Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

World's Largest 3D-Printed Neighborhood Nears Completion in Texas

2024-12-31

A groundbreaking project in Georgetown, Texas, is nearing completion: the world's largest 3D-printed neighborhood, Wolf Ranch. Construction-tech startup ICON is using its massive Vulcan printer to build 100 homes, a process significantly faster and more efficient than traditional methods. Each single-story home takes roughly three weeks to print, resulting in cost savings and reduced labor needs. While the homes offer strong insulation and weather resistance, some homeowners have reported challenges with wireless internet signal penetration due to the thick walls. The homes, priced between $450,000 and $600,000, are part of ICON's ambitious vision, which even includes plans to utilize this technology for lunar construction projects.

(www.yahoo.com)

Tech construction

Mid-Range Smartphone Market Collapses

2024-12-31

The global smartphone market is fracturing into high-end and low-end segments, with the mid-range ($200-$600) segment's market share plummeting from 35% in 2021 to a projected 23% by 2027, according to Goldman Sachs. This sharp decline contrasts with its steady 35% share in 2021-22. Analysts attribute this to a lack of revolutionary technology upgrades and more conservative spending by the middle class amid macroeconomic challenges. Conversely, the premium segment (>$600) is booming, with its share projected to reach 32% by 2027. The entry-level segment ( <$200) shows remarkable resilience, maintaining a 41-45% market share, driven by 4G to 5G migrations and cost-conscious consumers. IDC analyst Navkendar Singh highlights the significant, yet underappreciated, growth of the used phone market. Overall market growth is sluggish, with Goldman Sachs projecting just 3%, 2%, and 1% growth in 2025-27, citing a lack of innovation and longer replacement cycles. India's smartphone shipments are projected to grow 3% in 2025, mirroring global growth, and capturing 13% of the global market share by 2025-27.

(indiadispatch.com)

Tech smartphone market mid-range phones market share

Legacy Airlines Crack Down on Carry-On Bags

2024-12-31

Flying with legacy carriers like British Airways or Air France used to mean included checked baggage and carry-on. However, to compete with low-cost airlines, many legacy carriers are now eliminating free carry-on allowances and even complimentary meals. Air Canada, for example, will no longer allow standard carry-on bags on North American and Caribbean routes from January 3rd, only permitting small personal items. Other airlines like United and Finnair have adopted similar strategies. This 'basic economy' fare is blurring the lines between legacy and budget airlines, adding extra costs for passengers.

(www.telegraph.co.uk)

Tech low-cost airlines carry-on baggage

Morris Chang and the Rise of TSMC: An Engineer's Epic

2024-12-31

This article recounts the extraordinary life of Morris Chang, founder of TSMC. From his studies in the US to his career at Texas Instruments and General Instrument, Chang accumulated vast semiconductor manufacturing experience and developed unique business insights. During his tenure at the Industrial Technology Research Institute in Taiwan, he founded TSMC, pioneering the fabless chip manufacturing model, and transforming Taiwan into a global semiconductor powerhouse. TSMC's success wasn't overnight; it was the result of Chang's continuous learning and adaptation through multiple career setbacks and business risks. His keen market insight and decisive decision-making ultimately led to the creation of a world-leading semiconductor company.

(www.construction-physics.com)

Tech Morris Chang

Urine: The Unexpected Origin of Chemistry

2024-12-31

In the 17th century, Hennig Brand, a German merchant and alchemist, attempted to extract gold from urine. He collected 5,500 liters of urine, and after boiling and heating it at high temperatures, unexpectedly discovered a new element—phosphorus. This discovery, while not a success in alchemy, marked the birth of chemistry. Brand's discovery eventually led Robert Boyle to refine the method of producing phosphorus and apply it to the creation of matches. More importantly, Boyle openly shared his methods, breaking the secretive tradition of alchemy and advancing the scientific development of chemistry.

