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Jimmy Carter, Former 39th US President, Dies At 100

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

December 30, 2024

Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, passed away at the age of 100, confirmed The Carter Center.

The former peanut farmer and Georgia governor had the longest life span of any US president, celebrating his centennial birthday in October. The Carter Center, which he founded to promote democracy and human rights globally, announced that he died on Sunday afternoon at his home in Plains, Georgia.

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Carter served as president from 1977 to 1981, a tenure marked by economic challenges and diplomatic crises. After leaving office with low approval ratings, his reputation grew through extensive humanitarian work, culminating in a Nobel Peace Prize.

“My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” said his son, Chip Carter, in a statement. “The world is our family because of the way he brought people together.”

Carter is survived by his four children, 11 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. His wife, Rosalynn, who was married to him for 77 years, passed away in November 2023.

Carter, who became the oldest living former US president after George H.W. Bush died in 2018, ceased medical treatment for an undisclosed illness last year and entered hospice care at home.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden praised Carter as an extraordinary leader and humanitarian, highlighting his principles, faith, and humility. “He showed that we are a great nation because we are a good people – decent, honorable, courageous, compassionate, humble, and strong,” they said.

Donald Trump, the 45th President of the US, also reflected on Carter’s presidency, acknowledging his dedication to improving American lives and expressing gratitude for his service.

Carter’s presidency was marked by challenges like the Iran hostage crisis, but also by a diplomatic triumph with the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel in 1978. Despite his achievements, Carter faced a resounding defeat in the 1980 election to Ronald Reagan, with just six states and Washington D.C. supporting his re-election bid.

Over time, Carter’s post-presidency humanitarian efforts and simple lifestyle reshaped his legacy. Rejecting the lucrative opportunities offered to former presidents, he focused on global issues of inequality and disease, co-founding The Elders with Nelson Mandela to promote peace and human rights.

In 2002, Carter became the third US president to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, stressing the widening gap between the rich and poor as a pressing global concern.

Carter’s commitment to service was echoed by former presidents, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and George W. Bush, who praised his humanitarian and diplomatic efforts.

President Biden announced that a state funeral will be held in Washington, D.C., to honor Carter’s life and legacy.

The Decline Of Smartwatches: A Turning Point In The Wearable Tech Industry

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 13, 2025

For the first time in history, the smartwatch market is facing a significant downturn. Shipments are expected to drop by 7% in 2024, marking a major shift in a segment that has been growing steadily for over a decade. A report by Counterpoint reveals that while Apple still holds the top spot, its dominance is being challenged by a surge from Chinese brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, and BBK. Even as the overall market struggles, some companies are thriving.

The Big Picture: Why Smartwatches Are Slowing Down

Apple’s flagship products have long been the driving force in the smartwatch market, but even the tech giant is feeling the pressure. The company’s shipments are projected to fall by 19% this year, though it will remain the market leader. Meanwhile, brands from China are capitalizing on the shift, with Huawei showing an impressive 35% growth in sales, driven by the booming domestic market and a broad range of offerings, including smartwatches for kids.

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Xiaomi, too, is experiencing remarkable success, with a staggering 135% increase in sales. In contrast, Samsung is seeing more modest growth, up 3%, thanks to its latest Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra series.

While some companies are succeeding, the broader market is facing headwinds. The biggest factor behind the overall decline is the slowdown in India, where consumer demand for smartwatches has stagnated. The segment is suffering from a lack of innovation and fresh updates, leaving many consumers with little incentive to upgrade their devices. Add to that market saturation, and it’s clear why many users are content with their current models. The Chinese market, however, is bucking the trend, showing 6% growth in 2024.

A Glimpse Into The Future

Looking ahead, the smartwatch market may begin to recover in 2025, driven by the increasing integration of AI and advanced health monitoring tools. As these technologies evolve, the industry could see a resurgence in demand.

Huawei’s Remarkable Comeback

Huawei’s impressive performance in the smartwatch space signals a broader recovery for the company, which has been hit hard by US sanctions. Once the world’s largest smartphone maker, Huawei’s business was decimated when it lost access to advanced chips and Google’s Android operating system in 2019. But in China, Huawei has maintained its dominance, with its market share growing to 17% in 2024.

This resurgence was partly driven by the launch of the Mate 60 Pro, a smartphone featuring a 7-nanometer chip developed in China. Despite US sanctions, the device surprised many with its capabilities, a testament to China’s rising investment in domestic semiconductor production.

In February, Huawei also unveiled its Mate XT foldable smartphone, the world’s first device to fold in three directions. Running on HarmonyOS 4.2, Huawei’s proprietary operating system, the phone further demonstrates the company’s resilience and ability to innovate despite international challenges.

Huawei’s smartwatch offerings are also catching attention, particularly the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro, which launched in September of last year. With a premium titanium alloy design, a high-resolution AMOLED display, and impressive health tracking features, the GT 5 Pro has become a standout in the market, available to both Android and iOS users.

A Brief History Of The Smartwatch Revolution

The smartwatch market has had its fair share of milestones, but the real breakthrough came in 2012 with the Pebble, a Kickstarter-funded project that raised over $10 million. Pebble introduced the world to smartphone integration, app downloads, and long battery life, becoming the first truly mass-market smartwatch.

In 2013, Samsung entered the game with the Galaxy Gear, marking its first attempt at wearable tech. But it was Apple’s entry in 2014 that truly set the industry on fire. The Apple Watch’s sleek design, integration with iOS, and emphasis on health and fitness catapulted it to the top of the market, establishing a standard that many other brands would try to follow.

By 2021, the smartwatch industry had grown to over $30 billion in revenue, with annual growth reaching 20%. Yet now, it finds itself at a crossroads, with innovation stagnating and market saturation taking a toll.