Along with its new MacBook Pro and AirPods 3, Apple just released a product that has sparked internet buzz.

The&nbsp;tech behemoth has released an unique cleaning cloth for its gadgets, which costs $19.

The cloth was created specifically to clean any Apple display, "even nano-texture glass," in a safe and effective manner.

The high price for something as basic as a cleaning cloth, on the other hand, elicited a flurry of comments on Twitter.&nbsp;

While many people thought that selling a cleaning cloth for that price was absurd, others wasted no time in creating amusing memes around the product.

Not only that, but users' laughter was heightened when they discovered a list of compatible gadgets for Apple's new offering.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, according to Bloomberg, Apple's cleaning cloth has already surpassed the status of the highest-margin tangible product.

Furthermore, the firm claims that the polishing cloth is currently in low supply and will take three to four weeks to ship worldwide.&nbsp;

Apple also provided a compatibility list, demonstrating that the polishing cloth is compatible with nearly all Apple devices.

Apple claims that it is compatible with iPhone 6 and later, MacBooks and iMacs dating back to 2015, all iPads, Apple Watches, and iPod touches, and, as previously noted, the Pro Display XDR.

It's amusing that earlier iPhone models aren't included on this list, implying that they're incompatible... with a cleaning cloth.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Along with its new MacBook Pro and AirPods 3, Apple just released a product that has sparked internet buzz. The tech behemoth has released an unique cleaning cloth for its gadgets, which costs $19.

Along with its new MacBook Pro and AirPods 3, Apple just released a product that has sparked internet buzz. The tech behemoth has released an unique cleaning cloth for its gadgets, which costs $19. The cloth was created specifically to clean any Apple display, "even nano-texture glass," in a safe and effective manner. The high price for something as basic as a cleaning cloth, on the other hand, elicited a flurry of comments on Twitter. While many people thought that selling a cleaning cloth for that price was absurd, others wasted no time in creating amusing memes around the product. Not only that, but users' laughter was heightened when they discovered a list of compatible gadgets for Apple's new offering. Meanwhile, according to Bloomberg, Apple's cleaning cloth has already surpassed the status of the highest-margin tangible product. Furthermore, the firm claims that the polishing cloth is currently in low supply and will take three to four weeks to ship worldwide. Apple also provided a compatibility list, demonstrating that the polishing cloth is compatible with nearly all Apple devices. Apple claims that it is compatible with iPhone 6 and later, MacBooks and iMacs dating back to 2015, all iPads, Apple Watches, and iPod touches, and, as previously noted, the Pro Display XDR. It's amusing that earlier iPhone models aren't included on this list, implying that they're incompatible... with a cleaning cloth. (With inputs from agencies)

Apple unveils a $19 ‘polishing cloth’ to clean your MacBook, iPhone

Apple on Monday launched its new series of MacBook Pro laptops in both 14 and 16-inch display options, promising an upgrade in both design and performance.

The 16-inch model (2021) will be available in silver and space gray, with a starting price of $2,499, while the 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro (2021) starts at $1,999.&nbsp;In India, the 14-inch laptop starts at a price of Rs. 1,94,900 ($2,593 approximately). It is also available for education at Rs. 1,75,410 ($2,334 approximately).

The new laptops will be available across the countries from October 26.

Whereas the16-inch model starts at Rs. 2,39,900 ($3,192 approximately) for regular customers and Rs. 2,15,910 ($2,873) for education.

They are powered by the M1 Pro and M1 Max chipset. Both chipsets have a 10-core CPU and 16-core (Pro) and 32-core GPU (Max) respectively.

Apple has added HDMI, SD card ports back to the MacBook Pro along with MagSafe charging.

The new Liquid Retina HDR displays will come with an iPhone-like notch display which has can deliver up to claimed 1,600 nits of peak brightness and feature ProMotion adaptive refresh rate.

Also, the camera will have Full HD quality and spatial audio to make them more relevant in the time of video conferencing.

The enclosure is entirely aluminium, and Apple says the new cooling system can move “50 per cent more air” than previous MacBooks with quieter fan speeds.

The chassis has also received a modern redesign. The device is 4.7 pounds and 16.8mm thick, with a 16.2-inch display. The M1 Pro model supports up to two Pro Display XDRs, and the M1 Max config can handle up to three in addition to a 4K TV.

Apple claims the 16-inch Pro will deliver 21 hours of video playback on battery, which is “the longest battery life ever on a Mac notebook”, per the company.

According to Apple, it’s the most connectivity we’ve ever seen from a Mac notebook, according to Apple.

Apple claims the new processors will be able to offer much more power, but using much less energy than PC processors.

The tech giant is claiming that the new MacBook Pros can last up to 10 hours of battery life, more than previous generations.

(With inputs from agencies)

Apple on Monday launched its new series of MacBook Pro laptops in both 14 and 16-inch display options, promising an upgrade in both design and performance. The 16-inch model (2021) will be available in silver and space gray, with a starting price of $2,499, while the 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro (2021) starts at $1,999.

Apple on Monday launched its new series of MacBook Pro laptops in both 14 and 16-inch display options, promising an upgrade in both design and performance. The 16-inch model (2021) will be available in silver and space gray, with a starting price of $2,499, while the 14-inch Apple MacBook Pro (2021) starts at $1,999. In India, the 14-inch laptop starts at a price of Rs. 1,94,900 ($2,593 approximately). It is also available for education at Rs. 1,75,410 ($2,334 approximately). The new laptops will be available across the countries from October 26. Whereas the16-inch model starts at Rs. 2,39,900 ($3,192 approximately) for regular customers and Rs. 2,15,910 ($2,873) for education. They are powered by the M1 Pro and M1 Max chipset. Both chipsets have a 10-core CPU and 16-core (Pro) and 32-core GPU (Max) respectively. Apple has added HDMI, SD card ports back to the MacBook Pro along with MagSafe charging. The new Liquid Retina HDR displays will come with an iPhone-like notch display which has can deliver up to claimed 1,600 nits of peak brightness and feature ProMotion adaptive refresh rate. Also, the camera will have Full HD quality and spatial audio to make them more relevant in the time of video conferencing. The enclosure is entirely aluminium, and Apple says the new cooling system can move “50 per cent more air” than previous MacBooks with quieter fan speeds. The chassis has also received a modern redesign. The device is 4.7 pounds and 16.8mm thick, with a 16.2-inch display. The M1 Pro model supports up to two Pro Display XDRs, and the M1 Max config can handle up to three in addition to a 4K TV. Apple claims the 16-inch Pro will deliver 21 hours of video playback on battery, which is “the longest battery life ever on a Mac notebook”, per the company. According to Apple, it’s the most connectivity we’ve ever seen from a Mac notebook, according to Apple. Apple claims the new processors will be able to offer much more power, but using much less energy than PC processors. The tech giant is claiming that the new MacBook Pros can last up to 10 hours of battery life, more than previous generations. (With inputs from agencies)

Apple launches new MacBook Pro with display notch and ‘powerful’ processors

Apple launched its third-generation AirPods at its ‘Unleash’ event with a redesign, which is similar to the AirPods Pro.

The new Airpods comes with sweat and water-resistant, along with spatial audio. They also come with adaptive EQ as well, which was earlier seen on Apple AirPods Pro as well.

Unlike the earlier model, the Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) come with an upgraded design with shorter stems to provide a better grip and improved ergonomics.

The next-generation AirPods also come with a wireless charging case as standard that supports Apple's MagSafe.

In addition to the new AirPods, Apple brought the Apple Music Voice service and new HomePod mini colour options, namely Blue, Orange, and Yellow.

The company is putting a big emphasis on spatial audio and Dolby Atmos music mixes with the new AirPods. They’ll support the same head-tracking capabilities as the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, which also apply when watching video.

Already seen by many as the champion of voice call quality, Apple claims to have further improved microphone performance on the latest AirPods. They “feature AAC-ELD, a superior speech codec that offers full HD voice quality, providing clear, natural communication for FaceTime calls.”

The new AirPods also include a skin-detect sensor that is claimed to help accurately discern if the earbuds are in the ear or in a pocket or on a table and pause playback when removed.

On the battery performance, Apple claims that the AirPods (3rd Generation) can deliver up to six hours of listening time and up to four hours of talk time.

Furthermore, the new AirPods has been claimed to deliver about an hour of battery life in just five minutes of charging. Users will also get 30 hours of total listening time with four additional charges in the case.

The earbuds will&nbsp;be available in more than 26 other countries starting October 26.

In US, the new AirPods will be available at $179, while in India the price has been set at Rs. 18,500 ($246 approximately).

Notably, Apple has not discontinued the AirPods (2nd Generation) as it will be available at a lower price of Rs. 12,900 ($171 approximately) in India and $129 at the US.

<h2>HomePod mini</h2>

Apart from the new AirPods, Apple also brought the HomePod mini in Blue, Orange, and Yellow colours in addition to White and Grey. The new colour options will be available through the Apple Online Store and through retailers in November.

<h2>Apple music service</h2>

Apple also announced new subscription-based music service called ‘Apple Music Voice’ that will available at $4.99 in the US a month, while the Indian users have to shell out Rs 49.

It will be available specifically for users accessing Apple Music using Siri. The new plan will initially be available in 17 countries worldwide, namely Australia, Austria, Canada, China Mainland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, Taiwan, the US, and UK.

It will sit alongside the existing Individual and Family plans and will be available for access across all Apple devices for one user account.

Apple launched its third-generation AirPods at its ‘Unleash’ event with a redesign, which is similar to the AirPods Pro. The new Airpods comes with sweat and water-resistant, along with spatial audio.

Apple launched its third-generation AirPods at its ‘Unleash’ event with a redesign, which is similar to the AirPods Pro. The new Airpods comes with sweat and water-resistant, along with spatial audio. They also come with adaptive EQ as well, which was earlier seen on Apple AirPods Pro as well. Unlike the earlier model, the Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) come with an upgraded design with shorter stems to provide a better grip and improved ergonomics. The next-generation AirPods also come with a wireless charging case as standard that supports Apple's MagSafe. In addition to the new AirPods, Apple brought the Apple Music Voice service and new HomePod mini colour options, namely Blue, Orange, and Yellow. The company is putting a big emphasis on spatial audio and Dolby Atmos music mixes with the new AirPods. They’ll support the same head-tracking capabilities as the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, which also apply when watching video. Already seen by many as the champion of voice call quality, Apple claims to have further improved microphone performance on the latest AirPods. They “feature AAC-ELD, a superior speech codec that offers full HD voice quality, providing clear, natural communication for FaceTime calls.” The new AirPods also include a skin-detect sensor that is claimed to help accurately discern if the earbuds are in the ear or in a pocket or on a table and pause playback when removed. On the battery performance, Apple claims that the AirPods (3rd Generation) can deliver up to six hours of listening time and up to four hours of talk time. Furthermore, the new AirPods has been claimed to deliver about an hour of battery life in just five minutes of charging. Users will also get 30 hours of total listening time with four additional charges in the case. The earbuds will be available in more than 26 other countries starting October 26. In US, the new AirPods will be available at $179, while in India the price has been set at Rs. 18,500 ($246 approximately). Notably, Apple has not discontinued the AirPods (2nd Generation) as it will be available at a lower price of Rs. 12,900 ($171 approximately) in India and $129 at the US. HomePod mini Apart from the new AirPods, Apple also brought the HomePod mini in Blue, Orange, and Yellow colours in addition to White and Grey. The new colour options will be available through the Apple Online Store and through retailers in November. Apple music service Apple also announced new subscription-based music service called ‘Apple Music Voice’ that will available at $4.99 in the US a month, while the Indian users have to shell out Rs 49. It will be available specifically for users accessing Apple Music using Siri. The new plan will initially be available in 17 countries worldwide, namely Australia, Austria, Canada, China Mainland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, Taiwan, the US, and UK. It will sit alongside the existing Individual and Family plans and will be available for access across all Apple devices for one user account.

Apple launches 3rd generation AirPods, features spatial audio

Apple has launched two new MacBook Pro models powered by new in-house Apple Silicon chips as well as a new generation of its AirPods wireless earbuds and a $5-per-month music subscription service.

Apple unveils two new MacBook Pro laptops, AirPods and a music streaming service

Analysts expect Apple Inc to unveil new Mac laptop computers with more powerful processor chips at an event that will be streamed later Monday.

Bloomberg has previously reported that Apple plans to release two new MacBook Pro models with 14-inch and 16-inch screens. The Cupertino, California-based company introduced some new laptop models last year that for the first time used its "Apple Silicon" chips, which it said would be phased into the company's desktop and laptop lineup over the course of two years.

