Apple Inc confirmed on Wednesday its plans to invest $1 billion in a tech fund being set up by Japan&#39;s SoftBank Group Corp.

SoftBank has said it is investing at least $25 billion in the fund and has been in talks with Saudi Arabia&#39;s Public Investment Fund for an investment that could be as much as $45 billion.

&quot;We believe their new fund will speed the development of technologies which may be strategically important to Apple,&quot; company spokesman Josh Rosenstock told Reuters.

SoftBank has also said that it plans to make future large-scale investments via the tech fund, rather than on its own.

Reuters reported in December, citing sources familiar with the matter, that Apple had held talks with SoftBank about the investment.

SoftBank confirmed that Apple invested, said Benjamin Spicehandler, an outside public relations representative for SoftBank.&nbsp;

He added that Foxconn, Oracle founder Larry Ellison`s family office and chipmaker Qualcomm also have said they intend to invest in the fund.

(Reuters)

SoftBank has also said that it plans to make future large-scale investments via the tech fund, rather than on its own

Apple Inc confirmed on Wednesday its plans to invest $1 billion in a tech fund being set up by Japan's SoftBank Group Corp. SoftBank has said it is investing at least $25 billion in the fund and has been in talks with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund for an investment that could be as much as $45 billion. "We believe their new fund will speed the development of technologies which may be strategically important to Apple," company spokesman Josh Rosenstock told Reuters. SoftBank has also said that it plans to make future large-scale investments via the tech fund, rather than on its own. Reuters reported in December, citing sources familiar with the matter, that Apple had held talks with SoftBank about the investment. SoftBank confirmed that Apple invested, said Benjamin Spicehandler, an outside public relations representative for SoftBank. He added that Foxconn, Oracle founder Larry Ellison`s family office and chipmaker Qualcomm also have said they intend to invest in the fund. (Reuters)

Apple plans to invest $1 billion in a tech-fund by SoftBank

Nokia Corp said on Wednesday it had filed a number of lawsuits against Apple Inc for violating 32 technology patents, striking back at the iPhone maker&#39;s legal action targeting the one-time cellphone industry leader a day earlier.

Nokia&#39;s lawsuits, filed in courts in Dusseldorf, Mannheim and Munich, Germany, and the US&nbsp;District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, cover patents for displays, user interfaces, software, antennas, chipsets and video coding.

&quot;Since agreeing a license covering some patents from the Nokia Technologies portfolio in 2011, Apple has declined subsequent offers made by Nokia to license other of its patented inventions which are used by many of Apple&#39;s products,&quot; Nokia said in a statement.

Apple on Tuesday had taken legal action against Acacia Research Corp and Conversant Intellectual Property Management Inc, accusing them of colluding with Nokia to extract and extort exorbitant revenues unfairly from Apple.

&quot;We&rsquo;ve always been willing to pay a fair price to secure the rights of patents covering technology in our products,&quot; said Apple spokesman Josh Rosenstock. &quot;Unfortunately, Nokia has refused to license their patents on a fair basis and is now using the tactics of a patent troll to attempt to extort money from Apple by applying a royalty rate to Apple&rsquo;s own inventions they had nothing to do with.&quot;

Acacia and Conversant did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and Nokia was not immediately available to comment on the Apple lawsuit.

The legal action by Nokia and Apple appear to mark a revival of the &quot;smartphone patent wars&quot; that began five years ago, when Apple filed a series of patent infringement cases against Samsung Electronics around the world, with wins and losses on both sides.

Apple&#39;s lawsuit against Acacia, Conversant and Nokia was filed only one day after Ottawa-based Conversant named Boris Teksler as its new chief executive. He had worked as Apple&#39;s director of patent licensing and strategy from 2009 to 2013, the latter half of his tenure overlapping with the lawsuits against Samsung.

Acacia is a publicly traded patent licensing firm based in Newport Beach, California. One of its subsidiaries sued Apple for patent infringement and was awarded $22 million by a Texas jury in September.

Similarly, Conversant, which claims to own thousands of patents, announced last week that a Silicon Valley jury had awarded one of its units a $7.3 million settlement in an infringement case against Apple involving two smartphone patents.

Nokia, once the world&#39;s dominant cellphone maker, missed out on the transition to smartphones triggered by Apple&#39;s introduction of the iPhone in 2007.

The Finnish company sold its handset business to Microsoft Corp two years ago, leaving it with its telecom network equipment business and a bulging portfolio of mobile equipment patents. But this year, Microsoft sold its Nokia-feature phone business to a new company called HMD Global.

Nokia agreed to a 10-year licensing deal with HMD, which continues to market low-cost Nokia phones and plans to introduce new Nokia smartphone models next year.

(Reuters)

Nokia's lawsuits cover patents for displays, user interfaces, software, antennas, chipsets and video coding

Nokia Corp said on Wednesday it had filed a number of lawsuits against Apple Inc for violating 32 technology patents, striking back at the iPhone maker's legal action targeting the one-time cellphone industry leader a day earlier. Nokia's lawsuits, filed in courts in Dusseldorf, Mannheim and Munich, Germany, and the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, cover patents for displays, user interfaces, software, antennas, chipsets and video coding. "Since agreeing a license covering some patents from the Nokia Technologies portfolio in 2011, Apple has declined subsequent offers made by Nokia to license other of its patented inventions which are used by many of Apple's products," Nokia said in a statement. Apple on Tuesday had taken legal action against Acacia Research Corp and Conversant Intellectual Property Management Inc, accusing them of colluding with Nokia to extract and extort exorbitant revenues unfairly from Apple. "We’ve always been willing to pay a fair price to secure the rights of patents covering technology in our products," said Apple spokesman Josh Rosenstock. "Unfortunately, Nokia has refused to license their patents on a fair basis and is now using the tactics of a patent troll to attempt to extort money from Apple by applying a royalty rate to Apple’s own inventions they had nothing to do with." Acacia and Conversant did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and Nokia was not immediately available to comment on the Apple lawsuit. The legal action by Nokia and Apple appear to mark a revival of the "smartphone patent wars" that began five years ago, when Apple filed a series of patent infringement cases against Samsung Electronics around the world, with wins and losses on both sides. Apple's lawsuit against Acacia, Conversant and Nokia was filed only one day after Ottawa-based Conversant named Boris Teksler as its new chief executive. He had worked as Apple's director of patent licensing and strategy from 2009 to 2013, the latter half of his tenure overlapping with the lawsuits against Samsung. Acacia is a publicly traded patent licensing firm based in Newport Beach, California. One of its subsidiaries sued Apple for patent infringement and was awarded $22 million by a Texas jury in September. Similarly, Conversant, which claims to own thousands of patents, announced last week that a Silicon Valley jury had awarded one of its units a $7.3 million settlement in an infringement case against Apple involving two smartphone patents. Nokia, once the world's dominant cellphone maker, missed out on the transition to smartphones triggered by Apple's introduction of the iPhone in 2007. The Finnish company sold its handset business to Microsoft Corp two years ago, leaving it with its telecom network equipment business and a bulging portfolio of mobile equipment patents. But this year, Microsoft sold its Nokia-feature phone business to a new company called HMD Global. Nokia agreed to a 10-year licensing deal with HMD, which continues to market low-cost Nokia phones and plans to introduce new Nokia smartphone models next year. (Reuters)

Nokia sues Apple for 32 patent infringements

Ireland accused the European Commission on Monday of exceeding its powers and interfering with the EU member&#39;s national sovereignty over tax affairs in ruling that Apple owes Dublin billions of euros in taxes, saying it had failed to give proper reasons for its decision.&nbsp;

In September the Irish government agreed to join with Apple in appealing against the Commission&#39;s order that the US&nbsp;company must pay Dublin up to 13 billion euros ($14 billion) after ruling the firm had received illegal state aid in avoiding paying such taxes.

On Monday both Ireland and Apple laid out the legal arguments that would form the basis of their appeals.&nbsp;

&quot;The Commission has manifestly breached its duty to provide a clear and unequivocal statement of reasons in its decision, in relying simultaneously on grossly divergent factual scenarios, in contradicting itself as to the source of the rule that Ireland is said to have breached, and in suggesting that Ireland granted aid in relation to profits taxable in other jurisdictions,&quot; the Irish government said in a statement.&nbsp;

Dublin, which is seeking to protect a tax regime that has helped attract multinational companies that employ around 10 per cent of the country&#39;s workforce, listed a number of areas where it believed the commission had misapplied tax rules.

Firstly, it said Apple&#39;s subsidiaries did not receive special treatment in the 1991 and 2007 tax opinions at the centre of the case, and that the company&#39;s treatment did not depart from normal taxation, the statement said.&nbsp;

It then said the commission had overstated the level of profits attributable to Apple subsidiaries Apple Sales International and Apple Operations Europe. &nbsp;It said important decisions within the companies were made in the United States and the profits derived from these decisions were not properly attributable to them.&nbsp;

&quot;The Commission&rsquo;s attribution of Apple&rsquo;s intellectual property licences to the Irish branches of Apple Operations Europe and Apple Sales International is not consistent with Irish law,&quot; it said.

The Irish government said the Commission had incorrectly applied the &quot;arm&#39;s length&quot; principle, according to which individual group members of a multinational enterprise must be taxed on the basis that they act at arm&#39;s length in their dealings with each other.

And it said the Commission &quot;failed to act impartially and in accordance with its duty of care&quot; because it did not &quot;clearly explain&quot; its state aid theory during the investigation.&nbsp;

The European Commission is expected to shortly publish a more detailed version of its ruling against Apple.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Reuters)

Ireland attracts multinational companies on the basis of their unique tax laws, which have significantly lower rates than most countries

Ireland accused the European Commission on Monday of exceeding its powers and interfering with the EU member's national sovereignty over tax affairs in ruling that Apple owes Dublin billions of euros in taxes, saying it had failed to give proper reasons for its decision. In September the Irish government agreed to join with Apple in appealing against the Commission's order that the US company must pay Dublin up to 13 billion euros ($14 billion) after ruling the firm had received illegal state aid in avoiding paying such taxes. On Monday both Ireland and Apple laid out the legal arguments that would form the basis of their appeals. "The Commission has manifestly breached its duty to provide a clear and unequivocal statement of reasons in its decision, in relying simultaneously on grossly divergent factual scenarios, in contradicting itself as to the source of the rule that Ireland is said to have breached, and in suggesting that Ireland granted aid in relation to profits taxable in other jurisdictions," the Irish government said in a statement. Dublin, which is seeking to protect a tax regime that has helped attract multinational companies that employ around 10 per cent of the country's workforce, listed a number of areas where it believed the commission had misapplied tax rules. Firstly, it said Apple's subsidiaries did not receive special treatment in the 1991 and 2007 tax opinions at the centre of the case, and that the company's treatment did not depart from normal taxation, the statement said. It then said the commission had overstated the level of profits attributable to Apple subsidiaries Apple Sales International and Apple Operations Europe. It said important decisions within the companies were made in the United States and the profits derived from these decisions were not properly attributable to them. "The Commission’s attribution of Apple’s intellectual property licences to the Irish branches of Apple Operations Europe and Apple Sales International is not consistent with Irish law," it said. The Irish government said the Commission had incorrectly applied the "arm's length" principle, according to which individual group members of a multinational enterprise must be taxed on the basis that they act at arm's length in their dealings with each other. And it said the Commission "failed to act impartially and in accordance with its duty of care" because it did not "clearly explain" its state aid theory during the investigation. The European Commission is expected to shortly publish a more detailed version of its ruling against Apple. (Reuters)

Ireland fights in court to reject $14 billion in taxes from Apple

Apple Inc has&nbsp;invested in China&#39;s largest wind-turbine maker Goldwind Science &amp; Technology Co Ltd, according to Mashable.

Apple has invested in four Chinese companies owned by Beijing Tianrun New Energy Investment, a subsidiary of Goldwind, Mashable reports.

The deal marks Apple&#39;s largest clean energy project, according to Lisa Jackson, vice-president of environment, policy and social initiatives at Apple.

The investment &quot;will add 285 megawatts of clean energy to China&#39;s grid as part of Apple&#39;s commitment to reducing the carbon emissions from its manufacturing&quot;, Jackson told China Daily.

The subsidiaries are located in Henan, Shandong, Shanxi and Yunnan provinces, according to China Daily.

Apple now assumes 30 per cent of equity in these four subsidiaries.&nbsp;

In September, Apple had committed to use more renewable energy at its third-party suppliers.&nbsp;

The announcement further concretes Apple&rsquo;s intention of reducing its reliance on non-renewable energy sources.

(WION)

Apple has invested in four Chinese companies owned by Beijing Tianrun New Energy Investment, a subsidiary of Goldwind

Apple Inc has invested in China's largest wind-turbine maker Goldwind Science & Technology Co Ltd, according to Mashable. Apple has invested in four Chinese companies owned by Beijing Tianrun New Energy Investment, a subsidiary of Goldwind, Mashable reports. The deal marks Apple's largest clean energy project, according to Lisa Jackson, vice-president of environment, policy and social initiatives at Apple. The investment "will add 285 megawatts of clean energy to China's grid as part of Apple's commitment to reducing the carbon emissions from its manufacturing", Jackson told China Daily. The subsidiaries are located in Henan, Shandong, Shanxi and Yunnan provinces, according to China Daily. Apple now assumes 30 per cent of equity in these four subsidiaries. In September, Apple had committed to use more renewable energy at its third-party suppliers. The announcement further concretes Apple’s intention of reducing its reliance on non-renewable energy sources. (WION)

Apple invests in China's largest wind turbine maker

Apple Inc said external factors were the likely cause of iPhone 6 battery fires detailed in a Chinese consumer protection report that featured widely in state media earlier this week and created a buzz on social media.

The Shanghai Consumer Council released a report on Friday detailing battery fires in eight iPhone 6 handsets. It also detailed iPhone 6 handsets powering down before their batteries are depleted - handsets outside of a global iPhone 6 recall range that Apple announced on November 20 to address the issue.

&quot;The units we&#39;ve analysed so far have clearly shown that external physical damage happened to them which led to the thermal event,&quot; an Apple spokeswoman said in an emailed statement to Reuters late on Tuesday. She also said Apple was widening its investigation into the power-down issue.

The US&nbsp;tech firm has seen Chinese sales fall over the past three-quarters as domestic smartphone makers compete with high-spec handsets at low price points. It is hoping to bounce back in the first quarter of next year with its iPhone 7.

But domestic handset makers also likely received a boost after South Korea&#39;s Samsung Electronics Co Ltd recalled 2.5 million Note 7 handsets globally following a series of battery fires, raising distrust of foreign smartphone brands, according to users, analysts and consumer groups.

The Shanghai Consumer Council in its report said that during Samsung&#39;s recall in October-November, complaints involving Apple products jumped, accounting for almost half the year-to-date total of 2763 - itself a nearly two-fold increase from 2015.

&quot;The Samsung case did make (Chinese smartphone users) start to think an international brand doesn&#39;t necessarily equal a safe product,&quot; said Nicole Peng, Asia-Pacific director at researcher Canalys.

