A collaborative effort between China and France has taken flight! On Saturday, the Space Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM) was launched into orbit, marking a huge leap in our ability to study gamma-ray bursts, the most powerful explosions in the universe.

The China-constructed SVOM has scientific instruments from both nations

This state-of-the-art spacecraft is a marvel of international collaboration. Constructed by China, SVOM carries scientific instruments from both nations. French contributions include the ECLAIRs coded mask camera and the Microchannel X-ray Telescope, while China provides the Gamma-ray Burst Monitor and the Visible Telescope.

Gamma-ray bursts are short-lived, incredibly energetic explosions that originate from distant galaxies. Since their accidental discovery in 1967, these cosmic mysteries have fascinated astronomers. SVOM’s mission is to unravel their secrets.

SVOM isn’t the first spacecraft dedicated to gamma-ray bursts. Missions like NASA’s Compton Gamma Ray Observatory and Italy’s BeppoSAX have paved the way. However, SVOM boasts the most sophisticated suite of instruments ever assembled for this purpose.

SVOM’s scientific goals extend beyond gamma-ray bursts. By studying these powerful events, scientists hope to gain insights into dark energy, the evolution of the universe, and even the elusive connection between gravitational waves and electromagnetic signals.

SVOM isn’t just a scientific achievement; it’s a testament to successful international cooperation in space exploration. Following the China-France Oceanography Satellite launched in 2018, SVOM marks another chapter in this productive partnership. The data collected by SVOM promises to benefit scientists from both nations and push the boundaries of our understanding of the universe.

(Via)

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Zero Motorcycles, a trailblazer in the electric motorcycle arena, recently launched the DSR/X Black Forest Edition in France, marking another milestone in their journey of innovation. This California-based company, known for its role in popularizing electric motorcycles, continues to impress with their latest offering, catering specifically to off-road and adventure enthusiasts.

The bike has a top speed of 112.5 miles per hour, which is quite fast

The DSR/X Black Forest Edition, based on the premium DSR/X model, stands out as a testament to Zero’s commitment to excellence and adventure. Notably, the DSR/X model recently aced the challenging Maudes Trophy in the UK, highlighting its robustness and capability. This new edition builds on that foundation, offering riders a range of premium additions designed for the ultimate adventure experience.

At the heart of this motorcycle is Zero’s Z-Force 75-10X motor, delivering a solid 100 horsepower across the rev range. This power translates into a top speed of 112.5 miles per hour, capped electronically. What’s more, its torque output of 170 pound-feet ensures that the bike can handle a variety of terrains with ease.

Equally impressive is its battery efficiency and fast charging capability. With a 6.6 kW fast charger, the bike’s battery can be recharged in under three hours, offering a range of about 108 miles. This range is a result of comprehensive testing in diverse environments, from open highways to city streets.

What sets the Black Forest Edition apart are its exclusive features. It sports a sleek black paint job, wire-spoke wheels with tubeless tires, and enduro-style foot pegs, enhancing both its aesthetics and functionality. Safety and comfort are not overlooked, with additions like motor guards, a touring windscreen, and a comfort seat. It even comes with a full suite of luggage options for those long journeys.

Priced at 26,720 euros (around $29,264 USD), the Black Forest Edition is a premium offering. In comparison, the standard Zero DSR/X in the US is priced at $19,995 USD. This price reflects the advanced features and exclusive nature of the Black Forest Edition, which for now, remains a unique offering for the French market. This launch is a clear indication of Zero Motorcycles’ continued pursuit of excellence, blending performance with adventure in the evolving landscape of electric mobility.

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France has witnessed a remarkable increase in electric vehicle (EV) registrations in 2023. This change reflects a growing trend in the automotive industry, where consumers increasingly favor electric over traditional fuel-based cars.

A survey suggests that almost 27% of all new French Cars are Electric

As of October, France recorded a 22% year-over-year increase in new passenger car registrations, totaling 152,383 vehicles. However, the rise in electric cars is even more striking. According to data from L’Avere-France, 40,379 new passenger plug-in electric cars were registered, marking a 44% increase from the previous year. This surge indicates that nearly 26.5% of all new cars in the French market are now electric, a significant jump from 22.4% last year.

The market for all-electric cars (BEVs) is particularly robust, showing a 51% increase with 25,473 new registrations. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are also on the rise, with a 34% increase leading to 14,906 units sold. Together, these figures underscore a crucial shift in consumer preferences and industry offerings.

The commercial vehicle sector is not far behind, with over 43,600 new rechargeable vehicles registered, a 45% increase from the previous year. This growth is not just a temporary surge but part of a consistent upward trend in EV adoption. In fact, so far in 2023, France has registered over 385,000 new plug-in electric vehicles, including over 361,000 passenger cars, accounting for 25% of the market.

The most popular electric models in France include the Dacia Spring, the Fiat 500 electric, and the Tesla Model Y, pointing towards a diverse range of options for consumers. These figures are not just numbers; they represent a shift in consumer behavior and a commitment to reducing carbon emissions.

