Huawei Releases Foldable Phone, Rwanda Launches Satellite to Improve Internet, and Swatch Sues Samsung

Africa

Rwanda to launch satellite to deepen internet penetration in rural areas

Rwanda has declared its intention to launch a satellite into space in a bid to improve internet access in rural areas, the country’s Ministry of ICT and Innovation has reported. The government is launching said satellites in partnership with UK’s OneWeb, and the project will help provide better broadband connectivity to underserved communities. The satellite has been named Icyerekezo by students of Nkombo. The statement said Rwanda was “building the world’s largest constellation of satellites to bridge the Digital Divide and connect all the unconnected schools of the world.”

Rain and Huawei launch 5G network in South Africa

Rain, South Africa’s data network, has launched the first 5G network in South Africa, Business Tech has reported. Rain is setting up the 5G network in collaboration with Huawei. The data network has deployed 20 stations across Johannesburg and Cape Town in a first phase rollout. Rain plans to release 5G mobile products in September 2019.

Asia

Huawei unveils foldable smartphone

Chinese tech giant, Huawei, has released a foldable smartphone called Huawei Mate X. This comes less than a week after its South Korean rival, Samsung, revealed the Galaxy Fold. Mate X has a larger display size than the Galaxy Fold, and is also thinner when folded. The 6.8” smartphone opens into an 8” tablet. It has a battery on each side.

India seeks more answers from Twitter as election nears

A parliamentary panel in India has given Twitter a 10-day ultimatum to provide answers to questions ahead of elections, Reuters has reported. The panel believes Twitter failed to offer convincing answers to questions posed to Colin Crowell, Twitter’s global vice president. The social media giant has also been asked to collaborate with the country in order to ensure a free and fair election in the world’s biggest democracy. Sources have said the questions related to hate speech and defamatory content.

Beijing to raise $1.5 billion funding for tech industry

Beijing Innovation Industry Investment Co, an investment firm in China, is working with Beijing city authorities to raise up to $1.5 billion in funding to target investments in cutting-edge technology, it has been reported. Beijing aims to improve its tech standing with other cities like Shenzhen, and also fortify the Asian giant as its stand-off with America continues.

Spotify launches in India

Swedish music streaming site, Spotify, has launched its services in India in a bid to tap into the country’s 150 million music consumers, BBC has reported. This is part of Spotify’s penetration drive into the middle and far east. Spotify premium, the company’s flagship subscription plan, will be set at 119 rupees per month, which translates to $1.68. Spotify will employ the services of local experts and in-built algorithms to curate playlists in popular cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi.

Europe

UK awaits Brexit decision to examine Facebook

UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has said it can not investigate Facebook’s data breaches until it is clear on how to work with the EU, BBC has reported. The CMA’s Chief Executive Officer, Andrea Coscelli, is waiting on the timing of Brexit to determine how regulations can be situated based on whether or not there is a no-deal Brexit. “When you look at digital, it’s important to think of the interplay with the European Commission,” he said.

The Americas

Swatch sues Samsung over smartwatch

Swatch Group has sued both Samsung Electronics Co and Samsung Electronics America Inc. over breach of trademark, Reuters is reporting. The Swiss watchmaker is suing both companies for infringing on its trademark designs in building their downloadable smart watch faces. The suit alleges that Samsung’s smartwatches “bear identical or virtually identical marks” to designs it uses on its own brands like the Omega. Swatch is seeking more than $100 million in damages.

The Americas

Hewlett Packard computer servers stuck in space

Hewlett Packard Enterprise servers that were sent to the International Space Station have still not returned to earth, a report by BBC say. The pair of servers was part of a supercomputer processing Linux system that made up the Spaceborne Computer. They were sent into space as part of an experiment and were expected to land on earth three months ago. It is possible they might return in June 2019 if there is space on an earth-bound flight, but it is not certain.

Canada to extradite Huawei executive to the US

Canada could begin extradition process of Huawei executive, Meng Wanzhou, to the US to face sanctions, Reuters is reporting. Meng was arrested in Vancouver in December on the request of Washington. Ottawa will have up to the end of Friday, March 1, to begin the process that will send Meng to a court in the Pacific province of British Columbia for formal extradition to begin. It could take a number of years before Meng is finally sent to America to face charges. China has demanded for Meng’s release.

US Secretary of State warns world about risky Chinese tech

US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, has said the world should be “eyes wide open” with the potential dangers of using Chinese technology, it has been reported. He was speaking in Manila, Philippines, where he added that America might not work in an environment where Huawei operates close by. The US has consistently put pressure on Huawei, ZTE, and other Chinese tech for their close ties with the Chinese state, citing potential security issues.