Briefing Desk
Latest Briefings
Concise reporting on the developments shaping internet governance and infrastructure. Browse each area for recent news, context and watchpoints.
Top tech news stories today: April 16, 2024
Dive into the latest groundbreaking developments in technology that are shaping the future, from AI integration to the Internet of Things revolutionising our daily lives. Fintech 1. Hong Kong regulators approve launch of spot bitcoin and ether ETFs Hong Kong regulators on Monday approved the launch …
Modem vs router, what’s the difference?
Who is Jensen Huang? The founder of chipmaker Nvidia was a ‘troublemaker’ before becoming a leading name in AI Modems and routers serve distinct purposes and functions. A modem establishes a connection to the Internet, while a router links your devices to your home network (also known as …
Meta will close its threads in Turkish for the time being
In response to an interim order from the Turkish Competition Authority (TCA), Threads, a social media platform, is set to shut down in Türkiye, affecting users’ engagement within the community. Despite disagreement with the order, Threads is taking steps to comply while aiming to minimize disruption…
US senator views bitcoin as remedy for credit card fee surge
Senator Marsha Blackburn champions bitcoin as a remedy for soaring credit card fees, citing its potential to offer consumers savings and privacy in everyday transactions. Bitcoin: An alternative to rising credit card fees The Senator advocates bitcoin for savings on everyday purchases. Fees for cred…
Open source groups find more deliberate attacks on software
OpenSSF and OpenJS say more software projects may have been targeted for sabotage and warn all open source maintainers to be wary of attacks.
Apple will allow iPhone fixes with old parts
Apple has relaxed its policy on using old iPhone parts for repairs, allowing for easier repairs and cost savings. The policy, referred to as an “upcoming enhancement,” will apply to used Apple Original Accessories, providing full functionality and security similar to new ones. The policy is expected…
Apple CEO Tim Cook visits Vietnam to talk with local suppliers
Apple CEO Tim Cook arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam on the 15th to begin a two-day working trip to Vietnam to study the possibility of expanding Apple’s cooperation with Vietnam. Interaction with local Vietnam Cook will have a busy schedule during his visit to Vietnam, including meeting with several Vietna…
Apple plans to use AI-focused M4 chip to change production lines
Apple is about to produce the M4 computer processor with artificial intelligence processing power, overhauling the entire Mac lineup and aiming to highlight the role of AI. AI-focused chip According to people with knowledge of the matter, the company released its first Mac computer with an M3 chip f…
Galaxy AI features coming to last-generation Samsung devices
Samsung plans to bring some of its Galaxy AI features to several older flagship phones and tablets next month with the One UI 6.1 update. Models that get the AI feature Several of its older devices from 2021 and 2022 will receive Galaxy AI features in early May, including the Galaxy S22 series, Flip…
Google Pixel 9 could gain satellite SOS feature
Google may add a feature very similar to Apple’s Emergency SOS feature to the Pixel 9 and the next-generation Pixel Fold. The new SOS feature According to leaker Kamila Wojciechowska, who writes for Android Authority, Google’s SOS feature will provide future Pixel users with a series of questions t…
Binance executive Arjarwalla escapes to Kenya, extradition underway
The Nigerian government is collaborating with Interpol and Kenyan police to bring Arjarwalla back to Nigeria to face charges levelled against him. Arjarwalla arrives in Kenya Binance executive Nadeem Arjarwalla reportedly escaped custody on March 22 and was able to board a flight out of the Nigerian…
Blockchain scam alert: Over $20M lost in rug pulls
The scam group has been linked to several rug pulls, among them Magnate, Kokomo, Solfire, and Lendora. Crypto sleuth warns of scammers behind DeFi protocol Pseudonymous blockchain investigator ZachXBT warned about a group of scammers attempting to entrap more victims in a new fraud using millions of…
OpenAI courts Fortune 500 with ChatGPT Enterprise
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has hosted hundreds of executives from Fortune 500 companies to pitch AI services to diversify revenue streams and explore new markets. OpenAI launches ChatGPT Enterprise OpenAI — known for its popular generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool ChatGPT — is actively pitching …
Top 100 Global Innovators 2024: FANUC, excellence in R&D and IPR
FANUC recognized as top 100 global innovator by Clarivate Plc FANUC CORPORATION has secured its position among the prestigious “Top 100 Global Innovators 2024” list, curated by Clarivate Plc, a renowned information service provider. This marks FANUC’s fifth inclusion and third consecutive year on th…
US Senate says to extend TikTok sale deadline til after elections
US Senate considers extending TikTok divestment deadline, sparking debate on economic impact and international relations.
Microsoft is testing Start menu ads in Windows 11
Microsoft has begun testing ads in the Start menu of Windows 11, a change that will roll out to users in the US Beta channel.
