Is Apple’s ‘It’s Time to Shine’ a Prelude to AI-Powered iPhones for Everyone?
Google is set to revolutionize personalized AI with its new Gems feature, allowing Gemini subscribers to create bespoke chatbots tailored to their needs. Starting this fall, users can craft chatbots — or “Gems” — to serve as gym buddies, cooking assistants, copy editors, and more. These Gems can be customized with unique personalities and functions based on user instructions.
Revealed initially at Google I/O in May, Gems promise a broad range of applications, from planning drought-resistant gardens to acting as a friendly training coach. For those not keen on designing their own, Google offers a selection of pre-made Gems, including a career guide and a coding partner.
Available for Gemini Advanced, Business, and Enterprise users across over 150 countries, Gems will support both mobile and desktop platforms. This move positions Google to compete directly with OpenAI, which has recently emphasized user-created chatbots and a GPT store.
Learn more about Gems on The Verge.
Telegram’s Durov Arrested in France, Messaging Giant Says CEO Has ‘Nothing to Hide’
Telegram has responded strongly to the arrest of its CEO, Pavel Durov, claiming that the tech mogul “has nothing to hide.” Durov, the founder of the popular messaging platform, was detained at Le Bourget Airport near Paris under a warrant for alleged offenses related to insufficient content moderation on Telegram. The accusations involve Durov’s failure to take adequate steps to prevent the criminal use of the platform, including illegal activities such as drug trafficking, child exploitation, and fraud.
The arrest has sparked controversy over the responsibilities of tech CEOs in moderating content on their platforms. Officials have accused Telegram of not cooperating with law enforcement in addressing criminal content shared on the app. This comes at a time when concerns over online safety and accountability are at an all-time high across Europe.
In a public statement, Telegram defended its practices, asserting that its moderation system “is within industry standards and constantly improving.” The company expressed disbelief over the charges, calling it “absurd” to hold either the platform or its owner responsible for the illegal activities of certain users. Telegram further reiterated its compliance with European Union laws, including the recently enacted Digital Services Act, which aims to create a safer online environment by holding platforms accountable for the content they host.
Durov, 39, was born in Russia but now lives in Dubai, holding citizenships in both the United Arab Emirates and France. Telegram, while based in Dubai, remains highly popular in Russia, Ukraine, and several former Soviet republics. The app was banned in Russia in 2018 after Durov refused to hand over encrypted user data, but the ban was lifted in 2021.
Judicial sources report that Durov’s detention has been extended and could last for up to 96 hours, prompting both public outcry and diplomatic intervention. The Russian Embassy in France has demanded clarification on the arrest and is seeking to provide Durov with consular access, despite the lack of formal requests from his representatives. The Russian Foreign Ministry has criticized French authorities for what it sees as insufficient cooperation in resolving the matter.
In a further twist, Russian officials have condemned Durov’s arrest, calling it an example of double standards in the West’s approach to free speech. This incident has even drawn commentary from prominent figures like American whistleblower Edward Snowden, who called Durov’s detention “an assault on the basic human rights of speech and association.” Elon Musk also weighed in, tweeting multiple posts supporting Durov, including the hashtag #freepavel.
Despite these high-profile reactions, Telegram continues to face criticism over its weak moderation policies. Cybersecurity experts point out that while the platform has removed some groups associated with illegal activities, its moderation is still considerably looser than other social media giants like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Telegram’s allowance of groups with up to 200,000 members has made it a haven for misinformation, extremist content, and conspiracies.
In the UK, the app has come under scrutiny for allegedly hosting far-right channels involved in recent violent disturbances. While Telegram did remove some groups following the disorder, critics argue that the platform’s lax moderation allows harmful content to flourish unchecked.
For more details, you can read the full report on BBC.
Robo-Dog Revolution: AI-Powered Canine Outperforms Humans in Fire Ant Battle
The CyberDog, equipped with a sophisticated AI model, has demonstrated a remarkable ability to locate RIFA nests with impressive accuracy. Field tests show that this robotic system identifies three times more nests than human inspectors, providing a substantial improvement in pest management. Eduardo Fox, a postdoctoral researcher at the State University of Goiás, highlighted the advantages of this technology: “Fire ant nests are challenging to find and confirm. A robot can automate this process, operating efficiently in various conditions without needing specialized training.”
Combating a Global Menace
RIFA, introduced to the U.S. in the 1930s, has spread across the globe, wreaking havoc on ecosystems and agriculture. These ants not only displace native species but also damage crops and contribute to significant economic losses. Traditional pest control methods, which often involve harmful pesticides, pose risks to local ecosystems. The new CyberDog system offers a targeted approach that aims to minimize collateral damage to native species.
