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RILEYISMYNAME

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Everything posted by RILEYISMYNAME

  1. NEWS SOURCES: MAINS SCUFFLEWIZARD Listings Intel Battlemage https://wccftech.com/intel-battlemage-xe2-hpg-20-24-xe-core-gpu-spotted-12-gb-vram-rumor/ https://ranker.sisoftware.co.uk/show_run.php?q=c2ffcdf4d2b3d2efdaedd9eedfebcdbf82b294f194a999bfccf1c9&l=en https://twitter.com/miktdt/status/1771703011972202803 https://videocardz.com/newz/alleged-intel-battlemage-gpus-with-20-24-xe-cores-and-12gb-vram-spotted-on-sisoftware-sandra-website https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/possible-intel-battlemage-gpus-with-12gb-vram-spotted-in-sisoft-database https://www.pcgamesn.com/intel/arc-battlemage-guide https://wccftech.com/intel-battlemage-xe2-hpg-20-24-xe-core-gpu-spotted-12-gb-vram-rumor/#:~:text=Battlemage%20Xe2%2DLPG%20 Intel says launchin 2024… others say no https://www.techspot.com/news/101484-intel-confirms-next-gen-arc-xe2-battlemage-gpus.html TIKTOK: RATED R Florida bans kids under 14 from social media; 15, 16-year-olds require parental consent https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/26/ron-desantis-florida-social-media-ban-children Utah: https://www.removepaywall.com/https:/www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-utah-social-media-restrictions Arkansas: https://apnews.com/article/arkansas-social-media-parents-consent-kids-64db48ec94517911a4d2498f60841500 https://globalnews.ca/news/10385088/florida-social-media-ban-under-14-ron-desantis/ https://www.reuters.com/world/us/floridas-desantis-signs-law-restricting-social-media-people-under-16-2024-03-25/ Pornhub prepared to block Florida if child safety law takes effect https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/03/pornhub-prepared-to-block-florida-if-child-safety-law-takes-effect/ WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Facebook snooped on users’ Snapchat traffic using controversial wiretapping/VPN tool according to unsealed documents https://techcrunch.com/2024/03/26/facebook-secret-project-snooped-snapchat-user-traffic/?guccounter=1 Unsealed doc: https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.369872/gov.uscourts.cand.369872.735.0.pdf Facebook secretly looked at Snapchat, Amazon, and YouTube user data, documents reveal https://mashable.com/article/facebook-snapchat-data-project-ghostbusters-mark-zuckerberg https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/facebook-spy-snapchat-zuckerberg-meta-b2519458.html https://techcrunch.com/2019/01/29/facebook-project-atlas/ Sean M. Haffey via Getty / Futurism AI Race Zuckerberg Emailing Google Employees, Asking Them to Work for Facebook Instead (AI) https://futurism.com/the-byte/zuckerberg-emailing-google-employees QUICKBITS BUFF ARM A native version of Chrome arrives for Arm-based Windows PCs https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/26/24112273/chrome-native-windows-on-arm-qualcomm-snapdragon https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/laptops/google-chrome-is-coming-native-to-snapdragon-x-elite-laptops-should-intel-and-amd-be-nervous https://www.androidheadlines.com/2024/03/google-chrome-gets-native-support-for-arm-based-windows-pcs.html Windows nags Chrome users to use Bing https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-again-bothers-chrome-users-with-bing-popup-ads-in-windows/ IT JUST WORKS Tiny Corp decides to make both AMD and Nvidia versions of its TinyBox AI server - GeForce version is 67% more expensive https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/tiny-corp-decides-to-make-both-amd-and-nvidia-versions-of-its-tinybox-ai-server-geforce-version-is-67-more-expensive Announcement: https://twitter.com/__tinygrad__/status/1772139983731831051 https://www.theregister.com/2024/03/25/tiny_corp_amd_nvidia/ Past coverage: https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/amd-tinybox-project-put-on-hold-due-to-gpu-instability-in-ai-workloads-firm-publicly-considering-using-intel-gpus CRYPTO BABIES The SEC can sue Coinbase for offering unregistered securities, judge rules https://www.axios.com/2024/03/27/sec-coinbase-crypto https://assets.ctfassets.net/c5bd0wqjc7v0/31xgWFLYsKNgu6YQqzkE3/e720ef7fc1fdf2edfd76f4525d8512 56/SEC_v._Coinbase__Opinion_and_Order_3.27.24.pdf https://qz.com/sec-sue-coinbase-for-unregistered-securities-1851369617 https://www.inc.com/reuters/lawsuits-progress-against-coinbase-is-a-big-win-for-sec.html Coinbase CEO remains “confident” https://twitter.com/iampaulgrewal/status/1772993922354069527 going to use the very strong argument that crypto is like beanie babies https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/jan/18/coinbase-cryptocurrency-lawsuit-beanie-babies-securities-sec BLANK CANVA Affinity acquired by Canva – users worried about possible subscription model https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/canva-acquires-affinity-design-suite-in-push-to-rival-adobe-1.2051498 https://www.canva.com/newsroom/news/affinity/ broll https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpWniIIC-oo Canva/Affinity posts “pledge” that “perpetual licenses will always be offered” https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/press/newsroom/affinity-and-canva-pledge/ EDITOR: zoom in on #1 in the “Four pledges to the community” image GOOCHI, PRADDA, BALENSIAGA Amazon’s data shows huge counterfeit product problem (Amazon says its stopped 700K counterfeiters from making accounts last year) https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/policy-news-views/amazon-brand-protection-report-2023-counterfeit-products https://wwd.com/business-news/technology/amazon-brand-protection-report-counterfeits-1236286914/ https://www.modernretail.co/technology/amazon-says-its-stopped-700k-counterfeiters-from-making-accounts-last-year/
  2. NEWS SOURCES: XBOX’S FATE IS IN YOUR HANDS Publishers worried about supporting Xbox https://insider-gaming.com/publishers-worried-about-supporting-xbox-moving-forward-report-claims/ According to head of GamesIndustry.biz Chris Dring who “heard it from a very prominent company and one not-so-prominent” https://youtu.be/1t1otAXv2rk?t=541 Xbox sales in Europe are “flatlining” https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/publishers-are-reportedly-questioning-support-for-xbox-amid-flatlining-sales/ Apparently they mentioned in a previous podcast that “we’d heard retailers in Europe are considering or had already been cutting back their Xbox stock on their shelves—hardware, games, that kind of thing” https://lmg.gg/VxYy6 (VGC) Dring said ““The phrase one major company who released a big game last year said [was], ‘I don’t know why we bothered supporting it’.” https://lmg.gg/J4jUW (VGC) Xbox may be bringing more games to PS5 “from what I understand the majority of them will be coming across at some point, assuming it progresses as Xbox believes it probably will—I think Xbox is in real trouble as a hardware manufacturer” https://lmg.gg/oGazb (VGC) Xbox is apparently going to open up to other stores, become more like a PC https://www.polygon.com/24108670/xbox-epic-gamehttps://lmg.gg/oGazbs-store-phil-spencer-interview “Worse, he explained, the console market isn’t growing, with more gamers moving to PC and handheld options.” https://lmg.gg/3lUri Spencer also hinted at an Xbox’s handheld future in interview with Polygon https://www.polygon.com/24108660/xbox-handheld-console-phil-spencer-interview Spencer confirms “Xbox hardware team, led by Roanne Sones, is considering “different hardware form factors and things that [they] could go do”” https://lmg.gg/QVLMJ (Polygon) Xbox dev kit certified in Korea https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/console-gaming/new-xbox-dev-kit-certified-for-testing-in-south-korea-console-refresh-could-come-this-year many people hoping it’s a handheld; Windows Central’s Jez Corden says on Xbox Two podcast “I know they’ve got handheld prototypes right now” https://youtu.be/By7ne7lHKLY?t=3845 But he doesn’t know if that’s what the new dev kit is for https://youtu.be/By7ne7lHKLY?t=4228 Argues earlier that the Steam Deck is essentially a console experience, it would be “insane” for Xbox and PlayStation to not enter the space https://youtu.be/By7ne7lHKLY?t=4020 Spencer echoes this sentiment: “And I will say that when I’m playing on those devices, it almost feels more like a console than a PC” https://lmg.gg/XLgXf (Polygon) Not necessarily an exclusive thing, “I want everything that we’re doing in the hardware space to be great. But if somebody chooses to go play today [somewhere else], I don’t want them to feel like a lesser Xbox [player].”” https://lmg.gg/Glrgb (Polygon) Hints at handheld with “inflection points” in the industry. “Look at the real inflection points in our industry, like look at the Wii. It was hardware innovation that was linked with great software innovation.”” https://lmg.gg/0Trct (Polygon) MARVELOUS CASH GRAB Overwatch-style 6v6 shooter with Marvel characters upcoming https://thestreamr.com/2024/03/25/overwatch-style-marvel-game-exclusive/ Game apparently from NetEase, who signed a deal with Marvel 5 years ago https://www.marvel.com/articles/games/marvel-and-netease-collaborate-to-launch-new-projects Marvel FPS shooter rumored for years from NetEase https://mmoculture.com/2019/10/marvel-new-aaa-first-person-shooter-based-on-marvel-universe-in-development/ While this game is allegedly developed by NetEase, it is supposed to be THIRD-PERSON, not FIRST https://lmg.gg/W4XRP (TheStreamr) Avengers/Suicide Squad leaker Miller corroborated game’s existence and TheStreamr’s reporting (at least for platforms) (EDITOR: scroll up) https://twitter.com/mmmmmmmmiller/status/1772603929919959510 “NetEase does have a strong history of mobile titles, and consoles seem like an easy port.” https://lmg.gg/SSzW1 (TheStreamr) Also believed by Paul Tassi of Forbes https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2024/03/26/report-a-marvel-6v6-overwatch-style-shooter-is-coming/?sh=3ea6983253bb Allegedly launching with 19 characters https://lmg.gg/EHqBU (TheStreamr) Magneto voiced by Obi-Wan from Clone Wars, has “environmental destruction” powers https://lmg.gg/sRpfi (Forbes) Lot of details up in the air, but we may find out tomorrow, according to Marvel Games tweet https://twitter.com/MarvelGames/status/1772639657525723212 QUICK BITS THEY’VE FORGOTTEN THE REALMS Larian Studios not making DLC for Baldur’s Gate 3, not making BG4 https://www.ign.com/articles/larian-started-work-on-baldurs-gate-3-dlc-then-canceled-it-the-studio-was-elated “Asked how the studio responded, Vincke said the team was "elated."” (EDITOR: CTRL+F IGN source) Did not confirm if next game is Divinity: Original Sin 3 but “He did, however, say it will be "different than what you think it is" but that it's "still familiar."” (EDITOR: CTRL+F IGN source) CEO Swen Vincke clarifies WotC not to blame for Larian “taking a different direction” https://twitter.com/LarAtLarian/status/1771467986701819943 First BG3 will be getting new evil endings; not just evil, but “really evil” https://www.thegamer.com/baldurs-gate-3-is-getting-new-evil-endings/ JOEL GIVETH Helldivers 2 GM Joel appears in-game to give unreleased APC before disappearing https://www.gamesradar.com/hes-not-all-bad-helldivers-2s-dandd-style-game-master-joel-joins-a-players-game-drops-an-unreleased-vehicle-and-then-vanishes-into-the-night/ https://twitter.com/Helldiversmedia/status/1771900000202870872 CEO sends tweet about HMG stratagem before saying “There’s no such thing as HMG” https://www.pcgamer.com/helldivers-2-hmg-heavy-machine-gun-arrowhead-johan-pilestedt/ (EDITOR: Scroll up) https://twitter.com/Pilestedt/status/1772359679265427747 THIS IS MY FAVORITE NEWS IN THE CITADEL Brief Mass Effect 5 news https://www.gamesradar.com/mass-effect-5-is-in-good-hands-as-its-director-confirms-the-long-awaited-rpg-sequel-is-being-led-by-four-bioware-veterans/ https://insider-gaming.com/mass-effect-5-veterans/ https://twitter.com/GambleMike/status/1771588267013493047 THE GAME IS GREAT, SAYS THE GAME’S MAKERS Small update on Elder Scrolls VI; it’s already very fun, according to Bethesda https://kotaku.com/elder-scrolls-vi-6-tes6-update-release-date-bethesda-1851363646 Tweet with picture (EDITOR: please click on picture to expand) https://twitter.com/BethesdaStudios/status/1772261818003497362 https://www.gamespot.com/articles/bethesda-gives-small-update-on-the-elder-scrolls-6-as-franchise-celebrates-30th-anniversary/1100-6522118/ INTRODUCING: AUTUMN BOYS Sonic may be getting Fall Guys clone https://kotaku.com/new-sonic-game-leak-trailer-toys-party-fall-guys-1851363240 (EDITOR: capture video pls) https://twitter.com/sonicstadium/status/1771965657069850882 https://www.ign.com/articles/trailer-for-sonic-toys-party-appears-to-leak-reveals-fall-guys-inspired-gameplay https://www.sonicstadium.org/news/games/trailer-further-details-for-sonic-toys-party-leaked-r2075/
  3. NEWS SOURCES: CHINA DISCOVERS AMERICA’S GAME IS TWO-PLAYER China bans Intel, AMD CPUs from government computers https://www.ft.com/content/7bf0f79b-dea7-49fa-8253-f678d5acd64a Confirmed in doc dated Dec 26, 2023 https://www.techradar.com/pro/chinese-government-blocks-use-of-intel-amd-chips-in-hardware 18 approved CPUs, only 1 with x86 architecture https://lmg.gg/NSGxF (TechRadar) The rest are Arm or RISC-V https://lmg.gg/fP5uk (TechRadar) Also “sidelining” Windows, foreign-made database software https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/25/chinas-new-guidelines-will-block-intel-and-amd-chips-in-government-computers-ft.html remember ChinaOS? (it’s not called ChinaOS) https://www.theregister.com/2023/07/07/openkylin_is_ubuntu/ China wants America out… and can you blame them when America feels the same? https://qz.com/china-wants-microsoft-and-intel-off-its-computers-1851361793 MICROSOFT AVOIDS DETENTION EU opens 5 non-compliance investigations into Apple, Meta, and Google https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/25/24111232/european-commission-digital-markets-act-investigation EU announcement https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_24_1689 The Verge writer Tom Warren points out Microsoft is not being investigated https://twitter.com/tomwarren/status/1772218990628085865 Official DMA text (EDITOR: please scroll to the the start of the actual document, where it says “REGULATION (EU)” in big text) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/1925/oj DMA came into effect in May 2023 https://lmg.gg/nGybo In that time, Microsoft has tried to guilt users into not leaving Edge for Chrome https://www.tomshardware.com/news/edge-poll-downloading-chrome tried to guilt users into not leaving Edge for Chrome https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-now-wants-you-to-take-a-poll-before-installing-google-chrome/ pestered Edge users to switch to Bing https://www.xda-developers.com/microsoft-edge-popups-switch-bing/ and pestered CHROME users on Windows to try Bing search with unblockable pop-ups https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-is-once-again-asking-chrome-users-to-try-bing-through-unblockable-pop-ups-184348202.html and pestered CHROME users on Windows to try Bing search with unblockable pop-ups https://www.windowslatest.com/2024/03/15/microsoft-confirms-bing-pop-up-ads-in-chrome-on-windows-11-windows-10/ MR. ALTMAN GOES TO HOLLYWOOD OpenAI tries to get Hollywood into Sora https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/openai-courts-hollywood-in-meetings-with-film-studios-directors-1.2050543 Sora isn’t available to public, but they granting access to “big-name actors and directors” https://lmg.gg/yM5Tw (BNN Bloomberg) COO Brad Lightcap and colleagues doing the work https://lmg.gg/MCeSj (BNN Bloomberg) While Sam Altman attended Oscar parties https://lmg.gg/5o270 (BNN Bloomberg) Sora isn’t available to public, but they granting access to “big-name actors and directors” https://lmg.gg/yM5Tw (BNN Bloomberg) Heading down to pitch Sora https://deadline.com/2024/03/openai-heading-hollywood-pitch-revolutionary-sora-1235866748/ Tyler Perry put an $800 million dollar expansion of his studio on hold because of Sora’s demo last month https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/tyler-perry-ai-alarm-1235833276/ Worried about its effect on the industry because of its impact on sets and on-location shooting: “If I wanted to have two people in the living room in the mountains, I don’t have to build a set in the mountains, I don’t have to put a set on my lot. I can sit in an office and do this with a computer, which is shocking to me.” https://lmg.gg/ydrYl Using AI on two films kept him out of makeup “for hours” https://lmg.gg/K2t73 Tokyo Sora video https://twitter.com/OpenAI/status/1758192965703647443 QUICK BITS AI TU, BRUTE? Plot to take down Nvidia’s AI dominance https://www.reuters.com/technology/behind-plot-break-nvidias-grip-ai-by-targeting-software-2024-03-25/ UXL Technologies is the challenger https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/25/24111435/nvidia-ai-market-google-intel-arm-uxl-foundation-cuda Formed by Arm, Google Cloud, Intel, others last year https://www.silverliningsinfo.com/api/arm-google-cloud-intel-form-uxl-foundation-tackle-processor-complexity Developing suite of software to challenge Nvidia’a CUDA https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/tech-giants-unite-to-challenge-nvidias-ai-dominance-with-new-software-initiative-3352037 "open-source software suite that prevents AI developers from being locked into Nvidia’s proprietary tech, allowing their code to run on any machine and with any chip.” https://lmg.gg/Q2v6Z GOOGLE DOES THING, IT BACKFIRES Google to give AI powered search results to users who didn’t opt-in, results promote malware sites https://www.pcmag.com/news/ai-is-coming-to-your-google-search-results https://searchengineland.com/google-sge-a-top-threat-to-brand-and-product-terms-study-finds-438705 https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/google/googles-new-ai-search-results-promotes-sites-pushing-malware-scams/ “FBI OPEN UP” BECOMES REAL Feds ordered Google to give data for certain YouTube users https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2024/03/22/feds-ordered-google-to-unmask-certain-youtube-users-critics-say-its-terrifying/?sh=2741086b1ca7 https://mashable.com/article/google-ordered-to-hand-over-viewer-data-privacy-concerns https://www.engadget.com/authorities-reportedly-ordered-google-to-reveal-the-identities-of-some-youtube-videos-viewers-140018019.html EVERYBODY LOVES TRACING RAYMOND Microsoft’s new upscaler tech, new ray-tracing patent to cut VRAM requirements https://videocardz.com/newz/microsoft-directsr-revealed-making-resolution-upscalers-easier-to-implement Patent https://patents.google.com/patent/US20240070960A1 Explanation of patent https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/graphics-cards/microsofts-new-patent-promises-more-efficient-ray-tracing-for-the-xbox-and-that-could-be-a-real-boon-for-amds-graphics-cards-too/ SUPPLIES SURPRISE: PC FRIES EVGA destroys PC with unannounced change, take no responsibility https://www.reddit.com/r/DataHoarder/comments/1bilja1/egva_power_supply_pin_layout_change_featuring/ Post update https://www.reddit.com/r/DataHoarder/comments/1bjsvkm/update_egva_power_supply_pin_layout_change/ Louis Rossmann (EDITOR: please also zoom in on pinned comment) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cHDyq5hRk4
