by Laghe Andrews | Dec 27, 2023 | Business News, Latest |
In a world where technology has evolved into a necessity, companies are continuously innovating and developing products to meet users’ demands. However, when these innovations seemingly cross boundaries, leading tech giant Apple finds itself in a peculiar position. The latest in this saga is the clash between Apple and Beeper Mini, with the former clamping down on the latter’s service that brought iMessage to Android.
The Dawn of Beeper Mini
Beeper Mini, a startup that has been causing ripples in the tech world, set out with a revolutionary goal: to bring the ‘blue bubble’ texts of iMessage to Android users. This seemed like a dream come true for many Android users who had long envied their iPhone counterparts. However, it appears that this dream was short-lived as Beeper Mini started experiencing an unexpected outage, which they reported on their social media platforms recently.
Apple’s Role in the Outage
The outage was not a mere coincidence or technical glitch. In fact, Beeper Mini directly attributed the issue to Apple. Users started noticing error messages popping up when trying to send texts through the newly launched Beeper Mini. The messages simply weren’t going through.
Error Message Display: “Failed to lookup on server: lookup request timed out”
Beeper Mini’s Response to the Outage
In reaction to the sudden outage and flooding queries, Beeper Mini’s team advised users to report the problem from the app to allow them to investigate. Beeper’s CEO, Eric Migicovsky, provided more clarity on the situation. When asked if Apple might have found a way to hinder Beeper Mini’s functionality, his response was affirmative.
Eric Migicovsky Tweet: “Investigating reports that sending/receiving is not working in Beeper Mini 🔎”
Why Beeper Mini Matters
Beeper Mini, in the eyes of its founder, was not only a boon for Android users but also a security enhancer for iPhone users. Migicovsky, who has previously founded the smartwatch Pebble, explained that the conventional ‘green bubble’ texts were unencrypted. This meant that the texts between iPhone and Android users were open for anyone, including Apple, phone carriers, and Google, to read.
Eric Migicovsky, CEO of Beeper: “Beeper Mini actually increases the security of iPhones”
Apple’s Perspective on iMessage
Contrary to Beeper Mini’s stance, Apple sees iMessage as a key tool for retaining its users within its ecosystem. This is one of the reasons why Apple has refrained from launching an iMessage app for Android. Recent news indicates that Apple won’t have to make iMessage more interoperable due to EU regulations, as the service is not popular enough with business users. This gives Apple no reason to not shut down Beeper Mini if it can.
Controversy Surrounding Apple’s Move
Migicovsky expressed his discontent with Apple’s decision, questioning their commitment to user security and privacy.
Eric Migicovsky: “If Apple truly cares about the privacy and security of their own iPhone users, why would they try to kill a service that enables iPhones to send encrypted chats to Android users?”
The Future of Beeper Mini
Following Apple’s clampdown, the future of Beeper Mini seems uncertain. Migicovsky stated that they are evaluating options, but no concrete plan has been shared yet.
Apple’s Statement
In response to the controversy, Apple released a statement emphasizing their commitment to user privacy and security. They stated that the steps taken were to protect users from potential risks associated with unauthorized access to iMessage.
Apple Statement: “We will continue to make updates in the future to protect our users”
Beeper’s Other Ventures
Beeper, founded in 2020, initially focused on a multi-platform messaging aggregator, which was renamed Beeper Cloud as Beeper Mini launched. Beeper Cloud allows Android users to text iMessage users as if they were texting from an iPhone, all for a nominal monthly fee.
Apple’s Roadblock for Beeper Mini
Despite Beeper Mini’s innovative approach, Apple’s servers were able to cut off Beeper Mini’s access. It’s unclear how Apple achieved this, but it has certainly raised questions about the power dynamics in the tech world.
Conclusion
The clash between Apple and Beeper Mini has brought to light the complexities surrounding interoperability and user privacy. As tech giants continue to hold their ground, it remains to be seen how smaller startups navigate these challenges and continue to innovate.
by Jonathan P-Wright | Sep 8, 2023 | Latest, Social Justice |
In a shocking incident that gripped the nation, Jermelle English Jr, a Black man from Wisconsin, faced a wrongful arrest at a local Applebee’s. An unfortunate case of mistaken identity led to this brutal episode, sparking widespread outrage across social media platforms.
The Incident Unfolds
The incident unfolded in July, when law enforcement officers from Kenosha, Wisconsin, barged into an Applebee’s, targeting English Jr. They mistook him for a suspect involved in a hit-and-run accident. A video capturing the scene went viral, showcasing English Jr. pinned to the ground, with his 1-year-old baby nearby, as the officers began hitting him repeatedly1.
