News
CES: Philips Highlights Cloud-Based Innovations at Forefront of Digital Health

Philips is showcasing innovative connected health products and solutions that empower consumers to become ever-more engaged in their health at the ongoing CES 2017.
Leveraging Philips’ expertise in the consumer and professional healthcare domains, and the advanced analytics and computing power of the company’s secure HealthSuite cloud platform, these new connected digital health products and services further illustrate Philips’ commitment to delivering meaningful innovations for every stage of life – from birth to healthy living and healthy aging.
“The personal and professional healthcare worlds are converging, with traditional models of care being challenged at every turn, and connected digital technology is now the key to empowering consumers to take care of their health and that of their loved ones,” said Pieter Nota, CEO Personal Health Businesses and Chief Marketing Officer, Royal Philips. “In areas such as oral health, mother and child care, sleep and respiratory care, heart health, and home monitoring, Philips is showcasing its ecosystem of connected products and services at CES, once again demonstrating its leadership in the world of digital health.”
Philips’ new consumer health products and services are powered by the Philips HealthSuite cloud, allowing consumers to combine their health data and use it in smarter and more meaningful ways to support a healthier lifestyle, manage their health conditions and connect and share data with their healthcare professionals.
Key product innovations being showcased at CES 2017 include:
Philips Avent uGrow(1) digital parenting platform – Designed to help new parents understand and support their baby’s healthy development, the uGrow app connects wirelessly to the Philips Avent smart baby monitor and smart ear thermometer as well as collating manually inputted data such as feeding and sleeping patterns.
Recognizing that every baby is unique, the uGrow ecosystem creates a highly personalized supportive environment around babies and their parents, with the interactive app providing featured articles based on insight from a panel of breastfeeding, sleep and developmental psychology experts.
Planned integration of new Philips’ devices into uGrow include Philips’ connected Smart Baby Bottle Sleeve, which monitors milk temperature and consumed volume, a connected air purifier to monitor air quality and the Hue lighting system to create a relaxing soothing environment. Inputting data and tracking information into uGrow will soon be easier with the addition of Amazon Echo voice activation.
Philips Avent uGrow has been selected as a CES 2017 Innovation Award HONOREE in the ‘Tech For A Better World’ product category.
Philips DreamStation Go portable CPAP technology
Compact, lightweight and slim enough to pack in a carry-on flight bag or briefcase, Philips’ soon-to-be released DreamStation Go means users never have to miss out on CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) therapy when traveling.
An optional re-chargeable battery pack allows for ‘off-the-grid’ use during adventure travel such as hiking, fishing and camping.
The device is designed for easy screening while moving through airport security. Following Philips’ tradition of making CPAP therapy more comfortable, unobtrusive and easy to use, the DreamStation Go features micro-flexible tubing with a modern, stylish design and user interface.
Like Philips’ other CPAP solutions, it wirelessly connects to the Philips DreamMapper mobile app, providing users with daily progress reports, goal tracking, tips and reminders to help them stay on track with therapy.
As a global leader in sleep therapy solutions, Philips has a long history of innovation in both devices and informatics solutions to help people improve sleep and ultimately live a healthier life.
Philips Heart Health program – Philips Heart Health program is an app-based behavior change program aimed at reducing lifestyle-induced risk factors for cardiovascular disease in adults.
It provides users with a personalized plan, based on medical guidelines and their health profile, that coaches them to increase their physical activity levels, adopt a healthy diet, achieve better sleep, recognize stress triggers and achieve a healthy weight.
Clinically validated measurements from an ecosystem of medical grade connected health devices, such as the Philips health watch, help users in their everyday decision making. Psychology-based step-by-step behavior change and lifestyle coaching keeps them motivated and committed to their heart health journey.
Philips digital oral care management platform – With the introduction of the new Philips Sonicare FlexCare Platinum Connected toothbrush and the Philips Sonicare Breath care system, Philips offers unique connected technologies and services to inspire and empower people to take better care of their oral health in one platform.
The Philips Sonicare FlexCare Platinum Connected toothbrush uses unique smart sensor technology inside the toothbrush and personalized coaching to help improve brushing technique, while the Philips Sonicare Breath care system, featuring our new connected Breath analyzer, measures, tracks and helps users improve their breath quality and oral care habits.
Both products seamlessly sync with the Philips Sonicare app, giving users data and guidance to empower them to proactively manage and improve their oral health.
The Philips Sonicare app is now a ‘virtual hub’ for personal oral healthcare, enabling users to manage their brushing and breath quality on a daily basis, share results with their dental practitioners, and have personalized guidance and advice at their fingertips.
The Philips Sonicare Flexcare Platinum Connected toothbrush has been selected as a CES 2017 Innovation Award honoree in the ‘Fitness, Sports and Biotech’ product category.
Furthermore, Daimler and Philips have entered a strategic partnership regarding the “Mercedes-Benz Fit & Healthy” project to provide drivers with essential information about their health – in-car and beyond. The Philips Health Watch enables drivers to monitor their key health indicators, such as heart rate.
“This in-car(2) health and safety feature takes continuous health monitoring to the next level, meaning people can review their data and adjust their driving as necessary – for example, taking a break if distress is detected.
“This could transform the car into the ultimate mobility and wellbeing device. As the world leaders in health monitoring, Philips understands the power of information to improve health habits and health outcomes. We’ve taken that blend of technology, expertise and medical grade accuracy and put it into the Philips personal health programs, giving users the information needed to manage their health, wherever they are”.
In addition to innovations in the product areas highlighted above, other innovations being showcased by Philips at this year’s CES 2017 include advanced home monitoring solutions that enable people to live independently at home, and new connected kitchen appliances.
News
African Tech Start-ups to Receive $46m of Speedinvest Africa Fund

African technology start-ups will receive a $46 million (€40 million) commitment from EIB Global, the development arm of the European Investment Bank (EIB).

