Prior to unveiling the new lineup of MacBooks to the public, Apple executives Phill Schiller, Craig Federighi, and Jony Ive sat down with CNET for an in-depth interview discussing the company’s new products. The executives talked about the decision behind the new Touch Bar, what the future holds, and the price increase that occurred with today’s refresh… Jony Ive explained that the idea of the Touch Bar was one that has always been compelling to the company, noting that it marks the beginning of a “very interesting direction” for the laptop....

Early this morning, we told you about a new iPhone 6s passcode bypass vulnerability that allowed handlers to access photos and contact details without needing to verify with a passcode or Touch ID. The Lock screen vulnerability was made possible by Siri, and let users bypass the security provided by the Lock screen passcode and/or Touch ID. If there’s a positive spin to put on such a vulnerability, it’s that fixes can be implemented server side without the need for an iOS update....

The UK’s National Health Service has announced plans to adopt the Apple-Google coronavirus API jointly announced last week, but in a weakened form. Even without the UK’s planned compromise, the idea of this type of contact tracing has come under criticism from a University of Cambridge computing professor … Apple-Google coronavirus API: UK plan The API is designed to allow apps to detect when you have been in close proximity to someone who subsequently tested positive for COVID-19, but a severe lack of testing in the UK means that the NHS version will adopt a weak compromise....

Apple today announced nine additional partners committed to shipping CarPlay integration in future vehicles marking the first expansion to that list since the feature was officially introduced in March. Joining the list of existing CarPlay partners for 2014 and beyond is Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Audi, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Mazda, and Ram. Each new auto manufacturer is committed to integrating CarPlay in models planned to be announced and released in the future....

Apple has announced that it is partnering with management consultancy Accenture to create iOS apps for businesses. The deal is similar to the one reached with IBM back in 2014 and follows others reached with SAP and Cisco. The companies shared a little information about how they will work together … The team will help integrate iOS apps to back-end systems, as well as migrating existing apps to iOS. The work will include augmented reality apps, reports Reuters....

Update: The WSJ reports that Apple’s target is to raise $12B, “on the higher side of investor expectations.” An SEC filing reported by ZeroHedge reveals that Apple has announced plans for a series of new bond issues to raise money for further stock buybacks and dividend payments in what could be a 10-part deal. MarketWatch adds that the notes will offer floating-rates maturing in 2018 and 2019, and fixed-rates maturing at a range of dates from 2018 all the way through to 2046....

You know the ads that you see for apps above search results on the App Store? Apple started rolling out App Store search ads two years ago, and now at least one analyst believes the feature could be a $2 billion business all on its own in two years. Bernstein analyst Toni Sacconaghi published the prediction in a research note shared by CNBC today: Sacconaghi’s estimate is based in part on his forecast that Apple will make some $500 million this year on selling search ads on the App Store this year alone....

Apple’s chief operating officer Jeff Williams joined Fox Business for an interview this morning in which he expresses optimism about the US economy going forward. This comes after Tim Cook reportedly told Donald Trump that he expects a “v-shaped recovery” following the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking to Fox Business correspondent Susan Li this morning, Williams said that he is “encouraged” by Apple and the economy as a whole based on what he’s seen over the last several months....

We’ve seen a few patents from Apple that cover flexible components that would be suitable for its much-rumored watch product in the past. Some of which include a couple for flexible displays and another that details a device that changes functionality as it bends. Today we get a look at another patent application from Apple, this time covering battery designs that could very well end up in a flexible or bendable product such as a wristwatch (via PatentlyApple):...

Alongside the launch of the brand new 16-inch MacBook Pro, Apple has officially discontinued the 15-inch MacBook Pro. The 16-inch MacBook Pro has been hotly anticipated, and as expected, it delivers a return to the scissor switch keyboard. It also features up to 64GB of RAM, new six-speaker system, and more alongside the larger display. With all the improvements to its largest Pro notebook, Apple has discontinued the 15-inch MacBook Pro....