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Is the radiation emitted by your smartphone dangerous? This is undoubtedly one of the most frequently asked questions in France these days. As you may know, the French government’s radiation watchdog, ANFR, recently ruled that the radiation levels in Apple’s iPhone 12 models were at a ‘dangerous’ level and banned their sale. ANFR stated that the phones emit excessive levels of radio waves, which could pose a health risk to users.

After this incident, it was expected that Apple would engage in legal battles to lift the ban. However, things did not go as anticipated. Instead, the company took a step back and promised to fix the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro radiation levels with a software update. Here are the details…

Apple to Lift French iPhone 12 Sales Ban with Software Update

Apple has changed its mind! After a decision by France, the company surprised everyone by saying they will fix the radiation levels of the 2020 iPhone with a new software update. The company told Reuters, We will release a software update for users in France to comply with the testing methods used by French regulators. We are excited that the iPhone 12 will continue to be available in France. This is about meeting specific testing requirements set by France, not a safety issue.”

Don’t worry, Apple has also stated that the iPhone 12 does not pose a public health risk due to radiation. The issue is related to a specific testing protocol used by French regulators. The company has not specified when the software update will be available, but they have said it will be “in a few days.” Once the update is available, users can download it through the Settings app on their iPhone. However, to lift the sales ban, the French regulatory agency ANFR will need to conduct new tests.

It is important to note that the iPhone 12 is not the first Apple device to be banned in France due to concerns about radiation levels. In 2019, the ANFR banned the sale of the iPhone 8 and iPhone Xr after it found that the devices exceeded the permitted radiation levels. Apple subsequently released a software update that fixed the issue.

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Apple has announced that it will release a software update for iPhone 12 users in France after the country’s radiation watchdog raised concerns about the device’s emissions.

The French National Frequency Agency (ANFR) said that tests showed that the iPhone 12 emits electromagnetic waves that are above European standards. As a result, the ANFR ordered Apple to halt sales of the model in France and resolve the issue within two weeks or face a recall.

Apple has disputed the ANFR’s findings, saying that the iPhone 12 is safe and has been certified in countries around the world. However, the company has agreed to issue a software update to address the concerns raised by the French regulator.

The software update is expected to be released in the coming weeks. It is not yet clear what specific changes the update will make, but it is likely to involve adjusting the way that the iPhone 12 handles radio waves.

The French regulator ANFR said that it would test the software update to see if it makes a difference to the electromagnetic waves the device emits. If it does, the regulator said that it would bring the model into compliance with European standards and lift the marketing withdrawal order.

The radiation concerns surrounding the iPhone 12 have also raised concerns in other European countries. Belgium, Germany, and Italy have all said that they are reviewing the situation. It is possible that other countries may also require Apple to issue a software update for the iPhone 12.

Apple is already phasing out the iPhone 12, which was released in 2020. The company announced its new iPhone 15 lineup on Tuesday, and the iPhone 12 is no longer being sold. However, the software update will be available to all iPhone 12 users in France, regardless of when they purchased their device.

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In an unprecedented move, France’s Agency of National Frequencies (ANFR) has temporarily suspended the sale of Apple‘s iPhone 12 series due to concerns over radiation emissions. While the suspension raises questions about the iPhone’s safety, it also draws attention to the varying global standards for electromagnetic radiation.

Apple responded by saying that the iPhone 12 has already passed all radiation tests

The French regulatory body took the action after finding that the iPhone 12’s “specific absorption rate” (SAR)—a measure of electromagnetic waves absorbed by the human body—exceeded the European Union’s (EU) legal limit. According to ANFR, the iPhone 12 series had an SAR rate of 5.74 watts per kilogram at a 5 mm distance, surpassing the EU’s cap of 4.0 watts per kilogram.

Apple quickly responded, asserting that its iPhone 12 line had received certifications from multiple international bodies and met global radiation norms. The tech giant also stated that it had shared comprehensive test reports with ANFR to prove its compliance.

What’s intriguing here is the discrepancy in global radiation standards. The EU’s restrictions are notably stricter than those in other parts of the world, leading some experts to argue that the EU is over-cautious. Nevertheless, France’s actions have ignited a global debate on whether current radiation benchmarks are adequate.

The standoff between France and Apple presents an opportunity for reevaluating international radiation norms. With technology becoming increasingly interwoven into daily life, discussions on its safety implications are crucial. As the matter unfolds, it serves as a wake-up call to regulatory agencies worldwide to scrutinize whether their existing standards are both current and universally applicable.

While Apple engages with ANFR to resolve the issue, consumers are left pondering: Are our devices as safe as we think, or is it time to push for a global standardization in radiation limits? With the unveiling of the 2023 iPhone line, Apple finds itself in an uncomfortable spotlight, one that could very well influence global policies on tech safety.

(Via)

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Chinese smartphone manufacturer OPPO has decided to halt its operations in France, as reported recently. The company’s main distributor in the region, Yang Technology, is discontinuing sales, resulting in OPPO phones becoming unavailable for purchase in France. The move follows OPPO’s recent triumph in a patent litigation against Nokia. Some speculations suggest that OPPO may be strategically withdrawing from the French market to avoid potential legal disputes.

