In a keynote address at the IFA 2017 last week, Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei Consumer Business Group detailed the company’s future vision of AI with the launch of the Kirin 970.

Combining the power of the cloud with the speed and responsiveness of native AI processing, Huawei is looking to bring Artificial Intelligence experiences to life, changing the way we interact with our devices.

“As we look to the future of smartphones, we’re at the threshold of an exciting new era,” Yu said. “Mobile AI = On-Device AI + Cloud AI. Huawei is committed to turning smart devices into intelligent devices by building end-to-end capabilities that support coordinated development of chips, devices, and the cloud. The ultimate goal is to provide a significantly better user experience. The Kirin 970 is the first in a series of new advances that will bring powerful AI features to our devices and take them beyond the competition.” – Richard Yu 

Here’s the Kirin 970′s details broken down:

• Powered by an 8-core CPU & new generation 12-core GPU.
• Houses 5.5 billion transistors into an area of only one cm².
• Huawei’s first AI computing platform to feature a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU). C
• Delivers up to 25x the performance with 50x greater efficiency, compared to a quad-core Cortex-A73 CPU cluster
• The Kirin 970 can perform the same AI computing tasks faster and with far less power.
• The Kirin 970 processed 2,000 images per minute, which was faster than other chips on the market.

Over 20 million Brits are now banking online, with Mobile phones being the device of choice for managing your money. As our reliance on online banking has increased, so too has the need for higher security.

Mobiles started off with 4 digit PIN codes and progressed to the embedded fingerprint scanners prevalent in most devices on the market. Manufactures are now developing security measures further, with the current IRIS scanning technology and facial recognition rumoured to be appearing on the iPhone 8 next month. The biometrics used in Iris scanners contains 266 unique characteristics compared to the fingerprint’s 60, allowing it to offer ”an unparalleled level of cyber security.”

A report from the Telegraph has stated that TSB will be the first bank in Europe to allow its mobile customers to unlock their account using a mobile iris scanner.

From September, TSB customers who own a Samsung Galaxy S8 or Samsung Galaxy S8+ will be able to simply look at their phones to securely access their account.

“As well as a more customer-friendly approach to identification, iris recognition is also the most secure method of authentication available today. We want our mobile app customers to continue to have a fast, easy-to-use experience; iris recognition delivers that and, when combined with our other security measures, an unparalleled level of cybersecurity.” - Carlos Abarca, TSB’s chief information officer.

Impressive pre-order sales figures for the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ suggest that last year’s Note 7 crisis has had little to no negative impact on consumer’s confidence in Samsung.

Samsung have reported “strong double digit growth” for  pre-orders of its new Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ devices, outselling their predecessors even at the higher prices. Reports also show more pre-order customers users are choosing the larger (and more expensive) 6.2-inch S8+ over its 5.8-inch counterpart.

A spokesperson at Samsung continued to state that “the majority of consumers have been selecting the Galaxy S8+, with Midnight Black being the preferred color of choice.”

Samsung announced the devices in their self organised event in New York, snubbing Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Whilst Samsung hasn’t published specific sales figures, the sales growth comes as a welcome relief for the South Korean company.

Pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S8+ Sim Free.

Google have released the first developer preview of the next Android OS; Android O.  Google says to expect the full version in Autumn of 2017 (with a proper beta program launching mid-may), but for now owners of the Google Pixel, Google Pixel XL, Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Pixel C and Nexus Player can check out the preview.

So what’s new for Android O?

1. Background limits

New limits on implicit broadcasts (sending “signals” for other apps or activities to act upon), background services (activities of an app that continue to run when it’s not on the screen) and location updates (checking to see where you are using Android’s location services) are automatic.

2. New Notification channels

Android O Google is introducing new Notification channels: grouping notifications together by their type.

3. Autofill APIs

Android O users will be able to choose a source for autofill data, and applications that need to store and retrieve this sort of data no longer will need to act as an Accessibility service.

4. Font resources in XML

Android O promotes fonts to a full resource type.

5. Adaptive icons

Adaptive icons will be supported in the launcher, shortcuts, device Settings, sharing dialogs, and the app overview screen.

