Tag: apple

Apple prepares physical stores in India

Apple has been able to get the attention of Indian customers for a long time. But they are yet to make their presence in the physical form among the people. The pandemic also slowed the plans for any physical expansion of the company in India.

Now, as the pandemic is under control so Apple is going to open its physical stores in various cities in India. It is not yet clear which cities will get the iconic store. But it is speculated that the journey of physical Apple stores will start from Delhi and Mumbai. 

These stores will have all the features and facilities which are present in their stores worldwide. The stores are likely to open to the general public this year. This news is also relevant from the fact the hiring for the stores has already going on LinkedIn. The store was previously planned to open in 2021.

But now, the stores will remove a big problem for the company as they will directly sell the products to the customers. It will also remove the dependence on third-party stores that are currently selling Apple products.

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Recently, there have also been some recent developments for Apple iPhone users. Those who are planning to get their battery replaced will have to pay more if their device is older than iPhone 14. So, iPhone repair will cost more for a few. On the other hand, there is also increased pressure from governments of various countries that electronic devices need to have a common charging technique. In the case of smartphones, it is USB type-C. At first, the EU declared to the world that smartphones, tablets and laptops will have USB type-C charging. Later on, India also declared that devices will have USB type-C. But Apple is in conflict as most of its devices have a lightning USB cable.

Along with all of the above, there is also speculation that there will be no iPhone SE in 2023. This news does not come as a surprise as Apple has been launching the compact version of its iPhone at irregular intervals. 

But there is excitement around the next iteration of iPhones as they will bring about some new changes for the users. The device will likely be accompanied by a new version of iOS along with some other gadgets. The new gadgets may include AirPods, iPad and even MacBooks. 

All of the above changes are making the year ahead look good for Apple users. The new year looks promising for Apple on paper, but we will have to wait for the annual Apple event to get to know more about the devices and the software changes that the existing iPhone users will receive. The hardware changes will not be major in the new iPhones, but the changes will enhance the experience of the users.  Most interesting will be to see what Apple does to the charging port problem which is bound to be followed by the mod-2025 in many major countries. Along with that Apple will also eagerly wait for the response for users towards brick-and-mortar stores. 

Apple cancels the next iPhone SE

Apple has been trying to woe the customers who love the small form – factor for quite some time now. The company has also launched some small iPhones. But the effect has been very minimal on the minds of the users. The devices are also not selling in high – numbers. So, Apple generally reduces the production of its SE models after a few days of its launch. Similar was the case when Apple launched the iPhone the last time around.

 But now there is speculation that Apple is not going to launch the successor of its SE in 2024. This is because the device has not able to get profits for the company until now. The device has also served as a testing track for the company when it comes to network modems. So, this is a kind of good news for companies like Qualcomm, which has been able to partner with Apple as a modem supplier until now.

The SE models have been in the limelight for nostalgia reasons. The devices have generally been used by those who love the form factor or are not comfortable with big-size screens. The device has nothing inferior when compared to its bigger counterparts. The SE devices also have powerful hardware and can do all the powerful stuff which you expect from an iPhone device. Even the support for such devices is like other iPhones. The device also has bells and whistles and even supports the latest tech that Apple launches for its flagship iPhones.

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The iPhone SE have been launched previously on an arbitrary gap of time. There is no regular launch of the iPhone SE right from the beginning. The second iteration of the iPhone SE was launched 4 years after the first one. The third one was launched 2 years after the second version. So, there is not even an approximate timeline that when the next iteration of the iPhone SE will be launched.

For the unknown, the iPhones will have a tough time for the next few years. It is because governments in various countries are implementing universal charging rules for various handheld devices. Even iPhones are included in the list of devices facing the blunt. But Apple is raising concerns about this as it says that there will be a large amount of electronic waste in the form of lightning cables that users are currently using with their devices, as they will upgrade their iPhones.

Now, there is confusion that what will happen to the charging option in an iPhone. There is also increasing demand for the 14 Pro model and the difficulty in keeping the price down for the SE model is making the cancellation legit.

Now, we will have to wait and see until the next few years, until the launch of a new generation of SE models. The next generation of devices will clear up the air about the future of the small and compact iPhones. In the meantime, Apple will launch some new products for users every year.

USB type – C will be available in all laptops and smartphones

Electronic devices are back in demand. They can get huge profits from various companies. Consumers are now trying to utilize the various benefits of technological advancements. As a result, many companies are trying to find out ways that can reduce electronic waste.

The waste that is getting generated due to rapid technological change is creating problems for the environment. Electronic devices are getting older and obsolete very quickly. This is creating problems for people also. They need to buy new devices now and then. The worst situation is in the case of the accessories. Things like chargers are the worst hit. There are various types of chargers for different types of electronic devices. This creates a lot of problems for the environment and the public.

