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Bosch

Bosch opens chip test center in Malaysia

The German electronics maker Robert Bosch said on Tuesday that it has launched its latest testing facility for semiconductors plus sensors for 65 million euros approximately $71.62 million in Malaysia and that it had plans to make investments of an additional 285,000,000 euros by the second half of the next decade.

By the middle of the 2030s, 400 more employment may be generated, it noted.

bosch
Image Source: just-auto.com

The majority of Bosch’s final evaluation for semiconductors is presently done in its plants in Germany, Reutlingen, China, Suzhou, and Hungary.

The brand-new testing facility in Penang will join those locations since Bosch is getting support for it from Malaysia.

“With our new semiconductor test center in Penang, we are creating additional capacity within our worldwide manufacturing network to meet the continued high demand for chips and sensors,” said Dr. Stefan Hartung, chairman of the Bosch board of management. “Semiconductors are a decisive success factor for all Bosch business areas, and the expansion of this business is strategically very important.”

Source: bosch-presse.de

On the Penang mainland area, Bosch has an overall of about 1 lakh square meters of property allocated. The brand-new test facility is greater than 18,000 square meters in size and has workplaces, neat spaces, and testing facilities for manufacturing as well as quality assurance.

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There are expected to be up to 400 colleagues employed there by halfway through the following decade. With the addition of the new facility and an overall staff of 4,200 employees, Penang has grown to be Bosch’s largest Southeast Asian site.

Frontend production and backend production are the two main divisions in semiconductor production. Malaysia serves as a key node in the worldwide supply chain for semiconductors in the second case. According to estimates, the nation accounts for roughly thirteen percent of the world’s backend manufacturing.

In the past few years, the territory of Penang has produced over five percent of the global semiconductor market’s income, following government statistics.

“The new test center in Penang brings our manufacturing network closer to the companies that serve the further value chain of semiconductor manufacturing as well as to customers in this important Asian market. That shortens delivery times and routes, and it improves our competitiveness,” says Dr Markus Heyn, member of the Bosch board of management and chairman of the Mobility business sector.

Source: bosch-presse.de

Through its semiconductor sector, Bosch has embarked on an agenda of international expansion. The business intends to spend almost 3 billion euros in Dresden as well as Reutlingen during the following three years.

WhatsApp

WhatsApp Launches Instant Video Messages

Instant Video Messages, an updated feature that was initially tested previously this year on both iOS and Android devices, has now been officially released on WhatsApp which is a messaging service owned by Meta. As the name suggests, WhatsApp now allows you to send brief video messages to your family and friends in addition to voice communications.

Whatsapp
Image Source: businesstoday.in

“Video messages are a real-time way to respond to chats with whatever you want to say and show in 60 seconds”. “We think these will be a fun way to share moments with all the emotion that comes from video, whether it’s wishing someone a happy birthday, laughing at a joke, or bringing good news,” WhatsApp said in a blog post.

Source: neowin.net

In the chat window for WhatsApp, the bottom-right voice messaging button now serves two functions. To toggle between video and audio messaging modes, touch on it. You may simply hold down the button to begin capturing a video for sending as an instant video message on WhatsApp.

When you withdraw your finger from the record button, the video will be immediately delivered, similar to voice messages. According to WhatsApp, video communications are also encrypted from end to end and may be locked and recorded hands-free by just swiping up.

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A WhatsApp video conversation can be recorded for up to 60 seconds.

When the receiver accesses the chat window, the video message will immediately begin playing on mute, they may tap on the video to activate the audio.

Videos as communications are not a new concept. The functionality has been available on Telegram for a while and it functions similarly. In addition, the feature of WhatsApp to send video messages is currently being released and will be available to all customers in the weeks to come.

This year, WhatsApp released several new features, including status reactions, the ability to save vanishing messages, connectivity to multiple cellphones, the ability to edit sent texts, Conversation Lock, the ability to block unknown calls, and contextual sticker compatibility.

Additionally, sending messages to unfamiliar telephone numbers has become simpler thanks to instant messaging software. Without first adding the contact information to their contacts, users may SMS contact information from within the app.

Armored Core 6

Is Armored Core 6 coming to Xbox Game Pass?

Armored Core fans have been eagerly anticipating the next installment in the iconic mech combat series, and the recent buzz surrounding Armored Core 6 has only fueled their excitement.

Developed by FromSoftware, the studio renowned for its Soulsborne games, Armored Core holds a special place in the gaming community as it marks the studio’s earliest heritage dating back to 1997. With the studio’s current reputation for consistently delivering hits, the anticipation for Armored Core 6 has reached new heights.

