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Apple Shares Rise on Positive Forecast, but China Concerns Persist

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Apple’s stock rose by 2% on Friday, driven by a promising forecast that boosted optimism about a potential iPhone sales rebound. The world’s most valuable company is set to add over $81 billion to its market value of $3.573 trillion if the gains hold. The forecast predicts revenue growth in the low to mid-single digits for the current quarter, suggesting that demand for the iPhone 16 series is picking up despite initial concerns. The iPhone 16, launched without most AI-powered features, has benefited from recent updates, including ChatGPT integration.

Apple’s cautious approach to AI contrasts with the heavy investments made by competitors like Microsoft and Alphabet. However, analysts are reassured by the company’s steady results, particularly as AI spending becomes a focus for big tech companies. Despite these positive developments, Apple faces challenges in its third-largest market, China. The company has yet to secure a local partner for AI features in the region, and rivals like Huawei continue to gain market share. Apple’s sales in China declined by 11% in Q4 2024, but government stimulus measures are expected to mitigate the impact.

At least 12 analysts raised their price targets for Apple, with its stock rising by 30% last year, outpacing Microsoft’s 12% increase. However, Apple’s price-to-earnings ratio stands higher than its competitors, with a forward P/E of 31.12 compared to Microsoft’s 29.2 and Meta’s 26.7.

 

DeepSeek’s Global Success Sparkles with National Pride in China

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Chinese bloggers, state media, and citizens are celebrating the rapid success of DeepSeek, the homegrown AI startup, viewing its rise as a symbol of China’s resilience against Western efforts to constrain its tech industry. Last week, DeepSeek launched a free AI assistant that claims to use less data at a fraction of the cost of competing services. By Monday, it had surpassed U.S. rival ChatGPT in downloads on Apple’s App Store, prompting a significant selloff in tech shares globally.

DeepSeek’s ability to rival the capabilities of OpenAI while offering a more affordable alternative has raised concerns about the sustainability of profit margins and business models of U.S. AI giants such as Nvidia and Microsoft. In China, the startup’s success has been seen as a victory against U.S. efforts to block access to advanced semiconductors, which are critical for AI development.

“This symbolizes that U.S. containment, persecution, and sanctions in advanced technology against China have completely failed,” wrote military commentator Chen Xi on his WeChat account. This sentiment aligns with statements from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested that DeepSeek’s achievements should spur American firms to innovate and that it was beneficial for Chinese companies to introduce cheaper, faster AI technology.

In Zhejiang, where DeepSeek is based, the provincial government’s media office published a widely shared essay celebrating the company’s success. The article, read more than 100,000 times, declared, “The moon overseas is not actually more round. Whatever others can do, we can also do—and even do it better.” The essay pushed back against both overly optimistic and overly pessimistic views of China’s technological progress.

This wave of pride surrounding DeepSeek mirrors the response to Huawei’s surprise launch of the Mate 60 Pro smartphone in 2023, which came despite U.S. sanctions. At that time, the state-backed Global Times praised Huawei’s ability to produce high-end smartphones, arguing that the U.S. crackdown had failed.

The reaction from the Chinese public has been equally supportive. Chen Jianuo, a 38-year-old Beijing resident, expressed pride over DeepSeek’s international success, reflecting on the positive global attention the company has garnered. “China has made great progress in AI development, and I hope our technological growth continues,” she shared.

Leo Li, a 24-year-old student, also voiced his pride, saying, “It’s exciting that a Chinese company is on par with Meta and OpenAI. As a Chinese citizen, it feels great to see our AI research becoming a global sensation.”

 

Huawei Band 9 Launches in India With 2.5D AMOLED Display and Swimming Mode: Features and Price

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Huawei Band 9 Launches in India: Features, Price, and Availability
Huawei has unveiled its latest smart wearable, the Huawei Band 9, in India. Serving as the successor to the Huawei Band 8, which debuted in July 2024, the new fitness tracker comes with upgraded features and enhanced functionality. Silently listed on Flipkart, the Band 9 features a 2.5D AMOLED screen with Always-On-Display (AOD) support, making it both stylish and practical. It is packed with health and fitness tracking tools, including sleep monitoring, stress assessment, blood oxygen level tracking, and heart rate monitoring. Notably, the smart band introduces a swimming mode that tracks metrics such as strokes, laps, and overall performance.

Pricing and Colour Options
The Huawei Band 9 is priced at Rs. 3,999 as a part of a limited-time offer, with its regular MRP listed at Rs. 5,999. The device will be available for purchase starting January 17 through Flipkart. Consumers can choose from four appealing color options: black, pink, white, and yellow. This pricing strategy positions the Band 9 as an affordable yet feature-rich option in the competitive fitness tracker market.

Specifications and Features
The Huawei Band 9 features a 1.47-inch rectangular AMOLED display with a resolution of 194 x 368 pixels and a pixel density of 282 ppi, delivering vibrant visuals and sharp text. Designed to work seamlessly with both Android and iOS devices, it uses Bluetooth 5.0 for connectivity. The smart band’s case includes a physical button on the right side for easy navigation, while the strap, made from durable fluoroelastomer, ensures comfort during extended wear. Additionally, the Band 9 is water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it ideal for swimmers and fitness enthusiasts.

A Versatile Fitness Companion
With its comprehensive health tracking features, water resistance, and stylish design, the Huawei Band 9 is tailored for fitness enthusiasts and everyday users alike. The addition of a swimming mode expands its usability, catering to a wider audience of active individuals. By combining affordability with advanced features, Huawei aims to strengthen its foothold in India’s growing wearable tech market, making the Band 9 a compelling choice for budget-conscious consumers seeking functionality and style.