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Here’s why Apple was smacked with another EU antitrust complaint.

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Hemant Singh – Mumbai Uncensored, 6th May 2022

Apple faces a potential big fine and may be compelled to open its mobile payment system to competitors after EU antitrust investigators charged the iPhone maker with restricting rivals’ access to its technology used for mobile wallets.

This is Apple’s second EU allegation, after a complaint from Spotify last year, when EU authorities accused the corporation of impeding competition in the music streaming industry.

On Monday, the European Commission said that it had handed Apple a charge sheet, also known as a statement of objections, explaining how the corporation had exploited its dominant positioning in markets for e – wallets on iOS devices.

According to the Commission, Apple’s anti-competitive conduct extend back to 2015, when Apple Pay was introduced.

“We have indications that Apple restricted third-party access to key technology necessary to develop rival mobile wallet solutions on Apple’s devices,” EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager said in a statement.

“In our statement of objections, we preliminarily found that Apple may have restricted competition, to the benefit of its own solution Apple Pay,” she said.

Apple said it would continue to work with the Commission, which could fine it up to ten percent of its global turnover, or $36.6 billion, based on its revenue last year, though EU penalties rarely reach that level.

“Apple Pay is only one of many options available to European consumers for making payments, and has ensured equal access to NFC while setting industry-leading standards for privacy and security,” the company said in a statement.

Apple’s Frankfurt-listed shares declined 0.7 percent at 1216 GMT as a result of the announcement.

Apple Pay is used by over 2,500 banks in Europe, as well as over 250 fintechs and challenger banks. On iPhones and iPads, the NFC chip allows for tap-and-go payments.

Vestager rejected the company’s security argument.

“Our investigation to date did not reveal any evidence that would point to such a higher security risk. On the contrary, evidence on our file indicates that Apple’s conduct cannot be justified by security concerns,” she told a news conference.

Before the Commission delivers a ruling, Apple can request a closed-door hearing to defend its case and also submit a written rebuttal, which might take a year or more.

The EU is preparing to introduce new tech legislation dubbed the Digital Markets Act next year, which would push Apple to open up its closed eco-system or risk fines of up to 10% of its worldwide revenue.

The Committee’s intention to deliver its statement of complaints to Apple corroborated a Reuters report from October of last year.

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Technology & Creativity: Merging Creative Strategieswith Tech Advancements Like AI and Data-DrivenMarketing

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In today’s fast-evolving marketing landscape, creativity and technology are no
longer separate entities—they are inseparable partners in crafting memorable,
effective campaigns. The rise of AI and data-driven marketing has
revolutionised how brands engage with their audiences, enabling personalised
experiences at scale and opening new possibilities for creative storytelling.

Gone are the days when creativity was solely about flashy visuals or witty copy.Now, the most successful campaigns blend imaginative storytelling with techpowered insights, offering brands a competitive edge. Let’s dive into how this union of creativity and technology is reshaping the marketing world and why it’s crucial for brands to embrace it.

New Possibilities with Creativity and AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool in marketing, not only
for improving efficiency but also for enhancing creativity. AI helps brands
gather, process, and analyse vast amounts of data to understand consumer
behaviour on a deeper level, allowing marketers to develop hyper-targeted
campaigns.

However, the magic happens when data and creativity collide. While AI provides
the insights, human creativity crafts the story. This is where brands can
innovate, using data as a foundation to build experiences that speak directly to
individual consumer needs and preferences.

Take Netflix, for instance. The brand leverages AI to analyse user viewing
habits, then suggests highly personalised content for each viewer. While the
data informs recommendations, Netflix’s creative approach to packaging these
suggestions—with custom thumbnails and personalised copy—makes it feel
seamless and engaging. The result? A platform that knows its users better than
they know themselves, creating an intuitive experience that feels personal and
enjoyable.

