Tech Giant Google avoids split-up, Salesforce implements AI-related job cuts, and 'Asteroid' debuts on AndroidXR platform
China has unveiled a national strategy to lead the world in brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, with ambitions extending beyond healthcare applications to consumer wearables for driver alertness and workplace safety. This ambitious plan follows the footsteps of Chinese firms like NeuroXess and NeuCyber NeuroTech, which have already implanted patients with devices for thought-based control of digital interfaces and speech decoding.
Meanwhile, Google's search monopoly status has been under scrutiny. Despite being found guilty of monopolistic practices, the tech giant managed to avoid the government's harshest remedies, with Judge Amit Mehta barring exclusive distribution contracts for Google. Google's commercial deal with Apple to remain the iPhone's default search engine was left intact.
In a significant move, Google also premiered its new AndroidXR platform at the Venice Film Festival with the immersive thriller "Asteroid," built for the platform and Samsung's forthcoming MR headset. The platform is expected to revolutionise the virtual reality landscape.
Elsewhere in the tech world, Supersonik, a startup, has raised $5 million in seed funding to develop an AI sales agent. This AI can share its screen, adapt demos in real time, and pull context from CRMs and knowledge bases, offering instant, multilingual software demonstrations. The company behind this development remains unidentified in the available search results from 2025.
In the realm of wearable technology, Rokid's smart glasses have been making waves. Powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon AR1 and NXP's RT600 chips, these glasses weigh just 49g and offer "true visual overlays," aiming to provide more than audio-only experiences. Rokid's Kickstarter campaign for these smart glasses has surpassed HK$8.7 million (~US $1.2 million) in under a week.
In the field of vision restoration, Xpanceo and Intra-ker have unveiled a prototype implant that bypasses damaged corneas to restore vision. Early tests in fluid environments and a donor eye showed clear, stable performance for the vision implant, with clinical trials planned within two years.
Alphabet, Google's parent company, saw a significant boost in shares, with Alphabet shares jumping more than 8 percent, while Apple's shares rose by 4 percent, following these developments.
The Chinese BCI technology strategy, released in August 2025, outlines 17 development steps and targets major breakthroughs by 2027 and a competitive industry by 2030. The race to shape the future of technology is on, with players like Google, Rokid, and numerous Chinese firms vying for dominance.
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