No more chip shortage? President Joe Biden can now sign US Chips Act into law after Congress approved funding for more domestic chip production
TECHNOLOGY POWERING BUSINESS
July 2022
Amazon Posts Second Straight Loss After Rivian Stake Writedown
Another tech bellweather financial results show Amazon posting a second quarterly loss in a row, after a hefty reassessment of the value of its stake in Rivian
Apple Shrugs Off Economic Gloom, But Profit Slips
No slowdown in demand for iPhones says Apple despite negative macroeconomic indicators, as revenues rise 2 percent beating estimates
Silicon UK In Focus Podcast: How to Keep Your People
As businesses are entering the post-pandemic era of their development, how has the pandemic influenced organisational change and the people strategies companies need to thrive and innovate?
Google Gmail Rolls Out New Interface For All Users
Check your inbox now. Users advised to check the unified refresh for Gmail's interface, which is now being rolled out to all users
EU Officials Phones Hacked By NSO’s Pegasus Spyware – Report
The European Union reportedly finds evidence that smartphones of senior officials may have been compromised by Pegasus spyware
FTC Lawsuit To Block Meta Acquisition Of VR Developer Within
American regulator Federal Trade Commission moves to block Facebook parent Meta from acquiring virtual reality fitness app maker Within
Alphabet Misses Earnings Forecast, But Pleases With Strong Ad Performance
Narrow miss on quarterly results gives hope Alphabet is in a decent position to weather the economic slowdown impacting others
Meta Posts First Ever Revenue Decline, Amid Intense Pressures
CEO Mark Zuckerberg warns the economic downturn has arrived, as Meta misses earnings forecast and predicts another decline
Rivian Confirms It Will Cut 6 Percent Of Staff
Axe is to fall on 600 jobs at the electric truck maker Rivian, as it restructures to “optimise costs” in worsening economy
Twitter Hacker Seeks $30,000 For Stolen Data On 5.4 Million Users
Investigation begins after hacker seeks buyers for personal data of 5.4 million Twitter users, reportedly stolen via 7 month old vulnerability
Chip Revenues To Decline 2.5 Percent In 2023, Warns Gartner
Global semiconductor revenues are projected to grow 7.4 percent in 2022, but will decline in 2023 as inflationary pressures take their toll
Russia Fines Google $34m, After Last Week’s $358m Penalty
But will Google actual bother to pay? Russian watchdog claims Google abuses its dominant position in the video hosting market
Microsoft Q4 Profits From Cloud Growth, But Misses Forecasts
Windows and Xbox declines for Microsoft, which blames economic turmoil as its strong furth quarter earnings misses some analyst forecasts
Brand Voice
How to keep your computer and personal information safe and information about VPNs
What is a computer virus? A computer virus is a type of malware that infects a computer system, mobile device, or other electronic device and can replicate itself to other systems. The most common types of viruses are boot sector vi ...
Amazon UK To Raise Cost Of Prime Service
Streaming costs rise. Monthly Amazon Prime subscription cost to increase to £8.99 per month, as delivery and labour costs rise
OneWeb Confirms Merger With Eutelsat
UK government welcomes merger of OneWeb and Eutelsat as positive news for UK taxpayers, and confirms it will retain national security overwatch
Brand Voice
Your Compliance Primer: Beginning Your Journey
The regulations that govern and impact upon a business can be complex and manifold. From protecting personal data to using cloud services responsibly, compliance is a moving target that many enterprises find challenging to hit. Comp ...