But to reduce this issue, the government is discussing following the footsteps of the European Union. The European Union EU decided earlier this year that there will be a USB type – C charging feature for all consumer electronic devices like laptops and mobile phones. It will reduce electronic waste and will also enable people to charge any device using the same cable. 

Now, this step has been directed to all consumer electronic device manufacturers. They have been given a deadline of December 28, 2024. The Indian government is also planning to set the same deadline for the companies in India. It will give some relaxation to the companies to reset the systems for the manufacturing of their devices. Other than that, there will also require some planning in terms of the devices that will be exported to other countries.

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Now, the biggest problem, in this case, will be Apple. It is because Apple is the only company which has not been able to provide the USB type – C charging option in its iPhones, which is the major seller. It says that if it does so, then there will be a huge amount of waste because people will then throw away their lightning cables, which will be bad for the environment.

On the other hand, all the Android manufacturers are almost transitioned to USB type – C charging features. It also enables their device to have a faster-charging speed which is not possible in micro-USB cable after a certain extent. Another advantage of USB type – C cable is the ease of use. 

Now, these changes will make sure that there will also be further fewer accessories in the electronic packaging. Just like the phase we are facing right now, in which companies are slowly removing the chargers from their package. But there will be phased implementation of this plan in India. It will enable the users to transition to the new norms smoothly. 

These changes will pave the way for a universal experience for the users. The new rules will also enable that the devices in the future like smartphones and laptops will become more compatible with the advancement that is being implemented in charging technology. These changes will slowly reduce some pressure from the environment also.  

Google RCS gets a new update

Google is trying to make its RCS functionality better. It is trying to implement some well-deserved features that are otherwise available in other instant messaging services.    

For the unknown, the features include the option to reply to any message with an emoji. This feature has been created to tackle the similar feature that is present in Apple iPhone iMessages users.

But this feature is still in the testing phase, as it is available for very few users currently. This feature will gradually make it to your phone if you are using the RCS feature. But there are still some disruptions that can be due to some bugs. The disruptions are in the sense that responses from some iPhone users will still show up as a separate message in the chat history.

Google has been trying to make RCS the default choice for its users for quite some now, but it has not been able to succeed in its efforts. The main reason for such a situation is the fact that other instant messaging services can implement any new feature very quickly. There is also the introduction of new features for the engagement of users regularly on other instant messaging platforms.

On the contrary, there have been some drastic changes to social media websites, especially Twitter after the famous billionaire Elon Musk took over its top position. There will be some changes in the social media company also. Now, various ex-employees have been fired right after Musk took over the office. These layoffs are being seen as a sign of some difficult times ahead for the social media company.

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These layoffs are also being followed by some employees being called back to the office. So there is much confusion regarding the current scenario of the jobs in the tech field. 

On the other hand, there is also speculation that Google will lay off 10000 employees from its team. All of these changes are being seen as steps to tackle the slowdown.

Apart from all this, there are also changes in the Pixel line-up which are witnessed in the market. First of all, the Google flagship lineup has changed from Qualcomm chipset to its very own Tensor chipset.

This has created questions in various minds that what will be the next step that will make Google more independent of its suppliers. The in-house development also means that future google products will make them more Google-centric. The devices will have more professional support. The ecosystem that Google is struggling to maintain within itself will become possible as more devices will fall in line with Google guidelines.

All of these changes are going to bring about some much-needed change in the Google ecosystem. The software part of the Google Android OS will become better. The software part will become more user-friendly. The changes will keep on improving as more updates arrive, and it may also encourage more users to accept the RCS as a new member of the technology world. It can also make the SMS chapter more interesting for the users.

Apple iPhone will get the largest manufacturing unit in India

iPhones have been able to grab eyeballs everywhere. They have the best hardware for all users. For convenience, various form factors are available for the users. Every year, new iPhones give users something new to experience.

But pandemic has been able to affect the overall manufacturing of the iPhones worldwide. It has been mainly due to the disruption at the China plant. China has the largest iPhone manufacturing plant. It was due to the lockdown due to the COVID pandemic. The plant is the Zhengzhou plant.

On the positive side, India has started to gain due to this loss. Now, there is positive information that Hosur near Bangalore, will get the largest iPhone plant in the country. Now, iPhones will be manufactured at the new plant where approximately, 60000 people will get to work with new iPhones. Among these 60000 workers, 6000 are tribal women from the areas of Ranchi and Hazaribagh. These women have been trained to manufacture the latest iPhones. The new plant is under the control of Tata Electronics. Other than this, Apple also has other manufacturers in the country namely Foxconn, Wistron and Pegatron.

