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  • Samsung Beats TSMC to 3-Nanometer Chip Production

    Samsung Beats TSMC to 3-Nanometer Chip Production

    Samsung has achieved a major milestone, beating rival TSMC to 3-nanometer production.

    TSMC and Samsung both produce mobile chips used in smartphones, tablets, and more. While TSMC is considered the industry leader, Samsung has built quite a business making its own chips, as well as making chips for other companies. Samsung has now begun production of its 3nm chips, ushering in the next generation of performance and power efficiency.

    “Samsung has grown rapidly as we continue to demonstrate leadership in applying next-generation technologies to manufacturing, such as foundry industry’s first High-K Metal Gate, FinFET, as well as EUV. We seek to continue this leadership with the world’s first 3nm process with the MBCFET™,” said Dr. Siyoung Choi, President and Head of Foundry Business at Samsung Electronics. “We will continue active innovation in competitive technology development and build processes that help expedite achieving maturity of technology.”

    According to the company, first-gen 3nm chips will be able to reduce power consumption up to 45%, while improving performance by up to 23%. The chips will also reduce area by 16%.

    The second-gen 3nm chips will improve those numbers to 50% less power consumption, 30% better performance, and 35% area reduction.

    The one thing that remains to be seen is whether Samsung will be able to tackle the heat issues it has been struggling with. Compared to chips made by TSMC, some have begun to suspect Samsung-manufactured chips have led to the overheating problems in the Galaxy S22, as well as other brands that rely on Samsung’s production.

    Hopefully, the company will be able to put these issues to rest with the move to 3nm.

  • Apps in South Korea Can Now Bypass the App Store’s Payment System

    Apps in South Korea Can Now Bypass the App Store’s Payment System

    Developers in South Korea can now use the payment system of their choice rather than being locked into Apple’s method.

    South Korea passed a law requiring Apple to open up the App Store to allow developers to use a payment method of their choosing. Despite Apple’s objection, the law has gone into effect, and Apple has complied. Apple has informed developers of the change in a developer update:

    The Telecommunications Business Act in South Korea was recently amended to mandate that apps distributed by app market operators in South Korea be allowed to offer an alternative payment processing option within their apps. To comply with this law, developers can use the StoreKit External Purchase Entitlement. This entitlement allows apps distributed on the App Store solely in South Korea the ability to provide an alternative in-app payment processing option. Developers who want to continue using Apple’s in-app purchase system may do so and no further action is needed.

    At the same time, Apple says some features will not work if developers opt to use a different payment method:

    The Telecommunications Business Act in South Korea was recently amended to mandate that apps distributed by app market operators in South Korea be allowed to offer an alternative payment processing option within their apps. To comply with this law, developers can use the StoreKit External Purchase Entitlement. This entitlement allows apps distributed on the App Store solely in South Korea the ability to provide an alternative in-app payment processing option. Developers who want to continue using Apple’s in-app purchase system may do so and no further action is needed.

    Other jurisdictions have been increasingly working to pry open Apple’s grip on the App Store, but South Korea has managed to make the most progress so far. It’s a safe bet it won’t be the last.

  • Brazil Looking to Standardize on USB-C for Phone Chargers

    Brazil Looking to Standardize on USB-C for Phone Chargers

    Brazil is investigating the possibility of mandating USB-C for phone chargers, the latest country to consider such measures.

    The European Union recently passed rules requiring smartphone and device manufacturers to use USB-C chargers in an effort to cut down on e-waste and improve the consumer experience. US Senators have since asked the FCC to consider a similar measure. According to Ars Technica, Brazil is considering taking similar action.

    The National Telecommunications Agency has announced a public consultation for a proposal that would follow the EU’s example. The one big difference is the scope of the proposal. The EU’s mandate applies to smartphones, tablets, handheld gaming consoles, cameras, and more. Eventually, it will also extend to laptops. In contrast, Brazil is only investigating a mandate for cell phones at this time.

