Smartwatch market slips on Apple decline

WASHINGTON: The global smartwatch market took a sharp downward turn in the second quarter on falling sales of the industry-leading Apple Watch, a survey showed Thursday.

Research firm IDC said global sales of smartwatches tumbled 32 per cent from a year ago to 3.5 million units.—AFP

Unilever sees gloomy global outlook

THE HAGUE: Dutch food and cosmetics giant Unilever posted Thursday a rise in sales for the first half of 2016, boosted by mens’ grooming products, but warned of “no sign of an improving global economy”.

Total sales clocked in 2.6 per cent higher at 26.3 billion euros ($29 billion) and net profit stood at 2.7 billion euros, up by 2pc from 2015.—AFP

S. Korea anti-trust agency probes Google

SEOUL: South Korea’s anti-trust agency is investigating Google for alleged abuse of its market dominance, a report said Thursday, a week after the EU filed anti-trust charges against the US tech giant.

The probe by the South’s Fair Trade Commission (FTC) is focused on whether Google is unfairly forcing smartphone makers to use its Android operating system, Yonhap news agency said.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2016