Chinese Asks Apple To Remove Telegram and Signal From App Store

Technology-Portfolio.Net - After Chinese asked Apple to remove WhatsApp and Threads from the App Store, now other popular messaging applications--Signal and Telegram--have also been withdrawn by Apple.

At the insistence of the Chinese government, Apple removed WhatsApp and Threads from the App Store in the Chinese market. Now, other popular messaging apps--Signal and Telegram--have also been pulled by Apple.

Apple says “We are obligated to follow the laws of the countries where we operate, even if we disagree”.

The company further explained that due to national security concerns, China has ordered the app to be removed from the App Store.

“The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the App Store storefront in China based on their national security concerns,” Apple said.

Apple added that these applications remain available for download on all other App Store storefronts (outside the Chinese market).

The move is not surprising, considering that Chinese has a long history of blocking foreign apps and websites, arguing that they do not comply with its internet regulations.

These regulations often focus on data privacy, content control, and censorship--something that has been felt to be particularly restrictive in applications from US companies.

Signal and Telegram join a growing list of apps not available in the Chinese market, including social media giants like Facebook and Instagram, video platform YouTube and even Wikipedia.

In 2023, Meta launched a new platform to compete with Twitter, called Threads. Surprisingly, this application is available in China and was in the top five applications when it was first launched.

WhatsApp is also available for download but not working. Users have to rely on VPNs and other tricks to use popular social media apps in China.

WeChat remains one of the most widely used social media applications in the country.

Chinese Forces Apple To Remove WhatsApp Application and Threads In App Store

Technology-Portfolio.Net - Apple users in Chinese will likely no longer be able to find and download WhatsApp and Threads apps from the App Store.

Apple users in Chinese will likely no longer be able to find and download WhatsApp and Threads apps from the App Store.

Apple said it had pulled the apps from its store to comply with an order it received from the Cyberspace Administration, Chinese internet regulator, citing national security concerns.

Apple explains they are obliged to follow the laws of the countries in which they operate, even when they disagree with them.

Chinese Great Firewall regulator blocks many non-domestic apps and technologies, encouraging local citizens to use VPNs if they want to access any of them.

Facebook and Instagram are the only two apps on the list, but WhatsApp and Threads are still available for download today.

The Chinese regulator's order was issued shortly before the US Senate will vote on a bill that could lead to a ban on TikTok in the US.

The Cyberspace Administration claims that the app is a national security issue, echoing the arguments of US lawmakers who blocked TikTok in the country.

In the current version of the US bill, ByteDance has one year to divest TikTok, or the short video sharing platform will be banned from apps stores.

The US House of Representatives is expected to pass the bill, which is part of a package also including aid to Ukraine and Israel.

President Joe Biden previously said he supported the measure and would soon sign the bill into law.

United States President Joe Biden Signs a Rule To Ban TikTok In The United States, Here's The Reason

Technology-Portfolio.Net - The United States stated that it had passed a law that could have the effect of blocking TikTok in the country.

United States President Joe Biden has reportedly approved new regulations that could threaten TikTok's presence in the country. Because, with this new regulation, the United States can block TikTok if it doesn't divest the company.

With the passing of this regulation, ByteDance as the owner of TikTok must comply with it or leave the United States.

It was stated that companies were given nine months to comply with these regulations. However, the US President is said to be able to extend this period if he sees progress being made by the company.

Responding to this regulation, TikTok spokesperson Alex Haurek stated that his party plans to challenge the law in United States court.

"As we continue to oppose this unconstitutional ban, we will continue to invest and innovate to ensure TikTok remains a space for Americans from all walks of life to safely experience, find joy, and be inspired," said Alex.

TikTok CEO Shou Chew also expressed his response via a post on TikTok. He stated that this step was clearly blocking.

For your information, the US House of Representatives on April 20 2024, approved a bill that could potentially ban TikTok from being distributed in the US if they fail to divest from their parent company in China, Bytedance.

The US House of Representatives has approved the bill with a strong vote of 360 to 58. After gaining approval, this bill arrived at President Biden's desk and was signed.

This step cannot be separated from the many members of parliament from various parties - both from the Republican and Democratic parties, as well as the Biden administration - who have voiced concerns about TikTok.

The reason they use is about national security. They worry that China will force the company to share the data of its 170 million US users.

Apple Will Improve AI Capabilities In iOS 18, What Has Changed?

Technology-Portfolio.Net - Apple will reportedly bring more AI features to the iPhone via iOS 18. The company plans to take several steps to implement AI features, including collaborating with other technology companies.

For your information, AI/artificial intelligence and Machine Learning are not new to the iPhone, Apple has been developing AI in the iPhone for years.