    Apple is the company that will be most impacted by these rules and, in all likelihood, will opt to adopt USB-C across its entire lineup rather than have specific hardware models for different jurisdictions.

  • TSMC May Edge Out Intel’s Quarterly Revenue for the First Time

    TSMC May Edge Out Intel’s Quarterly Revenue for the First Time

    TSMC’s rise to the world’s top semiconductor maker continues unabated, with the company about to hit a major milestone: beating Intel’s quarterly revenue.

    Intel was once the undisputed king of the semiconductor market, but it has struggled in recent years with both its technological advancement and its production abilities. Meanwhile, TSMC has become the primary manufacturer of the mobile chips that have come to dominate the industry. According to The Register, TSMC is now set to report higher quarterly revenue than Intel for the first time ever.

    TSMC’s revenue is expected to jump 43% quarter-over-quarter, coming in at 18.1billion,whileIntel′srevenueisexpectedtohit17.98 billion.

    See also: TSMC Set to Raise Prices

    TSMC’s growth has been driven by its industry-leading foundries that pump out chips for Apple, AMD, Qualcomm, Nvidia, Intel, and others. With the rise of the smartphone, TSMC quickly established itself as the leading manufacturing firm for such chips, continually driving technological advancement and delivering the volume its customers need.

    Intel has clearly been making moves to regain its position and compete with TSMC’s foundry services. The company has been working to advance its tech, even speeding up deadlines it initially set since Pat Gelsinger took over as CEO. The company has also been hiring top semiconductor talent, building foundries and plants, as well as investing in chip-making production in various regions.

  • Apple’s 5G Modem Efforts ‘May Have Failed’ and Qualcomm Benefits

    Apple’s 5G Modem Efforts ‘May Have Failed’ and Qualcomm Benefits

    Apple may be dealing with an uncharacteristic failure, with its 5G modem development efforts not going according to plans.

    Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo tweeted the news early Tuesday afternoon. Kuo is well-respected for his track record of being right far more often than not in his Apple predictions.

    Apple purchased Intel’s 5G modem business after the latter failed to make significant headway against Qualcomm’s market dominance. At the time, it was believed that Apple was hoping to use the purchase to create its own modems for the 2022 iPhones. When that didn’t happen, some believed Apple would make the change in the 2023 lineup.

    Kuo believes Qualcomm is now on target to exceed revenue expectations for the second half of 2023 and the first half of 2024, thanks to being the iPhone’s sole modem supplier.

    While the company still needs to diversify beyond its reliance on Apple, Kuo says, “by the time Apple succeeds and can replace Qualcomm, Qualcomm’s other new businesses should have grown enough to significantly offset the negative impacts caused by the order loss of iPhone 5G chips.”

  • Some M2 MacBook Pros Have Slower SSDs Than M1 MacBooks

    Some M2 MacBook Pros Have Slower SSDs Than M1 MacBooks

    The Apple world is in a bit of an uproar after it was discovered the new M2 MacBook Pro has slower SSDs than its predecessor.

    Apple unveiled the M2 at WWDC 2022 in June. The new processor is the next generation of Apple’s custom silicon. While users are understandably excited about the performance gains the new processor brings, it seems some models may be held back by subpar SSD performance.

    According to The Mac Observer, reviewers started noticing that the base 256GB M2 MacBook Pro had read speeds roughly 50% slower than the M1, while write speeds were roughly 30% slower. This not only impacts the computer’s speed when reading and writing data but also when using drive space for swap when the OS uses drive space as virtual RAM. This can happen when the physical RAM is being heavily used and is a practice all modern systems employ. The faster the drive, the better the system can approximate real RAM, making a slower SSD a potentially significant bottleneck.

    According to YouTube channel Max Tech, the issue stems from the base model only using a single 256GB chip for the SSD instead of the two 128GB chips the M1 used. Using two chips allows them to operate in parallel, giving significant performance boosts.

