Generated by All in One SEO v4.9.6.2, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Alternative Network Solutions Managed Services IT company providing quality solutions to the greater Pittsburgh area ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://ans-pa.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Posts](https://ans-pa.com/posts/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title meta=”off” admin_label=”Title Banner” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”gcid-22f20126-7927-4d25-b019-0d5b6341f93e” title_font_size=”45px” background_color=”gcid-6568779f-78d6-4ee9-be56-c10a416a30fb” custom_padding=”||25px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ title_text_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-22f20126-7927-4d25-b019-0d5b6341f93e%22:%91%22title_text_color%22%93,%22gcid-6568779f-78d6-4ee9-be56-c10a416a30fb%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_blog _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” include_categories=”all” show_author=”off” show_date=”off” fullwidth=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_blog][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section] - [Kill meetings (before meetings kill your company)](https://ans-pa.com/kill-meetings-before-meetings-kill-your-company/) - Meetings have been problematic for decades. They’re often used as a catch-all solution to unresolved problems. And a chronic lack of meeting discipline means that, for all the time spent getting people together, little is accomplished.Now, in a post-pandemic remote work world, where hybrid work and flex work are common, meetings are turning into something - [McDonald's serves up a master class in how not to explain a system outage](https://ans-pa.com/mcdonalds-serves-up-a-master-class-in-how-not-to-explain-a-system-outage/) - The global outage that last month prevented McDonald's from accepting payments prompted the company to release a lengthy statement that should serve as a master class in how not to report an IT problem. It was vague, misleading and yet the company used language that still allowed many of the technical details to be figured out. (You - [Report: Scale cuts off subsidiary’s remote workers in several countries](https://ans-pa.com/report-scale-cuts-off-subsidiarys-remote-workers-in-several-countries/) - Scale AI, the data processing company that advertises itself as a way to train generative AI on higher-quality information, has apparently shut down access to its platform in several countries, leaving gig workers in the lurch.The company, which does much of its data processing through a subsidiary called Remotasks, cut access to its portal for - [Apple will continue to enhance its DMA compliance](https://ans-pa.com/apple-will-continue-to-enhance-its-dma-compliance/) - With WWDC 2024 now set, Apple continues to work on bringing itself more in line with US government demands. What we don’t know yet is the extent to which these changes will be restricted to the EU, or whether Apple intends to make them available worldwide in an attempt to quell regulatory zeal.To read this article - [AI is on a fast track, but hype and immaturity could derail it](https://ans-pa.com/ai-is-on-a-fast-track-but-hype-and-immaturity-could-derail-it/) - The marketing hype surrounding AI broadly — and generative AI (genAI) more specifically — is becoming tiresome. You can't open an article or watch a news video without running into at least a reference to it. We may be approaching the point at which we stop breathlessly extolling its virtues (and dreading some of its - [Why even hybrid RTO mandates are hurting overall job satisfaction](https://ans-pa.com/why-even-hybrid-rto-mandates-are-hurting-overall-job-satisfaction/) - Though most companies have settled on return-to-office (RTO) policies now that COVID-19 is no longer considered a global health emergency, many continue to adjust their practices, often to the detriment of their workforce.Several workforce surveys over the past three months have revealed that employees do not view mandated RTO policies favorably, even when hybrid, because - [Microsoft’s Copilot AI set to operate locally on future PCs, says Intel](https://ans-pa.com/microsofts-copilot-ai-set-to-operate-locally-on-future-pcs-says-intel/) - Microsoft’s Copilot AI could soon run locally on PCs rather than relying on the cloud.Intel told Tom’s Hardware that the chatbot could run on future AI-enabled PCs that would need to incorporate neural processing units (NPUs) capable of exceeding 40 trillion operations per second (TOPS) — a performance level not yet matched by any consumer - [If you get an unexpected call from Apple Support, you’re being hacked](https://ans-pa.com/if-you-get-an-unexpected-call-from-apple-support-youre-being-hacked/) - Have you ever had an unexpected direct phone call from Apple support? I have not, and if you do ever receive one, you probably aren’t talking to Apple. The company says you should immediately hang up.“If you get an unsolicited or suspicious phone call from someone claiming to be from Apple or Apple Support, just - [Amazon invests $2.75 billion more in Open AI-rival Anthropic](https://ans-pa.com/amazon-invests-2-75-billion-more-in-open-ai-rival-anthropic/) - Amazon has announced it is investing $2.75 billion in OpenAI-rival Anthropic, bringing its total investment in the AI startup to $4 billion, as initially announced. In September last year, Amazon had invested an initial tranche of $1.25 billion.As part of this partnership, Anthropic will use Amazon Web Services (AWS) as its main cloud provider for - [Amazon invests $2.75 billion more in OpenAI rival Anthropic](https://ans-pa.com/amazon-invests-2-75-billion-more-in-openai-rival-anthropic/) - Amazon has announced it is investing $2.75 billion in OpenAI rival Anthropic, bringing its total investment in the AI startup to $4 billion, as initially announced. In September last year, Amazon had invested an initial tranche of $1.25 billion.As part of this partnership, Anthropic will use Amazon Web Services (AWS) as its main cloud provider - [Software vendors dump open source, go for the cash grab](https://ans-pa.com/software-vendors-dump-open-source-go-for-the-cash-grab/) - Essentially, all software is built using open source. By Synopsys' count, 96% of all codebases contain open-source software.Lately, though, there's been a very disturbing trend. A company will make its program using open source, make millions from it, and then — and only then — switch licenses, leaving their contributors, customers, and partners in the - [WWDC 2024: Yes, we live in interesting times](https://ans-pa.com/wwdc-2024-yes-we-live-in-interesting-times/) - Apple has a lot to prove at WWDC 2024. Not only must it fend off the negative attention it has been picking up from regulators, but it must also galvanize loyal developers and disabuse the industry perception that it has fallen behind on AI.To read this article in full, please click here - [Will a Google-Apple deal kill Microsoft’s AI dominance?](https://ans-pa.com/will-a-google-apple-deal-kill-microsofts-ai-dominance/) - Microsoft is sitting on top of the world right now, thanks to its lead in AI. It’s the most valuable company on the planet, with a valuation of more than $3.2 trillion. Its rise was rocket-fueled by its investor relationship with OpenAI, the company that makes the wildly popular generative AI (genAI) chatbot ChatGPT. OpenAI’s - [16 handy hidden tricks for Google Maps on Android](https://ans-pa.com/16-handy-hidden-tricks-for-google-maps-on-android/) - Who doesn't love Google Maps? The Maps Android app helps those of us with oatmeal for brains find our way anywhere, without having to fire any neurons or exercise any synapses. It even helps us find places to pick up tasty cuisine — like, uh, oatmeal (yum!).But there's much more to Google Maps than meets - [Windows is under new management after Microsoft AI reshuffle](https://ans-pa.com/windows-is-under-new-management-after-microsoft-ai-reshuffle/) - Microsoft is reuniting management of its Windows operating system and its Surface devices, as the leader of its Windows and Web Experiences team has quit his current role and may leave the company.The move is one of the repercussions of Microsoft’s appointment of a former Google artificial intelligence (AI) leader to run its new AI - [Apple uses AI to boost recycling efforts, Tim Cook confirms](https://ans-pa.com/apple-uses-ai-to-boost-recycling-efforts-tim-cook-confirms/) - The challenge to build a more sustainable enterprise is high on the business agenda these days, in part to meet government-mandated climate goals, in part because consumers demand it, and — perhaps — simply because turning a business into a sustainable business is the right thing to do.Businesses are taking a multitude of approaches to - [Q&A: Udemy online education exec on tech layoffs and skills needs](https://ans-pa.com/qa-udemy-online-education-exec-on-tech-layoffs-and-skills-needs/) - With companies shifting gears when it comes to the skills they want in new hires and current employees, online education providers are quickly compiling lists of generative AI (genAI) courses to meet demand.While there are still more tech job openings than tech workers available to fill them, job-seeking technologists need to tweak their industry knowledge - [Europe will investigate Apple’s compliance with DMA](https://ans-pa.com/europe-will-investigate-apples-compliance-with-dma/) - Perhaps seeking to grab the limelight from the Department of Justice’s ludicrously articulated antitrust suit against Apple, the European Commission this morning confirmed it will investigate the company, along with Google, Amazon, and Meta, for noncompliance with the Digital Markets Act.“The Commission suspects that the measures put in place by these gatekeepers fall short of - [Most in-demand skills for 2024 — hint, genAI is at the top](https://ans-pa.com/most-in-demand-skills-for-2024-hint-genai-is-at-the-top/) - The adoption of generative artificial intelligence (genAI) has shuffled the list of top skills businesses want from professionals in 2024, according to a new job site study and education industry data.Far from replacing workers, genAI appears poised to transform the way technologists and others work, allowing them to focus more on creative tasks such as - [Experts see 'no merit' to DOJ antitrust fight with Apple](https://ans-pa.com/experts-see-no-merit-to-doj-antitrust-fight-with-apple/) - “I’m telling you there is no merit to this case,” said Mad Money host Jim Cramer in reaction to the Justice Department’s antitrust lawsuit against Apple. Justice officials announced the lawsuit Thursday.Cramer's reaction reflects the opinion of most industry observers who see the weaknesses of the allegations it contains.Apple is facing regulatory action across the world. The - [A hidden new twist to a top Android Chrome trick](https://ans-pa.com/a-hidden-new-twist-to-a-top-android-chrome-trick/) - Hey. You. Yes, you — the one there with the moist eyeballs, staring at this suspiciously smudgy screen.I want to let you in on a little secret. It's technically a two-part secret, as the first part is something incredibly useful that hardly anyone realizes is possible — and the second part is a completely new - [Microsoft integrates its Copilot chatbot across entire product line](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-integrates-its-copilot-chatbot-across-entire-product-line/) - At a digital event for commercial customers and partners, Microsoft on Thursday announced a flurry of generative AI (genAI) updates, including the addition of Copilot throughout its entire product line and new Surface laptops optimized to use AI tools.To read this article in full, please click here - [Microsoft integrates its Copilot chatbot on new devices](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-integrates-its-copilot-chatbot-on-new-devices/) - At a digital event for commercial customers and partners, Microsoft on Thursday announced generative AI (genAI) updates, including the addition of Copilot through its new Surface laptops optimized to use AI tools.To read this article in full, please click here - [DOJ sues Apple for monopolizing smartphone market](https://ans-pa.com/doj-sues-apple-for-monopolizing-smartphone-market/) - The US Department of Justice (DOJ) and 16 state Attorneys General have filed a sweeping antitrust lawsuit against Apple and its business practices involving the iPhone. Announced during news conference in Washington, D.C. today, the 88-page lawsuit drew quick fire from Apple, which said it “threatens who we are.” The company vowed to “vigorously defend’ itself against - [The best note-taking apps for Android](https://ans-pa.com/the-best-note-taking-apps-for-android/) - Taking notes is serious business, and having the right note-taking app for your Android device can make a world of difference in your ability to stay organized. That's because a good note-taking app doesn't just help you take notes; it also makes it easy to find what you've saved later, regardless of where you are - [The best ways to run Android apps on a Windows PC](https://ans-pa.com/the-best-ways-to-run-android-apps-on-a-windows-pc/) - Though Microsoft removed Android app support from Windows 11, there are still ways to run Android apps on your PC if you want. Here are the best ways to do so, whether you’re using Windows 10 or Windows 11.What happened to the Windows Subsystem for Android? When Microsoft unveiled Windows 11, one of its big - [The future of work looks like sci-fi](https://ans-pa.com/the-future-of-work-looks-like-sci-fi/) - The “Augmented Connected Workforce” is one of Gartner's Top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2024.Which raises the question: “Wait, what?”The Augmented Connected Workforce (ACWF) is a concept or a paradigm where advanced technologies are used to give employees what essentially amount to super powers. Specifically, the idea envisions integrating workers with Augmented Reality (AR) glasses, AI - [Microsoft hires ex-DeepMind co-founder to lead Copilot AI initiatives](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-hires-ex-deepmind-co-founder-to-lead-copilot-ai-initiatives/) - Microsoft on Tuesday announced the hiring of Mustafa Suleyman, a former co-founder of DeepMind, the AI startup acquired by Google in 2014. Suleyman will assume the role of executive vice president and CEO of Microsoft AI, directly reporting to CEO Satya Nadella.During Suleyman’s time at Google, DeepMind established itself as a frontrunner in AI research; - [Which genAI chatbots are the most popular now?](https://ans-pa.com/which-genai-chatbots-are-the-most-popular-now/) - Chatbots, those AI-infused assistants that can be used by enterprises for any number of time-saving and productivity-increasing tasks, are some of the lowest hanging fruit in any organization’s quest to adopt generative artificial intelligence (genAI).Beginning with OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November 2022, chatbots have been increasingly adopted to automate various business processes and assist employees in - [Why is Apple so focused on vision AI?](https://ans-pa.com/why-is-apple-so-focused-on-vision-ai/) - From its Darwin AI acquisition to recent reports claiming Apple might work with Google and others to support a wider array of generative AI (genAI) tools than it plans to introduce, it’s pretty clear the company has chosen to be focused in where it creates its own AI technologies.To read this article in full, please click here - [9 Chrome extensions that upgrade Google Meet](https://ans-pa.com/9-chrome-extensions-that-upgrade-google-meet/) - If your company uses Google’s suite of office apps, you’re probably familiar with Google Meet, the vendor’s web-based videoconferencing app. Meet is included with paid Google Workspace plans, and a free version with fewer features is available to anyone with a Google account, such as a Gmail address.The Chrome Web Store offers a slew of - [Endangered Firefox?](https://ans-pa.com/endangered-firefox/) - At this point, the best thing Mozilla Corp. has going for it is that it is not a publicly traded company, because if it was, its stock would be getting slaughtered. The company’s CEO, Mitchell Baker, recently departed, and recent reports put its share of the browser market in the low single digits.But Mozilla is - [AI to create a half billion new jobs — here’s why](https://ans-pa.com/ai-to-create-a-half-billion-new-jobs-heres-why/) - While many users see generative artificial intelligence (genAI) technology as automation tools that will eliminate many of today’s jobs, most in the IT industry see it as a generator of knowledge jobs.That’s because genAI tools such as ChatGPT and Midjourney can help eliminate mundane tasks, freeing up workers to take on more valuable creative roles and be more - [For March's Patch Tuesday, no zero-day flaws](https://ans-pa.com/for-marchs-patch-tuesday-no-zero-day-flaws/) - Microsoft this week pushed out 61 Patch Tuesday updates with no reports of public disclosures or other zero-days affecting the larger ecosystem (Windows, Office, .NET). Though there are three updated packages from February, they're just informational changes with no further action is required.The team at Readiness has crafted this helpful infographic outlining the risks associated with each - [What is Darwin AI and how could Apple use its new tech?](https://ans-pa.com/what-is-darwin-ai-and-how-could-apple-use-its-new-tech/) - Apple has quietly acquired yet another AI startup, Canada’s Darwin AI, a company focused on machine vision intelligence, smart manufacturing, improved machine learning efficiency and edge-based intelligence.All of these seem critical to Apple’s future plans.Who is Darwin AI? As reported by Bloomberg, several members of the Darwin AI team have now joined Apple. Ostensibly a - [Generative AI will drive a foundational shift for companies — IDC](https://ans-pa.com/generative-ai-will-drive-a-foundational-shift-for-companies-idc/) - Over the next two years, generative artificial intelligence (genAI) will force organizations to address a myriad of fast-evolving issues, from data security to tech review boards, new services, and — most importantly — upskilling employees.By 2027, AI will represent 29% of organizational spend, according to IDC President Crawford Del Prete, who spoke Thursday at the - [Admins see snags as macOS Sonoma 14.4 hits Macs](https://ans-pa.com/admins-see-snags-as-macos-sonoma-14-4-hits-macs/) - There appear to be a couple of snags in the latest iteration of macOS Sonoma that are upsetting to Apple admins: Some USB hubs are no longer recognized by the Mac and a popular command tool used to restart services on remote Apple devices is no longer supported.Why isn’t my USB hub working? The USB - [Anthropic launches its fastest and cheapest AI model yet](https://ans-pa.com/anthropic-launches-its-fastest-and-cheapest-ai-model-yet/) - Anthropic has launched its most affordable and fastest AI model — Claude 3 Haiku, which the company claims is up to half the cost of GPT 3.5 and works up to three times faster than existing models. This newest addition to the Claude model family joins the ranks of Claude 3 Opus and Claude 3 - [AI hallucination mitigation: two brains are better than one](https://ans-pa.com/ai-hallucination-mitigation-two-brains-are-better-than-one/) - As generative AI (genAI) continues to move into broad use by the public and various enterprises, its adoption is sometimes plagued by errors, copyright infringement issues and outright hallucinations, undermining trust in its accuracy.One study from Stanford University found genAI makes mistakes when answering legal questions 75% of the time. “For instance,” the study found, - [The EU browser wars have begun as Apple opens up](https://ans-pa.com/the-eu-browser-wars-have-begun-as-apple-opens-up/) - Now that Apple has opened up choice to third-party browsers as part of its efforts to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act, we can expect a new focus on browser market share in the near future.Third-party browsers have been supported in iOS since version 14. What's changed is that Apple must now offer EU - [New AI assistant threatens software engineering jobs](https://ans-pa.com/new-ai-assistant-threatens-software-engineering-jobs/) - Devin has the ability to actively collaborate with users during software development. This includes providing real-time progress updates, accepting feedback, and working together to make design choices. - [Microsoft is holding back the ‘AI PC’ revolution](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-is-holding-back-the-ai-pc-revolution/) - Look, we need to talk: The PC industry has a big problem. And it’s not hardware makers’ fault — it’s Microsoft’s responsibility. The hardware is here: Intel, AMD, Nvidia, and PC makers have delivered on their end.Now, everyone is waiting for Microsoft to catch up and make Windows truly shine on these “AI PCs.” Can - [A call for digital-privacy regulation 'with teeth' at the federal level](https://ans-pa.com/a-call-for-digital-privacy-regulation-with-teeth-at-the-federal-level/) - How did we get to the point where the tech industry is in the user-data business instead of the tech business?Every day, Google collects data on billions of people worldwide, according to The Regulatory Review. The dodge that users gain some benefit from ad targeting is fallacy. For example, if Google's search were decoupled from - [US pushes to weaken international human rights treaty on use of AI software](https://ans-pa.com/us-pushes-to-weaken-international-human-rights-treaty-on-use-of-ai-software/) - The US government is lobbying Council of Europe members to weaken an international treaty on human rights and AI software by exempting private vendors from compliance.Diplomats are meeting in Strasbourg, France, this week to create a final version of the treaty, which would require organizations using AI to respect human rights and adhere to democratic - [EC's use of Microsoft 365 violates data-privacy rules, watchdog group says](https://ans-pa.com/ecs-use-of-microsoft-365-violates-data-privacy-rules-watchdog-group-says/) - The European Commission (EC) has violated several key data protection rules in its use of Microsoft 365 regarding the transfer of people's personal data from Europe to other regions not covered by EU data-protection laws, a key European privacy watchdog found.The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) on Tuesday chastized the EC after finding it did - [Apple tweaks its DMA compliance strategy in Europe](https://ans-pa.com/apple-tweaks-its-dma-compliance-strategy-in-europe/) - In what perhaps reflects ongoing backroom discussion between Apple’s App Store team and EU regulators policing the new Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple has once again modified its approach to supporting third-party software sellers on iOS devices.Starting later this spring, some EU developers will be able to offer iPhone apps directly from their websites. The second - [OpenAI rebuts Musk’s ‘fictional’ claims over Founding Agreement](https://ans-pa.com/openai-rebuts-musks-fictional-claims-over-founding-agreement/) - In a strongly worded reply to Elon Musk, OpenAI has described the claims of the X-owner as fictitious, accusing him of attempting to take credit for the “remarkable technological advances” achieved by OpenAI.Musk’s earlier filing at the San Francisco State Court claimed that Open AI had entered into a Founding Agreement stating that it would - [Elon Musk’s suit against OpenAI — right idea, wrong messenger](https://ans-pa.com/elon-musks-suit-against-openai-right-idea-wrong-messenger/) - Loose cannon, always-looking-for-attention Elon Musk has again thrust himself into the public eye, this time by suing OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman for breaching its founding agreement by turning the company away from its non-profit roots and cashing in on the billions of dollars available in the generative AI (genAI) gold rush.At stake in the - [Meta sues former executive over alleged AI theft](https://ans-pa.com/meta-sues-former-executive-over-alleged-ai-theft/) - Meta is suing its former vice president of infrastructure over allegations that he stole proprietary human resources data about the company’s top performers, and key information about its data center supply chain partners to bring to his new employer.In a complaint filed in late February in a California State Court, the software giant alleged that - [New AI copyright lawsuit targets Nvidia](https://ans-pa.com/new-ai-copyright-lawsuit-targets-nvidia/) - Three authors, Abdi Nazemian, Brian Keene, and Stewart O’Nan, are part of a new copyright infringement lawsuit against Nvidia, the latest such suit to challenge generative AI providers’ reliance on the “fair use” doctrine to acquire copyrighted material to train their large language models.The suit, filed late last week, is similar to other suits against - [Healthcare pros show interest in Apple's Vision Pro — survey](https://ans-pa.com/healthcare-pros-show-interest-in-apples-vision-pro-survey/) - Healthcare is a huge opportunity for Apple’s Vision Pro, with up to three-quarters of US healthcare professionals open to exploring how to use the devices at work, a Tebra survey indicates.The survey of of 130 healthcare professionals and 1,003 Americans seems well-timed. We’ve seen a cavalcade of health-related applications for visionOS appear since the device - [How to choose an AI-as-a-service provider](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-choose-an-ai-as-a-service-provider/) - Artificial intelligence is not flash in the pan — it is here to stay. Gartner says more than 80% of enterprises will have used some form of generative AI APIs or applications by 2026. If you plan to be among those 80%, then you have to determine the best way to train and deploy it, - [AIs may be better at prompt optimization than humans](https://ans-pa.com/ais-may-be-better-at-prompt-optimization-than-humans/) - With prompt engineers among the workers most in demand in the wake of generative AI’s arrival in the enterprise, it was inevitable that someone would investigate whether their role, too, could be automated, or at least facilitated, by AI.And, indeed, a recent study focused on how to write the best prompts for a large-language model - [The first EU app stores for iPhones explore new business models](https://ans-pa.com/the-first-eu-app-stores-for-iphones-explore-new-business-models/) - The first two third-party European app stores to be announced offer different takes on how these stores might work: the first is a white-label service for enterprise app distribution, the second is an all-you-can-eat subscription deal.The stores are on the cusp of being introduced now that Apple has been forced to open up to third party - [AR got its ‘killer app’: GenAI](https://ans-pa.com/ar-got-its-killer-app-genai/) - You hear that sound? That’s the sound of augmented reality (AR) fading away as a driving concept in technology.You could blame Apple, which handed down an edict to Apple Vision Pro developers: “Refer to your app as a spatial computing app. Don’t describe your app experience as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), extended reality - [Why are CIOs who anticipate the future rarely allowed to do anything about it?](https://ans-pa.com/why-are-cios-who-anticipate-the-future-rarely-allowed-to-do-anything-about-it/) - Esty Scheiner was especially frustrated, even for the CEO of an AI startup. Her team had figured out a better way to deliver deepfake audio detection and met with various IT groups at key enterprises. Most agreed this is going to be an issue that needs to be dealt with — and could use Scheiner’s - [Why should Apple trust Epic Games?](https://ans-pa.com/why-should-apple-trust-epic-games/) - Citing the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the European Union (EU) has requested “further explanations” from Apple regarding its decision to close down the developer account of Fortnite publisher Epic Games. Apple says it does not trust Epic, citing the game developer’s history of untrustworthy actions.This is bad news for Epic, which had hoped to launch - [How IBM is using Adobe Firefly to reshape design](https://ans-pa.com/how-ibm-is-using-adobe-firefly-to-reshape-design/) - With the rollout of Adobe Firefly last year, IBM made generative AI (genAI) image creation available to thousands of designers.It didn’t take long for the tool to make an impression, said Billy Seabrook, global chief design officer for IBM’s consulting arm.Firefly was used, for example, to create 200 visual assets for IBM’s “Let’s Create” marketing - [Sam Altman’s pledges about AI responsibility don’t mean much — experts](https://ans-pa.com/sam-altmans-pledges-about-ai-responsibility-dont-mean-much-experts/) - Elon Musk’s lawsuit against Sam Altman and OpenAI, filed last week in California state court, accuses the defendants of forgetting core parts of OpenAI’s stated mission to develop useful and non-harmful artificial general intelligence. Altman has since moved to buttress his responsible AI credentials, including the signing of an open letter pledging to develop AI - [OpenAI: Musk's control issues at heart of ongoing rift](https://ans-pa.com/openai-musks-control-issues-at-heart-of-ongoing-rift/) - Elon Musk's intent to take control of OpenAI and merge it with Tesla are at the center of the fight between the controversial Tesla founder and the AI startup he helped get off the ground, but which is now being financed by Microsoft.That's what OpenAI argued in a blog post Wednesday co-authored by CEO Sam - [What is FinanceKit in iOS 17.4?](https://ans-pa.com/what-is-financekit-in-ios-17-4/) - Though iOS 17.4 could leave European users vulnerable to new threat vectors and third-party app stores, it also introduced an interesting new API Apple is calling FinanceKit. What does it do, and is it an opportunity for your business?What is FinanceKit? FinanceKit is a new API for developers that lets them access a person’s transaction - [Microsoft debuts Copilot for finance pros](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-debuts-copilot-for-finance-pros/) - Microsoft has launched a Copilot assistant for finance professionals that it says will automate repetitive processes and provide faster access to financial data. The Copilot for Finance, unveiled last week, connects Microsoft’s productivity apps — most importantly, Excel and Outlook — with a customer’s existing financial systems to provide access to information using the Copilot - [Windows 11’s new approach to troubleshooting](https://ans-pa.com/windows-11s-new-approach-to-troubleshooting/) - Released in late October 2023, Windows 11 version 23H2 (a.k.a. the Windows 11 2023 Update) introduced big changes in the ways Windows 11 looks, works, and acts. One of the biggest changes in its makeup relates to the troubleshooting platforms and tools supplied with the OS.To elucidate what this is about, I’ll describe two previous - [How to control your Android phone with your face](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-control-your-android-phone-with-your-face/) - We've been exploring unconventional ways to control your favorite Android device with physical gestures — y'know, real-world movements like shaking and flipping the thing in a variety of specific ways.But get this: Android also has the ability to let you interact with your phone by simply moving your face.I kid you not: A cursory glance - [Researchers, legal experts want AI firms to open up for safety checks](https://ans-pa.com/researchers-legal-experts-want-ai-firms-to-open-up-for-safety-checks/) - More than 150 leading artificial intelligence (AI) researchers, ethicists and others have signed an open letter calling on generative AI (genAI) companies to submit to independent evaluations of their systems, the lack of which has led to concerns about basic protections.The letter, drafted by researchers from MIT, Princeton, and Stanford University, called for legal and technical protections for good-faith research - [Meta services begin recovering from major disruption](https://ans-pa.com/meta-services-begin-recovering-from-major-disruption/) - Widespread outages for Facebook, Instagram and Threads were reported Tuesday morning, as parent company Meta warned that many of its core services were suffering from outages.A status page went from listing all of Meta’s services as “unknown” to “major disruptions” for business tools like Ads Manager, Facebook and Instagram Shops, Meta Business Suite and Meta - [The MacBook Air — better for business?](https://ans-pa.com/the-macbook-air-better-for-business/) - The best value notebook for most of us is the MacBook Air, and Apple has now updated both the 13- and 15-in. models with powerful M3 chips and the capacity to run two external displays when the lid is closed.All in all, these Macs should be more than suitable for most mobile workers.Apple in the - [Q&A: GitHub COO on how genAI makes devs more efficient (and can automate the helpdesk)](https://ans-pa.com/qa-github-coo-on-how-genai-makes-devs-more-efficient-and-can-automate-the-helpdesk/) - GitHub, the online developer platform that allows users to create, store, manage, and share their code, has been on a generative AI (genA) journey since before ChatGPT or Copilot was widely available to the public.Through an early partnership with Microsoft, the dev platform adopted Copilot two-and-a-half years ago, tweaking it to create its own version - [Anthropic gives its flagship generative AI models a facelift](https://ans-pa.com/anthropic-gives-its-flagship-generative-ai-models-a-facelift/) - One of the hottest startups in the generative AI (genAI) market, Anthropic, has updated its flagship models to a new 3.0 standard, bringing improvements across a range of common tasks and faster processing speeds.The improvements in Claude 3 are broad-based, according to Anthropic. The model now offers fewer “incorrect” refusals to process harmless requests, better - [Spotify wants something for nothing, Apple claims after big EU fine](https://ans-pa.com/spotify-wants-something-for-nothing-apple-claims-after-big-eu-fine/) - The European Commission on Monday slammed Apple with a huge $1.95 billion fine for anti-competitive conduct in the music streaming market. In response to the decision, Apple fired back at the EU and Spotify, saying the move “just cements the dominant position of a successful European company that is the digital music market’s runaway leader.”Apple will - [Heads on: Apple’s Vision Pro delivers a glimpse of the future](https://ans-pa.com/heads-on-apples-vision-pro-delivers-a-glimpse-of-the-future/) - I’ve seen the future of computing; I wear it every day on my head.I’m talking, of course, about the Apple Vision Pro, the first “spatial computing” headset on the market. Though it’s not perfect — and at $3499, it’s not cheap — I can tell you after four weeks of testing and use that this - [EC to grill Meta on Facebook ‘subscription for no ads’ plan](https://ans-pa.com/ec-to-grill-meta-on-facebook-subscription-for-no-ads-plan/) - The European Commission (EC) on Friday said it needs more information from Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta to assess its compliance with applicable privacy and security laws in the European Union (EU).The EC, in a statement, said Meta also needs to speed up its responses to requests in December for information, which centered on - [Return-to-office initiatives or stealth layoffs? Why not both?](https://ans-pa.com/return-to-office-initiatives-or-stealth-layoffs-why-not-both/) - The business environment is better than ever, but that isn't stopping many tech companies from laying off employees. At the same time, numerous other organizations — often poorly run ones — insist remote workers return to the office (RTO) in the name of better productivity. The reality is that incompetent leaders are scapegoating employees working - [Apple warns of increased iPhone security risks](https://ans-pa.com/apple-warns-of-increased-iphone-security-risks/) - Apple is telling European customers that new EU competition laws will make iPhones less safe once the company is forced to open up its platforms to third-party App Stores. The company, not exactly happy about this, has published a 32-page white paper where it spells out the risks arising from the EU’s big experiment.The EU’s formal - [Microsoft unveils new AI tools for Windows 11](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-unveils-new-ai-tools-for-windows-11/) - Microsoft will add a range of artificial intelligence (AI) features to Windows 11, with new ways to edit content and control PC settings.Later this month, Windows 11 users will be able adjust settings within the operating system with text commands via the Copilot AI assistant. Here, users can type “enable battery saver” or “show Wi-Fi - [Elon Musk sues OpenAI alleging breach of founding agreement](https://ans-pa.com/elon-musk-sues-openai-alleging-breach-of-founding-agreement/) - Elon Musk, one of OpenAI’s founding board members and investors, has filed a lawsuit against the company and its CEO Sam Altman, alleging that the now Microsoft-financed creator of ChatGPT has breached its founding mission.“This case is filed to compel OpenAI to adhere to the founding agreement and return to its mission to develop artificial - [The food delivery driver identification dilemma](https://ans-pa.com/the-food-delivery-driver-identification-dilemma/) - One of the oldest IT jokes is the CIO who says, "IT operations would go so much more smoothly if I wasn’t for these end-users mucking everything up." It's true: humans have a tendency to not do what they are should or — more likely — what someone in IT wants them to do.This is - [26 note-perfecting tips for Google Keep on Android](https://ans-pa.com/26-note-perfecting-tips-for-google-keep-on-android/) - I really need to upgrade my brain's internal storage.I'm only partially kidding: Just like a hard drive, I'm pretty sure my mind reached maximum capacity at some point in the past decade. The only way I can remember anything these days is by making and maintaining a million notes, both physical and digital. (My wife - [Eight European consumer watchdogs file complaints over Meta’s data processing](https://ans-pa.com/eight-european-consumer-watchdogs-file-complaints-over-metas-data-processing/) - Eight European consumer organizations have filed complaints against Facebook parent Meta accusing it of breaching the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) with its so-called “pay-or-consent” policy and opaque internal policies.The organizations are all members of BEUC, the European Consumer Organization. Their complaints, publicized Thursday, argue that the large-scale consumer data collection practiced by Meta - [Google can’t guarantee its Gemini genAI tool won’t be biased](https://ans-pa.com/google-cant-guarantee-its-gemini-genai-tool-wont-be-biased/) - Even after Google fixes its large language model (LLM) and gets Gemini back online, the generative AI (genAI) tool may not always be reliable — especially when generating images or text about current events, evolving news, or hot-button topics.“It will make mistakes,” the company wrote in a mea culpa posted last week. “As we’ve said from the - [Apple CEO Tim Cook: 'GenAI will redefine the future'](https://ans-pa.com/apple-ceo-tim-cook-genai-will-redefine-the-future/) - With Vision Pro out the door and the recent cancellation of work on a car, it’s becoming crystal clear that Apple is shifting huge resources into its forthcoming introduction of something like generative AI (genAI).This is a big deal — so big that Apple CEO Tim Cook once again discussed it during the company’s most recent - [The ROI in AI (and how to find it)](https://ans-pa.com/the-roi-in-ai-and-how-to-find-it/) - By 2030, companies will spend $42 billion a year on generative artificial intelligence (genAI) projects such as chatbots, research, writing, and summarization tools. And while the technology has been heralded as a boon to productivity, nailing down a return on investment (ROI) in genAI could prove to be elusive.“Capturing and measuring the exact productivity improvements has - [It’s the end of the road for the Apple Car](https://ans-pa.com/its-the-end-of-the-road-for-the-apple-car/) - Fresh claims that Apple has shelved its project to build a semi-autonomous vehicle have emerged, and this time they ring true. But the company will be enjoying the benefits of its efforts for years to come.What happened to the Apple car? Bloomberg claims Apple has halted development on the Apple Car project (Project Titan) because - [As workers embrace AI, employers are slow to issue guidance](https://ans-pa.com/as-workers-embrace-ai-employers-are-slow-to-issue-guidance/) - Even as more and more office workers access AI-based tools in their jobs, employers have been slow to issue guidance on how to use the technology effectively and safely.That’s according to a survey of around 10,000 desk workers commissioned by collaboration software vendor Slack; the survey focused on attitudes towards the use of AI and automation in - [This classic Android app is tapping into the ghost of Google Now](https://ans-pa.com/this-classic-android-app-is-tapping-into-the-ghost-of-google-now/) - Ever have one of those moments where you see some new tech twist — an app, a feature, an idea of some sort — and you just stop in your tracks and think: "Whoa. Now, that's clever"?I won't lie: Those moments come up far less frequently than they once did. By and large lately, we - [The economics of job cuts; why layoffs continue](https://ans-pa.com/the-economics-of-job-cuts-why-layoffs-continue/) - US companies announced 82,307 job cuts in January — more than double the number in December — and layoffs are expanding beyond tech companies and media. About half the companies that have announced layoffs in the first two months of 2024 are in finance and other industries.Some of the companies cutting jobs this year include - [Download: UEM vendor comparison chart 2024](https://ans-pa.com/download-uem-vendor-comparison-chart-2024/) - Unified endpoint management (UEM) is a strategic IT approach that consolidates how enterprises secure and manage an array of deployed devices including phones, tablets, PCs, and even IoT devices.As remote and hybrid work models have become the norm over the past two years, “mobility management” has come to mean management of not just mobile devices, - [Enterprise mobility 2024: Welcome, genAI](https://ans-pa.com/enterprise-mobility-2024-welcome-genai/) - Generative artificial intelligence (genAI) has become a focal point for many organizations over the past year, so it should come as no surprise that the technology is moving into the enterprise mobility space, including unified endpoint management (UEM).“Generative AI is the latest trend to impact the UEM space,” says Andrew Hewitt, principal analyst, Forrester. “This - [Google calls Microsoft’s cloud practices in the EU anti-competitive](https://ans-pa.com/google-calls-microsofts-cloud-practices-in-the-eu-anti-competitive/) - Google Cloud has joined AWS and Europe-based Cloud Infrastructure Services Providers in Europe (CISPE) in protesting Microsoft’s anticompetitive cloud software licensing practices in the EU.“Microsoft’s cloud licensing restrictions restrict choice and create harmful downstream impacts for companies, ranging from higher costs to more security breaches to a chilling effect on smaller cloud and software providers - [What to do with your Vision Pro](https://ans-pa.com/what-to-do-with-your-vision-pro/) - To get some sense of the future for Apple’s new Vision devices, early adopters might want to explore ARway.ai, which seems to deliver some of the elements of the augmented reality (AR) vision we think Apple will eventually achieve.What it provides is mapped and location-based AR content to your surroundings as you ambulate through them - [Dell ramps up ‘AI PC’ plans with Latitude and Precision refresh](https://ans-pa.com/dell-ramps-up-ai-pc-plans-with-latitude-and-precision-refresh/) - Dell has unveiled a range of new laptops and PCs featuring neural processing units (NPUs) designed to run AI workloads on-device for improved video call quality and better laptop battery life. Dell is one of several hardware vendors looking to benefit from growing interest in so-called “AI PCs.” The moniker refers to the inclusion of - [Microsoft, OpenAI move to fend off genAI-aided hackers — for now](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-openai-move-to-fend-off-genai-aided-hackers-for-now/) - Of all the potential nightmares about the dangerous effects of generative AI (genAI) tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Copilot, one is near the top of the list: their use by hackers to craft hard-to-detect malicious code. Even worse is the fear that genAI could help rogue states like Russia, Iran, and North Korea unleash - [Microsoft to offer more AI options on Azure with Mistral AI partnerhip](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-to-offer-more-ai-options-on-azure-with-mistral-ai-partnerhip/) - Microsoft has partnered with Mistral AI to make the latter available to its Azure customers, adding more options to enterprise customers.Mistral AI is set to enrich Azure’s AI offerings, introducing its premium models via Azure AI Studio’s Models as a Service (MaaS) and the Azure Machine Learning model catalog.This move complements the existing array of - [Microsoft to offer more AI options on Azure with Mistral AI partnership](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-to-offer-more-ai-options-on-azure-with-mistral-ai-partnership/) - Microsoft has partnered with Mistral AI to make the latter available to its Azure customers, adding more options to enterprise customers.Mistral AI is set to enrich Azure’s AI offerings, introducing its premium models via Azure AI Studio’s Models as a Service (MaaS) and the Azure Machine Learning model catalog.This move complements the existing array of - [Apple can only resist AI transparency for so long](https://ans-pa.com/apple-can-only-resist-ai-transparency-for-so-long/) - Apple’s 2024 Proxy Statement for its annual shareholder’s meeting reveals several little-known initiatives it's been following to improve artificial intelligence (AI) across its product range, and the company seems to go a little further than others to attend to the details.The company shared insights into how it thinks in response to a shareholder proposal supported - [Google Workspace power tips: Tap into cross-app productivity](https://ans-pa.com/google-workspace-power-tips-tap-into-cross-app-productivity/) - Google Workspace is an expansive suite of business and productivity apps. Its core apps — Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, Gmail, and Meet — are worth mastering individually. They also have features that integrate with other Workspace apps. Knowing how these apps can work together can save time and broaden how you and your co-workers - [Spain will create foundational AI model in local languages](https://ans-pa.com/spain-will-create-foundational-ai-model-in-local-languages/) - Spain plans to build a foundational AI large language model trained in Spanish and in the country’s co-official languages, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced on the eve of the Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona.The Spanish LLM will be transparent and open source, he said.While some AI models are trained on texts in multiple languages, - [Killing VMware](https://ans-pa.com/killing-vmware/) - When Broadcom bought VMware for $69 billion last November, we knew there would be changes. What we didn't know is that Broadcom's radical changes would leave partners and customers alike questioning their commitment to VMware.Personally, I've never been fond of VMware. But I know many IT people swear by its wide array of products. At - [AI chip sales are driving stock markets to new records](https://ans-pa.com/ai-chip-sales-are-driving-stock-markets-to-new-records/) - The Dow Jones Industrial Average shot up more than 450 points on Thursday, rocketing past 39,000 for the first time — with much of that gain attributed to one company’s earnings buoyed by artificial intelligence and cloud tech.Nvidia’s fourth-quarter earnings report also pushed the S&P 500 to a new record and its best single-day gain - [Apple gets smart about tech support and genAI](https://ans-pa.com/apple-gets-smart-about-tech-support-and-genai/) - Self-healing machines are becoming a reality, one generative AI (genAI) fault diagnosis tool at a time; one day, even your iPhone will tell you when it thinks it has a problem.That’s the logical next step to this Apple AI story from MacRumors, which explains that the company is, quite logically, building a ChatGPT-like tool allegedly called - [The highest-paid IT skills — and why you need them on your resume](https://ans-pa.com/the-highest-paid-it-skills-and-why-you-need-them-on-your-resume/) - The top 10 highest paid skills in tech can help workers earn up to 47% more — and the top skill among them is generative artificial intelligence (genAI), according to a new report from employment website Indeed and other sources.For example, the top three skills — genAI, system-on-a-chip (SoC) and deep learning — each command an annual salary - [Microsoft plans €2B investment in AI and cloud infrastructure in Spain](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-plans-e2b-investment-in-ai-and-cloud-infrastructure-in-spain/) - Microsoft plans to quadruple its investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud infrastructure in Spain, spending €1.95 billion ($2.1 billion) there in the next two years as part of CEO Satya Nadella’s commitment to promote digital innovation and the responsible use of AI. Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, met with Pedro Sánchez, President of the Spanish - [Google’s Gemini for Workspace expands genAI access to SMBs](https://ans-pa.com/googles-gemini-for-workspace-expands-genai-access-to-smbs/) - Google has expanded access to generative AI (genAI) features within its Workspace office app suite, with a lower-priced payment tier aimed at small and mid-sized businesses.The move came as Google rebranded Duet AI for Workspace to Gemini for Workspace, the company announced on Wednesday. This reflects a similar change to Google’s general purpose Bard chatbot, which switched - [JAMF warns: Many Apple-using businesses still aren’t secure](https://ans-pa.com/jamf-warns-many-apple-using-businesses-still-arent-secure/) - Your enterprise security does not live in isolation — the threat environment extends across all your colleagues, partners, and friends.That's why it’s very concerning that so many businesses continue to fail to meet basic security hygiene standards, according to the latest Security 360 report from Jamf.Data is gold, which attackers recognize — even many in - [The 5 most intriguing Android 15 features (and how to enjoy 3 of 'em on any device today)](https://ans-pa.com/the-5-most-intriguing-android-15-features-and-how-to-enjoy-3-of-em-on-any-device-today/) - Holy leapin' lizards, Larry! It may seem like Google's Android 14 update is still sizzling and fresh out of the fryer, but we're officially on our way toward 2024's Android 15 release — with the first developer preview now out in the wild and in front of us.To be clear, we're far from the finish - [Chrome Remote Desktop: 4 easy steps to get started](https://ans-pa.com/chrome-remote-desktop-4-easy-steps-to-get-started/) - Once upon a time, in a world not so far away, accessing a computer remotely required all sorts of costly, complicated software and technical know-how.These days, it's a different story. Google's free Chrome Remote Desktop service makes it dead-simple to get on any computer — Windows, Mac, Linux, or ChromeOS — from practically any other - [Apple’s iMessage gains industry-leading quantum security](https://ans-pa.com/apples-imessage-gains-industry-leading-quantum-security/) - Apple is preparing for future threats to iMessage by introducing upgraded encryption for its messaging service by using quantum computers.Think of it as state-of-the-art quantum security for messaging at scale, the company says, resulting in Apple's messaging system being more secure against both current and future foes.What is the protection? Announced on Apple’s Security Research - [US forms task force to explore guardrails for AI](https://ans-pa.com/us-forms-task-force-to-explore-guardrails-for-ai/) - In a new effort to push for AI regulations, the US House of Representatives members have formed a bipartisan task force to explore legislation to address the growing worries and concerns related to AI adoption.“The task force will seek to produce a comprehensive report that will include guiding principles, forward-looking recommendations, and bipartisan policy proposals - [Microsoft Copilot Pro review: Office joins the genAI revolution](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-copilot-pro-review-office-joins-the-genai-revolution/) - Microsoft’s $20-per-month Copilot Pro subscription gives you access to Microsoft’s Copilot AI assistant in Office. That means Copilot can help you write Word documents, work with Excel spreadsheets, create PowerPoint presentations, put together Outlook emails, lay out notes in OneNote, and answer questions about whatever file you have open.That’s the hallmark feature of Copilot Pro: - [Apple’s Vision Pro isn’t a full-fledged Mac replacement — yet](https://ans-pa.com/apples-vision-pro-isnt-a-full-fledged-mac-replacement-yet/) - “I haven’t upgraded the Mac (or PC) I use for work in a years. I was going to replace it this year, and I’m wondering if I could or should get an Apple Vision Pro instead. What do you think?”I’ve heard more variations of that question in the past two weeks than I expected. It’s - [OpenAI’s Sora text-to-video tool's impact will be ‘profound’](https://ans-pa.com/openais-sora-text-to-video-tools-impact-will-be-profound/) - OpenAI last week unveiled a new capability for its generative AI (genAI) platform that can use a text input to generate video — complete with life-like actors and other moving parts.The new genAI model, called Sora, has a text-to-video function that can create complex, realistic moving scenes with multiple characters, specific types of motion, and - [Air Canada chatbot error underscores AI’s enterprise liability danger](https://ans-pa.com/air-canada-chatbot-error-underscores-ais-enterprise-liability-danger/) - A civil tribunal in Canada has ordered Air Canada to pay for a mistake made by a customer-service chatbot, highlighting the need for companies to better train and monitor their artificial intelligence (AI) tools.British Columbia resident Jake Moffatt visited Air Canada’s website in November 2022 to book a flight for his grandmother’s funeral in Ontario. - [Adobe’s new Acrobat genAI assistant aims to streamline reading PDFs](https://ans-pa.com/adobes-new-acrobat-genai-assistant-aims-to-streamline-reading-pdfs/) - Adobe is promising to make it easier to digest lengthy PDFs with a new generative AI (genAI) assistant coming to Acrobat.Currently in private beta, the AI Assistant will later be available within its paid Acrobat desktop and web apps, as well as the free-to-use Reader. There’s no immediate word on cost at launch, though Adobe - [EU begins formal investigation of TikTok over potential violations of Digital Services Act](https://ans-pa.com/eu-begins-formal-investigation-of-tiktok-over-potential-violations-of-digital-services-act/) - The European Commission has opened formal proceedings to assess whether TikTok may have breached the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) in various ways associated with the protection of minors, advertising transparency, data access for researchers, and managing risk for addictive design and harmful content.The formal investigation adds to the privacy and safety concerns that have plagued the - [Box CEO 'insanely excited' about future of Vision Pro, work, and AI](https://ans-pa.com/box-ceo-insanely-excited-about-future-of-vision-pro-work-and-ai/) - Enterprise content cloud and collaboration service Box was fast out the gate with its own feature-filled take on support for Apple’s Vision Pro. I spoke with Box co-founder and CEO Aaron Levie, who described how the company sees spatial computing transforming the enterprise and elsewhere.For Levie, the disruptive tech trends of the last 20 years - [Miro boosts security for its visual collaboration app](https://ans-pa.com/miro-boosts-security-for-its-visual-collaboration-app/) - Miro has unveiled a set of security tools designed to help businesses protect sensitive data shared on its digital whiteboard application. The new Miro Enterprise Guard includes features to automate detection and classification of sensitive data, manage content for legal audits, and provide IT admins with greater control over encryption.Visual collaboration is one of the - [How RAG makes generative AI tools even better](https://ans-pa.com/how-rag-makes-generative-ai-tools-even-better/) - As more organizations turn to generative artificial intelligence (genAI) tools to transform massive amounts of unstructured data and other assets into usable information, being able to find the most relevant content during the AI generation process is critical.Retrieval augmented generation or “RAG” for short, is a technology that can do just that by creating a - [The hidden high cost of return-to-office mandates](https://ans-pa.com/the-hidden-high-cost-of-return-to-office-mandates/) - We all know by now that many business leaders want their employees to work in the office instead of at home. But most don’t understand why.And we know that many employees want to work from home instead of the office. And most don’t understand why, either.As a result, we have a standoff at many companies - [Microsoft fixes two zero-days with Patch Tuesday release](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-fixes-two-zero-days-with-patch-tuesday-release/) - Microsoft on Tuesday released 73 updates in its monthly Patch Tuesday release, addressing issues in Microsoft Exchange Server and Adobe and two zero-day flaws being actively exploited in Microsoft Outlook (CVE-2024-21410) and Microsoft Exchange (CVE-2024-21413).Including the recent reports that the Windows SmartScreen vulnerability (CVE-2024-21351) is under active exploitation, we have added “Patch Now” schedules to - [Apple has an Xcode plan for genAI — and that's just the beginning](https://ans-pa.com/apple-has-an-xcode-plan-for-genai-and-thats-just-the-beginning/) - In the wake of Microsoft's release of its GitHub Copilot tool, Apple could soon follow suit with a new version of Xcode that includes generative AI (genAI) capabilities designed to help developers write code.The feature is expected to be capable of generating code in response to natural language commands. This should be really helpful for - [Android file management: An easy-to-follow guide](https://ans-pa.com/android-file-management-an-easy-to-follow-guide/) - When you think about your smartphone, apps and interfaces are probably the first things that come to mind. Beneath all that surface-level stuff, though, our modern mobile devices are filled with files — folders upon folders of 'em! — just like the clunky ol' computers we've relied upon for ages.We may not come face to - [Google turbocharges its genAI engine with Gemini 1.5](https://ans-pa.com/google-turbocharges-its-genai-engine-with-gemini-1-5/) - Only a week after releasing its latest generative artificial intelligence (genAI) model, Google on Thursday unveiled that model’s successor, Gemini 1.5. The company boasts that the new version bests the earlier version on almost every front.Gemini 1.5 is a multimodal AI model now ready for early testing. Unlike OpenAI's popular ChatGPT, Google said, users can feed into its - [Microsoft and Google invest in AI in Europe](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-and-google-invest-in-ai-in-europe/) - Google parent company Alphabet and Microsoft have both announced huge investments in artificial intelligence in Western Europe this week, likely to get ahead of proposed European Union AI regulations likely to be introduced in April.A new Google AI hub in Paris will eventually host more than 300 Google researchers and engineers, including members of the - [Apple's Vision Pro and the coming healthcare revolution](https://ans-pa.com/apples-vision-pro-and-the-coming-healthcare-revolution/) - Once upon a time, a young doctor joined the surgical unit at a prestigious hospital as an anaesthesiologist. He was an Apple user, of course, wearing Vision Pro during surgical procedures, as it allowed him to monitor all the vital signs during operations.This is not a fairy story. It is a prediction based on the - [ChatGPT will remember what you did last summer](https://ans-pa.com/chatgpt-will-remember-what-you-did-last-summer/) - OpenAI is testing a memory feature in ChatGPT, which will allow it to remember information about the user and past conversations, the company announced in a blog post. The company has rolled out the feature for a few free users and paid Plus plan users this week.