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DR Congo weighs legal move against Apple in mining dispute

The DRC is rich in tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold — known as 3T or 3TG — that are used in producing smartphones and other electronic devices…reports Asian Lite News

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo is studying legal action against Apple in France and the United States, after accusing the US tech giant of using “illegally exploited” minerals, its lawyers said Thursday.

In April, the DRC’s Paris-based lawyers said Apple had purchased key minerals smuggled from the DRC into neighboring Rwanda, where they were laundered and “integrated into the global supply chain.”

On Thursday, lawyer William Bourdon said that after receiving a formal notice, Apple had given only a “terse” response that could be considered “a form of contempt, cynicism and arrogance.”

The government’s lawyers were meeting in Kinshasa to discuss strategic options for the case, and held talks with President Felix Tshisekedi.

“The legal options are on the table” for both France and the United States, Bourdon said, adding that other challenges could be lodged in countries “on all the continents.”

The DRC is rich in tantalum, tin, tungsten and gold — known as 3T or 3TG — that are used in producing smartphones and other electronic devices.

The country’s mineral-rich Great Lakes region has been wracked by violence since regional wars in the 1990s.

Tensions resurged in late 2021 when rebels from the March 23 Movement (M23) began recapturing swathes of territory.

The DRC, the United Nations and Western countries accuse Rwanda of supporting rebel groups including M23 in a bid to control the region’s vast mineral resources, an allegation Kigali denies.

Apple said in April: “Based on our due diligence efforts… we found no reasonable basis for concluding that any of the smelters or refiners of 3TG determined to be in our supply chain as of December 31, 2023, directly or indirectly financed or benefited armed groups in the DRC or an adjoining country.”

ALSO READ-Musk threatens to ban iPhones over Apple-OpenAI deal

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-Top News Tech Lite USA

Musk threatens to ban iPhones over Apple-OpenAI deal

Elon Musk.(photo:IANS/Twitter)

Apple on Monday announced that in iOS 18, users will be able to ask Siri questions and OpenAI’s ChatGPT will answer….reports Asian Lite News

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on Tuesday threatened to ban iPhones from all his companies over the integration of ChatGPT into iPhones and other Apple devices.

Apple on Monday announced that in iOS 18, users will be able to ask Siri questions and OpenAI’s ChatGPT will answer.

“If Apple integrates OpenAI at the OS level, then Apple devices will be banned at my companies. That is an unacceptable security violation,” Musk posted on X.

The tech billionaire further said that visitors at his companies “will have to check their Apple devices at the door, where they will be stored in a Faraday cage”.

X users responded, saying it is time for an ‘X smartphone”.

However, both Apple and OpenAI have clarified that users’ permission will be taken before “any questions are sent to ChatGPT,” along with any documents or photos.

Responding to a user who said that OpenAI does not have access to iPhones, Musk wrote: “Then leave it as an app. This is bullshit.”

Replying to another post on X from YouTuber Marques Brownlee, the tech billionaire responded that “Apple using the words ‘protect your privacy’ while handing your data over to a third-party AI that they don’t understand and can’t themselves create is not protecting privacy at all!”

At its ‘WWDC 2024’ event, Apple announced that it is integrating ChatGPT access into experiences within iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, allowing users to access its expertise, without needing to jump between tools.

Siri can tap into ChatGPT’s expertise when helpful. Users are asked before any questions are sent to ChatGPT, along with any documents or photos, and Siri then presents the answer directly.

“Additionally, ChatGPT will be available in Apple’s system-wide Writing Tools, which help users generate content for anything they are writing about,” said the company.

ALSO READ: Indian Engineer Earns Musk’s Praise

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Business Economy Tech Lite

Say Hello to ‘Apple Intelligence’

Called ‘Apple Intelligence,’ the AI features will manage notifications, automatically write things or summarise text in mail and other apps…reports Asian Lite News

Joining the AI bandwagon in a big way, Apple on Monday announced a new suite of AI features (including ChatGPT integration) that will customise personal experiences for millions of its users with the arrival of iOS 18 and other software updates later this year.

Called ‘Apple Intelligence,’ the AI features will manage notifications, automatically write things or summarise text in mail and other apps.

The tech major said the AI features will be stored in “Private Cloud Compute” in a safe and secure way.

The company said it is integrating ChatGPT access into experiences within iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, allowing users to access its expertise, without needing to jump between tools.

“We’re thrilled to introduce a new chapter in Apple innovation. ‘Apple Intelligence’ will transform what users can do with our products — and what our products can do for our users,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO.

