Apple won't let Elon Musk rename Twitter into X on App Store for a very bizarre reason

If you wish to download Elon Musk’s X app on your iPhone, you’ll find it listed as “Twitter” on Apple’s App Store. This is because the App Store requires all apps to have at least two characters in their name, and as a result, the X app is listed as “Twitter.”

Despite the rebranding effort to transition Twitter into X, the process has been rather chaotic. The app’s landing page displays the prominent X logo, but it still carries the name “Twitter.” A search for X or X app in the App Store will yield results like Xbox and a VPN service, but not the X app. Only when you search specifically for “Twitter” will the X app appear as a result.

This branding dilemma in the App Store is just one of the challenges faced during the transition. While Twitter has successfully been renamed as X in the Google Play Store, the situation with Apple’s App Store remains unresolved. One can hope that the issues will eventually be ironed out with Apple. Until then, the X app will continue to appear under the name “Twitter” in the App Store, despite the rebranding efforts.

The rebranding of Twitter to X has faced criticism for its mixed branding elements, combining aspects of both Twitter and the generic X. As the transition process continues, it remains to be seen how the branding issues will be resolved, and users can anticipate a smoother experience in the future.

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Xiaomi on slippery slope: Mounting legal troubles, changing market force rethink of India strategy

Xiaomi has been forced to make some major strategic adjustments in the Indian market due to changing consumer preferences and increased regulatory scrutiny, which has resulted in a decline in its market leadership.

According to data from Counterpoint Research, Xiaomi’s market share in India dropped to 15 per cent in the first half of 2023, down from a leading position of 28 per cent in 2018.

Not premium enough, sloppy product line
Tarun Pathak, research director of devices and ecosystems at Counterpoint Research, pointed out that the shift in India’s smartphone landscape is primarily driven by increased consumer wealth. A “premiumisation trend” has favoured more expensive brands like Apple and Samsung Electronics, with Samsung now becoming India’s top smartphone supplier, holding 19 per cent of the market.

On the other hand, Xiaomi has historically focused on the mass market segment. However, as the premium market grows in India, the mass market segment, which Xiaomi targets, has started to shrink.

In response to these market changes, Xiaomi is revising its strategy in India. The company plans to streamline its phone offerings to prioritize 5G products, enhance customer experience, and concentrate on targeted sales through physical retail stores. Xiaomi’s President, Muralikrishnan B, indicated in a Bloomberg report that the company is adapting to these shifts.

Furthermore, Xiaomi’s Chief Marketing Officer, Anuj Sharma, acknowledged that the company has made some mistakes and has already made its product portfolio leaner, aiming to prepare for the upcoming 5G revolution in India. The move comes as Xiaomi faces challenges in regaining its market position amid the evolving dynamics of the Indian smartphone market.

Chinese-owned companies still dominate
According to Pathak, other China-based competitors like Vivo and Oppo have adopted several strategies to protect their market share in India. Some of these steps include providing better after-sales services, establishing physical retail locations, and utilizing local distributors. These efforts have enabled Vivo to surpass Xiaomi’s market share in India for the first time in the current year, as per Counterpoint data.

Even though Xiaomi is facing challenges in India, Chinese-owned companies as a whole continue to dominate the total smartphone market share in the country. Counterpoint reports that their combined market share has remained strong, reaching around 74 per cent in the first half of the current year, compared to 60 per cent in 2018. Despite individual setbacks for Xiaomi, the overall presence of Chinese smartphone manufacturers remains significant in the Indian market.

Xiaomi’s trouble with the law
Ongoing regulatory scrutiny in India remains a significant concern for Chinese tech companies operating in the country. Recently, Vivo’s offices were raided by Indian authorities, and assets worth US$59 million were seized from Vivo’s bank accounts. The company was accused of channelling profits outside the country to avoid taxes. Similarly, last year, Xiaomi faced accusations from India’s federal financial crime agency for suspicious remittance payments to foreign-based entities, leading to the seizure of funds worth over US$600 million.

Last week, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology disclosed details of a comprehensive probe into alleged tax evasion by Chinese phone manufacturers, with approximately US$1 billion in unpaid taxes since 2017. The Ministry reported that tax authorities had recovered 18 per cent of this amount so far.

In response to the regulatory challenges, Xiaomi India asserted its commitment to complying with local laws and regulations and stated that it is actively cooperating with authorities to address any concerns.

India has adopted a tougher stance on Chinese tech companies over the past few years, banning numerous Chinese apps and excluding Huawei Technologies and ZTE from participating in 5G trials in the country.

Despite the potential for fines and legal troubles resulting from tax evasion findings, Chinese phone manufacturers are likely to treat this as a cost of doing business in a lucrative market. Counterpoint’s Pathak suggests that these companies may quickly attempt to settle legal distractions and shift their focus to the larger market trends. Some companies might opt to further localize their business operations to address government concerns.

While the regulatory environment poses challenges, India’s smartphone market remains unique, with only about half of the population owning smartphones. The country is still driven by many first-time smartphone users, making it a critical market for global tech giants to focus on.

As the market dynamics continue to evolve, Chinese tech companies are likely to navigate the regulatory landscape while capitalizing on the growth potential in India’s vast and expanding smartphone market.

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Elon Musk’s X is now sharing X’s ad revenue with all creators; Here’s how to cash in

X, formerly known as Twitter, has launched a new program designed to assist creators in earning money through ad revenue. This opportunity is open to Twitter and X Blue subscribers worldwide, including India. To qualify, creators need an X Blue subscription, a minimum of 15 million post impressions in the last three months, and at least 500 followers.

The company’s goal is to keep the process as straightforward as possible for all eligible X Blue and Verified Organisations subscribers. Once you meet the criteria and join the program, you can start receiving payouts if your earnings exceed $50. However, the exact method used by X to calculate the payout value has not been disclosed in the support document.

For creators who meet the requirements and set up their payout details, payments will begin from the week of July 31. The process is uncomplicated, and all eligible X Blue and Verified Organisations subscribers can take part as long as they meet the criteria and join the program.

Creators have the option to independently set up Ads Revenue Sharing and Creator Subscriptions. To receive their earnings, they must have a Stripe account for payouts. It’s essential to adhere to the Ads Revenue Share Terms, including Creator Monetization Standards and the X Rules, to avoid being excluded from the program.

It’s worth noting that X reserves the right to modify or cancel the program at any time, possibly due to business, financial, or legal reasons. Notably, Twitter had recently introduced a similar ads revenue-sharing program for creators, providing payouts to some of them. Now, with the introduction of X Blue, more creators have an opportunity to monetize their content and earn from their creative efforts.

The ad revenue-sharing program was launched on July 14, 2023, following Elon Musk’s initial announcement in February of the same year. While the program is still in its early stages, it has the potential to become a significant income source for creators.

Under this initiative, creators will receive 50 per cent of the revenue generated from ads that appear in the replies to their tweets. However, the program is exclusively available to verified users who have paid for a blue checkmark. To be eligible, creators must have accumulated at least 15 million impressions on their posts within the last three months and have a minimum of 500 followers.

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‘Unidentified object on Australian beach most likely debris from Chandrayaan-3: Australian Space Agency

The unidentified object that mysteriously appeared on a beach in Australia is most likely debris from the launch of the Chandrayaan-3, the Australian Space Agency tweeted earlier today.

The mysterious object washed ashore in Australia’s Jurien Bay about two weeks ago, just days after the launch of the Chandrayaan-3. The object was initially suspected to be a part of a broken satellite that crashed back to the earth. It was even suspected to be a part of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, the fateful flight that disappeared several years ago

Later, it was suspected to be a used-up part of the third stage of a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) that was used to place the lunar satellite in its orbit.

The piece of debris, standing approximately two meters (equivalent to six feet) tall with hanging cables at the top, has been placed in storage. Preparations are underway to hand the debris over to India.

Representatives from both, India and Australia are collaborating to “secure additional verification to decide on the next course of action, which includes assessing responsibilities under the space treaties of the United Nations,” stated the Australian Space Agency.

The Australian Space Agency also tweeted that they are committed to long-term sustainability of outer space activities, debris mitigation is an important factor and needs to be highlighted internationally.

This is not the initial occurrence of Australia encountering space debris. In the previous year, in New South Wales, a sheep farmer discovered a scorched fragment from one of Elon Musk’s SpaceX missions protruding from his field.

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‘India emerging as trusted global electronics manufacturing partner’: EAM Dr S Jaishankar

At the conclusion of the three-day SemiconIndia 2023 Conference, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar highlighted India’s significant role in critical and emerging technologies, particularly in the electronics sector and semiconductor manufacturing. He emphasized India’s growing reputation as a reliable global electronics manufacturing partner.

The Minister also stressed the importance of international collaborations with countries like the US, Japan, Australia, and other like-minded nations, which present promising opportunities for India’s growth in this field.

The final day of the conference saw diverse participation from industry, start-ups, academia, and government. Insightful sessions and engaging discussions showcased the crucial aspects of semiconductor manufacturing and the efforts being made to establish a robust, resilient, and sustainable semiconductor ecosystem.

