Innehållsförteckning för #722 från Techlife News

Hedge fund manager Scott Bessent is standing firmly behind his investment in Intel, describing semiconductors as nothing less than a “strategic necessity” for the United States and a cornerstone of the global economy. Bessent, founder of Key Square Group and former chief investment officer of Soros Fund Management, defended the chipmaker at a time when it is struggling to regain ground against rivals Nvidia, AMD, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC). WHY BESSENT IS BACKING INTEL Speaking at a recent investment forum, Bessent said Intel occupies a unique position at the crossroads of U.S. technology, national security, and global supply chains. While Wall Street has been skeptical of Intel’s comeback plan, he argued the company is too important to fail and will benefit from a combination of government support, industry…

Microsoft is preparing to roll out a major change to one of its most iconic applications: Word will soon save documents to the cloud by default, shifting away from the decades-long behavior of saving locally first. The update, which will be applied gradually to Microsoft 365 users beginning later this year, underscores how deeply the company is weaving cloud computing and AI into its productivity suite. A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE TO WORD’S DNA For much of its history, Microsoft Word operated under the assumption that documents lived on a local hard drive, USB stick, or corporate network. Users saved files as .doc or .docx formats, typically stored in “My Documents” or on workplace servers. While cloud integration has been available for years—particularly with OneDrive and SharePoint—local storage has remained the default.…

The streaming wars have entered a new phase, one where the fragmented landscape of individual platforms is giving way to a resurgence of bundled offerings that echo the cable TV packages of yesteryear. As consumers grapple with subscription fatigue and rising costs, streaming services are pivoting to bundled deals to retain subscribers and attract new ones. THE BUNDLE ERA From sports-focused packages to all-encompassing entertainment bundles, the industry is undergoing a transformation that could redefine how we consume media. This article explores the rise of streaming bundles, the role of services like Apple One, and the tantalizing possibility of a universal subscription that could unify the streaming ecosystem. When streaming services first disrupted the traditional cable TV model, the promise was simple: pay only for what you want to watch,…

Nvidia, fresh off its meteoric rise as the defining company of the artificial intelligence boom, is turning its focus from the digital world of language models to the physical world of robotics. At its annual robotics and AI summit this week, the company unveiled a new $3,499 robotics chip, specifically designed to power what CEO Jensen Huang called the era of “physical AI.” The chip—part of a new platform named Jetson Thor—is intended to give robots the computational capacity to perceive, reason, and act in real time. Where GPUs have already become indispensable for training large language models, Nvidia now wants its hardware to become the backbone of machines that can navigate factories, hospitals, warehouses, and even homes. WHAT “PHYSICAL AI” MEANS FOR NVIDIA For Huang, physical AI represents the…

A team of cybersecurity researchers has uncovered a serious flaw in Google’s Gemini AI chatbot that could potentially allow hackers to take control of connected smart home devices. The vulnerability, detailed in a new report shared with regulators and disclosed to Google, raises urgent questions about the safety of AI systems that are increasingly embedded in daily life. THE VULNERABILITY According to the researchers, the flaw centers on how Gemini interacts with third-party smart home platforms through natural language commands. Under certain conditions, malicious prompts can be crafted to trick Gemini into executing unauthorized actions. In practical terms, this means an attacker could potentially manipulate the chatbot into unlocking doors, disabling alarms, or controlling appliances linked to a user’s Google Home ecosystem. Unlike traditional hacks that require breaking through multiple…

SpaceX’s Starship rocket completed its 10th test flight this week, and for the first time, the massive launch system successfully deployed mock Starlink satellites into orbit—a major step in demonstrating its long-promised role as the backbone of SpaceX’s next-generation satellite internet network. The flight, launched from the company’s Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas, was closely watched by both industry insiders and regulators, as Starship is central not only to SpaceX’s long-term commercial plans but also to NASA’s Artemis program, which is counting on the vehicle to land astronauts on the Moon later this decade. A NEW MILESTONE IN STARSHIP DEVELOPMENT Starship has steadily improved since its fiery early flights in 2023, with each launch designed to test different components of the system. The 10th mission marked the first demonstration…

AT&T has struck a deal to acquire spectrum licenses from EchoStar for about $23 billion, a move that could significantly expand the telecom giant’s 5G network capacity at a time when demand for high-speed mobile data is surging. The acquisition represents one of AT&T’s largest spectrum investments to date and underscores the critical role spectrum plays in defining the future of wireless competition in the U.S. THE DEAL STRUCTURE According to people familiar with the transaction, AT&T will purchase a wide swath of mid-band spectrum licensescurrently held by EchoStar’s Hughes Network Systems unit. These frequencies are considered prime real estate for 5G—offering the ideal balance between coverage range and data throughput. The $23 billion agreement will include a combination of cash and assumed liabilities, with closing subject to regulatory approval…

