Apple Loses Top Phonemaker Spot to Samsung as iPhone Shipments Drop, IDC Says 

A worker waters a flower bed next to the logo of Samsung Electronics during a media tour at Samsung Electronics' headquarters in Suwon, South Korea, June 13, 2023. (Reuters)
A worker waters a flower bed next to the logo of Samsung Electronics during a media tour at Samsung Electronics' headquarters in Suwon, South Korea, June 13, 2023. (Reuters)
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Apple Loses Top Phonemaker Spot to Samsung as iPhone Shipments Drop, IDC Says 

A worker waters a flower bed next to the logo of Samsung Electronics during a media tour at Samsung Electronics' headquarters in Suwon, South Korea, June 13, 2023. (Reuters)
A worker waters a flower bed next to the logo of Samsung Electronics during a media tour at Samsung Electronics' headquarters in Suwon, South Korea, June 13, 2023. (Reuters)

Apple's smartphone shipments dropped about 10% in the first quarter of 2024, hurt by intensifying competition by Android smartphone makers aiming for the top spot, data from research firm IDC showed on Sunday.

Global smartphone shipments increased 7.8% to 289.4 million units during January-March, with Samsung, at 20.8% market share, clinching the top phonemaker spot from Apple.

The iPhone-maker's steep sales decline comes after its strong performance in the December quarter when it overtook Samsung as the world's No.1 phone maker. It's back to the second spot, with 17.3% market share, as Chinese brands such as Huawei gain market share.

Xiaomi, one of China's top smartphone makers, occupied the third position with a market share of 14.1% during the first quarter.

South Korea's Samsung, which launched its latest flagship smartphone lineup - Galaxy S24 series - in the beginning of the year, shipped more than 60 million phones during the period.

Global sales of Galaxy S24 smartphones jumped 8%, compared to last year's Galaxy S23 series during their first three weeks of availability, data provider Counterpoint previously said.

In the first quarter, Apple shipped 50.1 million iPhones, down from 55.4 million units it shipped same period last year, according to IDC.

Apple's smartphone shipments in China shrank 2.1% in the final quarter of 2023 from a year earlier.

The drop underscores the challenges facing the US firm in its third biggest market, as some Chinese companies and government agencies limit employees' use of Apple devices, a measure that mirrors US government restrictions on Chinese apps on security grounds.

The Cupertino, California-based company in June will hold its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), where it will highlight updates to the software powering iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices.

Investors are closely watching for updates on artificial intelligence development at Apple, which has so far spoken little about incorporating the AI technology into its devices. The company earlier this year lost the crown as the world's most valuable company to Microsoft.



Saudi Arabia’s Tuwaiq Academy and NVIDIA Launch Strategic AI Initiatives 

Saudi Arabia's Tuwaiq Academy and NVIDIA announced the launch of strategic initiatives and professional programs in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA) 
Saudi Arabia's Tuwaiq Academy and NVIDIA announced the launch of strategic initiatives and professional programs in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA) 
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Saudi Arabia’s Tuwaiq Academy and NVIDIA Launch Strategic AI Initiatives 

Saudi Arabia's Tuwaiq Academy and NVIDIA announced the launch of strategic initiatives and professional programs in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA) 
Saudi Arabia's Tuwaiq Academy and NVIDIA announced the launch of strategic initiatives and professional programs in Riyadh on Tuesday. (SPA) 

Saudi Arabia's Tuwaiq Academy and global technology company NVIDIA announced the launch of strategic initiatives and professional programs in Riyadh on Tuesday.

The announcement was made during an event held in preparation for the inauguration of the first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Innovation Center in the Middle East - the second worldwide between the two entities - to empower and develop national capabilities in AI and advanced technologies.

The event featured the opening of registration for professional programs, the first of their kind in the field of AI, designed to boost the skills of national talent in developing natural language processing (NLP) applications.

It featured a panel discussion among experts and specialists from the Tuwaiq Academy and NVIDIA on global transformation, the future of innovation in AI, essential skills for building a generation proficient in emerging technologies, and the role of both entities in providing the necessary tools and technologies to train globally certified ambassadors and equip them with the knowledge and expertise required in the job market.

The event concluded with a hands-on workshop certified by NVIDIA on the fundamentals of AI and machine learning, attended by more than 1,500 participants.

The Tuwaiq Academy offers numerous training camps and educational programs across various fields, most notably AI, programming, and other advanced technologies, with the aim of preparing national talent for global competitiveness and supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to develop human capabilities and strengthen the digital economy.


Saudi Communications Minister Meets US Commerce Secretary for Talks on Strengthening Partnerships

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Alswaha meets with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Alswaha meets with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. (SPA)
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Saudi Communications Minister Meets US Commerce Secretary for Talks on Strengthening Partnerships

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Alswaha meets with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Alswaha meets with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah Alswaha held talks in Washington on Tuesday with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick as part of efforts to deepen partnerships in the digital economy, artificial intelligence, and advanced technologies.

The officials discussed advancing partnerships, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, and enabling public-private partnerships in both countries, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

The efforts aim to build an integrated digital economic ecosystem that supports sustainable growth and boosts knowledge and technology exchange between the Kingdom and the US.

Alswaha later met at the White House with Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Michael Kratsios.

The meeting discussed developing joint innovation policies, supporting science and modern technologies, and exploring opportunities to accelerate innovation in future-oriented fields.

Saudi Ambassador to the US Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz attended the meetings.

In a separate meeting, Alswaha met with Special Advisor for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Crypto David Sacks.

The talks focused on strengthening the Saudi-US strategic partnership in AI, technology and innovation, and on exploring opportunities to accelerate the innovation ecosystem and bolster both countries’ leadership in advanced technologies.


Saudi Interior Ministry’s Civil Affairs Agency Launches 4 New E-Services via Absher Platform 

The initiative forms part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts aimed at advancing digital transformation. (SPA)
The initiative forms part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts aimed at advancing digital transformation. (SPA)
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Saudi Interior Ministry’s Civil Affairs Agency Launches 4 New E-Services via Absher Platform 

The initiative forms part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts aimed at advancing digital transformation. (SPA)
The initiative forms part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts aimed at advancing digital transformation. (SPA)

Under the patronage of Saudi Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, four new electronic civil affairs services were launched through the ministry’s Absher platform, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

The new services include requests to change a citizen’s first name, deliver death certificates, issue replacements for lost or damaged death certificates, and update birth certificates.

Supervisor of the Ministry of Interior’s Agency of Civil Affairs Major General Dr. Saleh bin Saad Al-Murabba inaugurated the services at the ministry’s club in Riyadh.

The initiative forms part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts aimed at advancing digital transformation to provide smart solutions for citizens and residents, save time and effort, and enhance the quality of civil affairs services.