Tech
Are foldable smartphones the next big thing?
Samsung has wrapped its latest Galaxy Unpacked event, announcing two foldables, new smartwatches, and an update to its Galaxy Buds Pro line
Tech commentator Trevor Long, who was at the event, and tech expert Greg Nibler unpack the biggest announcements
What’s changed?
Taking a look at the Galaxy Zed Flip 4, Samsung hasn’t changed the overall design – but new features include the ability to see selfie previews on the cover screen and fast charging.
At a slightly higher cost, there’s the Galaxy Zed Fold 4.
This design remains largely the same, but Samsung has made some big changes to the cameras.
What’s probably most interesting about this latest product launch is Samsung’s wearables push.
At the Unpacked event, the tech giant finally unveiled its Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.
After serious battery life complaints, the new devices both boast bigger batteries, faster charging, and increased durability.
What was the actual event like?
Tech commentator Trevor Long joined TICKER NEWS live in New York to detail the experience.
“It was still a bit of a hybrid experience. Because this wasn’t a fully in person thing. So basically, all the gathered media were were in a room together. But there was still just a visual presentation or a short introduction from one of their executives to the same visual presentation is pretty much everyone saw on their live stream,” he says.
“But of course, we then got the opportunity to go and go hands on with all the devices. And it’s fascinating in both London and New York, they’ve set up large experience areas where the general public will be able to come through over the next few weeks and actually touch and feel and experience these devices,
“I think it’s a very smart move from Samsung, because the category is still so new. It’s been around for a few years.”
Are people warming to foldable smart phones?
Tech expert Greg Nibler says there were a lot of issues that came out and some kind of bad publicity with Galaxy fold phones, “but it feels like they’ve worked on that quite a bit”.
“Let’s face it, there’s not a lot of people that have been purchasing these overall so far. But I think just the fact that Samsung keeps on pushing this there, regardless of anything that happens, they are going to keep on making these foldable phones because they believe that this is something that people are going to want.”
Meanwhile, Trevor longs believes foldable phones won’t go mainstream.
However, he is in New York with Samsung Australia and was talking to their executive vice president about the demand.
“And he (Aus VP) said they’re seeing nearly 300% demand. Now that’s not purchasing, but they see interest at a peak, the amount of searches and things that are going on. So it there’s definitely demand there.”
But the VP also told Trevor that there will come a time (he didn’t put a date on it) but there will come a time “when the folding format is the primary format”.
Long also commented on the more refined general design.
“I think people will have trust in the fact that they are durable too.”
When is Apple going to come out with their own foldable device?
“I don’t even think it’s going to be this year, probably next year, maybe sometime Apple will do it,” Long says.
“Apple doesn’t really have something to compare directly. But we’re coming to the watch side. I do think you know, the Galaxy watches certainly made some improvements with this five and the five pro you mentioned the battery life. That’s pretty impressive specs, they said I believe was 40 hours for the watch five and up to 80 hours for the five pro if you’re not using everything on it. That’s, that’s really great..
But is that going to be enough to convince somebody who’s an Apple Watch user to switch out of that ecosystem? Long says “I doubt it.”
Tech
Hollywood agencies criticise OpenAI’s Sora for exploitation
Hollywood agencies criticise OpenAI’s Sora for exploiting creators and infringing intellectual property rights amid rising concerns over AI usage
Hollywood agencies criticise OpenAI’s Sora for exploiting creators and infringing intellectual property rights amid rising concerns over AI usage
– Top talent agencies, including CAA and UTA, oppose OpenAI’s Sora over client rights and copyright risks.
– Disney and others demand immediate action from OpenAI to address copyright infringements related to Sora.
Top Hollywood talent agencies have expressed strong opposition to OpenAI’s new video creation app, Sora. The Creative Artists Agency (CAA) voiced concerns about significant risks to their clients and intellectual property rights.CAA represents high-profile clients such as Doja Cat and Scarlett Johansson. The agency questioned OpenAI’s commitment to compensating creators for their work, suggesting that their practices might ignore global copyright principles.
