Tech Roundup: Apple Spaces Acquisition, Facebook News Tab & More

[A recurring feature on the latest in Science & Technology.]

• Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly stoked concerns about Chinese internet companies and TikTok in meetings with U.S. government officials, reports The Wall Street Journal, adding Zuckerberg hammered the message that TikTok "doesn't share Facebook's commitment to freedom of expression, and represents a risk to American values and technological supremacy."
• It's worth noting that shortly after the U.S. government announced plans to ban TikTok, Instagram announced its rival, 'Reels'. It's one thing to launching copycat products but getting the government to ban your competitors is bona fide anti-competitive behaviour.
• Google begins TikTok style videos in Discover feed fed by content from Indian TikTok competitor Trell, as well as Google's Area 120 project Tangi; TikTok alternative Triller partners with Reliance's JioSaavn to embed its short videos into the music streaming service, as the app tries to capitalise on India's ban of TikTok.
• Apple acquires Spaces, a location-based VR animation startup that recently pivoted to bringing traditional video conferencing software to VR headsets, for an undisclosed sum, according to Protocol, as part of its continued efforts to snap up virtual and augmented reality companies for incorporating the technology into future iOS devices and new hardware products.
• Amazon-owned audiobook platform Audible debuts Audible Plus, a US$ 7.95/month tier with unlimited access to a library of over 11,000 titles spanning audiobooks, podcasts, and original productions.
• Apple offers to spend US$ 84 million on supporting small businesses and consumers in South Korea to address antitrust concerns raised by Korea Fair Trade Commission that it abused its dominant position by forcing mobile carriers to pay for advertising and warranty repairs.

The Facebook News tab is coming to more countries

• Mozilla releases revamped Firefox browser for Android with enhanced tracking protection, a Firefox Focus-powered private browsing mode, picture-in-picture mode for videos, and support for 10 pre-approved add-ons, including uBlock Origin, Dark Reader, HTTPS Everywhere, Privacy Badger, NoScript Security Suite, Decentraleyes, Search by Image, YouTube High Definition, and Privacy Possum.
• Apple to open its online store in India next month ahead of the festive season that kicks off in October, with plans for two retail stores in the country next year in the cities of Mumbai and Bangalore.
• Google-owned Fitbit unveils Sense smartwatch (US$ 330) with GPS and Google Assistant support, an electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor and an electrodermal activity sensor for detecting stress, next generation Versa 3 (US$ 230) smartwatch and Inspire 2 (US$ 99) fitness tracker with 10-day battery life and a full year of Fitbit Premium.
• Facebook begins a dedicate Shop section in its flagship app in the U.S., months after debuting the same feature in Instagram back in May, as it doubles down on its e-commerce business and attempts to make shopping a key destination across its apps; announces plans to expand its News tab to the U.K., Germany, France, India, and Brazil within the next 6-12 months.
• Microsoft adds an audio transcription feature to Word's web version for Office 365 that will work with prerecorded or live audio, allowing users to record and upload audio content of up to 300 minutes a month for transcription.
• Alphabet-owned health subsidiary and Google sister company Verily launches new subsidiary Coefficient Insurance Company with an aim to offer stop-loss insurance backed by Swiss Re Corporate Solutions.