TechSlice 2023-10-31

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BIG TECH & STARTUPS

Apple ‘Scary Fast’ Mac launch event: the 4 biggest announcements (3 minute read)

Apple introduced its M3 chip lineup, including the M3, M3 Pro, and M3 Max, based on a more efficient 3-nanometer process. The 24-inch iMac now has an M3 upgrade, offering twice the performance of the M1 model and a 4.5K Retina display with various color options. The 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros also feature M3 chips, Mini LED displays, and up to 128GB of RAM, while a new entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro with a base M3 chip starts at $1,599, replacing the Touch Bar model. Preorders and availability start in November.

Facebook and Instagram launch a paid ad-free subscription (2 minute read)

Meta is introducing a paid subscription service in the European Union, priced at around €9.99/month on the web and €12.99/month on iOS and Android. This subscription aims to address EU concerns about ad targeting and data collection, allowing users to opt out of these practices. The move comes as Meta seeks to comply with European data laws like the Digital Markets Act and GDPR. However, free access will still be available, with the ad-free option applying to users aged 18 and older, and additional fees for linked accounts starting in 2024.

X is officially worth less than half of what Elon Musk paid for it (1 minute read)

Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter for $44 billion a year ago raised eyebrows, and now internal documents reveal he values it at $19 billion, a 55% discount. X employees were awarded equity at this valuation, following Musk's intent to emulate SpaceX's compensation model. However, some investors, like Fidelity, believe X is worth even less, 65% below Musk's acquisition price.

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SCIENCE & FUTURISTIC TECHNOLOGY

UK helps fund Rocket Factory Augsburg in lead up to Scotland launch (2 minute read)

Rocket Factory Augsburg, a German startup, has received £3.5 million in funding from the UK Space Agency to support its satellite launch development, with plans to launch its first rocket in Q2 2024 from the SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland, marking Western Europe's first spaceport, as part of its quest to become Europe's first small launch provider, aiming to offer competitive payload costs and launch frequency by 2030.

A Tiny Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Turbine Can Power 10,000 Homes (6 minute read)

Supercritical carbon dioxide technology, which uses carbon dioxide as a working fluid, is being explored as a more efficient and compact alternative to traditional steam-driven turbines for power generation, with potential applications in various energy sectors, including solar power. The US Department of Energy is actively developing and testing this technology, and it could help improve energy efficiency and reduce the footprint of power generation systems.

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PROGRAMMING, DESIGN & DATA SCIENCE

Frooodle/Stirling-PDF – locally hosted web application that allows you to perform various operations on PDF files (4 minute read)

Stirling PDF is a locally hosted web application with a powerful set of features for PDF manipulation, ranging from viewing and editing PDFs to merging, splitting, converting, and adding security features while ensuring privacy and security, all within a Docker container, and it offers an API for integration with external scripts. This tool employs various technologies like Spring Boot, PDFBox, LibreOffice, and OCRMyPdf to handle a wide array of PDF-related tasks, making it a comprehensive solution for all your PDF needs.

How to get a 1gbit/s browsing speed (1 minute read)

Browserling is a cross-browser testing platform that offers users virtual browsers connected to a high-speed internet backbone for faster and more responsive browsing, reducing latency and improving data throughput, making it particularly helpful when local internet connections are slow. Fast internet speed is crucial for real-time applications, large data transfers, and efficient access to cloud-based resources.

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MISCELLANEOUS

Biden releases AI executive order directing agencies to develop safety guidelines (3 minute read)

President Biden signed an executive order outlining eight goals for regulating generative AI, covering areas like safety, privacy, equity, and competition, with government agencies tasked to establish standards, address job displacement, and promote innovation while seeking to prevent AI discrimination and protect user privacy. The order also calls on Congress to pass data privacy regulations and encourages more workers to enter the AI field. While it's not permanent law and legislators are still discussing AI regulation, industry experts view it as a significant step toward creating AI standards, signaling the US's commitment to the technology.

Seagate confirms that 30TB hard drives are coming in early 2024 — but you probably won’t be able to use it in your PC (2 minute read)

Seagate is set to release 30TB hard drives in early 2024, marking the largest hard drive capacity so far and an advancement in hard drive technology; these drives are expected to use HAMR technology and have the potential to deliver even more storage beyond 30TB by either increasing platter count or utilizing higher-density platters, available in both CMR or SMR configurations. Seagate's CEO also mentioned plans for 40TB hard drives based on 4TB platters, aiming for a release in less than two years, highlighting the company's commitment to HDD technology for cost-effective mass data storage in comparison to NAND solutions.

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QUICK LINKS

Steve Jobs is Still Filing Patents for Apple! Here’s How (5 minute read)

Steve Jobs remains listed as an inventor on new Apple patents, mainly because some of his patents were approved after his death, and his significant contributions to core products, particularly in hardware and UI patents, continue to influence Apple's innovations.

ChatGPT Plus members can upload and analyze files in the latest beta (1 minute read)

OpenAI's ChatGPT is receiving an update that allows users to upload and analyze various types of documents, such as PDFs and data files, potentially enabling powerful data extraction and analysis, though users should exercise caution with copyrighted content.

The Tsubame Archax is the coolest $3 million mecha on Earth — and soon, the Moon (5 minute read)

Tsubame's Archax is a $3 million, 15-foot-tall mecha that caters to Gundam fans, offering both Robot and Vehicle modes and potential plans for a robot combat league and lunar applications in the future.

Western Digital to split flash memory business after Kioxia merger talks stall (2 minute read)

Western Digital is set to spin off its flash memory business following the collapse of merger talks with Kioxia, aiming to create two publicly traded firms and address challenges posed by a supply glut in the flash memory market.

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