“As you chat with ChatGPT, you can ask it - [Unlock your Android phone's physical gesture magic](https://ans-pa.com/unlock-your-android-phones-physical-gesture-magic/) - When we talk about Android gestures, we're typically talking about the on-screen variety — y'know, the assorted swipes, swirls, and swivels that help you fly around your phone faster than a flamingo on ice skates.Here's a little-known secret, though: You can also control your Android device and make it do all sorts of useful stuff - [How to use Google’s genAI-powered note-taking app](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-use-googles-genai-powered-note-taking-app/) - Among the experimental tools that Google offers is NotebookLM, a bare-bones notes app that you use in your web browser. What makes it interesting is that it uses Google’s generative AI chatbot (variously known as Bard or Duet AI and now rebranded as Gemini) to analyze sources of text that you “feed” it, and then - [EU's AI Act wins fresh backing ahead of April vote](https://ans-pa.com/eus-ai-act-wins-fresh-backing-ahead-of-april-vote/) - European Union (EU) legislation that would set guardrails for the use and development of AI technology appears to be on a clear path toward ratification as two key groups of legislators in the EU Parliament on Tuesday approved a provisional agreement on the proposed rules.The EU Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs - [Apple accelerates its genAI efforts with LLM image-editing tool](https://ans-pa.com/apple-accelerates-its-genai-efforts-with-llm-image-editing-tool/) - Apple is pushing into generative AI (genAI) in a big way with a new tool called Keyframer; it's designed to give users the power to animate static images using text prompts.Keyframer is described in a recently published Apple research paper and what it does seems impressive. To create animated illustrations from static 2D images, users just - [Slack launches genAI tools for big businesses, remains mum on price](https://ans-pa.com/slack-launches-genai-tools-for-big-businesses-remains-mum-on-price/) - Slack AI is now available for enterprise customers, though pricing details for the generative AI (gene) features have not yet been disclosed.Slack announced plans for its AI assistant app last year, focusing on three areas: AI powered search. This provides personalized answers to questions based on an organization’s knowledge base. Slack AI helps users locate subject matter - [Microsoft and the Taylor Swift genAI deepfake problem](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-and-the-taylor-swift-genai-deepfake-problem/) - The last few weeks have been a PR bonanza for Taylor Swift in both good ways and bad. On the good side, her boyfriend Travis Kelce was on the winning team at the Super Bowl, and her reactions during the game got plenty of air time. On the much, much worse side, generative AI-created fake - [Tech spending shifts to meet AI demand, forces a 'reshuffling of skills' for workers](https://ans-pa.com/tech-spending-shifts-to-meet-ai-demand-forces-a-reshuffling-of-skills-for-workers/) - Tech companies such Google, Amazon, Meta (Facebook) and others laid off tens of thousands of workers last year as an adjustment to over-hiring during the COVID-19 pandemic.But the firings have not abated in 2024.In January, job cuts leaped 136% over December and hit a 10-month high, according to a new report by outplacement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas. The surge - [NVIDIA unveils ‘Chat with RTX,’ a personal AI chatbot for Windows](https://ans-pa.com/nvidia-unveils-chat-with-rtx-a-personal-ai-chatbot-for-windows/) - Nvidia on Tuesday announced a generative AI (genAI) chatbot that can run on Windows PCs, giving enterprises the potential to leverage AI on employees' local environments to bolster productivity rather than requiring them to access genAI tools on platforms hosted by providers such as OpenAI.The graphics chipmaker released Chat with RTX, a demo app now available - [Apple is ramping up its fight against malware](https://ans-pa.com/apple-is-ramping-up-its-fight-against-malware/) - Ensuring platform security is hard, but when a company the stature of Apple begins to ramp up protection of its ecosystem, every IT decision maker should pay attention. Unfortunately, this is precisely what's happening: Apple is now updating fundamental protection at a faster clip than it's ever done before.Apple’s security teams are alert That important - [Will employees bow down to stricter RTO policies?](https://ans-pa.com/will-employees-bow-down-to-stricter-rto-policies/) - There's a fight going on in the workplace and how it ends could shape what the office looks like for decades to come.Will employees be given the freedom to work from a location of their choosing? Or will a few, mostly larger organizations force employees back to commuting to the office, reversing the work-from-home revolution - [Otter.ai adds transcription archiving and recall across the enterprise](https://ans-pa.com/otter-ai-adds-transcription-archiving-and-recall-across-the-enterprise/) - Otter.ai, the real-time notetaking service, is seeking to shake up the enterprise transcription market with its new Meeting GenAI feature, which can capture, access, and immediately provide information from meetings across an organization.Meeting GenAI will be able to recall notes from another video conference, phone call, or in-person meeting from weeks earlier, for someone who - [The real problem with Google's new Gemini Android assistant](https://ans-pa.com/the-real-problem-with-googles-new-gemini-android-assistant/) - I'll be honest: I was really hoping for an "aha!" moment over these past few days.Ever since Google made it clear that it was working to bring its next-gen generative AI chatbot into Android as a replacement for Google Assistant, I've been skeptical. And ever since I installed the new standalone Gemini Android app and - [AI chips don’t need trillion-dollar investments: Nvidia CEO](https://ans-pa.com/ai-chips-dont-need-trillion-dollar-investments-nvidia-ceo/) - According to Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, the ever-increasing speed and efficiency of processors mean that OpenAI’s Sam Altman won’t need $7 trillion for his AI chip initiative.“You can’t assume that you will buy more computers. You have to also assume that the computers are going to become faster and therefore the total amount that you - [Australia’s new ‘right to disconnect’ law includes jail time — for now](https://ans-pa.com/australias-new-right-to-disconnect-law-includes-jail-time-for-now/) - A new Australian law includes a “right to disconnect” that would give employees the right to seek an order from the government barring their employers from requiring them to respond to emails or phone calls outside of working hours. For the moment, it also provides for penalties that could include jail time.The Fair Work Legislation - [The AI data-poisoning cat-and-mouse game — this time, IT will win](https://ans-pa.com/the-ai-data-poisoning-cat-and-mouse-game-this-time-it-will-win/) - The IT community of late has been freaking out about AI data poisoning. For some, it’s a sneaky mechanism that could act as a backdoor into enterprise systems by surreptitiously infecting the data large language models (LLMs) train on and then getting pulled into enterprise systems. For others, it’s a way to combat LLMs that - [Digital work apps arrive for Apple’s Vision Pro](https://ans-pa.com/digital-work-apps-arrive-for-apples-vision-pro/) - Among the hundreds of native apps already available for Apple’s new Vision Pro headset, there’s already a range of tools focused on getting work done.Microsoft, Cisco, and Zoom are among the software vendors that have already optimized their enterprise apps to function on Apple’s spatial computing device. They make use of the Vision Pro’s immersive - [Apple improves iCloud for Windows, kills iTunes](https://ans-pa.com/apple-improves-icloud-for-windows-kills-itunes/) - If you use Windows for work and an iPhone for everything else, you should know that Apple has changed iCloud for Windows and no longer offers iTunes for the platform — though none of your media purchases have disappeared.How has Apple improved iCloud for Windows? Apple has redesigned the iCloud for Windows application, giving it - [Sam Altman wants to raise trillions of dollars for AI chip initiative](https://ans-pa.com/sam-altman-wants-to-raise-trillions-of-dollars-for-ai-chip-initiative/) - After disrupting the AI industry by launching ChatGPT, OpenAI’s Chief Executive Officer, Sam Altman, is now looking to reimagine the global semiconductor industry.Alrman hopes to do that by raising $5 trillion to $7 trillion to “boost the world’s chip-building capacity, expand its ability to power AI, among other things,” according to a Wall Street Journal report. - [Meetings are about to get weird](https://ans-pa.com/meetings-are-about-to-get-weird/) - Apple Vision Pro just shipped. Reviewers say the technology inside is magnificent and unprecedented, but the experience of using it still flawed.But by the end of the year, some 400,000 units could well be operating in the wild.Apple’s new headset this year will be dismissed by many as too expensive, hot, heavy and not particularly - [Give yourself a magnificent new Android multitasking shortcut](https://ans-pa.com/give-yourself-a-magnificent-new-android-multitasking-shortcut/) - Has there ever been a feature as packed with potential and simultaneously easy to forget as Android's screen-splitting system?On the surface, splitting your screen to see two apps together at the same time seems like a stunningly splendid feat. Two apps at once? Easy drag and drop between 'em? No awkward flipping back and forth - [Google throws down the gauntlet with Gemini — its multimodal genAI engine](https://ans-pa.com/google-throws-down-the-gauntlet-with-gemini-its-multimodal-genai-engine/) - Google on Thursday announced it has reconstructed and renamed its Bard chatbot — now called Gemini — to offer enterprises and consumers the industry's first multimodal generative AI (genAI) platform that no longer relies only on text to provide human-like responses.The release of Gemini represents a direct challenge to Microsoft’s Copilot, which is based on OpenAI's ChatGPT, and every other chatbot - [US creates advisory group to consider AI regulation](https://ans-pa.com/us-creates-advisory-group-to-consider-ai-regulation/) - The US government has created an artificial intelligence safety advisory group, including AI creators, users, and academics, with the goal of putting some guardrails on AI use and development.The new US AI Safety Institute Consortium (AISIC), part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is tasked with coming up with guidelines for red-teaming AI - [U.S. creates advisory group to consider AI regulation](https://ans-pa.com/u-s-creates-advisory-group-to-consider-ai-regulation/) - The U.S. government has created an artificial intelligence safety advisory group, including AI creators, users, and academics, with the goal of putting some guardrails on AI use and development.The new U.S. AI Safety Institute Consortium (AISIC), part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is tasked with coming up with guidelines for red-teaming AI - [Kandji unveils Prism managed device reporting service](https://ans-pa.com/kandji-unveils-prism-managed-device-reporting-service/) - Kandji has introduced Prism, a new compliance reporting tool that provides Apple administrators with insights into key information in one place concerning their entire fleet. This should help IT staffers monitor policy compliance, investigate incidents, and identify problems across managed endpoints, soon to include Vision Pro.To read this article in full, please click here - [The do-it-yourself approach to MDM](https://ans-pa.com/the-do-it-yourself-approach-to-mdm/) - Open-source software has long been a part of every enterprise toolbox — and that includes managing mobile devices. Whether IT wants to go all in on open-source tools or integrate those tools with commercial offerings, it’s possible to develop a do-it-yourself approach to mobile device management (MDM).Given the impact of Broadcom’s acquisition of VMWare — - [AI-enabled PCs and genAI smartphones set to take off](https://ans-pa.com/ai-enabled-pcs-and-genai-smartphones-set-to-take-off/) - One in five PCs this year will ship with AI-enabled chips inside — and by 2027, six in 10 PCs shipped will be AI-native, according to research released Wednesday from IDC and Gartner. Shipments of AI-enabled smartphones are also predicted to explode over the next year.Shipments of artificial intelligence (AI) PCs — personal computers with - [Apple's Vision Pro is getting MDM support](https://ans-pa.com/apples-vision-pro-is-getting-mdm-support/) - Apple is already hard at work on the next iteration of vision OS 1.1 and the big news for the enterprise is that Apple will soon introduce support for device management for the Vision Pro with this release. Jamf and others are already adding this support to their device management systems.This really had to happen. After - [Android's Circle to Search is déjà vu all over again](https://ans-pa.com/androids-circle-to-search-is-deja-vu-all-over-again/) - Over the past several days, I've been exploring what might just be one of the most meaningful Android advancements in recent memory.It's a shiny new feature that's poised to change the very way we interact with our devices. It's also one of those things you really have to experience to fully grasp — because it's - [5 dark mode upgrades for your Windows 10 or 11 PC](https://ans-pa.com/5-dark-mode-upgrades-for-your-windows-10-or-11-pc/) - Both Windows 10 and Windows 11 have a dark mode, but it’s not perfect. It’s missing some big features, like automatic dark mode at sunset and a true dark mode for every website. Meanwhile, some Windows applications don’t seem to obey your dark mode choice at all.Whether you love using dark mode all day long - [What a future without browser cookies looks like](https://ans-pa.com/what-a-future-without-browser-cookies-looks-like/) - Most online users have experienced it. You do an online search for healthcare purposes, travel information, or something to buy and soon you’re being bombarded with emails and targeted online ads for everything related to your search. That’s because browser cookies were tracking you as you performed your searches; they identified you and your activity.Over - [Meta to label AI-generated images from Google, OpenAI and Adobe](https://ans-pa.com/meta-to-label-ai-generated-images-from-google-openai-and-adobe/) - Meta is working on developing tools to identify images synthetically produced by generative AI systems at scale across its social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, the company said on Tuesday.“…we’ve been working with industry partners to align on common technical standards that signal when a piece of content has been created using - [Enrollments for federal low-income Internet subsidy program to end](https://ans-pa.com/enrollments-for-federal-low-income-internet-subsidy-program-to-end/) - A US government program that subsidizes fees for Internet service for low-income households will stop taking enrollments Thursday and could shut down by April, leaving people who depend on the service for remote employment without a way to pay for broadband access.The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is currently used by nearly 23 million Americans, allowing them - [Cisco Webex comes to Apple’s Vision Pro](https://ans-pa.com/cisco-webex-comes-to-apples-vision-pro/) - Cisco has joined Zoom and Microsoft Teams with the official introduction of its business-grade video conferencing solution for Apple’s recently introduced Vision Pro. The company officially announced the rollout at Cisco Live in Amsterdam, though the app is available now.Jeetu Patel, Cisco executive vice president and general manager, security and collaboration, drew an interesting comparison: “Two weeks - [When a customer gets defrauded, should the enterprise reimburse?](https://ans-pa.com/when-a-customer-gets-defrauded-should-the-enterprise-reimburse/) - The New York Attorney General’s decision to sue Citibank last week for failing to reimburse customers who'd been victimized by fraud raised some interesting issues for business that go beyond just Citibank. Specificially, when should a customer be reimbursed for fraud and at what point do the customer’s own actions come into play?To be clear, financial institutions have - [How — and why — to upskill your employees](https://ans-pa.com/how-and-why-to-upskill-your-employees/) - Technology is evolving faster than ever, and the skills that technologists use in their work are advancing just as fast. “For example, a third of the skills data scientists were using five years ago are now obsolete, and those skills have been replaced by newer and different skills,” said Fiona Mark, principal analyst at Forrester - [Apple has eye on building bigger genAI data sets](https://ans-pa.com/apple-has-eye-on-building-bigger-genai-data-sets/) - Apple is beginning to act on its generative AI (genAI) plans. Machine vision intelligence at scale generates huge quantities of data. Not all of that data should exist, so how does one ensure the information that is being used and conceivably stored is appropriate, of good quality, and legitimate?Not only this, but how can a - [How to make a Windows 10 or 11 image backup](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-make-a-windows-10-or-11-image-backup/) - When things go wrong with Windows, as they sometimes will, nothing ensures a faster or easier return to normal than restoring a recent image backup.To that end, I back up my production PCs at 9 a.m. every day. That means that I’ll never lose more than a day’s work if something should go badly enough - [Tim Cook brings Apple's GenAI plans into the light](https://ans-pa.com/tim-cook-brings-apples-genai-plans-into-the-light/) - Apple CEO Tim Cook turned speculation concerning his company’s future plans for generative AI into expectations, saying the company plans to announce new features before the end of 2024.He confirmed that Apple is putting “tremendous amount of time and effort” into the effort, adding, “We're excited to share the details of our ongoing work in - [How to use the new genAI template tool in Google Sheets](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-use-the-new-genai-template-tool-in-google-sheets/) - Need ideas or motivation to help you build a spreadsheet in Google Sheets? You can browse through the templates that are included in this office app and select one to customize. But a more intriguing option is to use a new generative AI tool in Sheets, called Help Me Organize, to generate a template that’s - [Vision Pro’s killer feature? It’s a wearable Mac](https://ans-pa.com/vision-pros-killer-feature-its-a-wearable-mac/) - It’s really important to remember that the new Vision Pro, unlike other mixed-reality headseta, isn’t limited to entertainment and gaming. Compared to rivals, the device’s killer app is actually productivity.That is, after all, perhaps why Apple CEO Tim Cook told Vanity Fair he uses Vision Pro for productive tasks. With the first Vision Pro devices arriving - [Q&A: How Thomson Reuters used genAI to enable a citizen developer workforce](https://ans-pa.com/qa-how-thomson-reuters-used-genai-to-enable-a-citizen-developer-workforce/) - Over the past three decades, Thomson Reuters has relied on artificial intelligence (AI) to help its clients — and its own employees — sift through troves of digital documents to discover those most relevant to the issue at hand.But when generative AI (genAI) burst onto the scene in late 2022, the company was forced to rethink - [Latest US alert on Chinese companies sparks supply chain concerns](https://ans-pa.com/latest-us-alert-on-chinese-companies-sparks-supply-chain-concerns/) - Raising supply chain concerns, the US Department of Defense has unveiled a new list of Chinese companies alleged to have ties to the country's military.Notable entities on this list include Yangtze Memory Technologies Company (YMTC), a major memory chip manufacturer, Megvii, a facial recognition firm, Hesai Technology, a provider of LiDAR solutions, and tech company - [Generative AI boosts cloud revenue for Microsoft, Google](https://ans-pa.com/generative-ai-boosts-cloud-revenue-for-microsoft-google/) - Microsoft and Google, who saw cloud revenue slow in recent quarters, are reporting a resurgence of growth due to the proliferation of generative AI (genAI).Both companies on Tuesday reported revenue numbers for the final quarter of 2023.“Google Cloud has left behind years of quarterly losses and now accounts for 10% of Alphabet’s revenue, as it - [3 Android camera shortcuts that make iPhones look amusingly antiquated](https://ans-pa.com/3-android-camera-shortcuts-that-make-iphones-look-amusingly-antiquated/) - For most of us, referring to the rectangular gadget in our pocket as a "phone" is almost an artifact from the past.Sure, our modern mobile devices can make and take old-fashioned voice calls (at least in theory — I think?). But more often, we rely on 'em for keeping up with email, checking in on - [Key features of Windows 11 Enterprise](https://ans-pa.com/key-features-of-windows-11-enterprise/) - The Enterprise edition of any Windows version is aimed directly and more or less exclusively at businesses and other organizations of some scale, often with thousands or tens of thousands of PCs. It isn’t normally available for retail purchase (though you can find some retailers online willing to sell single-copy licenses). Normally, Windows 11 Enterprise - [Intel to make chips in US for Taiwan’s UMC](https://ans-pa.com/intel-to-make-chips-in-us-for-taiwans-umc/) - Intel’s recent agreement to make chips for Taiwan’s UMC at its fabs in Arizona marks a strategic alignment with the US CHIPS Act, which seeks to increase chip manufacturing capacity on US soil. It also signals a significant shift in the semiconductor industry, intertwining technological expansion with geopolitical dynamics.UMC and Intel will together develop a - [Apple accuses UK gov't of ‘unprecedented overreach’ on privacy](https://ans-pa.com/apple-accuses-uk-govt-of-unprecedented-overreach-on-privacy/) - In the name of security, the UK government may well have put a cybersecurity target on the nation’s back, with Apple once again warning that proposed changes to the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 are a “serious and direct threat to data security and information privacy.“We are deeply concerned about the amendments to the Investigatory Powers Bill currently before Parliament, - [It’s not just hype; genAI is already live at many companies](https://ans-pa.com/its-not-just-hype-genai-is-already-live-at-many-companies/) - The production use of generative AI in businesses is well under way, increasing five-fold in 2023 as companies rushed to integrate the new technology into IT departments, line of business operations and almost everywhere else, according to a new report by business automation vendor Workato.The report, released today, was based on data collected from 1,055 - [Women, high-performers and millennials flee return-to-office policies](https://ans-pa.com/women-high-performers-and-millennials-flee-return-to-office-policies/) - Companies that mandate a return to office (RTO) for their workers fair no better than companies that do not — and, in fact, forcing people to give up remote work hurts employee well-being and retention, new studies found.A Gartner survey of 2,080 knowledge worker employees released today measured the impact of mandated requirements on employee - [Zoom gets mixed-reality makeover for Apple’s Vision Pro](https://ans-pa.com/zoom-gets-mixed-reality-makeover-for-apples-vision-pro/) - Zoom has made its first foray into mixed reality with a meeting app for Apple’s Vision Pro that promises new ways to collaborate in three dimensions.With Apple’s hich-tech headset due to launch Friday, Zoom has created a visionOS app that will make use of the “spatial computing” capabilities of the device. This includes 3D representations - [GenAI is moving to your smartphone, PC and car — here’s why](https://ans-pa.com/genai-is-moving-to-your-smartphone-pc-and-car-heres-why/) - Generative artificial intelligence (genAI) like ChatGPT has to date mostly made its home in the massive data centers of service providers and enterprises. When companies want to use genAI services, they basically purchase access to an AI platform such as Microsoft 365 Copilot — the same as any other SaaS product.One problem with a cloud-based - [Teradyne is the latest victim of the US-China chip war](https://ans-pa.com/teradyne-is-the-latest-victim-of-the-us-china-chip-war/) - Semiconductor testing company Teradyne recently confirmed to Reuters that it had to pull $1 billion of equipment out of China because of supply chain disruptions.Teradyne manufactures automated testing equipment that plays an important role in chip fabs around the world. “We did manufacturing in China, so we had to get an emergency authorization to continue that - [Italian watchdog says ChatGPT breached data privacy norms](https://ans-pa.com/italian-watchdog-says-chatgpt-breached-data-privacy-norms/) - In fresh troubles for OpenAI, Italian watchdog Garante said the company’s generative AI platform ChatGPT has breached data privacy norms set by the EU.Garante, which reportedly has a history of holding proactive assessments, investigates whether different companies and their AI platforms are complying with the EU’s data privacy regulations.To read this article in full, please - [Return to office or quit, IBM tells managers](https://ans-pa.com/return-to-office-or-quit-ibm-tells-managers/) - Amid mixed reactions to companies attempting to end remote work, IBM has asked all its US managers to return to the office or leave the job, according to a Bloomberg report.In a memo dated January 16, senior VP John Granger said that all managers based in the US must now report to an office or - [Fleet adds Windows support to its Apple-first MDM software](https://ans-pa.com/fleet-adds-windows-support-to-its-apple-first-mdm-software/) - Open-source multi-platform device management vendor Fleet recently introduced Windows support to its existing software, which already enables IT to manage Linux and Apple devices within a single console.The multi-platform upgrade comes as many companies continue to manage their way through the impact of Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, a move that appears to be generating challenges for some - [Apple's Vision Pro faces an uphill battle](https://ans-pa.com/apples-vision-pro-faces-an-uphill-battle/) - Virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, and now Apple's spatial computing — each has a different meaning. But this proliferation of terms for the same core concept is a sign of a product category that's regularly remaking itself in an effort to "catch on" — because so far, it hasn't.Augmented reality (adding digital elements to - [Russia hacks Microsoft: It’s worse than you think](https://ans-pa.com/russia-hacks-microsoft-its-worse-than-you-think/) - Another day, another hack of Microsoft technology. Ho-hum, you might think, this has happened before and will happen again — as surely as the sun rises in the morning and sets at night.This time is different. Because this time the targets weren’t Microsoft customers, but rather the top echelons of Microsoft itself. And the hacker - [China approves over 40 AI models for public use in six months](https://ans-pa.com/china-approves-over-40-ai-models-for-public-use-in-six-months/) - China has approved over 40 AI models for public use over the past six months, according to a report from the country’s state-owned publication Securities Times. Beijing, which has passed approvals in four tranches since it set up its approval process around August last year, reportedly approved 14 AI models last week. Companies that received - [As Apple opens the App Store (a little) in EU, winners and losers emerge](https://ans-pa.com/as-apple-opens-the-app-store-a-little-in-eu-winners-and-losers-emerge/) - Apple has now published its planned approach to opening up its App Store in Europe. As predicted, critics don’t like the plans, arguing (also as anticipated) they cost too much.Apple also opened up the worldwide App Store to game streaming services and will allow the NFC chip in the iPhone to support services other than - [OpenAI: Copy, steal, paste](https://ans-pa.com/openai-copy-steal-paste/) - On average, every story I publish is stolen about 20 times. For example, numerous rip-off sites copied and pasted my last column on holiday layoffs more than a dozen times on the same day. Why? Because they get readers' views without having to pay me a cent.Sure, automated content scraping sites don't make much money, - [14 advanced Android 14 tips](https://ans-pa.com/14-advanced-android-14-tips/) - Android 14 may not exactly be new at this point, but it's a relatively recent rollout for lots of Android devices — and no matter how long you've had it on your phone or tablet, it's probably still packing some out-of-the-way additions you've yet to encounter.So whether you've been living with Android 14 since its - [How Satya Nadella navigated Microsoft to $3 trillion market value](https://ans-pa.com/how-satya-nadella-navigated-microsoft-to-3-trillion-market-value/) - It is clearly Microsoft’s moment in the sun as its market value crossed the $3 trillion mark for the first time ever. After Apple, Microsoft is only the second company ever to achieve this feat.The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Satya Nadella, is credited with steering the company’s rise from $381 billion to $3 trillion over - [The rise of synthetic media: Get ready for AI avatars at work](https://ans-pa.com/the-rise-of-synthetic-media-get-ready-for-ai-avatars-at-work/) - Despite ongoing concerns about the rise of deepfake videos — online content created or manipulated typically for nefarious purposes, from election interference to emerging cyber security threats — digital “synthetic media” offers real-world benefits in the workplace.That’s the promise, at least, offered by a variety of startups that have turned to generative AI (genAI) tools - [Google settles $1.7 billion lawsuit over AI chips patent infringement](https://ans-pa.com/google-settles-1-7-billion-lawsuit-over-ai-chips-patent-infringement/) - Google has settled a $1.7 billion lawsuit over AI chips patent infringement filed by computer scientist Joseph Bates and his company Singular, the company said on Wednesday.The settlement, according to a Reuters report, was reached on the same day when lawyers from both parties were scheduled to make their closing arguments.While details of the settlement - [Hello, Apple has joined the AI arms race](https://ans-pa.com/hello-apple-has-joined-the-ai-arms-race/) - Forty years to the day since the first Macintosh appeared beside a youthful Steve Jobs and made the world swoon when the word “hello” appeared on its display, Apple is closer than ever to realizing the vision it had then.The Mac, with its GUI, mouse, and keyboard, launched an industry and spawned imitators (including Windows). - [National AI Research Resource pilot program to ‘democratize’ generative AI](https://ans-pa.com/national-ai-research-resource-pilot-program-to-democratize-generative-ai/) - The National Science Foundation (NSF) today offered details about the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource pilot program, which will see the NSF partner with other federal agencies — as well as the private sector — to provide access to datasets, AI models, and training for researchers.The NAIRR pilot, originally announced last November, is fundamentally an - [Microsoft launches Mesh 3D meetings for Teams](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-launches-mesh-3d-meetings-for-teams/) - Microsoft’s metaverse for the workplace has officially arrived with the full launch of Mesh virtual meeting spaces on Wednesday.Instead of a Teams video call, workers can now don a virtual reality headset and interact with colleagues in a range of three-dimensional environments. Microsoft sees a variety of use cases for this: town halls, social gatherings, - [Pega Systems launches generative AI-based assistant for enterprises](https://ans-pa.com/pega-systems-launches-generative-ai-based-assistant-for-enterprises/) - US-based software company Pega Systems has announced the launch of Knowledge Buddy, a generative AI-based assistant to help organizations collate data spread across different sources.Typically, information is scattered across several locations in an organization and this can make it tougher for employees and customers to access it. “The needed information is usually spread across documents, - [Pegasystems launches generative AI-based assistant for enterprises](https://ans-pa.com/pegasystems-launches-generative-ai-based-assistant-for-enterprises/) - US-based software company Pegasystems has announced the launch of Knowledge Buddy, a generative AI-based assistant to help organizations collate data spread across different sources.Typically, information is scattered across several locations in an organization and this can make it tougher for employees and customers to access it. “The needed information is usually spread across documents, Wiki’s - [Microsoft Bing, Edge may be exempted from EU’s Digital Market Act: Report](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-bing-edge-may-be-exempted-from-eus-digital-market-act-report/) - Microsoft’s search engine Bing and its web browser Edge may be exempted from the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) that will force obligations on large digital platforms, dubbed gatekeepers, from March.The exemption is due to the non-dominant nature of the search engine and the web browser in their segment, according to a Bloomberg report that - [How to access Google's Circle to Search smartness on any Android phone today](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-access-googles-circle-to-search-smartness-on-any-android-phone-today/) - Whoa. Is it just me, or is there a serious scent of déjà vu in the air right now?Google, if you haven't yet heard, is gearin' up to launch an ambitious new universal search system for Android devices. It's called Circle to Search, and it actually sounds pretty useful: Circle to Search [is] a new - [7 ways to leverage genAI for a better career](https://ans-pa.com/7-ways-to-leverage-genai-for-a-better-career/) - IT workers the world over are standing at a career crossroads: one path means learning how to leverage a new set of tools many business leaders say is mandatory for success; the other means choosing to ignore the generative AI hype and doing what you’ve always done.Assuming you choose the first path, how do you - [Grape expectations: How genAI reshaped a wine company’s customer service team](https://ans-pa.com/grape-expectations-how-genai-reshaped-a-wine-companys-customer-service-team/) - New York-based Wine Enthusiast offers online customers what it calls everything they need to live the wine lifestyle — from the vino itself to corkscrews, glasses, wine cellars, furniture, and even two magazines on the topic. The company also receives 100,000 customer service inquiries annually.During the COVID-19 pandemic, the 45-year old online retailer's presense boomed. - [Apple’s second-user smartphone business is booming](https://ans-pa.com/apples-second-user-smartphone-business-is-booming/) - The used smartphone market is booming, with around 309.4 million units sold in 2023, according to IDC. (That's up almost 10% on the preceding year.) While most of this market comprises consumers trying to get the best smartphone they can for the money they’ve got, there is a lesson for enterprise professionals — and another - [Regulators probe Microsoft’s OpenAI ties — is it only smoke, or is there fire?](https://ans-pa.com/regulators-probe-microsofts-openai-ties-is-it-only-smoke-or-is-there-fire/) - For years, Microsoft has managed to fly under the radar of government agencies looking at potential violations of antitrust laws, even though it’s the second largest company in the world by market valuation, just behind Apple and ahead of Google, Facebook, and Amazon. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is well aware of how his company was - [AI still far more expensive than humans in most jobs: MIT study](https://ans-pa.com/ai-still-far-more-expensive-than-humans-in-most-jobs-mit-study/) - Countering several recent reports that suggest AI will take away millions of jobs, researchers at MIT have found that it is still a lot cheaper to use humans for most jobs in the US.In a paper titled “Beyond AI Exposure,” MIT FutureTech, along with The Productivity Institute and IBM’s Institute for Business Value offers a - [Apple Vision Pro pre-sales run hot, but demand might be limited](https://ans-pa.com/apple-vision-pro-pre-sales-run-hot-but-demand-might-be-limited/) - Apple’s Vision Pro virtual and augmented reality headsets sold out quickly after online pre-sales began Friday morning, but stable delivery dates could indicate a limited amount of demand for the $3,500 device.Ming-Chi Kuo, a TF International Securities analyst who keeps close tabs on Apple, estimated the company sold between 160,000 and 180,000 headsets over the - [Vision Pro briefing: Apple’s new billion-dollar business](https://ans-pa.com/vision-pro-briefing-apples-new-billion-dollar-business/) - The magic money tree sometimes needs a little cultivation, which is precisely what Apple’s been doing for the last few years as it prepared for Vision Pro. Now, with Vision Pro pre-orders under way, it has built a billion-dollar business it didn’t have before.How many Vision Pro devices has Apple sold? Estimates vary about sales. - [7 ways to use Microsoft Copilot right](https://ans-pa.com/7-ways-to-use-microsoft-copilot-right/) - Whether you believe AI will be the salvation of humankind or the death of it, whether you think it’s little more than a plaything to while away your time or the surest way to get onto the fast track at work, you’re going to use it someday. Maybe today. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe next week or - [Yes, you can officially run Windows on Apple Silicon Macs](https://ans-pa.com/yes-you-can-officially-run-windows-on-apple-silicon-macs/) - There's good news for users who still need to run Windows for legacy enterprise apps — Parallels Desktop for Mac now officially works on Arm versions of Windows 11 on M3 Macs.Recently updated, Parallels was the first solution Microsoft authorized to run Windows on M1 and M2 Macs; that official support has now been extended to Macs - [10 must-have security tips for digital nomads](https://ans-pa.com/10-must-have-security-tips-for-digital-nomads/) - I’ve been a digital nomad since 2006. Since then, I’ve spent more time abroad than in the United States, working all the while, no matter where. And I’ve learned a lot about safety, security and privacy in specific locations on the European, African, and American continents — often the hard way.Lots of people travel for - [The most significant number from Samsung's Galaxy S24 announcement](https://ans-pa.com/the-most-significant-number-from-samsungs-galaxy-s24-announcement/) - My goodness, there's a lot to be said about Samsung's newly announced Galaxy S24 family of flagship Android devices.Aaaaand, spoiler alert: We won't be saying most of those things here, in this column, today.Now, don't get me wrong: Samsung's latest and greatest Galaxy models have tons of good stuff going for 'em. From the eye-catching - [TSMC delays second Arizona chip foundry](https://ans-pa.com/tsmc-delays-second-arizona-chip-foundry/) - TSMC, the largest semiconductor manufacturer in the world, will delay the opening of the second of its two US-based foundries, the company announced today during its quarterly earnings call.The first such foundry, announced in 2020, has already been delayed past its initial opening date of late 2024 — thanks, in part, to labor disputes over - [Intel finds ally in EU antitrust case](https://ans-pa.com/intel-finds-ally-in-eu-antitrust-case/) - Intel's fight against a €1.06 billion ($1.2 billion) antitrust fine from the European Union (EU) got a boost Thursday when a top court advisor in Europe pointed out errors in the EU regulators' economic analysis.The dispute started in 2009 when the European Commission penalized Intel for attempting to impede a competitor, Advanced Micro Devices, by - [Intel wins reprieve in EU antitrust case](https://ans-pa.com/intel-wins-reprieve-in-eu-antitrust-case/) - Intel's fight against a $1.2 billion (1.06 billion euros) antitrust fine from the European Union (EU) got a boost Thursday when a top court advisor in Europe pointed out errors in the EU regulators' economic analysis.The dispute started in 2009 when the European Commission penalized Intel for attempting to impede a competitor, Advanced Micro Devices, - [BBEdit shows how to add generative AI to Apple platforms](https://ans-pa.com/bbedit-shows-how-to-add-generative-ai-to-apple-platforms/) - One useful ChatGPT implementation I’ve come across in serious Mac software was recently introduced in BBEdit 15. It’s an integrated solution that lets developers request help from the generative ai (genAI) tech when building projects.It shouldn’t be surprising to see a tool as powerful as BBEdit integrating such support. After all, the application is beloved by - [New certification will determine whether a generative AI system is Fairly Trained](https://ans-pa.com/new-certification-will-determine-whether-a-generative-ai-system-is-fairly-trained/) - A new firm, founded by a former Stability AI executive, is providing certifications to generative AI systems, which have been trained on “consented” data. - [Google CEO warns of more job cuts as the company preps for ‘ambitious goals’](https://ans-pa.com/google-ceo-warns-of-more-job-cuts-as-the-company-preps-for-ambitious-goals/) - Google Chief Executive Officer, Sundar Pichai, has warned the company’s workforce about upcoming job losses as Google moves investments toward new technologies, such as AI, according to a memo called, “2024 priorities and the year ahead,” CNBC reported.“The reality is that to create the capacity for this investment, we have to make tough choices,” Pichai - [GenAI set to replace these jobs, disrupt others — and worsen economic inequity](https://ans-pa.com/genai-set-to-replace-these-jobs-disrupt-others-and-worsen-economic-inequity/) - The latest report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (genAI) reads like a "best of times, worst of times" tale.The world is on “the brink of a technological revolution that could jump start productivity, boost global growth and raise incomes around the world," the Washington-based IMF said in a - [Google implements key changes in Europe before new regulatory measures take effect](https://ans-pa.com/google-implements-key-changes-in-europe-before-new-regulatory-measures-take-effect/) - Google has unveiled a range of changes to its European operations, as it gears up for the introduction of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the region, set to take effect in March.This includes modifying search results to prioritize comparison websites, enhancing consent protocols for data sharing, introducing choice screens for browser selection on Android - [AI pros are increasingly uneasy about the technology — survey](https://ans-pa.com/ai-pros-are-increasingly-uneasy-about-the-technology-survey/) - A new survey by the AI Impacts research project, the University of Bonn, and the University of Oxford reflects growing unease among AI professionals about the technology’s swift advance in recent years.The survey involved 2,778 contributors from industry publications and forums. One key finding: 10% fear machines could surpass human capability in all tasks within - [Foxconn, HCL Group team up on chip-packaging and testing factory in India](https://ans-pa.com/foxconn-hcl-group-team-up-on-chip-packaging-and-testing-factory-in-india/) - Taiwanese technology manufacturer Foxconn is partnering with Indian software and engineering firm HCL Group to set up a semiconductor packaging and testing venture in India in a deal worth $37.2 million.The move, revealed in a regulatory filing with Taiwan's stock exchange, comes about six months after Foxconn — also known as Hon Hai Precision — - [Apple v. Epic: The still-unanswered question](https://ans-pa.com/apple-v-epic-the-still-unanswered-question/) - When it comes to Apple’s commission on App Store sales, the question has always been pretty simple: “How much?”What happened? The US Supreme Court decided not to hear appeals from either Apple or Epic Games following a lengthy and expensive court battle. Apple has now been forced to revise its App Store policies, giving developers - [Synopsys to acquire Ansys for $35 billion to bolster chip design](https://ans-pa.com/synopsys-to-acquire-ansys-for-35-billion-to-bolster-chip-design/) - Chip design software provider Synopsys on Tuesday said it will acquire electronic systems simulation and analysis software maker Ansys for $35 billion.The acquisition, according to Synopsys CEO Sassine Ghazi, will cater to the increasing market demand for developing an integrated offering capable of semiconductor design simulation and analysis.While Synopsys, rival to Cadence and Mentor Graphics, makes - [Australia evaluates compulsory guardrails to ensure safer AI](https://ans-pa.com/australia-evaluates-compulsory-guardrails-to-ensure-safer-ai/) - Australia would soon establish an expert advisory group to evaluate and develop options for “mandatory guardrails” on AI research and development, Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic announced on Wednesday.“The Government is now considering mandatory guardrails for AI development and deployment in high-risk settings, whether through changes to existing laws or the creation of - [3 exceptional Android privacy power-ups](https://ans-pa.com/3-exceptional-android-privacy-power-ups/) - In many ways, privacy has become a bit of a conceptual buzzword — something that, similar to the AI craze of the moment, is as much about marketing a broad idea to people as it is anything specific or practical.But all opportunistic hype aside, privacy absolutely does matter — once you dig in past that - [Before you buy a Windows 11 'AI PC' in 2024, read this](https://ans-pa.com/before-you-buy-a-windows-11-ai-pc-in-2024-read-this/) - “AI PCs” were everywhere at CES 2024 last week, and companies like Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm are all touting how great their hardware is at running AI tasks. As Microsoft put it, this is “the year of AI-powered Windows PCs.”But since these “AI PCs” are already on shelves and you can buy them right now, - [2024 will be a big year for AR/VR, but mainstream adoption will lag](https://ans-pa.com/2024-will-be-a-big-year-for-ar-vr-but-mainstream-adoption-will-lag/) - The augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR) market is already buzzing with announcement of several productsduring last week’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES).While adoption of so-called XR technologies (a term used to cover augmented, mixed and virtual reality) remains at an early stage, hardware vendors continue to push toward mainstream acceptance by businesses and consumers. At CES, that meant the - [Google to replace part of ad sales team with AI](https://ans-pa.com/google-to-replace-part-of-ad-sales-team-with-ai/) - In an extension to its restructuring strategy planned last year to maintain investor sentiment and adjust to market conditions, Google is continuing to lay off staffers across its various divisions.Google’s advertainment sales (ad sales) team is the latest to be impacted with at least a few hundred staffers laid off on Tuesday.The job reductions, which - [How OpenAI plans to handle genAI election fears](https://ans-pa.com/how-openai-plans-to-handle-genai-election-fears/) - OpenAI is hoping to alleviate concerns about its technology’s influence on elections, as more than a third of the world's population is gearing up for voting this year. Among the countries where elections are scheduled are the United States, Pakistan, India, South Africa, and the European Parliament.“We want to make sure that our AI systems - [Microsoft extends Copilot access to individuals and SMBs](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-extends-copilot-access-to-individuals-and-smbs/) - Two months after the launch of Copilot for Microsoft 365 to large businesses, Microsoft has expanded access to the generative AI (genAI) assistant for individual and small and mid-sized businesses (SMB) customers. Uptake is likely to be gradual however, according to industry analysts, due to significant monthly charges.SMBs will be charged an additional $30 per - [Musk wants a bigger share in Tesla to grow AI, robotics business](https://ans-pa.com/musk-wants-a-bigger-share-in-tesla-to-grow-ai-robotics-business/) - Elon Musk wants more control of Tesla, the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer that made him a multi-billionaire, to advance its position as a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics technology.The outspoken CEO and co-founder of Tesla used X (formerly Twitter), the social-media platform he owns, to share his discomfort about growing these technologies within - [Apple's European App Store users face free market test](https://ans-pa.com/apples-european-app-store-users-face-free-market-test/) - Apple is about to open its European App Store to app sideloading from non-Apple sources — a laboratory experiment that will be sanitized and unavailable outside the EU, at least for now.Effectively, Apple’s new European customer experience will become experimental data for a new era of "openness."To read this article in full, please click here - [How to create an AI team and train your other workers](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-create-an-ai-team-and-train-your-other-workers/) - When it comes to generative artificial intelligence (genAI), businesses across a variety of vertical industries have jumped into deployments over the past year or so for fear of being left behind.More than two-thirds of business leaders have now rolled out genAI tools for their workforce. But employee knowledge or training on large language models and - [Unprecedented forecast of China’s chipmaking capacity raises concerns for global players](https://ans-pa.com/unprecedented-forecast-of-chinas-chipmaking-capacity-raises-concerns-for-global-players/) - Despite US sanctions, China’s semiconductor industry appears all set to expand at a robust pace. A recent Bloomberg report citing Barclays research emphasized this, as it projected chipmaking capacity in China would double and exceed market expectations in five years.The chip ban, while impactful, has spurred greater involvement from local companies in China’s semiconductor sector. - [AI to impact 60% of jobs in developed economies: IMF](https://ans-pa.com/ai-to-impact-60-of-jobs-in-developed-economies-imf/) - AI is likely to impact 40% of global jobs, with the impact going as high as 60% for developed economies, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In low-income countries, on the other hand, 26% of the jobs would be impacted. “Roughly half the exposed jobs may benefit from AI integration, enhancing productivity. For the other half, - [OpenAI deletes fine print on “military” usage of its AI technology](https://ans-pa.com/openai-deletes-fine-print-on-military-usage-of-its-ai-technology/) - ChatGPT-maker OpenAI has altered the fine print in its usage policies to eliminate specific text related to the usage of its AI technology or large language models for “military and warfare.”Before the alteration was done on January 10, the usage policy specifically disallowed the use of OpenAI models for weapons development, military and warfare, and content - [OpenAI deletes fine print on 'military' use of its AI technology](https://ans-pa.com/openai-deletes-fine-print-on-military-use-of-its-ai-technology/) - ChatGPT-maker OpenAI has altered the fine print in its usage policies to eliminate specific text related to the usage of its AI technology or large language models for “military and warfare.”Before the alteration was done on January 10, the usage policy specifically disallowed the use of OpenAI models for weapons development, military and warfare, and content - [Failed unsubscribes could be a clue your data's out of control](https://ans-pa.com/failed-unsubscribes-could-be-a-clue-your-datas-out-of-control/) - Anyone who's eveer tried to unsubscribe to an email list knows that "unsubscribe" button never seems to work — except to verify your email account is working. But what if that failure arises from something more problematic than an unethical person ignoring the request? What if it is the latest symptom of the overly distributed - [How to back up Android devices: The complete guide](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-back-up-android-devices-the-complete-guide/) - 'Twas a time not so long ago when backing up an Android phone was a massive, migraine-inducing undertaking.It's true: A mere matter of years back in our mobile device saga, a proper Android backup required physical computer connections, complicated third-party software and more than a few adult beverages.But my, what a difference a few years - [Infosys to acquire InSemi](https://ans-pa.com/infosys-to-acquire-insemi/) - Infosys on Thursday announced plans to acquire InSemi, a company specializing in semiconductor design and embedded services, for an undisclosed sum.The acquisition, set to be finalized in the current quarter, aims to enhance Infosys' engineering R&D expertise. The move is noteworthy given the crucial role semiconductors play in advancing technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), - [For Patch Tuesday, 48 updates, no zero-day flaws](https://ans-pa.com/for-patch-tuesday-48-updates-no-zero-day-flaws/) - Microsoft has eased us into the new new year with just 48 updates for the Windows, Office and .NET platforms. There were no zero-days for January, and no reports of publicly exposed vulnerabilities or exploited security issues.Developers of complex, line-of-business applications might need to pay particular attention to how Microsoft has updated the Message Queue - [Will Wanda Austin take Apple into space?](https://ans-pa.com/will-wanda-austin-take-apple-into-space/) - The appointment of Wanda Austin to Apple’s board of directors is noteworthy. Not only does the move reflect Apple’s continued attempts toward diversity, but it also suggests the company’s future plans.The news, if you missed it, is that Apple nominated Austin, former president and CEO of The Aerospace Corporation, to its board. She will help - [Work from home is passé, Microsoft wants you to work from your car](https://ans-pa.com/work-from-home-is-passe-microsoft-wants-you-to-work-from-your-car/) - Over the past few years, employees have seen work from office, work from home, and even work from hotel rooms. But come February Microsoft Teams users will be able to attend work calls and meetings from the comfort of their cars.Microsoft Teams would be available on Android Auto, an app that connects Android mobile phones - [Why return-to-office mandates fail](https://ans-pa.com/why-return-to-office-mandates-fail/) - Mike Hopkins, the senior vice president of Prime Video and Amazon Studios, said at an internal meeting recently about Amazon’s mandate forcing employees to work in the office rather than from home: “It’s working…. I don’t have data to back it up, but I know it’s better.”He added that it’s the “personal belief” of Amazon CEO Andy - [A powerful Android dark mode enhancement](https://ans-pa.com/a-powerful-android-dark-mode-enhancement/) - If there's one thing I've learned about my fellow Android appreciators in recent years, it's that folks who love the dark really love the dark.I'm not talking about night owls, mind you, but rather Android-carrying hominids who prefer the mellow vibes of their device's dark mode. I'm tellin' ya: It's a thing — and people - [Google targets retail sector with new genAI tools, hardware](https://ans-pa.com/google-targets-retail-sector-with-new-genai-tools-hardware/) - Google’s latest foray into the world of generative AI (genAI) is focused on the retail industry with custom chatbots, intelligent inventory assistants, and edge devices customized for retail businesses.The retail-oriented chatbot and other features were announced Thursday ahead of the National Retail Federation’s annual convention. Google dubbed the chatbot a “conversational commerce solution,” designed to work with - [Microsoft unveils new generative AI capabilities for retailers](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-unveils-new-generative-ai-capabilities-for-retailers/) - Microsoft has released new generative AI (genAI) capabilities along with other updates to help retailers create better customer experiences for online shoppers.The new features include a Copilot template, currently available in preview, that lets retailers build personalized shopping experiences that can be later embedded into an app or website allowing shoppers to make queries in - [Why Apple must support MDM with Vision Pro](https://ans-pa.com/why-apple-must-support-mdm-with-vision-pro/) - This really shouldn’t be controversial. Apple seriously needs to introduce a mobile device management (MDM) system for its Vision Pro headsets, because enterprise deployments will demand that it do so.Apple will soon begin selling Vision Pro, the first product in its eventual spatial computing range. Announced in June 2023 and set to ship next month, the device - [OpenAI launches GPT Store to expand user base and add revenue streams](https://ans-pa.com/openai-launches-gpt-store-to-expand-user-base-and-add-revenue-streams/) - OpenAI’s GPT store promises to expand the user base for the company and will contribute to the growing AI ecosystem. - [Alphabet lays off hundreds from engineering, hardware, and digital assistant teams](https://ans-pa.com/alphabet-lays-off-hundreds-from-engineering-hardware-and-digital-assistant-teams/) - Alphabet has confirmed that it has laid off hundreds of employees from several teams, including engineering and the teams responsible for its digital voice assistant and hardware products, including Fitbit wearable devices and Pixel smartphones.