WebProNews

Author: Staff

  • Emmett Shear Is Resigning As Twitch CEO

    Emmett Shear Is Resigning As Twitch CEO

    Emmett Shear has announced he is resigning as CEO of Twitch “to be fully there for” his first child.

    Shear has served as the company’s CEO for 16 years, helping guide the company through its transition from Justin.tv to Twitch, and then through a deal that saw Twitch purchased by Amazon. Through it all, a love for what he does and the people he works with has kept him going:

    I love the people I work with, I love that we create the opportunity for streamers to earn a living doing what they love, and I love the way we create a context for community for our streamers and viewers to come together where they can feel belonging and connection.

    Shear’s first child was recently born, causing him to reflect on where he wants to go next:

    With my first child just born, I’ve been reflecting on my future with Twitch. Twitch often feels to me like a child I’ve been raising as well. And while I will always want to be there if Twitch needs me, at 16 years old it feels to me Twitch is ready to move out of the house and venture alone. So it is with great poignancy that I share my decision to resign from Twitch as CEO. I want to be fully there for my son as he enters this world and I feel ready for this change to tackle new challenges. I will continue to work at Twitch in an advisory role.

    Dan Clancy, the company’s current President, will take over as CEO. Given his close relationship with Shear, Clancy should be a steady hand that will help make for a smooth transition.

  • UK Joins US, EU, Canada In Banning TikTok From Government Devices

    UK Joins US, EU, Canada In Banning TikTok From Government Devices

    The UK has joined the US, EU, and Canada in banning TikTok from government devices, citing “a specific risk with government devices.”

    TikTok is facing an existential crisis as governments and jurisdictions struggle with the security implications of the social media app. The company has come under fire for its ties to Beijing, especially since Chinese companies are required to aid the government with surveillance. There have also been repeated lapses in privacy, including TikTok’s parent admitting to surveilling journalists.

    The UK has evidently determined the risks are too great, passing a ban involving the app and government devices, according to The Guardian. Oliver Dowden, the Cabinet Office minister in the Commons, said the ban was “with immediate effect.”

    The decision is a marked change of tune for the UK government, which had previously said it would not follow other governments in banning the app.

  • YouTube TV Is Raising Prices

    YouTube TV Is Raising Prices

    YouTube TV is raising prices for its streaming service, citing rising content costs and an effort to “keep bringing you the best possible service.”

    YTTV is one of the leading streaming TV services, offering a wide range of channels and features, along with unlimited DVR storage. The base plan currently costs $64.99 a month, but the company is raising that to $72.99.

    The company informed users via email Thursday.

    Your YouTube TV Base Plan membership price will change in your first billing cycle on or after April 18, 2023, and will be charged to your payment method on file going forward. To view your current plan, go to your Settings > Membership page for updated information. If you are currently on a Base Plan promotional price or a trial, that promotion is still honored and unchanged.

    The company is lowering the price of various add-ons in an effort to soften the blow.

    We will also be lowering the price of our 4K Plus add-on from $19.99/month to $9.99/month. Users new to 4K Plus are eligible for a $4.99/month for 12 months promotional offer. For existing users, if you are on a promotional price below $10/month, you’ll enjoy that price until the promotional period is over, at which point you’ll automatically receive the new price of $9.99/month. If you’re currently paying above $9.99/month, your new price will be $9.99/month.

  • Microsoft Appoints a New Lead Independent Director

    Microsoft Appoints a New Lead Independent Director

    Microsoft has announced the appointment of a Lead Independent Director, Sandra E. (Sandi) Peterson, Operating Partner at Clayton, Dubilier & Rice.

    Peterson replaces John W. Thompson, who served in the roles of Lead Independent Director or Board Chair since 2012.

    “I’ve always valued John’s counsel and leadership and am grateful for his contributions as lead independent director and the strategic perspective he’ll continue to provide to Microsoft going forward,” said Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO, Microsoft. “Since joining our Board, the guidance and insights Sandi has provided have been invaluable. I’m delighted that she will continue to bring a wealth of expertise and leadership to Microsoft as lead independent director.”

