We take a weekly look at mobile and tech stories from around the world. Headlines include… Apple is bringing RCS to the iPhone in iOS 18, Meta to build AI tec specifically for the European market, Apple’s new AI era will disrupt our lives and more…
Apple is bringing RCS to the iPhone in iOS 18
The Verge
Apple has announced that its Messages app will support RCS (Rich Communication Services) in iOS 18, finally replacing SMS as the default communication protocol between Android and iOS devices. This move follows years of pressure from users and regulatory scrutiny from the EU. While details are still scarce, Apple’s website does include a preview showing “RCS” in the text field, indicating a connection.
Currently, messaging between iOS and Android devices defaults to SMS, resulting in lower quality photos and videos, shortened messages, and a lack of end-to-end encryption. These messages also appear as green bubbles in iMessage, often causing frustration among users. With the implementation of RCS in iOS 18, these issues are expected to be resolved, enhancing the overall messaging experience across different platforms .
Meta to build AI tec specifically for the European market
Mobile Marketing Magazine
Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, has announced the development of new AI technology tailored specifically for Europe. This technology will integrate regional linguistic, geographic, and cultural references to better serve European users. Additionally, Meta has begun using public posts from Facebook and Instagram to train its new Meta AI virtual assistant. To ensure compliance with EU privacy laws and protect user privacy, Meta is deliberately excluding private posts shared only with family and friends from this training data.
By focusing on regional specificity and adhering to stringent privacy regulations, Meta aims to enhance the relevance and effectiveness of its AI technology for European users while maintaining a strong commitment to user privacy.
Read more…
ANALYSIS: Apple’s new AI era will disrupt our lives
Mobile News
The landscape of the consumer tech market is undergoing significant changes, with high adoption rates leading to a slowdown in smartphone, tablet, and PC sales. This poses a challenge for Apple, as incremental improvements in new device versions are no longer sufficient to drive frequent upgrades and maintain the excitement that once led to long queues outside Apple stores during new product launches. The excitement generated by past product launches has been crucial to Apple’s business and brand, making it imperative for the company to reignite consumer enthusiasm.
Historically, Apple has set the standard for user experience with groundbreaking products like the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. These innovations have allowed Apple to dominate the market in terms of sales value for smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. However, the tech giant now faces a potential disruption from AI, which could be as significant as any challenge encountered over the last 17 years if not addressed effectively.
Read more…
What to Expect in Mobile Payments Over the Next Year
The Fast Mode
Recently, the Mobile Ecosystem Forum (MEF) introduced their first Payments Yearbook. This comprehensive guide delves into the payments landscape, particularly focusing on areas where MEF excels. It provides clear definitions of various commerce transactions, such as Direct Carrier Billing (DCB), Mobile Money, and mobile Point of Sale (mPOS).
The payments landscape is both fascinating and rapidly evolving, with a surge in activity anticipated in the near future. Several key areas are particularly noteworthy as we advance this year.
Read more…
Digital IDs and Biometrics Upgrades Define Future of Transaction Security
PYMNTS
The future of digital identity and biometrics is already transforming payments. As digital wallets become more popular, the security features driving their adoption are shaping the future of both commerce and authentication.
With the European Union’s eIDAS 2.0 regulation compliance deadline in 2026 approaching, the payments industry is focusing on using the intersection of digital ID and biometrics to enhance security, improve user experiences, and prevent fraud.
It’s Time to Embrace Mobile-First Retail
Retail Touchpoints
Omnichannel planning is widely recognized as the optimal approach for coordinating digital media. Crafting an effective digital media plan begins with developing a comprehensive digital strategy. However, there might be a missed opportunity in not considering the unique use of each device. Despite the benefits of omnichannel planning, treating all devices as equal overlooks their distinct functionalities.
In competitive industries like retail, where mobile phones account for 75% of site visits and 70% of online shopping orders, adopting a mobile-specific approach to advertising and digital customer experience (DCX) could significantly differentiate a brand from its competitors.
Read More
Telenor opens lab to boost IoT performance
Mobile World Live
Telenor has launched a facility in Karlskrona, Sweden, dedicated to testing the performance of IoT devices under various network conditions. This facility is designed to help clients identify potential issues and mitigate costs before their products reach the market. Equipped with a Faraday cage for network testing, the site provides access to connectivity across all of Telenor’s Nordic operations, enabling customers to understand how their connected IoT products will behave before deployment.
Can indie games inspire a creative boom from Indian developers?
BBC
India is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for video games, with projections indicating a potential player base exceeding half a billion by the year’s end. The majority of players engage through mobile phones and tablets, with a notable focus on fantasy sports games where users create virtual teams using real players. Despite ongoing concerns regarding issues like gambling and potential addiction, these games have become significant drivers of revenue within the industry.
Mobile Internet: average mobile data consumption grows 18.82% in the first quarter of 2024
BN Americas
During the first quarter of 2024, mobile internet data consumption saw significant growth, outpacing the increase in the number of mobile phones accessing the internet. The average monthly mobile data traffic per phone reached 17.94 gigabytes (GB), marking an 18.82% rise compared to the same period in the previous year. This data was reported by the Supervisory Body for Private Investment in Telecommunications (OSIPTEL).
As of March 2024, the operating companies reported that 30.83 million mobile phones accessed mobile internet services, indicating a modest 0.61% increase compared to the previous year. These statistics were published on the PUNKU portal.