We take a weekly look at mobile and tech stories from around the world. Headlines include… U’s Digital Markets Act Pressures Apple to Share iPhone Features with Rivals, Apple Plans Foldable iPhone and Laptop-Style Device by 2026, Europe Launches €10.6bn Iris² Satellite Network to Challenge Starlink and more… Alternatively listen On MEF Radio.
EU’s Digital Markets Act Pressures Apple to Share iPhone Features with Rivals
Bloomberg
The European Commission has urged Apple to make its iPhone operating system more compatible with rival devices and provide third-party developers with better access to iPhone features.
Apple opposed this, citing privacy concerns, particularly with Meta’s requests for access to sensitive technologies.
Meta, which develops devices like the Quest VR headset, seeks better integration with Apple’s features under the EU’s Digital Markets Act.
Apple argues that these changes could compromise user privacy and security.
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Foldable Future: Apple Plans Foldable iPhone and Laptop-Style Device by 2026
WSJ
Apple plans to launch a thinner iPhone and two foldable devices to revive slowing sales, the Wall Street Journal reportED citing people familiar with the company’s plan.
The thinner model, set for 2025, will focus on design simplicity, while the foldables include a larger 19-inch laptop-style device and a foldable iPhone expected by 2026.
These innovations aim to outperform rivals like Samsung and re-energize the smartphone market as Apple faces stagnant growth.
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Europe Launches €10.6bn Iris² Satellite Network to Challenge Starlink
EC Europa
Europe has launched the €10.6bn Iris² satellite network to rival Elon Musk’s Starlink, aiming to provide secure, high-speed connectivity and support Europe’s mobile and telecom in general ecosystems.
Scheduled to deploy 290 satellites by 2030, Iris² will enhance broadband access for businesses and households while securing government communications.
The project is critical for Europe’s mobile ecosystem, addressing competition from Starlink and supporting telecom operators by integrating next-gen satellite technology.
It also aims to revive Europe’s struggling space industry, fostering innovation and competitiveness in low Earth orbit infrastructure—key to future mobile and satellite communications.
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Starlink Direct-to-Device Service Launches Beta Test with T-Mobile in 2025
T-mobile
T-Mobile will beta test SpaceX’s Starlink direct-to-device (D2D) satellite service in early 2025, starting with texting and expanding to voice and data.
Approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in November, the service aims to eliminate dead zones across 500,000 square miles in the U.S.
It will be free for T-Mobile postpaid customers with compatible devices, prioritizing first responders. Initial speeds are 10 megabits per second (Mb/s), with improvements expected as more satellites launch. The service works on standard Samsung, Apple, and Google phones using T-Mobile’s Personal Communications Service (PCS) spectrum.
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Chinese-Made Routers in Millions of U.S. Homes Face Potential Ban
WSJ
The U.S. is considering a ban on Chinese-made routers used in millions of American homes, the Wall Street Journal reports citing people familiar with the matter.
TP-Link, the top-selling router brand on Amazon, has been linked to Chinese cyberattacks, prompting U.S. authorities to investigate potential national security risks and consider a ban on the devices.
With TP-Link holding a 65% share of the U.S. home and small business router market, including sales to federal agencies, the investigation raises concerns about the security of its routers, which have been linked to a Chinese hacking network.
The routers, often shipped with security flaws, have been used in cyberattacks targeting Western entities, including government organizations and defense suppliers.
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ChatGPT Search Now Free for All Users, Paving the Way for AI-Driven Browsing
Bloomberg
OpenAI is launching ChatGPT Search for all users, escalating its competition with Google. Previously available only to paid subscribers, the feature is now accessible to anyone logged into the ChatGPT chatbot across mobile apps and the website.
Users can also set ChatGPT as their default search engine. The update includes a feature where the chatbot can answer questions verbally. This release is part of a series of product announcements, including a new ChatGPT Pro subscription and an AI video generation tool, Sora.
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$500M Valuation: Precision Neuroscience’s Non-Invasive BCIs Aim to Outpace Neuralink
Global Newswire
Precision Neuroscience is racing against Elon Musk’s Neuralink to develop brain-computer interface (BCI) technology that lets users control devices with their thoughts.
The company raised $102 million, bringing its valuation to $500 million. Its device, tested on 27 patients, uses AI to interpret brain signals.
Aimed at helping people with disabilities, Precision’s non-invasive technology could transform the market, worth an estimated $400 billion.
However, challenges like high costs and a shortage of neurosurgeons may slow adoption.
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Samsung and Google Groundbreaking Android XR Headset to Launch in 2025
Samsung
Samsung, in partnership with Google, is set to launch its first Android XR-powered headset under Project Moohan in 2025.
The device will feature advanced displays, passthrough capabilities, and natural multi-modal input for immersive experiences like virtual YouTube, 3D photos, and AI-driven trip planning. Android XR, developed with Qualcomm, supports app creation for next-gen devices, marking a shift in computing with AI, VR, and AR integration.
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