Are you also guilty of holding on to excessive digital data? If so, this video will help you deal with the issue.

Digital hoarding: What it is and why you should care

In the past few days, Tesla had to recall nearly 900,000 cars in the US alone due to various security flaws. Once again, Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk are being criticised for consciously selling faulty cars. We get you all the details in this video.

Why does Tesla keep recalling cars? | Tech It Out

Indian officials have held a heated exchange with the US tech giants Google, Twitter and Facebook for not proactively removing fake news from their platforms.

India grills US tech giants for inaction on Fake News, seeks tougher crackdown

The flying car gets authorisation from civil aviation regulators. The Aircar is created by a Slovakian company called Klein Vision.

The flying car gets authorisation from civil aviation regulators

On Tech It Out, we keep warning you about emerging cyber threats. This video is about a new Instagram scam that is tricking people into sharing confidential details.

Scam alert! Instagram users targeted with bogus copyright infringement notices

On Tech It Out, we keep warning you about cybersecurity threats. In this video, we are not going to share tips on how you can keep yourself safe online. Instead, we tell you which cybersecurity risks are overhyped. We hope this report will clear some common misconceptions about cyber threats.

Cybersecurity myths you need to stop believing

Tech companies from around the world showcased new innovations at the Consumer Electronics Show 2022. Here’s our pick of quirky technologies and futuristic gadgets that made a lot of noise at the tech extravaganza.

CES 2022: Wacky gadgets at the world's biggest tech show | Tech It Out

Another year has wrapped up.

Another variant is making headlines.

Curfews and restrictions are back. And a strong sense of Deja vu is setting in.

As we head into the new year with caution and some excitement, some of us are investing in fitness equipment, a great gym membership or a new set of wheels.

We suggest you put some technology in your year-end shopping basket.

Here's our annual buying guide with some of the leading products across categories and budgets. There's something for everyone!

THE iPAD MINI IS FOR EVERYONE

<img alt="Apple iPad" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e3bee215-2950-4e4d-95f8-655e992abeee" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/ipad.JPG" />

It's more compact that its bigger cousin, comes with a fantastic 8.3-inch screen and probably has more bells and whistles than the standard iPad. The tablet starts at Rs 46,900 and comes in pink, starlight, purple, and space grey finishes. Powered by the mighty A15 chipset and iPad OS15, the gadget is ideal for content consumption, multi-tasking and a lot more. You will need to dole out more money for accessories like the Apple Pencil.

THE DYSON AIRWRAP FOR EVERY TWIRL AND CURL

<img alt="Dyson" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0d806cbd-101e-4414-b2c9-c42b49b81b5f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/dyson.JPG" />

The AirWrap has been a popular hair styling tool for years and continues to be on demand even as we enter a new year. Dyson's superior technology gives you the perfect blowout without putting too much heat on your strands. Gift this to your mum, partner or sister and I guarantee, they will be smiling ear to ear. Be prepared to loosen the purse strings because this one is priced at Rs 42,900.

ALL ABOUT PERSONAL AUDIO

If you're looking for a pair of headphones to drown out the year-end humdrum and just enjoy some "me time", I recommend you gift yourself the Sony WH-1000XM4 which offers improved noise cancellation and crystal-clear audio. The 30-hour battery and superior wireless listening experience also translates to the steep price tag of Rs 22,990.

ALEXA AND SIRI CAN HELP YOU MULTI-TASK

<img alt="Amazon" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9a803576-c9ff-47d6-a653-d4806993ae4b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/amazon_1.JPG" />

Smart speakers and displays have made their way into our bedrooms and they're not going anywhere. If you're in the Apple ecosystem, I suggest you buy the HomePod Mini which will be a seamless addition to your home. It looks elegant and comes in exciting colours like yellow, orange and blue. At only 3.3-inches tall, it can be parked anywhere and is priced at Rs 9,900.

<img alt="Siri" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e0c94c57-503e-40f3-a16a-141b6d863b53" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/homepod.JPG" />

And if you're an Alexa fan, I suggest you buy the Amazon Echo Show 10, available for around Rs 20,000. The massive screen and speaker will follow your voice all because of its motion sensor. The biggest model in the Echo family can be used to follow recipes, workouts, entertain your child and even enjoy content with the family.

And if you're just looking for a wake-up call in the new year, opt for the Lenovo Smart Clock 2, a great speaker and smart clock for daily use, priced at around Rs 6,500.

2022: ALL ABOUT FITNESS?

For all those who have put their fitness goals on the back burner, don't be hard on yourselves. A new year brings new resolutions and fitness ranks high among them. The FlexBike from Indian start-up Flexnest is a great way to get some cardio in. It is ergonomically designed which makes it easy to fit into a corner and even be moved around owing to the wheels at the bottom. The FlexBike is priced at INR 29,990 and offers you a range of workouts through the Flexnest app.

If you need a smartwatch or fitness tracker to help you meet your goals and get you moving, opt for the Galaxy Watch 4 starting at Rs 24,999 which is the perfect smartwatch for android users. For Apple users, the Apple Watch Series 7 if a favourite though costs much more at nearly Rs 42,000.

A TABLET WHICH CAN BEND TO YOUR LIKING

The Lenovo Yoga Tab 11 makes it to this list for one reason alone and that's design. Its sleek kickstand makes it ideal for content consumption especially during travels. But that's not all, you can also multi-task, check emails and the tab won't disappoint. It can be yours for around Rs 28,000 and given its superior design and multiple uses, it's a great investment.

CLEARING THE AIR

If you still think an air purifier is a luxury, look around you. Air pollution and poor indoor air quality is making headlines and air purifiers have made way into hotels, gyms, spas and office spaces. For your home, I recommend the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool priced at Rs 47,515. It will help you breathe better, is a great investment for houses where members are prone to seasonal allergies, and also performs the bonus function of acting as a heater for those winter months.

A LITTLE BIT OF NOSTALGIA&nbsp;

<img alt="Instax" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="feb4fec8-e4dc-4cfc-aef7-44fef3b6dc5a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/INSTAX%20BUTTER%201.jpeg" />

Fujifilm's Instax cameras have been a bit hit with millennials and the company recently collaborated with pop icons BTS to launch their new Instax Mini 11 Butter version, a reference to the popular song this year. It comes in a vibrant colour and is a great gift too. It can be yours for around Rs 10,000.

READ MORE IN 2022

My final suggestion is something which will hopefully encourage everyone to read more, especially those digital natives who don't visit bookstores anymore. Priced at nearly Rs 14,000, the new Kindle Paperwhite is faster and smoother than its predecessor and comes pretty close to the feel of a real hardback without the need for great lighting to enjoy your favourite book. With Omicron cases rising, I suggest you curl up with your Kindle and enjoy the thrill of a new novel in bed instead of risking an infection by stepping out.

Here's hoping some of these suggestions make way into your lives and on that note, happy new year!

Another year has wrapped up. Another variant is making headlines. Curfews and restrictions are back. And a strong sense of Deja vu is setting in. As we head into the new year with caution and some excitement, some of us are investing in fitness equipment, a great gym membership or a new set of wheels.