Apple is extending the introductory offer for App Store Search Ads until March 30, for developers who have yet to use the program. Search Ads launched in October last year, promoting apps above organic listings in the search result, with a $100 promo code for app makers who began an ad campaign. This $100 credit offer was originally set to expire on December 31st, at the end of 2016. Apple has today announced that it is keeping the offer running for another three months....

According to the Loop, Apple has updated its new Aperture 3 application which among other things fixes that pesky memory leak chronicled earlier this month. Other fixes (there are many): Upgrading libraries from earlier versions of Aperture Importing libraries from iPhoto Importing photos directly from a camera Memory usage when processing heavily-retouched photos Face recognition processing Adding undetected faces using the Add Missing Face button Printing pages containing multiple images Printing photos and contact sheets with borders and metadata Editing photos using an external editor Display of images with Definition and Straighten adjustments applied Zooming photos in the Viewer and in the Loupe using keyboard shortcuts Accessing Aperture libraries on a network volume Selecting and moving pins on the Places map Adding and editing custom locations using the Manage My Places window Switching between masters when working with RAW+JPEG pairs....

In an updated aerial photo published today, Apple gives us our latest look at construction progress on its new ‘Campus 2’ building in Cupertino. In the photo, we get a closer look at new developments on the main building, as well as the surrounding campus including a planned 1,000 seat auditorium, 300,000 square foot R&D facilities, a parking structure and other buildings separate from the main circular structure. The photos were published to the City of Cupertino’s webpage tracking progress and road closures on the project for the public....

Mercury News reported that Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple has broken ground on a Santa Clara campus that is set to be home to 1,200 employees. The location is just short of the city limits of Cupertino, and it is a 296,000 square-foot space set to be developed by Peery Arillaga. It is said to be a two six-floor building campus—not to be confused with the massive Spaceship-like campus Apple currently has plans for....

Apple is celebrating the United States Women’s World Cup championship with a homepage takeover. Head to Apple.com and you’ll see Apple’s Memoji-themed tribute at the top of the page, provided you’re in the United States. The animated graphic combines Apple’s Memoji feature with iMessage effects to create a USA-themed celebration with falling confetti and soccer balls. It’s a neat tribute that doesn’t go too far by overtaking the whole page....

Apple has confirmed reports of problems using the Apple Watch on tattooed wrists. The company has quietly updated a support page on the heart-rate functionality. Apple Watch owners on Reddit and Twitter have been posting conflicting reports and video, some showing that the heart-rate functionality works fine with their tattoos, others showing either no reading at all or erratic readings … Permanent or temporary changes to your skin, such as some tattoos, can also impact heart rate sensor performance....

Apple considered but ultimately rejected Uber for the same-day delivery service it piloted in May and expanded earlier this month for its online store, reports the WSJ. One possible explanation for the decision not to use Uber may be found in a comment by another online retailer, Gilt Groupe, which says it rejected Uber because the company “was unable to insure high-priced items.” In recent months, Uber lost out on the opportunity to make deliveries in some cities for Apple Inc....

Apple is continuing the new round of advertising it kicked off with last night’s new iPhone 6 TV spots, this time making the jump to print media. The new ad was first detailed by The Mac Observer and features full-size images of both the iPhone 6 and its 5.5-inch “Plus” counterpart. Though the two new handsets sold over 10 million units in the first weekend of availability, there are certainly still customers out there wondering which device will fit them better....

As part of Apple’s continued environmental commitments, the company today announced a new $200 million ‘Restore Fund’ that will develop new financially-viable initiatives to restore forest woodland areas, which removes carbon from the atmosphere. The fund aims to generate meaningful financial returns on the investments. Apple hopes that will convince other companies to follow its lead and start up other forest restoration projects. Apple has set a goal for the entire business to be 100% carbon neutral by 2030, including any carbon generated by the creation, use, and eventual disposal of its products....

Science. Poetry. History. These three words set the tone as you pass through the doors of Apple Carnegie Library, the latest in a careful collection of global flagship stores. It’s been over 116 years since each art was carved into marble and hung above the library’s entrance, but the studies remain as relevant to Apple today as they were when the building was built. Apple Carnegie Library is far more than a store — it’s the clearest public expression of Apple’s values....