Apple Removes Fake Password App from Store
This week, popular password management app LastPass issued a security warning; a fake app with a similar logo and name was live on the Apple Store. Aside from collecting user information and acting as a data decoy, “The LassPass Password Manger” was poised to take cash.
Google Gives its AI Chatbot a Makeover
Google has announced that Bard (its AI chatbot) is now officially known as “Gemini.” The rebrand includes a new app available on all Androids. You can use the Gemini app to replace Google Assistant as the the main AI tool on your phone.
Prada to Design New Astronaut Suits
For their upcoming lunar mission, NASA has enlisted the help of Italian fashion house Prada and Axiom Space—architects behind the world’s first commercial space station. Both entities will collaborate on tech to design a brand new spacesuit.
NASA is Launching a New Streaming Platform
Later this year NASA will introduce NASA+, a new streaming service. The platform will be free to access and feature no ads. You can watch live events (like rocket launches), original video space content, and documentaries.
Tech Leaders Spend $800M to Build a New City
A group of Silicon Valley tycoons have been quietly buying land near San Francisco’s Bay Area. Their goal is to create a brand new city, complete with residential neighborhoods, a performing arts center, and orchards with over a million trees planted. Key investors include Reid Hoffman (the CEO of LinkedIn), Marc Andreessen, Chris Dixon, and former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman. The development project is being carried out by Flannery Associates, led by Jan Sramek a former finance whiz kid and Goldman Sachs trader. Over the past five years, the firm (created by the investor group) has been purchasing land near San Francisco and Silicon Valley in Solano County.
After Backlash, Zoom Revamps its AI Policy
After publicizing new AI standards, Zoom has scrambled to updated its Terms of Service (TOS) twice. In late July, the video conferencing company added Artificial Intelligence terms that would require access to “Customer Content” (transcript data from video and audio calls). At first, Zoom didn’t give users the opportunity to option out.
Space Travel: Virgin Galactic’s First Tourist Flight Blasts Off
Virgin Galactic’s very first space tourism flight has officially landed back safely. The VSS Unity rocket blasted off from Spaceport America, New Mexico earlier today. Onboard were civilian tourists, a flight crew and chief astronaut instructor Beth Moses. During the 90-minute trip, passengers Keisha Schahaff (a health and wellness coach), her daughter Anastatia Mayers, and Olympian Jon Goodwin reached the edge of space.
Jay-Z’s New AI Investment
Marcy Venture Partners, the investment firm backed by Jay-Z has led a $16.5 million funding round into Stellar Pizza. The L.A. based food truck company uses robotic technology to make pizza. A single pie can be cooked within five minutes.
What Exactly is Google Bard?
With all the hype over ChatGPT, it seemed like Alphabet was getting nervous, so voilà! Google Bard was rolled out. Bard is an AI chat service that pulls info directly from the web.
New Apple iPhone 15 Design Leaks
The iPhone 15 series is expected to be unveiled in September. But until Apple’s official showcase, rumors of what the new iPhone will feature have been leaking everywhere online. Developers, beta testers, tech journalists, and Apple’s partnering manufacturers have all been dropping hints. Even though we officially won’t see the latest iPhone until about six months from now; we’ve rounded up our favorite predictions below.