Neil Cybart on Apple’s ever increasing research and development costs:

Taking a look at the increased amount of money Apple has been pouring into R&D beginning last summer, it is looking increasingly likely management gave the green light for Apple’s next big project. I suspect Apple has begun work on battery, telematics, and autonomous driving initiatives related to personal transport.

In short, Apple started spending a lot more money on R&D last summer. And because of the guidelines regarding what is allowed to be classified as R&D, Apple must be developing new products that require a significant investment to create.