India firmly believes in the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” aiming for equitable growth and a shared future for all. To explore this concept, a dedicated panel discussion on “International Collaboration for Trusted and Resilient Semiconductor Supply Chain” was led by Shri Anshuman Tripathi, Member of NSCS. The panelists, including representatives from the US Embassy, Japan’s Economy and Development Ministry, the Australian High Commission, and a professor from Georgia Tech University, delved into the potential of global partnerships to enhance the semiconductor industry. The discussion specifically focused on India’s role in becoming a major player in semiconductor manufacturing, research, talent exchange, clean energy transitions, and critical minerals exploration.

The discussions during the “Global Semiconductor Talent Capital” at SemiconIndia 2023 revolved around the implementation of the Semicon India FutureSkills Talent Roadmap, aiming to position India as a leading Semiconductor Talent Nation. Industry experts and representatives such as Jaya Jagadish from AMD India, Prof. T G Sitharam, Chairman of AICTE, Binod Nair from GlobalFoundries, Srinivas Satya from Applied Materials, Rangesh Raghavan from Lam Research, Prof. Udyan Ganguly from IIT Bombay, and Dr. Vijay Raghunathan from Purdue University showcased India’s commitment to achieving this goal through strategic planning, collaboration, and investment in the workforce.

Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary of DPIIT, moderated a session on creating a globally competitive compliance and regulatory framework. The focus was on ease of doing business, FDI processes, handholding global investors, tax reforms, policy stability, and streamlining operations in the semiconductor ecosystem. The government’s proactive approach in implementing changes based on industry consultations and requirements was highlighted.

Jaya Jagadish from AMD India delivered the closing remarks, highlighting the significant shift observed in the semiconductor industry’s perception of India. The country is now seen as a promising investment destination, with a strong focus on emerging technologies like chiplet architecture and material sciences to meet the increasing demand for chips. The government’s initiatives to nurture skilled talent, support startups, and promote R&D are expected to drive innovation in the sector.

The second edition of SemiconIndia has firmly established India as a key player in the future of technology, especially in semiconductors. Global companies and academia were actively engaged, with India positioning itself as a global hub for electronics and semiconductors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that the question has shifted from “why invest in India” to “why not invest in India” in the semiconductor industry indicates the country’s promising potential in this field.

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NASA-Flix: US space body to launch their own streaming service, site already up, app coming soon

NASA believes that as the Artemis mission to the Moon comes closer, they are in need for an image makeover. And the best way to do so would be to take a massive step forward, digitally. As a result, they are planning a complete overhaul of their digital presence.

This will include a whole new and completely revamped website and a streaming service.

A new look
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA is embarking on an exciting technological journey aimed at enhancing the user experience and accessibility of its online platforms. As part of this endeavour, NASA is redesigning its main websites to offer a smooth and enriching browsing experience for its audience.

The forthcoming updates to nasa.gov and science.nasa.gov will cover a wide range of information, including the agency’s groundbreaking missions, cutting-edge research, valuable climate data, and the latest developments related to the ambitious Artemis program. By actively incorporating user feedback, NASA is dedicated to continuously improving these websites, making them more informative, interactive, and user-friendly.

NASA gets in on streaming
Besides the website overhaul, NASA is taking its efforts even further by introducing its on-demand streaming platform, NASA+. This groundbreaking platform will grant unprecedented access to the agency’s captivating Emmy Award-winning live coverage. In addition to this, viewers can look forward to brand-new series dedicated to exploring the wonders of the cosmos.

To ensure easy accessibility for audiences worldwide, NASA+ will be available on multiple major platforms. Users can download the NASA App on their iOS and Android mobile and tablet devices to access the streaming service. Moreover, NASA+ will be seamlessly integrated with popular streaming media giants like Roku, Apple TV, and Fire TV, enabling a broad reach and providing an immersive viewing experience across various devices.

NASA+: NASA’s way to be cool again
To optimize the user experience and ensure the platform’s readiness, NASA has introduced a beta website for NASA+. This early preview allows the public to explore the upcoming service and actively participate in its development by providing valuable feedback. The beta website, accessible at beta.nasa.gov, welcomes users to share their thoughts and suggestions. NASA will utilize this input to continuously improve the platform on an ongoing basis.

NASA has exciting plans for further enhancements, including integrating the upcoming websites with the agency’s extensive multimedia libraries. Although the exact launch date for the NASA+ streaming service is yet to be announced, the release of the beta website marks a promising step towards an innovative era of space-related content and engagement.

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Best phones under Rs 20,000 (July-August 2023): Samsung Galaxy M34 5G, Realme Narzo 60 5G to Poco X5 5G

Our list of smartphones under Rs 20,000 this month has quite a few new faces as compared to our previous list of the same denomination. As always we have handpicked the best options for you that offer a good mix of features and performance. All phones have decent processing power, at least 128 GB internal storage, good cameras and a couple even with optical image stabilisation (OIS). Add to that high refresh rate displays, fast charging, 5G compliance and more. Time to meet our top 5 phones under 20K this month.

Best phones to buy under Rs 20,000 in India

Samsung Galaxy M34 5G
Rarely do we get to start a sub-20K phones list with a Samsung handset. The Samsung Galaxy M34 5G totally deserves a place in this list thanks to its impressive features. At the top of the feature list is a 6.5-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate and 1000 nits peak brightness. It is protected against scratches by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The phone runs the latest Android 13 with Samsung’s One UI 5.1.

Another speciality of this device is its 50MP primary camera with OIS; something not very common in this segment. Support cast features an 8MP ultra-wide camera and a 2MP depth sensor. You get a more than decent 13MP selfie camera up front. The phone is powered by an Exynos 1280 SoC and you get 6 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage that can be expanded further with a microSD card. A 6000 mAh battery keeps the Samsung Galaxy M34 5G powered for close to two days of moderate use. The company doesn’t bundle a charger along though.

Samsung Galaxy M34 5G price in India: Rs 18,999 for 6GB RAM/128GB storage

Realme Narzo 60 5G
The newly launched Realme Narzo 60 5G offers a great mix of style and value. It has a vegan leather back that looks classy, and the Mars Orange variant is particularly eye-catching. The phone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6020 SoC, and you get 8 GB RAM and a choice of either 128 GB or 256 GB internal storage in this budget. It has a vibrant 6.43-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display with a 90 Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass 5 protection.

Image Credit: Firstpost | Mehul Reuben Das

Rear camera department is largely handled by a 64MP camera with a 2MP depth sensor for company. The 16MP front camera is pretty good for selfies and video calls. Battery capacity of this phone stands at 5000 mAh, and it can keep the phone running for over a day and a half of moderate use. The company bundles a 33W fast charger that promises to charge 50% of it in less than half an hour. The Realme Narzo 60 5G runs the latest Android 13 with Realme UI 4.0.

Realme Narzo 60 5G price in India: Rs 16,999 for 8GB RAM/128GB storage; Rs 18,999 for 8GB RAM/256GB storage

Motorola G73 5G
The Motorola G73 5G is another good option in this budget. It is probably the first phone in India with a Mediatek Dimensity 930 SoC. You get 8 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage with an option to expand it further up to 1 TB with a microSD card. This phone has a 6.5-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD display with a 120 Hz refresh rate. This phone claims to have a water-resistant design but there is no IP rating. It also has stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos compliance.

Its 50MP primary camera boasts of 2um larger pixels to capture more detail even in low light. You get an 8MP ultra-wide camera at the back and a capable 16MP selfie camera at the front. The Motorola G73 5G has a 5000 mAh battery that keeps it powered for close to a day and a half of moderate use, and is accompanied by a 30W fast charger. The phone runs Android 13, and like most Motorola phones, you get a near-stock user interface.

Motorola G73 5G price in India: Rs 16,999 for 8GB RAM/128GB storage

Poco X5 5G
If you are looking for loads of storage space well under 20K, the Poco X5 5G is the phone for you. You can purchase its 256 GB internal storage variant for just Rs 16,999. This phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chip, accompanied by 8 GB RAM. And there’s more; this phone flaunts a 6.67-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 1200 nits and 120 Hz refresh rate. The screen is protected against scratches by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 3.

The Poco X5 5G has three cameras at the back with the combination of a 48MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide shooter and a 2MP macro camera. A 16MP camera is located in a punch-hole at the top of the screen. This phone too has a 5000 mAh battery that lasts over a day and a half of moderate use, and the bundled 33W fast charger promises to take it from 0 to 100% in an hour. The phone runs Android 12 with a layer of MIUI 13.

Poco X5 5G price in India: Rs 16,999 for 8GB RAM/256GB storage

Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G
We started the list with a phone with OIS and we will end with one too. The recently launched Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G has a lot of things going for it, but one of its standout features is its 64MP primary camera with OIS. The support cast is not all that great with a 2MP macro camera and a 2MP depth sensor to make up the numbers. But its 32MP front camera will have the selfie enthusiasts interested. The phone runs Android 13 with HIOS 13 UI.

This phone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8050 chip, making it the most powerful phone in this list in terms of processing power. You get its 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage variant in this budget. The Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G has a 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate for flicker-free scrolling. The battery backup is similar to most phones in this list with a 5000 mAh battery keeping it powered for a day and a half of moderate use. The company bundles a 33W fast charger to juice it up briskly.

