Tech
Apple Closes All Stores Outside China to Prevent Spread of Coronavirus
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Apple announced on Friday that it was closing all of its stores worldwide, except for those in China, for two weeks until March 27 to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, which has steadily ravaged communities worldwide and forced millions into lockdown.
In a statement, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that Apple had learned from its experience with the coronavirus, which causes the disease known as COVID-19, in China. One of the lessons the company learned, Cook said, was that the most effective way to fight the coronavirus was keeping people away from each other for the time being.
“One of those lessons is that the most effective way to minimize risk of the virus’s transmission is to reduce density and maximize social distance,” Cook said in the statement.
The measures do not include Apple’s 42 stores in China, which had been closed since February because of the coronavirus outbreak in the country. But things have shifted in China over the past few weeks, with only 11 confirmed coronavirus cases on Friday, per the World Health Organization. Apple had been gradually reopening stores in the region in recent weeks, and had reopened all stores on Friday.
Although Apple will be closing stores elsewhere, Cook said that the company was still “committed to providing exceptional service to our customers.” As such, he said that Apple’s online stores would remain open and that customers would still be able to receive service and support through the company’s website.
For employees, Apple said that it is moving to flexible work arrangements worldwide outside of China and adopting new health measures at its offices.
“That means team members should work remotely if their job allows, and those whose work requires them to be on site should follow guidance to maximize interpersonal space,” Cook said. “Extensive, deep cleaning will continue at all sites. In all our offices, we are rolling out new health screenings and temperature checks.”
Despite closures and remote working, Apple said that its hourly workers would continue to receive pay in line with “business as usual operations.” Tech giants including Microsoft, Facebook, Amazon, Google and Twitter have also vowed to give their hourly workers, which could see their work affected by reduced work hours and staffing requirements, their regular way during the outbreak.
Cook also announced that Apple had expanded its leave policies to accommodate personal or family health circumstances created by COVID-19. Apple’s policies now cover recovering from an illness, caring for a sick loved one, mandatory quarantining or childcare challenges due to school closures.
In the statement, Cook announced that Apple’s committed donations to the COVID-19 response have reached $15 million. He also said that the company would match its employees’ donations to support response efforts on an international level.
Besides closing stores, Apple announced this week that it would hold its annual WWDC event online in June. Additionally, it confirmed to Gizmodo today that it would allow Apple Card customers to skip their March payment without incurring interest because of the coronavirus outbreak.
“There is no mistaking the challenge of this moment,” Cook said. “We do not yet know with certainty when the greatest risk will be behind us.”
Tech
Downhill Bikes of Sea Otter – Part 2
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@juanhall: I gotta say, this was the most interesting bike in this post….love that Intense is experimenting with gearboxes…I can see it have a huge effect on DH bikes….thank god there’s still people pushing things. Now, they need to make an Enduro bike with the Pinion MGU!
Tech
Important updates regarding the Bob-Birnie Arena
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The City of Pointe-Claire would like to inform you that the Bob-Birnie arena will be closed for its annual maintenance as of Monday, April 29. The Annex rink will reopen to the public on Monday, May 13, and the arena’s Main rink will be accessible as of Monday, June 3.
Public skating will resume on May 13, and the summer public activities programming will begin on June 3 when both rinks have reopened to the public.
In addition to the annual maintenance of the facility, two renovation projects are also scheduled to start at the same time:
Installation of new sound systems
The City will be replacing its current sound systems in both the Main rink and Annex rink, to offer arena visitors a better overall experience, whether watching from the stands or participating in on-ice activities. This project is expected to be conducted throughout the month of May.
Renovation of locker rooms in the Main Rink
The City will also be renovating the five locker rooms located in the Main rink, to bring up to date the amenities currently available to participants. These renovations are expected to begin in early May and will be completed by mid-August.
For all information about the Bob-Birnie arena, visit the arena’s page on our website.
Tech
Surprise Apple Event Hints at First New iPads in Years – CNET
We haven’t seen a new iPad in years, but Apple seems likely to change that in just a few weeks. All signs point to the release of new iPad models in the first week of May.
This morning, I received an email invite for a virtual Apple event, scheduled for May 7 at 7 a.m. PT (10 a.m. ET). The invite, which says “Let Loose,” shows a drawing of a hand holding an Apple Pencil. Considering the iPad is the only device that uses the Pencil — that doesn’t leave much to the imagination.
Apple’s been expected to release new OLED-screened iPad Pros with newly designed Pencils and Magic Keyboard cases. New iPad Airs are also expected, including a larger-screened 12.9-inch model. Apple’s iPad Air lineup tends to be slightly redesigned versions of previous-model iPad Pros, so just look to the M2 iPad Pro lineup for a sense of what the next Airs could be. These would be the first new iPads since the iPad Pro M2 model arrived in late 2022.
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