Sep 23, 2019 - Technology

Apple to assemble new Mac Pro in Texas

Ina Fried, author of Login

The redesigned Mac Pro. Photo: Ina Fried/Axios

Apple confirmed on Monday its plan to continue doing the final assembly of its high-end Mac Pro desktop computers in Texas.

Why it matters: The Mac Pro is the only Apple computer to be made in the U.S. This move is part of Apple's efforts to show it is producing what it can domestically, while still relying on China for most manufacturing (along with most other tech companies).

The big picture: Apple's Mac Pro plan briefly hit a snag when the White House indicated it was opposed to an exemption on tariffs for parts brought into the U.S. That could have pushed the company to move manufacturing overseas.

  • Apple ended up being granted 10 of the 15 tariff exemptions it requested, per Reuters, including some of the imported components for the Mac Pro.
  • Apple added that the new Mac Pro will contain 2.5 times the U.S.-made components (by value) as the prior generation, including parts made by a dozen companies across 8 states.
  • The redesigned desktop tower, which debuted in June, is slated to go on sale later this year.

“The Mac Pro is Apple’s most powerful computer ever and we’re proud to be building it in Austin," CEO Tim Cook said in a statement. "We thank the administration for their support enabling this opportunity."

Editor's note: This story has been updated with details of Apple's tariff exemptions.

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Rebecca Falconer
Updated 5 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Supreme Court blocks Alabama curbside voting measure

Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

The Supreme Court on Wednesday evening blocked a lower court order that would have allowed voters to cast ballots curbside at Alabama polling places on Election Day.

Whit it matters: With 13 days until Election Day, the justices voted 5-3 to reinstate the curbside voting ban and overturn a lower court judge's ruling designed to protect people with disabilities.

Of note: Liberal Justices Elena Kagan, Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor dissented.

  • The lower court judge ruled in favor of a lawsuit arguing that curbside voting would "violate federal laws designed to protect America’s most marginalized citizens" during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Editor's note: This is a developing news story. Please check back for updates.

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Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

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  2. Economy: Why the stimulus delay isn't a crisis (yet).
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  5. World: Spain becomes first nation in Western Europe to exceed 1 million cases.
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1 hour ago - Politics & Policy

U.S. officials: Iran and Russia aim to interfere in election

Iran and Russia have obtained voter registration information that can be used to undermine confidence in the U.S. election system, Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe announced at a press conference Wednesday evening.

Why it matters: The revelation comes roughly two weeks before Election Day. Ratcliffe said Iran has sent threatening emails to Democratic voters this week in states across the U.S. and spread videos claiming that people can vote more than once.

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