Google and Jio Platforms' Smartphone Launch Gets Rescheduled

 

Google and India's Jio Platforms has announced that its smartphone will now be launched in time for the Diwali festive season in India. This means that the much-awaited phone will now be launched in early November, rescheduled from its earlier scheduled September 10 launch date.

The two companies in a joint press release have said that the delayed launch will also help mitigate the industry-wide semiconductor shortages. Further, they said that the JioPhone Next is now being tested with a limited set of users for "refinement."

Jio Platforms operates India's largest telecom network, which has over 400 million subscribers. It is working jointly with Google to produce an affordable 4G smartphone that will cater to the requirements of roughly 300 million Indians.

"JioPhone Next is built with exciting features like the Google Assistant, automatic read-aloud and  language  translation  for  any  on-screen  text,  a  smart  camera  with  India-centric  filters and  much  more.  The  companies  remain  committed  to  their  vision  of  opening  up  new possibilities for millions of Indians, especially those who will experience the internet for the very first time," mentioned the statement.

JioPhone Next will have an operating system based on Android and Play Store. This phone is expected to have premium capabilities associated with more powerful smartphones, including voice-first features. The phone will get the latest Android feature and security updates.

 

Apple to launch its Most Expected New iPhones as part of 5G Push

In a recent announcement, Apple Inc., America's leading multinational technology company, has stated that it is launching a new iPhone lineup and Apple Watch models with the latest upgrades. It will also have wireless carriers, which will play a crucial role in the annual show as the tech giant is trying to entice consumers into the 5G plans.

Apple in 2020 had introduced its iPhone 12, which had a brand new look, and it was also the first device from Apple that had 5G connectivity. This year, tech analysts and experts expect the new iPhone to have modest hardware upgrades and a deeper focus on the latest 5G connectivity. Most of the experts have stated that Apple wants people to upgrade. Therefore the will be really aggressive with the new lineup.

In particular, Apple will have a focus on phone storage, connectivity, and look. The company has been working on its networks since the start of this year is; it is said that they are likely to offer new incentives around the devices, which will take advantage of the faster speeds those networks can offer.

 

DISH is all set to join hands with IBM to create a new cloud-native 5G network

DISH, a popular network corporation, has recently made an announcement that it is partnering with Big Blue IBM to work in the US’ cloud-native 5G network. DISH has stated that IBM will be responsible for providing AI-powered network and automation services and solutions to onboard 5G capabilities to DISH’s operations and business platforms. Marc Rouanne, chief network officer of DISH Wireless, has stated that their company’s 5G build will be different from the rest as they are now creating a network of networks where organizations can customize a network slice or a group to meet their pre-set business goals.

The orchestration solutions from IBM are designed to make use of automation, ML, and AI to not only allow slices to be possible but also help the companies overcome obstacles when the customer preferences evolve. Furthermore, Marc added that with IBM, they combine the latency and speed of 5G with intelligence and customization of cloud to give a paradigm shift to SMEs, big corporations, and other wireless industries. The team at DISH will now be mixing IBM’s Cloud Pak with the company’s 5G network architecture to create an intent-based orchestration feature. This is expected to help in stitching software and hardware resources together more efficiently and seamlessly. 

 

 

Tesco has started to trial refillable packaging in its retail stores

Tesco, one of the biggest supermarket groups from Britain, has recently launched a trial that will allow the customers to buy food, drink, beauty, and household products in reusable packaging. This latest effort is a part of its new strategy to reduce plastic waste. In recent times, Brits have become more aware of their plastic usage through nature documentaries narrated by naturalists like David Attenborough. As of now, supermarkets are in the trial phase and are testing refills to reduce the use of single-use plastic. Tesco has partnered with Loop to distribute products in reusable packaging that can be returned to stores when it is finished.

