Apple is set to lay off approximately 100 employees from its Services division, just ahead of the highly anticipated iPhone 16 launch event on September 9.
According to Bloomberg, the layoffs will impact several teams, including those working on the Apple Books app and the Apple Bookstore. Employees were reportedly informed of their job losses on Tuesday. These affected staff members, who are part of Senior Vice President Eddy Cue’s services group, have requested to remain anonymous as the news has not been officially disclosed by Apple.
The exact size of Apple’s Services division remains unclear. As of September 30, 2023, Apple employed around 161,000 full-time workers, according to Reuters.
The job cuts come as Apple realigns its focus towards emerging areas such as artificial intelligence. The company has been reorganizing its teams and deprioritizing certain projects, including Apple Books, though future updates are still planned.
This reduction in workforce is part of a broader trend of job cuts across the tech industry. Earlier this year, Apple made headlines for laying off over 600 employees in California, marking its first major job reductions since the pandemic. Additionally, the company recently paused development on its high-end Vision headset and canceled a project related to smartwatch displays.
In February, Apple also scrapped its ambitious multibillion-dollar plans to develop an electric vehicle, signaling a shift towards artificial intelligence initiatives. The electric vehicle project faced numerous hurdles, including shifting objectives, staff turnover, and missed deadlines, which contributed to the decision to pivot focus.
