Google has set itself an unprecedented target- to operate 24/7 on carbon-free energy by 2030, CEO Sundar Pichai has revealed.
Articles by Charlotte Henry
What Next for the TikTok Sale?
U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that he will not extend the deadline for the sale of TikTok. So what comes next? Reuters took a look.
If the deadline is not extended, then transactions with TikTok would be banned, although exactly which ones has not been specified. Reuters has reported the executive order could make advertising on the platform illegal and TikTok has been preparing advertisers for such an outcome. The U.S. is likely to ban TikTok from being downloaded from app stores, Reuters has also reported. However, it is unclear whether there are transactions that can be prohibited that will prevent existing users who have already downloaded TikTok from using it.
Apple Card May Expand Beyond U.S. in 2020
Apple Card may be moving beyond the U.S. Macrumors has information indicating the expansion could happen as early as this year.
A source claiming to be close to an unnamed Australian banking corporation involved in supporting Apple Card in Australia tells MacRumors that Apple Card will be launching in multiple new regions as soon as the end of this year. The tip speculated that the Australian release may coincide with the release of iOS 14.1 or iOS 14.2, but cautioned that it might not be ready until an iOS 14.3 release in early 2021. In addition, Apple has recently advertised for several new Apple Card Product Manager roles that involve travel and “working with external partners such as payment networks, bank issuers and other players.” In the U.S., Goldman Sachs is Apple Card’s only bank issuer. The job description may suggest that Apple is setting about negotiation with other issuers within the U.S., or more likely, issuers to support Apple Card in other regions around the world.
Hollywood Dealmaker Tim Connolly Joins Apple
Apple has hired ex-Disney, Hulu, and Quibi exec Tim Connolly as part of its TV division, seemingly in a bid to expand its reach in Hollywood.
Apple Watch 'SE' Could be Announced at Next Apple Event
Speculation continues that we could see a lower-cost Apple Watch ‘SE’ unveiled at the ‘Time Flies’ Apple Event.
Who Will Succeed Tim Cook, and Who Else is Climbing Apple's Corporate Ladder?
Succession planning is reportedly in place to get in line those who will takeover from Tim Cook and other top Apple execs.
COVID-19 App to Launch in England and Wales on September 24
The NHS COVID-19 contact tracing app will go live in England and Wales on Thursday, September 24, 2020, the UK Government has announced.
TikTok Admits Shadow Banning Some LGBT Hashtags
TikTok has admitted blocking some LGBT-related hashtags in certain countries, BBC News reported. It followed a report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
A shadow ban limits the discovery of content without indicating that a particular hashtag is on a ban list. TikTok said that some hashtags were restricted to comply with local laws. According to the ASPI, terms that were not linking to content included: “gay” in Russian and Arabic, “I am a lesbian” and “I am gay” in Russian “transgender” in Arabic. TikTok said that while some terms were restricted to comply with local laws, others were limited because they were primarily used to discover pornographic content.
Apple Reportedly Orders 'Large Number' of Foldable Displays From Samsung
Apple has ordered a “large number” of foldable displays from Samsung, according to rumors picked up by MacRumors. Are we heading towards a foldable iPhone then? I’m not convinced that a) it’s happening, b) I’d want one if it did.
The “large number” of foldable displays will be samples for use in mobile phone devices, and Samsung will apparently supply the units to Apple for the duration of one year. The leaker also seemed to stress the immediacy of this development, perhaps implying that the order is about to commence. Last year, it was reported that Samsung was shipping its foldable display technology to other companies, including Apple, in the hopes of receiving orders. The new leak may indicate that after testing initial samples last year, Apple is now trialling foldable devices more extensively. Some sources have proposed that a foldable iPhone could launch as soon as next year.
Facebook EU Antitrust Filing Accuses Apple of Anticompetitive Behavior
Facebook accused Apple of anticompetitive behavior, in a document filed with the EU this week, AppleInsider reported. CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressed a similar view in a recent interview.
The document, provided by the EU’s competition watchdog, asks businesses if they have been subjected to anticompetitive behavior on large online platforms. Facebook took the opportunity to highlight its grievances with Apple. The complaints were lodged in two areas: Facebook Gaming and Apple’s upcoming plan to require a user’s consent before a company could place ad trackers on their device. Facebook alleges that the Facebook Gaming app has been “affected by unfair contractual terms and unfair practices imposed by Apple with respect to the App Store and on iOS more broadly.” Facebook Gaming was rolled out to iOS users in August after restructuring the app to comply with the App Store terms and conditions. Facebook was required to remove gameplay functionality as Apple does not allow third-party gaming platforms.
Apple One Bundle Revealed in Android Code
Code in a beta of an upcoming version of Apple Music for Android appears to confirm the rumored Apple One service bundle.
Nature Doc 'Tiny World' Coming to Apple TV+ October 2
The first six episodes of nature docuseries ‘Tiny World,’ narrated by Paul Rudd, will arrive on Apple TV+ on October 2.
