Latest news with #smartdevices
Zawya
14 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Huawei Care+ to offer enhanced coverage across Huawei's ecosystem of smart devices
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Huawei has announced a major enhancement to its HUAWEI Care+ service, extending comprehensive protection across its broad ecosystem of smart devices. From smartphones and laptops to wearables and audio products, the upgraded service ensures users can enjoy their Huawei devices with greater peace of mind and long-term confidence. The most attractive feature is the robust accidental damage protection. HUAWEI Care+ now offers provisions for multiple instances of repair or replacement under its longer-term plans. This includes crucial support for its innovative foldable smartphones, with specialised screen protection plans designed to ensure the continued protection of their advanced displays. Beyond accident protection, HUAWEI Care+ is designed to prolong the lifespan and performance of your devices. The service includes an extended warranty option, offering coverage beyond the standard warranty period for up to two additional years on certain devices. Addressing one of the most common concerns for device longevity, the plan incorporates a battery replacement service. For eligible devices under specific Care+ plans, a one-time battery replacement is offered if the battery's health drops below 85%. A unique offering within the enhanced HUAWEI Care+ portfolio is the introduction of loss care for its popular audio products, such as the FreeBuds series. This feature directly tackles a frequent pain point for earbud users, providing a replacement solution in the event an earbud is lost. The HUAWEI Care+ service is designed to prioritise customer convenience, featuring straightforward claim processes and notably low service fees for covered incidents, ensuring that accessing support is as stress-free as the protection itself. The service aims to provide a shield of assurance, allowing users to use their Huawei devices without the lingering fear of accidental damage or premature obsolescence. It is a significant step forward in Huawei's customer care, offering a truly comprehensive and tailored protection solution for customers. About Huawei Consumer Business Group (CBG): Huawei Consumer Business Group (CBG) is one of Huawei's three core business units and a global leader in smart devices and intelligent consumer experiences. With a product portfolio that includes smartphones, PCs and tablets, wearables, audio devices, and cloud services. Operating in over 170 countries and regions, Huawei CBG serves more than a third of the world's population. Fourteen R&D centres have been set up in countries around the world, including Germany, Sweden, and China. Huawei's global network is built on over 30 years of expertise in the telecom industry and is dedicated to delivering the latest technological advances to consumers around the world. Huawei CBG is recognized as one of the world's top smartphone brands and remains committed to driving digital inclusion, sustainability, and innovation through intelligent, user-centric products that enhance everyday life. For more information please visit:
Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Amazon Wants to Create ‘Breakthrough' Products. Should You Buy AMZN Stock Here?
Over the past decade, consumer electronics divisions at major tech firms have driven growth, with hits like Apple's (AAPL) AirPods fueling shareholder gains while flops left others scrambling. Following in those footsteps, Amazon (AMZN) is stepping up its game by forming a new group called ZeroOne. The team's mission is to take ideas from 'zero to one' and launch entirely new product categories. ZeroOne is led by J Allard, the former Microsoft (MSFT) veteran who co-created the Xbox console. Job listings hint at projects ranging from smart-home computer vision to AI-powered wearables. This push comes after Amazon's mixed track record in devices. While the Kindle and Echo were major successes, products like the Fire Phone and Halo fitness tracker failed to gain traction. Recruiting Allard signals a bold bet on breakthrough innovation to reinvigorate the company's hardware ambitions. Amazon's top-line momentum is being fueled by its high-margin advertising arm, and the launch of ZeroOne offers potential new catalysts if it yields breakout products. About Amazon Stock Based in Seattle, Amazon is a global e-commerce leader, offering everything from everyday essentials to fresh groceries through its vast online marketplace and Prime subscription services. Its Amazon Web Services (AWS) division powers businesses worldwide with scalable cloud computing, storage, and AI tools. Beyond retail and cloud, Amazon generates high-margin revenue from its advertising platform and digital content, streaming video, music, and ebooks. The company is also expanding in logistics, robotics, and emerging technologies to drive efficiency and support future growth. Valued at approximately $2.2 trillion, Amazon shares have rallied 12% over the past 52 weeks, yet are down nearly 7% year-to-date amid fears over tariffs. Despite underperforming this year, Amazon shares still trade at a premium multiple of 33x forward earnings, significantly higher than the industry average of 16x. However, these multiples are well below its own historical average of 70x. AI-Powered Cloud Services Artificial intelligence is playing a key role in driving AWS's expansion. Amazon clients leverage tools like SageMaker to train and run models on Amazon's servers instead of purchasing costly hardware. As the global cloud computing market leaps from $750 billion in 2024 to nearly $2.9 trillion by 2030, AWS stands to capitalize on a projected 20% expansion driven by AI demand. Furthermore, AI is transforming Amazon's operations. The company deploys machine learning to optimize warehouse robotics, cut labor costs and speed order fulfillment. It