Tech Giants Make Waves: Apple's Vision Pro Struggles, Microsoft's AI Investment Scrutinized, and Alibaba Showcases AI Breakthroughs

What's New In the Consumer Tech World Last Week? News That You Should Know (July 7 - July 13) - Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG), Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)

Elon Musk confirmed that private messages on X, formerly Twitter, are not encrypted by default. The Department of Justice announced that it had disrupted a Russian disinformation campaign backed by the Kremlin and managed by state-controlled media. China has emerged as the global frontrunner in the adoption of generative AI, according to a survey, conducted by SAS and Coleman Parkes Research. The survey, which included 1,600 decision-makers across various industries worldwide, found that 83% of Chinese respondents are using generative AI, reported Reuters. This figure significantly surpasses the global average of 54% and the 65% adoption rate in the U.S. The U.S. video game market has seen a significant drop in hardware spending, with a 40% decline compared to 2023, according to Circana's May 2024 highlights. Gaming/Entertainment Microsoft Corp. MSFT has recently announced changes to its Xbox Game Pass subscription service, which will see significant price increases and the restructuring of its tiers. Also Read: Want To Buy Kindle During Amazon Prime Day 2024? Read This First Rocksteady Studios has announced a delay in the release of the second season of "Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League," just days before the new content was set to go live. Smartphones & Telecom Apple Inc. AAPL had a 20.8% increase in personal computer shipments for the second quarter, marking the largest growth among global PC manufacturers. In Apple's latest iOS 18 beta 3 update, the tech giant has rolled out the "InSight" feature on Apple TV+ and dark mode icons. In a move to cut costs, Apple is said to be developing a new version of its Watch SE, which will incorporate a sturdy plastic casing instead of anodized aluminum. Apple's highly anticipated Siri upgrade powered by new artificial intelligence technology will reportedly not be available, even in developer beta, until 2025. Read: Apple Poised For Revenue Boost: Analyst Sees Advertising As Key Growth Driver Apple has been directed by Russian internet and mass media watchdog Roskomnadzor to remove 25 VPN applications from its App Store. Apple's upcoming smartphone series iPhone 16 could feature a significant upgrade in its charging capabilities, potentially allowing for a 40W power intake, a substantial increase from the current 20W. In a bid to expand their businesses, Japanese telecommunications giants Nippon Telegraph NPPXF and KDDI Corp. KDDIY plan to build high-speed wireless networks in the stratosphere to link the Earth and the moon. Samsung Electronics Co SSNLF kicked off its smartphone and artificial intelligence (AI) integration by unveiling a new phone line with Alphabet Inc.'s GOOG. Workers at Samsung have announced an indefinite strike, escalating an ongoing pay dispute and posing a threat to global tech production. Technology Microsoft has reportedly instructed its employees in China to use Apple iPhones for work, effectively banning Android-powered devices. Also Read: Jeff Bezos Described His Unique Life Philosophy Which Follows A Dorky Framework Revolving' Regret Minimization' Alphabet's Google announced that it is upgrading the heart health monitoring features of Fitbit, making it easier for medical professionals to access and analyze user data. Apple and Google have collaborated to introduce a new tool that enables users to directly transfer their photos from Google Photos to iCloud, without manually downloading and reuploading them to Apple's cloud platform. Tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee, popularly known as MKBHD, reviewed the CMF Phone 1 by Nothing, a budget sub-brand that is making waves in the $200 Android phone market. Elon Musk Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk confirmed that private messages on X, formerly Twitter, are not encrypted by default after taking a jab at Meta Platforms Inc.'s META WhatsApp, branding it as "spyware." Elon Musk's X Corp., formerly known as Twitter, and the billionaire himself successfully defended a lawsuit seeking $500 million in severance pay for thousands of employees laid off after the acquisition of social media company in 2022. Also Read: Linda Yaccarino Feels The Heat As Elon Musk Builds Pressure Amid X's Plummeting Ad Revenue: Report Artificial Intelligence (AI) Amid mounting regulatory scrutiny, Microsoft has decided to relinquish its board observer position at OpenAI. iFlytek, a prominent AI technology firm in China, predicts a loss of nearly $65 million for the first half of 2024 due to heavy investments amid mounting pressure from the United States. In recent developments, Index Ventures successfully amassed over $2 billion to leverage the latest breakthroughs in AI. OpenAI is partnering with Los Alamos National Laboratory, known for developing the world's first atomic bomb, to evaluate the possibilities and risks associated with using artificial intelligence in scientific research. A former safety employee at Microsoft-backed OpenAI has voiced concerns over the company's approach to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), drawing parallels with the ill-fated Titanic. Also Read: Meta's Top Executive Reveals Three Reasons Why VR Headsets Are Failing To Take Off: 'New Technologies Don't Just Come Into The World Ready To Go' Photo: Shutterstock Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Apple Vision Pro Sales Fall Short, iPhone 16 Camera Upgrades And More: This Week In Appleverse - Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META), Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)

