A Hands on Look at Apple Watch 10!

Hard to believe but Apple watch now has 10 versions since it was created - so what did Apple change and improve for the big milestone? A few things, some good, some probably unnecessary...

Video Courtesy of MacRumors

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TechNewsCITY's Christmas Holiday 2024 Gift Picks - 3 Items For The Tech Lovers You Love...

Finding the perfect tech gift can be a challenge, especially with so many options and a wide range of needs to consider. Whether you’re shopping for a budget-conscious gadget lover, a fitness enthusiast who thrives on staying active, or a young techie eager to explore, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ve curated standout picks that balance affordability, functionality, and fun, ensuring there’s something special for everyone on your list.

From budget-friendly innovations to kid-friendly devices and gear for the on-the-go adventurer, these tech gifts are sure to make this Christmas unforgettable.

Note; these are NOT sponsored items, and we do not receive any commission from the links - just genuine recommendations!

Wyze Cam v4 – Most Budget-Friendly...

Budget tight? Want someone to think you spent more on them than you really did? Then check out the The Wyze Cam v4. It's packed with features aimed at enhancing home security from 2K HD video to motion-activated spotlights and Wi-Fi 6 support. For the price, the camera's resolution and Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) produce impressively vibrant images in daylight, though color night vision tends to be less consistent, sometimes appearing murky.

Setup is quick thanks to Bluetooth and screw-free mounting, which eliminates the usual QR code hassles. However, being a wired camera limits placement options. The spotlight and siren offer basic deterrent features, though the siren lacks the punch to induce panic in an intruder, it's enough to startle them and hopefully do the trick.

Audio is improved with an upgraded mic and amplifier, making two-way talk clearer, though still not perfect in noisy environments. Users can enjoy smart home integration with Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT, though the camera feels most seamless within the Wyze ecosystem.

While Wyze Cam v4’s combination of affordability, connectivity, and storage options (up to 512GB locally or cloud storage) make it a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers, its limitations in low-light performance and audio clarity may leave some users wanting more.

But there's no question, what you get for the price is truly amazing - as these are going on Amazon currently for UNDER $25. 

TRI PRO / TRI 2 Multi-Sport Headphones - Best Gift for Active People...

The TRI headphone series from H2O Audio bring a robust waterproof design to the table, boasting an IPX8 rating that allows them to be submerged up to 12 feet—ideal for swimmers, surfers, and snorkelers. Bone conduction technology provides reliable audio clarity both in and out of the water, though the sound quality underwater may still require the included earplugs for an optimal experience.

These headphones are crafted to withstand intense activities, from swimming to cycling, with  8GB of storage, letting users store plenty of music for extended workouts. Playlist+ technology is a standout feature, allowing users to record and replay live-streamed audio - the reason behind this Bluetooth signals do not transmit well in the water, no device can get around that, but you may forget this with these on.

The thing that surprised me the most has to be the battery life - as soon as you turn it on a voice tells you the charge level, and I probably used them 6 or 7 times before it warned me it was 'low', I'm seeing people getting anywhere from 5hrs to 9hrs of playtime in buyer reviews.

Their one-year "Go Beyond" warranty, extendable to two years, adds peace of mind to an already well-rounded sports headphone option.

While they are available from Amazon we found the best prices directly on the company's website.

Amazon Fire Kids Tablet – For Kids Under-12s

The Amazon Fire Kids Tablet is designed specifically with younger users in mind, offering robust parental controls and pre-installed filters to ensure a safe browsing experience for kids aged 12 and under. The tablet includes a kid-friendly interface that makes it easy to navigate while limiting access to age-inappropriate content, giving parents peace of mind.

Performance-wise, the tablet runs smoothly for basic activities like streaming videos, playing games, or using educational apps. However, it’s not built for heavy multitasking, and older kids might find the hardware sluggish for more demanding apps. Battery life is decent, lasting around 7–10 hours depending on usage, making it a solid companion for road trips or study sessions.