enhances product recommendations, refines Alexa's voice responses, and improves demand forecasting. These AI applications boost efficiency, customer satisfaction and profitability across Amazon's vast e-commerce and services ecosystem. Amazon Delivered Strong Q1 Earnings Amazon's recent earnings beat, helped by temporarily easing tariff pressures, has lifted investor sentiment. On May 1, the e-commerce giant reported Q1 revenue of $155.7 billion, up 9% year-over-year and $546 million above guidance. Despite Online Stores being Amazon's largest segment, it grew just 5% to $57.4 billion and carries razor-thin margins. Nevertheless, companywide operating income jumped 20%, underscoring how its cloud and ad businesses are increasingly shouldering the profit load. Logistics efficiencies also played a key role. Shipping costs rose only 3% year-over-year against an 8% increase in paid units, a notable five-point gap compared to last year. Internal documents point to warehouse robotics flattening Amazon's hiring curve, further trimming labor expenses. Meanwhile, AWS once again led the way, posting 17% revenue growth on a $120 billion annual run rate and expanding operating margins to 39%. These results highlight AWS's role as the company's primary profit engine. On an adjusted basis, Amazon reported earnings of $1.59 per share, surpassing estimates by $0.24. Looking ahead, management sees up to 11% year-over-year revenue growth in Q2. While tariff jitters could temper top-line upside, the 11.8% operating margin achieved in Q1 suggests Amazon is well-positioned to exceed profitability expectations once again. What Do Analysts Think About Amazon Stock? Analysts remain bullish on Amazon after its Q1 earnings. Wedbush raised its price target from $225 to $235 early in May, citing 'multiple levers of sustainable margin improvement.' Similarly, JPMorgan boosted its price target from $220 to $225, noting that AWS is bringing on more capacity and that incremental supply is being consumed quickly. Overall, Amazon carries a consensus 'Strong Buy' rating from Wall Street analysts, with a mean price target of $240.69 implying 17% upside from current levels.
CNET
6 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Which Internet Plan Is Right for You? 10 Expert Tips to Help You Decide
A good internet connection has become a necessity, but trying to get one can feel like a chore. There are a ton of providers offering different speeds, prices and promotional offers, which can make it difficult to pick the right connection for you. Some homes may have access to only a couple of options, but most US homes can choose from at least three providers that offer various bundles and speeds. Now, setting up your home internet may not seem like the most fun part, but picking the right provider and plan will save you a lot of money and hassle down the line. Here's what you need to know. How do you know which provider and plan is best for your needs? Somethings to look out for: Speed usage How much you want to spend on your internet Internet provider related details: connection type, additional fees, contracts and data caps Read more: Here's How You Can Stop Internet Throttling By Your Broadband Provider. 1. Evaluate your internet speed needs The best place to start is asking yourself these questions: How much internet speed do I currently use? Would I like a better connection? How many people in my home use the internet and how many devices are connected to my network? Is there a gamer or two in the house? Does anyone work from home? Is there more than one smart device connected to the network? Locating local internet providers For basic internet use like online shopping, browsing social media and light TV streaming, download speeds of 100 megabits per second are usually enough (and they meet the Federal Communications Commission's new definition for broadband). But I recommend faster internet speeds for working and learning from home, streaming in HD on multiple devices simultaneously and connecting numerous smart home devices like security cameras, video doorbells and smart speakers. Gigabit and multi-gig plans will all but guarantee you've got enough speed for every person and device in your home, but those are often the highest-priced plans. If you don't want to splurge on gigabit service but still prefer something on the faster side, consider speeds in the 300 to 600Mbps range, assuming they're available in your area. Advertised vs. actual speeds Pro tip here: Keep in mind that advertised speeds and actual speeds are two different things. An ISP's advertised maximum speeds may be 100Mbps, but those are speeds to the home. Actual speeds in the home are likely going to be lower, even more so when using a Wi-Fi connection and adding multiple devices to your network. CNET's Trisha Jandoc discovered this upon facing slow speeds despite being on a gigabit plan. Additionally, if you have an outdated router, you may not be getting the speeds you're paying for. When shopping for internet service, be sure to factor in that speed loss and select a plan with advertised speeds faster than what you'd like your actual speeds to be. For an in-depth examination of how much speed your house might need, you can check out our internet speed guide. Quick tips to help speed up your Wi-Fi at home Quick tips to help speed up your Wi-Fi at home Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:05 / Duration 4:25 Loaded : 15.68% 0:05 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 4:20 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. Quick tips to help speed up your Wi-Fi at home 2. Explore all of your ISP options Available internet providers vary by location and possibly by address within the same ZIP code. Even if you aren't moving far, the available internet providers, and the technologies they use, could be different. Your options can understandably feel limited, so know that it's uncommon for one provider to be the absolute only ISP option in an area. In markets where a cable internet provider such as Xfinity or Spectrum is available, there's also likely to be a fiber or DSL service available from providers like AT&T, CenturyLink or Frontier. Additionally, the recent rise of 5G home internet from T-Mobile and Verizon has further increased broadband competition in both rural and urban settings. Serviceability check tools like the one you'll find a bit further up the page are a good way to identify the internet providers in your area and get an overview of potential plans and pricing. I can't speak for all serviceability tools, but CNET's version uses proprietary in-house technology to help ensure your results are accurate and keep your information secure. 