Briefing Desk
Latest Briefings
Concise reporting on the developments shaping internet governance and infrastructure. Browse each area for recent news, context and watchpoints.
MAXST AR SDK 6.0 Released with Improved Tracker Performance
This week, South Korean AR platform MAXST announced that its AR application development tool MAXST AR SDK 6.0 has been updated to MAXST AR SDK 6.1.0. The update brings significant enhancements to the recognition performance of its trackers, offers a more immersive and realistic augmented reality exp…
Apple Launches iPadOS 17 in Line with Fall Tradition
Image credit: cookie_studio via Freepik Tech enthusiasts eagerly await Apple’s autumn tradition – the release of its latest iPad operating system, iPadOS 17. This update promises to redefine the iPad experience for users in the UK and beyond. Release Date and Availability On September 18, 2023, Appl…
Blockchain Capital Secures $580 Million for Investment Initiatives
Image credit: Pixabay Blockchain Capital has successfully secured $580 million for two investment funds. This marks the largest fundraising milestone in the company’s ten-year history. Diverse Investment Avenues The first fund, a traditional early-stage venture fund, builds on Blockchain Capital’s…
Kenyan-Based ROAM Introduces Innovative All-Electric Bus
Image credit: Roam Kenyan electric mobility pioneer, ROAM, has rolled out a groundbreaking addition to its eco-friendly vehicle lineup. The company recently introducted “Move,” an all-electric shuttle bus. This initiative aims to improve Kenya’s public transportation system while contributing to a r…
TikTok Sets Up Massive Black Friday Sale Vs. Giant Rivals
Image credit: Freepik As the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, retailers are already gearing up for the upcoming holiday season. As always Black Friday is at the top of their priorities. This year, a new player is entering the Black Friday arena with a bang – none other than the popular s…
North Korean Hackers Suspected in Major Cryptocurrency Heists
Image credit: Freepik In the recent round of attcks targetting blockchain companies, evidence gathered strongly suggests North Korean hackers are behind these digital heists. The primary target CoinEx, a cryptocurrency exchange, reported a $31 million loss earlier this week. Here’s what we know: Coi…
Firefly Aerospace Breaks Record with Victus Nox Mission
Image credit: wikiImages via Pixabay Firefly Aerospace, in partnership with Millennium Space Systems, has successfully launched the U.S. Space Force’s “Victus Nox” mission. This achievement sets a remarkable record in space exploration for the time it took the project to complete: a mere 27 hours fr…
APNIC’s 30-Year Journey: The State of the Internet in Asia Pacific
APNIC’s 30-Year Journey: The State of the Internet in Asia Pacific In 1993, when the Internet was just starting out, APNIC (Asia Pacific Network Information Centre) began its journey in Tokyo, Japan. It started with only three people and a simple goal: to manage IP addresses and Autonomous System (A…
Google Promises 10 Years of Extended Updates for Chromebook
Google has announced a major expansion of the Chromebook’s lifespan: offering automatic updates for up to a decade to enhance security and user satisfaction. These updates come along with sustainability initiatives and improved repair processes. Chromebook as a Game-Changer Since their introduction …
HP Rolls Out a High Performance Foldable PC: The Spectre
Image credit: HP HP Inc. has once again showcased its prowess in tech innovation with the introduction of the HP Spectre Foldable PC. This 3-in-1 device seamlessly combines the functionalities of a laptop, tablet, and desktop into a single, elegant package. We could be looking into the future of com…
Cruise to Launch First Ever Wheelchair-Accessible Car
Image credit: Cruise Cruise, the autonomous vehicle company owned by General Motors, has revealed a self-driving car that’s accessible for wheelchair users, known as the Cruise WAV. This vehicle, to be introduced in San Francisco, aims to enhance mobility options for people with disabilities, a grou…
MGM Resorts Hit by Cyber Attack, Caesars Also Targeted
Image credit: Freepik Even the biggest players in the hospitality and entertainment industry aren’t safe from cyber threats. This week, MGM Resorts International, a major gaming company worth $14 billion, was attacked by a group called Scattered Spider hackers. At the same time, Caesars Entertainmen…
Amazon Launches AI Tool to Write Product Listings for Sellers
