Latest Tech News – April 3, 2025
Tech Industry Faces Major Disruptions Due to New Tariffs
The global technology sector is witnessing a significant shake-up following the announcement of new tariffs by the U.S. government. Leading companies such as Apple, Amazon, Tesla, and Nvidia have experienced sharp declines in stock prices, with Apple dropping by 7%, Amazon by 6%, and Tesla by 8% in after-hours trading.
The new policy imposes a universal 10% tax on all imported goods starting April 5, with additional tariffs targeting China, the European Union, and South Korea from April 9. Apple’s supply chain, heavily dependent on China and Vietnam, is expected to bear the brunt of these measures despite a $500 billion investment plan aimed at boosting domestic production.
Retail giants like Walmart and Target, alongside automakers such as Tesla, are preparing for increased production costs. Meanwhile, semiconductor manufacturers, including Nvidia and TSMC, have a temporary exemption from these tariffs. Industry leaders have raised concerns over potential inflationary effects and economic instability, urging policymakers to reconsider the decision.
Meta Seeks to Settle FTC Antitrust Case
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is actively lobbying the U.S. government to settle the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) ongoing antitrust case against the company. The case, set to go to trial on April 14, aims to break up Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp, alleging they were purchased to suppress competition.
This marks Zuckerberg’s third visit to the White House since the election of President Trump. While some officials have expressed concerns about Meta’s lobbying efforts, no final decision has been made on a potential settlement. Additionally, Meta is facing a possible $1 billion fine from the European Union for violating the Digital Markets Act.
Sony Unveils Cutting-Edge Bravia Home Theater Series
Sony has officially launched its 2025 Bravia home theater lineup, featuring next-generation TVs and audio systems.
The flagship Bravia 8 II QD-OLED TV promises 25% more brightness and enhanced color accuracy, competing with LG’s G5 and Samsung’s S95F. Meanwhile, the Bravia 5 mini-LED TV offers superior color and brightness with Sony’s XR Backlight Master Drive technology. For those on a budget, the Bravia 2 II delivers impressive performance at an affordable price.
In the audio department, Sony introduced the Bravia Theater System 6, a powerful 1,000-watt 5.1 surround sound setup, and the Bravia Theater Bar 6, supporting Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for immersive audio experiences. Pricing details are yet to be disclosed.
Amazon Expresses Interest in Acquiring TikTok
As TikTok faces an April 5 deadline to sever ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or risk a U.S. ban, Amazon has made a surprising bid to acquire the platform. The bid was reportedly submitted to Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick ahead of an upcoming meeting with President Trump.
Despite Amazon’s strong position in the tech industry, its bid is not being taken seriously by key decision-makers. Meanwhile, alternative investment groups, including Blackstone and Oracle, are exploring options to gain partial ownership. ByteDance, however, remains firm in its stance that TikTok is not for sale.
Upcoming Smartphone Launches in April 2025
The smartphone market is gearing up for several major releases this month, including:
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Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge (April 16 launch): Features a sleek 5.84mm design, Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, 6.65-inch AMOLED display, and a 200MP primary camera. Expected price: Rs. 1,12,000 to Rs. 1,21,500 in India.
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Vivo T4 5G: Successor to the Vivo T3 5G, boasting a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED screen, Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, and a 7,300mAh battery with 90W charging. Estimated price: Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000.
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Infinix Note 50 Pro+: Global release with a 12GB+512GB variant, Dimensity 8350 chipset, 6.78-inch AMOLED screen, and a 50MP+50MP+8MP rear camera setup. Expected to launch in India soon.
Key Tech Trends Shaping 2025
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration: AI is becoming more sophisticated, revolutionizing healthcare, education, and supply chain management with intelligent automation and personalized solutions.
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Quantum Computing: Advancements in quantum technology are enabling faster problem-solving in fields like cryptography, logistics, and pharmaceuticals.
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5G and Beyond: As 5G adoption expands, new connectivity technologies like 6G are already in early development, promising even faster speeds and lower latency.
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Sustainable Tech Innovations: Companies are prioritizing eco-friendly products, with a surge in demand for energy-efficient devices, green data centers, and electronic recycling solutions.
Stay tuned for more updates on the latest developments in the tech world!