Sunday, June 2, 2019
These are new KYC rules for banks
Many of the top shows and movies on Netflix, produced by upcoming streaming competitors like AT&T and Disney, have licensing rights locked in for years to come (Lucas Shaw/Bloomberg)
Many of the top shows and movies on Netflix, produced by upcoming streaming competitors like AT&T and Disney, have licensing rights locked in for years to come — Streaming service has many programs locked up for years to come — Hollywood studios say they're breaking up with Netflix.
Apple to shut down iTunes for good, launch dedicated media apps: Report
Apple is about to sunset one of its most popular and long-standing media software products to make way for new dedicated media apps, reads a recent Bloomberg report. It refers no doubt to Apple iTunes, a media library and player that has been around for nearly two decades, allowing users to purchase, manage, and play multimedia files on their Macs and Windows PCs. The official news of its closing is expected to come tomorrow at Apple's WWDC 2019 event.
“This year, Apple is finally ready to move into a new era. The company is launching a trio of new apps for the Mac – Music, TV, and Podcasts – to replace iTunes. That matches Apple’s media app strategy on iPhones and iPads. Without iTunes, customers can manage their Apple gadgets through the Music app,” writes Bloomberg in its Apple WWDC prediction report. The Apple TV app was recently made available in India on iOS 12.3, MacOS 10.14.5, and watchOS 5.2.1.
While Apple Music patrons can currently listen to music and internet radio on the Apple Music app on their iOS and Android devices, they still have to use iTunes to do the same on their Macs and Windows PCs. Unlike Spotify and Amazon Prime Music, Apple Music cannot be accessed through a website. But the upcoming dedicated app could change this. We will know more about Apple's plans for Apple Music tomorrow.
iTunes was launched for macOS in early 2001, followed by a Windows version in 2003. Every iPod model that does not support Apple Music natively (i.e., every iPod except the iPod Touch line-up) is, to this day, dependent on iTunes for media management. iTunes allows a user to transfer songs, videos, photos, and other data to their iPods and even iPhones. Apple has yet to announce how users will be able to manage media on their iPods after it pulls the shutter on iTunes.
http://bit.ly/2WfdRIR
Last chance to sign up and save €200 off Disrupt Berlin
We’re trotting out our lousy German to remind you that es ist jetzt oder nie — it’s now or never. This is your last chance to slash €200 off the super early-bird price on passes to Disrupt Berlin 2019. If you want to keep those euros in your pocket, you have to sign up for our mailing list before registration officially opens tomorrow, 3 June.
When you join our mailing list, we’ll send you a limited-time discount code to buy your passes. Founders can buy Founder passes for as low as €145 + VAT. Not a founder? Don’t worry, you can buy an Innovator pass for as low as €245 + VAT.
You score solid savings, and you’ll be kept in the loop about all the cool stuff at Disrupt Berlin. We’ll announce world-class speakers and panelists, awesome workshops and demos, Q&A Sessions and all manner of programming taking place across our Disrupt stages — and you’ll be among the first to know.
Every Disrupt has classic elements, and Berlin will not disappoint. Explore Startup Alley, where hundreds of early-stage startups exhibit the latest tech products, platforms and services. Innovation meets opportunity and makes for prime networking. Be sure to take advantage of CrunchMatch, our free business match-making platform. It lets you connect with the right people based on your specific criteria, goals and interests.
While you explore the mysteries of Startup Alley, make sure you check out the TC Top Picks. These early-stage startups, hand-chosen by TechCrunch editors, represent the best in their respective tech categories. Other than competing in Startup Battlefield, there’s no better way to garner global media and investor attention at Disrupt.
Ah yes, Startup Battlefield — the epic pitch-off that never disappoints. You’ll see some of the most fascinating startups compete for $50,000 cash. Last year, Legacy emerged as champion with a way to address reduced sperm motility. Who will win this year’s battle?
