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Luke Dormehl - page 35

Kia and Apple build up supply chain for rumored Apple car

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Help wanted
"Supply chains assemble!"
Photo: Tim Mossholder/Unsplash CC

Kia reportedly started contacting potential partners in Georgia about working on the Apple car, The Wall Street Journal says.

This is the latest development as Apple and Kia parent company Hyundai supposedly prepare to team up in a $3.6 billion deal to build a self-driving electric vehicle. Kia reportedly could manufacture as many as 100,000 Apple cars per year.

Apple’s $3,000 VR headset could boast 8K display, advanced hand- and eye-tracking

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Apple VR headset: If a $3,000 price tag doesn't scream
If a $3,000 price tag doesn't scream "niche product," what does?
Photo: Hammer & Tusk/Unsplash CC

Apple’s mixed-reality headset could cost around $3,000, solidifying its status as a niche luxury item, The Information claims in a new report.

The device supposedly will boast high-resolution 8K displays and some smart eye-tracking technology. Plus, more than a dozen built-in cameras could track wearers’ hand movements.

Swiss watchmaker’s $30,800 Apple Watch spoof refuses to load apps

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H. Moser & Cie.'s $30,800 Apple Watch spoof: What better way to thumb your nose at Apple Watch wearers?
What better way to thumb your nose at Apple Watch wearers?
Photo: H. Moser & Cie.

Do you look at the Apple Watch and think, “I wish it did less, but cost a whole lot more?”

If so, you might be in the market for the Swiss Alp Watch “Final Upgrade.” The mechanical watch created by H. Moser & Cie bears an uncanny resemblance to Apple’s wearable, albeit with far fewer features — and a $30,800 price tag.

iOS 14’s adult-content blocker prevents searches for the word ‘Asian’

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Apple's adult block
It's likely an example of AI run amok.
Photo: Apple

iOS 14’s built-in pornographic content blocker stymies searches that include the word “Asian,” according to a computer science student.

This means searches for “Asian food” or “Asian countries” are blocked if the adult content filters are enabled. Similar blocks aren’t in place for search terms including “black,” “white,” “Arab,” “French” and other national or racial descriptors.

One more year: Apple’s VR headset could debut in early 2022

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Apple could take on the likes of Oculus with a VR headset as early as 2022.
Apple could take on the likes of Oculus with its debut VR headset.
Photo: Minh Pham/Unsplash CC

Apple’s debut virtual reality headset could arrive in the first quarter of 2022, JPMorgan Chase Securities tech analyst Yang Weilun claims in a new note to investors.

The report says Apple’s VR headset will supposedly boast six lenses, lidar and a time-of-flight sensor. It will allegedly retail for upward of $500.

Ted Lasso and 2 Apple TV+ movies earn Golden Globes nominations

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Jason Sudeikis plays a clueless college football coach in the comedy series.
Jason Sudeikis, center, plays a clueless college football coach in the Apple TV+ comedy.
Photo: Apple TV+

Apple TV+ hit Ted Lasso, animated movie Wolfwalkers and Bill Murray — one of the stars of On the Rocks — all received nominations Wednesday for the 78th annual Golden Globe Awards.

Rewarding the best movies and TV shows of the past year, as voted on by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the prizes will be handed out at an awards show on February 28.

Apple wins trademark for Apple Card in Canada

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Apple Card’s ‘elite card’ status is hitting retailers in the wallet
Does this mean Apple Card is coming to Canada?
Photo: Apple

Apple launched its Apple Card credit card back in 2019 but, so far, it’s only been available to customers in the United States.

That may soon change, however, with eagle-eyed Apple watchers spotting that Apple has been granted two trademark applications in Canada, covering both Apple Card and Apple Cash.

Apple settles antitrust dispute in South Korea with ‘voluntary correction scheme’

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Apple South Korea Store
Dispute has been running in South Korea since 2016.
Photo: Apple

Apple has settled a long-running antitrust dispute in South Korea. The country’s Fair Trade Commission announced Wednesday that it has accepted Apple’s offer to spend $89.83 million in the country as part of a voluntary correction scheme.

“This is the first time that a correction scheme [to make up for unfair market practices] actually provides direct benefits to consumers such as repair and warranty cost discounts,” said FTC Chairwoman Joh Sung-wook in a press briefing. “[The FTC] shall thoroughly keep watch on whether Apple carries out the promised actions to contribute to the domestic ICT ecosystem.”

Apple gears up to sign $3.6 billion deal with Kia to build Apple Car

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Kia
Cars could then hit the road by 2024.
Photo: Nils Bogdanovs/Unsplash CC

Apple could be poised to sign a $3.6 billion deal with Kia Motors to build Apple Car, Bloomberg reports Wednesday, citing Korean news outlet DongA Ilbo.

The report says Apple and Kia, which is owned by Hyundai, could sign a deal as soon as February 17. It would then aim to “introduce Apple cars in 2024,” with a possible target of produce 100,000 electric vehicles per year, according to DongA Ilbo.

Tim Cook faces 7-hour grilling in Apple vs. Epic legal battle

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Tim Cook goes to Washington
Tim Cook will chime in on Apple vs. Epic Games case.
Screenshot: Apple

Apple CEO Tim Cook must participate in a seven-hour deposition during his company’s upcoming legal battle with Epic Games. Epic reportedly wanted Cook for eight hours, while Apple lawyers tried to whittle it down to four hours.

Seven hours is the compromise that was ultimately ruled on by Judge Thomas S. Hixon.

Metroidvania game Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night gets speed run mode, more

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Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
A spiritual successor to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.
Photo: Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, the “spiritual successor” to the excellent Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, just got a big update on iOS.

