March 2010 April 2010 May 2010 June 2010 July 2010
August 2010
September 2010 October 2010
November 2010
December 2010
January 2011
February 2011 March 2011 April 2011 May 2011 June 2011 July 2011 August 2011 September 2011 October 2011 November 2011 December 2011 January 2012 February 2012 March 2012 April 2012 May 2012 June 2012 July 2012 August 2012 September 2012 October 2012 November 2012 December 2012 January 2013 February 2013 March 2013 April 2013 May 2013 June 2013 July 2013 August 2013 September 2013 October 2013 November 2013 December 2013 January 2014 February 2014 March 2014 April 2014 May 2014 June 2014 July 2014 August 2014 September 2014 October 2014 November 2014 December 2014 January 2015 February 2015 March 2015 April 2015 May 2015 June 2015 July 2015 August 2015 September 2015 October 2015 November 2015 December 2015 January 2016 February 2016 March 2016 April 2016 May 2016 June 2016 July 2016 August 2016 September 2016 October 2016 November 2016 December 2016 January 2017 February 2017 March 2017 April 2017 May 2017 June 2017 July 2017 August 2017 September 2017 October 2017 November 2017 December 2017 January 2018 February 2018 March 2018 April 2018 May 2018 June 2018 July 2018 August 2018 September 2018 October 2018 November 2018 December 2018 January 2019 February 2019 March 2019 April 2019 May 2019 June 2019 July 2019 August 2019 September 2019 October 2019 November 2019 December 2019 January 2020 February 2020 March 2020 April 2020 May 2020 June 2020 July 2020 August 2020 September 2020 October 2020 November 2020 December 2020 January 2021 February 2021 March 2021 April 2021 May 2021 June 2021 July 2021 August 2021 September 2021 October 2021 November 2021 December 2021 January 2022 February 2022 March 2022 April 2022 May 2022 June 2022 July 2022 August 2022 September 2022 October 2022 November 2022 December 2022 January 2023 February 2023 March 2023 April 2023 May 2023 June 2023 July 2023 August 2023 September 2023 October 2023 November 2023 December 2023 January 2024 February 2024 March 2024
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30
31
News Every Day |

Year Ender | From Facebook changing name to Meta to Apple’s Epic battle, biggest tech stories of 2021

Year Ender | From Facebook changing name to Meta to Apple’s Epic battle, biggest tech stories of 2021

Tech 2021 report card: Riding on the high of the 2020 innovations, the tech industry continued to take the world by a storm this year. The entire 2021 was filled with some major event in the tech industry, be it the WhatsApp controversy or the issue of the chip shortage that led to production schedules of many devices going haywire. If last year was about the rise of technological innovation to aid the virtual world, this year was about enhancements and testing new limits, be it Twitter’s push to NFTs, Facebook’s expansion to metaverse or Microsoft’s fresh vision for the PCs with Windows 11.

If you have missed out on the major updates in the tech world this year, do not worry. Financial Express Online has rounded up the biggest headline grabbers of 2021 for you. Here’s a look.

The WhatsApp controversy

This one is known to all and it has been one journey to track. The issue started as early as in January, when WhatsApp brought a new privacy policy and basically tried to strongarm users into accepting it within a span of three weeks. This move led to many users criticising the platform, because the policy seemed to give parent company (then called) Facebook more control over user data, without even letting users opt out of it. Tech mogul Elon Musk had then supported open messaging platform Signal, triggering mass migration away from WhatsApp.

Also read | WhatsApp puts ‘take it or leave it’ privacy policy on hold in India: Timeline of events surrounding the controversial update

This caused WhatsApp to issue clarifications in order to convince users that their chats would not be compromised and that neither Facebook nor WhatsApp would be able to access non-Business chats. The instant messaging platform also ended up extending the deadline to May 15 for users to accept the policy. During this time, however, numerous cases were filed against the platform.

