Category: Technologies

The US Department of Justice is demanding that Google sell the Chrome browser and limit its monopoly on the search engine. Regulators also want to ban the company from entering into agreements to install the search engine by default.

US regulators want a federal judge to split Google to prevent the company from continuing to stifle competition through its dominant search engine after a court found it had maintained abusive monopoly over the past decade, UNN reports citing AP.

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The proposed separation was presented in a 23-page document filed late Wednesday night by the U.S. Department of Justice, calling for sweeping penalties that would include the sale of Google's industry-leading Chrome web browser and restrictions to prevent Android from supporting its own search engine.

The sale of Chrome "will permanently end Google's control over this critical search access point and allow competing search engines to access the browser that is the gateway to the Internet for many users," the US Department of Justice lawyers argued in their statement.

Although regulators did not demand that Google sell Android, they said that the judge should make it clear that the company may still need to get rid of the smartphone operating system if its oversight committee continues to see evidence of misconduct.

The wide range of sanctions recommended, as indicated, underscores how severely regulators working under the administration of US President Joe Biden believe Google should be punished following an August ruling by US District Judge Amit Mehta, who called the company a monopoly.

The decision makers at the Justice Department who will inherit the case when President-elect Donald Trump takes office next year may not be so adamant. Google's sentencing hearing in Washington is set to begin in April, and Mehta is aiming to issue his final ruling by Labor Day.

If Mehta approves the government's recommendations, Google will be forced to sell its 16-year-old Chrome browser within six months of the final decision.

The US Department of Justice also wants the judge to prohibit Google from entering into multi-billion dollar deals to entrench its dominant search engine as the default option on iPhones and other Apple devices. It would also prohibit Google from favoring its own services, such as YouTube or its recently launched Gemini artificial intelligence platform.

Kent Walker, Google's chief legal officer, has criticized the US Department of Justice for pursuing a "radical interventionist agenda that will harm Americans and America's global technology." In a blog post, Walker warned that an "overly broad proposal" would threaten individual privacy, undermining Google's early leadership in artificial intelligence, "arguably the most important innovation of our time.

The measures, if approved, threaten to upend a business that is expected to generate more than $300 billion in revenue this year.

It is still possible that the Justice Department could weaken its attempts to split Google, especially if Trump takes the widely expected step of replacing Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter, whom Biden appointed to oversee the department's antitrust division.

Trump recently expressed concern that unbundling could destroy Google, but did not specify the alternative punishments he might have in mind. "What you can do without separation is make sure it's more honest," Trump said last month.

After Trump's victory, the number of Google queries about moving out of the country has increased in the USNov 8 2024, 04:28 PM • 19281 view

Honda has launched a demonstration center in Japan for mass production of solid-state batteries. The company plans to accelerate research and start production in the second half of the 2020s.

Honda has opened a demonstration facility in Japan to showcase its plans to mass-produce solid-state batteries at a lower cost, which could be crucial to the path to longer-lasting electric vehicles with a greater range in the future, reports The Verge, according to UNN.

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Solid-state batteries have been "elusive" for many companies due to the difficulty of scaling up production. The technology replaces the liquid electrolytes used in today's lithium-ion batteries with dry conductive materials that promise higher energy density and longer life. But it will require a completely new production process to be successful.

Several companies are actively pursuing solid-state batteries, including QuantumScape, which is backed by Volkswagen, Nissan, and Factorial, which is testing semi-solid-state batteries that fit in the Dodge Charger.

Honda says it is accelerating research at its new 27 ,000-square-meter demonstration facility set up in Sakura, Japan, and reducing the time it takes to produce a single unit. The facility has full-scale equipment that is divided among three buildings: the first for cathode formation and cell assembly; the second for anode formation; and the third for electrolyte activation and module assembly.

The plan calls for the use of an inline continuous mixer, which Honda says is "three times faster" than conventional batch processing. Honda plans to produce batteries on this line in January.

Honda is preparing its solid-state technology for mass production in the second half of the 2020s. The company's CEO Toshihiro Mibe has evaded the fact that solid-state batteries will also be the key to producing cheaper electric vehicles.