Canada To Examine Network Resiliency In Rogers-Shaw Merger
Canada industry minister says government will take network resiliency into account in proposed Rogers-Shaw merger with Shaw following unprecedented outage
Tesla Shows Giant ‘Giga Press’ In Action
Tesla releases footage of giant 6,000-tonne Giga Press creating car section as it plans to use the technology to simplify Cybertruck design
SEC Subpoenas Tesla Over ‘Funding Secured’ Settlement
SEC issues second subpoena in probe of 2018 settlement, as Tesla raises annual expected capital expenditure by $1bn to ramp Texas and Germany production
Chess-Playing Robot Breaks Boy’s Finger
Russian Chess Federation calls chess-playing robot 'absolutely safe' after it broke boy's finger at Moscow tournament last week
Stealthy CosmicStrand Rootkit Infects PC Firmware
CosmicStrand rootkit found in UEFI firmware of computer systems of private individuals has evaded detection since end of 2016, say Kaspersky researchers
Eutelsat In Talks To Acquire OneWeb
Merger with Eutelsat would give OneWeb shareholders – including UK government – 50 percent stake in combined group, but securing approval may not be easy
Elon Musk Denies Reported Affair With Wife Of Sergey Brin
Tesla chief executive Elon Musk denies Wall Street Journal report that he had an affair in late 2021 with wife of Sergey Brin, calling article 'total BS'
Amazon Buys Health Care Provider One Medical For $3.9bn
Amazon's deal to purchase One Medical for $3.9 billion a test for US lawmakers and regulators who have vowed to rein in power of big tech
Volkswagen Chief Herbert Diess To Step Down
Volkswagen chief executive Herbert Diess to leave company next month after spearheading massive investments into software and electric vehicles
Google Banned By Russia-Backed Separatists In Eastern Ukraine
Russia-backed separatist Donetsk People's Republic says it will block Google for 'inhuman propaganda', as it follows Russia's bans on Western social media
China Tightens Ride-Hailing Regulations After Record Didi Fine
China's transport ministry tightens data regulations for ride-hailing firms in latest sign that record-breaking fine on Didi Global does not spell end of vigilance
Snapchat Parent Shares Slump On Advertising Fears
Snapchat parent Snap sees shares plummet after reporting slowdown in ad revenue growth, as Google, Meta and other social media companies take hit
Twitter Reports Loss As ‘Uncertainty’ Weighs On Business
Twitter reports $270m loss for three months to June amidst advertising slowdown, as it prepares court battle to force Elon Musk to complete takeover
The State of Tech Recruitment
As businesses assess the fallout from the pandemic, is tech talent still in short supply as businesses look to evolve their digital transformation roadmaps?
Strict China Tech Controls ‘To Continue’ After Record Didi Fine
Strict regulation of China's tech giants likely to continue after record $1.2bn fine on Didi Global last week, even as authorities seek to encourage growth
Microsoft Closing Down Job Openings – Report
Microsoft has begun withdrawing job openings in its Azure and security divisions, as hiring slowdown extends to other divisions
UK Blocks China Licensing Sensor Tech From Manchester University
Chinese firm blocked from licensing British vision technology developed by Manchester University, under national security grounds
Meta Revamps Facebook Content Feed
Facebook 'Home' revamped to promote discovery of new content, whereas 'Feeds' tab will mostly feature posts from friends and family
Apple Settles $50m Butterfly Keyboard Lawsuit
Faulty MacBook butterfly keyboards over a four year period ends up costing Apple $50 million, as it reaches lawsuit settlement
Amazon Begins Deliveries With Rivian Electric Vans
Customers in US will start to see Amazon deliver thier packages using its custom electric delivery vehicles from startup Rivian
China’s Baidu Unveils Autonomous Taxi With No Steering Wheel
New vehicle from Chinese search engine giant Baidu will ship with level 4 autonomous capabilities and a detachable steering wheel
Samsung Seeks Tax Breaks On Future Chip Factories In Texas
South Korean giant Samsung begins application for tax breaks on 11 potential chip manufacturing facilities in Texas, ahead of US CHIPS Act
US Investigates Huawei Equipment Near Missile Silos, Military Bases
US authorities begin investigation over Huawei equipment installed in mobile towers near military bases and missile silos
Tesla Sells 75 Percent Of Bitcoin Holdings
Bitcoin price slides after Elon Musk says cryptocurrency sale was to maximise Tesla's cash position after a shaky second quarter
Silicon UK In Focus Podcast: The Connected Customer
Learn how the definition of the ‘connected customer’ changed due to the pandemic. As consumers now use multiple touchpoints, is brand loyalty being tested? And how have customer services technologies had to evolve to manage the expecta ...