“This is AI as only Apple can deliver it, and we can’t wait for users to experience what it can do,” he told developers at the flagship ‘WWDC 2024’ conference here.

Siri can tap into ChatGPT’s expertise when helpful. Users are asked before any questions are sent to ChatGPT, along with any documents or photos, and Siri then presents the answer directly.

“Additionally, ChatGPT will be available in Apple’s systemwide Writing Tools, which help users generate content for anything they are writing about,” said the company.

With Compose, users can also access ChatGPT image tools to generate images in a wide variety of styles to complement what they are writing.

ChatGPT will come to iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia later this year, powered by GPT-4o.

The company is also rolling out “Genmoji,” a new feature that will generate emoji-like reactions.

Users can even create Genmoji of friends and family based on their photos.

Just like emoji, Genmoji can be added inline to messages, or shared as a sticker or reaction in a Tapback.

Also, a new image-generation feature is coming to iOS 18, called ‘Image Playground’.

With ‘Image Playground’, users can create fun images in seconds, choosing from three styles: animation, illustration, or sketch.

Another AI tool is a new email-writing suggestions and text summaries. In Mail, while typing out a message, you can ask Siri to write it, and then ask it to change its tone.

“In the Notes and Phone apps, users can now record, transcribe, and summarise audio. When a recording is initiated while on a call, participants are automatically notified, and once the call ends, Apple Intelligence generates a summary to help recall key points,” said the company.

ALSO READ: WWDC 2024: Expect Big on AI

ALSO READ: Indian Engineer Earns Musk’s Praise

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Business Economy Tech Lite

Mark June 10 for Apple Surprises

Following the keynote on June 10, the ‘Platforms State of the Union’ will take a deeper dive into the latest software advances…reports Asian Lite News

Apple has announced to organise its flagship Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC24) from June 10-June 14, including keynote and ‘Platforms State of the Union’.

The company said the conference will bring the global Apple developer community together to provide them with insights into the latest technologies, tools, and frameworks coming to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS and watchOS.

“Throughout the week, developers will be able to hear from Apple engineers, designers, and other experts through more than 100 technical sessions, in-depth consultations, and live forums for guidance,” said Apple.

Following the keynote on June 10, the ‘Platforms State of the Union’ will take a deeper dive into the latest software advances and new tools that will “further empower Apple developers”.

With over 100 technical sessions throughout the week, WWDC24 will offer developers a chance to hear from Apple engineers, designers, and other experts for a deeper dive into the latest technologies and frameworks.

Apple will also organise the ‘Swift Student Challenge’, one of many programmes that seeks to uplift the next generation of technologists, creators, and entrepreneurs.

This year, 50 ‘Distinguished Winners’ have been recognised for outstanding submissions and will visit Apple Park for a three-day experience with special activities throughout the week of WWDC.

Meanwhile, Apple  announced new accessibility features such as Eye Tracking, Music Haptics, Vocal Shortcuts, and others for iPhone and iPad that will come later this year.

According to the company, the Eye Tracking feature will provide a way for users with physical disabilities to control their iPad or iPhone with their eyes.

“We’re continuously pushing the boundaries of technology, and these new features reflect our long-standing commitment to delivering the best possible experience to all of our users,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO.

Additionally, the company mentioned that the Music Haptics feature will offer a new way for users who are deaf or hard of hearing to experience music using the Taptic Engine in iPhone.

The Vocal Shortcuts feature will allow users to perform tasks by making a custom sound, whereas Vehicle Motion Cues can help reduce motion sickness when using iPhone or iPad in a moving vehicle.

“These new features will make an impact in the lives of a wide range of users, providing new ways to communicate, control their devices, and move through the world,” said Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives.

In addition, the company said that more accessibility features will come to visionOS as well.

The accessibility features that will come to visionOS will include systemwide Live Captions to help everyone — including users who are deaf or hard of hearing — follow along with spoken dialogue in live conversations and in audio from apps.

With Live Captions for FaceTime in visionOS, more users will be able to easily enjoy the unique experience of connecting and collaborating using their Persona.

Apple Vision Pro will also add the capability to move captions using the window bar during Apple Immersive Video, as well as support for additional Made for iPhone hearing devices and cochlear hearing processors, the tech giant stated.

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Business Economy India News

Apple Shifts Investment to India from China

Tata or Murugappa Group did not immediately comment on the reports….reports Asian Lite News

As Apple continues to minimise its dependence on China, the iPhone maker is increasing investments in India and is reportedly in advanced talks with Tata Group’s Titan Company and Murugappa Group to assemble sub-components for phone camera modules, giving an impetus to the “Make in India’ initiative and the country becoming an integral part of the global supply chain.

