This week on AppleInsider: China woes, Apple TV launch date, OS updates & more
Apple released significant updates for iOS, OS X, and watchOS this week, but ran into serious issues in China, even as it tried to put a positive spin on its environmental efforts there.
To keep up on the latest in the world of Apple download the official AppleInsider app, and subscribe to our email newsletter.
Apple has been recruiting people from a number of automotive-related companies, including Chrysler, Tesla, A123 Systems, and Mercedes-Benz. No vehicle is expected to ship until at least 2019 or 2020, however.
Binary analysis uncovered some 256 App Store titles based on a deceptive Youmi advertising SDK, with APIs that collected personal data about iOS users -- such their email addresses, device identifiers and installed apps. Apple pulled the affected software, but only after it was revealed that Youmi's tactics dated back almost two years.
Youmi later apologized and promised to remedy the situation with Apple and developers.
Appearing at WSDJ Live, Apple CEO Tim Cook made the surprise announcement that the fourth-generation Apple TV will finally launch on Oct. 26. Even though the set-top was announced in September, at the time no firm release date was mentioned beyond an October window.
At the same event Cook mentioned that Apple Music has 6.5 million paid subscribers. The first three-month free trials ended on Sept. 30, and there was serious concern of a mass exodus. Apple's subscriber base still pales in comparison to Spotify, which has over 20 million Premium members.
On Wednesday Apple issued updates for iOS, OS X, and watchOS. The company mostly addressed bugs, but also added a range of new emoji characters, and brought its News app to the U.K. and Australia.
In parallel Apple released the gold master of tvOS to developers, and updates to iTunes for Mac and Windows, plus iTunes U and iMovie for iOS.
In a Wednesday press release, Apple bragged about its environmental achievements, saying that its first-party operations there are now fully carbon neutral. This is partly because of the completion of 40-megawatt solar projects in Sichuan.
More significantly, the company is planning to build an extra 200 megawatts' worth of solar plants to offset energy used by its supply chain, while pressuring those suppliers to expand their own use of clean energy.
An investigation by activist group China Labor Watch discovered major problems with a Pegatron plant in Shanghai, including low pay, excessive amounts of overtime, and serious safety violations. Workers were found to be living in cramped dorms contaminated by mold and bedbugs.
Apple has repeatedly claimed progress in dealing with the labor conditions at its Chinese suppliers, which CLW's report would appear to contradict. Something else revealed, in fact, is that Apple's audits of Pegatron have been based partly on falsified forms.
This week also marked the return of a number of exclusive deals offered to AppleInsider readers at the absolute lowest prices anywhere, such as an entry-level 13" MacBook Air for $879.99 ($319 off) or a fully-loaded 13" MacBook Air for $1,179.99 ($569 off). Others included a maxed-out 11" MacBook Air for $999 ($650 off) and Apple's 15" MacBook Pro (2.5GHz, 16GB, 512GB, 750M) for $1,799 ($700 off) from both B&H Photo and Adorama. Head on over to deals.appleinsider.com and prices.appleinsider.com for the lowest prices on all other models.
To keep up on the latest in the world of Apple download the official AppleInsider app, and subscribe to our email newsletter.
Mission Motors shuts down after losing talent to Apple
Early in the week, this summer's collapse of electric motorcycle builder Mission Motors was linked to top talent being recruited by Apple for an electric car project. Mission is believed to have had approximately 35 workers, making it extremely vulnerable to poaching by Apple and others.Apple has been recruiting people from a number of automotive-related companies, including Chrysler, Tesla, A123 Systems, and Mercedes-Benz. No vehicle is expected to ship until at least 2019 or 2020, however.
Chinese ad APIs found collecting private data via iOS apps
Binary analysis uncovered some 256 App Store titles based on a deceptive Youmi advertising SDK, with APIs that collected personal data about iOS users -- such their email addresses, device identifiers and installed apps. Apple pulled the affected software, but only after it was revealed that Youmi's tactics dated back almost two years.
Youmi later apologized and promised to remedy the situation with Apple and developers.
Tim Cook reveals Oct. 26 launch for new Apple TV
Appearing at WSDJ Live, Apple CEO Tim Cook made the surprise announcement that the fourth-generation Apple TV will finally launch on Oct. 26. Even though the set-top was announced in September, at the time no firm release date was mentioned beyond an October window.
At the same event Cook mentioned that Apple Music has 6.5 million paid subscribers. The first three-month free trials ended on Sept. 30, and there was serious concern of a mass exodus. Apple's subscriber base still pales in comparison to Spotify, which has over 20 million Premium members.
Apple updates iOS, OS X, watchOS
On Wednesday Apple issued updates for iOS, OS X, and watchOS. The company mostly addressed bugs, but also added a range of new emoji characters, and brought its News app to the U.K. and Australia.
In parallel Apple released the gold master of tvOS to developers, and updates to iTunes for Mac and Windows, plus iTunes U and iMovie for iOS.
Apple says Chinese operations fully carbon neutral
In a Wednesday press release, Apple bragged about its environmental achievements, saying that its first-party operations there are now fully carbon neutral. This is partly because of the completion of 40-megawatt solar projects in Sichuan.
