Apple Inc. is set to release their new low-cost iPad and education software next week which is set to reignite sales for the tech giant and win back students and teachers who have opted for Google and Microsoft technology due to Apple’s notoriously high product price-point.  

Steve Jobs made education a strong focus for the company in it’s infancy, specifically, on primary and secondary schooling. However, as the company quickly rose to fame, this called for mass-market producing and an extremely high product demand.

This opened a window for major competitors like Google and Microsoft Corp to develop more inexpensive laptop and tablet options for students around the globe, which were quickly picked up on with such a high demand for technology in the learning space.  

Last year, the global educational technology market generated $17.7 billion in revenue, according to research firm Frost & Sullivan.

Apple accounted for 17 percent of mobile computing shipments to American students in kindergarten through to high school, according to data from the third quarter published by Futuresource Consulting. Devices running Google’s operating systems on Chromebooks or Android tablets held 60 percent of the market, and Windows PCs had 22 percent. While Macs and iPads make up less than 20 percent of Apple’s sales combined, students and teachers are a key market to drive future purchases.

According to 9to5Mac, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects that Apple will also release a 13-inch MacBook Air “with a lower price tag,” later this year, and that the lower price could help boost Apple’s laptop sales.

Though Kuo does not mention the possibility, if Apple is planning to add Apple Pencil support to the low-cost iPad, some kind of keyboard could also be included. With Apple Pencil support and an included keyboard accessory, iPads would be a far more appealing option for schools. 

Facebook Lite, a version of Facebook created by developers specifically for developing countries or areas within developed countries where people don’t have access to the latest technology to make the use of Facebook as streamline as possible for them.

Designed to run on 2G networks, Facebook Lite is now rolling out to more countries, including some very prominent developed ones like Australia and the US, according to Reuters.

Like Messenger Lite, which has previously been developed and rolled out for this very reason, the thought is that people with older Android devices or slower internet connections would benefit from the stripped-down app to conserve and provide a faster connection due to less loading time and background noise per se that could potentially interfere with the apps functionality. 

Launched in 2015, Facebook Lite was first tested in Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe, but is now available in over 100 countries.

It’s lightweight at only 252 kilobytes, and it’s based on the Snaptu version of Facebook that runs on feature phones, but with functionality like push notifications and camera integration.

In the forthcoming rollout, the simplified app will be available in countries including the US, Canada, Australia, UK, France, Germany, Ireland, and New Zealand available for download as early as this Friday.

Apple has published a series of new iPhone X ads to its YouTube channel showcasing the iPhone X’s phenomenal camera capabilities being used at various weddings.

As we all know, the Marriage equality law was passed in the Australian Government by a landslide recently; so, brands are prompted to continue to move with the times (even though Australia was a bit late off the mark, let’s be honest).

All of Apples new ads feature same-sex / gender variations of couples tying the knot, following the recent change in Australian law to formally recognise same-sex unions. 

It’s an issue that has urged brands to be more inclusive—notably Airbnb, whose Acceptance Ring project last year, by Clemenger BBDO Melbourne, was a creative high point. Now, to celebrate the breakthrough, Apple has released a set of ads from TBWA\Sydney celebrating same-sex marriage.

If you go to the Apple Australia Online Store, users are greeted by this beautiful preview shot that leads into the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjlNKiH1iBk

Apple CEO Tim Cook says he felt a “tremendous responsibility” to publicly come out as gay, to show support for LGBTQI+ people around the world. Apple is a company that take a stand on fundamental human rights; a company that continuously endeavours to advance those rights to minorities; a company that seeks to push humanity forward in the interest of having a society that is more inclusive, more diverse, and ultimately more accepting.

Another brand who continues to jump on the marriage equality bandwagon year after year is ANZ. Each year they continue to celebrate their partnership with Sydney Mardi Gras Festival by transforming their regular ATMs into “GAYTMs” and encouraging customers to upload pictures of the tellers.

The bank commissioned artists to individually transform and decorate ten ATMs around Sydney using colours, patterns, sequins, and jewels. The unique GAYTMs were found in various locations on Oxford Street, Pitt Street, George Street, Castlereagh Street, Surry Hills, and Bondi Junction.

Bottle shop chain BWS has created six ‘Pride’ stores across Sydney in celebration of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

Guy Brent, general manager of BWS, said the initiative is part of Woolworths Group’s 2020 Corporate Strategy commitment.

“As part of Woolworths Group, our 2020 Corporate Strategy commitment is to achieve Gold Tier employer status in Australian Workplace Equality Index for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex inclusion. Creating the BWS ‘Pride’ stores is one of the ways we can broadcast our stance on equality.

All aboard the spirit ship!