On March 29, Google briefly highlighted
a part of the Google Messages page stating
that Apple is preparing to roll out Rich Communication Services (RCS) support this fall.
On March 29, Google briefly highlighted
a part of the Google Messages page stating
that Apple is preparing to roll out Rich Communication Services (RCS) support this fall.
Some of the page's sections read,
"coming soon on iOS" and
"better messaging for all,"
TechCrunch reports.
Apple has announced it will be adopting
RCS in the fall of 2024.
Once that
happens, it will mean a better
messaging experience for everyone, Via Google page description.
Apple confirmed that it was developing
RCS support last November.
While RCS will not eliminate the
"green bubble-blue bubble" differentiation between Android and iPhone users.
It will allow Android users to send iPhone users
hi-res media within their native messaging app.
New RCS features, such as Photomoji, improved voice note audio quality and more, were announced by Google last year.
According to the tech giant,
1 billion people use RCS each month.
The news of Apple's upcoming RCS support comes as the company is being sued by the U.S. Department of Justice over alleged monopolistic practices, TechCrunch reports.
The lawsuit mentions
"green bubbles" as a user security issue
We now know when the innies of 'Severance' will return to the office. Apple just revealed that season two of the workplace thriller will premiere on January 17th, 2025. The 10-episode season will be released weekly through March 21st, 2025. Along with the date announcement, the streamer shared a short teaser for the new season.
Credit: The Hollywood Reporter Duration: 01:09Published
Amazon Reaches $2 Trillion , in Stock Market Value.
On June 26, Amazon became the 5th American company to join the $2 trillion club, NPR reports. .
Amazon shares ended the day up nearly 4%, giving the company a $2.01 trillion stock market valuation. .
Within the past year,
Amazon's stock has gained 52%.
Part of that gain can be attributed
to investors' enthusiasm about the
company's AI endeavors, NPR reports. .
A big part of the valuation boost has
been cloud and AI. Amazon is going to
be a major player in the AI revolution, Dan Ives, Wedbush tech analyst, via NPR.
Amazon currently has a chatbot called Q, which businesses that use AWS have access to. .
Amazon currently has a chatbot called Q, which businesses that use AWS have access to. .
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy recently said that
AI has rejuvenated the growth of AWS.
The cloud computing unit is reportedly on pace to bring in $100 billion in annual revenue.
Amazon recently invested in Anthropic, a California
AI company, "to develop so-called foundation models
that underpin generative AI systems," NPR reports. .
Amazon also makes its own AI chips.
The other four U.S. companies that
belong to the $2 trillion club are
Google, Microsoft, Apple and Nvidia. .
The other four U.S. companies that
belong to the $2 trillion club are
Google, Microsoft, Apple and Nvidia. .
The other four U.S. companies that
belong to the $2 trillion club are
Google, Microsoft, Apple and Nvidia. .
The other four U.S. companies that
belong to the $2 trillion club are
Google, Microsoft, Apple and Nvidia.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Google Uses AI to Add , Over 100 New Languages to Translate.
Google Translate continues to get better,
as the company has used AI to add 110 new languages to the feature, Engadget reports. .
According to Google, the new languages represent over 600 million speakers,
or 8% of the worldwide population. .
Google referenced its LLM, PaLM 2, as "a key piece to the puzzle, helping Translate more efficiently learn languages that are closely related to each other," .
... "including languages close to Hindi, like Awadhi and Marwadi, and French creoles like Seychellois Creole and Mauritian Creole.".
Isaac Caswell, senior software
engineer for Google Translate, issued
a statement about the development.
As technology advances, and as
we continue to partner with expert
linguists and native speakers, we'll
support even more language varieties
and spelling conventions over time, Isaac Caswell, senior software engineer
for Google Translate, via Engadget.
The last time Translate had a sizeable number of languages added to it was in May of 2022.
At the time, the company utilized the help of Zero-Shot Machine Translation, which
"allows a model to learn a new language" without viewing examples, Engadget reports. .
Later in 2022, Google announced its
1,000 Languages Initiative.
The Initiative seeks to develop AI models that can learn the 1,000 most common languages spoken around the world. .
The Initiative seeks to develop AI models that can learn the 1,000 most common languages spoken around the world.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
YouTube Leaks Spark Concerns , About Google Employee Access , to Unpublished Videos.
Last week, PlayStation's lineup for the
State of Play event was leaked shortly after
the event was scheduled to appear on YouTube.
Last week, PlayStation's lineup for the
State of Play event was leaked shortly after
the event was scheduled to appear on YouTube.
The Verge reports that the leak has
contributed to concerns regarding Google
employees' access to videos before they go live.
The issue was recently highlighted
in reports by Insider Gaming
and 404 Media.
One of the leaks, which was noted by Tom Henderson
of Insider Gaming, involved KSI's 2022 attempt to
give away over $10,000 in Amazon gift cards.
However, an internal YouTube investigation was started
after KSI realized that all of the gift card codes had
already been redeemed prior to the video going live.
