Apple announces job cuts and bans call forwarding, along with other top tech news of the week

Apple Inc. has made its first significant job cuts since the pandemic began, laying off more than 600 employees in California. The layoffs are reportedly a result of the company’s decision to end its car and smartwatch display projects. According to filings with the California Employment Development Department, at least 87 of the affected employees worked at a secret Apple facility for next-generation screen development, while others were located at buildings related to the car project.

In other news, the Indian government has announced a ban on USSD-based call forwarding, affecting how Android and iPhone users manage call forwarding on their phones. This change is set to take effect from April 15, 2024, as the Department of Telecom aims to address vulnerabilities in the system that have been exploited in online scams and mobile phone-related crimes.

Meanwhile, Realme and Motorola have launched new smartphones in the market. Realme introduced the 12x smartphone with 45W charging support and a MediaTek chipset, while Motorola unveiled the Edge 50 Pro with a 50MP selfie camera and Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 SoC. Additionally, HP has launched the x360 14 laptops with a Microsoft CoPilot button for generative AI features.

On the gaming front, Krafton India has partnered with ZeptoLab to launch the shooter mobile game Bullet Echo India, tailored specifically for Indian gamers. The game promises an immersive experience with unique features curated for the Indian gaming community.

Overall, the tech industry continues to see developments and changes, with companies making strategic decisions to adapt to market demands and government regulations.