Here is what’s happening in the tech world this week!
1. Apple Blasts Android as “Massive Tracking Device” in Resurfaced Slides
Apple has released internal presentation slides from 2013 that criticize Google’s Android operating system for its data collection practices.
The slides, made public as part of the ongoing antitrust lawsuit against Google, paint a stark picture of Android’s data collection practices, labeling it a “massive tracking device.”
The presentation highlights several key areas where Apple believes Android falls short in user privacy, including account data combination, voice search privacy, maps, and search.
The most striking aspect of the presentation is the declaration of Android as a “massive tracking device.”
This statement encapsulates Apple’s overall perspective on Android’s data collection practices, suggesting that user privacy is not a primary concern for Google.
The emergence of these slides has sparked renewed debate about the balance between user privacy and the personalization of online services.
2. AMD Announces Tiny Titans – New Ryzen 7040 Chips Pack a Big Punch in a Small Package
AMD is introducing two new Ryzen 7040U-series chips for thin and light laptops that combine the regular Zen 4 CPU cores with smaller but more efficient Zen 4c cores.
These new chips are codenamed “Phoenix 2” and resemble the original Phoenix design but with a few key differences.
Phoenix 2 are the Ryzen 5 7545U and the Ryzen 3 7440U. The Ryzen 5 7545U is a fully enabled version of the Phoenix 2 chip, with two Zen 4 cores, four Zen 4c cores, and a Radeon 740M integrated GPU.
The Ryzen 3 7440U is a cut-down version, with one Zen 4 core, three Zen 4c cores, and half the L3 cache.
AMD says that Zen 4 and Zen 4c have an identical architecture and feature set, but Zen 4c cores are optimized for die area and efficiency, allowing AMD to fit more cores into the same amount of physical space.
Zen 4c cores have high-density, high-efficiency multithreading applications, like server processors & handheld game consoles.
AMD says it plans to use Zen 4c cores to increase the total core counts in high-end chips & give more options for the consumers in entry-level chips.
3. Musk’s xAI To Integrate into X
Elon Musk’s AI startup xAI has released its first AI model, a bot named Grok, that can answer questions in a witty way.
The bot is integrated into Musk’s social media platform X and is available as a standalone app.
xAI aims to create AI tools that ‘assist humanity in its quest for understanding and knowledge’.
Musk has criticized Big Tech’s AI efforts as ridden with censorship and has called xAI the “maximum truth-seeking AI”.
Grok will have real-time access to information through Musk’s X platform. It is separate from X, but the companies closely work together. Besides, XAT also works with Tesla and other companies.
Last week, Elon Musk told Rishi Sunak, the British Prime Minister, that he thinks AI is the “ most disruptive force in history” that can do everything and make employment a thing of the past!
Musk co-founded OpenAI, the Co. behind ChatGPT, in 2015, creating a frenzy for generative AI technology around the Globe.
Musk stepped down from the OpenAI board in 2018 to avoid conflicts of interest with his other companies, Tesla & SpaceX. However, he remains a vocal advocate for AI safety and has called for developing regulations to ensure that AI is used for good.
4. Apple To Fix Apple Watch Battery Drain Bug Via Software Update
Soon after Apple rolled out watchOS 10.1 updates in October, the Apple Watch owners reported facing battery drain issues.
Several users have reported this on various platforms, including X, Reddit, and Apple’s community website.
Their posts reveal that the bug has affected most currently supported models, including the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
Apple has told the service providers that soon a software update will arrive, but there has yet to be a word about the time.
If Apple pushes an update soon, it can do so in the form of a minor watchOS 10.1.1 update. If Apple plans the bug fix with watchOS 10.2, then the users will have to wait for a couple of weeks more as the update is currently under beta testing.
Also read: Apple Releases iOS 16.7.2 And iOS 15.8 Security Updates To Patch Old Hardware
5. Vivo X100 Full Speculations Leaked Before Its Launch in Mid-November
The Vivo X100 series is set to launch in China on November 13 and will include three models: the base Vivo X100, Vivo X100 Pro, and Vivo X100 Pro+.
The base model is expected to be offered in four storage variants and start at CNY 3,999 (roughly Rs. 45,600).
It will sport a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate & be powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 9300 SoC.
For optics, it can have a triple rear camera setup along with a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 64-megapixel periscope shooter.
The front camera can have a 32-megapixel sensor. The base model will also have a 5,000mAh battery with 120W wired fast charging support and support Bluetooth 5.4, IR sensor, WiFi 7, NFC, and India’s homegrown satellite navigation system, NavIC.
6. Whatsapp Sticker AI Generates Guns When Prompted Palestine-Related Terms
WhatsApp’s sticker AI reportedly adds guns to prompts for Palestinian-related words.
The Guardian reported on Friday that the AI created generates stickers of children holding guns when prompted with words similar to Palestine.
In stark contrast, the AI produced images of flags and smiling children images when prompted with terms related to “Israeli boy.”
This is a concerning development, as it could contribute to the normalization of violence against Palestinian children.
Meta previously had other issues with the AI models related to Instagram’s auto-translate feature.
Kevin McAlister, Meta’s spokesperson, told the Guardian they will continue to work on the features.
Also read: Whatsapp Brings A New Era Of Security And Convenience With Passkey Support
7. ChatGPT Subscribers To Get a Powerful ‘GPT Builder’ Option
In exciting news for ChatGPT subscribers, OpenAI is reportedly developing a new “GPT Builder” feature.
Leaked screenshots & videos have surfaced, showcasing a user-friendly interface that allows subscribers to create customized chatbots tailored to their specific needs & preferences.
The GPT Builder tool leverages the capabilities of GPT-4, the latest iteration of OpenAI’s powerful language model.
The leaked footage also reveals a marketplace where users can share their creations with others, fostering a vibrant community of chatbot developers.
This open-source approach could lead to an explosion of innovative chatbot applications, further broadening the reach and impact of ChatGPT.
While OpenAI has yet to officially announce the GPT Builder feature, the leaked information suggests its release is imminent.
Closing Thoughts
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