According to documents Apple filed with the SEC yesterday, Apple has already spent $4.36 billion this fiscal year on research and development. One point six billion of that was spent in Q3 2014 (April – June quarter), up from $1.18 billion in Q3 2013. Whilst that isn’t a huge proportion of Apple’s total sales: four percent, one analyst noted that it’s the highest percentage spent on R&D since 2006 (the iPhone launched in 2007).
Apple currently has $164.5 billion in cash reserves, so can certainly afford to invest in some major new projects. The most obvious new product is the iWatch, which is expected to feature advanced health and fitness features. Another potential product is its own TV set (although there haven’t been any signs pointing to that recently).
