Year: 2024

Dell axes unknown number of employees aimed reorganization

CompuScoop Staff August 6, 2024 0 2

A spokesperson declined to comment on how many jobs would be affected. “Through a reorganization of our go-to-market teams and an ongoing series of actions, we are becoming a leaner company,” the spokesperson said.

Dell previously announced a major workforce reduction in early 2023, shedding 13,000 jobs in that fiscal year.

The company’s best-known business of selling personal computers has struggled in recent years amid a post-pandemic decline in that market…

“We aim to grow faster than the market by seamlessly meeting our customers and partners online, virtually, or in person, to unlock the value of modern IT and AI for their organizations,” the Dell executives wrote in the memo to employees.

Apple Arcade adding three new games in September, 2024

Apple Inc August 6, 2024 0 1

NFL Retro Bowl ’25, an exciting collaboration between the NFL and the hit App Store game, comes exclusively to Apple Arcade

Monster Train+ and Apple Vision Pro title Puzzle Script also launching on Apple Arcade on September 5

Major updates come to popular titles including Disney Dreamlight Valley, and new content featuring DreamWorks Shrek in stitch. and the Smithsonian Institution in Crayola Create and Play+

Apple Arcade welcomes three new games next month, all free from ads and in-app purchases. On September 5, NFL Retro Bowl ’25, Monster Train+, and an all-new Apple Vision Pro spatial title, Puzzle Sculpt, join more than 200 fun titles on the service that span thrilling adventures, fast-paced action games, fierce multiplayer competitions, relaxing puzzlers, gripping sports and racing games, beloved App Store classics, and so much more.

Just in time for the 2024 NFL Kickoff, Arcade users can become the ultimate armchair quarterback in the relaunch of Retro Bowl+ as NFL Retro Bowl ’25, featuring all their favorite official NFL players and teams. They can also engage in deck-building battles with a tactical twist in Monster Train+.

On Apple Vision Pro, players can dive into a relaxing 3D puzzle game in Puzzle Sculpt by Schell Games, an award-winning game developer with a focus on new technologies including XR and AI. Puzzle Sculpt joins other unique spatial titles on the service that unlock new gameplay by blending digital content with the physical world, including recent releases Castle Crumble, Cityscapes: Sim Builder, Warped Kart Racers, and Where Cards Fall.

NFL Retro Bowl ’25 by New Star Games

Return to the gridiron for the NFL- and NFLPA-licensed relaunch of the highly rated App Store hit Retro Bowl, available only on Apple Arcade. The upcoming release of NFL Retro Bowl ’25 allows NFL fans to create their own dynasty by choosing their favorite official NFL teams and players to take all the way to the house as they manage their rosters and game strategies with a fun and simple roster management system. With authentic rosters and NFL players stylized in the game’s glorious retro style, all NFL players in-game feature unique, fully realized retro art, tuned attributes, career stats, and realistic contracts.

Monster Train+ by Good Shepherd Entertainment

In Monster Train+, the player must defend the final burning pyre from the celestial forces of heaven. This roguelite deck-building game introduces a new strategic layer with three vertical playing fields to defend. With over 250 cards to unlock and six distinct monster clans to discover, players will have to strategize to fit unique clan abilities, and tackle daily and custom challenges. This version of the game also includes The Last Divinity DLC, an epic expansion that brings more challenges and an additional clan called the Wurmkin.

Puzzle Sculpt by Schell Games

In this relaxing game, players will decipher increasingly challenging clues to solve puzzles in their living room. They will slowly remove blocks from the puzzle by logically carving away the unnecessary cubes, revealing a cute collectible buried within the cube, called a Deco Object. Players can arrange Deco Objects anywhere in their real-world space. There are plenty of puzzles and adorable Deco Objects to collect for hours of cozy, puzzle-solving fun.

Alongside new game launches, Apple Arcade players can continue to enjoy their favorite hit titles on the service with new content updates each month. In the coming weeks, players can check out special collaborations for fan-favorite games across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro.

stitch. by Lykke Studios: stitch. just released its largest and most exciting update yet, the DreamWorks Shrekhoops collection, a brand-new category featuring 10 hoops each inspired by the most iconic scenes from the delightfully irreverent DreamWorks Animation movie.

Crayola Create & Play+ by Red Games Co.: In partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, Crayola Create & Play+ lets players explore a new open-world area, available now. Visit exhibits and launch new activities, all inspired by the Smithsonian Institution’s family-friendly content.

