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Emotion tracking wearable could arrive soon from Amazon

Raaj Lokanathan
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Emotion tracking wearable could arrive soon from Amazon
Reading Time: 2 minutes read

Amazon is the world’s second company to reach a $1,000,000,000,000 valuation after Apple. Amazon constantly launches new products such as Amazon Echo and Amazon Dash. With the Amazon Alexa, Amazon has already known everything about a specific user. Now, Amazon is working on a new tracking wearable which can tracks a user’s emotions too.

How it works is, Amazon Alexa will be able to determine the user’s mood and responds back according to their feeling. For example, if a person feels sad, Amazon will tracks the person’s mood and then reply in a soft manner. Not only that, there are more other emotions such as happiness, anger, and boredom. Amazon has already patented it to let Alexa do the replying based on the user emotion.

According to Bloomberg, the emotion-tracking wearable device is a product of Alexa and Lab126 hardware team. As for now, Amazon research teams are testing this product internally with the code name “Dylan”. There is a possibility this product could be realized soon. This is because, Amazon’s’ Echo Buttons is one of Amazon experiment within its hardware team. There are some experimental products which did not pass the internal trial phase.

Amazon Echo Buttons

In conclusion, if you watch the movie Back to the Future, you might realize how technology has evolved within us. We might not expect an emotional tracker during those days. Now, it will become a reality where everyone will start to get one of those wearable devices soon.

Huawei to launch its own OS by end of this year

Raaj Lokanathan
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0
Huawei to launch its own OS by end of this year
Reading Time: 2 minutes read

Last week Huawei faces the worst time ever since the US government blocks Huawei from doing business with the US tech companies. Later, the US government provides a temporary license for Huawei to continue doing their business with US tech companies. Following this tragedy, Huawei finally comes up with its own contingency plan. Huawei will be launching its own operating system either end of this year or first quarter of 2020.

According to CNBC, this news is confirmed by Huawei’s head of consumer division. Surprisingly, Microsoft has also removed Huawei’s notebook from its product page. This means Huawei will be launching two operating systems for its devices which is for the smartphones and its notebooks. On Thursday, Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei told that it has to prepare for plan B if plan A fails. Developing their own operating system is plan B now.

Imagine using Huawei’s phone without Android, that could be really devastating because all users download their favorite applications from the Google Play Store. According to its CEO, Huawei has its own app store which is known as the App Gallery. However, the population of users who uses the Google Play Store is higher, so Huawei has to think of a way to tackle this issue.

Issues Huawei has to face before creating their own operating system

User Experience

First of all, Huawei needs to focus on the user experience of the operating system. Its operating system has to match with Google Androids and Microsoft Windows. Huawei need to develop various kinds of applications which gives a seamless user experience to its consumers.

Security

The most important key point here is having a secure operating system. None of the consumers will be using Huawei’s operating system, if it is not secure. This includes user’s privacy and security. All the applications need to involve scanning and certification before rolling out to its operating system. According to Neil Shah, who is a research director, at Counterpoint Research says doing this huge task will be really challenging and requires tons of resources.

Huawei without ARM technology

The other issue is Huawei’s being suspended to use ARM technology. After ARM halts its partnership with Huawei, Huawei is facing issues to secure the critical components which are the SoC. Although Huawei creates its own Kirin 980 processors, the technology behind is the ARM technology. According to Shah, the operating system could be useless if Huawei can’t use the ARM processor.

In conclusion, if the US government insist to continue to block Huawei permanently, then we can expect Huawei’s own operating system to launch by end of this year or beginning of next year. Anyhow, we will keep our readers updated on it.

ARM halts its partnership with Huawei

Raaj Lokanathan
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ARM halts its partnership with Huawei
Reading Time: 2 minutes read

Everywhere you go the only thing people talk about is all about Huawei. Honestly, Huawei is really having a hard time now. After the US government adds Huawei into its blacklist, companies such as Google, Intel and Qualcomm have stopped all its supplies to Huawei. Even Microsoft has removed Huawei’s notebook from its page. Now, ARM is also suspending its partnership and all its deals with Huawei.

According to BBC, ARM instructs all its employees to cut all its current relationship with Huawei via a memo. This memo is circulated within its company. This includes Huawei’s sister company HONOR too. HONOR just launches its new series of smartphone, HONOR 20 and HONOR 20 Pro a week ago. Now with this issue, HONOR will be affected too.

Image result for honor 20 pro

Although Huawei builds its own SoC without the partnership of ARM, Huawei could not have launched the Kirin processor. If you take a look, most of the Huawei devices is using ARM’s technology as part of Kirin SoC. Other than that, Infineon also has stopped all its relationship with Huawei after Huawei is ban from doing business in the US.

