iPhone 15: A Comprehensive Overview of Rumors and Leaks

Here are the rumored features and specifications of the iPhone 15:

1. Design: The iPhone 15 models are expected to have a similar design to the iPhone 14 models, with the notch being replaced by a Dynamic Island. The Dynamic Island will be present in all iPhone 15 models, including the standard iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Max, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. The Pro models may have thinner, more curved bezels, and a titanium frame.

2. USB-C Port: All iPhone 15 models are rumored to feature a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port. This change is likely due to new regulations in Europe requiring USB-C ports on smartphones.

3. Display: The standard iPhone 15 models may not include ProMotion technology or always-on display features, which could be reserved for the Pro models.

4. Colors: The iPhone 15 models may come in dark pink and light blue color options, in addition to standard black, white, and PRODUCT(RED) options.

5. Camera: Apple is expected to adopt Sony's latest image sensors for the iPhone 15 models, which will improve image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The iPhone 15 Pro Max may feature a periscope zoom lens for enhanced zoom capabilities.

6. Qualcomm Modem Chips: The iPhone 15 lineup is rumored to use Qualcomm's 5G modem chips, as Apple's own in-house modem chips may not be ready until 2024.

7. A-Series Chips: The iPhone 15 Pro models are expected to feature an A-series chip built on TSMC's 3-nanometer node, providing increased processing performance and reduced power consumption. The standard iPhone 15 models may use the A16 chip introduced in the iPhone 14 Pro models.

8. RAM: The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus models are rumored to have 6GB of RAM, the same as the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus.

9. Release Date: The iPhone 15 models are expected to be released in September 2023, following Apple's traditional September launch timeline.

Please note that these are rumors and should be taken with a grain of salt until officially confirmed by Apple.

AI and NVIDIA RTX A6000 GPUs Join Forces to Safeguard Earth from Space Threats: UC Santa Barbara's Innovative Planetary Defense Initiative

 UC Santa Barbara Professor Philip Lubin and his team, with the support of NVIDIA, are using AI and NVIDIA RTX A6000 GPUs to accelerate the detection of hazardous asteroids on a collision course with Earth. They have received funding from NASA for their PI-Terminal Planetary Defense initiative, which aims to detect threats earlier and pulverize them using an array of hypervelocity kinetic penetrators. By training a neural network called You Only Look Once Darknet, the team has achieved faster and more accurate threat recognition compared to traditional methods. The NVIDIA RTX A6000 GPU has significantly accelerated their image analysis process, reducing the processing time from 10 seconds to 0.15 seconds. The GPU's 48GB memory capacity has also facilitated handling large datasets for training and simulations. The team combines custom-developed codes and utilizes the NASA Advanced Supercomputing facility for various simulations related to planetary defense.

Meta Takes on Twitter with Plans for Text-Based Social Network: A Potential Rival in the Making

 

Meta, the owner of Facebook, is reportedly planning to develop a new social network to rival Twitter, according to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to the BBC. The proposed platform would be primarily text-based and may allow users to follow the same accounts they already follow on Meta's image-sharing app, Instagram. It could also offer the option to import followers from decentralized platforms like Mastodon. A spokesperson from Meta confirmed that the company is indeed working on a decentralized social network for sharing text updates, aimed at providing a separate space for creators and public figures to share timely information related to their interests. Meta's chief product officer, Chris Cox, revealed that coding for the platform is already in progress, with the company aiming for a release in the near future, potentially by the end of June. Leaked screenshots of the internal presentation have surfaced online, providing a glimpse into the app's possible layout, which appears to be reminiscent of Twitter's interface. This new text-based network, codenamed P92, could pose a significant challenge to Elon Musk's Twitter, potentially surpassing it in size due to Meta's massive Instagram user base of around two billion users, compared to Twitter's estimated 300 million users. While alternative platforms like BlueSky and Mastodon have attracted users disillusioned with Twitter, building a new community from scratch is challenging. However, Meta's established Instagram user base provides a substantial advantage in terms of potential user adoption. Meta has previously drawn inspiration from other successful products, such as Snapchat and TikTok, in the development of features like Facebook Stories and Instagram Reels. Twitter has faced criticism for its moderation practices, leading to its withdrawal from the EU's voluntary disinformation code in May. Critics claim that moderation efforts have been reduced under Elon Musk's leadership, resulting in an increase in the spread of misinformation. Musk, on the other hand, contends that there is now less misinformation on Twitter since he assumed control in October 2022.

Exploring the Future of Sex Robots: Debunking Myths and Unveiling the Potential of Sextech

image source: Salon

The anticipation surrounding the development of sex robots has been building for over a decade, but their widespread availability remains elusive. While sex dolls without movement or speech have existed, sex robots with artificial intelligence designed for sexual intercourse are still considered niche products. The sex robot industry faces numerous challenges, including stigma, high costs, and competition from other forms of sextech, which could prevent them from becoming mainstream.

Despite the diminished hype, interest in sex robots persists. A recent survey claimed that 17.4% of respondents have either engaged in sexual activities with a robot or currently own one. This topic continues to generate discussions, as evident from the International Congress on Love and Sex with Robots, which showcased the growing academic interest in sextech.

Dr. Kate Devlin, a leading AI researcher, emphasizes that sex with robots involves more than mere physical intimacy. It delves into various aspects such as technology, psychology, history, ethics, and the complex relationship between humans and machines. However, she believes that the sex robot market will never reach significant proportions, alleviating concerns about their potential impact.

