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Tag Archives: Apple

Investors Bring Ethics Into the Spotlight with Open Letter to Apple

It’s not often that business matters intersect so directly with ethical discussions, but activist hedge fund JANA Partners wrote a letter to Apple with the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (Caltstrs) earlier this year asking them to become more directly involved in efforts to protect children from the potentially harmful effects of technology and screen time. The letter was called “Think Differently About Kids” as is open to the public.

Together, the two funds hold around $2 billion in Apple shares. They called upon Apple, one of the “most valuable brand names in the world”, to “offer parents more choices and tools to help them ensure that young consumers are using your products in an optimal manner.  By doing so, we believe Apple would once again be playing a pioneering role, this time by setting an example about the obligations of technology companies to their youngest customers.”

Th letter, written by JANA managing partner Barry Rosenstein and Calstrs head of corporate governance Anne Sheehan, claimed “it would defy common sense to argue this level of usage, by children whose brains are still developing, is not having at least some impact, or that the maker of such a powerful product has no role to play in helping parents to ensure it is being used optimally.”

The letter goes on the explain the various impacts that screen time has on kids, including a decrease in focus, increased suicide risk, sleep deprivation, and decreased empathy, among others.

“We believe there is a clear need for Apple to offer parents more choices and tools to help them ensure that young consumers are using your products in an optimal manner,” the letter states.

Apple issued a statement, but did not directly address the letter. “We think deeply about how our products are used and the impact they have on users and the people around them,” they said. “We take this responsibility very seriously and we are committed to meeting and exceeding our customers’ expectations, especially when it comes to protecting kids.”

 

 

Investors Prepare for Apple’s Newest Device and Asian Breakthrough

Later today, Apple will unveil its newest iPhone. Investors have high hopes for the new device, and many are building bullish share and options positions. The unveiling will take place at a media event in Cupertino, California. Apple’s newest models include he iPhone 5S, and the cheaper version, the iPhone 5C. Experts also expect the… Continue Reading

A New and Improved Siri

Recent reports suggest that Apple may be fixing its iPhone voice-enabled task and search manager by boosting its speed and accuracy. Siri, though loved by many users, is often very slow. Business Insider explains that this is “because your voice commands are being transferred to Siri’s brain, which is online in the cloud, before an… Continue Reading

The iWatch: Apple’s Newest Project

According to Nick Bilton of the New York Times, Apple is currently working on a new project: an iWatch. Utilizing curved glass the perfectly fit a person’s wrist, these “smart watches” may not yet be in actual development. Bilton explains: “In its headquarters in Cupertino, California, Apple is experimenting with wristwatch0like devices made of curved… Continue Reading

Apple Wins Yet Another Tech Emmy Award

The National Academy of Television Arts just granted Apple a Tech Emmy Award at CES 2013. The iPhone maker is one of the leading technology companies in the world. According to Forbes, Apple’s latest award is for an “eco-system for Real Time Presentation of TV Content to Mobile Devices without the use of Specialized Television… Continue Reading

IBM’s “Watson” Heading to a Phone Near You

After four years of development and a sensational successful run on the TV quiz show “Jeopardy!” IBM’s answer to Apple’s Siri is ready for the next step: placement inside consumer’s pockets. Vice president of innovation at IBM, Bernie Meyerson, says that he sees Watson as a voice-activated electronic personal assistant which can answer questions in… Continue Reading

Apple Disappoints Investors as Stock Falls Short of Expectations

The manufacturer of iPhones and Mac computers, Apple Inc dismayed Wall Street investors on Tuesday when shares in the exceedingly stable and world’s leading technology company fell over 5 percent of their value, the second quarterly fall in under one year. The disheartening results show that even the usually rock-solid Apple brand is becoming vulnerable… Continue Reading

Netflix Steals Top Spot from Apple

IHS iSuppli, the market research company, recently announced the Netflix has pushed past Apple to become the leading online movie provider in the United States. Back in 2011, Netflix’s market share rose to 44%, from less than 1% only a year before. Apple, on the other hand, recorded a major loss, falling to 32.2% from… Continue Reading