Before Monday, Apple's most powerful laptops still relied on chips from Intel Corp. The company has already placed a first generation in-house-designed M1 chip into some MacBooks as well as its Mac Mini and iMac desktop machines, but the new larger MacBook Pro models are expected to feature a second, more powerful generation of the company's chip.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/durian-fruit-triggers-gas-leak-alert-in-canberra-421755">Also read |&nbsp;Durian fruit triggers 'gas leak' alert in Canberra</a>

The new chip, along with a general rise in laptop sales as employees and students stocked up on tech hardware to work and learn from home, prompted a boom in Mac sales during the pandemic. Revenue rose 11 per cent&nbsp;to $28.6 billion in Apple's fiscal 2020, even as iPhone revenue declined 3 per cent.

The expected MacBook Pro introduction comes weeks after Apple overhauled its iPhone, Apple Watch and iPad lineup.

Some analysts believe Apple on Monday will also update its AirPods wireless ear buds, though rumors of an update have circulated ahead of other Apple events this year without coming to pass. Add-on devices like AirPods tend to be large sellers during holiday shopping seasons and have become one of Apple's fastest-growing categories, with its home and accessories segment growing 25 per cent&nbsp;to $30.6 billion in Apple's fiscal 2020.

Analysts expect Apple Inc to unveil new Mac laptop computers with more powerful processor chips at an event that will be streamed later Monday. Bloomberg has previously reported that Apple plans to release two new MacBook Pro models with 14-inch and 16-inch screens.

Analysts expect Apple Inc to unveil new Mac laptop computers with more powerful processor chips at an event that will be streamed later Monday. Bloomberg has previously reported that Apple plans to release two new MacBook Pro models with 14-inch and 16-inch screens. The Cupertino, California-based company introduced some new laptop models last year that for the first time used its "Apple Silicon" chips, which it said would be phased into the company's desktop and laptop lineup over the course of two years. Before Monday, Apple's most powerful laptops still relied on chips from Intel Corp. The company has already placed a first generation in-house-designed M1 chip into some MacBooks as well as its Mac Mini and iMac desktop machines, but the new larger MacBook Pro models are expected to feature a second, more powerful generation of the company's chip. Also read | Durian fruit triggers 'gas leak' alert in Canberra The new chip, along with a general rise in laptop sales as employees and students stocked up on tech hardware to work and learn from home, prompted a boom in Mac sales during the pandemic. Revenue rose 11 per cent to $28.6 billion in Apple's fiscal 2020, even as iPhone revenue declined 3 per cent. The expected MacBook Pro introduction comes weeks after Apple overhauled its iPhone, Apple Watch and iPad lineup. Some analysts believe Apple on Monday will also update its AirPods wireless ear buds, though rumors of an update have circulated ahead of other Apple events this year without coming to pass. Add-on devices like AirPods tend to be large sellers during holiday shopping seasons and have become one of Apple's fastest-growing categories, with its home and accessories segment growing 25 per cent to $30.6 billion in Apple's fiscal 2020.

Apple expected to unveil new Macs with more powerful chips

An employee of Apple who led a fellow workers movement against alleged patterns of discrimination, racism and sexism at the tech company was fired.

Janneke Parrish, an Apple program manager and one of the leaders behind the #AppleToo movement, said she was terminated for “non-compliance” after she deleted personal files from her work device amid an internal investigation, according to the Guardian.

Parrish, who worked at Apple for five years, claims that she was fired for speaking out publicly about "issues within the company".

“I’ve been very vocal, I’ve been very public. I have not been afraid to put my name and attach my face to #AppleToo,” she told the Guardian. “This feels very much like retaliation for having the courage to speak out.”

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
There are consequences for speaking out. There are consequences for doing the right thing. 
 
But we do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AppleToo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AppleToo</a> is about asking Apple to do better, to end systemic discrimination, abuse, and pay inequity. 
 
Do the right thing. <a href="https://t.co/nhxFlflSvR">https://t.co/nhxFlflSvR</a>
— Janneke Parrish (@JannekeParrish) <a href="https://twitter.com/JannekeParrish/status/1449066853314224129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 15, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Apple said Friday it does not discuss specific employee matters.

Recently, Apple has been experiencing other examples of employee unrest. Last month, two employees told Reuters they had filed charges against the company with the National Labor Relations Board for alleged retaliation and halting discussion of pay among employees, among other allegations.

Apple has said that it is “deeply committed to creating and maintaining a positive and inclusive workplace” and that it takes “all concerns” from employees seriously.

In September, Parrish said the company had informed her that she was under investigation for leaking information to the media. Parrish had been involved with employee advocacy efforts at Apple for months, but did not leak information, she said.

As part of the investigation, Apple confiscated her devices. Apple encourages employees to use work devices as personal devices, Parrish said, and before handing over devices she deleted files that contained personal information, such as financial data.

Parrish said she did not expect to be fired, but believed her work with #AppleToo would have a negative impact on her career.

(With inputs from agencies)

An employee of Apple who led a fellow workers movement against alleged patterns of discrimination, racism and sexism at the tech company was fired. Janneke Parrish, an Apple program manager and one of the leaders behind the #AppleToo movement, said she was terminated for “non-compliance” after she deleted personal files from her work device amid an internal investigation, according to the Guardian.

An employee of Apple who led a fellow workers movement against alleged patterns of discrimination, racism and sexism at the tech company was fired. Janneke Parrish, an Apple program manager and one of the leaders behind the #AppleToo movement, said she was terminated for “non-compliance” after she deleted personal files from her work device amid an internal investigation, according to the Guardian. Parrish, who worked at Apple for five years, claims that she was fired for speaking out publicly about "issues within the company". “I’ve been very vocal, I’ve been very public. I have not been afraid to put my name and attach my face to #AppleToo,” she told the Guardian. “This feels very much like retaliation for having the courage to speak out.” There are consequences for speaking out. There are consequences for doing the right thing. But we do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. #AppleToo is about asking Apple to do better, to end systemic discrimination, abuse, and pay inequity. Do the right thing. https://t.co/nhxFlflSvR — Janneke Parrish (@JannekeParrish) October 15, 2021 × Apple said Friday it does not discuss specific employee matters. Recently, Apple has been experiencing other examples of employee unrest. Last month, two employees told Reuters they had filed charges against the company with the National Labor Relations Board for alleged retaliation and halting discussion of pay among employees, among other allegations. Apple has said that it is “deeply committed to creating and maintaining a positive and inclusive workplace” and that it takes “all concerns” from employees seriously. In September, Parrish said the company had informed her that she was under investigation for leaking information to the media. Parrish had been involved with employee advocacy efforts at Apple for months, but did not leak information, she said. As part of the investigation, Apple confiscated her devices. Apple encourages employees to use work devices as personal devices, Parrish said, and before handing over devices she deleted files that contained personal information, such as financial data. Parrish said she did not expect to be fired, but believed her work with #AppleToo would have a negative impact on her career. (With inputs from agencies)

Apple fires employee who led movement against racism & sexism

On the request of officials, Apple has deleted one of the world's most popular Quran apps in China from its store. &nbsp;

The app, which is called Quran Majeed, is available across the world on the App Store. It has nearly 150,000 reviews and is used by millions of Muslims. &nbsp;

It seems to have been removed for hosting illegal religious texts, as per a BBC report. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/evergrande-risks-controllable-says-chinas-central-bank-420980" hreflang="en">Evergrande risks 'controllable', says China's central bank</a>

The app’s deletion was first noticed by Apple Censorship, a website, which monitors the apps available on Apple's App Store globally. &nbsp;

In a statement, the app's maker, PDMS, said, "According to Apple, our app Quran Majeed has been removed from the China App store because it includes content that requires additional documentation from Chinese authorities." &nbsp;

"We are trying to get in touch with the Cyberspace Administration of China and relevant Chinese authorities to get this issue resolved," added the company. &nbsp;

As per the app's maker, it had around one million users in China. &nbsp;

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Meanwhile, an employee of Apple, who led a fellow workers movement against alleged patterns of discrimination, racism and sexism at the tech company, was fired. &nbsp;

Janneke Parrish, an Apple program manager and one of the leaders behind the #AppleToo movement, said she was terminated for “non-compliance” after she deleted personal files from her work device amid an internal investigation, according to the Guardian. &nbsp;

Parrish, who worked at Apple for five years, claims that she was fired for speaking out publicly about "issues within the company". &nbsp;

“I’ve been very vocal, I’ve been very public. I have not been afraid to put my name and attach my face to #AppleToo,” she told the Guardian. “This feels very much like retaliation for having the courage to speak out.” &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

On the request of officials, Apple has deleted one of the world's most popular Quran apps in China from its store. The app, which is called Quran Majeed, is available across the world on the App Store.

On the request of officials, Apple has deleted one of the world's most popular Quran apps in China from its store. The app, which is called Quran Majeed, is available across the world on the App Store. It has nearly 150,000 reviews and is used by millions of Muslims. It seems to have been removed for hosting illegal religious texts, as per a BBC report. Also Read: Evergrande risks 'controllable', says China's central bank The app’s deletion was first noticed by Apple Censorship, a website, which monitors the apps available on Apple's App Store globally. In a statement, the app's maker, PDMS, said, "According to Apple, our app Quran Majeed has been removed from the China App store because it includes content that requires additional documentation from Chinese authorities." "We are trying to get in touch with the Cyberspace Administration of China and relevant Chinese authorities to get this issue resolved," added the company. As per the app's maker, it had around one million users in China. Also Read: Satellite images show China has upgraded military bases facing Taiwan Meanwhile, an employee of Apple, who led a fellow workers movement against alleged patterns of discrimination, racism and sexism at the tech company, was fired. Janneke Parrish, an Apple program manager and one of the leaders behind the #AppleToo movement, said she was terminated for “non-compliance” after she deleted personal files from her work device amid an internal investigation, according to the Guardian. Parrish, who worked at Apple for five years, claims that she was fired for speaking out publicly about "issues within the company". “I’ve been very vocal, I’ve been very public. I have not been afraid to put my name and attach my face to #AppleToo,” she told the Guardian. “This feels very much like retaliation for having the courage to speak out.” (With inputs from agencies)

After officials’ request, Apple pulls down Quran app in China

Apple is likely to cut down production of its iPhone 13 by as many as 10 million units due to the global chip shortage. Reports said the company was expected to produce 90 million units of the new iPhone models by the end of this year and the company has told its manufacturers that the number of units would be lower because chip suppliers including broadcom and texas instruments that are struggling to deliver components.

Apple to cut down production of its iPhone 13 by as many as 10 million units

Apple likely cut down production of its iPhone 13

Apple Inc&nbsp;is likely to slash production of its iPhone 13 by as many as 10 million units due to the global chip shortage, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The company was expected to produce 90 million units of the new iPhone models by the end of this year, according to Bloomberg. The reportsaid Apple told its manufacturers that the number of units would be lower because chip suppliers including Broadcom Inc and Texas Instruments are struggling to deliver components.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-set-to-launch-pixel-pass-subscription-inspired-by-apple-one-419898">Google set to launch 'Pixel Pass' subscription inspired by Apple one</a>

Shares of Apple fell 1.2 per cent&nbsp;in after-hours trading, while Texas Instruments and Broadcom were both down about 1 per cent. 
 
Watch | Apple to cut down production of its iPhone 13 by as many as 10 million units

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Apple declined to comment. Broadcom and Texas Instruments did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

In July, Apple forecast slowing revenue growth and said the chip shortage, which had started hitting its ability to sell Macs and iPads, would also crimp iPhone production. Texas Instruments also gave a soft revenue outlook that month, hinting on chip supply concerns for the rest of the year. read more

The chip crunch has put immense pressure on industries from automobiles to electronics, leading many automakers to temporarily suspend production.

With its massive purchasing power and long-term supply agreements with chip vendors, Apple has weathered the supply crunch better than many other companies, leading some analysts to forecast that iPhone 13 models released in September would have a strong sales year as consumers looked to upgrade devices for 5G networks.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nyc-security-guard-stabbed-over-mask-dispute-at-apple-store-419632">NYC: Security guard stabbed over mask dispute at Apple store</a>

Jeff Fieldhack, research director for Counterpoint Research, said the reported Apple production cut could also be part of the iPhone maker's normal launch process of over-ordering devices to be prepared for an initial customer rush and then trimming orders as sales trends become clearer.

