Latest news with #MWC
The Star
17 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Nokia, blackned to develop next-gen tactical networks for German army
People walk next to the Nokia stand as they attend the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain February 27, 2024. REUTERS/Bruna Casas/File Photo (Reuters) - Finland's Nokia and defence technology firm blackned, majority-owned by Rheinmetall, will jointly develop next-generation tactical networks for the German armed forces, the companies said on Wednesday. The new mobile communication systems will be specifically "tailored" for Germany's defence requirements, Nokia said, with potential for adaptation to other countries' defense needs. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. Nokia and blackned will bring together their 5G technology and software expertise to create tactical networks for battlefield operations, integrated with Rheinmetall's Battlesuite digital platform. Tactical networks allow military personnel to share information, coordinate operations, and maintain situational awareness in the field, even in challenging environments where regular communication infrastructure is not available. The deal comes as the Finnish maker of telecoms gear, which also provides secure defense communications networks, seeks to benefit from growing military spending across Europe. (Reporting by Gianluca Lo Nostro; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Phone Arena
2 days ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
Will the iPhone 17 Air beat the Galaxy S25 Edge?
The Galaxy S25 Edge is officially out (check out our Galaxy S25 Edge review) after months of leaks and rumors. Samsung's take on the thin flagship idea comes with its shortcomings but might also be a harbinger of what's to come in the industry. Now, there's a kind of déjà vu feeling when I sit and construct this piece of writing about the upcoming iPhone 17 Air. Samsung and Apple have been intertwined for so long in this dichotomy, especially in the US, that they almost feel like two versions of the same thing. And that's how the iPhone 17 Air feels compared to the Galaxy S25 Edge . We can argue egg-before-chicken all we want, but there are more pressing, pragmatic matters to be addressed. Well, besides the grand question, do we really need a few millimeters thinner flagships that cost hundreds more. Who's this phone for? What is it aiming to actually do? Will people buy it? Let's try and answer all of those questions. Apple's take on the thin flagship The iPhone 17 Air next to the iPhone 17 Pro | Image credit — Majin Bu The iPhone 17 Air follows the same design philosophy the S25 Edge brought to the table, namely the ultra-thin design. To be fair, the first phone to kind of dip its toes into this idea was the Tecno Spark Slim. We saw it back in March during the MWC, and it was amazing with its 5.75 mm thickness. Of course, it was just a concept device that never saw the light of day, but now Apple is aiming at 5.5 mm, and put into perspective (compared to the Tecno we held in our hands), this thing is gonna be thin! If I have to resort to trusting my experience with ultra-thing foldables (under 5mm), 5.5mm is actually on the verge of being too thin. Apple is also doing something interesting with the design — at least according to the latest leaked and rumored renders. The phone features a very distinct camera-bar-like section on its back, even though there's only a single main camera. Another interesting thing is that the iPhone 17 Air will be a 6.9-inch device, meaning quite a substantial phone in width and height. This will contribute to a subjective feeling that the phone is even thinner than if it would've been more compact overall. So, there are quite a few things Apple is doing differently from the S25 Edge . Let's quickly put those two side by side. iPhone 17 Air vs Galaxy S25 Edge The S25 Edge is slim, but the iPhone 17 Air promises to be even slimmer | Image by PhoneArena When it comes to the approach that Apple and Samsung have taken, respectively, there are some clear differences. You can check out the table below, but let's run through the pros and cons of each model compared side-by-side. First of all, the iPhone 17 Air wins the display real estate race with its 6.9-inch screen that mimics the size of an iPhone 16 Pro Max model. This will be an advantage for sure, as people seem to love big-screen phones, and it will contribute to the subjective feeling of thinness as well. The 3mm difference in thickness might not sound and look like a lot, but if we convert this to percentage, the iPhone 17 Air will be 5% thinner than the S25 Edge and a whopping 40% thinner than an iPhone 16 Pro Max . The camera setup boggles the mind, as the iPhone 17 Air looks like a true flagship through and through, except for the single main camera on its back. Has the iPhone 16e influenced this particular choice? Most likely. The battery is another talking point, as the iPhone 17 Air is expected to have a quite modest 2800 mAh cell on board, even though some sources claim it will be of the new silicon-carbon variety (check out our silicon-carbon explainer article for more detail). That's a distinctive look right there | Image by Majin Bu We should bear in mind, though, that Apple devices are kind on their batteries due to optimization and other software magic, so 2800 mAh might not be that much of a problem. The iPhone 13 Mini featured a 2438 mAh battery and did just fine; it wasn't spectacular, but it got people through one full day. Finally, the price, which is a major factor, is expected to be slightly different. Apple will want to keep the iPhone 17 Air under the psychological $1000 threshold, and for a good reason. As innovative and cool-looking a device as the S25 Edge might be, the $1,100 price tag is viewed as steep by many people. If Apple manages to pull this off and launch the Air for less than a grand, it might be a big deal. Speaking of pulling stunts off… IPhone 17 Air * vs Galaxy S25 Edge main differences 5.5 vs 5.8 mm One camera vs dual camera setup 6.9-inch screen vs 6.7-inch 2800 mAh battery vs 3900 mAh 145 grams vs 164 grams $999 vs $1099 * rumored specs Why Apple can pull off a stunt Samsung couldn't Apple managed to peddle the iPhone 16e and it sells well... surprisingly | Image by PhoneArena Specs are specs, and sometimes people decide to buy or skip a gadget based on anything but logic. There's the Apple factor in play here, and I know this has been mulled over many times already, chewed, swallowed, and