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Ireland to alter tax laws in wake of Apple uproar

Ed Sutherland ∙ October 16, 2013

Ireland's Finance Minister announced plans to close a loop-hole in the country's corporate tax laws, eliminating the ability for companies such as Apple to operate as virtually 'stateless' firms ungoverned by any nation's taxing authority. The change in the Irish laws means the iPhone maker cannot avoid declaring tax residency in either the U.S. or Ireland.

Earlier this year, Apple's ability to funnel payments through a unit in Ireland to avoid paying taxes brought U.S. scrutiny by the Senate and testimony by Apple CEO Tim Cook...

Consumer Reports praises new iPhones, but calls latest Droids a better buy

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 16, 2013

A lot (some?) of people partially base their purchasing decisions on reviews and comparisons of consumer products by Consumer Reports, an influential U.S. monthly published by Consumers Union since 1936. It also irked Apple fans over milking the iPhone 4 over Antennagate meme for all it was worth.

In turn, Consumer Reports lost some of its credibility and luster, especially after it changed its mind and backtracked on its original 'can't recommend the iPhone 4' stance.

Today, the publication is back at it again, having put Apple's new iPhones through their paces. Even though it loved the iPhone 5c and came away impressed with the iPhone 5s's improved camera and Touch ID fingerprint scanning, Consumer Reports still thinks Motorola's latest Droid handsets are a better buy versus the new iPhones...

How rapid adoption of iPhone 5s/5c is preventing Android-like fragmentation

Ed Sutherland ∙ October 16, 2013

We've all heard the Android propaganda: vast numbers of cheap smartphones based on Google's mobile software will overcome the quality of Apple handsets. Not so fast, say new web traffic numbers. In less than a month, 40.6 percent of iPhones online are the new iPhone 5s or iPhone 5c models.

Indeed, if this upward curve continues, the majority of iPhones will be using Apple's latest technology at most one year old. By comparison, Android continues suffering from fragmentation marked by apps developed for a time when Apple's iOS 3 was just launched...

Nike’s iPhone 5s M7-optimized Move app landing on November 6

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 16, 2013

Cody told you about Nike's second-generation FuelBand fitness bracelet that was announced at yesterday's media event in New York City. The $149 Nike+ FuelBand SE accessory is coming November 6, bringing with it Bluetooth 4.0 support for low-power performance, in addition to hourly reminders, a clock mode and support for the iPhone 5s’s new M7 chip.

As a sidenote, the accompanying media release mentions that the Nike+ Move app which Apple's marketing boss Phil Schiller showed off briefly during the iPhone 5s/5c keynote is coming to the App Store the same day, on Wednesday, November 6, 2013...

OtterBox unveils Preserver series of iPhone 5/5s/5c waterproof cases with Touch ID support

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Accessory maker OtterBox makes a compelling range of protective case, sleeves and rugged cases for smartphones and just yesterday they announced a new Preserver series for the iPhone 5, as well as the new iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s, the latter featuring full Touch ID support. The two-piece highly protective cases with snap assembly is bound to add discernible bulk and weight to your device.

In exchange, you'll get full protection from dust and water. The company says the case can withstand drops from up to 2 meters, or about 6.6 feet, as well as protect your device when fully submerged up to 2 meters deep for as much as 30 minutes...

Apple’s iOS 7 hits 71% adoption in under a month

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

Apple's iOS 7 continues to break records when it comes to how quickly the mobile software is being adopted. In less than a month, nearly 75 percent of iPhone, iPad and iPod touch owners have upgraded, topping the pace of iOS 6.

New numbers show in only 27 days 71 percent of iDevice owners had adopted iOS 7 by Monday. By comparison, Apple's previous version of iOS needed 30 days to reach 61 percent adoption, the Cupertino, California company's previous record...

Foxconn: yes, interns worked overtime and even nights

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated November 30, 2016

Foxconn, the Tiawanese electronics assembler closely linked to Apple and other electronics firms, admits student interns who helped build Sony Playstation 4 consoles worked both overtime and at night in its China factories. Foxconn is the world's leading contract manufacturer whose fortunes are closely tied to Apple's.

In a statement last week, Foxconn said there were "a few instances" where interns worked shifts which violated company policies. However, the company which also assembles iPhones and iPads for Apple, said "immediate actions" will be put in place to prevent further incidents...

Apple slapped with class-action lawsuit on uncompensated employee security checks

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated December 6, 2013

It seems Apple Stores are becoming the retail version of airport security lines for employees. At least that's the allegation of a San Francisco Apple Store worker who has filed a class action lawsuit against the iPhone maker. The lawsuit claims employees are not being compensated for security checks lasting as long as 30 minutes per day.

Each day, employees must wait in line for these security checks before leaving for meal breaks and when they end their shifts after they've clocked out of work, according to the lawsuit which is also filed on behalf of all nonexempt hourly workers. The lawsuit by Apple employee Taylor Kalin asks for lost wages for all employees, as well as penalties for violating labor laws...

WSJ: Apple cutting iPhone 5c production, increasing 5s orders

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Apple has asked its iPhone suppliers in China to cut down on production of its iPhone 5c model, according to a new report by The Wall Street Journal. This is the second time we've heard this in as many weeks.

Last week, it was reported by Chinese web site C Technology that Apple had cut their iPhone 5c orders in half—from 300K units per day, to 150K—spawning speculation that the device isn't selling very well...

Vimeo app update brings back Search feature

Cody Lee ∙ Updated December 4, 2013

Following the release of its big iOS 7 update, several users noticed that the ability to search for videos was gone from Vimeo's app. And sure enough, the team confirmed it didn't make the cut for their deadline.

But the good news is, a new update for the app posted today, bringing the iOS client to version 4.0.4. And it brings back the Search function, allowing you to get back to discovering new videos while on the go...

Apple’s ‘Spaceship’ campus approved by Cupertino City Council

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 13, 2018

It looks like the brochures worked. Following the approval by the city's Planning Commission earlier this month, Apple began sending out pamphlets to Cupertino residents to garner support for its 'Spaceship' campus ahead of its final meeting with City Council.

Well that meeting took place last night, and the full Cupertino City Council gave its unanimous approval to the project. Pending any petitions for reconsideration, Apple has just one more hurdle left to clear—a final reading next month—before it can break ground...

New Square Cash service allows you to send money via email

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Square opened up its Square Cash service to the public today, after spending several months in beta. The service allows users in the United States to send money to one another using nothing but an email address and a debit card.

The service is easy to use. Transactions are free, and there's no need to setup an account to process them. Money can be exchanged by sending an email with a dollar amount in the subject line and cash@square.com in the CC field...