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Blog Posts

Tap to Pay on iPhone Introduces in Malaysia, Omitting Apple’s Own Retail Store

**Tap to Pay on iPhone Introduced in Malaysia: A New Chapter for Small Enterprises**

Apple has officially rolled out its Tap to Pay on iPhone service in Malaysia, signifying a major milestone in the company’s continuous efforts to deliver cutting-edge payment solutions for small enterprises. This service enables merchants to accept contactless payments straight via their iPhones, eliminating the necessity for conventional payment terminals or card readers, which can be expensive and inconvenient.

**Advantages for Small Enterprises**

The launch of Tap to Pay is particularly beneficial for small enterprises, as it simplifies the payment procedure and lowers operational expenses. By utilizing their iPhones, business owners can present a contemporary payment solution that addresses the rising demand for contactless transactions. This service not only enhances convenience for both merchants and customers but also aligns with the growing trend of digital payments in the retail sector.

**Security Aspects**

Although Tap to Pay provides a smooth payment experience, it’s essential to acknowledge that contactless payment security measures may sometimes necessitate cardholders to insert their cards into a reader and input a PIN. However, such occurrences are infrequent, and the advantage of using an iPhone for transactions typically outweighs this minor inconvenience.

**Service Expansion**

Tap to Pay is currently available in over 50 countries, with Malaysia being one of the most recent additions following Mexico. In Malaysia, the service is supported by five payment platforms: ADAPTIS, Fiuu, HitPay, Stripe, and Zoho. These platforms enable businesses from various industries, including retail, food and beverage, beauty, and professional services, to adopt Tap to Pay at checkout.

**Accepted Payment Methods**

In Malaysia, consumers can utilize a range of cards for transactions, including American Express, JCB, Mastercard, MyDebit, UnionPay, and Visa. This broad acceptance guarantees that customers enjoy the flexibility to select their preferred payment option, further increasing the attractiveness of Tap to Pay.

**Looking Ahead**

Apple has announced that Tap to Pay will soon be accessible for checkout at its retail location, Apple The Exchange TRX, in Malaysia. This initiative is anticipated to further embed the service into the local market and offer customers a firsthand experience of the ease it provides.

In summary, the introduction of Tap to Pay on iPhone in Malaysia signifies a considerable advancement in payment technology for small enterprises. By harnessing the functionalities of the iPhone, Apple is not only streamlining transactions but also promoting a more efficient and modern retail atmosphere.

SamuRoid: Raspberry Pi-Powered 22-DOF Humanoid Robot with Multimodal LLMs and ROS Support – CNX Software

SamuRoid AI Humanoid Robot with Raspberry Pi

Shenzhen Xiao R Geek Technology (XiaoR GEEK) SamuRoid is a 22-DOF bionic humanoid robot built around a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B. Designed for researchers, educators, and robotics developers, the robot combines a traditional Robot Operating System (ROS) environment with modern embodied AI capabilities. The concept of SBC-powered humanoid robots is not new, and we have previously seen similar robots, such as the Tonybot and PiMecha, which focused on basic servo control, OpenCV vision, and beginner-friendly programming. Compared to those, SamuRoid is priced significantly higher but offers a more advanced setup with tighter hardware-software integration and support for multimodal interaction that combines vision, voice, and large language models. We have also seen a simpler, but larger bipedal robot like the Mini π. SamuRoid specifications SBC – Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (4GB or 8GB RAM options) Actuators – 22x XRS-series bus servos delivering ≥ 30 kgf · cm of torque at 12V […]

The post SamuRoid – A Raspberry Pi-powered 22-DOF humanoid robot with Multimodal LLMs and ROS support appeared first on CNX Software – Embedded Systems News.

The Unraveling of Dan Crenshaw

In 2019, a 36-year-old Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), newly elected to Congress, was photographed for the inaugural Time 100 Next List, wearing a dashing eye patch and looking upwards with hope. A Harvard-educated Navy SEAL who’d lost his legs while fighting the Taliban in Afghanistan, Crenshaw was in rarefied company, listed among the magazine’s candidates […]

“Comparative Evaluation of the MacBook Pro for Linux Users: Pros and Cons Relative to the Apple Ecosystem”

### The Framework Laptop 13 Pro: A Fresh Competitor for Linux Users

The Framework Laptop 13 Pro has surfaced as a significant option for Linux aficionados, with the company’s CEO describing it as “the MacBook Pro for Linux users.” This laptop not only accommodates Linux but also provides the capability to operate Windows, attracting a diverse user base. Notably, it asserts an advantage over the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro regarding battery performance.

#### Design and Features

The Framework Laptop 13 Pro features numerous design aspects that echo Apple products, while significantly differing in its foundational philosophy. As highlighted in a hands-on review by *The Verge*, the laptop showcases a fully machined chassis crafted from 6000-series aluminum, a haptic trackpad, and a tailored 13.5-inch, 3:2, 2.8K IPS screen with a variable refresh rate ranging from 30-120Hz, all pre-calibrated for color accuracy. This represents a substantial upgrade from the previous models, which were not particularly recognized for their refined aesthetics or construction quality.

Framework CEO Nirav Patel underscores that the objective of this laptop is to furnish a premium experience comparable to that of a MacBook Pro, especially in its anodized black finish, though it is also offered in silver.

#### Modularity and Upgradability

What truly sets the Framework Laptop 13 Pro apart is its modularity and upgradability, areas where MacBooks have frequently received critique. Users can seamlessly swap out the RAM and SSD, and they have the option to equip the laptop with different CPUs, including last year’s AMD Ryzen AI 300 boards, should they wish to explore alternatives to Intel.

Additionally, current owners of the Framework Laptop 13 can upgrade to the specifications of the Pro model. The dimensions remain unchanged, featuring a thickness of 15.85mm and a minor weight increase to 1.4kg (3.08lb) in comparison to the earlier model’s 1.3kg (2.86lb). Users can interchange components such as the Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processor, the display, keyboard, and trackpad, or even obtain a new chassis or bottom cover along with a larger battery.

#### Conclusion

The Framework Laptop 13 Pro stands as a compelling choice for those in search of a high-quality, customizable laptop that merges the premium feel of Apple devices with the adaptability of a modular design. If the company has successfully intertwined these two domains, it could draw in individuals who are not tied to the Apple ecosystem yet desire a robust and versatile machine.