State media outlets featuring the Shanghai council&#39;s report on Monday garnered tens of thousands of comments on social media. While many doubted the iPhone 6 was at fault, top-ranking comments expressed frustration that foreign brands could set high prices and yet not guarantee safety.

&quot;I still worry about the iPhone in case there is indeed a problem, but it&#39;s not investigated,&quot; said Mr&nbsp;Liu, a 21-year-old student in Beijing.

&quot;The news did make me change my Apple habits,&quot; he told Reuters. &quot;For example, I don&#39;t dare play with the phone in bed and if it heats up I quickly throw it aside.&quot;

(Reuters)

The Shanghai Consumer Council released a report on Friday detailing battery fires in eight iPhone 6 handsets

Apple Inc said external factors were the likely cause of iPhone 6 battery fires detailed in a Chinese consumer protection report that featured widely in state media earlier this week and created a buzz on social media. The Shanghai Consumer Council released a report on Friday detailing battery fires in eight iPhone 6 handsets. It also detailed iPhone 6 handsets powering down before their batteries are depleted - handsets outside of a global iPhone 6 recall range that Apple announced on November 20 to address the issue. "The units we've analysed so far have clearly shown that external physical damage happened to them which led to the thermal event," an Apple spokeswoman said in an emailed statement to Reuters late on Tuesday. She also said Apple was widening its investigation into the power-down issue. The US tech firm has seen Chinese sales fall over the past three-quarters as domestic smartphone makers compete with high-spec handsets at low price points. It is hoping to bounce back in the first quarter of next year with its iPhone 7. But domestic handset makers also likely received a boost after South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co Ltd recalled 2.5 million Note 7 handsets globally following a series of battery fires, raising distrust of foreign smartphone brands, according to users, analysts and consumer groups. The Shanghai Consumer Council in its report said that during Samsung's recall in October-November, complaints involving Apple products jumped, accounting for almost half the year-to-date total of 2763 - itself a nearly two-fold increase from 2015. "The Samsung case did make (Chinese smartphone users) start to think an international brand doesn't necessarily equal a safe product," said Nicole Peng, Asia-Pacific director at researcher Canalys. State media outlets featuring the Shanghai council's report on Monday garnered tens of thousands of comments on social media. While many doubted the iPhone 6 was at fault, top-ranking comments expressed frustration that foreign brands could set high prices and yet not guarantee safety. "I still worry about the iPhone in case there is indeed a problem, but it's not investigated," said Mr Liu, a 21-year-old student in Beijing. "The news did make me change my Apple habits," he told Reuters. "For example, I don't dare play with the phone in bed and if it heats up I quickly throw it aside." (Reuters)

Apple says iPhone 6 battery fires in China likely caused by external factors

Apple Watch sales appear to have rebounded for the holidays from mid-year doldrums on a redesign, price cuts and strong promotions, but analysts say long-term demand has yet to be proven.

The Watch is Apple Inc&#39;s first new product under chief executive officer Tim Cook and is seen as a barometer of whether the company can find new sources of revenue to boost sales which now largely depend on the iPhone.

Cook told Reuters on Monday that Watch sell-through - a measure of how many units are sold to consumers, rather than simply stocked on retailers&#39; shelves - reached a new high during the first week of holiday shopping. Cook&#39;s comments followed a report on Monday from technology research firm IDC that painted a more alarming picture, estimating Watch sales fell 71 per cent in the third quarter of 2016.

The sharp change in seasonal demand,&nbsp;also revealed in separate data from market research firm Slice Intelligence, amplifies some analysts&#39; concerns that the Apple Watch may not be a formidable hit on the order of the iPhone or iPad.

&quot;Let&rsquo;s see if the demand carries through to the next quarter,&quot; said analyst Colin Gillis of BGC Partners.

Data from Slice Intelligence shows sales were tepid in July and August and then jumped in September, when the watch was updated.

Slice reported that sales faded somewhat in October and strengthened again in November. Average selling prices of the watch fell to $353.19 in November from $393.39 in October, according to Slice.

Apple Watch prices experienced a similar dip last year, hitting $321.63 in December 2015, although the drop this year is notable because it comes in the wake of a product update.

Apple, which declined to comment on the Slice data, has cut the retail price of the entry level watch over the last year. The original Apple Watch debuted in 2015 with a starting price of $349, but Apple trimmed the price to $299 in March 2016. It dropped it again to $269 in September, when a new generation of watches was released.

Apple also raised the profile of the Watch this holiday season. That effort included a promotional deal with Nike&nbsp;and aggressive advertising. Researcher Market Track said that promotions of Apple watches in retailer circulars have risen to 14 per cent of the wearables market this year from 6 percent last year.

Apple may also be getting a boost from sales of the original Watch. It no longer sells solely in its own stores, but some third-party retailers, such as Target and Best Buy offer it, often with deep discounts for older models. Some of those same retailers, and Apple itself&nbsp;offered gift-card based discounts on the newer watches as well on Black Friday.

&quot;Whether Apple can sustain this strength will be the key question and at what impact to margins,&quot; Wells Fargo analyst Maynard Um wrote in a note to investors.

While Apple has cut retail prices, it has cut costs as well. This year&#39;s entry-level 38-millimeter watch cost about $92.78 to make, compared with $98.79 for last year&#39;s model, according to an analysis by IHS, a technology research firm. Analyst Kevin Keller said that the difference between retail price and production price still left Apple with a &quot;substantial amount of money.&quot;

(Reuters)

Data from Slice Intelligence shows sales were tepid in July and August and then jumped in September, when the watch was updated

Apple Watch sales appear to have rebounded for the holidays from mid-year doldrums on a redesign, price cuts and strong promotions, but analysts say long-term demand has yet to be proven. The Watch is Apple Inc's first new product under chief executive officer Tim Cook and is seen as a barometer of whether the company can find new sources of revenue to boost sales which now largely depend on the iPhone. Cook told Reuters on Monday that Watch sell-through - a measure of how many units are sold to consumers, rather than simply stocked on retailers' shelves - reached a new high during the first week of holiday shopping. Cook's comments followed a report on Monday from technology research firm IDC that painted a more alarming picture, estimating Watch sales fell 71 per cent in the third quarter of 2016. The sharp change in seasonal demand, also revealed in separate data from market research firm Slice Intelligence, amplifies some analysts' concerns that the Apple Watch may not be a formidable hit on the order of the iPhone or iPad. "Let’s see if the demand carries through to the next quarter," said analyst Colin Gillis of BGC Partners. Data from Slice Intelligence shows sales were tepid in July and August and then jumped in September, when the watch was updated. Slice reported that sales faded somewhat in October and strengthened again in November. Average selling prices of the watch fell to $353.19 in November from $393.39 in October, according to Slice. Apple Watch prices experienced a similar dip last year, hitting $321.63 in December 2015, although the drop this year is notable because it comes in the wake of a product update. Apple, which declined to comment on the Slice data, has cut the retail price of the entry level watch over the last year. The original Apple Watch debuted in 2015 with a starting price of $349, but Apple trimmed the price to $299 in March 2016. It dropped it again to $269 in September, when a new generation of watches was released. Apple also raised the profile of the Watch this holiday season. That effort included a promotional deal with Nike and aggressive advertising. Researcher Market Track said that promotions of Apple watches in retailer circulars have risen to 14 per cent of the wearables market this year from 6 percent last year. Apple may also be getting a boost from sales of the original Watch. It no longer sells solely in its own stores, but some third-party retailers, such as Target and Best Buy offer it, often with deep discounts for older models. Some of those same retailers, and Apple itself offered gift-card based discounts on the newer watches as well on Black Friday. "Whether Apple can sustain this strength will be the key question and at what impact to margins," Wells Fargo analyst Maynard Um wrote in a note to investors. While Apple has cut retail prices, it has cut costs as well. This year's entry-level 38-millimeter watch cost about $92.78 to make, compared with $98.79 for last year's model, according to an analysis by IHS, a technology research firm. Analyst Kevin Keller said that the difference between retail price and production price still left Apple with a "substantial amount of money." (Reuters)

Discounts, advertising spur brisk Apple Watch sales

Apple is wading in to the debate over regulation of self-driving cars by&nbsp;declaring that it is excited about the potential for automated transportation and calling on US regulators not to restrict testing of such vehicles.

A five-page letter from Steve Kenner, Apple&#39;s director of product integrity, to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is the company&#39;s most comprehensive statement yet about its interest in self-driving vehicle technology. The November 22 letter came after more than a year of industry speculation about the computer and iPhone-maker&#39;s plans for expanding into transportation.

&quot;The company is investing heavily in the study of machine learning and automation, and is excited about the potential of automated systems in many areas, including transportation,&quot; Kenner wrote.

&quot;Executed properly under NHTSA&#39;s guidance, automated vehicles have the potential to greatly enhance the human experience - to prevent millions of car crashes and thousands of fatalities each year and to give mobility to those without.&quot;

Apple urged regulators not to impose too many restrictions on testing of self-driving cars, saying &quot;established manufacturers and new entrants should be treated equally.&quot;

Since software would decide what actions to take in potentially dangerous situations, Apple said certain areas need special attention. These include the implications of algorithmic decisions for the safety, mobility and legality of automated vehicles and their occupants, ensuring privacy and security in design, and the impact of the cars on employment and public spaces.

Some analysts forecast millions of jobs will be lost once self-driving cars largely replace truck, taxi and Uber drivers, and eliminate the need for most vehicle repairs, insurance adjusters and other functions.

Apple&#39;s letter was prompted by its heavy investment in machine learning and autonomous systems, company spokesman Tom Neumayr said in an emailed statement.

&quot;There are many potential applications for these technologies, including the future of transportation, so we want to work with NHTSA to help define the best practices for the industry,&quot; he said.

In September, the Obama administration proposed guidelines for the development of self-driving cars in a 15-point &quot;safety assessment,&quot; calling on automakers to voluntarily submit details of their systems to regulators.

Apple executives have been coy about their interest in cars. Chief Executive Tim Cook has suggested that Apple wants to move beyond integration of Apple smartphones into vehicle infotainment systems.

But Apple has never confirmed reports last year that it was hiring automotive industry engineers and designers to develop a driverless electric car, or that those efforts have been sharply scaled back this year.

Other companies pursuing self-driving cars include Alphabet Inc&#39;s Google unit, Ford Motor Co, Volkswagen AG, Daimler AG, Tesla Motors and General Motors Co.

Apple has reportedly held talks about investing in British automaker McLaren Technology Group, but McLaren downplayed speculation that Apple had proposed an investment.

Apple joins a range of automakers and tech companies that have raised concerns about the proposed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration policy on self-driving cars, and plans by California state regulators to make complying with the safety assessment mandatory.

An auto trade group in November urged the incoming Trump administration to conduct a &quot;comprehensive regulatory review&quot; of all regulations and actions since September 1, including the Obama administration&#39;s guidance on self-driving vehicles.

(Reuters)

Apple is investing heavily in the study of machine learning and automation

Apple is wading in to the debate over regulation of self-driving cars by declaring that it is excited about the potential for automated transportation and calling on US regulators not to restrict testing of such vehicles. A five-page letter from Steve Kenner, Apple's director of product integrity, to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is the company's most comprehensive statement yet about its interest in self-driving vehicle technology. The November 22 letter came after more than a year of industry speculation about the computer and iPhone-maker's plans for expanding into transportation. "The company is investing heavily in the study of machine learning and automation, and is excited about the potential of automated systems in many areas, including transportation," Kenner wrote. "Executed properly under NHTSA's guidance, automated vehicles have the potential to greatly enhance the human experience - to prevent millions of car crashes and thousands of fatalities each year and to give mobility to those without." Apple urged regulators not to impose too many restrictions on testing of self-driving cars, saying "established manufacturers and new entrants should be treated equally." Since software would decide what actions to take in potentially dangerous situations, Apple said certain areas need special attention. These include the implications of algorithmic decisions for the safety, mobility and legality of automated vehicles and their occupants, ensuring privacy and security in design, and the impact of the cars on employment and public spaces. Some analysts forecast millions of jobs will be lost once self-driving cars largely replace truck, taxi and Uber drivers, and eliminate the need for most vehicle repairs, insurance adjusters and other functions. Apple's letter was prompted by its heavy investment in machine learning and autonomous systems, company spokesman Tom Neumayr said in an emailed statement. "There are many potential applications for these technologies, including the future of transportation, so we want to work with NHTSA to help define the best practices for the industry," he said. In September, the Obama administration proposed guidelines for the development of self-driving cars in a 15-point "safety assessment," calling on automakers to voluntarily submit details of their systems to regulators. Apple executives have been coy about their interest in cars. Chief Executive Tim Cook has suggested that Apple wants to move beyond integration of Apple smartphones into vehicle infotainment systems. But Apple has never confirmed reports last year that it was hiring automotive industry engineers and designers to develop a driverless electric car, or that those efforts have been sharply scaled back this year. Other companies pursuing self-driving cars include Alphabet Inc's Google unit, Ford Motor Co, Volkswagen AG, Daimler AG, Tesla Motors and General Motors Co. Apple has reportedly held talks about investing in British automaker McLaren Technology Group, but McLaren downplayed speculation that Apple had proposed an investment. Apple joins a range of automakers and tech companies that have raised concerns about the proposed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration policy on self-driving cars, and plans by California state regulators to make complying with the safety assessment mandatory. An auto trade group in November urged the incoming Trump administration to conduct a "comprehensive regulatory review" of all regulations and actions since September 1, including the Obama administration's guidance on self-driving vehicles. (Reuters)

Why Apple could soon join the self-driving car race

Apple has revealed it is investing heavily in autonomous vehicles in a letter asking the government to make it easier to develop self-driving cars.

The company is &quot;excited about the potential of automated systems in many areas, including transportation,&quot; Apple said in a November 22 letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offering Apple&#39;s opinion about draft regulations for the sector.

&quot;Apple looks forward to collaborating with NHTSA and other stakeholders so that the significant societal benefits of automated vehicles can be realized safely, responsibly, and expeditiously,&quot; the company&#39;s director of product integrity Steve Kenner wrote.

Apple issued the letter because it is &quot;investing heavily in machine learning and autonomous systems,&quot; an Apple spokesman said in an email to AFP.

&quot;There are many potential applications for these technologies, including the future of transportation, so we want to work with NHTSA to help define the best practices for the industry.&quot;

Rumours about Apple&#39;s ambitions in the sector have circulated for years.

The company has a separate organisation called &quot;Project Titan&quot; that is developing automotive projects.

Although Apple has never officially confirmed the project, several of CEO Tim Cook&#39;s comments have fuelled speculation.

After a $1 billion investment in a Chinese ride-hailing service called Didi Chuxing, he spoke of &quot;some strategic things that the companies can do together over time.&quot;

However, in early September, The New York Times reported that the group had narrowed its ambitions, laying off dozens of staff as part of the project&#39;s &quot;reboot.&quot;&nbsp;

Instead of designing and producing a complete self-driving car, the group will now concentrate on developing underlying technologies for autonomous vehicles.

