Latest news with #technology
The Standard
17 minutes ago
- General
- The Standard
10 years after Europe's migration crisis, the fallout reverberates in Greece and beyond
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Tahawul Tech
19 minutes ago
- Business
- Tahawul Tech
Sirius is building next-gen ecosystems for future digital nations
In the heart of the UAE's technological rise, Sirius International Holding is executing one of the region's most strategic and forward-looking investment approaches. Far from chasing short-term trends or speculative returns, Sirius is building a next-generation ecosystem to modernise public systems, safeguard national data, and enable sovereign digital infrastructure. At the core of Sirius' model is an investment thesis rooted in longevity and relevance, to create a full ecosystem of interconnected companies that improve the way nations function. This means targeting technologies that don't just make life easier for governments, communities, and businesses, but make operations smarter, faster, and more resilient for them. Strategic Investment Areas AI for Public Infrastructure: Sirius invests in artificial intelligence models tailored for government use, ranging from national identification and citizen services to smart transport systems and predictive grid management. Sirius invests in artificial intelligence models tailored for government use, ranging from national identification and citizen services to smart transport systems and predictive grid management. Smart Utilities & Energy Systems: The firm backs technologies that modernise how power and water are distributed and secured, enabling municipalities to deliver sustainable services while maintaining full data sovereignty. The firm backs technologies that modernise how power and water are distributed and secured, enabling municipalities to deliver sustainable services while maintaining full data sovereignty. Healthcare Technology: Sirius supports the development of advanced diagnostic tools, interoperable medical platforms, and secure health data systems, helping healthcare providers scale efficiently and ethically. Sirius supports the development of advanced diagnostic tools, interoperable medical platforms, and secure health data systems, helping healthcare providers scale efficiently and ethically. Seaport and Airport Modernisation: Investments are channelled into digital infrastructure that transforms critical national gateways into autonomous, secure, and real-time managed hubs for trade and travel. Investments are channelled into digital infrastructure that transforms critical national gateways into autonomous, secure, and real-time managed hubs for trade and travel. Sovereign Blockchain & Digital Finance: Sirius enables trusted digital economies through infrastructure that supports secure, government-backed digital assets and currencies, establishing sovereign financial resilience. Sirius enables trusted digital economies through infrastructure that supports secure, government-backed digital assets and currencies, establishing sovereign financial resilience. Climate Innovation & the Circular Economy: The company funds scalable platforms for waste management, recycling logistics, and emissions monitoring, empowering public agencies to meet environmental goals while remaining digitally independent. Each investment Sirius makes builds toward a future where digital infrastructure is designed for and governed by the nations it serves. As more governments prioritise digital sovereignty and infrastructure control, Sirius is already operating at that frontier, powering what's next for smarter, more secure societies. Image Credit: Sirius International Holding
Forbes
40 minutes ago
- Business
- Forbes
China's Robot Maker Unitree Valued At $1.7 Billion In Series C Round
A Unitree humanoid robot performs Thursday, the first day of the Mobile World Conference in Shanghai. Unitree Robotics, a Hangzhou-based maker of humanoid robots whose founder recently met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, completed series C funding this month that values the company at 12 billion yuan ($1.7 billion), according to people with knowledge of the matter. As investors, the company attracted Chinese auto maker Geely Automobile, fintech giant Ant Group and investment firm HongShan Capital Group (formerly known as Sequoia Capital China), people familiar with the matter told Forbes Asia. The valuation of 12 billion yuan was confirmed by two investors who participated in the deal but requested anonymity. A Unitree representative confirmed the company completed the series C funding but said it had no further information to provide. Chinese media Late Post reported the deal first Thursday, saying that Unitree raised an undisclosed amount from investors that also included tech giant Tencent, e-commerce behemoth Alibaba and a fund affiliated with the state-run telecommunications giant China Mobile at a valuation of 'over 10 billion yuan.' Founded in 2016, the company is now at the forefront of China's robotics industry. Its 35-year-old founder Wang Xingxing, who is CEO and CTO, landed in February a coveted front-row seat at a meeting with Chinese President Xi. That meeting in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing also included Alibaba cofounder Jack Ma, Tencent Chairman Ma Huateng and DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng. Xi held the meeting to send a message of support to China's private sector amid a plethora of economic challenges. Seated in the first row in front of