The game made its debut back in 2019. It’s a Metroidvania type video game, set in 18th century England during the time of the Industrial Revolution. It started life as crowdfunding venture led by Symphony of the Night assistant director, Koji “Iga” Igarashi.

Apple car could finally hit the road in 2025, but it won’t be cheap

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Making a car could produce a massive windfall for Apple.
Ming-Chi Kuo offers more details about Apple car in his latest report.
Photo: Possessed Photography/Unsplash CC

An Apple car could ship in 2025, and will be “positioned as a very high-end” model in terms of pricing, claims TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Kuo doesn’t give a dollar figure. But he writes that the sticker price, as well as the cost of Apple car components, will come in much higher than a those for a regular electric vehicle.

Apple showcases Black photographers for latest Shot on iPhone campaign

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Shot on iPhone 5
Sam Trump, local jazz musician, Bronzeville, Chicago. Shot on iPhone 12 Pro by Lawrence Agyei.
Photo: Apple

Apple enlisted dozens of Black photographers to document their hometowns using iPhone 12 Pro, and the company showed off their handiwork Monday to kick off Black History Month.

“All across the US, these photographers set out to showcase the people and the pockets of their cities that embody their local culture,” Apple said in a press release about the Hometown project.

It’s a neat spin on the company’s ongoing “Shot on iPhone” campaign, and the results are pretty darn impressive. Check out some of the images below.

Apple offers limited-edition Apple Watch Series 6 for Black History Month [Update]

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Apple Watch Black History Month
The new limited edition watch will be available for one month only.
Photo: Apple

To mark Black History Month, Apple is releasing a limited-edition Apple Watch Series 6, among other things.

Apple’s Black Unity Collection includes a new Apple Watch Series 6, a Black Unity Sport Band and a Unity watch face. The watch features the words “Black Unity” laser-etched onto the back crystal, while the strap — inspired by the Pan-African flag — includes the words “Truth. Power. Solidarity.”

European Union seeks to overturn Apple’s $14.8 billion tax verdict

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Image showing
Apple's battle with the European Union rages on.
Photo: New York Public Library/Unsplash CC

The European Union wants to overturn Apple’s 2020 victory in the massive $14.8 billion tax dispute, which has been raging for the past several years.

Bloomberg reported Monday that the appeal challenges a July court judgment ruling against Apple. The court decision going against the EU was a big setback for lead Commissioner Margrethe Vestager.

Brawl Stars game passes $1 billion in revenue on mobile

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Brawl Stars §
A giant hit for Supercell.
Photo: Supercell

Brawl Stars, the multiplayer arena battle game, is the latest mobile game to pull in more than $1 billion in gross lifetime revenue, app analytics platform Sensor Tower reports.

This means that the title, made by Finnish developers Supercell, is now part of an exclusive club of Supercell titles that includes Clash of Clans, Clash Royale, and Hay Day.

Hyundai execs reportedly worry that Apple Car partnership could damage automaker’s brand

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The idea of working with Apple to build a car reportedly makes some Hyundai execs nervous.
The idea of working with Apple to build a car reportedly makes some Hyundai execs nervous.
Photo: Mpho Mojapelo/Unsplash CC

Hyundai executives are reportedly split on whether the South Korean automaker should partner with Apple to build an electric car. Their concerns, which are supposedly “dimming the outlook” for a deal, apparently center on fears that Hyundai could become simply a contract manufacturer for Cupertino.

Apple shares skyrocket 45,697% over past 20 years

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Just imagine if you'd invested a handful of cash in Apple in 1993.
Just imagine if you'd invested a handful of cash in Apple in 1993.
Photo: lucas Favre/Unsplash CC

Apple has come a long way this century alone. In 2001, Apple had yet to release the iPod, iTunes, the iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch. While the turnaround under Steve Jobs was underway, it was still in its earliest stages.

What has Apple’s ascension in the years since done to AAPL’s share price? On January 28, 2001, Apple — adjusted for splits and dividends — was trading at 30 cents a share. On January 28, 2021, Apple closed at $137.09. That’s an astonishing 45,697.7% increase!

Hacked iPod Classic streams Spotify like a champ

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Spotify iPod Classic 1
This iPod Classic isn't so classic any more.
Photo: Guy Dupont

A YouTuber hacked a 17-year-old iPod Classic to let it stream Spotify tracks, successfully bringing a relic from the MP3 days into the modern era.

To be clear, this isn’t just a software hack. Guy Dupont pretty much gutted the vintage Apple music player. He added components like a Raspberry Pi Zero W board, a new LCD color display, a haptic motor, and a 1,000 mAh rechargeable battery.

Robinhood app suffers ‘degraded performance’ as GameStop stock controversy rages

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Robinhood
Robs the rich to feed the poor. Or something.
Photo: Robinhood

The Robinhood stock-trading app suffered from “degraded performance” Thursday morning, the company said. The problems arose as users bombarded the app with negative reviews after Robinhood stopped the sale of certain stocks driven up by Reddit users.

This is the latest twist in the tumultuous (and still unfolding) story of Reddit versus Wall Street. It started when coordinated Redditors banded together to drive up the share price of GameStop after a hedge fund shorted the stock.

iPhone leads the way as global smartphone market begins to turn around

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A fix is coming for the iPhone 12 green screen glitch.
Coronavirus affected the world's smartphone demand. Now things are picking up again.q
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

Smartphone sales cratered during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they’re now starting to climb out of the hole, suggest new research from analysts at IDC. And the iPhone 12 is leading the way.

According to data from the IDC Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, smartphone vendors shipped 385.9 million devices in the holiday quarter of 2020. Although the year as a whole represents a dip of 5.9% compared to 2019, the last calendar quarter saw 4.3% growth.