(bigthink.com)

Tech chemistry history alchemy phosphorus

US Army Soldier Arrested for AT&T, Verizon Extortion

2024-12-31

A 20-year-old US Army soldier, Cameron John Wagenius, has been arrested and indicted for his alleged role as Kiberphant0m, a cybercriminal who sold and leaked sensitive customer call records stolen from AT&T and Verizon earlier this year. Wagenius, a communications specialist stationed in South Korea, was linked to another cybercriminal, Connor Riley Moucka, who was also arrested for data theft and extortion. The indictment charges Wagenius with illegally transferring confidential phone records, including threats to leak call logs of the President and Vice President, and selling Verizon PTT customer call records and offering SIM-swapping services. The case highlights the need for strong internal security and demonstrates law enforcement's increasing effectiveness in apprehending cybercriminals.

(krebsonsecurity.com)

Tech cybercrime US Army soldier

The Software Trust Crisis: Why We Have to Trust Software (Mostly)

2024-12-31

This article explores the difficult problem of trusting software. The author argues that even secure messaging apps rely on trust in the vendor; the sheer volume of code in open-source software makes review impractical; code signing verifies integrity but relies on user diligence and is easily circumvented. The article delves into vulnerabilities in the software supply chain, including code signing, blocklisting, auto-updates, and package managers. It introduces techniques like reproducible builds and binary transparency to enhance software trust, but ultimately concludes that this is a far-from-solved problem, leaving us with the uncomfortable reality of having to trust software vendors.

(educatedguesswork.org)

Tech code signing binary transparency

Seyfert Galaxies: Bright Beacons in the Cosmos

2024-12-31

In 1943, astronomer Carl Seyfert discovered a class of spiral galaxies with unusually bright cores. Their spectra reveal strong, often broad, emission lines, indicating intense central activity. These Seyfert galaxies, comprising about 10% of all galaxies, are thought to be nearby, low-luminosity versions of quasars, powered by a supermassive black hole accreting surrounding gas. The Hubble Space Telescope and other instruments have extensively observed Seyfert galaxies, revealing their diversity and complexity, including different types and their interaction with their galactic environment. Continued study of Seyfert galaxies helps us understand the mechanisms driving active galactic nuclei and the growth of black holes.

(www.seyfertgalaxies.com)

Tech Seyfert galaxies active galactic nuclei

JWST Discovers Most Distant Giant Spiral Galaxy Yet

2024-12-31

Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), astronomers have discovered Zhúlóng, an ultra-massive spiral galaxy that is the most distant of its kind ever identified. This grand-design spiral, with its well-defined arms, boasts a mass comparable to the Milky Way and formed a mere billion years after the Big Bang. Studies reveal a quiescent core and a still-active star-forming disk, suggesting Zhúlóng is in a transitional phase. This discovery challenges existing models of early universe galaxy formation, indicating mature galaxies may have emerged much earlier than previously thought.

(phys.org)

Tech JWST Spiral Galaxy

BYD: World's Largest Automaker by R&D Workforce

2024-12-31

BYD has become the world's largest automaker by R&D workforce after a major hiring spree, boasting over 110,000 R&D employees among its 900,000-strong workforce. This follows a strong Q2 2024 where it outsold Honda and Nissan, solidifying its position as the world's seventh-largest automaker. BYD's massive R&D team is focused on developing longer-range, more affordable EVs, and the company is expanding into new markets with plans for new plants in Turkey, Mexico, Brazil, and Pakistan. This aggressive expansion, coupled with its already significant position as the world's second-largest EV battery maker, positions BYD for continued growth and leadership in the electric vehicle market.