In its letter, Apple urges the NHTSA not to penalise new participants in the sector by restricting the testing of cars under development on public roads, for which established automakers generally have exemptions.

&quot;To maximise the safety benefits of automated vehicles, encourage innovation, and promote fair competition, established manufacturers and new entrants should be treated equally,&quot; it says.

Apple also encourages data sharing, particularly for accidents, saying that would enable the industry to &quot;build a more comprehensive dataset than any one company could create alone.&quot;

Most major auto manufacturers and many technology groups are currently developing autonomous vehicles, considered to be the future of the automobile, along with electric power, with first production models promised for around 2020.

(AFP)

In a letter to the US govt, it said it was 'excited about the potential of automated systems in many areas, including transportation'

Apple has revealed it is investing heavily in autonomous vehicles in a letter asking the government to make it easier to develop self-driving cars. The company is "excited about the potential of automated systems in many areas, including transportation," Apple said in a November 22 letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offering Apple's opinion about draft regulations for the sector. "Apple looks forward to collaborating with NHTSA and other stakeholders so that the significant societal benefits of automated vehicles can be realized safely, responsibly, and expeditiously," the company's director of product integrity Steve Kenner wrote. Apple issued the letter because it is "investing heavily in machine learning and autonomous systems," an Apple spokesman said in an email to AFP. "There are many potential applications for these technologies, including the future of transportation, so we want to work with NHTSA to help define the best practices for the industry." Rumours about Apple's ambitions in the sector have circulated for years. The company has a separate organisation called "Project Titan" that is developing automotive projects. Although Apple has never officially confirmed the project, several of CEO Tim Cook's comments have fuelled speculation. After a $1 billion investment in a Chinese ride-hailing service called Didi Chuxing, he spoke of "some strategic things that the companies can do together over time." However, in early September, The New York Times reported that the group had narrowed its ambitions, laying off dozens of staff as part of the project's "reboot." Instead of designing and producing a complete self-driving car, the group will now concentrate on developing underlying technologies for autonomous vehicles. In its letter, Apple urges the NHTSA not to penalise new participants in the sector by restricting the testing of cars under development on public roads, for which established automakers generally have exemptions. "To maximise the safety benefits of automated vehicles, encourage innovation, and promote fair competition, established manufacturers and new entrants should be treated equally," it says. Apple also encourages data sharing, particularly for accidents, saying that would enable the industry to "build a more comprehensive dataset than any one company could create alone." Most major auto manufacturers and many technology groups are currently developing autonomous vehicles, considered to be the future of the automobile, along with electric power, with first production models promised for around 2020. (AFP)

Apple 'interested' in, could build self-driving cars

Apple is considering expanding into wearable glass headsets and has talked about the project with potential suppliers, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-11-14/apple-said-to-explore-smart-glasses-in-deeper-wearables-push">Bloomberg reported</a> citing people familiar with the matter.

The wearable headset would show images, along with other information and may use augmented reality, according to the report.

Apple CEO Tim Cook, who has been struggling with a slowdown in iPhone sales in recent quarters, said earlier this year that the company would continue to invest a lot into augmented reality.

Apple, the world&#39;s largest technology company, has ordered a small number of near-eye displays for testing but has not obtained enough for production on a larger scale, the report added.

Apple declined to comment. The move would make Apple the latest tech company to venture into wearable glasses.

Alphabet&rsquo;s discontinued its own wearable glass headset, Google Glass, and closed the social media account linked to the device earlier this year, ending its attempt to popularise the expensive devices with consumers.

The device received plenty of attention when it was launched in 2012, but quickly ran into problems with its awkward appearance and privacy concerns over video recording.

Snap, an $18 billion company which makes the popular messaging app Snapchat, also launched its own video-camera sunglasses last week.

(Reuters)

Apple is considering expanding into wearable glass headsets and has talked about the project with potential suppliers, Bloomberg reported citing people familiar with the matter. The wearable headset would show images, along with other information and may use augmented reality, according to the report. Apple CEO Tim Cook, who has been struggling with a slowdown in iPhone sales in recent quarters, said earlier this year that the company would continue to invest a lot into augmented reality. Apple, the world's largest technology company, has ordered a small number of near-eye displays for testing but has not obtained enough for production on a larger scale, the report added. Apple declined to comment. The move would make Apple the latest tech company to venture into wearable glasses. Alphabet’s discontinued its own wearable glass headset, Google Glass, and closed the social media account linked to the device earlier this year, ending its attempt to popularise the expensive devices with consumers. The device received plenty of attention when it was launched in 2012, but quickly ran into problems with its awkward appearance and privacy concerns over video recording. Snap, an $18 billion company which makes the popular messaging app Snapchat, also launched its own video-camera sunglasses last week. (Reuters)

Is Apple planning to launch smart glasses?

US-based iPhone maker Apple has sought incentives from the government to set up a manufacturing unit in India.&nbsp;

In a communication to the government, the Cupertino-based technology major has asked for incentives related to the Department of Revenue and Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeITY), an official told PTI.

&quot;They are doing their due diligence from quite some time. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) will write to both the departments regarding this communication for their views,&quot; the official added.

At present, to boost electronic manufacturing in the country, the government provides benefits under Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (MSIPS).

The scheme provides financial incentives to offset disability and attract investments in the electronics hardware segment. It also gives subsidy for investments in Special Economic Zones, among other benefits.

Apple&#39;s products are currently manufactured in six countries, including Korea, Japan and the US.

Apple&#39;s communication regarding setting up of a manufacturing unit assumes significance as the Finance Ministry in May had rejected relaxing the 30 per cent domestic sourcing norms, as sought by the iPhone and iPad maker as a pre-condition for bringing in FDI to set up single-brand retail stores in the country.

The company had sought exemption on the ground that it makes state-of-the-art and cutting-edge technology products for which local sourcing is not possible.

The government had also turned down the firm&#39;s proposal to import refurbished phones and sell them in India.

The company sells its products through Apple-owned retail stores in countries like China, Germany, the US, the UK and France, among others.

It has no wholly-owned store in India and sells its products through distributors such as Redington and Ingram Micro.

The government has announced incentives to promote electronic manufacturing in India and reduce the import bill.

Total import of electronics goods were valued at Rs 2.25 lakh crore in 2014-15 as against Rs 1.95 lakh crore in the previous year.&nbsp;

(PTI)

The tech major had in May asked for a relaxation of the 30% domestic sourcing norm, which the finance ministry turned down

US-based iPhone maker Apple has sought incentives from the government to set up a manufacturing unit in India. In a communication to the government, the Cupertino-based technology major has asked for incentives related to the Department of Revenue and Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeITY), an official told PTI. "They are doing their due diligence from quite some time. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) will write to both the departments regarding this communication for their views," the official added. At present, to boost electronic manufacturing in the country, the government provides benefits under Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme (MSIPS). The scheme provides financial incentives to offset disability and attract investments in the electronics hardware segment. It also gives subsidy for investments in Special Economic Zones, among other benefits. Apple's products are currently manufactured in six countries, including Korea, Japan and the US. Apple's communication regarding setting up of a manufacturing unit assumes significance as the Finance Ministry in May had rejected relaxing the 30 per cent domestic sourcing norms, as sought by the iPhone and iPad maker as a pre-condition for bringing in FDI to set up single-brand retail stores in the country. The company had sought exemption on the ground that it makes state-of-the-art and cutting-edge technology products for which local sourcing is not possible. The government had also turned down the firm's proposal to import refurbished phones and sell them in India. The company sells its products through Apple-owned retail stores in countries like China, Germany, the US, the UK and France, among others. It has no wholly-owned store in India and sells its products through distributors such as Redington and Ingram Micro. The government has announced incentives to promote electronic manufacturing in India and reduce the import bill. Total import of electronics goods were valued at Rs 2.25 lakh crore in 2014-15 as against Rs 1.95 lakh crore in the previous year. (PTI)

Apple seeks incentives to set up manufacturing unit in India

Here&rsquo;s some good news for all those iPhone users who often find themselves shrugging a lot - be it during a chat or in comments on social networks. Because your iPhone is soon going to have a dedicated emoji to represent the same.

Apple has released a developer preview of iOS 10.2 which includes new emoji such as Shrug and Fingers Crossed.

Here&rsquo;s how the Shrug emoji will look on your iPhone after it is updated to iOS 10.2:

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The new iOS 10.2 update includes new emoji including the much-awaited shrug emoji. (WION)
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Besides, the new iOS update will bring along all those 72 emoji which were approved in June 2016 by the Unicode Consortium, a body which standardises emoji and sets other language standards for the computing industry.

Some of the popular additions in the new list include Fox Face, Selfie, Black Heart, Avocado and Owl.
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&nbsp;

In addition, new emoji representing different professions have also been included in the new iOS 10.2 release. The list includes professions such as Firefighter and Judge, with female and male versions of each (in all skin tones). In total, the new iOS update includes emoji support for 16 new professions - which appear as 32 emoji on the keyboard - one female and one male.

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A range of professions on the emoji keyboard in iOS 10.2. (WION)
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Apple has also updated the appearance of all those existing emoji which were not updated in the last release back in September.

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Brand new emoji designs in iOS 10.2. (WION)
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While a developer preview of iOS 10.2 is out, it is still not known as to when Apple will roll out the new software update to the public. But it is expected to be released only this month.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Apple has released a developer preview of iOS 10.2 which includes new emoji such as Shrug and Fingers Crossed.

Here’s some good news for all those iPhone users who often find themselves shrugging a lot - be it during a chat or in comments on social networks. Because your iPhone is soon going to have a dedicated emoji to represent the same. Apple has released a developer preview of iOS 10.2 which includes new emoji such as Shrug and Fingers Crossed. Here’s how the Shrug emoji will look on your iPhone after it is updated to iOS 10.2: The new iOS 10.2 update includes new emoji including the much-awaited shrug emoji. (WION) × Besides, the new iOS update will bring along all those 72 emoji which were approved in June 2016 by the Unicode Consortium, a body which standardises emoji and sets other language standards for the computing industry. Some of the popular additions in the new list include Fox Face, Selfie, Black Heart, Avocado and Owl. In addition, new emoji representing different professions have also been included in the new iOS 10.2 release. The list includes professions such as Firefighter and Judge, with female and male versions of each (in all skin tones). In total, the new iOS update includes emoji support for 16 new professions - which appear as 32 emoji on the keyboard - one female and one male. A range of professions on the emoji keyboard in iOS 10.2. (WION) × Apple has also updated the appearance of all those existing emoji which were not updated in the last release back in September. Brand new emoji designs in iOS 10.2. (WION) × While a developer preview of iOS 10.2 is out, it is still not known as to when Apple will roll out the new software update to the public. But it is expected to be released only this month.

iPhone users to soon get an emoji for ?\_(?)_/?

Apple has introduced a new MacBook Pro, which has the traditional row of function keys replaced with a small touch screen, called the Touch Bar.

As explained by Apple, the Touch Bar places controls right at the user&rsquo;s fingertips and adapts when using the system or apps like Mail, Finder, Calendar, Numbers, GarageBand, Final Cut Pro X and many more, including third-party apps.

In other words, the Touch Bar adapts to display controls relevant to whatever application is being used, from email or typing text to video editing or music mixing.

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The new MacBook Pro has function keys replaced with a small touch screen. (WION)
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The new MacBook Pro models, which come in 13-inch and 15-inch screen sizes, also have the Touch ID fingerprint reading sensor built into the power button. It means that users will be able to unlock machines or make online purchases using fingers to confirm their identity.

Touted to be the thinnest and lightest MacBook Pro, the new MacBook features Apple&#39;s &quot;brightest and most colorful Retina display yet&quot;. The display on the new MacBook Pro is claimed to be 67 per cent brighter than the previous-generation model.

Featuring an all-metal unibody construction, the new MacBook Pro has a larger Force Touch trackpad. The trackpad on the new MacBook Pro is 46 per cent larger on the 13-inch MacBook Pro and twice as large on the 15-inch model.

Pricing and availability

The MacBook Pro with Touch ID, Touch Bar and a 13-inch screen costs $1,799. Apple is also offering a 13-inch MacBook Pro without the Touch ID and Touch Bar at $1,499. The 15-inch model, on the other hand, is priced at $2,399.

Apple has started taking orders for the new MacBook, with the Touch Bar-enabled models promised to be shipped within three weeks.

The Mac line accounted for about 11 per cent of Apple sales in the just-finished fiscal year, with the number of machines sold down by 10 per cent to 18.5 million.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

The display on the new MacBook Pro is claimed to be 67 per cent brighter than the previous-generation model

Apple has introduced a new MacBook Pro, which has the traditional row of function keys replaced with a small touch screen, called the Touch Bar. As explained by Apple, the Touch Bar places controls right at the user’s fingertips and adapts when using the system or apps like Mail, Finder, Calendar, Numbers, GarageBand, Final Cut Pro X and many more, including third-party apps. In other words, the Touch Bar adapts to display controls relevant to whatever application is being used, from email or typing text to video editing or music mixing. The new MacBook Pro has function keys replaced with a small touch screen. (WION) × The new MacBook Pro models, which come in 13-inch and 15-inch screen sizes, also have the Touch ID fingerprint reading sensor built into the power button. It means that users will be able to unlock machines or make online purchases using fingers to confirm their identity. Touted to be the thinnest and lightest MacBook Pro, the new MacBook features Apple's "brightest and most colorful Retina display yet". The display on the new MacBook Pro is claimed to be 67 per cent brighter than the previous-generation model. Featuring an all-metal unibody construction, the new MacBook Pro has a larger Force Touch trackpad. The trackpad on the new MacBook Pro is 46 per cent larger on the 13-inch MacBook Pro and twice as large on the 15-inch model. Pricing and availability The MacBook Pro with Touch ID, Touch Bar and a 13-inch screen costs $1,799. Apple is also offering a 13-inch MacBook Pro without the Touch ID and Touch Bar at $1,499. The 15-inch model, on the other hand, is priced at $2,399. Apple has started taking orders for the new MacBook, with the Touch Bar-enabled models promised to be shipped within three weeks. The Mac line accounted for about 11 per cent of Apple sales in the just-finished fiscal year, with the number of machines sold down by 10 per cent to 18.5 million. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Apple adds touch to the new MacBook, but not to the screen

If you were planning to grab a pair of the Apple AirPods, you&nbsp;have to wait&nbsp;a little longer. Apple&nbsp;is not ready to roll out its wireless headphones, saying it&nbsp;needs &ldquo;a little more time&rdquo; before they&nbsp;hit store shelves.

An Apple spokesperson, in an interview with <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2016/10/26/apple-delays-airpod-rollout-dont-expect-them-in-october/">TechCrunch</a>, said, &ldquo;The early response to AirPods has been incredible. We&nbsp;don&rsquo;t believe in shipping a product before it&rsquo;s ready, and we need a little more time before AirPods are ready for our customers&rdquo;.

