Apple will pay $113 million (£85 million) to settle allegations from 33 US&nbsp;states and the District of Columbia that it slowed down iPhones to mask battery issues and get users to purchase new devices, state officials announced on Wednesday.

The deal with a coalition led by Arizona, Arkansas, and Indiana is separate from a proposed settlement&nbsp;Apple&nbsp;reached in March to pay affected iPhone owners up to $500 million to stem a class action.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/apple-to-reduce-its-app-store-fees-for-small-developers-343975" hreflang="en">Apple to reduce its App Store fees for small developers</a>

A large number of individuals were influenced when the models of iPhone 6 and 7 and SE were eased back down in 2016 out of an embarrassment that was named battery gate.&nbsp;

Apple declined to remark, in any case, it has recently said the telephones were eased back to safeguard maturing battery life.&nbsp;

The arrangement is discrete from a proposed settlement Apple came to in March to pay influenced iPhone proprietors up to $500m in a legal claim.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/apple-launches-macbook-laptops-with-first-microprocessor-designed-in-house-342287" hreflang="en">Apple launches MacBook laptops with first microprocessor designed in-house</a>

In 2016 Apple refreshed programming on models of the iPhone 6, 7, and SE,&nbsp;which choked chip speeds on maturing telephones.&nbsp;

Unusual slowdowns

Apple recognized its update decreased force requests after specialists discovered unordinary log jams in 2017.&nbsp;

The states contended that Apple had acted misleadingly and ought to have supplanted batteries or revealed the issue.&nbsp;

As indicated by an Arizona documenting, a large number of clients were influenced by power shutoffs.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/apple-puts-taiwanese-supplier-pegatron-on-probation-for-exploitation-of-students-342003" hreflang="en">Apple puts Taiwanese supplier Pegatron on probation for exploitation of student</a>

Apple rejects that the stoppage was for monetary profit.&nbsp;

Yet, Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich wrote in a court report unveiled on Wednesday: "Numerous customers concluded that the best way to get improved execution was to buy a more up to date model iPhone from Apple.&nbsp;

"Apple, obviously, completely saw such consequences for deals."&nbsp;

Under the settlement, Apple didn't admit to any bad behavior or violating any law.&nbsp;

The tech titan likewise concurred for the following three years to give "honest data" about iPhone power the executives over its site, programming update notes, and iPhone settings.&nbsp;

The settlement comes after a progression of different claims against Apple.&nbsp;

It is presently secured a fight in court with Epic Games - in the midst of allegations the iPhone-producer utilizes its stranglehold over its App Store to unjustifiably charge engineers.

Apple will pay $113 million (£85 million) to settle allegations from 33 US states and the District of Columbia that it slowed down iPhones to mask battery issues and get users to purchase new devices, state officials announced on Wednesday.

Apple will pay $113 million (£85 million) to settle allegations from 33 US states and the District of Columbia that it slowed down iPhones to mask battery issues and get users to purchase new devices, state officials announced on Wednesday. The deal with a coalition led by Arizona, Arkansas, and Indiana is separate from a proposed settlement Apple reached in March to pay affected iPhone owners up to $500 million to stem a class action. Also read: Apple to reduce its App Store fees for small developers A large number of individuals were influenced when the models of iPhone 6 and 7 and SE were eased back down in 2016 out of an embarrassment that was named battery gate. Apple declined to remark, in any case, it has recently said the telephones were eased back to safeguard maturing battery life. The arrangement is discrete from a proposed settlement Apple came to in March to pay influenced iPhone proprietors up to $500m in a legal claim. Also read: Apple launches MacBook laptops with first microprocessor designed in-house In 2016 Apple refreshed programming on models of the iPhone 6, 7, and SE, which choked chip speeds on maturing telephones. Unusual slowdowns Apple recognized its update decreased force requests after specialists discovered unordinary log jams in 2017. The states contended that Apple had acted misleadingly and ought to have supplanted batteries or revealed the issue. As indicated by an Arizona documenting, a large number of clients were influenced by power shutoffs. Also read: Apple puts Taiwanese supplier Pegatron on probation for exploitation of student Apple rejects that the stoppage was for monetary profit. Yet, Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich wrote in a court report unveiled on Wednesday: "Numerous customers concluded that the best way to get improved execution was to buy a more up to date model iPhone from Apple. "Apple, obviously, completely saw such consequences for deals." Under the settlement, Apple didn't admit to any bad behavior or violating any law. The tech titan likewise concurred for the following three years to give "honest data" about iPhone power the executives over its site, programming update notes, and iPhone settings. The settlement comes after a progression of different claims against Apple. It is presently secured a fight in court with Epic Games - in the midst of allegations the iPhone-producer utilizes its stranglehold over its App Store to unjustifiably charge engineers.

Batterygate scandal: Apple to pay $113 million settlement on iPhone throttling

Apple Inc said on Wednesday it plans to start a program to lower its App Store commissions for software developers who make $1 million or less in proceeds each year from the store, but some of the company's critics called the move "window dressing."

Apple takes a 30 per cent cut of most purchases made on the App Store, although the commission drops to 15% for subscriptions that remain active for more than a year.

Apple said the "vast majority" of developers will benefit from its program launched to give companies a boost during the pandemic, which will become effective January 1.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/apple-launches-macbook-laptops-with-first-microprocessor-designed-in-house-342287" hreflang="en">Apple launches MacBook laptops with first microprocessor designed in-house</a>

"Small businesses are the backbone of our global economy and the beating heart of innovation and opportunity in communities around the world," Apple chief executive Tim Cook said.&nbsp;

"We're launching this program to help small business owners write the next chapter of creativity and prosperity on the App Store, and to build the kind of quality apps our customers love."

Apple's App Store fees and rules have come under fire from large firms such as Microsoft Corp, Spotify Technology SA, Match Group Inc and Epic Games as well as startups and smaller companies that allege the fees deprive consumers of choices and push up the price of apps.

In reply to its critics, the iPhone maker has previously said its rules apply evenly to developers and that the App Store provides an easy way to reach its huge base of users without having to set up payment systems in the 175 countries where it operates.

The move will affect a broad swath of developers who make up a small portion of Apple's App Store revenue. Based on the publishers it tracks, analytics firm Sensor Tower said 97.5 per cent&nbsp;of iOS developers generated less than $1 million per year in gross consumer spending. But those same developers contributed only 4.9&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;of the App Store's 2019 revenue.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/apple-puts-taiwanese-supplier-pegatron-on-probation-for-exploitation-of-students-342003" hreflang="en">Apple puts Taiwanese supplier Pegatron on probation for exploitation of student</a>

"It’s a symbolic gesture," said Sarah Maxwell, a spokeswoman for the Coalition for App Fairness, a group of Apple's critics. "You have to apply to the program, and the vast majority of developers who generate livable revenue through their apps won't benefit from this change."

The announcement, however, will have no effect on developers that generate huge amounts of cash from wildly popular apps from the likes of music giant Spotify and video game sensation Epic Games.

According to research firm Sensor Tower, the move by Apple affects apps generating less than five percent of its revenue from the App Store.

Apple says its marketplace has some 1.8 million apps, most of them free. The App Store in 2019 generated some $519 billion in commerce in 2019, with about 85 percent flowing to the developers, according to the company.

But Apple's policies have been coming under increasing scrutiny.

Apple and the developer of the blockbuster game Fortnite, Epic Games, are fighting in court over whether the California-based company's tight control of its App Store, and its 30 percent cut of revenue, counts as monopolistic behavior.&nbsp;

Apple pulled Fortnite from its store in August after Epic released an update that dodges revenue sharing. A trial to resolve the dispute is expected year.

Spotify meanwhile has filed a complaint with EU authorities alleging Apple has abused its dominant position to extract unfair fees from online services.

The Coalition for App Fairness, a newly formed association with includes Spotify, Fortnite, and several other app developers, expressed disappointment with Apple's move.

"Developers want a level playing field from Apple, NOT a symbolic gesture," the coalition said in a Twitter statement.

"Apple's announcement today is a calculated move and ignores fundamental flaws with the App Store, specifically."

The group said the $1 million thresholds is arbitrary and that Apple's policies are still hurting many app developers.

Apple Inc said on Wednesday it plans to start a program to lower its App Store commissions for software developers who make $1 million or less in proceeds each year from the store, but some of the company's critics called the move "window dressing.

Apple Inc said on Wednesday it plans to start a program to lower its App Store commissions for software developers who make $1 million or less in proceeds each year from the store, but some of the company's critics called the move "window dressing." Apple takes a 30 per cent cut of most purchases made on the App Store, although the commission drops to 15% for subscriptions that remain active for more than a year. Apple said the "vast majority" of developers will benefit from its program launched to give companies a boost during the pandemic, which will become effective January 1. Also read: Apple launches MacBook laptops with first microprocessor designed in-house "Small businesses are the backbone of our global economy and the beating heart of innovation and opportunity in communities around the world," Apple chief executive Tim Cook said. "We're launching this program to help small business owners write the next chapter of creativity and prosperity on the App Store, and to build the kind of quality apps our customers love." Apple's App Store fees and rules have come under fire from large firms such as Microsoft Corp, Spotify Technology SA, Match Group Inc and Epic Games as well as startups and smaller companies that allege the fees deprive consumers of choices and push up the price of apps. In reply to its critics, the iPhone maker has previously said its rules apply evenly to developers and that the App Store provides an easy way to reach its huge base of users without having to set up payment systems in the 175 countries where it operates. The move will affect a broad swath of developers who make up a small portion of Apple's App Store revenue. Based on the publishers it tracks, analytics firm Sensor Tower said 97.5 per cent of iOS developers generated less than $1 million per year in gross consumer spending. But those same developers contributed only 4.9 per cent of the App Store's 2019 revenue. Also read: Apple puts Taiwanese supplier Pegatron on probation for exploitation of student "It’s a symbolic gesture," said Sarah Maxwell, a spokeswoman for the Coalition for App Fairness, a group of Apple's critics. "You have to apply to the program, and the vast majority of developers who generate livable revenue through their apps won't benefit from this change." The announcement, however, will have no effect on developers that generate huge amounts of cash from wildly popular apps from the likes of music giant Spotify and video game sensation Epic Games. According to research firm Sensor Tower, the move by Apple affects apps generating less than five percent of its revenue from the App Store. Apple says its marketplace has some 1.8 million apps, most of them free. The App Store in 2019 generated some $519 billion in commerce in 2019, with about 85 percent flowing to the developers, according to the company. But Apple's policies have been coming under increasing scrutiny. Apple and the developer of the blockbuster game Fortnite, Epic Games, are fighting in court over whether the California-based company's tight control of its App Store, and its 30 percent cut of revenue, counts as monopolistic behavior. Apple pulled Fortnite from its store in August after Epic released an update that dodges revenue sharing. A trial to resolve the dispute is expected year. Spotify meanwhile has filed a complaint with EU authorities alleging Apple has abused its dominant position to extract unfair fees from online services. The Coalition for App Fairness, a newly formed association with includes Spotify, Fortnite, and several other app developers, expressed disappointment with Apple's move. "Developers want a level playing field from Apple, NOT a symbolic gesture," the coalition said in a Twitter statement. "Apple's announcement today is a calculated move and ignores fundamental flaws with the App Store, specifically." The group said the $1 million thresholds is arbitrary and that Apple's policies are still hurting many app developers.

Apple to reduce its App Store fees for small developers

Apple's plans for a foldable iPhone, or iPhone Flip, are an open secret thanks to an influx of rumors and patent filings in recent weeks.&nbsp;

Economic Daily News said on Monday that Apple has sent several prototypes to its manufacturing supplier Foxconn for testing.&nbsp;

Apple is aiming to make it capable of withstanding at least 100,000 folds, and is weighing whether to use an OLED or micro-LED display, the report said.

Apple will likely aim to release this new phone in September 2022, which would coincide with the iPhone 14.&nbsp;

Another report last week suggested that this foldable iPhone would replace the iPad Mini in Apple's lineup.

Apple's plans for a foldable iPhone, or iPhone Flip, are an open secret thanks to an influx of rumors and patent filings in recent weeks. Economic Daily News said on Monday that Apple has sent several prototypes to its manufacturing supplier Foxconn for testing.

Apple's plans for a foldable iPhone, or iPhone Flip, are an open secret thanks to an influx of rumors and patent filings in recent weeks. Economic Daily News said on Monday that Apple has sent several prototypes to its manufacturing supplier Foxconn for testing. Apple is aiming to make it capable of withstanding at least 100,000 folds, and is weighing whether to use an OLED or micro-LED display, the report said. Apple will likely aim to release this new phone in September 2022, which would coincide with the iPhone 14. Another report last week suggested that this foldable iPhone would replace the iPad Mini in Apple's lineup.

Apple is testing foldable iPhone prototype for September 2022 release

An&nbsp;Austrian privacy activist called Max Schrems has&nbsp;filed a&nbsp;complaint against Apple for&nbsp;tracking iPhone users without consent.

Schrems’ campaign group, noyb, said the unique tracking code generated by each iPhone, called IDFA (Identifier for Advertisers), lets Apple and all iPhone app developers see how users behave without their knowledge or agreement.

Noyb filed the complaint under the EU’s e-privacy directive, rather than the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). As a result, the national data regulators could directly fine Apple without needing the co-operation of EU data protection authorities, if any unlawfulness is found.

Apple&nbsp;directly rebutted the claims&nbsp;saying they were "factually inaccurate and we look forward to making that clear to privacy regulators should they examine the complaint".

No&nbsp;access

Apple&nbsp;said in response that it "does not access or use the IDFA on a user's device for any purpose".

It said its aim was to protect the privacy of its users and that the latest release of its iOS 14 operating system gave users greater control over whether apps could link with third parties for the purposes of targeted advertising.

The Californian tech giant said in September it would delay plans to launch iOS 14 until early next year.

Apple&nbsp;accounts for one in every four smartphones sold in Europe, according to Counterpoint Research.

Prominent figure

Schrems is a prominent figure in Europe's digital rights movement that has resisted intrusive data-gathering by Silicon Valley's tech platforms. He has fought two cases against Facebook, winning landmark judgments that forced the social network to change how it handles user data.

Noyb's complaints were brought against&nbsp;Apple's use of a tracking code, known as the Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA), that is automatically generated on every iPhone when it is set up.

The code, stored on the device, makes it possible to track a user's online behaviour and consumption preferences - vital in allowing companies to send targeted adverts.

"Apple&nbsp;places codes that are comparable to a cookie in its phones without any consent by the user. This is a clear breach of European Union privacy laws," Noyb lawyer Stefano Rossetti said.

Schrems has already won one landmark case this year when the European Court of Justice in July passed judgment on the legal protections that previously allowed European data to be relatively freely transferred to the US.

Last week, the European Data Protection Board released updated guidance on data transfers. It emphasised that data exporters had to consider risks such as intelligence services’ access to data objectively — whether they could examine information, rather than whether they were likely to.&nbsp;

An Austrian privacy activist called Max Schrems has filed a complaint against Apple for tracking iPhone users without consent. Schrems’ campaign group, noyb, said the unique tracking code generated by each iPhone, called IDFA (Identifier for Advertisers), lets Apple and all iPhone app developers see how users behave without their knowledge or agreement.

