Business Articles

To save the environment, Silicon Valley scientists have created trees which are believed to absorb more CO₂ from the air than regular ones. These poplars, marketed as eco-friendly, have been established as the globe's initial modified forest. However, experts in forest health and photosynthesis have voiced their doubts about the project.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has confirmed the receipt of a complaint from Samsung about competing display OEM BOE. The former asserts that the latter has employed "unfair methods of competition" that include OLED tech intellectual property (IP) infringement. These alleged shady practices are thought to have helped BOE cut into lucrative business related to Apple's iPhones with which Samsung is normally strongly associated.

AIR Company creates the first-ever vodka produced from CO₂ which comes with a negative carbon footprint. The company is devoted to extracting CO₂ from the atmosphere and converting it into a product to combat global warming. Moreover, the company makes use of sustainable energy to concoct a CO₂-based perfume that carries a genderless scent.

Anthro Energy's flexible energy storage systems will be used in next-generation electronic devices and are currently being sold to the first wearable manufacturers. The development team has identified promising applications for the fireproof batteries, particularly in electric vehicles and laptops. By integrating them into belts, straps and other "dead spaces", Anthro batteries are expected to extend the service life of devices by 2 to 5 times.

Hydrogen technology will play a crucial role in a climate-friendly energy supply in the future. It has potential as an alternative in transport and logistics and in the development of e-fuels. Thus, hydrogen could provide a basis for advancing energy transition. This 20-million-euro funded research programme aims to explore the potential and limitations of this technology.

Lenovo's new ThinkPad P1 G6 performs admirably as a mobile workstation with fast GPUs and a vivid IPS display. At the same time, it replaces the previous multimedia flagship ThinkPad X1 Extreme, which is a questionable marketing choice.

Samsung is now rumored to launch a successor to the durability- and security-focused Galaxy Tab Active4 Pro, to be released in 2024, said to come in 5G- and non-5G-capable variants. Evidence of its existence has surfaced in a new leak that points to a hallmark of a business-like, rugged tablet.

The Optoma UHZ66 4K projector is now on sale. The company suggests using the new model to watch movies or sports or in a meeting room. Features include up to 4,000 lumens brightness from a laser light source, gaming mode and integrated speaker.

After establishing itself as a brand worth considering in the mini PC market, Minisforum leaps forward with its first computer peripheral, namely the MKB i83 mechanical keyboard. Its specs and features include anodized aluminum body, double-shot PBT keycaps, Kailh MX Red switches, as well as multi-device connectivity.

A new eco-friendly fuel, produced from aluminium, stores more energy than batteries and can be obtained from scrap metal. This recycled energy source would otherwise go to waste and can be used in the transport sector to reduce emissions.

A number of Tesla owners have taken to Reddit after their front cameras fogged up and stopped working in cold weather, leaving several features, including the US$10,000 FSD Beta, inoperable. Tesla has declined to assist to these customers, despite many of their vehicles being covered under warranty.

Although some concessions are being made in certain regions, the subscription costs for YouTube Premium and YouTube Music are rising and the new figures will have an effect at the beginning of the next billing cycle. The countries affected now are Australia, Austria, Argentina, Cine, Germany, Poland, and Turkey.

Microsoft is betting on nuclear power to drive the development of artificial intelligence. Small modular reactors (SMRs) are now set to power the energy-intensive AI. The company is also investing in a project to generate nuclear power through fusion.

Nissan confirmed in an interview that it would produce an electric GT-R with the goal of affordable supercar performance in mind. The Japanese carmaker previously predicted that it would release a solid-state-based EV by 2028. The recently-unveiled Hyper Force concept that clearly takes the GT-R design as inspiration features 1,341 hp.

Occidental Petroleum is constructing a brand-new carbon capture plant, with billions of dollars of support from companies such as Amazon, Shopify and also from US President Joe Biden, to reach its goal of net-zero emissions. However, prior to this move, Occidental sold another CO₂ capture plant, the largest of its kind in the world, at a bargain price for economic reasons.

