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Saturday, 8 February 2020

Foxconn's Plans to Restart Apple Device Production on Monday Were Called Off By Chinese Health Authorities

Foxconn was originally planning to reopen its factories on Monday to begin production on Apple devices after the Lunar New Year holiday, but the company's plans were denied by Chinese Authorities due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, reports Nikkei.

Public health experts told Foxconn that its Shenzhen factories face "high risks of coronavirus infection" after on-site inspections were conducted, with the information relayed to Nikkei through multiple sources. Health officials were concerned about the poor airflow in restaurants and dormitories, and the use of central air conditioning.

"Violation of epidemic prevention and control could potentially face the death penalty," the internal meeting memo seen by the Nikkei Asian Review said.

Foxconn's Zhengzhou complex, which is its biggest iPhone factory, has also cancelled plans to resume work on Monday. Local governments are concerned the virus will spread quickly in a labor-intensive working environment, and "no one wants to bear the responsibility of restarting work at this critical moment," one of the sources said.

Foxconn on Friday cancelled flight bookings for Taiwanese employees to go back to China, and the company already told employees in Shenzhen not to return to work.

The Zhengzhou complex will remain closed until it has until it has been evaluated and approved by the local government. Innolux, Foxconn's display arm, will also remain closed for the time being, and iPad supplier Compal Electronics also has plans to stay closed until February 17.

Apple has also extended the shutdown of its own retail stores in China. Stores were supposed to open on Monday, but Apple has decided to wait until February 15.

There have already been multiple reports suggesting these factory closures will have an impact on Apple's device production plans, and we could see dwindling device supplies and lengthening shipping times in the near future. AirPods and AirPods Pro could be impacted as a product already in short supply, and these delays may also affect the upcoming low-cost iPhone that Apple has in development.

Production on the new low-cost ‌iPhone‌, which has been referred to the "iPhone SE 2" or the "iPhone 9" was supposed to begin in February, but it's not clear if Apple will be able to remain on schedule.

Foxconn told Nikkei that its operation schedules for facilities in China follow local government recommendations, and that it has not "received requests from [its] customers on the need to resume production earlier," but it did slash its 2020 revenue outlook earlier this month.

The coronavirus has infected more than 31,000 people and caused 722 deaths, mainly in China.

This article, "Foxconn's Plans to Restart Apple Device Production on Monday Were Called Off By Chinese Health Authorities" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Hulu’s Utopia Falls Is About the Revolutionary Power of Art in a Dystopia

Art can change your life. Free expression can give you the power to understand yourself, your past, the world around you. It can even set off a revolution. Utopia Falls is hoping that premise makes for good drama when it comes to Hulu.

Maybe Microsoft's Xbox Chief Didn't Say the Stupidest Thing About Cloud Gaming This Week

In a quote in Politico’s new technology-focused publication, Protocol, Xbox Chief Phil Spencer said something seemingly earth-shattering for any gamer: It isn’t Nintendo or Sony that Microsoft views as primary competitors in the gaming space, but Amazon and Google. That sounds deeply stupid. Google’s Stadia has…

Everything New in iOS 13.4: iCloud Folder Sharing, Updated Mail Toolbar, New Memoji Stickers, and More

Apple this week released the first beta of iOS 13.4 with several new features, including the enabling of iCloud Folder Sharing, an updated Mail toolbar with a relocated trash button to avoid accidentally-deleted emails, a new collection of Memoji stickers, and more.

We've rounded up all of the changes that we've found in the iOS 13.4 and iPadOS 13.4 betas so far, complete with a video!

iOS 13.4 Beta Reveals 'CarKey' Feature That Would Turn Your iPhone or Apple Watch Into a Car Key

While not mentioned in the release notes, the iOS 13.4 beta also includes early signs of an interesting feature that would allow you to use your iPhone or Apple Watch as a digital car key.

Namely, the iOS 13.4 beta contains strings of code that reference an unreleased "CarKey" framework that would enable an iPhone or Apple Watch to lock or unlock compatible vehicles and start the engine to drive.

"CarKey" would be built into the Wallet app and could be shared with others, giving them full unlocking and driving capabilities. This promises to be a really interesting feature and we've got all of the details right here.

New Apple TV Uncovered in tvOS 13.4 Beta

A refreshed Apple TV with an A12 Bionic chip or newer appears to be in development, based on an unreleased model with the codename "T1125" uncovered in this week's tvOS 13.4 beta.

The new Apple TV is expected to sport a faster A12 or A13 chip, while maintaining a max supported resolution of 4K with HDR. The faster processor would certainly benefit Apple Arcade gaming and overall performance.

It is unclear if or when the new Apple TV will be released. Apple typically holds its first media event of a calendar year in March. The current Apple TV 4K model was released in September 2017.

Apple Patents Foldable Device With Movable Flaps to Prevent Display From Creasing

Apple this week has been granted a patent for a foldable device with a unique hinge mechanism that utilizes movable flaps to help prevent the display from being creased or damaged when folded.

Granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the patent explains that the hinge mechanism would ensure adequate separation between the first and second portions of the display. When the device is unfolded, movable flaps would extend to cover the gap, and then retract when the device is folded.

FBI Has Still Not Managed to Unlock iPhone Used by Mass Shooter in Florida Last Year

A report this week claimed that FBI officials have still not managed to unlock a passcode-protected iPhone that investigators believe was owned by Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, the perpetrator of a mass shooting at a Naval Air Station in Florida in December.

FBI director Christopher Wray said his agency is "currently engaged with Apple hoping to see if we can get better help from them so we can get access to that phone."

Last month, the FBI asked Apple for its assistance with unlocking the iPhone in a letter sent to the company's chief lawyer Katherine Adams.

Apple Now Offering At-Home Repairs in Select Cities

Apple is now offering an onsite repair option for customers in select U.S. cities who need issues with their devices addressed but aren't able to visit an Apple Store or a repair shop.

The service is being offered in partnership with authorized service provider Go Tech Services, which promises to repair your device "at your home or office."

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This article, "Top Stories: iOS 13.4 Beta, iPhone 'CarKey' Leak, New Apple TV?" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Saturday's Best Deals: L.L. Bean Boots, Car Seat Warmers, Backcountry Fleece, and More

An L.L. Bean Clearance Sale, an Extra 20% Off Fleece and Insulated Jackets, and a Digital Magazines Gold Box lead off Saturday’s best deals from around the web.