In BriefPosted:7:44 AM PST December 30, 2024Image Credits:Justin Sullivan / Getty ImagesUK antitrust watchdog launches review of IBMs HashiCorp takeoverThe Competition and Markets Authority, the U.K.s antitrust watchdog, has opened an investigation into whether IBMs planned acquisition of cloud software vendor HashiCorp would affect competition.The CMA said Monday it was inviting comment on the merger from interested parties by January 16. The regulator set a provisional February 25 deadline to decide whether to clear the deal or refer it for further review.As The Wall Street Journal reports, IBM announced it agreed to buy HashiCorp in April for around $6.4 billion. The takeover, should it proceed, would extend IBMs push into cloud and AI, and give the company access to HashiCorps roster of about 4,400 customers.San Francisco-based HashiCorp, founded in 2012 by Mitchell Hashimoto and Armon Dadgar, provides tools to help manage cloud infrastructure and security.The CMA notified Hashicorp in August it would begin would be reviewing the merger. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is also investigating the deal.Topics

AI holds huge promise for healthcare, but not just on the medical side; many startups are convinced machine learning-based systems can do a lot of good on adjacent tasks such as appointment scheduling and confirmations.Brazilian startup Carecode is among these AI believers. Its coming out of stealth with an ambition to reduce healthcare costs and improve medical outcomes by developing AI agents that focus on tasks that happen before and after a medical appointment and would typically be run by a call center.We tend to think that only the moment with the doctor is what matters, but after having spent 10 years in healthcare I realized that those moments [around the appointment] are as important as the medical encounter, CEO Thomaz Srougi (pictured right in the above image) told TechCrunch.Srougi comes from a family of doctors, but hes not one himself; his first-hand knowledge of healthcare comes from founding Dr. Consulta, a private medical service provider scaleup thats raised some $168 million in funding, and where he remains chairman.Carecode is still early in its fundraising journey, but already has an impressive cap table: Its $4.3 million pre-seed round was mostly funded by a16z and QED, with participation from Endeavor Catalyst, K50 Ventures, and Latitud Ventures, as well as high-profile figures from Brazils tech scene, including Nubank founder David Vlez.Venture capital in Latin America is still going through a startup winter but as this pre-seed raise underscores there is still funding for entrepreneurs with track records like Srougi and his co-founder, Pedro Magalhes, a former CTO at several other startups including BEES Bank Brasil and Z Delivery.I think that counts a lot for major VCs, especially when the world is upside down, Srougi suggested, also noting that a16z partner Gabriel Vasquez helped mature the idea for Carecode and move the startup from planning to the execution phase.Srougi is also drawing on relationships hes built during his career to find partners that can test Carecode. Early results with one partner it cant name look promising, per the startup, which said the results suggest its AI agents can do most of the work of a typical healthcare call center for a fraction of the cost, and even go one step beyond by proactively filling cancelled slots while leaving employees to take care of the most complex cases.Importantly for Brazil, Carecode meets users where they are, which is usually on WhatsApp where it supports both text and audio messages. Thats really important, because older individuals and the majority of low income individuals prefer to send WhatsApp audio instead of typing, Srougi said, adding that voice calls are also on the roadmap.These localization tweaks are one aspect that makes Carecode different from U.S. benchmarks such as Sierra, the AI startup co-founded by Bret Taylor. Another difference is Carecodes vertical focus. According to QED partner and head of Brazil, Camila Vieira Fernandes, this gives the startup an edge over horizontal approaches which often necessitate multiple solutions to achieve subpar results, negatively impacting customer experience and leaving significant value untapped.Market size can be a limitation to a vertical model, but healthcare in Brazil isnt exactly a small niche, and neither is the problem Carecode is going after. According to Srougi, healthcare companies in Brazil spend 50% of their revenue on contact centers and administrative payroll some $100 billion annually.Srougi and his team believe that going vertical in a market with specific requirements like healthcare will help Carecode build a moat compared to more generalist competitors, but the startup could also diversify later on. We may be able to go in the future to insurance, for instance life insurance and other sectors related to healthcare. We want to tap into payments. We may tap into financing. So all of that derives from healthcare, he added.