    Interestingly, reviews of the 512GB model show comparable performance to the M1 MacBook Pro. This would seem to indicate the more expensive model uses two 256GB chips.

    Given Apple’s notoriously tight-lipped nature, the company has not commented on why it chose to include a single chip in the base M2 MacBook Pro instead of the superior dual-chip configuration. In all likelihood, however, the decision was probably made in response to the ongoing semiconductor shortage.

  • US SENATORS WANT TO COPY EU’S USB-C CHARGER MANDATE

    US SENATORS WANT TO COPY EU’S USB-C CHARGER MANDATE

    US Senators are looking to take a page from the EU, pushing for a plan that would force manufacturers to standardize on a common charger.

    The EU made headlines when it adopted a new rule that requires manufacturers to use USB-C for small and medium-sized devices. The rule would cover laptops, tablets, handheld gaming consoles, cameras, smartphones, and more. Senators Ed Markey, Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders have written a letter to Secretary Gina Raimondo urging the Department of Commerce to follow suit.

    While much of the smartphone and tablet industry already uses USB-C, Apple is the notable exception. While some of its devices use the ubiquitous port, the company still uses its own Lightning port for some iPhones and iPads. The situation becomes even murkier in the realm of laptops, with some manufacturers using USB-C and others still relying on traditional barrel chargers. In addition to being a source of inconvenience, the splintered ecosystem leads to a significant amount of e-waste.

    The three Senators want the Commerce Department to take action, using the EU’s decision as a template.

    “We commend the Department of Commerce for the steps it has already taken to address these issues, and we urge you to follow the EU’s lead by developing a comprehensive strategy to address unnecessary consumer costs, mitigate e-waste, and restore sanity and certainty to the process of purchasing new electronics,” the lawmakers write in their letter to Commerce Secretary Raimondo.

    “[The EU’s] policy has the potential to significantly reduce e-waste and help consumers who are tired of having to rummage through junk drawers full of tangled chargers to find a compatible one, or buy a new one,” the Senators continue. “The EU has wisely acted in the public interest by taking on powerful technology companies over this consumer and environmental issue. The United States should do the same.”

    A full copy of the letter can be read HERE.

  • EU Standardizes On USB-C For Device Charging, Apple Most Impacted

    EU Standardizes On USB-C For Device Charging, Apple Most Impacted

    The European Union (EU) has passed legislation that will require device manufacturers to standardize on USB-C charging cables by autumn 2024.

    The EU has been working for some time to standardize charging cables in an effort to cut down on electronic waste and save consumers money. The latest bill initially targets small and medium-sized devices, including phones, tablets, earbuds, headphones, headsets, e-readers, digital cameras, portable speakers, and handheld gaming consoles that are rechargeable. All will be required to use USB-C for charging.

    While the law goes into effect for the small to medium-sized devices in autumn 2024, laptop makers will have an additional 40 months to make changes, after which they will be required to standard on USB-C as well.

    Read More: Need Power While Traveling? Beware of USB Charging Stations

    Parliament’s rapporteur Alex Agius Saliba (S&D, MT) said: “Today we have made the common charger a reality in Europe! European consumers were frustrated long with multiple chargers piling up with every new device. Now they will be able to use a single charger for all their portable electronics. We are proud that laptops, e-readers, earbuds, keyboards, computer mice, and portable navigation devices are also included in addition to smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers. We have also added provisions on wireless charging being the next evolution in the charging technology and improved information and labelling for consumers”.

    The move, at least initially, primarily impacts Apple. The company still manufactures a number of iPhones and iPads that use its Lightning port. In contrast, much of the Android ecosystem already runs on USB-C.

    The issue becomes more complicated once the law begins to apply to laptops. While many manufacturers, including Apple, have begun adopting USB-C for their laptop chargers, many still use the traditional barrel charger.

    While the law only applies to the EU, it’s a safe bet many manufacturers will make the switch worldwide, rather than support different designs for inside and outside the EU. As a result, incompatible chargers may soon be a thing of the past for all consumers.

