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Tech Stories You Probably Missed - November 2023

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 15:47:29 Z

Our co-founder, Michał Błędowski, posts a #TechBrief (short collection of relevant tech stories) every Monday on LinkedIn. We have created a summary of all the latest, most interesting technology news from the industry, that took place in November 2023.

If you want to stay up to date on what's going on in the tech industry, including crucial cybersecurity stories, social media, innovations and finance connect with Michał on Linkedin.

Jump to any #TechBrief you like:

27.11.2023
20.11.2023
13.11.2023
06.11.2023

27.11.2023

OpenAI's Latest Model, Q*, Sparks Debate

OpenAI has developed a new model called Q* (pronounced "Q star"), which is reported to have the ability to solve basic math problems.
The unveiling of Q* led to internal turmoil at OpenAI, with some staff members expressing concern about the model's potential impact on humanity.
The board's decision to fire CEO Sam Altman is reportedly linked to the controversy surrounding Q*, but the specific reasons remain undisclosed.
AI experts view Q* as a significant advancement, particularly in its potential to logically reason and handle abstract concepts, addressing a current limitation in existing models.
While some believe Q* could be a step closer to artificial general intelligence (AGI), others express skepticism about the reported capabilities, emphasizing the need for cautious optimism and further evaluation.

Californians Stranded in Mojave Desert Due to the Google Maps App Error

A group of Californians returning from the Formula One Grand Prix in Las Vegas encountered a major setback when Google Maps led them into the Mojave Desert.
Relying on the app's suggestion to avoid a dust storm-related delay, the group took an alternative route that promised to be 50 minutes faster.
The off-road route, however, proved to be disastrous, causing damage to their car in the rough terrain of the desert, and they were not the only ones misled by Google Maps.
Stranded in the desert, the group called 911 for help, but the California Highway Patrol declined to assist, because of increased workload due to the dust storm.
After hours of navigating the desert, the group finally reached a gas station and eventually flew back home, leaving their damaged car to undergo repairs.

Airports Face Challenges in Adopting Sustainable Aviation Fuels

Heathrow Airport handles an operation with around 1,300 flights daily, requiring a staggering 20 million liters of jet fuel. This amount is equivalent to 400,000 car refuelings.
The UKs commitment to achieving zero carbon emissions in aviation by 2040 has led to a reevaluation of jet fuel sources. This shift has sparked exploration into options that can contribute to a more sustainable future of air travel.
While Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) presents a viable option, its current use is blended with regular jet fuel. Concerns linger about the economic feasibility and scalability of SAF to meet the demands of the aviation industry on a larger scale.
Hydrogen has emerged as a promising candidate due to its energy storage capabilities and its ability to function as a carbon-neutral fuel. However, challenges arise in handling liquid hydrogen, which requires extra insulation and poses safety hazards if not managed carefully.

Mysterious High-Energy Particle, Amaterasu, Defies Cosmic Norms

Astronomers are intrigued by the discovery of Amaterasu, an ultrahigh-energy cosmic ray, falling to Earth from what was believed to be an empty area in space.
Amaterasu stands out with an energy level exceeding 240 exa-electron volts, making it one of the most potent cosmic rays ever identified.
The particle's origin in the Local Void challenges existing theories, as conventional high-energy sources like supernovae seem inadequate for producing such energetic particles.
Speculations on potential sources range from supermassive black holes in distant galaxies to unconventional possibilities like defects in spacetime.

20.11.2023

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI was removed from his position unexpectedly, leading to speculation about the dynamics of leadership within the organization.

The details of OpenAI’s bylaws from 2016 and a restructuring in 2019 have come to light, revealing that non-stakeholders held significant decision-making power. This has raised concerns about how transparent the governing processes are.
Prominent investment firms like Khosla Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia Capital were taken aback by the changes in leadership structure. Questions have been raised about how the board oversaw and anticipated such developments.
OpenAI's structure, initially geared towards powering research and safe AI development, hit a few roadblocks that ended up changing the leadership unexpectedly. This prompts a broader reflection on the strategic direction of the company.

Airlines break revenue records with ancillary sales, while their marketing tactics face scrutiny

Airlines are projected to generate a record $117.9 billion from ancillary sales in 2023, a 7.7% increase from pre-pandemic levels, as they increasingly rely on fees for seats, baggage, and other extras to boost profits.
Ancillary sales practices, once associated with low-cost carriers, have become widespread among all airlines, including charging for business class seat selection by carriers like British Airways, Air France, and KLM.
Dark patterns, design strategies that manipulate consumers during the purchasing process, are employed by airlines on their websites. These include misdirection, nagging through pop-ups and emails, creating a sense of urgency, and preventing easy price comparisons.

Portugal sets milestone as it lasts six consecutive days powered solely by renewable energy

Portugal sets a record by relying entirely on renewable energy for six consecutive days, powering everything from homes to workplaces with wind, hydro, and solar energy.
During the period from 4:00 AM on October 31 to 9:00 AM on November 6, the country generated 1102 GWh of renewable energy, with Hugo Costa from EDP Renewables noting that gas plants were on standby, but not needed due to favorable weather conditions.
This achievement aligns with the climate goals of the Paris Agreement, and experts, including Miguel Prado, emphasize that Portugal's grid demonstrates readiness for high shares of renewable electricity, managing variations in production effectively.

Germany enhances tech industry competitiveness with capital market reforms

Germany greenlights substantial reforms in its capital market systems, effective January 1, 2024, to fortify the competitiveness of its technology industry against global competitors, particularly Silicon Valley.
The reforms, addressing stock-based compensation at startups, company listings, and taxation, specifically target improvements in employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) by overcoming prior disadvantages and streamlining administrative challenges.
Noteworthy changes include elevating the threshold for companies eligible for German ESOP plans, allowing those with up to 1,000 employees and a maximum annual revenue of 100 million euros to distribute shares among staff.

13.11.2023

Futuristic, Eco-Friendly Aircraft 'The Disruptor' Promises a New Design to Tackle Emissions and Noise

NASA, with a sponsorship of $2.9 million is working alongside Aurora Flight Sciences, MIT, and Pratt and Whitney to develop an aircraft called the Aurora D8.
Nicknamed "the disruptor", this aircraft aims to bring about a transformation in air travel, by offering faster boarding procedures and reduced noise levels.
The D8 stands out with its design resembling that of a whale's " bubble" shape. It incorporates engine placement at the rear combined with NASA’ s Boundary Layer Ingestion Propulsion technology.
It not only reduces drag, but also lowers power requirements, potentially leading to an impressive 8.5% decrease in fuel consumption.
When compared to models like the Boeing 737, the D8 boasts enhanced efficiency and features shorter landing gear. Additionally, it delivers a noise reduction of 40 dB when traveling at Mach 0.82 speed.

Darabase.io has introduced a global property inventory platform for AR advertising campaigns.

Property owners now have the opportunity to utilize this platform to manage their Property Digital Rights (PDRs) giving them control over the content displayed in their locations and allowing them to earn income through AR ads.
This platform addresses the increasing need for property owners to protect and regulate the usage of their properties in AR content, ensuring a lawful framework for AR campaigns.
By utilizing an algorithm Darabase can estimate the value of assets in immersive advertising and securely store PDRs as tokens on the Polygon Blockchain.
Prominent figures within the industry such as Scott Kaplanis and Patrick Boismenu have recognized Darabase’s role in establishing a connection between physical and digital realms, for ethical and effective AR advertising.

YouTube has introduced some AI experiments, which include a chatbot designed to provide video information and interact with users.

This chatbot is capable of answering questions, suggesting content, and even testing users on videos.
Additionally, YouTube has developed another AI tool that categorizes video comments into topics, in order to enhance the user experience.
These initiatives are part of Google's plan to integrate AI technology across services such, as Search, Gmail, and office tools.
YouTube acknowledges potential challenges, stating that the experiments may not always be perfect, particularly in handling comments where precautions are necessary to prevent the generation of undesirable content.

Humane AI, a company co-founded by designers from Apple, recently introduced their debut product called the AI Pin.

This innovative device is priced at $699 and aims to serve as a replacement for smartphones. It allows users to make phone calls, send text messages, and access information using voice commands. One of its features is a laser display on the palm, which can show the time, date, or nearby information.
What sets the AI Pin apart is its functionality without listening or recording. The device only activates when prompted through voice commands, touch input, gestures, or the laser ink display.
Humane AI has successfully secured over $200 million in funding, from investors including Microsoft, Tiger Global, Sam Altman (CEO of OpenAI), and Marc Benioff (CEO of Salesforce).

06.11.2023

Innovative Lights in Fishing: A solution for bycatch and increasing efficiency

Ian Wightman, a Scottish fisherman, starts his day at 5:00 AM, catching langoustines, a lifelong routine that requires every minute to count.
Wightman employs innovative technology, like LED lights on his fishing net, which have been shown to reduce average bycatch by 63% according to a study by Arizona State University, enhancing catch efficiency.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is collaborating with fishermen worldwide to test colored LED lights, particularly green ones, as a solution to minimize sea life entanglement, benefitting both the ocean ecosystem and fishing industry.
This approach reduces bycatch, fuel consumption, and increases fishermen's earnings. However, affordability remains a concern for some in the industry.

Facial recognition technology in a New Zealand government system has had a 45% failure rate in tests, raising concerns about its effectiveness, costs, and public perception.

The Identity Check system aims to be the primary method for New Zealanders to verify their identity online for various services, but its current success rate is only around 55%, making it commercially unviable.
To address these issues, the system is being upgraded with AI-based algorithms for liveness detection, which could potentially improve the pass rate to 90%.
The government's Delivering Future Identity Services Project, supported by an Act passed in 2024, is investing at least $70 million in modernizing identity systems, with Identity Check being one of its key components, but the project has faced challenges and funding issues.

Scientists have devised an incredibly thin material that has the potential to improve waterproofing across various fields.

The adhesion of water to solid surfaces influences numerous technologies, making it crucial to discover super-water-resistant coatings for designing more efficient waterproof equipment.
These liquid-like surfaces comprise an ultra-thin layer of water-resistant molecules bonded to a solid silicone surface, creating a lubricating effect that causes water droplets to effortlessly slide off with minimal friction.
A recent study conducted by researchers at Aalto University in Finland revealed that even when these liquid-like molecules are present in low concentrations, they still exhibit outstanding water resistance, which challenges prior expectations.

During an "in conversation" event at an AI summit, tech billionaire Elon Musk predicted that artificial intelligence would eventually render paid work.

The conversation also touched on the growth of the AI industry and the transformative potential of AI in education.
Both Musk and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak acknowledged public anxieties about job displacement due to AI and discussed the need for oversight or a "referee" for future supercomputers. Musk also mentioned the positive potential of AI in providing companionship and serving as patient tutors for learning.

Tech Stories You Probably Missed - September 2023

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 15:47:29 Z

If you want to stay up to date on what's going on in the tech industry, including crucial cybersecurity stories, social media, innovations and finance connect with Michał on Linkedin.

Jump to any #TechBrief you like:

25.09.2023
18.09.2023
11.09.2023
04.09.2023

25.09.2023

TRI Unveils new AI Techniques to Rapidly Teach Robots New Skills

Toyota Research Institute (TRI) has unveiled an AI technique called Diffusion Policy, which aims to effectively teach robots new skills.
This groundbreaking approach aims to improve the AI capabilities of
Large Language Models (LLMs).
By leveraging Diffusion Policy TRI has successfully taught robots more than 60 skills, eliminating the need for extensive coding or trial and error.
The ultimate objective is to teach hundreds of skills by the end of this year and expand that number to 1,000 by 2024. This will empower robots to perform a wide range of tasks in different scenarios.
TRIs approach combines demonstrations with language descriptions enabling consistent learning of new behaviors in robots while prioritizing safety.

Neuralink, a company founded by Elon Musk, has received approval from the FDA to conduct its first-ever human trial, known as the "PRIME study."

The primary focus of this six-year study is to assess the effectiveness of Neuralink's paralysis control devices and related technology.
To participate in the trial, Neuralink is seeking individuals aged 22 and above who have quadriplegia resulting from either a vertical spinal cord injury or ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis).
Participants will initially engage in an 18-month study involving nine visits with researchers.
Subsequently, they will be involved in ongoing sessions lasting at least two hours per week, dedicated to brain-computer interface research. This commitment continues for the next five years, with an additional 20 visits.
The PRIME Study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of three key components: the N1 implant (a brain-computer device), the R1 robot (used for surgically implanting the device), and the N1 User App (software that connects to the N1 implant and translates brain signals into computer actions).

BloomX, a tech company based in Israel has come up with an approach to pollinating crops that doesn't rely on bees."

The aim is to provide farmers with methods of pollination while reducing their dependence on honeybees from commercial sources.
Bees, including wild and farmed species, play a vital role in pollinating about three-quarters of crops grown for human consumption worldwide.
However, factors such as climate change, habitat loss, and pesticide usage are posing threats to bee populations.
BloomXs innovative technology includes products like "Robee" for blueberries and "Crossbee”, for avocados. These products utilize techniques and AI-powered software to enhance pollination efficiency and boost fruit yields.

Online discussions about Samsung's smart ring have been ongoing for a while. Recent discoveries within the Galaxy Wearable app version reveal two important aspects of this device."

Samsung has chosen to name the device "Galaxy Ring." It is set to be launched in 2024.
Users will have a dedicated app installed on their devices to enhance their experience with the Galaxy Ring, offering additional features and controls.
Reports also indicate that development work is already underway for this health-tracking device, which will include Bluetooth connectivity and messaging capabilities.

18.09.2023

NASA Announces Summer 2023 to be the hottest so far

The summer of 2023 was the hottest on record since 1880, with NASA's Goddard Institute of Space Studies reporting a temperature increase of 0.41°F (0.23°C)
June, July, and August compared to any previous summer and 2.1°F (1.2°C) warmer than the average summer between 1951 and 1980.
The high temperatures experienced in 2023 led to wildfires in Canada and Hawaii, heatwaves in South America, Japan, Europe, and the United States as well as heavy rainfall in Italy, Greece, and Central Europe. These events served as a reminder of the consequences brought about by climate change.
Bill Nelson, the Administrator of NASA emphasized that these unprecedented temperatures have impacts on people’s lives and livelihoods. This underscores the need to address the issue of climate change.
The exceptional warmth observed in 2023 can be partly attributed to sea surface temperatures. This phenomenon is influenced by the return of El Niño—a natural climate pattern characterized by Pacific Ocean temperatures.

Apple released a software update for iPhone 12 users in France due to concerns about high electromagnetic radiation levels detected by the French regulator ANFR.

Apple clarifies that the issue is specific to France's testing protocol and not a safety concern, with the update designed to comply with this protocol.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that low-level electromagnetic fields from mobile phones are not harmful to humans.
ANFR will assess the update for compliance before permitting iPhone 12 sales to resume in France. Other European regulators are also investigating, potentially affecting EU member states.
No action has been taken by the UK and US following the French ban.

Trauma surgeon David Howie has found a way to use VR technology in the medical field, in order to assist the process of repairing broken bones.

The innovative idea arose when Howie and his daughter received a VR headset as a Christmas gift, which sparked his curiosity about its potential for visualizing CT scans.
Through collaboration with NHS Lanarkshires IT team they developed a VR system that allows orthopedic surgeons to practice procedures outside of the operating room.
At University Hospital in Wishaw surgeons now utilize VR headsets to examine 3D images of injuries enhancing their understanding and surgical planning capabilities.
This groundbreaking technology, created in partnership with Medicalholodeck provides an advantage, in dealing with orthopedic surgeries, particularly those involving multiple fragmented pieces in fractures.

A major European tech regulator has fined TikTok €345 million for not protecting children's privacy.

The Irish Data Protection Commission, which oversees TikTok operations in the European Union found that the company violated the EU privacy laws.
According to an investigation by the Data Protection Commission, it was discovered that in 2020, TikTok’s default settings didn't offer safeguards for children's accounts.
Specifically, they found that created profiles for children were automatically set to public, allowing anyone on the internet to access them.
Additionally, TikTok failed to inform children about these privacy risks. Was found to use manipulative techniques called "dark patterns" to encourage users to share more personal information.