  4. NEWS SOURCES: THE UN-APPLENING U.S. Dept of Justice sues Apple https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-sues-apple-monopolizing-smartphone-markets https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V4MIRUoyOE Probably biggest antitrust case since US v. Microsoft https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-1990s-antitrust-case-looms-over-apple-2024-3 https://twitter.com/hbkirb/status/1770827324398633261 EDITOR: highlight the numbered list under the “The Outcome” section The case https://www.politico.com/news/2024/03/22/doj-apple-monopoly-antitrust-lawsuit-explained-00148492 Basically comes down to the “buy your mom an iPhone” meme - Apple’s only answer to user requests for more freedom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdvzYtgmIjs&t=3663s @1:01:36 quoted in the complaint https://twitter.com/NexusBen/status/1770832183139152135 App Store - doesn’t allow third-party stores Says Apple doesn’t allow “Super Apps” https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1344546/dl?inline EDITOR: highlight this text on Page 14 (Table of Contents) - Item IV-A-i: “Super Apps” Apple Watch - EDITOR: Highlight this text on Page 39 - Item 96: “Apple Watch - is only compatible with the iPhone.” says they took 3 YEARS to investigate whether Android support could be added to Apple Watch, then decided it couldn’t because of “technical limitations” https://9to5mac.com/2024/03/21/apple-watch-android-apple-work/ Apple responds, says DOJ “threatens who we are” https://lmg.gg/IXt6y Tim Sweeney can’t tweet https://twitter.com/TimSweeneyEpic/status/1770712821468217446 CYBORG GAMER UNSTOPPABLE Neuralink’s first human patient talks on livestream, plays chess https://twitter.com/neuralink/status/1770563939413496146 module was implanted in January 2024 https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-68137046 experts say the base technology isn’t new https://www.newscientist.com/article/2423483-has-neuralink-made-a-breakthrough-in-brain-implant-technology/ here’s a video from 2007 https://youtu.be/cDiWFcA0gaw?t=30 @0:30 Synchron https://youtu.be/mm95r05hui0?t=150 @2:30 BlackRock Neurotech https://youtu.be/eW0jn7jAe1w?t=156 @2:36 But the idea is that Neuralink is the iPhone Moment for BCIs https://lmg.gg/ptGIU Neural threads https://youtu.be/8vAMt56p_j8?t=32 @0:32 Elon says Neuralink could let quadriplegics walk again https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1770687287174582483 INFLECTION POINT (SORRY, HAD TO) Microsoft “acqui-hires” Inflection AI since they didn’t get Sam Altman CEO of Inflection AI Mustafa Suleyman hired as CEO of Microsoft AI https://twitter.com/mustafasuleyman/status/1770123596121432351 Microsoft also hires “most” of Inflection’s 70 employees, pays $650 million total to both license their models and keep em quiet about the mass hiring https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/microsoft-to-pay-inflection-ai-650-million-after-scooping-up-most-of-staff-1.2050171 Inflection calls it “an important change to how we’ll work” https://inflection.ai/the-new-inflection Analyst Tony Wang calls it “basically an acquisition of Inflection without having to go through regulatory approval” https://twitter.com/TonyW/status/1770231765304750572 EDITOR - highlight the quote Satya quote has resurfaced from interview during the Altman-ocalypse https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/11/on-with-kara-swisher-satya-nadella-on-hiring-sam-altman.html EDITOR: include the top of the article, then click this link and highlight ALL the following quotes “We have all the IP rights and all the capability.” “We have the people, we have the compute, we have the data, we have everything.” “We are in there. We are below them, above them, around them. We do the kernel optimizations, we build tools, we build the infrastructure.” MAYBE - Anthropic’s Claude available on Google’s Vertex platform https://www.thestreet.com/technology/the-startup-wars-anthropic-for-google-inflection-for-microsoft QUICK BITS YOU GET A FRAME GEN! AND YOU GET A FRA… AMD announces FSR 3.1 – enables Frame Gen on OTHER upscalers (DLSS, Xess) – great for owners of RTX 20, 30 series GPUs which don’t support Nvidia Frame Gen https://wccftech.com/amd-fsr-3-1-announced-frame-generation-on-dlss-xess-upscaling-solutions-improved-image-quality-40-game-support/ https://community.amd.com/t5/gaming/amd-fsr-3-1-announced-at-gdc-2024-fsr-3-available-and-upcoming/ba-p/674027 https://lmg.gg/JgAL2 will work on RTX 20 series https://lmg.gg/UEglq also better temporal stability and ghosting reduction; demonstrated this with low-res, grainy-as-fuck GIFs https://lmg.gg/kzSDD SO SUE ME Suyu Switch emulator releases first build https://steamdeckhq.com/news/new-switch-emulator-suyu-officially-released/ https://suyuemulator.com/suyu-emulators-first-build-now-available-featuring-ui-enhancements-qol-improvements/ GitLab immediately takes it down https://overkill.wtf/suyu-emulator-removed-from-gitlab/ because it’s a fork of a “public repo against which we previously received a DMCA notice” https://twitter.com/MrSujano/status/1770896278165004294 https://twitter.com/MrSujano/status/1770896278165004294/photo/2 https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2024/03/gitlab-takes-down-nintendo-switch-emulator-suyu-due-to-the-dmca/ SURFACES LURKING Microsoft unveils Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 for Business https://youtu.be/UeKQkKvVU5c https://www.engadget.com/microsofts-surface-pro-10-and-surface-laptop-6-are-here-but-you-wont-find-them-in-stores-160022629.html non-Business versions coming in May https://www.windowscentral.com/hardware/surface/dont-buy-new-surface-pro-10-laptop-6-microsoft-has-better-hardware expected to feature the Arm-based Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite - on which most Windows games should “just work” according to Qualcomm https://www.theverge.com/24107331/qualcomm-gdc-2024-snapdragon-on-windows-games bUT DID You knOW bout COPILOT??? https://techcrunch.com/2024/03/21/microsoft-really-wants-to-talk-about-copilot/ HERE BOY! GoFetch - Apple M-series chips have an “unpatchable” side-channel vulnerability https://arstechnica.com/security/2024/03/hackers-can-extract-secret-encryption-keys-from-apples-mac-chips/ https://gofetch.fail/ https://gofetch.fail/files/gofetch.pdf https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/03/21/apple-silicon-vulnerability-leaks-encryption-keys-and-cant-be-patched-easily HOTEL… EARTH Researchers demonstrate exploit that could let hackers open any hotel room door with their phone https://www.techspot.com/news/102355-hackers-unveil-method-open-millions-hotel-keycard-locks.html called “Unsaflok” https://unsaflok.com/ https://unsaflok.com/videos/video.webm @0:30 https://cybernews.com/security/dormakaba-locks-vulnerable-researchers-find/
  5. NEWS SOURCES: YOU AND ME AND APPLE Microsoft and Meta accuse Apple of playing games with App Store rules https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/meta-microsoft-x-band-together-against-apple-s-app-store-plans-1.2049521 https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/20/24106838/apple-epic-anti-steering-developers-in-app-payments-meta-microsoft-match After losing two complaints before the U.S. International Trade Commission, Apple has stepped up its lobbying to change the agency’s practices. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/19/technology/apple-patents-lobbying.html https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/analyzing-itcs-impending-import-ban-apple-watches-2023-12-07/ Apple Launches All-in-One 'Manuals, Specs, and Downloads' Website https://www.macrumors.com/2024/03/20/apple-manuals-specs-downloads-website/ CR#P GPT Sam Altman is over GPT-4: ‘I think it kind of sucks’ https://fortune.com/2024/03/19/sam-altman-chatgpt-4-kind-of-sucks/ Business insider says that GPT-5 might be coming this summer https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-launch-better-gpt-5-chatbot-2024-3 https://mashable.com/article/openai-gpt-5-release-this-summer OpenAI’s chatbot store is filling up with spam https://techcrunch.com/2024/03/20/openais-chatbot-store-is-filling-up-with-spam/ BACK IN BLACKWELL Leaker suggests that Nvidia's Blackwell gaming graphics processer, GB202 to use the same technology as B100 (4nm) https://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/joao-silva/nvidia-gb202-gpu-expected-to-use-the-same-tsmc-4n-process-as-newly-announced-b100/ “World’s most powerful chip” https://lmg.gg/gbZxP Kopite7kimi https://twitter.com/kopite7kimi/status/1769903710849929570 https://videocardz.com/newz/nvidia-rtx-50-gb202-gaming-gpu-reportedly-features-the-same-tsmc-4np-process-as-b100 5nm? 4nm? https://www.techpowerup.com/320555/nvidia-blackwell-geforce-rtx-to-feature-same-5nm-based-tsmc-4n-foundry-node-as-gb100-ai-gpu Rivian R3X https://youtu.be/E6s3BjU_TSY?t=69 @1:09 Nvidia's Jensen Huang says Blackwell GPU to cost $30,000 - $40,000, later clarifies that pricing will vary as they won't sell just the chip https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/nvidias-jensen-huang-says-blackwell-gpu-to-cost-dollar30000-dollar40000-later-clarifies-that-pricing-will-vary-as-they-wont-sell-just-the-chip Estimate on cost to make chip https://twitter.com/firstadopter/status/1770097608616214767 QUICK BITS GLASS HOUSES Users ditch Glassdoor, stunned by site adding real names without consent https://futurism.com/glassdoor-real-name-policy https://mashable.com/article/glassdoor-real-names-privacy https://www.engadget.com/glassdoor-reportedly-attaches-real-names-to-anonymous-accounts-120058183.html PLATO’S CAVE YouTube will require disclosure of AI-manipulated videos from creators https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/disclosing-ai-generated-content/ https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/18/tech/youtube-ai-label-for-creators/index.html Animated, non-realistic videos (most of those are for kids) are exempt https://www.wired.com/story/kids-cartoons-free-pass-youtube-deepfake-disclosure-rules/ BANISHED FROM THE GARDEN Hackintosh enthusiasts concerned the practice might be dying as Apple drops driver support https://9to5mac.com/2024/03/19/the-end-of-the-hackintosh/ https://aplus.rs/2024/hackintosh-almost-dead/ https://www.techradar.com/computing/mac-os/the-end-of-hackintosh-how-apple-is-sounding-the-death-knell-for-a-once-thriving-online-community ONE TINY PROBLEM AMD TinyBox project put on hold due to GPU instability in AI workloads — firm publicly considering using Intel GPUs https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/amd-tinybox-project-put-on-hold-due-to-gpu-instability-in-ai-workloads-firm-publicly-considering-using-intel-gpus https://wccftech.com/tinycorp-ditches-amd-tinybox-ai-package-opt-for-nvidia-or-intel-options/ Intel prepares for $100 billion spending spree across four US states after acquiring near $20B federal grant https://www.reuters.com/technology/intel-prepares-100-bln-spending-spree-across-four-us-states-2024-03-20/ WETWORK “Disabling cyberattacks” are hitting critical US water systems, White House warns (have reported on one of these incidents in the past, but there’s been significant developments) https://arstechnica.com/security/2024/03/critical-us-water-systems-face-disabling-cyberattacks-white-house-warns/ https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/us-warns-of-cyberattacks-against-water-systems-throughout-nation-1.2048951 https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/19/politics/cyberattacks-water-systems-us/index.html
  6. NEWS SOURCES: BLACKWELL-DONE Nvidia announces Blackwell GB200, the “world’s most powerful chip for AI” https://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/nvidia-blackwell-platform-arrives-to-power-a-new-era-of-computing GTC 2024 Keynote https://youtu.be/Y2F8yisiS6E https://www.pcmag.com/news/meet-nvidias-blackwell-gpu-a-chip-to-supercharge-ai-training DGX NVL72 - Blackwell DGX.mp4 - @0:05 up to 30X the inference performance of Hopper @14:40 Not just chatbots: talked up Digital Twins a lot @50:45 Even made a Digital Twin of EARTH (for weather) https://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/nvidia-announces-earth-climate-digital-twin https://youtu.be/9vEaImsSCrw?t=4 - @0:04 https://www.nextplatform.com/2024/03/18/with-blackwell-gpus-ai-gets-cheaper-and-easier-competing-with-nvidia-gets-harder/ Nvidia competitors all lined up to kiss the ring @16:42, 17:25, 17:57, 18:13 Jensen looked confident https://twitter.com/ryanshrout/status/1769827573188465087 Then tried to explain the ratio of tokens to words and said “this is not going well” @8:53 APPLE TRIES TO MAKE FRIENDS Apple in discussions with Google/OpenAI to use Gemini for gen AI on iPhones https://twitter.com/markgurman/status/1769596923013747014 Speculation Apple is falling behind https://gizmodo.com/apple-cant-build-ai-asking-google-gemini-power-siri-1851343967 Tim Cook promised big AI announcements this year, tipped for WWDC https://lmg.gg/MkwS1 (Gizmodo) Google paused Gemini’s image generation after controversy https://www.axios.com/2024/02/23/google-gemini-images-stereotypes-controversy BUT Apple just revealed MM1, an AI family which apparently competes with Gemini and GPT-4 https://twitter.com/rowancheung/status/1769509530776338895 Pre-print paper https://arxiv.org/abs/2403.09611 Paper seems to focus more on pre-training than the resultant models https://www.tomsguide.com/ai/apple-reveals-mm1-ai-model-and-it-could-power-the-new-siri-20 “The researchers behind MM1 claim their new method speeds up performance and reduces the number of follow up prompts to get a desired result.” https://lmg.gg/dYEJc (Tom’s Guide) Taking their time, NOT staying indoors for 4 months to push out an AI like X xAI open-sources Grok-1 weights and architecture under Apache 2.0 license https://x.ai/blog/grok-os https://huggingface.co/xai-org/grok-1 Gemini’s image generation https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/feb/28/google-chief-ai-tools-photo-diversity-offended-users VENTURA GUESS Meta Quest 3 lite leaks in renders https://www.androidcentral.com/gaming/virtual-reality/meta-quest-3s-leak-presentation in now-deleted reddit thread, reposted on Twitter https://twitter.com/Lunayian/status/1769104387702460616 Lines up with The Verge article from last year https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/28/23619730/meta-vr-oculus-ar-glasses-smartwatch-plans Meta VR vice president Mark Rabkin discussed “accessible” headset for 2024 https://lmg.gg/LcLM2 (The Verge) Earlier leaked render doesn’t have pass-through https://twitter.com/ZGFTECH/status/1768529195586773124 Whereas new leak allegedly from Meta User Research Zoom meeting seems to feature pass-through Presentation says “Discover Mixed reality” in French (EDITOR: click on rightmost photo and zoom in on the left side of the image where it says “découvrez la réalité mixte”) https://twitter.com/Lunayian/status/1769104387702460616/photo/2 QUICK BITS KNOW WHEN TO FOLD ‘EM Leaked price for Samsung’s rumored Z Fold 6 FE budget foldable https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-6-fe-may-drop-this-key-feature-to-bring-the-price-down New report from Korean outlet SisaJournal-e suggests price of 1.05 million won, or about $800 US dollars https://www.sisajournal-e.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=401313 Foldable will have lesser chip https://9to5google.com/2024/03/18/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-6-price-report/ No S Pen support, worse display, smaller battery https://lmg.gg/4QV65 (9to5Google) Apple product roadmap allegedly leaks https://www.phonearena.com/news/apple-roadmap-reveals-exciting-information-foldable-iphone-ar-glasses_id156372 leaked by @Tech_Reve on Twitter https://twitter.com/Tech_Reve/status/1768935856004563368 Lines up with reporting from The Elec https://lmg.gg/aXu2r “Researcher Kang Min-soo said, “Apple is predicted to release a 7-8 inch foldable iPhone in 2026.”” (EDITOR: scroll down to highlighted quote) https://lmg.gg/OjDT5 WE’RE #2! Qualcomm launches Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset as a cheaper option for premium phones https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/18/24101903/qualcomm-snapdragon-8s-gen-3-chipset-on-device-ai https://www.anandtech.com/show/21307/qualcomm-announces-snapdragon-8s-gen-3 https://www.engadget.com/qualcomms-snapdragon-8s-gen-3-chip-is-a-notch-below-its-flagship-processor-075258397.html SMALL DISK ENERGY Huawei develops new archival storage tech https://www.techradar.com/pro/huawei-may-have-used-a-very-clever-trick-to-make-hard-disks-use-less-power-spin-on-demand-disk-drives-may-well-compete-with-tape-on-performance-but-at-what-cost Story broken by Blocks and Files https://blocksandfiles.com/2024/03/12/huawei-med-drive-information-emerging-slowly/ https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/storage/huaweis-new-magneto-electrical-disks-promise-90-lower-power-consumption-than-hdds-ability-to-store-tons-of-archival-data THEY CAN SEE YOUR HOUSE FROM HERE SpaceX building spy satellites https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/musks-spacex-is-building-spy-satellite-network-us-intelligence-agency-sources-2024-03-16/ https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/16/24103172/spacex-starshield-spy-satellite-network-us-intelligence-classified-contract https://www.engadget.com/spacex-is-reportedly-building-hundreds-of-spy-satellites-for-the-us-government-150024771.html LITERALLY BREATH-TAKING VIEW Space tourism firm offers Michelin meal on edge of space for just $500,000 https://interestingengineering.com/news/space-tourism-firm-offers-fine-dining-on-edge-of-space-for-500000 https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3255805/us500000-luxury-meal-space-created-chef-2-michelin-star-restaurant-has-people-flying-sign https://hothardware.com/news/dine-20-miles-above-earth-in-spacevip-balloon
