Business Articles

Although some concessions are being made in certain regions, the subscription costs for YouTube Premium and YouTube Music are rising and the new figures will have an effect at the beginning of the next billing cycle. The countries affected now are Australia, Austria, Argentina, Cine, Germany, Poland, and Turkey.

Microsoft is betting on nuclear power to drive the development of artificial intelligence. Small modular reactors (SMRs) are now set to power the energy-intensive AI. The company is also investing in a project to generate nuclear power through fusion.

Nissan confirmed in an interview that it would produce an electric GT-R with the goal of affordable supercar performance in mind. The Japanese carmaker previously predicted that it would release a solid-state-based EV by 2028. The recently-unveiled Hyper Force concept that clearly takes the GT-R design as inspiration features 1,341 hp.

Occidental Petroleum is constructing a brand-new carbon capture plant, with billions of dollars of support from companies such as Amazon, Shopify and also from US President Joe Biden, to reach its goal of net-zero emissions. However, prior to this move, Occidental sold another CO₂ capture plant, the largest of its kind in the world, at a bargain price for economic reasons.

More insights have been provided into the performance of the Toyota FT-Se concept. A chief engineer at Toyota has provided an estimated 0 to 100 kph (~62 mph) acceleration time and top speed for the EV. Also unveiled were details about the electric two-door sports car’s battery system and the company’s future ambitions.

Tesla won a California lawsuit over a 2019 accident involving its Autopilot software. The plaintiff alleged that Tesla's Autopilot was to blame when a Tesla Model 3 inexplicably veered off the highway at 65 mph, resulting in the death of the driver and injury to two of the occupants.

Google is encouraging hackers to reveal possible threats to its AI systems. Previously, the company employed its internal "AI Red Team" to investigate attack techniques on artificial intelligence. However, the updated program now involves external hackers to enhance AI security.

Facebook and Instagram users in the European Union will soon be able to use both platforms completely ad-free, as long as users take out a paid subscription. Since this subscription was established primarily due to EU guidelines, it will not be offered in the rest of the world.

Volkswagen has provided a sneak peek at the upcoming ID.7 Tourer, revealing images of the vehicle in a rather unorthodox camouflage. The German company confirmed that the ID.7 Tourer has a higher drag coefficient than its fastback counterpart. VW also shared some details of the spacious interior of the vehicle.

General Motors CEO, Mary Barra, has confirmed that the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt will still target the same low price point and use LFP batteries. The new Bolt will be based on the Ultium platform but will feature many of the parts from the outgoing Bolt EUV, hinting that it might be more crossover SUV than subcompact hatchback.

Released to mark two decades of innovation, the Galaxy Z Flip5 Retro is now official as a limited edition handset inspired by the SGH-E700, Samsung's first phone with a built-in antenna, which was released in 2003. Next month, this special Flip5 will hit Korea, France, Germany, Spain, Australia, and the UK in limited quantities.

CheckMag When getting a laptop with a Gig+ Wi-Fi card such as the AX200, consumers know they are getting at least 900 Mbps in either direction. In contrast, download/upload rates smartphone chip makers such as Qualcomm mention in media releases just keep becoming more ridiculous and misleading; the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and its X75 5G modem represent the latest instalment in that sad series.

X (formerly known as Twitter) has outlined plans for new alternatives to its paid Premium version. The new Basic subscription tier is intended to become the only way to access features such as post editing or removal from the social media app, whereas Premium Plus (or Premium+) would be the only way to view certain sections of its UI without ads.

Lenovo has been rumored to have a new Tab M-series slate in the works. Now, a device matching its description has popped up on the FCC database, thereby suggesting that a launch date for the same is soon to follow. The Tab M11 is believed to be an exceptionally cost-effective take on the OEM's latest tablet design.

Experts say the combination of artificial intelligence and 6G networks will fundamentally change the way we work and play. An intelligent network that can manage its own capacity and increased computing power will revolutionise applications such as virtual reality, interactive 3D avatars, multi-sensory communication, collaborative robots and autonomous driving.

Mark Zuckerberg's Metaverse has lost more than $25 billion since last summer. To cover the loss, Meta has fired about 21,000 employees. Optimism now relies on the Meta Quest 3 VR headset, which is cheaper than its previous versions, but already faces critique from VR enthusiasts on YouTube, the X-App and Reddit. Another positive aspect is the 3D Avatar technology, which Zuckerberg exhibits in a video set in virtual space to showcase the latest improvements.

Virtual reality goggles can aid in treating hoarding disorder, a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder, as per recent research by Stanford University. The use of VR headsets in therapy can significantly alleviate the distress endured by those living in homes that are partially uninhabitable.

Khadas has announced that its innovative modular mini PC is now available via more conventional sales channels, having started out as a Kickstarter hit that garnered it over US$690,000 in backer rewards. Its retail units now start at just under US$800, although the accessories that turn it into a laptop-like PC or an RTX-powered workstation are optional extras.

The AI avatars of authentic adult film performers fulfil all possible desires in this new enterprise, with no consequences from OpenAI. Furthermore, every party involved, from management to actors, benefits from this new offering.

Qualcomm executives said in an interview that the company plans to partner with Samsung Foundry and Qualcomm for its flagship products. However, it declined to comment if the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will make the switch.

Tesla seems to have let its base Autopilot ADAS technology fall by the wayside while it's been busy working on FSD Beta. Consumer Reports rated Ford's BlueCruise scored first, with Tesla's Autopilot securing a measly eighth place, behind even BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen. Hyundai Motor Group's ageing tech scored dead last, alongside Volvo and Polestar's abysmal showing.

The TFLnow YouTube channel shared images of the control arms of a Tesla Cybertruck release candidate spotted in the wild after an off-road test. The control arm appears to be deformed, leading to speculation online and in the video about whether the Cybertruck's suspension hardware is up to the task.

