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FARNBOROUGH, England — United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) today launched the company’s first-ever, all-digital innovation showcase at the Farnborough International Airshow. The showcase, entitled “Innovating an Extraordinary Future,” uses immersive video, digital touch-screen technology and augmented reality with 3D-printed models, to enable visitors to learn about more than 50 product and service offerings in a multi-sensory experience.

As part of the show, United Technologies’ two leading aerospace companies, Pratt & Whitney and UTC Aerospace Systems, expect to make more than 25 announcements that span product and system contract orders, customer adoption of innovative intelligence platforms, expansion of MRO capabilities, and R&D investments in autonomous flight technology and a new aerospace intelligence lab.

While at the show, United Technologies’ Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gregory J. Hayes, shared his thoughts about four key trends influencing the future of aerospace. “Digital technologies, data intelligence, advanced manufacturing techniques and more electric technologies for aircraft systems and propulsion are redefining the aerospace industry,” said Hayes. “We are witnessing an unprecedented level of innovation happening at a pace and scale that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. The aerospace companies that will be most successful are those that can provide customers with smart, intelligent systems that optimize performance, enable predictability and reliability, and improve cost efficiency.”

“Innovating an Extraordinary Future” All-Digital Showcase
Visitors to United Technologies’ chalet and innovation showcase will be greeted by a floor-to-ceiling video wall projecting inspirational images of aerospace technology in action. They can learn more about specific products and systems offered by Pratt & Whitney and UTC Aerospace Systems by simply touching one of six, interactive multi-media pillars. These free-standing, digital learning hubs provide detailed information, videos, and 360-degree models of UTC’s latest aerospace offerings, including jet engines, military ejection seats and more.

Enthusiasts who want to drill down into an aircraft’s inner systems can participate in a UTC augmented reality experience. Participants are given specially-loaded iPads and encouraged to use the device as a viewer as they walk around 3D-printed aircraft models. Touching on a series of designated “hot spots” located on the aircraft will then transport the viewer into the inner workings of the plane’s systems. UTC designed the experience to emphasize the increasingly digitally-connected systems that are redefining the aerospace industry today.

New Contract Wins Reflect the Future of Aerospace
Pratt & Whitney and UTC Aerospace Systems announced a series of contract wins, R&D investments and service expansions prior to and at the show. The announcements reflect increased customer demand for products and services that leverage new technologies to improve operational performance and efficiency for their fleets. Below are a few highlights:

2018 News Highlights from Pratt & Whitney

Increased GTF Adoption: More than 400 Pratt & Whitney GTF engine selections were announced in the first half of 2018, including JetBlue’s announcement last week for 60 A220-300 aircraft. Other milestones included the entry into service of Embraer’s E2 jet, with launch customer Wideroe, and six airlines celebrated the very first A320neo family aircraft delivery.

Expansion of FAST™ for Predictive Analytics: Pratt & Whitney continues to expand the availability of its FAST™ solution for predictive and preventive maintenance on a growing number of aircraft platforms for hundreds of customers in general aviation, business jets, helicopters and regional airlines. The FAST solution provides near-real-time, high-density, full-flight data after each mission for more than 2,000 Pratt & Whitney Canada engines. The company has also begun introduction of its revolutionary new Oil Analysis Technology under its Digital Engine Services suite. This innovative technology provides high visibility into the health and operation of the engine without intrusive inspections.

New Data Capture Offering: On the military side, Pratt & Whitney announced the launch of Digital Depot. This multi-year initiative seeks to capture detailed data from engine shop visits to drive cost-optimized maintenance work scope, feed accurate forecasts for parts availability, and inform future design improvements for even greater reliability and time on wing. Digital Depot is projected to reduce turnaround time by 30 percent, which can result in lower cost, less inventory and fewer spare engines.
“Pratt & Whitney has invested in digital tools that help design, produce and maintain our full range of engines from general aviation, to the world’s only fifth generation fighter jet engine and Geared Turbofan for commercial aviation,” said Pratt & Whitney President, Robert F. Leduc. “Digital will be a key investment area for us going forward, as we continue the Pratt & Whitney heritage of redefining engine technology through innovations that deliver real customer value.”

UTC Aerospace Systems Announcements Reinforce the Power of Data (Show-related announcements)

Rapid Deployment of InteliSight Platform: UTC Aerospace Systems announced a compact form of its InteliSight platform, which seamlessly accesses and transmits valuable aircraft data. The new form factor reduces the installation time of the Aircraft Interface Device (AID) and Tablet Interface Management (TIM®) by 90 percent, enabling operators to rapidly connect their entire fleet to the airline’s network and begin receiving valuable data feeds within days vs. months.

Predictive Analytics for Aircraft Maintenance: All Nippon Airways (ANA) has selected to pilot UTC Aerospace Systems’ Ascentia platform, a prognostics and health management solution launched earlier this year, which builds on the InteliSight platform by converting data streams into predictive analytics. Through the provision of near real-time analysis of full-flight data, ANA will be able to receive proactive maintenance recommendations that reduce unscheduled maintenance and service interruptions, and optimize shop visits for its fleet of 63 Boeing 787s.

New Innovation Lab for Intelligent and Connected Aircraft: UTC Aerospace Systems announced the opening of a new Intelligent Aircraft Technologies Lab based in Rockford, Illinois. The lab will accelerate the development of more intelligent and connected aircraft systems, and will initially focus on the implementation of health monitoring solutions for generators, air compressors, fans and motor controllers.

Autonomous Flight Support: UTC Aerospace Systems is making a multi-million dollar investment in the development of a next-gen vehicle management computer (VMC). It will enable fly-by-wire technology and autonomous flight for new and retrofit applications in civil and military aircraft. The VMC will feature triple multi-core processors, high-speed communications and open architecture for use in high-redundancy flight critical applications. The company expects to announce its first customer within a year and begin deliveries in 2022.
“Data will underpin and be the transformative force of advancements in intelligent aerospace,” said Dave Gitlin, President of UTC Aerospace Systems. “From the application of analytics for proactive fleet monitoring and enhanced maintenance support to furthering the path of autonomous flight, actionable data is the way toward intelligent flight for our customers.”

About United Technologies Corporation
United Technologies Corp., based in Farmington, Connecticut, provides high-technology systems and services to the building and aerospace industries. By combining a passion for science with precision engineering, the company is creating smart, sustainable solutions the world needs. To learn more about UTC, visit the website or follow the company on Twitter: @UTC

REDMOND, Wash. — On Tuesday, Microsoft Corp. announced the consortium of architects and general contractors it has selected to work together to design and build almost 3 million square feet of new workspace on 72 acres of its Redmond campus. This is part of a multiyear campus modernization project announced in 2017, which will create new office space, public amenities and infrastructure.

The team includes architecture firms LMN, NBBJ, WRNS Studio and ZGF Architects; general contractors Skanska, Balfour Beatty, GLY and Sellen; and lead landscape architect Berger Partnership with OLIN. Project management for the redevelopment was awarded to CBRE, JLL and OAC Services Inc. Construction of the new buildings is expected to commence later this year and be completed in 2022.

“Our new campus will be more open and modern, focused on sustainability, connectedness and accessibility. The workplaces will feature more natural light and foster the type of creativity that will lead to ongoing innovation, advance the industry and benefit our customers,” said Rob Towne, regional director of Puget Sound, Global Real Estate & Facilities at Microsoft. “The firms we selected for this project will bring our vision to life.”

An overarching goal of the campus modernization is creating a healthy, inspiring workplace that supports the needs of Microsoft employees. The project will include:

18 new buildings, ranging from 180,000 to 220,000 square feet, clustered into four distinct villages that will be blended together to create a unified campus.
Accessibility features to enhance mobility and ease of access for all employees.
Buildings that are four to five stories in height, encouraging physical activity and interaction between employees.
Spacious atriums and courtyards for improved daylighting and direct connections to the outdoors.
Thoughtful sustainable design strategies to support the symbiosis of people and place, while respecting the unique ecology of the region.
Fronting 156th Avenue Northeast, the primary corridor of access to East Campus, a future gateway to serve those arriving via Sound Transit’s Redmond Technology Center light rail station. It will also welcome arrivals from a pedestrian-and-cyclist-only bridge over State Route 520, which will connect to the west campus.
To emphasize the importance of health, movement and easy access to a variety of amenities, the campus will be organized around the experience of pedestrians and cyclists. Vehicular traffic — including drop-off and parking areas — will be relegated to the campus periphery and underground structured parking.
For more information, visit https://news.microsoft.com/modern-campus/.

About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

The European Parliament, Council and the European Commission tonight reached a political agreement on new rules that will allow data to be stored and processed everywhere in the EU without unjustified restrictions.

The new rules will also support the creation of a competitive data economy within the Digital Single Market.

Vice-President for the Digital Single Market Andrus Ansip said:”Data localisation restrictions are signs of protectionism for which there is no place in a single market. After free movement of people, goods, services and capital, we have made the next step with this agreement for a free flow of non-personal data to drive technological innovations and new business models and create a European data space for all types of data.”

Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Mariya Gabriel said: “Data is the backbone of today’s digital economy and this proposal will help to build a common European data space. The European data economy can become a powerful driver for growth, create new jobs and open up new business models and innovation opportunities. With this agreement we are one step closer to completing the Digital Single Market by the end of 2018.”

The new rules will remove barriers hindering the free flow of data, and boost Europe’s economy by generating an estimated growth of up to 4% GDP by 2020.

The new free flow of non-personal data rules will:

Ensure the free flow of data across borders: The new rules set a framework for data storing and processing across the EU, prohibiting data localisation restrictions. Member States will have to communicate to the Commission any remaining or planned data localisation restrictions to the Commission in limited specific situations of public sector data processing. The Regulation on free flow of non-personal data has no impact on the application of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), as it does not cover personal data. However, the two Regulations will function together to enable the free flow of any data – personal and non-personal – thus creating a single European space for data. In the case of a mixed dataset, the GDPR provision guaranteeing free flow of personal data will apply to the personal data part of the set, and the free flow of non-personal data principle will apply to the non-personal part.
Ensure data availability for regulatory control: Public authorities will be able to access data for scrutiny and supervisory control wherever it is stored or processed in the EU. Member States may sanction users that do not provide access to data stored in another Member State.
Encourage creation of codes of conduct for cloud services to facilitate switching between cloud service providers under clear deadlines. This will make the market for cloud services more flexible and the data services in the EU more affordable.
The agreed measures are in line with existing rules for the free movement and portability of personal data in the EU.