Fieldhack said iPhone 13 sales appear to be healthy and higher than last year's iPhone 12, and Counterpoint is not changing its estimate of 85 million to 90 million iPhone 13 sales for the fourth quarter.

Apple Inc is likely to slash production of its iPhone 13 by as many as 10 million units due to the global chip shortage, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Apple Inc is likely to slash production of its iPhone 13 by as many as 10 million units due to the global chip shortage, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The company was expected to produce 90 million units of the new iPhone models by the end of this year, according to Bloomberg. The reportsaid Apple told its manufacturers that the number of units would be lower because chip suppliers including Broadcom Inc and Texas Instruments are struggling to deliver components. Also Read | Google set to launch 'Pixel Pass' subscription inspired by Apple one Shares of Apple fell 1.2 per cent in after-hours trading, while Texas Instruments and Broadcom were both down about 1 per cent. Watch | Apple to cut down production of its iPhone 13 by as many as 10 million units Apple declined to comment. Broadcom and Texas Instruments did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. In July, Apple forecast slowing revenue growth and said the chip shortage, which had started hitting its ability to sell Macs and iPads, would also crimp iPhone production. Texas Instruments also gave a soft revenue outlook that month, hinting on chip supply concerns for the rest of the year. read more The chip crunch has put immense pressure on industries from automobiles to electronics, leading many automakers to temporarily suspend production. With its massive purchasing power and long-term supply agreements with chip vendors, Apple has weathered the supply crunch better than many other companies, leading some analysts to forecast that iPhone 13 models released in September would have a strong sales year as consumers looked to upgrade devices for 5G networks. Also Read | NYC: Security guard stabbed over mask dispute at Apple store Jeff Fieldhack, research director for Counterpoint Research, said the reported Apple production cut could also be part of the iPhone maker's normal launch process of over-ordering devices to be prepared for an initial customer rush and then trimming orders as sales trends become clearer. Fieldhack said iPhone 13 sales appear to be healthy and higher than last year's iPhone 12, and Counterpoint is not changing its estimate of 85 million to 90 million iPhone 13 sales for the fourth quarter.

Apple likely to cut down iPhone 13 production. Here’s why?

A 37-year-old security guard at an Apple store in New York City was reportedly stabbed on Friday evening by a male customer over a dispute on the store’s masking policy, says police.&nbsp;

As per reports by ABC7 New York, the guard was stabbed multiple times around 6:30 pm after a customer was told that masks had to be worn if he wanted to go inside. After the man refused to wear the mask, the interaction turned into an act of violence.&nbsp; 
By the time the police arrives, the suspect had left the crime scene.&nbsp;

As per preliminary information, the name of the suspect is not known. Police believe he was wearing blue jeans, a black mask and a black shirt.

Detective Sophia Mason, a spokesperson for the Office of Deputy Commissioner of Public Information said that the guard told police that "he was stabbed one time in the left arm and one time in the forehead with a knife."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/apple-appeals-verdict-in-app-store-battle-with-epic-games-419396">Also read |&nbsp;Apple appeals verdict in App Store battle with Epic Games</a>

The guard was taken to Bellevue Hospital and is expected to recover from his injuries.&nbsp;

Kimberly, a woman who works nearby and knew the security guard in passing was quoted by NBC New York as saying, "I saw him coming out on the stretcher, and I was like, ouch." 
She further said, "Everybody was in a big commotion, crying. Everyone was in shock."

The store closed early that day as employees spoke to police officers investigating the incident and collected evidence. Workers with a cleaning company arrived later Friday night to clean the trail of blood.&nbsp;

The investigation is ongoing but no one has been arrested as of now.

A 37-year-old security guard at an Apple store in New York City was reportedly stabbed on Friday evening by a male customer over a dispute on the store’s masking policy, says police.

A 37-year-old security guard at an Apple store in New York City was reportedly stabbed on Friday evening by a male customer over a dispute on the store’s masking policy, says police. As per reports by ABC7 New York, the guard was stabbed multiple times around 6:30 pm after a customer was told that masks had to be worn if he wanted to go inside. After the man refused to wear the mask, the interaction turned into an act of violence. By the time the police arrives, the suspect had left the crime scene. As per preliminary information, the name of the suspect is not known. Police believe he was wearing blue jeans, a black mask and a black shirt. Detective Sophia Mason, a spokesperson for the Office of Deputy Commissioner of Public Information said that the guard told police that "he was stabbed one time in the left arm and one time in the forehead with a knife." Also read | Apple appeals verdict in App Store battle with Epic Games The guard was taken to Bellevue Hospital and is expected to recover from his injuries. Kimberly, a woman who works nearby and knew the security guard in passing was quoted by NBC New York as saying, "I saw him coming out on the stretcher, and I was like, ouch." She further said, "Everybody was in a big commotion, crying. Everyone was in shock." The store closed early that day as employees spoke to police officers investigating the incident and collected evidence. Workers with a cleaning company arrived later Friday night to clean the trail of blood. The investigation is ongoing but no one has been arrested as of now.

NYC: Security guard stabbed over mask dispute at Apple store

Apple on Friday appealed a federal judge's verdict in its legal battle with Fortnite-maker Epic Games over control of the App Store.

Apple is asking the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco to overturn the 185-page ruling by US District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez-Rogers.

The judge ordered Apple to loosen control of its App Store payment options, but said Epic failed to prove any antitrust violations.

Epic last month filed its own appeal.

"We will fight on", Epic chief executive Tim Sweeney tweeted when the company confirmed its plan to contest the verdict.

Apple said in the days after the ruling by Gonzalez-Rogers that it was "very happy" with the decision but had left open the door to appeal.

The companies had opted for a so-called bench trial in which a judge rather that a jury hears the evidence and decides on a verdict.

Epic launched the case aiming to break Apple's grip on the App Store, accusing the iPhone maker of acting like a monopoly in its shop for digital goods or services.

"For me, it is a win for Apple in that the judge clearly said they are not engaging in monopolistic behavior," Creative Strategies analyst Carolina Milanesi said after the verdict.

"I don't think it is a problem for Apple from a revenue perspective."

The judge barred Apple from prohibiting developers from including in their apps "external links or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms."

Apple can still mandate that its payment systems is used for in-app transactions.

Apple on Friday appealed a federal judge's verdict in its legal battle with Fortnite-maker Epic Games over control of the App Store. Apple is asking the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco to overturn the 185-page ruling by US District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez-Rogers.

Apple on Friday appealed a federal judge's verdict in its legal battle with Fortnite-maker Epic Games over control of the App Store. Apple is asking the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco to overturn the 185-page ruling by US District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez-Rogers. The judge ordered Apple to loosen control of its App Store payment options, but said Epic failed to prove any antitrust violations. Epic last month filed its own appeal. "We will fight on", Epic chief executive Tim Sweeney tweeted when the company confirmed its plan to contest the verdict. Apple said in the days after the ruling by Gonzalez-Rogers that it was "very happy" with the decision but had left open the door to appeal. The companies had opted for a so-called bench trial in which a judge rather that a jury hears the evidence and decides on a verdict. Epic launched the case aiming to break Apple's grip on the App Store, accusing the iPhone maker of acting like a monopoly in its shop for digital goods or services. "For me, it is a win for Apple in that the judge clearly said they are not engaging in monopolistic behavior," Creative Strategies analyst Carolina Milanesi said after the verdict. "I don't think it is a problem for Apple from a revenue perspective." The judge barred Apple from prohibiting developers from including in their apps "external links or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms." Apple can still mandate that its payment systems is used for in-app transactions.

Apple appeals verdict in App Store battle with Epic Games

According to sources, tech giant Apple will be hit with a European Union antitrust charge over its NFC chip technology. Apple could possibly be hit with a hefty fine and could also force it to open its mobile payment systems to rivals. Sources say, EU's competition enforcer is preparing a charge sheet known as a statement of objections, which could be sent to apple next year. The commission can fine companies up to 10% of their global turnover for violating EU rules. Based on Apple's 2020 revenue, the fine could go up to 27.4 billion dollars.

Tech giant Apple to be hit with European Union antitrust charge over its NFC chip technology

According to the sources, Apple will be hit with an EU antitrust charge over its NFC chip technology. A move that puts it at risk of a possible hefty fine and could force it to open its mobile payment system to rivals.

Sources: Apple to be hit with EU antitrust charge over NFC chip

Google has hit back against the European Union in court appealing a $5 billion antitrust fine. The European Commission has levied a record fine on Google in 2018 for monopolistic practices.

Google fights against record EU fine, slams regulators for ignoring Apple

In what may result in possible shortages of smartphones and other goods soon, power cuts to meet government energy use targets have forced Chinese factories to shut down. Some homes are also facing the brunt. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;

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During one of the busiest seasons, the disruption to China's manufacturing industries reflects the Communist Party's struggle to balance economic growth with efforts to check pollution. &nbsp;

In a report on Monday, Nomura economists Ting Lu, Lisheng Wang and Jing Wang, said, "Beijing's unprecedented resolve in enforcing energy consumption limits could result in long-term benefits, but the short-term economic costs are substantial." &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-unveils-new-guidelines-for-womens-development-announces-to-reduce-non-medical-abortions-416442" hreflang="en">China unveils new guidelines for women’s development, announces to reduce non-medical abortions</a>

Under orders from local authorities, Apple Inc's iPhones’ components supplier said it suspended production at a factory, which is situated west of Shanghai. &nbsp;

Apple components supplier Eson Precision Engineering Co Ltd said on Sunday, it would halt production at its factory in Kunshan, west of Shanghai, through Thursday "in line with the local government's power restriction policy." Eson said the suspension shouldn't have a 'significant impact' on operations. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-installs-new-shelters-for-troops-near-indias-ladakh-border-416417" hreflang="en">China installs new shelters for troops near India's Ladakh border</a>

The manufacturers have been already facing shortages of processor chips, disruptions in shipping and other effects of the global shutdown of travel and trade in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In what may result in possible shortages of smartphones and other goods soon, power cuts to meet government energy use targets have forced Chinese factories to shut down.

In what may result in possible shortages of smartphones and other goods soon, power cuts to meet government energy use targets have forced Chinese factories to shut down. Some homes are also facing the brunt. Watch: × During one of the busiest seasons, the disruption to China's manufacturing industries reflects the Communist Party's struggle to balance economic growth with efforts to check pollution. In a report on Monday, Nomura economists Ting Lu, Lisheng Wang and Jing Wang, said, "Beijing's unprecedented resolve in enforcing energy consumption limits could result in long-term benefits, but the short-term economic costs are substantial." Also Read: China unveils new guidelines for women’s development, announces to reduce non-medical abortions Under orders from local authorities, Apple Inc's iPhones’ components supplier said it suspended production at a factory, which is situated west of Shanghai. Apple components supplier Eson Precision Engineering Co Ltd said on Sunday, it would halt production at its factory in Kunshan, west of Shanghai, through Thursday "in line with the local government's power restriction policy." Eson said the suspension shouldn't have a 'significant impact' on operations. Also Read: China installs new shelters for troops near India's Ladakh border The manufacturers have been already facing shortages of processor chips, disruptions in shipping and other effects of the global shutdown of travel and trade in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. (With inputs from agencies)

Power cuts in China force supplier’s factories, homes to stay in dark  

Are you forced to carry different cables to charge your devices? What if you could charge everything with one charger? The European Union is proposing legislation for universal chargers. Palki Sharma tells you why this is bad news for companies like Apple.

Gravitas US Edition: One cable to charge all devices: EU mulls a new law

Apple&nbsp;Inc will pay one-time bonuses of as much as $1,000 to store employees next month, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The company will give out $1,000 to retail staff hired before Mar. 31, while those who joined later will get $500, the report said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/apple-issues-emergency-security-updates-to-close-a-spyware-flaw-413956">Also read |&nbsp;&nbsp;Apple issues emergency security updates to close a spyware flaw</a>

New employees for the holiday shopping season will receive $200 and bonuses will also be handed out to&nbsp;AppleCare and online sales staff, the report added.

Apple&nbsp;did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The company's retail chief told Reuters in June that&nbsp;Apple&nbsp;was expanding its retail operations, betting that a combination of strategies developed before and during COVID-19 will make its stores more popular than ever.

Apple Inc will pay one-time bonuses of as much as $1,000 to store employees next month, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Apple Inc will pay one-time bonuses of as much as $1,000 to store employees next month, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The company will give out $1,000 to retail staff hired before Mar. 31, while those who joined later will get $500, the report said. Also read | Apple issues emergency security updates to close a spyware flaw New employees for the holiday shopping season will receive $200 and bonuses will also be handed out to AppleCare and online sales staff, the report added. Apple did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The company's retail chief told Reuters in June that Apple was expanding its retail operations, betting that a combination of strategies developed before and during COVID-19 will make its stores more popular than ever.

