Tag: Consumer electronics
UK competition watchdog investigates Apple’s App Store
LONDON (AP) — U.K. authorities have launched an investigation into Apple's App Store over concerns it has a dominant role that stifles competition and...
Google ends sale of ads using individual web tracking data
LONDON (AP) — Google says it won't develop new ways to follow individual users across the internet after it phases out existing ad-tracking technology...
Europeans get ‘right to repair’ for some electrical goods
BERLIN (AP) — Companies that sell refrigerators, washers, hairdryers or TVs in the European Union will need to ensure those appliances can be repaired...
Kia and Hyundai recovering from days-long network outages
BOSTON (AP) — Kia Motors America says it’s restoring services crippled by a computer network outage that began Saturday and which apparently affected dealers’...
EXPLAINER: What is Clubhouse, the buzzy new audio chat app?
Clubhouse, an invitation-only audio chat app launched less than a year ago, has caught the attention of tech industry bigshots like Tesla CEO Elon...
Germany to let citizens store ID cards on smartphone
BERLIN (AP) — Germany says its citizens will be able to use smartphones to store their government-issued ID cards and prove their identity online.
...
Huawei founder sees no end to US sanctions
BEIJING (AP) — The founder of Huawei said Tuesday he doubts President Joe Biden will remove U.S. sanctions that battered the telecom equipment giant’s...
EXPLAINER: How are the Myanmar protests being organized?
Protests in Myanmar against the military coup that removed Aung San Suu Kyi's government from power have grown in recent days despite official efforts...
Music to my fears: Man swallows earbud while sleeping
BOSTON (AP) — A man is warning people against using headphones while falling asleep after health care workers had to remove a wireless earbud...
Apple CEO escalates battle with Facebook over online privacy
SAN RAMON, Calif. (AP) — Apple CEO Tim Cook fired off a series of thinly veiled shots at Facebook and other social media companies...
Samsung reports profit jump driven by strong chip demand
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Samsung Electronics Co. said Thursday its operating profit for the last quarter rose by more than 26% as it...
Apple urges security upgrade to iPhones, iPads
CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) — Apple is urging iPhone and iPad users to update their devices to fix security flaws that might have been “actively...
Pushed by pandemic, Germany seeks to boost technology use
BERLIN (AP) — The German government on Wednesday agreed on a strategy to boost the use of data for commercial purposes and signed a...
Wuhan returns to normal as world still battling pandemic
WUHAN, China (AP) — A year ago, a notice sent to smartphones in Wuhan at 2 a.m. announced the world's first coronavirus lockdown, bringing...
US blacklists Xiaomi, CNOOC, Skyrizon, raising heat on China
HONG KONG (AP) — The U.S. government has blacklisted Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp. and China’s third-largest national oil company for alleged military links,...
Google muscles up with Fitbit deal amid antitrust concerns
SAN RAMON, Calif. (AP) — Google has completed its $2.1 billion acquisition of fitness-gadget maker Fitbit, a deal that could help the internet company...
Samsung promises new phones will deliver more for less money
SAN RAMON, Calif. (AP) — Samsung’s next crop of smartphones will boast bigger screens, better cameras, and longer-lasting batteries at lower prices than last...
Microsoft ousts rivals from CES marquee as show moves online
This week, Microsoft had a big test on its hands — how to help transform the world's biggest gadget show into an online-only event.
...
5 CES Trends to Watch
CES, the annual gadget show that showcases the buzziest and brightest tech, looks different this year — less Vegas glitz, more internet efficiency. With...
Right-wing app Parler booted off internet over ties to siege
The conservative-friendly social network Parler was booted off the internet Monday over ties to last week’s siege on the U.S. Capitol, but not before...
Meet the online gadget show, a hall of mirrors to the future
Every January, huge crowds descend on Las Vegas for the CES gadget show, an extravaganza of tech and glitz intended to set the tone...
