Geek News Central Podcast

Tech & Science News on a twice weekly podcast from a Podcast Hall of Fame Member


By Todd Cochrane

https://geeknewscentral.com/

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Bitcoin Hits Record High of $85K #1778

November 12, 2024

Bitcoin has surged to a record high of $85,000, adding nearly $20,000 in just a week following the U.S. elections. As cryptocurrencies gain momentum, major tech stocks like Apple, NVIDIA, and Amazon lag, with only Tesla showing growth thanks to its Bitcoin holdings. Gold also saw a decline, suggesting a potential shift from traditional assets to digital currency. Additionally, the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF showed strong inflows, underscoring the renewed investor interest in Bitcoin as the market anticipates Donald Trump’s presidency, which has emphasized pro-crypto policies.

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Full Summary:

In this episode of Geek News Central, host Todd Cochrane covers a series of tech and financial news, with Bitcoin reaching a record high of $85,000 as the focal point. Cochrane begins by detailing Bitcoin’s surge, attributing the price increase to recent U.S. elections and anticipating Donald Trump’s pro-crypto presidency policies. He discusses the broader impact on the market, noting how major tech stocks like Apple, NVIDIA, and Amazon are lagging while Tesla shows growth due to its Bitcoin holdings. Additionally, Cochrane mentions the decline in gold prices and strong inflows into the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF.

Following the market updates, Cochrane gives a shoutout to the show’s sponsor, GoDaddy, mentioning special deals and discounts available on their website. This highlights GoDaddy’s continued support for the podcast. He discusses various tech issues and updates, referencing personal experiences and suggestions for using modern podcast apps that enhance live streaming experiences.

Throughout the episode, Cochrane infuses personal anecdotes, including his insights about Bitcoin investment strategies and encounters with enthusiastic Bitcoin investors in the Philippines. He also reflects on the practical challenges of remote podcasting and his plans to continue broadcasting remotely through the holiday season.

The episode includes discussions on other current events and technological innovations, such as concerns about artificial intelligence limitations and future AR glasses’ potential applications for Amazon delivery drivers. Furthermore, Cochrane highlights Google’s contributions to veterans, shares intriguing news about free national veteran small business summits, and responds to audience comments live.

Towards the end, the focus shifts to listener contributions and support, with Cochrane acknowledging donations and encouraging ongoing audience engagement. He wraps up the episode by delving into various tech and global news, including congressional hearings on UFOs, robotic advancements in surgery, and new product announcements like the Google Pixel 8a sale.

Cochrane closes the episode by thanking the listeners for their support and participation, reminding them of the various ways they can stay connected with and contribute to Geek News Central.

Bitcoin hits $85,000 OpenAi Competition seeks new methods Google Commitment to Veterans Congressional UFO Hearing #2 Robots watch and learn from real surgeries Amazon wants drivers to wear AR Glasses Google Pixel 8a $100 off A gang of Monkeys escapes Bio Lab Darkweb Kingpin sentenced Nintendo Streaming Pirate Lawsuit Virologist defeats breast cancer with self-administration Yellowstone Spoiler (Warning) AI Fake News Detector Crew 8 is not ready to talk about Astronaut D-Link will not fix critical flaw M4 Mac Mini Power Button Valve releases white streamdeck Rode Wireless Micro Mars Crash Site Gravity Waves Seen from Hurricane Walmart Black Friday deals Amalthea Stunning Images Starlink Fireball October AI wrap-up from Google Spirit Airlines was shot at, and crew injured FTX Sues Binance for 1.8 billion Apple will let you share Airtag Location Musk and Trump 2.0 Impacts Amazing POV footage of House Fire

The post Bitcoin Hits Record High of $85K #1778 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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ChatGPT Simplifies Access with New Chat.com Domain #1777

November 08, 2024

OpenAI has acquired the domain Chat.com for a reported $15.5 million, making it more straightforward for users to access ChatGPT directly. This move has sparked speculation of a possible rebrand to make ChatGPT more competitive with significant rivals like Google. Acquiring this concise, memorable domain aligns with trends in AI branding to enhance accessibility and user trust.

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Full Summary:

In this episode of Geek News Central, hosted by Todd Cochrane, the principal topic discussed is OpenAI’s acquisition of the domain chat.com for $15.5 million. This domain redirects users directly to ChatGPT. Todd speculates that this move could be part of a broader strategy to rebrand and enhance ChatGPT’s position in competitive markets against major tech companies like Google. The acquisition aims to make ChatGPT more accessible and trustworthy to users.

Todd opens the show by recognizing GoDaddy’s ongoing support and encouraging listeners to check out special deals available through Geek News Central.

The episode covers a variety of tech and digital media news: – Google is testing a new conversational search feature that updates search results in real-time. – A proposed law in Australia could ban children under 16 from using social media platforms. – Plans for Apple’s OLED screen in MacBook Airs are delayed. – FTC charges the site ‘Jabber’ with fake product reviews. – Washington State’s court systems face disruptions due to a cyberattack. – High-profile tech CEOs are reported to congratulate Donald Trump on an election win, surprising given their previous stances. – iRobot announces further layoffs. – The FTC targets the online shopping tool ‘Jabber’ for misleading reviews. – Social media platforms to crack down on password sharing.

Additionally, Todd touches on various updates about technology use and cybersecurity: – Tips on maintaining data security, such as regularly changing passwords and the benefits of turning off phones occasionally, based on NASA’s advice. – Amazon requires employees to work from the office to boost efficiency and collaboration. – A US military space plan begins advanced maneuvers, and a SpaceX Dragon is set to boost the International Space Station.

The latter part of the episode discusses innovative projects using technology for environmental benefits and other purposes: – Robots are employed to restore seagrass populations effectively. – Advances in AI in gardening with an installation that interacts with visitors about soil and plant conditions. – A satellite made chiefly of wood is launched to evaluate it as a sustainable space-use material.

To conclude, Todd emphasizes his appreciation for the Geek News Central insiders and reminders about various deals and promotional offers available to listeners. He encourages audience engagement through email and platform subscriptions, reaffirming the importance of community support for independent content creators.

In wrapping up, Todd highlights the episode’s sponsorships and partnerships and expresses gratitude to the listeners and contributors who keep the podcast live and engaging.

Social media bans for kids OLED MacBook Air release  Sitejabber Washington State court systems taken offline  iRobot is laying off staff Big Tech CEOs congratulate Trump  Meta is opening a pop-up store  Jeff Bezos says he’s a climate guy Max is cracking down on password-sharing  Google Search Ulysses is using robots Hackers are stealing more info than ever  Amazon’s in-office requirements ChatGPT just got easier  How often should you turn off your phone? Mysterious US Military Space Plane SpaceX’s Dragon  First AI-powered garden Japan launched its first wooden satellite  Outlook users warned not to open emails Bixby AI  This new smart ring  YouTube viewers on Election Day

The post ChatGPT Simplifies Access with New Chat.com Domain #1777 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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GM Ditches CarPlay for Ultifi: Bold Move or Big Mistake? #1776

November 05, 2024

General Motors’ software chief, Baris Cetinok, defends GM’s decision to remove Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from their vehicles, especially in their electric models. Cetinok argues that building an in-house software platform, Ultifi, allows GM to create a fully integrated, seamless user experience tailored to each car’s unique features. By retaining control over in-car displays and software, GM aims to innovate faster and offer better services to customers without relying on external systems. This shift aligns with a broader goal for GM to transform into a hardware, software, and services company, similar to tech giants like Apple.

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Full Summary:

Todd begins the episode by highlighting the main story about Baris Cetinok, General Motors’ software chief, defending GM’s choice to remove third-party platforms like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, especially in their electric vehicle lineup. According to Cetinok, the in-house platform Ultifi would better integrate with each car’s unique features and accelerate innovation.

Throughout the episode, Todd transitions from the primary topic to discuss other notable tech news stories.

These include: – Meta’s new adult classifier tool aimed at filtering out teens who lie about their age on Instagram. Nvidia will replace Intel on the Dow Jones Index after 25 years due to Intel’s declining market performance compared to Nvidia’s growth. – Innovations and updates in Google’s AI capabilities with a discussion on potential vulnerabilities leading to deep fake scams. – The IPA’s voting process for astronauts in space and the implications of VPNs being used to bet on U.S. elections.

Todd also takes time to engage with listener feedback and concerns, particularly about GM’s decision, encouraging interaction via email.

Moreover, the episode mentions promotional sponsorships and discounts, particularly with GoDaddy, which offers various exclusive deals to listeners. Todd emphasizes the importance of community support in sustaining the podcast and invites listeners to become insiders, join the conversation online, and subscribe to newsletters for more updates.

Todd addresses technical issues experienced during the live stream, hinting at microphone problems and live-stream disconnections that affected the audio quality. He promises to investigate these issues before the next episode. The episode closes with acknowledgment of the audience’s support, and a thank you to the listeners and sponsors.

Nvidia replaces Intel Back to the Future: The Musical is now a movie  Apple’s iPad is compliant for DMA Grindr illegally used RTO Elon Musk’s PAC Uber and others offer discounts  An iPhone-powered vision device  IT contractors arrested  LA Housing Authority admits data breach  Meta details ‘adult classifier’ tool GM boss on ditching CarPlay The NY Times Tech Guild is on strike ChromeOS gets a major update  NASA seems continuity  ChatGPT models can be hacked  Do astronauts vote from space? SpaceX scrub launch Millions giveaways to attract users to Bing Nigerian sentenced to 26 years in prison  Hacked TP-Link routers  Apple approved another illegal app NASA’s next spacewalk  VPN services and the US Election  City of Columbus ransomware attack  Everything new on Paramount+ in November  Windows Hello  Perplexity

The post GM Ditches CarPlay for Ultifi: Bold Move or Big Mistake? #1776 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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OpenAI Unveils ChatGPT Search Monumental SEO Disrupter #1775

November 01, 2024

OpenAI’s new “ChatGPT Search” feature, launched for paid users on mobile and the web, allows real-time information access with source attributions, enhancing ChatGPT’s value as an alternative to traditional search engines like Google. Following a prototype called SearchGPT, this feature integrates licensed content from major publishers to deliver reliable, timely information in a conversational format. OpenAI intends to expand these capabilities, addressing key areas like local search, travel, and shopping, with accuracy and accountability in focus, especially for critical updates such as election results.

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Full Summary: In this episode of Geek News Central, host Todd Cochrane discusses OpenAI’s recently launched ChatGPT Search, a new feature for paid users that promises to transform the traditional search engine scene. The feature delivers real-time search results with trustworthy source attributions and is seen as a potent alternative to established search engines like Google. Todd expresses significant concerns about how businesses might struggle with visibility if they’re not among the top results served by this new search model.

The episode kicks off with Todd highlighting ChatGPT Search’s potential to affect significant sectors like local search, travel, and shopping. He emphasizes maintaining accuracy and accountability, particularly during crucial events like elections. He shares a personal experiment with the ChatGPT Search feature, where he found the results lacking, stressing that the restricted visibility might harm businesses not featured in the immediate results.

From there, Todd transitions into personal anecdotes and updates, mentioning learning new streaming software tools and some slight confusion over the date, attributing it to the demanding nature of his workweek.

Todd tackles various tech news topics throughout the episode:

1. **Dropbox Layoffs**: Todd discusses Dropbox’s announcement about laying off 20% of its workforce, attributing the cuts to changes in consumer needs and the broader economic environment.

2. **Windows 10 Updates**: Given the impending end of support, he mentions Microsoft pricing an extra year of security updates for Windows 10 users at $30.

3. **Privacy and Security**: The discussion briefly moves to a new Android malware capable of hijacking bank-related calls and HP’s new AI-based productivity tools intended to reduce mundane tasks and allow for more quality time like taking lunch breaks.

Before wrapping up, Todd returns to the theme of technological disruptions in search capabilities introduced by AI advancements like ChatGPT Search. He articulates deep concerns about what such technology means for future business visibility online and how traditional SEO might become obsolete, urging listeners to contemplate its broad impacts.

The episode concludes with standard shout-outs to sponsors, reminders for listeners to subscribe and participate in various podcast-related community platforms, and encouragement to become a ‘GNC Insider’ for additional content and support for the podcast. Todd signs off, planning to return with more insights and technology discussions in the next episode.

New Android malware  Dropbox is laying off staff WordPress founder asks for lawsuit to be dismissed  Microsoft wants $30 Don’t get your family streaming service get banned Apple keeps killing VPN apps The iPhone 17 The Opera browser had a major security flaw  China sanctions Skydio YouTube Shorts  Google adds Gemini in Google Maps HP unveils new AI PCs Galaxy S25 Slim  Financial firms have high severity security flaws  Commerce to tighten rules CISA wants to work with US allies Apple and TikTok  Meta controlled Pages

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Google Expands AI Search Summaries to Over 100 Countries #1774

October 29, 2024

Google’s AI search summaries, also known as AI Overviews, expand to over 100 countries, offering users quick, AI-generated insights in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and Hindi. While ads have been integrated into these summaries for U.S. mobile users, Google assures global users that ads will continue to appear separately across other locations. Initially launched in the U.S. and rolled out to other key markets in August, this expanded AI feature highlights Google’s ongoing commitment to enhancing user experience with accessible, multilingual search insights.

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Full Summary:

In the latest episode of “Geek News Central,” hosted by Todd Cochrane, an array of tech news and personal anecdotes are covered. Episode 1774 starts with the lead story about expanding Google’s AI search summaries, known as “AI Overviews,” to over 100 countries. This feature provides quick, AI-generated insights in multiple languages and integrates ads differently in the U.S. than in other regions. Todd emphasizes the implications of this feature on website traffic and its potential impact on the visibility of websites in search results.

Following the tech news, Todd shares a personal tale about his recent trip to the Philippines. He recounts his adventure from traveling to Romblon to explore the islands to an unexpected extension of his stay due to a typhoon. Todd narrates his experiences, from resort stays to his attempts to “escape” the typhoon’s aftermath, using various modes of transportation back to safety. He enhances the narrative with his insights on the reliance on Starlink for connectivity in remote areas.

Throughout the episode, Todd provides updates on various tech news items, including AI decoding pig oinks, updated Apple products, and the use of AI in managing emails. He also addresses some episodes of misinformation and the legal and security implications of technology in daily life, such as Elon Musk’s contest-related legal challenges.

Sprinkled within the episode are acknowledgments to the show’s sponsor, GoDaddy, with special deals and a call to listeners to support the show by becoming a “GNC Insider.” Todd also invites listeners to interact directly via email or social media platforms, promoting a community feel.

The episode wraps up with a look into the upcoming tech developments and ongoing issues in the digital world, ensuring the audience stays informed and engaged with the latest technology and Todd’s unique experiences.

Apple updates it’s iMac lineup  What’s new on Amazon Prime Video  NASA astronaut released from the hospital  Philadelphia DA sues DA Apple Intelligence  Amazon seizes domains AI is decoding oinks Six ways to manage email with AI  18 year prison sentence for man and AI  China’s first space tourism venture  Half of world’s online via mobile  Robinhood Microsoft CEO asks for pay cut The iPhone 16 is banned in Indonesia  Netflix adds ‘Moments’ Instagram throttles video  Delta sues Crowdstrike Ransomware crew pose as Microsoft Teams support  Astronauts on the ISS

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Tim Cook Discusses EU Fines with Trump Amid $17 Billion Apple Penalties #1773

October 18, 2024

Tim Cook and Donald Trump recently discussed the EU’s rulings against Apple, with fines totaling $17-18 billion. Cook expressed concerns about the EU using these funds to support their enterprises. On the Patrick Bet-David podcast, Trump recalled the conversation, stating that he promised to address these issues if re-elected. Cook has historically maintained relationships with political leaders to represent Apple’s best interests.

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Full Summary:

In this episode of Geek News Central, Todd acknowledges a series of technical mishaps during the recording, including not hitting the record button on time and setting up the wrong microphone, which left parts of the live stream without audio. He mentions being in the Philippines after visiting his son in Hawaii and cites jet lag as contributing to the day’s recording issues. Todd assures listeners that he will splice what he did record into the show and appreciates their patience.

Despite the rocky start, Todd dives into a tech news roundup, highlighting several notable topics:

1. He discusses former President Trump’s interaction with Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, regarding a significant EU fine imposed on Apple. Cook suggested to Trump that the EU use such fines to fund their operations.

2. The FTC’s new “Click to Cancel” rule is detailed. It aims to simplify subscription cancellation, mirroring the ease of signing up.

3. Todd shares updates about tech giants like Amazon and Google’s investment in nuclear energy to power their AI data centers and discusses the potential expansion into the energy sector.

4. The podcast covers a controversial fine by a French court demanding porn sites to implement effective age checks or face blocking, reflecting societal concerns over minor protection online.

5. Commentary is provided on various other tech-related news items, such as developments in AI, data breaches, new features introduced by Apple Pay, and advancements in broadband services.

6. Todd touches on personal anecdotes and experiences throughout the episode, blending personal insights with technical discussions.

7. The show closes with Todd promising to return the following week, despite potential delays due to his travel schedule, and reiterates his appreciation for the audience’s patience.

Throughout the episode, Todd navigates the various topics with interjections about his current setup in the Philippines, using new broadcasting software and managing the challenges of operating remotely. Despite the initial setbacks, the episode covers a range of current and relevant tech issues, maintaining the podcast’s focus on the intersection of technology and daily life.

11:53–NASA and this 1997 sci-fi film French court blocks porn sites 05:40–Trump and Tim Cook  14:20–Man charged with hacking the SEC 15:00–Apple Pay  07:24–Click to Cancel 16:12–ChatGPT  17:25–This smartwatch company was hit by a data breach  17:57–Everything new on Hulu in November  09:12–Amazon investing in nuclear energy  18:09–Broadband data caps suck 21:14–Brazil police arrest an alleged hacker 23:18–Amazon unveils a new Kindle  24:05–Meta lays off staff 24:42–A $105,000 robot arm 26:20Be My Eyes 27:43–A new Chrome extension  28:40–80% of customers are skeptical of AI use 30:00–Want the new DJI Air 3?

The post Tim Cook Discusses EU Fines with Trump Amid $17 Billion Apple Penalties #1773 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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Todd Cochrane: 20 Years of Podcasting Innovations and Insights #1772

October 10, 2024

Welcome to an extraordinary episode of Geek News Central celebrating 20 incredible years of podcasting! It’s been an epic journey filled with tech news, innovation, and YOU—the fantastic listeners who’ve been with us every step of the way! From the early days to now, we’ve grown together and built an incredible community, and there’s so much more ahead. I take you through a comprehensive walkthrough of the show and my history.

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Full Summary: In this landmark 1772nd episode of Geek News Central, host Todd Cochrane celebrates twenty years of podcasting, focusing on the journey, innovations, and significant insights gained throughout his career. Todd opens the episode by expressing gratitude towards his sponsors and listeners, particularly acknowledging GoDaddy for its long-standing support, the longest continuous podcast sponsorship known.

**Key Points Covered in the Episode:**

1. **Personal and Career Background:** – Todd discusses his upbringing in Quincy, Michigan, which was influenced by his family’s strong work ethic. – He details his Navy experience beginning in 1983 and his initial forays into technology through Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) during his service.

2. **Podcasting Milestones:** – Podcast inception in October 2004 following an accident that shifted his career towards media. Important milestones include his first book deal, the start of Geek News Central, and the launch of the Tech Podcast Network (TPN) in December 2004. – The introduction of significant sponsors like GoDaddy in June 2005 and notable expansions such as the launch of Blubrry Podcasting.

3. **Evolution and Growth:** – I retired from the Navy in 2007 and further immersed myself in full-time podcasting and management of Blubrry. – Todd mentions leaving his federal job and moving from Hawaii back to Michigan in 2019, where he began running RawVoice/Blubrry full-time. – Acknowledging significant events such as the induction into the Podcast Hall of Fame in 2015 and essential milestones like reaching 1500 episodes in 2021.

4. **Looking Forward:** – Considerations on the future of podcasting, emphasizing the importance of RSS for maintaining a democratic and open internet. – The role of listener engagement and the personal connection he feels toward the audience, whom he calls “Ohana” (family).