An Austrian privacy activist called Max Schrems has filed a complaint against Apple for tracking iPhone users without consent. Schrems’ campaign group, noyb, said the unique tracking code generated by each iPhone, called IDFA (Identifier for Advertisers), lets Apple and all iPhone app developers see how users behave without their knowledge or agreement. Noyb filed the complaint under the EU’s e-privacy directive, rather than the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). As a result, the national data regulators could directly fine Apple without needing the co-operation of EU data protection authorities, if any unlawfulness is found. Apple directly rebutted the claims saying they were "factually inaccurate and we look forward to making that clear to privacy regulators should they examine the complaint". No access Apple said in response that it "does not access or use the IDFA on a user's device for any purpose". It said its aim was to protect the privacy of its users and that the latest release of its iOS 14 operating system gave users greater control over whether apps could link with third parties for the purposes of targeted advertising. The Californian tech giant said in September it would delay plans to launch iOS 14 until early next year. Apple accounts for one in every four smartphones sold in Europe, according to Counterpoint Research. Prominent figure Schrems is a prominent figure in Europe's digital rights movement that has resisted intrusive data-gathering by Silicon Valley's tech platforms. He has fought two cases against Facebook, winning landmark judgments that forced the social network to change how it handles user data. Noyb's complaints were brought against Apple's use of a tracking code, known as the Identifier for Advertisers (IDFA), that is automatically generated on every iPhone when it is set up. The code, stored on the device, makes it possible to track a user's online behaviour and consumption preferences - vital in allowing companies to send targeted adverts. "Apple places codes that are comparable to a cookie in its phones without any consent by the user. This is a clear breach of European Union privacy laws," Noyb lawyer Stefano Rossetti said. Schrems has already won one landmark case this year when the European Court of Justice in July passed judgment on the legal protections that previously allowed European data to be relatively freely transferred to the US. Last week, the European Data Protection Board released updated guidance on data transfers. It emphasised that data exporters had to consider risks such as intelligence services’ access to data objectively — whether they could examine information, rather than whether they were likely to.

Apple accused of tracking iPhone users without consent

Apple said Monday that it had placed a key assembler of its iPhones on probation after the Taiwanese company was found to have concealed violations of labor rules for students employed at its factories in China.

For years, Apple has worked, and at times struggled, to uphold labor standards across its vast electronics supply chain in China. The company said it had made the decision because the Taiwanese company, Pegatron, had violated its code of conduct by allowing student laborers to work night shifts and overtime and do work unrelated to their fields of study, and had then falsified documents to cover it up.

“The individuals at Pegatron responsible for the violations went to extraordinary lengths to evade our oversight mechanisms,” Apple said in a statement.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-says-china-treatment-of-uighurs-gravest-threat-to-religious-freedom-338812">Pompeo says China treatment of Uighurs 'gravest threat' to religious freedom</a>

To meet grueling deadlines, factories in China sometimes recruit labor from local technical schools. Strict guidelines are supposed to limit how long and when such employees can work, but in practice, rules are often ignored and other abuses are common. In some cases, students have said they were forced to do monotonous assembly work rather than the more technical tasks they were studying.

Pegatron, a major assembler of the iPhone that has factories across China, has been accused of a number of labor and environmental abuses over the years. Apple said it would not give the contractor any new business until it took corrective measures, and noted that a Pegatron executive in charge of the student employment program had already been fired.

The rebuke, rare for such a high-profile supplier, underscored a challenge facing Apple as it seeks to address abuses in its supply chain, which sprawls across hundreds of factories across China and increasingly the world. While Apple can make or break the smaller companies that make the innards of its iPhones and put them together, few have the scale to assemble large numbers of phones quickly, leaving Apple reliant on assemblers like Pegatron and its larger Taiwanese rival, Foxconn.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-says-no-justification-for-uighur-concentration-camps-in-china-337512">US says no justification for Uighur 'concentration camps' in China</a>

Apple occasionally drops suppliers or puts them on probation. In its 2019 supplier responsibility report, the company said it had removed 20 manufacturing facilities from its supply chain because of violations over the years. In general, however, it said it works with suppliers for 90 days to ensure corrective actions are taken.

In a statement, a Pegatron spokesperson said that upon discovering the violations, the company immediately removed the student workers from production lines and worked to “make appropriate arrangements for them to return to their homes or schools with proper compensation alongside all necessary support and care.”

She added that the company was undertaking an audit to ensure its labor standards were upheld.

The probation, which will not affect current production of the iPhone, comes at a busy time for Apple suppliers, who regularly add staff and increase worker hours to meet huge orders of iPhones before the product’s annual holiday release schedule. While workers once sought out the relatively well-paid shift jobs at the citysize factories that produce the iPhone, new employment opportunities closer to home, like jobs in food and package delivery, have made it harder to attract short-term workers during times of high labor demand.

In the past, worker shortages have led companies like Pegatron and Foxconn to break rules to ensure they have enough staff. Foxconn has used child labor, while Pegatron relied on ruthless agents who hold workers’ salaries and sometimes their identification cards, preventing them from leaving the factories. Wider concern about the harsh conditions in Apple’s supply chain spread in 2010, when a rash of suicides at Foxconn’s plants prompted Apple to institute further checks and oversight.

The suspension for Pegatron, while probably temporary, could further open the door for Luxshare, a smaller Chinese manufacturer that has been working to expand its role in the Apple supply chain. This year, Luxshare bought an iPhone production factory in China from the Taiwanese company Wistron, which was widely read as an attempt to elbow into the business dominated by Foxconn and Pegatron.

Apple said Monday that it had placed a key assembler of its iPhones on probation after the Taiwanese company was found to have concealed violations of labor rules for students employed at its factories in China.

Apple said Monday that it had placed a key assembler of its iPhones on probation after the Taiwanese company was found to have concealed violations of labor rules for students employed at its factories in China. For years, Apple has worked, and at times struggled, to uphold labor standards across its vast electronics supply chain in China. The company said it had made the decision because the Taiwanese company, Pegatron, had violated its code of conduct by allowing student laborers to work night shifts and overtime and do work unrelated to their fields of study, and had then falsified documents to cover it up. “The individuals at Pegatron responsible for the violations went to extraordinary lengths to evade our oversight mechanisms,” Apple said in a statement. Also read| Pompeo says China treatment of Uighurs 'gravest threat' to religious freedom To meet grueling deadlines, factories in China sometimes recruit labor from local technical schools. Strict guidelines are supposed to limit how long and when such employees can work, but in practice, rules are often ignored and other abuses are common. In some cases, students have said they were forced to do monotonous assembly work rather than the more technical tasks they were studying. Pegatron, a major assembler of the iPhone that has factories across China, has been accused of a number of labor and environmental abuses over the years. Apple said it would not give the contractor any new business until it took corrective measures, and noted that a Pegatron executive in charge of the student employment program had already been fired. The rebuke, rare for such a high-profile supplier, underscored a challenge facing Apple as it seeks to address abuses in its supply chain, which sprawls across hundreds of factories across China and increasingly the world. While Apple can make or break the smaller companies that make the innards of its iPhones and put them together, few have the scale to assemble large numbers of phones quickly, leaving Apple reliant on assemblers like Pegatron and its larger Taiwanese rival, Foxconn. Also read| US says no justification for Uighur 'concentration camps' in China Apple occasionally drops suppliers or puts them on probation. In its 2019 supplier responsibility report, the company said it had removed 20 manufacturing facilities from its supply chain because of violations over the years. In general, however, it said it works with suppliers for 90 days to ensure corrective actions are taken. In a statement, a Pegatron spokesperson said that upon discovering the violations, the company immediately removed the student workers from production lines and worked to “make appropriate arrangements for them to return to their homes or schools with proper compensation alongside all necessary support and care.” She added that the company was undertaking an audit to ensure its labor standards were upheld. The probation, which will not affect current production of the iPhone, comes at a busy time for Apple suppliers, who regularly add staff and increase worker hours to meet huge orders of iPhones before the product’s annual holiday release schedule. While workers once sought out the relatively well-paid shift jobs at the citysize factories that produce the iPhone, new employment opportunities closer to home, like jobs in food and package delivery, have made it harder to attract short-term workers during times of high labor demand. In the past, worker shortages have led companies like Pegatron and Foxconn to break rules to ensure they have enough staff. Foxconn has used child labor, while Pegatron relied on ruthless agents who hold workers’ salaries and sometimes their identification cards, preventing them from leaving the factories. Wider concern about the harsh conditions in Apple’s supply chain spread in 2010, when a rash of suicides at Foxconn’s plants prompted Apple to institute further checks and oversight. The suspension for Pegatron, while probably temporary, could further open the door for Luxshare, a smaller Chinese manufacturer that has been working to expand its role in the Apple supply chain. This year, Luxshare bought an iPhone production factory in China from the Taiwanese company Wistron, which was widely read as an attempt to elbow into the business dominated by Foxconn and Pegatron.

Apple puts key contractor on probation over labour abuses in China

INVEST IN TECH THIS FESTIVE SEASON

The festive season is upon us! It is that time of the year when we dive into our savings and indulge in some retail therapy. With Diwali and other festivals coming up, we're all hoping to make the most of sales and offers, upgrade our gadgets and deck up our homes.

The year 2020 hasn't been easy on any of us. The pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have made us all realise one thing -- that home is where the heart is. So this year, I suggest you invest in your home and make your personal space smarter with tech.&nbsp;

Lockdowns have inspired us to cook up a storm in the kitchen, try some interesting do-it-yourself hairstyles and even make our homes clutter-free and more organised. And technology has played a huge role in it.

So if you're planning on buying and gifting some useful options in the festive season, I say put some tech into your shopping cart. Our festive buying guide has something for everyone.

BREATHE BETTER WITH AIR PURIFIERS

This is a category which has graduated from gifting options to home essentials in the last few years. The Covid-19 pandemic has put the focus on healthy lungs yet again and as pollution rises, air purifiers have become a necessity. You'll be surprised to see the poor air quality in indoor spaces!

<h6 data-ogsc="rgb(69, 69, 69)"><img alt="oo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="42a344b7-6c9e-4b24-aeae-f506cc842a3c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_161.jpg" /> 
DYSON PURE HOT+COOL 
PRICE: ₹55,900</h6>

Opt for the Philips AC1217 for your master bedroom priced at ₹12,995. And if you have a bigger budget, the Blueair Blue 211 is a great option at just over ₹20,000.&nbsp;

And for those with deeper pockets, the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Air Purifier promises cleaner air indoors for ₹55,900.

ALEXA CAN PLAY SHOW AND TELL

"Alexa, play my favourite workout music!" This has become the wake-up call for many of us in lockdown. The Amazon Echo Show 8 is a great addition to your home which can organise your day. With an 8-inch HD screen and stereo sound, Alexa can play show and tell. You can watch your favourite shows, cook with your favourite chefs and control your smart home through Alexa.

<img alt="Echo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1fb92fc9-2ebe-4ad9-8d75-0d3c35dbbe25" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%285%29_45.jpg" />

&nbsp;

<h6 data-ogsc="rgb(69, 69, 69)">Echo Show 8 
PRICE:&nbsp;₹6,999.00</h6>

Pro tip: it's also an engaging tool for your children who can learn and play with Alexa. Confession: I often make my toddler practise the alphabet with Alexa as I manage other chores!

EASY CLEANING WITH VACUUM CLEANERS

The lockdowns have made us more self-reliant. If your mission is to achieve squeaky clean floors and furniture, the mighty Dyson V11 is your best friend. It looks like Thor's hammer instead of a vacuum cleaner, catches every speck of dust and grime across multiple surfaces and is an investment for your home. It is a pricey option but this cord-free vacuum is a workhorse and makes tedious cleaning fuss-free.

<img alt="Dyson" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="006c1ad5-04ee-4267-9dc4-cd7a35e79e06" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/1_41.jpg" />

<h6 data-ogsc="rgb(69, 69, 69)">DYSON V11 ABSOLUTE PRO 
PRICE:&nbsp;₹52,900</h6>

Houses with the happy clutter created by kids will welcome this suggestion as you can clean up messy floors and shelves in seconds!

SMART AUDIO

It's still a risky affair heading to a packed gym so we suggest you stick to effective home workouts and outdoor runs. A sturdy pair of wireless earphones is your best bet. Go for the Sony WF-XB700 wireless earphones which offers great sound with Sony's famous Extra Bass technology. At ₹7,990, they're priced well.&nbsp;

<img alt="pp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4e61bfc1-3f6a-48ff-8969-a9250afa55ab" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/4_6.jpg" />

<h6 data-ogsc="rgb(69, 69, 69)">Sony WH-1000XM4 
PRICE: ₹26,990</h6>

If you're willing to splurge more, the Apple Airpods are a popular option for ₹14,900 for those in the Apple ecosystem.

<h6 data-ogsc="rgb(69, 69, 69)"><img alt="Airpods" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6c9f578e-754c-45fc-b26e-529832dbd618" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%286%29_52.jpg" /> 
Apple Airpods 
PRICE:&nbsp;₹14,900</h6>

And if you're looking for a stellar flagship pair of headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM4 with 30 hours of playback is an investment you won't regret at ₹26,990.

In the portable speaker category, go for the JBL Charge 3 which is water-proof and offers booming sound for ₹7,999.

STAY AT HOME AND STYLE AT HOME

Your wife, mother or sister may squeal with joy for this one. The Dyson Corrale is a gamechanger. It is a cordless styling tool which possibly explains the steep price tag of ₹36,900.

<h6 data-ogsc="rgb(69, 69, 69)"><img alt="a" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a217b774-4cba-4770-89ad-067ad2c2e6b2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2_25.jpg" /> 
Dyson Corrale 
PRICE:&nbsp;₹36,900</h6>

Another feature I like is that it delivers results quickly without inflicting the kind of hair damage that other heat-styling tools do.&nbsp;

For men, the Philips OneBlade beard trimmer at ₹2,199 is a great grooming tool.

LIGHT UP YOUR HOME -- SMARTLY

A smart home is incomplete without a smart light and the Philips Hue remains a favourite.

<h6 data-ogsc="rgb(69, 69, 69)"><img alt="philips" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="de5ac0f0-ad1e-4759-97de-55c78e6e1fe3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%283%29_79.jpg" /> 
Philips Hue 10W B22 Smart Bulb 
PRICE:&nbsp;₹2,295</h6>

Available for around ₹2,195 online, it can be controlled through your phone or tablet and is the perfect addition to your pretty corners in the festival of lights.

UPGRADE YOUR TV

In the times of a pandemic, my only hope is that you're not stepping out for any Diwali parties and instead, enjoying your favourite sitcom from the cozy comforts of your home. For your family room, I'd recommend the new LG OLED TV with a jaw-dropping display where the black is dark enough and the stars are super bright.

<img alt="aa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="beea9ebb-c33e-44ee-af92-d7531fa6d2fa" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2_24.jpg" />

<h6 data-ogsc="rgb(69, 69, 69)">Samsung Frame 
STARTING PRICE: ₹74,990</h6>

You can even opt for VU televisions' Masterpiece TV which comes with a stunning 85-inch screen, a gold finish and quantum dot technology. This one is priced high at ₹3.5 lakh.

Then again, if you're a Samsung loyalist, opt for the Samsung Frame which comes with Samsung QLED technology and great design. Prices start at ₹74,990.

A SMART KITCHEN

And if the kitchen is where you're spending your festive season cooking up a storm for the family, opt for the Samsung Masala, Tadka and Sun-dry Microwave.

<img alt="samsung" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6ff5d3a6-8514-4d40-a04f-3898c248b2df" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/6.jpg" />

<h6 data-ogsc="rgb(69, 69, 69)">Samsung Masala, Tadka and Sun-dry Microwave 
STARTING PRICE:&nbsp;₹19,990</h6>

As the name suggests, this microwave is capable of tempering your dishes and is ideal for professionals working from home. Prices start at ₹19,990.

YOUR SMART WORKOUT BUDDY

From tracking your heart rate, fitness levels to even detecting if you suffer a fall, smartwatches are becoming more intuitive with every update.

<h6 data-ogsc="rgb(69, 69, 69)"><img alt="galaxy" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d4f765b3-4b77-4b12-8afc-b1b783ef9544" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/3_22.jpg" /> 
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 | 34 mm 
PRICE:&nbsp;₹34,490</h6>

<h6><img alt="Apple Watch" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d5ece761-4417-430a-b2d6-c9219af6b5a5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%287%29_48.jpg" /> 
Apple Watch Series 6 
PRICE:&nbsp;₹40,900</h6>

Both the Apple Watch Series 6 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 have plenty of features at similar price points.

