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Concise reporting on the developments shaping internet governance and infrastructure. Browse each area for recent news, context and watchpoints.
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In this section: 37 briefingsDrugs by drone: Amazon starts airborne prescription deliveries
On October 18, Amazon announced that its “Amazon Pharmacy” business opened a drone drug delivery service in College Station, Texas. Customers in their local area can get prescription drugs delivered to their homes by Amazon’s unmanned delivery service within an hour of placing an order. H…
Qualcomm and Google team up to create wearable chips
Image credit: Qualcomm Qualcomm and Google have partnered to drive the RISC-V revolution in the wearable tech world. At a recent Made by Google event, the two tech giants revealed their partnership, shortly after Google introduced the Pixel Watch 2, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 Wearable…
Oracle’s NetSuite revolutionises business with AI features and field service expansion
Image credit: Pressfoto via Freepik Oracle’s NetSuite announced its acquisition of Next Technik with the goal of integrating generative AI features and expanding field service capabilities. These updates, revealed at its annual conference in Las Vegas, aim to simplify and supercharge business operat…
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella reveals acquisition strategy during award ceremony
During the Axel Springer Award ceremony, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella shared two key focus when deciding acqusition: alignment with Microsoft’s values and financial sense. Nadella earned the award for his outstanding leadership and strategic acquisitions. The event, hosted at Axel Springer headquarte…
Greenpeace challenges Apple’s carbon emissions and calls for industry-wide environmental responsibility
Greenpeace fired some critical words to Apple for its massive carbon emissions. The majority of these emissions, the report claims, are linked to the lifespan of the products that the company produces. Apple launches iPadOS 17 in line with fall tradition Apple may not be as green as adver…
Raymond James teams with J.P. Morgan’s 55ip on tax management tech
Image credit: Rawpixel via Freepik Raymond James is integrating J.P. Morgan’s 55ip technology to create an integrated tax management system. The move reflects two key trends in the wealth management industry: a surging demand for tax management capabilities and a shift towards partnerships over cost…
Adobe Introduces “cr” LOGO for AI content recognition
Adobe is spearheading the launch of a new logo to identify images and content created or edited using artificial intelligence tools. Adobe, in collaboration with numerous partners including BBC, Microsoft, Nikon, and Truepic, has developed a solution called Content Credentials with the aim of identi…
LinkedIn lays off 668 employees in second cut this year
Microsoft’s LinkedIn announced on Monday that it would cut 668 employees from its engineering, talent and finance teams in a second round of layoffs this year. The trim down due to slowing demand for its recruitment services. X ventures into job market competition Reducing the workforce f…
Emin Gun Sirer: Stars Arena sees quick recovery after $2,000 breach
The Avalanche-based social protocol, Stars Arena, recently experienced a security breach on October 5th, which exposed a critical flaw. This flaw allowed unauthorized access to Avax tokens from its smart contracts, endangering over $1 million in assets. The vulnerability was first identified by anal…
Mythical Games launches racing game ‘NFL Rivals’ allowing players to collect NFTs
Mythical Games, a Los Angeles-based company known for blockchain gaming, has launched “NFL Rivals,” a new mobile racing game available on both Apple and Android devices. In collaboration with CM Games and McLaren Automotive, players can compete and collect unique automotive NFTs from brands like Ast…
5 top tech stories this week: October 16, 2023
From the tech trial of the century, to chatbots based on celebrities – here’s our rundown of the top stories this week. about each story on the links below: SBF and the trial of the centuryhttps://blog.btw.media/sam-bankman-fried-fraud-former-girlfriend/ 5 crazy tech frauds that shook the …
Apple’s ‘Cheaper’ vision pro isn’t exactly cheap
Apple’s highly-anticipated WWDC 2023 developer conference brought a groundbreaking revelation to the tech world with the official announcement of their MR (Mixed Reality) device named “Vision Pro.” The device’s stellar performance and the myriad of potential applications it brings have captured the…
Google’s AI-powered search now generates images
Sometimes users look for specific images but can’t find exactly what they want. To that end, Google will launch the creation of images using artificial intelligence-powered Generated Search Experience (SGE). Your website can now say “No thanks” to ChatGPT and Google bard Can’t find It? Th…
