Briefing Desk
Latest Briefings
Concise reporting on the developments shaping internet governance and infrastructure. Browse each area for recent news, context and watchpoints.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 28 briefingsRoboVision secures $42M to enhance AI integration in manufacturing
Computer vision company RoboVision raised $42M for its AI-enabled vision platform, aimed at simplifying AI integration into manufacturing.
European Central Bank trial to explore DLT for wholesale transactions
The European Central Bank has initiated a trial into the application of distributed ledger technology for settling wholesale transactions.
Big tech stockpiles Nvidia H100 chips while AI may make them obsolete
Tesla and xAI stockpile Nvidia H100 chips to advance autonomous driving and AI research, facing risks from rapid AI technology evolution.
Alibaba Cloud to cut price on products from offshore data centres
Alibaba Cloud has cut the price of its offshore data centre products by 59 percent in a bid to attract AI developers.
VVDN’s Intelligent Cloud Engine (ICE) launches on Google cloud
The multi-year partnership between VVDN Technologies and Google Cloud resulted in a new collaboration—ICE successfully launched.
Microsoft is confident Windows on Arm could beat Apple’s MacBook
Microsoft is getting ready to fully unveil its vision for “AI PCs” next month at an event in Seattle. Microsoft is confident that the new round of Arm-based Windows laptops will beat Apple’s M3 MacBook Air in CPU performance and AI-accelerated tasks. Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite laptop processor A…
Anthropic’s AI now connects with external applications in real time
Users can integrate Claude AI with external apps for real-time info retrieval and seamless workflow integration.
Tesla to build world’s largest supercharging station in Florida
Tesla plans the world’s largest supercharging station in Florida with over 200 stalls, catering to diverse electric vehicle brands.
Retro game emulators now allowed on the Apple App Store
In addition to updating developer guidelines and allowing music streaming apps to link to external websites, Apple has added new language to allow game emulators to appear on the App Store, welcoming retro console emulator apps and even offering downloadable games. More emulators available Apple als…
Facebook adds ‘reverse passthrough’ 3D eyes to VR headsets
Facebook is developing a new technology that projects the wearer’s 3D eyes onto VR headsets, making social interactions feel more natural and less jarring. Enhancing social interactions with real 3D eyes Holoeyes Secures 400 Million Yen to Expand Medical Virtual Reality Facebook is making…
Binance stops bitcoin NFT support to streamline offerings
Binance ceases support for bitcoin NFTs shortly after introducing them to its marketplace, aiming to streamline offerings.
Google introduces new JPEG image compression technology
Google unveils Jpegli, an open-source image encoding library, offering improved compression ratios without sacrificing quality.
X changes course, gives away blue ticks to popular users for free
X offers free premium features like blue checkmarks, diverging from prior criticism of Twitter’s practices.
Apple cuts jobs after dropping self-driving car plans
Apple cuts 600+ jobs, ceasing self-driving car project, signalling a strategic shift towards AI, despite historic avoidance of mass layoffs.
Instagram temporarily disables AI-generated Asians
Meta’s AI image generator faced a temporary glitch, failing to generate accurate images of Asian individuals, following a previous issue of consistently portraying everyone as Asian, regardless of specified race. Instagram AI image generator glitch Meta’s standalone AI image generator: Me…
Meta to integrate AI into Ray-Ban smart glasses
Meta will bring AI capabilities to its Ray-Ban smart glasses, enabling features like entity and language recognition. The smart assistant, activated by saying “Hey Meta,” struggled with some tasks, but the company plans to improve the features over time. Meta Ray-Ban glasses: Do they infr…
AI models trained on YouTube videos by Google and Open AI
Both OpenAI and Google have turned to transcribing YouTube videos to further train their AI models, which could infringe on creators’ copyrights. The two tech giants cut corners on Meta to get as much data as possible to train their AI models. Infringement of creator’s video copyright OpenAI used Wh…
Telit Cinterion unveils GNSS module with centimetre-level accuracy
Telit Cinterion unveils the SE868K5-RTK, a game-changing GNSS receiver module with centimeter-level accuracy, setting new standards in IoT precision. Top tech news stories today: April 8, 2024 Revolutionizing precision in IoT solutions with the SE868K5-RTK IoT solutions provider Telit Cin…
Garmin introduces innovative fitness solutions at CES 2024
