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☆ From expanding screens to see-through displays: How tech giants are trying to jazz up their gadgets
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Motorola's "adaptive display concept" was on display at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. See-through screens, phones that wrap around your wrist and expandable displays — these are all concept tech that gadget makers showed off this week, in a bid to stand out from competitors in a cut-throat hardware market. At the world's largest mobile trade show, the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, some of the biggest companies in the world showed off some unusual screen technology. "As a result we are seeing a proliferation of weird and wonderful new designs such as wrist worn phones, rollable screens, virtual 3D displays and more." Here's some of the screen tech on display at MWC:

Persons: Ben Wood Organizations: Mobile, MWC, Apple, Samsung, CCS Insight, CNBC Locations: Barcelona

☆ Smartphone makers are dreaming of a 'supercycle' driven by AI. Analysts disagree
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Samsung has gone big on generative AI with its Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphone. When was the last smartphone supercycle? Smartphone makers have been dreaming of a "supercycle" in their industry, driven by AI, after a bruising few years that saw device sales slow aggressively. 'AI phone era'Major smartphone players are betting that a supercycle is about to happen thanks to AI. "We're right now at the dawning of an entirely new era, an AI phone era," Kitto said.

Persons: Kim Hong, they're, Francisco Jeronimo, Jeronimo, Ben Wood, Wood, James Kitto, Kitto, Brian Rakowski, Rakowski, We've Organizations: Samsung Electronics, Reuters, Reuters BARCELONA –, Samsung, Google, Galaxy, Apple, Financial Times, Mobile, Congress, Huawei, Qualcomm, IDC, Twitter, CNBC, 3G, CCS, Samsung's, Google's, Android Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Reuters BARCELONA, Chertsey , England

☆ Smartphone giants like Samsung are going to talk up 'AI phones' this year — here's what that means
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Companies like Qualcomm and MediaTek have launched smartphone chipsets that enable the processing power required for AI applications. Large language models are huge AI models trained on vast amounts of data that underpin applications like the widely popular chatbots. The other big part of the AI smartphone puzzle is the term "on-device AI." Previously, many AI applications on devices were actually partly processed in the cloud, then downloaded onto the phone. Smartphone makers say on-device AI improves the security of gear, unlocks new applications and also makes them faster, since the processing is done on the handset.

Persons: SeongJoon Cho, OpenAI's ChatGPT, Bryan Ma, Ma, Ben Wood, Wood Organizations: Samsung Electronics Co, Samsung, Bloomberg, Getty, Mobile World Congress, MWC, IDC, CNBC, Qualcomm, MediaTek, CCS Insight Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Barcelona, Spain

☆ What to expect from Apple’s ‘scary fast’ event
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Samantha Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Apple is set to host its second product event of the season, a month after introducing its new iPhone 15 lineup. Some analysts said the decision to hold an evening event may underline the fact that this likely won’t be one of Apple’s bigger announcements of the year. The event’s tagline — “scary fast” — is an apparent nod to the likely unveiling of its next-generation silicon chip, M3, as well as Halloween. Over the past several years, the progression of Apple Silicon — the company’s custom-made silicon chip — has emerged as a significant storyline for Apple, culminating in the transition away from Intel chips. This year, the company is expected to bring its M3 chip to a 24-inch iMac and perhaps some MacBook Pro models in various sizes.

Persons: ”, Ben Wood, ” Wood, Apple, David McQueen, ” It’s Organizations: CNN, Apple, Mac, Intel, CCS Insight, Silicon, IDC Research, ABI Research

☆ Microsoft jumped headfirst into the AI race. Now it's cashing in.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Beatrice Nolan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Microsoft's early investment in AI may already be paying off. AdvertisementAdvertisementAfter heavily investing in OpenAI after the launch of ChatGPT, Microsoft sparked something of an AI arms race among its big tech rivals. Microsoft's success had a lot to do with the success of Copilot, Rotibi said. "Microsoft has captured the zeitgeist of kind of the AI and generative AI with copilot," she said. Despite Microsoft''s success, Rotibi said it was still too early to call a winner in the AI race or say whether Google was falling behind.

