Apple has refreshed its MacBook Air lineup for 2025, equipping the 13-inch and 15-inch models with the M4 processor.

The new laptops retain their fanless cooling design, despite the increase in processing power. In a notable change, Apple has reduced the starting prices for both models. The 13-inch MacBook Air with M4 starts at $999, the same price as the previous M2 model. The 15-inch version is priced at $1,199, down from $1,299 for last year’s release.

Alongside the MacBook Air updates, Apple has introduced a new Mac Studio, offering configurations with either an M4 Max processor or a new M3 Ultra chip. Pricing for these desktops remains unchanged, with starting costs of $1,999 and $3,999, respectively.

MacBook Air upgrades: What’s new?

Apple has kept the overall design of the MacBook Air unchanged but introduced a new colour option, Sky Blue. The Midnight (black) model now includes fingerprint-resistant anodisation, similar to the MacBook Pro. The M4 chip’s improved performance and efficiency mean the M4 MacBook Air is twice as fast as the original M1 version. However, the performance increase over the M3 models looks to be more incremental.

The M4 processor enables several capabilities, including:

• Support for two external displays while the laptop is open, compared to just one on M3 models.
• A 12-megapixel Centre Stage camera with Desk View, featuring subject tracking.
• Up to 18 hours of battery life, consistent with the M3 MacBook Air.

Base configurations now come with 16GB of unified memory, an increase from 8GB, to support Apple Intelligence features. The 13-inch model starts with a 10-core CPU and an 8-core GPU, with the option of upgrading at the time of purchase to a 10-core GPU. The 15-inch model starts with the more powerful 10-core CPU and GPU combination. Apple continues to pitch the MacBook Air as an ultraportable everyday device, while the MacBook Pro lineup remains focused on users needing higher performance and active cooling.

Mac Studio returns with M3 Ultra and M4 Max

Apple has upgraded its Mac Studio desktop to include the M4 Max processor and the new M3 Ultra chip. Both versions now support Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, which allows for data transfers of up to 120 Gbps. This enables connection to high-speed accessories, including PCIe expansion hubs and external storage solutions.

The M4 Max model keeps its 16-core CPU and 40-core GPU, with memory configurations ranging from 36GB to 128GB. According to Apple, the M4 Max has 3.5 times the performance of the M1 Max. The M3 Ultra model uses Apple’s UltraFusion interconnect to combine two M3 Max processors into a single system-on-chip (SoC), resulting in:

• A 32-core CPU (two 16-core M3 Max chips).
• An 80-core GPU, designed for intensive computing and AI applications.
• Up to 512GB of unified memory, the highest capacity available in a compact desktop workstation.
• 800GBps memory bandwidth, doubling that of the M4 Max model.

The M3 Ultra model is being positioned for AI development, machine learning, and high-performance computing, while the M4 Max configuration is aimed at content creators and professionals who require powerful GPU acceleration.

MacBook Air pricing adjustments and market positioning

The MacBook Air lineup’s price cut comes as Apple faces more competition from Windows-based ultraportables. While Apple has not revealed the actual reason for the price drop, enhancements in chip manufacturing efficiency at TSMC may have contributed to cost savings. Apple is also discontinuing the M3 MacBook Air models, leaving the M1 MacBook Air, still sold at Walmart, as the only lower-cost alternative. By offering the MacBook Air with M4 at a lower price, Apple is positioning itself more aggressively in the ultraportable laptop segment, where Windows manufacturers like Asus, HP, and Dell have introduced compelling alternatives in the sub-$1,000 range.

Apple’s strategy for AI and performance gains

Apple’s latest Mac lineup continues its push toward AI-focused computing, with the M4 MacBook Air supporting Apple Intelligence features and the M3 Ultra Mac Studio catering to developers working on AI models.

While the M4 processor offers improved graphics processing, some of its ray-tracing enhancements are absent from the M3 Ultra, which prioritises high memory capacity and parallel processing. Apple’s approach suggests that its Ultra-series chips will continue to lag one generation behind in graphics advancements due to the dual-chip architecture.

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Apple is gearing up to give its Vision Pro headset a much-needed shot in the arm, hoping to spark fresh interest in the $3,500 device that, let’s be honest, hasn’t exactly flown off the shelves. The company is planning a visionOS 2.4 update that could arrive as soon as April, according to people familiar with the plans. Developers might even get their hands on a beta version this week.

Leading the charge is the arrival of Apple Intelligence – Apple’s in-house AI system – on the Vision Pro. It’s the first time these features are extending beyond iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Vision Pro owners can expect tools like Writing Tools, Genmojis, and the Image Playground app, all powered by the headset’s M2 chip and 16GB of memory, enabling smooth on-device AI processing.

