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Bluesky reveals mockup for upcoming subscription service Bluesky+

Bluesky reveals mockup for upcoming subscription service Bluesky+

3 days ago

Bluesky is developing a paid subscription service called Bluesky+. Mockups suggest features like higher quality video uploads, profile customizations, custom app icons, verification badges, and more. Pricing is indicated at $8 per month or $72 per year, but these details are not final. Users are discussing the mockup, although the company warns that the features may change. Bluesky is also exploring other revenue models, including selling domain names and ads.

Meta Plans $10 Billion Global Subsea Cable to Boost Internet Dominance

Meta Plans $10 Billion Global Subsea Cable to Boost Internet Dominance

11 days ago

Meta plans a 40,000+ km subsea cable, investing over $10 billion. This will be Meta's first solely-owned subsea cable, driving 10% of fixed and 22% of mobile internet traffic globally. Expected to be announced in early 2025, it will connect the U.S. East Coast to India via South Africa and India to the U.S. West Coast via Australia. Benefits include direct infrastructure control and enhanced service quality.

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Bluesky Allows Third-Parties to Scrape Data for AI Training

Bluesky Allows Third-Parties to Scrape Data for AI Training

15 days ago

Bluesky’s open API allows third-parties to scrape user data for AI training. A Hugging Face librarian pulled 1 million public posts from Bluesky for machine learning research, later removing the data due to controversy. Bluesky is exploring ways for users to communicate consent preferences, but enforcement is up to external developers. As Bluesky gains popularity, it faces scrutiny similar to other major social platforms.

Justice Department Pushes Google to Spin Off Chrome Browser Trending ️‍🔥

Justice Department Pushes Google to Spin Off Chrome Browser

24 days ago

The Department of Justice is reportedly pushing Google to spin off its Chrome browser business and recommending antitrust requirements related to AI and Android. This follows a historic multiyear case where the Justice Department proved Google's web search monopoly in the U.S. A federal judge ruled Google broke antitrust laws in online search and search text ads markets. The Justice Department argues Chrome is a key access point for Google Search, controlling 61% of the U.S. browser market.

OpenAI Buys Chat.com, Redirects to ChatGPT Trending ️‍🔥

OpenAI Buys Chat.com, Redirects to ChatGPT

1 months ago

OpenAI bought Chat.com, adding to its collection of high-profile domain names. As of this morning, Chat.com now redirects to OpenAI’s AI-powered chatbot, ChatGPT. An OpenAI spokesperson confirmed the acquisition via email. Chat.com is one of the older domains on the web, having been registered in September 1996. Last year, it was reported that HubSpot co-founder and CTO Dharmesh Shah acquired Chat.com for $15.5 million.

Apple Intelligence Launches Next Week with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1

Apple Intelligence Launches Next Week with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1

1 months ago

Apple Intelligence, Apple’s generative AI, is rolling out next week with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1. Developer beta users accessed features like writing tools and image cleanup. New updates iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2, and macOS Sequoia 15.2 will add more features. Only certain devices can run Apple Intelligence due to hardware limitations. Users must opt-in and join a waitlist after updating.

Meta Lays Off Employees Across Multiple Teams

Meta Lays Off Employees Across Multiple Teams

1 months ago

Multiple teams at Meta were hit by layoffs on Wednesday to reallocate resources. Affected teams include Reality Labs, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Jane Manchun Wong, a software engineer known for revealing Meta's unannounced features, was among those laid off. Some employees were offered new positions or severance packages. Meta has previously laid off significant numbers of employees in 2022 and 2023 to rightsize the company.

Brazil Lifts Ban on X After Compliance with Court Orders

Brazil Lifts Ban on X After Compliance with Court Orders

2 months ago

Elon Musk’s X can return online in Brazil after a months-long battle with officials. The Supreme Court lifted the ban after Musk agreed to remove certain user accounts and appoint a legal representative. Previously, courts blocked X for not complying with orders and lacking a representative. Musk initially accused the court of censoring conservative voices but eventually complied. A brief workaround using Cloudflare cost Musk nearly $2 million.

Meta Acquires Threads.com Domain Name

Meta Acquires Threads.com Domain Name

2 months ago

Meta has acquired the Threads.com domain name, as confirmed by Whois records updated on September 24. Initially owned by a Sequoia-backed startup and later acquired by Shopify, the domain saw increased app downloads after Meta's Threads social network launch. Meta has not disclosed plans for the domain. Threads.com’s co-founder noted the term's power and internet-native nature. Meta’s Threads now has over 200 million users.