One standout feature is the included one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, granting access to a wealth of age-appropriate books, games, videos, and educational content. Parents can customize time limits and app permissions to tailor the device to their child’s needs. The sturdy case and two-year worry-free guarantee make this tablet a durable choice for younger kids prone to accidental drops.

While it’s a great starter device, its limitations in speed and screen resolution might feel restrictive as kids grow older. Still, for younger users, the Fire Kids Tablet strikes an excellent balance between safety, entertainment, and educational value.

Amazon recently just dropped the price by a massive 56% so it's currently just $79 on Amazon.

Happy Holidays from Tech News City!

No matter who you’re shopping for, the right tech gift can bring a little extra excitement to the holiday season. From practical and budget-friendly choices to devices tailored for active lifestyles and kid-friendly favorites, these picks are sure to impress without the stress. As you wrap up your holiday shopping, remember it’s not just about the gadgets—it’s about the joy and memories they create. Happy gifting, and here’s to a tech-filled Christmas!


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Author: Trevor Kingsley
Tech News CITY // New York Newsroom

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Why is Mark Zuckerberg's Hawaii Home a Fully Functional DOOMSDAY BUNKER?!

 

Mark Zuckerberg is constructing a $397 million compound in Hawaii that seems to be more than a family home. With blast-proof doors, an enormous underground bunker, and fortress-like security, the extravagant compound seems seems to be ready for a lot more than vacations.

There’s nothing subtle about Silicon Valley billionaire Zuckerberg’s efforts to transform over 500 hectares of pristine Kauai coastline into a secluded doomsday retreat for his family.

Critics contend Zuckerberg has overridden ancient indigenous property rights and indulged an extreme passion for privacy that seems hypocritical coming from someone who earned their fortune monetizing people’s personal information.  

The sprawling compound will include two large mansions, over a dozen guesthouses, and more than 30 bedrooms and bathrooms.

The two main mansions have a combined floor area approaching the size of an American football field.

Other highlights are a full gym, tennis court, pools, and an elaborate underground bunker with living space, a mechanical room, and an emergency escape hatch. The bunker door is built to military-grade anti-blast specifications. 

Security is unparalleled, with a vast camera network and keypad-operated interior doors. Some doors are even disguised as walls. The compound will be entirely self-sufficient with its own water storage, solar power, and agricultural production.

But Zuckerberg’s intense secrecy around the project has angered locals. Workers must sign strict non-disclosure agreements, a long rock wall blocks coastal views, and guards monitor the beach below. Some feel the once-pristine shore now resembles a “prison camp.”

While other celebrities own discreet Kauai homes, Zuckerberg’s compound is viewed as an invasive colonization of sacred land where private property rights didn't exist until the mid-1800s. 

After buying the initial 283-hectare estate, Zuckerberg sued hundreds of native Hawaiians who potentially had ancestral claims on sections of the land. He insisted this was to pay them fairly, but locals saw it as highly confrontational.

Though Zuckerberg later dropped the lawsuits, he's still accused of improperly pressuring land sales. His donations to local causes are seen as buying goodwill after Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal.

For tech billionaires like Elon Musk and Larry Ellison, the isolation of Hawaii makes it the ultimate apocalypse hideaway. That’s likely why Zuckerberg wants to “plant roots” there. But his extreme compound has ruined the island paradise that initially drew him in.

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Author: Alex Benningram
Tech News CITY // New York Newsroom

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THE EDGE: Stem Cells from Foreskin of Circumcised Baby Penis' used to Grow 'Mini-Brains' able to Process Data and Run AI, Faster - While Consuming Almost NO ENERGY...

Welcome to THE EDGE, a series that focuses on the edge of technology. This series will not be about obscure, small advances in technology—our goal is to be where you will first hear about something that everyone will be talking about in the next few years. This is where you'll discover tech with the ability to transform and shape our future, and follow its development from its earliest phases.

