Coatue Management, a prominent hedge fund, is raising $1 billion to invest in AI-focused companies. This move aims to expand the firm's presence in the growing AI industry. The funding will be raised primarily from institutional investors and may also include high-net-worth individuals with accounts at Raymond James and Associates.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/04/coatue-is-raising-1b-for-ai-bets/
Attention shoppers! Black Friday sales have already started at several major retailers, including Best Buy, Target, and Walmart. Amazon has not yet announced its full playbook, but it's offering early deals on Beats headphones. Best Buy's main Black Friday event will kick off on November 21st, with Cyber Monday promo starting on December 1st. Target will offer new deals every Sunday in November, while Walmart will roll out sales in multiple waves. Costco has also announced two deal events ahead of Black Friday.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/21569881/black-friday-deals-start-time-hours-cyber-monday-stores
Meta's former hardware lead, Caitlin Kalinowski, is joining OpenAI to lead robotics and consumer hardware. She previously led the development of Meta's augmented reality hardware team since 2022 and oversaw the creation of Orion, a demo that showcases impressive AR capabilities. In her new role, Kalinowski will focus on bringing AI into the physical world and unlocking its benefits for humanity.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/04/metas-former-hardware-lead-for-orion-is-joining-openai/
**Gemini Protocol Offers Alternative to Traditional Internet**
A new protocol, Gemini, is gaining attention for its potential to provide an alternative to traditional internet browsing. This decentralized system allows users to access websites without relying on centralized servers or surveillance. According to a recent article, setting up a Gemini server requires installing the required compilation tools and configuring the environment.
Bowery Farming, a leading agtech company, has announced its decision to cease operations. According to reports, the company had raised over $700 million in funding from prominent investors, including First Round Capital and General Catalyst. Despite this significant investment, Bowery Farming faced challenges in the competitive vertical farming market.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/04/bowery-farming-is-ceasing-operations/
A Philadelphia judge has declined to block Elon Musk's America PAC from awarding $1 million in prizes to voters. The decision allows the PAC to move forward with its giveaways, which have been criticized for being non-random and potentially deceptive. The PAC has admitted that winners are actually chosen to be paid spokespeople, rather than being randomly selected. The controversy surrounding these giveaways raises questions about the ethics of political campaign tactics.
Early Black Friday AirPods Deals: Shop Online or In-Store!
Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-best-early-black-friday-airpods-deals/
The holiday shopping season is approaching, and Amazon has already started offering deals on Kindle e-readers. According to ZDNET, early Black Friday sales are available now, with discounts on various Kindle models, including the new Kindle Scribe. The article highlights that these deals will likely run from Black Friday (November 29) through Cyber Monday (December 2). Shoppers can expect substantial savings on Kindle products, especially during these events.
Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-black-friday-kindle-deals-2024/
Apple users can soon upgrade to ChatGPT Plus within the Settings app. The integration with OpenAI's AI model will be available in December, when iOS 18.2 rolls out. This will enable users to access premium features and models, including Advanced Voice Mode, for $20 a month. While Apple is not paying OpenAI for this integration, it may benefit from increased exposure and potential sales.
The latest iPad Mini 7 has been tested by a reviewer, who found it to be an excellent entertainment tablet that can go almost anywhere. With its compact size and fast processor, the device is perfect for playing games and consuming media on-the-go. However, the reviewer noted that it's not suitable for heavy-duty tasks like editing photos and videos, as it lacks the necessary screen real estate and keyboard options. The iPad Mini 7 does come with Apple Intelligence features, which are still in development and may require further updates to reach their full potential.
Black Friday is just around the corner, and tech enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the best deals on headphones and earbuds. According to ZDNET, top brands like Sony, Beats, Bose, and Apple are already offering discounts on their latest products. From noise-canceling earbuds to wireless headphones, there's something for everyone. Whether you're a music lover or an audiophile, this is the perfect time to upgrade your audio gear.
Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-black-friday-headphone-deals-2024/
Cozy Games for All: Explore the Best Options Today!
A new film, "Here," directed by Robert Zemeckis, has utilized AI technology to de-age Tom Hanks and Robin Wright. The film uses real-time generative AI face transformation techniques to portray the actors across a 60-year span, marking one of Hollywood's first full-length features built around AI-powered visual effects. This innovative approach replaces traditional CGI methods, which would require hundreds of artists and a significantly larger budget.
Source: https://arstechnica.com/ai/2024/11/new-zemeckis-film-used-ai-to-de-age-tom-hanks-and-robin-wright/
Perplexity AI has launched an Election Information Hub, aiming to help users understand key issues, vote intelligently, and track election results. The platform offers live vote count updates, polling location information, and candidate policy summaries. Users can also access voter resources from nonpartisan organizations like Democracy Works. While the AI tool has built-in citations for its answers, there is a risk of inaccuracies or hallucinations. Try it at perplexity.ai/elections.
A new accessory for Kindle users has gained popularity, thanks to its ease of use and functionality. The Strapsicle is a silicone strap that allows readers to hold their device securely from any angle, without pinching or cramping their hands. While some users prefer the PopSocket alternative, many have praised the Strapsicle for its added security features and affordability.
The holiday shopping season is approaching, and retailers are already offering early Black Friday deals. ZDNET's team of experts has rounded up the best early deals on top tech products from major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. With Cyber Monday falling on December 2, 2024, shoppers can expect significant savings across various categories.
Black Friday historically marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season, but it's not the only time to find discounts. This year, Black Friday falls on November 29, while Cyber Monday follows on December 2. Shoppers can expect deals on a wide range of products, from tech to home goods, at nearly every major retailer.
ZDNET's recommendations are based on extensive research, comparison shopping, and customer reviews. The team looks for deals that offer at least 20% off or are rarely discounted. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday just around the corner, shoppers can start preparing by taking advantage of early sales and staying informed about the best deals.
Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-black-friday-deals-2024/
Perplexity CEO Offers AI Company's Services Amid NYT Staff Strike
As the New York Times tech workers' strike enters its second day, Perplexity's CEO has offered to provide technical infrastructure support to mitigate the impact on essential coverage. The move has sparked controversy, with some viewing it as an attempt to undercut collective action by striking workers. The NYT staff is demanding a 2.5% wage increase and improved work conditions.
Rural grocery stores face challenges in competing with larger chains, according to recent news. Land use restrictions are a common strategy employed by supermarket giants like Albertsons to prevent competition from emerging. This tactic involves dominating existing plots of land and building suitable for new stores, effectively stifling innovation and customer choice.
Source: https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/how-albertsons-kills-rural-grocers
Asus Vivobook S 15 Review: A Solid Choice for Remote Workers and Digital Nomads
The Asus Vivobook S 15 is a sleek and lightweight laptop with a gorgeous OLED display, solid battery life, and impressive performance. It's an excellent choice for remote workers and digital nomads who want a performant, AI-ready laptop. With its Snapdragon X Elite processor, it can handle demanding tasks like video editing and media consumption. While gaming performance may not be optimal, the laptop excels in other areas.
General Motors claims it has become the No. 2 seller of electric vehicles (EVs) in the US, with 32,000 units sold in the third quarter of this year. The automaker has sold a total of 370,000 EVs in North America since 2016, including 300,000 in the US specifically. Tesla remains the top seller of EVs, with over 5 million vehicles sold since 2008. Ford is close behind GM, with rival claims on sales figures.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/4/24287933/gm-no-2-ev-sales-october-2024