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Australian clean energy innovation gets a boost as W Energy, a new energy technology firm, teams up with ASX-listed Simble Solutions (ASX: SIS) to introduce AI-powered energy forecasting and management solutions nationwide. Simble has also appointed W Energy founder Yongxin Sun, former AI Clean Energy GLOBAL lead, to provide technical support and strategic guidance. Sun brings experience in finance, large-scale energy project modelling, and applied AI. W Energy’s AI platform, developed in Australia, enhances solar and battery performance predictions while integrating financial modelling for investors and operators. Early trials in Southeast Asia—Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Philippines—helped mature the system, providing diverse climate and grid data, near real-time forecasting, and proven commercial benefits like lower investment risk and optimized storage dispatch. Musk threatens legal action against Apple over exclusion of X, Grok from top apps list Now commercially ready, W Energy and Simble will roll out projects in New South Wales, expanding to Queensland and Victoria. Combining W Energy’s predictive AI with Simble’s energy monitoring tools, the partnership will support commercial buildings, industrial sites, and regional grids, enabling virtual power plants, dynamic pricing, and improved grid resilience. The platform uses IoT sensor data, historical weather, and market information to optimize storage and financial returns under various conditions, all in compliance with Australian data standards. Benefits include improved forecasting accuracy, direct integration of financial metrics, and scalability from small sites to utility-scale assets. Initial deployments will focus on NSW, alongside collaboration with universities to refine the AI with local data. Source: Agency 

Billionaire SpaceX, Tesla and X owner Elon Musk says he plans to sue Apple for not featuring X and its Grok artificial intelligence chatbot app in its top recommended apps in its App Store. Musk posted the comments on X late Monday, saying, “Hey @Apple App Store, why do you refuse to put either X or Grok in your ‘Must Have’ section when X is the #1 news app in the world and Grok is #5 among all apps? Are you playing politics? What gives? Inquiring minds want to know.” Grok is owned by Musk's artificial intelligence startup xAI. Musk went on to say that “Apple is behaving in a manner that makes it impossible for any AI company besides OpenAI to reach #1 in the App Store, which is an unequivocal antitrust violation. xAI will take immediate legal action.” He gave no further details. In an emailed statement, Apple defended the fairness of its App Store. “The App Store is designed to be fair and free of bias,” it said. "We feature thousands of apps through charts, algorithmic recommendations, and curated lists selected by experts using objective criteria. Our goal is to offer safe discovery for users and valuable opportunities for developers, collaborating with many to increase app visibility in rapidly evolving categories.” The company has faced various allegations of antitrust violations in recent years. A federal judge recently found that Apple violated a court injunction in an antitrust case filed by Fortnite maker Epic Games. Regulators of the 27-nation European Union fined Apple 500 million euros in April for breaking competition rules by preventing app makers from pointing users to cheaper options outside its App Store. Last year, the EU fined the U.S. tech giant nearly $2 billion for unfairly favoring its own music streaming service by forbidding rivals like Spotify from telling users how they could pay for cheaper subscriptions outside of iPhone apps. As of early Tuesday, the top app in Apple's App Store was TikTok, followed by Tinder, Duolingo, YouTube and Bumble. Open AI's ChatGPT was ranked 7th.

Epic Games, the creator of the popular online game Fortnite, secured a partial win Tuesday in its legal battle against Google and Apple in Australia over alleged anti-competitive practices in their app stores. The case, led by Epic’s U.S. billionaire CEO Tim Sweeney, accused the tech giants of abusing their market dominance to stifle competition and impose restrictive trade practices. Federal Court Justice Jonathan Beach upheld key parts of Epic’s claims, finding that Google and Apple’s control of the app market substantially reduced competition and breached Australian competition laws. However, he rejected some of Epic’s allegations, including claims of unconscionable conduct under Australian law. The ruling follows litigation launched in August 2020 after both companies removed Fortnite from their app stores when Epic introduced a direct payment system, bypassing their platforms’ billing systems. Beach found that both Google and Apple pressured app developers, including Epic, through contracts and technology to sell exclusively via their app stores. YouTube to test AI-based age verification system in U.S. Epic hailed the decision, saying it would allow its Epic Games Store and Fortnite to launch on Apple’s iOS in Australia. “An Australian court just found that Apple and Google abuse their control over app distribution and in-app payments to limit competition,” the company said, calling it a “win for developers and consumers.” Apple welcomed the court’s dismissal of some claims but said it “strongly disagrees” with other findings. Google also disagreed with aspects of the ruling, saying it would review the decision. Both companies could appeal to the Federal Court’s full bench. Justice Beach has yet to release his full judgments — 952 pages on Apple and 914 pages on Google — but delivered a 90-minute oral summary of his findings. A separate hearing will be scheduled to determine potential damages owed to Epic.