Misidentification and Charges
English Jr. and the woman accompanying him, Shanya Boyd, were taken into custody and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting police. Boyd faced an additional charge for marijuana possession. The actual culprits, whom the police were pursuing, were later discovered hiding in the Applebee’s restroom2.
Aftermath and Social Media Uproar
The aftermath of this incident was equally tumultuous. Jennifer Harris, the on-duty manager at Applebee’s at the time, recounted the chaotic scene to CBS 58. She expressed her concern for the baby and English Jr., while also noting that pepper spray was used during the scuffle3.
“It was a lot, I was worried for the baby first off, the baby and the gentleman, that was my first concern,” she said.
Harris also mentioned an employee who tried to intervene, urging the police to stop their assault. However, the cops responded by threatening to arrest him too4.
“One employee was trying to get the cops to stop punching him, he was like, ‘Hey, hey, stop, he’s on the ground, stop,’ and they pushed him, pushed my employee, and said, ‘One more word out of you and you’re arrested.'”
Manager’s Dismissal
In a shocking turn of events, Harris was fired by the restaurant chain after videos of the incident surfaced on social media. The management accused her of tarnishing the Applebee’s brand name.
“They told me they can’t trust me and that I didn’t just ruin this Applebee’s name, I ruined all the Applebee’s in Wisconsin’s name by letting these videos get out,” she stated. “I’m not the one who recorded the videos nor let them out on the internet, so I don’t understand. My employees are trying to get the right story out, so how did we ruin the name of Applebee’s?”
The Power of Social Media and Celebrity Influence
The incident, fueled by social media traction, caught the attention of influential figures, including music mogul JAY-Z. Known for his contributions towards social justice, JAY-Z reportedly helped English Jr. secure a strong legal defense5.
Conclusion
The incident at the Wisconsin Applebee’s serves as a stark reminder of the persistent racial disparities in our society. It underscores the power of social media to highlight social injustices and mobilize support. The episode has spurred a renewed call for police reform and accountability, and the fight for justice continues.
by Jonathan P-Wright | Nov 3, 2022 | Business News, Latest, Tech News |
It is now estimated that Apple is worth more than Amazon, Alphabet, and Microsoft combined. This is due to the recent tax reform bill that was passed in the United States. The bill slashed corporate taxes, which will save Apple billions of dollars. This is good news for shareholders of Apple, as the company’s stock price is sure to increase. However, it is bad news for the workers who make Apple’s products, as they are likely to see their wages stagnate or even decrease.
Apple’s stock has outperformed those of its three tech peers over both the past month and the course of 2022.
This is according to data from CNBC, which shows that Apple’s stock is up 7% since January 1st, while Amazon, Alphabet, and Microsoft are all down 2%.
Looking ahead to the rest of the year, analysts expect Apple’s stock to continue to outperform its rivals. This is due to a number of factors, including the company’s strong financial position, its growing ecosystem of products and services, and its ability to innovate.
So far this year, Apple has already launched a new line of MacBooks, a new iPad Pro, and AirPods Max. It is also expected to release a new iPhone later this year. Meanwhile, Amazon is facing increased regulation, Alphabet is dealing with antitrust issues. Given all of this, it’s not surprising that analysts are bullish on Apple’s stock.
Apple VS Amazon stock value
Apple Inc. became the first publicly traded U.S. company to surpass $2 trillion in market value on Wednesday, as a rally in its shares boosted the iPhone maker’s worth to more than double that of Amazon.com Inc., Alphabet Inc. and Microsoft Corp.
The stock’s 4% gain to close at a record $468.87 lifted Apple’s market capitalization to $2.06 trillion, eclipsing the combined value of those three tech giants, which have long been considered Wall Street heavyweights.
It is now estimated that Apple is worth more than Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta combined because its stock has reached new all-time highs. Analysts say that part of the reason for this surge is due to strong iPhone 12 sales prospects as well as positive investor sentiment around the 5G rollout. In addition, Apple’s services business continues to grow steadily, contributing an increasingly larger portion to overall company revenue growth.
There are few companies as dominant as Apple in any industry, let alone the tech industry. It is clear that Apple is here to stay and will continue to grow in value in the years to come.
by Diontae Bussey | Nov 17, 2021 | Business News, Latest, Tech News |
Apple TV is Keeping Customers Tuned in with Exclusive Content
Apple TV is not slowing down its content production on the streaming device by teaming up with new partners, building their own Apple TV Shows, and creating exclusive TV content.