As we wrap up the week, it's clear that Apple Inc. AAPL dominated the tech news cycle. From predictions about the company's mixed reality headset to updates on the upcoming iPhone 16 and the much-anticipated Siri AI upgrade, Apple's innovations were in the spotlight. Let's dive into the top five stories. Apple's Vision Pro Sales Forecast Two months after Meta Platforms Inc. META CEO Mark Zuckerberg's criticism, an analyst predicts that Apple's Vision Pro sales will fall short of the initial target of 1 million units by 2024. Francisco Jeronimo, Vice President at IDC, now expects the mixed reality headset to sell less than 500,000 units in 2024. Read the full article here. iPhone 16 Camera Upgrades Apple's upcoming iPhone 16 series has analysts excited about an AI-driven upgrade "supercycle." However, fans hoping for significant camera improvements may need to temper their expectations. Noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed that the tetraprism camera, a highlight of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, will remain the same in the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Read the full article here. See Also: Elon Musk's X Corp. Wins $500M Severance Lawsuit: Judge Rules Laid-Off Twitter Employees' Claims Not Covered Under ERISA Microsoft's Switch to iPhones in China Microsoft Corp. MSFT has reportedly instructed its China-based employees to use iPhones for work, effectively banning Android-powered devices. This move is part of Microsoft's global Secure Future Initiative, aiming to ensure all employees use the Microsoft Authenticator password manager and Identity Pass app. Read the full article here. Russian Government's Request to Apple The Russian government has asked Apple to remove 25 VPN applications from its App Store. The directive targets a variety of apps, including NordVPN, Proton VPN, and Red Shield VPN, which are often used to access content considered illegal in Russia. Read the full article here. Delay in Siri AI Upgrade Apple's much-awaited Siri upgrade, powered by new artificial intelligence technology, reportedly won't be available until 2025. While the recent iOS 18 betas have introduced several new features, the significant AI features, including the major Siri upgrade, are yet to be seen. Read the full article here. Read Next: Bill Gates Uses These 4 Hacks To Go Through 50 Books A Year, But Discloses His One Reading Struggle Photo courtesy: Shutterstock This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Rounak Jain Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Microsoft's $1.5B Investment Under Scrutiny, Alibaba Showcases AI Breakthroughs In Shanghai And More: This Week In Artificial Intelligence - Alibaba Gr Hldgs (NYSE:BABA), Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT)

As the week comes to a close, the world of artificial intelligence (AI) has seen some significant developments. From eyebrow-raising investments to strategic acquisitions, AI breakthroughs, and stock downgrades, the global AI landscape is buzzing with activity. Let's dive into the top stories that have shaped the AI world over the week. Microsoft's $1.5B Investment Raises Concerns Microsoft Corporation MSFT has come under scrutiny from Republican lawmakers for its $1.5 billion investment in UAE-based AI firm G42, due to the company's historical ties to China. The lawmakers have called for an intelligence assessment of the deal from the Biden administration. Read the full article here. SoftBank Acquires UK Chipmaker Graphcore After missing out on a $150 billion opportunity with Nvidia, SoftBank Group Corp. SFTBF, led by Masayoshi Son, has acquired UK-based chipmaker Graphcore. This acquisition is part of SoftBank's multibillion-dollar AI push. Read the full article here. See Also: Bill Gates Uses These 4 Hacks To Go Through 50 Books A Year, But Discloses His One Reading Struggle Alibaba and SenseTime Showcase AI Breakthroughs At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, Alibaba Group Holding Limited BABA and SenseTime unveiled significant progress in AI, signaling intense competition in China's AI market. Read the full article here. Tesla Downgraded by UBS Tesla Inc. TSLA has been downgraded to "sell" from "neutral" by UBS Group AG due to concerns over the company's AI plans. UBS analysts expressed apprehension that Tesla's shares have surged too rapidly on the back of AI optimism. Read the full article here. U.S. Military's AI-Equipped 'Hyper Enabled Operator' The U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) is redefining the future of warfare with its program to create AI-equipped "hyper-enabled operators" (HEOs), after abandoning its dream of an "Iron Man" suit. Read the full article here. Read Next: Top Apple Analyst Says Don't Expect Much For iPhone 16 This Year, But Tim Cook-Led Company Has A Slew Of Tetraprism Camera Upgrades In Pipeline Photo courtesy: Shutterstock This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Rounak Jain Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs