Apple- New iPad Mini With A17 Pro Chip; Google Turns to Nuclear Power for AI; Musk’s Optimus Robots- All Human Operated; Apple Study-LLM’s Really Can’t Reason Yet
Posted: October 15, 2024 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: AI, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Robots, technology Leave a commentApple made a surprise announcement today and bowed a new iPad Mini. Macrumors.com reports that the new 8.3 inch Mini will rock the A17 Pro chip and will be able to run Apple Intelligence. Apple claims a 30% boost in CPU performance and 25% boost in GPU performance compared to the older model. It will support the Apple Pencil Pro, and have faster WiFi, faster USB-C data transfer, a better 12MP wide camera, and has 128 Gigs of memory for the base model….double the amount from before. You can preorder today, it delivers October 23rd. $499 for WiFi only and $649 for WiFi plus cellular. Colors include blue, purple, space gray, and starlight.
Google is going nuclear…well, to power AI anyway. According to mashable.com, Google has cut a deal with California based Kairos Power to build between 6 and 7 mini-nuclear reactors to furnish ‘clean, round-the-clock-power’ to run its AI operations running and carbon free. they expect the first one to go online by 2030. Google is not alone. As we reported here earlier, Microsoft has cut a deal to reactivate the infamous Three Mile Island nuclear plant…which melted down years ago…in Pennsylvania to run Microsoft AI server farms. The plant could power 800,000 homes…but instead will have Microsoft as its sole customer. Not to be left out…Amazon also has a nuclear energy deal!
It had been pointed out by some tech reporters who attended that the Optimus robots at Tesla’s Cybercab and ‘We Robot’ event were human operated. Now, the verge.com says one of those, Robert Scoble, noted that an engineer told him the robots used AI to walk. However, Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas wrote that the robots “relied on tele-ops (human intervention)”. One so-called robot even told an attendee…or the human voicing the robot said… “Today, I am assisted by a human,” adding that it’s not fully autonomous. (The voice stumbled on the word “autonomous.”) The first law of robotics says no harm to humans. Perhaps we need an addendum to the law of robotics…you shall not impersonate a robot and claim it is an actual robot.
As discussed here fairly often, Large Language Models…or AI, as it has been branded, isn’t really intelligent at this point. Despite OpenAI and Google claiming theirs have advanced ‘reasoning’ capabilities as the next big move for AI models. Arstechnica.com reports that a new study by 6 Apple engineers indicates that the mathematical “reasoning” displayed by advanced large language models can be extremely brittle and unreliable in the face of seemingly trivial changes to common benchmark problems. The fragility highlighted in these new results helps support previous research suggesting that LLMs use of probabilistic pattern matching is missing the formal understanding of underlying concepts needed for truly reliable mathematical reasoning capabilities. “Current LLMs are not capable of genuine logical reasoning. Instead, they attempt to replicate the reasoning steps observed in their training data.” An example from another article told of an expert witness in a legal case about real estate using Microsoft’s Copilot to figure the money damages in the case. The judge called him out on it…the AI basically faked the damages with its guesstimate. That jurist admonished the attorneys and warned that future AI attempted use has to be disclosed.
I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.
US DOJ May Make Google Spin off Android or Chrome; Amazon Tweaks Ring Subscriptions with AI Video Search; Samsung Drops Support for $2000 Galaxy Fold 2 after 4 Years; Nintendo Motion-Controlled Mario Alarm Clock
Posted: October 9, 2024 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Android, Google, News, Smartphone, technology Leave a commentThe US Department of Justice is weighing asking a federal judge to make Google spin off Android and/or Chrome among other possible antitrust solutions in the aftermath of Google being found to have a monopoly over online search. 9to5google.com reports that Google, to the surprise of no one, is arguing against such moves. Ahead of a deciding trial scheduled for this coming spring, the DOJ offered an outline of what it might recommend: “…considering behavioral and structural remedies that would prevent Google from using products such as Chrome, Play, and Android to advantage Google search and Google search-related products and features—including emerging search access points and features, such as artificial intelligence—over rivals or new entrants.” The DOJ outline continues: “Breaking them (referring to Android and Chrome) off would change their business models, raise the cost of devices, and undermine Android and Google Play in their robust competition with Apple’s iPhone and App Store.” the government might also make Google offer an API that lets competitors access indexes, data, feeds, and models used for Google search, as well as their search results, features, and ads…including underlying ranking signals! Google is arguing that the government’s proposed remedies are much too broad. After a trial this spring, the judge should issue a decision by August 2025. No matter the outcome, expect Google to immediately appeal, with remedies on hold throughout the appeal process.
Amazon has rebranded the Ring Basic Plan as Ring Home Basic, and it’s $4.99 a month. Not that long ago, it was less than $3 a month. Ring Protect Plus is not Ring Home Standard, and it’s $5.99 a month, while Ring Home Premium is now $19.99 a month with professional alarm monitoring. According to techcrunch.com, all subscribers will get person and package alerts, video preview alerts, and 180 days of event history. Home Standard customers can now see up to 30 minute streams, and there’s a continuous stream for Home Premium. Now, with Home Premium, subscribers will get Smart Video Search, which lets them find specific moments in recorded footage. Coming on the heels of Smart Video Search…AI updates that will bring detailed captions for cam footage and natural language search functionality. Because you know you need that AI to scroll back through the footage from earlier today to see if a porch pirate ripped you off.
Samsung has outrageously quit updating the Galaxy Z Fold 2. the $2000 folding phone just came out in 2020, 4 years ago. that’s a pretty expensive paperweight. Ok, not a paperweight yet, but will be as more updates leave it behind. Arstechnica.com notes that newer Samsung phones are promised 7 years of updates. I’m sure that some people will keep using the pricy phone and risk hacking and data theft, considering what they paid, but no security updates after 4 years is the height of corporate arrogance and irresponsibility. Apple promises 5 years of security updates, but generally has to go longer…usually 7 years… under California’s ‘legacy’ device law.
In the product in search of a market department, Nintendo has rolled out a motion-controlled alarm clock, so you can awaken to the sounds of Super Mario and Zelda. It’s complete with chunky low resolution looking display that resembles 8 bit, too. Theverge.com reports that the $99.99 clock…called Alarmo…responds to your movements. That means you can snooze it without getting out of bed. You can order right now, and it will be out in early 2025. Honestly, if they can’t make it jump like Mario when making the sound effect, why make it? It does at least feature sounds from 5 different Switch games: Breath of the Wild, Pikmin 4, Splatoon 3, Super Mario Odyssey, and Ring Fit Adventure. You can connect it to your Nintendo account for even more. The clock is supposed to also track movement so you can check your sleep.
I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.
New Macs & iPad Mini November 1st; Android Rolling Out New Anti-Theft Features; Supremes Turn Away Suit Over Special Counsel Demanding Trump X Info; GM Working on Hands AND Eyes-Off Driving System
Posted: October 7, 2024 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, iPhone, News, security, technology Leave a commentLast month, we got the new iPhones, Watches, and Apple ear buds upgrades. Now, macrumors.com reports that Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman is saying we will probably see updated bigger Apple Hardware as early as November 1st. This will include new M4 low-end 14 inch MacBook Pros, and the higher end 14 and 16 inch models…and also a refreshed Mac Mini with M4 and M4 Pro chips. The iMac will get the upgrade as well. One iPad seems to be in the mix for sure…the Mini. It is due for it, as the Mini hasn’t seen an upgrade in 3 years. Don’t expect Mac Studio or Mac Pro models with more powerful M4 chips quite yet. Those won’t be out until mid 2025 for the Studio and the Pro at the tail end of that year.
Google is now releasing anti-theft protection features in the US. They had previously only been available in Brazil. According to androidpolice.com, not all US users are seeing all of them even after the rollout. The 3 features are Theft Detection Lock, Offline Device Lock, and Remote Lock. So far, some Pixel users are getting Remote Lock, but not the other two. Other Pixel users are seeing all three protective features. You can check your phone to see what you have…go to the Settings app, and search for ‘theft protection’ to see if the 3 features are available for your phone. Theft Detection Lock determines if the phone is forcefully taken from your hand, and automatically locks it. Offline Device lock automatically locks your phone’s screen when “a thief tries to disconnect your phone for prolonged periods of time.” Remote Lock is for when you know when you phone is gone for good…you can remotely lock the screen with just your phone number and a security challenge. You use the website android.com/lock.
The Supreme Court is back in session, and promptly refused to take a case disputing special counsel Jack Smith’s efforts to get the records of former President Trump from Twitter (which, of course, is now X) and keep that platform from letting him know about the demand for production. In refusing to take the case, the lower court ruling stands that upheld a nondisclosure order, which Elon Musk claimed violated his platform’s First Amendment right to communicate with Trump. Bloomberg says a judge decided the order was valid, and fined X $350,000 for civil contempt. Twitter eventually turned over 32 direct messages, which the special counsel’s office said was a ‘minuscule proportion’ of the information they requested.
It won’t be a first, but it will certainly be the most widely used when it hits the road. General Motors is working on a hands AND eyes-off driving system. Techcrunch.com reports that this will be a step up from their 7 year old Super Cruise hands-off system that is currently available. This would be what is known as a Level 3 or L3 system…not quite self-driving cars like Waymo is running in several cities or even like GM’s Cruise division has…which are just getting back on the streets of San Francisco after an accident earlier this year where a woman was dragged. Right now, the only L3 system is Mercedes-Benz’ Drive Pilot. Even Tesla’s Autopilot and so-called ‘Full Self-Driving’ system are only Level 2. No word on how soon the Level 3 setup would be available from GM, but since they are teasing it, it should be sooner, not later. GM says Super Cruise will have about 750,000 miles of roads it can use by the end of 2025.
I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.
Ca Governor Newsom Vetoes AI Safety Bill; Arm Predicts AI Will Turn Smartphones into ‘Proactive’ Assistants’; Apple’s ‘Home Accessory’ May have Square Display; Huge Verizon Outage Monday Morning
Posted: September 30, 2024 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, iPhone, News, Smartphone, technology Leave a commentIn a disappointment to many, but a victory for Big Tech, California Governor Gavin Newsom yesterday vetoed the Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act. No, he actually didn’t veto it for being a mouthful of word salad! Theverge.com reports that the governor felt the bill was well-intentioned, but would have possibly wiped out the lead California companies have in AI. He also said in a statement that the bill was just too broad. One safeguard that it required which still sounds like a good one was a so-called ‘kill switch,’ which would have required protocols for testing to reduce the chance for a cyberattack or a pandemic. It also had protections for whistleblowers. Expect changes and a fresh bill next term. The feds are also looking into ways to regulate AI.
Arm, the chip designer who’s chips run most of our mobile devices, is looking to upgrading the brains of smartphones and other gadgets to harness the power of AI…perhaps bringing a new series of breakthroughs to our mobile devices. According to thenextweb.com, with more compact, text-based large language models like Meta’s latest Llama iterations, which are optimized for Arm mobile chips, you can get faster user experiences. Arm also says the compact models can run more AI directly on smartphones. Arm sees new helpful mobile apps as a result. LLMs will perform tasks on your behalf by understanding your location, schedule, and preferences. Routine tasks will be automated and recommendations personalised on-device.Your phone will evolve from a command and control tool to a “proactive assistant.” Arm is shooting for 2025 to have over 100 billion Arm based devices to be ‘AI ready.’
Apple is still working on a new home accessory that rolls up the capabilities of an iPad, AppleTV, and a HomePod. People sifting through Apple’s back end code have seen a ‘HomeAccessory’ in that code the last couple months. 9to5mac.com says it appears that it will be powered by an A18 chip, which would support Apple Intelligence, and that it has more of a square display than the rectangular one on iPads. It also apparently sports a camera that will work with FaceTime and other video conferencing apps. The cam can also identify hand gestures from a distance, which would be handy (ok, sorry about that!) for controlling it in the kitchen where you might have wet or food covered hands and not want to touch the screen. It isn’t clear if this device would be something to replace the HomePod, or something different. If that is the case, it seems that a display on top might make it less stellar at reproducing great spacial audio.
By the time you watch or read this, it likely will be resolved, but Verizon has had a huge, nationwide outage Monday morning. Mashable.com reports that over 100,000 have reported outages for their mobile phones, 36 percent of those had no signal, and 14% a total blackout….this all noted by DownDetector. the worst outages were coming in from New York, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, and North Carolina. Reports started coming in at about 9am Eastern time…leaving a lot of people with just SOS mode on their phones.
I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.
Google Gemini AI-Coming to Corporate Workspace; YouTube’s Conversational AI Bows for Premium Android Users; Spotify AI Playlist Feature Rolls Out in US; Blocked X Users Can Now See Your Posts Anyway
Posted: September 24, 2024 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: AI, Artificial Intelligence, gemini, Google, technology Leave a commentGoogle has started making Gemini AI what they are calling a core part of the Workspace productivity suite, and the chatbot could therefore be adapted by millions more users. Theverge.com reports that the standalone Gemini app is being included as standard on Workspace Business, Enterprise, and Frontline plans starting sometime in Q4, replacing the need to purchase a separate Gemini add-on. To bolster security against malware, phishing, and other online threats, Google is also introducing a new “Security Advisor” tool that “delivers insights directly to an IT administrator’s inbox.” Security Advisor includes a range of safe browsing and data protection features for Chrome, Gmail, and Google Drive, and will be rolled out to paying Workspace customers “over the next few weeks.”
YouTube has begun rolling out its conversational AI feature that can answer questions about a video you are already watching. According to 9to5google.com, the feature is only available right now for Premium subscribers on Android in the US. So far, no word on when it will reach other users in the US or in other countries.
Spotify has expanded its AI Playlist tool availability to a number of countries, including the US, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand. Techcrunch.com says it was already available to Premium subscribers in the UK and Australia. The feature is still in beta on both iOS and Android, but it allows users to create personalized playlists by inputting written prompts. Maybe you would like to hear Frank Sinatra’s 28 biggest hits, or all of Taylor Swift’s sets from her Eras Tour. You can also refine playlists you crate, and customize using locations, animals (really?), movie characters, colors, and emojis. The AI powered playlist creation tool lives under the ‘Your Library’ tab.
X has made blocking less useful. Engadget.com notes that blocked users will be able to see the posts of accounts that have blocked them. This has always been possible if one wanted to try hard enough…you could do it by switching accounts…and many that you would tend to block have a number of alternate accounts. Elon musk has wanted to disable the block feature on X for some time now.
I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.
Jony Ive Working on Secret Project with Sam Altman; X Cries Uncle in Brazil Legal Battle; BMW Puts More Cash in Super Efficient Electric Motor Tech; New Tech Makes Windows into 5G Antennas
Posted: September 23, 2024 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: amateur-radio, antennas, ham-radio, portable, technology Leave a commentSince leaving Apple, genius designer Jony Ive has worked on several projects, but the only one that was hardware was his infamous but fabulous $60,000 turntable. Now, engadget.com reports that Ive is collaborating with Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, the makers of ChatGPT. In an interview over the weekend, Ive confirmed that his firm, LoveFrom, is leading the design on an AI product being built with Altman. Also on board are Tang Tan and Evans Hankey, both of whom held big design roles at Apple. A small team of about 10 is working out of a San Francisco office building…one of several buildings Ive has bought up on a single city block. There is no firm word on what the AI hardware device is or how soon it will be out, but it appears to be moving forward. The only cryptic description we have is that it is based on an idea for a product that uses AI to create a computing experience that is ‘less socially disruptive than the iPhone.’
After squabbling legally with Brazil, X apparently made a court filing late Friday night agreeing to the Brazil Supreme Court’s request to take down accounts on the platform that the Court said threatened Brazil’s democracy, and in addition pay fines and name a new formal representative in the country. According to theverge.com, X has been blocked the last 3 weeks by Brazilian ISPs…they even tried to get around the blocking using Cloudflare, but got caught. If X continues to comply and furnishes documents demanded by the court to be submitted in the next 5 days, they could be back in business in Brazil. Brazil is one of X’s largest markets.
