Author: Akin Naphtal

Apple’s iPhone 16, launched with much anticipation, has left investors and consumers underwhelmed, in the wake of Chinese tech giant, Huawei, launching its groundbreaking tri-fold Mate XT smartphone. Apple shares fell 1.7% on Tuesday, 10th September, despite it unveiling the iPhone 16 a day before. The latest iPhone features AI-powered functionalities but with limited external design changes. The iPhone 16 boasts hardware-level integration for AI-driven features, including enhancements to Siri and the phone’s camera, branded as “Apple Intelligence.” However, these AI capabilities will only be available in beta form on U.S. iPhones next month, with a wider rollout expected “later…

Chinese tech giant, Huawei Technologies, has launched its latest innovation, the $2,800 tri-fold Mate XT smartphone, as it aims to further solidify its dominance in China’s smartphone market and challenge Apple’s iPhone 16. The Mate XT, which can be folded in three directions, was introduced during a launch event in Shenzhen on Tuesday, 10th September, just hours after Apple unveiled its AI-enhanced iPhone 16. The Mate XT has already generated significant interest, with over 4 million pre-orders placed without requiring a deposit, according to Huawei’s website. To put this into perspective, the global market for foldable phones reached approximately 4…

RWS, a global leader in technology-enabled language, content, and intellectual property solutions, has partnered with GPSL to launch Contenta Cloud S1000D, a groundbreaking cloud-based platform designed to streamline large-scale S1000D deployments in the aerospace and defense sectors. This solution simplifies the creation, management, and publication of technical documents. President of Contenta at RWS, Tim Russell-Jones stated, “Our goal is to empower enterprise clients with an innovative, secure, and scalable cloud-based solution that meets current and future operational needs.” The Contenta Cloud S1000D platform allows aerospace and defense organizations to efficiently provide critical information to engineers and technicians, reducing mean time…

British payments technology firm, Pockit, is negotiating with the consumer banking arm of the UK challenger bank, Monese, to acquire it for a nominal sum, and inject capital into its direct-to-consumer operations to enhance regulatory capital and fund the integration with Pockit. Although talks are progressing, they remain uncertain, with the potential for the agreement to collapse, said one anonymous source who spoke to Reuters. Neither Monese nor Pockit has publicly commented on the ongoing negotiations. London-based Monese, which was valued at over £1 billion ($1.31 billion) in early 2020 and backed by HSBC, split its operations in May 2023.…

Apple has introduced its AI-powered iPhone 16, marking the long-anticipated arrival of the device just as Chinese rival Huawei’s innovative tri-fold phone began attracting millions of pre-orders. This new launch is part of the tech giant’s strategy to infuse artificial intelligence (AI) into its flagship products amid intensifying global competition in the smartphone market. Apple’s Leap Into AI-Powered Smartphones At the product launch event at Cupertino, California, Apple CEO, Tim Cook, emphasised the significance of the iPhone 16, describing it as “designed for Apple Intelligence from the ground up” and marking the dawn of an exciting new era for the…

Echelon Data Centres, an Irish-owned company, is advancing to the construction phase of its DUB20 data centre in Wicklow, following a significant approval to connect the project to the national grid. This approval, granted by EirGrid, marks a major milestone in developing the ‘sustainable’ data center, which aims to play a key role in Ireland’s growing tech infrastructure. Echelon had faced delays earlier this year during negotiations with EirGrid over the grid connection, causing frustration within the company. However, with the green light now secured, Echelon plans to move ahead with construction, creating 1,100 jobs during the build and 200…

The world’s first legally binding international treaty on artificial intelligence (AI) has been opened for signing by countries that played a crucial role in its negotiation, including members of the European Union (EU), the United States, and the United Kingdom. According to the Council of Europe, the treaty was opened on Thursday, 5th September. This AI Convention, years in the making, was officially adopted in May after discussions involving 57 countries. The agreement aims to mitigate the risks posed by AI while fostering responsible innovation. UK Justice Minister, Shabana Mahmood, emphasised the significance of the treaty, noting that it marks…

Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has accused Google of abusing its dominant position in the digital advertising market, potentially harming thousands of UK publishers and advertisers. The CMA claims that Google has been using anti-competitive practices, particularly by prioritising its own ad exchange, AdX, in open display advertising technology, which has restricted competition. The CMA’s interim executive director of enforcement, Juliette Enser, highlighted the importance of online advertising in keeping digital content accessible to the public, noting that Google’s alleged practices could be undermining this system. The regulator’s provisional findings suggest that since 2015, Google has been leveraging its…

The 2024 Ghana Internet Governance Forum (IGF) has been launched at the Kofi Annan ICT Conference Hall, focusing on advancing sustainable digital development among Ghanaian youth. The event, held from 4th to 5th September, 2024, featured the Youth IGF and Main IGF, with a follow-up Ghana Internet Governance School scheduled for 26th September, 2024. The theme, “Navigating the Digital World: Empowering Youth through Meaningful Connectivity for Responsible AI Use and Online Safety,” highlights the forum’s dedication to responsible digital engagement. Hosted by the Ghana IGF in collaboration with several partners including the Ghana Domain Name Registry, Internet Society Ghana Chapter,…

Network International, a leading provider of digital commerce solutions in the Middle East and Africa has extended its strategic partnership with Orabank Group, the largest banking group in Francophone Africa, aiming to revolutionize prepaid and agent banking services in the region. The extended collaboration marks a key milestone in Orabank’s digital transformation efforts, enhancing the banking experience for its customers. Leveraging Network International’s expertise, the partnership seeks to boost Orabank’s competitiveness in the Francophone markets by introducing cutting-edge payment technologies and solutions designed to improve consumer trust and convenience. Ferdinand Ngon Kemoum, Group CEO of Orabank Group, expressed enthusiasm about…