Background

The Commission presented a framework for the free flow of non-personal data in September 2017 as a part of President Jean-Claude Juncker’s State of the Union address to unlock the full potential of the European Data Economy. It was announced as one of the key actions in the mid-term review of the Digital Single Market strategy.

Ft. Worth, TX, Today at RAPID + TCT, North America’s largest 3D printing conference, HP announced new agreements with industry leaders Jabil and Forecast 3D to drive the future of distributed design, manufacturing and digital supply chains leveraging the power of HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D Printing technology. As the global economy enters what many call the 4th Industrial Revolution, new technologies such as 3D printing are enabling an array of new business opportunities such as distributed design and manufacturing, supply chain services, and increasingly localized production.

“From multinational design engineering and manufacturing, to localized production, industry leaders such as Jabil and Forecast 3D are demonstrating 3D printing’s expanding role in the digital transformation of the $12 trillion global manufacturing economy,” said Stephen Nigro, President of 3D Printing, HP Inc. “HP Multi Jet Fusion customers and partners represent critical links in a new value chain that’s rewriting the rules of design, production, and delivery, ultimately ushering in a new era of digital manufacturing.”

Design and Manufacturing Trailblazers Continue to Embrace HP’s Multi Jet Fusion 3D Printing Solutions

Jabil is one of the largest product solutions companies in the world, with more than 100 facilities in 29 countries. Jabil is complementing its U.S.-based HP Multi Jet Fusion installation with six additional production-ready HP Jet Fusion 4210 3D printers in Singapore, bringing its total to a dozen HP 3D printers. The network of 3D printers underpins the new Jabil Additive Manufacturing Network, enabling design and manufacturing teams to collaborate across multiple geographies, manage incoming orders, allocate jobs across resources, and produce end-products in the locations best suited for their supply chain and distribution needs.

Currently, Jabil is using its network to unite product designers in Silicon Valley with Singapore-based manufacturing teams to accelerate the distributed manufacturing of products developed using HP Multi Jet Fusion technology, among them parts for HP’s own 3D printers. More than 140 parts for HP’s Jet Fusion 300/500 full-color 3D printers are being produced by Jabil in what is believed to be the most 3D printed parts for any commercial product in the world.

“HP Multi Jet Fusion gives us the foundational 3D printing platform we need to deliver truly industrial-grade, production applications for our globally distributed customers,” said John Dulchinos, vice president of digital manufacturing, Jabil. “Our aim is to harmonize the multiple regions, technologies, materials, and manufacturing workflows of the 4th Industrial Revolution and HP is an important partner in that effort.”

Forecast 3D, one of the oldest and largest privately-held 3D manufacturers in the United States, is adding six new HP Jet Fusion 4210 solutions to expand its fleet to 18 systems in response to increasing customer demand. Forecast 3D plans to produce several million end-use parts on HP’s 3D printers in the coming year, delivering commercial-grade applications for clients in multiple industries including the medical, consumer goods, aerospace, defense, and auto sectors.

“Our customers across all industries have spoken – and they are looking for more of the speed, quality, and cost benefits for production applications unleashed by HP Multi Jet Fusion,” said Corey Weber, CEO of Forecast 3D. “We are investing in this important 3D printing technology platform as we scale up to meet rising demand from international and domestic clients seeking to reinvent their product lifecycle.”

Unleashing a New Era of Design Possibilities in Full Color

HP is committed to democratizing 3D design and manufacturing and recently expanded its portfolio with the introduction of the Jet Fusion 300 / 500 series, the world’s first 3D printers to deliver engineering-grade, functional parts in full color, black or white in a fraction of the time[1] of other solutions. HP is providing Multi Jet Fusion users the ability to prototype and produce new designs on the same platform and stay ahead with a future-ready technology for voxel control for color and beyond, enabling the design and production of previously unconceivable applications. For more information visit www.hp.com/us/en/printers/3d-printers/3dcolorprint.

HP at RAPID + TCT
Attendees at RAPID + TCT can learn more about the entire HP Jet Fusion portfolio, including the new full-color HP Jet Fusion 300/500 series at HP’s booth 1330. Stephen Nigro, President of 3D Printing at HP Inc,. will also speak in the General Session on Thursday April 26 at 8.30 am.

About HP
HP Inc. creates technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere. Through our portfolio of printers, PCs, mobile devices, solutions and services, we engineer experiences that amaze. More information about HP Inc. is available at http://www.hp.com/go/3Dprinting.

PALO ALTO, Calif., April 5, 2018 — HP Inc. today unveiled a range of new, fifth-generation HP ZBook Mobile Workstations designed for creative and technical professionals, executives and students who demand high-performance computing and premium experiences. The new lineup features cutting-edge design, innovative collaboration tools and superb security features to help elevate the creative process.
“Today’s mobile users are looking for premium products with outstanding performance, differentiated design, resilient security and practical collaboration tools to create anytime, anywhere, without limits,” said Xavier Garcia, vice president and general manager, HP Z Workstations, HP Inc. “Whether it’s the game-changing design of the world’s most powerful convertible PC, the world’s most powerful mobile workstation or the world’s most secure mobile workstations, HP is delivering the products that creative and technical workers crave.”

Purposeful Innovation to Excite
By constantly monitoring market trends and customer insights, HP understands that today’s mobile workers
surround themselves with a collection of products that speak to their personal design philosophy. They require products that don’t just enable the creative process, but elevate it. HP ZBooks were created with forward-thinking design and versatility, precision inking experiences, the brightest displays, tool-less access and distinct eye-pleasing finishes. This generation of HP ZBook’s tout precision-crafted machined aluminum for enhanced structural integrity, durability and weight-savings, and streamlined narrow border displays allow for more screen real estate in a smaller chassis.

Today, technical workstation users demand accelerated performance to dramatically improve workflows. As boundaries around traditional workplaces are erased, security becomes even more important. Nearly 70 percent of organizations have reported compromised laptops in the past 24 months4, highlighting the need for robust security features that provide constant protection and resiliency in the event of an attack. Therefore, HP designs its HP ZBooks to be the world’s most secure and manageable mobile workstations5.

At the same time, as workplaces become more collaborative, the need for innovative tools is on the rise. The mobile user is at the center of this shift, with laptops/mobile workstations as the most frequently used devices for meetings and collaboration. HP ZBook Mobile Workstation users can collaborate naturally with the world-facing microphone and the HP Premium Collaboration Keyboard. This generation of HP ZBooks also have even richer sound over the previous generation – louder, bigger speakers with a lower bass roll-off.

Premium HP ZBooks Delight Creative Professionals
Today, HP revealed the HP ZBook Studio x360 G5, the world’s most powerful convertible PC1. This versatile laptop gives users the latest convertible design with professional-grade performance needed to run multiple apps with speed and responsiveness. Users can edit high-resolution images without delay, with NVIDIA® graphics and Intel® Xeon® processors. HP’s innovative 360-degree hinge delivers the comfort of a laptop, the convenience of a tablet and the luxury of additional modes to help showcase work. Precision inking with 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity are realized on the anti-glare HP DreamColor display – the world’s brightest, 4K laptop display2.

Creative professionals will experience the ultimate blend of design and performance in the next generation HP ZBook Studio G5. This premium model is smaller, faster and brighter than ever. Users can bring ideas to life on the world’s brightest 4K laptop display2. The HP DreamColor anti-glare display supports 100 percent Adobe RGB, has 600 nits of brightness, is 20 percent brighter than the Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch Retina display and 50 percent brighter than the Dell XPS UltraSharp 4K display6. The HP ZBook Studio supports up to 6 TB7 of storage, with certified NVIDIA® Quadro® graphics and ultra-fast 6-core Intel® Xeon® processors, with 35 percent higher processing performance than the Apple MacBook Pro8.

Last fall, HP announced the HP ZBook x2, the world’s most powerful detachable PC, to unleash the power of Adobe Creative Cloud with remarkable performance and versatility. This product now includes Intel’s 8th generation of quad core processors that deliver 73 percent higher graphics performance compared to the Surface Pro9.

HP ZBook 17
HP ZBook 17

Performance HP ZBooks Thrill Technical Community
HP ZBook17 G5 delivers the performance of a desktop with the freedom of a laptop. Users will revel over the relentless performance when editing multiple streams of content, manipulating data and developing in VR. The HP ZBook 17 G5, the world’s most powerful mobile workstation3, is packed with 50 percent more cores generation over generation, up to 10 TB storage7, 64 GB memory, NVIDIA® Quadro® P5200 graphics and 20 percent better thermals generation over generation to stay cool and quiet. With up to 50 million different configurations, the HP ZBook 17 G5 can be customized to meet any demand and can be upgraded in seconds without tools.

HP ZBook 15 G5, the number one mobile workstation in the world10, provides extraordinary performance with industry-leading security and is designed to thrive with heavy rendering, engineering and simulation workflows. With 30 percent better thermal performance generation over generation, it stays quiet and cool running at maximum performance workloads. Users can bring projects to life with one billion colors on the stunning 600 nits 4K HP DreamColor display11. Users can also increase productivity with up to 6 TB of storage and 3 drives and up to 4 TB local PCIe TLC storage.7 Engineered for the future, upgrading is made easy with tool-less access. In 2016, NASA purchased 1,200 HP ZBook 15 mobile workstations for use on the ISS and to support ground development and flight support.