<img alt="Smartwatch" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="119a019c-8249-45b6-9dd4-0bf36e67079b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_162.jpg" />

<h6 data-ogsc="rgb(69, 69, 69)">Inbase Urban Pro 
PRICE:&nbsp;₹6,999</h6>

In the budget segment, Indian brand Inbase has come up with the Urban Pro smartwatch for&nbsp;₹6,999 which comes with a 1.3-inch Full Touch LCD Screen, 7 sports modes and a magnetic charging method.

INVEST IN TECH THIS FESTIVE SEASON The festive season is upon us! It is that time of the year when we dive into our savings and indulge in some retail therapy. With Diwali and other festivals coming up, we're all hoping to make the most of sales and offers, upgrade our gadgets and deck up our homes.

INVEST IN TECH THIS FESTIVE SEASON The festive season is upon us! It is that time of the year when we dive into our savings and indulge in some retail therapy. With Diwali and other festivals coming up, we're all hoping to make the most of sales and offers, upgrade our gadgets and deck up our homes. The year 2020 hasn't been easy on any of us. The pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have made us all realise one thing -- that home is where the heart is. So this year, I suggest you invest in your home and make your personal space smarter with tech. Lockdowns have inspired us to cook up a storm in the kitchen, try some interesting do-it-yourself hairstyles and even make our homes clutter-free and more organised. And technology has played a huge role in it. So if you're planning on buying and gifting some useful options in the festive season, I say put some tech into your shopping cart. Our festive buying guide has something for everyone. BREATHE BETTER WITH AIR PURIFIERS This is a category which has graduated from gifting options to home essentials in the last few years. The Covid-19 pandemic has put the focus on healthy lungs yet again and as pollution rises, air purifiers have become a necessity. You'll be surprised to see the poor air quality in indoor spaces! DYSON PURE HOT+COOL PRICE: ₹55,900 Opt for the Philips AC1217 for your master bedroom priced at ₹12,995. And if you have a bigger budget, the Blueair Blue 211 is a great option at just over ₹20,000. And for those with deeper pockets, the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Air Purifier promises cleaner air indoors for ₹55,900. ALEXA CAN PLAY SHOW AND TELL "Alexa, play my favourite workout music!" This has become the wake-up call for many of us in lockdown. The Amazon Echo Show 8 is a great addition to your home which can organise your day. With an 8-inch HD screen and stereo sound, Alexa can play show and tell. You can watch your favourite shows, cook with your favourite chefs and control your smart home through Alexa. Echo Show 8 PRICE: ₹6,999.00 Pro tip: it's also an engaging tool for your children who can learn and play with Alexa. Confession: I often make my toddler practise the alphabet with Alexa as I manage other chores! EASY CLEANING WITH VACUUM CLEANERS The lockdowns have made us more self-reliant. If your mission is to achieve squeaky clean floors and furniture, the mighty Dyson V11 is your best friend. It looks like Thor's hammer instead of a vacuum cleaner, catches every speck of dust and grime across multiple surfaces and is an investment for your home. It is a pricey option but this cord-free vacuum is a workhorse and makes tedious cleaning fuss-free. DYSON V11 ABSOLUTE PRO PRICE: ₹52,900 Houses with the happy clutter created by kids will welcome this suggestion as you can clean up messy floors and shelves in seconds! SMART AUDIO It's still a risky affair heading to a packed gym so we suggest you stick to effective home workouts and outdoor runs. A sturdy pair of wireless earphones is your best bet. Go for the Sony WF-XB700 wireless earphones which offers great sound with Sony's famous Extra Bass technology. At ₹7,990, they're priced well. Sony WH-1000XM4 PRICE: ₹26,990 If you're willing to splurge more, the Apple Airpods are a popular option for ₹14,900 for those in the Apple ecosystem. Apple Airpods PRICE: ₹14,900 And if you're looking for a stellar flagship pair of headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM4 with 30 hours of playback is an investment you won't regret at ₹26,990. In the portable speaker category, go for the JBL Charge 3 which is water-proof and offers booming sound for ₹7,999. STAY AT HOME AND STYLE AT HOME Your wife, mother or sister may squeal with joy for this one. The Dyson Corrale is a gamechanger. It is a cordless styling tool which possibly explains the steep price tag of ₹36,900. Dyson Corrale PRICE: ₹36,900 Another feature I like is that it delivers results quickly without inflicting the kind of hair damage that other heat-styling tools do. For men, the Philips OneBlade beard trimmer at ₹2,199 is a great grooming tool. LIGHT UP YOUR HOME -- SMARTLY A smart home is incomplete without a smart light and the Philips Hue remains a favourite. Philips Hue 10W B22 Smart Bulb PRICE: ₹2,295 Available for around ₹2,195 online, it can be controlled through your phone or tablet and is the perfect addition to your pretty corners in the festival of lights. UPGRADE YOUR TV In the times of a pandemic, my only hope is that you're not stepping out for any Diwali parties and instead, enjoying your favourite sitcom from the cozy comforts of your home. For your family room, I'd recommend the new LG OLED TV with a jaw-dropping display where the black is dark enough and the stars are super bright. Samsung Frame STARTING PRICE: ₹74,990 You can even opt for VU televisions' Masterpiece TV which comes with a stunning 85-inch screen, a gold finish and quantum dot technology. This one is priced high at ₹3.5 lakh. Then again, if you're a Samsung loyalist, opt for the Samsung Frame which comes with Samsung QLED technology and great design. Prices start at ₹74,990. A SMART KITCHEN And if the kitchen is where you're spending your festive season cooking up a storm for the family, opt for the Samsung Masala, Tadka and Sun-dry Microwave. Samsung Masala, Tadka and Sun-dry Microwave STARTING PRICE: ₹19,990 As the name suggests, this microwave is capable of tempering your dishes and is ideal for professionals working from home. Prices start at ₹19,990. YOUR SMART WORKOUT BUDDY From tracking your heart rate, fitness levels to even detecting if you suffer a fall, smartwatches are becoming more intuitive with every update. Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 | 34 mm PRICE: ₹34,490 Apple Watch Series 6 PRICE: ₹40,900 Both the Apple Watch Series 6 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 have plenty of features at similar price points. Inbase Urban Pro PRICE: ₹6,999 In the budget segment, Indian brand Inbase has come up with the Urban Pro smartwatch for ₹6,999 which comes with a 1.3-inch Full Touch LCD Screen, 7 sports modes and a magnetic charging method.

Invest in tech this festive season. Here's a comprehensive list of what to buy!

Apple on Tuesday introduced a MacBook Air notebook and other computers with the first microprocessor designed in-house&nbsp;which can allow the machines to operate more like its popular iPhones.

The new chip, called the M1, marks a shift away from Intel Corp technology that has driven the electronic brains of Mac computers for nearly 15 years.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/apple-puts-taiwanese-supplier-pegatron-on-probation-for-exploitation-of-students-342003" hreflang="en">Apple puts Taiwanese supplier Pegatron on probation for exploitation of students</a>

The MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini will integrate Apple's new M1 chip which delivers improved battery life and allows the computers to run apps designed for mobile devices.

The M1 replaces Intel chips used on earlier versions of the Apple computers.

It is a boon for&nbsp;Apple&nbsp;computers, which are overshadowed by the company's iPhone but still rack up tens of billions of dollars in sales per year.&nbsp;Apple&nbsp;hopes developers now will create families of apps that work on both computers and phones.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/microsoft-launches-worlds-most-powerful-next-generation-xbox-gaming-console-342103" hreflang="en">Microsoft launches 'world's most powerful' next-generation Xbox gaming console</a>

The MacBook Air will start at $999, the same as its predecessor, and have up to twice the battery life,&nbsp;Apple&nbsp;said. The M1 will also power the MacBook Pro notebook, which starts at $1299, and its $699 Mac Mini computer, which comes without a monitor. They will be available from next week, executives said.

The Mini is targeted at engineers and scientists because of the artificial intelligence capabilities of the new chip that usually requires a graphics chip from Nvidia Corp or AMD.

Apple said in its release that "iPhone and iPad apps can now run directly on the Mac", although software developers will need to create compatible versions for the computers.

In June,&nbsp;Apple&nbsp;said it would begin outfitting Macs with its own chips, building on its decades-long history of designing processors for its iPhones, iPads and&nbsp;Apple&nbsp;Watches.

Apple&nbsp;executives made numerous performance claims against Windows-based laptops and prior generations of Macs, virtually all of which are based on Intel chips, though&nbsp;Apple&nbsp;did not directly name Intel.

The Cupertino-based company ended its presentation with a cameo by its "PC guy," a nerdy, suit-wearing man who portrays a bumbling PC struggling to keep up with&nbsp;Apple's more hip Mac advances.

&nbsp;

Apple on Tuesday introduced a MacBook Air notebook and other computers with the first microprocessor designed in-house which can allow the machines to operate more like its popular iPhones.

Apple on Tuesday introduced a MacBook Air notebook and other computers with the first microprocessor designed in-house which can allow the machines to operate more like its popular iPhones. The new chip, called the M1, marks a shift away from Intel Corp technology that has driven the electronic brains of Mac computers for nearly 15 years. Also read: Apple puts Taiwanese supplier Pegatron on probation for exploitation of students The MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac mini will integrate Apple's new M1 chip which delivers improved battery life and allows the computers to run apps designed for mobile devices. The M1 replaces Intel chips used on earlier versions of the Apple computers. It is a boon for Apple computers, which are overshadowed by the company's iPhone but still rack up tens of billions of dollars in sales per year. Apple hopes developers now will create families of apps that work on both computers and phones. Also read: Microsoft launches 'world's most powerful' next-generation Xbox gaming console The MacBook Air will start at $999, the same as its predecessor, and have up to twice the battery life, Apple said. The M1 will also power the MacBook Pro notebook, which starts at $1299, and its $699 Mac Mini computer, which comes without a monitor. They will be available from next week, executives said. The Mini is targeted at engineers and scientists because of the artificial intelligence capabilities of the new chip that usually requires a graphics chip from Nvidia Corp or AMD. Apple said in its release that "iPhone and iPad apps can now run directly on the Mac", although software developers will need to create compatible versions for the computers. In June, Apple said it would begin outfitting Macs with its own chips, building on its decades-long history of designing processors for its iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches. Apple executives made numerous performance claims against Windows-based laptops and prior generations of Macs, virtually all of which are based on Intel chips, though Apple did not directly name Intel. The Cupertino-based company ended its presentation with a cameo by its "PC guy," a nerdy, suit-wearing man who portrays a bumbling PC struggling to keep up with Apple's more hip Mac advances.

Apple launches MacBook laptops with first microprocessor designed in-house

Apple on Monday claimed that it had put Taiwanese supplier Pegatron on probation after realising that the company has been overworking student employees.

The company reportedly violated Apple’s supplier code of conduct by making student employees extra, mostly overnight.&nbsp;

According to Reuters, Pegatron had falsely classified student workers and had also put forward false paperwork to hide the violations.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/technology/us-court-orders-apple-to-pay-503-million-to-virnetx-in-patent-case-339258" hreflang="en">US court orders Apple to pay $503 million to VirnetX in patent case</a>

In addition, the company also breached a code by allowing students to take up work which may not be in sync with their majors.

Pegatron is one of few Taiwanese manufcaturers, along with Foxconn, the dominating player in Apple’s manufacturing chain line.

"Several weeks ago, we discovered Pegatron - one of Apple's suppliers in China - violated Apple's Supplier Code of Conduct in its administration of a student work study programme," Apple said in a statement.

"Apple has placed Pegatron on probation and Pegatron will not receive any new business from Apple until they complete all of the corrective actions required”, the Apple statement added.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/technology/apple-google-and-a-deal-that-controls-the-internet-337885" hreflang="en">Apple, Google and a deal that controls the internet</a>

However, no proof of underage of forced labour was found. Pegatron had fired the executive who was in charge of the programme.&nbsp;

"The individuals at Pegatron responsible for the violations went to extraordinary lengths to evade our oversight mechanisms," Apple added in its statement.

Apple on Monday claimed that it had put Taiwanese supplier Pegatron on probation after realising that the company has been overworking student employees. The company reportedly violated Apple’s supplier code of conduct by making student employees extra, mostly overnight.

Apple on Monday claimed that it had put Taiwanese supplier Pegatron on probation after realising that the company has been overworking student employees. The company reportedly violated Apple’s supplier code of conduct by making student employees extra, mostly overnight. According to Reuters, Pegatron had falsely classified student workers and had also put forward false paperwork to hide the violations. Also read: US court orders Apple to pay $503 million to VirnetX in patent case In addition, the company also breached a code by allowing students to take up work which may not be in sync with their majors. Pegatron is one of few Taiwanese manufcaturers, along with Foxconn, the dominating player in Apple’s manufacturing chain line. "Several weeks ago, we discovered Pegatron - one of Apple's suppliers in China - violated Apple's Supplier Code of Conduct in its administration of a student work study programme," Apple said in a statement. "Apple has placed Pegatron on probation and Pegatron will not receive any new business from Apple until they complete all of the corrective actions required”, the Apple statement added. Also read: Apple, Google and a deal that controls the internet However, no proof of underage of forced labour was found. Pegatron had fired the executive who was in charge of the programme. "The individuals at Pegatron responsible for the violations went to extraordinary lengths to evade our oversight mechanisms," Apple added in its statement.

Apple puts Taiwanese supplier Pegatron on probation for exploitation of students

Apple has been ordered to face lawsuit by shareholders who accused CEO Tim Cook of concealing falling demand for iPhones in China, resulting in billions of dollars of investor losses.

World Business Watch: Apple to face lawsuit over CEO Tim Cook's 2018 China sales comments

While the rest of the US&nbsp;economy languished earlier this year, the tech industry’s biggest companies seemed immune to the downturn, surging as the country worked, learned and shopped from home.

On Thursday, as the economy is showing signs of improvement, Amazon, Apple, Alphabet and Facebook reported profits that highlighted how a recovery may provide another catalyst to help them generate a level of wealth that hasn’t been seen in a single industry in generations.

With an entrenched audience of users and the financial resources to press their leads in areas like cloud computing, e-commerce and digital advertising, the companies demonstrated again that economic malaise, upstart competitors and feisty antitrust regulators have had little effect on their bottom line.

Combined, the four companies reported a quarterly net profit of $38 billion.

Amazon reported record sales, and an almost 200% rise in profits, as the pandemic accelerated the transition to online shopping. Despite a boycott of its advertising over the summer, Facebook had another blockbuster quarter. Alphabet’s record quarterly net profit was up 59%, as marketers plowed money into advertisements for Google search and YouTube. And Apple’s sales rose even though the pandemic forced it to push back the iPhone 12’s release to October, in the current quarter.

On Tuesday, Microsoft, Amazon’s closest competitor in cloud computing, also reported its most profitable quarter, growing 30% from a year earlier.

“The scene that’s playing out fundamentally is that these tech stalwarts are gaining more market share by the day,” said Dan Ives, managing director of equity research at Wedbush Securities. “It’s ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ for this group of tech companies and everyone else.”

The results were strong despite increasing antitrust scrutiny from regulators. Last week, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit accusing Google of cementing the dominance of its search engine through anti-competitive agreements with device makers and mobile carriers. Facebook faces a possible antitrust case from the Federal Trade Commission.

The companies’ advantages are becoming more pronounced in an economy starting to dig out from the coronavirus pandemic. On Thursday, the Commerce Department said US&nbsp;economic output grew 7.4% last quarter, the fastest pace on record, but remained below where it was in the last pre-pandemic quarter.

