75 Million New iPhones 2nd Half of 2019; Samsung Will Re-Launch Galaxy Fold in September; eBay Starting Delivery Service; Uber Testing All-in-One Subscription

Apple’s suppliers are apparently gearing up to crank out 75 million new iPhones in the second half of this year. Macrumors.com reports that the number will match what was produced in the same time frame last year…showing that Apple thinks sales will stabilize after sales dips from the substantial increase in average prices that came with the X and XS models. Analysts have started checking more closely with suppliers since Apple stopped reporting numbers for iPhone sales as well as unit sales for their other devices. The latest, greatest iPhones should bow around the third week of September.

Samsung will try a do-over after the disastrous launch of the Galaxy Fold this Spring. According to 9to5google.com, Samsung says they have made the top protective layer of the screen much harder to remove, by extending it beyond the bezel so it looks like part of the structure, not like a peel off temporary protection. They say that the improved Fold also “features additional reinforcements to better protect the device from external particles.” It will be rolled out in ’select markets,’ which Samsung didn’t name, in September…and is STILL a whopping $1980!

eBay will launch its own fulfillment service called Managed delivery next year in the US. Theverge.com says it will provide end-to-end packaging and deliveries to its sellers. eBay claims its sellers send 1.5 million packages per day in the US and they expect that 40-50% of the items listed on the site will qualify for the new plan. They are shooting for tow to three day delivery. In a trial run, a seller said eBay charged $3.99 to send a package from California to New Jersey. He had spend $3.09 previously….not counting the cost of packing supplies. The man said that was reasonable since he didn’t have to spend any time packing boxes and readying them to send off.

Taking a page from Amazon Prime’s playbook, Uber is looking at a monthly subscription service that would roll up ride-hailing, Uber Eats delivery, and bike and scooter rentals. Theverge.com reports that they are testing different versions in San Francisco and Chicago, but could start rolling the subscription out to other markets soon. It will set you back $24.99 a month, and includes price protection or a fixed discount on every ride-hail trip, free delivery on Uber Eats, and free rides on Uber’s Jump bikes and scooters.