Samsung planning to launch its first rollable smartphone next year: Report

Samsung planning to launch its first rollable smartphone next year: Report


Samsung is reportedly planning to launch its rollable smartphone in second half of the next year. The device is expected to feature a 12.4-inch screen and an under-display camera that conceals the front camera for selfies and video calls, according to 9to5Google. Samsung unveiled a rollable display of similar size at the SID Display Week 2024 event, and it seems the company may be incorporating that screen technology into the rollable smartphone.


Samsung already has a rollable OLED screen called Rollable Flex, designed for smartphones, tablets, and various other mobile devices.

 


In recent months, the foldable market has seen new products such as the upgraded Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold and OnePlus Open. Huawei rolled out the first tri-fold smartphone, the Mate XT, earlier this month. The competition appears to be pushing Samsung to release its rollable smartphone in 2025. If launched, it will be the first rollable smartphone available for purchase. South Korean company LG was reportedly close to launching a rollable device but shut down its mobile division in 2021 before it could be released. OPPO showcased a rollable prototype in 2021, and Motorola presented the concept Rizr rollable in 2023. TECNO unveiled the Phantom Ultimate with a rollable display last year. However, none of these devices have become commercially available.


In recent news, Samsung has started the pre-reservation process for its upcoming flagship Galaxy Tab S10 series. Customers can secure their device by paying a token fee of Rs 1,000 and can receive benefits of up to Rs 3,499 on the new Galaxy Tab S10 tablets.

First Published: Sep 18 2024 | 11:09 AM IST



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Elon Musk's Neuralink gains FDA breakthrough tag for vision implant

Elon Musk's Neuralink gains FDA breakthrough tag for vision implant


Neuralink (Photo: Bloomberg)

Elon Musk’s brain-chip company, Neuralink, announced on Tuesday that its experimental implant designed to restore vision has received the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) ‘breakthrough device’ designation. This significant milestone marks a crucial step forward in the development of Neuralink’s cutting-edge technology aimed at treating severe medical conditions.


The FDA awards the breakthrough device designation to medical innovations that provide diagnosis or treatment for life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating conditions. The goal is to accelerate the development and review process of these devices, offering hope for patients facing limited treatment options.


Neuralink’s vision-restoring device, named Blindsight, is designed to allow individuals who have lost both eyes and their optic nerves to regain sight. Musk, in a post on social platform X (formerly Twitter), said Blindsight “will enable even those who have lost both eyes and their optic nerve to see.”

 


However, the company has yet to disclose when Blindsight will enter human trials, and the FDA has not provided further comment.


Founded by Musk and a team of engineers in 2016, Neuralink is developing a brain-chip interface that can be implanted within the skull. The company claims this technology has the potential to help patients with disabilities move, communicate, and now, restore their vision. The chip processes and transmits neural signals, which can be sent to external devices like computers or smartphones.


Mind control tech advances


In parallel, Neuralink is testing another implant aimed at giving paralysed patients the ability to control digital devices using their thoughts. This innovative technology could be transformative for those with spinal cord injuries. A trial is set to evaluate the device’s effectiveness with three patients over several years, according to the US government’s clinical trials database.


Earlier this year, Neuralink successfully implanted its brain-chip in a second patient, who is now using it to play video games and learn 3D design — offering a glimpse into the future of brain-computer interfaces.


[With agency inputs]

First Published: Sep 18 2024 | 10:40 AM IST





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Blackrock, Microsoft join hands to raise  billion for AI investments

Blackrock, Microsoft join hands to raise $30 billion for AI investments


The firms have already discussed the plans with US lawmakers and regulators, Smith said | (Photo: Reuetrs)


By Silla Brush and Dina Bass

 


BlackRock Inc. and Microsoft Corp. are teaming up on one of the largest efforts to date to bankroll the build-out of data warehouses and energy infrastructure behind the boom in artificial intelligence.

 


The companies, along with the United Arab Emirates’ MGX investment vehicle, will seek $30 billion of private equity capital over time for the strategy, which will then leverage the money to as much as $100 billion in potential investments, the companies announced Tuesday. 


“The need to build out data centers globally is multi-trillions of dollars to finance,” BlackRock Chief Executive Officer Larry Fink said in an interview, adding that the Global AI Infrastructure Investment Partnership has been months in the making. “This is just a great example of the capital markets building out infrastructure and building out the opportunities and new technologies.”

 


The infrastructure investments — including energy projects — will be mostly in the US, with a portion of the funds to be deployed in US partner countries, the companies said in a statement. The plan includes bringing on additional investors, and pensions and insurers are eager for such long-term infrastructure investments, Fink said. 


“We don’t believe it will be a difficult task,” he said of raising the money.


