IT ministry finalizes national cyber security policy:
Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Syed Amin UlHaque said last Thursday that the ministry has finalized and uploaded a draft of the National Cyber Security Policy (NCSP) on its official website. During an informal interaction with the media, the minister said that they have taken all stakeholders onboard on the draft, which will soon be presented before the federal cabinet for approval.
[divider style=”normal” top=”20″ bottom=”20″]
Committee constituted for manufacturing of sims and smart cards in Pakistan
Prime Minister Imran Khan has constituted a multi-stakeholder Committee on the Local Manufacturing of SIMs/Smart Cards to save the foreign exchange, according to government reports. The survey revealed that evidently approximately seven million SIM cards and 10,000 banking cards are being imported every month as the current import regime incentivizes such imports. The committee is deliberating over the matter to save the foreign exchange.
[divider style=”normal” top=”20″ bottom=”20″]
Telecom sector invested over $465 million in fy21:
The telecom sector has continued making investments in Pakistan over the expansion and upgrading of its network of infrastructure and services across the country as various telecom operators invested an amount of $465 million during the period of July to February, according to Pakistan Economic Survey 2020-21. The operators made investments of $363.9 million on various capital and operational projects whereas, foreign direct investment to the tune of $10.1 million was received during the said period, the survey reported citing the data of the State Bank of Pakistan.
[divider style=”normal” top=”20″ bottom=”20″]
Telcos to reject govt’s move of blocking sims of unvaccinated citizens:
Telecommunication companies in the country have decided to reject the Punjab government’s possible move of blocking SIM cards of citizens who refuse to receive the coronavirus vaccine. Telecom companies have claimed that the Punjab government did not consult them before considering a possible move to increase the Covid-19 vaccinations by suspending mobile connections of unvaccinated citizens.
[divider style=”normal” top=”20″ bottom=”20″]
OnePlus Nord ce 5g is now the most affordable phone:
Last year, OnePlus launched its ‘first’ mid-range handset, the OnePlus Nord, and it was a huge success. Now, the company wants to build on that formula and has launched the OnePlus Nord CE 5G. The CE stands for Core Edition.This new mid-range handset by the company is designed to provide a Nord-like experience but at an even lower price tag.
[divider style=”normal” top=”20″ bottom=”20″]
Apple to partner with BYD for its smart electric car:
Apple is making headlines across several technological and infotainment forums across the globe following several reports suggesting that it is in talks with the Chinese Electric Vehicle (EV) producer BYD. As per the details, Apple is looking to form an alliance with the latter to obtain batteries for its upcoming smart car.Sources privy to the matter have reportedly stated that talks between the companies are underway, and that both parties are currently trying to reach a consensus on the terms of engagement. Reports added that Apple is likely to resort to lithium-iron-phosphate batteries for their cost-friendliness owing to their composition.
[divider style=”normal” top=”20″ bottom=”20″]
Razer Hammerhead true Wireless X gaming earbuds launched:
Razer has launched yet another pair of true wireless law latency earbuds dubbed the Razer Hammerhead True Wireless X. The earbuds are optimized for gamers and come with a dedicated mode suitable for mobile gameplay. The newly launched TWS earbuds reflect the brand’s gaming heritage with not only its features but also its design. They feature an all-black glossy finish with the company’s three-headed Snake logo, which lights up and doubles as touch controls.
[divider style=”normal” top=”20″ bottom=”20″]
Triple-play services with GPON technology for Gilgit Baltistan:
Special Communications Organization (SCO), the largest telecommunication services provider in Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), has started triple-play services using GPON technology to offer super-fast broadband speeds to its customers in Gilgit city. SCO is the first telecom operator in GB to offer high-quality telephone service, extremely fast and reliable broadband connectivity, and digital television with “amazing” video quality under one umbrella.
[divider style=”normal” top=”20″ bottom=”20″]
Mysterious Realme phone appears in a detailed leak:
A mysterious Realme phone has appeared at the Chinese regulating authority TENAA, revealing key specs and photos for the device. This Realme phone has the model number RMX3366 and it looks quite similar to the Oppo Reno 5. According to the certification, the Realme RMX3366 has a 6.55″ OLED display with curved edges, and likely a punch-hole selfie camera, which is not visible. Given the lack of any visible fingerprint sensor on the back or the sides, we can only assume that it will come with an under-display version.
[divider style=”normal” top=”20″ bottom=”20″]
Realme’s upcoming laptop:
Realme India’s CEO MadhavSheth teased that the company is working on launching its first laptop. However, he neither revealed any specification details nor availability information. Soon after the news was announced, Android Authority obtained several shots of the device giving us a clear look at what’s to come. According to the leak, the upcoming Realme Book sports a 3:2 aspect ratio screen with fairly thin bezels and a Realme logo on the bottom.