More insights have been provided into the performance of the Toyota FT-Se concept. A chief engineer at Toyota has provided an estimated 0 to 100 kph (~62 mph) acceleration time and top speed for the EV. Also unveiled were details about the electric two-door sports car’s battery system and the company’s future ambitions.

Tesla won a California lawsuit over a 2019 accident involving its Autopilot software. The plaintiff alleged that Tesla's Autopilot was to blame when a Tesla Model 3 inexplicably veered off the highway at 65 mph, resulting in the death of the driver and injury to two of the occupants.

Google is encouraging hackers to reveal possible threats to its AI systems. Previously, the company employed its internal "AI Red Team" to investigate attack techniques on artificial intelligence. However, the updated program now involves external hackers to enhance AI security.

Facebook and Instagram users in the European Union will soon be able to use both platforms completely ad-free, as long as users take out a paid subscription. Since this subscription was established primarily due to EU guidelines, it will not be offered in the rest of the world.

Volkswagen has provided a sneak peek at the upcoming ID.7 Tourer, revealing images of the vehicle in a rather unorthodox camouflage. The German company confirmed that the ID.7 Tourer has a higher drag coefficient than its fastback counterpart. VW also shared some details of the spacious interior of the vehicle.

General Motors CEO, Mary Barra, has confirmed that the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt will still target the same low price point and use LFP batteries. The new Bolt will be based on the Ultium platform but will feature many of the parts from the outgoing Bolt EUV, hinting that it might be more crossover SUV than subcompact hatchback.

Released to mark two decades of innovation, the Galaxy Z Flip5 Retro is now official as a limited edition handset inspired by the SGH-E700, Samsung's first phone with a built-in antenna, which was released in 2003. Next month, this special Flip5 will hit Korea, France, Germany, Spain, Australia, and the UK in limited quantities.

CheckMag When getting a laptop with a Gig+ Wi-Fi card such as the AX200, consumers know they are getting at least 900 Mbps in either direction. In contrast, download/upload rates smartphone chip makers such as Qualcomm mention in media releases just keep becoming more ridiculous and misleading; the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and its X75 5G modem represent the latest instalment in that sad series.

X (formerly known as Twitter) has outlined plans for new alternatives to its paid Premium version. The new Basic subscription tier is intended to become the only way to access features such as post editing or removal from the social media app, whereas Premium Plus (or Premium+) would be the only way to view certain sections of its UI without ads.

Lenovo has been rumored to have a new Tab M-series slate in the works. Now, a device matching its description has popped up on the FCC database, thereby suggesting that a launch date for the same is soon to follow. The Tab M11 is believed to be an exceptionally cost-effective take on the OEM's latest tablet design.

Experts say the combination of artificial intelligence and 6G networks will fundamentally change the way we work and play. An intelligent network that can manage its own capacity and increased computing power will revolutionise applications such as virtual reality, interactive 3D avatars, multi-sensory communication, collaborative robots and autonomous driving.

Mark Zuckerberg's Metaverse has lost more than $25 billion since last summer. To cover the loss, Meta has fired about 21,000 employees. Optimism now relies on the Meta Quest 3 VR headset, which is cheaper than its previous versions, but already faces critique from VR enthusiasts on YouTube, the X-App and Reddit. Another positive aspect is the 3D Avatar technology, which Zuckerberg exhibits in a video set in virtual space to showcase the latest improvements.

Virtual reality goggles can aid in treating hoarding disorder, a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder, as per recent research by Stanford University. The use of VR headsets in therapy can significantly alleviate the distress endured by those living in homes that are partially uninhabitable.

Khadas has announced that its innovative modular mini PC is now available via more conventional sales channels, having started out as a Kickstarter hit that garnered it over US$690,000 in backer rewards. Its retail units now start at just under US$800, although the accessories that turn it into a laptop-like PC or an RTX-powered workstation are optional extras.

