Apology Could 'Fundamentally Change' Apple

When Apple apologized Thursday for deliberately—and secretly—slowing down older iPhones to make sure their batteries continue to function, it was an "extraordinary move," Business Insider reports. And that's not just because it was a rare apology from the company. Matt Weinberger writes that the apology "could fundamentally change a key piece of how Apple does business" by setting the company down a new road of "openness and transparency." Apple's decision to make it easier for iPhone users to know what's going on with their older phones and batteries could extend to other aspects of the company in the future. Here's what else you need to know:

• Apology aside, there appear to be at least 15 separate lawsuits pending against Apple over its decision to slow old iPhones, 9to5Mac reports. In one of the lawsuits—which were filed in California, Chicago, New York, Israel, France, Korea, and Texas—a plaintiff is seeking a ridiculous $999 billion in compensation.

• BGR states "there are plenty of annoying things about" Apple's apology. For one, the company failed to acknowledge "that it misled iPhone users" when it took their "faith and support for granted."
• But tech analyst Daniel Ives tells CNBC the apology—targeted at people "on the fence" about getting a new phone—was a good idea. "This was a PR nightmare and this is something they needed to stop head-on," he says.
• As part of its apology, Apple lowered the cost of replacing an iPhone battery from $79 to $29 for a limited time. But for people no longer trusting Apple on battery issues, the Daily Dot lays out a few other options for replacement, including doing it yourself.

• "The apology tried for emotional intelligence but was too little, too late for many," writes Erik Sherman at Inc. He says it's hard to believe no one at the company was aware of the battery issue until users complained, signaling they're either being misleading or are "out of touch."
• Following Apple's apology, both Samsung and LG stated they don't slow their old phones, the Verge reports. "Never have, never will," were LG's exact words. Both HTC and Motorola had made similar announcements earlier.
• Finally, the Street argues that this whole situation should have Apple investors celebrating for two reasons: It proves people are still "obsessed" with their iPhones, and it highlights the number of people still using old iPhones who may soon decide to purchase an iPhone X.

(More iPhone stories.)