IT Ministry Dissolves Steering Committee Formed Over Pending Dues of LDI Companies:
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has dissolved the Steering Committee formed to resolve the issue of alleged financial relaxation granted to the long distance and international (LDI) companies. The steering committee was reconstituted to address the issue of arrears involving LDI companies after the ministry decided to withdraw a previous letter that granted exemptions amounting to billions of rupees to these companies.
Price Drop! Dial to China at the Lowest Rates Ever with Zong 4G:
Zong 4G, the leading telecom service provider in Pakistan, is thrilled to announce the launch of new International Direct Dialing (IDD) China Bundles for both prepaid and postpaid customers. In a bid to enhance connectivity and provide greater value to the customers, Zong 4G is also significantly reducing the rates for IDD calls to China. Starting today, Zong 4G’s customers can enjoy new IDD China Bundles. “Kam Paisay Ziyada Baat” & “Pak-China Friendship Bundle“. These bundles are a new offering that make communication for Chinese expats in Pakistan easier and more affordable. These bundles cater to the growing demand for reliable international communication, allowing Zong customers to stay connected with their loved ones and business associates in China.
PTA Shortlists 10 International Consultants for 5G Auction:
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has shortlisted 10 international consultants/JVs/firms who had submitted expressions of interest (EOI) for providing services to the government of Pakistan in the 5G spectrum auction/release of IMT Spectrum for improvement of Next Generation Mobile Broadband Services in the country. As many as eleven international consultants/JVs/firms had submitted EOI, which also included a JHK Construction company, which according to sources submitted EOI by mistake as it is a construction company. PTA dropped JHK company and shortlisted other ten companies.
PTA Chairman Announces New Date for 5G Launch in Pakistan:
A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet was chaired by Rana Mahmood-ul-Hasan. The meeting discussed the matter of social media offices and other developments in the IT sector. Social media platforms cite security issues for not opening offices in Pakistan and are considering opening virtual offices. Farooq H. Naek raised an issue regarding rising mobile phone costs. He criticized that this is restricting access and hindering the country’s digitization. He questioned the efforts toward digitizing the economy. The issue will be taken up with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), said the Cabinet Secretary. The secretary added that local mobile manufacturing has started and phones are now available in installments, aiding digitization. 37 local companies are manufacturing mobiles, with 20 million units produced annually, 40% being smartphones.
Huawei is Leading The Foldable Phone Market in China:
The market for foldable smartphones in China is booming, with sales doubling compared to the same period last year, according to new data from IDC. Huawei is the clear leader, capturing nearly half of all foldable sales with its Mate X5 and Pocket 2 models. These phones use Chinese-made chips and offer satellite connectivity. Vivo is the runner-up, thanks to its slim X Fold 3 and X Fold 3 Pro models, powered by top-of-the-line Snapdragon processors. These devices were released just before the start of the quarter.
Digital at the Core: Unilever Leads the Way in Connected TV Advertising:
Imagine that you’re settled on your couch, deeply engrossed in your favorite show, when an ad flashes across your smart TV. Just then, your phone rings, it’s a friend. You pause your show to chat, but when you hang up and start browsing on your phone, the same ad pops up again. Coincidence? Magic? Not quite. We call it Connected TV (CTV) advertising, where your TV and mobile are cleverly synced through the same internet connection. Unilever has established itself as a leader in CTV advertising, especially with its hair care products. Viewers can watch the advertisements on their smart TVs while tuning into their favorite shows on platforms like Zee5, Distro TV, TCL channels, or PLEX.
Motorola Launches The Slimmest Waterproof Phone With Military Grade Durability:
Motorola has launched its latest Edge series phone in India making headlines for being the slimmest IP68-rated phone with military-grade durability. In short, this phone is just as tough as rugged phones without any of the bulky appearance. Measuring just 7.79 millimeters thick, the Edge 50 is the thinnest smartphone on the market that can withstand water, dust, and drops, having passed over 30 rigorous tests to prove it.
Oppo’s Version of AirDrop Will Send Files to iPhones Too:
Oppo plans to unveil its next flagship lineup, the Find X8 series, by the end of this year. Ahead of its release, we already know what features to expect from the premium handset. The news comes from a reputable tipster Digital Chat Station which has revealed that the yet-to-be-announced Find X8 series will come with an Apple AirDrop-like feature, but better. Unlike AirDrop, users can share files directly with iPhones, but both sides need the app installed.
We Can Block All VPNs But Businesses Will Suffer:
Chairman Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Major General (R) Hafeez Rahman on Thursday said virtual private networks (VPNs) could be blocked altogether across the country but such a step would hurt businesses. Addressing the Senate Standing Committee on IT & Telecom today, the chairman said PTA has commenced the whitelisting of VPNs to prohibit unauthorized services from functioning in the country. He added that to date, X usage in Pakistan has fallen by 70 percent with just 30 percent of individuals accessing the app through VPNs.