    Microsoft’s Board also reelected Nadella to continue serving as chairman.

  • One-Third of Organizations Struggle With Data Loss Prevention Systems

    One-Third of Organizations Struggle With Data Loss Prevention Systems

    The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) has bad news for the industry, saying that nearly one-third of organizations struggle with data loss prevention (DLP) systems.

    The CSA is an organization dedicated to helping secure cloud computing. A survey the organization conducted with Netskope found that DLP solutions are a critical component used in cloud security.

    Unfortunately, that’s where the good news ends. While companies are relying on DLP systems, nearly a third struggle to use them effectively.

    Among the top challenges cited by organizations are management difficulties (29%), too many false positives (19%), the need for manual version upgrades (18%), and deployment complexity (15%).

    “DLP solutions are an integral part of organizations’ data security strategy, but leaders are still struggling with this strategy and the implementation of solutions, especially for how complicated legacy and on-prem based solutions are to manage and maintain,” said Naveen Palavalli, Vice President of Products, Netskope. “These findings highlight the need for a comprehensive and easy-to-use cloud delivered data protection solution that integrates into their existing security controls and is a key tenant of their Zero Trust security strategy.”

    Cloud security is increasingly in the spotlight as more and more organizations experience data breaches at a time when the cloud is becoming integral to more companies and industries.

    The Biden administration has signaled it is preparing to regulate cloud security in an effort to better protect organizations. If the CSA’s findings are any indication, it looks like the industry could use the help.

  • Samsung Plans to Build World’s Largest Semiconductor “Mega Cluster”

    Samsung Plans to Build World’s Largest Semiconductor “Mega Cluster”

    Samsung is planning to invest $230 billion to build the world’s biggest semiconductor manufacturing “mega cluster.”

    As semiconductors become more important across industries, the chip supply chain is increasingly becoming an area of national security concern for countries around the world. According to ABC News, Samsung’s plan is part of a South Korean national project to help establish the country as the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturing site.

    The plan includes Samsung building the world’s single biggest chip-building base, and will take some 20 years to fully realize. Once the “mega cluster” is complete, in 2042, it will build a wide range of high-end chips, including both computer memory and logic chips.

    “(South Korea) has world-class manufacturing capabilities and technologies in various high-tech industries such as semiconductors, secondary batteries, and displays, but (government) support and regulatory conditions have been insufficient,” the Trade Ministry said in a statement.

    Samsung is already one of the world’s leading chipmakers. This expansion is sure to help it strengthen its position.

  • US Marine Corps Is Getting Into Software Development

    US Marine Corps Is Getting Into Software Development

    The US Marines are launching the all-new Marine Corps Software Factory (MCSWF) to develop software for the Corps’ use.

    Software development is at the heart of countless industries, and the Marine Corps sees potential benefit for the battlefield as well. The program will begin as a three-year pilot program to investigate potential applications.

    MCSWF is a three-year pilot to demonstrate a scalable, Marine-led software development capability. The three-year pilot will evaluate the demand from the fleet to better understand overall requirements.

    In particular, the Corps wants to ensure future marines have the ability to operate and utilize software-based solutions even in environments where they may be cut off from connectivity and access to traditional support.

    “Our Marines have an amazing capacity for understanding complex technologies. We must empower our Marines to use that technological know-how to create a more lethal force,” stated Gen. David H. Berger, 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps. “The Marine Corps is fielding more complex systems and platforms right now, and we must invest in our Marines’ and Civilian Marines’ capacity to advance in parallel.”

    “The Marine Corps Software Factory is about outcomes, creating advantage for Marines at the tactical edge, today”, stated Marine Corps’ Chief Information Officer, Lt. Gen. Matthew Glavy, Deputy Commandant for Information (DC I). “The MCSWF will provide viable capabilities to enhance mission readiness through the power of information.”

