Apple Inc. cars are driving around cities from Dublin to Oahu collecting data to improve the company’s much maligned Maps application.

Apple disclosed the effort Wednesday in a statement on its website, saying it was committed to protecting people’s privacy as it collects the information.

“For example, we will blur faces and license plates on collected images prior to publication,” according to the statement.

Apple debuted its Maps navigation app in 2012, replacing Google Inc.’s mapping data on the iPhone. Mistakes in Apple’s software drew users’ ire, and Google soon released a replacement app for Apple devices. Google Maps has been among the most popular free apps for the iPhone.

Apple said Monday that it would include public-transit directions in its app, something that Google has included for some time.

Apple had looked at possibly acquiring Nokia Oyj’s maps operations to improve its navigational software, people with knowledge of the matter said in April. The automobile fleet illustrates the Cupertino, Calif.-based company’s desire for autonomy, said Anand Srinivasan, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence.

Netflix’s stock soars as shareholders set stage for split

LOS GATOS, Calif. » Netflix’s stock climbed to a new high after shareholders cleared the way late Tuesday for its board of directors to make the Internet video service’s stock more affordable.

Shareholders set the stage for Netflix to split its stock by approving a proposal that will allow the board to increase the company’s outstanding stock to as many as 5 billion shares. The previous limit had been 170 million shares.

Netflix’s stock gained nearly 4 percent to close at $671.10 on Wednesday. Earlier in the session, the shares peaked at $692.79.

Netflix’s stock price has increased by sevenfold since 2012, driven by the popularity of its service that streams movies and TV shows to Internet-connected devices. The company has about 62 million subscribers worldwide.

Target doubles share buyback, ups dividend

MINNEAPOLIS » Target is doubling its share buyback program to $10 billion and boosting its quarterly dividend by 7.7 percent. The announcement comes after the company inadvertently said on its website Tuesday that it was taking those actions, but that was before the decisions had been affirmed by the board.

Information about the buyback and dividend vanished from the Target website after about 20 minutes.

Target blamed human error.

The stock repurchase authorization will increase to$10 billion from $5 billion, the company said late Tuesday. The dividend will rise to 56 cents a share from 52 cents, and will be paid on Sept. 10 to shareholders of record on Aug. 19.

76ers stop using arena’s corporate name

PHILADELPHIA » The Philadelphia 76ers have 86ed the corporate name from their home arena.

The Sixers have decided to stop referring to the Wells Fargo Center by name in all news releases and on the team website because the financial institution chose not to become a business partner with the basketball franchise.

This season, the 76ers started referring to the 20,000-seat arena simply as The Center.

Some fans thought that it was a marketing idea to develop a catchy nickname for the arena instead of referring to the corporate title. But the Sixers started sending press releases stating events would be held “at the Sixers’ home arena.”

A June 9 release touting auditions for a Sixers dance team gives the full address for the arena but omits the name.

Chris Heck, chief revenue officer of the 76ers, said the team values its partners and tries to maximize relationships.

Wells Fargo, which has a naming rights deal on the arena through 2024, declined comment.

Airbag victim got recall notice after crash

DETROIT » A Louisiana woman who may be the seventh person killed by a defective Takata air bag received a recall notice two days after the crash that caused her death, according to a lawsuit filed by her family.

Kylan Langlinais, 22, of Lafayette, La., died at a hospital on April 9, four days after the 2005 Honda Accord she was driving crashed into a utility pole in the city, according to a lawsuit filed by her family Monday in federal court. The crash occurred about 4 a.m. on April 5, and the driver’s air bag exploded with too much force, sending out shrapnel that severed Langlinais’ right carotid artery, the suit stated.

Walgreens, insurers push virtual doctors

Millions of people will be able to see a doctor on their smartphones or laptops for everyday ailments once the nation’s largest drugstore chain and two major insurers expand a foray into virtual health care.

Walgreens said Wednesday that it will offer a smartphone application that links doctor and patients virtually in 25 states by the end of the year. Walgreens didn’t immediately respond as to whether Hawaii would be among those states.

The retailer’s growth comes as UnitedHealth Group and the Blue Cross-Blue Shield insurer Anthem prepare to make their own non-emergency telemedicine services available to about 40 million more people by next year.

On the Move

» Hawaiian Airlines has appointed Angelia Keene to director of ground and environmental safety. She has 20 years experience in the aviation safety, including serving as director of safety-ground and flight of Aloha Air Cargo as well as worked at Hawaii Island Air, Aloha Airlines and Molokai Lanai Air Shuttle.

» Sheraton Princess Kaiulani has named Chris Kirksey as executive sous chef. He was previously a sous chef at Salish Lodge & Spa in Snoqualmie, Wash. as well as had culinary experience with W Seattle and Westin Bellevue, both in Washington state.

» Safeway has promoted Chuck Ungos to manager of their store located at 25 Kaneohe Bay Drive in Kailua, Hawaii. He was previously working at Safeway as a relief store manager, food clerk and courtesy clerk.

Ship Ahoy!

Today’s ship arrivals and departures: