Space, the investment frontier: The companies that are reaching for the stars July 24, 2019 When Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon 50 years ago, space was the exclusive domain of two superpowers. Now it has become perhaps the ultimate competitive arena for two tech giants — not to mention a host of other private enterprises that see untold promise and profits in reaching for [...]
US opens industry-scale tech giant antitrust probe July 23, 2019 The US Department of Justice is to open an investigation into whether the activities of major tech firms are anti-competitive. The review will explore “whether and how market-leading online platforms have achieved market power and are engaging in practices that have reduced competition, stifled innovation, or otherwise harmed consumers,” the department said tonight. The probe [...]
Snap boosts revenue and users with new “augmented reality” features July 23, 2019 Snapchat parent company Snap boosted its user numbers and revenue in the second quarter of the year as customers lapped up its “augmented reality” filters, although it is yet to turn a profit. Read more: Snap smashes expectations with narrowed losses and surprise user additions Revenue at the US social media firm rocketed by 48 [...]
Apple in ‘advanced talks’ to buy Intel’s smartphone chip business July 23, 2019 Apple is said to be in advanced talks to buy Intel’s smartphone-modem chip business in a deal worth at least $1bn (£804m). Read more: Apple boss Tim Cook brands reports he fell out with Jony Ive ‘absurd’ The tech giant is discussing the purchase with the chipmaker and a deal could be reached in the [...]
Politicians need to wake up to the risks of artificial superintelligence July 23, 2019 Politicians aren’t very good at thinking about more than one thing at a time. Take Brexit as an example, if you needed one. Everything other than our proposed exit from the European Union – and who will be the Prime Minister to lead us through it – has been downgraded to an inconvenient side-show. This [...]
Data is our NHS’ most precious asset – the next Prime Minister must protect it July 23, 2019 Britain is about to have a new government. And in a few months’ time, there could be a General Election resulting in the third government of 2019. On top of this, Brexit has still not been resolved. But in the fog of these political crises, we must not lose sight of innovations which, if adopted [...]
US sanctions blamed for Huawei 5G decision delay July 22, 2019 The government has put off a decision on whether Chinese telecoms giant Huawei should be part of the construction of the UK’s next-generation 5G networks, saying US sanctions might stop the firm from being a viable long-term partner. Read more: Next PM urged to prioritise Huawei decision The delay means the next government, which will [...]
Government intervenes in Inmarsat deal on national security grounds July 22, 2019 The UK government is to investigate the sale of London-listed satellite company Inmarsat to a private-equity and pension fund group on national security grounds, it said today. Read more: Inmarsat bidders look to appease government Inmarsat, Britain’s biggest satellite company, agreed in March to be bought by an international group including buyout firms Apax and [...]
Microsoft invests $1bn in OpenAI to create artificial intelligence that can solve humanity’s worst problems July 22, 2019 Microsoft is set to pour $1bn (£800m) into OpenAI to develop general artificial intelligence, effectively by turning its Azure cloud into a supercomputer. The pair have agreed a multi-year exclusive partnership to develop a supercomputer of “unprecedented scale” to train and run ever-more advanced AI software. Read more: Microsoft opens flagship London store just minutes [...]
China’s Nasdaq rival Star Market see shares surge on first day of trading July 22, 2019 Shares shot up on the launch of China’s new Nasdaq rival – the Star Market – today. Shanghai Stock Exchange’s tech-focused stock market aims to use Shanghai’s credentials as a global financial hub as a springboard to success, with 25 firms listed on it already. Read more: Google terminates Project Dragonfly, its censored Chinese search [...]
