There have always been rumors that Apple purposely slows down the batteries in their phones to get their customers to buy the latest iPhone. Now, Apple is admitting it does slow down old iPhones, but not to sell more products. Despite admitting to slowing down phones, Apple's loyal customer base did not hesitate to purchase Apple products this holiday season. Listen to learn why Apple slows down the batteries in iPhones and how important public relations are to a company's reputation.
Story Length: 3:13
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October 25, 2017
2:58
Most people want to buy new phones with the latest technology, but new devices lead to electronic waste, or e-waste, when old phones are discarded. Phone companies used to offer free phones with contracts, which meant people got new phones every two years. Now contracts are changing and there are new ways people are thinking about phones. One way is the modular approach, where the components are detachable and replaceable. Another is to create longer-lasting phones that are better for the environment. Listen to this story about how new technology can help eliminate electronic waste.
Read MoreApril 28, 2016
4:19
Outside Reno, Nevada, the company Tesla is constructing a giant battery factory. The batteries will be made for the company’s electric cars as well as other things. Known as the Gigafactory, the building will allow the company to scale up battery production and reduce the price of their electric cars. Tesla is planning to revolutionize energy use by producing something new in their Gigafactory: a “Powerwall,” or a battery for the home. Listen to the story to learn more about how Tesla’s Gigafactory may inspire innovation and lead to cleaner energy use.
Read MoreFebruary 2, 2016
2:36
Hoverboards, two-wheeled, self-balancing skateboards, are banned from some airlines, subways, and retail stores. That’s because there have been dozens of reports of fires and explosions because they are powered by lithium batteries, which are filled with highly flammable material. An engineer from Stanford University has designed a useful solution to prevent this dangerous problem. Her design involves a thin piece of plastic that helps regulate lithium batteries and make them safer. Listen to this story to find out more about how this innovative solution works.
Read MoreDecember 17, 2015
3:20
At a high school in Tennessee, a teacher asked his students to go without their phones for 24 hours. He says cell phones are an addiction where there is always something for students to see and something for students to do. He wanted them to see what happened when they lived a day without them. Listen to this story to hear the reaction of the students and how they filled their time without their phones.
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