To reduce the stress on the parts supplier, Apple has given a contract to LG as a new display supplier. This will ensure that Samsung will have less burden in terms of display supply during and after the pandemic period.

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This new change has some major effects on the overall supply of the latest iPhones. The new devices will not face supply chain disruptions anymore. It will also ensure that India will be one of the major suppliers or exporters of iPhones to other markets.

But there have also been rumours that iPhones can get a price cut in India. But this is not true. As there will be no reduction in the prices of the iPhones in India. But there will be some relief to the availability of parts in our country. If the need arises, then there can also be a great market for refurbished iPhones. It will help in increasing the number of iPhone users in our country.

iPhones are also facing a little bit of a slowdown in terms of sales. This can be due to the weak financial conditions of several sections of society. So now, this kind of effect has also been seen in companies like Samsung. Samsung is currently planning to reduce the production of mobile phones by 30 million. The reduction of production will also enable the unnecessary stacking up of inventory in various warehouses.

All the above points depict that iPhones will have a great future. India will also play an important part in making a more user-friendly iPhone. The device will be more easily accessible to general users. Maybe there can also be a reduction in the prices of the iPhones. The newer models will also get the opportunity to be assembled or manufactured in countries like India. It will also help in increasing employment in the manufacturing field. The number of skilled people will also increase in terms of electronic manufacturing in our country.

Death as a lesson

Most would agree with me when I say, Steve Jobs was one of the most brilliant people, who went on to become an innovator and entrepreneur and a co-founder of Apple then worked for Pixar too.

Today, for the first time, I watched a motivating speech given by him.

What he said, and how he said is no doubt invaluable. But the points he made is what makes it so great, making it an inspiring array of words aimed for people from all walks of life.

Perhaps that is the reason, this video on YouTube had more than 1.3 crore views. And this was not even the original one, it had been edited to create a story. But the lessons he has learnt and the three stories he told made all the difference.

We all know the successful reviews of Apple company from their over priced gadgets which no doubt never fail to deliver what they promise. But the penance behind it’s creation is perhaps more interesting to know and yet many are not aware of it.

From what I understood, Jobs talked of circumstances that lead you to a place. The dots that you can connect months, years or sometimes even decades. He also talked of failure as a teacher, and the lessons it teaches.

Now all of these were a good expressions of wisdom, because most of would have heard of it or have been told about while growing up. In some cases, you must have felt them to be true as well.

But the last one, the quote that he read at the age of 17, which impacted him for the next 33 years when he gave the speech and probably till his death 5 years later.

“If you live each day as if it were your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right.”

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He questioned himself every morning, if he was going to do the things he would be doing if it were his last?

And facing yourself in the mirror when you answer. Because everything we do daily has an impact for the rest of our lives.

Living our life as a boon, living each moment as if it is the last will no doubt make us more happy if not more successful. Because then you are free of all the chains that bind your potential. The fears and thoughts that hinder your growth.

You are not only less self conscious (as you have few hours left to live) but you become an outgoing individual. You grab the chances, even the unseen opportunities that come your way.

You live the day to its fullest.

Carpe Diem becomes your mantra. Keeps you going through the ups and downs.

Just look at what Jobs managed to do all by himself. There are countless other people who have managed to become great personalities despite the troubles they had to live through.

And that my friend is how you can unlock your true potential. Wishing you all the very best all of your life’s endeavours.

Image source : Google

ROLE OF INDIA IN QUAD

BY DAKSHITA NAITHANI

The Quadrilateral Dialogue was established in 2007 when four countries—the United States, India, Japan, and Australia—joined forces. However, it did not take off at first due to a variety of factors, and it was resurrected in 2017 after almost a decade due to factors such as growing country convergence, the expanding importance of the Indo-Pacific area, and rising threat sentiments toward China, among others.

Since then it has evolved into a platform for diplomatic discussion and coordination among participating countries, who meet on a regular basis at the working- and ministerial levels to discuss shared interests like ensuring a rules-based international order.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR INDIA

The Quad, ASEAN, and the Western Indian Ocean are the three groupings in which India participates as a partner in the Indo-Pacific area.

India as a Net Security provider

In the region of Indian Ocean India must be a Net Security Provider. Its supremacy in the IOR must be maintained and sustained if it is to claim this position as a Region. QUAD offers India with a platform to strengthen regional security through collaboration while also emphasising that the Indo-Pacific concept stands for a free, open, and inclusive area.( Inclusive here refers to a geographical notion that encompasses all countries inside it as well as those having a stake outside of it)

Countering China

The Quad offers India with a forum to seek collaboration with like-minded countries on a variety of problems, including maintaining territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as peaceful dispute settlement. It also shows a united front against China’s unceremonious and aggressive actions towards the nation which is especially important now, since ties between India and China have deteriorated as a result of border intrusions along the Tibet-India boundary in many locations. The Chinese policy of encircling India with the String of Pearls poses a direct threat to India’s maritime sovereignty, which must be addressed.

