Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

IPv4 Exhaustion and the Slow Rollout of IPv6: A 2024 Retrospective

2025-01-12

In 2024, the internet's IPv4 address pool continued to shrink, while IPv6 adoption remained sluggish. This article analyzes IPv4 address allocation data, revealing that the address trading market hasn't effectively recycled unused addresses, leading to volatile pricing. Meanwhile, IPv6 deployment, while growing, falls short of expectations and shows regional disparities. The author predicts a future of highly fragmented internet, with IPv6 adoption being a key factor. The piece delves into technical, economic, and policy aspects impacting internet development and offers insightful future projections.

(www.potaroo.net)

Tech Internet Addressing

World's Darkest Skies Threatened by Chilean Megaproject

2025-01-12

The Paranal Observatory in Chile's Atacama Desert, boasting the world's darkest and clearest skies, faces a critical threat. A massive industrial complex planned by AES Andes, encompassing a port, ammonia and hydrogen production plants, and thousands of power generation units, will be located just 5-11 kilometers away. This proximity will cause irreparable damage to astronomical observations due to light pollution and atmospheric turbulence. The project jeopardizes not only the existing Paranal Observatory, responsible for groundbreaking discoveries, but also the upcoming Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), the world's largest. ESO urges relocation to protect this irreplaceable dark sky, a heritage for all of humanity.

(www.eso.org)

Tech light pollution astronomical observation Paranal Observatory

Adobe Lightroom's AI Adds Bitcoin to Photo

2025-01-12

A photographer using Adobe Lightroom's AI highlight removal tool discovered a bizarre error: a bitcoin appeared in their photo of a seagull where none existed before. The unexpected addition of a cryptocurrency logo to the image sparked outrage and debate among photographers, raising concerns about the reliability of AI image processing technology.

(bsky.app)

Tech

JPMorgan's Return-to-Office Mandate: 300,000+ Employees Called Back

2025-01-12

JPMorgan Chase, America's largest bank, is reportedly ending remote work for over 300,000 employees, mandating a five-day-a-week return to the office. CEO Jamie Dimon's strong advocacy for in-person collaboration is driving this decision, prioritizing innovation and teamwork. This move reflects a broader trend among large corporations shifting away from remote work, sparking debate about workplace flexibility and impacting numerous employees.

(www.forbes.com)

Tech return to office JPMorgan

RSDS: A Decentralized Syndication Protocol to Fix the Internet's Missing Piece?

2025-01-11

Author Tautvilas Mečinskas proposes a new protocol called RSDS (Really Simple Decentralized Syndication) to address the challenges of content discovery and aggregation on the internet. The article reviews the rise and fall of RSS and the shortcomings of attempts like Bluesky, highlighting how RSDS uses lightweight data structures, decentralized domain name IDs, and Bitcoin blockchain-based timestamps to significantly reduce costs and complexity. It also features spam prevention, support for content licensing, and enables the creation of truly decentralized social networks. The core of RSDS lies in its low barrier to entry—everyone can host content—while also allowing for the development of commercial applications.

(tautvilas.medium.com)

Tech social network

FCC Proposes US Cyber Trust Mark for Smart Devices

2025-01-11

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking registration for its proposed "US Cyber Trust Mark" logo, part of a cybersecurity labeling program for smart devices. This program aims to help consumers identify smart devices meeting higher security standards. The FCC has released the logo design and is seeking public comment. Use of the logo requires explicit written consent from the FCC.

(www.fcc.gov)

Tech Smart Devices

Chatham House Rule: The Bay Area's Embrace of Silence

2025-01-11

From healthcare conferences to AI salons and even dinner parties, the archaic Chatham House Rule—prohibiting attribution of information to speakers or disclosure of attendees' identities—is surging in popularity across the San Francisco Bay Area. Fueled by the tech industry's obsession with secrecy, its widespread use is sparking debate. Proponents argue it fosters candid discussion, particularly on sensitive topics. Critics, however, contend it obscures accountability and weakens the impact and authenticity of speech. The article explores the phenomenon of the Chatham House Rule's prevalence in the Bay Area and its complex implications.

