European Union antitrust regulators have restarted their in-depth investigation into Adobe’s proposed $20 billion acquisition of web-based design platform Figma, giving themselves until February 5th to reach a decision on the mega tech deal.

According to an Oct. 20 Reuters report, the European Commission, which acts as the EU’s top antitrust watchdog, halted its probe last month while waiting for more information it had requested from Adobe and Figma. Now with responses in hand, regulators will spend the next three months analyzing whether the merger would significantly reduce competition in the market for interactive design software.

Critics argue that by absorbing its rival Figma, Adobe could gain an insurmountable market position

Critics argue that by absorbing its rival Figma, Adobe could gain an insurmountable market position, allowing it to raise prices, degrade services, and hinder innovation for the many product teams and graphic designers who rely on digital design tools.

Figma has seen meteoric growth since its founding in 2012, emerging as a rare competitive threat to Adobe’s long-dominant Photoshop, Illustrator and XD products. If combined, Adobe and Figma would control over 50% of the global market for interactive design platforms, an alarming prospect for many customers.

Regulators will specifically analyze whether Figma’s web-based platform truly represents an innovative alternative to Adobe’s desktop-centric creative suite. Given Figma’s expansive feature set and collaborative abilities, the Commission may conclude that Figma occupies a distinct competitive space that deserves protection from monopolization.

To secure approval, Adobe will likely have to offer remedies to prevent restricted access to Figma’s platform, locked-in pricing, degraded quality, and limited integration with non-Adobe software. These remedies could include firewalling Figma’s operations, maintaining Fima’s software quality, and agreeing to fair pricing clauses.

It remains uncertain whether such behavioral commitments will satisfy the Commission’s concerns or if Adobe will need to make structural changes like divesting Figma outright. In any case, regulators aim to prevent this blockbuster $20 billion deal from severely diminishing competition in the world of digital design. The clock is now ticking for Adobe to assuage antitrust fears before February 5th or face potential rejection of the transformative acquisition.

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GameSquare Esports Inc. has acquired Los Angeles-based esports organization FaZe Clan in an all-stock transaction, the companies announced on Friday. The deal values FaZe at approximately $16 million based on the current market caps of both companies.

According to an Oct. 20 Digitday report, FaZe Clan is one of the most recognizable brands in esports, with over 526 million followers across social media platforms. However, the organization has faced numerous controversies in recent months including accusations of sexism and homophobia. Its stock price has plummeted from a high of $24.69 in August 2022 to just $0.18 currently.

In May, FaZe laid off approximately 40% of its staff. Then in September, CEO Lee Trink departed the company. These challenges made FaZe an attractive acquisition target for GameSquare and other esports companies looking to buy low.

GameSquare is a publicly traded esports company based in Texas, backed by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones

The firm aims to help brands market to the competitive gaming audience through business units like Stream Hatchet and Ninja Labs.

Acquiring FaZe bolsters GameSquare’s connections with esports fans. As GameSquare CEO Justin Kenna stated:

“FaZe Clan is, to me, the only truly globally recognized brand in gaming, […] so it brings a huge audience, and I think it brings a huge amount of opportunity.”

To help revive FaZe, its creator-founders like Banks and Temperrr are returning to leadership roles post-acquisition. Meanwhile, GameSquare has brought back other former FaZe executives like Duane Jackson and Jaci Hays.

According to Kenna, going private again will empower FaZe’s founders to “drive the brand forward” without public company pressures. He wants to “get back to being the brand that it was” before recent controversies.

While FaZe’s brand power remains, experts say GameSquare must still attract sponsors to make the deal pay off. Esports relies heavily on diminishing brand deals versus recurring revenue streams.

The acquisition provides a lifeline for FaZe Clan as it aims to rebuild. With GameSquare’s diverse business mix and experienced leadership team, the company appears well-positioned to steer FaZe back on course. But transforming the embattled esports icon remains a formidable challenge.

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In a landmark decision, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today unanimously approved proposals to expand unlicensed 6GHz spectrum access for technology companies while also moving forward with efforts to restore net neutrality rules.

The new 6GHz rules, proposed by FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel on September 27th, will authorize very low power operations in about 850MHz of the 6GHz band. This will allow companies like Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Meta to develop new wireless devices and services utilizing the spectrum, including innovations in areas like wireless augmented reality and next-generation Wi-Fi.

This kind of frequency is essential for wireless VR thanks to its low latency and high throughput. VR requires extremely high framerates and low latencies — among other things — to avoid inducing nausea. Hardware developers are racing to higher and higher resolutions to make things like reading text in those devices practical.

The vote comes after years of lobbying by tech giants, who petitioned the FCC for 6GHz access in 2019. Industry leaders have praised the FCC’s willingness to work closely with private companies to shape forward-looking policy.

“This is a shining example of a government regulator working with industry early to build for the future,” said Meta VP of North American policy Kevin Martin in a statement.

In a separate 3-2 vote along party lines, the FCC also moved forward with restoring net neutrality protections that were overturned in 2017. The new rules aim to prevent internet service providers from blocking or throttling traffic or offering paid fast lanes.

FCC Chair Rosenworcel has championed both the 6GHz and net neutrality initiatives as part of her agenda to promote innovation and fair access. However, the net neutrality vote will likely face legal challenges from ISPs.

