What's new with Tech #25-2024

Welcome back, Insperians!

In this week’s edition of our newsletter, we dive deep into the exciting world of technology, with updates from the realms of open-source software, programming, and robotics. The pace of innovation continues to accelerate, bringing forth new tools and technologies designed to enhance our digital experiences and capabilities.

Darktable 4.8

The latest version of Darktable, the open-source RAW image editor, is now available. Version 4.8 brings new features, enhanced camera support, and performance improvements, making it a must-update for photographers and image editing professionals.

Tor Browser 13.5

The new Tor Browser update focuses on enhancing user privacy with improved fingerprinting protections and updated bridge settings. These changes ensure a safer and more private browsing experience, reinforcing Tor's commitment to user anonymity online.

KDE Plasma 6.1

KDE Plasma 6.1 is out with significant enhancements including explicit GPU synchronization and triple buffering. These features aim to provide a smoother and more responsive user experience across diverse hardware setups.

Tails 6.4

Tails, the privacy-focused operating system, has introduced version 6.4 which includes support for a random seed to strengthen its cryptographic functions. It also incorporates the latest Tor technologies, ensuring that users have the most up-to-date security measures.

Ubuntu App Center

Canonical has updated the App Center in the latest Ubuntu releases. Users can now install third-party DEB packages more seamlessly and benefit from various bug fixes, enhancing the overall user experience on Ubuntu platforms.

IPFire 2.29

IPFire, known for its strong security features, has released version 2.29. This update brings experimental support for Btrfs and CPU frequency scaling on Raspberry Pi devices, catering to enthusiasts and professionals looking for robust performance and flexibility.

KDE Gear 24.05.1

The KDE Gear software suite has received updates with version 24.05.1. Improvements can be seen in applications such as Elisa, Spectacle, KCalc, Ark, Dolphin, and more, promising an enhanced and more productive environment for KDE users.

Proton 9.0-2

Proton continues to push the boundaries for gaming on Linux with its new update, 9.0-2. This version adds support for several popular games, including Alpha League, Helldivers 2, and Black Desert Online, ensuring that Linux gamers are not left behind.

Mistral Introduces AI Code Generation Model: Codestral

Mistral has unveiled Codestral, its first AI model specifically designed for code generation. Codestral aims to assist developers by enhancing efficiency and accuracy in coding tasks. This innovative tool promises to be a game-changer in the software development landscape, providing developers with powerful support for generating high-quality code.

Swift 5.10 Brings Full Data Isolation Compile-Time Safety

The latest release of Swift, version 5.10, has achieved a significant milestone by ensuring full data isolation at the compiler level for concurrent code. This advancement marks a major enhancement in the language's concurrency model, providing developers with increased safety and reliability in concurrent programming.

Apple Open Sources Pkl: Configuration-as-Code Language

Apple has open-sourced Pkl (pronounced "Pickle"), a new configuration-as-code language. Pkl is designed to streamline configuration management and can be used as a command-line utility, software library, or build plugin. This move by Apple aims to make configuration management more efficient and accessible to developers.

Mojo Programming Language: Combining Python Simplicity with Rust Performance

Mojo is an exciting new programming language that combines the simplicity and ease of use of Python with the speed and memory safety of Rust. Mojo is designed to excel in data science and machine learning applications, offering a fast alternative to Python. The language is currently available to developers, with plans for gradual open-sourcing in the future.

JetBrains Announces RustRover: Standalone IDE for Rust

JetBrains has announced RustRover, a standalone integrated development environment (IDE) for Rust. Currently available under an early access program, RustRover aims to bring Rust support on par with other languages supported by JetBrains IDEs. This new IDE is set to enhance the development experience for Rust programmers.

Go 1.20 Improves Compiler Performance

The Go programming language has released version 1.20, which brings notable improvements to compiler performance. This update returns compiler performance to the levels seen in Go 1.17 and introduces support for converting slices to arrays, making the language even more versatile and efficient for developers.

Swift 5.9 Introduces Macro Expansion Power

Swift 5.9, now available in beta, introduces a powerful extension to the language's capabilities through support for generating code at compile-time using macros. This feature allows developers to write more expressive and efficient code, enhancing the overall programming experience with Swift.

Waabi’s Leap in Autonomous Trucking

Founder and CEO Raquel Urtasun of Waabi is pushing the envelope in autonomous vehicle technology. The startup's latest development, GenAI, is designed to power self-driving trucks with AI that reasons like humans, aiming for safer and more efficient road transport.

Generative AI Meets Humanoid Robots

The frontier of humanoid robotics is expanding with new generative AI technologies. Researchers are now enabling these robots to leverage a wide range of movements, pushing them closer to achieving general-purpose capabilities. This could redefine robot interactions in everyday life.

Apple Enhances Recycling Efforts

In a sustainability drive, Apple is developing a more advanced recycling robot, capable of meticulously disassembling old devices. A recent visit by TechCrunch to Apple’s Austin facilities revealed the tech giant's commitment to reducing electronic waste.

ZeroMark’s Innovative Fire Control System

Backed by a16z, ZeroMark is making strides in military technology with a new fire control system for soldiers. This system is designed to enhance accuracy against drones and includes cutting-edge sensors and a motorized buttstock.

Amazon Expands Drone Deliveries

With recent FAA approval, Amazon is set to expand its drone delivery service, allowing for longer distance package transport. This marks a significant step forward in redefining how goods are delivered.

Aerodome’s Rapid Response Drones

Aerodome is innovating in the drone industry with models designed for quick response times. These drones are proving to be invaluable across various applications, from emergency services to logistical support.

Career Opportunities in Robotics

The robotics sector continues to grow, with several companies actively seeking new talent. For those passionate about robotics and looking for a dynamic work environment, now is an exciting time to explore career opportunities.

Robotic Limbs in Space Exploration

Addressing the unique challenges of space travel, new robotic limbs are being developed to assist astronauts. These limbs are designed to help astronauts recover from falls, improving mobility and safety in zero gravity environments.

That's all for now! Stay tuned for more exciting updates next week. Keep innovating, and remember, the future is now! ????

Stay curious, stay inspired,

~ Vinoth George C

Together, we're not just witnessing the future; we're creating it. Stay tuned for more insights and stories in our next edition! ?????