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Apple plans nation's biggest private fuel cell energy project
Apple has made several moves lately that point to it becoming one of the nation's leaders in terms of adopting clean energy technology. First, the company announced that is installing a 20-megawatt solar farm across from the Maiden, North Carolina data center. Now the Greenboro, N.C. News & Record reports that the company plans to install the largest private fuel cell energy project in America near Maiden. The project, which should be producing energy by the end of the year, will use large modular fuel cells from Bloom Energy of Sunnyvale, California. The company's "Bloom Boxes" (see photo above) are in use in a number of other fuel cell projects throughout the country, primarily in California. Fuel cells produce electrical energy from hydrogen gas through an electro-chemical process, with water being the only byproduct. They've been used on NASA spacecraft for years, and have only recently made an impact on electrical power generation. The technology is rather expensive, which is why most fuel cell installations have been made in California where the state provides incentives equal to about half of the installation cost. Apparently, the hydrogen fuel will be produced from natural gas feedstocks, with Apple hoping to offset the use of natural gas with landfill methane gas or other biogas. Bloom Boxes are being used for clean energy production by a number of other large tech firms, including Adobe, eBay, and Google.
How America benefits from Apple
Apple has gone from near death in the 1990s to the pinnacle of success two decades later. TIME tech journalist Ben Bajarin notes in a post today that the company is a highly important and necessary part of the American economy and says that "America needs Apple to keep doing what it's doing." Probably the biggest point Bajarin makes is that Apple now drives economic growth in the country. During a deep recession, the company showed record growth and revenues. Apple didn't stay stagnant during this recession or the previous dot-com bust; instead, the company invested in retail stores and completely new product lines (iPod in the early 2000s, iPad in the 2010s). Apple's impact on the S&P 500 was remarkable in the last quarter; if Apple had been taken out of the picture, the S&P 500 growth rate would have been only half (around 3 percent) of the figure with the company. Bajarin also points out the positive impact of the iOS app economy, which by Apple's own measures has created about 210,000 jobs. Add to that the huge number of accessory manufacturers that have sprung up in the U.S. (think of DODOcase and Pen & Quill, for example), and the impact is even greater. Apple has made America technologically competitive again, with the most wildly popular consumer electronics products not coming from Asia or Europe but from the U.S. Bajarin also postulates that American cell phone companies wouldn't have invested as much in 3G and 4G networks if the iPhone hadn't been around to create the need for those networks. It's time to take the "pie" out of the old saying and just say "It's as American as Apple."
Apple workers quite fond of CEO Tim Cook
Apple employees were happy when Steve Jobs was at the helm and now his successor is receiving the same adoration. According to Glassdoor's March 2012 list of the top 25 highest rated CEOs, Tim Cook takes the top spot with a 97 percent approval rating. This matches Steve Jobs's rating when he resigned from the CEO position last August. It also beat Job's 2011 rating (March 2010 to March 2011) which was 95 percent. [Via AllThingsD]
Tim Cook meets with China's Vice Premier
Apple CEO Tim Cook met with Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing yesterday to discuss intellectual property rights and, most likely, the ongoing iPad trademark dispute with beleaguered monitor manufacturer Proview. According to M.I.C. Gadget, which provided footage from Chinese TV of the meeting between Cook and the Vice Premier, Li "is a vice commerce minister and official of the National Development and Reform Commission, and will almost certainly be preparing to become China's prime minister." Chinese news agency Xinhua said that the Vice Premier promised Cook that China would boost intellectual property rights protection. In return, Cook assured Li that Apple would strengthen its cooperation with the Chinese and conduct business "in a law-abiding and honest manner." Li also called on multinational companies like Apple to "pay more attention to caring for workers in China," something the company has made a priority in 2012. Video of the meeting is included below.