While the rest of the US economy languished earlier this year, the tech industry’s biggest companies seemed immune to the downturn, surging as the country worked, learned and shopped from home.

While the rest of the US economy languished earlier this year, the tech industry’s biggest companies seemed immune to the downturn, surging as the country worked, learned and shopped from home. On Thursday, as the economy is showing signs of improvement, Amazon, Apple, Alphabet and Facebook reported profits that highlighted how a recovery may provide another catalyst to help them generate a level of wealth that hasn’t been seen in a single industry in generations. With an entrenched audience of users and the financial resources to press their leads in areas like cloud computing, e-commerce and digital advertising, the companies demonstrated again that economic malaise, upstart competitors and feisty antitrust regulators have had little effect on their bottom line. Combined, the four companies reported a quarterly net profit of $38 billion. Amazon reported record sales, and an almost 200% rise in profits, as the pandemic accelerated the transition to online shopping. Despite a boycott of its advertising over the summer, Facebook had another blockbuster quarter. Alphabet’s record quarterly net profit was up 59%, as marketers plowed money into advertisements for Google search and YouTube. And Apple’s sales rose even though the pandemic forced it to push back the iPhone 12’s release to October, in the current quarter. On Tuesday, Microsoft, Amazon’s closest competitor in cloud computing, also reported its most profitable quarter, growing 30% from a year earlier. “The scene that’s playing out fundamentally is that these tech stalwarts are gaining more market share by the day,” said Dan Ives, managing director of equity research at Wedbush Securities. “It’s ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ for this group of tech companies and everyone else.” The results were strong despite increasing antitrust scrutiny from regulators. Last week, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit accusing Google of cementing the dominance of its search engine through anti-competitive agreements with device makers and mobile carriers. Facebook faces a possible antitrust case from the Federal Trade Commission. The companies’ advantages are becoming more pronounced in an economy starting to dig out from the coronavirus pandemic. On Thursday, the Commerce Department said US economic output grew 7.4% last quarter, the fastest pace on record, but remained below where it was in the last pre-pandemic quarter.

Big Tech continues its surge ahead of the rest of the economy

When Tim Cook and Sundar Pichai, the chief executives of Apple and Google, were photographed eating dinner together in 2017 at an upscale Vietnamese restaurant called Tamarine, the picture set off a tabloid-worthy frenzy about the relationship between the two most powerful companies in Silicon Valley.

As the two men sipped red wine at a window table inside the restaurant in Palo Alto, their companies were in tense negotiations to renew one of the most lucrative business deals in history: an agreement to feature Google’s search engine as the preselected choice on Apple’s iPhone and other devices. The updated deal was worth billions of dollars to both companies and cemented their status at the top of the tech industry’s pecking order.

Now the partnership is in jeopardy. Last Tuesday, the Justice Department filed a landmark lawsuit against Google — the U.S. government’s biggest antitrust case in two decades — and homed in on the alliance as a prime example of what prosecutors say are the company’s illegal tactics to protect its monopoly and choke off competition in web search.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebooks-zuckerberg-twitters-dorsey-to-testify-before-us-senate-panel-after-us-election-337677">Also read|&nbsp;Facebook's Zuckerberg, Twitter's Dorsey to testify before US Senate panel after US election</a>

The scrutiny of the pact, which was first inked 15 years ago and has rarely been discussed by either company, has highlighted the special relationship between Silicon Valley’s two most valuable companies — an unlikely union of rivals that regulators say is unfairly preventing smaller companies from flourishing.

“We have this sort of strange term in Silicon Valley: co-optation,” said Bruce Sewell, Apple’s general counsel from 2009 to 2017. “You have brutal competition, but at the same time, you have necessary cooperation.”

Apple and Google are joined at the hip, even though Cook has said internet advertising, Google’s bread and butter, engages in “surveillance” of consumers and even though Steve Jobs, Apple’s co-founder, once promised “thermonuclear war” on his Silicon Valley neighbor when he learned it was working on a rival to the iPhone.

Apple and Google’s parent company, Alphabet, worth more than $3 trillion combined, do compete on plenty of fronts, like smartphones, digital maps and laptops. But they also know how to make nice when it suits their interests. And few deals have been nicer to both sides of the table than the iPhone search deal.

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Nearly half of Google’s search traffic now comes from Apple devices, according to the Justice Department, and the prospect of losing the Apple deal has been described as a “code red” scenario inside the company. When iPhone users search on Google, they see the search ads that drive Google’s business. They can also find their way to other Google products, like YouTube.

A former Google executive, who asked not to be identified because he was not permitted to talk about the deal, said the prospect of losing Apple’s traffic was “terrifying” to the company.

The Justice Department, which is asking for a court injunction preventing Google from entering into deals like the one it made with Apple, argues that the arrangement has unfairly helped make Google, which handles 92% of the world’s internet searches, the center of consumers’ online lives.

Online businesses like Yelp and Expedia as well as companies ranging from noodle shops to news organizations often complain that Google’s search domination enables it to charge advertising fees when people simply look up their names, as well as to steer consumers toward its own products, like Google Maps. Microsoft, which had its own antitrust battle two decades ago, has told British regulators that if it were the default option on iPhones and iPads, it would make more advertising money for every search on its rival search engine, Bing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/selena-gomez-calls-out-mark-zuckerberg-asks-to-stop-spreading-misinformation-328628">Also read|&nbsp;Selena Gomez calls out Mark Zuckerberg, asks to stop spreading misinformation</a>

What’s more, competitors like DuckDuckGo, a small search engine that sells itself as a privacy-focused alternative to Google, could never match Google’s tab with Apple.

Apple now receives an estimated $8 billion to $12 billion in annual payments — up from $1 billion a year in 2014 — in exchange for building Google’s search engine into its products. It is probably the single biggest payment that Google makes to anyone and accounts for 14% to 21% of Apple’s annual profits. That’s not money Apple would be eager to walk away from.

In fact, Cook and Pichai met again in 2018 to discuss how they could increase revenue from search. After the meeting, a senior Apple employee wrote to a Google counterpart that “our vision is that we work as if we are one company,” according to the Justice Department’s complaint.

A forced breakup could mean the loss of easy money to Apple. But it would be a more significant threat to Google, which would have no obvious way to replace the lost traffic. It could also push Apple to acquire or build its own search engine. Within Google, people believe that Apple is one of the few companies in the world that could offer a formidable alternative, according to one former executive. Google has also worried that without the agreement, Apple could make it more difficult for iPhone users to get to the Google search engine.

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A spokesperson for Apple declined to comment on the partnership, while a Google spokesperson pointed to a blog post in which the company defended the relationship.

Even though its bill with Apple keeps going up, Google has said again and again that it dominates internet search because consumers prefer it, not because it is buying customers. The company argues that the Justice Department is painting an incomplete picture; its partnership with Apple, it says, is no different than Coca-Cola paying a supermarket for prominent shelf space.

Other search engines like Microsoft’s Bing also have revenue-sharing agreements with Apple to appear as secondary search options on iPhones, Google says in its defense. It adds that Apple allows people to change their default search engine from Google — though few probably do because people typically don’t tinker with such settings and many prefer Google anyway.

Apple has rarely, if ever, publicly acknowledged its deal with Google and, according to Bernstein Research, has mentioned its so-called licensing revenue in an earnings call for the first time this year.

According to a former senior executive who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of confidentiality contracts, Apple’s leaders have made the same calculation about Google as much of the general public: The utility of its search engine is worth the cost of its invasive practices.

“Their search engine is the best,” Cook said when asked by Axios in late 2018 why he partnered with a company he also implicitly criticized. He added that Apple had also created ways to blunt Google’s collection of data, such as a private-browsing mode on Apple’s internet browser.

The deal is not limited to searches in Apple’s Safari browser; it extends to virtually all searches done on Apple devices, including with Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri, and on Google’s iPhone app and Chrome browser.

The relationship between the companies has swung from friendly to contentious to today’s “co-optation.” In the early years of Google, the company’s co-founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, saw Jobs as a mentor, and they would take long walks with him to discuss the future of technology.

In 2005, Apple and Google inked what at the time seemed like a modest deal: Google would be the default search engine on Apple’s Safari browser on Mac computers.

Quickly, Cook, then still a deputy to Jobs, saw the arrangement’s lucrative potential, according to another former senior Apple executive who asked not to be named. Google’s payments were pure profit, and all Apple had to do was feature a search engine its users already wanted.

Apple expanded the deal for its big upcoming product: the iPhone. When Jobs unveiled the iPhone in 2007, he invited Eric Schmidt, Google’s then chief executive, to join him onstage for the first of Apple’s many famous iPhone events.

“If we just sort of merged the two companies, we could just call them AppleGoo,” joked Schmidt, who was also on Apple’s board of directors. With Google search on the iPhone, he added, “you can actually merge without merging.”

Then the relationship soured. Google had quietly been developing a competitor to the iPhone: smartphone software called Android that any phone-maker could use. Jobs was furious. In 2010, Apple sued a phone-maker that used Android. “I’m going to destroy Android,” Jobs told his biographer, Walter Isaacson. “I will spend my last dying breath if I need to.”

A year later, Apple introduced Siri. Instead of Google underpinning the virtual assistant, it was Microsoft’s Bing.

Yet the companies’ partnership on iPhones continued — too lucrative for either side to blow it up. Apple had arranged the deal to require periodic renegotiations, according to a former senior executive, and each time, it extracted more money from Google.

“You have to be able to maintain those relationships and not burn a bridge,” said Sewell, Apple’s former general counsel, who declined to discuss specifics of the deal. “At the same time, when you’re negotiating on behalf of your company and you’re trying to get the best deal, then, you know, the gloves come off.”

Around 2017, the deal was up for renewal. Google was facing a squeeze, with clicks on its mobile ads not growing fast enough. Apple was not satisfied with Bing’s performance for Siri. And Cook had just announced that Apple aimed to double its services revenue to $50 billion by 2020, an ambitious goal that would be possible only with Google’s payments.

By the fall of 2017, Apple announced that Google was now helping Siri answer questions, and Google disclosed that its payments for search traffic had jumped. The company offered an anodyne explanation to part of the reason it was suddenly paying some unnamed company hundreds of millions of dollars more: “changes in partner agreements.”

When Tim Cook and Sundar Pichai, the chief executives of Apple and Google, were photographed eating dinner together in 2017 at an upscale Vietnamese restaurant called Tamarine, the picture set off a tabloid-worthy frenzy about the relationship between the two most powerful companies in Silicon Valley.

When Tim Cook and Sundar Pichai, the chief executives of Apple and Google, were photographed eating dinner together in 2017 at an upscale Vietnamese restaurant called Tamarine, the picture set off a tabloid-worthy frenzy about the relationship between the two most powerful companies in Silicon Valley. As the two men sipped red wine at a window table inside the restaurant in Palo Alto, their companies were in tense negotiations to renew one of the most lucrative business deals in history: an agreement to feature Google’s search engine as the preselected choice on Apple’s iPhone and other devices. The updated deal was worth billions of dollars to both companies and cemented their status at the top of the tech industry’s pecking order. Now the partnership is in jeopardy. Last Tuesday, the Justice Department filed a landmark lawsuit against Google — the U.S. government’s biggest antitrust case in two decades — and homed in on the alliance as a prime example of what prosecutors say are the company’s illegal tactics to protect its monopoly and choke off competition in web search. Also read| Facebook's Zuckerberg, Twitter's Dorsey to testify before US Senate panel after US election The scrutiny of the pact, which was first inked 15 years ago and has rarely been discussed by either company, has highlighted the special relationship between Silicon Valley’s two most valuable companies — an unlikely union of rivals that regulators say is unfairly preventing smaller companies from flourishing. “We have this sort of strange term in Silicon Valley: co-optation,” said Bruce Sewell, Apple’s general counsel from 2009 to 2017. “You have brutal competition, but at the same time, you have necessary cooperation.” Apple and Google are joined at the hip, even though Cook has said internet advertising, Google’s bread and butter, engages in “surveillance” of consumers and even though Steve Jobs, Apple’s co-founder, once promised “thermonuclear war” on his Silicon Valley neighbor when he learned it was working on a rival to the iPhone. Apple and Google’s parent company, Alphabet, worth more than $3 trillion combined, do compete on plenty of fronts, like smartphones, digital maps and laptops. But they also know how to make nice when it suits their interests. And few deals have been nicer to both sides of the table than the iPhone search deal. Also read| Trump's loss: Joe Biden breaks television spending record week before US Election 2020 Nearly half of Google’s search traffic now comes from Apple devices, according to the Justice Department, and the prospect of losing the Apple deal has been described as a “code red” scenario inside the company. When iPhone users search on Google, they see the search ads that drive Google’s business. They can also find their way to other Google products, like YouTube. A former Google executive, who asked not to be identified because he was not permitted to talk about the deal, said the prospect of losing Apple’s traffic was “terrifying” to the company. The Justice Department, which is asking for a court injunction preventing Google from entering into deals like the one it made with Apple, argues that the arrangement has unfairly helped make Google, which handles 92% of the world’s internet searches, the center of consumers’ online lives. Online businesses like Yelp and Expedia as well as companies ranging from noodle shops to news organizations often complain that Google’s search domination enables it to charge advertising fees when people simply look up their names, as well as to steer consumers toward its own products, like Google Maps. Microsoft, which had its own antitrust battle two decades ago, has told British regulators that if it were the default option on iPhones and iPads, it would make more advertising money for every search on its rival search engine, Bing. Also read| Selena Gomez calls out Mark Zuckerberg, asks to stop spreading misinformation What’s more, competitors like DuckDuckGo, a small search engine that sells itself as a privacy-focused alternative to Google, could never match Google’s tab with Apple. Apple now receives an estimated $8 billion to $12 billion in annual payments — up from $1 billion a year in 2014 — in exchange for building Google’s search engine into its products. It is probably the single biggest payment that Google makes to anyone and accounts for 14% to 21% of Apple’s annual profits. That’s not money Apple would be eager to walk away from. In fact, Cook and Pichai met again in 2018 to discuss how they could increase revenue from search. After the meeting, a senior Apple employee wrote to a Google counterpart that “our vision is that we work as if we are one company,” according to the Justice Department’s complaint. A forced breakup could mean the loss of easy money to Apple. But it would be a more significant threat to Google, which would have no obvious way to replace the lost traffic. It could also push Apple to acquire or build its own search engine. Within Google, people believe that Apple is one of the few companies in the world that could offer a formidable alternative, according to one former executive. Google has also worried that without the agreement, Apple could make it more difficult for iPhone users to get to the Google search engine. Also read| Streaming service Quibi to wind down operations six months after launch A spokesperson for Apple declined to comment on the partnership, while a Google spokesperson pointed to a blog post in which the company defended the relationship. Even though its bill with Apple keeps going up, Google has said again and again that it dominates internet search because consumers prefer it, not because it is buying customers. The company argues that the Justice Department is painting an incomplete picture; its partnership with Apple, it says, is no different than Coca-Cola paying a supermarket for prominent shelf space. Other search engines like Microsoft’s Bing also have revenue-sharing agreements with Apple to appear as secondary search options on iPhones, Google says in its defense. It adds that Apple allows people to change their default search engine from Google — though few probably do because people typically don’t tinker with such settings and many prefer Google anyway. Apple has rarely, if ever, publicly acknowledged its deal with Google and, according to Bernstein Research, has mentioned its so-called licensing revenue in an earnings call for the first time this year. According to a former senior executive who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of confidentiality contracts, Apple’s leaders have made the same calculation about Google as much of the general public: The utility of its search engine is worth the cost of its invasive practices. “Their search engine is the best,” Cook said when asked by Axios in late 2018 why he partnered with a company he also implicitly criticized. He added that Apple had also created ways to blunt Google’s collection of data, such as a private-browsing mode on Apple’s internet browser. The deal is not limited to searches in Apple’s Safari browser; it extends to virtually all searches done on Apple devices, including with Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri, and on Google’s iPhone app and Chrome browser. The relationship between the companies has swung from friendly to contentious to today’s “co-optation.” In the early years of Google, the company’s co-founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, saw Jobs as a mentor, and they would take long walks with him to discuss the future of technology. In 2005, Apple and Google inked what at the time seemed like a modest deal: Google would be the default search engine on Apple’s Safari browser on Mac computers. Quickly, Cook, then still a deputy to Jobs, saw the arrangement’s lucrative potential, according to another former senior Apple executive who asked not to be named. Google’s payments were pure profit, and all Apple had to do was feature a search engine its users already wanted. Apple expanded the deal for its big upcoming product: the iPhone. When Jobs unveiled the iPhone in 2007, he invited Eric Schmidt, Google’s then chief executive, to join him onstage for the first of Apple’s many famous iPhone events. “If we just sort of merged the two companies, we could just call them AppleGoo,” joked Schmidt, who was also on Apple’s board of directors. With Google search on the iPhone, he added, “you can actually merge without merging.” Then the relationship soured. Google had quietly been developing a competitor to the iPhone: smartphone software called Android that any phone-maker could use. Jobs was furious. In 2010, Apple sued a phone-maker that used Android. “I’m going to destroy Android,” Jobs told his biographer, Walter Isaacson. “I will spend my last dying breath if I need to.” A year later, Apple introduced Siri. Instead of Google underpinning the virtual assistant, it was Microsoft’s Bing. Yet the companies’ partnership on iPhones continued — too lucrative for either side to blow it up. Apple had arranged the deal to require periodic renegotiations, according to a former senior executive, and each time, it extracted more money from Google. “You have to be able to maintain those relationships and not burn a bridge,” said Sewell, Apple’s former general counsel, who declined to discuss specifics of the deal. “At the same time, when you’re negotiating on behalf of your company and you’re trying to get the best deal, then, you know, the gloves come off.” Around 2017, the deal was up for renewal. Google was facing a squeeze, with clicks on its mobile ads not growing fast enough. Apple was not satisfied with Bing’s performance for Siri. And Cook had just announced that Apple aimed to double its services revenue to $50 billion by 2020, an ambitious goal that would be possible only with Google’s payments. By the fall of 2017, Apple announced that Google was now helping Siri answer questions, and Google disclosed that its payments for search traffic had jumped. The company offered an anodyne explanation to part of the reason it was suddenly paying some unnamed company hundreds of millions of dollars more: “changes in partner agreements.”