  • Google Pixel Fold Reportedly Slated for June

    Google Pixel Fold Reportedly Slated for June

    A reliable leaker has revealed details about Google’s upcoming foldable Pixel phone, saying it will be available in June.

    Roland Quandt, from WinFuture, tweeted the news:

    Google’s recent changes to the Pixel line of phones, beginning with the Pixel 6, have helped the company make major headway in the smartphone market. Foldable phones are the next big thing in smartphone design, with Samsung being the current leader in the space.

    If Google is able to successfully break into the foldable market, the company’s upward momentum could be just beginning.

  • TikTok May Split From ByteDance to Avoid US Ban

    TikTok May Split From ByteDance to Avoid US Ban

    TikTok is considering drastic action in an effort to avoid a US ban, including the possibility of splitting from parent ByteDance.

    TikTok is increasingly under fire over privacy and security concerns. The company is owned by China-based ByteDance, raising concerns over national security, given China’s long history of surveillance and state-backed hacking.

    Facing a possible US ban, as well as increased restrictions in Canada and the EU, TikTok is considering what would once have been unthinkable, according to Bloomberg. According to the outlet’s sources, the measure is considered a last-ditch option, only to be used if existing efforts to appease national security officials fail. Even then, such a measure would have to be approved by the Chinese government, something that likely has a low chance of happening.

    In the meantime, TikTok is emphasizing the measures it is already taking to comply with US demands:

    “Neither a ban of TikTok nor a divestiture of TikTok from ByteDance does anything to address national security concerns about data transfers,” said Brooke Oberwetter, a spokesperson for TikTok. “Under Project Texas, TikTok data for our US users would be held to a significantly higher security standard than any comparable American company.”

  • Google Adds Generative-AI to Google Workspace

    Google Adds Generative-AI to Google Workspace

    Google is bringing generative-AI to Google Workspace, continuing its efforts to catch up to Microsoft.

    Google Workspace is the most popular cloud-based office suite and the company is looking to improve it even more with generative-AI.

    We’re now making it possible for Workspace users to harness the power of generative AI to create, connect, and collaborate like never before. To start, we’re introducing a first set of AI-powered writing features in Docs and Gmail to trusted testers.

    AI will help users by generating drafts and helping them overcome the dreaded “blank page:”

    Blank pages can stump the best of us. That’s why we’re embedding generative AI in Docs and Gmail to help people get started writing. Whether you’re a busy HR professional who needs to create customized job descriptions, or a parent drafting the invitation for your child’s pirate-themed birthday party, Workspace saves you the time and effort of writing that first version. Simply type a topic you’d like to write about, and a draft will instantly be generated for you. With your collaborative AI partner you can continue to refine and edit, getting more suggestions as needed.

    The AI will also be able to help users rewrite work to make it more appropriate for the intended purpose:

    Finding the right tone and style can also be tricky at times. Perhaps you’re applying for a new job, or writing to a new supplier in a more traditional industry, and you need to adopt a more formal tone in your email. Or you’ve jotted down a few bullets on your phone from a recent meeting and want to transform them into a more polished summary to share with your team. For these common scenarios and many more, we’re adding new generative AI capabilities to help you rewrite. And if you’re in the mood to let AI try out a new playful voice altogether, you’ll be able to hit the “I’m feeling lucky” option in Gmail.

    Interestingly, while Google is clearly working to catch up in the AI game, the company is also trying to establish itself as a responsible AI company:

    As we’ve experimented with generative AI ourselves, one thing is clear: AI is no replacement for the ingenuity, creativity, and smarts of real people. Sometimes the AI gets things wrong, sometimes it delights you with something offbeat, and oftentimes it requires guidance. With all this in mind, we’re designing our products in accordance with Google’s AI Principles that keep the user in control, letting AI make suggestions that you’re able to accept, edit, and change. We’ll also deliver the corresponding administrative controls so that IT is able to set the right policies for their organization.

