Fri. 01/03 – Turns Out, Siri WAS Listening To You!

Jan 3, 2025 17m

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Apple pays a fine cause Siri was listening in on what you said. Strava does a tie-in with Apple Fitness+. Net Neutrality is dead again, and it looks like for good this time. The nuclear winter in the VC space, CES is coming for us all, and a Weekend Longreads Suggestion.

Links:

Apple to pay $95 million to settle Siri privacy lawsuit (Reuters)
Apple Fitness Plus and Strava are collaborating with a new integration (The Verge)
US appeals court blocks Biden administration effort to restore net-neutrality rules (Reuters)
AI-generated phishing scams target corporate executives (Financial Times)
Number of US venture capital firms falls as cash flows to tech’s top investors (Financial Times)
Asus, Samsung, and MSI announce world’s first 27-inch 4K OLED 240Hz monitors (The Verge)

Weekend Longreads Suggestion:

AI Needs So Much Power, It’s Making Yours Worse (Bloomberg)

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AI-Generated Summary

Apple's Siri Privacy Settlement

In a significant legal outcome, Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a lawsuit regarding Siri, which allegedly recorded private conversations without proper consent. The lawsuit claims that Siri was activated unintentionally, leading to unauthorized recordings that were then shared with third parties. Despite the settlement, Apple denied any wrongdoing, and class members could potentially receive up to $20 each for Siri-enabled devices as part of the class action.

Strava Teams Up with Apple Fitness+

Strava has announced a partnership with Apple Fitness+ to enhance their integration. Strava subscribers can redeem three months of Apple Fitness+ at no cost, significantly improving the user experience by allowing access to detailed workout summaries and appearances of popular Strava athletes in Fitness+ classes. This collaboration comes at a time when Strava faced criticism from users regarding changes to their API terms, potentially offsetting some of the dissatisfaction.

The Demise of Net Neutrality

A US appeals court has ruled that the FCC lacks legal authority to reinstate net neutrality rules, indicating a permanent setback for proponents of an open internet. This ruling follows the FCC chair's prior vote against net neutrality reinstatement, emphasizing a shift away from federal regulation of internet service providers. The implications of this decision may curtail consumer protections and lead to a more fragmented internet landscape.

AI-Powered Phishing Scams on the Rise

Phishing scams targeting corporate executives have become increasingly sophisticated, attributed largely to advancements in AI technology. These scams utilize personal data scraped from social profiles, making them hyper-personalized and harder to detect. Experts highlight that AI has lowered barriers for cybercriminals, leading to tailored attacks that could threaten organizational security.

Venture Capital Landscape Changes

The venture capital landscape is experiencing a dramatic contraction, with over 2,000 firms ceasing operations since 2021. A few mega-firms now dominate the VC space, raising over half the capital allocated in 2024, while smaller firms struggle to secure funding. This consolidation highlights a shift in the dynamics of startup funding, with fewer players making it harder for new startups to gain access to necessary capital.

CES 2025: New Monitor Announcements

In anticipation of CES 2025, major tech companies ASUS, Samsung, and MSI have introduced the first-ever 27-inch QD OLED gaming monitors featuring 4K resolution at 240Hz. These monitors promise better performance for gamers, although details on pricing and release dates remain sparse. This announcement showcases growing competition in the gaming monitor market, hinting at exciting advancements showcased at CES.

Weekend Long-Read Suggestion

For the weekend, Brian recommends a thought-provoking article from Bloomberg about the potential dangers of living too close to data centers, discussing how power surges from these facilities could affect home appliances. With many households located near data centers, the implications of this phenomenon could pose risks that need public attention.