Google’s Titan security keys
Google has launched a new version of its Titan security keys, designed to work with Passkeys technology, which aims to eliminate the need for passwords. The updated Titan keys can store up to 250 passkeys and provide an alternative for users without smartphone access. Available in USB-A and USB-C versions, these keys also support NFC for easy use. To promote the passkey standard, Google plans to distribute 100,000 security keys for free to industry partners with high security needs, aiming to enhance protection, including for the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
Cryptocurrency Revolution
In recent years, the financial landscape has witnessed a dramatic transformation with the rise of cryptocurrencies. These digital assets have taken the world by storm because of promising to reshape the way we conduct financial transactions, invest and even think about money.
Super Mario 64 Retrospective
Super Mario 64 was a game-changer, marking Mario's move into 3D and becoming a major factor in the Nintendo 64's success. Released in 1996, it introduced precise analog stick controls, allowing Mario to explore vibrant 3D worlds in all directions—setting a new standard for platform games. Despite early challenges mastering the new controls, players embraced the unprecedented freedom, which remains influential today. Super Mario 64's impact is still felt in 2023, with its analog stick control now a staple in modern gaming consoles.
AI beats drone champion
AI beats drone world champion. The AI drone has defeated the human opponents and beat their best times by far. The AI could only be beaten under changing conditions.
Apple iPhone 15 Date Leak
Apple is likely to unveil the iPhone 15 based on industry leaks and vacation bans imposed by mobile providers for that date. The iPhone 15 lineup is expected to feature four models—iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max—with USB-C replacing the Lightning connector. Only the Pro models will reportedly feature the new A17 chip, while the standard versions will include the A16 and introduce Dynamic Island.
Nintendo Switch 2 Console could appear 2024
Nintendo is reportedly planning to release the Nintendo Switch 2 in the second half of 2024, with development kits already sent to partner studios. The new console will feature significantly more powerful hardware but will use an LC display for portable mode instead of OLED to cut costs. It will include a slot for physical game cards, while competitors are moving towards disc-less designs. Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa confirmed no new hardware would launch before April 2024, despite declining Switch sales. The new console is expected to offer graphics on par with the PlayStation 4 Pro, but no official details have been released yet.
Breakthrough: X-ray image of a single atom
**Excerpt:**
A research team from Ohio University has successfully created an X-ray image of a single atom for the first time, marking a major scientific breakthrough. This advancement allows scientists to accurately identify the composition and chemical state of individual atoms, which was previously impossible with standard X-ray machines. The study, published in Nature, used a specialized synchrotron X-ray instrument to analyze iron and terbium atoms. This groundbreaking technique could revolutionize fields such as quantum information, environmental research, and advanced materials science, paving the way for new technologies and deeper understanding of atomic structures.
nVidia & Snowflake cooperation for AI models from cloud
nVidia and Snowflake have announced a partnership to offer generative AI solutions from the cloud, enabling companies to build AI applications using their own data within the Snowflake Data Cloud. This collaboration will allow enterprises to leverage their data for creating custom AI models, such as chatbots, directly in the cloud, reducing costs and latency. Snowflake will also host nVidia's NeMo platform to help businesses customize and deploy generative AI models, expanding AI capabilities across industries like finance, healthcare, and public services.
Black Mirror Creator: Episode written by AI turned out to be unusable
Creator of the Black Mirror series experimented with using AI to write an episode, specifically employing ChatGPT. While the AI-generated script initially seemed impressive, Brooker found it to be ultimately useless, lacking original ideas and merely remixing past episode summaries. This outcome highlights the limitations of AI in creative writing. Fortunately for Hollywood writers currently on strike, it suggests they won't be replaced by AI soon. The sixth season of Black Mirror, featuring stars like Aaron Paul and Salma Hayek Pinault, premieres on June 15, 2023, on Netflix.
ChatGPT iOS App integrates Siri and iPad usage
The ChatGPT iOS app has received a new update, bringing practical features to iPhones and expanding availability to iPad users. The update allows users to share content via drag and drop and adds Siri and Shortcuts support. This lets users set voice commands to launch ChatGPT, making interaction more convenient and intuitive. The update enhances the usability of ChatGPT on Apple devices, providing new options for interaction.
AI boom: These companies and stocks are benefiting
Artificial intelligence is transforming the tech industry, driving huge profits for several companies. Nvidia, which dominates the GPU market with an 80% share, has seen significant gains due to the rising demand for AI-enabled chips needed for applications like ChatGPT. Competitors like AMD are also prioritizing AI accelerators, while companies like TSMC and Service Now benefit from close collaboration with Nvidia. The AI boom has led to increased popularity of related stocks, with firms like Broadcom, ASML, and Marvell also experiencing notable growth.
This bio battery generates electricity from bacteria
Researchers at Binghamton University have developed a new bio-battery that uses bacteria to generate electricity, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional batteries without lithium or rare earths. The battery, designed by Seokheun Choi's lab, uses three bacteria types in separate chambers to produce power, which can last for weeks. This "plug and play" bio-battery can be stacked for more energy, aiming to power small devices in remote areas. Future plans include a floating version capable of self-repair, making it ideal for harsh environments.