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SoftBank And OpenAI Launch Game-Changing AI Joint Venture In Japan

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 3, 2025

In a strategic move to further enhance its AI offerings, SoftBank Group, led by CEO Masayoshi Son, has partnered with OpenAI to launch a groundbreaking joint venture in Japan. The new venture, named SB OpenAI Japan, will serve corporate clients, providing cutting-edge artificial intelligence solutions. The collaboration will see OpenAI join forces with a company formed by SoftBank and its telecom arm to spearhead the venture.

As part of the deal, SoftBank is committing to pay $3 billion annually to integrate OpenAI’s AI technologies into its diverse group of companies. This partnership is a clear indication of SoftBank’s deeper investment in OpenAI, with reports suggesting the Japanese tech giant could pour anywhere between $15 billion to $25 billion into OpenAI over the coming years.

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In addition to the Japan-based venture, SoftBank is also dedicating $15 billion to Stargate, a separate project with OpenAI and Oracle designed to build AI infrastructure in the United States. This move comes as SoftBank looks to expand its footprint in AI, an area where its founder, Son, sees immense potential.

The launch of Stargate last month marked a noteworthy moment in Son’s career, with the CEO making his second public appearance alongside former U.S. President Donald Trump. While AI investments continue to pour in, China’s DeepSeek has introduced some uncertainty, raising questions about the billions invested in AI models that might soon rival those of U.S. giants.

“The world is going to need so much computing,” said Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, emphasizing the growing demand for AI capabilities.

Son’s reinvigorated backing of OpenAI reflects a significant shift for SoftBank, especially after a period of financial challenges that saw the value of its tech portfolio take a hit. With a long history of successful tech partnerships — such as bringing the iPhone to Japan in 2008 — Son’s renewed investment strategy signals his return to the global investment scene.

In a notable development, Son and Altman also met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba earlier this week to discuss the partnership and its potential impact on Japan’s tech ecosystem.

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.