(electrek.co)

Tech BYD Electric Vehicles R&D

Mass Resignation at Journal of Human Evolution: AI, Fees, and Editorial Independence at Stake

2024-12-31

The entire editorial board of Elsevier's Journal of Human Evolution (JHE) resigned en masse, sparking outrage in the academic community. Their protest centers on Elsevier's changes over the past decade, including cuts to editorial resources, the uninformed introduction of AI in the editorial process leading to numerous errors, and exorbitant author fees, all undermining the journal's editorial independence and inclusivity. This is the 20th mass resignation from a science journal since 2023, highlighting the controversies surrounding evolving business models in scientific publishing.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech scientific publishing editorial independence

Salt Typhoon: Major US Telecoms Confirm Chinese Government-Backed Hacks

2024-12-31

AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies have confirmed that their systems were compromised earlier this year by the Chinese government-backed Salt Typhoon hacking group. A White House official called the intrusion the "worst telecom hack in our nation's history," enabling the hackers to geolocate millions of individuals and record phone calls at will. While the companies claim a limited number of customers were affected and that the attacks have been contained, the incident highlights significant security vulnerabilities in US telecom networks. This has prompted the government to strengthen cybersecurity oversight and push for stricter standards.

(www.theregister.com)

Tech nation-state attack telecom security

VR Headsets for Mice Advance Brain Research

2024-12-31

Researchers have developed MouseGoggles, a virtual reality headset for lab mice, enabling immersive studies of brain activity. Using affordable smartwatch displays and tiny lenses, these goggles overcome limitations of previous bulky projector systems. Mice exhibited realistic responses to virtual threats, with brain scans confirming the effectiveness of the virtual environment. This technology promises breakthroughs in understanding mammalian brain function and could aid in researching diseases like Alzheimer's.

(phys.org)

Tech mouse research

Apple TV+ Offers Free Streaming Weekend

2024-12-30

Apple is offering free access to its Apple TV+ streaming service from January 3rd to 5th, 2025. This three-day free trial includes access to Apple TV+'s library of award-winning shows and movies, giving potential subscribers a chance to sample its content, including popular series like Severance (with season 2 premiering January 17th), For All Mankind, Silo, and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. All you need is an Apple ID to take advantage of this offer.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech free streaming streaming service

China to Build Thorium Molten-Salt Reactor in 2025

2024-12-30

China plans to commence construction in 2025 on a 10-megawatt demonstration thorium-based molten-salt reactor in the Gobi Desert, aiming for operational status by 2030. Led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, the project utilizes thorium-232, a readily available element, converting it into fissile uranium-233. This technology seeks to reduce reliance on uranium and utilizes waste from rare earth mining, offering potential for energy self-sufficiency. However, challenges remain, notably the risk of nuclear proliferation, requiring robust safety measures.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech thorium molten-salt reactor nuclear energy nuclear fuel

South Korea Plane Crash Kills 179, Prompts Nationwide Mourning and Safety Review

2024-12-30

A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 carrying 181 passengers crashed at Muan Airport in South Korea, killing 179 people, marking the country's worst aviation disaster in decades. The accident occurred amidst political turmoil following the impeachment of both the president and prime minister, raising concerns about the government's ability to effectively respond to the crisis. South Korea has ordered safety inspections of all 737-800 aircraft and a comprehensive review of Jeju Air's safety standards. Investigators are examining factors such as a possible landing gear malfunction, potential hydraulic failure, and the safety design of the airport's runway barriers. The tragedy has prompted a seven-day national mourning period and highlighted the need for enhanced aviation safety and improved disaster response capabilities.

(apnews.com)

Tech South Korea plane crash Aviation safety

Technological Advancement and Children's Learning: A Computer's Changing Times

2024-12-30

The author recounts their daughter's experience learning to use a computer, contrasting it with their own childhood experiences. In the past, simple 8-bit microcomputers like the Apple IIe allowed children to independently explore BASIC programming and learn hardware principles. Today, powerful computers offer abundant resources, but their complexity makes self-learning difficult for children. The author worries that the internet environment limits children's independent exploration and that parents without programming skills cannot guide their children's learning, calling for attention to the fairness of children's learning in the digital age.

