Verizon to alternative carriers. The previous stipulation permitted automatic unlocking after 60 days, affording a clear pathway for customers wanting to migrate. Now, patrons must wait a complete year and initiate a request for unlocking, which adds complexity to the entire procedure.

### Context of Verizon’s Unlocking Regulations

Traditionally, Verizon has functioned under different unlocking regulations when compared to its rivals. While the majority of carriers adhere to the one-year unlocking stipulation, Verizon’s earlier guidelines were partly influenced by strategic decisions made during significant commercial undertakings. For example, when Verizon secured licenses for 700 MHz spectrum in 2008 and during its 2021 merger with TracFone, it committed to specific unlocking stipulations.

### Justification for the FCC’s Decision

The FCC defended its ruling by claiming that the earlier unlocking policy encouraged unlawful activities, such as phone theft, which could be leveraged for fraudulent purposes. Verizon supported this viewpoint, asserting that the former regulations unintentionally aided international criminal organizations at the detriment of legitimate customers.

### Summary

For Verizon users, this policy adjustment signifies a significant shift in the management of phone unlocking. The new requirement not only prolongs the waiting period for unlocking devices but also adds layers of difficulty to the process of changing carriers. As the telecom sector continues to transform, consumers will have to navigate these developments thoughtfully.