Addendum

Meanwhile, Honda is building on its other efforts to stay on top of the electric vehicle game. The Honda Prologue SUV, built on GM's electric vehicle platform, has been a big success in the US, and the company is preparing a larger SUV for 2025. At CES, it will also unveil a production car that will use the new Honda Zero platform powered by LG batteries (Honda and LG are jointly building a battery plant in Ohio).

The release of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 caused a large-scale excitement among Ukrainian players, which led to a slowdown in the country's Internet. Due to the high technical requirements of the game, many users faced installation problems.

GSC Game World's S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl has finally been released, allowing players to immerse themselves in a post-apocalyptic world. However, due to the high technical requirements, many people were unable to install it, and the excitement caused a decrease in Internet speed in Ukraine.

UNN collected memes and jokes about the release of the most anticipated game of 2024.

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The excitement around the long-awaited S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 game hasn't died down yet, on the contrary, bugs and related events only add fuel to the fire.

For example, on the X network, users actively joke that even a nuclear strike would not stop them from playing stalker.

Also, a lot of memes arose due to the high technical requirements for installing the game on a PC.

NThe most common joke is that Ukrainians “put down” the Internet in just a few hours.

Massive download of STALKER 2 caused problems with the Internet in UkraineNov 20 2024, 08:37 PM • 44048 views

Recall

UNN has collected for you the first reviews of avid gamers and fans about “S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl”.

Neuralink has received permission for clinical trials of a brain implant in Canada. The device will help paralyzed people control digital devices with the power of thought.

Elon Musk's company has announced that it has received permission to conduct its first clinical trials in Canada. The purpose of the trial is to test a device that will allow paralyzed people to control digital devices using only their thoughts.

This was reported by Reuters , UNN and UNN.

The study will evaluate the safety and functionality of a brain implant that will help people with quadriplegia, or paralysis of all four limbs, to control external devices via brain signals.

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One of the University Health Network hospitals in Toronto was chosen to perform the complex neurosurgical operation to implant the device. Neuralink has already performed similar procedures in the United States. The company claims that the device is working well in the second patient, who uses it to play video games and develop 3D objects.

OpenAI launches voice ChatGPT in web version: what it changes for usersNov 21 2024, 02:31 AM • 17422 views

The company, founded in 2016 by Musk, is also working on a brain chip that can be implanted directly into the skull, with the prospect of helping patients regain movement, communication, and even vision. In September, the startup received “breakthrough device” designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its experimental implant aimed at restoring vision.

Musk has become an influential figure in Trump's entourage since election: influences personnel decisions – media outletNov 11 2024, 07:37 PM • 18725 views

Volkswagen employees are protesting against austerity plans and layoffs. The union threatens to strike on December 1 if no agreement is reached on a collective bargaining agreement.

Volkswagen's trade union and works council are stepping up pressure with a rally of employees. Employee representatives threaten to strike this year if a collective bargaining agreement is not reached soon.

Writes UNN with reference to Norddeutscher Rundfunk.

Thousands of Volkswagen employees are protesting against the austerity plans recently announced by the company. In addition, employees are expressing dissatisfaction with the third round of collective bargaining with VW management.

Thorsten Greger, a negotiator for IG Metall (a trade union representing workers in various industries in Germany), called it a “disgrace” that the highest-paid members of the board of directors in the country have not yet demonstrated any way to overcome the crisis without closing down plants or mass layoffs. This morning, thousands of employees from various VW plants gathered in front of the Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg. They expressed their discontent with drums, whistles and loud horns.

“This is just a premonition of what will happen in December if the company does not take our specific proposed solutions seriously,” Daniela Cavallo, head of the production council, said in a press statement this morning.

For reference

The union submitted a proposal that would save 1.5 billion euros in labor costs.

The third round of negotiations on the required savings at Volkswagen begins today.

Xpeng and Volkswagen are creating a project to develop a new electric vehicle architectureJul 22 2024, 06:55 AM • 16356 views

Will there be a strike soon?

