Enterprise

Apple, Jony Ive officially call it quits

For real, this time

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Besides Steve Jobs, there is no other more recognizable name throughout Apple’s contemporary history than Jony Ive. Formerly the company’s Chief Design Officer, Ive is responsible for Apple’s iconic looks. However, all good things must come to an end. After years and years of working together, Apple and Jony Ive are officially calling it quits.

Now, if you’ve followed Apple and its internal movements over the years, you might be getting a feeling of déjà vu. Didn’t Ive already leave Apple years ago? Yes and no.

Though the designer officially stepped down from his position three years ago, Ive continued to work with Apple as a client for his design firm, LoveFrom. The Apple and Ive connection remained, albeit not in name.

However, things have started tumbling down. As reported by the New York Times, LoveFrom has decided not to renew their contract with Apple. Ive has quite officially parted ways with Apple. Though nothing is confirmed, the exit was reportedly because of Apple’s limitations on LoveFrom. Paying the design firm US$ 100 million, Apple prohibited Ive from taking on other clients if the former deemed new clients as competitors.

As such, it’s possible that Ive wants to take on new clients outside of Apple, leading to a non-renewal. Regardless, this is the first time in a long while that Apple is not working with Ive. Though the company will likely stay away from drastic changes, it’s still exciting to see how Apple might evolve away from Ive’s influence. On the other hand, it’s also exciting to speculate who Ive is lending a designer’s hand to next.

SEE ALSO: Jony Ive leaves Apple to start own design firm

Enterprise

Global Connect Show Shenzhen empowers Chinese enterprises

Opportune time for new Chinese enterprises to go global

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The Global Connect Show Shenzhen 2026 (GCS SZ 2026) was successfully held on June 1 at China’s innovation hub.

More than 100 Chinese enterprises joined the event, encouraged to expand into international markets.

The program focused on three core pillars:

  • Chinese brand going global
  • Global channel connection
  • Dedicated “Into the Enterprise” series

China has developed a new generation of internationally competitive companies across various sectors, including:

  • consumer electronics
  • smart hardware
  • artificial intelligence
  • robotics

As these companies enter a new phase of going global, demand is growing for global communications, brand building, market trust, and localized business networks.

As such, the Global Connect Show is one of the platforms to be able to strengthen the relationship across enterprises, partners, business associations, and even media and influencers.

It is a significant window for innovative brands to enter global retail channels by building compelling brand narratives and developing strong localized operations.

This year’s GCS is the third staging of the show, which consistently aims to match Chinese brands with partners through a results-first approach. Such an approach includes hands-on product experiences, presentations, and one-on-one meetings.

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Enterprise

New US-China ban might affect 75% of phones, laptops

Companies can no longer use Chinese labs to test their products.

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The United States is continuing its crusade against Chinese technology today. However, the target now isn’t a company from China but a method important to a lot of non-Chinese brands.

Today, via Reuters, the Federal Communications Commission (or FCC) has unanimously voted to prohibit companies from using Chinese labs to test their electronic devices if they are to be sold for use in the United States. Naturally, this includes smartphones and computers.

Notably, the prohibition doesn’t directly target Chinese brands. However, it will still affect a huge swath of the industry. The FCC estimates that around 75 percent of the entire market are devices tested in labs based in China.

This means that companies who wish to sell future products in the country must move their testing to labs in the United States or other countries that it deems secure. At its current iteration, the prohibition will not affect devices that already earned their certification prior. However, it might prevent them from getting recertified once their current one expires.

Now, the prohibition isn’t an absolute lock just yet. The FCC will allow the industry to submit comments about the proposal. But, with a unanimous vote from the FCC, companies might have to start looking for alternative testing sites if they want to stay operation in the United States.

SEE ALSO: TikTok finally gets a buyer in the United States

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Enterprise

OnePlus has reportedly merged with realme

Both brands were previously rumored for restructuring early this year.

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OnePlus 13

OnePlus has a problem. For a while now, rumors have swirled about the company’s dissolution. For their part, the company has continued to deny the reports, citing business as usual. Likely to their dismay, the reports just keep coming. Today, sources have hinted that OnePlus has merged with realme.

Back in January, it was rumored that OnePlus would be closing up shop this year. Since the company very quickly denied the rumors, the report hardly made waves. However, a suspected merger with realme is more difficult to debunk.

For one, realme is itself in a very interesting position. Also back in January, realme was reportedly moving back into being a sub-brand of OPPO. Coupled together with the OnePlus debacle, all this internal restructuring seems par for the course.

According to Digital Chat Station on Weibo, OnePlus and realme have already concluded the merger. The two brands have reportedly united their Chinese and international operations under one roof. Likewise, their marketing will be the same. Pete Lau will still be the main head for this new division.

As with anything of this nature, take this with a grain of salt. OPPO, OnePlus, and realme have not issued any official statements concerning a merger or a shutdown for any brand.

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

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