Apple Ecosystem Research Articles

TV plus what? data-capital, brand extension, and lock-in effects in the Apple ecosystem

ABSTRACT Beyond general claims about Apple TV+ as a loss-leader for device sales, this article argues that Apple’s now vertically integrated TV strategy also seeks to (1) expand streams of behavioural data within its services strategy and broader operations; (2) extend its brand through the cultural industries of film and television; and (3) strengthen the lock-in effects of the company’s ecosystem of hardware, software, and services by selling visions of seamless integration, convenience, and connectivity. In examining these other uses and values of television for Apple, I call critical attention to the growing importance of the ecosystem metaphor for conceptualizing the complexity, dynamism, and scale of big tech firms and their diverse operations, of which platform television is increasingly included. Such an analysis begins to paint a fuller portrait of the neglected case of Apple in television and media industry studies, as well as the under-examined role of television in studies of Apple.

A look at the possible impact of Apple's new policy on third-party apps and the data food chain of iOS users

The research presents and discusses that Apple's new policy of applying the privacy application framework "App Tracking Transparency" to Apple's IOS14 system has implications for third-party companies in the data food chain as well as users. Users has paid attention to private information including consumption habits, spending power, product preferences, price sensitivity. We found that Apple's new Privacy Application Framework gives Apple absolute dominance in the data food chain of smart media users, Apple and the Apple ecosystem, third-party application platforms, and downstream marketing companies that provide data mining analysis for third-party applications, changing the traditional equal relationship between third-party application platforms and their direct access to user data.

Leveraging the Apple Ecosystem: Easy Viewing and Sharing of Three-dimensional Perforator Visualizations via iPad/iPhone-based Augmented Reality

Summary: We introduce a novel technique using augmented reality (AR) on smartphones and tablets, making it possible for surgeons to review perforator anatomy in three dimensions on the go. Autologous breast reconstruction with abdominal flaps remains challenging due to the highly variable anatomy of the deep inferior epigastric artery. Computed tomography angiography has mitigated some but not all challenges. Previously, volume rendering and different headsets were used to enable better three-dimensional (3D) review for surgeons. However, surgeons have been dependent on others to provide 3D imaging data. Leveraging the ubiquity of Apple devices, our approach permits surgeons to review 3D models of deep inferior epigastric artery anatomy segmented from abdominal computed tomography angiography directly on their iPhone/iPad. Segmentation can be performed in common radiology software. The models are converted to the universal scene description zipped format, which allows immediate use on Apple devices without third-party software. They can be easily shared using secure, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act–compliant sharing services already provided by most hospitals. Surgeons can simply open the file on their mobile device to explore the images in 3D using “object mode” natively without additional applications or can switch to AR mode to pin the model in their real-world surroundings for intuitive exploration. We believe patient-specific 3D anatomy models are a powerful tool for intuitive understanding and communication of complex perforator anatomy and would be a valuable addition in routine clinical practice and education. Using this one-click solution on existing devices that is simple to implement, we hope to streamline the adoption of AR models by plastic surgeons.

Development of a mobile application for checking the level of English knowledge using the SWIFT programming language and the UIKIT framework

This scientific work is aimed at the development and implementation of an innovative mobile application aimed at assessing the level of knowledge of foreign languages. The main goal of the study was to create a convenient and fast tool that allows users not only to determine their level of language competence, but also to identify shortcomings and determine the optimal path for further improvement.
 In the course of the study, the existing methods and systems for evaluating language skills were carefully analyzed. Based on this analysis, detailed functional and non-functional requirements for the developed software product were formulated. The choice of technical and software tools, in particular the Swift programming language and the IOS operating system, was justified by their relevance and the ability to create applications for all devices in the Apple ecosystem.
 A significant part of the work was the creation of a database using the non-relational Realm system for mobile devices. The application interacts with data in JSON format, which allows you to efficiently load and display lists of questions for users. In the development process, such libraries as Foundation, UIKit, RealmSwift and others were used in order to ensure optimal performance and reliability of the application.
 Special attention was paid to creating an intuitive and convenient interface for users. The development process included a careful design of the logic and structure of the mobile application in order to ensure maximum convenience during use.
 One of the key parts of the research was testing the developed application. UI testing was carried out to check the correctness and usability of the interface, compatibility testing to ensure operation on different devices, and functional testing to check compliance with all defined requirements.
 As a result of the research, an information system for automated testing that meets high standards and requirements was successfully developed. The obtained results can serve as a basis for the integration of the program into the educational process or to provide students with the opportunity to gain practical skills in assessing their language competence.