Delivery drones that can transport ice cream before it melts have been slow to gain traction in the United States, despite the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approving commercial home deliveries more than six years ago. The service has largely been limited to certain suburbs and rural areas, but that could soon change. Last week, the FAA proposed a rule to make it easier for companies to operate drones beyond the pilot’s line of sight, potentially enabling deliveries over longer distances without the need for waivers or air carrier certification. Retailers and drone firms testing such services say the change could bring drone deliveries to millions more households. Walmart, working with Alphabet-owned Wing, currently delivers from 18 Dallas-area stores and plans to expand to 100 locations in Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando, and Tampa by next summer. Amazon, which launched Prime Air in Texas in 2022, has expanded beyond pilot sight operations to areas including suburban Phoenix, with more locations planned in Dallas, San Antonio, and Kansas City. Other companies like Zipline and Flytrex have also been active in drone delivery abroad and in select U.S. markets. Wing CEO Adam Woodworth said U.S. drone delivery had been “in treading water mode” due to regulatory hurdles but believes the market is now reaching a point where demand, technology, and rules are aligning. DoorDash, working with Wing and Flytrex, has tested drone food deliveries in Virginia and Dallas, with expansion to Charlotte underway. While the novelty remains, common items delivered by drones include ice cream, eggs, and candy. Trump’s tariffs may mean Walmart shoppers pay more, his treasury chief acknowledges Drones generally carry one small order at a time, with Wing’s models able to handle up to 2.5 pounds over a 12-mile round trip and Zipline’s up to 4 pounds over 120 miles. Amazon’s drones can carry heavier loads. Packages are secured to drones, which then follow automated routes avoiding obstacles before lowering items via retractable cords. Advocates cite reduced emissions, faster delivery of critical supplies, and improved rural access as benefits. However, challenges include high costs — currently around $13.50 per drone delivery compared to $2 by vehicle — weather limitations, and safety risks. Privacy and noise complaints have also been raised in areas with drone operations, though some residents have embraced the service. Businesses report positive impacts. A Texas restaurant owner said his DoorDash orders increased 15% since offering drone delivery, and customers have praised its reliability. Some residents, like Frisco, Texas, customer Janet Toth, say drone delivery has become a regular convenience — and a spectacle for her young daughter and friends.   Source: Agency

YouTube will start testing a new AI-powered age verification system in the U.S. from Wednesday, aimed at distinguishing adults from minors based on the types of videos they watch. Initially, the trial will impact only a small portion of YouTube’s U.S. users but could expand if the system proves as effective as it has in other regions. The technology will operate only when users are logged into their accounts and will assess age regardless of the birth date provided during registration. If the system identifies a logged-in user as under 18, YouTube will apply existing controls and restrictions designed to protect minors from inappropriate content and behavior on the platform. These measures include reminders to take breaks, privacy warnings, and limitations on recommended videos. Additionally, YouTube does not serve personalized ads to viewers under 18. Users incorrectly flagged as minors can correct the error by verifying their age with government-issued ID, credit card, or a selfie. James Beser, YouTube’s director of product management, said in a blog post, “YouTube was one of the first platforms to offer experiences designed specifically for young people, and we’re proud to again be at the forefront of introducing technology that allows us to deliver safety protections while preserving teen privacy.” Australia bans YouTube accounts for children under 16 from December Users can still watch videos without logging in, but this triggers automatic restrictions on some content due to lack of age verification. Pressure has been mounting on online platforms to improve age verification following the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent approval of a Texas law aimed at blocking minors from accessing pornography online. While platforms like YouTube are enhancing age checks, others argue that app stores operated by Apple and Google should bear more responsibility—a stance opposed by both companies. Some digital rights groups, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Center for Democracy & Technology, have voiced concerns that such age verification measures could threaten personal privacy and infringe upon free speech protections under the First Amendment.  Source: Agency

