Google announces AI hub in Saudi Arabia, citing research and development opportunities. The tech giant aims to support Arab language AI models and "Saudi-specific AI applications." This move follows Google's 2020 pledge to stop developing algorithms for oil and gas production, but a spokesperson claims the new deal "comports" with this commitment.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/05/google-is-opening-an-ai-hub-in-oil-rich-saudi-arabia/
** Toyota Unveils Custom Tundra Truck with Five Big-Screen TVs for Ultimate Tailgating Experience. The "Ultimate Tailgate Tundra" is a prototype built for the 2024 SEMA show, featuring a custom-built staging shell that rises from the bed to reveal five 55-inch outdoor screens.
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Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/5/24288874/toyota-ultimate-tailgate-tundra-sema-2024-concept-tvs
"A Swiss team has successfully tested a 1/12th scale hyperloop model, traveling 11.8 km at 40.7km/h. The test track, part of the LIMITLESS project, paves the way for further validation of the system and potential future passenger and freight transportation options."
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/5/24288954/hyperloop-swisspod-test-worlds-longest-scale-model
Tech companies, including Meta and Twitter, are shifting their stance on taking responsibility for online content due to increasing scrutiny from both sides of the aisle. CEOs like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk are distancing themselves from issues like misinformation and platform safety, citing government pressure and concerns about liability.
Source: https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-trust-safety-industry/
Nodal Aims to Revolutionize Gestational Surrogacy with Technology-Driven Marketplace Approach
Elon Musk claims top 20 spot in Diablo IV, but leaderboard limitations raise credibility concerns.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/5/24288836/elon-musk-top-20-diablo-4-players-the-pit
**Ternary Operators Get Their Due: A Look at Rare Programming Constructs**
A recent blog post by Hillel Wayne explores the lesser-known ternary operators in programming languages. While most people are familiar with the conditional ternary, the author highlights a list of other rare ternary operators that can be found in various programming languages and contexts.
Source: https://buttondown.com/hillelwayne/archive/a-list-of-ternary-operators/
**Android Security Alert**: Google announces fix for two critical vulnerabilities (CVE-2024-43047 and CVE-2024-43093) affecting Android devices. Users are advised to check for software updates, with a patch level expected on November 5.
MacOS 15.1 Update Offers Three Handy Upgrades, AI Features Optional
** Substack offers free subscriptions to boost mobile app installs, with mixed user feedback.
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Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/05/substack-is-giving-out-free-subscriptions-to-boost-app-installs/
A group in North Carolina, affiliated with a nationwide election integrity network, has been compiling lists of "suspicious voters" using technology from EagleAI Network. These lists aim to challenge votes on Election Day and the following days. The tool uses data from public and private sources to identify potential issues with voter registrations.
Source: https://www.wired.com/story/eagleai-network-suspicious-voter-lists-north-carolina/
"Misleading texts targeting swing state voters with false claims about Kamala Harris' stance on Israel-Palestine conflict. Voters in Michigan and Pennsylvania received messages from a company linked to Republican strategists, aiming to sway undecided voters."
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/5/24288263/harris-texts-israel-gaza-michigan-pennsylvania
** Notorious hacker arrested in connection with Snowflake data breach faces US extradition. The arrest marks a significant development in efforts to combat cybercrime, with experts highlighting the importance of targeting key individuals responsible for major breaches.
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Source: https://www.wired.com/story/connor-moucka-snowflake-hack-arrest-extradition/
Apple's Election Results Tracker Now Available on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch
Apple users can now track US election results in real-time using the Live Activity feature. The update will display the latest updates on the Home Screen and Lock Screen, with continuous electoral counts shown through Dynamic Island for supported devices. Apple Watch wearers can view the feed via widgets on the Smart Stack.
Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-track-us-election-results-on-your-iphone-ipad-or-apple-watch/
** Rivian's software boss "super excited" about third-party apps, aiming to create a customized in-car experience and new revenue opportunities. This move is part of the company's strategy to differentiate itself from competitors like Tesla.
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Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/05/rivians-software-boss-is-super-excited-about-third-party-apps/
The latest smart locks have emerged, offering improved features and connectivity options. Some models, such as the Schlage Encode Plus, use Thread and Wi-Fi for connectivity. However, Wi-Fi tends to drain batteries faster than Thread, so it's recommended to avoid activating Wi-Fi if possible. Many smart locks also come with exterior power options, like USB-C ports or 9-volt batteries, to charge them in case of low battery.
Some locks feature auto-unlock capabilities using GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi to automatically unlock doors as users approach. However, this requires keeping the lock manufacturer's app open on the phone. Additionally, Matter is a new standard designed to enhance smart home interoperability and future-proofing, allowing locks to work seamlessly with various platforms.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/23393163/best-smart-door-lock
Amazon addresses Kindle Colorsoft display issues, offers replacements and refunds.
"Rust developers, a new async concurrent hashmap library called Whirlwind has been released. The crate aims to provide high-performance concurrent data access in Rust, with the first benchmark results showing promising performance. Developed by Will Hopkins and hosted on GitHub, contributions are welcome as the project is still in development."
ZDNET Recommends: The Dreame L40 Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop Offers Reliable Cleaning Performance
Symbiotic Security Raises $3 Million to Help Developers Fix Bugs in Real-Time
The company, Symbiotic Security, has secured a $3 million seed round to further develop its platform that helps developers identify and fix security bugs as they code. The platform, launched earlier this year, uses AI-driven technology to provide real-time feedback to developers on potential security issues.
According to the article, Symbiotic's approach differs from other companies in the field by not only identifying security issues but also teaching developers how to avoid them in the first place. This is achieved through short training sessions and videos that are tailored to the developer's immediate needs.
The company plans to expand its platform to support more programming languages and application stacks, with a focus on infrastructure-as-code languages like Terraform. Symbiotic's co-founder and CEO, Jerome Robert, emphasized the importance of empowering developers to take ownership of security issues, rather than relying on security teams to detect and correct them.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/05/symbiotic-security-helps-developers-find-bugs-as-they-code/