The timing isn’t random. Apple is facing stiff competition: Google recently unveiled Android XR, a mixed-reality operating system built around its Gemini AI, with Samsung gearing up to launch a headset running the platform later this year – a device that, going from leaked images, looks suspiciously like Apple’s Vision Pro.

But for all the AI upgrades, the bigger story may be Apple’s struggle to figure out where the Vision Pro fits. Over the past year, sales have been slower than hoped – hardly a shock given the steep price. Even Apple CEO Tim Cook described the headset as an “early-adopter product,” aimed at people who want “tomorrow’s technology today.”

There’s even talk that production is winding down. A report from The Information suggested that Apple might stop making the current Vision Pro soon, although it has enough supply to meet demand for now. Apple’s attention, it seems, is shifting toward what comes next – though exactly what that is remains hazy.

What’s next for Vision Pro?

Apple’s roadmap for its mixed-reality lineup appears to be in flux. Early rumours hinted at a second-generation Vision Pro packed with advanced features, but that project seems to have been put on pause. Instead, Apple’s priority is now believed to be a more affordable version – something closer in price to a high-end iPhone. That model, however, isn’t expected until at least 2027, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

More immediately, a smaller update to the current Vision Pro is being rumoured. Apple could swap in its upcoming M5 chip, providing a performance boost and possibly unlocking more advanced Apple Intelligence features, including an improved version of Siri. However, don’t expect big design changes. The refresh would likely reuse parts from the first-generation model to clear out leftover inventory.

There’s also been talk of 5G connectivity, although that might be reserved for a proper Vision Pro 2 further down the road.

Beyond AI: A content push and a smarter guest mode

Alongside the AI upgrades, Apple is trying to tackle another criticism – the lack of content tailored to the Vision Pro. The upcoming update will introduce a spatial content app designed to showcase 3D images and panoramic photos sourced from external providers. Apple hopes this will give users more to explore and drive interest in spatial media, which has so far been slow to take off. Adding to the content push, an immersive arctic surfing video will drop on February 21 via the Vision Pro’s TV app – a small but notable effort to flesh out the media experience.

On the usability front, guest mode is getting an upgrade. Apple is making it easier for Vision Pro owners to let friends and family try out the headset. For the first time, users will be able to set up guest access from their iPhone, selecting which apps are available. Previously, this all had to be done on the headset itself, which made lending it out a bit of a hassle.

Siri and Apple’s AI growing pains

While the update is bringing ChatGPT integration into Writing Tools, fans hoping for a smarter Siri on Vision Pro might be disappointed for now. Apple had planned a major Siri overhaul alongside this update, but engineering setbacks have reportedly pushed the release to May.

That delay is part of a broader struggle for Apple Intelligence. Critics have noted that Apple’s AI rollout has felt rushed, with Writing Tools, for instance, described as clunky and poorly integrated into Apple’s usual text tools. By contrast, the Image Playground app has been praised for offering a more user-friendly approach to AI-generated content – the kind of experience people expect from Apple.

Apple’s AI ambitions are still a work in progress. The company is seen as playing catch-up to rivals like OpenAI, Google, and Meta. While Apple Intelligence has started rolling out, key regions like continental Europe and China are still waiting, raising concerns about the company’s ability to keep pace in the fast-moving AI race.

The long view is that despite the growing pains, Apple isn’t giving up on mixed reality or AI. The visionOS 2.4 update is a step toward keeping the Vision Pro relevant, even as the company works out the future of the product line. Whether it’s the rumoured M5 refresh, the eventual low-cost model, or something else entirely, Apple is clearly playing the long game. For now, though, Vision Pro remains a product for the few – those willing to pay top dollar for a glimpse into Apple’s vision of the future.

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• Russia tests a ‘Great Firewall’ of its own.
• Big technology companies complicit with oppressive regimes.

Taking a leaf out of China’s internet playbook, Russia recently trialled the mechanisms it may use to create its own version of the ‘Great Firewall of China.’

According the the Russian censorship authority Roskomnadzor, citizens in Chechnya, Dagestan and Ingushetia were unable to access internet properties outside Russia for up to 24 hours as part of annual testing of a purely internal ‘internet.’ The initial English language report of the incident appeared on the website of neoconservative pressure group, the Institute for the Study of War, although the relevant page has since been removed.

The outage took place 6-7 December. Access to VPNs that may have allowed citizens to circumvent the block is limited inside Russia.

Many sites hosted outside its borders are already blocked or have access to them throttled from Russia, with popular services like YouTube effectively unusable by Russians. These strictures and the alleged tested blanket bans imposed in the three Southwestern Russian regions epitomise the ongoing hostility between Russia and the West. Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, for example, are unavailable in Russia without use of a VPN, and even that possibility is becoming more remote.

