REMOVE CHINESE APPS
November Pixel Drop: Google brings Gemini Intelligence, custom widgets and AI summaries
Google's November Pixel Drop expands Gemini Intelligence on Pixel 10 with improved voice typing, task automation and proactive suggestions. The update also introduces personalised widgets, AI-powered conversation summaries, additional icon styles and upgraded Call Screen features on Pixel 11 devices. Google has also launched Pixel Tag, its new accessory for tracking personal belongings.
China, Hong Kong stocks rise as AI shares rally, oil prices slide
Chinese and Hong Kong stocks edged higher as a rally in global technology shares and falling oil prices lifted sentiment. AI-linked stocks led gains, while energy shares declined amid a broader regional market rebound.
First Apple Intelligence features land in China, with Alibaba’s Qwen on board
The tech giant has partnered with Alibaba to bring its Qwen model into some of the experiences. Chinese users will be able to use Qwen through Siri, Writing Tools, and Visual Intelligence, enabling text and image understanding. Users can access it by signing in with a Qwen account or through Apple, the company said in a blog post.
From Rome to Washington, why governments are pulling DeepSeek off official systems
At least eight governments, now including the US, have restricted the Chinese AI company's products. Most cite the same concern – user data stored in China, where the law gives the state wide powers to access it.
Australia without migrants! Hotel association posts an apocalyptic video showing how the country will look without foreign worker from empty sheleves at supermarket to no coffee
A viral advertisement by the Australian Hotels Association uses exaggerated scenes to illustrate how the departure of migrant workers could affect everyday life, from coffee shops and supermarkets to restaurants, hotels and elderly care. The video emerges amid a political debate over immigration levels in Australia and proposals to reduce migration.
Lessons from Chinese AI Firms on Owning Customers’ Habits
As U.S. AI firms compete in an escalating race for superior models, bigger benchmarks, and more advanced features, Chinese companies are pursuing a fundamentally different strategy: embedding AI into users’ everyday habits. The authors argue that this “habit moat” approach may prove more durable than competing on raw capability alone. Whereas Western firms position AI as a destination consumers consciously visit, companies like Alibaba integrate AI into existing routines such as shopping, payments, food delivery, and travel booking, reducing friction until using AI becomes automatic behavior. Once AI capabilities become “good enough,” marginal technical improvements matter less than becoming the default path through recurring customer tasks. The authors outline four strategic imperatives for Western leaders: focus on behavioral cues rather than feature gaps, subsidize customer behavior instead of subscriptions, embed AI invisibly into existing workflows, and optimize for repeat usage rather than first-time adoption. The central warning is stark: AI may not replace employees first—it may instead capture the critical customer moments businesses currently own.
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Caffeine clash: Starbucks slayer now brews a global coffee blend
Luckin Coffee is looking to expand into Gulf countries with a focus on local tastes and preferences. The company's recent $1 billion investment from Mubadala signals strong institutional support for its growth strategy. After previously overcoming an accounting scandal, Luckin aims to replicate its successful model from China. The venture into the Gulf marks a strategic test of its adaptability in different markets.
Tesla starts Cybercab rides in Austin, prompting US safety agency evaluation
CEO Elon Musk has said the Cybercab is key to transforming Tesla into a dominant force in driverless vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, meanwhile, sets and enforces rules for auto safety, including for new vehicles.
Govt lens on e-rickshaw remote shutdown issue; two apps including BAT-BMS removed from app stores
Concerns over e-rickshaws being remotely disabled via a Chinese app, BAT-BMS, have prompted government action. IT Secretary S Krishnan confirmed two such applications were identified and promptly removed from app stores. He emphasized app stores' responsibility for due diligence and stated the government will engage with them to prevent the availability of potentially hazardous apps, addressing widespread cybersecurity worries.
Apple pulls two gay dating apps in China under government order
Apple said it has pulled two of China's biggest gay dating apps, Blued and Finka, under pressure from Chinese authorities, in the latest sign of a tightening grip on the LGBTQ+ community.
Chinese censors order gay dating apps be pulled from stores: Apple
Chinese authorities have ordered the removal of two prominent gay dating applications, Blued and Finka, from app stores. Apple confirmed the action, stating compliance with Chinese law.
