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Technology

Taiwan's UMC in pact with Polar to explore US production of eight-inch chip

TAIPEI, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Taiwan chip maker United Microelectronics Corp (UMC) said on Thursday it had signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S.-based Polar Semiconductor to explore collaboration on manufacturing of 8-inch wafers in the United States.

Technology

Eau de AI: Amazon gives techies a whiff of software-driven perfume

LAS VEGAS, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Amazon.com on Wednesday touted new capabilities for its SageMaker AI service that it says will help customers expedite customizing their artificial intelligence software models.

Technology

Amazon in discussions with USPS about future relationship

WASHINGTON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Amazon.com said Thursday the e-commerce giant is in discussions with the U.S. Postal Service about its future relationship and considering its options before its current contract expires next year.

Technology

Meta set to face EU antitrust investigation into AI use in Whatsapp -source

BRUSSELS, Dec 4 (Reuters) - U.S. tech giant Meta is set to face a European Union antitrust investigation into use of artificial intelligence in its chat platform Whatsapp, a source told Reuters.

Technology

Russia blocks Apple's FaceTime in mounting push against foreign tech platforms

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Russia has blocked Apple's video-calling app FaceTime, the state communications watchdog said on Thursday, as part of an accelerating clampdown on foreign tech platforms that authorities allege are being used for criminal activity.

Gadgets

Logitech CEO says AI devices are solutions looking for problems

Logitech International SA's chief executive officer said the computer accessory maker is done for now with price hikes, while dismissing other hardware makers' rush to build artificial intelligence-centric gadgets.

Technology

Apple design executive Alan Dye poached by Meta in major coup

Dye's exit is a major loss for Apple, which was already coping with some critical departures in recent weeks.

Internet

In Data Centre Alley, AI sows building boom, doubts

As planes make their final approach to Washington DC's Dulles Airport, just below lies Ashburn, a town otherwise known as Data centre Alley – where an estimated 70% of all global Internet traffic at any moment finds its way.

Video games

Nintendo launches long-awaited 'Metroid Prime 4' sci-fi blaster

Fans of Nintendo's Metroid science-fiction saga have reason to celebrate on Nov 4 as the latest instalment in the series is released after an eight-year wait and a bumpy road through development.

Technology

EU hits Meta with antitrust probe over plans to block AI rivals from WhatsApp

BRUSSELS, Dec 4 (Reuters) - EU regulators launched an antitrust investigation into Meta Platforms on Thursday and may even temporarily halt its rollout of artificial intelligence features in its WhatsApp messenger that would block rivals, hardening Europe's already tough stance on Big Tech.

Console

The PlayStation turns 30: Looking back at the console that gave us Lara Croft and 'The Last of Us'

From big-budget Hollywood fare like Lara Croft: Tomb Raider starring Angelina Jolie, to Juice WRLD's video for Hear Me Calling to The Last Of Us on HBO Max, the PlayStation experience has leapt far past the console.

Technology

Australia says the world will follow social media ban as Meta starts blocking teens

SYDNEY, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Australia's internet regulator said a teen social media ban would be the first domino to fall in a global push to rein in Big Tech, as Meta's Instagram, Facebook and Threads began locking out hundreds of thousands of accounts ahead of a deadline next week.

Mobile apps

How to find Spotify Wrapped, YouTube Recap and more as 2025 comes to a close

Music streamers, social media sites and a host of other apps have already started delivering their annual recaps into customers' inboxes.

Wearables

Chinese smart glasses firms eye overseas conquest

In China, AI glasses let the wearer pay in shops with just a glance at a QR code and a voice command, as a growing number of companies look to conquer both growing domestic and overseas markets.

Technology

OpenAI agrees to acquire AI startup Neptune to boost model training capabilities

Dec 3 (Reuters) - OpenAI has agreed to acquire Neptune, a startup that provides tools that help companies track their AI model training, the ChatGPT maker said on Wednesday.

Smartphones

A smartphone before age 12 could carry health risks, study says

Researchers found higher rates of depression, poor sleep and obesity among tweens who had early access to a cellphone.

Technology

Australia's Optus restores nbn services across Brisbane, parts of Queensland after outage

Dec 4 (Reuters) - Australian telecom company Optus has fully restored its National Broadband Network (nbn) services in Brisbane and other affected areas of Queensland following a recent outage, a company spokesperson said on Thursday.

Technology

Intel says it will keep networking and communications unit

Dec 3 (Reuters) - Intel said on Wednesday it has opted to keep its networking and communications unit in the company following a review of strategic options for the unit.

Technology

Fintech firm Marquis notifies affected business after ransomware breach

Dec 3 (Reuters) - Fintech firm Marquis is notifying U.S. banks and credit unions after an August ransomware attack allowed hackers to access files containing customer data, according to a company filing on Tuesday.

Technology

Amazon adds news tab to Prime Video in user expansion push

Dec 3 (Reuters) - Amazon.com said on Wednesday it is rolling out a dedicated news tab on its Prime Video streaming service, which will become available to all U.S. customers for free by the end of the year.