The spokesperson has not clarified if it&rsquo;s the hardware or software issues that have caused&nbsp;the delay, but he has categorically stated that the company would need some time to fix the glitches that are preventing the headphones from hitting the markets.

Apple unveiled its new wireless headphones,&nbsp;AirPods,&nbsp;at the iPhone 7 launch event in September. The AirPods were earlier scheduled to be released in late October.&nbsp;But now that Apple has delayed the launch of its first wireless headphones, it&rsquo;s not yet clear as to when the AirPods will go on sale in markets across the globe.

As Apple explains, AirPods&nbsp;eliminate the hassle&nbsp;of&nbsp;headphone wires. Using them is simple. Just open the charging case (that houses AirPods) near your iPhone&nbsp;(or any other Apple device) and&nbsp;with a simple tap, AirPods are&nbsp;immediately set up.

Priced at $159, Apple&rsquo;s AirPods are compatible with devices running iOS 10, watchOS 3 or macOS Sierra.

(WION)

Apple has not announced a new commercial release date for their set of first wireless headphones

If you were planning to grab a pair of the Apple AirPods, you have to wait a little longer. Apple is not ready to roll out its wireless headphones, saying it needs “a little more time” before they hit store shelves. An Apple spokesperson, in an interview with TechCrunch, said, “The early response to AirPods has been incredible. We don’t believe in shipping a product before it’s ready, and we need a little more time before AirPods are ready for our customers”. The spokesperson has not clarified if it’s the hardware or software issues that have caused the delay, but he has categorically stated that the company would need some time to fix the glitches that are preventing the headphones from hitting the markets. Apple unveiled its new wireless headphones, AirPods, at the iPhone 7 launch event in September. The AirPods were earlier scheduled to be released in late October. But now that Apple has delayed the launch of its first wireless headphones, it’s not yet clear as to when the AirPods will go on sale in markets across the globe. As Apple explains, AirPods eliminate the hassle of headphone wires. Using them is simple. Just open the charging case (that houses AirPods) near your iPhone (or any other Apple device) and with a simple tap, AirPods are immediately set up. Priced at $159, Apple’s AirPods are compatible with devices running iOS 10, watchOS 3 or macOS Sierra. (WION)

Apple delays AirPods launch, says ?we need a little more time?

Apple Inc&rsquo;s stock on Monday soared&nbsp;by &nbsp;2.2 per cent, reaching its highest since December, after competitor Samsung suspended production of its flagship Galaxy Note 7 smartphones following reports of fires even in the replacement devices.

Samsung in September announced a global recall of at least 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7 smartphones in 10 markets including the US due to faulty batteries causing some of the phones to catch fire. Now with the replacement devices showing a similar fault the world&rsquo;s biggest smartphone maker is in fresh trouble &nbsp;

Following the reports of fire in replacement devices, Verizon Communications Inc , AT&amp;T Inc and other wireless carriers suspended sales and exchanges of Note 7s.

Best Buy Co Inc will no longer sell the Note 7 and said customers could return their smartphones or exchange them for a different device.

Apple&rsquo;s stock has gained 13 per cent since mid-September on optimism about demand for the recently launched iPhone 7.&nbsp;

Shares are up 30 per cent from lows hit in May, when fears about weak iPhone demand allowed Google parent Alphabet Inc to briefly take-over Apple as the world&rsquo;s largest company by market capitalisation.

Samsung is the world&rsquo;s largest seller of smartphones by volume, with about 23 per cent market share, followed by Apple with 12 per cent, according to market research firm IDC, Reuters reported.

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

Apple Inc's stocks went up by 2.2 per cent after reports claimed that Samsung is halting the production of its flagship Note 7

Apple Inc’s stock on Monday soared by 2.2 per cent, reaching its highest since December, after competitor Samsung suspended production of its flagship Galaxy Note 7 smartphones following reports of fires even in the replacement devices. Samsung in September announced a global recall of at least 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7 smartphones in 10 markets including the US due to faulty batteries causing some of the phones to catch fire. Now with the replacement devices showing a similar fault the world’s biggest smartphone maker is in fresh trouble Following the reports of fire in replacement devices, Verizon Communications Inc , AT&T Inc and other wireless carriers suspended sales and exchanges of Note 7s. Best Buy Co Inc will no longer sell the Note 7 and said customers could return their smartphones or exchange them for a different device. Apple’s stock has gained 13 per cent since mid-September on optimism about demand for the recently launched iPhone 7. Shares are up 30 per cent from lows hit in May, when fears about weak iPhone demand allowed Google parent Alphabet Inc to briefly take-over Apple as the world’s largest company by market capitalisation. Samsung is the world’s largest seller of smartphones by volume, with about 23 per cent market share, followed by Apple with 12 per cent, according to market research firm IDC, Reuters reported. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Apple stocks highest since December after Samsung Note 7 fire fiasco

Samsung on Tuesday announced a total halt to production of its troubled Galaxy Note 7 smartphone, citing continued safety concerns over the device exploding.

&quot;We recently readjusted the production volume for a&nbsp;thorough investigation and quality control, but putting consumer safety as top priority, we have reached a final decision to halt production of Galaxy Note 7s,&quot; the company said in a statement.

The world&rsquo;s largest seller of smartphones told its customers to stop using their Galaxy Note 7 smartphones while it investigates reports of fires in the devices.

&quot;Consumers with either an original Galaxy Note 7 or replacement Galaxy Note 7 device should power down and stop using the device,&quot; the company said.

The company, which was banking on its flagship Note 7 to take on competitors like Apple&rsquo;s iPhone 7, hit rock bottom when reports of battery explosion began surfacing.

Samsung then initiated a global recall of at least 2.5 million devices in 10 countries in September. But with even the replacement devices reportedly catching fire Samsung might be heading towards a global scandal.

Top US and Australian carriers had suspended sales or exchange of Note 7s, after there were reports of even the replacement devices exploding.

Samsung&rsquo;s decision to pull Note 7s off the shelves for the second time in two months underscores the South Korean firm&rsquo;s struggles to fix the over-heating issue.

The premium device was launched in August but within weeks of the launch images of charred Note 7s began appearing on social media.

Edward Snyder, managing director of Charter Equity Research, told Reuters it was important to get the Note 7 off the market.

&quot;This has probably killed the Note 7 brand name, who knows if they&rsquo;ll even be allowed to re-release it,&quot; Snyder said.

&quot;By the time they fix the problem they have to go through re-certification and re-qualification and by the time that happens they&rsquo;re going up against the (Galaxy) S8 launch.&rdquo;

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission said Samsung was making the right decision by halting sales and exchanges of the device.

&quot;No one should have to be concerned their phone will endanger them, their family or their property,&quot; CPSC Chairman Elliott Kaye said in a statement.

&quot;While we continue our active investigation into reports of phones overheating and burning in multiple states, consumers should power down and stop using all Galaxy Note 7s. This is the safest course of action.&rdquo;

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

&nbsp;

With replacement devices also reportedly exploding, Samsung tells Note 7 users to switch off devices till further investigation

Samsung on Tuesday announced a total halt to production of its troubled Galaxy Note 7 smartphone, citing continued safety concerns over the device exploding. "We recently readjusted the production volume for a thorough investigation and quality control, but putting consumer safety as top priority, we have reached a final decision to halt production of Galaxy Note 7s," the company said in a statement. The world’s largest seller of smartphones told its customers to stop using their Galaxy Note 7 smartphones while it investigates reports of fires in the devices. "Consumers with either an original Galaxy Note 7 or replacement Galaxy Note 7 device should power down and stop using the device," the company said. The company, which was banking on its flagship Note 7 to take on competitors like Apple’s iPhone 7, hit rock bottom when reports of battery explosion began surfacing. Samsung then initiated a global recall of at least 2.5 million devices in 10 countries in September. But with even the replacement devices reportedly catching fire Samsung might be heading towards a global scandal. Top US and Australian carriers had suspended sales or exchange of Note 7s, after there were reports of even the replacement devices exploding. Samsung’s decision to pull Note 7s off the shelves for the second time in two months underscores the South Korean firm’s struggles to fix the over-heating issue. The premium device was launched in August but within weeks of the launch images of charred Note 7s began appearing on social media. Edward Snyder, managing director of Charter Equity Research, told Reuters it was important to get the Note 7 off the market. "This has probably killed the Note 7 brand name, who knows if they’ll even be allowed to re-release it," Snyder said. "By the time they fix the problem they have to go through re-certification and re-qualification and by the time that happens they’re going up against the (Galaxy) S8 launch.” The US Consumer Product Safety Commission said Samsung was making the right decision by halting sales and exchanges of the device. "No one should have to be concerned their phone will endanger them, their family or their property," CPSC Chairman Elliott Kaye said in a statement. "While we continue our active investigation into reports of phones overheating and burning in multiple states, consumers should power down and stop using all Galaxy Note 7s. This is the safest course of action.” (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Samsung halts production of Note 7 over safety concerns

Japanese regulators are considering taking action against Apple Inc over possible antitrust violations that may have helped it dominate the nation&#39;s smartphone sales, government sources said, a move that could hit the company&#39;s profit margins in one of its most profitable markets. 
 
In a report published last month, Japan&#39;s Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said that NTT Docomo, KDDI Corp and Softbank Group were refusing to sell older surplus iPhone models to third party retailers, thereby hobbling smaller competitors. 
 
Apple was not named in that report, but two senior government sources told Reuters that regulators were also focusing on Apple&#39;s supply agreements with all three carriers. 
 
Under those deals, surplus stock of older iPhones is kept out of the market and sent to overseas markets, such as Hong Kong, according to industry sources. 
 
The carriers, locked in a costly battle to win consumers who covet iPhones, also bulk purchase the Apple smartphones and sell them at a discount, which gives the U.S. company an advantage over rivals such as Samsung Electronics Co, according to the two government officials and an industry source. 
 
Both iPhone 7 and Samsung&#39;s Galaxy S7 edge model sell for 93,960 yen ($932) under Docomo&#39;s main service package without any contract, but the cost for the iPhone drops sharply to 38,232 yen with a two-year contract, while the Galaxy falls to 54,432 yen. 
 
When asked about the antitrust concerns, Apple forwarded a link to a webpage published at the time of the Aug. 2 FTC report that says it has created or supports 715,000 jobs in Japan with Japanese-based developers raking in more than $9 billion in revenue from Apple apps since 2008. It did not comment further. 
 
Largest share 
 
The strategy has helped Apple sustain demand for new iPhones, making Japan one of its most profitable markets. The U.S. company accounts for almost one in every two smartphones sold in Japan, its largest share in a major market. 
 
It also kept new mobile service providers such as messaging app firm Line Corp and online retailer Rakuten Inc from selling iPhones, and helped the top three carriers control more than 90 percent of the mobile phone market. 
 
Any government order for corrective measures may crimp demand for more profitable new iPhone models that compete against well-reviewed Android phones such as the Galaxy S7. 
 
&quot;The actions of the three operators alone do not account for the state of the market,&quot; said one of the officials, who confirmed that the August report was also directed at Apple. &quot;We are getting closer to taking action.&quot; 
 
The officials said the watchdog hoped pressing the carriers would get them to solve the antitrust issue, which could include renegotiating contracts with Apple. 
 
They asked not to be identified because they are not authorized to speak to the media. 
 
The FTC did not give a deadline or say what penalties, such as fines, it would impose if the companies did not act. 
 
In the past, FTC has issued cease and desist orders, and imposed a &quot;surplus charge&quot; to recoup profits resulting from antitrust violations. The biggest surplus charge to date for a case, which involved five companies, is 27 billion yen ($269 million). 
 
Fines on companies judged to be operating cartels or monopolies, however, can be higher. 
 
NTT Docomo said it did not believe it was blocking new entrants. &quot;We have always strived to conduct sales and services appropriately and we will take the FTC&#39;s report on board and consider our response,&quot; a spokesman said. 
 
A spokeswoman for KDDI said her company had operated its business in an appropriate manner and followed guidelines. 
 
A Softbank spokesman also said it would work with regulators. &quot;Up to now we have never had any issues with competition laws over our sales practices and pricing,&quot; he said. 
 
Samsung declined to comment. 
 
($1 = 101.87 yen)&nbsp; 
 
(Reuters)

The country's Fair Trade Commission said the carriers were not selling older iPhones to third party retailers, hobbling smaller competitors

Japanese regulators are considering taking action against Apple Inc over possible antitrust violations that may have helped it dominate the nation's smartphone sales, government sources said, a move that could hit the company's profit margins in one of its most profitable markets. In a report published last month, Japan's Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said that NTT Docomo, KDDI Corp and Softbank Group were refusing to sell older surplus iPhone models to third party retailers, thereby hobbling smaller competitors. Apple was not named in that report, but two senior government sources told Reuters that regulators were also focusing on Apple's supply agreements with all three carriers. Under those deals, surplus stock of older iPhones is kept out of the market and sent to overseas markets, such as Hong Kong, according to industry sources. The carriers, locked in a costly battle to win consumers who covet iPhones, also bulk purchase the Apple smartphones and sell them at a discount, which gives the U.S. company an advantage over rivals such as Samsung Electronics Co, according to the two government officials and an industry source. Both iPhone 7 and Samsung's Galaxy S7 edge model sell for 93,960 yen ($932) under Docomo's main service package without any contract, but the cost for the iPhone drops sharply to 38,232 yen with a two-year contract, while the Galaxy falls to 54,432 yen. When asked about the antitrust concerns, Apple forwarded a link to a webpage published at the time of the Aug. 2 FTC report that says it has created or supports 715,000 jobs in Japan with Japanese-based developers raking in more than $9 billion in revenue from Apple apps since 2008. It did not comment further. Largest share The strategy has helped Apple sustain demand for new iPhones, making Japan one of its most profitable markets. The U.S. company accounts for almost one in every two smartphones sold in Japan, its largest share in a major market. It also kept new mobile service providers such as messaging app firm Line Corp and online retailer Rakuten Inc from selling iPhones, and helped the top three carriers control more than 90 percent of the mobile phone market. Any government order for corrective measures may crimp demand for more profitable new iPhone models that compete against well-reviewed Android phones such as the Galaxy S7. "The actions of the three operators alone do not account for the state of the market," said one of the officials, who confirmed that the August report was also directed at Apple. "We are getting closer to taking action." The officials said the watchdog hoped pressing the carriers would get them to solve the antitrust issue, which could include renegotiating contracts with Apple. They asked not to be identified because they are not authorized to speak to the media. The FTC did not give a deadline or say what penalties, such as fines, it would impose if the companies did not act. In the past, FTC has issued cease and desist orders, and imposed a "surplus charge" to recoup profits resulting from antitrust violations. The biggest surplus charge to date for a case, which involved five companies, is 27 billion yen ($269 million). Fines on companies judged to be operating cartels or monopolies, however, can be higher. NTT Docomo said it did not believe it was blocking new entrants. "We have always strived to conduct sales and services appropriately and we will take the FTC's report on board and consider our response," a spokesman said. A spokeswoman for KDDI said her company had operated its business in an appropriate manner and followed guidelines. A Softbank spokesman also said it would work with regulators. "Up to now we have never had any issues with competition laws over our sales practices and pricing," he said. Samsung declined to comment. ($1 = 101.87 yen) (Reuters)

Japan's antitrust watchdog considers action against Apple, carriers: Sources

Island City, a recent Hindi movie, makes an interesting statement about the technology-driven world we inhabit. Winner of the FEDORA prize for the Best Young Director at the Venice Film Festival 2015, the film gives a sly nod to the greater-than-ever influx of technology in our lives and its ramifications. 
 