They stated, “Control, permission for use, and compensation is a fundamental right of these workers.”
United Talent Agency (UTA) echoed similar sentiments, labelling Sora’s actions as “exploitation, not innovation.” UTA reinforced that human talent is irreplaceable and affirmed its commitment to defending its clients’ rights. OpenAI has indicated it will implement measures to limit the generation of well-known characters and enhance control for rightsholders.
Industry Response
The memo from WME instructed agents to ensure that all clients are opted out of the latest Sora updates. Disney also took a firm stance, clarifying it had not granted OpenAI permission to use its copyrighted content.
The Motion Picture Association urged immediate action from OpenAI to address copyright infringements related to Sora.
Concerns over generative AI’s impact on copyright have surged within the entertainment industry.
Major companies like Universal and Disney have already pursued legal action against other AI firms over similar issues, highlighting a growing fear regarding the protection of intellectual property.
Tech
OpenAI, Jony Ive’s AI device faces significant delays
OpenAI and Jony Ive’s AI device faces significant delays due to technical and infrastructure challenges ahead of its launch
OpenAI and Jony Ive’s AI device faces significant delays due to technical and infrastructure challenges ahead of its launch
– OpenAI and Jony Ive face significant challenges for their AI device, delaying its launch to 2026.
– Technical issues include computing power shortages and difficulties defining the AI’s personality and behaviour.
The primary obstacle is the need for adequate computing power for widespread deployment. Insiders revealed that OpenAI is struggling to secure enough compute resources for current applications, let alone the device design focused on continuous interaction.
Compute Issues
Development teams are also navigating challenges in defining the AI’s personality and behaviour.
Creating an assistant that is both engaging and appropriately responsive has proven difficult, as the design aims to foster a friendly interaction style without veering into overly chatty or insincere exchanges.
Legal issues add to the complications, including a trademark dispute with audio startup Iyo, resulting in the removal of “io” branding from promotional materials. Manufacturing is ongoing, with partnerships established, including with Chinese company Luxshare.
As OpenAI prepares for the upcoming DevDay 2025 conference, the company is under pressure to showcase progress, especially as competitors like Apple and Google advance their AI projects.
The focus remains on overcoming existing hurdles while optimising development strategies for the future of AI devices.
Tech
Indonesia lifts TikTok suspension after compliance with requests
Indonesia swiftly reinstates TikTok’s licence after compliance with data-sharing demands regarding August protests
Indonesia swiftly reinstates TikTok’s licence after compliance with data-sharing demands regarding August protests
– Indonesia lifted TikTok’s suspension after it provided required protest-related data to the government.
– The incident underscores increasing tensions between Southeast Asian governments and tech companies over data transparency.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs confirmed that TikTok submitted necessary data on livestream traffic and monetisation during the protests occurring between August 25 and 30, 2025. This submission occurred on the same day of the suspension announcement, restoring TikTok’s registration as an electronic system operator.
The suspension was initially triggered by TikTok’s partial data submission by a September 23 deadline, citing internal privacy constraints on full compliance.
Regulatory Context
The data dispute arose amid violent demonstrations in late August, protesting excessive lawmakers’ allowances and police brutality, particularly following the death of a motorcycle taxi driver on August 28. Authorities found accounts allegedly linked to illegal gambling using TikTok’s livestream feature, prompting TikTok to suspend this function temporarily.
The incident highlights Indonesia’s assertive stance on tech regulation, particularly given its significance as TikTok’s second-largest market globally. The platform has faced various regulatory challenges in Indonesia, including a recent $900,000 antitrust fine for late notification regarding its Tokopedia acquisition.
Despite the suspension, TikTok remained accessible throughout the regulatory process, stating its commitment to comply with local laws.
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