After our recent story
two weeks ago about litigation being brought against Apple for
poaching battery engineers and scientists from A123 Systems (an automotive and vertical-market energy research firm), Apple has informed the judge in the case that it is seeking a settlement and is in talks with the company. Apple had recruited former A123 Chief Technical Office Mujeeb Ijaz, who then helped Apple poach several of his former colleagues from A123.
The talent that jumped ship were so important to the company that several projects were halted because of the irreplaceability of the engineers. A123 sued Apple over Ijaz's actions, claiming breach of contract via an anti-competitive clause. Though Apple has spent years working on battery technologies, and may (or may not) be working on
electric vehicle research, as of now it is not considered a direct competitor to A123, which may make the latter company's claims of subversion more difficult to prove.
Apple adds 18 banks, credit unions to Apple Pay list
Also last updated about two weeks ago, Apple continues
to add partners to its Apple Pay service, increasing its list of supporting institutions on Tuesday with 18 new banks and credit unions. With the new additions, more than 100 financial institutions support the mobile payment option, which now has more than a million active users -- according to investment bank JP Morgan Chase.
While there are some 700 banks to go, most of the major and large institutions have already been added, covering the vast majority of the eligible US population. The new additions include Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, American Airlines Credit Union, Bank of Hawaii, Baxter Credit Union, Central Florida Educators' Federal Credit Union, Commonwealth Credit Union, Foothill Credit Union, Founders Federal Credit Union, IBM Southeast Employees' Federal Credit Union, Lister Hill Credit Union, North Shore Bank, PenFed Credit Union, Royal Credit Union, Schools First Federal Credit Union, Spokane Teachers Federal Credit Union, Telhio Credit Union, University First Federal Credit Union, and West Community Credit Union.
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