Security concerns are mounting as Windows 10 sees a rise in market share while Windows 11 adoption declines. Microsoft will officially end free security updates and support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025, leaving millions of users vulnerable unless they upgrade or pay for extended security updates.
Experts warn that continuing to use Windows 10 beyond its support period poses risks of cyberattacks, data breaches, and ransomware. Microsoft strongly recommends switching to Windows 11, which is designed to meet modern security demands, or choosing an alternative operating system.
Cybersecurity professionals urge users not to delay, with ESET‘s Thorsten Urbanski stressing the urgency of upgrading before the deadline to avoid a security crisis. The transition period is quickly closing, making early action essential for those relying on Windows 10.
Taiwan’s Foxconn, the world’s leading electronics contract manufacturer, reported record-breaking revenue for the fourth quarter, driven by surging demand for AI servers. With a 15.2% rise in revenue to T$2.13 trillion ($64.72 billion), the company outperformed market expectations, reflecting the robust growth of its cloud and networking products division. Major clients like Nvidia have fueled the boom, while its consumer electronics segment, including iPhones, remained stable year-on-year.
Foxconn’s December revenue alone soared by 42.3% compared to the previous year, reaching T$654.8 billion, marking the second-highest figure for that month in the company’s history. Despite the fourth quarter’s impressive performance, Foxconn acknowledged the seasonal slowdown typical of the first quarter. However, the company projects significant year-on-year growth for early 2025, aligning with average levels from the past five years.
The company, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry, has seen its shares skyrocket by 76% in 2024, far outpacing Taiwan’s broader market index. Investors remain optimistic as Foxconn continues to dominate in the AI and electronics sectors, with its entire fourth-quarter earnings set to be unveiled on 14 March.
Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging its Siri voice assistant violated users’ privacy. The lawsuit claimed that Apple recorded users’ private conversations without consent when the ‘Hey, Siri’ feature was unintentionally triggered. These recordings were allegedly shared with third parties, including advertisers, leading to targeted ads based on private discussions.
The class period for the lawsuit spans from 17 September 2014 to 31 December 2024 and applies to users of Siri-enabled devices like iPhones and Apple Watches. Affected users could receive up to $20 per device. Apple denied any wrongdoing but settled the case to avoid prolonged litigation.
The settlement amount is a small fraction of Apple’s annual profits, with the company making nearly $94 billion in net income last year. While the company and plaintiffs’ lawyers have yet to comment on the settlement, the plaintiffs may seek up to $28.5 million in legal fees and expenses. A similar lawsuit involving Google’s Voice Assistant is also underway in a California federal court.
China has introduced a groundbreaking addition to its law enforcement toolkit – the Rotunbot RT-G, a spherical robot designed to aid police in high-speed chases and challenging terrains. Developed by Logon Technology, this 276-pound robotic marvel can travel up to 22 mph on land and water, navigate mud and rivers, and even withstand drops from ledges. Its rapid acceleration and amphibious capabilities make it a unique asset for pursuit scenarios.
Equipped with advanced technology, the RT-G boasts GPS for precise navigation, cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and systems for tracking and avoiding obstacles. Gyroscopic self-stabilisation ensures smooth operation, while a suite of non-lethal tools—including tear gas dispensers, net shooters, and acoustic crowd dispersal devices—enables it to handle diverse law enforcement tasks humanely and effectively.
The RT-G is already used in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province of China, where it assists police in commercial zones. While its real-world performance shows promise, limitations such as instability during turns and difficulty navigating stairs reveal areas for improvement. Despite these challenges, the Rotunbot RT-G represents a significant leap in robotic policing technology, blending innovation with practicality.
China’s Ministry of Commerce has proposed new export restrictions on key technologies for producing lithium and gallium, vital components in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and other advanced applications. These measures, announced Thursday, aim to bolster China’s dominant position in processing critical minerals, where it controls 70% of global lithium refining capacity. The proposed rules are open for public comment until 1 February, but no implementation date has been specified.
Industry experts warn the restrictions could disrupt global supply chains. Adam Webb of Benchmark Mineral Intelligence noted that Western lithium producers might struggle to access Chinese technology critical for refining lithium chemicals, potentially delaying production and innovation. Meanwhile, the rules could also complicate the global ambitions of Chinese battery giants like CATL and Gotion by restricting their overseas operations.
The proposed curbs come amid ongoing trade tensions, with Beijing responding to mounting international scrutiny over its control of crucial materials. The measures may deepen competition between China and other nations striving for energy independence and a sustainable transition to EVs if enacted.
Do Kwon, the South Korean cryptocurrency entrepreneur responsible for the collapse of TerraUSD and Luna currencies, pleaded not guilty to US criminal fraud charges on Thursday. The plea followed his extradition from Montenegro earlier this week.
Kwon, co-founder of Terraform Labs, is accused of orchestrating a multi-billion-dollar fraud scheme that led to an estimated $40 billion loss in cryptocurrency value in 2022. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan unsealed a nine-count indictment against Kwon, charging him with securities fraud, wire fraud, commodities fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The indictment claims Kwon deceived investors by falsely promoting TerraUSD as a stablecoin guaranteed to maintain its $1 value. Prosecutors allege that when TerraUSD’s value dropped in 2021, Kwon secretly enlisted a high-frequency trading firm to inflate the token’s price, misleading investors and artificially boosting its sister token, Luna.
These alleged misrepresentations drove substantial investment into Terraform Labs’ products, propelling Luna’s market value to $50 billion by early 2022. However, the scheme unravelled in May 2022 when TerraUSD and Luna crashed, causing turmoil in the broader cryptocurrency market.