Tim Cook meets with mayor of Beijing
Tim Cook was spotted in a Beijing Apple store on Monday and a report from a Chinese newspaper says the Apple CEO also met with Guo Jinlong, mayor of Beijing, later that day. Details about the meeting are not known, but it is thought he talked about market expansion and working more closely in the future with the Chinese city. Apple spokesperson Carolyn Wu confirmed Cook's trip to China and said, "Tim is in China meeting with government officials. China is very important to us and we look forward to greater investment and growth here." [Via Computerworld]
Apple prepping web images for iPad Retina display
AppleInsider is reporting that portions of Apple.com have been upgraded to take advantage of the new iPad's Retina display and HiDPI screens. So far, the changes have been made to the home page and iPad portions of the site. AppleInsider has several comparison shots made in normal version, the bottom screenshot above, and with HiDPI, enabled in OS X 10.7.3.
Apple begins defense against possible ebook antitrust case
Apple is wasting no time beginning to defend itself against the possibility of a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) antitrust action alleging that the company conspired with publishers to fix ebook prices. Last week, Apple requested that a class action suit alleging price-fixing on ebooks be thrown out. Part of the suit hinges on a comment that Steve Jobs made to the Wall Street Journal's Walt Mossberg in January of 2010, saying that unhappy publishers might decide to withhold ebooks from Amazon. Lawyers in the class action suit think that Jobs's comment meant that Apple and publishers were conspiring to force Amazon to raise ebook prices. Apple's retort last week says that the lawyers "mischaracterized" the exchange, and that Jobs only meant that Apple had a different strategy in the ebook business than Amazon. Apple says that it wants to sell as many ebooks as possible, which is totally believable since the company is still a relative bit player in the ebook market. As a result, the company would not have an incentive to raise prices on ebooks. But Apple's argument fails to address accusations that Jobs schemed with publishers to slow Amazon's eventual move into the tablet market with the Kindle Fire. Apple's lawyers responded in their court filing last week by downplaying the threat of the Kindle Fire: But this allegation just strings together antitrust buzzwords.. Nor does this "Kindle theory" make sense on its own terms. For example, if Amazon was a "threat" that needed to be squelched by means of an illegal conspiracy, why would Apple offer Amazon's Kindle app on the iPad? Why would Apple conclude that conspiring to force Amazon to no longer lose money on eBooks would cripple Amazon's competitive fortunes? And why would Apple perceive the need for an illegal solution to the "Kindle threat" when it had an obvious and lawful one which it implemented – namely, introducing a multipurpose device (the iPad) whose marketing and sales success was not centered on eBook sales? There are rumors that some publishers are currently in settlement talks with the DOJ. These publishers might be exchanging damning information for a lesser settlement, which could spell trouble for both Apple and other publishers.
Apple's job-creation data spawns debate
Last Friday, Apple released employment data that suggests the company is directly and indirectly responsible for 500,000 jobs in the US. Now that the study has been out for a few days, economists are debating its accuracy, says a New York Times report. Some believe Apple is boosting its numbers by claiming workers who would have been employed at other places if Apple didn't exist. Others question Apple's use of job multipliers which are used to estimate the number of indirect workers associated with an industry. When Apple says it's responsible for 210,000 app economy jobs, the company uses a multiplier to arrive at this figure. Because they can vary so widely, the use of these estimates are fiercely debated among economists. The one thing most economists can agree on is that Apple has a big impact on the economy and is creating new jobs in the US. The extent of this impact and the number of jobs will likely be debated for years to come.
Apple is Fortune's Most Admired Company for fifth year in a row
For the fifth year in a row, Apple has taken the honors as Fortune's Most Admired Company. Apple aced out Google, Amazon.com, Coca-Cola, and IBM. Those companies that took second through fifth places respectively. Fortune cited Apple's stellar financial performance during the last year as the main reason for the company coming in at number one on the list: "The company's annual revenues climbed to US$108 billion, led by an 81% increase in iPhone sales -- a jump that doesn't factor in the runaway success of the iPhone 4S -- and a 334% spike in iPad sales, due in no small part to the revamped iPad 2. Increased sales across the board explain why shares soared 75% during the company's fiscal year to $495." This year's win ties General Electric for the number of appearances at the top of the Most Admired Company list. One more win in 2013 will put Apple at the top of the heap for years to come. You can read about Apple's wins in 2011 and 2010 by clicking these links.
