Technology

At its MAX conference, Adobe officially launched Project Stardust, a next-generation AI-powered photo-editing engine that has been making waves since its early leak this month. Powered by the Firefly Model 2, which is also launching today, Stardust enables users to easily delete objects and people in a scene, change backgrounds, and more. A Sneak Peek into Adobe's Future Plans While Project Stardust is being touted as a sneak preview of what's to come from Adobe, it's essential to note that this is not a final product. Rather, it's a public preview of some of the technologies that the company is working on behind the scenes. However, given the existing Firefly-based AI tools and their integration into Stardust, we can expect to see more of this in the near future. How Project Stardust Work...

US Government Urges High-Ranking Officials to Lock Down Mobile Devices Following Telecom Breaches Posted: 6:00 AM PST · December 19, 2024 The US government is urging senior politicians and high-ranking officials to lock down their devices amid the ongoing Chinese breaches of at least eight major telecom providers. In an advisory on Wednesday, the US cybersecurity agency CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) said that "highly-targeted officials," including those in government, should enable advanced security features to protect against potential cyber threats. What is the Advisory About? The advisory comes soon after the US government urged Americans to use encrypted messaging apps to minimize the risk of having their communications intercepted. CISA executive as...

French Startup Escape Secures $3.9 Million in Funding to Revolutionize API Security A New Era in Cybersecurity: Escape's Mission to Protect APIs Escape, a French startup, has made a significant stride in the cybersecurity landscape by securing a substantial funding round of $3.9 million (€3.6 million) shortly after completing Y Combinator's winter 2023 cohort. This notable achievement marks a crucial milestone for the company, which aims to provide innovative solutions for API security. Leadership and Vision Co-founder and CEO Tristan Kalos is at the helm of Escape, alongside co-founder Antoine Carossio. The duo has assembled an exceptional team of experts, with 10 talented individuals now part of the organization. Kalos's vision for Escape revolves around harnessing artificial intelligenc...

The article discusses the ongoing acquisition deal between Adobe and Figma, with a $20 billion price tag. The deal has been pending for over a year, and regulators are still scrutinizing it. Here's a summary of the key points: Why Adobe wants to acquire Figma: Gartner analyst Brent Stewart believes that Adobe knows where the market is headed and recognizes the importance of Figma in its future success. Ehab Bandar, founder at design consultancy Bigtable.co, thinks that the deal remains strong for both Adobe and Figma. Concerns about the acquisition: Regulators are debating whether the companies are better together or apart. If they decide against the merger, it would be a huge loss for Adobe. Stewart agrees that a no-deal outcome would be devastating for Adobe, forcing them to either re...

In a significant development, SpaceX's satellite-to-cell Starlink service has reached a nationwide coverage milestone in New Zealand. This achievement is made even more remarkable by the fact that it comes with some limitations. One NZ, a telecommunications company, claims to be the first globally to power a nationwide satellite text messaging service via Starlink. Partnerships and Expansion Starlink has also forged partnerships in various countries, including Canada, Australia, Japan, Peru, Switzerland, and Chile. Additionally, it has partnered with T-Mobile in the United States. This expansion is a testament to the growing popularity of SpaceX's satellite-based service. Eligible Devices and Limitations At present, only four phone models are supported: the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, Samsung...

Galaxy Fit 3: Budget-Friendly Fitness Tracker Arriving in the US After being released in several countries outside of the US last February, Samsung is finally bringing its budget-friendly fitness tracker, the Galaxy Fit 3, to American shores. The device will be available for purchase starting on January 9th, 2025, at a price point of $59.99. Key Features and Specifications The Galaxy Fit 3 boasts an impressive array of features that rival those found in more expensive fitness trackers. Some of the notable capabilities include: 1.6-inch display: The device comes equipped with a clear and vibrant 1.6-inch display that provides users with essential information at a glance. Long-lasting battery life: With up to 13 days of battery life on a single charge, users can enjoy extended periods witho...

Mark Hay and Ethan Ding, co-founders of TextQL, are on a mission to revolutionize the way companies make decisions by leveraging data-driven insights. Their ambitious goal is to empower business teams to ask questions of their data on-demand, using large language models like OpenAI's ChatGPT and GPT-4. The Problem with Current Data Solutions Hay, who previously worked as an engineer on Facebook's machine learning team, points out that data leaders have been sold a "false promise" for the past 15 years. Despite the abundance of data at their disposal, many companies struggle to extract meaningful insights from their databases. This is largely due to the fact that business teams often use words and terminology that are not properly represented in their databases, leading to months ...

In a significant development for the functional energy beverage market, Odyssey, a company that harnesses the power of mushrooms to create innovative drinks, has raised an additional $6 million in equity investment. This latest round brings the total funding secured by Odyssey since launching its first drink two years ago to $14 million. The Science Behind Odyssey's Products Odyssey's products tap into the scientifically-proven benefits of Lion's Mane and Cordyceps mushrooms, which are combined with other natural ingredients to create a unique energy beverage. The company's flagship drinks offer an impressive 2,750 milligrams of these potent fungi per serving, providing a cognitive boost and promoting focus. The Benefits of Lion's Mane Recent studies have highlighted the potential benefits...

A Shift in the Tides: Big Tech and Government Embracing Nuclear Energy The General Services Administration (GSA) has recently announced a significant nuclear energy contract, worth $840 million over 10 years. This monumental deal comes on the heels of several major tech companies making substantial investments in nuclear energy last year. The contract is a testament to the growing recognition of nuclear energy as a vital component in meeting increasing electricity demand. The Contract Details The GSA has awarded the contract to Constellation, which operates the nation's largest nuclear fleet. As part of this deal, Constellation will supply 10 million megawatt-hours of electricity over a decade. According to Constellation spokesperson Paul Adams, about 4 million megawatt-hours of this energ...

According to a recent Dealroom report on the Spanish tech ecosystem, the combined enterprise value of Spanish startups has surpassed €100 billion in 2023. This upward trend is confirmed by Madrid-based VC fund Seaya's latest move, which has closed Seaya Andromeda, an 'Article 9' €300 million climate tech fund based out of Madrid. What is Article 9? The EU's Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation Act refers to the regulation as 'Article 9'. This act puts the onus on investment firms to ensure their investments have a positive impact on society or the environment. Seaya, which has been around for 12 years, mainly focuses on mission-driven startups in Europe and LatAm. Seaya's New Fund: Seaya Andromeda The new 'Andromeda' fund will invest in growth companies that specialize in energy tran...