Disney Dreamlight Valley Arcade Edition by Gameloft: The game will bring Tiana from Disney’s The Princess and the Frog to the valley in its next content update this August. Alongside Tiana’s palace, the update also introduces new outdoor decor and plenty of surprises.

Pricing and Availability

Apple Arcade is available for $6.99 (U.S.) per month with a one-month free trial. Customers who purchase a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV receive three months of Apple Arcade for free.¹

Apple Arcade is part of Apple One’s Individual ($19.95 U.S.), Family ($25.95 U.S.), and Premier ($37.95 U.S.) monthly plans, with a one-month free trial.²

Arcade Originals are playable across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro. App Store Greats are available on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro.

An Apple Arcade subscription gives a family of up to six unlimited access to all the games in its catalog.

Availability for the 200+ titles across devices varies based on hardware and software compatibility. Some content may not be available in all areas.

This offer is available to new subscribers only. One subscription covers one Family Sharing group. The offer is good for three months after eligible device activation. The plan automatically renews until canceled. Restrictions and other terms apply.
The Apple One free trial includes only services that are not currently used through a free trial or a subscription. The plan automatically renews after the trial until canceled. Restrictions and other terms apply.

Press Contacts

Peter Nguyen

Apple

pete_nguyen@apple.com

Jennifer Tam

Apple

jennifer_tam@apple.com

Apple Media Helpline

media.help@apple.com

Apple TV+ series ‘Shrinking’ premieres October 16th, 2024

Apple Inc August 6, 2024 0 1

Apple TV+ in March announced that “Shrinking,” its critically acclaimed and global hit comedy series co-created by Jason Segel, Bill Lawrence and Brett Goldstein, has been renewed for a second season following the breakout success of season one.

Since its premiere on Apple TV+ earlier this year, “Shrinking” has been hailed as “one of 2023’s funniest shows,” as well as the “most charming and life-affirming show about grieving ever made.” Audiences and critics alike have praised the series for its “top notch writing”; “memorable performances” from stars Segel and Harrison Ford in one of his first television roles; and, “first-rate and thoroughly charming” cast which also includes Jessica Williams, Christa Miller, Lukita Maxwell, Michael Urie and Luke Tennie.

Starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford in one of this first television roles, “Shrinking” follows grieving therapist Jimmy (played by Segel) who starts to break the rules and tell his clients exactly what he thinks. Ignoring his training and ethics, he finds himself making huge, tumultuous changes to people’s lives … including his own. In addition to Segel and Ford (Paul), the series stars Jessica Williams (Gaby), Christa Miller (Liz), Lukita Maxwell (Alice), Michael Urie (Brian) and Luke Tennie (Sean).

Co-created by Emmy Award-winning “Ted Lasso” executive producer Bill Lawrence, Emmy Award-winning “Ted Lasso” star, writer and co-executive producer Brett Goldstein, and Segel, “Shrinking” is produced by Warner Bros. Television, where Lawrence and Goldstein are under overall deals, and Lawrence’s Doozer Productions. Lawrence, Segel, Goldstein, Neil Goldman, James Ponsoldt, Randall Winston, Jeff Ingold and Liza Katzer serve as executive producers. Lawrence, Segel and Goldstein wrote the first episode, which was directed by Ponsoldt.

Stock market plunges as U.S. recession fears jolt global markets

CompuScoop Staff August 5, 2024 0 2

The selloff was brutal, with the so-called Magnificent Seven group of stocks – the main driver for the indexes hitting record highs earlier this year – set to lose a combined $1 trillion in market value.

Apple fell 4.6% after Berkshire Hathaway halved its stake in the iPhone maker, suggesting that billionaire investor Warren Buffett is growing wary about the broader U.S. economy or stock market valuations that have gotten too high.

Nvidia slid 5.6% after reports of a delay in the launch of its upcoming artificial-intelligence chips due to design flaws.

Microsoft and Alphabet fell about 3% each.

A weak jobs report and shrinking manufacturing activity in the world’s largest economy, coupled with dismal forecasts from the big U.S. technology firms, pushed the Nasdaq 100 and the Nasdaq Composite into a correction last week.

The disappointing jobs data also triggered what is known as the “Sahm Rule”, seen by many as a historically accurate recession indicator. U.S. Treasury yields tumbled to their lowest in a year and a closely watched gap between two- and 10-year Treasury notes turned positive for the first time since July 2022, usually indicating U.S. economy is heading into a downturn.