Garmin unveiled innovation fitness solutions: HRM-Fit, Lily 2 and the Garmin connect app, which can smarten your fitness. HRM-Fit Garmin unveils the $149.99 HRM-Fit, a chest strap designed to prioritize comfort and wearability, particularly for users wearing sports bras. The HRM-Fit features a clip-…
Nvidia and Alphabet: tech giants experience market cap surge
Nvidia announced a ready-to-release flagship AI processor last month, bringing a increase in its market cap from February, while Alphabet’s shares rose due to Apple’s interest in Google’s Gemini AI engine. Market cap growth in March: Nvidia and Alphabet lead the way Nvidia Corp and Alphabet Inc witn…
Hut 8 CEO: Bitcoin miner bankruptcies will be less common this cycle
A slew of bitcoin miners filed for bankruptcy in the crypto winter of 2022 but Hut 8 CEO Asher Genoot is adamant that things will be different after the upcoming halving. Genoot predicts that BTC will be stable in the future In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Hut 8 CEO Asher Genoot shared his ins…
Ethena Labs launches $ENA, bringing potential gains to traders
The ENA governance token from Ethena Labs, along with USDe, has a controversial history, but that hasn’t held back billions in backing from investors and traders. The new launch of $ENA attracts attention Ethena Labs has just announced the launch of its governance token, $ENA, and the expansion of i…
Top tech stories today: April 5, 2024
Tech News Summaries Blockchain and cryptocurrency Binance launches Saga on its Launchpool Binance introduces Saga on its Launchpool, a decentralized financial platform offering users a new way to participate in the blockchain ecosystem through tokenized assets. (Source: Blockchain News) Ripple to la…
Meta denies allowing Netflix access to users’ private information
Citing a class action lawsuit over data privacy issues, Netflix has denied allowing Meta to access users’ private information. Meta denies claims that there is a “special relationship” between Netflix and Facebook and that Facebook cuts back in order to compete. Netflix and Spotify can share content…
Apple Vision Pro’s Persona feature gets even more realistic
Apple has announced that beta spatial Persona support is coming to Apple Vision Pro. The feature expands on the existing Persona feature of Vision Pro but with an even more human-like experience. Apple Vision Pro Personas Spatial Personas allow Vision Pro users to “break out of the familiar FaceTime…
Ethereum earnings tripled in Q1 2024, reaching $370M
Ethereum racked up $1.2 billion in revenue from transaction fees in Q1 2024, or 155% more than in the first quarter last year. Ethereum’s revenue surged in Q1 of 2024 In a groundbreaking first quarter of 2024, Ethereum, the leading blockchain network, showcased remarkable growth, marking a significa…
Crypto giants unite in advocating for official bitcoin emoji
Crypto platform Nexo and over 35 organisations in the cryptocurrency industry have joined forces to advocate for an official bitcoin emoji.
Top tech stories today: April 4, 2024
Tech News Summaries Cloud computing and tech industry trends Amazon layoffs: hundreds of jobs cut in cloud computing unit Amazon initiates layoffs in its cloud computing division, affecting hundreds of employees, as part of a restructuring effort to optimize operations and maintain competitiveness i…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Asia-Pacific Trends / Asia-Pacific Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 7 briefingsAustralia to launch own spot bitcoin ETF in 2 months
Monochrome’s inaugural Bitcoin ETF, filed with Cboe Australia, marks the country’s first to hold physical bitcoin in its ETF.
Taiwan’s TSMC to receive US$11B to build Arizona factory
The United States plans to provide TSMC with $6.6 billion in grants and nearly $5 billion in loans to help it build the plant.
Sony Bank trials cryptocurrency for gaming, sports IP payments
Sony Bank in Japan partners with SettleMint, a Belgian blockchain firm, to trial its stablecoin linked to the Japanese yen on blockchain.
Spotify to raise prices by $1-2 in key markets
Spotify is set to increase prices by $1 to $2 per month in key markets, including the UK and Australia, to support audiobooks and unveil new subscription options for users. Spotify’s plan for enhanced profitability Spotify plans to raise the price of its popular audio service in several key markets …
Nvidia and Indosat to invest $200M in AI center in Indonesia
Nvidia and PT Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison plan to invest $200 million in an AI center in Central Java, Indonesia. The center, slated for completion by 2024, will likely focus on telecom infrastructure and HR development. Surakarta’s Mayor and President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka supports the initiat…
Microsoft says lax security led to China’s cyber raid
An investigation into an attack on Microsoft’s Exchange Online hosted email service has found that the incident could have been prevented.