Former Xbox Live marketing exec may join Apple
Apple conquered the smartphone and tablet market, and it may be turning its sights on the gaming market next. According to a report from MCV, Robin Burrowes, the Xbox Live marketing manager for EMEA, has left Microsoft to join Apple. Burrowes will supposedly take over marketing for the App Store in Europe. Apple hasn't commented on this report, so this is still a rumor. If this is true, Burrowes will become the third high-profile gaming hire to join Apple in the past year. Apple also grabbed Rob Saunders, former PR and communications boss for Nintendo, and Nick Grange, the previous PR head for Xbox. Does this mean Apple is taking a new direction in gaming? Probably not. We'll likely see an increase in marketing for iOS games as a result. There may also be an increased emphasis on iOS as a gaming platform to replace portables like the Nintendo DS. Portable gaming is on a downward slide, and, as MacStories recently points out, Nintendo needs to overhaul its business before the iPhone and iPad steal it away. [Via Macgasm]
Chinese readers respond to story of Apple's Chinese suppliers
The financial world's eyes are on Apple this week after it announced record-breaking quarterly earnings. In the midst of all this commentary and congratulations, there was also a sobering article by New York Times reporters Charles Duhigg and David Barboza. Titled "In China, Human Costs Are Built Into an iPad," the story was critical of Apple's relationship with its overseas manufacturing partners. The piece details the purported harsh working conditions found in the factories of the contract companies that build Apple products. The 7-page article claims Apple puts incredible pressure on its partners to produce a large volume of components in a short amount of time and for little profit. This incredible pressure forces companies like Foxconn and Wintek to cut corners and risk the safety of their workers to meet Apple's demands. Apple supposedly turns a blind eye to these practices and will even cut money to companies that complain. The article ends with a statement that implicates Apple fans in this scandal by saying "And right now, customers care more about a new iPhone than working conditions in China." This report was reprinted in the Chinese business magazine, Caixin, and elicited equally emotional responses by the Chinese who both support and condemn Apple. Here are a few samples of the comments left on the Chinese report, If people saw what kind of life workers lived before they found a job at Foxconn, they would come to an opposite conclusion of this story: that Apple is such a philanthropist. - Zhengchu1982 Apple has gained so much sales revenues from China. Do you think the company really cares about the conditions of those workers? I think they are just proud of having an Apple product. - 李凌云-深圳 1.) It is a pity that, we know that for Apple fans, such a story won't stop their enthusiasm. Just like people are still buying Nike and Adidas shoes, knowing that shoe manufacturing is highly environmentally hazardous; 2.) if a government cannot guarantee the welfare of its own 120 million disadvantaged population and even suppresses their appeals, then how could we require an overseas company to protect the labor rights in a Chinese factory? - Jionglegejiong When the explosion happened, I was working for media in Chengdu. Domestic media were all silenced and only allowed to use the (Xinhua) official report, because that (Foxconn factory) was a key project. Compare to what The New York Times wrote, the gap really saddened my heart. - Chen Qiye Without Apple, Chinese workers will be worse off. I hope China can some day soon have dozens of its own companies like Apple, who (only) work on high-end research and development and send manufacturing lines to Africa. - Anonymous In the end, there's no easy answer to this problem. Apple tries to be transparent and releases an annual report that details its progress in improving supplier working conditions. Apple can pressure its suppliers to conform to its standards, but it has no control over regulation in a foreign country. Is Apple doing enough, or does it need to do more to ensure the safety of workers at other companies? Right now, the best thing we can do is bring this problem to light and get people (and companies) talking about it. [Via AppleInsider]
Apple increasing operations in Israel with Anobit, new research center
Apple recently confirmed its purchase of Israeli-based flash memory firm Anobit, and today Israeli business newspaper Calcalist reports [Google translation, subscription required] Apple will open a research center in Haifa this February. Calcalist notes that the research center is not related to the Anobit acquisition, and Anobit employees should not expect to be working there. Speaking of employees, Apple is reportedly seeking engineers with experience in chip development, and has already received "several hundred resumes" from interested hopefuls. During yesterday's earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook noted that Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering Bob Mansfield is now in charge of the Anobit team. [Via 9to5 Mac]
