The controversy over antenna issues that plagued the iPhone 4 drew to a close this week as Apple offers $15 to those affected by the issue. You are only eligible for the money if you are in the U.S. and did not take advantage of Apple’s offer for a free case back in 2010. Those eligible were contacted via email.
Apple released a minor iTunes update with bug fixes this week. You can get the update via Software Update on your Mac.
U.S. Congress continues to take an interest in iPhone privacy issues. They have asked for information from dozens of app developers about what information about users they gather and how the use that information. Apple itself has begun to refuse apps that use the iPhone’s universal device identifier (UDID) as a method of identifying the iPhone as a unique device across multiple apps.
“Let’s see… 400 small packages all the same size that originated in China, one each going to every house on my route. Must be a new Apple gadget today.”
One of the hottest rumors of the last year has been that Apple is working on a television product. While it already has the set-top box known as Apple TV, a television would be a screen with similar functionality or an even more advanced user interface and remote control.
Do you think Apple should create such a product? And if so, what features would you like it to have?
Apple sold about 3 million new iPads last weekend. The usual lines formed outside Apple stores and shipping times for the new iPad slipped back several weeks as initial inventory sold out. In addition, the new iPhoto app reported sold a million copies in the app store.
On Monday Apple CEO Tim Cook announced a change to Apple’s finances as it will begin to offer stock dividends later this year. In addition, Apple will buy back $10 billion in stock over the next three years. This is in response to the nearly $100 billion in cash that Apple currently has on the books as a result of profits.
There was an interesting development this week in Apple’s ongoing Chinese labor controversies. One of the key counterpoints to Apple’s use of Chinese factories came from an episode of This American Life, a radio program that aired in January. That episode told the story of a man who visited the factories to find underage workers, injuries and poisonings. But it turns out that much of those details were fabricated and the producers of the show have issued a retraction.
“So what are you going to name your baby, Mr. Smith?”
“We’re inspired by how Apple names things. We are just going to call him ‘new Smith’.”
Yesterday Apple announced both a stock dividend plan and a stock buyback. A dividend of $2.65 per share will start with a quarter later this year. In addition, Apple plans to buy back $10 billion of its own stock over the next three years. Currently Apple has about $100 billion in cash. Do you think this is the right move for Apple? What else do you think Apple should be doing with its excess stockpile of cash?
Apple offered two ways to pre-order the new iPad: delivery or in-store pick up. It appears that both methods have sold out, with the online Apple store showing 2-3 weeks for shipping of new orders. However, it has been reported that Apple stores will still have new iPads for sale on Friday morning for those willing to wait in line.
Many stores have posted an 8 a.m. opening time for Friday. In the past, stores have formed two separate lines: one for pre-orders that have been paid for in advance, and another for everyone else.
In other news, Apple announced that iWork.com will be shutting down on July 31. The free service allowed users to share Pages, Numbers and Keynote documents online. iCloud also has similar functionality and Apple has decided to concentrate on that instead.
“Congratulations on winning first place. However, your project violates a number of our patents. You’ll be hearing from us shortly.”
In Tim Cook’s address last week he announced the new iPad and a new Apple TV. Plus, he ended the event by telling us there is more to come in 2012. Besides the obvious, like updates for each Mac line and a new iPhone model, what else do you think Apple has in store for us in 2012?
