Tech giant Apple has laid off employees in its Digital Services group, primarily affecting those working on the Apple Books app and Apple News.
The Verge Reports Apple, the tech giant that has made the iPhone and many other popular products one of the world's most valuable companies, recently implemented job cuts across its Digital Services group, Bloomberg reports. The cuts, which have already affected around 100 employees, are said to be part of a “shift in priorities” for the division.
Most of the layoffs worked on the teams that run the Apple Books app and Apple Bookstore, with the remaining cuts made in some engineering roles and across services like Apple News. Despite these cuts, sources familiar with the matter said the layoffs aren't a sign that Apple is shifting focus away from services like Apple Books, and that new features will continue to be added to the app.
While Apple's Services division, which includes services like Apple TV Plus, Apple News, and Apple Music, has been a big revenue driver for the company in recent years, Apple reportedly doesn't consider the Books app a key part of its lineup, which may be why the Books team was hit harder by the layoffs than other digital services.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has previously said cutting staff is a “last resort” for the company, and that layoffs have been relatively rare and small compared to other tech giants. But this isn't the first time Apple has cut staff in recent years. In April, it was reported that at least 600 jobs had been cut from its canceled car and smartwatch display projects, and an undisclosed “small number” of roles were being eliminated from its corporate retail team in 2023.
The recent job cuts in the Digital Services division may be part of Apple's ongoing efforts to streamline operations and focus on its core products and services. As the technology industry continues to rapidly evolve, companies like Apple must adapt and make difficult decisions to stay competitive and innovative.
Learn more The Verge is here.
Lucas Nolan is a reporter for Breitbart News covering free speech and online censorship.
