Saturday, March 14, 2020

Some Apple Employees Say Company's Culture of Secrecy Makes Working From Home Challenging

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The process of tech companies sending thousands of employees home amid the coronavirus crisis has been messy, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal. The shift has been tough on Apple especially, due to strict guidelines and secrecy around its products.


The report mentions that software developers who were sent home have been complaining of both slow download speeds and confusion about what work they are allowed to perform. Other employees have been unable to access key internal systems from home due to Apple's stringent security policies.

Many engineers have continued to work at Apple's headquarters to adhere to Apple's policy of forbidding any unreleased products to leave the campus. Some staff say that Apple has loosened restrictions, however. One Apple employee mentioned "it's all about lowering the density," thus highlighting the importance of social distancing amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Apple has taken several measures in response to the coronavirus. Just this week, it was announced that Apple would be temporarily closing all Apple Stores outside of Chinacommitting $15 million to date for COVID-19 relief efforts, and encouraging corporate employees to work remotely if their job allows. It was also announced that WWDC this year will be an online event and Apple Card customers are able to enroll in a program that will allow them to skip March payment without interest.
This article, "Some Apple Employees Say Company's Culture of Secrecy Makes Working From Home Challenging" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Comcast offers two months of free Internet Essentials for eligible families, opens Wifi hotspots to all


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Apple Says Only Reputable Coronavirus Apps Will Be Accepted on App Store, Recognized Entities Can Get Developer Fee Waived

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Apple today announced that it is evaluating COVID-19 coronavirus-related apps critically to ensure data sources are reputable and that developers presenting these apps are from recognized entities such as government organizations, health-focused NGOs, companies deeply credentialed in health issues, and medical or educational institutions.

Apple says only developers from one of the above types of recognized entities should submit an app related to COVID-19, adding that entertainment or game apps with a COVID-19 theme will not be allowed on the App Store.


The full announcement:
The App Store should always be a safe and trusted place for users to download apps. Now more than ever that commitment takes on special significance as the world fights the COVID-19 pandemic. Communities around the world are depending on apps to be credible news sources — helping users understand the latest health innovations, find out where they can get help if needed or provide assistance to their neighbors.

To help fulfill these expectations, we're evaluating apps critically to ensure data sources are reputable and that developers presenting these apps are from recognized entities such as government organizations, health-focused NGOs, companies deeply credentialed in health issues, and medical or educational institutions. Only developers from one of these recognized entities should submit an app related to COVID-19. Entertainment or game apps with COVID-19 as their theme will not be allowed.

We understand the need to get these apps into the hands of customers as soon as possible. We encourage developers that meet this criteria to select "Time-Sensitive Event" on the expedite request form to ensure prioritized review since App Store review may take longer.

If you are developing an app on behalf of a client, please advise your client to add you to the development team of their Apple Developer account. If your client does not yet have an Apple Developer account, they can enroll in the Apple Developer Program. Nonprofit organizations, accredited educational institutions, and government entities that plan to distribute only free apps on the App Store can request to have their annual membership fee waived, if based in an eligible country.
This is one of many measures that Apple is taking in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This article, "Apple Says Only Reputable Coronavirus Apps Will Be Accepted on App Store, Recognized Entities Can Get Developer Fee Waived" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Select Apple Stores Remain Open Temporarily for Customers With Pending Sales and Repair Pickups

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Apple on Friday announced that all of its retail stores outside of the Greater China region are closed through March 27 due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. However, multiple sources have indicated that Apple is keeping some of its retail stores open this weekend for customers with pending in-store pickups only.



At least some Apple retail employees in the U.S. are reportedly still being asked to go into work today to assist with in-store pickups tied to Apple's online store and Genius Bar repairs that had already been processed.

An online Apple support representative has indicated that customers will be able to collect their pending pickups between March 14 and March 16 during limited opening hours. All other in-store services are unavailable until March 27.

It is unclear if this policy is in place at all of Apple's stores in the U.S., or in other countries, so we recommend contacting Apple.
Related Roundup: Apple Stores

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