CTech's Weekly Roundup of Israeli Tech News

Apple passes over Intel in search for chips for a future iPhone. Apple has notified Intel it would not use a mobile communication component developed by the chipmaker in its next-generation mobile device. Further development of the component code-named “Sunny Peak” has been halted and the Intel team that's working on the product will be redirected to other efforts. A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the Sunny Peak component also included 5G connectivity. Read more

Former employee of Israeli surveillance company indicted for attempt to sell spyware code for $50 million on darknet. Israel-based NSO develops and sells a spyware that can be used to intercept mobile phone calls and remotely control devices. The company’s clients, subject to approval from the Israeli ministry of defense, include governments and law enforcement agencies. Read more

In second AI-human showdown, IBM's Debater outwitted. In June, IBM unveiled a project six years in the making—an artificial intelligence system called Project Debater that draws on extensive data to construct logical, convincing arguments. During the event, held in IBM offices in San Francisco, the AI took on two human debaters. In both cases the audience thought it to be worse at delivery, but better at conveying knowledge, awarding it the win in the second debate. On Tuesday, IBM held a second event, showcasing the system to a crowd of journalists in Israel. This time the AI fared slightly worse. Read more

Direct radio contact with stranded Thai group still unattained, Israeli technology vendor says. Rescuers are unable to establish direct radio contact with stranded Thai boys, according to an Israeli technology vendor who supplied the devices used to communicate in the labyrinthine underground tunnels. Extension of the communication line is far from being complete, and the deployment of physical cables is tough due to narrow underwater passageways barely wide enough to allow a person through. Read more

These ten Israeli companies raised the most money in 2018. CTech takes a look at the biggest funding rounds of the past six months. Read more

Baidu teams up with Intel’s Mobileye to make self-driving cars safer. The Chinese tech company also said it would use Mobileye’s autonomous sensing array of cameras, computer vision hardware and software in its offering to China’s automakers. Read more

China’s Boyu Capital leads $125 million round for image retail analytics company Trax. Trax enables retailers to keep track of their stock using image recognition and computer vision analytic tools. The company plans to focus on expansion in China, where it already has “a strong market presence.” Read more 

Microsoft leases entire WeWork location in Tel Aviv. Startups and other small tenants are being told to move out. Read more

Intel mulling $9-billion investment in Israel, economy minister says. Intel quickly reacted to the statement by Economy Minister Eli Cohen saying that “there is no concrete investment being considered right now in Israel.” Read more

Playtech shares tumble on revenue warning. Unexpected market competition in Asia has led the gambling software company to lower revenue expectations for the region by 70 million euros. Read more