Currys promotes Nordics business head to Group CEO
UNITED KINGDOM 14:09

Currys promotes Nordics business head to Group CEO

UK-based tech and electricals retailer Currys has announced the appointment of Fredrik Tonnesen as its new Group CEO with effect from 03 August 2026. Tonnesen has been CEO of the group's Nordics business, which accounts for around 40 percent of group revenue, since March 2023. He will take over as Group CEO from Alex Baldock, who will leave the Board on 03 August and the company on 31 August 2026.

Motorola unveils Edge 2026 compact phone with 6.3-inch display
GLOBAL 11:56

Motorola unveils Edge 2026 compact phone with 6.3-inch display

Motorola has announced the launch of the latest model in its Edge series, a mid-range handset with a 6.3-inch OLED display, compared to 6.6 and 6.7 inches for the 2024 and 2025 versions. The panel has a 1.5K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate and 5,200 nits of peak brightness, coupled with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

O2 Czechia introduces O2 Spark line of mobile accessories with launch discount
CZECH REPUBLIC 2 JUN

O2 Czechia introduces O2 Spark line of mobile accessories with launch discount

O2 Czech Republic is offering a new line of O2 Spark premium mobile accessories and is offering a launch discount of 10 percent on any O2 Spark product, for activation on the My O2 application. The ultra-thin O2 MagSafe Compatible 5,000 mAh power bank costs CZK 809 compared with the standard price of CZK 899. The O2 USB-C cable with display is being offered at CZK 341 instead of CZK 379. The O2 38 W car charger with two ports is available for CZK 269 instead of CZK 299. The 10,000 mAh 35 W O2 power bank cos

Telefonica adds 72 new products to Movistar Spain store
SPAIN 2 JUN

Telefonica adds 72 new products to Movistar Spain store

Telefonica announced the addition of 72 new products to its Movistar Spain, the largest expansion of its online catalogue to date. The new consumer technology offering spans multiple categories including smart TVs, monitors, projectors, audio devices, smartphones, electric mobility, gaming and home appliances, alongside new seasonal lines such as garden and pool equipment.

Google to open first overseas company-owned retail store in Tokyo
JAPAN 2 JUN

Google to open first overseas company-owned retail store in Tokyo

Google will open its first company-owned retail store outside the United States this summer, with a flagship location planned for Tokyo's Omotesando district. The store, Google Store Omotesando, will be located on the ground floor of Tokyu Plaza Omotesando and will offer customers the opportunity to purchase and experience Google's hardware products, including Google Pixel smartphones, Google Nest devices, Fitbit products and accessories.

Lightning Fibre rolls out Genexis Wi-Fi 7 devices
UNITED KINGDOM 1 JUN

Lightning Fibre rolls out Genexis Wi-Fi 7 devices

UK fibre altnet Lightning Fibre will offer Genexis Wi-Fi 7 devices to customers, including the Aura E750 Gateway and Home CX750 Extender, to enhance the home full-fibre broadband experience. The Wi-Fi 7 devices will provide consistent Wi-Fi coverage throughout the home, across multiple simultaneous devices. 

KDDI adds foldable feature phone-style smartphone to au Flex Style portfolio
JAPAN 1 JUN

KDDI adds foldable feature phone-style smartphone to au Flex Style portfolio

KDDI has begun offering the Mive Kesuma smartphone through its SIM-free smartphone brand, au Flex Style, expanding the range of devices available to customers seeking alternatives to conventional touchscreen smartphones. The device went on sale through the au Online Shop on 29 May, with availability at KDDI-operated retail stores scheduled to begin progressively from June. The operator said demonstration units will be available in its stores.