Xiaomi CEO Reveals When SU7 Electric Car Will Launch Internationally:
Images of Xiaomi SU7 have surfaced on the streets of Paris, France. The vehicle is part of Xiaomi’s special exhibition titled “People, Cars, and Homes Full Ecology,” its presence, coinciding with the Paris Olympics, has garnered significant attention from international visitors. The appearance of the SU7 in Paris has sparked speculation about Xiaomi’s potential entry into Europe. In response, Xiaomi’s CEO Lei Jun stated in a live broadcast that the company aims to sell cars in Europe before 2030.
IT Ministry to Form National Digital Skills Policy for Emerging Technologies:
The Ministry of IT and Telecom (MoITT) is set to establish a National Digital Skills Policy, aiming to address the global demand for a skilled IT workforce in emerging technologies. According to MoITT officials, the policy will focus on creating a comprehensive framework to provision skilled IT professionals worldwide. This move is driven by the increasing need for expertise in advanced ICT fields. The IT Ministry is developing High Impact Skills Boot Camps, targeting critical new ICT technologies. In a bid to meet these demands, these boot camps are designed to provide intensive training in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and blockchain technology. By offering specialized training, the ministry hopes to produce a workforce capable of meeting the challenges of the modern digital landscape.
The Unbreakable Champion, realme C65 Launched in Pakistan:
If you’ve been searching for a phone that can withstand the vigor of your active lifestyle, including frequent phone drops whether you are running or biking, realme has announced the unbreakable champion – the realme C65. Setting a new benchmark in the mid-range smartphone market, this device combines cutting-edge technology, exceptional durability, and a sleek design, all at an attractive price of PKR 49,999.One of the standout features of the realme C65 is its remarkable durability. Designed to withstand the rigors of everyday life, this smartphone is rumored to be able to sustain extreme conditions, including bike crushes and the highest drops. The realme C65’s body is crafted from third-generation high-strength, high-thermal conductivity aluminum alloy, making it incredibly robust while maintaining a sleek profile. Additionally, it boasts an IP54 rating, ensuring protection against dust and water splashes.
Microsoft’s Xbox Sales Suffer Biggest Slump Since Launch:
Microsoft’s latest earnings report revealed a significant drop in Xbox console sales. Revenue from Xbox consoles plunged a hefty 42% compared to the same period last year. This decline marks an ongoing trend for Microsoft’s gaming hardware division. Xbox sales figures have been slipping year-over-year for the past six quarters (out of the last seven), and the trend shows no signs of stopping. In a follow-up call with investors, Microsoft’s Chief Financial Officer, Amy Hood, confirmed expectations of continued hardware sales decline for the upcoming quarter ending in September.
Upgrade Your Business Communication with Cloud-Based Email Solution:
What’s your first impression when you receive an email from a domain-based address? Does it feel more authentic? Domain-based emails are a key component of effective email marketing. When customers see an email from your business’s domain, it reinforces your brand’s credibility, displays your professionalism and establishes the client’s trust in your brand. As a leading provider of corporate solutions, Nayatel understands the importance of effective email hosting, and offers Nmail, a secure, reliable, and scalable platform for managing your email communications. With features like cloud-based storage, multi-platform access, and unmatched performance, Nmail ensures that your emails are not only well-organized but also protected and easily accessible.
Google Improves Search to Combat Deepfakes:
Google has announced changes to its search algorithm and the process for removing unwanted content related to AI deepfakes. People who have been victims of explicit deepfakes can already ask Google to take down these fake images. Now, the company promises to make this process smoother.Once Google finds a reported deepfake, it will block similar images from appearing in search results. This means people won’t have to repeatedly report the same or related fake photos. The company says the problem of deepfakes is getting worse online. These fake photos are easy to make with new AI tools that anyone can use.
ChatGPT Now Has Hyper Realistic Voice for Natural Conversations:
OpenAI is giving ChatGPT Plus subscribers a major upgrade with a new voice feature. This new Advanced Voice Mode will allow users to have more natural conversations with the AI, including interruptions and emotional responses. The company says that everyone with a ChatGPT Plus subscription will get this new feature in the coming months.OpenAI’s new voice feature for ChatGPT Plus comes with four voices created with the help of real voice actors. This should make the conversations feel more natural and safe.