The funds will be deployed through the first Africa-focused investment vehicle from European venture capital (VC) firm Speedinvest.
The Speedinvest Africa Fund, which has a total target size of €200 million, targets companies across innovation hubs in Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.
It also invests in high-potential markets, including Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The investment strengthens EU–Africa ties, supports digital transformation, and promotes inclusive economic growth, says the EIB.
The strategy is designed to improve digital and financial inclusion while enabling start-ups to scale across borders by strengthening linkages between African and European ecosystems. Technology has the power to turn good ideas into real impact, says Karl Nehammer, vice-president of the EIB.
By backing this vehicle, it is enabling African innovators to scale, access new markets, and build sustainable businesses, says Nehammer.
The fund focuses on technology-enabled and mobile-based services across payments, healthcare, mobility, and education.
This aligns with the EU’s Global Gateway priorities and is expected to deliver social benefits, including job creation for youth and expanded access to digital banking for underserved communities.
At least 30% of the vehicle’s capital will support companies advancing gender equality, including those with women as founders, employees, or consumers.
With EIB Global support, the firm is deepening its long-term commitment to backing founders across Africa while strengthening enduring bridges between Africa and Europe, says Oliver Holle, CEO and managing partner of Speedinvest.
Speedinvest has previously backed African growth-stage companies, including mobility fintech Moove and digital bank FairMoney.
By combining a local presence with a European network of operators, sector expertise, and follow-on capital, the firm aims to help founders scale regionally and internationally, says Holle.
The fund will be managed by partners Deepali Nangia and Rana Abdel Latif, with a new African office planned to support its local operations.
News
U.S. Charges Three in $2.5 Billion Plot to Smuggle Nvidia AI Chips to China

Three individuals connected to a US tech firm have been indicted by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) for their alleged role in a massive scheme to smuggle billions of dollars worth of restricted Nvidia AI chips to China, bypassing strict export controls.

Nvidia Chip
Prosecutors accuse the suspects of using fake documents, dummy equipment, and even hair dryers to tamper with labels in a bid to dodge compliance checks.
The plot centred on high-performance semiconductors from Nvidia, which are tightly regulated by the US due to fears they could boost China’s military and AI capabilities.
Yih-Shyan “Wally” Liaw, a US citizen and co-founder of California-based Super Micro Computer (a server maker), has been charged alongside two Taiwanese nationals: Ting-Wei “Willy” Sun and Ruei-Tsang “Steven” Chang (who remains at large).
The group reportedly partnered with a Southeast Asian firm to order servers packed with banned chips. They falsified records claiming the gear would stay in Asia, but repackaged and shipped it covertly to China.
Tactics included deploying thousands of fake “dummy” servers for audits, while real restricted tech was diverted. Sun allegedly used household hair dryers to swap serial numbers and labels.
Super Micro Computer confirmed the suspects’ links but stressed it faces no charges and is aiding the probe.
The DOJ estimates the intermediary bought $2.5 billion in equipment, illegally funneling vast amounts of controlled AI tech to China without licences.
This case underscores escalating US-China tech rivalry, where advanced chips are viewed as vital for national security and economic edge.
In a parallel probe, two Chinese nationals were earlier charged for rerouting chips via Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and mainland China. US authorities warn of tough penalties for evasion.
This development signals intensified global scrutiny on tech supply chains amid superpower tensions.
News
UK, Nigeria Unveil Three-Year Plan to Combat Immigration Crime

United Kingdom and Nigeria have agreed on a three-year strategic plan to tackle organised immigration crime and strengthen border security cooperation.

The initiative was announced in a joint statement by the UK Home Office following the state visit of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the UK.
The agreement was signed by UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to the statement, the framework focuses on combating visa fraud, improving border management systems, and enhancing legal cooperation between both countries.
Under the plan, Nigeria is expected to review its legal framework to impose stricter penalties on immigration-related offences, particularly those involving forged or fraudulent travel documents.
Both countries also pledged to strengthen laws and enforcement mechanisms governing visa processing and travel documentation.
A key component of the agreement is the expansion of the UK–Nigeria Organised Immigration Crime Unit, with new memoranda of understanding centred on intelligence sharing and joint operations.
The UK government will further support Nigerian border agencies through training programmes and capacity-building initiatives.
The partnership also places emphasis on the protection of vulnerable migrants, particularly women and children, while enhancing research, document verification systems, and migration monitoring processes through the UK–Nigeria Migration, Justice and Home Affairs Dialogue.
Both governments described the agreement as a reflection of their shared commitment to tackling transnational crime and improving migration management through closer collaboration.
The deal forms part of broader engagements during Tinubu’s visit, which focused on strengthening bilateral relations across security, migration, and economic development.
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