Tecno Camon 20 Pro 5G price in India: Rs 19,699 for 8GB RAM/128GB storage

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Elon Musk’s X Number of Problems: San Francisco launches investigation into new signage on HQ

The city of San Francisco has launched an investigation into a large “X” sign that was installed on top of the former Twitter headquarters, now owned by Elon Musk as part of his rebranding of the social media platform. City officials have raised concerns about the installation, stating that any alterations to building signage require a permit for design and safety considerations.

The appearance of the “X” sign came after workers were prevented from removing Twitter’s iconic bird and logo from the building earlier in the week due to safety issues. Replacement letters or symbols on the building’s facade would also need a permit to ensure they are in line with the building’s historic character and are securely attached.

Patrick Hannan, a spokesperson for the Department of Building Inspection, emphasized that erecting a sign atop a building necessitates a permit, along with planning review and approval. Consequently, the city has opened a complaint and is initiating an investigation.

Elon Musk introduced the new “X” logo to replace Twitter’s well-known blue bird, as he continues to revamp the social media platform he acquired for $44 billion the previous year. The “X” has started appearing on the desktop version of Twitter.

Elon Musk’s fascination with the letter “X” is not new, as he had already renamed Twitter’s corporate name to X Corp. after purchasing it, and one of his children is named “X,” whose actual name is a combination of letters and symbols.

Workers were seen adjusting the sign using a lift machine on Friday afternoon before leaving the site.

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Biden administration forced Meta to censor speech, shows leaked email to Mark Zuckerberg

Recently discovered documents from Facebook have brought to light that the Biden administration exerted pressure on the social media giant to censor its users’ comments, potentially violating their right to free speech as guaranteed by the Constitution.

Jim Jordan, the US House Judiciary Committee Chairman and a Republican, obtained these documents during the committee’s investigation into the alleged “weaponisation” of the government. He asserted that the documents prove Facebook and Instagram altered their moderation policies and censored posts due to “unconstitutional pressure from the Biden White House.”

In another April 2021 email, Nick Clegg, Facebook’s president for global affairs, informed his team at Facebook that Andy Slavitt, a Senior Advisor to President Biden, was “outraged . . . that [Facebook] did not remove” a particular post. pic.twitter.com/5muflAQjcx

— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) July 27, 2023

The smoking gun that got President Biden
One piece of evidence cited by Jordan was an email from a Facebook employee to top executives Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg in April 2021.

The email mentioned “continued pressure from external stakeholders, including the White House and the press, to remove more Covid-19 vaccine-discouraging content.” For instance, the White House insisted on censoring a humorous meme suggesting vaccine risks.

How Biden’s White House pressured Meta
During the same period, Nick Clegg, Facebook’s president for global affairs, informed his colleagues that Andy Slavitt, a senior adviser to Biden on Covid-19 policies, was upset that the platform did not take down the anti-vaccine meme.

Clegg argued that removing the content would infringe on free expression in the US, but Slavitt believed the meme could hinder the government’s vaccine rollout effort.

While social media platforms have the legal right to determine content restrictions, government interference in those decisions could encroach upon free speech rights. The American Civil Liberties Union expressed concern about the government’s attempt to control content moderation requests to Big Tech, stating that the First Amendment prohibits the government from dictating what is considered true or false online.

Meta and Zuckerberg in trouble over documents
Jordan issued a warning earlier in the week, stating that his committee would hold Zuckerberg in contempt of Congress unless Facebook provided the subpoenaed documents on government interventions in content moderation. He alleged that there was sufficient evidence to suggest Facebook withheld evidence of facing similar government pressure, as previously seen with Twitter.

According to Jordan, Facebook executives feared consequences if they did not comply with the White House’s demands. In an April 2021 email, Facebook’s vice president for public policy, Brian Rice, expressed concern about the company’s relationship with the White House and the pressure it faced. Meanwhile, another document revealed that “talking points” were prepared for Clegg to improve relations with the administration. The company highlighted its handling of a Tucker Carlson video that angered the White House, reducing its distribution by 50% pending fact-checking, even though it didn’t violate platform policies.

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Semicon India 2023: Micron’s Gujarat fab will make chips for both local, global markets employ 5000 people

During the annual semiconductor conference in Gujarat, Micron Technology’s CEO, Sanjay Mehrotra, announced that the company’s upcoming semiconductor manufacturing facility in Gujarat will produce chips for both Indian and international customers.

Mehrotra expressed his pride in the company’s commitment to establishing India’s first semiconductor test facility and the significant investment it represents for the nation.

“Prime Minister your support for the semiconductor industry and workforce development has fostered an environment of innovation and business growth that is already creating strong results. I am proud to be here today to represent the company’s commitment to build a semiconductor test facility right here in Gujarat. It is a first for India and the first major semiconductor company investment in the nation,” Mehrotra said at Semicon India 2023 event.

Mehrotra also highlighted Micron’s successful expansion in India, where they have built a team of over 3,000 engineers in a short span of time. He credited the strong performance of their operations in Hyderabad and Bangalore for instilling confidence in the success of the assembly unit in India.

Regarding the Gujarat facility, Mehrotra estimated that it will create around 5,000 direct jobs and an additional 15,000 jobs in the community, which he hopes will stimulate further investments in the sector. The project’s total investment is set to be $2.75 billion, with support from the Central government and the state of Gujarat.

“Micron is committed to build a semiconductor assembly and test facility in Gujarat. We estimate that our project in Gujarat will create nearly 5000 direct jobs and additional 15,000 jobs in the community. We are hopeful that this investment will help catalyse other investments in the sector,” Mehrotra said.

India’s initiatives, such as “Digital India” and “Make in India,” have been instrumental in attracting global companies to invest in the country’s semiconductor industry. “Digital India and Make in India are creating a truly transformative energy that will continue to drive positive progress,” Mehrotra said.

The Indian semiconductor market has been growing steadily, and the government unveiled a substantial incentive program of $10 billion in 2021 to bolster the chip sector’s development.

Despite India’s growing semiconductor market, the nation has yet to produce chips locally, but the establishment of Micron’s facility marks a significant step towards changing this landscape. The construction of the Gujarat facility is expected to commence in 2023, with the first phase becoming operational by late 2024, and further expansions planned in the latter half of the decade.

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‘IT Stands for India, Taiwan:’ Foxconn is very optimistic of where India is headed in Global Semicon

Following Prime Minister Modi’s address to tech companies, investors and all other attendees at the Semicon India 2023 exhibition at Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Young Liu, Chairman of Taiwanese tech manufacturing giant Foxconn said that Taiwan will continue to be “India’s most trusted and reliable partner.” “Let’s do this together,” the chairman said addressing Semicon India 2023.

Foxconn has planned to set up at least 4-5 chip fabrication units in India and has been looking for manufacturing partners. Even though the joint venture between Foxconn and India’s Vedanta fell through for a variety of reasons, Foxconn has stated that they have complete confidence in India’s Semicon ambitions, putting out a statement that read, “Foxconn is committed to investing in India. We have no intention to do anything but continue to strongly support the government’s ‘Make In India’ ambitions and establish a diversity of local partnerships that meet the needs of stakeholders.”

Speaking at the Semicon India 2023 exhibition, Chairman Young Liu said, “Where there is a will there’s a way, I can feel the determination of the Indian government. I am very optimistic of the way India will be headed.”

He then went on to say, “PM Modi, once told me that IT stands for India and Taiwan. Prime Minister Modi, Taiwan is and will be your most trusted and reliable partner.”

Foxconn is set to establish a chip fabrication unit in India, even though it is not with Vedanta as it had initially hoped. For that, the Taiwanese manufacturing giant is in discussions with several technology partners that would help them facilitate manufacturing silicon chips in India. Reports have suggested that Foxconn may be partnering up with Taiwan’s TSMC and Japan’s TMH for the project it had initially planned with Vedanta.

Besides that, Foxconn is in discussions with the Tamil Nadu government to set up a components manufacturing unit in the state, somewhere near Chennai, where it already has one of India’s largest Apple factories.

As per reports from Reuters, the company presented a plan to invest an initial sum of $180-200 million in the facility. However, it remains uncertain whether the components produced at this new plant will be utilized for iPhones or other products manufactured by the company.

Apart from Tamil Nadu, Foxconn is also in negotiations with Gujarat as it endeavours to venture into India’s semiconductor sector.

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Semicon India 2023: AMD to invest $400 million in Bengaluru R&D centre, will be the biggest in the world

One of the world’s biggest semiconductor makers, AMD, made an important announcement on July 28 during the Semicon India 2023 event. They disclosed their plan to invest $400 million in India and employ 3,000 engineers at their Bengaluru facility over the next five years.

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar welcomed AMD’s decision to establish their largest R&D centre in India, considering it a significant step towards building a world-class semiconductor design and innovation ecosystem. He also noted that it would provide excellent opportunities for highly skilled semiconductor engineers and researchers, aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of making India a global talent hub.

I welcome @AMD‘s decision to set up its largest R&D #design center in #NewIndia and expansion of the India-AMD partnership. It will certainly play an important role in building a world class #semiconductor design and #innovation ecosystem. It will also provide tremendous… pic.twitter.com/J3STagMh9I

— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@Rajeev_GoI) July 28, 2023

AMD and India’s partnership
Mark Papermaster, the executive vice president and chief technology officer of AMD, stated that the company aims to establish its largest R&D centre in Bengaluru, which is expected to be operational before the end of this year. Additionally, they intend to hire an additional 3000 engineers by the end of 2028.

