Tech wrap Jun 13: OPPO F27 Pro Plus, Garmin watches get YouTube Music, more

Tech wrap Jun 13: OPPO F27 Pro Plus, Garmin watches get YouTube Music, more



OPPO launched India’s first IP69-rated smartphone, the OPPO F27 Pro Plus. The smartphone boasts Swiss SGS five-star rating for drop resistance and US military standard certification for build quality. Priced at Rs 27,999, the smartphone will be available in Dust Pink and Midnight Navy colours from June 20.


You can now access the YouTube Music app on select Garmin watches from today, June 13. Google’s music streaming platform, YouTube Music, is now available through Garmin’s Connect IQ Store. The store lets users download and install the YouTube Music app on eligible watches. Before this addition, Garmin allowed users to listen to music available on Amazon Music, Deezer and Spotify. Now, users will have access to 100 million songs available on YouTube Music.


Samsung India has integrated Paytm into its Wallet app. With Paytm integration, Galaxy smartphone users using the Paytm app for flight, bus and movie bookings and the Paytm Insider app for event bookings, will be able to add their tickets directly to Samsung Wallet using the “Add to Samsung Wallet” functionality.


Marshall has launched in India the Minor IV true wireless earbuds. The earbuds are aimed at providing users with signature sound, comfort and exceptional battery life, said the British manufacturer of audio products. Users can also experience personalised earbud interaction through the dedicated Marshall app. Minor IV by Marshall will be available for purchase from June 15 on Marshall’s official website at Rs 11,999.


Google has announced that soon its ChromeOS for Chromebooks will be more like Android OS for faster and improved Google AI features. In a blog post update on Chromium Blog, Google announced that “ChromeOS will soon be developed on large portions of the Android stack to bring Google AI, innovations, and features faster to users.”


Samsung has reportedly confirmed its upcoming devices in wearables and foldable category. According to a report by 9To5Google, Samsung in its Members app for Galaxy devices has added support for Galaxy Watch 7, Galaxy Watch FE, Galaxy Buds 3, Buds 3 Pro, and Galaxy Ring. As per the report, within the Galaxy Members app, the South Korean technology giant has mentioned these devices and provided an option to select whether users are facing any issues with either of these devices.


Japan has reportedly passed an antitrust law that could force Apple to allow third-party app stores on iPhones in the country. According to a report by 9To5Google, citing Japan’s Kyodo News, Japan’s parliament has passed a law on June 12 that will prevent big technology companies like Apple and Google from blocking third-party developers from distributing apps on their platforms.


Google has introduced a reverse phone search option, called Lookup, on the Phone app for Pixel phones. Part of Pixel’s June Feature Drop update, the lookup feature allows users to identify unsaved numbers from their call directory without necessitating use of any third party apps.


With watchOS 11, Apple Watch can track sleep even if the watch is not in Sleep Focus Mode. Earlier, it was necessary to activate Sleep Focus Mode or set a sleep schedule to track sleep. A user on X (formerly Twitter), named Max Weinbach, has tweeted about this change and also informed that overnight rest and naps will also be recorded. Even if you do not activate any mode on the Watch, your sleep data will continue to be collected. Although if you want to use do-not-disturb features and stop constant notifications, you will need to turn on the Sleep Focus mode.


Elon Musk-owned social media platform X, formerly Twitter, has started making likes on posts private in a bid to drive user engagement on the platform. Limited to premium subscribers before, the feature is now being rolled out widely and it will arrive to everyone with an account on the platform. Touted by the platform as a measure to boost users’ privacy, private likes will hide the identity of the users that have liked a post.


When Apple Inc. Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook and his top deputies this week unveiled a landmark arrangement with OpenAI to integrate ChatGPT into the iPhone, iPad and Mac, they were mum on the financial terms.


Samsung Electronics Co. unveiled a number of forthcoming advancements to its technology aimed at luring makers of AI chips to its manufacturing business.


Apple once again became the world’s most valuable company on Wednesday, dethroning Microsoft from the top spot, as the iPhone maker pushed ahead in a race to dominate artificial intelligence technology.


Samsung Electronics said on Thursday its chairman met with the heads of Meta, Qualcomm and Amazon this week to discuss cooperation and that topics included artificial intelligence, cloud services and chips.


