undefined 13, 2024
What to expect from Google’s Pixel 9 event
Google's upcoming Pixel hardware event on August 13th is expected to unveil several new devices, including the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Buds Pro 2, and possibly the Pixel Watch 3. The Pixel 9 lineup will introduce a smaller 6.3-inch Pro variant alongside the standard 6.8-inch model, both featuring the G4 Tensor chip, up to 16GB of RAM, and updated cameras. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold will be taller and slimmer with improved displays and cameras. Additionally, new AI features are anticipated, such as a Pixel Screenshots tool for saving information.
Growing demand on the dark web for AI abuse images
A study by Anglia Ruskin University has found increasing demand for AI-generated child sexual abuse material on the dark web. Researchers Dr. Deanna Davy and Prof. Sam Lundrigan analyzed dark web forum chats over the past year, revealing that offenders are teaching themselves to create these images using online guides and their own non-AI content. Forum members see AI creators as "artists" and hope for easier creation methods. Dr. Davy emphasized the growing problem and the misconception that AI-generated images are victimless, noting offenders often escalate from "softcore" to "hardcore" imagery.
Northern lights and spectacular meteor shower, to appear again tonight?
UK stargazers enjoyed a rare double spectacle with the Perseids meteor shower and the northern lights visible as far south as Cornwall. The Perseids, peaking on Monday night, offered up to 100 meteors per hour. The aurora borealis, enhanced by the sun's active period, added to the show, creating stunning views and photographs. Observers from Scotland to Cornwall shared their awe on social media. The Met Office predicts the northern lights might still be visible in Scotland and parts of northern England, but activity is expected to decrease by August 14th.
How online hatred toward migrants spurs real-world violence
Social media posts attacking immigrants have fueled fear and hatred in Britain, Portugal, and beyond, spilling onto the streets. The recent violence in Porto followed months of online vitriol, linking a global network of far-right agitators. Platforms like X and Telegram have done little to moderate this content, spreading hate and inciting violence from riots in Britain to attacks in Germany and arson in Ireland. Researchers like Rita Guerra emphasize the dangerous impact of online hate, warning it shapes real-world actions and poses a global threat.
Fire at nuclear power plant in Ukraine puts experts on edge
A fire broke out at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, with Kyiv and Moscow blaming each other. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy claimed Russian occupiers started the fire, while Kremlin-appointed governor Balitsky blamed a Ukrainian drone. Both reported normal radiation levels. The IAEA is monitoring the situation and called for an inspection, condemning the attacks for endangering nuclear safety. This incident raises concerns about nuclear safety amid ongoing conflicts near nuclear sites.
GTA 6: everything we know so far
GTA 6 is set to release in Fall 2025, taking players back to Vice City. The first official trailer showcases protagonist Lucia and hints at the game's scale. While initially scheduled for December 5, 2023, the trailer was released early due to a leak. GTA 6 will be exclusive to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, with no plans for PS4, Xbox One, or PC at launch. Rockstar aims to avoid delays by moving employees back to full-time in-office work. PC players might have to wait until 2026 to play GTA 6.
The US government wants to make it easier for you to click the ‘unsubscribe’ button
The “Time Is Money” initiative aims to simplify unsubscribing from unwanted memberships and recurring payments. Efforts include a Federal Communications Commission inquiry and a Federal Trade Commission “click to cancel” rule. Health insurers are also urged to improve customer interactions. Previous measures include banning hidden fees and requiring airline refunds for delays. The Justice Department sued Adobe for misleading subscription practices, which Adobe disputes. Some business advocates argue the initiative undermines consumer pricing options.
9 takeaways from the Vision Pro after 6 Months
The Apple Vision Pro, launched six months ago, represents a massive investment by Apple but is seen as more VR than revolutionary. Despite high development costs and impressive specs, its EyeSight feature adds cost with limited benefits. The device’s high price, weight, and battery life drawbacks overshadow its benefits, and app support is sparse. Apple’s term "spatial computing" has reshaped industry terminology and influenced competitors, notably Meta.
Two astronauts are stuck in space, how will they make it until 2025?
Astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore, currently testing Boeing’s Starliner at the ISS, face an extended stay due to technical issues with their spacecraft. Though Boeing insists there’s no added risk, NASA might use a SpaceX flight for their return. The ISS, about the size of a football field, is stocked with reserves for food, water, and oxygen. Supplies were last replenished on August 6, and crew members, including Williams and Wilmore, have access to a range of food and essentials. Daily life includes managing zero-gravity toilet use and sharing the station with other astronauts.
Score, the dating app for people with excellent credit, quietly shuts down
Score, a dating app for people with good to excellent credit, shut down in early August after exceeding its initial 90-day run. With around 18,000 users and 8,000 matches, it provided insights into dating and credit scores. The app revealed millennials had a significant credit score gap between genders, while Gen Z showed smaller differences. Co-founder Luke Bailey noted the app's goal was to raise credit awareness and sparked debate over its potential classist nature. Neon Money Club, which created Score, is shifting focus to new financial literacy projects.
