Apple Daily Report: Apple’s interested in Sony’s 3D sensors for smartphones (and more news)

Since Steve and I can’t cover everything, at the end of each week day, we’ll offer this wrap-up of news items you should check out. 

Sony, the biggest maker of camera chips used in smartphones, is boosting production of next-generation 3D sensors after getting interest from customers including Apple, reports Bloomberg.  The chips will power front- and rear-facing 3D cameras of models from several smartphone makers in 2019, the article adds.

NPR’s new Remote Audio Data system (RAD) lets podcasters know whether people are listening to their shows and the ads embedded within them. That knowledge could be a boon for the growing, ad-supported industry, but RAD’s success relies on Apple — agreeing to join, notes The Verge.

Apple has posted a new “prison break” ad dubbed “Color Flood” that promotes its iPhone Xr on the company’s YouTube channel.  

The value of Apple’s buybacks is $9 billion less than when Apple purchased the stock, The Wall Street Journal reports. The tech giant spent nearly $63 billion on share buybacks in 2018 ( not including the fourth quarter). Some of those purchases were at the stock price of $222, but now it is trading at $156 per share.

Investors should buy Apple stock on the big dip, according to D.A. Davidson. The firm’s analyst Tom Forte reaffirmed his Buy rating and $280 price target for smartphone maker’s shares, citing its inexpensive valuation, as noted by Barron’s.

Netflix is no longer allowing new or resubscribing members to sign up for a Netflix subscription using an in-app purchase via the App Store, according to VentureBeat.