Today’s votes demonstrate the FCC’s willingness under Rosenworcel to take ambitious regulatory action impacting both the tech and telecom spheres. With Republicans set to take control of the House in 2023, Rosenworcel’s proposals could face additional opposition in Congress going forward.

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A 50-year-old Swedish woman who lost her hand in a farming accident has been fitted with a revolutionary bionic prosthesis that has profoundly improved her quality of life. The artificial hand, developed by Prensilia and a team of international researchers, connects directly to the user’s bones, muscles and nerves, enabling precise finger movements and even a limited sense of touch.

According to an Oct. 18 Science Alert report, Karin — whose full name is undisclosed — lost her right hand over 20 years ago. Since receiving the bionic hand three years ago, she has regained the ability to perform 80% of her daily tasks, like preparing food, picking up objects, and opening bags and doors. Crucially, the prosthesis has also significantly reduced her chronic phantom limb pain.

According to lead researcher Max Ortiz Catalán of the Chalmers University of Technology, this is the first robotic hand with internal electrodes to demonstrate long-term viability for below-elbow amputees. The prosthesis contains sensors embedded inside the hand rather than on the surface, allowing more direct and consistent neural stimulation. This novel human-machine interface integrates biology and electronics, dramatically improving grip precision and motor control.

Fusing the titanium implants attached to Karin’s ulna and radius bones directly with her living bone tissue

The key innovation enabling seamless integration is called “osseointegration” — fusing the titanium implants attached to Karin’s ulna and radius bones directly with her living bone tissue. This creates a permanent, sturdy connection for attaching the robotic arm.

In addition, muscle grafts from Karin’s leg were connected to the implants, giving severed arm nerves and muscles a point of reattachment. The muscle grafts contain electrodes to amplify signals to the prosthetic interface.

Because the hand attaches straight to the skeleton rather than using conventional removable ball-and-socket fittings — patients can wear their prosthesis comfortably for extended periods. The direct skeletal attachment also enables precise sensory feedback. Karin’s grip precision improved nearly 400% compared to traditional prostheses. After years of chronic “meat grinder” phantom limb pain, she now requires far less medication.

The bionic hand, named Mia Hand, was developed by Prensilia and funded by the European Commission. Ortiz Catalán calls it a promising step toward next-generation bionic limbs. He is currently working in Ukraine to assist amputees injured in the war.

This device represents a major advance in prosthetics, liberating amputees from the limitations of previous technologies. Direct bone anchoring and embedded sensors may soon make more natural-feeling bionic limbs available to millions worldwide.

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Amid an outbreak of violence between Israel and Hamas in recent days, social media giant Meta Platforms has implemented temporary measures on Facebook to limit potentially inflammatory comments on posts related to the conflict.

The fighting between Israel and Hamas, the militant Palestinian group that controls Gaza, escalated this week after Israeli forces arrested a senior Hamas official in the occupied West Bank. Hamas responded by firing rockets into Israel, which retaliated with airstrikes on Gaza. At least 32 Palestinians have been killed, including six children.

With tensions high, Meta wrote on Wednesday it would change the default settings for new public posts by users in the region, allowing comments only from friends and followers. The company did not define the exact geographic boundaries for this change. Users can opt-out and open posts to wider audiences if they choose.

Meta also said it would temporarily hide the ability for users to view the first few comments on posts while scrolling through their feed. The company said these moves are intended to curb “unwelcome or unwanted comments” about the conflict. Meta designates Hamas as a dangerous organization and prohibits content praising the militant group under its policies.

Some Palestinian users and activists have accused Meta of suppressing pro-Palestinian content and accounts during the recent violence. Mondoweiss, a news site covering Palestinian human rights issues, said Instagram twice suspended the account of one of its video journalists in recent days.

In response, Meta said a technical bug had affected its Instagram platform globally, inadvertently impacting the distribution of some re-posted content. The company denied its actions deliberately targeted any side in the ongoing tensions.

The policy changes come as Meta continues to face scrutiny over how it monitors violent, hateful or misleading content across its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Critics say the company does not do enough to curb extremist and authoritarian groups and leaders.

As an influential organization in Gaza, Hamas wields significant influence. Its social media prowess has presented challenges for Meta and other platforms seeking to balance principles of free speech and open communication with restrictions on potentially dangerous militant activity.

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In the aftermath of a recent Hamas attack on Israel, several media outlets have speculated about the role of cryptocurrencies in funding terrorist activity. However, according to blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis, the reality may be more nuanced.

In a blog post published on May 19th, Chainalysis argues that while some terrorists use cryptocurrencies, the funds raised are often wildly exaggerated. The post specifically references recent estimates that over $80 million worth of crypto was funneled to Hamas. Chainalysis contends that, in reality, only around $450,000 in crypto funds likely originated from terror-affiliated wallets.

Chainalysis explains that faulty analytics are often to blame for inflated estimates

Some reports have included totals that are already known amounts from all crypto funds sent to certain service providers, even if those funds were unrelated to terrorism. So, while a service provider may have processed $80 million in crypto overall, it most likely did not fund terrorism.

