T-Mobile has agreed to purchase parts of regional wireless carrier US Cellular in a $4.4 billion deal that includes US Cellular’s wireless customers, stores, and approximately 30 percent of spectrum assets. US Cellular will retain ownership of its towers and “approximately 70 percent of its spectrum portfolio across several spectrum bands,” with T-Mobile entering a long-term arrangement to lease space on more than 2,000 towers.

According to T-Mobile, the deal will improve nationwide coverage for US Cellular wireless customers while providing better 5G connectivity in “underserved rural areas” where T-Mobile sometimes struggles compared to AT&T and Verizon.

In the announcement, T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert said:

With this deal T-Mobile can extend the superior Un-carrier value and experiences that we’re famous for to millions of UScellular customers and deliver them lower-priced, value-packed plans and better connectivity on our best-in-class nationwide 5G network. As customers from both companies will get more coverage and more capacity from our combined footprint, our competitors will be forced to keep up – and even more consumers will benefit.

T-Mobile says that US Cellular customers can choose to stay on their current plan or move to an unlimited T-Mobile plan “of their choosing with no switching costs.”

Imagine a world where the visually impaired navigate public spaces with ease, their steps guided not by a furry friend, but by a chatty robotic companion. This is a reality that could soon be possible with the help of experts at the University of Glasgow, who are working on the RoboGuide project.

CLICK TO GET KURT’S FREE NEWSLETTER, THE CYBERGUY REPORT

The birth of RoboGuide

In the labs of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering, a team of experts has partnered with industry leaders and charitable organizations to create an AI-powered, four-legged robot that promises to revolutionize mobility for the visually impaired.

RoboGuide (University of Glasgow) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

CAN’T HEAR OR SEE WELL? IPHONE SETTINGS TO MAKE HEARING, SEEING EASIER

The tech behind the tail wag

RoboGuide is equipped with an array of sophisticated sensors that map out environments with precision. Its software allows it to learn and navigate optimal routes while avoiding obstacles. And with large language model technology, it can converse with users, answering questions and providing guidance.

RoboGuide (University of Glasgow) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

THE SEEING AI APP NOW ON ANDROID CAN HELP ANYONE SEE BETTER WITH THEIR SMARTPHONE

Test run for the RoboGuide

The Hunterian Museum, Scotland’s historical gem, served as the testing ground for RoboGuide. Volunteers from the Forth Valley Sensory Centre and RNIB Scotland experienced firsthand how this technology could change their lives. As they explored the museum, RoboGuide offered interactive spoken guidance, proving its potential as a game-changer in assistive technology.

GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS – SIGN UP FOR KURT’S NEWSLETTER – THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE

RoboGuide (University of Glasgow) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

HOW TO UNLOCK SPECIAL FEATURES ON YOUR IPHONE TO IMPROVE VOICE SEARCH

The visionaries behind the vision

Leading the charge are professor Muhammad Imran and Dr. Olaoluwa Popoola, whose passion for innovation is matched only by their commitment to inclusivity. They, along with Dr. Wasim Ahmad, are not just creating a product; they’re crafting a future where technology serves humanity, breaking down barriers and fostering independence.

RoboGuide (University of Glasgow) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

ASK OUR TECH EXPERT ANY QUESTION AND GET KURT’S FREE CYBERGUY REPORT NEWSLETTER HERE

Kurt’s key takeaways

As the RoboGuide project continues to evolve, it’s clear that this isn’t just about technology; it’s about people. It’s about harnessing the power of innovation to make a real difference in the lives of the 2.2 billion individuals worldwide living with sight loss. While currently, RoboGuide is in the prototype phase, it promises a world where the blind and partially sighted step out with confidence, guided by the friendly voice of a robot that’s become their eyes and their ally.

For those with disabilities, what are some of the biggest remaining challenges you face in your daily life that new technologies could help solve? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Follow Kurt on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Elon Musk founded xAI last summer, and today it announced raising $6 billion in funding, saying it will help bring the startup’s “first products to market, build advanced infrastructure, and accelerate the research and development of future technologies.”

So far, xAI has launched Grok, a supposedly edgier version of OpenAI’s ChatGPT available via X, formerly known as Twitter, where the chatbot is currently only available to X Premium subscribers.

Funding in this round came from several sources, according to xAI, including Andreessen Horowitz, Sequoia Capital, and Saudi Arabian Prince Al Waleed bin Talal. Last year, a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission showed that xAI was looking to raise up to $1 billion in equity investments, and a few months ago, The Financial Times reported it was seeking up to…. $6 billion. Musk denied that report at the time.

Continuing on in the AI race for chips, talent, and technology won’t be cheap — big tech firms have dumped billions into AI startups like Anthropic in addition to the resources Google, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta are pouring into AI projects of their own.

Outside of xAI and OpenAI, Musk said he would “prefer to build products outside of Tesla” when it comes to AI and robotics unless he gets more control. Tesla shareholders will start voting this week on whether to restore Musk’s $56 billion pay package ahead of its annual meeting on June 13th.