Google To Test Augmented Reality Glasses In Public
After privacy setback a decade ago, Google admits it is ready to begin testing new augmented reality glasses in the real world
Openreach Full Fibre Now Reaches 8 Million UK Premises
Another one million UK homes have been added to full fibre broadband connections in a three month period, Openreach confirms
Global Chip Shortage Not Over, Warns IDC
Global chip shortage is not over, as IDC analyst points to Russia's war in Ukraine impacting raw materials and the global supply chain
Google Data Centre In London Outage Blamed On Cooling Failure
As the UK temperature soared to a record high on Tuesday, a cooling failure resulted in an outage at a Google data centre in London
Twitter Wins Battle To Fast Track Elon Musk Lawsuit
Twitter will face Elon Musk in a Delaware courtroom in October, over his attempt to 'terminate his $44 billion takoever of the platform
Netflix Loses 1 Million Subscribers, But Predicts Q3 Growth
One million subscriber loss is less than 2 million prediction, as streaming giant offsets investor worry with forecast to add 1 million in Q3
Microsoft President Opens Up About Growing Shortage Of Workers
Microsoft's Brad Smith warns US companies are facing a “new era” of a stagnating labour pool, as fewer people enter the workforce
CMA To Reconsider Order For Meta To Sell Giphy
UK competition regulator, the CMA, tells Silicon UK it has agreed to reconsider over next three months its ruling to Meta to sell off Giphy
Lawsuit Alleges Antitrust Issues Over Apple Pay
Payment card issuer accuses Apple of abusing its market domination to thwart competition for its Apple Pay mobile wallet
US CISA Opens First Ever Overseas Office In London
American federal cyber agency CISA opens first overseas office in London, as it expands work with allies and international partners
Apple To Slow Hiring And Spending In 2023 – Report
Some teams at Apple will reportedly experience slow hiring and spending in 2023, as another tech giant tightens its belt
US Senators Plan Bill To Restore Net Neutrality
With FCC deadlocked, two democrat US senators are planning a bill to restore net neutrality regulations across the United States
Brand Voice
An Introduction to CFD Trading: What Budding Traders Need to Know
There are countless ways traders can place potentially lucrative trades. Each is associated with unique benefits and naturally, has some potential risks. Having said that, one increasingly popular method is known as CFD trading. Ho ...
The Culture of Recruitment
Loyalty towards a business is often because of the company's philosophy. With the great resignation in full swing, can enterprises retain the talent they need by changing their business's culture?
