Enterprise

Apple and Google release contact tracing software all over the world

Here’s how it works

Published

May 22, 2020

Luigi Leonardo

Last month, Apple and Google announced a monumental partnership to mutually develop contact tracing software critical to today’s pandemic. When released, the APIs will aid public health officials to detect the potential spread of the virus and to contain it before getting out of control.

Recently, both companies have finally released the first phase of their software. The APIs will begin shipping to 22 countries on five continents who requested access to the software.

Because of the naturally controversial issue of privacy, Apple and Google have also released joint statements explaining the technology to concerned individuals. First of all, the technology is completely opt-in. By default, it is turned off; users have to enable the technology manually. Further, during this first stage, consenting users must download their location’s public health app, as suggested by officials.

How it works

Once the technology is enabled, the consenting device will generate unique and random Bluetooth identifiers which change every 10 to 20 minutes, ensuring true privacy. If a user tests positive for the virus and logs it onto their region’s health app, the system will alert the devices belonging to individuals that the infected users came into contact with. Potentially infected users will then receive alerts and instructions on how to proceed next.

The contact tracing system will collect information at least once a day, ensuring up-to-date schematics of the virus’ transmission across a location. Only public health authorities will have access to the information collected. Further, Apple and Google promise to deactivate the technology once the public health crisis is over, much like Lucius Fox in The Dark Knight.

In the coming months, Apple and Google will release the second phase of the technology. By then, the software will operate through the device’s operating system, doing away with a separate app once consent is provided.

Helping the world

After the API’s delivery, the system is now a region-wide prisoner’s dilemma. Interested individuals have to rely on other people consenting to the technology as well. Whether or not the general populace will consent to the technology remains to be seen. Regardless, Apple and Google have created revolutionary technology to aid in the public health crisis.

“Today, this technology is in the hands of public health agencies across the world who will take the lead and we will continue to support their efforts,” Apple and Google said.

Related Topics:Apple coronavirus Covid-19 Google

Enterprise

realme is reportedly going back to being an OPPO sub-brand

All scheduled phones will still launch on time, though.

Published

January 9, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

A popular story among Chinese smartphone brands is whenever a sub-brand spinning off into its own independent entity. A less common one is when an independent entity suddenly merges back into the main entity. And yet, that’s the story we have today. realme is reportedly going back to being a sub-brand of OPPO.

If you don’t remember realme’s time as a sub-brand, then it’s hardly your fault. It’s been a long while since realme was considered a sub-brand. In 2018, the brand spun off on its own to form one of the most popular names in the Chinese smartphone space.

Today, via Leiphone, realme will return to OPPO as a sub-brand. Current realme CEO Sky Li will still retain his responsibilities heading the brand. Plus, all products on the current release schedule will still come out as planned.

However, starting this year, realme will start reintegrating back into OPPO, particularly through the latter’s after-sales programs. OnePlus will also follow the same structure going forward.

Currently, realme has not officially announced the move. That said, we also don’t know how the brand will address the reported change. It’s possible that the shift is just internal and has no effect on how the brand faces the public. For now, only time will tell.

Enterprise

Samsung warns that tech prices might increase this year

And it’s all because of AI.

Published

January 8, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The big story late last year was the skyrocketing prices of chips. Analysts are predicting that the demand for RAM will cause the entire industry to experience hikes this year. Some users, especially in the PC building scene, are already feeling the burn. PCs won’t be the only victims, though. Xiaomi is already expecting hikes across the board. Now, Samsung is adding its voice to the growing list of warnings about price increases.

During CES 2026, Wonjiun Lee, Samsung’s global marketing chief, confirmed that the memory shortages are, in fact, real (via Bloomberg). Moreover, the company is now evaluating whether more price hikes are needed this year for its products. Though Lee expressed regret over pushing the prices to consumers, the state of the industry might force the company’s hand.

Samsung’s opinion has a lot of weight. While other brands have also voiced out their opinions lately, Samsung itself is a producer of chips. If a chip supplier is already warning users of prices affecting them, the effect will likely cascade even more when it comes to device manufacturers.

The ongoing shortage of chips is a result of the overwhelming demand from companies looking to build and bolster AI-based servers. The business-to-business demand is notably different from how regular consumers, who will soon find it hard to buy their own devices, see it.

At the very least, Samsung has not confirmed any price increases yet. However, all eyes are on the next Galaxy Unpacked, when Samsung will launch its newest Galaxy products. Will prices increase or stay the same?

Enterprise

TikTok finally gets a buyer in the United States

The deal targets a closing date in late January.

Published

December 19, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

The year started with a ban. A day before Donald Trump started his second term, TikTok went dark, in anticipation of an impending ban. The platform quickly went back online, leading to an ultimatum that saw TikTok hunt for an American buyer to full stave off a definitive ban in the United States. Now, as the year ends, a buyer is finally here.

Via CNBC, TikTok has reportedly inked a deal to finalize a deal in the United States, as stated in an internal memo from CEO Shou Zi Chew. The memo, which was sent just this week, details a plan that will see the deal close by January 26, 2026.

Fifty percent of TikTok’s newly restructured U.S. arm will be held by a collection of American investors including Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX. Meanwhile, already existing investors of TikTok will hold 30.1 percent. Finally, ByteDance will retain 19.9 percent.

Additionally, TikTok’s algorithm in the United States will be retrained with American data. The American arm will also handle the country’s “data protection, algorithm security, content moderation, and software assurance.” Oracle will be the “trusted security partner” in charge of making sure the company keeps within regulations in the country.

With a deal pushing through, the long-running TikTok saga in the United States might finally come to a close.