Microsoft President Brad Smith will testify before a House of Representatives panel on homeland security on Thursday, fielding questions about the company’s security practices after Russian and Chinese hackers breached its systems over the past year.

First Published: Jun 13 2024 | 8:03 PM IST



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Marshall launches Minor IV wireless earbuds in India: Know price, features

Marshall launches Minor IV wireless earbuds in India: Know price, features


Marshall Minor IV wireless earbuds


Marshall has launched in India the Minor IV true wireless earbuds. The earbuds are aimed at providing users with signature sound, comfort and exceptional battery life, said the British manufacturer of audio products. Users can also experience personalised earbud interaction through the dedicated Marshall app. Minor IV by Marshall will be available for purchase from June 15 on Marshall’s official website at Rs 11,999.


Marshall Minor IV: Details


The Minor IV arrives with Marshall Signature Sound, which the company said offers balance audio experience. The Marshall Minor IV will offer over 30 hours of playtime. These wireless earbuds boast redesigned earbuds and stem for better fit. The earbuds are water-resistant and crafted to resist unfavourable conditions.


Offering easier playback navigation and call management, the earbuds can be connected to multiple devices at the same time with Bluetooth multipoint connectivity and users can customise music through Marshall’s dedicated app.


The Minor IV also arrives with an in-app battery preservation feature. The earbuds support Bluetooth LE audio, which it said will result in better audio quality while increasing streaming range and enhancing audio sync especially while watching video.


Marshall Minor IV: Specifications


Drivers: 12 mm, dynamic


Driver impedance: 32 ohm


Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz


Weight (charging case): 39.41 g


Weight: 7.39g


Battery: Playtime 7 hours in earbuds, 30+ total hours with case


Charging: 1.1 hours to recharge earbuds, 2 hours to recharge charging case with USB-C

First Published: Jun 13 2024 | 4:55 PM IST



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After EU, Apple could be forced to open ecosystem in Japan, India: Report

After EU, Apple could be forced to open ecosystem in Japan, India: Report



Japan has reportedly passed an antitrust law that could force Apple to allow third-party app stores on iPhones in the country. According to a report by 9To5Google, citing Japan’s Kyodo News, Japan’s parliament has passed a law on June 12 that will prevent big technology companies like Apple and Google from blocking third-party developers from distributing apps on their platforms.


Reportedly, the law will prohibit Apple and Google from limiting third-party companies from selling and operating apps on their platform outside their respective app stores. Additionally, the law also forces these platform providers to allow app developers to use the payment platform of their choice for charging users rather than forcing them to choose the native option.


These regulations are similar to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which forced Apple earlier this year to allow alternate app stores that it calls “App Marketplaces” to distribute and manage apps on its iPhones in the EU.


Complying to DMA changes, Apple opened up its app store in the region to support alternative payment service providers and link-out to purchase for developers.


With Japan passing similar laws, it is likely that Apple will have to open up its ecosystem in the east Asian market like how it did in the EU.


India, too, has proposed a similar antitrust law that will pose a regulatory challenge for tech firms, laying out strict compliance obligations. Reuters has reported that the Indian government is currently examining a panel’s February report that proposed a new “Digital Competition Bill” to complement existing antitrust laws.


These new regulations would likely prohibit big technology companies like Apple, Google, Meta and Amazon from exploiting non-public user data and from favouring their own products or services on their platforms. Additionally, it would also restrict these companies from limiting the user’s ability to download, install or use third-party apps in any way.

First Published: Jun 13 2024 | 3:43 PM IST



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Samsung to unveil next-gen wearables and foldable devices on Jul 10: Report

Samsung to unveil next-gen wearables and foldable devices on Jul 10: Report


Samsung has reportedly confirmed its upcoming devices in wearables and foldable category. According to a report by 9To5Google, Samsung in its Members app for Galaxy devices has added support for Galaxy Watch 7, Galaxy Watch FE, Galaxy Buds 3, Buds 3 Pro, and Galaxy Ring. As per the report, within the Galaxy Members app, the South Korean technology giant has mentioned these devices and provided an option to select whether users are facing any issues with either of these devices.


This is the first time Samsung has mentioned the Galaxy Watch 7 series and Galaxy Buds 3 series, while the Galaxy Ring has already been showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year. Intentional or not, mentioning these devices with their names on an official Samsung app suggests that these devices will be officially unveiled soon, supposedly at the Galaxy Unpacked event which is likely scheduled for July 10.