What is the Apple TV?
Apple TV is a media streaming device produced by Apple Inc. It can connect to televisions through cable, satellite, or Wi-Fi networks. The 4K Apple TV has limited storage capacity, but you can plug external hard drives into a USB port on the system for additional storage space if needed.
The interface of the iTunes store is sleek and straightforward, with large tiles that make it easy to see movies and television shows while scrolling through them with a remote.
The original content made by Apple is unbelievable
Traditionally, Apple TV has been best known for its content delivery of third-party programs. However, the company has been moving into original content more aggressively since unveiling their newest original series based on Carpool Karaoke in August 2016. Created by James Corden (of Late Late Show with James Corden fame) and Ben Winston (Producer of Adele’s “Hello” music video), the show features celebrities doing their favorite tunes together over a car ride.
Available only on iOS devices, the iOS App Store has iOS apps that users can download onto their iOS device. Apple TV offers a wide range of rotating content they generate in-house or created exclusively for Apple. They also provide a variety of their own original programming that they have been rolling out over the past year, including “Planet of the Apps,” “Carpool Karaoke,” and “Clips.”
Subscription services on Apple TV
The Apple TV 4K has been a raving success since its launch, and a significant reason for this was its built-in subscription services allowing customers to stream a variety of content straight from their device. What’s more, with each new release of the Apple TV, its streaming quality continues to become sharper and clearer. With so many subscription-based video streaming services now available, devices like the Apple TV must keep up with constant improvements as this will keep customers tuned in to their content. Live TV is available on Apple TV. What’s more, there are also additional subscription-based video services, such as Hulu and Netflix.
Conclusion
Apple TV has exclusive and original content and, avoiding many of the limitations of television, is proving to be a viable solution. Apple TV continues to deliver on its promise of being everything you love in one device. Customers will want to tune in to Apple TV if they value exclusive content from their favorite programs. In addition, an unmatched experience with Siri means it’s easier than ever for customers to find and enjoy their entertainment. Apple is doing a lot to stay at the forefront of TV innovation. I firmly believe that Apple TV will carry this momentum through the remainder of 2021, which only means better things for app developers and show creators in the long run.
This article was penned by Jonathan P. Wright. Jonathan is a freelance writer for multiple mainstream publications and CVO of RADIOPUSHERS. You can read more of his work by clicking here.
by Jonathan P-Wright | May 28, 2021 | Business News, Editorial Pick, Latest, Tech News, Trending |
Apple crushed wall street projections amid a global pandemic. Wall Street analysts predicted that Apple’s revenues would fall around $77 million, but the tech giant raked in almost $90 billion in revenues from January until March of 2021 ($89.6 billion).
Apple also experienced stellar performance during this same quarter last year, with sales increasing by 54%, with most of the increase occurring before the pandemic hit the United States.
CEO Tim Cook expressed his enthusiasm in an earnings press release saying that the recent quarter reflected the ways apple products have helped its customers during these unprecedented times and also the optimism that customers hold for apple.
This tremendous growth in Apple revenues can be attributed to gains in services, iPhone revenues, and iPad revenues, with services revenues increasing by around 26%, iPhone revenue increasing by 66%, and iPad revenue increasing by 78%.
Despite the large growth in several areas, Apple’s big player turned out to be the iPhone 12, which showed an incredible demand. During the March quarter of 2020, iPhone revenues grew 66% reaching an incredible $48 billion. Apple revenues for the iPhone during the previous quarter were only about $29 billion.
According to Apple, more users upgraded to iPhones this quarter than any other in Apple’s history. This switch can be attributed to the new iPhone 12, which proved to be high in demand.
Apple showed dominance across the board with the top five best-selling smartphones in the U.S all being iPhones during the quarter. Apple also experienced a large demand internationally. The two best-selling smartphones in China were both iPhones, four of the top six best-selling smartphones in Japan were iPhones, the four most popular smartphones in the U.K were iPhones, and the top six most sold smartphones in Australia were all iPhones.
Cook also revealed that Apple faced virtually no material supply chain restraints. Cook credits this factor as one of the reasons for Apple’s success during the March quarter as many other tech companies have struggled to access a sufficient number of chips.
This article was penned by Jonathan P. Wright. Jonathan is a freelance writer for multiple mainstream publications and CVO of RADIOPUSHERS. You can read more of his work by clicking here.
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