How It Works
The CyberDog uses machine learning trained on over 1,100 RIFA nest images, achieving a detection precision rate exceeding 90%. During field tests, the robot presses the nest with its paw, provoking the ants to emerge, which helps differentiate active mounds from abandoned ones. This method ensures accurate detection and reduces false positives.
Future Prospects and Challenges
Despite its success, the technology faces challenges, including limited battery life and high costs. Zheng Yan from Lanzhou University noted that while the current system is expensive, future advancements could lower production costs and enhance efficiency. The researchers are optimistic that the CyberDog will not only improve pest control but also raise public awareness about the dangers of invasive fire ants.
For more details, check out the full article on Techxplore.
AR Revolution: Meta and Snap Set to Reveal New Smart Glasses
Two of the biggest players in augmented reality, Meta and Snap, are poised to unveil their latest AR glasses next month. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel is expected to reveal the fifth-generation Spectacles on September 17th at the annual Partner Summit in Los Angeles. Spectacles 5 will continue Snap’s focus on integrating AR technology, building on the major upgrades introduced with the fourth generation, which added integrated screens for the first time.
Hot on Snap’s heels, Meta is preparing to debut its first AR glasses at the Connect conference in Menlo Park on September 25th. Codenamed Orion, Meta’s AR glasses promise to be a significant leap forward, with Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth hinting earlier this year that Orion could be “the most advanced piece of technology on the planet” in its domain. While details remain scarce, excitement is building around the launch.
Despite the hype, both companies are expected to limit initial production, with Snap planning fewer than 10,000 units and Meta likely to follow suit. Commercial viability remains distant, but these launches signal growing interest and innovation in the AR space.
Read the full article here.
Cannes Lions Spotlight: Meta Introduces AI-Enhanced Messenger and New Threads API for Businesses
Meta continues its AI push, unveiling innovative tools at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, including an AI-driven Messenger chatbot and a Threads platform API. These announcements are part of Meta’s ongoing efforts to enhance business messaging solutions and improve advertiser engagement through artificial intelligence.
The AI-powered Messenger chatbot, one of the highlights of Meta’s presentation, leverages the Llama 3 AI interface to deliver more natural and engaging responses to customer inquiries. This tool aims to improve customer interactions by moving beyond canned responses, allowing businesses to better manage their communication flow with consumers. Meta’s goal is to streamline customer service while keeping the human element accessible. Customers will always have the option to request assistance from a live agent, and businesses can jump into the conversation at any time.
In addition to the chatbot, Meta is also introducing new business messaging tools to help advertisers deliver paid marketing messages directly through Messenger. These tools will allow businesses to share product information and promotions via the Meta Business Suite, and consumers can initiate chats through a “click to message” ad or the “Send Message” button on a Facebook page. The new features will soon be available to select advertisers, and Meta plans to expand these capabilities in the coming months.
Meta also emphasized the value of its AI-powered advertising tools. The company reported a return on ad spend (ROAS) of $3.71 for every dollar spent on its platforms. When advertisers used Meta’s Advantage+ Shopping products, the average ROAS increased to $4.52. These numbers demonstrate Meta’s ongoing commitment to helping businesses maximize their marketing investments using AI.
The introduction of the Threads API marks another significant development for Meta’s platform ecosystem. With over 150 million monthly active users, Threads now allows businesses and creators to share content at scale using third-party applications. The API will enable users to authenticate, publish posts, and interact with their audience more efficiently. In addition, it will offer tools to monitor post engagement, set reply controls, and analyze key metrics like views, likes, and replies.
The Threads API is designed to give creators and businesses more control over their content strategy, allowing them to streamline their operations across multiple platforms. This API is expected to help brands and influencers maintain a stronger connection with their communities while leveraging advanced analytics to inform their content decisions.
These announcements signal Meta’s increasing focus on AI-driven solutions that enhance both customer service and advertising efficiency. As the company continues to develop its tools, brands and businesses will have more opportunities to engage consumers across Meta’s platforms in innovative ways.
For more details on Meta’s latest advancements, visit the full report on Marketing Dive.
Justice Department Mulls Breaking Up Google After Landmark Antitrust Ruling
The U.S. Justice Department is exploring the possibility of breaking up Alphabet Inc.’s Google after a landmark court ruling declared the company’s dominance in the online search market to be illegal. This would be Washington’s most significant move to dismantle a tech giant for monopolistic practices since the failed attempt to break up Microsoft Corp. two decades ago.