5. **Personal Reflections and Stories:** -Todd shares anecdotes from across his podcasting career, including interactions with listeners, the impacts of significant personal events like his father’s death, which coincided with his 200th episode, and the community support that followed. – Expressing gratitude for his listeners’ and sponsors’ continued engagement and support.

6. **Industry Thoughts:** – Insights into the broader podcast industry, touching on trends, technologies, and the critical need to support open standards like RSS against potential threats from large platforms like Spotify.

7. **Closing Remarks:** Todd ends with a heartfelt thank you to his listeners, reflecting on the past two decades and Geek News Central’s shared journey.

Throughout the episode, Todd maintained a reflective tone, interspersed with his enthusiasm for technology and podcasting. There was also a call to action for listener support through subscriptions and feedback, emphasizing the community-driven nature of the podcast.

37:54–Zoom’s latest update  39:03–Bitcoin creator suspect is not a suspect  Amazon pharmacy  44:43–Mediatek under scrutiny by DoJ 45:15–US needs ‘space rescue service’ 46:17–Trinity  47:05–Brazil’s FCC and Xp 47:58–OpenAI fires back at Musk 37:16–SpaceX’s next Starship launch  48:54–NJ residents spot Northern Lights 49:05–Casio admits network breach 49:36–Microsoft 365 accounts targeted 51:05–Nintendo is making an alarm clock  52:13–Ring Home Premium  53:21–The All England Club and AI

 

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The Tech Titan Shuffle: DOJ Weighs Breaking Up Google #1771

October 07, 2024

Google faces potential significant changes as the U.S. Department of Justice prepares remedies to counteract the company’s monopoly on the search market. Proposed actions could include breaking up Google, limiting default search agreements, or requiring Google to share valuable data with competitors. Judge Amit Mehta will oversee the case’s next phase, with decisions possibly leading to significant shifts in the tech landscape.

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Full Summary:

In this episode of Todd Cochrane’s podcast, titled “The Tech Titan Shuffle: DOJ Weighs Breaking Up Google,” Todd opens by discussing a significant news story about potential major remedies the U.S. Department of Justice might implement to curtail Google’s monopoly in the search market. The measures include possibly breaking up Google, limiting default search agreements, or requiring Google to share data with competitors, overseen by Judge Amit Mehta. This could significantly reshape the tech landscape.

Todd follows up the opening news with personal updates and a sponsor shout-out to GoDaddy, highlighting their ongoing deals. He recaps his travels and activities, including hosting a podcast award ceremony and meeting in Florida with his Blubrry team, where they discussed plans and improvements.

The episode takes a more personal turn as Todd details his daughter’s preparations for an approaching hurricane in Florida, emphasizing the potential severity of the weather and its impacts.

Shifting focus, Todd dives into what’s anticipated in the tech world, notably the DOJ’s steps against Google and the potential ramifications across the tech industry. He conjectures on the various outcomes of the case, such as breaking up Google’s various services like Android and Chrome or substantially altering their business practices.

He then touches on workplace changes with a story about Amazon mandating a return to office, which he compares to the culture and practices observed in his own company.

The episode continues with a range of topics, including but not limited to advancements in Starlink technology aiding hurricane relief efforts, updates on various tech companies, and discussions on electric vehicles and their impact on insurance policies.

Todd then highlights community feedback and shows appreciation for listeners and sponsors before wrapping up with detailed updates about his upcoming travel schedule, including plans for celebrating the podcast’s twentieth anniversary with a special live-stream session.

Todd caps off the episode with a final appeal for listener support and participation, encouraging feedback and interaction through various platforms and emphasizing the importance of community in the podcast’s continued success.

17:28–Starlink and T-Mobile Blazing fireball lights up sky 23:00–Neighbors sue over loud Bitcoin mine 25:59–MoneyGram 27:01–Data breach at Comcast  28:11–Customers complain to Geico 34:30–Chromecast with Google TV  35:20–Nvidia to hold keynote at CES 2025 36:21–Recall or free repair? 37:47–Fandango  08:35–Google and the DOJ 12:28–Amazon’s RTO 38:32–Netflix on Mars? 15:11–The M4 MacBook Pro  40:51–Chinese hackers allegedly hit US wiretap systems  44:07–Google Search  42:36–American Water Works 43:27–LEGO website hacked 45:51–Hyundai and Waymo 21:03–Rival browsers cry foul 49:12–Man hopes he’d be a millionaire  51:03–Google kicks Kaspersky app off Play store  51:28–Apple isn’t developing a smart ring  52:07–Artist appeals copyright denial 53:57–Google Photos

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SpaceX Rocket Malfunctions and Podcast Celebrations #1770

September 30, 2024

SpaceX is investigating a malfunction in the Falcon 9 rocket’s upper stage after a Crew-9 mission launch. The rocket’s second-stage engine failed to deorbit correctly, causing it to land outside the planned disposal zone. This marks the third Falcon 9 issue in three months. While SpaceX expects to resume launches soon, delays could affect crucial missions like NASA’s Europa Clipper launch in October.

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Full Summary:

In this podcast episode, “Rocket Malfunctions and Podcast Celebrations,” host Todd Cochrane discusses a range of topics during a special International Podcast Day show. Todd begins by highlighting the 19th annual People’s Choice Podcast Awards ceremony, set to occur later in the day. He invites listeners to subscribe to or follow the podcast awards podcast for those who might miss the live ceremony.

Todd transitions to the lead story about a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket malfunction following the Crew-9 mission launch. He explains that the rocket’s second-stage engine failed to deorbit correctly, noting it was the third issue in three months. Todd shares that while SpaceX plans to resume launches soon, the ongoing delays could impact critical missions, including NASA’s upcoming Europa Clipper mission.

Throughout the episode, Todd gives several shout-outs to the show’s sponsor, GoDaddy, and offers special deals through the Geek News Central website. He emphasizes the importance of community engagement, encouraging listeners to become GNC insiders for exclusive content and to participate actively via the show’s various platforms.

Additionally, Todd mentions his upcoming travel plans to Florida for a team meeting with Blubrry Podcasting to plan the company’s future strategies. He reflects on rising challenges in the business environment and points out the importance of staying productive and focused amidst potential disruptions.

The episode also addresses recent natural disasters, expressing sympathy for those affected and sharing Todd’s experiences with typhoons in Guam.

Throughout the show, Todd emphasizes maintaining a deep, personal connection with his audience, hinting at more personalized content moving forward to enhance the listener experience on digital platforms. Todd wraps up the episode with insightful tech news—one notably on the DIRECTV and Dish satellite deal—and touches on the ongoing Verizon network issues and various tech industry updates.

The podcast concludes with Todd teasing future episodes and reflecting on his 20th podcasting anniversary, underscoring the continuing evolution of Geek News Central and its community.

Gemini in Gmail Patelco Credit Union breach “Normal” websites are being hijacked. Google is spending billions. Reddit Newsom signs a bill and vetoes two others. DirecTV buys Dish Lapsi The head of Peacock isn’t worried Another malfunction on SpaceX Falcon 9 Artists blocked on YouTube  Verizon’s network outage  Amazon’s own Shark Tank  Ello Remote ID verification tech  WordPress grants WP Engine “reprieve.” AT&T exits showbiz Epic files a lawsuit Stuck NASA astronauts Meta hit with a fine

The post SpaceX Rocket Malfunctions and Podcast Celebrations #1770 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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WordPress.org Blocks WPEngine in battle of the Titans #1769

September 27, 2024

WordPress.org escalated its conflict with WPEngine by blocking its servers from accessing vital resources, including plugin updates. Following a dispute over WPEngine’s refusal to pay trademark fees, this move could put user sites at risk by preventing essential updates. WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg argues that WPEngine profits without contributing to WordPress’ development, prompting the block. Users and the WordPress community are divided, with discussions of potential forks emerging.

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Full Summary:

In this episode of the podcast hosted by Todd Cochrane, a significant focus is placed on a major conflict within the tech industry involving WordPress.org and WPEngine. The central issue is that WordPress.org has blocked WPEngine’s servers from accessing vital resources like plugins and theme updates. This dramatic action stemmed from WPEngine’s refusal to pay trademark fees, leading to a discussion about the implications for users and the potential for future forks of WordPress.

Todd starts the episode by acknowledging his sponsor, GoDaddy, highlighting exclusive deals for the listeners. He encourages the audience to support the podcast mission by becoming insiders and mentions the ability to interact live with the show through modern podcast apps.

The episode dives into the WordPress.org vs. WPEngine conflict, highlighting the arguments from WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg. According to Mullenweg, WPEngine profits significantly from WordPress without adequately contributing to its development. This dispute has led WordPress.org to restrict WPEngine’s access to essential updates, which has divided users and sparked discussions about the sustainability and ethics of such business models in the open-source community.

Todd also discusses his updates, mentioning his travel plans and some logistics involving his equipment setup for podcasting. He introduces a new piece of equipment he’s excited about, the Rodecaster Video, which he believes will enhance the video quality of his shows.

Throughout the podcast, Todd emphasizes the impact of this conflict on the WordPress community and the broader implications for open-source projects. He discusses potential legal actions and the necessity for businesses like WPEngine to develop independent systems if they are cut off from WordPress.org resources.

Todd concludes the episode with a call to action for listeners to engage with the podcast through various platforms like email, social media, and the official website, reminding them of the ongoing support from GoDaddy and the deals available through the podcast’s affiliation.

33:40–Are you trying to get WI-Fi on a plane? 34:40–A fingerprint padlock for food 32:27–PayPal 35:45–A Robocop TV show 35:58–Disney + password-sharing fees 40:49–Kristen Bell 42:55-0DoNotPay 44:48–Everything leaving Netflix in October 45:05–Chinese hackers infiltrate US internet firms 46:58–20% of politicians and staff had email compromised 50:58–A NASA astronaut stranded 52:04–Mozilla 53:12–Most of us still trust passwords 54:36–Fubo 54:45–Amazon employees don’t want to go back to the office 56:31–Google’s AI podcast tool 57:38–Businesses are being hit with more mobile phishing 23:46–OpenAI’s restructuring Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S10+ 58:04–Eric Adams indicted 59:33–IPOs set to extend recovery 27:03–Apple removed 60 more VPNs from Russian app store 59:48–NASA’s Astrobees 01:00:06–Google Maps 01:00:35–LG Smart TVs bring ads to the screensaver 01:01:44–Victims lose thousands to Google’s Play Store 30:12–AB 2426

The post WordPress.org Blocks WPEngine in battle of the Titans #1769 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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Unveiling the $230 Million Crypto Heist #1768

September 23, 2024

Two suspects, Malone Lam and Jeandiel Serrano, were arrested for their roles in a $230 million cryptocurrency heist, laundering the funds using exchanges and mixers. They accessed victims’ accounts through impersonation tactics and laundered the stolen funds to finance a lavish lifestyle. Despite efforts to cover their tracks using privacy coins and VPNs, mistakes in their operational security led to their identification and arrest by the FBI.

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Full Summary:

In episode 1768 of Geek News Central, hosted by Todd Cochrane, the standout story focuses on a massive $230 million cryptocurrency heist by suspects Malone Lam and Jeandiel Serrano. The duo used sophisticated impersonation tactics to access victim accounts and subsequently laundered the stolen funds through various means to support their extravagant lifestyle. Despite their efforts to stay under the radar using privacy coins, VPNs, and other security measures, operational mistakes led to their identification and arrest by the FBI.

During the episode, Todd emphasizes the suspects’ lavish expenditures, including luxury cars and high-end watches, which played a role in their eventual capture, as their flamboyant lifestyle contrasted sharply with their income level. Todd further discusses the implications of such heists on the security of digital assets and the importance of robust operational security measures.

The podcast also includes a significant spot for Geek News Central’s sponsor, GoDaddy, highlighting special deals and underlining their long-term support for the podcast. Todd navigates various technical mishaps and provides personal anecdotes, including updates on his home security enhancements and studio upgrades, which he humorously ties into the broader theme of security and preparedness discussed in the episode.

Plus all of the following stories:

24:45–Jony Ive and Sam Altman 26:32–Do you hate in-person meetings? 29:41–YouTube Premium 16:54–Elon gives up 19:45–Biden administration seeks ban on China 32:46–Starships to Mars 35:41–Google was ordered by a court to uninstall an app 38:22–Qualcomm lays off workforce 38:44–Google TV Streamer 39:39–This AI startup Apple’s RCS messaging 42:45–iPhone 16 Pro users are experiencing touchscreen issues 44:09–A more expensive iPhone SE 44:58–2 Russians and 1 American head to Earth 09:14–Suspects arrested in Miami 45:59–NHS spend a billion on tech 46:42–Samsung plans to invest in over a billion 47:52–UPS suppliers’ password policy 13:30–Telegram to provide data to the government 23:01–Dell investigating a data breach 22:40–AT&T fined millions

The post Unveiling the $230 Million Crypto Heist #1768 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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The Dark Side of Social Media Surveillance: An FTC Report #1767

September 19, 2024

A sweeping new study from the FTC has exposed the vast surveillance practices of major social media and streaming platforms. From tracking user data to sharing it without proper safeguards, the findings are troubling – and what’s worse, children and teens are deeply affected. In this podcast episode, I’ll explain how these companies collect your data, why privacy protections are failing, and what changes the FTC recommends to address these serious concerns.

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Full Summary:

In this episode of Geek News Central, episode 1767, hosted by Todd Cochrane, the primary discussion revolves around a new FTC study that has exposed extensive surveillance practices by major social media and streaming platforms. Todd starts the episode by outlining how these platforms have been tracking user data and sharing it without robust safeguards. He emphasizes the negative impact of these practices, particularly on children and teens, and discusses the FTC’s recommendations for addressing these privacy concerns.

Todd then thanks the episode’s sponsor, GoDaddy, for highlighting the special deals and discounts available through Geek News Central’s partnership. He expresses gratitude towards the listeners and invites them to engage with the podcast through various platforms.

Segueing into personal updates, Todd talks about his hectic schedule, the updates he is making in his studio, and plans for future podcast episodes, including the upcoming 20th anniversary of the Geek News Central podcast.

As the episode progresses, Todd delves into various news stories and topics. He discusses the implications of foreign entities amplifying local sentiments on social media to sway elections, the introduction of Google TV’s new free channels, the utility of iOS’s Passkeys, and the potential threats from tracking pixels in online advertising.

The episode also covers legislative movements to improve children’s online safety, updates from hacking incidents involving high-profile companies, and new online privacy and data security developments from big tech firms like LinkedIn.

Towards the end of the episode, Todd encourages listener interaction through email and social platforms, reiterates support for the podcast through various subscriptions, and wraps up by thanking everyone for their participation and teasing the next episode’s content.

Throughout the podcast, Todd engages the audience with tech news, personal anecdotes, and listener call-to-actions, maintaining a conversational and informative tone.

18:42–23andMe agrees to the settlement  20:04–Censorship accusations  23:13–Northern Lights Spotted in Colorado  12:24–Sweeping FTC study 23:39–Google’s Password Manager  25:01–Oprah buys back documentary  16:51–X in Brazil  27:24–YouTube’s powerful AI features  30:14–Caught on camera  32:04–Hackers demand millions  32:19–Google employees attempt to hide messages  33:56–KOSA and COPPA 34:55–The EU and Apple 36:09–US citizens can apply for passports online  37:41–MPA adds Amazon Prime Video  38:42–FAA fines SpaceX 40:14–This iOS 18 messages bug 40:52–LinkedIn 41:45–Google TV Freeplay  43:06–Bluesky 44:08–Iranian hackers tried to send Trump leaks

The post The Dark Side of Social Media Surveillance: An FTC Report #1767 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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OpenAI’s New Model and Its Advanced Memory/Reasoning Capabilities #1766

September 16, 2024

OpenAI’s latest AI model, codenamed “Strawberry,” has raised concerns about its ability to remember conversations and reason like humans. A Reddit user reported ChatGPT asking personal questions without prior input, sparking debates over AI memory capabilities. Experts warn this innovation may pose risks, including deception and misuse, with calls for legislation to regulate AI development.

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Full Summary:

The podcast episode “OpenAI’s New Model and Its Advanced Memory/Reasoning Capabilities,” hosted by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central, focuses primarily on the recent developments concerning OpenAI’s new AI model, codenamed “Strawberry.” The episode addresses significant concerns about this model’s human-like reasoning abilities and memory. These capabilities have sparked debates about AI memory, prompting a Reddit user to report an instance where ChatGPT posed unexpectedly personal questions. This interaction has fueled broader discussions on potential risks, including deception and misuse, and spurred calls for regulating AI development.

Todd discusses his participation in the marketing AI conference MAICON and the overwhelming amount of information presented there, which he likens to “drinking from a fire hose.” He promises to provide more details about the conference. He introduces two key segments for the episode: an easter egg hidden in the video broadcast related to the top tools recommended at the meeting and insights into AI’s impact on search algorithms.

Throughout the episode, Todd also highlights his views on how businesses should adapt to rapid developments in AI technology. He shares personal anecdotes and insights from the conference, emphasizing that businesses need to focus on their branding and customer relationships due to AI’s transformative potential.

Aside from the AI discussions, Todd gives updates on the Podcast’s sponsorship by GoDaddy, including deals and discounts for listeners. He also shares his experiences and routine updates, discussing his recent clearing out activities during “phase three,” his organizational efforts, and plans for future podcasts.

The episode covers many topics but stays firmly anchored on the implications of advanced AI developments and the necessary strategic adjustments for businesses and content creators.

The post OpenAI’s New Model and Its Advanced Memory/Reasoning Capabilities #1766 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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iPhone 16 and AirPods 4 Unveiled at Apple Event #1765

September 09, 2024

At Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” event, the tech giant revealed the iPhone 16 series, Apple Watch Series 10, and AirPods 4. The Apple Watch Series 10 introduces a sleeker design and brighter display, while the iPhone 16 Pro models feature advanced camera controls and Apple Intelligence. AirPods 4 offers enhanced audio with the H2 chip and a new ANC open-ear design. Apple also updated the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and AirPods Max with new color options and USB-C charging.

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Show Links and Full Summary:

In this episode of Geek News Central, host Todd Cochrane covers various topics, primarily kicking off with Apple’s “It’s Glowtime” event, where the company unveiled the iPhone 16 series, Apple Watch Series 10, and AirPods 4. Todd provides detailed descriptions of these new Apple products, highlighting their innovative features like advanced camera controls, Apple Intelligence on the iPhone 16 Pro models, and enhanced audio capabilities in the AirPods 4.

Todd then transitions into a mix of sponsorship messages and podcast updates, emphasizing deals and special offers from GoDaddy, Geek News Central’s primary sponsor. He talks about various service deals from GoDaddy that listeners can benefit from and encourages audience participation and support through different channels associated with Geek News Central.

Next, Todd shifts to a brief studio update, giving personal insights into his recent residential and studio organization and hints at his upcoming travel plans to a tech event.

The episode covers a variety of tech and digital media stories, including SpaceX’s growing satellite constellation, new developments in AI, and legal battles in the tech world involving Google and ad-tech monopolies. Todd discusses these points in detail, offering his perspective on how these may impact the tech landscape.

Additionally, Todd delves into safety concerns related to battery-powered devices on planes, highlighting recent statistics and FAA alerts about the incidences of thermal runaways in passenger devices.

Towards the end of the episode, Todd talks about an upcoming Netflix event, “Geeked Week. ” He details the lineup and what to expect from this virtual event.

Concluding the podcast, Todd talks about a peculiar scientific experiment involving a common food dye that can make a mouse’s skin transparent, sharing his intrigue and confusion about the implications of such a discovery.

Throughout the episode, Todd maintains a direct connection with his audience by inviting feedback and participation, reinforcing the community aspect of Geek News Central. The episode blends tech news coverage, personal anecdotes, and listener engagement tactics centered around the podcast’s community.