Experts like evolutionary biologist Rob Brooks argue that while the concept of sex robots resonates due to their resemblance to humans, logistical challenges, such as their size and potential embarrassment, may limit their widespread adoption. Brooks predicts that a more pervasive form of sextech will emerge through the combination of artificial intelligence and virtual reality. This combination could create personalized and intimate experiences by learning from user interactions and fostering a sense of continuity and connection.

Concerns about sex robots extend beyond logistics. Questions surrounding the uncanny valley effect, the objectification of humans, and power imbalances have emerged. The gender bias inherent in the design, use, and ethics of sex robots raises concerns about reinforcing patriarchal structures and potentially damaging relationships between genders.

While there are debates about the risks and benefits of sex robots, the evolving landscape of sextech also includes virtual reality and AI, which offer more privacy, diversity, and affordability. Brooks argues that focusing solely on the potential for despicable behavior distracts from the broader and more nuanced ways in which humans connect and form relationships.

In the end, the future of sex robots remains uncertain. The moral and ethical implications, as well as individual perspectives on sex, gender, and relationships, shape the discussions surrounding this evolving field of technology.

Xbox's Commitment to Safety: Settlement with FTC and Future Innovations for Enhanced Player Security

Xbox recently reached a settlement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enhance safety measures and resolve a data retention issue on their platform. The company acknowledges that they fell short of customer expectations and is committed to improving safety, privacy, and security for their community. They emphasize their dedication to providing a safe experience for all players, especially children, and highlight their two decades of experience in implementing safety measures.

In terms of changes, Xbox has updated their account creation process to include age verification and parental consent for players under 13. They are also working on developing next-generation identity and age validation systems to deliver customized, safe, and age-appropriate experiences. These efforts aim to benefit all players and align with the industry's future direction.

Xbox remains focused on empowering players and parents to have control over their gaming experiences and digital identities. They offer tools such as the Xbox Family Settings App and child accounts to enable appropriate oversight. Transparency is a priority for the company, and they have released Transparency Reports to keep users informed about their actions and policies.

Following the settlement, Xbox has implemented the requirement for parental reconsent for players under 13 who created accounts before May 2021. They have addressed a technical glitch related to account creation data for child accounts and have updated their Microsoft Privacy Statement to provide clearer information about data collection and usage. Xbox also offers additional resources, including privacy features, educational materials like Minecraft's Privacy Prodigy, and the Xbox Family Hub to assist families in managing safety measures.

Overall, Xbox is committed to collaborating with the community, gathering feedback, and working together to create a safer gaming experience for everyone. They are dedicated to continuously improving their safety measures and protecting the privacy and security of their players, particularly children.

Artificial intelligence gradually rising to take over human existence. Experts concerned.

   

Image source: MarkTech.

Leading experts in the field of artificial intelligence, including executives from OpenAI and Google DeepMind, have issued a warning about the potential dangers of AI that could lead to the extinction of humanity. The Centre for AI Safety has published a statement stressing the need to prioritize the mitigation of AI-related risks alongside other global threats like pandemics and nuclear war. The statement highlights potential disaster scenarios such as weaponization of AI, AI-generated misinformation, concentration of AI power, and human dependency on AI. While some experts dismiss these concerns as overblown, others support the call for action. They emphasize the importance of addressing present AI concerns to prevent future risks. The debate continues as regulators and technology leaders explore the implementation of AI regulations to ensure safety and security.

Microsoft Settles with US Regulators, Pays $20 Million for Illegally Collecting Children's Data.

In a recent settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Microsoft has agreed to pay $20 million to US federal regulators for unlawfully collecting data on children who created Xbox accounts. The settlement, reached on Monday, also includes enhanced protections for young gamers.

The FTC discovered that Microsoft violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act by failing to inform parents about its data collection practices. Specifically, Microsoft did not obtain proper parental consent and retained personal data of children under 13 for longer than necessary for accounts created prior to 2021.

To use certain services, Xbox users are required to create an account, during which information such as full name, email address, and date of birth is collected. However, Microsoft did not prompt parental permission until after obtaining additional personal details like the child's phone number.

Between 2015 and 2020, Microsoft retained data from the account setup process for extended periods, even when parents did not complete the procedure. The company also neglected to inform parents about the extent of data collection, including the distribution of user profile pictures to third parties.

In response to the settlement, Microsoft's Dave McCarthy, CVP of Xbox Player Services, expressed regret for not meeting customer expectations and committed to complying with the order. McCarthy emphasized Microsoft's dedication to improving safety measures, privacy, and security for the community.

As part of the settlement, Microsoft will implement new safety measures for children, including the establishment of a system to delete all personal data within two weeks if parental consent is not obtained.

The settlement agreement requires approval from a federal judge before it can take effect. This development follows a similar action taken against Amazon last week for retaining sensitive data, including voice recordings of children, leading to a $25 million settlement payment. Additionally, Amazon's Ring doorbell camera unit agreed to a $5.8 million payout for granting employees unrestricted access to customer data

The Evolution of Realism in Computer Games: Tech Tricks and Challenges

  Image source: BBC.

Computer games have been pushing the boundaries of realism, with advancements in graphics and techniques that bring virtual worlds closer to reality. A video of the upcoming game Unrecord by French indie studio Drama went viral, sparking discussions about its uncanny realism. While some elements contribute to the lifelike experience, such as shaky camera movements and atmospheric details, other aspects like character animations still have room for improvement. The use of detailed 3D modeling, neural radiance fields, ray-tracing, and AI-powered effects like Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) further enhance the visual fidelity of games. While photorealism isn't the only direction for game aesthetics, improved graphics can add depth and complexity to various game styles.