Hey there! Ready for a wild ride through tech and science? From the DOJ's Google breakup plans to sulfur surprises on Mars, we've got it all. Plus, a sprinkle of AI drama and lunar mysteries. Buckle up!
The DOJ is aiming to untangle Google after a court ruled against its antitrust giant grip, causing Alphabet's stock to take a nosedive. Remedies? Bidding farewell to Google as the default search engine and possibly selling Chrome, their ad cash cow. Google vows to fight, labeling the move a 'radical interventionist agenda' that might stretch appeals to 2027. With a landmark decision due August 2025, tech enthusiasts brace for a potential reshuffle in the digital dominance dance.
On November 21, 2024, Swedish battery giant Northvolt AB filed for Chapter 11 in the US, juggling a hefty $5.84 billion debt with just $30 million in cash. Despite slashing 20% of jobs and losing BMW’s $2 billion order, they'll keep their Skellefteå factory humming. With access to $245 million in new financing, Northvolt seeks investors to recharge. Interim chairman stays optimistic, proving that even in a shaky EV market, a spark of hope remains.
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope have discovered the first-ever 'Einstein zig-zag' in quasar J1721+8842, showing six images via a double gravitational lens. Initially identified in 2018, JWST's NIRCam and NIRSpec revealed two additional points and a faint red Einstein ring.
This rare phenomenon could help resolve the Hubble tension and shed light on dark energy, offering a new method to measure the universe's expansion rate more accurately. Scientists are excited about the potential insights from this cosmic alignment.
Madyson Barber from UNC Chapel Hill has struck gold (or should we say gas?) by discovering the teeny-tiny (10.7 Earth radii) yet hefty (0.3 Jupiter masses) exoplanet IRAS 04125+2902 b, nicknamed TIDYE-1b, using NASA’s TESS data. At a mere 3 million years old and orbiting its star every 8.83 days from 520 light-years away, this planet defies formation norms. Next stop: James Webb Space Telescope to unveil its hydrogen-heavenly secrets!
NASA’s Curiosity rover marks a 12-year stint on Mars by snapping a breathtaking 360-degree view of Gediz Vallis on Sept 21-22, 2024. The highlight? Mysterious white stones housing pure yellow sulfur crystals—raising eyebrows since Mars lacks hot springs or volcanoes. As Curiosity navigates Mount Sharp’s tricky terrain towards the enigmatic “boxwork,” scientists are digging into these sulfur secrets, piecing together Mars’ watery past with a hint of extraterrestrial intrigue.
China’s Chang'e-6 mission triumphantly returned 4.4 pounds of lunar samples on June 25, 2024, from the South Pole-Aitken basin. These far side samples reveal volcanic activity up to 2.8 billion years ago, debunking the Moon’s supposed geological quietness. With their porous, feldspar-rich composition, the findings hint at a tumultuous past shaped by massive impacts. International researchers can dive into these Moon rocks in 2026, promising fresh insights and maybe a few “rocky” surprises!
Niantic reveals that over 10 million Pokémon GO scans have been secretly training their new Large Geospatial Model (LGM). Boasting 50 million neural networks and 150 trillion parameters, this AI aims to revolutionize spatial planning, logistics, and AR. Players contribute 1 million scans weekly, enhancing Niantic’s Visual Positioning System with 1 million mapped locations. While the future looks immersive and tech-forward, data privacy concerns linger. Who knew catching Pokémon could shape the world’s AI?
Apple is brewing 'LLM Siri,' a more conversational assistant set to launch in spring 2026 with iOS 19 and macOS 16 (codenamed Luck and Cheer). Aiming to rival Google’s Gemini Live and OpenAI’s ChatGPT, the revamped Siri will utilize advanced large language models for smarter interactions and seamless third-party app integration. Meanwhile, Apple is partnering with OpenAI, rolling out ChatGPT features next month as a sneak peek. Privacy remains paramount as Apple strides into the AI race with flair and finesse.
Nvidia reported a stellar Q3 with revenue soaring to $35.08B, a 94% jump YoY, and profits doubling to $19.31B, all driven by AI chip demand and upcoming Blackwell GPUs. Although stocks dipped post-earnings, analysts like Hans Mosesmann remain optimistic, predicting a $4T market cap by 2025. Q4 forecasts are solid at $37.5B, despite hints growth might plateau. Holding 65% of the data-center AI chip market, Nvidia continues to reign supreme in the AI revolution.
In a twist fit for a tech thriller, OpenAI accidentally deleted crucial evidence in The New York Times' lawsuit over AI training data. Filed December 2023, the case alleges OpenAI and Microsoft used millions of articles without nod. After 150+ hours of legal sleuthing, recovery efforts fell short, leaving NYT seeking hefty damages and shaking AI-media ties. As both giants scramble to piece together the data puzzle, the outcome could redefine digital content use—with a dash of chaos thrown in for good measure.
Protein Industries Canada teams up with Croptimistic, TheoryMesh, and C-Merak, injecting $5.4 million into AI-driven innovations for the agri-food sector. Launched on November 22, 2024, the project aims to refine sub-field data collection, enhancing sustainability and profitability for Canadian farmers and food manufacturers. By 2035, this collaboration seeks to position Canada as a global leader in sustainable food production, ensuring transparency and healthier choices for consumers. Who knew AI could cultivate such green futures?