  • Qualcomm Wants Consortium of Rivals to Ensure Arm Remains Independent

    Qualcomm Wants Consortium of Rivals to Ensure Arm Remains Independent

    Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon wants his company to be part of a consortium of rivals that would invest in Arm and ensure its independence.

    Arm Holdings is one of the leading semiconductor design firms, with companies around the globe licensing its designs to serve as the basis for their chips. Apple’s A-series and M1 line of chips are prime examples. The company was recently in talks to be acquired by Nvidia, but that deal fell through over concerns that owning Arm would give Nvidia an unfair advantage. Amon wants to make sure that scenario is never again a possibility.

    SoftBank, Arm’s current owner, is now looking to spin-off Arm as an independent company following the failure of the Nvidia deal. Amon told Financial Times, via Ars Technica, he wants many companies to invest in Arm to ensure no one company could gain an unfair advantage.

    “We’re an interested party in investing,” Amon said in an interview. “It’s a very important asset and it’s an asset which is going to be essential to the development of our industry.”

    “You’d need to have many companies participating so they have a net effect that Arm is independent,” he added.

    Amon sees this strategy as a way for Arm to return to its roots and do business the way it did before SoftBank acquired it.

    “Arm has won everywhere because of the collective investment of the entire ecosystem, from companies like Apple and Qualcomm and many others, and that’s because it was an independent, open architecture that everybody could invest in,” said Amon, referring to the pre-SoftBank period.

    Given Arm’s importance to the industry, it’s a safe bet his sentiments will be echoed by many of Arm’s customers. In fact, Intel has expressed similar interest in a consortium to purchase Arm.

  • Roblox and Former National Security Officials Come to Apple’s Defense in Epic Case

    Roblox and Former National Security Officials Come to Apple’s Defense in Epic Case

    Apple is receiving some major backing in its fight with Epic, with former national security officials and Roblox defending the company’s App Store policies.

    Epic sued Apple in an attempt to force the company to open the App Store. Although Epic largely lost its battle, both companies are appealing the decision — Epic to achieve anything resembling a victory and Apple to try to win the one point it lost.

    Throughout the case, Apple has maintained that it’s walled-garden approach to the App Store improves the overall privacy and security of iOS, a point Roblox and former national security officials agree on, according to CNET. The various groups have filed court briefs supporting Apple’s position.

    “If Epic were to prevail, competition for higher quality device security would be stifled, and courts would be forced into unwanted regulatory postures that would open the door for greater risk of security threats,” a group of former defense, CIA, NSA, and National Security Council officials wrote.

    Roblox made a similar case in its brief.

    “Apple’s process for review and approval of apps available on the App Store enhances safety and security, and provides those apps greater legitimacy in the eyes of users,” Roblox wrote. “This is an important benefit that all apps, including Roblox’s, enjoy by choosing to be a part of Apple’s ecosystem.”

    Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers’ original decision was a well-researched decision, one that many experts believe will be upheld. Given the weight of support Apple is receiving, an Epic victory is looking more and more unlikely.

  • GSMA: Mobile Money Transactions Top $1 Trillion in 2021

    GSMA: Mobile Money Transactions Top $1 Trillion in 2021

    The GSM Association (GSMA) has released its 10th annual ‘State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money,’ showing the industry processed $1 trillion in 2021.

    The mobile money industry has been experiencing significant growth, according to the GSMA, registering 18% more accounts in 2021 over 2020, bringing the total to 1.35 billion accounts globally. The number of person-to-person transactions reached 1.5 million an hour.

    Merchant payment transactions, in particular, were a driving factor, reaching an average of $5.5 billion per month.

    “2021 was the year mobile money started to really diversify to B2B services. Beyond traditional person-to-person transactions, such as transferring money to family or friends, the industry is now central in helping small businesses operate more efficiently, and serve their customers better” said Max Cuvellier, Head of Mobile for Development, GSMA.

