AT&T on Monday laid out its COVID-19 relief measures for ensuring that customers can stay in touch with friends, family, and colleagues while they’re stuck at home. Starting April 2, there will be a number of measures in place to keep subscribers connected — including 15GB of additional hotspot data.
PSA: For COVID-19 Disaster Loan applications, use Chrome not Safari
Here’s a tip for small-business owners trying to fill out the Small Business Administration’s new online COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program application: Use Google’s Chrome browser, not Safari.
Unfortunately, the online form for the SBA’s COVID-19 loans doesn’t function correctly using Apple’s browser.
UK’s big broadband providers ditch data caps for COVID-19
The United Kingdom’s biggest broadband providers are ditching data caps during the COVID-19 pandemic. Measures to help those struggling to pay are also in place in an effort to keep everyone connected.
COVID-19 won’t delay 2020 iPhone, but future products could suffer
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic won’t stop Apple from launching its 2020 iPhone lineup on schedule, according to a new report published Monday — but it could cause “disruptions” for future Apple products.
Cupertino’s largest manufacturing partner, Foxconn, is slowly recovering after the coronavirus outbreak last month caused huge labor shortages and factory closures. But Bloomberg warns Apple isn’t out of the woods yet.
Quarantined photographer executes fantastic FaceTime fashion shoot
Quarantined photographers across the internet have used the lockdown to come up with personal projects they could shoot within the same confines of their home.
Condé Nast shooter Alessio Albi has one of the more interesting bodies of work to emerge from staying at home. He is using FaceTime for remote fashion shoots.
Hackers see COVID-19 as a big opportunity for new exploits
A new report published on Friday by the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) details the many ways hackers are using the COVID-19 pandemic to exploit unsuspecting targets.
It includes new social engineering attacks that convince email users to give up sensitive data, and an increase in malware distributed via malicious links. Europol calls for law enforcement agencies to be vigilant and prepared.
App Store highlights UK government’s COVID-19 PSA
Apple on Thursday placed the U.K. government’s public service announcement on COVID-19 at the very top of the App Store.
Customers who visit will be greeted first and foremost by chief medical officer Chris Whitty’s guidance on reducing the spread of the coronavirus. They will also see a handy link to the NHS app for iOS.
Tim Cook says Apple donated 10 million ventilator masks in U.S.; reiterates everyone should ‘stay at home’
Apple CEO Tim Cook said Wednesday the company has “sourced [and] procured” 10 million N95 ventilator masks for the U.S. and “millions more” for the hardest-hit regions in Europe, that would be distributed to the medical community fighting the coronavirus pandemic. He also urged his followers to “stay at home whenever possible” to help curb the spread of the disease.
Cook’s comments came in a Twitter video posted Wednesday morning.
California law explains Apple’s abundance of N95 ventilator masks
Following Saturday and Tuesdays’ announcements of Apple donating more than nine million N95 ventilator masks to help combat the coronavirus pandemic, the obvious question arises, why did Apple have so many masks? It now appears the answer was a simple one…A state mandate, instituted last year, to protect employees following the recent California wildfires.
iPhone-makers in India suspend production for COVID-19 lockdown
iPhone assemblers in India have been forced to suspect production due to a country-wide COVID-19 lockdown, according to a report published on Wednesday.
Facilities owned by Foxconn and Wistron are out of action for now. Production won’t resume until Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government lifts new lockdown measures.
Carriers push ‘Stay Home’ messages to iPhone amid COVID-19 pandemic
iPhone users in many countries around the world have started seeing “Stay Home” messages from multiple carriers when they disable Wi-Fi.
The message, designed to remind people that they shouldn’t be leaving home during the COVID-19 pandemic unless it’s absolutely necessary, appears at the top of Control Center, alongside the carrier’s name.
Apple donating 9 million N95 masks for coronavirus fight
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence announced Tuesday that Apple has donated nine million N95 respirator masks to help hospitals and medical workers deal with the growing coronavirus pandemic.
How to make your own hand sanitizer
It seems that the best way to keep your hands clean and virus-free is to wash them properly with soap and water. But if you can’t get to a sink, hand sanitizer will do to the trick (again — if used properly). Hand sanitizer remains in high demand, so you might want to whip up a batch on your own.
And if you can get your hands on the common ingredients needed, it’s really easy to make DIY hand sanitizer.
