Entertainment
6 famous million-dollar Apple product theft cases
iPhones, MacBooks, and other Apple products are often targeted by criminals due to their high value, ease of resale, and desirability. Numerous theft cases involving these products have occurred, resulting in millions of dollars in losses.
Theft and Fraud of iPhones ($28 Million)
In September 2022, a group of seven individuals, known as the “Clear Gods,” was arrested in Detroit, USA, for orchestrating the largest iPhone theft and fraud operation in history. This group managed to amass a staggering $28 million within just two years. In addition to directly stealing iPhones from stores, the group also utilized stolen personal information to make purchases and resell iPhones, with the assistance of Apple Store employees. Overall, the Clear Gods carried out 26,000 transactions. As of now, the case has not yet been brought to trial.
Miami Airport Heist ($6.8 Million)
In October 2016, eight individuals were accused of using a tractor-trailer to rob a warehouse at Miami Airport (USA), stealing 23,000 units of iPhone 5S and 6S. The total value of the stolen goods amounted to $6.8 million. The court had to split the case into two trials, one for the theft from the airport and the other for the disposal of the stolen iPhones. Seven out of the eight defendants pleaded guilty, while the eighth person, who was an Uber driver, was released in early 2018.
Apple Product Truck Heist ($6.6 Million)
In November 2020, a highly organized gang in the UK carried out a daring robbery, targeting a truck transporting Apple products worth $6.6 million. The suspects restrained the driver and security personnel before transferring the goods onto other trucks. Despite the arrest and interrogation of six individuals, the case remains unsolved.
Warehouse Theft in Belgium ($3 Million)
In November 2009, two years after the launch of the iPhone, a group of thieves in Belgium stole approximately 3,000-4,000 units of iPhone 3G and 3GS, with a total value of three million USD, from a warehouse belonging to CEVA Logistics in Willebroek. They gained access by creating a hole in the roof of the warehouse. Despite the stolen iPhones later appearing in the black market in Russia, the group responsible for the theft has not been apprehended.
iPad Mini Theft at JFK Airport ($1.9 Million)
In November 2012, an airport employee at JFK International Airport was arrested for accessing cargo forklifts and stealing 3,600 iPad Mini devices, valued at $1.9 million. The individual was subsequently convicted and sentenced to two years in prison.
Break-ins at Apple Stores in California ($1 Million)
Two major theft rings targeting Apple stores in California were disrupted in September 2018 and February 2023, resulting in losses exceeding one million USD in each case. In the first incident, 17 individuals were arrested for carrying out a series of thefts at Apple stores over several months, notably including a break-in at the Palo Alto store just hours after Apple CEO Tim Cook’s visit. The second case led to the arrest of eight individuals. Currently, there is no publicly available information regarding their trials.
Entertainment
Gamers fervently demand a simple feature, but Diablo 4 refuses hastily, surprising reasons.
All things considered, this isn’t an excessively high demand from the Diablo 4 gamers.
Diablo 4 has been receiving a great deal of recognition and praise from the gaming community following the improvements made in the latest version. Furthermore, anticipation is even higher for the upcoming first expansion of Diablo 4, Vessel of Hatred, set to be released next year. However, many gamers are already feeling disappointed as their heartfelt desires and expectations are not being fully met by Blizzard.
Accordingly, right from the game’s initial release, Diablo 4 players earnestly requested Blizzard to make changes to the inventory system. Firstly, they suggested creating a separate storage space for gems and precious stones. Secondly, they requested a feature that would make it easier for players to manage their items through a sorting and filtering system based on the quality of the loot. The first part of the request was addressed in Season 2, while regarding the loot filtering feature, many were surprised to learn that Blizzard would not be adding this functionality, even in the upcoming expansion next year.
Originally, this wasn’t an overly difficult or complex request, which is why Blizzard’s hesitancy and delay in responding has left many Diablo 4 players feeling frustrated. To explain their decision, Blizzard states that the changes need to be interconnected to maintain coherence and logicality. Therefore, before considering the loot filtering feature, the company is striving to implement other related adjustments that affect the functionality and diversification of item types. Of course, this response still doesn’t satisfy many people, as this is something relatively simple and could easily be addressed straightforwardly.
In this first expansion, several new features are being considered, including the removal of the Codex of Power from player’s inventory and changes to health and mana potions, as well as buffs.
Entertainment
Rumors have been circulating about a live-action film about GTA, the creator of the series spoke out to confirm one thing.
Rumors have been circulating about a live-action film about GTA, the creator of the series spoke out to confirm one thing.
With the brand’s popularity, it’s understandable that fans are eagerly anticipating a GTA film. Two of the most shocking pieces of news in the gaming world last week were Nintendo’s announcement of a live-action film based on The Legend of Zelda franchise and Rockstar’s promise to unveil the release roadmap for GTA 6 in December. While seemingly unrelated, recently there has been a surprising rumor circulating online that GTA 6 will serve as a stepping stone for Rockstar and Take-Two to release a film specifically for this franchise.