The Stream Deck’s New Paid App Store Could Change Content Creation
Elgato Marketplace Unveils Innovative Plugin Ecosystem Elgato is a professional video game equipment manufacturer that has been working on technological breakthroughs in recent years. For content creators and gamers alike, Elgato has launched the long-awaited Stream Deck paid app store. This innovat…
Character.AI Unveils Group Chats for Conversations with Multiple AI Companions
Character.AI, a pioneering AI chatbot startup, has introduced a group chat feature that allows users to converse with AI characters alongside human friends. Enhancing Conversations with AI Group Chats Character.AI, the AI chatbot startup backed by a16z and founded by former Google AI researchers, ha…
Google Announces Faster Cloud Spanner at Half the Cost of Amazon DynamoDB
Image credit: Rawpixel via Freepik Google Cloud announced significant price-performance enhancements to its Cloud Spanner service, boasting remarkable cost savings and unmatched capabilities compared to Amazon DynamoDB. The upgrades include a 50% boost in throughput, a 2.5-fold increase in storage p…
Instagram’s Threads Won’t Rival X in Breaking News, Mosseri Clarifies
Image credit: Pikisuperstar via Freepik Instagram head Adam Mosseri has dispelled hopes that Threads would become a news powerhouse, addressing concerns that it might challenge X in the breaking news arena. Despite the buzz surrounding Threads’ launch, it seems the platform won’t be prioritizing new…
Sam Bankman-Fried Accused of Fraud and Money Laundering by Former Girlfriend
Star witness Caroline Ellison, a former business partner and ex-girlfriend of Sam Bankman-Fried, took the stand in a high-stakes trial this Tuesday. The former CEO of Alameda Research accused Bankman-Fried of orchestrating fraud and money laundering schemes that led to the collapse of his cryptocurr…
Arctic Wolf Acquires Revelstoke to Create Hyperadvance AI-Backed Security Tech
Image credit: rawpixel via freepik Arctic Wolf acquires Revelstoke Security, a venture-backed cybersecurity provider, to boost capabilities in managed cybersecurity services. However, the terms of the dea remain undisclosed. Arctic Wolf, known for its prowess in monitoring organizations’ infrastruct…
Smaller, but bigger: New Sony PS5 comes with removable optical drive, more storage
In the early hours of October 11th, Sony made an exciting announcement, mirroring the trend of making gadgets smaller and more convenient. The update for the PlayStation 5 (PS5) brings several noteworthy enhancements to the popular gaming console that will see it earn praise even from doubters. Smal…
Mastodon Discovers Underestimation of Monthly User Count by Over 407K
Image credit: Rawpixel via Freepik Open-source social network Mastodon has identified a significant error in its monthly user count, resulting in an underestimation of 407,814 active users. The cause of this discrepancy was traced back to a network connectivity error. This error also affected the co…
X CEO Linda Yaccarino Cancels Speech Citing ‘Safety’ and ‘Global Crisis’
Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino has just announced the cancellation of her scheduled speech at the upcoming Wall Street Journal Tech Live event next week. Her reasoning appears to be linked to the ongoing global turmoil, as she stated, “With the development of the global crisis, my team and I must conti…
ChatGPT Mobile App: A $4.58 Million Revenue Feat Amidst Decelerating Momentum
ChatGPT’s mobile app has had a string of positive results over the past few months, but the latest data shows that its revenue growth is slowing down. ChatGPT’s mobile app achieved a double breakthrough in September, with a staggering 15.6 million global iOS and Android app downloads and nearly $4.6…
Unity CEO Steps Down Abruptly Months After Controversy
Unity CEO John Riccitiello has abruptly stepped down from his position, with immediate effect. The company has announced James Whitehurst as the interim CEO and Roelof Botha as the chairman. Riccitiello will remain an advisor to facilitate a smooth transition, while the board begins the search for a…
Pixel 8 Pro’s Temperature Sensor: Just a Party Trick?
Image credit: Google Blog Google’s latest flagship phone, the Pixel 8 Pro, is turning heads with its built-in temperature sensor. While smartphones increasingly serve as Swiss Army knives of technology, this one particular feature raises questions about its practicality and purpose. An Attempt at Ju…
OpenAI Contemplates In-House Chip Production Amid Global Shortages
Image credit: Andrew Neel via Pexels OpenAI is exploring the possibility of developing its own semiconductors to fuel its AI growth. This move potentially reduces its reliance on costly GPUs from Nvidia, which are currently in high demand worldwide. Breaking the Nvidia Dependency With a shortage of …
Ponzi Schemes in Crypto: How & Why Do People Fall For Them?
