World wide tech news roundup: October 2021
WhatsApp started to develop new features to accommodate their users. One of them is the money transfer feature that was tested in India and Brazil in August. The feature, called WhatsApp Payment, can be used through chats.
In addition, WhatsApp is currently developing a cashback feature as a complement. The cashback will be received by users 48 hours after the transaction through WhatsApp Payment. In India, the cashback that users will get during the promotion period is 10 rupees or around Rp1,927.
NtechLab in September launched face recognition tool FindFace Multi in Indonesia. FindFace Multi can accurately detect human faces and silhouettes as well as vehicles in real-time video streaming in just seconds.
The algorithm is designed to help organisations and companies make better decisions. It can also provide a more complete audience analytics for commercial companies.
YouTube on 6 October removed R. Kelly’s channel after he was convicted of sex trafficking in September. The video-sharing company removed his two channels, RKellyTV and RKellyVevo, saying that the decision is in-line with its creator’s responsibility guideline. However, Kelly's music will still be available on YouTube Music.
Lenovo on 11 October saw its stock price plunging by 17%. This marks the Chinese tech giant's biggest intraday decline after more than 10 years after it withdrew 10 billion yuan (Rp21.9 trillion).
Nokia announced that it is releasing a redesign of the iconic Nokia 6310. The new edition will have bigger buttons, zoomed-in menu, wireless FM radio and more. It will also keep its nostalgic game, Snake.
Microsoft on 15 October announced that it is closing down LinkedIn in China due to “challenging operating environment” since Beijing tightened its control over tech firms. Prior to this, the Chinese regulators have given Microsoft a deadline to oversee its content. There appears to be a concern over LinkedIn being monopolistic as well as overshadowing China’s own similar social media platform.