Last Week's Tech Highlights
Trump’s Victory Pushes Bitcoin to Record Highs of $81,000
Bitcoin surged past $81,000 following Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. presidential election. Trump’s promise to make the U.S. the "crypto capital" and the election success of crypto-friendly congressional candidates bolstered market confidence. Other cryptocurrencies like Ether and Dogecoin also saw significant gains, with Ether surpassing $3,200 and Dogecoin reaching a three-year high. Trump’s agenda includes easing crypto regulations and removing SEC Chair Gary Gensler, raising hopes for a crypto-friendly administration.
U.S. Orders TSMC to Halt AI Chip Shipments to China
The U.S. has directed Taiwan’s TSMC to cease shipments of advanced AI chips to China, targeting chips designed with 7nm or smaller nodes. The decision follows revelations that a TSMC chip was integrated into Huawei’s AI processor. This move reflects the U.S.'s strategy to restrict China’s access to advanced technologies and limit the capabilities of companies like Huawei. TSMC confirmed that shipments to affected Chinese clients have been suspended.
First Painting by Humanoid Robot Sells for Over $1 Million
"AI God," a painting of mathematician Alan Turing created by the humanoid robot Ai-Da, was sold for over $1 million at Sotheby’s. Ai-Da, equipped with cameras and AI algorithms, has been hailed as a pioneer in merging technology and art. The robot's creator, Aidan Meller, described the project as a dialogue between art and technology. Sotheby’s noted that this sale marks a new era in the art market where AI and human creativity intersect.
Tesla Surpasses $1 Trillion Market Cap After Trump Victory
Tesla shares jumped 8%, propelling its market valuation past $1 trillion after Donald Trump’s election win. Elon Musk, who donated $130 million to Trump’s campaign, is expected to benefit from a less restrictive regulatory environment under the new administration. Analysts believe potential tariffs on Chinese EV manufacturers could further boost Tesla's market dominance in the U.S. Tesla reported $25.18 billion in Q3 revenue and a $2.17 billion net profit.
MIT Researchers Develop Miniature Tractor Beam for Cells
MIT researchers have created a chip-based optical trapping system that uses light beams to manipulate cells and biological particles from a distance. This innovative device eliminates the need for traditional microscopes, allowing precise manipulation of particles in a sterile environment. Potential applications include disease research, DNA analysis, and cell sorting, making it a significant breakthrough in biomedical technologies.
Amazon Plans Smart Glasses to Boost Delivery Efficiency
Amazon is developing smart glasses, codenamed "Amelia," to assist delivery drivers with route navigation and obstacle detection. These glasses aim to shave seconds off delivery times and reduce costs. While promising efficiency gains, challenges include battery life and driver adoption. This initiative reflects Amazon’s continuous efforts to enhance logistics through innovative technologies.
U.S. Tests AI-Powered Drone Defense Weapon
The U.S. military has tested "Bullfrog," an AI-powered autonomous machine gun system designed to counter small, fast-moving drones. Developed by Allen Control Systems, Bullfrog uses electro-optical sensors and computer vision to detect and eliminate aerial threats with precision. If adopted, it could become the first autonomous weapon in the U.S. arsenal, addressing challenges posed by modern drone warfare.
Mazda Infotainment Vulnerabilities Allow System Takeover
Trend Micro's Zero Day Initiative has identified vulnerabilities in Mazda’s infotainment system that could allow attackers to execute malicious code via USB. The flaws, found in the Mazda Connect system, could lead to full system control. These unpatched vulnerabilities pose a significant security risk, and experts warn that attacks could occur within minutes.
Iranian Hackers Use Fake Job Offers to Target Aviation Sector
Iranian hackers from the TA455 group have launched a campaign using fake LinkedIn profiles and job postings to distribute malware targeting the aviation sector. This multi-stage attack allows them to gain unauthorized access and conduct data theft.
Hackers Repurpose AirPods as Hearing Aids
Three tech enthusiasts from India hacked Apple’s regional restrictions to transform AirPods Pro into hearing aids for a relative. Using innovative methods, they bypassed Apple’s location-based limitations to unlock advanced features.
YouTube Introduces AI Tool for Music Remixing
YouTube is testing a new AI feature called "Dream Track," which allows creators to remix music into different genres or moods. The tool uses Google DeepMind's Lyria model to generate unique 30-second clips and is currently available to a limited group of users.