  7. NEWS SOURCES: TO THE CORE Apple will let EU iPhones download apps directly from dev's websites - subject to similar restrictions as "app marketplaces" https://www.androidauthority.com/apple-sideload-apps-from-web-big-catches-3424679/ https://www.reuters.com/technology/apple-let-developers-distribute-apps-directly-their-sites-2024-03-12/ “gone full Android” https://www.androidpolice.com/apple-sideloading-apps-ios-third-party/ https://9to5mac.com/2024/03/12/iphone-app-store-changes-web-distribution-more/ https://developer.apple.com/news/?id=8c1m8hqt https://developer.apple.com/support/web-distribution-eu/ Install warning https://lmg.gg/wz4ly HOPPING ON THE BANWAGON The EU AI Act passed https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/14/24001919/eu-ai-act-foundation-models-regulation-data https://apnews.com/article/ai-act-european-union-chatbots-155157e2be2e42d0f1acca33983d8c82 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20240308IPR19015/artificial-intelligence-act-meps-adopt-landmark-law follows US-government-commissioned report claiming AI poses “extinction-level threat” https://time.com/6898967/ai-extinction-national-security-risks-report/ And OpenAI’s CTO Mura Murati says Sora will be publicly available this year https://www.wsj.com/tech/personal-tech/openai-cto-sora-generative-video-interview-b66320bb?mod=personal-tech_news_article_pos1 https://www.techradar.com/computing/artificial-intelligence/openais-sora-will-one-day-add-audio-editing-and-may-allow-nudity-in-content after Sora team members said it won’t be available “anytime soon” https://youtu.be/Srh1lut4Q2A?t=3858 @ 1:04:17 OUR PRINCESS IS IN ANOTHER CASTLE Kate Middleton photo scandal Took time out of the public eye due to a surgery https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/03/kate-middleton-conspiracies-privacy/677729/ Photo was edited, but probably not significantly https://globalnews.ca/news/10352208/kate-middleton-photo-edited-examples-close-ups/ Her face looks the same because it’s the same face https://twitter.com/gothspiderbitch/status/1767307988761461102 Tom Warren debunks it maybe? https://twitter.com/tomwarren/status/1767314501295018118 https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/12/24098548/kate-middleton-royal-family-photoshop-manipulated-image QUICK BITS TINY BUT MIGHTY Developments in alternatives to Nvidia’s AI chip dominance The Tiny Corp, maker of tinybox, founded by infamous hardware hacker George Hotz, feuds with AMD over their AI tools https://www.techradar.com/pro/amd-ceo-offers-to-help-ai-startup-that-uses-radeon-7900-xtx-gpus-but-will-it-backfire-for-lisa-su-as-she-seemingly-supports-use-of-consumer-parts-in-enterprise-use-cases https://twitter.com/__tinygrad__/status/1765101590866796724 Tenstorrent, headed by legendary chip architect Jim Keller, launches dev kits for their RISC-V-based Grayskull AI PCIe card https://linuxgizmos.com/tenstorrent-officially-launches-their-first-grayskull-ai-dev-kits/ https://www.hackster.io/news/tenstorrent-launches-its-risc-v-powered-ai-inference-acceleration-boards-the-grayskull-e75-and-e150-e5b07d9e7274 https://tenstorrent.com/cards/ also partnered with multiple Japanese chip companies – making a play on the future of RISC-V and taking on Taiwan’s dominance https://venturebeat.com/ai/tenstorrent-partners-with-japans-lstc-to-create-2nm-ai-accelerator-chips/ MAC-RO BUS Apple Car: Leaked design info reveals it would've been a minivan https://mashable.com/article/apple-car-minivan-design https://insideevs.com/news/711928/vw-buzz-critical-materials/ Apple reportedly developed chip equivalent to four M2 Ultras for Apple Car project https://9to5mac.com/2024/03/11/apple-car-chip-four-m2-ultra/ SQUEALS ON WHEELS Carmakers Are Snitching On You And Selling Your Driving Data To Insurers https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/technology/carmakers-driver-tracking-insurance.html https://www.carscoops.com/2024/03/carmakers-are-snitching-on-you-and-selling-your-driving-data-to-insurers/ https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a60175396/connected-cars-driver-data-tracking-insurance/ Joke: Snitches get riches BETTER LATE THAN NEVER THEY STILL KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER Airbnb bans creepy surveillance cameras inside rentals starting April 30 https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/03/airbnb-bans-creepy-surveillance-cameras-inside-rentals-starting-april-30/ https://news.airbnb.com/an-update-on-our-policy-on-security-cameras/ https://globalnews.ca/news/10354011/airbnb-indoor-security-cameras-ban-rentals/ APPLE INCEPTION Researchers say that you could attack people inception style using VR headsets https://interestingengineering.com/news/apple-vision-pro-and-meta-quest-in-danger-of-inception-style-attacks https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-headset-inception-attacks-trap-users-fake-environment-study-2024-3 Surgeons perform UK's first operation using Apple's Vision Pro headset https://9to5mac.com/2024/03/12/vision-pro-used-in-surgery/ https://www.techspot.com/news/102212-uk-surgeons-perform-first-operation-using-apple-vision.html
  8. NEWS SOURCES: LEAN, GREEN, MIXED NEWS MACHINE Nvidia News Leaks about RTX 50 series https://www.techspot.com/news/102211-nvidia-rtx-50-series-blackwell-gpus-tipped-use.html Based on GB202 and GB203 GPUs, thanks to ya boy kopite7kimi https://twitter.com/kopite7kimi/status/1767083262512615456 28Gbps speed for GDDR7 VRAM https://twitter.com/kopite7kimi/status/1767083479811113209 Specs of GDDR7 just released https://www.anandtech.com/show/21287/jedec-publishes-gddr7-specifications-pam3-ecc-higher-density 28Gbps lower than 32Gbps max on Gen 1 chips, 48Gbps max of spec https://lmg.gg/kr9Wt (Anandtech) faster memory; other details unclear https://www.gamesradar.com/nvidia-geforce-rtx-5000-gpus-could-feature-faster-gddr7-memory-but-other-details-are-up-for-debate/ Based on GB202 and GB203 GPUs, thanks to ya boy kopite7kimi https://twitter.com/kopite7kimi/status/1767083262512615456 Also says GB202 will have 512-bit memory bus https://twitter.com/kopite7kimi/status/1767078792257052771 28Gbps speed for GDDR7 VRAM https://twitter.com/kopite7kimi/status/1767083479811113209 slower than 32Gbps max https://lmg.gg/7AiEn (Techspot) Stealth-launch 3050 6GB https://youtu.be/eRVYK9LtHLc “This 6GB model does slot neatly into a very popular niche though: low profile.” https://www.reddit.com/r/hardware/comments/1baeewd/comment/ku2ave2/ Jensen Huang seems to suggest next gen DGX systems will be liquid cooled https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/nvidia-ceo-admits-next-gen-dgx-systems-necessitate-liquid-cooling-and-the-new-systems-are-coming-soon Being sued by authors for using their works to train NeMo AI platform without permission https://www.reuters.com/technology/nvidia-is-sued-by-authors-over-ai-use-copyrighted-works-2024-03-10/ https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/03/novelists-sue-nvidia-to-stop-spread-of-ai-models-trained-on-copyrighted-books/ IT HZ WHEN I FREESYNC AMD changes requirement for FreeSync https://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-FreeSync-drops-60-Hz-in-the-name-of-immersion-144-Hz-new-minimum-spec-for-tear-free-gaming.811115.0.html Announcement by AMD https://community.amd.com/t5/gaming/evolution-of-gaming-and-amd-freesync-technology/ba-p/670546 Big change from old specs https://www.pcgamesn.com/amd/freesync-spec-144hz FreeSync used to be 40-60Hz https://lmg.gg/ZcbfT (PCGamesN) Monitors and TVs now have to have at least 144Hz refresh rate https://lmg.gg/bvfu0 (AMD) FreeSync Premium WAS 120Hz https://lmg.gg/YFCvM (PCGamesN) FreeSync Premium on FHD requires 200Hz or more https://lmg.gg/eT0dO (AMD) AMD’s new video upscaler available inside Adrenalin control panel https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/amd-video-upscaler-arrives-for-rx-7000-gpu-owners-yearning-for-nvidias-rtx-video AMD’s answer to Nvidia’s RTX VSR, but without AI (as far as we know) https://www.xda-developers.com/amds-algorithm-enhances-video-rx-7000-gpus/ More complicated to enable https://lmg.gg/oiCyX (Tom’s Hardware) Chrome and Edge users need to enable “Media Foundation for Clear” https://lmg.gg/6wdCk (XDA) WHAT GURMAN’S DETERMINED Apple News Next-gen iPads on the way https://www.phonearena.com/news/apple-2024-ipad-pro-ipad-air-launch-still-expected-late-march-or-early-april_id156167 According to Mark Gurman https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-03-10/what-did-the-apple-car-look-like-inside-apple-s-planned-self-driving-vehicle-ltlic8vt Gurman says there’s no dedicated launch event https://twitter.com/markgurman/status/1764308680479265005 They were supposed to be announced last week with site press releases https://www.macrumors.com/2024/03/03/source-apple-product-announcements-this-week/ MAY be working on “entry-level” XR headset $2,000 less than Vision Pro https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/vr-ar/apple-reportedly-accelerating-entry-level-vision-pro-and-it-could-cost-dollar2000-less According to report by The Elec seen Revegnus, trying to reduce cost of micro-OLED displays https://twitter.com/Tech_Reve/status/1764891189017555310 AirPods Pro to gain “hearing aid mode” according to Gurman https://9to5mac.com/2024/03/10/ios-18-airpods-pro-hearing-aid-mode/ 2022 study showed they’re already good https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(22)01708-4 QUICK BITS GIVE THEM SOME CREDDIT Reddit seeks $748m in IPO https://apnews.com/article/reddit-ipo-8e49c9b351c45dac62d1b32d77915119 plan to sell 22m shares at $31-$34 per share, according to fiing https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1713445/000162828024010137/reddit-sx1a1.htm valuation of $6.5bn https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/11/reddit-to-raise-nearly-750-million-in-upcoming-ipo.html XIAOMI A BAD TIME Xiaomi removes ability to play YouTube videos in background for free https://www.androidauthority.com/xiaomi-removes-youtube-background-play-3424315/ https://www.phonearena.com/news/xiaomi-axes-popular-feature-on-phones-running-on-miui-and-hyperos_id156166 https://9to5google.com/2024/03/11/xiaomi-screen-off-youtube-videos-removal/ WORLD’S WORST SECRET KEEPER DOES IT AGAIN Google confirms Pixel 8A’s existence https://9to5google.com/2024/03/09/google-pixel-8a-android-battery-stats/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidphelan/2024/03/10/google-may-have-just-accidentally-leaked-pixel-8a-is-on-its-way/?sh=661583277b48 https://www.androidauthority.com/google-confirms-pixel-8a-launch-3424191/ Bug page https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/317046033#comment11 I AM A GENEROUS MOD Mod gives RTX 20 and GTX 16 Turing GPUs Resizable BAR support https://wccftech.com/nvidia-geforce-rtx-20-gtx-16-turing-gpus-unofficial-resizable-bar-support-nvstrapsrebar/ https://github.com/terminatorul/NvStrapsReBar https://www.pcworld.com/article/2262043/older-geforce-cards-get-rebar-support-with-new-mod.html LINUS STARTS SALIVATING Porsche releases Taycan Turbo GT https://arstechnica.com/cars/2024/03/porsche-adds-1000-horsepower-taycan-turbo-gt-to-its-electric-vehicle-lineup/ https://electrek.co/2024/03/11/porsche-taycan-turbo-gt-tesla-record-fastest-vehicle/ Tim Cook shows up in announcement video after Porsche CEO uses Vision Pro https://www.macrumors.com/2024/03/11/tim-cook-appears-in-porsche-premiere-video/
  9. NEWS SOURCES: I GOT NEW RULES I GOT ‘EM EU’s Digital Markets Act deadline hits; various effects https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/03/on-dma-eve-google-whines-apple-sounds-alarms-and-tiktok-wants-out/ https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-digital-markets-act-change-technology-privacy-ads-apps/ D Meta messaging interoperability https://engineering.fb.com/2024/03/06/security/whatsapp-messenger-messaging-interoperability-eu/ https://www.pcmag.com/news/meta-adds-interoperability-with-signals-tech-for-whatsapp-messenger-in Using Signal protocol https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signal_Protocol TikTok doesn’t think they should be a gatekeeper cuz they’re so young https://lmg.gg/5RhN8 First iOS “app marketplace” https://mobivention.com/presse-en-2/mobivention-revolutionises-the-distribution-of-ios-apps-in-the-eu-with-an-authorised-alternative-app-marketplace/?lang=en https://app-marketplace.eu/?lang=en EU regulators investigating Apple’s termination of Epic’s dev account https://twitter.com/ThierryBreton/status/1765793776692326891 https://www.androidheadlines.com/2024/03/apples-epic-store-ban-garners-attention-from-eu-regulators.html Epic says their account has now been reinstated thanks to swift EC action https://www.epicgames.com/site/en-US/news/apple-terminated-epic-s-developer-account https://twitter.com/TimSweeneyEpic/status/1766158416093798866 Apple says it’s because Epic sent a longer email than the last one https://lmg.gg/uDza1 https://cdn2.unrealengine.com/epic-apple-email-022324-1700x2200-c3f82f4230c7.jpg THE BEST DEFENSE: BUYING YOUR ATTACKER Nikon acquires RED Digital Cinema hashbrown mousepad https://youtu.be/yWBzsBaU-Os?t=980 https://www.engadget.com/nikon-buys-high-end-cinema-camera-company-red-100243796.html https://www.nikon.com/company/news/2024/0307_01.html Red sued Nikon https://www.cined.com/red-takes-legal-action-against-nikon-over-raw-patents/ Over TicoRAW tech https://www.dpreview.com/news/9624409613/nikon-is-licensing-intopix-s-ticoraw-technology-for-its-z9-camera-system Nikon denied infringement https://www.diyphotography.net/nikon-is-trying-to-invalidate-reds-raw-video-patent-arguing-it-shouldnt-have-been-granted-in-the-first-place/ Lawsuit dismissed https://petapixel.com/2023/04/27/reds-lawsuit-against-nikon-dismissed-z9-gets-to-keep-compressed-raw/ https://fstoppers.com/gear/endless-possibilities-now-nikon-acquired-cinema-camera-manufacturer-red-660526 GETTING THE BAN BACK TOGETHER TikTok bill gets unanimous support https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2024/03/07/key-house-panel-passes-potential-tiktok-ban-in-50-0-vote/?sh=39e73e31e658 https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/7521/text?s=1&r=1 https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/tiktok-ban-bill-passes-house-committee-1235934291/ What the Bill Does https://lmg.gg/rzLqw TikTok prompts users to call representatives in-app https://twitter.com/QuiverQuant/status/1765782288288108851 And they did, en masse https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/03/07/congress/tiktok-users-revolt-00145633 QUICK BITS I GOT ROKED INTO THIS Roku disables users’ TVs until they accept terms consenting to forced arbitration https://techcrunch.com/2024/03/05/roku-disables-tvs-and-streaming-devices-until-users-consent-to-forced-arbitration/ https://gizmodo.com/roku-smart-tv-streaming-arbitration-agreement-class-act-1851314150 https://community.roku.com/t5/Features-settings-updates/Roku-disables-players-and-TVs-with-attempt-to-coerce-arbitration-agreement/td-p/950649 GEFORCE TODAY Nvidia announces Geforce Now Day Passes for $4, $8 https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/geforce-now-thursday-day-pass-cygames/ https://linustechtips.com/topic/1561554-nvidia-now-offering-day-passes-for-4-and-8-but-at-least-we-got-g-sync-and-reflex-right-right/ and variable refresh rate https://www.anandtech.com/show/21292/variable-refresh-rate-support-comes-to-nvidias-geforce-now-cloud-streaming-service on Nvidia and… Apple GPUs, not Intel or AMD https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5504 PRESS G TO PAY RESPECTS Nvidia will retire GTX brand after GTX 16 series cards sell out https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/graphics-cards/so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-pixels-nvidia-reportedly-retiring-the-gtx-brand-for-good/ https://videocardz.com/newz/nvidia-discontinues-geforce-gtx-16-gpus-the-end-of-gtx-series https://www.gamesradar.com/pour-one-out-for-nvidia-geforce-gtx-as-the-old-graphics-card-line-up-has-been-discontinued/ RIVIN’ LA RIVA LOCA Rivian R2, R3, R3X https://mashable.com/article/rivian-r2-r3-r3x https://youtu.be/W6-IXVVvJZM?t=44 Rivian Adventure Network chargers https://youtu.be/82IiXIKkRIA @11:01 R2 @14:57 R3 @26:02 R3X @30:56 SMUGGLING ON EASY MODE Google engineer charged for smuggling AI trade secrets to China https://apnews.com/article/china-google-justice-department-63156ade1e564d15d92adbef91e9c5da https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68497508 https://www.npr.org/2024/03/06/1236380984/china-google-fbi-ai
