Weekly Tech Updates (March 12, 2021)
Weekly Tech Updates is an easy and convenient way to keep up with all the happenings in the tech world. Stay tuned every Friday for all the latest updates.
New Launch / Release:
News:
1. AirAsia explores drone delivery and air taxi services
AirAsia is partnering with the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre (MaGIC) to launch the Urban Drone Delivery Sandbox.
This is a pilot project with the goal of delivering goods from AirAsia’s e-commerce platforms including AirAsia shop using automated drones.
The service is currently in its testing stage with two local drone operators, VStream Revolution Sdn Bhd and Meraque Services Sdn Bhd.
In the demo session as seen in the video, the team was successful in delivering ~2kg of t-shirts across a distance of ~5km.
2. iMac Pro to be discontinued
Apple has confirmed that they will no longer be selling the iMac Pro once the remaining stocks have been cleared.
A subtitle ‘while supplies last’ is now seen on the iMac Pro product pages. If you’ve been eyeing or thinking of owning an iMac Pro, perhaps this is the prime time to pick one up.
The iMac Pro currently retails at RM20,855 on Malaysia’s official Apple website. With that being said, it is important to note that Apple is expected to release the Apple silicon-powered iMacs later this year.
3. Youtube will start deducting taxes for creators outside of the US
Before we jump to conclusions and go into panic mode, it is important to note that the tax will mainly apply to the amount monetized from US viewers.
In other words, if a creator’s audience is mainly outside of the US, chances are, the incurred taxes will be minimal to none.
Nevertheless, there are still required actions for creators to take before YouTube can properly determine the subjected withholding tax amount and percentage.
The video above will walk creators through the required steps. According to the official YouTube Creators account, the tax deduction may take into full effect as early as June 2021.
4. In honor of Lou Ottens, inventor of the cassette tape
Lou Ottens is a Dutch engineer credited with inventing the cassette tape and playing a major role in the development of the first CD.
His family has confirmed to CNN. They said the inventor died at his home in Duizel, the Netherlands, on Saturday at age 94. His cause of death was not given.
According to Royal Philips in Hasselt, an estimated 100billion cassette tapes have been sold worldwide.