Apple, Google and a deal that controls the internet

A smartwatch saves man’s life. Are you sceptical of technology and how deeply embedded it is in our lives? This might change your mind.

Apple’s signature smartwatch - Apple Watch has a feature called electrocardiogram (ECG), which reportedly saved a 61-year-old Indian man’s life. In fact, Apple CEO Tim Cook reached out to him to wish speed a speedy recovery.

R Rajhans, a retired pharmaceutical professional from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and a user of Apple Watch Series 5, had checked his ECG on the smart watch after feeling ill earlier this year in March.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science-technology/smartwatch-to-soundbar-your-complete-diwali-gift-guide-suiting-all-kinds-of-budget-range-257049" hreflang="en">Smartwatch to soundbar: Your complete Diwali gift guide suiting all kinds of budget ranges</a>

As reported by news agency IANS, the watch was a present from his son, Siddharth, a Harvard University student, and who has worked with multiple tech companies in Silicon Valley.

Siddharth explained how the watch helped his father. "Since Apple Watch allows the ECG function, one can check it on a more regular basis. Twice or thrice, in the middle of the night, my father was getting arrhythmia signals or irregular heartbeats. It’s a critical indicator," Siddharth told IANS.

After noticing irregularities, the family went to se aa doctor. Rajhans did not suffer any heart conditions and hypertension.

He found that he had a low ejection fraction and was in need of immediate heart surgery. Even though the surgery was delayed due to COVID-19, Rajhans monitored his ECG on the watch.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science-tech/swatch-to-launch-swiss-smartwatch-operating-system-by-2018-13489" hreflang="en">Swatch to launch Swiss smartwatch operating system by 2018</a>

"My dad underwent a Mitral Valve replacement surgery and it was his Apple Watch that helped detect the irregular heart rhythm prior to the Valve failure Echo-cardiograph," Siddharth told IANS.

After the surgery, Siddharth reached out to Tim Cook, who then responded. Take a look!

"Siddharth, thank you for sharing this. I am happy to note that your father received medical attention in time and I hope he’s feeling better now. Our team will connect with you," Cook wrote in an email.

A smartwatch saves man’s life. Are you sceptical of technology and how deeply embedded it is in our lives? This might change your mind. Apple’s signature smartwatch - Apple Watch has a feature called electrocardiogram (ECG), which reportedly saved a 61-year-old Indian man’s life.

A smartwatch saves man’s life. Are you sceptical of technology and how deeply embedded it is in our lives? This might change your mind. Apple’s signature smartwatch - Apple Watch has a feature called electrocardiogram (ECG), which reportedly saved a 61-year-old Indian man’s life. In fact, Apple CEO Tim Cook reached out to him to wish speed a speedy recovery. R Rajhans, a retired pharmaceutical professional from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and a user of Apple Watch Series 5, had checked his ECG on the smart watch after feeling ill earlier this year in March. Also read: Smartwatch to soundbar: Your complete Diwali gift guide suiting all kinds of budget ranges As reported by news agency IANS, the watch was a present from his son, Siddharth, a Harvard University student, and who has worked with multiple tech companies in Silicon Valley. Siddharth explained how the watch helped his father. "Since Apple Watch allows the ECG function, one can check it on a more regular basis. Twice or thrice, in the middle of the night, my father was getting arrhythmia signals or irregular heartbeats. It’s a critical indicator," Siddharth told IANS. After noticing irregularities, the family went to se aa doctor. Rajhans did not suffer any heart conditions and hypertension. He found that he had a low ejection fraction and was in need of immediate heart surgery. Even though the surgery was delayed due to COVID-19, Rajhans monitored his ECG on the watch. Also read: Swatch to launch Swiss smartwatch operating system by 2018 "My dad underwent a Mitral Valve replacement surgery and it was his Apple Watch that helped detect the irregular heart rhythm prior to the Valve failure Echo-cardiograph," Siddharth told IANS. After the surgery, Siddharth reached out to Tim Cook, who then responded. Take a look! "Siddharth, thank you for sharing this. I am happy to note that your father received medical attention in time and I hope he’s feeling better now. Our team will connect with you," Cook wrote in an email.

Smartwatch's ECG feature saves a 61-year-old Indian man's life, eliciting a response from Tim Cook

Japan is likely to join the United States and Europe to regulate the “Big Tech” companies.&nbsp;

Kazuyuki Furuya, chairman of Japan's Fair Trade Commission (FTC) told Reuters on Monday that the country could also initiate a probe into mergers and dealings that involve Fitbit, a fitness tracker company.

If the scale of any merger is unprecedented, the country intends to launch investigations.

"If the size of any merger or business-tie up is big, we can launch an anti-monopoly investigation into the buyer's process of acquiring a start-up (like Fitbit)," he further told Reuters.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/twitter-issues-clarification-following-backlash-for-showing-jk-in-china-336376" hreflang="en">Twitter issues clarification following backlash for showing J&amp;K in China</a>

He added that Japan is closely observing similar moves in the world, especially Europe. ”We're closely watching developments including in Europe”, he added.

In August 2020, European Union regulators had initiated an investigation into a potential deal between Google and Fitbit. Alphabet’s Google was set to lock a $2.1 billion deal to counter Apple and Samsung in the wearable market.

After this move, the country will be able to effectively challenge market abuses by the four Big Tech companies - GAFA, or Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon which are currently under scrutiny in Europe and the United States.

Furuya further told Reuters that GAFA companies follow similar business practices globally, and called global coordination “crucial”.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/chinese-hackers-targeting-biden-and-trump-are-faking-mcafee-software-google-336251" hreflang="en">Chinese hackers targeting Biden and Trump are faking McAfee software: Google</a>

"This is an area I will push through aggressively. “We'll work closely with our US and European counterparts, and respond if to any moves that hamper competition”, he said.

Furuya took charge of the position in September, and also suggested that they would also be observing Japan’s phone market.

Japan is likely to join the United States and Europe to regulate the “Big Tech” companies. Kazuyuki Furuya, chairman of Japan's Fair Trade Commission (FTC) told Reuters on Monday that the country could also initiate a probe into mergers and dealings that involve Fitbit, a fitness tracker company.

Japan is likely to join the United States and Europe to regulate the “Big Tech” companies. Kazuyuki Furuya, chairman of Japan's Fair Trade Commission (FTC) told Reuters on Monday that the country could also initiate a probe into mergers and dealings that involve Fitbit, a fitness tracker company. If the scale of any merger is unprecedented, the country intends to launch investigations. "If the size of any merger or business-tie up is big, we can launch an anti-monopoly investigation into the buyer's process of acquiring a start-up (like Fitbit)," he further told Reuters. Also read: Twitter issues clarification following backlash for showing J&K in China He added that Japan is closely observing similar moves in the world, especially Europe. ”We're closely watching developments including in Europe”, he added. In August 2020, European Union regulators had initiated an investigation into a potential deal between Google and Fitbit. Alphabet’s Google was set to lock a $2.1 billion deal to counter Apple and Samsung in the wearable market. After this move, the country will be able to effectively challenge market abuses by the four Big Tech companies - GAFA, or Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon which are currently under scrutiny in Europe and the United States. Furuya further told Reuters that GAFA companies follow similar business practices globally, and called global coordination “crucial”. Also read: Chinese hackers targeting Biden and Trump are faking McAfee software: Google "This is an area I will push through aggressively. “We'll work closely with our US and European counterparts, and respond if to any moves that hamper competition”, he said. Furuya took charge of the position in September, and also suggested that they would also be observing Japan’s phone market.

Japan likely to join US, Europe in regulation of Big Tech companies

Watch the video to know why you should be wary of the 5G feature in the brand-new Apple iPhone 12

iPhone 12: Don't get tricked by the 5G gimmick

Few thousand engineers working in social media companies make decisions that impact billions of users. Some US Lawmakers say - big tech companies have too much power and they must be broken up. Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you major tech companies are the new monopolies.

Gravitas: Why the monopoly of big tech needs to be broken

Big technology monopoly is facing the heat in the United States after two significant reports on diverse issues highlighted how uniquely powerful they are.

A US&nbsp;House of Representatives panel looking into abuses of market power by four big&nbsp;technology companies found they used "killer acquisitions" to smite rivals, charged exorbitant fees and forced small businesses into "oppressive" contracts in the name of profit.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/key-moments-of-antitrust-hearing-bezos-snack-put-your-mask-on-316939">Key moments of antitrust hearing: Bezos' snack, 'Put your mask on'</a>

The antitrust subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee recommended that Alphabet Inc's&nbsp;Google, Apple Inc, Amazon.com&nbsp;and Facebook,&nbsp;with a combined market value of over $5 trillion, should not both control and compete in related businesses.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-the-monopoly-of-big-tech-needs-to-be-broken-334838/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The panel's report revealed that the tech giants have maintained their monopoly position&nbsp;by using the vast amounts of data they have&nbsp;gathered on consumers and other businesses in order to muscle out rivals, gain an advantage in new product markets and reduce innovation by others.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/ceos-of-apple-amazon-facebook-and-google-to-testify-in-congress-over-antitrust-issues-310090">CEOs of Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Google to testify in Congress over antitrust issues</a>

The scathing 449-page report, the result of the first such congressional review of the&nbsp;tech&nbsp;industry - suggested expansive changes to antitrust law and described dozens of instances where the companies misused their power, revealing corporate cultures apparently bent on doing what they could to maintain dominance over large portions of the internet.

"To put it simply, companies that once were scrappy, underdog startups that challenged the status quo have become the kinds of&nbsp;monopolies&nbsp;we last saw in the era of oil barons and railroad tycoons," the report said.

In anticipation of the report, Amazon warned in a blog post Tuesday against "fringe notions of antitrust" and market interventions that "would kill off independent retailers and punish consumers by forcing small businesses out of popular online stores, raising prices and reducing consumer choice."

Google said in a statement that it competes "fairly in a fast-moving and highly competitive industry. We disagree with today’s reports, which feature outdated and inaccurate allegations from commercial rivals about Search and other services."

Facebook called itself "an American success story" in response to the report. "We compete with a wide variety of services with millions, even billions, of people using them. Acquisitions are part of every industry, and just one way we innovate new&nbsp;technologies to deliver more value to people," the social network said.

Apple said, "Scrutiny is reasonable and appropriate but we vehemently disagree with the conclusions." The company also defended its commission rates and said it would issue a more extensive response in the coming days.

After more than a year of investigation involving 1.3 million documents and more than 300 interviews, the committee led by Democratic Congressman David Cicilline found companies were running marketplaces where they also competed, creating "a position that enables them to write one set of rules for others, while they play by another."

Coming just weeks before the November&nbsp;3 presidential election, the content of the report became increasingly political, an opportunity for Republicans and Democrats to boost their credibility in the fight against market domination by big&nbsp;tech&nbsp;companies.

That said, Congress is unlikely to act on the findings this year. Since the report reflects the views of the Democratic majority in the House, it sends a clear signal that should Joe Biden win the White House, the pressure on the companies could well continue.

Also, the report is likely to inform existing antitrust probes against the companies. Counsels for the committee, who did not wish to be identified, said they have been speaking to the Federal Trade Commission, which is investigating Facebook and Amazon. Also, Chairman Cicilline has been in contact with state attorneys general, who are investigating Facebook and Google, they said.

Separately, the US&nbsp;Justice Department is investigating large&nbsp;technology companies and is expected to bring a lawsuit against Google soon.

US lawmakers believe that&nbsp;tech platforms have used data to perpetuate a cycle of dominance that accrues to them more and more power. To keep their power in check punitive actions need to be taken.

Recommendations

The panel recommended companies be prohibited from operating in closely aligned businesses. While they did not name any one company, this recommendation would suggest that Google, which runs the auctions for online ad space and participates in those auctions, should potentially be required to separate clearly, or not even operate, the two businesses. For a factbox, click

Facebook's acquisition of Instagram in 2012 is another example of this. Instagram at the time was small and insignificant, but Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg saw its potential and noted that it was "building networks that are competitive with our own" and "could be very disruptive to us," the report said.

As part of the report, the committee staff drew up a menu of potential changes in antitrust law. The suggestions ranged from the aggressive, such as potentially barring companies like Amazon.com from operating the markets in which they also compete, to the less controversial, like increasing the budgets of the agencies that enforce antitrust law: the Justice Department's Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission.

The report also urged Congress to allow antitrust enforcers more leeway in stopping companies from purchasing potential rivals, something that is now difficult.

The antitrust panel will take up the majority report after the October recess for formal adoption and will have a vote on it, the counsels for the committee said.

Big technology monopoly is facing the heat in the United States after two significant reports on diverse issues highlighted how uniquely powerful they are. A US House of Representatives panel looking into abuses of market power by four big technology companies found they used "killer acquisitions" to smite rivals, charged exorbitant fees and forced small businesses into "oppressive" contracts in the name of profit.