To conclude this series on Stimson Avenue houses in Providence, I will showcase the grand dame of Stimson Avenue, the Amos Beckwith Mansion. Built in 1861, the large estate was essentially a country villa when built, as this section of Providence was sparsely developed before the Civil War. Amos Beckwith (1822-1890) was the son of Truman Beckwith and, like his father, was a wealthy cotton broker. He hired architect Alpheus C. Morse to design the house, which is an Italianate Villa, with prominent four-story tower. thick moulded trim, projecting eaves and balconies supported by large brackets and corbels, and the rounded arch windows. In 1882, Beckwith subdivided his land in the area to make half the building lots on Stimson Avenue. Amos Beckwith lived in the home with his wife, Clara, until her death in 1879. Unknown to many, Amos would secretly remarry his housekeeper, a fact that came out after his death when discussions about the estate were raised. Maria Sherman, the 35-year-old housekeeper, stated she was in the will. It is not clear if the family fought this claim and who inherited the property, but what an interesting story!

Although Safari is a competent browser, there are better alternatives available. Let's look at five hidden gems I've tried and recommend -- but you might not have heard about them until now.

ZDNETConducting interviews, doing research, or otherwise need to document a conversation? There are many reasons you may want to record a phone call on your iPhone -- and with the latest iOS, that just got easier.As of Apple'siOS 18.1update, released this fall, users can now record phone calls directly on their devices using Apple Intelligence, which comes with a transcription and summary in the Notes app. However, ZDNET editor-in-chief Jason Hiner notes that summarization is "still a work in progress."Also:Which iPhone model should you buy?For privacy reasons -- and due to laws that vary by state -- Apple historically hasn't allowed recording through the iPhone's built-in microphone while the phone is actively on a call. For example, the app version of artificial intelligence (AI) transcription serviceOtter.aiwouldn't record if your phone was actively on a call, citing iOS restrictions in a popup message on your screen.There are several ways to record a call on your iPhone, with and without third-party apps. Before you record a call, always check that recording calls is legal. States have varying laws regarding recording phone calls. You can check your state's policy here.How to record a iPhone call with iOS 18What you need: An iPhone newer than the X running iOS 18.1 or 18.2. These models include iPhone SE, models XR through 13,iPhone 14,iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 16You can see the full list of supported iPhone modelshere. 1. Start a phone call Initiate a call. You'll see a new icon in the upper-left corner of the call screen -- tap it to start recording. Show more Screenshot by Maria Diaz/ZDNET 2. Make sure recording has started Once the recording begins, a notification will alert all parties, and an audio message will announce that recording has started. Show more Screenshot by Maria Diaz/ZDNET 3. End recording and view transcript Once you finish and end the call, a notification from the Notes app will appear at the top of your screen, directing you to the audio file and transcript of the recording. Tap it to open in Notes.Also: Can't find Apple's AI features after upgrading to iOS 18.1? Do thisYou can play back the audio and read the transcript directly in Notes. Show more Screenshot by Maria Diaz/ZDNET Screenshot by Maria Diaz/ZDNETHow to record an iPhone callwithout iOS 18Whether you're opting not to upgrade to iOS 18 yet or don't have a compatible device, there are still several ways to record a call. Though not as seamless as the native functionality, the options vary from using multiple devices to third-party apps with separate call software, such asGoogle Voice(these apps may require a subscription fee).This first method is considered the most accessible for iPhone users who want to record a conversation, especially if subtlety is important to you. To record, you will need an external iOS device with audio recording and microphone functions.What you need:One iPhone to host the call, which we recommend putting on speakerphone.Another recording device (this could be another iPhone, aniPad, or even anAndroiddevice) using Voice Memos or another recording app to record the call.Test your Voice Memos appFirst, ensure you have an iPhone and another iOS device, such as a Mac, iPad, or another iPhone, with the Voice Memos app. The Voice Memos app is preinstalled on most devices but is also free on theApp Store. If using an Android device, check that it has a recording app, likethis free one.Also:This hidden Apple feature turns your iPhone or iPad into an AI image generatorOpen the Voice Memos app, tap the red record button, and start speaking for long enough to ensure the sound quality is adequate for recording a conversation. When you are