OPPO’s European Future: Uncertainty Reigns Amidst Market Exits

Interestingly, OPPO’s decision to exit France comes shortly after the closure of its German website, sparking rumors about a possible gradual withdrawal from the European market. However, OPPO has assured its existing customers in France that it will continue to provide after-sales service and software updates.

Previously, OPPO and its sister company OnePlus, both owned by BBK, denied rumors of leaving Europe and the UK, pledging to maintain stable operations in the region. But with OPPO’s departure from France, a significant European market for the company, questions about their future in Europe have emerged. OPPO has mentioned that it will not re-enter the French market until it secures a new distributor.

According to Frandroid, OPPO has assured its customers that their existing orders will be fulfilled, and they can continue to purchase OPPO devices through authorized resellers for the time being.

It is worth noting that OPPO recently won a patent dispute against Nokia in France, with the Paris Court of Justice ruling Nokia’s patents as invalid due to a “lack of novelty.” This legal victory reduces immediate legal threats for OPPO, although Nokia may appeal the decision.

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The Unified Payments Interface UPI) will soon be accepted as a payment system in France. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement earlier this week. So here’s all you need to know about this decision.

France’s Eiffel Tower will be the first to accept UPI

The Indian leader addressed the Indian community at the La Seine Musicale, which is a performing arts center. Modi announced that tourists from India will soon be able to use the Indian UPI system in France. In other words, you can make payments in Indian Rupee using the UPI in France. This move arrives following an agreement with the Indian and French governments. UPI payments in the European country will now be accepted in the Eiffel Tower.

This means that tourists can make payments in Rupees in the Eiffel Tower now. For those unaware, UPI is a mobile-based payment system that is popular across India. It basically let’s users make payments through a virtual payment address at any given time.

As per the official announcement from Modi, “Be it India’s UPI or other digital platforms, they have brought a huge social transformation in the country and I am happy that India and France are also working together in direction. India and France have agreed to use UPI in France. I will leave after the agreement. However, it is your job to move forward. Friends, in the coming days its beginning will be made from Eiffel Tower which means that Indian tourists will now be able to make payments in Rupees, through UPI, at Eiffel Tower”

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Late on Wednesday, July 5, French lawmakers reached a consensus to grant police the authority to remotely access and activate the cameras, microphones, and GPS systems of suspects’ smartphones and other devices. This provision, included in a broader justice reform bill, has sparked criticism from both left-wing activists and defenders of civil liberties, who argue that it represents a step towards an authoritarian surveillance state. Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti sought to allay concerns, stating that the measure would only be utilized in “dozens of cases a year.”

A lot of ethical dilemmas will surround this decision in the near future

The scope of the surveillance measure encompasses laptops, cars, and other connected objects, in addition to phones. It permits the geolocation of individuals suspected of crimes punishable by a minimum of five years’ imprisonment. Moreover, law enforcement would be able to remotely activate devices to capture audio and visual evidence of individuals implicated in acts of terrorism, as well as delinquency and organized crime.

Digital rights group La Quadrature du Net voiced significant apprehensions over these provisions, citing potential infringements on fundamental liberties. The organization emphasized the rights to security, privacy, private correspondence, and freedom of movement, arguing that this proposal marks a worrisome trajectory toward excessive security measures.

During the parliamentary debate, MPs aligned with President Emmanuel Macron’s party introduced an amendment that restricts the use of remote spying to instances “when justified by the nature and seriousness of the crime” and “for a strictly proportional duration.” Furthermore, any utilization of this provision must receive judicial approval, and the total duration of surveillance cannot exceed six months. Importantly, individuals in sensitive professions, including doctors, journalists, lawyers, judges, and MPs, would be exempt from being targeted.

Responding to concerns about excessive surveillance, Dupond-Moretti dismissed comparisons to George Orwell’s dystopian novel “1984,” stating, “We’re far away from the totalitarianism of 1984.” He argued that the new law would save lives in the future.

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Oppo is one of the world’s largest smartphone manufacturers, with its headquarters located in China. The company operates in numerous countries, striving to increase its market share. Or at least, that’s what we thought. Recently, some claims have emerged, suggesting that the situation might not be as it seems. It appears that Oppo and OnePlus, both under the BBK Group umbrella, are preparing to withdraw from Europe. The first country where they plan to cease operations is France. Here are the details…

All signs hint toward Oppo and OnePlus leaving France. Rest of Europe next?

Rumors have been swirling that Oppo and OnePlus are planning to leave Europe, with France reportedly being the first country where this withdrawal will take place. Although both companies deny these claims, people who have worked for Oppo in retail stores think otherwise, confirming that the situation is indeed bad. Employees have verified the companies’ cost-cutting measures, and another concerning detail comes from their advertising activities.

As in the rest of the world, brand awareness created through advertising is important in France. However, Oppo has ceased its commercial activities, which it had been actively pursuing for a long time, in recent weeks. It has also been alleged that the company is working to clear inventory in its French stores and not replenishing sold-out stocks.