Papermaster highlighted the significant growth of AMD’s presence in India, from a few employees in 2001 to over 6,500 employees currently, attributing it to the groundwork laid by local leaders and the availability of highly skilled professionals in the country.

The AMD CTO emphasized the importance of their India teams in delivering high-performance and adaptive solutions that support AMD’s global customers, particularly with the growth in artificial intelligence, networking, and 6G communications. He also expressed their commitment to driving innovation in India, aligning with the India Semiconductor Mission.

India’s Semicon Ambitions come to fruition
The Semicon India 2023 event witnessed the presence of various industry players, including AMD, Micron, Cadence, Lam, and others, with Prime Minister Modi also in attendance. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the semiconductor industry as a pivotal one, essential for numerous sectors, from agriculture to technology devices.

In an effort to attract major semiconductor players to set up chip fabrication and assembling plants in India, the government has introduced a $10 billion subsidy program. During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the US, Micron pledged to set up a $2.7 billion assembling plant, with substantial financial support from the Centre and the state government of Gujarat.

The theme of the Semicon India 2023 Conference is ‘Catalysing India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem,’ and it saw the participation of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister of IT Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Minister of State (MoS) for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar at the inaugural ceremony.

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‘World needs trusted, reliable supplier of semiconductors, India perfect for it’: PM Modi at Semicon India 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Semicon India 2023 exhibition, where he welcomed business partners, chip makers and investors from all across the world. First organised in 2021 in Bengaluru, the 2023 edition is taking place in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

During is inaugural speech, PM Modi highlighted the journey the country has been on for the last two years, and where it is headed.

India emerging as a leading destination for chipmakers and other tech industries
PM Modi started his address by expressing how India had become the preferred destination for investors when it comes to semiconductors.”At Semicon India last year, everyone present at the event was asking why they should invest in India with regards to the semiconductor industry. Now that question has become why not invest in India,” he said.

The PM also highlighted that India, once an importer of mobile phone, is now one of the world’s top exporters, making some of the best phones. “A few years earlier, India was a small player in the sector. Now, our share in the global electronics sector has increased a lot. In 2014, India’s electronics production was less than $30 billion. Now, it has crossed $100 billion.”

He added, “In 2014, we had about two mobile manufacturing units in India. Today, that number is well over 200.”

India’s New Middle Class
He also highlighted how quickly and rapidly are Indian consumers adopting internet and internet-based services. “In 2014, India had 6 crore broadband users. Now that has become around 800 million that is 80 crore users more than that. In 2014, there were 25 crore internet connections, now there are more than 85 crore internet users. These numbers not only indicate the growth of the country, but also the potential your business has to grow in the country” PM Modi told entrepreneurs and businesses.

“The world is undergoing the 4th industrial revolution. Whenever the world has gone through a revolution of this magnitude it has always been connected to the aspirations of a region’s populace. The previous industrial revolution and the American Dream were connected because of this very reason. I see the same relation between this Industrial Revolution and the Indian aspirations,” PM Modi exclaimed.

“India is that country where extreme poverty is going down drastically, new middle class is increasing fast. Indians are fast with technology. Rural areas are getting internet and a seamless power supply is catalysing this. One big challenge is that whoever has not used basic home appliances, has now started using smart-tech appliances. The youth which never used a basic bike, is now moving towards getting an electric bike,” he added.

India’s responsibility to the world
Speaking on how the world came to a halt because of the Pandemic, and how the tech world was disrupted because of Global unrest, PM Modi said, “India knows that semiconductors are required not just by the country, but globally. India knows the world needs a trusted, reliable chief supplier of semiconductors. What can be better than the biggest democracy in the world for the same.”

“India has a massive talent pool, skilled engineers and strength of semiconductor designers. India realises its global responsibility. We have recently approved National Quantum Mission. We have also identified over 300 colleges where courses on semiconductors will be available.” PM Modi also announced that soon, India will have over 1 lakh design engineers and that India’s startup ecosystem is all set to strengthen the nation’s semiconductor sector.

To facilitate more players to join India on its Semicon mission, PM Modi also announced an that the Indian government will back the semiconductor sector and all companies looking to set up shop in our backyard, with all its might. “Players will get 50 per cent financial assistance from Central Govt in the semiconductor sector. The world should benefit from India’s skill, capability & capacity,” said PM Modi.

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Elon Musk to arm-twist businesses on X, brands need to spend $1000/month on ads or lose verified status

Under Elon Musk’s charge of Twitter, now X, the platform’s advertising business encountered some unprecedented difficulties Because of this, Musk has been forced is currently taking proactive measures to revive its performance. However, since advertisers aren’t coming back on their own accord, it seems that Musk is adamant about arm-twisting brands on X to advertise on the platform

More than two months ago, Elon Musk announced that the majority of his advertisers had come back to Twitter, and he showed optimism that all issues had been addressed. To revitalize X’s advertising division, he appointed Linda Yaccarino, a well-respected advertising executive, as the new CEO.

Recent reports suggest that Elon Musk is planning to introduce a new approach regarding X’s gold verification badge. Under this strategy, brands will be required to spend a minimum of USD 1,000 per month on Twitter ads to maintain their gold verification badge. The purpose behind this move is to incentivize brands to invest more in X’s advertising platform and revitalize the company’s ad revenue.

According to Business Insider, citing the Wall Street Journal as the original source, Twitter will begin removing the gold checkmark from businesses that fail to meet specific advertising spending thresholds.

Starting from August 7, businesses will need to allocate at least $1,000 (approximately Rs 81,000) on advertisements within 60 days or $6,000 (Rs 4.9 lakh approx) within 180 days to retain the coveted gold checkmark. The Wall Street Journal has reviewed an email sent to advertisers, informing them of this new policy.

In addition to the previously mentioned new policy, the recently rebranded Twitter, now known as “X,” is reportedly planning to offer up to a 50 per cent discount on specific advertisements.

As per the existing X’s verification plans introduced in January of this year through a blog post, businesses were already required to pay a monthly fee of $1,000 to maintain their gold verification badge on the platform.

With these recent developments, X appears to be implementing a range of measures to incentivize businesses to invest in advertising on the platform, while also providing discounts to attract advertisers.

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Apple ‘accidentally’ reveals a major feature upgrade about the iPhone 15 Pro series

Apple is preparing to introduce a major upgrade to the iPhone lineup with its upcoming iPhone 15 Pro series. Instead of the traditional physical mute switch, which has become a hallmark feature of all iPhones, the company is planning to introduce a new “Action Button,” which will be programmable, and therefore have multiple functions.

Although rumours about this button have circulated for a while, its exact functions have remained a mystery. However, some insights have been gained from code snippets found in the iOS 17 beta 4 update released to developers by Apple.

According to MacRumors, the Action Button is expected to offer nine different functions. Among these possibilities, users may be able to access accessibility features such as Assistive Touch and integrate the Shortcuts app to run custom shortcuts directly from the button.

Apple also plans to retain some familiar features, and the Action Button will likely handle silent mode functionality like the current mute switch, making it easy for users to switch their phones to silent mode when needed.

Additionally, it may serve as a shortcut to quickly launch the camera app and switch on the flashlight.

An interesting feature of the Action Button is its potential to toggle the Focus mode on or off, offering users a convenient way to manage notifications and reduce distractions for better mental well-being and digital detox.

The button could also launch the magnifier on the iPhone’s camera app, beneficial for users who frequently need to examine things more closely. Moreover, integration with the Translate app would allow users to swiftly access language translation tools, and it may also facilitate the quick initiation of voice memos.

While the features discovered in the iOS 17 beta make the Action Button a promising addition to the iPhone 15 Pro series, it’s important to note that Apple may have more surprises in store.

The full extent of the Action Button’s capabilities might be unveiled during the fall iPhone 15 launch event, expected to take place in September.

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US Military's AI is better because of Judeo-Christian values, says former Air Force General

An Air Force general, Lt. Gen. Richard G. Moore, has sparked controversy by suggesting that the United States’ military artificial intelligence will be superior due to the influence of “Judeo-Christian” values in American society. He made these remarks during a speech at a conservative Hudson Institute event in Washington, DC. Moore asserted that American society, shaped by these values, possesses a moral compass that not everyone shares.

He further commented on the importance of adhering to rules in warfare and avoiding unscrupulous means, without directly singling out any particular countries or groups. “There are those that are willing to go for the ends regardless of what means have to be employed,” he said.

His statements were criticized for their Christian nationalist undertones, especially considering the history of military actions carried out in the name of Christian values.

“Regardless of what your beliefs are, our society is a Judeo-Christian society, and we have a moral compass,” Moore told the assembled crowd. “Not everybody does.”

Some have pointed out the irony in Moore’s remarks, considering the controversial history of certain military actions. It seems that his oblique references to AI warfare may be aimed at China, the US’s main tech adversary, but it is unclear how different their AI capabilities truly are.

“Well this is comforting,” striking TV writer John Rogers wrote in a tweet dripping with sarcasm. “No military actions motivated by Christian values [have] ever ended poorly.”

Well this is comforting. No military actions motivated by Christian values has ever ended poorly. https://t.co/nxNCiDv4sR

— John Rogers (@jonrog1) July 23, 2023

“Y’all… no,” AI researcher Damien Williams tweeted. “The Western/Christian underpinnings of ‘AI’ are part of the WORST PROBLEMS IT EMBODIES.”

