Category Archives: Apple
Chinese activists complain of Apple Store light pollution
Environmental activist group, Friends of the Earth HK, claims Apple’s Causeway flagship store in Hong Kong is a major contributor to light pollution in the area. Apple reportedly runs about 500 lamps and spotlights over night, and the light spills outside of the store into the Hong Kong streets. According to a report in M.I.C. Gadget, Friends of the Earth HK says light from the store can be seen as far as 700 meters away.
Hong Kong is known for its colorful and illuminated skyline, but all these lights may be having a negative effect on residents. A recent study suggests that parts of Hong Kong have light levels that are 1,200 times higher than international standards. This nighttime brightness is affecting the sleep patterns of residents who can’t escape the blinking neon. A government task force is looking at ways of curbing light pollution from restaurants, retail outlets and other buildings in the area. Though Apple isn’t being targeted by the government, M.I.C. Gadget claims the council has received several complaints about the amount of light pouring out of Apple’s retail stores at night.
Apple releases Senate testimony as panel announces it avoided billions in taxes
A Congressional panel has found that Apple avoided billions in taxes, the New York Times reports, thanks to an intricate network of subsidiaries throughout the globe. The structure of some of these sub-companies in certain countries made them exempt from paying or filing taxes or record-keeping laws.
The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations found that kept $74 billion from the IRS between 2009 and 2012. Apple is not charged, however, with breaking any laws.
Apple has published the full text of its upcoming testimony to the Senate congressional panel, which it’s scheduled to make on Tuesday. Among those to testify include CEO Tim Cook. Cook spoke with The Washington Post last week about his ideas to repatriate some of those billions, and points out that the company is focused on creating jobs in the U.S. and most likely will pay $7 billion in taxes to the U.S. in 2013.
Five apps to help you identify birds and their beautiful songs
Spring means migration and the return of birds to many parts of North America. It also means warmer weather and sunny days that are perfect for birding. Here is a list of apps to help you get outside and start learning about our feathered friends (all prices are USD).
Field Guide for birds [iOS Universal; $0.99 to $19.99]
Turkish Prime Minister visits Apple HQ
The Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was seen visiting Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino over the weekend, reports The Hurriyet Daily News. The visit was part of a series of stops to major technology companies in Silicon Valley, including Google and Microsoft. The visit wasn’t just out of casual interest on the PM’s part, however. Turkey is seeking to purchase 10.6 million tablet computers for use in its schools.
Even for a company as large as Apple, an additional 10.6 million iPads sold would be massive. It’s unknown who Erdoğan met with at Apple, but this was not the first time a Turkish government official stopped by. Way back in 2011, Turkish Trade Minister Zafer Caglayan visited Apple to discuss the same tablet education program.
Weekend Poll: What apps did you discover via the 50 billionth download contest?
On Wednesday, Apple sold its 50 billionth iOS app. TUAW was there keeping track of the excitement and monitoring the iTunes store. Many of our colleagues and readers used this contest as an opportunity to stock up on numerous free apps, to test and explore.
Were you one of them?