Director Ruchika Oberoi has managed to capture the changing dynamics of human relationships and isolation vis-a-vis advanced interaction with digital products and services. The contrived mirth in the automated alerts from the &lsquo;Fun and Frolic Committee&rsquo; is grim and farcical at the same time. 
&nbsp; 
Whether it is Uber&#39;s plan to roll out driver-less taxis or robots replacing workers in factories across the world, human beings are being made dispensable by technology. With the launch of Apple Nike + watch last fortnight, human beings are not needed even for nagging. &quot;The Nike+ Run Club app offers daily motivation through smart run reminders, challenges from friends and even alerts informing when the weather is right to get outside&quot;, reads the description on Apple&rsquo;s website. &nbsp;If you miss a run, you get nagged by your wrist-watch instead of a running partner, physician or a family member. A recent article on the internet called the device a &quot;dystopian nagging machine&quot;. Does digital really spell dystopia? 
 
Ashwin Mushran, Mumbai-based actor who was part of Island City, has an interesting take on this. &quot;The film engages with technology at a subliminal level. It is more about the isolation. Technology is what we make of it. There are apps and services that make lives much easier. On the other hand, there may be unhealthy dependence. The good thing is that users can control their level of engagement with technology. I can easily tweak my Facebook settings as per my privacy requirements,&quot; he says. 
 
In the first story of the film, Mushran plays a boss straight out of a nightmare whose insistence on structure and organisation eventually leads to a catastrophic climax. The actor says, &quot;The first story could be set anywhere in the world. It is about how we are conditioned to be from anywhere. Technology brings us together but it also flattens individualism, local character. It is also about our unthinking response to technology which becomes tyrannical.&quot; 
 
Technology aids in organisation but how far? Mushran says, &quot;I use an app to track my monthly expenditure. It is a great help to my accountant and I can manage my money better. The voracious reader in me has found salvation in Kindle. The catch lies in questioning the technology and not taking orders mindlessly. The latter comes close to living in the Nazi Germany. It will certainly spell disaster eventually. The future belongs to technology, the earlier we understand and adapt to it the better. There is no getting away and we shall all be forced to go digital without understanding it. Why not prepare ourselves for it then and use technology on our own terms?&quot; 
 
&quot;My fitness apps don&#39;t nag me. I&#39;ve become fitter because of them. Digital becomes dystopic only when you want to make it so,&quot; he stresses. 
&nbsp; 
Abhishek Aggarwal, the CEO of Bold Kiln - a solution provider for startups - is a deep consumer of technology. &quot;Technology is an enabler. It amplifies the latent behaviour within an individual. If you are a recluse, it allows you to do activities on your own. It is an exaggeration to say that certain behaviours emerge only due to consumption of technology. Technology facilitates these behaviours but rarely causes them,&quot; says Aggarwal, who graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), New Delhi. 
 
On technology replacing human interaction, Aggarwal says, &quot;Technology does not take away from relationships. A skype chat can be more intense than a physical one. Maybe the dynamics of relationships undergo a change because of digital intervention. But look around, we are able to stay in touch with our school friends through networking sites. Families spread across continents connect through communication technology.&quot; 
 
&quot;When we speak of the hazards of overexposure, we must realise that it is our own inability to prioritise. Digital platforms play on our insecurities and attention deficit. It is easier to blame technology than take responsibility of our own excesses. Technology does offer an easy escape. But so do newspapers and books! How much you want to remove yourself from your surroundings is up to you,&quot; he adds. 
 
However, Shilesh Chandra, a businessman from the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, is still sceptical about most things digital. He carries a basic mobile phone and uses it only to make or receive calls. He endearingly squabbles with his seven-year-old granddaughter over phone lock passwords. &ldquo;It is just cumbersome. I do not have the patience to deal with so much happening inside my phone. I love my afternoon nap and that&rsquo;s when I switch even this phone off. I find the alarms and reminders quite inconvenient and obtrusive,&rdquo; he shares. 
&nbsp; 
Convenience has a different definition for everyone, and so does dependence on technology. 
 
(WION)

While a technology-aided world is a great place to live in, there is much scope for an unhealthy dependence on it

Island City, a recent Hindi movie, makes an interesting statement about the technology-driven world we inhabit. Winner of the FEDORA prize for the Best Young Director at the Venice Film Festival 2015, the film gives a sly nod to the greater-than-ever influx of technology in our lives and its ramifications. Director Ruchika Oberoi has managed to capture the changing dynamics of human relationships and isolation vis-a-vis advanced interaction with digital products and services. The contrived mirth in the automated alerts from the ‘Fun and Frolic Committee’ is grim and farcical at the same time. Whether it is Uber's plan to roll out driver-less taxis or robots replacing workers in factories across the world, human beings are being made dispensable by technology. With the launch of Apple Nike + watch last fortnight, human beings are not needed even for nagging. "The Nike+ Run Club app offers daily motivation through smart run reminders, challenges from friends and even alerts informing when the weather is right to get outside", reads the description on Apple’s website. If you miss a run, you get nagged by your wrist-watch instead of a running partner, physician or a family member. A recent article on the internet called the device a "dystopian nagging machine". Does digital really spell dystopia? Ashwin Mushran, Mumbai-based actor who was part of Island City, has an interesting take on this. "The film engages with technology at a subliminal level. It is more about the isolation. Technology is what we make of it. There are apps and services that make lives much easier. On the other hand, there may be unhealthy dependence. The good thing is that users can control their level of engagement with technology. I can easily tweak my Facebook settings as per my privacy requirements," he says. In the first story of the film, Mushran plays a boss straight out of a nightmare whose insistence on structure and organisation eventually leads to a catastrophic climax. The actor says, "The first story could be set anywhere in the world. It is about how we are conditioned to be from anywhere. Technology brings us together but it also flattens individualism, local character. It is also about our unthinking response to technology which becomes tyrannical." Technology aids in organisation but how far? Mushran says, "I use an app to track my monthly expenditure. It is a great help to my accountant and I can manage my money better. The voracious reader in me has found salvation in Kindle. The catch lies in questioning the technology and not taking orders mindlessly. The latter comes close to living in the Nazi Germany. It will certainly spell disaster eventually. The future belongs to technology, the earlier we understand and adapt to it the better. There is no getting away and we shall all be forced to go digital without understanding it. Why not prepare ourselves for it then and use technology on our own terms?" "My fitness apps don't nag me. I've become fitter because of them. Digital becomes dystopic only when you want to make it so," he stresses. Abhishek Aggarwal, the CEO of Bold Kiln - a solution provider for startups - is a deep consumer of technology. "Technology is an enabler. It amplifies the latent behaviour within an individual. If you are a recluse, it allows you to do activities on your own. It is an exaggeration to say that certain behaviours emerge only due to consumption of technology. Technology facilitates these behaviours but rarely causes them," says Aggarwal, who graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), New Delhi. On technology replacing human interaction, Aggarwal says, "Technology does not take away from relationships. A skype chat can be more intense than a physical one. Maybe the dynamics of relationships undergo a change because of digital intervention. But look around, we are able to stay in touch with our school friends through networking sites. Families spread across continents connect through communication technology." "When we speak of the hazards of overexposure, we must realise that it is our own inability to prioritise. Digital platforms play on our insecurities and attention deficit. It is easier to blame technology than take responsibility of our own excesses. Technology does offer an easy escape. But so do newspapers and books! How much you want to remove yourself from your surroundings is up to you," he adds. However, Shilesh Chandra, a businessman from the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, is still sceptical about most things digital. He carries a basic mobile phone and uses it only to make or receive calls. He endearingly squabbles with his seven-year-old granddaughter over phone lock passwords. “It is just cumbersome. I do not have the patience to deal with so much happening inside my phone. I love my afternoon nap and that’s when I switch even this phone off. I find the alarms and reminders quite inconvenient and obtrusive,” he shares. Convenience has a different definition for everyone, and so does dependence on technology. (WION)

Does digital spell dystopia?

Imagine a&nbsp;smartpen that lets you write or draw things on any surface and export the same to your smart device. 
 
The Phree, a smartpen that&nbsp;uses a 3D laser technology patented by US-based parent company OTM Technologies, was successfully crowdfunded in 2015, and since then it has been able to secure a good position in the stylus market. 
 
WION Edge interviewed&nbsp;Co-CEO of OTM Technologies Dr Opher Kinrot to understand how a crowdfunding campaign helped the product stand out. Excerpts: 
 
When did the initial idea for Phree come up? 
 
When we developed our optical tracking technology &ndash; OTM (Optical Translation Measurement) &ndash; one of the first ideas that came to mind was using it to develop a digital pen that can be used anywhere. We have been using digital devices &ndash; computers, mobile phones&ndash; all our lives. Making the user interface natural and intuitive is something that is on our minds constantly. 
 
How is the product technologically superior? 
 
Phree is enabled by our OTM optical tracking sensor. This is the only sensor that gives accurate high-resolution motion tracking on any surface in three dimensions. The motion tracking during multi-stroke input &ndash; while crossing the &lsquo;t&rsquo; and dotting the &lsquo;i&rsquo; &ndash; allows natural use of Phree, similar to using a pencil pen. &nbsp; 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/car-20160906045443.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
Phree Pen enables the user to write on any surface.
</div>
 
Is the technology patented? 
 
Yes. The OTM technology is patented worldwide by a host of patents, some already granted. 
 
&ldquo;Who wants a stylus?&rdquo; Steve Jobs mockingly asked while introducing the iPhone in 2007. However, your campaign has proved otherwise. How do you feel about it? 
 
Steve Jobs was right in 2007, and the success of the iPhone, iPad and touch interface shows it. 
 
However, our fingers have limitations, in the same way that you cannot compare &lsquo;finger painting&rsquo; with fine details of a paintbrush and pencil. The dexterity one achieves by holding a tool with three fingers is unparalleled. 
 
Apple themselves have recognised the need and came out with Apple Pencil in September 2015, only three months after the completion of our crowdfunding <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1958554063/phree-make-the-world-your-paper">Kickstarter campaign</a>. 
 
How do you differentiate your product from the other products in the market? 
 
No other product in the market provides what Phree does &ndash; writing anywhere and on any surface. The best styluses by Microsoft (Surface), Samsung (Note) and Apple (Pencil) work only on screens. In addition, Phree works with multiple devices. You can switch from your mobile phone to tablet, laptop and TV. 
 
What should consumers know about stylus technology and other competitors before deciding to buy a stylus? 
 
Consumers need to look at their usage scenarios, both &#39;where&#39; and &#39;when&#39; they want to use a stylus, whether their main use is on the go or in the office, sitting near their table or in meetings, with a single device or using multiple devices, etc. Phree is the only solution that lets you use a stylus anywhere and with any device - not limited by the screen size or location. 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/dsc00106_2_ph-20160906050142.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
The usage of Phree Pen is not limited by location or screen size.
</div>
 
Are there any more plans for the future to make Phree stand out? 
 
Phree will bring further usability with emerging virtual and augmented reality headsets, where touch input does not exist and there is no other accurate input device at present. 
 
At what price point are you currently selling your product?&nbsp; 
 
We have pre-orders at $198. Once we start shipping, the price will go up to around $230. 
 
We feel this product is geared more towards the professional user rather than the general user. What are your thoughts? 
 
We see professionals as part of the first users of Phree &ndash; including architects, designers, lawyers, doctors &ndash; people who gain by the ability to easily and quickly markup documents. We also see Phree as being geared to the general user like students and creatives for annotating notes in class, jotting down an idea anywhere and free sketching on the go. General users especially benefit in countries where keyboard use is limiting the input with many characters in the alphabet. Examples of languages that will greatly benefit from handwriting input with Phree are Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Arabic, etc. 
 
Do you feel this product has more potential and can have a next generation? If so, what all changes will be made? 
 
This product has the potential to become the preferred input method for VR/AR &ndash; the &lsquo;mouse&rsquo; for virtual reality interaction. In addition, there is a large potential in education and of course as a mobile input device turning the mobile phone into a work station. Future versions may be specifically geared to these markets. 
 
(WION Edge with inputs from Karanveer Singh Arora, Ashna Mishra)&nbsp;

Phree Pen lets the users write anywhere and on any surface with the help of 3D laser technology.

Imagine a smartpen that lets you write or draw things on any surface and export the same to your smart device. The Phree, a smartpen that uses a 3D laser technology patented by US-based parent company OTM Technologies, was successfully crowdfunded in 2015, and since then it has been able to secure a good position in the stylus market. WION Edge interviewed Co-CEO of OTM Technologies Dr Opher Kinrot to understand how a crowdfunding campaign helped the product stand out. Excerpts: When did the initial idea for Phree come up? When we developed our optical tracking technology – OTM (Optical Translation Measurement) – one of the first ideas that came to mind was using it to develop a digital pen that can be used anywhere. We have been using digital devices – computers, mobile phones– all our lives. Making the user interface natural and intuitive is something that is on our minds constantly. How is the product technologically superior? Phree is enabled by our OTM optical tracking sensor. This is the only sensor that gives accurate high-resolution motion tracking on any surface in three dimensions. The motion tracking during multi-stroke input – while crossing the ‘t’ and dotting the ‘i’ – allows natural use of Phree, similar to using a pencil pen. Phree Pen enables the user to write on any surface. Is the technology patented? Yes. The OTM technology is patented worldwide by a host of patents, some already granted. “Who wants a stylus?” Steve Jobs mockingly asked while introducing the iPhone in 2007. However, your campaign has proved otherwise. How do you feel about it? Steve Jobs was right in 2007, and the success of the iPhone, iPad and touch interface shows it. However, our fingers have limitations, in the same way that you cannot compare ‘finger painting’ with fine details of a paintbrush and pencil. The dexterity one achieves by holding a tool with three fingers is unparalleled. Apple themselves have recognised the need and came out with Apple Pencil in September 2015, only three months after the completion of our crowdfunding Kickstarter campaign. How do you differentiate your product from the other products in the market? No other product in the market provides what Phree does – writing anywhere and on any surface. The best styluses by Microsoft (Surface), Samsung (Note) and Apple (Pencil) work only on screens. In addition, Phree works with multiple devices. You can switch from your mobile phone to tablet, laptop and TV. What should consumers know about stylus technology and other competitors before deciding to buy a stylus? Consumers need to look at their usage scenarios, both 'where' and 'when' they want to use a stylus, whether their main use is on the go or in the office, sitting near their table or in meetings, with a single device or using multiple devices, etc. Phree is the only solution that lets you use a stylus anywhere and with any device - not limited by the screen size or location. The usage of Phree Pen is not limited by location or screen size. Are there any more plans for the future to make Phree stand out? Phree will bring further usability with emerging virtual and augmented reality headsets, where touch input does not exist and there is no other accurate input device at present. At what price point are you currently selling your product? We have pre-orders at $198. Once we start shipping, the price will go up to around $230. We feel this product is geared more towards the professional user rather than the general user. What are your thoughts? We see professionals as part of the first users of Phree – including architects, designers, lawyers, doctors – people who gain by the ability to easily and quickly markup documents. We also see Phree as being geared to the general user like students and creatives for annotating notes in class, jotting down an idea anywhere and free sketching on the go. General users especially benefit in countries where keyboard use is limiting the input with many characters in the alphabet. Examples of languages that will greatly benefit from handwriting input with Phree are Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Arabic, etc. Do you feel this product has more potential and can have a next generation? If so, what all changes will be made? This product has the potential to become the preferred input method for VR/AR – the ‘mouse’ for virtual reality interaction. In addition, there is a large potential in education and of course as a mobile input device turning the mobile phone into a work station. Future versions may be specifically geared to these markets. (WION Edge with inputs from Karanveer Singh Arora, Ashna Mishra)

A smartpen that lets you write on any surface

Apple loyalists in Sydney became the first in the world to purchase the newly-launched iPhone 7 as sales for the new model begins today across 28 countries around the world, the biggest launch of the phone yet, as per UK-based, the Telegraph.&nbsp; 
 
About 200 people queued up outside the Apple store in the Australian city in light rain, according to international news agency Reuters. 
 
