Welcome to the Weekly Review, where we round up the top 12 tech stories that have grabbed headlines and kept the industry abuzz over the past week. This week’s lineup features a diverse array of stories that span from the realms of artificial intelligence to the smartphone industry and the online community.
One of the most sensational pieces this week was the announcement that legendary band The Beatles, led by Paul McCartney, will be releasing a new single created with the help of cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology. This single, which is being called the band’s “last song,” includes extracted vocals from the late John Lennon and represents a new frontier in music production through AI.
Speaking of AI, Meta is making waves with its AI-powered MusicGen library, which generates short instrumental tracks based on user-provided text descriptions. MusicGen, though currently limited to instrumentals, has showcased how AI can serve as a unique tool in creating background audio for various applications.
In smartphone-related news, Qualcomm and Huawei made the headlines. There were rumors circulating about Qualcomm supplying 5G chips to Huawei, which were quickly refuted by Huawei’s Executive Director. Meanwhile, Huawei is showing signs of recovery and continues to focus on the growth of its smartphone business.
Reddit experienced turbulence as the platform introduced new API costs, leading to a significant protest from subreddit moderators who decided to make their communities go private or restrict new posts. Among the protesting subreddits, the iPhone community stands out, going dark indefinitely.
Another notable development in the smartphone industry was the resignation of Madhav Sheth from Realme. His departure is particularly significant due to his integral role in establishing Realme’s presence in India and Europe. There are speculations that Sheth might be joining HONOR India, potentially heralding a revival for the brand in the Indian market.
We delve into each of these stories in greater detail below, uncovering the technological advancements, controversies, and market shifts that defined this week in tech.
These were the Top 12 Tech Stories From Last Week
Google’s $23 Million Settlement for US Citizens
Google has reached a proposed $23 million settlement to resolve consolidated class action lawsuits concerning the inclusion of search queries in referrer headers during the provision of its services between October 25, 2006, and September 30, 2013. This settlement, which does not entail an admission of wrongdoing, aims to compensate eligible individuals who used Google Search and clicked on search results within the specified timeframe. In addition to monetary compensation, Google will revamp its “FAQs” and “Key Terms” pages to offer more transparent information about search queries’ disclosure via referrer headers. Judge Edward J. Davila of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California authorized the notice for this settlement, which is part of the class action known as In re Google Referrer Header Privacy Litigation. The compensation amount for each Settlement Class Member is contingent on various factors, with an estimated $7.70 per Approved Claim for U.S. citizens.
Skyward Bound: Virgin Galactic’s Leap and Japan’s Wooden Satellites Usher in New Space Era
Virgin Galactic is set to make history by launching its first commercial spaceflight, Galactic 01, between June 27th and June 30th, carrying three Italian individuals for microgravity research. After years of challenges and financial setbacks, this is a significant step for the company, which plans to livestream the mission on its website. With tickets priced at nearly half a million dollars per passenger, Virgin Galactic aspires for steady profits following cumulative losses. Though trailing behind Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic is ahead of SpaceX in commercial space tourism. The launch brings space tourism closer to reality, catalyzing a new era in space exploration.
Simultaneously, Japan is revolutionizing space technology through a project developing wooden satellites. A research team from Kyoto University established that wood can endure harsh outer space conditions, paving the way for eco-friendly satellites. The first wooden satellite is expected to be launched in 2024 in collaboration with NASA and the Japanese Space Agency. This novel approach aims to offer sustainable alternatives to traditional metal satellites, with wood being more environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and easier to dispose of.
Together, Virgin Galactic’s leap and Japan’s innovative wooden satellites signify a monumental advancement in space technology and exploration.
Google’s Hybrid Dilemma: Balancing Office and Remote Work
Google’s new policy, which mandates employees to be present in the office at least three days a week, has stirred discontent among its workforce. Employees, who have grown accustomed to remote work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, view this requirement as a hindrance to work-life balance and collaborative culture. Many Google employees have relocated during the pandemic, and the policy would entail challenging commutes, especially considering high rental rates in Silicon Valley.
The employees emphasized their preference for autonomy and flexibility. In response, Google hinted at possible exceptions for individuals with medical conditions or residing far from the office, but remains steadfast in its aim for an office-centric culture.
This tug-of-war reflects the broader challenge that companies face in shaping the post-pandemic workplace; striking a balance between organizational presence and employee preferences for remote work. Google’s final approach and its consequences will be closely watched as a precedent for other brands in the market.
Xiaomi 13 Ultra Takes Europe by Storm: A Flagship with Cutting-Edge Specs
Xiaomi 13 Ultra, which made its debut in China in April, has been officially launched in Europe. With an initial price tag of EUR 1,500 (~$1,616), the phone comes with 12GB RAM and 512GB storage and is available in Black and Olive Green colors. The sale began in France, Germany, Spain, and Italy, with shipments starting from June 21. Additionally, customers can avail of a trade-in bonus of 200 Euros, six months of free 100GB Google Cloud storage, three months of YouTube premium, and access to Airport Exclusive Lounge.
The Xiaomi 13 Ultra boasts a 6.73-inch QHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass Victus protection. The phone stands out in photography, thanks to its quad-camera setup which includes a 1-inch 50MP sensor and Leica Summicron optics, capable of 8K video recording. Powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and a 5,000mAh battery that supports 90W wired and 50W wireless charging, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra runs on MIUI 14 based on Android 13 OS. The connectivity options include 5G, Dual 4G VoLTE, WiFi-6E, USB-C Gen 3.2, and NFC.
