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TSMC plans 1nm chip plant, but initial location abandoned
Apple’s A17 Pro is fabricated on 3nm process, while TSMC is already planning to produce 1nm chips. The next year’s A18 chipset is expected to be manufactured on a smaller version of TSMC’s 3nm process. Beyond that, the Taiwanese chip maker is already preparing for future technologies.
According to a new report, TSMC had initially settled on a location for its first 1nm chip plant, but that would have meant relocating some residents. The report says that residents of Longtan objected, and TSMC has now agreed to look elsewhere.
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As local residents opposed, TSMC canceled its plan to build an advanced chip factory in a rural part of northern Taiwan. The company said it would work with the government-run Science Park Administration “to evaluate land in Taiwan suitable for building semiconductor fabs”. It did not mention potential alternative sites.
The world’s largest contract chipmaker was intending to build a 1-nanometre chip factory in Longtan, according to a Central News Agency report in December [but TSMC] said it would not build a advanced chip factory in a rural part of northern Taiwan after local residents protested that they did not want to move to accommodate an expansion of an industrial park.
The company said it would work with the government-run Science Park Administration “to evaluate land in Taiwan suitable for building semiconductor fabs”. It did not mention potential alternative sites.
Countries worldwide started to shift to 5G networks for faster and more reliable networks. 2G is an old talk now but became limelight shortly after Google issued a critical security warning for Samsung Galaxy smartphone users.
Recently, Google Security Blog added a new article related to security. Pixel phones gained a toggle to completely disable 2G with Android 12. Samsung Galaxy devices in most countries lack this 2G toggle, which could lead users to security concerns.
Cell-site simulators, also known as FBS or Stingrays, are radio devices that mimic real cell sites to lure mobile devices to connect to them. These devices are commonly used for security attacks, such as surveillance and interception of communications.
“Working with global carriers and other OEMs through the GSMA to support the ecosystem in the development and adoption of further cellular security and privacy features is a priority area for Android.” – Google said in blog post.
SMS Blaster is the term that global carriers use to refer to FBS and cell-site simulators operated unlawfully to disseminate (blast) SMS payloads. They expose a fake LTE or 5G network that executes downgrading the user’s connection to a legacy 2G protocol.
There are several Android-only security features that can significantly mitigate, or in some cases fully block, the impact of this type of fraud. Android 12 introduced a user option to disable 2G at the modem level.
Samsung brought a toggle to disable the 2G network on Galaxy devices in some countries. However, Galaxy devices in most countries still don’t have this toggle within Settings. Google said it’s working with partners for the adoption of security features.
A new Samsung Members notice informing Galaxy users about the most recent One UI update. The latest notification mentions that the Galaxy devices have received a July 2024 One UI update with security improvements.
The Members app isn’t notifying about a new update’s availability. Rather, it informs you about the most recent firmware that you’ve installed on your device. The notice was published on August 1st, which could continue in the coming months.
Members app notice was published on many devices including the Galaxy S23 Ultra and S22 Ultra. It seems to be a change deployed after the recent update to the Members app. It isn’t so major but useful for those who don’t care about firmware updates.
Samsung Members yesterday received a major update. The release makes the application supported on OS versions up to Android 15. The development indicates the imminent arrival of Galaxy’s One UI Beta Program.
A new software updates information on August 1st.
It is showing information about latest installed software updates.
The latest One UI 6.1 update brought July 2024 security patch.#OneUI pic.twitter.com/7mYhvgLiA1
— Samsung One UI Software Updates #OneUI7 #OneUI (@SamSWUpdate) August 3, 2024
We always criticize Samsung update changelog as it mostly lack clear information. Galaxy users speculate changes based on the firmware size. However, it remains to be seen whether additional changes are notified through Members’ notice or not.
Samsung continues to level up its One UI update game. The company is already offering up to 84 months of software support. This duration ensures at least 7 major Android upgrades for compatible models like the S24 series, Z Flip 6, and Z Fold 6.
Devices launched before the S24 series are eligible for four years of OS upgrades and five years of security patches. The company’s recent budget phones are also eligible for 60 months software update plan, similar to most of the Chinese flagships.
Google has introduced a new feature called School Time, which helps parents manage their children’s screen time during school hours. The School time feature is currently available on Fitbit Ace LTE smartwatches and will be available on select Android phones, tablets, and Samsung Wear OS smartwatches over the next year.
Google’s School Time Feature
School time helps to reduce distractions by allowing parents to set their child’s device to a special home screen with limited features during school hours. This means students will have fewer apps and notifications to deal with while they are in class.
Now, parents can choose which apps are allowed. They can still let their children receive calls or texts from specific contacts in case of emergencies. This feature can also be turned on outside of class when students need to concentrate on homework or take a break from screens.
In addition to this, Google is also updating its supervision features for YouTube. Starting this summer, parents and teens can link their YouTube accounts so parents can see what their teens are watching.
Family Link will continue to let parents manage which apps their teens can use, set screen time limits, and track their location. Google also keeps safety settings in place for all users under 18, including SafeSearch and content restrictions.
The search giant is planning to expand the School time feature availability to Wear OS Samsung watches including Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Watch 5, Galaxy Watch 6, and Galaxy Watch 7 series.
One UI 6 Watch Beta 4 rolling out to Galaxy Watch 6, Watch 5, and Watch 4 series