    To learn more, the full 2022 State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money here.

  • ‘Reader Apps’ On the App Store Can Now Include Alternate Payment Links

    ‘Reader Apps’ On the App Store Can Now Include Alternate Payment Links

    Developers of “reader apps,” such as Netflix, Spotify, and Kindle, can now include a link to alternative payment methods.

    Apple and Google have been under increasing pressure to open up their app ecosystems to outside payment options. Apple, in particular, has fought against such efforts aggressively, but has lost some of its battles, including against the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC). As part of its settlement with the JFTC, the company agreed to crack open its walled garden for reader apps, allowing them to include a link to alternate payment options.

    Apple has now implemented those changes, announcing the change on its Developer site.

    Last year, Apple announced an update coming to the App Store in early 2022 that would allow developers of “reader” apps to include an in-app link to their website for account creation and management purposes. Starting today, with the update of App Store Review guideline 3.1.3(a), developers of reader apps can now request access to the External Link Account Entitlement. This entitlement lets reader apps link to a website that is owned or maintained by the developer, so that users can create or manage their account outside of the app. Reader apps are apps that provide one or more of the following digital content types — magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, or video — as the primary functionality of the app.

    Developers can learn more here.

  • Galaxy S22 Issues Mount With Reports of Faulty GPS

    Galaxy S22 Issues Mount With Reports of Faulty GPS

    Reports are emerging that Samsung’s Galaxy S22 phones may have faulty GPS, compromising any apps that rely on precise location data.

    The Galaxy S22 is one of Samsung’s most popular phones, but it has been mired with controversy since its launch. Users quickly discovered the phone’s performance was being throttled when playing games and using some apps. In addition, there were issues with screen refresh rates and the 45W fast-charging didn’t seem so fast.

    According to BGR, however, the biggest issue appears to be with the GPS, rendering some of the most popular apps completely useless.

    The company does appear to be aware of the problem, at least according to a moderator on the Samsung community forums.

    Hi all,

    I’ve merged a couple of threads on this one.

    Latest I’ve heard from the Samsung side of things is that a software fix is being prepared to resolve the GPS issue. We’ve not been give a timescale for that (other than “soon”), but please keep a look out for upcoming software updates.

    The fact the issue appears to be fixable with a software update is good news for users.

  • Google and Spotify Partner to Provide User Choice Billing

    Google and Spotify Partner to Provide User Choice Billing

    Google is teaming up with Spotify to provide user choice billing, rather than locking users into Google’s payment options.

    In recent years, billing options within app ecosystems have become a major source of contention between developers, lawmakers, and the companies that run the app stores. Apple and Google have both taken heat for locking users into their payment systems, but Google is now opening that door a bit, beginning with Spotify.

    Spotify was a natural choice for Google to partner with. The company has been a long-time advocate for billing choice, and is one of the biggest subscription-based apps on the market. Google announced the plans in a blog post:

    We’ll be partnering with developers to explore different implementations of user-choice billing, starting with Spotify. As one of the world’s largest subscription developers with a global footprint and integrations across a wide range of device form factors, they’re a natural first partner. Together, we’ll work to innovate in how consumers make in-app purchases, deliver engaging experiences across multiple devices, and bring more consumers to the Android platform.

    Spotify will be introducing Google Play’s billing system alongside their current billing system, and their perspective as our first partner will be invaluable. This pilot will help us to increase our understanding of whether and how user choice billing works for users in different countries and for developers of different sizes and categories.

    Google didn’t mention what other developers it will be working with, but emphasizes this was a first step toward closer collaboration with the developer community, a step Spotify welcomes.

    “Spotify is on a years-long journey to ensure app developers have the freedom to innovate and compete on a level playing field,” said Spotify’s Alex Norström, Chief Freemium Business Officer. “We’re excited to be partnering with Google to explore this approach to payment choice and opportunities for developers, users and the entire internet ecosystem. We hope the work we’ll do together blazes a path that will benefit the rest of the industry.”

