Tax ruling shock, surprise iPhone 12 revelations: Here's all the Apple news you should have read this week

This week's Apple headlines were mostly dominated by the company's tax spat with the EU. In one corner, Apple and the Irish government, in the other, the European Commission and its staunch belief that any arrangement the two had was unfair. We also found out about a surprise new iPhone 12 accessory, and some of the new initiatives Apple is undertaking to give back to the community. Here's all the Apple news you should have read this week.

Office shutdown

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Apple has revealed it will not fully reopen its offices until at least 2021, signaling a fully remote 2020 for many of its workers.

Apple says its offices in the US will not fully reopen until at least 2021

Social initiatives

Apple announced this week that it was committing $400 million to build affordable housing in the Bay Area, delivering on an earlier promise. Apple also announced a new initiative to expand its support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, boosting opportunities to learn coding.

• Apple allocates $400 million to build affordable housing in the Bay Area
• Apple announces new initiative with HBCUs to boost coding and creativity

Batterygate

The $500 million settlement of Apple's batterygate is now live, meaning U.S. users can claim back $25 from Apple on eligible devices.

Apple's $500 million batterygate settlement now live, here's how to claim

Tax ruling

In something of a shock, the EU's second-highest court overturned a $14.9 billion tax bill the EU Commission says Apple owes Ireland, a ruling both parties appealed. It is unclear how the story will play out from here.

Apple's $14.9 billion tax bill overturned by EU court

China purge

More than 11,000 games have been removed from China's App Store following a change to licensing rules in the country.

Apple has removed over 11,000 games from the Chinese App Store, big deadline looming for developers

iPhone 12

Recent filings may have revealed that the iPhone 12's battery might be smaller than expected. And there's also an exciting rumor that Apple will ship the iPhone 12 with a brand new braided Lightning cable.

• The iPhone 12 could ship with a new, braided Lightning cable
• iPhone 12 battery filings reveal surprise drop in capacity

Looking Good

Renders show the stunning new purple iPhone 14 Pro months before release

Apple is expected to announce the new iPhone 14 lineup later this year and a YouTube channel might have just given us our first proper look at what is sure to be the hottest iPhone 14 Pro color — a stunning purple.

$$$

Apple touts App Store benefits, says it supports jobs and small businesses

Apple has shared new research that shows the App Store continued to thrive during 2021, supporting more than 2.2 million jobs across the United States. Those jobs include coders, designers, and others.

tight for time

One iPhone 14 model could be in short supply at launch, here's why

At least one iPhone 14 model is behind its production schedule and could be in short supply at launch, according to a new report from Apple's supply chain.

Attach your tracker

These accessories will go great with your Apple AirTags

Apple's AirTag doesn't have any hooks or adhesive for attaching to your precious items. Luckily there are plenty of accessories for that purpose, both from Apple and third parties.