digested, but if anyone could pull off the thin flagship thing, it has to be Apple. One small example is the iPhone 16e . This is a logic-defying device — it's neither cheap (which is the prerequisite for replacing the iPhone SE) nor particularly thin or compact. There's little to no reason to get it in place of the vanilla iPhone 16, and yet Apple went with it. And people are actually buying it. Primarily, the success of the iPhone 16 SE lies in the rebranding. Apple was able to sell an iPhone 14 with one less camera and a modern chipset for $599, capitalizing on the new and mysterious "e" moniker. This most likely will happen with the iPhone 17 Air . There are many more "real" things Apple could latch onto marketing the device than there were with the iPhone 16e as well. Okay, we got it, you might be thinking to yourselves: 'This guy is trying to peddle another Apple gadget; it's all rigged. Viva Apple, to hell with Samsung.' Not so fast! The moral of the story: should you buy either of those two? Pay more for less? Maybe not... | Image by QuinceCreative Well, the iPhone 17 Air is shaping up to be a more impressive device than the Galaxy S25 Edge . And it will probably sell better. But my honest opinion on both of these is that you should skip on the hype and go for a more conventional phone, or a foldable, for that matter. I don't believe anyone in their right mind would be using either the S25 Edge or the iPhone 17 Air without a case. This, to a big extent, negates all the innovation and the wow factor of having a 5.5mm phone. Just like that (snaps fingers). Furthermore, in the end you're paying more to get less — less thickness, granted, but also smaller battery and fewer cameras. I do believe these two are important in the grand scheme of things, and they will decide if we're headed in the direction of extremely thin phones (once again, it happened in the past a couple of times) or we're good with phones being as thick as they are now. Who's these phones for, then? The way I see it - tech enthusiasts, early adopters and brand loyalists. The average Android or iPhone consumer would probably decide to play it safe (and cheap) and get a more conventional model. What do you think about it? Do you think the iPhone 17 Air will be better than the Galaxy S25 Edge , and would you buy one? Vote in the poll and share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Qatar Tribune
20-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar a rising hub for emerging technologies: Prime Minister
In the realm of innovation and digital transformation, the prime minister said that Qatar has firmly established itself as a rising hub for emerging technologies. He highlighted the successful hosting of the second edition of the Web Summit in Doha in February 2025, which drew over 25,000 participants from 124 countries. He noted that the event played a pivotal role in fostering meaningful connections between emerging technology ecosystems in Asia and Africa and major international corporations and sovereign wealth funds, further cementing Qatar's position as a global platform for digital convergence. Further validating this momentum, the prime minister announced that Qatar has secured the hosting rights for the Mobile World Congress (MWC) for the next five years, with the inaugural edition set to take place in November. This achievement, he said, places Qatar prominently on the map of the global digital economy. To align with these advancements and ensure meaningful participation in such landmark events, the prime minister revealed that Qatar will soon launch a major new initiative aimed at achieving international recognition in the digital domain. Details of the project are expected to be unveiled later this year. These achievements, he emphasised, reflect Qatar's unwavering commitment to harnessing its role as a global economic and investment hub and to building a future anchored in diversity, innovation, and sustainability. The prime minister elaborated on the dire and escalating humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, emphasizing that despite the relentless efforts of Qatar—working in close partnership with of Egypt and the United States—to end the ongoing war, every opportunity for de-escalation continues to be tragically squandered. The recent release of Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander initially signalled a potential opening to halt the violence and initiate a broader ceasefire. However, instead of seizing this moment for peace, it was met with a renewed and intensified campaign of bombardment—resulting in the deaths of numerous innocent civilians. Hestrongly condemned this reckless and unjustifiable escalation, stating that such actions only serve to undermine any remaining prospects for a peaceful resolution. He affirmed that Qatar remains unwavering in its commitment to diplomacy. Together with its partners, Qatar will persist in its efforts until the war is brought to an end, all hostages and detainees are released, and meaningful relief reaches the people of Gaza—steering the region away from the constant threat of further devastation. On the Syrian crisis, the prime minister welcomed the United States' decision to lift sanctions on Syria, describing it as a meaningful step forward. He expressed hope that additional measures would follow, sending a clear signal that nations emerging from conflict must be given a real and full chance to rebuild, heal, and envision a better future. Underscoring Qatar's guiding philosophy, he stated that political stability and economic prosperity are deeply interconnected and cannot be pursued in isolation. It is on this foundation, he noted, that Qatar has built its proactive foreign policy—rooted in principled mediation and constructive engagement to resolve conflicts. For Qatar, he emphasised, peace is not just an ideal but the very cornerstone of sustainable development. He further reflected that every diplomatic initiative Qatar undertakes is an investment in a future that is more stable, secure, and prosperous. When a young student in Gaza completes his education, or a Syrian family is able to return home after years of displacement, it becomes clear how profoundly stability shapes human lives and revitalizes economies. In conclusion, the PM expressed hope that the forum's discussions would bear meaningful outcomes, paving the way for sincere and productive dialogue, and fostering new economic partnerships that advance the cause of sustainable development both regionally and globally.
