Suhani Jain, Author at Your Tech Story

Apple and Goldman Sachs collaborate to provide high-yield savings accounts to Apple Card customers

Apple is taking a major step toward providing its customers with more banking services. The company announced today, that it is collaborating with Goldman Sachs to launch a new high-yield savings account feature for Apple Card credit cardholders that will allow them to save and grow their Daily Cash which is the cashback rewards earned from Apple Card purchases.

In the upcoming months, Apple says cardholders will be able to automatically save this money in a new, high-yield savings account from Goldman Sachs which will be accessible through Apple Wallet. Customers can also deposit their own funds into this account.

“Savings enables Apple Card users to grow their Daily Cash rewards over time, while also saving for the future,” said Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet,” Bailey said in a statement late on Thursday.
Source: in.investing.com

According to Apple, the account has no fees, minimum deposit, or minimum balance requirements, making it competitive with various neobanks that are often used as a way for customers to reserve digital cash and monetize interest payments.

However, Apple did not specify what interest rate would be paid out on these high-yield accounts in its press release. According to Bankrate data, competitors are currently offering APYs ranging from 2.20% to 3.05%. According to Investopedia data, some are going even higher, with APYs currently exceeding 3.1%. Apple stated that it is not prepared to announce the APY due to the current highly volatile interest rate environment.

When the new service becomes available, Apple Card users will be able to set up and manage their Savings account directly in the Apple Wallet mobile app. From then on, all Daily Cash earned through Apple Card purchases will be automatically deposited into this account, unless customers choose to have the cash added to their Apple Cash card in Wallet instead, as they do at the present time. According to Apple, this option can be changed at any time.

An in-app Savings dashboard will show the account balance as well as the interest earned over time.

Apple currently offers 3% cashback on Apple Card purchases made with Apple Pay at select merchants such as Apple, Uber/Uber Eats, T-Mobile, Walgreens, Panera Bread, Nike, ExxonMobil, and Ace Hardware. Apple Card purchases will earn 2% cashback when using Apple Pay, and 1% cashback when using the titanium card or a virtual card number to shop online.

Cardholders would not have to depend solely on Apple Card purchases to fund their brand-new Savings accounts. Customers will be able to deposit additional funds via a linked bank account or their Apple Cash balance, as per Apple’s statements.

They can also withdraw this money at any time by transferring it to the same linked bank account or any linked bank account or even their Apple Cash card, without incurring any fees.

Apple has been steadily moving into the payments market with the launch of the Apple Card, allowing it to establish a more direct connection with its customers as it accelerates its “services” business, which perceives it selling subscriptions to a variety of offerings, including Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple TV+, iCloud+, Apple Fitness+, Apple News+, and more.

It’s also attempting to make Apple Pay a more realistic choice for online shopping, with the announcement of an Affirm competitor, Apple Pay Later, for dividing purchases into four interest-free payments. This offering, however, has been postponed until 2023, according to Bloomberg.

Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs has been repositioning itself as a more traditional bank with its Marcus by Goldman Sachs product, which announced last year that it had reached a milestone of more than $100 billion in customer deposits after five years of operation. The collaboration with Apple will give it a new perspective on the consumer deposits market.

Apple did not provide a specific launch date for its high-yield Savings account, only stating that it would be available in the coming months. The company stated that the Savings account feature will be included in an upcoming iOS release, but did not specify which version number would include the option.

Suhani Jain

I am a student pursuing my bachelor’s in information technology. I have a interest in writing so, I am working a freelance content writer because I enjoy writing. I also write poetries. I believe in the quote by anne frank “paper has more patience than person

Smartphones above Rs 10,000 to be 5G enabled soon

Representatives of mobile phone manufacturing firms held a meeting with top government officials on Wednesday and assured them that they would gradually discontinue production of 4G phones priced at Rs 10,000 and above and are going to switch to 5G enabled phones.

Top officials from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (also known as MeitY) met with mobile operators and smartphone manufacturers, telling them to launch 5G services with 5G enabled smartphones within three months.

Highlights

Smartphones estimated to cost more than Rs 10,000 will soon switch to 5G.
The government met with mobile operators and smartphone manufacturers.
Bharti Airtel has initiated launching 5G in eight cities.

