Tag Archives: dominance

Tech Companies Compete for Undersea Dominance with Submarine Drones

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The deployment of flying drones during the Ukraine conflict has drastically transformed ground combat strategies. A similar evolution appears to be underway beneath the waves.

Global navies are in a race to incorporate autonomous submarines. The Royal Navy is set to introduce a fleet of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) aimed at tracking submarines and safeguarding undersea cables and pipelines for the first time. Australia has committed $1.7 billion (£1.3 billion) to develop a ‘Ghost Shark’ submarine to combat the growing presence of Chinese submarines. Concurrently, the expansive US Navy is investing billions in multiple UUV initiatives, including one already operational that can be deployed from nuclear submarines.

Scott Jamieson, managing director of sea and land defense solutions at BAE Systems—the UK’s foremost arms manufacturer and nuclear submarine builder—asserted that autonomous unmanned submarines signify “a significant shift in the underwater combat domain.” New unmanned vessels under development will enable the Navy to “scale operations in ways not previously possible” at “a fraction of the cost of manned submarines,” he noted.

Established defense giants like BAE Systems, General Dynamics, and Boeing are competing with innovative startups such as Anduril, creator of the Ghost Shark, and Germany’s Hellsing for lucrative new market possibilities. Startups argue that they can deliver solutions more rapidly and cost-effectively.

Anduril’s Ghost Shark is a large autonomous underwater vehicle (XLAUV) commissioned by the Royal Australian Navy. Photo: Rodney Braithwaite/Australian Defense Force/AFP/Getty Images

The contest for underwater dominance has persisted almost continuously for the last century, both during peacetime and in conflict.

The first nuclear-powered submarine, the American Nautilus—named after Jules Verne’s fictional vessel—was launched in 1954. Today, nuclear-powered vessels constitute the backbone of the military forces of six nations: the United States, Russia, Britain, France, China, and India, with North Korea potentially joining this group recently. This occurs amidst ongoing debates about the value of such costly weapons and their effectiveness as deterrents.

Naval forces engage in a constant game of hide and seek beneath the waves. Submarines seldom surface to evade detection. Recently, due to maintenance issues with other vessels, some British submarines spent an unprecedented nine months submerged, carrying Trident nuclear missiles that could be deployed at a moment’s notice.

Monitoring Russia’s underwater nuclear capabilities, which have been largely inactive in recent years, is crucial for the Royal Navy, especially around the Greenland-Iceland-UK (GIUK) Gap, a critical juncture for NATO allies to observe Russian activities in the North Atlantic. An executive from an arms company mentioned that the South China Sea represents another promising opportunity as China and its neighbors confront each other in a protracted territorial standoff.

Illustration of the gap between Greenland, Iceland, and the UK

Underwater drones have the potential to enhance the tracking of competing submarines. Some sensors are designed to be deployed by other unmanned probes and can remain underwater for extended periods, as per the aspirations of executives looking to market them to Britain.

A growing concern is the increase in attacks on oil and gas pipelines, exemplified by the 2022 Nord Stream incident, where a Ukrainian suspect was identified, and the 2023 attack on the Baltic Connector pipeline linking Finland and Estonia. Undersea power and internet cables are vital for the global economy, as evidenced by the disruption caused to an undersea power cable between Finland and Estonia last Christmas—just two months following the severing of two communication cables in the Baltic Sea.

Recently, the British government accused the Russian surveillance vessel Yantar of intruding into UK waters to map undersea cables, noting a 30% rise in Russian vessels threatening British waters over the past two years.

Parliament’s Defense Select Committee has raised alarms about the UK’s susceptibility to undersea sabotage—so-called “grey zone” actions—which can lead to significant disruptions without escalating to outright war. The committee warned that damage to any of the 60 undersea data and energy cables around the British Isles could “have a devastating effect on the UK.”

Andy Tomis, CEO of Cohort, a British military technology firm renowned for developing sonar sensors, highlighted that traditional manned ships, aircraft, and submarines used to track nuclear-powered submarines and potential sabotage vessels are “highly sophisticated and costly.” However, he added, “by integrating unmanned vessels with these systems, we can achieve human-like decision-making capabilities without endangering lives.”

BAE is already testing Herne’s underwater drone. Photo: BAE Systems

Cohort hopes to implement some of its towed sensors (named Crait after a sea snake) on smaller autonomous vessels.

Modern naval ships are equipped with five times more sonar sensors than active submarines. Reduced power needs are crucial for small unmanned vessels, which cannot accommodate nuclear reactors. Passive sensors that do not emit sonar “pings” complicate detection and destruction.

The Royal Navy, along with the British Army, has historically lagged in rapidly adopting the latest technologies. However, lessons from the Ukrainian military underscore the importance of swiftness and cost-effectiveness in drone production for aerial and maritime applications. In response, the Defense Ministry is advocating for the swift development of a technology demonstrator under Project Cabot.

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BAE has already conducted tests using a candidate dubbed Herne. Hellsing is establishing a facility to manufacture underwater drones in Portsmouth, the Royal Navy’s home base. Anduril, led by Donald Trump fundraiser Palmer Lackey, is planning to set up a manufacturing site in the UK.

Initial contracts are expected to be awarded this year, with tests likely to take place in north-west Scotland conducted by defense company QinetiQ. A full-scale order for one or two companies, including Atlantic Net, is anticipated to address sensor needs in the GIUK area.

Sources indicate that the Royal Navy has termed the initiative “anti-submarine warfare as a service,” a play on the phrase “software as a service.” A £24 million tender announcement was published in May.

Anduril’s Dive LD autonomous underwater vehicle. American companies are considering manufacturing bases in the UK. Photo: Holly Adams/Reuters

Sidharth Kaushal, a senior fellow specializing in seapower at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, emphasized that the submarine-hunting strategies employed in recent decades “are not scalable in conflict” due to their reliance on costly and highly specialized assets.

The warship will tow a cable extending over 100 meters, equipped with an array of sonar sensors designed to detect the faintest sounds and lowest frequency vibrations. Aircraft from Britain’s fleet, like the Boeing P-8s, deploy disposable sonobuoys to locate deep-sea submarines. Simultaneously, satellites monitor the surface for wake trails left by submarine communication antennas and observe for patrols of hunter-killer submarines lurking below.

