Apple's Bright Idea; Newest Apple Store Opens

Every week, makes news with technology developments, business deals and, more often than not, controversies.

That’s where our weekly "Core Bytes" column on Apple comes in. We’ll relay the past week’s news highlights from our favorite backyard tech giant.

Controversies
• Apple’s iTunes have enjoyed skyrocketing growth since its launch in 2001. But based on rumors from Thursday’s f8 conference, some are expecting that its growth spurt could be stymied through competition. Now Facebook is planning on launching a music service online, reigning in the likes of Spotify, Turntable.fm and Clear Channel.

• The “Apple Experience Center” opened in the library of Peking University, China’s most prestigious. But now some students and faculty are decrying the university for bringing consumerism into what they feel should be a space strictly for studying.

New Products
• Apple is literally living out its reputation for bright ideas: This week it was granted its second solar cell-related patent in 2011. Yet while a solar-powered phone may take five to 10 years to come to market, some companies are already offering a rechargeable solar battery case for any iPhone.

Business Deals and Developments
• Some have complained that Apple is lacking in the philanthropy department. Yet its recent actions, however small, may indicate otherwise. This week, Apple donated 9,000 of its first-generation iPads to Teach for America schools across the U.S. That’s one for every member in 38 states.

• Despite a lack of Jobs (though not jobs) at Apple, the company ever on Monday: Apple is now the world's most-valuable company, with a price tag of $383 billion and shares at $411.63 apiece.

• A few months ago, Apple faced accusations that it was tracking users' locations in its iOS 4 mobile operating system. Now it wants to show the world that it takes privacy seriously: The company has joined the Digital Due Process Coalition, a group lobbying for greater electronic privacy rights.

• Apple stores are commonplace in many large Asian cities. But not Hong Kong—until Saturday. The city’s first Apple store, replete with 300 employees and characteristically spiffed-up displays of new products, will open in its center. Another Asian Apple store also opened in Shanghai on Friday.

• Despite the sour economy, Apple iPads are expected to soar in growth. According to the research firm, Gartner, a total of 326 million iPads will be sold in 2015 if Apple continues growing at its current rate. By the end of this year alone, it’s expected to hold 73.4 percent of the tablet market.