Another year has wrapped up. Another variant is making headlines. Curfews and restrictions are back. And a strong sense of Deja vu is setting in. As we head into the new year with caution and some excitement, some of us are investing in fitness equipment, a great gym membership or a new set of wheels. We suggest you put some technology in your year-end shopping basket. Here's our annual buying guide with some of the leading products across categories and budgets. There's something for everyone! THE iPAD MINI IS FOR EVERYONE It's more compact that its bigger cousin, comes with a fantastic 8.3-inch screen and probably has more bells and whistles than the standard iPad. The tablet starts at Rs 46,900 and comes in pink, starlight, purple, and space grey finishes. Powered by the mighty A15 chipset and iPad OS15, the gadget is ideal for content consumption, multi-tasking and a lot more. You will need to dole out more money for accessories like the Apple Pencil. THE DYSON AIRWRAP FOR EVERY TWIRL AND CURL The AirWrap has been a popular hair styling tool for years and continues to be on demand even as we enter a new year. Dyson's superior technology gives you the perfect blowout without putting too much heat on your strands. Gift this to your mum, partner or sister and I guarantee, they will be smiling ear to ear. Be prepared to loosen the purse strings because this one is priced at Rs 42,900. ALL ABOUT PERSONAL AUDIO If you're looking for a pair of headphones to drown out the year-end humdrum and just enjoy some "me time", I recommend you gift yourself the Sony WH-1000XM4 which offers improved noise cancellation and crystal-clear audio. The 30-hour battery and superior wireless listening experience also translates to the steep price tag of Rs 22,990. ALEXA AND SIRI CAN HELP YOU MULTI-TASK Smart speakers and displays have made their way into our bedrooms and they're not going anywhere. If you're in the Apple ecosystem, I suggest you buy the HomePod Mini which will be a seamless addition to your home. It looks elegant and comes in exciting colours like yellow, orange and blue. At only 3.3-inches tall, it can be parked anywhere and is priced at Rs 9,900. And if you're an Alexa fan, I suggest you buy the Amazon Echo Show 10, available for around Rs 20,000. The massive screen and speaker will follow your voice all because of its motion sensor. The biggest model in the Echo family can be used to follow recipes, workouts, entertain your child and even enjoy content with the family. And if you're just looking for a wake-up call in the new year, opt for the Lenovo Smart Clock 2, a great speaker and smart clock for daily use, priced at around Rs 6,500. 2022: ALL ABOUT FITNESS? For all those who have put their fitness goals on the back burner, don't be hard on yourselves. A new year brings new resolutions and fitness ranks high among them. The FlexBike from Indian start-up Flexnest is a great way to get some cardio in. It is ergonomically designed which makes it easy to fit into a corner and even be moved around owing to the wheels at the bottom. The FlexBike is priced at INR 29,990 and offers you a range of workouts through the Flexnest app. If you need a smartwatch or fitness tracker to help you meet your goals and get you moving, opt for the Galaxy Watch 4 starting at Rs 24,999 which is the perfect smartwatch for android users. For Apple users, the Apple Watch Series 7 if a favourite though costs much more at nearly Rs 42,000. A TABLET WHICH CAN BEND TO YOUR LIKING The Lenovo Yoga Tab 11 makes it to this list for one reason alone and that's design. Its sleek kickstand makes it ideal for content consumption especially during travels. But that's not all, you can also multi-task, check emails and the tab won't disappoint. It can be yours for around Rs 28,000 and given its superior design and multiple uses, it's a great investment. CLEARING THE AIR If you still think an air purifier is a luxury, look around you. Air pollution and poor indoor air quality is making headlines and air purifiers have made way into hotels, gyms, spas and office spaces. For your home, I recommend the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool priced at Rs 47,515. It will help you breathe better, is a great investment for houses where members are prone to seasonal allergies, and also performs the bonus function of acting as a heater for those winter months. A LITTLE BIT OF NOSTALGIA Fujifilm's Instax cameras have been a bit hit with millennials and the company recently collaborated with pop icons BTS to launch their new Instax Mini 11 Butter version, a reference to the popular song this year. It comes in a vibrant colour and is a great gift too. It can be yours for around Rs 10,000. READ MORE IN 2022 My final suggestion is something which will hopefully encourage everyone to read more, especially those digital natives who don't visit bookstores anymore. Priced at nearly Rs 14,000, the new Kindle Paperwhite is faster and smoother than its predecessor and comes pretty close to the feel of a real hardback without the need for great lighting to enjoy your favourite book. With Omicron cases rising, I suggest you curl up with your Kindle and enjoy the thrill of a new novel in bed instead of risking an infection by stepping out. Here's hoping some of these suggestions make way into your lives and on that note, happy new year!

Our annual tech buying guide 2021

Apple Inc has told its component suppliers that demand for the iPhone 13 lineup has slowed, people familiar with the matter said, signalling that some consumers have decided against trying to get the hard-to-find item.

Apple: Demand for iPhone 13 weakens

Tech behemoth Tencent Holdings has been asked by the Chinese authorities to get approval from them for inspections before sending app updates, state broadcaster CCTV said.

According to reports, the company must submit any new apps or updates for inspection by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology before they can be uploaded or updated.

The move from the Chinese government comes after nine of the group’s apps were found to have committed “violations” since the beginning of the year, prompting the need for “transitional administrative guidance measures”, CCTV quoted the government as saying.

"After passing inspection, they can then be launched to users as usual,” the ministry said, according to CCTV in a report Wednesday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/hyundai-tencent-to-develop-software-for-driverless-cars-report-208310">Hyundai, Tencent to develop software for driverless cars: Report</a>

Meanwhile, Tencent told AFP that it would comply with the requirements.

“We are continuously working to enhance user protection features within our apps, and also have regular co-operation with relevant government agencies to ensure regulatory compliance. Our apps remain functional and available for download,” it said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-summons-alibaba-tencent-and-others-over-deep-fakes-internet-security-371351">China summons Alibaba, Tencent and others over 'deep fakes', internet security</a>

Tencent’s most popular apps include the instant messengers Tencent QQ and WeChat, and one of the largest web portals, QQ.com.

It also has a majority stake in popular games like PUNBG and Clash of Clans.

Chinese regulators have in over the past year mounted a wide-ranging crackdown on its tech giants, seeking to dismantle some of the industry's long-held practices after accusing them of monopolistic behaviour and infringing user rights.

This month, Tencent reported its slowest revenue growth since 2004.

(With inputs from agencies)

Tech behemoth Tencent Holdings has been asked by the Chinese authorities to get approval from them for inspections before sending app updates, state broadcaster CCTV said.

Tech behemoth Tencent Holdings has been asked by the Chinese authorities to get approval from them for inspections before sending app updates, state broadcaster CCTV said. According to reports, the company must submit any new apps or updates for inspection by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology before they can be uploaded or updated. The move from the Chinese government comes after nine of the group’s apps were found to have committed “violations” since the beginning of the year, prompting the need for “transitional administrative guidance measures”, CCTV quoted the government as saying. "After passing inspection, they can then be launched to users as usual,” the ministry said, according to CCTV in a report Wednesday. Also read | Hyundai, Tencent to develop software for driverless cars: Report Meanwhile, Tencent told AFP that it would comply with the requirements. “We are continuously working to enhance user protection features within our apps, and also have regular co-operation with relevant government agencies to ensure regulatory compliance. Our apps remain functional and available for download,” it said. Also read | China summons Alibaba, Tencent and others over 'deep fakes', internet security Tencent’s most popular apps include the instant messengers Tencent QQ and WeChat, and one of the largest web portals, QQ.com. It also has a majority stake in popular games like PUNBG and Clash of Clans. Chinese regulators have in over the past year mounted a wide-ranging crackdown on its tech giants, seeking to dismantle some of the industry's long-held practices after accusing them of monopolistic behaviour and infringing user rights. This month, Tencent reported its slowest revenue growth since 2004. (With inputs from agencies)

Chinese regulators tell Tencent to get approval before launching apps, updates

China's market regulator has been fining companies for failing to declare 43 deals to&nbsp;the authorities that date back to 2016. These companies include Alibaba, Baidu and JD.com. The companies are being fined with an amount of 500,000 yuan under China's 2008 Anti-Monopoly law.