The proposal that inexpensive drones could handle much of this task is intriguing. However, Kaushal cautioned that the cost benefits “remain to be verified.” Industry leaders have indicated that large UUV fleets will still incur significant maintenance costs.

Safeguarding submarine cables presents a dual challenge, as sabotage may become more accessible and less expensive. One executive remarked that the likelihood of drones engaging each other underwater is “entirely plausible.”

The Ministry of Defense describes this initiative as “contractor-owned, contractor-operated, and naval-surveilled,” marking the first instance in which a civilian-owned vessel might partake in anti-submarine missions, thus raising the potential of becoming a military target.

“Russia’s immediate response will likely be to test and gauge this capability,” commented Ian McFarlane, head of underwater systems sales at Thales UK. Thales currently supplies the Royal Navy with sonar arrays for submarine detection, unmanned surface craft, and aerial drones, aiming to contribute to Project Cabot by integrating relevant data.

However, Mr. McFarlane insisted that involving private firms is crucial as the Royal Navy and its allies require “mass and resilience now” to address the threats posed by “increasing aggressors.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Race for Dominance: Chinese Automakers Compete to Conquer European Roads | Automotive Industry

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With the aim of attracting British consumers, Tesla displayed its vehicles and vibrant signage at its dealership located at the iconic Hogarth Rotary in West London. Engaging with 500,000 drivers daily, the American automaker has established itself as the top seller of electric cars in the UK. However, passersby are now met with a new sight: the twin Chinese brands Omoda and Jaecoo, both under the umbrella of the state-owned Chery Automobile.

Chinese automotive brands are gaining traction across Europe, surpassing Korean competitors in sales for the first time in Western Europe as of September. The UK plays a crucial role in this success, with 30% of the 500,000 Chinese cars sold in Western Europe from January to September being purchased by British consumers, as reported by Berlin-based auto analyst Matthias Schmidt.

“Their success has been impressive,” remarks Steve Young, managing director of Hogarth dealerships, part of the Turkish group Setash Otmotiv. “This location makes a bold statement — it’s like waving a flag for us. Every minute the lights shift, and drivers find themselves captivated outside.”




Steve Young, beside a Jeku car at his West London dealership, notes that Chinese automakers are “becoming increasingly competitive.” Photo: Graham Robertson/Guardian

Chinese automotive firms, bolstered by support from both national and local governments, are seizing the opportunity presented by the transition to electric vehicles to take a leading role in the global car market.

world export graph

Challenges such as elevated trade barriers in the EU and U.S. and global supply chain disruptions are currently impacting the industry. Following the Netherlands’ move to regulate the Chinese-owned semiconductor firm Nexperia, export restrictions on critical semiconductors have begun to surface. Additionally, China’s limitations on rare earth metals crucial for various automotive components are unsettling for executives in the industry, leading Brussels to expedite negotiations for a moratorium similar to last month’s U.S.-China trade agreement.

Despite these hurdles, the UK continues to maintain an open stance and has emerged as a key playing field.

Leading the charge is China’s BYD, expected to surpass Tesla this year to become the largest battery electric vehicle manufacturer globally. Sales in the UK have soared tenfold in September compared to the previous year, establishing BYD as its largest market outside of China.

Other participants are also joining the fray, with Chery Automobile recognized as Britain’s top-selling Chinese manufacturer in October. The Jaecoo, Omoda, and Chery brands are targeting the UK market with electric and hybrid offerings that merge small batteries with traditional petrol engines. While MG represents a historic British name, its monthly sales, manufactured by state-owned SAIC, have surpassed those of the proud British nameplate Vauxhall (despite much of its production occurring in Germany).

Meanwhile, Swedish brands Volvo and Polestar, both owned by China’s Geely Automobile, alongside Great Wall Motors, Volkswagen-backed Expen, and Stellantis-backed Leap Motor, have each sold over 1,000 vehicles in the UK this year, preparatory to extensive product launches.

china sales chart

In the U.S., Chinese electric and hybrid vehicles are subject to a 100% tariff, while EU tariffs vary by manufacturer, falling between 17% to 38%. Although these rates are not excessive, they do not encompass hybrid cars, inadvertently encouraging Chinese manufacturers to market vehicles with higher emissions. Countries such as Italy and Spain are also emerging as targets for Chinese sellers.

Conversely, the UK—a significant car importer—is confronted with new tariffs but is keen on introducing electric models to fulfill carbon reduction goals.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Motor Vehicle Manufacturers’ Trade Association, stated that Britain desires both a thriving domestic market and a robust manufacturing base, grounded in “free and fair trade.”

“British car buyers benefit from having over 50 global brands at their disposal, and the market remains receptive to new entrants,” he asserts. Chinese brands are “stimulating competition as established market players adapt, enhance model development, and lower costs.”

While diplomatic issues may affect relations, recent tensions surrounding accusations of Chinese espionage have underscored the UK’s inconsistent attitude towards the world’s second-largest economy.

“The primary factor is [the lack of tariffs in the UK] — there are no domestic manufacturers to safeguard,” noted Tu Le, a former auto worker in Detroit and Shanghai who established the consultancy Sino Auto Insights.

UK market share chart

According to Mr. Schmidt, British consumers are increasingly receptive to earlier waves of international brands. In the 1980s, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher attracted Japanese manufacturers such as Nissan, Honda, and Toyota to establish operations in Britain, promoting the country as a portal to Europe (a distinction complicated decades later by Brexit-imposed rules of origin). The next wave consisted of imported Korean cars.

“We are witnessing history repeat itself,” Schmidt remarked. The UK has emerged as the initial European entry point for Chinese brands, despite the absence of a local manufacturing base.

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Historically, low-quality Chinese cars were often dismissed as jokes by Western executives, a perception that has long subsided. Forecasts predict China will surpass Japan in 2023 to become the largest global exporter. Similar to Europe, Chinese brands are still selling in Russia, whereas their European counterparts have faced blockades following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Meanwhile, interest in Latin America is steadily increasing.