11.09.2023

Protesters gathered outside Cruise's San Francisco headquarters on Labor Day, demanding the company's shutdown to protect workers.

The motivation behind this protest stemmed from a previous incident in August when two robotaxis operated by Cruise were alleged to have blocked an ambulance, resulting in the tragic death of a patient.
As the protest unfolded, organizers tried to address the crowd near Cruise's premises, but their attempts were initially disrupted by blaring music. However, this interference ceased once Cruise's security personnel were notified.

Apple shares decline amidst concerns over potential iPhone restrictions in China

Apple's stock experienced a setback with a decrease of more than than 3% on Thursday following a decline of 4% on Wednesday. This drop is in response to reports indicating that Chinese government employees may face limitations when it comes to using iPhones.
While these reported restrictions have not been officially confirmed by the government, they have raised concerns about the impact on Apple's products amid the ongoing international tensions between the United States and China.
It is important to note that Greater China, which includes Hong Kong and Taiwan, represents a market for Apple. It contributes 18% to Apple's revenue, which reached $394 billion last year.

Between August 4 and September 5, around 15,000 short-term listings on Airbnb vanished in New York City due to the enforcement of a new law.

The increase in long-term rentals suggests the new law is pushing hosts to offer longer stays, aiming to address housing issues and the negative impacts of short-term vacation rentals in the city.
However, it remains challenging to determine if a listing is registered with the city, as only a small fraction mention city registration numbers, and the legitimacy of these numbers is uncertain.

Unusual database issue forces Toyota to stop production at Japanese factories

Toyota recently faced an unusual production challenge when it had to halt operations at all 14 of its Japanese factories.
The issue stemmed from routine maintenance performed on August 28, which initially involved data deletion and organization in the database but took a turn when a system error occurred due to insufficient disk space.
Because the servers were interconnected, the backup function failed to kick in, preventing an automatic switch to a backup system.
Consequently, Toyota had no choice but to temporarily stop production across its Japanese plants until the data could be transferred to a server with greater storage capacity.
While supply shortages, accidents, and external factors like weather or cyberattacks often cause production delays, this incident was unique, resulting from a database glitch.

04.09.2023

Xiaomi's latest creation, the CyberDog 2 is a quadruped robot that takes inspiration from the genuine connection between humans and dogs.

Introduced in 2023 as an upgrade to its predecessor, this incredible machine showcases intelligence, improved mobility, and lifelike interactions.
One of the standout features of CyberDog 2 is Xiaomi's cutting-edge technology called CyberGear Micro actuator. This innovation allows the robot to perform maneuvers with ease.
Additionally equipped with 19 sensors for vision, touch, and hearing all powered by AI and machine learning algorithms.
What sets CyberDog 2 apart visually is its resemblance to the Doberman breed while maintaining a design of merely 8.9 kilograms. The result is an appearance that can be both captivating and slightly uncanny at the same time.

Google is taking steps to tackle the challenges posed by AI-generated images, using its AI division known as DeepMind.

With the gradual increase of AI-generated images on the internet, media companies have been implementing regulations to prevent copyright violation.
To address this issue, Google's DeepMind is currently developing a tool called Synth ID. This tool aims to identify AI-generated images and apply watermarks for recognition of their origin.
The beta version of ID has been released for testing and improvement, with a group of users and companies. Google assures that adding watermarks will not compromise image quality, color accuracy or any other important aspects.

European car manufacturers are facing competition from electric vehicle (EV) producers in the race to develop affordable and user friendly EVs.

Chinese companies such as BYD, Nio, and Xpeng are actively targeting the European EV market, which witnessed a 55% sales surge to 820,000 vehicles in the first seven months of 2023 making up around 13% of total car sales.
The market share of EV brands in Europe has been steadily increasing; this year 8% of new EVs sold were manufactured by Chinese companies compared to 6% last year and just 4% in 2021.
The presence of automakers is clearly visible at events like the Munich auto show with a rise in the number of participating Chinese companies accounting for about 41% of exhibitors from Asia.

Three astronauts and a cosmonaut have successfully completed a six-month mission, in space as part of NASA's Crew 6 mission.

The mission started in March and included over 200 experiments conducted on the International Space Station (ISS) focusing on subjects such as human health and how turbulence in space affects satellite fuel.
The Endeavour capsule of the Crew Dragon spacecraft re-entered Earth's atmosphere at speeds with its heat shield enduring temperatures before safely landing in the Atlantic Ocean near Jacksonville, Florida.
During their time on the ISS, the crew members performed spacewalks, upgraded power systems, and installed arrays on the station, which has been continuously inhabited since 2000.
The new crew is set to launch in August and is expected to stay on the ISS for six months before returning in February 2024.

Tech Stories You Probably Missed - August 2023

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 15:47:29 Z

If you want to stay up to date on what's going on in the tech industry, including crucial cybersecurity stories, social media, innovations and finance connect with Michał on Linkedin.

Jump to any #TechBrief you like:

28.08.2023
21.08.2023
14.08.2023
07.08.2023

28.08.2023

The implementation of the EU Digital Services Act has introduced five changes for users on popular platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook as well as tech giants like Google and Amazon.

Option to disable AI recommended videos. Users now have the ability to opt out of AI recommendation systems for content like Instagram Reels and Facebook Stories.
Streamlined reporting of content. Platforms have improved options for reporting rule breaking posts, videos or comments. TikTok has introduced reporting categories while Facebook and Instagram have made existing reporting tools more accessible.
Increased transparency regarding content takedowns. Platforms will provide information about the reasons behind their content moderation decisions. TikTok offers insights into why certain videos are not eligible for recommendation.
In addition to focusing on content regulation the EU Digital Services Act also addresses products. Amazon has established a channel for reporting products and Zalando has implemented flagging systems even within their curated selection.
These changes brought about by the EU Digital Services Act aim to enhance user experiences on platforms while prioritizing transparency and addressing issues, like harmful content and products.
Tighter regulations on advertisements targeting children are being implemented by the EU due to their emphasis on privacy and manipulation concerns.

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) recently organized an event on July 27th to showcase the Audi Q8 e tron, an electric vehicle.

The event was hosted by supermodel Coco Rocha, whose reactions were captured using Audi Canada's AI technology and transformed into artwork providing a unique visual experience.
Alongside the unveiling of the Audi Q8 e tron there was a conversation between Coco Rocha and fashion icon Jeanne Beker as well as captivating musical performances by Kardinal Offishall, Bombae, Smilez and other notable guests.
The emission free SUV represents Audis dedication to mobility by offering technology and features, in the electric vehicle market.
This event beautifully highlighted the intersection of art, technology and sustainability while showcasing how electric vehicles have potential in today's eco-conscious world.

Mixed Reactions to Robotaxis in San Francisco

A futuristic scene unfolds as driverless cabs appear in San Francisco, triggering a mixture of excitement and apprehension among locals.
Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as automatic emergency braking and lane departure warnings make the self-driving experience possible.
Public opinion on robotaxis varies: some people are interested in
their safety potential, while others raise concerns about job
displacement, vehicle breakdowns, and accessibility issues.
Despite regulatory approvals, skeptics like the Safe Street Rebel
group have physically protested, highlighting the ongoing debate
around the role of AI in transportation.

Polish intelligence agencies are currently investigating a cyberattack directed at the country's railway systems.

Hackers gained unauthorized access to railway frequencies, causing disruptions in north-western Poland during the night, according to the Polish Press Agency (PAP).
Poland serves as a vital transit point for Western weaponry destined for Ukraine, adding a geopolitical dimension to the incident.
The attack triggered an emergency halt for about 20 trains near Szczecin. However, the services were swiftly restored.

21.08.2023

A cargo ship with wind-powered sails starts its maiden voyage to reduce emissions.

Cargill, the shipping company behind the vessel, aims to cut fuel usage and promote eco-friendly shipping. WindWings sails, as large as wings, fold down in port and open at sea to reduce carbon footprint.
The Pyxis Ocean's trip from China to Brazil tests real-world
effectiveness of wind-wing technology. Wind propulsion could decrease a ship's emissions by 30%; industry is transitioning towards
decarbonization.

New York City has decided to forbid the use of TikTok, on devices owned by the government due to concerns regarding its impact on security.

Similar measures have been taken by Congress and several states over the years prohibiting TikTok on devices owned by both state authorities.
The concern stems from TikToks association with ByteDance, a company which has raised worries that user data may be accessed by the government under Chinese law.
The decision to ban TikTok in NYC was made after the city's Cyber Command assessed that it posed a security threat to the networks of the city.
Government agencies within the city are required to uninstall the app from their devices within a period of 30 days.

Google has introduced an AI learning model called Robotic Transformer (RT 2) to enhance the intelligence of its robots.

RT 2 is an upgraded version of Google's vision language action (VLA) model, which helps robots understand instructions and recognize patterns, in both visuals and language.
In a test conducted in a kitchen office researchers instructed an arm using RT 2. The arm successfully identified a hammer (a rock), selected a drink for someone who was tired (a Red Bull), and moved a Coke can to a picture of Taylor Swift.
The new model was trained using data from the web and robotics combining advancements from language models like Google's Bard with data to improve performance. Additionally, it can comprehend instructions in languages, than English.

IBM predicts that 40% of the global workforce (approximately 1.4 billion workers) will need to learn new skills within the next three years due to the implementation of AI and generative AI technologies.

A study conducted by IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) involved surveys of 3,000 C-level executives from 28 countries and 21,000 workers in 21 nations.
Executives expect that generative AI will augment existing job roles rather than entirely replacing them. About 87% of surveyed executives hold this view.
Entry-level jobs will be the most impacted by generative AI, with 77% of executives stating that these positions are already experiencing effects.

14.08.2023

IBM has created a chip that takes inspiration from the human brain, with the goal of enhancing energy efficiency in AI systems.

This chip utilizes memristors, which function similarly to the connections found in our brains. These memristors can store a range of numbers. Operate in an analog fashion. The development of this prototype chip holds potential for efficient AI chips in smartphones and other devices while also reducing energy expenses for cloud providers.
However, there are still challenges to address, such as material costs and manufacturing complexities before this technology can be widely adopted.

Virgin Galactic recently completed its second commercial spaceflight with Galactic 02.

The launch took place from Spaceport America, in New Mexico. The flight was piloted by CJ Sturckow and Kelly Latimer while passengers on board included British Olympian Jon Goodwin as Keisha Schahaff and Anastatia Mayers from the Caribbean.
During this journey, the spacecraft ventured beyond the boundary of space at an altitude of 80 kilometers. To further expand their operations Virgin Galactic is planning to increase the frequency of their flights. They are also working on a two step "air launch" system.
Virgin Galactic is in the process of developing a fleet of Delta class spacecraft. Their goal is to offer more frequent trips by 2026.

YouTube is implementing measures to reduce spam and scams by disabling the inclusion of links in its Shorts feature from August 31st.

This decision has been made with the goal of improving user security and preventing any activities that may be associated with short form videos.
By preventing users from adding links to their Shorts YouTube aims to minimize the potential for spreading scams.
This action is part of YouTube's efforts to create a more reliable environment for its user community.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an inquiry into an accident that took place this year involving a Tesla Model Y.

The focus of the investigation is the vehicle's reliance on its Autopilot system, which has been under a lot of pressure by regulators regarding Tesla's self-driving technology.
The incident occurred in Warrenton, Virginia on July 19 when the Tesla collided with a tractor trailer truck as it was turning onto a highway from a truck stop.
Unfortunately, the driver of the Tesla lost their life in this accident. It remains uncertain whether Autopilot was active at that time.
This inquiry is part of a series of 35 crashes involving Tesla vehicles since 2016, where regulators suspect that Autopilot or similar systems may have been in use. Tragically, these crashes have resulted in 17 fatalities.

07.08.2023

US Scientists Achieve Second Net Energy Gain in Nuclear Fusion, Advancing Clean Energy Quest

Scientists in the United States at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have successfully achieved energy gain in a nuclear fusion reaction for the second time since their breakthrough, in December.
This accomplishment occurred during an experiment conducted in the National Ignition Facility (NIF) where they were able to generate an energy yield compared to attempts.
The process involved colliding elements to form heavier ones resulting in the release of significant amounts of energy.Although fusion energy has been recognized as a low carbon source there are still challenges to overcome when it comes to implementing power plants despite recent advancements.

UK researchers have developed a deep-learning algorithm using sound recordings from microphone-captured keyboard keystrokes.

The algorithm achieves up to 95% accuracy in recognizing pressed keys, with training data also obtained from Zoom audio recordings (accuracy drops to 93%).
The algorithm poses a significant data security threat through acoustic attacks, enabling the theft of confidential information. The accessibility of microphones and advances in machine learning escalate the danger of such attacks.
To execute an acoustic attack, attackers record keystroke sounds for training. This can be accomplished using nearby microphones or compromised smartphones. The study used MacBook Pro button sounds, producing spectrograms to train the CoAtNet image classifier, achieving accuracy of 95% from smartphones, 93% from Zoom, and 91.7% from Skype recordings.

A prominent North American recycler of electric vehicle (EV) batteries has introduced its operations in Europe.

Each major processing line can manage as much as 10,000 metric tons of lithium-ion battery material per year, with a potential extension of 10,000 more tons.
When coupled with its current facilities, the recently launched European center, Magdeburg Spoke, could offer an overall annual capacity of 30,000 tons. Li-Cycle intends to refine the intermediate output called "black mass" from Spokes at forthcoming "Hub" sites to generate battery-grade materials.

Japan's finance ministry has asked X (previously known as Twitter) to remove an account impersonating its top currency diplomat, Masato Kanda.

Masato Kanda plays a significant role in Japan's efforts to stabilize the yen's value and is known for influencing the country's monetary policies.
The fake account, followed by about 550 users, has been suspended after the finance ministry's request, with five posts impersonating Kanda, and X confirming its suspension for violating Twitter rules.

Tech Stories You Probably Missed - July 2023

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 15:47:29 Z

If you want to stay up to date on what's going on in the tech industry, including crucial cybersecurity stories, social media, innovations and finance connect with Michał on Linkedin.

Jump to any #TechBrief you like:

31.07.2023
24.07.2023
17.07.2023
10.07.23
03.07.23

31.07.2023

The United Nations advises against the use of smartphones in schools unless they contribute to the learning process.

Unesco, the UNs education, science and culture agency has expressed concerns about the presence of devices in schools citing distractions, privacy risks and cyberbullying.
While a few countries have implemented regulations or policies to prohibit mobile phone usage in schools, research has indicated that such restrictions can positively impact students' academic performance.
Opinions on banning phones in schools vary, with some advocating for limitations due to associated issues while others believe that schools should adapt their policies to address needs and encourage technology usage.

The Houston mission control experienced a power failure causing a 20 minute loss of communication, with the International Space Station (ISS).

Interestingly this was the first time that the ISS relied on Houston's backup power. Fortunately, the space station manager confirmed that no crew members were at risk during the outage.
After an hour and a half, full communication with the ground was successfully restored. The ISS serves as a platform for astronauts from different countries to conduct experiments while traveling at a speed of five miles per second.
The unique environment of weightlessness aboard the ISS offers a setting for testing equipment and developing plans for space travel.

Toyota has introduced a technology that utilizes liquid hydrogen, which emits zero emissions as a sustainable fuel, for their H2 Corolla race car.

This pioneering move sets a precedent in the industry.
Hydrogen has been gaining attention as a renewable fuel due to its clean energy properties. When burned it only produces water vapor making it more environmentally friendly.
Liquid hydrogen is renowned for its power and lightweight nature making it highly sought after. NASA has recognized its potential since the 1950s and now, Toyota is incorporating this fuel into their racing car.
The advantages of using hydrogen fuel are numerous; its low molecular weight ensures efficiency and extended range; refueling is also convenient compared to hydrogen.

Ionocaloric cooling is a new environmentally friendly method of reducing temperatures that has the potential to replace traditional cooling methods and change the current refrigeration process.

Unlike conventional refrigeration systems that use environmentally harmful gasses, there are alternative ways to manipulate substances to absorb and release heat.
Scientists from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of California have developed the cycle which takes advantage of the heat absorption and release that occurs when a material undergoes a phase change, such as ice melting into water.
The researchers believe it has the capability to match or even surpass existing refrigerants, in terms of efficiency by using currents to adjust the materials melting point and control temperature changes.