Xi was Unitree's Wang, who later shook hands with the president. The bespectacled young entrepreneur is helping China's development of humanoid robots, an emerging industry the country is keen to dominate as it vies for tech supremacy with the U.S. Unitree has developed products including a series of robot dogs that start from $1,600 and humanoid models priced from $16,000, according to its website. That compares with the $20,000 to $30,000 Tesla intends to charge for each of its Optimus humanoid products. The bipedal product from the American electric vehicle pioneer can walk, dance and perform household chores such as cooking, cleaning up tables and dumping trash, according to video clips posted on its X social media account. Unitree's humanoids are shown performing similar tasks on clips posted on its website. They shot to national fame in China when the robots danced alongside real people during a performance at January's 2025 Spring Festival Gala. A huge audience watched the performance as China celebrated the start of the Year of the Snake. Unitree's humanoid robots have also participated in marathons and battled real fighters in boxing competitions. The Unitree representative says the company controls over two thirds of the global market for quadruped robotics dogs and leads worldwide sales of humanoid robots. However, the representative declines to provide specific sales figures. Founder Wang has traced his interest in robots to at least 2013. The young entrepreneur was pursuing a graduate degree in mechanical engineering at Shanghai University when he designed XDog, a quadruped robot that helped him win second prize in a local competition. Wang briefly worked for Chinese drone maker DJI before founding Unitree in 2016. In 2017, he raised an undisclosed amount in seed funding before progressing to complete a series B round last year. At the time, his company raised at at least 1 billion yuan from investors including Chinese food-delivery giant Meituan, investment firm Source Code Capital and the state-affiliated Shenzhen Capital Group, according to the Qichacha local regulatory filing system.
Geeky Gadgets
an hour ago
- Geeky Gadgets
The Complete Guide to watchOS 26: 50+ New Features Revealed
Apple's latest watchOS 26 update introduces 50 new features that significantly enhance the Apple Watch's functionality, design, and integration. With improvements ranging from intuitive gestures to smarter app capabilities, this update redefines how users interact with their devices, making the Apple Watch an even more indispensable part of daily life. Below is a detailed exploration of the most impactful changes. The detailed video below from Nikias Molina gives us a look at lots of the new features in watchOS 26. Watch this video on YouTube. Streamlined Navigation with New Gestures The introduction of the new 'flick gesture' transforms navigation by allowing users to scroll through menus or notifications with a simple wrist movement. This feature complements the existing double-tap gesture, which remains a reliable shortcut for accessing key features. Together, these gestures create a more seamless and intuitive user experience, allowing faster interactions with the device. By reducing the need for physical touch, these gestures also enhance convenience, particularly during activities like workouts or when your hands are occupied. Modernized Interface with Liquid Glass Design watchOS 26 debuts a sleek 'liquid glass' design, offering a polished and cohesive aesthetic across the interface. This design upgrade extends to the control center, notification center, and app icons, creating a visually unified and modern experience. The revamped watch face gallery further enhances customization by making it easier to browse and select watch faces. Users can now personalize their devices with greater ease, making sure the interface reflects their unique preferences. Enhanced Control Center and Customization Personalization takes center stage with the ability to customize control center toggles, including support for third-party apps. This update enables users to tailor their Apple Watch to their specific needs, whether it's managing frequently used settings or integrating third-party tools. Additionally, smart home controls are now directly accessible from the watch, allowing users to manage accessories, scenes, and automations with a single tap. For instance, adjusting lighting, locking doors, or activating a security system is now more convenient than ever. Smarter Smart Stack Suggestions The Smart Stack becomes more intelligent and adaptive in watchOS 26, offering contextual suggestions based on user activity and environment. Whether you're navigating with Backtrack, using the camera remote, or checking your calendar, the stack dynamically adjusts to surface the most relevant tools and shortcuts. This enhancement ensures that the Apple Watch remains a proactive assistant, anticipating your needs and streamlining access to essential features. Workout App Upgrades for Fitness Enthusiasts Fitness tracking receives a significant upgrade with the introduction of the 'Workout Buddy' feature, which provides motivational audio feedback during exercise sessions. Users can now customize workout views to display metrics such as pace, heart rate, and cadence, with real-time alerts to help them stay on track. Music integration has also been enhanced, offering personalized playlists tailored to specific workout types. These updates make the Apple Watch an even more powerful companion for fitness