done recording, press the red button again. An audio file will appear titled "New Recording [number correlating to the voice recordings you have]." If you haveLocation Servicesturned on, the recording will be titled with the address of your location instead. Voice recordings autosave under different names based on whether Location Services are turned on. Screenshot by Radhika Rajkumar/ZDNET2. Play back the audio file and make adjustmentsNow, play the file back and check if the audio is discernible. Make any adjustments needed before recording a phone call.For example, if the sound quality is too low, you may need to speak louder, increase the microphone sensitivity (go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics), or move the speaker closer to your mouth.3. Check whether you need to inform the other partyAlways checkif the state you're recording and residing in is a one-party or all-party state for recording consent.One-party states require only one person on the call -- which would be you -- to consent. All-party states require both the person recording and the person(s) being recorded to consent.4. Start recordingAfter disclosing that you're recording or -- if necessary -- getting permission to record, set up the second device so that Voice Memos (or the other app you're using) is ready to record. Place the device near the phone making the call and tap the red button again to start recording.Start the recording before you start the call. This action may add a few seconds of silence to the audio file but will ensure you don't miss any part of the conversation. On your iPhone, make sure to initiate the phone call on speakerphone.Once on the call, you can improve your audio quality by swiping down on the upper-right corner of your screen to access the Control Center. Select Mic Mode > Voice Isolation.Pro tip: The red lines on the sound graphic, known as a waveform, indicate how well the app is picking up sound. The higher the bars, the higher the detected volume. If the waveform stays flat, you may need to turn up the phone call volume or move the devices closer together. Changing Mic Mode once a call is active. Screenshot by Radhika Rajkumar/ZDNET Spikes in the red waveform bar indicate a louder sound. A flatter bar indicates lower volume. If your waveform looks low as you record, you may have to move closer to the phone for Voice Memos to pick up more accurate sound. Screenshot by Radhika Rajkumar/ZDNET5. End the recording and transfer the fileWhen the conversation is over or you've got the information you need, end the recording by tapping the red button.From within the Voice Memos app, select the recording file and tap the ellipses button (three dots) to the right of the recording name to bring up share options. You can send it directly to your iPhone via iMessage or other messaging apps, Mail, AirDrop, Slack, or even Google Drive. Open up sharing options. You can also trim or rename the recording to something easier to remember by clicking Edit Recording. Screenshot by Radhika Rajkumar/ZDNETOther ways to record a phone callFollowing the steps above is the easiest, most efficient, and most discreet way to record a phone call on your iPhone. If you or a trusted second party don't have another spare device, here are a few alternatives.Also: The best phones to buy in 2024Note: Many apps that record phone calls likely need to conference into the call before recording begins, which may take a moment and could be detectable by the other person on the call.Rev Voice RecorderRev has a few options depending on what you need. If you want to record phone calls, try theirCall Recorderapp -- it's free, with no limits on recording lengths, and even includes in-app legal guidance. For recording other conversations, Rev'sVoice Recorderapp is also free and has an easy-to-use interface.Plus, Rev offers AI-supportedtranscriptionof your recordings for $0 per minute, or you can have a human professionally transcribe your recording for $2 per minute. Once you download your file, it will appear as an MP3 file on your device. This is a great option for recording phone calls and narrating screen recordings.2. Google VoiceThe Google Voiceapp for iOSlets you make free and recorded calls using Wi-Fi via Google Voice. If you have a personal Google account, you canonly record incoming calls, and they must come to your Google Voice number. If you have a Google Workspace account through work or school, you'll have more recording capabilities, but you'll need to obtain the properGoogle Voice license.You can select the device from which you want to initiate a call via the app. For incoming calls, go to Settings > Calls > Incoming call options and toggle the incoming calls record option.Once everyone is on the call, press the number four (4) on the keypad to start and end the recording. The call will appear in the record menu option after it ends.3. Easy Voice RecorderEasy Voice Recorderis another free app that allows you to record high-quality voice memos or recordings to PCM, MP4, or ACC files -- which can