The blockchain analysis firm does acknowledge the role of service providers in enabling terrorism financing. While the raw volume may be small, service providers do facilitate the movement of terror-linked funds. As such, Chainalysis argues that sanctions and law enforcement operations targeting these facilitators are warranted.

While the nuances are complex, Chainalysis states unequivocally that cryptocurrencies account for only a “very small portion” of funds raised by terrorist organizations. Traditional methods like bank transfers and cash remain more common. Nonetheless, the firm concludes that as cryptocurrencies continue to grow, regulators and law enforcement must stay vigilant against their potential abuse by terrorist groups.

Featured Image Credit: From the Chainalysis Website. Thank you!

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Twitter, now known as X, is rolling out a new $1 per year “Not A Bot” subscription program to reduce spam and bot accounts. The program is initially launching in New Zealand and the Philippines for new users who sign up via the website.

The Fee and Its Purpose

The $1 annual fee is intended to “bolster our already significant efforts to reduce spam, manipulation of our platform, and bot activity,” according to an announcement from X. Requiring new users to pay even a small fee creates an increased barrier for bot creators attempting to establish networks of fake accounts quickly.

New web users in the two countries must provide a phone number to verify their account and pay the $1 subscription. Without it, they can only view content in a “read-only” mode. The program does not yet apply to new users signing up via mobile apps, though X’s terms and conditions indicate it may expand there soon.

The focus on new web-based users makes sense, given that quickly automating account creation through websites is easier than mobile apps. Focusing on two small countries first allows X to test out the system before expanding globally.

The new $1 anti-bot subscription is separate from X’s existing $8 per month

The new $1 anti-bot subscription is separate from X’s existing $8 per month subscription offering, known as Twitter Blue. The $8 subscription provides users with enhanced features like edit tweets, 1080p video uploads, and reader mode.

Only a tiny fraction of users are estimated to pay for Twitter Blue. However, even that small revenue stream is likely welcome for X as it seeks to increase monetization while cutting costs under its new owner Elon Musk.

The reasons for launching the program specifically in New Zealand and the Philippines are unclear. However, focusing on regions that have seen more bot activity could help X determine if the fee successfully reduces spam accounts originating from those areas.

The relatively small size of these countries also provides a contained environment for X to evaluate the system and iron out any issues before expanding to larger markets. If successful, the $1 anti-bot fee could eventually reach Twitter users in many other countries.

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The White House said Wednesday that its current intelligence assessment is that Israel was “not responsible” for the deadly strike on Gaza’s al-Ahli Hospital that killed 471 people on Tuesday.

According to an Oct. 18 The Washington Post article, the statement came after President Biden visited Israel and said U.S. defense officials presented him classified “data” suggesting the strike did not originate from Israel but rather from “the other team.”

Biden did not provide further specifics on the nature of the intelligence or how U.S. agencies reached their conclusion. Earlier during his trip, he embraced Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and remarked that the data indicated “it was done by the other team, not you.” Palestinian authorities have firmly blamed Israel for carrying out the devastating strike.

The al-Ahli hospital bombing has raised grave international concern over a potential escalation

The al-Ahli hospital bombing has raised grave international concern over a potential escalation, with U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths saying the perpetrator has “a hell of a lot to answer for.” On Wednesday, Biden was initially set to meet with Netanyahu and the leaders of Jordan, Egypt, and the Palestinian Authority to discuss de-escalating the raging conflict. However, the regional summit was abruptly canceled following the strike and the uncertainty around who was responsible.

During his closely-watched visit to Israel, President Biden announced an “unprecedented” aid package that includes $100 million in new humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. The deal also facilitates the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid into Gaza from Egypt through the Rafah border crossing, which had recently closed off as tensions soared.

The situation on the ground in Gaza is growing increasingly dire, as damaged electricity infrastructure has caused rolling blackouts and left most residents with only limited access to electricity, water, and other basic services due to an ongoing Israeli blockade. Hospitals are struggling to cope with the overwhelming number of wounded.

The rising death toll reflects the intensity of the fighting since violence erupted earlier this month. In Israel, at least 1,400 people have been killed and over 4,500 injured since October 7, when the militant group Hamas unleashed an unprecedented barrage of rockets from Gaza into Israel. Hamas said the attack was in response to clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians in Jerusalem.

In Gaza, health officials say 3,478 Palestinians have now died, and more than 12,500 have been wounded in the ensuing Israeli air campaign against Hamas and other armed groups. Hamas is also believed to be holding between 200 to 250 hostages, according to estimates from a spokesman for Hamas’s military wing.

The U.S. State Department has warned Americans not to travel to neighboring Lebanon, given the potential for wider regional escalation of the conflict. At least 31 U.S. nationals are dead, with 13 still unaccounted for in Gaza and Israel.

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The Biden administration’s sweeping new export controls announced Tuesday aim to restrict China’s access to advanced U.S. artificial intelligence chips.

According to an Oct. 18 Reuters report, the rules also provide potential lifelines for American semiconductor giants like Nvidia, Intel, and AMD to preserve aspects of their lucrative business selling AI chips to China.