(sfstandard.com)

Tech Chatham House Rule Tech Secrecy Bay Area Culture

The Future of Wi-Fi: Faster, Secure, Smarter Networks

2025-01-11

The future of Wi-Fi is an exciting landscape shaped by the rise of IoT, the adoption of Wi-Fi 6E/7 and WPA3, and the ever-increasing number of devices connecting to wireless networks. This article explores the evolution of Wi-Fi technology, highlighting how Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 deliver faster speeds, improved reliability, and enhanced security, while WPA3 strengthens security measures. A key focus is Opportunistic Wireless Encryption (OWE), providing secure encrypted connections for guest networks without passwords. With growing connectivity demands and the prevalence of BYOD devices, businesses need to adopt more secure and manageable Wi-Fi architectures to meet future challenges.

(www.cloudi-fi.com)

Tech

Ford Mach-E Outsells Gas-Powered Mustang for the First Time

2025-01-11

In 2024, Ford's electric Mustang Mach-E outsold its gas-powered counterpart for the first time, solidifying its position as a top-selling EV in the US. All of Ford's EV models achieved record sales in 2024, showing double-digit growth. The Mach-E's strong performance, with 16,119 units sold in Q4 and 51,745 for the full year, places it as the second best-selling electric SUV in the US, only behind the Tesla Model Y. Meanwhile, sales of the gas-powered Mustang declined by 9.5% to just over 48,600 units. This significant milestone highlights the increasing consumer preference for electric vehicles and the rapid growth of the EV market.

(electrek.co)

Tech Ford

CES 2025: The Worst Tech of the Year

2025-01-11

At CES 2025, the "Worst in Show" awards highlighted the most troubling trends in tech, focusing on privacy violations, security flaws, poor repairability, and unsustainable practices. Judges evaluated products based on severity of issues, innovative badness, global impact, comparison to previous iterations, and the balance between positives and negatives. The awards served as a wake-up call, showcasing the concerning direction of certain technological advancements.

(www.worstinshowces.com)

Tech

Florida's Civilian Police Oversight Crumbles Under New Law

2025-01-11

A new Florida law has led to the dissolution or suspension of at least 15 civilian review boards tasked with overseeing police misconduct investigations. The law mandates that only law enforcement agencies can investigate such misconduct, effectively stripping civilian boards of their oversight power. Supporters claim this ensures consistency in investigations, while critics fear it will damage community-police relations and erode public trust. This move, seen as the latest in a series of pro-law enforcement actions by Florida's GOP-led legislature, has sparked significant controversy.

(www.tampabay.com)

Tech police oversight Florida law enforcement

Microsoft Sues Service for Generating Illicit Content with its AI Platform

2025-01-11

Microsoft is suing three individuals and seven customers for running a service that generated harmful and illicit content using Microsoft's AI platform. The defendants developed tools to bypass Microsoft's safety measures, using compromised legitimate user accounts to create a fee-based platform. Operating from July to September 2024, the service used undocumented APIs and stolen API keys to generate illegal content, including pornography and violent materials. Microsoft's lawsuit cites multiple legal violations and seeks an injunction and damages.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech

The Secret Engineering of San Antonio's River Walk

2025-01-11

San Antonio's River Walk, a beloved tourist attraction, maintains its constant water level through ingenious engineering. This article details the replacement of critical floodgates in the system. The project involved overcoming significant challenges to replace aging gates without draining the river. Crews also upgraded a pump room, improving flood control and water quality. The story showcases the intricate engineering and commitment to preserving this urban jewel, highlighting the meticulous process of removing and installing massive components in a bustling downtown area.

(practical.engineering)

Tech river management flood control

Rare Planetary Alignment: 7 Planets to Align in 2025

2025-01-11

Get ready for a celestial spectacle! In 2025, a rare alignment of seven planets will grace our night skies. On February 28th, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune will appear in a near-perfect line. A smaller alignment of six planets (excluding Mercury) will occur on January 21st. While not a perfectly straight line in reality, their near-alignment on the ecliptic plane makes for a breathtaking sight. Don't miss this celestial event—binoculars or a telescope are recommended!

(www.sciencealert.com)

Tech planetary alignment celestial event

TikTok Ban: Can Uncle Sam Stop the ByteDance Beat?

2025-01-11

The Supreme Court is considering a law that could ban TikTok in the US. However, experts question whether a ban would be effective, citing the law's vagueness and the ease with which users could circumvent it using VPNs, pre-downloaded apps, or alternative download methods. The law doesn't mandate internet providers to block TikTok access or users to delete the app. While Apple and Google app stores would be required to remove TikTok, determined users could still find ways to access the platform, highlighting the challenges of enforcing a nationwide ban on an internet-based service.