The group includes Bayo Ogunlesi’s Global Infrastructure Partners, the money manager BlackRock is acquiring for about $12.5 billion, Abu Dhabi’s MGX, which was created this year specifically to invest in AI, and Nvidia Corp., the chipmaker that will support the coalition with its expertise in AI data centers and factories. Nvidia has poured money into creating software, networking and other pieces of technology that it says are essential to quickly putting together complete AI-systems.


“The investment opportunity is real and the investment need is even greater,” Brad Smith, vice chairman and president of Microsoft, said in the interview. AI “is the next general purpose technology that will fuel growth across every sector of the economy both in the United States and abroad.” 


The firms have already discussed the plans with US lawmakers and regulators, Smith said.


Microsoft has invested $13 billion in AI research lab OpenAI and is overhauling its entire product line around AI features. The software company is dramatically expanding its own spending on data centers and computing infrastructure to deliver these services and has said its ability to serve AI customers is being constrained by not having enough chips and data center capacity.


Electricity usage

 


Energy producers across the US are racing to meet a surge in demand from power-hungry AI data centers, with electricity usage by the facilities poised to surge as much as 10 times current levels by 2030, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. 


To meet that demand, energy companies are delaying the retirement of coal and gas plants, planning the construction of new gas plants and building out clean energy like solar and wind farms. The competition for electricity has even led to increases in how long it takes to connect new data centers to the power grid, with the time period in Virginia’s Data Center Alley stretching to as much as seven years.


“It’s clear today that the availability of power is one of the constraints on building not just data centers but electrification in general,” Ogunlesi said in the interview. “Power generation in the US has not been growing dramatically, so we will have to significantly increase the pace at which we develop new renewable power plants.”


Microsoft has also been talking with OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman, who’s developing his own plans for groups of investors and tech companies to collaborate on ways to dramatically expand computing infrastructure for AI products.


The Financial Times reported on the partnership earlier.

First Published: Sep 18 2024 | 8:51 AM IST



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Tech wrap Sep 17: iOS 18, Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 series pre-reserve, more

Tech wrap Sep 17: iOS 18, Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 series pre-reserve, more



Apple has started rolling-out the iOS 18 operating system to compatible iPhone models. First showcased at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) earlier this year, iOS 18 brings various updates to the user interface along with a range of new tools and features to enhance user experience.


Samsung has started the pre-reservation for its upcoming flagship Galaxy Tab S10 series. Customers can secure their device by paying a token amount of Rs 1,000 and receive benefits of up to Rs 3,499 on their next Galaxy Tab S10 series purchase.

 


China’s Honor has released the Pad X8a in India. This tablet features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 processor and an 8,300 mAh battery. Additionally, Honor has launched a Nadal Kids Edition tailored for younger users, featuring a child-safe, food-grade silicone design with a shockproof body. The Pad X8a also comes with dual TUV Rheinland certifications and includes eye protection features such as Ambient Light Care and an E-ink mode to improve the reading experience.


China’s OnePlus has introduced the Nord Buds 3 wireless earbuds in India. These budget-friendly wireless earphones feature active noise cancellation (ANC) technology and the company’s BassWave 2.0 technology to improve bass performance.


Finnish mobile phone brand Human Mobile Devices (HMD) has introduced the Skyline smartphone in India. Revealed in July, the phone boasts a design reminiscent of the Nokia Lumia series and highlights ease of repair. HMD claims that the Skyline smartphone allows for straightforward at-home repairs by facilitating the quick and easy disassembly of key replaceable parts.


Samsung is said to be expanding the rollout of One UI 6.1.1 to additional Galaxy devices. Initially introduced for its new foldable devices earlier this year, the update began reaching older models earlier this month.


Belkin, the American consumer electronics company, has introduced the Auto-Tracking Stand Pro in India. This Apple-certified accessory is compatible with DockKit and is engineered to track subjects on camera as they move, providing 360 degrees of panning and 90 degrees of tilting.


Apple has started distributing watchOS 11 to compatible Apple Watches, coinciding with the release of iOS 18 for iPhones. This new operating system introduces several enhancements, with Sleep Apnea detection being a key feature. While the Apple Watch Series 10 will come with watchOS 11 pre-installed, the update also brings Sleep Apnea detection to certain older models, including the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2.


Android apps generally display notifications individually on each device they are installed on, which means they don’t recognize when a notification has been seen on one device. As a result, notifications that a user has viewed on one device may reappear as unread on another, due to the lack of synchronization of notification status across devices.


Lenovo Group Ltd. has begun manufacturing AI servers in southeastern India, marking a significant step in the country’s ambition to become a tech leader. On Tuesday, the company announced that it is producing these advanced computers in Pondicherry and plans to expand its operations in the Bangalore area, including establishing a research lab dedicated to artificial intelligence. This move represents Lenovo’s shift from its traditional focus on laptops and smartphones to high-tech innovations.


On Monday, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, announced that it is banning RT, Rossiya Segodnya, and other Russian state media networks from its platforms. The company cited these outlets’ use of misleading tactics to conduct covert influence operations online.