On Wednesday morning, top officials from both ministries met with representatives from the country’s mobile operators and smartphone manufacturers. On the condition of anonymity, a smartphone company official told ANI that smartphone makers will gradually shift to 5G phones priced at or above Rs 10,000.

According to him, India has approximately 750 million mobile phone users and among which, 100 million subscribers have 5G-ready phones, but more than 350 million people use phones that are only 3G-4G compatible. He stated that they have informed the ministry that our company will gradually phase out 3G-4G compatible phones priced above Rs 10,000.

The meeting, which lasted more than an hour, was attended by top executives from smartphone manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung, as well as telecommunication operators, to discuss issues related to providing seamless access to 5G services.

Another official from a smartphone company told ANI that the meeting was called to fine-tune the relationship between mobile operators and smartphone manufacturers in which Smartphone manufacturers agreed to begin testing their devices together with mobile operators providing 5G services.

He clearly asserted that over 100 million subscribers in India have 5G-ready phones already, but many devices, including Apple, are not compatible with 5G services at this time. We will figure out the problem that consumers with 5G phones are experiencing once we begin testing, according to the official.

The official stated, “Once we begin the testing, we will determine the issue that 5G phone users are experiencing.”
Source: timesnownews.com

Bharti Airtel has officially started 5G implementation in eight cities which are Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Siliguri, Nagpur, and Varanasi, while Jio has finally started beta trials in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Varanasi.

The agenda of this meeting consisted of a discussion regarding preparing customers’ handsets for 5G services launched on 5G networks by telecom service providers.

The meeting also addressed handset manufacturers’ and telecom service providers’ active participation in rolling out several software FOTA upgrades for all 5G handsets. It was also decided to prioritize software upgrades for early 5G implementation in the country.

Qualcomm also stated that it will collaborate with some of the leading smartphone manufacturers to enable 5G in their devices by 2019. Qualcomm is collaborating with these companies to bring 5G smartphones to market. In addition, the company has developed 5G New Radio (NR) technology, which will allow for faster and more efficient 5G connectivity. Qualcomm has also created a 5G modem known as the Snapdragon X50.

Suhani Jain

Google to introduce Chromebooks for Cloud Gaming

Leave a Comment / News, Tech News / By Suhani Jain

It’s only been a few weeks since Google announced that its cloud gaming service Stadia will be discontinued next year. And now, the company has made a new cloud gaming announcement that it is launching Chromebooks made by various manufacturers that are optimized for cloud gaming.

To bring users marquee titles, Google has also partnered with cloud gaming services such as Nvidia GeForce Now, Microsoft Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Amazon Luna. Furthermore, Acer, Corsair, HyperX, Lenovo, and SteelSeries have collaborated with the company to create “Works with Chromebook” certified peripherals for these devices.

“Chromebooks have always been known for being fast, secure, and easy-to-use devices. Since their launch more than a decade ago, we have improved their capabilities and expanded the variety of devices for people to choose from,” the company said in a blog post.
“Today, we are taking that effort a step further by introducing the world’s first laptops built for cloud gaming along with our partners Acer, ASUS, and Lenovo,” it added.
Source: business-standard.com

Hardware specifications

This first generation of Chromebooks for cloud gaming from Acer, Asus, and Lenovo includes numerous gaming-related features. High-resolution displays with refresh rates of 120Hz or higher, Wi-Fi 6 or 6E compatibility, high-quality audio, and RGB keyboards with anti-ghosting are among them. Anti-ghosting is a feature that registers all the key presses accurately even when you press multiple keys at once.

The first set of devices is priced between $399 and $799 to appeal to a wider audience. These laptops use Intel processors ranging from Core i3 to Core i7, depending on the price. Here’s a quick rundown of the three launch models’ specifications.

Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook

It sports a 16-inch display with a WQXGA screen (2560 X 1500), and a 120 Hz refresh rate and has a 12th Gen Intel Core i3/i5 processor and 8 GB RAM. There are two versions with storage of variations of 256 GB/512 GB SSD and 128 eMMC. It features 4 X 2W speakers with Waves Audi and supports 2 X 2 Intel Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook contains 2 USB 3.2 gen 2 type C ports, 1 X USB 3.2 Gen 1 type A, 1 X HDMI 2.0, 1 X audio combo jack, 1 microSD card reader, and a battery backup of 71 Wh.