  • The Latest iPad Air May Have Serious Build Quality Issues

    The Latest iPad Air May Have Serious Build Quality Issues

    Apple thrilled iPad users with the release of the latest iPad Air 5, but not everyone is happy with its build quality.

    Apple unveiled the iPad Air 5, complete with 5G and more powerful M1 chip, as part of its Peak Performance event in early March. The release was widely praised, with the new model being powerful enough to make people wonder if the iPad Pro is obsolete.

    Despite the initial enthusiasm, not everyone is happy with the Air. First noticed by iMore, users are complaining on Reddit about the device’s build quality, specifically the aluminum back panel. The aluminum seems to be thinner than on previous models, causing it to creak under even the slightest pressure.

    I ordered and received two blue iPad Air 2022 today and I’m a bit shocked. The aluminium backplate is a lot thinner than on the iPad 4 which I also have. You can almost feel the battery through the plate when you hold the device. Both iPads have the same feeling and are making creaking noises when you hold them. This did not happen on the iPad Air 4. Both are going back but is it just me? I also asked a second person and she felt it too.

    It remains to be seen if the issue is restricted to a small subset of the new model, or if it’s a systemic flaw.

  • Tim Cook: ‘We’re Not Against Digital Advertising’

    Tim Cook: ‘We’re Not Against Digital Advertising’

    Tim Cook has set the record straight that Apple is not against digital advertising, it simply wants to give consumers more control.

    Apple is at odds with the advertising industry over changes to iOS. Apple recently began enforcing privacy labels, forcing app developers to disclose what user information they collect and track. iOS will soon include App Track Transparency (ATT), forcing apps to ask users for permission to track them.

    Unfortunately, the advertising industry seems to suffer the belief that it has an inalienable right to track users, and build detailed profiles of them, with or without their permission. Thankfully, Apple is opposed to that view, and holds to the idea that people should be able to decide for themselves whether they are tracked and profiled — not the have the decision made for them by advertisers.

    In an interview with the Toronto Sun, via AppleInsider, CEO Tim Cook clarified the company’s stand.

    “We’re not against digital advertising,” Cook said. “I think digital advertising is going to thrive in any situation, because more and more time is spent online, less and less is spent on linear TV. And digital advertising will do well in any situation. The question is, do we allow the building of this detailed profile to exist without your consent?”

    Cook framed Apple’s actions in the context of protecting its users.

    “We feel so much that it’s our responsibility to help our users be able to make this decision. We’re not going to make the decision for them. Because it’s not our decision either. It should be each of ours’ as to what happens with our data. Who has it and how they use it,” Cook continued.

    Cook also addressed why companies like Facebook and Procter & Gamble are so opposed to Apple’s efforts. P&G has even gone so far as to work with a Chinese ad agency to find ways of bypassing ATT.

    According to Cook, these companies are only concerned because they’re facing a reality where they may not have access to the same amount of data as before, and they would only lose that access if customers choose not to give it to them. Rather than accept that change, their approach is: “You don’t want to give us access to all your data, so we’re going to try to find ways around your choice and collect your data anyway.”

    Regardless of whether you’re an Apple or Android user, Apple’s stance on privacy is a refreshing one — one where the customer comes first.

  • iOS Now Supports Face ID With Masks

    iOS Now Supports Face ID With Masks

    The latest version of iOS, version 15.4, finally brings support for Face ID with masks.

    Despite the security benefits of Face ID, the pandemic has shown a spotlight on its biggest limitation: using it while wearing a mask. Apple has finally brought support for unlocking an iPhone via Face ID, even with a mask on.

    To enable the feature:

    • Open Settings and tap Face ID and Passcode.
    • Toggle the Face ID with a Mask button on.
    • Follow the onscreen prompts to set up a facial scan with your mask on.
  • Samsung CEO Bows in Apology Over App Throttling

    Samsung CEO Bows in Apology Over App Throttling

    Samsung Experience Division CEO JH Han literally bowed in apology to shareholders over the company throttling apps on its phones.

