Innovation/ Technology

Roku Inc., the maker of TV streaming boxes and software, is debuting its first high-end televisions in a bid to continue sales momentum for the company’s devices. In the spring, Roku will roll out 55-inch, 65-inch and 75-inch Pro Series TVs that will cost consumers as much as $1,500. The new televisions put Roku in competition with Samsung Electronics Co. and LG Electronics Inc., which offer several models in that price range. It’s a step up from the company’s current TVs — the Select and Plus — which top out at $999. Roku announced the new models on Wednesday ahead of the CES technology conference scheduled for next week in Las Vegas. The new TVs include a thinner design with a flat back for mounting on walls, improved picture quality and better audio for cinematic sound, th...

Samsung Electronics Co said Wednesday it will unveil new Galaxy S series smartphones later this month, with a focus on artificial intelligence, Yonhap news agency reported. The world’s largest smartphone maker said it will hold a Galaxy Unpacked event in San Jose, California, on Jan 17 (local time), with the theme “Galaxy Unpacked 2024: Opening a New Era of Mobile AI.” “Get ready to discover a new era full of possibilities with the latest Galaxy innovations, designed to transform how you live, connect and create. “The new Galaxy S series will set a higher standard for the most intelligent mobile experience yet,” Samsung said in its invitation to the event. While Samsung did not share the detailed product lineup, Galaxy S24 flagship smartphones are expected to be unveiled a...

Apple Inc. said it would put its latest smartwatch models back on sale in its US retail stores Wednesday after it won a court ruling in a patent fight, providing a quick reprieve for its $17 billion business. The company said its Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 would also resume online sales beginning Thursday by noon Pacific time. The US International Trade Commission had banned the import and sale of the products at Apple’s official channels after it ruled in favor of Masimo Corp., a medical device maker, in a patent infringement case. An appellate court in Washington had issued an interim stay of the ITC’s decision earlier Wednesday while Apple seeks to overturn the decision. “Apple’s teams have worked tirelessly over many years to develop technology that empowers users with...

Legendary designer Jony Ive (picture) and OpenAI’s Sam Altman are enlisting an Apple Inc. veteran to work on a new artificial intelligence hardware project, aiming to create devices with the latest capabilities. As part of the effort, outgoing Apple executive Tang Tan will join Ive’s design firm LoveFrom, which will shape the look and capabilities of the new products, according to people familiar with the matter. Altman, an executive who has become the face of modern AI, plans to provide the software underpinnings, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the endeavor isn’t public. The work marks one of the most ambitious efforts undertaken by Ive since he left Apple in 2019 to create LoveFrom. The iconic designer is famous for the products he helped devise under ...

More than two decades after J.K. Rowling introduced the world to a universe of magical creatures, forbidden forests and a teenage wizard, Harry Potter is finding renewed relevance in a very different body of literature: AI research. A growing number of researchers are using the best-selling Harry Potter books to experiment with generative artificial intelligence technology, citing the series’ enduring influence in popular culture and the wide range of language data and complex wordplay within its pages. Reviewing a list of studies and academic papers referencing Harry Potter offers a snapshot into cutting-edge AI research — and some of the thorniest questions facing the technology. In perhaps the most notable recent example, Harry, Hermione and Ron star in a paper titled “Who’s ...

India's financial crime-fighting agency has arrested two senior employees working for Chinese smartphone maker Vivo's India unit, a source directly involved with the case said on Saturday, which the company vowed to challenge legally. The arrests come two months after the Enforcement Directorate arrested four industry executives, including one Chinese national, working for Vivo's Indian unit in a case of alleged money laundering, charges the firm has denied. India has stepped up scrutiny of Chinese businesses and investments following a deadly border clash in 2020. "We are deeply alarmed by the current action of the authorities," said a Vivo spokesperson. "The recent arrests demonstrate continued harassment and as such induce an environment of uncertainty amongst the wider indus...

Apple Inc. is ramping up production of the Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, setting the stage for a launch by February, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Production of the new headset is running at full speed at facilities in China and has been for several weeks, according to the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. The goal is for customer-bound units to be ready by the end of January, with the retail debut planned for the following month, the people said. The company sent an email to software developers on Wednesday encouraging them to “get ready” for the Vision Pro by testing their apps with the latest tools and sending their software to Apple for feedback. It’s another sign of an approaching release. The rollout will ...

Alphabet's (GOOGL.O) Google will pay $700 million and revamp its Play app store to allow for greater competition as part of an antitrust settlement with U.S. states and consumers, according to the company and filings in San Francisco federal court on Monday. Google will pay $630 million into a settlement fund for consumers and $70 million into a fund that will be used by states, according to the settlement, which still requires a judge's final approval. The settlement said eligible consumers will receive at least $2 and may get additional payments based on their spending on Google Play between Aug. 16, 2016 and Sept. 30, 2023. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, joined the settlement. Google was accused of overcharging consumers thr...