This is an archive article published on September 6, 2020
Week in Tech (Aug 31 to Sep 6, 2020): PUBG Mobile ban, Intel’s Tiger Lake CPUs reveal and more
India bans PUBG Mobile, Intel launches the 11th Generation Tiger Lake family for thin and light notebook, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 launch and more in this week’s roundup of tech news.
New Delhi | Updated: September 7, 2020 10:17 AM IST
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PUBG Corp will be in charge of the publishing rights in India
It was a relatively busy week in tech, but that’s no surprise. This entire week, PUBG Mobile hogged the limelight as India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology decided to ban 118 apps with links to China, citing national security risks. In terms of launches, a lot of new products made their debut, including Intel’s 11th Gen Core Tiger Lake CPUs and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2. IFA, Europe’s largest technology show, opened its doors for visitors and press this week. Though things just seemed quieter in comparison to last year, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. These are the stories everyone in tech is talking about.
India bans PUBG, 117 other Chinese apps
India this week banned the popular mobile game PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, better known as PUBG, along with 117 other Chinese origin apps. The decision came amid increased tensions between India and China over the disputed in the Ladhak region. Tencent’s PUBG had over 40 million monthly active users in July, according to research firm Sensor Tower. In late June, the Indian government banned 59 Chinese-origin apps, including TikTok, citing privacy concerns.
Intel shows off Tiger Lake CPUs
Intel finally announced the 11th generation “Tiger Lake” chips as a replacement to the 10th generation “Ice Lake” family. The 11th Gen Tiger Lake processors feature Intel’s new integrated Xe graphics, Thunderbolt 4 support, Wi-Fi 6, and a massive jump in performance. The 11th generation Core processors are designed for thin and light notebooks. The new processors will be used in a number of laptops from companies like HP, Dell, Acer, Asus, Dell, Lenovo, MSI, LG, and Samsung. The silicon major also announced the second iteration of its next-generation “Project Athena” initiative.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 launches on Sept 18 for $1,999
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 is here, and yes it’s expensive. The Galaxy Z Fold 2, which is Samsung’s third folding phone, costs $1999 and will hit retail shelves on September 18 in the US. The high-profile foldable phone a new 6.2-inch screen on the front and a 7.6-inch screen inside. Samsung says the new Galaxy Z Fold 2’s display is stronger than the original, though it’s not as strong as the glass screen on the Galaxy Note 20. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 is pitched as the luxury smartphone, a new segment where Samsung wants to dominate. Those with high disposable income should be looking forward to buying the Galaxy Z Fold 2.
The biggest news from IFA 2020
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, IFA 2020 trade show saw a lot of new launches. During Qualcomm’s virtual launch, Acer announced its Spin 7 2-in1 running the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 2 platform. Meanwhile, Huawei’s sub-brand Honor used the tech show to reveal the Watch GS Pro, its first rugged outdoors watch. It also unveiled the MagicBook Pro, a 16.1-inch laptop with a 90 per cent screen-to-body ratio AMD Ryzen 4000 H-series processor. At IFA 2020, TCL announced new paper-like display can also play videos. Dubbed NXTPAPER, TCL said it’s meant for larger devices like tablets or e-readers.
Anuj Bhatia is a seasoned personal technology writer at indianexpress.com with a career spanning over a decade. Active in the domain since 2011, he has established himself as a distinct voice in tech journalism, specializing in long-form narratives that bridge the gap between complex innovation and consumer lifestyle.
Experience & Career: Anuj has been a key contributor to The Indian Express since late 2016. Prior to his current tenure, he served as a Senior Tech Writer at My Mobile magazine and held a role as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. His professional trajectory reflects a rigorous commitment to technology reporting, backed by a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University.
Expertise & Focus Areas: Anuj’s reporting covers the spectrum of personal technology, characterized by a unique blend of modern analysis and historical context. His key focus areas include:
Core Technology: Comprehensive coverage of smartphones, personal computers, apps, and lifestyle tech.
Deep-Dive Narratives: Specializes in composing longer-form feature articles and explainers that explore the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture.
Global & Local Scope: Reports extensively on major international product launches from industry titans like Apple and Google, while simultaneously covering the ecosystem of indie and home-grown tech startups.
Niche Interests: A dedicated focus on vintage technology and retro gaming, offering readers a nostalgic yet analytical perspective on the evolution of tech.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Anuj is a trusted voice in the industry, recognized for his ability to de-jargonize trending topics and provide context to rapid technological advancements. His authority is reinforced by his on-ground presence at major international tech conferences and his nuanced approach to product reviews. By balancing coverage of the world's most valuable tech brands with emerging startups, he offers a holistic and objective view of the global technology landscape.
Find all stories by Anuj Bhatia here.
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