Photo credit: Freepik Amazon has just launched the Generative Listing Content tool that prompts sellers to provide a few keywords or brief sentences describing their product. The AI tool was introduced during the annual Amazon Accelerate conference in Seattle. It can do more than just writing: It al…
Telegram Steps Into Crypto with TON Space Wallet Integration
Image credit: Viralyft via Pexels Telegram, the globally renowned messaging platform boasting 800 million monthly active users, is diving headfirst into the cryptocurrency realm with the launch of its self-custodial crypto wallet, TON Space. This move aims to cement Telegram’s position within the bu…
MetaMask Enhances Access to Solana via Snaps
Photo credit: FreepikMetaMask has added support for Solflare’s Solana wallet through its Snaps functionality. This development streamlines interactions with Solana DApps and removes barriers that have deterred potential users. Three-way CollaborationThis new development became possible through the c…
AuthMind Secures $8.5 Million Fund to Fight Cyber Threats
Image credit: FreepikAuthMind Inc., an identity security and operations (Identity SecOps) provider, has announced a successful seed funding round led by Ballistic Ventures, with backing from IBM Ventures. The investment, totaling over $8.5 million, will be used to develop technologies against cybera…
TikTok Teams Up with Wikipedia to Boost Search Results
Image credit: Pixabay TikTok, the popular short-video app, has quietly joined forces with Wikipedia to improve its search feature. This change reflects TikTok’s growing role as a go-to search engine, especially for younger users seeking everything from restaurant recommendations to the latest news. …
Salesforce Launches AI Assistant Dubbed “Einstein Copilot”
Image credit: Freepik Salesforce just launched “Einstein Copilot,” a conversational AI assistant. The tool promises to reshape the way business tasks are handled. It does so by streamlining workflows and improving human-AI collaboration. Einstein Copilot: Work’s Going to be Faster Salesforce’s “Ei…
GitHub Vulnerability Exposes 4,000+ to RepoJacking Attack
Image from PixaBay GitHub, the widely used code hosting platform, revealed that more than 4,000 code packages are vulnerable to RepoJacking attacks. This flaw, uncovered by Checkmarx researchers, has raised concerns within the open-source community and prompted swift action from GitHub. The RepoJack…
Lumo Introduces Virtual Train Tour for Enhanced Passenger Experience
Lumo is a brand new travel service, travelling exclusively on the East Coast of the UK between London & Edinburgh, calling at Stevenage, Newcastle & Morpeth.In order to provide a better service to passengers, Lumo offers an interactive 360° virtual train carriage tour for some passengers who want to…
Security Expert Shows How Flipper Zero Can Be Hacked
A security expert, who identifies himself as “Anthony”, recently demonstrated an attack tool called Flipper Zero. The device, which costs just $170, was used to send a false radio signal to nearby devices like smartphones, using Bluetooth pop-ups for denial-of-service attacks. Anthony mentioned that…
Logitech Gives a Shiny Preview of Go Pro X Superlight 2
Logitech has just unboxed the G Pro X Superlight 2 gaming mouse and it’s looking promising. The mouse promises higher speed and accuracy, in a bid to help games improve their performance. Faster and Sturdier The G Pro X Superlight 2 introduces an upgraded Lightforce Hybrid switch for faster resp…
DJI Gives Us a Peak Into Mini 4 Pro Drone
DJI will soon release the Mini 4 Pro drone and has recently given the world an exciting preview. The drone features omnidirectional active obstacle avoidance, enhancing safety with improved front, back, and lower three-way obstacle avoidance. Just like the Mini 3 Pro, But Way Better Last year, DJI…
Budget Proposal in Congress Remains at a Halt
As the U.S. federal government’s new fiscal year approaches on October 1st, the budget proposal remains at a stalemate in Congress. Gina Raimondo, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, recently expressed the business community’s apprehension about potential economic challenges that could come from the delayed…
Solar Company Chair Acquires Massive Share from Audiwei
In the Beixi Exchange, Mr. Zhong Baoshen, the Chairman of the prominent $20 billion solar industry leader, Longi Green Energy, has made headlines by acquiring a substantial stake in the publicly traded company Audiwei at a premium of 15.53%. The move, which happened on September 1st, is the first-ev…
