Innholdsfortegnelse for #711 i Techlife News

Everything ever said on the internet was just the start of teaching artificial intelligence about humanity. Tech companies are now tapping into an older repository of knowledge: the library stacks. Nearly one million books published as early as the 15th century — and in 254 languages — are part of a Harvard University collection being released to AI researchers. Also coming soon are troves of old newspapers and government documents held by Boston’s public library. Cracking open the vaults to centuries-old tomes could be a data bonanza for tech companies battling lawsuits from living novelists, visual artists and others whose creative works have been scooped up without their consent to train AI chatbots. “It is a prudent decision to start with public domain data because that’s less controversial right now…

A London-bound Air India plane carrying more than 240 people crashed shortly after takeoff Thursday. Authorities said there were no known survivors. It was not immediately clear why Air India flight 171, a Boeing 787-8, crashed into a residential area five minutes after taking off. Boeing said it was aware of the reports of the crash and was “working to gather more information.” It was the first fatal crash of a Boeing 787, a widebody, twin-engine plane known as the Dreamliner. But it’s the latest in a string of troubles for Boeing, most of them tied to the 737 Max, a different plane. Here is a timeline of key events for Boeing in recent years: December 2009: The 787 Dreamliner makes its first flight, taking off from Paine Field in…

iOS 26 marks a pivotal moment for iPhone users, introducing an all-new design, advanced Apple Intelligence capabilities, and practical enhancements to apps like Phone, Messages, CarPlay, Apple Music, Maps, and Wallet. This major blends aesthetic innovation with functional improvements to make iPhones more intuitive, personal, and distraction-free. INTRODUCING LIQUID GLASS At the heart of iOS 26 is its new design language, anchored by Liquid Glass, a translucent material that reflects and refracts its surroundings, creating a dynamic, almost lifelike interface. Apple says that Liquid Glass brings “vitality” to app icons, widgets, navigation controls, and system-wide elements, making them feel fluid and responsive. Unlike static designs, this material adapts to light and context, giving apps a sense of depth while keeping content in focus. For example, app icons can now adopt…

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang declared that quantum computing is at an “inflection point” during his keynote speech at the company’s GTC Paris developer conference, signaling its potential to address real-world challenges soon. The remarks reflect a shift in Huang’s perspective, as he now anticipates quantum computers solving practical problems within years. HUANG’S BULLISH OUTLOOK ON QUANTUM Huang stated that quantum computing is nearing a stage where it can tackle “interesting problems” in fields requiring complex computations, marking a more optimistic view than his earlier predictions. Previously, at an investor meeting in January 2025, he suggested that “very useful” quantum computers were 15 to 20 years away, a comment that triggered a sharp decline in quantum computing stocks like Rigetti Computing, IonQ, and D-Wave Quantum. Huang later acknowledged that those remarks…

Apple unveiled significant upgrades to the Files app in iPadOS 26 at WWDC 2025, addressing long-standing user complaints about file management on iPad. The revamped app introduces a more intuitive interface and powerful organizational tools, making it a robust solution for managing documents and folders directly on the tablet. The Files app now features an updated List view with resizable columns and collapsible folders, allowing users to see detailed document information, such as Date Modified, Kind, and Size, at a glance. Users can adjust column widths to prioritize specific data, overcoming the previous limitation of fixed column sizes that obscured file names or details. This change enables efficient navigation, as users can expand or collapse folders to focus on relevant content without opening multiple screens, enhancing productivity on iPad. CUSTOMIZABLE…

DASHBOARD REDESIGN AND SMARTER CONTROLS ELEVATE IN-CAR EXPERIENCE Apple announced updates to CarPlay with iOS 26 at its Worldwide Developers Conference, introducing a redesigned interface and new features to enhance connectivity and safety for drivers. The revamped CarPlay, used over 600 million times daily, aligns with the iOS 26 Liquid Glass design and includes practical improvements for vehicle integration. TRANSLUCENT VISUALS TRANSFORM THE DASHBOARD CarPlay’s interface adopts the iOS 26 Liquid Glass aesthetic, featuring translucent, glass-like visual elements with shimmery app icons and dynamic animations. The design extends across the dashboard, offering a consistent appearance in both light and dark modes. A compact view for incoming calls ensures drivers can see critical information, such as turn-by-turn directions, without obstruction, addressing user complaints about overlapping notifications. The updated interface includes redesigned…

