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 / North America Trends / North America Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 10 briefingsTikTok faces stagnant user growth in the US
TikTok faces its first U.S. user growth slowdown amid disputes, competition from Instagram Reels, and regulatory threats.
Instagram’s Threads rolls out trending topics to all users in the US
Threads, Meta’s Twitter-like app, is rolling out trending topics to all users in the US. Threads The official rollout comes a month after the app started testing the feature with a select number of users in the country. Trending topics are available on the search page and in the app’s For You feed. …
Chinese tech giant Lenovo boosts AI efforts with Nvidia’s new servers
Lenovo Group has unveiled a series of servers and computers powered by technology from US chip designer Nvidia, to bring artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to businesses and cloud service providers. Servers applications Lenovo said it has added two new Nvidia graphics-processing-unit (GPU) syste…
BYD and other Chinese automakers will use Nvidia’s new in-vehicle chip ‘Drive Thor’
U.S. chipmaker Nvidia is expanding its partnership with Chinese EV maker BYD to include auto manufacturing and in-car computing, which can compete in global markets. Drive Thor Drive Thor is powered by Nvidia’s latest AI chipset, Blackwell, which was unveiled on the same day. The chipset is designed…
US tech sector cuts 50K jobs while AI field expands
Tech layoffs spike in 2024, with over 50,000 job losses; AI engineer salaries rise, averaging $190,000, signalling industry growth.
Blockchain Expo North America 2024: Latest in Web3, NFTs, crypto
The 8th Blockchain Expo North America, set for June 5–6, 2024, explores the latest advancements in web3, NFTs, cryptocurrency.
Mastercard trials enhanced subscription management in the US
Mastercard is piloting a subscription management system in the U.S. to offer clients enhanced control over subscription payments.
US-based spot bitcoin ETFs net inflows dropped by 80%
OUR TAKE:The recent decline in spot Bitcoin ETF inflows reflects investor caution amid market volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and macroeconomic factors. The fluctuating BTC price and anticipation of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting are likely influencing investor sentiment.— Iris Deng, …
TikTok urges US users to call senators to vote no on TikTok ban
OUR TAKEThe demand for ByteDance to divest TikTok reflects heightened concerns over national security and data privacy, amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.This move shows the growing scrutiny and regulatory challenges faced by tech companies operating in global markets, particularly those with signi…
Payment firm Ryft adds Amex for UK ecomm companies
U.S. payment company Ryft partners with American Express, aiming to bolster payment options for UK eCommerce merchants by Amex cards.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 18 briefingsNvidia’s next-generation data centres to work with cloud providers
Nvidia’s GTC event in 2024 unveils blueprint for next generation data centre to build ‘efficient AI infrastructure’ with Partner support.
Solana presales top $149M as meme coin frenzy takes off
ZachXBT’s report: Solana token presales net nearly $149.2M since March 12, with 796,000 sol raised by influencers for meme coin ventures.
Crypto exchange Bybit launches zero-fee model for P2P trading
Bybit, the third-largest crypto exchange, has introduced a zero-fee model for its P2P trading system, benefiting both buyers and sellers.
Super Micro Computer rides AI server boom to join S&P 500
OUR TAKESuper Micro Computer’s integration of Nvidia and AMD chips in its AI servers strengthens its competitive edge, which helps it launch products faster than rivals Dell and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. With the introduction of AI, Super Micro’s revenues more than doubled in the last three months…
Apple in talks to let Google’s Gemini power iPhone AI features
Apple is in talks to build Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence engine into the iPhone. The potential corporation A potential deal between the firms could help Google expand the use of its AI services to more than 2 billion active Apple devices, boosting the search giant’s efforts to catch up wit…
Orange launches new GenAI offers end-to-end for French clients
Orange Business has introduced new trusted GenAI solutions, establishing comprehensive support for French enterprises’ digital journeys. These offerings encompass infrastructure (IaaS) and applications (SaaS), positioning Orange Business as the the first on the market in providing end-to-end assista…
Digital bank Onyx Private shuts down retail services, shifts focus to B2B
Onyx Private, a Miami-based digital bank supported by Y Combinator, is shuttering its banking operations and shifting focus to a B2B model.
Microsoft ceases cloud services in Russia amid Western sanctions
Microsoft will halt cloud services for Russian users this week, prompting the need for data backups advised through a Telegram channel.