Trading Off the Orchard for an Apple: the iOS 14.5 Privacy Update

On 22 June 2020, Apple announced the iOS 14.5 update.1 According to the firm, its aim was to protect its users’ personal data. Within the Apple ecosystem, we find multiple layers and sides of customers that interact amongst themselves. On one side we find users and on the other we find app developers, publishers, and advertisers. Apple, on behalf of its condition as ecosystem holder, brings both sides of the platform together. It creates net value for them by putting them together, insofar as they have interdependent demand functions.2 Users mainly exploit the device’s features through their interaction with apps downloaded on the App Store.3 These apps are developed by third-party app developers4 and by Apple through its own proprietary services. App developers, publishers, and advertisers generate their revenue mainly through advertising. The app publisher sells the space to the advertiser to display its ads. Since apps in the App Store are rarely paid, most third-party apps rely on the free ad-based business model, especially small and new app developers.

Privacy by Default, Abuse by Design: EU Competition Concerns About Apple's New App Tracking Policy

With the most recent updates of its mobile operating systems, in April 2021 Apple implemented a new global App Tracking Transparency policy. The policy obliges app developers to display an additional (Apple-designed) prompt to request permission from end users for the developer to “track” the user, even when the user has already consented to the sharing of its data through the developer’s own consent tool. Apple presents the new policy as a step to enhance privacy. Others, including the authors of this article, see it as a “bombshell for third-party mobile ad tech” that, together with Google’s disabling of third-party cookies, only entrenches the data supremacy of Apple and Google, and forecloses data-based competition and consumer choice across the entire Apple ecosystem. These concerns in fact have already triggered an investigation by the French Autorite de la concurrence and a complaint of eight media and tech associations before the German Bundeskartellamt. From the standpoint of EU law, this article describes the relevant conduct and technicalities, its impact on end users’ data privacy and on competition, and how both interests may be weighed considering the existing legislation.

The Antitrust Case Against Apple

This article explores several potential antitrust claims against Apple - namely tying, essential facilities, refusal to deal and monopoly leveraging. We argue that the Apple ecosystem's large revenue share in terms of app transactions, lock-in effects and consumers' behavioral bias in online markets give the iPhone maker monopoly power as a mobile platform. Apple has exploited its market power to illegally tie the distribution of digital goods to its proprietary in-app purchase system to impose a 30% tax and extract supracompetitive profits, leading to higher app prices and reduced innovation. Moreover, Apple has excluded rivals and favored its own apps by downgrading competitors' discovery and promotions, blocking certain rivals entirely from the App Store, and limiting others' access to key APIs, in some cases right after copying their apps. In conjunction with the discriminatory application of the 30% tax, Apple's conduct towards major multi-homing apps such as Spotify reduces cross-platform competition with Android. These anticompetitive practices prolong and expand Apple's monopoly at the expense of competition.

