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What the EU's Artificial Intelligence Act means for the future of AI
The European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act is here, and it has a few key provisions that aim to legislate AI development in the bloc.
AI has been the talk of the town for over a year now, with tools like ChatGPT, Google Bard, and Microsoft Copilot threatening to upheave much of digital society as we know it. With those great risks and the potential for deepfakes, automatically generated content, and more, the European Union feels that AI legislation is necessary to safeguard its development without harming users. This legislation was first put forward three years ago, where it aimed to set a global standard for the technology.
Apple may allow iOS app sideloading in the EU next year
EU iPhone owners may no longer be restricted to downloading apps from the App Store
Having an iPhone means that you’re resigned to going through the App Store if you want to download an app onto your device. However, European Union (EU) regulations could change that come 2024. The Digital Markets Act (DMA) went into effect in 2022 across the EU, reducing “gatekeeping” by companies and preserving industry competition. As a result of the DMA, Apple may have to allow app sideloading on iOS, which would enable EU iPhone owners to download apps outside of its App Store.
EU proposes regulation to make phone and laptop batteries easier to replace
It could force OEMs to bring back user-replaceable batteries
After implementing a new law to make USB-C the standard charging port for smartphones and devices across various categories, the EU has now proposed a new regulation to make batteries more sustainable and reusable. The new regulation covers the entire battery life cycle, from materials extraction to disposal, and it could force smartphone OEMs to bring back user-replaceable batteries.
The European Parliament has voted in favor of making USB-C the standard charging port for devices across various categories, including smartphones, tablets, cameras, and more. While many OEMs have already transitioned to USB-C, Apple still offers its proprietary Lightning connector on iPhones, AirPods, and other accessories. With the new law in place, Apple will have to switch to USB-C by the end of 2024.
EU proposes regulation to improve software update and spare part availability for smartphones and tablets
The EU has proposed a new regulation to improve software update and spare part availability for smartphones and tablets. Read on to learn more.
As part of its efforts to make consumer electronics more sustainable, the EU has proposed new regulations that will require OEMs to offer at least five years of security updates and three years of OS updates to their devices. In addition, EU regulators have also suggested minimum spare part requirements for smartphones and tablets sold in the region for a minimum of five years.
EU harmonizing fast charging with USB PD will be a big deal for Android
EU has agreed to USB-C everything with Power Delivery for fast charging. Here's why we think it may be a big deal for Android phones.
For those that don’t know, European lawmakers reached an agreement earlier this week to force manufacturers of electronic devices including smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, and more to use the same universal charging port -- USB-C. That's right, USB-C everything is being written into the law and it'll come into effect by Fall 2024 in the EU. Settling for a common USB-C charger will not only cut down on e-waste but it will also make our lives easier. The benefits of using a single charger with a USB-C to C cable for all the gadgets can't be understated.
EU agrees to USB-C everything with Power Delivery for fast charging
The 2024 iPhone is now guaranteed to make use of a USB-C charging port and USB Power Delivery for fast charging, thanks to the EU.
After years of deliberation, European Union lawmakers have reached an agreement that will force all future smartphones, tablets, e-readers, cameras, and more to be equipped with a USB-C port for charging. The aim of this agreement is to reduce fragmentation, e-waste, and to also introduce a standard for fast charging across multiple devices. The agreement is part of the EU's broader efforts in making products more sustainable and is expected to be in place from autumn of 2024, and will also force Apple to adopt USB-C on the iPhone too -- finally.
Virgin Mobile and O2 won't introduce roaming charges in the EU
Virgin Mobile and O2 won't introduce roaming charges in the EU, while other operators have already announced their own.
Following Brexit, some UK mobile operators started charging customers extra to use their mobile plans in Europe. EE was the first mobile operator in the UK to introduce normal roaming charges following Brexit, though it had previously said that it was not going to reintroduce roaming charges in Europe. Vodafone previously introduced European roaming for “heavy” users, referring to those users as customers who use their phone in an EU country for more than 60 days in a four-month period. Now, Virgin Media has reaffirmed its stance that they will not be re-introducing roaming charges in the EU, which includes O2 -- a company it recently merged with.
Google and Apple fined by Italian competition authority for "aggressive practices" in data usage
Google and Apple have both been fined by the Italian competition authority for "aggressive practices" when it comes to commercial data usage.
Apple is no stranger to antitrust investigations, particularly as the company was recently fined, alongside Amazon, just a couple of days ago in Italy. Now Apple has been fined again for "aggressive practices" pertaining to its selling of user data, but this time, the company has been fined alongside Google for the same reasons. Both companies have been fined €10 million, which is the maximum permitted according to Italian law.
EU expected to open investigation into NVIDIA's acquisition of Arm
NVIDIA is struggling to close out its acquisition of U.K.-based Arm, as the EU is reportedly readying an antitrust investigation.
In September last year, NVIDIA signed a definitive agreement to acquire Arm, the U.K.-based semiconductor and software design company. Given how important of a role Arm plays in the mobile and tech ecosystem as a whole, many raised concerns that the acquisition would give NVIDIA too much power and control, and they argued that it could hurt competition as a result. Qualcomm, Microsoft, and Google have all voiced concerns about the deal, and now it appears that NVIDIA has hit yet another hurdle. The EU is reportedly looking to open an antitrust investigation into the acquisition.
