Here is the top trending news from the world of technology. News that every tech enthusiast should keep a tab on.
1)
Microsoft launches Phi-3 – its smallest AI model till date.
Microsoft has launched a new family of AI models, known as Phi-3. It is designed to be smaller and more efficient than traditional large language models like GPT-4 and Gemini. The first member from this family of AI model is called Phi-3-mini, which has a size of size of 3.8 billion parameter. Phi-3-mini requires less power to run, making it ideal for devices with limited resources and potentially bringing down costs for users. It focuses on tasks that don’t require the heavy lifting of larger models, potentially excelling in those areas. Microsoft is making this AI model available on various platforms like Azure AI, Hugging Face, and Ollama, allowing for wider adoption and development. Over all, Phi-3 represents a step towards democratizing AI by making the technology more accessible and affordable.
2)
Google’s competitor Perplexity hits unicorn status with $63 Mn funding.
The AI based search engine Perplexity, which directly competes with Google, has achieved the unicorn status by securing $63 million funding from investors. Big names likes chip maker NVIDIA and Amazon’s founder Jeff Bezos also participated in the round. Additionally, the company also launched a new service called Perplexity Enterprise Pro, which focuses on providing superior AI functionalities to companies and organizations. Perplexity was launched in August 2022 as an AI based search engine. Unlike Google that focuses on keyword-based searches, Perplexity prioritizes understanding user intent and context to deliver personalized search results with inline citations for credibility. It also integrates functionalities like result summarization and the ability to ask follow-up questions within the same context.
3)
Apple’s next iPad event is scheduled on May 7
Apple is hosting a special event on May 7th called “Let Loose,” which will focus on launching new iPad models and potentially some new accessories. Rumors suggest that Apple is planning to launch the upgrades to both the iPad Pro and iPad Air. The upgraded model is likely to include Faster M3 chips, larger and thinner designs especially for the iPad Pro, an OLED display for the first time on the iPad Pro and updated Apple Pencil with new features. Overall, this event is significant because it’s the first major iPad refresh since 2022. Apple is expected to be making some big changes, so it’s an exciting time for iPad fans.
4)
Elon Musk’s ‘X’ to compete with YouTube with new TV app
Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, is making a move into the video streaming space with a new TV app. The app is designed to compete directly with YouTube, the current leader in online video space. It reportedly be similar to YouTube’s interface, allowing users to watch long-form video content on their smart TVs. This launch aligns with Musk’s ambition to transform X into an “everything app” offering a variety of services beyond social media, including messaging, video streaming, and potentially even online payments in the future. Overall, this is a bold move by X and could potentially shake up the online video landscape. However, it remains to be seen whether X’s TV app can carve out a niche and successfully challenge YouTube’s dominance.
5)
Adobe launches new image generation model ‘Firefly 3’
Adobe has just rolled out its newest image generation model ‘Firefly 3,’ which it claims s a major leap forward in AI-powered image creation. The company claims Firefly 3 boasts significant improvements in image quality, producing images that are claimed to be photorealistic. This includes better lighting effects, sharper details, and more accurate handling of text within the generated images. It also offers more control to users with new features like ‘Style reference’ and ‘Structure reference.’ Overall, Firefly 3’s photorealistic quality can open doors for a wider range of applications, from concept art and design to marketing and media creation.