Framing post-COVID-19 international order

QUAD can assist India in not just recovering from the pandemic’s impacts through a series of integrated measures, but also in securing a part in the modern international order. Enhancing such cooperation was one of the first actions made in 2021. The vaccination initiative will serve as a good litmus test for the QUAD administrations’ ability to work together.

Convergence on other issues

On a range of topics, India shares common interests with other Quad members, including connectivity and infrastructure development, security, especially counter-terrorism; cyber and maritime security; multilateral institutions reform, and so on. Assistance from members on these problems might help India achieve its strategic and economic objectives.

Supplementing India’s defence capabilities

Assistance in the sphere of defence among Quad countries, such as joint patrols, strategic information exchange, and so on, can help India overcome its disadvantages in terms of naval capabilities, military reconnaissance, technology, and surveillance systems.

Ensuring a free Indo Pacific

The Indo-Pacific region must be accessible and vibrant, regulated by international norms and bedrock values such as freedom of navigation and peaceful resolution of conflicts, and the nations involved must have the right to make decisions, free of coercion.

Counter-terrorism Table top Exercise for QUAD nations to improve collaboration and common capabilities in dealing with potential terrorist threats, as well as examine CT response systems.

INDIA’S ROLE IN THE INDO-PACIFIC

In the Indo-Pacific, India’s geographic and geopolitical importance provides a counterbalance to China’s rising influence in the Indian Ocean. India’s security concerns, centred primarily on China’s encirclement policy through port facilities in India’s neighbourhood mainly Gwadar and Hambantota and the desire to maintain and protect open and free sea lanes of information exchange against concerns about China’s chokepoint in the South China Sea and increasing maritime presence in the ocean

India’s critical significance in the Indo-Pacific may be seen as a multiple framework. First, unlike the Asia-Pacific architecture, the Indo-Pacific architecture allows New Delhi to move above its long-held standing as a middle-power. This is bolstered by India’s admission to the League of big powers especially the United States and Japan and the development of tight strategic ties with Washington and its regional allies. This promotes India’s great-power ambitions and force projection capability inside the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

Second, India’s Act East Policy and Extended Neighbourhood Policy benefit from New Delhi’s strong participation in the Indo-Pacific. New Delhi’s stronger relations with ASEAN members have also bolstered this boost.

Third, the development of India-US strategic relations, particularly in military, works as a significant counterweight to India’s adversaries. Increased engagements between New Delhi and Washington are exemplified by the four foundational contracts signed between the two countries, which include the General Security of Military Information Agreement, Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement, Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement, and Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement—all of which promote in-depth partnership Most significantly, the improved partnership boosts India’s military capacity, particularly when it comes to striking targets with precise accuracy.

Fourth, under India-Australia ties, which were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020, India’s strategic position is bolstered yet further. In fact, Canberra and New Delhi inked nine agreements, the most important of which are the Australia-India Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement and the Defence Science and Technology Implementing Arrangement, both of which provide a framework for the two nations’ security cooperation.

Fifth, and most significantly, during COVID-19, India demonstrated its ability to be a first responder to a regional disaster by giving medical assistance to its near neighbours, including the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Seychelles. In addition, India sent medical quick response teams to Comoros and Kuwait to help them prepare for the epidemic. In addition, nine Maldivians were evacuated from Wuhan, China, the site of the pandemic.

In addition, India pushed for virtual summits like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation web conference on March 2020 and the “Extraordinary Digital G20 Leaders’ Summit” to help develop a worldwide reaction to the epidemic on 26 March 2020. In addition, New Delhi established a SAARC Emergency Response Fund for Coronavirus, with India contributing an initial 10 million USD.

In addition, as countries attempt to move manufacturing away from China, India is viewed as one of the world’s new “favoured” investment destinations. The enormous scale of India’s marketplace as well as the low labour costs, make it a desirable destination. Apple, for example, created a production facility in India in partnership with Foxconn, while Samsung, of South Korea, ceased operations in China and moved manufacturing units to India.

There is little dispute about India’s rising position in the Indo-Pacific, not just as a significant participant but also as a responsible actor.  As a result, India’s manoeuvring room in the post-COVID international order is anticipated to expand, as India is seen as one of the major movers in guiding policy and protecting allied interests in the Indo-Pacific. COVID-19 has, in fact, expanded the Quad framework, allowing important parties to play a more active role in addressing critical conventional and unconventional regional issues.