News & Analysis News - Page 20
Apple sued for dropping CSAM detection features from services, devices
Announced in 2021, the plan was for Apple to scan images on iCloud for child abuse material using on-device technology. While Apple retained a nudity-detection tool for its Messages app, the CSAM detection feature was dropped in 2022 amid privacy and security concerns
North Korean hackers dump RokRAT malware on South Korea's digital infra, target Internet Explorer
Known for their sophisticated attacks, ScarCruft, also called APT37 or RedEyes, has targeted South Korean digital infrastructure, with a focus on human rights activists, defectors, and political entities in Europe
Flipkart to shift base from Singapore to India as it prepares to public, IPO in next 12-15 months
In a strategic move to align with local regulations and prepare for a listing on India's stock exchange, Flipkart will be shifting its base from Singapore to India
Sonodyne Malhar Hi-Fi Wireless Music System Review: Blast from the past
This vintage looking speaker may be missing a couple of modern features but it does pack a serious punch.
NASA delays Artemis II mission to the Moon again, launch rescheduled for April 2026
A key factor in the setback is the Orion spacecraft’s heat shield, which raised concerns during the uncrewed Artemis I test flight. The shield, designed to withstand the intense heat of re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, wore away in unexpected ways during testing
Meta teams up with Hollywood director James Cameron's tech company for AR & VR content
The collaboration between Meta and Lightstorm Vision marks a significant investment in Meta’s augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) ambitions. Meta plans to leverage Lightstorm Vision’s cutting-edge technology to enhance 3D production tools and storytelling capabilities
Elon Musk's xAI raises another $6 billion from over 90 different investors in latest funding round
OpenAI, which has raised $17.9 billion since its founding in 2015, remains a formidable competitor. However, xAI is closing the gap rapidly. xAI's Colossus supercomputer is set to grow from 100,000 Nvidia GPUs to over a million
OpenAI launches o1 model that can solve 'all maths, science problems,' locks it behind $200/month paywall
OpenAI o1 isn’t the GPT-5 many users are eagerly awaiting. However, it’s a significant step forward for AI-powered tools, especially in the face of growing competition from Google’s Gemini and Meta’s AI projects
Google and Andhra Pradesh to work together to accelerate AI innovation and adoption across the state
Google plans to offer 10,000 certifications through its AI Essentials course, enabling students, professionals, and government officials to integrate AI into their daily workflows for greater efficiency
Brazilian federal judge overturns Apple's antitrust case, calls it 'disproportionate,' regulators to appeal
Brazil's CADE’s ruling earlier this year demanded that Apple allow third-party payment options and remove its anti-steering policies within 20 days, threatening substantial fines for non-compliance
Indian Govt. denies special treatment for Elon Musk’s Starlink in satellite spectrum Allocation
Minister of State for Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar clarified that the Telecommunications Act, 2023, allows for such spectrum assignments for satellite-based services as outlined in its First Schedule
Backbone officially enters Indian market, launches Backbone One gaming controller starting at Rs 7.5K
Designed to turn smartphones into handheld gaming consoles, the Backbone One controller taps into the growing demand for high-quality mobile gaming accessories
GenAI used in less than 1% of election-related misinformation in 2024, finds Meta study
The study examined election-related posts across 40 countries, including key regions like India, the US, and the EU, and found that AI played a minor role in spreading misinformation during major elections in 2024
NASA develops OWLAT and OceanWATERS robotics for autonomous ocean world exploration
OWLAT is a physical testing platform equipped with a robotic arm, sensors, and interchangeable tools for sampling, which mimics low-gravity dynamics using a specialised Stewart platform. OceanWATERS, on the other hand, provides a virtual testing ground
'Elon will do the right thing, won't abuse government powers,' says OpenAI CEO Sam Altman
Altman addressed concerns that Musk might misuse his proximity to political power to benefit his own businesses or harm competitors, calling such behaviour “profoundly un-American”
Google updates Gemini AI Assistant with Utilities extension can now control smartphone tasks
Previously, Gemini fell short when it came to device-related tasks, relying on separate app extensions or Google Assistant for help. Now, with Utilities, Gemini is better equipped to streamline interactions, making it more useful and intuitive for Android users