Apple changes approach to iAds
Apple is reportedly altering the terms of its iAds mobile advertising service in an attempt to attract more customers. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports that the price of entry has dropped (again) as Apple is becoming more flexible with the pricing structure in general and even wooing potential advertisers onsite in Cupertino. According to "a person familiar with the matter," the WSJ reports that the price of entry has dropped to US$400,000. That's down from the half-a-million price tag the company adopted in February and further still from the cool million that was required when the service launched. The Journal also suggests that Apple is prepared to cap its per-tap charge to advertisers. Previously unlimited, the $2 per-tap fee (and $10 per thousand views) was quickly draining advertising budgets. There were no further details on how the cap would work or when it will take effect. Finally, Apple has supposedly been providing high-profile marketing executives with information sessions and tours of the Cupertino campus. While this is common practice for many Silicon Valley corporations, the Journal notes that Apple hasn't wooed advertising executives like this before. Shiv Singh, head of digital at PepsiCo Beverages, told the Journal "[Apple] are still learning the advertising world." The success of the iAds program has been debated by analysts on the outside. In August of 2010, just a month after the first iAds began to appear, the Wall Street Journal noted that advertisers were balking at Apple's insistence on creative control, causing friction. A pricey trademark settlement reportedly costs Apple $1M in October of 2010. Then in February of this year, a study conducted by Medialets suggested that iOS ads were surging against Android.
Apple recruiting engineers for Siri team
Apple is hiring more engineers for the Siri team, with at least two postings open for iOS software engineers dedicated to the project. "You will primarily be responsible for implementing the content that appears within the conversational view. This is a broad-ranging task -- we take every application that Siri interacts with, distill it down to fundamentals, and implement that application's UI in a theme fitting with Siri," one posting notes. "Consider it an entire miniature OS within the OS, and you get a good idea of the scope!" These positions have been open since early November, but they were brought into the spotlight recently when Siri UI manager Dan Keen posted them on Twitter. AppleInsider subsequently pointed out that three postings also exist for Language Technologies Engineers dedicated to bringing Siri support to languages beyond those it currently supports. Siri's functionality is already quite impressive -- despite a few wildly overpublicized hiccups -- but it's clear that Apple isn't content to let the service stay as it is for too long.
iPad production is just fine, says All Things D
Yesterday there was a small panic around the web when Bloomberg noted a report by Hong Kong-based J.P. Morgan analyst Gokul Hariharan who noted that Apple supposedly cut its fourth quarter orders for iPad components by 25%. Such a component cut could mean that iPad 2 sales were in trouble. However, that's probably not the case. Today, AllThingsD noted that Sterne Agee's Shaw Wu has issued a research note saying that build plans for the iPad 2 remain "well above expectations," and expects that any production cuts should be no cause for concern: "From our understanding, these production cuts are due to much improved capacity and Apple actively managing its inventory in front of what is likely an iPad refresh in the March quarter. The iPad 2 started shipping in March 2011 making the product likely due for an update near its 1-year anniversary. We would also like to remind investors that production changes are common throughout a quarter and through the lifecycle of a product." Wu went on to say that distributor checks of iPad 2 sales indicated demand of the device remains strong. He also reiterated his iPad shipment estimates for Q4 2011 (which ends on Friday) of 12 million iPad 2s sold and the holiday quarter's Q1 2012 shipments of 15 million iPad 2s.
Apple pilots program to loan iPads to retail employees
CNET reports that Apple is trying out a new program to let retail employees "check out" an iPad for a week at a time. They're free to use the iPads and familiarize themselves with that device during the week. When the time is up, the unit is to be returned to the store's loaner stock. For now, CNET says, the program is limited to Apple's San Francisco store in California. It certainly makes sense to let sales people familiarize themselves with the things they're selling. So far, there's no word on if or when this program will launch at other locations.
