Dec 14 – Tech News Mix

Welcome to our tech news mix! We’ve gathered the most important technology news from today to keep you up to speed. Here are the top headlines:

OpenAI believes that superhuman AI is on the horizon
The company’s Super alignment team is focusing on the challenge of managing AI systems that surpass human capabilities. OpenAI recognizes the need for robust control measures due to the complex nature of defining and implementing control over such powerful AI systems.

OpenAI’s efforts to develop AI control tools come amidst the reformation of the company and the return of Sam Altman as CEO. The goal is to establish OpenAI as a leader in the emerging generative AI industry while ensuring a unified approach to pursuing Altman’s vision. By building tools to control superhuman AI, OpenAI aims to address the potential risks and ethical concerns associated with this advanced technology.

Intel has released its new Core Ultra CPUs accompanied by silicon specially dedicated to artificial intelligence
Intel has released its new Core Ultra CPUs accompanied by silicon specially dedicated to artificial intelligence to offer more advanced computational capabilities. The new chips have built-in Arc GPUs with Xe cores, running at exceptionally high clock speeds of 2.35GHz and 5.1GHz boost, respectively, and they enable the implementation of advanced AI technologies, such as Intel XeSS upscaling and in-game ray tracing. The Core Ultra CPUs are available in two versions, H-series and U-series, and are designed for different needs; the H-series is aimed at workstation and gaming laptops, while the U-series is for ultra-thin laptops, with up to 57 W of turbo power scaling. Intel has also made significant improvements in the chips’ power efficiency, allowing them to operate at minimal voltages while still providing extraordinary performance.

Tesla initiated a voluntary safety recall affecting approximately 2,031,220 vehicles
Tesla has responded to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) directive by issuing an update to its Autopilot system, affecting over 2 million vehicles. The NHTSA had conducted an investigation into incidents where Tesla vehicles with Autopilot collided with stationary emergency vehicles. While not directly blaming the Autopilot system, the investigation focused on the potential inadequacy of feature controls to prevent driver misuse. As a result, Tesla has initiated a voluntary safety recall, which will be handled through an over-the-air software update. The update includes enhanced controls and alerts for Autosteer engagement, visual alert prominence, simplified autosteer engagement, enhanced checks and limiting use of Autosteer, and the possibility of temporary suspension for drivers who repeatedly fail to adhere to continuous driving responsibility. Tesla’s approach reflects its commitment to addressing safety concerns while advancing autonomous driving technology.

Apple is introducing a new Stolen Device Protection feature for iPhones
Apple is aiming to provide an extra layer of security for users’ personal data. The feature requires biometric data, such as Face ID or Touch ID, in addition to the passcode, to access sensitive information and make changes to the device’s settings. For more critical actions, users will have to provide biometric data and wait through an hour-long security delay before making changes. The feature will only activate when users are away from familiar locations and will be available for all iPhone users to opt into through an upcoming software update.

Proton Mail finally gets a desktop app for encrypted email and calendar
Proton Mail has released a native desktop app for Windows and MacOS, providing offline access to emails and encrypted connections to Proton servers. The app is currently in beta and will eventually offer full access to Proton Mail and Proton Calendar, as well as the ability to view emails offline. This release eliminates the need for the Proton Mail Bridge, which was previously required to configure accounts for offline access through other IMAP/SMTP email clients. The desktop app is optimized for both Windows and MacOS and will be made available to all users in early 2024. It is currently accessible to paid “Visionary” tier users, with plans to reopen subscriptions to that tier until January 3, 2024. The app also introduces over 50 new features, including email auto-forwarding and a snooze email function, enhancing the user experience across web and mobile platforms

iPhone 16 early prototypes leaked
Early prototypes of the iPhone 16 have been leaked, revealing potential design changes. The prototypes show three possible designs, each representing a different stage in development. The designs feature vertical cameras, altered button configurations, and a new “Action” button. The leaked information suggests that the iPhone 16 could have a few minor design changes compared to the iPhone 15, such as the addition of the “Capture” button. However, it’s important to note that these are pre-production designs, and the final design may differ. The iPhone 16 lineup is expected to be revealed in September 2024, and the details of the prototypes could change before the official announcement

Apple now sells the AirPods Pro USB-C case by itself
Apple is now selling the AirPods Pro USB-C cases separately, allowing users to charge their AirPods Pro wirelessly or via the USB-C port. The new MagSafe Charging Case for AirPods Pro (2nd generation) is available for purchase on the Apple website. This case provides up to 6 hours of listening time on a single charge and up to 30 hours of listening time with the MagSafe Charging Case. It also features active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. The case is dust, sweat, and water-resistant, and it comes with a speaker and lanyard loop. The availability of the USB-C case as a separate accessory provides users with more flexibility in charging their AirPods Pro

That’s it for today’s tech news mix. Stay tuned for more updates tomorrow!

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