Researchers at the University of Toronto reported that problematic smartphone use exhibits characteristics similar to behavioral addiction, affecting users’ mental health and daily functioning. The findings, based on a global study of over 50,000 participants, underscore the growing concern about excessive smartphone habits. STUDY FINDINGS The study, led by postdoctoral researcher Jay Olson at the University of Toronto’s Mississauga campus, surveyed 50,423 individuals aged 18 to 90 across 195 countries, using the Smartphone Addiction Scale to assess problematic smartphone use. Results showed that women scored higher than men in problematic use, with the gap narrowing as age increased. Younger users, particularly those who grew up with smartphones since their widespread adoption around 2009, displayed more pronounced symptoms. The study identified consistent patterns globally, with China, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia reporting…

A chartered spaceflight for India, Poland and Hungary’s first astronauts in decades has been delayed indefinitely because of leak concerns at the International Space Station. NASA said Thursday that it wants to monitor the cabin pressure on the Russian side of the orbiting lab before accepting visitors. Officials stressed that the seven astronauts currently at the space station are safe and that other operations up there aren’t affected. SpaceX was supposed to launch four private astronauts this week on a 14-day space station mission, but bad weather and SpaceX rocket trouble delayed the flight. Then the station leak issue cropped up. The Russian Space Agency has been dealing with cracks and air leaks in its station compartments for more than five years — “a top safety risk,” according to NASA’s…

OpenAI announced it has achieved $10 billion in annual recurring revenue, driven by the rapid growth of its ChatGPT chatbot. The milestone, reached less than three years after ChatGPT’s launch, reflects strong demand for the company’s consumer and business products. OpenAI’s $10 billion in annual recurring revenue includes sales from consumer subscriptions, ChatGPT business products, and its application programming interface (API). The figure excludes licensing revenue from Microsoft and large one-time deals, according to a company spokesperson. Last year, OpenAI reported approximately $5.5 billion in annual recurring revenue, indicating a near doubling of revenue within a year. The company supports 500 million weekly active users and 3 million paying business users, up from 2 million in February. BUSINESS GROWTH ChatGPT’s business adoption has surged, with 3 million paying business users…

APPLE’S LIQUID GLASS REDESIGN SET TO ROLL OUT FOR IPHONE USERS Apple unveiled iOS 26 at its Worldwide Developers Conference on June 9, 2025, introducing a major redesign dubbed Liquid Glass and new features for iPhone users. The software update, which shifts from the expected iOS 19 naming to align with the 2026 usage year, is now in developer beta, with public beta and general release dates approaching. DEVELOPER BETA AVAILABLE NOW The iOS 26 developer beta was released immediately following the WWDC keynote on June 9, 2025, allowing registered Apple developers to test the software on eligible iPhones. To access the beta, users must enroll in the free Apple Developer Program at developer. apple.com, sign in with their Apple ID, and navigate to Settings > General > Software Update…

Shares of companies providing infrastructure for artificial intelligence development have surged following a market dip earlier this year, fueled by increased spending from major technology firms. Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft are projected to collectively invest $371 billion in AI data centers and computing resources in 2025, a 44% increase from the previous year. INVESTMENT OVERVIEW The $371 billion in capital expenditures for 2025, reported by Bloomberg Intelligence, targets data centers, servers, and networking to support AI development. Amazon leads with a planned $100 billion, a significant rise from $78 billion in 2024, primarily for its Amazon Web Services cloud division. Google parent Alphabet has allocated $75 billion, exceeding analyst expectations of $58 billion, while Meta anticipates spending between $60 billion and $65 billion, up from $39 billion in 2024.…

Apple announced the integration of ChatGPT image generation into its Image Playground app, introducing new styles for creating AI-generated images. The update, revealed at WWDC 2025, is part of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, expanding the capabilities of Apple’s dedicated image creation tool. CHATGPT INTEGRATION FEATURES The Image Playground app now supports ChatGPT-generated images in five distinct styles: Oil Painting, Vector, Anime, Print, and Watercolor. Users can input text prompts or upload images to create stylized artwork, such as transforming a friend’s photo into an oil painting or generating an anime-style character. Apple ensures user privacy by requiring explicit permission before sharing prompts or images with ChatGPT, and no data is shared without consent. The integration builds on existing Image Playground features, which allow users to create cartoon-like images using Animation…

A coalition of 27 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit in bankruptcy court on June 9, 2025, aiming to prevent the sale of 23andMe’s genetic data archive without explicit customer consent. The legal action follows the company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in March, raising alarms about the potential misuse of sensitive personal information. The lawsuit, led by attorneys general including Oregon’s Dan Rayfield, argues that 23andMe’s biological samples, DNA data, health-related traits, and medical records are too sensitive to be sold without each customer’s informed consent. Filed in the Eastern District of Missouri’s bankruptcy court, the action responds to biotechnology firm Regeneron Pharmaceuticals’ $256 million bid to acquire 23andMe. The states contend that genetic data, unlike other personal information, cannot be replaced if compromised, making its protection…