Apart from the court, even the Union Ministry of Information Technology served notice to WhatsApp for the controversial privacy policy that seemed to exploit the userbase. With the interference of the ministry, the issue became more intense, considering that the ministry had last year ended up banning more than 100 apps for allegedly having links to China and acting against national interest. The issue has somewhat been put to rest at the moment with WhatsApp having assured the Indian courts of the fact that until the Data Protection Bill becomes a law, no accounts would be blocked on the platform on the basis of non-acceptance of the updated privacy policy.

The change from Facebook to Meta

Towards the end of October, Facebook gave a major shock to the world when it announced that the parent company’s name was changing from Facebook to Meta in order to open more avenues like Metaverse for the social media giant. Metaverse is basically a virtual environment where users can create avatars and engage in social interactions with each other in a simulated virtual environment without having to leave the comfort of their homes.

Also read | Facebook changes its name to ‘Meta’: Five key things you must know

Though this change of name is seemingly not going to impact the functioning or the naming of the three popular sister social media platforms – Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp – the change has led to a sudden surge in the popularity of metaverse. The branding in itself is more broad than just metaverse, but considering the fact that the Mark Zuckerberg-owned company has recently invested in metaverse, it does seem like the next big thing that the platform will bring about.

The shortage of chips

Any and all people who remain up to date with the latest offerings in terms of gadgets are most probably aware of the global semiconductor shortage that haunted every manufacturer this year, be it Samsung or the almighty Apple. 2021 saw that while phones were announced, either their schedules were delayed or their stocks were limited.

Also read | Planning to buy Apple iPhone 13? Here’s why you might have to wait a little longer to get your hands on it

The issue started last year but really gathered pace this year, and reports have stated that the shortage has caused even Apple’s production to be impacted, despite the tech giant being particular in its methodology and in its schedule. Due to this, iPhone 13 series and the newly announced iPads were also either not available or were available in limited quantities even after they were launched late this year.

The crisis is ongoing and it is not clear when the issue will tide over, but it has caused an issue in not only the tech industry but also the automotive industry.

The return of PUBG in a new form

Last year, the Government of India ended up banning popular game PUBG’s mobile format due to the games links to China. It was one of the numerous apps that were banned amid India’s standoff with China in Ladakh. However, last year itself, things had progressed enough that it seemed like developer Krafton would be able to bring the game back to the country if a subsidiary were to be set up in India.

Also read | After months-long wait, Battlegrounds Mobile India goes live on iOS

Well, it ended up happening this year. Krafton launched Battlegrounds Mobile India in July for Android users and then in August for iOS users. The news was a major relief to gamers, who had last year mourned the ban on PUBG, as it is one of the most popular battle royale games and has garnered a loyal fanbase in the years since its launch.

The Apple vs Fortnite battle

If the WhatsApp controversy had not been enough drama, Apple vs Fortnite sure was. Fortnite developer Epic Games had sued Apple last year for removing the game from the App Store after the tech giant found the game to have violated the App Store policy. While Epic had sued the iPhone maker for trying to drive out competition by not allowing third-party payment gateway to developers for digital tokens and also charging a 30% commission on payments made via App Store payment gateway, it also tried to corner the tech giant in several other aspects with its antitrust case.

Epic Games had alleged that Apple was a monopoly and sought the company to be directed to allow third-party app stores on its devices, which would in a way mean sideloading of apps in iPhones.

Also read | Apple vs Epic Games: In Federal Judge’s ruling in antitrust case, iPhone maker loses but wins

The case ran for a year and ended with a resounding victory, for the most part, for Apple, much to the chagrin and disappointment of Epic. The Federal Judge directed Apple to allow developers to provide two payment gateways to users – one via the App Store payment gateway (the current method) and the other in which users can be directed to the developer’s website on the web where they can purchase the required digital goods. Moreover, the Judge said that while Apple had to make this provision, it could continue to gather 30% commission on payments made using the App Store payment gateway. The Judge also did not find Apple to be a monopoly and therefore, did not allow Epic’s request of iPhones having third-party app stores.

Not only that but the move ended up backfiring on Epic Games, since the Judge did find that Epic Games knowingly violated Apple’s App Store policy and ordered the developer to pay a minimum of $4 million in damages.

Москва

СМИ: Байден и Шольц не успели предложить Москве обменять Навального

Top 5 Websites to Watch FREE Movies - TV Shows (No Sign up!)