24.07.2023

Elon Musk: Twitter unveils X logo to replace Larry the bird

Twitter's CEO unveiled a new logo, a white X on a black background, after Elon Musk expressed his desire to replace the bird logo.
Linda Yaccarino, in a tweet, announced the arrival of the new logo "X" and mentioned Musk's profile update to the new logo.
Elon Musk intends to create a "super app" named "X."
The new rebranding is seen as an exciting opportunity to transform the platform, with Musk stating it should have been done earlier.

Intel has developed a deep fake detection system called "FakeCatcher"

The system uses a technique called Photoplethysmography (PPG) to detect changes in blood flow and eye movement to differentiate between real and fake videos.
FakeCatcher is claimed to be 96% accurate in detecting deep fakes, but it can sometimes incorrectly label real videos as fake, especially if the video is pixelated or lacks audio analysis.
The system's accuracy in real-world contexts has been questioned, as facial-recognition systems tend to have generous accuracy statistics but may perform differently when tested in real-life situations.
Researchers, including Matt Groh from Northwestern University, want to see the system independently analyzed to determine its effectiveness.
While FakeCatcher has potential, it still needs further improvement and testing to ensure reliable detection of deepfakes in various scenarios.

Unveiling the Human Body's Cellular System

Three new reference atlases, created by the Human Biomolecular Atlas consortium, show how cells work together in three important organs: the placenta, kidneys, and intestines.
These atlases provide detailed information about how cells are arranged and connected in each organ, helping us better understand health and diseases.
A team of 400 scientists from the US, UK, and Switzerland worked for over five years to produce these groundbreaking results.
The cellular neighborhoods and communities in each organ vary based on a person's health, which could have implications for conditions like hypertension and obesity.

A brewery in California is using recycled wastewater, purified with NASA-developed technology, to make beer.

Breweries in the western US are adopting this approach to combat drought conditions in the region.
The Half Moon Bay Brewing Company collaborated with NASA to utilise water recycling technology used by astronauts in space.
Recycled wastewater is often cleaner than on-site water sources, and environmental engineers have supported its use.
Researchers continue to improve water recycling technology, with NASA reporting a successful 98% recycling rate on the International Space Station.

17.07.2023

Actors Strike Over AI Threats and Concerns about Ownership, Job Losses, and Creative Integrity

Hollywood actors are going on strike, the first in 43 years, due to concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the entertainment industry.
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) failed to reach an agreement for better protections against AI and warned that AI poses an existential threat to creative professions.
Producers have proposed using AI to scan the faces of background artists and own and use their likeness without consent or compensation.
The use of AI in the entertainment industry, including performance cloning and deepfakes, is a concern for other actors' unions.

Finland's Island Promotes Digital Detox and Nature Appreciation

Ulko-Tammio, a beauty spot off the coast of Finland, aims to become the world's first phone-free island.
Visitors are encouraged to keep their smart devices in their pockets and take a break from social media to genuinely enjoy the islands.
The initiative is voluntary, and the island has a fully functioning mobile network for those who are apprehensive about giving up their devices.

Green Energy Tycoon Plans UK's First Electric Airline

Green energy tycoon Dale Vince aims to launch Britain's first electric airline, called Ecojet, to demonstrate the decarbonization of polluting industries.
Ecojet will initially operate with 19-seater planes running on kerosene-based fuel before being retrofitted with engines converting green hydrogen into electricity.
The airline will begin with a route between Edinburgh and Southampton and later expand to cover all major cities in Britain.
Ecojet's staff will wear eco-friendly uniforms and serve plant-based meals, aligning with its "green Britain" branding.
Vince acknowledges the contradiction of using fossil fuels initially but emphasizes the need for a quick launch to secure planes, landing slots, and maintain project momentum, with plans to retrofit planes once electric engines become available.

Matternet Becomes First Non-Military Drone Company to Attain FAA Certification, but Drone Delivery Future Depends on Infrastructure

Andreas Raptopoulos, CEO of Matternet, announces that the company has achieved FAA's "type certification," making it the first non-military drone company to have its entire fleet approved as airworthy.
Raptopoulos emphasizes the need for infrastructure and comprehensive regulation from airspace regulators to support the scale of drone delivery.
Matternet envisions a future where lightweight and urgent items are transported by drones, becoming a commonplace layer of transportation and logistics.
The company has been operating in Switzerland since 2017 and partnered with UPS in the U.S. for medical supply deliveries in North Carolina and Florida.

Image source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jul/17/green-energy-tycoon-to-launch-uk-first-electric-airline

10.07.23

The FBI has issued a warning about the risks of using USB charging points in airports due to potential scams.

Travelers are increasingly relying on smartphones for travel-related tasks, and many airports offer free mobile phone charging stations.
Fraudsters can exploit these public charging ports to gain access to personal phones and install malware or monitoring software.
The FBI advises travelers to avoid using free charging stations and instead carry their own charger and USB cord to use with electrical outlets.
This form of cyber attack poses a significant privacy risk and can grant criminals access to sensitive information such as emails and credit card numbers.

How did Alexandr Wang become the youngest self-made billionaire in tech?

Alexandr Wang, co-founder and CEO of Scale AI, became the world's youngest self-made billionaire at the age of 25 when the company was valued at $7.3 billion in 2021.
He demonstrated exceptional mathematical and coding skills from a young age and received crucial advice from Quora CEO Adam D'Angelo, emphasizing the importance of practical experience over a traditional college education.
Scale AI specializes in providing a vast outsourced workforce for labeling data used in training AI systems and has gained recognition from major international auto manufacturers and government agencies, with Wang establishing deep connections with lawmakers in Washington, D.C.

Threads, a social media app developed by Meta (owner of Instagram and Facebook), has gained over 100 million users in less than five days.

This surpasses the record set by Open AI's ChatGPT app.
Threads was released on Apple and Android app stores in 100 countries, but is not available in Europe due to data privacy regulations.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, announced that the app had reached 10 million users within seven hours and over 30 million by the following day.

Project Dragonfly, conducted at the Airbus campus, focused on extending the autonomy of the autopilot on an Airbus A350-1000.

The Airbus campus in Toulouse is a massive site employing 28,000 staff and hosting visitors who come to witness the plane-building process.
The project aimed to improve automatic landing, taxi assistance, and automated emergency diversion, with the most dramatic feature being an automatic emergency descent system.
The autonomous emergency descent system allows the plane to descend and land safely while recognizing other aircraft, weather conditions, and terrain.

The US will finally see the arrival of this environmentally conscious smartphone.

After a wait of nearly two years since its initial debut in September 2021, the Fairphone 4, a smartphone designed with user-repairability in mind and constructed using ethically sourced materials, is finally making its way to the United States.
The Murena Fairphone 4 runs on a privacy-oriented Android-based operating system called /e/OS.
The phone features a modular design for easy disassembly and repair, with an IP54 rating for protection against dust and water sprays.

img. source https://www.dexerto.com/tech/worlds-first-flying-car-now-accepting-pre-orders-upon-landing-approval-for-flight-tests-2196803/

03.07.23

Google has announced its decision to block access to Canadian news content as a response to a new law requiring tech giants to pay Canadian media for their news.

The Online News Act, recently passed by Canada's parliament, compels platforms like Google and Meta's Facebook to engage in negotiations with news providers.
Meta, too, has indicated its intent to limit news content for Canadian users. The law is scheduled to take effect in six months, and Google had previously criticized its feasibility, though talks with the government were held.
The move has caught the Canadian government by surprise, as they view the legislation as crucial to ensuring fair compensation for struggling news outlets.

Greyparrot, a UK start-up, has developed an AI system that uses cameras and AI software to analyze waste in real-time at recycling facilities.

The world faces a significant waste problem, with 2.24 billion tonnes of solid waste produced in 2020, and it is projected to increase by 73% to 3.88 billion tonnes by 2050.
The technology tracks billions of waste objects annually, providing valuable data to waste managers, regulators, and influencing packaging design.
Polytag, another UK company, uses UV tags on plastic bottles to ensure they are properly recycled, with the data uploaded to a cloud-based app for real-time monitoring.

A company has received FAA approval and is accepting preorders for its flying electric car

The fully-electric vehicle has a low-speed capability of up to 200 miles on roads and can also vertically take off, with a flying range of 110 miles.
The car features a unique gimbaled rotating cabin design that stabilizes the driver and offers a panoramic view for a safe and enjoyable flight experience.
Preorders for the two-seater vehicle are available and expected to cost around $300,000.
The founders of Alef Aeronautics were inspired by the possibility of flying cars after discussing it during a Science Fiction lecture in 2015, leading them to design their own flying car.

Tesla reported total deliveries of 466,140 vehicles and total production of 479,700 vehicles in the second quarter of 2023, beating analyst expectations.

This marks the fifth consecutive quarter where Tesla produced more vehicles than it delivered. Model Y crossover and Model 3 sedan accounted for about 96% of the deliveries in the quarter.
Tesla offered discounts and incentives, including tax credits, to boost sales in the U.S.
The company plans to expand its manufacturing capabilities in Mexico and India and is developing new models like the Cybertruck and more affordable electric vehicles.

Tech Stories You Probably Missed - June 2023

Fri, 30 Jun 2023 15:47:29 Z

If you want to stay up to date on what's going on in the tech industry, including crucial cybersecurity stories, social media, innovations and finance connect with Michał on Linkedin.

Jump to any #TechBrief you like:

26.06.23
19.06.2023
12.06.23

26.06.23

Teads Introduces Attention Metrics in Ad Manager

Teads, a global media platform, has introduced attention metrics in its Teads Ad Manager (TAM), allowing clients to measure attention similar to viewability.

This integration marks one year since the launch of Teads Attention Program, which has conducted numerous tests with Lumen and other partners to fuel innovation.

Teads Ad Manager now provides advertisers with a simplified one-touch system for measuring and optimizing attention, streamlining a complex process.

By clicking the 'attention' button in TAM, advertisers can tag their campaigns with Lumen to gain insights into the amount of attention received by their ads and optimize their campaigns accordingly.

NASA Cancels Electric Plane's Flight Plan Due to Safety Concerns

NASA has announced the cancellation of its experimental electric aircraft, the X-57, due to safety concerns and limited time and budget.

The propulsion system of the aircraft was found to have potential failure modes that posed risks to the pilot's safety and ground personnel during ground tests.

Previous challenges included transistor module failures in electrical inverters, which were resolved.

The latest issue arose from potential failure modes of the motors powering the propellers, which were discovered during detailed analysis and airworthiness assessment.

NASA remains proud of its contributions to the industry and has other X-plane programs in progress, including the X-59 and X-66A, with the latter scheduled for a flight in 2028.

Watching TV in self-driving cars could soon be allowed

The UK Department for Transport (DfT) announced that the first self-driving vehicles could be ready for use later this year, although they are currently not allowed on UK roads.

Proposed changes to the Highway Code, expected to be implemented over the summer, aim to support the early adoption of self-driving technology, with a full regulatory framework planned for 2025.

The updates will clarify that users of self-driving cars will not be held responsible for accidents, as liability will typically rest with insurance companies rather than individuals.

This week witnessed significant investments by big tech companies in machine learning tools.

Big tech companies are investing billions of dollars in machine learning tools, particularly in the field of generative AI.

Dropbox launched a corporate venture fund, AWS debuted a $100 million program, Salesforce Ventures plans to invest $500 million, and Workday added $250 million to its VC fund, all to support AI-powered startups.

Accenture and PwC announced plans to invest $3 billion and $1 billion, respectively, in AI.

European regulators are calling for urgent investigations into the risks of generative AI, while companies like Vimeo and ElevenLabs are leveraging AI to enhance their platforms.

img. source: https://www.popsci.com/technology/nasa-cancels-x-57-flight/

19.06.23

The Singapore Police Force has introduced two robots to patrol Changi Airport, with plans to deploy more across the city-state in the future.

These robots, standing over 7 feet tall with 360-degree vision, are intended to project police presence and serve as additional eyes on the ground.

They can enforce cordons, warn bystanders, and enable direct communication with the public while waiting for human officers to arrive during incidents.

Equipped with cameras and in-built speakers, these robots enhance operational efficiency and incident management for airport police.

EU Mandates User-Replaceable Batteries for Smartphones and Tablets by 2027

The European Parliament has approved new rules that will require smartphones and tablets sold within the EU to have user-replaceable batteries.

Manufacturers will need to redesign their devices to allow consumers to easily remove and replace the batteries, which is currently not the case for most smartphones and tablets.

Apple, along with other smartphone manufacturers, will need to find a way to provide access to the battery in their future devices, following the European Union's previous requirement for a switch from Lightning to USB-C ports

Google has introduced a software update for Pixel phones, bringing a set of new, exciting tools to the devices.

One notable feature is the expanded car crash detection, which not only contacts emergency services but also shares real-time location and call status with the user's emergency contacts.

Hands-free photo capture has been added for Pixel 6 and later models, allowing users to trigger the camera timer by raising their palm.

AI-enabled wallpapers have been introduced, using AI to transform 2D backgrounds into dynamic 3D scenes, along with new emoji wallpapers for personalized backgrounds.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a complaint against a genetic testing company for allegedly failing to protect client privacy.

The company is accused of lying to customers about deleting their data, changing privacy policies without notification, and leaving sensitive genetic and health data unsecured.

The company stored data in publicly accessible "buckets" on Amazon Web Service's cloud storage, potentially putting 2,400 health reports and raw genetic data of at least 227 consumers at risk.

12.06.23

Apple introduces Optic ID, a new biometric authentication technology based on iris details.

Apple has announced its new biometric security technology called Optic ID, which is based on iris recognition. This technology will be used to unlock Apple's new Vision Pro mixed reality headset.

Optic ID works by analyzing the user's iris through LED light exposure and comparing it with a stored Optic ID on the device's Secure Enclave. Apple claims that the system can even distinguish between identical twins.

This is Apple's third biometric system, following Touch ID and Face ID, and it will be used for various functions on the Vision Pro, including unlocking the device and using Apple Pay. Apple emphasizes that Optic ID stays on the device and is encrypted for security.

The accuracy and speed of Optic ID compared to Face ID will only be known once the Vision Pro is tested. Apple aims to improve upon previous eye scanning technologies to ensure better security against hackers.

The University of Minnesota is in the process of creating a small and easily transportable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner.

The University of Minnesota and Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington have secured significant grants from the NIH, for over $12 million, to collaborate on an ambitious project. Their goal is to develop a revolutionary MRI scanner that is compact and easily transportable.

The prototype brain MRI scanner aims to enhance accessibility and expand MRI capabilities.

Current MRI machines are expensive, require specialized facilities, and are difficult to transport, limiting access for many populations.

The new head-only magnet design of the portable MRI scanner allows for brain imaging almost anywhere, potentially improving health equity and research opportunities.

Future of Brain-Monitoring Technology

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) warns of potential discrimination if brain-monitoring technology, known as "neurotech," is not properly developed and used by companies in the future.

The ICO's report on neurotechnology, called "Tech Futures: Neurotechnology," explores hypothetical future uses of neurotech, including workplace monitoring and wearable brain monitoring devices in education.

Companies like Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk, are researching ways to connect computers to human brains, and the ICO notes the rapid growth in investments and patents in this area.

Tech Stories You Probably Missed - May 2023

Tue, 30 May 2023 15:47:29 Z

Our co-founder, Michał Błędowski, posts a #TechBrief (short collection of relevant tech stories) every Monday on LinkedIn. We have created a summary of all the latest, most interesting Tech news from the industry, that took place in May 2023.

If you want to stay up to date on what's going on in the tech industry, including crucial cybersecurity stories, social media, innovations and finance connect with Michał on Linkedin.

Jump to any #TechBrief you like:

29.05.23
22.05.23
15.05.2023
08.05.23
02.05.23

29.05.23

Solar-Powered 'Artificial Leaves' Convert CO2 and Sunlight into Renewable Liquid Fuels

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have developed solar-powered "artificial leaves" that can convert carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight into liquid fuels such as ethanol and propanol in a single step.

