Innovation/ Technology

Originally launched in late 2016, a revamped version of Apple's AirPods with wireless charging support is to hit stores in early 2019, reports specialist website 9to5Mac which cites analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Apple is apparently about to launch an upgraded version of its AirPods in the first quarter of 2019. The new earphones will feature inductive charging, which will require the creation of a new case that will probably result in an increase in the current AirPod price of US$159 (RM660). The rumour inevitably raises the question of the AirPower mat inductive charging station which was presented by Apple in 2017, but whose launch has since been delayed or possibly abandoned. According to Kuo, the upgrade will be followed by a redesign of the AirPods, although the analyst does not go i...

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has completed ITS 50MWac solar power project in Sepang, Selangor, the largest solar project in the country. In a statement, TNB said the large scale solar project (LSS) uses 230,000 solar panels installed on 98 hectares of land in Mukim Tanjung 12, Sepang. The project, won in a competitive bidding by TNB’s subsidiary, TNB Sepang Solar Sdn Bhd, would increase TNB’s renewable energy (RE) capacity to the national grid to 73.2MW. The project reached its commercial operation due date with an initial generation of 2.4MW in October. The Government has set a target of 20% of the country’s electricity to be generated from renewable sources by 2030, an increase from 2% currently.

Hi-tech Singapore is planning to roll out a swarm of drones for tasks that include delivering parcels, inspecting buildings and providing security, but safety and privacy concerns mean the initiative may hit turbulence. Companies have already started testing the devices for commercial use, mainly in an area of over 200 hectares (500 acres) dotted with high-rise buildings and shopping malls, specially designated by the government for the trials. It is part of the affluent city's drive to embrace technological innovation, as well as an effort to tackle a manpower shortage in a country of just 5.6 million, which relies on foreign migrant workers in many low-paying sectors. Commercial use of unmanned aerial vehicles is already taking off around the world, in areas as diverse as cr...

Bitcoin cash, the cryptocurrency that split off from bitcoin earlier this year, jumped against the dollar on Friday. Investors have cash to burn right now, and based on the astronomical performance of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and Ethereum, that's where a lot of it is getting funneled. This is coming at the expense of gold, says Tom Lee, the managing partner and head of research at Fundstrat Global Advisors. In fact, he thinks that the growing preference for the cryptocurrencies over gold is actually helping contribute to the torrid gains in the fledgling products. One main factor driving demand for cryptocurrencies is the reduction in supply that's been seen in recent months, according to Lee. He notes that the rate of bitcoin units added has been more than halved over the past ...

Bitcoin cash, the cryptocurrency that split off from bitcoin earlier this year, jumped against the dollar on Friday. Investors have cash to burn right now, and based on the astronomical performance of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and Ethereum, that's where a lot of it is getting funneled. This is coming at the expense of gold, says Tom Lee, the managing partner and head of research at Fundstrat Global Advisors. In fact, he thinks that the growing preference for the cryptocurrencies over gold is actually helping contribute to the torrid gains in the fledgling products. One main factor driving demand for cryptocurrencies is the reduction in supply that's been seen in recent months, according to Lee. He notes that the rate of bitcoin units added has been more than halved over the past ...

Bitcoin cash, the cryptocurrency that split off from bitcoin earlier this year, jumped against the dollar on Friday. Investors have cash to burn right now, and based on the astronomical performance of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and Ethereum, that's where a lot of it is getting funneled. This is coming at the expense of gold, says Tom Lee, the managing partner and head of research at Fundstrat Global Advisors. In fact, he thinks that the growing preference for the cryptocurrencies over gold is actually helping contribute to the torrid gains in the fledgling products. One main factor driving demand for cryptocurrencies is the reduction in supply that's been seen in recent months, according to Lee. He notes that the rate of bitcoin units added has been more than halved over the past ...