What’s new
China Telecom and Ericsson launch open IoT platform
The IoT Open Platform is a global connection management platform that will accelerate the deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and services. Ericsson’s contribution in this project is “Ericsson’s Device Connection Platform”, which the company says is “a global, unified platform that is being used by multiple enterprise customers in various industries to manage IoT connection services worldwide”.
You can read more here.
Baidu is expanding its AI efforts with the acquisition of Kitt.ai
Kitt.ai is a startup based in Seattle that has developed a framework to build and power chatbots and voice-based applications across multiple platforms and devices. In a blog post, Kitt.ai co-founder Xuchen Yao said joining Baidu will allow the company to bring its technology to more developers using machine learning and natural language processing technologies in their products.
More info are available here.
New products
HTC Ocean Life
The phone will have a 5.2-inch full HD display and 16-megapixel cameras on both the front and back. It comes with a 2,600mAh battery, Bluetooth 5 and Android Nougat 7.1.1.
More info here.
ZTE Blade V7 Plus
ZTE Blade V7 Plus has a 5.2-inch full HD display, Octa-core MediaTek MT6753 processor and 3GB of RAM. It comes with 13MP rear-facing camera, a 5MP front facing one and a 2540 mAh battery.
More info here.
You might want to know about this
John McAfee has settled a lawsuit against Intel over the right to use his name
John McAfee, the creator of eponymous antivirus computer software, has settled a lawsuit against Intel over his right to use his name on other projects after Intel bought his former company. Under the settlement, McAfee agreed not to use his name, trademark his name or the phrase “John McAfee Privacy Phone,” or use “John McAfee Global Technologies” in connection with cybersecurity and security-related products and services.
You can read more here.
US laptop ban lifted on Qatar Airways
In March, the US banned laptops and other large electronic devices to and from eight mostly Muslim nations, fearing bombs may be concealed in them. Emirates said in a statement: “Effective immediately, the electronics ban has been lifted for Emirates’ flights from Dubai International Airport to the USA.”
More info can be found here.
Fun stuff
A bus powered by formic acid could be on the road this year
Students from the Eindhoven University of Technology, Team FAST designed the first ever system that allows a bus to drive on formic acid. Formic acid naturally occurs in stinging nettles and certain species of ants, but it’s also manufactured cheaply and safely on an industrial level, and is typically used for preserving livestock feed.
You can read more here.
