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Equinix Malaysia Explores Alternative Energy Ahead of July Tariff Hike Amid Data Center Expansion

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Equinix Malaysia, the local arm of global data center operator Equinix, is evaluating alternative energy providers to mitigate the impact of a 14.2% electricity tariff increase set to take effect in July, the company said on Wednesday. The tariff hike is expected to significantly raise operational costs, especially for energy-intensive data center operations.

Cheam Tat Inn, managing director of Equinix Malaysia, stated during a media walkabout at the Cyberjaya data center—now completing its second phase—that the company is actively engaging with renewable energy providers, although specific sources and timelines have not been disclosed.

Equinix currently operates two facilities in Malaysia:

  • Cyberjaya with a capacity of 4.8 megawatts (MW)

  • Johor with 2.4 MW, which is fully subscribed following its launch in May 2023.

Cheam added that customer occupancy at the Cyberjaya site is rising rapidly, underscoring strong regional demand for digital infrastructure.

Malaysia is in the midst of a data center boom, with forecasts projecting a fourfold increase in facilities over the next decade from the current 18, collectively demanding over 800MW of electricity. The surge is largely driven by the growing demand for AI and cloud services, with tech giants such as Microsoft, Nvidia, Google, ByteDance, and Oracle investing billions in the country.

Equinix has also been aggressively expanding across Southeast Asia, acquiring three data centers in the Philippines last year and maintaining operations in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore as it positions itself to tap into the region’s digital growth trajectory.

U.S. Seeks Breakup of Google’s Ad-Tech Business After Judge Finds Illegal Monopoly

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The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is pushing to break up Google’s advertising technology empire, proposing that the tech giant be forced to sell its AdX ad exchange and DFP publisher ad-server platform following a federal judge’s ruling that Google illegally monopolized the online ad-tech market.

In a court filing late Monday, the DOJ stated that such divestitures are essential to restore fair competition in the ad-exchange and publisher ad-serving sectors, where Google — a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. — has long held dominant positions.

U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema ruled last month that Google had “willfully acquired and maintained monopoly power” in both markets. The case marks another major legal setback for Google, coming after a separate ruling last year found the company guilty of maintaining an illegal monopoly in online search.

A September trial date has been scheduled to determine final remedies. While Google has said it is open to behavioral changes, such as giving competitors access to real-time bidding data, the company opposes any forced divestitures, arguing such a move lacks legal standing and would hurt advertisers and publishers alike.

“This goes well beyond the Court’s findings,” said Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google’s VP of Regulatory Affairs. “It would harm publishers and advertisers, and has no basis in law.”

AdX (Ad Exchange) is Google’s real-time ad marketplace, while DFP (DoubleClick for Publishers) is used to manage and deliver ads on websites. Together, they are key tools that allow digital publishers to monetize their content, and their dominance has drawn increasing antitrust scrutiny.

In Europe, Google previously offered to sell AdX to settle an EU investigation, but publishers rejected the offer, calling it inadequate.

Alphabet’s shares fell 1.1% in premarket trading on Tuesday following the DOJ’s filing.

Google Pixel 10 to Feature Enhanced PWM Dimming to Help Reduce Eye Strain and Visual Discomfort

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Google Pixel 10 Set to Address PWM Dimming Issues with Display Upgrades

Rumors surrounding the upcoming Google Pixel 10 series suggest that the company is preparing significant improvements to its display technology. Google’s Pixel 9 series, including the recently launched Pixel 9a, has been praised for its high-quality screens, but users have reported issues with pulse width modulation (PWM) dimming, which can cause discomfort such as headaches, blurred vision, and migraines. Google has acknowledged these concerns and hinted that the Pixel 10 could offer a solution.

The Pixel 9a features a 6.3-inch Actua (pOLED) display with a resolution of 1,080 x 2,424 pixels and a refresh rate ranging from 60Hz to 120Hz. Additionally, the display boasts an impressive 2,700 nits of peak brightness. To enhance color accuracy and efficiency, Google and other smartphone brands, including Apple and Samsung, use PWM dimming technology. This method adjusts the backlight to create the illusion of varying brightness levels without changing the light source directly.

While PWM dimming aids in delivering consistent visuals, displays with low dimming rates, like the Pixel 9’s 240Hz setting, have been linked to visual discomfort. Users have reported frequent headaches and eye strain, which has led to growing concerns. In response to these complaints, Google was approached by AndroidCentral for clarification. A company representative confirmed that Google is aware of the issue and is actively investigating potential solutions. The official added that users could expect updates later this year, which might resolve the issue for future Pixel devices.

While Google did not confirm whether the fix would specifically target the Pixel 9 series, it strongly suggests that the upcoming Pixel 10 series will incorporate these display enhancements. These improvements are likely to address the PWM dimming rate issues and provide a more comfortable viewing experience for users who have been affected by the current displays. Fans and tech enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting further details about the Pixel 10 and its much-anticipated display upgrades.