Google Doubles AI Training Performance with Fifth-Generation TPU
Google recently shipped its latest AI chip, the TPU v5e, and introduced the “A3 Supercomputer” powered by NVIDIA H100 GPUs. A3 VM instances are set to launch next month, pushing a significant leap in AI infrastructure. Google has also revealed an expanded partnership with AI chip leader NVIDIA. 2x T…
Anker Innovations Reports Half-Year Revenue of Nearly 970 Million USD
Anker Innovations released its performance report for the first half of 2023, amounting to almost 7.066 billion CNY or 970 million USD. The revenue represents a year-on-year growth of 20.01%. Net profit attributable to the company’s shareholders reached CNY 820 million, surging by 42.33%, while non-…
VR Therapy Might Offer Relief to Cancer Patients
A study, recently published in Frontiers in Virtual Reality, has unveiled the potential of VR therapy in reducing anxiety and fatigue among cancer patients. VR Meditation Decreased Anxiety, Stress In an experiment, researchers at the Immunotherapy Center (ITC) assigned entities randomly to eit…
Jewelry Icon Tiffany & Co. Partner with Snap for the US Open
Renowned jewelry brand Tiffany & Co. has partnered with Snap to introduce an interactive AR experience at the U.S. Open. Playing with Diamond-Studded Rackets The collaboration between Tiffany & Co. and Snap brings AR mirrors to the U.S. Open, offering spectators the opportunity to interact with di…
JP Morgan Chase Steps into Crypto with “Chase Travel”
JP Morgan Chase, a global financial institution, has recently filed a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for “Chase Travel.” This move hints at the bank’s ambitious goals to venture into virtual currency financial transactions and intermediary travel ser…
Sense Arena Designated as Official ATP VR Tennis Training Tool
Bob Tetiva, CEO of Sense Arena, and Daniele Sano, Chief Commercial Officer of ATP, have announced a multi-year partnership between Sense Arena and ATP. This collaboration will see Sense Arena being designated as the official VR training tool for one of the biggest tennis tournaments. The partnership…
Samsung Introduces Diet Platform: Samsung Food
Samsung just launched Samsung Food, a platform designed to simplify meal planning and redefine recipe discovery. By incorporating Samsung Food into their routines, users can bid farewell to the days of aimless recipe searching and chaotic meal organization. Personalized Recipes and Grocery Lists T…
OpenAI Launches Enterprise Version of ChatGPT with Focus on Cybersecurity and User Privacy
OpenAI has introduced the much-anticipated Enterprise Edition of ChatGPT, a move aimed at expanding revenue streams and capturing a larger share of the enterprise market. This development introduces features that harness the power of the formidable GPT-4 generative AI model while addressing concerns…
New Zealand to Introduce 3% Digital Services Tax on Global Tech Giants
The New Zealand government is gearing up to unveil new legislation on Thursday, August 31st, enabling the implementation of a 3% “Digital Services Tax” (DST) on the revenues of prominent multinational technology companies. However, enforcement of this tax is anticipated to commence as early as 2025.…
Australia’s Lower July Inflation Strengthens Case for RBA Interest Rate Pause
Data released on Wednesday revealed Australia’s July inflation rate falling below expectations, reflecting a global trend. This development supports the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) in maintaining its current interest rate policy at its meeting next week. Inflation Continues to Ease Figures fro…
Goldman Sachs Shifts Focus to Wealth Management Business
Goldman Sachs Group has announced plans to divest its investment advisory business for mass-market high-end clients. This division will be transferred to Creative Planning LLC, a key player in wealth management with $240 billion in assets under management. The transaction involves selling approximat…
Holoeyes Secures 400 Million Yen to Expand Medical Virtual Reality
Holoeyes, a medical virtual reality company, recently announced raising about 400 million yen (around 2.7 million USD) through a third-party share placement. The funds will be used to expand human resources and enhance technology development. Coupled with previous funding rounds, the total is expect…
Zuckerberg Unveils Virtual Keyboard, Bosworth Hits 119 WPM