Parler squeezed as Trump seeks new online megaphone
President Donald Trump has been kicked off of most mainstream social media platforms following his supporters’ siege on the U.S. Capitol. But it remains...
Semiconductor shortage forces automobile production cuts
DETROIT (AP) — A widening global shortage of semiconductors for auto parts is forcing major auto companies to halt or slow vehicle production just...
Report: gov’t spyware targets phones of Al-Jazeera reporters
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Dozens of journalists at Al-Jazeera, the Qatari state-owned media company, have been targeted by advanced spyware in an...
China’s leaders say tech growth top priority amid US tension
BEIJING (AP) — China's ruling Communist Party called Friday for faster technology development to increase the country's economic independence amid tensions with Washington that...
Apple’s app stores open new privacy window for customers
CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) — Apple has begun spelling out what kinds of personal information is being collected by the digital services displayed in its...
Maduro opponents claim big turnout in Venezuelan protest
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Droves of Venezuelans blaming President Nicolás Maduro for their country’s collapse voiced their frustrations Saturday in a creative protest rivaling...
Apple unveils headphones that cost twice as much as AirPods
SAN RAMON, Calif. (AP) — Apple has one more thing for the holiday shopping season: over-the-ear, wireless headphones that will test how much people...
California releases smartphone virus tool as cases soar
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday announced a voluntary smartphone tool to alert people of possible coronavirus exposure as cases...
EXPLAINER: How phones can alert you to COVID-19 exposure
More than 8.1 million people in the U.S. have turned their iPhones and Android devices into pandemic contact-tracing tools, but it hasn't been of...
Lights, camera, sell: Retailers want you to watch and shop
NEW YORK (AP) — When Jenna Powell gets in front of a camera, she can sell $10,000 worth of sparkly dresses and tie-dye hoodies...
Huawei selling Honor phone brand in face of US sanctions
BEIJING (AP) — Chinese tech giant Huawei is selling its budget-price Honor smartphone brand in an effort to rescue the struggling business from damaging...
Privacy activists in EU file complaints over iPhone tracking
BERLIN (AP) — European privacy activists have filed complaints against Apple over its use of software to track the behavior of iPhone users.
...
New device puts music in your head — no headphones required
LONDON (AP) — Imagine a world where you move around in your own personal sound bubble. You listen to your favorite tunes, play loud...
Apple unveils first Macs built to run more like iPhones
SAN RAMON, Calif. (AP) — Apple is rolling out new Mac computers powered by the same kind of chips that run iPhones and iPads,...
China’s leaders vow to become self-reliant technology power
BEIJING (AP) — China’s leaders are vowing to make their country a self-reliant “technology power” as a feud with Washington cuts access to U.S....
Chinese leaders focus on tech as they make 5-year plan
BEIJING (AP) — Chinese leaders met Monday to formulate an economic blueprint for the next five years that is expected to emphasize development of...
New Huawei phone comes at crucial time for Chinese company
LONDON (AP) — Huawei’s new smartphone has an upgraded camera, its latest advanced chipset and a better battery. What it may not have outside...
Analysis: Racial inequity in who takes career, tech courses
Alphina Kamara wonders what might have happened if she’d been introduced to science and engineering careers at her high school in Wilmington, Delaware.
...
Nonprofit app aims to help unblock global air travel
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — A nonprofit foundation is testing a smartphone app that could make it easier for international airline passengers to securely show...
Justice Dept. files landmark antitrust case against Google
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department on Tuesday sued Google for abusing its dominance in online search and advertising — the government’s most significant...
DC debuts smartphone-based COVID-19 exposure alert system
WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s capital has become one of the first jurisdictions in the country to employ a new COVID-19 notification system, a...
European nations mixed in their response to virus spikes
Countries across Europe are battling coronavirus infection spikes with new lockdowns, curfews, face mask orders and virus tracking smart phone apps.
...