The AI features that have been embedded in the iPhone include Portrait Mode on the iPhone camera, as well as the ability to copy and paste text from photos.

Now, Apple will present more AI features in iOS 18 at the 2024 Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC). It is rumored that the company will take AI features to the next level by implementing generative AI features on the iPhone.

For your information, generative AI is an AI model that is trained on large volumes of data and is able to create content in response to entered commands.

Generative AI was first popularized by OpenAI through ChatGPT. Thanks to the success of ChatGPT, many technology companies are developing and implementing generative AI such as Google, Samsung, and Microsoft.

Even though Apple has not revealed its plans to introduce AI features in iOS 18, this has been seen from several leaks and a number of steps taken by the company.

One of them is that several reports show that Apple has acquired several AI startup companies, such as DarwinAI and Datakalab. Apart from that, there are several other AI implementation plans that Apple is also said to be bringing to the iPhone, here are some of them.

iOS 18 Brings Many AI Features

Apple VP of Software Engineering, Craig Federighi has been tasked with implementing a number of new features into iOS that are strengthened by Apple Large Language Model (LLM).

However, it is still unclear what AI features will be present in iOS 18. However, the report says Apple will bring AI improvements to the Messages and Siri applications.

According to some analysts, Apple will wait until September 2024 to announce new AI features along with the release of the iPhone 16.

As is known, Samsung and Google have provided a glimpse of how generative AI can change the way smartphones are used.

Both companies offer features that can rewrite text messages in different language styles before hitting the send button, as well as photo editing tools that can refill empty spaces in photos after moving objects.

It is possible that Apple will present an AI feature with similar capabilities in a future iOS update.

Apple Will Collaborate with Google to Present New AI Features

Apple is reportedly in talks with Google and OpenAI about using AI models to support certain future iPhone features.

This AI model will likely be used for AI features that require cloud processing.

Apple will also reportedly use its own LLM for AI processing without requiring an internet connection.

A report from Bloomberg suggests that Apple's first generative AI feature for the iPhone will be processed on the device, not in the cloud.

AI processed on the device is considered more secure and private. Because the data does not have to leave the device, but processing requires a more powerful chipset.

Based on circulating reports, Apple is said to be focusing on AI models that are run on devices locally, while looking for partners for cloud-based AI processing. Collaboration with other companies is nothing new for Apple.

For example, Google paid Apple billions of dollars to be the default search engine in the Safari browser. Apart from that, the company has also partnered with Qualcomm to bring 5G modems to the iPhone.

New Processor To Improve AI Processing

To improve AI processing, Apple is reportedly developing a processor that can improve data processing performance.

According to a report from MacRumors, a processor called A18 will be embedded in the iPhone 16 line. This processor will expand the capabilities of the Neural Engine which can help AI processing.

Siri is also predicted to be one of Apple's focuses in implementing AI features. A report from Bloomberg shows that Siri will get the latest AI-supported features.

The report cites the ability to ask Siri to create a GIF of your last five photos, and then share it.

WhatsApp Prepares The Language Change Feature From The Application

Technology-Portfolio.Net - WhatsApp is reportedly developing a new feature called App Language. As the name suggests, this feature allows users to change the language in the application.

This new Whatsapp feature was first discovered by WABetaInfo in the beta version of Android v2.22.8.3. It is stated that this option allows users to manually change the language of the application.

WhatsApp itself supports 60 languages in the world for Android devices. This language setting is automatic according to the system language.

With this App Language setting, the WhatsApp application language can be changed as desired without the need to follow the language on the cellphone system, as reported by Beebom.

This feature is similar to one of the options in Android 13, which allows users to change the language in each App. This feature is already in developer preview form, and still needs improvement.

WABetaInfo reports that the WhatsApp App Language feature is still in the development stage. So it is not known when this feature will be released to all users.

Leaked New Android 13 Features

Technology-Portfolio.Net - Google has just released the Android 12 operating system at the end of last year. But its successor, Android 13 , has been widely leaked to the public.

A report from Android Police reveals that there are several new features appearing in Android 13, which may be named Tiramisu.

There are at least three new features of Android 13 that have been leaked.

QR Code Scanner

Google seems to want to make it easier for users to scan QR codes faster.

You can directly scan the QR code without the need for a built-in application.

Previously, this feature was provided by Google through the Google Lens application.

If your Android phone doesn't have Google Lens, they have to install it first in order to scan the QR code.

In the latest leak, this QR code scanner feature will be obtained on the lock screen or lock screen.
Unfortunately, it is not explained how it works in more detail whether this feature does appear in the new application or is simply directed to the Google Lens application.

