Reuters

Apple planning aggressive enterprise push, hiring dedicated sales force

Cody Lee ∙ November 10, 2014

Apple is planning its "most aggressive expansion yet" in the enterprise sector, according to a new report from Reuters. Citing sources familiar with the plans, the outlet says Apple is hiring a dedicated sales force, and working with developers who make industry-specific apps.

Apple is hoping to leverage its IBM and new developer partnerships into challenging market leaders like Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Oracle, and SAP. And its sales team is being tasked with pitching this new enterprise strategy to decision-makers at high profile firms, like Citigroup.

Apple ‘surprised’ by GT Advanced bankruptcy filing, company spokesperson says

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 8, 2014

In its first public comment Wednesday following a totally unepxected bankruptcy filing of its supplier GT Advanced Technology earlier this week, Apple now says it was taken aback by such turn of events while confirming its priority going forward will be preserving jobs at the Mesa, Arizona plant that GT had agreed to run on Apple's behalf.

Company spokesman Chris Gaither said in a written statement to Reuters, The Wall Street Journal and other major outlets that “we are focussed on preserving jobs in Arizona following GT's surprising decision and we will continue to work with state and local officials as we consider our next steps”.

Reuters: future Apple Watch versions to offer richer health features

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Future versions of the Apple Watch will focus more on health-related tracking, reports Reuters this afternoon. Citing people familiar with the company's project, the outlet says that it plans to include "richer health features and additional sensors" in later generation models.

This would certainly appease those in the healthcare industry, and fitness junkies, who expected Apple to unveil a smartwatch earlier this week with groundbreaking health features. Instead, it merely tracks your heart rate, and movements via an iPhone's Wi-Fi and GPS.

Reuters: iPhone 6 backlight woes affect production plans, could limit launch availability

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 22, 2014

We heard before that Apple faced several issues related to manufacture of the upcoming iPhone 6.

This is expected for any major Apple product with a brand new design demanding new production equipment and requiring contract manufacturers to develop custom ways to build and assemble products.

According to Reuters Friday, Apple's plan to make every iPhone 6 component as thin as possible could backfire because a last-minute design change has sent suppliers "scrambling" to get enough screens ready ahead of the expected September 9 launch.

Apple discussing HealthKit adoption with US healthcare pros ahead of iOS 8 launch

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 12, 2014

Apple is working on bringing its new iOS 8 tool for developers called HealthKit to medical professionals in the United States. Eagle-eyed readers will remember that back at WWDC in June, Apple and the Mayo Clinic demoed the first HealthKit-driven app.

Reuters is now reporting that the Cupertino company has been discussing HealthKit integration with a number of US healthcare professionals, including renowned hospitals like Mount Sinai, Cleveland Clinic, John Hopkins and Allscripts...

Mass production of 4.7-inch iPhone 6 to begin this month, 5.5-inch in August

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Reuters is out with a report this evening regarding the production timeline for Apple's iPhone 6. Citing local media sources, the outlet says that the 4.7-inch model is set to begin mass-production later this month, with the 5.5-inch ramping up in August.

The bulk of the manufacturing will take place at Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry Co, also known as Foxconn. Pegatron is also said to be taking orders for the upcoming handset, and both companies have gone on hiring sprees to handle the workload...

Apple agrees to pay $450 million to settle e-book price fixing case

Christian Zibreg ∙ July 16, 2014

Reuters is reporting today that Apple has agreed to pay $450 million to settle its long-standing e-book price fixing federal court case with class action lawyers and state district attorneys.

As a reminder, the government alleged that Apple conspired along with five major U.S. publishers to fix e-book prices to the detriment of consumers, denying them the choice of price, while stifling competition.

$400 million of the $450 million will cover damage to consumers, with the remaining $50 million earmarked for recovery if liability must be retried...

Apple cuts refund times for returns in half

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 12, 2014

One of Tim Cook's latest tricks meant to improve shopping experience and boost sales at Apple's online store is decreased refund turnaround times for product returns, according to a Reuters report Monday. Previously, it took about ten working days to get a refund, according to estimates by retail-intelligence firm StellaService. These refund times have now been cut in half so customers can get a refund in a less than a week...

New report claims Apple could launch 4.7-inch iPhone 6 as early as August

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Those excited for Apple's next smartphone may not have to wait as long as originally thought to get their hands on one. Reuters passes along a new report from Taiwan's Economic Daily News this morning which claims that the iPhone 6 could be just three months away.

Citing anonymous sources in Apple's supply chain, the Daily News says that the 4.7-inch model of the new iPhone will reach stores as soon as August. The 5.5-inch model, the report says, will land a month later in September—same as the iPhone 5s and the 5 before it...

Reuters: Apple creating full-blown health and fitness services platform akin to App Store

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 5, 2014

We "know" from rumors that Apple with iOS 8 is planning to introduce a new application called Healthbook said to aggregate health and fitness data pulled from a variety of sources, be it third-party fitness/health apps found in the App Store, dedicated tracking accessories or more.

But that could be just the tip of the iceberg.

According to a mobile health executive who spoke to Reuters, the iPhone maker is looking to create a full-blown health and fitness ecosystem inspired by the App Store...

Production of 4.7-inch iPhone 6 screens to start in May, 5.5-inch model delayed

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Production on screens for the 4.7-inch version of Apple's next iPhone could start as early as May, according to a new report from Reuters. Citing supply chain sources, the outlet says that Japan Display and other manufacturers are readying their facilities and could begin churning out panels next month.

Unfortunately, for those looking forward to the oft-rumored 5.5-inch model, it sounds like production issues have forced Apple to delay the handset. Reuters says that manufacturers are running into difficulties with in-cell technology, and the larger displays may not go into production for several months...

Apple considered acquiring parts of BlackBerry?

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated March 1, 2017

Although tech titans Apple and Microsoft both sought to buy parts of BlackBerry, the board shied away from breaking up the company, according to a report Friday by Reuters. The ailing smartphone pioneer has determined that selling the company in pieces isn't in its best interests, despite bids from Apple, Microsoft, Lenovo and others.

I'm not sure the board has necessarily made a wise choice. First and foremost, a full-blown instant comeback is literally impossible this late in the game. And while still profitable, BlackBerry is burning through its cash fast, unit sales are falling off the cliff, users are defecting to other platforms in droves and, worst of all, there are no cool new products on the horizon to be excited about.

And with the iOS-Android duopoly and Microsoft competing for the #3 slot, it's indeed too late to turn BlackBerry's fortunes around. Seems to me they should have just sold off parts of the company to become a competitive niche player, as one analyst suggested in August...