enthusiasts, combining motivation, data, and entertainment. Apple Notes Comes to Your Wrist The Apple Notes app is now fully integrated into watchOS 26, allowing users to view, create, and pin notes directly from their Apple Watch. New complications provide quick access to notes, making it easier to manage tasks, reminders, and ideas on the go. This addition enhances productivity by making sure that important information is always within reach, whether you're at work, traveling, or running errands. Improved Messaging Features Messaging on the Apple Watch becomes more interactive and versatile with several new features. iMessage now includes live translation for real-time language support, making communication across different languages seamless. Group chats benefit from voting features, allowing participants to make decisions collaboratively. Additionally, wallpaper synchronization with iOS devices creates a visually cohesive experience across Apple's ecosystem, enhancing personalization and usability. Overhauled Phone App and Call Management The Phone app receives a comprehensive redesign, introducing contact posters for a more personalized calling experience. New features like hold assist and call screening improve call management, helping users handle interruptions more efficiently. These updates ensure that the Apple Watch continues to serve as a reliable communication tool, offering both functionality and convenience. Sound and Haptic Enhancements watchOS 26 introduces automatic volume adjustment, which adapts to ambient noise levels for an optimal listening experience. This feature ensures that users never miss important notifications or calls, even in noisy environments. Enhanced haptic feedback further improves interaction by providing more precise tactile responses, making the device more intuitive and user-friendly. Expanded Third-Party App Integration Third-party app support sees significant growth in watchOS 26, expanding the Apple Watch's versatility. For example, Tesla owners can now control their vehicles directly from their watch, while apps like Dark Noise enhance functionality in unique ways. These integrations highlight Apple's commitment to fostering a robust developer ecosystem, making sure that users have access to a wide range of innovative tools and services. Redesigned Apple Watch App on iPhone The Apple Watch app on iPhone has been redesigned with a liquid glass interface and improved navigation. This update simplifies the process of managing your watch's settings and features, offering a more intuitive and seamless experience. Users can now access and customize their Apple Watch settings with greater ease, making sure that the device remains tailored to their needs. watchOS 26: Elevating the Apple Watch Experience watchOS 26 represents a significant step forward in personalization, usability, and integration. From innovative gestures and a modernized interface to smarter app functionalities and expanded third-party support, this update ensures the Apple Watch remains a powerful tool for a wide range of users. Whether your focus is on fitness, productivity, or smart home management, watchOS 26 offers features designed to enhance your daily life and streamline your interactions with technology. Below are more guides on watchOS 26 features from our extensive range of articles. Source & Image Credit: Nikias Molina Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPhone, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
OpenAI CEO accuses Meta of offering $100 million bonuses to poach employees
Meta has allegedly tried to recruit employees from competitor OpenAI by offering bonuses as high as $100 million, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman claimed on a podcast that aired Tuesday. "[Meta] started making giant offers to a lot of people on our team," Altman said on the Uncapped podcast, which is hosted by his brother. "You know, like $100 million signing bonuses, more than that [in] compensation per year." Meta's Zuckerberg Aiming To Dominate Ai Race With Recruiting Push For New 'Superintelligence' Team: Report Meta's alleged attempts to recruit OpenAI workers come as the tech giant works to advance its artificial intelligence strategy and build a superintelligence unit that can meet or exceed human capabilities, according to Reuters. None of OpenAI's "best people" have so far accepted Meta's alleged offers, Altman said. Meta Signs 20-Year Nuclear Power Deal With Constellation Read On The Fox Business App Competition to recruit artificial intelligence workers has reached an all-time high, with some believing that individual workers can heavily influence the trajectory of a company's success, Reuters reported. "I've heard that Meta thinks of us as their biggest competitor," the OpenAI CEO said. Openai Says This State Will Play Central Role In Artificial Intelligence Development Altman's claims follow reports earlier this month that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is working on building a superintelligence team from a group of artificial intelligence researchers and engineers. The Facebook owner plans to hire about 50 people for the team and will personally recruit most of the members, Bloomberg News reported. Earlier this year, Zuckerberg announced Meta is investing $65 billion into AI in 2025, including the construction of a massive data center. Meta did not immediately respond to Fox Business' request for article source: OpenAI CEO accuses Meta of offering $100 million bonuses to poach employees Sign in to access your portfolio
