Indonesia Halts iPhone 16 Sales Over Local Content Rules


October 28, 2024

Tech News

Indonesia has blocked the sale of Apple’s iPhone 16 due to the company’s failure to meet local content requirements, which mandate that 40% of smartphone components must be sourced domestically. The Ministry of Industry stated that Apple’s local unit has only invested 1.5 trillion rupiah, falling short of its commitment. Although 9,000 iPhone 16 units have entered the country for personal use, they cannot be sold commercially.

Meta has launched an open-source version of Google’s podcast generator called NotebookLlama. This tool utilizes Meta’s Llama models to create podcast-style digests from uploaded text files. While the initial results are described as robotic and lacking in quality, Meta researchers believe improvements can be made with better models. The project aims to replicate the functionality of Google’s original tool but faces challenges common to AI-generated content.

The Malaysian Ministry of Works announced a toll-free period for highways during the Deepavali holiday, allowing Class 1 private vehicles to travel without toll fees for two days. This initiative, costing approximately RM38 million, aims to alleviate living costs and promote unity among Malaysia’s diverse communities. The ministry encourages travelers to plan their journeys and drive safely during the festive season.

A grassroots movement supported by founders and venture capitalists is advocating for a new EU-wide corporate status called “EU Inc,” aimed at simplifying the process for startups to operate across Europe. The initiative seeks to create a corporate structure similar to the Delaware C-Corp, which would facilitate cross-border investments and address existing bureaucratic challenges. The movement has gained traction, with significant backing and a roadmap for submission to the EU Commission by December 1.

Tech Explained

Open-source – Open-source refers to software that is released with a license that allows users to study, change, and distribute the software for any purpose.

AI – AI, or artificial intelligence, is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems.

Corporate Structure – Corporate structure refers to the organization of a corporation, including its legal status, ownership, and governance.

Venture Capitalists – Venture capitalists are investors who provide capital to startups and small businesses in exchange for equity ownership.

Bureaucratic Challenges – Bureaucratic challenges refer to obstacles and inefficiencies that arise from complex and rigid administrative procedures within organizations.

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