Apple unveils new iPhones for faster 5G wireless networks
Apple unveiled four new iPhones equipped with technology for use with faster new 5G wireless networks, hoping that demand for higher data speeds will...
Low tech talk in Google, Oracle high tech copyright clash
WASHINGTON (AP) — The topic was high tech: the code behind smartphones.
...
Google unveils latest Pixel phone, rolls out new TV service
SAN RAMON, Calif. (AP) — Google will try to make a bigger splash in the smartphone market with a cheaper high-end model while it...
Walmart looks to airports as inspiration of new store layout
NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart is getting inspiration from the airport terminal as it revamps the layout and signage of its stores to speed...
Federal judge postpones Trump ban on popular app TikTok
NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge on Sunday postponed a Trump administration order that would have banned the popular video sharing app TikTok...
Apple’s smaller rivals unite to fight iPhone app store rules
WASHINGTON (AP) — Spotify and the makers of Fortnite and Tinder are taking on Apple and Google as part of a newly formed coalition...
As Europe faces 2nd wave of virus, tracing apps lack impact
LONDON (AP) — Mobile apps tracing new COVID-19 cases were touted as a key part of Europe’s plan to beat the coronavirus outbreak. Seven...
Apple debuts discount watch, but no new iPhones … yet
SAN RAMON, Calif. (AP) — Apple introduced a cheaper version of its smartwatch, its latest attempt to broaden the appeal of its trend-setting products...
Germany: Nationwide warning test fails in some places
BERLIN (AP) — People in Germany braced themselves for shrieking sirens Thursday morning but instead got deafening silence in many places as the first...
Apple delays debut of anti-tracking tool in iPhone software
SAN RAMON, Calif. (AP)...
EU unveils plan to secure raw materials, cut dependency
BRUSSELS (AP) — Worried...
Samsung touts $2,000 foldable phone as a ‘VIP’ experience
SAN RAMON, Calif. (AP)...
Huawei ends sports sponsor deal over Australia ‘trade war’
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) —...
US rolls out free app for alerts on vehicle recalls
DETROIT (AP) — The...
AP EXCLUSIVE: US faces back-to-school laptop shortage
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) —...
AP EXCLUSIVE: US faces back-to-school laptop shortage
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) —...
Zero G: Some German mobile users still waiting for a signal
HARNEKOP, Germany (AP) —...
China says US damaging global trade with Huawei sanctions
BEIJING (AP) — China...
Trump administration imposes new Huawei restrictions
The Trump administration is...
UK begins testing a new app to fight COVID-19 spread
LONDON (AP) — Britain...
Microsoft back in the smartphone business with its new Duo
Microsoft is back to...
Android phones to track quakes; California gets alert system
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) —...
MTA asks Apple’s help to solve iPhone mask issues
NEW YORK (AP) —...
Huawei: Smartphone chips running out under US sanctions
BEIJING (AP) — Chinese...
Virginia first to roll out pandemic app from Apple, Google
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) —...
Samsung’s new phones test consumer demand for pricey gadgets
Samsung aims to lift...
Officials: School laptops held up ahead of new academic year
About 4,000 new laptop...
Sony’s profit up as people staying home play video games
TOKYO (AP) — Japanese...
Samsung, Apple to boost cellphone manufacturing in India
NEW DELHI (AP) —...
Huawei overtakes Samsung as top smartphone seller: report
LONDON (AP) — A...
In reversal, CES gadget show won’t be in-person after all
NEW YORK (AP) —...
Garmin acknowledges cyberattack, doesn’t mention ransomware
BOSTON (AP) — The...
Garmin fitness tracking service goes down, frustrating users
LONDON (AP) — GPS...
Google to invest $4.5 billion in India’s Jio digital company
NEW DELHI (AP) —...
Ethiopia enters 3rd week of internet shutdown after unrest
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Ethiopia...
Facebook’s software kit to blame for popular apps crashing
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) —...
Pandemic forces some patients to phone in doctor visits
Video telemedicine took off...