The package will then be cleaned, refilled, and used again, thus reducing the need for a new package. There are more than 80 products that are all set to go through this process, and popular brands such as Unilever, PZ Cussons’s Carex handwash, Heinz ketchup, Fevertree drinks, Brewdog beer, Coca Cola, and Tetley Tea, along with 35 essentials brands, have decided to join the cause. Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, and Morrisons have also been looking out to trial the new concept. Tesco has revealed that soon it will be adding more products to the mix if the trial is successful.

 

 

Vantage Data Centers to Expand Into APAC with Two New Acquisitions

Vantage Data Centers has announced its expansion in the Asia-Pacific. The expansion is anchored by the acquisitions of Agile Data Centers and the data center portfolio of PCCW Ltd.

This acquisition of data centers will see Vantage take over Agile Data Centers' greenfield hyperscale campuses totaling 168MW of critical IT load in Tokyo, Osaka, and Melbourne, and also PCCW Ltd.'s 100MW of existing and expansion critical IT load across multiple facilities in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur. The closing of the two acquisitions is expected to be done in the fourth quarter of 2021.

"Following successful expansions throughout the United States, Canada and Europe over the past three years, we are expanding to Asia Pacific to better serve customers on a global basis. The key to our global expansion has been finding well-aligned partners who bring local expertise, an established footprint, a strong management team and the ability to scale quickly," said Sureel Choksi, president and CEO, Vantage Data Centers. "The combination of Agile and PCCW’s data center business does just that, and I’m thrilled to welcome Giles Proctor, Brian Groen and their highly talented teams to Vantage."

Giles Proctor will now head Vantage's APAC business as the company's president of the region. He was the president and co-founder of Agile Data Centers previously. Now, he will have 150 people to lead as the APAC head of Vantage Data Centers. After the closing of the transaction, Brian Groen will join Vantage as its senior vice president of APAC.

 

 

Prospection successfully raises $45 million in its Series B

Sydney-based healthcare data technology company Prospection has secured $45 million in its Series B round, which was led by new investor Ellerston JAADE with participation from existing shareholders Main Sequence and Horizons Ventures.

"Real world data tells us today 10% of patients are on treatments that are harmful and 30% of patients are wasting time or money on a suboptimal treatment. Our insights have the power to change clinical behavior by helping doctors select the best therapy for an individual patient. This financing gives us the ability to make a bigger impact and act on a global scale. We want to put every patient on the right treatment at the right time," said CEO Eric Chung.

Founded in 2012, Prospection had previously raised $10 million in its Series A round in February 2020.

The fresh funding will be used by Prospection to expand its presence in the UK and US healthcare markets. Additionally, the funds will be used to build more product capabilities and use cases, including healthcare providers with clinical decision support during their patient appointments. Also, the company will invest in its platform to enable more data sets to be ingested. Prospection will try to broaden its existing pharma company customer-base to support healthcare payors, governments, patients, and physicians.

 

At the MTV Video Music Awards 2021, Justin Bieber wins Artist of the year

The MTV Videos Music Awards (VMA) 2021 made a return to New York City. The world-famous annual music awards happened at the Barclay's Center, Brooklyn, New York, and the rapper Doja Cat was this year's host.

 

On a glamorous evening amidst many stars of the music industry, pop superstar Justin Bieber won the Artist of the year award. He performed his hit single ‘Stay’ with Kid LAROI and his other single Ghost. The performance, which featured him rappelling down from the roof of the Barclay's Center, was his first performance at the MTV VMAs in six years. Justin Bieber also took home the Best Pop Song of the Year for his pop song "Peaches."

 

Olivia Rodrigo won the Best New Artist, and her song "Driver's License" won the Song of the Year award and the Best Performance of the Year. The coveted Video of the Year was taken home by singer Lil Nas X. Hip- Hop superstar Travis Scott won the Best Hip-Hop Single of the Year.

 

The uber-popular K-Pop group BTS won the Group of the Year. The Foo Fighters won the inaugural 'Global Icon Award' for an unparalleled career, continued global impact and influence.