Apple to pay bonuses of up to $1,000 to store employees

The European Commission is due to present a legislative proposal on Thursday for a common charger for mobile phones, tablets and headphones, reported Reuters mentioning a person familiar with the matter. Such a move is likely to affect iPhone maker Apple more than its rivals.

The European Union executive and EU lawmakers have been pushing for a common charger for over a decade, saying it would be better for the environment and more convenient for users.

The Commission wants the sale of chargers to be decoupled from devices, and also propose a harmonised charging port, the person said.

Apple, whose iPhones are charged from its Lightning cable, has said rules forcing connectors to conform to one type could deter innovation, create a mountain of electronic waste and irk consumers.

Rival Android-based devices are charged using USB-C connectors. Half the chargers sold with mobile phones in 2018 had a USB micro-B connector, while 29% had a USB-C connector and 21% a Lightning connector, according to a 2019 Commission study.

(With inputs from agencies)

The European Commission is due to present a legislative proposal on Thursday for a common charger for mobile phones, tablets and headphones, reported Reuters mentioning a person familiar with the matter.

The European Commission is due to present a legislative proposal on Thursday for a common charger for mobile phones, tablets and headphones, reported Reuters mentioning a person familiar with the matter. Such a move is likely to affect iPhone maker Apple more than its rivals. The European Union executive and EU lawmakers have been pushing for a common charger for over a decade, saying it would be better for the environment and more convenient for users. The Commission wants the sale of chargers to be decoupled from devices, and also propose a harmonised charging port, the person said. Apple, whose iPhones are charged from its Lightning cable, has said rules forcing connectors to conform to one type could deter innovation, create a mountain of electronic waste and irk consumers. Rival Android-based devices are charged using USB-C connectors. Half the chargers sold with mobile phones in 2018 had a USB micro-B connector, while 29% had a USB-C connector and 21% a Lightning connector, according to a 2019 Commission study. (With inputs from agencies)

EU to present proposal for common phone chargers despite Apple's displeasure

The global dominance of tech giants serves as a convenient online chokepoint for authoritarian governments to crack down on dissent or rig elections, critics of Apple and Google said Friday.

The companies were facing international outrage after pulling a Russian opposition voting app off their online marketplaces in response to authorities' escalating pressure, including arrest threats.

Google and Apple, whose operating systems run on 99 percent of the world's smartphones, have a stranglehold on the markets for the applications that allow users to do everything from watch movies to hail a ride.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/china-cracks-down-on-tech-titans-billionaire-loses-27-billion-in-worlds-biggest-wealth-drop-413853" hreflang="en">China cracks down on tech titans: Billionaire loses $27 billion in world's biggest wealth drop</a>

"The app stores are the new frontier for censorship," Natalia Krapiva, tech legal counsel at rights group Access Now told AFP. "We're witnessing a new stage of assault on digital rights."

The companies face a growing pile of new legislation, legal trouble and regulators scrutiny over worries their dominance is a competition-killing monopoly.

Concerns recently had been about consumers' choice and app developers ability to avoid paying Apple an up to 30 percent cut on purchases made via its App Store.

But after an app advising opposition supporters on how to vote out Kremlin allies in Russia's parliamentary election was removed from the app stores of both Apple and Google, advocates warned of another threat.

"As long as Apple maintains a stranglehold over what software millions of people (use)... the App Store will continue to be a convenient chokepoint for government censorship and crackdowns on dissent," said Evan Greer, director of digital advocacy group Fight for the Future.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/safe-and-easy-microsoft-announces-passwordless-account-for-users-413771" hreflang="en">Safe and easy: Microsoft announces 'passwordless account' for users</a>

The digital world has been an incubator for opposition from the Arab Spring to Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests by giving people a way to communicate and organize movements rapidly.

Yet that same technology can be turned against people, as was demonstrated by the scandal around Pegasus, a hugely invasive spyware that can essentially turn a phone into a pocket listening device.&nbsp;

Limits of Big Tech

Allegations that the software has been used by governments worldwide to eavesdrop on human rights activists, business executives and politicians sparked a global uproar in July.

In the case of Russia, pressure has been building after Moscow accused the US tech giants of election interference and demanded they remove the app.

"This demonstrates the limits of Big Tech to resist crackdowns with regards to dissent, in Russia and elsewhere, during elections and outside them," said David Levine, an election integrity fellow at think tank Alliance for Securing Democracy.

Sources close to the decision to pull the opposition app said both companies faced threats of criminal charges or the jailing of staff and general "bullying" from authorities.

Levine noted this type of escalating pressure could become a "page in the playbook" for repressive governments.

The firms are for-profit, yet because of their global reach and key role in mass communication, can end up being called on to combat hate, lies and repression on their devices or platforms.

As a result, Big Tech can and will get entangled in these type of fights on delicate matters with the governments of places where they do business.

"Giant IT companies are going to have to think about how they operate in these markets, like how far they'll go in terms of complying and cutting off the freedom of people to see things," said Kathryn Stoner, a Stanford political science professor.

Especially for social media companies like Facebook, the role of information gatekeeper is one that the firms have played with widely varying outcomes.

The case in Russia, though, has resonated in particular because it touches on something deeply personal, which also has tremendous consequences.

"This is the government going into your house and saying you cannot talk about voting against us," Isabel Linzer, a Research analyst at NGO Freedom House, said.

"That is as much election interference as it would be to go and stuff a ballot box," she added.

The global dominance of tech giants serves as a convenient online chokepoint for authoritarian governments to crack down on dissent or rig elections, critics of Apple and Google said Friday.

The global dominance of tech giants serves as a convenient online chokepoint for authoritarian governments to crack down on dissent or rig elections, critics of Apple and Google said Friday. The companies were facing international outrage after pulling a Russian opposition voting app off their online marketplaces in response to authorities' escalating pressure, including arrest threats. Google and Apple, whose operating systems run on 99 percent of the world's smartphones, have a stranglehold on the markets for the applications that allow users to do everything from watch movies to hail a ride. Also read | China cracks down on tech titans: Billionaire loses $27 billion in world's biggest wealth drop "The app stores are the new frontier for censorship," Natalia Krapiva, tech legal counsel at rights group Access Now told AFP. "We're witnessing a new stage of assault on digital rights." The companies face a growing pile of new legislation, legal trouble and regulators scrutiny over worries their dominance is a competition-killing monopoly. Concerns recently had been about consumers' choice and app developers ability to avoid paying Apple an up to 30 percent cut on purchases made via its App Store. But after an app advising opposition supporters on how to vote out Kremlin allies in Russia's parliamentary election was removed from the app stores of both Apple and Google, advocates warned of another threat. "As long as Apple maintains a stranglehold over what software millions of people (use)... the App Store will continue to be a convenient chokepoint for government censorship and crackdowns on dissent," said Evan Greer, director of digital advocacy group Fight for the Future. Also read | Safe and easy: Microsoft announces 'passwordless account' for users The digital world has been an incubator for opposition from the Arab Spring to Hong Kong's pro-democracy protests by giving people a way to communicate and organize movements rapidly. Yet that same technology can be turned against people, as was demonstrated by the scandal around Pegasus, a hugely invasive spyware that can essentially turn a phone into a pocket listening device. Limits of Big Tech Allegations that the software has been used by governments worldwide to eavesdrop on human rights activists, business executives and politicians sparked a global uproar in July. In the case of Russia, pressure has been building after Moscow accused the US tech giants of election interference and demanded they remove the app. "This demonstrates the limits of Big Tech to resist crackdowns with regards to dissent, in Russia and elsewhere, during elections and outside them," said David Levine, an election integrity fellow at think tank Alliance for Securing Democracy. Sources close to the decision to pull the opposition app said both companies faced threats of criminal charges or the jailing of staff and general "bullying" from authorities. Levine noted this type of escalating pressure could become a "page in the playbook" for repressive governments. The firms are for-profit, yet because of their global reach and key role in mass communication, can end up being called on to combat hate, lies and repression on their devices or platforms. As a result, Big Tech can and will get entangled in these type of fights on delicate matters with the governments of places where they do business. "Giant IT companies are going to have to think about how they operate in these markets, like how far they'll go in terms of complying and cutting off the freedom of people to see things," said Kathryn Stoner, a Stanford political science professor. Especially for social media companies like Facebook, the role of information gatekeeper is one that the firms have played with widely varying outcomes. The case in Russia, though, has resonated in particular because it touches on something deeply personal, which also has tremendous consequences. "This is the government going into your house and saying you cannot talk about voting against us," Isabel Linzer, a Research analyst at NGO Freedom House, said. "That is as much election interference as it would be to go and stuff a ballot box," she added.

Critics warn of Apple, Google 'chokepoint' repression

Apple issued emergency software updates for a critical vulnerability in its products on Monday after security researchers uncovered a flaw that allows highly invasive spyware from Israel’s NSO Group to infect anyone’s iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or Mac computer without so much as a click.

Apple’s security team had worked around the clock to develop a fix since Tuesday, after researchers at Citizen Lab, a cybersecurity watchdog organisation at the University of Toronto, discovered that a Saudi activist’s iPhone had been infected with an advanced form of spyware from NSO.

The spyware, called Pegasus, used a novel method to invisibly infect Apple devices without victims’ knowledge. Known as a “zero click remote exploit,” it is considered the holy grail of surveillance because it allows governments, mercenaries and criminals to secretly break into someone’s device without tipping the victim off.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/whats-the-difference-netizens-wonder-as-new-iphone-13-is-almost-like-iphone-12-413210" hreflang="en">What's the difference? Netizens wonder as new iPhone 13 is almost like iPhone 12</a>

Using the zero-click infection method, Pegasus can turn on a user’s camera and microphone, record messages, texts, emails, calls — even those sent via encrypted messaging and phone apps like Signal — and send them back to NSO’s clients at governments around the world.

“This spyware can do everything an iPhone user can do on their device and more,” said John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab, who teamed up with Bill Marczak, a senior research fellow at Citizen Lab, on the finding.

The discovery means that more than 1.65 billion Apple products in use worldwide have been vulnerable to NSO’s spyware since at least March. It signals a serious escalation in the cybersecurity arms race, with governments willing to pay whatever it takes to spy on digital communications en masse, and with tech companies, human rights activists and others racing to uncover and fix the latest vulnerabilities that enable such surveillance.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/smart-glasses-made-google-look-dumb-now-facebook-is-giving-them-a-try-413629" hreflang="en">Smart glasses made google look dumb. Now Facebook is giving them a try.</a>

In the past, victims learned their devices were infected by spyware only after receiving a suspicious link texted to their phone or email, and sharing the link with journalists or cybersecurity experts. But NSO’s zero-click capability meant victims received no such prompt, and the flaw enabled full access to a person’s digital life. Such abilities can fetch millions of dollars on the underground market for hacking tools, where governments are not regulators but are clients and are among the most lucrative spenders.

On Monday, Ivan Krstić, Apple’s head of security engineering and architecture commended Citizen Lab for its findings and urged customers to run the latest software updates for the fixes to take effect, by installing iOS 14.8, MacOS 11.6 and WatchOS 7.6.2.

“Attacks like the ones described are highly sophisticated, cost millions of dollars to develop, often have a short shelf life and are used to target specific individuals,” Krstić said.

Apple has said it plans to introduce new security defenses for iMessage, Apple’s texting application, in its next iOS 15 software update, expected later this year.

NSO did not immediately respond to inquiries Monday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/will-india-bite-into-apples-new-offerings-413241" hreflang="en">Will India bite into Apple's new offerings?</a>

NSO has long drawn controversy. The company has said that it sells its spyware only to governments that meet strict human rights standards and that it expressly requires customers to agree to use its spyware only to track terrorists or criminals.

But over the past six years, NSO’s Pegasus spyware has turned up on the phones of activists, dissidents, lawyers, doctors, nutritionists and even children in countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Mexico.

Starting in 2016, a series of New York Times investigations revealed the presence of NSO’s spyware on the iPhones of Emirati activists lobbying for expanded voting rights; Mexican nutritionists lobbying for a national soda tax; lawyers looking into the mass disappearance of 43 Mexican students; academics who helped write anti-corruption legislation; journalists in Mexico and England; and an American representing victims of sexual abuse by Mexico’s police.