Y’all… no. The Western/Christian underpinnings of “AI” are part of the WORST PROBLEMS IT EMBODIES. I’ve literally written hundreds (if not 1000s) of pages on this. JFC

“‘Judeo-Christian’ roots will ensure U.S. military AI is used ethically, general says”https://t.co/DaMInT543G

— Dr Damien P Williams Warned You About Exactly This (@Wolven) July 23, 2023

Looking at the track record, the US has employed morally questionable technologies in the pursuit of victory, which should be a cause for concern rather than pride for those who share the general’s views.

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Foxconn planning to set up components manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu, will invest $200 million

A division of Foxconn, a contract electronics manufacturer, is reportedly in discussions with the Tamil Nadu government to invest $200 million in the state for establishing a new electronic components plant.

Foxconn already has a presence in Tamil Nadu, near Chennai, where they currently assemble Apple’s iPhones.

Foxconn’s Tamil Nadu connect
Last week, the CEO of Foxconn Industrial Internet, Brand Cheng, and other company representatives held meetings with Tamil Nadu officials, including Chief Minister MK Stalin, to explore investment opportunities in the state.

As per reports from Reuters, the company presented a plan to invest an initial sum of $180-200 million in the facility. However, it remains uncertain whether the components produced at this new plant will be utilized for iPhones or other products manufactured by the company.

The proposed plant is scheduled to be completed by 2024, and there are potential plans for further investments, though a final decision has not been reached yet.

Foxconn also exploring options in Gujarat
Apart from Tamil Nadu, Foxconn is also in negotiations with Gujarat as it endeavours to venture into India’s semiconductor sector. Foxconn Chairman Young Liu is expected to deliver a speech at an annual semiconductor event organized by the Indian government this week.

Furthermore, the Karnataka state government also engaged in discussions with Foxconn about the company’s intention to invest $1.07 billion in establishing another new plant.

Meanwhile, Foxconn decided to withdraw from a $19.5 billion chips joint venture with Vedanta, stating that the project was not progressing as expected. Despite this, Foxconn affirmed its commitment to India, explaining that both parties recognized the challenges and external factors that hindered smooth progress in the joint venture.

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Blind In Space: ISS suffers massive communications blackout because of a power outage

On Tuesday, there was a massive power outage at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, affecting communication with the International Space Station (ISS). Fortunately, the astronauts and the station were not at risk during this incident, according to the Associated Press.

Despite the political tensions between the US and Russia, Roscosmos communication channels allowed ground teams to establish contact with the crew just 20 minutes after the outage began. The backup control systems took over within 90 minutes, which was the first time NASA had to utilize them.

The space station program manager, Joel Montalbano, assured reporters that the issue was solely a ground problem and didn’t impact the station’s operations. The outage likely occurred due to ongoing work at the Johnson Space Center.

Interestingly, it’s worth noting that the decades-old space station, which has been showing signs of ageing lately, wasn’t the cause of the problem.

NASA does have a separate backup control centre located miles away from the Johnson Space Center for emergencies. However, since the ISS still had sufficient power, the space agency continued its operations at Mission Control.

Montalbano stated that they would thoroughly investigate the incident, learn from it, and move forward accordingly.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 starts at Rs 1.55 Lakhs, Z Flip 5 at Rs 99,999. Check details here

During the Galaxy Unpacked event in Seoul, South Korea, Samsung launched the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 on Wednesday. Alongside these foldable smartphones, the company also unveiled the Galaxy Watch 6 series and the Galaxy Tab S9 series. These new phones are equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy custom SoC, which provides overclocked CPU and GPU cores for improved performance.

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 comes with a 3,700mAh battery, while the book-style Galaxy Z Fold 5 boasts a larger 4,400mAh battery. After the launch event, Samsung held a separate event at its Gangnam store in Seoul, South Korea, where the company revealed the prices and availability of the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 in India.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5 Price, Colours & Availability In India
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is offered in three different storage variants: 12GB+256GB, 12GB+512GB, and 12GB+1TB. The 256GB variant is priced at Rs. 1,54,999, the 512GB variant at Rs. 1,64,999, and the 1TB variant at Rs. 1,84,999. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is available in Icy Blue, Phantom Black, and Cream colourways.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 comes in two storage options: 8GB+256GB and 8+512GB. The pricing for these variants in India is Rs. 99,999 for the 256GB version and Rs. 1,09,999 for the 512GB version. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 will be available in Graphite, Lavender, Cream, and Mint colourways.

Both devices are already available for pre-orders from July 27 and will be officially released for sale in India on August 11.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5 Launch offers
As per Samsung’s announcement, customers who pre-book the Galaxy Z Flip 5 will receive benefits worth Rs. 20,000, while those who pre-book the Galaxy Z Fold 5 will receive benefits worth Rs. 23,000.

Additionally, during the “Samsung Live” event starting at 12 pm on July 27, customers who pre-book the Galaxy Z Flip 5 will receive an exclusive gift of a Silicone Case with a Ring, which is valued at Rs. 4199. On the other hand, customers who pre-book the Galaxy Z Fold 5 during the event will receive an exclusive gift of a Standing Case with a Strap, valued at Rs. 6299.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Pricing, Colours and offers
In India, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is offered at various price points based on size and connectivity options. The 40mm dial variant with Bluetooth/WiFi connectivity is priced at Rs. 19,999, while the 40mm Galaxy Watch 6 with LTE connectivity is priced at Rs. 33,999. For the 44mm dial size, the Bluetooth/WiFi variant is priced at Rs. 32,999, and the LTE variant is available for Rs. 36,999.

As for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, the 43mm variant with Bluetooth/WiFi support is priced at Rs. 36,999, while the LTE variant costs Rs. 40,999. In the larger 47mm dial size, the Bluetooth/WiFi variant is marked at Rs. 39,999, while the LTE model is priced at Rs. 43,999.

The Galaxy Watch 6 is available in three color options: Gold, Graphite, and Silver. On the other hand, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is offered in Black and Silver color models.

Pre-orders for these watches in India begin at 12 pm, and customers who pre-book will be eligible for a cashback of Rs. 6,000 and an upgrade bonus of Rs. 4,000, effectively reducing the overall prices. These offers provide added incentives for customers to purchase the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic.

Samsung Tab 9
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is available in multiple variants with varying storage and connectivity options. The base model, which is the 128GB Wi-Fi-only version, starts at INR 72,999, followed by the 256GB Wi-Fi: for Rs 83,999, the 128GB 5G for Rs 85,999.
The highest-priced variant is the 256GB 5G version, which costs INR 96,999. Customers who pre-order the base Galaxy Tab S9 can avail a bank cashback of INR 9,000 and an upgrade bonus of INR 5,000.

As for the Galaxy Tab S9+, it only comes in a 256GB version. The Wi-Fi-only variant is priced at INR 90,999, while the 5G version is priced at INR 104,999. Pre-ordering this tablet entitles customers to a bank cashback of INR 11,000 and an upgrade bonus of INR 7,000.

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, the largest tablet in Samsung’s lineup, is offered in two versions: the 256GB Wi-Fi-only variant priced at INR 108,999, whereas the Wi-Fi variant costs Rs 122,999. The 512GB Wi-Fi version comes for Rs 119,999 whereas the 5G version priced at INR 133,999. Pre-ordering the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra allows customers to receive a bank cashback of INR 12,000 and an upgrade bonus of INR 8,000.

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Elon Musk, X, stole the handle ‘@X’ from a photographer to rebrand Twitter, gave no compensation

Elon Musk recently initiated a rapid campaign to rename and rebrand Twitter, as “X” on Monday. Accompanying the rebranding, the platform introduced a new logo, a black-and-white version of the letter “X.”

As part of this transition, the official Twitter handle was changed to @X, rendering the original @Twitter handle inactive.

Musk’s fiefdom – doing whatever he wants
However, it has come to light that Musk acquired the @X account on Twitter from someone without compensating its owner, as reported by Telegraph. The account belonged to Gene X Hwang, co-founder of Orange Photography, an event photo company, who had been contemplating selling the @X account, which was registered in 2007.

Instead, Hwang received an official email on Tuesday, informing him that his Twitter account would be now taken over by the company.

After receiving the email acknowledging that his Twitter account now belonged to “X,” Gene X Hwang shared his experience with The Telegraph, expressing his disappointment at the lack of communication from the company. He mentioned, “They just took it essentially – kinda what I thought might happen.”

While the owner of the @X account did receive some X merchandise and had a virtual meeting with Twitter’s management, he was not offered any financial compensation.

What rights does Hwang have?
It’s worth noting that Twitter users do not possess legal rights to their usernames; however, the company’s terms of service specify that accounts may be taken down if they infringe on trademarks.

Hwang originally opened his Twitter account in 2007, a year after the micro-blogging platform was launched worldwide.

Following the incident, the company assigned Hwang’s account a new handle, “@x12345678998765.” Fortunately, Hwang was able to regain control of his account, albeit under a different handle, and it retained the same set of followers. In response to this resolution, he expressed his satisfaction, stating, “All’s well that ends well.”

