E-commerce and trade Archives | Page 142 of 199

AI-powered OMEN Max 16 from HP redefines gaming

HP Inc has launched the OMEN Max 16, the world’s first AI-driven gaming laptop, promising unparalleled performance and immersive experiences. Unveiled at CES 2025 on January 6, the device features cutting-edge OMEN AI technology that optimises performance and thermals automatically, ensuring uninterrupted gameplay for even the most demanding titles.

The OMEN AI Beta software is a standout innovation, offering gamers a personalised solution for maximising frames per second (FPS). Designed to eliminate trial-and-error troubleshooting, the software recommends optimised operating system, hardware, and game settings tailored to each unique setup. Starting with support for Counter-Strike, the application is set to expand to more popular games.

In addition to its advanced software, the OMEN Max 16 is equipped with top-tier hardware, including an Intel Core Ultra 9 or AMD Ryzen AI 9 processor and up to 64 GB of DDR5 RAM. These features make it capable of handling even the most resource-intensive games with ease.

HP also introduced the OMEN 32x Smart Gaming Monitor, its first gaming display with built-in Google TV, offering gamers an all-in-one entertainment and gaming solution. With these innovations, HP continues to redefine gaming technology, prioritising performance, personalisation, and ease of use.

Algorithm probe puts Elon Musk and X under European Commission scrutiny

The European Commission has intensified its investigation into X, formerly known as Twitter, focusing on the platform’s algorithm changes and content moderation practices. Officials are reviewing the recommendation system and its compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA). Requests have been made for internal documentation, commercial API access, and records of algorithm changes until 2025.

Concerns have emerged regarding the visibility of specific accounts and how the platform moderates content. Recent claims suggest X’s owner, Elon Musk, has influenced algorithms to promote certain narratives. Although the Commission denies political motives, these developments coincide with controversies surrounding Musk’s political endorsements in Germany.

X’s history with EU regulators includes criticism over transparency and non-compliance, such as restricted data access for researchers and misleading advertising practices. Failure to meet DSA standards could result in penalties, including fines of up to 6% of global revenue or 1% for repeated violations.

The inquiry aims to ensure compliance with the EU regulations and address concerns about misinformation and platform accountability. Enhanced oversight may reshape the governance of digital platforms like X.

Spain to allocate 150 million euros for AI integration in companies

Spain’s government has announced a new initiative to promote the adoption of AI technologies across the country’s businesses. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez revealed on Monday that the government will provide an additional 150 million euros ($155 million) in subsidies aimed at supporting companies in their efforts to integrate AI into their operations.

The funding is designed to help businesses harness the potential of AI, which has become a critical driver of innovation and efficiency in various sectors, from manufacturing to healthcare and finance. The subsidies will be available to companies looking to develop or adopt AI-based solutions, to foster digital transformation and maintain Spain’s competitive edge in the global economy.

Sanchez emphasised that the funding will play a vital role in ensuring Spain remains at the forefront of the digital revolution, helping to build a robust, AI-powered economy. The move comes as part of Spain’s broader strategy to invest in technology and innovation, aiming to enhance productivity and create new opportunities for growth in both the public and private sectors.

EU files WTO complaint against China’s patent practices

The European Commission has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against China, accusing the country of ‘unfair and illegal’ practices regarding worldwide royalty rates for European standard essential patents (SEPs). According to the Commission, China has empowered its courts to set global royalty rates for the EU companies, particularly in the telecoms sector, without the consent of the patent holders.

The case focuses on SEPs, which are crucial for technologies like 5G, used in mobile phones. European companies such as Nokia and Ericsson hold many of these patents. The Commission claims that China’s actions force European companies to reduce their royalty rates globally, providing Chinese manufacturers with unfairly low access to European technologies.

The European Union has requested consultations with China, marking the first step in WTO dispute resolution. If a resolution is not reached within 60 days, the EU can request the formation of an adjudicating panel, which typically takes about a year to issue a final report. This case is linked to a previous EU dispute at the WTO concerning China’s anti-suit injunctions, which restrict telecom patent holders’ ability to enforce intellectual property rights in courts outside China.

FTC warns of risks in big tech AI partnerships

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has raised concerns about the competitive risks posed by collaborations between major technology companies and developers of generative AI tools. In a staff report issued Friday, the agency pointed to partnerships such as Microsoft’s investment in OpenAI and similar alliances involving Amazon, Google, and Anthropic as potentially harmful to market competition, according to TechCrunch.

FTC Chair Lina Khan warned that these collaborations could create barriers for smaller startups, limit access to crucial AI tools, and expose sensitive information. ‘These partnerships by big tech firms can create lock-in, deprive start-ups of key AI inputs, and reveal sensitive information that undermines fair competition,’ Khan stated.

The report specifically highlights the role of cloud service providers like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google, which provide essential resources such as computing power and technical expertise to AI developers. These arrangements could restrict smaller firms’ access to these critical resources, raise business switching costs, and allow cloud providers to gain unique insights into sensitive data, potentially stifling competition.

Microsoft defended its partnership with OpenAI, emphasising its benefits to the industry. ‘This collaboration has enabled one of the most successful AI startups in the world and spurred unprecedented technology investment and innovation,’ said Rima Alaily, Microsoft’s deputy general counsel. The FTC report underscores the need to address the broader implications of big tech’s growing dominance in generative AI.

Meta unveils new video editing app to compete with CapCut

Meta announced the launch of a new video editing app called Edits, set to release next month for iOS, with an Android version to follow. The app comes after ByteDance’s CapCut was removed from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store amid the ongoing TikTok ban. Instagram head Adam Mosseri shared the news on Threads, emphasising the company’s focus on providing creators with the best tools for video-making.

