“Tim Cook and company announced that by this fall, they would provide technology for over 114 schools through its ConnectED program, donating all kinds of devices—Apple TVs, Macs and iPads—for use by 50,000 students across the US. And they launched a new school program called Everyone Can Code, which aims to help students learn ⁽¹⁾ the art of computer programming—through Apple’s own Swift programming language.” --<WIRED雜誌>  

WIRED雜誌報導，庫克與蘋果表示，今年秋季之前，他們會透過ConnectED方案提供技術給逾114所學校，並捐贈各種設備－Apple TVs, Macs 以及 iPads給美國5萬多名學生。還有利用蘋果的Swift程式語言學習軟體，啟動新的學校計劃Everyone Can Code(每人都會程式設計)，協助學生認識計算機程式設計。

"In other words, Apple is behaving a lot like Google. It sees the enterprise as an enormous growth opportunity, and one important way into the enterprise is through schools. For one thing, there are lots of schools, and so many of them need new tech, after using stuff from Microsoft and IBM for far too long. Plus, if kids start using Apple technology in school, they’ll grow up and want to use it at work too. Oh, and the education thing makes for nice PR. ‘We’ve always believed that education is a great (2) equalizer, and that our products could always have a tremendous positive impact on teachers and students,’ Cook said. ‘But we are also deeply aware that not every student can feel this impact.’”
換言之，蘋果有很多動作很像Google。他們都看到企業用戶大幅成長的契機，而打入這個市場的重要途徑就是學校。理由是，很多學校使用微軟與IBM的設備已經年代久遠，實在需要更新。還有，如果孩子在學校使用蘋果的產品技術，當他們長大時也會想把它們用在工作上。同時，教育也是最佳公關。庫克說＂我們一向相信教育有助於達成社會平等，我們的產品對老師與學生會產生極大正面影響＂。＂但我們也很清楚並非每位學生都能感受到這樣的影響力。”

“Yes, Apple has partnered with IBM, the enterprise company it once ⁽³⁾ gave the finger to. But this is only natural. Apple needs new ⁽⁴⁾ avenues of growth as it faces slowing demand for smartphones globally, not to mention a cooling demand for the iPhone from China. And the enterprise can provide that growth. In the modern age, the line between consumer and enterprise is fading. The same tech applies in both places. Just as Google knows this, Apple does too. And it’s seizing on the idea. After all, there’s money in it.”

的確，蘋果的合作夥伴IBM，曾經是它相當厭惡的公司。但這也合乎常理。面臨全球智慧型手機需求下滑，以及眾所皆知中國市場的iPhone需求已在冷卻，蘋果實在需要新的方式讓公司成長。而企業用戶就可以幫助它達到這個目標。如今，在消費者與企業之間界限逐漸消失。一樣的技巧用在兩個不同地方。Google了解這點，蘋果也正這樣做。畢竟，掌握這個構想就能為公司獲利。

字彙
1. the art of computer programming 簡稱為TAOCP 計算機程式設計
2. equalizer 平衡器，這裡指教育可以縮減貧富差距，給予每人平等機會。在運動中，指的是扳成平手進球。
　He scored the equalizer at the last minute. 他在最後一刻追平得分.
3. gave the finger 對它人比中指以表達憤怒的行為。Give someone the finger.
4. avenues 街道，方式（way）explore/pursue/try an avenue.
We have explored every possible avenue to find funding. 我們已用盡各種方法來籌措資金。

1. Teacher, how did Helen behave today at school? 老師，今天海倫在學校守規矩嗎？
2. How do you think of Montessori education? 您覺得蒙特梭利教學法怎麼樣？
3. My son loves reading. Would you recommend some short novels that suit him? 我兒子很喜歡閱讀，可以推薦一些適合他的短篇小說嗎？
4. Children are difficult to learn English. 對孩子來說，學英文是困難的。
5. I can’t believe that this picture was painted by a three years old kid! 我無法相信這幅畫是一個三歲小孩畫的！

1. Sir/Ma’am, how did Helen behave today at school? 英文裡稱呼男老師時會用sir、女老師則是madam或ma’am，不然就是稱呼某先生或某小姐，如Mr. Chen、Miss Wang…等等。
2. What do you think of Montessori education? 受到中文「怎麼樣」的字眼影響，我們容易誤用how作開頭。事實上要問對方有何想法，應該以what作為think的受詞（不過，後面若有feel這個動詞，便可以用how，例：How do you feel about Montessori education?
3. My son loves reading. Would you recommend some short stories that suit him? novel一字往往指的是長篇小說，若要表示短篇小說，應該用short stories才正確。
4. It is difficult for children to learn English. 困難的是「英文」而不是「孩子」，因此主詞不該用children，而該改為English，另再以it作為假主語，代替English。
5. I can’t believe that this picture was painted by a three-year-old kid! 「他三歲大」的英文是：He is three years old.，但「三歲」拿來當作形容詞時，應加入hyphen（連字號），且year用單數形式，變成three-year-old。