Big technology monopoly is facing the heat in the United States after two significant reports on diverse issues highlighted how uniquely powerful they are. A US House of Representatives panel looking into abuses of market power by four big technology companies found they used "killer acquisitions" to smite rivals, charged exorbitant fees and forced small businesses into "oppressive" contracts in the name of profit. Also see: Key moments of antitrust hearing: Bezos' snack, 'Put your mask on' The antitrust subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee recommended that Alphabet Inc's Google, Apple Inc, Amazon.com and Facebook, with a combined market value of over $5 trillion, should not both control and compete in related businesses. The panel's report revealed that the tech giants have maintained their monopoly position by using the vast amounts of data they have gathered on consumers and other businesses in order to muscle out rivals, gain an advantage in new product markets and reduce innovation by others. Also read: CEOs of Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Google to testify in Congress over antitrust issues The scathing 449-page report, the result of the first such congressional review of the tech industry - suggested expansive changes to antitrust law and described dozens of instances where the companies misused their power, revealing corporate cultures apparently bent on doing what they could to maintain dominance over large portions of the internet. "To put it simply, companies that once were scrappy, underdog startups that challenged the status quo have become the kinds of monopolies we last saw in the era of oil barons and railroad tycoons," the report said. In anticipation of the report, Amazon warned in a blog post Tuesday against "fringe notions of antitrust" and market interventions that "would kill off independent retailers and punish consumers by forcing small businesses out of popular online stores, raising prices and reducing consumer choice." Google said in a statement that it competes "fairly in a fast-moving and highly competitive industry. We disagree with today’s reports, which feature outdated and inaccurate allegations from commercial rivals about Search and other services." Facebook called itself "an American success story" in response to the report. "We compete with a wide variety of services with millions, even billions, of people using them. Acquisitions are part of every industry, and just one way we innovate new technologies to deliver more value to people," the social network said. Apple said, "Scrutiny is reasonable and appropriate but we vehemently disagree with the conclusions." The company also defended its commission rates and said it would issue a more extensive response in the coming days. After more than a year of investigation involving 1.3 million documents and more than 300 interviews, the committee led by Democratic Congressman David Cicilline found companies were running marketplaces where they also competed, creating "a position that enables them to write one set of rules for others, while they play by another." Coming just weeks before the November 3 presidential election, the content of the report became increasingly political, an opportunity for Republicans and Democrats to boost their credibility in the fight against market domination by big tech companies. That said, Congress is unlikely to act on the findings this year. Since the report reflects the views of the Democratic majority in the House, it sends a clear signal that should Joe Biden win the White House, the pressure on the companies could well continue. Also, the report is likely to inform existing antitrust probes against the companies. Counsels for the committee, who did not wish to be identified, said they have been speaking to the Federal Trade Commission, which is investigating Facebook and Amazon. Also, Chairman Cicilline has been in contact with state attorneys general, who are investigating Facebook and Google, they said. Separately, the US Justice Department is investigating large technology companies and is expected to bring a lawsuit against Google soon. US lawmakers believe that tech platforms have used data to perpetuate a cycle of dominance that accrues to them more and more power. To keep their power in check punitive actions need to be taken. Recommendations The panel recommended companies be prohibited from operating in closely aligned businesses. While they did not name any one company, this recommendation would suggest that Google, which runs the auctions for online ad space and participates in those auctions, should potentially be required to separate clearly, or not even operate, the two businesses. For a factbox, click Facebook's acquisition of Instagram in 2012 is another example of this. Instagram at the time was small and insignificant, but Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg saw its potential and noted that it was "building networks that are competitive with our own" and "could be very disruptive to us," the report said. As part of the report, the committee staff drew up a menu of potential changes in antitrust law. The suggestions ranged from the aggressive, such as potentially barring companies like Amazon.com from operating the markets in which they also compete, to the less controversial, like increasing the budgets of the agencies that enforce antitrust law: the Justice Department's Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission. The report also urged Congress to allow antitrust enforcers more leeway in stopping companies from purchasing potential rivals, something that is now difficult. The antitrust panel will take up the majority report after the October recess for formal adoption and will have a vote on it, the counsels for the committee said.

Why United States wants to break apart tech monopoly

Apple is expected on Tuesday to unveil a keenly anticipated iPhone 12 line-up starring models tuned to super-fast new 5G telecom networks in an update considered vital to the company's fortunes.

A streamed event was cryptically teased with the message "Hi, Speed" in an apparent reference to the faster wireless networks being introduced in many parts of the world.

Analysts expect Apple to&nbsp;introduce a selection of iPhone 12 models in multiple sizes, with some shipping earlier than others due to the toll the pandemic has taken on the company's supply chain.

"We believe iPhone 12 represents the most significant product cycle for Cook &amp; Co. since iPhone 6 in 2014 and will be another defining chapter in the Apple growth story," Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said in a note to investors, referring to chief executive Tim Cook.

The time is ripe, analysts said, for Apple to hit the market with an iPhone tailored to the super-fast 5G telecom networks taking root around the world.

"Apple absolutely needs 5G right now," said Techsponential analyst Avi Greengart, "not for the US, but for China, where 5G is driving purchase decisions."

Some Apple rivals have already produced 5G models, and China is far ahead of the US when it comes to the new-generation networks.

5G networks are touted as promising an exponential leap in the amount and speed of wireless data, enabling advances in self-driving vehicles, virtual reality, connected health and more as sensors and servers communicate instantly.&nbsp;

"5G is happening in China with or without Apple; in fact, more 5G phones than non-5G phones are selling in China," said analyst Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights &amp; Strategy.

New-generation 5G networks have also taken shape in South Korea and in parts of Europe.

Meanwhile, US telecom firms are looking at a 5G iPhone as a catalyst for consumer interest that will justify the big investments needed for those networks, according to analysts.

"US carriers are waiting for Apple to announce a 5G iPhone to put the pedal to the metal in the US," said Moorhead.

- Powering the 'ecosystem' -

Apple also needs a 5G-capable iPhone to maintain its premium image, analysts added.

Powerhouses Samsung and Huawei already have 5G smartphones on the market.

Google recently unveiled two new smartphones with 5G wireless capability under its Pixel brand, which showcases the Android mobile system but has limited market share.

"Apple got away with not releasing a 5G device last year because the 5G use-cases and network coverage simply wasn’t there," said Futuresource Consulting research analyst Stephen Mears.

"Apple won’t want to be perceived as being two generations behind on 5G handsets."

The streamed event comes a month after Apple unveiled new service bundles and smartwatch models tied to the iPhone, which remains at the heart of its money-making ecosystem.

Adding 5G iPhones to its line-up should help Apple "drive forward" with that lucrative blend of hardware, software, services and digital content, Mears said. From the health-centric Apple Watch to subscriptions to music and television services, the iPhone is at the center of the user experience.

Apple remains the most expensive company on Wall Street, where it ended the formal trading session Friday with a value of $2.03 billion, based on its share price.

- Pandemic slows sales -

Rumors swirling ahead of the event include that Apple will unveil new iPhones in an array of sizes, from a small model with a 5.4-inch (13.7-centimeter) screen to one with a 6.7-inch screen, measured diagonally.

Overall, it has been a tough year for the smartphone industry, with the pandemic disrupting economies and supply chains.

"Recovery will be slow, with tough market conditions expected to continue through 2021," Mears said.

Total smartphone sales were down 16 percent in the second quarter, according to research firm IDC.

Its survey showed Huawei leading the market, ahead of Samsung, Apple and Chinese firms Xiaomi and Oppo.

Apple is expected on Tuesday to unveil a keenly anticipated iPhone 12 line-up starring models tuned to super-fast new 5G telecom networks in an update considered vital to the company's fortunes.

Apple is expected on Tuesday to unveil a keenly anticipated iPhone 12 line-up starring models tuned to super-fast new 5G telecom networks in an update considered vital to the company's fortunes. A streamed event was cryptically teased with the message "Hi, Speed" in an apparent reference to the faster wireless networks being introduced in many parts of the world. Analysts expect Apple to introduce a selection of iPhone 12 models in multiple sizes, with some shipping earlier than others due to the toll the pandemic has taken on the company's supply chain. "We believe iPhone 12 represents the most significant product cycle for Cook & Co. since iPhone 6 in 2014 and will be another defining chapter in the Apple growth story," Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said in a note to investors, referring to chief executive Tim Cook. The time is ripe, analysts said, for Apple to hit the market with an iPhone tailored to the super-fast 5G telecom networks taking root around the world. "Apple absolutely needs 5G right now," said Techsponential analyst Avi Greengart, "not for the US, but for China, where 5G is driving purchase decisions." Some Apple rivals have already produced 5G models, and China is far ahead of the US when it comes to the new-generation networks. 5G networks are touted as promising an exponential leap in the amount and speed of wireless data, enabling advances in self-driving vehicles, virtual reality, connected health and more as sensors and servers communicate instantly. "5G is happening in China with or without Apple; in fact, more 5G phones than non-5G phones are selling in China," said analyst Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights & Strategy. New-generation 5G networks have also taken shape in South Korea and in parts of Europe. Meanwhile, US telecom firms are looking at a 5G iPhone as a catalyst for consumer interest that will justify the big investments needed for those networks, according to analysts. "US carriers are waiting for Apple to announce a 5G iPhone to put the pedal to the metal in the US," said Moorhead. - Powering the 'ecosystem' - Apple also needs a 5G-capable iPhone to maintain its premium image, analysts added. Powerhouses Samsung and Huawei already have 5G smartphones on the market. Google recently unveiled two new smartphones with 5G wireless capability under its Pixel brand, which showcases the Android mobile system but has limited market share. "Apple got away with not releasing a 5G device last year because the 5G use-cases and network coverage simply wasn’t there," said Futuresource Consulting research analyst Stephen Mears. "Apple won’t want to be perceived as being two generations behind on 5G handsets." The streamed event comes a month after Apple unveiled new service bundles and smartwatch models tied to the iPhone, which remains at the heart of its money-making ecosystem. Adding 5G iPhones to its line-up should help Apple "drive forward" with that lucrative blend of hardware, software, services and digital content, Mears said. From the health-centric Apple Watch to subscriptions to music and television services, the iPhone is at the center of the user experience. Apple remains the most expensive company on Wall Street, where it ended the formal trading session Friday with a value of $2.03 billion, based on its share price. - Pandemic slows sales - Rumors swirling ahead of the event include that Apple will unveil new iPhones in an array of sizes, from a small model with a 5.4-inch (13.7-centimeter) screen to one with a 6.7-inch screen, measured diagonally. Overall, it has been a tough year for the smartphone industry, with the pandemic disrupting economies and supply chains. "Recovery will be slow, with tough market conditions expected to continue through 2021," Mears said. Total smartphone sales were down 16 percent in the second quarter, according to research firm IDC. Its survey showed Huawei leading the market, ahead of Samsung, Apple and Chinese firms Xiaomi and Oppo.

5G iPhone expected to star at Apple event

Apple TV+ free trial subscription - Apple TV+ may not be a direct competitor of likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime etc. but it has carved a niche and some of its shows are getting rave reviews. For those of us who were worried about Apple TV+ free trial ending, here is the good news. Apple TV+ free trial subscription may now get extended.

Apple TV+ had previously offered 1-year free subscription. The streaming service started on November 1, 2019. That means the trial will end on the last day of October 2020. But Apple TV+ free trial will now last till Feb 2021.

As per Rene Ritchie and 9to5Mac, the extension of Apple TV+ subscription will now be offered. Apple is expected to send notifications soon.

However, in order to be eligible for the extension of subscription, you should have signed up for Apple TV+ between November 2020 and January 2020.&nbsp;

However, Apple TV+ free trial is still available to those who buy a new Apple device.

Apple TV+ free trial subscription - Apple TV+ may not be a direct competitor of likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime etc. but it has carved a niche and some of its shows are getting rave reviews.

Apple TV+ free trial subscription - Apple TV+ may not be a direct competitor of likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime etc. but it has carved a niche and some of its shows are getting rave reviews. For those of us who were worried about Apple TV+ free trial ending, here is the good news. Apple TV+ free trial subscription may now get extended. Apple TV+ had previously offered 1-year free subscription. The streaming service started on November 1, 2019. That means the trial will end on the last day of October 2020. But Apple TV+ free trial will now last till Feb 2021. As per Rene Ritchie and 9to5Mac, the extension of Apple TV+ subscription will now be offered. Apple is expected to send notifications soon. However, in order to be eligible for the extension of subscription, you should have signed up for Apple TV+ between November 2020 and January 2020. However, Apple TV+ free trial is still available to those who buy a new Apple device.

Apple TV+ Subscription: Free trial will now last longer

The great China decoupling is truly underway with India slowly emerging as a viable alternative. New Delhi has given its nod to partners of Apple and Samsung to set up their smartphone manufacturing in India.

India wants to become a smartphone production hub. As many as 16 global companies are ready to set up a base in India.

The Indian government has promised these firms incentives worth well over six billion dollars, and the biggest beneficiaries could be Samsung and Apple.

The South Korean electronics giant has won a place in the government's incentive programme. Three contract manufacturing partners of Apple are also on the list.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/distrust-of-china-jumps-to-new-highs-in-democratic-nations-333269">Also read:&nbsp;Distrust of China jumps to new highs in democratic nations</a>

Ambitious targets

India wants smartphone makers to produce phones and components worth more than 143 billion dollars over the next five years.

According to a report, 60 per cent of the products made locally will be exported. The incentives will generate two lakh direct and six lakh indirect jobs.

India wants to leverage the anti-China sentiment in the global markets. Since the outbreak of the&nbsp;coronavirus, decoupling from China has become the new buzzword as major companies have announced plans to move out of China.

Samsung has shutdown its mobile phone production in China. The company has expanded production in India and Vietnam. Hasbro began shifting its manufacturing last year. The toy maker wants to have only 50 per cent of its products to come from China by the end of this year.

Apple's supplier Foxconn is leaving China too. Reports say the company plans to invest one billion dollars to expand its factory in Chennai.

Electronics company Nintendo and tech company GoPro want to leave China too.

India has positioned itself to leverage this great China exit. In an effort to attract smartphone makers,&nbsp;New Selhi came up with an incentive scheme. These companies have been given a 6 per cent financial incentive on additional sales of goods for the next five years. This is likely to be offered as a tax rebate.

However, India faces an uphill battle.

Chinese smartphone makers dominate the Indian market. According to one report, these companies command an 80 per cent market share in India alone.

So, India must break this Chinese monopoly — anroad, as well as at home.

The great China decoupling is truly underway with India slowly emerging as a viable alternative. New Delhi has given its nod to partners of Apple and Samsung to set up their smartphone manufacturing in India.

The great China decoupling is truly underway with India slowly emerging as a viable alternative. New Delhi has given its nod to partners of Apple and Samsung to set up their smartphone manufacturing in India. India wants to become a smartphone production hub. As many as 16 global companies are ready to set up a base in India. The Indian government has promised these firms incentives worth well over six billion dollars, and the biggest beneficiaries could be Samsung and Apple. The South Korean electronics giant has won a place in the government's incentive programme. Three contract manufacturing partners of Apple are also on the list. Also read: Distrust of China jumps to new highs in democratic nations Ambitious targets India wants smartphone makers to produce phones and components worth more than 143 billion dollars over the next five years. According to a report, 60 per cent of the products made locally will be exported. The incentives will generate two lakh direct and six lakh indirect jobs. India wants to leverage the anti-China sentiment in the global markets. Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, decoupling from China has become the new buzzword as major companies have announced plans to move out of China. Samsung has shutdown its mobile phone production in China. The company has expanded production in India and Vietnam. Hasbro began shifting its manufacturing last year. The toy maker wants to have only 50 per cent of its products to come from China by the end of this year. Apple's supplier Foxconn is leaving China too. Reports say the company plans to invest one billion dollars to expand its factory in Chennai. Electronics company Nintendo and tech company GoPro want to leave China too. India has positioned itself to leverage this great China exit. In an effort to attract smartphone makers, New Selhi came up with an incentive scheme. These companies have been given a 6 per cent financial incentive on additional sales of goods for the next five years. This is likely to be offered as a tax rebate. However, India faces an uphill battle. Chinese smartphone makers dominate the Indian market. According to one report, these companies command an 80 per cent market share in India alone. So, India must break this Chinese monopoly — anroad, as well as at home.