“As we’ve said, we’re responsibly investing in our company’s biggest priorities and the significant opportunities ahead. To best position us for these - [Hey Gen. Z, you’re looking for tech jobs in all the wrong places](https://ans-pa.com/hey-gen-z-youre-looking-for-tech-jobs-in-all-the-wrong-places/) - For generation Z, finding a job seems to be more difficult than it's been in recent years, and part of the problem is a lack of experience or skills companies want at a time when technology is changing at breakneck speed.More than half of 1,000 workers ages 21 to 25 in the UK polled recently - [Global semiconductor market rebound in sight, but tethered to the rise of AI](https://ans-pa.com/global-semiconductor-market-rebound-in-sight-but-tethered-to-the-rise-of-ai/) - After a period of slow growth, signs are emerging of a rebound in the global semiconductor market, fueled by a surge in demand for AI technologies.The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) reported this week that global sales in the semiconductor industry reached $48 billion in November 2023. This figure represents a 5.3% rise compared to the - [AI-enabled PCs will drive PC sales growth in 2024, say research firms](https://ans-pa.com/ai-enabled-pcs-will-drive-pc-sales-growth-in-2024-say-research-firms/) - The global PC market remained nearly flat in 2023 but AI-driven workloads are expected to drive growth in 2024.“2023 was a challenging year for the PC industry, but companies have remained resilient and can now look forward to an improving landscape,” said Himani Mukka, research manager at Canalys. “The cautious optimism across key players in - [Security tips for Apple-using workers in co-working spaces](https://ans-pa.com/security-tips-for-apple-using-workers-in-co-working-spaces/) - For Apple-using workers on the go, especially if you frequent shared co-working spaces or public places, don't assume you're as secure as you think you are. Co-working spaces are particularly under threat, in part because criminals have already figured out that the people using them are good targets for data theft, ransomware, and more.They’ve also realized - [US lawmaker wants probe of UAE firm with ties to OpenAI, Microsoft](https://ans-pa.com/us-lawmaker-wants-probe-of-uae-firm-with-ties-to-openai-microsoft/) - US lawmakers are calling for an investigation of a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based artificial intelligence (AI) firm with ties to OpenAI and Microsoft over its association with Chinese entities engaged in surveillance and human-rights abuses, including some that have been blacklisted by the US government.In an open letter to US Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, - [AI enables Microsoft and PNNL to discover new battery material](https://ans-pa.com/ai-enables-microsoft-and-pnnl-to-discover-new-battery-material/) - Microsoft and the US Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) used a combination of High-Performance Computing (HPC) and AI to zero in on a new material, which can potentially replace Lithium, for a battery in just 80 hours.“Our collaboration with Microsoft is about making AI accessible to scientists. We see the potential for - [Google faces $1.7 billion lawsuit over AI chips patent infringement](https://ans-pa.com/google-faces-1-7-billion-lawsuit-over-ai-chips-patent-infringement/) - A computer scientist, Joseph Bates, has filed a lawsuit against Google claiming that the internet giant should pay $1.67 billion for using his innovations to develop processors for AI-related tasks.In response to the lawsuit, Google appeared before a federal jury in Boston and claimed that the company’s scientists on staff had developed the chips in - [The question no one's answering about AI on Android in 2024](https://ans-pa.com/the-question-no-ones-answering-about-ai-on-android-in-2024/) - I'm typically not one for sweeping tech predictions.This year, though, it seems safe to put one particularly bold premonition out into the virtual wild. It's less of a prediction, mind you, and more of a certainty we're already seeing play out:This year, we're gonna be hearing an awful lot about AI — in an awful - [Will super chips disrupt the 'everything to the cloud' IT mentality?](https://ans-pa.com/will-super-chips-disrupt-the-everything-to-the-cloud-it-mentality/) - Enterprise IT for the last couple of years has grown disappointed in the economics — not to mention the cybersecurity and compliance impact — of corporate clouds. In general, with a few exceptions, enterprises have done little about it; most saw the scalability and efficiencies too seductive.Might that change in 2024 and 2025? Apple has - [The best places to find Windows ISOs](https://ans-pa.com/the-best-places-to-find-windows-isos/) - Installing and repairing Windows operating systems requires access to known, good, working, and virus-free installation, image, and supporting files. Typically, such collections can run into the tens or even hundreds of thousands of items, all organized within a complex hierarchy of file directories (folders, in Windows-speak).That probably explains why the ISO format, originally developed to - [EU to review Microsoft’s investment in OpenAI](https://ans-pa.com/eu-to-review-microsofts-investment-in-openai/) - The European Union is investigating whether Microsoft's investment in OpenAI amounts to a concealed merger amid efforts to regulate the rapidly advancing generative AI (genAI) sector.The European Commission, serving as the EU's executive branch, said Tuesday it is starting a competition inquiry into the markets of virtual worlds and genAI; the goal is to focus - [How to think about Apple and spatial computing](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-think-about-apple-and-spatial-computing/) - It might not yet be clear where Apple’s visionOS (and Vision Pro headset) aims to go. But for enterprise technology decision makers, one way to understand it all is to study what the company itself says. First, where isn’t it going?According to Apple, it isn’t trying to invent products for use in virtual, augmented, mixed, or even - [New York Times’ blockbuster suit could decide the fate of genAI](https://ans-pa.com/new-york-times-blockbuster-suit-could-decide-the-fate-of-genai/) - Here come the lawyers.Last week, the New York Times sued Microsoft and OpenAI, in which Microsoft has invested $13 billion and counting, for copyright violations. The Times claims Microsoft’s genAI-based Copilot and OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which powers Copilot, were trained using millions of articles without the Times’s permission.It goes on to argue that those tools (and - [OpenAI claims NYT is not telling the full story in its copyright lawsuit](https://ans-pa.com/openai-claims-nyt-is-not-telling-the-full-story-in-its-copyright-lawsuit/) - OpenAI on Monday said that The New York Times (NYT) is not telling the full story about the lawsuit it filed against the Sam Altman-led company and Microsoft on December 27.“Interestingly, the regurgitations The New York Times induced appear to be from years-old articles that have proliferated on multiple third-party websites. It seems they intentionally manipulated prompts, often - [OpenAI: GenAI tools can’t be made without copyrighted materials](https://ans-pa.com/openai-genai-tools-cant-be-made-without-copyrighted-materials/) - In response to gathering legal efforts to rein in its data collection, OpenAI is arguing that the creation of advanced generative AI (genAI) tools is unfeasible without the use of copyrighted content to train them.In a report to the UK’s House of Lords Communications and Digital Select Committee, OpenAI said that training extensive large language - [Apple Vision Pro on sale Feb. 2 in US, pre-orders soon](https://ans-pa.com/apple-vision-pro-on-sale-feb-2-in-us-pre-orders-soon/) - As CES opens its doors, Apple has started the conversation by announcing its $3,499 Vision Pro headset will on sale in the US on Feb. 2. Pre-orders begin Jan. 19.Apple has always promised to ship the product “early” in 2024, and in the last week speculation of a CES-timed intro has been rife, as noted here and - [Microsoft bids adieu to WordPad](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-bids-adieu-to-wordpad/) - Technology giant Microsoft has discontinued WordPad, which had been part of every Windows operating system for the last 28 years.“Starting with this build, the WordPad and People apps will no longer be installed after doing a clean install of the OS. In a future flight, WordPad will be removed on upgrade. WordPad will not be - [Startup firm Patronus creates diagnostic tool to catch genAI mistakes](https://ans-pa.com/startup-firm-patronus-creates-diagnostic-tool-to-catch-genai-mistakes/) - As generative AI (genAI) platforms such as ChatGPT, Dall-E2, and AlphaCode barrel ahead at a breakneck pace, keeping the tools from hallucinating and spewing erroneous or offensive responses is nearly impossible.To date, there have been few methods to ensure accurate information is coming out of the large language models (LLMs) that serve as the basis for genAI.To read this article - [Hey Siri, where will you be after the genAI bubble pops?](https://ans-pa.com/hey-siri-where-will-you-be-after-the-genai-bubble-pops/) - When you consider the resources required to train, run, and oversee generative AI tools, you have to ask whether the rewards justify the consequences. While in theory it is possible to use smart machinery to get things done, at what point is doing so actually profitable — and when do the drawbacks outweigh the benefits?This - [Nvidia, Databricks investments value generative AI search startup at $520M](https://ans-pa.com/nvidia-databricks-investments-value-generative-ai-search-startup-at-520m/) - Perplexity AI, a generative AI search engine startup, has raised $73.6 million in new funding from investors including Nvidia, Databricks, and Amazon founder and former CEO Jeff Bezos.The deal values the company at $520 million and is one of the largest amounts raised by a search engine startup in recent years.Databricks’ investment is interesting given - [2024 will be ‘The year of AI glasses’](https://ans-pa.com/2024-will-be-the-year-of-ai-glasses/) - Apple's pricey Vision Pro augmented reality platform is expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2024. But by the end of the year, I predict the platform of the year will be — drum roll, please — AI glasses!Wait, what?That's right. Glasses that let you interact with artificial intelligence (AI) from the comfort of - [OpenAI to launch GPT Store next week](https://ans-pa.com/openai-to-launch-gpt-store-next-week/) - OpenAI’s long-planned customized AI marketplace will debut next week, according to an email the company sent today to some GPT users.The GPT Store, as OpenAI calls it, will serve as a repository for custom GPTs, which can be created using OpenAI’s builder functionality. The company posits a range of use cases, including math instruction, learning - [Apple is a big-noise no-show at CES 2024](https://ans-pa.com/apple-is-a-big-noise-no-show-at-ces-2024/) - CES is coming, and if the past is any guide, Apple won't be part of the festivities. And yet, as is often the case, its presence will be felt across the exhibition floor.Why? Because while generative AI (gen AI) might this year appear in everything (for good or ill), the other big story will be - [5 New Year's resolutions for Windows users](https://ans-pa.com/5-new-years-resolutions-for-windows-users/) - Welcome to the futuristic-sounding year of 2024 — that time of year when people set New Year’s resolutions and get started on them.If you subscribe to our Cool Tools newsletter at The Intelligence, you’ve seen me talking about something smaller and stronger than resolutions: habits. They’re the key to lasting change.In the spirit of New - [17 time-saving Android shortcuts](https://ans-pa.com/17-time-saving-android-shortcuts/) - When it comes to modern technology, every second counts.It may sound silly, but it's true: A second is the difference between an interaction on your phone feeling instantaneous and feeling just a touch too slow. And particularly with how frequently we tend to repeat common mobile tech tasks — switching apps, opening menus, firing up - [Timely Apple updates must be in your supplier SLAs](https://ans-pa.com/timely-apple-updates-must-be-in-your-supplier-slas/) - It’s time to face the fact that the days of proprietary, platform-dependent software and services are over. They had to end. Macs, iPhones, and Windows systems coexist in today’s enterprise, which means IT decision-makers need software and services that work across all the platforms and are genuinely compatible.Why compatibility matters Put simply, Apple’s steady cadence - [Google Assistant's forgotten memory magic](https://ans-pa.com/google-assistants-forgotten-memory-magic/) - If there's one thing I always remember these days, it's that my malleable mammal memory sure ain't what it used to be.As (I think) I've said plenty of times before, my brain stopped storing new stuff somewhere around 2014. These days, I rely on a complex system of carefully crafted reminders — both virtual and - [Make your own business templates in Google Docs](https://ans-pa.com/make-your-own-business-templates-in-google-docs/) - Google Docs offers a few dozen templates you can use to get a jump-start on document creation, but maybe you’ve looked through them without finding any that meet your specific needs. No problem: you can build one from scratch.This could be ideal if you want to design one or more standard document templates for your - [IDC expects genAI spending to double in these areas in '24](https://ans-pa.com/idc-expects-genai-spending-to-double-in-these-areas-in-24/) - Enterprises spent about $19.4 billion worldwide on generative artificial intelligence (genAI) technologies in 2023 — and that amount is expected to double this year, according to research by IDC.Organizations are spending on genAI software as well as related infrastructure hardware and IT/business services. By 2027, spending is expected to reach $151.1 billion, representing a compound - [This year, we get ready for the Apple of your AI](https://ans-pa.com/this-year-we-get-ready-for-the-apple-of-your-ai/) - With almost 1 billion generative AI (genAI) equipped smartphones set to ship between now and 2027, according to Counterpoint, it's increasingly likely that Apple will be in the mix with edge-based Apple GPT inside its phones.The company has been slammed for seeming to be a late show to the genAI party. Arguably, this is true, with - [Big workplace changes are coming in 2024. Are you ready?](https://ans-pa.com/big-workplace-changes-are-coming-in-2024-are-you-ready/) - If you thought the pandemic and AI revolution changed work in the past four years, get ready for epic changes coming in 2024.During the past three years, the world of work was turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Technology saved the economy by enabling millions to work from home using video calls, cloud services, - [The top Chromebook tips of 2023](https://ans-pa.com/the-top-chromebook-tips-of-2023/) - More than any other platform, Google's ChromeOS is in a constant state of evolution — and if you blink for a minute, you're bound to miss some promising new possibility or progression.For those of us who rely on Chromebooks for work, that's fantastic. It means there's always something new to learn, uncover, and consider and - [13 tech luminaries we lost in 2023](https://ans-pa.com/13-tech-luminaries-we-lost-in-2023/) - The biggest innovations are sometimes borne from seemingly small advancements. Developments such as finding ways to compress computer files, creating a practical phone battery, crafting an unassuming text editor, and filing a software patent sent shockwaves through the IT industry, leaving indelible marks on the modern world.As Computerworld looks back on the lives of 13 - [USB-C explained: How to get the most from it (and why it keeps on getting better)](https://ans-pa.com/usb-c-explained-how-to-get-the-most-from-it-and-why-it-keeps-on-getting-better/) - Now that you’re used to seeing co-workers, family, and strangers at coffee shops, offices, and planes using the oblong USB-C connector, it’s time to see just what this promising standard can do today and tomorrow. As we approach its 10th birthday, the USB-C plug is now part and parcel of just about every new laptop, - [2023's top Google Assistant advice for Android](https://ans-pa.com/2023s-top-google-assistant-advice-for-android/) - One of Android's most underappreciated advantages is its tight integration with the excellent and ever-evolving Google Assistant voice command genie.It's easy to take Assistant for granted, being a person who carries around an Android phone every day. It's just always there, usually quietly waiting. And it's certainly not perfect.But Assistant can do some spectacularly useful - [18 ways to speed up Windows 10](https://ans-pa.com/18-ways-to-speed-up-windows-10/) - Want your Windows 10 PC to run faster? We're here to help. By tweaking some of the operating settings, your machine will be zippier and less prone to performance and system issues.And if you're already running Windows 11, we've got you covered there. Check out our top ways to keep Windows 11 devices chugging along - [How to securely erase your Android device in 3 simple steps](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-securely-erase-your-android-device-in-3-simple-steps/) - It's an inevitable moment in the smartphone-owning cycle: the point at which a newer, shinier model comes along and your trusty old device is no longer needed.Maybe your company bought you a new Android phone. Maybe your old one was getting too slow. Or maybe you just love electronics and couldn't resist the lure of - [Tips for new tech devices](https://ans-pa.com/tips-for-new-tech-devices/) - Tech gear is a perennially popular holiday gift. If you're the proud owner of a new phone, tablet, or computer — or you provide tech support for family and friends with new devices — we're here to help.Check out and share these stories, which can help you get the most out of a new Android - [The top Google Pixel tips of 2023](https://ans-pa.com/the-top-google-pixel-tips-of-2023/) - More and more, there are Android tips — and then there are Pixel tips.Owning a Google Pixel phone has become a ticket of sorts to a uniquely top-tier type of Android experience. With Google's pure vision for the way the operating system itself should work (and none of the experience-harming and often even privacy-compromising layers - [Q&A: How Athenahealth moved from traditional AI to genAI and ChatGPT](https://ans-pa.com/qa-how-athenahealth-moved-from-traditional-ai-to-genai-and-chatgpt/) - Athenahealth provides software and services for medical groups and health systems around the country, and finding efficiencies through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) has long been a part of its DNA, so to speak.For example, the healthcare technology provider has already been using machine learning to sift through tens of millions of faxes it receives - [Rite Aid hit with a five-year freeze on facial recognition](https://ans-pa.com/rite-aid-hit-with-a-five-year-freeze-on-facial-recognition/) - Rite Aid has agreed to a five-year ban on using facial recognition technology for surveillance as part of a settlement with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC).The decision follows charges by the FTC that the technology was misused, harming consumers. From 2012 to 2020, Rite Aid implemented AI-driven facial recognition to detect shoplifters. However, the - [UK Supreme Court: No, your AI can’t hold a patent](https://ans-pa.com/uk-supreme-court-no-your-ai-cant-hold-a-patent/) - The UK's highest court ruled today that artificial intelligence systems can’t be the official holder of a patent, echoing legal trends elsewhere in the Western world and highlighting the legal issues still to come for the burgeoning field of generative AI.The UK Supreme Court’s ruling, in Thaler v. Comptroller-General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, - [Microsoft confirms Wi-Fi issue caused by update, issues rollback as temporary fix](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-confirms-wi-fi-issue-caused-by-update-issues-rollback-as-temporary-fix/) - Microsoft has offered a temporary fix to Windows users for Wi-Fi related issues after a Windows 11 update that compromised wireless connections on public, education, and enterprise networks.The move is a response to reports from Windows users that they were having problems connecting their computers to Wi-Fi networks after the rollout of December's Patch Tuesday - [The top 10 tech stories of 2023](https://ans-pa.com/the-top-10-tech-stories-of-2023/) - The top technology stories of 2023 highlight fundamental changes in culture and geopolitics as well as tech itself: It's clear that generative AI will affect all aspects of technology and society, while geopolitical tensions are sparking cybersecurity attacks globally. General unease about the dominance of big tech, meanwhile, is pushing regulators to get tougher on - [Apple updates IT training for enterprise pros](https://ans-pa.com/apple-updates-it-training-for-enterprise-pros/) - Just in time for killing time over the holidays, Apple this week updated one of its most essential enterprise products: its Deployment and Management Tutorials, which now cover all the latest iterations of the company's iPhone, Mac, and iPad operating systems.What this means is that Apple offers enterprise admins around 12 hours of in-depth course - [Top 10 tech stories of 2023:](https://ans-pa.com/top-10-tech-stories-of-2023/) - Fired! Rehired! Sam Altman’s ouster and return to OpenAI Shutterstock The ouster of Sam Altman as CEO of OpenAI, which sparked the modern era of generative AI when it launched ChatGPT a year earlier, was the tech industry shocker of the year. After the board issued a mysterious statement on November 17 saying that it - [Office apps come to Meta’s Quest devices, but real-world use will take time](https://ans-pa.com/office-apps-come-to-metas-quest-devices-but-real-world-use-will-take-time/) - Microsoft’s office productivity apps can now be accessed on Meta’s Quest headsets, offering access to Word, Excel and PowerPoint in mixed and virtual reality spaces. Though office workers are unlikely to swap laptops for mixed-reality devices until the hardware improves, analysts see potential being able to access productivity tools on multiple virtual screens.At Meta Connect - [10 Android tips you shouldn't miss from 2023](https://ans-pa.com/10-android-tips-you-shouldnt-miss-from-2023/) - Ah, the holidays. No matter what manner of winter celebration you prefer (I'm a Festivus man myself), late December is a fine time for kickin' back and collecting your thoughts for the coming year.That means it's also a fine time for contemplating that crazy little computer in your pocket and the steps you can take - [10 Windows 11 AI features you can use today](https://ans-pa.com/10-windows-11-ai-features-you-can-use-today/) - Microsoft has bet everything on generative artificial intelligence (genAI) this year. Not even the shock ouster of OpenAI’s CEO for mysterious accusations of dishonesty — followed by his shock return without those accusations being fully explained — has slowed things down.Word is that Microsoft is working on a next-generation version of Windows with an AI-powered - [The evolution of the MacBook](https://ans-pa.com/the-evolution-of-the-macbook/) - A major tool for college students and creative professionals alike, Apple’s laptops have dominated the way users approach productivity on the go.The MacBook line debuted in 1991 — though there have been a variety of different naming conventions and models over the years. Remember the early PowerBooks of the 1990s? The iBook G3? And of - [Choosing a genAI partner: Trust, but verify](https://ans-pa.com/choosing-a-genai-partner-trust-but-verify/) - Enterprise executives, still enthralled by the possibilities of generative artificial intelligence (genAI), more often than not are insisting that their IT departments figure out how to make the technology work. Let’s set aside the usual concerns about genAI, such as the hallucinations and other errors that make it essential to check every single line it generates - [What leading Apple-in-the-enterprise execs expect in '24](https://ans-pa.com/what-leading-apple-in-the-enterprise-execs-expect-in-24/) - Apple’s surging status in the enterprise suggests it will grab a big slice of recovering hardware budgets across the next 12 months. To find out why, I talked to leaders from across the fast growing Apple device management industry to learn what they see and where Apple in the enterprise will go in 2024.Specifically, I - [ChromeOS: Tips, tools, and other Chromebook intelligence](https://ans-pa.com/chromeos-tips-tools-and-other-chromebook-intelligence/) - Google's ChromeOS platform sure has come a long way.From the early days, when ChromeOS was little more than an experimental "browser in a box," to today — with the platform powering first-class hardware and supporting a diverse range of productivity applications — Google's once-crazy-seeming project has turned into one of the world's most intriguing and - [Coming soon to Apple: third-party app stores — and sideloading apps](https://ans-pa.com/coming-soon-to-apple-third-party-app-stores-and-sideloading-apps/) - Apple is being required to give up its tight control of software on the iPhone and iPad, and Apple executives have acknowledged plans to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). While the company will keep fighting government pressure to open up its devices to third parties, these mechanisms will likely be used for mandates - [The best Android apps for business in 2024](https://ans-pa.com/the-best-android-apps-for-business-in-2024/) - Trying to find the right app for any given area on Android is a lot like trying to order dinner at a restaurant with way too many options on the menu. How can you possibly find the right choice in such a crowded lineup? With the Google Play Store now boasting somewhere in the neighborhood - [Adobe, Figma pull the plug on $20 billion merger](https://ans-pa.com/adobe-figma-pull-the-plug-on-20-billion-merger/) - Adobe and collaborative interface design tool provider Figma will not complete their planned $20 billion merger, as pressure from US and European regulators made the deal’s path to completion too treacherous.The companies, in a joint statement issued Monday, said that the deal would have been a boon to both parties, but that the regulatory climate - [What’s coming up from Apple in 2024?](https://ans-pa.com/whats-coming-up-from-apple-in-2024/) - We all expect new iPhones, iPads, Macs, the Vision Pro, and many other Apple hardware introductions with improvements and tweaks across the range, but what are the Apple trends and strategies we’ll discuss in 2024?Business with a bullet “It’s a computer. It’s a communication device. It’s an immersive entertainment experience.” No, it’s not three separate - [Q&A: Sedgwick exec lays out 'the baby steps to genAI adoption'](https://ans-pa.com/qa-sedgwick-exec-lays-out-the-baby-steps-to-genai-adoption/) - Sedgwick, a third-party insurance claims management provider operating in 80 countries, receives about 1.7 million pages of digital claims-related documents a day. The documents then go through an arduous vetting process by examiners who must decide whether they're valid and how they should be handled.One claim can take weeks to adjudicate. In April, Sedgwick unveiled a - [For December, an exceptionally light Patch Tuesday](https://ans-pa.com/for-december-an-exceptionally-light-patch-tuesday/) - Over the past year, we've seen Microsoft make radical improvements in its browser stability and significant positive changes to its Windows update communication and telemetry strategies. And this month's Patch Tuesday release brings with it an incredibly light set of updates — maybe the fewest number of updates I have ever seen.There are no zero-days, - [New EU rules mean every tech firm will want to impress Mother Earth](https://ans-pa.com/new-eu-rules-mean-every-tech-firm-will-want-to-impress-mother-earth/) - While it will be affected, Apple might mind less than others that the European Union has agreed to new rules to regulate corporate supply chains — in part, because the company is already moving in a similar direction.That’s not to say it doesn’t have, hasn’t had, and likely will experience problems in its supply chain. - [Andreessen Horowitz will pay politicians to deregulate AI and crypto](https://ans-pa.com/andreessen-horowitz-will-pay-politicians-to-deregulate-ai-and-crypto/) - Prominent venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)’s co-founder, Ben Horowitz, has announced that the company would start lobbying in the US to ensure that the growth of new technologies, including AI and crypto, is not obstructed by regulations and policies.“If a candidate supports an optimistic technology-enabled future, we are for them. If they want to choke - [Why do companies do holiday layoffs?](https://ans-pa.com/why-do-companies-do-holiday-layoffs/) - What do Twilio, Spotify, and Bending Spoons have in common? They're all tech companies that laid off employees right before the holidays. Simultaneously, many of those people were going into debt to pay for their holiday gifts.To read this article in full, please click here - [Salesforce and Apple are ready for enterprise AR](https://ans-pa.com/salesforce-and-apple-are-ready-for-enterprise-ar/) - Salesforce has introduced support for two key Apple solutions in a move that highlights the future of Apple's augmented reality (AR) headset, the Vision Pro, in the enterprise.What is Salesforce offering? Available now, Salesforce has integrated Apple Business Messaging in Service Cloud so Salesforce customers can offer AI-assisted support, appointments, and purchasing. Salesforce also announced - [Adobe anticipates ‘significant penalty’ for complex cancellation practices](https://ans-pa.com/adobe-anticipates-significant-penalty-for-complex-cancellation-practices/) - Adobe is expecting to pay a significant penalty to the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to settle an investigation into its service cancellation practices, the company said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).“We believe our practices comply with the law and are currently engaging in discussion with FTC staff. The defense or - [Managing rapid-fire Windows updates](https://ans-pa.com/managing-rapid-fire-windows-updates/) - Speaking to a financial analyst at Citigroup’s Global Technology Conference in September, Intel’s chief financial officer David Zinsner caused a bit of a stir when he hinted at a future release of Windows, quite possibly Windows 12, coming in 2024. Zinsner’s implication was that the upcoming “Windows refresh” would be major enough to require new - [Internet traffic soars in 2023, with generative AI a standout trend: Report](https://ans-pa.com/internet-traffic-soars-in-2023-with-generative-ai-a-standout-trend-report/) - This year saw a 25% rise in global internet traffic, reflecting an increasing reliance on online services, according to a new report by cloud performance and security company Cloudflare.In its annual Year in Review reports, Cloudflare offers an overview of online trends and security issues. This year, Cloudflare said, Google retained its position as the - [Microsoft unveils Phi-2, the next of its smaller, more nimble genAI models](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-unveils-phi-2-the-next-of-its-smaller-more-nimble-genai-models/) - Microsoft has announced the next of its suite of smaller, more nimble artificial intelligence (AI) models targeted at more specific use cases.Earlier this month, Microsoft unveiled Phi-1, the first of what it calls small language models (SLMs); they have far fewer parameters than their large language model (LLM) predecessor. For example, the GPT-3 LLM — the - [What is Stolen Device Protection for iPhone and how does it work?](https://ans-pa.com/what-is-stolen-device-protection-for-iphone-and-how-does-it-work/) - Take that, iPhone thieves — Apple is about to make it even more difficult to use its smartphones when you have no right to do so. In the upcoming iOS 17.3, it is testing out a new security system called "Stolen Device Protection."Here's a look at what this is, and what it does.Stolen Device Protection - [Microsoft will overtake Apple as the world’s largest company in '24](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-will-overtake-apple-as-the-worlds-largest-company-in-24/) - Since 2011, Apple has been the world’s biggest company by market capitalization on almost a daily basis, dropping on occasion to second place. When it first took the title, Apple was worth a bit under $340 billion. By this past June, it had become the first company in history with a market cap of $3 - [15 little-known Google Assistant tricks for Android](https://ans-pa.com/15-little-known-google-assistant-tricks-for-android/) - Fancy new features are fan-frickin'-tastic. But let's face it: We aren't all carrying shiny new phones right now. And we don't all have shiny new Android versions in front of our shiny faces this time of year.That doesn't, however, mean we can't enjoy the gift of useful new goodies on our favorite Googley gizmos. Android - [Essential AI reveals funding, development of full-stack AI automation tools](https://ans-pa.com/essential-ai-reveals-funding-development-of-full-stack-ai-automation-tools/) - Startup Essential AI has raised $56.5 million in funding — including funds from tech heavyweights AMD, Google, and Nvidia — showcasing the increasing investment in companies rushing to meet demand for generative AI products designed to improve business processes.The company, founded this year, had previously raised $8.3 million in seed capital, but has stayed in - [Apple Pay will need to open up to a little more competition](https://ans-pa.com/apple-pay-will-need-to-open-up-to-a-little-more-competition/) - In the wake of Epic’s major app store win against Google, Apple may be looking to open up some of its Apple Pay tech to mobile payment rivals. The iPhone maker has decided to make the offer rather than submit to regulation — or face a hefty fine.NFC for the rest of us, or something The EU - [Public cloud service revenue jumps 19%, with Microsoft leading overall: IDC](https://ans-pa.com/public-cloud-service-revenue-jumps-19-with-microsoft-leading-overall-idc/) - Revenue for public cloud services for companies such as Microsoft, AWS, and Google increased 19% year over year in the first half of 2023 on the back of the increased adoption of AI and organizations' persistent interest in moving more and more resources to the cloud, according to tech market research and advisory company IDC.Worldwide - [Microsoft sets precedent, partnering with union to develop AI policy](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-sets-precedent-partnering-with-union-to-develop-ai-policy/) - Microsoft has partnered with the AFL-CIO — the largest US union group, representing 60 unions and 12.5 million workers — to explore how AI will impact workers amid growing concerns about job losses with the rising adoption of the technology.The collaboration was formed to share in-depth information on AI technology trends with labor leaders and - [Making sense of genAI pricing in office apps](https://ans-pa.com/making-sense-of-genai-pricing-in-office-apps/) - Generative AI has the potential to boost workplace productivity, automating tasks such as drafting emails and providing meeting summaries. But deciding how much businesses should pay to access these tools can be a conundrum for software vendors.“This is untested technology, both in terms of what it can do and how you can monetize it,” said - [First CHIPS Act grant nets $35 million for BAE](https://ans-pa.com/first-chips-act-grant-nets-35-million-for-bae/) - The Biden administration said Monday it will grant $35 million to BAE Systems to expand operations at the British company’s New Hampshire plant, which is pivotal in producing computer chips for military aircraft.This funding initiative marks the inaugural allocation from the CHIPS and Science Act, a bipartisan effort passed last year. The Act commits more - [Change as opportunity: How Apple gains from rebooting its supply-chain strategy](https://ans-pa.com/change-as-opportunity-how-apple-gains-from-rebooting-its-supply-chain-strategy/) - During the Covid crisis, Apple learned that putting the majority of its production in one nation weakened its supply chain. Since then, it has been working to fix that problem by encouraging partners to open up in new nations.That’s a sensible response to supply-chain weakness, and while the Apple in India story is now well-known, - [Why billions of CHIPS Act dollars have not been distributed](https://ans-pa.com/why-billions-of-chips-act-dollars-have-not-been-distributed/) - Over the past 30 years, the US share of global semiconductor production has fallen from 37% to just 12%, according to White House figures.Meanwhile, China’s share of chip manufacturing has grown nearly 50% over the past two years and now makes up about 18% of the world’s supply.In 2021, the decline in domestic chip production - [Meta releases open-source tools for AI safety](https://ans-pa.com/meta-releases-open-source-tools-for-ai-safety/) - The Purple Llama project aims to help developers build generative AI models responsibly. - [How Apple TV just became a Zoom meeting solution for SMEs](https://ans-pa.com/how-apple-tv-just-became-a-zoom-meeting-solution-for-smes/) - Deploying a conference room for hybrid meetings can be costly if you’re a small to midsize enterprise (SME), but the price potentially plummets as online meeting provider Zoom joins Webex in launching a new Apple TV meeting app. The new app uses Apple’s Continuity Camera feature, introduced earlier this year, which lets you use the - [Windows 12 and the coming AI chip war](https://ans-pa.com/windows-12-and-the-coming-ai-chip-war/) - For more than a year, we’ve been hearing rumors that Windows 12, the next major release for Microsoft’s venerated operating system, could be coming as soon as 2024. As always, Microsoft has refused to confirm or deny those rumors. So when Intel’s chief financial officer David Zinsner recently hinted at a Windows release expected next - [4 advanced Gboard adjustments for faster Android typing](https://ans-pa.com/4-advanced-gboard-adjustments-for-faster-android-typing/) - When you're obsessed with efficiency, like I am, every extra second you shave off your routine absolutely adds up.And even if you aren't a full-time productivity-seeking super-nerd, some simple adjustments to your mobile-tech setup can go a surprisingly long way.One of the best places to give yourself a time-saving boost is in your smartphone's keyboard. - [EU lawmakers move closer to finalizing AI Act](https://ans-pa.com/eu-lawmakers-move-closer-to-finalizing-ai-act/) - The European Union (EU) is moving closer to resolving contentious issues to reach a consensus on the AI Act, which is likely to be one of the most comprehensive legislations to regulate the sale and use of AI.The talks between 27 European Union member states, the European Commission, and the European Parliament continue for the - [Apple set to open its 4th iPhone factory in India in a China+1 strategy](https://ans-pa.com/apple-set-to-open-its-4th-iphone-factory-in-india-in-a-china1-strategy/) - Apple is set to get its fourth manufacturing facility in India with the Tata Group reportedly planning a new factory that will manufacture iPhones, a move that aligns with Apple’s strategy of accelerating its supply chain in India.The new factory, according to a Bloomberg report that cites unnamed sources, is expected to have 20 assembly - [Attacks against personal data are up 300%, Apple warns](https://ans-pa.com/attacks-against-personal-data-are-up-300-apple-warns/) - It's been another bad week in security.Not only do we learn that so-called "friendly" governments are quietly requesting surveillance data concerning push notifications, but Apple tells us more than 2.6 billion personal records have already been compromised by data breaches in the past two years.To read this article in full, please click here - [AWS blames Microsoft for anti-competitive practices in the UK](https://ans-pa.com/aws-blames-microsoft-for-anti-competitive-practices-in-the-uk/) - Amazon Web Services (AWS) has blamed Microsoft for anti-competitive practices in the cloud computing segment in a letter to the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).“Some IT providers, such as Microsoft, use licensing practices that restrict customer choice and make switching more difficult the cloud services provider wrote in the letter to the watchdog, which - [Taiwan’s ‘silicon shield’ is cracking as US-China chip war rages](https://ans-pa.com/taiwans-silicon-shield-is-cracking-as-us-china-chip-war-rages/) - In a recent appearance at the New York Times Dealbook conference, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said there are dozens of well-funded companies in China trying to build their own GPUs as an alternative to Nvidia’s now that the US trade rules mean its best GPUs are not available in the country.For China, these restrictions are - [Concerns mount as US political standoff threatens chip manufacturing momentum](https://ans-pa.com/concerns-mount-as-us-political-standoff-threatens-chip-manufacturing-momentum/) - A political standoff that may delay semiconductor initiatives is raising concerns about the viability of the US as a prime location for chip production.According to a Bloomberg report that cited sources in the know, a provision that would have allowed projects funded by the 2022 CHIPS Act to skip federal environmental checks was removed from - [4 advanced ‘smart chip’ tips for Google Docs and Sheets](https://ans-pa.com/4-advanced-smart-chip-tips-for-google-docs-and-sheets/) - In Google Docs and Sheets, you can add smart chips to your document or inside spreadsheet cells. These are interactive elements shaped like capsules; when you move the pointer over any of them, a card pops open with useful information on it. For example, you can insert a People smart chip that will pop open - [Google launches Gemini, a genAI model for all devices](https://ans-pa.com/google-launches-gemini-a-genai-model-for-all-devices/) - Google today unveiled Gemini, its most powerful generative AI (genAI) software model to date — and it comes in three different sizes so it can be used in everything from data centers to mobile devices.Google has been developing the Gemini large language model (LLM) over the past eight months and recently gave a small group of - [Dutch chip equipment maker ASM to invest $324M in new Arizona headquarters](https://ans-pa.com/dutch-chip-equipment-maker-asm-to-invest-324m-in-new-arizona-headquarters/) - Dutch provider of key semiconductor technology ASM International is expanding its operations in Arizona with plans to invest $324 million over five years to build a new headquarters in Scottsdale. The state-of-the-art facility will focus on technology development, research, design and engineering capabilities, as well as conduct work on manufacturing capacity, the company said.The new - [Apple launches MLX machine-learning framework for Apple Silicon](https://ans-pa.com/apple-launches-mlx-machine-learning-framework-for-apple-silicon/) - Apple’s machine learning (ML) teams have released a new ML framework for Apple Silicon: MLX, or ML Explore arrives after being tested over the summer and is now available through GitHub.Machine Learning for Apple Silicon In an X-note, Awni Hannun, of Apple’s ML team, calls the software: “…an efficient machine learning framework specifically designed for Apple - [7 Windows annoyances and how to fix them](https://ans-pa.com/7-windows-annoyances-and-how-to-fix-them/) - I love Windows, but that doesn’t mean I love everything about it. In fact, Windows can behave in a lot of very annoying ways until you make some tweaks.When I set up any Windows PC for the first time, I always find myself fixing a few things to make Windows less obnoxious. Some of them - [4 words that speak volumes about Google's future Pixel plans](https://ans-pa.com/4-words-that-speak-volumes-about-googles-future-pixel-plans/) - Whew. Talk about a delicate balancing act.For seven years now, we've been watching Google walk a tightrope between being the keeper of the Android platform — on a software and ecosystem level — and being one of the companies competing for customers' dollars when it comes to the hardware around that.It's an awkward position to - [Here's why half of developers will soon use AI-augmented software](https://ans-pa.com/heres-why-half-of-developers-will-soon-use-ai-augmented-software/) - Generative artificial intelligence (genAI) tools to assist in the creation, testing and operation of software are expected to be adopted by half of all enterprise software engineers by 2027, according to a new study by Gartner Research.To read this article in full, please click here - [Spanish media's $600M suit against Meta is based on GDPR noncompliance](https://ans-pa.com/spanish-medias-600m-suit-against-meta-is-based-on-gdpr-noncompliance/) - Facebook parent company Meta is facing yet another legal challenge over user privacy, as a Spanish media company representing top media outlets in the country is suing the social media giant for $600 million for competitively unfair advertising practices based on noncompliance with the EU's General Data Privacy Regulation (GDPR).The Information Media Association (La Asociación - [Microsoft to offer extended Windows 10 security updates to businesses, individual users](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-to-offer-extended-windows-10-security-updates-to-businesses-individual-users/) - Microsoft plans to offer extended security updates to both business and individual Windows 10 users for the first time when the operating system reaches end-of-life in late 2025.Microsoft encouraged Windows 10 customers to begin plans to migrate to the latest version of the operating system — Windows 11 — last April with the announcement that - [AI Alliance, led by IBM and Meta, to promote open standards and take on AWS, Microsoft, and Nvidia](https://ans-pa.com/ai-alliance-led-by-ibm-and-meta-to-promote-open-standards-and-take-on-aws-microsoft-and-nvidia/) - Reminiscent of the recurring battle between open source and proprietary ecosystems, the AI Alliance includes about 50 members and is expected to help IBM, Meta and AMD challenge the largest players in generative AI. - [How Fake Lockdown Mode can fool you into a sense of security](https://ans-pa.com/how-fake-lockdown-mode-can-fool-you-into-a-sense-of-security/) - In yet another illustration of just how devious criminals have become in their attempts to undermine security, Jamf Threat Labs has identified a potential tampering technique that puts a device into Fake Lockdown Mode.As most people know, Lockdown Mode is an extreme protection feature for iPhone designed to protect the kind of high-value targets some - [Singapore makes key policy shifts in revised national AI strategy](https://ans-pa.com/singapore-makes-key-policy-shifts-in-revised-national-ai-strategy/) - Singapore government on Tuesday announced its updated national AI strategy, dubbed the National AI Strategy (NAIS) 2.0, as AI technology development gains momentum across the globe.The new policy introduces three major changes. The first key policy shift is that Singapore now believes that AI is a necessity and no longer “good to have.” In this - [Windows 10 cheat sheet](https://ans-pa.com/windows-10-cheat-sheet/) - When it was first released in July 2015, Windows 10 was clearly a winner. It undid the damage wrought by Windows 8, including eliminating the awkward Charms bar and bringing back the Start menu. Windows 10 introduced many key features as well, such as the Edge browser, integration with Microsoft’s OneDrive cloud storage service, a - [Japan partners with Nvidia to boost GPU stock pile](https://ans-pa.com/japan-partners-with-nvidia-to-boost-gpu-stock-pile/) - Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, on Monday, said he will “prioritize” Japan for batches of GPUs to help develop the nation’s AI industry, promising partnerships with local giants including Softbank to help develop the industry locally.“Demand is very high, but I promised the prime minister we will do our very, very best to prioritize Japan's requirements - [Twilio sheds jobs in third round of layoffs](https://ans-pa.com/twilio-sheds-jobs-in-third-round-of-layoffs/) - Cloud communications company Twilio is planning to reduce its workforce by 5%, marking its third significant reduction in staff numbers.Twilio is making cuts mainly in the sales teams for its consumer data and contact center software. The company has let go of more than 3,000 employees since September 2022, cutting down about a third of - [Apple sees 6G as strategically important to its future](https://ans-pa.com/apple-sees-6g-as-strategically-important-to-its-future/) - Apple has thousands of engineers within its silicon development teams working on a range of projects, including processors, graphics chips and, of course, modems.And while the modem development work is clearly slower than expected, at Apple the end of some projects is not always the beginning and that is why it is now focusing on - [The arrival of genAI could cover critical skills gaps, reshape IT job market](https://ans-pa.com/the-arrival-of-genai-could-cover-critical-skills-gaps-reshape-it-job-market/) - Generative artificial intelligence (genAI) is likely to play a critical role in addressing skills shortages in today’s marketplace, according to a new study by London-based Kaspersky Research. It showed that 40% of 2,000 C-level executives surveyed plan to use genAI tools such as ChatGPT to cover critical skills shortages through the automation of tasks.The European-based study - [Questions raised as Amazon Q starts to hallucinate and leak confidential data](https://ans-pa.com/questions-raised-as-amazon-q-starts-to-hallucinate-and-leak-confidential-data/) - In less than a week of its launch, Amazon Q — Amazon’s Copilot competitor — is already facing a threat to its survival as a new report suggests the generative AI assistant could be hallucinating.Q is grappling with inaccuracies and privacy issues, including hallucinations and data leaks, The Platformer reported, citing leaked documents. Significantly, the report comes - [Questions raised as Amazon Q reportedly starts to hallucinate and leak confidential data](https://ans-pa.com/questions-raised-as-amazon-q-reportedly-starts-to-hallucinate-and-leak-confidential-data/) - In less than a week of its launch, Amazon Q — Amazon’s Copilot competitor — is already facing a threat to its survival as a new report suggests the generative AI assistant could be hallucinating.Q is grappling with inaccuracies and privacy issues, including hallucinations and data leaks, The Platformer reported, citing leaked documents. Significantly, the report comes - [OpenAI signed $51M deal to buy ‘brain’ chips from Sam Altman portfolio firm](https://ans-pa.com/openai-signed-51m-deal-to-buy-brain-chips-from-sam-altman-portfolio-firm/) - A story that got left out of the corporate infighting that led to Sam Altman’s firing, then re-hiring as CEO of OpenAI, was about the firm’s relationship with a startup called Rain Neuromorphics, which is developing a neuromorphic processing unit (NPU) designed to replicate features of the human brain.Rain says their brain-inspired NPUs could potentially - [Smartphone shipments are on the rise, buoyed by 5G, iOS devices: IDC](https://ans-pa.com/smartphone-shipments-are-on-the-rise-buoyed-by-5g-ios-devices-idc/) - Mobile phone sales are rising, showing improvement in fourth quarter shipments despite an overall decline in 2023, according to the newly released International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. Notably, iPhones have performed better than other devices, and adoption of 5G technology is anticipated to boost sales further.Global smartphone shipments are forecast to - [Here's what AWS revealed about its generative AI strategy at re:Invent 2023](https://ans-pa.com/heres-what-aws-revealed-about-its-generative-ai-strategy-at-reinvent-2023/) - AWS CEO Adam Selipsky and other top executives at the company’s annual re:Invent conference revealed updates and new products aimed at offerings from Microsoft, Oracle, Google, and IBM. - [Apple secures WebKit as global ransomware attacks surge](https://ans-pa.com/apple-secures-webkit-as-global-ransomware-attacks-surge/) - If nothing else, Apple’s most recent emergency security update should be considered proof of an increasingly tense security environment.Enterprises must understand that while Apple maintains a pretty solid ecosystem — certainly at present the most secure, even according to Cisco — that doesn’t mean it’s entirely safe, and every Apple customer needs to get wise to - [The fear and hype around AI is overblown](https://ans-pa.com/the-fear-and-hype-around-ai-is-overblown/) - Two reputable news organizations — Reuters and The Information — recently reported sources claiming that recent drama around OpenAI’s leadership was based in part on a massive technological breakthrough at the company.That breakthrough is something called Q* (pronounced cue-star), which is claimed to be able to do grade-school-level math, and integrate that mathematical reasoning to - [Unused Gmail accounts head to the chopping block](https://ans-pa.com/unused-gmail-accounts-head-to-the-chopping-block/) - It’s the last call to keep any Gmail accounts you haven’t used recently.Beginning December 1, Google will start deleting accounts that have been inactive for two years, including all associated photos, Drive documents, contacts, emails, and calendar entries. The tech giant first announced this change in their inactivity policy in May.Google confirmed to Computerworld that - [Ouch: UK regulators to investigate Apple after it loses appeal](https://ans-pa.com/ouch-uk-regulators-to-investigate-apple-after-it-loses-appeal/) - A UK investigation into Apple's and Google’s dominance of the markets for mobile browsers and cloud gaming will go ahead as a local antitrust regulator has won an appeal against a previous ruling that had blocked its work.The story so far… The UK Competition and Markets Authority began investigating both companies last year. Part of - [Zoom’s survey tool aims for employee feedback outside of meetings](https://ans-pa.com/zooms-survey-tool-aims-for-employee-feedback-outside-of-meetings/) - Zoom has introduced a new tool to create and edit polls and surveys, which it claims will make it easier to gauge employee engagement.While Zoom had already enabled surveys for feedback during and after meetings, Zoom Surveys extends this capability more widely across its portfolio of collaboration and productivity tools, the company said Wednesday.