Apple enters the spatial computing realm with its Apple Vision Pro headset, featuring ultra-high-resolution displays and a new operating system, visionOS. Despite its potential to redefine the AR and VR sector, the device’s hefty price and limited battery life spark debate among enthusiasts.
Google and Apple have collaborated to develop an industry standard to prevent the use of Bluetooth devices for unwanted tracking. The idea seeks to achieve compatibility between the two leading mobile operating systems and the larger Bluetooth ecosystem. The objective is to develop unauthorized tracking detection and alarm systems for iOS and Android platforms that would recognize Bluetooth location tracking devices and flag them if it looks like someone is being monitored without their consent. The proposed standard seeks to identify and inform persons if a location tracker that has been detached from the owner’s device is traveling with them, as well as to give a method for locating and disabling the tracker. According to reports, Samsung, Tile, Chipolo, Eufy Security, and Pebblebee have shown support for the draft specification, which gives instructions for building the essential capabilities into their devices. The proposed protocol expands on the proactive features of…
Following a year-long investigation that indicated the two corporations had a tight grip on the industry, the UK competition authority is launching an investigation into Apple and Google’s market clout in phone browsers and cloud gaming. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is seeking feedback on opening a market probe that would give it broad powers to address Google and Apple’s monopoly in mobile phone systems. The CMA might use a market investigation to intervene in Apple and Google’s provision of mobile browsers and distribution of cloud gaming services via their app stores and devices. The regulator has decided after a year of investigation that Apple and Google had an effective duopoly on mobile ecosystems, allowing them to exert an unfair grip on these markets, which include operating systems, app stores, and mobile web browsers. According to the CMA, the organization has examined where it may take…
In 2020, Apple is anticipated to release its first 5G-enabled iPhone powered by chipsets from Qualcomm and Samsung, according to a report from reliable supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo of TF International Securities. Following Intel’s announcement earlier this month about exiting the 5G modem chip market for iPhones, Apple had to turn to Qualcomm to ensure the supply of a 5G modem chip. The tech-giant is also looking for a second supplier and, in all probability, this will be Samsung. “We expect Apple will likely adopt 5G baseband chips made by Qualcomm (focus on mmWave markets) and Samsung (focus on Sub-6GHz markets) for lowering supply risk, reducing costs and having better bargaining power,” said the analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo believes that the introduction of a 5G-enabled iPhone could create a wave of upgrades and purchases, especially for the high-end models. “We are positive on the high-end iPhone models’ replacement…
Apple has recently acquired the Italian startup named Stamplay, a company offering an API-based backend development platform that aims to simplify the cloud-based development of apps for businesses. Stamplay specializes in building a “low code workflow automation” platform, and could assist the iPhone-maker in providing improved backend tools for iOS and macOS developers. In a press release, Italy’s Roma Tre University confirmed that Apple had acquired its startup, although the tech giant itself has not yet issued the customary statement on this acquisition. According to Italian media reports, the deal was worth around five million euros, which equates to roughly $5.6 million. Stamplay, which was founded by Nicola Mattina and Giuliano Iacobelli of Roma Tre’s computer engineering and business economics departments, provides a task automation platform geared toward enterprises. With a slogan “automate your business”, the startup enables companies to create workflows for handling monotonous, labor-intensive chores such as…
The tech giant Apple has publicized the launch of a new screen replacement program for iPhone X users, who have experienced touch problems with the gadget. In some cases, the screen on the iPhone X units does not respond or responds irregularly when touched, and there are also reports of units having displays that react even when they aren’t touched. In both cases, the problems present an unquestionably annoying experience for a device that costs up to 1000 dollars. Customers having issues such as a non-responsive or over-reactive touch screen will be able to get a new screen replacement free of charge from Apple, or at one of the company’s official service providers. The replacement program is specific to this fault, and applies only to the iPhone X device. Repairs will be limited to the original country of purchase, and the warranty of the phone will not be extended. Moreover,…
The first 5G smartphones are expected to debut in 2019, however Apple is in no rush to jump on this technology train, according to a report by Fast Company. The tech giant is expected to launch their 5G iPhone in 2020, with an Intel 8161 5G modem chip installed to enable access to the cutting-edge network. This news does not come as a complete surprise, since Apple tends to wait for new technologies to become fully developed before adding these technologies to their devices, such as occurred with 3G or LTE enabled Apple gadgets. In the meantime, Intel has fallen out of favor with Apple, since the chip manufacturer seems to be unable to solve the overheating problem with their forerunner 8060 chip. While this issue is not serious enough for Apple to approach Qualcomm and initiate discussions about 5G modem chip development for the iPhone, there have been…
On Monday 24th September, Apple announced that it has finally completed the acquisition of Shazam, an application that helps users identify songs, TV shows, commercials and movies. The takeover of one of the highest rating music apps by the technology giant is said to be valued at 400 million US dollars. “Apple and Shazam have a long history together. Shazam was one of the first apps available when we launched the App Store and has become a favorite app for music fans everywhere. With a shared love of music and innovation, we are thrilled to bring our teams together to provide users even more great ways to discover, experience and enjoy music,” commented the vice president of Apple Music, Oliver Schusser. The application has already been downloaded more than 1 billion times, and remains one of the most popular places to interact with peers by discovering and sharing favorite songs,…
The Chinese equipment manufacturer Huawei recently expressed its intention to surpass Apple in the smartphone market in 2018, and it seems that these plans are becoming a reality. According to IDC, Huawei shipped 54.2 million mobile devices units in the second quarter and moved to the second position, only to be outpaced by the ultimate leader Samsung. Looking at the total market share from Q2, Samsung maintains a strong 20.9%, while Huawei controls 15.8%, closely followed by Apple’s 12.1%. “The continued growth of Huawei is impressive, to say the least, as is its ability to move into markets where, until recently, the brand was largely unknown,” commented the program vice president with IDC’s Worldwide Mobile Device Trackers, Ryan Reith. Huawei’s recent push into Europe, the Middle East and India has secured its position among the top smartphone manufacturers. And while the US carriers are still instructed by the government to…
After the successful release of its flagship P20 series, the Chinese equipment manufacturer Huawei is set to overtake Apple as the second largest global smartphone vendor in 2018. As of July, Huawei had already shipped 100 million devices, and is on track to ship a total of 200 million devices by the end of the year, notably exceeding the number of 153 million of their smartphones shipped in 2017. Huawei, one of the world’s leading network equipment manufacturers, entered the smartphone race quite recently, and is aggressively competing with Samsung and Apple. However, the company has already managed to grow their smartphone business by 51 times since 2010, which is a sound proof of Huawei’s exponential expansion and its dominant position in the market. In addition to being the number three smartphone manufacturer globally, Huawei also holds the top position in China and is now focused on expanding their sales…