Persons: —, Satya Nadella, Dan Ives, Ives, Bola Rotibi, Rotibi, It's Organizations: Service, Microsoft, CNBC, Google, CCS Insight, OpenAI, Excel Locations: OpenAI, Refinitiv

☆ AI industry could be in for a 'cold shower' next year: analyst
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Kai Xiang Teo | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Analyst firm CCS Insight is predicting a "cold shower" for generative AI in 2024. The firm's chief analyst told CNBC he believes the technology is overhyped and faces immense costs to deploy. AdvertisementAdvertisementAn analyst firm is predicting a "cold shower" for generative AI in 2024. "Just the cost of deploying and sustaining generative AI is immense," said Wood. AdvertisementAdvertisementFor context, AI relies on chips to run, and the firm's prediction comes amid concerns about a global chip shortage.

Persons: —, Ben Wood, Wood, Elon Musk, Dylan Patel Organizations: Insight, CNBC, Service, CCS, CCS Insight, Google, Elon, Nvidia, Reuters Locations: London

☆ Smartphones with 'self-healing' displays will arrive within five years, analysts predict
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

SeongJoon Cho | Bloomberg via Getty ImagesSmartphones with displays capable of repairing themselves could start appearing on the market by 2028, according to analyst firm CCS Insight. Companies have been talking about smartphone display technology that can be self-repaired for several years now. LG, the South Korean consumer electronics giant, was touting self-healing technology in its smartphones as far back as 2013. Phone makers are getting more and more inventive when it comes to display technology. The company's HTC Hero, HTC Legend, HTC Desire and HTC One were among some of the leading Android phones.

Persons: SeongJoon Cho, Wood, We're, Apple, HTC Organizations: Samsung, Bloomberg, Getty, CCS Insight, CNBC, Companies, LG, South, Motorola, Mobile, HTC, Insight, Google, Meta, Sony, Apple, they'll Locations: Barcelona

☆ 'Overhyped' generative AI will get a 'cold shower' in 2024, analysts predict
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The main forecast CCS Insight has for 2024 is that generative AI "gets a cold shower in 2024" as the reality of the cost, risk and complexity involved "replaces the hype" surrounding the technology. "But the hype around generative AI in 2023 has just been so immense, that we think it's overhyped, and there's lots of obstacles that need to get through to bring it to market." Companies have to acquire high-powered chips to run AI applications. In the case of generative AI, it's often advanced graphics processing units, or GPUs, designed by U.S. semiconductor giant Nvidia that large companies and small developers alike turn to to run their AI workloads. "Just the cost of deploying and sustaining generative AI is immense," Wood told CNBC.

Persons: Ben Wood, Wood, Google Bard, Anthropic's Claude, it's Organizations: Artificial Intelligence, CCS Insight, Google, Qualcomm, Meta, CNBC, Companies, Nvidia, Amazon Locations: Shanghai, U.S

☆ Why you should consider getting the cheaper iPhone 14 and not the iPhone 15 if you're upgrading
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Tom Carter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The new iPhone 15 might appeal to anyone who is upgrading from a model that dates from 2020 or earlier, such as the iPhone 12. Unless you're a hardcore iPhone fan, it's probably fine to go for the cheaper iPhone 14 if you're upgrading. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe iPhone 14 will feel like a big upgrade anywayApple's iPhone 14 Pro model. As the iPhone 15 hits shelves around the world, prices for last year's iPhone 14 — which Insider reviewed strongly — start at $699, $100 cheaper than the basic version of the latest model. AdvertisementAdvertisement"Ultimately the differences between the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 aren't enormous.

Persons: —, Ben Woods, Antonio Villas, Max, Mario Tama, Pro Max, Tim Cook, Justin Sullivan, Woods Organizations: Service, Apple, CCS Insight, Boas, European Union, Getty, Pro Locations: European

☆ Here’s why Apple’s charger switch is such a big deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Apple retired its Lightning charger on Tuesday exactly 11 years to the day it was first announced. The EU’s decision is part of a greater effort to tackle e-waste overall, but could it generate more in the short term as people phase out their Lightning cables. But knockoffs abound, and some USB-C chargers are much safer than others. Among CNN Underscored’s top recommendations for USB-C chargers are from big brands, including Anker, Belkin, Apple, Amazon and Google. Retiring the Lightning cable could even generate, in the short term, a surge of e-waste as iPhone users toss their useless Lightning cables in a drawer.

Persons: CNN —, pare, ”, Ben Wood, Apple’s, Greg Joswiak, ” Joswiak, David McQueen, ” McQueen, Thomas Husson, Anker, Belkin, ” Wood, Apple Organizations: CNN, CNN — Apple, Apple, European Union, CCS Insight, ABI Research, Forrester Research, Google Locations: EU

☆ Wonderlust: Apple set to unveil new iPhone 15 at event
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Apple is expected to debut its iPhone 15 lineup Tuesday at the company’s annual September keynote event, and it could introduce the biggest change to the phone’s design in 11 years. Other iPhone 15 featuresThe entire iPhone 15 lineup is rumored to get the “Dynamic Island” feature — an interactive home for alerts, notifications and various controls — that replaces the notch on top of the screen. Although there are few other rumors circulating about its entry-level iPhone models, the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max models are expected to get a handful of new features, according to a Bloomberg report. What not to expectWith the new iPhone expected to take center stage, many analysts don’t anticipate Apple will release new iPads or Mac computers until October. And despite rivals Samsung and Google doubling down on foldable devices, Apple is still not expected to unveil a similar version this fall.

Persons: Apple, pare, ”, Ben Wood, Apple’s, Greg Joswiak, Max, Yoram Wurmser, “, It’s Organizations: CNN, Apple, European Union, CCS Insight, Bloomberg, Vision, Insider Intelligence, Apple Watch, Samsung, Google Locations: Cupertino , California, EU

☆ Seat massages, smartphones and driverless features: Automakers turn to tech to take on Tesla
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The presence of Amazon, Qualcomm, Samsung and other tech giants underscores how traditional automakers are looking to bolster the tech in their cars. Ramping up technology features is also essential to meet buyer expectations in China. Driverless features pushA big part of the focus of Tesla technology has surrounded its Autopilot ADAS. No car can operate autonomously — at least from a legal perspective — but automakers are ramping up the driverless features and capabilities. watch nowMore traditional automakers are looking to catch up in the area of driverless features.

Persons: Arjun Kharpal, You'd, Tesla, Mohit Sharma, That's, Xingji, Lucid Organizations: Amazon, IAA, Qualcomm, Samsung, CNBC, CCS Insight, Benz, Swedish EV, Polestar, BMW, Neue Locations: Munich, China, Swedish, U.S

☆ Wonderlust: What to expect at Apple's iPhone 15 event
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Apple is expected to debut its iPhone 15 lineup Tuesday at the company’s annual September keynote event, and it could introduce the biggest change to the phone’s design in 11 years. Other iPhone 15 featuresThe entire iPhone 15 lineup is rumored to get the “Dynamic Island” feature — an interactive home for alerts, notifications and various controls — that replaces the notch on top of the screen. Although there are few other rumors circulating about its entry-level iPhone models, the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max models are expected to get a handful of new features, according to a Bloomberg report. It’s also likely to announce launch dates for its next-generation operating systems for the iPhone, iPads, Mac computers and Apple Watch. What not to expectWith the new iPhone expected to take center stage, many analysts don’t anticipate Apple will release new iPads or Mac computers until October.

☆ Apple's new iPhone 15 may swap out the Lightning cable for the USB-C charging standard
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Apple is set to unveil the iPhone 15 in just a few days, and it’s widely expected to come with a significant change. The iPhone 15 is heavily rumored to ditch Apple’s proprietary Lightning charger in favor of USB-C charging, marking a milestone for the company by adopting universal charging. That’s because Apple (AAPL) has previously switched its iPads and MacBooks to USB-C charging. It’s currently unclear if the shift to USB-C will happen for all new iPhone 15 models or only for Pro devices. The iPhone 15 devices are expected to ship with a new cable in the box, but considering many mobile devices already use USB-C, including Apple’s own iPads and MacBooks, access to charging wires shouldn’t be too hard or costly.

Persons: pare, ”, Ben Wood, Apple’s, Greg Joswiak, ” Joswiak, David McQueen, ” McQueen, Thomas Husson, ” Wood, McQueen, “ Organizations: CNN, Apple, European Union, CCS, ABI Research, Forrester Research Locations: EU

☆ Factbox: How the EU's Digital Markets Act challenges Big Tech
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Martin Coulter | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

On Wednesday, the EU Commission designated 22 services of the major tech companies as "gatekeepers" of online services. That means they will be required to make their messaging apps inter-operate with rivals and let users decide which apps to pre-install on their devices. APP STORES:Apple and Google will be forced to provide space for third-party app stores on their respective iOS and Android devices. For example, they may offer users a “choice screen” with a range of options upon setting up their device. MESSAGING:Under the DMA’s new interoperability rules, gatekeepers’ messaging apps will no longer be siloed off from others.