Simultaneous Determination of Pyraclostrobin, Prochloraz, and its Metabolite in Apple and Soil Via RRLC-MS/MS

A sensitive and high-efficiency method for simultaneous detection of pyraclostrobin, prochloraz, and its metabolite in apple and soil based on QuEChERS pretreatment combined with rapid resolution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was established and validated. The limits of quantification of three compounds in two matrixes were 0.005 mg kg−1. The average recoveries of pyraclostrobin, prochloraz, and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol in soil matrix were in the ranges of 87–105%, 86–95%, and 90–96%, respectively, with all the relative standard deviations (RSDs) of < 9.6%, while recoveries were 89–93%, 83–97%, and 89–101% in apple with the RSDs of < 6.5% at three spiking levels. For verify the applicability of this method, the real samples from three representative locations were detected. The degradation behaviors and residue distributions of pyraclostrobin and prochloraz and its metabolite in apple ecosystem were investigated. The field experiment data showed that the dissipation of pyraclostrobin and prochloraz in apple and soil followed pseudo-first-order kinetic models. The half-lives of pyraclostrobin in soil and apple were 8.6–19.8 and 7.9–15.1 days, while prochloraz were 8.9–21 and 5.8–12.4 days. The highest terminal residue of total prochloraz and pyraclostrobin in apple, after spraying three to four times with the interval of 28 days, was far below the maximum residue limits recommended by China. This research could provide guidance on a reasonable usage of prochloraz and pyraclostrobin in apple orchard.

Optimizing Crops for Biocontrol of Pests and Disease.

Volatile compounds and extrafloral nectar are common defenses of wild plants; however, in crops they bear an as-yet underused potential for biological control of pests and diseases. Odor emission and nectar secretion are multigene traits in wild plants, and thus form difficult targets for breeding. Furthermore, domestication has changed the capacity of crops to express these traits. We propose that breeding crops for an enhanced capacity for tritrophic interactions and volatile-mediated direct resistance to herbivores and pathogens can contribute to environmentally-friendly and sustainable agriculture. Natural plant volatiles with antifungal or repellent properties can serve as direct resistance agents. In addition, volatiles mediating tritrophic interactions can be combined with nectar-based food rewards for carnivores to boost indirect plant defense.

Alternative Organic Fungicides for Apple Scab Management and Their Non-target Effects

A major challenge in organic apple production in humid production regions is the available fungicide options for apple scab [Venturia inaequalis (Cooke) Wint.] management. The standard sulfur/lime sulfur fungicide program can be injurious to the applicator, the apple ecosystem, and the apple tree itself. The objectives of this study were to compare the efficacy of three potential alternative fungicides [potassium bicarbonate (PB), neem oil (NO), and Bacillus subtilis (Bs)] with a standard organic sulfur/lime sulfur (SLS) fungicide program and a non-treated control (NTC) for management of apple scab and to evaluate potential non-target impacts on pest and beneficial arthropod populations. The five treatments were applied to ‘Empire’ trees arranged in a completely randomized design with five single-tree replications at the University of Vermont Horticultural Research Center in South Burlington, VT. Fungicides were applied with a handgun to drip using maximum label rates. Applications began on 26 Apr. 2007 and 23 Apr. 2008 and continued on approximately a weekly schedule through the end of June and then every 2 weeks through 23 July 2007 and 17 July 2008, respectively. The standard SLS treatment resulted in the best scab control in both years. The NO treatment reduced foliar and fruit scab compared with the NTC and the other alternatives at the end of the 2008 growing season and had insecticidal activity. However, both the SLS and NO treatments had disadvantages, including phytotoxic burning on the fruit and/or significantly more russeting on the fruit at harvest. In each year of the study, one or more of the alternative treatments, particularly Bs, resulted in higher insect damage than the non-fungicide-treated control. This research showed that PB, Bs, and NO do not offer advantages over the standard SLS fungicide program in organic apple production and in some cases offer distinct disadvantages in terms of non-target impacts. Chemical names used: potassium bicarbonate (Armicarb “O”), Bacillus subtilis (Serenade MAX), neem oil (Trilogy), sulfur (Microthiol Sulfur)/lime sulfur (Miller Lime Sulfur)

