Technology

Apple has acquired Dark Sky, the beloved weather app known for its precise, hyper-local forecasts and clean interface. While the company celebrates reaching more users, Android users are left disappointed as the app will soon be discontinued for their platform.

SoftBank Corp. has entered the 5G market in Japan, joining rivals NTT Docomo and KDDI. The new service promises lightning-fast data speeds, enabling users to download a two-hour movie in seconds. Rakuten Inc. is also set to enter the 5G market in June, expanding the competitive landscape of mobile networks in Japan.

Amid global school closures due to COVID-19, Minecraft is providing free educational digital programs through its Marketplace. The lessons, available until June, include topics like human eye exploration, International Space Station tours, and logic puzzle games, helping students continue learning during the pandemic.

As employees worldwide transition to working from home due to COVID-19, South Korean exports of teleconferencing equipment and semiconductors have surged. Cloud computing demands and increased remote work in the US and China have driven significant growth in server chip sales, demonstrating technological resilience during economic challenges.

Volkswagen will pay $34.69 billion in fines and settlements related to the 2015 "dieselgate" scandal, where the automaker was caught using defeat devices to manipulate emission test results. The financial impact has led to management changes and extensive legal investigations, with the company projecting significant financial effects in 2020 and 2021.

As coronavirus spreads, billions struggle with internet limitations. Countries implement work-from-home policies and online learning, but technological infrastructure faces unprecedented pressure to maintain reliable connectivity during global quarantine measures.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is scouting locations in central USA for a new Gigafactory to manufacture the Cybertruck. First unveiled in 2019, the electric pickup is expected to start production soon with an initial price of $40,000.

During the coronavirus quarantine, mobile game downloads globally spiked by 39% in February. China saw an 80% rise in weekly game downloads, with Apple's app store reporting a 62% increase. Tencent's popular games like Mahjong and Game For Peace experienced significant user growth during this period.

Apple will pay $500M to settle claims of deliberately slowing down older iPhones, with consumers receiving around $25 per affected device. The settlement covers iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, and SE models running iOS 10.2.1 or later, purchased before December 21, 2017.

Two major South Korean electronics manufacturers, Samsung Electronics and LG Innotek, have temporarily closed their factories in Gumi after employees tested positive for coronavirus. Samsung's Gumi factory, which produces Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy S20 phones, will be closed until Sunday, with specific areas disinfected and reopened on Tuesday.