Acer Chromebook 516 GE

Acer Chromebook 516 GE features a display of 16-inch WQXGA screen (2560 X 1500) with a 120 Hz refresh rate. It contains a 12th gen Intel Core i5 processor with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD. It sports DTS audio with quad-force vibration cancellation stereo. Some other features are 2 X 2 Intel Wi-fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, 2 x USB 3.2 gen 2type C, 1 x USB 3.2 gen 2 type A, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1x audio combo jack, 1 x Ethernet RJ-45 port and battery backup of 65 Wh.

Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip

Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip sports a 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 X 1080) IPS touchscreen with 144 Hz refresh rate, 11th Gen Intel Core i3/i5/i7. It is available in 128GB/256GB/512GB SSD. It sports 2X Harman/Kardon certified speakers. Other features are 2X2 Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5, 2 x USB 3.2 gen 2 type C; 1 x USB 3.2 gen 1 type A; 1 x HDMI 2.0; 1x audio combo jack; 1 x microSD card reader and a battery backup of 57 Wh.

Google does not currently have a set of requirements or certification for Chromebooks for cloud gaming. So, we don’t know if future devices must meet certain specifications to be included in this initiative, but Google will prioritize future devices with high refresh rate screens and good Wi-Fi connectivity.

However, the company stated that GameBench independently tested all three launch devices to ensure they provide a consistent and smooth gaming experience at 120 frames per second with a latency of less than 85ms.

All of these devices will be available for purchase in October. Acer, Corsair, HyperX, Lenovo, and SteelSeries supported accessories including headsets, mice, and controllers.

Suhani Jain

Lufthansa Bans Apple AirTags on Flights

Leave a Comment / News, Tech News / By Suhani Jain

Lufthansa is the latest airline to prohibit the use of Apple AirTags on its flights. The German airline stated, in a statement, that it is aware of the new accessory and that it is not permitted to be used on flights due to a high risk of meddling with aircraft navigation and also the communication systems.

According to the statement, Lufthansa is currently updating its in-flight safety video to reflect the new policy. Other airlines, including Delta and American, have also prohibited the use of AirTags on their flights.

Lufthansa announced over the weekend that it is prohibiting Apple AirTags from checked bags only to attribute the policy to the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization).

The German airline replied to a request to address reports on Lufthansa’s ban on AirTags from checked luggage in a statement posted to its Twitter account.

“Lufthansa is banning activated AirTags from luggage as they are classified as dangerous and need to be turned off,” the airline said on Saturday. “According to ICAO guidelines, baggage trackers are subject to the dangerous goods regulations. Furthermore, due to their transmission function, the trackers must be deactivated during the flight if they are in checked baggage and cannot be used as a result”, it explained.
Source: theregister.com

The policy appears to be unpopular among tourists who have been using Apple AirTags to track checked bags because air carriers misdirect or lose bags regularly.

Travelers speculate that Lufthansa implemented this policy to avoid being shamed by passengers whose bags were lost on social media. Lufthansa did not respond to multiple phone calls and emails seeking comment on the policy’s rationale if it will be enforced, and how.

Lufthansa stated in a report that Apple AirTags are small, coin-sized devices that can be attached to items such as keys and wallets to help them stay organized. The devices communicate with Apple devices via Bluetooth and can be used to track down misplaced items. While AirTags are not intended for use on aircraft, they do emit radio signals that may interfere with aircraft navigation and communication systems. As a result, many airlines have decided to prohibit the use of AirTags on their flights.

IATA and the ICAO did not respond immediately to requests for comment, and Apple did not reply to a request for comment either.

The combustion of lithium-ion batteries in aircraft baggage holds has resulted in restrictions on the types of electronic devices that can be carried in aircraft cabins and baggage holds over the last decade.

Apple AirTags, on the other hand, rely on tiny lithium-metal batteries, specifically model CR2032. They have an energy density of 198 milliwatt hours per gramme and a lithium content of 0.109 grammes (about 0.0038 oz.). As a result, they are permitted in checked bags in the United States under FAA regulations.

