Apple Insider
Our industry expert rounds-up the biggest Apple corporate stories circulating this month
Recycle UK Apple has launched a major recycling effort in the UK and worldwide. Customers can now take their old iPhones, iPads, iPods, mobile phones, Macs and PCs to an Apple Store to get the equipment recycled at no charge, even if it isn’t working. The company is offering 10% off the cost of a new iPod if you bring your old one to a store, while other equipment is exchanged for cash. You can also recycle your equipment online. Apple announced the global scheme to coincide with its latest Environmental Report, published on Earth Day. Greenpeace recently called Apple “the most innovative and most aggressive” firm in achieving the goal of using 100% renewable energy, saying this “set a new bar for the industry”. Apple has said this is an idea it wants “every company to copy”.
Apple beats the market Apple’s record Q2 results exceeded expectations, with $45.6 billion revenue and $10.2 billion net profit. Mac sales climbed against the backdrop of PC market decline, reaching 4.1 million. Analysts had predicted 37.7 million iPhone sales; Apple achieved 43.7 million, but just 16.35 million iPads sold in contrast to a predicted 19.7 million. “We’re very proud of our quarterly results, especially our strong iPhone sales and record revenue from services,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We’re eagerly looking forward to introducing more new products and services that only Apple could bring to market.” Apple significantly increased its capital return program and announced a seven-for-one stock split: Apple shareholders at close of business on June 2 will receive six extra shares for each share held. Settlement Apple, Google, Adobe and Intel have agreed an out-of-court settlement of a class action case in which thousands of workers complained the firms made an illegal agreement not to hire workers from each other. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed, but the firms allegedly agreed to pay $340 million. The plaintiffs said companies had agreed not to hire workers from each other, the impact of which was to force wages down and limit career opportunities. “We’ve reached what we believe is an excellent resolution of the case that will benefit class members,” said Kelly Dermody, an attorney for the plaintiffs.