Breakup or Alternative Remedies?
Sources familiar with the deliberations reveal that a full breakup of Google is on the table, with potential divestments including its Android operating system and the Chrome web browser. Less drastic remedies under consideration involve enforcing data-sharing requirements with competitors or implementing measures to curb Google’s advantages in artificial intelligence (AI) development.
Market Impact and Legal Developments
Following the court’s ruling on August 5, Alphabet’s stock plummeted by 3.8% in early trading, reflecting investor concerns. Judge Amit Mehta’s decision found that Google’s monopolistic practices extended to both its search engine and search text ads, putting significant pressure on the company to address these issues.
Government’s Strategy and Potential Breakup
The Justice Department’s plan, if enacted, would require judicial approval from Mehta, who would oversee compliance. A breakup of Google would be the most significant such action since AT&T’s dismantling in the 1980s. The government’s proposals could also include prohibiting exclusive contracts that prevent competition, a central issue in the antitrust case.
Focus on AI and Data Access
The Justice Department has expressed concerns that Google’s search dominance provides it with undue advantages in developing AI technologies. Remedies could involve preventing Google from using website content for AI products without consent or enforcing data-sharing obligations with rivals like Microsoft’s Bing or DuckDuckGo.
For further details on this evolving case, read the full article.
Elon Musk’s Neuralink Achieves Milestone with Second Brain Chip Implantation
Elon Musk’s neurotechnology company, Neuralink, has successfully implanted a brain chip in a second patient with a spinal cord injury, advancing its goal of enabling paralyzed individuals to control digital devices using only their thoughts. The latest announcement came from Musk himself, with confirmation via Reuters on August 4, 2024.
The implanted device, designed to help people with severe mobility limitations regain some level of digital autonomy, has been hailed as a groundbreaking innovation. According to Neuralink, the chip contains 400 electrodes, though the company’s website reports that a more advanced version can accommodate up to 1,024 electrodes.
The Neurochip: How It Works
The implanted chip functions as a capsule receiver, affixed behind the ear in a manner similar to a hearing aid. From this capsule, thread-like electrodes extend directly into the brain. These electrodes are extremely thin, up to four times finer than a human hair. In total, the device can implant as many as 1,500 electrodes, all connected to a 4×4 mm processor. This processor interprets and transmits neural signals, allowing the user to control external devices with thought alone.
A Second Attempt at Success
The first successful implant occurred in January 2024, in a patient who had been paralyzed from the neck down due to a diving accident. The initial success was remarkable—allowing the patient to play video games, surf the Internet, and even post on social media using nothing but his thoughts. However, technical issues surfaced a month later when several of the thread-like electrodes shifted out of place, leading to signal disruptions.
In response, Neuralink adjusted its strategy and announced plans to implant the chip deeper into the brain’s motor cortex in the second patient. This new implantation is part of a broader effort to refine the technology and prevent further complications.
Looking Ahead
Neuralink has ambitious plans for the future. By the end of 2024, the company aims to have implanted chips in at least 10 volunteers. Furthermore, Neuralink is preparing to apply for trials in Canada and the United Kingdom to broaden its scope and assess the technology’s global potential.
For more information, you can read the full story here.
This marks a pivotal moment in medical technology, where thought-controlled interfaces are moving closer to reality for patients suffering from debilitating injuries.
Warner Bros Discovery Avoids Break-up with Strategic Asset Sales
Warner Bros Discovery’s (WBD) top management is steering the company away from a potential break-up, a move designed to tackle the severe drop in its stock price since its inception in 2022. CEO David Zaslav and CFO Gunnar Wiedenfels have been reviewing various options to halt the stock’s decline, which has plummeted nearly 70% since the merger that formed WBD.
Insiders reveal that while a break-up was initially appealing, the management concluded that separating the company’s television channels from its streaming and studio businesses posed significant challenges. “On paper, a split seemed logical, but the operational complexities, particularly in negotiating sports rights and deciding content placement, make it a daunting task,” said an informed source.
Breaking up the Hollywood powerhouse could ignite legal disputes with debt investors and complicate content distribution across platforms, caution those close to the discussions. A company spokesperson refrained from commenting on the matter.
Instead of a drastic split, Zaslav and Wiedenfels are exploring the sale of smaller assets. These include potentially offloading the Polish broadcaster TVN or a stake in Warner’s video game division, known for its Harry Potter games. This strategy is aimed at reassuring investors of the company’s valuation, which management believes should be around $60 billion or $25 per share, a stark contrast to the $7.88 closing price on Monday.