HP ZBook 15v G5 is a high-performance laptop, aimed at engineering students and SMBs, with high speed processors and graphics certified for peak performance – all at a low cost. This model has fast response times with 6-core Intel® Xeon® processors12 and 32 GB memory, even when running multiple apps at once. Users can access large 4K files quickly with up to 4 TB of high-speed storage7 and tackle complex 2D and 3D models with certified NVIDIA® Quadro® graphics. The HP ZBook 15v is optimized for stability and peak performance with professional software applications from leading software providers like Autodesk, Revit and SOLIDWORKS. This model features up to 2 TB local PCIe TLC storage.

Visionary Display for Visionary Creators
The HP DreamColor Z27x G2 Studio Display delivers consistent accurate color, features a wide color gamut, high performance IPS Panel and workflow management tools with breakthrough HP DreamColor technology. This 27-inch diagonal display uses an integrated pop-up sensor that calibrates on demand or on a regular schedule. HP worked with leading visual effects studios to create customized solutions for an optimal design process, including onscreen markers, remote management and the world’s first integrated keyboard-based input switching KVM13 to easily switch between devices. Users will experience a broad range of vividly accurate colors from 99 percent DCI P3 coverage, 98 percent Adobe RGB and a 1500:1 contrast ratio. The new HP Z27x joins the HP Z31x DreamColor Studio Display to make a family of the most advanced color-critical displays in the world14.

Pricing and Availability
The HP ZBook Studio x360 is expected to be available beginning in May for a starting price of $1,499
The HP ZBook Studio is expected to be available beginning in May for a starting price of $1,299
The HP ZBook 17 is expected to be available beginning in May. Price not yet available.
The HP ZBook 15 is expected to be available beginning in May. Price not yet available
The HP ZBook 15v is expected to be available beginning in May for a starting price of $949.
The HP DreamColor Z27x G2 Display is available beginning in April for a starting price of $1,999

ORLANDO, Fla.,HP Inc. today at Enterprise Connect 2018 unveiled a set of conferencing and collaboration technology designed for the office of the future, the latest in a series of HP innovations that reinvent the PC experience and extends it into modern meeting spaces. The HP Elite Slice for Meeting Rooms G2 and an all-new 43-inch diagonal 4K conferencing display are part of HP’s growing ecosystem of PC-based conferencing tools and displays designed to make the collaboration experience simple, scalable and versatile.

“We’ve heard from our customers that conferencing technology should be easy to deploy and manage, secure for sensitive information, and most importantly easy-to-use,” said Alex Cho, vice president and general manager, Commercial PCs, HP Inc. “Collaboration is a vital tool for the modern workforce and HP is on a mission to design collaboration technology – like the new HP Elite Slice for Meeting Rooms – to be a simple, meaningful and personal experience.”

Today’s workforce works from multiple locations both in and outside of the office, and innovative companies are five times more likely to have workplaces that prioritize both individual and group workspaces1. With a 34 percent growth of huddle spaces expected in the next 12 months2, there are 40 million meeting spaces3 that need a conferencing solution IT departments can deploy, secure and manage as easily as their PCs, and an experience that eliminates the common pitfalls of the conference call – from time spent setting up calls to dealing with dongles and cords.

Unified Communications (UC) based collaboration technology – solutions that integrate voice, video, and data for real-time collaborating – is growing and HP Elite Slice for Meeting Rooms G2 with Skype Room Systems (SRS) provides a seamless technology experience for the unique demands and needs of businesses and their workforce. This innovative collaboration PC enables a high-quality audio and video experience using Skype for Business.

“Online collaboration continues to fuel growth around the globe, and we are pleased that HP Inc. is bringing the next generation of Skype Room Systems solution to market,” said Bob Davis, corporate vice president, Microsoft. “The easy-to-deploy and use HP Elite Slice for Meeting Rooms for Skype Room Systems will transform meeting spaces and enable rich collaborative Skype for Business and soon, Microsoft Teams, experiences.”

Curated for collaboration, HP Elite Slice for Meeting Rooms SRS is designed with a variety of features to make the meeting experience simple and pain-free. To reduce time spent setting up calls, the optional Center of Room Control4 is a 12.3-inch diagonal touch screen that easily manages conference calls, and includes the HP Presence Sensor that senses when a participant enters the room to start the meeting. The control includes a 1.3 m cable to easily move around the room for use by multiple participants, features multiple viewing angles and is built with smudge-resistant glass coating to help reduce the unsightly fingerprints that can accumulate throughout a day’s use.

To ensure that meeting participants can be heard clearly and avoid the dreaded “I thought I was on mute” mishap, the device features 90 dBa audio for sound and clarity, a far field microphone that can capture sound up to five meters away, HP Noise Cancellation to avoid unwanted sounds/conversations in a room, and a tri-colored light ring that indicates volume level and mute. To avoid the dongle drama and cable clutter experienced in many conference rooms, HP Elite Slice for Meeting Rooms SRS features a wireless display module that eliminates the use of cables with easy sharing via Skype for Business. There is also an option to allow guests to connect directly to the device through the HDMI port.5

HP Elite Slice for Meeting Rooms SRS is as easy to deploy, secure and manage as a traditional PC, with a standards-based user interface, HP Manageability Integration Kit, and a tool-less set up. As conference devices are typically shared across multiple users, always on, and often unattended for long periods of time, HP Elite Slice for Meeting Rooms SRS features HP Sure Start with Dynamic Protection and is the only conferencing solution with a self-healing BIOS6. The device also features tamper-proof port covers to prevent tampering or damage by users.

The HP Elite Slice for Meeting Rooms is part of HP’s growing collaboration ecosystem announced in September, which includes: HP Elite Slice for Meeting Rooms G2 with Intel Unite is ideal for customers needing a high degree of customization and flexibility with their collaboration solutions; the HP ShareBoard for an interactive whiteboard experience; the HP Thunderbolt Dock with an audio module to turn any small huddle space into a meeting space; HP EliteOne 1000 All-in-One for on-demand conferencing; HP Elite Presenter Mouse to lead meetings; and HP conferencing displays including the new HP LD4312 4K Large Format Display for a more interactive collaborative experience. Ideal for a meeting space with one to four users, the HP LD4312 is a high resolution 4K display with convenient connectivity and integrated speakers for video conferencing.

Pricing and Availability

HP Elite Slice for Meeting Rooms G2 for Skype Room Systems is expected to be available in April for a starting price of $1,799.
HP Elite Slice for Meeting Rooms G2 with Intel Unite is expected to be available in April for a starting price of $1,299.
The HP LD4312 4K Large Format Display is expected to be available in June for $599.
To see HP Elite Slice for Meeting Rooms in action, visit the Microsoft booth (#507) and Intel booth (#1419) at Enterprise Connect Conference in Orlando, Florida, from March 12-15, 2018. For more information about HP Elite Slice for Meeting Rooms, visit: www.hp.com/go/sliceformeetings. For more information about HP Elite devices, visit www.hp.com/go/elite.

About HP
HP Inc. creates technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere. Through our portfolio of printers, PCs, mobile devices, solutions, and services, we engineer experiences that amaze. More information about HP Inc. is available at http://www.hp.com.

PALO ALTO, Calif., HP Inc. today unveiled an expansive new set of Device as a Service (DaaS)1 offerings for customers and channel partners, including the launch of DaaS for Apple. HP will provide support for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other Apple devices used by commercial customers in mixed operating system (OS) environments. The company also introduced new virtual reality (VR) solutions and predictive analytics capabilities available as a service to support a broader range of customer needs.

“Our customers are seeking new ways to better manage the expansion of device types and operating systems across their workforce. With the launch of DaaS for Apple, HP is offering the leading multi-OS device management solution and raising the bar on service delivery,” said Bill Avey, global head and general manager, Personal Systems Services, HP Inc. “Our expanded support for mixed operating system environments across every phase of the device lifecycle, combined with our continued expansion into VR and data analytics, is providing smart, simplified solutions for the modern workforce and unlocking new growth opportunities for our customers, our channel partners, and our business.”

The growth of HP DaaS comes as corporate IT departments are seeking new ways to manage both HP and other manufacturer devices more efficiently and effectively. HP has delivered strong growth in its services business, with HP DaaS now available from nearly 100 channel partners around the world.

The right devices for the job
As part of HP’s expanded DaaS offering, customers will be able to pair iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other Apple devices with HP’s world-class support, managed services, and analytics. HP estimates that by 2020 there will be 9 billion commercial devices worldwide2, with an average of four devices per user3. Mixed-device environments are the norm in today’s world and becoming increasingly difficult and costly for organizations due to the number of devices, managing multiple device types, OSes, and vendors.

HP is embracing mixed-device environments by offering complete solutions to customers extending far beyond HP-manufactured hardware. DaaS for Apple is the latest example, currently offered directly from HP in the U.S. with plans to expand to other countries and select channel partners over the next year.

Additionally, the HP DaaS product line includes the latest and most innovative HP devices. The new HP Virtual Reality solutions, including the HP Z4 Workstation and HP Windows Mixed Reality VR headset, are now available as a service through HP DaaS. The HP Z4 Workstation is ideal for design, engineering, simulation, and visualization, and it can easily handle tasks that require high-frequency processing, multiple cores and high-powered GPUs. The HP Windows Mixed Reality VR headset delivers a stunning immersive computing experience due to its1440x1440 resolution per eye and up to a 90Hz refresh rate4. Users will enjoy six degrees of freedom, no tracking boundaries, and the included wireless motion controllers.

Analytics, insight, and unified endpoint management
According to IDC5, 63 percent of commercial IT managers say their resources are drained by device management and would like to be able to focus on other IT projects such as mobility, business applications, and security initiatives. To help free up resources, HP is expanding its real-time hardware analytics and proactive device management capabilities. This service from HP enables customers to analyze hardware performance, detect potential problems in advance, and proactively implement corrective actions. The unique data analytics capabilities of HP DaaS are now available on Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS devices – creating a multi-OS solution that’s designed to boost IT efficiency and improve employee experiences.

Tailored solutions and maximum flexibility
HP DaaS agreements can also be tailored to fit customers’ unique needs by easily adding specific device lifecycle services. Today the company introduced HP Tech Café Market Enhanced, an end-to-end vending and storage solution that provides instant access to accessories and 24/7 lockers for device swaps or repairs. In addition to vending and storage, HP will manage the ordering, replenishment, and reporting for customers. The solution supports the needs of an increasingly mobile workforce and significantly simplifies life for IT departments. About HP
HP Inc. creates technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere. Through our portfolio of printers, PCs, mobile devices, solutions, and services, we engineer experiences that amaze. More information about HP Inc. is available at http://www.hp.com.