  • Credit Suisse Cancels Exec Bonuses Admits ‘Material Weakness’

    Credit Suisse Cancels Exec Bonuses Admits ‘Material Weakness’

    Credit Suisse has cancelled bonuses for its executives, citing “material weakness” in its financial reporting.

    According to CNN, Credit Suisse delayed its annual report after the SEC raised questions about 2019 and 2020 cash flow statements. As a result, the company took a closer look and concluded that “the group’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective,” and failed to identify potential risks.

    In addition, the company’s board found that “material weakness could result in misstatements of account balances or disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to the annual financial statements of Credit Suisse,” the annual report said. The company is working on a “remediation plan” to strengthen controls, according to CNN.

    In the meantime, Credit Suisse is canceling bonuses for its executives, and chairman Axel Lehmann has offered to “voluntarily “waive” a $1.6 million stock award as a result of the company’s “poor financial performance.”

  • Google Brings a Slew of Features to Its Pixel Phones

    Google Brings a Slew of Features to Its Pixel Phones

    Google has released the first Feature Drop of 2023, bringing a slew of updates and features to its Pixel line of phones and watches.

    Google Pixel users are in for some nice upgrades, with the company expanding features to more devices and improving existing ones. One of the biggest features is expanded Night Sight support:

    With the latest Feature Drop, Night Sight can now capture low-light photos faster on your Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, too, thanks to new algorithms powered by Google Tensor.

    The company has also expanded Magic Eraser to the entire line of Pixel phones, making it easier for users to eliminate unwanted elements from their photos.

    Direct My Call is now available on all devices from the Pixel 4a and up:

    Skip the headache of sitting through long menu options when you call a business. Now with Direct My Call on Pixel 4a and newer phones, you’ll see the menu options ahead of time so you get to the right extension even faster when you call many of the most popular toll-free numbers in the U.S.

    Google has also brought improvements to Health Connect and added the ability to see timers across all connected devices, without unlocking your phone.

    The Pixel Watch has received a major update, with fall detection added to its repertoire of features.

    Your Pixel Watch now has fall detection which can detect if you’ve taken a hard fall and connect you to emergency services. Once connected to emergency services, your Pixel Watch will play an automated message to request help to wherever you are. You can also speak to the emergency operator yourself, if possible, to let them know whether or not you need help. Thanks to built-in motion sensors and on-device machine learning, your Pixel Watch can accurately differentiate a hard fall from things like performing vigorous physical activity or recovering from a small stumble to minimize accidental emergency calls.

  • Meta May Build a Twitter Alternative

    Meta May Build a Twitter Alternative

    Meta may be looking to build a Twitter alternative, taking advantage of the turmoil surrounding the company since Elon Musk’s takeover.

    Meta and Twitter are two of the biggest and oldest social media platforms. Twitter was recently purchased by Musk and has been in a near-constant state of turmoil since. Meta evidently sees an opportunity to capitalize on Twitter’s troubles and offer an alternative.

    “We’re exploring a standalone decentralized social network for sharing text updates,” the company told BBC News.

    “We believe there’s an opportunity for a separate space where creators and public figures can share timely updates about their interests.”

    Only time will tell if Meta launches a Twitter rival. If it does, however, it would be well-poised to significant traction.

  • Regulators Shut Down Signature Bank

    Regulators Shut Down Signature Bank

    Regulators have shut down Signature Bank, the third bank in the last week, citing “systemic risk.”

    The last few days have been difficult for banks, especially those servicing the tech industry. Silicon Valley Bank has been in the news as the second-largest bank collapse in US history. With the financial downturn, tech customers withdrew enough funds to help cause a run on the bank, leading to its collapse. Regulators see the same kind of risk with Signature Bank, leading them to shut it down.

    A joint statement by Treasury, Federal Reserve, and FDIC announced the closure:

    We are also announcing a similar systemic risk exception for Signature Bank, New York, New York, which was closed today by its state chartering authority. All depositors of this institution will be made whole. As with the resolution of Silicon Valley Bank, no losses will be borne by the taxpayer.