Ponzi schemes have found a new breeding ground in the world of cryptocurrency investments. They operate on similar principles to traditional Ponzi schemes but with a digital twist. Here’s how they typically work in the context of crypto investments: 1. Luring investors with high returns Just like t…
WhatsApp with Snoop Dogg and Paris Hilton As Meta Launches AI Celebrity Chatbots
Are there moments in your life when you need someone’s advice? An AI Snoop Dogg or Tom Brady could help. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook’s parent company, Meta, just announced enhancements to Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp on the opening day of the Meta Connect developer conference at the tech …
Nvidia Leads $32 Million Investment in a Robot Factory
Machina Labs has secured a $32 million funding round, with Nvidia’s venture capital arm, NVenture, taking the lead. The company has attracted attention over their integration of advanced robotics and AI technologies into the manufacturing industry. The company’s capabilities enable swift iterati…
How Hefty is the Trial of the Century? Let’s Crank the Numbers
New York’s Manhattan federal court had begun hearing Sam Bankman-Fried’s criminal cases. Sam Bankman-Fried, once a cryptocurrency legend and co-founder of FTX, the world’s third-largest cryptocurrency exchange, has been blamed for the collapse of the cryptocurrency industry last year. In the upcomin…
Sony Discloses Cybersecurity Breach Exposing Employee Data
Image credit: Rawpixel via Freepik In a recent disclosure, Sony Interactive Entertainment (Sony) has confirmed a cybersecurity breach that impacted thousands of current and former employees. This incident has drawn attention due to its resemblance to a plotline from a cyber espionage thriller. How t…
IPhone 15 Heatwave Sparks Cool Fix with IOS17 updating
iPhone 15 Pro Max users have taken to Reddit, turning up the heat on discussions about their smartphones. Some claim that their phones are reaching scorching temperatures of 42°C (108°F) on the back after just 5 minutes of use, and even soaring up to a blistering 47°C (116.5°F) in later tests. It’s …
FTX trial: Crypto Whizkid Faces High-Stakes Showdown
The crypto world’s much-anticipated “trial of the century” kicked off in style as Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF), once hailed as a crypto wunderkind, now finds himself in the hot seat, facing a barrage of serious criminal charges. This trial has captured the imagination of many and promises to be a grippin…
Patreon Rolls Out Major Updates, a Sleek Redesign, and a Fresh Identity
Image credit: Patreon Homepage Patreon has redesigned its app and it looks like they’re not stopping there. The platform is undergoing some major upgrades to become a multifaceted hub for creators and their fans. Here’s a glimpse of what’s in store: Chat and Sell Good Like Never Before Think Discord…
Gmail Introduces Emoji Reactions for Android Users
Image credit: Google Blog Gmail is rolling out emoji reactions for its Android users. These rumors, finally confirmed by Google, bring a touch of familiarity akin to Apple’s iMessage reactions. Emoji Expressions, Now in Your Inbox Gmail users can now stylize their email responses with a spectrum of …
Netflix Plans Price Hike Amidst Post-Strike Reforms
As the dust settles from the recent SAG-AFTRA actors’ strike, Netflix is preparing to up its prices yet again. The decision is driven by a year of huge changes and subscriber losses in 2022. Netflix’s Pricing Evolution Over the past year, Netflix has taken actions to address its dwindling subscrib…
Teenagers’ AI Startup Receives Major Backing from OpenAI’s CEO
Image credit: Freepik Induced AI, an AI startup founded by a pair of teenagers, has captured the attention and investment Sam Altman. Joining the OpenAI CEO are Peak XV, and Daniel Gross and Nat Friedman’s AI grant. The company is on a mission to help businesses automate various workflows in previou…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Global Trends / Global Institutional Trends
In this section: 2 briefingsTech billionaire Vinod Khosla says college students should broaden education as AI primed to disrupt employment
Vinod Khosla, a Silicon Valley billionaire investor and a co-founder of the early computer giant Sun Microsystems, shared a special piece of advice for college students: “Get as broad an education as possible.” Speaking at the Wall Street Journal Live Technology Conference, Khosla emphasized the imp…
Microsoft Launches New Teams App for Windows and Mac
Image credit: Microsoft Microsoft has officially announced the general availability of its highly anticipated Microsoft Teams app for Windows and Mac. This update also extends its reach to education customers, along with the goal of enhancing the remote work experience. Faster, Simpler, and More Fle…