IBM, Fortinet launch next-gen firewall security for IBM Cloud
IBM Cloud and Fortinet introduce a virtual security appliance that delivers next-generation firewall capabilities across IBM Cloud network.
JPMorgan Chase to move data and applications to the cloud
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said in a letter that banking giant aims to move 75% of its data and 70% of its applications to the cloud.
Sam Altman conducts large-scale OpenAI roadshow
OpenAI’s product roadshows highlight ChatGPT’s enterprise potential, driving rapid revenue growth despite past challenges.
Apple loses bid to throw out UK lawsuit over App Store fees
A judge denies Apple’s bid to dismiss a nearly $1 billion lawsuit, alleging unfair commission fees on UK-based developers.
US entertainment union Sag-Aftra asks for AI protection for artists
US entertainment union Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra) has reached a tentative agreement with major record labels such as Warner Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment that includes raising the minimum wage and preventing the use of artificial in…
Altcoin sees 21% drop, market eyes swift recovery
Solana (SOL) open interest drops 21% while its price rises 11%, and major altcoins also face declines amid market volatility. In the tumultuous world of cryptocurrency, Solana (SOL) is making headlines yet again, but this time for a rollercoaster of market movements. Over the past day, Solana’s open…
Tether’s $500M bitcoin mining nears end pre-halving
Tether’s CEO Paolo Ardoino reveals progress on $500M bitcoin mining project, emphasizing renewable energy and decentralization. Tether partners with Celo network to expand USDT distribution Tether’s $500 million bitcoin mining endeavor Tether, led by CEO Paolo Ardoino, nears completion of…
Tesla reduces monthly FSD subscription to $99
OUR TAKETesla has reduced the subscription fee for fully autonomous driving by 50%. This makes the technology more accessible and affordable, allowing more people to experience advanced driver assistance features. It also increases consumer choice in the driver assistance market and promotes competi…
Apple M4 chips will overhaul entire Mac line with AI
Aiming to boost computer sales, Apple prepares to overhaul the entire Mac line with new in-house processors designed to highlight AI.
Epic Games and Apple Clash Over App Store Practices
The legal clash between Epic Games and Apple has reignited as Epic Games accuses Apple of breaching a 2021 court order that aimed to introduce more flexibility in the App Store’s payment options. Epic’s recent motion alleges that Apple’s actions fall short of the court’s directives, sparking a new c…
Microsoft explores Ad integration in Windows 11 start menu
Microsoft is testing the waters with a new feature that integrates advertisements directly into the Windows 11 Start menu, specifically targeting the recommended section with promotions for apps available in the Microsoft Store. Blurring the Lines Between Recommendations and Advertisements importan…
IBM, Fortinet expand cloud security protection
IBM and Fortinet announce the availability of the vFSA on IBM cloud to help clients protect their workloads from cybersecurity threats.
Meta introduces Instant Replay in Horizon Worlds
In a bid to revolutionise the gaming experience within Horizon Worlds, Meta has unveiled a groundbreaking Instant Replay feature, allowing players to effortlessly capture and save pivotal gameplay moments with the tap of a button. Coupled with the ongoing testing of a performance-boosting tool, Fram…
Bloomberg: Hong Kong may see bitcoin, Ethereum spot ETFs
Chinese asset managers poised to introduce Bitcoin, Ethereum ETFs in Hong Kong, potentially unlocking billions in mainland investment. VanEck CEO predicts ether ETFs will be deniedin May Chinese asset managers near launch of Hong Kong crypto ETFs Mainland China’s investors are poised to p…
Apple releases M4 to ride AI wave
Financial information provider, Bloomberg News revealed on Thursday that Apple plans to release M4 CPUs with AI processing capabilities that could be added to any Mac model in order to face the stagnant PC market. Current PC market Since the end of the pandemic-era boom in sales of computers for hom…
Meta develops new messaging features for Threads
As the number of Threads users grows to over 130 million, and in an effort to streamline communication on the Threads platform, Meta has introduced a new messaging feature integrated with the Instagram inbox. This innovative update allows Threads users to send messages directly from the Threads app …
ChatGPT seems to look forward to new sources of revenue
Open AI’s Altman has pitched ChatGPT Enterprise to large firms to expand its revenue streams from corporates worldwide. The meeting with company executives According to Reuters on April 12, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, hosted hundreds of executives from Fortune 500 companies this month in San Fran…
Mempool’s Mononaut flags risks in bitcoin Layer 2
Mononaut’s critique of bitcoin Layer 2 implementations ignites debate on scalability solutions. Dan Held anticipates surge amid criticism. Critique of bitcoin layer 2 implementations Mononaut’s critique of the present state of bitcoin Layer 2 implementations has ignited a debate on the necessity of …