The Great Firewall, no VPNs

As part of a crackdown on what the state authorities consider unsuitable parts of the internet, the Russian government has made the removal of VPN apps from the Apple App Store necessary for the company to continue operations in the country. To date, Apple has responded favourably to government requests to remove the contentious apps from its App Store in more than 60 instances, in a mirror of its craven responses to similar insistence by the Chinese government. Dissemination of information about how to access VPN services is currently a criminal offence in Russia [site in Russian].

Russia has invested heavily in its internet infrastructure since around 2019, and part of that injection has been used to develop technology that can effectively segment Russia from the global internet, preventing Russian citizens getting access to internet properties that might dispute the veracity of messages put out by Russian state media. In a tale as old as the history of despotic regimes, and eerily-familiar to APAC readers, control of access to media outlets and censorship of dissenting voices inside a country allow governments to act without meaningful criticism.

Although individual businesses and organisations across the rest of the world have made decisions to cease trading with Russia, some in response to US embargoes on the country, many large technology companies have chosen a path of least resistance and maximum income by continuing operations on Russian and Chinese soil under strictures imposed by the states.

Apple builds a walled Gulag

Earlier this year, the Chinese government ordered Apple to take down encrypted messaging apps from its App Store, including Telegam, Signal and WhatsApp. At the time, the company stated that it was “obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree.”

The process by which Apple removes VPNs from its App Store in Russia should run smoothly thanks to the practice the company has had in the past. Apple began removing VPNs from its store in China in 2017 so that citizens wouldn’t be able to access media sources deemed as showing content disrespectful to Xi Jinping or otherwise disruptive of what Chinese authorities at the time termed an “orderly internet.”

Big technology companies’ obligations to human decency come third place to their obligations to continue to trade in oppressive states, and ongoing obligations to shareholders who insist that dividends keep being paid.

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• Apple modem to appear in handsets and iPads next year.
• Less capable than its Qualcomm alternative.
• Slated for use in the company’s cheaper products.

Apple’s long-maintained preference to keep every aspect of its products, both hardware and software, in-house sees the company take the step of slating its own 5G modem for appearance in the next version of the iPhone SE.

Modems are the components that liaise between a phone and the network service provider, usually a telecoms company, providing users with access to data, messaging and voice calls.

Apple currently sources its modems from Qualcomm, a US-based company with which Apple has a dual relationship; both a partner in its supply chain, and competitor – one which Apple has had legal beef with in the past.

To overcome the challenges inherent in designing and manufacturing such a complex element in a cellphone, Apple has hired multiple ex-Qualcomm employees and invested billions of dollars worldwide in research and development. The result is a modem known as Sinope, which is said will also appear in 2025 in lower-end iPads as well as a rumoured lighter, thinner iPhone SE.

Apple modem’s technical details

However, according to a report in Bloomberg, Apple’s Sinope lacks the capability and speed of the Qualcomm equivalent, which will continue to be used in Apple’s higher-end devices. That’s down to Sinope not supporting mmWave technology as used by several carriers in the US and around the world. Instead, the new, low-end devices will rely on so-called Sub-6 standards, which lab tests have shown to be slower in wireless information transfer speeds. Additionally, the Sinope modem supports only four carrier bands (four-carrier aggregation), compared to the six or more supported by Qualcomm modems that also supports mmWave.

Apple has planned for a second-generation modem to be ready by 2026, code-named Ganymede, with support for mmWave technologies providing eight-carrier aggregation, in addition to six-carrier aggregation using Sub-6. There are also plans for a third generation of hardware to appear in 2027 that could offer satellite communication capabilities and (as you might expect given this story’s 2024 provenance) AI capability.

Research and development activities into the next-generation modems and Sinope have been taking place in Munich, Germany and at Apple’s Cupertino headquarters. Sources close to the matter have reported that some staff have been equipped with phones sporting the Sinope modem to provide the company with real-life performance metrics.

The new (historically lower-powered) iPhone SE is rumoured offer a full, edge-to-edge screen, and be thinner than the current iPhone SE. Having a slower, less-capable modem will, the company hopes, not impact the user experience of its new model’s owners, and it seems unlikely that Sinope will appear in the company’s high-end, more expensive iPhone models: Customers paying over US$1000 for a phone tend to be a less-forgiving demographic.

The Apple modem could mean that users suffer from worse connectivity in terms of available networks, and may even have calls drop – the latter a problem that Apple will be working hard to solve between now and the iPhone SE’s launch, early next year.

In 2017 Apple sued Qualcomm in a dispute over Qualcomm’s charges it levied against Apple for the use of Qualcomm patents. In a legal tit-for-tat, Qualcomm attempted to get the sale of iPhones banned in the US, China and Europe because of violations of patents it holds. It’s speculated that Apple’s decision to create its own modem hardware was taken in direct response to the disagreement. Regardless, Apple’s preference for owning as much of its means of production in software and hardware as it can continues.