  10. NEWS SOURCES: THE APPENING Microsoft to end its Android apps on Windows 11 subsystem in 2025 https://www.pcworld.com/article/2256353/microsoft-is-killing-android-apps-on-windows-11.html https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-is-ending-support-for-android-apps-on-windows-213534468.html https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/android/wsa/ https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-11/microsoft-is-killing-support-for-running-android-apps-on-windows-11 DMAPPLE Apple tweaks changes to comply with EU tech rules after criticism https://www.reuters.com/technology/apple-tweaks-changes-comply-with-eu-tech-rules-after-criticism-2024-03-06/ They don’t have much time, DMA deadline is tomorrow Apple’s DMA response could render the law toothless, say campaign groups https://9to5mac.com/2024/03/06/apples-dma-response/ Epic says its iOS game store plans are stalled because Apple banned its developer account https://techcrunch.com/2024/03/06/apple-terminates-epic-games-developer-account-calling-it-a-threat-to-the-ios-ecosystem/ https://www.epicgames.com/site/en-US/news/apple-terminated-epic-s-developer-account Epic’s Tim Sweeney slams Google for ‘malicious compliance’ with EU’s Digital Markets Act https://venturebeat.com/games/epics-tim-sweeney-slams-google-for-malicious-compliance-with-eus-digital-markets-act/ Google points to privacy changes, choice screens and data API ahead of DMA compliance day https://techcrunch.com/2024/03/05/google-dma-changes/ https://blog.google/around-the-globe/google-europe/complying-with-the-digital-markets-act/ DAISY DAISY Anthropic’s Claude 3 causes stir by seeming to realize when it was being tested Anthropic’s Claude 3 beats GPT 4, Gemini Ultra in several benchmarks https://mobilesyrup.com/2024/03/05/anthropic-claude-3-gpt-4-gemini-ultra/ benchmarks https://twitter.com/AnthropicAI/status/1764653830468428150/photo/1 Anthropic’s Claude 3 causes stir by seeming to realize when it was being tested https://www.anthropic.com/news/claude-3-family https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2024/03/claude-3-seems-to-detect-when-it-is-being-tested-sparking-ai-buzz-online/ QUICK BITS CONSTRUCT ADDITIONAL PYLON Tesla’s German Factory shuts down due to possible arson https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tesla-plant-germany-without-power-after-suspected-arson-attack-bz-2024-03-05/ https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/05/business/tesla-berlin-arson-attack-power/index.html The German Tesla plant fire is claimed by far-left ‘Volcano Group’ https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/mar/05/leftwing-vulkan-group-claim-responsibility-tesla-factory-pylon-arson-attack-berlin https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-68479242 BUTTON IT European crash tester says carmakers must bring back physical controls https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/stop-making-dangerous-touchscreens-car-firms-told-xv3gmpdc6 https://futurism.com/the-byte/europe-automakers-buttons-knobs-safer-touchscreens Cars will need fewer screens and more buttons to earn 5-star safety rating in Europe https://insideevs.com/news/711189/bring-back-buttons-safety-rating/ WAGON REPAIR Oregon Right to Repair bill https://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/2024/03/oregon-passes-expansive-right-to-repair-law-defying-tech-industry-concerns.html Specific quote from bill summary https://lmg.gg/ZhwwH https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/oregon-legislature-right-to-repair-consumer-electronics/283-48b9e4df-4c0f-4f20-8ac5-635e50eb9ec1 https://techcrunch.com/2024/03/05/right-to-repair-bill-targeting-parts-pairing-passes-oregon-house/ THE ROBOCALL IS COMING FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE Google is starting to squash more spam and ai in search results (they are also to blame for how much spam there is) https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/5/24091099/google-search-high-quality-results-spam-ai-content https://blog.google/products/search/google-search-update-march-2024/ https://www.engadget.com/google-is-changing-its-search-results-to-weed-out-seo-spam-195259063.html THE TOP 4% Linux market share passes 4% for first time; macOS dominance declines https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/03/linux-continues-growing-market-share-reaches-4-of-desktops/ https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/desktop/worldwide https://www.neowin.net/news/linux-for-desktop-market-share-surpasses-4-for-the-first-time-says-statcounter/
  11. NEWS SOURCES: MAINS BITTER LEMON Nintendo sues Yuzu https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-sues-switch-emulator-creator-for-facilitating-piracy-at-a-colossal-scale https://www.polygon.com/24085140/nintendo-totk-leaked-yuzu-lawsuit-emulator https://kotaku.com/nintendo-zelda-tears-kingdom-switch-yuzu-emulate-pirate-1851293463 https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-suing-creators-of-switch-emulator-says-tears-of-the-kingdom-was-pirated-1-million-times-pre-launch/1100-6521417/ KILLER APP(LE) After a decade of stops and starts, Apple kills its electric car project https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/28/tech/apple-cancels-electric-car/index.html https://www.bbc.com/news/business-68420817 Apple under fire for disabling iPhone web apps—EU asks developers to weigh in https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/02/apple-under-fire-for-disabling-iphone-web-apps-eu-asks-developers-to-weigh-in/ Netflix confirms it’s cutting off Apple billing for legacy subscribers https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/26/netflix-stops-allowing-app-store-payment/ https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/02/27/netflix-ends-subscriptions-for-legacy-in-app-payment-users MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE Intel puts 1nm process (10A) on the roadmap for 2027 — also plans for fully AI-automated factories with 'Cobots' https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/cpus/intel-puts-1nm-process-10a-on-the-roadmap-for-2027-aiming-for-fully-ai-automated-factories-with-cobots Roadmap https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iUo6natDCxZNAprYxFxg5M.jpg - EDITOR: zoom in on “Intel 10A” at the top of the graph on the left https://www.pcgamer.com/intel-plots-1nm-silicon-for-2027-but-are-the-wheels-coming-off-its-existing-roadmap/ https://www.extremetech.com/computing/intel-adds-new-1nm-node-to-its-foundry-roadmap-for-2027 Cobots? https://www.universal-robots.com/products/collaborative-robots-cobots-benefits/ QUICK BITS DAFT PUNK? Adobe’s new prototype generative AI tool is the ‘Photoshop’ of music-making and editing https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/28/24085551/adobe-project-music-genai-control-prototype-tool-hot-pod https://techcrunch.com/2024/02/28/adobe-reveals-a-genai-tool-for-music/ https://au.pcmag.com/audio/104175/photoshop-for-music-adobe-teases-text-to-music-generative-ai-tool NOW, IT’S PERSONAL Biden orders crackdown on selling Americans’ personal data abroad https://www.axios.com/2024/02/28/biden-data-broker-regulation https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/02/26/biden-sensitive-data-china-ban/ Last week was cybersecurity at ports https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/21/biden-executive-order-on-port-cybersecurity-targets-china-made-cranes.html Meta will start collecting “anonymized” data about Quest headset usage https://www.androidauthority.com/meta-quest-data-collection-3420320/ TUMBLING AILONG Tumblr’s owner is striking deals with OpenAI and Midjourney for training data, says report https://www.404media.co/tumblr-and-wordpress-to-sell-users-data-to-train-ai-tools/ https://mashable.com/article/tumblr-wordpress-selling-user-data-openai-mirjourney Tumblr ads language about AI Models to its privacy policy https://help.tumblr.com/hc/en-us/articles/115011611747-Privacy-options#h_01HQP3KFE5TB8MQE0JRW29W86T GUESS WHO’S BACK? Moon lander updates Odysseus has less than a day left on the Moon before it freezes to death https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/02/nasa-found-the-private-lander-on-the-moon-but-its-lifetime-is-running-short/ Japanese SLIM probe surivives lunar night https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/japans-slim-moon-probe-unexpectedly-survives-lunar-night-2024-02-26/ https://twitter.com/SLIM_JAXA/status/1761981979237732355?s=20 VR GOES OFF THE RAILS Honda’s ‘extended reality’ is a mash-up of VR and motorized wheelchairs https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/28/24085556/honda-extended-reality-vr-uni-one-mobility-wheelchair https://hondanews.com/en-US/releases/release-2cfa72bd4b4cd3f113d33f001f05c68f-honda-combines-personal-mobility-and-vr-in-worlds-first-extended-reality-mobility-experience-to-debut-at-sxsw-2024?selectedTabId=release-2cfa72bd4b4cd3f113d33f001f05c68f-videos&modal=video-2cfa72bd4b4cd3f113d33f001f060fc3 https://global.honda/en/tech/Hands-free_seated_personal_mobility_device_UNI-ONE/
  12. NEWS SOURCES: GOING GREEN Nvidia hits $2 trillion valuation https://www.reuters.com/technology/nvidia-hits-2-trillion-valuation-ai-frenzy-grips-wall-street-2024-02-23/ looks bubbly https://www.axios.com/2024/02/23/nvidia-valuation-chipmakers-trillion Microsoft, Google earnings disappoint investors https://www.theverge.com/24075086/ai-investment-hype-earnings many others working on custom AI chips like Intel, Microsoft https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/cpus/intel-lands-dollar15-billion-foundry-deal-for-custom-microsoft-processor-18a-process-tech-to-be-used-for-very-exciting-platform-shift But Nvidia didn’t even name Intel as a top competitor https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/23/business/china-nvidia-huawei-competitor-ai-chips-intl-hnk/index.html Huawei, AMD, Amazon, Microsoft, Broadcom https://lmg.gg/FI6LL Nvidia replaces Geforce Experience, Control Panel with single “Nvidia App” https://videocardz.com/newz/nvidia-app-revealed-unified-modern-control-panel-and-experience-software-rtx-hdr-and-optional-login https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/software/nvidia-app/ combine Geforce Experience’s Optimal Game settings and Control Panel’s 3D settings https://images.nvidia.com/aem-dam/Solutions/geforce/news/nvidia-app-beta-download/nvidia-app-graphics-and-settings-section.jpg Hardware Unboxed helpful overview https://youtu.be/aiwuYbURWVI Hopefully doesn’t lead to a Win11 Control Panel situation https://www.lifewire.com/open-control-panel-in-windows-11-5193187 A REAL GEM Google pauses Gemini image generation after complaints about racial bias https://www.bbc.com/news/business-68364690 https://blog.google/products/gemini/gemini-image-generation-issue/ pope https://twitter.com/IMAO_/status/1760093853430710557 https://qz.com/google-ai-image-generator-bard-historically-inaccurate-1851277818 Racially diverse Nazi soldiers https://twitter.com/JohnLu0x/status/1760066875583816003 Coming up with ways to ask for “white people” without saying that https://twitter.com/IMAO_/status/1760098935408881790 https://twitter.com/IMAO_/status/1760099188249948462 Apparently would refuse prompts for Latino people too https://www.reddit.com/r/technology/comments/1ax4b7e/comment/krly89f/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3 3 weeks after adding image generation to Bard https://blog.google/products/geini/google-bard-gemini-pro-image-generation/ OpenAI does something similar, inserting diversity-related terms into prompts, but they seem to have balanced it better https://openai.com/blog/reducing-bias-and-improving-safety-in-dall-e-2 Stability Diffusion 3 https://stability.ai/news/stable-diffusion-3 https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2024/02/stability-announces-stable-diffusion-3-a-next-gen-ai-image-generator/ pretty fricken good https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dalle3_SD3_comparison.jpg https://twitter.com/debarghya_das/status/1760873412074086903/photo/1 https://twitter.com/debarghya_das/status/1760873428557635625 Hopefully Google figures out their AI because everyone’s going to be using it instead of typing things themselves https://blog.google/products/chrome/google-chrome-ai-help-me-write/ https://lmg.gg/CTnsW REDDIT AND WEPT Reddit selling stock to top users, moderators https://www.npr.org/2024/02/22/1233245941/meet-rddt-popular-social-platform-reddit-to-sell-stock-in-an-unusual-ipo https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1713445/000162828024006294/reddits-1q423.htm offering stock to top users https://lmg.gg/sjilo AI content licensing deal https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/reddit-signs-ai-content-licensing-deal-ahead-of-ipo-1.2036051 Partnered with Google https://blog.google/inside-google/company-announcements/expanded-reddit-partnership/ Notes that AI companies were training on Reddit data anyway - EDITOR: Ctrl+F in the SEC doc above - “Our content is particularly important for artificial intelligence (“AI”) – it is a foundational part of how many of the leading large language models (“LLMs”) have been trained.” Sam Altman one of Reddit’s biggest shareholders https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/reddit-files-ipo-sam-altman-newhouse-family-investors-1235833080/ Could get millions https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/22/openai-ceo-sam-altman-stands-to-net-millions-as-reddit-goes-public.html QUICK BITS MMMM VISION!!! HOW IRONIC!! Vision Pro owners report crack in glass https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/23/apple-vision-pro-front-glass-cracked-reports/ https://www.reddit.com/r/VisionPro/comments/1awr2di/cracked_but_not_dropped/ https://www.reddit.com/r/VisionPro/comments/1ajl51r/3_days_in_and_we_have_a_crack_on_the_outer_glass/ https://www.reddit.com/r/VisionPro/comments/1axc3bo/sudden_random_crack_in_the_front_glass/ https://www.reddit.com/r/VisionPro/comments/1axdm39/another_cracked_vision_pro/ https://www.engadget.com/some-apple-vision-pro-units-reportedly-developed-a-similar-hairline-crack-on-the-front-glass-173701528.html?src=rss IPHONE 30 ALREADY? iPhone 15 battery life nearly doubled https://9to5mac.com/2024/02/20/iphone-15-battery-lifescyle-span/ https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/iphones/apple-says-iphone-15-battery-lifespan-is-now-doubled-but-theres-a-catch https://mashable.com/article/iphone-15-battery-health-1000-cycles TRACK YOUR VENDING HABITS Vending machines at University of Waterloo equipped with facial recognition https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/23/vending-machine-facial-recognition-canada-univeristy-waterloo https://mathnews.uwaterloo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/mathNEWS-154-3.pdf#page=6 https://www.reddit.com/r/uwaterloo/comments/1anvv0q/hey_so_why_do_the_stupid_mm_machines_have_facial/ https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/facial-recognition-error-message-on-vending-machine-sparks-concern-at-university-of-waterloo-1.6779835 https://futurism.com/the-byte/error-message-vending-maching-facial-recognition GREEK CONNECTION TENUOUS Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus is first US lander on the moon since 1972 https://apnews.com/article/moon-landing-private-odysseus-nasa-14dfdc76176f9f7a6a68a099c98bbbb9 https://www.space.com/intuitive-machines-odysseus-lander-alive-well-update-one https://spacenews.com/intuitive-machines-lands-on-the-moon/ NO QUESTIONS. ONLY DOOM Is it April 1st? You can play Doom on this robot lawnmower https://www.dexerto.com/tech/doom-soon-to-be-playable-on-a-lawn-mower-as-husqvarna-lets-you-mow-down-demons-2552195/ https://youtu.be/lp3X4IL4_UA @:0:23
