Weekly Tech Updates (May 21, 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.

Malaysia Newly Launched:

1. Mi TV Series P1 & Q 1
2. Redmi Note 10 5G and 10s
3. Zenfone 8 series
4. reaml AIoT Sports: realme watch 2 pro, realme pocket Bluetooth speaker, realme buds wireless 2, realme buds wireless 2 pro

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News:

1. Grab launches GrabFood Small Business Programme to help small businesses. 

The GrabFood Small Business Programme is launched in conjunction with Grab’s #TechUntukSemua programme to empower small businesses to access opportunities from the digital economy.

The program covers three key areas – an online solution, a marketing campaign to drive demand and visibility on GrabFood, and learning and development opportunities for small businesses.

1. ‘Grab Online Shop’ with 6 months service fee waiver.
2. ‘GrabFood Small Business Week’ to drive more demand for small businesses.
3. Enhance digital skills through GrabFood Small Business Webinar

2. Google announces a major visual overhaul coming in Android 12

Android 12 was announced during the recent Google I/O event which took place early this week. The upcoming Android 12 will see a focus on an overhaul in visual design with an emphasis on visual customization.

The overhaul in design is broken down into 3 main aspects:

1. Personalization that includes custom colour palate and widget design.
2. Fluid Motions and Animations
3. Redesigned system spaces like your notification shade, quick settings and even the power button

Android 12 will be available first on the upcoming Pixel phone which is expected to launch this fall. Nevertheless, the Android 12 Beta version is currently available for downloads on a list of selected devices.

3. Bid Farewell to Internet Explorer on Windows 10

Microsoft has officially announced the retirement of its Internet Explorer browser that was launched 25 years ago on certain versions of Windows 10 . In its statement, it is revealed that the Internet Explorer 11 desktop application will be retired and go out of support on June 15, 2022.

Microsoft will continue to focus its development efforts toward enhancing Microsoft Edge and urges any users whom are maintaining legacy apps to switch over to Microsoft Edge.

For most of us, Internet Explorer will forever be remembered as the browser that assisted us with our Google Chrome / Firefox browse downloads.

And to some others, we’ll remember the good times playing games like Neopets, Adventure Quest, Club Penguin and Runescape off an Internet Explorer browser.

4. Bitcoin, Ethereum, Doge dips

The majority of coins in the crypto market were in red earlier this week. Bitcoin being the pioneer coin in this space dropped to a three-month low of US$30,000 at one point.

Similarly, Dogecoin which grew strongly to about US$0.70 earlier this month, dropped to a low of US$0.28. This sharp crash in the crypto market is due to 2 main contributing events.

1. Elon Musk announced that Tesla will no longer be accepting Bitcoin due to environmental effects of Bitcoin mining.
2. China reasserted its rules against foreign digital currencies and bans financial companies from providing crypto trading services.

Since the sharp dip on Wednesday, 19 May, the crypto market is seen to be recovering. In view of most experts, this recent crash is a much-needed correction to the crypto prices.

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