Maybe your startup has what it takes to compete in the Startup Battlefield or be selected for the TC Top Picks program. Applications open later this summer, but you can get a jump on things by filling out an application at apply.techcrunch.com.
Disrupt Berlin 2019 takes place on 11-12 December, but if you want to save an extra €200, sign up for our mailing list before registration opens tomorrow, 3 June. This is your last chance, people — es ist jetzt oder nie — it’s now or never.
Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at Disrupt Berlin 2019? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.
China lays out official stance on trade talks with U.S.
On Sunday, China released a comprehensive white paper to formalize its positions on trade negotiations with the U.S. The set of statements come as the trade war escalates and Beijing threatens to hit back with a retaliatory blacklist of U.S. firms. Here are some key takeaways from the press conference announcing the white paper:
U.S. ‘responsible’ for stalled trade talks
The “U.S. government bears responsibility” for setbacks in trade talks, chided the paper, adding that the U.S. has imposed additional tariffs on Chinese goods that impede economic cooperation between the two countries and globally.
While it’s “common” for both sides to propose “adjustments to the text and language” in ongoing negotiations, the U.S. administration “kept changing its demands” in the “previous more than ten rounds of negotiations,” the paper alleged.
On the other hand, reports of China backtracking on previous trade deals are mere “mudslinging,” Wang Shouwen, the Chinese vice minister of commerce and deputy China international trade representative, said as he led the Sunday presser.
China ready to fight if forced to
China does not want a trade war with the U.S, but it’s not afraid of one and will fight one if necessary, said the white paper.
Beijing’s position on trade talks has never changed — that cooperation serves the interests of both countries and conflict can only hurt both — according to the paper. CNBC’s Eunice Yoon pointed out that Beijing’s latest stance repeats previous statements made back in September.
Deals must be equal
Difference and frictions remain on the economic and trade fronts between the two countries, but China is willing to work with the U.S. to reach a “mutually beneficial and win-win agreement,” stated the paper. However, cooperation has to be based on principles and must not compromise China’s core interests.
“Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed,” Wang said.
He said one needs not “overinterpret” China’s soon-to-come entity list, adding that it mainly targets foreign companies that run against market rules and violate the spirit of contracts, cut off supplies to Chinese firms for uncommercial reasons, damage the legitimate rights of Chinese companies, or threaten China’s national security and public interests.
China respects IP rights
The paper also touched on issues that are at the center of the prolonged U.S.-China trade dispute, including China’s dealings with intellectual property rights. U.S. allegations of China over IP theft are “an unfounded fabrication,” said the white paper, adding that China has made great efforts in recent years to protect and enforce IP rights.
Wang claimed that China pays the U.S. a significant sum to license IP rights every year. Of the $35.6 billion it shelled out for IP fees in 2018, nearly a quarter went to the U.S.
Investments are mutually beneficial
The white paper claimed that bilateral investments between the two countries are mutually beneficial rather than undermining for U.S. interests when taken account of “trade in goods and services as well as two-way investment.”
The Chinese government also pushed back at claims that it exerts influence on businesses’ overseas investments.
“The government is not involved in companies’ business activities and does not ask them to make specific investments or acquisitions,” said Wang. “Even if we make such requests, companies won’t obey.”
In response to China’s probe into FedEx over Huawei packages that went stray, Wang assured that “foreign businesses are welcome to operate legally in China, but when they break rules, they have to cooperate with regulatory investigations. That’s indisputable.”
The Shenzhen-based smartphone and telecom giant has been hit hard by during the trade negotiations as the Trump administration orders U.S. businesses to sever ties with the Chinese firm.