Palo Alto, Calif., HP Inc. and the NFL today announced the use of an innovative new footwear solution— FitStation powered by HP—that uses 3D scanning to provide players with personalized cleat recommendations.

This dual hardware and software platform captures 3D scans of the foot, foot pressure measurements and dynamic gait analysis to create uniquely individual digital profiles, and uses proprietary algorithms to match the digital profile of a player with previously scanned 3D images of Nike, Adidas and Under Armour football cleats. All 32 NFL teams have adopted HP’s technology, and it will be fully operational in every team equipment room by the start of next season.

“We are proud to have HP onboard as an official sponsor and have the ability for the League and each of its 32 clubs to tap into their innovative 3D scanning technology,” said Renie Anderson, Senior Vice President of Sponsorship and Partnership Management for the NFL. “The NFL’s number one priority is continuing to enhance player safety and performance and by utilizing HP’s technology to give our players personalized cleat recommendations we’re able to continue that mission.”

As part of the NFL’s ongoing commitment to enhance player health and safety, the league’s Musculoskeletal Committee, which analyzes injury data and trends and studies injury mechanisms and prevention, selected HP’s FitStation platform for its ability to produce uniquely individualized data to inform shoe selection that best matches the anatomy.

“A shoe is not just about performance, it is an important piece of protective equipment. In the NFL, lower limb injuries are responsible for a significant amount of player time lost. A better-designed shoe can be a protective mechanism against injuries such as turf toe, Lisfranc fractures, and high ankle sprains,” said Dr. Richard Kent, a professor of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, and Emergency Medicine at the University of Virginia and a member of the NFL Musculoskeletal Committee.

FitStation captures up to 500 precise measurements per second. The high-quality 3D scanner contains nine cameras to automate length, width and arch-height calculation for a custom fit.

NFL Fit Station PR | 1

“FitStation is a truly disruptive platform that supports the high safety standards of the NFL and can help personalize players’ cleats,” said Louis Kim, global head of Immersive Computing, Personal Systems, HP Inc. “We see tremendous opportunities for FitStation to help athletes in the NFL and other sports perform at their best. It’s the latest example of how HP technology is fueling the future of computing.”

About FitStation Powered by HP
FitStation is reinventing the in-store retail experience for shoppers with innovative, end-to-end footwear technology that provides precise fit and individualized products. The digital foot scanning platform allows customers to create a profile and receive personalized off-the-shelf shoe recommendations3. With FitStation’s 3D scanning capabilities, it collects the customer’s foot length, width, and volumetric data and compares that to the available shoes to determine the most ideal fit.

About HP Inc.
HP Inc. creates technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere. Through our portfolio of printers, PCs, mobile devices, solutions, and services, we engineer experiences that amaze. More information about HP Inc. is available at http://www.hp.com.

About HP
HP Inc. creates technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere. Through our portfolio of printers, PCs, mobile devices, solutions, and services, we engineer experiences that amaze. More information about HP Inc. is available at http://www.hp.com.

Chicago — Apple today announced that it is working with the city of Chicago to bring coding opportunities to Chicago’s nearly 500,000 students through a citywide expansion of Apple’s Everyone Can Code program.
The initiative in Chicago was designed in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools, City Colleges of Chicago, local businesses and non-profit organizations. Together, Apple and local organizations are helping expand opportunities for students to build the skills they need to pursue careers in the app economy by becoming proficient in Swift, Apple’s easy-to-learn programming language that empowers anyone to create world-class apps.

“At Apple we believe coding is an essential skill, so we’ve designed Everyone Can Code to give everyone the power to learn, write and teach coding,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “We’re thrilled to be working with our friends and partners in the great city of Chicago on this initiative. Together with Mayor Emanuel, Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges, we look forward to helping students learn Swift and build the skills they need to thrive in today’s workplace.”
Starting this spring, Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges of Chicago will expand Everyone Can Code curriculum and materials to reach students citywide. For the first time, City Colleges of Chicago will offer the innovative App Development with Swift curriculum, helping students build skills around coding and app development.

Chicago Public Schools will also offer new Swift Coding Clubs, which bring coding education to after-school programs. Swift Coding Clubs guide students through key coding concepts, introduce them to Swift and walk them through an app design and prototyping project.
Apple and local businesses, including GE Transportation, IBM, Jellyvision, Lextech, McDonald’s, Rush University Medical Center, Ulta Beauty and United Airlines will add volunteer opportunities for their Chicago-based employees to help support students. Additionally, 1871, One Summer Chicago and other Chicago-based businesses will offer more than 100 internships to high school and college students who have completed the Everyone Can Code curriculum.

“Coding is not just a critical skill in today’s economy, it is another outlet for students to expand their horizons and explore their creativity,” said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “Everyone Can Code is an incredible opportunity for young people across Chicago to learn the language of the future, sharpen their minds and develop the skill sets needed to compete and win in the 21st century.”
“Everyone Can Code gives students opportunities to learn new skills and develop a strong foundation in STEM to prepare them for a successful future in the 21st-century economy,” said Dr. Janice K. Jackson, acting Chief Executive Officer at Chicago Public Schools. “This initiative introduces coding curriculum that develops core skills, creativity, collaboration and problem solving, which will help lay the groundwork for a successful future.”

Apple provides learning experiences for coding in all Apple Stores. New App Development Design sessions also premiered at Apple Michigan Avenue this fall.
Everyone Can Code is a program designed by Apple to help everyone learn how to code, creating opportunities for all students and preparing them for the workforce. The comprehensive program includes a range of free resources, from helping students explore basic coding concepts to building fully functional apps.
Swift is Apple’s powerful and intuitive programming language that gives developers the freedom and capabilities they need to create the next generation of cutting-edge software. Popular apps including Airbnb, KAYAK, TripAdvisor, Venmo and Yelp are all created with Swift.
The app economy has generated more than 1.5 million jobs in the US and more than 64,000 jobs in Illinois alone. The demand for coding skills continues to grow, with more than 500,000 programming and coding positions available in the US as of August 2017. Since the launch of the App Store in 2008, US app developers have earned over $16 billion in App Store sales.

Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV. Apple’s four software platforms — iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay and iCloud. Apple’s more than 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.

REDMOND, Wash. — Microsoft Corp. is launching Azure Location Based Services to offer enterprise customers location capabilities. Azure Location Based Services are integrated directly into Azure, enabling enterprise customers to add Location Based Services to their existing Azure cloud solutions with the assurance that it meets Azure’s world- class standards of privacy, compliance, scalability, management and simplicity. These new location capabilities will provide cloud developers with critical geographical data to power a multitude of use cases, including Internet of Things (IoT) asset tracking, fleet management, logistics, automotive, urban planning, retail and more.
“As IoT continues to transform businesses by providing breakthrough insights and capabilities for connected assets, location is becoming an important aspect to consider,” said Sam George, director, Microsoft Azure IoT. “For instance, a department of transportation can now use Azure Location Based Services to analyze and improve traffic in congested cities, freight companies can provide improved fleet management and logistics, and all businesses can track the location of assets and be notified when their location changes.”
TomTom will supply location data on Azure Location Based Services, providing Microsoft with advanced location and mapping capabilities. Azure Location Based Services include a set of APIs that provide mapping, search, routing, traffic and time zones that will be available through Azure. Microsoft customers will benefit from high-quality location data from TomTom’s unique global community and its global partner network, whose users continually provide active and passive map and traffic data insights. Azure Location Based Services customers will benefit from contributions of hundreds of millions of connected devices worldwide.
“We chose to partner with Microsoft because it has expertise in scaling globally with enterprise customers and shares a joint vision with TomTom to make location a fundamental aspect of the cloud,” said Anders Truelsen, managing director of BU Licensing at TomTom. “Mapmaking is in TomTom’s DNA. By building on top of Microsoft’s cloud, we believe this will make our data more accessible than ever and will empower developers to use our APIs to light up mapping scenarios for both consumer and commercial customers.”
Several service providers in the mobility space have been testing Azure Location Based Services in private preview. Cubic Telecom, an Irish-based global telecommunications service provider in the IoT and automotive sectors, has built a proof of concept that uses the services to rank the effectiveness of the charging station placements and suggest new charging locations based on network hotspots using their aggregated (and anonymous) connectivity data. Fathym, a U.S.-based IoT solutions company, is using the services to help cities and government agencies visualize road weather conditions on a map and optimize for other routes if weather conditions are unsafe.
Esri, an enterprise mapping and geographic information system (GIS) technology leader, also intends to join Azure Location Based Services to provide business customers with a complete set of location data management, digital mapping and geographic analytics, provided through Esri’s ArcGIS suite and developer APIs.
“We are excited to partner with Microsoft on its Azure Location Based Services,” said Christopher Cappelli, vice president of Global Business Development and Sales, Esri. “Microsoft and Esri have been strategic partners with one another for more than 20 years and have joint customers all over the world. Our joint customers have already benefitted from incorporating their existing Esri ArcGIS systems using our GeoEvent Server with Microsoft’s Azure cloud and Azure IoT solutions. Others interested in incorporating location services into their apps and systems can also immediately take advantage of our complete array of capabilities for mapping and analytics.”
With the addition of Azure Location Based Services to the Microsoft Azure cloud platform, developers and enterprises can seamlessly build location-aware solutions on Azure, leveraging the same billing, account and Azure infrastructure as all other Azure services. Currently in public preview, Azure Location Based Services will launch in calendar year 2018 and will be available globally in more than 30 languages.
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) is the leading platform and productivity company for the mobile-first, cloud-first world, and its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

We are excited to extend our lead in standards-based Industrie 4.0 cloud solutions using the industrial interoperability standard OPC UA, with several new product announcements at SPS IPC Drives 2017 in Nuernberg, Europe’s leading industrial automation exhibition, which takes place next week.

