The Comunicano for Wednesday May 28th 2025
Wandering Wednesday
Today, tech feels like a scene straight out of a sci-fi drama, except it's not fiction, it's reality inching closer to tomorrow.
Let’s start with Claude AI. Anthropic has flipped the script with voice mode. You’re no longer just typing prompts, you’re having real-time conversations. And the kicker? It keeps your context mid-switch. That’s not just usability, it’s usability with emotional intelligence. It’s hands-free planning, real-time brainstorming, and idea capture on the fly. This is the new frontier of interaction, where tech finally listens the way we talk.
Now pivot to BlackBerry. John Giamatteo steps into the CEO chair at a crossroads moment. They're scrapping the IoT IPO dream, doubling down on internal separation instead. It's a reset, but one that could finally unlock value if execution follows vision. Giamatteo’s cybersecurity pedigree matters more than hype now. It’s time BlackBerry stops being a nostalgia brand and becomes a modern player.
Meanwhile, Apple is battling on three fronts: regulatory heat in the EU, repairability expansion across 65 devices, and a look back at Steve Jobs’ clarity-over-complexity playbook. It’s like they’re revisiting their roots to navigate this current turbulence. Jobs cut 70% of the product line to save Apple. That wasn’t just bold; it was surgical. Focus isn’t just a virtue; it’s a strategy.
Let’s talk about the undercurrents. North Korea’s remote work hack involved a $17 million infiltration using fake identities and unwitting Americans. It’s a chilling reminder that remote-first also means trust-first, and verification needs to be more than a checkbox.
Then there’s Jony Ive and Sam Altman, two visionaries, six and a half billion dollars, and no screen. A device that might replace the phone, not just complement it. This isn’t about innovation anymore; it’s about reinvention.
From regulation to reinvention, espionage to evolution, the noise is loud—but the signals are clear. The next wave of technology isn’t coming. It’s here. And if you’re not adapting, you’re already behind. Which is why to avoid that, you’re reading THE COMUNICANO!!!
Andy Abramson
ClaudeAI Watch
Voice Mode Enhances Claude Mobile App Experience (Anthropic Help Center)—Anthropic’s Claude mobile apps now feature a beta voice mode, allowing users to speak with Claude and receive voice responses. Users can switch between voice and text mid-conversation without losing context. Available in English, the feature is accessed by tapping the sound wave icon near the input field. Paid users benefit from deeper integrations with Google tools and more usage capacity, while free users get around 20–30 messages per session. Voice mode prioritizes safety with limited voice options and is ideal for hands-free tasks like planning, learning, and idea capture. Read more here
Claude 4 Introduces Voice Mode and Enhanced Features (Tom’s Guide)—Claude 4 by Anthropic just leveled up with a major voice mode upgrade, enabling users to talk to the AI in real time. It can handle document and image discussions via speech and offers five unique voice options. The feature is live for Android and iOS in English across all plans. These improvements position Claude 4 as a serious challenger to both ChatGPT and Gemini. Read more here
Blackberry Watch
John Giamatteo Takes Helm as BlackBerry CEO Amid Strategic Restructuring (The Globe and Mail)—John Giamatteo, formerly head of BlackBerry’s cybersecurity division, has been appointed CEO as the company shifts its strategy. Abandoning plans for a subsidiary IPO of its IoT business, BlackBerry will instead separate its IoT and cybersecurity units into independent divisions. Giamatteo brings over 30 years of experience from roles at McAfee, AVG Technologies, and Nortel Networks. His leadership aims to drive operational excellence and unlock shareholder value during this transformative period for BlackBerry. Read more here
Apple Watch
iPhone 16 Tops Global Smartphone Sales in Q1 2025 (Counterpoint Research)—Apple’s iPhone 16 led global smartphone sales in Q1 2025, marking the return of the base model to the top spot after a two-year hiatus. The iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16 Pro followed closely in second and third place, highlighting Apple’s continued dominance. Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra claimed seventh, while Xiaomi’s Redmi 14C broke through at ninth, driven by strong demand in emerging markets like MEA and LATAM. Notably, sub-$100 smartphones saw significant growth, comprising nearly 20% of global sales. Japan led growth in iPhone 16 sales, thanks to revised subsidy policies.