Murky waters for Musk and X ahead
The rebranding of Twitter to “X” could potentially lead to legal complications for the company. Companies like Meta and Microsoft already hold intellectual property rights associated with the letter “X.” Trademark attorney Josh Gerben pointed out the potential legal hurdles, noting that there are nearly 900 active US trademark registrations covering the letter “X” in various industries. Given this situation, it is highly likely that Twitter might face lawsuits from different entities asserting their rights.

Elon Musk has a vision of transforming “X” into a “super app,” intending to integrate Twitter’s existing social networking and messaging features. Additionally, Musk reportedly plans to incorporate payments, banking, and video capabilities into this platform. As this ambitious endeavour unfolds, the legal implications and challenges surrounding the rebranding will undoubtedly attract significant attention and scrutiny.

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Recycling is a 'scam', did more harm than good to the planet, say scientists

According to scientists from the University of Virginia, recycling campaigns, while helpful in diverting waste from landfills, have inadvertently overshadowed the more significant issue of over-production and undermined other sustainable waste reduction strategies.

In their essay for The Conversation, the interdisciplinary research group focused on the psychology of waste, revealing that many people place excessive emphasis on the recycling component of the waste management industry’s “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” slogan. As a result, recycling has been misconstrued as a simple solution to all waste-related problems, leading to confusion about which items are truly recyclable and disregarding the alarming problem of increasing waste production.

The wrong idea about recycling
In a series of experiments, the researchers asked participants to rank “reduce,” “reuse,” and “recycle” in terms of effectiveness, following the order of the original slogan.

Shockingly, 78 per cent of the participants got it wrong. Subsequently, in another experiment, participants were asked to sort waste into recycling, compost, and landfill bins using a computer program. Unfortunately, many incorrectly placed non-recyclable items, like plastic bags and lightbulbs, into the virtual recycle bin.

Dangerous consequences
The consequence of this misperception is severe. Microplastics from consumer waste continue to pollute oceans, land masses, and even human bodies. Additionally, the production of these items generates greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.

Despite efforts by some governmental bodies to curb the use of single-use plastics, the industries responsible for creating these items continue to produce them, often without mandatory regulations.

Consumers and marketing largely to blame
Ultimately, the burden of waste reduction falls on consumers, who, as demonstrated by the studies, lack sufficient knowledge and training on how to effectively reduce, reuse, and recycle. This status quo perpetuates the global waste crisis and requires significant logistical and labour efforts to manage.

To address these issues, it is essential to reevaluate waste management strategies and place more emphasis on reducing production, promoting reuse, and ensuring accurate recycling practices. This would require collaborative efforts from industries, governments, and individuals to effectively tackle the growing waste problem and its environmental consequences.

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Supercharged: EU kills range anxiety, passes law to set up EV charging stations at every 60km

The European Union has approved new regulations aimed at facilitating seamless travel for EV owners throughout Europe and, at the same time, reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

The regulations offer three main benefits for EV and van owners: First, they tackle “range anxiety” by expanding the EV charging infrastructure along Europe’s main highways.

Second, the rules simplify the payment process by enabling users to make payments at charging stations without the need for apps or subscriptions.

Third, the regulations ensure transparent communication of pricing and availability to avoid surprises.

Powering Europe’s EVs
Starting in 2025, the new regulations mandate the installation of fast charging stations with a minimum power capacity of 150kW every 60km along the EU’s Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) highways.

This move is expected to significantly reduce range anxiety for EV owners using the main transport corridor. Moreover, charging stations along the “core” road network, which connects major cities and nodes, must have a total output capacity of at least 400kW by December 31st, 2025, with at least one charging point capable of 150kW output.

To accommodate the deployment of EV fast chargers on the “comprehensive” road network, which connects EU regions to the core network, the regulations set a longer timeframe. By December 31st, 2027, these charging stations must have a total output of at least 300kW, including one charging point capable of 150kW output, for at least 50 per cent of the comprehensive roads.

A Solid Plan
This requirement will be expanded to cover all of these roads by the end of 2030. By December 31st, 2035, charging stations on these roads should have a total output capacity of at least 600kW, with at least two charging points capable of 150kW output.

The new regulations also address the issue of misleading marketing by ensuring that charging stations marketed as 150kW must provide at least one charging point capable of delivering that speed. This is vital for current and future EV models that can handle higher power outputs.

The rules also require charging payments to be made via cards or contactless devices without the need for subscriptions, making it convenient for EV owners to access charging stations across different networks. Operators must clearly display prices, wait times, and availability of their charging points through electronic means.

Apart from electric cars and vans, the regulations also set deployment targets for heavy-duty electric vehicles, address maritime ports and airports, and promote hydrogen refuelling for both cars and trucks.

EU’s Greenhouse Gas Emission Goals
The adoption of these regulations is part of the “Fit for 55” package, a set of initiatives aimed at achieving the EU’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55 per cent before 2030 (compared to 1990 levels) and reaching climate neutrality by 2050.

Transportation, responsible for 25 per cent of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions, with the majority coming from road use, is a major target for these initiatives.

Before becoming law across the EU, the regulations need to go through further formalities after being formally adopted by the Council.

Raquel Sánchez Jiménez, Spanish Minister of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, expressed optimism about the new regulations, stating that they are a significant step towards providing more public recharging capacity on European streets and motorways, ultimately allowing citizens to charge their electric vehicles as easily as they currently refuel at traditional petrol stations.

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Riding the AI wave, Microsoft reports record-breaking profits, made $20.1 billion last quarter

Microsoft reported a significant 20 per cent increase in quarterly profits, which has bolstered its position in the competition against rivals like Google, Amazon, and Meta (parent company of Facebook) in the field of selling the latest artificial intelligence technology.

The software giant’s fiscal fourth-quarter profit reached $20.1 billion, equivalent to $2.69 per share, surpassing the analysts’ expectations of $2.55 per share. Moreover, it achieved a revenue of $56.2 billion in the April-June period, marking an 8 per cent increase compared to the previous year and exceeding the forecasted revenue of $55.49 billion.

Despite the positive financial results, Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, acknowledged that the AI features added to their existing products, such as cloud computing services, workplace software, and Bing search engine, have not yet had a significant impact on their financial outcomes.

However, the company has been actively investing in generative AI tools, capitalizing on its investments in OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, to launch a Bing chatbot and other AI tools tailored to business customers. Microsoft is also planning to charge $30 per user for its new AI “Copilot,” which integrates with software like Word, Excel, and email.

The company’s stock experienced a slight drop in after-hours trading despite beating Wall Street’s expectations for profit and revenue. Investors have been closely monitoring Microsoft’s early revenue from AI investments, the performance of its Azure cloud computing platform, and the potential closure of its deal to acquire video game company Activision Blizzard, which could drive more users to Xbox game systems and other Microsoft platforms.

Microsoft’s cloud business segment, with a 15 per cent growth, was the highest-earning in the quarter, generating $24 billion in sales. The flagship Azure platform, along with other cloud services, contributed significantly to this growth.

The company’s productivity software business, led by its Office suite, saw a 10 per cent increase in sales, reaching $18.3 billion for the April-June quarter.

Although AI has captured the attention of the public and investors, Microsoft’s personal computing business, centred around licensing fees for Windows software, remains a crucial revenue stream. This segment earned $13.9 billion in the quarter, down 4 per cent from the previous year, partly due to a decline in PC shipments. However, Gartner suggests that the PC market may stabilize and see growth again in 2024.

While Microsoft’s business-oriented approach has provided some insulation from economic challenges, the company has still undergone workforce reductions, including layoffs of hundreds of workers near its headquarters in Redmond, Washington. Earlier this year, Microsoft cut around 10,000 employees, amounting to almost 5 per cent of its workforce.

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India’s Love For Apple: Edges out Germany, France to enter iPhone’s top 5 market for the first time

Apple is gradually establishing itself as a significant player in the Indian market, with the company making substantial investments to bolster sales and production within the country.

According to research conducted by Counterpoint, India has now become Apple’s fifth-largest market for iPhones, surpassing both Germany and France during the second financial quarter that concluded in June.

While the United States, China, Japan, and the UK continue to be the leading markets for Apple, India’s significance is growing.

During Q2 2023, India accounted for approximately 4 per cent of Apple’s iPhone sales. Though the exact number of units sold in India was not disclosed by Counterpoint, it was noted that there was a remarkable 50 per cent year-on-year growth in iPhone sales in the country.

Additionally, Apple’s market share in the Indian phone segment has also been on the rise, increasing from 3.4 per cent last year to 5.1 per cent now.

Apple CEO Tim Cook had previously expressed his optimism about India’s potential earlier in the year. He mentioned achieving an “all-time iPhone revenue record” in India during Q1 2023 and highlighted the dynamism and vibrancy of the market. Cook also acknowledged the expansion of Apple’s operations in India to better cater to the growing number of customers.

Morgan Stanley analysts recently predicted that India would be a crucial driver of Apple’s revenue over the next five years, projecting that the country could contribute 15 per cent of the company’s overall revenue during that period.

To capitalize on the Indian market, Apple has been making significant investments in the country as it seeks to diversify its production locations beyond China, which faced setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company plans to increase its iPhone production capacity in India from 7 per cent in 2023 to 18 per cent in 2025, partly influenced by tax incentives offered by the Indian government.

Notably, Tata Group, a prominent Indian conglomerate, is finalizing its deal to take over Wistron Corp’s factory in Karnataka, making it the first Indian company to produce iPhones in the country.

