News
Apple essentially confirms USB-C iPhone is coming
No confirmation whether it’s coming everywhere
Apple’s first USB-C iPhone is quickly reaching critical mass. This year, the European Union has reached a revolutionary decision to force all device manufacturers to adopt the same charging standard. Naturally, the biggest victim is Apple, which continues to rely on Lightning despite pressure from all sides. Now, the company has confirmed that Europe’s decision will create the first iPhone with USB-C.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal on Twitter, Apple’s marketing head Greg Joswiak affirmed that the company will have no choice but to comply with the new regulations. By 2024, the European Union will force all devices to have the same cable going forward.
As expected, Apple is not happy with the decision. For years, the company has thrived on keeping its users under its proprietary Lightning cable. While the rest of the world quickly moved on to USB-C, Apple users are forced to buy pricey cables. Now, more and more countries are jumping on the bandwagon to oust the exclusive hardware.
Though Apple will likely comply in Europe (a big market for the company), it has not confirmed if USB-C is coming to devices in other territories. Regardless, 2024 is a big year for the company, especially if more countries follow the European Union’s lead.
SEE ALSO: New USB 4 features 80Gbps transfers
Automotive
Mercedes-Benz holds a Welcome Home campaign to celebrate 140 years
Get freebies and discounts from now until the end of July.
Mercedes-Benz has been an important part of Filipino car culture. Stylized as the “Chedeng,” the brand’s cars are still worthy choices today. Now, to celebrate their 140th anniversary, Mercedes-Benz is launching the Welcome Home Campaign, offering treats and discounts for Filipino drivers.
From now until the end of June, new Mercedes-Benz owners can get an exclusive 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen Replica. The limited-edition replica represents the history of brand’s innovations in the motoring space.
Similarly, until the end of the month, interested customers can start their Benz journey for downpayments as low as PhP 140,000. Discounted prices, however, will go on until the end of July:
| MODEL |
Original Price |
Discounted Price |
CLA 200 Progressive |
PhP 3,990,000 |
PhP 3,490,000 |
C 180 Avantgarde |
PhP 3,990,000 |
PhP 2,990,000 |
GLB 200 AMG Line |
PhP 4,590,000 |
PhP 4,090,000 |
GLC 200 4MATIC |
PhP 5,190,000 |
PhP 4,690,000 |
EQB 250+ Electric Art |
PhP 4,290,000 |
PhP 4,090,000 |
EQE 300 Electric Art Sedan |
PhP 5,590,000 |
PhP 3,990,000 |
EQE 350+ AMG Line Sedan |
PhP 6,290,000 |
PhP 4,690,000 |
EQS 450 4MATIC AMG Line Sedan |
PhP 9,990,000 |
PhP 7,490,000 |
Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 4MATIC |
PhP 5,719,000 |
PhP 5,519,000 |
Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC |
PhP 5,719,000 |
PhP 5,219,000 |
If you already own a Chedeng, Mercedes-Benz will show some love by offering special aftersales initiatives throughout the campaign period. Additionally, there will be more roadshow activations happening the entire year to showcase the latest in the Benz lineup.
Finally, if you have a Chedeng story of your own, Mercedes-Benz is inviting long-time fans to share their stories on social media by tagging the official Mercedes-Benz Philippines account and using the hashtags #Chedeng and #140YearsofInnovation. Featured users can win exclusive Benz merchandise.
Gaming
Ubisoft co-founder dies in plane crash
Claude Guillemot was one of five brothers that founded Ubisoft.
Claude Guillemot, one of the four co-founders of Ubisoft, has died last week in a plane crash. He was 69 years old.
As reported via Bloomberg, Guillemot died alongside the plane’s other passenger. They both died in La Baule in France.
Regardless of how you feel about the company today, Ubisoft is still an undeniable reason why RPGs are so popular. In 1984, Guillemot started the company with his four brothers. Since then, it’s become a household name for gaming. Its portfolio includes Assassin’s Creed, Prince of Persia, Splinter Cell, Anno, and Far Cry. Despite the prolific resume, the company is currently struggling to recreate the magic that made it so popular over a decade ago. Its current efforts include remaking Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag, which launches next month.
Though Claude might not be your first thought when thinking of Ubisoft, the company is still owned by the family, headed by his brother Yves. Claude, however, was the chairman of Guillemot Corp.
“Ubisoft was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Claude Guillemot, co-founder of the group and chairman of Guillemot Corp., in an accident. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. No further statements will be made at this time,” Ubisoft said about his passing.
News
No new CMF phones this year, Nothing confirms
But Nothing still has a phone scheduled later this year.
For the past few years, Nothing kept launching smartphone after smartphone. Further, every new iteration felt like a reinvention, rather than just a modest upgrade. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, including Nothing’s streak. This year, after announcing that we won’t get a Phone (4), Nothing has announced that CMF is also skipping 2026 for a hopefully better 2027.
Now, whenever there’s bad news about delayed phone launches, there’s only one culprit. The ongoing RAM crisis is wreaking havoc across the entire industry. Because of the AI industry’s desperate need to stockpile chips, consumer-friendly devices find themselves with a scarcity of components, leading to delays or price increases.
Recently, in a moment of transparency, Nothing’s Akis Evangelidis confirms that CMF will not launch a new phone this year. Citing more of the same, he says that “with memory prices where they are right now, we can’t build a phone that feels like a genuine step forward at a price that makes sense for CMF.”
As a tease, Evangelidis did say that the brand is currently working on a sequel to the CMF Phone 2 Pro. Unfortunately, it’s going to take longer for the phone to come out.
All that said, there is a silver lining. Evangelidis concludes the announcement by also confirming that Nothing still has something up its sleeve. “The smartphone launch season at Nothing isn’t over yet,” he said.
This is a huge deal. Previously, Nothing’s Carl Pei said that the Phone (4) isn’t coming out this year. Even with the Phone (4a)’s launch already done and dusted, the brand still has something left in the tank.
SEE ALSO: Nothing Phone (4a) + (4a) Pro review
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