Apple’s iPhone 16 event Battery-powered devices are overheating more often Netflix Geeked Week Sony’s new high-end 4k projectors A tower of plasma erupts You can make your own ‘GPU purse.’ 300,000 impacted by data breach PayPal teams up with Shopify Cisco’s merch store targeted by dangerous malware Mozilla extends support for Firefox Audible to start generating AI voice replicas Elon now controls 2/3 of all active satellites  AI bills can blow out by 1000% MI6 and the CIA US v. Google DOJ asks 3D printing company to stop printing devices Ford patents holographic car tech system Paramount Plus is beaming up free episodes of Star Trek WeTransfer to layoff staff workers A food dye can make a live mouse’s skin transparent Crowdstrike Blue Origin

The post iPhone 16 and AirPods 4 Unveiled at Apple Event #1765 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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Verizon’s $20 Billion Gamble on Frontier #1764

September 06, 2024

Verizon is acquiring Frontier for $20 billion, aiming to expand its fiber network and compete more effectively with AT&T. The deal will add 2.2 million fiber subscribers across 25 states, extending Verizon’s reach to 10 million customers. The acquisition is a strategic move to accelerate growth and enhance its offerings as Verizon faces slowing revenue. Frontier, which filed for bankruptcy in 2020 and settled with the FTC over misleading speeds, brings valuable assets despite recent challenges.

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Show Links and Full Summary:

In this episode of Geek News Central, hosted by Todd Cochrane, the main focus is Verizon’s $20 billion acquisition of Frontier. Todd discusses the details and implications of the deal, expressing skepticism and describing the acquisition as potentially problematic, considering Frontier’s past issues, including bankruptcy and an FTC settlement related to service misrepresentations.

Todd begins the episode by discussing the technical details and strategic goals behind Verizon’s decision to purchase Frontier, such as expanding its fiber network and increasing its competitiveness against AT&T. Despite these points, Todd is critical of the move, sharing his view that Frontier may not be a beneficial acquisition and disparagingly referring to the company.

Throughout the episode, Todd also updates listeners on his personal life and adjustments after moving. He details his ongoing process of organizing his new home, which he refers to as “Phase Two,” and plans for “Phase Three,” which involves sorting items in his storage unit. He reflects on taking Labor Day off and balancing work and personal life adjustments.

Tech and cybersecurity news forms a substantial part of the episode. Todd discusses various topics, including the perpetration of a music streaming fraud involving AI, attacks on Planned Parenthood’s IT systems by ransomware groups, discussions on YouTube’s policies towards fitness videos for teenagers, and a cyber attack on Planned Parenthood. Additionally, Todd delves into Google’s exploration of AI in job interview processes, new AI detection tools by YouTube, a treaty regarding AI and human rights, and other cybersecurity incidents.

Todd highlights updates and insights regarding new products and updates like Samsung’s latest Galaxy Book, discussions on Bill Gates’s perspective on AI, and a call for more transparent consumer information on the lifespan of smart devices.

Additionally, Todd discusses broader technology dynamics, such as updates on Bluetooth technology, market dynamics involving PayPal and Amazon, and issues surrounding content moderation on platforms like META concerning political content.

The episode is interspersed with personal anecdotes, shoutouts to sponsors including a recurring sponsorship with GoDaddy, listener interactions through emails, and updates on personal projects and Todd’s engagement with his audience through various digital channels.

In summary, this episode of Geek News Central covers a wide range of topics, from high-profile corporate acquisitions and technology updates to personal anecdotes and listener interactions. It is anchored by Todd Cochrane’s detailed discussion of Verizon’s acquisition of Frontier.

12:22–Cyberattack hits Planned Parenthood 39:23–Apple’s chatbot 13:25–Waymo 14:49–YouTube restricts teenagers’ access to fitness videos 17:50–YouTube developing AI tools 21:44–UK signs AI safety treaty 25:34–Internet Archive loses appeal 30:03–Samsung’s new Galaxy Book 5 Pro 31:25–Bill Gates has a good feeling about AI 34:43–FTC and smart devices 37:30–US and Russian election interference 41:05–Two Nigerians sentenced to prison 42:25–Bluetooth 6.0 43:32–iPhone 16 buyers 43:48–The FCC has finally banned Kaspersky 44:06–North Korean hackers target job seekers 44:51–Blue Origin drone ship arrives in Port Cavernal  45:42–Predator spyware resurfaces 45:58–AT&T sues Broadcom 46:20–Meta’s Oversight Board 48:36–X faces a lawsuit 08:12–Verizon buys Frontier for billions 10:16–Musician charged with music streaming fraud 50:15–PayPal 51:25–Amazon congratulates itself

The post Verizon’s $20 Billion Gamble on Frontier #1764 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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Apple Considers Major Investment in OpenAI Amid AI Race #1763

August 29, 2024

Apple is discussing investing in OpenAI in a new fundraising round that could value the ChatGPT maker at over $100 billion. Venture capital firm Thrive Capital is leading the round, with Apple and Microsoft expected to participate. This move would strengthen Apple’s AI initiatives, particularly its integrating OpenAI technology into Apple Intelligence, which enhances Siri and other AI-driven features.

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Show Links and Full Summary

In episode 1763 of Geek News Central, hosted by Todd Cochrane, the leading story discussed explores Apple’s potential billion-dollar investment in OpenAI. It emphasizes the implications for Apple’s AI strategy and services like Siri. This could significantly value OpenAI at over $100 billion.

The episode then moves into routine acknowledgments and sponsor recognitions, with Todd giving a comprehensive plug for GoDaddy, Geek News Central’s principal sponsor. He explains various offers and deals from GoDaddy, suggesting listeners use promo codes on the Geek News Central website to make purchases that benefit the show financially. He smoothly discusses studio updates, including equipment changes to improve recording quality and aesthetics.

Todd delves into various tech news stories following the technical and sponsorship details. He speaks about Spectrum being ranked top reliable internet provider and OpenAI’s user growth. This segment expands into discussions about controversial AI regulations, security vulnerabilities in surveillance, and innovations like a robot controlled by mushroom-derived electrical signals. Each of these topics is covered briefly, with external references left unspecified.

Another substantial part of this episode pertains to Todd’s interaction with current events, including legislative actions towards AI and the role of AI in streamlining police reporting, with a story about AI-generated police reports based on body camera footage. Moreover, Todd shares his experiences and tweaks related to studio reorganization and updates following a recent move. He includes personal anecdotes and tidbits about ongoing projects and logistical challenges.

In closing, Todd circles back to listener engagement, encouraging feedback on the episode’s content and informing new listeners about the show’s dynamics and how they can support through time, talent, or treasure. He reminds them to subscribe and participate in community features available through the podcast’s digital platforms. Finally, he signs off with gratitude towards the listeners and sponsors, setting the stage for the next episode.

19:19–A top surveillance camera has a significant flaw 12:10–Spectrum was named the most reliable internet provider 21:34–Indiegogo will offer refunds 25:23–Biohybrid robots 26:32–TikTok lawsuit 10:22–Apple in talks to invest in OpenAI 15:14–Nvidia’s business is growing faster 17:06–Controversial California bill 34:35–Google’s Gemini 28:59–Brit teachers are getting AI sidekicks 30:28–Telegram lied about user numbers 14:21–ChatGPT usage has doubled since last year 32:11–Brain Cipher claims attack on Olympic venue 33:33–Galaxy S25 Ultra 34:30–Everything leaving Hulu in September 35:32–Iranian cybercriminals are targeting US defense targets 36:34–DJI Neo 37:33–Online scam cycles 42:00–The ‘worlds first’ titanium electric toothbrush 43:20–Google Chrome 44:03–Wyze’s AI 45:30–OpenAI and Anthropic 46:28–Chatbots offer cops the “ultimate out” to spin police reports 48:35–Bluesky 48:54–Trump claims Zuckerberg plotted against him 50:43–Klarna swaps humans for AI 51:33–Verizon teams up with another satellite operator 52:43–X labeled an unflattering NPR story about Trump 53:05–Meta’s Oversight Board 53:33–Yelp sues Google 54:43–CrowdStrike Q2 55:43–Dick’s discloses cyberattack 56:16–The Healthcare Cybersecurity Act 57:35–Tumblr is moving blogs to WordPress 58:33–The iPhone 17 lineup

The post Apple Considers Major Investment in OpenAI Amid AI Race #1763 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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Arrest of Pavel Durov: Justified Action or Overreach #1762

August 27, 2024

The recent arrest of Pavel Durov, Telegram’s founder, has sparked concerns about whether it is a justified move against illegal activities or a dangerous overreach threatening privacy and free speech. The vague charges, including issues around encryption, complicity in illegal activities, and refusal to cooperate with law enforcement, raise more questions than answers, leaving doubts … Continue reading Arrest of Pavel Durov: Justified Action or Overreach #1762 →

The post Arrest of Pavel Durov: Justified Action or Overreach #1762 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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Google Documents Reveals You Truly Are the Product #1761

August 15, 2024

Recently revealed internal documents from Google were entered into evidence in a U.S. antitrust trial, exposing the company’s data strategies from seven years ago. These documents highlight Google’s intense focus on user data collection, privacy concerns, and strategic weaknesses in the face of competition. The revelations, which include candid discussions about data usage for advertising and fears over Google’s privacy, underscore the ongoing scrutiny of the tech giant’s practices.

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Show Links and Full Summary

In this episode of Geek News Central, host Todd Cochrane kicks off from the brand-new studio, diving into a series of significant news stories. The lead story revolves around recently surfaced Google documents from an antitrust trial. These documents revealed Google’s aggressive data strategies from seven years ago, highlighting its focus on data collection and advertising strategies, plus internal concerns over privacy.

Todd discusses Google’s ongoing scrutiny under the spotlight of these revelations. This forms a substantial portion of the episode, underlining how such practices underscore the perception of users as essentially the product of big tech companies.

Following the lead story, Todd shifts focus to a mix of topics: – Personal adjustments he’s made to his studio setup – Technological updates and tweaks, including his setup improvements and the efficiency it brings – Brief overviews of global tech and cybersecurity incidents, including the case of Kim Dotcom’s extradition – Commentary on legislative developments affecting digital content and user privacy – A detailed discussion on new AI technologies and their implications for privacy and data security – Updates on various satellite projects and how they affect astronomy

Todd also mentions the partnership with GoDaddy, highlighting special deals available through Geek News Central. He encourages listener participation through various modern podcast apps and underlines the value of protecting user privacy in digital consumption.

Todd wraps up by inviting feedback through email and social media channels. He also reminds listeners of the upcoming schedule due to his attendance at an event in Washington, D.C., which will affect the regular podcast programming. The episode is rich with insights into specific technological advancements and issues and offers personal anecdotes and reminders about ongoing promotional partnerships.

16:45–7 hidden Ring app settings 18:42–What’s next for KOSA 22:47–August’s supermoon 24:06–British police to test drone flights 08:26–Google files documents in an antitrust case 28:17–Google says it has found Iranian hackers in US presidential election 11:38–Kim Dotcom extradited to the US 29:22–Columbus, Ohio Mayor says ransomware attackers stole data 30:12–BenQ’s ceiling projector 14:24–Microsoft rolls out Face Check 31:14–Satellite interference with astronomy  32:34–T-Mobile hit with a $60 million fine 33:44–Lenovo Q1 34:33–Cisco cuts job workforce 35:58–Twitter pays over half of a million dollars 36:42–Apple is working on an iPad-like tabletop device 37:42–Meater Pro XL 39:16–A Russian man gets 40 months in jail 40:42–DHS will collect face scans of migrant kids 41:46–Google’s ex-CEO blamed work from home for AI stumbles 43:59–Kim Kardashian is back with new Beats 44:50–NASA pushes Starliner decision to August 45:42–A fake political group banned on Facebook 47:06–SAG-AFTRA AI deal

The post Google Documents Reveals You Truly Are the Product #1761 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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Apple’s Strong-Arms Patreon – Creators Lose #1760

August 12, 2024

Apple presses Patreon to enforce its in-app purchase system, forcing creators to raise prices or absorb additional fees. This move highlights Apple’s uneven application of App Store rules, which were previously criticized in antitrust cases. Now coerced into compliance, Patreon must transition all creators by 2025, despite the company’s preference for a more gradual approach. Creators can avoid fees by directing subscribers to non-iOS platforms, but Apple’s strong-arm tactics still put them in a tough spot.

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In this episode of the “Geek News Central” podcast hosted by Todd Cochrane, the main topic concerns Apple pressuring Patreon to enforce its in-app purchase system. Todd starts the episode by discussing how this move by Apple forces creators on Patreon to either raise their prices or absorb the fees, highlighting the tech giant’s unequal application of App Store rules, which had been previously criticized in antitrust cases. Patreon is tasked with transitioning all creators to comply by 2025 despite preferring a more gradual approach. Todd mentions that creators can avoid Apple’s fees by directing subscribers to non-iOS platforms, though the tactic doesn’t fully alleviate the pressure they face from Apple’s strategies.

Following the discussion on Patreon, Todd introduces his newly rebuilt studio and thanks the episode’s primary sponsor, GoDaddy. He spends some time explaining the new setup in his studio and the modifications he’s made and invites listener feedback on the new settings, including the audio and visual elements of the podcast.

Transitioning back to tech news, Todd then delves into several topics, touching on the security breach involving Twitter’s former CEO, a possible class-action settlement concerning Cash App, and a new treaty drawn up by the United Nations to combat cybercrime. He also discusses further technological developments, such as Google’s introduction of new features in its authentication app, advances in electric train systems in California, and an expanded agreement between Universal Music and Meta. Somewhere in between, Todd shares a brief reflection on the late Susan Wojcicki, former CEO of YouTube, reminiscing about her impact on the tech industry.

The episode concludes with a call to listeners to participate in the podcast by becoming a GNC Insider, reminding them of the available sponsorship deals at GoDaddy and encouraging feedback via social media and email. Todd emphasizes the importance of community involvement and looks forward to the next episode. Throughout the show, recurring themes touch upon the rapid progression of technology and how these advancements intersect with daily lives and corporate business strategies.

19:27–Nextdoor’s expanded AI 14:40–Billions of people may have been compromised in data breach 21:12–YouTube 22:35–Millions of AMD CPUs vulnerable to hacks 30:02–The cheapest Tesla Cybertruck is $99,990.00 27:08–Thousands of Google Chrome browsers are at risk Kamala Harris ‘AI’d’ her rally crowd size 33:34–Massive asteroid to brush past Earth 28:41–These smart vacuums and mowers can be hacked 30:45–US utilities poised to ride data center demand wave 11:54–Apple and Patreon 26:28– An attacker steals personal data of thousands of people 33:20–YouTube Music 33:50–Mars and Jupiter 34:21–SpaceX launches satellites  46:47–Paid Apple Intelligence features  46:58–Is your PC slowing down? 47:19–Google Home app gets an overhaul. 47:32–The UN is drawing up a new treaty 52:19–OpenAI and ChatGPT -4o 35:08–NASA watchdog finds quality control problems 48:16–Google Authenticator Human-made debris left behind in outer space 28:03–Microsoft unveils potentially serious Office security flaw 48:42–Incredible phone charging tech will be revealed 49:46–Electric trains? 18:15–Trump’s re-election campaign claims victim of cyber attack 53:29–RIP Susan Wojcicki 16:47–CrowdStrike president wins ‘Epic Fail’ Pwnie award 50:35–UMG and Meta 51:20–Twitter’s former chairman sues X

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SpaceX’s Potential Rescue Mission to save Boeing Astronauts #1759

August 08, 2024

NASA may call on SpaceX to rescue astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who have been stranded on the ISS for over two months due to Boeing’s Starliner issues. The astronauts might have to stay aboard the ISS until February 2025, as NASA considers SpaceX’s Crew Dragon a backup plan. The decision highlights ongoing challenges with Starliner, which was developed under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

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Show Links and a Full Summary of Podcast:

In episode 1759 of “Geek News Central,” hosted by Todd Cochrane, the main topic revolves around NASA potentially calling on SpaceX to rescue astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams because of problems with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Todd opens the episode by detailing the situation with the astronauts stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) and discusses NASA’s consideration of using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon as a backup rescue plan, which has highlighted ongoing issues with the Boeing spacecraft.

Additionally, Todd touches on various other tech-related news stories: – He mentions a security update for the Mac’s One Password app due to a vulnerability. – Google’s upcoming event may reveal the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. – New high-speed, small 4K projectors from Texas Instruments. – Todd shares his decision not to attend the CES event this year, citing overwhelming work commitments and reduced returns.

Todd digs into issues with Musk’s platform, X (formerly Twitter), which is facing scrutiny in Europe due to data privacy concerns over its use of data to train its AI systems. Another major story covered is Instagram’s new rule to redirect videos about movies and TV shows to hubs where users can view additional related information or watch said movies and shows.

He concludes the podcast by reflecting on the ongoing developments and advancements in tech and cybersecurity discussed during the episode and reassures his commitment to providing timely and insightful updates. Todd thanks all his listeners and supporters, particularly spotlighting GoDaddy for their continued sponsorship. The episode ends with Todd expressing gratitude towards his audience for their ongoing engagement and inviting feedback and participation through various digital channels.

10:19–Made By Google event 11:04–Small portable 4K projectors Samsung turns dirt into art 15:06–X under scrutiny 16:37–Paris Olympics air taxi flights 08:44–NASA’s SpaceX rescue plan 17:53–Musk shares faked far-right ‘detainment’ camp TikTok adds in-app hubs 21:31–OpenAI releases a new version of GPT-4o 22:26–$10 million award for Iranian ICS hackers 23:56–FBI warns this rebranded ransomware is making demands 24:58–Decades-old vulnerability in major web browsers 26:35–Social media platforms are being warned 27:54–Kia and Hyundais antitheft software Tim Walz vetoed a bill to raise the minimum wage 28:49–Why Google decided to move on from Chromecast 29:18–Nokia goes from phones to drones 30:17–Turkey has blocked Roblox 31:06–X makes its Premium+ subscription tier ad-free Google and Meta 31:45–US elections have never been more secure Using 1Password on Mac? UK opens antitrust investigation into Amazon.

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Insights on AI Chatbot Trends #1758

August 05, 2024

A recent Washington Post analysis reveals that AI chatbots like ChatGPT are primarily used for creative writing and role-playing, accounting for 21% of conversations. Younger users utilize chatbots for schoolwork, making up 18%, while searches and queries follow closely at 17%. Surprisingly, work-related usage is at 15%, programming at 7%, and image generation at 6%. Additionally, over 7% of interactions involve sexual content.

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Show Links and a Full Summary of Podcast:

Hosted by Todd Cochrane, Episode 1758 of Geek News Central dives into the diverse applications of AI chatbots, drawing from a recent Washington Post analysis. Cochrane begins by summarizing how AI chatbots like ChatGPT are commonly being used. Key points include their use in creative writing and role-playing by 21% of users, aiding with schoolwork by 18% of younger users, general searches and queries, work-related tasks, programming, and image generation.

The episode also explores a broader range of topics beyond AI chatbots. Cochrane highlights the day’s stock market downturn and its implications for tech giants, updates on video game industry strikes concerning AI and working conditions, and AI’s projected influences on future tech products and services.

In podcasting updates, Cochrane discusses shifts in his recording setup. He uses a new tool DSP called PodMobile from AudioSigma instead of the usual RodeCaster, which allows for more streamlined, software-based management of the podcast’s audio inputs and recordings.

Cochrane continues to delve into various tech news, discussing: – A potential phishing issue with Apple’s email strategy, – Legal proceedings over Apple’s keyboard design flaws, – Microsoft’s new internal policy on security, – NASDAQ’s performance dip and its effects on the tech industry, – A cybersecurity threat involving malware spread through AI image editing tools on Facebook, – And updates on NASA’s challenges with the Starliner spacecraft.

The episode also mentions ongoing support for Geek News Central by its primary sponsor, GoDaddy, encouraging listeners to check out GoDaddy deals or contribute to the podcast.

Listeners are invited to send feedback directly to Cochrane via email or social media platforms like X and Facebook, continuing the ongoing interactive engagement typical of Geek News Central episodes.