We continue to be the only cloud provider that offers both OPC UA client/server as well as the upcoming (in OPC UA version 1.04) Publish/Subscribe communication pattern to the cloud and back with open-source modules for easy connection to existing machines, without requiring changes to these machines and without requiring opening the on-premises firewall. We achieve this though the two Azure IoT Edge modules OPC Proxy and OPC Publisher, which are available open-source on GitHub and as Docker containers on DockerHub.

As previously announced, we have now contributed an open-source OPC UA Global Discovery Server (GDS) and Client to the OPC Foundation GitHub. This contribution now brings us close to the 4.5 million source lines of contributed code landmark, keeping us in the lead as largest contributor of open-source software to the OPC Foundation. This server can be run in a container and used for self-hosting in the OT network.

Additionally at SPS, Microsoft will demo its commercial, fully Azure IoT integrated version of the GDS and accompanying client at the OPC Foundation booth. This version runs as part of the Azure IoT Edge offering made available to the public last week.

We have continued to release monthly updates to our popular open-source Azure IoT Suite Connected Factory preconfigured solution which we launched at Hannover Messe this year. Most recently, we have updated the look and feel to be in line with the new set of preconfigured solutions currently being released. We will continue to release new versions of the Connected Factory on a monthly basis with improvements and new features, so check them out on a regular basis.

Our OPC UA Gateway program also keeps growing rapidly. Since we launched the program just six months ago at Hannover Messe, we now have 13 partners signed up including Softing, Unified Automation, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Kepware, Cisco, Beckhoff, Moxa, Advantech, Nexcom, Prosys OPC, MatrikonOPC, Kontron, and Hilscher.

Furthermore, we are excited to announce that the Industrial IoT Starter Kit, previously announced at OPC Day Europe, is now available to order online from our partner Softing. The kit empowers companies to securely link their production line from the physical factory floor to the Microsoft Azure IoT Suite Connected Factory in less than one day. This enables the management, collection, and analysis of OPC UA telemetry data in a centralized way to gain valuable business insights immediately and improve operational efficiency. As with all our Industrial IoT products, this kit uses OPC UA, but also comes with a rich PLC protocol translation software from Softing called dataFEED OPC Suite. It comes with industry-grade hardware from Hewlett Packard Enterprise in the form of the HPE GL20 IoT Gateway. Swing by the Microsoft booth to check it out and get the chance to try it out for 6 months in your own industrial installation.

Stop by our booth in Hall 6, as well as the OPC Foundation booth in Hall 7 to see all of this for yourself!

Cupertino, California — Apple today announced iPhone X, the future of the smartphone, in a gorgeous all-glass design with a beautiful 5.8-inch Super Retina display, A11 Bionic chip, wireless charging and an improved rear camera with dual optical image stabilization. iPhone X delivers an innovative and secure new way for customers to unlock, authenticate and pay using Face ID, enabled by the new TrueDepth camera. iPhone X will be available for pre-order beginning Friday, October 27 in more than 55 countries and territories, and in stores beginning Friday, November 3.

The device is the display on iPhone X, featuring the first OLED screen that rises to the standards of iPhone.

“For more than a decade, our intention has been to create an iPhone that is all display. The iPhone X is the realization of that vision,” said Jony Ive, Apple’s chief design officer. “With the introduction of iPhone ten years ago, we revolutionized the mobile phone with Multi-Touch. iPhone X marks a new era for iPhone — one in which the device disappears into the experience.”

The all-glass front and back on iPhone X feature the most durable glass ever in a smartphone in two beautiful colors, silver and space gray.

“iPhone X is the future of the smartphone. It is packed with incredible new technologies, like the innovative TrueDepth camera system, beautiful Super Retina display and super fast A11 Bionic chip with neural engine,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “iPhone X enables fluid new user experiences — from unlocking your iPhone with Face ID, to playing immersive AR games, to sharing Animoji in Messages — it is the beginning of the next ten years for iPhone.”
Gorgeous All-Screen Design

The Super Retina display employs new techniques and technology to precisely follow the curves of the design, all the way to the elegantly rounded corners.

iPhone X introduces a revolutionary design with a stunning all-screen display that precisely follows the curve of the device, clear to the elegantly rounded corners. The all-glass front and back feature the most durable glass ever in a smartphone in silver or space gray, while a highly polished, surgical-grade stainless steel band seamlessly wraps around and reinforces iPhone X. A seven-layer color process allows for precise color hues and opacity on the glass finish, and a reflective optical layer enhances the rich colors, making the design as elegant as it is durable, while maintaining water and dust resistance.1

The beautiful 5.8-inch Super Retina display2 is the first OLED panel that rises to the standards of iPhone, with stunning colors, true blacks, a million-to-one contrast ratio and wide color support with the best system-wide color management in a smartphone. The HDR display supports Dolby Vision and HDR10, which together make photo and video content look even more amazing. The addition of True Tone dynamically adjusts the white balance of the display to match the surrounding light for a more natural, paper-like viewing experience.

iOS 11 is redesigned to take full advantage of the Super Retina display and replaces the Home button with fast and fluid gestures, allowing customers to naturally and intuitively navigate iPhone X. Simply swipe up from the bottom to go home from anywhere.
Face ID, a Powerful and Secure Authentication System

Face ID on iPhone X introduces a revolutionary new way to securely unlock, authenticate and pay.
Face ID revolutionizes authentication on iPhone X, using a state-of-the-art TrueDepth camera system made up of a dot projector, infrared camera and flood illuminator, and is powered by A11 Bionic to accurately map and recognize a face. These advanced depth-sensing technologies work together to securely unlock iPhone, enable Apple Pay, gain access to secure apps and many more new features.

Face ID projects more than 30,000 invisible IR dots. The IR image and dot pattern are pushed through neural networks to create a mathematical model of your face and send the data to the secure enclave to confirm a match, while adapting to physical changes in appearance over time. All saved facial information is protected by the secure enclave to keep data extremely secure, while all of the processing is done on-device and not in the cloud to protect user privacy. Face ID only unlocks iPhone X when customers look at it and is designed to prevent spoofing by photos or masks.

iPhone X features the 7MP TrueDepth camera and a redesigned 12MP rear camera with dual OIS.
The new 7-megapixel TrueDepth camera that enables Face ID features wide color capture, auto image stabilization and precise exposure control, and brings Portrait mode to the front camera for stunning selfies with a depth-of-field effect.

iPhone X also features a redesigned dual 12-megapixel rear camera system with dual optical image stabilization. The ƒ/1.8 aperture on the wide-angle camera joins an improved ƒ/2.4 aperture on the telephoto camera for better photos and videos. A new color filter, deeper pixels and an improved Apple-designed image signal processor delivers advanced pixel processing, wide color capture, faster autofocus in low light and better HDR photos. A new quad LED True Tone Flash offers twice the uniformity of light and includes Slow Sync, resulting in more uniformly lit backgrounds and foregrounds.

The new camera in iPhone X features a larger and faster sensor, new color filter, deeper pixels and OIS for capturing vibrant photos and videos with more detail.

The cameras on iPhone X are custom tuned for the ultimate AR experience. Each camera is individually calibrated, with new gyroscopes and accelerometers for accurate motion tracking. The A11 Bionic CPU handles world tracking, scene recognition and the GPU enables incredible graphics at 60fps, while the image signal processor does real-time lighting estimation. With ARKit, iOS developers can take advantage of the TrueDepth camera and the rear cameras to create games and apps offering fantastically immersive and fluid experiences that go far beyond the screen.

Natural Light: The subject’s face is in sharp focus against a blurred background. Studio Light: A clean look with the subject’s face brightly lit. Contour Light: Dramatic shadows with highlights and lowlights. Stage Light: The subject’s face is spotlit against a deep black background. Stage Light Mono: Like Stage Light, but in classic black and white.

The new camera also delivers the highest quality video capture ever in a smartphone, with better video stabilization, 4K video up to 60fps and 1080p slo-mo up to 240fps. The Apple-designed video encoder provides real-time image and motion analysis for optimal quality video.
Portrait mode with Portrait Lighting on both the front and rear cameras brings dramatic studio lighting effects to iPhone and allows customers to capture stunning portraits with a shallow depth-of-field effect in five different lighting styles.3

With iOS 11, iPhone X supports HEIF and HEVC for up to two times compression and storage for twice the photos and videos.

iPhone X users can record and send Animoji messages that mirror their facial expressions. iPhone X users can record and send Animoji messages that mirror their facial expressions. iPhone X users can record and send Animoji messages that mirror their facial expressions. iPhone X users can record and send Animoji messages that mirror their facial expressions. iPhone X users can record and send Animoji messages that mirror their facial expressions. iPhone X users can record and send Animoji messages that mirror their facial expressions. iPhone X users can record and send Animoji messages that mirror their facial expressions.

The TrueDepth camera brings emoji to life in a fun new way with Animoji. Working with A11 Bionic, the TrueDepth camera captures and analyzes over 50 different facial muscle movements, then animates those expressions in a dozen different Animoji, including a panda, unicorn and robot. Available as an iMessage app pre-installed on iPhone X, customers can record and send Animoji messages with their voice that can smile, frown and more.

Introducing A11 Bionic
A11 Bionic, the most powerful and smartest chip ever in a smartphone, features a six-core CPU design with two performance cores that are 25 percent faster and four efficiency cores that are 70 percent faster than the A10 Fusion, offering industry-leading performance and energy efficiency. A new, second-generation performance controller can harness all six cores simultaneously, delivering up to 70 percent greater performance for multi-threaded workloads, giving customers more power while lasting two hours longer than iPhone 7. A11 Bionic also integrates an Apple-designed GPU with a three-core design that delivers up to 30 percent faster graphics performance than the previous generation. All this power enables incredible new machine learning, AR apps and immersive 3D games.

The neural engine in A11 Bionic is purpose-built for machine learning, augmented reality apps and immersive 3D games.

