From Google’s quantum computing breakthrough to OpenAI’s text-to-video software and Apple’s clever new options. Samsung and Google are difficult Apple within the mixed-reality house, Spotify is bidding farewell to its Automobile Factor gadget, and the gaming world celebrated PlayStation’s Astro Bot as Sport of the 12 months. All this and extra in our weekly spherical up of tech information
Suchir Balaji, OpenAI whistleblower, discovered lifeless at his house
Suchir Balaji, a 26-year-old Indian American researcher who spent 4 years at OpenAI, who had just lately left the corporate and raised vital issues about its practices, was discovered lifeless in his San Francisco house. Read what he has to say about OpenAI, and AI, in his last post before he died.
Google’s says its new chip cracked quantum computing’s ‘30-year problem’
Google unveiled Willow, quantum chip that chip demonstrates two key achievements in quantum computing: exponential error discount because the variety of qubits will increase (a 30-year problem in quantum error correction) and the flexibility to finish a computation in beneath 5 minutes that will take a classical supercomputer 10 septillion years. With 105 qubits and improved efficiency metrics, Willow represents a serious step in direction of growing a helpful, large-scale quantum laptop that might doubtlessly revolutionize fields like AI, medication, vitality, and scientific discovery by fixing complicated issues past the capabilities of classical computer systems. Learn extra.
OpenAI lastly brings its Sora text-to-video AI software
OpenAI has launched Sora, its AI video era mannequin, which is now out there to paid ChatGPT subscribers. Sora can generate movies as much as 20 seconds lengthy in 1080p decision, utilizing a diffusion mannequin with a transformer structure. The platform permits customers to create movies from textual content prompts, add and remix current content material, and provides options like a storyboard interface. To deal with potential misuse, OpenAI has carried out security measures together with watermarking, metadata requirements, and restrictions on producing dangerous content material. At the moment, the service is proscribed to ChatGPT Plus and Professional subscribers, with various utilization limits primarily based on the subscription tier.
Apple releases Picture Playground and extra new Apple Intelligence options
Apple has introduced the enlargement of Apple Intelligence introducing a number of new options like Picture Playground for creating distinctive pictures, Genmoji for personalised emojis, enhanced Writing Instruments, and seamless ChatGPT integration. The replace brings visible intelligence capabilities to iPhone 16 units, permits customers to create and customise pictures and emojis, and provides extra versatile writing instruments.
iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, macOS 15.2, and extra software program updates launched for Apple units
Apple has launched the iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 with new Apple Intelligence options, together with Picture Playground, Genmoji and extra. Asides that, watchOS 10.2 and tvOS 18.2, have been additionally being launched.
Gemini 2.0 arrives with Brokers
Google has launched Gemini 2.0, a brand new AI mannequin centered on creating extra agentic and interactive AI experiences. The discharge consists of Gemini 2.0 Flash, an experimental mannequin with enhanced multimodal capabilities that may generate pictures, audio, and textual content whereas natively utilizing instruments like Google Search. The corporate is showcasing a number of analysis prototypes, together with Mission Astra (a common AI assistant), Mission Mariner (a browser-based agent), and Jules (a code improvement agent). The mannequin is at present out there to builders and choose customers, with plans to increase its integration into Google merchandise in early 2025.
Redmi Notice 14 collection launches in India
Xiaomi has launched three Redmi Notice 14 collection smartphones in India: the Redmi Notice 14 5G, Notice 14 Professional, and Notice 14 Professional+. The Notice 14 5G begins at Rs. 18,999, that includes a 6.67-inch OLED show, Dimensity 7025-Extremely chip, and 5110mAh battery. The Notice 14 Professional (priced from Rs. 24,999) comes with a Dimensity 7300-Extremely processor and 5500mAh battery, whereas the Notice 14 Professional+ (beginning at Rs. 30,999) boasts a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip, 6200mAh battery with 90W charging, and a novel 50MP 2.5X telephoto digital camera. All three telephones run Android 14 with HyperOS, provide a number of RAM/storage configurations, and include AI-enhanced options and IP-rated water resistance.
Swiggy launches Scenes, because it takes on Zomato’s
Swiggy has launched ‘Scenes’, a brand new function in its app for buying tickets to restaurant-hosted occasions, initially launched in Bengaluru. This transfer instantly challenges Zomato’s District platform, focusing solely on stay eating and leisure experiences like New 12 months’s Eve events and music performances.
Google and Samsung broadcasts their Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional rival
Google and Samsung are collaborating on Mission Moohan, an Android XR mixed-reality headset set to launch subsequent yr as a direct competitor to Apple’s Imaginative and prescient Professional. Working on a customized Android platform and powered by Gemini AI, the headset guarantees immersive spatial computing experiences with multimodal interactions like voice instructions and hand gestures. Designed to be extra subtle than Google’s earlier makes an attempt in digital/augmented actuality, Mission Moohan will function state-of-the-art shows, passthrough capabilities, and be powered by a Qualcomm chip.
Spotify Automobile Factor is lastly lifeless
Spotify has formally discontinued its Automobile Factor streaming gadget, with all items disabled as of December 9, 2024. Launched in February 2022 to enhance music management in automobiles with out built-in infotainment techniques, the gadget was discontinued lower than a yr after its launch as a result of low demand and provide chain points. Clients who bought the $90 gadget have till January 14, 2025, to contact customer support and supply proof of buy for a refund. Spotify recommends customers reset the gadget to manufacturing unit settings and eliminate it in accordance with native digital waste pointers.
PlayStation’s Astro Bot wins Sport of the 12 months
At The Sport Awards 2024, PlayStation’s Astro Bot, developed by Staff Asobi, gained Sport of the 12 months, together with three further awards: Greatest Household Sport, Greatest Sport Route, and Greatest Motion/Journey Sport. The critically acclaimed PlayStation 5 unique platformer, which has a 95/100 ranking on OpenCritic, beat out robust rivals like Remaining Fantasy VII Rebirth and Black Fable: Wukong. Studio head Nicolas Doucet accepted the awards, praising his crew and acknowledging the sport’s roots in basic platformer design.