While blocking sales of the most powerful AI accelerators and chips to China, officials at the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) indicated they are open to input from the industry on allowing the export of chips for small and medium-sized AI systems. BIS specifically raised the possibility of developing “tamperproof” technologies that could enable AI chips to be sold for systems comprised of up to 256 chips while preventing their use in massively scaled supercomputing platforms that raise national security concerns.

Attorneys say companies like Nvidia will likely quickly redesign products to comply with the 256-chip limit

This approach appears crafted to balance strategic aims to limit China’s AI capabilities while mitigating collateral economic impacts on U.S. firms. The rules aim to stop China from exploiting American AI chips to build supercomputers that could crack encryption, analyze surveillance data, and design advanced weapons. At the same time, they leave room for chipmakers to continue reaping revenues from China’s vast consumer and commercial AI chip markets.

Industry attorneys say companies like Nvidia will likely quickly redesign products to comply with the 256-chip limit and resume significant sales to China. This softening of the restrictions makes their expected business impacts more manageable.

In parallel, the new constraints on Chinese AI chip startups like Moore Threads and Biren remove major competitive threats to U.S. firms in serving the still-permitted Chinese markets. With emerging Chinese rivals hindered by the lack of access to advanced manufacturing equipment, Nvidia, Intel, and AMD are poised to dominate among suppliers cleared to export AI chips to China.

The Biden administration also closed potential loopholes by restricting the export of semiconductor manufacturing tools from companies like Nikon and ASML that contain any American-origin components. This limits China’s ability to produce its own advanced AI chips and sustain its semiconductor capabilities for the long-term.

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Apple CEO Tim Cook this week embarked on a visit to China to strengthen the tech giant’s relationship with one of its most important markets. However, the trip comes amid sluggish sales of the new iPhone in the country and growing U.S.-China tensions over technology and trade.

According to an Oct. 18 Bloomberg report, China is critical to Apple’s business. It is the company’s third largest market after the U.S. and Europe. Apple relies heavily on China for manufacturing — nearly all iPhones and other products are assembled in factories there. The Chinese market is also crucial for Apple to maintain growth as smartphone sales slow in Western markets.

However, in recent years, Apple has faced challenges in China. The new iPhone 14 series had a lackluster debut as it faced intense competition from local brands — like Huawei, offering advanced 5G devices at lower prices. Chinese consumers are also holding on to their devices longer before upgrading.

During the Trump administration, the U.S. government put several Chinese tech firms, including Huawei, on trade blacklists

Additionally, under the Trump administration, the U.S. government put several Chinese tech firms, including Huawei, on trade blacklists over national security concerns. This prompted patriotic sentiment among Chinese consumers to avoid American brands like Apple. Over the past two years, lockdowns across China to control COVID-19 outbreaks have also impacted supply chains and consumer demand.

During his China visit this week, Cook met with key government and business leaders to shore up Apple’s position. He met with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and emphasized Apple’s contributions to China’s economic development and job creation, aiming to reassure Beijing that Apple’s business activities align with China’s policy goals.

Cook also visited NetEase, one of China’s largest gaming firms, underscoring Apple’s push into digital content and gaming services in China. And he visited a top university in Beijing, highlighting Apple’s focus on cultivating talented Chinese engineers and researchers.

Cook’s visit demonstrated Apple’s commitment to the Chinese market at a difficult time. However, some key challenges remain. iPhone sales still face tough competition from local brands offering high-spec devices at lower prices.

U.S.-China tensions around technology and trade issues continue, particularly after new U.S. export controls on advanced semiconductors aimed at restricting China’s capabilities. Additionally, China’s COVID restrictions have hampered both supply and demand — with a recovery likely to be gradual.

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In a rare joint statement, the intelligence chiefs of the Five Eyes alliance — the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand — accused China on Tuesday of “unprecedented” intellectual property theft and spying using advanced technologies like artificial intelligence.

According to an Oct. 18 Reuters report, after meetings with Silicon Valley companies, FBI Director Christopher Wray said China was engaged in the “most sustained, scaled and sophisticated theft of intellectual property and expertise in human history.”

The officials warned that China is aggressively using cyber intrusions, spying, corporate investments and more to steal secrets from businesses and research institutions across multiple sectors — including quantum technology, robotics, biotechnology and artificial intelligence.

“Every strand of that web had become more brazen, and more dangerous,” Wray said. He accused China of having a bigger hacking program than all other major nations combined — which, together with traditional espionage and theft of trade secrets, gave it enormous power.

The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation’s director-general, Mike Burgess, revealed his agency had recently busted a Chinese plot that involved planting an academic at a prestigious Australian research institution to steal secrets. “This sort of thing is happening every day in Australia, as it is in the countries here,” he said.

Burgess said while China’s intention to innovate for its own interests was “fine,” its methods went far beyond traditional espionage. He warned China was stealing more corporate and personal data than any other nation “by orders of magnitude.”

The officials called out China’s use of artificial intelligence to amplify its capabilities and make its already mammoth hacking programs even more effective. “If you think about what AI can do to help leverage that data to take what’s already the largest hacking program in the world by a country mile, and make it that much more effective — that’s what we’re worried about,” Wray said.

In response, Chinese government spokesperson Liu Pengyu denied the allegations and said China was committed to intellectual property protection.