It is considered unlikely that the two sides will agree on a collective bargaining agreement in this round of negotiations. This means that VW is threatening strikes again for the first time since 2018: IG Metall spokesman Greger said that there would be no more chances of reaching an agreement in November. The peace agreement expires on November 30, so strikes are theoretically possible from December 1.

Volkswagen to close at least three plants in Germany for the first time in 87 yearsOct 28 2024, 02:16 PM • 13064 views

The Ukrainian game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 received high marks from gamers despite technical problems. Metacritic scored the game 74/100 for PC and 81/100 for Xbox, while Russians are outraged by the lack of Russian voice acting.

The Ukrainian computer game "S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl", created by GSC Game World, has become one of the most popular in the world. UNN has collected the first reviews from avid gamers and fans.

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In less than a day, the Ukrainian game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl has gathered so many reviews in the world that it's hard to count.

"Even on my weak PC, the game ran, I'm very happy, thanks to GSC! I've been waiting for this masterpiece since the days of the Gamecocks, and when the project was closed, I was very upset," STEAM users write.

Overall, most comments are positive, but many complain about graphics and optimization. The developers promise to fix all the issues and bugs.

The comments even joke that "these are not bugs, they are anomalies.

According to Metacritic, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl on PC is rated 74 out of 100 points, while Xbox users rate the game at 81 points. This is quite an expected statistic, as the game on PC has higher technical requirements.

As for the complexity of the game, gamers were divided into two camps.

"I turned it on in the "Beginner" mode and died 15 times in the prologue alone. It's difficult, scary and very interesting," one of the game's users told UNN journalist.

Of course, the Russians could not ignore the comments, as they had been "appropriating" the Ukrainian game for many years.

It's worth noting that there is no Russian voice acting in the game, only subtitles, which makes it incredibly frustrating for Russians, because "the atmosphere of the game is unbelievable.

But, in the end, they still buy the game, knowing that the proceeds will go to the Armed Forces, albeit through gritted teeth.

Recall

Yesterday, on November 20, after the release of STALKER 2, Ukrainian providers reported overloading of main channels due to massive downloads of the game. Users across the country are experiencing a significant decrease in internet speed.

Nvidia investors expect stock volatility after the third quarter report, which could change the market value by $300 billion. Analysts predict a drop in profitability to 74.4%.

Nvidia's quarterly results are expected to be key to sustaining the AI giant's rally this year and next.

Written by UNN with reference to Bloomberg and FXstreet.

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Nvidia investors are preparing for volatile movements in the company's shares after the chip titan reports its third-quarter earnings. The markets estimate that the stock will fluctuate by 8%. A corresponding fluctuation would mean a $300 billion gain or loss in market value.

Intel could have bought Nvidia for $20 billion in 2005: why the deal fell throughOct 25 2024, 01:23 PM • 12308 views

At the same time, investors are hoping that the previous “strong” forecasts will come true and will be able to “erase” any partial disappointment in the quarterly results, which, according to Bloomberg Intelligence, could have been affected by logistical problems.

HelpHelp

Nvidia's gross profit margin fell to 75.1% in the second quarter from 78.4% in the first quarter. Thus, costs will also be in the spotlight, although analysts expect the profitability in the third quarter to likely fall to 74.4%; Nvidia expected an increase in operating expenses (at least $3 billion) in the third quarter.

Recall

NVIDIA is planning to release a new Blackwell GPUthat could be a breakthrough in the field of artificial intelligence. Analysts compare the potential impact of this chip to the release of Apple's first iPhone.

AMD follows Nvidia in becoming an AI chip company – mediaJul 31 2024, 12:04 PM • 19138 views

The Australian government has introduced a bill to ban social media for people under 16. Violators face fines of up to USD 32 million and the introduction of biometric verification.

Australia has unveiled a bill to ban social media for children under the age of 16. This was reported by Reuters, according to UNN.

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On Thursday, the Australian government, which represents a center-left political force, presented a bill that could become one of the world's toughest in terms of regulating access to social media for children. According to the document, it is planned to prohibit the use of social media platforms by persons under the age of 16. In addition, the draft law provides for fines for companies operating such platforms in the amount of up to A$49.5 million (approximately USD 32 million) for systemic violations.