15:49–Apple Intelligence 16:35–Apple is finally sending checks 12:28–How people use AI chatbots 18:04–Microsoft employees are now being judged on their work 19:34–Video game actors are on strike 20:35–OpenAI’s unreleased ChatGPT detector 21:31–Safari wants to fix your broken web browsing experience 22:32–Gamification gets drivers to put down their phones 24:11–An iPhone Air in 2025 24:30–Launch of Crew 9 will be delayed 25:51–Turkey blocks access to VPN apps Facebook ads for this fake AI image editor 27:17–Galaxy AI 27:52–Freighter that was to be bound for ISS had an engine abort 29:56–Windows 11 promises improved AI 30:44–Simpli may have exposed details of thousands of workers 31:18–Wall Street will support heavy AI spending if….. 32:09–Yell at AI chatbots, not humans Traders report outages 13:47–Tech stocks had a sell-off 32:38–SnakeKeyLogger 33:30–Max’s new homepage 33:53–M4 MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, and iMac 34:49–Ford could be working on a wild car headlights system 36:01–Chinese hackers deliver malware  36:40–Million of voter documents leaked online 37:19–CrowdStrike is unhappy 38:27–ADHD app launches ‘lifeline’ to treatment

The post Insights on AI Chatbot Trends #1758 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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Apple’s AI Leap and Quarterly Earnings Q2 2024 #1757

August 02, 2024

Apple reported its fiscal 2024 third-quarter results with a revenue of $85.8 billion, marking a 5% increase year-over-year, and earnings per share of $1.40, up 11%. CEO Tim Cook highlighted the launch of Apple Intelligence, a new AI system integrated into iPhone, iPad, and Mac. CFO Luca Maestri noted strong business performance, generating $29 billion in operating cash flow and returning over $32 billion to shareholders. Apple also declared a dividend of $0.25 per share, payable on August 15, 2024.

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Show Links and a Full Summary of Podcast:

In this episode of Geek News Central, host Todd Cochrane kicks off by spotlighting Apple’s impressive fiscal 2024 third-quarter results. The company’s $85.8 billion revenue marked a 5% year-over-year increase and earnings per share of $1.40, up 11%. The focus is on the launch of Apple Intelligence, a new AI system integrated into the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, underscoring significant technological advancements and strong business performance by the tech giant.

Todd transitions into thanking the sponsors, particularly emphasizing the long-standing support from GoDaddy, and encourages listeners to check out various deals and offerings. The episode proceeds with Todd sharing his updates, discussing his return to the United States, and the challenges of setting up his new studio space, which includes plans for better acoustics and lighting.

The episode then delves into a myriad of tech and business news stories, starting with Intel’s workforce cut following poor quarterly results, Amazon’s good quarter with increased revenues and expansion plans, and OpenAI’s decision to provide the US government early access to its AI models. Todd also touches on the problematic aspects of smartphone use linked to mental health issues, updates from Boeing’s financial struggles with the Starliner project, and new U.S. regulations to curb China’s access to AI memory chips.

Further, the episode covers advancements in Google TV’s hardware and strategy, a fifty-cent new streaming channel for action-themed content, and some light-hearted discussion about new developments in phone functionality enhancements. The transcript also mentions how Todd navigates minor studio setbacks and plans adjustments accordingly while keeping a candid and humorous tone.

Todd reminds listeners about the importance of community support via donations or engagement through the podcast’s insider program and wraps up with various tech updates. These include developments from Google Cloud, Qualcomm’s AI optimism, Uber’s deal in China for an electric vehicle fleet, and speculative insights on future iPhone branding changes.

Throughout the episode, Todd maintains an informative yet conversational tone, ensuring listeners are well-informed about the latest tech trends while also sharing personal anecdotes and studio updates. He concludes the podcast with an open invitation for feedback and a heads-up on the next show’s content, keeping the audience engaged and looking forward to more.

18:40–‘Google TV Streamer’ 20:12–50 Cent to launch a free streaming channel 22:15–Google unveils AI features for Chrome 22:56–Google’s lawsuit was dismissed 23:54–Google Photos 24:29–BangBros users’ data leaked 25:20–DDoS attacks shouldn’t affect elections this year 26:12–Microsoft sees OpenAI as a competitor 26:58–CISA has its first-ever Chief AI officer  28:01–Don Lemon sues Elon Musk 29:04–Google Cloud 29:46–Samsung Q2 30:21–CrowdStrike sued 31:10–Steve Jobs’ Polaroids 31:44–Tech jobs face significant changes with AI 33:04–Mercury has a layer of diamonds 33:42–The DJI Neo 15:05–Think you’re addicted to your phone? 34:51–Meta’s celebrity AI avatars 35:20–The next Apple Vision Pro 36:04–The iPhone 17 Slim 37:30–Amazon sues Nokia Boeing loses millions 37:36–SiriusXM launches Podcasts+ 39:18–OneBlood hit by ransomware attack Ever wanted your laptop to smell of basil? 39:56–Meta Q2

The post Apple’s AI Leap and Quarterly Earnings Q2 2024 #1757 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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Microsoft Bing’s Major AI Shift: What It Means for Search Traffic #1756

July 26, 2024

Microsoft’s latest update to Bing introduces AI-generated answers that take priority on the search results page. Traditional search results are now displayed in a smaller panel to the side. This change leverages large and small language models to match content and enhance user query fulfillment dynamically. While the update aims to improve efficiency, it raises concerns about the visibility of non-AI results. Microsoft plans to monitor the impact of this new layout, which is currently available to a limited audience.

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Show Links and a Full Summary of Podcast:

In this episode of Geek News Central, host Todd Cochrane opens with Microsoft’s significant AI-driven update to Bing that prioritizes AI-generated answers in its search results, potentially impacting the visibility of traditional search results. Todd articulates his concern that this change could decrease traffic to sites like Geek News Central, as businesses already dependent on search engine traffic for visibility might find it diminishing further.

Todd discusses artificial intelligence’s broader influences, such as its impact on data generation and possible outcomes like information overload or data degradation due to recursive learning models. In this phenomenon, excessive AI content can lead AI models to generate nonsensical outputs. A University of Oxford study emphasizes concerns over AI’s sustainability in training future models.

The episode shifts gears towards corporate AI developments, including Amazon’s efforts to create cheaper and more efficient AI chips to rival Nvidia’s, potentially significantly shifting economic dynamics within tech industries. Todd touches on the controversies around CrowdStrike, which faced backlash for offering a mere ten-dollar Uber Eats gift card to apologize for a significant service outage.

Todd provides a roundup of tech industry news, covering diverse topics, from Tesla’s promised innovations and Google Chrome enhancing security measures against malicious files to Max’s focused streaming feature. He also covers environmental issues related to eCommerce warehouse pollution and legislative actions affecting tech platforms like Facebook and Meta.

Notably, Todd discusses the traditional funding segment for Geek News Central, acknowledging sponsors such as GoDaddy while encouraging listeners to participate through financial contributions or “boosting” the podcast via new podcast apps aligned with the value-for-value model. He highlights the importance of listener support in maintaining independent content production.

Finally, Todd concludes the episode by sharing some personal updates, including travel plans and upcoming projects like building a new studio. The tone throughout the episode blends technical insight with personal anecdotes and listener engagement strategies, maintaining a connection with his audience while unpacking complex AI and technology issues.

23:48–What’s new on Paramount+ with Showtime 11:09–Amazon is racing to develop AI chips 14:23–Six ways Tesla is promising to change the world 15:42–A faster Gemini model 20:17–Coast-to-coast in a solar-powered car 21:20–Adobe executive compared fees to ‘heroin.’ 22:07–UFO spotted moving across the Moon 22:46–SpaceX and Starlink satellites 07:03–Bing has been revamped  Everything new on Max 25:38–Chinese hackers target Mac users 26:46–E-commerce is driving up pollution 28:11–Meta to be hit with a fine AI models face collapse 28:51–Amazon Prime Video Google boosts Chrome protections 30:53–Cyberattacks are more common than ever 31:42–Proposed NASA cuts 32:24–Elon Musk  24:43–Watch Max with friends? 33:23–Microsoft could add more ‘suggestions.’ 34:01–Butterflies use an electric charge to pull pollen 34:56–iOS 18 35:28–GitHub accounts used for malware distribution 12:17–Crowdstrike is offering a $10 gift card as an apology  36:37–GM drops plans for robotaxi  23:57–The Disney+ Hulu and Max bundle  37:06–Lawmakers ask Meta to delay shutting down CrowdTangle 38:42–Kaspersky and the federal government

 

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CrowdStrike Outage continues to cause havoc! #1755

July 23, 2024

The ongoing fallout from CrowdStrike’s recent software update has forced Delta to cancel over 1,250 additional flights, affecting tens of thousands of passengers. The faulty update, which caused a logic error leading to an OS crash, has impacted 8.5 million Windows devices, disrupting airlines, healthcare, and other public services. Despite initial resistance, airlines must now cover costs for stranded travelers as mandated by law. Efforts to resolve the issue are underway, with CrowdStrike and Microsoft collaborating on a fix.

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Show Links and a Full Summary of Podcast:

In this episode of Geek News Central, host Todd Cochrane covers a variety of tech stories, leading with the significant fallout from CrowdStrike’s problematic software update. Todd explains that Delta Airlines had to cancel over 1,250 flights on Monday, days after the logic error resulting from the update, affecting 8.5 million Windows devices. This disruption has spread across various sectors, including airlines and healthcare, forcing airlines to cover costs for stranded travelers as mandated by law. Todd emphasizes the ongoing efforts of CrowdStrike and Microsoft to resolve the issue.

Next, Todd engages with listeners by providing an update on podcast sponsorship deals by GoDaddy, encouraging them to support the platform by becoming GNC insiders and discussing his plans for upcoming studio renovations after returning from an extensive trip abroad. He shares his anecdotes about the different studios he’s set up after his military service and reflects on his podcast journey and setup changes over the years.

The host then transitions to discussing a myriad of technology-related stories involving various topics like: – Pirated movies on YouTube. – NASA’s findings. – A controversy involving Kanye Nass accusing a startup of plagiarism. – A cybersecurity issue involving DJI and plans for its new Mavic drone. – A streaming bundle excluding Netflix. – Financial statistics from car-sharing and streaming services. – Issues surrounding online child safety.

Todd also dives into regulatory actions affecting companies like AT&T and TracFone and advertisements affecting consumers’ experiences online. He delves into the consequences of cyberattacks on government infrastructure and concludes with advancements in AI technology being tested in UK hospitals for prostate cancer detection.

Throughout the episode, besides the main tech discussions, Todd shares talks about setting up a new studio in his loft, and other personal elements of his life that relate to his work in tech and media, drawing on his experiences to connect with his listeners on a more personal level.

12:25–Conde’ Nast 13:18–Pirated movies flood YouTube 14:24–NASA warns of an asteroid 15:01–OLED TVs are not keeping you awake 16:07–DJI Mavic 4 18:15-The Curiosity rover is crushing it 19:22–Microsoft is trying to improve browsers 20:13–In the UL 4K, Blu-ray sales are rising 21:14–Trump’s win wouldn’t stop the EV transition  A man convicted for ‘sextortion’ 10:36–Burglars are jamming WI-Fi cameras 24:16-]-Biden gives billions 24:47–AT&T wireless outage in February  25:32–Tracfone Wireless settles with the FCC 26:14–AI fakes 26:58–iPhone SE 4 CrowdStrike share slide 27:35–Verizon reports losses 28:08–Apple possibly underreporting child sex abuse 09:28–Windows 11 29:21–Musk doubles down on promises 30:13–Rivian and CarPlay 06:48–CrowdStrike outage affects Delta flights 30:36–Two Russians sanctioned over cyberattacks 31:25–“Pay or Consent” 31:51–A Facebook prank 32:09–Samsung Messages 32:47–Cybercrooks Crafting Solo Careers 33:24–LA County Superior Court closes its doors 34:05–Prostate cancer-detecting AI

The post CrowdStrike Outage continues to cause havoc! #1755 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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Unlocking Vehicle Features: A New Revenue Stream or Consumer Exploitation? #1754

July 19, 2024

More car companies, like Tesla, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, charge extra fees to unlock features already built into their vehicles. This controversial practice involves software restricting access to hardware capabilities, such as additional battery range or heated seats, unless customers pay more. Critics argue this approach is exploitative and unoriginal, urging automakers to offer valuable services through genuine software improvements or subscription models.

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In this episode of “Geek News Central,” hosted by Todd Cochrane, the main topic of discussion centers around a controversial practice among car manufacturers like Tesla, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, which involves charging extra fees to unlock features already built into their vehicles. Todd Cochrane starts the episode by highlighting this new trend where automakers restrict access to specific hardware capabilities, such as additional battery range or heated seats, through software unless customers pay extra fees. He critiques this practice as exploitative, suggesting automakers incorporate genuine software improvements.

Todd then gives a shout-out to the episode’s primary sponsor, GoDaddy, encouraging listeners to check out special deals on GeekNewsCentral.com. He emphasizes GoDaddy’s long-standing relationship with the podcast and appreciates listener support, inviting them to contribute to it through various platforms.

The episode then shifts to a variety of tech news updates. Todd discusses challenges in the solar power industry, highlighted by SunPower’s downturn, and references government reactions to the security of artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity measures. He also talks about updates to Windows 11, aimed at making updates smaller and faster, and touches on integrating AI and multi-modal models in various applications.

Throughout the episode, Todd provides insights into various technological advancements and corporate strategies, such as the unbundling of software updates in Windows, AI developments, and the shifting landscape of solar power investments.

As the episode wraps up, Todd shares some personal anecdotes, including his upcoming travel plans and studio setup challenges, particularly his difficulties with the studio lighting arrangement. He reiterates his appreciation for the audience’s support and participation in the podcast community.

The episode concludes with an interactive segment where Todd encourages listener feedback via email or social media, maintaining the interactive nature of “Geek News Central.”

09:53–Trump shooter’s Steam account 11:04–AI security 12:18–Window 11’s upcoming updates 13:34–SunPower 06:54–Carmakers need to stop locking hardware features 16:18–Tinder’s new AI 17:23–Google Pixel 9 ProKaspersky challenges US government 19:51–A Raspberry PI is orbiting the Earth 20:47–Cash App Pay and Google Pay 21:12–Immersive video in the Apple Vision Pro 22:00–Is the AI bubble to burst? 23:46–The CD Walkman is back. 24:46–Tesla sales and market shares dip 25:57–AI regulation in the UK 27:23–A dinosaur skeleton sells for millions 27:45–JBL’s new home theater speakers 28:49–SpaceX and the ISS 30:15–Proton is launching an AI tool 30:38–Biden Administration announces $400 million  31:30–Amazon 32:52–SolarWinds 34:16–Apple isn’t using YouTube data 35:25–Cellebrite 37:09–OpenAI 4o Mini 38:26–AppleTV + 38:55–Dyson’s new headphones 39:36–A fireball meteor blazes over NYC 40:08–Microsoft wants you to pay $300 per year SpaceX and the FAA 41:21–Google Messages

The post Unlocking Vehicle Features: A New Revenue Stream or Consumer Exploitation? #1754 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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AT&T Data Breach and $370K Bitcoin Ransom Unveiled #1753

July 16, 2024

AT&T announced a data breach impacting nearly all of its wireless customers, involving call and text interaction records from May 2022 to January 2023. The breach, attributed to hacker John Binns and the ShinyHunters group, led to AT&T paying a $370,000 Bitcoin ransom. The stolen data originated from the Snowflake data storage platform and included metadata but no sensitive personal information. AT&T is notifying affected customers and has noted an individual’s apprehension.

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Show Links and a Full Summary of Podcast:

In this episode of Geek News Central, host Todd Cochrane discusses a significant data breach at AT&T that affected nearly all wireless customers. This breach involved call and text interaction records from May 2022 to January 2023 and was attributed to hacker John Binns and the ShinyHunters group. Todd explains that AT&T ended up paying a $370,000 Bitcoin ransom, and the stolen data included metadata but purportedly no sensitive personal information. He also mentions AT&T’s response, including notifying affected customers and apprehension about an individual connected to the breach.

Todd transitions to sponsor messages, highlighting GoDaddy’s ongoing support and providing details on their current promotions. He then apologizes for the show’s absence the previous Thursday due to travel delays and promises no further interruptions in the upcoming episodes.

The conversation shifts back to the broader implications of the AT&T breach, particularly the hacker’s negotiation from a $1 million ransom to $370,000 and the ongoing risks of data security in large corporations. Todd also touches on other cybersecurity incidents involving companies like Rite Aid and Gemini’s controversial AI platform, discussing consumer privacy and data protection implications.

Lastly, Todd delves into various other tech news topics, including new developments in AI, net neutrality challenges, and updates on Google’s AI capabilities and policies. He concludes with a brief mention of market trends, including growth in smartphone sales and an analysis of Apple’s stock performance.

The episode ends with Todd expressing appreciation for the listeners and their continued support, encouraging them to become insiders through donations or to engage with the podcast through various modern apps and social media platforms.

22:30–AI is a ‘today problem’ 24:35–AT&T and Verizon 25:54–This new ransomware The Trump shooter had a Discord account 27:03–iPhone 16 predictions 27:54–Southwest partners with Archer 28:54–Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL 29:08–A 3D printer in space 30:20–Weak demand for Apple Vision Pro 30:56–The DOJ Antitrust Division 31:56–Google reveals increase in bug  bounty awards 4:38–AT&T breach 06:41–Rite Aid data breach 32:43–Apple hits record high again 33:14–The smartphone market has grown by 6% 08:08–Gemini AI 34:02–Shooting conspiracies trend on X 35:21–Chromium browsers 36:23–RIAA sues Verizon 37:53–SpaceX faces turbulence  38:47Jupiter smells of rotten eggs 39:49–Meta and Trump’s pages 40:25–A new cyber defense center 41:01–DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro 41:57–OpenAI 11:24–The Robotaxi event has been delayed 11:57–A dirty diaper resold on Amazon 15:57–Sling TV 16:51–YouTube Music 17:53–Net neutrality is in danger again

The post AT&T Data Breach and $370K Bitcoin Ransom Unveiled #1753 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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The Dark Side of AI: Trust and Information in the Digital Age #1752

July 09, 2024

A new report from Google experts warns that AI-generated content could distort reality and erode trust in digital information. The report highlights the misuse of AI for manipulation and profit, requiring minimal technical skill by bad actors. Google’s own AI Overviews feature faced backlash for inaccuracies, leading to decreased mobile searches. Despite concerns, AI Overviews did see engagement from users which questions is Google now leading the sharing or disinformation. Which raises serious questions

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Show Links and a Full Summary of Podcast:

In this episode of “Geek News Central,” Todd Cochrane, returning from his vacation, dives into various technology and cybersecurity topics. He starts by discussing a new report from Google that raises alarms about AI-generated content potentially distorting reality and eroding trust in digital information. Todd expresses concern over the engagement with Google’s AI Overviews despite its inaccuracies, prompting a reflection on the manipulation and profit motives driven by minimal technical skill requirements in AI use.

Todd then acknowledges GoDaddy as the episode’s primary sponsor and updates listeners on his upcoming travel back to the United States and plans for constructing a new studio.

Transitioning back to technology news, Todd discusses Apple’s delay in revamping Siri AI, NASCAR’s introduction of fully electric stock cars, and the launch of a SpaceX mission to an asteroid named Psyche, which is valued extremely high due to its precious metal content.

Cybersecurity is heavily featured. Todd outlines a major password data leak impacting billions of accounts, a hacked Ethereum Foundation account that led to a phishing scam, a data breach at Microsoft involving SSDs, and concerns over antiquated parts of the UK’s NHS IT infrastructure leading to vulnerabilities.

Todd also touches on recent acquisitions and business moves, including Amazon’s entry into the luxury goods market through an alliance with Neiman Marcus, and details technological advancements such as Samsung’s hints at a dust-resistant folding phone and NASA’s latest Mars simulation mission.

Throughout the episode, Todd emphasizes the significance of verifying and fact-checking digital content in an era where AI-generated data can sometimes be misleading or false. He invites listener feedback on the discussions and provides a roundup of other tech updates, underscoring his commitment to delivering trustworthy content in his podcast.

**Closing Thoughts:** Todd rounds off by thanking listeners for their support, especially GoDaddy’s long-term sponsorship, and reiterating his commitment to keeping the podcast a source of reliable information in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

The post The Dark Side of AI: Trust and Information in the Digital Age #1752 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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AI Music Rights Battle & YouTube #1751

June 28, 2024

YouTube is negotiating with major record labels like Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Records to license music for its AI tools. The platform, which previously launched the Dream Track feature, aims to expand its AI music capabilities by paying lump sums for song licenses. Despite YouTube’s efforts, artists and labels are wary due to past issues with AI-generated music and the protection of their rights.