Armored Core 6
Image Source: dexerto.com

The allure of Armored Core 6 lies in its promise of a return to the franchise’s roots with high-octane mech customization, intense fast-paced battles, and colossal metallic titans clashing in epic showdowns.

Such enticing features have left fans wondering whether the game will make its way to Xbox Game Pass, the popular subscription service offering access to a vast library of games.

Unfortunately for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, Armored Core 6 will not be available at launch, and the chances of it joining the service in the near future remain slim. FromSoftware has not yet made any of its games accessible through Xbox Game Pass, keeping its titles exclusive to other platforms.

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Moreover, FromSoftware’s longstanding relationship with Sony, the Japanese publisher and console manufacturer, further complicates the possibility of Armored Core 6 coming to Xbox Game Pass. Historically, many of FromSoftware’s earliest games, including the original Armored Core, were exclusive to PlayStation consoles.

Even the critically acclaimed title “Bloodborne” remains a PlayStation exclusive, and there are no indications of it leaving the platform anytime soon.

Although PlayStation Plus subscribers may hold a faint glimmer of hope, the likelihood of Armored Core 6 being made available there is also relatively low. The game’s exclusive association with Sony, coupled with the studio’s consistent loyalty to the brand, suggests that it is more likely to be offered through PlayStation Plus, if at all.

While the news might disappoint Xbox gamers hoping for an Armored Core 6 experience on Game Pass, it is essential to remember that the gaming landscape is constantly evolving. Developers and publishers may make unexpected decisions, leading to surprising outcomes.

In the world of gaming, nothing is entirely off the table, and fans might see future collaborations or agreements that could change the current scenario.

For now, enthusiasts of the Armored Core series can look forward to the upcoming release and immerse themselves in the thrilling mech combat once it hits the shelves.

As From Software continues to cultivate its reputation for crafting captivating gaming experiences, the anticipation surrounding this game is a testament to the studio’s enduring legacy and the enduring appeal of the franchise.

Logitech

Logitech raises sales forecast for the first half of 2024

In the initial batch of economic numbers since the departure of longtime chief executive officer Bracken Darrell from the manufacturer of desktop and laptop accessories a month ago, Logitech International (LOGN.S) upped its revenue and earnings projection for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2024.

“While the markets are still challenging, I am proud of the team’s achievements during our first quarter,” said Guy Gecht, Logitech’s interim chief executive officer. “Our high-caliber seasoned team, design-led engineering, and strong execution truly set us apart. Our latest innovations and elevated outlook are just a glimpse of Logitech’s full potential as we execute our strategic vision.”

Source: news.logitech.com

A computer keyboard and mouse manufacturer reported that the hunt for a replacement was going smoothly and that there will be a follow-up when there is information to tell.

Logitech
Image Source: finance.yahoo.com

Guy Gecht, the interim chief executive officer of Logitech, stated that the financial markets were constantly competitive for the company. Throughout the global epidemic lockdown, individuals loaded up on Logitech’s web cameras and other tools so they could work from home, which led to a boom for the company.

Ever since then, performances have been hampered by decreased spending by firms and consumers due to the recession.

The Swiss-American business was, though, a little more upbeat on Tuesday, stating that it now anticipates first-half revenues of 1.875 billion USD to 1.975 billion USD, higher than the prior estimate of 1.8 billion USD to 1.9 billion USD.

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Additionally, the business anticipates non-GAAP operating earnings in the range of 180 million dollars to 220 million dollars for the first half of this fiscal year, up from its earlier forecast of 160 million dollars to 190 million dollars.

In addition, Logitech predicted full-year revenues of 3.8 billion dollars to 4 billion dollars in its first prediction for this fiscal year.

According to the chief financial officer Charles Boynton, Logitech achieved steady success in cutting operational costs and inventories over the three months leading up to the finish of June.

The present economic decline presents a dilemma for Logitech because it hasn’t yet hired Darrell’s replacement. Darrell left last month to take the CEO position at VF Corporation (VFC.N), the company that makes Vans trainers and The North Face outerwear.

Darrell, who oversaw Logitech for ten years, is credited for the company’s comeback through more rapid product introductions and enhanced design.

Ericsson

Intel, Ericsson to work together on custom 5G chip

The most cutting-edge manufacturing procedure Intel has revealed will be used to create a unique chip for telecommunications device producer in Sweden, Ericsson 5G networking equipment, the company announced on Tuesday.