These fuels have a high energy density, are renewable, and produce net-zero carbon emissions, making them an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels.

The technology is currently at the laboratory scale, but it represents an important step in transitioning away from a fossil fuel-based economy and could potentially provide a practical solution for producing complex chemicals directly from solar energy.

Meta Hit with Record €1.2 Billion Fine in EU

Facebook owner Meta Platforms Inc. has been fined a record €1.2 billion ($1.3 billion) by the European Union (EU) for failing to protect personal data from US security services and violating the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Meta has been given a deadline of five months to suspend future data transfers to the US and six months to stop the unlawful processing and storage of transferred personal data in the US.

The fine and data transfer ban stem from a legal challenge by an Austrian privacy campaigner, Max Schrems, regarding the insufficient protection of European users' data from US intelligence agencies.

Neuralink Receives FDA Approval for Human Tests with Brain-Chip Implants

Elon Musk's Neuralink has received FDA approval to conduct its first human tests with brain-chip implants.

Neuralink aims to restore vision and mobility by connecting brains to computers, helping treat conditions like paralysis and blindness.

While the company does not have immediate plans to recruit participants, the FDA acknowledges the approval, and Neuralink intends to provide more information soon.

22.05.23

The Senate hearing on AI displayed a surprisingly friendly atmosphere

The event took place with industry representatives, particularly OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, supporting the regulation of AI technologies.

Concerns have been raised that this friendly relationship between industry and government could result in industry capture, where tech giants shape AI regulations to their advantage.

Critics argue that industry capture could harm smaller firms, stifle competition, and lead to weak regulations that fail to address the potential harms of AI.

While some experts support the idea of licensing or certification to promote responsible AI practices, others caution that it could concentrate power in the hands of a few and hinder innovation.

Rolls-Royce has successfully tested its jet engine technology powered by sustainable fuel at a facility in Derby.

The UltraFan technology is quieter and more fuel efficient than previous models, providing a 10% improvement in efficiency over the Trent XWB engine.

Company executives consider this technology a "game-changer" for the industry.

The tests bring the aviation industry closer to its goal of achieving net zero flight by 2050, and the UK government has supported the UltraFan project.

NASA has selected Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin as the second company to build a lunar lander under its Artemis program.

The first contract was awarded to Elon Musk's SpaceX in 2021, and the initial missions are scheduled for later this decade.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized the need for competition and having backup options to benefit NASA and the American people.

Blue Origin has named Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Draper, and Astrobotic as its corporate partners for the lunar lander project.

15.05.2023

NASA is working on a new AI warning system predicting solar storms

Nasa has built an artificial intelligence model to predict where on Earth an impending solar storm would strike. The system works 30 minutes in advance and can give enough time for countries to prevent impacts of storms the critical infrastructure like power grids.

According to researchers from the American space agency’s Goddard Space Center, the AI model analyses Nasa satellite data to raise the alarm on dangerous space weather.

Solar storms happen when the Sun emits a burst of electrically charged plasma in a coronal mass ejection. These charged particles create geomagnetic storms that interfere with the protective magnetic field around the planet. This is the reason for possible blackouts and technological malfunctions of instruments on Earth.

Twitter plans to remove and archive inactive accounts

Last week Elon Musk announced that Twitter accounts that were not active for several years are going to be archived, as it’s important to „free up abandoned handles”.

That decision was criticized online, as people don't want to lose accounts of their close ones who passed away. Twitter has a solution for that, as data won’t be permanently deleted, but rather moved to the archive.

Scientists have been using the same human genome sequence to study genomics for more than 20 years, but it got a major makeover

Researchers published a new collection of reference human genome sequences in a landmark development that greatly expands on that original reference sequence. It includes genome sequences of 47 people from across the globe. The original reference primarily came from one person, although it includes components from a total of around 20 people.

The pangenome better reflects the global gene pool, so scientists will be able to use it to more accurately identify genetic variations related to the disease.

08.05.23

Google has made a significant update by eliminating the need for passwords.

In response to growing concerns about online safety Google has made strides forward by introducing "passkeys". These exciting new authentication methods replace the old fashioned password system for improved ease of use and heightened security features.

Passkeys employ biometric data alongside local code stored on devices acting as effective safeguards against potential data breaches - therefore providing much needed reassurance for individuals using digital platforms today.

This solution is supported by key members of FIDO Alliance in recognition of its progress towards addressing vulnerabilities associated with standard passwords.

Legal liability for online platforms would reduce disinformation, according to economists.

A survey conducted by the Forum for Kent A. Clark Center for Global Markets revealed that a majority of economists agree that increasing the legal liability of online platforms would effectively reduce disinformation.

They believe that holding companies accountable for user-generated content would encourage responsible publishing and minimize the dissemination of questionable information.

However, economists express uncertainty regarding the impact of stronger legal liabilities on the advertising revenue of these platforms, which plays a crucial role in their business models. While reforms may reduce user engagement and digital advertising revenue, the overall effects on platforms' bottom line remain unclear.

New project to measure Alzheimer's and Parkinson's via the ear

Innovation Fund Denmark has funded an ambitious research project aimed at developing a scalable technological solution for home based healthcare that can aid with the early detection, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of Alzheimers and Parkinsons disease.

This cutting edge project utilizes an ear EEG device that closely resembles an ordinary set of headphones which helps measure the brain's electrical activity levels during restful periods like sleep.

According to existing scientific literature there are noticeable clues associated with detecting these impairments within sleep wake cycles.

02.05.23

Experts believe that while aging is inevitable, the number of healthy years we experience can be increased.

This has led to the emergence of an industry that promises a longevity revolution with techniques to help us reduce inflammation and disease risk in our bodies.

Tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson is one of those who is investing millions of dollars in reducing his biological age, how old his body seems, through a daily routine of supplements, exercise, monitoring and numerous treatments.

However, lifestyle is responsible for about 93% of our longevity, and experts are investigating what a healthy lifestyle means, including exercise, fasting, good sleep, social connections, and limited alcohol intake. Finally, keeping better track of our bodies as we age can help flag health risks in advance and apply new drugs at the right time.

There is a debate in the field of AI about whether it is important to study consciousness.

A group of academics from around the world have signed an open letter calling on artificial intelligence (AI) developers to learn more about consciousness. The letter argues that as AI systems become more advanced, it is essential to have a greater scientific understanding of consciousness, its relationship to AI, and how society might live alongside it.

The letter, compiled by the Association for Mathematical Consciousness Science, highlights that although AI is not currently capable of human-level consciousness, it is evolving rapidly.

The signatories, including academics from universities in the UK, US, and Europe, emphasize that the development of AI is exposing the urgent need to accelerate research in the field of consciousness science.

FBI Requests $63 Million to Combat Cyber Threats in 2024

The FBI Director, Christopher Wray, recently asked Congress for more than $63 million to fight cyber threats in 2024. The FBI's funding request includes hiring additional staff and improving their cyber capabilities and internal network security.

Experts have praised the FBI's creative approaches to cybercrime and their success in taking down major cybercrime rings.

However, some experts worry that the requested funding may not be enough to make a meaningful impact on cybercrime and nation-state APTs.

Tech Stories You Probably Missed - April 2023

Fri, 28 Apr 2023 15:47:29 Z

Our co-founder, Michał Błędowski, posts a #TechBrief (short collection of relevant tech stories) every Monday on LinkedIn. We have created a summary of all the latest, most interesting Tech news from the industry, that took place in April 2023.

If you want to stay up to date on what's going on in the tech industry, including crucial cybersecurity stories, social media, innovations and finance connect with Michał on Linkedin.

Jump to any #TechBrief you like:

24.04.2023
17.04.2023
11.04.2023
03.04.2023

24.04.2023

SuperNode and CERN Collaborate to Develop Renewable Energy Transmission Technology

SuperNode, an Irish company focused on developing cutting-edge energy transmission technology based on superconductivity, has announced a collaboration with CERN, the European Laboratory for Particle Physics, to develop a new type of insulation for superconducting cables that could greatly improve energy transmission and accelerate the transition to renewable energy.

Under the agreement, CERN will bring their expertise in cryogenics and vacuums to test and analyze sample materials and subsystems for SuperNode's superconducting cable systems.

The collaboration is part of CERN's Innovation Programme for Environmental Applications (CIPEA) and aims to develop groundbreaking solutions for power transmission while minimizing the environmental and carbon footprints of energy provision.

In modern cars, the importance of software has become as significant as that of hardware.

Traditional ways of differentiating car brands based on mechanical excellence are becoming less important to consumers, with only 8% of buyers being "petrolheads" who love driving for its own sake.

The focus now is on software rather than hardware, with Tesla's technology updates being a key factor in consumer decision-making.

The Nio house in Berlin is a new type of car dealership that focuses on providing a unique user experience rather than just selling cars. It is part of a network of similar establishments in China and offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy a lifestyle brand that is also a tech firm.

Nio cars are equipped with high-definition screens and state-of-the-art sound systems, and the brand offers coffee bars, meeting rooms, branded goods, and a high-tech play area for children.

As artificial intelligence becomes more involved in healthcare, it's important to ensure that it doesn't take over all decision-making

The use of artificial intelligence in healthcare is increasing, with some hospitals using it to diagnose diseases, and develop treatment plans. However, there are concerns about the reliability of AI-generated medical advice as these systems are often trained on limited or biased data, and they may not work as well for everyone.

There is also a risk of AI paternalism, where doctors may trust AI at the expense of a patient's own lived experiences and their own clinical judgment. This is problematic as AI isn't infallible and doctors and patients should collaborate in treatment decisions.

17.04.2023

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed new rules that could significantly transform the transportation industry and encourage more people to use electric vehicles.

The rules aim to close a loophole created in the 1970s that allowed lenient fuel-efficiency regulations for trucks, which has resulted in the increased popularity of SUVs and light trucks that contribute significantly to carbon emissions.

The popularity of these heavier vehicles has contributed to the world's 330 million SUVs releasing 1 billion tons of carbon in 2022, making them the sixth-largest country in the world for emissions.

A hotel that has been built using the technology of 3D printing.

Hospitality expert Liz Lambert, 3D construction start-up Icon, and Danish design firm BIG have announced a collaboration to build the world's first 3D-printed hotel. The hotel will be located in Marfa, Texas and is set to open in 2023.

According to a blog post on BIG's website, the 3D-printed hotel will be built on the same grounds as El Cosmico, a 21-acre camping site owned by Lambert, and will nearly triple the site's size to 62 acres.

The hotel is expected to feature an expansive infinity pool complete with cabanas and guest dwellings, all of which will be created using Icon's Vulcan printer.

With the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), cybersecurity measures can no longer be universal and must be tailored to individual needs.

The Internet of Things (IoT) provides valuable insights for businesses, but it also poses security risks due to the vast number of interconnected devices that can be targeted by cyber attacks. The billions of IoT devices in use have created new vulnerabilities for companies, with the number of ways to attack them increasing dramatically.

Unsecured devices connected to the network present a substantial challenge to enterprises, particularly in hybrid working environments, where security weaknesses on employees' home networks could create risks for businesses.

The Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) architecture can help companies strike a balance between networking and security functions by bundling them in a cloud-delivered service, allowing for streamlined network integration, security, and policy management of distributed devices with a centrally-managed platform.

11.04.2023

Alibaba, a major technology company in China, plans to introduce a competitor to ChatGPT in the field of AI

Alibaba has launched an AI chatbot called Tongyi Qianwen that can perform various tasks and will be integrated across Alibaba's businesses in the near future.

Chinese regulators have proposed draft measures for managing generative AI, while a group of high-profile tech industry figures has called for the suspension of training for powerful AI systems due to concerns over potential risks.

Other companies, including Microsoft, Google, and Baidu, have also released similar chatbots in recent months, and Goldman Sachs estimated that AI could replace 300 million full-time jobs.

The issue of application security cannot be solely attributed to developers as the primary responsibility.

The latest cybersecurity guidance from the White House has brought attention to the issue of application security, specifically the responsibility for insecure software. While the National Cybersecurity Strategy does not yet mandate accountability, it does serve as a warning to software makers.

In theory, this may incentivize some organizations to prioritize application security, but in reality, it may unfairly target software developers. It's no secret that software is filled with vulnerabilities, some of which are more critical than others.

Attackers are taking advantage of these vulnerabilities and ransomware attacks and other malicious incidents are becoming increasingly common. As a result, there is a growing need for more secure software.

Peeking into the Future of Mobile Cardiac Telemetry Devices: Latest Market Trends from 2023-2030 with BioTelemetry, ScottCare, and Biotricity

CAGR of over 12% during the forecast period of 2023 to 2030. A mobile cardiac telemetry (MCT) device is a wearable medical device that continuously monitors a patient's ECG and other vital signs, such as heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, and oxygen levels.

MCT devices are typically worn by patients for several days or weeks to monitor their cardiac function in real-time. These devices are small and portable, allowing patients to go about their daily activities while being monitored.

The report provides a detailed and analytical look at the various companies that are working to achieve a high market share in the global Mobile Cardiac Telemetry Device market.

03.04.2023

The e-commerce capabilities of businesses are enhanced by the integration of AI technology from Google Cloud and Shopify.

Shopify and Google Cloud have integrated Google's search capabilities and AI innovations into Shopify's enterprise retail solution, Commerce Components. The integration allows for AI-driven product discovery capabilities that include advanced query understanding, an AI-powered browse feature, personalized results, and AI-driven recommendations.

Rainbow Shops, a Shopify merchant, integrated Google Cloud's Discovery AI for Retail technology into its digital domains, resulting in increased search accuracy and reduced manual efforts.

A Google Cloud-commissioned Harris Poll survey found that inconsistent search experiences result in search abandonment, costing retailers globally more than $2 trillion annually.

Former Google engineer predicts human immortality in eight years with nanobots technology

Ray Kurzweil, a former Google engineer, has predicted that humans will achieve immortality in eight years through the use of nanobots that repair cells and tissues that deteriorate as the body ages.

He believes this will be possible through the expansion of genetics, nanotechnology, and robotics. Kurzweil has made 147 predictions, 86% of which have been correct. His predictions have been met with both excitement and skepticism.

He believes the technology will make humans immune to diseases like cancer and enable a human-machine synthesis that will make us better.

LandVault secures £2.4m in funding to build user-friendly metaverse development tools

LandVault secures an additional $3m in funding to develop virtual worlds for gaming clients, after already receiving a $25m investment in 2021.

The London-based startup is investing in R&D to complete its Matera project, which aims to make metaverse development more accessible and plans to invest in AI tools for product monetisation.

Key players in web3, including Sandbox, HodlCo, the Gemini Frontier Fund, and Kingsway Capital have financially supported LandVault. The metaverse is a hypothetical version of the internet accessed by virtual reality headsets that attracted a record £150m in venture capital funding in 2021.

Image source: https://lnkd.in/dEMFueGY

Tech Stories You Probably Missed - March 2023

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 15:47:29 Z

Our co-founder, Michał Błędowski, posts a #TechBrief (short collection of relevant tech stories) every Monday on LinkedIn. We have created a summary of all the latest, most interesting Tech news from the industry, that took place in March 2023.

If you want to stay up to date on what's going on in the tech industry, including crucial cybersecurity stories, social media, innovations and finance connect with Michał on Linkedin.

Jump to any #TechBrief you like:

27.03.23
20.03.2023
13.03.2023
06.03.23

27.03.23

Microsoft Claims GPT-4 Shows Early Signs of Artificial General Intelligence, But Controversy Arises

Microsoft is making a big investment in integrating OpenAI's GPT language models into their products to compete with Google. In a new paper, Microsoft researchers claim that their GPT-4 model displays early signs of artificial general intelligence (AGI), which means it has capabilities at or above human level.

However, this claim has caused controversy, as OpenAI's CEO has previously described the model as "still flawed, still limited." The Microsoft researchers themselves acknowledge in the paper that GPT-4 has many limitations and biases.

Despite this, the researchers highlight some of GPT-4's impressive capabilities in the paper, such as solving complex tasks in various fields like mathematics, coding, and medicine.

Patient Backlog Could Take Up to Three Years to Clear, Reveals European Clinicians Survey

A recent survey of oncologists and surgeons across Europe found that it could take up to three years to clear the backlog of patients caused by the pandemic, and 18% of respondents believe it could take at least five years. This shows that the pandemic has had a significant impact on healthcare systems and their ability to cope with demand.