To enhance accessibility to its premium iPhones, Apple is also focusing on improving its distribution channels in India. The company already operates an online store and has recently opened two physical stores in Delhi and Mumbai.

Two more stores are expected to be launched in India by 2025. These efforts demonstrate Apple’s commitment to establishing a strong presence and tapping into the growing potential of the Indian market.

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Australia slaps Meta with $14 million fine for illegally collecting user data, not disclosing it

A court in Australia has ruled that Meta Platforms, the owner of Facebook, must pay fines totalling 20 million Australian dollars ($13.5m). The fines were imposed because Meta collected user data through a smartphone application called Onavo without disclosing this action to its users.

The court also ordered Meta, along with its subsidiaries Facebook Israel and the now-defunct Onavo app, to pay 400,000 Australian dollars ($270,631) in legal costs to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), which brought the civil lawsuit against Meta.

This legal issue is related to Meta’s handling of user information since the scandal involving data analytics firm Cambridge Analytica during the 2016 United States election. However, another civil court action against Meta by Australia’s Office of the Information Commissioner regarding its dealings with Cambridge Analytica in Australia is still ongoing.

The court’s judgment pertained to Onavo, a virtual private network (VPN) service that Facebook offered between early 2016 and late 2017, promoting it as a tool to protect personal information.

In reality, Facebook used Onavo to collect users’ location, time, and website visit frequency to bolster its advertising efforts.

“The failure to make sufficient disclosures … may have deprived tens of thousands of Australian consumers of the opportunity to make an informed choice about the collection and use of their data before downloading and/or using Onavo Protect,” Abraham wrote.

The potential fine for Meta’s actions could have been significantly higher, probably running into the billions, considering the number of app downloads and breaches of consumer law. The court could have fined Meta hundreds of billions of dollars since Australians downloaded the app 271,220 times and each breach of consumer law carried a fine of 1.1 million Australian dollars ($743,721).

However, the court viewed the contraventions as a single course of conduct and settled on the agreed-upon penalty, ensuring that it carries enough weight to discourage such behaviour as a mere cost of doing business.

In response to the ruling, Meta claimed that the ACCC acknowledged it never aimed to deceive customers and highlighted its efforts to provide greater transparency and control over data usage in recent years.

The ACCC Chair, Gina Cass-Gottlieb, emphasized that Australian consumers should have access to clear information and be able to make informed choices regarding their data.

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‘S3Xy’, 'eXposure,' 'eXult': Elon Musk renames conference rooms to match Twitter’s new X branding

After less than a year of acquiring the social media giant Twitter for a whopping $44 billion, Elon Musk decided to rebrand it as X.com. The transition has already begun at Twitter’s headquarters, where conference rooms have been renamed to reflect the change. According to The New York Times, Musk opted for names like “eXposure,” “eXult,” and “s3Xy” for these rooms. The official unveiling of the new X logo took place at the San Francisco headquarters, replacing the iconic bird logo that had been in use for over a decade.

Interestingly, the famous blue bird logo was also removed from the headquarters cafeteria. Additionally, there were plans to take down the six letters spelling “Twitter” from the building’s exterior, but this was halted by the San Francisco Police Department due to it being considered unauthorized work.

Musk explained the reason behind the rebranding, stating that he chose “X” because he envisions Twitter evolving into an “everything app.” He pointed out that the name “Twitter” made sense in the past when the platform was mainly used for short 140-character messages like birds tweeting. However, with the platform now capable of hosting various types of content, including lengthy videos, a more versatile name like “X” fits better.

In the coming months, Musk revealed that the company has plans to expand its offerings, including “comprehensive communications and the ability to conduct your entire financial world.”

The current CEO of Twitter, Linda Yaccarino, further explained the vision behind the new “X” logo, emphasizing that it represents the future of unlimited interactivity. This interactivity would be centred around various aspects such as audio, video, messaging, payments, and banking, essentially creating a global marketplace for ideas, goods, services, and opportunities. The use of AI would play a significant role in enabling these interactions, connecting people in ways that were previously unimaginable.

The concept of an “everything app” resembles China’s popular WeChat app, which serves as an all-in-one platform for numerous functions. It’s worth noting that Musk has been fond of the letter “X” and has used it repeatedly across his companies. He previously co-founded x.com, an online bank in 1999, which eventually became PayPal. Interestingly, Musk repurchased the domain x.com from PayPal in 2017 due to its sentimental value.

As a result of this rebranding, the domain x.com now redirects to Twitter.

In a memo to employees, Yaccarino shared that the company would now be focusing on developing new features related to audio, video, messaging, payments, and banking. The goal is to transform Twitter into a multifunctional platform, catering to a diverse range of user needs and experiences.

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China ‘strongly urges’ Japan not to be influenced by the US and disrupt global tech industry

The Chinese government has made an appeal to Japan, asking them not to disrupt the semiconductor industry following the implementation of restrictions on exports of Japanese chip-making technology.

These restrictions add to the technology limitations that Washington and its allies have already imposed on China for security reasons.

The recently implemented Japanese restrictions limit China’s access to tools used for etching microscopically small circuits on advanced chips, which are crucial components for smartphones, artificial intelligence, and other applications.

The Netherlands has also joined the United States in restricting access to chipmaking tools, citing concerns that these tools could potentially be used for the development of weapons.

A spokesperson from China’s foreign ministry, Mao Ning, expressed deep dissatisfaction and regret over Japan’s actions. The spokesperson urged Japan to avoid allowing these measures to interfere with the normal cooperation between the two countries in the semiconductor industry.

The appeal comes as the global semiconductor supply chain faces increasing geopolitical tensions and technology-related trade restrictions.

The Chinese Communist Party has made substantial investments, amounting to billions of dollars, in building Chinese chip foundries. However, despite these efforts, China still relies on Western and Japanese technology to manufacture the most advanced chips.

This dependence on foreign technology poses a significant challenge to Beijing’s goal of developing its tech industries.

The United States initiated restrictions on Chinese access to chips and chipmaking technology during the presidency of Donald Trump in 2019. The Biden administration subsequently expanded these controls to include blocking access to chip design and manufacturing tools.

In response, the Chinese government, led by Xi Jinping, has been cautious and deliberate in its actions, possibly to avoid disrupting its emerging tech industries.

However, last month, Beijing caused concern among Japanese and Korean chip manufacturers by announcing an export review process that could potentially lead to restrictions on gallium and germanium, two metals crucial in semiconductor production.

This situation highlights the complex dynamics and tensions surrounding the global semiconductor industry, with geopolitical factors influencing technology access and trade relationships.

China’s ambitions to develop and enhance its tech industries face challenges due to the need for advanced chip technology from Western and Japanese sources and the restrictions imposed by the United States and its allies.

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After Meta’s Threads, TikTok now wants to launch a ‘Twitter Killer,’ gears up for a major overhaul

It looks like TikTok, the Chinese-owned video-sharing platform is next in line to try and take down Elon Musk’s Twitter, just weeks after Instagram Threads tried to do so and failed.

Makers of the controversial video-sharing platform have announced a new update that enables users to post text updates of up to 1,000 characters. Following the trend set by Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, TikTok is joining the ranks of platforms embracing microblogging features similar to Twitter.

TikTok users can now enhance their text posts by adding sound and location tags. Others can interact with these text updates by commenting and sharing them, just as they would with photo or video posts.

This move allows TikTok to expand its content offerings and provide users with more ways to express themselves and engage with their audience.

TikTok’s recent announcement about allowing text updates came shortly after Meta launched Threads, a text-based companion for Instagram. During this time, Twitter’s owner, Elon Musk, revealed plans to impose limits on daily post views for non-paying users.

Threads quickly gained immense popularity, amassing over 100 million users within its first five days. However, its daily user count reportedly decreased significantly after the initial burst it got at launch.

In the competition to rival Twitter, various smaller apps like Bluesky, Mastodon, and former US President Donald Trump’s Truth Social have made attempts to attract users away from the platform, but without much significant success. Meta’s Threads posed a somewhat threat right when it launched, but within three weeks of its launch, the time spent on the app by user, as well as daily active user on the platform have dipped significantly, by over 50 per cent.

The trend of social media platforms copying each other’s features is not new. For instance, Instagram introduced Stories in 2017 to compete with Snapchat, and shortly afterwards, almost every other platform, including Twitter with its Fleets feature, followed suit.

Similarly, Instagram’s Reels was launched in 2020 to compete with TikTok, while YouTube introduced its own version called Shorts in the subsequent year. This copying of features is a common strategy for platforms to stay competitive and appeal to their users’ evolving preferences.

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Apple’s $1 Billion Headache: Tech giant to get sued by app developers over App Store fees in UK

Over 1,500 developers in the UK have initiated a class action lawsuit against Apple, claiming that the company’s App Store fee is excessive and a consequence of its monopoly in the app distribution market.

Apple charges app developers up to a 30 per cent commission on transactions conducted through its platform, which has been a subject of scrutiny from both governments and developers worldwide, but has managed to withstand such scrutiny thus far.

The lawsuit, led by 1,566 app developers, argues that Apple’s charges are unreasonably high due to the company’s dominant position in distributing apps to iPhones and iPads.