Tap-To-Transfer

Tap to transfer or tap to transfer this works to find out the closest device to the sender.

This feature is usually intended for sending files or searching for audio devices near the user.

In fact, it's similar to the Hand od Audio that Apple made into the HomePod smart speaker.

This feature allows you to connect to the speaker, by bringing the phone closer to the device.

In its report, the feature works with Google audio devices such as Chromecast speakers.

Unfortunately, it is not known how it works, whether using the Ultra-wideband (UWB) chip in smartphones or Near Field Communication (NFC).

Audio Output Picker

Reports say that this feature will be redesigned. Previously, Google has released audio output on the Android 10 operating system.

This feature displays a list of available devices to connect by turning on the music.

Usually, this feature displays devices such as smart speakers, wireless earbuds, and other devices near the phone.

Apple Officially Releases iOS 15.2.1 Update

Technology-Portfolio.Net - Apple has released software updates for iOS 15.2.1 and iPadOS 15.2.1, for iPhone and iPad devices.

Through this update, Apple brings a number of fixes to address the loopholes and bugs found in iOS 15.2. One of them is a bug fix where photos from iCloud Link fail to load when sent via message.

iCloud Link itself is a service that allows users to share photos and videos via iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and the iCloud.com site.

This service is temporary, so all photos shared via iCloud Link will be automatically deleted after 30 days.

After successfully saved in iCloud Link, users can copy the link ( link ) of the photo or video to be shared via messages in Messages or Mail services. However, due to a bug , iOS users who receive photos via a link in the Messages service are often unable to load the photo in question.

This is of course very annoying because users can't see photos included in short messages sent by other people.

This iOS 15.2.1 also addresses a bug found in the HomeKit protocol. The bug is a loophole that can make an iPhone or iPad not work.

Through the loophole, a malicious individual could change the name of a HomeKit-compatible device to more than 500,000 characters. This can cause the device to malfunction.

Other fixes focus on third-party CarPlay app services that sometimes struggle to respond to user input.

The presence of this bug seems quite annoying, considering the high reports from iPhone users who complain of similar problems.

Usually, iOS updates can be obtained automatically. This is indicated by the appearance of a special notification on the device But if you don't get it, users can update the system manually.

To do this, users can access the Settings menu > General > Software update.

The iOS 15.2.1 update is about 970 MB in size.

Devices from Apple that are already compatible in the iOS 15.2.1 list are revealed in the sector on the iPhone 13 starting from iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XS, iPhone 11, iPhone XR, iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 7, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone SE (Gen 2), iPhone SE (1st Gen), iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPod touch (Gen 7).

While tablet devices will be available on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (Gen 5, Gen 4, Gen 3, Gen 2, Gen 1), iPad Pro 11 inch (Gen 3, Gen 2, Gen 1), iPad Pro 10.5 inch, iPad Pro 9.7 inch, iPad (Gen 5, Gen 6, Gen 7, Gen 8, Gen 9), iPad Air (Gen 2, Gen 3, Gen 4), iPad mini (Gen 4, Gen 5, Gen 6).

Instagram Tries Edit Grid Feature to Create A More Aesthetic Feed

Technology-Portfolio.Net - Instagram is testing a new feature called Edit Grid. This feature will be very useful for Instagram users who want to have an aesthetic profile feed.

Currently this feature is still in the development stage. But developer and leaker Alessandro Paluzzi managed to dig into it to show how this feature looks and works before it is rolled out.

In a tweet on his Twitter account, Paluzzzi shared two screenshots showing this feature. The first screenshot shows the edit profile page showing a new option called Edit Grid.

If the user selects this option, they can change the order of the photos on the profile page. Instead of bothering to delete or archive photos, users can simply drag-and-drop the photos they want to move to make their profiles look neater and more aesthetic, as quoted from XDA Developers, Thursday (13/1/2022).

Currently, Instagram has not shared information about this new feature. But chances are they will reveal more information once this feature is ready to roll out.

Instagram Tries Edit Grid Feature to Create A More Aesthetic Feed

#Instagram is working on the ability to edit the profile grid allowing you to rearrange posts in any order you like 👀 pic.twitter.com/fjmkJD4je2

— Alessandro Paluzzi (@alex193a) January 10, 2022

As it is still in development stage, this feature will be rolled out to beta testers first before it is released to all users. It is also possible that this feature will be canceled for one reason or another.

In addition to the edit grid feature, Instagram is also testing three ways to sort content in the main feed, namely by upload time chronology, based on a proposed algorithm, and based on the order of favorite accounts. These three new feed views will roll out in the second half of 2022.