The new A11 Bionic neural engine is a dual-core design and performs up to 600 billion operations per second for real-time processing. A11 Bionic neural engine is designed for specific machine learning algorithms and enables Face ID, Animoji and other features.
Designed for a Wireless Future

The new Apple-designed AirPower mat, coming in 2018, can charge iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods simultaneously.

The glass back design enables a world-class wireless charging solution. Wireless charging works with the established Qi ecosystem, including two new wireless charging mats from Belkin and mophie, available from apple.com and Apple Stores.

The glass back design on iPhone X enables a world-class wireless charging solution.
Apple gave a sneak peek of AirPower, an Apple-designed wireless charging accessory coming in 2018, which offers a generous active charging area that will allow iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus or iPhone X customers to simultaneously charge up to three devices, including Apple Watch Series 3 and a new optional wireless charging case for AirPods.

Pricing and Availability
iPhone X will be available in silver and space gray in 64GB and 256GB models starting at $999 (US) from apple.com and Apple Stores and is also available through Apple Authorized Resellers and carriers (prices may vary).

Through Apple’s iPhone Upgrade Program, customers in the US can get iPhone X, with the protection of AppleCare+, choose their carrier (no multiyear service contract required) and have the opportunity to upgrade to a new iPhone every year. The iPhone Upgrade Program is available for iPhone X at apple.com and Apple Stores in the US with monthly payments starting at $49.91.4

Customers will be able to order iPhone X beginning Friday, October 27, with availability beginning Friday, November 3, in Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UAE, the UK, the US and US Virgin Islands.

Apple-designed accessories including leather and silicone cases in a range of colors will be available starting at $35 (US), while a new iPhone X Leather Folio will be available for $99 (US). Lightning Docks in color-matching metallic finishes will also be available for $49 (US), prices may vary.
Every customer who buys iPhone X from Apple will be offered free Personal Setup in-store or online to help them customize their iPhone by setting up email, showing them new apps from the App Store and more.5

Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV. Apple’s four software platforms — iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay and iCloud. Apple’s more than 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.

Roaming charges in the European Union will no longer apply. President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani, Prime Minister of Malta Joseph Muscat, on behalf of the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, issued the following statement:

“The European Union is about bringing people together and making their lives easier. The end of roaming charges is a true European success story.

From now on, citizens who travel within the EU will be able to call, text and connect on their mobile devices at the same price as they pay at home. Eliminating roaming charges is one of the greatest and most tangible successes of the EU.

Over the last 10 years, our institutions have been working hard together to fix this market failure. Each time a European citizen crossed an EU border, be it for holidays, work, studies or just for a day, they had to worry about using their mobile phones and a high phone bill from the roaming charges when they came home. Roaming charges will now be a thing of the past. As of tomorrow, you will be able to remain connected while travelling in the EU, for the same price as at home.

It has been a long time coming, with many actors involved. By working closely together, the European Union has delivered a concrete, positive result for European citizens. We are proud that the EU has put an end to very high roaming prices and thankful to those who showed the determination to overcome the many challenges and pursue this goal.

At the same time, the EU has managed to find the right balance between the end of roaming charges and the need to keep domestic mobile packages competitive and attractive. Operators have had 2 years to prepare for the end of roaming charges, and we are confident that they will seize the opportunities the new rules bring to the benefit of their customers.

The end of roaming charges is at the foundation of the EU’s Digital Single Market and is another step towards building a united and sustainable European digital society, accessible for all our citizens.”

Cupertino, California and Espoo, Finland — Nokia and Apple announced today that they have settled all litigation related to their intellectual property dispute and agreed a multi-year patent license.
“This is a meaningful agreement between Nokia and Apple,” said Maria Varsellona, Chief Legal Officer at Nokia, responsible for Nokia’s patent licensing business. “It moves our relationship with Apple from being adversaries in court to business partners working for the benefit of our customers.”

Under a business collaboration agreement, Nokia will be providing certain network infrastructure product and services to Apple. Apple will resume carrying Nokia digital health products (formerly under the Withings brand) in Apple retail and online stores, and Apple and Nokia are exploring future collaboration in digital health initiatives. Regular summits between top Nokia and Apple executives will ensure that the relationship works effectively and to the benefit of both parties and their customers.

“We are pleased with this resolution of our dispute and we look forward to expanding our business relationship with Nokia,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer.

“This agreement will strengthen our collaboration,” said Basil Alwan, President of Nokia’s IP/Optical Networks business. “We look forward to supporting Apple.”

While details of the agreement remain confidential, Nokia will receive an up-front cash payment from Apple, with additional revenues during the term of the agreement.

The value of the agreement will be reflected partially as patent licensing net sales in Nokia Technologies and partially as net sales in other Nokia business groups. Nokia will follow its existing practices for disclosing patent licensing revenue in its quarterly announcements and expects that revenues for the agreement will start to be recognized in the second quarter of 2017, including an element of non-recurring catch-up revenue.

Due to the up-front cash payment from Apple, Nokia intends to provide a comprehensive update of its capital structure optimization program in conjunction with its third quarter 2017 results.
Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV. Apple’s four software platforms — iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay and iCloud. Apple’s more than 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Building on its more than 80 years of partnership and experience in the Kingdom, GE [NYSE: GE] has taken significant steps in supporting the delivery of Saudi Vision 2030, today announcing in partnership with the Kingdom a range of Memorandums of Understanding [MoU] and projects valued at $15 billion – of which almost $7 billion are GE technology and solutions – across multiple sectors and partners aimed at creating a truly diverse and sustainable economic platform.

Signed in the presence of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, the agreements cut across the power, healthcare, oil and gas, and mining sectors, providing tangible benefits to both nations.
The initiatives touch upon the key pillars within Saudi Vision 2030, focusing on transforming the nation into a global investment leader and geographic hub and the upscaling of industrial skills and capabilities. The agreements also place significant emphasis on human capital development and the digital transformation across multiple sectors, with the expanded application of GE’s Predix platform, which utilizes cloud-based data analytics to better ensure and enhance manufacturing efficiency.

John Rice, Vice Chairman of GE and President and CEO of GE Global Growth Organization, said: “The steps we have taken to grow our business globally, to embed a culture of innovation and collaboration both within GE and with our customers, would simply not be possible without these types of partnerships. The access to different experiences, cultures and capabilities has been the driving force behind GE’s growing global footprint. We view Saudi Vision 2030 as more than a national one; it is ours to deliver as well. We are part of the transformation process and proud to have been the first global company to show commitment to the Vision in 2016. We have to remember that with the global interconnectivity of industry, collaboration is no longer an advantage but a necessity, and ensuring mutually beneficial partnerships, as we have through these agreements, is a source of great pride for myself and GE.”
Redefining Energy: Partnerships to drive productivity and efficiency

Energy sustainability has been and remains a priority, and GE will be partnering with the Saudi Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources [MEIM], Saudi Aramco, Dussur [formerly the Saudi Arabian Industrial Investments Company], and Ma’aden to significantly elevate power generation capabilities; provide a large-scale boost to the global industrial supply chain; and introduce massive productivity and efficiency savings through digital solutions in both the oil and gas and mining sectors.

Saudi Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources [MEIM], National Industrial Cluster Development Program (NICDP) and GE:
“The collaboration between GE, MEIM and NICDP lays the ground for identifying a range of investments and joint ventures in various industrial sectors – including power generation, digitization technologies, oil & gas, mining, transport and aviation, and associated localization and supply chain development – and is expected to exceed $12 billion. Most notably, through this partnership these projects include efficiency improvements and additional generation of up to 12 GW of power, deployment of digitization technologies and the associated localization and supply chain development.”

Saudi Aramco and GE:
Within the oil and gas sector, Aramco and GE have signed an MoU to undertake a digital transformation of Aramco’s operations with the goal of generating $4 billion in annual productivity improvements, as well as a broader Oil & Gas Investment Feasibility Study MoU.

To enable the transformation, GE will provide a private Predix Industrial IoT cloud, GE’s pioneering APM and industry-specific applications, and staff a Digital Transformation Office (DTO) with local industrial engineers, process experts, and technologists. The DTO is expected to generate 250 high-tech Saudi jobs and stimulate local economic demand for an additional 500 Digital Industrial careers. To support the growth of a broader Predix economy, GE will work within Saudi Vision 2030 to create a STEM educational curriculum for high schools and universities to develop Saudi Digital Industrial talent to meet future demand for software developers and data scientists.

The collaboration is a strong example of Saudi Aramco’s industry leadership and commitment to Saudi Vision 2030 to develop high-tech and knowledge worker careers that add significant value to the local economy.

Saudi Aramco and GE have also partnered to implement a competitive, reliable and sustainable local supply chain. Dubbed the IKTVA Program, or the “In Kingdom Total Value Add,” the program aims to support Saudi Aramco’s 2021 Objectives of reaching 70 percent of its spend from within the Kingdom. GE previously won the ‘Best in Supplier Development’ honor at the IKTVA Excellence Awards program that marked the first anniversary of the launch of IKTVA in December. Among GE’s key initiatives that supported the goals of IKTVA in strengthening the Saudi supply chain are the opening of the second phase of GEMTEC in Dammam and the GE Oil and Gas Wellhead Manufacturing Center in Dammam.

A memorandum of understanding will also examine the feasibility of new business development across the energy value chain, including enablers covering upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas businesses, including development of Oilfield Services and Equipment (OFSE) manufacturing hubs.

Dussur and GE:
Focusing on the enhancement of local manufacturing capabilities at the GE Manufacturing and Technology Center [GEMTEC] in Dammam, the joint venture, historic in overall size and scale, will have a significant impact on both economies [Saudi and US], allowing for a major scaling up of the global industrial supply chain for the energy industry. The investment from Dussur in GEMTEC is a testament to GE’s commitment to advance and transform industry, beginning with the opening of phase 1 of GEMTEC in 2012 – the company’s largest heavy-duty gas turbine repair facility worldwide– and building on it through GEMTEC phase 2 in a bid to further support local, regional and global development.

