OpenAI challenges Google with ChatGPT Search

Mobile World Live

OpenAI has introduced a new search model for ChatGPT, challenging Google by offering users a streamlined, conversational search experience. Built on OpenAI’s GPT-4o model, this feature allows users to search for information either automatically or manually via a web icon, retrieving answers directly within ChatGPT instead of linking out to search engines. OpenAI claims this approach simplifies the search process by generating answers based on users’ natural, conversational queries and by considering the context of ongoing chats to refine responses. Initially available to ChatGPT Plus and Team subscribers on mobile and desktop, the search feature provides source references for transparency. OpenAI plans to extend access to enterprise and educational users in the coming weeks, with broader availability for free users anticipated in the near future.

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Meta makes its MobileLLM open for researchers, posting full weights

Venture Beat

Meta AI has open-sourced MobileLLM, a suite of language models tailored for mobile devices, now accessible on Hugging Face under a Creative Commons 4.0 non-commercial license, which restricts commercial usage. Initially introduced in a research paper in July 2024, MobileLLM is notable for its efficiency, optimized to run directly on mobile hardware, a significant development in on-device AI capabilities. Though this release makes MobileLLM a competitor to Apple’s private AI solution, Apple Intelligence, which comes with iOS 18, MobileLLM’s academic-only licensing and distribution limitations via Hugging Face suggest its primary users will be researchers and academic institutions for now.

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Italy Launches Digital ID Wallet Pilot to Streamline Identity Verification

Mobile ID World

Italy has begun a pilot for its digital ID system, the IT Wallet, on October 23, 2024, with 50,000 users testing digital versions of their driving licenses, health cards, and European Disability Cards via the “Io” app from the Ministry of the Interior. This pilot is part of Italy’s broader initiative to meet EU eIDAS regulations and aims for full deployment by 2025. Initially, these digital IDs are intended for offline use, much like physical IDs—for instance, showing a digital driving license to law enforcement or using a digital health card for appointments. The program will expand progressively, with the participant pool growing to 250,000 by November 6 and 1 million by November 20, with full nationwide access expected by December 4. By 2025, the IT Wallet will incorporate a broader array of documents, including certificates, electoral records, and even cultural subscriptions, positioning it as a comprehensive digital identification tool.

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Orange, Mastercard Partner to Digitize Mobile Payments in Africa

The Fast Mode

Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA) and Mastercard have formed a strategic partnership to enhance mobile financial services across Sub-Saharan Africa, aiming to empower underserved communities by 2025. Through this partnership, millions of Orange Money users in seven countries—including Cameroon, Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, and Sierra Leone—will be able to use Mastercard’s network for digital payments.

The partnership allows Orange Money customers to access virtual and physical debit cards directly linked to their wallets. These cards facilitate both local and international payments with any merchant that accepts Mastercard, including online and mobile transactions. Users can request a virtual card through Orange’s “Max it” Super App, while physical cards are available at designated Orange Money Mastercard points of sale, making digital payments more accessible and supporting broader financial inclusion in the region.

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How 5G is Enhancing the Mobile Gaming Experience

Talk Business

When Samsung released the Galaxy S10, the first 5G-capable phone, in 2019, it marked a significant milestone, sparking anticipation about 5G’s transformative potential in communications. Promising ultra-fast data speeds, lower latency, and fewer dropped calls, 5G’s gradual rollout across Europe and North America has largely met, and even exceeded, these expectations. For mobile gaming, 5G has been a game changer, delivering faster download speeds and more responsive gameplay that enhances user experience and immersion.

With 5G, mobile gamers now enjoy seamless real-time responsiveness and can tap into emerging technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) directly on their phones. Faster connection speeds make large game files and software updates easier to download on-the-go, reducing wait times and enabling quicker access to high-quality games. Additionally, the low latency of 5G networks allows for smoother, lag-free gameplay, which is crucial in competitive gaming where split-second reactions matter. Through these advancements, 5G has made gaming on mobile devices not only viable but highly appealing, expanding the ways players interact with and enjoy games.

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AI governance: mapping the road ahead

Computer Weekly

The current tech landscape reveals a vastly evolved approach to data, compared to a few years back. Previously, data protection was the central focus, but now, data privacy, personal rights, and data management have expanded into a complex web of global regulations, increasingly intersecting with artificial intelligence. This shift reflects the urgent need for comprehensive governance as data intertwines more with AI.

The UK’s forthcoming Data Use and Access Bill hints at a potential cohesive strategy within the tech industry, though the broader global regulatory framework for data and AI resembles a chaotic mix of overlapping laws rather than a streamlined approach. Contrary to the idea that the GDPR pioneered data regulation, the UK had been governed by data laws long before, beginning with the 1998 Data Protection Act, which implemented the European Data Protection Directive. Even those regulations were part of an ongoing attempt to manage data responsibly, signaling that today’s challenges are rooted in a longer history of data governance efforts.

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Mobile internet ‘usage gap’ comprises more than 3 billion people

Telecom TV

The GSMA’s recent State of Mobile Internet Connectivity report sheds light on the extensive “usage gap” that hinders global mobile internet adoption. While mobile broadband networks reach approximately 95% of the world’s population, 39% of people—about 3.1 billion—do not utilize these services, primarily due to barriers like affordability, digital literacy, and lack of perceived relevance, especially in poorer and rural areas. This “usage gap” is nine times larger than the “coverage gap,” which affects 4% of the population, or roughly 350 million people who live in remote regions without mobile internet infrastructure.

The combined “connectivity gap” encompasses both groups, totaling 3.45 billion people, or 43% of the global population, who remain offline. To bridge the coverage gap alone, the GSMA estimates a $418 billion investment is necessary. This staggering figure underscores the scale of the challenge in ensuring universal mobile internet access and highlights the need for multifaceted solutions—addressing not only infrastructure expansion but also device affordability, digital skills training, and awareness of digital benefits—to close the usage gap effectively.

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Apple Rolls Out “Apple Intelligence” AI Tools in iOS 18.1 for iPhone and iPad

Apple

Apple’s new “Apple Intelligence” AI features, released with iOS 18.1 are now available for iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16 models, iPadOS 18.1, and MacOS Sequoia 15.1. Key tools include text rewriting, email summaries, photo cleanup, and an updated Siri interface. Although AI features are off by default, users can join a waitlist to access them quickly. Additional updates in iOS 18.1 include hearing aid compatibility for AirPods Pro 2 and improved customization in Control Center. Call recording with transcripts is also now possible, with clear prompts to inform all parties. Some features, like Genmoji and Siri’s ChatGPT integration, are expected with iOS 18.2.

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