“There have been two waves of Chinese entry into Europe,” Young states. “Some of the initial products did not align with UK market demands. However, the brands have generally improved.”

The push for expansion, driven by regional competition in urban centers, has led to significant overcapacity within Chinese automotive factories. While the potential output could reach 55.5 million vehicles annually, actual production is just under half that figure, according to Bloomberg, citing data from the Shanghai-based Gasgoo Automotive Research Institute.

This has sparked fierce price competition within the Chinese market. The Chinese Communist Party has urged manufacturers to avoid excessive competitive behaviors, fearing “entrainment,” which could lead to destructive competition that stifles advancement.

Domestic pricing pressures contribute to more rational export strategies. Nevertheless, according to Andrew Bergbaum, global leader for automotive and industrial at consulting firm AlixPartners, the Chinese brands successfully breaking into European markets typically retail their vehicles at higher prices than in China—a sign of strength rather than desperation.

“The exporting brands are often well-established,” Bergbaum explained. “This represents a strategic move rather than a fire sale. The ability to command higher prices is highly attractive.”

China’s market influx coincides with Europe grappling with excess factory capacities. AlixPartners estimates that European automakers could be carrying two excess factories, potentially risking up to 2 million sales to Chinese brands in the forthcoming years.

This surplus capacity, combined with tariff incentives for local construction, suggests Chinese automakers might acquire properties from older rivals. This is already occurring in Barcelona, where Chery Automobile has taken over a factory previously owned by Japan’s Nissan.

European lawmakers and manufacturers argue that substantial subsidies have diluted the profits of Chinese automakers (though Western companies rarely lack support from their governments). Yet, the primary driver behind the surge in sales in China remains straightforward: consumer preference.

“British drivers are benefitting,” stated Tanya Sinclair, chief executive of British Electric Vehicle, a group funded by the industry advocating for increased battery sales.

“Regardless of the name change, the appeal is evident: high standards, competitive pricing, and innovation that enhances standards universally,” she affirms. “As long as the UK vehicle market is integral to the battery electric future, British cars will maintain a strong presence. However, competition and variety are paramount to a robust market.”

Exploring the features available in vehicles reveals their allure for customers. Special offerings from some Chinese brands range from novelty features like built-in karaoke apps to advanced technologies such as driver assistance systems—importantly, made available at far lower prices than European luxury brands.

“Ultimately, it’s about value,” Lee states. “These cars are exceptional. If I create a superior product that offers greater value to the customer, I’ve succeeded.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Quantum Computers: Finally Attaining Unchallenged Dominance

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Quantinuum’s Quantum Computer

Quantinuum

What unique capabilities do quantum computers possess that traditional computers cannot replicate? This question is central to a swiftly evolving industry, and recent findings aim to provide clarity on this topic.

Unlike classical bits, quantum computers utilize qubits that can occupy multiple states beyond just “0” or “1”, offering potential computational advantages. However, the debate on whether quantum computers can accomplish tasks beyond the reach of the most advanced traditional computers, including the notion of quantum supremacy, remains complex and contentious. This is primarily due to the stipulation that genuine demonstrations of quantum advantage must involve practical computational tasks, achievable with realistic quantum technology, while explicitly excluding any mathematical or algorithmic enhancements that may allow classical computers to eventually catch up.

William Crescher from The University of Texas at Austin and his colleagues are presently conducting experiments that satisfy both criteria. In contrast to earlier claims of quantum dominance, which were ultimately bridged by classical computing advancements, the researchers assert, “Our results are clear and enduring: no future classical algorithm development will close this gap.”

The team executed a complex mathematical experiment addressing communication challenges using 12 qubits created from laser-controlled ions by the Quantum Computing Company Quantinuum. The experiment’s objective was for two virtual participants, referred to as Alice and Bob, to devise the most efficient method for exchanging messages and performing calculations.

One section of the quantum computer, acting as Alice, prepares a specific quantum state and transmits it to Bob, another segment of the machine. Bob must discern its properties and determine how to measure Alice’s state to produce an output. By iterating this process, the duo can establish a means to forecast Bob’s output before Alice discloses her state.

The researchers conducted the procedure 10,000 times to refine the way Alice and Bob execute their tasks. With an analysis of these iterations and a rigorous mathematical examination of the protocol involved, it was found that classical algorithms with fewer than 62 bits could not compete with the performance of a 12-qubit quantum computer in this particular task. For a classical algorithm to achieve equivalent performance, it would require a performance threshold of about 330 bits, representing a nearly 30-fold difference in computational capability.

“This is an extraordinary scientific achievement that illustrates the extent of the ‘quantum advantage’ landscape, which may be broader than previously understood,” said Ashley Montanaro from the University of Bristol, UK. “Unlike most demonstrations of quantum superiority, the prospect of discovering a superior classical algorithm is virtually impossible.”

Ronald de Wolf from the Dutch Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science highlights that this experiment effectively leverages the recent rapid enhancements in existing quantum technologies while drawing upon theories of communication complexity that have been explored for years.

“The intricacies of communication are known to contribute to a verifiable and realistic distinction between quantum and classical systems. The difference is that advancements in hardware have made it feasible to implement the model for the first time,” he explains. “Moreover, they tackled a novel challenge in communication complexity, revealing a significant gap between classical and quantum capabilities even with just 12 qubits.”

These new findings differentiate themselves from earlier demonstrations of quantum superiority, but share a crucial element: their immediate practicality remains uncertain. Notable examples of quantum advantage that could produce substantial real-world benefits, such as Shor’s algorithm which could revolutionize encryption, still await confirmation regarding their applicability.

In the future, research teams might enhance their findings further by separating Alice and Bob into distinct computers. While this limits the chances of unmonitored interactions affecting outcomes of the quantum computer, the true utility of quantum dominance remains a critical issue, according to De Wolf.

“Progress beyond mere [quantum] dominance is essential for achieving [quantum] utility. Quantum computers currently outperform classical ones in specific areas of genuine interest, like some chemical computations and logistics optimization,” he suggests.

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

EU to “Exploit” Dominance in Ad Tech, Leading to Google Fines of Approximately 3 Billion Euros

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Regulators from the European Union imposed a hefty fine of 2.95 billion euros ($3.5 billion) on Google for breaching competition laws by prioritizing its own digital advertising service.

As the administrative body for the 27-nation bloc and the leading antitrust authority, the European Commission mandated U.S. companies to cease their “self-preferences” and implement measures to eliminate “conflicts of interest” in the advertising technology supply chain.

The findings of the committee’s investigation indicated that Google “exploits” its dominant role within the ad technology sector.

In response, Google labeled the decision “incorrect” and announced plans to appeal.


Lee-Anne Mulholland, Google’s global regulatory director, commented, “This demands changes that could negatively impact countless European businesses by imposing unjust fines and inhibiting their profitability.”

This decision follows more than two years after the European Commission first raised antitrust accusations against Google. At that time, the Commission asserted that selling off parts of Google’s profitable digital advertising enterprise was the only viable way to address antitrust issues. However, this decision signifies a departure from their earlier stance and arises amid renewed tensions over trade, tariffs, and technology regulations between Brussels and the Trump administration.

Top officials in the EU have previously indicated that forced divestitures are being considered since past penalties against Google have proven ineffective in curbing anti-competitive practices, allowing the company to continue its behavior in other forms.

The committee’s penalty stems from a formal investigation initiated in June 2021, assessing whether Google compromised rival publishers, advertisers, and ad tech services in order to favor its own online display ad technology. Online display ads typically include banners and text that are customized based on user browsing patterns.

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Mulholland asserted: “We are not anti-competitive in offering our services to advertisers and publishers. The alternatives to our services have never been more abundant.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

How iPhone Apps Have Evolved with the App Store’s Recent Dominance

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The landscape of iPhone apps has evolved recently. The Kindle app now enables users to purchase books directly. Spotify is offering a free trial for users, and Patreon is adjusting its subscription fees, leading to higher costs for creators.

This shift reflects the impact of recent court rulings on the iPhone shopping experience. A federal judge ruled that Apple must allow apps to provide promotions and accept payments directly, facilitating features like direct book purchases from the website. The ruling has the potential to lower consumer prices by circumventing the 30% fees Apple charges on app sales.

For over ten years, Apple mandated that apps use its payment systems and collect commissions on sales.

Everything is now subject to change. Here’s why:

Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who became involved in the case following Epic Games’ lawsuit against Apple in 2020, ruled that Apple can no longer take commissions from sales linked through the app. She also stated that developers cannot be hindered by warning screens that restrict the creation of buttons and links for users to pay directly for products and services.

Amazon has requested updates to the Kindle app to enable direct book purchases.
credit…Kindle

For years, Kindle avoided selling books within the app to escape Apple’s 30% commission. It has now introduced a “Get Book” button that directs users to its website for purchases. Likewise, Apple has previously blocked Spotify from offering free trials, but now Spotify includes a button for a three-month trial in the app.

Other applications are now able to feature links for direct purchases from online stores, eliminating the need to pay Apple’s 30% fees. This means apps can provide lower prices and potentially reduce monthly subscriptions to $7.

Morgan Stanley estimates that Apple generates $11 billion annually from app sales in the U.S. While it won’t lose all of that revenue, $2 billion is currently considered at risk.

How much Apple stands to lose motivates changes in user behavior. The decade-old process for purchasing software and services via apps is not only well-known but also convenient. Users trust Apple with their payment information, and the company simplifies subscription cancellations, centralizing the experience. Many users may be hesitant to leave the app store for purchases, influencing apps to retain the existing system.

As Apple is required to permit apps to handle payments directly without levying a commission, similar expectations are emerging in the U.S. European, Japanese, and South Korean regulators, whom Apple is appealing to for leniency regarding the App Store, would likely oppose their developers and citizens facing higher costs than Americans.

Apple has announced plans to appeal the ruling, but overturning the decision may prove challenging. In 2021, the judge issued a non-normative ruling. Apple circumvented previous regulations by implementing a 27% commission on app sales. Mark A. Lemley, a Stanford antitrust professor, mentioned that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit will likely uphold the judge’s initial ruling from 2021, suggesting that “they have to take their licks and let it happen.”

Source: www.nytimes.com

Robert W. Macchesney passes away at 72 after sounding the alarm on corporate media dominance.

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Robert W. McShesney, an influential, left-leaning media critic who argued that corporate ownership was bad for American journalism and that the Silicon Valley billionaire who dominated online information was a threat to democracy, died on March 25th at his home in Madison, Wisconsin.

The cause was glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor, said his wife, Inger, stole it.

Both Professor McChesney were grounded in academia. He had a PhD. I’m taught communication and at university. And Ink-On Paper Journalism: He was the founder of Rocket, the Seattle music magazine that reviewed Nirvana’s first single.

His main papers were expressed in more than a dozen books and numerous articles and interviews, but the corporate-owned news media was overly compliant with a certain political force, limiting the views that Americans were exposed to. He further argued that the internet (the promise of the wild west market of opinion) was squeezed by some huge owners of online platforms.

An early book, Rich Media, Poor Democracy (1999) warned that the integration of journalism undermines democratic norms. Perhaps his most famous work, “Digital Cutting: How Capitalism Does the Internet Against Democracy” (2013), he rejected the utopian view that the digital revolution would arrive at the public frontier of sources and stimulate democracy.

Instead, he shows how the internet is destroying the business model of newspapers, while local government civilly hearted coverage features the lowest common denominator fluff, celebrity gossip, cat videos, and personal naval gaze.

Professor McChesney condemned capitalism.

“Profit motivation, commercialism, public relations, marketing, advertising – all the critical features of modern corporate capitalism – are the basis for an assessment of how the Internet can develop and potentially develop,” he writes.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Review of Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Dominance achieved by Samsung

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Ultra is Samsung’s biggest and largest mobile phone, packed gills with the latest technology. This means more artificial intelligence than ever before.

The Galaxy S25 Ultra leads the new wave of Android phones that promise to do it all. Combining Google’s advanced AI support with various Samsung tools for writing, drawing, photography, and chat.

However, at £1,249 (€1,449/$1,299.99/$2,149), the reality is slightly less futuristic than expected. While some AI tools can be impressive, others may falter.

The S25 Ultra is a modern glass slab enclosed in a titanium band. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The Ultra boasts a slimmer design, 14g lighter than its predecessor, with sharp flat sides and minimal bezels on a large, breathtaking screen. It is nearly a glass slab with a vibrant display.

It features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Chip, outpacing even the recent OnePlus 13 in performance tests. The chip’s performance is remarkable, enabling users to accomplish tasks smoothly on the phone. With a battery life lasting two full days of moderate use and 7.5 hours of active usage on tasks like photography and media, the Ultra stands out as one of the longest-lasting devices on the market.

specification

  • Main screen: 6.9 inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X (500PPI) 120Hz

  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Galaxy Elite

  • Ram: 12GB

  • Storage: 256, 512GB or 1TB

  • operating system: 1 UI 7 (Android 15)

  • camera: 200mp + 50mp 0.6x + 10mp 3x + 50mp 5x; 12MP front

  • Connectivity: 5G, USB-C, WiFi 7, NFC, Bluetooth 5.4, UWB, GNSS

  • water resistance: IP68 (1.5m in 30 minutes)

  • size: 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2mm

  • Weight: 218g

Sustainability

Samsung claims that the S25 Ultra is The most durable ever, although a case is still recommended for drops. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Samsung does not specify the expected battery lifespan, but it is designed to retain at least 80% of its original capacity after 500 full charge cycles.

Phone repairs are possible, with screen replacements costing £204 at authorized service centers, including battery replacement. Samsung also offers a self-healing program. The phone scored 5 out of 10 for repairability by experts at iFixit.

The device contains recycled materials such as aluminum, cobalt, copper, glass, gold, plastic, rare earth elements, and steel. Samsung provides a trade-in recycling scheme for old devices. The company also releases annual sustainability reports and impact assessments for some specific products.

More AI in more places

Some new AI tools are useful, while others are a bit gimmicky or unreliable. The Drawing Assist tool turns rough sketches into art (left). Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Samsung has integrated numerous “Galaxy AI” tools, including new drawing features and AI selection tools introduced last year. These tools allow users to interact with images, text, icons, and more on the screen, offering options like drawing, editing, searching, and more.

The “Now” bar on the lock screen displays various widgets like Google’s Live Sports Score, current music, timers, flight reminders, and more. It resembles Google’s At a Glance feature and Apple’s dynamic widgets, providing convenient access to timely information. Live notifications, such as sports scores, can also be shown in the status bar.

The AI-curated snapshots feature local weather, calendar events, photos, reminders, health information, Spotify playlists, and more. It even warns users about using the phone while walking. However, some may find these features less useful.

The S-pen stylus remains for drawing on the screen, but one of the important selling points since the Galaxy Note series era – the magic wand and the remote feature have been removed. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Introducing the Next Generation of Google’s Gemini Assistant, promising to perform multiple tasks efficiently. While the capabilities are impressive when they work, they can sometimes falter, leading to frustration with inaccuracies. Trusting the AI tools completely can be a challenge.

The overall software experience with One UI 7 is smooth, resembling Apple’s iOS in some aspects but offering enough customization options to personalize the phone’s look and functionality. Samsung’s commitment to providing software and security updates for the S25 Ultra for seven years after release rivals the best support from Google and Apple.

camera

The camera app is fairly easy to operate despite its functionality. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The S25 Ultra features a revamped camera system similar to its predecessor, offering a range of options from the main 200mp camera to various telephoto lenses. The new and improved 50MP Ultra Wide Camera provides better low-light performance compared to previous models, producing sharper images in dimly lit environments.

Equipped with numerous modes and tools, including portrait modes and manual controls, the camera app allows users to capture unique and high-quality photos. The standout feature remains the adaptability to use multiple lenses for different scenarios, offering versatility in photography.

price

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra starts at £1,249 (€1,449/$1,299.99/A$2,149) with 256GB of storage.

Comparatively, the Galaxy S25 is priced at £799, the S25+ at £999, the Z-fold 6 at £1,519, and the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL at £1,099. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is priced at £1,199.

verdict

The Galaxy S25 Ultra sets a high standard for Android phones with its powerful features and versatility.

Boasting multiple lens options in the camera system, top-of-the-line Android chip, long battery life, expansive storage, a large screen, and a stylus, the Ultra offers a complete package for users.

However, while it excels in many areas, the design and lack of significant innovation may leave some users wanting more. The AI features, while impressive at times, can also be hit or miss, affecting the overall user experience.

The Ultra stands out as a top-tier mobile phone, but buyers should temper their expectations regarding exaggerated AI capabilities.

Strong Points: A massive 120Hz screen, a highly capable camera with 3x optical zoom, excellent software with 7 years of support, top android chip, long battery life, access to the latest AI features.

Cons: The huge and extremely expensive S-Pen doesn’t have the small magic of the previous version, and does not significantly improve the formula of its predecessor.

< Source: www.theguardian.com

UK watchdog examining Google’s search dominance

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Google is currently under investigation by Britain’s competition watchdog regarding the effects of its search and advertising practices on consumers, news publishers, businesses, and other search engines.

The Competition and Markets Authority reports that Google dominates over 90% of general searches in the UK.

The CMA estimates that search advertising costs UK households nearly £500 annually, but competition can help lower this cost.


The CMA has announced an investigation to determine if Google is hindering competition in the market and engaging in potentially exploitative practices, such as collecting large amounts of consumer data without informed consent.

Additionally, the investigation will assess if Google is unfairly promoting its shopping and travel services using its dominant search engine position.

The investigation is expected to last up to nine months, during which Google will be required to share data with other companies and provide publishers with more control over their content.

This investigation marks the first under the new digital market competition regulations in the UK, enabling authorities to impose conduct requirements on technology companies.

Pressure from the US to regulate tech companies has been increasing leading up to President Trump’s inauguration. Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg criticized European laws and expressed intentions to work with the new US administration to protect American companies.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has plans to integrate AI into the UK economy and establish partnerships with AI companies with a pro-growth approach to regulation.

The EU is reportedly reevaluating its investigations into US tech giants, including Google, Meta, and Apple, under digital market regulations, potentially altering the scope of the probes.

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The CMA’s investigation will examine the impact of Google’s search, advertising platform, and AI assistant.

CMA Chief Executive Sara Cardel emphasized the importance of fair competition and consumer rights in search services and data privacy.

Google has responded by stating that search is crucial for economic growth and they will collaborate with the CMA to ensure compliance with new regulations.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Unlocking the Mystery of Dinosaur Dominance: Fossilized Poop Holds Clues

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We now know that dinosaurs were large reptiles that ruled the Earth, but scientists have always been curious about why it took them 30 million years to reach their peak. New research on fossilized poop and vomit may have found the answer – food.

According to the study, carnivorous dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus may owe their massive size to their plant-eating ancestors. If these herbivores hadn’t consumed so many plants, researchers suggest that dinosaurs might not have evolved into the colossal creatures we know today.

The fossilized poop and vomit, dated back to about 230 to 200 million years ago, provide insights into the ancient food web. By studying over 500 fossils, scientists identified various prey items from beetles to bones, shedding light on the evolving food chains during the Triassic period.

By combining this information with climate data and other fossils, researchers gained valuable knowledge about the prehistoric environment and the species that coexisted with dinosaurs on Earth.

“Sometimes seemingly ordinary fossils hold extraordinary information that is invaluable,” said study co-author Dr. Martin Kvarnström from Uppsala University in Sweden, as reported by BBC Science Focus.

Co-author Dr. Grzegorz Niedzwicki added, “Understanding the dietary habits of early dinosaurs can offer insights into their success as a group and the importance of predator-prey relationships in shaping Earth’s evolutionary history.”

The study, featured in Nature magazine, analyzed digestive samples from south-central Poland, providing clues about the Late Triassic period and the changes in vegetation during that time.

By employing advanced scanning techniques, researchers were able to visualize intricate details of the fossils, unveiling significant discoveries about the size and distribution of vertebrate populations before the dominance of dinosaurs.

Scientists scanned more than 500 fossils for the study. – Illustration: Qvarnström et al., Nature, 2024

This research model opens up opportunities to explore ancient species in different regions worldwide, emphasizing the importance of analyzing fossilized remains beyond just skeletal findings.

“We aim to highlight the significance of saprolites in reconstructing ancient ecosystems, moving beyond their conventional perception as mere curiosities,” noted Kvarnström.

“While everyone focuses on fossilized skeletons, it is the organic remains that provide crucial insights into the ancient ecological dynamics,” added Niedzwicki.

About our experts:

Dr. Martin Kvarnström, a researcher at Uppsala University, specializes in using fossils to study reptilian diets, particularly dinosaurs.

Dr. Grzegorz Niedzwicki, also a researcher at Uppsala University, focuses on the early evolution of dinosaurs and quadrupeds.

Read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Could fossilized excrement unlock the secrets of dinosaur dominance on Earth?

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We now know that dinosaurs were giant reptiles that dominated the Earth, but scientists have long wondered why it took them 30 million years to reach their peak. New research on their fossilized poop and vomit may have found the answer suggests that there was food in their waste.

Carnivorous dinosaurs like tyrannosaurus may have their herbivore ancestors to thank for their enormous size. The researchers propose that if these plant-eating animals hadn’t ingested so many plants, dinosaurs might not have evolved into the giant creatures we know today.

The fossilized poop and vomit, known as bromalite or copralite, dates back to around 230 to 200 million years ago, a time long before the reign of the tyrannosaurus and the Chicxulub asteroid impact that led to the extinction of dinosaurs.

Scientists reconstructed a “food web” from the undigested meals of early dinosaurs, revealing the intricate relationships between different species during the Triassic period. By scanning over 500 fossils, they found evidence of various organisms, including beetles, bones, and partially digested fish.

Combining this information with climate data and other fossils provided insights into the diverse flora and fauna coexisting with dinosaurs on Earth.

“Sometimes seemingly ordinary fossils contain remarkable information that cannot be found anywhere else,” said Dr. Martin Kvarnström, a study co-author from Uppsala University in Sweden, as reported by BBC Science Focus.

Dr. Grzegorz Niedzwicki, another co-author from Uppsala University, added, “Understanding the diet of early dinosaurs may help us grasp why this group thrived. The evolution of life on Earth hinges on predator-prey dynamics and feeding habits.”

A study published in Nature analyzed digestive samples from south-central Poland during the Late Triassic period when the region was part of the Pangea supercontinent.

According to experts, increased volcanic activity and humidity favored the growth of moisture-loving plants during this time, potentially influencing the evolution of dinosaurs.

The study utilized advanced scanning techniques to reveal detailed information from the fossils, highlighting changes in vertebrate populations leading up to the dominance of dinosaurs.

The researchers aim to apply this model to study ancient species in other regions and emphasize the importance of fossilized waste in reconstructing ancient food webs.

“Everyone is focused on finding fossilized skeletons, but it’s the waste that offers valuable insights into events from millions of years ago,” remarked Niedzwicki.

About our experts:

Dr. Martin Kvarnström is a researcher at Uppsala University in Sweden, focusing on using fossils to understand reptile diets, including dinosaurs.

Dr. Grzegorz Niedzwicki, also from Uppsala University, specializes in the early evolution of dinosaurs and other quadrupeds.

Read more

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Elon Musk Issues Warning About Starlink Dominance in Brazilian Amazon: “I Can’t Survive Without It”

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The helicopter descended into a remote part of the Amazon rainforest, where Brazil’s special forces leaped off and dove into the waters teeming with caimans.

Their mission was to uncover a massive steel structure concealed in the forests along the Boia River in Brazil. An illegal mining dredger was caught in the act of excavating the riverbed for gold.

In the crackdown, authorities found mercury bottles, gold, and a drill bit on board. They also discovered a high-tech Starlink satellite internet receiver, linking the criminal network.

Starlink antennas have become ubiquitous in the Amazon, providing internet connectivity to remote areas where it was once unimaginable.

Brazilian special forces said they had seized a number of Starlink antennas from criminals this year. Photo: Joan Raet/The Guardian

Starlink’s expansion in Brazil has transformed connectivity in remote areas, but it has raised concerns about data privacy and national security.

Brazilian authorities worry about Musk’s influence over Starlink and his erratic behavior, which could jeopardize the country’s reliance on the technology.

The global reliance on Starlink, led by Musk, has sparked debates about the potential risks of a single company dominating the satellite internet market.

A Starlink device discovered by Ibama during an illegal mining operation in a remote area of the Amazon. Photo: AP

Countries like Ukraine have shown the strategic importance of Starlink for national defense against potential threats. However, concerns about over-reliance on Musk’s company have surfaced.

Starlink’s near-monopoly in providing satellite internet services has raised questions about the geopolitical implications of Musk’s control over critical infrastructure.

As the competition in the satellite internet market intensifies, the Musk factor could sway customers’ choices, influencing the future landscape of global connectivity.

Calls for diversifying satellite internet providers and reducing dependence on a single entity like Starlink have gained traction amid growing concerns about data security and political influence.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The story of Taiwan’s semiconductor dominance: How it was achieved and why it will be maintained | Taiwan

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THsinchu Science Park on Taiwan’s west coast is so lush, with well-planned and clearly signed roads and modern, well-maintained buildings that from the outside, most visitors would not even realise they were visiting one of the world’s most important factories.

Once known for its fish ball street food, Hsinchu is now known as Taiwan’s Silicon Valley, a tech-centric microcosm that channels workers from schools to universities and into the world’s leading semiconductor industry that’s crucial to global supply chains.

Chips, or semiconductors, are the tiny technological components that power almost everything: your computers, your mobile phones, your cars, etc. A single chip contains tens of billions of transistors needed to make electronic devices work, and the most advanced chips (mainly made in Taiwan) contain even more.

Taiwanese semiconductors were thrust into the spotlight this week after Donald Trump rehashed old accusations that Taiwan has stolen U.S. business, using the allegation to question whether the U.S. would continue its longstanding support for Taiwan if he is re-elected president in November.

“They took over almost 100% of our semiconductor industry,” he argued in an interview with Bloomberg. “We should never have allowed that to happen.”

In some parts of Taiwan, Trump’s comments were like a gangster asking for protection money, given that the United States is Taiwan’s most important security partner in countering the threat of Chinese annexation.

There is little evidence to support Trump’s claim that Taiwan has stolen U.S. property, but there is no denying that Taiwan controls nearly 100% of the cutting edge of the global semiconductor industry.

Taiwan produces about 90% of the world’s most advanced semiconductors, most of which are produced through Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the world’s largest producer and a major supplier to Apple and Nvidia.

“Taiwan was simply more competitive than other countries,” said Raymond Kuo, a political scientist at the RAND Corporation.




People walk in front of the TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) logo at the Taiwanese semiconductor contract manufacturing and design company’s building in Hsinchu. Photo: SOPA Images Limited/Alamy

Manufacturers like TSMC rose to prominence by focusing on research and development and relentless efficiency, allowing them to pack more transistors onto a smaller chip than their competitors. Taiwanese workers are highly educated, and in a society where salaries are low compared to the cost of living, semiconductor jobs are well-paying but highly demanding. Taiwan’s labor protection laws are much weaker than those in the United States and other countries. For Taiwanese people, working for TSMC or a similar company is seen as a prestigious job with a bright future.

“[Companies] Masters or PhD holders can run the factory in three shifts. [fabrication plants] “Every day, new chipmakers are coming in,” Kuo said. “There’s also a whole secondary industry ecosystem built to support them.”

Taiwan’s vice minister for science and technology said on Thursday that Taiwan has spent 30 to 40 years developing its industries so “it is impossible to simply replace and difficult to imitate.”

While other countries are trying to catch up, some reports suggest the gap is widening. Taiwan’s monopoly on the components that literally power the world raises concerns about the vulnerability of global supply chains, especially if China’s leaders were to one day order an invasion or attack.

“It’s not hard to imagine Beijing using its control of these production facilities to coerce other countries into submitting to its subjugation,” Kuo said. “Semiconductors will become another tool Beijing can use to coerce other countries economically and politically.”

During the pandemic, the world got a firsthand look at how a supply chain crisis and chip shortage can affect global trade, as factory closures snowballed into a global chip shortage, delaying manufacturing and sending prices of autos and other products soaring.

In response to the crisis, other countries have tried to diversify their supply sources, mainly through Taiwanese companies setting up new manufacturing plants overseas, but with limited success.

Thanks to U.S. incentives, some of Taiwan’s production has shifted to the U.S., and TSMC is spending billions to build new factories overseas, including a $65 billion investment in three factories in Arizona. In Arizona The facility revealed challenges in replicating the Taiwanese model for a variety of reasons, including differences in approaches to labor rights and worker demands.

TSMC founder and former chairman Morris Chang previously said the cost of the U.S. project would be much higher, describing it as a “wasteful, expensive and wasteful endeavor.”

For Taiwan, this advantage is a good thing from a national security perspective: Geopolitical observers call Taiwan’s semiconductor industry a “silicon shield,” serving as an incentive for the international community to keep Taiwan away from Beijing’s control.

In response to Trump’s remarks, Taiwanese officials emphasized the strength of U.S.-Taiwan relations and extensive international cooperation in the semiconductor sector (Taiwan is home to several foreign semiconductor companies), but also indicated their intention to keep Taiwan’s research and development domestic and maintain its industrial dominance.

“Diversification means countries have less reason to defend Taiwan,” Kuo said. “Why should they defend it when they can easily switch to another supplier?”

Source: www.theguardian.com

UK watchdog may thwart big tech companies’ ambitions for AI dominance.

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“MMonopoly is Silicon Valley’s answer to Darth Vader and is “a condition of all successful business,” said Peter Thiel. This aspiration is widely shared by Valley giant Gamman, his new acronym for Google, Apple, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, and Nvidia. And with the advent of AI, each one’s desire to reach that blessed state before others gets there is even greater.

One sign of their anxiety is that they are spending insane amounts of money on the 70-odd generative AI startups that have proliferated since it became clear that AI was going to be the new thing. Microsoft, for example, reportedly spent $13bn (about £10.4bn) on OpenAI, while leading a $1.3bn funding round for DeepMind co-founder Mustafa Suleiman’s startup Inflection. He was also an investor. Amazon invested $4 billion in Anthropic, a startup founded by refugees from OpenAI. Google invested $500 million in the same business, he pledged an additional $1.5 billion, and he invested an unknown amount in A121 Labs and Hugging Face.
(Yes, I know the name doesn’t mean anything.) Microsoft also invested in his French AI startup, Mistral. and so on. In 2023, only $9 billion of the $27 billion invested in AI startups was invested. From a venture capitalist company –Until recently, the company was by far the largest funder of emerging technology companies in Silicon Valley.

what’s happening? After all, the big tech companies have their own “fundamental” AI models and don’t need what smaller companies have built or are building. And every penny drops. We’ve seen this strategy before. An existing company discovers and captures potential competitors at an early stage. For example, Google acquired YouTube in his 2006. Facebook acquired Instagram for $1 billion in 2012 when it had only 13 employees, and WhatsApp in 2014 (for $19 billion, which seemed an exorbitant amount at the time).

With the 20/20 vision of hindsight, we now see that these were all anti-competitive acquisitions that should have been resisted at the time and were not. That’s why it’s so refreshing to know that at least one regulator, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), seems determined to learn from its history.

in Speech given at a gathering of American antitrust lawyers Just over a week ago in Washington, CMA CEO Sara Cardel called for ensuring the market for fundamental AI models is supported by fair, open and effective competition and strong consumer protections. announced that he had decided to do so. Her concern is that the growing presence of a few large incumbents across the AI ​​value chain (the series of steps required to turn inputs into usable outputs) will undermine competition and limit companies’ options. This meant that there was a possibility that these markets could be formed in a way that degraded quality. and consumers.

She cited three major risks to competition. One is that companies that control critical inputs for developing the underlying model may restrict access to protect themselves from competition. Powerful incumbents may exploit their positions in consumer and business markets to limit competition in model deployment and thereby distort choice. And we believe that partnerships between key players have the potential to strengthen or expand existing market power across the value chain.

He also said the CMA would take action to assess and mitigate competition risks from new technologies through its formidable investigatory powers, including merger control reviews, market investigations and possible designations under new digital competition laws. I warned you.

It was truly amazing to hear a major regulator speak like this about the technology industry. Cardel said the CMA will be a technology industry that believes in being proactive and (as is often said) moving quickly to break things, rather than waiting for problems to arise before acting. He suggested that he would try to stay ahead of the big players rather than lag behind them. He said the CMA is already preparing for this task based on what it has learned so far from adapting to technology platforms. Rather than focusing only on individual parts of the chain, the value of AI model deploymenthe aims to look at the entire chain holistically. It also plans to use its merger review powers more aggressively to assess the impact of alliances and AI investments on competition.

Isn’t that exciting? But in some ways it is no surprise as it is one of the few British institutions that seems able to use the post-Brexit freedoms as an opportunity for creativity and innovation. And bigwigs who are tempted to dismiss Cardel’s speech as mere fiery rhetoric should reflect on the CMA’s recent track record. A thorough investigation into Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, for example; or how Meta forced the sale of Giphy, an online database and search engine that allows users to find and share animated GIF files. Cardel may be lower profile than her U.S. FTC counterpart Lina Khan, but it’s clear she means business. People with strong possessiveness should be careful.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The competition between US and China for dominance in EV battery technology escalates

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Semiconductors have become a focus of U.S. efforts to thwart China’s technological advances in recent years. Washington is now turning its attention to another hot technology area where China is making significant progress: electric vehicle batteries.

Earlier this month, the Treasury and Energy Departments was suggested Joe Biden approved a rule last year that would limit electric vehicle buyers from claiming tax credits if their cars contain battery materials from China or other countries deemed “hostile” to the United States. Under the president’s flagship climate change law, consumers are entitled to up to $7,500 in subsidies for electric vehicles. Purchasing EVs manufactured in the U.S. using primarily domestic materials.

In response, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce counterattacked Last week, it said the U.S. rules “discriminate against Chinese companies and violate WTO rules.” Excluding Chinese suppliers from U.S. tax incentives is “typical of non-market-oriented policies and practices,” the department said.

The rule, aimed at reducing U.S. dependence on Chinese supply chains in a new era of decoupling, comes as part of the president’s plan to cut global warming greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030. This is likely to hinder Biden’s efforts to boost sales of EVs.

Also at stake is America’s aim to curb China’s dominance in a field that is booming as countries transition to electric vehicles. China’s two largest battery manufacturers, CATL and BYD, together accounted for about 53% of global EV battery usage in the first 10 months of this year, according to data from China. SNE Research.

According to the research firm, as of the third quarter of this year, China was the world’s largest EV market with a 58% share, followed by the United States and Germany. counterpoint.

Major South Korean companies such as LG, Samsung, and SK On offer competitive alternatives to China’s cheap and advanced batteries and are most likely to benefit from deteriorating US-China relations. . But even the South Korean company is reeling from new geopolitical complications.

Even though SK-on has been approached by both Ford and Hyundai to launch battery projects in the United States, Choi Tae-won, president of parent company SK Group, recently said, blamed The US keeps battery costs high. The artillery division of South Korean conglomerates is now forced to look elsewhere for materials outside of China.China Owns the majority of the global supply chain for EV batteriesfrom mining rare minerals to refining and cell production.

To maintain cost appeal, Chinese battery companies are setting up factories in the U.S. and requiring buyers to continue to qualify for the EV tax credit. Industry giants like Gotion, BYD, and CATL have strategic plans to manufacture in the United States, but the path is not without obstacles. Ford, for example, suspended plans to build a $3.5 billion EV battery factory with CATL in Michigan as U.S. politicians scrutinize its contract with the Chinese company.

Source: techcrunch.com