Elon Musk Seeks To Block Twitter’s Request For Speedy Trial
No surprise in Twitter showdown, as Elon Musk files motion with US court to oppose platform's request for trial to be fast-tracked
Ofcom Mulls Further Sanctions On Russia’s RT Over Ukraine Coverage
Further sanctions? Russian news channel RT failed to preserve due impartiality in its coverage of the Ukraine conflict, UK's Ofcom finds
San Francisco Mayor Admits City Has To Adjust To Remote Working Reality
Mayor of San Francisco admits her city needs to adjust to new reality that many workers will not return to working in an office
Tesla Ordered To Refund Customer Over Autopilot Problems
Court in Germany orders Tesla to refund a customer thousands of dollars over problems with Autopilot driver's assistance system
Taiwan Alleges Chinese Apple Supplier Stole Secrets
Prosecutors in New Taipei allege Chinese firm stole commercial secrets from a Taiwanese supplier and poached its workforce
BT Seeks To Keep Network Running, After CWU Sets Strike Dates
Carrier frustrated after trade union rejects BT's highest pay award in 20 years, and sets strike date on 29 July and 1 August
Meta’s Ray-Ban Stories Can Now Make Calls Via WhatsApp
Calling you via...my smart glasses? WhatsApp calling and messaging now integrated into Meta's smart glasses (Ray-Ban Stories)
Sophos Sees Surge Of Ransomware Attacks Against Education Sector
Education sector is battling a significant increase in the number of ransomware attacks, and in some cases is taking months to recover
Amazon Ring Gave Doorbell Footage To US Police Without Owners’ Consent
Surveillance footage from Amazon Ring doorbells has been provided to US police forces 11 times so far in 2022, without a warrant or owner consent
Uber Sued By 500 Women Over Sexual Assault Allegations
But is Uber responsible? More than 500 women claim they were assaulted by Uber drivers and have filed a lawsuit in the United States
Tesla Autopilot Head Resigns After Five Years
Big loss for Autopilot development? Tesla AI and Autopilot leader Andrej Karpathy confirms he has parted ways with the EV maker
Twitter Not Planning Large Numbers Of Layoffs
Social media platform seeks to reassure workforce, saying it was not looking at company-wide layoffs, but it will continue its restructure
Celsius Network Files For Bankruptcy Protection
Troubled cryptocurrency lender Celsius Network confirms it has filed for bankruptcy protection as it seeks to restructure
Google Cloud Adopts ARM-based Chips
Bad news for Intel, AMD? Google Cloud unit has begun offering virtual machines (VMs) based on chip designs from the UK's ARM Holdings
Netflix Partners Microsoft For Cheaper Subscription Plan…With Adverts
Streaming giant Netflix has partnered up with Microsoft for a cheaper consumer subscription plan, that will feature adverts
Nearly All UK Businesses Experience Security Incident – Barracuda
In the past year, 98 percent of UK business experienced a security incident, new report from Barracuda Networks has discovered
BT To Grow Digital Workforce In UK, India
UK carrier announces plans to add 2,800 jobs in UK and India, in contrast to others in tech industry implementing hiring slowdowns
Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai Confirms Hiring Slowdown
Another tech giant confirms a hiring slowdown, as Google's Sundar Pichai also warns of investment consolidation in staff memo
Apple Cuts Last Ties To Sir Jony Ive
Last remaining link between Apple and iconic designer Sir Jony Ive has reportedly been severed after contract is not renewed
Twitter Begins Legal Action Against Elon Musk
Well...he was warned. Twitter sued Elon Musk on Tuesday to force him to complete his $44bn acquisition of social media platform
Celsius ‘Deeply Insolvent’, US State Regulator Believes
Vermont regulator warns crypto lending firm Celsius “lacks the assets and liquidity to honour its obligations to account holders and other creditors”
Rivian To Brief Staff About Restructuring, Potential Layoffs
More bad news for jobs? Staff at Rivian are to be briefed this week about restructuring and potential layoffs at the electric truck maker
WhatsApp Reactions Expanded To Allow Full Use Of Every Emoji
New update for WhatsApp users will allow the use of any emoji as a reaction, greatly expanding choice for user chats
SpaceX Starship Booster Rocket Bursts In Flames
Explosion at SpaceX facility in Texas, after booster rocket for Starship spacecraft bursts into flames during test firing