The earliest listed deal was from the year 2012 and the latest one was from 2021. It was an agreement between Baidu and Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holdings to create a new-energy vehicle company.

Few other deals include Alibaba's 2014 acquisition of Chinese digital mapping firm AutoNavi and itspurchase of a 44 per cent stake in Ele.me with the aim of becoming the food delivery service's largest shareholder.

Alibaba, Baidu, JD.com and Geely have not yet commented on the same.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/one-year-since-jack-mas-speech-alibaba-has-lost-344-billion-report-423908">Also read |&nbsp;One year since Jack Ma's speech, Alibaba has lost $344 billion: Report</a>

Meanwhile, earlier a Bloomberg report cited that Alibaba has lost around $344 billion in market capitalisation, the largest ever decline in shareholder value globally.

In response to Jack Ma's speech last year, Chinese authorities had not only pulled Ant's IPO but also launched an antitrust probe against Alibaba, which ultimately resulted in a $2.75 billion fine for the company.

The value of Alibaba's stock fell the most over the past year globally.&nbsp;

Jack Ma, delivered a blunt criticism of China's financial system last October. This is when few had predicted a downward spiral for the holdings of the group.

China's market regulator has been fining companies for failing to declare 43 deals to the authorities that date back to 2016. These companies include Alibaba, Baidu and JD.

China's market regulator has been fining companies for failing to declare 43 deals to the authorities that date back to 2016. These companies include Alibaba, Baidu and JD.com. The companies are being fined with an amount of 500,000 yuan under China's 2008 Anti-Monopoly law. The earliest listed deal was from the year 2012 and the latest one was from 2021. It was an agreement between Baidu and Chinese automaker Zhejiang Geely Holdings to create a new-energy vehicle company. Few other deals include Alibaba's 2014 acquisition of Chinese digital mapping firm AutoNavi and itspurchase of a 44 per cent stake in Ele.me with the aim of becoming the food delivery service's largest shareholder. Alibaba, Baidu, JD.com and Geely have not yet commented on the same. Also read | One year since Jack Ma's speech, Alibaba has lost $344 billion: Report Meanwhile, earlier a Bloomberg report cited that Alibaba has lost around $344 billion in market capitalisation, the largest ever decline in shareholder value globally. In response to Jack Ma's speech last year, Chinese authorities had not only pulled Ant's IPO but also launched an antitrust probe against Alibaba, which ultimately resulted in a $2.75 billion fine for the company. The value of Alibaba's stock fell the most over the past year globally. Jack Ma, delivered a blunt criticism of China's financial system last October. This is when few had predicted a downward spiral for the holdings of the group.

China imposes a fine of $78,000 each on major tech giants

Carbon capture technology is seen as a promising solution, but can it bring about a significant change?

Carbon capture technology: Can it fight climate change?

Let’s talk about buying an iPhone for $1,000. Tim Cook, Apple’s chief executive, once compared this eye-popping price tag to buying a cup of coffee a day over a year. No big deal, right?

But financial advisers see this differently. By some estimates, an investment of $1,000 in a retirement account today would balloon to about $17,000 in 30 years.

In other words, $700 to $1,000 — the price range of modern smartphones — is a big purchase. Fewer than half of American adults have enough savings set aside to cover three months of emergency expenses, according to the Pew Research Center. Yet 1 in 5 people surveyed by financial website WalletHub thought a new phone was worth going into debt for.

Tech companies fairly argue that our smartphones are our most powerful tools for work and play and thus worth every penny. But they also play numbers games to downplay the costs of a new phone. Samsung, for example, has said the price of its new Galaxy phone is $200 — but that’s only if you trade in a year-old phone for credit toward the new one. The true price is $800.

So it’s worth looking at phone upgrades in a different light to weigh their financial impact. That can help us make well-considered decisions so that the move isn’t automatic.

The irony of Cook’s coffee analogy isn’t lost on Suze Orman, the financial adviser who once famously equated people’s coffee habits to “peeing $1 million down the drain.” The seemingly small amount of money that people mindlessly spend on java — and now phone upgrades — could be a path to poverty, she said.

“Do you need a new one every single year?” asked Orman, who hosts the “Women and Money” podcast. “Absolutely not. It’s just a ridiculous waste of money.”

Apple and Samsung didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

So what’s the true cost of a phone upgrade? Let’s look at the math.

Flipsy, a company that buys and sells used phones, published an analysis this year arguing that it’s smart to buy a new iPhone every year. Here was its breakdown:

— The iPhone 12 cost $799 last year. It’s now worth $460 if you trade it in to defray the cost of a new phone. The newest iPhones, the iPhone 13, also cost $799. So if you traded in your iPhone 12, the iPhone 13 would cost $339. At this rate, if you bought an iPhone every year for four years, including the original $799, the net total would be $1,816.

— If you waited three years for the iPhone 15, your iPhone 12’s trade-in value would diminish to about $200. Trade it in and the cost of the iPhone 13 would be $599. Add in the original $799 and your net cost over four years would be $1,398.

In summary, upgrading annually over three years costs $418 more, or roughly $12 a month, compared with upgrading every three years, Flipsy said.

Framed this way, it may sound like a bargain to get a new phone every year as opposed to every few years. But plugging these numbers into a financial calculator tells a different story.

If you put $12 a month into a retirement account, like a Roth IRA that has an average annual rate of return of 10%, that amount would turn into $25,161 over 30 years, according to Orman’s savings calculator.

Orman compared the trade-in dilemma to buying cars. Car manufacturers could argue that the diminishing trade-in value of your car should compel you to buy a new one regularly — but don’t fall for it.

“I love my car, and I don’t care that the value goes down,” she said. “Think of the 11 years I have saved money not having car payments, or trading it in and spending more money to get another car.”

So what about those cups of coffee? On average, we pay $3 a cup, so $1,000 could buy roughly 333 cups. But naturally, making your own coffee is much cheaper.

I plugged some numbers into a coffee calculator designed by Bone Fide Wealth, a financial planning service. A $16 bag of beans from Peet’s Coffee at Costco could brew about 41 cups of coffee for 39 cents each. So a $1,000 iPhone is worth about 2,500 cups of coffee. Not as compelling.

Doug Boneparth, the president of Bone Fide Wealth, made a counterpoint. For people who have plenty of cash and are aware of the effects of their spending, splurging on new phones could be inconsequential to their overall savings goals compared with bigger expenses like housing — and if phones make them happy, go for it. He said he sets aside cash every year to buy a new iPhone as a sort of hobby.

“Personal finance is quite personal,” Boneparth said.

But he acknowledged that even his hobby was beginning to have diminishing returns because new phones weren’t getting much better technologically every year. “The 13 is the first one where I’m like, ‘This one literally only has a better camera,’” he said of the latest iPhone.

Orman cautioned that for most people who didn’t have as much money in the bank, especially those in debt, the effects of a phone upgrade could snowball. A $1,000 phone charged to a credit card could turn into $3,000 with interest by the time it’s paid off, she said. More debt could also affect your credit score, making it harder to buy or rent a home.

“If you think a phone is worth going into debt for, then, oh my God, you’ve now just set yourself up for always being in debt,” she said. “The truth of the matter is there’s nothing other than a medical expense worth going into debt for.”

