More AI, Layoffs, and New Innovations for People with Disabilities | Digital Drift
The September wave was anticipated to be cooler than the summer releases, but instead, the intensity only increased.
Over the past month, several hot announcements were made, juicy details of new developments emerged, and companies continued waves of layoffs, while some began bringing employees back to the office.?
Here are a few global events you’ll learn more about from this material:
As for local news, AdvantISS has plenty to boast about:
Interested? Next, explore the following sections of the article!
AirPods Pro 2 Brings the Gift of Hearing
The new product from Apple has become even more versatile than previous generations. Yes, we're talking about the latest iteration of AirPods Pro 2, which went on sale on September 27.
These TWS earbuds not only play music or adjust playback according to the environment but also function as hearing aids.
Compatible with specialized software, offering extensive customization options, they can restore hearing in cases of partial loss. Now, users can access the hearing aid mode from the "accessibility" menu and tailor the headset to suit their individual needs.
AI-Generated Images to Be Labeled by Google
At this moment, AI-generated visual content does not have an impact on page indexing or search rankings; however, users will be alerted that the content has been produced artificially.
This tag serves more as a warning that the content could be manipulated, misleading, or inaccurate.
At present, only images with C2PA metadata (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) will be flagged. However, Google plans to further improve its detection of such content, and in the future, AI-generated images may indeed impact rankings. The company is anticipated to share comprehensive details regarding these plans later this year.
Implant to Work with Alexa
Synchron's BCI can translate thoughts into commands for digital systems or devices. These are the results of a clinical trial involving a patient with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).
The patient successfully learned to use the brain implant to interact with Alexa. This method is more convenient than voice commands, faster, and more accurate, especially when text input is needed.
This isn’t the only use case of such devices for people with disabilities. However, they are still far from achieving the researchers' goals. We’re closely following the development of these implants and might share updates on how they help restore mobility for patients in future issues.
Amazon Ends Remote Work
The COVID pandemic is behind us, and so is the trend of remote work, at least for Amazon employees. CEO Andy Jassy stated that even a phased return to office work has demonstrated significantly more advantages than remote collaboration.
Beginning January 2nd next year, employees will return to the office on a full-time basis, working five days a week. This move is expected to optimize the company’s internal processes, improve collaboration, and boost overall productivity. How it will actually unfold remains to be seen in the reports from Q1 2025.?
Another Round of Layoffs, Now from Cisco
The first wave of layoffs from this tech giant in February 2024 resulted in 4,000 workers losing their jobs. The latest cut affected approximately 7% of the workforce, or around 5,600 employees.
According to company representatives, this will help improve key growth metrics. However, many of the laid-off workers aren't too disappointed, describing the business as "the most toxic environment."
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A Parade of New Releases from Apple
Apple's WWDC was one of the most anticipated events of September, if not the year. And it didn’t disappoint.
The event introduced a host of new products, including AirPods 4, iWatch 9, AirPods Pro 2, and iPhone 16. The latter marked a new era for the brand, with its key feature being the introduction of AppleIntelligence.
If you think this technology functions as a standalone app, you're mistaken. Apple’s AI is integrated system-wide in iOS 18, which was also recently released. At the moment, this feature is exclusively available in the U.S. and limited to the iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max and iPhone 16 models.
AppleIntelligence allows users to quickly draft messages, automate device operations, process photos, and manage content libraries. The biggest advantage will be felt by those who frequently use Siri, as the assistant now operates on a neural network foundation.
Microsoft Learns Its Lesson
Remember the CrowdStrike product crash earlier this year? Well, Microsoft took that incident to heart, holding several conferences to prevent similar issues in the future.
At its Redmond headquarters, they discussed solutions to optimize the Microsoft ecosystem and mitigate risks that could lead to such problems.
What could be the tech giant’s next steps? Most likely, we’ll see the introduction of isolated environments in desktop and corporate web systems.?
Petro Samoshkin’s Visit to Bits & Pretzels
From September 29 to October 1, 2024, the Munich-based international conference, Bits & Pretzels , will gather over 7,500 experts from various fields under one roof.
Participants will have the chance to connect with representatives from leading global brands, explore potential partners, investors, clients, and even noteworthy startups that deserve attention.
Our very own CEO Petro Samoshkin will also be attending, representing AdvantISS at the event.
So, stay tuned for updates and a full report on this exciting occasion.
New Materials from the Company
In recent weeks, the AdvantISS blog has been updated with two fresh articles.
2. "Business Analysis and Layout Design – Core Steps of Discovery Phase" explains the discovery phase, its importance, benefits, and the unique opportunities missed if this step is skipped in a project. Get the full details in the article.
Team Milestones
We’re inching closer to a major milestone. On October 12, AdvantISS will celebrate another birthday. We’re turning 8 years old since our founding!
Over these years, the team has evolved from a small group of enthusiasts into an international-level company. And this is far from the end. We’re committed to growing further, creating and scaling products and solutions for our clients.
Thank you for staying with us and supporting AdvantISS. We appreciate your input and strive diligently to provide you with the highest level of professional and dedicated service!
And with that, we wrap up the September newsletter on a positive note. If you enjoyed this material, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
See you again next month! ??
Advancing Digitalization and AI | Integrating Reliable, Scalable Tech Solutions | Driving Efficiency Through Client-centric Approach
5 个月A good selection of news, which are expected to become trends??
The positivity and innovation in your post is truly inspiring, AdvantISS! It's incredible to see the continuous evolution and progress in the tech industry. Keep up the amazing work!