6. Connectivity

Changes to connectivity include:

• High-quality Bluetooth audio through the Sony LDAC codec.
• NAN (Neighborhood Aware Networking) connectivity using the Wi-Fi Aware specification.
• Telecom framework

7. Java 8 APIs

Android O supports new Java Language APIs, including the new java.time API introduced with the latest version of Java 8.

Google hasn’t enabled Android Beta support for Android O yet, but whilst it’s harder, it’s not impossible to download the latest OS. Check out Tech Radar’s guide on how to download Android O. Be warned, the new OS is unfinished and glitchy so not something to do on your main device

Apple teamed up with Bono’s charity Red to make it easy for people and businesses to join the fight against deadly virus, by purchasing their special edition Apple iPhone 7 Red or Apple iPhone 7 Plus Red.

AIDS has killed more than 35 million people since its discovery in 1981. More than 37 million people are living with HIV, and mothers continue to pass the virus in startling numbers to their children. Life-saving anti-retroviral treatments cost as little as 30 cents a day, yet most living with HIV won’t see medicine in their lifetime.

If that’s not enough of a reason to support Apple with their plight, read on:

1. The Apple iPhone 7 (PRODUCT)RED saves lives:

Apple CEO Tim Cook last year spoke passionately about the company’s support for (PRODUCT)RED: “Ten years ago there were 1,200 babies being born a day with HIV, and that’s now dropped to 400. So there’s been a lot of progress but we still have work to do to get to an AIDS-free generation by 2020, though we are on target, it’s within our sights.”

2. When you buy (PRODUCT)RED™ Apple send a contribution to the Global Fund.

The handset is priced the same as the other colours of iPhone, but Apple will send a percentage of the profits to Global Fund at no extra cost to you. Apple have raised $130 million across the entirety of its ten-year partnership with (RED) for the Global Fund, who uses 100% of this money to finance HIV/AIDS programmes. The contribution helps people affected by HIV in Ghana, Lesotho, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Kenya and Zambia.

3. The Beautiful New Red Finish

The vibrant red aluminium finish has been chosen as a recognition of more than 10 years of partnership between Apple and (RED).  The handsets offer a pretty distinct sharp red back in a very bright but matte finish, with equally bright white front bezels. The rear Apple logo retains its reflective silver colour for a high end finish.

4.  Buy a piece of history

The Special Edition Apple iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus in (Product) Red is the first Red iPhone yet, making it a good investment for collectors and tech enthusiasts alike. Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO; “The introduction of this special edition iPhone in a gorgeous red finish is our biggest (PRODUCT)RED offering to date in celebration of our partnership with (RED), and we can’t wait to get it into customers’ hands.”

5. Top End Specs

Both the iPhone 7 Red and iPhone 7 Plus Red feature the most popular camera in the world with advanced camera systems that shoot incredible photos and videos day or night, more power and performance with the best battery life ever in an iPhone, in a water and dust resistant design. iOS 10 brings an fun, animated ways to communicate in Messages, new ways to use Siri with your favorite apps, beautifully redesigned Maps, Photos, Apple Music and News, and the Home app, which lets you simply and securely set up, manage and control your home all in one place.

6. Large Memory Options

The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition will be available in 128GB and 256GB models, enough to store all of your favourite tunes, movies and photographs on the go.

7. Be a part of something huge

“Apple is the world’s largest corporate donor to the Global Fund, contributing more than $130 million as part of its partnership with (RED),” said Deborah Dugan, (RED)’s ceo, in a statement. “Combining the global reach of the world’s most loved smartphone with our efforts to provide access to life-saving ARV medication in sub-Saharan Africa, customers now have a remarkable opportunity to make a difference and contribute to the Global Fund through the purchase of this new beautiful (PRODUCT)RED iPhone.”

Purchase Apple iPhone 7 Plus or Apple iPhone 7 Sim Free, unlocked, with UK and International Delivery.

Apple have started highlighting indie gamer’s content in a dedicated section within the store.  “Celebrating Indie Games” is a hub that showcases new releases from independent game developers selected by the App Store’s Editorial team.