“People have - [Super apps: the next big thing for enterprise IT?](https://ans-pa.com/super-apps-the-next-big-thing-for-enterprise-it/) - Employee-centric super apps are mobile applications that aim to bring together all the tools and resources employees use daily within a single platform.“A super app is a single application that sits on top of a variety of mini apps... [in a] modular approach that offers users many different functions, all in one single, familiar interface,” - [What is 'Return to Service' on iPhone and iOS — and how is it used?](https://ans-pa.com/what-is-return-to-service-on-iphone-and-ios-and-how-is-it-used/) - Return to Service is one of the many enterprise-focused improvements Apple introduced in iOS/iPad OS 17. It’s a new device management tool designed to help IT manage remote fleets of iPhones and iPads, and it should make it much easier to handle transient deployments and semi-shared devices.To read this article in full, please click here - [8 advanced ways to manage reminders in Android](https://ans-pa.com/8-advanced-ways-to-manage-reminders-in-android/) - Ah, reminders. I'm not sure how I'd possibly function without 'em. (What were we talking about, again?)I rely on reminders for almost everything imaginable — making sure I respond to an important message, tackle a pressing task, and perform all sorts of embarrassingly mundane day-to-day chores that are both business-based and personal. (Putting on one's - [GenAI is highly inaccurate for business use — and getting more opaque](https://ans-pa.com/genai-is-highly-inaccurate-for-business-use-and-getting-more-opaque/) - Large language models (LLMs), the algorithmic platforms on which generative AI (genAI) tools like ChatGPT are built, are highly inaccurate when connected to corporate databases and becoming less transparent, according to two studies.One study by Stanford University showed that as LLMs continue to ingest massive amounts of information and grow in size, the genesis of the - [How to go incognito in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-go-incognito-in-chrome-edge-firefox-and-safari/) - Private browsing. Incognito. Privacy mode.Web browser functions like those trace their roots back more than a decade, and the feature — first found in a top browser in 2005 — spread quickly as one copied another, made tweaks and minor improvements.But privacy-promising labels can be treacherous. Simply put, going "incognito" is as effective in guarding - [Amazon Q: AWS' answer to Microsoft’s GPT-driven Copilot](https://ans-pa.com/amazon-q-aws-answer-to-microsofts-gpt-driven-copilot/) - AWS CEO Adam Selipsky on Tuesday premiered the star of the cloud giant's ongoing re:Invent 2023 conference: Amazon Q, the company's answer to Microsoft’s GPT-driven Copilot generative AI assistant. Selipsky’s announcement of Q was reminiscent of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s keynote at Ignite and Build, where he announced several integrations and flavors of Copilot across - [UK says Adobe's $20B deal for Figma would hurt graphic design market](https://ans-pa.com/uk-says-adobes-20b-deal-for-figma-would-hurt-graphic-design-market/) - The UK competition authority has objected to Adobe's proposed $20 billion acquisition of cloud-based design company Figma, on grounds that it might stifle innovation.According to the results of an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Adobe's refusal to provide concessions to alleviate worries about the deal has led to findings that the acquisition - [Apple and the wireless industry invite you aboard Qi2](https://ans-pa.com/apple-and-the-wireless-industry-invite-you-aboard-qi2/) - If you blinked during the prelude to Thanksgiving 2023, you might not have noticed the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) announcement that the first wireless chargers to support Qi v.2.0 (and Apple’s MagSafe) are about to ship.This matters to Apple watchers because many of the first products to appear will be compatible with Apple’s iPhone 15, - [Varjo’s XR-4 new mixed reality headsets — an enterprise alternative to Vision Pro?](https://ans-pa.com/varjos-xr-4-new-mixed-reality-headsets-an-enterprise-alternative-to-vision-pro/) - Enterprise VR/AR hardware vendor Varjo has launched its latest mixed-reality headset, promising levels of realism that surpass consumer-focused devices — and at a price that puts the device in line with Apple’s upcoming Vision Pro.Varjo targets the highest of high-end virtual reality and augmented reality (VR/AR) use cases, including training simulations for airplane pilots and - [Amazon Braket Direct program to help reserve quantum computers](https://ans-pa.com/amazon-braket-direct-program-to-help-reserve-quantum-computers/) - The new program allows researchers to cut through waiting queues or wait times while providing the option to connect with experts to seek guidance on quantum workloads. - [EU Commission to Amazon: iRobot purchase could leave competitors in the dust](https://ans-pa.com/eu-commission-to-amazon-irobot-purchase-could-leave-competitors-in-the-dust/) - The European Commission (EC) has put Amazon on notice that regulators believe its proposed $1.4 billion acquisition of robot vacuum cleaners (RVCs) iRobot may leave its European competitors in the dust.EU legislators are worried that purchasing the makers of the popular Roomba vacuum, which Amazon said it aimed to do in August, might cause the - [Microsoft gives up on internet search to build a better AI brand](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-gives-up-on-internet-search-to-build-a-better-ai-brand/) - Two weeks ago at its Ignite event, Microsoft made something of a snoozy announcement: the company was rebranding its generative AI-based Bing Chat and calling it Copilot instead.Ho-hum. Another day, another change in the company’s branding strategy. Par for the course, right?.But the announcement was more consequential than you might think. It signaled Microsoft has thrown - [New Amazon Lex AI features aim to let developers quickly build, enhance bots](https://ans-pa.com/new-amazon-lex-ai-features-aim-to-let-developers-quickly-build-enhance-bots/) - Amazon has added generative AI tools to Lex, its chatbot development tool. - [6+ issues for autonomous vehicles (and any Apple Car)](https://ans-pa.com/6-issues-for-autonomous-vehicles-and-any-apple-car/) - Once upon a time, everybody seemed to believe autonomous vehicles (AVs) would soon be wheeling themselves merrily on every road.That didn’t happen.Though we still expect these things to arrive on streets eventually, how they do so won’t be straightforward, and it’s questionable whether private ownership is even a desirable aim. Shared AVs seems like a - [Alibaba shutters quantum computing efforts](https://ans-pa.com/alibaba-shutters-quantum-computing-efforts/) - Alibaba is shutting down its quantum computing research laboratory as part of the company’s ongoing restructuring efforts.The closure of the lab will result in about 30 job losses but the equipment will be donated to Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, where the company is based, a company spokesperson reportedly told Bloomberg.According to reports from Chinese media - [Best Places to Work in IT 2024](https://ans-pa.com/best-places-to-work-in-it-2024/) - Creating a great place for IT professionals to work takes more than offering top salaries and benefits. It means making a commitment to employees’ well-being and career growth, providing challenging work, supporting a diverse workforce, and fostering a positive and inclusive culture.And lately it means making IT an integral part of the business itself. The - [At BCU, IT is a core competency for business success](https://ans-pa.com/at-bcu-it-is-a-core-competency-for-business-success/) - There’s a standing joke in the executive team at BCU that every strategy or initiative built to service the Credit Union’s 350,000-plus members runs through IT.Whether it’s maintaining uptime, rolling out digital banking and payment services, or delivering seamless customer experiences, the 77-person-and-growing IT organization is at the epicenter of BCU’s business strategy and innovation, - [‘IT that just works’: A mantra for innovation at Kinaxis](https://ans-pa.com/it-that-just-works-a-mantra-for-innovation-at-kinaxis/) - “IT that just works” is the mantra of the IT organization at Kinaxis, a Canada-based maker of supply chain planning software. The slogan is written on T-shirts; promoted during meetings; dropped into casual conversation; and, perhaps most importantly, serves as the core design principle guiding all digital experiences.Whether a project involves equipment setup, employee onboarding, - [At UKG, diversity is a linchpin of better IT and business outcomes](https://ans-pa.com/at-ukg-diversity-is-a-linchpin-of-better-it-and-business-outcomes/) - UKG was built on the melding of two distinct camps — Ultimate Software and Kronos Software — which merged in early 2020 to create a workforce management and HR software powerhouse. The merged company’s commitment to diversity, for both workforce representation and promoting different perspectives and ideas, is a hallmark of UKG’s IT organization, reflected - [AWS turns Fire TV Cube into Thin Client for enterprises](https://ans-pa.com/aws-turns-fire-tv-cube-into-thin-client-for-enterprises/) - In a runup to its annual re:Invent conference, AWS on Sunday unveiled Amazon WorkSpaces Thin Client virtual desktops in a bid to offer cheaper PC alternatives to price-sensitive enterprise customers.The cloud-based Thin Clients start at $195 a piece, will use the same hardware as the Fire TV Cube, and is targeted at enterprises, including call - [US, UK, Japan, and other major powers sign AI security accord](https://ans-pa.com/us-uk-japan-and-other-major-powers-sign-ai-security-accord/) - Twenty-two law enforcement and intelligence agencies from 18 different countries signed an international agreement on AI safety over the weekend, which is designed to make new versions of the technology “secure by design.”This agreement comes months after the European Union signed its EU AI Act in June, banning certain AI technologies including biometric surveillance and - [Windows-as-an-app is coming](https://ans-pa.com/windows-as-an-app-is-coming/) - My first computer was an IBM 360 mainframe. To use it, I relied on a 3270 terminal. From there, I quickly moved on to a PDP-11 minicomputer running Unix — where my interface was a VT-102 terminal.In those days, all the computing power was remote. Then, CP/M, Apple, and IBM PCs changed everything. And the - [Digital advocacy group criticizes current scope of the EU AI Act](https://ans-pa.com/digital-advocacy-group-criticizes-current-scope-of-the-eu-ai-act/) - Digital Europe, an advocacy group that represents digital industries across the continent, has released a joint statement ahead of the EU’s AI Act’s final weeks of negotiations, warning that over-regulation could stymie innovation and cause startups to leave the region.The group’s core argument is that the AI Act now goes beyond its original intended scope, - [India launches global repository of Digital Public Infrastructure](https://ans-pa.com/india-launches-global-repository-of-digital-public-infrastructure/) - The Indian government on Friday launched the Global Digital Public Infrastructure Repository (GDPIR) to bring together resources and learnings from G20 members to design and build Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). “Its primary aim is to bridge the knowledge gap in the choices and methodologies required for the design, construction, deployment, and governance of DPIs. The GDPIR - [How to think about Apple Silicon](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-think-about-apple-silicon/) - When it comes to thinking about Apple Silicon, any industry insider will tell you that there is a long lead time attached to silicon development — meaning development of the chips inside the most modern devices today probably began several years ago.Zoom out and think back 13 years to the first real Apple Silicon chip, - [Nonfiction authors sue OpenAI, Microsoft over copyright infringement](https://ans-pa.com/nonfiction-authors-sue-openai-microsoft-over-copyright-infringement/) - A group of non-fiction writers has filed a class-action suit against OpenAI and Microsoft for allegedly infringing on their copyrighted materials by training the AI chatbot ChatGPT on their written works and academic journals without their consent.The suit — one of several filed against the AI platform provider that make a similar complaint — comes - [Don’t let Apple’s Vision Pro come in by the back door](https://ans-pa.com/dont-let-apples-vision-pro-come-in-by-the-back-door/) - Apple hasn’t been shy about its view of the Vision Pro as an enterprise device with real-world business applications. (The company even highlighted business apps during the mixed-reality headset’s introduction at this year’s Worldwide Developer Conference.)While there’s plenty to say about how the Vision Pro can (or can’t) fit into workers’ daily activities, it’s important - [Sam Altman returns to OpenAI after agreement reached](https://ans-pa.com/sam-altman-returns-to-openai-after-agreement-reached/) - Sam Altman is to return to OpenAI within days of his departure and the company appointing two interim CEOs during the period, OpenAI announced in a post on X.“We have reached an agreement in principle for Sam Altman to return to OpenAI as CEO with a new initial board of Bret Taylor (Chair), Larry Summers, - [Confluent unveils data streaming for AI for real-time applications](https://ans-pa.com/confluent-unveils-data-streaming-for-ai-for-real-time-applications/) - Getty Images Confluent, the data streaming pioneer, has announced Data Streaming for AI, an initiative to accelerate organisations’ development of real-time AI applications.Achieving real-time AI demands more than fast algorithms; it requires trustworthy,To read this article in full, please click here - [Anthropic's Claude 2.1 LLM turbocharges performance, offers beta tool use](https://ans-pa.com/anthropics-claude-2-1-llm-turbocharges-performance-offers-beta-tool-use/) - Anthropic has upped the ante for how much information a large language model (LLM) can consume at once, announcing on Tuesday that its just-released Claude 2.1 has a context window of 200,000 tokens. That's roughly the equivalent of 500,000 words or more than 500 printed pages of information, Anthropic said.The latest Claude version also is - [Amazon to cut jobs at Alexa unit to sharpen focus on generative AI](https://ans-pa.com/amazon-to-cut-jobs-at-alexa-unit-to-sharpen-focus-on-generative-ai/) - Amazon confirmed Monday that it is planning to lay off several hundred workers at its Alexa division as part of a shift in focus to generative AI.The company's emphasis on developing generative AI systems has resulted in the release of new offerings, like the tool rolled out in September to generate copy listings for users - [Nothing proves Apple’s arguments against the EU’s DMA](https://ans-pa.com/nothing-proves-apples-arguments-against-the-eus-dma/) - There was, in the oldness of time, demand for Apple to open up its iMessage service a little. Then, out of the blue, over-zealous company Nothing justified Cupertino’s privacy and security arguments against doing so in mere hours — even as Apple announced plans to open up a little more.Winner takes it all What that hefty opening - [EU Commission issues objections to Adobe's $20B Figma acquisition](https://ans-pa.com/eu-commission-issues-objections-to-adobes-20b-figma-acquisition/) - The EU Commission has issued a Statement of Objections regarding Adobe's proposed $20 billion acquisition of web-based collaborative design company Figma.The Statement of Objections is part of an ongoing investigation the Commission launched after Adobe announced its intention to buy Figma, looking into concerns that if the transaction were to go ahead, it could affect - [Turmoil at OpenAI raises concerns about genAI’s future, rapid advance](https://ans-pa.com/turmoil-at-openai-raises-concerns-about-genais-future-rapid-advance/) - The fallout over the firing of the co-founder of OpenAI continued this week, raising concerns that the uncertain future of the company could more broadly affect the future of generative AI (genAI) technology.Hundreds of OpenAI employees — nearly the company’s entire staff — signed a letter Monday threatening to quit and go work for Microsoft - [Sam Altman joins Microsoft as OpenAI board appoints Emmett Shear as CEO](https://ans-pa.com/sam-altman-joins-microsoft-as-openai-board-appoints-emmett-shear-as-ceo/) - Chaos continues to reign at OpenAI, with the appointment of Emmett Shear, the co-founder and former CEO of Twitch, a video-streaming website, as OpenAI’s interim CEO after the abrupt exit of OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, last week. Shear would be replacing Mira Murati, OpenAI’s chief technology officer, who was initially named OpenAI’s CEO after the company - [OpenAI jettisons CEO Sam Altman for dishonesty](https://ans-pa.com/openai-jettisons-ceo-sam-altman-for-dishonesty/) - Sam Altman, a key figure in the creation of landmark generative AI application ChatGPT, has been fired by the OpenAI board of directors over an apparent lack of candor in his communications with the board.According to a statement issued by OpenAI Friday, Altman’s departure is the result of a “deliberative review process by the board,” - [Critical zero-day flaws in Windows, Office mean it's time to patch](https://ans-pa.com/critical-zero-day-flaws-in-windows-office-mean-its-time-to-patch/) - We are now in the third decade of Microsoft's monthly Patch Tuesday releases, which deliver fewer critical updates to browsers and Windows platforms — and much more reliable updates to Microsoft Office — than in the early days of patching. But this month, the company rolled out 63 updates (including fixes for three zero-days in - [US trade restrictions have done little to curb Chinese chip manufacturing](https://ans-pa.com/us-trade-restrictions-have-done-little-to-curb-chinese-chip-manufacturing/) - China is stockpiling chipmaking equipment despite the US government's trade restrictions on the export of semiconductor manufacturing equipment to the country.Some of the leading producers of chip manufacturing technology have almost doubled the percentage of revenue they’ve generated from China since 2022, according to a report from Bloomberg.To read this article in full, please click - [Microsoft welcomes Biden’s new AI order — is that a good thing or bad?](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-welcomes-bidens-new-ai-order-is-that-a-good-thing-or-bad/) - President Joseph R. Biden Jr. last month laid down a wide-ranging executive order targeting generative AI, dealing with everything from safety and security measures, to issues related to bias and civil rights, and oversight over how genAI is produced. On the surface, the order sounds like a comprehensive and powerful one.But is it really? Microsoft, - [Applied Materials faces probe in the US for shipping chip equipment to China](https://ans-pa.com/applied-materials-faces-probe-in-the-us-for-shipping-chip-equipment-to-china/) - Applied Materials, the largest US maker of chipmaking machinery, is facing investigations in the US for violating export restrictions to China.In a filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the company said it was under investigation by the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts for certain shipments to China.“In August 2022, we - [Dell cuddles up to Hugging Face to offer genAI to customers](https://ans-pa.com/dell-cuddles-up-to-hugging-face-to-offer-genai-to-customers/) - Dell has unveiled a partnership with Hugging Face to help it develop open-source generative AI models for Dell’s infrastructure and customers to use. Through the partnership Dell will provide a pre-packaged AI solution.Hugging Face develops tools for building applications using machine learning and open-source artificial intelligence (AI) models. Dell said it plans to use the software tools - [Meta and ByteDance dispute gatekeeper status of platforms under EU’s DMA](https://ans-pa.com/meta-and-bytedance-dispute-gatekeeper-status-of-platforms-under-eus-dma/) - Meta and ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, have launched a challenge against the gatekeeper status designated to them by the European Commission under the EU's Digital Markets Act.The DMA came into force in September 2023 and is designed to rein in the power of large tech corporations, requiring them to change how they integrate digital services - [Google’s deal with Apple looms large as antitrust trial winds down](https://ans-pa.com/googles-deal-with-apple-looms-large-as-antitrust-trial-winds-down/) - The first landmark tech antitrust trial of the century, The United States of America v. Google LLC, is winding down, with the last witness finishing testimony this week. What could be at stake in District Court Judge Amit Mehta's final decision, expected next year, is nothing short of "the future of the internet," as Kenneth - [OpenAI's ChatGPT turns one year old; what it did (and didn't do)](https://ans-pa.com/openais-chatgpt-turns-one-year-old-what-it-did-and-didnt-do/) - When San Francisco startup OpenAI launched ChatGPT on Nov. 30, 2022, the technology landscape was shaken to its core — and artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly moved from being a fringe idea to mainstream adoption.“We spent a couple of decades learning how to talk to machines. What changed in November 2022 is that machines learned how - [Your employees are likely passing off AI-generated work as their own: Report](https://ans-pa.com/your-employees-are-likely-passing-off-ai-generated-work-as-their-own-report/) - Even as the popularity of generative AI continues to grow, there is an urgent need for enterprises to clearly define policies to prevent employees from using unauthorized tools, which can potentially put businesses at risk. This is a key result of the recent Salesforce survey of around 14,000 full-time in 14 countries.A little over a - [Microsoft to add Project features to its new unified Planner work management app](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-to-add-project-features-to-its-new-unified-planner-work-management-app/) - Microsoft plans to integrate the online version of its Project app into Planner next year, creating a single product tool for work management. Project has been Microsoft’s primary tool for in-depth work coordination — and a mainstay for enterprise project managers — since its launch nearly four decades ago.To track more straightforward team and individual work, - [Nothing announces iMessage support for Android](https://ans-pa.com/nothing-announces-imessage-support-for-android/) - Apple is under pressure to open up its messaging platform. Now, Nothing says it has found a way to let people get iMessage support on its Android-based devices — but there’s a catch that seems to mean users must take a dangerous leap of trust.The Nothing solution certainly fills a gap.Apple has consistently refused to - [14 handy hidden tricks for Google Calendar on Android](https://ans-pa.com/14-handy-hidden-tricks-for-google-calendar-on-android/) - Google Calendar is a core part of the Android productivity package — but if all you're using is what you see on the app's surface, you're missing out on some pretty powerful possibilities.Yes, oh yes: Just like so many of our modern digital tools, there's more to Google Calendar than meets the eye. And while - [With Copilot Studio, businesses can customize Microsoft’s genAI assistant](https://ans-pa.com/with-copilot-studio-businesses-can-customize-microsofts-genai-assistant/) - As Copilot rolls out across its software products, Microsoft wants to give customers a way to tailor the generative AI (genAI) assistant to their individual needs. That’s the idea behind Copilot Studio, a new automation platform that lets businesses customize Copilot chatbots by connecting data from a wide range of apps, with the ability to - [Microsoft combines Copilot AI with mixed reality for industrial workers](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-combines-copilot-ai-with-mixed-reality-for-industrial-workers/) - Microsoft plans to integrate its Copilot generative AI (genAI) assistant into a mixed-reality app that can provide guidance to factory technicians, aiming to reduce the time needed to manage and maintain industrial equipment.At its Ignite conference Wednesday, Microsoft announced that Copilot will be integrated into Dynamics 365 Guides. Guides, launched in preview in 2019, is - [Global semiconductor sales to jump 20% in 2024: IDC](https://ans-pa.com/global-semiconductor-sales-to-jump-20-in-2024-idc/) - Technology research and advisory firm IDC has readjusted its semiconductor market outlook from September, predicting year-over-year growth of 20.2% in 2024 due, in part, to growing demand from the US.While global semiconductor revenue is still expected to see a decrease from $598 billion in 2022 to $526.5 billion in 2023, IDC believes that in addition - [The end of the standalone application](https://ans-pa.com/the-end-of-the-standalone-application/) - Once upon a time, I loaded and ran software from 360-kilobyte floppy disks on my KayPro computer — and I was happy. At the time, I could install software on a huge 10MB hard drive and run from it there. Good times!The years passed, and my hard drive grew ever larger. But I still "owned" - [How to use the secret software installer on your Windows PC](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-use-the-secret-software-installer-on-your-windows-pc/) - Picture the ultimate replacement for the Windows Store app. Let’s imagine it allows for installing nearly any Windows application; no clicking through software installation wizards; automatically declining junkware in those software installers; keeping everything on your PC up to date; a single command you could run to install all your favorite apps on a new - [Is this how Apple will support app sideloading in Europe?](https://ans-pa.com/is-this-how-apple-will-support-app-sideloading-in-europe/) - Apple’s plans for sideloading of apps via stores outside the App Store may now be emerging. The company is beta testing a Managed App Distribution (MAD) system that could support the EU-mandated practice of downloading apps from third-party stores onto iPhones.What is app sideloading? App sideloading means iPhone users might be able to purchase and acquire - [Q&A: NY Life exec says AI will reboot hiring, training, change management](https://ans-pa.com/qa-ny-life-exec-says-ai-will-reboot-hiring-training-change-management/) - In 2015, New York Life Insurance Co. began building up a data science team to investigate the use of predictive models to improve efficiency and increase productivity.There were quite a few deployments of predictive models across the company with a little artificial intelligence to aid in automation. Most of the projects were not centered around - [Open source is coming to the Apple enterprise with Fleet](https://ans-pa.com/open-source-is-coming-to-the-apple-enterprise-with-fleet/) - The continued evolution Apple is experiencing within the enterprise is real. Because that’s the case, the growing ecosystem now encompasses numerous alternative approaches to enterprise device security and management.With that in mind, I spoke recently with Mike McNeil, CEO of Fleet, an open-source endpoint security company that recently added support of osquery for script execution of - [13 ways to speed up Windows 11](https://ans-pa.com/13-ways-to-speed-up-windows-11/) - Windows 11 does a lot under the hood to speed up a PC’s performance. The same PC will generally run faster on Windows 11 than Windows 10. But no matter how zippy your Windows 11 may be, it can run faster. And keep in mind that PCs tend to slow down over time, and you - [How to use Google Sheets for project management](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-use-google-sheets-for-project-management/) - Most people think of Google Sheets as a web app for creating and viewing spreadsheets for data analysis, but it can also be used for basic project management. While Sheets lacks the advanced features of full-blown task-management software, you can create a spreadsheet to track the progress you and your co-workers make on a team - [How to manually update Microsoft Defender](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-manually-update-microsoft-defender/) - Microsoft Defender is the built-in anti-malware package that’s included with modern Windows operating systems. It’s alternatively known as Windows Security (it shows up under Settings > Privacy & security as Windows Security) or Windows Defender (sometimes with Antivirus at the end of the name, as in this Microsoft Learn page). But whatever you want to - [17 ways to speed up Windows 10](https://ans-pa.com/17-ways-to-speed-up-windows-10/) - Want your Windows 10 PC to run faster? We've here to help. By tweaking some of the operating settings, your machine will be zippier and less prone to performance and system issues.And if you're already running Windows 11, we've got you covered there. Check out our top 12 ways to keep Windows 11 devices chugging - [Apple gets ready for app sideloading in Europe](https://ans-pa.com/apple-gets-ready-for-app-sideloading-in-europe/) - As its battles with regulators intensify, Apple is getting ready to allow sideloading of software from third-party app stores in Europe, based on information in statements buried within the company's most recent financial filing."The company expects to make further business changes in the future, including as a result of legislative initiatives impacting the App Store," - [UK’s Ofcom outlines draft codes of practice for enforcing online safety](https://ans-pa.com/uks-ofcom-outlines-draft-codes-of-practice-for-enforcing-online-safety/) - The UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, has set out draft codes of practice and guidance for social media, gaming, pornography, search and sharing sites in the wake of the Online Safety Act coming into force last month.The act aims to keep websites and different types of internet-based services free of illegal and harmful material while defending - [How to keep remote workers connected to company culture](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-keep-remote-workers-connected-to-company-culture/) - Even as some companies demand that workers return to the office, remote work is here to stay — in one form or another. But keeping far-flung, work-from-anywhere staffers connected to company goals and culture remains an ongoing challenge.“Before the pandemic, the workplace cultural experience was grounded in the physical environment employees worked in,” said Caitlin Duffy, - [OpenAI’s gen AI updates threaten the survival of many open source firms](https://ans-pa.com/openais-gen-ai-updates-threaten-the-survival-of-many-open-source-firms/) - With several new updates announced at its first developer conference, OpenAI — the creator of ChatGPT and GPT-4 — could be threatening the survival of several open source software providers.The company released several updates, including a new Assistants API, new modalities, custom GPTs, a new store for models, and new pricing policies at its first developer conference - [Samsung jumps on the generative AI bandwagon with Gauss](https://ans-pa.com/samsung-jumps-on-the-generative-ai-bandwagon-with-gauss/) - Samsung is the latest major technology company to debut an own-brand generative AI framework, dubbed Gauss, with the announcement Wednesday that it would feature heavily in the firm’s future product portfolio.Gauss is named for Carl Friedrich Gauss, a 19th-century German mathematician who helped complete the fundamental theorem of algebra, among numerous other discoveries. Gauss, according - [The regulators are coming for Apple Pay](https://ans-pa.com/the-regulators-are-coming-for-apple-pay/) - Apple’s mobile payments service, Apple Pay, looks to be on the regulatory hit list; the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is putting big tech firms with digital payment platforms under closer scrutiny.The regulatory power grab extends to 17 services, including Google, Zelle, and Apple, which dominates US mobile payments. Once these proposals are approved, those - [Android's hidden clipboard-sharing superpower](https://ans-pa.com/androids-hidden-clipboard-sharing-superpower/) - Forgive my unabashed nerdery, but for years now, I've had a cross-platform productivity dream.Unlike those under the tightly controlled Apple iSpell, y'see, I don't believe in limiting myself to any one particular platform or type of product. Sure, I use Android around the clock. But I also use a Windows computer during the work day. - [Windows Hello for Business: Passwordless authentication for Windows shops](https://ans-pa.com/windows-hello-for-business-passwordless-authentication-for-windows-shops/) - Microsoft is trying to get rid of that sticky note that you see taped to everyone’s office monitor. You know, the one with the password on it. The one with all of the old passwords crossed off one by one, each one subtly different from the last — an exclamation point turning into an ampersand, - [OpenAI DevDay: 3 new tools to build LLM-powered apps](https://ans-pa.com/openai-devday-3-new-tools-to-build-llm-powered-apps/) - Among the news from OpenAI's first developer conference, here are three products or platforms that might pique your interest for a generative AI project -- plus one new open-source alternative in response. - [Whiteboarding platform FigJam gets new AI-powered capabilities](https://ans-pa.com/whiteboarding-platform-figjam-gets-new-ai-powered-capabilities/) - Collaborative design platform provider Figma has added a suite of generative AI features to its FigJam whiteboarding software to help users produce, summarize, and sort meeting content.Launched in April 2021 as a spinoff tool to facilitate user conversations and collaboration efforts on the Figma platform, FigJam aims to support ideation and brainstorming through workflows and - [Has Apple's iPad lost its 'Post-PC' promise?](https://ans-pa.com/has-apples-ipad-lost-its-post-pc-promise/) - For most of the year there has been some expectation Apple would introduce new iPad models along with new Macs in October. This didn’t happen. In fact, the company has not introduced new iPads since last year, when it last updated the iPad and iPad Pro in October 2022.To read this article in full, please click here - [Microsoft to use Oracle’s OCI Supercluster for Bing conversational searches](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-to-use-oracles-oci-supercluster-for-bing-conversational-searches/) - Microsoft and Oracle have entered into a multiyear agreement to support inferencing of AI models that are being optimized to power Bing’s conversational searches. - [Q&A: ServiceNow CIO sees an 'iPhone moment' for genAI](https://ans-pa.com/qa-servicenow-cio-sees-an-iphone-moment-for-genai/) - Like many enterprises, ServiceNow has been incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into its internal systems and customer-facing products for years. But when Open AI's ChatGPT emerged a year ago, everything changed — fast. Suddenly, what had been machine learning — or "analytical AI" that could produce recommendations based on financial, sales, and marketing data — became natural-language - [Apple eyes new battery tech for future devices](https://ans-pa.com/apple-eyes-new-battery-tech-for-future-devices/) - While some might mourn news Apple won’t upgrade the 27-in. iMac with Apple Silicon, today’s most interesting speculation says the company is developing its own battery technology — and might introduce its own designs into mobile devices as soon as 2025.It makes sense.We know Apple has spent time on battery technology. In 2018, it hired Soonho Ahn, Samsung’s - [Canon's alternative chip equipment likely subject to trade curbs to China](https://ans-pa.com/canons-alternative-chip-equipment-likely-subject-to-trade-curbs-to-china/) - Canon has said it will be offering nano-imprinting lithography (NIL) at a lower price than ASML chip-making technology, potentially allowing smaller manufacturers to make leading-edge semiconductors, but the new chips are likely to face trade sanctions on China that have been enacted due to pressure from the US.Nano-imprinting lithography is used as an alternative to - [5 key benefits of optimizing employee tech tools](https://ans-pa.com/5-key-benefits-of-optimizing-employee-tech-tools/) - All too often, organizations invest in large technology systems but don’t see widespread employee adoption, in part because these tools don’t reflect how employees actually work. At the same time, workers are clamoring for tools that will help them do their jobs better.More than half (58%) of respondents to a 2022 Domo survey of employees - [Elon Musk to take on ChatGPT with Grok AI](https://ans-pa.com/elon-musk-to-take-on-chatgpt-with-grok-ai/) - xAI team has warned that the chatbot is a “very early beta product” and has been unveiled with just two months of training. - [Global AI Safety Summit shows need for collaborative approach to risks](https://ans-pa.com/global-ai-safety-summit-shows-need-for-collaborative-approach-to-risks/) - After months of buildup, the world’s first AI Safety Summit came to a close yesterday after two days of discussions brokered by the UK and including representatives from leading AI companies, governments, and industry stakeholders.One result to emerge from the summit was the signing of the so-called Bletchley Declaration, which saw 28 governments including China, - [Apple’s results: Uneasy is the head that wears the crown](https://ans-pa.com/apples-results-uneasy-is-the-head-that-wears-the-crown/) - Apple missed expectations in its most recent quarter, but its results illustrated several trends business owners should be thinking about, such as the strategic importance of developing markets, customer loyalty, and diversification to survive change.Keeping the sails in the wind Revenue hit $89.5 billion, down about 1% on the last-year quarter, though company management tried - [It’s time to take your genAI skills to the next level](https://ans-pa.com/its-time-to-take-your-genai-skills-to-the-next-level/) - It’s time to give yourself a big, fat raise.A new study found that employees with skills in artificial intelligence (AI) can earn salaries as much as 40% higher than peers without AI skills. But the real value, they found, was combining AI skills with a wide range of other skills. The secret to commanding higher - [6 fantastic forgotten features in Google’s Chrome Android browser](https://ans-pa.com/6-fantastic-forgotten-features-in-googles-chrome-android-browser/) - It's amazing how much difference some small enhancements to a single program can make.That's especially true when the program in question is the browser you use to access all sorts of sites, apps, and information — as is the case with Google's Chrome Android app, the de facto default browser for Android.And after hearing a - [What next for Apple Silicon on Macs?](https://ans-pa.com/what-next-for-apple-silicon-on-macs/) - The first M3 benchmark figures are showing up, which means it's a good time to look at why (and how) Apple already won the processor wars.Apple introduced the first three members of its M3 processor family this week: M3, M3 Pro, M3 Max. The M3 Ultra may show later if the company feels there is - [China, US, and EU agree to work together on AI safety](https://ans-pa.com/china-us-and-eu-agree-to-work-together-on-ai-safety/) - China and the US agreed to work together with at least 25 other countries to mitigate any risks arising out of the progression of AI. The two countries, along with several other countries including the EU, India Germany, and France, signed an agreement, dubbed Bletchley Declaration, at the UK AI Safety Summit to form a common - [Q&A: Cisco CIO sees AI embedded in every product and process](https://ans-pa.com/qa-cisco-cio-sees-ai-embedded-in-every-product-and-process/) - Less than a year after OpenAI's ChatGPT was released to the public, Cisco Systems is already well into the process of embedding generative artificial intelligence (genAI) into its entire product portfolio and internal backend systems.The plan is to use it in virtually every corner of the business, from automating network functions and monitoring security to - [Splunk cuts 7% of workforce ahead of Cisco acquisition](https://ans-pa.com/splunk-cuts-7-of-workforce-ahead-of-cisco-acquisition/) - The layoffs are happening in the wake of a market retraction, Splunk CEO Gary Steele said. - [New Jamf CEO John Strosahl on Apple in the enterprise, Jami's future](https://ans-pa.com/new-jamf-ceo-john-strosahl-on-apple-in-the-enterprise-jamis-future/) - John Strosahl became Jamf CEO in September. He isn’t a new face and was one of the first employees then-incoming (now former) CEO Dean Hager hired eight years ago. Together, they managed the company’s transition into a leading Apple solution integrator across the enterprise, medical, and education industries.I caught up with both men to talk about - [New Jamf CEO John Strosahl on Apple in the enterprise, Jamf's future](https://ans-pa.com/new-jamf-ceo-john-strosahl-on-apple-in-the-enterprise-jamfs-future/) - John Strosahl became Jamf CEO in September. He isn’t a new face and was one of the first employees then-incoming (now former) CEO Dean Hager hired eight years ago. Together, they managed the company’s transition into a leading Apple solution integrator across the enterprise, medical, and education industries.I caught up with both men to talk about - [Box taps Google Cloud's generative AI capabilities to extract metadata](https://ans-pa.com/box-taps-google-clouds-generative-ai-capabilities-to-extract-metadata/) - Cloud content management company Box and Google Cloud have announced an expansion of their partnership in an effort to transform work within the enterprise through the use of generative AI.Box is integrating with Vertex AI, Google Cloud’s unified AI platform, to build new generative AI features, including a new metadata extraction capability designed to help - [The best apps to restore the classic Windows Start menu and taskbar](https://ans-pa.com/the-best-apps-to-restore-the-classic-windows-start-menu-and-taskbar/) - Microsoft has made a lot of changes to the Start menu and taskbar over the past few years. On both Windows 10 and Windows 11, the Start menu is now packed with ads, “suggestions,” and search results for Bing — not just the files on your computer. On Windows 11, Microsoft made big changes to - [3 tough questions about Samsung's Android 14 accomplishment](https://ans-pa.com/3-tough-questions-about-samsungs-android-14-accomplishment/) - Well, my friends, hell has officially frozen over.Samsung, the company traditionally associated with slow and unpredictable Android software updates, has started sending out the latest and greatest Android version to owners of its current-gen Galaxy S23 flagship phone.Make no mistake about it: This is quite an accomplishment — and quite a milestone not only for - [AI software market to quadruple to $251B by 2027](https://ans-pa.com/ai-software-market-to-quadruple-to-251b-by-2027/) - The market for software that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to automate tasks and generate content in response to user prompts is expected to grow nearly four-fold through 2027.The worldwide AI software market will grow from $64 billion last year to nearly $251 billion in 2027, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31.4%, according - [Google antitrust trial: Pichai concedes that default search boosts market share](https://ans-pa.com/google-antitrust-trial-pichai-concedes-that-default-search-boosts-market-share/) - As the defense phase of the US government's antitrust case against Google gets into full swing, the search giant brought out its biggest star, CEO Sundar Pichai, to back up the company's arguments and defend Google's business practices and market share in the search business.The US has argued that Google has cornered the search market - [Apple paints it black with its efficient, high-performance M3 range](https://ans-pa.com/apple-paints-it-black-with-its-efficient-high-performance-m3-range/) - Apple’s pre-Halloween Scary Fast event did indeed see the introduction of faster M3 series Mac notebooks capable of impressive computational performance at low power, equipped with more max memory than we ever thought we’d see in a Mac. These are indeed 3-nanometer chips, an industry first.Despite earlier speculation, the Monday evening event didn’t see any games news, a - [UK launches $143 million AI skills package, with new visa scheme](https://ans-pa.com/uk-launches-143-million-ai-skills-package-with-new-visa-scheme/) - The UK government has announced a £118 million ($143 million) skills package to help ensure the country has “top global expertise” for future AI research and development. The money will fund 12 Centres for Doctoral Training in AI — backed by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), a government agency — to train a new generation of - [Jira Service Management gains AI-powered ITSM capabilities](https://ans-pa.com/jira-service-management-gains-ai-powered-itsm-capabilities/) - Atlassian has launched a number of new AI-powered IT Service Management (ITSM) capabilities for its Jira Service Management platform, designed to help deliver improved levels of employee and customer support.In addition to the new platform offerings, Atlassian also announced its second acquisition of the month, the maker of IT data quality management technology, AirTrack.Lots of - [Artists lose first copyright battle in the fight against AI-generated images](https://ans-pa.com/artists-lose-first-copyright-battle-in-the-fight-against-ai-generated-images/) - In a class action lawsuit filed against AI-generated image service providers Stability AI, Midjourney, and DevianArt, a US district judge ruled that determining whether generated images may be in direct violation of copyright laws is “not plausible” at the moment.The judge, who was responding to a motion to dismiss the case filed by the image - [What exactly will the UK government's global AI Safety Summit achieve?](https://ans-pa.com/what-exactly-will-the-uk-governments-global-ai-safety-summit-achieve/) - From tomorrow, the UK government is hosting the first global AI Safety Summit, bringing together about 100 people from industry and government to develop a shared understanding of the emerging risks of leading-edge AI while unlocking its benefits. The event will be held at Bletchley Park, a site in Milton Keynes that became the home of - [UK government earmarks $122 million on AI for healthcare](https://ans-pa.com/uk-government-earmarks-122-million-on-ai-for-healthcare/) - The government of the UK will spend approximately £100 million ($122 million) in the coming years to help develop AI technologies for the healthcare and life sciences sectors, as part of a formalized AI Life Sciences Accelerator Mission.The program, announced last week in a speech by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, will look to tackle specific - [Biden lays down the law on AI](https://ans-pa.com/biden-lays-down-the-law-on-ai/) - In a sweeping executive order, US President Joseph R. Biden Jr. on Monday set up a comprehensive series of standards, safety and privacy protections, and oversight measures for the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI).Among more than two dozen initiatives, Biden’s "Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence" order was a long time coming, according - [What to expect from Apple’s Scary Fast event](https://ans-pa.com/what-to-expect-from-apples-scary-fast-event/) - Apple’s Scary Fast launch event takes place later today spookily late as Japan wakes up to Halloween morning— so what so we expect? We’ve been keeping tabs on Apple; here’s what we think is coming.Chinese energy The biggest evidence so far comes from a Chinese regulatory database for batteries. The news here is that two Apple - [OpenAI readying team to prevent AI from starting a nuclear war](https://ans-pa.com/openai-readying-team-to-prevent-ai-from-starting-a-nuclear-war/) - ChatGPT-creator OpenAI is readying a team to prevent what the company calls frontier AI models from starting a nuclear war and other threats. “We believe that frontier AI models, which will exceed the capabilities currently present in the most advanced existing models, have the potential to benefit all of humanity. But they also pose increasingly - [‘Data poisoning’ anti-AI theft tools emerge — but are they ethical?](https://ans-pa.com/data-poisoning-anti-ai-theft-tools-emerge-but-are-they-ethical/) - Technologists are helping artists fight back against what they see as intellectual property (IP) theft by generative artificial intelligence (genAI) tools whose training algorithms automatically scrape the internet and other places for content.The fight over what constitutes fair use of content found online is at the heart of what has been an ongoing court battle. The - [Intel shows recovery in PCs but faces competition in AI, data centers](https://ans-pa.com/intel-shows-recovery-in-pcs-but-faces-competition-in-ai-data-centers/) - A faster-than-expected recovery in sales of PC chips helped Intel post third-quarter revenue that exceeded expectations, but weakness in its data center business is a sign of vulnerability in a market where users are looking for processors that can handle AI workloads that are predicted to grow as enterprises adopt generative AI.Overall revenue dropped 8% - [Apple teams up with US firms to push for clean energy](https://ans-pa.com/apple-teams-up-with-us-firms-to-push-for-clean-energy/) - Apple is working with a variety of large US corporations, including Nike, to launch the Clean Energy Procurement Academy. It’s an attempt to empower other companies with the technical knowledge they need (and Apple has) to adopt clean energy and support supply chain decarbonization.Supply chains account for more than 50% of global greenhouse gas emissions, - [Microsoft invested $13B in genAI — does Copilot for Windows show it’s a bad bet?](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-invested-13b-in-genai-does-copilot-for-windows-show-its-a-bad-bet/) - In the decades I’ve been writing about technology, I’ve never seen a something take off as fast as generative AI – or seen anything so hyped.The promises about how genAI will change our lives have come fast and furious. It will write the Great American Novel, compose symphonies, steal millions of jobs. It will do - [Generative AI training data sets are now trackable – and often legally complicated](https://ans-pa.com/generative-ai-training-data-sets-are-now-trackable-and-often-legally-complicated/) - A new online tool allows users to identify, track and learn about the legal status of training data sets for generative AI, and a quick glance shows that many may have licensing issues.The tool, dubbed the Data Provenance Explorer, is the result of a joint effort between machine learning and legal experts from MIT, generative - [UK's Ofcom sets regulatory timeline in wake of online safety bill receiving royal assent](https://ans-pa.com/uks-ofcom-sets-regulatory-timeline-in-wake-of-online-safety-bill-receiving-royal-assent/) - The UK government’s controversial Online Safety Bill has finally received Royal Assent and become law, paving the way for the country’s communications regulator to start laying out its legislative agenda.The bill, which will now be known as the Online Safety Act, aims to keep websites and different types of internet-based services free of illegal and - [Cisco brings Webex to Apple Watch and Apple TV](https://ans-pa.com/cisco-brings-webex-to-apple-watch-and-apple-tv/) - Not only is Cisco optimizing its Webex video conferencing platform with AI, but it is also extending it across the Apple ecosystem with support for Apple TV and Apple Watch.Apple and Cisco began working together in 2015, when they announced plans to optimize Cisco networks for iOS devices and apps and extend Webex support to iPhone and iPad. - [UK gov't outlines AI risks in new report ahead of AI Safety Summit](https://ans-pa.com/uk-govt-outlines-ai-risks-in-new-report-ahead-of-ai-safety-summit/) - Artificial intelligence poses a wide range of risks, including the possibility for AI tools to produce disinformation, disrupt certain sectors of the labor market, and magnify biases that exist within the data sets systems have been trained on, according to a new discussion paper from the UK government, published ahead of its AI Safety Summit - [White House to issue AI rules for federal employees](https://ans-pa.com/white-house-to-issue-ai-rules-for-federal-employees/) - After earlier efforts to reign in generative artificial intelligence (genAI) were criticized as too vague and ineffective, the Biden Administration is now expected to announce new, more restrictive rules for use of the technology by federal employees.The executive order, expected to be unveiled Monday, would also change immigration standards to allow a greater influx of technology - [Intel's PC stranglehold could face serious challenge from Nvidia, AMD and Qualcomm](https://ans-pa.com/intels-pc-stranglehold-could-face-serious-challenge-from-nvidia-amd-and-qualcomm/) - Intel, long the dominant supplier of chips for Windows PC, could soon see its stranglehold on the market threatened by Arm-based CPUs from three major semiconductor makers — Nvidia, AMD, and Qualcomm.Nvidia, whose graphics processing units (GPUs) are the go-to chips for AI workloads, is now reportedly designing central processing units (CPUs) for PCs in - [Cisco unveils new AI strategy for its Webex videoconference platform](https://ans-pa.com/cisco-unveils-new-ai-strategy-for-its-webex-videoconference-platform/) - Cisco has announced a new artifical intelligence strategy for its Webex videoconferencing platform, including an AI-powered assistant that can summarize meeting content and answer questions, and generative AI capabilities to improve the quality of video meetings.The announcements, which were made Wednesday at the company’s WebexOne conference, focus on three areas: audio intelligence, video intelligence and - [Google Cloud fails to cash in on generative AI](https://ans-pa.com/google-cloud-fails-to-cash-in-on-generative-ai/) - The explosive growth in the demand for generative AI has been a big revenue driver for public clouds. However, while some cloud players are reaping the benefits of user demand, Google Cloud seems to be failing to cash in on one of the biggest technology opportunities in decades.As Alphabet declared its third-quarter earnings on Tuesday, - [AI and cloud growth fuel first quarter revenue boost for Microsoft](https://ans-pa.com/ai-and-cloud-growth-fuel-first-quarter-revenue-boost-for-microsoft/) - AI and cloud-fueled growth has seen Microsoft post a double-digit revenue increase during the first quarter of its 2024 financial year, despite the ongoing weakness with PC sales.For the quarter ending September 30, Microsoft generated a net income of $22.3 billion, an increase of 27%. It also reported a 13% increase in overall revenue at - [Apple’s ‘Scary Fast’ Mac event casts shade over Qualcomm](https://ans-pa.com/apples-scary-fast-mac-event-casts-shade-over-qualcomm/) - While most of the world is otherwise occupied on Monday, Apple will introduce "scary fast" technologies during an evening non-public event at its Cupertino headquarters in Apple Park. While Mac users will be delighted, it will be the company’s processor competitors who must prepare for a fright.Why so? Because in the hours since the announcement - [How to activate Chrome's fancy new Android reading enhancer](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-activate-chromes-fancy-new-android-reading-enhancer/) - Let's not beat around the bush: Most of the modern web is an absolute disaster to look at.We, erm, don't need to name any names or point any fingers here. But the vast majority of websites you land on when trying to read something leave your eyes feeling assaulted and your brain reeling from that - [PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 cheat sheet](https://ans-pa.com/powerpoint-for-microsoft-365-cheat-sheet/) - Need to create and share a presentation? If so, you probably turn to the most popular presentation application in the world, Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows.Microsoft sells Office under two models: Individuals and businesses can pay for the software license up front and own it forever (what the company calls the “perpetual” version of the suite), - [UK workers support AI but want greater organizational transparency](https://ans-pa.com/uk-workers-support-ai-but-want-greater-organizational-transparency/) - New research from Asana shows that although UK workers are open to the opportunities that AI can bring to the workplace, a disconnect exists between organizational plans for the technology and the current employee experience.The data is derived from a survey of 2,741 UK workers, carried out by Asana’s Work Innovation Lab, a think tank - [Android’s new biometric spec for 'strong security' is anything but](https://ans-pa.com/androids-new-biometric-spec-for-strong-security-is-anything-but/) - Google has released new biometrics specs for Android devices, with the top-level “strong security” option requiring only “a spoof and imposter acceptance rate not higher than 7%.” But most biometrics specialists say that for something to be considered “high security,” that imposter and acceptance rate should be closer to 1%.That prompted me to ask Google - [The genAI backlash: Should creative types poison the well?](https://ans-pa.com/the-genai-backlash-should-creative-types-poison-the-well/) - It is perhaps true to say that Apple’s traditional core users are probably among those most likely to be impacted by generative artificial intelligence (genAI), as these tools become better at creating images, movies, stories and more. That kind of automation strikes at the heart of the creative markets, so it's almost inevitable there will - [As M365 Copilot launch looms, businesses likely to move cautiously](https://ans-pa.com/as-m365-copilot-launch-looms-businesses-likely-to-move-cautiously/) - Less than a year after generative AI (genAI) made a splash with the public launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT 3.5, Microsoft is about to make its Copilot assistant available within its ecosystem of productivity and collaboration applications. The rollout begins Nov. 1.But while Microsoft has moved quickly to incorporate genAI into tools such as Word, Excel, - [Google faces new antitrust probe in Japan](https://ans-pa.com/google-faces-new-antitrust-probe-in-japan/) - Japan’s competition regulator has said it is investigating Google’s parent company Alphabet for a suspected violation of the country’s Antimonopoly Act.The investigation by the Japan Fair Trade Commission will consist of two parts — an examination into whether Google shared search related ad revenue with Android phone makers in return for manufacturers not pre-installing competitors - [Many Mac users already routinely use generative AI](https://ans-pa.com/many-mac-users-already-routinely-use-generative-ai/) - Mac users are already making plenty of use of genarative artificial intelligence (genAI) tools in their apps, and a compilation from Setapp confirms the extent to which ChatGPT has already invaded Apple’s platform.Ukraine software developer MacPaw’s app subscription service, Setapp, recently published its third annual Mac Apps Report. It confirms that collaborative and productivity apps dominate - [Q&A: The human-machine relationship requires mutual understanding, respect for AI](https://ans-pa.com/qa-the-human-machine-relationship-requires-mutual-understanding-respect-for-ai/) - Generative AI (genAI) will soon infiltrate every aspect of our personal and business lives, meaning humanity will need to reevaluate it relationship with machines — machines that are continuing to become more human-like in their abilities.In short order, they've gone from being tools to teammates for everything from product development and productivity efficiency to romantic - [Does Siri dream of ChatGPT?](https://ans-pa.com/does-siri-dream-of-chatgpt/) - The digital transformation of everything is best seen as a Darwinian mind-set in which change becomes certainty, even as the pace of transition accelerates. Think about the explosion of generative AI during the past year.ChatGPT is just a year old, and already the technologies that drive it are utterly transforming businesses. Many firms have embraced - [Android versions: A living history from 1.0 to 14](https://ans-pa.com/android-versions-a-living-history-from-1-0-to-14/) - What a long, strange trip it's been.From its inaugural release to today, Android has transformed visually, conceptually and functionally — time and time again. Google's mobile operating system may have started out scrappy, but holy moly, has it ever evolved.Here's a fast-paced tour of Android version highlights from the platform's birth to present. (Feel free - [ChatGPT can now look at the web — for real this time](https://ans-pa.com/chatgpt-can-now-look-at-the-web-for-real-this-time/) - The latest version of ChatGPT, OpenAI’s groundbreaking generative AI chatbot, now has access to real-time information from the internet at large, curing what had been seen as one of its key flaws.Thanks to an integration with Microsoft’s Bing search engine – the company is a major investor in ChatGPT maker OpenAI – the AI chatbot - [Extended-reality employee training — a beginning for robotic onboarding?](https://ans-pa.com/extended-reality-employee-training-a-beginning-for-robotic-onboarding/) - This week, I’ve been at a major analyst event at Lenovo (a client of mine) where we’re looking closely at how the company’s units work together. Most companies in Lenovo’s class are better known for infighting than synergy, so the absence of the latter has made this a fascinating week.One of the more noteworthy aspects - [Apple’s latest China App Store problem is a warning for us all](https://ans-pa.com/apples-latest-china-app-store-problem-is-a-warning-for-us-all/) - Ask anyone who knows, and they’ll tell you that when it comes to security, the weakest point is always people. Yet, as pressure grows for Apple to allow app purchases from outside the App Store, the fact the company fired App Store staff for “business misconduct” is cause for alarm.As first reported by The Information, - [Teaching AI to behave is the fastest-growing career skill](https://ans-pa.com/teaching-ai-to-behave-is-the-fastest-growing-career-skill/) - How important has prompt engineering become among IT skills?So important that Erick Brethenoux, an adjunct professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology, said all of his students have put artificial intelligence (AI) prompt-engineering skills on their resumes and LinkedIn profiles. They know that’s what businesses now want.