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Thursday, March 5, 2020
Report Examines Challenges Apple Has Faced in Expanding Manufacturing in India
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The Information has published a detailed look into the challenges that Apple has faced in expanding its manufacturing operations in India, including strict labor laws, unsatisfactory health and safety standards, and protectionist trade policies that have resulted in rising tariffs on smartphone components.
An excerpt from the paywalled report:
As the report notes, India recently relaxed rules on local sourcing of components, paving the way for Apple to open an online store in India later this year and its first retail store in the country by next year.
Full Article: Inside Apple's Search for an Indian Supply Chain by The Information
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The Information has published a detailed look into the challenges that Apple has faced in expanding its manufacturing operations in India, including strict labor laws, unsatisfactory health and safety standards, and protectionist trade policies that have resulted in rising tariffs on smartphone components.
An excerpt from the paywalled report:
For example, one Indian supplier Apple approached in 2018 was Superpacks, which operated a packaging factory in Bangalore. Apple sent auditors to assess whether its supplier responsibility practices were up to Apple's standards. The audits revealed dozens of violations. The site had no safety measures for storing chemicals, lacked monitoring for noise and wastewater, and didn't have several environmental and construction permits. It didn't properly test drinking water for workers and the site lacked a fire hydrant system, according to a person close to Apple.Apple has reached agreements with some suppliers in India, such as Wistron, which assembles the iPhone 7 in the country. However, the majority of Apple's manufacturing remains in China, with recent issues such as the U.S.-China trade war and the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak emphasizing the need for diversification.
Apple spent months pushing Superpacks to fix the violations. However, the Indian company stopped giving updates and missed deadlines for fixes. Apple ultimately didn't give it a business contract. Superpacks didn't respond to a request for comment.
As the report notes, India recently relaxed rules on local sourcing of components, paving the way for Apple to open an online store in India later this year and its first retail store in the country by next year.
Full Article: Inside Apple's Search for an Indian Supply Chain by The Information
Tag: India
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New Google Assistant feature turns the entire internet into your personal audio book
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WhatsApp Testing Secure Chat Backups Feature
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WhatsApp is in the early phases of testing a new privacy feature on the messaging platform that will allow users to secure their chat backups, according to WABetaInfo.
Currently, WhatsApp on iPhone lets users back up their chat history to iCloud, but messages and media that users back up are not protected by WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption while in iCloud.
This new feature would resolve that security hole by allowing users to encrypt and password protect their chat history before uploading it to the cloud.
The new encryption and password-protection feature is currently being tested on Android for Google Drive chat backups, but given the way the Facebook-owned platform goes about testing and deploying new features, there's every chance that it will eventually come to WhatsApp for iPhone too.
As mentioned, this change to the way chats are backed up is still in the early stages of testing, and there's never any guarantee that new features will make it to public release.
Earlier this week, WhatsApp's long-requested Dark Mode rolled out to all users. Check out MacRumors' quick guide on how to set it up.
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WhatsApp is in the early phases of testing a new privacy feature on the messaging platform that will allow users to secure their chat backups, according to WABetaInfo.
Currently, WhatsApp on iPhone lets users back up their chat history to iCloud, but messages and media that users back up are not protected by WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption while in iCloud.
This new feature would resolve that security hole by allowing users to encrypt and password protect their chat history before uploading it to the cloud.
The new encryption and password-protection feature is currently being tested on Android for Google Drive chat backups, but given the way the Facebook-owned platform goes about testing and deploying new features, there's every chance that it will eventually come to WhatsApp for iPhone too.
As mentioned, this change to the way chats are backed up is still in the early stages of testing, and there's never any guarantee that new features will make it to public release.
Earlier this week, WhatsApp's long-requested Dark Mode rolled out to all users. Check out MacRumors' quick guide on how to set it up.