One of the key parts of the initiative is the creation of an age verification system that will include the use of biometric data or official government identification. These measures are designed to ensure that age restrictions are met when users register. The Australian government believes that these initiatives will help protect children from potentially harmful content on the Internet and limit their access to social media.

After the release of STALKER 2, Ukrainian providers reported overloading of main channels due to massive downloads of the game. Users across the country are experiencing a significant decrease in internet speed.

After the release of the long-awaited game STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, Ukraine experienced significant problems with the Internet connection. This was reported by Itc, according to UNN.

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In response to user complaints, the Odesa-based provider Tenet stated that a large number of simultaneous game downloads had overloaded external backbone channels. This caused a noticeable slowdown in access to Internet resources and online services, including games and IPTV. The company emphasized that it is working to resolve the problem together with the backbone operators to stabilize the situation.

Another major provider, Triolan, also confirmed the problem, noting that Internet speeds are decreasing across the country. According to the company, the reason is the increased load on the channels due to the massive download of STALKER 2.

The game itself has not been spared, with users reporting long delays in downloading STALKER 2 despite high internet speeds. Problems with access to servers are being experienced on all platforms.

Fortunately, the providers are already actively working to fix the technical problems, so Ukrainians can hope to restore stable network operation in the coming hours.

For gamers who haven't had time to download the game yet, the only thing left is patience and hope that the usual Internet speed will return soon.

Dipfakes, bots, Russian music and computer games: a mini-series to counter disinformation created in UkraineSep 30 2024, 05:15 PM • 20264 views

OpenAI and Common Sense Media have launched a Free Online Course for K12 teachers on using ChatGPT in education. The course has already been implemented in dozens of schools in the United States, but some teachers have expressed concern.

OpenAI has officially launched a free online course designed to help K-12 teachers learn how to implement ChatGPT. It is reported about the introduction of the course in "dozens" schools.

Pish UNN and messengers on TechCrunch.

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OpenAI and its nonprofit partner Common Sense Media have launched a free teacher training course aimed at demystifying artificial intelligence and rapid design, the organizations announced on Wednesday.

OpenAI says it has already implemented the course in "dozens" of schools, including in Arizona, California, as well as in the Challenger schools charter school system.

Germany starts supplying 4 thousand drones with artificial intelligence to UkraineNov 18 2024, 08:50 AM • 14721 view

Schools across the country are grappling with new opportunities and challenges as artificial intelligence changes education. With this course, we take a proactive approach to support and educate front-line teachers and prepare them for this transformation

said Robbie Thorney, senior director of artificial intelligence programs at Common Sense Media.

Help

The training course, aimed at K-12 teachers (K-12 teachers in the United States are defined as educational engineers), demonstrates how to use the ChatGPT chatbot for various educational purposes, such as creating content for lessons or optimizing meetings in departments.

The honorable one on the Common Sense Media website, whose course is a pershoy proposition within the framework of the OpenAI partnership with Common Sense Media.

OpenAI, which is supported by Microsoft MSFT.O and other investors, valued at 1 157 billion in the latest round of funding, have formed a dedicated team to support the exchange rate.

Artificial intelligence has named the most melodious Ukrainian namesNov 19 2024, 11:48 AM • 10171 view

Teachers remind us that AI can be used as a fraud tool.

Les Warwick, a sports lecturer at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is concerned that resources like OpenAI are normalizing the use of AI among teachers. Reasons to worry – not everyone knows the ethical implications of this still-new technology.

In the hint examples [provided by OpenAI], one tells you to include grades and feedback from past assignments, while the other tells you to create a hint for an exercise to teach another subject, such as the history of the Mexican Revolution. The next security module explains how to never enter student data, and then explains the bias inherent in generative AI and accuracy issues. I'm not sure if all of this is compatible with use cases

– he says.

OpenAI challenges Google: ChatGPT will now also be able to search the webNov 1 2024, 11:08 AM • 13445 views