undefined 25, 2024
Tesla Cybertruck recalled again, this time over faulty wiper and trim
Tesla is recalling over 11,000 Cybertrucks due to faulty windshield wipers that could impair driver visibility and loose trim in the truck bed that could create road hazards. This follows an April recall of nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks over accelerator pedal issues. Owners had already flagged the wiper problem, which reportedly delayed some deliveries. Tesla will fix these issues for free. Amid these recalls, dozens of Cybertrucks were vandalized with "Fuck Elon" graffiti, highlighting the ongoing controversies around the vehicle.
Microsoft hit with EU antitrust charge over Teams app
Microsoft faces a hefty EU antitrust fine for bundling its Teams app with Office, following a 2020 complaint from Slack. The EU Commission claims Teams had an unfair distribution advantage and hindered competitors. Microsoft, previously fined €2.2 billion by the EU, risks a fine of up to 10% of its global turnover. Despite unbundling Teams and improving interoperability, regulators remain unsatisfied. Microsoft aims to resolve the issue, while competitors urge swift action to ensure fair competition.
Pooping on the Moon Is a Messy Business
Even astronauts have to deal with poop. Neil Armstrong’s first photo on the moon shows a waste bag, one of 96 left by Apollo missions, including feces and urine. These "poo bags" have sparked interest due to the microbial life they contain, offering insights into life’s origins and survival in space. With new moon missions planned, managing space waste is critical. Experts like Melissa de Zwart stress the need for environmental standards on the moon, addressing the long-standing challenge of waste disposal in space’s unique conditions.
The German robots hunting the sea for WW2 bombs
Over 1.6 million tonnes of unexploded weapons pollute the North and Baltic Seas. To tackle this, remote-controlled seabed crawlers and robots with "smart grabbers" are being used to clean up these toxic munitions. In a pilot project off northern Germany, robots are retrieving rusting grenades and bombs from the seabed. Supported by a €100m German government program, the goal is to safely remove and destroy these munitions, which release carcinogenic substances into the water. The project aims to protect marine ecosystems by addressing this pressing issue.
Windows 10 End of Life Could Flood Landfills With E-Waste
Microsoft's push to boost the PC market with AI and Windows 11 may lead to increased e-waste, as many PCs can't meet the new hardware requirements, particularly the TPM 2.0 chip. Analyst Kieren Jessop from Canalys notes that about 20% of Windows devices, or 240 million PCs, can't upgrade and will become e-waste when Windows 10 support ends in October 2025. While these PCs can be recycled, their value for refurbishing is low. Businesses will likely replace these devices due to the lack of security updates, despite the availability of costly Extended Security Updates from Microsoft.
The Copilot+ PCs Arrive: My Initial Impressions
I’ve received my first two Copilot+ PCs to review: the HP EliteBook Ultra 14 and the Microsoft Surface Laptop, 7th Edition. Both are impressive and have just started shipping. The HP EliteBook targets enterprise buyers with features like Wolf Security, while the Surface Laptop is aimed at those considering Apple. These PCs outperform their Apple counterparts, but lack the smartphone integration Apple users expect. While HP and Microsoft build excellent hardware, they haven't matched Apple's integration, making direct comparisons less relevant. This week, let's explore Copilot+ PCs and my Product of the Week, the best new electric car on the market.
How Apple Outperformed Google and Microsoft in AI Rollout
Recent events like Google I/O, Microsoft Build, and Apple’s WWDC24 highlighted AI advancements. Google’s Gemini AI for smartphones was well-received, while Microsoft’s Copilot+ for PCs faced compatibility issues and negative feedback. Apple’s AI rollout was comprehensive across PCs and smartphones, effectively integrating into its product lineup. Apple’s keynote strategy differs by focusing on user appeal over developer-centric content, turning events into extensive product showcases. This contrasts with Google and Microsoft’s traditional developer-focused formats. Apple’s emphasis on message control and excitement generation reflects its historical strengths, although lacking Steve Jobs' iconic stage presence.
Telegram says it has ‘about 30 engineers’; security experts say that’s a red flag
A recent interview clip with Telegram’s Pavel Durov revealed he serves as the sole product manager with just 30 engineers, boasting efficiency but raising security concerns. Unlike Signal or WhatsApp, Telegram lacks default end-to-end encryption, requiring "Secret Chats" for secure messaging. Critics like Matthew Green highlight vulnerabilities in Telegram’s proprietary encryption. Eva Galperin of the Electronic Frontier Foundation criticized Telegram’s dual role as a messaging app and social media platform, noting its insufficient infrastructure for legal compliance and security against threats.