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Show Links and a Full Summary of Podcast:

In this episode of “Geek News Central” the lead story discusses YouTube’s ongoing negotiations with major record labels such as Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Records. The platform wants to license music for its AI tools, mainly to run experiments, by offering lump sum payments for song licenses. This initiative is met with skepticism from artists and labels due to past issues concerning AI-generated music and rights protection.

The podcast also covers a variety of other tech-related news: – A mother uses social media to tackle her student loan debt through a creative business venture. – Unistellar’s new AR binoculars can identify various celestial and terrestrial objects. – Connectivity issues faced by Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile customers when traveling internationally. – Anticipation around Samsung’s upcoming Unpacked event and new releases including potentially a new Galaxy Ring. – Issues with mobile service providers internationally and a brief mention of telecom strategies. – Innovations and controversies in tech, including Time magazine’s partnership with OpenAI, character AI’s new feature allowing voice calls with AI avatars, and privacy concerns with Australian banks studying mobile device interactions. – Legal battles involving technology and data usage, with Coinbase suing federal regulators for denied FOIA requests. – Developments in drone technology amidst worries about Chinese dominance in the market. – Google’s decision to discontinue its Stack scanning app, integrating its features into Google Drive. – The Supreme Court’s stance on governmental interaction with social media companies regarding post removals. – Speculations about a new large-display Apple Watch potentially being launched. – Microsoft’s alleged involvement in a data theft at a US hospital.

Todd encourages listeners to contribute to the podcast’s production and value through various means and reminds them of the ongoing GoDaddy sponsorship deals. He concludes by thanking the listeners for their support and promoting the newsletter and the website, where additional resources and links related to the mentioned stories can be found. Lastly, he mentions his upcoming vacation, indicating when the next episode will air.

This mom turned to social media to pay off debt These smart binoculars Verizon and AT&T users face problems Samsung Unpacked 2024 Time and OpenAI Character.AI A comet not seen since 1956 to pass by Earth Australian bank spots scams Apple pauses work on planned campus Microsoft blamed for patient records theft Amazon is reportedly working on its own AI chatbot Verizon pays a million dollars  Meta’s Oversight Board Coinbase files lawsuits Congress waves red flags over Chinese drone dominance Google is killing a handy tool SCOTUS and social media The Apple Watch X Uber will pay you $1,000 Amazon is valued at $2 trillion dollars YouTube and AI SpaceX hired to destroy ISS

The post AI Music Rights Battle & YouTube #1751 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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Apple’s App Store Pricing Antics Could Cost Billions #1750

June 24, 2024

Following a European Union investigation, Apple faces significant fines, potentially up to 10% of its global revenue. The EU’s preliminary findings suggest Apple violated the Digital Markets Act by restricting App Store developers from informing users about alternative payment methods outside Apple’s ecosystem. If found guilty, fines could escalate to tens of billions of dollars, and repeated violations may lead to even higher penalties. This case marks the first regulatory action under the DMA, emphasizing the bloc’s stance on major tech companies’ practices.

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Show Links and a Full Summary of Podcast:

The podcast episode “Apple’s App Store Pricing Antics Could Cost Billions,” hosted by Todd Cochrane on Geek News Central, focuses on significant developments concerning Apple and other tech news. The episode starts with Todd addressing the potential massive fines Apple could face, amounting to ten percent of its global revenue. This stems from a European Union investigation which found preliminary evidence of Apple violating the Digital Markets Act by restricting App Store developers from informing users about alternative payment methods outside Apple’s ecosystem.

Todd gives a comprehensive overview of the investigation and discusses Apple’s implications. He puts into perspective the seriousness of this case by highlighting that it’s the first regulatory action under the DMA, which underscores the EU’s rigid stance on major tech companies’ practices. The discussion extends to anticipating large fines and ongoing global revenue percentage implications if these DMA violations are repeated.

Todd then transitions to mention Geek News Central’s sponsors and their offers before briefly relaying his travel plans and moving back to the topic of tech companies. Following this segment, there’s an extensive discussion on various other tech-related stories:

1. The price increase of the Paramount Plus service. 2. Tesla’s new Optimus Gen Two robot and its implications on the labor market. 3. There is a prevalence of deep fake scams, particularly one featuring an AI-generated Elon Musk pushing cryptocurrency scams. 4. An urgent firmware update for Google Pixel phones due to a severe vulnerability. 5. A significant data breach in the Los Angeles Unified School District impacted many student records. 6. Netflix’s potential introduction of a free, ad-supported service in markets outside the US. 7. Recent vandalism on Tesla Cybertrucks and ongoing issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. 8. Several intellectual property lawsuits targeting AI music companies using copyrighted materials without authorization. 9. Concerns around child privacy violations by TikTok and the latest US government sanctions against Kaspersky executives. 10. A report highlighting inefficiencies in surgical tech, potentially costing hundreds of work hours. 11. Possible updates across Apple’s Mac lineup to include the new M4 chips. 12. A claim against NASA by an American family for damages caused by space debris. 13. Development of an advanced AI chip by ByteDance in collaboration with Broadcom.

Todd closes the episode by urging listeners to participate in Geek News Central’s initiatives and sending personal shoutouts to the contributors and listeners, encouraging them to stay tuned and engage via various channels outlined at the start of the podcast.

LA school boards data breach An ad-supported Netflix service Tesla Cybertrucks vandalized  Starliner to remain docked on the ISS The RIAA sues AI music services TikTok faces pressure 12 Kaspersky executives sanctioned Surgeons say they’re losing work hours Apple’s entire Mac lineup NASA sued ByteDance working with Broadcom Apple and the EU Deepfakes about Elon Musk Another price increase for Paramount+ Optimus Gen 2 Robot

The post Apple’s App Store Pricing Antics Could Cost Billions #1750 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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Elon Musk Confirms Starlink Mini Dish: Affordable, Portable, and Powerful #1749

June 21, 2024

Elon Musk has confirmed the release of a new Starlink Mini dish, which will be half the price of the standard model and easily portable in a backpack. Despite its smaller size, the Mini dish promises speeds up to 100 Mbps with 23ms latency. Priced between $250-300, it will be available in select areas soon.

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Show Links and a Full Summary of Podcast

In episode 1749 of Geek News Central, hosted by Todd Cochrane, the main focal story is Elon Musk’s announcement of the new Starlink Mini dish. This dish is affordable, costing between $250-300, and boasts impressive portability and speeds up to 100 Mbps with a 23ms latency. It is designed to be small enough to fit in a backpack, measuring 11 by 9 inches, although it still requires a clear view of the sky. Despite the advantages, Todd points out the high monthly fee of $150, which he feels could be lower.

Following the lead story, Todd transitions to several other significant news topics: 1. U.S. car dealerships were halted due to an incident at CDK Global, a primary software provider. 2. YouTube is reportedly canceling premium memberships for users attempting to pay less by using VPNs in cheaper subscription countries. 3. Dell’s return to the office mandate is causing unrest among employees, with the company using a color-coded system to monitor compliance.

Todd shifts focus to announcements and sponsor messages, marking GoDaddy’s 19-year sponsorship of his podcast and promoting various GoDaddy deals that offer value for service packages like hosting and domain services.

Next, Todd discusses recent issues and trends in the tech and business world: – Ferrari’s upcoming electric vehicle is expected to be considerably expensive. – Warnings about VPNs potentially including malware, explicitly targeting Chinese users seeking VPN services. – Changes in artificial intelligence (AI) and its implementation in various sectors, notably banking, may lead to significant job displacements.

He also mentions exciting developments regarding space exploration with Rocket Lab’s planned launch. He elaborates on online safety and privacy issues, notably Instagram’s problematic content recommendations to teenage users.

In the latter part of the podcast, Todd addresses listener interactions and contributions through modern podcast apps like Fountain, encouraging the community to interact more with the podcast.

To wrap up, Todd discusses legal issues surrounding TikTok and a unique approach some users take to resolve Facebook account issues by taking legal action.

Throughout the episode, Todd acknowledges the contributions and interactions from the listeners and invites feedback and participation, reinforcing the interactive nature of his podcast series.

07:35–YouTube is reportedly canceling Premium memberships 09:11–1/2 of US Dell staff opted for remote work 14:09–Boeing’s Starliner 15:06–New MacBook Pro 2024 laptops 16:14–Ferrari’s first EV 17:23–That new VPN you found could contain malware 18:36–Cheaper Apple Vision Pros 04:28–The Starlink Mini Dish is coming 19:56–Biden to ban sales of Kaspersky software 21:17–Musk seeks to mend fences with advertisers 23:19–Citi sees AI displacing more bank jobs 06:05–Car dealerships halted after cyberattack 24:50–Rocket Lab 25:47–AI could save the public sector workers 27:25–Booking.com warns of scams 29:10–You need to take a close look at your AT&T bill 31:09–Snap pays millions  32:06–Instagram

The post Elon Musk Confirms Starlink Mini Dish: Affordable, Portable, and Powerful #1749 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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US Congress Pushes for DJI Drone Ban Amid CCP Spying Concerns #1748

June 18, 2024

DJI, a major drone manufacturer, may soon face a ban in the US as the Countering CCP Drones Act progresses through Congress. This bill, driven by concerns about Chinese Communist Party spying, aims to limit Chinese-built technology in the US market. DJI, holding 70% of the US drone market, has been recognized for its superior technology and innovation. However, the US government is pushing to open the market for domestic drone companies by targeting DJI. The bill’s passage could significantly impact the drone industry, given the lack of comparable US-made alternatives.

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Show Links and Full Summary of Podcast

09:57–NASA delays Boeing Starliner departure from ISS 16:29–Amazon-powered AI cameras 18:21–Asus patches serious security flaw 19:34–Apple reportedly plans thinner devices 20:43–Proton 21:37–The US has sued Adobe ‘Superbug’ on the ISS 12:30–VPNs and the law 22:23–Hundreds of thousands affected by data breach 23:20–Hackers use emojis to dispatch malware 24:23–A new Android phone from Motorola 5:22–Your DJI drone may be banned 25:00–VPN for Pixel users 25:46–A new Cybertruck issue 26:38–YouTube is testing Notes 27:29–AI improves human locomotion in robotic exoskeletons 28:34–Elon Musk drops case against OpenAI 29:04–Seven warning signs your computer was hacked 29:43–Seven bizarre facts about the Solar System 30:29–Surgeon General urges safety labels on social media 31:12–Mcdonald’s and AI 8:56–Google Chrome on Android

The post US Congress Pushes for DJI Drone Ban Amid CCP Spying Concerns #1748 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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GDPR vs Google: Privacy Sandbox Under Fire #1747

June 14, 2024

Privacy campaigner noyb has filed a GDPR complaint against Google’s Privacy Sandbox, alleging it results in unwanted tracking. Despite being introduced to eliminate third-party cookies, the Privacy Sandbox tracks users within the browser. Noyb claims Google’s implementation lacks informed consent and misleads users into enabling first-party tracking under the guise of privacy protection. Google’s stance is that their Privacy Sandbox APIs offer significant privacy improvements, but the issue has drawn regulatory attention and criticism.

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Show Notes and Full Summary:

In episode 1747 of Geek News Central, hosted by Todd Cochrane, the main focus is on a complaint filed by privacy campaigner NOYB against Google’s Privacy Sandbox. Todd starts the episode by summarizing the allegation that despite its intention to eliminate third-party cookies, Google’s Privacy Sandbox results in unwanted tracking within the browser. NOYB claims that Google misleads users into enabling first-party tracking disguised as privacy protection, lacking informed consent. Google maintains that the Privacy Sandbox offers significant privacy improvements.

Todd proceeds to a detailed sponsor segment, promoting GoDaddy’s services and deals and emphasizing the sponsorship’s long-standing support for the podcast. The host briefly mentions a personal challenge with his rough voice and the disturbance due to nearby construction, adding a touch of personal experience to the episode.

Moving on, Todd elaborates on the technical aspects of the Privacy Sandbox API introduced by Google in 2020, designed to replace third-party cookie tracking with API-based user interest ad displays. This approach sparked controversy as it seemingly shifts the monitoring within the browser, which, according to NOYB, manipulates user consent through misleading pop-up messages.

The podcast covers other major stories, including a massive pay deal for Elon Musk approved by Tesla investors, Google’s reinforcement of Android 15 against attacks at charging stations, concerns over Amazon Alexa’s data usage, and Spotify’s expansion into audiobook offerings, which stirred a complaint from music publishers.

Todd then discusses technological developments, such as AI-driven training plans for the New York City Marathon, updates in Apple Pay functionalities, and the introduction of AI job coaching tools on LinkedIn.

The episode wraps up with acknowledgments to listeners who donate and contribute to the podcast, followed by a review of further news items like a software update for Waymo’s driverless taxis, a cyberattack on the tracker company Tile, and rising costs of Blu-ray DVDs.

The episode provides a good blend of technical discussion, personal anecdotes, and promotion, catering to an audience interested in technology updates, privacy issues, and digital media impacts.

09:30–Android 15 12:39–Apple’s Intelligence 15:11–‘ Once in a lifetime explosion 16:24–Music publishers and Spotify 18:26–Waymo issues software fix 19:10–Bitcoin miners at a Donald Trump event 20:40–Firefox 10:26–Your home is spying on you 22:10–Wells Fargo fires employees 23:21–Internships are drying up 25:08–Google to buy clean power 04:40–Google’s Privacy Sandbox 26:07–NYC Marathon partners with Runna 07:40–Musk says Tesla investors backing pay deal 27:00–Apple Pay gets a significant upgrade 28:10–Roku TV owners are complaining  29:17–Starship-Super Heavy 29:58–Apple and OpenAI 30:38–Adobe and genAI 31:54–Google wants to put more AI in Chromebooks 32:31–Tile hacked 33:52–Blu-ray and DVD prices have increased 34:40–NASA calls off spacewalk 35:50–LinkedIn’s AI job coach

The post GDPR vs Google: Privacy Sandbox Under Fire #1747 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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Apple Unveils macOS 15 Sequoia with AI Features #1746

June 11, 2024

Apple announced the macOS 15 Sequoia at WWDC 2024, featuring the Apple Intelligence AI suite, iPhone mirroring, and Continuity updates. The new OS introduces automatic window tiling, a cross-platform Passwords app, and enhanced Safari features. macOS Sequoia is compatible with Apple Silicon and select Intel-based Macs

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Show Notes and Full Summary:

In this episode of Geek News Central, host Todd Cochrane discusses several critical topics primarily focusing on Apple’s announcement of macOS 15 Sequoia during WWDC 2024. The new operating system introduces several innovative features, including the Apple Intelligence AI suite, iPhone mirroring, and enhanced continuity updates. MacOS Sequoia supports automatic window tiling, a cross-platform Passwords app, and improved Safari features. It is compatible with Apple Silicon and select Intel-based Macs.

Todd Cochrane seamlessly transitions into sponsor promotion, specifically highlighting GoDaddy as Geek News Central’s primary sponsor. He encourages listeners to take advantage of special deals provided through his GoDaddy affiliate link. He emphasizes the importance of supporting the podcast by signing up to become a GNC insider or using modern podcast apps that allow listeners to contribute directly through the value-for-value model.

Cochran shares anecdotes from his travels in the Philippines, reminiscing about his experiences in the Subic Bay area. He provides a rundown on notable spots and changes in the Olongapo area, reflecting on the region’s transformation.

The episode shifts back to tech topics, delving deeper into the features of macOS Sequoia. Todd discusses Apple Intelligence at length, describing how the AI will enhance functionality across Apple devices by introducing new capabilities in writing tools, Siri, and user interactivity between Mac and iPhone.

Further, Todd covers a variety of additional tech news stories, including NATO’s funding for a German startup developing autonomous war robots, Google’s settlement over an antitrust lawsuit, and a piracy lawsuit filed by significant publishers against Google. He also briefly touches upon personal internet security tips and wraps up with news of Tesla’s door design issues potentially affecting car windows.

Throughout the episode, Todd encourages listener interaction through emails and sharing feedback on modern podcast apps. He also mentions significant contributions from dedicated listeners who support the podcast through financial donations or streaming sats with modern Podcast Apps.

To conclude, Todd outlines the upcoming changes and challenges related to his podcast setup, sharing his transition from a studio to potentially building a new working space at home and ending with acknowledgments for the ongoing support from the Geek News Central community.

16:39–AI Pin users should stop using its charging case 12:17–Google “profits from pirated textbooks publishers.” 21:16–Tesla’s emergency door release  21:54–Virgin Galactic 23:32–SCOTUS and Facebook 24:02–Is the router showing a red light? 26:32–Ransomware attack on Christie’s 27:08–Accountants say they are using AI to make their jobs easier 09:13–Autonomous war robots 28:20–NY Times responds to source code leak 29:22–Multi-robot teams to explore other planets 31:16–NHS psychotherapy clinic run by AI 34:42–Amazon eases up on ads 34:48–Google pays millions 36:30–Frontier hackers threaten to release private data 37:05–Scammers use fake X accounts to impersonate airlines 37:58–LastPass reveals the cause of the primary password manager outage 38:26–SpaceX 39:24–Customers are printing far less 5:45–macOS Sequoia

The post Apple Unveils macOS 15 Sequoia with AI Features #1746 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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SpaceX Starship Achieves Major Milestone! #1745

June 07, 2024

SpaceX’s Starship rocket completed its first successful full test flight, returning to Earth without exploding. Standing nearly 400 feet tall, this marked the fourth launch and the longest flight of the world’s largest and most powerful rocket. Despite some damage and the loss of tiles, the spacecraft managed a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean after a flight reaching 130 miles in altitude and speeds of 16,000 mph. This milestone is crucial for SpaceX’s plans to reuse the rocket for missions to the moon and Mars.

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Show Notes Summary and Links:

In this episode of Geek News Central, hosted by Todd Cochrane, the primary focus is SpaceX’s recent achievement with its Starship rocket. The rocket completed its first successful full test flight without exploding, marking a significant milestone for SpaceX’s plans to use the missile for lunar and Martian missions.

Todd starts the episode by highlighting the rocket’s controlled splashdown after reaching high speeds and altitude despite some damage and loss of tiles. He emphasizes the importance of this advancement in the context of SpaceX’s future missions.

The discussion then shifts to other topics, including ongoing antitrust investigations into major tech companies like Microsoft, OpenAI, and NVIDIA by US regulators. NVIDIA’s recent surge in valuation, making it the world’s second most valuable company, is also mentioned.

Todd transitions to other news, including Microsoft’s investigation over monopoly concerns, Apple’s commitment to security updates for iPhones, and a new homepage design tested by Netflix. Other discussions cover the end of Best Buy’s Samsung repair program, a study related to misinformation on Twitter, and controversy over Adobe’s content scanning practices.

The episode also covers the opposition to a new telescope on Haleakala by Maui’s council, Lyft’s growth forecasts, and details about Instacart’s stock buyback. Additionally, Todd discusses a U.S. Justice Department move to recover funds stolen from a trade union, a U.S. news app accused of publishing fake stories, and Apple’s internal radio in its new Macs and iPads intended for smart home functionalities.

Todd also engages with the audience, reminding listeners about their sponsorship with GoDaddy and encouraging them to support the show through various platforms and promotional codes provided.

This engaging and informative episode, filled with a mix of technological advancements and regulatory challenges faced by tech companies, concludes with Todd thanking listeners and insiders for their support and teasing future discussions and content.

16:51–Maui opposes the Space Force plan 5:37–SpaceX’s mega-rocket 18:53–Lyft rises on growth 19:12–Instacart announces buyback 19:33–DOJ to recover millions 20:42–Newsbreak accused of using AI to make up stories 22:11–There’s a secret radio inside new Macs 23:18–US Treasury to seek comments from the public about AI 24:06–Advance Auto Parts confirms stolen data for sale 25:07–A battery charged by your tears  26:01-0eBay to stop accepting AMEX 27:47–Ikea is hiring players to run its virtual store 28:54–FBI recovers keys 30:17–DuckDuckGo 31:18–Tetris at 40 8:14–Microsoft, OpenAI, and Nvidia investigated 10:13–Nvidia worth trillions 11:20–iPhone security updates  13:43–Misinformation on Twitter  11:58–Netflix’s latest design  Adobe users upset  12:43–Best Buy shutting down Samsung repair program

The post SpaceX Starship Achieves Major Milestone! #1745 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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Forced to Vacate Studio #1744

June 05, 2024

After operating Geek News Central for the past five years from the current studio, I was forced to vacate the space I’d called home for so long.