“It’s critical. Prompt engineering is a very important part - [US expands chip export curbs to China to throttle AI, supercomputer development](https://ans-pa.com/us-expands-chip-export-curbs-to-china-to-throttle-ai-supercomputer-development/) - The US is imposing additional export curbs to restrict China from accessing advanced chips for AI and supercomputers, expanding a technology trade war that has intensified over the last year, broadly impacting the global semiconductor supply chain.The US — which began to impose restrictions on semiconductor exports to China in 2015, extending them in 2021 - [Apple’s iPhone factories are going to get much, much smarter](https://ans-pa.com/apples-iphone-factories-are-going-to-get-much-much-smarter/) - While it’s not quite robots building robots, we’re getting closer to it as iPhone-maker Foxconn teams up with Nvidia to build a global network of “AI factories.”What’s interesting about these factories is they will build on the lights-out approach Apple’s partner has already adopted across iPhone production lines. These heavily automated factories make use of connected machinery - [10 new Windows 11 features in the October 2023 update to try now](https://ans-pa.com/10-new-windows-11-features-in-the-october-2023-update-to-try-now/) - Windows 11 just got a lot of new features, and 2023's big update isn’t just about AI taking over your desktop. There are lots of other updates to check out, including the return of many users' favorite taskbar option. (I know many people who are very excited.)It’s easy to miss new features Microsoft adds to - [The one thing that might keep Google's Pixel 8 phones from selling](https://ans-pa.com/the-one-thing-that-might-keep-googles-pixel-8-phones-from-selling/) - If you'll pardon the nod to a certain posterior-possessed 90s-era rap icon, after spending the past couple weeks with Google's latest Pixel phones and pondering the devices' bigger-picture significance, I'm left with one particularly cheeky thought charging through my head:All of the big buts are gone. (Sorry, Sir Mix-a-Lot.)Questionable cultural references aside, it really is - [Microsoft launches AI content safety service](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-launches-ai-content-safety-service/) - Microsoft has announced the general availability of its Azure AI Content Safety, a new service that helps users detect and filter harmful AI- and user-generated content across applications and services.The service includes text and image detection and identifies content that Microsoft terms “offensive, risky, or undesirable,” including profanity, adult content, gore, violence, and certain types - [University of Kentucky unlocks 60% cut in IT costs with Apple](https://ans-pa.com/university-of-kentucky-unlocks-60-cut-in-it-costs-with-apple/) - As the Apple world welcomes the USB-C Apple Pencil, Apple-in-the-enterprise proponents might want to eye a case study that suggests Apple products in business boost productivity, and can offer significant advantages in another big tech space, education.The University of Kentucky recently shared interesting insights that suggest equipping any kind of knowledge worker with these tools - [Atlassian aims to improve developer experience with Compass](https://ans-pa.com/atlassian-aims-to-improve-developer-experience-with-compass/) - Atlassian has announced the general availability of its developer experience platform, Compass, which provides a centralized space for engineering teams and the technology they use on a daily basis.With modern software development becoming increasingly decentralized and complex, engineering teams are constantly battling to find information that is spread across multiple tools. This has created an - [Prisma chief med officer: AI offers ‘tremendous opportunities’ but shouldn’t replace doctors](https://ans-pa.com/prisma-chief-med-officer-ai-offers-tremendous-opportunities-but-shouldnt-replace-doctors/) - Artificial intelligence has demonstrated promise in healthcare by being able to predict patients’ health trajectory based on clinical history, recommend treatments, and increase efficiencies by summarizing physician notes and automating laborious tasks.AI tools for healthcare vary wildly in their stages of maturity and adoption, ranging from emerging to widespread, according to the US Government Accountability - [Generative AI spending to reach $143 billion in 2027: IDC](https://ans-pa.com/generative-ai-spending-to-reach-143-billion-in-2027-idc/) - Enterprise spending on generative AI services, software and infrastructure will skyrocket over the next four years, jumping from $16 billion this year to $143 billion in 2027, according to technology research and advisory firm IDC.Spending on generative AI over the four year period to 2027 is expected to reach a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) - [Generative AI spending to reach $143B in 2027: IDC](https://ans-pa.com/generative-ai-spending-to-reach-143b-in-2027-idc/) - Enterprise spending on generative AI services, software and infrastructure will skyrocket over the next four years, jumping from $16 billion this year to $143 billion in 2027, according to technology research and advisory firm IDC.Spending on generative AI over the four year period to 2027 is expected to reach a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) - [How to use Presenter Overlay for better Zoom calls on Macs](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-use-presenter-overlay-for-better-zoom-calls-on-macs/) - As Macs proliferate across the enterprise, and with macOS Sonoma now out, here's a new macOS Sonoma trick to try the next time you’re in a Zoom meeting. Called Presenter Overlay, it should help make video collaboration more effective and more personal. (And it should be supported across most serious video conferencing apps soon.)What is Presenter - [A flight simulator for the office: How VR is helping workers hone soft skills](https://ans-pa.com/a-flight-simulator-for-the-office-how-vr-is-helping-workers-hone-soft-skills/) - As National Health Service waiting times continue to grow, medical staff in the UK are increasingly confronted by angry patients — and their families — affected by delays in accessing treatment. “With all the stresses and struggles and strain on the NHS waiting times, patients are, understandably, quite frustrated. We are well aware of the heightened - [Microsoft addresses three zero-days for October’s Patch Tuesday](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-addresses-three-zero-days-for-octobers-patch-tuesday/) - This month, Microsoft has released 103 updates to Windows, Edge, Microsoft Office, and Exchange Server. This update also includes minor updates to Visual Studio. Three zero-days (CVE-2023-44487, CVE-2023-36563 and CVE-2023-41763) require "Patch Now" updates for both Windows and the Edge browser for this October update cycle.To read this article in full, please click here - [Here are some of the ways Apple might use generative AI](https://ans-pa.com/here-are-some-of-the-ways-apple-might-use-generative-ai/) - Apple may appear behind the curve when it comes to the application of generative AI large language models (LLMs), but as time moves forward, we can see that not every such model is equal and not every deployment so great. It looks as if these models are far more effective when confined to specific domains, - [UK regulator clears way for Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision](https://ans-pa.com/uk-regulator-clears-way-for-microsofts-acquisition-of-activision/) - The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has officially approved Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of gaming studio Activision Blizzard, clearing the way for the deal to be finalized.The UK’s competition regulator originally blocked the deal but reversed its decision late last month after Microsoft submitted a restructured transaction for the CMA to review.The remedies put - [Google indemnifies generative AI customers over IP rights claims](https://ans-pa.com/google-indemnifies-generative-ai-customers-over-ip-rights-claims/) - The indemnities include protection against infringement claims over training data used and output generated by Google’s homegrown generative AI capabilities. - [Qualcomm to layoff 1,258 employees from its California offices](https://ans-pa.com/qualcomm-to-layoff-1258-employees-from-its-california-offices/) - Chipmaker Qualcomm is planning to lay off 1,258 employees from its offices in California by December this year, multiple filings with the state’s Employee Development Department showed.The layoffs, which will impact staffers from Qualcomm's San Diego and Santa Clara offices, include positions such as engineers, analysts, software developers, and staff from the financial, legal, and - [Qualcomm to lay off 1,258 employees from its California offices](https://ans-pa.com/qualcomm-to-lay-off-1258-employees-from-its-california-offices/) - Chipmaker Qualcomm is planning to lay off 1,258 employees from its offices in California by December this year, multiple filings with the state’s Employee Development Department showed.The layoffs, which will impact staffers from Qualcomm's San Diego and Santa Clara offices, include positions such as engineers, analysts, software developers, and staff from the financial, legal, and - [How to replace Edge as the default browser in Windows — and why you shouldn’t](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-replace-edge-as-the-default-browser-in-windows-and-why-you-shouldnt/) - Microsoft has been struggling to get people to use its Edge browser for years. Even though the company made Edge the default browser in Windows 10, users left in droves, most of them flocking to Google Chrome — and with good reason. The original version of Edge was underpowered, had difficult-to-use features, and offered very - [7 buried Android 14 treasures for your Google Pixel phone](https://ans-pa.com/7-buried-android-14-treasures-for-your-google-pixel-phone/) - It's a jolly-good week if you've got a Google Pixel gizmo.Google's in the midst of rolling out its fresh-from-of-the-oven Android 14 update for all current Pixel devices. And while Android 14 may seem a bit ho-hum on the surface, you'd be surprised how much useful stuff is actually there and waiting to be found.(And that's - [Why we need to focus AI on relationships](https://ans-pa.com/why-we-need-to-focus-ai-on-relationships/) - IBM is a client of the author.We aren’t all good at building relationships. This is becoming a very pronounced problem with remote workers, particularly those who have never worked on-premises at a company — and especially those who have just graduated from college.AIs are capable of a lot of things, particularly at helping create and - [Apple Vision Pro anticipation leaves VR industry gasping](https://ans-pa.com/apple-vision-pro-anticipation-leaves-vr-industry-gasping/) - I don’t expect this to be a popular opinion, but Apple has sucked all the oxygen out of the virtual/augmented reality industry with the announcement of its Vision Pro headset.Gasping for air What’s the evidence? Just data.Counterpoint data from China shows the VR market there declined 56% year-over-year across the first half of this year. - [Q&A: How Discover Financial Services created an AI governance council](https://ans-pa.com/qa-how-discover-financial-services-created-an-ai-governance-council/) - The financial services industry has gone through an upheaval over the past several years with "open banking," where customers control their financial data, has replaced the traditional model. That change has forced the industry to accelerate the adoption of digital technology.At the same time, customer data remains at the epicenter of the financial services industry, - [AI bias poses danger to the financial sector, Bank of England warns](https://ans-pa.com/ai-bias-poses-danger-to-the-financial-sector-bank-of-england-warns/) - The implicit bias of present-day generative AI models make their rapid adoption in the financial sector hazardous, according to a report by a financial technology expert working for the Bank of England.Kathleen Blake’s report, published Wednesday, splits AI model bias into two categories — bias based on underlying training data, and bias based on the - [Dropbox unveils video app, updates AI tools and web interface for new era of work](https://ans-pa.com/dropbox-unveils-video-app-updates-ai-tools-and-web-interface-for-new-era-of-work/) - Dropxbox is debuting a host of updates to its platform at its Work in Progress user conference in New York this week — including the launch of a new all-in-one video tool, a website redesign, and enhancements to Dropbox Dash and Dropbox AI — as well as revamping its subscription plans.The updates are part of - [Box unveils new AI-powered content portal Box Hubs](https://ans-pa.com/box-unveils-new-ai-powered-content-portal-box-hubs/) - Cloud content-management company Box has unveiled Box Hubs — AI-powered intelligent portals designed to make it easy to organize, curate and publish content with internal teams and external partners.The announcement was made today at Box’s annual BoxWorks conference and comes five months after the company first revealed it would be integrating “advanced AI models” into - [California's Apple-backed Right to Repair Act is the future of tech](https://ans-pa.com/californias-apple-backed-right-to-repair-act-is-the-future-of-tech/) - Apple surprised us all when it pivoted to support California’s Right to Repair Act, which was signed into law this week. The SB 244 Act, which comes into effect on July 1, 2024, seems likely to have an international effect.Making iThings last longer The newly minted law makes California the third state after Minnesota and - [AMD to acquire Nod.ai to boost open source AI software capabilities](https://ans-pa.com/amd-to-acquire-nod-ai-to-boost-open-source-ai-software-capabilities/) - The acquisition is expected to help AMD compete better against chipmaker Nvidia. - [Google used Microsoft’s monopoly playbook to crush Bing — now Microsoft cries foul](https://ans-pa.com/google-used-microsofts-monopoly-playbook-to-crush-bing-now-microsoft-cries-foul/) - The US Department of Justice’s antitrust suit against Google has a familiar ring to those who remember a similar suit against Microsoft 25 years ago. In both cases, the government claimed the companies illegally used their monopolies to kill competition, maintain their dominant market share, and reap billions of dollars in return.In a strange twist - [Why are OpenAI, Microsoft and others looking to make their own chips?](https://ans-pa.com/why-are-openai-microsoft-and-others-looking-to-make-their-own-chips/) - As demand for generative AI technology grows, chip shortages are not the main reason behind developing custom silicon, experts say. - [PC shipments remain in decline, but generative AI could reverse the trend: IDC](https://ans-pa.com/pc-shipments-remain-in-decline-but-generative-ai-could-reverse-the-trend-idc/) - PC shipments continued to decline during the third quarter of 2023, according to IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Personal Computing Device Tracker.In its latest report, the tech market research firm said that global shipments declined 7.6% year over year, with 68.2 million PCs shipped, and that downward pressure on pricing continues to be an issue within the consumer - [Microsoft targets skills gap with new AI-powered Skills in Viva](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-targets-skills-gap-with-new-ai-powered-skills-in-viva/) - Microsoft has unveiled new AI-powered capabilities for its employee experience platform, Viva, designed to help identify skills gaps within an organization’s existing workforce and upskill employees.Called Skills in Viva, the new service pulls information from Microsoft Graph, which provides employee activity signals from across Microsoft 365 applications and services, and combines it with the LinkedIn - [When will Apple open its first African retail store?](https://ans-pa.com/when-will-apple-open-its-first-african-retail-store/) - Apple takes emerging markets seriously. As the tech giant seeks to build foundations from which to achieve future growth, it is taking position in those markets.Just look at the rollout.Since 2019 — even during COVID — Apple has continued to expand the number of stores it has in place across more established markets, while opening - [You're never too old to start a business](https://ans-pa.com/youre-never-too-old-to-start-a-business/) - I'm not getting any younger, but my tiny little business, Vaughan-Nichols & Associates, is still going strong after over 30 years, even though I'm well past retirement age. My retirement plan, as I like to tell people, is to fall over, gracefully, into my keyboard. No, seriously — it's what writers do.But that led me - [You're never too old to start a business](https://ans-pa.com/youre-never-too-old-to-start-a-business-2/) - I'm not getting any younger, but my tiny little business, Vaughan-Nichols & Associates, is still going strong after over 30 years, even though I'm well past retirement age. My retirement plan, as I like to tell people, is to fall over, gracefully, into my keyboard. No, seriously — it's what writers do.But that led me - [You're never too old to start a business](https://ans-pa.com/youre-never-too-old-to-start-a-business-3/) - I'm not getting any younger, but my tiny little business, Vaughan-Nichols & Associates, is still going strong after over 30 years, even though I'm well past retirement age. My retirement plan, as I like to tell people, is to fall over, gracefully, into my keyboard. No, seriously — it's what writers do.But that led me - [You're never too old to start a business](https://ans-pa.com/youre-never-too-old-to-start-a-business-4/) - I'm not getting any younger, but my tiny little business, Vaughan-Nichols & Associates, is still going strong after over 30 years, even though I'm well past retirement age. My retirement plan, as I like to tell people, is to fall over, gracefully, into my keyboard. No, seriously — it's what writers do.But that led me - [You're never too old to start a business](https://ans-pa.com/youre-never-too-old-to-start-a-business-5/) - I'm not getting any younger, but my tiny little business, Vaughan-Nichols & Associates, is still going strong after over 30 years, even though I'm well past retirement age. My retirement plan, as I like to tell people, is to fall over, gracefully, into my keyboard. No, seriously — it's what writers do.But that led me - [You're never too old to start a business](https://ans-pa.com/youre-never-too-old-to-start-a-business-6/) - I'm not getting any younger, but my tiny little business, Vaughan-Nichols & Associates, is still going strong after over 30 years, even though I'm well past retirement age. My retirement plan, as I like to tell people, is to fall over, gracefully, into my keyboard. No, seriously — it's what writers do.But that led me - [You're never too old to start a business](https://ans-pa.com/youre-never-too-old-to-start-a-business-7/) - I'm not getting any younger, but my tiny little business, Vaughan-Nichols & Associates, is still going strong after over 30 years, even though I'm well past retirement age. My retirement plan, as I like to tell people, is to fall over, gracefully, into my keyboard. No, seriously — it's what writers do.But that led me - [You're never too old to start a business](https://ans-pa.com/youre-never-too-old-to-start-a-business-8/) - I'm not getting any younger, but my tiny little business, Vaughan-Nichols & Associates, is still going strong after over 30 years, even though I'm well past retirement age. My retirement plan, as I like to tell people, is to fall over, gracefully, into my keyboard. No, seriously — it's what writers do.But that led me - [You're never too old to start a business](https://ans-pa.com/youre-never-too-old-to-start-a-business-9/) - I'm not getting any younger, but my tiny little business, Vaughan-Nichols & Associates, is still going strong after over 30 years, even though I'm well past retirement age. My retirement plan, as I like to tell people, is to fall over, gracefully, into my keyboard. No, seriously — it's what writers do.But that led me - [You're never too old to start a business](https://ans-pa.com/youre-never-too-old-to-start-a-business-10/) - I'm not getting any younger, but my tiny little business, Vaughan-Nichols & Associates, is still going strong after over 30 years, even though I'm well past retirement age. My retirement plan, as I like to tell people, is to fall over, gracefully, into my keyboard. No, seriously — it's what writers do.But that led me - [You're never too old to start a business](https://ans-pa.com/youre-never-too-old-to-start-a-business-11/) - I'm not getting any younger, but my tiny little business, Vaughan-Nichols & Associates, is still going strong after over 30 years, even though I'm well past retirement age. My retirement plan, as I like to tell people, is to fall over, gracefully, into my keyboard. No, seriously — it's what writers do.But that led me - [You're never too old to start a business](https://ans-pa.com/youre-never-too-old-to-start-a-business-12/) - I'm not getting any younger, but my tiny little business, Vaughan-Nichols & Associates, is still going strong after over 30 years, even though I'm well past retirement age. My retirement plan, as I like to tell people, is to fall over, gracefully, into my keyboard. No, seriously — it's what writers do.But that led me - [You're never too old to start a business](https://ans-pa.com/youre-never-too-old-to-start-a-business-13/) - I'm not getting any younger, but my tiny little business, Vaughan-Nichols & Associates, is still going strong after over 30 years, even though I'm well past retirement age. My retirement plan, as I like to tell people, is to fall over, gracefully, into my keyboard. No, seriously — it's what writers do.But that led me - [You're never too old to start a business](https://ans-pa.com/youre-never-too-old-to-start-a-business-14/) - I'm not getting any younger, but my tiny little business, Vaughan-Nichols & Associates, is still going strong after over 30 years, even though I'm well past retirement age. My retirement plan, as I like to tell people, is to fall over, gracefully, into my keyboard. No, seriously — it's what writers do.But that led me - [You're never too old to start a business](https://ans-pa.com/youre-never-too-old-to-start-a-business-15/) - I'm not getting any younger, but my tiny little business, Vaughan-Nichols & Associates, is still going strong after over 30 years, even though I'm well past retirement age. My retirement plan, as I like to tell people, is to fall over, gracefully, into my keyboard. No, seriously — it's what writers do.But that led me - [You're never too old to start a business](https://ans-pa.com/youre-never-too-old-to-start-a-business-16/) - I'm not getting any younger, but my tiny little business, Vaughan-Nichols & Associates, is still going strong after over 30 years, even though I'm well past retirement age. My retirement plan, as I like to tell people, is to fall over, gracefully, into my keyboard. No, seriously — it's what writers do.But that led me - [You're never too old to start a business](https://ans-pa.com/youre-never-too-old-to-start-a-business-17/) - I'm not getting any younger, but my tiny little business, Vaughan-Nichols & Associates, is still going strong after over 30 years, even though I'm well past retirement age. My retirement plan, as I like to tell people, is to fall over, gracefully, into my keyboard. No, seriously — it's what writers do.But that led me - [You're never too old to start a business](https://ans-pa.com/youre-never-too-old-to-start-a-business-18/) - I'm not getting any younger, but my tiny little business, Vaughan-Nichols & Associates, is still going strong after over 30 years, even though I'm well past retirement age. My retirement plan, as I like to tell people, is to fall over, gracefully, into my keyboard. No, seriously — it's what writers do.But that led me - [You're never too old to start a business](https://ans-pa.com/youre-never-too-old-to-start-a-business-19/) - I'm not getting any younger, but my tiny little business, Vaughan-Nichols & Associates, is still going strong after over 30 years, even though I'm well past retirement age. My retirement plan, as I like to tell people, is to fall over, gracefully, into my keyboard. No, seriously — it's what writers do.But that led me - [You're never too old to start a business](https://ans-pa.com/youre-never-too-old-to-start-a-business-20/) - I'm not getting any younger, but my tiny little business, Vaughan-Nichols & Associates, is still going strong after over 30 years, even though I'm well past retirement age. My retirement plan, as I like to tell people, is to fall over, gracefully, into my keyboard. No, seriously — it's what writers do.But that led me - [You're never too old to start a business](https://ans-pa.com/youre-never-too-old-to-start-a-business-21/) - I'm not getting any younger, but my tiny little business, Vaughan-Nichols & Associates, is still going strong after over 30 years, even though I'm well past retirement age. My retirement plan, as I like to tell people, is to fall over, gracefully, into my keyboard. No, seriously — it's what writers do.But that led me - [You're never too old to start a business](https://ans-pa.com/youre-never-too-old-to-start-a-business-22/) - I'm not getting any younger, but my tiny little business, Vaughan-Nichols & Associates, is still going strong after over 30 years, even though I'm well past retirement age. My retirement plan, as I like to tell people, is to fall over, gracefully, into my keyboard. No, seriously — it's what writers do.But that led me - [Got a Google Pixel? Check out these awesome Android 14 gems](https://ans-pa.com/got-a-google-pixel-check-out-these-awesome-android-14-gems/) - If you've got one of Google's Pixel phones, good news: You'll be seeing a snazzy-sounding update to Android 14 any day now — if you haven't already.Now, the slightly less exciting news: Odds are, once you have that update on your device, your initial reaction will fall somewhere between a "huuuuh?!" and an "uhh, all - [The future of augmented reality is AI](https://ans-pa.com/the-future-of-augmented-reality-is-ai/) - OpenAI recently announced powerful new ChatGPT capabilities, including the ability to use pictures in addition to text prompts for conversations with the AI chatbot.The company offered examples:“Snap a picture of a landmark while traveling and have a live conversation about what’s interesting about it. When you’re home, snap pictures of your fridge and pantry to - [Here’s where more than half of organizations are piloting generative AI](https://ans-pa.com/heres-where-more-than-half-of-organizations-are-piloting-generative-ai/) - A poll of more than 1,400 executive leaders revealed a threefold increase in organizations piloting generative AI (genAI) and more than a doubling of those who have placed the tech into production.The new Gartner Research survey revealed that 45% of organizations are running genAI pilots, and another 10% have put genAI solutions into production — - [US gov't analysis says EU AI Act could stifle R&D, competition: Report](https://ans-pa.com/us-govt-analysis-says-eu-ai-act-could-stifle-rd-competition-report/) - An analysis carried out by the US government has raised concerns about the EU’s AI Act, warning that the legislation put forward by the bloc could end up curbing investment in the technology and favoring large AI companies at the expense of smaller rivals.The analysis, carried by the State Department, also warned that the EU - [Homeland Security confirms your privacy is no longer safe](https://ans-pa.com/homeland-security-confirms-your-privacy-is-no-longer-safe/) - The big problem with privacy is that once you relinquish some of it, you never get it back. What makes it worse is when those who are supposed to protect your rights choose to undermine them. When they do so, they eat away at the thin protections we should all enjoy in the digital age.US - [Coda bucks trend of additional charges for generative AI tools](https://ans-pa.com/coda-bucks-trend-of-additional-charges-for-generative-ai-tools/) - With the release of Coda 4.0 on Wednesday, Coda has joined the parade of productivity software vendors embedding generative AI features in their products.Part of the Coda app’s new release, the Coda AI has three main components:A “knowledge assistant” chatbot that responds in natural language to user queries, with the ability to access data from - [How Google's Pixel 8 changes everything for Android](https://ans-pa.com/how-googles-pixel-8-changes-everything-for-android/) - Google's freshly revealed Pixel phones have plenty of good things goin' for 'em — but don't let all the shiny surfaces, camera smarts, and AI additions fool ya.That stuff's all fine and dandy, sure, and it's what'll potentially convince some average phone-buyin' animals to pick a Pixel over all the other rectangle-shaped choices.But what makes - [Poly and Nureva make big hybrid conference rooms work at Zoomtopia](https://ans-pa.com/poly-and-nureva-make-big-hybrid-conference-rooms-work-at-zoomtopia/) - When it comes to hybrid meetings, big rooms are a significant problem. Usually, the technology can adjust to show the speaker, presentation material, and audience members when they actively participate. You can put in an array of ceiling microphones and speakers, which can lead to reduced sound quality and significantly increased cost of configuring the - [Canva bolsters AI offerings, providing copyright indemnity for AI-generated images](https://ans-pa.com/canva-bolsters-ai-offerings-providing-copyright-indemnity-for-ai-generated-images/) - Visual communication company Canva has launched an “all-in-one AI design offering” dubbed Magic Studio, with the aim of tailoring design-focused AI tools and technology for the enterprise.The announcement comes six months after Canva first added AI-powered design tools to its Visual Worksuite, capabilities that the company says have been used more than 3 billion times - [Taiwan to investigate suppliers aiding Huawei in chipmaking: Report](https://ans-pa.com/taiwan-to-investigate-suppliers-aiding-huawei-in-chipmaking-report/) - Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs has agreed to investigate Taiwanese suppliers in business with Huawei for aiding the operation of its chipmaking factories in China.The investigation, which was first reported by Bloomberg, would determine if these suppliers have violated any US sanctions, Economic Affairs Minister Wang Mei-hua told the country’s legislative body.The investigation, which will - [Are you looking forward to the new age of mobile app insecurity?](https://ans-pa.com/are-you-looking-forward-to-the-new-age-of-mobile-app-insecurity/) - A contact recently told me that Apple handles thousands of inquiries from people who have forgotten or misplaced their Apple ID logins every day. That’s probably why Apple recently made it easier to access your Apple ID using any known email address.But Apple reps are also inundated with requests related to third-party apps over which - [UK regulator launches antitrust probe into Microsoft and Amazon cloud services](https://ans-pa.com/uk-regulator-launches-antitrust-probe-into-microsoft-and-amazon-cloud-services/) - High switching fees, technical restrictions on interoperability, and committed spend discounts offered by cloud providers are outlined as concerns by communications regulator Ofcom. - [Faced with back-to-office mandates, employees are ‘coffee badging’ office visits](https://ans-pa.com/faced-with-back-to-office-mandates-employees-are-coffee-badging-office-visits/) - Forced back into the office, many employees have admitted to showing up for just a few hours — enough time to swipe in with their employee badge, have a cup of coffee, and be seen in the workplace — then heading back home to do their work, according to a new study.Coined as “coffee badging,” - [Bing, Bard updates fuel AI search war](https://ans-pa.com/bing-bard-updates-fuel-ai-search-war/) - Microsoft made DALL-E generally available for its Bing AI assistant Tuesday, just a day before Google grafted Bard AI onto its Assistant app, as the battle over AI-driven search continues to heat up.The stakes are high. In the ongoing Google antitrust trial, where the search giant is accused of maintaining an illegal monopoly on search - [Message to IT: Yes, you should install Apple security updates](https://ans-pa.com/message-to-it-yes-you-should-install-apple-security-updates/) - While it’s not universally the case, many businesses actively using Macs for work may not be paying enough attention to ensuring those devices are secured, according to cloud security provider Qualys, which estimates that just over half of Macs remain unprotected by recent security patches.To read this article in full, please click here - [You're probably going to use Microsoft Copilot wrong](https://ans-pa.com/youre-probably-going-to-use-microsoft-copilot-wrong/) - Windows 11 is getting an AI assistant. Soon, it will land on every Windows 11 PC’s taskbar, giving everyone using a modern PC direct access to a technology with a lot of potential — but one that is easy to misunderstand.Copilot isn’t new. This is Bing Chat, which we’ve had access to for eight months. - [Meta to lay off staffers at its Facebook Agile Silicon Team: Report](https://ans-pa.com/meta-to-lay-off-staffers-at-its-facebook-agile-silicon-team-report/) - Facebook-parent Meta is laying off employees from its metaverse custom silicon unit, according to a news report.The layoffs affecting Facebook’s Agile Silicon Team or FAST, as known internally in the company, were announced at a Workplace forum, Reuters cited sources as saying.One of the sources told Reuters the impacted employees would be notified of their - [Zoomtopia 2023: Zoom goes all-in on hybrid work as back-to-office mandates abound](https://ans-pa.com/zoomtopia-2023-zoom-goes-all-in-on-hybrid-work-as-back-to-office-mandates-abound/) - Almost two months after Zoom controversially declared it would be requiring some of its employees to start being physically present in the office again, the videoconferencing company announced at its annual Zoomtopia event today a host of platform updates to enhance the hybrid work experience.“Returning to the office after working remotely can be challenging,” said - [Zoomtopia 2023: Zoom bets on AI with new Docs, AI Companion tools](https://ans-pa.com/zoomtopia-2023-zoom-bets-on-ai-with-new-docs-ai-companion-tools/) - At its annual Zoomtopia conference in San Jose, California, videoconferencing company Zoom today announced a range of new products and capabilities, including an AI-powered document application called Zoom Docs and an expanded list of capabilities offered by the company’s recently launched AI Companion — all aimed at offering enterprises a more complete collaboration and communications - [Zero trust and why it matters to the Apple enterprise](https://ans-pa.com/zero-trust-and-why-it-matters-to-the-apple-enterprise/) - Once upon a time, digital business sat inside the security perimeter. Devices were kept in offices, shared the same network, and were protected by antivirus software, firewalls, and software updates. This system wasn’t perfect and became increasingly specialized, with security teams, networking teams, and others all working in different sectors.With mobility, this changed. Devices were - [Japan invests $1.3 billion in Micron to subsidize chip manufacturing: Report](https://ans-pa.com/japan-invests-1-3-billion-in-micron-to-subsidize-chip-manufacturing-report/) - Japanese government funds are expected to help Micron’s factory in Hiroshima produce more advanced chips to power AI and quantum workloads. - [Asana unveils new AI capabilities to help teams work smarter](https://ans-pa.com/asana-unveils-new-ai-capabilities-to-help-teams-work-smarter/) - Asana is rolling out a host of new generative AI capabilities for its work management platform that are designed to streamline and provide greater clarity for team collaboration and productivity.The new capabilities, announced today, come four months after Asana first said it would be adding AI functionality to its platform and outlined its AI principles, - [Microsoft puts its Cloud for Sovereignty in public preview](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-puts-its-cloud-for-sovereignty-in-public-preview/) - The company plans to make Cloud for Sovereignty generally available in December. - [Microsoft’s Nadella: Google could lock up AI-enabled search](https://ans-pa.com/microsofts-nadella-google-could-lock-up-ai-enabled-search/) - Twenty-five years ago, the US Department of Justice, twenty-two states, and the District of Columbia sued budding software giant Microsoft for illegally monopolizing the PC market. The plaintiffs argued that Microsoft exploited contracts with computer makers, barring them from removing its Internet Explorer or using rival programs.A trial was held in the District Court for - [Microsoft’s Nadella: Google could lock up AI-enabled search](https://ans-pa.com/microsofts-nadella-google-could-lock-up-ai-enabled-search-2/) - Twenty-five years ago, the US Department of Justice, twenty-two states, and the District of Columbia sued budding software giant Microsoft for illegally monopolizing the PC market. The plaintiffs argued that Microsoft exploited contracts with computer makers, barring them from removing its Internet Explorer or using rival programs.A trial was held in the District Court for - [20 seconds to extreme Android awesomeness](https://ans-pa.com/20-seconds-to-extreme-android-awesomeness/) - Well, my gaggle of giddy gibbons, it's a ginormous week here in the land o' Googley matters.We've got Le Googlé's official fall hardware event on Wednesday, with the coming launch of this year's new Pixel 8 flagship phones and a new Pixel Watch to join 'em. And we're expecting to see the long-awaited arrival of - [With AI, there’s a trust gap based on gender, age](https://ans-pa.com/with-ai-theres-a-trust-gap-based-on-gender-age/) - When it comes to trusting artificial intelligence (AI), men, millennial, and Gen Z workers generally have more faith in the technology than women, Gen Xers, or Baby Boomers, according to the results of a survey of more than 2,000 US adults.The survey, the second of its kind conducted eight months apart, was performed by The Harris - [Is that a hot iPhone 15 in your pocket, or... ?](https://ans-pa.com/is-that-a-hot-iphone-15-in-your-pocket-or/) - Every year a new scare story appears soon after Apple introduces new iPhone models. It’s a regular occurrence, and the stories almost always disappear once the initial furor dies down.This year’s scare story is no different — it’s not even new — though enterprise IT may want to add some third-party applications to its ban - [The antitrust suit against Google isn’t the DOJ-Microsoft fight redux](https://ans-pa.com/the-antitrust-suit-against-google-isnt-the-doj-microsoft-fight-redux/) - For longtime tech industry watchers, the US Department of Justice’s antitrust suit against Google feels like déjà vu all over again. Many of the charges in the suit have almost eerie echoes to those levied against Microsoft in 1998.Both claim the targets used their monopoly power illegally — in Google’s case, to maintain its market dominance - [Will the FTC's Lina Khan succeed in breaking up Amazon?](https://ans-pa.com/will-the-ftcs-lina-khan-succeed-in-breaking-up-amazon/) - The FTC’s latest antitrust lawsuit accuses Amazon of using a web of anticompetitive strategies to maintain a monopoly, cut potential rivals off at the knees and generally make the market less friendly to consumers, but the process of getting a result will be complicated.The complaint asks the court for “structural relief,” which could entail court-ordered - [JNUC 2023: The top 5 changes JAMF unveiled](https://ans-pa.com/jnuc-2023-the-top-5-changes-jamf-unveiled/) - Heads-up, Apple-in-the-enterprise admins. One of the biggest annual events for Apple IT professionals, Jamf Nation User Conference, rolled around this week in Austin, TX. Led by new CEO John Strosahl, the company offered up a range of announcements, improvements, and insights from third-party presenters, including Cisco CIO Fletcher Previn. Michael Covington, Jamf vice president of portfolio strategy, - [Meta Quest 3’s mixed reality ‘passthrough’ broadens workplace appeal](https://ans-pa.com/meta-quest-3s-mixed-reality-passthrough-broadens-workplace-appeal/) - Meta focused on bringing mixed reality to the masses at its Connect developer conference this week, rolling out its Meta Quest 3 headset with an emphasis on entertainment and gaming. But the company sees potential uses in the workplace, too. In particular, the Quest 3 headset’s “pass-through” feature is designed to blend physical and digital - [Meta challenges ChatGPT with chatbot, OpenAI fires back with new features](https://ans-pa.com/meta-challenges-chatgpt-with-chatbot-openai-fires-back-with-new-features/) - Facebook parent Meta this week rolled out plans for various chatbots for US consumers that are embedded into specific applications, including WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram.The new Meta AI bot, currently in beta, is powered by various iterations of Meta’s Llama 2 large language model (LLM). The difference between Meta’s LLM and OpenAI’s GPT 4 — - [Nvidia’s French offices raided for anti-competitive practices: Report](https://ans-pa.com/nvidias-french-offices-raided-for-anti-competitive-practices-report/) - While France’s competition watchdog did not confirm the identity of the entity being investigated, it said that the raids were conducted in the graphics cards sector. - [Nvidia’s French offices raided for anticompetitive practices: Report](https://ans-pa.com/nvidias-french-offices-raided-for-anticompetitive-practices-report/) - While France’s competition watchdog did not confirm the identity of the entity being investigated, it said that the raids were conducted in the graphics cards sector. - [FTC renews legal challenge to Microsoft’s $69B purchase of Activision](https://ans-pa.com/ftc-renews-legal-challenge-to-microsofts-69b-purchase-of-activision/) - Two months after the US Federal Trade Commission stopped proceedings to block Microsoft’s $69 billion dollar acquisition of gaming studio Activision Blizzard, the federal agency has revived its challenge.In a filing issued Wednesday, the FTC set a new schedule for hearings to be held in front of an administrative law judge in what amounts to - [‘We hoped not to use WebKit at all,' says Vivaldi CEO, as iOS browser ships](https://ans-pa.com/we-hoped-not-to-use-webkit-at-all-says-vivaldi-ceo-as-ios-browser-ships/) - Days after EU industry chief Thierry Breton told Apple CEO Tim Cook in no uncertain terms that the company will be forced to open its ecosystem to competition, European browser company Vivaldi introduced its first browser for iOS. So, I spoke with Vivaldi CEO Jon von Tetzchner to discuss the context around the release.To read - [Wi-Fi 7 could make thin clients much more viable](https://ans-pa.com/wi-fi-7-could-make-thin-clients-much-more-viable/) - Wi-Fi 6 promised performance to match a wired network, and now we’re beginning to see the first Wi-Fi 7 products hit the market with promises of performance on par with optical networks. That makes it not only an alternative for wired networks, but potentially a higher performing replacement — with solid improvements in security, latency, - [Chip industry strains to meet AI-fueled demands — will smaller LLMs help?](https://ans-pa.com/chip-industry-strains-to-meet-ai-fueled-demands-will-smaller-llms-help/) - Generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the form of natural-language processing technology has taken the world by storm, with organizations large and small rushing to pilot it in a bid to find new efficiencies and automate tasks.Tech giants Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are all offering cloud-based genAI technologies or baking them into their business apps for - [Google to block Bard conversations from being indexed on Search](https://ans-pa.com/google-to-block-bard-conversations-from-being-indexed-on-search/) - Alphabet-owned Google is working on blocking user conversations with its new Bard generative AI assistant from being indexed on its Search platform or showing up as results.