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Just three months ago, Apple’s launch of the iPhone 16 met with little enthusiasm in the Chinese market, as consumers hoping for AI features found themselves disappointed. The muted reception was particularly stark when contrasted with Huawei’s strategic counter-punch—launching its own AI-powered device mere hours after Apple’s announcement, complete with sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities up and running, somthing that Apple couldn’t yet offer in the region.

As Apple seeks to launch its AI features in China, the tech giant is discovering that even having a trillion dollars doesn’t mean it can easily penetrate Beijing’s regulatory firewall. The company’s struggles in China expose a broader challenge facing Western tech companies: navigate the complex maze of Chinese AI regulations or risk being left out of one of the world’s most lucrative markets.

The stakes are high for Apple. With China accounting for 17% of its total revenue last year and an 8% decline already recorded amid rising competition from Huawei and Chinese manufacturers, the pressure to maintain market relevance is intense. Yet, the path forward is anything but straightforward.

The Cyberspace Administration of China’s stance is unambiguou: foreign companies must partner with local entities for AI service provision, systems that have had their LLMs approved by the authorities. Otherwise, the companies like Apple will have to wait for approval of their different back-end models. This message echoed clearly through the corridors of the recent World Internet Conference in Wuzhen.

Tim Cook’s third visit to China this year, meeting with Premier Li Qiang, underscores how seriously Apple is taking the issue. Apple has begun discussions with potential local partners like Baidu, ByteDance, and Moonshot. Negotiations, therefore, represent more than mere business dealings – they’re a testament to China’s growing technological autonomy and its determination to maintain control over AI development within its borders.

Industry observers are quick to see the irony. Apple, a company that prides itself on vertical integration and maintaining strict control over its ecosystem, must now consider ceding some of that control to Chinese partners. The company has successfully rolled-out of Apple Intelligence (AI) features in the US and other regions since October, using its own infrastructure and OpenAI’s ChatGPT, in stark contrast with the compromises it will need to make in China.

JP Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee’s projection of a potential delay until the second half of 2025 without local partnerships isn’t just a timeline – it’s a warning. The longer Apple takes to navigate the regulatory waters, the more ground it cedes to domestic competitors like Huawei, which has already integrated AI capabilities into its latest smartphones.

Beyond the business implications lies a more fundamental question: What happens when Western innovation meets Chinese regulation? Apple’s predicament exemplifies the growing tension between global tech ambitions and national digital sovereignty. The requirement to use pre-approved large language models from Chinese firms isn’t just about regulatory compliance – it’s about data control, technological independence, and, ultimately, political power.

For Apple, the choice ahead is clear yet complicated: partner with local firms and potentially compromise on its AI features’ independence or risk losing ground in a market crucial to its global success. This isn’t just Apple’s dilemma; it’s a preview of the challenges that await any Western tech company hoping to deploy AI solutions in China.

As the situation unfolds, one thing becomes certain: the era of seamless global tech deployment is giving way to a more fragmented digital world, where national boundaries increasingly define the limits of technological innovation. Apple’s journey through China’s regulatory landscape may be the start of the chapter in future history books describing how global tech companies became local technology businesses.

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The Indonesian Ministry of Industry has said that Google’s Pixel phones can’t be bought by Indonesians from domestic retailers because the US company does not ensure 40% of their ‘content’ comes from Indonesia. Content can comprise firmware or some form of investment in the local population, as well as the physical components of a phone. Spokesperson Ministry Febri Hendri Antoni Arief said, “The local content rule and related policies are made for fairness for all investors that invest in Indonesia, and for creating added value and deepening the industry structure here.”

The most recent ban follows on from a similar limit on sales of Apple’s iPhone 16 placed in late October this year. Both bans also apply to phones used by tourists and visitors to the country.

Apple iPhone and Google Pixel ban

Apple had promised to invest $109 million in local infrastructure, including educational initiatives, but to date has only committed $95 million. According to Statista, $109 million is accrued in revenue by the Cupertino, California-based company roughly every ten hours, with the required shortfall of $14 million taking about an hour and a quarter’s global income.

Apple Academies – Apple’s choice of Indonesian investment – train students in the use of development tools and methods used to produce software for the company’s devices that run iOS, macOS, tvOS and iPadOS.

Companies wishing to sell their consumer tech devices have to seek certification from the Indonesian government, having proved that they are ploughing money into the local economy. How that investment is manifest is agreed between the Indonesian authorities and the company in question.

Korea’s Samsung and China’s Xiaomi have created manufacturing and assembly plants in Indonesia, and currently, Samsung holds 16.5% of the Indonesian handset market. Mi phones from Xiaomi comprise 18.4%, according to statistics from Counterpoint.

As part of the same survey, Counterpoint’s senior analyst, Febriman Abdillah, stated that there is particular demand in Indonesia for mid-range phones ($200-$399) at present, a bracket that excludes Google and Apple’s offerings other than as luxury items.

