Apple’s annual shareholders meeting took place on Wednesday at the Steve Jobs Theater on the Apple Park campus. While there was the usual boring stuff, like shareholder proposals, MacRumors reports that Apple executives in attendance did make a few interesting comments.
Multiple meeting attendees shared details of the meeting via Twitter.
Apple CEO Tim Cook’s opening remarks included comments on the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, which has caused Apple the lower its March revenue forecast, due to store closures in China and device shortages.
Cook commented that the outbreak is a “fairly dynamic situation” that is “a challenge” for Apple. He went on to say that Apple’s first priority is the health and safety of its employees. “That’s where our energies are,” he said.
Cook was asked why Apple hadn’t attempted to buy the rights to the upcoming Friends reunion show that will premier on the new HBO Max streaming service in May 2020. Cook replied that recycled content is “Not what Apple TV+ is about.” He went on to comment that Apple TV+ is “about original programming.” He added that “It doesn’t feel right for Apple to just go out and take a rerun.”
Cook discussed the environment, saying Apple’s aim is to “create an Apple product without taking anything from the earth” as part of a closed-loop supply chain, which is why Apple has established robust recycling methods. “This is one of those things people say you can’t do. We’re going to find a way to do it,” Cook said.
Cook made remarks during the meeting confirming Apple’s plans to open an online store in India during 2020 and to open a retail store in 2021.
Apple software chief Craig Federighi chimed in when Cook was asked about iPad software lagging behind iPad hardware. “If you like what you’ve seen us do with iPadOS, stay tuned, we’re going to keep working on it,” he said.
Most of the meeting focused on standard business, such as electing directors approving executive compensation and such. All votes on those issues went in Apple’s favor, with voters following Apple recommendations.
Three shareholder proposals were not approved, including a proxy access amendment calling for a second shareholder-approved board nominee, a proposal for a report evaluating the feasibility of including sustainability metrics into compensation plans provided to executives, and a proposal asking for a report on whether Apple “has publicly committed to respect freedom of expression as a human right.”