(marcusb.org)

Tech technological development children's learning

Florida Appeals Court Rejects Clean Water Rights Initiative

2024-12-30

A Florida appeals court has ruled against a Titusville initiative to establish the right to clean water, despite 83% voter approval. The court cited a 2020 state law prohibiting local governments from granting rights to bodies of water, effectively preempting the local measure. This decision highlights the ongoing tension between state and local governments on environmental protection in Florida and underscores the limitations on local action in the face of conflicting state legislation.

(floridaphoenix.com)

Tech legal battle local government

Bypassing BitLocker Encryption on Windows 11 via Memory Dump

2024-12-30

This article demonstrates bypassing BitLocker encryption on Windows 11 by extracting the Full Volume Encryption Key (FVEK) from memory. By physically accessing the device and abruptly restarting it, an attacker can capture RAM contents, which may contain the FVEK. The author utilizes a UEFI application, Memory-Dump-UEFI, to achieve this. The process involves creating a bootable USB, forcefully restarting the system, booting from the USB, analyzing the memory dump, and using pool tags to locate the FVEK. The article details these steps and emphasizes the use of tools like dislocker to unlock the BitLocker-protected partition. The method is not foolproof and relies on several factors such as speed of memory dump and the timing of the restart.

(noinitrd.github.io)

Tech Memory Dump Windows Security

Hacker Remotely Revives Dormant Satellite: Beesat-1 Back Online

2024-12-30

The TU Berlin's Beesat-1 test satellite, launched in 2009, fell silent in 2013. However, at the 38C3 conference, hacker PistonMiner revealed how they remotely resurrected the satellite. Identifying a software bug, not hardware failure, as the culprit, PistonMiner used a 'Frankenstein-Beesat' ground test model for debugging. A software update restored functionality, even reactivating a presumed-broken onboard camera. This feat not only brought the small satellite back to life but also offers a potential model for reviving other defunct satellites.

(www.heise.de)

Tech satellite repair software bug

Boeing and FAA Whistleblower System Fails, Leaving Reporters in Limbo

2024-12-30

This article exposes the critical flaws in the whistleblower system at Boeing, its supplier Spirit AeroSystems, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Numerous whistleblowers report safety concerns at great personal and professional risk, yet the FAA finds no violations in over 90% of cases. This leaves whistleblowers facing retaliation, unemployment, and emotional distress; some have even died as a result. The article uses several whistleblowers' experiences to highlight the system's lack of independence and inadequate protection, calling for reform to ensure aviation safety and protect whistleblower rights.

(www.seattletimes.com)

Tech whistleblower protection Boeing

Passkeys: Elegant, but Not Yet Usable Security

2024-12-30

Passkeys, touted as a password alternative, aim for enhanced security and easier logins. However, this article reveals significant usability issues. While technically elegant, the lack of standardization across platforms (operating systems, browsers, apps) leads to a confusing user experience, with varying prompts and workflows. Password managers can alleviate some problems, but this hinges on user adoption. Many websites still allow password logins, undermining Passkey's security. Currently, Passkeys are more of a transitional solution than a fully mature technology.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech

Wi-Fi and Radar Interference: The Challenges of DFS

2024-12-30

This article explores the interference issues between Wi-Fi networks and radar systems in the 5GHz band. Since Wi-Fi operates on unlicensed spectrum, proximity to airports or other radar-using facilities can lead to interference, causing device dropouts. Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) aims to mitigate this, but its implementation isn't seamless. DFS can cause brief Wi-Fi access point outages, impacting user experience. The article suggests avoiding UNI II band DFS channels near radar facilities or using newer APs and the UNI II extended band to minimize problems.

(blog.iptel.com.au)

Tech Radar Interference

Apple and Meta Clash Over Interoperability and Privacy

2024-12-30

Apple and Meta are locked in a battle in Europe over the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA). The DMA mandates interoperability, requiring designated gatekeepers like Apple and Meta to allow competitors access to core platform services. Meta has submitted 15 interoperability requests to Apple, prompting Apple to warn of significant privacy and security risks if granted, potentially exposing user data extensively. Meta counters that Apple's privacy concerns are unfounded and a pretext to stifle competition. This conflict highlights the tension between interoperability and user privacy, and the challenges faced by EU regulators in enforcing the DMA.