3. Consider the connection type Speed and cost are among the most important considerations when it comes to choosing an internet service, but you may want to start by comparing the internet connection type each provider uses. There are some exceptions, but if we're ranking connection types in order of most to least desirable, I'd start with fiber-optic, cable and 5G home internet. Keep DSL, fixed wireless and satellite as a last resort. Fiber-optic internet is the best bet for fast, consistent speeds, low latency and greatest overall value. Service also comes with the advantage of symmetrical or close to symmetrical upload speeds. Cable internet is not far behind in terms of speed and value, and is often a good choice for cheap internet, especially since you can often get a cheap cable TV and internet bundle from some providers. Meanwhile, 5G home internet is quickly proving to be a convenient alternative to cable and even fiber connections in rural areas. In fact, customers are reported to be more satisfied with a wireless 5G connection due to it's affordability and accessibility. The new technology could also provide much-needed upgrades to broadband in rural areas where less speedy or reliable DSL, fixed wireless and satellite internet services are often the only options. 4. Compare speeds, not just pricing Here's where the bulk of your internet shopping takes place: comparing plans from each available provider. It's tempting to look at the price first and speed second, but I'd suggest focusing on speeds first, then price. Opting for a cheaper plan that doesn't quite meet your household's speed demands, especially one that comes with a contract, may end up costing you more when you need to upgrade to a faster plan or provider anyway. Look for plans with the speeds you want, or higher, then compare the prices among those options. Find the one that best fits your speed demands and your budget. Price vs. value Pro tip here: A low price is nice, but is it a good deal? To get an idea of a plan's value, consider the cost per Mbps by dividing the cost by the advertised speed. For example, Xfinity's cheapest plan is available for as low as $40 a month for speeds up to 400Mbps -- that's a cost of around 10 cents per Mbps. Not bad, but one of Frontier Fiber's cheapest plans costs $50 a month, more expensive than Xfinity's cheapest plan. Frontier's plan comes with speeds up to 1,000Mbps for a cost per Mbps of just 5 cents. Although Xfinity's plan is cheaper, Frontier is the better deal. 5. Beware of set price increases Spectrum hikes it's prices after a year once the promo period ends, as seen through it's broadband labels. Spectrum/screenshot by CNET So you've identified potential providers and plans. Let's take a closer look at the monthly cost. Will it be the same a year down the road? Or are there steep price increases and hidden fees waiting for you? On average, internet costs around $78 a month in the US, but your monthly bill could be more than that once the promo period ends. I know that low pricing can be tempting, but a cheap plan can lose its value entirely from one bill to the next when the price goes up by 50% or more. Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox and others have competitive introductory pricing but a looming monthly hike of $20, $30 or more after 12 months. Carefully examine the FCC-mandated broadband labels for each plan. Check for hidden infrastructure fees or equipment fees you could bypass by buying your own equipment. The good news is that providers have to be fairly transparent about price increases as far as when you can expect them and how much they'll inflate your bill. Additionally, many providers don't require a contract, so if the price hike is too steep, you can cancel without penalty. Not all providers have a planned price increase. AT&T, Frontier, Verizon Fios and a handful of others, including EarthLink, don't have promotional or introductory pricing, so you won't have to worry about a guaranteed price increase. Your bill may still go up at some point, which understandably happens, but it won't go up as drastically or quickly. 6. Know your (data) limits Some ISPs enforce data caps and will charge extra fees or throttle internet speeds when you go over. Be aware of the data cap, if any, before signing up for an internet service. Those considering satellite internet will have to be the most mindful of data caps and usage. Although none of the major satellite internet providers impose overage fees for data used, unless you upgrade to an unlimited data plan, your speeds will significantly slow after going over your priority data allotment. Data caps are less of a problem with every other connection type, but they're still there. Fixed wireless internet like what you may find from AT&T or Rise Broadband in rural areas often comes with a data cap of 250 to 350GB. Select cable and DSL providers also have data caps, although typically much higher, between 1 and 1.5TB per month. That's a generous amount of data and much higher than the average household will use, but still, a plan with unlimited data is preferred. You don't want to have to watch your data usage all month, and you certainly wouldn't want to suffer slowed speeds or added