Gemini AI Elevates Google Maps to Conversational Navigation

Google Maps is undergoing a significant transformation, integrating Gemini artificial intelligence (AI) technology to offer a more conversational and intuitive navigation experience. This redesign aims to make the popular app an insightful companion, providing hands-free directions and recommendations.

Credit: GOOGLE

The updated Google Maps will function similarly to an attentive passenger. It can guide a driver to their destination while also suggesting nearby places to eat, shop, or sightsee upon request. Google announced that users would simply need to ask, removing the need for manual interaction.

AI features are also designed to enhance the precision of Google Maps. The system will direct turns using specific landmarks rather than solely relying on distance notifications. This change is intended to provide clearer guidance for drivers.

Credit: GOOGLE

Google has stated that built-in safeguards will prevent the system from generating inaccurate information, a phenomenon known as "hallucinations" in AI. The Gemini AI will draw information from approximately 250 million places stored in Google Maps' database, which has accumulated reviews over the past 20 years.

The new AI capabilities for Google Maps will be progressively introduced across both Apple iPhones and Android mobile devices. This rollout will expose Gemini to a vast user base, given that the navigation application is utilised by over 2 billion people globally.

Google hopes these AI features will not only make Maps more essential but also showcase Gemini’s capabilities. This strategic move aims to give Gemini a competitive advantage against rival AI chatbots, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT.

Prompted by ChatGPT's release in late 2022, Google has been consistently rolling out its own AI technology. This ensures its products continue to evolve amid the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence.

These updates include a redesign of Google's widely used search engine. This overhaul has shifted emphasis from a mere listing of relevant web links towards highlighting AI overviews and conversational responses within its AI mode.

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• Google Maps is integrating Gemini AI for a more conversational navigation experience.

• The update allows hands-free directions and offers recommendations for local amenities.

• New AI features will improve navigation precision by using landmarks for turn directions.

Source: AP NEWS

Fosun Pharmaceutical Partners with UK Firm to Advance Cancer Care in China

Fosun Pharmaceutical has partnered with UK-based Leo Cancer Care to distribute its Marie particle therapy system in mainland China. This collaboration aims to make advanced medical treatment more accessible to cancer patients across the country, aligning with Beijing’s healthcare efforts.

Credit: Daniel Ren

The Shanghai-based company, a subsidiary of Fosun International, signed the distribution agreement with Leo Cancer Care. This deal followed the US Food and Drug Administration's regulatory clearance for the Marie system.

Stephen Towe, CEO of Leo Cancer Care, stated the partnership focuses on "human-centred care, patient comfort, and integration of advanced technology." He added that the Marie system could reduce total treatment costs by 50% compared with existing therapies.

Towe also noted the Marie machine is "20 times smaller than conventional radiation" technology used in traditional proton therapies. This compact design contributes to its reduced footprint, requiring significantly less space for treatment rooms.

Particle therapy, which includes both proton and carbon ion methods, allows medical professionals to increase radiation dosage to a tumour while minimising harm to surrounding healthy tissue. It can be used to treat cancers of the lung, breast, abdomen, and other areas.

The Marie system’s upright therapy delivers radiotherapy by rotating the patient. This innovative approach requires treatment rooms of approximately 30 square metres on a single floor, significantly less than the traditional three-floor, 120 square metres of space.

Currently, proton therapy often necessitates 200 tonnes of equipment, with construction taking about five years to complete. Leading global providers in this field include Siemens and Hitachi.

More than 100 proton therapy centres exist in approximately 20 countries worldwide, with a majority located in the United States. In China, the cost of proton therapy can exceed 500,000 yuan (USD 70,158).

Credit: Xinhua

Analysts estimate that less than 1% of Chinese patients who could benefit from proton therapy currently have access to the technology. Mainland China has reported over 4 million new cancer cases annually since 2020.

China’s National Cancer Centre has advocated for coordinated action among various organisations to bolster cancer prevention. Health authorities are also encouraging companies to pursue technological innovation for more affordable cancer treatment.

The agreement was signed at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, described as the world’s largest import trade fair. The annual event drew 4,108 companies from around the globe, according to its organiser, the CIIE Bureau, a unit of the Ministry of Commerce.

The CIIE was launched in 2018 at the start of a trade dispute with the United States. China hoped increased purchases of foreign goods and services would demonstrate its commitment to free trade and market access.

At the recent CIIE, Fosun Pharmaceutical also showcased its latest products for immune-inflammatory disorders, central nervous system conditions, and kidney diseases. The company highlighted advancements across diagnosis, treatment, and recovery medical technologies.

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• Fosun Pharmaceutical partnered with Leo Cancer Care to introduce the Marie particle therapy system to mainland China.

• The Marie system offers human-centred care, advanced technology, and a 50% reduction in treatment costs compared to existing therapies.

• It is significantly smaller than conventional proton therapy machines, requiring only 30 square metres of space.

Source: SCMP

Starlink, Veon Announce Major Direct-to-Cell Partnership

Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, has secured its largest direct-to-cell deal yet with telecoms group Veon, granting access to over 150 million potential customers. This partnership intensifies competition in satellite-to-smartphone connectivity.

Credit: STARLINK

Direct-to-cell technology enables smartphones to connect directly to satellite networks in space, which then beam telephone signals back to Earth. The market has gained significant momentum through investment aimed at closing coverage gaps in remote areas.

Credit: VEON

The agreement allows Veon to integrate Starlink’s service into its networks, beginning with operators Beeline in Kazakhstan and Kyivstar in Ukraine. Veon also maintains operations in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan.

Kyivstar is scheduled to launch the service in the fourth quarter of 2025, with Beeline to follow in 2026. The Kazakhstan agreement was announced during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Washington.

Ilya Polshakov, Kyivstar’s new business director who spearheaded Veon’s satellite connectivity efforts, commented, "This is the biggest partnership in terms of addressable customer base in the world." Polshakov added, "There will be more announced soon."

The partnership remains nonexclusive, permitting Veon to pursue agreements with other satellite providers. Veon Chief Executive Officer Kaan Terzioglu stated in Aug. that Veon was in discussions with Amazon’s Project Kuiper, AST SpaceMobile, and Eutelsat OneWeb.

Polshakov noted, "These plans with other players will be in 2027, 2028. I don't want to wait. I want to develop business today." Competitors, including AST SpaceMobile and Amazon’s Project Kuiper, are advancing their satellite constellations, with initial commercial launches anticipated in 2026.

AST has already signed deals with Verizon and Saudi carrier STC. EchoStar announced it would expand its previous deal with SpaceX to sell additional U.S. airwave rights to Starlink for USD 2.6 billion, allowing Starlink to access more customers.

Credit: STARLINK

Starlink currently serves more than 7 million users globally and collaborates with telecom operators in 11 countries, including T-Mobile in the U.S., and Rogers in Canada. The company operates over 8,000 satellites, with 650 dedicated to direct-to-cell services.

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• Starlink, a SpaceX subsidiary, partnered with Veon in its largest direct-to-cell deal to date.

• The agreement provides access to over 150 million potential customers across Veon’s operating countries.

• Kyivstar in Ukraine will launch service in the fourth quarter of 2025, followed by Beeline in Kazakhstan in 2026.

Source: REUTERS