Apple

Why would Apple cut iPhone 5c production down?

That is twice in two weeks that we hear Apple has asked suppliers in China to cut down on production of the iPhone 5c. Although the first report from Chinese website C Technology came more as a rumor than an actual fact, today's WSJ report that echoes the same information definitely gives more credence to the claim.

This is the ideal news for Apple naysayers, downers, and other AAPL bears. Clearly, if Apple is cutting down orders on the iPhone 5c, then it must mean the device isn't selling as well as expected. But is that really the truth?

Ireland to alter tax laws in wake of Apple uproar

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...

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

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...

Apple to host satellite stream of October 22 event in London

Earlier today, Apple sent out invitations to an October 22 media event saying "we still have a lot to cover." It's believed it will focus on the new iPad and iPad mini, but new MacBooks and OS X Mavericks are also expected to get stage time.

The event itself will be held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. But according to a new report, Apple plans to stream the keynote to a separate London satellite event to cater to media members not located in the US...