Technology is constantly evolving and changing the world around us. Here are some of the latest and most interesting tech stories that you should know about.
1. Microsoft inks deal with France’s Mistral AI, an OpenAI rival that has its own chatbot
Microsoft announced an artificial intelligence partnership Monday with the French startup Mistral AI that could lessen the software giant’s reliance on ChatGPT-maker OpenAI for supplying the next wave of chatbots and other generative AI products³. Mistral AI is a research lab that has developed its own chatbot, called Misty, that can converse in natural language and generate text on various topics. Microsoft said it will collaborate with Mistral AI to explore new ways of using AI to enhance its products and services, such as Bing, Cortana, and Office 365.
2. SpaceX Uses Cellular Starlink Satellites to Post a Tweet
SpaceX has demonstrated a new way of using its Starlink satellites to connect to the internet. Rather than ferry the post to a traditional cell network, it was radioed into space to an orbiting Starlink satellite capable of beaming data to the internet⁴. The tweet was posted by SpaceX engineer Jonathan Hofeller, who used a Starlink terminal and a smartphone to send the message. SpaceX said this was the first time a cellular Starlink satellite was used to post a tweet, and that it plans to expand the service to more regions and devices in the future.
3. ZTE Targets Younger Buyers With Sub-$600 Nubia Flip 5G Foldable
ZTE has unveiled a new foldable smartphone that aims to attract younger buyers with its affordable price and innovative design. The Nubia Flip 5G is a clamshell-style device that features a 6.8-inch OLED display that can fold in half, revealing a smaller 1.3-inch screen on the outside⁵. The phone also has a triple-camera system that can be used for selfies or rear-facing shots, depending on how the device is folded. The Nubia Flip 5G is expected to launch in China in March, with a price tag of around $580.
4. Apple Reportedly Exploring Smart Glasses, Adding AI to AirPods
Apple is reportedly working on several new products that could enhance its wearable and audio offerings. According to Bloomberg, the tech giant is exploring the possibility of developing smart glasses that could project information onto the wearer’s field of vision, similar to Google Glass or Microsoft HoloLens⁶. Apple is also said to be adding artificial intelligence features to its AirPods, such as automatic translation, voice recognition, and noise cancellation. These products are still in the early stages of development and may not see the light of day anytime soon, Bloomberg cautions.
5. Motorola’s Smart Connect Makes It Easy to Push Apps From Phone to PC
Motorola has announced a new feature that aims to simplify the experience of using a smartphone, PC, and tablet together. Smart Connect, developed in collaboration with Lenovo, allows users to easily share apps and content across all three devices, without the need for cables or cloud services. For example, users can push a video from their phone to their PC or tablet with a swipe, or continue a chat conversation on their PC without interrupting their phone call. Smart Connect will be available on select Motorola and Lenovo devices later this year.
Sources:
(1) 5 Best Tech ETFs to Buy in 2024. https://wtop.com/news/2024/02/5-best-tech-etfs-to-buy-in-2024-2/.
(2) The Latest News in Technology | PCMag. https://www.pcmag.com/news.
(3) Technology and Science News – ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/technology.
(4) Tech News Today – USATODAY.com. https://www.usatoday.com/tech/.
(5) 5 Easy DIY Tech Projects Any Beginner Can Tackle. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/5-easy-diy-tech-projects-any-beginner-can-tackle/ar-BB1iXHN2.
(6) This Week’s Top 5 Tech Stories You Must Know- February Week 3. https://innotechtoday.com/this-weeks-top-5-tech-stories-you-must-know-february-week-3/.