Despite the challenges, 83% of clinicians believe that technology can help reduce the backlog.

However, this is down from 97% in 2021, possibly indicating a loss of confidence in healthcare systems' ability to invest in technology and support frontline health workers.

Scientists Discover Rare Pair of Supermassive Black Holes in Merging Galaxy

Scientists have made a fascinating discovery by observing the universe through the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observatory. They have found two supermassive black holes that are growing together near the center of a newly merging galaxy.

This discovery has significant implications, suggesting that binary black holes and the galaxy mergers that create them are more common in the Universe than previously thought.

The Astrophysical Journal Letters published these findings, and they were presented at a press conference during the 241st meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Seattle, Washington.

20.03.2023

A recent report from the United Nations warns that the world is rapidly approaching a climate crisis and urgent action is needed to avoid catastrophic consequences.

The report is based on the findings of hundreds of scientists and paints a stark picture of the climate crisis, stating that the impacts of planet-warming pollution are already more severe than expected, and the world is hurtling towards increasingly dangerous and irreversible consequences.

While limiting global warming to 1.5°C is still possible, the pathway to achieving it is rapidly closing as the production of planet-heating pollution continues to increase. The biggest threat to climate change action is the world's continued addiction to burning fossil fuels, and the impacts of the climate crisis continue to fall hardest on poorer, vulnerable countries.

AI-powered app will instantly transcribe patient notes during doctor visits

Nuance Communications, Microsoft's speech recognition subsidiary, has unveiled a clinical notes application for health-care workers called Dragon Ambient eXperience (DAX) Express. The app generates a draft clinical note within seconds of a patient visit using a combination of ambient AI and OpenAI's latest model, GPT-4, with the aim of reducing clinicians' administrative workload.

The notes generated will appear in Nuance's Dragon Medical One desktop, which doctors can operate using their voices. The technology builds on Nuance's original DAX application launched in 2020, which converts verbal patient visits into clinical notes.

DAX Express generates clinical notes within seconds, allowing physicians to immediately review automated summaries of their patient visits. The app is initially available in private preview this summer.

The impact of SVB's failure will be felt in the technology industry for a long time to come

The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), the largest banking failure since 2008, will have a negative ripple effect on the technology landscape globally for years to come, according to analysts and investors.

Many startups and venture capital funds relied on SVB, and the collapse could result in issues for startups accessing funds and credit lines, leading to tighter budgets and potential collapse with limited funding access.

Image source: https://lnkd.in/dGeZcqcf

13.03.2023

According to a recent statement, Federal Reserve guarantees protection for depositors of Silicon Valley Bank.

The Federal Reserve has issued a statement assuring that all depositors of Silicon Valley Bank, insured and uninsured, will be protected fully and will have access to their money from Monday, March 13. There will be no losses borne by taxpayers, and the Federal Reserve is prepared to address any liquidity issues that may arise.

The financing will be made available through a new Bank Term Funding Program, offering one-year-long loans to depository institutions, and a $25 billion backstop will be in place. The Federal Reserve will monitor the financial system closely and will take additional measures if necessary.

Digital Innovation and Green Energy: Transforming Antwerp-Bruges and València Ports into Industrial Hubs for Europe

The ports of Antwerp-Bruges and València are investing in digital innovation to transform their ports into industrial and energy hubs for Europe as part of the European Green Deal. Both ports are committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and are investing in solar and wind power to generate electricity.

València is working on a project to test green hydrogen for moving machinery inside the port, while Antwerp-Bruges is using sensors, cameras, and drones to create a digital nervous system that allows safety and security teams to act immediately upon incidents.

Lark Optics Aims to Solve AR side effects with Retina-Targeted Technology

Lark Optics has developed augmented reality (AR) glasses that avoid physical discomfort such as headaches and nausea associated with using the technology. Most AR glasses feature a "depth mismatch" that causes physical discomfort and a lack of harmony between the eyes, but Lark Optics has created a solution that projects AR images directly onto the user's retina.

Lark Optics has already completed two user studies and is looking to sell the technology to original equipment manufacturers once it is market-ready. The company raised £210,000 ($290,000) in funding in October 2022 and is set to raise a seed round later in 2023.

06.03.23

Old hydrogen fuel cells from Honda are being repurposed for use in a data center.

Honda has recently announced that it's putting some of its old Clarity fuel cells to work by repurposing them for backup power in its data center. This move highlights the company's continued investment in fuel cells, despite discontinuing its hydrogen-powered Clarity car in the US.

Although this is just a concept, Honda aims to commercialize the technology beyond data centers as it sees potential. However, the demonstration isn't as environmentally friendly as it could be, as the company isn't exclusively using green hydrogen.

This issue is a significant drawback of using hydrogen fuel, as it can still indirectly pollute if the hydrogen comes from unsustainable sources. Despite this, Honda remains committed to fuel cells and is working on next-generation fuel cells with General Motors.

It's worth noting that some automakers don't believe in the future of hydrogen-powered cars due to the high demand for green hydrogen production and infrastructure.

New Bill Could Ban TikTok

Two US senators are set to introduce legislation this week that would allow the government to "ban or prohibit" foreign technology products, including Chinese-owned TikTok, according to Senator Mark Warner, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

The bill comes amid increasing concerns that data about US users of TikTok could end up in the hands of the Chinese government, leading to a growing backlash against the social media app.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee has already voted to give President Joe Biden the power to ban TikTok, and the White House has ordered government agencies to ensure that the app is not on any federal devices and systems.

Nearly 40% of software engineers will only work remotely

According to Hired's annual software engineering study, many software engineers now only consider jobs that offer remote work options and may leave their current employer if they are forced to return to the office.

Employers that require a full-time or hybrid return to the office may face challenges in recruiting new talent. On the other hand, employers open to remote workers have a better chance of attracting high-quality talent that fits their organization.

Such employers have also been found to have greater success in hiring underrepresented groups in technology occupations. The U.S. Census Bureau has reported that the number of people working from home tripled in just two years, from 5.7% in 2019 to almost 18% in 2021.

Tech Stories You Probably Missed - Q4 2022

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 17:05:00 Z

Our co-founder, Michał Błędowski, posts a #TechBrief (short collection of relevant tech stories) every Monday on LinkedIn. We have created a summary of all the latest, most interesting Tech news from the industry, that took place in the last quarter of 2022.

If you want to stay up to date on what's going on in the tech industry, including crucial cybersecurity stories, social media, innovations and finance connect with Michał on Linkedin.

Jump to any #TechBrief you like:

19.12.22

💻💻💻 Elon Musk: Twitter users vote in favor of boss resigning

Following the billionaire's poll on his future, Twitter users voted in favor of Elon Musk stepping down as the platform's CEO. After Mr Musk asked his 122 million followers if he should step down, 57.5% said yes.

Mr Musk, who paid $44 billion (£36 billion) for Twitter, indicated before the poll concluded that he would follow the results. Since taking over the site, the technology mogul, who also owns Tesla and Space X, has endured a flood of criticism.

Mr Musk has failed to respond after the poll ended. Even if he resigned as CEO, he would still be the sole owner of Twitter.

Source Story: https://lnkd.in/d9iQaVfe

🎨🎨🎨 Artists are fed up with AI-image generators

Since the development of AI systems such DALL·E 2, Lensa AI, and Midjourney, artists have complained that such tools steal their work, given that they've been fed an unending supply of their compositions as inputs. Many of these technologies, for example, may be instructed to generate pictures in the manner of a certain artist.

The current legal consensus, to the anger of many artists, determines that AI-generated work is in the public domain and hence not copyrighted. Users are informed in the terms of service for systems such as DALLE 2, established by the research laboratory OpenAI, that no photos are copyrighted despite the fact that OpenAI owns them.

Source Story: https://lnkd.in/dSeSFAxV

📺📺📺 The golden age of streaming TV is over

In recent months, there's been a broad acknowledgment that the streaming model just isn't producing the same returns as the previous one, in which a film or television program had numerous chances for extra rights purchases and releases.

As a result, Netflix and other streaming services are abandoning creative risk in favor of monotonous, lowest-common-denominator content.

12.12.22

🚀🚀🚀 SpaceX moon flight to include DJ, YouTuber and K-pop rapper

A commercial DJ, a K-pop rapper, and a space YouTuber have been chosen by a Japanese billionaire for a private SpaceX voyage around the Moon.

Yusaku Maezawa, a businessman, introduced his team on Friday, following a global hunt for creative individuals last year.

The most high-profile selections are American DJ Steve Aoki and Korean sensation TOP. The voyage, which is scheduled for next year, might be the first human lunar journey since 1972.

Source Story: https://lnkd.in/dXGupeSe

🩺🩺🩺 Using artificial intelligence to spot breast cancer

Breast cancer is becoming more frequent in low and middle-income nations, yet early detection screening programs remain limited.

A startup in India has created a less expensive, non-invasive test that employs thermal imaging and artificial intelligence.

Although the test is less accurate than mammography, it is believed that it will aid in the detection of some early tumors in persons who would not otherwise have access to mammography screenings.

Source Story: https://lnkd.in/dvfhJgmG

🔬🔬🔬 US scientists achieve ‘holy grail’ net gain nuclear fusion

According to reports, US scientists have conducted the first nuclear fusion experiment to achieve a net energy gain, a significant breakthrough in a field that has been pursuing such a result since the 1950s, and a potential milestone in the search for a climate-friendly, renewable energy source to replace fossil fuels.

“Scientists have struggled to show that fusion can release more energy than is put in since the 1950s, and the researchers at Lawrence Livermore seem to have finally and absolutely smashed this decades-old goal,” Arthur Turrell, deputy director of the UK Office for National Statistics, wrote on Twitter on Sunday.

06.12.22

🛫🛫🛫 No more airplane mode? EU to allow calls on flights

Airline passengers in the European Union (EU) will soon be allowed to fully use their phones in the aircraft.

The European Commission decided that airlines can provide 5G technology alongside slower mobile connectivity on board planes.

This might mean that passengers will no longer need to put their phones on airplane mode, although the specifics of how this will be implemented remain unclear.

Member nations have until 30 June 2023 to make the 5G frequency bands available for flights.

Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner for the Internal Market, said the plan would "enable innovative services for people" and help European companies grow.

"The sky is no longer a limit when it comes to possibilities offered by super-fast, high-capacity connectivity," he said.

🗞🗞🗞 Meta threatens to remove US news content if new law passes

Meta has threatened to take down news articles on Facebook in the United States. It opposes a proposed law that would give news organizations more negotiating power over revenues for content shared on Facebook.

Last year, a similar regulation in Australia caused news on Facebook to be temporarily stopped.

Meta says that its platform does, in fact, improve traffic to failing news publishers.

📻📻📻 New quantum receiver the first to detect entire radio frequency spectrum

A powerful quantum sensor can analyze the entire radio frequency and real-world signal spectrum, opening up new possibilities for military communications, spectrum awareness, and electronic warfare.

"All previous demonstrations of Rydberg atomic sensors have only been able to sense small and specific regions of the RF spectrum, but our sensor now operates continuously over a wide frequency range for the first time," said Dr. Kevin Cox, a researcher at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command

28.11.2022

💻💻💻 Google is engaged in a new project: training artificial intelligence (AI) to write code

People connected to the new Google project (named Pitchfork) reveal that its goal is to train artificial intelligence (AI) to write code, subsequent bug fixes, and code updates.

In response to the revealed information, a Google spokesperson claimed: “The Pitchfork team is working closely with the company’s research team to explore different use cases to help developers.”

🎮🎮🎮 China Game Industry Group Committee announces youth gaming addiction resolved

Since August 2021, children in China have been banned from gaming for more than three hours a week. The reason for this decision was to blame gaming for rising poor concentration, mental health problems, sleep disorders, and more health issues among children. Concerns were even higher when learning went online.

But with winter coming, children are spending more time inside - and some parents have allowed them to spend more time online to keep them entertained.

There are speculations that the backdrop to the report was declining revenues in China, said Asian games market experts Niko Partners.

🔬🔬🔬 A team of researchers at Johannes Kepler University has found that the skin of a certain kind of mushroom can be used as a biodegradable base for computer chips

As the production of electronic devices continues to increase, scientists are looking to change components to be biodegradable. “The vast number of devices produced every day along with the decrease in their lifetime inevitably results in the generation of enormous amounts of electronic waste,” the authors write in their paper, published in Science Advances.

This species of fungus grows in European mountains and is named Ganoderma lucidum. It creates a fibrous skin to protect its substrate, which if peeled off can instead protect microchips. But more research is essential in this case.

21.11.22

🔬🔬🔬 A grid of quantum islands could reveal secrets for powerful technologies

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) built grids of small groupings of atoms known as quantum dots and investigated what occurs when electrons plunge into these atomic archipelagos.

Measuring electron behavior in these very simple settings provides important insights into how electrons behave in complicated real-world materials and might help researchers in developing devices that enable powerful quantum computers and other revolutionary technologies.

Image and story source: https://lnkd.in/dyBtzVZ6

🍴🍴🍴 Lab-grown chicken safe to eat, say US regulators

For the first time, a meat product made in a lab has been approved for human consumption.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States has approved cell-cultured chicken following a "careful review."

Upside Foods created it in steel tanks using cells obtained from living animals.

Following an examination by the US Department of Agriculture, it will be available for sale to consumers.

The FDA stated that it made its decision based on data and information submitted by the company and that it had "no more questions at this time."

"We started Upside among a world full of skeptics, and now, we've created history again as the first company to get a 'No Questions Letter' from the FDA for produced meat," said the company's founder and CEO, Uma Valeti.

💬💬💬 Facebook is removing religious views, political views, 'interested in,' and address fields from user profile bios

Beginning December 1st, Facebook will eliminate a variety of personal facts from user profile biographies.

The "Interested in," religious and political opinions, and address fields will be removed from the platform. The removals came only a week after Meta laid off 11,000 employees throughout the corporation.

Facebook has not stated why these facts are being removed from its profiles.

14.11.22

🔬🔬🔬 Synthetic Photosynthesis Could Reduce Greenhouse Gasses and Provide Fuel Alternative

Scientists have discovered a mechanism to activate photosynthesis in a synthetic material.

The method has a lot of potential for developing a system that may drastically cut greenhouse emissions connected to climate change while simultaneously producing clean electricity.

Fernando Uribe-Romo, a chemistry professor at the University of Central Florida, and his students devised a method to initiate a chemical reaction in a synthetic substance known as metal-organic frameworks (MOF) that converts carbon dioxide into harmless organic molecules.

🕸🕸🕸 What is Web 3?

Most websites in the beginning were static, immovable pages. At the turn of the century, the move to Web 2.0 and dynamic content happened. Pages could now respond to user interaction, and ideas like blogs and wikis allowed users to produce new content.

Those who want a more secure and decentralized web consider Web3 to be the third big development. Some believe that by utilizing blockchain, bitcoin, and NFTs, Web3 will provide the privacy, scalability, and security that are currently absent.

Web3 is generating attention, but it does not come without its critics. Because it is so reliant on bitcoin, and cryptocurrency solutions are mostly consolidated under a small number of major businesses, the new web may wind up like the old web - centralized and dominated by big tech.

💻💻💻 Musk tells Twitter staff remote working will end

According to sources, Elon Musk has informed Twitter employees that remote working would be discontinued and that "tough times" lay ahead.

According to Bloomberg, the owner of the social media business stated in an email to employees that employees will be required to work at least 40 hours each week.

Mr Musk went on to say that there was "no way to sugarcoat the reality" that the weakening global economy will hurt Twitter's ad income.

07.11.2022

🌍🌳🌍 What the tech industry anticipates from next week's COP27 climate meeting?

Big Tech now has a place at the negotiating table for climate change. While corporations do not have an official vote, they do have significant influence over multinational agreements.

Tech corporations are also important players in negotiating side deals. At last year's climate negotiations in Glasgow, for example, big tech firms and governments from around the world launched the First Movers Coalition to help launch young climate innovation sectors.