Xiaomi’s Electric Car Ambition: MS11 Electric Vehicle Spotted in the Wild
Xiaomi, primarily known for its smartphones and electronics, is expected to launch its first electric car in the first half of 2024. The car, which recently entered the testing phase, has been spotted in spy shots, revealing a fastback-styled design and 19-inch wheel rims. The MS11 will offer two configurations: a 400V version equipped with BYD lithium iron phosphate blade batteries and an 800V version with CATL ternary Kirin batteries.
What makes the MS11 particularly intriguing is Xiaomi’s incorporation of its cutting-edge technology, including in-house AI and self-driving capabilities. The company’s entry into the electric vehicle sector demonstrates its ambition to diversify beyond consumer electronics. With significant investments already made in AI and autonomous driving, it will be exciting to see how these technologies are integrated into the MS11, potentially shaping the future of electric vehicles.
US and India Tighten Scrutiny on Chinese Entities: Tech Brands in the Crosshairs
In a significant move, the United States government added 43 entities to its “Entity List” last Monday. This list is an export control measure aimed at entities accused of endangering national security. Out of these 43 entities, 31 are from China, with the rest from the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. The US asserts that this action is critical for safeguarding national security.
Among the Chinese entities now on the list, Shanghai Supercomputing Technology Co. is particularly under scrutiny. The company is backed by the Shanghai Supercomputer Centre (SSC) and Dawning Information Industry, a Chinese supercomputer manufacturer.
In related news, the Central Government of India has outlined new regulations for Chinese mobile companies, such as Xiaomi, OPPO, Realme, and VIVO, operating in the country. The strategic proposal seeks to ensure greater accountability and involvement of Indian stakeholders. As part of the regulations, the government is urging Chinese firms to establish partnerships with Indian entities, appoint Indian executives in key leadership roles, and ramp up local manufacturing through collaborations with Indian manufacturers. Furthermore, these companies are encouraged to increase exports from India and create local distribution networks. The move comes amidst investigations into tax evasion and fraudulent remittances by Chinese smartphone manufacturers and aims to create a more balanced, transparent business environment while boosting domestic manufacturing and employment.
Former Samsung Executive Indicted for Technology Theft to Establish Rival Chip Factory in China
A former executive from Samsung Electronics faces indictment for allegedly stealing technology to create a rival chip-making facility in China. This has reportedly caused losses of approximately $233 million for Samsung and poses a threat to South Korea’s economic security due to the intense competition in the chip industry. Alongside the former executive, six others have also been indicted. South Korean companies, Samsung and SK Hynix, are major players in the global chip market, and have invested heavily in chip factories in China. This incident comes amid South Korea’s ongoing efforts to prevent corporate espionage, which is critical in the backdrop of rapid advancements by Chinese firms in memory chip production.
Huawei CEO Denies Resumption of Qualcomm 5G Chip Supply; Company Focuses on Smartphone Business Growth
Yu Chengdong, the CEO of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group, denied recent rumors that Qualcomm has resumed supplying 5G chips to Huawei, labeling them as fake news. Meanwhile, Huawei is showing signs of recovery in its smartphone business, raising its 2023 shipment target to 40 million units, up from an initial 30 million. The upward revision is attributed to the promising prospects of Huawei’s P60 series and Mate X3 smartphones, as well as a recovery in its supply chain. The company’s Mate 60 series could be released soon, with enthusiasts keenly awaiting the new devices. Additionally, the United States is reportedly planning to extend the deadline for exemptions from export controls on semiconductors to China, which is seen as positive news for South Korean and Taiwanese chip companies.
Reddit’s New API Costs Spark Massive Subreddit Blackout in Protest
After Reddit announced new API costs for developers, requiring them to pay up to $20 million per year, the iPhone subreddit, a popular Apple-related community, decided to go dark indefinitely in protest. This move follows a similar backlash on Twitter due to paid API implementation after its acquisition by Elon Musk. Nearly 9,000 subreddits, representing hundreds of millions of users, have participated in a blackout to express discontent over Reddit’s policy change, which renders many third-party apps obsolete. Reddit’s CEO, Steve Huffman, hosted an AMA to address concerns but did not provide satisfactory solutions. Over 300 subreddits, including r/aww, r/music, r/videos, and r/futurology, have pledged to remain private until Reddit addresses their concerns adequately. The standoff continues as protesting subreddits seek a satisfactory compromise.
AI Revolutionizes Music: From Reviving The Beatles to Customized Compositions
Artificial intelligence (AI) is making waves in the music industry. Paul McCartney of The Beatles recently announced the release of a new single using AI to extract John Lennon’s voice from an unfinished 1970s track, potentially reviving the band’s legacy. On another front, Meta has launched MusicGen, an AI that creates music from textual prompts. By analyzing patterns and structures from a dataset of over 10,000 high-quality licensed tracks, MusicGen generates 12-second instrumental compositions aligned with user instructions. While the AI currently lacks vocal synthesis, its instrumental capabilities present a unique opportunity for generating background audio. However, with AI’s growing capabilities in music generation, concerns about copyright infringement are on the rise, and Meta may face legal challenges from artists and labels for unauthorized use of their works.
Realme’s Madhav Sheth Departs, Rumored to Lead HONOR’s Revival in India
Madhav Sheth, former Realme India CEO, Global Vice President, and President of Realme International Business Group, has officially announced his departure from Realme, a brand he helped establish since 2018. During his tenure, Sheth was pivotal in expanding Realme’s presence in India and Europe, making it one of the fastest-growing smartphone brands in India. While Sheth hasn’t revealed his future plans, reports suggest that he might join HONOR India to revive the brand in the country. Additionally, director-level executives from Realme are also expected to follow Sheth to HONOR India. Realme’s Founder and CEO, Sky Li, will now oversee the Indian market. Both Realme and Huawei, HONOR’s parent company, have not yet issued official statements regarding this development.
So these were the top stories from the past week. If you want to check out more news stories at Gizmochina, check out this link.