AirTags appear to be permitted under International Air Transport Association (IATA) rules, which are based on ICAO recommendations. According to the IATA rule, approval is not required for lithium metal batteries with a lithium content of two grams or less, so AirTags are permitted.

Separate Lufthansa guidelines state that checked bags may contain devices with integral, removable batteries with up to 0.3 g of lithium, indicating that AirTags should be permitted.

Specific IATA guidance for “smart” baggage features, such as GPS trackers, requires, “The portable electronic device must be designed with at least two independent means to turn off completely, turn off cellular or mobile functions, or a combination of both when airborne.”
Source: theregister.com

Since AirTags lack an on-device or remote off switch, this may be where Apple’s GPS trackers breach the rules. To turn it off, the battery must be removed, or it will run out of power.

It’s unclear whether or not Lufthansa intends to enforce this policy. Removing bags with AirTags from flights will certainly generate negative feedback from customers.

Suhani Jain

Microsoft Fall event 2022: What to expect

Leave a Comment / News, Tech News / By Suhani Jain

On Wednesday, October 12, the Microsoft fall event will most likely demonstrate how serious the company is about supporting Windows on ARM. Microsoft has yet to determine the future of Windows on ARM-based PCs, despite Apple’s shift to ARM-based silicon on its Mac. More information about Microsoft’s vision for Windows on ARM could be revealed at the company’s fall product launch next week.

Meanwhile, Microsoft is preparing to launch several new Surface-branded computers, including a long-overdue Surface Studio refresh, next week. This Microsoft fall event will be broadcast live on Microsoft’s website and social media channels and will begin at 7:30 p.m. IST.

Here’s what we can expect.

Surface Pro 9

A Microsoft hardware event wouldn’t be complete without a new tablet, and the Surface Pro 9 could be one of the most significant updates to the lineup in recent memory.

According to Windows Central, the new model will incorporate the ARM-based Surface Pro X into the regular Pro family. If so, you’ll be able to choose between processor architectures without changing form factors, which is a first for the Pro series.

Whatever chip is used it would provide a significant speed boost. According to a source, Intel-based Surface Pro 9 models will use 12th-generation Core i5 and i7 U-series processors (significantly faster than the Pro 8’s 11th-generation parts), while ARM models will use the SQ3, a custom variant of the Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3.

Microsoft may stick with the previous maximum of 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, though cellular models will reportedly support 5G.

There are only a few changes to the tablet’s outlook. The Surface Pro 9 will be nearly similar to its previous model, with a 13-inch 120Hz display, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a front 5-megapixel camera, a rear 10-megapixel camera, and support for the Slim Pen 2.

Although this is an iterative design, people liked the Pro 8 last year. It’s just a matter of if the cost is reasonable. According to WinFuture, Europeans may pay the equivalent of $1,300 for a Core i5 model with 256GB of storage, but this may not reflect American pricing.

Surface Laptop 5

The Surface Laptop hasn’t been touched by Microsoft since the spring of 2021, so it’s overdue for an update. Hopefully, the work is in progress. According to both Windows Central and WinFuture insiders, a Surface Laptop 5 with some minor but significant improvements is in the works.

The 13.5- and 15-inch portables would be equipped with 12th-generation Core i5 and i7 processors, which would represent significant improvements over previous chips. The most notable difference may be what you don’t get — WinFuture says there will be no AMD Ryzen-powered Surface Laptop 5 variants. However, the machine may be the first to support Thunderbolt 4.

The design of the Surface Laptop 5 could be nearly similar to that of its tablet counterpart. Cosmetic changes are unlikely, except for a possible sage green color option borrowed from the Laptop Go 2.

That won’t be a problem if you like Microsoft’s minimalist aesthetics, but it might be disappointing if you were hoping for a more eye-catching notebook like the XPS 13 Plus or MacBook Air M2 – especially given the rumored $1,200 asking price in Europe.

Surface Studio 3

The Surface Studio 3 is one of the most highly awaited products at the Microsoft fall event. Surface Studio’s most recent version was released in 2018, so it’s pending an update. The second-generation Surface Studio was excoriated for its high price as well as its out-of-date CPU and GPU. Microsoft will not make the same mistake with the Surface Studio 3.