The Indonesian government implements its embargoes by means of withholding IMEI certifications for new handsets. That has the effect of making phones impossible to use with a domestic carrier for data, calls or texts. Phones could still operate as wi-fi-only devices – potentially an option for tourists entering Indonesia with a new device. Given the strictures in place at present, however, the government’s edicts have effectively stopped all sales to the domestic market.

Both Apple and Google can still qualify for the necessary certifications to re-open trade in the country, but at the time of writing, neither company had commented on the developing situation. Apple’s Tim Cook visited Indonesia in April 2024 as part of the negotiations over Apple’s inbound investment, but the company’s shortfall means that it, like Google, exists in a state of limbo with regards handset sales. Google’s ban comes just days after that affecting Apple, showing that the Indonesian government is sticking to the letter of its edicts, even if US technology companies are not.

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India is planning to limit the imports of laptops, tablets, and personal computers starting January 2025, according to two government insiders. The goal is to push companies like Apple to ramp up their manufacturing efforts in the country, boosting the domestic economy.

If the plan goes ahead, it could disrupt an industry valued between US$8 billion and US$10 billion and change how India’s IT hardware market operates, which currently depends heavily on imports.

A similar proposal was put on hold last year due to resistance from companies and lobbying by the United States. Since then, India has monitored imports through a raft of governance that is set to expire this year. Firms are now required to seek new permissions for imports starting next year.

Government authorities feel the industry has had enough time to adapt to the changes: According to one source, talks with all stakeholders will begin soon, and the limits may be delayed for a few months if necessary.

As Reuters reported, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is already working on a new system that would require companies to get prior approval before importing devices. Currently, importers can bring in as many domestic tech appliances as they like after completing a simple online registration.

The Indian market is dominated by big players like HP, Dell, Apple, Lenovo, and Samsung, with two-thirds of India’s demand being met by imports, a large proportion of which comes from China. India’s IT hardware market is valued at around US$20 billion, but only US$5 billion of that is produced domestically, according to data from Mordor Intelligence.

To improve the quality of devices entering the country, the government is also considering introducing minimum quality standards under its “compulsory registration order” for laptops, notebooks, and tablets. This would help weed out lower-quality products, according to officials.

“We’re exploring these restrictions because global treaties prevent us from using tariffs on laptops and tablets. That limits our policy options to curb imports,” said one government official.

The Ministry of Trade has stated that the final decision on the import management system will be made following thorough discussions with the electronics ministry and other stakeholders.

The approach might greatly benefit local manufacturers such as Dixon Technologies, which has agreements with global brands like HP to manufacture laptops and computers in India. Dixon, for example, is aiming to produce 15% of the country’s total demand.

Boosting local production and semiconductor ambitions

According to an industry source involved in discussions with the government, the limits on imports should be aligned with India’s current domestic production capacity.

India’s key production incentive scheme for IT hardware has already attracted major players such as Acer, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. According to the electronics minister, most of these companies are ready to begin manufacturing in the country. To further encourage local production, the government has also rolled out federal subsidies totaling roughly US$2.01 billion.

India is making progress in semiconductor manufacturing, which is crucial for the electronics and IT hardware industry. In 2023, US chipmaker Micron announced a major investment in Gujarat to build an assembly and test facility for memory chips such as DRAM and NAND, establishing India as an essential player in semiconductor assembly.

This was followed by further semiconductor initiatives, including Tata Electronics’ partnership with Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (PSMC) to build a semiconductor fab in Gujarat, with a production capacity of 50,000 wafers per month. These efforts not only reduce reliance on imports but also align with India’s broader goal of technological self-reliance.

Recent collaborations with global tech giants

Global technology businesses are increasingly investing in India as part of a strategy to diversify supply chains and increase local production. Apple, for example, has dramatically increased its manufacturing presence in India. Cupertino has increased iPhone production through collaborations with Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron, in addition to building new retail shops. Other tech behemoths such as Dell, HP, and Lenovo have also increased local manufacturing, taking advantage of the Indian government’s production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes.

According to the research firm Counterpoint, imports of fully-assembled laptops declined 4% in the first five months of 2024 compared to the previous year, as companies such as Lenovo and Acer increased local manufacturing, particularly for entry-level models.

India has emphasised the importance of “trusted sources” for electronics and communication devices, particularly in light of increasing cybersecurity and data theft concerns. In 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested that India should lessen its reliance on foreign countries for communication technology such as servers.

In line with this, India intends to implement mandatory testing of “essential security parameters” for all CCTV cameras by April 2025.

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The ongoing legal battle between Epic Games and Apple, which has captivated the tech world for some time, is escalating. The confrontation has drawn in additional heavyweight players from the tech industry, including Meta, Microsoft, X, and Match, all uniting with Epic Games. These companies are rallying against Apple, accusing it of failing to comply with a court-ordered injunction that pertains to payment processes within its highly profitable App Store.