One employee commented on the matter, saying, “We understood that they were leaving because we were no longer trained on new products. We saw the Find X being released in China, but not in France. The Reno 8 series arrives, but it’s not coming to France either. When the Find N2 Flip was launched, we were told about a store release, but in the end, it was only available on the website.”

Sudden End to Collaboration

Most of Oppo’s sales force worked for a subcontractor called Atmosphères. This company, which specializes in the sector, placed all external collaborators working for Oppo on partial unemployment, including store employees, regional managers, brand ambassadors, and trainers. The contract with this critical company for the Chinese tech giant’s operations in the country was set to expire on June 30th and was expected to be renewed soon.

However, instead of the collaboration ending as scheduled, the general manager of Atmosphères, Arnaud Dutin, announced that it was over. Philippe shared that Dutin told them, “Stop everything for Oppo.” When they mentioned that they still had ongoing tasks, Dutin responded, “We’re not doing anything anymore.”

Taking all these details into account, it seems possible that Oppo could indeed withdraw from France. The company has not yet confirmed this with an official statement, but future moves would not be surprising for anyone. Oppo has already suspended its operations in Germany due to a lawsuit involving Nokia.

When these two events are combined, it leads to the conclusion that the entire European operation could be halted. Unfortunately, this situation means that competition in the region will decrease, and consumers are always the ones who suffer the most from reduced competition. Therefore, as the Gizmochina team, we hope that the rumors remain just rumors and do not become reality.

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Apple’s current generation of iPhone 14 lineup comes with eSIM connectivity, continuing the feature that was first introduced a few years back with the launch of the iPhone XS in 2018.

However, for the first time, the Apple iPhone 14 lineup launched in the United States comes without a physical SIM card slot and only supports eSIM connectivity.

Now, as per the latest report, it is claimed that the Cupertino-based technology giant is planning to expand this further, and along with the United States, there will be some more countries that will get eSIM-only iPhones this year.

While the list of countries for this feature has not been confirmed yet, the report coming from a French website indicates that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro series will have eSIM-only support in France. If that’s the case, then we expect the company to follow the same in other European countries.

Apple is claiming that the eSIM is more secure than the physical SIM as it is not possible to physically remove them when the device is stolen. Also, the company adds that the user can add and manage up to eight eSIMs in the device, eliminating the risk of swapping SIM cards and keeping them safe when traveling.

More smartphone manufacturers are now bringing devices with support for eSIM and because of this, it is being speculated that eSIM smartphone shipments are expected to increase by 15% this year. Samsung recently introduced eSIM support to its mid-range smartphones with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy M54.

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In France, the global fight for the right-to-repair received a defining boost two years ago with the implementation of a mandate that required electronics and appliance manufacturers to provide their customers with repairability scores from 1 to 10, with 10 being the easiest to repair. This provides consumers with important information if they decide whether to fix their products themselves or hire someone to do it. Furthermore, smartphone manufacturers must now publish detailed documentation for their products, specifically repair manuals. The Pixel 6a manual was released last year in 2022. As per the latest reports, Google has published instructions for the repair of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.

The support page containing the repair manuals is restricted to users outside of France. However, those who are interested can bypass the restriction by using a VPN. It’s worth noting that these geographical restrictions were not present when the Pixel 6a manual was released last year. Customers in the US and Canada can take advantage of Google’s partnership with uBreakiFix for out-of-warranty and in-warranty Pixel repairs, and customers in other regions can find authorized repair partners from this Google support page.

In April 2022, Google introduced its self-repair program for users in the US, UK, Australia, and Europe, allowing Pixel owners to order authentic device parts from iFixit. Fortunately for Pixel 7 series owners, the program was extended to the Pixel 7 lineup devices last month. It is worth noting that inexperienced users and beginners are advised not to attempt repairs due to the potential risks.

Despite efforts by tech companies to introduce concessions into right-to-repair bills, the fight for the publication of repair manuals without requiring the purchase of parts continues in regions where new laws are being considered. Other smartphone manufacturers such as Apple and Samsung are also offering self-repair services for their customers. Nonetheless, kudos to France for taking a bold step in support of consumer rights.

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Apple stopped packing EarPods inside iPhone boxes long ago but France continued to get them for a long time. What made Apple do this is the legal requirement related to radio-frequency energy which makes headphones a necessary item and needs to be included in the box with smartphones. However, this law has now been changed.

According to a new report by MacRumors, starting January 24, 2022, Apple will no longer provide EarPods in the box when you purchase a new iPhone. The law which previously compelled Apple to include a “handsfree kit,”  with their smartphones has now been changed in favor of reducing the environmental footprint of digital devices.

Apple had made the environment-friendly move back in 2020 when they stopped including EarPods and the charging brick with the iPhone 12, significantly reducing the size of its box.

This new law is not only applicable to apple but all the smartphone manufacturers in France as it no longer forces them to include headphones in the box. Instead, they just need to ensure that compatible headphones are available separately as an optional accessory.

The French carrier Frac has posted a notice in their store stating: “DEAR CUSTOMERS, We would like to inform you that our manufacturers are no longer required to supply headphones/hands-free kits with their smartphones in France. This new law, adopted in late 2021, aims to reduce the environmental footprint in France.