Source: interestingengineering
Chicken-sized dinosaur tracks revealed by heavy rains in China
Paleontologists have uncovered the first fossilized footprints of chicken-sized dinosaurs, known as Minisauripus, in northwest China. These tiny, three-toed prints, about 1 to 3 cm in size, date back to the early Cretaceous period. The discovery sheds light on dinosaur diversity and their evolution into birds. The tracks, found in the Linxia UNESCO Global Geopark, suggest these dinosaurs lived near water. This find highlights the role of miniaturization in dinosaur evolution and adds to existing evidence from various locations in Asia.
Google Wallet can make digital passes for nearly anything now
Google Wallet is introducing a new AI-powered feature called “Everything Else” that generates digital versions of various passes from photos. This option, available in the US, replaces the old “Photo” feature and can create digital passes for items like business cards, IDs, and loyalty cards. By taking a picture of a physical pass, the AI organizes and processes the information, allowing users to adjust details before saving it to their wallet. This feature is rolling out gradually and aims to simplify managing digital passes.
Crypto exchange FTX ordered to pay $12.7 billion to customers
A U.S. court has ordered bankrupt crypto exchange FTX to pay $12.7 billion in relief to its customers. This settlement, part of FTX’s bankruptcy liquidation, includes $8.7 billion in restitution and $4 billion in disgorgement. FTX committed to fully repaying customers based on their accounts' values at bankruptcy. The CFTC’s agreement ensures these funds won’t be reduced by government claims, and FTX has agreed not to make payments to the CFTC until all customers are compensated. Founder Sam Bankman-Fried, sentenced to 25 years in prison, is appealing. FTX’s bankruptcy plan is set for final approval in October.
What is FLUX.1, a new open-source AI image generator that could take on Midjourney
The latest AI-generated photos of people speaking into microphones, shared on Reddit, have gone viral due to their realistic depiction. Created using FLUX.1, a new text-to-image model from Black Forest Labs, these images highlight advancements in AI technology. FLUX.1, launched on August 1, offers versions for commercial and non-commercial use and combines transformer and diffusion techniques with 12 billion parameters. Enhanced with Low-Rank Adaptation (LoRA), it can produce high-quality images of human limbs. Black Forest Labs, recently funded with $31 million, plans to develop a text-to-video generator next.
Source: interestingengineering
Used EV batteries find new life, turned into powerful energy storage system
Porsche AG has repurposed used Taycan batteries into a 5-MW energy storage system at its Leipzig plant. This system, comprising 4,400 battery modules, supports short-term overloads and is designed for over ten years of use. It aims to improve the plant’s energy efficiency and self-sufficiency, using power from onsite solar panels. The storage system will also aid in grid stabilization and peak shaving. Porsche plans to expand this technology to other locations and integrate it into the balancing energy market.
She grew up a gearhead, now her startup has raised $4.3M to cut CO2 from trucking
Danielle Walsh, once head of HSBC's 'Future Cities' project, founded her startup Clearly in 2021 after realizing the massive costs of achieving climate goals for road transport. Clearly, which recently secured $4.3 million in Seed funding, offers an AI-driven climate intelligence platform for fleet operators. It tracks and analyzes data to optimize vehicle performance and emissions, aiming to help operators meet regulations and save money. With clients like Webfleet and Bridgestone, Clearly's technology shows potential for significant impact in the transport sector.
Humans are going to the moon’s south pole. This is how they’ll drive there
In 2030, NASA's Artemis V mission will require a Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) to navigate the moon. Goodyear, Michelin, and Venturi Astrolab are developing tires for extreme lunar conditions. Standard rubber won't work; Michelin aims for a large contact patch for traction, while Venturi's wheels are deformable and flexible. Goodyear is exploring new materials. The tires must withstand extreme cold, abrasive soil, and long dark periods, ensuring durability and efficiency on the moon.
Microsoft is killing the Windows Paint 3D app after 8 years
Microsoft will discontinue Paint 3D by November 4, 2024. Initially launched in 2016 as a modern replacement for the classic Paint app, Paint 3D will be removed from the Microsoft Store, though existing installations will still work. Users are advised to switch to Paint and Photos for 2D editing and 3D Viewer for 3D content. Despite its initial popularity, Paint 3D was not included in Windows 11. Microsoft has introduced new features to Paint and deprecated other apps like WordPad and Cortana.
World’s first optical AI processor outperforms NVIDIA H100
Beijing researchers have unveiled Taichi-II, the world’s first fully optical AI chip, setting new benchmarks in energy efficiency and performance. Unlike traditional electronic chips, Taichi-II operates entirely on light, offering a six-orders-of-magnitude improvement in energy efficiency for low-light imaging and a 40% accuracy boost over NVIDIA’s H100. Developed by Tsinghua University’s Fang Lu and Dai Qionghai, the chip uses Fully Forward Mode (FFM) learning for parallel processing directly on the optical chip.
The Startup Playbook, by Sam Altman
Y Combinator is sharing a startup playbook to help newcomers written by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The focus is on creating products users truly love, which is crucial before scaling. The guide emphasizes starting with a product that early users adore rather than one that many users merely like. It warns that startups are tough, often harder than anticipated, but stresses that successful founders are adaptable and understand their users deeply. The playbook includes advice on idea validation, market potential, and the importance of a great team and execution.