The origin of the conflict between Epic Games and Apple

In 2020, Epic Games initiated a lawsuit against Apple, claiming the tech giant was operating a monopoly that suppressed competition. This was primarily through its restriction of third-party apps and game marketplaces on iOS devices. However, in 2021, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers of the U.S. District Court concluded that Apple did not have a monopoly in mobile gaming. Nonetheless, she found that Apple’s prohibition of third-party app marketplaces and its imposition of a 30% commission within its own marketplace were unlawful.

Furthermore, Judge Rogers determined that Apple’s actions breached California’s state laws regarding unfair competition. This was after Apple prevented app developers from promoting alternative payment methods for their services. The Supreme Court, in January, declined to entertain Apple’s appeal, mandating the company to facilitate alternative in-app payment methods.

Earlier this month, the legal skirmish intensified when Epic Games petitioned a federal judge to find Apple in contempt of court. This request was based on allegations that Apple had not adhered to a court mandate that demanded the inclusion of external payment option links within its App Store, as revealed in recent court filings. This is the latest development in the protracted legal conflict between the two firms.

Epic Games has formally requested that Judge Rogers find Apple in contempt of court and compel the company to fully respect the 2021 judgment, as stated in court documents filed in Oakland, California. According to Epic, Apple has rendered alternative payment options practically nonviable by instituting new guidelines and imposing a 27% fee on developers for certain purchases.

Apple has introduced new policy language aimed at deterring users from utilizing purchase options outside the iOS ecosystem, as per Epic Games’ allegations. Additionally, Apple has set forth new regulations that bar developers from creating external links that direct to alternative payment methods.

On January 16, Apple submitted a compliance declaration, asserting that its regulation of external links was a measure to safeguard user privacy and security, and to uphold the integrity of Apple’s ecosystem. As of now, Apple has yet to issue a response to these allegations.

The coalition of tech companies, creators of some of the App Store’s most popular applications, contends that Apple’s actions are a flagrant breach of the September 2021 injunction. This injunction aimed to facilitate consumer access to more economical digital content purchasing options, yet Apple has made this increasingly challenging.

Apple’s response and compliance efforts

While Apple has refrained from directly addressing these accusations, which were detailed in a legal filing with the federal court in Oakland, California, it referenced its January 16 announcement. In this statement, Apple claimed full compliance with the injunction, stating its intent to protect consumers and the integrity of its ecosystem, while also ensuring developers contribute their fair share.

Epic’s 2020 lawsuit against Apple argued that the latter’s App Store policies, which mandate that consumers obtain apps exclusively through the App Store and impose up to 30% commissions on developer sales, were anticompetitive. The injunction sought to allow developers the freedom to direct consumers to alternative payment options through links and buttons.

Recently, Reuters has reported that Epic has intensified its efforts, demanding that Apple be held in contempt of court for instituting new rules and a 27% fee on developers, which have essentially nullified the effectiveness of these links.

In a recent legal document, the coalition of technology firms argued that Apple’s practices effectively sustain the anti-steering provisions previously deemed illegal by the court. This, they claim, upholds Apple’s “exorbitant” commission fees, to the detriment of both consumers and developers.

“Apple’s restrictions on where and how developers can communicate with their users about their options for purchasing in-app content create significant barriers to competition and artificially inflate prices,” the document states.

In January, the Supreme Court opted not to review Apple’s appeal against the injunction, nor did it consider Epic’s challenge of the lower court’s verdict that Apple’s policies did not contravene federal antitrust laws.

Apple has been given until April 3 to formally reply to Epic’s recent filing. The ongoing legal battle underscores the complex dynamics at play within the tech industry, highlighting significant debates over market competition, consumer rights, and the future of digital marketplaces. Apple, headquartered in Cupertino, California, and Epic Games, based in Cary, North Carolina, remain at the forefront of this legal confrontation.

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Legal challenges, and market dynamics presents a fascinating narrative that shapes the fortunes of leading corporations. Among these, Nvidia, a titan in the field of AI, has recently been at the center of a noteworthy legal dispute while simultaneously experiencing an unprecedented surge in its market valuation.

This complex scenario provides a rich case study for examining the broader implications for the tech industry, market competition, and the legal frameworks that govern intellectual property rights.

Nvidia found itself embroiled in controversy when three authors—Brian Keene, Abdi Nazemian, and Stewart O’Nan—levied accusations against the company for allegedly using their copyrighted works without permission. These works were purportedly incorporated into a substantial dataset of approximately 196,640 books to advance the capabilities of Nvidia’s NeMo AI platform, a sophisticated system aimed at mimicking human language.

The fallout from these allegations led to the dataset’s removal in October, underscoring the legal complexities surrounding copyright infringement in the digital age.