Personally, as someone who's been interested in the evolution of technology for as long as I can remember, I feel the next wave of technology comes with a risk factor we haven't seen before.

AI brings with it the disruption of human-to-human interaction, whether it be professionally, as it replaces co-workers or entire departments in the workforce, or in the still little-explored but very real issue of AI replacing intimate personal relationships. Virtual reality opens the doors to everything from entertainment reaching new levels of immersion to face-to-face interactions, meetings, and even family gatherings, regardless of the miles separating people. But it also comes with the very real risk of people choosing virtual worlds over real life, replacing themselves with an avatar based on their idealized version of themselves. It can feel real enough that it's easy to ignore the fact that the only interactions in this virtual world are between façades.

The source of the most dangerous technology has remained the same for most of human history, probably because it has always had the largest budget—and that is military technology. Even here, advances introduce entirely new levels of danger, where the atom bomb has become just one of several weapons that could end mankind.

But I chose the topic for this first issue for several reasons: the ability of this technology to have major implications on all the other technologies I've mentioned, the pace at which it is progressing, and the very real concerns that come with it. However, my primary reason for choosing this topic is that while people are familiar with the general concept, outside of the labs where its development is taking place, people seem completely unaware of just how deep scientists are into this uncharted territory.

I’m talking about where life meets machine—the point where the lines between the biological and the artificial are not just blurred, they’re rapidly becoming entirely erased.

Human Stem Cells Used to Create Lab-Grown Brain Tissue, Now Being Used for Organoid Intelligence (OI)...

The human brain can rapidly process massive amounts of data, and brain cells also require less energy to do the work. It turns out when these cells are given data, they return data as well.  This has scientists now working towards a new kind of computer processor, one powered by the neurons we have in our brains instead of silicon. 

Lab-Grown Brains:
The stem cells can come from a number of sources, one popular source for researchers are the previously-discarded foreskin from circumcised infants. These cells can can basically be re-programmed to become stem cells.  Stem cells can be thought of as a human cell that hasn't yet been told what it should become, it can turn into tissue, skin, organs, bone - this is when OI researchers are able guide these cells to become neurons, by putting them in a culture dish with already formed neurons, the neurons secrete molecules that (for lack of better words) tricks the stem cell in to thinking it is supposed to help grow a human brain. Done repeatedly, and eventually you have a lab grown brain.

This image shows a lab-grown mini brain created by Cortical Labs, which learned to play the video game 'pong'. 

Organoid Intelligence represents a new frontier, utilizing lab-grown brain organoids in order to accomplish some sort of computational task. While artificial intelligence today depends on silicon chips and machine-learning algorithms, OI would exploit inherent biological neuron capabilities for information processing and storage. The idea is that self-organizing, adaptive brain-like structures might be far more powerful and flexible for computer systems today, even opening new routes for information processing and cognitive studies.

Controversy
The largest concern with Organoid Intelligence is the eventuality of such brain organoids becoming conscious or sentient. Currently, scientists agree that so far, the  organoids used in research are too simple to become conscious. 

However, as these systems become more complex, and lab grown 'mini-brains' are no longer 'mini' - these artificially constructed brains could develop the the capacity to feel or, worse, think. 

This Tech is Classified as 'Wetware'...

Wetware is our human 'hardware' - the parts of human biology able to process data, such as the brain and central nervous system.  Wetware, in more advanced contexts, embraces also engineered or synthetic biological constructs merging the natural, real capabilities of the brain with advanced technology.

Controversy
Wetware falls into that gray area between biology and technology, begging questions of autonomy, human identity, and the ethics involved in manipulating living systems for technological ends. Some critics see it as the commodification of life or reducing human beings to mere components of larger machine-driven systems. The most heated debates will continue to revolve around privacy and control—are these systems vulnerable to being hacked or manipulated? What might happen when biological and digital components have become so intertwined as to be inseparable?