The Xiaomi brand is concerned, for products purchased from the week of January 17, 2022. The same will be true for the Apple brand as of from the week of January 24, 2022
THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING”

For now, Apple’s French website continues to show EarPods an included item in the box alongside a USB-C to Lightning cable which is likely to change soon.

Apple’s environment-friendly initiative, although controversial, is becoming standard practice in the premium smartphone segment. However, some regions have pushed back against it with Brazil fining the Cupertino tech giant $1.9 million in March 2021 for not including chargers in the iPhone 12. After which the company was forced to offer chargers to anyone requesting it.

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A couple of months ago, OPPO launched its latest flagship smartphone lineup — the OPPO Reno6 series in its home country China. Later, in the month of July, the devices were made available in the Indian market.

Now, the Chinese firm is expanding the footprints of the Reno6 series smartphones by launching the devices in Europe, Middle East, and Africa. The phones are set to launch in the coming days in these regions and the company has already started promotions on their respective social media accounts.

The OPPO Reno6 4G and 5G models are up for pre-orders in Egypt which will end on 4th September. The phone will be launched in Kenya on 6th September and the teaser shared by the company talks about the Bokeh Flare Portrait mode.

On 9th September, the next-generation Reno6 series 5G smartphones will be officially launched in Germany and France. The landing page for the upcoming device talks about the MediaTek Dimensity 900 chipset. Earlier, it was reported that the Reno6 Pro+ is expected to be rebranded as Reno6 Pro in the European market.

It’s not yet known if these regions will be getting the OPPO Reno6 Pro smartphones and to know for sure, we’ll have to wait for the official launch event, set to take place in the coming days in different regions.

As for the specifications, the OPPO Reno6 5G features a 6.43-inch AMOLED display with a screen resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, 410 PPI pixel density, and 93.28% DCI-P3 color gamut. The display also offers a 90Hz refresh rate, 180Hz touch sampling rate, 600 nits peak brightness (typical), and 91.7% screen-to-body ratio.

The device is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 900 SoC, paired with 8GB LPDDR4x RAM and 128GB UFS 2.1 storage. In the camera department, there’s a triple camera setup consisting of a 64-megapixel primary sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide unit (119° FOV), and a 2-megapixel macro snapper.

On the front side, the phone features a 32-megapixel snapper for taking selfies and video calling. The device running the Android 10 operating system out-of-the-box with the company’s own ColorOS, is powered by a 4,300mAh battery and comes with support for 65W SuperVOOC 2.0 fast charging technology.

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The antitrust regulator in France has fined the tech giant Google around $593 million and has given the company two months to come up with proposals on how to pay publishers for their content or face more punishment.

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As France goes into a third lockdown, Apple has announced that it is closing all its 20 stores across the country. Prior to this announcement, most of Apple’s stores across the country have been closed with the exception of 8 which were originally classified as essential shops.

The announcement was made on Twitter by the official Apple UNSA account. The tweet said that the eight stores including the Apple Champs-Élysées, Apple Opéra, and Apple Marché Saint-Germain stores which have remained open since March will be closed indefinitely starting on the evening of April 3. So all those who have orders to pick up have until this evening to do so.

This is the first time this year that Apple is closing all of its stores in the country. Lately, cases have been rising in the country which led to the government announcing a third lockdown on Wednesday evening. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, did say that this will be the country’s last national lockdown. Since the beginning of the pandemic, France has recorded up to 100,000 in total deaths.

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Qualcomm has just announced that it is planning on building a new research and development center to push 5G innovations. This center will be situated in France and arrives after the company met with the local government’s officials.

As per an official Qualcomm announcement, Cristiano Amon, CEO elect and President of the company met with Agnès Pannier-Runacher, minister delegate for the industry in the French Government. This new research and development site will be a part of the company’s extensive R&D network and will also play an integral role by bringing in employees from the region to help develop 5G technology for the various markets across the globe.

The new 5G research and development facility also builds on “Qualcomm Communications SARL’s strong presence in France.” For those unaware, the chipmaking giant already has established facilities in the region for over 20 years. The new center is located in Lannion in Brittany and Issy-Les–Moulineaux in the Paris-Region. For those unaware, Lannion is a center for telecoms engineering excellence and a European technology hub.

John Smee, Vice President of Engineering in Qualcomm stated that “France already has a leading technical engineering infrastructure in place, so it is a natural fit for this new 5G R&D hub. The 5G R&D team will be working on advanced systems engineering to help define the future of 5G and beyond – and the new center is a tremendous opportunity for the individuals involved and for the company.”

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Earlier this week, Huawei announced that it work be investing 200 million Euros to build a telecommunications equipment factory in France. This arrives despite the French government curbing the use of its 5G networking gear.

According to a Reuters report, the new site will initially employ 300 people, which will eventually grow to 500 in the longer term. Furthermore, the products manufactured in the plant will go to Huawei’s European customers. The Chinese tech giant has considered the plans for a factory in the region since back in March, regardless, of the French government’s crack down against telecom operators that used its equipment.