A customer, however, was disappointed when he was not able to purchase the much sought-after, jet-black colour he wanted which had sold out to pre-orders.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;We were sad. &nbsp;I&#39;m happy personally to get the matt black 7, like I&#39;m cool with that but I&#39;m still very sad that I&#39;m not going to get a jet black of any phone. I thought Apple being Apple they would have some, they wouldn&#39;t sell out through pre-orders, they would have some aside for loyal fans like me that lineup,&quot; Marcus Barsoum told Reuters.&nbsp; 
 
In US, the iPhone model starts at $649. &nbsp;The American tech giant had launched the smartphone, that features improved cameras, in San Francisco earlier this month. However, the traditional head jack has been removed in favour of the new technology. 
 
The smartphone also hit the shelves in the Asian markets, including China and Japan. 
 
Queues of customers could be seen outside stores in Hong and Beijing, Reuters said. &nbsp;The activity at the Hong Kong store, however, was reportedly subdued.&nbsp; 
 
Crowds in front of Apple stores in downtown Tokyo were also smaller than in past years, according to reports.&nbsp; 
 
It is being speculated that success with the iPhone7 in China is crucial for Apple, though an economic slowdown has slammed the brakes on what was once touted as the firm&#39;s next big growth engine. 
 
Some observers are also of the view that Samsung Galaxy Note 7&#39;s battery fiasco may end up benefitting Apple. &nbsp; The Korean company has already announced that it would recall or replace 1 million Galaxy Note 7 smartphones in US&nbsp;in the wake of reports of battery fires.&nbsp; 
 
 
(WION with inputs from Reuters)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The crowds in Asian markets in Tokyo, Hong Kong were reportedly smaller, compared to previous years

Apple loyalists in Sydney became the first in the world to purchase the newly-launched iPhone 7 as sales for the new model begins today across 28 countries around the world, the biggest launch of the phone yet, as per UK-based, the Telegraph. About 200 people queued up outside the Apple store in the Australian city in light rain, according to international news agency Reuters. A customer, however, was disappointed when he was not able to purchase the much sought-after, jet-black colour he wanted which had sold out to pre-orders. "We were sad. I'm happy personally to get the matt black 7, like I'm cool with that but I'm still very sad that I'm not going to get a jet black of any phone. I thought Apple being Apple they would have some, they wouldn't sell out through pre-orders, they would have some aside for loyal fans like me that lineup," Marcus Barsoum told Reuters. In US, the iPhone model starts at $649. The American tech giant had launched the smartphone, that features improved cameras, in San Francisco earlier this month. However, the traditional head jack has been removed in favour of the new technology. The smartphone also hit the shelves in the Asian markets, including China and Japan. Queues of customers could be seen outside stores in Hong and Beijing, Reuters said. The activity at the Hong Kong store, however, was reportedly subdued. Crowds in front of Apple stores in downtown Tokyo were also smaller than in past years, according to reports. It is being speculated that success with the iPhone7 in China is crucial for Apple, though an economic slowdown has slammed the brakes on what was once touted as the firm's next big growth engine. Some observers are also of the view that Samsung Galaxy Note 7's battery fiasco may end up benefitting Apple. The Korean company has already announced that it would recall or replace 1 million Galaxy Note 7 smartphones in US in the wake of reports of battery fires. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Australian customers first in the world to purchase iPhone 7 as sales begin today

In line with rumours, Apple unveiled the successor to the Apple Watch at the iPhone 7 launch event in San Francisco on Wednesday (September 7). 
 
While the new Apple Watch Series 2 has a design similar to that of the first-generation model, it comes with a plethora of new features. 
 
One of the key highlights of the new Apple Watch is that it comes with built-in GPS, which will allow users to run and gather fitness data during an outdoor workout without having to carry their phone. It is also claimed to be swim-proof (water resistant up to 50 metres). The original Apple Watch was only splash-proof. 
 
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As the company claims, the new Apple Watch has &ldquo;the brightest display Apple has ever shipped&rdquo;. The new Watch is powered by a dual-core processor, which, Apple says, is 50 per cent faster than its predecessor. 
 
Apart from aluminum or stainless steel cases, the Apple Watch now comes in a ceramic material, which is said to be four times harder than stainless steel. 
 
The Apple Watch Series 2 will be available in more than 25 countries from September 16. Prices for the new Apple Watch start at $369. 
&nbsp; 
Apple has also partnered with Nike for a Watch variant called the Apple Watch Nike+. It will also retail at $369, and will go on sale in late October. 
&nbsp; 
The Cupertino-based technology giant has also announced that the wildly popular game Pokemon Go is coming to the Apple Watch later this month. 
 
(WION)
&nbsp;

Apple has announced that the wildly popular game Pokemon Go is coming soon to the Apple Watch

In line with rumours, Apple unveiled the successor to the Apple Watch at the iPhone 7 launch event in San Francisco on Wednesday (September 7). While the new Apple Watch Series 2 has a design similar to that of the first-generation model, it comes with a plethora of new features. One of the key highlights of the new Apple Watch is that it comes with built-in GPS, which will allow users to run and gather fitness data during an outdoor workout without having to carry their phone. It is also claimed to be swim-proof (water resistant up to 50 metres). The original Apple Watch was only splash-proof. As the company claims, the new Apple Watch has “the brightest display Apple has ever shipped”. The new Watch is powered by a dual-core processor, which, Apple says, is 50 per cent faster than its predecessor. Apart from aluminum or stainless steel cases, the Apple Watch now comes in a ceramic material, which is said to be four times harder than stainless steel. The Apple Watch Series 2 will be available in more than 25 countries from September 16. Prices for the new Apple Watch start at $369. Apple has also partnered with Nike for a Watch variant called the Apple Watch Nike+. It will also retail at $369, and will go on sale in late October. The Cupertino-based technology giant has also announced that the wildly popular game Pokemon Go is coming to the Apple Watch later this month. (WION)

Apple Watch Series 2: Apple launches next-generation smartwatch

After weeks of speculations, Apple has finally unveiled the much-anticipated iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus smartphones. The former features a 4.7-inch screen, while the latter comes with a 5.5-inch display. 
 
While the next-generation iPhones come with a host of enhancements, the most significant of them is the removal of the headphone jack. In other words, the new iPhones don&rsquo;t include the traditional 3.5 mm port to connect headphones. The iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus, instead, will allow users to connect headphones using Apple&#39;s proprietary Lightning connector. 
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&quot;We are taking the headphones in iPhone 7 and 7 Plus to Lightning, and including them in the box with the device. We have also made a (3.5 mm headphone jack) adapter, which will be included in the box as well,&quot; said Apple vice president Phil Schiller at the iPhone 7 launch event.&nbsp;The adapter will let people use old headphones and accessories with the new iPhones. 
 
With the&nbsp;view to offer users a hassle-free audio experience, Apple has also introduced new wireless headphones - AirPods - which will be available in late October at $159. 
 
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Another key improvement in the new iPhones is on the camera front. The iPhone 7 sports a 12 megapixel rear camera with six-element lens, optical image stabilisation and a larger f/1.8 aperture. The iPhone 7 Plus, on the other hand, has a dual-camera setup at the back. The Plus variant features the same 12 megapixel wide-angle camera as the iPhone 7 along with a 12 megapixel telephoto lens that offers a 2x optical zoom and up to 10x digital zoom. The new iPhones come with a 7 megapixel front HD camera - up from 5 megapixel on the iPhone 6s. 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/design_hero_large-20160907093030.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
The iPhone 7 Plus has a dual-camera setup at the back. (Image: Apple)
</div>
The next-generation iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus come with iOS 10, which is claimed to be the biggest release ever of Apple&rsquo;s mobile operating system. Apple will start rolling out the iOS 10 software update from September 13. 
 
Other key features in the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus include stereo speakers, 25 per cent brighter Retina HD display, and&nbsp;the A10 Fusion chipset which is claimed to be 40 per cent faster than the A9 chipset that powers its predecessors.&nbsp;The new iPhones are water and dust-resistant. 
 
Pricing and availability 
 
Prices for the iPhone 7 start at $649, while the iPhone 7 Plus is priced at $769 onwards. 
 
Both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be up for pre-order starting&nbsp;September 9, and will go on sale from&nbsp;September 16. iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be available in more than 25 countries, including China and the US, beginning&nbsp;September 16.&nbsp; 
 
One week later, the new iPhones will be available in 30 more countries including Russia and Greece. iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be available in India from October 7. The phones will be priced in India at Rs 60,000 onwards. 
 
The new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be available in silver, gold, rose gold and the new black finish in 32 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB models. The new jet black finish, however, will be offered only on the 128 GB and 256 GB models. 
 
(WION)
&nbsp;

Apple's latest iterations of the iPhone do not include the traditional 3.5 mm headphone jack

After weeks of speculations, Apple has finally unveiled the much-anticipated iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus smartphones. The former features a 4.7-inch screen, while the latter comes with a 5.5-inch display. While the next-generation iPhones come with a host of enhancements, the most significant of them is the removal of the headphone jack. In other words, the new iPhones don’t include the traditional 3.5 mm port to connect headphones. The iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus, instead, will allow users to connect headphones using Apple's proprietary Lightning connector. "We are taking the headphones in iPhone 7 and 7 Plus to Lightning, and including them in the box with the device. We have also made a (3.5 mm headphone jack) adapter, which will be included in the box as well," said Apple vice president Phil Schiller at the iPhone 7 launch event. The adapter will let people use old headphones and accessories with the new iPhones. With the view to offer users a hassle-free audio experience, Apple has also introduced new wireless headphones - AirPods - which will be available in late October at $159. Another key improvement in the new iPhones is on the camera front. The iPhone 7 sports a 12 megapixel rear camera with six-element lens, optical image stabilisation and a larger f/1.8 aperture. The iPhone 7 Plus, on the other hand, has a dual-camera setup at the back. The Plus variant features the same 12 megapixel wide-angle camera as the iPhone 7 along with a 12 megapixel telephoto lens that offers a 2x optical zoom and up to 10x digital zoom. The new iPhones come with a 7 megapixel front HD camera - up from 5 megapixel on the iPhone 6s. The iPhone 7 Plus has a dual-camera setup at the back. (Image: Apple) The next-generation iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus come with iOS 10, which is claimed to be the biggest release ever of Apple’s mobile operating system. Apple will start rolling out the iOS 10 software update from September 13. Other key features in the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus include stereo speakers, 25 per cent brighter Retina HD display, and the A10 Fusion chipset which is claimed to be 40 per cent faster than the A9 chipset that powers its predecessors. The new iPhones are water and dust-resistant. Pricing and availability Prices for the iPhone 7 start at $649, while the iPhone 7 Plus is priced at $769 onwards. Both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be up for pre-order starting September 9, and will go on sale from September 16. iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be available in more than 25 countries, including China and the US, beginning September 16. One week later, the new iPhones will be available in 30 more countries including Russia and Greece. iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be available in India from October 7. The phones will be priced in India at Rs 60,000 onwards. The new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will be available in silver, gold, rose gold and the new black finish in 32 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB models. The new jet black finish, however, will be offered only on the 128 GB and 256 GB models. (WION)

Apple iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus unveiled; priced at $649 onwards

Apple is all set to reveal the much-awaited iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus today at San Francisco event,&nbsp;keeping with the tradition of its autumn product launch.&nbsp; 
 
The American tech giant has not really revealed too much about the mega event but it had sent out invites without giving away any details of the product, The Guardian reported last week.&nbsp; 
 
Speculations, however, have been doing rounds with tech analysts and bloggers expecting an iPhone&nbsp;without a headphone jack, a touch sensitive home button that vibrates and a double-lens camera for iPhone 7 Plus, according to Reuters.&nbsp; 
 
The removal of the headphone jack is being viewed as a cause for worry for most users as the 3.5mm jack is a universal connector which can be plugged into a smartphone, tablet, computer, TV and gaming consoles. 
 
&nbsp;Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has been quoted in&nbsp;the Australian Business Review&nbsp;saying that this was, &ldquo;going to tick off a lot of people.&quot; 
 
&ldquo;I have cars where you can plug in the music, or go through bluetooth, and bluetooth just sounds so flat for the same music.&quot; 
 
Meanwhile, an AFP report says Apple could include an adaptor that plugs into a remaining port to appease users accustomed to wired headphones. 
 
The multinational technology company is also expected to introduce a revamped smartwatch, Watch 2, which has not been updated since its launch last year.&nbsp;It is expected to have a faster processor and a GPS chip, which will allow users to track their workouts without their phones.&nbsp; 
 
If rumours are to be believed, Apple may also launch iOS 10 which has already passed Beta testing. At this moment, one can only speculate and wait for Apple&#39;s big reveal. 
 
