Samsung Electronics Co. is broadening its lineup of devices featuring advanced artificial intelligence capabilities by introducing updated models in its budget-friendly A series. The new Galaxy A26 starts at $299.99, and the company is launching a trio of 6.7-inch 5G smartphones that include enhancements for photo editing and a feature called Circle to Search. By integrating elements from its premium software into its entire product range, Samsung is also introducing improvements for night photography and a Best Face function on the Galaxy A56, which retails for $499.99, aimed at enhancing group photos.
This push for more advanced budget devices follows Apple Inc.’s recent launch of the $599 iPhone 16e, which serves as a more accessible option for customers seeking to join its ecosystem. Both tech giants are making strides to attract a broader user base amid a surge in investment from AI developers aimed at expanding their offerings. Samsung is incorporating its own AI tools alongside those from Google, the creator of the Android operating system that powers its devices. Conversely, Apple is working on its Apple Intelligence suite while also leveraging third-party technologies, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT in the US and Alibaba Group in China.
In Uruguay, Yamandu Orsi was inaugurated on Saturday for a five-year term, marking the return of a left-wing government in a region that has seen a shift toward conservative leadership. In his inaugural address, Orsi emphasized his commitment to building upon the achievements of his predecessors while reaffirming his campaign promises to invigorate the economy and tackle issues like crime and child poverty. “This is not the start of a foundational change but rather a phase of new initiatives and ongoing development,” Orsi stated during a televised speech following his oath of office before Congress. Orsi’s Broad Front party regained power after successfully addressing voter concerns in last November’s runoff election. He positioned himself as the candidate for “safe change,” contrasting with other regional leaders, including Argentina’s President Javier Milei, who have created political upheaval. The Broad Front holds a solid majority in the Senate, but will require support from two opposition lawmakers in the lower house to advance its legislative goals. Taking office, Orsi faces an economy projected to grow by 2.5% this year with unemployment rates lower than pre-COVID levels. The 57-year-old former governor aims to foster growth, which has averaged around 1.2% over the last decade, through a combination of tax incentives and policies focusing on agriculture, advanced technology, and manufacturing. His most ambitious plan includes lowering the minimum retirement age from 65 to 60 as part of a comprehensive reform of the social security system.
Orsi and his economic team, led by Gabriel Oddone, will need to secure funding to fulfill a series of costly campaign promises while addressing a fiscal deficit that reached a concerning 4.1% of GDP in December. The five-year budget proposal set for Congress in June will reveal whether the new administration will adopt the tax-and-spend strategies employed by prior Broad Front governments. Investors will also closely monitor Orsi’s commitment to maintaining price stability, especially considering the Broad Front’s tolerance of high inflation levels during its previous governance from 2005 to 2020. Inflation soared to an unprecedented 20-month period within the central bank’s target range of 3% to 6% in January, aided by strict monetary policies, but long-term inflation expectations remain near the upper limit of that range.