Redmi K20 Series, Samsung Galaxy M40, and More Tech News This Week
Saturday, June 1, 2019
The Boeing 737 Max's MCAS anti-stall software was designed to rely on data from two types of sensors, one of which was later removed undisclosed to regulators (New York Times)
The Boeing 737 Max's MCAS anti-stall software was designed to rely on data from two types of sensors, one of which was later removed undisclosed to regulators — SEATTLE — The fatal flaws with Boeing's 737 Max can be traced to a breakdown late in the plane's development, when test pilots …
US visa forms now ask for social media account information
If you're planning to apply for a US visa, expect the application forms to ask you for your social media information starting today. According to a recent report by the Associated Press, the US State Department now requires nearly all US visa applicants to furnish their social media usernames, previous email addresses, and telephone numbers. This change in visa application policy, which was originally proposed in March last year, is expected to affect approximately 15 million foreign applicants who are either visiting or immigrating to the United States of America.
The new policy takes effect after the recent approval of the revised US visa application forms under Donald Trump's administration. According to the State Department, both immigrants and nonimmigrants will henceforth be required to provide additional personal information at the time of applying, including “social media identifiers”. The department is confident that this extra information will “will strengthen our process for vetting these applicants and confirming their identity.”
“National security is our top priority when adjudicating visa applications, and every prospective traveler and immigrant to the United States undergoes extensive security screening,” commented the State Department. “We are constantly working to find mechanisms to improve our screening processes to protect U.S. citizens, while supporting legitimate travel to the United States.” Previously, only those who had travelled to areas controlled by terrorist organisations were required to social media information. About 65,000 applicants annually had fallen in that category before.
When the US State Department originally proposed to implement this change in the US visa policy, it estimated that it would affect 7,10,000 immigrant visa applicants and 14 millions nonimmigrant visa applicants, including those travelling to the US on business or for education. The only applicants who are exempted from this new requirement are those applying for certain diplomatic and official visa types.
http://bit.ly/2wvDk19
Sources: FTC and DOJ have reached an agreement to divvy up antitrust oversight of Google and Amazon, putting Amazon under FTC's watch and Google under DOJ's (Tony Romm/Washington Post)
Sources: FTC and DOJ have reached an agreement to divvy up antitrust oversight of Google and Amazon, putting Amazon under FTC's watch and Google under DOJ's — Antitrust regulators have divvied up oversight of Amazon and Google, putting Amazon under the watch of the Federal Trade Commission and Google under the Justice Department.
Beam Dental, which uses brushing stats collected by its connected toothbrush to lower dental insurance premiums, raises $55M Series D (Kyle Wiggers/VentureBeat)
Beam Dental, which uses brushing stats collected by its connected toothbrush to lower dental insurance premiums, raises $55M Series D — When was your last dental checkup? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than a third of U.S. adults haven't sat in a dentist's chair within the past 12 months.
The General Court of the EU agrees to hear a legal challenge to the EU-US Privacy Shield data transfer legislation, sets the hearings date for July 1 and 2 (Natasha Lomas/TechCrunch)
The General Court of the EU agrees to hear a legal challenge to the EU-US Privacy Shield data transfer legislation, sets the hearings date for July 1 and 2 — A legal challenge to the EU-US Privacy Shield, a mechanism used by thousands of companies to authorize data transfers from the European Union …
Sony's new IoT chip can transmit up to ~60 miles via Sony's low-power wide area ELTRES network, launching this fall, and work on objects moving at high speeds (Steve Dent/Engadget)
Sony's new IoT chip can transmit up to ~60 miles via Sony's low-power wide area ELTRES network, launching this fall, and work on objects moving at high speeds — Sony is quietly launching a chip that could change how e-bikes, cars, street lamps and all kinds of other connected devices can relay information.
Microsoft, Meta, and Alphabet disclosed that they had spent $32B+ combined on data centers and other capital expenses in Q1, as they accelerate AI spending (Karen Weise/New York Times)
Karen Weise / New York Times : Microsoft, Meta, and Alphabet disclosed that they had spent $32B+ combined on data centers and other capit...
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Jake Offenhartz / Gothamist : Since October, the NYPD has deployed a quadruped robot called Spot to a handful of crime scenes and hostage...
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Andrew Tarantola / Engadget : An adapted excerpt from the book “Your Computer Is on Fire”, on how voice assistants like Siri and Alexa al...
