Apple unveils Siri AI as EU, China rollouts face delay
GLOBAL 01:07

Apple unveils Siri AI as EU, China rollouts face delay

Apple has unveiled Siri AI, a new version of its digital assistant built on the company's Apple Intelligence platform, alongside a broader expansion of AI capabilities across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Vision Pro devices. The announcement comes as Apple claimed some of the new Siri AI features will not initially be available on iPhone and iPad devices in the European Union because of issues related to the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple also confirmed the features will not be available in China whi

Apple claims DMA rules are delaying Siri AI launch in the EU
GLOBAL 01:04

Apple claims DMA rules are delaying Siri AI launch in the EU

Apple has claimed requirements arising from the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA) will delay the launch of Siri AI on iPhone and iPad devices in the region. The company announced the delay alongside the introduction of Siri AI at its Worldwide Developers Conference, where it unveiled a new version of its digital assistant based on the Apple Intelligence platform.

Apple updates parental controls as it expands AI tools for developers
GLOBAL 01:02

Apple updates parental controls as it expands AI tools for developers

Apple has announced new AI frameworks and developer tools designed to expand access to its Apple Intelligence platform, alongside new parental controls and child safety features across iPhone, iPad and Mac. The company said developers will gain access to a new Foundation Models framework that provides a native Swift API for integrating on-device and server-based AI models into applications. 

Samsung South Africa offers Aura emergency response subscription with Galaxy A 57 5G and A37 5G
SOUTH AFRICA 8 JUN

Samsung South Africa offers Aura emergency response subscription with Galaxy A 57 5G and A37 5G

Samsung South Africa said it is running the Samsung SOS+ campaign until 30 June, offering customers who purchase the new Galaxy A57 5G or Galaxy A37 5G twelve months of free access to an on-demand emergency response subscription from Aura. It supports late-night commutes and family safety by turning a smartphone into a 24/7 personal safety companion.

3 Denmark forms sales partnership with Greenmind
DENMARK 8 JUN

3 Denmark forms sales partnership with Greenmind

3 Denmark has announced a partnership with GreenMind for the sale of its subscriptions at Greenmind's eighteen retail branches alongside smartphones, tablets or other mobile devices. The news comes shortly after the termination of Telenor Denmark's sales arrangement with Greenmind. 3 Denmark COO Marie-Louise Back said the partnership lets her company reach a new market segment with which it has so far had no contact. This contrasts with Telenor's explanation that external sales channels meant higher costs a

Scottish govt to ban mobile phone use in schools
UNITED KINGDOM 8 JUN

Scottish govt to ban mobile phone use in schools

The newly-elected Scottish government has announced plans to restrict mobile phone use in schools across the country. It will launch a consultation within the first 100 days to make school learning environments in Scotland phone-free; and publish guidance in summer 2026 to encourage schools to implement their own mobile phone restrictions ahead of any change to the law.

SK Telecom opens applications for 10,000 premium mobile numbers
KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 8 JUN

SK Telecom opens applications for 10,000 premium mobile numbers

SK Telecom (SKT) has launched its 2026 premium mobile number allocation programme, offering 10,000 so-called "gold numbers" through a random draw process. Gold numbers are mobile numbers featuring memorable patterns, repeated digits or combinations with particular meanings, such as repeated sequences or numbers that are considered easy to remember. The operator said applicants can choose from nine categories of premium numbers and submit applications for up to three numbers each.

T-Mobile Czechia starts handset trade-in pilot
CZECH REPUBLIC 4 JUN

T-Mobile Czechia starts handset trade-in pilot

T-Mobile Czech Republic has announced a pilot project for handset trade-ins. Customers can apply the value of their current phone when purchasing a new one. The trial is running at nine selected shops across the country.

Ugandan active mobile subscriptions rise 400,000 in Q1
UGANDA 4 JUN

Ugandan active mobile subscriptions rise 400,000 in Q1

The number of active mobile subscriptions in Uganda rose to 47.5 million in the first quarter ended March from 47.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2026, according to the Uganda Communications Commission. The number of smartphones grew to 20.3 million active connections from 20 million at the end of 2025, while feature phones accounted for 24.7 million and basic devices held 13.3 million connections.

