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- 🐞 Multiple Bugs Plaguing New Apple Watches, Fixes Expected Soon
🐞 Multiple Bugs Plaguing New Apple Watches, Fixes Expected Soon
+ Gartner's 2024 Trends | ALL-CAPS AI Trend | Amazon Workers at Risk
Kristoffer Lindström
October 23, 2023
Good Day, Byte Buffs!
It's October 23rd, and here's your daily dose of the most important tech happenings. Dive in and kickstart your day with the top stories that matter:
Siri's AI Evolution - Latest features unveiled.
Apple-China Ties - CEO reaffirms commitment amid tensions.
Amazon Workers at Risk - Unexpected dismissal challenges.
Okta's 11% Breach - Hackers accessed vital client files.
Gartner's 2024 Trends - The major tech shifts to watch.
Nvidia's Eureka Progress - GPT-4 powers robotic training.
ALL-CAPS AI Trend - Why the style's gaining traction.
Apple Watch Bugs - Fixes on the horizon for new releases.
Upcoming Apple Macs - What the industry should anticipate.
Are you curious about any of these? Read on to dive deeper into the insights, trends, and breakthroughs shaping the tech landscape.
Tech Companies
Apple is developing an array of features utilizing generative AI, potentially launching next year. The tech giant's executives, led by John Giannandrea and Craig Federighi, are reportedly overseeing projects including a 'smarter version of Siri' and the introduction of AI into iOS. This includes new interaction features for Siri and the Messages app and potential enhancements to development programs and services like Apple Music.
💡 Why does this matter?
Apple's interest in generative AI could revolutionize the tech industry. Software developers and AI strategists should pay attention, as these developments could create opportunities in developing AI-integrated tools across industries. Furthermore, tech investors might find valuable opportunities in backing companies specializing in AI integration with existing tech infrastructure.
Apple CEO Tim Cook reaffirmed the company's commitment to China and its 30-year relationship, pledging to grow with local suppliers and donating $3.4 million to a rural development program.
💡 Why does this matter?
Apple's long-term commitment to China opens up opportunities for collaborations and partnerships with local suppliers. This can also signal a competitive edge for the tech giant, balancing its operations amidst US-China tensions, which might impact global tech investors and market dynamics.
Amazon is reportedly considering termination of its remote employees, according to TheStreet.com. This potential policy change could significantly impact the tech industry's workforce dynamics.
💡 Why does this matter?
The news of Amazon potentially dismissing remote employees could lead to significant changes in the tech industry. This shift could cause tech companies to revisit their remote working policies, creating new norms and expectations for flexible work.
Entering a growing trend, Apple is considering incorporating ads into its original, previously ad-free podcasts, exploring new revenue streams. However, methods of ad incorporation still need to be determined due to Apple's privacy-focused policy. Changes to Automatic Downloads have also raised questions about podcasting measurement standards and advertisers' performance expectations.
Okta's shares declined roughly 11% after unidentified hackers accessed client files via its support system. The breach did not impact Okta's services or large-scale clients.
AI Corner
Gartner's top strategic technology trends for 2024 are centered around artificial intelligence (AI), with key focus areas being Democratized Generative AI, AI Trust, Risk and Security Management, and AI-augmented development. The prevalence of AI-enabling technologies such as GenAI is set to increase by 2026. However, concern is growing regarding related risks and necessary safeguard measures. Adopting AI TRiSM controls could eliminate up to 80% of erroneous information while AI-augmented development is anticipated to improve software engineers' productivity. Other trends noted include intelligent applications, augmented-connected workforce, continuous threat exposure management, machine customers, sustainable technology, platform engineering, and industry cloud platforms.
Nvidia Research has unveiled Eureka, an AI agent powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4 that autonomously trains robots in complex skills. Successfully teaching a robot hand to perform pen-spinning tricks, Eureka has also enabled robots to accomplish nearly 30 tasks such as opening drawers. Nvidia also offers the Eureka library of AI algorithms for public experiments using the Nvidia Isaac Gym. This technology builds upon Nvidia's previous AI agent, Voyager, capable of autonomously playing Minecraft.
In an interview, IBM's CEO Arvind Krishna advised young professionals to develop critical thinking skills to secure their careers against AI disruption. He predicted only 6% of jobs would be at risk due to artificial intelligence, and highlighted healthcare, teaching, and IT as fields outstripping this potential job loss. Though optimistic about the impact of AI on employment, he expressed concern about AI-related national security risks and misinformation impacting democracy.
OpenAI's DALL-E 3 AI image generator and ChatGPT may signal a shift in programming communication, using conventional English and even textual emphasis as part of their regular prompt engineering.
AI services like ChatGPT can infer user secrets never shared, warns an ETH Zurich study. The research highlights alarming privacy risks and calls for stronger security measures for these tools.
Markets & Money
Faze Clan, the gaming influencer group, is being acquired by Gamesquare for $17 million, a fall from its $725 million valuation at the time of its SPAC merger a year ago. Faze Clan has been navigating losses and leadership changes. Under Gamesquare, Faze Clan will have its original founders at the helm and will operate as an independent division, reconnecting with its primary audience. The acquisition is set to complete in Q4 2023.
Apps & Gadgets
According to discussions on Apple's support forum, Apple's new Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 are experiencing several issues, including screen flickering and complications turning pink or going blank. Inconsistent battery life is another problem, particularly for the Ultra 2 model. Apple has informed its authorized service providers that fixes are forthcoming via software updates.
Apple is set to announce new Macs, including an updated 24-inch iMac and possibly multiple new MacBook Pro models, on October 30th or 31st. A higher-end iMac with a 32-inch display is also planned, aiming at a late 2024 or 2025 launch. These new Macs are anticipated in time for the holiday season and will be unveiled prior to Apple's quarterly earnings results on November 2nd.
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