  13. NEWS SOURCES: TRY QUINOA iPhone 16 details leak https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidphelan/2024/02/20/apple-iphone-16-to-feature-game-changing-hardware-upgrade-new-leak-claims-iphone-16-pro-max-neural-engine-cores/?sh=27ced2e33475 Tim Cook teases BIG Apple AI announcements later this year https://mashable.com/article/tim-cook-apple-ai-announcement iPhone 16 Rumored to Feature 'Significantly' Upgraded Neural Engine for iOS 18's Generative AI Features https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/14/iphone-16-upgraded-neural-engine-rumor/ Apple rolls out “quantum-proof encryption” for iMessage upgrade https://security.apple.com/blog/imessage-pq3/ https://www.wired.com/story/apple-pq3-post-quantum-encryption/ editor: https://12ft.io/https://www.wired.com/story/apple-pq3-post-quantum-encryption/ Ipad Leaks https://9to5mac.com/2024/02/20/larger-ipad-air-thinner-ipad-pro/ Apple Says don’t put your phone in Rice https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-68357165 TIKKED OFF EU accuses TikTok of failing to stop kids pretending to be adults https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/02/eu-accuses-tiktok-of-failing-to-stop-kids-pretending-to-be-adults/ Commission opens formal proceedings against TikTok under the Digital Services Act (protection of minors, advertising transparency, data access for researchers, as well as the risk management of addictive design and harmful content.) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_926 Report: Apple is about to be fined €500 million by the EU over music streaming / Spotify complaint https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/feb/19/apple-faces-possible-500m-fine-from-eu-over-music-streaming-access Apple faces €500m fine from EU over Spotify complaint https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/apple-set-to-face-near-500-million-eu-fine-in-spotify-row-1.2036281 2B OR NOT 2B? Google releases Gemma 2B and 7B (smaller open-source AI models for language tasks in English) https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/21/24078610/google-gemma-gemini-small-ai-model-open-source https://blog.google/technology/developers/gemma-open-models/ https://huggingface.co/blog/gemma “long history” https://twitter.com/demishassabis/status/1760292935470403656 Gemini rolling out to Gmail, Docs, and more with Google One AI Premium https://9to5google.com/2024/02/21/gemini-gmail-google-docs-personal/ ChatGPT has meltdown and starts sending alarming messages to users https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/chatgpt-status-reddit-down-gibberish-messages-latest-b2499816.html GPT being cwazy https://www.reddit.com/r/ChatGPTPro/comments/1avy2vo/gpt_has_gone_nuts_what_in_the_world_is_going_on/?share_id=DOWjLEK5PUfaBWa8JRShV&utm_content=1&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1 Bug Resolved https://status.openai.com/incidents/ssg8fh7sfyz3 ChatGPT lazy https://www.inc.com/ben-sherry/chatgpt-is-showing-signs-of-laziness-openai-says-ai-might-need-a-fix.html US Patent office says that OpenAI can’t register ‘GPT’ as a trademark — yet https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/16/24075304/trademark-pto-openai-gpt-deny QUICK BITS YOU WOULDN’T DOWNLOAD A BILLION DOLLARS Court blocks $1 billion copyright ruling that punished ISP for its users’ piracy https://www.engadget.com/appeals-court-overturns-1-billion-copyright-lawsuit-against-cox-130810427.html https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/20/24078418/cox-communications-wont-have-to-pay-1-billion-to-record-labels-after-all https://torrentfreak.com/appeals-court-vacates-1-billion-piracy-damages-award-against-cox-orders-new-trial-240221/ BLACKBOX Musk claims Neuralink patient doing OK with implant, can move mouse with brain https://fortune.com/2024/02/21/elon-musk-neuralink-brain-chip-implant-patient/ https://www.pcgamer.com/elon-musk-says-the-first-neuralink-patient-can-already-use-brain-implant-to-control-a-mouse-cursor/ Researchers concerned about transparency https://www.wired.com/story/neuralink-brain-implant-elon-musk-transparency-first-patient-test-trial/ Editor: https://12ft.io/https://www.wired.com/story/neuralink-brain-implant-elon-musk-transparency-first-patient-test-trial/ SHALLOWREAL Deepfake regulation open letter https://www.reuters.com/technology/cybersecurity/ai-godfather-others-urge-more-deepfake-regulation-open-letter-2024-02-21/ https://openletter.net/l/disrupting-deepfakes Will Smith Actually eats Spaghetti https://www.instagram.com/p/C3i5vAZvRS3/ SOMEBODY’S WATCHING ME “So violated”: Wyze cameras leak footage to strangers for 2nd time in 5 months https://mashable.com/article/wyze-security-camera-privacy-breach-13000-users https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/02/wyze-cameras-gave-13000-people-unauthorized-views-of-strangers-homes/ Wyze email to clients: https://forums.wyze.com/t/update-on-investigation-of-2-16-24-security-issue/291002/5 https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/20/tech/wyze-breach-camera/index.html ARMAGEDDON IN MINIATURE European satellite will make an uncontrolled return to Earth Wednesday https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/feb/21/uncontrolled-european-satellite-to-fall-to-earth-today-after-30-years-in-orbit Satellite weighing as much as adult rhino to crash through Earth's atmosphere today https://www.cbsnews.com/news/satellite-ers2-to-crash-through-earths-atmosphere-this-week/ New Spacecraft recently delivered to orbit will clear space debris from atmosphere https://www.space.com/rocket-lab-launch-astroscale-space-junk-inspection-mission
  14. NEWS SOURCES: Apple won’t be forced to open up iMessage by EU https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/apple-imessage-microsoft-bing-dodge-eu-s-big-tech-crackdown-1.2034181 Apple insists App Store must be locked down to protect users but then this stuff still happens: Stealth piracy app makes it to no. 8 in popularity on Apple’s App Store https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/02/13/a-movie-piracy-app-snuck-onto-the-app-store-in-2023-and-apple-only-just-killed-it Apple appears to be breaking iPhone web apps in the EU https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/14/24072764/apple-progressive-web-apps-eu-ios-17-4 iOS 17.4 Nerfs Web Apps in the EU https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/08/ios-17-4-nerfs-web-apps-in-the-eu/ THIS IS WHAT YOU WANTED…RIGHT? Apple announces official support for third-party app stores, payment systems, and browser engines on iOS... only in the EU https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/01/apple-announces-changes-to-ios-safari-and-the-app-store-in-the-european-union/ - EDITOR: this is what is being referenced by Source1, below Alternative app marketplaces + browser engines EDITOR screenshot the first 4 bullet points under “Changes to iOS” section in Source1 BUT IT’S SO DANGEROUS https://twitter.com/TechLinkedYT/status/1750640917286146496/photo/1 So all marketplaces must be authorized and apps must be Notarized EDITOR screenshot the next 4 bullet points starting with “Notarization for iOS apps” in Source1 Some calling this “sideloading” – it’s not https://www.macrumors.com/2024/01/24/sideloading-in-europe-app-review-and-fees/ New business terms: Reduced 10/17% commissions, + 3% if you use Apple Pay https://lmg.gg/IS7vD Bonus: users won’t see oooh scary warning https://twitter.com/dhh/status/1750682933638373424 NEW Core Technology Fee – devs pay €0.50 per annual install over 1 million, even for free apps https://lmg.gg/HmiYC similar to Unity’s Runtime fee https://twitter.com/AshleyGullen/status/1750599926369693966 Devs can avoid CTF by staying on CURRENT business terms and stay exclusively on App Store https://lmg.gg/UQVps Also app installs on iPadOS don’t count? https://lmg.gg/RUGyB App marketplace devs pay CTF every time their marketplace app is installed, even before 1 million https://lmg.gg/eBC2C Apple does recognize the danger of install spam https://lmg.gg/56nab the only entity that can bankrupt you is Apple: https://twitter.com/nikitabier/status/1750592825060921353 Need a letter of credit of a million Euros to launch a marketplace https://lmg.gg/3Cksu Why only in EU? Cuz of danger: Apple blocked $2 billion in fraudulent transactions in 2022 https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/05/app-store-stopped-more-than-2-billion-in-fraudulent-transactions-in-2022/ So did… Google https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2023/03/play-commerce-prevented-fraudulent-and-abusive-transactions-in-2022.html
  15. AI KILLED THE VIDEO STAR OpenAI’s new Sora model creates (actually) photorealistic, mostly coherent videos up to a minute long https://openai.com/sora some shots are ACTUALLY indistinguishable from real footage i.e. drone shot - EDITOR – surf.mp4, tokyo.mp4, cat.mp4, astronaut.mp4 Some compelling 3D animated and unrealistic clips EDITOR – pixar.mp4, fish.mp4 but there are also the standard clips of things morphing, phasing in and out of existence and horrific simulacra of humans struggling to operate their hand-sausages. - EDITOR – chair.mp4, dogs.mp4, grandma.mp4 so a closer look still makes the AI obvious but it’s mindblowing compared to Runway Gen2 https://twitter.com/doganuraldesign/status/1758411554595234189 https://twitter.com/doganuraldesign/status/1758411547515244885 https://twitter.com/doganuraldesign/status/1758411543556092021 can also animate still images (screen record) https://lmg.gg/doJEz and interpolate two videos so they blend - EDITOR – scroll down to the 3 videos of the chameleon and bird; screen record and start all the videos at the same time https://lmg.gg/FmM83 Many arguing that enough is enough https://twitter.com/M1das_OW2/status/1758242820677366062?t=_bKxzBuzenTQlGoXEJf2Sg&s=19 Sam Altman was taking prompt requests on Twitter https://twitter.com/sama - EDITOR: scroll down and screen record so you see a couple of the video tweets at once speaking of unreal, people think it’s somehow using Unreal Engine 5 https://twitter.com/ralphbrooks/status/1758230974700130445 partially because entities can affect other entities EDITOR – burger.mp4 either by being trained on synthetic videos created with UE5, or by actually incorporating physics simulations into the model itself https://twitter.com/DrJimFan/status/1758210245799920123 that would make sense given that it can literally simulate Minecraft… imperfectly https://techcrunch.com/2024/02/15/openais-sora-video-generating-model-can-render-video-games-too/ EDITOR – Minecraft.mp4 But sometimes, even Sora’s mistakes look pretty good EDITOR – cup.mp4 giant rat balls https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/02/scientists-aghast-at-bizarre-ai-rat-with-huge-genitals-in-peer-reviewed-article THE BETTER TWIN Gemini 1.5 https://www.howtogeek.com/google-gemini-15/ https://twitter.com/JeffDean/status/1758146022726041615 https://blog.google/technology/ai/google-gemini-next-generation-model-february-2024/ context for the context window https://storage.googleapis.com/gweb-uniblog-publish-prod/original_videos/final_tokens_scale_animated_3840x2300.mp4 Can find 3 comedic moments but it takes 30 SECONDS https://youtu.be/LHKL_210CcU?t=37 @0:37 Takes 57 seconds to find frame of a 44-minute movie https://youtu.be/wa0MT8OwHuk?t=37 @0:37 again, that’s weird Meta V-JEPA https://twitter.com/AIatMeta/status/1758176023588577326 https://ai.meta.com/blog/v-jepa-yann-lecun-ai-model-video-joint-embedding-predictive-architecture https://lmg.gg/jVbS0 QUICK BITS CHROME TABS RETURN FROM THE EDGE Microsoft fixes Edge browser bug that stole Chrome tabs https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/16/24074712/microsoft-edge-automatic-chrome-import-data-bug-fix https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/deployedge/microsoft-edge-relnote-stable-channel fixed https://lmg.gg/ZXjEx https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-issues-a-fix-for-the-feature-that-brings-data-from-other-browsers-to-edge/ THAT’S A LONG FORTNIGHT Apple reinstates Epic Games’ developer account; re-iterate promise to launch EGS on iOS https://9to5mac.com/2024/02/16/epic-games-store-iphone-account/ https://lmg.gg/dWDLR https://twitter.com/EpicNewsroom/status/1750616436957933711 https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/16/epic-games-store-ios-eu/ AM I MY CHATBOT’S KEEPER? Air Canada forced to provide refund promised by its website’s chatbot https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/air-canada-told-it-is-responsible-for-errors-by-its-website-chatbot https://www.canlii.org/en/bc/bccrt/doc/2024/2024bccrt149/2024bccrt149.html https://lmg.gg/Qs7iY YOU GOT A PERMIT FOR THAT? University of Michigan halts third-party vendor from selling academic recordings and student papers (the ones in question were already available for free to academics, but this is still bad) https://gizmodo.com/university-of-michigan-sell-student-data-ai-companies-1851261663 https://twitter.com/suchenzang/status/1758020313689006374 U of M statement https://publicaffairs.vpcomm.umich.edu/key-issues/licensing-of-papers-and-recordings/ RICE BEEFS UP Scientists invent beef rice https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-invent-new-hybrid-food-by-growing-beef-inside-grains-of-rice https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1033922 https://www.cell.com/matter/fulltext/S2590-2385(24)00016-X
  16. NEWS SOURCES: IT’S IMESSAGE, NOT UMESSAGE Apple won’t be forced to open up iMessage by EU https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/apple-imessage-microsoft-bing-dodge-eu-s-big-tech-crackdown-1.2034181 Apple insists App Store must be locked down to protect users but then this stuff still happens: Stealth piracy app makes it to no. 8 in popularity on Apple’s App Store https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/02/13/a-movie-piracy-app-snuck-onto-the-app-store-in-2023-and-apple-only-just-killed-it Apple appears to be breaking iPhone web apps in the EU https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/14/24072764/apple-progressive-web-apps-eu-ios-17-4 iOS 17.4 Nerfs Web Apps in the EU https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/08/ios-17-4-nerfs-web-apps-in-the-eu/ CHATGPT WILL REMEMBER THAT OpenAI experiments with giving ChatGPT a long-term conversation memory https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2024/02/amnesia-begone-soon-chatgpt-will-remember-what-you-tell-it-between-sessions/ https://openai.com/blog/memory-and-new-controls-for-chatgpt These chatbots already retain a lot – see Gemini’s privacy policy https://www.zdnet.com/article/dont-tell-your-ai-anything-personal-google-warns-in-new-gemini-privacy-notice/ AI girlfriends are mining your data https://www.pcmag.com/news/romantic-ai-chatbots-are-only-after-one-thing-hint-its-not-your-heart https://gizmodo.com/your-ai-girlfriend-is-a-data-harvesting-horror-show-1851253284 Sarah Silverman’s lawsuit against OpenAI partially dismissed https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/sarah-silverman-openai-lawsuit-claims-judge-1235823924/ HOLD THE WORLD RANSOM Sam Altman's $7 trillion chip dreams are way off the mark, says Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-7-trillion-chip-dreams-off-mark-nvidia-ceo-2024-2 Sam Altman’s $7 trillion AI chip dream has him rounding on critics: ‘You can grind to help secure our collective future or you can write Substacks about why we are going [to] fail’ https://fortune.com/2024/02/12/sam-altman-7-trillion-ai-chips-grind-for-future-substack/ NVIDIA’s new AI chatbot runs locally on your PC https://www.engadget.com/nvidias-new-ai-chatbot-runs-locally-on-your-pc-163406121.html https://twitter.com/NVIDIAStudio/status/1757429113000698116 Nvidia CEO calls for each country controlling its own AI infrastructure (“Sovereign AI”) as his firm overtakes Amazon in market value https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2024/02/nvidia-ceo-calls-for-sovereign-ai-as-his-firm-overtakes-amazon-in-market-value/ QUICK BITS HINDSIGHT IS 20/20 Why Some Users are Returning the Vision Pro https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-vision-pro-buyers-returning-headsets-design-blurry-screen-price-2024-2 Spike in searches for “Return Apple Vision” as 14 day window closes https://gizmodo.com/tech-bros-returning-vision-pro-keeping-receipts-1851256024 tearfully https://twitter.com/farzyness/status/1757084130565623954/photo/1 can’t believe it https://twitter.com/ParkerOrtolani/status/1757149437502128176 After trying the Vision Pro, Mark Zuckerberg says Quest 3 ‘is the better product, period’ https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/14/mark-zuckerberg-comments-on-apples-vision-pro-.html https://www.instagram.com/p/C3TkhmivNzt/?hl=en Apple releases visionOS 1.0.3 with reset fix for forgotten passcode https://www.macrumors.com/2024/02/12/apple-releases-visionos-1-0-3/ EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE Apple researchers unveil ‘Keyframer’: An AI tool that animates still images using LLMs https://venturebeat.com/ai/apple-researchers-unveil-keyframer-an-ai-tool-that-animates-still-images-using-llms/ https://9to5mac.com/2024/02/14/apple-keyframer-ai-animation/ https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/14/24072917/apple-keyframer-ai-animation-tool-2d-images-text-descriptions BROKEN WINDOWS Windows 11 no longer just “unsupported” – new build is unbootable on older processors https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/02/windows-11-24h2-goes-from-unsupported-to-unbootable-on-some-older-pcs/ https://www.pcworld.com/article/2233813/report-ancient-pcs-simply-wont-boot-windows-11s-upcoming-update.html https://www.pcmag.com/news/windows-11s-24h2-update-wont-boot-on-very-old-pcs FALLING WITH STYLE SpaceX to deorbit older satellites with defect that could cause uncontrolled fall https://spacenews.com/spacex-to-deorbit-100-older-starlink-satellites/ SpaceX starlink satellite glitch – statement https://api.starlink.com/public-files/Commitment%20to%20Space%20Sustainability.pdf SpaceX delays launch of private Intuitive Machines moon lander due to methane fuel issue https://www.space.com/spacex-delays-intuitive-machines-im-1-moon-lander-launch https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/13/science/spacex-launch-moon-lander-intuitive.html THE JAM TO MY JELLY Minnesota burglars are using Wi-Fi jammers to disable home security systems https://www.techspot.com/news/101866-minnesota-burglars-using-wi-fi-jammers-disable-home.html https://www.tomshardware.com/networking/wi-fi-jamming-to-knock-out-cameras-suspected-in-nine-minnesota-burglaries-smart-security-systems-vulnerable-as-tech-becomes-cheaper-and-easier-to-acquire Local news coverage https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/edina-burglars-could-be-using-wifi-jammers/89-838f08f6-8e13-4577-8a88-628d757207a2