Another win: Samsung and Apple strike deal with India; abandon China

A report claims that 3 top supplies of Apple are ready to invest $900 million in India's smartphone industry. WION's Palki tells you more.

Gravitas: 3 big suppliers of Apple to invest $900 million in India

Three of Apple Inc's top contract manufacturers plan to invest a total of almost $900 million in India in the next five years to tap into a new production-linked incentive plan, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

Three top Apple suppliers plan to commit $900 million to India smartphone incentive plan

Written by: Sanjeev Roy

Before Covid (BC) brand collaboration meant that two or more non-competing brands would come together – this was often done purely for promotional gains. &nbsp;

The Covid Era (CE) has, however, brought with it a new wave of not just inter-category but also intra-category brand collaborations – brands that were historically considered “competitors” are actually working together now. Consider this, rival pharma companies in India are working in tandem to ensure that life-saving drugs reach all markets even as they knowingly give up on a part of their competitive advantage.&nbsp;

Or consider this, Apple and Google (both in the past, made too much effort in finding innovative ways of blocking each other’s services) decided to collaborate to create contact tracing solutions.

Examples are aplenty: AstraZeneca and GSK, arch-rivals in the UK pharma industry, collaborating with the University of Cambridge to assist the government in COVID-19 testing efforts; beverage rivals Pernod Ricard, Budweiser, Carlsberg, Remy Martin, have collaborated in launching online clubbing experience in China.

Or consider the many volunteer groups cropping up, where individuals located all over the country were working in tandem to help people in various crises such as the migrant crisis during the lockdown, or floods in Assam and Kerala, cyclone in Bengal – a group of people having never met in-person before and having no common connection except a passion and willingness to make a change.&nbsp;

Perhaps it is one more of the CE paradoxes that we are now seeing: the physical coming together of people has been largely limited due to lockdowns and safety concerns and yet virtual collaborations – driven by common passion and innovative solutions, are on the rise.&nbsp;

On the one hand are governments and organizations who are erecting bigger and thicker walls and on the other are the academia, businesses and individuals who are collaborating, sharing and creating innovative solutions, more than ever before.

At first glance, it might appear almost counterintuitive that brands in times of such economic difficulty - instead of pushing harder to outdo the competitors – are collaborating with them.&nbsp;

Why&nbsp;Now? 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>For many it might simply be self-interest.&nbsp;With bars and restaurants closed and e-commerce on the rise, the beverage companies, a music label and an ecom site, found that together they could achieve more than they could individually. Carlsberg and Budweiser, who in any case sit in the same bar shelf, found more joy in raising a toast together than in clashing swords.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>The pharma companies found their distribution networks totally disrupted during the first lockdown. Cries of help from kidney transplant patients in Ranchi for the lifesaving drug of one company or a cancer patient in Dharamshala for the drugs of the other company, could only be met if they relied on each other to share costs of a chartered airplane or use each other’s distribution strengths in different areas. Not only did they save lives, but they also managed to retain valuable customers. These are big chasms that have been crossed and organisations could start seeing long term merit in collaborating on certain aspects rather than competing.</li>
	<li>Homo Sapiens are social animals. For us, connecting with others is a natural urge. We have been forced into isolation and fear and uncertainty is high. At a time like this, seeking out others is natural.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>At Future Forward, the virtual group&nbsp;of scenario planning&nbsp;enthusiasts (who co- authored Here Today Here Tomorrow), seeking answers and trying to make sense of the future, is our way of coping with uncertainty and fear. We do it as a collective instead of individually. Instinct has driven collaboration, on what is primarily an intellectual pursuit.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Consider this analogy: Onam Sadya (traditional vegetarian dishes served on a banana leaf in Kerala for Onam) reimagined as a mélange of Malayali and Bengali vegetarian dishes to create a new, unique experience; conceived as one meal but cooked by two chefs specializing in each cuisine. The Malayali Chef and the Bengali Chef, looking to remain interesting and relevant in a changed market, seek each other out and create an experience that stands out. Alone is scary, together is less so.</li>
</ul>

This is a time that needs us to be together. The problem is large and those with muscle have to unite and contribute. The solutions are needed fast. This is beyond profits. Glaxo, AstraZenaca, Oxford, Serum Institute of India, WHO and a whole host of others have to pull together to solve a global problem, fast. Apple and Google have to combine resources.

&nbsp;

Is this sustainable?

The biggest benefit is that of survival – not being a part of the solution will mean that customers will write off the brands sooner rather than later.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/chinese-scientist-says-covid-19-was-created-by-chinas-military-327862">Chinese scientist says covid-19 was created by China’s military</a> 
 
Innovative outputs, synergies, new markets, engaged consumers, solutions at scale are the benefits that can outlive the pandemic. To keep it working though organisations and individuals have to be mindful of what has worked so far:

<ul>
	<li>Shared purpose, the will to make a difference and common goals have never been more important. Apple and Google sit at the same table because they both share the same purpose of finding solutions for dealing with the pandemic. This is what their stakeholders want as well. At Future Forward we are united by our common enthusiasm for scenario planning and making sense of the future. We had common goals, a paper on trends first and then the book.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Say bye to ego and welcome humility. If AstraZeneca were to try to steal the thunder for itself and not acknowledge its partners, the collaboration is bound to run into trouble. For corporations and nations, this is a new muscle to exercise. Individuals collaborating would also do well to remember this. The edifice of success has been built around claiming the glory and the spoils. Implicit in collaboration is sharing and generosity. The belief that as each collaborator gets stronger, the entire collaboration benefits.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

The virus while creating a distanced world, has opened the doors on many new connections. Nature has once again knocked us hard on the head, teaching us lessons that can create a more beautiful, just and happy world.

Sanjeev Roy is an Executive Coach, OD Consultant and Co-Author of ‘Here Today Here Tomorrow’&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Written by: Sanjeev Roy Before Covid (BC) brand collaboration meant that two or more non-competing brands would come together – this was often done purely for promotional gains.

Written by: Sanjeev Roy Before Covid (BC) brand collaboration meant that two or more non-competing brands would come together – this was often done purely for promotional gains. The Covid Era (CE) has, however, brought with it a new wave of not just inter-category but also intra-category brand collaborations – brands that were historically considered “competitors” are actually working together now. Consider this, rival pharma companies in India are working in tandem to ensure that life-saving drugs reach all markets even as they knowingly give up on a part of their competitive advantage. Or consider this, Apple and Google (both in the past, made too much effort in finding innovative ways of blocking each other’s services) decided to collaborate to create contact tracing solutions. Examples are aplenty: AstraZeneca and GSK, arch-rivals in the UK pharma industry, collaborating with the University of Cambridge to assist the government in COVID-19 testing efforts; beverage rivals Pernod Ricard, Budweiser, Carlsberg, Remy Martin, have collaborated in launching online clubbing experience in China. Or consider the many volunteer groups cropping up, where individuals located all over the country were working in tandem to help people in various crises such as the migrant crisis during the lockdown, or floods in Assam and Kerala, cyclone in Bengal – a group of people having never met in-person before and having no common connection except a passion and willingness to make a change. Perhaps it is one more of the CE paradoxes that we are now seeing: the physical coming together of people has been largely limited due to lockdowns and safety concerns and yet virtual collaborations – driven by common passion and innovative solutions, are on the rise. On the one hand are governments and organizations who are erecting bigger and thicker walls and on the other are the academia, businesses and individuals who are collaborating, sharing and creating innovative solutions, more than ever before. At first glance, it might appear almost counterintuitive that brands in times of such economic difficulty - instead of pushing harder to outdo the competitors – are collaborating with them. Why Now? For many it might simply be self-interest. With bars and restaurants closed and e-commerce on the rise, the beverage companies, a music label and an ecom site, found that together they could achieve more than they could individually. Carlsberg and Budweiser, who in any case sit in the same bar shelf, found more joy in raising a toast together than in clashing swords. The pharma companies found their distribution networks totally disrupted during the first lockdown. Cries of help from kidney transplant patients in Ranchi for the lifesaving drug of one company or a cancer patient in Dharamshala for the drugs of the other company, could only be met if they relied on each other to share costs of a chartered airplane or use each other’s distribution strengths in different areas. Not only did they save lives, but they also managed to retain valuable customers. These are big chasms that have been crossed and organisations could start seeing long term merit in collaborating on certain aspects rather than competing. Homo Sapiens are social animals. For us, connecting with others is a natural urge. We have been forced into isolation and fear and uncertainty is high. At a time like this, seeking out others is natural. At Future Forward, the virtual group of scenario planning enthusiasts (who co- authored Here Today Here Tomorrow), seeking answers and trying to make sense of the future, is our way of coping with uncertainty and fear. We do it as a collective instead of individually. Instinct has driven collaboration, on what is primarily an intellectual pursuit. Consider this analogy: Onam Sadya (traditional vegetarian dishes served on a banana leaf in Kerala for Onam) reimagined as a mélange of Malayali and Bengali vegetarian dishes to create a new, unique experience; conceived as one meal but cooked by two chefs specializing in each cuisine. The Malayali Chef and the Bengali Chef, looking to remain interesting and relevant in a changed market, seek each other out and create an experience that stands out. Alone is scary, together is less so. This is a time that needs us to be together. The problem is large and those with muscle have to unite and contribute. The solutions are needed fast. This is beyond profits. Glaxo, AstraZenaca, Oxford, Serum Institute of India, WHO and a whole host of others have to pull together to solve a global problem, fast. Apple and Google have to combine resources. Is this sustainable? The biggest benefit is that of survival – not being a part of the solution will mean that customers will write off the brands sooner rather than later. Also Read | Chinese scientist says covid-19 was created by China’s military Innovative outputs, synergies, new markets, engaged consumers, solutions at scale are the benefits that can outlive the pandemic. To keep it working though organisations and individuals have to be mindful of what has worked so far: Shared purpose, the will to make a difference and common goals have never been more important. Apple and Google sit at the same table because they both share the same purpose of finding solutions for dealing with the pandemic. This is what their stakeholders want as well. At Future Forward we are united by our common enthusiasm for scenario planning and making sense of the future. We had common goals, a paper on trends first and then the book. Say bye to ego and welcome humility. If AstraZeneca were to try to steal the thunder for itself and not acknowledge its partners, the collaboration is bound to run into trouble. For corporations and nations, this is a new muscle to exercise. Individuals collaborating would also do well to remember this. The edifice of success has been built around claiming the glory and the spoils. Implicit in collaboration is sharing and generosity. The belief that as each collaborator gets stronger, the entire collaboration benefits. The virus while creating a distanced world, has opened the doors on many new connections. Nature has once again knocked us hard on the head, teaching us lessons that can create a more beautiful, just and happy world. Sanjeev Roy is an Executive Coach, OD Consultant and Co-Author of ‘Here Today Here Tomorrow’ (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Collaborate, not compete – lessons from the new normal

Facebook said Friday it struck a deal in which Apple agreed to temporarily forgo its cut of revenue from paid events at the leading social network to help pandemic-hit performers earn money during the pandemic.

The social network had asked Apple to skip its usual 30 percent cut of transactions in mobile apps prior to enable the Facebook Live streaming to be used to create, promote and host paid events from concerts and theatrical performances to yoga classes and cooking lessons.

Apple agreed to a respite through the end of the year "after which struggling businesses will have to, yet again, pay Apple the full 30 percent App Store tax," Facebook spokesman Joe Osborne said in response to an AFP inquiry.

Apple originally stuck to its commission, but has since had a change of heart, according to Facebook.

The temporary reprieve means that transactions for events in Live on the iOS platform can be handled by Facebook's payment system instead of Apple's network, the social network said.

Gaming creators, however, will still have to use Apple's commission-collecting payment system for live events on its mobile devices, according to Facebook gaming vice president Vivek Sharma.

Facebook said it would not collect any fees from paid online events while businesses remain closed for the pandemic, until at least August 2021.

Apple did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment. It has defended the commission to cover the costs of managing the App Store and protecting user security, but critics say the commission is an abuse of its position.

Other app developers have argued that Apple's commission is a "tax" and can thwart competitors.

Apple and Fortnite maker Epic Games are in a legal battle over the matter, with a hearing in the case slated for Monday.

Facebook said Friday it struck a deal in which Apple agreed to temporarily forgo its cut of revenue from paid events at the leading social network to help pandemic-hit performers earn money during the pandemic.

Facebook said Friday it struck a deal in which Apple agreed to temporarily forgo its cut of revenue from paid events at the leading social network to help pandemic-hit performers earn money during the pandemic. The social network had asked Apple to skip its usual 30 percent cut of transactions in mobile apps prior to enable the Facebook Live streaming to be used to create, promote and host paid events from concerts and theatrical performances to yoga classes and cooking lessons. Apple agreed to a respite through the end of the year "after which struggling businesses will have to, yet again, pay Apple the full 30 percent App Store tax," Facebook spokesman Joe Osborne said in response to an AFP inquiry. Apple originally stuck to its commission, but has since had a change of heart, according to Facebook. The temporary reprieve means that transactions for events in Live on the iOS platform can be handled by Facebook's payment system instead of Apple's network, the social network said. Gaming creators, however, will still have to use Apple's commission-collecting payment system for live events on its mobile devices, according to Facebook gaming vice president Vivek Sharma. Facebook said it would not collect any fees from paid online events while businesses remain closed for the pandemic, until at least August 2021. Apple did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment. It has defended the commission to cover the costs of managing the App Store and protecting user security, but critics say the commission is an abuse of its position. Other app developers have argued that Apple's commission is a "tax" and can thwart competitors. Apple and Fortnite maker Epic Games are in a legal battle over the matter, with a hearing in the case slated for Monday.

Facebook gets reprieve from Apple on live events cut

Apple Inc is set to launch its first online store in India on September 23, the iPhone maker said on Friday.

The launch date will coincide with the country's festive season.

The company currently sells its products in India through third-party vendors and e-commerce firms such as Amazon.com Inc and Walmart Inc-owned Flipkart.

Apple assembles some smartphones, including the iPhone 11, at Foxconn and Wistron's plants in two southern Indian states.

Through its online retail platform, Apple plans to offer assistance to customers in English and Hindi, while allowing users to engrave their iPads, Apple Pencil and Airpods in English and also in a handful of Indian languages, including Bengali and Gujarati.

India provides huge growth prospects for smartphone makers, as well as cheap labour to manufacture the devices.

Earlier this week, Apple rolled out a virtual fitness service and a bundle of all its subscriptions, Apple One.

(with inputs)

Apple Inc is set to launch its first online store in India on September 23, the iPhone maker said on Friday. The launch date will coincide with the country's festive season.

Apple Inc is set to launch its first online store in India on September 23, the iPhone maker said on Friday. The launch date will coincide with the country's festive season. The company currently sells its products in India through third-party vendors and e-commerce firms such as Amazon.com Inc and Walmart Inc-owned Flipkart. Apple assembles some smartphones, including the iPhone 11, at Foxconn and Wistron's plants in two southern Indian states. Through its online retail platform, Apple plans to offer assistance to customers in English and Hindi, while allowing users to engrave their iPads, Apple Pencil and Airpods in English and also in a handful of Indian languages, including Bengali and Gujarati. India provides huge growth prospects for smartphone makers, as well as cheap labour to manufacture the devices. Earlier this week, Apple rolled out a virtual fitness service and a bundle of all its subscriptions, Apple One. (with inputs)

Apple to launch first online store in India on September 23

US election 2020: American companies offer off days to encourage employees to vote

Italy's antitrust authority said on Monday it had opened an inquiry into Google Inc, Apple Inc and Dropbox Inc over cloud computing services.

"The proceedings relate to alleged improper commercial practices and the possible inclusion of unfair clauses in contract conditions," the authority said in a statement.

