Don’t waste time searching the web for essential stories – we’ve got you covered. Here are the vital global technology highlights for December 28, 2023.
1. Apple resumes Apple Watch sales after ban is paused
Apple has resumed sales of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 in some stores after a temporary ban due to a patent dispute. The federal appeals court lifted the ban temporarily, allowing sales to continue while awaiting a ruling on proposed changes. Online sales resume tomorrow.（The Verge）
2. The New York Times is suing OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement
The New York Times is suing OpenAI and Microsoft, alleging copyright infringement for using millions of NYT articles in their AI models. The lawsuit seeks billions in damages, claiming the AI models harm journalism by compromising content protection. OpenAI and Microsoft express surprise, citing ongoing talks with the NYT.（The Verge）
3. Amazon Prime Video will start showing ads on January 29th
From January 29th, Amazon Prime Video will feature limited ads, supporting content investment. Users can go ad-free for an extra $2.99/month. No change in the current Prime membership cost is noted, emphasizing benefits like free shipping and exclusive content.（The Verge）
4. Toyota will engineer a half-electric renaissance
Toyota, the world’s largest automaker, is shifting towards electric vehicles (EVs) under CEO Koji Sato. With a lead in battery-gas hybrids and a breakthrough in solid-state batteries, Toyota aims to navigate the changing automotive landscape. The company’s mature hybrid technology, exemplified by the Prius, positions it strategically amid the rise of EVs. (Reuters)
5. Telecom Italia, DAZN agree new soccer streaming deal – sources
TIM renews DAZN deal for Serie A matches, paying 43-46 million euros annually. This follows DAZN’s exclusive rights acquisition for all Serie A games until 2028/2029 for about 700 million euros per year. (Reuters)
6. SoftBank gets $7.6 billion T-Mobile stake windfall, shares soar
SoftBank Group Corp will receive approximately $7.59 billion worth of T-Mobile US shares at no extra cost, boosting its stake from 3.75% to 7.64%. The move follows the merger of SoftBank’s Sprint and T-Mobile. This enhances SoftBank’s listed equity on its balance sheet, prompting a 5% increase in its shares. The transaction also improves SoftBank’s internal rate of return on the Sprint investment to 25.5%. (Reuters)
7. Terran Orbital’s biggest customer is close to securing funding for multibillion-dollar constellation
Terran Orbital expects a substantial payment from Rivada Space Networks for a $2.4 billion contract tied to a mega-constellation, with CEO Marc Bell expressing optimism despite a recent delay. The company is actively pursuing other contracts, including involvement in the Space Development Agency’s constellation, and is considering going private. (Tech Crunch)
8.Samsung’s new food A.I. can suggest recipes based on what’s in your fridge
Samsung introduces a personalized cooking experience for its Family Hub refrigerator at CES 2020. Using Whisk’s smart food platform and A.I.-powered image recognition, the fridge suggests recipes based on the items inside, reducing food waste. The integration also includes apps for meal planning and collaborative shopping lists, making cooking more efficient and enjoyable.（Digital Trends)
9. 2024 will be the year of the AI Phone – whether we like it or not
In 2024, smartphones are embracing AI features, with Samsung’s Galaxy S24 leading the trend. This shift involves on-device generative AI, offering new capabilities for content creation and user assistance. While AI in phones is not entirely new, the focus is now on local AI, especially in Android phones powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The term “AI Phones” is gaining prominence, highlighting the growing role of artificial intelligence in shaping smartphone experiences.(Techradar)
10. Saving sites: Pocket’s bookmarking app and its alternatives
In 2024, the rise of AI Phones prompts a closer look at bookmarking services. As Pocket transitions to Firefox accounts, alternatives like Instapaper, Raindrop.io, PaperSpan, Matter, and Omnivore offer varied features for organizing and accessing saved content across devices. (The Verge)
11. Astrohaus will be shipping its cheapest Freewrite digital typewriter in January
Astrohaus will ship the Freewrite Alpha, a budget-friendly digital typewriter at $349, with preorders available. The Wi-Fi-enabled device focuses on distraction-free writing, featuring a reflective LCD screen, extended 100-hour battery life, and mechanical switches. The Alpha syncs documents wirelessly with services like Google Drive. The release follows a successful Indiegogo campaign, raising $446,742 in 2022. (The Verge)
12. Alibaba must face lawsuit in US over counterfeit Squishmallows
US judge rejects Alibaba’s bid to dismiss a lawsuit over alleged counterfeit sales of Squishmallows on its platforms. The judge finds plausible claims that Alibaba knew and contributed to copyright infringement. Alibaba’s dismissal request is denied. Kelly Toys had sued 90 merchants, obtained an injunction, and added Alibaba as a defendant. Alibaba has not responded to the ruling. (Malay Mail)
13.MicroStrategy buys bitcoin worth $615.7 mln ahead of SEC’s spot ETF decision
MicroStrategy purchased $615.7 million worth of bitcoin in cash, acquiring about 14,620 bitcoins between Nov. 30 and Dec. 26. The move is driven by a long-term belief in bitcoin as a store of value, boosting MicroStrategy’s stock. The company and its subsidiaries now hold around 189,150 bitcoins, purchased for approximately $5.9 billion. (Reuters)
14. The New York Times wants OpenAI and Microsoft to pay for training data
The New York Times is suing OpenAI and Microsoft for alleged copyright violations, claiming the companies used millions of its articles without consent to train AI models. The lawsuit seeks damages and the destruction of related models and data. The legal battle underscores the growing tension between content creators and AI vendors over the use of copyrighted material in training generative models like ChatGPT and Copilot. (Techradar)