TP-Link pencils in October release for Archer Wi-Fi 8 router, wider line-up to follow in 2027
GLOBAL 29 MEI

TP-Link pencils in October release for Archer Wi-Fi 8 router, wider line-up to follow in 2027

TP-Link Systems will launch its inaugural Wi-Fi 8 consumer router in October. The Archer 8 Wi-Fi router will become TP-Link's first consumer-grade product based on the ultra-high reliability IEEE 802.11 bn specification, following a slew of silicon introductions by the likes of Broadcom since late-2025. In the first quarter of 2027, TP-Link will release a Wi-Fi 8 mesh system, the Deco 8, and a travel router called the Roam 8. A portfolio of range extenders and adapters will follow suit in Q2 2027. Regional

Qualcomm brings laptop line-up to budget models with Snapdragon C chipset
GLOBAL 29 MEI

Qualcomm brings laptop line-up to budget models with Snapdragon C chipset

Qualcomm is launching an entry-tier laptop computer processor, the Snapdragon C Platform, building on its push into the personal computing space as part of a wider diversification beyond smartphones. Snapdragon C is designed to produce all-day battery life with responsive user feedback in entry-level laptops typically retailing for at least USD 300. It is debuting in an initial cohort of products from OEM partners, including Acer, HP, and Lenovo, with initial retail sell-in anticipated before end-2026.

Mediatek set for Computex showcase starring Wi-Fi 8, 6G and edge computing
GLOBAL 29 MEI

Mediatek set for Computex showcase starring Wi-Fi 8, 6G and edge computing

Mediatek will spotlight its Wi-Fi 8 silicon technology at Computex 2026. The showcase centres on Mediatek's back-compatible Wi-Fi 8 chipset, the Filogic 8800, designed to unlock next-generation performance while also boosting wireless link stability in older Wi-Fi specifications. At peak output, the chip is expected to increase system throughput by about 200 percent and enables file downloads up to 50 percent faster. Filogic 8800 includes a smart Wi-Fi toolkit with optimisation features such as AI Network D

Oura takes advance orders for lighter, thinner and more accurate Oura Ring 5
GLOBAL 28 MEI

Oura takes advance orders for lighter, thinner and more accurate Oura Ring 5

'Smart' ring maker Oura has started taking reservations for its Ring 5, a thinner and lighter wearable health tracker than its predecessors. The company claims Oura Ring 5 is the most accurate version yet, as the thin construction presses the diodes closer to the skin and signal pathways are shortened. Prices start at USD 399 and the ring comes in silver, black, brushed silver, gold, deep rose and charcoal grey ('Stealth'). Deliveries are due to start on 04 June.

Acer to launch Predator handheld gaming device in October
GLOBAL 28 MEI

Acer to launch Predator handheld gaming device in October

Acer is entering the handheld gaming market with a new device under its Predator brand running Intel's new Arc high-end processors. The Predator Atlas 8 is powered by the Intel Arc G3 Extreme processor for advanced graphics and long battery life. It runs Windows 11 so users can extend their PC gaming experience to the portable device and includes an Xbox Game Pass subscription. The device is expected to launch in October in North America, EMEA, and Australia, with pricing to be announced closer to then.

UNITED STATES 28 MEI

Plume flags hidden proxy network running from Android TV streaming boxes

Plume's Security Labs unit has published insights into a proxy threat affecting certain Android TV streaming boxes that instructs them to relay unauthorised traffic through residential broadband connections. Issued on 28 May, the study attributes the threat to a hidden software package installed in SuperBox devices, an Android-based streaming STB sold through authorised dealers and third-party marketplaces such as eBay

GLOBAL 28 MEI

Broadcom joins Samsung to launch Wi-Fi 8 FWA silicon archetype

Broadcom has partnered with Samsung to introduce a fixed wireless access (FWA) reference architecture pairing its Wi-Fi 8 system-on-chip with Samsung's B1320 5G modem. The collaboration aims to catalyse a benchmark for FWA services optimised for the emerging Wi-Fi 8 standard and the 3GPP's Release 17 specification. Broadcom expects this approach to facilitate service differentiation as mobile operators strive to expand fibre-grade FWA offerings, delivering a viable pathway to mass-market scalability and cos

UNITED STATES 28 MEI

Samsung and US hospital study Galaxy Watch use during weight-loss treatment

Samsung Electronics and Massachusetts General Hospital have launched a joint clinical study examining the use of Galaxy Watch devices to monitor patients undergoing GLP-1 receptor agonist therapy. The study will investigate whether biometric data collected through Galaxy Watch devices can help clinicians monitor and manage muscle mass loss associated with GLP-1 treatments used for weight management and chronic disease therapy.

