Quick Takes: Tim Cook at Capitol Hill, Apple Hires Events Director From Golden State Warriors, and More

In addition to our standalone articles covering the latest Apple news and rumors at MacRumors, this Quick Takes column provides a bite-sized recap of other headlines about Apple and its competitors on weekdays.

Tuesday, March 13

- Apple CEO Tim Cook visits Capitol Hill: Cook was spotted in the U.S. Capitol with senators Mark Warner (Democrat-Virginia) and Richard Burr (Republican-North Carolina). He reportedly had lunch with Warner.


Commentary: The report doesn't mention what was discussed, but it is fairly routine for Cook to make visits to Washington D.C. given his position. Warner is known to be a tech-savvy senator with concerns about cybersecurity.

- Apple hires Golden State Warriors executive as events director: Apple has hired Gail Hunter, who was vice president of public affairs and event management of the NBA's Golden State Warriors team. Hunter will serve as Apple's director of events effective March 19, according to the team.

gail hunter gsw
Commentary: Hunter will join Apple just under three months prior to its annual Worldwide Developers Conference in June, the company's largest event of the year. The report doesn't mention what her responsibilities will be.

- Apple supplier Wistron secures land to build new site in southern India: The contract manufacturer has received approval to build a new facility roughly 40 miles from Bengaluru, in the Indian state of Karnataka.

Commentary: Wistron will likely use its new facility to expand its iPhone SE assembly work. India charges a 20 percent duty on imported smartphones to encourage companies to manufacture products within the country.

- Apple expands rollout of Apple Music for Artists, a dashboard that provides artists with insights about how often their music is played and purchased, listener demographics, and more. A few thousand artists were invited to test the beta in January, and now additional artists can reserve a spot.

apple music artists
Commentary: Apple has also refreshed the look of its Apple Music and iTunes Store badges for artists and affiliate partners, shortly after updating its Made for iPhone, iPad, and iPod logos for certified accessories.

For more Apple news and rumors coverage, visit our Front Page, Mac Blog, and iOS Blog. Also visit our forums to join in the discussion.

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Top Rated Comments

KingOfStuff Avatar
98 months ago
Get back to work Tim.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
citysnaps Avatar
98 months ago
I guess you just have to look at how much Timmos has been able to achieve in Person vs how much he has achieved using an online platform. i.e he annouces his stances and opinions on security and political matters using news platforms, his Apple email or social media - outside of the occasional interview he does at a tech conference.. none of which are in DC, he doesnt really ‘make a difference’ at these high profile meet ups, rather sits on the side lines and watches proceedings.

All im saying. Tim-train should put Less focus on politics, more focus on Apples aging product line
Considering Mr. Cook is CEO of the most valuable company in the United States and the world, he has a tremendous amount of sway in Washington. And he uses that power to advocate for Apple, Apple's employees, and Apple's customers. As any other US CEO does.


"he doesnt really ‘make a difference’ at these high profile meet ups, rather sits on the side lines and watches proceedings."

Which meet-ups are you talking about. You mean the *one* last year where a bunch of large company CEOs sat a table with trump soon after he was inaugurated? That was an agenda-less show designed for television.

With respect to the other meetings he has with congress members from time to time advocating Apple's interests, how do you know "he doesnt really ‘make a difference’". It sounds like you have special access to what goes on in these private meetings. Do you have meeting minutes and results? Be specific.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
citysnaps Avatar
98 months ago
Get back to work Tim.
You may not understand that large company CEOs frequently meet with congressional members to advocate with respect to national policy matters on behalf of their company/employees/customers.

Part of his job.
[doublepost=1520986272][/doublepost]
Timmy has to be lobbying for something, he's not there just to say hi.
See above.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BornAgainApple Avatar
98 months ago
Commentary: The report doesn't mention what was discussed, but it is fairly routine for Cook to make visits to Washington D.C. given his position. Warner is known to be a tech-savvy senator with concerns about cybersecurity.
I wonder how often Steve visited DC, you know, given his position.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
citysnaps Avatar
98 months ago
exactly


See above
I get it. You see zero value in Cook lobbying for net neutrality, pushing back on mandates requiring Apple to weaken security by installing iPhone backdoors/alternate OSs on demand by the government, and other matters that benefit Apple customers.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Baymowe335 Avatar
98 months ago
With Rex out and Weirdo taking over, Capitol Hill is going down. Just as Apple. Cook really blends well into the scene...
Please tell us what you mean by Apple going down.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)