then be saved to your iCloud account. The app can't record phone calls hosted by the same device, but it does have quick and easy built-in transcription capability at no extra cost.As the name suggests, this app is designed for users to quickly whip out their phones and start recording whenever, wherever. If you download the app and use it on an iPad to record, you can drag and drop recordings with the Files app or other recording apps for further transcriptions or to consolidate recordings.FAQ Show more Is it illegal to record phone calls?Federal law requires at least one party's consent, which means you need to be part of the conversation you're recording or have the consent of at least one person in the conversation. Otherwise, the recording can be construed as wiretapping or illegal eavesdropping. Some states have even stricter laws that require the consent of all people involved in the conversation.Before recording a conversation,checkyour state laws.Is there an app to record calls on iPhone?Beyond on-device recording with iOS 18.1, there are also several downloadable third-party apps that can record calls on the iPhone. However, Apple is restrictive about letting these apps use the microphone during a phone call. Most apps will need to conference into the call as a participant to record.Also:How to buy more iPhone storageAlternatively, you can use most mic-equipped computers or tablets to record phone conversations, as long as the phone is on speaker or the microphone is close to the other device's speaker. BothMacOSand Windows computers have numerous audio recording software options available.Does Apple have an app to record iPhone calls?Unfortunately, not without iOS 18.1 and Apple Intelligence. Apple doesn't have an app, but third-party apps are available on theApp Store. Also, Voice Memos is most likely automatically installed on your iOS device.Does screen recording on iPhone record my call?Screen recording while on an audio or FaceTime call will only record your screen -- it won't capture any audio from you or your phone.Does iPhone's Voice Memos have a time limit?The Voice Memos app can record for an unlimited amount of time, as long as you have sufficient storage availability. To check how much storage is on your device, go to your iPhone's Settings > General > Device > Storage. You can also buy more iPhone storage.iPhone

More consumers are expressing sustainability fatigue and skepticism when shopping for fashion but ... [+] brands must carry the burden for themgettySustainability is a key topic on the fashion forecast for 2025 but theres a noticeable cooling effect on what has been one of the hottest issues of the past few years. McKinseys State of Fashion 2025 report found that only 18% of fashion executives consider sustainability a top three risk for growth in 2025, compared to 29% for 2024. Foresight agency The Future Laboratorys trend barometer for 2025 reported that searches for sustainability on its insight platform were down 44% this past year and Deloittes report on The Sustainable Consumer highlighted growing consumer fatigue and skepticism on the topic as its key finding for 2024.Foresight editor at The Future Laboratory, Fiona Harkin believes fashion brands are less invested because consumers are changing their priorities: Theres a switch in where customers place value, and what they want is a really good product first, and they want that sustainability to be baked in as a given.This values shift exists among a difficult political and economic climate for both consumers and brands.Consumer psychologist and chief behavioral officer at Humanising Brands, Kate Nightingale, says: The wars and recessions, cost of living crisis, the political upheaval, all those things create a lot of uncertainty and a lack of safety in individuals. We are continuously dropping people onto that really basic, lowest levels of needs.This is influencing buying behavior, explains Nightingale: Our major motivations are: I need to be secure. I want brands and businesses to make me feel safe.The State of Fashion report shows a pessimistic outlook among executives for the coming year with just 20% expecting improvements in consumer sentiment in 2025, while 39% see industry conditions worsening.Sustainability messaging has done a bad job of making consumers feel safe by placing much of the burden on their choices, rather than corporate responsibility says Harkin. People have been hit over the head with it. This constant pressure that's put on the consumer of every single one of their choices. Brands need to take that off the consumer if they really want to make a difference.MORE FOR YOUSustainability is still central to good businessConsumers may be fatigued with sustainability and more concerned about issues of financial and emotional security, but experts warn that it could still hurt brands if they dont address sustainability within their business.Lewis Perkins, CEO and president of the Apparel Impact Institute, says: Forward-thinking companies understand that failing to act now risks an