“As our work together evolves, this is a significant milestone with Ericsson to partner broadly on their next-generation optimized 5G infrastructure. This agreement exemplifies our shared vision to innovate and transform network connectivity, and it reinforces the growing customer confidence in our process and manufacturing technology,” said Sachin Katti, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Network and Edge Group, Intel. “We look forward to working together with Ericsson, an industry leader, to build networks that are open, reliable, and ready for the future.”

Source: ericsson.com
Ericsson
Image Source: verdict.co.uk

Competitors like the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company have surpassed Intel in the production of the most minor and most energy-efficient chips. Packing five generations of chip production advancements into a span of four years was a significant component of Intel Chief Executive Officer, Pat Gelsinger’s strategy, which was first unveiled in 2021, to reclaim that advantage and bring the firm around.

According to Intel, the new Ericsson chip will use Intel’s “18A” manufacturing method which would make it one of the first chips from outside users to do so.

“Ericsson has a long history of close collaboration with Intel, and we are pleased to expand this further as we utilize Intel to manufacture our future custom 5G SoCs on their 18A process node, which is in line with Ericsson’s long-term strategy for a more resilient and sustainable supply chain,” said Fredrik Jejdling, Executive Vice President and Head of Networks, Ericsson. “In addition, we will be expanding the collaboration that we announced at MWC 2023 to work together with the ecosystem to accelerate industry-scale open RAN utilizing standard Intel Xeon-based platforms.”

Source: ericsson.com

The release date of the chip was not disclosed by Intel or Ericsson, but the company has indicated before that its 18A manufacturing method will be available by 2025.

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The most recent node in Intel’s roadmap, 18A, was released four years ago. They will introduce ribbon architecture innovation along with enhanced performance to Intel 18A upon launching RibbonFET as well as PowerVia in Intel 20A. By 2025, these advancements will aid Intel in regaining the top spot while enhancing its consumer offers.

As the deployments of 5G proceed, completely configurable, open software-defined networks driven by the same cloud-native technologies that revolutionized the data center will be the wave of the future, bringing with them unmatched agility and automation.

The technology sector must cooperate and continue to synchronize network requirements within the framework of one worldwide set of rules to achieve the highest performance, and innovation, along with global scale. To provide their clients with these advantages in the direction of an industry-scale open RAN, Intel and Ericsson work in conjunction with other top technology firms.

YouTube Premium

Google raising price of YouTube Premium to $13.99 per month

In the United States, the cost of YouTube Premium has gone up from 2 dollars to 13.99 dollars a month from what it previously was. The new fee was secretly adjusted on Google’s registration site for the application, which was initially discovered by 9to5Google.

A yearly membership to YouTube Premium will now cost 139.99 dollars instead of the previous 19.99 dollars, in addition to the monthly pricing hike.

YouTube Premium
Image Source: arstechnica.com

A rise in the cost is also being implemented for YouTube Music in the United States, which is an online music streaming app that can be accessed alone or as included in a Premium membership. According to recent pricing changes for Tidal, Amazon Music, and Apple Music, it is now priced at 10.99 dollars per month.

Spotify is a prominent exception because it continues to charge 9.99 dollars every month, but the chief executive officer Daniel Ek currently said the music streaming service is prepared to increase its prices which indicates a comparable hike would not be far off.

Google issued an official statement to The Verge confirming the price rise.

 “We’re updating the price for YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium subscribers in the US to continue delivering great service and features,” YouTube spokesperson Jessica Gibby said in a statement.

“We believe this new price reflects the value of YouTube Premium which allows subscribers to enjoy ad-free YouTube with background and offline play and uninterrupted access to over 100M songs with the YouTube Music app.”

Source: theverge.com

Gibby reaffirmed that most current customers of Premium, as well as YouTube Music Premium, would experience pricing increases starting with the following payment cycle and added that they may anticipate receiving an email confirming the price increase.

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The price rise for single users comes after news of a comparable pricing hike for family plan customers to YouTube Premium during October.

Additionally subject to the price rise are existing 9.99 dollars YouTube Red members. When Google last increased the cost of a without ads YouTube subscription as part of the rebranding from “YouTube Red” to “YouTube Premium” in 2018, it still permitted previous YouTube Red users to maintain their previous monthly rate. Until the price rise takes effect, these members are getting three more months of service at their present cost.

It doesn’t look like there are any sudden plans to raise the cost by the same amount in other countries, but Google isn’t canceling the possibility.

 “We re-evaluate our pricing on an ongoing basis as conditions change in countries around the world,” YouTube’s Gibby said in a statement. “Any future price increases will be communicated first and foremost directly to existing members, providing a minimum of 30 days before any price increases take effect.

Source: theverge.com