However, an internal YouTube investigation was started
after KSI realized that all of the gift card codes had
already been redeemed prior to the video going live.
A similar internal investigation
was opened after the trailer
for GTA VI leaked online. .
According to a report by 404 Media, a Google
contractor was responsible for the 2017 Nintendo
leak that revealed an early look at 'Yoshi's Crafted World.'.
The Verge reports that an image
of the game's trailer was posted to
Reddit just ahead of its big reveal at E3. .
The post contained an “admin.youtube.com” URL,
which would suggest that an employee had
accessed the video prior to its public release.
According to a database entry reported on by
404 Media, Google confirmed that an employee
had gained access to and deliberately leaked the video.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Google Search Algorithm Documents , Have Been Leaked.
On May 29, Google confirmed that 2,500 internal documents have been leaked, The Verge reports.
The documents contain data that the
company uses for its search algorithm. .
Google spokesperson
Davis Thompson issued a statement.
We would caution against making
inaccurate assumptions about
Search based on out-of-context, outdated or incomplete information. , Davis Thompson, Google spokesperson, via statement.
We’ve shared extensive
information about how Search
works and the types of factors
that our systems weigh, while also
working to protect the integrity
of our results from manipulation, Davis Thompson, Google spokesperson, via statement.
The leaked documents suggest that the tech
giant may collect and use data that it
previously denied using for rankings.
such as "clicks, Chrome user data
and more," The Verge reports.
However, it's not clear what data is actually utilized to rank searches, as some info could be outdated or used for training purposes.
Nevertheless, the leak is likely to
make waves throughout "search engine optimization (SEO), marketing and
publishing industries," The Verge reports.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Spotify Launches , Basic Streaming Plan.
The streaming company announced the new
"Basic" plan on June 21, TechCrunch reports.
It will cost $10.99 per month,
but it won't grant access to audiobooks. .
Other than that, the Premium
benefits will remain the same. .
The news comes after Spotify raised its
Premium plan price to $11.99 a few weeks ago. .
The new "Basic" plan could be the first of a few
new subscription tiers, TechCrunch reports.
Spotify is reportedly developing a "Supremium" plan at the moment which would grant access to high-fidelity audio.
According to 'Bloomberg,' that tier will
cost a minimum of $5 more each month.
The streaming giant reported a
20% revenue increase in April.
It also saw Premium subscriptions
increase by 14%.
Spotify's Q2 2024 earnings are
expected to be released on July 24
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
DOJ Files Lawsuit , Against Adobe.
The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit
against Adobe on June 17, TechCrunch reports.
The DOJ alleges that Adobe is deceptive because
it conceals early-termination fees and makes it difficult for customers to cancel subscriptions.
Adobe has harmed consumers by
enrolling them in its default, most
lucrative subscription plan without
clearly disclosing important plan terms, DOJ, via lawsuit.
The DOJ claims that Adobe pushes subscribers to choose its "annual paid monthly" plan and uses costly early-termination fees as a "powerful retention tool" to trap customers.
During enrollment, Adobe hides
material terms of its APM plan in fine
print and behind option textboxes and
hyperlinks, proving disclosures that are
designed to go unnoticed and that
most consumers never see, DOJ, via lawsuit.
Adobe then deters cancellations
by employing an onerous and
complicated cancellation process, DOJ, via lawsuit.
Adobe disagrees with the allegations.
Subscription services are convenient,
flexible and cost effective to allow
users to choose the plan that best fits
their needs, timeline and budget, Dana Rao, Adobe’s General Counsel and Chief Trust Officer, via statement.
Our priority is to always ensure our
customers have a positive experience. , Dana Rao, Adobe’s General Counsel and Chief Trust Officer, via statement.
We are transparent with the terms
and conditions of our subscription
agreements and have a simple
cancellation process, Dana Rao, Adobe’s General Counsel and Chief Trust Officer, via statement.
The U.S. government maintains that Adobe
has violated consumer protection laws and is
seeking "injunctive relief, civil penalties,
equitable monetary relief, as well as other relief.”
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Families of 737 MAX , Crash Victims Seek Justice.
'Newsweek' reports that families who lost loved
ones in two 2019 Boeing 737 Max crashes are waiting for a
decision from the United States Justice Department (DOJ).
'Newsweek' reports that families who lost loved
ones in two 2019 Boeing 737 Max crashes are waiting for a
decision from the United States Justice Department (DOJ).
The families hope that the DOJ will allow Boeing to be prosecuted in connection with the crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia, which claimed the lives of 346 people.
The families hope that the DOJ will allow Boeing to be prosecuted in connection with the crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia, which claimed the lives of 346 people.
Ike Riffel, who lost his sons, Melvin and Bennet, in the Ethiopia
crash, fears that Boeing will be offered a deferred prosecution
agreement (DPA) or be allowed to skip trial.
Ike Riffel, who lost his sons, Melvin and Bennet, in the Ethiopia
crash, fears that Boeing will be offered a deferred prosecution
agreement (DPA) or be allowed to skip trial.