Apple probably won’t reopen stores until mid-April at earliest, multiple sources say
There are strong indications that the 467 Apple Stores outside mainland China closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic will not reopen until mid-April at the earliest, according to multiple location managers and employees worldwide.
Many Apple Store staff members are being quietly told that the situation remains on a “wait-and-see” status. Meanwhile, Cupertino executives continue to assess which locations might reopen and when on a case-by-case, state-by-state and country-by-country basis.
“I’ve been told not to expect stores in my area to be open anytime soon, and when I asked for a guess, two people ventured to say mid-April, but they said it with no certainty,” said the manager of an Apple Store in the southern United States. The Apple employee asked not to be named because the discussions were meant to be private.
FaceTime humor amid coronavirus is the laugh we all need
With COVID-19 lockdowns walling us off from friends and family, the FaceTime feature on iPhones and iPads is saving our social lives.
But glitchy audio and periodic freezing of the video stream add to our mounting self-isolation frustration.
Oprah Winfrey launches COVID-19 interview series on Apple TV+
Apple TV+ has launched a surprise interview series with former talk show Oprah Winfrey talking about the global coronavirus pandemic. In its first episode, Winfrey spoke to actor Idris Eba, one of several celebrities to test positive for COVID-19.
The series – entitled “Oprah Talks COVID-19“- debuted Saturday, with little production value for a quick-to-air show. Winfrey’s first installment features FaceTime interviews with Elba and his wife, Sabrina Dhowre.
Best Buy moves to curbside pickup, temporarily closing all 997 stores
As COVID-19 continues to impact businesses big and small across America, Best Buy announced Saturday it is closing all of its 997 North America locations temporarily except for curbside pickup services. Best Buy is one of the nation’s largest independent retailers of Apple products.
The Fortune 100 company with 125,000 employees has not offered a timeline for how long the new policy will last.
Siri implements guidance for those worried about coronavirus symptoms
Apple enhanced its Siri voice assistant Saturday with a step-by-step query instructing users on determining if they have been exposed to COVID-19, the worldwide coronavirus pandemic.
The instructions are based on specific instructions from the U.S. Public Health Service, a division of the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Parents, celebrate! Onward hits iTunes early as theaters go dark
With U.S. cinema chains like AMC, Cinemark, Landmark, Alamo Drafthouse and Cineplex Odeon closed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Walt Disney Company moved up the online release of Pixar animated film Onward two weeks.
Apple Podcasts puts COVID-19 coverage front and center
Apple is making it easier for Podcasts users to discover new shows focused on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The app’s new “Coronavirus: Stay Informed” section highlights content from the likes of CNN, NPR, BBC and ABC News.
Apple Stores unlikely to reopen March 28; now closed ‘until further notice’
Apple Stores outside of Greater China now look unlikely to reopen on March 28 after Apple on Tuesday updated its notices to read “closed until further notice.”
A banner displayed at the top of the company’s website makes it clear to visitors that its retail locations are out of action for now. Apple insists, however, that it remains “committed to providing exceptional service to our customers.”
Apple extends product return period following store closures
Apple is extending product return policies after it made the decision to close all retail stores outside of Greater China amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
In its updated Temporary Retail Store Closures document, the company says customers will be able to return items for up to 14 days after stores reopen.
Apple’s habitual secrecy makes working from home challenging
Many Apple employees working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic reportedly run into problems because of this company’s efforts to keep details on future projects from leaking out. This is forcing some of them to keep coming into the office.
Apple prepares maximum payouts for authorized repairers amid COVID-19 pandemic, report claims
Apple is prepared to pay authorized repairers maximum payouts for qualifying products amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to a leaked internal memo distributed to Authorized Service Providers.
Cupertino has closed all of its own stores outside of Greater China, leaving third parties to tackle repair needs. It reportedly wants to ensure that those partners are supported financially while the outbreak spreads worldwide.
Apple Card users feeling COVID-19 impact can skip March payment
Apple Card owners who are impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have the option to skip their March payment without incurring interest.
In an email to customers, Apple said it understands that it may be difficult for some to keep up with their payments during the outbreak. The company is “committed to helping you lead a healthier financial life,” it added.
You must be aware, however, that you need to tell Apple if you don’t intend to pay this month.