The Huawei’s new smartphone to heat the market
Huawei, the Chinese tech giant, has attracted interested customers to register to receive the latest information about the upcoming smartphone P70, stoking predictions about its high-end P series phones. About Huawei’s series Huawei‘s P series stands out for its advanced camera capabilities and …
Cryptocurrencies plunge amid Middle East unrest
Following an Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel, cryptocurrency markets witness significant selling, with bitcoin plummeting 8% before rebounding amidst escalating Middle East tensions. Israel chipmaker Hailo raises $120M, brings value to $1.2B Cryptocurrency market reacts to Iran…
Search giant, Google, protests California plan to pay journalists
The search engine behemoth Google, which made over $73 billion in revenue last year, is opposing a California law that would force it and other platforms to compensate media publishers. A “small percentage” of users in the state would have connections to local California news sites blocked as part o…
Dollar rises, yen falls on fading US rate-cut bets
As tensions rise in the Middle East, the pound strengthens on expectations of sustained U.S. interest rates, while the dollar’s surge underscores investor uncertainty. OUR TAKEThe news adeptly illustrates how geopolitical tensions and monetary policy uncertainties can profoundly influence currency m…
EQT to offload data management firm Rimes to Five Arrows
Swedish investment firm EQT has agreed to sell data management tech firm Rimes to Five Arrows, a unit of Rothschild & Co., bolstering solutions for asset managers. Le Reve uses TallyPay QR Code: Facilitating account management in Bangladesh EQT’s strategic move The Swedish investment firm…
A new AI tool for making hyperlocal weather videos belongs to The Weather Channel’s parent company
OUR TAKEThe launch of ReelSphere by The Weather Company is a significant step forward in the field of weather forecasting. The use of artificial intelligence tools can greatly improve the efficiency and accuracy of weather videos. Automatically adding captions, graphics, and hyper-local weather info…
The VPN capability on Google One will be discontinued later this year
Google revealed in an email that the perk will be phased out later this year. Google didn’t provide a specific date when the VPN service will be discontinued altogether, only saying that “people simply don’t use it.” In its place, they will divert resources to support other, more popular One feature…
US cyber agency says Russian hackers stole government emails
US cyber agencies say Russian government-backed hackers used Microsoft access to steal emails between government officials and tech giants.
Chipmaker Marvell touts new AI business but market doesn’t care
Marvell Technology said on Thursday it won new business helping large US cloud-computing companies customise chips for artificial intelligence, but the company noted that its customisation business had lower margins than its other businesses. Marvell’s profit Shares fell 2.7% after Marvell executive…
Automakers Magna to trial Sanctuary AI’s humanoid robots
OUR TAKE The partnership between Sanctuary AI and Magna, along with similar collaborations in the automotive industry, signals a growing trend of integrating humanoid robots into manufacturing processes. However, the success of these initiatives will depend on obtaining a tangible return on investme…
Apple uses AI technology to overhaul Mac product line
Apple M4 computer processor is coming soon Apple is about to produce an M4 computer processor with AI processing power and plans to update every Mac model with it. The company is reportedly aiming to release updated computers late this year and early next year, including a new iMac, a low-end 14-inc…
DuckDuckGo bundles VPN with privacy protection
DuckDuckGo has launched a new Privacy Pro subscription that bundles VPN services, personal information deletion, and identity theft recovery.
Ethereum’s EIP-3074: Making normal wallets ‘smart’
Ethereum’s upcoming Pectra upgrade, featuring EIP-3074, is set to transform crypto wallets with smart contract capabilities. EIP-3074 makes waves in crypto wallets The upcoming Ethereum Pectra upgrade, expected around late 2024 or early 2025, promises a wave of enhancements for crypto enthusiasts wo…
WhatsApp trials Meta AI in India and other markets
WhatsApp is testing Meta AI, its large language model-powered chatbot, with users in India and some other markets. Meta begins to test Meta AI in India In a strategic move to harness its vast user base, WhatsApp, a subsidiary of Meta, has initiated testing of its large language model-powered chatbot…
ChatGPT upgrade: More direct, less verbose
OpenAI’s popular AI chatbot, ChatGPT, has received a significant upgrade, offering premium users access to an enhanced version of GPT-4 Turbo. OpenAI updates ChatGPT with GPT-4 Turbo ChatGPT, OpenAI’s popular AI-powered chatbot, just got a big update, becoming more direct and less verbose. OpenAI an…
Dubai’s crypto regulation chief eases burden on small firms
Dubai’s VARA CEO Matthew White plans to lower compliance costs for small crypto firms, proposing a framework to include all players in the rapidly growing industry. White indicates his determination to create a fair environment for competence In a bid to level the playing field for small crypto firm…