Apple makes strides in advancing carbon-free aluminum smelting, brings $188 million investment to Canada

Apple has played a crucial role in an international joint venture that could forever change global manufacturing of aluminum. A key component used in the production of Macs, iPads, iPhones and Apple Watch products, many technology companies like Apple prefer aluminum because of its strength and lightness as well as the various ways it can be treated.

By using aluminum in its products at scale, Apple has been able to find ways to make production more effecient and less wasteful as well as develop new processes.

Leading aluminum manufacturing companies Alcoa and Rio Tinto have developed, "a revolutionary process to make aluminum that produces oxygen and replaces all greenhouse gas emissions from the traditional aluminum smelting process. The technology represents the culmination of decades’ worth of research and development," Apple's statement said. 

According to the news. Alcoa, Rio Tinto, the Government of Canada, the Government of Quebec and Apple agree to provide a combined investment of CAD $188 million, which is a large investment in Canada, where the smelting will take place.

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Apple's GymKit comes to Canada at Equinox Fitness Clubs

GymKit is a feature of the Apple Watch that allows it to interact directly with gym equiptment for more precise tracking of exercises and performance. Having rolled out in select US gyms, the functionality has arrived in Canada through LA Fitness equiptment available in Equinox Gyms in Canada.

Members of these gyms using the La Fitness machines can enjoy “gymKit-enabled treadmills, ellipticals, stair steppers, and indoor bikes for more accurate distance, pace, and energy burn metrics.” Life Fitness has also introduced GymKit in various  fitness clubs in the US, Hong Kong, and Japan.

Source:9to5mac

Apple adding donations to its Earth Day recycling initiatives

Apple is adding a donation element to its recycling initiatives. The company announced that for every device received at Apple stores and Apple.com/ca through the Apple GiveBack program from now through April 30, the company will make a donation to the non-profit Conservation International.

As part of its ongoing recycling effort, the company also debuted Daisy, a robot that can more efficiently disassemble iPhone to recover valuable materials. Daisy can disassemble 200 iPhones an hour. Both Apple GiveBack and Daisy support Apple’s commitment to create a healthier planet through innovation — and help the company move a step closer to its goal of making its products using only recycled or renewable materials.

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Apple hires former Google AI head to bolster machine learning strategy

The technology sector is changing dramatically before our eyes. Fresh from last week's massive Microsoft reorg which saw the Windows group subsumed into various other departments as Microsoft focuses on artifical intelligence, we now have Apple making an addition to its team.

John Giannandrea was previously Google's head of AI. He oversaw the Search team and developed applied AI at Google.  He is considered a heavy hitter in Silicon Valley for his expertise, his background stems back to such noted companies as Netscape and General Magic. Giannandrea will report directly to Tim Cook, and is largely expected to revamp Apple's existing AI products like Siri.

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