About 18 months ago, The Mint, a weed shop, moved in next door, and while it wasn’t without its quirks—like the morning aroma of weed in my kitchen area—they’ve been good neighbors. For the past six months, I’ve been on a month-to-month lease after the building was acquired more than a year ago by the owners of said weed shop, and I never thought about renewing it. The landlord seemed content having me there, especially since the place had been vacant for years before I moved in back in 2019. But, that was my mistake.

On Sunday, May 28th, I received a termination notice of my lease from the owners of the building based out of Arizona. My lease termination date was set for June 28th, and as you know, I had a trip planned that extended beyond that date. With no time to lose and not wanting a legal battle, I spent two days vacating the studio, thanks to a miraculous 48-hour effort over Monday on Memorial Day and Tuesday.

So here I am, with no place to operate from when I return. My studio was never open to the public, as you know, but served as the backbone of my podcast,

Finding a new location will be challenging and may even require moving to a community that understands and supports this type of creative work. It reminds me of my mantra: never build your brand on rented land. While my .com is safe, my creative space isn’t, and this reality has been a soul-crushing experience.

I have no idea who will move into my old space—perhaps no one, in this challenging commercial market. My rent was always paid on time, but maybe weed sales are doing so well that they need a bigger store.

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The post Forced to Vacate Studio #1744 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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Exploring Google I/O 2024: The Future of Search, AI, and Android #1743

May 16, 2024

Google I/O 2024 introduced significant advancements in AI with the new Gemini 1.5 Flash, which can efficiently handle high-volume tasks. Enhancements in Gemini Nano and the debut of Project Astra highlight multimodal capabilities, allowing interaction through text, images, and spoken language. The event also showcased Imagen 3 for photorealistic image generation and Veo for high-quality video creation. Updates in Google Search with AI Overviews and new Android features like real-time phishing detection and advanced AI integrations were also announced.

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Show Notes Summary and Story Links:

In this episode of Geek News Central, host Todd Cochrane gives a shout-out to the show’s primary sponsor, GoDaddy, acknowledging their longstanding partnership. He then shares his personal updates, mentioning his upcoming travel plans to London and discussing the implications of Google’s changes on search on businesses, particularly the shift toward AI-driven results, which might sideline traditional search results. He voices concern over how these changes could impact small businesses and content creators, including his site, Geek News Central.

Moving forward, Cochrane touches on industry reactions to other tech developments, including a new Samsung ad and updates concerning internet tariffs affecting military families. He also notes a new helicopter design and shares coverage of ongoing congressional debates over who should report foreign election interference.

Cochrane then encourages listeners to stay subscribed and proactive, emphasizing the importance of maintaining openness in internet standards and podcasting. He concludes with a reminder about the importance of supporting sponsors like GoDaddy, which helps keep the podcast thriving and independent.

**Key Points Covered:** 1. Overview of Google I/O 2024. 2. Introduction of new AI technologies and Android features. 3. Impact of Google’s shift to AI-driven search results on businesses. 4. Cochrane’s upcoming travel and schedule adjustments. 5. Various tech updates and industry reactions. 6. Advocacy for open internet standards and the value of podcast independence.

This episode serves as a comprehensive guide to the latest in technology, especially Google’s innovations. It also discusses the broader implications of these technologies for different aspects of digital life and business, as listed below.

16:59–1/2 of ACP users are military families that would be affected with the end of ACP 19:30–NASA bids farewell to the ‘flying laboratory’ 21:18–What is social engineering? 23:07–Your Chromecast and LG TV might get a Google Home update. 26:29–Nissan data breach 27:02–The iPhone 16 Pro Max 28:29–President Biden and solar manufacturers  30:26–Visa adds a new way to share data 31:50–You could be eligible for a piece of Apple’s settlement 33:31–Airbus’ new Racer 35:00–Toshiba to cut jobs 35:15–Spectacular NASA footage of solar activity Private mission to save the Hubble Space Telescope Black holes were observed colliding 36:48–The TICKET Act 37:35–Who will report foreign election interference? 41:21–Google Workspace and Gmail 42:30–Thunderbolt Share 15:53–‘We don’t crush creativity’ 44:09–Business leaders scared of RTO mandates 45:15–Microsoft PC Manager 46:17–Venu Sports 46:42–Google’s Lookout 47:40–AI to answer complex questions in physics 48:35–An AI-driven sarcasm detector 6:51–Google I/O 50:07–Meta’s Oversight Board 51:04–Apple is working on a touchscreen MacBook 51:49–Santander confirms data breach 52:21–Why are laptop webcams always so bad? 52:57–AT&T deal will make every phone a satellite phone

The post Exploring Google I/O 2024: The Future of Search, AI, and Android #1743 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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Exploring OpenAI’s GPT-4o: A Leap in AI Technology #1742

May 13, 2024

In this episode of Geek News Central, hosted by Todd Cochrane, the primary focus is the latest release from OpenAI, the GPT-4o model, which enhances text, vision, and audio functionalities. Todd starts the episode by discussing the features of GPT-4o, which include improvements in API access, cost efficiency, and the introduction of a more interactive voice mode. He emphasizes the strategic timing of the release, just a day before the Google I/O conference, positioning OpenAI favorably against its competitors.

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Show Notes Summary and Story Links:

Todd acknowledges the episode’s sponsors, especially highlighting GoDaddy, the longest-running sponsor. He casually shares his personal experiences from his recent trip to the Philippines for Podfest Asia, where he engaged with other media creators and savored local beers and rum.

After discussing his travel schedule, which includes upcoming trips to London and potential disruptions to the podcast schedule due to his travels, Todd delves deeper into technological updates. He explores various tech-related topics ranging from Apple’s controversial ad campaign and geomagnetic storms affecting Starlink and GPS systems to advancements in quantum navigation technology for unjamable positioning systems.

The episode covers various other subjects, such as healthcare cybersecurity, the environmental review of SpaceX’s Starship launches from Kennedy Space Center, and labor actions by Apple store workers in Maryland. Todd also highlights the potential coming updates in Google’s I/O conference, focusing on AI initiatives.

In the latter part of the episode, Todd speaks about data privacy issues with ProtonMail and impending U.S. tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. The episode closes with a mention of discussions on AI safety between the U.S. and China, a brief look ahead to the next episode, and gratitude to the financial supporters of the podcast, urging listeners to become insiders by contributing financially to ensure the continuity of Geek News Central.

Overall, Todd Cochrane’s episode “Exploring OpenAI’s GPT-4o: A Leap in AI Technology” encapsulates an array of tech advancements, personal anecdotes, futuristic propositions, and community engagements blended seamlessly with updates and thoughts on recent technological controversies and developments.

Amazon’s robotaxi company is under investigation TCL’s 115-inch 4K TV for $27,000 More geomagnetic storms remain likely for today Microsoft Places and AI VW’s ID Buzz Europol investigates a breach Majestic ‘ying-yang’ crater SpaceX shows off its new extravehicular activity suit Black Basta ransomware MIT and AI A $1.4 billion Dream Chaser ‘plane’ YouTube Music and AI Ads in Windows 11 Beethoven likely didn’t die from lead poisoning  Tesla rehires some superchargers workers Ikea is adding energy monitoring to its app Unjammable navigation tech Android phones are about to get a major iMessage feature AI personas are the future of dating Waymo Google I/O 2024 Proton Mail Starlink suffers ‘degraded service’ from solar storm US tariffs on Chinese EVs Google’s Project Starline Apple and Google ChatGPT in iOS 18 GPT-4o Cyberattack at Ascension  SpaceX facing an FAA review AI in the hands of the people The US and China are meeting this week to talk about AI safety and risks Apple Store workers in Maryland have voted to authorize a strike

The post Exploring OpenAI’s GPT-4o: A Leap in AI Technology #1742 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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High-Speed Space Data Transmission #1741

April 29, 2024

NASA’s Psyche spacecraft, equipped with Deep Space Optical Communications technology, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by successfully transmitting data from over 140 million miles away using space lasers. This achievement, which included sending ultra-high-definition video and engineering data at unprecedented speeds, marks a significant advancement in deep-space communication technologies. Such capabilities pave the way for more complex and faster data transmission, which is crucial for future missions, including potential human trips to Mars.

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Show Notes Summary and Story Links:

In this episode of Geek News Central, host Todd Cochrane discusses several topics, with the highlight being NASA’s Psyche spacecraft and its achievement in transmitting data from over 140 million miles away using space lasers. This feat marks a significant advancement in deep-space communication technologies.

The episode starts with a shout-out to the primary sponsor, GoDaddy, and an acknowledgment of the show’s supporters. Todd mentions the show’s availability on modern podcast apps and encourages listeners to become GNC insiders.

Todd informs listeners that this will be the last show before a break due to his upcoming trip to the Philippines for Podfest Asia. He explains that he will be absent for a week and a half, resulting in no new episodes until his return.

The deep space communication story breaks down the details of NASA’s experiment, including transmitting ultra-high-definition video and engineering data at unprecedented speeds.

In a brief diversion from the main topic, the host touches on Mercedes Benz’s decision not to allow Apple CarPlay to take over all vehicle screens, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a holistic software architecture.

The episode delves into various news items, including Google Play Store updates, NASA’s call for public input on technological shortfalls, and a data breach that affected Kaiser Permanente.

Todd encourages listener engagement by sharing a feedback email from a listener named Brad, who had listened to all past podcast episodes during his recovery from a brain tumor. Todd also reads an email from Bob regarding the earning model on the Fountain app and addresses pronunciation feedback from Keith, who corrected Todd’s pronunciation of “Maita.”

Other topics covered include a hit piece on Apple over fraudulent apps, the risk of AI in critical infrastructure, a price hike for Peacock, and a leaked iPhone 16 case model. Todd also touches on the investigation into Ford’s BlueCruise system following a fatal crash. He rounds out the news with discussions about Getir’s focus shift, Verizon’s smartwatch plans price increase, FCC fines for carriers, GitHub’s new AI-powered software engineering tool, and a potential new feature for the Apple Pencil.

Towards the end of the show, Todd discusses the importance of media companies like The Onion and the vital role of AI in education, referencing an article from MIT about using generative AI in the classroom.

The episode concludes with an update on upcoming episodes, prompting users to subscribe to the newsletter for future content and thanking listeners and sponsors for their support.

The title of this episode reflects the innovative technology demonstrated by NASA’s spacecraft and its promising implications for future space communications.

 You can download two apps at once from the Google Play Store Mercedes-Benz and Apple’s CarPlay NASA seeks input Kaiser Permanente data breach Prime deliveries are getting much faster Apple under fire DDoS attacks USPS phishing sites 2.28 million apps blocked from the Play Store CISA rolls out new guidelines Peacock is getting a price increase Leaked iPhone 16 case models suggest bigger sizes for the Pro and Pro Max BlueCruise under investigation OpenAI and the Financial Times Walmart and Roblox MIT experimenting with AI What’s new on Prime Video NASA receives deep-space laser messages millions and millions of miles away Methane gas coming out of the ground on Mars? The next Apple Pencil Meta to face the EU ‘Killer Robots’ Getir shuts down Twilio buys The Onion Verizon smartwatch plans get price hikes

The post High-Speed Space Data Transmission #1741 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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ByteDance Prefers Shutdown to Selling TikTok #1740

April 25, 2024

ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, has expressed a preference for shutting down its TikTok app in the U.S. if forced to divest rather than sell it. This stance stems from the importance of the app’s core algorithms to ByteDance’s global operations. Despite TikTok’s substantial user base in the U.S., it represents only a tiny portion of ByteDance’s revenue. The company would rather cease operations than compromise on the algorithms integral to its suite of applications. This decision came after the President signed a bill to force the sale by January 19th in the U.S. that mandated the sale of TikTok due to alleged national security concerns, with ByteDance steadfast in maintaining control over its technological assets.

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Show Notes Summary and Story Links:

In this episode, Todd Cochrane discusses several topics, starting with the main subject: ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, potentially shutting down the app in the United States rather than selling it due to an order from the President that demands ByteDance be sold. Cochrane highlights that ByteDance values its core algorithm too much to sell it and that the app represents only a tiny portion of the company’s global revenue. Despite TikTok’s popularity, the decision comes amid concerns of national security. Cochrane expresses skepticism about the motives behind the legislation, suggesting that other interests, particularly financial interests from competitors, might be at play.

During the episode, Cochrane acknowledges his primary sponsor, GoDaddy, thanking them for their long-term support and encouraging listeners to step up and support the sponsor during the new reporting period. He mentions some behind-the-scenes statistics and reminds listeners to check out deals from GoDaddy on his website. C

Cochrane displays a replica of the Dragon spacecraft sent by an anonymous donor and expresses appreciation for the gift. He then dives into his opinion on government intervention regarding TikTok, criticizing the legislative decision and comparing the situation to past social media controversies. Todd discusses the implications of the U.S. government pressuring a sale of TikTok and voices strong support for free speech.

Transitioning to other topics, Cochrane reports on various news items, including the FTC ruling against noncompete agreements and the arrest of a school athletic director for impersonating a principal using AI voice synthesis to create offensive messages. He shares news about the FCC’s actions against certain Chinese telecommunications companies and discusses breakthroughs in brain-like computing using water and salt.

Cochrane continues to discuss updates in the entertainment industry, Toyota’s new car manufacturing investments, and the possibility that Apple might start developing its AI chips. He touches upon FTC refunds to Ring customers over security failures and the report that Ford has been selling its electric cars at a loss.

As the episode progresses, Cochrane discusses regulatory pressure on the tech industry, DARPA’s autonomous tank, and expectations of alien life discoveries. He shares an anecdote about his son’s MacBook Pro needing a battery replacement and Apple’s expensive service fee.

Finally, the episode touches on the Earth’s slowing rotation, DARPA’s new autonomous combat vehicle, AI in plant engineering, Stripe’s update, Intel’s financial outlook, Google’s plans with Chromebooks and Pixel, and Reddit’s new advertising attempts. Toward the end of the podcast, Cochrane discusses his upcoming travel schedule to podcasting events in Manila and London and how it will affect show frequency.

Throughout the episode, Cochrane also gives shoutouts to various listeners and supporters, asks for feedback, and discusses the value-for-value model, including the SATSBack initiative, where podcasters could potentially pay listeners for their time listening to the show. He explains podcast apps and how listeners can use the Fountain app to support the podcast financially through streaming sites (cryptocurrency).

The podcast episode “ByteDance Prefers Shutdown to Selling TikTok” ran slightly longer than usual, nearly reaching the 60-minute mark.

What’s new on Paramount + with Showtime 32:06–NASA is planning a September launch 32:49–iPhone activation market share hits new low 35:17–A phone tracking app has a significant security flaw 23:16–FCC bans Chinese telecom carriers 25:43–An artificial synapse  36:20–Cities are ending their ShotSpotter contracts 38:21–Google is updating Android TVs 38:39–Toyota will spend billions 07:35–ByteDance prefers a TikTok ban 16:51–The end of non-compete agreements 39:27–Apple might start developing its own AI chips 40:07–AI-driven cyber attacks to be the norm 41:26–Ford reported a massive loss on its electric vehicles  42:42–Apple reports cuts to its Vision Pro production 18:48–A school athletic director was arrested for framing the principal  44:25–The Earth’s rotation slowing down 45:58–Spotify and Apple 47:48–What’s new on Max 47:57–Senator Rubio calls for blocking of all US sales to Huawei 48:57–Hubble celebrates 34 anniversary 49:24–AI helps scientists 50:22–Dropbox 50:34–FTC sending millions in refunds 51:18–Google may re-release the Pixel Tablet 51:49–An ex-hacker and a researcher launched a startup 52:40–Stripe for everyone 53:15–Intel Q1 54:33–Alien life could be just a few years away 54:53–Reddit 55:11–Samsung shows off battery tech 55:52–Meta Q1 56:26–The 2024 Election 57:13–DARPA’s latest toy

The post ByteDance Prefers Shutdown to Selling TikTok #1740 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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Discord CEO Jason Citron on Shaping a More Intimate Internet #1739

April 22, 2024

Jason Citron, CEO of Discord, explores the platform’s unique position in the online world. Unlike traditional social networks, Discord offers a private space for communities centered around shared interests like gaming, AI, and fandoms. Citron discusses Discord’s shift from voice chat to a comprehensive social hub, emphasizing a future focused on intimate, community-driven experiences. He also addresses challenges such as content moderation and the decision against selling to Microsoft, highlighting the platform’s ongoing adaptation and focus on gaming and user-generated content. He thinks the Internet will get narrower as younger generations spend most of their time on the platform.

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Show Notes Summary and Story Links:

The episode opens with Todd Cochrane, showcasing the unique position of Discord in the online world. As a private space for communities with shared interests like gaming, AI, and fandom, the platform has shifted from a voice chat service to a comprehensive social hub.

Jason Citron, CEO of Discord, is discussed, and his views on the future focused on intimate community-driven experiences are highlighted. He addresses content moderation challenges and explains his decision not to sell to Microsoft, emphasizing their focus on gaming and user-generated content and his belief in a narrower Internet experience for younger generations.

Todd gives a shoutout to the primary sponsor, GoDaddy, encouraging listeners to check out the deals for various GoDaddy services on the Geek News Central website and expresses gratitude for GoDaddy’s ongoing sponsorship.

The conversation then transitions to Todd’s personal experiences with network upgrades, sharing his positive experience with the UNIFY product line by Ubiquiti. He details the installation process in his studio and touts the advantages of the new network infrastructure.

The episode continues with a roundup of news stories and technological developments:

– Audacity 3.5’s release – SSD and hard drive prices going up due to increased demand – Mutant bacteria thriving in space and the concerns it raises – Dark web activities and challenges with child sexual abuse image detection – Anticipated M4 Mac mini and skipped M3 generation – Google’s new AI experiment Gemini potentially syncs with music streaming services

Todd advocates for his listeners to adopt modern podcast apps and consider utilizing podcasting 2.0 technology, which could pay users to listen to podcast episodes and engage with the community. He believes in building a community rather than restricting internet experiences to smaller, more private spaces.

The episode covers various other tech developments and current events, including:

– Ecosia’s energy-generating browser – Leaks about Beats’ new Bluetooth speaker from LeBron James, – Archeological 3D mapping at Cape Canaveral, – Meta’s spokesperson illegally defending terrorism in Russia, – Climate initiatives launched by President Biden on Earth Day, – The effect of AI on energy demands and a call for nuclear power, – Banning of TikTok in the U.S., – Privacy concerns on different platforms, including the Dutch government’s stance on Facebook and – Grindr’s lawsuit over sharing HIV status.

The episode concludes with Todd inviting listeners to provide feedback, participate in the community, and support the podcast through various contributions, such as an insider subscription and promoting GoDaddy deals. He also expresses interest in receiving help for chapter file submission.

Throughout the episode, Todd regularly dives into the value and implications of new technology, encouraging active community participation and growth within the podcasting space.

17:49–Audacity 3.5 18:10–PC storage prices are going up NASA finds new mutant bacteria in space 23:17–CSAM 25:00–The M4 Mac Mini  27:00–Google’s Gemini AI app 28:11–Ecosia 30:31–A new Bluetooth speaker 09:06–A smaller, more private internet 32:01–UCF students excavating Cape Canaveral launch site 33:56–Russian court sentences Meta spokesperson to 6 years  34:44–Apple named a top pick 35:43–$7 billion in solar power plants 41:25–Germany arrests 3 accused of smuggling tech to China EU opens probe of TikTok Lite Google Drive 42:45–Cannes Hospital cancels medical procedures 43:24–Verizon Q1 NASA seeks a new way to bring Mars rocks to Earth Is Sony merging with Paramount Plus? 45:11–Proton Mail  45:44–TikTok ban bill goes to the Senate 46:44–‘Do not use Facebook’ 47:22–Grindr sued

The post Discord CEO Jason Citron on Shaping a More Intimate Internet #1739 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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Meta Unveils Llama 3 AI: Let the AI Race Begin #1738

April 18, 2024

Meta has launched a significant update to its AI platform, Meta AI, now powered by the open-source Llama 3 large language model. This upgrade introduces broader functionality and integration across Meta’s products, including Instagram, Messenger, Facebook feeds, and WhatsApp, along with a new dedicated web portal.