More significantly, the company is planning to build an extra 200 megawatts' worth of solar plants to offset energy used by its supply chain, while pressuring those suppliers to expand their own use of clean energy.
Poor working conditions exposed at Pegatron iPhone & iPad plant
An investigation by activist group China Labor Watch discovered major problems with a Pegatron plant in Shanghai, including low pay, excessive amounts of overtime, and serious safety violations. Workers were found to be living in cramped dorms contaminated by mold and bedbugs.
Apple has repeatedly claimed progress in dealing with the labor conditions at its Chinese suppliers, which CLW's report would appear to contradict. Something else revealed, in fact, is that Apple's audits of Pegatron have been based partly on falsified forms.
Unbeatable Deals from AI and Apple's Authorized Resellers
This week also marked the return of a number of exclusive deals offered to AppleInsider readers at the absolute lowest prices anywhere, such as an entry-level 13" MacBook Air for $879.99 ($319 off) or a fully-loaded 13" MacBook Air for $1,179.99 ($569 off). Others included a maxed-out 11" MacBook Air for $999 ($650 off) and Apple's 15" MacBook Pro (2.5GHz, 16GB, 512GB, 750M) for $1,799 ($700 off) from both B&H Photo and Adorama. Head on over to deals.appleinsider.com and prices.appleinsider.com for the lowest prices on all other models.
Comments
Oh...you mean a contractors own issue...
The same assembler that many other tech companies use...
Oh ok. So in other words, Apple didn't run into trouble at all.
And we believe China Labor Watch because...? How do we know that China Labor Watch isn’t some clandestine project by someone with an axe to grind against Apple? Why are we accepting their reports as genuine and unbiased? Because any negative hit piece about Apple gets attention?
http://chinalaborwatch.org/home.aspx
Most of their funding nowadays channeled through Amsterdam - a broader reach to scumbags who wouldn't know the inside of a factory on a bet. They "report" from Hong Kong based on "anonymous" spurces on the Mainland. Nothing for real news sources to verify.
Best known for starting the FoxConn fluff over a suicide rate - that matched Cincinnati!
Have you visited their site? You should as it would probably allay your fears that it might be a front for some anti-Apple group.
http://chinalaborwatch.org/home.aspx
So, um, no one in US journalism ever noticed the history behind the so-called China Labor Watch. Originally funded by Tories as Freedom Fighters, chartered to fight the return of colonial Hong Kong to China.
Most of their funding nowadays channeled through Amsterdam - a broader reach to scumbags who wouldn't know the inside of a factory on a bet. They "report" from Hong Kong based on "anonymous" spurces on the Mainland. Nothing for real news sources to verify.
Best known for starting the FoxConn fluff over a suicide rate - that matched Cincinnati!
So two completely different takes on China Labor Watch. I have become the guy who doesn’t believe ANYTHING he reads on the Internet.
Youmi's spyware warns us again not to put personally sensitive information on our internet connected devices.
So, um, no one in US journalism ever noticed the history behind the so-called China Labor Watch. Originally funded by Tories as Freedom Fighters, chartered to fight the return of colonial Hong Kong to China.
I can't find anything online about that claim. Sorry to bug you but do you happen to have a link? I would like to read up on it.
One of the things I found is that Hong Kong returned to China on the first of July 1997. China Labor Watch was founded in October 2000, about 3.25 years later. And the founder of CLW has been an activist since the "late 1990's"
Quote:
Most of their funding nowadays channeled through Amsterdam - a broader reach to scumbags who wouldn't know the inside of a factory on a bet. They "report" from Hong Kong based on "anonymous" spurces on the Mainland. Nothing for real news sources to verify.
Again I can't find anything about this either. Sorry to be a bother but I would love to read up on it if you have a link.
All I can find is that they are based out of NY, NY. I did see an article about Western Union holding funds from CLW back in August of 2013 but that issue seemed to be resolved relatively quickly.
Best known for starting the FoxConn fluff over a suicide rate - that matched Cincinnati!
In my searching about CLW I thought this was an interesting tidbit from an interview with the founder:
What is your impression of Foxconn, which has some of the world’s biggest factories and is China’s biggest export machine?
Foxconn is not good. But if we compare all industries, electronics, textile, toys, Foxconn is one of the best. The biggest problem for Foxconn is the workers are working under a lot of pressure. They’re standing 10 to 11 hours a day. Foxconn treats the workers like they are machines.
Bold emphasis mine.
Link to the interview: http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/q-and-a-with-li-qiang-of-china-labor-watch/?_r=0
Anyway I am not trying to flame you or anything, just trying to learn a bit more. So if you could share some links that would be really cool. Thanks in advance.
There have been plenty of articles about the 'steve jobs' movie on this site. I'd like to see an updated, new article now that the movie has been released and how it's doing terrible! That's awesome! I am glad.
So two completely different takes on China Labor Watch. I have become the guy who doesn’t believe ANYTHING he reads on the Internet.
Almost so called "news" on the net is clickbait crap with no sources.
If you see a weasel words like "some" in the headline, you know it's total crap : some X report problem Y , with X reported as vaguely as possible even tough they can be specifically ID'd and described to make the thing look broader, bigger than it is (if it even exists at all).