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The factory is also a part of the company’s initiative to tone down the concerns and allegations against it, which began with the US. At the moment, various governments worldwide consider Huawei and other Chinese telecom equipment providers as a risk to their national security due to possible ties with the Chinese government. The US accused the company of espionage and being a front for Beijing, which Huawei has denied on multiple occasions.

Currently, France has not outright banned mobile telecom carriers from using Huawei’s networking gear. Although, the authorities did announce to network operators the bought the Chinese firms equipment, that they would not be able to renew their license for the gear once they are expired back in July 2020. This effectively phases out Huawei’s equipment from the country’s mobile networking infrastructure.

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13 European nations including Germany, France, Spain, and others are teaming up to invest in processors and semiconductor technologies. The countries are making this move to grow in semiconductors and related fields, which will also include technology key to interconnected devices and data processing to rival the likes of the US and Asia.

At the moment, Europe’s share of the global semiconductor market, which is valued at 440 billion Euros (roughly 533 billion US Dollars), is just 10 percent. Furthermore, the EU relies on chips that are made overseas. According to a Reuters report, this dependence on foreign suppy for semiconductor technology came into spotlight during the Coronavirus pandemic. Furthermore, the concerns were further backed with increasing sensitivity towards security.

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Certain nations are more concerned over security over some foreign governments. Thus, the group also have security minded reasons for joining hands to shift away from relying on foreign chips that are required in core areas like cars, medical care equipment, mobile phones, and networking as well. Earlier this year, the European Union had agreed to allocate 145 billion Euros, which is equal to a fifth of its virus economic recovery fund for digital projects.

These 13 nations will work together to boost Europe’s electronic presence and value in the global market. In a joint statement, the group stated that “This will require a collective effort to pool investment and to coordinate actions, by both public and private stakeholders.” The group wiil be reaching out to various companies to form industrial alliances for the purpose of research and investment for future projects and the development of processors while seeking further fundings as well.

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French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said earlier this week that France will retaliate with the European Union if the US decides to implement its trade sanctions in January over recent French tax on digital services.

For those unaware, the Trump administration announced back in July that it would levy additional duties of 25 percent on French cosmetics, handbags, and other imports. These are valued around 1.3 billion US Dollars. The changes in customs arrived after France announced its digital services tax, with its implementation being on hold till January 2021. According to Le Maire, “If there are American sanctions against the French decision, which … is the application of French law, we will immediately seek a riposte at the European level.”

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The French Finance Minister said this in a meeting with the European Union regarding the digital services taxation. Notably, France had suspended collection of its digital services tax till January, as international negotiations were under way to rewrite the rules of cross border digital taxation, as per a Reuters report. At the moment, about 140 countries are involved in these talks, with negotiations to last till mid 2021. The discussions were stalled as the US was reluctant to sign on a multilateral deal ahead of its presidential elections.

Furthermore, France has already sent out notices to companies that are liable to pay the December installment of the tax. It is expected that the taxes will raise over 400 million euros (roughly 482 US Dollars) in 2020 alone. The French Finance Minister also pledged that the country will revoke the French tax as soon as international agreement was reached. Meanwhile, trade partners of the US are also waiting to see what stance the next6 president Joe Biden will take on the matter.

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Beginning January 2021, electronic devices including smartphones, tablets, TVs, and computers will now have a repairability score label. The label which will be compulsory for all devices sold in the European country is the result of a European Parliament vote for the Right to Repair.

According to iFixit, the vote requires the EU Commission to introduce a compulsory label that will “provide clear, visible and easy-to-understand information to consumers about the estimated lifetime and repairability of a product at the time of purchase.”.

France’s repairability index is expected to set an example for other European countries. The score on the label of an electronic, which will be rated out of 10, will take into consideration the ease of disassembly, price, and availability of spare parts, and access to repair information reports. This score will be similar to the one that iFixit has been awarding to devices for more than a decade.

The repairability score will not only force manufacturers to design products that can be easily repaired, but it will also increase competition as no manufacturer will want their product to have a low score, and it will also translate to an increase in the life span of the product.

Apparently, an EU survey carried out recently revealed that 77% of EU citizens would prefer to repair a device than replace it. With France at the forefront, other EU countries are expected to follow suit. The country also has plans to upgrade the repairability index to a durability index in 2024, so that consumers know that a product is not only easy to repair but also durable. Another goal is to extend the index to non-electronic products such as bikes and furniture.

There will also be a platform for consumers to provide feedback on the index. Citizens will be able to report false info which will lead to a sanction starting in 2022.

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Apple has just launched its latest generation of flagship smartphones, the iPhone 12 series. The new lineup supports 5G networking and among other things it ships without a charger or earphones that it always uses to arrive with. However, the company is shipping its iPhone 12 series with earphones in the box in France.

According to Apple’s official French website, the Cupertino based giant is shipping the iPhone 12 series with USB Type C to lightning cable wires along with the lightning earphones. For those unaware, Apple has infamously just dropped the charger and earphones that it has always shipped its smartphones with. So, unlike other regions, the company has decided to include the earphones in the box for the region.