Fox and YouTube TV have reached a short-term agreement to keep Fox-owned channels on the streaming platform, narrowly averting a blackout that would have cut off millions of subscribers from live sports, news, and entertainment. The deal provides temporary relief for viewers but underscores the growing tension between broadcasters and streaming distributors over the rising cost of programming. A LAST-MINUTE DEAL TO AVOID BLACKOUTS Negotiations had been running down to the wire, with the prior contract set to expire this week. Without a deal, subscribers to YouTube TV—Google’s live streaming service with more than eight million users—would have lost access to Fox’s flagship broadcast network, FS1, FS2, Fox News, Fox Business, and local Fox affiliates in key markets. Instead, the two sides agreed to a short-term extension that ensures uninterrupted…

YouTube is doubling down on live sports as it prepares for the 2025 NFL season, announcing a revamped Sunday Ticket package that introduces new ways to pay and new ways to watch. Beginning this fall, fans will be able to subscribe to Sunday Ticket on a month-by-month basis, while also taking part in “Watch With” livestreams, where creators, athletes, and even former players will co-stream games alongside the official broadcast. The changes mark YouTube’s latest move to reshape how Americans watch football in the streaming era, blending flexibility, interactivity, and community into a sport long tied to traditional TV deals. A SHIFT IN SUBSCRIPTION MODELS Since acquiring exclusive rights to NFL Sunday Ticket in 2023, YouTube has tried to find the sweet spot between the sport’s traditional appeal and modern…

Apple, which has been steadily accelerating its artificial intelligence strategy under the “Apple Intelligence” banner, reportedly held internal discussions about acquiring fast-growing AI startups Mistral and Perplexity. While no deals have materialized, the talks highlight Apple’s increasing urgency to catch up with rivals like Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI, all of which have staked out major positions in the generative AI market. APPLE’S QUIET AI STRATEGY MEETS MARKET REALITIES For years, Apple approached AI cautiously, focusing on behind-the-scenes features such as on-device machine learning for photos, predictive text, and Siri’s limited natural language abilities. That strategy has shifted sharply in 2024 and 2025, with the unveiling of Apple Intelligence at WWDC and a growing emphasis on integrating generative AI into iOS, macOS, and iPadOS. Even so, Apple remains widely viewed as…

Tesla’s long-promised robotaxi service is taking a dramatic leap forward. The company has begun a major expansion of its robotaxi geofences, the virtual boundaries that define where autonomous Teslas can operate without driver intervention. Elon Musk, never one to underplay his announcements, described the expansion as entering “Plaid Mode”—a nod to Tesla’s highest-performance mode in its cars—signaling that the rollout is accelerating far faster than many anticipated. The bigger shock? Sources close to Tesla say the expansion includes a surprise capability: robotaxis are now being trained to operate seamlessly across multiple geofenced regions, effectively stitching together local networks into broader autonomous corridors. This could mark the beginning of Tesla’s long-stated goal to create a nationwide—and eventually global—driverless ride-hailing network. FROM LOCAL TESTING TO WIDER DEPLOYMENTS Until now, Tesla’s Full Self-Driving…

The X-37B, the U.S. military’s secretive robotic spaceplane, is back in orbit after lifting off for its seventh mission—this time carrying an experimental navigation system dubbed “quantum GPS.” The reusable craft, often described as the Pentagon’s space shuttle successor, continues to be shrouded in mystery, fueling speculation about its true missions as it quietly expands America’s presence in space. A SPACECRAFT BUILT FOR SECRECY Operated by the U.S. Space Force and built by Boeing, the X-37B resembles a scaled-down version of NASA’s retired space shuttle, though it is far smaller at just 29 feet in length. Designed to fly unmanned, it can stay in orbit for years at a time before autonomously landing on a runway. Previous missions have tested advanced solar arrays, reusable materials, and classified payloads. But officials…

Google has issued a warning that subscribers to YouTube TV may lose access to Fox-owned channels if the companies cannot finalize a new carriage agreement in the coming days. The looming deadline highlights the growing tension between streaming platforms and traditional broadcasters, as both sides clash over rising fees in an era when live TV rights—especially sports—have become more expensive and more vital than ever. THE AGREEMENT AT RISK The current contract between Google’s YouTube TV and Fox Corporation is set to expire soon. Unless renewed, YouTube TV’s more than eight million subscribers could see channels including Fox, FS1, FS2, Fox News, Fox Business, and local Fox affiliates disappear from their lineup. In a blog update, Google framed the dispute as a matter of protecting subscribers from price hikes, stating…

Samsung has confirmed its next Unpacked event for September 4, 2025, just days before Apple’s highly anticipated iPhone 17 launch. The timing is no accident: the South Korean tech giant appears poised to draw attention away from Cupertino’s biggest hardware reveal of the year by showcasing a wave of new Galaxy devices. The event, scheduled for Seoul and livestreamed globally, is expected to feature updates across Samsung’s foldable, smartphone, and wearable lines, positioning the company to dominate headlines before Apple takes the stage on September 9. WHAT TO EXPECT AT UNPACKED While Samsung is keeping specifics under wraps, supply chain leaks and industry analysts suggest the spotlight will fall on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7, the latest iterations of the company’s foldable devices. Reports indicate…

Apple has officially confirmed its next big product launch event for September 9, 2025, and all signs point to the unveiling of the iPhone 17 lineup. The keynote, set for Apple Park in Cupertino, is expected to be the company’s most closely watched hardware showcase in years, as rumors suggest the iPhone 17 will bring the biggest design overhaul since the iPhone X. Alongside the flagship smartphone, Apple is likely to reveal updates across its hardware ecosystem, including new Apple Watches, AirPods, and possibly early previews of upcoming Apple Intelligence features. IPHONE 17: WHAT TO EXPECT The iPhone 17 is widely rumored to introduce several major changes. Industry leaks suggest a slimmer and lighter design built with aerospace-grade materials, allowing Apple to reduce weight without sacrificing durability. Some reports indicate…

Elon Musk, who has spent the last two years turning his xAI venture into a central player in the artificial intelligence arms race, is starting yet another AI initiative—this one pointed directly at one of the industry’s biggest incumbents. The new project, named Macrohard, was unveiled in a characteristically cryptic late-night post, where Musk claimed the venture would “challenge Microsoft at its core.” The announcement adds to Musk’s sprawling portfolio of AI-related efforts, from Grok, the conversational assistant embedded in X, to his calls for developing superintelligence safely. By creating Macrohard, Musk is signaling that he’s not content to compete on the edges of AI applications—he wants to confront Microsoft in its stronghold: enterprise software, infrastructure, and developer tools. WHY MACROHARD? THE TARGETING OF MICROSOFT Musk has frequently sparred with…

Apple has published new research suggesting that large language models (LLMs)—the same kind of systems that power AI assistants like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Apple’s own in-house models—can see measurable performance improvements when applied with a decades-old productivity method: breaking down big tasks into smaller, structured steps. The study, conducted by researchers at Apple’s Machine Intelligence Research division and released this week on the company’s AI research portal, examined how prompting techniques inspired by human productivity strategies can improve both the accuracy and reliability of modern LLMs. AN OLD HUMAN TRICK, NEW AI CONTEXT At the heart of the findings is a technique long familiar to knowledge workers: dividing complex goals into manageable chunks. In AI, this approach translates into “task chaining” or “step decomposition,” where a model is guided through…

Apple is preparing to enter the foldable phone market in 2026 with a device that promises to be one of its boldest iPhone redesigns in over a decade. According to new supply chain leaks and analyst reports, the company’s first foldable iPhonewill feature a quad-camera system, built-in Touch ID, and a design without a SIM card slot, signaling Apple’s push toward an eSIM-only future. The move places Apple in direct competition with Samsung, Huawei, and Google, who have already staked ground in the foldable space. But as with past product categories—smartwatches, wireless earbuds, tablets—Apple is expected to enter late, learn from rivals’ missteps, and deliver a refined device with its own ecosystem advantages. A LONG-AWAITED ENTRANCE INTO FOLDABLES Apple has been rumored to be working on foldable prototypes for nearly…

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s most advanced chipmaker, is reportedly removing Chinese-made equipment from its 2-nanometer production lines in a move aimed at insulating itself from potential U.S. restrictions. The decision underscores how geopolitical tensions are reshaping the semiconductor supply chain and highlights the delicate balance TSMC must strike between its global customers, American regulations, and China’s technological ambitions. WHY TSMC IS TAKING ACTION NOW The U.S. government has tightened export controls on advanced semiconductor technologies in recent years, restricting China’s access to high-end manufacturing equipment and intellectual property. While Washington has not yet banned TSMC from using Chinese-made tools, company executives and supply chain insiders fear that future restrictions could disrupt operations if U.S. regulators determine those tools pose security or compliance risks. By proactively phasing out…