Let’s talk about buying an iPhone for $1,000. Tim Cook, Apple’s chief executive, once compared this eye-popping price tag to buying a cup of coffee a day over a year.

Let’s talk about buying an iPhone for $1,000. Tim Cook, Apple’s chief executive, once compared this eye-popping price tag to buying a cup of coffee a day over a year. No big deal, right? But financial advisers see this differently. By some estimates, an investment of $1,000 in a retirement account today would balloon to about $17,000 in 30 years. In other words, $700 to $1,000 — the price range of modern smartphones — is a big purchase. Fewer than half of American adults have enough savings set aside to cover three months of emergency expenses, according to the Pew Research Center. Yet 1 in 5 people surveyed by financial website WalletHub thought a new phone was worth going into debt for. Tech companies fairly argue that our smartphones are our most powerful tools for work and play and thus worth every penny. But they also play numbers games to downplay the costs of a new phone. Samsung, for example, has said the price of its new Galaxy phone is $200 — but that’s only if you trade in a year-old phone for credit toward the new one. The true price is $800. So it’s worth looking at phone upgrades in a different light to weigh their financial impact. That can help us make well-considered decisions so that the move isn’t automatic. The irony of Cook’s coffee analogy isn’t lost on Suze Orman, the financial adviser who once famously equated people’s coffee habits to “peeing $1 million down the drain.” The seemingly small amount of money that people mindlessly spend on java — and now phone upgrades — could be a path to poverty, she said. “Do you need a new one every single year?” asked Orman, who hosts the “Women and Money” podcast. “Absolutely not. It’s just a ridiculous waste of money.” Apple and Samsung didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. So what’s the true cost of a phone upgrade? Let’s look at the math. Flipsy, a company that buys and sells used phones, published an analysis this year arguing that it’s smart to buy a new iPhone every year. Here was its breakdown: — The iPhone 12 cost $799 last year. It’s now worth $460 if you trade it in to defray the cost of a new phone. The newest iPhones, the iPhone 13, also cost $799. So if you traded in your iPhone 12, the iPhone 13 would cost $339. At this rate, if you bought an iPhone every year for four years, including the original $799, the net total would be $1,816. — If you waited three years for the iPhone 15, your iPhone 12’s trade-in value would diminish to about $200. Trade it in and the cost of the iPhone 13 would be $599. Add in the original $799 and your net cost over four years would be $1,398. In summary, upgrading annually over three years costs $418 more, or roughly $12 a month, compared with upgrading every three years, Flipsy said. Framed this way, it may sound like a bargain to get a new phone every year as opposed to every few years. But plugging these numbers into a financial calculator tells a different story. If you put $12 a month into a retirement account, like a Roth IRA that has an average annual rate of return of 10%, that amount would turn into $25,161 over 30 years, according to Orman’s savings calculator. Orman compared the trade-in dilemma to buying cars. Car manufacturers could argue that the diminishing trade-in value of your car should compel you to buy a new one regularly — but don’t fall for it. “I love my car, and I don’t care that the value goes down,” she said. “Think of the 11 years I have saved money not having car payments, or trading it in and spending more money to get another car.” So what about those cups of coffee? On average, we pay $3 a cup, so $1,000 could buy roughly 333 cups. But naturally, making your own coffee is much cheaper. I plugged some numbers into a coffee calculator designed by Bone Fide Wealth, a financial planning service. A $16 bag of beans from Peet’s Coffee at Costco could brew about 41 cups of coffee for 39 cents each. So a $1,000 iPhone is worth about 2,500 cups of coffee. Not as compelling. Doug Boneparth, the president of Bone Fide Wealth, made a counterpoint. For people who have plenty of cash and are aware of the effects of their spending, splurging on new phones could be inconsequential to their overall savings goals compared with bigger expenses like housing — and if phones make them happy, go for it. He said he sets aside cash every year to buy a new iPhone as a sort of hobby. “Personal finance is quite personal,” Boneparth said. But he acknowledged that even his hobby was beginning to have diminishing returns because new phones weren’t getting much better technologically every year. “The 13 is the first one where I’m like, ‘This one literally only has a better camera,’” he said of the latest iPhone. Orman cautioned that for most people who didn’t have as much money in the bank, especially those in debt, the effects of a phone upgrade could snowball. A $1,000 phone charged to a credit card could turn into $3,000 with interest by the time it’s paid off, she said. More debt could also affect your credit score, making it harder to buy or rent a home. “If you think a phone is worth going into debt for, then, oh my God, you’ve now just set yourself up for always being in debt,” she said. “The truth of the matter is there’s nothing other than a medical expense worth going into debt for.”

The true cost of upgrading your phone

Dutch and European startups are showcasing their latest gadgets at Consumer Electronics Show (CES), CES Unveiled Amsterdam runs from 14th-15th October. A relaxation VR app, an electric scooter, and a medical backpack are just a few of the gadgets on display at CES Unveiled Amsterdam.

Dutch and European startups showcase their gadgets at Consumer Electronics Show

DuckDuckGo and three other search engine rivals to Google on Thursday urged EU lawmakers to take action against the Alphabet unit via new tech rules, saying they have yet to see positive results from an antitrust ruling against Google.

The European Commission in 2018 levied a record 4.24- billion-euro ($5 billion) fine on Google for unfairly using Android to cement the dominance of its search engine and ordered it to ensure a level playing field for rivals.

Google subsequently made changes and four months ago said it would let rivals compete for free to be the default search engines on Android devices in Europe.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-to-invest-1-billion-to-lift-africa-internet-access-418618">Google to invest $1 billion to lift Africa internet access</a>

US&nbsp;search engine DuckDuckGo, Germany's Ecosia and French peers Qwant and Lilo said lawmakers should use tech rules drafted by EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager called the Digital Markets Act (DMA) to ensure competition.

"Despite recent changes, we do not believe it will move market share significantly due to its persisting limitations," they said in a joint letter to European Parliament lawmakers.

They said a preference menu that let users choose their search default when setting up an Android device is not available on Chrome desktop or on other operating systems, and that it is only shown once to users.

"The DMA should enshrine in law a requirement for a search engine preference menu that would effectively ban Google from acquiring default search access points of the operating systems and the browsers of gatekeepers," they said.

The DMA may come into force in 2023 once it gets the green light from EU lawmakers and EU countries. 
($1 = 0.8654 euros)

DuckDuckGo and three other search engine rivals to Google on Thursday urged EU lawmakers to take action against the Alphabet unit via new tech rules, saying they have yet to see positive results from an antitrust ruling against Google.

DuckDuckGo and three other search engine rivals to Google on Thursday urged EU lawmakers to take action against the Alphabet unit via new tech rules, saying they have yet to see positive results from an antitrust ruling against Google. The European Commission in 2018 levied a record 4.24- billion-euro ($5 billion) fine on Google for unfairly using Android to cement the dominance of its search engine and ordered it to ensure a level playing field for rivals. Google subsequently made changes and four months ago said it would let rivals compete for free to be the default search engines on Android devices in Europe. Also Read | Google to invest $1 billion to lift Africa internet access US search engine DuckDuckGo, Germany's Ecosia and French peers Qwant and Lilo said lawmakers should use tech rules drafted by EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager called the Digital Markets Act (DMA) to ensure competition. "Despite recent changes, we do not believe it will move market share significantly due to its persisting limitations," they said in a joint letter to European Parliament lawmakers. They said a preference menu that let users choose their search default when setting up an Android device is not available on Chrome desktop or on other operating systems, and that it is only shown once to users. "The DMA should enshrine in law a requirement for a search engine preference menu that would effectively ban Google from acquiring default search access points of the operating systems and the browsers of gatekeepers," they said. The DMA may come into force in 2023 once it gets the green light from EU lawmakers and EU countries. ($1 = 0.8654 euros)

Google rivals want EU lawmakers to act via new tech rules

China fired a fresh regulatory shot at its tech giants on Monday, telling them to end a long-standing practice of blocking each other's links on their sites or face consequences.

