Apple LISTENED!
**Tech News Roundup: Major Announcements and Developments**
---
### Apple Switches from Intel Processors to Arm-Based Chips
In a significant move for tech enthusiasts, Apple announced on Monday that it will transition away from Intel processors in its Mac computers. The company plans to switch to its own Arm-based chips over the next two years. While there are numerous reasons behind this decision, including greater power efficiency and top-to-bottom control of product components, François Pied Noel, a formal principal engineer at Intel, revealed that the final straw may have been Intel's shoddy quality assurance on their Skylake processors. Apple reportedly found numerous issues with these chips that Intel failed to identify, leaving many stunned.
As Ian Cuttice points out, this situation is almost inevitable for a company like Intel, which has as many clients as Apple, Google, and Amazon combined. With limited manpower, Intel's "blue team" simply cannot catch all the bugs that Apple's army of engineers inevitably uncovers. While it might not make Intel feel better, it seems like Apple was always going to leave.
---
### Apple Backs Down in App Store Dispute with Basecamp
In a rare move, Apple has uncharacteristically backed down in its long-standing fight with Basecamp, the developers of the email app "Hey." The app has been approved for the App Store, and Basecamp will not be required to include an in-app subscription option. However, Basecamp did have to add a 14-day free trial using a burner email account. Despite this concession, users can still sign up for a $99 yearly subscription directly through Basecamp's website, allowing them to bypass Apple's 30% app store revenue cut.
This news is significant not only because Apple listened to smaller developers but also due to the company being under multiple antitrust investigations regarding its App Store policies. It remains to be seen whether this decision will impact these ongoing legal battles.
---
### Facebook Labels Posts Violating Policies but Maintains Newsworthiness
Facebook has announced that it will label posts that violate its platform's policies but are still deemed newsworthy enough to stay on the public record. CEO Mark Zuckerberg mentioned that users will see prompts attached to such offending posts, a move similar to Twitter's recent decision to label some of Donald Trump's tweets as breaking platform guidelines.
This announcement followed a boycott by several major companies, including Unilever, Verizon, Ben & Jerry's, and Patagonia, which refused to advertise on Facebook. The backlash led to a significant drop in Facebook's shares, falling more than 7% on Friday. This shift toward greater moderation is part of a broader trend across social media platforms.
Additionally, Facebook has begun warning users when they attempt to share articles older than 90 days, while Twitter is testing a feature that encourages users to read an article before sharing it. If everyone adopted this mindset, the world might just solve climate change and world hunger, as one commentator joked.
---
### Quick Bits: Displays, Microsoft Retail Stores, Google Pixel 4a, and More
Quick bits of tech news brought to you by Display:
- **Eco-Friendly Posters:** Regular posters on your wall? You're living in the olden times. Get yourself a display! These displays feature a magnetic mounting system that reduces wall damage and allows easy switching between designs. With over 800,000 unique designs, including one featuring Riley (spoiler: probably not), these displays come with a 100-day return policy and plant one tree for every print sold. Good people indeed.
- **Microsoft Closes Retail Stores:** Microsoft has announced the permanent closure of all its retail stores. However, employees will not be laid off; instead, they will continue serving customers online. The online store will introduce new features like video chat support and virtual workshops. Genius bars may soon be a thing of the past.
- **Google's Pixel 4a Launch Imminent:** An FCC filing indicates that Google is finally gearing up to launch the Pixel 4a soon. Unfortunately, those hoping for a cheaper phone with radar depth sensing capabilities will be out of luck. Leaks also suggest an imminent release of Google's Sabrina Android TV dongle, which one commentator described as "all about dongles."
- **iOS 14 Clipboard Monitoring:** Apple's upcoming iOS 14 has introduced a new clipboard monitoring feature that exposed Ticktock (now ByteDance) grabbing users' clipboard data whenever they type in the app. Despite claims it was an anti-spam measure, the company removed the feature after the discovery. A lesson for all to unlearn Ticktock.
---
### AI Actor Erica Set to Debut in Sci-Fi Film
In a groundbreaking announcement, a robot named Erica has been cast as the first artificially intelligent actor in an upcoming sci-fi film titled "B." Created with method acting techniques, Erica's creators have embedded her with the ability to fully embody roles. While this could lead to fruitful artistic endeavors, filmmakers may also face challenges if she takes after her human counterparts—after all, artists can be a handful.
As this episode wraps up, tune in next Monday for more tech news, just like the good old days. Spoiler alert: Tune in next Monday to find out!
---
This concludes our detailed coverage of the latest tech developments from Monday's news. Stay tuned for more updates!