GSM Arena
20-05-2025
- Business
- GSM Arena
Meizu Note 22 4G, mblu 22 and mblu 22 Pro launch globally, marking the brand's return
Meizu has returned – the company unveiled three new phones at the MWC and is now launching them globally with the Fly with me event. The company has a presence in over 30 countries in Latin America, Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and the Asia Pacific. The three models from the MWC are joined by two new models, plus AR smart glasses (called StarV View) and a health-centric smart ring (StarV Ring2). The Meizu Note 22 4G will range from $180 to $300. It is powered by the Helio G99 and features a 6.78' 1080p+ 120Hz OLED display. It is equipped with a 108MP main camera, 8MP ultra-wide and a 32MP selfie. It runs on a 5,000mAh battery with 40W charging. The Note is rated IP54 for splash resistance. Meizu Note 22 4G The large price range of the Note 22 4G is due to how many storage options there are – the base model starts at 128GB and the top model has 1TB. All versions have 8GB of RAM. The two mblu models aim for affordability. The Meizu mblu 22 Pro will sell in the $100-$130 range. It's based on a Helio G81 (12nm) and has a 6.79' 120Hz IPS LCD with 720p+ resolution. There's a 50MP camera on the back and an 8MP camera on the front. This model has stereo speakers, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a microSD slot. Meizu mblu 22 Pro The base model has 4GB of RAM and 128GB storage. There are also a 6/256GB and an 8/256GB models. The battery has 5,000mAh capacity and charges at 18W. The phone is splash resistant without an IP rating. The Meizu mblu 22 is a sub-$100 Android Go edition phone (it will go for $80-$90). It's based on a 28nm Unisoc chip with 3/4GB of RAM and expandable storage. The 6.79' IPS LCD is similar to the Pro, except it runs at 90Hz. The cameras have lower resolution sensors (13MP rear, 5MP front) and the 5,000mAh battery drops to just 10W charging. Meizu mblu 22 Note that there is now a 5G Meizu Note 22, though the hardware is quite different from the 4G version. There's a Note 22 Pro too, but even that doesn't have a 108MP camera like the Note 22 4G. The new phones (and smart wearables) will be available in Russia, Spain, Malaysia and Vietnam first and then expand to other regions (30+ in total). 'Our All in AI strategy bridges hardware, software, and services to create a seamless smart life. We will continue to develop new products to bring consumers more cost-effective and personalised electronic products according to the habits of consumers in different countries and regions,' said Cheng Li, Meizu's CMO for Global Business. Source
GSM Arena
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- GSM Arena
Watch Meizu's global return live here
Meizu scheduled a launch event for today, where we expect to see a formal announcement of five smartphones and some wearables. We already spotted the mblu 22 and the mblu 22 Pro at MWC, as well as the Meizu Note 22, and it seems like the company is now ready to start sales in international markets. The event begins at 3 PM Beijing time, which is 7 AM UTC, and will be live-streamed on YouTube. The Meizu brand, now operated as part of the Dreamsmart Group, already reached 30 markets within its first year back on the international stage. Meizu Note 22 • Meizu mblu 22 • Meizu mblu 22 Pro The Geely partnership will remain in place, as vehicles and smartphones are already marketed together in certain regions. The executive director of Dreamsmart revealed that the company plans to launch midrange devices, and we expect these new phones to be priced very aggressively.