Sean Ennis, a professor at the Centre for Competition Policy at the University of East Anglia and a former economist at the OECD, is spearheading the legal action with the support of the law firm Geradin Partners. He claims that the fees are unjust and constitutes abusive pricing, negatively impacting app developers and consumers.

“Apple’s charges to app developers are excessive, and only possible due to its monopoly on the distribution of apps onto iPhones and iPads,” said Ennis.

Apple had previously addressed its 30 per cent fee during the Epic Games trial and stated that 85 per cent of developers on the App Store do not pay any commission. The company also asserts that its platform enables European developers to reach customers in 175 countries.

Various organizations and governments have opposed Apple’s fee structure, which typically entails developers paying 30 per cent of any transaction that occurs on their platform (reduced to 15 per cent for subscriptions lasting over one year). Apple’s Small Business Program offers a 15 per cent fee for developers earning less than $1 million annually, while the 30 per cent fee applies once the threshold is surpassed.

Facebook and other companies have joined the fight, arguing that Apple’s 30 per cent fee disproportionately impacts small businesses. Previous legal battles have shown that Apple can be influenced by higher courts, as seen in a $100 million lawsuit lost in 2022, where allegations focused on the $100 developer fee and $0.99 increments that purportedly harmed developers.

In response, Apple removed the $100 fee requirement and introduced a free developer account tier, as well as more granular pricing options.

Despite these challenges, it is important to note that a class action lawsuit does not guarantee immediate changes in Apple’s fee policy.

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‘Semicon India result of PM Modi’s vision, happy that 2023 exhibition is taking place in Gandhinagar’: IT Minister

On July 28 in Gandhinagar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be inaugurating ‘Semicon India 2023,’ a prominent exhibition showcasing India’s semiconductor capabilities and chip design advancements. The event will feature renowned companies such as Foxconn, Micron, AMD, IBM, Marvell, Vedanta, LAM Research, NXP Semiconductors, and STMicroelectronics, illuminating India’s impressive progress in fostering a global semiconductor manufacturing and design ecosystem.

This mega event will provide a comprehensive understanding of cutting-edge technologies and innovations in chip-making, bringing together the most prominent players in the semiconductor and technology industry.

VIDEO | “I am very happy that the ‘SemiconIndia 2023’ exhibition was inaugurated today in Gandhinagar. PM Modi will arrive here on July 28 to inaugurate (the main event),” says Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar. pic.twitter.com/VpDmyQsrhx

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 25, 2023

According to an official statement, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is on the brink of revolutionizing the semiconductor landscape in India, and the inauguration of ‘Semicon India 2023’ in Gandhinagar by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 28, 2023, will be a significant milestone in this endeavour.

“I am very happy that SemiconIndia 2023 exhibition is being inaugurated in Gandhinagar. The event exhibition is scheduled to take place across three days 28, 29 and 30 July. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the exhibition on the 28th,” said IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

“Semicon India in of the most important event in our country’s technology annual calendar. Fifteen months ago, in 2022, India’s first Semicon exhibition was organised in Bengaluru. It was conceptualised, visualised and executed because, in December of 2021, PM Modi presented his vision and his goal to the people of India, of making this country into a major semiconductor nation,” he added.

SemiconIndia 2023 is set to witness the enthusiastic participation of major semiconductor giants, including Micron Technology and Applied Materials. These companies have recently pledged significant investments in India’s semiconductor ecosystem. Micron Technology, for instance, has committed a staggering $825 million towards a semiconductor assembly and test plant in Gujarat, while Applied Materials plans to invest $400 million in their Engineering Collaborative Centre.

The exhibition will be a grand affair with a lineup of 150 stalls representing 80 leading companies. These diverse participants cover the entire spectrum of semiconductors, encompassing the supply chain, global Integrated Device Manufacturers, and domestic majors.

Beyond the established companies, SemiconIndia 2023 will also be a platform for 25 startups to showcase their innovations and network with industry leaders, providing them with valuable exposure and opportunities.

The international appeal of the event is evident with participation from 23 countries and the presence of multiple states, such as Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, which will showcase their collective efforts in supporting the growth of the semiconductor industry.

Notably, the exhibition will also include showcases from renowned institutions like SCL, ISRO, and the Space Application Centre, emphasizing their contributions to the field. Additionally, esteemed educational institutes like IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, BITS Pilani, Ganpat University, and Nirma University will actively participate, highlighting academia’s vital role in driving India’s semiconductor advancements.

SemiconIndia 2023 stands as a testament to India’s strong commitment to establishing a robust semiconductor ecosystem. Through its grand scale and innovative showcases, the exhibition proudly demonstrates India’s potential as an emerging global hub for semiconductor excellence.

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‘Oppo, Vivo and Xiaomi committed tax evasion of around Rs 9,000 cr’: Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Parliament

Chinese smartphone manufacturers, namely Oppo Mobile, Vivo India, and Xiaomi Technology, have been caught avoiding tax payments amounting to Rs 9,000 crore in India, according to information presented in the Parliament. The data, provided by Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Minister of State for Electronics and IT, revealed that this tax evasion involved customs duty and GST and was detected between the years 2018-19 and 2022-23.

During this period, the government successfully recovered Rs 1,629.87 crore from these companies. The specific tax evasion amounts were as follows:

• Oppo Mobile India Pvt Ltd evaded Rs 5,086 crore, comprising Rs 4,403 crore in customs duty and Rs 683 crore in GST.
• Vivo evaded Rs 2,923.25 crore, including Rs 2,875 crore in customs duty and Rs 48.25 crore in GST.
• Xiaomi Technology India Pvt Ltd’s evasion amounted to Rs 851.14 crore, with Rs 682.51 crore in customs duty and Rs 168.63 crore in GST.

In 2019-20, customs duty evasion of Rs 4,389 crore was detected in the case of Oppo Mobile India Pvt Ltd, of which Rs 450 crore has been recovered. In the same period, Vivo India Mobile Pvt Ltd evaded customs duty of Rs 2,217 crore, with Rs 72 crore recovered in 2020-21. Xiaomi Technology India Pvt Ltd evaded custom duty of Rs 653.02 crore, of which Rs 46 lakh has been recovered. In 2022-23, Vivo Mobile India Pvt Ltd was found to be evading Rs 658 crore, while Lenovo evaded Rs 42.36 crore in GST.

As per official data, the government has managed to recover Rs 1,214.83 crore from Oppo, Rs 168.25 crore from Vivo, and Rs 92.8 crore from Xiaomi.

The minister responded to a question about the number of Chinese handset companies involved in tax evasion and illegal remittances in India.

Chandrasekhar stated that the cumulative turnover of Chinese mobile handset companies in India for the year 2021-22 was estimated to be Rs 1.5 lakh crore, generating more than 75,000 direct employment opportunities in their manufacturing operations, along with around 80,000 sales and operational workforce.

He also said that primarily, these Chinese companies have set up their own manufacturing units.

“However, they work with contract manufacturers like Bharat FIH Limited and DBG Technology (India) Private Limited also which have also set up Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) operations in India. The distribution of mobile handsets is mainly handled by Indian companies.

“However, some of the Chinese companies like Oppo and Vivo have some Chinese distributors also,” Chandrasekhar said.

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Twitter staff trying to remove the older logo from their building get detained by the police

Twitter is undergoing a major rebranding exercise and will now be known as “X,” a decision that involves letting go of its iconic and highly valuable blue bird logo, and a brand name in favour of Elon Musk’s personal preference for something he finds cool. Interestingly, although Musk is not officially leading the company in its policies and only leads the technical aspects of it, it sure seems that behind the scenes, he is the one pulling the strings.

As part of the rebranding process, there was an attempt to remove the Twitter sign from its headquarters at 1355 Market Street in San Francisco, by some of the employees.

Welp, @twitter name so coming off the building right now but @elonmusk didn’t get permit for the equipment on the street so @SFPD is shutting it down. pic.twitter.com/CFpggWwhhf

— Wayne Sutton (@waynesutton) July 24, 2023

However, things took a dramatic turn when the police intervened, halted the sign removal shortly after it began, and had to detain a couple of employees for some time.

The exact reason for the police intervention wasn’t immediately clear. One observer, Wayne Sutton, initially tweeted that Musk didn’t obtain a permit for the crane used in the removal process, which might have triggered the police response.

Nevertheless, local police clarified that it was all a misunderstanding. Officers from Tenderloin Station responded to a report of a potential unpermitted street closure around 10th and Market Street at approximately 12:39 PM, local time. After investigating the situation, they concluded that no crime had been committed, and the incident was not within their jurisdiction.

As a result, the rebranding attempt continued, and the Twitter sign was eventually replaced with the new “X” branding, signifying the company’s shift to its new identity.

According to the police on the scene, it was revealed that someone from Twitter had a work order to remove the sign, but they failed to communicate this to the building’s security and property owner. As a consequence, the property manager upon seeing a crane brought to the facilities, alerted the police.

The crane that was initially used for the removal is no longer present near the premises, leaving some passersby to notice that the Twitter sign has now been replaced with the new branding, making the company now appear as “er” to them.

During the incident of removing the Twitter sign at its headquarters, some prominent letters, including a white “W,” were seen lying on the ground. Elon Musk had previously claimed that the white “W” was at the centre of a dispute with the landlord. It’s possible that this dispute was related to unpaid rent by Musk.

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