Category: Report

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 90-day extension on the TikTok ban, which will take effect later this week. This marks the third time Trump has delayed the ban since he took office in January.

The current extension is set to expire on June 19, but there are currently no indications of an agreement with China that would allow TikTok’s U.S. operations to be sold to an American company. The ban on TikTok originated on January 19, under the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.

However, Trump’s extensions have effectively paused the enforcement of this law, enabling TikTok to continue its operations in the United States. The act stipulated that TikTok needed to be divested from its Chinese ownership, but the company was unable to finalize a sale during the initial grace period.

Following the first ban, Trump moved to grant a temporary extension while working towards a deal with China. Any acquisition of TikTok by a U.S. company requires approval from the Chinese government, and discussions have been complicated by the trade tensions resulting from Trump’s tariffs.

Currently, TikTok remains accessible for download in the U.S. while these extensions are in place. In other news within the tech world, Apple is gearing up for the launch of the iPhone 17 series, expected to debut in September.

In addition, there are rumors about a new MacBook featuring the A18 Pro chip, and Apple is reportedly planning updates for its various products, including AirPods Pro and its digital car key feature in the Wallet app.

Apple has been striving for an iPhone with a completely screen-centric design, and it looks like that dream is nearing reality within the next few years. According to Mark Gurman in his Power On newsletter, Apple plans to reduce the size of the Dynamic Island on new models slated for release next year.

Following this, a redesigned 20th-anniversary iPhone is anticipated to debut in 2025. This 20th-anniversary model is expected to come with features such as curved glass edges, ultra-slim bezels, and a genuine edge-to-edge display without any cutouts.

If these predictions materialize, it will mark the first iPhone to sport a seamless all-screen design. In another related report, Wayne Ma from The Information has suggested that the forthcoming iPhone 18 Pro models will include under-screen Face ID technology, accompanied by just a small hole in the upper-left corner for the front camera.

This development raises some questions regarding Gurman’s assertion about the Dynamic Island remaining in a smaller form. Regardless, it appears that the first truly all-screen iPhone, complete with under-screen Face ID and front camera capabilities, is set to arrive in 2027.

The progression toward an all-screen design has been steady. Apple’s journey began with the iPhone X in 2017, which transitioned from Touch ID and bulky bezels to Face ID and a noticeable notch.

This evolution continued with the iPhone 14 Pro in 2022, where the notch was replaced by the Dynamic Island. As Apple continues to innovate, the excitement surrounding the potential all-screen iPhone underscores its commitment to pushing the boundaries of smartphone design.

Two articles from the May 23, 2023, issue of the Wall Street Journal portray a negative image of Tim Cook, particularly the Child Safety Legislation article, which left me questioning his leadership. The first article by Rolfe Winkler highlights the mounting challenges Cook faces, particularly with President Trump threatening Apple with tariffs if the company does not manufacture iPhones in the U.S.

This situation adds to Cook’s already tumultuous year, compounded by legal issues and competition in the tech industry, especially around artificial intelligence. Cook’s ability to maintain Apple’s robust profit margins and reassure investors seems increasingly uncertain as the stock price continues to decline.

The second article, co-authored by Winkler, Amrith Ramkumar, and Meghan Bobowsky, addresses Apple’s resistance to Texas legislation that mandates age verification for users on app stores. Cook reportedly reached out to Texas Governor Greg Abbott to ask for modifications or a veto regarding the bill, indicating Apple’s deep concern over its implications.

However, the potential signing of this legislation remains uncertain, raising questions about the seriousness of industry lobbying efforts. Reflecting on these articles left me with a sense of disappointment in Cook.

While I understand he is navigating complex challenges like tariffs and issues relating to China, I can’t help but wonder if he might have anticipated the repercussions of Chinese market dynamics earlier. Moreover, with no significant product launches during his tenure, I question whether his focus is more on lobbying efforts than on innovation at Apple.

Is it time for a change in leadership? Many, including myself, are beginning to think so.