Weekly Tech Wrap: Microsoft CEO Takes Shots At Apple-Google, iPhone 15 Pro Gets Heating Fix, More Top Technology News

From Google Pixel 8 series becoming official to Musk facing SEC questioning, here are the biggest tech news stories from the week that was.

iPhone 15 Pro series finally gets a fix for its overheating issue. Microsoft boss Satya Nadella shares obstacles posed by Google-Apple deals. Pixel 8 series smartphones have been launched by Google. The world of tech news was dominated by these headlines and more over the last week. Check them out.

Microsoft Chief Goes Knives Out Against Google-Apple

In a recent court appearance, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella highlighted the obstacles potential competitors encounter in the search engine market, underscoring the strong influence of Google. Nadella voiced concerns about Microsoft's primary rival during the hearing held in Washington, DC, where lawyers from the US Department of Justice are presenting their case against alleged unlawful payments made by Google to uphold its monopoly, involving substantial sums directed towards Apple and other entities, as per AFP reports.

Microsoft's Bing has been in fierce competition with Google since 2009, striving to increase its market share. Nadella acknowledged the significant challenges Bing faces in vying with the search engine giant, mainly due to Google's agreements with Apple. During the intense questioning, Nadella emphasised Google's dominant position within the search engine market.

This legal confrontation stands as a substantial antitrust case against a major tech entity in the US since the Department of Justice pursued Microsoft over two decades ago concerning the dominance of its Windows operating system.

iPhone 15 Pro Finally Gets Fix For Heating Issue

Since the launch of Apple's most recent iPhone 15 Pro lineup, users have encountered notable overheating issues. Numerous individuals raised concerns on various social platforms, speculating whether the cause was the new titanium body of the Pro models or the introduction of USB-C ports, both of which are novel features. Apple, headquartered in Cupertino, clarified that the main culprit behind this problem was related to the software and assured users that a fix would be deployed shortly.

True to their word, Apple has now released the awaited update to tackle this issue. On Wednesday, the tech giant rolled out iOS 17.0.3, specifically designed to alleviate the overheating concerns that have been reported within the iPhone 15 series. The update addresses vital bug fixes, security enhancements, and, importantly, the reported overheating problem plaguing iPhone 15 Pro devices.

The root cause of the excessive heat is identified within the iPhone's operating system, iOS. Concurrently, app developers are actively releasing updates to address concerns related to their applications.

Apple has emphasised that the heating problem is unrelated to the advanced design features of the Pro models, including the titanium and aluminium frame. Furthermore, the issue is not tied to the incorporation of the USB-C charging port, a new inclusion in compliance with recent European Union regulations.

Pixel 8 Series Now Official

Google has introduced its latest smartphone models, the Google Pixel 8 Pro and Google Pixel 8, along with unveiling their pricing and release details for the Indian market. These new additions to the Pixel 8 series are now open for pre-orders on the popular e-commerce platform Flipkart, with retail availability slated for later this month.

The Google Pixel 8 is priced starting at Rs 75,999, and the larger Pixel 8 Pro comes with a price tag of Rs 1,06,999 for the 128GB storage variant. As part of a pre-order promotion, the company is offering a bank offer of Rs 8,000 for the Pixel 8 and a discount of Rs 9,000 for Pixel 8 Pro buyers. Color options for Pixel 8 include Hazel, Obsidian, Rose, and the newly introduced Baby Blue variant, while the Pixel 8 Pro is available in Bay, Obsidian, and Porcelain hues.

In addition to smartphones, Google is also introducing its Pixel Watch 2 in the Indian market for the first time, priced at Rs 39,900, expanding its wearable technology offerings.

Musk Could Face US SEC Questioning

Elon Musk's involvement in the investigation of the sale of Twitter (now X) could necessitate his testimony, according to reports. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is actively seeking a court order to compel Musk's testimony in the $44 billion takeover probe involving Twitter, as per media sources. This development marks an escalation in the ongoing dispute between the SEC and the prominent tech entrepreneur. The investigation centres on whether Musk violated federal securities laws when acquiring stock in the micro-blogging site, later renamed X, in the previous year. It also encompasses scrutinising his statements and SEC filings concerning the acquisition.

In a recent filing, the SEC disclosed its efforts to subpoena Musk in May 2023, requiring his testimony at the SEC's San Francisco office. Musk had initially agreed to appear on September 15. However, just two days before the scheduled appearance, Musk presented what the SEC described as "various unfounded objections" and informed the commission of his decision not to participate.

Meta To Charge European Users?

In light of the European Union's (EU) extensive digital regulation strategy, Meta, the prominent social networking corporation, is reportedly considering implementing a subscription fee for European users seeking an ad-free experience on Instagram and Facebook. Media sources have highlighted this potential development as Meta's proactive response to the EU's stringent privacy guidelines, mandating explicit user consent for targeted advertising.

European users of Facebook and Instagram could face a monthly charge of approximately $14 on mobile devices and up to $17 on desktops to access ad-free versions of the platforms. This move is seen as Meta's effort to adapt to the region's privacy regulations, necessitating consent from users before displaying personalised advertisements.

In offering both a free, ad-supported plan and a subscription-based ad-free plan, Meta aims to accommodate users' preferences while also aligning with regulatory requirements, ultimately preserving its advertising revenue stream.

That’s it from the world of tech headlines this week. Stay tuned to this space for more top stories next week.

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