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CNET
16-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
What Tariffs? Smartphone Market Grows 1% as More Phones Fold In AI
Looks like curiosity about AI may be boosting smartphone sales. Shipments of smartphones increased 1% year over year in the second quarter of 2025, despite tariff volatility and worldwide economic instability, according to new data released from the International Data Corporation. Much of the increase in sales is attributed to midrange devices like Samsung's Galaxy A36 and other smartphones that have started incorporating AI. The report blamed a drop in demand for lower-end devices, including those built around Android OS, for weighing down the smartphone market. However, devices that incorporate AI-enabled features have sparked a curiosity that's lured customers back -- for the right price. "Samsung was able to consolidate its market leadership and outperform the overall market achieving strong growth in the quarter driven by the sales of its new Galaxy A36 and A56 products," Francisco Jeronimo, vice president for client devices at IDC, said in a statement. "These new products introduce AI-enabled features to mid-range devices, which has been effectively used in retail stores to drive sales." Starting at $400, the Galaxy A36 potentially offers a more affordable entry into AI for many people, including AI-powered photo editing tools and Google's Circle to Search. Overall, says CNET mobile expert Mike Sorrentino, Samsung's Galaxy A line, especially its even cheaper $200 model, has been successful at eating into a US phone market that's otherwise dominated by Apple. "Samsung as well as its rival Motorola, with its Moto G series, have put a particular focus on getting the features people are looking for into lower-cost devices," Sorrentino said. "Those devices are often further subsidized by wireless carriers, making them particularly accessible albeit with a two- or three-year commitment to a carrier." A recent CNET survey found that just 11% of people upgrade their phone for AI features. However, the survey also found that price is the biggest driver (62%), meaning a midrange phone with new features could prove to be alluring enough to make the leap.
Globe and Mail
11-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
What Does Q2 Reveal About the Direction of the Global PC Market?
The global PC market showed signs of robust traction in the second quarter of 2025, with shipments increasing 6.5% year over year to 68.4 million units, according to the data compiled by International Data Corporation ('IDC'). The global PC shipment market marked its seventh consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth. Nevertheless, the near-term prospects of the PC industry seem highly uncertain due to the U.S. government's new tariff policies, inflationary concerns and shifting PC upgrade cycles. Second-Quarter Growth: Commercial Refresh Cycle The rise in PC shipments was primarily driven by the replacement of the installed base of older generation PCs. Windows 10 end-of-support commencing in October 2025, has also prompted several commercial customers to shift to Windows 11, replacing older machines before Windows 10 support ends. The shipment data showed an incongruence in the orders of PC shipments. While PC shipments in the United States remained relatively muted due to the looming deadline of import tariffs, the rest of the world demonstrated robust shipment orders. Rising interest in PCs equipped with on-device AI is another demand booster for the PC industry. Vendor Performance and Market Share Among the top five vendors, Lenovo LNVGY retained its market-leading position with 17 million shipments and a 24.8% market share, up from 23% in the same period last year. HP Inc. HPQ followed with 14.1 million shipments, up 2.9% from the last year, while Dell Technologies ' DELL shipments declined to 9.8 million units from the year-ago quarter's 10.1 million units. HP and Dell Technologies had a market share of 20.7% and 14.3%, respectively. Apple AAPL, however, stole the spotlight with the highest growth among the top players. Its second-quarter shipments surged 21.6% year over year, reaching 6.2 million units. Apple ended the quarter with a market share of 9.1%. ASUS also stood out, growing shipments by more than 16.7% to capture a 7.2% market share. Meanwhile, smaller manufacturers categorized under 'Others' lost market share, indicating that market share is consolidating toward larger, more resilient players. What's Ahead for the PC Industry? The environment created by the newly introduced tariffs by the U.S. government has caused a new wave of uncertainty. The PC prices are expected to rise due to tariffs, however, some companies may still offer good deals to clear extra stock in their inventory. The AI PC market is another growth factor that can give a positive momentum to the entire PC shipment industry. Bottom Line In the second quarter of 2025, the PC market was mainly driven by refresh cycles, and commercial customers' upgrades to Windows 11. However, investors should expect heightened uncertainty as the effects of tariffs begin to bite, especially if inflation and macro risks escalate. Of the leading vendors, Dell sports a Zacks rank #1 (Strong Buy), HP and Apple carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) each, and Lenovo has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. #1 Semiconductor