The AI avatars of authentic adult film performers fulfil all possible desires in this new enterprise, with no consequences from OpenAI. Furthermore, every party involved, from management to actors, benefits from this new offering.

Qualcomm executives said in an interview that the company plans to partner with Samsung Foundry and Qualcomm for its flagship products. However, it declined to comment if the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will make the switch.

Tesla seems to have let its base Autopilot ADAS technology fall by the wayside while it's been busy working on FSD Beta. Consumer Reports rated Ford's BlueCruise scored first, with Tesla's Autopilot securing a measly eighth place, behind even BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen. Hyundai Motor Group's ageing tech scored dead last, alongside Volvo and Polestar's abysmal showing.

The TFLnow YouTube channel shared images of the control arms of a Tesla Cybertruck release candidate spotted in the wild after an off-road test. The control arm appears to be deformed, leading to speculation online and in the video about whether the Cybertruck's suspension hardware is up to the task.

ZeroCC looks to increase South Africa's low EV adoption rate by installing off-grid fast chargers along some of the country's biggest routes. The EV charging network will be powered exclusively by solar and wind power in an attempt to reduce the environmental impact.

Oukitel asserts that its new WP30 Pro can charge by up to 50% in just 15 minutes over USB type-C, despite the 11,000mAh capacity of its battery. That is because it is the first of its line to boast flagship-grade 120 watt (W) charging specs. The new rugged device also supports Android 13, 5G and a 120Hz refresh rate for its FHD+ display.

German camera manufacturer Leica expects 2023 to be the strongest year in terms of sales in the company's 150-year history. This is not least due to the popularity of the Leica Q3 and the rising demand for analogue Leica M cameras.

The Sharp NEC NC603L Laser Projector has been revealed, following the recent announcement of the NC1503L. Both of the new models have been designed for movie theatres, with the NC603L offering up to 6,000 lumens brightness. Features include automatic brightness adjustment, an internal cooling system, and motorized focus and zoom.

Following the recent rescue of VanMoof, another e-bike company is now in financial trouble. Danish brand Mate Bike is currently taking steps to try to avoid bankruptcy and continue trading. Various factors appear to have contributed to the problem, including a drop in demand and supply chain issues.

Toyota claims it is nearing production on solid-state battery technology, predicting that it will start shipping production EVs with solid-state batteries as early as 2027, although initial volumes will be low. The company is working with Idemitsu Kosan energy group on developing a sulphide solid electrolyte, which should increase battery durability.

Fisker has dropped the price of the Ocean Extreme SUV by US$7,500 to US$61,449, putting it well below the standard Dual Motor AWD Tesla Model X and much closer to the US$52,490 Model Y Performance. Fisker customers who have already ordered or purchased an Ocean Extreme will receive a US$7,500 price adjustment.

DS Automobiles has announced that some European customers can now use ChatGPT in their DS 3, DS 4, DS 7 and DS 9 vehicles. The AI model is offered with the DS IRIS SYSTEM, creating an intelligent voice assistant. Suggested uses include generating stories and quizzes to provided entertainment on the road.

The dealer markups that have plagued the automotive world of late have struck again, this time laying claim to the Chevrolet Blazer EV, which is supposed to have an MSRP of under US$60,000. Some dealers appear to be adding “market adjustments” of up to US$10,000 on top of that MSRP.

Toyota has provided a sneak peek at what to expect from the Japan Mobility Show, but the highlights of the show are sure to be the electric Land Cruiser and EPU pickup truck concepts. The Land Cruiser, however, changes significantly from its rugged roots, taking shape as a seven-seater crossover instead of a hardcore off-roader.

Swappable batteries promise low down-time for commercial delivery companies, effectively extending range where swap stations are available. The MEV-Van concept is based on the compact Honda N-Van e: that debuted earlier this year, and will be trialled by Japanese delivery company Yamato Transport.