Apple and Google have been fighting a bill in the South Korean legislature that they say could imperil their lucrative app store businesses. The companies have appealed directly to South Korean lawmakers, government officials and the public to try to block the legislation. The legislation would require companies that operate app stores to let users in Korea pay for in-app purchases using a variety of payment systems.
Every new technology brings with it questions of ethics and unintended consequences, but it’s important to remember that humans are completely at the helm with how these technologies are implemented and when and where they are restrained. The answer is adding humanity back into the digital world, and the platforms are not communities; they are launching points.
The 117th Congress has introduced 18 bills that directly impact cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology, or central bank digital currencies. The main focus was around the introduction of Facebook's Libra project, with an intense focus on the potential impact of stablecoins. The blockchain Association helped differentiate between Bitcoin and other more centralized cryptocurrencies.
Investors and politicians believe that an all electric car future will reduce carbon dioxide emissions, but it's not clear what the situation is before an electric car is delivered. The problem is that the process of manufacturing and processing of batteries is hidden in the production process. This is because of the complexity and uncertainties of the process.
Apple is expected to announce new iPhone models next month. But iPhone production tends to be a leaky business, and analysts who monitor Apple’s sales and supply chain have speculated that Apple might steer clear of the number due to superstition. However, Apple hasn’t shied away from naming software iOS 13 or selling a 13-inch MacBook.
PayPal is launching its cryptocurrency service in the U.K. starting this week, marking the first international expansion of PayPal’s crypto product which first launched in October last year. Users can also track crypto prices in real-time, and find educational content on the market.
Google is moving on with its Assistant driving mode, which is now available for car screens. This will allow you to access Google Maps, music apps, and data without needing to use your phone. However, this will not be available on phones running Android 12, which will be available for the time being.
Microsoft announced on Thursday that it will raise the prices of commercial subscriptions to its Microsoft 365 bundles of productivity apps such as Word and Excel. The price hikes will boost Microsoft’s total revenue and profit, given the Office line remains the company’’ top product in terms of sales, and most Office revenue is tied to business use.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the company would be branching out into humanoid robots during the company's AI event. The robot will be capable of dead-lifting 150 pounds and carrying about 45 pounds, with the bot having a screen where its face should be that will present information.
United Wholesale Mortgage announced plans this week to accept cryptocurrency for home loans, in what is being billed as a first for the national mortgage industry. The push into decentralized digital money comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of crypto from all sides in the U.S. and is unclear whether UWM will hold the cryptocurrency it accepts or convert it to fiat at the point of transaction.
Amazon.com plans to open several large physical retail locations in the U.S. that will operate akin to department stores, marking a new expansion for the online-shopping pioneer into bricks-and-mortar retail, an area Amazon has long disrupted. The new retail spaces will be around 30,000 square feet, smaller than most department stores.