Tag: WhatsApp
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Deals: 13-Inch MacBook Pro Seeing Discounts Across Every Model, Including 2.4GHz/256GB for $1,499 ($300 Off)
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Amazon has introduced a new low price on the 13-inch MacBook Pro from mid 2019 today. You can get the notebook with a 2.4GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD for $1,499.00, down from $1,799.00.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
This $300 discount is the lowest price we've ever tracked for this model of the 13-inch MacBook Pro, and it's available in both Silver and Space Gray. This MacBook Pro includes a Retina Display, Touch Bar with Touch ID, four Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports, and up to 10 hours of battery life.
On the entry-level side, Best Buy has the 13-inch MacBook Pro with a 128GB SSD for $1,049.99, down from $1,299.00 ($250 off). This is another lowest-ever price, and a good deal for anyone looking to get a cheap price on the latest 13-inch MacBook Pro.
There are a few solid deals on other 13-inch MacBook Pro models, although they are not lowest-ever prices. The 1.4GHz/8GB RAM/256GB SSD model is $1,249.99 at Best Buy, down from $1,499.00 ($250 off), while the high-end 2.4GHz/8GB RAM/512GB SSD model is $1,699.00 at Amazon, down from $1,999.00 ($300 off).
As another quick mention, Amazon is still discounting the 1TB 16-inch MacBook Pro to its lowest price of $2,499.00, down from $2,799.00 ($300 off). Adorama is matching this deal, which is an offer we've seen come and go throughout the past few months, and worth looking at if you're interested in a high-end version of Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Head to our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more discounts on Apple products and related accessories.
This article, "Deals: 13-Inch MacBook Pro Seeing Discounts Across Every Model, Including 2.4GHz/256GB for $1,499 ($300 Off)" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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Amazon has introduced a new low price on the 13-inch MacBook Pro from mid 2019 today. You can get the notebook with a 2.4GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD for $1,499.00, down from $1,799.00.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.This $300 discount is the lowest price we've ever tracked for this model of the 13-inch MacBook Pro, and it's available in both Silver and Space Gray. This MacBook Pro includes a Retina Display, Touch Bar with Touch ID, four Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports, and up to 10 hours of battery life.
On the entry-level side, Best Buy has the 13-inch MacBook Pro with a 128GB SSD for $1,049.99, down from $1,299.00 ($250 off). This is another lowest-ever price, and a good deal for anyone looking to get a cheap price on the latest 13-inch MacBook Pro.
There are a few solid deals on other 13-inch MacBook Pro models, although they are not lowest-ever prices. The 1.4GHz/8GB RAM/256GB SSD model is $1,249.99 at Best Buy, down from $1,499.00 ($250 off), while the high-end 2.4GHz/8GB RAM/512GB SSD model is $1,699.00 at Amazon, down from $1,999.00 ($300 off).
As another quick mention, Amazon is still discounting the 1TB 16-inch MacBook Pro to its lowest price of $2,499.00, down from $2,799.00 ($300 off). Adorama is matching this deal, which is an offer we've seen come and go throughout the past few months, and worth looking at if you're interested in a high-end version of Apple's 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Head to our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more discounts on Apple products and related accessories.
Related Roundup: Apple Deals
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DigiTimes: New 'Entry-Level' AirPods Pro to Enter Production by Early Second Quarter
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Apple's suppliers will kick off production of a new entry-level version of AirPods Pro between the end of the first quarter and the beginning of the second quarter, according to Taiwanese industry publication DigiTimes, suggesting that assembly of the earphones will begin around early to mid April.
A paywalled preview of the report, which should be published in full by tomorrow:
Details surrounding the alleged entry-level AirPods Pro remain slim. It has been speculated that the earphones could end up being third-generation regular AirPods with the same design and sound quality as AirPods Pro, but without active noise cancelation. Apple announced the second-generation AirPods on March 20, 2019.
The second-generation AirPods start at $159, while AirPods Pro are priced at $249.