Persons: ByteDance, Ben Wood, Apple’s, Martin Coulter, William Maclean Organizations: New, Union, Big Tech, Markets, EU Commission, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta, Insight, Reuters, EU, Facebook, Thomson

☆ Samsung launches two new folding smartphones to fend off competition from rivals
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

The Samsung Galaxy Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5. Galaxy Z Flip 5The star of the show in Samsung's new folding phone portfolio is its new Galaxy Z Flip 5. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5's standout feature is a much larger cover display. Galaxy Fold 5The Samsung Galaxy Fold 5. Galaxy Tab S9(From left) The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, Galaxy Fold 5, Galaxy Watch 6, and Galaxy Tab S9.

Persons: Ryan Browne, phonemakers, Oppo, who've, Ben Wood, It's, Paolo Pescatore, Le Xuan Chiew, There's Organizations: Samsung, CNBC Samsung, Wednesday, CNBC, CNBC Foldables, Huawei, Motorola, Lenovo, IDC, CCS Insight, Google, Android, PP Foresight, Apple, Global, Galaxy, Windows Locations: Korean, foldables

☆ Before Apple's Vision Pro hits the shelves, lower-priced rival Xreal claims it's near 200k shipments
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Worldwide shipments of VR headsets and augmented reality devices dropped by more than 12% to 9.6 million in 2022, according to CCS Insight. For Vision Pro to be successful, it needs to replace personal computers, said Nicole Peng, senior vice president, mobility, at Canalys. She said that's the value proposition Vision Pro has set up, which is different from what Xreal or Meta offer. "Nreal, Xreal glasses still need to connect with a PC or a phone," Peng said. Apple has not released such figures for Vision Pro.

Persons: Peng Jin, Xreal, Jin, Canalys, Nicole Peng, Peng, Steve Kovach Organizations: Mobile World Congress, MWC, Shanghai, Visual China, Getty, CNBC, Shanghai MWC, Apple, Vision, VR, CCS Insight, Meta, Xreal, Xreal Air, Amazon.com, U.S ., Pro Locations: BEIJING, Canalys, Nreal, U.S, Japan, South Korea, China, Europe

Vodafone and CK Hutchison, which owns the Three UK mobile network, agreed to merge their U.K. businesses, following talks that have been ongoing since last year, the companies said Wednesday. Vodafone will own 51% of the combined business, leaving CK Hutchison the minority stake. "This long-awaited mega merger represents the biggest shake-up in the UK mobile market for over a decade," Kester Mann, director for consumer and connectivity at CCS Insight said in emailed comments. Current Vodafone UK CEO Ahmed Essam will lead the new enterprise, while the present Three UK Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Darren Purkis will assume the CFO position at the merged business. BT acquired EE in 2016, while Telefonica and Liberty Global launched Virgin Media O2 in 2021.

Persons: CK Hutchison, Kester Mann, Ahmed Essam, Darren Purkis, Nick Read, Margherita Della Valle Organizations: Vodafone, CK, CK Hutchison, Insight, BT, Virgin Media O2, EE, O2, Telefonica, Liberty Global, Markets Authority, CMA, Activision Blizzard

[1/2] Vodafone Group CEO Margherita Della Valle poses in this undated handout picture obtained by Reuters on May 16, 2023. "For Vodafone this transaction is a game changer in our home market," Della Valle, a 29-year company veteran, told reporters. That is likely to take time, but Kester Mann, a director at CCS Insight, said the British announcement would give Della Valle a boost. "She has shown clear intent to make changes at Vodafone as she bids to turn the embattled company's performance around," he said. "Securing approval for a tie-up with (Hutchison's) Three would be a major boost to her early tenure."

Persons: Margherita Della Valle, Della Valle, CK Hutchison, Nick Read, Kester Mann, Kate Holton, Sinead Cruise, Emelia Sithole Organizations: Vodafone, Reuters, Handout, REUTERS, HK, CCS Insight, Thomson Locations: Britain, Hong Kong, Germany, Spain, Italy, British

☆ Meta's heated rivalry with Apple enters new phase as the tech giants go after headsets
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Jonathan Vanian | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

But Apple hasn't said exactly when Vision Pro will be available, only that it will be early next year. Meta's Quest family of VR headsets include the $300 Quest 2 and the $500 Quest 3, which will be available in the fall. Apple CEO Tim Cook stands next to the new Apple Vision Pro headset is displayed during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference on June 05, 2023 in Cupertino, California. And Apple has its own new operating system for the Vision Pro that it's calling visionOS. "And we believe Apple Vision Pro is a revolutionary platform that can make our vision a reality."