Kate Brandt, chief sustainability officer at Google

“COP27 is taking place against a backdrop of intersecting crises in the global economy including economic uncertainty, an energy crisis in Europe, and climate change impacts globally, but we cannot slow our progress. This is why collaboration, implementation, and innovation will be essential over the next decade, and the discussions and outcomes over the next two weeks will be key in driving progress.”

💰💰💰 Billions being spent in metaverse land grab

According to research, about $2 billion dollars has been spent on virtual property in the last year as people and businesses compete for a footing in the metaverse.

However, we are still years away from the metaverse being a single immersive online world where individuals may live, work, and play in virtual reality. So, is the land grab a big risk?

🧑‍💻🧑‍💻🧑‍💻Will nationalism end the golden age of global AI collaboration?

Until recently, the borderless, open-source software movement that has brought AI engineers and technology from the United States and China together has risen above geopolitical issues. Could national security crackdowns change it?

In 2017, when Ben Wu, a Chinese developer, sought to install Facebook's open-source AI framework PyTorch, he went to its online community on GitHub and asked for help.

Soumith Chintala, a Facebook AI research engineer located in New York, demonstrated how he could swiftly download it.

PyTorch has become a core component of AI technology, owing in large part to daily knowledge-sharing interactions such as the one between Wu and Chintala. And, despite becoming increasingly corporatized, the borderless, open-source software movement has risen above geopolitical tensions between China and the United States, which have centered on concerns about China's use of AI for repressive surveillance, plans to transfer civilian technology for military applications, and Chinese government espionage and intellectual property theft.

02.11.2022

✅✅✅ Elon Musk says Twitter "blue tick" to be revamped

Elon Musk, the new owner of Twitter, has stated that the procedure of obtaining the renowned "blue tick" would be altered, following speculations that the company may begin charging $20 (£17) per month to be verified.

Days after taking over the social media giant, Mr. Musk tweeted that the authentication procedure was being revised.

A blue tick is presently free and used to indicate that an account is genuine.

On Friday, Mr. Musk finalized his $44 billion (£37.9 billion) buyout and christened himself Chief Twit on Twitter.

📺📺📺 Goodbye binge-watching: Netflix, and others, bringing back ad breaks in coming weeks

Starting Tuesday, Canadian Netflix subscribers will have a new membership option that is less expensive but comes with a catch: commercial breaks will be introduced into their favorite shows.

After years of nonstop binge-watching, the world's largest streaming service is allowing time for a message from its advertisers. And, as inflation continues to sting consumers, the prospect of a cheaper Netflix package may appeal to some.

Netflix isn't the only one that believes that commercial television is making a comeback.

⛔⛔⛔ AI network detects drunkenness by evaluating infrared images of human faces with 93% accuracy

A convolutional neural network can analyze thermal infrared photos of human faces and detect whether the individual is intoxicated with 93% accuracy.

The approach presented in the International Journal of Intelligent Information and Database Systems has the potential to be deployed in areas where drunk driving and intoxicated behavior are prevalent.

Every year, over a million people die in road traffic accidents throughout the world, with a high percentage of fatalities being the direct result of intoxication.

17.10.2022

📵📵📵 E-waste: Five billion phones to be thrown away in 2022

According to the International Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Forum, 5.3 billion mobile phones will be discarded this year.

Based on worldwide trade statistics, their forecast shows the rising environmental challenge of "e-waste."

According to the study, many consumers keep outdated phones rather than recycle them.

Precious minerals that cannot be recovered from discarded electronics, such as copper in wire or cobalt in rechargeable batteries, must be mined.

🧑‍💻 AI technologies fail to eliminate recruiting bias, according to new research

According to a study, artificially intelligent recruiting technologies do not minimize bias or enhance diversity.

"There is growing interest in new ways of solving problems such as interview bias" write the Cambridge University academics in the journal Philosophy and Technology.

An international poll of 500 human-resources experts in 2020 revealed that roughly a quarter were utilizing AI for "talent acquisition, in the form of automation," according to the research.

However, utilizing technology to lessen bias is counter-productive, according to Dr Kerry Mackereth, a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Cambridge's Center for Gender Studies.

💉💉💉 Cancer vaccine could be available before 2030, says scientist couple behind COVID-19 shot

A cancer vaccination might be widely accessible within the next decade, according to the husband-and-wife pair that co-founded BioNTech, the biotechnology firm that collaborated with Pfizer to create a successful messenger-RNA (mRNA) injection against COVID-19.

"Yes, we feel that a cure for cancer, or to changing cancer patients' lives, is in our grasp," said Professor Özlem Türeci. According to Professor Uğur Şahin, the cancer vaccine, which would draw on scientific advancements made during the creation of the COVID-19 injection, might be widely accessible within eight years.

"We believe that this will happen, definitely, before 2030, " he told Keunssberg.

11.10.2022

🔍🔍🔍 Former ad executive of Google creates tracker-free search engine

On Thursday, an ad-free and tracker-free search engine goes live in the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. Neeva boasts 600,000 users in the United States, where it debuted last year.

Sridhar Ramaswamy, who worked at Google for 16 years and oversaw its advertising division, told BBC News that the technology sector had become "exploitative" of people's data, and he no longer wanted to be a part of it.

Trackers exchange information about internet activities, primarily in order to target advertisements. Investors have contributed $77.5 million (£68 million) to Neeva.

It provides free search, with additional capabilities such as password manager access and virtual-private-network (VPN) service offered on a subscription basis.

✨✨✨ A new VR exhibit takes you inside the James Webb Space Telescope’s image

Bits and fragments of the cosmos, as seen through the eyes of the James Webb Telescope, are on exhibit at New York City's ONX Studio.

"Unfolding the Universe: A NASA Webb VR Experience," a new installation by Mozilla Hubs, artist Ashley Zelinskie, and NASA, debuted last week. It was made to mark the space telescope's debut in December.

The virtual reality parts of the experience—a digital gallery based after photographs of galaxies and other celestial bodies from the Webb telescope—are located in the center of the exhibit's main chamber.

💻💻💻 Asia chipmaker shares decline after US curbs on China

Shares of key Asian computer chipmakers have plummeted as the United States proposed stringent new restrictions on technology sales to China.

The United States said that it will prohibit American companies from selling specific chips used in supercomputers and artificial intelligence to Chinese companies.

The new laws, unveiled on Friday, also target non-US corporations that employ American equipment.

As the global economy weakens, demand for technology enterprises is also decreasing.

Shares of Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC plunged more than 8% on Tuesday, while Tokyo Electron in Japan sank 5.5% and Samsung Electronics in South Korea declined 1.4%.

03.10.2022

🤖🤖🤖 Tesla boss Elon Musk presents humanoid robot Optimus

Elon Musk, the tech tycoon, has shown the newest prototype of a humanoid robot being created by his Tesla electric car company.

Optimus made an appearance on stage at a Silicon Valley event, waving to the audience and raising its knees. The CEO stated that the robot was still under development, but that it might be available for purchase by the public in a few years.

Tesla's mass-market robots will be evaluated by performing tasks in vehicle manufacturing, according to company engineers. During the annual Tesla AI [artificial intelligence] Day presentation, the prototype was wheeled on stage.

🎮🎮🎮 Netflix plans to start its own video game studio.

As part of its efforts to establish itself in the gaming business, Netflix is establishing its own video game studio.

Marko Lastikka, a former Zynga and Electronic Arts executive, will lead the company from its headquarters in Helsinki, Finland.

Netflix has previously acquired tiny game startups such as Night School Studio, the developer of Oxenfree.

"[It] will deliver a wide range of entertaining and profoundly engaging, unique games with no commercials or in-app purchases."

Netflix revealed a 200,000-subscriber decline in April, its first quarterly loss since 2011. Its share price fell by 35%, erasing more than $50 billion (£46.5 billion) from the company's market worth.

🔬🔬🔬 A $500 million international project will produce the most detailed brain map ever

Despite decades of investigation, science still has a lot of questions about the human brain. A new $500 million initiative to construct the most detailed map of it ever might help to alter that.

Our brains are among the most complicated things known to science. Deciphering how they operate might have enormous implications, ranging from discovering new methods to treat brain ailments and neurological problems to sparking new types of machine intelligence.

That's why the National Institutes of Health's BRAIN Initiative recently announced $500 million in funding over five years for a project to describe and map neuronal and other types of cells throughout the human brain.

The Allen Institute in Seattle will lead the initiative, but it will feature cooperation from 17 additional universities in the United States, Europe, and Japan.

For weekly updates with stories you might miss amidst the news noise, connect with Michał Błędowski on Linkedin.

➤ All You Need To Know About Low-Code And No-Code
➤ Cybersecurity - Your New Priority. Basic Guide to Cybersecurity in Online Business
➤ Executive Primer On Metaverse—What Is It? Should You Invest?

Tech Stories You Probably Missed - Q2 2022

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 17:05:00 Z

Our co-founder, Michał Błędowski, posts a #TechBrief (short collection of relevant tech stories) every Monday on LinkedIn. We have created a summary of all the latest, most interesting Tech news from the industry, that took place in the second quarter of 2022.

If you want to stay up to date on what's going on in the tech industry, including crucial cybersecurity stories, social media, innovations and finance connect with Michał on Linkedin.

Jump to any #TechBrief you like:

20.06.2022

🖌️🖼️🎨 Adobe Photoshop Free for Everyone! (maybe)

Adobe is testing a freemium version of Photoshop in Canada. It started out with very limited functionality, as a way for graphic designers to share their work with others and collect feedback and change suggestions.

Since then, Adobe has kept adding new functionalities to the freemium version, and they might roll it out globally, but there is no declared timeline for this.

🤑💰💸 Watch Out for LinkedIn Scammers!

Crypto scammers are targeting people on LinkedIn, and they’re very patient about it. First, they’ll tell you about all the money you can make from investing in crypto.

Next, they get you to invest on a legitimate platform. Over several months, they keep building trust. Finally, once they feel confident, they direct you to a fake website that they control, and then they steal your money.

LinkedIn is actively working on the problem, but they also said “trying to identify what is fake and what is not fake is incredibly difficult.”

Apparently, they removed over 32 million fake accounts in 2021, and they have multiple safeguards always working to protect people from being scammed on the platform.

✋🛑 Record DDoS Attack– 26,000,000 requests per second!

DDoS attacks keep getting stronger. The previous record was 17 million requests per second, recorded in August 2021.

This new DDoS attack was unusual because it happened over HTTPS, which is more expensive than a HTTP attack. Plus, it was generated with a powerful botnet of hijacked virtual machines from cloud providers and powerful servers (normally, botnets are made from weaker IoT devices).

The attack targeted websites using the free Cloudflare plan, and Cloudflare’s automated DDoS protection system quickly caught it and mitigated it.

This shows how important it is to have powerful, automated tools to protect online properties. A human operator would’ve never caught or resolved an attack like this as quickly as an automated system.

13.06.2022

🔍🔓Very sneaky Linux malware

Symbiote is a powerful, never-detected backdoor into any Linux system. It literally works like a parasite – it starts with a library that loads into every process in your system.

From there, it can harvest credentials, enable rootkit functionality, and enable remote access to device. It was first detected in November, and for now it targets financial institutions in Brazil.

Nobody knows if Symbiote is widely active across many Linux systems, but it’s definitely a possibility given that Symbiote is basically undetectable, and can remove any proof of infecting a system.

✨🚄💨 HUGE HR moves from Microsoft

Microsoft just became the cool kid on the block, up there with AirBnB when it comes to giving (potential) employees exactly what they want.

The company will show pay ranges in all US job listings moving forward. This is a very exciting move that might lead the whole IT job market into greater transparency.

That’s not all. Microsoft will also remove noncompete clauses from their US employee agreement, and bring an outside company to audit if their workers’ rights are met across the board.

💬🤖🤔 Is AI already intelligent?

A Google software developer just got suspended. He believed that an AI model he was testing, LaMDA, was sentient and he got a bit too excited about it.

Google representatives say that there’s a mountain of proof that LaMDA is not sentient at all, so the answer is no, AI isn’t sentient yet. However, this story brings to light an important problem.

Pattern-matching models like LaMDA aren’t intelligent, but they are great at faking intelligence. This is because they have mountains of text data to use.

Current AI systems, even neural nets which supposedly mimic how the brain works, are still just machines that can mindlessly generate content based on pattern recognition.

But if even a Google developer can get fooled by them, it means that the general public is at huge risk of being manipulated through malicious use of AI systems.

06.06.2022

💪🖥️🤖 US overtakes Japan with most powerful supercomputer in the world

The world’s most powerful supercomputer, The Frontier, runs on AMD Epyc CPUs and is powered by Hewlett Packard Enterprise's (HPE) Cray EX platform.

It’s the first real exascale system – meaning that it can perform a billion billion (a quintillion) operations per second.

It can hit 1.1 exaflops (floating point operations per second), whereas the Japanese contender (Fugaku) performed at 442 petaflops.

The Frontier is not just the most powerful but also the most efficient supercomputer, which is WILD. It runs at 52.23 gigaflops per watt.

✨🚄💨 Japanese researchers transmit 1 Petabit per Second in standard optic fiber

With a bit of new hardware applied to conventional cable infrastructure, a new system demonstrated data transmission of 1.02 petabit per second over 51.7 km.

If implemented, this system would get humanity ready for Beyond 5G, a term used to describe the explosion of data exchange after wide adoption of 5G.

⚙️🎮🚙 Unreal engine in cars? Yes!

Epic joins Volvo in a partnership to use Unreal Engine, the most popular video game graphics engine, to create the HMI (Human-Machine Interface) for a new generation of Electric Vehicles from Volvo.

Epic will support Volvo by building a platform for Volvo designers to build safe, beautiful interfaces for vehicles.

It’s really fun to see such partnerships in the world. Who would’ve thought 20 years ago that a leading gaming company would be partnering with a leading car manufacturer to make cars safer?

30.05.2022

⚠️ ⚠️ ⚠️Update Zoom IMMEDIATELY

Critical bug discovered and fixed in Zoom. Hackers can install malware on your device through your outdated Zoom client. Update your Zoom client immediately if you’re not on the latest version!

👮👮👮 New type of hacking attack

New type of hacking attack discovered – account pre-hijacking (thanks to a study funded by Microsoft Security Response Center).

Hackers can take control of an account before it’s created. Then they wait until the account is filled with personal data, and lock the account owner out.

📡 📡 📡American Telecom giant hacked

Hacker social engineered their way into stealing employee data from the American telecom giant, Verizon. He pretended to be from internal support, got an employee to provide remote access to their computer, and installed a script to steal the data.

He called Verizon employees idiots, and is asking for $250,000 to return the data.

23.05.2022

➗➕➖ Why aren’t all programmers great at maths?

Creator of LaTeX and TLA+ is a bit disappointed that programmers are afraid of maths.

His opinion is that most programmers brush through maths in college, learn the necessary basics and then just forget about it.

Advanced maths may not be necessary for all software development, but there are many areas where mathematical thinking is critical to solve problems efficiently.

What do you think? Should programmers learn more maths?

🌑🌑🌑All human knowledge on the Moon

A company wants to back-up all of our knowledge in datacenters on the Moon.

The first tiny datacenter will likely be sent by the end of 2022 as proof of concept.

From there, the company has a roadmap of how to develop the system.

Why the Moon? Because Earth is not really safe, as evidenced by the flooding of the Global Seed Vault (a back-up of critical seeds).

It’s easy to criticize this idea, but if we’re going to be a spacefaring species, this is the type of stuff we need to start thinking about.

🤫🤫🤫 Apple takes back their new work rules

Last week, I mentioned the story of a top Machine Learning researcher that left Apple due to their “3 days in-office" inflexible work policy.

The researcher has already landed a job at Alphabet’s DeepMind, and Apple is no longer forcing the 3-day in-office rule.

Apple representatives stated that they’re pushing the topic away for now.

For an industry so focused on disruption and innovation, tech executives have a really hard time understanding that workers in tech don’t want to be held by the hand anymore.

Flexibility is the new normal. Accept it and implement it, or enjoy having much less candidates for your jobs than flexible companies.

16.05.2022

💸💸💸 Tech Markets Are Going Down, But It's OK

The Economist offers an interesting and rational take on the current tech / crypto market downfall:

--- This is not another dotcom crash, back then companies had zero fundamentals (good revenues / business models). Modern tech companies have more solid bottom lines, even those that crash.

