Amaya Toman The world is still struggling with the epidemic of a new type of coronavirus. The current situation quite significantly affects a number of fields, including the technology industry. In some places, production is suspended, the operation of a number of airports is limited, and some mass events are also cancelled. In order not to burden you with individual news related to the coronavirus, we will prepare a brief summary of the most important for you from time to time. What happened in relation to the epidemic this week?
Google Play Store and filtering results
At the time when the COVID-19 epidemic was in its infancy, the media reported that users were mass downloading the strategy game Plague Inc. In response to the epidemic, various thematic applications and maps, tracking the spread of the virus, also began to appear in software stores. But Google has decided to put a stop to this type of application. If you type "coronavirus" or "COVID-19" in the Google Play Store, you will no longer see any results. However, this restriction only applies to applications - everything works as usual in the movies, shows and books section. Other similar terms—for example, "COVID19" without the hyphen—were not subject to this restriction at the time of writing, and the Play Store will also offer you the official Centers for Disease Control and Prevention app for this query, among other things.
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David Hanak Foxconn and the return to normal
Foxconn, one of Apple's main suppliers, plans to resume normal operations at its factories by the end of this month. In connection with the current epidemic of COVID-19, among other things, there has been a significant reduction in operations at Foxconn factories. If this restriction were to continue, it could theoretically delay the release of the expected successor to the iPhone SE. But Foxconn said the resumption of production recently reached 50% of required capacity. "According to the current schedule, we should be able to reach full production capacity as early as the end of March," Foxconn said in a statement. The potential impact of the current situation cannot yet be accurately predicted. Mass production of the "low-cost" iPhone was originally supposed to start already in February.
Gallery
Canceled Google conference
In connection with the current epidemic, among other things, some mass events are being canceled or moved to the online space. While no information is yet known about a possible Apple conference in March, Google has canceled this year's developer conference Google I/O 2020. The company sent out an email to all participants of the event, in which they warn that the conference due to concerns about the spread of the new type of coronavirus cancels. Google I/O 2020 was scheduled to take place from May 12 to 14. Adobe also canceled its annual developer conference, and even the World Mobile Congress was canceled due to the coronavirus epidemic. It is not yet certain how Google will replace its conference, but there is speculation about a live online broadcast.
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Jaromir Miko Apple and the travel ban to Korea and Italy
As the number of countries with cases of COVID-19 gradually increases, so do travel restrictions. This week, Apple introduced a travel ban for its employees to Italy and South Korea. Earlier this month, the Cupertino giant issued the same ban, covering China. Apple wants to protect the health of its employees with this restriction. Any exceptions may be approved by the company's vice president, based on notices received by Apple employees. Apple also advises its employees and partners to prefer online conferences to face-to-face meetings and is implementing increased hygiene measures in its offices, stores and other establishments.
Sources: 9to5Google, MacRumors, Cult of Mac [1, 2]
As you can see, mammon does not stop even before an epidemic.
Another pearl - RF Save presents a study on the time the virus lasts on different surfaces. However, Apple only prohibits travel to I, SK and Ch, production and also distribution (!!!!!!!!!), however, it does not stop to prevent the transmission of the virus on materials.
And as we know, almost everything is produced in Ch, regardless of the type of product and the company
Beware of a dilettante named Apple and his ilk.