A meteoric rise in market valuation

Despite facing this legal hurdle, Nvidia has witnessed a surge in its market valuation, underscoring the intense investor interest in AI technologies. This rise is indicative of the broader trends in the semiconductor industry, where demand for AI chips, particularly those powering popular applications such as ChatGPT, has skyrocketed.

Within a span of nine months, Nvidia’s market value soared from US$1 trillion to over US$2 trillion, surpassing industry giants like Amazon.com, Google’s parent company Alphabet, and Saudi Aramco in the process. This meteoric rise has positioned Nvidia as a formidable contender in the race to become the world’s second-most valuable company, trailing closely behind Apple and Microsoft.

As reported by Reuters, Nvidia’s current market capitalization, standing at approximately US$2.38 trillion, exemplifies the fierce competition at the apex of the global corporate sector. This competitive landscape is not only defined by market valuations but also by the continuous drive for innovation and the development of high-quality products that resonate with consumers and enterprises alike. Apple’s journey to becoming the world’s most valuable company in 2011, bolstered by its array of successful products and services, highlights the critical role of brand loyalty and product innovation in achieving market dominance.

On the other hand, Microsoft’s ascendance in 2024 to claim the title of the most valuable company globally emphasizes the significance of strategic investments in technology, particularly AI. With over 70% of computers worldwide running on Windows, according to Statcounter, Microsoft’s influence extends beyond its operating system. The company’s diversified portfolio, including the Office Suite, Azure cloud platform, Xbox consoles, and Surface devices, alongside a substantial investment in OpenAI, demonstrates its commitment to shaping the future of technology.

Nvidia’s stronghold over the high-end AI chip market, commanding 80% of the sector, combined with its significant stock performance, has propelled Wall Street to new heights this year. This success story is a testament to the investor enthusiasm for AI technologies, positioning Nvidia and Meta Platforms as leaders in a market increasingly focused on digital innovation.

Industry experts, such as Richard Meckler of Cherry Lane Investments, attribute Nvidia’s robust market performance to the solid fundamentals underpinning its business model and the speculative support from investors. This blend of strong business practices and market speculation has facilitated Nvidia’s steady climb in stock value throughout 2024, even as it faces legal challenges and stiff competition from tech giants like Apple and Microsoft.

Apple’s recent challenges with iPhone sales and the shift in market capitalization rankings underscore the dynamic nature of the tech industry, where companies continually vie for leadership positions. Meanwhile, Nvidia’s competitive forward price-to-earnings ratio and the insights from David Wagner of Aptus Capital Advisors suggest that Nvidia represents an attractively priced stock within the AI narrative, with the potential for significant growth in the coming years.

Facing the peaks: The Nvidia market cap challenges

However, as Nvidia’s stock approaches what some analysts believe to be its peak, the challenges of sustaining rapid growth in the face of increasing market capitalization become apparent. The speculative nature of stock valuations, coupled with the potential for innovation and market expansion, presents a nuanced picture of Nvidia’s future prospects. Should Nvidia continue to surpass analyst expectations, it could maintain or even enhance its market position, reflecting the intricate balance between innovation, legal challenges, and market dynamics.

Nvidia’s recent experiences offer valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by leading tech companies today. As legal disputes unfold and market valuations fluctuate, the broader implications for the tech industry, intellectual property rights, and the ongoing pursuit of innovation remain subjects of keen interest. Nvidia’s journey through these complex landscapes underscores the dynamic interplay between legal considerations, market competition, and the relentless drive for technological advancement.

As the industry moves forward, the lessons learned from Nvidia’s story will undoubtedly influence future discussions on copyright law, market dynamics, and the role of AI in shaping the digital future.

The post How Nvidia navigates through legal complexities and market cap dominance appeared first on TechWire Asia.

In an age where traditional wire transfers and steep fees once hindered international money transfers, the landscape of financial transactions has undergone a remarkable transformation. With the emergence of borderless banking platforms such as Wise, sending money across borders has been redefined. As this fintech trailblazer continues to disrupt the industry, it’s imperative to unravel the narrative behind Wise and understand its profound impact on travel and financial experiences in Malaysia and across the globe.

Born out of a desire to challenge the status quo of traditional banking and tackle the opaque and often exorbitant fees associated with cross-border transactions, Wise has emerged as a disruptive force in the digital finance arena. Its innovative platform has empowered millions of individuals and businesses worldwide to navigate the complexities of international finance with unparalleled transparency and ease.

Through an insightful interview with Lim Paik Wan, Country Manager of Wise Malaysia, we delve into how the company harnesses the power of technology to reshape the travel and savings landscape in Malaysia and beyond.

The digital renaissance has brought transformative shifts in travel. How do you see technology shaping every aspect of travel beyond being a mere tool to smoothen the process?