(More details awaited)

Italy's antitrust authority said on Monday it had opened an inquiry into Google Inc, Apple Inc and Dropbox Inc over cloud computing services. "The proceedings relate to alleged improper commercial practices and the possible inclusion of unfair clauses in contract conditions," the authority said in a statement.

Italy's antitrust authority said on Monday it had opened an inquiry into Google Inc, Apple Inc and Dropbox Inc over cloud computing services. "The proceedings relate to alleged improper commercial practices and the possible inclusion of unfair clauses in contract conditions," the authority said in a statement. (More details awaited)

Italy antitrust opens inquiry into Google, Apple, Dropbox on cloud computing

Wall Street's main indexes closed sharply lower on Thursday, marking their deepest one-day dives in months as investors dumped the high-flying&nbsp;technology&nbsp;sector, while economic data highlighted concerns about a long and difficult recovery.

The&nbsp;technology-centric Nasdaq led the declines as its heavyweight stocks took a hit with the biggest drags from companies including Facebook Inc, Apple Inc, Amazon.com Inc, Microsoft Inc and Google-parent Alphabet Inc.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/e-commerce-giant-amazon-will-create-7000-jobs-in-the-united-kingdom-324991" hreflang="en">E-commerce giant Amazon will create 7,000 jobs in the United Kingdom</a>

The five stocks, deemed strong bets because of solid cash positions and continued growth despite the coronavirus crisis, also account for roughly a quarter of the S&amp;P 500's market value and have driven the stock market's narrow&nbsp;technology-led recovery from the pandemic lows hit in March.

The Philadelphia chip index and the S&amp;P tech sector also dropped more than 5 per cent&nbsp;each.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-economy-will-take-12-trillion-hit-from-covid-19-international-monetary-fund-308349">Global economy will take $12 trillion hit from COVID-19: International Monetary Fund</a>

The pullback comes a day after the S&amp;P 500 and the Nasdaq closed at record levels and the Dow came within 1.5 per cent of its February peak, powered by fiscal and monetary support hopes for a swift economic recovery. But some participants said investors had become too optimistic.

Earlier in the day, data showed the number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, but remained extraordinarily high. The closely watched monthly payrolls report is set for Friday

Separately, a survey showed US&nbsp;services industry growth slowed in August, likely as the boost from the reopening of businesses and fiscal stimulus faded.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 807.77 points, or 2.78 per cent, to close at 28,292.73, the S&amp;P 500 lost 125.78 points, or 3.51 per cent, to 3,455.06 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 598.34 points, or 4.96 per cent, to 11,458.10.

Wall Street's main indexes closed sharply lower on Thursday, marking their deepest one-day dives in months as investors dumped the high-flying technology sector, while economic data highlighted concerns about a long and difficult recovery.

Wall Street's main indexes closed sharply lower on Thursday, marking their deepest one-day dives in months as investors dumped the high-flying technology sector, while economic data highlighted concerns about a long and difficult recovery. The technology-centric Nasdaq led the declines as its heavyweight stocks took a hit with the biggest drags from companies including Facebook Inc, Apple Inc, Amazon.com Inc, Microsoft Inc and Google-parent Alphabet Inc. Also read: E-commerce giant Amazon will create 7,000 jobs in the United Kingdom The five stocks, deemed strong bets because of solid cash positions and continued growth despite the coronavirus crisis, also account for roughly a quarter of the S&P 500's market value and have driven the stock market's narrow technology-led recovery from the pandemic lows hit in March. The Philadelphia chip index and the S&P tech sector also dropped more than 5 per cent each. Also read: Global economy will take $12 trillion hit from COVID-19: International Monetary Fund The pullback comes a day after the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq closed at record levels and the Dow came within 1.5 per cent of its February peak, powered by fiscal and monetary support hopes for a swift economic recovery. But some participants said investors had become too optimistic. Earlier in the day, data showed the number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, but remained extraordinarily high. The closely watched monthly payrolls report is set for Friday Separately, a survey showed US services industry growth slowed in August, likely as the boost from the reopening of businesses and fiscal stimulus faded. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 807.77 points, or 2.78 per cent, to close at 28,292.73, the S&P 500 lost 125.78 points, or 3.51 per cent, to 3,455.06 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 598.34 points, or 4.96 per cent, to 11,458.10.

Tech tumble jams Wall Street into reverse; sharpest fall since June

Apple Inc&nbsp;said on Friday it had terminated "Fortnite" creator Epic Games` account on its App Store amid a legal battle over the iPhone maker`s in-app payment guidelines and accusations they constitute a monopoly.

Apple said its move will not affect Epic Games` Unreal Engine, a software tool relied on by hundreds of other app makers.

But the move means iPhone users will not be able to download "Fortnite" or other Epic titles through the Apple App Store. Players who have already downloaded Epic`s games will still be able to play but will no longer be able to make in-app purchases with Apple`s payment system.

On Monday, a federal court ruled that Apple could block Epic`s titles from its store but could not take action that would harm Unreal Engine while Epic`s antitrust lawsuit against the iPhone maker plays out.

Apple pulled Epic after the popular games creator implemented a feature to let iPhone users make in-app purchases directly, rather than using Apple`s in-app purchase system, which charges commissions of 30%.

Apple had said it would allow "Fortnite" back into the store if Epic removed the direct payment feature. But Epic refused on Thursday, saying complying with Apple`s request would be "to collude with Apple to maintain their monopoly over in-app payments on iOS."

Epic`s decision all but assured its account would be terminated, the step Apple took Friday.

"The court recommended that Epic comply with the App Store guidelines while their case moves forward, guidelines they’ve followed for the past decade until they created this," Apple said in a statement. 
"Instead they repeatedly submit Fortnite updates designed to violate the guidelines of the App Store. This is not fair to all other developers on the App Store and is putting customers in the middle of their fight."

Apple Inc said on Friday it had terminated "Fortnite" creator Epic Games` account on its App Store amid a legal battle over the iPhone maker`s in-app payment guidelines and accusations they constitute a monopoly.

Apple Inc said on Friday it had terminated "Fortnite" creator Epic Games` account on its App Store amid a legal battle over the iPhone maker`s in-app payment guidelines and accusations they constitute a monopoly. Apple said its move will not affect Epic Games` Unreal Engine, a software tool relied on by hundreds of other app makers. But the move means iPhone users will not be able to download "Fortnite" or other Epic titles through the Apple App Store. Players who have already downloaded Epic`s games will still be able to play but will no longer be able to make in-app purchases with Apple`s payment system. On Monday, a federal court ruled that Apple could block Epic`s titles from its store but could not take action that would harm Unreal Engine while Epic`s antitrust lawsuit against the iPhone maker plays out. Apple pulled Epic after the popular games creator implemented a feature to let iPhone users make in-app purchases directly, rather than using Apple`s in-app purchase system, which charges commissions of 30%. Apple had said it would allow "Fortnite" back into the store if Epic removed the direct payment feature. But Epic refused on Thursday, saying complying with Apple`s request would be "to collude with Apple to maintain their monopoly over in-app payments on iOS." Epic`s decision all but assured its account would be terminated, the step Apple took Friday. "The court recommended that Epic comply with the App Store guidelines while their case moves forward, guidelines they’ve followed for the past decade until they created this," Apple said in a statement. "Instead they repeatedly submit Fortnite updates designed to violate the guidelines of the App Store. This is not fair to all other developers on the App Store and is putting customers in the middle of their fight."

Apple terminates 'Fortnite' creator's App Store account as lawsuit proceeds

Chinese consumers could boycott Apple if the United States bans WeChat, China's foreign ministry spokesman warned Friday, as the clock ticks down on a US order to block the popular social app.

US President Donald Trump this month announced a ban from mid-September on WeChat and another Chinese-owned app, TikTok, accusing them of threatening national security, further stoking tensions between Beijing and Washington.

But foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian tweeted Friday that "If WeChat is banned, then there will be no reason why Chinese shall keep iPhone and apple products".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/walmart-says-teaming-with-microsoft-in-bid-for-tiktok-323532" hreflang="en">Walmart says teaming with Microsoft in bid for TikTok</a>

Zhao had already on Thursday said&nbsp;"many Chinese people are saying they may stop using iPhones if WeChat is banned in the US", and &nbsp;accused the US of "systematic economic bullying of non-US companies" by targeting the Chinese app.

The comments mark a rare direct reference by Beijing to boycotting an American product and come as the superpowers spar on multiple fronts including military activity in the South China Sea, Hong Kong and blame for the coronavirus.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazons-jeff-bezos-becomes-first-billionaire-in-modern-history-to-cross-the-200-billion-net-worth-report-323384" hreflang="en">Amazon's Jeff Bezos becomes first billionaire in modern history to cross the $200 billion net worth: Report</a>

Chinese social media users on Friday responded with mixed feelings to Zhao's warning on Twitter, which is blocked in China but accessible through virtual private network software.

"I use Apple, but I also love my country," one user on the Twitter-like Weibo platform. "It's not a conflict."

"No matter how good Apple is, it's just a phone. It can be replaced, but WeChat is different," another user argued. "Modern Chinese people will lose their soul if they leave WeChat, especially business people."

Wechat, known in mainland China as Weixin, has more than 1.2 billion active users.

Trump's executive order against WeChat forces the platform to end all operations in the United States and bans Americans doing business with it.

Apple accounted for eight percent of China's smartphone market in the second quarter of 2020, according to Counterpoint Research, far behind domestic leader Huawei.

Chinese consumers could boycott Apple if the United States bans WeChat, China's foreign ministry spokesman warned Friday, as the clock ticks down on a US order to block the popular social app.

Chinese consumers could boycott Apple if the United States bans WeChat, China's foreign ministry spokesman warned Friday, as the clock ticks down on a US order to block the popular social app. US President Donald Trump this month announced a ban from mid-September on WeChat and another Chinese-owned app, TikTok, accusing them of threatening national security, further stoking tensions between Beijing and Washington. But foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian tweeted Friday that "If WeChat is banned, then there will be no reason why Chinese shall keep iPhone and apple products". Also read: Walmart says teaming with Microsoft in bid for TikTok Zhao had already on Thursday said "many Chinese people are saying they may stop using iPhones if WeChat is banned in the US", and accused the US of "systematic economic bullying of non-US companies" by targeting the Chinese app. The comments mark a rare direct reference by Beijing to boycotting an American product and come as the superpowers spar on multiple fronts including military activity in the South China Sea, Hong Kong and blame for the coronavirus. Also read: Amazon's Jeff Bezos becomes first billionaire in modern history to cross the $200 billion net worth: Report Chinese social media users on Friday responded with mixed feelings to Zhao's warning on Twitter, which is blocked in China but accessible through virtual private network software. "I use Apple, but I also love my country," one user on the Twitter-like Weibo platform. "It's not a conflict." "No matter how good Apple is, it's just a phone. It can be replaced, but WeChat is different," another user argued. "Modern Chinese people will lose their soul if they leave WeChat, especially business people." Wechat, known in mainland China as Weixin, has more than 1.2 billion active users. Trump's executive order against WeChat forces the platform to end all operations in the United States and bans Americans doing business with it. Apple accounted for eight percent of China's smartphone market in the second quarter of 2020, according to Counterpoint Research, far behind domestic leader Huawei.

If WeChat is banned, no reason why Chinese shall keep iPhone and apple products: Foreign ministry

Amazon.com on Thursday (August 27) launched fitness band and app "Halo" as the e-commerce giant looks to take on Apple, Fitbit and Samsung in an increasingly crowded fitness tracker market.

Amazon launches its first fitness band in bid to take on Fitbit, others

In the recent legal war between Apple Inc and 'Fortnite' creator Epic Games, a federal judge has ruled against Apple's move to block Fortnite from Apple Store.

The ruling, that came out late on Monday, has safeguarded Epic Games' computer graphics software Unreal Engine, questioning Apple's commission fee.

“Epic Games and Apple are at liberty to litigate against each other, but their dispute should not create havoc to bystanders,” Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers wrote in the ruling.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/apple-says-fortnite-maker-wanted-side-letter-to-create-own-game-store-322405">Also read|&nbsp;Apple says 'Fortnite' maker wanted 'side letter' to create own game store</a>

The legal and social batlle started when Apple Inc blocked Fortnite from the App Store, and the distribution of Unreal Engine claiming accusing Epic Games of not following the regulations set by Apple regarding the in-game purchases. The gaming company was accused as it allegedly used its own method of&nbsp;in-game purchases in the new update of teh popular "Fortnite" game, instead of stickng to the Apple's system of charging commission, through which Apple charges 15-30 per cent.

Epic Games had asked Apple, through legal actions and social media campaigns,&nbsp;to reverse its actions and unblock the game and the Unreal Engine. Apple was accused of engaging in anticompetitive behaviour and abusing the tech giant's dominance in the market.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/one-bad-apple-freefortnite-tournament-takes-a-dig-at-apple-322317">Also read|&nbsp;'One bad apple': #FreeFortnite tournament takes a dig at Apple</a>

The federal judge, too, raised a similar question on the set commission fee. “The question is, without competition, where does the 30% (App Store commission) come from? Why isn’t it 10? 20? How is the consumer benefiting?” she asked.

However,&nbsp;Apple counsel Richard Doren used&nbsp;Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook's argument and explained that the consumers have a choice of buying an Android or an iOS phone and therefore it is “the competition is in the foremarket."

Rogers continued the argument stting that there was “plenty of economic theory” to show that switching brands imposed costs on consumers. However, Diren, who was at one point muted by the Judge, said he can prove that&nbsp;“people switch all the time”.

The two companies have been at each other's hit-list for the last few months now due to the commission war. Fortnite has appealed to its users through social media posts, YouTube videos and a champiosnhip with hashtag og #FreeFortnite.

In the recent legal war between Apple Inc and 'Fortnite' creator Epic Games, a federal judge has ruled against Apple's move to block Fortnite from Apple Store. The ruling, that came out late on Monday, has safeguarded Epic Games' computer graphics software Unreal Engine, questioning Apple's commission fee.

In the recent legal war between Apple Inc and 'Fortnite' creator Epic Games, a federal judge has ruled against Apple's move to block Fortnite from Apple Store. The ruling, that came out late on Monday, has safeguarded Epic Games' computer graphics software Unreal Engine, questioning Apple's commission fee. “Epic Games and Apple are at liberty to litigate against each other, but their dispute should not create havoc to bystanders,” Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers wrote in the ruling. Also read| Apple says 'Fortnite' maker wanted 'side letter' to create own game store The legal and social batlle started when Apple Inc blocked Fortnite from the App Store, and the distribution of Unreal Engine claiming accusing Epic Games of not following the regulations set by Apple regarding the in-game purchases. The gaming company was accused as it allegedly used its own method of in-game purchases in the new update of teh popular "Fortnite" game, instead of stickng to the Apple's system of charging commission, through which Apple charges 15-30 per cent. Epic Games had asked Apple, through legal actions and social media campaigns, to reverse its actions and unblock the game and the Unreal Engine. Apple was accused of engaging in anticompetitive behaviour and abusing the tech giant's dominance in the market. Also read| 'One bad apple': #FreeFortnite tournament takes a dig at Apple The federal judge, too, raised a similar question on the set commission fee. “The question is, without competition, where does the 30% (App Store commission) come from? Why isn’t it 10? 20? How is the consumer benefiting?” she asked. However, Apple counsel Richard Doren used Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook's argument and explained that the consumers have a choice of buying an Android or an iOS phone and therefore it is “the competition is in the foremarket." Rogers continued the argument stting that there was “plenty of economic theory” to show that switching brands imposed costs on consumers. However, Diren, who was at one point muted by the Judge, said he can prove that “people switch all the time”. The two companies have been at each other's hit-list for the last few months now due to the commission war. Fortnite has appealed to its users through social media posts, YouTube videos and a champiosnhip with hashtag og #FreeFortnite.

Judge rules against Apple's decision to block Epic's Unreal Engine

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