fees for going over. 7. Weigh all Wi-Fi options in your new home Viva Tung/CNET You'll need a router to create a home Wi-Fi network. Most, if not all, ISPs offer a router either for rent, to purchase or for free. If you plan on renting your equipment, take a look at what the rental fee is ahead of time, then go ahead and tack that onto the monthly price. Some rental fees are better than others, but anticipate it to add anywhere from $5 to $20 extra to your bill. In some cases, that means an appealing $20 rate may jump up to $35 or even $40 after equipment costs, so make sure you take a look at the fine print before securing a promotional internet rate. Many providers have started including your equipment at no extra cost. AT&T, Verizon Fios, Google Fiber and 5G home internet providers T-Mobile and Verizon, for example, have no added equipment fees. Others, like Spectrum, CenturyLink and Xfinity, may include either a free modem (but not the router needed for Wi-Fi) or all of your equipment at no extra cost with select plans. You may also have the option of using your own router and skipping the equipment fee altogether. CNET's Joe Supan saved close to $1,000 in yearly fees by deciding to by his own router, for example. Although the upfront costs may be high, including the potential optimizations like mesh Wi-Fi, supplying your own may pay off in a year or two if you can save $15 per month in equipment fees. The option to purchase your router is a little less common, but you may come across it with satellite internet or prepaid internet services. This can add to your upfront costs, especially in the case of satellite internet, but you may save money in the long run. 8. Consider any lengthy contracts Your internet provider may lock you into a contract, sometimes disguised as a "term agreement." Breaking your contract by canceling service or failing to pay your bill before the term is up could result in early termination fees and problems if you want to sign up for service again in the future. Some providers require a contract, typically of one or two years, with all plans and services. Others may require a one-year contract to qualify for the lowest introductory rate or special offers. Most ISPs require no contract at all. Term agreements aren't much of an issue if you plan on keeping the service for the length of the contract, but if you think you may move or want to switch providers at some point, it's nice to know you can do so without penalty. Also note that if you decide to switch providers and you rented equipment from a previous provider, you return your equipment within the designated timeframe to avoid any other fees (often up to $300). 9. Consider customer satisfaction ACSI It's no secret that most of us aren't particularly fond of our internet provider. Customer satisfaction ratings, such as those from sources like the ACSI and J.D. Power, shed some light on which providers fare better than others and why. In most cases, customer satisfaction numbers will fall somewhere in the middle of the road and not indicate much one way or the other. In others -- like Optimum's consistently low customer satisfaction score, Frontier's improving numbers or Verizon's consistently high marks -- may be a bit more telling. Do a little social research. Ask neighbors and friends who they have and why, what they like and don't like. Check out Reddit, and other media sources for further insight. Take the feedback for what it's worth, but don't believe everything you hear or read. 10. Watch out for promotional offers There's a reason I'm mentioning this tip last. Signup bonuses, much like low introductory rates, are tempting, but they're never incentive enough to commit to an ISP or plan that isn't the right fit for your needs. Gift cards, free months of internet service or streaming subscriptions eventually expire or lose their value. When that happens, you don't want to be stuck with an expensive plan that is faster than you need or a cheap ISP that doesn't deliver the speeds you want. Additionally, you may have to sign a term agreement when accepting promotional offers to prevent you from canceling as soon as you get the reward. Still, promotional offers like Verizon's streaming bundles which comes with a free Netflix and Max subscription for a year and then $10 a month after, may be worth investigating. Bottom line: finding good internet service is worth the effort There can be a lot to consider when signing up for an internet service. Along with the cost and speeds, be sure to evaluate the fine print -- price increases, data caps, equipment fees and contract requirements -- so you know what to expect when you get the bill each month. It can be overwhelming, but ultimately, your research and knowledge of the internet provider you settle for will pay off in the long run. 10 expert tips to finding your ideal ISP FAQs How do I choose the right provider and plan for me? In order to find the ideal internet service provider and plan for you and your household requires considering these key things: Speed, how much you want to spend on your internet and internet provider-related details such as connection type, additional fees, contracts and data caps. Considering these things can help narrow your search for internet service. What are the best internet providers? This may not be the most exciting answer, but the best ISP will all boil down to what's available at your address. The top providers in the country that offer the widest coverage are EarthLink, T-Mobile Home Internet, Spectrum, AT&T, Xfinity and Verizon 5G Home Internet. EarthLink's unique use of a variety of connection types makes it one of the most available ISPs in the country. T-Mobile comes at a close second with coverage available to more than 60% of the country. There are spots in the Midwest and the West that will have very little to no coverage for T-Mobile. In that case, Spectrum and Xfinity's cable coverage offer wide availability throughout the country.
