A news highlight about what’s new with the tech industry, smart cities and smart mobility in the past week.
Apple vs. Facebook in disagreement about app tracking
This week, a new feature called the App Tracking Transparency will be introduced on iPhone and iPad devices in the iOS 14.5 update. This feature will allow users to refuse to have their data collected by mobile apps on their device, something Facebook is opposed to as advertising based on user data is how they generate revenue. Read more here.
Computer chip shortage to go on for six months according to Cisco
Cisco chief Chuck Robbins told the BBC that the computer chip shortage caused by a lack of semiconductors is set to last for six more months. Read more here.
Jaguar Land Rover to shut down car factories due to chip shortage
Britain’s biggest carmaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is suspending output and shutting down their two main car factories temporarily due to the computer chip shortage. Read more here.
Met Office and Microsoft to build a weather forecasting supercomputer
The UK Met Office is working with Microsoft to build a weather forecasting supercomputer that will increase the accuracy of weather forecasts and the understanding of climate change. Read more here.
Amazon to open high-tech hair salon
Amazon is launching a high-tech hair salon in London that will have augmented-reality mirrors, enabling clients to see themselves in different hair colours and styles before deciding on treatments. Read more here.
Honda aims to increase sales of electric vehicles by 100% by 2040
Honda Motor Co CEO Toshihiro Mibe has announced that the company’s new goal is to increase its ratio of electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles to 100% of all sales, and they are planning to do this by 2040. Read more here.
Amazon launches pay-by-palm tech at select locations
Amazon is launching Amazon One, their pay-by-palm technology, which enables customers to connect the palm of their hand with a credit card or their Amazon account, and then scan their hand at the store register to pay for their purchases at select Whole Foods stores. Read more here.
Sweden's Klarna adds carbon footprint tracker to shopping app
Klarna, a Swedish payments firm, has added a carbon footprint tracker for shoppers in their app, enabling them to see an estimated carbon emission for each purchase and track their cumulative carbon footprint in order to see the environmental impact of their consumption. Read more here.
NBA uses AI to enhance fan experience
The NBA is working with Microsoft to bring NBA CourtOptix, which is powered by AI, to bring enhanced statistics to fans on matters such as shots, passes, and defence. Read more here.
Elon Musk and SpaceX to launch an upgraded Starship prototype
Elon Musk’s company SpaceX is aiming to launch SN15, Musk’s upgraded and latest version of the Starship prototype aimed to fly and land on Mars, as soon as this week. Read more here.