Top 10 Emmanuelle Seigner Movies

Top 10 Love Affair Movies of the 2000s and 2010s

I was diagnosed with cancer aged 39… you are never too rich, too famous or too young, says Dr Philippa Kaye

Ria.city






Read also

'Bridgerton' Showrunner Explains Why They Skipped Benedict's Story for Season 3

Kansas lawmakers send bill banning gender-affirming care for minors to governor's desk

Love Island star booted out of event after smoking vape inside, dancing on tables and rowing with bouncers

News, articles, comments, with a minute-by-minute update, now on Today24.pro

News Every Day

The 10 Intense New Action Movies on Netflix That Left Me on the Edge of My Seat!

Today24.pro — latest news 24/7. You can add your news instantly now — here


News Every Day

Top 10 Love Affair Movies of the 2000s and 2010s



Sports today


Новости тенниса
Елена Рыбакина

Рыбакина о том, что не играла в Индиан-Уэллс из-за болезни: «К сожалению, восстановление заняло много времени»



Спорт в России и мире
Москва

Блиц-матч по шахматам между двумя командами провели в павильоне «Спорт для каждого»



All sports news today





Sports in Russia today

Москва

Блиц-матч по шахматам между двумя командами провели в павильоне «Спорт для каждого»


Новости России

Game News

Пробный запуск вампирского градостроя Vampire Legacy: City Builder


Russian.city


Москва

Шапки женские вязаные на Wildberries, 2024 — новый цвет от 392 руб. (модель 466)


Губернаторы России
Россия

В России назвали топ самых благополучных регионов по итогам 2023 года


«Авангард» победил «Локомотив» со счетом 3:2 и сравнял счет в серии плей-офф КХЛ

Шапки женские вязаные на Wildberries, 2024 — новый цвет от 392 руб. (модель 466)

Оставить за кадром: соцсетям и блогерам хотят запретить публикации жестокого видео

Картины в кассу: юбилейная ярмарка ART RUSSIA стартовала на Ильинке


Консультации, Составление Договоров, Присутствие Продюсера при заключении договоров и переговорах. Лекции. Переговоры. Встречи и Обсуждения.

Муж Нетребко Эйвазов перенес концерт на 40 дней из-за теракта в Crocus City Hall

Новая программа пианиста Сергея Арцибашева: Бах, Моцарт, Шуберт

Алла Пугачева готовится к 75-летию дать большой концерт


Рыбакина о том, что не играла в Индиан-Уэллс из-за болезни: «К сожалению, восстановление заняло много времени»

«Бомж» Дарья передает всем привет»: Касаткина ответила на слова Винер

Российская теннисистка Калинская покинула WTA-1000 из-за проблем со здоровьем

Александрова обыграла первую ракетку мира на турнире WTA



Заказать недорогой ремонт кухонной мебели в районе в Москве и Московской области

Пассажир рейса Москва — Пермь попал в реанимацию

Перенос дат II этапа культурного проекта «Классика: история и современность» в Дмитрове

«Радио Зенит» – информационный партнер форума «Мы вместе. Спорт»


«Радио Зенит» – информационный партнер форума «Мы вместе. Спорт»

На Алтае подвели итоги работы центра одаренных детей за 2023 год

Эксперты КА «Главный Советник» приняли участие в форуме «Тренды и антитренды корпоративного видео сегодня»

Энергетические поля компенсируют растущие потребности в электроэнергии


Участники новой суперсерии «Бойцовского клуба РЕН ТВ» прошли взвешивание

Оставить за кадром: соцсетям и блогерам хотят запретить публикации жестокого видео

Картины в кассу: юбилейная ярмарка ART RUSSIA стартовала на Ильинке

В Москве установлен новый температурный максимум с начала года



Путин в России и мире






Персональные новости Russian.city
Денис Мацуев

Двое ставропольцев войдут в команду музыкантов Дениса Мацуева



News Every Day

I was diagnosed with cancer aged 39… you are never too rich, too famous or too young, says Dr Philippa Kaye




Friends of Today24

Музыкальные новости

Персональные новости