In July, NSO became the subject of further scrutiny after Amnesty International, the human rights watchdog, and Forbidden Stories, a group that focuses on free speech, teamed up with a consortium of media organisations on “The Pegasus Project” to publish a list of 50,000 phone numbers, including some used by journalists, government leaders, dissidents and activists, that they said had been selected as targets by NSO’s clients.

The consortium did not disclose how it had obtained the list, and it was unclear whether the list was aspirational or whether the people had actually been targeted with NSO spyware.

Among those listed were Azam Ahmed, who had been the Mexico City bureau chief for The Times and who has reported widely on corruption, violence and surveillance in Latin America, including on NSO itself; and Ben Hubbard, The Times’ bureau chief in Beirut, who has investigated rights abuses and corruption in Saudi Arabia and wrote a recent biography of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

It also included 14 heads of state, including President Emmanuel Macron of France, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly of Egypt, Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan, Saad-Eddine El Othmani, who until recently was the prime minister of Morocco, and Charles Michel, the head of the European Council.

Shalev Hulio, a co-founder of NSO Group, vehemently denied the list’s accuracy, telling The Times, “This is like opening up the white pages, choosing 50,000 numbers and drawing some conclusion from it.”

This year marks a record for the discovery of so-called zero days, secret software flaws like the one that NSO used to install its spyware. This year, Chinese hackers were caught using zero days in Microsoft Exchange to steal emails and plant ransomware. In July, ransomware criminals used a zero day in software sold by the tech company Kaseya to bring down the networks of some 1,000 companies.

For years, the spyware industry has been a black box. Sales of spyware are locked up in nondisclosure agreements and are frequently rolled into classified programs, with limited, if any, oversight.

NSO’s clients previously infected their targets using text messages that cajoled victims into clicking on links. Those links made it possible for journalists and researchers at organisations like Citizen Lab to investigate the possible presence of spyware. But NSO’s new zero-click method makes the discovery of spyware by journalists and cybersecurity researchers much harder.

“The commercial spyware industry is going darker,” said Marczak, the Citizen Lab researcher.

Marczak said he was first approached by the Saudi activist in March. But it was only last week that he was able to parse evidence from the activist’s phone and uncover digital crumbs similar to those on the iPhones of other Pegasus targets.

Marczak said he found that the Saudi activist, who declined to be identified, had received an image. That image, which was invisible to the user, exploited a vulnerability in the way that Apple processes images and allowed the Pegasus spyware to be quietly downloaded onto Apple devices. With the victim none the wiser, his or her most sensitive communications, data and passwords were siphoned off to servers at intelligence and law-enforcement agencies around the globe.

Citizen Lab said the scale and scope of the operation was unclear. Marczak said, based on the timing of his discovery of Pegasus on the Saudi activist’s iPhone and other iPhones in March, it was safe to say the spyware had been siphoning data from Apple devices for at least six months.

The zero-click exploit, which Citizen Lab dubbed “Forcedentry,” was among the most sophisticated exploits discovered by forensics researchers. In 2019, researchers uncovered that a similar NSO zero-click exploit had been deployed against 1,400 users of WhatsApp, the Facebook messaging service. Last year, Citizen Lab found a digital trail suggesting NSO may have a zero-click exploit to read Apple iMessages, but researchers never discovered the full exploit.

NSO was long suspected of having a zero-click capability. A 2015 hack of one of NSO’s chief competitors, Hacking Team, a Milan-based spyware outfit, revealed emails showing Hacking Team executives scrambling to match a remote, zero-click exploit that its customers claimed NSO had developed. That same year, a Times reporter obtained NSO marketing materials for prospective new clients that mentioned a remote, zero-click capability.

Proof of the capability never turned up.

“Today was the proof,” Marczak said.

orcedentry was the first time that researchers successfully recovered a full, zero-click exploit on the phones of activists and dissidents. When such discoveries are revealed, governments and cybercriminals typically try to exploit vulnerable systems before users have a chance to patch them, making timely patching critical.

Scott-Railton urged Apple customers to run their software updates immediately.

“Do you own an Apple product? Update it today,” he said.

Apple issued emergency software updates for a critical vulnerability in its products on Monday after security researchers uncovered a flaw that allows highly invasive spyware from Israel’s NSO Group to infect anyone’s iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or Mac computer without so much as a click.

Apple issued emergency software updates for a critical vulnerability in its products on Monday after security researchers uncovered a flaw that allows highly invasive spyware from Israel’s NSO Group to infect anyone’s iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or Mac computer without so much as a click. Apple’s security team had worked around the clock to develop a fix since Tuesday, after researchers at Citizen Lab, a cybersecurity watchdog organisation at the University of Toronto, discovered that a Saudi activist’s iPhone had been infected with an advanced form of spyware from NSO. The spyware, called Pegasus, used a novel method to invisibly infect Apple devices without victims’ knowledge. Known as a “zero click remote exploit,” it is considered the holy grail of surveillance because it allows governments, mercenaries and criminals to secretly break into someone’s device without tipping the victim off. Also read | What's the difference? Netizens wonder as new iPhone 13 is almost like iPhone 12 Using the zero-click infection method, Pegasus can turn on a user’s camera and microphone, record messages, texts, emails, calls — even those sent via encrypted messaging and phone apps like Signal — and send them back to NSO’s clients at governments around the world. “This spyware can do everything an iPhone user can do on their device and more,” said John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab, who teamed up with Bill Marczak, a senior research fellow at Citizen Lab, on the finding. The discovery means that more than 1.65 billion Apple products in use worldwide have been vulnerable to NSO’s spyware since at least March. It signals a serious escalation in the cybersecurity arms race, with governments willing to pay whatever it takes to spy on digital communications en masse, and with tech companies, human rights activists and others racing to uncover and fix the latest vulnerabilities that enable such surveillance. Also read | Smart glasses made google look dumb. Now Facebook is giving them a try. In the past, victims learned their devices were infected by spyware only after receiving a suspicious link texted to their phone or email, and sharing the link with journalists or cybersecurity experts. But NSO’s zero-click capability meant victims received no such prompt, and the flaw enabled full access to a person’s digital life. Such abilities can fetch millions of dollars on the underground market for hacking tools, where governments are not regulators but are clients and are among the most lucrative spenders. On Monday, Ivan Krstić, Apple’s head of security engineering and architecture commended Citizen Lab for its findings and urged customers to run the latest software updates for the fixes to take effect, by installing iOS 14.8, MacOS 11.6 and WatchOS 7.6.2. “Attacks like the ones described are highly sophisticated, cost millions of dollars to develop, often have a short shelf life and are used to target specific individuals,” Krstić said. Apple has said it plans to introduce new security defenses for iMessage, Apple’s texting application, in its next iOS 15 software update, expected later this year. NSO did not immediately respond to inquiries Monday. Also read | Will India bite into Apple's new offerings? NSO has long drawn controversy. The company has said that it sells its spyware only to governments that meet strict human rights standards and that it expressly requires customers to agree to use its spyware only to track terrorists or criminals. But over the past six years, NSO’s Pegasus spyware has turned up on the phones of activists, dissidents, lawyers, doctors, nutritionists and even children in countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Mexico. Starting in 2016, a series of New York Times investigations revealed the presence of NSO’s spyware on the iPhones of Emirati activists lobbying for expanded voting rights; Mexican nutritionists lobbying for a national soda tax; lawyers looking into the mass disappearance of 43 Mexican students; academics who helped write anti-corruption legislation; journalists in Mexico and England; and an American representing victims of sexual abuse by Mexico’s police. In July, NSO became the subject of further scrutiny after Amnesty International, the human rights watchdog, and Forbidden Stories, a group that focuses on free speech, teamed up with a consortium of media organisations on “The Pegasus Project” to publish a list of 50,000 phone numbers, including some used by journalists, government leaders, dissidents and activists, that they said had been selected as targets by NSO’s clients. The consortium did not disclose how it had obtained the list, and it was unclear whether the list was aspirational or whether the people had actually been targeted with NSO spyware. Among those listed were Azam Ahmed, who had been the Mexico City bureau chief for The Times and who has reported widely on corruption, violence and surveillance in Latin America, including on NSO itself; and Ben Hubbard, The Times’ bureau chief in Beirut, who has investigated rights abuses and corruption in Saudi Arabia and wrote a recent biography of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It also included 14 heads of state, including President Emmanuel Macron of France, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly of Egypt, Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan, Saad-Eddine El Othmani, who until recently was the prime minister of Morocco, and Charles Michel, the head of the European Council. Shalev Hulio, a co-founder of NSO Group, vehemently denied the list’s accuracy, telling The Times, “This is like opening up the white pages, choosing 50,000 numbers and drawing some conclusion from it.” This year marks a record for the discovery of so-called zero days, secret software flaws like the one that NSO used to install its spyware. This year, Chinese hackers were caught using zero days in Microsoft Exchange to steal emails and plant ransomware. In July, ransomware criminals used a zero day in software sold by the tech company Kaseya to bring down the networks of some 1,000 companies. For years, the spyware industry has been a black box. Sales of spyware are locked up in nondisclosure agreements and are frequently rolled into classified programs, with limited, if any, oversight. NSO’s clients previously infected their targets using text messages that cajoled victims into clicking on links. Those links made it possible for journalists and researchers at organisations like Citizen Lab to investigate the possible presence of spyware. But NSO’s new zero-click method makes the discovery of spyware by journalists and cybersecurity researchers much harder. “The commercial spyware industry is going darker,” said Marczak, the Citizen Lab researcher. Marczak said he was first approached by the Saudi activist in March. But it was only last week that he was able to parse evidence from the activist’s phone and uncover digital crumbs similar to those on the iPhones of other Pegasus targets. Marczak said he found that the Saudi activist, who declined to be identified, had received an image. That image, which was invisible to the user, exploited a vulnerability in the way that Apple processes images and allowed the Pegasus spyware to be quietly downloaded onto Apple devices. With the victim none the wiser, his or her most sensitive communications, data and passwords were siphoned off to servers at intelligence and law-enforcement agencies around the globe. Citizen Lab said the scale and scope of the operation was unclear. Marczak said, based on the timing of his discovery of Pegasus on the Saudi activist’s iPhone and other iPhones in March, it was safe to say the spyware had been siphoning data from Apple devices for at least six months. The zero-click exploit, which Citizen Lab dubbed “Forcedentry,” was among the most sophisticated exploits discovered by forensics researchers. In 2019, researchers uncovered that a similar NSO zero-click exploit had been deployed against 1,400 users of WhatsApp, the Facebook messaging service. Last year, Citizen Lab found a digital trail suggesting NSO may have a zero-click exploit to read Apple iMessages, but researchers never discovered the full exploit. NSO was long suspected of having a zero-click capability. A 2015 hack of one of NSO’s chief competitors, Hacking Team, a Milan-based spyware outfit, revealed emails showing Hacking Team executives scrambling to match a remote, zero-click exploit that its customers claimed NSO had developed. That same year, a Times reporter obtained NSO marketing materials for prospective new clients that mentioned a remote, zero-click capability. Proof of the capability never turned up. “Today was the proof,” Marczak said. orcedentry was the first time that researchers successfully recovered a full, zero-click exploit on the phones of activists and dissidents. When such discoveries are revealed, governments and cybercriminals typically try to exploit vulnerable systems before users have a chance to patch them, making timely patching critical. Scott-Railton urged Apple customers to run their software updates immediately. “Do you own an Apple product? Update it today,” he said.

Apple issues emergency security updates to close a spyware flaw

Apple CEO Tim Cook launched the latest and most awaited new iPhone model, called the iPhone 13, to over 2 million viewers on YouTube on Tuesday.

According to Apple, the iPhone 13 sports a smaller display cutout, or "notch," at the top of the screen, as well as larger batteries that deliver between 1.5 and 2.5 hours of battery life, depending on device size, over last year's models.&nbsp;

Apple Inc. released the iPhone 13 and 13 Mini with brighter screens, as well as improvements to its iPads and watches, to tempt customers into 5G plans.

The iPhone 13 will be available in five colours and will contain a new chip called the A15 Bionic, which will enable functions such as automatically detecting when the phone's camera is directed at text.&nbsp; 
 
The new iPhone 13 features new diagonally placed camera modules that are basically the same as last year's model.

According to Apple, one camera is a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens with a large sensor that collects 50% more light.

The ultra-wide lens is the other lens.

A new "cinematic mode" that can retain focus on a moving subject is one of the camera upgrades.&nbsp; 
 
<img alt="iPhone 13 camera" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0c543329-9c7a-408a-9e10-9ee773a1f336" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/camera.jpg" />

iPhone 13 camera specifications (Picture courtesy: Apple Inc.)