Apple launches charitable matching program for employees
MacRumors has confirmed that Apple has instituted a program to match its employees' charitable donations, up to US$10,000 per year. It's restricted to full-time employees in the U.S. for now, but the company hopes to expand that. Tim Cook announced the initiative to Apple's employees earlier today: "Team: I am very happy to announce that we are kicking off a matching gift program for charitable donations. We are all really inspired by the generosity of our co-workers who give back to the community and this program is going to help that individual giving go even farther. Starting September 15, when you give money to a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, Apple will match your gift dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000 annually. This program will be for full-time employees in the US at first, and we'll expand it to other parts of the world over time. Thank you all for working so hard to make a difference, both here at Apple and in the lives of others. I am incredibly proud to be part of this team. If you'd like more information on the program, you can get it on HRWeb, which can be easily accessed through AppleWeb. Tim" Good on Apple and CEO Tim Cook. It sounds like a great program.
Eddy Cue promoted to Senior VP of Internet Services
Apple has promoted its Vice President for Internet Services, Eddy Cue, to Senior Vice President for Internet Software and Services. The promotion represents the first reorganization of Apple's leadership under Tim Cook's command. Cook distributed an email earlier today, first obtained by 9to5Mac, that announced Cue's promotion to the company: Team, It is my pleasure to announce the promotion of Eddy Cue to Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services. Eddy will report to me and will serve on Apple's executive management team. Eddy oversees Apple's industry-leading content stores including the iTunes Store, the revolutionary App Store and the iBookstore, as well as iAd and Apple's innovative iCloud services. He is a 22-year Apple veteran and leads a large organization of amazing people. He played a major role in creating the Apple online store in 1998, the iTunes Music Store in 2003 and the App Store in 2008. Apple is a company and culture unlike any other in the world and leaders like Eddy get that. Apple is in their blood. Eddy and the entire executive management team are dedicated to making the best products in the world that delight our customers and make our employees incredibly proud of what they do. Please join me in congratulating Eddy on this significant and well-deserved promotion. I have worked with Eddy for many years and look forward to working with him even closer in the future. Tim As a Senior Vice President, Apple has given Cue his own biography page, which lists his new duties at Apple. Among them, Cue will oversee the iTunes Store, the App Store, the iBookstore, Apple's iCloud services and the iAd advertising platform. Good luck, Eddy!
Antitrust investigation examining Apple-led Nortel patent purchase
Antitrust officials are reportedly examining the recent consortium purchase of Nortel's patent portfolio. According to the Washington Post, the Feds are interested in determining how Google will be affected by the sale: "Federal antitrust enforcers are scrutinizing whether Google, often accused of abusing its Web search power, is facing an unfair coalition of companies that could block its popular Android mobile phone software, according to a source close to the matter." Specifically, it's the board reach of included patents that has drawn attention. Apple, EMC, Ericsson, Microsoft, RIM and Sony were among the consortium that took part in the sale. We'll have more on this story as it develops over time.
Apple to create 350 jobs in Cork, Ireland
There's good news for Cork, Ireland residents looking for work. The Irish Examiner is reporting that Apple intends to create 350 jobs in the city. Apple has reportedly leased the top two floors of a building on Cork's Half Moon Street (about 25,000 sq ft.), which was completed in 2009. This won't be Apple's first cluster of offices in Ireland or in Cork for that matter. The Irish Examiner notes that Apple has had "a major presence" at Hollyhill on the northside of Cork. Also, the Examiner reports that Apple looked at several locations in Cork before deciding on the Half Moon Street spot. Local retailers hope that Apple's staffers in "the striking glazed building" (that even sounds like a space Apple would occupy) will spend their hard-earned dollars at the city's restaurants, bars, shops and so on. Good luck to Apple in its new space and to the mom-and-pop shops of Cork. May you have a long and lucrative relationship.