In a recent Ask Me Anything (AMA) session, Meta’s Chief Technology Officer, Andrew Bosworth, shared a virtual typing demonstration where he achieved a typing speed of 119 words per minute. At the same time, Mark Zuckerberg recently showcased a “virtual keyboard” through a video on Instagram, includi…
Police Scotland Considers Introducing AR Glasses toCrime Fighting Efforts
The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) has approved a £400 million initiative to establish a “digital unit” aimed at combating cybercrime. The recruitment of numerous officers already underway. AR Potential in Policing Martyn Evans, the chairman of SPA, has outlined the department’s current focus on …
Narendra Modi Advocates Global Cryptocurrency Framework
At the recent G20 summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his approval in establishing comprehensive global regulations for cryptocurrencies. Modi’s emphasis on embracing technological progress and adopting a unified approach signals a potential shift in India’s stance towards cryptocu…
KmsdBot Malware Evolves, Targeting IoT Devices and Highlighting Ongoing Threats
Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered a concerning evolution of the KmsdBot malware, increasing the risk to Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The updated Kmsdx binary file introduces vulnerabilities, including support for telnet scanning and an expanded range of CPU architectures. These enhanceme…
Giant YT Channel Linus Tech Tips Halts Amidst Criticism
The YouTube channel Linus Tech Tips has announced the temporary suspension of all video production due to criticism regarding its approach to reviewing products, particularly computer hardware. With over 15 million YouTube subscribers, Linus Tech Tips is known for its team of technology and video pr…
Vessel Capital Launches $55M Fund for Web3 Infrastructure and Apps
Vessel Capital, a leading venture capital firm, emerges from stealth mode, announcing a $55 million fund. The firm’s exclusive focus lies in supporting projects within web3 infrastructure and applications. With this investment, Vessel Capital aims to empower startups building decentralized technolog…
Sony Unboxes PlayStation Portal, PS 5 Pro Rumors Intensify
photo from Pixabay Sony has introduced the PlayStation Portal remote player, a handheld device designed to enhance the PlayStation 5 experience. Additionally, rumors are circulating about the upcoming PlayStation 5 Pro, an upgraded version of the popular console that promises substantial improvement…
Worldcoin’s Value Plummets by 50% Amid Escalating Data Privacy Concerns
Photo credit: Pixabay The Worldcoin cryptocurrency initiative, spearheaded by Sam Altman, the mastermind behind ChatGPT, finds itself under intensifying regulatory scrutiny across the globe. The utilization of i-ball scanning orbs for user registration has sparked worries regarding potential infring…
British Startup Wolf’s VR in ME
The British startup WOLF is preparing for the launch of its inaugural VR experience in the Middle East. Having won over 3 million users from the region since 2020, the social networking app WOLF has become one of the largest online communities within the Arabic-speaking market. Rebranding for the M…
Palo Alto Projects Strong Billings
Palo Alto Networks’ Shares Goes Higher, Backed by Strong Annual Billings Palo Alto Networks, a renowned cybersecurity firm, recently announced robust annual billings, sparking optimism within the cybersecurity sector. The company’s impressive financial performance has instilled confidence across t…
US Court Ruling: AI Art Copyright-Free
A U.S. Court recently ruled that AI-generated art is copyright-free, leading to discussions within the artistic community and beyond. The rise of AI-generated artwork has sparked debates about ownership and copyright. This ruling could be pivotal in how future cases are decided. The Dynamics of Co…
John Warnock Passes Away at 82
The tech industry mourns the passing of John Warnock, co-founder of Adobe, who passed away at the age of 82. A pioneer in computer science, Warnock helped reshape how we conceive and interact with digital content. In partnership with Charles Geschke, he established Adobe Systems in 1982 and introduc…
Vietnam’s VinFast Makes Striking Debut on Nasdaq
Vietnam’s VinFast Makes Striking Debut on Nasdaq VinFast Auto Ltd. has ignited a remarkable surge on its first day of trading on Nasdaq, signalling its ambitious entry into the electric vehicle (EV) landscape as it takes on well-established automakers. With an astounding 255 percent leap in New Yo…