Mobilink Bank Launches Pakistan’s First Women-Led Incubator Program:
Pakistan’s leading digital microfinance bank, Mobilink Bank strengthens its commitment to women’s economic empowerment with the launch of Pakistan’s first-ever industry-specific incubation program designed exclusively for women entrepreneurs. This initiative falls under the umbrella of the Bank’s ongoing Women Inspirational Network (WIN) program. The WIN Incubator program aims to empower 25 women entrepreneurs by equipping them with knowledge in core business areas including ideation, planning, business management, financial literacy and marketing.
Apple sales rebound as AI bets scramble markets:
Sales at Apple rebounded this spring, overcoming weakness in China and a dip in iPhone sales, delivering some good news to jittery financial markets. The tech giant said it took in $85.8bn (£67.3bn) in revenue over the three months to June, up 5% year-on-year – a return to growth after a slump at the start of 2024. The report came as the three major share indexes in the US closed lower, and investors sold off big names, including Amazon, in after-hours trade. Shares in Intel plunged by more than 19%, as the chip-maker responded to a sales slump with a cost-cutting plan that includes more than 15,000 job cuts.
AI robot to venture into hazardous areas:
One of the founders of a start-up company making a robot to venture into areas hazardous to humans says he hopes to build thousands of them in the future. Oxford Dynamics, based in Harwell, Oxfordshire, has a £1m contract with the MoD to design, develop, and supply the robot.
The robot, known as Strider, is built to work amid chemical, biological or nuclear incidents, or where there is fatal radiation. Mike Lawton, one of the company’s directors, said: “Ultimately let’s be able to build 100, maybe 1,000, 10,000 Strider robots for the benefit of the world.”
AI app to update beachgoers on sea conditions:
Beachgoers can now use a new app to check wind, weather and water conditions before heading to the coast. SeaCheck provides real-time updates about sea temperature, wind speed and wave height on Boscombe Beach in Dorset. Launched by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, it pairs data with Artifical Intelligence (AI) to give users the most up-to-date information. It meant people would be able to make informed decisions before entering the water to swim, paddle or surf, the authority said.
British tech tycoon: I only got justice because I’m rich:
The British businessman Mike Lynch, who this June was acquitted in the US of a multi-billion pound fraud, has said he believes he was only able to clear his name because of his huge wealth. Mr Lynch, 59, was facing two decades in jail if had been convicted of the 17 charges he faced, relating to the sale of his tech company, Autonomy, to US firm Hewlett-Packard. He told the the PM programme, on Media, that though convinced of his innocence throughout, he was only able to prove it in a US court because he was rich enough to pay the enormous legal fees involved. “You shouldn’t need to have funds to protect yourself as a British citizen”, he said. “The reason I’m sitting here, let’s be honest, is not only because I was innocent… but because I had enough money not to be swept away by a process that’s set up to sweep you away.” He said most people, even they sold all their assets, would run out of funds in a matter of months, a situation that he said “has to change.”
Founder of collapsed social media site charged with fraud:
Authorities in the US have charged the founder of the former social media company, IRL, with a $170m (£133m) fraud. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) accuses Abraham Shafi of defrauding investors by making misleading statements about the company’s growth. IRL – which was once considered a potential rival to Facebook – took its name from its intention to get its online users to meet up in real life. However, the initial optimism evaporated after it emerged most of IRL’s users were bots, with the platform shutting in 2023. As well as accusing Mr Shafi of defrauding investors, the SEC also says he concealed his and his fiancée’s extensive use of company credit cards to pay for personal expenses.
Guinea pig home in cash crunch after Facebook funding row:
A couple who care for 130 guinea pigs say they fear the pets may have to be rehomed after suddenly – and unexpectedly – losing the income they made from Facebook. Sophie Mason, 34, and her husband, Mark, jointly run the Facebook page Masons’ Cavies, which uses its 1.1 million followers to fund the care of the animals. Ms Mason told the BBC rehoming the guinea pigs was “a real possibility” after their ability to raise money on the platform was removed without warning. Meta, which owns Facebook, has not responded to a request for comment.
“They’ve banned us from everything,” Ms Mason said. “We can’t earn any kind of income whatsoever, it’s all gone – you end up thinking, god, what am I going to do?”
Could AI save your pet’s life?:
“She’s my world,” said Anthea Slade, as she clutched her seven-year-old cat Blossom in the waiting room at Royston Veterinary Centre. It is a sentiment felt by many pet owners, but Ms Slade just came very close to losing her companion to an aggressive cancer and is convinced artificial intelligence (AI) played a big role in saving her. “She had a runny nose. I thought it was a bit of a cold, but then it started bleeding and I knew I had to get help, so I brought her here,” she said. “Within hours, they knew what it was, they operated, and Blossom’s still here. “The surgery on the Hertfordshire/Cambridgeshire border is one of a growing number of veterinary practices which use AI to speed up the diagnosis of illnesses in animals.
