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Apple reportedly exploring new human-robot training method using Vision Pro

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Apple is investigating a more effective way to train humanoid robots by incorporating human instructors alongside robot demonstrators, a novel combined strategy the company has dubbed “PH2D”, according to a report on Apple Insider.

This development was detailed in a research paper published on Wednesday, just a week after the tech giant unveiled its Matrix3D and StreamBridge AI models, signaling a continued push into artificial intelligence and robotics.

The research paper, titled “Humanoid Policy ~ Human Policy”, addresses the shortcomings of conventional robot-training techniques and puts forward a new, scalable, and cost-effective solution. [Read more…] about Apple reportedly exploring new human-robot training method using Vision Pro

Apple’s push for automation: Airlifts, tariffs, and the future of iPhone manufacturing

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As geopolitical tensions continue to reshape global trade, Apple finds itself re-engineering not just iPhones but its entire production model.

Reports that the company recently airlifted large quantities of its smartphones out of China to avoid tariffs have highlighted the mounting pressure to diversify its supply chain – and potentially to expand manufacturing closer to home.

The airlifts, which reportedly moved iPhones to markets like India and Vietnam, underscore a broader shift under way. [Read more…] about Apple’s push for automation: Airlifts, tariffs, and the future of iPhone manufacturing

Trump grants tariff exemptions for Apple and other tech firms

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President Donald Trump has rolled back some of his most aggressive trade measures by granting tariff exemptions for a range of consumer electronics, offering critical relief to companies such as Apple, Dell, and Nvidia.

In guidance issued late Friday, the US Customs and Border Protection agency confirmed that smartphones, laptops, computer chips, and other electronics would be excluded from the administration’s latest round of reciprocal tariffs targeting China.

The exemptions apply retroactively from April 5 and cover approximately 20 product categories. [Read more…] about Trump grants tariff exemptions for Apple and other tech firms

Carnegie Mellon develops Apple-inspired recycling robot

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A researcher from Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Computer Science is using robotics to improve e-waste recycling.

E-waste is one of the fastest-growing types of waste in the world, with an estimated 62 million tons produced in 2022 alone. But only about 20 percent of that was recycled. As reliance on tech devices grows, finding ways to salvage and recycle their components becomes critical.

Matt Travers, a senior systems scientist in the School of Computer Science’s Robotics Institute, has launched a new company, roboLoop, that uses technology inspired by his e-waste recycling research partnership with Apple to help disassemble flat panel displays. roboLoop’s robot was recently installed at a facility in State College, Pennsylvania. The new robot speeds up e-waste recycling for flat-screen displays. [Read more…] about Carnegie Mellon develops Apple-inspired recycling robot

Apple’s main contract manufacturer Foxconn brings in UBTech humanoids to work in its factories

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UBTech Robotics has entered what’s described as “a comprehensive long-term partnership” with Foxconn (also known as Hon Hai), the world’s largest electronics contract manufacturer and a primary assembler for Apple.

This is according to various media reports, including on the South China Morning Post website.

This collaboration aims to integrate UBTech’s humanoid robots into Foxconn’s production lines, enhancing efficiency and precision in the assembly of complex electronics and electric vehicles. [Read more…] about Apple’s main contract manufacturer Foxconn brings in UBTech humanoids to work in its factories

Apple’s humanoid robot project: What do we know?

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Apple, the 3.7 trillion-dollar iPhone, iPad and Macintosh gigantico, is reportedly working with numerous companies and organisations in an effort to develop a humanoid robot – codenamed “Armor”.

According to Digitimes, Apple’s “entry into the humanoid robotics market is gaining momentum”. Meanwhile, PatentlyApple.com reports that Apple is working with Carnegie Mellon University and that Apple’s “new robot known as ‘ARMOR’, has been reveal” (sic).

Bloomberg, one of the world’s most authoritative financial news sources, says Apple is “in the early stages of figuring out the best way to use robotics”, and is already pushing ahead with a “tabletop robot”, the development of which is being overseen by the same person or people who were in charge of the much-heralded but never-realised Apple car. [Read more…] about Apple’s humanoid robot project: What do we know?

Learning from Apple: Designed in the West, manufactured in the East

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Apple wasn’t always the 3.75 trillion-dollar company it is today. The company was close to bankruptcy in 1997, before Steve Jobs returned to launch newly designed and eye-catching products – like the first multi-coloured iMac range, the iPod and then the iPhone – and put the company on the journey to become the modern corporate phenomenon that it is today.

In today’s globalised economy, Apple could now be said to be the quintessential example of a company that designs its products in the United States while manufacturing them in China and across Asia.

Apple is not, of course, unique in this approach. Many other companies have been doing this for a long time. Such companies used to be called “multinationals” before the internet made the term almost redundant.

[Read more…] about Learning from Apple: Designed in the West, manufactured in the East

9 Ways Apps Are Harnessing iOS Live Activities

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iOS 16 introduced Live Activities, which is supported by all newer versions of the operating system. We’ll explain what it is and when to use this handy iPhone tool.

What is Live Activities on your iPhone?

With the upgrade to iOS 16.1, Apple has added a tool for everyone who wants to stay up to date. The company defines Live Activities as ongoing, interactive notifications displayed immediately on the lock screen.

Live Activities are widgets that can update information online. Its banners are more significant than standard notifications. That is, you can see the information you are interested in without going into the application, which will be updated as needed.

This innovation first appeared on the iPhone 14 Pro, replacing the notch with the new Dynamic Island. It solves the problem of where to place the camera and contributes to the overall iPhone functionality. Dynamic Island is now the hub for this functionality, working perfectly with the always-on display.

Continuous Development From Apple

A big update added this feature to the Apple Sports app. Now, following sports events has become easier. You can instantly receive live streams of matches of your most-liked teams.

Apple News has also implemented Live Activities to track the US elections, allowing you to stay up to date without interrupting your daily activities. This became a great convenience for users who want to spend their time on something other than checking the news.

Third-party apps also actively support this innovation. Uber Eats and DoorDash simplify tracking food deliveries, and various restaurant and delivery apps offer similar features.

Endless Possibilities of Live Activities

The advantages are obvious: It makes it easier for users to engage with apps and quickly view relevant information. This increases user loyalty and satisfaction.

Live Activities are engaging for the following industries and use cases, among others:

  • Sports – real-time statistics on games & competitions
  • News – breaking news & live ticker
  • Fitness – statistics during your workout
  • Delivery – current information on delivery
  • Entertainment – live updates on events & concerts
  • Travel – flight & booking updates
  • And many more!

How Famous Apps Use iOS Live Activities

The central point of Live Activities support is, for sure, in various sports-related apps. For example, Slopes is used by skiers and snowboarders to track data on each descent and ascent and get information on speed, elevation gain, and distance traveled.

For many, this app allows you to find friends with the same interests. With Live Activities, information about friends on the same slope, the distance covered, and the elevation are displayed on the screen.

1. Mountain App

The Landscape app has approximately the same functionality, only it is designed for climbing mountains, not skiing and snowboarding. In real time, you can track your ascent graph, distance traveled, and altitude gain.

2. Sports App

The Liftin application has launched Live Activities for those who prefer more traditional sports. You can track the number of reps, rest timer, and the duration of each workout set directly from the lock screen.

If you have a recent iPhone Pro, you can launch a workout directly in the application, and all the necessary information will appear on both the lock screen and Dynamic Island.

If Liftin does not work for you, use the SmartGym application. This is a handy tool for weightlifting. Thanks to Live Activities, you can effortlessly track your progress in real time right from your lock screen, making it a convenient tool for fitness enthusiasts.

3. Sports Events App

But what if you prefer not to play sports but follow them? For football fans, the FotMob is a perfect match app. Here, you need to select your favorite leagues and teams, and as soon as a game involving them starts, it will instantly show up on the lock screen.

If you want to track a match not from the list of your subscriptions, then click on the star, and it will immediately be shown on the lock screen.

4. Recipe App

However, the world is not limited to sports. Sometimes you want to eat something tasty. Here, the Pestle application will help. It allows users to import any recipe from the Internet and turn it into a step-by-step process displayed on the lock screen with a special timer.

All you have to do is follow the guide step by step without being distracted by anything. This is a very convenient feature for those who like to cook.

The app also has additional options: creating a shopping list, a 14-day meal plan, and scanning recipes from paper with subsequent recognition. Users note that the app converts recipes into a very convenient format for cooking.

5. Grocery App

Grocery is an innovative, well-designed grocery shopping and meal planning app. Its support for syncing with iCloud and reminders helps you keep your list organized while shopping.

You can easily add shopping list items from Siri and Recipes. Live activity support on the lock screen makes tracking your shopping list or recipe timer convenient.

6. Flight Tracking App

Flighty is an iOS flight-tracking app with a sleek and user-friendly interface. The latest version displays information about your planned trip on your iPhone’s lock screen three hours before departure. You can also check flight status immediately on Dynamic Island.

7. Weather App

Carrot Weather is an iOS and macOS app that shows the weather forecast in its original form. Now, you can see details about weather events like rain or strong winds directly on your iPhone’s home screen or Dynamic Island.

8. Music App

The Soor app is excellent for those who want more than the standard Apple Music app. It works on iPhone and iPad. Now, users can see song lyrics on the screen with Live Active and Dynamic Island.

9. Remote Control App

If you have an Apple TV, a TV remote app is a must-have for every iPhone. Now, the most essential buttons are accessible directly through Live Activity, including on the lock screen and Dynamic Island.

The Live Activities Limitations

In September 2024, it became evident that Live Activities could not be updated as frequently in iOS 18. App developer Nico reported this on X, stating that previously, they could update Live Activities every second. However, starting with iOS 18, they can only update every 5-15 seconds.

Apple explained the change by stating that each update writes data to disk, leading to excessive wear on the device’s NAND storage. The company clarified that Live Activities never intended to deliver “real concurrent experiences,” describing the previous capability as an unintended “API loophole.”

This should not affect Live Activities that have time tracking, such as Uber or Lyft, which display a countdown timer for your arrival time. These apps don’t require frequent data refreshes from the app to function well.

Final Words

IOS Live Activities makes the iPhone lock screen practical for users. It allows them to track real-time information efficiently and conveniently without frequently going to the app. It’s a simple way to stay on top of things, save time, and keep important information at your fingertips!

Apple and Rise develop ‘unique bio-based foam’ for packaging

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In a joint research project, Rise and Apple have developed a unique bio-based foam.

The properties of the foam suggest that it could replace fossil-based materials such as polymer foam, which is often used in packaging, insulation and lightweight composites.

The research results are presented in a Whitepaper from Rise and Apple. [Read more…] about Apple and Rise develop ‘unique bio-based foam’ for packaging

Kuka demonstrates mobile robots for harvesting apples

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Kuka and the Upper Bavarian startup company Digital Workbench Gmbh have launched a co-operation with the aim of developing a product for the agricultural sector: a mobile harvesting robot to support fruit farmers during the apple harvest.

Josef Schmidt, founder and managing director of Digital Workbench, says: “Both companies are contributing one of their most innovative new developments for automation in fruit growing to this cooperation.

“With Kuka, we have an absolute specialist with many years of experience and sophisticated know-how in the field of robotics at our side. The result is a practiceoriented collaboration that will provide us with many valuable insights for our next development steps with regard to automation in fruit growing. [Read more…] about Kuka demonstrates mobile robots for harvesting apples