The dream of fully self-driving (FSD) vehicles—classified as Level 4 or Level 5 by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)—has captivated innovators and consumers alike, promising a revolution in transportation with enhanced safety, efficiency, and accessibility. In the United States, the adoption of FSD vehicles is poised to transform urban and rural landscapes over the coming decades. THE LANDSCAPE IN 2026: EARLY DEPLOYMENTS AND NICHE APPLICATIONS By 2026, FSD vehicles are expected to remain in the early stages of commercial deployment, primarily operating as Level 4 systems in controlled environments. Level 4 vehicles can drive autonomously in specific conditions (e.g., geofenced urban areas or highways) without human intervention, but they may require human oversight in complex scenarios. Companies like Waymo, Ford, and General Motors (GM) are leading the charge, with…

Google announced a voluntary buyout program for U.S.-based employees across multiple divisions, including its core Search and ads units, as part of a strategic realignment to focus on artificial intelligence and cost efficiency. The initiative, described as a “supportive exit path” for disengaged workers, reflects the company’s efforts to streamline operations in a competitive AI landscape. TARGETED DIVISIONS AND EXIT TERMS The buyout program, offered to employees in Google’s Knowledge and Information (K&I) group, which houses Search, ads, and commerce, as well as central engineering, marketing, research, and communications teams, aims to reduce headcount without immediate layoffs. Nick Fox, head of K&I, framed the program as an option for employees who “don’t feel aligned with our strategy, don’t feel energized by your work, or are having difficulty meeting the expectations…

Apple unveiled new on-device artificial intelligence features for developers at WWDC 2025, introducing the Foundation Models framework to integrate powerful AI capabilities into apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. The framework provides direct access to Apple’s on-device large language model, enabling private, offline intelligence for enhanced user experiences. NEW FOUNDATION MODELS FRAMEWORK ENABLES INTELLIGENT APP EXPERIENCES The Foundation Models framework allows developers to tap into a 3-billion-parameter, 2-bit quantized large language model running on-device, supporting tasks like text extraction, summarization, structured data response, and tool calling. Native Swift support enables integration with as few as three lines of code, making it accessible for developers to build intelligent features. The framework ensures privacy by processing data locally, eliminating the need for internet connectivity, and supports guided…

MARIO KART WORLD LEADS LAUNCH, BUT LINEUP QUESTIONS REMAIN Nintendo launched the Switch 2 on June 5, 2025, boasting a significant graphics upgrade over its predecessor, powered by a custom Nvidia processor with 10 times the performance. While the console’s enhanced visuals and new features like 4K output and GameChat have drawn praise, its launch game lineup, headlined by Mario Kart World, has sparked debate about whether it delivers enough to justify the $450 price tag. POWERFUL VISUAL UPGRADES UNVEILED The Switch 2 features a 7.9-inch 1080p LCD display with HDR and variable refresh rate support up to 120 fps in handheld mode, a leap from the original Switch’s 720p screen. When docked, it outputs up to 4K at 60 fps for compatible games, with 1080p or 1440p options reaching…

Amazon announced a $20 billion investment to construct two data center complexes in Pennsylvania, one adjacent to the Susquehanna nuclear power plant in Berwick and another in Fairless Hills, as part of its push to expand artificial intelligence infrastructure. The Berwick facility’s direct connection to nuclear power has sparked federal review, while the investment marks a significant economic boost for the state. MASSIVE CAPITAL INFUSION FOR AI GROWTH Amazon’s $20 billion commitment, revealed on June 9, 2025, targets two data center complexes to support the surging demand for cloud computing and AI products. The investment, described by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as the largest private-sector capital infusion in the state’s history, will create at least 1,250 high-skilled jobs and support thousands more in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) supply chain.…

GREEN DOT ASSIST TO LAUNCH IN U.S. AND CANADA STORES IN FISCAL 2026 Starbucks announced plans to roll out a generative AI assistant, named Green Dot Assist, powered by Microsoft Azure’s OpenAI platform, to simplify barista tasks and enhance service speed. The initiative, unveiled at the Leadership Experience event in Las Vegas, will begin with a pilot in 35 U.S. locations this month, with a broader launch across U.S. and Canada stores in fiscal 2026. AI-POWERED BARISTA SUPPORT Green Dot Assist enables baristas to use in-store iPads to access quick answers to operational questions, such as how to prepare an iced shaken espresso or troubleshoot equipment errors, without consulting manuals or the company intranet. Baristas can type or verbally ask queries in conversational language, receiving immediate responses to support tasks…