Edits will offer a suite of creative tools, including a dedicated inspiration tab, an idea tracker, a high-quality camera, and the ability to share drafts with collaborators. Users will also have access to insights on video performance after publishing on Instagram. Mosseri clarified that the app is geared more toward serious creators than casual video makers.

Meta has a history of launching products to fill gaps in the market, such as Instagram Reels in 2020 when TikTok was banned in India. The company likely sees Edits as an opportunity to capture video creators after CapCut’s removal, positioning itself as a key player in the video editing space. Meanwhile, competitors like Captions are also stepping up, shifting to a freemium model to attract users.

X launches vertical video feed to attract US users

Social network X is introducing a dedicated vertical video feed for users, aiming to capitalise on the removal of ByteDance apps like TikTok and Lemon8 from US app stores. The new video tab, added to the app’s bottom bar, provides users quick access to immersive video content.

X users could scroll through short videos by tapping them in their timeline, but the new tab creates a dedicated space for videos. This marks the platform’s latest effort to enhance video experiences, following the launch of a standalone TV app last year to showcase content from creators and organisations.

As TikTok’s future in the US remains uncertain, other social networks are seizing the opportunity. Meta recently announced a video editing app, Edits, to rival ByteDance’s CapCut, while Bluesky introduced a custom feed for vertical videos, further intensifying competition in the short video market.

US trade groups fight new payment app rules

Two technology trade groups have filed a lawsuit against the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), aiming to block a rule granting the agency oversight of payment apps and digital wallets offered by large non-bank companies. The rule, announced in November, targets companies handling over 50 million transactions annually, including platforms like Apple Wallet, Google Pay, and Venmo.

The groups, NetChoice and TechNet, argue the rule is an overreach of the US CFPB’s authority, claiming it stifles innovation and increases costs. They assert that the bureau failed to identify specific consumer risks justifying such oversight. CFPB Director Rohit Chopra, however, defended the measure, saying it ensures users of digital payments receive the same protections against fraud and privacy violations as traditional banking customers.

The lawsuit raises concerns about the potential impact on competition and innovation within the digital payments sector. With uncertainty over whether the incoming Republican administration will seek to modify or repeal the rule, the legal challenge underscores ongoing tensions between regulators and the tech industry.

Donald Trump rebrings TikTok online

TikTok began restoring its services in the US on Sunday after President-elect Donald Trump announced plans to revive the app upon taking office on Monday. Speaking at a rally ahead of his inauguration, Trump assured his supporters that TikTok, a platform used by 170 million Americans, would be brought back online through a joint venture that protects national security. Hours earlier, TikTok users had received a message crediting Trump for the app’s restoration efforts.

TikTok ceased operations late Saturday after a law banning the platform on national security grounds came into effect. The shutdown sparked a frenzy among users and businesses dependent on the app, with web searches for VPNs surging and concerns mounting over disruptions to TikTok Shop transactions. The app’s temporary return relieves millions, but important questions remain about its long-term future in the US.

Trump’s pledge to extend the ban’s enforcement period to facilitate a deal marks a shift from his stance in 2020 when he sought to ban TikTok over concerns that its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, was sharing user data with Beijing. Trump now calls for a joint venture, proposing a 50% US ownership stake while guaranteeing that service providers would not face penalties for restoring TikTok.

Despite Trump’s assurances, the law mandating TikTok’s divestiture remains contentious. Republican lawmakers, including Senators Tom Cotton and Pete Ricketts, have criticised any attempt to circumvent the law, insisting that ByteDance sever all ties with China to meet the divestiture requirements. Meanwhile, TikTok’s ongoing connection to China continues to fuel tensions in US-China relations, with Beijing accusing Washington of unfairly targeting Chinese companies.

TikTok’s temporary return has reignited debates over its valuation, reportedly as high as $50 billion, and potential suitors, including former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and billionaire Elon Musk. While Beijing has reportedly discussed a possible sale, ByteDance denies such plans. Separately, US startup Perplexity AI has proposed merging with TikTok’s US operations to create a new entity.

The platform’s restoration signals its cultural and economic significance, but it also highlights the geopolitical complexities of its existence. Whether TikTok ultimately secures a deal or faces renewed legal battles, its journey reflects the growing and complicated intersection of technology, digital policies, cyber diplomacy, politics, and global commerce.

TSMC’s US expansion struggles with costs and regulations

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) is facing significant challenges in bringing its most advanced chip technology to its new Arizona plant, the company’s CEO, C.C. Wei, said. Complex regulatory hurdles, labour shortages, and supply chain gaps have slowed progress, making it unlikely for the U S factory to match Taiwan’s production timeline for cutting-edge chips. Wei noted that the Arizona project has already taken twice as long as similar facilities in Taiwan.

TSMC is investing $65 billion in three massive factories in Arizona, with support from the US government, including a $6.6 billion grant. However, Wei highlighted the high costs of compliance, including $35 million spent on establishing regulatory guidelines, as well as the logistical strain of shipping essential chemicals like sulfuric acid from Taiwan. Labour shortages have further complicated the project, requiring the relocation of workers from Texas and driving up costs.

Despite the obstacles, Wei expressed confidence in the factory’s ability to deliver high-quality chips, pointing to recent progress in producing advanced 4-nanometer chips for US clients. While most of TSMC’s cutting-edge manufacturing will remain in Taiwan, the Arizona plant marks a critical step in the US’s effort to diversify its semiconductor supply chain and reduce dependence on Asia.