"The competition is still playing catchup to our chips - not just from last year, but even from two years ago," said Kaiann Drance, an Apple iPhone marketing executive.

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The Series 7 smart watch will feature a larger display and faster charging. It will start at $399 and be available later this autumn. 
 
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&nbsp;

The battery life has improved:&nbsp;

The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini have a bigger battery. It will last up to an hour and a half longer than the iPhone 12 according to Apple.

This is great news for iPhone 13 mini fans. The iPhone 12 mini's battery was ridiculed last year for not lasting as long as the larger models.&nbsp;

The iPad Mini has also been updated with 5G connection and a new design that resembles the higher-end iPad Air and Pro versions.

Apple also added a new camera to its base-model iPad, allowing users to work and learn from home.

The iPad starts at $329 for the standard model and $499 for the Mini.

Next week, both will be available for sale.

Apple shares were down 0.5%, in-line with a slight downturn in broader markets.

Apple last year introduced its iPhone 12, which featured a new look and its first devices with 5G connectivity. This year, analyst expect modest hardware upgrades and a deeper focus on 5G.

In particular, carriers such as AT&amp;T Inc, Verizon Communications and T-Mobile that have significantly built out their networks since the start of this year are likely to offer new incentives around the devices that can take advantage of the faster speeds those networks can offer, said Ben Bajarin, head of consumer technologies at Creative Strategies.

"There seems to be way more (5G network capacity) than was in place even six months ago," Bajarin said. "They want people upgrading. They're going to be really aggressive."

Apple's biggest product launch of the year comes as some of the shine has come off its stock as business practices such as charging software developers commissions on in-app payments have come under regulatory scrutiny.

Apple shares were up about 15.6% year to date, trailing the Nasdaq Composite Index, which was up nearly 19% over the same period.

The Apple Watch has become a cornerstone of its $30.6 billion accessories segment, which was up 25% in Apple's most recent fiscal year even as its iPhone revenue declined slightly. Analysts widely believe that Apple users who buy more than one product - such as an Apple Watch and iPhone - are more likely to stick with the brand and spend on the company's apps and services.

Apple focused on fitness features such as improving how the watch tracks bicycling workouts and dust protection for hiking. The watch is paired tightly with Apple Fitness+, a paid service offering guided workouts with Apple instructors. The company added pilates and skiing-oriented workouts, and a group workouts function designed to let users work out together. The company also bundled three months of free service with its watch devices.

Shares of exercise bike and online training company Peloton were down about 1.6%.

"It's the one service they offer where you literally have to have this product or you can't use this service," Bajarin said. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Apple CEO Tim Cook launched the latest and most awaited new iPhone model, called the iPhone 13, to over 2 million viewers on YouTube on Tuesday. According to Apple, the iPhone 13 sports a smaller display cutout, or "notch," at the top of the screen, as well as larger batteries that deliver between 1.

Apple CEO Tim Cook launched the latest and most awaited new iPhone model, called the iPhone 13, to over 2 million viewers on YouTube on Tuesday. According to Apple, the iPhone 13 sports a smaller display cutout, or "notch," at the top of the screen, as well as larger batteries that deliver between 1.5 and 2.5 hours of battery life, depending on device size, over last year's models. Apple Inc. released the iPhone 13 and 13 Mini with brighter screens, as well as improvements to its iPads and watches, to tempt customers into 5G plans. The iPhone 13 will be available in five colours and will contain a new chip called the A15 Bionic, which will enable functions such as automatically detecting when the phone's camera is directed at text. The new iPhone 13 features new diagonally placed camera modules that are basically the same as last year's model. According to Apple, one camera is a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens with a large sensor that collects 50% more light. The ultra-wide lens is the other lens. A new "cinematic mode" that can retain focus on a moving subject is one of the camera upgrades. iPhone 13 camera specifications (Picture courtesy: Apple Inc.) "The competition is still playing catchup to our chips - not just from last year, but even from two years ago," said Kaiann Drance, an Apple iPhone marketing executive. × The Series 7 smart watch will feature a larger display and faster charging. It will start at $399 and be available later this autumn. The battery life has improved: The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini have a bigger battery. It will last up to an hour and a half longer than the iPhone 12 according to Apple. This is great news for iPhone 13 mini fans. The iPhone 12 mini's battery was ridiculed last year for not lasting as long as the larger models. The iPad Mini has also been updated with 5G connection and a new design that resembles the higher-end iPad Air and Pro versions. Apple also added a new camera to its base-model iPad, allowing users to work and learn from home. The iPad starts at $329 for the standard model and $499 for the Mini. Next week, both will be available for sale. Apple shares were down 0.5%, in-line with a slight downturn in broader markets. Apple last year introduced its iPhone 12, which featured a new look and its first devices with 5G connectivity. This year, analyst expect modest hardware upgrades and a deeper focus on 5G. In particular, carriers such as AT&T Inc, Verizon Communications and T-Mobile that have significantly built out their networks since the start of this year are likely to offer new incentives around the devices that can take advantage of the faster speeds those networks can offer, said Ben Bajarin, head of consumer technologies at Creative Strategies. "There seems to be way more (5G network capacity) than was in place even six months ago," Bajarin said. "They want people upgrading. They're going to be really aggressive." Apple's biggest product launch of the year comes as some of the shine has come off its stock as business practices such as charging software developers commissions on in-app payments have come under regulatory scrutiny. Apple shares were up about 15.6% year to date, trailing the Nasdaq Composite Index, which was up nearly 19% over the same period. The Apple Watch has become a cornerstone of its $30.6 billion accessories segment, which was up 25% in Apple's most recent fiscal year even as its iPhone revenue declined slightly. Analysts widely believe that Apple users who buy more than one product - such as an Apple Watch and iPhone - are more likely to stick with the brand and spend on the company's apps and services. Apple focused on fitness features such as improving how the watch tracks bicycling workouts and dust protection for hiking. The watch is paired tightly with Apple Fitness+, a paid service offering guided workouts with Apple instructors. The company added pilates and skiing-oriented workouts, and a group workouts function designed to let users work out together. The company also bundled three months of free service with its watch devices. Shares of exercise bike and online training company Peloton were down about 1.6%. "It's the one service they offer where you literally have to have this product or you can't use this service," Bajarin said. (With inputs from agencies)

Apple unveils iPhone 13, adds new features to iPads, watches

At the much anticipated Apple event in the US, Apple has unveiled the iPhone 13 and a new iPad mini expanding its 5g connectivity and showing off faster chips and sharper cameras without raising the phone's price.

World Business Watch: Apple introduces iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini

Apple has launched four new models in its most awaited lineup- the iPhone 13 series. The company has also launched the new iPad mini expanding its 5g connectivity and showing off faster chips and sharper cameras without raising the phone's price. The iPhone Pro model will cost around Rs 119,900 in India and iPhone 13 Pro Max will be Rs 129,900.

iPhone 13 series announced: Here are specifications, price and more

Apple event is something that grabs a lot of eyeballs globally. No matter the price of the gadgets, Apple fans will still tell you that they are the best and get you max bang for your buck.

iPhone 13 made a grand entry on the tech stage with Apple CEO Tim Cook presenting the latest top-of-the-line on the Apple shelves. But what caught the attention of Bollywood fans was the&nbsp;Dum Maro Dum tune played at the very start of the promotion video.

The iconic guitar notes were too hard to miss. And this sent the social media mills running. It is now coming to light that the actual song was 'Work All Day' by Footsie. But the artist had undoubtedly used the recognisable Hindi tune.

Before Twitter reactions, check out the video first.

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Apple using Dum Maro Dum! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AppleEvent?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AppleEvent</a> <a href="https://t.co/FDIPmugLF6">pic.twitter.com/FDIPmugLF6</a>
— Priyank (@hey_priyank) <a href="https://twitter.com/hey_priyank/status/1437838220075622400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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As expected, Indian Twitter went crazy with all sorts of reactions

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Did <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Apple?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Apple</a> just used Dum maro Dum song in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AppleEvent?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AppleEvent</a> to launch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/iphone13series?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#iphone13series</a> ? <a href="https://t.co/8ItU0VNaCY">pic.twitter.com/8ItU0VNaCY</a>
— Shubham Mishra (@helloiamshubham) <a href="https://twitter.com/helloiamshubham/status/1437838859866292224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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Why <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AppleEvent?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AppleEvent</a> is running "Dum Maro Dum" music?
— Jaynti Kanani (@_jdkanani) <a href="https://twitter.com/_jdkanani/status/1437837836271570947?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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THEY USED DUM MARO DUM MUSIC HELPP
— juhi⁷ || ishq day (@bluendgreypjm) <a href="https://twitter.com/bluendgreypjm/status/1437837705753161729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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Did I just listen to a “Dum Maro Dum” remix at an iPhone event? 🤔
— Vidit Bhargava (@viditb) <a href="https://twitter.com/viditb/status/1437838155785244672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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We know that the iconic song is shot on Zeenat Aman. But some Tweeple appeared to give Deepika Padukone the credit. Maybe it was a reference to the remix that came out a few years ago.

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Two Observations from iPhone 13 commercial. 
 
1. Can a delivery boy afford an iPhone13 as shown in the ad ? 
 
2. The bgm sounds similar to Deepika Padukone’s Dum Maro Dum<a href="https://t.co/qiiytheXDI">https://t.co/qiiytheXDI</a>
— Krishikesh Khairnar (@KrishKhairnar) <a href="https://twitter.com/KrishKhairnar/status/1437858360800395265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Some Indian users were in a different sort of 'gham'

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🙄This Dum maro dum is out of my budget
— Gaganpreet Kaur (@fabgagan) <a href="https://twitter.com/fabgagan/status/1437949667728265216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2021</a></blockquote>
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But all said and done, the apple event did have quite a following as the streaming was watched by 2 million people worldwide.

Apple did not announce any blockbuster features or products, but analysts expect customers hanging onto older models like the iPhone X will be eager to upgrade. To encourage trade-ins, participating wireless carriers are offering incentives ahead of the year-end holiday season that to make the new phones free to some customers.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/apple-unveils-iphone-13-adds-new-features-to-ipads-watches-413123">Apple unveils iPhone 13, adds new features to iPads, watches</a>

The iPhone 13 will have a new chip called the A15 Bionic that enables features like automatically translating text. The phone also has a better display, longer battery life and a Cinematic mode for automatically changing focus while taking videos. Apple said the iPhone 13 will have custom 5G antennas and radio components for faster speeds and will come in five colors.

The phone will start at $699, and participating wireless carriers will offer up to $700 off for qualifying trade-ins. The iPhone 13 Pro starts at $999 and the Pro Max starts at $1,099, with trade-in offers of up to $1,000. All three models will be available Sept. 24.

Apple event is something that grabs a lot of eyeballs globally. No matter the price of the gadgets, Apple fans will still tell you that they are the best and get you max bang for your buck.

Apple event is something that grabs a lot of eyeballs globally. No matter the price of the gadgets, Apple fans will still tell you that they are the best and get you max bang for your buck. iPhone 13 made a grand entry on the tech stage with Apple CEO Tim Cook presenting the latest top-of-the-line on the Apple shelves. But what caught the attention of Bollywood fans was the Dum Maro Dum tune played at the very start of the promotion video. The iconic guitar notes were too hard to miss. And this sent the social media mills running. It is now coming to light that the actual song was 'Work All Day' by Footsie. But the artist had undoubtedly used the recognisable Hindi tune. Before Twitter reactions, check out the video first. Apple using Dum Maro Dum! #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/FDIPmugLF6 — Priyank (@hey_priyank) September 14, 2021 × As expected, Indian Twitter went crazy with all sorts of reactions Did #Apple just used Dum maro Dum song in #AppleEvent to launch #iphone13series ? pic.twitter.com/8ItU0VNaCY — Shubham Mishra (@helloiamshubham) September 14, 2021 × Why #AppleEvent is running "Dum Maro Dum" music? — Jaynti Kanani (@_jdkanani) September 14, 2021 × THEY USED DUM MARO DUM MUSIC HELPP — juhi⁷ || ishq day (@bluendgreypjm) September 14, 2021 × Did I just listen to a “Dum Maro Dum” remix at an iPhone event? 🤔 — Vidit Bhargava (@viditb) September 14, 2021 × We know that the iconic song is shot on Zeenat Aman. But some Tweeple appeared to give Deepika Padukone the credit. Maybe it was a reference to the remix that came out a few years ago. Two Observations from iPhone 13 commercial. 1. Can a delivery boy afford an iPhone13 as shown in the ad ? 2. The bgm sounds similar to Deepika Padukone’s Dum Maro Dumhttps://t.co/qiiytheXDI — Krishikesh Khairnar (@KrishKhairnar) September 14, 2021 × Some Indian users were in a different sort of 'gham' 🙄This Dum maro dum is out of my budget — Gaganpreet Kaur (@fabgagan) September 15, 2021 × But all said and done, the apple event did have quite a following as the streaming was watched by 2 million people worldwide. Apple did not announce any blockbuster features or products, but analysts expect customers hanging onto older models like the iPhone X will be eager to upgrade. To encourage trade-ins, participating wireless carriers are offering incentives ahead of the year-end holiday season that to make the new phones free to some customers. Also Read | Apple unveils iPhone 13, adds new features to iPads, watches The iPhone 13 will have a new chip called the A15 Bionic that enables features like automatically translating text. The phone also has a better display, longer battery life and a Cinematic mode for automatically changing focus while taking videos. Apple said the iPhone 13 will have custom 5G antennas and radio components for faster speeds and will come in five colors. The phone will start at $699, and participating wireless carriers will offer up to $700 off for qualifying trade-ins. The iPhone 13 Pro starts at $999 and the Pro Max starts at $1,099, with trade-in offers of up to $1,000. All three models will be available Sept. 24.