ZeroCC looks to increase South Africa's low EV adoption rate by installing off-grid fast chargers along some of the country's biggest routes. The EV charging network will be powered exclusively by solar and wind power in an attempt to reduce the environmental impact.

Oukitel asserts that its new WP30 Pro can charge by up to 50% in just 15 minutes over USB type-C, despite the 11,000mAh capacity of its battery. That is because it is the first of its line to boast flagship-grade 120 watt (W) charging specs. The new rugged device also supports Android 13, 5G and a 120Hz refresh rate for its FHD+ display.

German camera manufacturer Leica expects 2023 to be the strongest year in terms of sales in the company's 150-year history. This is not least due to the popularity of the Leica Q3 and the rising demand for analogue Leica M cameras.

The Sharp NEC NC603L Laser Projector has been revealed, following the recent announcement of the NC1503L. Both of the new models have been designed for movie theatres, with the NC603L offering up to 6,000 lumens brightness. Features include automatic brightness adjustment, an internal cooling system, and motorized focus and zoom.

Following the recent rescue of VanMoof, another e-bike company is now in financial trouble. Danish brand Mate Bike is currently taking steps to try to avoid bankruptcy and continue trading. Various factors appear to have contributed to the problem, including a drop in demand and supply chain issues.

Toyota claims it is nearing production on solid-state battery technology, predicting that it will start shipping production EVs with solid-state batteries as early as 2027, although initial volumes will be low. The company is working with Idemitsu Kosan energy group on developing a sulphide solid electrolyte, which should increase battery durability.

Fisker has dropped the price of the Ocean Extreme SUV by US$7,500 to US$61,449, putting it well below the standard Dual Motor AWD Tesla Model X and much closer to the US$52,490 Model Y Performance. Fisker customers who have already ordered or purchased an Ocean Extreme will receive a US$7,500 price adjustment.

DS Automobiles has announced that some European customers can now use ChatGPT in their DS 3, DS 4, DS 7 and DS 9 vehicles. The AI model is offered with the DS IRIS SYSTEM, creating an intelligent voice assistant. Suggested uses include generating stories and quizzes to provided entertainment on the road.

The dealer markups that have plagued the automotive world of late have struck again, this time laying claim to the Chevrolet Blazer EV, which is supposed to have an MSRP of under US$60,000. Some dealers appear to be adding “market adjustments” of up to US$10,000 on top of that MSRP.

Toyota has provided a sneak peek at what to expect from the Japan Mobility Show, but the highlights of the show are sure to be the electric Land Cruiser and EPU pickup truck concepts. The Land Cruiser, however, changes significantly from its rugged roots, taking shape as a seven-seater crossover instead of a hardcore off-roader.

Swappable batteries promise low down-time for commercial delivery companies, effectively extending range where swap stations are available. The MEV-Van concept is based on the compact Honda N-Van e: that debuted earlier this year, and will be trialled by Japanese delivery company Yamato Transport.

The HoloLens virtual reality headset, which Microsoft manufactures for the US military, has met with widespread rejection by soldiers because it can cause various physical ailments. There are now also fears that hacker attacks on the VR/MR headset could jeopardize mission security and the health of soldiers.

AMD is confident that its new Threadripper PRO series has it all for use-cases ranging from "world-class" creation to "generative" design in manufacturing - a new top-end variant with double the cores and threads of the outgoing 5995WX flagship included. The 7000WX line-up also introduces PCIe 5.0 support, an increased top clock and a larger TDP, yet is touted to do so with "industry-leading efficiency" as well as potentially unprecedented speed and bandwidth.

Threadripper for the desktop is officially back today (October 19, 2023) with the launch of the new 7000X-series processors. They are rated for a selection of the main I/O support upgrades of their PRO counterparts, not to mention their improved TDP. AMD backs them to beat comparator Intel platforms in use-cases ranging from software development to industrial design on high-end PCs.

Tesla has confirmed that despite “enormous challenges in reaching volume production,” the Cybertruck will start reaching customers before the end of November 2023. The company also claims that it has capacity to produce over 125,000 units per year.

Qualcomm and Google has announced that RISC-V-based wearables with all the benefits of Wear OS might be on the cards in the near future. The two OEMs are currently collaborating on such a new platform with the emerging alternative to ARM and software support for the same. This new version of Snapdragon Wear might be just the tip of the iceberg for the wider integration of RISC-V throughout the entirety of Android devices.

Tesla has silently made the Model 3 Highland available for order in the United Kingdom after an EU release earlier this year. The new Model 3 is available in two trims for the time being, and the base Model 3 RWD starts at £39,990.

Stellantis has announced the Citroën ë-C3 for the European market. The new EV is built on Stelantis's Smart Car Platform. While it will only feature 199 miles (320.26 km) of WLTP range, the new EV will also only cost €23,300, with a €19,990 coming in 2025.

The latest version of RTX VSR, NVIDIA's AI-powered pixel processing tool rated to crush artifacts in streamed content, has been released to Turing-based cards (the RTX 20-series included) as part of the OEM's latest crop of software upgrades. It also unleashes TensorRT-LLM for RTX, rated to boost performance on Windows-based large language models (LLMs) by up to 400%.

Although it was thought that the barely unveiled HyperOS would replace MIUI in all markets, it looks like the future of Xiaomi's software environment is different. HyperOS will be only present in China, while other markets will still receive MIUI. They will use the same core, but HyperOS users will get some exclusive features.

A Sony patent filing describes a shutter button that features haptic feedback in the form of vibration when certain actions take place. Sony provided little indication of what it plans to do with the feature in the patent documents, but it could prove quite useful for both photography and videography if sufficient customisation is enabled.