What's Next?

Wetware systems are here, and just weeks ago, became accessible to people outside of research labs when a Swiss company announced the world's first 'neuroplatform' where a 4-Organoid biocomputer can be accessed for a $500/month fee. 

Now that it's here, the future of wetware is about increasing its capabilities, by growing larger networks of lab-grown neutrons. The successive stages of development into brain-computer interfaces will be advanced neuroprosthetics, neural interfaces that WOULD enable real-time interaction between the activity of a brain and machine learning algorithms. Among other things, this might have serious implications from both the medical and enhancement ends, pushing us toward a world where thoughts can directly control computers—and conceivably vice versa.

Neural Dust: Tiny Sensors Inside Your Brain

Neural Dust is formed from micro-sized, wirelessly powered sensors that can be implanted in the human body and, more particularly, inside the brain, for the perception and manipulation of neural activity. These speck-of-dust-sized particles operate on the power provided by external ultrasound to send information about real-time brain activity to the outside world. Some of the other potential uses of Neural Dust include the treatment of various neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, and deeper brain-computer interfacing that could enable people to control machines with their minds.

Controversy
The very notion of dust-sized sensors nestled inside our bodies or brains conjures up certain immediate implications of privacy and self-governance. That such sensors may, in fact, be capable of monitoring brain activity and maybe even altering it opens up a Pandora's box of ethical considerations: who does the information belong to, and what are the safeguards against misuse or surveillance? In theory, Neural Dust might allow for highly invasive monitoring; it could be a tool for government overreach or corporate exploitation. There are also medical risks since the long-term effects of having foreign objects implanted in the body—let alone the brain—are not yet fully understood.

What's Next?
But despite these cautions, researchers forge ahead. The next generation of Neural Dust sensors will be even smaller and could, in theory, be used to monitor individual neurons and directly respond with artificial intelligence. Applications could range from advanced medical treatments to human augmentation and more: the direct integration of the brain with the machinery around it. At every single step, there will be the need to discuss exhaustively privacy, consent, safety, and security.

In Closing...

Organoid Intelligence, Wetware, and Neural Dust are only the very cutting edges of technologies where biology and computing meet. While such technologies have the power to disrupt businesses, from medicine to artificial intelligence, by providing never-before-imagined capabilities, they also face us with a completely new world of ethical dilemmas and beg questions about our stance toward technology, biology, and our perceived sense of self.

The crazy thing is, this still barely scratches the surface. But the goal isn’t to cover everything there is to know, but instead to cover what you need to know to stay informed, aware, and ready for how emerging new technologies can shape our world - and our lives.

Stay tuned for more as we continue to explore the edge of innovation.

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Author: Ross Davis
Silicon Valley Newsroom

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United Nations Warns About the Potential for Inequity with AI by Not Having an All-encompassing Global Strategy...

In little more than a decade, AI has emerged as one of the most disruptive technologies of our times-machines can now learn from big data, and thereby enable computers to perform tasks that hitherto have been the exclusive domain of humans. From furthering scientific research to solving sustainability issues worldwide, the possibilities seem endless with AI. However, the UN is sounding the alarm over the risk this technology will pose, especially in potentially creating a wide disparity gap between various parts of the world if left unmanaged.

A Double-Edged Sword

The UN speaks to the tremendous promise of AI in its recent report entitled Governing AI for Humanity. It points out that AI is actually enabling progress in scientific discovery, medicine, and sustainability much faster than ever imagined. Basically, the AI-driven systems do help analyze climate data, enhance resource management, and help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

In this way, AI is positioned as a driving component in solving some of the current world problems, from eradicating poverty to mitigating climate change.