Apple Marina Bay Sands Opens Its Doors
The newest Apple Store – Apple Marina Bay Sands in Singapore is the company’s first retail location directly on water.
The Day Steve Jobs Returned to The Stage After a Liver Transplant
September 9 is another big day in Apple history. As Cult of Mac reflected, it was the day in 2009 that Steve Jobs returned to the Apple keynote stage following his liver transplant.
“I wouldn’t be here without such generosity,” Jobs told the audience, referring to the organ donor whose liver he received. “I hope all of us can be as generous and elect to become organ donors.” Before revealing Apple’s new line of iPad nanos, Jobs said, “I’m vertical, I’m back at Apple, and I’m loving every day of it.” A decade later, we now know far more about Jobs’ return than we did in 2009. First and foremost, of course, we know that while Jobs’ liver operation succeeded, pancreatic cancer ultimately resulted in the Apple CEO’s death a little over two years later. Members of Jobs’ inner circle knew about the cancer at the time, but nobody discussed it.
Colorado Signs up to Apple COVID-19 Exposure Notifications Express
The state of Colorado has adopted the recently announced COVID-19 Exposure Notifications Express system recently announced by Apple and Google. The system is currently available on iOS 13.7 and will be released on Android in the near future.
Following the recent updated release of an Exposure Notifications Express system from Apple and Google, Colorado has announced that it will be adopting the technology. The state’s Governor says it will be available ahead of a September 27 Denver Broncos game. It’s part of what Governor Jared Polis called+ a return to “quote-unquote normalcy,” assuming that Coloradans use the technology and keep up social distancing. “”These are really the ways we can get back to enjoying the things we love,” he said.
Mark Zuckerberg: Apple's App Store 'Deserves Scrutiny'
Apple’s App Store “deserves scrutiny,” Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a new interview with ‘Axios on HBO’.
The September 2020 Apple Event AR Easter Egg
Hidden amongst the announcement on the Apple Event website was a little Easter egg – an AR-powered logo and date reveal.
Epic Games Asks Court to Put Fortnite back onto the iOS App Store
Just before the Labor day weekend, Epic Games filed a motion with the court asking it to force Fortnite back onto the iOS App Store.
Data Fail Made UK banks And Councils Vulnerable to a Simple Google Search
Private details contained in over 50,000 letters sent out by UK banks and local authorities were indexed by Google when they should not have been. The error was the result of a London-based outsourcing firm leaving its system exposed, Wired reported.
Thousands of names and addresses – and the types of letters they were sent – were left exposed, affecting people in the UK, US and Canada. Virtual Mail Room, the firm responsible for the data breach, worked for clients including Metro Bank, 14 local councils, the publisher Pearson and insolvency specialist Begbies Traynor. The specific content of the letters sent to individuals were not visible. The privacy breach raises doubts about the due diligence carried out by companies and local authorities using outsourced mailing services to handle sensitive customer data. It also comes at a particularly painful time, with many of the names and addresses contained in the breach belonging to people who have been hit hard financially by the pandemic. Such missteps could fall foul of GDPR, with data controllers and processors potentially facing fines totalling tens of millions of pounds.
Uber Pledges to be Zero-Emission's Platform by 2040
Uber has pledged to become a zero-emissions platform by 2040. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi made the announcement in a blog post on Tuesday.
Instead of going back to business as usual, Uber is taking this moment as an opportunity to reduce our environmental impact. It’s our responsibility as the largest mobility platform in the world to more aggressively tackle the challenge of climate change. We want to do our part to build back better and drive a green recovery in our cities. While we’ve taken some important steps in recent years, from expanding micromobility options to offering public transit in the Uber app, we know we’ve got a long way to go. That’s why we’re working with the World Resources Institute, Transport & Environment (T&E), and others to become a stronger partner in the fight against climate change by leveraging our innovation, technology, and talent to expedite the global transition to clean energy. Uber is committing to become a fully zero-emission platform by 2040, with 100% of rides taking place in zero-emission vehicles, on public transit, or with micromobility.
A First Look at 'The Last Campfire' on Apple Arcade
On Friday, Apple published a fairly in-depth look at the Apple Arcade game In The Last Campfire. Players take on the character of ember, who is trapped in a dark fantasy adventure. By completing a variety of tactile puzzles, players uncover a way home and restore hope to friends.
Smart Home Open Standard From Apple, Amazon, Google Alliance Set For 2021 Release
An open standard for smart home tech is set for release in 2021, according to a consortium that includes Apple, Google, and Amazon.
Rumors Are Circulating About an Apple Event Announcement... or a Product Announcement... or....
After the Labor Day weekend, Apple rumors have returned with a bang – from new products to a potential iPhone 12 event.
Apple Marina Bay Sands Opening Thursday
Apple Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, the first Apple Store directly on water is to open on Thursday morning.