Meta launched AI chatbots voiced by Hollywood celebrities including Judi Dench and John Cena on Wednesday, betting its billions of users are eager to embrace artificial intelligence.

At the company’s annual product launch event, CEO Mark Zuckerberg also unveiled a prototype of normal-looking augmented reality glasses, which he hopes can one day replace smartphones.

Social media giant Meta is banking on AI and virtual and augmented reality applications to diversify its revenue streams.

However, the company has yet to convince investors of the need to shift from its highly profitable advertising-based model.

“I think voice has the potential to be one of, if not the most frequent way, that we interact with AI,” Zuckerberg said, demonstrating a conversation with an AI version of performer Awkwafina.

“It is just a lot better,” he said.

This launch follows OpenAI’s controversial ChatGPT voice feature, which drew criticism for its similarity to actress Scarlett Johansson’s voice.

Meta has secured permission from the celebrities featured in its voice tool, which will be available on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp.

However, due to EU data protection laws, Meta AI will not be accessible in Europe.

Meta’s AI relies on data from its platforms’ legions of users, a practice that in Europe would potentially violate data privacy laws.

Meta AI, similar to ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini, is an assistant that answers questions, creates images, writes messages, and even provides companionship.

The company reports that more than 400 million people already use Meta AI monthly, aiming to make it “the most widely used AI assistant by year-end.”

Critics note, however, that many users may encounter Meta’s AI unintentionally, as it can be easily mistaken for search functions on WhatsApp and Instagram.

– ‘Big hurdle’ –

Competition in the AI field is fierce, with Google and Microsoft leading in productivity features and Apple entering the market with AI-capable iPhones.

These developments require substantial resources, impacting company budgets significantly.

Despite concerns about heavy AI and VR spending, Meta’s profits and share price have soared due to strong advertising results on Facebook and Instagram.

Analyst Carolina Milanesi of Creative Strategies noted that “when I think about AI, Meta is not necessarily the first brand that comes to mind. And their biggest hurdle is going to be privacy and trust.”

Meta hopes to change perceptions with its new AR glasses, called Orion.

These glasses resemble thick-rimmed reading glasses but can display holographic text messages and apps, and place video calls in the user’s field of vision.

The release of the product is still years away, but Zuckerberg sees it as a potential hands-free alternative to smartphones.

The company is also doubling down on its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses that serve as earphones, take pictures and video, and will soon feature live translation, the company said.

The Director of Marketing at Hendai Investment Limited, Asmau Dalhatu, has said that 18.2 billion mobile phones are expected to be in use worldwide by 2025, surpassing the estimated global population of 9.7 billion people.

She also noted the impressive growth projections for the mobile phone industry.

Dalhatu disclosed this in Abuja during the launch of the Hendai NIYO HD5 smartphone. She explained that Hendai Investment Limited is a leading enterprise specialising in a diverse range of sectors, including telecommunications, electronics, and smart city development.

She said: “It will amaze you to know that, according to statistics, we have an estimated 8.2 billion people living on earth, and surprisingly, there are an estimated 17.2 billion phones in use presently.

“By 2025, there will be approximately 18.2 billion phones, which will double the number of humans. So, in essence, what I am trying to point out is that you are at the right place.

“The world is technically advancing, and from 2024-2025, there will be a need for another 1 billion phones in circulation. NIYO has all it takes to occupy a great amount of the estimated one billion phones.”

In his address, the Chairman of Hendai Group, Mr. Owoediinyene Essien, expressed gratitude to distributors and partners for their trust and support.

He also encouraged prospective distributors to join in the journey, noting the vast opportunities for collaboration and growth as Hendai aims to expand its presence across Africa and beyond.

Essien said: “Join us in this exciting journey and benefit from the endless opportunities of partnering with a world-class African brand. Our goal is not only to capture the Nigerian market but to extend our reach across Africa and beyond. I extend my deepest gratitude to our dedicated team, partners, and stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to bring Hendai to life.”

In his remarks, the Director of Housing Development at Hendai Investment Limited, Ambassador Usman Sarki, stressed that Hendai Investment Limited’s vision extends beyond the production of mobile handsets.

He expressed excitement about the forthcoming public engagement and the structured business opportunities that will arise as Hendai continues to expand its operations.

He explained that Hendai Investment Limited is a leading enterprise specialising in a diverse range of sectors, including telecommunications, electronics, and smart city development.

The company is dedicated to driving innovation and creating meaningful opportunities for participation and investment in its projects.

Apple has issued another round of spyware warnings to iPhone users in 98 countries this week. This comes just three months after a similar alert in April, marking the second notification of its kind this year.

On Wednesday, numerous iPhone users reported receiving these warnings and shared their experiences along with screenshots on social media.