[divider style=”normal” top=”20″ bottom=”20″]
Gaming giant hacked and source code stolen:
Hackers have stolen valuable information from major game publisher Electronic Arts (EA), the company said. The attackers claimed to have downloaded source code for games such as FIFA 21 and for the proprietary Frostbite game engine used as the base for many other high-profile games. News of the hack was first reported by news site Vice, which said some 780GB of data was stolen.EA said no player data had been stolen in the breach.
[divider style=”normal” top=”20″ bottom=”20″]
Is the FBI winning the crime war?
It has been quite a week for the FBI. First it got back a large chunk of the bitcoin paid to the gang behind the Colonial pipeline ransomware attack. Then it led a global operation, which saw suspected criminals tricked into using a messaging service operated and monitored by the agency. On this week’s Tech Tent, we explore whether criminals will now think twice about using tech in their activities.
[divider style=”normal” top=”20″ bottom=”20″]
China’s Zhurong mars rover takes a selfie:
China’s Zhurong rover has sent back a batch of new images from Mars – including a ‘selfie’. The robot, which landed in May, positioned a wireless camera on the ground and then rolled back a short distance to take the snap. To Zhurong’s right is the rocket-powered platform that brought the six-wheeled vehicle to a soft touchdown.Both display prominent Chinese flags.
[divider style=”normal” top=”20″ bottom=”20″]
Didi, Chinese ride-hailing giant, files to go public in US:
China’s biggest ride-hailing firm, DidiChuxing, has filed papers to become a publicly listed company in the US. The company is backed by some of Asia’s largest technology investment firms, including Softbank, Alibaba and Tencent. The amount of shares to be offered and the pricing were not revealed. However, the company could raise around $10 billion and seek a valuation of close to $100 billion. That would make it the biggest share offering in the United States by a Chinese company since 2014, when e-commerce giant Alibaba raised $25bn (£15bn).
[divider style=”normal” top=”20″ bottom=”20″]
E3 2021 world’s most influential gaming event:
PlayStation 4’s full reveal, the first glimpse of Halo 2 and Keanu Reeves stealing the hearts of gamers — some of the moments that have made E3 a special event for the games industry over the years. It’s where publishers, developers, media and fans meet, have a party, and get excited about the future. Much of that is still true for the 2021 version of the world’s most influential gaming event but the coronavirus pandemic is casting a lengthy shadow over proceedings.
[divider style=”normal” top=”20″ bottom=”20″]
Facebook remote working plan extended to all staff for long term:
Facebook will let all employees who can work away from the office do so after the Covid pandemic is over. The company has told employees “anyone whose role can be done remotely can request remote work”. Rival big tech firms Apple and Google have recently reversed pandemic working conditions, telling staff to return to the office in the coming months. Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg told staff he plans to spend up to half of 2022 working remotely. He had previously said that half of the company’s 60,000 employees could be working from home within a decade.
[divider style=”normal” top=”20″ bottom=”20″]
Deliveroo couriers can train to spot crimes:
Food delivery service Deliveroo is partnering with Neighbourhood Watch in the UK to offer training to its couriers to keep an eye out for crimes. It is part of the firm’s plan to use its network “as a force for good”. Deliveroo has faced criticism over its riders’ working conditions, and one union called the plan “divisive”. And Jake Hurfurt, of privacy watchdog Big Brother, was unsure if the public would want Deliveroo riders to “become a privatised, quasi police force”.
[divider style=”normal” top=”20″ bottom=”20″]
Facebook developing smartwatch with AR control:
Facebook is developing a smartwatch that will act as a controller for its forthcoming augmented-reality projects. Reports claimed the device was due for release in mid-2022 and would feature multiple cameras. But a senior Facebook executive said the smartwatch was in only its early stages – and may never be released to the public soon.
[divider style=”normal” top=”20″ bottom=”20″]
Meat giant JBS pays $11m in ransom to resolve cyber-attack:
The world’s largest meat processing company has paid the equivalent of $11m (£7.8m) in ransom to put an end to a major cyber-attack. Computer networks at JBS were hacked last week, temporarily shutting down some operations in Australia, Canada and the US.
The payment was reportedly made using bitcoin after plants had come back online. JBS says it was necessary to pay to protect customers. In a ransomware attack, hackers get into a computer network and threaten to cause disruption or delete files unless a ransom in cryptocurrency is paid.