(WION with inputs from Agencies)

Analysts expect an iPhone without a headphone jack, a touch sensitive home button that vibrates and a double-lens camera for iPhone 7 Plus

Apple is all set to reveal the much-awaited iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus today at San Francisco event, keeping with the tradition of its autumn product launch. The American tech giant has not really revealed too much about the mega event but it had sent out invites without giving away any details of the product, The Guardian reported last week. Speculations, however, have been doing rounds with tech analysts and bloggers expecting an iPhone without a headphone jack, a touch sensitive home button that vibrates and a double-lens camera for iPhone 7 Plus, according to Reuters. The removal of the headphone jack is being viewed as a cause for worry for most users as the 3.5mm jack is a universal connector which can be plugged into a smartphone, tablet, computer, TV and gaming consoles. Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has been quoted in the Australian Business Review saying that this was, “going to tick off a lot of people." “I have cars where you can plug in the music, or go through bluetooth, and bluetooth just sounds so flat for the same music." Meanwhile, an AFP report says Apple could include an adaptor that plugs into a remaining port to appease users accustomed to wired headphones. The multinational technology company is also expected to introduce a revamped smartwatch, Watch 2, which has not been updated since its launch last year. It is expected to have a faster processor and a GPS chip, which will allow users to track their workouts without their phones. If rumours are to be believed, Apple may also launch iOS 10 which has already passed Beta testing. At this moment, one can only speculate and wait for Apple's big reveal. (WION with inputs from Agencies)

What to expect from iPhone 7 launch event

Tech giant Apple is all set for a major event scheduled for Wednesday where it will unveil&nbsp;its next iteration of iPhone model, iPhone 7.&nbsp; 
 
Ahead of the San Francisco launch, Apple&#39;s biggest event of the year, the American multinational technology company sent out &#39;ghost tweets&#39; from its otherwise dead account, the Independent reported on Monday. 
 
Mysterious Tweets? 
 
Reminding people of the big event, without letting them know that it is the company that is doing it, the company is sending out secret ghost tweets, the Independent report said.&nbsp; 
 
The full tweet reads: &quot;September 7 at 10 a.m. PDT. Watch the event on Apple.co/live. RT for a reminder on event day. #AppleEvent&quot;.&nbsp; 
 
However, when a user heads to Apple&#39;s official twitter handle @Apple a message appears informing the user that the &ldquo;company hasn&#39;t tweeted yet&rdquo;. 
 
<img alt="" class="img-responsive" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/apple1-20160906053603.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
When a user heads to Apple&#39;s official twitter handle @Apple a message appears informing the user that the &#39;company hasn&#39;t tweeted yet&#39;.
</div>
&nbsp; 
Apple&#39;s second gen smartwatch likely to be updated&nbsp; 
 
The California-based tech giant is also likely to put out an updated, second-generation smartwatch at the event. The improved version comes amid speculations that original hardware was not updated since its release last year.&nbsp; 
 
The event would also be a chance to showcase wireless headphones, perhaps some from Beats, which Apple bought two years ago in a deal valued at $3 billion. 
 
Meanwhile, the new iPhone model, that boasts faster chips, better cameras and an improved software has taken the tech-savvy lot by storm. The phone is also expected to do away with jacks for plugging in wired headphones, hence adding another feather to the cap.&nbsp; 
 
EU&#39;s case against Apple&nbsp; 
 
The European Union Commission had asked Apple to pay 13 billion euros of corporate income taxes to Ireland. The event on Wednesday comes as Apple tries to square it off with the EU. 
 
&ldquo;It&#39;s a total political crap,&rdquo; &nbsp;chief executive officer of Apple Tim Cook told the Irish Independent newspaper.&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;The commission ruled that Apple had received favorable tax terms that amounted to state aid, illegal under its rules. 
 
Apple expects to repatriate billions of dollars of global profits to the United States next year, Cook told Irish national broadcaster RTE without providing specific figures. 
 
(WION with inputs from AFP)

The tech giant is expected to unveil its next iteration of iPhone along with second-generation smartwatch in San Francisco on Wednesday

Tech giant Apple is all set for a major event scheduled for Wednesday where it will unveil its next iteration of iPhone model, iPhone 7. Ahead of the San Francisco launch, Apple's biggest event of the year, the American multinational technology company sent out 'ghost tweets' from its otherwise dead account, the Independent reported on Monday. Mysterious Tweets? Reminding people of the big event, without letting them know that it is the company that is doing it, the company is sending out secret ghost tweets, the Independent report said. The full tweet reads: "September 7 at 10 a.m. PDT. Watch the event on Apple.co/live. RT for a reminder on event day. #AppleEvent". However, when a user heads to Apple's official twitter handle @Apple a message appears informing the user that the “company hasn't tweeted yet”. When a user heads to Apple's official twitter handle @Apple a message appears informing the user that the 'company hasn't tweeted yet'. Apple's second gen smartwatch likely to be updated The California-based tech giant is also likely to put out an updated, second-generation smartwatch at the event. The improved version comes amid speculations that original hardware was not updated since its release last year. The event would also be a chance to showcase wireless headphones, perhaps some from Beats, which Apple bought two years ago in a deal valued at $3 billion. Meanwhile, the new iPhone model, that boasts faster chips, better cameras and an improved software has taken the tech-savvy lot by storm. The phone is also expected to do away with jacks for plugging in wired headphones, hence adding another feather to the cap. EU's case against Apple The European Union Commission had asked Apple to pay 13 billion euros of corporate income taxes to Ireland. The event on Wednesday comes as Apple tries to square it off with the EU. “It's a total political crap,” chief executive officer of Apple Tim Cook told the Irish Independent newspaper. The commission ruled that Apple had received favorable tax terms that amounted to state aid, illegal under its rules. Apple expects to repatriate billions of dollars of global profits to the United States next year, Cook told Irish national broadcaster RTE without providing specific figures. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Apple readies for iPhone 7 launch event

Ireland&#39;s fragile minority government meets for crunch talks to resolve a stalemate on Friday after an EU ruling on Apple that has divided the country and undermined a cornerstone of its economic policy. 
 
Ireland needs to decide whether to appeal the ruling to take 13 billion euros ($15 billion) in taxes from the US tech giant, with growing public pressure to use the money to ease the pain of years of austerity. 
 
The money is equivalent to around five percent of Ireland&#39;s gross domestic product last year and almost all of its annual healthcare budget. 
 
Finance Minister Michael Noonan described the landmark European Commission verdict on Tuesday as &quot;bizarre&quot; and vowed to challenge the finding that Ireland had given Apple special treatment. 
 
But an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday that had been expected to fast-track the appeal to the European Court of Justice failed to reach a consensus. 
 
Instead independent ministers in the coalition government have refused to agree, and sought an early recall of parliament to vote on the issue. 
 
The Irish Times newspaper described the EU Commission&#39;s ruling as a &quot;mini-earthquake&quot;, saying that an inability to agree a common strategy could &quot;end with the crumbling of the coalition&quot; and cause early elections. 
 
&#39;Do the right thing&#39;&nbsp; 
 
Ireland&#39;s minority government, led by the Fine Gael party, includes a number of independents and relies on the support of the main opposition Fianna Fail party, which is likely to back an appeal against the EU ruling. 
 
Some in the government believe Ireland cannot afford to undermine its tax policies, one of the main planks of a highly successful inward investment strategy that has consistently attracted the world&#39;s top tech and pharma multinationals over the past three decades. 
 
Others believe Ireland should take the money the European Commission says it is owed and spend it on services or build more affordable homes to deal with a housing crisis. 
 
Ireland has two months to lodge an appeal against the ruling. 
 
The concern for government is that public opinion could strengthen against an appeal in the run-up to a tough budget scheduled for October, which will have to deal with the economic fall-out for Ireland from neighbouring Britain&#39;s vote to leave the European Union. 
 
Fianna Fail technology spokesman James Lawless said Ireland had to appeal but admitted this would be difficult to explain to voters who wanted the money &quot;gift-wrapped on their doorstep&quot;. 
 
&quot;I would be more interested in preserving Ireland&#39;s sovereign tax status,&quot; he said, accusing the European Commission of interfering in Ireland&#39;s tax affairs. 
 
&quot;Ireland has been caught in the crossfire between the United States and Europe,&quot; he said. 
 
On Thursday, Apple chief Tim Cook turned up the heat further stating his belief that the Irish government &quot;would do the right thing&quot;. 
 
(AFP)

The govt wants to fight an EU verdict saying the tech giant owes the country $15 billion in taxes, but independent ministers disagree

Ireland's fragile minority government meets for crunch talks to resolve a stalemate on Friday after an EU ruling on Apple that has divided the country and undermined a cornerstone of its economic policy. Ireland needs to decide whether to appeal the ruling to take 13 billion euros ($15 billion) in taxes from the US tech giant, with growing public pressure to use the money to ease the pain of years of austerity. The money is equivalent to around five percent of Ireland's gross domestic product last year and almost all of its annual healthcare budget. Finance Minister Michael Noonan described the landmark European Commission verdict on Tuesday as "bizarre" and vowed to challenge the finding that Ireland had given Apple special treatment. But an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday that had been expected to fast-track the appeal to the European Court of Justice failed to reach a consensus. Instead independent ministers in the coalition government have refused to agree, and sought an early recall of parliament to vote on the issue. The Irish Times newspaper described the EU Commission's ruling as a "mini-earthquake", saying that an inability to agree a common strategy could "end with the crumbling of the coalition" and cause early elections. 'Do the right thing' Ireland's minority government, led by the Fine Gael party, includes a number of independents and relies on the support of the main opposition Fianna Fail party, which is likely to back an appeal against the EU ruling. Some in the government believe Ireland cannot afford to undermine its tax policies, one of the main planks of a highly successful inward investment strategy that has consistently attracted the world's top tech and pharma multinationals over the past three decades. Others believe Ireland should take the money the European Commission says it is owed and spend it on services or build more affordable homes to deal with a housing crisis. Ireland has two months to lodge an appeal against the ruling. The concern for government is that public opinion could strengthen against an appeal in the run-up to a tough budget scheduled for October, which will have to deal with the economic fall-out for Ireland from neighbouring Britain's vote to leave the European Union. Fianna Fail technology spokesman James Lawless said Ireland had to appeal but admitted this would be difficult to explain to voters who wanted the money "gift-wrapped on their doorstep". "I would be more interested in preserving Ireland's sovereign tax status," he said, accusing the European Commission of interfering in Ireland's tax affairs. "Ireland has been caught in the crossfire between the United States and Europe," he said. On Thursday, Apple chief Tim Cook turned up the heat further stating his belief that the Irish government "would do the right thing". (AFP)

Apple ruling pushes Irish government to the brink

The European Union is expected to order Apple on Tuesday to pay billions of Euros in back taxes in Ireland in one of its largest such cases after ruling that sweetheart tax deals for the US tech giant were illegal. 
 
The bloc&#39;s competition watchdog, Margrethe Vestager, will hold a press conference at 1000 GMT in which sources told AFP she is set to announce the European Commission&#39;s findings on the case. 
 
Brussels launched an inquiry three years ago into tax breaks that Ireland offered iPhone-maker Apple, in one of a series of anti-trust cases targeting major US corporations that have angered Washington. 
 
A European source speaking on condition of anonymity said they &quot;understand it could be billions&quot; that Apple is expected to repay. 
 
Apple and Ireland are both expected to appeal against any decision which rules that the highly competitive tax breaks that Dublin offered to the Silicon Valley giant amounted to illegal state aid. 
 
Apple has had a base at the southern city of Cork since 1980 and employs 5,000 people in Ireland, through which it routes its international sales, avoiding billions in corporation taxes. 
 
Apple CEO Tim Cook, in a Washington Post interview published August 13, said he hoped to &quot;get a fair hearing&quot; on the matter. 
 
&quot;If we don&#39;t, then we would obviously appeal it,&quot; he added. 
 
&#39;No bias against US&#39; 
 
The US stepped up its fight last Wednesday against the commission&#39;s crackdown on tax avoidance by Apple and other multinational companies, accusing it of unilateralism and overstepping its mandate. 
 
In a white paper, the US Treasury said the commission probe into alleged special tax treatment that certain EU countries gave Apple, Amazon, Starbucks and Fiat Chrysler &quot;undermines the international tax system.&quot; 
 
The EU has made taxes a core issue since the LuxLeaks scandal in which it was revealed that European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker&#39;s native Luxembourg gave companies huge tax breaks while he was prime minister. 
 
In October Brussels ordered US coffee giant Starbucks and Italian automaker Fiat to each repay up to 30 million Euros ($34 million) in back taxes to the Netherlands and Luxembourg respectively. 
 
But the Apple case is set to dwarf those by the virtue of the company&#39;s huge turnover. 
 
A US Treasury spokeswoman declined to comment on a possible ruling Tuesday from the commission. 
 
The US has acknowledged the problems around the issue of multinational firms obtaining state aid, in the form of secret and extremely lucrative tax breaks, from Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg for setting up business in those countries. 
 
But it said those deals were made under international treaties and accepted tax practices.&nbsp; 
 
Last week the European Commission denied it was targeting US companies in particular and said that EU rules do not allow national tax authorities to give tax breaks to some companies that are not available to others. 
 
&quot;There is no bias against US companies,&quot; it said in a statement. 
 
Washington has also expressed concern about EU anti-trust cases targeting tech giant Google alleging that it has unfairly suppressed &nbsp; 
 
(AFP)

Apple has a base in Ireland through which it routes its international sales, avoiding billions of Euros in corporation taxes

The European Union is expected to order Apple on Tuesday to pay billions of Euros in back taxes in Ireland in one of its largest such cases after ruling that sweetheart tax deals for the US tech giant were illegal. The bloc's competition watchdog, Margrethe Vestager, will hold a press conference at 1000 GMT in which sources told AFP she is set to announce the European Commission's findings on the case. Brussels launched an inquiry three years ago into tax breaks that Ireland offered iPhone-maker Apple, in one of a series of anti-trust cases targeting major US corporations that have angered Washington. A European source speaking on condition of anonymity said they "understand it could be billions" that Apple is expected to repay. Apple and Ireland are both expected to appeal against any decision which rules that the highly competitive tax breaks that Dublin offered to the Silicon Valley giant amounted to illegal state aid. Apple has had a base at the southern city of Cork since 1980 and employs 5,000 people in Ireland, through which it routes its international sales, avoiding billions in corporation taxes. Apple CEO Tim Cook, in a Washington Post interview published August 13, said he hoped to "get a fair hearing" on the matter. "If we don't, then we would obviously appeal it," he added. 'No bias against US' The US stepped up its fight last Wednesday against the commission's crackdown on tax avoidance by Apple and other multinational companies, accusing it of unilateralism and overstepping its mandate. In a white paper, the US Treasury said the commission probe into alleged special tax treatment that certain EU countries gave Apple, Amazon, Starbucks and Fiat Chrysler "undermines the international tax system." The EU has made taxes a core issue since the LuxLeaks scandal in which it was revealed that European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker's native Luxembourg gave companies huge tax breaks while he was prime minister. In October Brussels ordered US coffee giant Starbucks and Italian automaker Fiat to each repay up to 30 million Euros ($34 million) in back taxes to the Netherlands and Luxembourg respectively. But the Apple case is set to dwarf those by the virtue of the company's huge turnover. A US Treasury spokeswoman declined to comment on a possible ruling Tuesday from the commission. The US has acknowledged the problems around the issue of multinational firms obtaining state aid, in the form of secret and extremely lucrative tax breaks, from Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg for setting up business in those countries. But it said those deals were made under international treaties and accepted tax practices. Last week the European Commission denied it was targeting US companies in particular and said that EU rules do not allow national tax authorities to give tax breaks to some companies that are not available to others. "There is no bias against US companies," it said in a statement. Washington has also expressed concern about EU anti-trust cases targeting tech giant Google alleging that it has unfairly suppressed (AFP)

European Union to charge Apple with multi-billion Euro tax in Ireland

Apple Inc on Thursday issued a patch to fix the security flaw with its iPhones&nbsp;and iPads following an attempt to hack the phone of a United Arab Emirates&nbsp;(UAE) dissident. 
 