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Show Notes Summary and Story Links:

Title: Meta Unveils Llama 3 AI: Let the AI Race Begin

Summary:

The episode begins with host Todd Cochrane discussing Meta’s significant update to its AI platform. The platform, Meta AI, is now integrated with the open-source large language model Llama 3, which has expanded functionality across Meta’s various products. This includes Instagram, Messenger, Facebook feeds, WhatsApp, a new web portal, Ray-Ban smart glasses, and the upcoming Quest headsets. Despite the advancements, Todd mentions challenges in cultural relevance and hallucination issues that were spotted during preliminary testing.

Todd acknowledges his sponsor, GoDaddy, and offers a range of promotion details for listeners to consider. He also invites listeners to contribute to the show via the website and encourages them to join the live chat at geeknews.chat. The discussion moves on to community elements and how listeners can provide feedback.

Transitioning to his work life, Todd shares his experiences upgrading his studio with Unifi equipment from Ubiquiti. From there, Todd dives into tech news, beginning with the observation that Google has taken action against disruptive employee behavior. Google fired 28 workers for participating in a protest about an Israeli government cloud contract, which Google described as violating their conduct policies. Todd elaborates on the situation and the consequences faced by the employees.

Next, the UN investigates a ransomware attack that resulted in data theft from several of its agencies based in Copenhagen. Todd then discusses a feature allowing guests staying at specific IHG hotels to stream content from their phones to hotel TVs using AirPlay.

The conversation shifts to Spy Pet, a site selling data on Discord users and their messages. Todd explains how the site operates and its privacy implications. National Geographic’s Earth Month celebration is highlighted next, emphasizing digital series featuring meditative videos.

Todd thanks listeners for boosting the podcast with micro-donations before covering more technology stories. These include the United Nations’ efforts to patch a light leak in its space telescope, issues with 911 services going offline in parts of the U.S., Google’s decision to combine its Android and hardware teams to focus on AI, and Google Photos’ new decluttering feature.

Additional news items relate to Google Maps’ 3D building view feature for Android Auto, Pixel smartphone updates, global IT spending, and the illusory of healthcare organizations’ cybersecurity maturity.

The podcast mentions the U.S. Air Force’s successful AI dogfight experiments and Microsoft & OpenAI’s plan to invest $100 billion to develop an AI supercomputer.

Todd also touches on the leakage of Venus’s atmosphere, concerns over TikTok Lite’s influence in Europe, Reddit’s new AI-powered language translation features, Nothing’s new ear two earbuds, and Slack’s rollout of AI tools for paying customers.

The episode concludes with an emphasis on the security risks in the healthcare sector, evidenced by a ransomware attack on Michigan-based Cherry Health that compromised sensitive patient data. Todd wraps up by mentioning that the audience’s feedback would be appreciated and encourages them to support the show.

The Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act 07:42–Meta rolls out an updated AI assistant 14:30–UN Agency investigating ransomware attack 15:14–iOS 17 update 16:31–Scraper spies on millions of Discord users 19:33–NAT GEO celebrates Earth Month 22:35–NASA will send astronauts to ISS 23:27–911 goes MIA 24:03–Google reorganizes teams 25:37–Google Photos 26:53–Google Maps 28:10–IT spending in the trillions 28:57–Police apprehend global cyber gang 29:55–Samsung shifts to 6-day workweeks 31:57–The Google Pixel 9 32:14–Report reveals healthcare industry not prepared for cyberattacks 33:53–PC maker offers a fix 35:03–The US Air Force’s first successful AI dogfight 37:42–Microsoft and OpenAI will spend billions 39:15–Venus is leaking 40:04–Europe and TikTok 11:44–Google fired 28 workers 41:00–Reddit CPO talks about new features 41:55–Nothing’s earbuds 42:38–The Boring phone Europol makes arrests 43:24–Slack rolls out its AI tools The EU and Meta 43:54–DJI’s new backup battery  45:53–Cherry Health

The post Meta Unveils Llama 3 AI: Let the AI Race Begin #1738 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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FISA Section 702 Renewal Continues Warrantless Surveillance #1737

April 15, 2024

Last week, the U.S. Congress faced intense debates over the reauthorization of FISA Section 702, which allows indirect surveillance of American citizens without a warrant. The controversy peaked when a proposed amendment to mandate warrants for such surveillance failed in a 212-212 vote. Despite significant opposition and a temporary block by a bipartisan coalition, the renewal bill passed the House and is now pending Senate approval before the April 19 deadline.

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Show Notes Summary and Story Links:

In episode 1737 of Geek News Central, host Todd Cochrane discusses several topics, with the key focus being the intense debates and controversy over the reauthorization of FISA Section 702 in the U.S. Congress. Todd reports that, despite opposition and an evenly split vote on an amendment mandating warrants for surveillance of American citizens, the renewal bill has passed the House and is pending Senate approval.

He also highlights his partnership with GoDaddy and encourages listeners to use promo codes from Geek News Central to support the podcast and use GoDaddy’s services for online businesses. Todd segues into his personal experiences and reviews of a product line from Ubiquiti, specifically the UnifI product, which he used to address bandwidth constraints in his rural loft. Moreover, he shares his frustration about frequent issues with a PoE switch that affected his security cameras. Todd touches on upcoming travel plans, including speaking engagements in Asia and Europe.

The episode covers news on Google’s reaction to a proposed journalism fee in California, expectations for Google IO announcements, the use of AI for mental health services in the public sector, and a new battery recycling machine. Todd shares his enthusiasm for new AI tools in Adobe Premiere Pro and expresses skepticism about a headband that claims to improve athletic performance.

Todd also discusses layoffs at Tesla due to declining delivery numbers, Samsung’s billion-dollar investment in semiconductor manufacturing in Texas, and Adobe’s development of AI video tools for Premiere Pro.

The podcast wraps up with Todd responding to Senator Elizabeth Warren’s concerns over TurboTax’s upselling tactics, discussing California’s declining share of tech jobs, and inviting listeners to contribute to the podcast via email and SATs boosts.

Google starts removing links to news outlets Google I/O 2024 Dropbox CEO wants you to embrace AI Millions of students are using AI Cybertruck owners alleged pedal problem Hubble spots a galaxy Next, the total solar eclipse Rivian’s new software update Global iPhone shipments drop nearly 10% NASA to make an annoucement US House approves FISA renewal Voyager 1 Roku makes 2FA mandatory Watch a recycling machine Tesla layoffs Samsung awarded billions AI shows promise in mitigating therapists’ shortage CA replaces a gas plant with a battery Tim Cook to raise Vietnamese commitment Lack of AI skills is putting public sector projects at risk Apple’s AI features Bosses are scared of AI Taxi software firm breach BP’s EV charging arm cuts off jobs Former security engineer sentenced to prison This crazy headband Roku confirms second major cyberattack Elizabeth Warren and TurboTax Adobe Premiere Pro CA is losing tech jobs

The post FISA Section 702 Renewal Continues Warrantless Surveillance #1737 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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Microsoft’s AI Revolution: Integrating AI into Every PC by 2024 #1736

April 11, 2024

Microsoft is gearing up to unveil a series of groundbreaking AI tools for PCs and the cloud at its Build conference in May. With a vision to integrate AI into every PC by 2024, the company will showcase advancements such as the Advanced Paste feature, new AI capabilities for Windows applications, and safety enhancements for Azure AI Studio. CEO Satya Nadella and newly appointed head of Microsoft AI, Mustafa Suleyman, will highlight Microsoft’s commitment to AI innovation and responsible development.

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Show Notes Summary and Story Links:

This episode of Geek News Central, hosted by Todd Cochrane, discusses Microsoft’s ambitions to integrate AI into every PC by 2024. The episode covers Microsoft’s plan to unveil groundbreaking AI tools for PCs and the cloud at its Build conference in May, advancing features like Advanced Paste, new AI capabilities for Windows applications, and safety enhancements for Azure AI Studio. Todd emphasizes the aggressive timeline Microsoft has set for these integrations within PCs.

Todd discusses various topics from his week and tech industry news. He gives a shout-out to his sponsor, GoDaddy, and encourages listeners to use his sponsor discount codes, stressing the importance of sponsor support to the podcast. He also talks about his experience upgrading his internet at the loft with new Unify equipment for better speeds. He also shares an anecdote about his interaction with the Spectrum technician for upgrading his service to 1 gig down and increased upload speeds.

The episode briefly mentions Elon Musk’s expected visit to India to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Todd also refers to a cybersecurity pay discrepancy study, highlighting that the cybersecurity field shows a narrowing pay gap between men and women compared to national averages.

On the weather front, Todd notes the Weather Channel parent company’s new AI tool for hyperlocal weather videos, and the discussion segues into Google’s one billion dollar investment in undersea cables to connect Japan with Guam and Hawaii, which will significantly impact internet connectivity.

Hints at potential personal updates are also sprinkled throughout the episode, mentioning upgrades he’s making at his loft and potentially speaking at an unspecified event, pending approval from his team at Raw Voice. Todd stresses the grind he’s experiencing with work and his commitment to watching the company’s budget.

The show covers a range of other news, including:

– Uber is making its safety tools more accessible. – Instagram is testing nudity protection to fight sextortion. – Space tourism balloon startup’s latest luxury capsule design. – Alfa Romeo’s move into electric vehicles. – Google Podcasts going away, leading to listener frustrations. – DJI is unveiling its latest first-person view drone. – A warning from the International Monetary Fund on how cyberattacks could trigger bank runs. – Legal strife plaguing Truth Social’s executives. – DuckDuckGo is introducing a privacy pro plan with a no-log VPN. – Best Buy is launching AI customer assistance with human oversight. – There is potential for a Japanese astronaut to be the first non-American to land on the moon since the Artemis program aims to return to the lunar surface.

The episode concludes with Todd thanking listeners for their continued support, particularly those contributing through the modern podcasting app for value-for-value transactions. Additionally, he provides reminders for listeners to join the chat room, email their feedback, follow or subscribe to the podcast, and check out partner shows linked on Geek News Central.

Walmart might launch a ‘Pro’ variant of its Google competitor.  The UK is considering banning smartphones for children. AT&T admits data breach Apple plans to overhaul the entire Mac lineup Fireball lights up NJ sky CISA tells agencies to fix credentials  The US ‘considering’ end to Assange’s prosecution bid The Yale Approach Lock Taylor Swift songs return to TikTok Taxi software vendor exposes details of hundreds of thousands  Microsoft announces new AI tools Roku TV gains new updates Elon Musk to visit India Apple could deliver a vast iPhone performance boost A space tourism balloon startup Alfa Romeo Google Podcasts fans are furious Google pays $41,000 Watch out for these fake messaging apps from Android Eye injuries after solar eclipse The Weather Channel’s parent company has a new AI tool Google announces billions in funding for undersea cabling DJI unveils its latest FPV drone Women make less than men in cyber jobs The first non-American on the Moon IMF warns of cyberattacks A Truth Social executive was hacked DuckDuckGo Uber’s safety tools Best Buy and AI

The post Microsoft’s AI Revolution: Integrating AI into Every PC by 2024 #1736 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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American Privacy Rights Act a Step in the Right Direction #1735

April 08, 2024

In a significant bipartisan effort, Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) have introduced the American Privacy Rights Act, aiming to break the deadlock in Congress over data privacy protections. This landmark proposal offers consumers new rights over personal information, including the ability to correct, delete, or export their data and opt out of targeted advertising and data transfers. Additionally, it introduces stringent security measures to protect consumer data and allows for federal and state enforcement and private lawsuits against violations.

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Show Notes Summary and Story Links:

In this episode of Geek News Central, host Todd Cochrane discusses various topics, beginning with the American Privacy Rights Act introduced by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). The act supports consumers’ data rights, including correction, deletion, exportation of data, opting out of targeted advertising, and introduces stringent security measures.

Todd transitions to thanking the show’s primary sponsor, GoDaddy, and encourages listeners to become GNC insiders, contributing to the show’s community. He briefly recounts his weekend activities, decluttering his home, before returning to discussing the eclipse he experienced in Southern Michigan, noting the commercial exploitation around the event.

Todd then delves into the heart of the privacy act debate, expressing strong opposition to governments censoring online content or silencing dissidents and activists. He supports Elon Musk’s stance on free speech, aligning himself with Musk’s resistance to obeying court-ordered profile bans ordered by Brazil.

He mentions OpenAI’s alleged use of YouTube videos to train their models and relates it to his experience selling his voice recordings for AI training. Todd discusses the upcoming Disney Plus crackdown on password sharing, hackers’ targeting of hospital help desks, and Apple’s response to an EU ruling, which Todd finds Apple inadequate.

Todd talks about a report on the advertising impact of leaving TV streaming continuously, mentioning Tubi, a free ad-supported streaming service. He shares his recent network upgrade due to improved internet speeds and asks his audience for their old suitcase uses.

Todd appreciates the show’s insiders and those who contribute via new podcast apps, emphasizing the value of listener interaction. He covers news such as Gemini AI coming to Android, a new Google feature that allows users to look up unknown caller numbers, and the Nothing Company’s upcoming Nothing Ear 2 earbuds.

The host touches on cybersecurity with Dave Luber’s appointment as the new NSA cybersecurity director, Tesla’s robo taxi and Musk’s denial of scrapping the model 2, and Google’s rumored introduction of gesture controls for TVs with cameras, which Todd opposes.

Todd then discusses various reports and news items, including a Magento e-commerce platform bug, a Crowdfence bug bounty program, the dehumanizing effect of robots in industrial environments, future solar eclipses, Spotify’s new AI-based playlists, and a cybersecurity incident at a UK veterinary conglomerate.

The episode concludes with a reminder of the GoDaddy sponsorship and invites musicians to create a new intro, signaling Todd’s openness to refreshing the show’s elements.

Disney+ to crack down on password sharing A new bipartisan digital privacy bill Hospital helpdesk targeted by hackers EU regulators and Apple People like leaving their TVs on in the background Another SpaceX launch is seen in Arizona’s night sky Gemini AI is coming to Android A ‘lookup button’ for unknown callers Chipolo Drones that charge on power lines Fly Me To The Moon OpenAI and YouTube ‘Summarize this email’ Google’s bottom search bar The latest iPhone 16 battery leak iDrive NSA makes an appointment for a cybersecurity director Tesla Robotaxis Android Auto is behaving weirdly Nothing set to unveil something This fake Midjourney Facebook page An Apple TV with a camera would support gestures Magneto bug exploited to steal payment data Crowdfense offering millions Industrial robots make work less meaningful for real people When is the next solar eclipse? Elon Musk threatens to disobey court order. Spotify tests AI-generated playlists Animals at risk

The post American Privacy Rights Act a Step in the Right Direction #1735 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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Google Phases Out Early Nest and Dropcam Models #1734

April 04, 2024

Google announced the discontinuation of support for early Dropcam, Dropcam Pro, and Nest Secure models, rendering these devices largely inoperable on April 8. To assist users in transitioning, Google offers a complimentary Nest camera for Nest Aware subscribers or a 50% discount on a new Nest camera for non-subscribers. Dropcam and Dropcam Pro users will lose the ability to save new clips, and they will have limited time to access existing ones. Nest Secure users will find their devices, such as the Nest x Yale door locks, unable to connect to WiFi. Google offers a free Nest Connect to extend the life of existing locks, with a reminder to contact support for details if not already received.

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Show Notes Summary and Story Links:

In this episode of the Geek News Central podcast, titled “Google Phases Out Early Nest and Dropcam Models,” host Todd Cochrane discusses several topics, starting with Google’s announcement about ending support for early Dropcam, Dropcam Pro, and Nest Secure models. This news is significant for users of these products as they will become largely inoperable starting April 8th. Google is offering compensation to affected users, including a complimentary Nest camera for Nest Aware subscribers or a 50% discount on a new Nest camera for non-subscribers. However, Cochrane expresses his frustration with Google’s actions and shares his decision to replace his Dropcam devices with Wyze cameras.

Todd continues the show with acknowledgments and promotions, including a shoutout to the podcast’s primary sponsor, GoDaddy, and invitations for audience participation and subscription via various platforms. He shares insights into his experiences with domain names and encourages listeners to take advantage of GoDaddy’s deals for online businesses.

Following the promotional segment, Todd dives into a range of other tech and industry news:

1. Google’s consideration of making AI search a premium option due to potential revenue implications. 2. Gmail’s integration with AI-generated responses for premium subscribers. 3. The financial payouts from Zoom’s bug bounty program since 2019. 4. AWS’s job cuts are part of Amazon’s continued downsizing efforts. 5. NASA is narrowing down options for lunar rovers and working towards selecting one for a pre-2029 moon mission. 6. The rise of “pink slime” partisan news sites that imitate legitimate journalism. 7. The use of AI in email responses, with a listener named Leslie providing feedback on her dislike for AI-generated content. 8. Todd provides an update on GNC insiders, thanking those who stream the podcast with modern podcast apps that allow for value-for-value exchanges.

He also covers other vital topics, such as:

– FBI’s consideration of the benefits and risks of AI. – Garmin’s new heart rate tracker pairs with women’s sports bras. – A significant data breach hitting the US State Department involving documents related to the Five Eyes alliance. – A surge in malware attacks targeting the retail industry via WhatsApp. – Online retailers’ challenges with fraudulent returns on Amazon. – NASA’s directive for a unified lunar standard time. – Controversy surrounding Tesla’s impending trial over a fatal autopilot crash. – Leaks suggest changes to the iPhone 16 design. – Ripple’s entrance into the stablecoin market. – Google is suing a cryptocurrency scammer. – Apple developed a personal robot for home use.

Todd emphasizes the importance of verified eclipse glasses since an eclipse is approaching and touches on Android’s satellite messaging capabilities. The episode concludes with a reminder to listeners to support the podcast by becoming insiders or utilizing the value-for-value option through modern podcast apps.

Google wants Gemini to help you Dropcam and Nest devices will stop working soon Zoom paid millions AWS planning on job cuts How will astronauts cruise around the Moon? FBI and AI Garmin’s new heart rate tracker Investigation launched after theft of government data Amazon sellers plagued by surge in scam returns Google’s Find My Device Children’s privacy must be a priority on social media Amazon still has a problem with plastic waste A standard of time for the Moon Tesla and Apple Leaked iPhone 16 dummy units show design changes Ripple Google charging users to use AI search? A ‘law firm’ of AI The next generation of a lunar rover Ford delays some electric vehicles  Waymo and Uber Eats OpenAI releases new tools Meta apps hit by outage Space junk crashed into a home How to tell authentic eclipse glasses from fakes Android 15’s satellite text messaging More malware attacks are hitting retailers than ever Apple is developing personal robots for your home X is giving blue checks to Premium users AT&T to invest billions NASA, 65 years ago

The post Google Phases Out Early Nest and Dropcam Models #1734 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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Perplexity Ads Meet AI: The New Frontier in Search #1733

April 01, 2024

Perplexity, an AI search engine rivaling Google and backed by prominent investors including Jeff Bezos, is set to introduce advertising in its platform. The company, boasting a significant $73.6 million in Series B funding, plans to embed native ads within the related questions section of its search responses. This move comes as publishers adjust their SEO strategies to mitigate potential losses from Google’s search advancements. By leveraging AI technology from OpenAI and its proprietary models, Perplexity aims to balance its ad-driven model without compromising the user experience amidst expectations to attract substantial advertiser interest.

Let me know what you think of the intro music created by app.suno.ai

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Show Notes Summary and Story Links:

In this episode of Geek News Central, host Todd Cochrane opens the show with his introduction, where he energetically announces the episode’s focus: Perplexity, an AI search engine backed by significant investments and expected to disrupt traditional search by introducing advertising into its platform. After celebrating a whimsical April Fool’s Day, Todd gives a shoutout to the show’s primary sponsor, GoDaddy, and encourages listeners to support the podcast by becoming GNC insiders and participating in the value-for-value movement.