Elon Musk says he plans to sue Apple for allegedly excluding his social media platform X and its AI chatbot app Grok from the App Store’s featured app sections. Late Monday, Musk posted on X questioning Apple’s decision: “Hey @Apple App Store, why won’t you include X or Grok in your ‘Must Have’ section when X is the #1 news app globally and Grok ranks #5 overall? Are you playing politics?” Grok is developed by Musk’s AI company, xAI. Musk accused Apple of creating conditions that prevent any AI company other than OpenAI from reaching the top of the App Store rankings, calling it a “clear antitrust violation.” He said xAI would pursue legal action immediately, though he didn’t provide specifics. Apple has not yet responded publicly. This comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Apple’s App Store practices. A U.S. federal judge recently ruled that Apple violated an injunction in an antitrust lawsuit filed by Fortnite developer Epic Games. In Europe, the EU fined Apple €500 million earlier this year for restricting app developers from directing users to cheaper payment options outside of the App Store. In a separate case last year, the EU also fined Apple nearly $2 billion for favoring its own music service over rivals like Spotify. As of Tuesday morning, Apple’s top apps included TikTok, Tinder, Duolingo, YouTube, and Bumble, with ChatGPT from OpenAI ranking seventh.

Amid the rise of coordinated scam networks across Southeast Asia, the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) is set to host the Global Anti-Scam Summit (GASS) Asia 2025 in Singapore on September 2–3, bringing together more than 1,200 leaders from over 60 countries in person and online. “Scams are now systemic, cross-border threats,” said GASA Managing Director Jorij Abraham. “Our role is to connect the dots across sectors and borders, building the shared infrastructure needed to act faster and smarter.” Over the past year, GASA has doubled its global membership, with the Singapore Chapter surpassing 100 members, including Amazon, Google, MasterCard, Meta, and Microsoft, alongside government and civil society partners. It has also launched new national chapters in the Philippines and Indonesia — two mobile-first economies facing high scam risks due to widespread digital finance use. The Indonesia chapter, chaired by Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison’s Chief Legal & Regulatory Officer Reski Damayanti, aims to tackle phishing, SMS spoofing, and fake service alerts. In the Philippines, Globe Telecom executives Irish Salandanan-Almeida and Derick Ohmar Adil lead efforts to block malicious SMS and run awareness campaigns. Energea launches stylish, travel-ready tech collection “These chapters are strategic footholds in markets where digitalisation boosts living standards but scams threaten to undermine progress,” said Rajat Maheshwari, Chair of GASA Singapore Chapter. A key initiative, the Global Signal Exchange (GSE), now aggregates over 370 million scam and fraud signals — up from 40 million at launch in January 2025 — with contributions from more than 35 organisations, including GASA, Google, GSMA, Meta, and Microsoft. Summit highlights include a fireside chat with Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How, the launch of the Southeast Asia Scam Report, INTERPOL and UN sessions on cybercrime and trafficking, and panel discussions on scam typologies, enforcement, and cross-border disruption. Founded as a global non-profit, GASA works with governments, law enforcement, tech companies, and financial institutions to share intelligence, coordinate responses, and develop strategies to reduce the financial and emotional harm caused by scams. Source: Agency 

Energea has unveiled its latest travel tech lineup, blending elevated design with high performance, now available in Gunmetal, Cobalt and Champagne. Leading the new range is the MagDuo Arc, winner of the Best Product award in the Mobile Products category at Channel Summit META. Designed for modern travelers, the collection combines style with practicality. Each product features refined finishes and compact, travel-friendly designs. The MagDuo Arc is a 2-in-1 wireless charger with an 85cm retractable cable and zinc alloy housing. It supports fast wireless charging up to 15W for Android, 7.5W for iPhone, and 2.5W for Apple Watch, and includes a built-in kickstand for hands-free use. Also featured is the TravelWorld Edge 65, a slim wall charger just 13mm thick with a 90° flat profile that fits into tight spaces. Capable of delivering 65W output for laptops and phones in over 150 countries, it uses GaNSmart technology to be 40% smaller than typical chargers of its kind. The TravelGo Adapter 45 is a compact, high-powered travel adapter for devices like the MacBook Air and tablets. It has a secure pin-lock system, dual USB-C ports (25W and 20W), and intelligent power identification for safe, efficient charging. DeepMind Genie 3: New Features, Limitations of Google’s 3D Environment Generator AI Model For multi-device charging, the AluMag Trio powers an iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods simultaneously with Qi2 technology. Its aluminum body offers durability and heat management, while folding flat for portability and supporting iPhone StandBy and Apple Watch Nightstand modes. Rounding out the collection, the ComPac Arc 45 power bank delivers 10,000mAh capacity with PD45W output, an integrated 70cm retractable cable, digital display, and braided lanyard for easy attachment to bags. Despite its power, it’s smaller than a soda can. Energea says its Travel Series is built to keep up with life on the move while adding a touch of style, offering solutions from slim wall chargers to compact power banks. The collection is available now in Gunmetal, Cobalt and Champagne. More details can be found on Energea’s website and social media channels. Source: Agency 

