# First steps for a US OnePlus ban

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WKtBC_MyNM
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/1WKtBC_MyNM
Generated: 2025-07-11T06:20:04.552+00:00

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## Quick Overview

US lawmakers are investigating a potential ban on OnePlus phones due to alleged data collection concerns, while Linux desktop market share has surpassed 5% in the US for the first time, partly driven by Microsoft's struggling Windows 10 end-of-life campaign. Samsung's tri-fold phone, likely named Galaxy Z Fold 7, was extensively leaked, revealing a unique design with an outer display on the middle panel, and is expected to launch in Q4 2025 for around $3,000, possibly limited to Korea and China. Other tech news includes Microsoft's latest layoffs, a lawsuit against Apple over App Store rules, Spotify's new playlist personalization, Cloudflare's 'pay per crawl' for AI, and Nintendo's efforts to block third-party Switch 2 accessories.

**Key Points:**
- US lawmakers are investigating Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus for potential security concerns related to user data collection and transmission to Chinese servers.
- Linux desktop operating system market share has surpassed 5% in the US for the first time, reaching 5.03% in June 2025.
- Microsoft's Windows 10 end-of-life campaign is struggling, with Windows 10 still holding nearly 49% of the market share worldwide as of June 2025, despite support ending on October 14, 2025.
- Samsung's tri-fold phone, likely the Galaxy Z Fold 7, was leaked showing a design with an outer display on the middle panel and is expected to launch in Q4 2025 for approximately $3,000.
- Microsoft is laying off around 9,000 employees, including staff from Xbox and Blizzard, and is discontinuing its mobile game Warcraft Rumble.
- Cloudflare introduced 'pay per crawl,' allowing content owners to charge AI crawlers for access and blocking them by default, potentially changing how AI models access web content.
- Nintendo deliberately locked down the Switch 2's USB-C port to prevent third-party docks and VR headsets, but a workaround has already been developed.

**Context:** The tech industry is currently navigating complex geopolitical tensions, particularly between the US and China, impacting major manufacturers like OnePlus. Simultaneously, the desktop operating system landscape is shifting as Microsoft's long-supported Windows 10 approaches its end-of-life, prompting users to consider alternatives. Innovation in smartphone form factors continues with foldable and tri-fold designs emerging, while broader tech trends include industry-wide layoffs, ongoing antitrust scrutiny of major app stores, and new approaches to content monetization in the age of AI.

## Detailed Analysis

US politicians are initiating an investigation into Chinese smartphone manufacturer OnePlus, citing potential security concerns regarding extensive user data collection and transmission to servers under Chinese jurisdiction without explicit consent. While no concrete evidence has been publicly presented, the bipartisan nature of the inquiry suggests a deeper probe by the US Commerce Department's Information and Communications Technology and Services program. Concurrently, the Linux desktop operating system has achieved a significant milestone, exceeding 5% market share in the US for the first time, a trend also observed in other markets like Germany. This growth is partly attributed to a 'snowball effect' of increasing adoption and support, but primarily to Microsoft's ineffective campaign to migrate users from Windows 10, which reaches its end-of-life on October 14, 2025, with nearly half of all Windows users still on the older version. Microsoft has introduced an Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for consumers, offering continued support for a fee or through specific actions, but many users are opting for Linux instead. In hardware news, Samsung's highly anticipated tri-fold phone, internally dubbed 'Multifold 7' and likely to be released as the Galaxy Z Fold 7, has seen numerous leaks through animations found in One UI 8. This device features a unique design with an outer display on the middle panel, allowing the two side panels to fold inward, contrasting with Huawei's S-fold design that exposes the flexible screen. Expected to enter mass production in September for a Q4 2025 launch, the tri-fold phone is rumored to feature a 10-inch OLED panel, a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, a 200-megapixel primary camera, and a hefty $3,000 price tag, with initial availability possibly restricted to Korea and China. Additional tech updates include Microsoft's layoff of approximately 9,000 employees and the discontinuation of its mobile game Warcraft Rumble, Swiss firm Proton's lawsuit against Apple over its App Store's 30% commission and forced in-app purchases, Spotify's new genre personalization options for Discover Weekly playlists, Cloudflare's introduction of 'pay per crawl' to allow content owners to charge AI crawlers for access, and an investigation revealing Nintendo's deliberate blocking of third-party USB-C docking for the Switch 2, though a workaround has already been found.