Kwon, 33, remains in custody in Manhattan after declining to seek bail during his initial court appearance. His trial is set to begin on 8 January. Kwon has faced mounting legal troubles, including a $4.55 billion settlement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission and a federal jury finding him liable for defrauding investors earlier this year.
His case is part of a broader crackdown on cryptocurrency figures, including FTX’s Sam Bankman-Fried and Celsius Network’s Alex Mashinsky, as US authorities tighten scrutiny over the volatile industry.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed the government and Sberbank, the nation’s largest bank, to deepen collaboration with China in the development of AI. The announcement, published on the Kremlin’s website, comes three weeks after Putin unveiled plans for Russia to work alongside BRICS nations and other partners to advance AI technologies. Sberbank, which leads Russia’s AI initiatives, has been tasked with fostering technological cooperation with China.
That move reflects Russia’s efforts to circumvent Western sanctions that have restricted its access to key technologies, including microchips essential for AI development. The sanctions have caused major global chip manufacturers to halt exports to Russia, creating significant hurdles for its AI ambitions.
Sberbank CEO German Gref admitted that replacing GPUs, the microchips vital to AI, remains a critical challenge for the country. By partnering with non-Western allies, Russia aims to counterbalance US dominance in the rapidly evolving AI sector, which Putin has described as a cornerstone of the 21st century.
As part of this strategy, a newly proposed AI Alliance Network will unite experts from BRICS nations and other interested states to bolster innovation and investment. However, Russia still lags behind its competitors, ranking 31st in the Global AI Index, far below leaders like the US, China, and even BRICS partners India and Brazil.
In the final days of Joe Biden’s US presidency, the SEC pressured Elon Musk to settle allegations of securities violations related to his 2022 Twitter takeover or face civil charges. Musk’s response, shared via social media, included a legal letter accusing the SEC of an ‘improperly motivated’ ultimatum and demanding to know if the White House had influenced the action. Both the SEC and White House declined to comment.
As Donald Trump prepares to take office, questions arise about how Musk’s ties to the incoming administration could impact ongoing federal investigations into his business ventures, including Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink. Sources reveal at least 20 active probes into issues ranging from Tesla’s driver-assistance systems to SpaceX’s environmental practices.
Critics warn that Trump’s administration might scale back regulatory scrutiny, while legal experts argue that evidence-based cases could still proceed regardless of Musk’s political connections. Musk’s proximity to Trump has intensified since the election, with Musk participating in high-profile meetings and being appointed to co-lead a government efficiency initiative.
Musk has openly discussed using his position to push policies that could benefit his businesses, such as easing driverless-vehicle regulations. Meanwhile, ongoing investigations, including those by the DOJ and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, face uncertainties over enforcement under the new administration.
Musk’s business dealings, including contacts with foreign leaders and regulatory disputes, continue to draw attention. Despite allegations of political interference, agencies like the EPA and NASA have emphasised their commitment to legal responsibilities. However, critics fear that Musk’s influence could undermine the integrity of federal oversight during Trump’s second term.
Apple has announced rare discounts on its latest iPhone models in China, offering up to 500 yuan ($68.50) off in a bid to counter growing competition from domestic rivals like Huawei. The promotion, running from 4 January to 7, applies to several iPhone models when purchased through specific payment methods, such as WeChat Pay or Alipay.
The flagship iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, priced at 7,999 yuan and 9,999 yuan, respectively, will receive a maximum discount of 500 yuan. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will see a 400 yuan reduction. The offer extends to older iPhone models and other products, including MacBook laptops and iPad tablets, with discounts ranging from 200 to 300 yuan.
That move comes as Apple faces a challenging environment in China, where economic pressures and intensifying competition have weighed on consumer spending. Huawei has reemerged as a formidable competitor, significantly boosting its market presence with locally-made chipsets and aggressive pricing.
While Apple briefly dropped out of China’s top five smartphone vendors in mid-2024, it regained some ground later in the year despite a slight dip in sales. By offering these discounts, Apple aims to retain its footing in the world’s largest smartphone market amid Huawei’s resurgence and a cautious economic climate.
Nvidia has emerged as the standout performer in the global market capitalisation race for 2024, driven by a surge in demand for its AI-centric chips. The company’s market value soared by over $2 trillion in just one year, reaching $3.28 trillion at the year’s close.
The remarkable growth positions Nvidia as the world’s second-most valuable publicly traded company, trailing only Apple, which remains at the top with a market value nearing $4 trillion. Apple’s rise was bolstered by investor confidence in its forthcoming AI advancements, designed to rejuvenate iPhone sales.
Other tech giants also saw significant gains, with Microsoft securing third place at $3.1 trillion, Alphabet Inc., and Amazon, each valued at around $2.3 trillion. These companies’ successes fueled a broader market rally, pushing the S&P 500 index up by 23.3% and the Nasdaq by 28.6% in 2024. The strong performance underscores the continued dominance of technology firms in shaping global financial markets.
Despite potential headwinds such as US-China trade tensions and uncertainties around US interest rate policies, analysts are optimistic about the sector’s trajectory in 2025. Daniel Ives of Wedbush projects a 25% gain in tech stocks, citing robust AI initiatives, reduced regulatory pressures, and stable foundations for Big Tech.
‘The AI Revolution will remain a key driver, with over $2 trillion in incremental investments expected over the next three years,’ Ives stated, signalling a bright future for the industry.