    News broke in early March that Samsung was throttling game performance on its phones, including its latest flagship S22. Despite the company’s denials, reports seemed to indicate it was also throttling a slew of non-game apps, including some of the most popular ones on the market. The company quickly promised a fix.

    According to ZDNet, at a recent shareholders meeting, JH Han bowed before shareholders in an effort to apologize for the fiasco. Despite Han’s apology, the CEO still defended the Game Optimization Service (GOS) software responsible for the throttling.

    In addition to claiming GOS optimizes smartphone performance, Han denied claims the software was designed to make up for flaws in the S22’s design. Some had said the software was compensating for Samsung not using hardware that could better dissipate heat, by reducing performance and thereby lowering heat levels.

    In the meantime, and to absolutely no one’s surprise, South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission is investigating the issue. Given the precedent that has already been set by Apple losing legal challenges to its own iPhone throttling, it’s a safe bet Samsung’s GOS legal issues are just beginning.

  • iPhone Production Halted by Soaring COVID Cases in China

    iPhone Production Halted by Soaring COVID Cases in China

    iPhone production has been halted at Foxconn factories in China as a result of soaring COVID cases.

    Foxconn is the primarily manufacturer of Apple’s iPhone, and any factor impacting that company has a profound effect on Apple’s production. According to Gizmodo, China reported 1,437 new COVID cases Monday, prompting Beijing to shut down all non-essential business operations in Shenzhen, where Foxconn has two factories.

    “The operation of Foxconn in Shenzhen, China has been suspended from March 14 onwards in compliance with the local government’s new covid-19 policy. The date of factory resumption is to be advised by the local government,” a Foxconn spokesperson told Gizmodo.

    “Due to our diversified production sites in China, we have adjusted the production line to minimize the potential impact. Meanwhile, we have required all the employees to have covid PCR test on top of existing prevention measures to ensure the health and safety of our employees,” the spokesperson continued.

    With Apple just announcing the new iPhone SE, it remains to be seen how much this development will impact orders.

  • Google Updates Messages to Take On iMessages

    Google Updates Messages to Take On iMessages

    Google has taken the wraps off of new Messages features, taking aim at Apple’s iMessages and calling out Apple for not supporting broader standards.

    The incompatibility between iMessages and the rest of the texting world, comprised largely of Android, has been getting widespread attention lately. Apple’s service is a proprietary protocol that is significantly better than standard SMS, providing group administration, read receipts, file sharing, end-to-end encryption, and much more. In contrast, until recently, Android has relied on basic SMS, which lacks all of those advanced features.

    To address the issue, Google has adopted RCS, the successor to SMS. The new protocol adds most, if not all, of the features included in iMessages. The biggest weakness of the new protocol, however, is the fact that Apple has not adopted it. As a result, when iPhone and Android users text each other, the messages fall back to basic SMS with all its limitations.

    Google’s latest update works to address two of the biggest issues: emoji reactions and poor quality media.

    When iPhone users use an emoji reaction, it has always come across spelled out rather than as an emoji. For example, laughing at a message would come across as “John Doe laughed at…” Similarly, when sending photos or videos, Android significantly reduces the quality in an effort to make them compatible with the archaic SMS protocol.

    Google’s latest update to Messages maps iMessages emoji reactions to the appropriate Android emoji. In addition, rather than send large photos and videos through SMS, where they will be reduced to a blurry mess, Messages will send a link to the iPhone user, giving them a way to view the original media file as it was meant to be seen.

    In the meantime, Google minced no words in pointing out its belief that Apple should adopt the RCS standard:

    But these new updates can only do so much. We encourage Apple to join the rest of the mobile industry and adopt RCS so that we can make messaging better and more secure, no matter what device you choose.