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Speculations have arisen regarding the discrepancy and a few users on Reddit have pointed towards local laws and regulations that require Apple to do so. Unfortunately, while laws might be the reason why the company is shipping the earphones, it is currently unknown which law, in particular, is the reason.

One stated that smartphone manufacturers are required to ship smartphones with earphones due to accessibility or disability laws, while another has pointed out that France mandates that phone makers must provide an “accessory for limiting the exposure of the head to radioelectric emissions during communications.”

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Nokia, the Finland-based telecom equipment maker, has confirmed that it plans to cut around 1,233 hobs at its subsidiary Alcatel Lucent International. The number of jobs cited accounts for about one-third of the company’s workforce.

Currently, Alcatel Lucent International has about 3,640 employees. Of the total 1,233 jobs being cut, 831 jobs belong to the Nozay site, and 402 jobs belong to the Lannion site. Nokia France affiliate companies, including Radio Frequency Systems, Nokia Bell Labs France, and Alcatel Submarine Networks aren’t affected by the job cuts.

The development comes as the acquisition condition of not cutting the French jobs for at least five years is about the expire. This raises the question if Nokia intended to take this step as soon as it was allowed to or if the company is just trying to accommodate as per the market conditions.

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However, Nokia has said in a statement that staff reduction is a necessary move because of the significant cost pressures. In the month of April, Nokia had said that the company planned to cut costs by 500 million euros by the end of this year, with 350 million euros targeted to come from operating expenses and 150 million from sales costs.

Nokia acquired the France-based Alcatel Lucent for €15.6 billion to strengthen its position in the market. During the acquisition, the French government was pretty clear about saving French jobs and put up a condition that Nokia would not cut French jobs for at least five years after the acquisition, the period which is about to expire.

The company is competing against the like of Huawei and Ericsson in the telecom equipment space. The job cuts at Nokia come at a time when it is the only company among the “big five” whose R&D investments have declined over the past years but it is higher than the other four when compared to the revenue.

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(Source)

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UPDATE:

In response to the news about OnePlus’ layoffs in Europe, the company clarified that it was a strategic restructuring move limited to its European division. In an official forum post, Tuomas L., head of OnePlus’ Strategy in Europe, revealed that around 20 employees were affected by this restructuring in Germany, France, and the UK.

You can read the forum post here. An excerpt from the post has been added below.

“As part of our strategy, we are looking to capitalize on opportunities in the Nordic region and Benelux by hiring for new positions, relocating some existing European staff and further enhancing our capabilities in these strategic markets. At the same time, we are making organizational changes in some existing markets, specifically Germany, France and the UK.”

“We are doing everything we can to support the approximately 20 total employees in these three markets who will be affected by this restructuring, including offering redundancy packages per local regulations. We highly value the contributions of these staff members and will do our best to ensure a smooth transition through this process.”

OnePlus just launched the OnePlus 8 series, consisting of OnePlus 8 Pro, the company’s most ambitious smartphone till date. However, the same cannot be said for its employees. According to a report by Engadget, the Chinese smartphone company has reportedly laid off several workers in Europe.

It is not the first time OnePlus has downsized in Europe. Last year, staffs in Spain and Italy had to face the same and as of now, the company has not a single worker in those regions.

The current lay-off includes removing up to 80% of employees (around 20 employees) in the regional offices of France, Germany, and the UK. To this, OnePlus responded that it is carrying out some strategic restructuring in Europe and even confirmed to be hiring in the region.

According to a source close to the matter, the teams in Denmark, Finland, Netherlands and Belgium seem to be unaffected. The company considers these markets to have more potential and thus even asked some of its employees to relocate to Helsinki, which is expected to replace London as OnePlus’ European headquarters.

The primary reason for OnePlus to make such decisions lies in its new philosophy. As the company raced towards premium 5G smartphones, carriers like O2 and EE discontinued their partnerships with the brand in the UK. The new OnePlus 8 series is only available on 3 in the region.

As per Ben Wood, Chief Analyst at CCS Insight, ‘OnePlus has fallen into the trap of over-promising and under-delivering’. The company is struggling hard to maintain relationships with carriers in Europe and has even turned back on core fans by stepping into the premium range.

Anyway, before the recent layoff, OnePlus had over 2,000 employees worldwide. The current tally of workes is unknown at the moment.

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(Source)

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Huawei is all set to build its first manufacturing line in France, according to a senior executive of the Chinese tech giant stated. The move will be in line with the company’s plans for expanding in the region whilst also providing 5G networking. It is also seen as an act to ease tensions with the US, which has previously accused Huawei of spying using its telecommunications equipment.

The Chairman of Huawei Technologies Co Ltd, Liang Hua, mentioned that the company will be investing 200 million Euros (roughly 217 million US Dollars) in the first phase of setting up the mobile base station plant. The new plant is expected to create about 500 new jobs in the area. Huawei has denied all counts of accusations from various governments regarding the safety of its telecommunication tools and equipment. However, the US is adamant regarding its position against the company amidst the US-China trade disputes.

