Hurdles and Opportunities: How Tech is Changing Everyday Life
Emerging Tech Roundup — September 3
The Quantious team’s top picks for timely trending news in the tech world.
This week in tech: The iPhone 13 may be capable of making calls without cell service, China tightens gaming restrictions for children, the Air Force incorporates VR for sexual assault prevention, South Korea passes a bill to allow for additional payment methods in the Apple and Google app stores, Kohl’s integrates AR into their shopping experience, Apple begins adding IDs to Apple Wallet, and Lenovo empowers enterprises with its new collaboration.
iPhone 13 to Potentially Make Calls and Send Texts Without Cellular Coverage
(MacRumors, August 29)
Apple is allegedly working with Globalstar to incorporate Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication on the iPhone 13, enabling users to make calls and send texts without 4G or 5G coverage. If existing partner network operators are willing to work with Globalstar, iPhone 13 users can access the new satellite communication at no additional cost. Apple has reportedly been researching the trend of satellite communications and has high hopes for its future integration into their products.
China Limits Kids’ Gaming Time to Three Hours per Week
(Bloomberg, August 30)
In addition to the restrictions Tencent and other large gaming platforms already have in place for minors, China is planning to limit children’s gaming time to only 3 hours per week. Tencent reported that children make up less than 3% of its gross gaming revenue, so these restrictions should not pose too much of a threat to large gaming platforms. The new restrictions also state that all games should be linked to an anti-addiction system.
The Air Force Uses VR for Sexual Assault Prevention Training
(VentureBeat, August 30)
Moth + Flame has partnered with the U.S. Air Force, and created a two hour VR sexual assault prevention training. So far, about 97% of the trainees prefer this to the regular PowerPoint training, and if it’s successful, this training could reach a bigger audience. Moth + Flame has also created other successful VR training programs covering topics like suicide prevention and the child welfare program.
South Korea Passes ‘Anti-Google Law’ Bill to Curb Google & Apple In-app Payment Commission
(TechCrunch, August 31)
South Korea is the first country to have its government intervene in Google and Apple’s in-app billing systems by passing an “Anti-Google Law”. This Telecommunication Business Act is looking to restrict Google and Apple from sharing their app developers commission for in-app purchases. Other countries, particularly Australia, are looking towards South Korea’s Act in implementing their own restrictions. Apple spoke out as to the risks South Korea is imposing, including fraud and privacy protection issues while Google has yet to make a comment.
Kohl’s Expands AR Offering for eCommerce
(Pymnts, August 31)
Nextech AR Solutions Corp. announced a partnership with Kohl’s to help boost sales and reduce product returns through creating thousands of scaled 3-D models for Kohl’s eCommerce business. Shoppers will be able to interact with and test out the 3-D products in any space before purchasing. Kohl’s isn’t the only retailer utilizing the power of AR, but other companies are also moving in that direction, including another partnership earlier this month between Perfect Corp. and Avon.
Apple Announces First States to Adopt Driver’s Licenses and State IDs in Apple Wallet
(Apple Newsroom, September 1)
Apple is working with the first willing states to implement driver’s licenses and state IDs into Apple Wallet. Participating airports will have select TSA checkpoints enabling citizens to travel using their Apple Wallet identification. Security is still a priority and Apple will not know when or where iPhone users present their IDs. The first states on board are Arizona, Georgia, Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah.
Lenovo Certifies RealWear HMT-1 Assisted Reality Devices for Use on its ThinkReality Enterprise XR Platform
(Auganix, August 31)
Lenovo is collaborating with RealWar to bring extended reality technology HMT-1 to its ThinkReality platform. The wearable devices will be highly useful to businesses as they offer management tools, device management services, employee training, video chat, integrations, and many other services. With the new collaboration in place, RealWar will be able to extend their technology to Lenovo’s large customer base to empower enterprises and their industrial frontline workers.