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Apple's suppliers will kick off production of a new entry-level version of AirPods Pro between the end of the first quarter and the beginning of the second quarter, according to Taiwanese industry publication DigiTimes, suggesting that assembly of the earphones will begin around early to mid April.
A paywalled preview of the report, which should be published in full by tomorrow:
Chip and component suppliers gearing up for new AirPods productionDigiTimes continues to refer to the earphones as "AirPods Pro Lite," but it is unlikely that Apple will actually use that name.
Production of an entry-level version of Apple's AirPods Pro, dubbed tentatively AirPods Pro Lite, is expected to kick off between the end of the first quarter and the beginning of the second quarter, according to sources at chip and component suppliers engaged in the supply chain for the TWS device.
Details surrounding the alleged entry-level AirPods Pro remain slim. It has been speculated that the earphones could end up being third-generation regular AirPods with the same design and sound quality as AirPods Pro, but without active noise cancelation. Apple announced the second-generation AirPods on March 20, 2019.
The second-generation AirPods start at $159, while AirPods Pro are priced at $249.
Related Roundup: AirPods Pro
Tags: digitimes.com, AirPods Pro Lite
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Pro (Buy Now)
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Deals: Amazon Discounts Wide Selection of Smart Battery Cases, Including iPhone XS Version for $69 (Lowest Ever)
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There are a few new discounts on Apple's Smart Battery Case line today, including those for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, and iPhone 11. Many of the sales include best-ever prices for these cases, and you'll find discounts below from Amazon and Best Buy.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
To start, you can get the iPhone XS Smart Battery Case in White for $69.00 on Amazon, down from $129.00 ($60 off). At nearly half off, this is definitely a solid deal and the best price we've ever tracked on this particular accessory among the major Apple resellers online.
If you own an iPhone XS Max, your best option for a Smart Battery Case is at Best Buy today, which has the accessory for $79.99 in White and Black, down from $129.00 ($49 off).
The iPhone XR Smart Battery Case in White is available for $80.99 on Amazon, down from $129.00 ($48 off). The Black color option is priced at $89.99 at the time of writing, which is still a solid deal on the charging accessory.
Lastly, if you have a newer iPhone you can get the iPhone 11 Smart Battery Case in Black for $99.00 on Amazon, down from $129.00 ($30 off). This is the best price on the device that we've tracked, and as of now there aren't any notable discounts on the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max versions of the Smart Battery Case.
Head to our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more discounts on Apple products and related accessories.
This article, "Deals: Amazon Discounts Wide Selection of Smart Battery Cases, Including iPhone XS Version for $69 (Lowest Ever)" first appeared on MacRumors.com
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from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - All Stories https://ift.tt/2TqBFGM
There are a few new discounts on Apple's Smart Battery Case line today, including those for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, and iPhone 11. Many of the sales include best-ever prices for these cases, and you'll find discounts below from Amazon and Best Buy.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.To start, you can get the iPhone XS Smart Battery Case in White for $69.00 on Amazon, down from $129.00 ($60 off). At nearly half off, this is definitely a solid deal and the best price we've ever tracked on this particular accessory among the major Apple resellers online.
If you own an iPhone XS Max, your best option for a Smart Battery Case is at Best Buy today, which has the accessory for $79.99 in White and Black, down from $129.00 ($49 off).
The iPhone XR Smart Battery Case in White is available for $80.99 on Amazon, down from $129.00 ($48 off). The Black color option is priced at $89.99 at the time of writing, which is still a solid deal on the charging accessory.
Lastly, if you have a newer iPhone you can get the iPhone 11 Smart Battery Case in Black for $99.00 on Amazon, down from $129.00 ($30 off). This is the best price on the device that we've tracked, and as of now there aren't any notable discounts on the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max versions of the Smart Battery Case.
Head to our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more discounts on Apple products and related accessories.
Related Roundup: Apple Deals
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