** EU Closes Antitrust Probe into Apple's E-book and Audiobook Rules Following Withdrawn Complaint
The European Commission (EC) has closed a longstanding antitrust investigation into Apple's e-book and audiobook rules after the undisclosed complainant withdrew their complaint. The EC opened the probe in 2020 over allegations that Apple forced competing developers to use its own in-app payment system, preventing them from informing customers of alternative ways to pay.
**
Italian Food Delivery App, Foodinho, Fined €5 Million for Unlawful Data Processing
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/22/italian-food-delivery-app-foodinho-eats-another-privacy-fine/
Gift ideas for book lovers are abound, featuring cozy accessories and thoughtful subscriptions. Popular options include weighted blankets, tea kettles, coffee machines, and reusable water bottles. Book subscription services like Parnassus Signed First Editions also offer curated selections of literary fiction.
** MIT spinout Emvolon develops modular chemical plants using automotive engines to convert methane into green fuels, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet decarbonization goals.
**
Source: https://news.mit.edu/2024/emvolon-turns-automotive-engines-into-green-fuel-chemical-plants-1119
Wasp, a JavaScript framework, hires a Framework Engineer to build Laravel for the programming language. The company aims to expand its engineering and open-source culture, leveraging a custom compiler in Haskell.
A phased array microphone system has been implemented with a complex beamforming capabilities, allowing for accurate source localization and noise reduction.
Source: https://benwang.dev/2023/02/26/Phased-Array-Microphone.html
Google faces antitrust lawsuit over search monopoly; DOJ seeks to end partnership with Apple and sell Chrome browser. The US Department of Justice wants Google to share proprietary data, divest Chrome, and end its lucrative partnership with Apple to loosen its grip on the search market.
Source: https://www.wired.com/story/doj-google-chrome-antitrust/
** Department of Justice Orders Google to Divest Chrome Browser in Antitrust Case
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a proposed final judgment with the DC District Court, requiring Google to divest its Chrome web browser as part of an antitrust case. The move aims to restore competition to the online search market, which was deemed illegal by Judge Amit Mehta last year.
According to the filing, Google may also be required to spin out its Android business, although this is not a mandatory condition at present. Other proposed remedies include restrictions on Google's self-preferencing in Android, prohibiting it from offering incentives to third-party phone-makers to use Google Search, and mandating rivals' access to its search index.
The case has significant implications for the tech industry and will be determined by Judge Mehta in a forthcoming remedies trial.
**
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/20/24300617/doj-google-search-antitrust-chrome-breakup
**Breakthrough in AI-Powered World Simulation**
A team has developed a system that generates infinitely long, high-quality videos with real-time interaction, blurring the line between reality and illusion. The technology, inspired by "The Matrix" (1999), uses a proprietary model called Swin-DPM to create seamless, dynamic environments with diverse terrains. This innovation represents a significant contribution to video generation, enabling the creation of long-form videos that maintain coherence and visual consistency over time.
Source: https://thematrix1999.github.io/
** Norwegian Startup Factiverse Aims to Combat Disinformation with AI-Powered Fact-Checking Tool.
**
Charles Hudson, Managing Partner of Precursor Ventures, Advocates for Founders to Test Investors with Small Issues.
** Study suggests X algorithm favors Musk and conservative-leaning accounts, citing increased engagement after Trump endorsement. Researchers found a significant boost in views and retweets for Elon Musk's posts starting July 13th, with other Republican-leaning accounts also seeing notable increases.
**
The HMD Fusion, a $300 smartphone from Finnish company HMD Global, has been reviewed by Wired. The device features a Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, 6 GB of RAM, and a 90-Hz LCD screen. While it performs solidly in terms of performance, its camera capabilities have received mixed reviews. Additionally, the phone will only receive two Android OS upgrades, and its battery life is underwhelming.
The device does offer some unique features, such as swappable components like cameras and batteries through the use of "Outfits." These accessories can be purchased separately to enhance the user experience. However, competitors in this price bracket, like the Moto G 5G Power (2024) and the Nothing Phone (2a), may offer better performance, software support, and overall value.
Robust AI's Carter Pro robot is designed for collaborative work with humans, prioritizing safety and ease of use in warehouse settings. The robot can be manually moved by employees, and its cameras, rather than lidar, allow for a cost-effective solution. Partners such as DHL have been testing the system, and the startup aims to diversify its client portfolio.
** The Best VR Headsets for Immersive Gaming and Experiences. Wired Magazine's review highlights a range of top-notch options, from budget-friendly Meta Quest headsets to luxury PCVR experiences like the HTC Vive Focus Vision.
**
"AI Efficiency Boosters Face Limits: A widely used technique to make AI models more efficient, quantization, has limitations and trade-offs. Researchers found that quantized models perform worse if trained on large datasets, potentially affecting AI companies training massive models. The study suggests that lower precision may not be desirable and 'there's no free lunch' when reducing inference costs."
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/17/a-popular-technique-to-make-ai-more-efficient-has-drawbacks/
** "The Future of Music Meets AI: Stanford Professor Ge Wang Explores Creative Frontiers"
Stanford's Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics is pushing the boundaries of music-making with Associate Professor Ge Wang. As a pioneer in computer-generated music, Wang discusses the evolving role of humans and technology in creative processes.
**
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/17/24297892/ai-music-ge-wang-vergecast
Wired reviews various kids' headphones, highlighting the best options for comfort, sound quality, and volume-limiting features. The top picks include BuddyPhones Cosmos Fun with three volume-limiting options, Juice Pro Wireless Headphones offering decent active noise cancellation, and StoryPhones that play stories based on attachable "StoryShields." However, some models, like Juice Animals Wired Headphones, had design flaws.
Source: https://www.wired.com/gallery/the-best-kids-headphones/
Browsers Close Gap with Single-Page App Revolution, Leverage HTML, CSS, and Javascript for Interactive Web Apps
"Developer leverages AI tool Claude to build a side-by-side map comparison tool, showcasing potential for AI-assisted coding. The React app, available on GitHub, allows users to add custom map sources and stores configuration in local browser storage."