EU plans to force OEMs to use a common USB-C charger and ship phones without one in the box
The Eurpoean Union is planning to force manufacturers to use a common charging port on all their devices to save the environment.
The European Commission is set to present a legislative proposal today for all phones, tablets, and headphones sold in the European Union to have a common charging port. This comes after the European Parliament had voted in favor of Right to Repair, an initiative that would benefit consumers as well as the Union's plan to force OEMs to allow users to uninstall bloatware from their devices. The news isn't really new though since EU lawmakers have been attempting to generalize the charger used to charge consumer electronic gadgets for over a decade now.
EU is reportedly investigating if Google Assistant is being forced on Android phones
The EU is reportedly investigating if Google is forcing OEMs to use the Google Assistant on Android phones, be it directly or indirectly.
The European Commission is reportedly investigating whether or not Google is forcing Android device makers to ship Google Assistant on smartphones.
OnePlus Nord 2 with Dimensity 1200 and IMX 766 launches with an amazing price tag
OnePlus has finally launched the OnePlus Nord 2 5G, bringing along a great processor, good camera sensor, and more to the mid-range device!
The original OnePlus Nord was the company's attempt at making the signature OnePlus experience available at a lower price to make it more accessible to the masses. As it turns out, people really liked the Nord. It became one of the most successful smartphones from OnePlus in several regions, in sharp contrast to the unlucky OnePlus X. It comes as no surprise then that OnePlus is now ready for round two. Meet the new OnePlus Nord 2 5G, the company's latest attempt at making the signature OnePlus experience more accessible, launched today alongside the OnePlus Buds Pro.
EU paves the way for Wi-Fi 6E devices to hit Europe
The EU has opened up 480MHz of spectrum in the 6GHz band, paving the way for Wi-Fi 6E devices to hit the region. Read on to learn more.
In April last year, the FCC opened up 1200MHz of spectrum in the 6GHz band, paving the way for Wi-Fi 6E in the US. The European Union is now following suit and has opened up 480MHz spectrum in the 6GHz band for the implementation of wireless access systems.
EU accuses Apple of anticompetitive App Store policies
The European Commission said it is accusing Apple of engaging in anti-competitive behavior over concerns about its App Store policies.
The European Commission on Friday said it is formally accusing Apple of engaging in anti-competitive behavior. The Commission said Apple is guilty of abusing its dominate position and has an unfair advantage when competing against other apps in the App Store.
Epic Games raises antitrust complaint against Apple in the EU
Epic Games has filed an antitrust complaint against Apple in the EU, seeking fair access to app distribution and payment processes on iOS.
Epic Games is trying its damnedest to force Apple and Google to loosen their grip on the App Store and Play Store. We recently learned that the company's Coalition for App Fairness non-profit was lobbying for the North Dakota bill that could dismantle Apple and Google's app store and payment monopolies. But while the bill may have failed to pass, Epic Games is far from giving up.
European Parliament votes in favor of Right to Repair
The European Parliament has voted in favour of consumer's right to repair electronics, paving the way for sustainable technology. Read on!
The Right to Repair rules in the European Union just got stronger as the European Parliament has voted in favor of the law. The EU had announced the ruling earlier this year as a part of the Circular Economy Action Plan. The new law mandates that devices should be useful for a longer period before they need to be recycled or dumped into a trashcan.
The European Union wants to force OEMs to let users uninstall bloatware
The European Union, as part of an upcoming measure, might force smartphone OEMs selling devices in Europe to make bloatware uninstallable.
Bloatware and carrier phones: name a more iconic duo. The number of preinstalled apps on some smartphones has grown so much these days that people still come to our forums to flash stock Android builds to get rid of the bloat. Bloatware is often preloaded on smartphones by carriers or even smartphone manufacturers themselves. They are often annoying services you will probably never use but you probably can't uninstall, either. Since carrier devices are often fairly locked down, most users can't get rid of these unwanted apps without mucking around with ADB. Thankfully, the European Union has a plan: It wants to force smartphone manufacturers to let users uninstall the bloatware that comes preloaded on these devices, according to the Financial Times.
New European regulation could force Apple and Google to be fairer to app developers
A new EU regulation could force a fair and transparent relationship between developers and platforms like the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Google and Apple are known for keeping a tight leash on what gets published on their respective app stores. However, at times, the companies have been found guilty of removing apps/games from their platforms without offering developers a clear reason behind the app's removal. A new EU regulation aims to address this issue and promote a more transparent relationship between developers and the Google Play Store/Apple App Store.
The EU is set to introduce "right to repair" laws that could also force OEMs to let you update your smartphone
The EU is set to introduce "right to repair" laws that may also force OEMs to let you update your smartphone by yourself.
The EU has been taking a hardline stance when it comes to climate change, including plans to vote on legislation that would see standardized charging across the board when it comes to smartphones. The EU has adopted a new Circular Economy Action Plan today, which includes a number of goals that the EU will, as a whole, strive towards. One such goal on that list is introducing the "right to repair" for EU citizens. In reading the Action Plan, I noticed something particularly interesting.