Microsoft Cuts Staff But Insists Hiring Continues
Software giant Microsoft becomes latest tech to trim its workforce headcount, as other tech firms slow hiring plans or reduce employees
Apple, Zoom Fined By Russia For Data Storage Violations – Report
Moscow's campaign against foreign tech companies continues with Apple and Zoom Video Communications fined over data storage violations
Twitter Hits Back At Musk, Insisting No Breaches Occurred
Elon Musk "knowingly" breached the acquisition agreement Twitter says, as it fires back at the world's richest man and former suitor
PC Shipments Worldwide Drop 15.3 Percent In Q2, IDC Warns
Worrying sign. Global PC shipments take a double-digit tumble in the second quarter, amid fears of worldwide economic downturn
STMicro, GlobalFoundries Plan New French Chip Factory
New chip factory announced for France, to be located near Italian and Swiss border, will manufacturer 18-nanometer wafers
Twitter Board Vows To Pursue Musk, Who Mocks Legal Threat
Twitter's board of diectors vows to pursue legal action against former suitor Elon Musk, who responds with openly mocking memes
Google Offers To Spin-Off Ad-Tech Unit – Report
Alphabet unit previously labelled the DoJ antitrust lawsuit 'deeply flawed', but now it is reportedly offering concessions
Man Charged With Selling Fake Cisco Equipment
Man arrested in Florida and charged with importing counterfeit Cisco networking equipment into the United States, worth an estimated $1 billion
Elon Musk Tells Twitter He Is ‘Terminating’ $44Bn Acquisition
No surprise? Elon Musk announces ending of his $44bn (£36bn) bid to buy Twitter, alleging multiple breaches of legal agreement
US Mulls Fresh Restrictions On China’s SMIC
Biden Administration reportedly considering new restrictions on chipmaking tools for China, so as to hamper its leading chipmaker SMIC
Elon Musk’s Acquisition Of Twitter In ‘Serious Jeopardy’ – Report
Takeover of Twitter by Elon Musk is in “serious jeopardy” according to one report, despite Twitter suspending one million fake spam accounts every day
Meta Creates New Virtual Reality Login System
U-turn for Meta's Facebook? New system for users logging into Meta's virtual reality headsets will be deployed from next month
Silicon UK In Focus Podcast: Post-Pandemic Logistics
How have logistics and procurement been fundamentally changed by the pandemic? What is the core logistical challenges facing businesses as they move into the post-pandemic era?
Brand Voice
Beating the Barbarians: How to Protect Your Workers from Cyberattacks
The pandemic forced businesses to make radical changes to how they organised their workforces. A shift to mass remote working is bringing with it a renewed need to ensure robust and flexible digital security systems are in place when r ...
Brand Voice
3 Essential E-Commerce Marketing Channels in 2022
There is no overestimating the importance of digital marketing. In 2022 this is one of the primary ways to grow your E-commerce business. Many different marketing channels can all play an important role in your marketing strategy. In t ...
Head Of FBI And M15 Issue Unprecedented Warning About China
Heads of the FBI and UK's MI5 for the first time share platform, and warn about the 'immense' threat posed by Chinese government’s espionage operations
Elon Musk Fathered Twins With Neuralink Executive
World's richest man, Elon Musk, fathered twins last November, bringing the reported number of his children to nine in total
Marriott Hotels Admits Third Breach – Report
Not again. Marriot Hotels has admitted it has suffered a third data breach, with customer credit cards and other data being swiped
Facebook Demands Old FTC Documents In Antitrust Battle
Fresh development in Meta's battle against US regulator, seeking to force Facebook to divest itself of WhatsApp and Instragram
Fate Of Newport Wafer Fab Uncertain, As Government Delays Sale Decision
Government delays decision over whether the UK's largest maker of chips can be purchased by Dutch firm, which is Chinese-owned
Apple Introduces Lockdown Mode To Thwart Spyware Menace
New Lockdown Mode feature for iPhones, iPads and Macs has been introduced, as Apple seeks to combat menace from state-sponsored hacking
Amazon Faces UK Investigation For Suspected Anti-competitive Practices
Another probe. Busy week for the UK's CMA after it confirms investigation of Amazon over “suspected anti-competitive practices”
UK Regulator Begin Probe Of Microsoft’s Activision Buyout