The comments, made by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) at a news briefing, mark the latest step in Beijing's broad regulatory crackdown&nbsp;that has ensnared sectors from technology to education and property and wiped billions of dollars off the market value of some of the country's largest companies.

China's internet is dominated by a handful of technology giants which have historically blocked links and services by rivals on their platforms.

Restricting normal access to internet links without proper reason "affects the user experience, damages the rights of users and disrupts market order," said MIIT spokesperson Zhao Zhiguo, adding that the ministry had received reports and complaints from users since it launched a review of industry practices in July.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-fines-alibaba-record-275-billion-for-anti-monopoly-violations-376566">Also read |&nbsp;China fines Alibaba record $2.75 billion for anti-monopoly violations&nbsp;</a>

"At present we are guiding relevant companies to carry out self-examination and rectification," he said, citing instant messaging platforms as one of the first areas they were targeting.

He did not specify what the consequences would be for companies that failed to abide by the new guidelines.

The MIIT did not name any companies, but the 21st Century Business Herald newspaper reported on Saturday&nbsp; that&nbsp;Alibaba&nbsp;Group Holding Ltd and Tencent Holdings Ltd were among the firms told to end the practice by an unspecified time last week.

Shares in&nbsp;Alibaba&nbsp;Group and Tencent Holdings fell on Monday by over 6% and 3% respectively against a 3% decline in the Hang Seng Tech Index.

COMMON PRACTICE

The practice targeted by the MIIT is common.

Tencent restricts users from sharing content from ByteDance-owned short video app Douyin on Tencent's instant messaging apps WeChat and QQ. In February, Douyin filed a complaintwith a Beijing court saying it constituted monopolistic behaviour. Tencent has called those accusations baseless.

In other cases,&nbsp;Alibaba's Taobao and Tmall e-commerce marketplaces do not allow Tencent's payment service WeChat Pay to be used as a payment option.

Tencent said it supported the MIIT's guidance and would make the necessary changes in phases.&nbsp;Alibaba&nbsp;said it would comply with the MIIT requirements and "looked forward to finding common ground with other platforms."

ByteDance "called on all Internet platforms to take action, not make excuses, clarify timetables and actively implement them to provide users with a safe, reliable and convenient network," it said in a statement.

Michael Norris, research and strategy manager at Shanghai-based consultancy AgencyChina, said, "Forced cracks in China's walled gardens has the potential to re-write China's digital advertising and e-commerce landscapes," said

"In the short term, all eyes will be on Tencent as it comes to grips with what it means to open WeChat to&nbsp;Alibaba&nbsp;and ByteDance," he said.

The MIIT also said on Monday that China had "too many" electric vehicle (EV) makers and the government would encourage consolidation.

China fired a fresh regulatory shot at its tech giants on Monday, telling them to end a long-standing practice of blocking each other's links on their sites or face consequences.

China fired a fresh regulatory shot at its tech giants on Monday, telling them to end a long-standing practice of blocking each other's links on their sites or face consequences. The comments, made by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) at a news briefing, mark the latest step in Beijing's broad regulatory crackdown that has ensnared sectors from technology to education and property and wiped billions of dollars off the market value of some of the country's largest companies. China's internet is dominated by a handful of technology giants which have historically blocked links and services by rivals on their platforms. Restricting normal access to internet links without proper reason "affects the user experience, damages the rights of users and disrupts market order," said MIIT spokesperson Zhao Zhiguo, adding that the ministry had received reports and complaints from users since it launched a review of industry practices in July. Also read | China fines Alibaba record $2.75 billion for anti-monopoly violations "At present we are guiding relevant companies to carry out self-examination and rectification," he said, citing instant messaging platforms as one of the first areas they were targeting. He did not specify what the consequences would be for companies that failed to abide by the new guidelines. The MIIT did not name any companies, but the 21st Century Business Herald newspaper reported on Saturday that Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and Tencent Holdings Ltd were among the firms told to end the practice by an unspecified time last week. Shares in Alibaba Group and Tencent Holdings fell on Monday by over 6% and 3% respectively against a 3% decline in the Hang Seng Tech Index. COMMON PRACTICE The practice targeted by the MIIT is common. Tencent restricts users from sharing content from ByteDance-owned short video app Douyin on Tencent's instant messaging apps WeChat and QQ. In February, Douyin filed a complaintwith a Beijing court saying it constituted monopolistic behaviour. Tencent has called those accusations baseless. In other cases, Alibaba's Taobao and Tmall e-commerce marketplaces do not allow Tencent's payment service WeChat Pay to be used as a payment option. Tencent said it supported the MIIT's guidance and would make the necessary changes in phases. Alibaba said it would comply with the MIIT requirements and "looked forward to finding common ground with other platforms." ByteDance "called on all Internet platforms to take action, not make excuses, clarify timetables and actively implement them to provide users with a safe, reliable and convenient network," it said in a statement. Michael Norris, research and strategy manager at Shanghai-based consultancy AgencyChina, said, "Forced cracks in China's walled gardens has the potential to re-write China's digital advertising and e-commerce landscapes," said "In the short term, all eyes will be on Tencent as it comes to grips with what it means to open WeChat to Alibaba and ByteDance," he said. The MIIT also said on Monday that China had "too many" electric vehicle (EV) makers and the government would encourage consolidation.

China tells tech giants to stop blocking rivals' links

Amazon is planning a huge recruitment drive and looking to hire 55,000 people for corporate and tech role globally. Reuters reported about the recruitment plans citing Amazon Chief Executive Andy Jassy exclusively. This was Jassy's first press interview since taking Amazon's top post in July.

The recruitment headcount alone is more than a third of Google's as of June 30 and is close to all of Facebook's

Jassy said that Amazon needed more firepower to keep up with demand in retail, the cloud, advertising and other businesses. &nbsp;He said the company's new bet to launch satellites into orbit to widen broadband access, called Project Kuiper, would require a lot of new hires, too.

With Amazon's annual job fair scheduled to begin Sept. 15, Jassy hopes now is a good time for recruiting.&nbsp; 
“There are so many jobs during the pandemic that have been displaced or have been altered, and there are so many people who are thinking about different and new jobs,” said Jassy, who cited a U.S. survey from PwC that 65% of workers wanted a new gig.

“It’s part of what we think makes ‘Career Day’ so timely and so useful,” he said. The new hires would represent a 20% increase in Amazon's tech and corporate staff, who currently number around 275,000 globally, the company said.

Amazon’s move, only the latest hiring spree on which it has embarked, follows a period of heightened scrutiny of its labor practices and opposition by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. read more Earlier this year, a failed effort by some staff in Alabama to organize put on display Amazon’s taxing warehouse work and its aggressive stance against unions. In that battle’s aftermath, Jeff Bezos, the CEO whom Jassy succeeded, said Amazon needed a better vision for employees.

Asked how he might change Amazon’s demanding workplace culture, Jassy said its heavy focus on customers and inventiveness set it up for improvements.