  17. NEWS SOURCES: BECAUSE BARD WAS A BAD NAME Google rebrands Bard and Duet AI as Gemini, launches paid version [SOURCE A] https://youtu.be/b5Fh7TaTkEU?t=12 @0:12 Still thinks it’s Bard though https://lmg.gg/p7wyO Gemini Advanced, with Gemini Ultra 1.0 [SOURCE B] @0:04 & @0:09 Can generate images since last week https://www.zdnet.com/article/googles-ai-image-generator-finally-rolls-out-to-the-public-heres-how-to-try-it/ While it seems to perform pretty well, most people say it’s noticeably worse than GPT-4 https://www.reddit.com/r/singularity/comments/1alwpi6/i_am_shocked_by_gemini_ultra/ https://www.reddit.com/r/singularity/comments/1am69jk/gemini_is_an_advanced_chatbot/ AI Explained pointed out jailbreaks still work fine in other languages https://youtu.be/gexI6Ai3X0U @8:45 a lot different than the infamous multi-modal demo https://youtu.be/UIZAiXYceBI?t=34 @0:34 Although Fireship said it’s better than GPT4 at writing a Buskowski-esque poem https://youtu.be/ucd63nIZZ60?t=98 @1:38 New Google One AI Premium plan; $20/mo, same as ChatGPT [SOURCE F] AI Premium subscribers will soon be able to integrate into Gmail & Drive [SOURCE F] double-check feature seems important https://lmg.gg/E1ZXW Gemini overlay can replace Google Assistant [SOURCE D] Extensions connect to other Google apps, if you have the app [SOURCE C] But not in Canada yet! https://lmg.gg/qRT8b Even worse, Americans might have TWO apps https://9to5google.com/2024/02/09/android-two-gemini-apps/ https://blog.google/intl/en-ca/products/explore-get-answers/gemini-ca/ Patronizing https://lmg.gg/Xji05 - I might not include this: can opt out of having your convos saved https://lmg.gg/4re2b - https://myactivity.google.com/product/bard?pli=1 FEELING THE CRUNCH (OF DISCS) Anime streaming service Crunchyroll shutting down competitor they bought and taking away people’s digital purchases https://www.gameinformer.com/gamer-culture/2024/02/08/funimation-anime-streaming-service-is-shutting-down-and-crunchyroll-is https://twitter.com/EposVox/status/1755325269294850473 Other times Sony removed content https://www.flatpanelshd.com/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1657022591 https://help.funimation.com/hc/en-us/articles/23103586580244-Funimation-End-of-services https://arstechnica.com/culture/2024/02/funimation-dvds-included-forever-available-digital-copies-forever-ends-april-2/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2024/02/08/sonys-crunchyroll-erasure-of-funimation-anime-libraries-is-inexcusable/?sh=2acd02241969 DON’T THINK. JUST VIBE Instagram and Threads will limit political content recommendations unless you opt-in https://techcrunch.com/2024/02/09/instagram-and-threads-will-no-longer-proactively-recommend-political-content/?guccounter=1 https://about.instagram.com/blog/announcements/continuing-our-approach-to-political-content-on-instagram-and-threads/ If you follow political accounts, you’ll still see their posts https://www.threads.net/@mosseri/post/C3IjTzGvk6_ https://www.neowin.net/news/instagram-and-threads-will-no-longer-proactively-recommend-political-content/ show you less Reels https://lmg.gg/Rm9jZ Creators can check their Recommendation eligibility https://help.instagram.com/653964212890722 QUICK BITS CAST IT INTO THE FIRE!! DESTROY IT!! Cablemod’s voluntary angled GPU adapter recall upgraded to official CPSC recall after causing nearly $75K in property damage https://www.pcworld.com/article/2232524/gpu-adapter-causes-around-75000-us-dollars-in-damage-official-recall-in-the-usa.html voluntary recall in Dec. https://cablemod.com/adapterrecall/ CPSC makes it official https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/GPU-Angled-Adapters-Recalled-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards-Manufactured-by-CableMod cables are fine https://lmg.gg/Mc5Rf Estimated failure rate of 1.07% https://www.anandtech.com/show/21261/recall-of-cablemod-12vhpwer-adapter-1-percent-failure-rate It’s the fun type of recall where you destroy it https://www.pcgamesn.com/nvidia/cablemod-adapter-recall https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PsmiP7O_Jc THOUSANDS OF ROBOTS JOBLESS FCC declares AI-generated robocalls illegal https://apnews.com/article/fcc-elections-artificial-intelligence-robocalls-regulations-a8292b1371b3764916461f60660b93e6 https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-24-17A1.pdf https://www.fastcompany.com/91021571/generative-ai-robocalls-fcc-illegal-new-rules SAM ALT-INDUSTRY Sam Altman seeks trillions of dollars to transform AI chip industry https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/sam-altman-seeks-trillions-of-dollars-to-reshape-business-of-chips-and-ai-89ab3db0 https://qz.com/sam-altman-openai-chips-investment-1851242218 makes Nvidia’s newly-announced $30 billion business unit for custom AI chips look pathetic https://www.reuters.com/technology/nvidia-chases-30-billion-custom-chip-market-with-new-unit-sources-2024-02-09/ https://www.extremetech.com/computing/nvidia-to-go-after-custom-ai-chip-market I DISAGREE WITH THE FRAMING Another pair of smart glasses: Brilliant Labs Frame with built-in display https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/9/24067485/frame-ai-smart-glasses-brilliant-labs https://youtu.be/xiR-XojPVLk CEO is former Apple exec Bobak Tavangar https://www.axios.com/2024/02/08/generative-ai-glasses-frame-apple-brilliant-labs https://brilliant.xyz/ charger called “Mister Power”, looks like a nose https://lmg.gg/tUaTg LE-NOOOO-VO LOL Y’KNOW Lenovo’s transparent laptop looks dumb ngl https://windowsreport.com/exclusive-lenovo-is-working-on-a-transparent-laptop-might-showcase-it-at-mwc-2024/ https://cdn.windowsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Lenovo-transparent-3.jpg https://cdn.windowsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Lenovo-transparent-featured-1024x683.jpg https://cdn.windowsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Lenovo-transparent-2.jpg
  18. NEWS SOURCES: WHAT’S IN THE BOOOOOX? GameStop tweets and displays branding on site saying “Microsoft Game Pass” https://twitter.com/ReforgeGaming/status/1755317364038443467 Went viral after Wario64 retweeted the now-deleted GameStop tweet https://twitter.com/Wario64/status/1755318156149874955 Only added fuel to fire of multiplatform rumor backlash https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/major-xbox-influencers-pull-support-over-multiplatform-rumours/ Wario64 points out EA used this branding last year https://twitter.com/Wario64/status/1755321729248039134 - tho they ALSO say “Xbox Game Pass”…typo? Long-term plan? Have to wait until next week https://twitter.com/XboxP3/status/1754598552548904973 FTC not happy with Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard layoffs https://www.polygon.com/24065269/ftc-microsoft-activision-deal-layoffs-appeal Were supposed “to maintain the pre-merger status quo” in case FTC order divestiture https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca9.344453/gov.uscourts.ca9.344453.117.0_1.pdf Microsoft says Activision planned layoffs before merger https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/activision-had-planned-layoffs-before-merger-microsoft-says-1.2032655 “The recent announcement thus cannot be attributed fully to the merger.” https://lmg.gg/bzAlO (BNN Bloomberg) DISNEY’S EPIC MONEY Disney invests $1.5bn in Epic Games https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2024/02/epic-working-with-disney-on-new-gaming-universe-after-1-5b-investment/ Epic announcement https://www.epicgames.com/site/en-US/news/disney-and-epic-games-to-create-expansive-and-open-games-and-entertainment-universe-connected-to-fortnite Disney’s announcement https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-and-epic-games-fortnite/ “persistent universe” https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/7/24065281/disney-epic-games-investment-fortnite-metaverse “will offer a multitude of opportunities for consumers to play, watch, shop and engage with content, characters and stories from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar and more.” https://lmg.gg/SKpI4 (Disney) - JOKE: that certainly sounds like Fortnite Teaser looks sort of like a virtual Disneyland https://youtu.be/Yf2bRcSIUsE?t=23 In the meantime, Rocket League gets a new update: Mandalorian crossover https://www.starwars.com/news/mandalorian-mayhem-rocket-league MORE LIKE SELLDIVERS 2 AMIRITE? Helldivers 2 massive launch https://www.ign.com/articles/sonys-helldivers-2-gets-off-to-a-strong-start-on-steam Third-best selling game globally by revenue on Steam https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2024/02/helldivers-2-off-to-a-strong-start-on-ps5-pc-currently-third-best-selling-game-on-steam #1 in US (as of writing) https://store.steampowered.com/charts/topselling/US #1 Globally (right now) https://store.steampowered.com/charts/topselling/global Notably Sony’s first simultaneous PS5 and PC release https://www.windowscentral.com/gaming/sonys-first-simultaneous-ps5pc-release-is-already-outselling-palworld-on-steam PS5 launch doing well monetarily, but bug-ridden launch https://www.theloadout.com/helldivers-2/servers-bugs-performance-ps5 Arrowhead CEO gives statement https://www.gamesradar.com/helldivers-2-dev-in-crisis-mode-as-matchmaking-problems-hit-the-co-op-shooters-launch-ceo-says-we-are-seeing-the-issues-and-advises-joining-friends-directly/ Game MAY be down https://www.techradar.com/gaming/helldivers-2-servers-down Gamesradar says servers are down https://lmg.gg/yCSxT (Gamesradar+) TechRadar says it’s back up https://lmg.gg/gfWId (TechRadar) Probably fixed by the time video comes out QUICK BITS GAME PIRATING INCREASES Skull and Bones Open Beta actually happening https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/skull-and-bones-is-now-in-open-beta-almost-as-if-ubisoft-intend-to-finally-release-it https://videogames.si.com/guides/skull-and-bones-open-beta-start-time-preload former director explains lack of solo campaign https://www.pcgamer.com/former-skull-and-bones-director-says-making-a-separate-solo-campaign-would-have-prevented-the-team-from-creating-a-really-deep-open-world/ - JOKE IDEA: my explanation is it would have prevented the team from creating a tangible open beta within the first decade of development PLEASE, WHILE WE’RE STILL JUNG Persona 3 Reload Atlus’s fastest selling game, https://www.pcgamer.com/anime-more-powerful-than-ever-as-persona-3-reload-becomes-the-fastest-selling-game-in-atlus-history/ Persona 2 remaster/Person 4 remake rumors, PS2 will be on Switch 2 https://twitter.com/MbKKssTBhz5/status/1754683275707040151 https://kotaku.com/nintendo-switch-2-persona-3-reload-4-remake-metaphor-1851238766 THE WALKING DREAD Treyarch confirms no new perks/enemy types for CoD: Zombies, fans afraid https://www.ign.com/articles/call-of-duty-zombies-fans-fear-the-worst-after-treyarch-says-not-to-expect-new-perks-or-enemy-types https://twitter.com/MrDalekJD/status/1755245660272554448c Releasing The Walking Dead crossover during season with no Zombies content https://gamerant.com/call-of-duty-walking-dead-crossover-bad-timing-mwz-content/ I LOVE DEMOCRACY Capcom wonders if fans still interested in their most interesting franchises https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/02/random-capcom-survey-asks-if-fans-want-sequels-to-okami-dino-crisis-more https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/capcom-survey-asks-players-if-they-want-to-see-sequels-or-remakes-of-lapsed-series/ https://www.destructoid.com/recent-capcom-survey-once-again-pokes-the-dino-crisis-interest-bear/ NAKED KNIGHT: https://captown.capcom.com/en/super_elections/1/new STELLAR…Y’KNOW Stellar Blade dev says he “put special attention” into female protagonist’s backside https://www.gamesradar.com/stellar-blade-dev-also-known-for-butt-jiggling-game-nikke-says-he-put-special-attention-into-the-female-leads-back-because-thats-what-players-see-most-of-the-time/ Because “That’s what [players] see most of” https://lmg.gg/QcOVP (GamesRadar+) Might explain some focus on “costume creation” https://insider-gaming.com/stellar-blade-costume-creation/ Famitsu interview (Japanese—Google translated link) https://lmg.gg/e9hw1 (Famitsu) Wants game to “express all the things a female character can do when wielding a sword” https://lmg.gg/URuZl (Famitsu) Collab with previous game, NIKKE: Goddess of Victory (the jiggle physics Mecca you’ve seen ads for) https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2024/02/stellar-blade-dev-considering-crossover-content-with-saucy-smartphone-shooter-nikke
  19. NEWS SOURCES: GACHA MOMENT Elden Ring getting mobile f2p version from Tencent https://www.reuters.com/technology/tencent-working-mobile-version-hit-console-game-elden-ring-sources-say-2024-02-06/ Reuters cites “three people familiar with the matter” Will feature sweet sweet in-app purchases https://www.ign.com/articles/elden-ring-mobile-game-in-development-as-wait-for-dlc-continues Work started in 2022 when Tencent acquired 16% of FromSoftware https://kotaku.com/elden-ring-mobile-version-from-tencent-in-development-1851229804 Sources compare the game to Genshin Impact https://lmg.gg/3H7Gq (Reuters) Not sure how successful this will be; Progress is slow https://www.polygon.com/24063280/elden-ring-mobile-tencent already killed in-dev Nier mobile game after 2 years of development because of struggle to monetize https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/tencent-reportedly-canceled-unannounced-nier-mobile-game Pic of Malenia https://eldenring.wiki.fextralife.com/file/Elden-Ring/malenia,-blade-of-miquella.jpg Maybe use this source for Let Me Solo Her instead? https://youtu.be/IqN2phpMWno?t=513 EX-BOX SERIES Microsoft may launch Indiana Jones on PS5 https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/4/24057433/microsoft-bethesda-indiana-jones-and-the-great-circle-ps5-release Hi-Fi Rush will be announced in next few weeks https://lmg.gg/whQoF (The Verge) Starfield also being considered https://xboxera.com/2024/02/04/exclusive-microsoft-plans-starfield-launch-for-playstation-5/ Gears of War allegedly https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gears-of-war-reportedly-in-consideration-for-playstation-release/1100-6520832/ At least according to Giant Bomb’s Jeff Grubb https://youtu.be/jeeCiI4QmDs?t=884 Spencer announced a business update event https://twitter.com/XboxP3/status/1754598552548904973 Some Xbox influencers are pulling support https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/major-xbox-influencers-pull-support-over-multiplatform-rumours/ Many feel like they’re killing their hardware https://lmg.gg/I6o23 (VGC) Like Klobrille https://www.resetera.com/threads/xbox-game-studios-bethesda-abk-ot29-the-temple-of-doomers.807216/page-217?post=118677954#post-118677954 Spencer announced a business update event https://twitter.com/XboxP3/status/1754598552548904973 BUILDING UP STEAM Steam Next Fest 2024 https://store.steampowered.com/sale/nextfest Several notable indies https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/15-steam-next-fest-demos-you-should-play-first-this-february Stop motion-style game Harold Halibut https://youtu.be/LiyJLlOyDhU Duck Detective: The Secret Salami https://store.steampowered.com/app/2637990/Duck_Detective_The_Secret_Salami/ Raw Metal https://store.steampowered.com/app/2279600/Raw_Metal/ Pacific Drive https://store.steampowered.com/app/1458140/Pacific_Drive/ Duck Detective: The Secret Salami https://store.steampowered.com/app/2637990/Duck_Detective_The_Secret_Salami/ Millennia https://store.steampowered.com/app/1268590/Millennia/ Homeworld 3 https://store.steampowered.com/app/1840080/Homeworld_3/ Act fast: there’s only one week https://insider-gaming.com/steam-next-fest-live-now/ QUICK BITS OPEN CONVERSATION Call of Duty Gulf War and next title will have open world campaigns https://insider-gaming.com/black-ops-gulf-war-campaign-open-world/ https://www.purexbox.com/news/2024/02/report-call-of-duty-black-ops-gulf-war-will-feature-an-open-world-campaign-this-october https://www.gamespot.com/articles/call-of-duty-will-embrace-open-world-missions-in-next-two-games-report/1100-6520823/ CD PROJEKT’S CRED CDPR adds game vets to Cyberpunk sequel team https://www.gematsu.com/2024/02/cyberpunk-2077-follow-up-project-orion-adds-several-high-profile-staff https://www.cdprojekt.com/en/media/news/cyberpunk-2077-follow-up-codenamed-project-orion-grows-in-strength-at-cd-projekt-red-north-america/ Still adding things to Cyberpunk 2077 like car paint jobs https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2024/02/06/cyberpunk-2077-cant-help-but-keep-adding-things-this-time-car-paint-jobs/?sh=5aef3943509e MUSIC TO CHILL/FIGHT THE EMPIRE TO Star Wars Jedi Colon Survivor gets Grammy for best video game soundtrack, beats Stray Gods https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2024/02/star-wars-jedi-survivors-stellar-ps5-soundtrack-secures-grammy https://www.gamespot.com/articles/star-wars-jedi-survivor-wins-grammy-beating-out-stray-gods/1100-6520821/ https://www.eurogamer.net/star-wars-jedi-survivor-takes-home-best-gaming-score-at-grammy-awards I SUMMON POT OF GREED Konami announces early Yu-Gi-Oh games bundle, development of VR experiences https://www.konami.com/games/eu/en/topics/17742/ https://www.gameinformer.com/2024/02/05/yu-gi-oh-early-days-collection-bundles-the-tcgs-earliest-video-games-into-one-package https://www.ign.com/articles/konami-to-continue-developing-yu-gi-oh-virtual-reality-following-successful-debut-at-25th-anniversary-event PLAYER UNKNOWN’S PRISON CELL South Korean conscientious objector jailed because he plays PUBG https://kotaku.com/pubg-battle-royale-south-korea-man-jailed-military-1851227546 https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20240204000176 https://www.gamesradar.com/battle-royale-fan-sentenced-to-18-months-in-jail-for-dodging-military-service-after-supreme-court-rejects-claim-hes-anti-violence-because-of-his-pubg-playtime/