According to reports, there are currently no Indian suppliers for the iPhone’s camera module, which is a sophisticated piece of technology, and this move could reduce Apple’s dependence on Chinese suppliers.

Both Murugappa and Tata’s Titan have a solid background in high-precision manufacturing.

Both Titan and Murugappa have already qualified for government incentives under the PLI scheme to set up a chip assembly unit in the country.

Tata or Murugappa Group did not immediately comment on the reports.

Last year, Tata Group acquired Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Wistron’s India operations for $125 million. It is also reportedly eyeing to acquire Pegatron’s iPhone manufacturing facility near Chennai. Reports surfaced late last year that the Tata Group is planning to build one of India’s largest iPhone assembly plants in Tamil Nadu’s Hosur.

Last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of three semiconductor projects worth Rs 1.25 lakh crore in the country. The chip fabrication facility at the Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR) in Gujarat is being set up by Tata Electronics Private Limited with an investment of more than Rs 91,000 crore. The Tata Group is also setting up an Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility in Assam with a total investment of about Rs 27,000 crore.

Meanwhile, Samsung clinched the top spot in the smartphone market from Apple in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, preliminary data from global research firm IDC said on Monday.

Global smartphone shipments increased 7.8 per cent (year-over-year) to 289.4 million units in the first quarter of 2024, according to the IDC, reports DPA news agency.

“While the industry is not completely out of the woods, as macroeconomic challenges remain in many markets, this marks the third consecutive quarter of shipment growth, a strong indicator that a recovery is well underway,” the report mentioned.

In the last quarter, Samsung sold 60.1 million smartphones and Apple 50.1 million of its iPhones.

That brings the market shares of the two biggest companies to 20.8 per cent and 17.3 per cent.

“As expected, smartphone recovery continues to move forward with market optimism slowly building among the top brands,” Ryan Reith, group vice president with IDC’s Worldwide Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers, said.

“While Apple managed to capture the top spot at the end of 2023, Samsung successfully reasserted itself as the leading smartphone provider in the first quarter,” he said.

China’s Xiaomi, Transsion and OPPO rounded out the top five companies.

“The smartphone market is emerging from the turbulence of the last two years both stronger and changed,” said Nabila Popal, research director with IDC’s Worldwide Tracker team.

“Xiaomi is coming back strong from the large declines experienced over the past two years and Transsion is becoming a stable presence in the Top 5 with aggressive growth in international markets,” Popal said.

“In contrast, while the Top 2 players both saw negative growth in the first quarter, it seems Samsung is in a stronger position overall than they were in recent quarters.”

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-Top News EU News Europe

EU to probe Apple, Meta, Alphabet under new digital law

The Commission said it intends to conclude the proceedings opened within 12 months…reports Asian Lite News

The European Commission has opened its first “non-compliance” investigations against Alphabet, Apple and Meta under the Digital Markets Act, a law that is designed to stop Big Tech companies from cornering digital markets.

In a statement on March 25, the commission, which is executive of the 27-nation European Union bloc said that it was investigating Alphabet’s rules on steering in Google Play and self-preferencing on Google Search, Apple’s rules on steering in the App Store and the choice screen for Safari and Meta’s “pay or consent model”.

In addition, the Commission has launched investigatory steps relating to Apple’s new fee structure for alternative app stores and Amazon’s ranking practices on its marketplace.

According to the European Commission, some large online platforms act as “gatekeepers” in digital markets and the Digital Markets Act aims to ensure that these platforms behave in a fair way online.

Together with the Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets Act is one of the centrepieces of the European digital strategy.

The European Union regulator had in September 2023 designated as gatekeepers six companies – Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta and Microsoft, covering 22 core platform services.

The law requires the gatekeepers – which provide services such as search engines, social networks and chat apps used by other businesses – to comply with guidance to ensure a level playing field for their rivals and to give users more choices.

In its statement, the commission said that it “suspects that the measures put in place by these gatekeepers fall short of effective compliance of their obligations under the DMA”.

The DMA act took effect on March 7.

The Commission said it intends to conclude the proceedings opened within 12 months.

In case of an infringement of rules, the Commission can impose fines up to 10 per cent of the company’s total worldwide turnover. Such fines can go up to 20 per cent in case of repeated infringement.