Nvidia unveils flagship AI chip, the B200, at GTC 2024
NVIDIA unveils Blackwell GPU at GTC 2024, promising superior AI performance and energy efficiency over Hopper.
MAXHUB with Microsoft Azure to build advanced AI solutions
MAXHUB partners with Microsoft Azure to drive global expansion and innovate AI solutions, transforming collaborative experiences.
Top tech news stories: March 19, 2024
Bitcoin slips further below $68,000, adding to weekend losses, Grab adds crypto top-ups to GrabPay and other tech news.
RFCU cooperates with Sharetec for its core system update
OUR TAKE:This partnership signifies Regional’s commitment to modernizing its operations and enhancing services for members. Sharetec’s Velocity solution offers improved processes, security, and integration capabilities. The move follows a trend of credit unions leveraging fintech partnerships for di…
Equinix and Private AI: Safeguard data, maximize control
Milind Wagle, CIO of Equinix: Learn how to leverage AI while safeguarding privacy and retaining control over your data While the advantages of AI are evident, enterprises require a cautious, strategic approach to reap those benefits without jeopardizing their valuable intellectual property. This is …
Tencent Launches Innovative AI Video Tool ‘Follow-Your-Click’
OUR TAKEUnlike ChatGPT, Tencent’s Follow-Your-Click combines images with simple text prompts that can be converted into short video clips with a single click.While other models require users to describe in detail how and where they want the image to move, Follow-Your-Click allows for a more specific…
Microsoft the latest to waive cloud egress fees
Microsoft joins AWS and Google in eliminating data egress fees, aligning with EU regulations and addressing regulatory scrutiny.
Oracle adds generative AI features to finance, supply chain software
OUR TAKEOracle’s decision represents a significant advancement in enterprise technology. By leveraging AI capabilities, Oracle helps customers improve decision-making and enhance the employee and customer experience. For Oracle, a late entrant to the cloud market, these features are a core part of w…
Juniper adds AI-native advancements for networking solutions
Juniper Networks revamps its partner program for AI-driven services, boosting its market position ahead of its $14B acquisition by HPE.
Bitcoin price forecast: 5 experts look to 2024 and beyond
Bitcoin continues to draw investors with potential for growth. Experts including Max Keiser and Peter Brandt offer various perspectives.
Coverage
Governance / IETF
In this section: 2 briefingsHow can Thailand solve its air quality and forest fire problems?
Adisorn Lertsinsrubtavee has given a presentation on the SEA-HAZEMON Project at IETF 119. The SEA-HAZEMON Project is a real-time air quality monitoring and forest fire detection platform. Forest fires are an often unsung and misunderstood part of rural life around the world. But since the 1970s, peo…
IETF 119 officially kicks off in Brisbane
On March 16, 2024, IETF 119 officially began at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre in Brisbane, Australia. There were a total of 1286 registered entities at the conference, including 668 on site entities and 618 online entities. What’s for the very first day? The first two days …
Coverage
Market / Trends / Asia-Pacific Trends / Asia-Pacific Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 12 briefingsGlobal patent trends: Huawei, Samsung, and Qualcomm lead, India surges
China-based firm Huawei Technologies, Samsung Electronics of the Republic of Korea, and U.S.-based Qualcomm emerged as the top users of WIPO’s international patent system in 2023. Meanwhile, innovators in India witnessed a nearly 50% surge in patent filing activity, despite a slight softening in glo…
Hong Kong prepares to launch ethereum ETFs ahead of US
Hong Kong’s financial institutions are seizing the lead in the crypto industry with the launch of ethereum ETFs ahead of U.S.
Chinese electric vehicle Xpeng plans to launch a mass-market brand in a month
OUR TAKEIn China, price wars are hurting the profitability of nearly all EV makers. By introducing the first right-hand drive electric car in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, Xpeng aims to tap into these markets, leveraging competitive pricing and its strong foothold in China’s electric vehicle sector.…
Rebellions seek to become the first Korean startup AI chips company
OUR TAKE The global semiconductor industry has seen a surge in demand for AI chips, fuelled by the popularity of US start-up OpenAI’s ChatGPT.The establishment of Rebellions will be an important milestone for the South Korean chip industry, as Atom (the latest chip Rebellions makes) will be the firs…
Apple pays $490M over CEO Cook’s false China sales comments
Apple settles $490M lawsuit alleging CEO misled investors on China performance, amidst 24% iPhone sales drop and Huawei’s 64% surge.