HSBC and HKSTP collaborate to propel HK fintech development
HSBC and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) have inked a three-year strategic partnership aimed at spurring innovation and fostering a more effective collaboration ecosystem between banks and fintech entities. The partnership, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Asia-Pacific Trends / Asia-Pacific Institutional Trends
In this section: 2 briefingsSouth Korea plans US$7B investment in AI
In a bid to consolidate its leadership in semiconductor chips, South Korean President Yoon Seok Yeol on Tuesday unveiled a plan to pump 9.4 trillion won (US$6.94 billion) into artificial intelligence programmes by 2027. Semiconductors as a key foundation of South Korea’s export-driven economy The in…
China intends to use AI misinformation to sabotage elections
According to Microsoft’s Threat Intelligence team, the Chinese government is expected to step up sophisticated AI-generated disinformation campaigns to influence several high-profile elections in 2024. China’s strategy Microsoft issued a warning, stating that this year’s presidential and parliamenta…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Europe and Middle East Trends / Europe and Middle East Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 3 briefingsPaddy Cosgrave returns to Web Summit after resigning over Israel criticism
Web Summit co-founder Paddy Cosgrave on Monday returned as its chief executive, six months after resigning from the top job following a backlash over his comments on the Israel-Hamas conflict. Cosgrave’s October comments Cosgrave resigned as president of the Lisbon conference last October after comi…
Google uses AI to create search answers in UK trial
Google trials AI search answers in UK, sparking publisher concerns on site visits, while prioritising accuracy to combat bias.
Israel chipmaker Hailo raises $120M, brings value to $1.2B
Israel-based chipmaker Hailo has raised $120 million in a new funding round, valuing it at $1.2 billion, and released a high-performance generative AI chip, the company said on Tuesday. Hailo raises funds with strong support from key players in the industry Israel-based semiconductor company Hailo h…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Asia-Pacific Trends / Asia-Pacific National Telecom Trends
In this section: 1 briefingNvidia plans $200M AI centre in Indonesia with Indosat
Nvidia’s $200M investment in Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison heralds expansion into Southeast Asia’s AI landscape, with robust growth in Singapore.
Coverage
Market / Trends / North America Trends / North America Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 3 briefingsSamsung to get US$6-7 billion in chip subsidy next week
Biden administration allocates $6B+ to Samsung for Texas chip plant, part of efforts to boost domestic semiconductor production.
Italy’s state-owned bank to invest US$1B in AI over 5 years
The venture capital arm of CDP, Italy’s national bank, will invest €1 billion ($1.1 bln) in AI and cybersecurity over the next 5 years.
Top tech news stories today: April 9, 2024
TSMC wins $6.6 bln US subsidy for Arizona chip production, Microsoft to launch AI hub in London and other tech news.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Latin America and Caribbean Trends / Latin America and Caribbean Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 1 briefingBrazil’s court judge opens inquiry into Elon Musk
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk for his refusal of the order to block certain accounts.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global Institutional Trends
In this section: 1 briefingEU regulators assess Apple’s plan to comply with music streaming order
The European Commission said on Monday that EU antitrust regulators are checking if an Apple proposal would comply with their order to let Spotify and other music streaming services inform users of payment options outside its App Store. Apple’s proposal last week According to Apple’s proposal, Swedi…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Africa Trends / Africa Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 1 briefingCCSA investigates Microsoft’s cloud computing licensing practices
The Competition Commission of South Africa is expected to file a complaint about Microsoft’s cloud computing licensing practices.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global Datacenter Trends
In this section: 1 briefingnLighten acquires 7 data centres from Exa Infrastructure
nLighten has acquired seven edge data centres from its sister company Exa Infrastructure. Acquisition bolsters nLighten’s European presence The company says this move strengthens its position as a frontrunner in the European data centre market and expands its footprint and service offerings across t…
Coverage
Governance / RIR Watchdog / APNIC / Story
In this section: 1 briefingICANN 79 review: Shaping the future of internet governance
APNIC engaged in the ICANN 79 meeting, contributing to discussions on internet governance and infrastructure.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global Regional ISP Trends
In this section: 1 briefingEverything you need to know about Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI)
OUR TAKE:RPKI represents a monumental leap forward in Internet routing security, utilizing cryptography to provide a standardized and scalable solution to the persistent challenges posed by BGP vulnerabilities.–Fei Wang, BTW Reporter Why do we need RPKI? When it comes to network information security…