Top tech news stories today: July 1, 2024

Crypto

1. US SEC sues blockchain software technology company Consensys

The SEC sued Consensys for failing to register as a broker through its MetaMask swaps service and for unregistered securities sales via its crypto staking programs. The complaint, filed in Brooklyn, alleges Consensys earned over $250 million in fees unregistered. (Reuters)

2. 21Shares files for permission to offer ETF linked to cryptocurrency Solana

21Shares filed to launch a Solana ETF, following VanEck’s similar move. Both await SEC approval, which previously okayed spot bitcoin ETFs. The CBOE must also approve the listing. Solana’s price surged 9.4% following the filings. (Aol.)

IT infrastructure

3. HubSpot investigating customer account hacks

HubSpot is investigating a cybersecurity incident identified on June 22, where hackers targeted under 50 customer accounts. As of 1600 ET Friday, no new hacks were reported in the past 24 hours. The company is working to secure affected accounts and assess the breach’s impact. (The Economic Times)

Tech trends

4. Renault-backed BeyonCa plans to build Hong Kong’s first EVs

Premium EV maker BeyonCa, backed by Renault and Dongfeng Motor, announced plans to establish a final assembly plant and international headquarters in Hong Kong, creating the city’s first car brand. (Automotive News Europe)

5. Apple finally supports RCS in iOS 18 update

Apple added support for Rich Communication Services (RCS) in Messages with iOS 18 beta, enhancing interactions with Android users. (Tech Crunch)

6. Boeing agrees to buy fuselage maker Spirit AeroSystems in $4.7 billion deal

Boeing announced an all-stock deal to buy back Spirit AeroSystems, valued at $8.3 billion including debt, to enhance safety and quality control. The acquisition, expected to close in mid-2025, aims to align production systems. (CNBC)

AI

7. South Korea’s SK Hynix to invest $75 billion by 2028 in AI, chips

South Korea’s SK Hynix will invest 103 trillion won ($74.6 billion) by 2028 to bolster its AI-focused chips business. SK Group plans to secure 80 trillion won by 2026 for AI, semiconductors, and shareholder returns. (Reuters)

8. Amazon lures cofounders from startup Adept to bolster AI efforts

Amazon hired Adept’s co-founders, including CEO David Luan, and several team members to bolster its AI efforts. Adept, valued above $1 billion, will continue operating independently, with Amazon paying a licensing fee for its technology. (Reuters)

9. Apple reportedly working to bring AI to the Vision Pro

Apple plans to extend its Apple Intelligence features beyond iPhones, iPads, and Macs to include Vision Pro headsets, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Despite not launching this year, Apple faces challenges adapting these features for mixed reality. (Tech Crunch)

10. MIT robotics pioneer Rodney Brooks thinks people are vastly overestimating generative AI

Rodney Brooks, MIT Professor Emeritus and co-founder of Rethink Robotics, iRobot, and Robust.ai, advises caution with generative AI hype, noting its limited capabilities. (Tech Crunch)

11. Google partners with Moody’s to counter its AI’s hallucination problems

Google Cloud is improving AI accuracy by integrating third-party data from Moody’s, Thomson Reuters, and ZoomInfo into Vertex AI. CEO Thomas Kurian highlights this effort to build trust through factual information and introduces a confidence score for transparency. (Firstpost.)

IoT

12. Samsara launches enterprise-grade Asset Tag

Samsara launches the Asset Tag to enhance asset tracking for industries like transportation and construction. Using Samsara’s network improves efficiency by preventing loss, reducing downtime, and simplifying inventory management through advanced location tracking and IoT connectivity. (IoT Now)

13. Comtech unveils SmartAssist AI for non-emergency calls

Comtech’s new AI-backed SmartAssist handles low-priority non-emergency calls, easing staffing shortages and streamlining 9-1-1 workflows. Integrated with existing systems, it enhances call response times and situational awareness. (IoT Now)

Products

14. This new Mac app uses animated flies to tell you when to take out the trash

Bananabin is a new macOS app that uses animated flies to alert users when their Trash folder exceeds set thresholds: 10MB, 1GB, or 10GB. Currently free in beta, it requires accessibility and full disk access permissions and supports only macOS Sonoma. (The Verge)

15. Apple could announce a Google Gemini deal this fall

Apple plans to integrate Google Gemini with its devices this fall, joining ChatGPT, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Apple’s Craig Federighi hinted at this deal, and there are also rumors of a potential collaboration with Anthropic. (The Verge)