expensive game of catch-up, not only with compliance but also with maintaining competitiveness and resilience in the face of growing scrutiny.Several pieces of legislation are due to come into force this year to ensure progress on sustainability continues this year despite dimming consumer interest. Perkins highlights the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Directive in the EU as two key pieces of legislation for 2025.Transparency is still key to building trust and improving brand image gettyMcKinsey experts also highlighted the long-term sustainability risks for fashion in a blog post summarizing the findings of the State of Fashion report. They say: Even though shoppers have proven less willing than hoped to pay extra for planet-friendly products, making the business case for sustainability less obvious to executives among other competing priorities, the mounting cost of climate change, and government action to combat it, mean sustainability must remain at the top of the agenda. Those who choose to approach sustainability with a long-term mindset even while battling short-term problems will be rewarded with more efficient business operations and a competitive advantage.Behavioral strategy consultancy, Humanising Brands, listed default sustainability as a top retail trend for 2025. It says the issue has now become a hygiene factor, where consumers are unlikely to choose a brand because of its sustainability credentials, but will avoid brands that dont meet their standards. Nightingale says that in this way, sustainability has become akin to having good online delivery for fashion businesses.Perkins believes that this shift towards sustainability as a fundamental actually shows how far the industry has come: While sustainability may feel less like a differentiator and more like a baseline expectation, that shift itself reflects progress. It signals that sustainability is no longer optional but a fundamental part of how the industry operates. However, the real risk lies in complacency, where businesses treat sustainability as a 'tick-the-box' exercise rather than driving meaningful, transformative action.Focus areas in sustainability for 2025While business might be challenging in 2025, Perkins wants to see brands developing ways to fund a sustainable transition. Brands need to align sustainability strategies with financial mechanisms to unlock capital for suppliers and invest in innovation. Importantly, these actions must extend to improving worker welfare and ensuring just transition pathways for communities most affected by the industrys transformation.He highlights H&M Groups Green Fashion Initiative which funds suppliers to phase out fossil fuels and an initiative by PVH Corp which invests in innovation for suppliers and finances eco-friendly and renewable material projects as examples of good practice in the industry.Sustainability has become akin to convenient delivery for consumers where it's an essential to have ... [+] but not a reason a brand stands outgettyCollaboration with suppliers to address scope 3 emissions and pressure on brands to fund these initiatives will be an important topic for next year.Given the regulatory environment, global market pressures, and the capital already invested in sustainability, businesses have a true incentive to continue their work and create more positive environmental and social outcomes, says Perkins but a strong financial plan is integral to achieving goals. If the C-suite of major fashion and apparel brands do not have an investment strategy for climate, the company simply does not have a credible climate transition plan.The changing outlook on sustainability may be hardest for brands who have positioned themselves with altruistic values at the core of what they do. Sustainability isnt your USP anymore. Make sure you've got a really good product, because that will be your selling point, it will just be taken for granted that youre good to the environment too, advises Harkin. But I don't think we'll be losing some of those things that we've picked up along the way, which is a kind of transparency and a level of information that the customer will require to help make them make better choices. They just want a lot of those choices to be made by the brand before it even gets to the product that theyre choosing.Nightingale also advises brands to embrace transparency as a communication tool that supports sustainability without turning customers off: When you have something like a digital product passport, a lot of customers won't necessarily use it, but the simple presence of it being there makes you feel like the brand is more trustworthy. That makes consumers feel safer and more secure, so you are developing a better relationship with them.The work on a just transition towards a sustainable fashion industry is still as important as ever but to reap the business benefits of it through a challenging climate in 2025, brands must shift the way that they talk about it with their customers to embrace transparency and accountability.