(techcrunch.com)

Tech

2024: A Breakthrough Year for Windows on Arm

2024-12-30

2024 marked a significant milestone for Windows on Arm. Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processors delivered exceptional performance and battery life, enabling Copilot Plus PCs to challenge Apple's MacBook Air. While gaming compatibility remains an area for improvement, the collaboration between Microsoft and Qualcomm, along with developers embracing native Arm64 apps, has significantly matured the Windows on Arm ecosystem. Intel and AMD countered with Lunar Lake and Ryzen AI chips, respectively, intensifying the competition and setting the stage for a fierce battle between Arm and x86 in 2025.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech Qualcomm Snapdragon

Y2K Scare: The Millennium Bug That Never Bit

2024-12-30

In 1999, the Y2K problem, or millennium bug, sparked global panic. Older computer systems used only two digits to represent the year, leading to fears that at the turn of the millennium, systems would misinterpret '00' as 1900, causing widespread chaos. The Clinton administration called Y2K preparations 'the single largest technology management challenge in history.' Citizens stockpiled food, generators, and even weapons, fearing blackouts, medical equipment failures, and societal breakdown. Ultimately, the world transitioned to 2000 without major incident, highlighting the anxieties surrounding the unknown and the extensive preparations undertaken. The event served as a reminder of the interdependence of technology and societal stability.

(www.npr.org)

Tech Millennium Bug Doomsday Prophecy

Rolling the Dice on Bird Flu: Are We Prepared for Another Pandemic?

2024-12-30

Avian influenza (H5N1) is spreading globally in late 2024, infecting poultry, livestock, and even humans. While human-to-human transmission remains rare, scientists warn a single mutation could make it pandemic-capable. While we have more vaccine stockpiles and tests than during COVID-19, public sentiment toward government interventions remains uncertain. The article explores the tension between concerns about another pandemic and preparedness, questioning whether American society could effectively handle a potential bird flu pandemic.

(nymag.com)

Tech pandemic

Lightweight Reuters Alternative Frontend Launched

2024-12-30

About is a lightweight alternative frontend to Reuters, designed for speed and efficiency, inspired by Nitter. It's JavaScript, ad, and tracking-free, uses no cookies, and is typically under 10KB (compared to Reuters' 50MB+). Dynamic theming respects system preferences. You can use libredirect or a browser extension to automatically redirect Reuters links to this site. This is a work in progress; bug reports and suggestions are welcome on GitHub.

(neuters.de)

Tech lightweight frontend Reuters alternative ad-free

Nikon Unveils Revolutionary Dual-Lens Camera Capturing Wide and Telephoto Simultaneously

2024-12-30

Nikon, in collaboration with Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, has developed an in-vehicle camera system featuring a groundbreaking optical lens that captures telephoto and wide-angle images simultaneously. This eliminates the need for multiple cameras to achieve 360-degree surround view, reducing system costs and failure rates. AI-powered image recognition collects road information, enhancing safety and enabling integration into advanced driver-assistance systems and autonomous driving technology. Initially intended for trucks and buses, Nikon plans to expand the technology's applications to diverse fields.

(www.digitalcameraworld.com)

Tech Nikon In-vehicle camera AI image recognition

From Pegasus to Predator: The Evolution of Commercial Spyware on iOS

2024-12-30

This talk traces the evolution of iOS spyware from the initial discovery of Pegasus in 2016 to the latest cases in 2024. It begins by analyzing how exploits, infection vectors, and methods of commercial spyware on iOS have changed over time. The presentation then explores advancements in detection methods and forensic resources available to uncover commercial spyware, including a case study on the discovery and analysis of BlastPass, a recent NSO exploit. Finally, it discusses technical challenges and limitations of detection methods and data sources, concluding with open research topics and suggestions for improving the detection of commercial spyware.

(media.ccc.de)

Tech iOS spyware exploits

Category: Tech