    Shareholders and certain unsecured debtholders will not be protected. Senior management has also been removed. Any losses to the Deposit Insurance Fund to support uninsured depositors will be recovered by a special assessment on banks, as required by law.

    Regulators did reaffirm that Silicon Valley Bank depositors will have access to their money on Monday:

    After receiving a recommendation from the boards of the FDIC and the Federal Reserve, and consulting with the President, Secretary Yellen approved actions enabling the FDIC to complete its resolution of Silicon Valley Bank, Santa Clara, California, in a manner that fully protects all depositors. Depositors will have access to all of their money starting Monday, March 13. No losses associated with the resolution of Silicon Valley Bank will be borne by the taxpayer.

  • GM May Bring ChatGPT to Vehicles

    GM May Bring ChatGPT to Vehicles

    General Motors may bring ChatGPT to vehicles, saying the technology is going to be in everything.”

    ChatGPT has taken the world by storm, with Microsoft working to integrate its successor into its Bing search engine. Companies across industries are following suit, looking for innovative ways to tap into the power of conversational AI.

    According to Reuters, GM sees potential in integrating ChatGPT with its vehicles. The tech could be used to help program garage door openers, access information that would normally be found in the manual, or access scheduling information.

    “This shift is not just about one single capability like the evolution of voice commands, but instead means that customers can expect their future vehicles to be far more capable and fresh overall when it comes to emerging technologies,” a GM spokesperson said.

    “ChatGPT is going to be in everything,” GM Vice President Scott Miller told Reuters.

  • Federal Government Will Not Bail Out Silicon Valley Bank

    Federal Government Will Not Bail Out Silicon Valley Bank

    Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) shocked the industry when it collapsed Friday, leaving a plethora of companies in limbo.

    SVB was the 16th-largest bank in the US, making it the second-largest bank collapse in US history. The bank’s collapse has left many of Silicon Valley companies and startups scrambling to address cash-flow issues.

    The collapse has also sparked questions about whether the government plans to bail the bank out, much like it did in the crash of 2008. According to AP News, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen threw cold water on the idea.

    “We’re not going to do that again,” she said, referencing past bailouts. “But we are concerned about depositors, and we’re focused on trying to meet their needs.”

    Some experts are concerned that SVB’s collapse could spark a run on other banks, leading to more collapses. After all, it was tech companies’ run on SVB — in an effort to stay solvent during the financial downturn — that led to SVB’s failure. Yellen tried to offer reassurance that the banking system was sound.

    “The American banking system is really safe and well capitalized,” she said. “It’s resilient.”

    In the meantime, deposits insured by the government should be available Monday morning.

  • Samsung Called Out for Using AI to Enhance Photos

    Samsung Called Out for Using AI to Enhance Photos

    Samsung is once again in the spotlight over the authenticity of photos taken with its smartphone cameras.

    Samsung’s flagship phones include a feature called “Space Zoom,” designed for taking pictures of the moon. According to a user on Reddit, the feature appears to be using AI to artificially alter and enhance photos. In the post, ibreakphotos took photos of the moon and compared that with what Samsung displayed. The results were surprising.

    Interestingly, Samsung does admit to using AI to enhance photos. On the company’s CamCyclopedia site, a moderator explained the process:

    The moon recognition engine was created by learning various moon shapes from full moon to crescent moon based on images that people actually see with their eyes on Earth.

    It uses an AI deep learning model to show the presence and absence of the moon in the image and the area (square box) as a result. AI models that have been trained can detect lunar areas even if other lunar images that have not been used for training are inserted.

    The end result is a more complete picture of the moon:

    To overcome this, the Galaxy Camera applies a deep learning-based AI detail enhancement engine (Detail Enhancement technology) at the final stage to effectively remove noise and maximize the details of the moon to complete a bright and clear picture of the moon.

