HeyWhatsNew: Sony Is $2 Billion Ahead of Samsung, and Is ChatGPT Leaking Private Conversations?
Hey there, Heyuppers! Get ready for another edition of HeyWhatsNew, your go-to source for the latest tech updates shaping the world for the week starting from 39/01/2024.
Google Is Accelerating the African Tech Ecosystem With Its First Cloud Region in South Africa
At the 2022 Google for Africa event, Google announced plans to launch its first African cloud region in South Africa. This week, the company announced that the cloud region is up and running, ready for businesses and consumers on the continent. According to the official statement from Google, “The launch of the Johannesburg region has been met with enthusiasm by organizations, partners, and existing Google Cloud customers across Africa.”
Cloud regions refer to specific geographic locations where data centers operated by cloud providers like Google are situated. The new Google Cloud region in Johannesburg will enable users, particularly businesses, to leverage cloud resources for various services. This includes, but is not limited to cloud storage, compute engines, and key management systems.
Land Rover and CAT Handheld Device Manufacturer Shuts Down
In an unexpected turn of events, Bullitt Group, the long-time manufacturer of a niche line of rugged smartphones, has closed its doors and shut down all operations. Established in 2009, Bullitt specializes in manufacturing mobile devices and accessories for external companies. Notably, the company is recognized for its durable and robust handsets, including the Land Rover Explore, Motorola Defy, and various CAT Phone products.
According to reports from former employees of Bullitt Group, the company went under after a failed restructuring process around January 26. This follows an earlier report from The Telegraph stating that the company was at risk of insolvency.
For the First Time in Two Decades, Sony Makes More Money Than Samsung
Sony recently committed to increasing its focus on global expansion, digital transformation, restructuring efforts, and a proactive approach to mergers and acquisitions. These efforts have paid off because the company made more profit than Samsung for the first time in 24 years.
Expert opinions attribute Samsung’s profit decline to a slump in the semiconductor market, a market that has Samsung dominated for years. According to reports, Sony’s operating profits for the 2023 financial year will be $7.95 billion, about $2 billion more than the $5.62 billion reported by Samsung.
The First Update for Chromecast with Google TV Is Ready for the Public
Google has just rolled out the first update of 2024 for the Chromecast with Google TV 4K. According to 9 to 5 Google, the 148MB update includes the latest security patch and bug fixes, as well as other performance improvements.
In 2023, Google delivered six system updates to the Chromecast, and this 2024 update maintains the same Android 12 OS with no Fast Pair support. Additionally, the Chromecast Remote firmware has remained unchanged since the early December release.
Reddit User Finds a Way to Make 3D Printing Easier for Blind People, Using AI
AI advancements are introducing new techniques in 3D design, enhancing the accessibility of 3D printing for a wider audience. A Reddit user named Mrblindguardian, who is blind, has created a unique process using artificial intelligence (AI) to design and 3D print custom models from scratch.
After experimenting and adjusting his design in Luma with guidance from ChatGPT descriptions, Mrblindguardian successfully used his Bambu Lab X1 3D printer to create a distinctive one-winged dragon model. “This is my first completely own, independently designed 3D model of a dragon. Like me, it has a disability, it’s missing a wing.” says the creator.
Open AI Explains How/Why ChatGPT Leaked Private Conversations
Earlier this week reports from ArsTechnica revealed some inconsistencies from Open AI that led to information in private conversations being leaked. According to the initial report, ChatGPT has been leaking information to unrelated parties, but the AI giant has responded and maintains that the users’ account login credentials were compromised and the fault is not on their end.
In the official statement given to Android Authority, Open AI says “The chat history and files being displayed are conversations from misuse of this account and was not a case of ChatGPT showing another user’s history.” However, the affected user, Chase Whiteside, says he doesn’t believe his account was compromised in any way.
The Pixel 8 Pro’s Temperature Sensor Works Better Than a Thermometer
Speaking to The Keyword, Google has gone into detail about the Pixel 8 Pro's body temperature measuring feature. The device uses an infrared sensor to scan the temporal artery and calculates the temperature using an algorithm. Google claims this method is more accurate than forehead thermometers, citing a study from the National Library of Medicine.
Initially, when the Pixel 8 Pro launched, the thermometer feature could only measure the temperature of food and objects, pending FDA clearance for human use. Following the December Google Features Update and the accuracy levels of the thermometer, Google plans to integrate the feature into the upcoming Pixel 9 series.
That wraps up another week of HeyWhatsNew, where we've delved into the most significant tech news and analysis shaping the world. Stay on the lookout for more intriguing updates coming your way next week. Until then, stay tech-savvy and stay curious.