Can technology fix the ‘broken’ concert ticketing system?:
For Nashville native Jacki Thrapp flying to Europe this summer to see her idol Taylor Swift perform live was a “no brainer”. With the cheapest tickets for the remaining US dates of Swift’s continuing Eras Tour now costing $2,500 (£2,000) on the resale market, up from their face value of $49, some American fans realised that it would be cheaper for them to fly across the Atlantic to catch one of the European shows instead. So back in May, Jacki went to see Swift perform twice in Sweden, with each ticket costing her less than $200. “Americans are paying so much money, and a lot of Taylor Swift fans are people in their 20s and 30s,” says the 32-year-old. “We’re paying so much money to see her in the US when a lot of us still can’t even afford a house.”
Video games strike rumbles on in row over AI:
Actors from the world of gaming went on strike last week, in a row about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and the threat it poses to their livelihoods. It has reignited the debate about how the entertainment industry is adapting to new technology. When actor Jennifer Hale talks, you listen. Her delivery is measured and surgically precise, yet her tone has a warmth that most ASMR creators would envy. She could read the phone book and you’d pay attention. It’s unsurprising, then, that her voice is her livelihood, and that she takes the threat to her industry posed by AI so seriously. “They see that the work of our souls is nothing more than a commodity to generate profits for them,” she says of several of the major gaming companies. “They don’t see that they’re crushing human beings beneath their feet in blind pursuit of money and profit, it’s disgusting.” From Commander Shepard in the Mass Effect series to Samus Aran in the Metroid titles, Hale’s list of gaming credits is as long as your arm and her voice is familiar to millions. Hale is one of the most high-profile voice actors in the world. She’s joined 2,500 members of the US actors union SAG-AFTRA who perform in games, by striking until games divisions of prominent companies like Activision, Warner Brothers, Walt Disney and EA agree to protections around the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
An AI walks into a bar… Can artificial intelligence be genuinely funny?:
We asked a professional comedian to deliver some jokes written by artificial intelligence on stage. What happened reveals a lot about just how much machines understand the very human sense of humour. Karen Hobbs was more nervous than usual before this particular gig. A well-known circuit comedian, she’s accustomed to the UK’s often bruising stand-up comedy scene. It’s eclectic, unpredictable and famously short on pity-laughs. Hobbs has tackled some of the most unforgiving rooms in Britain, from major London theatres to the back rooms of rural pubs. She has even triumphed within the dreaded competition circuit, in which a merciless audience votes in a gladiatorial popularity contest for the funniest gags. But this Thursday night in late June, above the Covent Garden Social Club bar in Central London, Hobbs was about to attempt something totally new. She would take to the stage equipped not with her usual material, but with a stand-up set written for her by the AI platform ChatGPT. Most daunting of all, she would follow three comedians doing their actual, human material.
Did social media fan the flames of riot in Southport?:
It’s become a familiar pattern of events: a violent, terrifying attack unfolds, innocent people are killed, and social media is set alight with unfounded – and often incorrect – accusations about the assailant’s identity and what the motivation was.
Think back to the stabbing attacks in Sydney earlier this year, falsely blamed on a Jewish student, or even the assassination attempt on Donald Trump in July. It’s the same with Monday’s attack on a children’s holiday dance and yoga session in Southport, England. A false name – attributed to the 17-year-old accused of killing three little girls as well as injuring eight other children and two adults – spread like wildfire across X, formerly known as Twitter.
Tinder parent company cuts jobs as subscriber numbers slump:
Tinder’s parent company, Match Group Inc, plans to cut 6% of its global workforce amid a continued slump in users paying for its most popular dating app. The dating app giant, which also owns Hinge, Plenty of Fish and OKCupid, has revealed an 8% fall in the number of paying Tinder users. It said job cuts would largely stem from shutting down its live-streaming app Hakuna and removing live-streaming features available in some of its dating apps. Match has now reported declines in Tinder subscriber numbers for several consecutive quarters – though it remains the world’s most popular dating app, and the latest dip was less than some investors anticipated. The company said in a letter to shareholders on Tuesday that its latest fall in subscribers was an “improvement” on a 9% dip in the previous quarter.
Microsoft says cyber-attack triggered latest outage:
A global outage affecting Microsoft products including email service Outlook and video game Minecraft has been resolved, the technology giant said in an update. The firm said preliminary investigations show the outage was caused by a cyber-attack and a failure to properly defend against it. Earlier, the company issued an apology for the incident, which lasted almost 10 hours and caused thousands of users to report issues with Microsoft services. It comes less than two weeks after a major global outage left around 8.5 million computers using Microsoft systems inaccessible, impacting healthcare and travel, after a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike.