Microsoft to Separate Teams from Office Packages due to EU Competition Complaint
Microsoft is set to separate its Teams video conferencing and messaging software from its in-house Office package to avoid an antitrust investigation by the European Commission. This decision was a response to complaints from rival Slack, who objected to Microsoft integrating Teams into Microsoft 365 services. In the future, customers purchasing Microsoft’s Office will have the option to include Teams, and prices will vary accordingly. Microsoft is planning to charge different prices for Office, with or without Teams.
Google Announces First Foldable Smartphone
Google has confirmed rumors regarding the group’s first ever foldable smartphone, the Pixel Fold. A computer-generated video released by Google previews the phone from different angles and demonstrates how it opens and closes. Details regarding the technical features of the Pixel Fold will be officially unveiled at the Google I/O 2023 on May 10th. The phone is expected to feature a particularly durable hinge and will be sold at a price of over $1700.
White House Calls on AI Providers to Use AI Responsibly
The White House is increasing pressure on American providers of “artificial intelligence” (AI) to use them responsibly. Four top executives were summoned to the White House to discuss “concerns about the risks associated with AI.” CEOs from OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft, and Google met with US President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, and senior members of the Biden administration.
Apple Reports Record Sales of Smartphones in March Quarter
Apple has reported an increase in smartphone sales, marking a record high for the March quarter. However, group sales have been declining since the end of 2022, with operating profit and net profit also falling. The release of the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max was hampered by production problems, contributing to a poor Christmas quarter. Despite this, Apple was reportedly able to shift sales to the following quarter.
Qualcomm Reports Decline in Sales and Profits
Qualcomm has reported a 17% year-on-year decline in sales, with operating cash flow, operating profit, and pre-tax profit nearly halving. Net income also fell by 42%. As a result, Qualcomm shares have declined by over 5.5%. The outlook for the future indicates that further contraction is to be expected, with automotive sales being the only area experiencing growth.
Data Protection Concerns Raised for Smart Home Automation
As building automation becomes more common in private homes, data protection concerns arise. Since the sensors used in building automation generate personal data, this data must be stored and processed appropriately. These data protection issues are discussed in the c’t data protection podcast, where the data that can be obtained, how it is stored, and the legal basis of the GDPR are explored.
