news about Apple manufactures (and ‘iPhone 12’ manufacturing), more — Apple World Today

° Speaking of Apple manufacturers, Nikkei Asian Review says two Chinese government-backed chip projects have together hired more than 100 veteran engineers and managers from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s leading chipmaker.

° And speaking yet more about Apple manufacturers, MacRumors notes that Apple is holding off on expanding production in Vietnam until workers’ conditions improve, according to local news reports.

Trend Micro says it’s discovered an “unusual infection related to Xcode developer projects. Upon further investigation,” the security researchers added that “we discovered that a developer’s Xcode project at large contained the source malware, which leads to a rabbit hole of malicious payloads.”

° Verizon has announced updated Mix & Match Unlimited wireless plans, with access to services like Apple Music and Disney+, and for the first time Hulu (with commercials) and ESPN+ are being added. Verizon calls plans with Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ “The Disney Bundle.”

° App Annie, which specializes in mobile data and analytics, has released its latest report which shows that consumers spent 1.6 trillion hours on their mobile devices in the first half of 2020. From gaming to shopping to payments to video conferencing, mobile has taken center stage in consumers’ lives — ingraining new app habits and permanently shifting the consumer landscape to a mobile-first world.

° On the new MacVoices, the second part of a conversation with guest sShelly Brisbin, David Ginsburg, and Frank Petrie continues with comments on the new iMacs, Phil Schiller’s new designation at Apple, and the changing faces of keynotes and product introductions. The panel also comments on TikTok and whether it makes Microsoft sense. (Part 2 of 2)