HORTICULTURAL OPTIONS WHEN STARTING AN ORGANIC APPLE ORCHARD

Disease susceptibility significantly influences organic apple (Malus ×domestica) production in the eastern United States because of weather conditions during the growing season. The northeastern USA has seen a shift away from 'McIntosh', the historically predominant cultivar which is very susceptible to apple scab (Venturia inaegualis), to newer cultivars, due to consumer preference and a shift in market focus from wholesale to retail and niche markets. A multidisciplinary, multi-state, long-term research project OrganicA Project (http://www.uvm.edu/~organica/) was initiated in 2006 at the University of Vermont (UVM). One objective of this ongoing project was to incorporate and evaluate apple cultivars and research-generated knowledge of apple ecosystem dynamics into organic production systems to determine their sustainability and profitability. We examined two major production systems growers could use in changing cultivars: top-grafting (an 18 year-old orchard was top-grafted to 'Ginger Gold', 'Honeycrisp', 'Liberty', 'Macoun' and 'Zestar!') and establishing a new orchard by planting new trees of the same cultivars used in the top-grafted orchard. The information presented here represents a comparison of alternative horticultural methods, techniques and costs associated with these two systems during the establishment years.

Feeding and Egg Distribution Studies of &lt;I&gt;Heringia calcarata&lt;/I&gt; (Diptera: Syrphidae), a Specialized Predator of Woolly Apple Aphid (Homoptera: Eriosomatidae) in Virginia Apple Orchards

Predation by the aphidophagous syrphid fly Heringia calcarata (Loew) on woolly apple aphid, Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann), was studied in the laboratory and in Virginia apple orchards. Feeding studies compared the prey suitability of three temporally sympatric aphid pests of apple: spirea aphid, Aphis spiraecola Patch; rosy apple aphid, Dysaphis plantaginea (Passerini); and woolly apple aphid. Significantly more H. calcarata larvae survived and completed development on a pure diet of woolly apple aphid than on rosy apple aphid, and none survived on spirea aphid. Final larval weights were significantly greater, and the larval developmental period was significantly shorter on woolly apple aphid than on rosy apple aphid, but neither the duration of pupal development nor adult weight differed between diets. H. calcarata larvae consumed an average of 105 woolly apple aphids during their development. Naïve, neonate larvae given access to all possible pair combinations of woolly apple aphid, rosy apple aphid, and spirea aphid consumed significantly more woolly apple aphids in all pairings that included woolly apple aphid. When given a choice of rosy apple aphid and spirea aphid, significantly more rosy apple aphids were consumed. Weekly counts of syrphid eggs found in woolly apple aphid, rosy apple aphid, and spirea aphid colonies collected from apple trees showed that two generalist hover fly predators, Eupeodes americanus (Wiedemann) and Syrphus rectus Osten Sacken, were present in colonies of all three aphid species and that E. americanus was the most abundant syrphid predator in A. spiraecola and D. plantaginea colonies. H. calcarata eggs were found only in woolly apple aphid colonies and were more abundant there than E. americanus and S. rectus. These data suggest that H. calcarata is a specialized predator of woolly apple aphid in the apple ecosystem in Virginia.

Feeding and egg distribution studies of Heringia calcarata (Diptera: Syrphidae), a specialized predator of woolly apple aphid (Homoptera: Eriosomatidae) in Virginia apple orchards.