The UN, however, warns that minus a global strategy that oversees and regulates AI, the technology could exacerbate inequalities. Wealthy nations and corporations that have resources to develop and deploy AI on a large scale will have the monopoly of benefits accruing from the technology, while underdeveloped regions become left behind, unable to access or employ AI tools that could better their economies, health, and educational sectors.

Disinformation, Automated Weapons, and Climate Risks

The UN is also not much concerned with it, seeing how AI will cause an economic imbalance. Besides that, there's a different warning of the dark side of its capabilities, with the possibility that it could spread disinformation, fuel conflict, and exacerbate climate change.

Unfortunately, AI can be a game-changing device in manipulating algorithms to generate and amplify disinformation on social media, directly swaying public opinions and undermining societies. Considering the already alarming prevalence of fake news and misinformation online, this prospect is definitely distressing. If it fell into the wrong hands, this might be used to disrupt democratic processes and human trust within a society, leading to further fragmentation.

Another alarming aspect of AI development is that, within the process of automating weapons, it emerges as a global security concern. Employing autonomous flying drones and other AI-powered weapons systems primarily opens up ethical concerns about warfare, but also the possibility of unintended consequences arising in conflict zones.

Moreover, large-scale AI systems demand great energy for operation and in turn pose an imminent environmental threat. Their training requires huge computational resources that most of the time lead to increased carbon emissions. Now, if not managed properly, the tool expected to fight against climate change would be further accelerating the process-a Catch-22 problem that the global community needs to solve extremely urgently.

The Imperative for a Global AI Strategy

With full realization that AI is capable of solving and creating problems, the UN, therefore, entreats international cooperation in the governance of the making and deployment of AI technologies. What is being demanded is a holistic global approach to ensure benefits accruing from AI are shared equitably and the risks mitigated. This ranges from setting ethical standards and developing transparent regulatory frameworks to fostering cooperation among nations to bridge the digital divide. There is little question that AI holds much promise, but all things considered, its perils are real. In the assessment from the UN, only through a joined approach globally can humans make certain that AI proves to be a tool for placements of progress for one and for all, rather than a driver of inequality.


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Author: Trevor Kingsley
Tech News CITY // New York Newsroom

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Google Docs Faces TWO New Challengers, as both Proton and Zoom Launch Competing, Free-To-Use Alternatives...

Google Docs' long-standing dominance in the collaborative document editing space is facing new challenges. Over the past two months, two major players have entered the arena, potentially reshaping the landscape of online document creation and editing.

Last month, Proton, best known for its privacy-focused email and VPN services, unveiled its 'Docs' feature.

This new offering places a strong emphasis on user privacy, boasting end-to-end encryption for all aspects of document editing. According to Proton, "Docs in Proton Drive are built on the same privacy and security principles as all our services... Best of all, it's all private — even keystrokes and cursor movements are encrypted." This level of security could be a game-changer for privacy-conscious users and organizations.

Following closely on Proton's heels, Zoom has now launched its own document editing solution.

This move appears to be part of Zoom's strategy to expand beyond video conferencing and create a more comprehensive workspace platform. The company is leveraging its existing user base, arguing that keeping all work-related activities within a single ecosystem can boost productivity. Zoom claims that users can save up to two hours per week by "limiting workflow distractions," presumably by reducing the need to switch between different applications.

Zoom's offering comes with a tiered pricing model. Free account holders can access basic features but are limited to sharing up to 10 documents simultaneously. Paid plans, starting at $14.99 per month, remove this limitation and include access to an AI writing assistant, adding an extra layer of functionality that could appeal to power users.

The key question now is whether these new entrants can make a significant dent in Google Docs' user base. While there hasn't been any major controversy surrounding Google Docs to drive users away, there is a growing trend of individuals and businesses seeking alternatives to Google's ecosystem. This sentiment extends beyond just document editing, with Google facing increased competition in its core search business as well.

However, it remains to be seen whether the market segment looking for Google alternatives is substantial enough to propel these new competitors to success. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Proton and Zoom can carve out significant market share in this space.