  20. NEWS SOURCES: A VISION OF THE FUTURE Vision pro review roundup https://mashable.com/article/apple-vision-pro-reviews https://www.wsj.com/tech/apple-vision-pro-review-39f2d82e B-roll: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb0dG-2huJE Walled garden works in its favor, but also works against it https://www.theverge.com/24055677/apple-vision-pro-epic-netflix-app-ecosystem-monopoly Apple turning developers against Vision Pro with EU app store rules https://www.macworld.com/article/2220841/app-store-fees-maliciious-compliance-vision-pro.html CALLING DR CRONENBERG Elon Musk claims Neuralink has implanted a brain chip in its first human https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/elon-musks-neuralink-has-implanted-its-first-chip-in-a-human-brain-whats-next/ https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1752098683024220632 https://www.cnet.com/health/medical/neuralinks-brain-chip-is-now-in-a-human-your-skull-is-safe-for-now/ https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-68137046 https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/01/30/neuralink-musk-first-human-brain-chip/ Could really help people: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/brain-spine-implants-restored-movement-paralyzed-man-rcna85586 https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/04/health/traumatic-brain-injury-implants.html BACK TO THE FUTURE GM to bring back PHEV https://arstechnica.com/cars/2024/01/after-ditching-its-hybrids-gm-says-it-needs-to-build-more-hybrids/ https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/30/gm-to-release-plug-in-hybrid-vehicles-backtracking-on-product-plans.html Lamborghini will make hybrid versions of all its cars to cut its CO2 https://www.axios.com/2024/01/30/lamborghini-ev-lanzador-revuelto-hybrid BMW i5 getting a PHEV option https://www.autoblog.com/2024/01/30/bmw-i5-550e-phev-announcement-reveal/?guccounter=1 so will the Mazda 2025 CX-70 https://www.greencarcongress.com/2024/01/20240131-cx70.html QUICK BITS NOT SAFE FOR KIDS Congress has big ol’ child safety hearing with major tech CEOs https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/31/24056136/congress-child-safety-hearing-kosa-meta-x-discord-snap-tiktok TikTok CEO Pledges $2 Billion to Protect 170 Million US Users https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-31/tiktok-ceo-pledges-2-billion-to-protect-170-million-us-users?leadSource=reddit_wall X hiring content moderators for a new 'Trust and Safety' center in Austin https://mashable.com/article/x-twitter-hiring-content-moderators-trust-and-safety-center-austin NEW AND IMPAIRED Retail listing for Nvidia's RTX 3050 6GB details price, launch date, and has even fewer cores than expected https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/retail-listing-for-nvidias-rtx-3050-6gb-details-price-launch-date-and-has-even-fewer-cores-than-expected https://www.techradar.com/computing/gpu/nvidia-rtx-3050-6gb-spotted-at-retailer-but-the-specs-dont-calm-our-fears-that-this-might-be-a-flop-of-a-gpu Not the current worst rumor: Intel reportedly prepping refresh of Raptor Lake Refresh https://www.pcgamer.com/intel-reportedly-prepping-refresh-of-raptor-lake-refresh-no-really/ https://wccftech.com/intel-bartlett-lake-s-desktop-cpus-another-budget-raptor-lake-refresh-lga-1700-platforms/ RUN BANK, RUN Citibank's poor security helped scammers steal millions, NY AG's lawsuit says. https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/01/lawsuit-citibank-refused-to-reimburse-scam-victims-who-lost-life-savings/ https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/technology/citibank-sued-over-failure-to-defend-customers-against-hacks-fraud/ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/citibank-fraud-new-york-bank-wire-transfers/ PAYFOE PayPal to Cut Around 2,500 Jobs https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/30/paypal-will-cut-about-2500-jobs-or-9percent-of-global-workforce.html Block, owner of Square and Cashapp, lays off 1000 https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/30/block-becomes-the-latest-fintech-to-lay-off-workers/ Google will spend $700 million on severance this quarter https://www.businessinsider.com/google-2-billion-layoffs-severance-2023-earnings-2024-1 LYING IS THE MOST FUN It’s easy to get down about AI lies being incorporated into the day-to-day flow of information we rely on, but did you know that AI can also be used to lie to criminals? ChatGPT used to create fake leak of 50 million Europcar customer records https://www.pcgamer.com/no-honour-among-thieves-as-chatgpt-used-to-create-fake-leak-of-50-million-europcar-customer-records/ https://cybernews.com/news/europcar-dismisses-leak-claims-fake/ https://twitter.com/H4ckManac/status/1752601838430409163 - EDITOR: highlight “ChatGPT-generated” https://twitter.com/troyhunt/status/1752627031391797431 Discuss briefly: Another Lawyer faces discipline for using Chat GPT https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/another-ny-lawyer-faces-discipline-after-ai-chatbot-invented-case-citation-2024-01-30/ The New York Times is building a team to explore AI in the newsroom https://www.axios.com/2023/12/12/nyt-hires-ai-director-newsroom-new-york-times Rhyming AI-powered clock sometimes lies about the time, makes up words https://www.dexerto.com/tech/ai-alarm-clock-based-on-chatgpt-doesnt-actually-know-the-time-2507859/
  21. NEWS SOURCES: FARIES TALE After years of battling Activision interference, Blizzard will now be run by a former Activision executive https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/johanna-faires-call-of-duty-alum-is-blizzard-entertainment-s-new-president four days after layoffs https://www.pcmag.com/news/blizzard-appoints-ex-nfl-activision-exec-as-president-days-after-mass-layoffs Previously general manager of Call of duty franchise https://www.gamesindustry.biz/blizzard-entertainment-names-johanna-faries-as-president Former NFL executive for 12 years before https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-29/blizzard-s-new-president-johanna-faries-is-former-call-of-duty-nfl-executive Started as head of Esports at Activision in 2018 https://lmg.gg/ttMig (Bloomberg) First president with an Esports background https://lmg.gg/4B2ez (Game Developer) Surprising since Blizzard faced tension from Activision execs historically https://lmg.gg/N6jJA (Bloomberg) Johanna seems to touch on differences in an email https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/blizzard/24062302/introducing-johanna-faries-as-the-new-president-of-blizzard-entertainment “walking into this role with sensitivity to [Blizzard’s] dynamics” https://lmg.gg/9rSQq (Blizzard) Says she’s a big Diablo IV fan https://lmg.gg/4Nf2e (Blizzard) Raising two boys https://lmg.gg/7OToH (Blizzard) LIVE DISSERVICE Suicide Squad KTJL snafu; Players with early access have “full story completion” on first login https://news.google.com/stories/CAAqNggKIjBDQklTSGpvSmMzUnZjbmt0TXpZd1NoRUtEd2l5OWNfTENoR2VXZXFhUXhlbTRTZ0FQAQ?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen https://www.polygon.com/24054289/rocksteady-suicide-squad-early-access-launch-bug-offline “full story completion” on first login https://lmg.gg/rmxmB Rocksteady statement https://twitter.com/suicidesquadRS/status/1751938662093263232 EDITOR PLEASE HIGHLIGHT FOLOWING QUOTES IN TWEET - “To resolve this issue, we will be performing maintenance on the game servers.” - “During this time the game will be unavailable.” After trying to downplay the whole “live service” thing https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/rocksteady-downplay-live-service-elements-of-suicide-squad-as-superhero-murder-sim-goes-into-early-access Answered discord questions saying they want to respect players’ time https://www.gamespot.com/articles/suicide-squad-makes-a-welcome-change-to-how-battle-passes-usually-work/1100-6520665/ Battle passes can be completed at any time https://lmg.gg/mX2oy (GameSpot) Seasonal “episodes” are replayable https://lmg.gg/7aCjG (RPS) - all things that would be great if you could access the game Reminder, this is Early Access they CHARGED for via deluxe edition Problem has since been fixed https://twitter.com/suicidesquadRS/status/1752024211088904610 MULTIPLAYER BREAKDOWN Call of Duty breaks down their matchmaking in blog post https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2024/01/call-of-duty-update-an-Inside-look-at-matchmaking Perhaps to silence grumbling about SBMM and EOMM https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2024/01/30/activision-finally-breaks-its-silence-around-call-of-duty-sbmm-and-matchmaking/?sh=2633a7e970e1 What SBMM is https://lmg.gg/OeGqs (Forbes) EOMM theorized to keep players happy by giving them an easy win every once and a while https://lmg.gg/E9ATN (Forbes) Try to debunk many fan theories https://www.pcgamer.com/unprecedented-inside-look-at-call-of-duty-matchmaking-debunks-fan-theories-on-sbmm-and-confirms-our-assumptions-skill-is-not-the-dominant-variable/ Refute claim that their “SBMM” forces everyone into “sweaty” matches https://lmg.gg/PocHp (PCGamer) Also refute recent performance is only factor in SBMM https://lmg.gg/PBo5w (PCGamer) claim “skill is not the dominant variable” https://lmg.gg/EkC69 (Call of Duty) Connection is https://lmg.gg/C1ORu (Call of Duty) QUICK BITS TONY HAWK’S PRO SHOOTER Cancelled CoD Future Warfare footage https://www.eurogamer.net/cancelled-call-of-duty-sci-fi-game-from-tony-hawks-studio-neversoft-leaks-online https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rUnutyIei8 Verified by former Neversoft dev Brian Bright (scroll up) https://twitter.com/BrianBright/status/1751439942935540055 SHOTS FIRED Persona 3 Reload is a mixed bag https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/persona-3-reload-review https://www.polygon.com/reviews/24054581/persona-3-reload-review-remake-xbox-ps5-pc-atlus Doesn’t include additions from P3P or FES https://lmg.gg/xGGHR (Polygon) But did give male party members more stories and you don’t have to have a harem anymore https://kotaku.com/persona-3-reload-romance-social-yukari-mitsuru-fuuka-1851206843 REPUTABLE SOURCE Ubisoft confirms Star Wars Outlaws choice system in GamesRadar interview https://www.gamesradar.com/star-wars-outlaws-tells-a-tight-story-across-specific-locations-with-strong-thriving-underworlds-but-your-reputation-could-change-everything/ https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2024/01/star-wars-outlaws-ps5-sounding-like-the-scoundrel-simulator-we-always-wanted https://www.techradar.com/gaming/star-wars-outlaws-will-feature-choices-that-impact-your-reputation-in-the-underworld TENCENT’S TWO CENTS Tencent scared its gaming business isn’t doing well https://www.pcgamer.com/tencent-boss-worried-that-in-the-face-of-significant-challenges-and-competition-it-has-achieved-nothing/ https://www.reuters.com/technology/tencent-chief-says-gaming-business-under-threat-catching-up-ai-2024-01-30/ https://insider-gaming.com/tencent-is-worried-about-its-future-in-gaming/ A PUNCH IN THE GUT (THRU A WALL) Embracer Group layoffs at Eidos Montreal Deus Ex game cancelled https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/29/24054659/embracer-eidos-montreal-layoffs-deus-ex Supposedly started development 2 years ago https://twitter.com/jasonschreier/status/1587515910046220288 Apparently cancelled game wasn’t an Adam Jensen story https://www.pcgamer.com/adam-jensen-voice-actor-says-cancelled-deus-ex-likely-wasnt-a-jensen-story-anyway-and-that-i-gotta-be-honest-i-gave-up-on-it-a-long-time-ago/ Never called Jensen VA Elias Toufexis in the two years of development https://twitter.com/EliasToufexis/status/1752026953799057715
  22. NEWS SOURCES: STEALING THINGS, SO EDGY Beware, Edge might steal your Chrome tabs https://www.theverge.com/24054329/microsoft-edge-automatic-chrome-import-data-feature https://mobilesyrup.com/2024/01/29/microsoft-edge-might-suck-up-browsing-data/ https://superuser.com/questions/1727619/how-to-stop-edge-browser-opening-chrome-tabs-when-it-starts https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftedge/forum/all/edge-opens-up-pages-from-other-browsers/ad26925e-f4a9-4e15-a6c4-0310b428bad8 https://www.reddit.com/r/edge/comments/11ut729/edge_keep_taking_data_from_chrome_without/ what’s happening https://twitter.com/thezedwards/status/1750952950598672455 ARC ATTACK Arc Search app “Browses for you”, makes a custom “webpage” for every search https://dataconomy.com/2024/01/29/arc-search-your-own-news-page-with-ai/ https://twitter.com/joshm/status/1751734580124787028 - EDITOR: record screen to capture the GIF, don’t screenshot From makers of Arc browser https://arc.net/ https://www.inc.com/kit-eaton/arcs-new-app-marries-search-with-ai-hints-at-webs-future.html Only on iPhone https://apps.apple.com/us/app/arc-search/id6472513080 Adds to concerns about web publishing https://twitter.com/glenngabe/status/1751948770739097892 NO DEAL, HOWIE Amazon withdraws 1.4B bid for iRobot – iRobot immediately lays off 31% of staff https://www.axios.com/2024/01/29/amazon-irobot-roomba-deal-antitrust https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/29/irobot-and-amazon-call-it-quits-terminate-acquisition-agreement/ https://investor.irobot.com/news-releases/news-release-details/irobot-announces-operational-restructuring-plan-position-company CEO steps down https://www.linkedin.com/posts/colinangle_today-i-step-down-as-ceo-of-irobot-a-company-activity-7157729527916318720-4AcR/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop https://www.investopedia.com/amazon-calls-off-irobot-acquisition-amid-antitrust-scrutiny-8551181 QUICK BITS NOT GEUD ENOUGH EU Markets commissioner says if Apple’s changes aren’t good enough, they face “strong action” https://www.reuters.com/technology/apple-faces-strong-action-if-app-store-changes-fall-short-eus-breton-says-2024-01-26/ https://www.androidauthority.com/eu-apple-face-strong-action-app-store-changes-3408915/ many believe they are indeed not good enough https://newsroom.spotify.com/2024-01-26/apples-proposed-changes-reject-the-goals-of-the-dma/ NOT INGENIOUS ENOUGH Farewell, Ingenuity https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/01/now-that-weve-flown-on-mars-what-comes-next-in-aerial-planetary-exploration/ https://youtu.be/hW5akI5Rnyg?t=38 @0:38 flight log https://mars.nasa.gov/technology/helicopter/#Location-Map https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/after-three-years-on-mars-nasas-ingenuity-helicopter-mission-ends/ SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY Fossil quits smartwatch market https://www.droid-life.com/2024/01/29/fossil-is-done-making-wear-os-watches/ https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/fossil-wear-os-smartwatch-business-quit-reason-news/ they only made up 2% of the market https://9to5google.com/2024/01/29/fossil-smartwatches-market-report/ FIRE THE CANONS Canon challenges ASML with new chipmaking tech https://arstechnica.com/reviews/2024/01/canon-plans-to-disrupt-chipmaking-with-low-cost-stamp-machine/ https://www.eenewseurope.com/en/canon-could-ship-nano-imprint-lithography-machines-in-2024/ https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20240129VL200/canon-nanoimprint-lithography-equipment-2024.html JAPAN FINALLY GETS RIGID Japan will no longer require businesses to submit certain data on floppy disks or CD-ROMs https://www.engadget.com/japan-will-no-longer-require-floppy-disks-for-submitting-some-official-documents-212048844.html?src=rss https://www.theregister.com/2024/01/29/japan_government_floppy_disks/ https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2023/01/20240122004/20240122004.html - EDITOR: translate https://www.meti.go.jp/press/2023/01/20240122004/20240122004.html US stopped using floppies to manage nukes in 2019 https://www.zdnet.com/article/us-stopped-using-floppy-disks-to-manage-nuclear-weapons-arsenal/
