News

Apple sued for allegedly shipping broken chargers with iPhone 7

Faces US$ 5 million in damages

Published

February 6, 2019

Luigi Leonardo

Throughout last year, Apple got into a flurry of lawsuits with Qualcomm. Amidst the companies’ legal battles, international courts have started banning Apple from their shores. Unfortunately, Apple’s troubles have slowly gone beyond mere corporate warfare. Some consumers have also joined in on the act. In December, a Californian and a New Yorker both sued the company for lying about screen sizes.

Now, another Californian resident has added to this list. Monice Emerson, an iPhone user, filed a lawsuit against Apple’s supposedly faulty chargers.

In September 2016, Emerson purchased an iPhone 7 for herself. Naturally, the package contained the official charger and cable. According to Emerson, the charger worked without fault until around October 2017. At that point, the charger allegedly caused a message that read “This accessory may not be supported.” The warning often pops up for unauthorized, bootleg devices connected to the iPhone. By then, Emerson’s charger stopped working.

As a result, Emerson filed the lawsuit on behalf of all the scorned users. She believes that thousands of consumers were forced to buy new chargers after the supposed planned obsolescence. According to the law document, “[she] felt ripped off, cheated, and violated by [Apple].” Standing at more than US$ 5 million, the claims include false advertising, unfair business practices, and fraud.

Of note, the lawsuit doesn’t include other vital details. For example, it doesn’t indicate if Emerson sought AppleCare assistance or used an unofficial wire with the charger. Likewise, it doesn’t state the charger’s overall state at the time of use.

As such, the suit can still go both ways. If anything, Emerson reveals the renewed bravado of Apple’s consumers. Further, this is a likely effect of Apple’s previous planned obsolescence controversies.

News

Apple reportedly gives up on the Vision Pro

But Apple will continue to sell the current model.

Published

April 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

When they unveiled the Vision Pro in 2023, Apple touted the wearable as the next big thing after the iPhone. Now, almost three years removed from the launch, the Vision Pro hasn’t really taken over the coveted spot occupied by the iPhone. Apple, according to a report, is allegedly canning the short-lived wearable.

According to MacRumors, Apple has reportedly given up on making the Vision Pro a thing. The team handling the wearable has supposedly been subsumed by other teams within Apple.

If true, the wearable’s end is unfortunate but not surprising. Despite being out for years, the Vision Pro has sold only a little more than half a million units with numerous returns from customers. Most recently, Apple updated the wearable with the M5 chip, but the move hasn’t revitalized the device’s status in Apple’s lineup.

Most of the complaints about the device stem from its exorbitant price or its cumbersome battery pack. Besides costing a whopping US$ 3,499, the Vision Pro is also difficult to move around with, especially because of its total weight and a battery pack that can get in the way.

To be clear, Apple has not officially discontinued the Vision Pro yet. The company continues to sell the version with the M5 chip. Apple can also restart development in the future.

However, the meantime retirement on future development does coincide with the recent restructuring inside the company. Tim Cook recently decided to step down as CEO with John Ternus as his replacement. Canning the Vision Pro might be Ternus’ first step in redefining Apple according to his plans.

Apps

YouTube makes picture-in-picture mode free for everyone globally

The update is rolling out globally now.

Published

April 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Picture-in-picture (or PiP) mode is a godsend for multitaskers. The feature lets users watch videos in a tiny floating window while doing other tasks. However, the feature isn’t readily available for all users. Or wasn’t, at least. YouTube is now rolling out PiP mode for free globally.

Previously, PiP mode was exclusive to YouTube users who pay for Premium or Premium Lite. It was also exclusive to the United States.

Now, YouTube is making the feature completely free for users all over the globe. It will be available for both iOS and Android versions of the app.

There’s still a catch, though. The free version is available only for “longform, non-music content.” The same goes for Premium Lite subscribers. Music is still an exclusive feature for those who pay for the regular version of Premium. Basically, there is no change for paying users or users in the United States.

Using PiP mode is simple. All you need to do is load up a video you want to watch in the background. Then, just exit the YouTube app and go about your other tasks. The video will be inside a floating, resizable window while you look at other things.

There’s no timeline on when the update will reach your device. However, YouTube has promised that it will roll out globally within the coming months.

Enterprise

OnePlus has reportedly merged with realme

Both brands were previously rumored for restructuring early this year.

Published

April 30, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

OnePlus has a problem. For a while now, rumors have swirled about the company’s dissolution. For their part, the company has continued to deny the reports, citing business as usual. Likely to their dismay, the reports just keep coming. Today, sources have hinted that OnePlus has merged with realme.

Back in January, it was rumored that OnePlus would be closing up shop this year. Since the company very quickly denied the rumors, the report hardly made waves. However, a suspected merger with realme is more difficult to debunk.

For one, realme is itself in a very interesting position. Also back in January, realme was reportedly moving back into being a sub-brand of OPPO. Coupled together with the OnePlus debacle, all this internal restructuring seems par for the course.

According to Digital Chat Station on Weibo, OnePlus and realme have already concluded the merger. The two brands have reportedly united their Chinese and international operations under one roof. Likewise, their marketing will be the same. Pete Lau will still be the main head for this new division.

As with anything of this nature, take this with a grain of salt. OPPO, OnePlus, and realme have not issued any official statements concerning a merger or a shutdown for any brand.