July 31, 2025
Tech News
Households in Peninsular Malaysia can anticipate a modest reduction in their TNB electricity bills for August 2025, thanks to a new rebate of 1.45 sen per kWh. This rebate is part of the Automatic Fuel Adjustment (AFA) mechanism, which updates monthly based on the costs of power generation.
The AFA replaces the Imbalance Cost Pass-Through (ICPT) mechanism, which adjusted rates every six months. By updating the rate monthly, the AFA allows quicker response to changes in fuel prices and foreign exchange rates, ultimately benefiting consumers when power generation costs decrease.
Following the electricity tariff restructuring effective July 1, 2025, TNB bills now include a detailed breakdown of Energy Charge, Capacity Charge, Network Charge, and Retail Charge. Consumers can now better understand how their electricity costs are calculated.
In the telecommunications sector, Spanish giant Telefonica posted a €51 million net loss for the second quarter of 2025, primarily due to currency fluctuations and asset impairments related to sales in Latin America. This marks a reversal from the €417 million net profit recorded in the same quarter last year. Despite this dip, the company has reaffirmed its financial targets for the year.
Meanwhile, in the rapidly evolving realm of technology, generative AI applications have seen explosive growth, recording 1.7 billion downloads in the first half of 2025. In-app revenue has doubled to $1.87 billion, highlighting the increasing demand for AI-powered tools that reshape user experiences and set new engagement benchmarks.
On the corporate front, Apple has lost its fourth AI researcher to Meta within a month, raising concerns about the stability of its AI department. The latest departure—Bowen Zhang—joins Meta’s newly formed superintelligence team. Apple is also reportedly considering integrating third-party AI models into its Siri voice assistant to stay competitive in the rapidly advancing AI race.
Tech Explained
Electricity Tariff Restructuring – A systematic adjustment of how electricity costs are calculated and billed to consumers. This process itemizes various charges such as the Energy Charge and Capacity Charge, aimed at promoting transparency and easier budgeting for consumers.
Generative AI – A type of artificial intelligence that can create content, such as text, images, or music. The surge in downloads and revenue for generative AI apps underscores their growing impact in various consumer applications.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) – The simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, particularly computer systems. AI encompasses various technologies, including machine learning and natural language processing, driving advancements in both consumer applications and corporate strategies, as seen in Apple’s AI research efforts.