The formation of WBD in April 2022, a merger between Discovery and WarnerMedia, was meant to enhance competitiveness against streaming giants like Netflix and Disney. However, convincing Wall Street of its potential has been an uphill battle, with its valuation slashed and management pressured into action. The company is slated to announce its quarterly earnings on Wednesday.
In response to these pressures, WBD has undertaken cost-cutting measures, including layoffs and asset sales like All3Media, the British production house behind “Fleabag”. CNN, WBD’s news division, recently laid off around 100 employees as part of its digital restructuring. Yet, selling CNN faces high hurdles due to its strategic value and the tax implications involved.
“Zaslav views CNN as a critical and reputational asset, integral to our affiliate relations,” an insider stated, referring to the fees cable operators pay to networks. They added that any offer for CNN would have to be exceptionally compelling to justify a sale.
Overall, those within the company assert that WBD’s true value should be much higher. However, the current market conditions are challenging, and success hinges on numerous factors aligning favorably.
For the full story, read more here.
PlayStation 5 Achieves 61 Million Units Sold Amid Falling Hardware Sales
Sony has announced that it has sold over 61 million PlayStation 5 (PS5) consoles, even as hardware sales have seen a notable decline. The company reported a 32% drop in hardware unit sales year-on-year, with 2.4 million PS5 consoles sold in the most recent quarter, down from 3.3 million in the same quarter of 2023, and a substantial decrease from 4.5 million units in the previous quarter.
Despite the decline in hardware sales, Sony’s game revenue saw a 12% increase year-on-year, contributing to a 33% increase in profit. This growth in revenue can be credited to an 18% increase in software sales and a 25% rise in Network Services revenue, largely driven by PlayStation Plus (PS Plus). While Sony hasn’t disclosed the exact number of PS Plus subscribers, it did reveal that the PlayStation Network now has 116 million monthly active users, up from 108 million year-on-year but a slight decrease from 118 million in the last quarter.
Software unit sales have dropped by 5% year-on-year, suggesting that the revenue increase is possibly due to higher game prices. In the recent quarter, the PS5-exclusive Stellar Blade sold a million copies by the end of June. Other significant releases include the PC version of Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut and the Destiny 2 expansion, The Final Shape.
For context, Nintendo sold 2.1 million Switch consoles in the same period, indicating that while the PS5 sales lead, the Switch remains competitive in its seventh year of release. Microsoft also experienced a 42% drop in hardware sales in the previous quarter, reflecting an industry-wide decline in hardware sales.
Read more at the original source here.
Recession Fears Trigger Massive Selloff Across Global Markets
The global financial markets took a massive hit on Monday, as over $1.93 trillion was wiped out from the U.S. stock market alone. The selloff was triggered by growing fears of an impending recession, following last week’s dismal economic data from the United States.
At 11:30 a.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 863.70 points, or 2.17%, to 38,873.56. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also faced significant declines, dropping 2.42% and 2.77%, respectively. Earlier in the day, the Nasdaq had dropped over 1,000 points, leading the rout as tech stocks bore the brunt of the selloff.
Weak jobs data released on Friday exacerbated recession fears. The U.S. economy added just 114,000 jobs in July, falling short of expectations, while the unemployment rate edged up to 4.3%. This news, combined with a dismal global economic outlook, sparked panic among investors, leading to a sharp selloff across global markets.
In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 plunged 12.4%, marking its worst single-day loss since the Black Monday crash of 1987. South Korea’s Kospi index fell by 8.8%, while European markets sank roughly 3%. The ripple effects were felt across various asset classes, with Bitcoin dropping 12% and smaller U.S. companies represented by the Russell 2000 index losing 5.5%.
Big Tech stocks were particularly hard hit. Shares of Alphabet, Netflix, and Meta fell between 2.5% and 4.0%. Nvidia, the AI chip giant, saw its stock plunge over 8% following reports of a delay in launching its upcoming artificial-intelligence chips due to design flaws. Even Apple couldn’t escape the carnage, with its stock declining by 4.6% after Berkshire Hathaway reduced its stake in the company.
The bond market also reacted sharply, with Treasury yields falling as investors sought safe-haven assets. The yield on the 2-year Treasury note dropped to 3.81% from 3.88% late Friday. Meanwhile, commodities like gold and silver weren’t spared either. Gold prices fell over 2%, and silver plunged by 5% as investors liquidated their positions in response to the market turmoil.
For more details on the market’s dramatic downturn, visit the original source here.
