HMD Global sets a new bar in smartphone manufacturing with the Nokia XR21, claiming ‘military-grade durability’ and localized data storage for improved security. Remarkably, this sturdy device boasts a chassis made from 100% recycled aluminium, affirming the company’s commitment to sustainability. As an added boon, it has moved its manufacturing to Europe, enhancing the product quality control. This move hints at the potential appeal of a ‘Made in Europe’ smartphone in an overwhelmingly Asian-dominated market.
Generative AI’s capacity to curate fresh content is piquing interest within the telecommunications domain with predictions of significant growth. A recent Altman Solon survey revealed that nearly half of the experts in this field are gearing towards adopting this technology within the forthcoming two years. Telecommunications companies are seen to utilize AI power initially to refine customer experiences. Alterations of these AI models to align with specific objectives and eventually, creating new industry-focused models are the subsequent phases. However, data protection concerns circulate around its adoption. Thus, an intricate balance must be reached in refining AI applications and ensuring data safety.
Diving deeper into spatial computing realms, Qualcomm releases Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 and Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 platforms, enhancing user immersion through improved GPU performance, AI, and concurrent camera capabilities. Snapdragon XR2 aims at efficient virtual reality navigation while AR1 offers advanced features for smart glasses. However, despite the technological leap, the mass-market embrace of AR/VR innovations stays at bay. The question remains: will Qualcomm’s efforts be enough to spur the demand boost the industry awaits?
Iliad, the French telecom operator, steps up to redefine Europe’s AI landscape, unveiling a Nvidia DGX SuperPOD, the first in Europe. Aimed for their Cloud division, Scaleway, it aims to accelerate AI services for businesses while securing a technological edge. Yet, questions on ROI and sustainability lurk amidst innovation.
The EU’s first annual State of the Digital Decade report highlights an urgent call to action for increased investment to meet its 2030 technology targets. The report underlines the significance of collective efforts by member states to successfully navigate the prevalent digital transformation. The document illuminates areas such as 5G deployment, which has been slower than expected, and inadequate fiber network coverage, among others. Simultaneously, it draws attention to other essential aspects, like digital sovereignty and the digitalization of businesses, suggesting an additional investment of at least €200 billion may be necessary. Issues such as these could hamper the bloc’s ambition to double its share in the semiconductor sector by 2030.
Amazon’s sizable investment in one AI provider shakes up AWS’ traditional neutral stance on supporting multiple AI models—a game-changer with implications for large tech players and telecommunication operators. The recent announcement to commit up to $4 billion to Anthropic, a competitive stakeholder in AI, could alter customer experiences and sway preferences towards their Claude AI model. The telecoms industry’s reaction remains crucial as operators navigate the expanding AI revolution.
EchoStar, in a strategic partnership with The Things Industries, enriches its European IoT strategy by introducing a terrestrial element. With The Things Industries’ unique server technology, EchoStar aims to facilitate uninterrupted, real-time communication for IoT devices via terrestrial or satellite channels. While no specific application cases were disclosed, a limited-time trial service provides customers with a glimpse into their orchestrated offerings.
The global wearable device market has bounced back, with an 8.5% year-on-year increase in Q2 shipments, counteracting a two-quarter decline. This upswing is not all positive news, with the market value taking a hit as competition leads to hefty price discounts. However, a growing preference for comprehensive health tracking provides exciting potential, with major brands and emerging players closely eyeing this trend. An interesting spectrum lies ahead in wearable technology, where even the traditional dominance of smartwatches may be contested by earware.
The UK Competition and Markets Authority is charting the course for fair AI practices, guided by seven strategic principles. Their balanced approach, drawn from a diverse pool of inputs, aims to ensure competitive integrity and consumer welfare in the AI-driven market. The spotlight is on accountability, ensuring AI creators shoulder responsibility for their solutions’ implications. Additionally, advocating for consumer freedom in choice and flexibility, they aim to deter anti-competitive practices. However, who exactly should uphold the principle of transparency remains unclear.
The unveiling of Apple’s four new iPhone models sparked a surprising underwhelm in the tech community. Meanwhile, debates rose regarding China’s nimble navigation around US tech embargoes, especially regarding iPhone use. No less intriguing were the discussions around Open RAN – tech pioneers revisited this initiative with the UK’s recent efforts to regain Open RAN momentum.
