Joe Rossignol

Apple today added a new Racial Equity and Justice Initiative page to its website that highlights the company's long-term efforts to "help ensure more positive outcomes for communities of color, particularly for the Black community." The page emphasizes Apple's commitment to education, criminal justice reform, and economic equality. "As global leaders in technology and business, we have an...

In celebration of Black History Month, Apple today released a limited-edition Black Unity Apple Watch Series 6 and a Black Unity Sport Band, both of which are now available to order in the United States and many other countries. The custom Apple Watch has a Space Gray aluminum case inscribed with the words "Black Unity" on the back. The watch comes with a Black Unity Sport Band that Apple...

Last month, Apple introduced privacy labels on the App Store, providing users with a broad overview of the data types an app may collect, and whether the information is used to track them or is linked to their identity or device. Apple has required developers to provide this privacy information when submitting new apps and app updates to the App Store since early December, but the labels...

Apple CEO Tim Cook today spoke at the virtual Computers, Privacy, and Data Protection conference, condemning the business model of companies like Facebook and emphasizing Apple's commitment to advancing user privacy. "At a moment of rampant disinformation and conspiracy theories juiced by algorithms, we can no longer turn a blind eye to a theory of technology that says all engagement is good ...

Apple today began selling certified refurbished models of the latest Intel-based 27-inch iMac, originally released in August 2020, in the United States and Canada. Prices are discounted by approximately 15 percent compared to brand new models. The latest 27-inch iMac features a 5K display with True Tone and a nano-texture glass option, 10th-generation Intel Core processor options, AMD Radeon ...

Thursday is Data Privacy Day, and Apple is marking the occasion in a few ways, including sharing a new "A Day in the Life of Your Data" document that details how third-party companies can track user data across websites and apps. Apple says that, on average, mobile apps include six "trackers" from third-party companies for the "sole purpose of collecting and tracking people and their...

Apple today announced that its App Tracking Transparency privacy measure will be required starting with the next beta versions of iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and tvOS 14. Apple says the software updates will be publicly released in the early spring. The requirement was originally set to go into effect last September, but Apple delayed to provide developers with more time to prepare. With this...

Apple will soon require iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV app developers to request permission from users to collect their random advertising identifier (known as the "Identifier for Advertisers" or "IDFA"), which advertisers use to deliver personalized ads and track how effective their ad campaigns were. Specifically, users will be presented with a prompt to allow or deny tracking as necessary when...

Today marks the 11th anniversary of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs unveiling the original iPad at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. "iPad is our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price," said Jobs, in a press release on January 27, 2010. "iPad creates and defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with...

Apple plans to release its first iPhones with Wi-Fi 6E support in 2021, according to Barclays analysts Blayne Curtis and Thomas O'Malley. In a research note shared with MacRumors today, the analysts wrote that investor sentiment surrounding Apple supplier Skyworks has become "too negative" given that the semiconductor company will apparently be supplying various components for this year's...

Apple has renewed Israeli espionage thriller drama "Tehran" for a second season, according to Deadline, four months after the first season started streaming on Apple TV+. There is no release date yet for the second season. "Tehran" tells the "thrilling story of a Mossad agent who goes deep undercover on a dangerous mission in Tehran that places her and everyone around her in dire jeopardy,"...

Apple plans to release second-generation AirPods Pro within the first half of 2021, according to unnamed industry sources cited by Taiwanese publication DigiTimes in a report focused on flash memory supplier Winbond. From the report:Winbond is also expected to be among the NOR flash suppliers for Apple's next-generation AirPods Pro slated for launch later in the first half of this year, the...

In its Black History Month announcement this morning, Apple has confirmed that iOS 14.4 and watchOS 7.3 will be released later today. watchOS 7.3 expands the ECG app on the Apple Watch Series 4 and newer to Japan, Mayotte, Thailand, and the Philippines, while iOS 14.4 introduces a notification on iPhone 12 models with non-genuine cameras. Both software updates also add support for a new...

Apple today announced that it will be celebrating Black History Month with curated content that highlights and amplifies Black creators, artists, developers, and businesses across the App Store, Apple Music, the Apple TV app, Apple Books, Apple Podcasts, and more. The content will be featured throughout the month of February. Black Unity Sport Band has "Truth. Power. Solidarity." ...

Apple today officially introduced Time to Walk, a new feature for Apple Fitness+ subscribers with audio stories from influential people that Apple Watch users can listen to with AirPods or other wireless headphones while walking. Time to Walk episodes will be automatically downloaded to the Apple Watch with a Fitness+ subscription, and users can start an episode directly from the Workout...

Earlier this week, Apple seeded the watchOS 7.3 Release Candidate, which is typically the final beta version of a software update. The release notes for the update list a new "Time to Walk" feature for Apple Fitness+ subscribers, described as "an audio experience in the Workout app where guests share inspiring stories as you walk." Apple Fitness+ subscribers will be able to open the Workout...

Since the launch of iPhone 12 models in October, Apple has acknowledged that the devices may cause electromagnetic interference with medical devices like pacemakers and defibrillators, but the company has now shared additional information. Apple added the following paragraph to a related support document today:Medical devices such as implanted pacemakers and defibrillators might contain...

Apple's stock price closed at an all-time high of $139.07 today after reaching a new intraday record of $139.85 moments earlier. The gains come just five days before Apple is set to report its earnings results for the first quarter of the 2021 fiscal year. Many analysts forecast that Apple's quarterly revenue will exceed the $100 billion mark for the first time thanks to strong iPhone 12...

Apple has placed a straight-to-series order for "Lessons in Chemistry," a 1960s-era drama series starring actress Brie Larson, according to Variety. The series is expected to begin streaming on Apple TV+ in spring 2022. The report notes that Larson will play Elizabeth Zott, whose dream of being a scientist is put on hold due to gender stereotypes:Set in the early 1960s, "Lessons in...

Last week, reputable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo outlined his expectations for new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models later this year, including the return of the MagSafe charging connector, the removal of the Touch Bar, a new flat-edged design, and the return of more ports built into the notebooks for expanded connectivity. A concept of a modern MacBook Pro with an SD card reader Kuo did not...