Steve Jobs Overcame Cognitive Bias to Transform Apple (Inc.)—In 1997, Steve Jobs returned to Apple and made a radical move—cutting 70 percent of its product line. This decision defied the "endowment effect," a bias where creators overvalue what they’ve built. Jobs prioritized clarity, focusing Apple’s resources on just four core products across consumer and professional categories. That strategic pivot not only stabilized Apple but set the groundwork for its iconic innovations to come.Read more here
Apple Expands Self Service Repair to iPads (MacRumors)—Apple has expanded its Self Service Repair program to support iPads, including models like the iPad Air with M2, iPad Pro with M4, iPad mini with A17 Pro, and the iPad with A16. Starting May 29, 2025, users can order genuine parts, rent tools, and access detailed repair manuals to fix displays, batteries, cameras, and charging ports. With this update, 65 Apple devices are now eligible. The program will also launch in Canada this summer, bringing availability to 34 countries in total. Read more here
Regulatory Watch
Apple Faces EU Deadline to Comply with Digital Markets Act (9to5Mac)—The European Commission has given Apple 30 days to align its App Store policies with the Digital Markets Act, following a €500 million fine. Regulators say Apple’s current anti-steering rules prevent developers from informing users about alternative payment methods. Apple argues the DMA hinders innovation and user experience. If Apple doesn’t comply, more penalties could follow. Read more here
Texas Enacts Age Verification Law for App Stores, Prompting Tech Industry Backlash (New York Times)—Texas passed the App Store Accountability Act, requiring users to verify their age before downloading apps. Minors must get parental consent. Apple and Google oppose the law, citing privacy concerns over data collection. CEO Tim Cook has personally appealed to Governor Greg Abbott. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, sparking debate on balancing child safety and digital privacy. Read more here
Espionage Watch
North Korea Exploits Remote Work to Infiltrate U.S. Companies (Wall Street Journal)—North Korean agents used stolen identities to land remote IT jobs at over 300 U.S. firms, aided by American Christina Chapman, who managed a laptop farm for them. The scheme funneled $17.1 million to North Korea, supporting illicit programs. Chapman has pled guilty to wire fraud. The incident exposes the risks of unverified remote hiring. Read more here
Gadget Watch
Sam Altman's Orb Offers Biometric Verification for Cryptocurrency (Windows Central)—Tools for Humanity, led by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, launched the Orb—a device that scans irises to verify users as human online. In return, participants get $42 in cryptocurrency. The project aims to differentiate real people from AI in digital environments. Despite claims of privacy safeguards, critics question the risks of biometric data collection. Read more here
Jony Ive’s 6.5 Billion AI Gadget Project with OpenAI Revealed (Yanko Design)—Former Apple design chief Jony Ive is building a next-gen AI device with OpenAI, backed by $6.5 billion. The device, developed under the new company “io,” will be screen-free and designed for intuitive, everyday AI interaction. Intended to replace smartphones as our go-to tech, it emphasizes ambient intelligence. With a team of Apple veterans on board, it could be the most disruptive gadget since the iPhone. Read more here
Robotics Watch
The Future of Robotics: 10 Groundbreaking Innovations (CoreXBox)—The robotics world in 2025 looks like science fiction made real. Highlights include humanoid bots that recover after falling, the Booster T1 mastering kung fu, and Unitree G1 dancing with AI-synced moves. Other breakthroughs feature robots with synthetic organs, AI-enhanced basketball shooting, and self-driving delivery drones. These creations represent a leap from rigid machines to adaptable, lifelike assistants redefining everyday tasks. Read more here
SpaceX Watch
SpaceX Starship Spins Out of Control During Test Flight (BBC News)—A SpaceX Starship test flight encountered issues in orbit on Tuesday, spinning out of control shortly before its expected splashdown. The spinning was caused by fuel leaks on board the rocket, which eventually broke up upon re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. "Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly", SpaceX wrote in a post on X. It comes after two previous test flights resulted in failures. Read more here
AI Watch
Sundar Pichai Envisions AI as the Next Major Platform Shift (The Verge)—In a wide-ranging interview on The Verge’s Decoder podcast, Google CEO Sundar Pichai described AI as the next big shift after mobile and the web. He discussed innovations like AI Mode, Gemini updates, Veo 3, and NotebookLM, all part of Google's move toward a more conversational, multimodal search experience. Pichai stressed that AI will fundamentally change how people interact with the web and devices going forward. Read more here
Elon Musk's Grok Chatbot Faces Bans from European Firms (The Next Web)—Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot is facing mounting resistance in Europe, with 25 percent of companies banning it due to concerns over misinformation and lax data controls. According to cybersecurity firm Netskope, Grok is more restricted than ChatGPT or Gemini. Companies are prioritizing data safety and opting for AI tools with stricter security and compliance practices, pushing Grok out of favor in professional environments. Read more here
Telegram Partners with xAI to Integrate Grok AI into Messaging App (CoinDesk)—Telegram has entered into a one-year partnership with Elon Musk's xAI to incorporate the Grok AI service into its messaging platform. The agreement includes a $300 million investment from xAI, comprising cash and equity, and grants Telegram 50% of the revenue from xAI subscriptions sold through the app. Following the announcement, the TON token, associated with Telegram, experienced an 18.5% surge, rising from $3.28 to $3.55. This collaboration coincides with Telegram's plans to raise $1.5 billion via a bond offering backed by investors such as BlackRock, Mubadala, and Citadel. Read more here
Browser Watch
Opera Neon: The AI Agentic Browser Redefining Web Interaction (TechRadar)—Opera introduces Neon, a premium subscription-based browser that leverages AI to perform tasks autonomously. Designed with a user-friendly interface comprising Chat, Do, and Make functions, Neon can generate reports, build websites, and even code games based on natural language prompts. The browser’s AI agent, previously known as Browser Operator, handles tasks like form-filling and shopping while ensuring user privacy by operating locally. Although pricing and release dates remain undisclosed, users can join a waitlist to access this innovative browsing experience. Read more here