Apple Eyes Chinese Memory Chips as AI Shortage Pressures iPhone Supply Chain 
Microsoft Reportedly Plans New Job Cuts Across Sales, Consulting, and Xbox 
AI can be a personal trainer in your pocket – but is it safe? 
Australia Sues Amazon Over Prime Video Ads and Subscription Terms 
Meta CEO Zuckerberg Says AI Agent Development Has Slowed Despite Massive AI Investment 
Baidu Shares Rally as Kunlunxin Eyes $50 Billion Hong Kong IPO 
South Korea Alleges Google Abused Android App Store Dominance, Eyes Major Fine 
EU Chip Industry Faces Growing Risks From China Export Controls and U.S. Technology Dependence: Report 
OpenAI Proposes 5% U.S. Government Stake Amid AI Policy Talks 
Samsung to Invest $90 Billion in South Korea to Expand AI Chip, Display, and Battery Production 
Meta Stock Jumps as AI Cloud Expansion Challenges AWS, Microsoft, and Google 
Kioxia Bets on AI Memory Boom With Next-Gen NAND Production in Japan 
Apple Challenges India Antitrust Probe, Says CCI Copied Rivals’ Claims in App Store Case 
SoftBank Shares Slide as OpenAI IPO Delay Concerns Weigh on AI Investment Outlook 
Smartphones are helping filmmakers tell the stories the movie industry overlooks 
TSMC CoWoS Capacity Forecast Raised as Mizuho Sees AI Server CPU Demand Surging Through 2027 
Kuaishou Stock Jumps as Kling AI Secures $2 Billion Funding Round 
Apple engineers are believed to be usually close to finalizing a prototype of the next iPhone lineup around this time of the year. The first quarter of 2020, however, has not been like any kind of year with the COVID-19 pandemic devastating the world. With that, Apple is reportedly hell-bent on finding ways to make sure the widely anticipated iPhone 12 would not be off track from its planned timeline.
iPhone 12 development: Apple engineers try to keep usual timeline amid a global pandemic
Work in China where most of Apple’s supply chain is located and in the United States where the company is headquartered have both been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Apple engineers are reportedly soldiering on and are trying unconventional ways to work from home to finalize the iPhone 12 prototype.
The Information reported that Apple employees attached to the development of the iPhone 12 have proceeded to work on the upcoming device by meeting through video calls. It is more difficult than it sounds though, per the same report.
Sources reveal engineers find themselves “tracing shapes in the air” and rely on “grainy photos” sent by their supply chain partners in China to finalize iPhone 12 components. On a normal, pandemic-free time, Apple engineers travel to China to visit factories and personally check components that would be used for the new device.
The Cupertino, California-based tech giant, though very secretive, maintains a consistent annual production and launch timeline for new iPhones. Aside from the unprecedented challenges they face this year, it is also possible that the risk of seeing product leaks increases.
iPhone 12 release date: What to expect
Despite relentless insider reports, it is unclear at this point if the iPhone 12 would suffer any delay. There are conflicting reports about the smartphone lineup’s release date window. Some sources say Apple would be able to maintain its familiar timeline.
Others have floated the possibility of the iPhone 12 models to be shipped a few months later than usual. Whichever case happens, Apple will most likely keep a September product launch event.