Economy ME
26-05-2025
- Business
- Economy ME
Saudi Arabia's digital economy contribution to GDP soars to 15.6 percent in 2023
Saudi Arabia's digital economy rose to 15.6 percent of the Kingdom's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2023, marking a 1.6 percent rise compared to 2022. The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) revealed in its 2023 Digital Economy Statistics Bulletin that imports of information and communication technology (ICT) goods experienced remarkable growth, reaching SAR54.9 billion in 2023, up from SAR45.8 billion in 2022, reflecting a growth rate of 19.9 percent. According to the bulletin, exports and re-exports of ICT goods saw a significant increase of 76.1 percent, rising from SAR6.7 billion to SAR11.8 billion during the same period. Read more: Saudi Arabia launches AI incubator to propel startup growth, digital economic development The bulletin also indicated that 71.6 percent of establishments connected to the internet utilized smart devices or systems linked to the internet. Among the most notable of these technologies were smart alarm systems, smart meters, smart lighting, and smart surveillance cameras. Regarding the sector's financial performance, operating revenues for the ICT sector in 2023 totaled approximately SAR236.4 billion, while operating expenses reached SAR115.4 billion. Employee compensation in the sector amounted to SAR27.5 billion. As for the structure of the digital economy, the core level, consisting of activities that produce ICT goods and services, contributed 2.6 percent to GDP. The narrow level, covering establishments relying on digital inputs, contributed 2.3 percent. The broad level, which includes establishments significantly enhancing their products and services through digital inputs, accounted for 10.7 percent of GDP. This survey adheres to international standards set by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in its Handbook on Measuring Digital Trade, ensuring the international comparability of Saudi Arabia's digital economy indicators.
CNET
23-05-2025
- Business
- CNET
Memorial Day Deal: Sweep Up to 60% in Savings on These Dreame Robot Vacuums
If you're into smart devices, then a robot vacuum might be a great addition to your home. These handy bots can help you sweep and mop faster, and some even come as combination devices so your floors and carpets are as clean as possible. The sheer number of companies selling these futuristic devices means you're bound to find something fits your needs. We've spotted discounts on Dreame robot vacuums and robot vacuum and mop combos of up to $900 at Amazon just in time for Memorial Day. These deals are live until June 1. That may seem like you have a while but make sure the vac you want doesn't sell out before you grab it. Dreame offers an array of robot vacuums that can help run a more efficient home. This Dreame L20 Ultra robot vacuum and mop combo includes a loading dock, extending mop, 7,000Pa suction and AI obstacle detection for just $600 right now, down from its usual price of $1,000. High-end options also abound and include the Dreame X50 Ultra robot vacuum and mop combo for $1,400, which save you $300 over their usual asking price of $1,700. Both of these robot vacuums work with Alexa for added voice controls. Dreame is even offering options for those who are on a tight budget. The Dreame D9 Max robot vacuum and mop combo is down to a cool $180, saving you $120 on a robot vacuum and mop with powerful suction, home mapping and compatibility with Amazon Alexa. Just make sure to enter code D9MAXGN2 at checkout for the discount. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Some deals are only available to Amazon Prime members, such as this Dreame L10 robot vacuum and mop is down to $460 from its usual price of $600. Plus score an extra 5% off with the code dreameRVMD5. This state-of-the-art robot vacuum and mop includes a self-emptying and refilling dock for no fuss maintenance after a cleaning session. If you don't have Prime but really want this discount, you can sign up for a free 30-day trial. Dreame has multiple robot vacuum and mop combo deals live on their site, but keep in mind that some are flash deals that come and go quickly. Looking for a new robot vacuum and mop combo not sure if these deals are for you? Check out our roundup of the best Memorial Day vacuum deals to help you clean your home. Why this deal matters Dreame is behind some of the best robot vacuum and mop combo devices on the market. They offer deals for almost every price range, and you can maximize savings if you have Amazon Prime. Not only can you save on robot vacuums and mops on their own, Prime membership also scores you free shipping. These deals are live until June 1 on Amazon and May 27 on Dreame' site. It might seem like you have while to buy, but we suggest acting fast to grab your selection but the one you want sells out.