“Everybody at the company has the freedom - and really, the expectation - to critically look at how it can be better and then invent ways to make it better.”

The positions Amazon is marketing include engineering, research science and robotics roles, postings that are largely new to the company rather than jobs others quit, it said.

In a reopening U.S. economy, and tightening labor market, some companies have struggled to fill vacancies and balance remote and in-person work. It was unclear how many of the Amazon jobs - such as for competitive engineering hires - have been open for some time.

Amazon, which earlier touted an "office-centric culture," later dialed back its vision and offered workers the opportunity to spend just three days a week at its offices in person starting next year.

Amazon is planning a huge recruitment drive and looking to hire 55,000 people for corporate and tech role globally. Reuters reported about the recruitment plans citing Amazon Chief Executive Andy Jassy exclusively.

Amazon is planning a huge recruitment drive and looking to hire 55,000 people for corporate and tech role globally. Reuters reported about the recruitment plans citing Amazon Chief Executive Andy Jassy exclusively. This was Jassy's first press interview since taking Amazon's top post in July. The recruitment headcount alone is more than a third of Google's as of June 30 and is close to all of Facebook's Jassy said that Amazon needed more firepower to keep up with demand in retail, the cloud, advertising and other businesses. He said the company's new bet to launch satellites into orbit to widen broadband access, called Project Kuiper, would require a lot of new hires, too. With Amazon's annual job fair scheduled to begin Sept. 15, Jassy hopes now is a good time for recruiting. “There are so many jobs during the pandemic that have been displaced or have been altered, and there are so many people who are thinking about different and new jobs,” said Jassy, who cited a U.S. survey from PwC that 65% of workers wanted a new gig. “It’s part of what we think makes ‘Career Day’ so timely and so useful,” he said. The new hires would represent a 20% increase in Amazon's tech and corporate staff, who currently number around 275,000 globally, the company said. Amazon’s move, only the latest hiring spree on which it has embarked, follows a period of heightened scrutiny of its labor practices and opposition by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. read more Earlier this year, a failed effort by some staff in Alabama to organize put on display Amazon’s taxing warehouse work and its aggressive stance against unions. In that battle’s aftermath, Jeff Bezos, the CEO whom Jassy succeeded, said Amazon needed a better vision for employees. Asked how he might change Amazon’s demanding workplace culture, Jassy said its heavy focus on customers and inventiveness set it up for improvements. “Everybody at the company has the freedom - and really, the expectation - to critically look at how it can be better and then invent ways to make it better.” The positions Amazon is marketing include engineering, research science and robotics roles, postings that are largely new to the company rather than jobs others quit, it said. In a reopening U.S. economy, and tightening labor market, some companies have struggled to fill vacancies and balance remote and in-person work. It was unclear how many of the Amazon jobs - such as for competitive engineering hires - have been open for some time. Amazon, which earlier touted an "office-centric culture," later dialed back its vision and offered workers the opportunity to spend just three days a week at its offices in person starting next year.

Amazon to hire 55,000 people in a big recruitment push

Last week, a cyberattack on American IT firm Kaseya, was reported to be the biggest global ransomware attack on record. It's reported that hackers have demanded $70 million to restore the data. This time, it's an American company that has been hit, but unfortunately, cyberattacks are not restricted to any particular country. Many nations are witnessing a rash of high-profile ransomware attacks. Cyber criminals are exploiting vulnerabilities to attack the critical IT infrastructure of different companies and countries. Clearly, cyber space is the new battleground and cyberattacks are emerging as new-age weapons. We find out which countries have better cyber capabilities than others and also look at how prepared India is to take on enemies in cyber warfare.

Tech It Out: Cyber warfare: How prepared is India?

The US&nbsp;Commerce Department is failing to do its part to protect national security and keep sensitive technology out of the hands of China's military, according to a US&nbsp;congressional advisory report. 
 
The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission report, due to be published on Tuesday, said the Commerce Department had been slow to create a list of sensitive technology that should be scrutinised before export to China. 
 
The lag in developing the list of emerging and foundational technologies, as required by a 2018 law, may exacerbate national security risks, the report said. 
 
The Commerce Department, entrusted to strengthen US&nbsp;export control laws, "has, to date, failed to carry out its responsibilities," said the report, titled, "Unfinished Business: Export Control and Foreign Investment Reforms." 
 
In a statement, the Commerce Department declined to directly respond to the lack of a list, but noted it had published four rules on controls on emerging technologies and more are pending. 
 
It also said it had expanded the military end user rule and added companies to its entity list, which restricts US&nbsp;suppliers from selling to companies like Huawei Technologies and Hangzhou Hikvision. 
 
In 2018, Congress tightened US&nbsp;export policies and the process for screening foreign investment in response to efforts by Chinese entities to obtain sensitive US&nbsp;technology and use civilian innovation for the military. 
 
The report questions whether a more-than-two-year delay in developing the list should be investigated&nbsp;by the Commerce Department's inspector general. It also asks whether the authority to enforce export controls should be delegated to another agency. 
 
Congress passed the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to make it harder to export key technologies to adversaries like China. 
 
The law directed the Commerce Department to work with other agencies to identify emerging, or cutting edge, technologies and so-called foundational technologies essential to making key items like semiconductors, that should be controlled. 
 
In November 2018, the department published 45 examples of emerging technologies, including face and voice recognition, but no list was ever finalised. And it has yet to propose a list of foundational technologies, instead asking for input in August about how to define the category. 
 
Eric Hirschhorn, a former Commerce under secretary, said the criticism of the agency was unfair. "They’re already controlling emerging technologies to the extent that it can be done, which is limited by the need to be specific,” he said. “Foundational technologies are, by definition, widely available outside the United States, which makes controlling them difficult, if not impossible." 
 
The report did note some actions by Commerce. 
 
The department has proposed to regulate software for gene editing, which can make it easier to develop biological weapons, but the rule has not been finalised. It also released an interim rule on geospatial imagery involving AI neural networks. 
 
Advanced surveillance technology has received some attention as well, including on export controls to promote human rights, given its use in Xinjiang for the detention of minority Muslim Uyghurs. But the department still does not control&nbsp;newer types of advanced surveillance software, the report says. 
 
The US-China commission was created by Congress two decades ago to report on the national security implications of trade with China. It is now chaired by Carolyn Bartholomew, who was appointed by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The US Commerce Department is failing to do its part to protect national security and keep sensitive technology out of the hands of China's military, according to a US congressional advisory report.