  23. NEWS SOURCES: THIS IS WHAT YOU WANTED…RIGHT? Apple announces official support for third-party app stores, payment systems, and browser engines on iOS... only in the EU https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/01/apple-announces-changes-to-ios-safari-and-the-app-store-in-the-european-union/ - EDITOR: this is what is being referenced by Source1, below Alternative app marketplaces + browser engines EDITOR screenshot the first 4 bullet points under “Changes to iOS” section in Source1 BUT IT’S SO DANGEROUS https://twitter.com/TechLinkedYT/status/1750640917286146496/photo/1 So all marketplaces must be authorized and apps must be Notarized EDITOR screenshot the next 4 bullet points starting with “Notarization for iOS apps” in Source1 Some calling this “sideloading” – it’s not https://www.macrumors.com/2024/01/24/sideloading-in-europe-app-review-and-fees/ New business terms: Reduced 10/17% commissions, + 3% if you use Apple Pay https://lmg.gg/IS7vD Bonus: users won’t see oooh scary warning https://twitter.com/dhh/status/1750682933638373424 NEW Core Technology Fee – devs pay €0.50 per annual install over 1 million, even for free apps https://lmg.gg/HmiYC similar to Unity’s Runtime fee https://twitter.com/AshleyGullen/status/1750599926369693966 Devs can avoid CTF by staying on CURRENT business terms and stay exclusively on App Store https://lmg.gg/UQVps Also app installs on iPadOS don’t count? https://lmg.gg/RUGyB App marketplace devs pay CTF every time their marketplace app is installed, even before 1 million https://lmg.gg/eBC2C Apple does recognize the danger of install spam https://lmg.gg/56nab the only entity that can bankrupt you is Apple: https://twitter.com/nikitabier/status/1750592825060921353 Need a letter of credit of a million Euros to launch a marketplace https://lmg.gg/3Cksu Why only in EU? Cuz of danger: Apple blocked $2 billion in fraudulent transactions in 2022 https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/05/app-store-stopped-more-than-2-billion-in-fraudulent-transactions-in-2022/ So did… Google https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2023/03/play-commerce-prevented-fraudulent-and-abusive-transactions-in-2022.html GEFORCED Worldwide change: Game streaming apps can actually host their libraries of games now https://developer.apple.com/news/ https://www.polygon.com/24051821/xbox-game-pass-ultimate-ios-app-geforce-now https://insider-gaming.com/apple-allows-gaming-apps-and-streaming-services-on-app-store/ browser-based Geforce Now was the only way to play Fortnite on iOS since 2020, now Epic Games plans to bring it back – even though Tim Sweeney thinks new rules are ‘hot garbage’ https://www.pcgamer.com/epic-taunts-apple-with-a-banana-as-tim-sweeney-decries-new-ios-rules-in-the-eu-as-hot-garbage/ https://twitter.com/FortniteGame/status/1750616130174234859 as long as Apple doesn’t block the Epic Games Store on iOS – Sweeney should watch his tone maybe https://twitter.com/TimSweeneyEpic/status/1750589570880516402 QUICK BITS BEEP BEEP, MOTHER-BEEPER Apple revokes Beeper users’ Mac privileges https://www.androidpolice.com/apple-beeper-imessage-banhammer/ New York Times reports https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/26/technology/apple-messaging-crackdown-beeper.html Then Apple started unbanning https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/01/26/apple-is-restoring-mac-users-that-were-banned-after-using-beeper-on-iphone Beeper’s still disabling new iMessage connections https://9to5google.com/2024/01/26/beeper-imessage-disabled-apple-ban/ I DON’T FEEL LIKE PART OF THE TEAM Teams outage https://twitter.com/MSFT365Status/status/1750923016408531454 a week after Microsoft disclosed they were hit by Russian-backed hacker group https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/microsoft-reveals-how-hackers-breached-its-exchange-online-accounts/ https://msrc.microsoft.com/blog/2024/01/microsoft-actions-following-attack-by-nation-state-actor-midnight-blizzard/ ACTING ANTI-SOCIAL Florida bill that would ban social media for anyone under 16 is 2 approvals away from becoming law https://www.axios.com/2024/01/25/florida-house-bill-social-media-child-ban https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/24/florida-social-media-restrictions-00137670 https://www.reuters.com/world/us/florida-lawmakers-vote-restrict-childrens-access-social-media-2024-01-25/ CAN DEFINITELY HOLD A CANDLE Google Lumiere text-to-video is pretty nuts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxLr02Dz2Sc https://www.zdnet.com/article/googles-ai-video-generator-tech-is-pretty-amazing-see-for-yourself/ https://arxiv.org/pdf/2401.12945.pdf UNLIMITED POWER Meta research demos moving real-world objects in VR https://www.roadtovr.com/meta-reality-lab-ar-research-scene-responsiveness/ https://youtu.be/-GwLu82QLCw?t=14 don’t try it on a plane though https://twitter.com/afoxdesign/status/1750243960864272661 https://twitter.com/boztank/status/1750288293072457898?t=KOAzmyaqbp56rPfMkwV20Q&s=19
  24. NEWS SOURCES: AI: APPLE INTELLIGENCE Apple roundup Apple aims to run an LLM locally on devices (AppleGPT) https://9to5mac.com/2024/01/24/next-generation-siri-ios-18/ https://www.macrumors.com/2024/01/24/apple-big-ai-push-startup-acquisitions/ r1 takes around 20 seconds between prompt and answer https://twitter.com/felix_red_panda/status/1749522604027682946 New iOS anti-theft feature limits changing password or security settings when not at trusted location. https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/22/tech/apple-stolen-device-protection-update/index.html https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/ios-17-3-stolen-device-protection/ Fees and reviews may still apply to sideloading https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/24/apple-weighs-taking-commissions-on-sideloaded-apps-in-eu-report-says/ https://www.macworld.com/article/2217084/report-claims-apple-will-still-control-and-tax-sideloaded-apps.html EU Spotify app https://www.axios.com/2024/01/24/spotify-eu-dma-app-store Vision Pro bots scalping https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/01/24/apple-vision-pro-and-taylor-swift-have-one-thing-in-common----bots https://www.pcmag.com/news/an-apple-vision-pro-for-10000-scalpers-try-to-resell-headset-for-profits THE ETERNAL UNDERDOG AMD's customers begin receiving the first Instinct MI300X AI GPUs — the company's toughest competitor to Nvidia's AI dominance https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/supercomputers/amds-customers-begin-receiving-the-first-instinct-mi300x-ai-gpus-companys-toughest-competitor-to-nvidias-ai-dominance-is-now-shipping https://www.amd.com/en/products/accelerators/instinct/mi300/mi300x.html The latest AMD Ryzen 7 8700G and Ryzen 5 8600G processors are 50-67% faster than their predecessors https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/cpus/leaked-ryzen-7-8700g-and-ryzen-5-8600g-benchmarks-are-impressive-cpu-performance-slightly-behind-ryzen-7000-non-x-skus https://gadgettendency.com/this-is-an-upgrade-the-latest-amd-ryzen-7-8700g-and-ryzen-5-8600g-processors-are-50-67-faster-than-their-predecessors/ TSMC's average wafer price jumped 22% in one year — nearly all semiconductor industry growth now comes from more expensive products, not higher production volumes https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/newer-chips-are-rapidly-becoming-far-more-expensive-tsmcs-average-wafer-price-jumped-22-in-one-year-and-nearly-all-semiconductor-industry-growth-now-comes-from-more-expensive-products SPACE IS COOL SPACE roundup Sierra Space is blowing up stuff to prove inflatable habitats are safe https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/01/sierra-space-is-blowing-up-stuff-to-prove-inflatable-habitats-are-safe/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7NiBD3KqkQ Astrobotic lander destroyed in Earth’s atmosphere https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/18/science/moon-lander-peregrine-nasa.html Can private companies get us back to the moon? Well, Axiom and SpaceX seem to be doing well enough https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/23/24047818/nasa-moon-landing-private-missions-failure-astrobotic-spacex https://www.npr.org/2024/01/18/1225191541/spacex-nasa-axiom-space-ax-3-international-space-station-iss NASA reestablishes contact with Mars Helicopter https://twitter.com/NASAJPL/status/1748883252604236281 QUICK BITS DISNEY’S HOLODECK Disney AR treadmill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68YMEmaF0rs Timestamp https://youtu.be/68YMEmaF0rs?t=202 https://kotaku.com/disney-world-new-holotile-vr-moving-treadmill-floor-1851189340 https://www.roadtovr.com/disney-vr-treadmill-multiple-user/ SCREW LOOSE Alaska Airlines says it found many loose bolts on its Boeing 737 Max 9s https://arstechnica.com/cars/2024/01/alaska-airlines-says-it-found-many-loose-bolts-on-its-boeing-737-max-9s/ Boeing, not Spirit, mis-installed piece that blew off Alaska MAX 9 jet, industry source says https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-not-spirit-mis-installed-piece-that-blew-off-alaska-max-9-jet/ Boeing 757 loses nose wheel preparing for takeoff amid rough stretch for plane maker https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/boeing-757-lost-nose-wheel-preparing-takeoff-rough-106638561 ROBOBIDEN OpenAI bans bot dev over election rules https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/jan/22/openai-bans-bot-impersonating-us-presidential-candidate-dean-phillips Deepfake joe biden robocalls https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/01/robocall-with-artificial-joe-biden-voice-tells-democrats-not-to-vote/ https://www.axios.com/2024/01/23/ai-generated-biden-robocalls-house-democrat-seeks-probe L’ESPIONAGE France fines Amazon $35 million over ‘excessive’ worker surveillance https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/23/24048197/amazon-fine-employee-surveillance-france-cnil-gdpr-privacy https://www.euronews.com/business/2024/01/23/amazon-fined-for-excessively-intrusive-surveillance-of-its-workers-in-france https://www.bbc.com/news/business-68067022 /JK Young man in court over private joke sent over airport wi-fi that was picked up by authorities https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68056421 https://www.euronews.com/2024/01/22/spanish-defence-ministry-demands-9478247-from-briton-who-said-he-would-blow-up-plane Contemporary reporting from 2022 https://www.businessinsider.com/bomb-hoaxer-easyjet-teenage-chess-star-barred-spain-2022-7
  25. NEWS SOURCES: SAMSUNG, GOOGLE, AND JIMMY Samsung Unpacked Samsung Galaxy Unpacked January 2024: Official Livestream (youtube.com) Galaxy Galaxy S24 ($800) 24+ ($1,000) 24 Ultra ($1,300) - Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 “for Galaxy” with 53% better ray-tracing perf, which is great for Pokeemon for whom ray tracing is one of the “main reasons” she’s a PC gamer (consoles and phones have it but ok) - Wi-Fi 7 - Ultra has 2,600 nits peak brightness (iPhone 15 pro: 2000 nits, Pixel 8 Pro: 2400, OnePlus 12: 4500) o Perfect for the Samsung guy who said he “loves gaming outdoors”, outdoor gamers rise up - Made of titanium alloy like iPhone 15 Pro cuz that went so well - Corning Gorilla Armor is toughest yet, 4x more scratch resistance, anti-reflective, missed opportunity for Rise of the Beasts collab - Comes in a “range of gender neutral colors” Galaxy AI – “Epic, Just Like That” – was that written by AI? - Does some on-device AI processing using Google Gemini Nano, but if you enable cloud AI processing, Gemini Pro will summarize text in Notes, Voice Recorder, and Keyboard - Real-time translation in voice calls + text messages o Seems more real-time than offerings from Google, Apple o Can also translate your TONE if you don’t make words good - Generative Edit fills in the middle of and the edges of photos – uses Imagen 2 - Instant Slow-Mo: adds AI-generated frames that frankly look a bit jank - When AI is used, will add digital watermark to image + metadata Circle to Search – draw circle on anything in any app to Google Search for it – launching Jan. 31 on Pixel 8’s and Galaxy S24’s https://lmg.gg/EbTak Photos - Interestingly, S23’s 10x optical zoom has been halved to 5x – 10x zoom is now “optical quality” - First Galaxy phone with optical 5x zoom on 8K video - “Nightography Zoom” up to 10x - - MrBeast did a demo - 7 years of security and OS upgrades Quick Share is now officially the AirDrop of Android Working on a Samsung Ring https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/17/24041859/samsung-smart-galaxy-ring-unpacked OUROBOROS REX Shitty google news + adblocker YouTube retraction A Google lays off “hundreds” more as ad division switches to AI-powered sales https://www.businessinsider.com/google-is-laying-off-hundreds-of-employees-in-its-advertising-team-2024-1 new study by German researchers found that Google Search is plagued with SEO spam. https://mashable.com/article/google-search-low-quality-research Chrome quietly updates Incognito warning to admit Google tracks users in “private” mode https://www.theregister.com/2024/01/17/google_updates_chrome_incognito_disclaimer/ YouTube’s ad blocker problems are just an Adblock Plus bug https://www.pcmag.com/news/youtube-is-slowing-down-load-times-for-viewers-with-ad-blockers-on EPIC FAIL US Supreme Court has had enough of Epic vs. Apple, refuses to hear appeals, Tim Sweeney says the fight to open-up iOS 'is lost… a sad outcome for all developers' https://www.pcgamer.com/us-supreme-court-has-had-enough-of-epic-vs-apple-refuses-to-hear-appeals-tim-sweeney-says-the-fight-to-open-up-ios-is-lost-a-sad-outcome-for-all-developers/ Supreme Court denies Epic v. Apple petitions, opening up iOS payment options https://9to5mac.com/2024/01/16/apple-revises-us-app-store-rules-to-let-developers-link-to-outside-payment-methods-but-it-will-still-charge-a-commission/ Apple seeks $73.4 mln in fees from Epic Games antitrust fight https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/apple-seeks-734-mln-fees-epic-games-antitrust-fight-2024-01-17/ Microsoft passes Apple as most valuable company in the world https://www.gamesindustry.biz/microsoft-passes-apple-as-most-valuable-company-in-the-world Apple hits “all-time high” smartphone market share, takes #1 spot for 2023 https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/jan/17/apple-samsung-worlds-top-smartphone-seller-iphone-honor-google-divide-android QUICK BITS HATSUNE MIKU FOR PRESIDENT OpenAI’s big plan to combat election misinformation https://openai.com/blog/how-openai-is-approaching-2024-worldwide-elections https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/16/tech/openai-election-misinformation/index.html Already an issue https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/06/09/ai-deepfakes-are-being-weaponised-in-the-race-for-us-president-and-trump-is-the-latest-tar OpenAI's GPT Store is being flooded by AI girlfriend bots despite explicit rules that prohibit them https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-girlfriend-bots-openai-gpt-store-rules-2024-1 (Potential joke: We’ll be missing out on campaign ads depicting Donald Trump as a Kaiju attacking New York City and climbing up Trump Tower.) (Other potential joke: Combine idea of election and AI Waifus.) OpenAI quietly removes ban on military use of its AI tools https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/16/openai-quietly-removes-ban-on-military-use-of-its-ai-tools.html https://theintercept.com/2024/01/12/open-ai-military-ban-chatgpt/ THE UPGRADABLE FUTURE LPCAMM2 https://www.techradar.com/pro/computer-ram-gets-biggest-upgrade-in-25-years-but-it-may-be-too-little-too-late-lpcamm2-wont-stop-apple-intel-and-amd-from-integrating-memory-directly-on-the-cpu https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/lpcamm2-will-bring-faster-upgradable-memory-to-some-laptops/ https://finance.yahoo.com/news/micron-mu-unveils-high-performance-164900991.html LETTERS FROM PRISON Fujitsu exec: "Bugs and errors" in accounting software aided wrongful prosecutions of UK postal workers. (Over 1000 postmasters fired since 1999) https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/jan/16/fujitsu-admits-for-first-time-it-should-help-compensate-post-office-victims https://www.bbc.com/news/business-67993493 https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/10/fujitsu-post-office-scandal-government/ FAIR TRADE ORGANIC LLM AI models that don’t violate copyright are getting a new certification label https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-17/ai-certification-program-verifies-systems-are-fairly-trained?leadSource=reddit_wall https://www.fairlytrained.org/blog/fairly-trained-launches-certification-for-generative-ai-models-that-respect-creators-rights https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/17/24041518/generative-ai-copyright-violation-fair-training-label-certification WILL.A.I. Will.i.am to present SiriusXM Show with AI CoHost https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/will-i-am-ai-co-host-siriusxm-show-1235788455/ https://www.avclub.com/will-i-am-podcast-cohost-ai-1851169055 https://ew.com/will-i-am-ai-cohost-interactive-show-8430505
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