--- Established companies are mostly A-OK (Salesforce, Intel, IBM, Adobe, Oracle, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft).

--- The stocks hurt the most are hyped-up start-ups, like Robinhood (lost 80% of value since going public in July 2021), or Uber ($6 billion loss in the first quarter of 2022 alone).

--- Pandemic slowdown and Ukraine war have changed investor outlook on the future.

--- Bitcoin was below $26,000 just a few days ago, down from almost $60,000 half a year ago. The next 4 biggest coins have lost on average 70% in value. Sales on one of the big NFT marketplaces, OpenSea, has dropped by more than half.

--- All in all, we’re seeing multiple small tech bubbles bursting, but digital technology continues to eat the world and it’s still very, very hungry.

🙊🙊🙊 The Curious Case of Luna

Luna might be the biggest crash in crypto history. The price of Luna went from $116 in April to a single penny ($0,01).

But it’s not the full story. Luna is a coin based on the Terra blockchain. Terra offered UST, which also crashed. UST is a stablecoin (in theory, 1 UST should always be worth 1 USD).

UST creators sold UST and promised buyers 20% interest on their investment. People liked this idea, and invested over $14 billion into UST through this specific mechanism, called the “Anchor Protocol”.

On May 7, one big transaction led to many investors trying to sell their UST. Ultimately, this destroyed the value of UST. Instead of staying at $1, it dropped to less than $0,20.

This whole situation wiped $15 billion from the crypto market. Many people lost their savings.

Finally, people are questioning the crypto hype (especially around stablecoins), and regulators are becoming interested. Maybe this will inspire some lasting change in the crypto market.

09.05.2022

🤝🤝🤝 Remote Work

Apple’s chief of machine learning leaves because Apple is trying to get people to come back to the office. Multiple Apple employees created an open letter to their bosses, criticizing Apple’s new 3-day-per-week in-office requirement.

AirBnB had 800,000 people visit their careers page after they announced that everyone in their company can work from any place in the world.

It’s clear that workers in tech demand flexibility.

If you let your employees work 100% remotely, you’ll find many more potential candidates for your open jobs.

Apple’s chief of machine learning leaves

Apple employees criticize in-office requirement

AirBnB mass visits to career page

🤐🤐🤐 Amazon Fights Against Fake Reviews

Some positive news from Amazon for a change.

Amazon is fighting in court against 3 big fake review companies, which altogether had more than 350,000 reviewers working for them.

Fake reviews are a plague and it’s good to see that Amazon can recognize this, and fight against it. Obviously, it’s in their best interest to make sure people aren’t lied to on their platform.

🤖 🤖 🤖 Learn Web Development (and other things) From Microsoft

Upgrade your career and start becoming a web developer with Azure Cloud Advocates!

The Azure Cloud Advocates team provides full, beginner-level curriculums for you to learn new skills.

And it’s not just web development! They’ve also done: -Machine Learning for Beginners -IoT for Beginners -Data Science for Beginners

02.05.2022

🏫🏫🏫 The First Real Public Online School?

I’ve always been a fan of Khan Academy.

If you don’t know, it’s an open project with world-class educational materials for kids, teenagers and college students.

Now, it’s morphing into an even more powerful project – the Khan World School, backed by the Arizona State University Preparatory Academy.

Essentially, students of Khan World School will be able to learn in an incredibly agile way, somewhat similar to high-class tutoring, but in a digital environment.

Really excited to see if this project will spread across the world.

Public education DESPERATELY needs innovation!

🤐🤐🤐 Google Makes It Easier to Protect Your Data

Google just expanded their options for removing your data from search results.

If you don’t know, Google has a special form where you can ask them to hide search results with your sensitive data.

So far, it’s been limited to data like bank account numbers, or credit card numbers, but now it’s being expanded to data like phone numbers, emails and even physical addresses.

I’ve tried this feature before, it’s nothing amazing but it’s good to see privacy-first features being expanded.

Maybe privacy is starting to be taken seriously by Big Tech?

🔍🔍🔍 Insider Facebook Documents

Another batch of insider Facebook documents has just dropped.

With almost 40 documents, there’s a lot to read here, mostly about the ranking system (the algorithms that decide what you see on Facebook’s News Feed).

The documents suggest that Facebook’s employees don’t really know how the ranking system works, and aren’t sure what effect it has on users.

To us, normal people, it’s clear what the effect is.

We’ve all had those friends or family members who, seemingly all of a sudden and at the same time, started sharing antivaxx or q-anon propaganda online and in person.

We’ve all spent time arguing on Facebook, and then wondering “what the hell is wrong with me?”.

You might not admit it, but I know you did it. Facebook is perfectly designed to make us rage and engage in flame wars. It’s the single best way to keep people on the platform.

So, it’s great to see that the mysterious workings of Facebook are being uncovered. Perhaps it’ll lead to some positive change.

26.04.2022

🏢🏢🏢 US Homeland Security with 122 cyber-risks

Bug bounty programs – they’re great! Why don’t you have one yet?

USA’s Department of Homeland Security initiated a bug bounty program in December 2021.

To date, hackers have found 122 vulnerabilities in their system.

27 of those vulnerabilities were critical.

This is actually not the first time they did this – there have been several other DHS bug bounty programs, a notable one being “Hack the Pentagon”.

💶💶💶 EU is fighting back against Big Tech

This is the type of story that makes me happy to be a citizen of the European Union.

The EU has already passed the DMA (Digital Markets Act), which should make digital markets a bit more equal for all.

Now, they’re moving along with the DSA (Digital Services Act).

The DSA suggests strong laws that will force tech companies to get better at moderating content on their platforms.

It also deals with things like Dark UI Patterns, with true-to-life statements that “canceling subscriptions should be as easy as signing up for them.”

I think we can all agree, I definitely do!

Let’s not forget – among other things, the EU is also fighting for our right to repair our devices, uniform chargers for all mobile devices, and much more.

It’s good to see people in positions of power actually trying to make life better for all of us in the working class.

🤖🤖🤖 Bug of the year

Has your development team updated Java yet? They should!

The programming language Java (versions 15 to 18) had a huge security vulnerability.

It was reportedly first noticed in November 2021.

Oracle, Java’s developers, patched the vulnerability this month.

The issue was described by one researcher as a “psychic paper”.

It’s a term from the “Dr Who” TV series, and it means a universal ID card.

Hackers could easily take control of encrypted communications, authentication tokens, code updates and more.

Java apps with the vulnerability wouldn’t even show that anything wrong is going on.

19.04.2022

😭😭😭 Windows 11 irrelevant?

Almost all Windows users completely ignored the option to upgrade to Windows 11.

A new study shows that Windows 10 still dominates, with over 80% of Windows users.

Windows 11? Less popular than Windows XP, with only 1,41% of Windows users.

Yes, you read that correctly. The 2001-released Windows XP is actually more popular (1,71% user share) than the newest version of Windows.

🤖🤖🤖 What’s the deal with Atlassian?

This is something you never see. Issues with modern software products (especially as huge as Jira) are resolved in hours, maybe a day.

Atlassian just had an outage that lasted more than a week. The consequences are still being fixed.

Atlassian handled PR and user communication very poorly. Over 400 accounts, some as big as 4,000 seats, didn’t get much information or support from the company during that time.

What caused the outage? Oh, just a faulty execution of a script that had “permanent delete” privileges and received a wrong list of user IDs to clean, so it cleaned out active user accounts.

This couldn’t have come at a worse time. Atlassian is in the process of retiring its Server product in favor of a new Cloud product.

Even though the outage hit less than 0,18% of their customer base, this situation has definitely reduced the trust that people had in Atlassian products.

💸💸💸 Elite lawsuits

Elon Musk did a no-no, because he waited too long to admit that he bought a lot of Twitter shares.

First, he bought as much as he could at a lower price. He waited over a week and only then made his purchase public, which drove the share price up by 10$.

Twitter shareholders are now pursuing legal action against Musk because he only made himself richer, and didn’t help those guys get more $$$. After all, they could’ve bought more shares at a cheaper price, too!

Oh, the injustice. Oh, the drama! It’s so sad to see the elites miss out on stock market opportunities.

11.04.2022

🖥️ Protect your Azure services

Over 218 dangerous NPM packages are out to steal personal information from Azure services.

These malicious packages rely on typosquatting. They have names similar to popular packages, so developers can easily install them by mistake.

Researchers that found these packages stated: "The attacker is relying on the fact that some developers may erroneously omit the @azure prefix when installing a package. For example, running npm install core-tracing by mistake, instead of the correct command – npm install @azure/core-tracing."

Exciting new tech releases

OpenAI just opened up the waitlist for Dall-e-2, an AI system that creates images based on text input.

Check out Dall-e-2

Also, the long-awaited Unreal Engine 5 is finally available to download for anybody who wants to use it:

🤑 Is this a world record?

In just 11 months, Intel’s CEO Pat Gelsinger earned 1,711 times as much as the average Intel worker.

Executive pay has been rising in the United States. Apple’s Tim Cook earned 1,447 times as much as an average Apple worker in 2021.

Not to peek into other people’s wallets, this story is fascinating simply because of the astronomically large difference in earnings between workers and their CEOs.

😟 Feeling optimistic? This will help you stop

The Tech Oversight Project wants to hold Big Tech accountable when lawmakers don’t. Such occasions are aplenty.

So aplenty, in fact, that the Big Tech Wiki created by TOP already has almost 100 records of Big Tech wrongdoings, even though they just created it.

If you were feeling optimistic this week (which would be weird given the state of the world at the moment), this will get you frowning again.

Summary

Did you find any stories that you missed in the last months? We truly hope so!

For weekly updates with stories you might miss amidst the news noise, connect with Michał Błędowski on Linkedin.

Tech Stories You Probably Missed - Q1 2022

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 17:05:00 Z

Our co-founder, Michał Błędowski, posts a #TechBrief (short collection of relevant tech stories) every Monday on LinkedIn. It's not super popular (yet?), so we're doing a showcase summary of posts from the first quarter of 2022.

If you want to stay up to date on what's going on in the tech industry, including crucial cybersecurity stories that might help keep your infrastructure safe, connect with Michał on Linkedin.

Jump to any #TechBrief you like:

28.03.2022

👺 Protect Your Enterprise from Lapsus$ Attacks!

Enterprise-level companies are getting hacked left and right by the Lapsus$ group. Here are some resources to learn about these attacks, and maybe prevent them.

Microsoft released a report detailing their research on the attacks, read it right here.

For a general overview of the attack methodology and security tips for avoiding these attacks, read the full article at BleepingComputer.

💰 Enterprise Browser Worth More Than a Billion

There’s a new unicorn start-up in town and its product is... a browser.

Not just any browser. A super safe enterprise browser.

It’s called Island. It was revealed to the public only last month, and is already valued at #1.3 billion.

Island is fully configurable and customizable for enterprise IT admins.
You can control functionalities like copy-and-paste, screen capture and content downloads.

It also has (and this is probably why Island’s so valuable) advanced controls for managing how the browser interacts with SaaS applications. This would be useful for preventing data leakage.

🤖 Metaverse Pain

A Japanese start-up is developing technology to make real pain in virtual reality.

This kind of news is a great starting point for spiralling into dystopian thoughts.

☎️ Dumbphones Are Back

It might be thanks to the 2017 relaunch of Nokia 3310, or nostalgic TikTok videos with old cellphones, but dumbphones are making a comeback.

More people are searching for dumbphones online, and sales were expected to hit 1 billion devices in 2021 from 400 million in 2019 (actual 2021 sales numbers haven’t come in yet).

Will the trend to replace smartphones with dumphones continue to escalate?

🖨️ Print your GitHub issues

Engineer Andrew Schmelyun proposes a new way to handle GitHub issues – print them!

As Andrew reports on his blog, managing multiple GitHub projects means that he often gets messages and emails about project issues reported by users.

But it’s too easy to lose track of an email, so he repurposed a receipt printer to print issues as they are reported. Great way to spice up your workday!

21.03.2022

👨‍🏫 Great Project for You and Your Kid

Looking for a cool project to do with your kids? Here it is!

IBM is giving everyone free designs for a fully-functional microscope.

It’ll cost you $300 to build. You’ll need some LEGO parts, a Raspberry PI computer and camera, and a little bit of 3D printing.

An awesome project to do with your kids or by yourself, resulting in a piece of useful scientific equipment for a tiny cost.

⏰ Daylight Savings Time Forever!

I wasn’t expecting to see this in the news, but the US Senate has just approved a bill to keep Daylight Savings time throughout the whole year.

American citizens will no longer have to move their clocks 1 hour forward and back every 6 months.

Many software developers will smile at least a little bit. Daylight savings is a real problem for commercial programmers.

The change is going to come into effect next year, in 2023.

Will the rest of the world do this, too? It would be great!

⛔ The Worst Idea of 2022

It’s tempting to try and help out in the conflicts happening in Eastern Europe. One programmer got a bit too excited, though.

He inserted very dangerous code into a popular code library called node-ipc, which has millions of weekly downloads.

If the code recognized a Belarus- or Russia-based served, it removed all the files from it and replaced them with a heart emoji.

While an interesting story of protest, it’s also a blatant attack on the values of open source.

This has been happening often recently. It brings to mind Marak, the open-source programmer who intentionally put malicious code into popular libraries.

What these programmers seem to forget is that those code libraries are used in many projects. Sometimes they can be part of mission-critical systems.

Money, time, data, and even human lives are on the line. I only hope that other open-source programmers recognize that this is not the right way to protest, regardless of your political views.

14.03.2022

😊 Most People Are Actually Nice

Axios reports that most people are nice, and too busy to use social media.

All that negativity we’re seeing on Twitter? A lot of it is published by bad apples that we shouldn’t pay attention to.

In the US alone, 75% of people never post to Twitter.

🚫 Never Upset Your Community

PC-building company Artesian Builds went from ambitious small business to a bankrupt PR trainwreck within a week.

What did they do wrong? First, they did a questionable PC giveaway on Twitch.

They picked the winner, but then they noticed that it was a Twitch streamer with a small audience.

So, they quickly changed the rules of their competition and refused to reward the small streamer, while belittling her for having such a small audience.

The internet didn’t like that, and now Artesian is shut down indefinitely. Apparently, they had some tax issues to go along with their lack of respect for their own community.

This is a great reminder to never disrespect your community!

🛰️ Google Acquires Cybersecurity Company For $5.4 billion

Mandiant is best known for uncovering the SolarWinds hack, which compromised computers across the US federal government.

Now, Google is buying them in order to improve the security of Google Cloud.

Microsoft was reportedly interested in buying Mandiant as well. Is 2022 going to be a big year for cybersecurity firm acquisitions?

07.03.2022

👮 Cybersecurity stories

One ransomware group just stole data from both NVIDIA and Samsung.

In the case of NVIDIA, they also released ransom demands. Among others, they want NVIDIA to open-source their device drivers.

Samsung is relatively quiet for now, whereas NVIDIA is confident that their business will remain unaffected.

Meanwhile, after providing internet to Ukraine, Elon Musk’s SpaceX had to divert their efforts to cyber defense and protection from signal jamming. Someone isn’t a fan of SpaceX’s satellite internet offering.

Lastly, scams on dating apps. There has been a major outbreak in so-called “pig-butchering” scams.

Scammers "fall in love" with someone, and then convince them to invest into crypto scams. Victims of the scam often lose millions.

🚮 Steve Wozniak and space junk

There’s a new space power trio in town: Steve Wozniak (Apple co-founder), Alex Fielding (Wozniak’s business friend), and Moriba Jah (expert on space trash).

The core offering of their start-up, Privateer, will be software that will help create the richest, biggest, most detailed database of all the space trash around Earth.

🍹 Would you drink a printed drink?

Cana is a 3D printer that can make 1000 different drinks.

It uses “novel microfluidic liquid dispense technology".

There’s a pro-environmental message attached, with a promise to reduce water waste needed to grow fruits for making orange juice and wine.

It’s kind of sad when technologists don’t realize that they’re actually saying “growing fruit is a waste of water”. You could also read it as “farming is bad”.

