Apple engaging third party to make a few iPhone sets in Bengaluru: Govt

Technology major Apple has started making certain models of iPhone in Bengaluru through a contract manufacturer, Parliament was informed on Monday.

"While Apple has already started manufacturing of certain models of iPhone in Bengaluru through a contract manufacturer, details of private business decisions are not maintained by the Centre," Minister of State for Commerce and Industry C R Chaudhary said in a written reply to Lok Sabha.

The government has received representations seeking concessions including duty exemption on manufacturing and repair units, components, capital equipment and consumables for smartphone manufacturing, which have not been accepted, he said.

In a separate reply, the minister said as on July 15, 16,324 applications have been received of which 11,129 have been recognised as startups.

Got your iphone battery replaced last year? Apple to offer you $50 rebate

Apple Inc. said it will reimburse customers who paid full price for iPhone battery replacements.

The $50 credits will be issued to users who paid for out-of-warranty iPhone battery swaps between Jan. 1, 2017 and Dec. 28, 2017, Apple said in a statement on its website. The credits apply to battery replacements by Apple Stores or authorized Apple repair providers, and cover iPhone 6 or later devices. Apple said it will email eligible customers about obtaining the credit by July 27.

Apple disclosed late last year that its iPhone software intentionally slowed down the performance of older iPhones with aging batteries to avoid random shutdowns. The company said that new batteries stopped the slowdowns and offered $29 battery replacements, a $50 discount.

The credit announced on Wednesday means that those who replaced their batteries before the program went into place will now get that discount as well.