“The Digital Markets Act became applicable on March 7. We have been in discussions with gatekeepers for months to help them adapt, and we can already see changes happening on the market. But we are not convinced that the solutions by Alphabet, Apple and Meta respect their obligations for a fairer and more open digital space for European citizens and businesses. Should our investigation conclude that there is lack of full compliance with the DMA, gatekeepers could face heavy fines,” Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market said. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Ombudsman raises concern over EU migration deal with Egypt

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Tech Lite

Apple ramps up its ‘secret’ self-driving car testing

Self-driving cars

Earlier reports claimed that Apple downgraded its ambitions to build a self-driving electric car. However, new documents show that the company is still testing its own self-driving car…reports Asian Lite News

Apple has ramped up its self-driving car testing and has logged over 450,000 miles of autonomous driving in the US from December 2022 to November 2023. Data submitted by Apple with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) showed that Apple tested its autonomous car more than ever last year, reports Wired.

Apple has a permit to test autonomous vehicle tech on California’s public roads only if the company has a safety driver behind the wheel. Apple’s secret car project is finally gaining momentum.

Earlier reports claimed that Apple downgraded its ambitions to build a self-driving electric car. However, new documents show that the company is still testing its own self-driving car.

Meanwhile, Google’s Waymo drove 3.7 million testing miles in California with a safety driver behind the wheel and 1.2 million testing miles with no one behind the wheel.

The company drove more than 1.6 million additional miles with passengers in the car, according to separate government documents, said the report.

There were reports that Apple postponed the 2026 launch of the “Apple Car,” an electric vehicle that will purportedly cost less than $100,000. The company is still working on the vehicle’s design. Apple Car was first reported to arrive in 2024.

Apple has also filed several new patents in software and hardware related to riding comfort such as seats and suspension. The iPhone maker is also reportedly working on vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology, which allows cars to communicate with each other and connect to the Internet of Things (IoT). The company in 2022 hired veteran Ford executive Desi Ujkashevic to help it develop a fully electric autonomous car.

ALSO READ-Apple Q4 Revenue up 6%

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-Top News Business

Apple plans to buy AI startup to strengthen its Vision Pro

Apple is reportedly considering using Brighter AI’s technology to minimise the risk of Apple Vision Pro capturing identifiable information in public photos or videos…reports Asian Lite News

Apple is planning to acquire a German AI startup — Brighter AI, specialising in anonymising face and licence plate data, a media report has said.

According to 9to5Mac, citing sources, the tech giant aims to use this acquisition to improve privacy features on its mixed reality (MR) headset Vision Pro.

Apple is reportedly considering using Brighter AI’s technology to minimise the risk of Apple Vision Pro capturing identifiable information in public photos or videos.

These concerns are usually not present while using an iPhone to capture footage. However, Apple Vision Pro may raise concerns because it can shoot video more discreetly than smartphones.

This technology could also be useful in future devices that make photo and video capture less noticeable. When capturing media with Vision Pro, a subtle visual cue appears on the front panel, the report mentioned.

Brighter AI offers sophisticated AI technology that can remove all traces of data without obscuring it, making the acquisition of the company of particular interest. The method used by Brighter AI keeps subjects’ natural appearance while maintaining their unrecognisability, according to the report.

Instead, Brighter AI can alter images so that subjects are no longer identifiable. It accomplishes this while maintaining natural appearances. Meanwhile, Apple officially launched Vision Pro in the US on February 2. It starts at $3,500.

The tech giant has announced more than 600 apps and games designed for the Apple Vision Pro headset.

ALSO READ-Apple Q4 Revenue up 6%

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Business Economy

Apple Q4 Revenue up 6%

Apple services revenue also set an all-time record of $23.1 billion, up 11 per cent year-over-year….reports Asian Lite News

Apple has registered $69.7 billion revenue for iPhones in the December quarter of 2023, a 6 per cent growth year-over-year.

The company set all-time records in several countries and regions, including Latin America, Western Europe, the Middle East, and Korea, as well as December quarter records in India and Indonesia.

“Our iPhone active install base grew to a new all-time high, and we had an all-time record number of iPhone upgraders during the quarter,” said Luca Maestri, Apple CFO.

According to a survey from Kantar, iPhones were four out of the top five models in the U.S. and Japan, four out of the top six models in urban China and the UK, and all top five models in Australia.

Apple services revenue also set an all-time record of $23.1 billion, up 11 per cent year-over-year.

“We’re very pleased with our services performance in both developed and emerging markets, with all-time revenue records in the Americas, Europe, and rest of Asia-Pacific,” said Maestri.

Mac generated revenue of $7.8 billion and returned to growth, despite one less week of sales this year.