In 2021, the DOJ charged Boeing
with fraud for misleading
regulators regarding the 737 MAX.
However, prosecutors went on to accept
an agreement that could see felony charges
against Boeing dropped in three years.
'Newsweek' reports that the DOJ reopened the
possibility of prosecuting Boeing in May,
claiming the company breached the original 2021 deal.
Now, the DOJ has until July 7
to determine whether it will
file charges against Boeing.
Families of those who died in the two Boeing crashes
have pushed for high-ranking Boeing officials to be
prosecuted and the company to be fined $24 billion.
We want to find
some meaning in
what happened
to our loved ones. , Ike Riffel, father of two Boeing 737 crash victims, via 'Newsweek'.
If we can make aviation
safer so this doesn't
happen again, then
we have had some
victories out of this, Ike Riffel, father of two Boeing 737 crash victims, via 'Newsweek'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Julian Assange , Reaches Plea Deal With , US Government.
'The Independent' reports that Wikileaks
founder Julian Assange has been released
from Belmarsh prison as part of a plea deal
with the United States Justice Department.
Assange will be flown out of the U.K. as part
of the deal before he makes a guilty plea deal
that could end the years-long legal battle.
On June 24, Assange boarded a flight at Stansted airport
ahead of a scheduled appearance later this week in the
Mariana Islands, a Western Pacific U.S. commonwealth.
The U.S. government has charged the
Wikileaks founder with conspiracy to obtain
and disclose national defense secrets.
The charges stem from one of the largest leaks of
classified information in U.S. history, disclosing tens of
thousands of reports regarding the war in Afghanistan.
The disclosure, which occurred between 2009 and
2011, included unfiltered diplomatic cables that
potentially endangered the safety of confidential sources. .
The leak also included significant
activity reports related to the war in Iraq
and information regarding Guantanamo Bay.
According to the latest DOJ filing, Assange is expected
to plead guilty and be sentenced to 62 months of time
already served, thus avoiding U.S. imprisonment. .
This is the result of a global campaign
that spanned grass-roots organizers,
press freedom campaigners,
legislators and leaders from
across the political spectrum,
all the way to the United Nations, Wikileaks statement, via X.
After more than five years in
a 2x3 metre cell, isolated 23 hours
a day, he will soon reunite with his
wife Stella Assange, and their children,
who have only known their
father from behind bars, Wikileaks statement, via X
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
Merrick Garland , Held in Contempt of Congress.
The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives voted to hold the attorney general in contempt of Congress on June 12, BBC reports.
The resolution was passed by a 216-207 vote.
Only one Republican,
David Joyce, voted in opposition. .
As a former prosecutor, I cannot in good
conscience support a resolution that
would further politicize our judicial
system to score political points, Rep. David Joyce, via statement.
Garland is held in contempt of Congress
for refusing to provide interview tapes with President Biden that were recorded during the Justice Department's classified document probe. .
Following the contempt vote, Garland said
House Republicans have "turned a serious congressional authority into a partisan weapon.".
Today’s vote disregards the
constitutional separation of powers,
the Justice Department’s need to
protect its investigations, and the
substantial amount of information we
have provided to the Committees. , Merrick Garland, via statement.
Garland is now the third U.S. attorney
general in American history to be held in contempt of Congress, BBC reports. .
In an opinion piece published in the 'Washington Post' on June 11, Garland said that "the Justice Department is under attack like never before.".
He pointed to a rise in "conspiracy theories, falsehoods, violence and threats of violence towards department officials by Republican critics.".
The short-term political benefits of
those tactics will never make up for
the long-term cost to our country. , Merrick Garland, via the 'Washington Post'
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
US Tech Firm to Pay $38,000 in Penalties , After Posting Job Ad for ‘Whites Only’.
In March 2023, Virginia tech firm Arthur Grand Technologies posted a discriminating job ad on Indeed.com, 'The Guardian' reports. .
The ad read, "Only U.S. Born Citizens [white] who are local within 60 miles from Dallas.".
"[Don't share with candidates]," it added.
The ad quickly found attention on
social media and via numerous news outlets.
Within two months of being posted, the Department of Justice's civil rights division launched an investigation into the company. .
On May 23, Arthur Grand Technologies
agreed to pay over $38,000 in penalties.
$7,500 will go to the U.S. Treasury,
and $31,000 will be awarded to those
who filed discrimination complaints.
$7,500 will go to the U.S. Treasury,
and $31,000 will be awarded to those
who filed discrimination complaints.
The company will also be required to
"train its workers on the Immigration and Nationality Act," 'The Guardian' reports. .
Arthur Grand CEO Sheik Rahmathullah "vehemently denies any guilt or wrongdoing in relation to the discriminatory job posting," instead blaming a disgruntled employee.
Upon discovering this, we took
immediate and decisive action to
ensure that this type of incident
will never happen again, including
the immediate termination of
the responsible employee, Arthur Grand CEO Sheik Rahmathullah, via statement
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
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