Apple has internally considered launching cloud services for app developers that would compete with established services from other tech giants, including Google, Amazon, and Microsoft.
The service would offer services that developers have come to depend on, including cloud processing and data storage.
The Information reports that its sources say Apple has been internally debating whether or not to provide server services to developers of apps for its devices, like the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. While no final decision has bene made on the plan, Apple could eventually launch such a cloud service.
The service would use Apple-built cloud servers, powered by Apple Silicon-based chips. Executives in the company that are “pro cloud services” says the move would both save money for Apple (Due to the Apple Chips’ efficiency) and provide a new income stream for developers.
Apple Cloud executive Michael Abbott was reportedly the biggest proponent of the developer cloud services. However, the debate about developer cloud services continued, even after Abbott’s exit from the company in 2023.
Apple continues to develop server hardware, as in May it was reported that Apple is developing new server chips to replace the M2 Ultra chips that are currently used to process Apple Intelligence queries.
Apple currently pays approximately $7 billion per year to Amazon and Google for their cloud services, so using their own hardware would save a substantial bit of that amount for the Cupertino company. It could also grab a chunk of the developer cloud services income stream that Google currently enjoys. Google Cloud accounted for 12% of Alphabet’s 2024 revenue, earning an impressive $43.2 billion in revenue.
