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| Here's a look at today's tech briefing: - Apple in talks to use Google AI for iPhones.
- SpaceX building spy satellites for U.S. government.
- Super Micro Computer joins S&P 500.
- LinkedIn could add puzzle-based games.
Beth
p/beth-duckett | |
| 1 | | Apple is in "active negotiations" to integrate Google's generative AI into the iPhone's next software update, Bloomberg reported. Apple has also held similar talks with Microsoft-backed OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT and DALL-E, the report notes. More: - The deal would allow Apple to use Google's Gemini AI for more advanced services like chatbots and image generators on iPhones.
- The capabilities would be a part of iOS 18, due out later this year.
- An AI partnership with Apple could expose Google's Gemini to over a billion iPhone users.
- If the deal falls through, Apple could choose another AI provider like OpenAI or Anthropic, according to Bloomberg.
Zoom out: - Apple is also developing its own AI tools to run locally on iPhones and other devices.
- Craig Federighi, Apple's software chief, has told employees to develop many new AI features for iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15.
- Apple is expected to market iOS 18, releasing to the public in September, as one of the biggest updates to the iPhone since it launched.
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| 2 | | SpaceX is building a network of spy satellites for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), Reuters reports, citing sources "familiar with the program." The network is being built under SpaceX's "Starshield" unit, which signed a $1.8B contract with the NRO in 2021. More: - The network will reportedly involve "hundreds" of Earth-imaging satellites capable of tracking targets and swarming in low orbits, according to Reuters.
- Starshield could offer continuous imagery to U.S. intelligence through a mix of imaging and relay satellites.
- If successful, the project could improve the military's capability to quickly identify potential targets worldwide, according to the report.
Zoom out: - An NRO spokesperson declined to comment on SpaceX's involvement.
- However, the source said the agency aims to develop "the most capable, diverse, and resilient space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance system the world has ever seen."
- Last year, the NRO announced plans to quadruple its number of orbiting spacecraft over the next decade.
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| 3 | | Server maker Super Micro Computer joined the S&P 500 today, becoming the index's top one-year performer amid the AI boom. The U.S. tech company's stock has soared 289% this year, driven by enthusiasm over soaring sales of its servers equipped with Nvidia's AI chips. 
What happened: Super Micro's early access to AI chips from Nvidia and AMD for server prototype testing has positioned it as a leading supplier for servers that help power AI applications, according to analysts and industry experts. What the numbers show: Super Micro's revenue doubled in the final quarter of 2023, and its shares surged 12-fold over the past year. Its market value has grown to $60B, up from $5B before OpenAI launched ChatGPT in late 2022. Analysts predict Super Micro's AI server market share will rise from 10% in 2023 to 17% by 2026. | | | |
| 4 | | LinkedIn is exploring adding puzzle-based games to its platform. The company could introduce games in the same vein as Wordle, with "Queens," "Inference," and "Crossclimb" already in development. More: - A LinkedIn spokesperson confirmed that the company could add games "to unlock a bit of fun, deepen relationships, and hopefully spark the opportunity for conversations."
- Game scores will reportedly rank companies based on employees' performance.
- On Saturday, app researcher Nima Owji shared images of the gaming interfaces on Twitter/X, though the company later said the images were out of date.
- It's unclear if all users or only LinkedIn's premium subscribers will have access.
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| 5 | | The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is looking into Reddit's deals to sell or license its content to AI companies. Social network Reddit disclosed the investigation in an updated IPO prospectus filed last Friday. More: - According to the filing, the FTC is looking into how Reddit licenses, sells, and shares user-created content with third parties so they can train AI models.
- Reddit secured data licensing deals in January, but did not disclose the partners.
- The deals are worth $203M over two to three years, the company said, with $66.4M expected to be realized in 2024.
- Reuters recently reported that Reddit will supply data to Google for AI training in a deal worth $60M annually.
- The social network said it doesn't believe it has "engaged in any unfair or deceptive trade practice."
Zoom out: - The filing notes that Reddit is in the "early stages" of its "data licensing efforts."
- Reddit's revenue rose by 20% to $804M last year, with 98% from advertising and the remainder from data licensing.
- The deals could help Reddit boost its valuation ahead of its IPO, which is scheduled for March 21.
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| 6 | | Sony plans to release its PlayStation 5 Pro in Q4 of this year to coincide with the holidays, according to an online leak. Details on the upgraded console were leaked by the YouTube channel "Moore's Law Is Dead" and confirmed by Insider Gaming and IGN. More: - The PS5 Pro is a mid-cycle refresh for the original PS5 released in November 2020.
- According to the reports, the Pro will come with upgrades to the system memory and GPU.
- The latter would be capable of up to 45% faster rendering and 2-3 times faster ray tracing than the current PS5.
- A "High CPU Frequency Mode" is also expected to boost the Pro's CPU speed by 10%, though it would lower the GPU performance by 1%.
Zoom out: - Sony wants to release the console before the highly anticipated GTA VI game launches next year.
- The refresh could give a boost to Sony's waning PS5 sales. The company recently cut its forecast for the PS5 to 21 million units, from 25 million, for the fiscal year ending this month.
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 | AI and technology writer | | Beth is a contributing editor and writer of Inside's AI and Tech newsletters. She has written for publications including USA Today, the Arizona Business Gazette, and The Arizona Republic, where she received recognition with a Pulitzer Prize nomination and a First Amendment Award for collaborative reporting on state pension cost increases. You can reach her at Beth.Duckett@yahoo.com. | | This newsletter was edited by Eduardo Garcia | |
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