Foxconn tipped to start manufacturing MacBooks in Vietnam as early as May 2023

Source: Apple

Apple has been looking to diversify its supply chain, and one of the new major product lines is in Vietnam. Rumours have it that Foxconn will begin producing MacBook models in Vietnam as early as May 2023. The Taiwanese company was granted a license in January 2021 to build a US$270 million plant in Vietnam for manufacturing MacBooks and iPads. 

This new plant is developed by Fukang Technology and will be located in the northern Vietnamese province of Bac Giang. The factory is projected to produce eight million laptops and tablets annually. Aside from the Apple MacBook, the Vietnam plant is expected to produce the Apple Watch and HomePod as well.

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Apple TV app will supposedly come to Android

Android users may finally get easier access to Apple TV+ service. Twitter user ShrimpApplePro, who has accurately leaked the iPhone 14 Pro's Dynamic Island hardware design, claims the company is internally testing the Apple TV app for Android. However, there isn't a specific timeframe for its release. If it comes out, it'll make it easier for Android users to access the Apple TV+ streaming service instead of having to rely on the browser version of the service. It would also help Apple attract more viewers to its service, so it would be a win for the company, too.

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Apple adds desktop Macs with M1 chips, Studio Display to its self-service repair program

Source: Apple

Apple expands its do-it-yourself repair program to add its Mac desktops with Apple Silicon and the Studio Display. This means Apple users in the US can get parts, tools, and repair manuals for self-service repairs. The program has already expanded to a handful of countries (Canada still isn't included), but the parts for these additions aren't available outside the US for now. The manuals for Mac desktops with Apple Silicon and Studio Display are available online, though.

Meanwhile, the tool kits for Mac desktops and Studio Display can be rented from Apple's self-service repair store for US$49 each and must be returned after seven days. Apple says this program is for users who are "experienced with the complexities of repairing electronic devices." The "vast majority" of its customers are still advised to visit a "professional repair provider."

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Apple wants Dark Sky users to use its revamped Weather app

Dark Sky is sunsetting in the new year. And Apple wants to remind its users that the company has integrated many of its features into its default Weather app. Apple bought Dark Sky back in March 2020 and plans to shut down the app on January 1, 2023. Now, it wants to remind the app's users that many of its functionalities are available in the Weather app on iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura. 

The Weather app now has down-to-the-minute precipitation forecasts for snow and rain, hourly forecasts for the next 10 days, and weather modules with expanded information on humidity, precipitation levels, visibility, wind speed, and more.   

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