TechSlice 2023-10-23

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BIG TECH & STARTUPS

Apple may be planning a surprise October iMac announcement (2 minute read)

Apple is expected to launch a new 24-inch iMac by the end of October, marking the end of a 900-day gap since the release of the M1 iMac in 2021. While the specific chip details are not confirmed, it's speculated that the new iMac may feature an M3 chip. Apple's recent move to delay its earnings report until November is seen as a sign of an upcoming product launch, with Mark Gurman hinting at more substantial changes in MacBooks, an iMac Pro in 2025, and OLED MacBook Pros with enhanced features in 2026.

Google owes executive high sum after losing gender bias lawsuit (2 minute read)

A jury has found Google guilty of sexual discrimination in a case brought by Ulku Rowe, a female Google Cloud executive. She was awarded $1.1 million in punitive damages and for pain and suffering. The lawsuit alleged Google paid her less than male colleagues and denied her promotions as retaliation for her complaints, both internally and in court, though the jury didn't find in her favor regarding the pay inequity allegations under New York law. Google expressed satisfaction with the verdict, claiming Rowe was paid and leveled fairly and that she wasn't subjected to discrimination or retaliation for raising concerns about pay, level, and gender.

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SCIENCE & FUTURISTIC TECHNOLOGY

Next year, SpaceX aims to average one launch every 2.5 days (5 minute read)

SpaceX is on a mission to ramp up its rocket launches, aiming to reach approximately 12 flights per month in 2024, totaling 144 missions for the year. This accelerated cadence will be driven primarily by upgraded Starlink satellites with the capability to connect directly to consumer cell phones, offering "Starlink Direct to Cell" services. SpaceX has also been increasing its reliability and turnaround time, focusing on first-pass yield and hardware reliability, to accommodate the higher flight rate and ensure a safer and more reliable system.

Do we live in a computer simulation like in The Matrix? Proposed new law of physics backs up the idea (5 minute read)

The simulated universe theory suggests that our reality, from galaxies to life forms, is a meticulously programmed computer simulation, with physical laws as algorithms and experiences generated by an advanced system. This theory, with its roots in ancient idealism, has gained attention from both scientists and philosophers. Recently, a proposed "second law of infodynamics" has emerged, connecting information entropy, the optimization of data compression, and the idea that the entire universe might be a simulated construct or a massive computer system, leading to intriguing implications across various scientific disciplines.

Space is starting to look like the better mining operation (7 minute read)

The potential of space mining is gaining attention as it becomes a more economically viable venture due to the increasing demand for certain metals. Researchers predict that space mining could outpace Earth mining in the next few decades, particularly for critical metals used in electronics and clean energy technologies.

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PROGRAMMING, DESIGN & DATA SCIENCE

CorentinTh/it-tools – Collection of handy online tools for developers, with great UX (2 minute read)

This GitHub repository, maintained by Corentin Thouny, hosts a collection of IT-related tools and scripts, including those for network analysis, cybersecurity, and web scraping. These tools can be useful for IT professionals, programmers, and anyone looking to streamline their workflow or solve specific technical challenges.

How To Choose Typefaces For Fintech Products: Best Practices Guide (14 minute read)

This informative piece from Smashing Magazine offers a comprehensive guide on selecting typefaces for fintech products, focusing on best practices and insights for designers in the financial technology sector. Dive into this resource to make informed typeface choices and enhance your fintech design projects. It's a must-read for those keen on optimizing typography in the world of financial technology.

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MISCELLANEOUS

One in four Americans have had their health data compromised this year (2 minute read)

In a recent cybersecurity incident, a group of hackers targeted California hospitals, compromising health data and demanding a ransom. The attackers breached the hospital's systems, gaining unauthorized access to sensitive patient information. The incident underscores the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures in the healthcare sector to protect patient data from malicious actors.

New “Wonder Material” Could Boost Battery And Solar Cell Efficiency (3 minute read)

Researchers at University College London (UCL) have created phosphorus-arsenic nanoribbons, which can conduct electricity efficiently even at temperatures below -140°C, improving the potential of these materials for batteries, supercapacitors, solar cells, and more, without the need for carbon fillers in batteries, and enhancing solar cell efficiency.

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QUICK LINKS

The iPad Air turns 10 – is our first ever five-star tablet still a bargain buy? (4 minute read)

The iPad Air, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, is still considered a great value in the tablet market. Despite being a decade old, the iPad Air continues to deliver excellent performance and is viewed as a worthwhile purchase for those seeking a reliable and versatile tablet.

Bored at work? AI won't take your job, it will just make it more interesting, Google exec says (3 minute read)

Generative AI tools, including ChatGPT and Bard, are likely to enhance job satisfaction and productivity for workers by automating mundane tasks, according to Philip Moyer, the vice president of Google Cloud's global AI business, rather than causing widespread job losses.

Why AI progress hitting the brakes is more likely than world domination (6 minute read)

AI progress is more likely to face setbacks and challenges than achieve world domination, with advancements often hindered by technical, ethical, and safety considerations, according to AI experts.

You can now book an Uber hot-air balloon in Turkey for $159 (2 minute read)

Uber now offers hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia, Turkey, as part of its strategy to diversify beyond ride-hailing into various travel services, reflecting a broader push to become an "operating system for your everyday life."