Apple Event 2021: 'Dum Maro Dum' tune sparks social media frenzy

Apple launched the latest and most awaited new iPhone model, called the iPhone 13, to over 2 million viewers on YouTube on Tuesday. The tech giants released four variants of the iPhone 13. They are the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/apple-event-2021-dum-maro-dum-tune-sparks-social-media-frenzy-413144" hreflang="en">Apple Event 2021: 'Dum Maro Dum' tune sparks social media frenzy</a>

According to Apple, the iPhone 13 sports a smaller display cutout, or "notch," at the top of the screen, as well as larger batteries that deliver between 1.5 and 2.5 hours of battery life, depending on device size, over last year's models.&nbsp;

However, Apple did not go for a radical change in the phone's design due to which it drew a lot of comparisons from its predecessor the iPhone 12. Twitteratis trolled the design&nbsp;of the iPhone 13&nbsp;and found it difficult to spot any differences from iPhone 12.&nbsp;

Check out some of the hilarious tweets on the phone's similar design:&nbsp;

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Me looking at the difference between iPhone 12 and 13 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AppleEvent?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AppleEvent</a> <a href="https://t.co/9EGdw1EWDW">pic.twitter.com/9EGdw1EWDW</a>
— daniel 🥞 (@manieldad) <a href="https://twitter.com/manieldad/status/1437834410016088069?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
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iPhone 12 users upgraded to iPhone 13 be like : <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AppleEvent?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AppleEvent</a> <a href="https://t.co/6Z4nNS1W7L">pic.twitter.com/6Z4nNS1W7L</a>
— 𝓝 (@IhrVortrag) <a href="https://twitter.com/IhrVortrag/status/1437952133123297281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 15, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The iPhone 13 will be available in five colours and will contain a new chip called the A15 Bionic, which will enable functions such as automatically detecting when the phone's camera is directed at text.&nbsp;

The iPad Mini has also been updated with 5G connection and a new design that resembles the higher-end iPad Air and Pro versions.

Apple also added a new camera to its base-model iPad, allowing users to work and learn from home.

The iPad starts at $329 for the standard model and $499 for the Mini.

Next week, both will be available for sale.

Apple launched the latest and most awaited new iPhone model, called the iPhone 13, to over 2 million viewers on YouTube on Tuesday. The tech giants released four variants of the iPhone 13.

Apple launched the latest and most awaited new iPhone model, called the iPhone 13, to over 2 million viewers on YouTube on Tuesday. The tech giants released four variants of the iPhone 13. They are the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max. ALSO READ: Apple Event 2021: 'Dum Maro Dum' tune sparks social media frenzy According to Apple, the iPhone 13 sports a smaller display cutout, or "notch," at the top of the screen, as well as larger batteries that deliver between 1.5 and 2.5 hours of battery life, depending on device size, over last year's models. However, Apple did not go for a radical change in the phone's design due to which it drew a lot of comparisons from its predecessor the iPhone 12. Twitteratis trolled the design of the iPhone 13 and found it difficult to spot any differences from iPhone 12. Check out some of the hilarious tweets on the phone's similar design: Me looking at the difference between iPhone 12 and 13 #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/9EGdw1EWDW — daniel 🥞 (@manieldad) September 14, 2021 × iPhone 12 users upgraded to iPhone 13 be like : #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/6Z4nNS1W7L — 𝓝 (@IhrVortrag) September 15, 2021 × Me trying to spot the difference between iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 13 pro max #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/vdAgMBxfgg — Jsemfrajeeer (@jsemfrajeeer) September 14, 2021 × Iphone 12 users upgrading to Iphone 13 💀🤑 #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/JNPAVfIlFc — Shehroz :) (@JattBruce) September 14, 2021 × The iPhone 13 will be available in five colours and will contain a new chip called the A15 Bionic, which will enable functions such as automatically detecting when the phone's camera is directed at text. The iPad Mini has also been updated with 5G connection and a new design that resembles the higher-end iPad Air and Pro versions. Apple also added a new camera to its base-model iPad, allowing users to work and learn from home. The iPad starts at $329 for the standard model and $499 for the Mini. Next week, both will be available for sale.

What's the difference? Netizens wonder as new iPhone 13 is almost like iPhone 12

A US judge on Friday ordered Apple to loosen control over its App Store payment system, a blow to the global tech giant sparked by its anti-trust battle with Fortnite maker Epic Games.

In a ruling with significant potential to alter the digital economy, Apple will no longer be allowed to force developers to use its tightly-controlled sales tool.

It's a change loudly demanded by app producers because of the up to 30 percent commission on purchases, however the judge also ruled that Epic had not proved its claim of illegal monopoly -- which prompted a sigh of relief from Apple.

Lawsuits, rules and probes have piled up for the iPhone maker, but it was noncommittal about challenging the ruling and instead lauded the anti-trust portion by saying: "We consider this a huge win for Apple."

Epic for its part branded the judgement as essentially a loss for app developers who rely on the App Store in the multi-billion-dollar mobile gaming industry, and for consumers.

"We will fight on," Epic CEO Tim Sweeney tweeted, and a company spokesperson later confirmed they would appeal.

Friday's order says Apple is permanently barred from prohibiting developers from including in their apps "external links or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms."

"Apple enjoys considerable market share of over 55 percent and extraordinarily high profit margins... (but) Success is not illegal," California federal Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers wrote.&nbsp;

"Epic Games failed in its burden to demonstrate Apple is an illegal monopolist," she added.

The decision noted that Apple violated California's laws against unfair competition, however.

The two firms clashed in a lawsuit over whether Apple has the right to set ground rules, control payment systems and kick out apps from its marketplace that fail to comply.

Also at stake was Apple's slice of revenue from iPhone apps of as much as 30 percent.

Apple booted Fortnite from its online mobile marketplace after Epic released an update that dodged revenue sharing with the iPhone maker.

A win for Apple?

However, even before Friday's decision Apple started to cede ground on its App Store dominance, including in an agreement with Japanese regulators.

It also faces the legislation adopted by South Korean lawmakers, which banned Apple and Google from forcing app developers to use the tech giants' payment systems.&nbsp;

Analyst Carolina Milanesi noted the anti-trust aspect of the case was what really had Apple's attention, with a ruling against it potentially opening the doors for challenges from lawmakers and prosecutors.

"For me, it is a win for Apple in that the judge clearly said they are not engaging in monopolistic behavior," she told AFP. "I don't think it is a problem for Apple from a revenue perspective."

Some US lawmakers also noted the anti-trust aspect of the case could not be ignored, noting courts have not tackled the issue.

"Congress must enact rules of the road to ensure free and fair competition online," said the joint statement from representatives Jerrold Nadler and David Cicilline.

"It is clear that courts continue to narrowly interpret the antitrust laws in favor of monopolies and against consumers, workers, and small businesses," the added.&nbsp;

Apple opened its App Store in July 2008, a year after the release of the first iPhone.

The shop, stocked with mobile apps tailored for devices powered by iOS mobile software, was quickly imitated by rival smartphone makers.

It ignited an entire economy where developers big or small could make money with "an app for that," from games or social networking to summoning car rides or ordering food.

The App Store -- the lone gateway onto the more than one billion iPhones in use around the world -- has grown to include more than 1.8 million apps.

A US judge on Friday ordered Apple to loosen control over its App Store payment system, a blow to the global tech giant sparked by its anti-trust battle with Fortnite maker Epic Games.

A US judge on Friday ordered Apple to loosen control over its App Store payment system, a blow to the global tech giant sparked by its anti-trust battle with Fortnite maker Epic Games. In a ruling with significant potential to alter the digital economy, Apple will no longer be allowed to force developers to use its tightly-controlled sales tool. It's a change loudly demanded by app producers because of the up to 30 percent commission on purchases, however the judge also ruled that Epic had not proved its claim of illegal monopoly -- which prompted a sigh of relief from Apple. Lawsuits, rules and probes have piled up for the iPhone maker, but it was noncommittal about challenging the ruling and instead lauded the anti-trust portion by saying: "We consider this a huge win for Apple." Epic for its part branded the judgement as essentially a loss for app developers who rely on the App Store in the multi-billion-dollar mobile gaming industry, and for consumers. "We will fight on," Epic CEO Tim Sweeney tweeted, and a company spokesperson later confirmed they would appeal. Friday's order says Apple is permanently barred from prohibiting developers from including in their apps "external links or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms." "Apple enjoys considerable market share of over 55 percent and extraordinarily high profit margins... (but) Success is not illegal," California federal Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers wrote. "Epic Games failed in its burden to demonstrate Apple is an illegal monopolist," she added. The decision noted that Apple violated California's laws against unfair competition, however. The two firms clashed in a lawsuit over whether Apple has the right to set ground rules, control payment systems and kick out apps from its marketplace that fail to comply. Also at stake was Apple's slice of revenue from iPhone apps of as much as 30 percent. Apple booted Fortnite from its online mobile marketplace after Epic released an update that dodged revenue sharing with the iPhone maker. A win for Apple? However, even before Friday's decision Apple started to cede ground on its App Store dominance, including in an agreement with Japanese regulators. It also faces the legislation adopted by South Korean lawmakers, which banned Apple and Google from forcing app developers to use the tech giants' payment systems. Analyst Carolina Milanesi noted the anti-trust aspect of the case was what really had Apple's attention, with a ruling against it potentially opening the doors for challenges from lawmakers and prosecutors. "For me, it is a win for Apple in that the judge clearly said they are not engaging in monopolistic behavior," she told AFP. "I don't think it is a problem for Apple from a revenue perspective." Some US lawmakers also noted the anti-trust aspect of the case could not be ignored, noting courts have not tackled the issue. "Congress must enact rules of the road to ensure free and fair competition online," said the joint statement from representatives Jerrold Nadler and David Cicilline. "It is clear that courts continue to narrowly interpret the antitrust laws in favor of monopolies and against consumers, workers, and small businesses," the added. Apple opened its App Store in July 2008, a year after the release of the first iPhone. The shop, stocked with mobile apps tailored for devices powered by iOS mobile software, was quickly imitated by rival smartphone makers. It ignited an entire economy where developers big or small could make money with "an app for that," from games or social networking to summoning car rides or ordering food. The App Store -- the lone gateway onto the more than one billion iPhones in use around the world -- has grown to include more than 1.8 million apps.

Apple takes app payment hit in Epic court fight

The National Crime Agency (NCA) of Britain has warned that Facebook's plan to encrypt its messages can prevent detection of child abuse.

The social media giant's end-to-end encryption can hamper access to ''incisive technology'' according&nbsp;to NCA's director Rob Jones.

The warning comes as Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company was working on plans to extend encryption.

It is bound to alarm privacy campaigners. UK's government is also trying to curb the tech titan's plans.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/facebook-misinformation-gets-six-times-more-engagement-than-factual-posts-study-411355" hreflang="en">Facebook misinformation gets six times more engagement than factual posts: Study</a>

Facebook had allowed its users to make voice and video calls within its main app on a trial basis, aiming to make it easier to place calls without opening its standalone Messenger app.

Under this strategy, Facebook extended the option of end-to-end encryption in which nobody else, not even the company itself can listen or see what is said or sent.

