Python programming popularity, AI spending, 5G sales, and more: ZDNet's research round-up

Programming language Python is now firmly the second most popular programming language, for the first time knocking Java out of the top two places in RedMonk's language popularity rankings. It's the first time since 2012 that Java is not one of the top two most popular languages in the analyst firm's programming language popularity list. The company's previous rankings in March placed machine-learning propelled Python in a tie for second place with Java, behind JavaScript. 

For more see: Programming language popularity: Python overtakes Java – as Rust reaches top 20

Fifty-three percent of enterprises adopting artificial intelligence have spent more than $20 million over the past year on technology and talent, according to a survey by Deloitte. These AI adopters see more efficient processes as the primary justification for deployments with improving decision making also a key goal. AI adopters are also generally buying more technology than building it.

For more see: 53% of enterprises spending more than $20 million a year on AI technology, talent

The amount of electronic waste (e-waste) that was produced globally in 2019 reached a record of 53.6 million tonnes (Mt), up 9.2 Mt in five years, according to the United Nation's (UN) global e-waste monitor 2020 [PDF]. The UN defines e-waste as any discarded products with a battery or plug, and which features toxic and hazardous substances such as mercury, that can pose severe risk to human and environmental health. According to the report, Asia was the biggest culprit, generating the greatest volume of e-waste during 2019 of nearly 25 Mt, followed by Americas at 13 Mt, and Europe at 12 Mt. 

For more see: UN reports global e-waste production soared beyond 53 million tonnes in 2019

Facebook runs a two-building, 50,000 square-meter data centre in Odense, and the tech company has teamed up with local district heating company Fjernvarme Fyn to redistribute the heat generated by the facility's servers straight to the nearby community's radiators. In most data centres, air conditioners cool down the servers to keep them at an optimal temperature of about 28℃, and pump hot air out into the atmosphere. Facebook's facility in Odense, instead, recycles the heat to eventually deliver it to households.

For more see: Facebook is recycling heat from its data centres to warm up these homes

Researcher IDC believes we will go through five phases from crisis to recovery. IDC president Crawford Del Prete defined the five stages of enterprise response by the following: 1. crisis, 2. slow down, 3. recession, 4. investment, and 5. recovery. The primary focus areas for these five stages are: 1. business continuity, 2. ROI, 3. operational resiliency, 4. acceleration, and 5. innovation. This means that innovation is the only viable path for enterprise recovery.

For more see: IDC president: 5 stages of COVID-19 pandemic enterprise recovery

Salesforce surveyed over 3,500 consumers worldwide to gain a pulse check on how workers view the prospect of returning to the next normal. Generation Z will soon become the largest segment of the workforce and they are interested in a hybrid approach to work - time split between home and workplace. Seventy-four percent of Gen-Z would prefer either working from home or splitting time at home and work. Thirty-seven percent of the survey respondents would like to continue to work full-time from home even after the pandemic. 

For more see: The future of work is hybrid: Work from home and the workplace

Google looks set for Chrome 86 to slash how much battery life the browser consumes. It's already experimenting with blocking unruly ads that drain battery life and jam up networks and now it is targeting power-hungry JavaScript timers. The Chromium team have also published the results of experiments it ran in a document titled 'Throttling JavaScript Timers to Reduce Battery Usage in Background Tabs', which explains that website developers are using these timers for analytics in a way that doesn't benefit the user and drains the battery on macOS, Windows, and Linux devices.    

For more see: Chrome JavaScript timer throttling: Google's tests show it saves up to 2 hours' battery life

The uptake of Android 10 is outpacing the rate at which prior versions of Android were adopted. Google said in a blog post that Android 10 was getting onto devices faster than its predecessor named Pie. "Android 10 was running on 100 million devices 5 months post launch - 28% faster than Android Pie," it said. 

For more see: Android 10 saw faster uptake but Pie still rules the Android roost

The next generation of smartphones with Qualcomm's new Quick Charge 5 system should be able to reach a 50% charge in five minutes and a full charge in just 15 minutes. Qualcomm says the latest iteration of its Quick Charge technology should be available in new Android devices in Q3 2020. Qualcomm's tests were based on a 4,500mAh battery, and the company says it is up to 70% more efficient, up to four times faster and 10°C, 50°F, cooler than Quick Charge 4. 

For more see: Qualcomm's Quick Charge 5: Your phone gets 50% charge in 5 minutes, full battery in 15

More than one in three smartphones sold in China is now a 5G device, as the country forges ahead with the rollout of next-generation networks. According to research company Counterpoint in the second quarter of this year 33% of smartphones sold in China were 5G-enabled - the highest proportion in the world - compared to just 16% in the first quarter. Counterpoint said Huawei continues to be the best performer in the China market, grabbing 46% market share in the quarter, including 14% year-over-year growth.

For more see: 5G smartphone sales in China are rocketing. That could be a big deal for the rest of the world

Salesforce surveyed over 3,500 consumers worldwide to check on how consumers are engaging with brands on different channels and what type of content is most engaging during the pandemic. Social media is the clear winner of consumer attention, with 65% of consumers indicating interest. Video content and virtual experiences are also top preferences. Video content like thought-leadership webinars is gaining popularity. Sixty percent of consumers are interested in instructional digital content from brands, such as a PDF or web page that provides tips and guidance on matters they care about. 

For more see: Social media is the most popular method of engaging with brands