European Union adopts law requiring USB Type-C in iPhones by end of 2024

by Hansraj Agrawal | Oct 5, 2022 | Technology

The European Parliament has passed a resolution mandating that by the end of 2024, all consumer electronics, including iPhones and AirPods, will use USB Type-C as their standard charging port.

The Parliament said that the new law is part of a broader EU effort to reduce e-waste and empower consumers to make more sustainable choices.

“Following Parliament’s approval, EU consumers will soon be able to use a single charging solution for their electronic devices,” the European Parliament said in a statement.

“By the end of 2024, all mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in the EU will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port. From spring 2026, the obligation will extend to laptops,” it added.

Under the new rules, consumers will no longer need a different charger every time they purchase a new device, as they will be able to use one single charger for a whole range of small and medium-sized portable electronic devices.

Regardless of their manufacturer, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld video-game consoles and laptops that are rechargeable via a wired cable, operating with a power delivery of up to 100 Watts, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port.

All devices that support fast charging will now have the same charging speed, allowing users to charge their devices at the same speed with any compatible charger.

–IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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US labour agency files complaint against Apple over discrimination

by Hansraj Agrawal | Oct 5, 2022 | Technology

The US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has filed a complaint against tech giant Apple over allegations that it discriminated against employees during their unionising efforts at its World Trade Center store in New York.

The NLRB’s complaint was filed after the Communications Workers of America, the union working with organisers at Apple retail stores in New York, Atlanta, and Oklahoma, charged the tech giant of discrimination, reports The Verge.

The US labour agency “found merit” to complaints that Apple had been “interrogating its employees about their support for the union”.

Apple was yet to comment on the NLRB complaint.

According to the report, Apple needs to be present at a hearing with an NLRB administration on December 13, unless it settles with the union.

In May, the Communications Workers of America claimed that Apple was violating labour laws by holding captive audience meetings in Atlanta, “forcing employees to listen to anti-union talking points.”

In June, Apple retail store workers finally managed to vote to form a union in Maryland state in the US.

Apple’s Towson Town Center store in Maryland state was the first retail location in the US to hold a union election. They voted to unionise, with 65 in favour and 33 against.

The workers sought to expand their rights, asking for “a say when it comes to pay, hours, and safety.”

Apple recently hiked benefits for both part-time and full-time retail employees.

–IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Google Pixel 7 series pre-order, with launch offers, begins from October 6

by Hansraj Agrawal | Oct 5, 2022 | Technology

The Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro smartphones will be available for pre-order in India on October 6, the same day as the global launch event. The smartphones will be available for pre-order on Flipkart from 8:15 pm (IST). On the pre-orders, Google is offering the Pixel Buds A-Series and the Fitbit Inspire2 at a discounted price of Rs 5,999 and Rs 4,999, respectively. It will be a limited-period offer that can be availed through coupons enabled only after the delivery of Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, according to Pixel 7 series listing page on Flipkart. Besides, Flipkart is offering priority delivery on the pre-orders.

The Pixel 7 series will be unveiled at the ‘Made by Google’ hardware launch event, which is scheduled for October 6. The event’s live stream will be available on Google’s official YouTube channel starting 9:30 pm (IST). Besides the Pixel 7 series, the event will also see the launch of Google’s maiden smartphone — the Pixel Watch. Both the Pixel 7 series and Pixel Watch were announced at Google’s developer conference earlier this year. Last week, Google had released videos detailing the design aspect of the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, and Pixel Watch.

Pixel 7 series: What to expect

Google has confirmed that its second-generation Tensor chip, which it developed in partnership with Samsung, will power the Pixel 7 series. The Google Pixel 7 and 7 Pro are expected to come with new front-facing camera sensors capable of recording up to 4K resolution videos.

Other expected features include a triple-camera-system led by a 50-megapixel primary sensor, Android 13, and screen of 120Hz refresh rate.