“Bard allows people to share chats, if they choose. We also don't intend for these shared chats to be indexed by Google Search. We're working on blocking them from - [The pursuit of Mac-iness: 10+ gifts to pros in macOS Sonoma](https://ans-pa.com/the-pursuit-of-mac-iness-10-gifts-to-pros-in-macos-sonoma/) - The latest operating system for Macs, macOS Sonoma, is available now. Most Mac experts seem to be focused on the introduction of widgets, better screensavers, and much improved support for games, but there are some really useful productivity-boosting tools for enterprise pros packed inside.Here’s some to get you started:Command-Space gains new powers The most powerful - [US FTC hits Amazon with antitrust lawsuit on e-commerce business](https://ans-pa.com/us-ftc-hits-amazon-with-antitrust-lawsuit-on-e-commerce-business/) - The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a lawsuit against Amazon, alleging that the company has been engaging in a number of “interlocking anticompetitive and unfair strategies to illegally maintain its monopoly power.”In the complaint, the FTC and 17 state attorneys general claim that Amazon’s actions have prevented its rivals and sellers from lowering - [Apple’s Eddy Cue testifies in Google’s confusing, secretive antitrust trial](https://ans-pa.com/apples-eddy-cue-testifies-in-googles-confusing-secretive-antitrust-trial/) - On the same day that the US Federal Trade Commission sued Amazon for using anticompetitive and unfair strategies to maintain monopoly power in the online retail sector, Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of services, spent hours a few blocks away at the E. Barrett Prettyman US District Court House as a reluctant prosecution witness - [US may extend China waiver for South Korean chipmakers](https://ans-pa.com/us-may-extend-china-waiver-for-south-korean-chipmakers/) - At a time when the US and China are embroiled in a chip war, the former has assured South Korean chipmakers, including Samsung and SK Hynix, that it is planning to extend a waiver that enables these firms to manufacture chips in China.”We understand the concerns that companies have and we'll do everything that we - [10 out-of-sight Google Pixel shortcuts worth surfacing](https://ans-pa.com/10-out-of-sight-google-pixel-shortcuts-worth-surfacing/) - The funny thing about owning a Google Pixel phone is that you never know what interesting new treasures might be making their way into your world at any given moment.Most mere mortals never notice, but Google's constantly sending out software updates to its Pixel products — not just new Android versions but also under-the-hood Pixel-specific - [Don’t expect much from Copilot for Windows (yet)](https://ans-pa.com/dont-expect-much-from-copilot-for-windows-yet/) - “It just works.” That’s the mantra Steve Jobs applied to the Mac every chance he got. But it’s a sentence that could never be applied to Windows, a 38-year-old operating system long bedeviled by bugs, Blue Screens of Death, unexplained crashes and slowdowns, and illogical design at every turn.Over the years, Microsoft has slowly improved - [Jamf exec details how the Apple ecosystem will win the business market](https://ans-pa.com/jamf-exec-details-how-the-apple-ecosystem-will-win-the-business-market/) - Every business is a digital business, and it's widely known that to truly realize the efficiencies of digital transformation, traditional departmental siloes must be broken down. As above, so below, and IT admins aren't immune to change as different fiefdoms merge.During last week's JNUC event, I caught up with Michael Covington, Jamf vice president of portfolio strategy, - [Atlassian adds new collaboration and integration features to Jira platforms](https://ans-pa.com/atlassian-adds-new-collaboration-and-integration-features-to-jira-platforms/) - Atlassian has announced a host of new capabilities across its Jira Software and Jira Work Management platform to help reduce silos between technical and non-technical teams.Two years ago, Atlassian launched Jira Work Management, bringing Jira capabilities to all enterprise business teams and enabling non-technical departments like marketing, HR, finance, and design to easily connect their - [How to fix Windows 10 and 11 printing problems](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-fix-windows-10-and-11-printing-problems/) - Thinking back to the era of Windows 3.0, 3.1, and Windows for Workgroups, I dimly recall that printer drivers could be especially troublesome. Happily, with Windows 95 through Windows 7, printer problems didn’t register much on my radar. But in the wake of upgrading my network to Windows 10 a few years back, I noticed - [Microsoft’s data centers are going nuclear](https://ans-pa.com/microsofts-data-centers-are-going-nuclear/) - A job posting from Microsoft, for a qualified nuclear technology program manager, indicates that the company is planning to integrate small nuclear reactors into its power systems for data centers.The software giant is already working with at least one third-party nuclear energy provider in an effort to reduce its carbon footprint. The ad, though, signals - [UK regulator provisionally clears Microsoft's $69B Activision acquisition](https://ans-pa.com/uk-regulator-provisionally-clears-microsofts-69b-activision-acquisition/) - The UK’s Competition and Market’s Authority (CMA) has declared that Microsoft has addressed the concerns it had about the software giant's $68.7 billion acquisition of gaming studio Activision Blizzard, clearing the way for the deal to go ahead.In April, the CMA blocked Microsoft from making the acquisition over concerns the deal could “alter the future - [Forrester asks a forbidden question: Are vendors lying or do they believe their own hype?](https://ans-pa.com/forrester-asks-a-forbidden-question-are-vendors-lying-or-do-they-believe-their-own-hype/) - Forrester Research, in a recent pull-no-punches blog post, called out cybersecurity vendors for not merely telling IT executives things that are not true, but for being so clueless about enterprise IT that they actually believe their own bogus hype.This raises a thorny issue. Even when vendors don’t understand business tech needs, IT directors and C-suite - [Amazon set to invest $4B in constitutional AI advocate Anthropic](https://ans-pa.com/amazon-set-to-invest-4b-in-constitutional-ai-advocate-anthropic/) - Amazon has agreed to invest up to $4 billion in AI firm Anthropic, giving the e-commerce and public cloud giant a minor ownership stake in the vendor.Founded by former senior members of Microsoft-backed OpenAI in 2021, Anthropic is the company behind Claude, an AI assistant that the company decided to train on constitutional AI, in - [Q&A: How one CSO secured his environment from generative AI risks](https://ans-pa.com/qa-how-one-cso-secured-his-environment-from-generative-ai-risks/) - In February, travel and expense management company Navan (formerly TripActions) chose to go all-in on generative AI technology for a myriad of business and customer assistance uses.The Palo Alto, CA company turned to ChatGPT from OpenAI and coding assistance tools from GitHub Copilot to write, test, and fix code; the decision has boosted Navan’s operational - [c](https://ans-pa.com/c/) - Disclosure: Intel is a client of the author.At Intel’s Innovation conference this past week, the company highlighted the next generation of Windows PCs, clearly anticipating Microsoft’s genAI Copilot tool, which can write documents for you, create presentations from comments, and automate much of what annoys everyone about Outlook. Intel offered up a number of interesting - [The AI future of Windows is here (next week)](https://ans-pa.com/the-ai-future-of-windows-is-here-next-week/) - The future of Windows AI. That’s what we’ve been hearing, and now Microsoft has shown us exactly what that looks like. If the future of Windows is AI, that’s because it’s like any other Microsoft product — the future of every Microsoft product involves AI and a Copilot.That’s the vision. AI everywhere. But the AI - [How to create your own iPhone-15-inspired 'Action button' on Android](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-create-your-own-iphone-15-inspired-action-button-on-android/) - If you're reading this column, odds are, you don't have a lot of iPhone envy.Believe me, I'm right there with ya. But much as we may enjoy the (ahem) greener pastures here in the land o' Googley matters, every now and then, Apple does come up with a genuinely interesting idea for its iPhone devotees.And - [Generative AI and US copyright law are on a collision course](https://ans-pa.com/generative-ai-and-us-copyright-law-are-on-a-collision-course/) - US copyright law has yet to catch up to the numerous challenges posed by the wildfire adoption of generative AI, and the first real movement on major legal questions is likely to come from upcoming trials.One of those key questions is the copyright status of works generated by artificial intelligence — for example, whether a - [Microsoft 365 Copilot rollout set for Nov. 1](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-365-copilot-rollout-set-for-nov-1/) - Microsoft’s M365 Copilot will be made generally available to business customers beginning Nov. 1, the company announced Thursday. Microsoft first unveiled plans to embed the generative AI assistant into its M365 collaboration and productivity apps — including Outlook, Teams, Excel, and PowerPoint — earlier this year. The M365 Copilot, built using gen AI models codeveloped with - [ServiceNow embeds AI-powered customer-assist features throughout products](https://ans-pa.com/servicenow-embeds-ai-powered-customer-assist-features-throughout-products/) - Workflow management software provider ServiceNow has embedded a chatbot for assisting customers with most of its products.ServiceNow’s new Now Assist tool is an expansion to its AI-powered Now Platform, and is available in its Vancouver software release for IT Service Management (ITSM), Customer Service Management (CSM), HR Service Delivery (HRSD), and Creator workflow application.To read this article in full, please click - [EU Chips Act comes into force to ensure supply chain resilience](https://ans-pa.com/eu-chips-act-comes-into-force-to-ensure-supply-chain-resilience/) - The EU Chips Act has officially come into force today, putting in place a comprehensive set of measures to shore up the European Union’s semiconductor supply chain resilience and reach its target to double its current global market share to 20% in 2030.The act is made of three pillars, the first of which is a - [Cisco: Macs in business boost productivity and security, cuts costs](https://ans-pa.com/cisco-macs-in-business-boost-productivity-and-security-cuts-costs/) - Mac adoption in the enterprise isn’t just about giving employees hardware options, according to Cisco CIO Fletcher Previn. It's a business imperative — and many companies agree.Previn spoke at this week's Jamf Nation User Conference (JNUC), where he explained that migrating to Apple hardware boosts productivity, enhances security, and can trim ownership costs. And he has - [Could Superhuman be your email savior?](https://ans-pa.com/could-superhuman-be-your-email-savior/) - If we're gonna have an honest discussion about email, we need to get a few tough truths out of the way first. Think of 'em as ground rules for the conversation we're about to embark on: Email is atrocious. It's a soul-sucking hell-hole that steals hours of your day and never lets up. Most modern - [UK's controversial online safety bill set to become law](https://ans-pa.com/uks-controversial-online-safety-bill-set-to-become-law/) - Four years after it started life as a white paper, the UK government’s controversial Online Safety Bill has finally passed through Parliament and is set to become law in the coming weeks.The bill aims to keep websites and different types of internet-based services free of illegal and harmful material while defending freedom of expression. It - [IDC: AR/VR headset sales slide, could rebound with Apple, Meta device launches](https://ans-pa.com/idc-ar-vr-headset-sales-slide-could-rebound-with-apple-meta-device-launches/) - Sales of augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR) headsets continue to decline sharply due to weak economic conditions and aging product lines, according to IDC. But upcoming device launches from vendors such as Meta and Apple could help drive a rebound later this year and into 2024, the analyst firm predicts. Global shipments for AR/VR - [Jamf: Generative AI is coming to an Apple IT admin near you](https://ans-pa.com/jamf-generative-ai-is-coming-to-an-apple-it-admin-near-you/) - Imagine running fleets of iPhones that alert you when unexpected security-related incidents take place, or when otherwise legitimate service requests arrive from devices at an unexpected time or location. Imagine management and security software that not only identified these kinds of anomalies but gave you useful advice to help remediate the problem.This, and more, is - [Manufacturing firms make early bets on the industrial metaverse](https://ans-pa.com/manufacturing-firms-make-early-bets-on-the-industrial-metaverse/) - Manufacturing firms are already investing in a range of technologies that could serve as the building blocks for the industrial “metaverse,” but the end of goal of fully interconnected, immersive environments is likely to take longer to realize.The metaverse concept has been used in recent years primarily to describe the development of a 3D internet, - [Got a Google Pixel Fold or Pixel Tablet? Find this secret setting this second](https://ans-pa.com/got-a-google-pixel-fold-or-pixel-tablet-find-this-secret-setting-this-second/) - Google's Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet may not look like siblings, but the two 2023 flagship Android offerings actually have a surprising amount in common.And i's not just that they're the first Pixel devices in their respective categories of folding phones and tablets, either. Nope: When you use the two products side by side, you - [Google adds its Bard chatbot to Gmail, YouTube, Docs and other apps](https://ans-pa.com/google-adds-its-bard-chatbot-to-gmail-youtube-docs-and-other-apps/) - Google today announced it is embedding its conversational,Bard chatbot into many of its most popular apps, allowing users to get human-like responses to questions, summarize Gmail messages, and search Google Docs and Youtube.Bard is in heated competition with other top generative AI technologies, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft’s Bing conversational AI tool (which is also based on - [Google launches another appeal against 2017 EU antitrust ruling on shopping service](https://ans-pa.com/google-launches-another-appeal-against-2017-eu-antitrust-ruling-on-shopping-service/) - Google has once again sought to overturn a €2.4 billion ($2.6 billlion) fine imposed by the European Union in 2017 after it found the company had violated antitrust rules by using its dominant position in the search engine market to illegally promote its comparison shopping service.Google originally appealed the fine the ruling in the General - [Smartsheet adds generative AI capabilities to work management platform](https://ans-pa.com/smartsheet-adds-generative-ai-capabilities-to-work-management-platform/) - Work management software company Smartsheet unveiled its next-generation platform today, debuting features designed to provide users with new generative-AI powered capabilities at scale.Work in the Smartsheet platform centers around “sheets” that contain information relating to a particular project or projects, within which users can include a variety of details such as a description, status, due - [Jamf touts Jamf Pro 11 at JNUC, its annual Apple IT admin event](https://ans-pa.com/jamf-touts-jamf-pro-11-at-jnuc-its-annual-apple-it-admin-event/) - Now in its 14th year, the world’s biggest event for IT admins who manage Apple hardware, the Jamf Nation User Conference kicks off today in Austin, Texas with Apple-related insights from Cisco, Google, Microsoft, and other big names in tech management and integration.MacPaw, Okta, Mac Stadium, and many other important vendors in the space are also on - [Experts: 'Quiet cutting' employees makes no sense, and it's costly](https://ans-pa.com/experts-quiet-cutting-employees-makes-no-sense-and-its-costly/) - Companies are increasingly using role reassignments as a strategy to sidestep expensive layoffs, according to some tech industry experts. But they see it as generally short-sighted and likely to do a company more harm than good.As with last year's 'quiet quitting' trend, quiet cutting appears to be a concept originally coined in the media — - [UK regulator outlines AI foundation model principles, warns of potential harm](https://ans-pa.com/uk-regulator-outlines-ai-foundation-model-principles-warns-of-potential-harm/) - The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has warned about the potential risks of artificial intelligence in its newly published review into AI foundation models.Foundation models are AI systems that have been trained on massive, unlabeled data sets. They underpin large language models — like OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Google’s PaLM — for generative AI applications like ChatGPT, and can be - [Apple again upsells users to the iPhone 15 Pro Max](https://ans-pa.com/apple-again-upsells-users-to-the-iphone-15-pro-max/) - Apple once again appears to have upsold the world to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and while demand once again exceeded supply when orders began Friday, somewhere in Cupertino the bubbly was likely flowing as the company's initial stockpile of the iPhone Pro Max sold out in minutes.To read this article in full, please click here - [Google US antitrust trial: A timeline](https://ans-pa.com/google-us-antitrust-trial-a-timeline/) - Google’s dominance in the search arena has given rise to two major antitrust lawsuits from the U.S. government, which allege that the company has manipulated the market to maintain that dominance, to the exclusion of its competitors and the detriment of the public at large.The first lawsuit, targeting Google's search business, kicked off last week, - [How companies are putting embedded genAI to good use](https://ans-pa.com/how-companies-are-putting-embedded-genai-to-good-use/) - ChatGPT, Claude, Bard, and other public-facing generative AI chatbots based on large language models (LLMs) are nice enough, but they’re general-purpose and not well integrated into enterprise workflows. Employees either have to go to a separate app, or companies have to spend time and effort adding the functionality to their applications via application programming interfaces. - [Critical updates for Microsoft Office and Visual Studio drive September's Patch Tuesday](https://ans-pa.com/critical-updates-for-microsoft-office-and-visual-studio-drive-septembers-patch-tuesday/) - Microsoft released 59 updates in its September Patch Tuesday release, with critical patches for Microsoft Office and Visual Studio, and continued the trend of including non-Microsoft applications in its update cycle. (Notepad++ is a notable addition, with Autodesk returning with a revised bulletin.) We've made "Patch Now" recommendations for Microsoft development platforms (Visual Studio) and - [Low-code platform provider Airtable enacts new round of layoffs](https://ans-pa.com/low-code-platform-provider-airtable-enacts-new-round-of-layoffs/) - Low-code software company Airtable announced its second round of job cuts in nine months, laying off around 237 people, or approximately 27% of the company.The cuts are part of a plan to focus the company on winning large enterprise clients and getting spending under control, CEO Howie Liu told Forbes, which first reported the layoffs. - [iPhone 12: Fade away, and radiate?](https://ans-pa.com/iphone-12-fade-away-and-radiate/) - What’s up with the iPhone radiation story? On the eve of Apple’s big iPhone 15 reveal, France demanded the company remove iPhone 12 from sale in that country because it said the product radiates too much.Now that demand seems to be spreading across Europe.What’s happening here?The story so far ANFR, the French agency that regulates - [Amazon deploys generative AI to write sales listings](https://ans-pa.com/amazon-deploys-generative-ai-to-write-sales-listings/) - Amazon has launched a new generative AI tool that creates copy listings for users selling items on the company’s e-commerce platform.Designed to simplify the selling process, the new tool reduces the need for sellers to enter many pieces of specific product data when generating product descriptions. Instead, users can now enter a brief description of - [5 steps to a lean, clean Windows machine](https://ans-pa.com/5-steps-to-a-lean-clean-windows-machine/) - These days, a relatively clean and uncomplicated Windows 10 or 11 system disk might be home to more than 250,000 files and 90,000 folders. A more complex, application-heavy system disk might contain between half a million and a million files. My Windows 11 production PC has over 970K files and 275K folders, for example. That’s - [The evolution of Apple's iPhone](https://ans-pa.com/the-evolution-of-apples-iphone/) - The iPhone has come a long way since its arrival in 2007.First iPhone IDG / Apple After months of rumors and speculation, Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPhone on Jan. 9, 2007. The device, which didn’t actually go on sale until June, started at $499 for a 4GB model, $599 for the 8GB - [This year's biggest tech IPO begins as ARM hits Nasdaq](https://ans-pa.com/this-years-biggest-tech-ipo-begins-as-arm-hits-nasdaq/) - The year’s most hotly anticipated initial public offering (IPO) in tech opened at the starting bell this morning, with ARM Holdings’ (ARM) stock beginning the day on Nasdaq at $51 per share. That’s the cost per share for the 10% of the company (95.5 million shares) Softbank is putting up for auction so far, aiming - [EU said to be proceeding with Microsoft Teams antitrust investigation](https://ans-pa.com/eu-said-to-be-proceeding-with-microsoft-teams-antitrust-investigation/) - The European Union is reportedly planning to move forward with a formal complaint against the way Microsoft sells Teams, even though the company publicly announced in August it would start unbundling the collaboration app from Office and Microsoft 365 packages in Europe.Under the proposed plan, Microsoft would separate out Teams and sell its 365 application - [Does Apple’s double-tap gesture solve the mobile/human interface problem?](https://ans-pa.com/does-apples-double-tap-gesture-solve-the-mobile-human-interface-problem/) - Smartphones are arguably more powerful than PCs. Consider that the iPhone 12, at 11 teraflops, outperformed the Cray 2 supercomputer by over 5000 times. And that’s a now-three-year-old phone.Even Samsung argues that modern smartphones are more powerful than PCs. Even if that isn’t true for high-end PCs, the performance of the two classes of devices - [AI language models need to shrink; here’s why smaller may be better](https://ans-pa.com/ai-language-models-need-to-shrink-heres-why-smaller-may-be-better/) - Large language models (LLMs) often appear to be in a fight to claim the title of largest and most powerful, but many organizations eyeing there use are beginning to realize big isn’t always better.The adoption of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is on a steep incline. Organizations plan to invest 10% to 15% more on - [Microsoft Teams suffers another outage in the North America region](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-teams-suffers-another-outage-in-the-north-america-region/) - In yet another incident of an outage this year for Microsoft 365, enterprises using the company’s North American infrastructure for running Teams faced disruption on Wednesday evening, resulting in delay in sending or receiving messages over the productivity application.“We’re investigating an incident affecting Microsoft Teams. Users may encounter delays or failures sending and receiving messages. - [Alphabet layoffs: Company trades recruitment team for tech talent](https://ans-pa.com/alphabet-layoffs-company-trades-recruitment-team-for-tech-talent/) - Google-parent Alphabet late on Wednesday let go of hundreds of employees from its recruiting team in continuation of its efforts to operate more efficiently as macroeconomic uncertainty looms.The company, which faces stiff competition from Microsoft, AWS, IBM, and Oracle in the field of generative AI and artificial intelligence, is looking to trade non-technical roles for - [UK gov't announces new $1.1B supercomputer and AI research facility](https://ans-pa.com/uk-govt-announces-new-1-1b-supercomputer-and-ai-research-facility/) - As part of its commitment to AI R&D, the UK has announced the development of a new supercomputer and research facility to be housed at the University of Bristol. - [12 thoughts for business after Apple’s iPhone 15 launch](https://ans-pa.com/12-thoughts-for-business-after-apples-iphone-15-launch/) - While the move to USB-C might mean bigger businesses will end up with a host of older Lightning accessories and cables to drop into the landfill over the next year or two (take that, EU), Apple will still sell 150 million of the new iPhones over the next year, according to Francisco Jeronimo, vice president - [Gloves come off during day one of Google's antitrust trial](https://ans-pa.com/gloves-come-off-during-day-one-of-googles-antitrust-trial/) - The most significant tech antitrust trial of the 21st century thus far kicked off in US federal court Tuesday with the Department of Justice and 14 co-plaintiff states squaring off against the search engine giant. The DOJ accuses Google of unlawfully monopolizing the markets for general search services, search advertising, and general search text advertising - [Adobe generative AI tool Firefly is now generally available](https://ans-pa.com/adobe-generative-ai-tool-firefly-is-now-generally-available/) - Adobe on Wednesday announced the commercial release of Firefly, a suite of generative AI models that are natively integrated throughout Adobe Creative Cloud apps, including Generative Fill and Generative Expand in Photoshop, and Generative Recolor in Illustrator.Firefly, which was released in Beta in May, provides AI-powered image creation and editing for enterprise users that the - [Will OpenAI’s enterprise chatbot put a big hurt on Microsoft?](https://ans-pa.com/will-openais-enterprise-chatbot-put-a-big-hurt-on-microsoft/) - Microsoft has a surprising and powerful new competitor in its attempt to dominate the generative AI market – OpenAI, the company behind Microsoft’s genAI products, in which Microsoft has invested $13 billion, and whose technology is the sole reason Microsoft has taken the lead in genAI.That competition began in late August, when OpenAI launched ChatGPT Enterprise. - [Google's increasingly prickly Android perception problem](https://ans-pa.com/googles-increasingly-prickly-android-perception-problem/) - Ask most Android enthusiasts for their thoughts on the eternal "iPhone vs. Android" debate, and you're bound to hear some comically common conclusions: Android is more advanced and ambitious, both in its software and especially in its hardware (hello, folding phones!). Android is more customizable and conducive to productivity, thanks to all the ways it - [Apple launches the iPhone 15 series, new Apple Watches — and talks up its green plans](https://ans-pa.com/apple-launches-the-iphone-15-series-new-apple-watches-and-talks-up-its-green-plans/) - So all the speculation was largely on target.At its big Tuesday event, not only did Apple unveil its new iPhone 15 and 15 Pro line-ups, but it stressed environmental bona fides and its efforts toward becoming carbon neutral by 2030. It also introduced the Apple Watch Series 9, an Apple Watch Ultra 2, and offered noteworthy - [Google defends search business in biggest US antitrust case of the century so far](https://ans-pa.com/google-defends-search-business-in-biggest-us-antitrust-case-of-the-century-so-far/) - The largest antitrust action since the turn-of-the-century Microsoft case is headed to trial today, as the federal government and a group of state attorneys general challenge Google’s dominance in search.Google is specifically accused of creating a monopoly through the use of exclusivity contracts with device manufacturers and software providers — deals, in short, that make - [IDC: Collaboration software spending growth slows; AI features to drive future increases](https://ans-pa.com/idc-collaboration-software-spending-growth-slows-ai-features-to-drive-future-increases/) - Global business spending on collaboration software — including videoconferencing apps, team chat, email, and more — reached $33.9 billion in 2022, according to a recent IDC report. It was the seventh consecutive year of double-digit growth, up 14.6% compared to the 2021.But that figure amounted to slower year-on-year growth compared to IDC data from the - [WWDC 2024: Is Apple on the road to Siri 2.0?](https://ans-pa.com/wwdc-2024-is-apple-on-the-road-to-siri-2-0/) - With Apple spending a lot of money on generative AI and machine learning models, is it time for us to start prepping for Siri 2.0? The Information says Apple has “significantly” increased spending on AI development focused on genAI capabilities within Siri. The report suggests Apple’s internal AI research thrust is pushing in three key directions:To read this - [Onboarding remote employees doesn't have to be hard](https://ans-pa.com/onboarding-remote-employees-doesnt-have-to-be-hard-10/) - Last month, I noted that staffers work from home just fine. Yes, I know some companies, including Zoom, demand that employees return to the office after making their fortune with remote work. And Congressional Republicans want to turn back the clock with its SHOW UP Act.So, what? There will always be moronic managers — ignore - [HP exec: There’s no going back to the pre-pandemic workplace](https://ans-pa.com/hp-exec-theres-no-going-back-to-the-pre-pandemic-workplace/) - While some companies in recent months have been rolling back remote-work policies, Hewlett-Packard (HP) has been reticent to set any in-office mandate — or even informal goals — for its workers.Various teams have in-office staff meetings, and employees who live close to an office site tend to come in two or three days a week. But - [IBM's software unit issues global return to office mandate](https://ans-pa.com/ibms-software-unit-issues-global-return-to-office-mandate/) - Employees in IBM's software division have become the latest tech workers to face a return-to-office mandate, in this case requiring them to be in the office for a minimum of three days a week, starting from today.Unlike other return to office mandates that have been put in place by Amazon, Google, Meta, and Zoom in - [Apple extends Qualcomm iPhone 5G modem supply deal into 2026](https://ans-pa.com/apple-extends-qualcomm-iphone-5g-modem-supply-deal-into-2026/) - Apple’s attempt to build its own 5G modems may have hit some kind of wall as the company has reached a deal with Qualcomm to supply 5G modems for smartphone launches all the way to 2026.Apple had been expected to begin using its own internally developed 5G modem beginning in 2024. (We had thought the - [Here’s how Slack envisions adding genAI to its software](https://ans-pa.com/heres-how-slack-envisions-adding-genai-to-its-software/) - Having announced plans in May to build generative AI into its collaboration application, Slack now expects to make its the new features available to select customers as part of a pilot this winter, with a full rollout next year.The company has been experimenting with the genAI internally for several months to identify the best ways - [Chinese-made 7nm chips in Huawei phone raise questions over US export ban](https://ans-pa.com/chinese-made-7nm-chips-in-huawei-phone-raise-questions-over-us-export-ban/) - The US government has reportedly opened a probe into Chinese chips being used in Huawei’s latest 5G-enabled smartphone, a move that has raised questions around the effectiveness of President Joe Biden’s recent executive orders that were supposed to have tightened export controls on such technology.The Huawei Mate Pro 60 contains Kirin 9000s chips — 7 - [The Donald Trump deep fake ‘interview’ and the problem with avatars](https://ans-pa.com/the-donald-trump-deep-fake-interview-and-the-problem-with-avatars/) - One of the technologies being explored by videoconferencing software vendors involves the use of Deep Fake avatars to present at, or attend, meetings. The avatars allow a presenter to alter their appearance so they always look sharp and to pre-tape their speech for a more professional result. Eventually, the avatar could do the talk from - [Message to IT: Update all your Apple devices right away](https://ans-pa.com/message-to-it-update-all-your-apple-devices-right-away/) - Apple has pushed out an essential security update to defend against yet another attack by an out-of-control mercenary surveillance group.Like a bad smell, NSO Group has clawed its way back into the spotlight with yet another unprincipled attack against free speech and citizens' rights, as revealed by Citizen Lab. The security researchers found this latest - [Microsoft pledges to defend Copilot customers against copyright lawsuits](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-pledges-to-defend-copilot-customers-against-copyright-lawsuits/) - Microsoft is promising to defend customers of its Copilot AI assistant against copyright lawsuits, the company said in a statement Thursday.Customers are worried that outputs from the generative AI assistant could infringe on copyright law, putting them at risk of legal claims, Microsoft said. To address those concerns, the company pledged to “defend the customer” - [Amazon's return-to-office mandate won't work out](https://ans-pa.com/amazons-return-to-office-mandate-wont-work-out-91/) - Amazon CEO Andy Jassy recently told Amazon employees who refuse to come into the office at least three days a week that "it's probably not going to work out for you" — threatening to fire those employees (or invite them to engage in a "voluntary resignation").I'm afraid I have to disagree. I predict the edict will - [How note-taking AI from Google and Apple complete you](https://ans-pa.com/how-note-taking-ai-from-google-and-apple-complete-you/) - We all take notes. Since grade school, we’ve scribbled down the main points of what we’re learning so we can access that information later. Suddenly, the power of note-taking is about to increase 100-fold.Major existing data-container products such as Box, Dropbox, Notion, and thousands of new tools now use generative AI to let you query - [Windows desktop apps are the future (with or without Windows)](https://ans-pa.com/windows-desktop-apps-are-the-future-with-or-without-windows/) - Good news for PC users: Windows desktop software isn’t going anywhere. In fact, every operating system wants to run it.A decade ago, the tech media was full of pronouncements that “PCs are dying” at the hands of the iPad. But in 2023, the hot new commodity is Windows desktop software. More and more operating systems - [Tencent debuts Hunyuan AI model, opens it up for enterprise use](https://ans-pa.com/tencent-debuts-hunyuan-ai-model-opens-it-up-for-enterprise-use/) - Chinese cloud and social media conglomerate Tencent has announced that its Hunyuan large language model (LLM) will be available for enterprise use, as companies in the country stake their claim as technology industry and generative AI leaders.“A war of a hundred models has begun,” said Tencent's vice president, Jiang Jie, in comments published by Reuters. He noted - [MediaTek hints big speed boosts for upcoming iPhone, Macs](https://ans-pa.com/mediatek-hints-big-speed-boosts-for-upcoming-iphone-macs/) - Not to say I’m obsessed with Apple’s processors, but MediaTek’s latest statement gives us some insight into what new A- and M-series chips from Cupertino may be capable of, and yes, they’ll be faster, cooler, and more performant.MediaTek this morning tried to set its flag for business on news it has successfully developed its first - [The best multiplatform productivity apps](https://ans-pa.com/the-best-multiplatform-productivity-apps/) - Most of the app recommendations I make these days tend to revolve around Android. It’s the platform I carry in my pocket, after all, and it’s been the primary focus of my writing for something like 7,347 years now.But while there’s certainly something to be said for finding the best apps for one specific flavor - [Intuit debuts generative AI for QuickBooks, TurboTax, and other major products](https://ans-pa.com/intuit-debuts-generative-ai-for-quickbooks-turbotax-and-other-major-products/) - Financial services and small-business software provider Intuit will be rolling out an “Intuit Assist” feature to all of its major product lines, including TurboTax and QuickBooks, building on the development of its own generative AI operating system.GenOS, as the company calls its new operating system, was unveiled in June and is the basis for the - [UK rolls back controversial encryption rules of Online Safety Bill](https://ans-pa.com/uk-rolls-back-controversial-encryption-rules-of-online-safety-bill/) - The UK government has conceded one of the more controversial parts of its Online Safety Bill, stating that the powers granted by the legislation will not be used to scan encrypted messaging apps for harmful content until it can be done in a targeted manner.Companies will not be required to scan encrypted messages until it - [Apple saves its chips with multi-year Arm IP deal](https://ans-pa.com/apple-saves-its-chips-with-multi-year-arm-ip-deal/) - If you had any remaining doubt about Apple’s long-term plans for processor development, you should note the significance of a newly revealed chip technology deal the company has reached with Arm. The deal extends beyond 2040.Arm docs reveal Apple deal News of the deal was included in documents filed by Arm ahead of its $52 - [Slack unveils ‘lists,’ a work management tool for team project tracking](https://ans-pa.com/slack-unveils-lists-a-work-management-tool-for-team-project-tracking/) - Slack is building a work management tool designed to allow users to track team projects directly from the collaboration app. The “lists” feature, announced Wednesday ahead of parent company Salesforce’s Dreamforce event next week, provides functions similar to the likes of Asana and Trello, with the ability to create, assign, and manage individual tasks as part - [EU lists ‘gatekeepers’ to be regulated, opens iMessage and Bing investigations](https://ans-pa.com/eu-lists-gatekeepers-to-be-regulated-opens-imessage-and-bing-investigations/) - The European Commission has published a list of so-called gatekeeper companies that will be regulated by its Digital Markets Act (DMA), simultaneously announcing it will open investigations into the arguments put forward by Microsoft and Apple that claim iMessage and Bing don’t meet the threshold for regulation.The Commission said it had notified Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, - [Otter.ai launches new OtterPilot for Sales](https://ans-pa.com/otter-ai-launches-new-otterpilot-for-sales/) - AI transcription company Otter.ai on Wednesday launched OtterPilot for Sales, an AI sales assistant that helps employees with non-selling tasks such as note-taking and CRM data entry.The sales-specific product launches seven months after Otter.ai released OtterPilot, an AI meeting assistant that automatically sends AI-generated meeting notes, including summaries and key meeting points, to participants after - [Q&A: What ChatGPT Enterprise means for AI business adoption](https://ans-pa.com/qa-what-chatgpt-enterprise-means-for-ai-business-adoption/) - OpenAI recently announced the first of its B2B product portfolio, ChatGPT Enterprise, arguably the most significant upgrade to the generative AI (genAI) platform since it launched last November.The Enterprise version aims to address two major concerns users have had with the cloud-based AI service: What happens to corporate data that’s used to customize it for - [Apple and Microsoft challenge regulatory scope of EU’s Digital Markets Act](https://ans-pa.com/apple-and-microsoft-challenge-regulatory-scope-of-eus-digital-markets-act/) - Apple and Microsoft are attempting to circumvent the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) by arguing that neither iMessage nor Bing are sufficiently popular enough to be regulated by the legislation.The DMA was approved in July 2022 and is designed to rein in the power of large tech corporations such as Apple, Amazon, Google and - [Is that a Chromebook killer in your pocket, Tim Cook?](https://ans-pa.com/is-that-a-chromebook-killer-in-your-pocket-tim-cook/) - “An iPad, a Mac, a personal productivity device, an iPad, a Mac, a personal productivity device, can you see what it is yet?”Apple may be planning a cheaper portable Mac to rival Chromebooks, according to DigiTimes. If that claim is true, then might this device be the combined iPad/Mac system that has been speculated on, discussed, - [Baidu CEO’s remarks put LLMs in focus as US-China trade war escalates](https://ans-pa.com/baidu-ceos-remarks-put-llms-in-focus-as-us-china-trade-war-escalates/) - Baidu CEO Robin Li on Tuesday said Chinese institutions and technology companies have released over 70 large language models (LLMs) with over one billion parameters, further escalating the ongoing US-China trade war that has seen both the nations vie for supremacy in technology prowess, including chipmaking, quantum computing, and AI.To read this article in full, - [GenAI in productivity apps: What could possibly go wrong?](https://ans-pa.com/genai-in-productivity-apps-what-could-possibly-go-wrong/) - We’re in the “iPhone moment” for generative AI, with every company rushing to figure out its strategy for dealing with this disruptive technology.According to a KPMG survey conducted this June, 97% of US executives at large companies expect their organizations to be impacted highly by generative AI in the next 12 to 18 months, and - [UK government outlines five objectives for AI Safety Summit](https://ans-pa.com/uk-government-outlines-five-objectives-for-ai-safety-summit/) - The UK government has laid out its five ambitions for the upcoming AI Safety Summit, due to be held at Bletchley Park at the start of November.First announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in June during a visit to Washington to meet with US President Joe Biden, the summit aims to bring together government officials, - [Microsoft blames Aussie data center outage on staff strength, failed automation](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-blames-aussie-data-center-outage-on-staff-strength-failed-automation/) - The outage that occurred on August 30 led to downtime in Azure services pertaining to APIs, databases, and applications. - [How to share a Windows 10 or 11 PC](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-share-a-windows-10-or-11-pc/) - In some offices, computers are shared between two or more employees or temporary workers. That sounds like a recipe for disaster, but Windows 10 and 11 have great tools for allowing multiple people to share a PC without letting them read, edit, or delete each other’s files and folders; use or delete each other’s applications; - [Apple Support prepares to leave X: End of the omni-channel?](https://ans-pa.com/apple-support-prepares-to-leave-x-end-of-the-omni-channel/) - Reports claim Apple is about to cease offering human tech support via X, the service formerly known as Twitter, its own online forum, and YouTube beginning Oct. 1. Users will still be able to access automated systems, but those replies will send you elsewhere to access human support.Apple support staff who have been providing human - [IBM, Salesforce join forces in enterprise AI push](https://ans-pa.com/ibm-salesforce-join-forces-in-enterprise-ai-push/) - Salesforce and IBM are teaming up to provide generative AI for the enterprise, combining their respective efforts into what the companies hope will be a more attractive package for CRM customers.The partnership, announced on Thursday, will focus on several areas in the CRM value chain, including the integration of Salesforce offerings for sale with IBM’s - [Pew Research finds a big problem with AI: People don’t trust it](https://ans-pa.com/pew-research-finds-a-big-problem-with-ai-people-dont-trust-it/) - As time goes by, people are becoming less trusting of artificial intelligence (AI), according to the results of a recent Pew Research study. The study, which involved 11,000 respondents, found that attitudes had changed sharply in just the past two years.In 2021, 37% of respondents said they were more concerned than excited about AI. That - [Microsoft to unbundle Teams from its Office suites in Europe](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-to-unbundle-teams-from-its-office-suites-in-europe/) - Microsoft today said that as of Oct. 1, it will start unbundling Teams from Microsoft 365 and Office 365 in Europe after the European Commission opened an antitrust investigation into the company.The original competition complaint was filed by team chat software rival Slack in July 2020, alleging that Microsoft was engaging in the “illegal and - [With BYOD comes responsibility — and many firms aren't delivering](https://ans-pa.com/with-byod-comes-responsibility-and-many-firms-arent-delivering/) - Apple deployments are accelerating across the global enterprise, so it’s surprising that many organizations don't properly recognize that change. Even when companies put Macs, iPhones, and iPads in the hands of their employees, they are failing to manage these deployments. It’s quite shocking.That’s the biggest take-away from the latest Jamf research, which warns that almost half of - [US Copyright Office opens inquiry into laws needed to rein in genAI](https://ans-pa.com/us-copyright-office-opens-inquiry-into-laws-needed-to-rein-in-genai/) - The US Copyright Office is seeking public input on copyright law and policy issues raised by generative AI and is assessing whether federal legislative or US government regulation are warranted.Generative AI (genAI) technology has been documented relying on copyrighted works used to train up underlying language models. The Copyright Office will be looking into the appropriate - [6 secret settings for a smarter Chrome Android setup](https://ans-pa.com/6-secret-settings-for-a-smarter-chrome-android-setup/) - Hey. You. Yes, you there — the one with your overly moist eyeballs pointed at the screen. What if I were to tell you that that the browser you rely on for all of your web-based exploring on Android had oodles of extra features — top-secret settings that'd add awesome powers into your mobile browsing - [Google brings its Generative Search Experience to India, Japan](https://ans-pa.com/google-brings-its-generative-search-experience-to-india-japan/) - India and Japan became the first two countries outside the US to get access to Google’s Generative Search Experience as the company introduced its Search Labs initiative in the two Asian nations.Search Labs, which was launched in May at Google I/O this year, is an initiative to experiment with new internet search technologies before they - [Sept. 12: Let the iPhone 15 games begin](https://ans-pa.com/sept-12-let-the-iphone-15-games-begin/) - Speculation about Apple’s upcoming iPhone 15 series will finally be laid to rest on Sept. 12, when the company is expected to announce four new smartphones.There are also expectations of a new Apple Watch Ultra, AirPods, and perhaps an iPad, all with USB-C. (Nothing is official until Apple announces it, but this is what we - [As UAW seeks 4-day workweek, the idea gains ground with US workers](https://ans-pa.com/as-uaw-seeks-4-day-workweek-the-idea-gains-ground-with-us-workers/) - Now, look who wants a four-day workweek: the United Auto Workers (UAW).The union is negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement between the Big Three Detroit automakers and the UAW’s 150,000 members and voted Friday to authorize a strike if necessary. Among the “audacious” proposals UAW President Shawn Fain has proposed are a 46% pay raise, a return to traditional pensions — - [Google’s Duet AI now available for Workspace enterprise customers](https://ans-pa.com/googles-duet-ai-now-available-for-workspace-enterprise-customers/) - Google’s Duet AI is now generally available, bringing the generative AI assistant to its range of Workplace productivity apps, the company announced on Tuesday. The Duet AI features will cost $30 per user each month, putting the tool's price in line with rival Microsoft’s upcoming Copilot.Duet AI uses genAI to assist users accessing various Workspace - [Workers are embracing AI but want more guidance on how to use it, says survey](https://ans-pa.com/workers-are-embracing-ai-but-want-more-guidance-on-how-to-use-it-says-survey/) - Despite 36% of UK and US employees using artificial intelligence on a weekly basis at work, less than a quarter of companies provide any guidance for their workers on how they should be harnessing the technology, new research by work management platform Asana found.The use cases for this technology have rapidly expanded since the introduction - [Three-quarters of large US firms now using more Apple devices — survey](https://ans-pa.com/three-quarters-of-large-us-firms-now-using-more-apple-devices-survey/) - Accelerating enterprise adoption of Apple devices feels inevitable, with 76% of large businesses now using more Apple devices, and nine in 10 IT professionals praising the business advantages of Macs, iPhones, and iPads in the workplace.Those are some of the findings within an extensive Dimensional Research survey that identifies trends for IT use across US - [Microsoft, Amazon go head-to-head on genAI in the cloud — here’s who’ll win](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-amazon-go-head-to-head-on-genai-in-the-cloud-heres-wholl-win/) - ChatGPT’s generative AI domination since its release in late November has led many in the tech industry to predict Microsoft’s current stranglehold on the technology will continue well into the future – and that Microsoft will inevitably be the leader in the cloud.GenAI requires supercomputing-like power, the ability to store and tap into monstrous amounts - [OpenAI launches ‘enterprise-grade’ ChatGPT](https://ans-pa.com/openai-launches-enterprise-grade-chatgpt/) - OpenAI today unveiled ChatGPT Enterprise, a version of its generative AI service that allows companies to decide how the model is trained and how long it can store corporate data used for that purpose.The new ChatGPT service also offers increased security and privacy by using encryption for data at rest (AES-256) and in transit (TLS - [IDC sees big enterprise shift to Macs over next 12 months](https://ans-pa.com/idc-sees-big-enterprise-shift-to-macs-over-next-12-months/) - Apple may be on the cusp of a rapid expansion of Mac market share across the enterprise computing markets, argues research firm IDC in its latest, slightly optimistic prediction about the PC industry.IDC now expects that PC sales will return to growth in 2024, even though the overall industry won’t get back to pre-pandemic levels.Enterprise to - [How to select sustainability management software](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-select-sustainability-management-software/) - Increasingly, organizations are under pressure from numerous stakeholders to incorporate sustainability practices into their business strategies. As companies set ambitious environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals, they often look to providers of sustainability management software to help them reduce their environmental impact and ensure employees are treated fairly.What is sustainability management software? Sustainability management software, - [The Republican debate and ChatGPT — room for gen AI in politics?](https://ans-pa.com/the-republican-debate-and-chatgpt-room-for-gen-ai-in-politics/) - I found the Republican National Debate this week fascinating because, for once, it seemed to involve actual issues instead of regurgitated talking points. One comment caught my attention: it was an attack by former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on Vivek Ramaswamy implying he was a ChatGPT clone.This wasn’t true, of course, but would that - [New law could turn UK into a hacker's playground](https://ans-pa.com/new-law-could-turn-uk-into-a-hackers-playground/) - It looks as if people are at last waking up to a second extraordinarily dangerous requirement buried within a UK government bill designed to promote the nation as a surveillance state. It means bureaucrats can delay or prevent distribution of essential software updates, making every computer user far less secure.A poor law This incredibly damaging - [Managed Apple IDs, iCloud, and the shadow IT connection](https://ans-pa.com/managed-apple-ids-icloud-and-the-shadow-it-connection/) - Apple is continuing its expansion of Managed Apple IDs for business customers, giving them increased access to iCloud services and Apple Continuity features. Companies get iCloud backup and new syncing options (particularly for passwords, passkeys, and other enterprise credentials) — along with access to business-friendly Continuity features such as Universal Control.But they could also lead - [China reportedly paying big bonuses for semiconductor expertise](https://ans-pa.com/china-reportedly-paying-big-bonuses-for-semiconductor-expertise/) - In an apparent effort to broaden the country’s semiconductor manufacturing, the Chinese government is paying sizeable signing bonuses and offering housing subsidies for qualified experts in the field, according to a report from Reuters.The incentives are said to be a follow-on effort to the Chinese government’s Thousand Talents Plan, which was apparently shuttered in 2018 - [Now that Apple supports Right to Repair, everyone else should, too](https://ans-pa.com/now-that-apple-supports-right-to-repair-everyone-else-should-too/) - In a move with implications for consumers and for large iPhone, iPad, and/or Mac deployments in business and education, Apple is backing a new California law that aims to make it easier for people to fix their own devices.Apple supports SB 244 In a nutshell, Apple has officially endorsed a proposed Right to Repair Bill - [18 Microsoft Teams apps for content collaboration and management](https://ans-pa.com/18-microsoft-teams-apps-for-content-collaboration-and-management/) - Hundreds of apps are available for Microsoft Teams that make it easier for you and your co-workers to get work done without leaving the Teams interface. You can add an app as a tab at the top of a Teams channel or group chat so it’s always available to you and your colleagues with a - [Why you should pay attention to Arm’s looming IPO](https://ans-pa.com/why-you-should-pay-attention-to-arms-looming-ipo/) - As expected, Apple’s chip design partner Arm is moving toward an IPO. It is interesting the extent to which the risks Arm describes in its IPO prospectus echo those currently faced by Apple and most leading tech companies. That’s why everyone in tech will pay attention to this offering.Too big to grow? As with all - [Huawei is attempting to avoid US chip sanctions, trade body alleges](https://ans-pa.com/huawei-is-attempting-to-avoid-us-chip-sanctions-trade-body-alleges/) - Chinese telecommunications company Huawei is building a collection of secret semiconductor fabrication facilities across China, according to the US trade group Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).On Tuesday, Bloomberg published claims from the SIA that Huawei had received around $30 billion in funding from the Chinese government, in addition to acquiring two chip manufacturing plants and building - [Microsoft launches native integration for Python in Excel](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-launches-native-integration-for-python-in-excel/) - Microsoft has partnered with programming language repository provider, Anaconda, to allow Python code to run in Excel without any additional setup. The move is designed to help data practitioners use data inside the application for data analytics and machine learning.“With Python in Excel, you can type Python directly into a cell, the Python calculations run - [The most in-demand AI skills — and how companies want to use them](https://ans-pa.com/the-most-in-demand-ai-skills-and-how-companies-want-to-use-them/) - Companies are looking to hire more people with experience with artificial intelligence (AI) as the arrival of generative AI tools and platforms forces enterprises to re-think their digital strategies, according to new studies from employment websites.The studies also documented the AI skills most sought by organizations who hope to use the technology to boost efficiency - [Windows on Mac improves for professional environments](https://ans-pa.com/windows-on-mac-improves-for-professional-environments/) - The best way to run Windows on a Mac is being updated with new features and macoS Sonoma compatibility. Among the new features in the latest Parallels Desktop release are TouchID support for Windows, enhanced multitouch, and better support for virtual machines in the clouds.If you’ve used Parallels before, you’ll notice its spruced-up appearance. Dig a - [The line-blurring brilliance of Google's new ChromeOS-Windows connection](https://ans-pa.com/the-line-blurring-brilliance-of-googles-new-chromeos-windows-connection/) - When I tell people a Chromebook could conceivably replace their Windows laptop, there's often an asterisk attached — particularly when it comes to productivity-obsessed computer owners.And that asterisk almost always comes down to Windows software.It's the subject of the second question in my heavily referenced "Is ChromeOS right for you?" guide, in fact, and for - [macOS Sonoma beta hints DFU boost for Mac admins](https://ans-pa.com/macos-sonoma-beta-hints-dfu-boost-for-mac-admins/) - A fresh change tucked away in the most recent macOS Sonoma beta could be a boon to Mac IT admins, as it should make it a little easier to get bricked Macs out of Device Firmware Update (DFU) mode.Macs can get stuck in DFU mode for a handful of reasons, including when power fails during - [Why and how to create corporate genAI policies](https://ans-pa.com/why-and-how-to-create-corporate-genai-policies/) - As a large number of companies continue to test and deploy generative artificial intelligence (genAI) tools, many are at risk of AI errors, malicious attacks, and running afoul of regulators — not to mention the potential exposure of sensitive data.For example, in April, after Samsung’s semiconductor division allowed engineers to use ChatGPT, workers using the - [What is the Mac Evaluation Utility tool?](https://ans-pa.com/what-is-the-mac-evaluation-utility-tool/) - The Mac Evaluation Utility is an Apple tool most people never experience, but it is very useful for IT teams, making it a lot easier to see what they must do with their existing deployments to bring their equipment into compliance.What is the Mac Evaluation Utility? Available only to bona fide enterprise IT professionals, Mac - [Meta employees who flout new return-to-office mandate face termination](https://ans-pa.com/meta-employees-who-flout-new-return-to-office-mandate-face-termination/) - Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has doubled down on its return-to-office policy, with the social media giant's Head of People Lori Goler telling workers that a failure to meet the company’s minimum attendance requirements could result in termination.In early June, Meta announced it would be asking employees that had not been - [Google Workspace tips and tutorials](https://ans-pa.com/google-workspace-tips-and-tutorials/) - From its humble origins as a collection of cloud apps known as Gmail for Your Domain, Google’s office suite has greatly expanded and matured over the years. Rebranded multiple times as Google Apps, G Suite, and finally Google Workspace, it’s now a full-scope productivity and collaboration suite with subscription plans for organizations ranging from the smallest - [Q&A: How VR can automate delivery of mental health treatment](https://ans-pa.com/qa-how-vr-can-automate-delivery-of-mental-health-treatment/) - Once synonymous with gaming, virtual reality (VR) has made inroads in recent years in a wide range of applications — particularly in healthcare, where the ability to create immersive, virtual worlds has led to some remarkable advantages for patient care.Daniel Freeman, a professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Oxford, has conducted research into - [How old Facebook plus new AI could save remote work](https://ans-pa.com/how-old-facebook-plus-new-ai-could-save-remote-work/) - I’m seeing two conflicting trends at the moment: office buildings are being turned into apartment buildings because of excess vacancies due to work-from-home practices, and companies like Zoom are demanding that employees come back to the office — even if it isn’t in the firm’s best interest.To read this article in full, please click here - [Jamf Threat Labs subverts iPhone security with fake Airplane Mode](https://ans-pa.com/jamf-threat-labs-subverts-iphone-security-with-fake-airplane-mode/) - Fresh security research from Jamf Threat Labs may not reflect an active attack, but it does illustrate the layered complexity of today’s threat environment.When Airplane mode isn’t Airplane mode In brief, the researchers have figured out a proof of concept attack that tricks victims into thinking they are using Airplane Mode. However, in reality the - [Zoom goes for a blatant genAI data grab; enterprises, beware (updated)](https://ans-pa.com/zoom-goes-for-a-blatant-genai-data-grab-enterprises-beware-updated/) - When Zoom amended its terms of service earlier this month — a bid to make executives comfortable that it wouldn’t use Zoom data to train generative AI models — it quickly stirred up a hornet's nest. So the company “revised” the terms of service, and left in place ways it can still get full access - [Meet your secret Android shortcut genie](https://ans-pa.com/meet-your-secret-android-shortcut-genie/) - The beauty of Android is that there's never a shortage of creative and compelling apps that completely change the way you interact with your phone. That's something (cough, cough) certain other operating systems absolutely don't allow at the same level.The problem, though, is that that same benefit can sometimes create an overwhelming deluge of appealing - [China hacks the US military and government— the Feds blame Microsoft](https://ans-pa.com/china-hacks-the-us-military-and-government-the-feds-blame-microsoft/) - Hidden in the basic infrastructure that runs the US military is a powerful piece of Windows-borne Chinese malware that can disrupt the communications systems, power grids, and water supplies at the military’s bases around the world. One US congressional aide calls it a “ticking time bomb” that as The New York Times put it, “could give - [Opera browser weaves Aria AI into iOS app](https://ans-pa.com/opera-browser-weaves-aria-ai-into-ios-app/) - Opera, maker of the well-known browser of the same name, announced today that it has successfully integrated its AI assistant, Aria, into the iOS version of the browser, making it available for the first time on all major platforms.According to a company announcement, Opera’s seen rapid growth in the use of Aria, boasting one million - [OpenAI to use GPT-4 LLM for content moderation, warns against bias](https://ans-pa.com/openai-to-use-gpt-4-llm-for-content-moderation-warns-against-bias/) - ChatGPT-creator OpenAI is working on the development of its GPT-4 large language model (LLM) to automate the process of content moderation across digital platforms, especially social media.OpenAI is exploring the use of GPT-4’s ability to interpret rules and nuances in long content policy documentation, along with its capability to adapt instantly to policy updates, the - [IT leaders want AI but but accelerating development stirs fears: Report](https://ans-pa.com/it-leaders-want-ai-but-but-accelerating-development-stirs-fears-report/) - New research from AMD has found that IT leaders are optimistic about the potential benefits of artificial intelligence, but are worried that their organizations are not prepared to implement the technology, whose development has accelerated with the rapid adavancement of generative AI.The survey comprised responses from 2,500 IT leaders across the US, UK, Germany, France, - [Intel’s Tower Semiconductor acquisition fails, as China witholds OK](https://ans-pa.com/intels-tower-semiconductor-acquisition-fails-as-china-witholds-ok/) - Intel's planned $5.4 billion acquisition of Israel-based Tower Semiconductor has fallen apart, as China reportedly failed to approve the deal in time to meet a deadline agreed upon by the two companies for the deal to close.Intel said in a statement late Tuesday said that the two companies mutually agreed to terminate the deal "due - [Adobe Express with generative AI exits beta, available now](https://ans-pa.com/adobe-express-with-generative-ai-exits-beta-available-now/) - Adobe's Canva competitor Adobe Express — which now includes generative AI features — has emerged from months of beta testing and is in general release for every user, consumer, education, or enterprise pro seeking to make brand assets that work.What is Adobe Express? Express has become a pretty complete solution for swift content creation. It includes a wealth of video - [How (and why) to use conditional formatting in Excel](https://ans-pa.com/how-and-why-to-use-conditional-formatting-in-excel/) - Spreadsheets usually hold a wealth of information, but it can be difficult to see what’s important in them, such as key data points and trends. There are several ways to make data stand out visually in an Excel spreadsheet, but one of the simplest and most effective is to apply conditional formatting.What is conditional formatting - [Should you upgrade to Windows 11? It’s complicated](https://ans-pa.com/should-you-upgrade-to-windows-11-its-complicated/) - Is Windows 11 better than Windows 10? Should you upgrade?That’s a question I’ve been getting a lot from the readers of my Windows Intelligence newsletter. People also want to know whether Microsoft has fixed the problems Windows 11 had at launch, nearly two years ago.There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. That’s actually great news: If you’re happy - [Ford adds Apple sauce to its next-gen services ambition](https://ans-pa.com/ford-adds-apple-sauce-to-its-next-gen-services-ambition/) - Ford’s announcement that it has hired former Apple services executive Peter Stern to lead its own services push is significant in many ways. These plans don’t seem to extend to media or content and shouldn’t involve paying to unlock features you already use. But the hire reinforces the argument that future vehicles will be platforms - [How to build employee trust as AI gains ground](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-build-employee-trust-as-ai-gains-ground/) - Managers are under more pressure to drive productivity, and ironically efficiencies created by generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools are a big part of why expectations are growing.At the same time, organizations face a crisis of trust from employees who see AI as a threat to their jobs.In fact, generative AI is expected to replace some part - [6+ iPhone features you should be using](https://ans-pa.com/6-iphone-features-you-should-be-using/) - With the rollout each fall of a new version of iOS, Apple changes the iPhone user experience — but not everyone remembers what's new and what's not. Sure, advanced users dabble with the new features, but many others might lack the time to explore what’s changed.Here’s a small set of iPhone features you may have - [Microsoft cheat sheets: Dive into Windows and Office apps](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-cheat-sheets-dive-into-windows-and-office-apps/) - Need to get up to speed on the latest features in Excel? Wrestling with an old version of Word? Finding your way around Windows 11 or looking to get more out of Windows 10? Computerworld’s cheat sheets are easy-to-use guides to help you navigate Microsoft’s core productivity apps.Here’s a one-stop resource where you can find - [As VR headset adoption grows, privacy issues could emerge](https://ans-pa.com/as-vr-headset-adoption-grows-privacy-issues-could-emerge/) - Head and hand motion data gathered from virtual reality (VR) headsets could be as effective at identifying individuals as fingerprints or face scans, research studies have shown, potentially compromising user privacy when interacting in immersive virtual environments.Two recent studies by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, showed how data gathered by VR headsets could - [Patch Tuesday: Microsoft rolls out 90 updates for Windows, Office](https://ans-pa.com/patch-tuesday-microsoft-rolls-out-90-updates-for-windows-office/) - With its August Patch Tuesday release, Microsoft pushed out 90 updates for the Windows and Office platforms. The latest fixes include another update for Microsoft Exchange (along with with a warning about failed updates to Exchange Server 2016 and 2019) and a "Patch Now" recommendation from us for Office. The team at Application Readiness has crafted this useful infographic outlining - [Amazon chastises staff for failure to comply with in-office work mandate](https://ans-pa.com/amazon-chastises-staff-for-failure-to-comply-with-in-office-work-mandate/) - Amazon is reprimanding its US workers for not spending enough time in the office, sending a stern email about its work policy to employees this week.