Google's new AI weather model GenCast handily beats world’s most reliable forecast systems
Unlike traditional models, which rely heavily on physics-based equations, GenCast uses machine learning to generate ensemble-based forecasts. This means it can create probability-driven projections
OpenAI & US Defense contractor Anduril to co-develop military AI & AI drones
The venture plans to bring together OpenAI’s advanced machine-learning models and Anduril’s expertise in military hardware and software, using data from real-world drone operations to train AI systems
Chinese hackers compromised at least 8 US telecoms in Salt Typhoon hacking campaign, finds White House
Hackers in the Salt Typhoon hacking campaign targeted telecom carriers in dozens of countries and reportedly accessed the phone and text communications of a select group of highly targeted individuals, including several government officials
Apple allegedly agreed to invest $1 billion to reverse iPhone 16 ban, claims investment minister
If Apple’s alleged $1 billion investment is confirmed, it could set a new precedent for how the company navigates localisation demands in emerging markets. Indonesia’s policy has already prompted similar moves from other global tech firms
Apple planning to use Amazon's latest AI chips to train upcoming Apple Intelligence models
Apple has been using Amazon’s Trainium and Graviton chips to improve search functionality, achieving a 40 per cent boost in performance. Now, the company is evaluating Amazon’s Trainium2 chips for pre-training new AI models
Meta took down over 20 covert influence operations in 2024, claims Russia biggest perpetrator
Meta intercepted over 500,000 attempts to misuse its AI tools for generating misleading images of political figures such as Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, JD Vance, and Joe Biden in the month leading up to the US elections
Smartphones should come with cigarette-like health warnings, experts tell Spanish govt
One in four children has a mobile phone by age 10, with the number rising to nearly half by age 11. The panel has recommended the Spanish govt to prioritise "dumb phones," which lack internet access, and encourages offline activities like sports, in children aged six to 12 years
Meta joins Google, Amazon & OpenAI, latest among tech giants turning to nuclear power to fuel AI ambitions
Meta has issued a call for proposals for bringing nuclear reactors online by the early 2030s to support its data centres and the surrounding communities. It is looking for partners who can develop and manage a facility that has a capacity of 1 to 4 gigawatts
US chips 'highly unsafe, easy to hack', say Chinese industry bodies to tech companies, advises to buy local
In a rare coordinated response to escalating US restrictions on China’s semiconductor sector, four of China’s top trade associations claimed American chips are “no longer safe or reliable.” Beijing has also responded to US' recent actions by banning the export of several critical minerals
China fights back against US' new chip restrictions, blocks export of key minerals needed in chipmaking
Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced the restrictions, effective immediately, targeting gallium, germanium, antimony, and other key materials. It accused Washington of weaponising trade under the guise of national security
AWS re:Invent 2024: Amazon unveils Nova, new collection of AI models, to take on OpenAI, Google, Microsoft
Amazon is pitching Nova as a cost-effective and efficient alternative in the AI market. The company claims the models are at least 75 per cent cheaper and faster than similar offerings available through AWS servers
Apple patents new design for iPhone, iPad and Mac, future devices may come with multiple Action buttons
The patent hints at a significant evolution for Apple devices. Reports have also suggested that future iPhones may have volume rockers doubling as programmable buttons, complete with haptic feedback for a tactile experience
Intel launches Arc B580 & Arc B570 ‘Battlemage’ graphics cards, to take on AMD & NVIDIA's midrange GPUs
While the Battlemage GPUs show promise, they face a challenging market dominated by NVIDIA and AMD. Intel has priced its cards very aggressively and included features like higher VRAM, but the GPU market’s rapid price adjustments could erode its edge
India most targeted nation for mobile malware attacks with 28% of all attacks, finds global report
India accounted for 28% of global mobile malware attacks out of over 20 billion mobile threat transactions made between June 2023 and May 2024. This is more than that of the US & Canada. The study also found that India accounted for over 66% of all such attacks in Asia-Pacific