Tecno Unveils Cutting-Edge AI and AR Flagship Products at MWC 2024: A Glimpse Into the Future:
TECNO, the globally recognized mobile phone company known for its dedication to innovative technology and cutting-edge gadgets, made a significant debut at the Mobile World Conference (MWC) in Barcelona in 2023. The company introduced the widely acclaimed PHANTOM V Fold, marking its foray into the domain of foldable smartphones. This year, TECNO returns to the event with a mission to showcase tomorrow’s technologies under the theme “Reach for the Future,” promising an exciting glimpse into what lies ahead. MWC Barcelona, occurring annually, draws tens of thousands of senior executives from leading global companies, international governments, and groundbreaking tech businesses. It serves as a decisive platform where novel ideas seamlessly transition into lucrative business deals. The event not only facilitates valuable networking opportunities but also nurtures remarkable connections among diverse stakeholders.
Zong 4G and JS Zindigi Partner Up to Facilitate Users with Banking-as-a-Service Integration in My Zong App:
Zong 4G, Pakistan’s leading mobile network operator, and JS Zindigi, a leading digital financial services provider, announced a lucrative partnership to offer Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) within the My Zong App (MZA). The signing ceremony took place on March 13th, 2024, at Zong 4G headquarters, signed by CFO Zong 4G Mr. Huang Zhidong and CEO JS Zindigi Mr. Numan Azhar. JS Zindigi is a digital financial services provider in Pakistan, offering a comprehensive suite of mobile wallet solutions and digital banking services. Based on a dedicated team empowered by the latest technology, upholding the highest ethical standards seeking to create value for their stakeholders and a responsible contribution to society.
Govt Warns Against Hackers Targeting Apple Devices:
The Cabinet Division has issued a Cyber Security Advisory concerning potential zero-day attacks targeting Apple products. Through analysis of the Shutdown.log file within the sysdiagnose archive, Kaspersky identified anomalies during device reboots associated with Pegasus. Entries in the log file indicated delays in reboots caused by persistent spyware processes. Additionally, a common infection path was observed in the log file, similar to other iOS malware families. These include rebooting the device daily to disrupt potential attackers, enabling lockdown mode to block iOS malware, disabling iMessage and FaceTime to minimize exploitation vectors, exercising caution with suspicious links received via various communication channels, regularly checking backups and system diagnoses for signs of malware, ensuring the installation of the latest OS version and application updates, and utilizing Kaspersky’s self-check spyware detection tool available on GitHub.
Explore the Fairy Tale Magic of the Nimbus Islands in PUBG MOBILE’S Version 3.1 Update:
PUBG MOBILE, one of the world’s most popular mobile games, has unveiled new hidden treasures with the release of its Version 3.1 Update. Until May 12th, players can now experience the new themed mode Skyhigh Spectacle and battle across the Nimbus Islands, a pair of islands offering players unique ways to engage in intense battles and strategic gameplay. Metro Royale Chapter 19 also receives updates and fixes, whilst World of Wonder sees new improvements, including an all-new feature allowing players to design their own dream homes inside PUBG MOBILE.
P@sha Applauds Appointment of Shaza Fatima as IT Minister:
Pakistan’s IT industry has expressed enthusiasm over the recent appointment of Shaza Khawaja Fatima as Minister for State IT and Telecommunications. The Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) has acknowledged her appointment with optimism, recognizing her prior engagement with industry matters during her tenure as a special assistant to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in the previous cabinet. Zohaib Khan, Chairman of P@SHA, welcomed the new Minister, citing her past involvement in addressing industry issues with key institutions like the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). Khan viewed her appointment as a positive step towards addressing the sector’s challenges.
The World’s First Sweeping AI Rules Have Just Been Passed by EU:
After nearly three years since the initial draft proposal, the European Parliament has greenlit comprehensive legislation aimed at regulating artificial intelligence (AI). Following an agreement on AI development reached by officials in December, the Parliament members voted on Wednesday to approve the AI Act, garnering 523 votes in favor, 46 against, and 49 abstentions. According to the EU, these regulations are meant to address obligations to AI applications regarding their potential risks and impacts. While the legislation has not yet been enacted into law, it is currently undergoing scrutiny by lawyer-linguists. Additionally, formal enforcement by the European Council is required. Nonetheless, it is anticipated that the AI Act will be implemented before the conclusion of the current legislative term, preceding the upcoming parliamentary election in early June.
