Author: Akin Naphtal

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the approval of the first over-the-counter hearing aid software designed to be used with compatible versions of Apple’s AirPods Pro headphones. This marks a step forward in making hearing aids more accessible and affordable for millions of Americans. Earlier this week, Apple revealed that its AirPods Pro 2 would soon be “transformed” into personalised hearing aids through a software update. This update will enhance specific sounds in real time, including speech and environmental elements, providing users with a more tailored hearing experience. The new hearing health features will be available this…

Cincoze, a leading brand in rugged embedded computers, is capitalizing on the rising demand for edge AI applications by offering high-performance computing solutions. The company has developed five series across two product lines to meet the stringent requirements of edge AI in terms of performance, reliability, and environmental adaptability. The Rugged Computing—DIAMOND product line features three series (DV/DX/DS) powered by the latest Intel Raptor Lake-S Core processors, designed for flexible size, functionality, and expansion options. These rugged computers are built to handle the challenges of extreme environments, making them ideal for industrial applications. Meanwhile, the GPU Computing—GOLD product line offers…

KT Corporation, LG Electronics Inc., and Vodafone Group Services Limited have formally joined Sisvel’s cellular IoT patent pool, further solidifying the program as a leading licensing solution for cellular IoT device manufacturers. The addition of these major companies boosts the program’s reach, making more than 50% of all NB-IoT and LTE-M Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) accessible through a single pool license. Sisvel’s solution allows implementers to easily access 34 separate patent portfolios in one transaction, with fees starting at just $0.08 per device. Sisvel’s Cellular IoT program unites a diverse group of patent owners from the telecom and IoT industries,…

AI powerhouse, OpenAI, is reportedly in discussions to raise new funding, exploring a $6.5 billion equity investment and a $5 billion revolving credit facility from banks, to potentially value the company at $150 billion, according to Bloomberg News. If successful, this new funding round would significantly boost OpenAI’s valuation, surpassing the $86 billion it achieved earlier this year. The company’s rapid growth, fuelled by the immense popularity of its ChatGPT chatbot, has solidified its position as a leading player in the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. OpenAI, led by CEO Sam Altman and backed by tech giant Microsoft, has sparked renewed…

Leading provider of creative software, Adobe, has announced the upcoming release of its new generative AI-powered video creation and editing tool, Adobe Firefly Video Model, which will expand Adobe’s suite of AI-driven creative solutions. Scheduled for a limited beta release later this year, Adobe Firefly Video Model will allow users to generate five-second video clips based on text or image prompts. The tool can also interpret camera angles, panning, motion, and zoom, providing users with a high degree of control over the generated content. “We’ve invested heavily in making this model reach the level of quality and prompt understanding that…

In just three days, Africa’s most prestigious technology event, the African Digital Economy Awards (ADEA), will take center stage for its highly anticipated ninth edition, the second to be hosted in Kenya. Often dubbed the “Oscars” of Africa’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry, ADEA is the only event on the continent that brings together the brightest minds and leading technocrats to drive conversations around the digital economy and technological advancements in Africa. According to GSMA, Africa’s internet economy is projected to account for 5.2% of GDP by 2025, and digital ecosystem development could add up to 1.9% in GDP…

Oracle is turning to nuclear power to address the growing demand for AI data centers. During the company’s quarterly earnings call on Monday, Oracle founder, chair, and CTO Larry Ellison announced that the tech giant has secured permits to build three small modular reactors (SMRs) to power a data center with over a gigawatt of AI computing capacity. SMRs, miniaturized nuclear reactors used in naval vessels for nearly 70 years, are designed for mass production and require less infrastructure than conventional reactors. While they promise to be more cost-effective, none are currently operational, and pilot projects have faced challenges. Oracle’s…

U.S. AI startup, OpenAI is set to introduce “Strawberry,” a new AI model which will be integrated into OpenAI’s ChatGPT service, and is designed to enhance reasoning capabilities, according to a report by the Information. Under the leadership of Sam Altman, OpenAI has spurred renewed interest and substantial investment in artificial intelligence (AI), as businesses race to leverage this advanced technology to enhance their products. The company, backed by Microsoft, has reported over 1 million paying users for its business products, largely driven by the successful adoption of its sophisticated chatbot. Unlike existing conversational AIs, Strawberry is notable for its…

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…