“Customer response to our latest iMac and MacBook Pro models powered by the M3 chips has been great and our Mac install base reached an all-time high, with almost half of Mac buyers during the quarter being new to the product,” said the company.

iPad was $7 billion in revenue, down 25 per cent year over year.

“iPad faced a difficult compare, because during the December quarter last year, we launched the new iPad Pro and iPad 10th generation, and we had an extra week of sales,” said Maestri.

Wearables, Home and Accessories revenue was $12 billion, down 11 per cent year over year due to a challenging launch compare and the extra week a year ago.

With the upcoming launch of Apple Vision Pro, the company is seeing strong excitement in enterprise.

“Leading organisations across many industries, such as Walmart, Nike, Vanguard, Striker, Bloomberg and SAP have started leveraging and investing in Apple Vision Pro as the new platform to bring innovative spatial computing experiences to their customers and employees,” said the company.

‘Apple Blocks Rivals’

Apple has made it very difficult for others to build rival app stores in the European Union (EU), Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said.

Apple maintains that side-loading represents a security threat. However, the EU’s upcoming Digital Markets Act (DMA) has forced the tech giant to make App store changes in the region, including new fees.

“I don’t think that the Apple thing is going to have any difference for us. Because I think that the way they have implemented it, I would be very surprised if any developer chose to go into the alternative app stores that they have,” Zuckerberg told analysts during the company’s fourth quarter earnings call late on Thursday.

“They’ve made it so onerous, and I think so at odds with the intent of what the EU regulation was, that I think it”s just going to be very difficult for anyone, including ourselves, to really seriously entertain what they’re doing there,” he added.

After Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney and Spotify CEO Daniel Ek, Microsoft has also criticised Apple App Store changes in the EU, calling those “a step in the wrong direction.”

X owner Elon Musk on Saturday joined the debate around Apple’s App Store changes in the European Union (EU) ahead of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in March, saying these changes are “very concerning”.

The world’s richest man reacted to Spotify CEO Daniel Ek who posted on X that Apple’s DMA announcement is, “at best vague and misleading”.

To which, Musk said these changes are very concerning. He, however, did not divulge more on the hot issue.

Apple has announced changes to iOS, Safari, and the App Store in the European Union in response to the DMA coming into force in March.

The key news is that third-party app stores will be allowed on iOS for the first time. The changes will arrive with iOS 17.4 in March.

The new App Store changes, announced ahead of the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) in March, will require developers using third-party app stores to pay 0.50 euro for each annual app install after 1 million downloads.

Apple will also still take a 17 per cent commission from the developers who choose to use third-party payment processors.

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Business India News Technology

Apple’s Dominance Grows in India

Apple’s Q4 2023 performance in India paints a picture of strong measured progress in a crucial growth market….reports Asian Lite News

Riding on the premiumisation trend in India, iPhones grew 28 per cent from 4 per cent market share in 2022 to more than 6 per cent in 2023, according to latest industry data.

In the fourth quarter of 2023 alone, iPhone shipments saw seven per cent growth in India, according to CMR data accessed by IANS.

Apple’s Q4 2023 performance in India paints a picture of strong measured progress in a crucial growth market.

“The 28 per cent YoY growth in iPhone shipments in 2023 underlines Apple’s long-term growth potential in India. I believe India will power Apple’s growth over the next decade, just like China did in the previous one,” said Prabhu Ram, Head, Industry Intelligence Group at CMR.

The iPhone 15 grew on the back of the rising premiumization trend in India.

“The continued significance of older generation iPhones, including the iPhone 14 and 13 series underscores the effectiveness of Apple’s affordability initiatives and targeted retail strategies in appealing to a broader spectrum of Indian consumers, contributing to the overall growth,” Ram told IANS.

As India doubles down on local manufacturing, Apple assembled iPhones worth more than Rs 1 lakh crore in India in 2023, according to industry data.

However, according to industry sources, the actual market value of the iPhones manufactured/assembled in India could be much higher, depending on taxes in other countries.

Apple’s manufacturing in India is part of the goals set under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme.

Led by Apple, India is set to cross $15 billion (over Rs 1,24,000 crore) in mobile phone exports in the current fiscal year (FY24), posting a growth of 35 per cent over the last fiscal year.

Apple’s revenue in India hit nearly Rs 50,000 crore in FY23, with sales increasing 48 per cent to Rs 49,321 crore and net profit rising 76 per cent to Rs 2,229 crore — fastest growth of net profit for Apple in India in the last five years.

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