“Apple detected that you are being targeted by a mercenary spyware attack that is trying to remotely compromise the iPhone associated with your Apple ID,” read the notifications sent from threats-notification@apple.com. “This attack is likely targeting you specifically because of who you are or what you do. Although it’s never possible to achieve absolute certainty when detecting such attacks, Apple has high confidence in this warning — please take it seriously.”

Apple has been issuing these types of warnings since 2021, but the term “mercenary spyware attacks” has become more common in recent notifications. Previous alerts from Apple described these threats as “state-sponsored,” a term that no longer appears in the latest warnings.

The latest notifications seem to have primarily targeted individuals in journalism and news media, based on social media posts from those affected. Apple’s message underscores the importance of the warnings due to the specific nature of the attacks and the professional roles of the targets.

The April notification and the recent alert reflect a growing concern over the use of sophisticated spyware aimed at specific individuals. Apple’s continued vigilance in sending these warnings highlights the persistent threat such spyware poses to iPhone users worldwide.

Apple urges recipients of these warnings to take them seriously and consider the security measures available to protect their devices and personal information. This includes keeping iOS updated, using strong passwords, and being cautious of unsolicited messages and links.

Apple and Google have introduced a new tool that allows users to transfer their photo and video collections directly from Google Photos to iCloud Photos. This new feature completes the reciprocal data transfer capabilities between the two platforms, having already supported transfers from iCloud Photos to Google Photos. The rollout of this tool is expected to be completed over the next week.

The new transfer tool is powered by the open-source Data Transfer Project technology, which ensures that the transfer process maintains high standards of data integrity and security. This technology aligns data models and authentication processes, making the transfer of personal media collections seamless and reliable.

The introduction of this tool marks a significant step forward in data portability, a feature that users have come to expect from major tech services. By providing an easy and trustworthy method to move media between Google Photos and iCloud Photos, Apple and Google are enhancing the user experience and ensuring that personal data can be transferred without loss of quality or security.

This development is part of a broader effort by both companies to improve data transfer capabilities and user control over personal data. As they continue to expand these features, users can look forward to more flexible and secure options for managing their digital media collections.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NiTDA) has warned users of Android phones in Nigeria to beware of opening malicious apps.

NiTDA issued this warning in a statement on Tuesday, adding that these apps can compromise the security of users’ devices.

“ANDROID USERS, BEWARE! Some malicious applications have been found to contain malware capable of giving attackers control over Android devices,” the statement read.

“This malware can compromise your device’s security, leading to activities such as information theft, cryptojacking (unauthorised crypto mining) and surveillance (spying on your activities).”

On the impact of such apps, NiTDA warned that once installed, the malware executes and uses WebView to launch URLs to either YouTube or a mobile gaming site named CrazyGames.com.

In the background, it said the malware abuses its permission to access locations, SMS messages, contacts, call logs, make phone calls, take screenshots and record audio and video.

“Additionally, the malware degrades performance, causing the device to slow down or freeze occasionally,” it said.

“The following are known applications carrying malware: crazy game, sexy videos, Tik Toks and weapons.”

On how to protect their devices and personal data, NiTDA urged Android users to be cautious when downloading apps and also keep their software up to date.

“Preventive Measures: Avoid downloading the applications listed above and also apps from unofficial sources,” NiTDA warned.

“Ensure your mobile device is up to date with the latest security patches. Let’s stay vigilant together and be cautious of suspicious links or attachments in emails or messages.”

The agency added that for further enquiries, the public should contact CERRT.NG through the following channels: Email: cerrt@nitda.gov.ng; Phone: +2348178774580 and Web: www.cerrt ng.

The upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 have been revealed through multiple leaks according to a report on Techspot, providing a detailed look at their final specs and designs.

Galaxy Z Fold 6:

• Design: The Fold 6 features a new, wider aspect ratio for both the inner and outer displays, with a squarer design and slimmer bezels. The hinge is also slimmer, improving the overall aesthetic and usability​​.
• Specifications: It is expected to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, and it will likely have up to 16GB of RAM with storage options ranging from 256GB to 1TB​.
• Colors: Leaks show the Fold 6 in gray, navy blue, and pink​​.
• Price: The Fold 6 is expected to be priced at around $1,900, which is a $100 increase from its predecessor​​.

Galaxy Z Flip 6:

• Design: The Flip 6 retains a similar look to the Flip 5 but with enhancements in its core functions. The leaks show it in light blue and tinted silver, among other colors​​.
• Specifications: The device will feature a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 3.4-inch cover screen, and will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. The battery capacity is increased to 4,000mAh from the previous 3,700mAh​.
• Camera: The Flip 6 will upgrade its main imaging sensor, likely borrowed from the Galaxy S24 series, while maintaining the dual 12MP rear camera setup​.
• Price: The starting price for the Flip 6 is expected to be $1,100, also a $100 increase over the previous model​​.

Both devices are set to be officially unveiled at Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event on July 10, with reservations already open, offering potential savings of up to $1,500​​.