Granada, Andalusia, Spain, 24th January 2024: New Samsung S24, Ultra smartphone in its box. Detail ... [+] of the cameras. Illustrative editorial photography.gettyAfter slashing the price of the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Samsung is running a new promotion that gifts a free Chromebook to all Galaxy S24 Ultra buyers.The promotion combines a 100 ($125) discount for the Galaxy S24 Ultra, enhanced trade-in prices and the free Chromebook Go laptop, which is worth 299 ($374). The deal is valid until January 16th and only applies for shoppers in the U.K. In the U.S., Samsung is running a huge trade-in deal for the Galaxy Z Fold 6, check out my story on that here.Annoyingly, the way to claim the free Chromebook Go is long-winded and could take a few weeks.Buyers will need to purchase the Galaxy S24 Ultra and submit a claim through the Samsung offers website within 30 days of buying the handset. The claim form will ask some basic questions about the purchase and the device's IMEI number. Once submitted and approved, Samsung will ship the Chromebook.Dont be put off by the lengthy process, though, this is a good deal and an expensive freebie. Samsung has run similar promotions in the past, giving away a free Galaxy Watch FE, or Galaxy Tab S6 Lite to U.K. shoppers.MORE FOR YOUU.K. versus U.S. Samsung dealsBefore that, Samsung ran a now defunct freebies program called Boost, which gave away memberships to streaming services, such as a year of free Disney Plus.U.S.-based Samsung fans dont see as many free device giveaways as U.K. shoppers do, but the trade-in prices are far more impressive in America. Right now, Samsung will pay $650 for the Galaxy S21 Ultra when buying the Galaxy S24 Ultra. British shoppers will only get $275 (220) for the same phone. A 57% difference. This is repeated across all devices Samsung will accept in both territories.If you plan to claim the free Chromebook offer, try purchasing the Galaxy S24 Ultra through the Samsung Shopping app, which will knock a further 5% off the order with the code "APP5".

The big picture: A combination of buyer strategies and market conditions are expected to drive DRAM prices down across the board in the first quarter of 2025. As outlined in TrendForce's latest market report, PC OEMs accelerated inventory reduction efforts in Q4 2024. The strategy is expected to persist into the first quarter of next year, further suppressing bit procurement volumes. DDR4 price declines, in particular, are expected to accelerate due in part to sluggish consumer demand, increased production from Chinese suppliers, and low-priced chips flooding the market. As a result, PC DRAM prices are expected to drop by eight to 13 percent.Server DRAM pricing both DDR4 and DDR5 is expected to weaken in part because of slow seasonal demand. Manufacturers have also started shifting DDR4 capacity to DDR5 production, while others are moving HBM production to focus on DDR5. As a result, server DRAM prices as a whole could fall by five to 10 percent in Q1 as DDR4 price declines accelerate.Memory for mobile solutions and graphics products will also be impacted. Smartphone manufacturers have spent the past two quarters adjusting DRAM stockpiles, which will allow them to maintain a passive procurement strategy in Q1 2025 in hopes of attaining more favorable contract pricing. As such, TrendForce expects contract pricing for LPDDR4X and LPDDR5X to fall by eight to 13 percent and three to eight percent, respectively, in Q1 2025.GDDR7 stockpiling for next-gen GPUs will help graphics DRAM pricing but even still, broader DRAM market weakness and heightened inventories will impact the market. TrendForce expects to see graphics DRAM market prices decline by an average of five to 10 percent in Q1.Related reading: Cheap vs. Premium DDR5: Stock vs. EXPO/XMP MemoryFor the average consumer looking to pick up a new kit of DDR4 or DDR5 memory for a new build or an existing rig, now is a great time to do so. Prices are low and with post-holiday sales, you can save even more. This 32GB kit of G.Skill DDR4, for example, is under $50 over on Newegg.