HMD debuts Vibe 2 5G smartphone in India featuring Sarvam AI's Indus chatbot
INDIA 4 JUN

HMD debuts Vibe 2 5G smartphone in India featuring Sarvam AI's Indus chatbot

HMD has introduced the Vibe 2 5G in India, marking its first smartphone to feature a system-level integration of the Indus AI assistant developed by Sarvam AI. The device targets the budget-friendly segment with a launch price of INR 9,499 for the base 4GB RAM and 64GB storage model, while a 128GB storage variant is also available. Official sales started on 26 May, exclusively through Flipkart and HMD's official website.

Magyar Telekom runs mobile device recycling campaign with prize draw
HUNGARY 3 JUN

Magyar Telekom runs mobile device recycling campaign with prize draw

Magyar Telekom is launching a summer campaign to encourage Hungarians to recycle their unused mobile phones and tablets, of which an estimated 2.7 million are currently gathering dust in homes. These discarded devices contain valuable and nearly 90 percent-recyclable raw materials such as gold, silver and rare earth metals, the extraction of which is environmentally intensive.

Currys promotes Nordics business head to Group CEO
UNITED KINGDOM 3 JUN

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.

GLOBAL 3 JUN

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.

UNITED KINGDOM 3 JUN

Virgin Media O2 launches new Digital Wellbeing Manifesto

New research commissioned by Virgin Media O2 shows that Brits will spend an average of 4 years and 8 months of their waking lives using their mobile phones unintentionally (doomscrolling). The 12-month study of more than 6,000 Brits (led by the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence at Cambridge University) shows a clear correlation between doomscrolling and poorer sleep, focus and mental wellbeing. More than one third (36%) of all mobile phone use is now happening without clear intent, equal to a

POLAND 2 JUN

T-Mobile Poland starts selling new Samsung and Xiaomi smartphones

T-Mobile Poland has started offering the Samsung Galaxy A57 5G and Xiaomi 17T 5G smartphones in its shops. The Galaxy A57 5G costs PLN 1,299 and the price of the Xiaomi 17T 5G is PLN 2,399. The phones are available at promotional rates for customers signing up to plans from the operator.

SWITZERLAND 2 JUN

Mobilezone closes transaction for Apfelkiste.ch, Marein takeover

Mobilezone has closed the transaction to buy AK Group, which includes the e-commerce platform Apfelkiste.ch and Marein, company specialising in retail branding and sourcing. Through the acquisition, Mobilezone continues to diversify across sectors to strengthen its position on the retail, e-commerce and B2B markets. The companies will continue to focus on recurring revenues to support cash generation and margin development over the coming years.

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.

UNITED STATES 1 JUN

US smartphone shipments down 3% in Q1 to 33.4 million - Omdia

US smartphone shipments reached 33.4 million units in Q1 2026, down 3 percent from Q1 2025, according to the latest data from Omdia. The year-earlier quarter was inflated by vendors/carriers building up inventory ahead of potential tariff announcements by the US government. US smartphone shipments in Q1 2026 were also impacted by fewer carrier upgrades, increasing storage/memory costs and delayed handset launches.

ROMANIA 1 JUN

Yoxo launches mobile phone, tablet buy-back programme with Recommerce

Orange Romania's Yoxo brand has launched a buy-back programme for phones and tablets. Customers can visit the buyback.yoxo website to sell their devices and receive cash in exchange. The service is offered by Yoxo in partnership with Recommerce.

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.

EUROPE 29 MEI

Xplora completes Emporia acquisition and expects 30% boost to senior segment annual device volumes

Xplora Technologies said it has completed its "highly complementary bolt-on acquisition" of DACH region specialist Emporia Group, which should expand its annual connected device volumes in the senior segment by about 30 percent. Emporia's portfolio includes a series of market-ready 5G products, enabling Xplora to avoid previously planned development investments estimated at NOK 30-40 million while accelerating time to market.

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

UNITED KINGDOM 29 MEI

Vodafone, Three UK start summer sale

Vodafone and Three UK announced the start of a summer sale. The offers available from 28 May include big savings on flagship smartphones such as the Samsung S26, Google Pixel 10 and iPhone 17 series, as well as discounts on Sim-only plans. Vodafone also has deals on refurbished smartphones, smartwatches, laptops and tablets.

GLOBAL 29 MEI

Xiaomi debuts 17T series with Leica co-branded cameras

Xiaomi has launched its Xiaomi 17T-series smartphones with two new models – the 17T and the 17T Pro – claiming significant upgrades on last year's 15T series. Both variants feature a 5x Leica co-branded telephoto camera, or 115mm equivalent, compared to a 46mm equivalent (2x) telephoto on the 15T.

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Apple unveils Siri AI as EU, China rollouts face delay

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