The US Commerce Department is failing to do its part to protect national security and keep sensitive technology out of the hands of China's military, according to a US congressional advisory report. The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission report, due to be published on Tuesday, said the Commerce Department had been slow to create a list of sensitive technology that should be scrutinised before export to China. The lag in developing the list of emerging and foundational technologies, as required by a 2018 law, may exacerbate national security risks, the report said. The Commerce Department, entrusted to strengthen US export control laws, "has, to date, failed to carry out its responsibilities," said the report, titled, "Unfinished Business: Export Control and Foreign Investment Reforms." In a statement, the Commerce Department declined to directly respond to the lack of a list, but noted it had published four rules on controls on emerging technologies and more are pending. It also said it had expanded the military end user rule and added companies to its entity list, which restricts US suppliers from selling to companies like Huawei Technologies and Hangzhou Hikvision. In 2018, Congress tightened US export policies and the process for screening foreign investment in response to efforts by Chinese entities to obtain sensitive US technology and use civilian innovation for the military. The report questions whether a more-than-two-year delay in developing the list should be investigated by the Commerce Department's inspector general. It also asks whether the authority to enforce export controls should be delegated to another agency. Congress passed the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to make it harder to export key technologies to adversaries like China. The law directed the Commerce Department to work with other agencies to identify emerging, or cutting edge, technologies and so-called foundational technologies essential to making key items like semiconductors, that should be controlled. In November 2018, the department published 45 examples of emerging technologies, including face and voice recognition, but no list was ever finalised. And it has yet to propose a list of foundational technologies, instead asking for input in August about how to define the category. Eric Hirschhorn, a former Commerce under secretary, said the criticism of the agency was unfair. "They’re already controlling emerging technologies to the extent that it can be done, which is limited by the need to be specific,” he said. “Foundational technologies are, by definition, widely available outside the United States, which makes controlling them difficult, if not impossible." The report did note some actions by Commerce. The department has proposed to regulate software for gene editing, which can make it easier to develop biological weapons, but the rule has not been finalised. It also released an interim rule on geospatial imagery involving AI neural networks. Advanced surveillance technology has received some attention as well, including on export controls to promote human rights, given its use in Xinjiang for the detention of minority Muslim Uyghurs. But the department still does not control newer types of advanced surveillance software, the report says. The US-China commission was created by Congress two decades ago to report on the national security implications of trade with China. It is now chaired by Carolyn Bartholomew, who was appointed by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. (With inputs from agencies)

US agency not doing its job to halt tech to China's military: Congressional report

Tencent should expect a penalty of at least C¥10-billion (US$1.54-billion), significant enough for the State Administration of Market Regulation (SAMR) to make an example of it, both people said.

China readies Tencent penalty in antitrust crackdown

A number of China's top regulators published draft guidelines on Monday dictating how apps must protect the privacy and personal information of users.

The rules, drafted under the guidance of the Cyberspace Administration of China along with its Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the State Administration of Market Regulation, come as China's tech giants face an ongoing wave of scrutiny from policymakers.

The guidelines call for apps to disclose to users what personal information will be collected and for what purpose, and orders apps not to collect users` personal information without first obtaining consent.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="No begging or borrowing: China is stealing tech to dominate world">No begging or borrowing: China is stealing tech to dominate world</a>

Meanwhile, when processing sensitive personal information such as "race, ethnicity, religious belief, personal biometrics, medical health, financial accounts, personal whereabouts, etc," users should receive a separate notification.

Apps should only collect a minimum amount of information and should not obtain personal information that goes beyond the scope of the user`s consent or which is not related to the app's main purpose.

The draft regulations also call on "app distribution platforms" to register and verify the true identify of app developers, to refrain from deceiving users into downloading certain apps, and to carry out standardized reviews of personal information processing activities upon the launch of new apps.

They also urge app stores to establish credit scores for app developers, and to set up portals to handle complaints from the public.

The regulations will be open for comment until May 26.

In recent years, Chinese policymakers, concurrent with those in other countries, have steadily called for more thorough regulations dictating how internet companies manage the user data they collect.

The new draft regulations also arrive as Chinese tech companies such as e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and food-delivery app Meituan faced investigations from the country's anti-monopoly regulator.

A number of China's top regulators published draft guidelines on Monday dictating how apps must protect the privacy and personal information of users. The rules, drafted under the guidance of the Cyberspace Administration of China along with its Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the State Administration of Market Regulation, come as China's tech giants face an ongoing wave of scrutiny from policymakers.

A number of China's top regulators published draft guidelines on Monday dictating how apps must protect the privacy and personal information of users. The rules, drafted under the guidance of the Cyberspace Administration of China along with its Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the State Administration of Market Regulation, come as China's tech giants face an ongoing wave of scrutiny from policymakers. The guidelines call for apps to disclose to users what personal information will be collected and for what purpose, and orders apps not to collect users` personal information without first obtaining consent. Also read: No begging or borrowing: China is stealing tech to dominate world Meanwhile, when processing sensitive personal information such as "race, ethnicity, religious belief, personal biometrics, medical health, financial accounts, personal whereabouts, etc," users should receive a separate notification. Apps should only collect a minimum amount of information and should not obtain personal information that goes beyond the scope of the user`s consent or which is not related to the app's main purpose. The draft regulations also call on "app distribution platforms" to register and verify the true identify of app developers, to refrain from deceiving users into downloading certain apps, and to carry out standardized reviews of personal information processing activities upon the launch of new apps. They also urge app stores to establish credit scores for app developers, and to set up portals to handle complaints from the public. The regulations will be open for comment until May 26. In recent years, Chinese policymakers, concurrent with those in other countries, have steadily called for more thorough regulations dictating how internet companies manage the user data they collect. The new draft regulations also arrive as Chinese tech companies such as e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and food-delivery app Meituan faced investigations from the country's anti-monopoly regulator.

Chinese regulators issue draft rules on privacy protection for app users

Apple may be the influential tech company that is at the forefront of innovation but when it comes top sophisticated cyberattack, Apple's interests are as vulnerable as our tech-challenged friend's computer.

The company is now facing a 'ransomware attack'. For those who don't know what this is, a ransomware attack involves cybercriminals encrypting your valuable data. After the data becomes inaccessible to you, the hackers ask ransom money to provide the key to break the encryption.

Apple has been on the receiving end because of&nbsp;an attack on one of its suppliers.

The group of hackers calls themselves 'Sodin' and the ransomware is called 'REvil'. The hackers stole Apple's data from Quanta Computer, a Taiwanese company that assembles some of Apple's laptops.

The hackers claim that the stolen information has to do with Apple's upcoming products. These, they say, include Apple laptops and a new Apple Watch

Quanta Computer has refused to pay the ransom and hackers are now threatening that they will make information about Apple's next launches public.

Well, well. What will Apple do next? They aren't saying anything for now that's for sure!

Apple may be the influential tech company that is at the forefront of innovation but when it comes top sophisticated cyberattack, Apple's interests are as vulnerable as our tech-challenged friend's computer.

Apple may be the influential tech company that is at the forefront of innovation but when it comes top sophisticated cyberattack, Apple's interests are as vulnerable as our tech-challenged friend's computer. The company is now facing a 'ransomware attack'. For those who don't know what this is, a ransomware attack involves cybercriminals encrypting your valuable data. After the data becomes inaccessible to you, the hackers ask ransom money to provide the key to break the encryption. Apple has been on the receiving end because of an attack on one of its suppliers. The group of hackers calls themselves 'Sodin' and the ransomware is called 'REvil'. The hackers stole Apple's data from Quanta Computer, a Taiwanese company that assembles some of Apple's laptops. The hackers claim that the stolen information has to do with Apple's upcoming products. These, they say, include Apple laptops and a new Apple Watch Quanta Computer has refused to pay the ransom and hackers are now threatening that they will make information about Apple's next launches public. Well, well. What will Apple do next? They aren't saying anything for now that's for sure!

