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🔬 Microsoft announces quantum computing breakthrough
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- Microsoft has unveiled the Majorana 1 processor, marking a significant breakthrough in quantum computing by creating a new architecture for more reliable qubits using Majorana particles.
- The new chip could potentially accommodate a million qubits, enabling highly accurate simulations that could lead to advancements in fields like medicine and materials science.
- Microsoft's 17-year research project has led to the development of the world's first topoconductor material, with DARPA selecting the company to advance its scalable quantum computer efforts.
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📱 Apple unveils a new iPhone
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- Apple has unveiled the iPhone 16e, which replaces the 2022 iPhone SE with a revamped design, updated internals, and features that align with the more advanced models in the iPhone 16 lineup.
- The iPhone 16e, starting at $599, is equipped with a 6.1-inch Super XDR Retina OLED display, the A18 processor, USB-C port, and a 48MP Fusion Camera, making it a strong contender against its higher-priced counterparts.
- Though more expensive than its predecessor, the iPhone 16e offers significant improvements such as better battery life, enhanced camera capabilities, and compliance with new EU charging standards, available for preorder on February 21.
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💥 HP acquires Humane for $116M as AI pin shuts down
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- HP acquired Humane for $116 million after the startup decided to shut down its AI Pin device, which struggled to deliver on its promises and failed to attract a significant user base.
- Despite raising $230 million since 2018 and building significant hype, Humane's AI Pin was criticized for its poor functionality and high price, ultimately resulting in its status as a notable tech failure.
- Humane's vision for a screenless AI device was ahead of its time, but the execution was flawed, and competitors like ChatGPT provided more practical AI applications that consumers preferred.
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🤖 Mira Murati is launching her OpenAI rival
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- Mira Murati, former CTO of OpenAI, has launched Thinking Machines Lab, an AI research and product company aimed at making AI broadly useful and understandable through solid foundations and open science.
- The company, featuring a team of around two dozen experts including notable OpenAI alumni, focuses on developing adaptable AI systems with an emphasis on multimodal capabilities and human-AI collaboration.
- Thinking Machines is committed to building robust AI models in areas like science and programming, while maintaining high safety standards and engaging with the wider AI community through collaborations and open publications.
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🎮 Pokémon Go maker Niantic is selling its games division
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- Niantic, the creator of Pokémon GO, is reportedly in talks to sell its games division for $3.5 billion to Scopely, a mobile gaming company owned by Savvy Games Group.
- The potential agreement, expected to be announced soon, would transfer the rights to Pokémon GO and all other Niantic mobile games to Scopely.
- Despite Pokémon GO's initial success with 232 million monthly users, Niantic has struggled with other titles, leading to layoffs and the cancellation of a Marvel AR game in 2023.
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💰 X plans to raise funds at $44 billion valuation
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- Elon Musk's company, X, is negotiating to secure funding from investors at a valuation of $44 billion, the same amount he paid to acquire it in 2022.
- Fidelity Investments significantly reduced its valuation of Twitter by about 70% in December, highlighting the platform's challenges, particularly in maintaining advertiser support.
- Current discussions for this funding round are in progress, with potential changes in details, and there's a possibility that the talks may not lead to a finalized deal.
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🚛 Troubled electric truck maker Nikola files for bankruptcy
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- Nikola, a startup focused on hydrogen electric trucks, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after failing to secure a buyer or additional funding to sustain its business.
- The company's decline followed a series of scandals involving its founder, Trevor Milton, who was accused of misleading investors about Nikola's electric truck technology and later convicted of fraud.
- As part of the bankruptcy proceedings, Nikola plans to auction its assets, which include hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks and a hydrogen refueling infrastructure, with approximately $47 million available to fund the process.
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