On Monday, Microsoft-backed OpenAI announced that its safety committee will independently manage the security and safety protocols for the development and deployment of its artificial intelligence models.


Australia’s government aims to prohibit children up to age 16 from using social media and is investing millions to determine how to implement this ban. However, it’s likely that tech-savvy teenagers, who are familiar with platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, will quickly find ways to bypass the restrictions.


At a trial on Monday, antitrust enforcers argued that Google acquired the advertising technology provider AdMeld in 2011 because the search giant perceived the startup as a “threat” to its online display advertising strategy.


Microsoft Corp. announced that Vodafone Group Plc has entered into a major agreement to utilize artificial intelligence assistants for Office. Additionally, Microsoft revealed a suite of new AI tools aimed at helping users create Excel charts, manage emails, and enhance collaboration.

First Published: Sep 17 2024 | 8:03 PM IST



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Intel's Amazon chip deal lifts investor confidence in money-losing unit

Intel's Amazon chip deal lifts investor confidence in money-losing unit


Intel (Photo: Shutterstock)


Intel’s Amazon chip deal lifts investor confidence in money-losing foundry unit Sept 17 (Reuters) – Intel shares jumped 7 per cent before the bell on Tuesday, as a chip-making deal with Amazon’s cloud business provided a major stamp of approval for its struggling contract manufacturing business.

 


The chipmaker will build custom AI chips for Amazon Web Services (AWS) as part of the multibillion-dollar deal. The move expands a years-long tie-up between the companies under which Intel designs several chips used in Amazon’s datacenters.

 


“The deal provides Intel with some credibility as it looks to gain traction with new external customers. In addition, it will help Intel sell itself as a supplier of custom AI silicon chips” said Angelo Zino, senior equity analyst at CFRA Research.

 

 


Intel’s stock has plunged nearly 60 per cent this year and has lagged chip firms, including Nvidia and TSMC, as it missed out on an AI-driven boom in chip demand.

 


The company has been trying to regain the manufacturing edge it lost to TSMC by building out its foundry unit, which has been the centerpiece of CEO Pat Gelsinger’s turnaround strategy.

 


AWS is among the first major customers Intel has announced a definitive deal with. It had said in February Microsoft would use its services to manufacture a custom computing chip.

 


But “meaningful” revenue from the capital-intensive foundry unit is not expected until 2027, even as expensive investments sap cash flow and draw investor ire.

 


To ease the pressure, Intel said it would pause chip factory projects in Poland and Germany by about two years, raising doubts about the nearly 10 billion euros ($11.14 billion) in subsidies from Germany for its two plants in the country.

 

“The move … should help to boost cash flow, even if the focus on US-based fabs is unlikely to go down well in the EU. It will no doubt gain plaudits in Washington though and help Intel preserve important relationships,” Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said.


(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Sep 17 2024 | 7:05 PM IST



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Instagram rolls out teen accounts with parental controls as scrutiny mounts

Instagram rolls out teen accounts with parental controls as scrutiny mounts


instagram | (Photo: Shutterstock)


Meta Platforms is rolling out enhanced privacy and parental controls for Instagram accounts of users under 18 in a significant overhaul aimed at addressing growing concerns around the negative effects of social media.

 


Meta will port all designated Instagram accounts automatically to “Teen Accounts”, which will be private accounts by default, the company said on Tuesday.

 


Users of such accounts can only be messaged and tagged by accounts they follow or are already connected to, while sensitive content settings will be dialed to the most restrictive available.

 


Users under 16 can change the default settings only with a parent’s permission. Parents will also get a suite of settings to monitor who their children are engaging with and limit their use of the app.

 

 


Several studies have linked social media use to higher levels of depression, anxiety and learning disabilities, particularly in young users.

 


Meta, ByteDance’s TikTok and Google’s GOOGL.O YouTube already face hundreds of lawsuits filed on behalf of children and school districts about the addictive nature of social media.

 


Last year, 33 U.S. states including California and New York sued the company for misleading the public about the dangers of its platforms.

 


Top platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, allow users who are 13 years of age and above to sign up.

 


Meta’s move comes three years after it abandoned development on a version of the Instagram app meant for teenagers, after lawmakers and advocacy groups urged the company to drop it, citing safety concerns.

 


In July, the U.S. Senate advanced two online safety bills – The Kids Online Safety Act and The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act – that would force social media companies to take responsibility for how their platforms affect children and teens.

 


As part of the update, the under-18 Instagram users will be notified to close the app after 60 minutes each day. The accounts will also come with a default sleep mode that will silence notifications overnight.

 


Meta said it will place the identified users into teen accounts within 60 days in the U.S., UK, Canada and Australia, and in the European Union later this year. Teens around the world will start to get teen accounts in January.

 


(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Sep 17 2024 | 7:01 PM IST



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