(www.yahoo.com)

Tech US Ban Legal Loopholes

Relive the Apollo Moon Landing: The DSKY Moonwatch

2025-01-11

Apollo Instruments unveils the DSKY Moonwatch, a meticulously crafted replica of the Apollo program's iconic guidance computer interface. This isn't just a stylish watch; it's a fully functional timepiece with GPS navigation, stopwatch, and more, enhanced by regular software updates. Experience a piece of history on your wrist.

(apollo-instruments.com)

Tech watch Apollo

Jeju Air Crash: Black Boxes Silent Before Impact

2025-01-11

A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashed in Korea, resulting in 179 fatalities. The investigation revealed that both the flight data recorder (FDR) and cockpit voice recorder (CVR) stopped recording four minutes before the plane crashed. This crucial data loss complicates the investigation, forcing investigators to rely on other evidence to determine the cause of the crash. Possible causes under investigation include bird strike, landing gear malfunction, and the runway barrier. The transport minister resigned, and authorities are investigating the airport and Jeju Air.

(www.koreatimes.co.kr)

Tech black box Jeju Air

Duke Mathematician Awarded National Medal of Science

2025-01-11

Ingrid Daubechies, James B. Duke Distinguished Professor Emerita of Mathematics at Duke University, has been awarded the 2025 National Medal of Science, the nation's highest honor for scientists and engineers. Her groundbreaking work in signal processing, particularly her contributions to wavelet theory, underpins much of today's image processing technology. Daubechies' research transcends disciplinary boundaries, impacting fields from art restoration to evolutionary biology. A tireless advocate for women in STEM, her award celebrates a remarkable career marked by innovation and impact.

(today.duke.edu)

Tech National Medal of Science Signal Processing Wavelet Theory

US Equity Market Structure Primer: A Quick Guide

2025-01-11

This primer provides a concise overview of the US equity trading landscape. Initially created as an onboarding document for new hires, it covers the lifecycle of an order, market participants, communication mechanisms between them, and a high-level view of overall market activity. The guide can be read sequentially or selectively, with a visual representation of the order lifecycle offering a clear picture of the process. Even with limited prior knowledge, the sections on market participants, communication, and overall market activity provide a functional understanding of US equities trading. Future updates will delve deeper into market structure history and inherent conflicts of interest.

(primer.prooftrading.com)

Tech US equities market structure trading

Wikipedia Searches Reveal Three Distinct Styles of Curiosity

2025-01-11

A new study analyzing Wikipedia search data reveals three distinct styles of human curiosity: the busybody, the hunter, and the dancer. Busybodies zigzag through numerous, often unrelated topics; hunters focus on a smaller set of closely related articles; and dancers connect disparate topics to synthesize new ideas. The research also found that people in countries with higher education levels and greater gender equality tend to browse like busybodies, while those in other countries lean towards a hunter approach. This interdisciplinary study, integrating topology, psychology, and cognitive science, offers novel insights into human behavior.

(www.scientificamerican.com)

Tech curiosity network science

Donut Motor: Reimagining In-Wheel Motors

2025-01-11

Donut Lab unveils the revolutionary Donut Motor, a direct-drive in-wheel motor that transforms electric vehicle powertrains. Offering superior torque and power density, it's lighter, more compact, and boasts lower costs and simpler maintenance, along with significantly improved efficiency. By eliminating the complexities of traditional powertrains, the Donut Motor achieves more precise control and optimized cooling, delivering unprecedented performance across various applications, from cars to drones. Its simplified architecture and ease of integration lower the barrier to entry for EV development.

(www.donutlab.com)

Tech in-wheel motor direct drive

Kirin's Electric Salt Spoon: A CES 2025 Taste of the Future?

2025-01-11

At CES 2025, Kirin Holdings unveiled an electronic spoon that uses a weak electric current to enhance the salty and umami flavors of food, particularly low-sodium options. Based on research that won a 2013 Ig Nobel Prize, the spoon has already launched in Japan and Kirin aims for global distribution. The device aims to help reduce salt intake, especially relevant in Japan's high-sodium diet culture. While TechCrunch didn't sample it, the enthusiastic crowd at CES Unveiled suggests it's a hit.

(techcrunch.com)

Tech Electric Salt Spoon Low-Sodium Diet

BepiColombo Delivers Stunning Close-Ups of Mercury's North Pole

2025-01-11

The European-Japanese BepiColombo spacecraft has completed its sixth and final Mercury flyby, sending back the most detailed images yet of the planet's north pole. Flying as close as 295 kilometers above Mercury's night side, the spacecraft captured stunning views of permanently shadowed craters, neighboring volcanic plains, and Mercury's largest impact crater. These images provide invaluable data for understanding Mercury's formation and evolution. BepiColombo is on track to enter Mercury's orbit next year for a more extensive study.