Although Samsung has mentioned the upcoming Galaxy Watch Series, Galaxy Buds series and the Galaxy Ring, the options do not offer any additional details about the specification of these devices.


Earlier this month, Samsung also acknowledged the existence of foldable devices for 2024. In a blog posted on Samsung official newsroom, Samsung’s EVP and head of Mobile research and development, Won-Joon Choi, said that the company will “further optimise the Galaxy AI experience for the upcoming foldable devices.” According to media reports Samsung briefly posted an ad for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 on its website in Kazakhstan as well and took it down shortly after.


It is likely that Samsung at its Galaxy Unpacked event will unveil a suite of new hardware including next generation Galaxy Fold and Flip phones.

First Published: Jun 13 2024 | 3:11 PM IST



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Google introduces reverse phone number search on Phone app for Pixel phones

Google introduces reverse phone number search on Phone app for Pixel phones


Google has introduced a reverse phone search option, called Lookup, on the Phone app for Pixel phones. Part of Pixel’s June Feature Drop update, the lookup feature allows users to identify unsaved numbers from their call directory without necessitating use of any third party apps.


Google Lookup: How it works


On tapping the expand option visible on the phone app screen while receiving an incoming call from a number that is not saved in contacts, the user will be shown the “Lookup” button in addition to adding contact, Messages and History. Tapping the Lookup button will enter the number in Google Search with the country code. Users will no longer have to copy and paste numbers after switching apps.


Google has said that the Lookup feature will be available to Pixel 6 and newer Pixel smartphones, including the Pixel Fold which means that all Pixel smartphones with a Tensor chip can enjoy this feature.


The Lookup feature is for the phone numbers that are present in a public database online such as relating to any business and not for personal phone numbers, said Google. The feature is reportedly available in most Pixel devices and was seen on Google Phone app version 132, which is in beta. It is not clear when the feature rolls out to all Pixel users.


It is not necessary for you to manually update your phone or your device to be on the June Feature Drop and security patch to access this feature as it is a server side update.


The feature was first available in Japan for Google Pixel owners.

First Published: Jun 13 2024 | 3:07 PM IST



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Microsoft President Smith to testify before House panel on security lapses

Microsoft President Smith to testify before House panel on security lapses


The world’s biggest software-maker, which is also a key vendor to the US government and national security establishment, has faced similar criticism from its security industry peers | (Photo: Reuters)


Microsoft President Brad Smith will testify before a House of Representatives panel on homeland security on Thursday, fielding questions about the company’s security practices after Russian and Chinese hackers breached its systems over the past year.

 


China-linked hackers stole 60,000 US State Department emails last year by breaking into the tech giant’s systems, while a Russian group spied on Microsoft’s senior staff emails earlier this year, according to the company’s disclosures.

 


In a scathing report in April, the Cyber Safety Review Board – formed by US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas – slammed Microsoft for its lack of transparency over the Chinese hack, which the board said had been preventable.

 


The world’s biggest software-maker, which is also a key vendor to the US government and national security establishment, has faced similar criticism from its security industry peers.

 


Lawmakers will examine Microsoft’s security lapses, challenges in ensuring defending against cyberattacks, and plans to improve its security measures, the House panel for homeland security said in an earlier statement. They will also discuss the findings and recommendations of the board report following the Chinese hack.

 


“Since this is not the first time Microsoft has been the victim of an avoidable cyberattack, and in light of the CSRB’s report, it is now Congress’s responsibility to examine Microsoft’s response to this report,” Congressman Mark Green from Mississippi will tell Smith at the hearing, according to details of his opening statement seen by Reuters.

 


“Mr. Smith, as a long-time, key leader within Microsoft, I anticipate that you will help us understand the gaps that enabled these recent cyber intrusions.”

 

Following the board’s criticisms, Microsoft had said it was working on improving its processes and enforce security benchmarks. In November it launched a new cybersecurity initiative it said was aimed at preparing against the “increasing scale and high stakes of cyberattacks.” “We are making security our top priority at Microsoft, above all else — over all other features,” the company said at the time.


(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.)

First Published: Jun 13 2024 | 2:54 PM IST



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