    While it’s nice to see a Samsung rep clearly explain what is going on, it still raises questions about the authenticity of photography using a Samsung phone. It’s also disappointing that this revelation is on the company’s community site rather than more openly revealed in the company’s marketing.

  • EU Telcos: ‘There Would Be No Netflix, Google Without Us’

    EU Telcos: ‘There Would Be No Netflix, Google Without Us’

    The battle over who will pay for EU infrastructure upgrades is heating up, with the telcos saying Big Tech owes them.

    The EU is looking to the future and trying to determine how critical network infrastructure will be funded. One of the leading proposals involves charging Big Tech companies, especially those responsible for the bulk of traffic, to help fund the upgrades. Needless to say, such a proposal is not popular with the tech industry.

    In a statement to CNBC, however, Michael Trabbia, chief technology and innovation officer for France’s Orange, makes the case that Big Tech companies wouldn’t enjoy the success they do without the telecom operators.

    “Without the telcos, without the network, there is no Netflix, there is no Google,” said Trabbia.

    Similarly, Deutsche Telekom CEO Tim Hoettges asked why Big Tech couldn’t “at least a little bit, contribute to the efforts and the infrastructure which we are building here in Europe.”

    The proposal is just the latest challenge Big Tech is facing amid growing antitrust scrutiny, privacy, and security concerns.

  • Windows 11 Moment 2 Finally Fixes File Copy Bug

    Windows 11 Moment 2 Finally Fixes File Copy Bug

    Windows 11 users are finally getting a much-needed bug fix, with Windows 11 Moment 2 fixing a bug that made file copying painfully slow.

    Windows 11 version 22H2 introduced a bug that made file copying unusually slow, especially with large files. According to Windows Latest, the fix is finally being rolled out:

    Naturally, it’s now included in Windows 11 22H2 Moment 2 update (KB5022913 optional update) and will come through to the release version of Windows 11 via March 2023’s Patch Tuesday release.

    Users are reporting that file copying speeds have returned to Windows 10 speeds.

  • Reddit Is Killing Off Reddit Talk

    Reddit Is Killing Off Reddit Talk

    Reddit has announced it is killing off Reddit Talk, its Clubhouse clone unveiled in April 2021.

    Clubhouse was all the rage in the midst of the pandemic, spurring other social media platforms to copy its features. Reddit was one of those that jumped on the bandwagon, rolling out Reddit Talk.

    In a company announcement, Reddit has revealed it is sunsetting Reddit Talk. The company says the third-party audio vendor it relied on has shut down, making it too costly to keep the feature going.

    Our original plan was to maintain Talk while we worked on this. Unfortunately, the 3rd party audio vendor we use for Talk is shutting down its service. In other words, the resources required to keep Talk live during this transition increased substantially.

    We don’t have a timeline to bring Talk or an audio product back in the future, however we will share any updates when we have them.

  • Netherlands Follow US Lead in Chip War Against China

    Netherlands Follow US Lead in Chip War Against China

    The Netherlands has joined the US chip war against China, restricting export of the country’s “most advanced” chips.

    The US has been pressuring allies to follow its lead in isolating China in the global semiconductor market. The Netherlands is home to ASML, a key player in the semiconductor supply chain.

    The decision will impact “very specific technologies in the semiconductor production cycle,” Dutch trade minister Liesje Schreinemacher said, via BBC News.

    “The Netherlands considers it necessary on national and international security grounds that this technology is brought under control as soon as possible,” she added in a letter to lawmakers.

    ASML acknowledged in a statement that the decision would impact its exports:

    Due to these upcoming regulations, ASML will need to apply for export licenses for shipment of the most advanced immersion DUV systems.

    At the same time, the company does not expect the measures to have a material impact on its performance:

    Based on today’s announcement, our expectation of the Dutch government’s licensing policy, and the current market situation, we do not expect these measures to have a material effect on our financial outlook that we have published for 2023 or for our longer-term scenarios as announced during our Investor Day in November last year.