As for the design, the Pixel 7 series is expected to be identical to the Pixel 6 series. The Pixel 7 is expected to have an aluminium frame and glass back cover. The Pixel 7 Pro is expected to have a steel frame and glass back. The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro would sport a dual-camera and triple-camera system, respectively. The Pixel 7 is expected to come in lemongrass, snow and obsidian colours, whereas the Pixel 7 Pro would be available in hazel, snow and obsidian colours. Pixel Watch: What to expect Besides the Pixel 7 series, Google will unveil its maiden smartwatch, the Pixel Watch. It would sport a circular domed design and feature a tactile crown and side button. The watch is expected to be made of recycled stainless steel. The company has not confirmed the availability of the smartwatch in India. The Pixel Watch is expected to come with detachable straps, which would be available in lemongrass, snow, obsidian and grey colours. The smartwatch is expected to come in matte black colour, but only in select countries. The smartwatch would feature WearOS 3 with Fitbit’s health-and-fitness features integrated, and customisable watch faces.

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New Sony PlayStation 5 gaming consoles to be available in India soon

by Hansraj Agrawal | Oct 5, 2022 | Technology

Tech giant Sony is reportedly planning to soon bring its new PlayStation 5 gaming consoles to the Indian market.

According to GizmoChina, Sony has recently started shipping new models — which are said to be more power efficient and lighter than the original launch versions — of the PlayStation 5 in the country.

The BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) has approved the new PS5 CFI-1208A and CFI-1208B models, which most likely means “the new game consoles to make its way to India with an upcoming local restock,” according to the report.

The company was yet to make an official comment.

The new PS5 CFI-1200 series comes with an overhaul in the internal design. These changes make the newer PS5 models more power efficient while also helping offer better thermal performance as well.

Sony is reportedly working on a PlayStation 5 (PS5) model with Detachable Disc Drive.

It had mentioned that the brand is working on releasing the PS5 with a detachable disc drive that will be connected to the console through a USB Type-C port that is housed at the back.

Sony is also reportedly working on a PS5 model with detachable disc drive.

–IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Sony likely working on new smartphone with Dimensity 8000 chip

by Hansraj Agrawal | Oct 5, 2022 | Technology

Japanese tech giant Sony is likely working on a new smartphone as a report says that “out of nowhere, a mysterious Sony handset has been spotted on Geekbench”.

According to GizmoChina, the device’s RAM capacity, the chipset information and with the software is also included in the listing.

“An unknown Sony-branded smartphone with model number XQ-DS99 has made its appearance on Geekbench. As per the listing, the phone will be powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8000 SoC,” the report said.

The report mentioned that the device will include 12GB RAM and will run Android 12.

A recent report said that the tech giant is working on its first 100MP camera sensor.

The sensor will be aimed at premium mid-range smartphones. Notably, Sony also makes camera sensors for tech giants Apple and Google which are popular brands among smartphone photography enthusiasts.

–IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Bug in AirPods Pro 2, Apple warns users to ‘replace battery soon’

by Hansraj Agrawal | Oct 5, 2022 | Technology

Some second-generation AirPods Pro users are receiving a bug alert telling them to “replace” their battery soon, media reports say.

When the AirPods Pro earbuds or MagSafe Charging Case battery is low, the bug appears to cause battery replacement notifications to be sent from the Find My app to adjacent devices, reports MacRumors.

As per the report, it appears likely that the notice relates to these new capabilities because the second-generation AirPods Pro has improved Find My ability because of a U1 chip for Precision Finding and continuously transmits their battery levels.

The notifications urge the user to “replace the battery on… soon,” even though it is not possible to replace AirPods batteries and the device simply needs to be recharged.

Users experiencing the bug may not be immediately aware that it relates to their aCEAirPods ProaCE, since the item is referred to in notifications as simply “left”, “right”, or “Case”, leading to somewhat incoherent alerts, the report said.

It also mentioned that the notifications seem similar to that used for the AirTag when its CR2032 battery is almost depleted and needs to be replaced. Hence, it seems that the system is conflating the two products.

One theory suggests that Apple used much of the AirTag’s firmware for the MagSafe Charging Case, causing identical alerts even where they do not make sense.

–IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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