Human rights activist Ahmed Mansoor had received a text asking him to click&nbsp;on a link. Mansoor instead of clicking the link forwarded the message to&nbsp;researchers at the University of Toronto&#39;s Citizen Lab. 
 
The hack was found to be capable of remotely taking over a fully updated&nbsp;iPhone 6. 
 
&quot;Once infected, Mansoor&rsquo;s phone would have become a digital spy in his&nbsp;pocket, capable of employing his iPhone&rsquo;s camera and microphone to snoop on&nbsp;activity in the vicinity of the device, recording his WhatsApp and Viber calls,&nbsp;logging messages sent in mobile chat apps, and tracking his movements,&quot;&nbsp;Citizen Lab wrote in a report released on Thursday. 
 
The company has now developed a fix and distributed it as an automatic update&nbsp;to iPhone 6 owners. 
 
The attack softwarre was attributed to a private seller of monitoring systems,&nbsp;NSO Group, an Israeli company. 
 
NSO spokesman Zamir Dahbash said that the company &quot;cannot confirm the&nbsp;specific cases&quot; covered in the Citizen Lab and Lookout reports. 
 
Citizen Lab did not directly accuse UAE of carrying out the attack on Mansoor&nbsp;but it said that other NSO attacks on critics of the regime were connected to&nbsp;the government. 
 
It also said that a Mexican journalist and a minority party politician in Kenya&nbsp;had been targeted with NSO software too and that domain names set up for&nbsp;other attacks referred to entities in Uzbekistan, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Turkey,&nbsp;and other nations. 
 
The market for government hacking tools has come under increased scrutiny&nbsp;recently. 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)

Human rights activist Ahmed Mansoor had received a text asking him to click?on a link

Apple Inc on Thursday issued a patch to fix the security flaw with its iPhones and iPads following an attempt to hack the phone of a United Arab Emirates (UAE) dissident. Human rights activist Ahmed Mansoor had received a text asking him to click on a link. Mansoor instead of clicking the link forwarded the message to researchers at the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab. The hack was found to be capable of remotely taking over a fully updated iPhone 6. "Once infected, Mansoor’s phone would have become a digital spy in his pocket, capable of employing his iPhone’s camera and microphone to snoop on activity in the vicinity of the device, recording his WhatsApp and Viber calls, logging messages sent in mobile chat apps, and tracking his movements," Citizen Lab wrote in a report released on Thursday. The company has now developed a fix and distributed it as an automatic update to iPhone 6 owners. The attack softwarre was attributed to a private seller of monitoring systems, NSO Group, an Israeli company. NSO spokesman Zamir Dahbash said that the company "cannot confirm the specific cases" covered in the Citizen Lab and Lookout reports. Citizen Lab did not directly accuse UAE of carrying out the attack on Mansoor but it said that other NSO attacks on critics of the regime were connected to the government. It also said that a Mexican journalist and a minority party politician in Kenya had been targeted with NSO software too and that domain names set up for other attacks referred to entities in Uzbekistan, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and other nations. The market for government hacking tools has come under increased scrutiny recently. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Apple fixes security flaw after UAE dissident's iPhone targeted

Microsoft on Monday announced it bought a startup to boost its artificial intelligence capabilities, and rival Apple confirmed it has boosted its health focus with an acquisition of its own. 
 
Microsoft did not disclose financial terms of its deal to buy Genee, which specialises in using machine smarts to handle the time-sucking task of scheduling meetings. 
 
&quot;Genee uses natural language processing and optimised decision-making algorithms so that interacting with a virtual assistant is just like interacting with a human one,&quot; Outlook and Office 365 corporate vice president Rajesh Jha said in a blog post. 
 
For example, Genee can be copied into an email exchange to act as a virtual assistant of sorts to pin down a time for a business or social meeting. 
 
Jha touted Genee as having designed &quot;an intelligent virtual assistant specialised in the appointment decision.&quot; 
 
The technology was expected to be put to work in Office 365 software that Microsoft offers as a service in the internet cloud. 
 
The team that started Silicon Valley-based Genee in 2014 will join the Microsoft and the existing service will be discontinued next month, according to the companies. 
 
Apple and the &#39;magical machine&#39;&nbsp; 
 
Apple confirmed press reports that it has bought startup Gliimpse, which uses machine learning as part of its formula for letting people manage and share personal medical information. 
 
&quot;Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans,&quot; Apple said in a statement. 
 
Glimpse offers a unique platform allowing users to compile medical and health data from different sources, and share as needed with third parties, including doctors. 
 
&quot;We&#39;ve built a magical machine,&quot; Gliimpse said on its website. 
 
&quot;It takes incomprehensible electronic medical records and turns them into understandable, standardised, coded elements and terminology that both humans and machines can easily understand and use.&quot; 
 
Apple has introduced features and software platforms for its mobile devices to be tools for people to manage and improve fitness and health. 
 
(AFP)

The two tech giants have acquired 'smart startups'. While Apple focuses on health data, Microsoft would help in scheduling meetings

Microsoft on Monday announced it bought a startup to boost its artificial intelligence capabilities, and rival Apple confirmed it has boosted its health focus with an acquisition of its own. Microsoft did not disclose financial terms of its deal to buy Genee, which specialises in using machine smarts to handle the time-sucking task of scheduling meetings. "Genee uses natural language processing and optimised decision-making algorithms so that interacting with a virtual assistant is just like interacting with a human one," Outlook and Office 365 corporate vice president Rajesh Jha said in a blog post. For example, Genee can be copied into an email exchange to act as a virtual assistant of sorts to pin down a time for a business or social meeting. Jha touted Genee as having designed "an intelligent virtual assistant specialised in the appointment decision." The technology was expected to be put to work in Office 365 software that Microsoft offers as a service in the internet cloud. The team that started Silicon Valley-based Genee in 2014 will join the Microsoft and the existing service will be discontinued next month, according to the companies. Apple and the 'magical machine' Apple confirmed press reports that it has bought startup Gliimpse, which uses machine learning as part of its formula for letting people manage and share personal medical information. "Apple buys smaller technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not discuss our purpose or plans," Apple said in a statement. Glimpse offers a unique platform allowing users to compile medical and health data from different sources, and share as needed with third parties, including doctors. "We've built a magical machine," Gliimpse said on its website. "It takes incomprehensible electronic medical records and turns them into understandable, standardised, coded elements and terminology that both humans and machines can easily understand and use." Apple has introduced features and software platforms for its mobile devices to be tools for people to manage and improve fitness and health. (AFP)

Apple boosts health while Microsoft revs machine smarts

Apple on Tuesday rejected allegations from Russia&#39;s state competition watchdog it may have been involved in fixing prices for iPhones, saying resellers set their own prices. 
 
Apple reacted a day after Russia&#39;s Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (FAS) said it had opened a case into the allegations after a consumer had pointed out that identical prices had been set for iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models, which appeared in Russia in October 2015, at 16 major resellers. 
 
Apple, in emailed comments, said it did not oblige Russian resellers to fix prices for its products. 
 
&quot;Resellers set their own prices for the Apple products they sell in Russia and around the world,&quot; the company&#39;s press office said. 
 
FAS said it was looking into the idea that Apple had somehow obliged Russian resellers to treat its recommended product prices as mandatory. It said an investigation had shown that retailers had set identical prices and kept them at that level for a certain time period, including for other models. 
 
FAS has the power to fine firms it finds guilty of price-fixing. 
 
(Reuters)

The Russian state watchdog had opened a case after a consumer pointed out identical prices had been set for the 6s and 6s Plus models

Apple on Tuesday rejected allegations from Russia's state competition watchdog it may have been involved in fixing prices for iPhones, saying resellers set their own prices. Apple reacted a day after Russia's Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (FAS) said it had opened a case into the allegations after a consumer had pointed out that identical prices had been set for iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus models, which appeared in Russia in October 2015, at 16 major resellers. Apple, in emailed comments, said it did not oblige Russian resellers to fix prices for its products. "Resellers set their own prices for the Apple products they sell in Russia and around the world," the company's press office said. FAS said it was looking into the idea that Apple had somehow obliged Russian resellers to treat its recommended product prices as mandatory. It said an investigation had shown that retailers had set identical prices and kept them at that level for a certain time period, including for other models. FAS has the power to fine firms it finds guilty of price-fixing. (Reuters)

Apple dismisses iPhone price-fixing allegations in Russia

Looks like the long wait for the Frank Ocean fans will finally be over by the end of this week.&nbsp; 
 
According to a source, the R&amp;B singer will be releasing his latest record, &#39;Boys Don&#39;t Cry&#39;, on Friday through an exclusive deal with Apple Music, reports the New York Times. 
 
It will be the first album since his last release on 2012, titled &#39;Channel Orange&#39;, which was widely hailed by critics and nominated for six Grammy Awards. The release is also expected to include a major video and a printed publication called &#39;Boys Don`t Cry&#39; that will be distributed at Apple stores. 
 
The source added that the album is expected to remain exclusive to Apple for two weeks before becoming more widely available. 
 
Ocean first announced the new title three years ago and seemed to play with the long wait when he included the image of an old-school library due-date slip labeled &#39;Boys Don`t Cry&#39; on a website connected to the album. He even added a series of stamped dates going back over a year. 
 
On Monday, a mysterious video appeared on the same website showing a pair of workbenches in a large empty room.&nbsp; 
 
Director Francisco Soriano briefly took credit for the video itself early Monday in an Instagram post that was later deleted. But many viewers did notice the Apple Music logo in a watermark on the feed.&nbsp; 
 
(ANI)&nbsp;

It will be the first album since his last release on 2012, titled 'Channel Orange', which was nominated for six Grammy Awards

Looks like the long wait for the Frank Ocean fans will finally be over by the end of this week. According to a source, the R&B singer will be releasing his latest record, 'Boys Don't Cry', on Friday through an exclusive deal with Apple Music, reports the New York Times. It will be the first album since his last release on 2012, titled 'Channel Orange', which was widely hailed by critics and nominated for six Grammy Awards. The release is also expected to include a major video and a printed publication called 'Boys Don`t Cry' that will be distributed at Apple stores. The source added that the album is expected to remain exclusive to Apple for two weeks before becoming more widely available. Ocean first announced the new title three years ago and seemed to play with the long wait when he included the image of an old-school library due-date slip labeled 'Boys Don`t Cry' on a website connected to the album. He even added a series of stamped dates going back over a year. On Monday, a mysterious video appeared on the same website showing a pair of workbenches in a large empty room. Director Francisco Soriano briefly took credit for the video itself early Monday in an Instagram post that was later deleted. But many viewers did notice the Apple Music logo in a watermark on the feed. (ANI)

Frank Ocean's 'Boys Don't Cry' likely to release this Friday?

Microsoft Corp said it would cut about 2,850 more jobs over the next 12 months, taking its total planned job cuts to up to 4,700, or about 4 per cent of its workforce. 
 
The company said in May it would cut 1,850 jobs in its smartphone business, most of them in Finland. 
 
Microsoft bought Finland-based handset maker Nokia in 2014 in an ill-fated attempt to take on market leaders Apple Inc and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd. 
 
Chief executive Satya Nadella, who took the helm just two months before the deal closed, has since focussed on restructuring the struggling phone business. 
 
Microsoft had about 114,000 full-time employees as of June 30. 
 
(Reuters)

The total planned job cuts amount to 4% of Microsoft's workforce. The company said in May it would cut 1,850 jobs in its smartphone business

Microsoft Corp said it would cut about 2,850 more jobs over the next 12 months, taking its total planned job cuts to up to 4,700, or about 4 per cent of its workforce. The company said in May it would cut 1,850 jobs in its smartphone business, most of them in Finland. Microsoft bought Finland-based handset maker Nokia in 2014 in an ill-fated attempt to take on market leaders Apple Inc and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd. Chief executive Satya Nadella, who took the helm just two months before the deal closed, has since focussed on restructuring the struggling phone business. Microsoft had about 114,000 full-time employees as of June 30. (Reuters)

Microsoft to cut 2,850 more jobs over next year

Apple announced yesterday the sale of its billionth iPhone, a milestone for the company as it seeks to keep momentum in a competitive smartphone market. 
 
Chief executive Tim Cook made the announcement at a staff meeting at the company&#39;s California headquarters. 
 
&quot;IPhone has become one of the most important, world-changing and successful products in history,&quot; he said in a statement. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s become more than a constant companion. IPhone is truly an essential part of our daily life and enables much of what we do throughout the day. Last week we passed another major milestone when we sold the billionth iPhone. We never set out to make the most, but we&#39;ve always set out to make the best products that make a difference.&quot; 
 
The news comes a day after Apple reported a drop in iPhone sales over the past quarter, a second straight drop after uninterrupted growth since its introduction in 2007. 
 
Apple sold 40.4 million iPhones in the quarter ending June 25, down 15 per cent from a year earlier, highlighting concerns over growth for the iconic smartphone. 
 
The quarterly results underscored the challenges for Apple, which has built a huge business around the iPhone but is unlikely to see continued growth, due to a saturated smartphone market and increased competition. 
 
Apple has been seeking to diversify its product line and move into services for a more stable revenue base, while keeping users in its ecosystem with offerings such as music, connected cars and its Apple Watch. 
 
(AFP)

'iPhone is truly an essential part of our daily life,' Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a statement

Apple announced yesterday the sale of its billionth iPhone, a milestone for the company as it seeks to keep momentum in a competitive smartphone market. Chief executive Tim Cook made the announcement at a staff meeting at the company's California headquarters. "IPhone has become one of the most important, world-changing and successful products in history," he said in a statement. "It's become more than a constant companion. IPhone is truly an essential part of our daily life and enables much of what we do throughout the day. Last week we passed another major milestone when we sold the billionth iPhone. We never set out to make the most, but we've always set out to make the best products that make a difference." The news comes a day after Apple reported a drop in iPhone sales over the past quarter, a second straight drop after uninterrupted growth since its introduction in 2007. Apple sold 40.4 million iPhones in the quarter ending June 25, down 15 per cent from a year earlier, highlighting concerns over growth for the iconic smartphone. The quarterly results underscored the challenges for Apple, which has built a huge business around the iPhone but is unlikely to see continued growth, due to a saturated smartphone market and increased competition. Apple has been seeking to diversify its product line and move into services for a more stable revenue base, while keeping users in its ecosystem with offerings such as music, connected cars and its Apple Watch. (AFP)

Apple announces sale of billionth iPhone

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