Tech Roundup: Amazon Sparrow, TikTok Shop & More

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

• Apple limits use of AirDrop wireless file-sharing feature on iPhones in China after the mechanism was used by protesters to share images opposing the Chinese government; caps the "Everyone" option to a 10 minute-window in which users can receive files from non-contacts and says the feature will be rolled out globally in what's being seen as an attempt to fight spam.
• Google expands effort that allows third-party apps, starting with Bumble and Spotify, to use alternative billing for in-app purchases; brings it to the U.S., Brazil and South Africa. (While it's already being piloted in Australia, Europe, India, Indonesia and Japan, the move merely reduces the cut Google takes on such transactions by 3-4%. That said, Apple is yet to open its App Store to alternative payment systems.)
• Apple to invest US$ 450 million in satellite network and ground stations to enable its new emergency satellite texting feature, as the tech giant readies to rolled out Emergency SOS feature to iPhones later this month.
• Meta pulls the plug on its Portal video calling smart displays and its two remaining unreleased smartwatch projects; comes after its decision to stop producing Portal devices for consumers in June 2022.
• ByteDance-owned TikTok launches option for users to make purchases directly through the app using a feature called TikTok Shop, competing with Amazon and other retail giants.
• Substack adds the ability to hyperlink mentions of other writers or publications in posts; launches new cross-posting feature to amplify other writers or posts in email and announces writer Bestseller badges based on the number of paid subscribers.
• Twitter halts users from signing up for Twitter Blue on iOS days after its launch to "help address impersonation issues" affecting brands, politicians and celebrities; comes after users created fake imposter accounts to mimic popular brands.
• Google's YouTube introduces a new "Live Q&A" feature that is designed to make it easier for creators to interact with viewers during livestreams.
• Moscow-based Kaspersky plans to shut down its VPN service, Kaspersky Secure Connection, in Russia, on November 15, 2022.
• Amazon unveils new Prime Air delivery drone MK30; debuts Sparrow, a robotic arm using AI to move items of varying shapes and sizes for packaging.
• Foxconn, maker of most of the world's iPhones, reports Q3 2022 revenue up 24% YoY to US$ 54.8 billion and net income up 5% YoY to US$ 1.2 billion; warns of drop in consumer electronics revenue in Q4 2022.