#Google

Google

Google teams up with UAE organisations for AI research and sustainability initiatives

The announcement was made during an event at the MBZUAI campus, where Google introduced three significant initiatives

Google - Big Tech

Google to revamp search with generative AI tools

The company is also trying to be thoughtful about how to set expectations with users about the capabilities of generative AI

Pixel Fold

Google enters foldable market with Pixel Fold

The move into the pricier foldables category marks a strategy shift for Google, which has so far focused on undercutting the cost of competitor’s devices

passkey

Goodbye passwords: Google introduces passkey authentication

Passkeys let users sign in to apps and sites with a fingerprint, a face scan or a screen lock PIN

Elon Musk

Elon Musk wants to build own ChatGPT AI

The Tesla chief and owner of Twitter confirmed he intends to get involved in the AI race sparked by OpenAI’s intelligent chatbot

Agility opens data centre sites

Kuwait’s Agility launches data centre sites across Middle East and Africa

The company plans to build additional sites in other rapidly growing data centre markets including Nairobi, Casablanca and Lagos

Google Android

Google announces 9 new features on Android and Wear OS

The announcement was made at Mobile World Congress which kicked off in Barcelona, Spain yesterday

Alphabet

Alphabet falls most in three months on Bard accuracy concerns

The company’s shares declined 9 per cent to $98.40 at 11:26 a.m. New York time

Bard

Google releases ChatGPT competitor AI ‘Bard’ to early testers

The service aims to generate detailed answers when given simple prompts, such as what to make for lunch or how to plan a friend’s baby shower

Apple

Apple to expand smart-home lineup

The brand is working on a slate of devices, including new displays and a faster TV set-top box, after relaunching its larger HomePod speaker

Fitbit

Women in tech: Joanne Savage, director marketing – EMEA, at Fitbit – Google

An advice to aspiring women leaders would be to embrace your true self and be open about your ambitions

Kyndryl

IBM spinoff Kyndryl is betting on Amazon, Microsoft, and Google for growth

The spinoff left Kyndryl with 90,000 employees and a large chunk of the legacy infrastructure services business that had been a drag on growth for IBM before the split

Amazon Meta

Even tech giants like Amazon and Meta can’t escape the slowdown

With many of the biggest tech giants poised to report earnings in the next two weeks, investors are bracing for mostly bad news

AI

What if artificial intelligence ever becomes sentient?

Bloomberg Opinion columnist, Tyler Cowen explores the implications….

Sandbox AQ

Google spinoff Sandbox AQ gets backing from CIA’s venture arm

The CIA’s In-Q-Tel was joined by Paladin Capital Group, which backs innovative tech companies, in Sandbox AQ’s first round of fundraising

Eight simple marketing strategies for small businesses

From listings and reviews to webchat and improving click-through rates, here are simple tips to help boost your business’ visibility

Google

Google to acquire cybersecurity firm Mandiant for $5.4bn

Google will purchase Mandiant for $23 a share in an all-cash deal, according to a statement

Getty Images

How technology will inevitably play an important role in Saudi Arabia

The kingdom recently announced over $6.4bn of investments in future technologies and entrepreneurship at LEAP, the largest tech event in Saudi Arabia

Google Apple

Google announces $10m fund to support Palestinian graduates, tech entrepreneurs

The new initiative builds Google’s existing work around skilling and career development

Getty Images

Microsoft Defender security expands to support Google cloud

Microsoft Defender will include support for Google Cloud starting Wednesday, three months after adding support for Amazon’s products

Global edtech Cuemath expands to Saudi Arabia

Cuemath, backed by Google, launched its operations in the UAE in June 2021

Game-changers: Top 10 tech executives across MENA

As organisations across the MENA region march ahead with technology-centric transformations, we profile 10 senior executives from global technology firms with a substantial presence in the region, and who play an influential role in the regional tech industry

AI

Mayo, Google develop a new AI algorithm to treat psychiatric illness

Mayo Clinic researchers developed a set of paradigms that simplify comparisons between effects of electrical stimulation on the brain

How data analytics changed companies marketing strategies?

Data analytics has revolutionised the marketing sector by helping brands to deliver more targeted messaging to their customers and measure their campaign ROI.

Louis Vuitton owner signs deal with Google to use AI for boosting sales

The contract will run for at least five years and include training by Google Cloud to LVMH’s staff

Google startup accelerator

Google opens registrations to MENA tech startups for accelerator programme

The three-month long programme will commence in mid-July 2021 and is for ‘Seed to Series’ startups in the region

Google and Ford sign partnership for connected vehicle technology

Ford has also named Google Cloud its preferred cloud provider

All the products launched at Google’s hardware event

A new Pixel, a renamed smart speaker and a reconfigured Chromecast round up the roster

social media

Social space: A roundup of all the GCC social media news in August

Fadi Khater, founder and managing partner of digital marketing agency Netizency, provides an overview of social media trends in the region

Apple to offer contact tracing without Covid-19 app

Exposure Notifications Express (ENE) is available with iOS 13.7 update