The Power of Insight-Driven Storytelling
Data-driven marketing is transforming how brands tell stories. By harnessing
data, marketers can craft campaigns that resonate more deeply with their
audiences. This shift from guesswork to data-backed strategies allows creative
teams to make informed decisions, ensuring that every piece of content, from
visuals to messaging, is aligned with audience interests.

A great example of this is Spotify’s annual “Wrapped” campaign. By leveraging
user data, Spotify delivers a personalised year-in-review for each of its
listeners, showcasing their most-played songs, artists, and genres. The
campaign taps into people’s love for nostalgia and self-reflection, turning data
into an emotional, shareable experience. What makes it so successful is that it’s
both creative and driven by hard data—a perfect blend of art and science.

This kind of data-backed creativity is especially crucial in an era where
audiences are bombarded with content. personalised storytelling, based on
user data, ensures that brands can cut through the noise and create meaningful
connections with consumers.

How Nike delivers personalised experiences
Personalisation has become key to engaging today’s consumers, who expect
brands to know them as individuals, not just faceless audience members.
Technology has made this possible on a scale that was unimaginable a few
years ago, allowing brands to deliver highly personalised experiences.

Nike has excelled in this space through its “Nike By You” initiative, which allows
customers to design their own sneakers. Using AI and data-driven marketing,
Nike tracks user preferences and behaviours to offer custom design
suggestions that feel personal and unique to each customer. The platform goes
beyond just choosing colours—Nike analyses past purchasing behaviour,
browsing history, and even social media trends to provide suggestions that feel
tailored to each user’s taste.

This combination of data-driven insights and creative customisation allows Nike
to deliver an experience that resonates emotionally with its customers. The
brand’s use of AI for personalisation has turned what could be a simple
shopping experience into a highly engaging and memorable interaction,
building deeper connections with consumers.

Enhancing Creativity with Automation
Automation has become another major player in driving creativity. By
automating repetitive tasks—such as scheduling social media posts or sending
out email campaigns—brands free up time for creative teams to focus on what
they do best: coming up with innovative ideas.

More importantly, automation allows marketers to test various creative
strategies and refine them in real time. A/B testing, for example, is now easier
than ever with automated platforms that analyse performance data and make
recommendations on how to improve engagement.

Tools like HubSpot, for example, use automation to segment audiences,
personalise content, and analyse campaign performance. This enables brands
to tailor creative strategies that are not only effective but also scalable.
Automation ensures that creativity doesn’t get bogged down by execution,
allowing for agile, impactful campaigns that keep audiences engaged.

Should Human Creativity Leverage Machine Precision

Today, the fusion of human creativity and machine precision is no longer just an
option—it’s a necessity. But the question remains: should human creativity rely
on machine precision, or do they exist in separate realms? The answer lies in
finding the right balance.

Machines excel at processing vast amounts of data and identifying patterns
that might otherwise go unnoticed. AI can pinpoint consumer preferences,
predict trends, and optimise campaigns for better performance. However, what
machines lack is the ability to understand human emotions and cultural
nuances at a deep level. This is where human creativity thrives.

When you bring in Human Experience to Machine Precision, marketers can craft
campaigns that are not only data-driven but also emotionally resonant. The
precision of AI can provide insights into what content is most likely to engage a
specific audience, but it takes human intuition to craft that content in a way
that feels authentic and relatable.

Think of machine precision as a compass guiding the creative process. While
data can show you the right direction, it’s human creativity that draws the map,
adding layers of meaning, storytelling, and emotional connection. Brands that
embrace this collaboration between tech and creativity are able to create
campaigns that feel personal, relevant, and impactful—building long-lasting
relationships with their audiences.

The Future of Creative-Tech Synergy
As technology continues to advance, the potential for brands to create even
more personalised and immersive experiences will only grow. AI will become
smarter, automation will become more sophisticated, and data will become
more precise. But at the core of it all will remain the need for creative
storytelling that connects with audiences on an emotional level.
For marketers, the challenge lies in continually pushing the boundaries of
what’s possible—experimenting with new technologies while staying true to the
timeless principles of effective communication.