Ma’aden and GE
The mining sector in Saudi Arabia is a historic one – led by the Saudi Arabian Mining Company, Ma’aden – through its leading role in the mineral industry. GE’s partnership with Ma’aden will see the application of GE’s Digital Solutions, which will support the business in adapting to decreasing ore grades; reducing high energy and fuel costs; improving equipment reliability and availability; reducing maintenance costs and increasing overall productivity and efficiency.

A patient-first approach through the Digital Transformation of the healthcare sector
The transformation of the healthcare industry is a main priority of the government, which is looking to offer services and research capabilities on par with leading nations in healthcare around the world. Through five different partnerships with King Faisal Specialist Hospital [KFSH], Dr. Suliman Habib Medical Group, the Saudi Telecom Company [STC], King Fahad Medical City [KFMC] and the Saudi Industrial Clusters Development Program [NICDP] respectively, GE is providing expertise, equipment and cutting-edge digital solutions to ramp-up national healthcare competencies.

KFSH and GE:
Through their partnership, KFSH and GE are aiming to establish a long-term technology management partnership for both GE and non-GE equipment, and in so doing establishing KFSH as a Digital Hospital, making use of advanced analytics, information technology systems and infrastructure. Education is a crucial component of this agreement, which will see the development of clinical, technical medical and leadership educational programs.
Dr. Suliman Habib Medical Group (HMG) and GE
GE and HMG are collaborating to deploy and develop a Hospital Information Solution through GE’s Predix, with the goal to deploy it in Saudi Arabia and across the region.

STC, MoH and GE:
The landmark agreement between STC and GE, under the patronage of the Saudi Ministry of Health [MoH], is a vital element in the digitization of industry in the Kingdom. The three partners will introduce digital solutions through an Electronic Medical Records Predix Solution and a Centralized Appointment System [CAS], which together will serve to transform the centers into ‘digital hospitals.’ These solutions will touch primary care facilities and hospitals across the region.

KFMC and GE:
The partnership between KFMC and GE Healthcare focuses on the radiology privatization proof-of-concept for the medical imaging department at the King Fahad Medical City and nearby hospitals, in addition to providing an operator to validate the government-wide operations over a 10-year period.

NICDP and GE:
This cooperation agreement will foster collaboration across multiple fronts in the development of biopharmaceutical capabilities in the Kingdom, stressing on the importance of vaccine research and the development of local capabilities, eventually leading to the initiation of a bio-science park.]
The sustainability of the multiple partnerships hinges on a critical component – an active and engaged workforce delivering on the limitless potential evident. The MoU with the Small and Media Enterprises Authority [SMEA] in Saudi serves to highlight the entrenched commitment to capability enhancement in GE’s business in the Kingdom. Through the training and development of thousands of Saudi nationals, and the offering of thousands more job opportunities, the agreements are a crucial element of the long-term sustainability of local industry.

Hisham Bahkali, President and CEO Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, GE, said: “While the scale of projects and numbers announced today are truly remarkable, perhaps the greatest benefit will come from the impact on people. Saudi Vision 2030 is very clear: a strong and empowered local workforce is a must to realize the potential and long-term viability of the vision. These projects will not only create thousands of job opportunities in the Kingdom, but will also see the training, development and upskilling of thousands more Saudi men and women. Our MoU with SMEA is a prime indicator of the exceptional potential evident within all facets of the business community, and the many opportunities that will be available through the development of the local supplier ecosystem. The agreements we sign today are vital to the stimulation of the work force, and we are thrilled to be a part of them.”
With a presence of more than 80 years, three offices and seven facilities, Saudi Arabia accounts for the largest GE workforce in the Middle East, with over 2,000 employees driving the Aviation, Healthcare, Oil & Gas, Power and Digital businesses.

About GE:
GE (NYSE: GE) is the world’s Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the “GE Store,” through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.ge.com

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – At Adobe Summit, and building on their partnership announcement from last September, Adobe (Nasdaq: ADBE) and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) will announce availability of their first set of joint solutions designed to help enterprises transform their customer experiences [watch the keynote live stream]. Available today, these solutions will transform cross-channel experiences and campaign orchestration using Adobe Experience Cloud and Microsoft Azure, Dynamics 365 and Power BI. In addition, the companies will announce they are collaborating on an industry standard to define and unify the language for marketing, sales and services data needed to deliver digital experiences consistently at scale.

“Today’s customers have high standards when it comes to brand interactions. Enterprise companies must deliver exceptional experiences at scale or risk losing customers to competitors,” said Abhay Parasnis, executive vice president and CTO, Adobe. “Bringing together Adobe’s and Microsoft’s sales, marketing and customer intelligence solutions enables brands to better understand and engage with their customers across all touch points.”

“We believe the combined power of our technologies will allow enterprise businesses to harness their data in new ways, unlocking critical business insights and actionable intelligence,” said Scott Guthrie, executive vice president, Microsoft. “Together, we are delivering compelling and personalized experiences that will drive brand loyalty and growth.”

Turning Data Integration into Actionable Insights
Through new integrations announced today, businesses will now be better able to align sales and marketing, and create compelling, personalized and consistent experiences for their customers.
The companies today will unveil the following:
The integration of Adobe Campaign and Microsoft Dynamics 365 enables enterprises to compile customer insights across various channels, creating a single view of the customer that can be used to personalize experiences across marketing touchpoints.

Adobe Analytics plus Microsoft Power BI offers increased insights across the enter Brands are able to pull behavioral data into Power BI to visualize the impact of campaigns across segments, understand which customer touchpoints are most effective, and turn these insights into actionable, successful outcomes in real-time.

Adobe Experience Manager Sites Managed Service, is now available on Microsoft Azure, letting companies deliver personalized web experiences faster and more efficiently no matter where their customers are. Brands can manage their web content across any screen within Adobe Experience Manager with lower management and resource costs.

Collaboration on an Industry Standard Data Model
Building on both companies’ strong track record in data science and machine learning, Adobe and Microsoft are collaborating on a semantic data model for understanding and driving real-time customer engagement. This model will standardize how data is structured and vastly expedite the process of gaining insights from massive amounts of data.

This new approach is being designed in conjunction with other industry leaders. AppDynamics, Acxiom, Dun & Bradstreet, Qualtrics, Zendesk, [24]7, and MasterCard are participating with Adobe and Microsoft in the development of this new data model and are committed to building applications based on the common language.

By providing end-to-end integration at the platform level, customers can more easily customize their apps, capture behavioral data within web and mobile apps, and glean insights from across Adobe and Microsoft services as well as any platforms that support the data model. Both companies are expected to provide an update on the progress at Microsoft Build 2017 on May 10-12.

About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) is the leading platform and productivity company for the mobile-first, cloud-first world, and its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
About Adobe
Adobe is changing the world through digital experiences. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.

Read more at https://news.microsoft.com/2017/03/20/adobe-and-microsoft-announce-availability-of-joint-offerings-to-transform-customer-experiences/#Soz7WwgmoTW2tPhC.99

AOL and leading mobile-first data exchange, adsquare, announce a new partnership to bring adsquare’s unique data of 360 million mobile consumers globally together with the ONE by AOL platform. Using adsquare’s unique combination of anonymised data sources from across retail purchases, location and mobile advertising IDs, mobile and online usage and first-party data, the deal will provide enhanced, holistic mobile audience mapping for publishers and scalable, highly valuable ‘in-the-moment’ mobile audience targeting opportunities to advertisers.

Covering 12 markets, US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Austria and Switzerland, the partnership brings adsquare’s rich mobile-first data into the ONE by AOL platform. The data will connect with ONE by AOL: Publishers – enabling publishers to improve the quality and value of their inventory by serving enhanced premium, contextual audiences to advertisers – and ONE by AOL: Advertisers, enabling advertisers to connect with those audiences in real-time, on mobile devices and across screens.

The deal will also empower AOL’s managed media sales teams across those markets to utilise the unique audience data to enhance mobile campaigns across AOL’s owned and operated properties, including The Huffington Post, Engadget, TechCrunch, MAKERS and Build. The agreement also extends across Microsoft brands such as MSN and Outlook.com (AOL+MSFT Partnership markets only), as well as scaling those audiences through AOL’s mobile in-app advertising platform.

Alex Timbs, Head of Data & Attribution, AOL International said: “This new partnership brings a wealth of opportunities for both publishers and advertisers. By bringing adsquare’s data on board, we are enhancing our already strong ability to deliver quality, scalable, holistic audiences for advertisers to reach and for publishers to monetise. Our open philosophy means we can offer multiple data sets to help advertisers build powerful brands and publishers to grow revenues.”

Tom Laband, CEO & Co-Founder at adsquare says: “We are pleased to join forces with AOL on a global scale to make mobile advertising more relevant. Mobile is so much more than the most personal channel for targeting customers. It is also the most consistent identifier, and source of a broad set of data. adsquare’s Audience Management Platform offers a single access to multiple data sources and dimensions to create powerful audience segments.”

adsquare provides access to demographic, interest, intent, psychographic and behavioral mobile data. It leverages location data and combines it with offline data such as POI, household, purchase, weather and event data, as well as using App Bundle IDs to onboard app store metadata and app contextual segments. Additionally, adsquare provides access to a vast amount of first- and third-party data from its range of sources that is already segmented and connected to mobile advertising IDs.

About AOL:
AOL is a global, mobile media technology company with a mission to build brands people love. AOL is recognised as a leader in the digital space, dedicated to delivering premium content to consumers and innovative advertising solutions to brands and publishers. A subsidiary of Verizon, AOL is shaping the digital future.

I imagined the web as an open platform that would allow everyone, everywhere to share information, access opportunities and collaborate across geographic and cultural boundaries. In many ways, the web has lived up to this vision, though it has been a recurring battle to keep it open. But over the past 12 months, I’ve become increasingly worried about three new trends, which I believe we must tackle in order for the web to fulfill its true potential as a tool which serves all of humanity.

1) We’ve lost control of our personal data
The current business model for many websites offers free content in exchange for personal data. Many of us agree to this – albeit often by accepting long and confusing terms and conditions documents – but fundamentally we do not mind some information being collected in exchange for free services. But, we’re missing a trick. As our data is then held in proprietary silos, out of sight to us, we lose out on the benefits we could realise if we had direct control over this data, and chose when and with whom to share it. What’s more, we often do not have any way of feeding back to companies what data we’d rather not share – especially with third parties – the T&Cs are all or nothing.

