O'Grady's PowerPage

Tag: U.S.

  • Apple updates COVID-19 screening app, website, adds anonymous symptom tracking

    Apple has recently updated its COVID-19 app and website as of Thursday. The new changes allow users to anonymously share any potential symptoms they may have.

    Other collected data includes the following:

    • Age
    • Number of existing health conditions
    • Potential exposure risks

    Apple is currently developing the tool in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The project is separate to framework Apple developing in partnership with Google, on which countries can build their contact tracing apps.

    The COVID-19 app is available for free and requires iOS 13.1 or later or iPadOS 13.1 or later.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via The Mac Observer and TechCrunch

  • Apple to reopen 100 US retail locations this week

    Apple has announced that the company will reopen 100 of its Apple Store retail outlets throughout the United States this week.

    The locations will open with precautionary methods to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

    In the statement, Apple warns most will offer curbside or storefront service only, providing online order pick-up and Genius Bar appointments. Some will be open for walk-in customers, where they will be expected to undergo temperature checks and other precautionary measures, such as limited occupancy. 

    Apple is encouraging customers to check their local store web pages for current operating hours. The company is also encouraging customers to make use of its phone and chat services for support as needed.

    The move continues Apple’s store openings. From the week of May 11, Apple opened stores in a small number of US states, which was followed by a second wave of 25 stores.

    Prior to the announcement, Apple had 32 of its stores in the United States reopened, out of a total of 271 locations.

    Apple has offered the following comment on the situation:

    This week we’ll return to serving customers in many US locations. For customer safety and convenience, most stores will offer curbside or storefront service only, where we provide online order pick-up and Genius Bar appointments. Others will be open for walk-in customers and we encourage everyone to check their local store webpage for more information about hours at their preferred location. Customers can also visit apple.com for support by phone or chat.

    We are committed to reopening our stores in a very thoughtful manner with the health and safety of our customers and teams as our top priority, and we look forward to seeing our customers again soon.

    Apple has also offered this data, which shows the numbers of stores reopening this week per state: 

    • Arizona – 5 stores
    • California – 29 stores
    • Florida – 11 stores
    • Georgia – 6 stores
    • Indiana – 1 store
    • Kansas – 1 store
    • Kentucky – 2 stores
    • Michigan – 5 stores
    • Missouri – 3 stores
    • Nevada – 3 stores
    • New Mexico – 1 store
    • New York – 1 store
    • Ohio – 7 stores
    • Oregon – 1 store
    • Pennsylvania – 1 store
    • South Carolina – 1 store
    • Tennessee – 2 stores
    • Texas – 18 stores
    • Utah – 3 stores
    • Virginia – 2 stores
    • Wisconsin – 1 store

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider

  • Apple begins slowly reopening retail locations throughout the U.S., requires masks, temperature checks, and social distancing

    Apple has begun slowly opening its U.S. retail locations.

    The company has implemented a series of guidelines to protect customers from the Coronavirus pandemic.

    First, Apple has begun requiring face coverings “for all of our teams and customers,” which will be provided if needed. The company will also offer temperature checks that will be conducted at the entrance as well as “posted health questions will screen for those with symptoms—like cough or fever—or who have had recent exposure to someone infected with COVID‑19.”

    Customers will also be required to follow social distancing guidelines, meaning there will be limited occupancy throughout the locations. The company will adhere to strict “one‑on‑one, personalized service at the Genius Bar and throughout the store.”

    Apple will also be expanding its store pick-up options to include curb-side pick-up and drop off. Finally, Apple will be “conducting enhanced deep cleanings that place special emphasis on all surfaces, display products, and highly trafficked areas.”

    If you have a chance to visit a newly-reopened Apple Store location in the U.S., please let us know about your experience in the comments.

    Via Macworld and Apple

  • AT&T’s low-band 5G networks expands to 90 additional U.S. cities

    AT&T’s low-band 5G service has begun to spread.

    The company has reported that its low-band 5G service to 90 new markets across the U.S., almost doubling its footprint.

    With today’s expansion, AT&T 5G is now available in 190 total markets across the country. A full list is available on the company’s website, but some notable additions include Chicago, New Orleans, Sacramento and Seattle. 

    The rollout pertains to low-band 850MHz 5G, which offers a longer range but is slower than mmWave 5G. Under its 5G+ branding, AT&T’s mmWave offering has been expanding at a much slower rate. At present, the mmWave/5G+ network, which launched to customers in March, is available in 35 U.S. cities.

    AT&T currently offers only two smartphones the can utilize both its 5G and 5G+ networks: the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus and the Galaxy S20 Ultra.

    Apple is expected to introduce support for 5G networks with its 2020 model iPhones. The handset is likely on-track to debut in the fall, though coronavirus delays may complicate Apple’s typical launch timeline.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via AppleInsider and AT&T

  • Apple advises U.S. retail locations to remain closed until early May, will advise on reopening as conditions change

    As expected, we’re in this for the long haul.

    Per an internal memo Apple sent to employees the company has advised that retail store closures in the U.S. will remain until early May. Select stores outside of the U.S. could open as early as the first half of April.

    Apple Senior Vice President of Retail and People Deirdre O’Brien informed employees that the company is monitoring conditions for each facility daily, and that Apple will advise as to reopening dates based on guidance from local governments and public health experts.

    Apple’s employees have been encouraged to share their challenges with work-from-home procedures, especially since many of them are juggling work with homeschooling their children during the quarantine.

    Stay tuned for additional details as they become available.

    Via The Mac Observer and Bloomberg