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Currently, 5G networking is seen as the new hallmark for developed countries, causing many to join the bandwidth advancement race. Currently, Huawei is one of the pioneers in this networking field, especially 5G, but has difficulties operating in the Western regions like the US and certain European countries as well. In a new conference, Liang Hua said that “This site will supply the entire European market, not just France’s. Our group’s activities are worldwide and for this we need a global industrial footprint.”

In other words, despite opening a manufacturing plant in France, it will target the entire European market. Furthermore, it will also aim to have a more dominant impact in the area and the global market through its new expansion since Huawei operates worldwide. 5G network is a crucial aspect of the new advancements and will be the tie that binds various IoT devices, smart home appliances, and smartphones, all of which are also provided by the company itself.

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(Via)

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Although 5G is not expected to arrive in France until summer next year, operators have already sent their requests to ANSSI (French National Cybersecurity Agency) to find out if they will be able to use Huawei equipment. Unfortunately however, it seems the administration isn’t just refusing, but outright not replying to queries at all.

Huawei is no longer entitled to supply new antennas to operators in the United States. However, it can still offer its services to European countries like Germany and Great Britain. In France however, there are some peculiar problems playing out between the government and telecom operators over 5G development and Huawei equipment.

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A law aimed at securing the 5G network, promulgated a few days ago, stipulates that operators must validate with ANSSI, who are in charge of monitoring electronic services – placed under the authority of the Prime Minister, any radio towers the telco want to deploy. On top of this, any query not replied to in over two months amounts to a refusal, and submissions regarding Huawei equipment currently aren’t being responded to.

As it stands, ANSSI and the French government aren’t responding to any queries regarding the use of Huawei equipment in 5G networks for the country. There’s a general lack of information for the telecommunication companies to go off, and it’s resulted in a rather frustrating experience for them according to reports and interviews.

A manager at Orange, a French telco” tells in an interview from Frandroid that “We want to understand the rules of the game so that we don’t get stuck afterwards. Even at ANSSI, everything is not crystal clear… Everyone is waiting for news. So we want to test the mechanism.” This essentially means that due to these issues from the government, they can’t test their networks.

This applies to all telcos submitting these files to ANSSI. Despite this, all companies are still pushing for Huawei equipment, as SFR has already submitted files for the antennas of Huawei and Nokia. Bouygues plans to send its file quickly, and Orange also intends to try to file files for equipment from Nokia, Ericsson and Huawei, even though it does not use antennas of the Chinese brand for its 4G network.

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(Source)

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Huawei has become a topic of discussion related to the national security risk and such discussions have sparked after the U.S. government put the Chinese giant on Entity List, effectively banning the company in the United States.

The reason behind the ban given was the national security risk without providing any type of proof to back that claim. Now it seems that Huawei is in no mood to tolerate such talks and is trying to curb the spread of such talks.

In an unprecedented move, China-based Huawei Technologies has filed three defamation claims in Paris over comments made during television programs by a French researcher, a broadcast journalist and a telecommunications sector expert. However, it’s not yet clear if the prosecutor will accept the claim and launch a formal investigation.

This was reported by La Lettre A, an online investigative newsletter and the company has also confirmed that it has filed such claims with French law enforcement authorities in March this year.

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The development comes at a time when Huawei, the world’s leading telecommunications gear maker, is seeking to bid for a piece of the future 5G network in Europe’s second-largest economy and in countries like Germany.

In a statement, Huawei said that its claims “concern only statements that Huawei is a company controlled by the Chinese State and the Chinese Communist Party, led by a former member of the ‘counter-intelligence’ and using its technological expertise in telecom networks to commit acts of espionage against the Western world.” The company has also added that “these statements are false.”

Huawei is now resorting to legal measures as national security agencies in Europe and the US have signaled concerns over the potential risks of using the company’s equipment. It has also sued the U.S. government for barring its equipment from certain networks, a legal riposte to American accusations that it aids China in espionage.

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(Source)

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The OnePlus 3 is the latest flagship and fourth device from Chinese phone manufacturer, OnePlus. Made from a single slab of space grade aluminium, to achieve the unibody design, OnePlus also says apart from being lightweight, the OnePlus 3 has outstanding strength. And how else do you prove that last part other than by carrying out a drop test?

The OnePlus team headed to Mimizan, France, to carry out this drop test. The phone is thrown out of an airplane flying at an altitude of 750 ft. The phone survives the drop, though it lands on a grassy plain which is still sufficient to damage a phone, but can’t be compared to landing on tarmac, asphalt, or concrete. You can watch the video to see for yourself.

The OnePlus 3 has a 5.5” optic AMOLED display with Corning gorilla glass 4, a snapdragon 820 processor clocked at 2.15GHz, 6GB RAM, 16MP rear camera, 8MP front camera, runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow, and is powered by a 3000mAh battery with support for OnePlus’s fast charge technology dubbed Dash Charge.

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The phone comes in graphite and soft gold, ditching the sandstone black design of the first two phones and costs $400. If you still want the sandstone design, the company has a sandstone case and a couple of other wooden ones.

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