Image result for arm processor

In conclusion, its CEO says that the ban does not affect badly as we think. Huawei could have come up with their own contingency plan? If not, this is going to be a huge disaster for Huawei.

Google will continue providing updates to Huawei for 90 days

Raaj Lokanathan
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1
Google will continue providing updates to Huawei for 90 days
Reading Time: < 1 minute read

We all know, that the United States government has blocked all access for Huawei to continue doing business with US tech companies. After that, the US government provides Huawei a temporary license which allows the Chinese tech giant to continue business with US tech companies for 90 days. Now Google, has given its reply in a statement regarding this issue.

Below is the statement from the Google spokesperson:

Keeping phones up to date and secure is in everyone’s best interests and this temporary license allows us to continue to provide software updates and security patches to existing models for the next 90 days.

Google will only deliver all its security updates to Huawei until the end of 90 days period. After the 90th day, Huawei will not be able to receive any kind of updates from Google. This situation can be overturned only if the US government removes Huawei from the Entity List. The good news is all the existing Huawei users will be able to access to all Google services without any issue.

In conclusion, this is the temporary solution Huawei has until it figures out its own contingency plan. Can we expect Huawei’s own operating system anytime soon?

Google announces Glass Enterprise Edition 2 for $999

Raaj Lokanathan
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0
Google announces Glass Enterprise Edition 2 for $999
Reading Time: 2 minutes read

Google Glass is a failure when it was introduced in 2013. This is because of the price which is expensive and also due to its safety and privacy concern, Google had to stop this product. A few days ago, Google announces a new version of its Glass Enterprise Edition 2. The Glass Enterprise Edition 2 is priced at $999 (RM 4,181.21).

Google does not have any plans yet to sell Google Glass. Same as its predecessor, the Glass will not be available for sale to the consumers. This new Glass comes with a new processor with an improved camera. Other than that, the Google Glass also comes with a USB-C port which supports fast charging feature.

If you take a look at the new Google Glass the design still remains the same. However, few things such as the processor. The Google Glass is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1 chip. This chip is designed mainly designed for augmented and virtual reality.

Glass Enterprise Edition 2.png

Other than that, Google also partners with Smith Optics to add a new safety frame. Since the new version of the Google Glass, will be used in the factory sector, this new safety frame will help to protect the worker’s eyes. Google Glass also runs on the Android operating system. Google also packs Google Glass with a bigger battery to support the processing power.

In conclusion, Google is not the main company which launches the business-focused augmented reality. Microsoft, Vuzix and Epson are working on business-focused augmented reality glasses too. At this moment, one thing for sure is Google has no plan to roll out Google Glass to a broader audience.

US Govt provides a temporary license for Huawei

Raaj Lokanathan
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2
US Govt provides a temporary license for Huawei
Reading Time: < 1 minute read

After Google, Intel and Qualcomm bans Huawei from using their hardwares and softwares, the US government has provide Huawei a temporary license for Huawei. Using this temporary license, Huawei can keep sending software updates to its smartphones until the next three months. This temporary license is given by the United States Commerce Department.

According to Reuters, this license will expire on 19th August. After that, Huawei cannot use the US tech companies services until the ban is lifted. This license also will allow Huawei to maintain its network equipment. Other than that, Huawei also can receive security vulnerability disclosures until the license expires.

On May 16th, the US government blacklisted Huawei from doing business in the US. Huawei can only continue its business with its US companies only after getting permission from the US government. Immediately, Google announces to stop providing Android services for all Huawei smartphones. However, Huawei can continue using Google’s open-source Android operating system. Later after the announcement, Google Android team says its services will be continuing as usual in the current existing Huawei smartphones only.

“The Temporary General License grants operators time to make other arrangements and the Department space to determine the appropriate long term measures for Americans and foreign telecommunications providers that currently rely on Huawei equipment for critical services”

Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross

In conclusion, Huawei is really having a rough week right after the ban. Hopefully, now Huawei should plan on a contingency plan before 19th August.

HBO Go is now officially available in Malaysia

Raaj Lokanathan
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0
HBO Go is now officially available in Malaysia
Reading Time: < 1 minute read

A few weeks ago, HBO Asia announces to bring its streaming service HBO Go to Malaysia on the first week of April. For now, this service will be available to Astro subscribers exclusively. Yesterday, HBO Go can be accessed for all Astro subscribers who subscribe to Astro Movies Pack.

How to access the HBO Go contents?

Astro subscribers can only access to the HBO Go service via the website. First, you need to click on the Sign in now button as shown in the image below.

Then it will ask you to choose your local operator. You will have to choose Astro as your local operator and then it will redirect to your Astro Go website to sign in into your account using your existing Astro ID. Finally, you can start to enjoy watching series such as Game of Thrones on HBO Go.