“We are reaching out as you are not currently meeting our expectation of joining your colleagues in the office at least three days a week, even though your assigned building - [Google likes Apple’s Continuity feature so much it’s making its own](https://ans-pa.com/google-likes-apples-continuity-feature-so-much-its-making-its-own/) - Imitation is flattery and Apple has come in for so much flattery since it introduced the iPhone.First, Google tweaked its own Android mobile OS to look more modern, then Samsung famously sought inspiration from the iPhone design, and now Google wants to copy one of Apple’s most useful features, Continuity.To read this article in full, please - [The future of work is AI-enhanced and remote](https://ans-pa.com/the-future-of-work-is-ai-enhanced-and-remote/) - Some claim the pandemic is over and it's time for employees to return to the office; others argue that remote work is here to stay.Some fear being replaced by artificial intelligence (AI); others see AI as providing help and improving productivity.A new report starts to answer these questions. McKinsey's Global Survey, called "The state of - [The problem with Google's Pixel Tablet](https://ans-pa.com/the-problem-with-googles-pixel-tablet/) - I've gotta admit: I've really been struggling with how to share my experiences living with Google's line-blurring Pixel Tablet.To say my expectations for this product were high would be an understatement. As I wrote in a column this January, it's been clear for a while now that Google's aim with the Pixel Tablet is to - [US fuels tech trade war with China, banning AI, chip, and quantum system investments](https://ans-pa.com/us-fuels-tech-trade-war-with-china-banning-ai-chip-and-quantum-system-investments/) - US President Joe Biden has ratcheted up the technology trade war with China, issuing an executive order that will restrict investment in several sectors, including semiconductiors and AI. While the move — taken after a prior series of restrictions on US chip-related exports to China — threatens to further disrupt the global tech supply chain, - [Biden fuels tech trade war with China, banning AI, chip, and quantum system investments](https://ans-pa.com/biden-fuels-tech-trade-war-with-china-banning-ai-chip-and-quantum-system-investments/) - US President Joe Biden has ratcheted up the technology trade war with China, issuing an executive order that will restrict investment in several sectors, including semiconductiors and AI. While the move — taken after a prior series of restrictions on US chip-related exports to China — threatens to further disrupt the global tech supply chain, - [Does Zoom have a death wish?](https://ans-pa.com/does-zoom-have-a-death-wish/) - Zoom is one of the leading videoconferencing platforms in the market — and one of the most successful. But it recently made a decision that could significantly damage sales going forward.Zoom publicly indicated that work-from-home is not working for the company (hat tip to Business Insider for the initial report), which is pretty much like a - [Big day in Cupertino as Supreme Court delivers 'epic' win — for now](https://ans-pa.com/big-day-in-cupertino-as-supreme-court-delivers-epic-win-for-now/) - Apple notched another victory in its ongoing campaign to protect App Store profits after a US Supreme Court justice denied an attempt by Epic to force the iPhone maker to change payment practices.As widely reported, Justice Elena Kagan denied Epic’s attempt to reverse a prior court decision to delay implementation of an injunction against Apple’s decision to force - [Q&A: Why does Google care so much about hiring diverse AI teams?](https://ans-pa.com/qa-why-does-google-care-so-much-about-hiring-diverse-ai-teams/) - While concerns around the existential threat to the human race due to possible generative AI advancements have been grabbing headlines of late, there’s a much more current and arguably real concern — discrimination.Although major players in the AI market have affirmed their commitment to diversity and inclusion in their workplace, with women and people of - [Q&A: TIAA's CIO touts top AI projects, details worker skills needed now](https://ans-pa.com/qa-tiaas-cio-touts-top-ai-projects-details-worker-skills-needed-now/) - Artificial intelligence (AI) is already having a significant effect on businesses and organizations across a variety of industries, even as many businesses are still just kicking the tires on the technology.Those that have fully adopted AI claim a 35% increase in innovation and a 33% increase in sustainability over the past three years, according to - [Microsoft to integrate Copilot into its Dynamics 365 Field Service app](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-to-integrate-copilot-into-its-dynamics-365-field-service-app/) - Generative AI is often hyped for how it can potentially help desk workers, software developers, copy writers, and customer service workers. But the effects of automation will be felt more widely, says Microsoft, which is bringing its Copilot AI assistant to applications used by those in frontline roles, whether that’s retail workers or technicians out - [CDW now offers Apple Business Essentials direct to SMB customers](https://ans-pa.com/cdw-now-offers-apple-business-essentials-direct-to-smb-customers/) - CDW, a business and enterprise solutions provider that operates in the US, UK, and Canada has announced plans to offer Apple Business Essentials to its small business customers (SMBs).Founded in 1984, CDW provides IT solutions to business, government, education, and healthcare customers, and the move to offer Business Essentials to its SMB customers is significant, given - [Slack redesigns app to tackle growing complexity](https://ans-pa.com/slack-redesigns-app-to-tackle-growing-complexity/) - Slack has added a range of new features to its collaboration app since its last redesign three years ago. And while these features — such as Huddles voice and video calls, Canvas documents, and Connect channels — have added functionality for users, the app has become somewhat cluttered, with a growing list of tabs along - [16 ways Google Lens can save you time on Android](https://ans-pa.com/16-ways-google-lens-can-save-you-time-on-android/) - Psst: Come close. Your Android phone has a little-known superpower — a futuristic system for bridging the physical world around you and the digital universe on your device. It's one of Google's best-kept secrets. And it can save you tons of time and effort.It's a little somethin' called Google Lens, and it's been lurking around - [Hybrid work is entering the 'trough of disillusionment'](https://ans-pa.com/hybrid-work-is-entering-the-trough-of-disillusionment/) - Remote work, once praised as the new paradigm for productivity and employee satisfaction, is losing some steam as more organizations and even governments are requiring workers to return to the office — at least, part time.Bosses are imposing more strict in-office mandates as new data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows productivity - [Researchers build a scary Mac attack using AI and sound](https://ans-pa.com/researchers-build-a-scary-mac-attack-using-ai-and-sound/) - A UK research team based at Durham University has identified an exploit that could allow attackers to figure out what you type on your MacBook Pro — based on the sound each keyboard tap makes.These kinds of attacks aren’t particularly new. The researchers found research dating back to the 1950s into using acoustics to identify - [The working-from-home debate gets old](https://ans-pa.com/the-working-from-home-debate-gets-old/) - Way too many bosses are sure that remote work hurts worker productivity. According to a Microsoft international survey of 20,000 people, "85% of leaders say that the shift to hybrid work has made it challenging to have confidence that employees are being productive."Too bad the data doesn't support this prejudice.It's productivity paranoia. Middle managers, unable - [Biden: Get federal workers back in the office](https://ans-pa.com/biden-get-federal-workers-back-in-the-office/) - US President Joe Biden is telling his Cabinet members to get federal employees back into the office beginning this fall, according to a White House email obtained last week by Axios."We are returning to in-person work because it is critical to the well-being of our teams and will enable us to deliver better results for the American - [Has Microsoft cut security corners once too often?](https://ans-pa.com/has-microsoft-cut-security-corners-once-too-often/) - As Microsoft revealed tidbits of its post-mortem investigation into a Chinese attack against US government agencies via Microsoft, two details stand out: the company violated its own policy and did not store security keys within a Hardware Security Module (HSM) — and the keys were successfully used by attackers even though they had expired years - [Is Apple now the world’s biggest fintech disruptor?](https://ans-pa.com/is-apple-now-the-worlds-biggest-fintech-disruptor/) - Since the introduction of Apple Pay in 2014, Apple has expanded its range of financial products. The services it offers now extend beyond payments, and include both long and short term (BNPL) credit, savings, identification, credit rebates, and tools for merchants to take card payments.For a service that doesn't get a lot of attention, Apple Pay is - [Zoom requires employees to get back to the office](https://ans-pa.com/zoom-requires-employees-to-get-back-to-the-office/) - Zoom, the company whose videoconferencing tool allowed millions of employees to work from home during the global COVID pandemic, is mandating that its workers return to the office.“We believe that a structured hybrid approach – meaning a set number of days employees that live near an office need to be onsite– is most effective for - [Gamers: Corporate America wants you](https://ans-pa.com/gamers-corporate-america-wants-you/) - Lazy slackers, nerds, basement dwellers.Gamer stereotypes have been around nearly as long as the games they play. But the soft skills developed playing Call of Duty, Fortnite, NBA 2K and other games are now making experienced players desirable to headhunters and job recruiters.With the overall US unemployment rate hovering around 3.5%, and the unemployment rate in - [What is generative AI? Artificial intelligence that creates](https://ans-pa.com/what-is-generative-ai-artificial-intelligence-that-creates/) - Generative AI models can carry on conversations, answer questions, write stories, produce source code, and create images and videos of almost any description. Here's how generative AI works, how it's being used, and why it’s more limited than you might think. - [Apple’s latest earnings results show the power of shrewd management](https://ans-pa.com/apples-latest-earnings-results-show-the-power-of-shrewd-management/) - Apple’s latest earnings results, released Tuesday, show three bright spots that helped keep Apple’s business buoyant in the last quarter: accessories, services, and investments in emerging markets.The company reported $19.8 billion in net income on $81.8 billion in net sales during the three-month period. A roughly 4% decline in product sales was offset by services - [The best calendar apps for Android](https://ans-pa.com/the-best-calendar-apps-for-android/) - Quick: What app do you use to manage your calendar on your phone?If you're anything like most people I hear from, the answer's probably something along the lines of: "Uh...whatever calendar app came on the phone when I got it?"It's a surprisingly common position, but guess what? On Android in particular, there's a decent chance - [Gen-AI HPC infrastructure provider CoreWeave scores $2.3 billion financing deal](https://ans-pa.com/gen-ai-hpc-infrastructure-provider-coreweave-scores-2-3-billion-financing-deal/) - CoreWeave, a specialized, AI-focused cloud provider offering high performance compute services, has landed a whopping $2.3 billion in debt financing from several private equity firms. - [Apple’s AI strategy should be the same as it's always been](https://ans-pa.com/apples-ai-strategy-should-be-the-same-as-its-always-been/) - Apple is apparently working with its own form of generative AI but analyst Ming-Chi Kuo tells us not to expect an Apple GPT service before 2024, or later.The analyst says part of the reason Apple isn’t yet introducing these services is that executives haven’t figured out a “clear strategy” for deployment of the tech.Why isn't it clear? - [India imposes curbs on computer imports to boost domestic production](https://ans-pa.com/india-imposes-curbs-on-computer-imports-to-boost-domestic-production/) - The Indian government is putting in place several measures to help shore up the production of electronics domestically, including the introduction of licenses for the importation of laptops, computers, and tablets.According to a notification from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade on Thursday, laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, ultrasmall form factor computers, and servers will - [How to use smart chips in Google Docs and Sheets](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-use-smart-chips-in-google-docs-and-sheets/) - In Google Docs and Sheets, you can make your documents and spreadsheets more interactive by adding smart chips to them. These are highlighted portions of text; when you move the pointer over one of them, a small card that contains more information pops open.For example, a smart chip containing a co-worker’s name opens a card - [Slack tailors its chat app to sales staff](https://ans-pa.com/slack-tailors-its-chat-app-to-sales-staff/) - Salesforce’s efforts to embed Slack into its product portfolio ramped up this week with the general release of Sales Elevate, a new offering that natively integrates Sales Cloud into the popular chat app.It’s the first time Slack has customized its app to the needs of a specific job role, with a dedicated home screen for - [UK intelligence agencies seek to weaken data protection safeguards](https://ans-pa.com/uk-intelligence-agencies-seek-to-weaken-data-protection-safeguards/) - UK intelligence agencies are campaigning for the government to weaken surveillance laws, arguing that the current safeguards limit their ability to train AI models due to the large amount of personal data required.GCHQ, MI5, and MI6 have been increasingly using AI technologies to analyze data sets, including bulk personal data sets (BPDs), which can often - [Apple plays nice with others for an OpenUSD metaverse](https://ans-pa.com/apple-plays-nice-with-others-for-an-openusd-metaverse/) - Apple, Adobe, Pixar, Autodesk, NVIDIA, and the Joint Development Foundation have joined forces to develop a standard that can be used to underpin mixed- and virtual-reality experiences — a move that also undermine Meta's efforts in the AR/VR arena.Opening up the 3D universe The companies formed the Alliance for OpenUSD (AOUSD) to promote the standardization, - [Return-to-office mandates rise as worker productivity drops](https://ans-pa.com/return-to-office-mandates-rise-as-worker-productivity-drops/) - When Bill Mandaria was a young architect decades ago, he would follow senior designers around his office to pick their brains to learn the profession.“In architecture, and I’d imagine in a lot of other industries, what’s particularly important is the mentorship,” said Mandaria, now co-owner of Mancini Duffy, a Manhattan-based architecture and interior design firm - [Make multitasking a Snap on your Windows PC](https://ans-pa.com/make-multitasking-a-snap-on-your-windows-pc/) - Your Windows PC’s Snap feature is either the best feature you’re not using, or the best feature you’re probably not using to its full potential. Sure, you may have snapped some windows, but do you know about all the keyboard shortcuts, Snap Layouts, and Snap Groups — and have you tried Microsoft’s even more powerful - [How to use NameDrop to swap contact details in iOS 17](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-use-namedrop-to-swap-contact-details-in-ios-17/) - One of the new features in the upcoming iOS 17 is NameDrop, which lets iPhone and Apple Watch users swap contact details with others in seconds. It's the kind of thing plenty of your colleagues and customers will want to try out. Here's how it works.In brief, the smartly named NameDrop feature can act a little - [What's going on with Google Assistant?](https://ans-pa.com/whats-going-on-with-google-assistant/) - Once upon a time, Google was absolutely gaga over Google Assistant.Remember those days? You should. They really weren't that long ago.Back as recently as 2020 — in the last year the annual Consumer Electronics Show was held in person before going digital during the peak of the pandemic — Google did everything in its power - [Samsung hints the age of cheap smartphones is over](https://ans-pa.com/samsung-hints-the-age-of-cheap-smartphones-is-over/) - Apple has created a counter-intuitive business success with iPhones across the last couple of years. It's managed to upsell the world to purchasing its more expensive Pro models, and we think it aims to do the same again this year.The company has recognized that when it comes to the computer that is always with you, - [EEOC chief: AI system audits might comply with local anti-bias laws, but not federal ones](https://ans-pa.com/eeoc-chief-ai-system-audits-might-comply-with-local-anti-bias-laws-but-not-federal-ones/) - Keith Sonderling, commissioner of the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), has for years been sounding the alarm about the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to run afoul of federal anti-discrimination laws such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964.It was not until the advent of ChatGPT, Bard, and other popular generative AI tools, however, - [Apple toughens up app security with API control](https://ans-pa.com/apple-toughens-up-app-security-with-api-control/) - Apple is at war with device fingerprinting — the use of fragments of unique device-specific information to track users online. This fall, it will put in place yet another important limitation to prevent unauthorized use of this kind of tech.Apple at WWDC 2023 announced a new initiative designed to make apps that do track users - [AMD to invest $400 million in new design center in India](https://ans-pa.com/amd-to-invest-400-million-in-new-design-center-in-india/) - Chipmaker AMD on Friday said it will invest $400 million in India over the next five years to expand research, development, and engineering operations.The strategic investment by the chipmaker includes a new design center in Bengaluru, which is expected to become operational before the end of 2023, the company said, adding that it will be - [AI tools could leave companies liable for anti-bias missteps](https://ans-pa.com/ai-tools-could-leave-companies-liable-for-anti-bias-missteps/) - As lawmakers and others work to address privacy, security, and bias problems with generative artificial intelligence (AI), experts warned companies this week that their tech suppliers won’t be holding the bag when something goes wrong — they will.A panel of three AI and legal experts held a press conference Wednesday in the wake of several - [Microsoft faces EU antitrust probe for bundling Teams with M365](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-faces-eu-antitrust-probe-for-bundling-teams-with-m365/) - Microsoft is facing an antitrust probe in Europe for bundling Teams with Microsoft 365.The European Commission — the executive arm of the European Union that governs regulations for its 27 member nations — said it is looking into a complaint that claimed Microsoft’s bundling of Teams with Office 365 was unfair.“The Commission is concerned that - [Generative AI could be a critical tool for the visually impaired](https://ans-pa.com/generative-ai-could-be-a-critical-tool-for-the-visually-impaired/) - Internet accessibility can be a major problem for the visually challenged. If a website doesn’t support screen readers, visitors with sight problems have to get help from someone else to use the site.Given that most businesses or organizations, from healthcare to hospitality, primarily use websites to interact with their customers, you can understand the issue. - [Apple (un)officially calls 'Action' on iPhone 15 rumor season](https://ans-pa.com/apple-unofficially-calls-action-on-iphone-15-rumor-season/) - Apple appears to have slipped in hints of a new feature in the latest beta of iOS 17 released this week — a new solid state Action Button. The multi-function button would replace the existing mute switch and is thought to be one of the marquee features coming to the high-end iPhone 15 Pro.Just like - [Is generative AI mightier than the law?](https://ans-pa.com/is-generative-ai-mightier-than-the-law/) - Generative AI, led by Microsoft and Microsoft-backed OpenAI, has turned into what seems an unstoppable juggernaut. Since OpenAI released an early demo of its generative AI tool ChatGPT less than eight months ago, the technology has seemingly taken over the tech world.Tech behemoths like Microsoft, Google, and Meta have gone all in, with countless smaller - [Major generative AI players join to create the Frontier Model Forum](https://ans-pa.com/major-generative-ai-players-join-to-create-the-frontier-model-forum/) - Google, OpenAI, Microsoft, and Anthropic will be the founding members of the Frontier Model Forum, an umbrella group for the generative AI industry. The group plans to focus on safety research, as well as the identification of best practices, public policy, and use cases for the rapidly advancing technology that can benefit society as a - [Was Steve Jobs right about this?](https://ans-pa.com/was-steve-jobs-right-about-this/) - Perhaps Steve Jobs was right to limit the amount of time he let his children use iPhones and iPads — a tradition Apple maintains with its Screen Time tool, which lets parents set limits on device use. Now, an extensive UNESCO report suggests that letting kids spend too much time on these devices can be - [New monday.com data infrastructure to speed platform performance](https://ans-pa.com/new-monday-com-data-infrastructure-to-speed-platform-performance/) - Work management company monday.com has announced the initial rollout of its new mondayDB data infrastructure, built to underpin the company’s Work OS platform and help boost customers’ usage of the system.Described by the company as having a schemaless architecture — meaning that it has no predefined structure for how data is organized and stored — - [How the Google Pixel Fold could make every Android device better](https://ans-pa.com/how-the-google-pixel-fold-could-make-every-android-device-better/) - When you talk about Google's Pixel Fold, it's tough not to focus mostly on the phone's form.I mean, this is a device whose screen folds in half, for cryin' out loud! It may not be the first Android phone to feature that feat, but still: It's without a doubt the device's defining characteristic. And it's - [Companies that trialed a 4-day workweek continue to reduce time on the clock](https://ans-pa.com/companies-that-trialed-a-4-day-workweek-continue-to-reduce-time-on-the-clock/) - Companies that participated in a four-day workweek experiment have further reduced the amount of time employees are on the clock six months after the study’s end. The companies also continue to see increased productivity and benefits, according to new data from the pilot program.The non-profit 4 Day Week Global found that companies’ average working hours continued - [White House promises on AI regulation called 'vague' and 'disappointing'](https://ans-pa.com/white-house-promises-on-ai-regulation-called-vague-and-disappointing/) - The "voluntary commitments" from seven leading AI tech companies to help limit safety, security, and trust risks associated with their ever-evolving technologies aren't worth the paper they could have been written on, according to tech industry experts.On Friday, US President Joseph R. Biden Jr. said he met with representatives from Amazon, Anthropic, Google, Inflection, Meta, Microsoft, - [It’s time to break the ChatGPT habit](https://ans-pa.com/its-time-to-break-the-chatgpt-habit/) - ChatGPT is the first artificial intelligence (AI) brand to go mainstream and it was the fastest-growing tech product ever. The brand returns more than three million results on Google News Search. Late-night TV talk show hosts mention ChatGPT by name — and their audiences know what they’re talking about.In business and tech circles, as among - [Drive cloning in Windows 10 and 11](https://ans-pa.com/drive-cloning-in-windows-10-and-11/) - Cloning a PC drive comes in handy for a variety of reasons, but primarily when you want to replace one drive on a PC with another that is either bigger or faster than the original drive, if not both.Such a cloning operation becomes critical on Windows PCs when the drive to be replaced is the - [Microsoft 365 outage takes out OneDrive for Business, SharePoint Online](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-365-outage-takes-out-onedrive-for-business-sharepoint-online/) - In yet another Microsoft 365 outage this year, enterprise users faced disruptions in their OneDrive for Business and SharePoint Online applications on Monday night.“We’re investigating an issue affecting access to SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business. Further detail can be found in the Microsoft 365 admin center under SP659992 or OD659999,” the company wrote on - [‘Windows is a declining ecosystem,' Jamf CEO says](https://ans-pa.com/windows-is-a-declining-ecosystem-jamf-ceo-says/) - Apple's forays into the enterprise are succeeding and likely to push aside Windows over the next decade, according to outgoing Jamf CEO Dean Hager. “...In 10 years’ time, Windows will not be the dominant ecosystem; ...Apple is coming up because it already dominates the mobile enterprise."Hager's comments came in an interview with Computerworld.Windows has no - [8 ways to be more productive in Windows 11](https://ans-pa.com/8-ways-to-be-more-productive-in-windows-11/) - You’ve probably spent a lot of time through the years gathering productivity tips for your favorite applications — after all, that’s where you get most of your work done. If you’re like most people, though, you’ve managed to find your way around Windows 11 but figured there’s not much you can do to improve your - [Apple: Proposed UK law is a ‘serious, direct threat’ to security, privacy](https://ans-pa.com/apple-proposed-uk-law-is-a-serious-direct-threat-to-security-privacy/) - New UK government surveillance laws are so over-reaching that tech companies can't possibly meet all of their requirements, according to Apple, which argues the measures will make the online world far less safe. Apple, WhatsApp, Meta all threaten to quit UK messaging The UK Home Office is pushing proposals to extend the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) with - [With iPadOS 17, the iPad becomes a true laptop replacement](https://ans-pa.com/with-ipados-17-the-ipad-becomes-a-true-laptop-replacement/) - I didn't expect to be writing so effusively about the iPad after Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference this year — then I downloaded the first developer beta of iPadOS 17 and things haven’t been the same since.I’ve advocated for the iPad as a work tool since the original was released in 2010. I’ve used it for - [Microsoft 365 Copilot — a new desktop productivity revolution begins](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-365-copilot-a-new-desktop-productivity-revolution-begins/) - Disclosure: Microsoft is a client of the author.I remember when Office was first announced and released. Compared to the mess of applications that came before it, it was a Godsend. Yes, Lotus Symphony was on the market and many of us preferred it — at least, those of us in accounting because it was spreadsheet-based. - [Apple eyes a late arrival to the generative AI party](https://ans-pa.com/apple-eyes-a-late-arrival-to-the-generative-ai-party/) - Apple has created its own generative AI tools to compete with large language model (LLM) services such as ChatGPT or Google Bard, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday.Bloomberg (which also today reported plans for Apple to buy Disney), says Apple has crafted its own internal framework to build LLM models.To read this article in full, please click here - [Cisco says this week’s layoffs were announced last November](https://ans-pa.com/cisco-says-this-weeks-layoffs-were-announced-last-november/) - Networking giant Cisco Systems is laying off staff again, employees reported on social media this week. While the employees saw this as a fresh round of layoffs, Cisco said it was just enacting plans announced in November 2022. Cisco confirmed to ComputerWorld that there was a round of layoffs this week but said they were part - [A whole new kind of Android browser multitasking power](https://ans-pa.com/a-whole-new-kind-of-android-browser-multitasking-power/) - By and large, wading your way around the web isn't exactly an inspiring process. You open up Chrome — or whatever browser you prefer on Android — and you pull up the site you want. Right?Okay, so sure: You can always use Android's system-level screen-splitting setup if you want to look at two tabs side-by-side - [Medical data sharing: Are we there yet?](https://ans-pa.com/medical-data-sharing-are-we-there-yet/) - Fifteen years ago, if you entered an emergency room a thousand miles from home, the ER doctors would not have had access to potentially lifesaving information in your medical records, such as your allergies or a list of drugs you were taking. Only 10% of US hospitals had electronic health record (EHR) systems, and health - [Apple Watch rumor hints its time for 3D printing to go mainstream](https://ans-pa.com/apple-watch-rumor-hints-its-time-for-3d-printing-to-go-mainstream/) - An interesting thing may be happening inside Apple Watch Ultra; it seems the company plans to poke its toes into the industrial 3D printing of components used inside the device.The claim at this point remains speculative and comes from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who said the company intends on printing components out of titanium.While Kuo doesn’t - [UN Security Council discusses AI risks, need for ethical regulation](https://ans-pa.com/un-security-council-discusses-ai-risks-need-for-ethical-regulation/) - Members of the UN Security Council met with two experts on Tuesday to discuss the potential risks and benefits of AI, highlighting the need for countries worldwide to coordinate efforts to regulate the technology.In a meeting chaired by the UK’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, the 15-member council heard from Jack Clark, co-founder of leading AI - [AI-skills job postings jump 450%; here's what companies want](https://ans-pa.com/ai-skills-job-postings-jump-450-heres-what-companies-want/) - The number of weekly job postings related to generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Bard, and Cohere’s Coral, lept more than 450% from a year ago, according to a new report from US freelance work platform Upwork.To read this article in full, please click here - [Microsoft unveils Copilot pricing, adds new generative AI capabilities](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-unveils-copilot-pricing-adds-new-generative-ai-capabilities/) - At its annual Inspire event for resellers Tuesday, Microsoft offered new details on how it is rolling out generative AI capabilities across its product line, announcing that Copilot will be available to customers for $30 per user per month for Microsoft 365 E3, E5, Business Standard and Business Premium customers.Copilot is a generative AI assistant - [This is why personal encryption is vital to the future of business](https://ans-pa.com/this-is-why-personal-encryption-is-vital-to-the-future-of-business/) - Data encryption is threatened by government forces who haven’t yet recognized that without personal security, you cannot have enterprise security. Because attackers will exploit any available weakness to undermine protection — and if your people or your customers aren't secure, neither is your business.Get with the data Attackers will always go where the money is. They - [Microsoft Loop cheat sheet](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-loop-cheat-sheet/) - Since announcing its Loop collaboration app in late 2021, Microsoft has been rolling out some of its features to Microsoft 365 apps like Teams and Outlook. But the Loop app itself has been in private beta. That changed in March when the company released the Loop app in public preview.Loop is an online app that - [Apple Silicon isn't waiting for the PC world to catch up](https://ans-pa.com/apple-silicon-isnt-waiting-for-the-pc-world-to-catch-up/) - Apple appears to be widening its lead over rival PC makers with yet another M-series chip iteration for Apple Silicon.Just one look at StatCounter’s current macOS data shows the extent to which the company’s move to develop its own Mac processors is invigorating the platform. Apple’s global macOS share now sits at 21.38%, while in - [For tech users, change is good](https://ans-pa.com/for-tech-users-change-is-good/) - If you’re a small business or home user of Microsoft, you likely feel at times like a second-class citizen. I still remember when noted tech consultant Mark Minasi used to joke that Microsoft wrote software for the Fortune 499 — every major Fortune 500 company exceptApple — which meant that for many years consumer and - [Q&A: HPE global talent exec credits AI, chatbots for bolstering hiring](https://ans-pa.com/qa-hpe-global-talent-exec-credits-ai-chatbots-for-bolstering-hiring/) - Over the past year, the Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) human resources group has been using artificial intelligence (AI) and a chatbot to improve its talent acquisition and retention. And a company executive says the technology has turned things around dramatically.Prior to rolling the AI-based chatbot technology, half of those who’d land on HPE’s career page looking - [Four zero-days make July 's Patch Tuesday a 'patch now' update](https://ans-pa.com/four-zero-days-make-july-s-patch-tuesday-a-patch-now-update/) - With this month's Patch Tuesday update, Microsoft addressed 130 security vulnerabilities, published two advisories, and included four major CVE revisions. We also have four zero-days to manage for Windows (CVE-2023-32046, CVE-2023-32049, CVE-2023-36874 and CVE-2023-36884), bringing the Windows platform into a "patch now" schedule.To read this article in full, please click here - [New EU battery law could mean EOL for low-cost smartphones](https://ans-pa.com/new-eu-battery-law-could-mean-eol-for-low-cost-smartphones/) - Apple might (or might not) be forced to make batteries inside iPhones user replaceable under new EU regulations, but the new laws likely mean the end of the line for super-cheap Android devices.EU demands easily replaceable batteries The big change is that manufacturers must put easy-to-replace batteries inside smartphones and tablets by 2027. These must - [FTC reported to be investigating OpenAI for consumer protection violations](https://ans-pa.com/ftc-reported-to-be-investigating-openai-for-consumer-protection-violations/) - The US Federal Trade Commission is reportedly investigating ChatGPT maker OpenAI for potential violations of consumer protection regulations, involving data privacy and false statements about third parties.According to reports that surfaced Thursday, the FTC has filed an official request with OpenAI for a wide range of data, covering how the company markets its products, how - [Google Bard launches in EU, overcoming data privacy concerns in the region](https://ans-pa.com/google-bard-launches-in-eu-overcoming-data-privacy-concerns-in-the-region/) - Google has announced it is making its Bard chatbot available in the EU and Brazil, five months after the company opened it up for early access. To date, residents in EU countries have been unable to access the company’s ChatGPT rival due to issues surrounding data privacy concerns.In addition to making Bard more widely available, - [Apple launches Tap to Pay on iPhone for UK business](https://ans-pa.com/apple-launches-tap-to-pay-on-iphone-for-uk-business/) - Apple’s Tap to Pay service for the iPhone has finally arrived in the UK, allowing smaller UK merchants and other enterprises to replace traditional payment terminals at the point of sale.In a surprise announcement, the company extended the service to UK businesses on July 13. It lets them accept Apple Pay and other contactless payments using - [Microsoft Dev Box — a better path to provisioning and productivity?](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-dev-box-a-better-path-to-provisioning-and-productivity/) - Disclosure: Microsoft is a client of the author.Microsoft is basically a platform and tools vendor, and it’s particularly good at developing tools largely because it’s made up of developers. But the problem with a company like Microsoft creating tools for others is that it firm doesn’t really know what “others” do. This is because, like - [7 questions to ask when considering a new Apple MDM platform](https://ans-pa.com/7-questions-to-ask-when-considering-a-new-apple-mdm-platform/) - As the number of platforms used in business has proliferated beyond the PC, mobile device management (or enterprise mobility management or unified endpoint management, if you prefer) has become a core competency for IT departments. Apple actually kick-started the MDM market back 2010 when it announced that iOS 4 would offer enterprise management via the - [Elon Musk launches xAI to take on ChatGPT-maker OpenAI](https://ans-pa.com/elon-musk-launches-xai-to-take-on-chatgpt-maker-openai/) - Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has launched a new generative AI venture, dubbed xAI, to take on the likes of OpenAI — the maker of ChatGPT.“The goal of xAI is to understand the true nature of the universe,” the company said on its official website.Musk, who was a board member of OpenAI - [EU-US Data Privacy Framework to face serious legal challenges, experts say](https://ans-pa.com/eu-us-data-privacy-framework-to-face-serious-legal-challenges-experts-say/) - Nine months after US President Joe Biden signed an executive order that updated rules for the transfer of data between the US and the EU, the European Commission this week ratified the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. Industry experts, however, say it will be challenged at the European Court of Justice (CJEU), and stands a good - [PC market shows signs of a turnaround after historic slide](https://ans-pa.com/pc-market-shows-signs-of-a-turnaround-after-historic-slide/) - Global PC shipments fell during the second quarter of 2023, according to preliminary data from two analyst firms, but recent sales offered some indication of a market turnaround following recent historic declines.Shipments of desktop and laptop devices fell 16.6% year-on-year during the April-June quarter, according to the latest figures from Gartner, while IDC pegged the decrease at a - [Will anyone be interested in the iPhone 15?](https://ans-pa.com/will-anyone-be-interested-in-the-iphone-15/) - The iPhone 15 will be here in a couple of months, but at this point there's not a lot of excitement or buzz around its arrival. You might think Apple would be concerned. But it likely doesn't have anything to worry aboutRecent Canalys data gives the iPhone around 21% of market share as of Q1 2023 — - [15 powerful tricks for your Google Pixel Clock app](https://ans-pa.com/15-powerful-tricks-for-your-google-pixel-clock-app/) - Google's Pixel phones are practically overflowing with useful stuff. And some of the best options of all are things you've probably never even noticed.That's true for the Pixel's core Android software as well as its Google-made apps — everything from the excellent calling-related features in the Pixel Phone app to the expanded array of advanced options - [Microsoft wants you to pay for Windows from the cloud — good luck with that](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-wants-you-to-pay-for-windows-from-the-cloud-good-luck-with-that/) - Microsoft clawed its way back from oblivion by betting big on the cloud rather than focusing on its then-cash cow, Windows. Not only has the company become a big provider of cloud services to enterprises, but it’s also converted as many of its products as possible to the cloud.Just consider what Microsoft did with Office. - [Apple's disappearing Rapid Security Response update](https://ans-pa.com/apples-disappearing-rapid-security-response-update/) - Apple on Monday distributed its latest Rapid Security Response update to iPhones, iPads, and Macs, rolling out an important security patch to protect devices against a recently identified attack Apple says is already in active use.“Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited,” the company said in its security note.That’s - [Apple's disappearing Rapid Security Response update (u)](https://ans-pa.com/apples-disappearing-rapid-security-response-update-u/) - Apple on Monday distributed its latest Rapid Security Response update to iPhones, iPads, and Macs, rolling out an important security patch to protect devices against a recently identified attack Apple says is already in active use.“Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited,” the company said in its security note.That’s - [4 collaboration security mistakes companies are still making](https://ans-pa.com/4-collaboration-security-mistakes-companies-are-still-making/) - Before the pandemic, the business world took for granted that the vast majority of knowledge workers would be working in corporate offices most of the time. In the post-pandemic world, however, many employees can work from anywhere, at any time, and on any device with an internet connection.When COVID-19 work-at-home mandates took effect around the - [Foxconn exits chip-making joint venture in India with Vedanta](https://ans-pa.com/foxconn-exits-chip-making-joint-venture-in-india-with-vedanta/) - India’s big push for semiconductor manufacturing took a hit on Monday when contract manufacturer Hon Hai Precision, better known as Foxconn, said it is pulling out from a planned semiconductor joint venture with Indian firm Vedanta.“Foxconn is working to remove the Foxconn name from what now is a fully owned entity of Vedanta,” the company - [Sarah Silverman sues OpenAI, Meta over copyright infringement in AI training](https://ans-pa.com/sarah-silverman-sues-openai-meta-over-copyright-infringement-in-ai-training/) - Comedian and writer Sarah Silverman has filed copyright infringement lawsuits against the makers of ChatGPT as well as Facebook parent company Meta, saying that their AI system's use of her copyright works for training violates her intellectual property rights.The suits, filed last week in federal district court in San Francisco, argued that Microsoft-backed OpenAI and - [UK regulator refers cloud infrastructure market for investigation](https://ans-pa.com/uk-regulator-refers-cloud-infrastructure-market-for-investigation/) - UK communications regulator Ofcom has published an interim report that proposes the cloud infrastructure market be referred to the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) due to concerns around a decline in competition.The report said that existing cloud customers in the UK are paying more than they should be for their cloud infrastructure or having - [Apple's cutting-edge Vision Pro doesn't need iPhone sales to succeed](https://ans-pa.com/apples-cutting-edge-vision-pro-doesnt-need-iphone-sales-to-succeed/) - Let’s get something out of the way right at the beginning: We already know Apple’s Vision Pro device consists of a bundle of bleeding-edge technologies competitors can’t easily emulate.How do we know this? Because supply chain reports claim the lenses used in these devices are hard to source. Ergo, they are hard to manufacture. This - [Q&A: How AI can help enterprise HR automate employee experiences](https://ans-pa.com/qa-how-ai-can-help-enterprise-hr-automate-employee-experiences/) - Sterlite Technologies. (STL), a global fiber optics provider, has been increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to automate the company's employee recruitment and hiring, conduct staff pulse checks, and gamify worker rewards.The India-based company employs about 8,000 people across the US, China, Europe, India, and the Middle East. Since rolling out its first AI-based applications three or so - [Annual public cloud revenue reaches half a trillion dollars](https://ans-pa.com/annual-public-cloud-revenue-reaches-half-a-trillion-dollars/) - Global revenue generated by public cloud services topped the $500 billion mark in 2022, according to new data released this week by research firm IDC.The actual figure was $545.8 billion, IDC’s research found, a sum that represents a 22.9% increase over the previous year. Foundational cloud services — which IDC defines as infrastructure, platform and - [Apple was right not to run a social network](https://ans-pa.com/apple-was-right-not-to-run-a-social-network/) - Witnessing the madness of "King twit" and the data-munching journey of that monarch’s latest competitor in the race to commoditize communication, I’m glad Apple at least put some priority on privacy when no one else in Big Tech chose to.To read this article in full, please click here - [OpenAI launches new alignment division to tackle risks of superintelligent AI](https://ans-pa.com/openai-launches-new-alignment-division-to-tackle-risks-of-superintelligent-ai/) - OpenAI is opening a new alignment research division, focused on developing training techniques to stop superintelligent AI — artificial intelligence that could outthink humans and become misaligned with humans ethics — from causing serious harm.