### OnePlus Ban Investigation

- US lawmakers are probing OnePlus over potential user data collection and transmission to Chinese servers without consent
- A commercial company's investigation found devices 'may potentially collect and transmit extensive user data'
- No public evidence has been provided, but a deeper investigation by the US Commerce Department is expected
- The speaker suggests this could set a precedent for other Chinese-owned brands and reduce US market competition.

### Linux Desktop Market Growth

- Linux desktop market share reached 5.03% in the US for the first time in June 2025, and 5.47% in Germany
- This growth is partly due to a 'snowball effect' and geopolitical tensions
- The primary driver is Microsoft's struggling Windows 10 end-of-life campaign, with nearly half of all Windows users still on Windows 10
- Microsoft offers a Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for $30 or via rewards points, but many users are switching to Linux.

### Samsung Tri-Fold Phone Leaks

- Animations of Samsung's 'Multifold 7' (likely Galaxy Z Fold 7) were found in One UI 8, indicating an imminent launch
- The design features an outer display on the middle panel with side panels folding inward, differing from Huawei's exposed S-fold design
- Mass production is expected in September for a Q4 2025 launch
- Rumored specs include a 10-inch OLED panel, Snapdragon 8 Elite, 200MP camera, $3,000 price, and limited initial availability to Korea and China.

### Release Monitor

- Nothing launched the over-ear Headphone (1) for $299, positioned below Sony and Bose models
- Nothing also released the Phone (3) for $799, featuring a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, three 50MP cameras, a new Glyph Matrix display, and a silicon-carbon anode battery, with US availability confirmed
- Honor launched the Magic V5, touted as the thinnest foldable (excluding camera bump) with flagship specifications.

### Tech Briefs

- Microsoft announced layoffs of approximately 9,000 employees, including staff from Xbox and Blizzard, and is discontinuing its mobile game Warcraft Rumble
- Swiss privacy tech firm Proton is suing Apple in the US over its App Store rules, specifically the 30% commission and forced in-app purchases
- Spotify will introduce genre personalization options for its 'Discover Weekly' playlists, marking the first major change in 10 years
- Cloudflare launched 'pay per crawl,' allowing content owners to charge AI crawlers for access and blocking them by default
- An investigation revealed Nintendo deliberately locked down the Switch 2's USB-C port to prevent third-party docking and VR headset connections, though a workaround has been developed.

### Insta360 Ace Pro 2 Promotion

- The Insta360 Ace Pro 2, a high-end action camera, is on sale for 18% off until July 15 for Prime Days
- Key features include a clever design with a bright, flip-up display, water resistance up to 12 meters (60m with dive case), and excellent image quality
- It boasts a large 1/1.3-inch sensor, Leica lenses, and advanced AI chips, supporting up to 8K/30fps or 4K/120fps with superb stabilization
- Early buyers through the provided link also receive a bonus mini 2-in-1 tripod.

![Screenshot at 0:27: Reuters headline about lawmakers wanting a probe into Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/1WKtBC_MyNM/00-00-27.png)
![Screenshot at 0:40: Text overlay quoting concerns about OnePlus devices collecting and transmitting user data to Chinese servers](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/1WKtBC_MyNM/00-00-40.png)
![Screenshot at 2:00: StatCounter chart showing Linux desktop OS market share in the US at 5.03% in June 2025](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/1WKtBC_MyNM/00-02-00.png)
![Screenshot at 2:40: StatCounter chart showing Windows 10 (48.89%) and Windows 11 (47.83%) market share worldwide in June 2025](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/1WKtBC_MyNM/00-02-40.png)
![Screenshot at 3:52: Diagram of the Samsung tri-fold phone design with three panels, showing the camera module and outer display](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/1WKtBC_MyNM/00-03-52.png)
![Screenshot at 4:24: A person holding Huawei's tri-fold phone, demonstrating its S-fold design with an exposed display](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/1WKtBC_MyNM/00-04-24.png)
![Screenshot at 5:44: Infographic detailing Nothing Phone (3) specifications, including Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip and 50MP cameras](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/1WKtBC_MyNM/00-05-44.png)
![Screenshot at 7:00: Cloudflare blog post headline about 'pay per crawl' for AI crawlers](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/1WKtBC_MyNM/00-07-00.png)
![Screenshot at 7:21: The Verge article headline about Nintendo locking down the Switch 2's USB-C port](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/1WKtBC_MyNM/00-07-21.png)
![Screenshot at 7:44: A hand holding the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 action camera with its flip-up screen open, showing the interface](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/1WKtBC_MyNM/00-07-44.png)