Weekly news round-up: 8K coverage of Tokyo Olympics & Samsung's folding phone

Samsung reveals foldable smartphone
Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy Fold along with its 5G Galaxy S10 handset and three more Galaxy S10 mobiles, ahead of MWC next week. The new releases promise faster data speed when 5G becomes available, while the foldable design is optimised with a hidden hinge which Samsung says can withstand hundreds of thousands of folds with a battery on each side to extend run time. According to the BBC, the devices ensure apps are optimised “with no compromise on the phone experience.” 

Tokyo Olympics set to broadcast in 8K
The Italian public broadcaster RAI will begin broadcasting 8K content in 2020 starting with the Toyko Olympics, making it the first broadcaster in Europe to use the new technology. According to Advanced Television, the broadcaster previewed its plans at a conference in Rome where 4K and 8K productions were showcased. 

Google Cloud lags behind Amazon & Microsoft
Alphabet Inc’s cloud computing division remains a distant third behind Amazon and Microsoft based on global revenue, according to research by analysts. Google’s cloud service has the least amount of customers. Google declined to make comment, according to CNBC, however, it has plans to reshape the “division’s culture”.  

New AI generator deemed “too dangerous”
The Elon Musk-backed not-for-profit company OpenAI has decided to not release its research publicly to avoid misuse. According to the Guardian, the artificial intelligence (AI) system called GPT2 can write news stories and works of fiction based on learnings the type of narrative. The technology breakthrough will be kept confidential for fear of negative ramifications from the public. 

UK 4G slower than EU markets 
The UK has been ranked 35th in a list of 77 countries, with notably one of the slowest internet speeds falling below 20 megabits per second, according to the BBC. A study found 5G should help drive speed fluctuations and ensure the UK can compete with the leading regions that include South Korea, Singapore, Australia and Canada.   

Huawei boss hits back at the US
Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei has declared ”there’s no way the US can crush us” noting the technology company is “more advanced” and “would survive the pressure”. The Guardian reported Zhengfei has accused Washington of a politically motivated investigation which he conceded would cause a significant loss of custom. The US believes insecurities in Huawei systems could allow Chinese intelligence backdoor access to western telecoms networks, the Guardian said. 

Zuckerberg meets UK culture secretary
Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg is set to meet the UK’s culture secretary Jeremy Wright at its HQ in California, following an 18-month investigation into the social media network. Facebook has denied knowingly violating data privacy and will offer Wright 30 minutes of his time to discuss matters further, the BBC reported. 

Chinese hackers attack the US
Top cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike saw “a big resurgence” last year in efforts by Chinese based groups to break into the systems of American businesses, according to CNN. The attacks are driven for commercial gain which includes telecom operators, pharmaceutical firms and hotel chains and is expected to increase tensions between the two countries.