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Meta faces landmark US antitrust trial
TechXplore· 2025-04-14 08:27
The Meta case is being made by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the powerful US consumer protection agency, and could see the owner of Facebook forced to divest Instagram and WhatsApp, which have grown into global powerhouses since their buyout. The trial will be run and decided by Judge James Boasberg, who is also presiding over a high-profile case involving White House orders to deport Venezuelans using wartime law. The case against Meta was originally filed in December 2020, during the first Trump adm ...
Tesla opens first showroom in oil-rich Saudi
TechXplore· 2025-04-11 08:27
Core Insights - Tesla has opened its first showrooms in Saudi Arabia, specifically in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, amidst a decline in global sales [2][3] - The Saudi electric vehicle (EV) market, although small, has seen significant growth, tripling last year to nearly 800 cars [7] Company Developments - Tesla's country manager for Saudi Arabia, Naseem Akbarzada, announced the launch as a step towards establishing a long-term presence in the kingdom [3] - Charging stations for electric vehicles will be opened in the three cities where the showrooms are located, with plans for more in the future [3] Market Context - Saudi Arabia, a major oil exporter, has low demand for electric vehicles due to cheap fuel prices and a lack of charging infrastructure [4][6] - The country currently has only 101 charging stations, significantly fewer than the 261 in the neighboring UAE [6] Economic Implications - Saudi authorities are aiming to diversify the economy away from oil dependency, with plans to install 5,000 electric vehicle chargers by 2030 [7] - The Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia controls 60% of luxury EV company Lucid and has partnered with Hyundai to establish a plant for electric and petrol-powered cars [7] Future Prospects - The local EV brand CEER plans to start production in 2025, indicating a growing interest in the electric vehicle sector within the kingdom [8]
Apple's iPhone 16 hits Indonesia stores after monthslong ban
TechXplore· 2025-04-11 08:26
Core Insights - The iPhone 16 models have officially launched in Indonesia after a months-long sales ban due to regulatory issues regarding local component requirements [2][5][7] - Apple has committed to investing $150 million in Indonesia, which includes building two facilities for accessory production and a semiconductor research and development center [6][7] - The entry of the iPhone 16 into the Indonesian market highlights the country's significance as a major market for Apple in Asia, alongside China [7] Regulatory Context - The Indonesian government had previously prohibited the sale of iPhone 16 models in October due to Apple's failure to meet the requirement that 40% of smartphone components be sourced locally [2][9] - A $100 million investment proposal from Apple was rejected by Jakarta in November, citing a lack of fairness [4] Market Reaction - Consumers in Indonesia expressed excitement over the availability of the iPhone 16, with many preferring to purchase locally to avoid warranty issues associated with international purchases [3][5] - The launch is seen as a positive development for Apple, indicating a successful negotiation with the Indonesian government [7]
Google accused of harming kids by secretly grabbing data from school-provided tech products
TechXplore· 2025-04-10 20:30
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Google is secretly using its education products, including those used in many Bay Area schools, to identify students individually, track their online activity including sites they visit and links they click, and "steal" their personal data for profit, a lawsuit filed by California parents and others cla ...
Apple has few incentives to start making iPhones in U.S., despite Trump's trade war with China
TechXplore· 2025-04-10 17:50
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Sales staffs work at an Apple shop in Hanoi, Vietnam Thursday, April 10, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Hau Dinh President Donald Trump's administration has been predicting its barrage of tariffs targeting China will push Apple into manufacturing the iPhone in the United States for the first time. But that's an unlikely scenario even ...
Google, with potential breakup looming over its search monopoly, backs down from muzzling workers
TechXplore· 2025-04-10 12:46
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Google, with key hearings starting this month in a blockbuster anti-monopoly court case that could lead to its breakup, agreed to lift a gag order banning its employees from talking about the lawsuit, a union representing workers said. In August, Google's global-affairs chief Kent Walker, in ...
Microsoft says it's 'slowing or pausing' some AI data center projects, including $1B plan for Ohio
TechXplore· 2025-04-10 08:27
Core Viewpoint - Microsoft is slowing or pausing some of its data center construction projects, including a $1 billion initiative in Ohio, indicating a potential shift in demand for AI technology and infrastructure [2][11]. Company Actions - Microsoft confirmed the halt of early-stage projects on its rural land in Licking County, Ohio, reserving two of the three sites for farmland [3]. - The company is scaling back on international data center expansion and canceling some leases in the U.S. for data centers operated by other companies [6]. Industry Context - The demand for cloud and AI services has grown unexpectedly, prompting Microsoft to undertake a significant infrastructure scaling project [4]. - The generative AI boom has increased the need for data centers to train and operate AI systems, but the high costs and energy requirements are prompting reconsideration of expansion plans [9][10]. Strategic Partnerships - Microsoft and OpenAI have altered their agreement, allowing OpenAI to build its own computing capacity, which may influence Microsoft's data center strategy [8]. - Analysts suggest that the changes in Microsoft's data center plans are linked to its evolving relationship with OpenAI [6][7]. Future Outlook - Despite the pauses, Microsoft plans to invest over $80 billion globally to expand its AI infrastructure in the current fiscal year, having already doubled its data center capacity in the past three years [11].
Author of explosive Meta memoir to star at US Senate hearing
TechXplore· 2025-04-09 09:00
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Meta co-founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg has cozied up to US President Donald Trump since the Republican was elected. The former Facebook employee behind a scathing book about parent company Meta will testify Wednesday before US senators keen to establish whether the social networking giant ever collaborated with the ...
Apple customers dash to stores to buy iPhones ahead of tariffs
TechXplore· 2025-04-08 12:46
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The Trump administration's threat of massive new tariffs has sent Apple Inc.'s share price plummeting, but it has also brought a short-term benefit: customers rushing to retail stores to buy iPhones. Employees from different Apple locations across the country said stores filled with customers ...
Microsoft's AI division head wants to create a lasting relationship between chatbots and their users
TechXplore· 2025-04-04 16:48
Core Insights - Microsoft aims to develop a personalized AI companion that integrates seamlessly into daily life, marking a significant shift in its product offerings as it celebrates its 50th anniversary [2][3][4] Group 1: AI Product Development - Mustafa Suleyman, head of Microsoft's AI division, envisions a future where every user has a unique AI companion that adapts to their preferences and needs [3][5] - The flagship AI product, Copilot, combines chatbot functionality with Microsoft’s suite of tools, aiming to create a meaningful relationship with users [5][6] - New features, such as "visual memory" capabilities, are being rolled out to enhance user interaction with the AI [7] Group 2: Competitive Landscape - The AI personal assistant market is highly competitive, with major players like Google, Meta, and Amazon also enhancing their AI capabilities [10][11] - Microsoft views the development of Copilot as foundational to its future, committing to this direction for decades [11] Group 3: Challenges and Limitations - Despite advancements, generative AI technology still faces challenges, such as inaccuracies in information and limitations in common-sense reasoning [13][14] - Concerns exist regarding the potential overreliance on AI, which could inhibit critical thinking skills among users [16] Group 4: Future of Work - The integration of AI is expected to transform the nature of work, reducing administrative tasks and allowing knowledge workers to focus on more creative endeavors [18] - Personal AI assistants are anticipated to automate various mundane tasks in both professional and personal settings, enhancing overall efficiency [18]