JAPAN 28 MEI

SoftBank to launch senior-focused 'Kantan Sumaho 5' on Y!mobile

SoftBank will launch the 5G-enabled "Kantan Sumaho 5" smartphone on its Y!mobile brand on 4 June, with pre-orders opening on 28 May. The device, manufactured by ZTE, is targeted at senior users and includes features focused on remote family support, fraud prevention and health management. SoftBank said the smartphone includes a new "Family Support" function that allows family members to remotely assist users by viewing and operating the device screen during voice calls. The feature requires prior registrati

INDIA 28 MEI

Amazon brings 2026 Fire TV Stick HD to India

Amazon has launched its new Fire TV Stick HD in India. The 2026 Fire Stick HD is estimated to be around 30 percent narrower than the previous generation model and connects wirelessly via Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. Amazon says with its Fire TV Stick HD, customers across India will be able to stream movies and TV episodes across content providers and enjoy Xbox cloud gaming without a console.

GLOBAL 27 MEI

Broadcom extends 50G PON architecture into Wi-Fi 8 gateways with new SoC product

Broadcom's Wi-Fi 8 silicon roadmap has expanded once again with the introduction of a system-on-chip (SoC) built for 50G PON-capable fibre home gateways.  The BCM68850 SoC marks Broadcom's latest bid to capture first-mover advantage as OEMs prepare to launch network devices built on the draft Wi-Fi 8 specification. It complements earlier Broadcom Wi-Fi 8 gateway designs which dovetail with 10G PON-grade customer infrastructure.

FRANCE 27 MEI

Amazon's Alexa+ GenAI service arrives in France

Amazon announced further progress in the international roll‑out of Alexa+, its generative AI‑based assistant. The service is now available in France, joining a growing footprint that already includes the US, Canada, Mexico, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria and the UK. French customers will be able to access Alexa+ free of charge during an "early access" period. Once this ends, the standard monthly subscription will be priced EUR 22.99, Amazon Prime subscribers get Alexa+ free.

PHILIPPINES 26 MEI

Smart Communications bundles Rokid smart glasses with mobile plans

Philippines operator Smart Communications has launched the Rokid AI Glasses bundled with a Smart Postpaid plan. This offer brings the Rokid AI Glasses, with native access to Google Gemini, to Filipino consumers. The Smart-Rokid offer will be available from 29 May.

GLOBAL 26 MEI

Samsung expands One UI 8.5 availability and extends device interoperability features

Samsung Electronics has begun expanding availability of its One UI 8.5 software interface across current Galaxy smartphone and tablet models, extending support beyond the Samsung Galaxy S26 series and Galaxy A57 5G to additional Galaxy devices released since the Galaxy S23 series. The company said One UI 8.5 introduces additional AI integration intended to improve productivity and personalise user experiences. The update expands AI-assisted functions including image editing and content generation capabiliti

GERMANY 26 MEI

Vodafone Germany to replace old TV receivers with GigaTV Home by 2027

Vodafone Germany announced plans to gradually replace approximately 400,000 older TV receivers, including GigaTV.Net, Giga Cable Box 1, and Horizon boxes, with its latest generation of receivers, the GigaTV Home, by the end of 2027. Head of Consumer Business at Vodafone Matthias Lorenz said the switch to GigaTV Home means a wider range of features for customers to watch video content. Moreover, Vodafone will offer a new GigaTV Home Sound system from mid-June.

FRANCE 25 MEI

Sagemcom wins damage claim against Canal Plus in France

Sagemcom has been awarded USD 2.5 million in damages by the commercial court of Paris in a legal dispute with pay‑TV group Canal Plus, reports L'informe. The equipment maker filed the legal action in July 2024, and the nature of the dispute was outlined by Canal Plus in its 2025 annual report. In particular, Sagemcom sought damages for a breach of contractual obligations related to set‑top box orders that Canal Plus was expected to place, as well as for an alleged unfair termination of business relations.

PERU 25 MEI

Peruvian smartphone penetration exceeds 95% of homes

The proportion of Peruvian homes with at least one smartphone climbed from 78.0 percent in 2019 to 95.4 percent in 2025, according to data from the annual Residential Survey of Telecommunications Services (Erestel) cited by telecommunications regulator Osiptel. Among rural households, the proportion almost doubled from 44.1 percent to 85.0 percent over the same period.

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Background

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23 MEI 23:42

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