The CMA confirms start of investigation into Microsoft's $69 billion purchase of leading gaming holding company Activision Blizzard
Online Safety Bill Tweak To Combat Russian Misinformation
Foreign interference and misinformation to be designated a priority offence under Online Safety Bill, the government says
Intel ‘Playing Politics’ Over Delayed Ohio Chip Factory, Alleges Governor
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine alleges Intel's Ohio factory delay is a negotiating tactic, despite Pat Gelsinger hinting investment could shift to Europe
Steve Jobs Posthumously Awarded US Medal Of Freedom
President Joe Biden has named Apple co-founder and former CEO Steve Job, as a posthumous recipient of the US Medal of Freedom
Twitter Seeks Judicial Review Of Indian Takedown Order
Clash continues, Twitter court challenge against Indian government order to remove certain content it deems to be against the law
TikTok ‘Halts E-Commerce Expansion Plans’
TikTok reportedly scraps plans to expand TikTok Shop livestream commerce in Europe and US after UK version finds 'nascent' adoption
European Parliament Passes Landmark Tech Regulations
European Parliament votes to adopt Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act, but campaigners warn proof will be in enforcement
Indian Economic Police Raid Offices Of Smartphone Maker Vivo
Indian economic crime agency Enforcement Directorate raids dozens of locations across India belonging to China's Vivo amidst border tensions
French Music Service Deezer Slumps On Market Debut
Spotify and Apple Music competitor Deezer falls below opening price after long-delayed IPO in Paris as SPAC strategy fails to excite investors
Foxconn Expects Stronger Sales In Spite Of Economic Gloom
iPhone manufacturer Foxconn revises full-year expectations upward amidst strong consumer and data centre demand, bucking turbulent conditions
Samsung ‘To See Profits Jump’ On Data Centre Demand
Industry analysts expect Samsung's profits to jump 15 percent for the second quarter as strong data centre demand offsets smartphone slump
NHS To Trial Drone Delivery Of Chemotherapy To Isle Of Wight
NHS launches latest trial of drone delivery, with vertical take-off and landing drone from start-up Apian carrying chemotherapy materials to Isle of Wight
Google To Delete Location History Of Users Who Visit Abortion Clinics
Google to automatically delete location history of users who go near sensitive locations such as abortion clinics following Roe v Wade reversal
Central African Republic Pushes Crypto For Economic Inclusion
Central African Republic's cryptocurrency-based Sango plan aims to boost crypto adoption, tokenisation – and even includes metaverse platform
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Hacker Claims Theft Of Data On 1 Billion Chinese Citizens
Hacker offers data on 1 billion Chinese citizens for sale in online forum, claims to have stolen data from Shanghai police
TikTok Reassures US Senate Over Data Plans
TikTok tells lawmakers it plans to store all American data on Oracle servers, amidst ongoing national security probe over user data
FBI Adds ‘Cryptoqueen’ To List Of Ten Most Wanted
FBI adds Ruja Ignatova, former leader of OneCoin cryptocurrency scheme, to list of ten most wanted over running 'one of largest Ponzi schemes in history'
Parliamentarians Call For Ban On Chinese Surveillance Firms
Cross-party group of MPs and Lords calls for ban on widely used Hikvision and Dahua surveillance tech in UK over human rights concerns
British Army Twitter, YouTube Accounts Hacked
British Army Twitter, Youtube accounts hacked and rebranded with imagery and posts related to NFTs in latest high-profile social media attack
US Approves SpaceX Starlink For Planes, Trains And … Ships
US FCC regulator gives its official approval for SpaceX to use its Starlink satellite internet network with moving vehicles
Bitcoin Falls Below $19,000, But Recovers Slightly Friday
Ominous sign for crypto markets? The value of Bitcoin dropped over 6 percent to below the $19,000 mark on Thursday, but bounced back a bit on Friday
Meta Slashes Hiring As It Braces For Downturn – Report
CEO Mark Zuckerberg tells staff to brace for a deep economic downturn, as Meta cuts its hiring plans by at least 30 percent
Silicon In Focus Podcast: Connected Business
Is the definition of a ‘connected business’ very different today than it was just two years ago? And how can businesses embrace technology to enable them to connect with their customers and commercial partners?