Apple says it was ordered to pull WhatsApp from China app store
Several other global messaging apps had also been removed from Apple's App Store in China on Friday, including Signal, which is based in the US, and Telegram, which is based in Dubai, UAE, according to Appfigures, a market research firm that analyses the digital economy.
Apple removes WhatsApp, Threads from China app store on government order
Apple removed Meta's WhatsApp and Threads in China following a government order, citing national security concerns. Despite disagreement, Apple complied with the law. The apps are still accessible on other platforms.
China implements stricter regulations on AI as Apple removes ChatGPT-like apps from Chinese app store
Apple has removed ChatGPT-like apps from its China App Store, with further regulatory guidelines around AI due to come into effect on 15 August. This includes a particular emphasis on ensuring AI-generated content aligns with "healthy" and "core socialist values," while also refraining from being fake, misleading, or endangering national security. Baidu and Alibaba have previously indicated a commitment to promoting the benefits of AI. However, due to concerns surrounding potential misuse, the Chinese government is taking a proactive approach to regulate AI, ensuring a safe and ethical AI landscape within the country.
From India to UK, here are the countries that have ban on TikTok
The company's CEO faced a grilling Thursday from U.S. lawmakers. TikTok, which is owned by the Chinese technology company Bytedance, has long maintained that it does not share data with the Chinese government.
India plans new security testing for smartphones, crackdown on pre-installed apps
The government is planning to force smartphone makers to allow removal of pre-installed apps and mandate screening of major operating system updates under proposed new security rules. This could extend launch timelines in the world's No.2 smartphone market and lead to losses in business from pre-installed apps for players including Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Apple. India's IT ministry is considering these new rules amid concerns about spying and abuse of user data, said a senior government official.
Democratic senator urges Apple, Google to kick TikTok out of app stores
The app, which Congress has already banned from federal government devices, has come under increasing criticism because of concern that China's government could use it to harvest data on Americans or advance Chinese interests.
ED raids Chinese app firms in Bengaluru, seizes Rs 5.85 cr
These Chinese persons formed companies in India and recruited many Indians as directors, translators (for translating Mandarin to English and vice versa), HR Managers and Tele callers. They obtained the documents of Indian persons and opened bank accounts by using their documents. The accused Chinese persons developed a mobile app in the name of 'Keepsharer' and started its advertisement through WhatsApp and Telegram by offering part time job opportunities to the youths. This app was linked with an investment app and they collected money from the youths for registration on this app.
China's Didi says app takedown may hurt revenue
The removal of Didi's app, which does not affect existing users, comes days after Didi made its trading debut on the New York Stock Exchange in an initial public offering that raised $4.4 billion.
Chinese app stores remove Alibaba's UC browser on Android phones, it's still available for Apple devices
China has been tightening regulation of its vast internet sector.
Chinese tech giant Tencent's WeChat app sees downloads surge before U.S. ban
The U.S. Department of Commerce issued an order requiring Apple Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google to remove WeChat for downloads on national security grounds, but a U.S. judge blocked the move on Sunday. The U.S. Commerce Department said on Monday it will challenge the order.
Apple purges more than 30,000 apps from its China store
About 179,000 game apps remained in the China store as of Saturday evening, of which about 160,000 were offered for free, Qimai Research Institute said.
2nd digital strike targets clones of banned China apps, Google and Apple Inc directed to remove these apps
Google and Apple Inc, which run popular mobile operating systems Android and iOS, respectively, were directed to remove these apps from their app stores, and they are expected to comply with the order
Govt bans 47 more Chinese apps citing risks to national sovereignty, integrity and defence
The source privy to the development said that the 47 additional Chinese apps that have been banned now were clones and variants of the apps which were blocked earlier.
Google axes ‘Remove China Apps’ citing policy violations
Little is known about the app, except that it had been developed by a firm named OneTouch AppLabs, based out of Jaipur, Rajasthan. According to sources, two developers were involved in building the app, which has over the last two weeks been popularised & endorsed by some of India’s leading right-wing activists online.
Google clarifies stand on app removals; says won't allow apps to target other apps
"...we don't allow an app that “encourages or incentivises users into removing or disabling third-party apps or modifying device settings or features unless it is part of a verifiable security service”, Google said in a blogpost on Thursday.
TikTok no longer available on Google and Apple stores
The Madras High Court on Tuesday had refused to stay the ban on the app.
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