Persons: Mark Zuckerberg, Michael Nagle, Leo Gebbie, hasn't, Zuckerberg, Cook, Tim Cook, Justin Sullivan, visionOS, Bob Iger, Iger, We're, Meta didn't Organizations: Meta, Inc, Bloomberg, Getty, CCS, Vision, VR, Labs, Apple, Google, Facebook, Apple Vision, Apple Worldwide, Disney Locations: New York, Covid, Cupertino , California, Brussels

☆ Today's the day: Apple is expected to reveal a 'jaw dropping' new product that faces an uphill battle
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Michael Liedtke | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

It'll be the company's first major new product since the first Apple Watch in 2014. Apple's goggles are expected be sleekly designed and capable of toggling between totally virtual or augmented options, a blend sometimes known as "mixed reality." Magic LeapDaniel Diez, Magic Leap's chief transformation officer, said there are four major questions Apple's goggles will have to answer: "What can people do with it? The anticipation that Apple's goggles are going to sell for several thousand dollars already has dampened expectations for the product. But those forecasts were obviously made before it's known whether Apple might be releasing a product that alters the landscape.

Persons: It'll, Apple, Steve Jobs, hasn't, Mark Zuckerberg, Tim Cook, Cook, it's, Sergey Brin, Daniel Diez, Magic, Dan Ives, Zuckerberg, Leap's Diez Organizations: Apple, Apple Watch, Meta, Google, Microsoft, Wedbush Securities, CCS Insight Locations: Cupertino , California, Italy, San Francisco

☆ CHART: We analyzed Apple's revenue per employee to show how it's avoided tech bloat and delayed layoffs
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Hasan Chowdhury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Data shows its revenue per employee trumps the rest of Silicon Valley, a sign of its efficiency. Apple's comparative efficiency is visible through one particular metric that is back in vogue: Revenue per employee. Insider analyzed revenue per employee at major tech firms between 2018 and 2022. Revenue per employee is a get-back-to-basics measure of efficiency and productivity, assigning a hard dollar value to individual workers. Rabois also criticized tech firms, specifically Google and Meta, for "over-hiring" — a practice Apple avoided during tech's boom years.

☆ A foldable iPhone may be able to shut itself to protect the screen if it's dropped, Apple patent application shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-19 | by ( Sam Tabahriti | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A patent application showed a foldable iPhone could close itself to protect the screen if dropped. Apple has not confirmed any plans to start producing a foldable iPhone. Speculation about a foldable iPhone has circulated online for several years without any confirmation from Apple. Ben Wood, chief of research at CCS Insight, told CNBC last October that a foldable iPhone would probably sell for about $2,500. Patent applications do not mean that Apple has any plans to start making a foldable iPhone but indicate the company is still mulling the idea.

☆ Google Glass was just discontinued — again — raising questions about whether anyone still cares about AR devices
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Aaron Mcdade | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The original Google Glass was axed in 2015, and reintroduced as a business-focused product in 2017. Sign up for our newsletter for the latest tech news and scoops — delivered daily to your inbox. An older version of Google Glass, the latest business-focused version of which was discontinued Wednesday. Ultimately, the lofty price point of Google Glass, as well as privacy concerns tied to the camera, led to its lack in mainstream acceptance and subsequent discontinuation in 2015. The latest version is "built for creators looking to push the limits of immersive AR experiences," according to the product's website.

☆ 'Sea of sameness': Are smartphone makers out of ideas?
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

From bulky phones with antennas and handsets that flip open, to modern devices connected to the internet, the mobile phone market has evolved dramatically since its creation in 1973. In a lot of ways, they're core to how we live our lives, and we've developed a dependence on them. Beyond flashy cameras and more efficient chips, phone makers are struggling to find ways to entice consumers the same way they did years ago. "We now live in this kind of sea of smartphone sameness," said Ben Wood, chief analyst at tech research firm CCS Insight. "I think we have moved to a point now with mobile phones where people aren't kind of rushing out saying, 'I really want to get that new phone,'" Wood said.

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