Here is the compilation of the five biggest breaking news from the world of technology and AI in last 24 hours.
1)
Apple unveils a new updated iPad Mini powered by Apple Intelligence
Apple on Monday unveiled a new upgraded iPad Mini, which will feature a new A17 Pro chip and the much-hyped up Apple Intelligence system. The A17 Pro chip will offer 30% boost in CPU performance and a 25% increase in GPU performance. But its biggest attraction will be obviously Apple Intelligence, which will offer host of AI powered features including writing tools, image generation, customized emojis and enhanced task automations. Furthermore, it also provides support for Apple Pencil Pro, which offers new features like pressure sensitivity, haptic feedback and gesture controls. The basic model of iPad Mini, available in 128 GB storage space, starts from $499.
2)
Android 15 finally arrives on Pixel Devices
After a long wait, Google has finally started rolling out Android 15 across Android devices. As was expected, Pixel phones are the first one to receive the Android 15 update. Non Pixel phones and phones manufactured by other companies will have to wait until next month for receiving the update. Android 15 lays great emphasis on security and privacy features, with features like Theft Detection Lock and Find My Device features can greatly help in securing your data as well as phones. Android 15 also provides new Private Space feature, which allows you to create a separate and private space to protect sensitive apps.
3)
Instagram is rolling out digital business card for your profile
Instagram on Monday launched a new profile card that will essentially double up as a digital business card for your profile. This business card has two sides to it. The one side is a sharable card that provide all the basic information about your profile including bio, profile picture and possibly any links that you may have in your profile. The other side features a QR code that links to your profile. You can also customize the background of your profile card with any image or picture of your choice. This digital business card has been essentially designed to make it easier for users to share their Instagram accounts with others as you won’t have to send your handle to someone.
4)
Anthropic updates its AI safety policy to mitigate AI risk
Anthropic, the artificial company behind the immensely popular Claude chatbot, on Tuesday announced significant changes to its Responsible Scaling Policy, which fundamentally focuses on AI safety. As part of the latest revision, the company has laid out what it calls ‘capacity threshold,’ which will essentially indicate that an additional safety protocol is necessitated as the AI models have crossed its optimum ability threshold. The threshold covers high risk areas like bioweapons creation and autonomous AI research. The update also lays out the detailed responsibilities for the Responsible Scaling Officer. Anthropic’s revised AI safety policy is a welcome move amid the increasing blurred line between productively efficient AI and harmful AI.
5)
X’s decentralized alternative Mastodon has started selling toys
In order to make up for its meagre financial resources, the open-source decentralized social network Mastodon has come up with novel idea of selling its own merchandise. Its merchandise comes in the form of a cute, pushie proto-elephant with a long tusk, from which the platform derives its name Mastodon. The company is also selling other merchandises like mugs, tees and pins. According to the company, it has so far sold 176 items or plushies, which helped in earning the revenue of $18K. While it is a highly insignificant amount, it could help the fledging company in meeting some its financial commitment.