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Market / Trends / North America Trends / North America Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 5 briefingsGoogle partners with Pat McGrath Labs to launch AR beauty trials in New York City
Shop with Google has announced that it will continue its AR beauty campaign in partnership with Pat McGrath Labs, and will host an AR experience event using Google’s AR tools in New York from October 20 to October 22. Jewelry icon Tiffany & Co. partner with Snap for the US open AR beauty
Samsung’s New AD borrows the story of Romeo and Juliet to call on Apple to support RCS
This week, Samsung released a new AD on YouTube that joins Google’s ongoing “Get The Message” AD campaign calling on Apple to adopt RCS, claiming that “Green bubbles and blue bubbles want to be together.” The 30-second AD tries to borrow the story of Romeo and Juliet, and in this case, the iPhone us…
AMD to Acquire AI Software Startup to Catchup with Nvidia
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD.US) announced on Tuesday its plans to acquire an artificial intelligence startup called Nod.ai. The move is part of an effort to enhance its software capabilities to compete with established giants. Nvidia Leads $32 Million Investment in a Robot Factory Exter…
Five Notable Fraud Cases That Shook the World
In a Manhattan courtroom on October 4, Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathan Rehn accused Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) of deceiving the world during his tenure at FTX, the once-mighty cryptocurrency exchange. This courtroom drama is the latest in a series of tech frauds that have captured global attention. Join…
Who is Sam Bankman-Fried? Take a Close Look at the Trial of the Century
With a US judge announcing on October 4th that a trial date has been set for former digital currency exchange FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried, the discussion about Sam Bankman-Fried has reignited. Since November 2022, the storm surrounding him has shown no signs of abating and has remained a hot to…
Coverage
Market / Trends / North America Trends / North America Institutional Trends
In this section: 2 briefingsFalse ETF news sparks $85 million liquidation, triggers SEC warning
Image credit: Freepik A recent cryptocurrency hoax triggered an $85 million liquidation and a stern warning from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A false report, wrongly claiming that BlackRock Inc. was set to launch a cryptocurrency spot exchange-traded fund (ETF), triggered a bri…
SEC Chairman: AI threatens financial stability, calls for swift regulatory action
How powerful is AI? US regulators are already fearing AI’s impact on financial stability. The Financial Times reported on October 15 that Gary Gensler, chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), urged regulators to urgently find a way to manage the risks to financial stability pose…
Coverage
Market / Trends / Asia-Pacific Trends / Asia-Pacific Cloud Services Trends
In this section: 3 briefingsX Faces $610,500 Fine in Australia for Failing Anti-Child-Abuse Standards
Image credit: Wirestock via Freepik Australian authorities have imposed a hefty fine of $386,000 (A$610,500) on Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, because of its failure to cooperate in a probe into anti-child-abuse practices. This action reflects the increasing scrutiny tech giants face in terms…
China Unveils Stricter Regulations for AI Training Data
China has recently introduced stringent security requirements for companies offering services powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI). This development, announced by the National Information Security Standardization Committee, is aimed at curbing the misuse of AI models and their potentia…
Spotify Premium to Offer Instant Access to 150,000+ Audiobooks
Imaged credit: lookstudio via Freepik Last year, Spotify announced its plans to introduce audiobooks into its platform, aiming to become a comprehensive hub for audio content. Users in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand now have opportunity to explore audiobooks by their fav…
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Market / Trends / Europe and Middle East Trends / Europe and Middle East Institutional Trends
In this section: 1 briefingUK Regulators Clear Microsoft’s $69B Activision Blizzard Takeover
Image credit: Activision The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has granted its approval for Microsoft’s proposed $69 billion acquisition of gaming giant Activision Blizzard. This marks the final regulatory hurdle for the deal to close, a decision met with significant anticipation in the g…