European Smartphone Market Slumps 11% in Q3 2023: Apple Trumps Xiaomi, Honor Emerges Sole Growth

The European smartphone landscape witnessed an 11% contraction in the third quarter of 2023, marking the lowest sales since 2011, according to Counterpoint Research. Amidst this downturn, Realme faced the steepest decline, while Apple's iPhone sales dipped only slightly, surpassing Xiaomi. Notably, Honor emerged as the sole player in the top five to exhibit growth. In Western Europe, a marginal…

Harman, a Samsung-Owned Giant, Amplifies Its Reach with Acquisition of Roon Audio Platform

Harman, the audio electronics powerhouse under Samsung's ownership, has announced the acquisition of the Roon audio platform. Roon stands out as a versatile platform that allows seamless music playback across multiple devices in different rooms, transcending brand barriers. Harman, synonymous with renowned audio brands like AKG, dbx, JBL, and Soundcraft, operates globally and has been under Samsung's umbrella since 2017.…

Apple to Embrace Cross-Platform Messaging with RCS Implementation in 2024

Apple has officially announced its adoption of the Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging standard, slated for release in 2024. This decision is seen as a response to mounting pressure from competitors like Google and Samsung, as well as regulatory considerations. The RCS feature is expected to simplify messaging between iPhone and Android users, offering a seamless cross-platform experience. An Apple…

SpaceX has unveiled a scaled-down Starlink terminal

SpaceX has introduced the third generation of the Starlink terminal, boasting a sleeker design by eliminating the motor for position adjustment, replaced by a stand. Initially available to a select group in the United States, this new terminal is lighter, thinner, and more user-friendly. The latest Starlink terminal incorporates a 10% wider field of view, enhancing its connectivity capabilities. Notably,…

18 Nations Unite To Protect Artificial Intelligence From Malicious Use

The United States, the United Kingdom, and 16 other nations have collaboratively unveiled the inaugural comprehensive international agreement dedicated to safeguarding artificial intelligence (AI) technology from potential misuse. The 20-page document emphasizes the imperative for companies involved in AI development to construct systems that boast a "secure architecture." The non-binding agreement delves into specific recommendations, urging companies to meticulously design…

Indian-made iPhones will conquer the global market: Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that the share of shipments will reach 25% by 2024.

Apple is progressively diversifying its iPhone production to India. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo forecasts a significant surge, with devices manufactured in India poised to constitute 12% to 14% of global iPhone shipments in 2023, a figure expected to escalate even further in the coming year. Under favorable conditions, Kuo predicts that Apple could elevate the share of Indian-made iPhones to an…

Telegram’s “Gifts” feature caused Toncoin’s exchange rate to skyrocket – it made it into the top ten cryptocurrencies with a $9 billion valuation.

Telegram, the messaging giant boasting over 700 million users, has rolled out a game-changing feature called "Giveaways." In a bid to revolutionize transparent and authentic giveaways, channel owners can now effortlessly conduct promotions, attracting and rewarding subscribers. The impact of this move was seismic, particularly for Toncoin (TON), Telegram's native cryptocurrency. Toncoin experienced an extraordinary surge, catapulting to its highest…

Tesla cyber truck resale ban: Buyers face $50K fine.

Tesla has implemented a stringent resale policy, banning buyers from selling their Cybertrucks within the first year without explicit authorization. Termed the "Cybertruck Only" clause, Tesla's updated sales agreement warns of a hefty $50,000 fine or the resale value, whichever is greater, for violators. Tesla's revamped car ordering agreement allows the company to seek an injunction preventing the transfer of…

Starlink: From Dream to Breakeven in Four Years, Aiming for 42,000 Satellites and 2 Million Subscribers

SpaceX's Starlink has reached a significant breakeven point just four years after launching its first satellites in May 2019, according to Forbes. The transformative project, which promises global internet coverage through a vast constellation of satellites, has now catapulted beyond the realm of ambition to tangible success. As of the latest reports, Starlink boasts an impressive fleet of over 5,000…

Bitcoin rises: 28.5% – historic October, second best month of 2023

Bitcoin has emerged as the star of October 2023, recording an astounding 28.5% increase in its value. This month's rally ranks as the second most substantial monthly gain for Bitcoin this year, and it now stands as the fifth-best October in the history of this premier cryptocurrency. The cryptocurrency market, while known for its volatility, has been experiencing a series…

Uber Teams Up with Waymo: Offering Driverless Robotaxi Rides in Phoenix

Uber has joined forces with Waymo to provide passengers with autonomous robotaxi rides in Phoenix. This marks a significant milestone for Uber, which had previously shelved its own robotaxi ambitions, choosing instead to partner with Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. Starting this week, the Uber app will feature an option for riders to choose a Waymo robotaxi…

In 2021, Google bought the default search status on some platforms for $26.3 billion, Apple got $18 billion of it

U.S. antitrust case against tech giant Google, Prabhakar Raghavan, the Head of Google Search, revealed staggering figures related to the company's pursuit of search engine dominance in 2021. Google, in an effort to maintain its supremacy over Bing, invested a jaw-dropping $26.3 billion, paving the way for default search status on several prominent platforms. According to information unveiled during the…

Meta’s Threads Emerges as Twitter’s Fierce Rival, Gains Momentum via Facebook Integration

Meta has intensified the promotion of its Threads service. Meta is leveraging the vast user base of Facebook by seamlessly integrating Threads posts into users' feeds, marking a significant escalation in the company's promotional tactics. This move follows Meta's established pattern of using Facebook as a launchpad for its new features and services. Previously, Meta seamlessly integrated Instagram Reels into…

Spotify’s Updated Royalty System Incentivizes Working Artists

Spotify, the world's leading music streaming service, is gearing up for a radical overhaul of its royalty system. This transformative initiative targets three distinct issues within the platform—cheating, noise content, and insufficient monetization for emerging artists. Spotify's upcoming changes promise a fairer distribution of revenue, giving a significant boost to working artists worldwide. The first major alteration introduces a minimum…

Google Joins the ‘Make in India’ Wave, Pixel 8 Series to be Manufactured Locally

Google has announced plans to assemble its Pixel series smartphones in India. Rick Osterloh, Google's senior vice president of devices and services, revealed that the production of Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro devices will commence in India, with these locally manufactured phones hitting the market next year. "We are collaborating with both international and domestic partners to manufacture Pixel…