This widespread data collection by companies also has other impacts. Through collaboration with – or coercion of – companies, governments are also increasingly watching our every move online, and passing extreme laws that trample on our rights to privacy. In repressive regimes, it’s easy to see the harm that can be caused – bloggers can be arrested or killed, and political opponents can be monitored. But even in countries where we believe governments have citizens’ best interests at heart, watching everyone, all the time is simply going too far. It creates a chilling effect on free speech and stops the web from being used as a space to explore important topics, like sensitive health issues, sexuality or religion.

2) It’s too easy for misinformation to spread on the web
Today, most people find news and information on the web through just a handful of social media sites and search engines. These sites make more money when we click on the links they show us. And, they choose what to show us based on algorithms which learn from our personal data that they are constantly harvesting. The net result is that these sites show us content they think we’ll click on – meaning that misinformation, or ‘fake news’, which is surprising, shocking, or designed to appeal to our biases can spread like wildfire. And through the use of data science and armies of bots, those with bad intentions can game the system to spread misinformation for financial or political gain.

3) Political advertising online needs transparency and understanding
Political advertising online has rapidly become a sophisticated industry. The fact that most people get their information from just a few platforms and the increasing sophistication of algorithms drawing upon rich pools of personal data, means that political campaigns are now building individual adverts targeted directly at users. One source suggests that in the 2016 US election, as many as 50,000 variations of adverts were being served every single day on Facebook, a near-impossible situation to monitor. And there are suggestions that some political adverts – in the US and around the world – are being used in unethical ways – to point voters to fake news sites, for instance, or to keep others away from the polls. Targeted advertising allows a campaign to say completely different, possibly conflicting things to different groups. Is that democratic?

These are complex problems, and the solutions will not be simple. But a few broad paths to progress are already clear. We must work together with web companies to strike a balance that puts a fair level of data control back in the hands of people, including the development of new technology like personal “data pods” if needed and exploring alternative revenue models like subscriptions and micropayments. We must fight against government over-reach in surveillance laws, including through the courts if necessary. We must push back against misinformation by encouraging gatekeepers such as Google and Facebook to continue their efforts to combat the problem, while avoiding the creation of any central bodies to decide what is “true” or not. We need more algorithmic transparency to understand how important decisions that affect our lives are being made, and perhaps a set of common principles to be followed. We urgently need to close the “internet blind spot” in the regulation of political campaigning.

Our team at the Web Foundation will be working on many of these issues as part of our new five year strategy – researching the problems in more detail, coming up with proactive policy solutions and bringing together coalitions to drive progress towards a web that gives equal power and opportunity to all. I urge you to support our work however you can – by spreading the word, keeping up pressure on companies and governments or by making a donation. We’ve also compiled a directory of other digital rights organisations around the world for you to explore and consider supporting too.

I may have invented the web, but all of you have helped to create what it is today. All the blogs, posts, tweets, photos, videos, applications, web pages and more represent the contributions of millions of you around the world building our online community. All kinds of people have helped, from politicians fighting to keep the web open, standards organisations like W3C enhancing the power, accessibility and security of the technology, and people who have protested in the streets. In the past year, we have seen Nigerians stand up to a social media bill that would have hampered free expression online, popular outcry and protests at regional internet shutdowns in Cameroon and great public support for net neutrality in both India and the European Union.

It has taken all of us to build the web we have, and now it is up to all of us to build the web we want – for everyone. If you would like to be more involved, then do join our mailing list, do contribute to us, do join or donate to any of the organisations which are working on these issues around the world.

Sir Tim Berners-Lee
The Web Foundation is at the forefront of the fight to advance and protect the web for everyone. We believe doing so is essential to reverse growing inequality and empower citizens. You can follow our work by signing up to our newsletter, and find a local digital rights organisation to support here on this list. Additions to the list are welcome and may be sent to contact@webfoundation.org

Samsung has always strived to inspire the world and drive innovation for the future, and the Samsung Global Innovation Center (GIC) has served as a key catalyst for these efforts ever since its inception in 2013. At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2017, Samsung announced the rebrand of GIC as Samsung NEXT.

Samsung NEXT first began as a small operation with a mission to create breakout software and services and foster a startup culture at Samsung. Deeply rooted in startup ecosystems around the world, Samsung NEXT has evolved into a global organization of entrepreneurs, engineers, investors, strategists and business development leaders all working to realize its vision in close partnership with innovators everywhere.

“Since we started, our focus has been on identifying talented entrepreneurs and accelerating their development into groundbreaking startups — whether in Silicon Valley, New York, Tel Aviv or beyond,” said David Eun, President of Samsung NEXT. “In addition to capital and access to diverse expertise, we provide a proven pathway to Samsung’s global reach of consumer electronics, partners and vast resources. The best innovators deserve and will increasingly require this type of specialized support to create leading software and services now and in the future.”

Continuing its dedication to entrepreneurs and startups, Samsung NEXT will partner with tech innovators around the world and empower them with the tools and resources they need for accelerated business growth and success. In addition to funding and resources along with workspaces and domain expertise, Samsung NEXT’s support includes growth opportunities, mergers and acquisitions and partnerships to enrich consumer experiences across Samsung’s increasingly connected displays and devices.

A Rebrand Focused on Clarity of Vision
Taking a key step in line with its vision, Samsung NEXT also announced at CES the creation of the Samsung NEXT Fund, a $150 million venture capital investment fund, to increase Samsung’s global support of early stage startups pursuing advanced software and services innovation.

To coincide with the launch of the Fund, Samsung NEXT unveiled its rebrand – to simplify its identity and clarify its vision – with the release of a new logo and website.

“The new name resonates with our passion and dedication for partnering with tech innovators to take them to the NEXT level,” explained Sayo Martin, Head of Marketing at Samsung NEXT. “The new logo—represented by an arrow (symbolizing innovation) moving forward through open gates (Samsung)—reflects our mission to turn great ideas into products, grow products into thriving businesses, and scale businesses that leverage and transform the Samsung ecosystem.”

What’s Next for Samsung NEXT?
Samsung NEXT has completed over 50 investments, 15 of which are new investments made under the Samsung NEXT Fund. It will continue to expand in its support for tech innovators around the world across the areas of VR, Connected Cars/Autonomous Driving, Security, Artificial Intelligence, IoT, Mobile Commerce and other new frontier technologies.

“Leading tech entrepreneurs have a genuine passion for tackling complex problems with incredible speed and agility,” said Eun. “For Samsung to continue evolving and innovating, we believe integrating the best of startup culture into our cultural DNA is essential.”

Vodafone to combine its subsidiary Vodafone India (excluding its 42% stake in Indus Towers) with Idea, which is listed on the Indian Stock Exchanges.

Highly complementary combination will create India’s largest telecoms operator1 with the country’s widest mobile network and a strong commitment to deliver the Indian government’s ‘Digital India’ vision.

Sustained investment by the combined entity will accelerate the pan-India expansion of wireless broadband services using 4G/4G+/5G technologies, support the introduction of digital content and ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) services as well as expand financial inclusion through mobile money services for the benefit of Indian consumers, businesses and society as a whole.

Merger of equals with joint control of the combined company between Vodafone and the Aditya Birla Group, governed by a shareholders’ agreement.

The merger ratio is consistent with recommendations from the joint independent valuers. The implied enterprise value is INR828 billion (US$12.4 billion) for Vodafone India and INR722 billion (US$10.8 billion) for Idea excluding its stake in Indus Towers, valuing Vodafone India at 6.4x EV/LTM EBITDA and Idea excluding its stake in Indus Towers at 6.3x EV/LTM EBITDA2.

Substantial cost and capex synergies with an estimated net present value of approximately INR670 billion (US$10.0 billion) after integration costs and spectrum liberalisation payments, with estimated run-rate savings of INR140 billion (US$2.1 billion) on an annual basis by the fourth full year post completion3.

Vodafone will own 45.1% of the combined company after transferring a stake of 4.9% to the Aditya Birla Group for circa INR39 billion (circa US$579 million) in cash concurrent with completion of the merger. The Aditya Birla Group will then own 26.0% and has the right to acquire more shares from Vodafone under an agreed mechanism with a view to equalising the shareholdings over time.

If Vodafone and the Aditya Birla Group’s shareholdings in the combined company are not equal after four years, Vodafone will sell down shares in the combined company to equalise its shareholding to that of the Aditya Birla Group over the following five-year period.

Until equalisation is achieved, the voting rights of the additional shares held by Vodafone will be restricted and votes will be exercised jointly under the terms of the shareholders’ agreement.

Vodafone India will be deconsolidated by Vodafone on announcement and reported as a joint venture post- closing, reducing Vodafone Group net debt by approximately INR552 billion (US$8.2 billion) and lowering Vodafone Group leverage by around 0.3x Net Debt/EBITDA4. The transaction is expected to be accretive to Vodafone’s cash flow5 from the first full year post-completion.

The transaction is expected to close during calendar year 2018, subject to customary approvals.

Aditya Birla Group Chairman, Kumar Mangalam Birla, said:

“Throughout its history, the Aditya Birla Group has been synonymous with the task of nation building and driving inclusive growth in the country. This landmark combination will enable the Aditya Birla Group to create a high quality digital infrastructure that will transition the Indian population towards a digital lifestyle and make the Government’s Digital India vision a reality. For Idea shareholders and lenders who have supported us thus far, this transaction is highly accretive, and Idea and Vodafone will together create a very valuable company given our complementary strengths.”

Vodafone Group Plc Chief Executive, Vittorio Colao said:

“The combination of Vodafone India and Idea will create a new champion of Digital India founded with a long-term commitment and vision to bring world-class 4G networks to villages, towns and cities across India. The combined company will have the scale required to ensure sustainable consumer choice in a competitive market and to expand new technologies – such as mobile money services – that have the potential to transform daily life for every Indian. We look forward to working with the Aditya Birla Group to create value for all stakeholders.”