President Donald Trump’s recent proposal to impose a 100% tariff on imported computer chips not made in the U.S. is causing widespread uncertainty among businesses and trade partners. While the announcement boosted shares of major semiconductor companies, smaller chipmakers and electronics firms are scrambling to understand what it actually means. “We’re still waiting for official clarification,” said Limor Fried, founder of New York-based electronics manufacturer Adafruit Industries. Her company sources chips through U.S. distributors as well as directly from suppliers in Taiwan and the Philippines. If those chips are not exempt, she says, it could significantly raise production costs, since semiconductors are among the most expensive parts in their products. Fried added that in past situations, they often didn’t know the financial impact of new tariffs until receiving the bill, forcing them to adjust prices afterward. The U.S. imports a relatively small amount of standalone chips; most come already embedded in finished products — like phones or cars — by the time they arrive. What’s unclear now is whether tariffs would apply to chips inside these finished goods. “The big question is whether the tariff will also apply to components — meaning chips inside devices might require separate tariff assessments,” said Martin Chorzempa, an economist at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. On Wednesday, Trump stated that companies with ongoing or planned chip manufacturing operations in the U.S. would be exempt from the tariff — even if they’re not yet producing domestically. “If you’re building in the United States of America, there’s no charge,” Trump said during a meeting with Apple CEO Tim Cook. This was seen as a positive sign for large firms like Intel and Nvidia, as well as global players like Samsung and Taiwan Semiconductor (TSMC), both of which are building factories in the U.S. However, the announcement has left smaller chip producers, particularly those in Europe and Asia with limited involvement in AI, in a state of uncertainty. German chipmaker Infineon Technologies — a key supplier for the auto industry — said it couldn’t comment due to the lack of official documentation. Smaller firms may struggle to secure exemptions or invest in U.S.-based manufacturing, Chorzempa noted, because they lack the capital or market influence of bigger players. It’s also unclear how this policy would interact with Trump’s existing trade agreements, such as those with the EU, Japan, and South Korea, which already include general tariffs capped at 15%. The Semiconductor Industry Association said Thursday it was “eager to learn more” about the proposal, including which companies or products might be exempt. Trump’s move comes three months after most consumer electronics were temporarily exempted from the administration’s harshest tariffs. It also follows lessons from the pandemic, when a global chip shortage pushed car prices up and fueled inflation. Chorzempa warned that if car chips are not exempt, consumers could face hundreds of dollars in added costs per vehicle. “There’s a chip for nearly everything — window controls, infotainment systems, power management — especially in electric vehicles,” he explained. The Biden administration, by contrast, has supported the domestic chip industry through subsidies. In 2022, the CHIPS and Science Act committed over $50 billion to support U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, research, and workforce development. Trump has rejected that approach, instead using tariffs as leverage to pressure companies into moving operations to the U.S., even if it risks higher prices and reduced profit margins. According to Long Le, a business professor at Santa Clara University, Trump’s strategy may encourage more firms to follow Samsung’s lead in building U.S. plants. At the same time, excluding Chinese chipmakers like SMIC and Huawei from exemptions could give the Trump administration more negotiating power in future trade talks with Beijing.  

Genie 3 is the newest iteration of Google DeepMind’s world model AI, a technology that can generate interactive 3D environments on-the-fly from simple text prompts. It allows users to navigate and interact with AI-generated worlds in real time at 24 frames per second, with 720p resolution, maintaining coherence for several minutes. Previously, environments lasted only 10 to 20 seconds. Genie 3 now sustains interactivity for multiple minutes. It remembers object placements and environmental changes, even if you look away and return later. Users can modify scenes in real time, adjusting weather, adding characters, or altering settings via text. Read more: Best 10 Smartphones Releasing in August 2025 Genie 3 provides richly simulated environments ideal for embodied agent research, teaching AI systems how actions translate into outcomes in virtual settings. It also offers creative potential for game designers, educators, and content creators by enabling dynamic, evolving world-building. DeepMind sees Genie 3 as a foundational step toward artificial general intelligence (AGI), offering agents a limitless training curriculum in simulated worlds. While impressive, Genie 3 still has constraints. The range of agent actions (“action space”) is somewhat limited. Difficulty simulating complex multi-agent interactions and real-world geographic accuracy. Text rendering can be poor unless explicitly included in the prompt. Sessions are still only a few minutes, not yet suitable for hours-long experiences. Read more: Speaking with AI: Best Free Apps for English Speaking Practice Genie 3 is currently available as a limited research preview, accessible only to select academics and creators. DeepMind emphasises careful, responsible rollout to monitor risks and gather feedback.