IBM Nears $11 Billion Deal to Acquire Confluent in Major AI and Data Push 
Trump’s Approval of AI Chip Sales to China Triggers Bipartisan National Security Concerns 
Adobe Strengthens AI Strategy Ahead of Q4 Earnings, Says Stifel 
SpaceX Insider Share Sale Values Company Near $800 Billion Amid IPO Speculation 
Microsoft Unveils Massive Global AI Investments, Prioritizing India’s Rapidly Growing Digital Market 
Australia Enforces World-First Social Media Age Limit as Global Regulation Looms 
Trello Outage Disrupts Users as Access Issues Hit Atlassian’s Work Management Platform 
SK Hynix Shares Surge on Hopes for Upcoming ADR Issuance 
Mizuho Raises Broadcom Price Target to $450 on Surging AI Chip Demand 
US Charges Two Men in Alleged Nvidia Chip Smuggling Scheme to China 
Intel’s Testing of China-Linked Chipmaking Tools Raises U.S. National Security Concerns 
EssilorLuxottica Bets on AI-Powered Smart Glasses as Competition Intensifies 
EU Court Cuts Intel Antitrust Fine to €237 Million Amid Long-Running AMD Dispute 
SoftBank Shares Slide as Oracle’s AI Spending Plans Fuel Market Jitters 
SpaceX Reportedly Preparing Record-Breaking IPO Targeting $1.5 Trillion Valuation 
Trump Signs Executive Order to Establish National AI Regulation Standard 
SK Hynix Labeled “Investment Warning Stock” After Extraordinary 200% Share Surge 
Apple has been expected to have quite a busy month this March with several products rumored to be announced. However, the spread of COVID-19, aka coronavirus, might force Apple to change its plans in the coming weeks.
The iPhone SE 2 is one of the most anticipated devices to be announced this month. While the unveiling event is now reportedly uncertain to take place, the device seems to still be on track for a release soon as it purportedly enters pre-mass production.
iPhone SE 2 unveiling: Will Apple still host a product launch event this month?
Apple was believed to hold a late March event where the iPhone SE 2 would be presented. However, the YouTube channel EverythingApplePro reported a tip from known leaker Max Weinbach that the Cupertino, California-based tech giant might downsize its March plans.
An insider claimed that Apple might be obliged to cancel the said event and instead announce the iPhone SE 2 and other products through press releases and launch them through a website refresh. Weinbach’s source, however, reiterated that Apple would prefer to push through with the event.
It was also implied that the iPhone maker is communicating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) possibly seeking recommendations regarding the event. In interim guidance posted earlier this week, the CDC does not explicitly advise the cancellation of gatherings with huge crowds. However, it stated, “As the COVID-19 outbreak evolves, CDC strongly encourages event organizers and staff to prepare for the possibility of outbreaks in their communities.”
In recent years, Apple has held events in March though not as huge as the one usually taking place every September. Last year, the company released the second generation of AirPods in March without any major affair and only popped up on the website.
iPhone SE 2 release date feared to be moved to Q2 2020
DigiTimes mentioned in two reports (via MacRumors) that the iPhone SE 2 has entered the final product verification or the pre-mass production stage at an assembly site in Zhengzhou, China. However, the same publication claimed that Apple’s orders of printed circuit boards for the device with an LCD panel have been moved from Q1 to Q2 2020. If accurate, this could mean that the iPhone SE 2 might miss its rumored March release date altogether.