According to rumors, the new all-in-one PC will use the same chassis as the first two Studios, including the signature tilting, stylus-friendly 28-inch display. However, the CPU and GPU will have been updated.

Wildcards: A mini-PC and Surface accessories

The biggest surprise may be the release of Project Volterra, a compact desktop aimed at developers creating ARM-native Windows apps with AI features. So it won’t be the Surface’s answer to the Mac mini.

The only other highlights could be the accessories. Windows Central’s Zac Bowden recently shared images of what he claims are updated Surface Keyboard and Surface Pen models that could be included with the Surface Studio 3 as well as sold separately. A Surface Mouse revision may also be available. Bowden also hinted at a “premium” speaker as well as a Teams-focused remote, but little else is known about them.

Suhani Jain

Samsung Delays Galaxy Tab S9 Series Launch

Leave a Comment / News, Tech News / By Suhani Jain

Due to recent economic uncertainties, South Korean electronics giant Samsung is reportedly delaying the release of its next-generation Galaxy Tab S9 series.

According to The Elec GizmoChina, Samsung introduced the Galaxy Tab S8 series earlier this year, one and a half years after the release of the Galaxy Tab S7 family. The company had planned to unveil its upcoming premium tablets in December. However, according to the source, they will now be released the following year.

According to the report, Samsung’s decision is the result of recent global economic uncertainty.

In accordance with the report, as the global pandemic of Covid-19 nears its end, demand for IT products has begun to fall globally. Samsung originally planned to produce 33.6 million tablets in 2022. However, due to low demand, the company may be unable to carry out its plans.

The global tablet market will contract by 8% this year, according to DSCC (Display Supply Chain Consultants). However, the premium tablet category (OLED and Mini LED) is supposed to grow by 22%.

According to reports, Samsung has devised a new strategy for its upcoming flagship tablets. The Galaxy Tab S9 series, like the Galaxy Tab S8 series, is said to have three versions.

In the last 24 hours, Samsung has sold over 1.2 million Galaxy devices in India, totaling Rs 1,000 crore. On the first day of the online festive sales, Samsung India said it sold more than 1.2 million Galaxy devices worth more than Rs 1,000 crore (by value). The Galaxy series of smartphones were among the most popular devices on both Amazon and Flipkart. In terms of monetary value, Samsung sold Galaxy devices worth over Rs 1,000 crore in 24 hours.

According to the company, the Galaxy M13 was the best-selling device, while the recently launched Galaxy M32 Prime Edition was among the top choices for Amazon’s Kickstarter deals. In less than 12 hours, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Galaxy Z Fold 4 received over 50,000 pre-orders.

On the first day of Flipkart’s Big Billion Days, Samsung doubled its platform market share. The Galaxy F13 was a top seller in the 4G segment, while the Galaxy F23 was the most popular 5G smartphone on Flipkart.

According to the company, the Galaxy S21 FE and Galaxy S22+ sold well in the premium segment on Flipkart. Samsung has also stated that it intends to consolidate its 5G and overall smartphone leadership in the country.

“Galaxy M33 was the top-selling 5G smartphone on Amazon. Galaxy S22, the biggest deal of the year on Amazon, and Galaxy S20 FE were among the top sellers in the premium segment on Amazon,” according to the company.
Source: latestly.com

Samsung is trying its best to enhance the user experience. In a real-world camera test, Samsung’s Galaxy S21 Ultra easily defeats Huawei’s P40 Pro. Huawei P40 Pro is the Chinese tech giant’s latest flagship. It is not, however, the best flagship available. In a real-world camera test, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra outperforms the Huawei P40 Pro.

Samsung has also made the Buy Now, Pay Later option available for its Galaxy S22 Series, Galaxy Z Flip 3, and Galaxy Z Fold 4 smartphones. This offer is available at retail stores across India to ICICI Bank Credit cardholders with a minimum credit limit of Rs. 1.50 lakhs. Samsung’s Buy Now, Pay Later scheme also requires no down payment and charges a 1% processing fee.

It is also planning to consolidate its 5G and overall smartphone dominance in the country.

Suhani Jain

Suhani Jain

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