Will it just be another SodaStream type of product? Something that never reaches mass adoption, but is perhaps enjoyed by some? Time will tell.

Maybe some things are meant to be made the old-fashioned way? If you ask me, drinks like wine and orange juice are only appealing when they come from nature, not a 3D printer.

28.02.2022

🎖️ Servant of the People

You might be searching for this too, took me a while to find it so I thought I’d share.

The TV series “Servant of the People”, starring Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is free to watch on YouTube.

Especially for people born and living in the developed West, this can be an illuminating and light-hearted look into the realities of life in Ukraine.

(there are English subtitles, you can turn them on in the YouTube player)

🔐 Strengthen your cybersecurity

In these uncertain times, cybersecurity is more important than ever. GitHub recognizes this, and it’s providing resources for all who want to improve digital security in their software solutions.

The GitHub Advisory Database has been moved to a public repository, where everyone interested can browse “the largest database of vulnerabilities in software dependencies in the world”.

GitHub has also opened up the Advisory Database to third-party contributions.

✋ Take a break from social media

If you’re using social media productively, to organize help or connect with loved ones, absolutely go ahead and keep using it.

But if you’re doom-scrolling, endlessly looking for news headlines and other people’s opinions on what’s happening right now, please stop.

Take a break from social media.

To get you started, below is a link to great article by Johann Hari at The Guardian, about how technology use combined with everyday stress is destroying our ability to concentrate. Here’s an excerpt:

“I believe we now need an attention movement to reclaim our minds. I believe we need to act urgently, because this may be like the climate crisis, or the obesity crisis – the longer we wait, the harder it will get. The more our attention degrades, the harder it will be to summon the personal and political energy to take on the forces stealing our focus. The first step it requires is a shift in our consciousness. We need to stop blaming ourselves, or making only demands for tiny tweaks from our employers and from tech companies. We own our own minds – and together, we can take them back from the forces that are stealing them.”

21.02.2022

🛑 Mark, stahp!

Mr Zuckerberg has been present in almost all TechBrief posts I’ve done in the last few months. He continues to surprise with new revelations.

The newest trick that Mark pulled from his sleeve is the new name for his employees. They’re going to be called Metamates.

The new corporate mantra for Meta is “Metaverse, Metamates, me”. Very uplifting.

Meanwhile, investors are losing interest, and this whole Metaverse rebranding situation has reduced Meta’s market value by $500 billion.

☹️So many jobs, so few candidates

Tech companies are finding it difficult to hire new people.
Employees are leaving companies in droves, so much so that it’s been named The Great Resignation by journalists.

Wages have been raised across the board in order to retain talent, and more companies are willing to accept remote work (FINALLY).

One expert said it best:

“People are tired of being overworked and underpaid, and want an employer who cares about their overall well-being and future success.”

Would you agree?

🔬 Playing Wordle? You’re being tracked

The New York Times recently bought Wordle, for a price “in the low seven figures”.

Since then, it’s been loaded with ad trackers.

One Gizmodo writer finds it sad, and a bit scary, that everything has to be loaded with so many ad trackers nowadays.

(Gizmodo itself is filled with ad trackers, so it’s great to see that they’re not afraid to talk about it)

Does it matter that much? It’s standard practice in tech at the moment, so you could say that it’s ok. The problem is that the ad-tech industry is very poorly regulated.

Plus, the mountains of data that are being collected every second by these ever-present ad trackers might be used with malicious intent in the future.

Ultimately, we all have a choice. We can stop using the internet completely, or accept that we’re being tracked all the time, from every angle.

I’m sure the industry at large will figure out this conundrum, and we’re all going to be better off in the end. It will just take some time.

14.02.2022

🤭 You won’t be surprised by this

URLgenius found that YouTube and TikTok are the two mobile apps that collect the most data about you.

YouTube is more transparent. Of 14 trackers, 10 are first-party (for YouTube only) and 4 are third-party (they track your movement across different websites).

TikTok has only 1 first-party and 13 third-party trackers.

URLgenius wasn’t able to find out what happens with the data collected by TikTok’s 13 third-party trackers.

👀 Okay, this one’s a bit unusual

A bug caused in-car entertainment systems in Mazda cars to crash due to a radio signal.

HD radio signal from one radio station contained an image file that Mazda’s on-board computers couldn’t recognize.

This affected owners of Mazdas produced between 2014 – 2017. The crash was so bad that it killed the connectivity master units (CMUs) in those cars.

Replacing those units is a $1,500 cost, but Mazda has already stated that they’ll provide them free of charge (as soon as they can get them made, accounting for the current chip shortages).

🤑 Paul Graham never read business plans or balance sheets

Paul Graham, one of the most legendary Silicon Valley investors, made a pretty bold, but ultimately very reasonable, statement that he never read business plans or balance sheets.

Later he tweeted that he’d received a lot of criticism for it, but when I scroll through the responses, pretty much everybody is agreeing with him. Maybe all those negative comments are gone already?

Still, if you’re currently wondering whether to spend your time finding customers or writing a business plan, Paul Graham just told you what to do.

Good luck!

07.02.2022

🤖 Better, but not awesome yet

AlphaCode, the new AI programmer from DeepMind, claims to be as good as any average software developer. The proof is that it solved 10 coding challenges from Codeforces.com, and ranked in the top 30% of users.

While not a revelation by itself, it’s another major player in the growing market of AI programming assistants.

Do you, or any of your colleagues, already use AI pair programmers? Let me know in the comments!

👍 Facebook lost users for the first time ever

Meta is in big trouble.

TikTok is destroying Facebook in terms of video content. Meta is focusing on Instagram Reels to combat the competitor. (source)

Due to the first ever (reported) user loss on Facebook, Meta just lost over $200 billion in market value. That’s more than $200,000,000,000. Phew. (source)

The criticism from industry icons keeps on piling up, too. Phil Libin, former Evernote boss, says that he tried Meta’s VR meeting room and he thinks it sucks. (source)

The future doesn't look great for Meta. Will they pull an ace from their sleeve?

👩 The legend of Susy Thunder

Society doesn’t understand hackers. It’s very clear when you see how relaxed people are about online safety or data privacy, even at the world’s largest companies and governments.

During the pandemic, Claire L. Evans made it her mission to reach one of the world’s most notorious, while also completely unknown to the public, hacker of the past century. Susy Thunder.

If you’re going to read one long story this week, make it this one. Especially if you don’t know much about hacking. This article is a great introduction into this fascinating world.

31.01.2022

⛔ Game Developers Don’t Want NFTs and Crypto

In a survey about NFTs and crypto, game devs report that they see this market as ripe for scams and exploitation.

This is just one example in an online flood of people voicing their concerns with the current crypto hype. I’m not making any judgements about pyramid schemes or whatnot, but I’ll just leave you with a few funny videos about crypto:

📢 Update your Linux-based system

I’m sure Linux admins have already done this, but just in case – remember to patch the 12-year-old vulnerability that gives attackers root privileges on most Linux-based systems.

The bug resides in Polkit, which manages system-wide privileges in Unix-like OSes.

💡 Amazon’s Prime Video switches to WebAssembly

Prime Video developers are rebuilding their infrastructure using the relatively new WebAssembly. Why? To improve performance:

“By using Wasm instead of JavaScript for certain elements of the Prime Video app, we’ve reduced the average frame times on a mid-range TV from 28 milliseconds to 18. The worst-case frame times also decreased from 40 milliseconds to 25. And in ongoing work we’re driving the frame down still further.“

Non-developers might find it interesting that the devs started exploring how to introduce WebAssembly in their stack back in the summer of 2020. A great story to understand how difficult it is to maintain and upgrade systems at such a huge scale.

24.01.2022

🤦‍♂️ Marak receives retribution

In a recent TechBrief, I mentioned Marak. He’s an open-source programmer who made a very loud statement about how Big Tech uses open-source to reap profits without giving back.

To do so, he intentionally pushed updates that messed up his own libraries, used in thousands of live apps.

Then, Tech Crunch wrote an article about how open-source programmers are starting to fight back against Big Tech, listing stories similar to Marak’s.

Now, Marak is asking for forgiveness. GitHub pretty much banned him completely. So, he’s now claiming that his sabotage of his own libraries, along with a poignant political statement, was a "programming mistake".

What do we make of this story? I don’t know. One thing is for sure – if you’re going to go against Big Tech, you should probably prepare better.

💡 PlayStation inventor unimpressed with metaverse

The Father of PlayStation is working on a better alternative, and I for one am more interested in this than what our Big Tech behemoths have to offer.

Ken Kutaragi sees VR/AR headsets as a gimmick, and the market seems to agree (looking at the very low numbers of sold headsets and huge failures of projects like Google’s or Snapchat’s separate AR glasses).

He wants to integrate cyberspace and meatspace, but without any gimmicky, toy-like gadgets.

He doesn’t specify what exactly he’s working on, but he said he’s going to release more details this year. Keep your eyes on Ken Kutaragi and Ascent Robotics, Inc. closely this year!

😮 The Danish government just open-sourced it’s economy

The Danish economic model is now an open-source code library on GitHub.

Fascinating times we’re living in!

17.01.2022

💰 Virtual real estate

Someone paid $450,000 to live next to Snoop Dogg in an app. If nothing else, it’s a great way to spend your money--virtual assets stored on someone else’s servers, with no guarantee that they’ll survive longer than the current metaverse hype will last.

⚖️ Facebook sued for billions over data harvesting

Nothing to see here, just Facebook being Facebook.

😧 Bitcoin mining suddenly banned in multiple countries

Sweden, Norway, Kazakhstan, Iran, Kosovo, Iceland don’t want Bitcoin miners using up their electricity. More countries are likely to follow suit, unfortunately the crypto market is already much bigger than Bitcoin alone. As always, government regulations are lagging behind technological progress and moving extremely slowly.

“Perhaps the CEO of Iceland’s national power company summed up the situation best: 'Nobody would build a power plant for Bitcoin. There’s a lot of uncertainty about its future.'"

10.01.2022

💥 If you can’t fix it, just blow it up!

A guy from Finland wanted to get his Tesla S fixed (mileage: 1,500km). After a month in the shop, they said the whole battery needs replacing ($20,000+). So, naturally, this guy just blew his Tesla up with 30kg of dynamite for a YouTube video.

⭐ “😎 Livin’ our life like it's golden.”

...was the title of NASA’s Instagram post celebrating the “most complex space telescope deployment in history”. “NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope team fully deployed its 21-foot, gold-coated primary mirror, successfully completing the final stage of all major spacecraft deployments to prepare for science operations.”

💣THIS is why we can’t have nice things!

A sort of Mr Robotesque scenario happened with 2 popular open-source libraries for programmers, ‘colors’ and ‘faker’. Both have millions of weekly downloads and thousands of applications actively use them and depend on them. It’s peculiar. A "new American flag module" was added to colors.js in version v1.4.44-liberty-2, and a version '6.6.6' of faker.js was published. The image in this post is generated by the new, sabotaged faker version.

Apart from the symbolism, there were also some references to Aaron Swartz’s story thrown around. It all turned out to be a protest against Big Tech using open-source libraries without giving back to the creators. Some experts have condemned this, saying that it’s simply irresponsible to create open-source software, and then use it to act out against the organizations that rely on it.

Summary

Did you find any stories that you completely missed since the year started? We truly hope so!

For weekly updates with stories you might miss amidst the news noise, connect with Michał Błędowski on Linkedin.

Angry Nerds Verified by Pangea as One Of The Top 7% Software Engineering Vendors

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 16:00:00 Z

If you don’t know, Pangea is a community of the best software development companies around the world. As soon as we learned about them, we were eager to join their ranks.

Now, it’s official—we’ve been thoroughly verified and accepted by Pangea. What does it mean, and why should you check out Pangea? Keep reading to find out.

Pangea is Disrupting the Disruptors

The tech industry is huge, complicated, and extremely fast-paced. Anybody who has worked at a software start-up or agency for more than a year can attest to that.

At the same time, this industry is poorly regulated and confusing, breeding many challenges. One of the biggest challenges is choosing the right partners for software projects.

In this industry, we have a unique benefit—we’re (almost) never limited by geography. Borders are irrelevant to us because all we need is an internet connection to cooperate.

As a manager or entrepreneur looking for a dev team, you have thousands of companies from around the world to choose from. If you wanted to check each company to truly make an informed decision, your project wouldn’t start for years.

With such an abundance of options, choosing partners is always a compromise. Especially if you need developers specialized in technologies that are unfamiliar to you.

All of the above, combined with myriad other challenges, makes finding the perfect fit for your project a difficult job—that is unless you use Pangea. Pangea scans software development companies from every angle.

If a company is verified and has a profile on Pangea, you can decide if they’re the right partner for your project without even contacting them. Which is revolutionary as far as the software dev industry is concerned!

At Pangea, it’s all about transparency. You can search and filter companies by what you need, and you get 130+ KPIs about each company upfront to compare and decide.

“Working with Pangea is a win-win for everyone included. We're very happy to join the Pangea community!” - Sławomir Guz, Co-Founder of Angry Nerds

Before you can join Pangea, you have to go through a 6-week, thorough verification process that spans across your whole company. Here’s what the Pangea team has uncovered about Angry Nerds.

Findings From The Pangea Verification Process

One of the coolest things that Pangea does is contact your clients for detailed references. What did our clients say about us?

Our client score is 9.0 out of 10, compared to the average client score of 8.6. So, we can boldly say that we’re pretty great at this software development thing!

In a detailed breakdown, we received a score of 9.2 for these areas:

Customer journey,
UI/UX,
Project management,
Tech expertise,
Business maturity.

However, there are some areas where we still have to improve, because we received a score of 8.8 for these areas:

Quality assurance,
Documentation level,
Process maturity.

We weren’t surprised, as we’re still a relatively young organization and we understand our shortcomings. With a detailed score like this from Pangea, we’re better prepared to create a detailed roadmap for improvements in the near future.

Ultimately, we received a 9.1 Pangea score (compared to the average Pangea score of 8.4). We’re proud, but we also won’t rest until we hit a perfect 10/10!

Cheers to you, Pangea!

Pangea is about breaking through the status quo. About doing work that matters with people and organizations that care. About being transparent, and never cutting corners.

Similar values lay at the foundation of Angry Nerds, so it means a lot to us that we’re joining forces.

We believe that Pangea will help us make a bigger impact on the industry, and drive us towards the highest standards of business and software development.

Thank you for betting on Angry Nerds, Pangea!

What a year! 2018 in a nutshell

Thu, 27 Dec 2018 10:00:22 Z

More challenges!

When you’re an IT professional, you know it means you’ll never stop learning. The tech world never stops evolving and you have to be up-to-date in order to be a top-class programmer. This year, we kept on developing our skills thanks to the challenging projects we’ve been working on. All the software we’ve developed: mobile apps, websites, portals; all the simple and complex projects have been so much fun to do! We also participated in various tech events and learned from each other at work. So, if you’re looking for software development experts – here we are!

More Nerds!

Our team have grown considerably this year. We have now almost 35 Nerds on board and we’ll have another 5 Nerds joining till February. And we’ve only just begun! We’ve almost doubled our mobile squad, quadrupled .NET team and created a dedicated front-end crew! We’re still looking for talented IT professionals - developers, testers and project managers. Check our open positions and drop us a line if you’re willing to become an Angry Nerd. We’ll be very happy to welcome you to our team!

More fun!

Workplace culture has always been essential for us. We have our little traditions – Pizza Fridays once a month or regular meetings after hours just to chill or play some games. You can have a glimpse of our less official side on our Instagram! We think that working hard together and having fun together make the best and strongest teams - and we hope next year we’ll live up to these words once again!

More clients!

We would love to mention all the great projects we’ve been working on, but we play by the rules and simply cannot. But we can say that we’ve been working for more than a dozen startups and some more wonderful clients. We counted and in total we worked on 60+ projects this year alone! We are really grateful for the opportunities, trust that you gave us and great relations we’ve built together. Life is about experiences and we are so glad we could share this year with you. Thank you all!

We’re very grateful for everything that happened in 2018. Of course, there were ups and downs, but we managed to learn a lesson from both. It seems the New Year 2019 is going to be even MORE exciting. Stay tuned!

Blog

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Summary

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