Apple faces ransomware demand from cybercriminals

Chinese regulators have warned 34 technology giants, including Baidu and Tencent, to 'rectify' any anti-competitive measures, a statement said on Tuesday, days after e-commerce giant Alibaba was fined nearly $2.8 billion for abusing its dominant market position.&nbsp;

The move suggests Beijing's scrutiny of its most powerful tech firms is far from over, with regulators warning they will continue to eradicate monopoly practices and telling internet companies to 'heed the warning of Alibaba's case’.&nbsp;

Companies summoned by the regulator include internet giants Baidu, Tencent and ByteDance, the owner of TikTok.&nbsp;

The 34 firms have been given one month to undergo 'complete rectification' after conducting internal checks and inspections, the statement said, and to correct any practices which 'harms competition’.&nbsp;

Unfair competition "hinders innovation and development, and harms the interests of operators and consumers," the statement said, telling the companies to give 'priority to national interests'.&nbsp;

The meeting was organised jointly by the antitrust watchdog with the cyberspace and tax regulators.&nbsp;

Bloomberg Intelligence senior analyst Vey-Sern Ling said the move was "positive because (regulators are) giving the platform one month to review their practices, rather than dish out fines and penalties without warning."&nbsp;

"They are using Alibaba as an example to deter misbehaviour from the rest of the industry players."&nbsp;

Alibaba was hit with a $2.78 billion fine on Saturday after a months-long probe.&nbsp;

The statement also came a day after fintech firm Ant Group announced it would comply with an overhaul outlined by regulators and become a financial holding company, meaning in the future it will be supervised more like a bank.&nbsp;

Tech giants like Alibaba, JD.com and Tencent became hugely profitable on the back of growing Chinese digital lifestyles, relatively lax legislation and the government's 'great firewall', which bans some major US competitors.&nbsp;

But Beijing has been getting tougher on the sector in recent months over allegations of anti-competitive behaviour and misuse of consumer data.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Chinese regulators have warned 34 technology giants, including Baidu and Tencent, to 'rectify' any anti-competitive measures, a statement said on Tuesday, days after e-commerce giant Alibaba was fined nearly $2.

Chinese regulators have warned 34 technology giants, including Baidu and Tencent, to 'rectify' any anti-competitive measures, a statement said on Tuesday, days after e-commerce giant Alibaba was fined nearly $2.8 billion for abusing its dominant market position. The move suggests Beijing's scrutiny of its most powerful tech firms is far from over, with regulators warning they will continue to eradicate monopoly practices and telling internet companies to 'heed the warning of Alibaba's case’. Companies summoned by the regulator include internet giants Baidu, Tencent and ByteDance, the owner of TikTok. The 34 firms have been given one month to undergo 'complete rectification' after conducting internal checks and inspections, the statement said, and to correct any practices which 'harms competition’. Unfair competition "hinders innovation and development, and harms the interests of operators and consumers," the statement said, telling the companies to give 'priority to national interests'. The meeting was organised jointly by the antitrust watchdog with the cyberspace and tax regulators. Bloomberg Intelligence senior analyst Vey-Sern Ling said the move was "positive because (regulators are) giving the platform one month to review their practices, rather than dish out fines and penalties without warning." "They are using Alibaba as an example to deter misbehaviour from the rest of the industry players." Alibaba was hit with a $2.78 billion fine on Saturday after a months-long probe. The statement also came a day after fintech firm Ant Group announced it would comply with an overhaul outlined by regulators and become a financial holding company, meaning in the future it will be supervised more like a bank. Tech giants like Alibaba, JD.com and Tencent became hugely profitable on the back of growing Chinese digital lifestyles, relatively lax legislation and the government's 'great firewall', which bans some major US competitors. But Beijing has been getting tougher on the sector in recent months over allegations of anti-competitive behaviour and misuse of consumer data. (With inputs from agencies)

China warns 34 tech firms to 'rectify' any anti-competitive measures after record Alibaba fine

Remote-controlled Venus flytrap "robo-plants" and crops that tell farmers when they are hit by disease could become reality after scientists developed a high-tech system for communicating with vegetation.

Researchers in Singapore linked up plants to electrodes capable of monitoring the weak electrical pulses naturally emitted by the greenery.

The scientists used the technology to trigger a Venus flytrap to snap its jaws shut at the push of a button on a smartphone app.

They then attached one of its jaws to a robotic arm and got the contraption to pick up a piece of wire half a millimetre thick, and catch a small falling object.

The technology is in its early stages, but researchers believe it could eventually be used to build advanced "plant-based robots" that can pick up a host of fragile objects which are too delicate for rigid, robotic arms.

"These kinds of nature robots can be interfaced with other artificial robots (to make) hybrid systems," Chen Xiaodong, the lead author of a study on the research at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), said

There are still challenges to be overcome. Scientists can stimulate the flytrap's jaws to slam shut but can't yet reopen them -- a process that takes 10 or more hours to happen naturally.

The system can also pick up signals emitted by plants, raising the possibility that farmers will be able to detect problems with their crops at an early stage.

"By monitoring the plants' electrical signals, we may be able to detect possible distress signals and abnormalities," said Chen. &nbsp;

"Farmers may find out when a disease is in progress, even before full-blown symptoms appear on the crops."

Researchers believe such technology could be particularly useful as crops face increasing threats from climate change.&nbsp;

Scientists have long known that plants emit very weak electrical signals but their uneven and waxy surfaces makes it difficult to effectively mount sensors.

The NTU researchers developed film-like, soft electrodes that fit tightly to the plant's surface and can detect signals more accurately.&nbsp;

They are attached using a "thermogel", which is liquid at low temperatures but turns into a gel at room temperature. 
They are the latest to conduct research communicating with plants.

In 2016, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology team turned spinach leaves into sensors that can send an email alert to scientists when they detect explosive materials in groundwater.&nbsp;

The team embedded carbon nanotubes that emit a signal when plant roots detect nitroaromatics -- compounds often found in explosives. The signal is then read by an infrared camera that sends out a message to the scientists.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Remote-controlled Venus flytrap "robo-plants" and crops that tell farmers when they are hit by disease could become reality after scientists developed a high-tech system for communicating with vegetation.

Remote-controlled Venus flytrap "robo-plants" and crops that tell farmers when they are hit by disease could become reality after scientists developed a high-tech system for communicating with vegetation. Researchers in Singapore linked up plants to electrodes capable of monitoring the weak electrical pulses naturally emitted by the greenery. The scientists used the technology to trigger a Venus flytrap to snap its jaws shut at the push of a button on a smartphone app. They then attached one of its jaws to a robotic arm and got the contraption to pick up a piece of wire half a millimetre thick, and catch a small falling object. The technology is in its early stages, but researchers believe it could eventually be used to build advanced "plant-based robots" that can pick up a host of fragile objects which are too delicate for rigid, robotic arms. "These kinds of nature robots can be interfaced with other artificial robots (to make) hybrid systems," Chen Xiaodong, the lead author of a study on the research at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), said There are still challenges to be overcome. Scientists can stimulate the flytrap's jaws to slam shut but can't yet reopen them -- a process that takes 10 or more hours to happen naturally. The system can also pick up signals emitted by plants, raising the possibility that farmers will be able to detect problems with their crops at an early stage. "By monitoring the plants' electrical signals, we may be able to detect possible distress signals and abnormalities," said Chen. "Farmers may find out when a disease is in progress, even before full-blown symptoms appear on the crops." Researchers believe such technology could be particularly useful as crops face increasing threats from climate change. Scientists have long known that plants emit very weak electrical signals but their uneven and waxy surfaces makes it difficult to effectively mount sensors. The NTU researchers developed film-like, soft electrodes that fit tightly to the plant's surface and can detect signals more accurately. They are attached using a "thermogel", which is liquid at low temperatures but turns into a gel at room temperature. They are the latest to conduct research communicating with plants. In 2016, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology team turned spinach leaves into sensors that can send an email alert to scientists when they detect explosive materials in groundwater. The team embedded carbon nanotubes that emit a signal when plant roots detect nitroaromatics -- compounds often found in explosives. The signal is then read by an infrared camera that sends out a message to the scientists. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists fuse nature with tech as 'robo-plants' surge

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