Todd shares about his recent trip to Los Angeles and his apprehensions regarding the cost of living there, hinting at the relief of returning home. He then updates on his recovery from an injury, and his travel plans for London, encouraging listeners in London to reach out for a meet-up. He touches on the situation with Google Podcasts, which is set to be discontinued in the US and emphasizes the importance of transitioning to a new podcast app.

Celebrating Gmail’s 20th anniversary, Todd reminisces about the rush for Gmail accounts and discusses current cybersecurity threats, including AT&T’s massive data breach and malware targeting Mac users.

The episode’s main topic revolves around Perplexity’s plan to start selling ads, posing questions about how advertising will influence AI search results and the impact on businesses, tiny ones. Todd expresses concern over OpenAI’s integration of links in ChatGPT outputs and how significant companies might dominate this AI-driven landscape, possibly at the expense of smaller entities.

Todd dives into iPhone-related rumors about the following models’ design and camera upgrades, switching gears. He also discusses updates coming to Apple Maps and mentions new content on streaming services Hulu and HBO Max. A New York City government AI chatbot’s faulty advice draws his criticism, and he notes Congressional staff being banned from using Microsoft Copilot due to security risks.

Closing tech news includes macOS users targeted by cyber threats, speculation around the consequences of a potential TikTok ban, and OpenAI’s voice cloning software. Todd humorously congratulates Pluto on becoming Arizona’s official state planet, reflecting on the state’s pride in being the discovery site for Pluto.

Todd concludes the episode by thanking the listeners and podcast insiders for their support. He emphasizes the importance of becoming an insider to join the “cool kids club” and reiterates the value for value concept. He rounds off by contemplating whether to travel to see a solar eclipse and invites listeners to share their plans.

GoDaddy sponsors the episode and encourages listener participation and support throughout.

iPhone 16 camera rumors The official state planet of Arizona There is one place in Michigan to see the total solar eclipse This dangerous Android malware Happy Birthday to Gmail Google Podcasts shuts down tomorrow Google to delete records from incognito tracking OpenAI claims it can clone a voice from 15 seconds from you talking iPhone SE 4 SpaceX launches Eutelsat 36D McDonald’s serves up a masterclass Apple Maps Everything new on Hulu A chatbot is sending the wrong information Congress bans staff from using Copilot Everything new on Max macOS users targeted with more cyberattacks TikTok ban may be a diplomatic disaster Truth Social lost millions Perplexity Links on ChatGPT Sam Altman no longer owns fund AT&T’s massive data breach Google Maps

The post Perplexity Ads Meet AI: The New Frontier in Search #1733 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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Unlock Your Podcast’s Potential with Blubrry PAI: The Ultimate AI Assistant #1732

March 21, 2024

Blubrry introduces the revolutionary Blubrry Podcast AI Assistant (Blubrry PAI), designed to streamline and enhance every aspect of podcast production and promotion. With features such as AI-driven planning, integrated production tools, and automated social media and email promotion capabilities, Blubrry PAI promises to alleviate common podcasting challenges. This comprehensive toolset allows podcasters to create better content, engage audiences more effectively, and provide richer metadata for search engines.

Let me know what you think of the intro music created by app.suno.ai

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Show Notes Summary and Story Links:

The episode kicks off with the show’s intro jingle and Todd Cochrane, as the sole host and a veteran in the podcasting industry, greeting listeners and introducing the main story for the evening: the launch of Blubrry’s revolutionary Podcast AI Assistant, Blubrry PAI. This AI-driven tool is designed to streamline and enhance podcast production and promotion. It offers integrated production tools, automated social media, and email promotion capabilities. Todd touts Blubrry PAI’s ability to help podcasters create better content, engage with their audience more effectively, and improve search engine metadata.

Todd shares details on the episode number (1733) and the date (Thursday, March 21st) before giving a shoutout to the primary sponsor, GoDaddy. He encourages listeners to utilize the promotional deals on GoDaddy and emphasizes the need for listener support through contributions. He also promotes modern podcast apps from podcastapps.com and encourages listeners to follow or subscribe to the show and check out partner shows.

Delving into personal tidings, Todd speaks about his struggle with a cracked rib, his experimentation with the app Suno.ai, and his upcoming trip to Los Angeles, which he isn’t looking forward to due to the rib injury. He briefly talks about the new company product launches, including VidaPod and their AI. He feels immense pride in his team’s work and mentions that the new AI features have contributed to a rise in listener numbers. He encourages new listeners to introduce themselves via email.

Transitioning into the tech news segment, Todd talks about several stories:

1. The U.S. Department of Justice is filing an antitrust lawsuit against Apple over its walled garden approach, which makes it difficult for competitors and limits customer choice. 2. Hong Kong’s new national security law threatens freedoms and criminalizes dissent. 3. A U.S. House bill barring the sale of personal data to foreign adversaries. 4. An AI tool creating a digital twin of patients to predict future diseases. Todd expresses concerns over the potential misuse of such technology. 5. Todd thanks fans who contributed monetarily and boosted the podcast with sats (a form of digital currency). 6. An FCC investigation into Amazon’s marketing and sale of outlawed products, particularly radio frequency jammers. 7. The discovery of an AI tool that has found signs of cancer missed by doctors focused on breast cancer diagnoses. 8. Small tweaks in Google Contacts and Google Pixel news about market share and the rumored release date and price of the next foldable model.

Todd continues with various other stories, including: – A UPS worker is stealing iPhones and other Apple products. – Predictions of the emergence of fully AI-generated games. – A Soyuz spacecraft launching with a multinational crew. – Glassdoor is adding real names to anonymous profiles. – Microsoft released new AI PCs and announced a new edition of Office software. – Ford’s rumored production of an affordable electric SUV. – Facts about data loss incidents across organizations. – A potential loophole for denial of service attacks. – Neuralink’s brain implant helping a paralyzed man play chess with his mind. – Samsung’s promotion of a free TV with a preorder of select models. – A state senator‘s deepfake video created by a colleague. – The U.S. is applying pressure on India over laptop licensing policies. – YouTube TV’s rollout of multi-view to iPhone.

Closing out the episode, Todd touches on e-waste issues, Reddit’s successful IPO, rumors of iPhone’s potential talks with OpenAI and Google, deepfake challenges with ChatGPT policies, FCC’s plans to expand 5G in rural America, potential threats to TikTok, and DoorDash’s drone delivery trial in Virginia.

Todd wraps up the episode by expressing his temporary absence due to his upcoming LA trip and that he will not be hosting episodes the following week. He encourages listeners to become show insiders by contributing and reiterating fan support’s importance. Lastly, he concludes with reminders to use one of the modern podcast apps, stay connected, and reach out via email.

 

AI tool finds cancer signs missed by doctors Google Contacts LG’s CineBeam Q 4K projector Google Pixel’s market share grows UPS worker accused of stealing iPhones Google Pixel Fold 2 Fully AI-generated games by 2030? The Soyuz MS-25 is set to launch on the ISS. Glassdoor AI-generated digital twins of patients Microsoft just revealed a major surprise Ford could soon take the fight to Tesla Data loss affected 4 out of 5 organizations A new DoS attack could hit thousands of online systems House passes bill barring sale of personal information to foreign adversaries Neuralink’s brain implant helps a man play chess Samsung is giving away a free TV A state legislator makes a deepfake of a colleague Microsoft unveils Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 DoorDash is testing a drone delivery feature in VA A Danish man found guilty of fraudulently profiting from music streaming royalties  Senate plots next move on TikTok Hong Kong’s national security law The US and New Dehli and laptop rules YouTube TV E-waste is growing Reddit is now a publicly traded company DOJ files an antitrust lawsuit against Apple A bunch of new Samsung TVs are finally available Apple in talks with Google FCC moves to relaunch billions to expand 5G in rural North America

 

 

The post Unlock Your Podcast’s Potential with Blubrry PAI: The Ultimate AI Assistant #1732 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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Vid2Pod: Transform YouTube Playlists into a Podcast! #1731

March 18, 2024

Vid2Pod by Blubrry Podcasting offers an innovative solution for YouTube creators aiming to extend their content’s reach by effortlessly converting video playlists into high-quality audio podcasts. This new service by Blubrry podcasting is a boon for video-first creators, enabling them to tap into a new audience and ensure their content is accessible across all major podcast platforms. The process involves simply integrating your YouTube account, selecting a playlist for conversion, and instant distribution across platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon.

Let me know what you think of the intro music created by app.suno.ai

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Show Notes Summary and Story Links:

Todd Cochrane opens the episode of Geek News Central by introducing himself as “the tech talking man,” greeting listeners warmly. He then dives into his lead story, discussing Vid2Pod, a new service from Blubrry Podcasting that enables YouTube creators to convert video playlists into high-quality audio podcasts easily. Todd explains that the service allows video-first creators to reach new audiences by distributing their content across major podcast platforms. The integration with YouTube accounts is simple, with an automatic distribution feature that adds new videos to the podcast playlist.

Todd transitions with a sponsorship message, inviting listeners to check out deals at GoDaddy.com and Geek News Central’s partner shows. He emphasizes GoDaddy’s long-running sponsorship and highlights deals for domains, hosting, and website builders.

Next, Todd discusses the intro music he created using an AI tool from app.suno.ai, expressing amazement at the AI-generated music and suggesting listeners give it another listen. Moving on from personal updates, including a rib injury he recently incurred, Todd elaborates on Vid2Pod’s features and benefits further; it’s designed to assist YouTube creators in expanding their reach and offers monetization opportunities without the usual stringent platform requirements.

Continuing with the tech news, Todd shares about AI creating new jobs, SpaceX potentially building spy satellites for the US government, and Microsoft’s latest Windows update causing blue screen errors. He also touches on Homeland Security’s use of AI for various tasks, DARPA’s lunar economy plans, the UK government’s ambition to roll out flying taxis, and Microsoft’s AI event in May.

Switching gears, Todd mentions data breach news with Fujitsu and AT&T, the AI-powered clinical documentation for doctors, LinkedIn planning to add games and impending new AirPods models. He closes out the tech news by discussing Hertz CEO’s resignation.

Todd concludes with housekeeping items, mentioning he’ll be attending an event in LA next week, leading to a break from podcasting. He encourages listeners to check out modern podcast apps and become insiders by contributing to the podcast through donations or value exchange. Finally, Todd signs off by thanking listeners for their time and reminds them of his next recording date while emphasizing the importance of audience engagement and supporting GoDaddy.

Vid2Pod – Turn your YouTube playlist into a Podcast The latest Windows 11 update may crash your PC Homeland Security is testing AI The US government and developing a lunar company The UK government wants flying taxis to take off SpaceX building hundreds of spy satellites  Fujitsu says it was hacked Google Wallet gets an update Uber Australia to pay millions SCOTUS and social media Windows and Surface AI event in May Microsoft is blocking Russian firms from using its cloud services Is TikTok’s parent company an agent of the Chinese state? Rivian owners now have access to Tesla Superchargers Grok AI has been open-sourced Doctors and generative AI TikTok launches Creator Rewards 70 million+ of AT&T files leaked online AI to create a half billion new jobs LinkedIn is adding games The sound of your keystrokes to steal your passwords YouTube requires creators to label AI-generated content Apple’s AirPod launch in September Hertz CEO steps down Google Fitbit Gemni AI to iPhones

The post Vid2Pod: Transform YouTube Playlists into a Podcast! #1731 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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SpaceX’s Starship Achieves Orbital Velocity in Historic Test Flight #1730

March 14, 2024

In a momentous event, SpaceX’s colossal Starship, the world’s largest and most powerful rocket, achieved orbital speed for the first time today. This significant milestone occurred during its third test flight, marking a historic day for SpaceX and space exploration enthusiasts. Despite not completing its intended splashdown, the test was deemed successful as it accomplished several key objectives, advancing SpaceX’s ambitious space travel goals.

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Show Notes Summary and Story Links:

In episode 1730 of the Geek News Central podcast, host Todd Cochrane discusses various topics, primarily focusing on the latest tech news.

The episode begins with Todd celebrating SpaceX’s Starship, which reached orbital velocity for the first time on its third test flight. However, the spacecraft didn’t achieve the planned splashdown. Todd, enthusiastic about space exploration, had watched the event live.

Todd then transitions to directly engaging with the audience, thanking them for their support and inviting them to become a Gekk News Central Insider @ geeknewscentral.com/insider He also gives a special acknowledgment to GoDaddy, the show’s primary sponsor, highlighting their continuous support since 2005. Todd details GoDaddy’s promotions and encourages listeners to utilize his promo codes for discounts on various GoDaddy services, asserting the importance of audience engagement in keeping the sponsorship alive.

Todd announces that the podcast is streaming live on Rumble for the first time and encourages listeners to join their chat room. He seeks the audience’s feedback on the podcast, the newsletter, and the AI-generated show notes.

The main topics covered in the podcast include discussions about TikTok and concerns over its Chinese ownership, with U.S. politicians urging for the sale or facing a ban. Todd shares his views against the government’s potential overreach and censorship. He also talks about the possible effects of AI and wearable tech on workers’ well-being and looks at the Geek News Central newsletter updates, which he mentions have been tweaked by AI for better quality.

Todd examines the Amazon advertising products that sellers no longer carry in certain states, leading to a waste of advertising dollars and a failure in geotargeting that affected sellers like Rob Robinson. He requests audience participation in conversations surrounding headaches experienced by astronauts, a new pregnancy insight feature by the Oura ring, and Mars’ gravitational pull affecting the Earth’s ocean floor every 2.4 million years.

In the realm of tech, Todd discusses security flaws discovered in ChatGPT plugins, Amazon’s attempt to increase workplace positivity by encouraging employees to dream about happiness, a project aiming to cut down interstellar travel time to decades, and a court ruling against a ransomware kingpin.

The podcast also provides insights on a variety of global concerns, such as Customs and Border Protection’s efforts to use AI for fentanyl detection, a French government department facing a significant data breach, Google Chrome’s enhanced real-time protection against malicious websites, and ongoing international collaboration to disrupt cybercrime.

Among the topics, Todd discusses Proton’s Desktop Mail app release, the surge in browser choice due to Europe’s digital marketing act, the trends in music streaming with more users paying for the service, the surge in bitcoin gains by U.S. investors, and Microsoft’s check writing to Caltech over patent infringement lawsuits.

The episode concludes with Todd encouraging listeners to become Geek News Central insiders and support the show financially or by using their time and talent. He emphasizes the importance of the audience’s engagement and the listeners’ support in maintaining the program’s independence and content quality.

Amazon says it sold ads for products shoppers couldn’t buy Headaches experienced by astronauts in space Oura’s new Pregnancy Insights feature ChatGPT plugin flaws Close your eyes and think happy thoughts A massive interstellar project CBP wants to use AI Ransomware kingpin gets four years behind bars Voyager 1 An operative and firms behind AI robocalls is sued An international effort to disrupt cybercrime A mega breach of the French government exposes millions of people’s data Safe Browsing on Google Chrome YouTube TV New email standards Princess Kate photo scandal 14 VPN terms and features you should know Disney + password sharing Anthropic Remember the MacBook Touch Bar? Nissan customers had their data stolen The latest macOS Sonoma update A computer scientist is not a Bitcoin inventor SpaceX launches giant Starship rocket Mars tugs on Earth so hard it changes the ocean floor Microsoft agrees to settle lawsuit Epic and Apple Surge in browsers on iOS The US Annual Music Study AI and wearables Steve Mnuchin is thinking about buying TikTok ProtonMail 2023 Cryptocurrency gains by country The US HHS is investigating Change Healthcare The Apple Car as a minivan

The post SpaceX’s Starship Achieves Orbital Velocity in Historic Test Flight #1730 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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Airbnb’s Indoor Camera Ban: A Win for Privacy #1729

March 11, 2024

Airbnb has taken a significant step to enhance guest privacy by prohibiting indoor cameras in rental properties. The new policy, aimed at ensuring guests’ peace of mind, extends to limit the use of outdoor cameras, requiring hosts to disclose their presence and ensuring they do not invade private spaces. The company’s decision to ban indoor cameras, previously allowed in communal areas, responds to privacy concerns. This move clarifies rules around surveillance and outlines strict consequences for hosts violating these guidelines, including potential removal from the platform. Airbnb’s updated privacy measures are set to take effect on April 30, emphasizing the importance of reviewing rental listings for disclosed surveillance devices.

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Show Notes Summary and Story Links:

The podcast episode hosted by Todd Cochrane starts with a discussion about Airbnb’s new policy banning indoor cameras in rental properties. Todd outlines how this policy change aims to enhance guest privacy and specifies the consequences for hosts who violate the latest guidelines. He mentions that these changes are set to take effect on April 30th and advises listeners to review rental listings for surveillance devices.

Following the lead story, Todd talks about his primary sponsor, GoDaddy, and promotes various GoDaddy deals on his website. He encourages listeners to support the podcast by using his promo codes and becoming a GNC insider.

Todd then delves into a discussion on the impact and future of artificial general intelligence (AGI). He predicts significant changes in product marketing and a reduced need for PR agencies, marketing firms, and UIX feedback groups in the next five years as AGI becomes more prevalent. Todd shares his experience using ChatGPT to create documentation and expresses amazement at its efficacy. He urges listeners to consider how AGI technology might change their businesses or employers.

Todd shares a personal anecdote about spending the weekend with his family, visiting microbreweries, and attempting to have his granddaughter stay overnight.

Next, Todd addresses Airbnb’s indoor camera policy, commending the company for improving privacy. He discusses various other topics, including NVIDIA being sued for training AI on copyrighted work, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman being reinstated to the board after being briefly removed, and a security breach at CISA using an Ivanti flaw.

Todd talks about a new video app launch by Elon Musk on Samsung and Amazon TVs, thanking his podcast’s insiders for their support and donation. He details the benefits of becoming an insider and how listeners can contribute to the show.

Todd then covers a broad spectrum of news stories, ranging from the discovery of authors suing AI chipmakers over training technology to the EU Commission’s use of Microsoft software breaching privacy rules. He also touches on Google Maps’ orientation accuracy improvements, Princess Kate’s photo editing scandal, an interactive map showcasing the scale of the universe, China testing an AI chatbot for brain surgeons, and US efforts to curb China’s tech capabilities.

Todd discusses the potential for Android 15 to include satellite messaging, healthcare professionals’ interest in Apple’s Vision Pro, a rare original iPhone model up for auction, EU concerns over car touch screens, and Google’s office Wi-Fi issues. He provides a list of content leaving Hulu soon, Uber’s expansion of electric rideshare services in New York, Russian cyberattacks on Microsoft, China’s preference for domestic products over Apple and Tesla, Pinterest’s new body type range tool, a WordPress plugin vulnerability, and the upcoming total solar eclipse.

Todd discusses the lack of Oscar wins for Apple TV and Netflix and the ongoing movement toward protecting AI outputs from perceived biases. He mentions Reddit’s plan to go public, the challenges streamers like Apple TV face in the film industry, and Pinterest’s inclusive fashion feature. He also expresses frustration with the reluctance to adopt modern podcast apps despite their enhanced features and concludes the episode by thanking listeners and inviting feedback.

Windows 11’s next prominent AI feature Everything leaving Hulu in March Uber’s posh electric rideshare service comes to NYC Microsoft says it is still facing Russian cyberattacks Apple and Tesla feel the pain Pinterest rolls out its ‘body type ranges’ tool Plugin flaw exposes sites to attacks How to prepare for the solar eclipse Sam Altman wasn’t fired because of scary tech Apple TV+ and Netflix were nearly shut out of the Oscars Protecting space tourists from cosmic ray dangers AI models show racial bias, says researchers Airbnb says to hosts: do not film guests Reddit wants to raise millions Nvidia and OpenAI Google Maps ‘Photoshopped royal photo’ How big is the universe? China begins testing an AI chatbot. The US ‘will do everything in takes’ Satellite messaging might come to Android 15 Healthcare pros express interest in the Apple Vision Pro Want to own a piece of iPhone history? Future cars could ditch touchscreens and bring back buttons Google’s self-designed office CISA confirms attackers breached it X on Samsung and Amazon TVs

The post Airbnb’s Indoor Camera Ban: A Win for Privacy #1729 appeared first on Geek News Central.

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