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Xbox chief Phil Spencer has confirmed that Activision Blizzard games won’t be coming to Xbox Game Pass in the near future, dashing hopes of a big content drop following Microsoft’s acquisition of the publisher.

In the latest Xbox podcast, Spencer stated that due to the lengthy regulatory approval process for the $68.7 billion deal, Microsoft was unable to work with Activision Blizzard on preparing its back catalog for Xbox Game Pass. Now that the acquisition has officially closed, that work can begin, but Spencer cautioned it will take time. Spencer said:

“The regulatory process took so long… that we weren’t able to get in and work with Activision Blizzard on that back catalog work. Now that the deal is closed, we’re starting that work, but there is work. I think the Activision Twitter handle… did put out something that talked about 2024, and I think that’s accurate. I would love it if there was some kind of secret celebration drop that’s coming in the next couple of weeks — there’s not.”

Activision Blizzard previously confirmed on Twitter that the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Diablo IV would not launch into Xbox Game Pass this year. However, uncertainty remained around older Activision titles until Spencer’s comments today.

Many Xbox fans anticipated that Microsoft would rapidly add legacy Call of Duty games and other Activision franchises to Game Pass once the deal closed. Windows Central reported this was likely, but so far, no surge of new content has materialized.

When Microsoft acquired Bethesda in 2021, it added 20 Bethesda games to Game Pass just two days after closing. Microsoft also recently fixed longstanding Xbox 360 Call of Duty multiplayer issues, further hinting at Activision integration.

However, according to Spencer, uncertainty around the acquisition slowed efforts to prepare Activision’s catalog for Xbox Game Pass. While disappointing for fans eager for more content, he reiterated this is a long-term investment focused on the future.

For now, Xbox supporters must wait patiently for beloved Activision franchises to hit Game Pass. With the deal now complete, Microsoft can finally begin the work of bringing Activision Blizzard’s games to its popular subscription service.

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Nvidia, the leader in AI computing, and Foxconn, the world’s largest electronics manufacturer, have announced an ambitious collaboration to build a new class of specialized data centers called “AI factories.”

According to an Oct. 18 TechCrunch report, these AI factories will provide the massive computing power needed to accelerate the development of key technologies like self-driving vehicles, industrial robots, and smart cities.

The power of AI factories

At the core of an AI factory is a highly optimized supercomputing infrastructure powered by vast numbers of Nvidia GPUs. This enables the factory to ingest vast amounts of data, process and refine it, and transform it into valuable AI models and actionable insights.

According to Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang, AI factories will develop the “AI brain” for autonomous vehicles. The cars will continuously collect data through their sensors as they drive and feed this back to the AI factory. Based on this data, the AI factory will improve the vehicles’ software, creating a positive feedback loop that allows the AI fleet to learn and improve quickly.

Huang explained that in the future, every industry will need an AI factory to remain competitive. The manufacturing expertise of Foxconn, combined with Nvidia’s leadership in AI computing, makes this partnership uniquely capable of delivering AI factories at scale.

Foxconn’s evolution to an AI company

For Foxconn, this collaboration represents a major step in their evolution from strictly a manufacturing services provider to a broader technology solutions company. At Hon Hai Tech Day in Taiwan where the partnership was announced, Foxconn chairman and CEO Young Liu outlined their goal to become a platform solutions company spanning smart EVs, smart cities, and smart manufacturing.

The AI factory initiative aligns closely with this vision. Foxconn brings their manufacturing scale and ability to produce solutions in high volume. Nvidia contributes their advanced AI computing platform and expertise in architecting AI infrastructure. Together, they can deliver complete vertical solutions optimized for clients’ needs.

Battle for AI supremacy in autonomous vehicles

A major focus of the AI factories will be developing technology for smart, autonomous electric vehicles. This pits the Nvidia-Foxconn alliance directly against Tesla and its Dojo supercomputer.

Tesla is building Dojo to train the neural networks used in its “full self-driving” advanced driver assistance system. Dojo will use Tesla-designed chips tailored for AI workloads. Nvidia’s Huang emphasized their AI factory’s use of Nvidia’s broadly proven GPUs and full AI software stack.

Under their earlier partnership, Foxconn will manufacture electric vehicles integrated with Nvidia Drive for autonomous capabilities. Nvidia Drive Hyperion 9 brings together Nvidia’s next-generation Drive Thor engine control units with an array of sensors.

With AI factories providing massive computing power to train Drive Thor-based systems, Nvidia and Foxconn are well-positioned to be a dominant force in autonomous driving technology.

The AI factory advantage

AI factories will provide companies with crucial advantages in applying AI to new domains:

• Scalable, production-grade infrastructure. Companies can quickly iterate on ideas without wasting time on infrastructure.
• Flexibility to acquire only the resources they need with on-demand access to expensive, high-end equipment. Pay for results instead of facing significant upfront costs.
• Effortless collaboration with others in the ecosystem by co-locating teams on-site at the AI factory. Enables open innovation.
• Access to highly experienced technical personnel from Nvidia and Foxconn who understand the nuances of optimizing AI workflows.
• Future-proof design capable of scaling efficiently and taking advantage of new hardware. It is built to leverage developments from Nvidia and ecosystem partners seamlessly.
• Shorter time-to-market by leveraging Foxconn’s manufacturing expertise to iterate new products integrated with the latest AI models rapidly.