After facing criticism for introducing child safety updates, Apple had announced a delay in its introduction.

The company had promised last month to check US customer phones and computers for child sex abuse images.

But the move sparked a global backlash from a wide range of rights groups, with employees also criticising the plan internally.

As per the US National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), the tech industry made over 21 million referrals internationally of child sexual abuse on its platforms in 2020.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) of Britain has warned that Facebook's plan to encrypt its messages can prevent detection of child abuse. The social media giant's end-to-end encryption can hamper access to ''incisive technology'' according to NCA's director Rob Jones.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) of Britain has warned that Facebook's plan to encrypt its messages can prevent detection of child abuse. The social media giant's end-to-end encryption can hamper access to ''incisive technology'' according to NCA's director Rob Jones. The warning comes as Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company was working on plans to extend encryption. It is bound to alarm privacy campaigners. UK's government is also trying to curb the tech titan's plans. Also read | Facebook misinformation gets six times more engagement than factual posts: Study Facebook had allowed its users to make voice and video calls within its main app on a trial basis, aiming to make it easier to place calls without opening its standalone Messenger app. Under this strategy, Facebook extended the option of end-to-end encryption in which nobody else, not even the company itself can listen or see what is said or sent. After facing criticism for introducing child safety updates, Apple had announced a delay in its introduction. The company had promised last month to check US customer phones and computers for child sex abuse images. But the move sparked a global backlash from a wide range of rights groups, with employees also criticising the plan internally. As per the US National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), the tech industry made over 21 million referrals internationally of child sexual abuse on its platforms in 2020.

UK: National Crime Agency warns Facebook's encryption can prevent detection of child abuse

Apple announced Friday that it will delay the rollout of its controversial new child pornography protection tools, accused by some of undermining the privacy of its devices and services.

The Silicon Valley giant last month said iPhones and iPads would soon start detecting images containing child sexual abuse and reporting them as they are uploaded to its online storage in the United States.

However, digital rights organizations quickly noted the tweaks to Apple's operating systems create a potential "backdoor" into gadgets that could be exploited by governments or other groups.

Apple, in announcing the delay, cited feedback from customers, advocacy groups, researchers, and others.

"We have decided to take additional time over the coming months to collect input and make improvements before releasing these critically important child safety features," the company said in a statement.

New technology allows the software powering Apple mobile devices to match abusive photos on a user's phone against a database of known child sex abuse images provided by safety organizations, then flag the images as they are uploaded to Apple's online iCloud storage, according to the company.

The system, if and when it goes into use, would be "powered by a cryptographic technology" to determine "if there is a match without revealing the result," unless the image was found to contain depictions of child sexual abuse.

Apple announced Friday that it will delay the rollout of its controversial new child pornography protection tools, accused by some of undermining the privacy of its devices and services.

Apple announced Friday that it will delay the rollout of its controversial new child pornography protection tools, accused by some of undermining the privacy of its devices and services. The Silicon Valley giant last month said iPhones and iPads would soon start detecting images containing child sexual abuse and reporting them as they are uploaded to its online storage in the United States. However, digital rights organizations quickly noted the tweaks to Apple's operating systems create a potential "backdoor" into gadgets that could be exploited by governments or other groups. Apple, in announcing the delay, cited feedback from customers, advocacy groups, researchers, and others. "We have decided to take additional time over the coming months to collect input and make improvements before releasing these critically important child safety features," the company said in a statement. New technology allows the software powering Apple mobile devices to match abusive photos on a user's phone against a database of known child sex abuse images provided by safety organizations, then flag the images as they are uploaded to Apple's online iCloud storage, according to the company. The system, if and when it goes into use, would be "powered by a cryptographic technology" to determine "if there is a match without revealing the result," unless the image was found to contain depictions of child sexual abuse.

Apple announces delay of child protection measures

Russia said Thursday the refusal by Google and Apple to remove jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's app ahead of elections could be seen as interference in the country's domestic affairs.

Parliamentary elections are scheduled for later this month, with nearly all vocal Kremlin critics including Navalny's allies barred from running.

Last month Russian communications watchdog Roskomnadzor demanded that Google and Apple remove Navalny's app from their stores.&nbsp;

On Thursday, Roskomnadzor ramped up pressure on the Western tech giants &nbsp;saying they could be held criminally liable if they continue to refuse to comply with Russian law.

"Criminal liability is foreseen for organising as well as taking part in the work of extremist organisations banned in Russia," the media watchdog said in a statement.

Failure to block the app "can be considered interference" in Russian elections and will lead to hefty fines, the statement warned.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said US tech giants ignoring requests by Russian authorities to delete "illegal content" had become "systemic".

"Such arrogant, selective behaviour and demonstrative disregard for multiple requests by authorised Russian structures regarding content recognised as extremist is becoming truly unacceptable," she told reporters.

Opposition leader Navalny has this year seen his organisations declared "extremist" and banned, while all his top aides have fled.

The media regulator has since barred dozens of websites linked to Navalny including his main website navalny.com.&nbsp;

In a message from prison, Navalny has urged supporters to download an app that aims to help Russians to vote out candidates from the ruling United Russia party in the upcoming polls.

The "Smart Voting" tactic has led the increasingly unpopular United Russia party to lose a number of seats in recent local elections.

"If something can be called 'interference in Russian elections', it is the attempts of Roskomnadzor to block the Smart Voting app," Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said on Twitter. "Download them asap."

Russia said Thursday the refusal by Google and Apple to remove jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's app ahead of elections could be seen as interference in the country's domestic affairs.

Russia said Thursday the refusal by Google and Apple to remove jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny's app ahead of elections could be seen as interference in the country's domestic affairs. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for later this month, with nearly all vocal Kremlin critics including Navalny's allies barred from running. Last month Russian communications watchdog Roskomnadzor demanded that Google and Apple remove Navalny's app from their stores. On Thursday, Roskomnadzor ramped up pressure on the Western tech giants saying they could be held criminally liable if they continue to refuse to comply with Russian law. "Criminal liability is foreseen for organising as well as taking part in the work of extremist organisations banned in Russia," the media watchdog said in a statement. Failure to block the app "can be considered interference" in Russian elections and will lead to hefty fines, the statement warned. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said US tech giants ignoring requests by Russian authorities to delete "illegal content" had become "systemic". "Such arrogant, selective behaviour and demonstrative disregard for multiple requests by authorised Russian structures regarding content recognised as extremist is becoming truly unacceptable," she told reporters. Opposition leader Navalny has this year seen his organisations declared "extremist" and banned, while all his top aides have fled. The media regulator has since barred dozens of websites linked to Navalny including his main website navalny.com. In a message from prison, Navalny has urged supporters to download an app that aims to help Russians to vote out candidates from the ruling United Russia party in the upcoming polls. The "Smart Voting" tactic has led the increasingly unpopular United Russia party to lose a number of seats in recent local elections. "If something can be called 'interference in Russian elections', it is the attempts of Roskomnadzor to block the Smart Voting app," Navalny's spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh said on Twitter. "Download them asap."

Russia accuses Google, Apple of election interference

South&nbsp;Korean MPs on Tuesday passed a law banning Apple and Google from forcing app developers to use the tech giants' payment systems, effectively declaring their lucrative App Store and Play Store monopolies illegal.

The bill was approved by 180 votes to nil in the National Assembly, making&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;the first major economy to pass legislation on the issue, in a move that could set a precedent for other jurisdictions around the world.

In the United States, three senators this month introduced a bill to loosen the tech firms' grip on their stores, while in Europe lawmakers are debating legislation that could force Apple to bring in alternatives to the App Store.

The&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korean measure comes as Apple and Google face global criticism for charging up to 30 percent commission on app sales and requiring their own payment systems be used that collect a share of the transactions.

The Korean law,&nbsp;locally dubbed the "Anti-Google&nbsp;Law,"&nbsp;will offer users a choice of app payment providers, allowing them to bypass charges set by the store owner.

"This law will certainly set a precedent for other countries, as well as app developers and content creators worldwide," Kang Ki-hwan at the&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;Mobile Internet Business Association told AFP.

It is expected to come into force in September, according to reports.

Later this year Google plans to enforce globally a requirement for developers to use its payment system,&nbsp;with its 30 percent commission above a certain threshold,&nbsp;for in-app purchases.

In&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korea, it is also planning to charge commission on all content payments from October, ending an exemption where commissions were only payable for online games.

'Fair compensation'&nbsp;

That announcement prompted an angry response from&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korean artists and creators, with web fiction writers and webtoon artists accusing Google of "power abuse" and campaigning fiercely for the new law.

"Without this law, our working environment,&nbsp;where creators are guaranteed of full rewards for their efforts,&nbsp;would've been destroyed," Seo Bum-gang, a webtoon artist who heads the&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;Webtoon Industry Association, told AFP.

"We need this law to protect the diversity of our industry, where artists and creators of all economic backgrounds can share their content without having to worry about the commission fees."

Apple&nbsp;and&nbsp;Google&nbsp;have maintained that commissions charged are standard in the industry and fair compensation for building safe marketplaces where developers can reach people around the world.

Ahead of the debate, Apple told AFP that it would put digital purchasers at risk of fraud, undermine their privacy protection and render parental controls less effective.

"We believe user trust in App Store purchases will decrease as a result of this proposal --leading to fewer opportunities for the over 482,000 registered developers in&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;who have earned more than 8.55 trillion won to date with Apple," it said in a statement.

Google&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;did not respond to requests for comment from AFP.

The two tech giants dominate the online app market in&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korea, the world's 12th largest economy known for its technological prowess.&nbsp;

Google's Play Store made revenue of almost 6 trillion won ($5.2 billion) in 2019, accounting for 63 percent of the country's total, according to data from Seoul's science ministry.

Apple's App Store&nbsp;had a 24.4 percent share of total app store sales in the country in the same year.

South Korean MPs on Tuesday passed a law banning Apple and Google from forcing app developers to use the tech giants' payment systems, effectively declaring their lucrative App Store and Play Store monopolies illegal.

South Korean MPs on Tuesday passed a law banning Apple and Google from forcing app developers to use the tech giants' payment systems, effectively declaring their lucrative App Store and Play Store monopolies illegal. The bill was approved by 180 votes to nil in the National Assembly, making South Korea the first major economy to pass legislation on the issue, in a move that could set a precedent for other jurisdictions around the world. In the United States, three senators this month introduced a bill to loosen the tech firms' grip on their stores, while in Europe lawmakers are debating legislation that could force Apple to bring in alternatives to the App Store. The South Korean measure comes as Apple and Google face global criticism for charging up to 30 percent commission on app sales and requiring their own payment systems be used that collect a share of the transactions. The Korean law, locally dubbed the "Anti-Google Law," will offer users a choice of app payment providers, allowing them to bypass charges set by the store owner. "This law will certainly set a precedent for other countries, as well as app developers and content creators worldwide," Kang Ki-hwan at the Korea Mobile Internet Business Association told AFP. It is expected to come into force in September, according to reports. Later this year Google plans to enforce globally a requirement for developers to use its payment system, with its 30 percent commission above a certain threshold, for in-app purchases. In South Korea, it is also planning to charge commission on all content payments from October, ending an exemption where commissions were only payable for online games. 'Fair compensation' That announcement prompted an angry response from South Korean artists and creators, with web fiction writers and webtoon artists accusing Google of "power abuse" and campaigning fiercely for the new law. "Without this law, our working environment, where creators are guaranteed of full rewards for their efforts, would've been destroyed," Seo Bum-gang, a webtoon artist who heads the Korea Webtoon Industry Association, told AFP. "We need this law to protect the diversity of our industry, where artists and creators of all economic backgrounds can share their content without having to worry about the commission fees." Apple and Google have maintained that commissions charged are standard in the industry and fair compensation for building safe marketplaces where developers can reach people around the world. Ahead of the debate, Apple told AFP that it would put digital purchasers at risk of fraud, undermine their privacy protection and render parental controls less effective. "We believe user trust in App Store purchases will decrease as a result of this proposal --leading to fewer opportunities for the over 482,000 registered developers in Korea who have earned more than 8.55 trillion won to date with Apple," it said in a statement. Google Korea did not respond to requests for comment from AFP. The two tech giants dominate the online app market in South Korea, the world's 12th largest economy known for its technological prowess. Google's Play Store made revenue of almost 6 trillion won ($5.2 billion) in 2019, accounting for 63 percent of the country's total, according to data from Seoul's science ministry. Apple's App Store had a 24.4 percent share of total app store sales in the country in the same year.

South Korea bans Apple and Google payment monopolies in world first

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