OpenAI “Accidentally” Leaks ChatGPT’s Next Major Upgrade:
OpenAI’s last upgrade to ChatGPT was GPT 4 Turbo, which became official in November 2023 with a much bigger context window and an updated knowledge cut-off date. Now the AI chatbot is in for yet another upgrade soon, as leaked by the company itself. The AI startup recently shared a new blog post about GPT 4.5 Turbo, which is the next update after GPT 4 Turbo, but quickly removed the article after a while. This blog post, however, shared insights about GPT 4.5 Turbo and its upgrades. According to OpenAI’s now inaccessible blog post, the new ChatGPT upgrade will bring more speed, accuracy, and scalability. However, one of the biggest upgrades would be its updated knowledge cutoff of June 2024, bringing the newest information to users. Some believe that this is only a mistake while others believe that GPT 4.5 Turbo could launch in June this year despite a lack of confirmation from OpenAI.
Infinix Note 40 to Feature Cheetah X1 Chip to Hit Blazing Fast Charging Speeds:
The Infinix Note 40 series is confirmed to launch on March 18 and now a new teaser confirms that we will also get blazing-fast charging speeds on the entire lineup. This is because the Note 40 lineup is going to feature a dedicated Cheetah X1 chip to handle all charging processes. The Cheetah X1 chip introduces what Infinix calls the All-Round FastCharge 2.0 tech which can theoretically reach up to 260W wired and 110W wireless charging. However, for now, the Infinix Note 40 series will “only” feature 100W fast wired charging in its current devices.
Lenovo Legion Gaming Tablet Launched Globally With Flagship Level Chip:
Initially released in China last year, the gaming-centric tablet, Lenovo Legion Y700 (2023), is now set to hit global markets as the tech giant expands its availability. Primarily targeting EMEA and Asia, with additional select markets joining the list, Lenovo aims to broaden the reach of the Legion Y700 (2023). The global variant maintains the same specifications. The tablet continues to feature a 144Hz 8.8-inch IPS LCD panel boasting a generous 1600 x 2560px resolution. While it supports Dolby Vision and HDR10, it’s worth noting that HDR content might not exhibit the same quality as on an OLED display.
TikTok Could Now Be Banned in The US Unless It’s Sold Off:
The US has been working to ban TikTok in the country, citing data security concerns. This effort may turn into US law soon, leaving TikTok no choice but to be sold off to an American company. This is because a new US bill is looking to force ByteDance (TikTok owner) to divest the social media app. Now, that very bill has successfully cleared the US House of Representatives with robust bipartisan backing, boasting a vote count of 352-65. The measure now heads to the Senate for consideration. Notably, Senator Rand Paul has voiced opposition to the ban, injecting a glimmer of optimism for its potential outcome. However, should the bill advance, President Joe Biden has affirmed his intention to endorse it into law, despite the recent affiliation of the Biden reelection campaign with TikTok just a month ago.
OpenAI’s AI Video Generator Sora Will Launch “In a Few Months”:
ChatGPT maker OpenAI unveiled its mind-boggling AI video generator Sora last month, which is capable of creating photorealistic footage with impressive detail. Although it has flaws if you look very closely, it is still a giant step ahead in terms of AI-made videos. Sora not only makes new videos from scratch via user prompts, but it can also extend videos by adding extra frames or editing them as needed, similar to some other rival offerings in the market. However, as impressive as the demo videos were, we never had any launch date, up until now at least.
PTA Raids Franchisee Selling Illegal SIM Cards in Sukkur:
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Zonal Office Sukkur, in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime Circle, conducted a successful raid against a franchisee of a mobile phone company in Sukkur. The franchisee was found to be involved in the illegal issuance of SIMs. During the raid, 61 suspicious SIM cards were discovered within the SIM stock, and upon random checking, 6 active SIM cards were found registered under female CNICs. Additionally, two individuals were apprehended on-site by the FIA team, against whom FIRs have been filed. The FIA is actively pursuing further investigation into the matter.
TikTok ban: China attacks ‘bandit logic’ of House vote:
China has attacked a bill going through Congress that could ultimately see TikTok banned in the US, accusing it of “unjustly” behaving like a “bandit”. The bill passed by the House of Representatives would give TikTok’s parent company six months to divest from the firm or face a ban on the app. It still faces an uphill battle in the Senate but President Joe Biden says he will sign it if it passes Congress. Beijing has vowed to take” necessary measures” to protect its interests. TikTok is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, a Beijing-based firm registered in the Cayman Islands.
MEPs approve world’s first comprehensive AI law:
The European Parliament has approved the world’s first comprehensive framework for constraining the risks of artificial intelligence (AI). The sector has seen explosive growth – driving huge profits but also stoking fears about bias, privacy and even the future of humanity. The AI Act works by classifying products according to risk and adjusting scrutiny accordingly. The law’s creators said it would make the tech more “human-centric.” “The AI act is not the end of the journey but the starting point for new governance built around technology,” MEP Dragos Tudorache added. It also places the EU at the forefront of global attempts to address the dangers associated with AI.