By utilizing AI factories, big and small companies can accelerate innovation and concentrate their resources on where they contribute the most value. The economies of scale and operational excellence from Foxconn and Nvidia minimize the cost and headaches of building your own AI infrastructure.

The Future with AI Factories

The collaboration between Nvidia and Foxconn foreshadows a future where scalable AI infrastructure is accessible to more companies. Small, enterprising teams can gain access to the same tools only a few large tech companies possessed just a few years ago.

This proliferation of AI capabilities driven by AI factories has the potential to accelerate innovation across many industries rapidly. Autonomous vehicles, intelligent robots, predictive maintenance of industrial systems, and other futuristic applications are closer than ever to broad adoption.

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A new study in Nature Communications shows that soundscape recordings and artificial intelligence can effectively monitor biodiversity recovery in regenerating tropical forests.

Tropical forests play a key role in addressing climate change and biodiversity loss. Large-scale restoration efforts are expanding globally to counter deforestation.

However, assessing the pace and success of biodiversity return in regenerating forests remains challenging and controversial. Quantifying biodiversity gains is vital for sustainable management and funding of restoration projects. However, comprehensive biodiversity surveys are expensive, complex, and require taxonomic expertise.

In this research, an international team tested if bioacoustics and AI could overcome these hurdles and track biodiversity recovery across 43 plots along a forest regeneration gradient in Ecuador. The plots spanned active pastures and cacao farms, abandoned agricultural land regrowing for 1-34 years, and old-growth forests.

The study utilized three approaches: expert identification of vocalizing vertebrates

The team utilized three approaches: expert identification of vocalizing vertebrates from recordings, analysis of recordings with acoustic indices, and an AI model to identify bird species. They also sampled insect diversity through DNA metabarcoding.

The results showed the vertebrate community composition shifted along the gradient, with old-growth forests distinct. Automated measures strongly correlated with the gradient: acoustic indices explained 62% of the variation in the vertebrate community, while the AI-derived bird community explained 69%. Both also significantly correlated with insect composition, reflecting broader biodiversity recovery.

According to the lead author, soundscape analysis is a powerful tool to monitor faunal community recovery across agricultural abandonment to old-growth forests robustly and reproducibly. The study highlights the promise of automated monitoring, even with limited regional AI training data, to cost-effectively assess restoration outcomes at scale.

A co-author added that well-documented soundscape data enables retrospective re-analysis as algorithms improve. Implementing such monitoring can prevent greenwashing and empower sustainable funding for quantified biodiversity gains.

Overall, the research shows bioacoustics and AI provide an effective approach to benchmarking and tracking biodiversity recovery in regenerating tropical forests worldwide. Automated acoustic monitoring could strongly support restoration efforts and outcomes for climate change mitigation and conservation.

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According to an Oct. 17 announcement, Netflix is taking the plunge into live sports broadcasting with its upcoming celebrity golf tournament, The Netflix Cup. The event marks the streaming giant’s first significant foray into the lucrative live sports market.

Scheduled to take place on November 14th at 6 PM ET, The Netflix Cup will feature stars from two of Netflix’s hit sports docuseries — Formula 1: Drive to Survive and Full Swing — facing off in an eight-hole golf match. The teams will battle it out for the chance to win the inaugural Netflix Cup title at the Wynn Golf Club in Las Vegas.

The star-studded lineup includes Formula One drivers Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly, Lando Norris, and Carlos Sainz Jr. They will team up with PGA Tour professionals Rickie Fowler, Max Homa, Collin Morikawa, and Justin Thomas.

Netflix will find live sports rights come with massive price tags and can lock streamers into multi-year contracts

According to Netflix, the celebrities will pair up in foursomes, with each team featuring one race car driver and one pro golfer. After the opening eight holes, the top two teams will advance to a final hole showdown for the Netflix Cup.

The event represents Netflix’s most significant foray into live sports yet. While rivals like Amazon and Apple have invested heavily in expensive live sports rights, Netflix has taken a cautious approach — until now.

Amazon streams Thursday Night Football and holds exclusive rights to some New York Yankees games. Apple has a major league soccer streaming package and exclusive MLB Friday night games.

Netflix’s slow embrace of live sports is likely strategic. Live sports rights come with massive price tags and can lock streamers into multi-year contracts. Netflix has likely waited to test the waters with lower-cost, high-buzz events like The Netflix Cup.

The celebrity golf tournament also builds on two of Netflix’s most popular sports docuseries. Formula 1: Drive to Survive helped turn niche auto racing into a crossover hit. Full Swing offers an inside look at professional golf. The Netflix Cup combines talent from both shows for a unique hybrid event.

If The Netflix Cup draws strong viewership, it could pave the way for Netflix to pursue more live sports in the future. The streamer has already confirmed this will be an “inaugural event,” hinting that more Netflix Cups could follow.

For now, sports fans can look forward to Netflix’s first foray into live event programming on November 14th. The Netflix Cup offers a chance to see top athletes from different sports collaborate in a new format that highlights Netflix’s sports content strengths.

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Popular messaging service WhatsApp announced today the rollout of support for passkeys, a new authentication method designed to improve account security.