(apnews.com)

Tech

MessagePack: A Faster, Smaller Alternative to JSON

2025-01-11

MessagePack is an efficient binary serialization format enabling data exchange across multiple languages, similar to JSON but faster and smaller. It's used by projects like Redis, Fluentd, and Pinterest for performance gains. Supported by over 50 programming languages and environments, its simple specification makes it an easy-to-implement, fast replacement for JSON.

(msgpack.org)

Tech Serialization

Fantastic Planet: A 19th-Century Microphotography Album

2025-01-11

Marinus Pieter Filbri's microscopy album reveals a wondrous 19th-century glimpse into the microcosm. The collection juxtaposes seemingly unrelated images—moon phases, portraits of Sicilian bandits—with stunning micrographs: a moth's antenna, a honeybee's stinger, a fly's eye, and more. These images not only showcase the intricate structures of the microscopic world but also spark contemplation on the similarities between the macrocosm and microcosm, akin to exploring a fantastic alien planet. Filbri's work echoes the discoveries of Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, highlighting the challenges and achievements of early microphotography.

(publicdomainreview.org)

Tech microphotography history of science

Hyundai's $18k EV, the Inster, Takes on Japan

2025-01-11

Hyundai launched its cheapest EV yet in Japan, the Inster, priced at just $18,000. This small electric vehicle boasts a 42 or 49 kWh battery, offering a range of up to 195 miles (315 km) or 221 miles (355 km) WLTP, respectively. Hyundai aims to significantly boost its Japanese market share with the Inster, currently trailing behind BYD in sales. The Inster will compete directly with popular EVs like the BYD Dolphin and Nissan Sakura.

(electrek.co)

Tech Hyundai Electric Vehicle Japan Market

Greenland: A Newly Crucial Arctic Strategic Location

2025-01-11

The Trump administration's growing interest in Greenland is no coincidence. The island's strategic importance has placed it at the center of a great power competition in the Arctic between the US, Russia, and China. The US maintains Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, a crucial military presence offering missile detection and space surveillance capabilities. However, climate change is melting Arctic ice, opening new shipping routes and resources, further increasing Greenland's strategic value and intensifying competition. The article reviews the history of US military presence in Greenland, including Cold War bases and nuclear accidents, and analyzes Greenland's role in future military strategy and its importance in Arctic shipping and resource contention.

(www.twz.com)

Tech Arctic strategy Greenland Military base

Generative Search: AI Revolutionizes Internet Search

2025-01-11

Generative AI is reshaping internet search. Forget keyword searches and link sorting; conversational search powered by AI is providing direct answers, integrating real-time information from across the web. Google's AI Overviews, OpenAI's web-integrated ChatGPT, and other search engines are vying for dominance, but face challenges like copyright disputes and AI hallucinations. Trillions of dollars are at stake, alongside concerns about information reliability and the future of publishers.

(www.technologyreview.com)

Tech

Epic CEO Accuses Big Tech of Republican Pretense to Avoid Antitrust Scrutiny

2025-01-11

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney slammed tech giants for allegedly feigning Republican support to curry favor with the Trump administration, thereby avoiding antitrust laws and ultimately harming consumers and crushing competitors. He highlighted donations from Google and Apple to Trump's inauguration as evidence of this strategy to weaken antitrust enforcement. Sweeney, locked in a long-running battle with Apple and Google over mobile software distribution, aims to sell games on iPhones and Android phones without using their app stores and payment systems. While the new administration may be softer on antitrust cases, Sweeney vowed to continue fighting until victory.

(www.pcgamer.com)

Tech

Massive PowerSchool Data Breach Exposes 60 Million Students' and Teachers' Info

2025-01-10

Education software giant PowerSchool suffered a major data breach, with personal information of over 60 million K-12 students and teachers stolen. The breach, which involved 23 database tables containing sensitive data like Social Security Numbers and medical information, was reportedly carried out using a compromised credential. PowerSchool stated it wasn't ransomware or a software vulnerability, but a network penetration. While PowerSchool has implemented security measures, including password resets and access control tightening, and offered credit monitoring, cybersecurity firm Cyble suggests the breach may have started as early as 2011. The incident highlights the vulnerability of educational institutions' data and the importance of timely reporting and response.

(www.theregister.com)

Tech education

Category: Tech