As these new platforms evolve and user adoption patterns emerge, we'll be keeping a close eye on how this competition unfolds. It's an exciting time in the world of collaborative document editing, and the implications could extend far beyond just how we create and edit documents online.

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Author: Stephen Hannan
New York Newsroom

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iPhone 16 Details Leak: Are MAJOR Upgrades Coming to the New Model?

Some details on the iPhone 16 have leaked, and they have many calling this the biggest upgrade Apple has made to the iPhone in years - so, what's new?

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OpenAI Finds itself in Multiple Controversies... Again. Plus Other Big AI News This Week....

 

The world of artificial intelligence continues to evolve rapidly, with new developments emerging across various domains. Here's a roundup of the latest AI news:

AI Image Generation Reaches New Heights

Recent advancements in AI-generated images have been remarkable, with models like Flux producing incredibly realistic human portraits. While some minor imperfections remain, such as gibberish text on lanyards or slightly off microphone renderings, the overall quality is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish from real photographs.

OpenAI Continues to Find itself in Controversies, and other OpenAI News...

Open AI, one of the leading AI research companies, has been at the center of several developments and controversies:

Cryptic "Strawberry" References: CEO Sam Altman posted an image of strawberries, fueling speculation about a rumored advanced AI model codenamed "Strawberry."

Leadership Changes: Co-founder John Sheu left to join Anthropic, while Greg Brockman announced an extended sabbatical.

New Board Member: Ziko Kolter, an AI safety and alignment expert, joined Open AI's board.

GPT-4.0 System Card: Open AI released a detailed report on safety measures for GPT-4.0.

Emotional Attachment Warning: The company cautioned about potential user emotional reliance on AI voice modes.

Structured Outputs API: A new feature for developers was introduced to improve data handling.

AI Text Detection Tool: Open AI developed but chose not to release a tool for identifying AI-generated text.

Legal Challenges: Elon Musk filed a new lawsuit against Open AI, while a YouTuber initiated a class action suit over alleged copyright infringement.

Anthropic's Bug Bounty Program

Anthropic launched a bug bounty program offering up to $115,000 for discovering novel jailbreak attacks on their AI models.

AI in Job Searches

HubSpot released a toolkit designed to help job seekers leverage AI in their search for employment opportunities.

Character AI Partners with Google

Character AI's co-founders are joining Google, with the company's CEO returning to his former employer to work on AI models at DeepMind.

Advancements in AI for Math and Video

Qwen-2-Math: A new large language model fine-tuned for mathematical tasks outperforms existing models in benchmark testing.

ByteDance's Jimang AI: TikTok's parent company debuted a new AI video generation model, though its capabilities compared to Open AI's Sora remain unclear.

Runway ML Updates: Runway introduced a new feature allowing users to specify ending frames in AI-generated videos.

Opus Clip Enhancements: The AI-powered video clipping tool added new capabilities for identifying specific content within videos.

Other AI Integrations and Developments

WordPress AI Writing Tool: Automatic launched an AI tool to improve blog readability.

Amazon Music and Audible AI Features: Both platforms are testing AI-powered content discovery features.

Reddit AI Search: The platform is testing AI-generated summaries for search results.

Google's AI-Powered TV Streamer: A new device leveraging Gemini AI for content curation is in development.

AI in Drive-Throughs: Wendy's is testing AI-powered ordering systems with improved accuracy.

Robotics Advancements: Google DeepMind showcased a table tennis-playing robot, while Nvidia demonstrated AR-controlled robotics using Apple Vision Pro.

New Humanoid Robot: Figure Robotics unveiled the Figure 02, a new humanoid robot being tested on BMW production lines.

As AI technology continues to advance, we can expect to see more innovations and integrations across various industries in the coming months, and you'll hear about them here as soon as it happens!

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Author: Trevor Kingsley
Tech News CITY // New York Newsroom

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