India removes approval requirement for AI model launches
India no longer requires stakeholders to obtain approval before rolling out or deploying AI models to users in the South Asian market.
China to build billion-dollar national computing network
China’s development plans indicate that it believes computing power has become a core productivity of the country.
True IDC invests $280m in Thailand’s AI-ready data centres
True Internet Data Center Company Limited, known as True IDC, commits over 10 billion baht ($278 million) to expand its data centre and cloud services in Thailand. The investment, spanning 2024 to 2027, focuses on enhancing infrastructure, sustainability, and operational excellence. VIRTU…
BDx Indonesia proudly joins NVIDIA’s AI cloud initiative
BDx Data Centers is proud to be associated with Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison and Lintasarta, its BDx Indonesia joint venture partners, in the historic collaboration with technology giant NVIDIA to propel Indonesia to the forefront of the global AI cloud community. As key players in Indonesia’s telecomm…
Chinese selfie app Meitu finds a new way while using artificial intelligence
OUR TAKEMeitu hailed the success of its refocus on artificial intelligence (AI) following a series of misfired bets ranging from cryptocurrencies to smartphones.This Hong Kong-listed company, which saw its profits surge 233% year on year to US$51.3 million and revenue grow nearly 30%, highlighted th…
Paralysed patients walk again after Singapore RESTORES trial
The trial, led by a team of medical professionals in Singapore, restored mobility with spinal cord stimulation and physiotherapy.
Smartphone maker Xiaomi to deliver first electric vehicle in China this month
Xiaomi will begin delivering its first electric vehicle in China this month, joining fierce price competition in its home market.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global Datacenter Trends
In this section: 1 briefingAfrican internet outage was caused by subsea cable break
MainOne, a major West African data centre provider, links recent internet outage to a submarine cable rupture, ruling out human involvement.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global Institutional Trends
In this section: 1 briefingReddit receives FTC inquiry on AI-related deals ahead of IPO
Reddit said on Friday that the Federal Trade Commission sent a letter to the company about its data-licensing business related to the training of artificial intelligence systems. The inquiry The company said it had received the letter from the FTC on March 14. According to Reddit, “Given the novel n…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Asia-Pacific Trends / Asia-Pacific Datacenter Trends
In this section: 1 briefingCtrlS to triple its data centre count to 25 by FY25
CtrlS Datacenters Ltd, the largest Rated-4 data centre provider in Asia, aims to triple its data centre count to approximately 25 by 2024-25. The company plans to expand its footprint by an additional 5 million square feet from the current 1.2 million square feet. As part of its expansion, CtrlS is …
Coverage
Market / Trends / Europe and Middle East Trends / Europe and Middle East Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 1 briefingLevenue buys MidFunder to accelerate growth in Switzerland
Levenue, Europe’s largest revenue-based financing company, has acquired Zurich-based FinTech MidFunder, to accelerate its growth in Switzerland. Levenue acquires Switzerland financing company MidFunder Currently, Levenue is serving subscription-based companies in 16 Europe. The agreement between Lev…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Latin America and Caribbean Trends / Latin America and Caribbean Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 1 briefingMeta wins appeal of the court order to stop using its name in Brazil
According to Reuters, Facebook-parent Meta, on Friday won an appeal overturning a previous court ruling that barred it from using its name in Brazil due to confusion with another company. The process The Barueri-based firm Meta Services, which registered its brand in the late 2000s with Brazils’s Na…
Coverage
Market / Companies / Africa Companies / Africa Cloud Services
In this section: 1 briefingTop tech news stories today: March 18, 2024
Stay informed with news covering moves by SpaceX, tech industry updates from Microsoft, and legal battles involving Apple and Meta.
Coverage
Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global Regional ISP Trends
In this section: 1 briefingiBASIS unveils Multi-Operator FWA solution
iBASIS, an international provider of communications solutions for operators and digital players, introduces the industry’s inaugural multi-carrier Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) solution. Leveraging iBASIS’s GSMA standards-based eSIM technology, this offering revolutionizes FWA connectivity. Supported …
Coverage
Market / Trends / North America Trends / North America Institutional Trends
In this section: 1 briefingItaly regulator fines TikTok US$11 million for ‘French scar challenge’
Italy’s competition watchdog has fined three units of social media giant TikTok US$11 million in total for inadequate checks on content potentially harmful to young or vulnerable users on Thursday. Another blow for TikTok The antitrust agency (AGCM), said Thursday that TikTok, which is owned by Ch…