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Device makers turned off buttons, but now they're back

Nov 19, 2024
Move aside, touchscreens and digital controls. Buttons, dials and knobs have returned to electronics.
Buttons create an interface that provides "that feeling of agency and control," says button expert Rachel Plotnick.
Frederic J. Brown / AFP

Why Apple owes Ireland $14 billion in taxes

Sep 13, 2024
In this week's "Make Me Smart" newsletter, we explain why Europe's highest court ruled Apple owed billions in unfair tax breaks. Plus, we explore ghost towns put up for sale and do the numbers on Chinese adoptions worldwide.
Apple's European headquarters in Cork City, Ireland.
Getty Images

Just what is the 'Magnificent Seven' and why is everyone talking about them?

Jul 23, 2024
These seven tech companies have an outsize influence on the stock market.
The Magnificent Seven refers to seven tech companies that have an outsize influence on the stock market — and are named for the 1960 Western flick.
Wikimedia Commons

Pilgrimages are a big business

Jun 14, 2024
Plus, Apple announces AI-generated emojis and we do the numbers on copper and the EV market.
Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images

Is Apple late to embrace AI or right on time?

Jun 10, 2024
Apple announced new AI integrations for text, email, photos and Siri. It’s also adding ChatGPT capabilities into operating systems.
Apple announced new AI integrations for text, email, photos and Siri on Monday at its annual developers conference.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Apple's new app store rules for EU are "complicated by design"

Feb 5, 2024
Apple's App Store has been a crown jewel for the company.
Apple's guidelines for third party app stores and payment systems in Europe  are complicated by design, says analyst Eric Seufert.
Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images

AI has helped Microsoft beat Apple to become the most valuable company in the world

Jan 30, 2024
And investors will be hoping for more good news on that front when the company announces quarterly earnings.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella at an OpenAI event on Nov. 6, 2023.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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The Apple watch patent battle is the latest in a long war over innovation in America

Dec 20, 2023
Apple is is expected to end sales of two new watches after it lost a patent case. How does this compare to other patent conflicts?
Apple said it would halt the sale of its Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches as soon as this week.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Why Apple might make iMessage more Android-friendly

Nov 17, 2023
The software update will allow iPhone and Android users to message over wifi and share photos and videos more easily.
Other companies say that famous "blue text bubble" cache is anticompetitive.
akinbostanci/Getty Images

Apple's new iPhone 15 is just one example of how EU regulation is changing tech

Sep 12, 2023
On issues from data privacy to content moderation, as Europe goes, so goes the tech industry.
Attendees of an Apple event look at the new iPhone 15 on Tuesday. The new iPhone features a USB-C charging port, a change that comes ahead of an EU law requiring common charging systems.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images