Stock to Buy (Not NVDA) The incredible demand for data is fueling the market's next digital gold rush. As data centers continue to be built and constantly upgraded, the companies that provide the hardware for these behemoths will become the NVIDIAs of tomorrow. One under-the-radar chipmaker is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the next growth stage of this market. It specializes in semiconductor products that titans like NVIDIA don't build. It's just beginning to enter the spotlight, which is exactly where you want to be. See This Stock Now for Free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Apple Inc. (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report HP Inc. (HPQ): Free Stock Analysis Report Dell Technologies Inc. (DELL): Free Stock Analysis Report Lenovo Group Ltd. (LNVGY): Free Stock Analysis Report
Business Standard
11-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Unlocking the Future of Technology with AI For Techies: Why Python and SQL Are a Game-Changer
VMPL New Delhi [India], July 11: In an age where artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day reality, the role of technology professionals is undergoing a massive transformation. Whether you're an aspiring developer, a data analyst, or a database administrator, AI is at the heart of innovation. As AI continues to disrupt industries and redefine job functions, technology professionals must evolve to stay competitive. This is where AI for Techies plays a pivotal role. Our platform is dedicated to teaching Python and SQL using AI tools, providing the expertise needed to succeed in a rapidly changing landscape. The Surge of AI in the Tech Industry: A Critical Inflection Point AI is no longer confined to research labs or the domain of tech giants. It's permeating every aspect of the technology industry and beyond. The global AI market is growing at an unprecedented rate, projected to reach $390.9 billion by 2025, according to Markets and Markets. From automation in software development to predictive analytics in data science, AI has become a cornerstone of technological advancement. For technology professionals, this means one thing: staying ahead of the curve is not optional but essential. AI's growing influence is reflected in the fact that AI-related jobs increased by 40% year-over-year in 2023, according to a report by the International Data Corporation (IDC). This sharp rise in demand for AI-skilled professionals across industries underscores the urgent need for a workforce that can seamlessly integrate AI tools into everyday tasks. However, the challenge lies not only in understanding AI's capabilities but also in how professionals can leverage it to boost productivity, optimize workflows, and drive innovation. Python: The Language of Choice for AI Development Python is widely regarded as the leading programming language for AI development, and for good reason. It's user-friendly, versatile, and backed by a vast ecosystem of libraries and frameworks such as TensorFlow, Keras, and PyTorch, which are indispensable for AI development. Python is so dominant in the AI space that over 80% of machine learning engineers use Python as their primary language, according to the 2024 Stack Overflow Developer Survey. One of the reasons Python is so effective for AI is its simplicity. The language's syntax is easy to learn, allowing professionals to focus on solving real-world problems rather than getting bogged down by technicalities. Moreover, Python's rich set of libraries enables tech professionals to work on complex machine learning algorithms, data visualization, natural language processing (NLP), and deep learning projects without reinventing the wheel. At AI for Techies, we take the learning experience a step further by teaching Python through AI-powered tools. Our courses integrate popular AI-driven platforms such as GPT code generation assistants and AI-based debugging tools, allowing learners to see firsthand how AI can augment their coding experience. This approach empowers learners to not only write Python code more efficiently but also to build AI models, process data sets, and automate tasks with ease. SQL: The Backbone of Data Management with AI Capabilities While Python powers AI development, SQL (Structured Query Language) is the foundation of data management. It is the language used to interact with databases, retrieve valuable insights, and store data in structured formats. Despite the rise of NoSQL databases, SQL remains the dominant language for querying relational databases, which still power a majority of business systems worldwide. However, the integration of AI into SQL workflows is revolutionizing data management. AI tools now enable automated query generation, predictive analytics, and anomaly detection directly within SQL environments. For instance, AI models can automatically suggest optimized SQL queries based on the patterns in historical data, significantly reducing the time required to extract actionable insights. Gartner predicts that by 2025, 70% of data queries will be automated, showcasing the importance of professionals who can harness AI to enhance SQL workflows. In response to this industry trend, AI for Techies workshop offers courses that teach SQL using AI, where learners can experience firsthand how AI can automate data queries, suggest optimization strategies, and perform sophisticated data analysis. With the combination of AI-driven SQL