Passkeys are an emerging standard that replaces traditional passwords with authentication tied to a specific device. Rather than enter a text password, users authenticate with biometrics like face or fingerprint scanning.

Most users sign in on an Internet site and in apps with a username and password. Passwords are generally easy to access; anyone with your information can access your accounts. The new passkeys will use a totally different system, which will eliminate phishing attacks and the leaking of passwords. Each of these changes will help stem server breaches, saving untold password issues. The passkeys will be stored in Google Password where you can deploy two-step verification or have other security notifications sent.

Whatsapp said that the passkey functionality is beginning to roll out

The passkey itself is stored on the user’s device rather than on a remote server. WhatsApp revealed the new feature in a tweet earlier today:

The company said the passkey functionality is beginning to roll out to all Android users, but widespread availability may take some time. Users can check if the feature is enabled for their account by going to Settings > Account > Passkeys within the WhatsApp app.

If enabled, users will see passkey options alongside existing two-factor authentication tools like SMS verification codes. The passkeys themselves are stored in the Google Password Manager for easy access across compatible apps and sites.

Passkeys represent a significant shift in how personal accounts are secured online. Where password leaks were once commonplace, passkeys offer a simpler and more secure method compared to traditional methods.

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Just weeks after its high-profile launch, Apple’s flagship iPhone 15 Pro Max faces a serious new problem: display burn-in. Numerous reports of image retention issues on the iPhone 15 Pro Max have surfaced, with permanent ghost-like outlines of home screen icons and keyboards always visible on the phone’s screen.

Burn-in, caused by displaying a static image in one area of an OLED display for an extended period, has long been an Achilles’ heel for screen technology. Though manufacturers like Apple have implemented measures to mitigate burn-in risks in recent years, the flurry of issues cropping up in the iPhone 15

The problems appear localized to the iPhone 15 Pro Max for now, with owners sharing their burn-in woes on Reddit, X/Twitter, Apple Support Communities community forum, and other outlets. In a MacRumors forum post, one user reported burn-in after just 14 days of normal use. While Always On display was enabled, the screen timeout setting was a brief two minutes — apparently not long enough to prevent burn-in.

Visiting the Genius Bar, the user was informed the phone was exhibiting “ghosting” and would require a full display replacement. However, with supply still short on the newly launched device, no repair parts were available — yet. Instead, the user now faces a weeks-long wait for a replacement phone to become available.

Another Reddit user shared an image showing pronounced burn-in in the shape of a YouTube thumbnail, blaming “normal use” rather than any misuse for the issue. Several other posters reported being approved for full device replacements from Apple after burn-in appeared on their iPhone 15 Pro Max.

The extent of the problem is unknown for now, but the growing chorus suggests a troubling trend rather than just isolated manufacturing defects. Apple already had its hands full this month addressing overheating issues in the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, traced back to thermal design flaws by analysts.

Just last week, the company pushed iOS 17.0.3 to patch the overheating bugs. Now, it appears their engineers have another serious headache on their hands. This means that the company is facing two major hardware issues back-to-back points to cracks emerging in its recently launched device.

With the availability of the iPhone 15 Pro Max still constrained by demand, affected users face long waits for replacements. And judging by the early complaints, this could soon become a PR nightmare for Apple if the burn-in spreads much further. After spending $1099 or more for a premium device that’s supposed to represent the pinnacle of smartphone technology, experiencing permanent screen damage so soon is understandably upsetting for users.

The burn-in seems isolated to the Pro Max model, which features a slightly larger 6.7-inch OLED panel than the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro. With the supply of the premium iPhone 15 models still short worldwide after the September launch, Apple will likely face growing scrutiny if display issues become more widespread.

After dominating the smartphone market share in the premium category with the iPhone for over a decade, Apple is seeing rising competition from advanced Android flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. Facing its toughest competition in years for wealthy buyers, quality issues like this risk driving high-speeding customers toward rivals.

As more iPhone 15 Pro Max devices enter consumers’ hands, Apple will soon find out whether they’re dealing with an isolated manufacturing defect or a serious design flaw. With high stakes heading into the critical holiday shopping season, Cupertino is likely working urgently behind the scenes to contain this PR nightmare before it grows further.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Soulful Pizza; Pexels; Thank you!

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Apple unveiled a new entry-level Apple Pencil on Oct. 17, designed to bring the Apple Pencil experience to even more iPad users at a lower price point.

The new Apple Pencil, which costs $79, is compatible with a wider range of iPad models and introduces some changes from the original Apple Pencil. The new Apple Pencil is designed to expand the accessibility and versatility of the Apple Pencil for everyday iPad users.

While the original Apple Pencil retailed for $99 and was compatible only with select iPad Pro models, the new version works with all iPad models that have a USB-C port. This includes the new 10th generation iPad, iPad Air, iPad mini, and various iPad Pro models.

By providing Apple Pencil support across a broader range of iPads, Apple is bringing the pencil experience to its mainstream and entry-level iPad models rather than limiting it to the priciest Pro devices. The lower $79 price tag also makes the Apple Pencil more affordable for students and others looking for an all-purpose stylus for note-taking, drawing, and other tasks.