Technology has now made travel more accessible and has allowed consumers to personalize their holidays, as people now take to blogs and social media platforms for inspiration. Additionally, consumers are now accustomed to instant and seamless experiences, with everything readily available through a few taps on their smartphones. This seamless digital connectivity has also changed how people make transactions for their travels. 

In years past, travelers needed to exchange cash physically and were usually required to pay for most meals and excursions in cash. Today, contactless payment options are offered almost everywhere, making it easier and safer for consumers to make international transactions. 

Even how consumers plan their travels has changed, with hotel bookings and flights done through travel apps. However, consumers still face challenges as the world transitions to a largely cashless society. A common one is a general unfamiliarity with international transaction fees, causing them to spend more than anticipated or budgeted for. Issues like these have led fintech providers to create solutions to make these processes smoother and more manageable. 

How do Wise’s digital cards and contactless payment solutions like Apple Pay and Google Pay enhance travel safety?

Today, contactless payment methods are widely accepted in many countries, lessening the burden of carrying large sums of cash. However, when used internationally, most traditional credit or debit cards tend to come with additional fees and hidden costs. Providers like Wise offer users the ability to hold money in over 40 currencies and make transactions at the mid-market exchange rate with no markups, helping travelers save money on international transactions. 

This relieves users of having multiple traditional cards, where they would have to bear the cost of foreign transaction fees and interest fees. Wise’s smart technology automatically converts the currencies you hold in your account for you, which have the lowest conversion fee; the card even allows users to withdraw money from ATMs with low fees while traveling.

Another great thing is that Wise users can start spending immediately with its digital cards, available instantly upon request in the app. Users can get up to 3 digital cards with different card details for an extra layer of protection. These digital cards can be deleted anytime, so customers can generate new card details when they need them. 

The cards can also be added to Apple Pay and Google Pay — these contactless payment methods are powered by NFC technology, which is generally more secure. Additional features on the account allow users to track their spending in real-time, ensuring smoother user and travel experiences. 

How has the pandemic impacted Wise’s services, particularly regarding international travel and cross-border transactions?

Digital adoption during the pandemic created the expectation for instant and real-time processes and a trend of contactless payment options. This has dramatically impacted the Malaysian market, as e-wallets and mobile payments are now expected payment options that businesses should offer. Additionally, we found that Malaysians are spending more time online, adopting more

international lifestyles, and traveling more frequently, leading to an increase in cross-border spending and shopping. 

These trends suggest a need for efficient cross-border payment solutions that offer faster, cheaper, and transparent international payments. Wise addresses these needs with its multi-currency account, empowering Malaysian consumers to seamlessly navigate global payments and lifestyles with no hidden fees and complete transparency. 

The recent launch of Wise on Apple Pay and Google Pay in Malaysia is part of our commitment to making international transactions more convenient and accessible for customers. A few other ways Wise is providing more convenience is by offering our users the ability to send money to popular e-wallets in the region, including Touch’nGo in Malaysia, GrabPay in the Philippines, and ShopeePay in Indonesia — being able to offer multiple money movement options makes moving money across borders even more convenient.

How does Wise promote financial literacy and awareness among users regarding currency exchange and international transactions?

A crucial part of our mission has been advocating for transparency in foreign exchange fees, empowering people with knowledge and insight into their transactions. This is reflected in our services and is why we support transparent and fair cross-border transactions. With Wise, all fees are transparently displayed to customers when they set up a transaction. 

Customers pay a single upfront fee, and the exchange rate they get is the one you see on Google with no markups or hidden charges. People also gain visibility into what’s happening to their money from start to finish when making cross-border payments, which includes the actual total cost to make the payment.

Wise also offers price comparison tools in the app, which allows our customers to compare the exchange rates and fees across a range of currency routes to make better decisions when choosing their preferred provider.

What upcoming advancements can users anticipate from Wise, and how will they improve travel and financial experiences?

Not to give too much away, but we are always looking to bring globally available features to Malaysia, such as Wise Business and Wise Platform. Wise Business accounts are for businesses that want to grow and operate internationally, making it easier to manage their finances across borders, such as paying overseas vendors and employees or receiving funds from clients.

Wise Platform is our infrastructure offering, which enables financial institutions and businesses to incorporate our global payment network into their platforms. As Wise operates globally, we’re always looking to see what would benefit Malaysian customers and work to solve their pain points. 

Lastly, in the rapidly changing landscape of digital finance and travel, how does Wise stay adaptive and responsive to its diverse user base’s dynamic needs and preferences?

At Wise, we constantly listen to our customers, and our goal continues to be making Wise as convenient, low-cost, fast, and transparent as possible. As more Malaysians look for cross-border opportunities, it’s vital that our users can use Wise to broaden their lifestyles globally.

Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, we’ve got a number of exciting things coming up in our product roadmap to improve the speed, convenience, and cost of cross-border payments for our customers around the world.

The post Wise: Revolutionizing travel and finance in Malaysia appeared first on TechWire Asia.