tools and a deep understanding of database management, professionals can perform tasks that would typically take hours in a matter of minutes. This not only boosts productivity but also equips tech professionals with a competitive edge in a data-driven world. The Growing Demand for AI-Ready Professionals The demand for professionals who understand both AI and foundational languages like Python and SQL is increasing at an exponential rate. According to LinkedIn's 2024 Workforce Report, AI-related skills saw a 72% increase in demand across various industries, including software engineering, data analysis, finance, and healthcare. Companies are not just seeking professionals who understand AI but also those who can leverage AI to solve complex problems in their respective fields. As the job market becomes more AI-driven, technology professionals must equip themselves with the necessary tools to remain relevant. The AI for Techies approach is designed to fill this gap by focusing on practical, hands-on learning. Our courses ensure that learners can apply their knowledge of Python and SQL in real-world AI projects--from building AI chatbots to analyzing large datasets with automated SQL queries. By integrating AI into these essential skills, professionals gain the expertise to not only use AI but also to drive innovation in their respective roles. Whether you're a software developer looking to integrate machine learning algorithms into your applications or a database administrator wanting to leverage AI for more efficient data queries, AI for Techies has the resources you need. Industry-Ready Learning: The AI for Techies Advantage AI for Techies workshop doesn't just teach Python and SQL--we teach them using AI tools and methodologies that are directly aligned with current industry trends. Our learning platform is designed to offer a deeply practical experience, including: 1) Real-World Projects: Learners build hands-on AI projects that can be showcased to potential employers, from AI-driven chatbots to advanced data analysis workflows using Python and SQL. 2) AI-Powered Learning Tools: Our curriculum includes AI-driven assistants that help learners write code more efficiently, debug errors, and optimize algorithms in real time. 3) Expert-Led Courses: Led by industry experts, our courses are crafted to ensure that learners gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. 4) Certifications: Upon completion of each course, students receive industry-recognized certifications that validate their expertise in Python, SQL, and AI-driven technologies. A Bright Future for AI and Tech Professionals AI is transforming the world, and technology professionals must be prepared to navigate this shift. The combination of Python, SQL, and AI is a powerful trio that empowers professionals to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. As AI continues to evolve, so too will the tools and techniques used to develop, manage, and analyze data. With AI for Techies review, you're not just learning to use Python and SQL--you're learning to harness the full potential of AI to solve complex problems, automate processes, and drive innovation. By mastering these skills, you're positioning yourself as a future-ready professional in an AI-driven world. Are you ready to shape the future of technology? Join AI for Techies workshop today and start your journey toward becoming an AI-powered tech professional. Company: AI For Techies Email ID: hello@
CNN
09-07-2025
- Business
- CNN
Samsung's bet on the future of smartphones is something Apple doesn't have an answer to yet
Samsung on Wednesday announced three new foldable phones in its latest push to popularize what the company believes is the future of smartphones. The new $2,000 Galaxy Z Fold 7, $1,100 Galaxy Z Flip 7 and $900 Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE launch on July 25, with preorders beginning July 9. Meanwhile, Samsung faces increased competition from Android rivals and is bracing for the potential arrival of Apple's first foldable iPhone. Samsung's foldables give it another card to play against the iPhone in the market for premium smartphones, a category that Apple typically dominates. Although reports of a foldable iPhone have circulated for years, Apple has yet to release one or publicly indicate intentions to do so. Samsung has spent more than half a decade selling consumers on phones that can fold in half to either double as a tablet or fit more easily into your pocket. It's a gambit to reinvigorate interest in new kinds of phones — traditional smartphones have matured, gaining few notable new features each year and leaving consumers with little incentive to upgrade. But although Samsung is largely considered to be the market leader, foldables have been a tough sell; they still account for less than 2% of the broader smartphone market, according to estimates from the International Data Corporation and Counterpoint Research. And price remains one of the biggest challenges to attracting new consumers. Total foldable phone shipments are expected to reach 45.7 million units by 2028, according to the IDC's estimates, trailing the 1.2 billion smartphones shipped in 2024. The new trio of foldables are Samsung's latest attempt to change that. 