In order to reduce costs and make the Apple Pencil compatible across USB-C iPads, Apple did make some changes compared to the original Apple Pencil. Most notably, the new Apple Pencil lacks the pressure and gestures features of the higher-end Apple Pencil 2, which remains available for $129. The new pencil also charges via a USB-C port hidden beneath a sliding cap rather than magnetically.

However, Apple says the new Apple Pencil uses the same underlying technologies for tilt and latency as the original Apple Pencil. This means it can deliver a highly responsive and natural drawing experience on supported iPads via USB-C connectivity. The matte finish and flattened side also allow it to attach to iPads for storage and pairing magnetically.

For customers, the launch of the $79 Apple Pencil provides an affordable option to unlock the full potential of their iPad for creative and productivity tasks. Rather than being limited to finger input, the Apple Pencil allows for far more precision when writing, drawing, annotating PDFs, or using apps like Photoshop. For students, pencil support can transform the iPad into an effective note-taking and studying tool.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Roberto Nickson; Pexels; Thank you!

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In an era of ever-expanding digital data, tech giants like Microsoft face immense challenges in building and maintaining massive cloud storage infrastructures. Traditional magnetic storage mediums like HDDs and tapes require constant refreshing and upgrading, wasting energy and risking data corruption.

Enter Project Silica — Microsoft’s ambitious attempt to reinvent cloud storage using glass as the medium. By encoding data optically into tiny 3D voxels inside glass, Microsoft aims to create practically immortal storage unaffected by water, magnets, heat, or scratches. The project itself is not new, but the company recently announced significant progress in its implementation.

At the heart of Project Silica is the idea of encoding data in glass through ultra-short laser pulses. The lasers alter the refractive index of the glass at microscopic scales, creating voxels that can represent binary data.

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To read back this data, a computer-controlled microscope shines light through the glass while sensors pick up changes in refraction. Azure AI then decodes these readings back into usable digital files.

The result is a storage system with almost science fiction-like properties — reminiscent of the data storage crystals from old Superman movies. Microsoft claims Project Silica glass can maintain data integrity for over 10,000 years without any power or maintenance.

For comparison, magnetic tapes last 10-30 years, and HDDs around five years before needing replacement. This constant refresh process consumes substantial energy and risks data loss or corruption. Glass requires no such upkeep.

Building the Glass Library

Microsoft envisions utilizing Project Silica across its global network of data centers. To make this feasible, an automated robotic library system would fetch, read, and return glass slices as needed.

Each palm-sized piece of glass can reportedly store 1.75 million songs or 3,500 movies — an astonishing 7 TB of data. More glass can be added to the immutable, passive libraries as demands grow.

The robots provide all the movement within the system, protecting the fragile glass while enabling quick data access. If improvements reduce bottlenecks in writing speed, Project Silica could massively reduce the power demands of cloud data storage.

Challenges on the Road to Commercialization

Despite its potential, Project Silica remains a proof-of-concept rather than a commercial product. Microsoft admits the technology needs 3-4 more developmental stages before deployment, with writing, reading, and the library being currently done in separate labs rather than a single device.

Nonetheless, Project Silica represents a radically new approach to data storage. If its durability and sustainability claims hold up, it could be a game changer for building data infrastructures.

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Apple’s newest iPhone is facing lackluster demand in China compared to its predecessor, according to new sales estimates, underscoring the tech giant’s challenges in one of its most important markets. The reports come amid conflicts between the Cupertino giant – and the United States – and China.

According to an Oct. 16 Bloomberg report, the iPhone 15 series sold around 4.5% fewer units in its first 17 days on sale in China versus the iPhone 14 a year prior, according to market research firm Counterpoint Research. A separate analysis by investment bank Jefferies estimates an even sharper double-digit percentage drop in iPhone 15 sales from the iPhone 14 debut.

The weaker-than-expected demand reflects China’s strained economy and the rise of domestic smartphone rivals like Huawei, which recently launched its flagship Mate 60 Pro to much fanfare. The new Huawei phone is powered by the company’s own Kirin processor, seen as a breakthrough since Huawei was cut off from US semiconductor technology due to sanctions.

Buoyed by the Mate 60 Pro, Huawei outsold Apple overall in recent weeks, per Jefferies’ analysis. This marks a blow to Apple, which is already dealing with the weakest global smartphone sales in 10 years.

While Counterpoint noted stronger iPhone 15 sales in the US, the China figures are concerning for Apple. The last time the iPhone saw a similar sales decline at launch was around 2018, when Chinese brands like Oppo and Vivo gained ground with cheaper but capable devices.

Huawei’s resurgence could further erode Apple’s dominance in China’s high-end smartphone market. Counterpoint estimates Huawei could sell 5-6 million Mate 60 Pro units this year, possibly rising to double-digit millions in 2024. Jefferies analysts warned weakening iPhone demand in China could eventually lead to lower global sales.

Still, some analysts remain optimistic about Apple’s long-term prospects as China’s economy recovers. But the iPhone 15’s rocky start underscores Apple’s need to keep innovating to stay competitive, even as Chinese firms gain capabilities once exclusive to Silicon Valley. With nationalist sentiment rising, Apple faces slower sales and even government curbs on iPhone use in China – factors it must overcome to reignite growth there.

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