In conclusion, the HBO Go service can only be access from its website only. Its native Android and iOS app are still not available for Malaysian users yet. We will update here once the app is available on both these platforms.

Intel and Qualcomm bans Huawei too

Raaj Lokanathan
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0
Intel and Qualcomm bans Huawei too
Reading Time: < 1 minute read

The United States Government has added the Chinese tech giant, Huawei into its Entity List. Right after Google blocks its access to Huawei, other major tech companies such as Intel and Qualcomm have banned Huawei from using their chipsets.

Based on the report from Bloomberg, these companies start to inform all their employees to stop supplying chipsets to Huawei. Other than these two tech giant companies, other US chipmakers companies such as Broadcom and Xilinx has ban Huawei from using their chips in Huawei devices.

As for now, there are few other Huawei smartphones which are powered by the Qualcomm chips. For Intel chipsets, none of the Huawei smartphones is equipped with it. However, Intel is supplying its processors for Huawei’s servers and notebooks. The new Huawei MateBook X Pro is also powered by Intel’s 8th Gen processor. Now, Huawei has to find a contingency plan to create its own processor for its servers and notebooks too.

Image result for huawei notebooks

In conclusion, Huawei has enough chip supplies to continue until three months. We might not know yet what could probably happen after these three months. Do you think the US government will lift the ban from Huawei? More updates coming to you.

Google blocks all its access to Huawei

Raaj Lokanathan
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4
Google blocks all its access to Huawei
Reading Time: 2 minutes read

Back in 22nd January 2018, China and the United States have begun their trade war. This has affected the economies worldwide including Asia countries such as Malaysia. A few days ago, the United States President Trump adds Huawei into its trade blacklist called Entity List. This bans Huawei from doing any kind of business with US companies such as Google. Unless Huawei needs to get the US government approval ahead before conducting any business with the US companies.

Now, according to Reuters, Google is blocking all its access to this Chinese tech giant which includes the transfer of hardware, software and technical services. Reuters says Huawei can only use the public version of Android. This means Huawei could not use Google’s proprietary apps and services. This includes the Google Play Store, Gmail, and YouTube. As part of this ban, Huawei future products will not have access to the Android operating system.

At this moment, there is an assurance that existing Huawei smartphones will not be affected by this ban. All Google services will operate as usual on all Huawei’s devices. If you just bought Huawei’s P30 Pro, you don’t have to worry about this ban. Google is stopping mainly on its technical supports with Huawei.

What’s next for Huawei?

According to sources, Huawei is already working on developing its own operating system few years itself. Looks like Huawei is fully prepared for this kind of situation perhaps. If Huawei, develops its own operating system, then you don’t have to worry anymore, because China is always good at reverse engineering things. They could possibly come up with an operating system which is a hundred times better than Google’s Android operating system.

In conclusion, Google has no choice other than banning its access to Huawei. Unless the US government removes Huawei from this ban, then Google will allow all its access to Huawei again. As for now, we just have to wait for more updates from either Google or Huawei. Stay tune for more updates on this issue.

Astro launches Beta Programme with a new user interface

Raaj Lokanathan
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0
Astro launches Beta Programme with a new user interface
Reading Time: 2 minutes read

Astro is Malaysia’s leading content and consumer company which provides digital video services to every household nationwide. On April 24 Astro Malaysia Holdings inks a deal with Synamedia who is the largest independent video software, provider. The purpose of their deal is to provide seamless video experience to all Astro subscribers. Now, Astro is launching its Beta Programme for its customers which includes a fresh new user interface.

A new user interface

Astro subscribers can sign up for this Beta Programme through its official page. After getting feedback from their beta users, Astro will roll out this new feature nationwide to all Astro subscribers. There are two versions of its Beta Programme. The first Beta V1.1 release, users will get to try its new user interface design which focuses on the personalization. By taking a look at the image below, the design looks similar to its VOD platform design.

4K UHD TV box and cloud storage coming soon

For the Beta V1.2, Astro is planning to offer a TV box which offers 4K UHD video experience to eligible users mainly. This TV box could be similar to the Apple TV box or Android TV box. Other than that, Astro will also offer a cloud storage feature which its subscribers can use to record their program and store it in the cloud server. At present, Astro has not revealed when it is planning to roll out the Beta V1.2 to its users yet.

Discover picture

Below image shows the basic requirement before signing up for this Beta program.

On top of that, Astro also will provide access to its Astro Super Pack Plus 4 to those beta users who sign up before June 30, 2019. More information is provided in its FAQ page.

In conclusion, if you are interested to join this beta program, you can visit its Astro official page to understand more about this program.

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