'We believe that now, with the launch of the Fold 7 and Flip 7, we will be nearing the tipping point of going mainstream,' Won-joon Choi, chief operating officer of Samsung's mobile experience business, said through a translator in an interview with CNN ahead of Samsung's product launch. The South Korean tech giant is betting that it can woo consumers with slimmer designs and bigger screens. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is lighter than the company's non-folding Galaxy S25 Ultra and has an 8-inch internal screen compared to its predecessor's 7.6-inch display. Samsung's new flip phone has a larger 4.1-inch external screen that covers the entire front of the device when closed, and a slightly bigger 6.9-inch screen on the inside. Taken together, these changes make the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 more closely resemble regular phones when used in 'bar mode' — i.e. when the Galaxy Z Fold is closed and the Galaxy Z Flip is opened. 'Obviously, this did not come about in just one year,' said Choi. 'It's something that we have been working for quite a long time, and it involves new parts, and also new materials.' Both phones also include new processors, although Samsung is straying from its usual strategy of using the same chip in both foldables. Citing supply chain reasons, Samsung is using a Qualcomm chip for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and a Samsung's Exynos chip for the Z Flip 7. Samsung is also releasing a cheaper version of its flip phone for the first time called the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, which has a similar design as Samsung's older flip phones and an older processor. But the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is $100 more expensive than last year's model, which the company attributes to hardware changes like the thinner design and higher resolution camera, not tariffs. While foldable phones were expected to eventually get cheaper, that is no longer the case, according to Francisco Jeronimo, an analyst covering mobile devices across the EMEA market for the IDC. He said phone makers like Samsung are leaning on foldables to compete with the iPhone in the premium segment of the smartphone market. 'They are not really pushing prices down, which was sort of expected to happen, but they realized that despite shipping small volumes, they are (making) quite decent money out of it,' he said. A device like the Galaxy Z Fold 7, for example, could appeal to consumers who may have otherwise opted for an iPhone 16 Pro Max, the largest phone Apple sells. Foldables are the only Android product without an Apple alternative — and there's data to suggest that at least some iPhone owners are switching. In the quarter that ended in March, 8% of US consumers who bought a foldable phone had switched from an iPhone, according to Consumer Intelligence Research Partners data provided to CNN. Choi also said the switch rate, or people switching to a Samsung phone from another Android phone or iPhone, is higher for its foldable phones than regular phones. Apple is expected to release its first foldable phone in 2026, according to Bloomberg and TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, although Apple has not mentioned any plans to release such a device. Apple did not immediately respond to CNN's request for comment about the foldable phone reports. When asked about speculation of Apple entering the foldables category, Choi responded: 'We would welcome that.' Samsung launched its first foldable phone in 2019 and has largely maintained the leading position in the market since. But the company has faced stiffer competition from Chinese brands such as Huawei, Vivo and Honor, which dominate sales in China — the biggest market for foldable phones, according to Counterpoint Research. Just days before Samsung announced its new trio of devices, Honor introduced a slim new foldable phone called the Magic V5. Huawei also beat Samsung to the punch in 2024 when it released a new type of foldable phone that bends in two places like an accordion, providing an even larger screen nearly the size of an iPad when fully unfolded. Samsung has showed similar concept devices at trade shows but has yet to turn those prototypes into real products. Choi says Samsung has a new style of device 'that can be brought to market in the near future,' although he declined to reveal details or specific timing. For now, Samsung is leaning on hardware upgrades and AI to differentiate its phones from the growing competition. It has worked with Google to optimize the way its Gemini assistant works on the phone's unconventional screens. Gemini Live, the feature that lets users speak to Google's AI assistant conversationally, is now available on the Z Flip 7's cover display, unlike Samsung's previous flip phones. Gemini can also work across multiple windows on the Z Fold 7's tablet-sized screen. Samsung plans to collaborate with other AI companies in addition to Google, Choi said, although he didn't name specific potential partners. Bloomberg reported last month that Samsung is close to a deal with AI search engine Perplexity. Choi sees a larger change coming to smartphones in the future that involves relying on AI agents to accomplish tasks, like watching a movie, sharing a recipe or booking a vacation, instead of bouncing between apps. The company is working with industry partners to move its smartphone software in that direction. 'I don't know how long it'll take, but I don't think it's like 10 years,' said Choi. 'I don't think it's like six months or a year, but I think somewhere in between. But it's (going to) happen.'