Fundamentally, this is entirely feasible as, alongside its immersive role-playing elements that attract a large player base, GTA is also renowned for its storytelling, setting, and notably, a plethora of iconic main characters throughout the game series. This material is sufficient to launch a cinematic work, and GTA fans have every reason to look forward to it. However, Take-Two’s CEO, Strauss Zelnick, quickly denied this and admitted that they are not interested in any film projects in the near future.
The reason was promptly given right after. Essentially, Take-Two could invest its own money to make a film or a series about GTA, and its chances of success would be significant. However, the publisher seems unenthusiastic about venturing into this new field because it would consume a lot of time and effort. Licensing the brand to a third party to develop a film project is also not worth mentioning because even if the film generates significant buzz, the revenue that Take-Two would receive wouldn’t be substantial, especially when compared to the earnings they have already generated from the GTA brand, particularly during the past decade of milking GTA 5. In summary, from Take-Two’s perspective, producing a film or film series about GTA would not yield profitable results.
Therefore, despite the strong desire, it is highly unlikely that GTA fans will have the opportunity to witness a cinematic work based on this franchise in the future. However, everything can change over time, especially as the trend of adapting games into films has seen significant success recently, as exemplified by the cases of Cyberpunk 2077 and The Last of Us.
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Entertainment
Why do private jet aircraft fly at higher altitudes than commercial planes?
Besides the luxury and convenience to cater to ultra-rich customers, private jets operate at higher altitudes compared to commercial planes.
Typically, most commercial planes operate at an altitude of around 10.6 km (the specific altitude will be determined by the air traffic control along the route) and are certified to fly at altitudes of up to 12 km. Some specific wide-body aircraft, such as the Airbus A380, Airbus A350, and Boeing 787, have certifications for even higher altitudes, reaching up to 13.1 km (with some variants, such as the 787-10 and A350-1000, evaluated at slightly lower altitudes of 12.52 km and 12.6 km). However, due to air traffic constraints, they may not regularly operate at these altitudes.
Meanwhile, most medium and large private jet aircraft typically operate at higher altitudes than this, sometimes surpassing the permitted limits due to reduced air traffic and fewer restrictions. According to Simple Flying, many types of private jet aircraft, including the Gulfstream G650 and G650ER, Bombardier Global Express, or Challenger jet, Cessna Citation X, and Dassault Falcon 7X, are certified to fly at altitudes of 15.5 km. In contrast, Embraer Legacy and Praetor, along with Cessna Citation Longitude and Excel jets, have certifications for slightly lower altitudes, limited to 13.7 km, as reported by Interesting Engineering. There are several explanations for the significant difference in cruising altitude between private jets and commercial planes during cruise mode, according to Interesting Engineering.
Safety Standards
Safety is the top priority for all aircraft, but private jets have more flexibility in regulations and systems. In the event of a cabin pressure loss, commercial planes must rapidly descend to a safe altitude below 3 km to provide sufficient oxygen for passengers.
This requirement demands specific design considerations for the aircraft’s structure and engines, as well as the installation of safety equipment such as oxygen masks and emergency slides. In contrast, private jet engines can facilitate quicker descent, and their cabin pressure and oxygen supply systems may vary. The risk of damage to the fuselage due to engine malfunctions is also lower for private jets, as their engines are located at the rear of the aircraft, far from the pressurized cabin.
Private Jets are Faster and More Efficient
Flying at higher altitudes also brings performance and fuel efficiency benefits. At higher altitudes, the air is thinner and cooler, improving the performance of jet engines and reducing fuel consumption. Of course, this must be balanced with the fuel required for the aircraft to reach such altitudes, which can be a challenge for heavier commercial planes.
The engines of private jets also have a higher bypass ratio, meaning they utilize more air from the core rather than the fan surrounding the core. This optimizes engine performance at higher altitudes.
The Importance of Aircraft Size
Private jet aircraft are designed to be flexible and efficient, with a higher power-to-weight ratio than commercial planes. This means they can climb and maintain speed at higher altitudes, where the air is thinner and there is less drag.
On the other hand, commercial planes are heavier and bulkier due to the need to carry many passengers and cargo. They also require large wings to support their weight at higher altitudes. This is why some aircraft models, such as the Boeing 777X, have folding wings to save ground space.
Smoother Experience at Higher Altitudes
Weather and turbulence in the air also affect comfort and safety during flight. When flying at an altitude of 10.6 km, commercial planes are almost unaffected by weather phenomena, but they may still encounter turbulence caused by wind shear or jet streams. This can cause discomfort for passengers and the flight crew, as well as put pressure on the aircraft’s structure. Private jets can avoid these issues by flying even higher, where the air is calmer and less turbulent. Private jet pilots also have more options to change direction or altitude in case of bad weather or air turbulence.
Reduced Air Traffic
Air traffic is another factor that influences the choice of altitude. Commercial planes must adhere to predetermined flight paths and altitudes, which are often crowded due to the numerous planes operating at these levels.
This can lead to issues such as flight delays, rerouting, increased fuel consumption, and emissions. In contrast, private jets have more freedom in choosing routes and altitudes, which are less congested than common altitudes. This helps save time and money while reducing environmental impact.
Source: Interesting Engineering
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