A comprehensive list of 2024 tech layoffs
In 2024, the tech industry continues its wave of layoffs with 60,000 job cuts across 254 companies reported by Layoffs.fyi. Major players like Tesla, Amazon, Google, TikTok, Snap, and Microsoft have downsized, alongside numerous startups. These layoffs highlight the evolving impact of AI and automation on job security and innovation. The ongoing updates provide a comprehensive view of the human toll and industry shifts caused by these workforce reductions. The article includes a list of companies with their respective reportedly percentage of layoffs in 2024.
OpenAI buys a remote collaboration platform
OpenAI has acquired Multi (formerly Remotion), a startup specializing in enterprise video collaboration, shortly after purchasing Rockset. This move, described as an acqui-hire, will integrate most of Multi’s team into OpenAI. Multi, known for its Zoom-based platform enhancing remote team collaboration through video chats, will cease operations after July 24. Co-founder Alexander Embiricos expressed gratitude to Multi’s users and highlighted the platform’s features like multi-person screen shares and customizable shortcuts for documents and code.
First samples ever collected from 'far side' of the moon make it back to earth
China's lunar probe has returned to Earth, making the country the first to bring back samples from the moon's far side. The re-entry capsule of the Chang'e probe touched down in the northern Chinese region of Inner Mongolia at about 2pm Beijing time (7am UK time), carrying lunar soil collected earlier in June. At the start of the month, the probe had successfully landed at the moon's South Pole, in the Aitken Basin, a gigantic impact crater that always faces away from Earth.
Nvidia share price plunge has one major explanation
Just a week ago, Nvidia briefly became the world's most valuable company with a market valuation of $3.34 trillion, surpassing Microsoft. However, a subsequent 13% drop in its share price over the past three trading sessions has wiped out over $500 billion from its market cap. This decline follows a remarkable nine-fold increase in Nvidia's shares since late 2022, driven by profit-taking and a shift of speculative interest elsewhere, notably to companies like Meta Platforms and Apple following reports of potential collaborations in AI.
Scarlett Johansson speaks out about clash with OpenAI
Actress and producer Scarlett Johansson says her clash with artificial intelligence (AI) company OpenAI highlights how "vulnerable" people are to misuse of the technology. Speaking at the release of her new film Fly Me To The Moon, Johansson said: "We're all waiting and supporting the passing of legislation to protect everybody's individual rights. "This highlights how vulnerable everybody is to [AI] and how little protection people do have - if any - of their work in their likeness," she said.
Meet the climate startup helping other climate startups fund their ventures with lower cost loans
Government grants and contracts are crucial for climate tech and clean energy firms, but often come with delayed payments or upfront cash needs. Enduring Planet, founded in 2021 and based in the Pacific Northwest, addresses this gap by offering loans secured against these grants and contracts. Recently expanding to provide CFO services, the startup has raised $9 million to lend to climate tech startups, supported by investors like Green Spark Ventures and ImpactAssets. Despite interest rates up to 18.5%, fees are capped at 1.5%, making it a competitive option. Enduring Planet aims to streamline climate finance, offering connections to VC networks for additional funding.
‘Blue screen of death’ at the ballpark: How the Mariners tapped a tech nerve in viral rally video
During a critical game against the Los Angeles Angels, the Seattle Mariners faced a tense moment in the bottom of the eighth inning, tied 4-4 after a grand slam by their opponents. Attempting to lift spirits with a rally video synced to Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” the Mariners' scoreboard suddenly crashed, showing the infamous "blue screen of death" from Microsoft Windows. The mishap briefly silenced T-Mobile Park, highlighting the unexpected drama of technical failures in live sports entertainment.
Oracle warns that a TikTok ban would hurt business
Oracle highlighted in its annual report the potential impact of a U.S. TikTok ban on its business. The ban, under consideration since 2020 due to data security concerns, could disrupt Oracle's cloud infrastructure services for TikTok, affecting its revenues and profits. Despite efforts like Project Texas to host TikTok services on U.S.-based Oracle servers, legislative pressure persists, with TikTok challenging the legality of the ban. Oracle's collaboration with TikTok reflects ongoing strategic challenges amid geopolitical tensions.
Bitcoin tumbles below $60,000 to start the week
Bitcoin fell below $60,000 on Monday, hitting its lowest since early May. Coin Metrics reported a 7% drop to $59,562.54, with the cryptocurrency briefly touching $59,021.42, down 19% from its March peak. CoinShares highlighted continued outflows from crypto investment products, citing post-FOMC meeting concerns over potential rate hikes. James Butterfill, CoinShares' head of research, noted market sensitivity to inflation data, suggesting a possible stabilization if upcoming reports hint at rate cuts. Eleanor Gaywood from Coincover highlighted market caution ahead of the Fed's inflation index release, anticipating clarity on rate policies to influence Bitcoin's price stability.
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