Tech News Roundup: November 2023

In the ever-evolving tech world, innovation never sleeps. From AI advancements to new security measures, the technological landscape is constantly changing, offering us endless fodder for conversation and speculation. As a tech investor and enthusiast, I’m here to break down some noteworthy tech stories from the past month.

New Features in YouTube Premium: Sleep Timer

YouTube has been actively testing new features on its Premium tier, and the latest experiment introduces a sleep timer that automatically pauses videos after a set amount of time. This isn’t a ground-breaking feature in the grand scheme of things, but its utility is undeniable, especially for those who fall asleep to long podcasts or soothing white noise. To activate this timer, YouTube Premium users can head over to the experimental features page on desktop or use the Settings menu on mobile. Options allow users to select time intervals ranging from 10 minutes to the end of the video. After the video pauses, a pop-up will ask if you wish to extend the timer. While YouTube is lagging behind competitors like Spotify and TikTok, which have had similar features for a while, this could still enhance user experience. Hopefully, YouTube will consider making it a permanent feature and perhaps extend it to free users as well.

Breaking into the Breakers: Security Flaws in Ransomware Gangs

As All-Star security researcher Vangelis Stykas demonstrated, even the most notorious ransomware gangs can be prone to rookie mistakes. In a recent endeavor, Stykas revealed that six companies were saved from hefty ransom demands due to simple vulnerabilities in the ransomware groups’ web infrastructure. Ransomware gangs usually operate on the dark web, making them hard to track. Stykas, however, identified several flaws, such as default passwords and exposed APIs, that allowed him to unearth critical information about these gangs. In one memorable instance, Stykas leveraged a bug to cycle through a ransomware administrator’s chat messages, revealing two decryption keys. Notably, ransomware is an ever-growing concern for many businesses, especially in the crypto world. This research highlights that even these supposedly tech-savvy criminals are not impervious to the same security weaknesses that plague companies worldwide.

AI’s Almost There: Rabit’s New Conversational Features

The quirky AI assistant Rabit, which caused a stir at CES, has rolled out new features, but not enough to change any skeptics’ minds just yet. The “beta rabbit mode” adds more advanced conversational capabilities, including multi-step instructions and nuanced follow-up questions. However, practical issues persist. For example, setting a baking timer yields absurd questions about cookie types and quantities—areas where the AI can’t possibly replace human intuition. The much-touted Large Action Model (LAM), which was supposed to autonomously navigate phone and web interfaces, is still not operational beyond controlled demos. Despite its shortcomings, Rabit continues to hold potential. Its continual updates give hope that it may eventually live up to its bold promises.

Voice Mimicking AI: OpenAI’s GPT-4o

OpenAI’s GPT-4o is the generative AI behind the new Advanced Voice Mode in ChatGPT. Trained on voice, text, and image data, GPT-4o sometimes behaves oddly, mimicking users’ voices in noisy environments and making random vocalizations. The recently published red teaming report showed that GPT-4o occasionally clones a user’s voice due to difficulties in parsing malformed speech. Other bizarre behaviors include generating unsettling non-verbal sounds like erotic moans or gunshot noises—an inadvertent feature that OpenAI has largely mitigated at a system level. Even with such quirks, GPT-4o represents a notable step forward in AI voice technology. The model declines requests for copyrighted content and avoids generating bias-laden responses, proving that safety measures are being taken seriously.

Box Acquires Alphamoon: Intelligent Document Processing

Box’s recent acquisition of Alphamoon marks a significant boost to its AI capabilities. Specializing in Intelligent Document Processing (IDP), Alphamoon automates the extraction of metadata from dense texts like contracts and loan applications. Box CEO Aaron Levie explained that integrating Alphamoon would enable more streamlined workflows and enhance Box AI’s overall understanding of documents. This acquisition complements Box’s earlier purchase of Crooze, each filling critical gaps in Box’s intelligent content management system. As AI becomes more intertwined with everyday business operations, acquisitions like these are crucial for advancing both capabilities and efficiencies across various industries.

EU’s Digital Markets Act: Apple’s Controversial Compliance

Apple’s revised compliance plan for the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) has drawn criticism from heavyweights like Spotify and Epic Games. Apple introduced two new fees: an Initial Acquisition Fee and a Store Services Fee, both criticized as excessive and counter to DMA’s intent. Spotify condemned the new fees, emphasizing that they go against DMA mandates. Epic Games’ CEO Tim Sweeney similarly branded the changes as malicious compliance designed to sidestep the legislation. European regulators are currently scrutinizing Apple’s new fee structure. We will have to wait and see how this complex situation unfolds and whether the tech giant will be compelled to make more consumer-friendly adjustments.

Is the AI Industry in a Bubble?

Recent comments by Nick Frosst of Cohere indicate the ongoing debate about the AI industry’s future. Frosst argues there’s tangible value in current AI endeavors, dismissing bubble speculation. Companies like Cohere provide new and useful features that streamline operations for enterprise clients. However, Frosst does express skepticism about reaching artificial general intelligence anytime soon, a narrative that sharply contrasts with other tech leaders. While focusing on practical applications of AI, Frosst emphasizes the necessity to remain realistic about what the technology can achieve. This pragmatic viewpoint suggests that while AI has transformative potential, industry professionals should maintain grounded expectations.

Facebook Album Nostalgia: Instagram’s 20-Photo Carousel

Instagram recently expanded its carousel feature, allowing users to post up to 20 photos or videos in a single post, doubling the previous limit. This brings back memories of old Facebook photo albums and aims to make the platform more dynamic. While this change might make photo dumps lengthier, it’s symptomatic of Instagram’s ongoing efforts to keep up with TikTok, which already offers a similar feature. Whether this update will significantly improve user experience remains to be seen, as Instagram continues to wrestle with platform usability concerns.

Hackers Hit ADT Customers: Data Breach Details

ADT, a giant in home security, has experienced a data breach that compromised limited customer information, such as email addresses, phone numbers, and postal addresses. Hackers posted this stolen data on a forum, following their successful infiltration of ADT’s systems. While ADT assures that they promptly addressed the breach and are investigating the matter with third-party experts, such incidents remind us of the constant cybersecurity challenges even well-established companies face.

Palantir-Microsoft Collaboration: A Controversial Merge

Palantir, a company that has faced ethical scrutiny for its controversial practices and partnerships, is teaming up with Microsoft to integrate products with Microsoft’s government cloud tools, including Azure OpenAI. This partnership aims to sell advanced software solutions to U.S. defense agencies. Palantir’s software is known for its role in tracking and suppressing dissent, as well as its association with far-right causes. The ethical implications of this collaboration will likely be a topic of considerable debate, especially given Palantir’s contentious history.

Thumby Color: A Tiny Powerhouse in Gaming

Remember the cute and tiny Thumby? Well, it’s back with a colorful sequel—Thumby Color, which sports a design reminiscent of the Game Boy Advance. Despite its small size, it packs in all essential gaming features, including a D-pad, shoulder buttons, and even a rumble motor, making it a fully functional handheld console. With its programmable feature, developers can create and play custom games, making it not just a nostalgic novelty but also a practical tool for hobbyists and developers. The Thumby Color represents a fun convergence of retro design and modern technology.

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These updates are merely a glimpse into the bustling world of tech, where each development can significantly impact industries and user experiences. From the expanding capabilities of AI to significant security concerns and intriguing new gadgets, staying abreast of these changes is both exciting and essential.