In brief: A group of artificial intelligence researchers has demonstrated running a powerful AI language model on a Windows 98 machine. And we're not talking about just any old PC, but a vintage Pentium II system with a mere 128MB of RAM. The team behind the experiment is EXO Labs, an organization formed by researchers and engineers from Oxford University. In a video shared on X, EXO Labs fired up a dusty Elonex Pentium II 350MHz system running Windows 98. Instead of playing Minesweeper or browsing with Netscape Navigator, the PC was put through its paces with something far more demanding: running an AI model.This model was based on Andrej Karpathy's Llama2.c code. Against all odds, the computer managed to generate a coherent story on command. It did it at a decent speed, too, which is usually difficult with AI models run locally.Pace is already a big enough challenge, but another hurdle the team had to overcome was getting modern code to compile and run on an operating system from 1998.Eventually, they managed to sustain a performance of 39.31 tokens per second running a Llama-based LLM with 260,000 parameters. Cranking up the model size significantly reduced the performance, though. For instance, the 1 billion parameter Llama 3.2 model barely managed 0.0093 tokens per second on the vintage hardware.As for why the team is trying so hard to run AI models that typically require powerful server hardware on such ancient machines, the goal is to develop AI models that can run on even the most modest of devices. EXO Labs' mission is to "democratize access to AI" and prevent a handful of tech giants from monopolizing this game-changing technology. // Related StoriesFor this, the company is developing what it calls the "BitNet" a transformer architecture that uses ternary weights to drastically reduce model size. With this architecture, a 7 billion parameter model needs just 1.38GB of storage, making it feasible to run on most budget hardware.Related reading: Meet Transformers: The Google Breakthrough that Rewrote AI's RoadmapBitNet is also designed to be CPU-first, avoiding the need for expensive GPUs. More impressively, the architecture can leverage a staggering 100 billion parameter model on a single CPU while maintaining human reading speeds at 5-7 tokens per second.If you're keen to join the locally-run models revolution, EXO Labs is actively seeking contributors. Just check out the full blog post to get a better idea of the mission.

Bad connection Whistleblower finds unencrypted location data for 800,000 VW EVs Der Spiegel and Chaos Computer Club were able to tie data to car owners and their trips. Eric Bangeman Dec 30, 2024 10:33 am | 28 In 2024 VW will have two new EVs to sell alongside the ID.4 crossover. Credit: Volkswagen In 2024 VW will have two new EVs to sell alongside the ID.4 crossover. Credit: Volkswagen Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreConnected cars are greatat least until some company leaves unencrypted location data on the Internet for anyone to find. That's what happened with over 800,000 EVs manufactured by the Volkswagen Group, after Cariad, an automative software company that handles much of the development tasks for VW, left several terabytes of data unprotected on Amazon's cloud.According to Motor1, a whistleblower gave German publication Der Spiegel and hacking collective Chaos Computer Club a heads-up about the misconfiguration. Der Spiegel and CCC then spent some time sifting through the data, with which allowed them to tie individual cars to their owners."The security hole allowed the publication to track the location of two German politicians with alarming precision, with the data placing a member of the German Defense Committee at his fathers retirement home and at the countrys military barracks," wrote Motor1.Cariad has since patched the vulnerability, which had revealed data about the usage of Skodas, Audis, and Seats, as well as what Motor1 calls "incredibly detailed data" for VW ID.3 and ID.4 owners. The data set also included pinpoint location data for 460,000 of the vehicles, which Der Spiegel said could be used to paint a picture of their owners' lives and daily activities.Cariad ascribed the vulnerability to a "misconfiguration," according to Der Spiegel, and said there is no indication that anyone aside from the publication and CCC accessed the unprotected data.Eric BangemanManaging EditorEric BangemanManaging Editor Eric Bangeman is the Managing Editor of Ars Technica. In addition to overseeing the daily operations at Ars, Eric also manages story development for the Policy and Automotive sections. He lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, where he enjoys cycling, playing the bass, and refereeing rugby. 28 Comments