APPLE AND MICROSOFT RAISE PRICES ON IPADS, MACS, XBOX

Both tech giants raised prices within hours of each other, signaling widespread pressure from semiconductor expenses. Memory chips have become a critical bottleneck for consumer electronics manufacturers, with costs climbing sharply in recent months. Apple's price hikes affected iPad and Mac product lines, while Microsoft targeted Xbox gaming consoles. Neither company publicly attributed the increases directly to chip costs, though industry analysts point to constrained memory supplies as the primary driver. The price hikes underscore how hardware makers are absorbing—and passing along—mounting component expenses. Memory chip shortages have persisted despite predictions of supply stabilization, keeping costs elevated across the industry. Consumers face higher barriers to entry for these popular devices, while competitors weigh similar pricing decisions. The moves suggest memory chip prices may remain a headwind for hardware manufacturers throughout the quarter.