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Robotex India Championship 2024: Young Innovators Set to Showcase Future Skills

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Robotex India Championship 2024 took place in an environment filled with future technology such as a Waste Segregator for Landfills, an Earthquake Detection Robot, a firefighter robot that is ready to put out a fire, a robot that solves puzzles with its ingenuity. Technologically skilled school and college students from various states including Maharashtra showed glimpses of their robotics, and AI prototypes in this competition.

The annual Robotex India Championship 2024 was organized this year at the World Peace Dome, MIT-ADT University, Loni Kalbhor, Pune. Around two thousand student participants from Zilla Parishad and Municipal Corporation schools in rural areas of Maharashtra to national-level students from various states, participated in the competition. Competitions were held in various categories such as Line Follower, Maze Solver, Robo Sumo, Entrepreneurship, and Girls Fire Fighting. In this, the skill of the students, especially in primary and secondary schools, was applauded.

Sunita Venkat, Chancellor, Executive Director MIT ADT University, Anjali Byce Group Chief Human Resource Officer, Sterlite Technologies Limited, Pushpendra Kumar, General Manager of Analytics & Business Intelligence from Finolex Industries, Ali Khan Director – IT Governance, risk ZS India, Pinky Rajpal – FLO Pune Chapter Chair, Dr. Praveen B. Binjha

Department of ICT and Training Division CIET and National Council of Educational Research and Training, Dr. Shantipal Ohol—center head of Excellence in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence COEP Technological University Pune, Preeti B—Communication, Social media, Corporate Responsibility, Mrinmayi Koshti—leader HR and CSR Head, Globant—was present at the competition.

Payal Rajpal, Director of Robotex India, said “60 percent of the students in this competition are from government schools. This competition has been organized to provide these students with a platform to showcase their technological skills, and STEM knowledge which they learn all academic year in school. Last year, students from nine Zilla Parishad schools in Maharashtra got an opportunity to compete at the international championship with participants from over 57 countries”. The winning students of this competition will participate in the Robotex International Championship 2024 to be held in Estonia, Europe in December.

Anjali Byce, Group Chief Human Resource Officer, Sterlite Technologies Limited, title sponsor of the competition said “Our main objective is to provide STEM and Technology education to students and give them opportunities at the national and international competitions, bridging the digital divide. We have impacted over 6000 students in schools located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Silvassa.”

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Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation Unveils Comprehensive Digital Map to Boost Infrastructure Planning

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In a significant stride towards enhancing infrastructure development, the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has completed the creation of a comprehensive digital map of the city. This landmark achievement aligns with the national PM Gati Shakti Master Plan, which aims to revolutionize infrastructure planning and execution across India.

Advanced Mapping Technology for Seamless Planning

The MBMC has leveraged cutting-edge technology to meticulously map out the city’s roads, water and sewage lines, drainage systems, and other vital utilities. This detailed digital mapping initiative is designed to prevent accidental damage to underground infrastructure during construction projects, thereby saving time and resources. Additionally, it facilitates seamless coordination among various government departments, ensuring that projects are executed smoothly and efficiently.

Insights for Future Development

The newly developed digital map serves as a critical tool for future planning and development initiatives in Mira Bhayandar. By providing comprehensive insights into the city’s infrastructure, the map ensures efficient resource allocation and improved connectivity. This strategic approach to urban planning will significantly contribute to the city’s growth and development.

A Step Towards National Infrastructure Goals

By sharing this valuable data with state and central government agencies, the MBMC is playing a pivotal role in the national agenda of streamlined infrastructure development. The digital map of Mira Bhayandar not only supports local planning efforts but also aligns with the broader objectives of enhancing infrastructure across the nation.

The completion of the digital map marks a milestone in Mira Bhayandar’s journey towards becoming a model city for smart infrastructure planning. As part of the PM Gati Shakti initiative, this project underscores the commitment to creating a well-connected and resource-efficient urban environment.

Stay tuned to Mumbai Uncensored for more updates on in your city.

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