Sail-powered cargo ship ‘shows potential of wind’:
Retrofitting giant, rigid sails to a cargo ship has effectively cut its fuel use and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, shipping firm data shows. The Pyxis Ocean tested the British-designed WindWings for six months. Cargill says the data “underscores the potential” of wind to reduce the shipping industry’s carbon footprint. Experts describe the results as “very encouraging”, but say, at present, only a tiny volume of the international shipping fleet is using the technology. Sails have powered boats for millennia – but the type of sails trialled on the Pyxis Ocean are different to those normally seen on wind-powered vessels. Made of the same material as wind turbine blades, they are folded down in port then opened out to stand at 123ft (37.5m) on the open seas.
Reddit aims for $6.4bn valuation ahead of initial public offering:
Reddit, one of the most popular websites in the world, is hoping for a valuation of up to $6.4bn (£5bn) when its shares go public next week. The social media company, which has never made a profit, will float shares on the New York Stock Exchange. A filing in the US revealed that Reddit and its investors are hoping to sell 22 million shares for between $31 and $34 each. However, many users worry the move will fundamentally change the website. Some shares will be specially reserved for some Reddit users and moderators. The company is planning an initial public offering (IPO) which would make some of its shares publicly available to buy for the first time. “Our users have a deep sense of ownership over the communities they create on Reddit,” wrote co-founder Steve Huffman in a letter to prospective investors released a few weeks ago.
Apple ‘like The Godfather’ with new App Store rules:
This week Apple made the long-awaited landmark move to allow other companies to launch app stores on iPhones. The tech giant was forced to act by EU politicians concerned about it having a market monopoly. The decision is being watched closely around the world and was initially celebrated as an industry victory for businesses and consumers in the EU. But Apple’s strict new rules and fees are being heavily criticised, with Spotify calling them “extortion”. It is one of many companies, including Fortnite maker Epic Games, that has been pushing Apple to allow alternative app stores on iPhones.
Craig Phillips: TV star shaken after Jaguar brakes fail during drive:
Craig Phillips, former winner of the reality TV show Big Brother, has described his fear when the brakes failed on his Jaguar I-Pace electric vehicle while he was driving. It is the second report of the brakes failing on this particular model while in motion. Mr Phillips said it was “terrifying” to feel “out of control” of the vehicle while his family were also inside. Jaguar said it was investigating and took both claims seriously. Earlier this week, another I-Pace driver claimed to have found himself unable to brake on a motorway as the car accelerated and had to be flanked by police. “Following the incident involving a Jaguar I-Pace on the M62 on the afternoon of 6th March, we are looking into this matter with urgency,” Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) said. “A full review is underway to determine the cause of this incident, which is still yet to be established. The safety of our clients and vehicles is JLR’s highest priority.” It said it was also taking Mr Phillips’ claims seriously. Mr Phillips’ experience, first reported by the Daily Mail, happened on New Year’s Eve 2023.
Production of Duvel beer hit by cyber-attack:
Production at four breweries owned by Belgian beer firm Duvel has ground to a halt after a cyber-attack. The company says it fell victim to the suspected ransomware attack “during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday.” Initially, five of its production facilities were shut down – one has since come back online. Duvel said it was currently unable to give further details “as the investigation into the cause of the cyber-attack is ongoing.” “The built-in command systems and alarms in the IT-system worked well, so our IT department was immediately informed of the attack,” the company said in a statement. “The servers were immediately shut down, which also shut down production at the four Belgian production sites and the production site in Kansas City.” Duvel said that one plant, in Puurs-Sint-Amands in Belgium, was now back up and running, but production at the other four was still halted.
Bafta Games Awards 2024: Baldur’s Gate 3 and Spider-Man lead nods:
Baldur’s Gate 3 leads the way in this year’s Bafta Games Awards nominations with a total of 10. As well as being in the running for best game, the actors behind popular characters Karlach and Astarion are among those up for solo awards. Sony’s hit sequel Spider-Man 2 received nine nods, closely followed by Alan Wake 2, with eight. Elsewhere, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor have six nominations each. This year will be the twentieth anniversary of the awards – one of the most prestigious nights in the calendar for the gaming industry – and will be held on 11 April 2024.
Police worried 101 call bot would struggle with ‘Brummie’ accents:
West Midlands Police trialled a voice assistant powered by artificial intelligence (AI) in a bid to deal with rising volumes of non-emergency calls. Sensitive technical details of the plan were erroneously published online in a document seen by the Media. It set out potential risks of the AI, including whether the system, dubbed “Amy101”, would understand local “Brummie” accents. West Midlands Police has insisted “robust safeguards” were in place.
Based on the tech behind Amazon’s popular voice assistant, Alexa, the trial explored how AI could help the force cope with increasing volumes of calls, and potentially offer new services such as responses in different languages. A document detailing the plan was mistakenly posted online by the office of the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC). The document, marked “official sensitive” and with warnings that it was “not to be publicly disclosed”, has since been removed.