CNN
09-07-2025
- Business
- CNN
Samsung's bet on the future of smartphones is something Apple doesn't have an answer to yet
Samsung on Wednesday announced three new foldable phones in its latest push to popularize what the company believes is the future of smartphones. The new $2,000 Galaxy Z Fold 7, $1,100 Galaxy Z Flip 7 and $900 Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE launch on July 25, with preorders beginning July 9. Meanwhile, Samsung faces increased competition from Android rivals and is bracing for the potential arrival of Apple's first foldable iPhone. Samsung's foldables give it another card to play against the iPhone in the market for premium smartphones, a category that Apple typically dominates. Although reports of a foldable iPhone have circulated for years, Apple has yet to release one or publicly indicate intentions to do so. Samsung has spent more than half a decade selling consumers on phones that can fold in half to either double as a tablet or fit more easily into your pocket. It's a gambit to reinvigorate interest in new kinds of phones — traditional smartphones have matured, gaining few notable new features each year and leaving consumers with little incentive to upgrade. But although Samsung is largely considered to be the market leader, foldables have been a tough sell; they still account for less than 2% of the broader smartphone market, according to estimates from the International Data Corporation and Counterpoint Research. And price remains one of the biggest challenges to attracting new consumers. Total foldable phone shipments are expected to reach 45.7 million units by 2028, according to the IDC's estimates, trailing the 1.2 billion smartphones shipped in 2024. The new trio of foldables are Samsung's latest attempt to change that. 'We believe that now, with the launch of the Fold 7 and Flip 7, we will be nearing the tipping point of going mainstream,' Won-joon Choi, chief operating officer of Samsung's mobile experience business, said through a translator in an interview with CNN ahead of Samsung's product launch. The South Korean tech giant is betting that it can woo consumers with slimmer designs and bigger screens. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is lighter than the company's non-folding Galaxy S25 Ultra and has an 8-inch internal screen compared to its predecessor's 7.6-inch display. Samsung's new flip phone has a larger 4.1-inch external screen that covers the entire front of the device when closed, and a slightly bigger 6.9-inch screen on the inside. Taken together, these changes make the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7 more closely resemble regular phones when used in 'bar mode' — i.e. when the Galaxy Z Fold is closed and the Galaxy Z Flip is opened. 'Obviously, this did not come about in just one year,' said Choi. 'It's something that we have been working for quite a long time, and it involves new parts, and also new materials.' Both phones also include new processors, although Samsung is straying from its usual strategy of using the same chip in both foldables. Citing supply chain reasons, Samsung is using a Qualcomm chip for the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and a Samsung's Exynos chip for the Z Flip 7. Samsung is also releasing a cheaper version of its flip phone for the first time called the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, which has a similar design as Samsung's older flip phones and an older processor. But the Galaxy Z Fold 7 is $100 more expensive than last year's model, which the company attributes to hardware changes like the thinner design and higher resolution camera, not tariffs. While foldable phones were expected to eventually get cheaper, that is no longer the case, according to Francisco Jeronimo, an analyst covering mobile devices across the EMEA market for the IDC. He said phone makers like Samsung are leaning on foldables to compete with the iPhone in the premium segment of the smartphone market. 'They are not really pushing prices down, which was sort of expected to happen, but they realized that despite shipping small volumes, they are (making) quite decent money out of it,' he said. A device like the Galaxy Z Fold 7, for example, could appeal to consumers who may have otherwise opted for an iPhone 16 Pro Max, the largest phone Apple sells. Foldables are the only Android product without an Apple alternative — and there's data to suggest that at least some iPhone owners are switching. In the quarter that ended in March, 8% of US consumers who bought a foldable phone had switched from an iPhone, according to Consumer Intelligence Research Partners data provided to CNN. Choi also said the switch rate, or people switching to a Samsung phone from another Android phone or iPhone, is higher for its foldable phones than regular phones. Apple is expected to release its first foldable phone in 2026, according to Bloomberg and TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, although Apple has not mentioned any plans to release such a device. Apple did not immediately respond to CNN's request for comment about the foldable phone reports. When asked about speculation of Apple entering the foldables category, Choi responded: 'We would welcome that.' Samsung launched its first foldable phone in 2019 and has largely maintained the leading position in the market since. But the company has faced stiffer competition from Chinese brands such as Huawei, Vivo and Honor, which dominate sales in China — the biggest market for foldable phones, according to Counterpoint Research. Just days before Samsung announced its new trio of devices, Honor introduced a slim new foldable phone called the Magic V5. Huawei also beat Samsung to the punch in 2024 when it released a new type of foldable phone that bends in two places like an accordion, providing an even larger screen nearly the size of an iPad when fully unfolded. Samsung has showed similar concept devices at trade shows but has yet to turn those prototypes into real products. Choi says Samsung has a new style of device 'that can be brought to market in the near future,' although he declined to reveal details or specific timing. For now, Samsung is leaning on hardware upgrades and AI to differentiate its phones from the growing competition. It has worked with Google to optimize the way its Gemini assistant works on the phone's unconventional screens. Gemini Live, the feature that lets users speak to Google's AI assistant conversationally, is now available on the Z Flip 7's cover display, unlike Samsung's previous flip phones. Gemini can also work across multiple windows on the Z Fold 7's tablet-sized screen. Samsung plans to collaborate with other AI companies in addition to Google, Choi said, although he didn't name specific potential partners. Bloomberg reported last month that Samsung is close to a deal with AI search engine Perplexity. Choi sees a larger change coming to smartphones in the future that involves relying on AI agents to accomplish tasks, like watching a movie, sharing a recipe or booking a vacation, instead of bouncing between apps. The company is working with industry partners to move its smartphone software in that direction. 'I don't know how long it'll take, but I don't think it's like 10 years,' said Choi. 'I don't think it's like six months or a year, but I think somewhere in between. But it's (going to) happen.'