A startup in Germany called DeepDrive has raked in a fresh 30 million Euros to scale up their electric motor tech. Thenextweb.com notes that the electric motors made at scale could really supercharge EV sales. They claim to boost EV range to over 497 miles! That would mean electric vehicles could have smaller battery packs potentially. The DeepDrive motors have higher torque and power density than any motors on the market today, and also low noise and importantly…use far fewer rare earth materials. They are claiming 20% more energy efficiency…that’s where you could end up with smaller battery packs and lighter, cheaper EVs. Besides BMW, 7 other of the world’s 10 largest automakers are working with DeepDrive. Some analysts think the motors and smaller battery packs could halve the price gap between internal combustion engine vehicles and EVs.
It’s a fact that 5G cellular coverage, with its blinding data speeds just hasn’t spread as far and fast as old 4G LTE did. There are technical reasons for this, and now there may be a cool tech solution. Bgr.com reports that a company in Japan claims it has figured out a way to implant transparent 5G antennas between layers of glass in windows. They even think they can build the base stations inside the window frames, so they won’t take up space in buildings. The windows are similar in construction to laminated windshields on cars. The layers of glass should protect the antennas and give them great durability…likely outlasting 5G as the world moves on to the Next Big Thing in cellular. There are still issues with the height of antennas being optimum and some other details, but it’s a pretty clever way to solve a problem…and much less unsightly that a forest of 5G antennas on top of building after building or the fake trees…and even cacti…that are being used to somewhat conceal 5G antennas.
I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days-October 8-9; Chrome-Easier to Use Passkeys Across Devices; EU Looks to Demand Apple Open up iOS; VW Halts ID.4 Production-Door Handle Problem
Posted: September 19, 2024 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Cybersecurity, Google, passkeys, security, technology Leave a commentYes, another big Amazon sale is on the way. Amazon Prime Big Deal Days is scheduled for October 8th and 9th. Engadget.com notes that Amazon has changed the name of this event a few times, but it remains what they call Amazon’s marquee sale event for Prime members. As always, expect big discounts on Amazon’s own devices…the Echos, Kindles, Blink cams, and so forth. We can also expect, if the past is an indication, cheap prices on small items like ear buds…and of course, the ever popular ‘lightening deals.’ There’s nothing like a big sale to goose revenues in the 4th quarter for companies…and get a head start on the holiday rush. Stan Freeborn is smiling somewhere…as he tugged Santa’s beard…as well as ad agencies and merchants…with his ‘Green Christmas’ back in 1958!
As some of the major players move to a password-less future with passkeys…using the biometrics or screen locks on your smartphone, tablet, or computer to log into websites and apps, Google has dropped another obstacle to making this happen by making it effortless to use passkeys on different devices. Zdnet.com reports that previously, you had to scan QR codes to grant accesses to different devices. Google has introduced a feature that will allow passkeys to be saved right in Google Password Manager on Windows, MacOS, Linux, and Android. it all works the same…you create a passkey when they prompt you and it is now automatically saved and synced automatically across all devices when logged into the same Google account. Google has also introduced Google Password Manager PIN, an extra layer of protection. Apple has already had the ability to use passkeys across devices using their biometrics like Face ID and Touch ID, but it will be a big plus to have Google letting this work across devices and operating systems.
The EU is stepping things up to make Apple open up all of iOS and iPadOS to third parties. According to appleinsider.com, they have now started two ‘specification proceedings’ which will set the rules and timetable for Apple to allow the third party access to all its iPhone hardware and software features. The first proceedings concerns connectivity with third party devices. The second one will put in deadlines for compliance. So far there hasn’t been any comment from Apple. Apple CEO Tim Cook, however, had earlier described some EU moves as based on anti-US sentiment. I can see Apple complying and allowing interoperability with third party devices…like other watches, earbuds, etc…but opening their operating systems…that may be a bridge too far for Cupertino.
There are auto recalls virtually constantly. Here’s one I haven’t seen happen. Volkswagen has stopped production on the ID.4 crossover because the cool flush door handles apparently don’t meet their waterproofing specs. Arstechnica.com says the moisture can get into the door controller’s circuit board, and might allow the door to open while the EV is moving! VW has a recall for almost 100,000 ID.4 models, and put out a stop sale to dealers. This is actually the 2nd fix for ID.4 doors. Earlier, some would open intermittently while driving or refuse to open. So far, thankfully, there have been no crashes or injuries reported.
I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.
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