Softbank launches new $108bn Vision Fund for AI investment July 26, 2019 Softbank has unveiled its second mammoth Vision Fund, which it said will have $108bn (£87bn) to invest in AI-focused tech firms. Read more: Softbank earns $11bn for selling some of its huge Alibaba stake Softbank said it has received backing from a string of companies including Apple, Foxconn, Microsoft and Standard Chartered, while the Japanese [...]
Apple splashes out $1bn on Intel’s chip business July 25, 2019 Apple has snapped up the majority of Intel’s smartphone chip business for $1bn (£800m) as it looks to secure its own supply of the vital iPhone part. Read more: Apple’s tax bill slashed by more than half Around 2,200 Intel workers will move to Apple, who will also acquire intellectual property, equipment and leases relating [...]
O2 will launch 5G network in London and five other cities in October 2019 July 25, 2019 O2 has revealed it will switch on its 5G network from October, aiming to go live in 20 towns and cities by the end of the year, including London, Leeds, Edinburgh and Cardiff. Belfast and Slough will also get 5G first in O2’s first wave of launches, as it races to bring that number to [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
American idol: Why time is running out for the old-school Chevrolet Corvette July 22, 2019 Chevrolet has spent more than 65 years refining the front-engined Corvette, and this is the star-spangled result. But ever-tightening emissions regulations, plus the imminent arrival of a new, mid-engined model – much to the consternation of the Corvette’s loyal fanbase – mean time is almost up for this iconic sports car. The UK has just [...]
Onecom bags £100m in funding as it eyes up future acquisitions July 22, 2019 UK telecoms firm Onecom has secured £100m to help fund future acquisitions as it looks to beef up its presence across the country. The independent business telecoms provider said it has raised the funds from private equity firm LDC and credit funds managed by an affiliate of US asset manager Ares. Read more: Vodafone taps [...]
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 [...]
ii view: Microsoft results put shares in the clouds July 19, 2019 By Keith Bowman from interactive investor. Technology behemoth Microsoft is now far more than Windows and Word, evidenced by latest results. Fourth-quarter results ending 30 June 2019 Revenue up 12 per cent to $33.7 billion Operating income up 20 per cent to $12.4 billion Returned $7.7 billion to shareholders Chief executive Satya Nadella said: “It was a record [...]
Israeli security firm NSO denies Whatsapp spyware can hack data from Google Cloud, iCloud and Facebook July 19, 2019 Israeli cyber security company NSO has denied telling customers that its Whatsapp-hacking spyware is capable of hacking people’s data from the servers of Apple, Google, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft. NSO’s smartphone malware, named Pegasus, has been used by governments for a number of years to spy on specific individuals and how they use their smartphones, [...]