Predation by the aphidophagous syrphid fly Heringia calcarata (Loew) on woolly apple aphid, Eriosoma lanigerum (Hausmann), was studied in the laboratory and in Virginia apple orchards. Feeding studies compared the prey suitability of three temporally sympatric aphid pests of apple: spirea aphid, Aphis spiraecola Patch; rosy apple aphid, Dysaphis plantaginea (Passerini); and woolly apple aphid. Significantly more H. calcarata larvae survived and completed development on a pure diet of woolly apple aphid than on rosy apple aphid, and none survived on spirea aphid. Final larval weights were significantly greater, and the larval developmental period was significantly shorter on woolly apple aphid than on rosy apple aphid, but neither the duration of pupal development nor adult weight differed between diets. H. calcarata larvae consumed an average of 105 woolly apple aphids during their development. Naïve, neonate larvae given access to all possible pair combinations of woolly apple aphid, rosy apple aphid, and spirea aphid consumed significantly more woolly apple aphids in all pairings that included woolly apple aphid. When given a choice of rosy apple aphid and spirea aphid, significantly more rosy apple aphids were consumed. Weekly counts of syrphid eggs found in woolly apple aphid, rosy apple aphid, and spirea aphid colonies collected from apple trees showed that two generalist hover fly predators, Eupeodes americanus (Wiedemann) and Syrphus rectus Osten Sacken, were present in colonies of all three aphid species and that E. americanus was the most abundant syrphid predator in A. spiraecola and D. plantaginea colonies. H. calcarata eggs were found only in woolly apple aphid colonies and were more abundant there than E. americanus and S. rectus. These data suggest that H. calcarata is a specialized predator of woolly apple aphid in the apple ecosystem in Virginia.

Spider fauna in apple ecosystem of western Oregon and its field susceptibility to chemical and microbial insecticides.

Twelve families, 26 genera, and 30 identifiable spider species were found in surveys conducted in apple orchards of western Oregon. The Salticidae, Linyphiidae, Clubionidae, Philodromidae, and Theridiidae comprised 85.56% ofthe total spiders collected. The most common species in order of abundance were Metaphidippus aeneolus Curtis, Spirembolus mundus Chamberlin & Ivie, Cheiracanthium inclusum (Hentz), Philodromus spectabilis Keyserling, Eris marginata (Walckenaer), and Theridion lawrencei Gertsch & Archer. Individuals of these species were collected in 50-60% of the samples and were most abundant in the month of August. The Bacillus thuringiensis-based insecticides, DiPel (100 Million International Units/100 liters) and MVP (250 ml/100 liters), summer oil (0.5-1.0 liter/100 liters), the insect growth regulator (IGR) diflubenzuron (3-12 g/100 liters), and organophosphate Phosmet (6-60 g/100 liters) were generally harmless (P > 0.05) to these spider species. Full field rates of organophosphate azinphosmethyl (25 g/100 liters) and carbamate carbaryl (60 g/100 liters) were slightly to moderately harmful (25-75% mortality). These insecticides at reduced rates (azinphosmethyl 2.5-5.0 g and carbaryl 12 g/100 liters) applied alone or in combination with DiPel and MVP, had a negligible effect. Full rates of pyrethroids esfenvalerate (2.5 g/100 liters) and permethrin (4.0 g/100 liters) were moderately to highly harmful (50-75% mortality) and their reduced rates (esfenvalerate 0.25-0.50 g and permethrin 0.4-0.8 g/100 liters) were selective to the spiders.

Temporal-spatial patterns of Noctuinae communities (Lep. Noctuidae) in Hungarian apple orchards (Apple Ecosystem research)

In our present study we aimed to recognize the temporal and spatial patterns of Noctuinae communities (Lep.Noctuidae)of four differently managed apple orchards laying in different localities of Hungary.Data were obtained by light trap collection. The quantitative data resulting from our investigations were analyzed by multivariate methods and were also analyzed by their diversity characteristics.As a result connections were found regarding the diversities of species and individuals,the patterns of occurrence and phenological properties.The studies were based on 8497 individuals of 39 species.

Seasonal Activity of Chilocorus bijugus Mulsant on San Jose scale, Quadraspidiotus perniciosus (Comstock) in Apple Ecosystem

Among the coccinellid predators, Chilocorns bijugus Mulsant was found to be the most effective against the San Jose scale, Quadraspidiotus perniciosus (Comstock), a serious pest of apple in India and elsewhere (Pruthi and Rao, 1951; Chanyuvadze, 1976; Thakur et al., 1989). So far, only very little attention has been given to study the seasonal activity of the predator on San Jose scale in the apple ecosystem. A study was therefore conducted to obtain quantitative data on C.bijugus in the different apple ecosystem of Himachal Pradesh for developing effective biocontrol strategies for San Jose scale.