“Currently, we don't have a solution for steering or controlling a potentially superintelligent AI, and preventing it from going rogue,” Jan - [Lawyers and Incident Response can be a dangerous combo](https://ans-pa.com/lawyers-and-incident-response-can-be-a-dangerous-combo/) - Lawyers and C-suite leaders have the same basic mission: protect the enterprise from bad actors who want to do harm. But they often often approach the job in such polar opposite ways that they wind up fighting each other instead of working together. A new academic report on the topic from researchers at the University of - [Shutterstock offers customers legal indemnity for AI-created image use](https://ans-pa.com/shutterstock-offers-customers-legal-indemnity-for-ai-created-image-use/) - Stock content provider and creative suite Shutterstock is the latest company in its field to offer customers a legal indemnity against suits related to AI-generated images created and licensed on its platform.In its announcement, issued Thursday, Shutterstock said that the aim is to provide a level of assurance to users of its services, who want - [Digital transformation, AI, and the productivity problem](https://ans-pa.com/digital-transformation-ai-and-the-productivity-problem/) - The age of generative AI comes with the promise that it will significantly increase productivity. I can certainly see the potential given I’m using a form of it writing this column and it is doing a decent job of anticipating the next word I intend to write. But I’m also noticing that to get the - [Apple’s new 15-in. M2 MacBook Air is a consumer workhorse](https://ans-pa.com/apples-new-15-in-m2-macbook-air-is-a-consumer-workhorse/) - Can you run your business on a 15-in. MacBook Air? I’ve used one for about a week, and I think most people can. It provides everything that's good in the existing M2 MacBook Air, but with a bigger screen and an approachable price.Out of the box Out of the box you can expect the usual - [NYC law governing AI-based hiring tools goes live](https://ans-pa.com/nyc-law-governing-ai-based-hiring-tools-goes-live/) - After several delays, a New York City law requiring companies to vet their automated employee hiring or promotion tools went into effect Wednesday in an attempt to thwart biases baked into software used by HR offices.New York City Local Law 144, also known as the Bias Audit Law, will require hiring organizations to inform job applicants that algorithms - [US will block Chinese customers from using AI cloud services: report](https://ans-pa.com/us-will-block-chinese-customers-from-using-ai-cloud-services-report/) - The Commerce Department is preparing to bar US firms from providing cloud services that use advanced AI processors to Chinese customers, according to a report published this week by the Wall Street Journal.The Biden administration has already banned the export of advanced chips used in the development and training of AI from export to China, - [Of cut cables and the sad state of tech support](https://ans-pa.com/of-cut-cables-and-the-sad-state-of-tech-support/) - A certain tech company that I rely on for my phone lines was recently in the area where my business is located updating their fiber lines. In the process, they happened to cut the lines that provide my office with our phone system and backup Internet. Three days later, it happened again.Both times when I called - [Could Apple Card finally become an international service?](https://ans-pa.com/could-apple-card-finally-become-an-international-service/) - There was a lot of interest when Apple introduced Apple Card with Goldman Sachs, but the Cupertino credit card never expanded beyond the US. Goldman Sachs now wants to quit its involvement in the Apple Card and savings business and is in talks with American Express to sell this part of its business.To read this article in - [China seeks to improve reliability of its chip manufacturing sector](https://ans-pa.com/china-seeks-to-improve-reliability-of-its-chip-manufacturing-sector/) - A new report from China’s Ministry for Industry and Information Technology states that the country’s manufacturing abilities are less advanced than other countries and improvement is needed across three core industries. - [Apple’s Vision Pro: Will it work for work?](https://ans-pa.com/apples-vision-pro-will-it-work-for-work/) - At the launch of its Vision Pro headset in June, Apple offered up a variety of consumer entertainment uses, from watching front-row sports games to dodging 3D dinosaurs. But as the Pro branding suggests, Apple notably showed how the “spatial computing” device — the company’s marketing term for augmented and virtual reality — is also - [Microsoft set to face EU antitrust probe over Teams bundle: Report](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-set-to-face-eu-antitrust-probe-over-teams-bundle-report/) - The EU could open an antitrust investigation into Microsoft’s video and messaging platform Teams, stemming from a complaint made by Slack back in July 2020, according to a report by Reuters.Enterprise messaging application Slack, which has since been bought by Salesforce, originally filed a competition complaint against Microsoft citing “illegal and anti-competitive practice of abusing - [How to handle Windows 10 and 11 updates](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-handle-windows-10-and-11-updates/) - Confused about how updates work in Windows 10 and Windows 11? Join the club. Over the years, Microsoft has made numerous changes to how Windows Update works, including how often major Windows updates are released and which users can delay updates. As a result, there have been lots of misperceptions about how Windows Update currently - [China bans export of metals needed for semiconductors amid US-China chip war](https://ans-pa.com/china-bans-export-of-metals-needed-for-semiconductors-amid-us-china-chip-war/) - China has fired the latest salvo in the ongoing electronic chip war with the US by restricting the export of two metals required for manufacturing semiconductors, mostly used in electric vehicles, displays, and defense equipment.In a statement released on Monday, the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China said it is using the - [How we know that Apple’s Vision Pro means business](https://ans-pa.com/how-we-know-that-apples-vision-pro-means-business/) - Apple last month released the first beta version of the software that powers its upcoming Apple Vision Pro headset, visionOS, plus the visionOS software development kit and a simulator.We’re already seeing pictures and videos of Vision Pro apps online long before the $3,499 spacial computing device ships. (The device is expected to ship in the first - [EU and Japan announce Digital Partnership to strengthen chip supply chain](https://ans-pa.com/eu-and-japan-announce-digital-partnership-to-strengthen-chip-supply-chain/) - The European Union will work with Japan to monitor the global chip supply chain and support Japanese semiconductor companies looking to operate within the EU."We believe that it's extremely important to secure the supply chain of semiconductors," EU Commissioner Thierry Breton told Reuters, adding in comments published by the news outlet that the EU’s policy - [Businesses to boost Windows 11 adoption in ‘24, but Windows 10 still dominates](https://ans-pa.com/businesses-to-boost-windows-11-adoption-in-24-but-windows-10-still-dominates/) - Businesses are likely to accelerate their adoption of Windows 11 next year, as the 2025 Windows 10 support deadline trumps underlying economic concerns.Almost two years after the operating system’s launch, the total installed base for Windows 11 stands at around 25% to 30%, said Linn Huang, research vice president for devices and displays at IDC. - [How banks and businesses can prep for the FedNow instant-payment system](https://ans-pa.com/how-banks-and-businesses-can-prep-for-the-fednow-instant-payment-system/) - After a pilot program that lasted six months, the US Federal Reserve System plans to launch its FedNow real-time payment system in July. But many banks and businesses could be caught flatfooted when it launches.The central bank’s payment and settlement rail is designed to increase liquidity, especially for small businesses and supply chain participants who - [Microsoft pushes for government regulation of AI. Should we trust it?](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-pushes-for-government-regulation-of-ai-should-we-trust-it/) - By now, virtually everyone agrees that powerful generative AI needs to be regulated. In its various forms, it presents a variety of potential dangers: helping authoritarian regimes, thanks to its ability to create misinformation; allowing Big Tech firms to establish monopolies; eliminating millions of jobs; taking over vital infrastructure; and — in the worst case - [Businesses and tech firms criticize proposed EU AI Act](https://ans-pa.com/businesses-and-tech-firms-criticize-proposed-eu-ai-act/) - A proposed EU law that would create the West’s first regulatory scheme for AI is the target of criticism from the business and technology sectors, which published an open letter today arguing for fewer restrictions and a less “bureaucratic” approach.The letter was signed by prominent executives from a who’s-who of major European companies like Siemens, - [For Apple users, tips on improving Wi-Fi performance](https://ans-pa.com/for-apple-users-tips-on-improving-wi-fi-performance/) - In-person, or remote, in borrowed offices, meeting places, or hot hubs, one of the most frequent complaints is usually: “Why isn’t my Wi-Fi working?”That question is usually followed by a dash to move the router around, check for network interference and all the other standard responses covered in "WFH? Tips for better Wi-Fi network performance." - [The secret to a smarter Android lock screen](https://ans-pa.com/the-secret-to-a-smarter-android-lock-screen/) - Google giveth, and Google taketh away.It's an all-too-common tale here in the land o' Android, and it's exactly what happened in the world of widgets on our lock screens.Way back in 2012, a full decade before Apple decided to (cough, snort) invent the idea of a more interactive smartphone entry point, Google made a big - [ChatGPT maker OpenAI faces new class action lawsuit over data privacy](https://ans-pa.com/chatgpt-maker-openai-faces-new-class-action-lawsuit-over-data-privacy/) - OpenAI, the Microsoft-backed company that developed the ChatGPT generative AI chatbot, is the defendant in a federal class action lawsuit filed this week in California, where it is accused of misappropriating personal information for training purposes.The complaint, filed in the Northern District of California, lists 15 causes of action, including violations of the Computer Fraud - [HP’s Dragonfly G4 — a better laptop for remote workers?](https://ans-pa.com/hps-dragonfly-g4-a-better-laptop-for-remote-workers/) - Disclosure: HP is a client of the author.Each summer, I get the chance to review a lot of laptops. I’m currently working on three such reviews, and one feature stood out as particularly useful for remote employees. With its latest Dragonfly G4 laptop, HP has come up with a unique solution to address two of - [The EU Data Act is a lot bigger than iCloud](https://ans-pa.com/the-eu-data-act-is-a-lot-bigger-than-icloud/) - If you use a data processing service provider of any kind, you may be happy to hear about the Data Act coming out of the EU. It requires service providers to make it easier to move your business data between services, demands interoperability, and gives users power over how their data is used.A big step against - [Meta exec: VR meetings will coexist with, not replace, videoconferencing (for now)](https://ans-pa.com/meta-exec-vr-meetings-will-coexist-with-not-replace-videoconferencing-for-now/) - Often associated with gaming, virtual reality may one day have a place in the office too, providing a more immersive experience and greater sense of presence than is possible with a video call.That’s the idea behind Meta’s Horizon Workrooms, a virtual 3D environment where colleagues can meet and interact just as they would in person, - [EU announces specialized testing and evaluation centers for AI](https://ans-pa.com/eu-announces-specialized-testing-and-evaluation-centers-for-ai/) - The European Commission has announced that it will co-fund four testing and experimentation facilities, or TEFs, for AI exploration, in order to support responsible AI development and ease compliance with the EU AI Act, which is in the final stages of approval before being enacted into law.The TEFs will function in both the physical and - [US weighs further restrictions on chip exports to China](https://ans-pa.com/us-weighs-further-restrictions-on-chip-exports-to-china/) - The Biden administration is reportedly considering placing new restrictions on the export of AI chips to China, in a move that could specifically target products previously compliant with the rules. - [Apple warns that UK's Online Safety Bill puts people at 'greater risk'](https://ans-pa.com/apple-warns-that-uks-online-safety-bill-puts-people-at-greater-risk/) - Apple has raised its voice against a UK law that will dramatically undermine secure commerce and trust online, warning it could put UK citizens at risk.And Apple is not alone. More than 80 civil society organizations, academics, and experts from 23 nations have warned against the UK government’s decision, which would turn the UK into - [AI will kill these jobs (but create new ones, too)](https://ans-pa.com/ai-will-kill-these-jobs-but-create-new-ones-too/) - Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT are rapidly gaining traction, allowing the technology to be used throughout the enterprise to automate a variety of manual tasks performed by workers today, leading to what's expected to be a major shift in the global job market.In the US and Europe, as many as 300 million - [Apple wants Xcode to make you smarter](https://ans-pa.com/apple-wants-xcode-to-make-you-smarter/) - Apple wants to make it easier to develop apps.Like everyone else in tech, the company knows there simply isn’t enough tech talent to go around. That means the best solution is to make some tasks easier so experienced devs can focus on the big problems, rather than sink into the small stuff.Figma, Sketch ... and - [UK's AI strategy does not address equality concerns, regulator says](https://ans-pa.com/uks-ai-strategy-does-not-address-equality-concerns-regulator-says/) - The UK's Equality and Human Right’s Commission (EHRC) has expressed concern that current proposals regarding the regulation of AI in the country are inadequate to protect human rights.“Proposals to regulate Artificial Intelligence fall short of what’s needed to tackle the risks to human rights and equality,” the watchdog wrote in an open letter, noting that - [Google Pixel Fold: 7 unfiltered thoughts after 8 days with the device](https://ans-pa.com/google-pixel-fold-7-unfiltered-thoughts-after-8-days-with-the-device/) - If you've followed my mumbly mobile musings for long, you probably know two things about me: I tend to view Google's Pixel devices favorably, as a general rule. In fact, they're the only Android devices I wholeheartedly recommend for most folks these days — both because of the unmatched overall user experience they offer and - [Japan bolsters its chip industry with buyout of equipment maker JSR](https://ans-pa.com/japan-bolsters-its-chip-industry-with-buyout-of-equipment-maker-jsr/) - In its latest bid to support home-grown chip manufacturing, the Japanese government has sought to consolidate the country’s grip over some chemicals that are vital to the chip making process. - [Wi-Fi 7 is coming — here's what to know](https://ans-pa.com/wi-fi-7-is-coming-heres-what-to-know/) - If you haven't invested in a Wi-Fi 6E-compatible router yet, you might never get around to it before the next-generation Wi-Fi 7 standard arrives. There's already talk it could show up in in iPhones As early as next year. (Macs could get support for the standard not long afterward.So, what’s so good about this new - [M365 Copilot, Microsoft’s generative AI tool, explained](https://ans-pa.com/m365-copilot-microsofts-generative-ai-tool-explained/) - Since announcing a partnership with ChatGPT creator OpenAI earlier this year, Microsoft has been deploying its Copilot generative AI assistant across its suite of Microsoft 365 business productivity and collaboration apps. Word, Outlook, Teams, Excel, PowerPoint, and a range of other applications will be connected to the AI assistant, which can automate tasks and create - [Apple is very serious about Industry 4.0](https://ans-pa.com/apple-is-very-serious-about-industry-4-0/) - Apple this week held its first Smart Manufacturing Forum for SMBs event in South Korea at the Apple Manufacturing R&D Support Center. It’s not only a education and research hub, it also builds smart process related equipment, potentially for use across Apple’s supply chain.The special event underscores the company's focus on Industry 4.0 at the heart of - [Why DISM is the Swiss Army knife of Windows maintenance](https://ans-pa.com/why-dism-is-the-swiss-army-knife-of-windows-maintenance/) - Windows’ built-in Deployment Image Servicing and Management command-line tool, a.k.a. DISM, has been around since Windows Vista, when it was first introduced as a method for creating and managing Windows images based on the Windows image (.wim) file format. It also works with the encrypted and compressed Electronic Software Download (.esd) file format introduced in - [DuckDuckGo launches privacy-first Windows browser in beta](https://ans-pa.com/duckduckgo-launches-privacy-first-windows-browser-in-beta/) - DuckDuckGo, the privacy-centric internet company best known for its search engine of the same name, released a public beta of its own browser for Windows PCs today.Characteristically, the browser puts user privacy front and center. DuckDuckGo said that the browser (called simply “DuckDuckGo for Windows”) boasts “best-in-class” privacy functionality, which is enabled by default. It - [Is your business missing out on a free Apple opportunity?](https://ans-pa.com/is-your-business-missing-out-on-a-free-apple-opportunity/) - Have you claimed the Apple Maps card for your business? If not, you could be missing out on a chance to reach new customers.Introduced earlier this year, Apple’s Business Connect service lets companies and other entities claim and control the information about their business made available through Maps, Wallet, and Siri search. This public-facing information already - [The coming productivity disruption of generative AI](https://ans-pa.com/the-coming-productivity-disruption-of-generative-ai/) - It surprises me that as recently as December, Generative AI wasn’t even on my radar. Now, it's what most of us who focus on technology talk about all the time.Things are changing fast in tech. I’ve seen a number of arguments that we are overhyping generative AI, but then I came across this video from - [IT firms expect to increase hiring next quarter, Manpower says](https://ans-pa.com/it-firms-expect-to-increase-hiring-next-quarter-manpower-says/) - While organizations across all US industries are expected to boost hiring in the third quarter, employers in the IT market have the most agressive hiring plans, according to global staffing firm ManpowerGroup.Across all industry verticals in the US, 48% of employers plan to hire in Q3, while just 13% expect staffing decreases, according to the - [New EU security strategy aims to safeguard tech supply chains](https://ans-pa.com/new-eu-security-strategy-aims-to-safeguard-tech-supply-chains/) - A draft strategy published this week by the EU would impose export controls on critical technology and protect against the risks posed by supply chain disruption, whether in the form of industrial espionage, energy security problems, or infrastructure attacks.The strategy is widely seen as a reaction to potential threats posed by China, although it does - [With its green commitments, Apple aims to go where consumers are](https://ans-pa.com/with-its-green-commitments-apple-aims-to-go-where-consumers-are/) - Many continue to ignore the green slide Apple shows during each of its product presentations — but the company's environmental commitments are critical drivers for Apple’s future business.Think global, act local That’s because while many in the tech industry tend to focus on hardware specs, consumers are focusing more on the environmental consequences of the products - [Figma offers new mode for developers, adds variables, prototyping features](https://ans-pa.com/figma-offers-new-mode-for-developers-adds-variables-prototyping-features/) - Figma has announced a host of new features for its flagship product design platform, focused on bridging the gap between design and development.The announcements were made at the company’s annual Config conference in San Francisco and include a new specific environment for developers, plus variables and advanced prototyping to help streamline the creative process and - [Dropbox unveils two AI-based products, launches $50M AI venture fund](https://ans-pa.com/dropbox-unveils-two-ai-based-products-launches-50m-ai-venture-fund/) - Dropbox is introducing two new AI-powered products to its platform, designed to improve how users search for information and tools, and also summarize information contained in their Dropbox files.The two products are Dropbox Dash and Dropbox AI, both of which the company believes will help to accelerate its mission to support more enlightened and personalized - [Otter AI Chat acts like a collaborative ChatGPT tailored for meetings](https://ans-pa.com/otter-ai-chat-acts-like-a-collaborative-chatgpt-tailored-for-meetings/) - AI-transcription company Otter.ai has announced the launch of Otter AI Chat, a new AI-powered meeting tool that can provide real-time, question-and-answer support and generate meeting-specific content.AI Chat acts as a meeting participant — answering questions, collaborating with attendees, and generating content based on meeting data. Users can message each other and the AI tool via - [The best Android launchers for enhanced efficiency](https://ans-pa.com/the-best-android-launchers-for-enhanced-efficiency/) - Your smartphone's home screen is the heart and soul of your mobile tech experience — the launching pad for nearly everything you do on your device. And since you use Android, you've got a unique advantage over your iPhone-totin' associates in that your home screen doesn't have to be the same tired old grid everyone - [Intel’s German chip fab plans expand](https://ans-pa.com/intels-german-chip-fab-plans-expand/) - An EU subsidy will underwrite an expanded plan for a major chip foundry in Magdeburg, Germany. - [Opera rolls out AI-infused browser](https://ans-pa.com/opera-rolls-out-ai-infused-browser/) - Opera went live today with Opera One, an extensive makeover of its namesake Chrome-based web browser that includes a native generative AI feature that allows users to ask it to create text or computer code and get questions answered with greater detail.The new AI feature, called Aria, comes as a sidebar window and allows users - [Mosyle brings generative AI to Apple Device Management](https://ans-pa.com/mosyle-brings-generative-ai-to-apple-device-management/) - Apple Vision may mix reality, but the news hasn’t shifted this year’s big storyline: the steady progress of Generative AI. Now, it’s Apple Device Management that’s gained this kind of intelligence, with Mosyle.The company has introduced Mosyle AIScript, which it says is the first generative AI-powered macOS scripting tool. The thinking is that IT admins - [With one June Patch Tuesday update, Microsoft falls short](https://ans-pa.com/with-one-june-patch-tuesday-update-microsoft-falls-short/) - I’ve tracked Microsoft’s Windows patches for years and closely watched all of the changes the company has made. I remember when you had to install updates in a certain order — and watch for which one had to be installed first. I remember the arrival of automated patching using Software Update Services (later called Windows - [ClickUp adds role-based AI capabilities for teams](https://ans-pa.com/clickup-adds-role-based-ai-capabilities-for-teams/) - Productivity platform ClickUp has added a host of new role-based AI capabilities, designed to help boost productivity for employees across all departments.The new capabilities, dubbed ClickUp AI, provide more than 100 fully templated prompts that deliver role-based AI tools for teams, including marketing, sales, engineering, and project management.For example, prompts for generating promotional material include - [Should SMBs worry about a recession?](https://ans-pa.com/should-smbs-worry-about-a-recession/) - For months now, the economic prophets have been saying a recession is coming. I'm not an economist, but I have been running a small home-based business for decades. I've been through good times and bad. My particular industry — journalism — is in trouble. But then, it's always been in trouble.I keep looking ahead, and - [How to activate your Chromebook's crafty new shortcut system](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-activate-your-chromebooks-crafty-new-shortcut-system/) - If you've spent any time using a Chromebook lately, you're in on the secret: Google's ChromeOS platform has gotten almost shockingly good over these past several years.Lots of computer-owning creatures still haven't realized it, but Chromebooks have come an insanely long way since their unassuming debut over a decade ago — as ChromeOS itself has - [Recent Teams, Office outages were caused by cyberattacks: Microsoft](https://ans-pa.com/recent-teams-office-outages-were-caused-by-cyberattacks-microsoft/) - Microsoft has confirmed that recent outages to its popular services, including Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, and cloud computing platform Azure, were caused by a DDoS attack by a threat actor that the company tracks as Storm-1359.Also known as Anonymous Sudan, Storm-1359 was first detected in January, targeting organizations and government agencies with DDoS attacks and efforts to - [Apple beefs up enterprise identity, device management](https://ans-pa.com/apple-beefs-up-enterprise-identity-device-management/) - Last week at WWDC, Apple introduced new capabilities related to Managed Apple IDs and to user identity overall.Managed Apple IDs have been around for some time. They handle many of the same tasks as personal Apple IDs, but are owned by an organization rather than the end user and are typically created alongside a user’s - [June's Patch Tuesday updates focus on Windows, Office](https://ans-pa.com/junes-patch-tuesday-updates-focus-on-windows-office/) - Microsoft released 73 updates to its Windows, Office, and Visual Studio platforms on Patch Tuesday, with many of them dealing with core, but not urgent, security vulnerabilities. That's a welcome respite from the previous six months of urgent zero-days and public disclosures. With that in mind, the Readiness testing team suggests a focus on printing - [Despite growth, Oracle reported to cut jobs at Cerner healthcare unit](https://ans-pa.com/despite-growth-oracle-reported-to-cut-jobs-at-cerner-healthcare-unit/) - Just days after reporting a jump in quarterly cloud revenue and record-breaking annual sales, Oracle has reportedly laid off hundreds of employees and pulled job offers for its Cerner healthcare unit, which it acquired in December for $28.3 billion.The layoffs were a result of a troubled deal between Cerner and the US Department of Veterans - [Apple’s Vision Pro: The pros and cons of head-mounted hardware](https://ans-pa.com/apples-vision-pro-the-pros-and-cons-of-head-mounted-hardware/) - I remain convinced that the market is looking for something revolutionary like Apple’s recently announced Vision Pro to replace smartphones, tablets, and PCs. I’m not yet convinced Vision Pro will do that, but it is on the right path. Now that Apple has made a move, rivals will increasingly be in the hunt to see - [Japan to force Apple to permit app sideloading next year](https://ans-pa.com/japan-to-force-apple-to-permit-app-sideloading-next-year/) - Japan has joined the EU in an effort force Apple to open up to sideloading on its iOS platforms; Japan’s government has drawn up a series of regulations that will require both Google Android and Apple’s own platforms to permit app downloading from outside the App Stores.Japan wants app sideloading, app deletion, more The government - [From Kin to Clippy — the worst Microsoft products not named Windows](https://ans-pa.com/from-kin-to-clippy-the-worst-microsoft-products-not-named-windows/) - Microsoft recently made it official: its misguided, useless and almost comically bad digital assistant Cortana will finally be killed this fall when Windows support for it ends. The impending death of Cortana made me think about the worst products in Microsoft’s history (not including versions of Windows), many of which have their own brand of - [How and why to use FIDO Security Keys for Apple ID](https://ans-pa.com/how-and-why-to-use-fido-security-keys-for-apple-id/) - In a world that needs Apple’s recently-improved Lockdown Mode to protect good people against bad ones, high-risk individuals should consider using physical security keys to protect their Apple ID.What are Security Keys and what do they do? Security keys are small devices that look a little like thumb drives. Apple at WWDC 2020 confirmed plans - [UK targets new funding to support the development of 'responsible AI'](https://ans-pa.com/uk-targets-new-funding-to-support-the-development-of-responsible-ai/) - The UK government has announced $68 million (£54 million) in new investments for the development of AI technology, including $39 million for the creation of a research and innovation ecosystem for responsible and trustworthy AI.The funding was announced by technology secretary Chole Smith during her speech at London Tech Week on Wednesday, and follows previous - [Employees want remote-work tools, not in-office mandates, Atlassian says](https://ans-pa.com/employees-want-remote-work-tools-not-in-office-mandates-atlassian-says/) - As companies tweak their remote work polices in the wake of the pandemic a new study from collaboration software company Atlassian shows that in-office mandates are unpopular with employees, and that half of those who do at least some work from home have not been given access to distributed-work technology.The study was based on survey - [13 tips to get the most out of Microsoft Whiteboard](https://ans-pa.com/13-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-microsoft-whiteboard/) - When you need to sketch out and share ideas visually, nothing beats a digital whiteboard. These online apps replicate the collaborative dynamic of a physical whiteboard in an office meeting room but accommodate a hybrid workforce — and each board you create remains accessible and can be added to over time.Microsoft Whiteboard is the digital - [European Commission could move to break up Google’s ad empire](https://ans-pa.com/european-commission-could-move-to-break-up-googles-ad-empire/) - The European Commission announced today that Google may have violated EU antitrust law by controlling too much of the online advertising industry, and that it could move to force the company to divest part of its advertising business if it wants to continue operating in Europe.In a preliminary finding issued this morning, the Commission said - [European Commission could move to break up Google’s ad empire](https://ans-pa.com/european-commission-could-move-to-break-up-googles-ad-empire-2/) - The European Commission announced today that Google may have violated EU antitrust law by controlling too much of the online advertising industry, and that it could move to force the company to divest part of its advertising business if it wants to continue operating in Europe.In a preliminary finding issued this morning, the Commission said - [EU Parliament approves AI Act, moving it closer to becoming law](https://ans-pa.com/eu-parliament-approves-ai-act-moving-it-closer-to-becoming-law/) - The European Parliament has approved a draft of the EU's AI Act, taking a major step toward what could be the first comprehensive set of regulations for AI in the West.However, the legislation did not pass unanimously, with the final vote at 499 in favor, 28 against, and 93 abstentions. While today’s vote marks a - [US judge temporarily blocks Microsoft's Activision deal at request of FTC](https://ans-pa.com/us-judge-temporarily-blocks-microsofts-activision-deal-at-request-of-ftc/) - A district judge in San Francisco has granted a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) request to temporarily block Microsoft’s proposed $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, ahead of a hearing on June 22.Judge Edward Davila ruled that a “preliminary injunction is warranted [to] preserve the FTC’s ability to obtain an effective permanent remedy” to its antitrust - [6 ways iPadOS 17 makes iPads more productive](https://ans-pa.com/6-ways-ipados-17-makes-ipads-more-productive/) - Currently available in beta, iPadOS 17 at first glance doesn’t deliver the same magnitude of productivity improvements we saw in the previous version of the tablet OS. Still, there are some useful additions, many of which are shared across all relevant Apple platforms.Stage Manager is a lot more flexible Stage Manager now lets you resize - [Android's hidden Smart Display superpower](https://ans-pa.com/androids-hidden-smart-display-superpower/) - All right, my fellow Android-appreciating animals: We've got an elephant in the room right now, and that elephant is Apple's new StandBy mode for phones.StandBy mode, if you haven't heard, is a fancy new feature in Apple's latest magical (wretch) and revolutionary (gag) iOS update. And all involuntary reactions and unnecessary midword capitalizations aside, it - [5 hot workplace collaboration trends (and 2 going cold)](https://ans-pa.com/5-hot-workplace-collaboration-trends-and-2-going-cold/) - Workplace collaboration is vital for the flow of knowledge across an organization, and, ultimately, to enable employees to get work done. Get it right and collaboration between workers can result in better coordination of shared projects, a boost to creativity, faster problem-solving, and an increase in individual productivity. The rise of remote work in recent years - [HomeKit is going to be everywhere as ABB buys Eve Systems](https://ans-pa.com/homekit-is-going-to-be-everywhere-as-abb-buys-eve-systems/) - The acquisition of Eve Systems by Swiss multinational firm ABB represents a watershed moment in the evolution of smart homes and smart buildings. Eve Systems (formerly El Gato) is a veteran name in the Apple ecosystem.The company has been a large exponent of HomeKit, Thread, and Matter. It sells a catalog of solutions that run the - [Q&A: For UST’s CTO, AI is ‘a necessary evil’](https://ans-pa.com/qa-for-usts-cto-ai-is-a-necessary-evil/) - UST is a digital transformation services company with more than 35,000 employees around the globe. The company's services run the gamut of IT, from cybersecurity and data analytics to supply-chain management and next-gen cloud infractructure, and its clients run across seven vertical industries.Like every other company, UST has had to deal with a dramatically different - [What will Apple’s vision for Apple Vision be in 2025?](https://ans-pa.com/what-will-apples-vision-for-apple-vision-be-in-2025/) - Mike Rockwell, Apple vice president for the technology development group, says that from the first second of wearing Apple Vision Pro the experience is designed to be “special.”Most of the fortunate few who spent time using Apple Vision Pro admit to being stunned by what Apple's built. But where will it be in two years’ - [The good and bad about Windows 11](https://ans-pa.com/the-good-and-bad-about-windows-11/) - Recently on Askwoody.com, someone asked what’s wrong with Windows 11. The resulting comments got me to thinking about the pros and cons of the Microsoft’s desktop operating system?To start with, like many Windows users, I’m having to buy my way into Windows 11 because of its particular hardware requirements. Most of my computers at home - [At WWDC, Apple hones in on device management](https://ans-pa.com/at-wwdc-apple-hones-in-on-device-management/) - Apple managed to pack a lot into one keynote and one week at WWDC 2023. The Apple Vision Pro was a show stealer, followed by the new 15-in. MacBook Air, updates across Apple’s entire lineup of platforms, notable changes coming in watchOS 10 and the expansion of widgets in all directions. Unlike last year, there wasn’t - [Apple’s Vision Pro: Can it leap the headset-wearing hurdle?](https://ans-pa.com/apples-vision-pro-can-it-leap-the-headset-wearing-hurdle/) - Apple’s Vision Pro enters a troubled market.I say troubled because people have so far largely rejected head-mounted devices. Though before the iPod arrived, the market didn’t care much for digital music players, and before the iPhone, people didn’t care much for screen-based phones. So this should be familiar territory for Apple.The iPod and the iPhone - [Handy Outlook keyboard shortcuts for Windows and Mac](https://ans-pa.com/handy-outlook-keyboard-shortcuts-for-windows-and-mac/) - Outlook’s Ribbon interface is great for finding everything you might ever want to do in the email, contacts, and calendaring program — particularly things you don’t do frequently, like using the mail merge feature.But if you’re looking to do common tasks fast, you’ll find keyboard shortcuts far more useful. Why bother to lift your hands - [EU to offer €8.1 billion in aid to make chips, communication tech](https://ans-pa.com/eu-to-offer-e8-1-billion-in-aid-to-make-chips-communication-tech/) - Just weeks after European Union (EU) Commissioner Thierry Breton put emphasis on Europe making its own chips, the EU has announced up to €8.1 billion in public funding for building microelectronics and communication technologies.The funding, which was planned by 14 member nations under the Union, is dubbed Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) under - [Two AI-related bills introduced in US Congress amid generative AI rush](https://ans-pa.com/two-ai-related-bills-introduced-in-us-congress-amid-generative-ai-rush/) - US lawmakers on Thursday introduced two bills related to artificial intelligence in the Senate as the proliferation of the technology continues to gather momentum after the launch of Microsoft-owned OpenAI’s generative AI driven ChatGPT and Google’s Bard.One of the bills introduced in the Senate necessitates US government bodies or agencies to let citizens or users - [Office 365: A guide to the updates](https://ans-pa.com/office-365-a-guide-to-the-updates/) - Office 365 and Microsoft 365 subscribers get more frequent software updates than those who have purchased Office without a subscription, which means subscribers have access to the latest features, security patches, and bug fixes. But it can be hard to keep track of the changes in each update and know when they’re available. We’re doing - [Adobe offers copyright indemnification for Firefly AI-based image app users](https://ans-pa.com/adobe-offers-copyright-indemnification-for-firefly-ai-based-image-app-users/) - Adobe’s latest product offering is Firefly, a generative-AI powered image maker that is designed to be “safe for commercial use” — so much so that Adobe is offering IP indemnification for any legal issues arising from its use.Adobe billed Firefly, which was released in beta today, as a way of providing AI-powered image creation and - [WWDC: 18+ ways Apple plans to make you more secure](https://ans-pa.com/wwdc-18-ways-apple-plans-to-make-you-more-secure/) - Vision Pro, Apple Silicon, Macs, new enterprise tools — and privacy protection were all among the many WWDC announcements Apple made this week.Introducing these protections, Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president for software engineering said: “We are focused on keeping our users in the driver’s seat when it comes to their data by continuing to provide - [Google to start factoring office attendance into performance reviews](https://ans-pa.com/google-to-start-factoring-office-attendance-into-performance-reviews/) - Google has updated its hybrid work policy, cracking down on employees who aren’t consistently working from the office.In memos seen by reporters at The Verge and CNBC, Google said it will start tracking office badges to see how often workers are coming into the office. The updated policy calls for confronting workers who aren’t meeting - [How to use the new AI writing tool in Google Docs and Gmail](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-use-the-new-ai-writing-tool-in-google-docs-and-gmail/) - Joining the generative AI gold rush, Google last month announced plans to bring several AI-powered tools, collectively called Duet AI, to its Workspace office suite. These features will include automated project planning in Google Sheets, the ability to create images from text prompts in Google Slides, and an automated writing tool in Gmail and Google - [WWDC: What’s new for enterprise admins and device management?](https://ans-pa.com/wwdc-whats-new-for-enterprise-admins-and-device-management/) - Apple Silicon, new Macs and the new Vision Pro were the hardware stars at this week's WWDC 2023, but IT professionals should know what’s new to make their lives easier and help them manage devices more effectively. Here's a brief survey of the important changes identified so far.To read this article in full, please click here - [Cisco brings generative AI to Webex and Cisco Security Cloud](https://ans-pa.com/cisco-brings-generative-ai-to-webex-and-cisco-security-cloud/) - Cisco is adding new generative AI capabilities to its Webex collaboration platform, aimed at increasing productivity through automated meeting and conversation summaries.The new offerings, announced at the Cisco Live! customer event in Las Vegas on Wednesday, include summarization capabilities that allow users to catch up on missed meetings or focus on the most important action - [The real secret to better Android battery life](https://ans-pa.com/the-real-secret-to-better-android-battery-life/) - If there's one question I hear more than any other here in the land o' Googley matters, it's how to grant oneself the invaluable gift of better battery life on Android.Hey, we all struggle with stamina some days. Our favorite phones are no different.Here's the good news, though: While the notion of achieving better Android - [How AI-based search assistant Glean Chat is built to boost productivity](https://ans-pa.com/how-ai-based-search-assistant-glean-chat-is-built-to-boost-productivity/) - Palo Alto-based startup Glean, founded in 2019 by former Google, Microsoft and Meta employees, has released a new generative-AI based assistant, dubbed Glean Chat, designed to boost productivity and efficiency across enterprises via a conversational search interface.Defining Glean Chat — an add-on to the company's namesake enterprise search product —as the “Power BI of unstructured - [Apple Silicon remains the star of WWDC](https://ans-pa.com/apple-silicon-remains-the-star-of-wwdc/) - Apple Silicon is still the real star of WWDC. The company’s Vision Pro headset may be grabbing most of the attention, but enterprise professionals will recognize that Apple’s chips have enabled the company to explore new forms of computing, including eyewear.Apple’s Mac and processor news in brief First, Apple introduced the M2 Ultra processor. This - [IT is driving new enterprise sustainability efforts](https://ans-pa.com/it-is-driving-new-enterprise-sustainability-efforts/) - From an energy efficiency perspective, sustainability has always been a “no brainer” for IT, says Lee Green, chief architect at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA). The business imperative to streamline business processes and optimize IT operations was driving efficiency improvements well before the healthcare insurer developed its corporate sustainability framework.Now, however, investors, customers, - [Users unable to access Outlook, Teams in another M365 outage](https://ans-pa.com/users-unable-to-access-outlook-teams-in-another-m365-outage/) - Microsoft on Monday saw its SaaS-based Office software suite suffer an outage for the seventh time this year as users faced issues with Outlook Web, Teams, OneDrive for Business, and SharePoint for over eight hours. “We’re reviewing our networking systems and recent updates in an effort to identify the underlying root cause of the issue. - [With Vision Pro, Apple shows computing's future. But who's it for?](https://ans-pa.com/with-vision-pro-apple-shows-computings-future-but-whos-it-for/) - Tomorrow belongs to somebody, but Apple’s much-talked-about mixed-reality device, Vision Pro — unveiled Monday during a glitzy presentation at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference — won’t ship until early 2024. And at $3,499 a pop, each one costs the same as several Meta Quest systems.There's absolutely no denying that the technology used in the Vision Pro - [Tech layoffs in 2023: A timeline](https://ans-pa.com/tech-layoffs-in-2023-a-timeline/) - Though technology companies announced massive layoffs last year, 2023 has been much worse. So far, layoffs have far outpaced those in all of 2022, as tech giants including Amazon, Facebook parent company Meta, Microsoft, Google, IBM, SAP, and Salesforce — as well as many smaller companies — announce sweeping job cuts.The problem: Big Tech went on - [EU countries reject plan for big tech companies to fund 5G rollout](https://ans-pa.com/eu-countries-reject-plan-for-big-tech-companies-to-fund-5g-rollout/) - A proposal to have big tech companies that account for heavy internet traffic finance 5G and broadband expansion in Europe is facing criticism from ministers. - [Governments worldwide grapple with regulation to rein in AI dangers](https://ans-pa.com/governments-worldwide-grapple-with-regulation-to-rein-in-ai-dangers/) - Ever since generative AI exploded into public consciousness with the launch of ChatGPT at the end of last year, calls to regulate the technology to stop it from causing undue harm have risen to fever pitch around the world. The stakes are high — just last week, technology leaders signed an open public letter saying - [How many jobs are available in technology in the US?](https://ans-pa.com/how-many-jobs-are-available-in-technology-in-the-us/) - Like April before it, the month of May showed mixed results for tech employment in the US.Technology companies shed an estimated 4,725 jobs — a figure that includes nontechnical workers — in May, according to an analysis of the latest US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) figures by IT industry group CompTIA. Job postings for - [WWDC: Morgan Stanley says December launch for Apple Reality](https://ans-pa.com/wwdc-morgan-stanley-says-december-launch-for-apple-reality/) - While Apple may announce its AR/VR headset next week at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Morgan Stanley analyst Erik Woodring’s sources within the Apple supply chain say the devices won’t ship in quantity until fall.In his latest client note, the analyst makes and/or confirms some of the earlier speculation that’s been circulating as the Appleverse - [EU, US lawmakers propose AI code of conduct in absence of regulation](https://ans-pa.com/eu-us-lawmakers-propose-ai-code-of-conduct-in-absence-of-regulation/) - Lawmakers from the EU and US have said they are drawing up a code of conduct for AI, as industry leaders and politicians across the world continue to debate the threat the technology could pose.Although both jurisdictions are currently working on formal legislation intended to regulate AI, it could take years for those rules to - [7 efficiency-enhancing Android apps](https://ans-pa.com/7-efficiency-enhancing-android-apps/) - Your phone is essentially your personal assistant — and like any aide, it needs the right set of tools to do its job effectively.The good news? As an enlightened Android phone owner, you've got no shortage of efficiency-enhancing options. Unlike (ahem) certain other mobile platforms, Android grants you the opportunity to customize and control the - [Nvidia Neuralangelo: A faster path to the industrial metaverse](https://ans-pa.com/nvidia-neuralangelo-a-faster-path-to-the-industrial-metaverse/) - Unlike the consumer metaverse, which was largely backed by Facebook and was effectively dead on arrival, the commercial metaverse is doing rather well. Nvidia is currently the darling of Wall Street and is the primary driver for the commercial metaverse. But creating this industrial-grade metaverse and the digital twins of real objects in it requires - [Asana adds news AI capabilities, outlines company’s product principles](https://ans-pa.com/asana-adds-news-ai-capabilities-outlines-companys-product-principles/) - Work management platform Asana has announced a new set of AI-based product capabilities designed to accelerate decision-making and improve productivity.The new capabilities are underpinned by the company’s new AI offering, Asana Intelligence, and come three months after the company added prediction-based AI tools to its platform. The latest host of features combine Asana’s underlying Work - [Microsoft launches Apple community for IT admins](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-launches-apple-community-for-it-admins/) - Apple founder Steve Jobs loved Bob Dylan, who sang, “You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.” Microsoft seems to have listened to Dylan’s advice and has launched an Apple tech community for IT professionals.Welcome to Microsoft Mac Admins The move reflects the steady growth of Macs across the enterprise, particularly - [Who wants a regular laptop with a 100-in. screen?](https://ans-pa.com/who-wants-a-regular-laptop-with-a-100-in-screen/) - Here comes an entirely new kind of computer.Events like this don’t happen often. So, we should all stop and marvel at the emergence of what I call the ARPC — the “augmented reality PC.”The “form factor” solves the decades-old desire to maximize screen size while minimizing hardware size.And it’s ideal for the age of remote - [Q&A: Experts say stopping AI is not possible — or desirable](https://ans-pa.com/qa-experts-say-stopping-ai-is-not-possible-or-desirable/) - As generative AI tools such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Bard continue to evolve at a breakneck pace, raising questions around trustworthiness and even human rights, experts are weighing if or how the technology can be slowed and made more safe.In March, the nonprofit Future of Life Institute published an open letter calling for a - [US working on new laws to ban investments in Chinese tech firms](https://ans-pa.com/us-working-on-new-laws-to-ban-investments-in-chinese-tech-firms/) - The US is working on drafting new regulations that would prohibit investments and transfer of technology to Chinese firms working on developing advanced semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, a US Treasury official said Wednesday.The new regulations will not only focus on Chinese firms but also its military organizations, Paul Rosen, US Treasury’s investment security - [Amazon workers walk out to protest return-to-work policy, climate change](https://ans-pa.com/amazon-workers-walk-out-to-protest-return-to-work-policy-climate-change/) - Several hundred tech and administrative workers at Amazon’s main headquarters in Seattle staged a walkout today, urging the technology and retail giant to adopt more climate-friendly policies and do away with rules mandating in-office work.Several speakers at an event — which was broadcast on Twitter — spoke outside the company’s headquarters Wednesday morning, saying that - [WWDC: Apple gets back to the Mac in PC sales attack](https://ans-pa.com/wwdc-apple-gets-back-to-the-mac-in-pc-sales-attack/) - What do you need to go with a new cutting-edge mixed reality product? Computers to create virtual worlds on. That seems to be what Apple plans to introduce at WWDC next week.Is Apple about to turn AR hype into happening? All eyes are on Apple in the prelude to the company’s big developer jamboree beginning - [20 seconds to smarter Chromebook multitasking](https://ans-pa.com/20-seconds-to-smarter-chromebook-multitasking/) - If you love finding hidden software treasures as much as I do, Google's ChromeOS operating system is a productivity playground like no other.ChromeOS is in a constant state of evolution, y'see, with new releases landing every four weeks and fresh 'n' fancy features more or less always under development and begging to be discovered. The - [The metaverse: Not dead yet](https://ans-pa.com/the-metaverse-not-dead-yet/) - The metaverse has been described as the next phase of the internet: interconnected and persistent 3D spaces where we will work, play, and, so it seems, purchase virtual real estate. But metaverse-related technologies have failed to keep up with the considerable hype, the vision of ultrarealistic virtual environments offered by tech vendors miles away from - [EU officials to meet OpenAI CEO again in June over AI laws](https://ans-pa.com/eu-officials-to-meet-openai-ceo-again-in-june-over-ai-laws/) - Just days after trading remarks over the implementation of AI laws in Europe, European Union’s industry chief Thierry Breton is set to meet OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in June to discuss AI regulations further, according to a Reuters report.The meeting, which is most likely to take place in San Francisco, will see Breton seek a - [ChatGPT creators and others plead to reduce risk of global extinction from their tech](https://ans-pa.com/chatgpt-creators-and-others-plead-to-reduce-risk-of-global-extinction-from-their-tech/) - Hundreds of tech industry leaders, academics, and others public figures signed an open letter warning that artificial intelligence (AI) evolution could lead to an extinction event and saying that controlling the tech should be a top global priority.“Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks such as - [Does business need a giant Apple iPhone?](https://ans-pa.com/does-business-need-a-giant-apple-iphone/) - When is an iPhone not an iPhone? When it’s almost as big as an iPad mini. Is a 7-inch iPhone Ultra really on the Apple road map, and is this the gadget mobile professionals need?A computer, a tablet, a smartphone The story so far is that Apple may not ship an improved iPhone SE until - [Microsoft Edge is getting a bit pushy](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-edge-is-getting-a-bit-pushy/) - Edge, sit down. We need to talk. (You too, Bing.)Lately you’ve gone from a browser that was ignored by many but had the potential to be a very well-behaved and secure browser to one that is being, well, a bit pushy. And Bing has been taking a page from your playbook and gotten a little - [What are large language models — and how are they used in generative AI?](https://ans-pa.com/what-are-large-language-models-and-how-are-they-used-in-generative-ai/) - When ChatGPT arrived in November 2022, it made mainstream the idea that generative artificial intelligence (AI) could be used by companies and consumers to automate tasks, help with creative ideas, and even code software.If you need to boil down an email or chat thread into a concise summary, a chatbot such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT or - [China appeals to Japan to halt export restrictions as chip war escalates](https://ans-pa.com/china-appeals-to-japan-to-halt-export-restrictions-as-chip-war-escalates/) - China is urging Japan to repeal restrictions on the export of chip-making technology, citing violations of international and trade regulations.Beijing’s condemnation is the latest development in the ongoing chip war between the US and China, which has seen moves from both nations to thwart each other’s semiconductor manufacturing prowess.The Japanese government’s move to impose a - [5 smart Chrome browser alternatives for Android](https://ans-pa.com/5-smart-chrome-browser-alternatives-for-android/) - Google Chrome is the default browser on Android phones. But maybe you want to use another browser because you prefer to avoid Google apps, you’re looking for stronger privacy safeguards, or other reasons. Or maybe you simply want to keep a secondary browser on your phone to serve as a backup or for specific tasks.There - [OpenAI has 'no plans to leave' Europe due to regulations, CEO says](https://ans-pa.com/openai-has-no-plans-to-leave-europe-due-to-regulations-ceo-says/) - Days after OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the company might have to cease operations in Europe if the EU’s AI Act regulations passed in their current form, he has has seemingly rolled back on his comments.Despite recently telling US lawmakers he was in favor of regulating AI, when speaking to reporters in the UK earlier - [OpenAI’s ChatGPT app for iPad, iPhone hits 500K downloads](https://ans-pa.com/openais-chatgpt-app-for-ipad-iphone-hits-500k-downloads/) - OpenAI shipped its ChatGPT app for iPads and iPhones just a week ago, but it has already become one of the most popular applications in the last two years, with over half a million downloads in the first six days. That’s a real achievement, but also a challenge — that’s half a million potential data - [Microsoft seeks US agency for AI governance, lays out strategy](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-seeks-us-agency-for-ai-governance-lays-out-strategy/) - Microsoft has sought the formation of a new US agency to govern AI while expressing its concerns over the safety and security aspects of the latest technology and laid out a blueprint for public governance of AI.“We would benefit from a new agency. That is how we will ensure that humanity remains in control of - [The shadow IT fight — 2023 style](https://ans-pa.com/the-shadow-it-fight-2023-style/) - The heart of making strategic IT decisions relies on what is supposed to be an accurate and complete global data map, along with a similarly correct and comprehensive asset map. Sadly, no enterprise has that today and, to be candid, probably never did.There are always problems gaining full visibility today into anything IT-related, but as - [What we (think) we know about the Apple Reality headset](https://ans-pa.com/what-we-think-we-know-about-the-apple-reality-headset/) - Apple is expected to provide a first glance at the mixed-reality headset, or perhaps just the operating system that runs it, at WWDC 2023. The first big new product from the company in a while means interest in the new systems is likely to be high. What do we think we know?It’s an enterprise product (really) Apple is a - [How to enable Google's clever new Chrome Reading Mode right now](https://ans-pa.com/how-to-enable-googles-clever-new-chrome-reading-mode-right-now/) - Look, this is slightly awkward, but I'm not gonna sugarcoat it: Reading stuff on the web these days can be a pretty painful experience.You know what I'm talkin' about, right? (Insert awkward pause here.) On most modern websites, you're bombarded with an army of over-the-top pop-ups, promos, and other assorted ads every time you try - [Windows 11: A guide to the updates](https://ans-pa.com/windows-11-a-guide-to-the-updates-2/) - A Windows launch isn’t the end a process — it’s really just the beginning. As with Windows 10, Microsoft continually works on improving Windows 11 by fixing bugs, releasing security patches, and occasionally adding new features.In this story we summarize what you need to know about each update released to the public for the most - [Windows 10: A guide to the updates](https://ans-pa.com/windows-10-a-guide-to-the-updates/) - The launch of a major Windows 10 update isn’t the end of a process — it’s really just the beginning. As soon as one of Microsoft’s feature updates (such as Windows 10 version 22H2) is released, the company quickly gets to work on improving it by fixing bugs, releasing security patches, and occasionally adding new - [Addigy promises a fix for Apple devices stuck on OSUpdateScan](https://ans-pa.com/addigy-promises-a-fix-for-apple-devices-stuck-on-osupdatescan/) - Enterprise admins handling fleets of Macs take note: there's a new security management tool from Apple device management firm Addigy.The MDM Watchdog Utility monitors the MDM framework on devices and automatically forces software patches to be installed if they're not already in place. This is designed to help solve a specific problem in which some - [Microsoft advances mixed-reality plans with Teams avatars, Mesh update](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-advances-mixed-reality-plans-with-teams-avatars-mesh-update/) - Amid the numerous AI-related announcements at its Build developer conference this week, Microsoft also delivered updates on key aspects of its vision of a workplace “metaverse,” with the release of avatars for Teams and private previews of its Mesh mixed-reality tools.Microsoft unveiled its Mesh concept in 2021, promising a range of tools and features, including - [After China's Micron ban, US lawmakers urge sanctions on chips from CXMT](https://ans-pa.com/after-chinas-micron-ban-us-lawmakers-urge-sanctions-on-chips-from-cxmt/) - After the Chinese government said it was banning the use of some Micron chips due to security risks, US lawmakers lobby for a ban on one of its biggest Chinese competitors. - [OneNote vs. Evernote: A personal take on two great note-taking apps](https://ans-pa.com/onenote-vs-evernote-a-personal-take-on-two-great-note-taking-apps/) - What’s the king of the note-taking apps?There are two leading contenders for the crown: Microsoft’s OneNote and the independent Evernote. Launched in 2003, OneNote was added to the Microsoft Office suite (most versions of which are now called Microsoft 365) in 2007. OneNote is now also bundled with Windows 10 and 11 and offered for - [Microsoft’s M365 Copilot AI assistant gets third-party app integrations](https://ans-pa.com/microsofts-m365-copilot-ai-assistant-gets-third-party-app-integrations/) - Microsoft will let customers connect its Microsoft 365 Copilot to other applications via “plugin” integrations, effectively giving the generative AI assistant access to data from thousands of third-party software tools, the company announced today at its Build developer conference.The AI assistant, unveiled in March, uses OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4 large language model (LLM) to automate processes in - [Growing enterprise revenue boosts Zoom’s first-quarter growth](https://ans-pa.com/growing-enterprise-revenue-boosts-zooms-first-quarter-growth/) - Despite falling revenue from online sign-ups, videoconferencing company Zoom remains positive about its future outlook, posting a 5% year-on-year increase in total revenue for the three months to April 30.The company saw unprecedented levels of growth during the COVID-19 pandemic but since the end of global lockdown orders has sought to pivot to connect workers - [Adobe brings Generative AI to Photoshop](https://ans-pa.com/adobe-brings-generative-ai-to-photoshop/) - Adobe has thrown a grenade at the heart of the creative industries with the introduction of generative AI-driven features in the latest beta of its classic creative application, Photoshop.What is Generative Fill AI in Photoshop? Generative Fill lets users make major edits to images using text-based queries. Basically, you can tell Photoshop what you want, - [Microsoft 365 suffers another outage, its sixth this year](https://ans-pa.com/microsoft-365-suffers-another-outage-its-sixth-this-year/) - Microsoft 365 suffered another outage on Monday, preventing users from accessing Microsoft 365 apps.“We’re investigating an issue affecting access to https://msft.it/6016gbJ06 and Microsoft 365 apps,” the company said in a Tweet.Users reported that they were experiencing issues when accessing their Outlook mailboxes and were unable to connect to the Microsoft 365 servers.“We received reports that - [Google killer, killed: Neeva and the limits of privacy as a philosophy](https://ans-pa.com/google-killer-killed-neeva-and-the-limits-of-privacy-as-a-philosophy/) - Well, that was fast.Just under two years after splashing into the world with all sorts of provocative promises, a search startup that was set on convincing people to pay for a privacy-centric Google alternative is shutting its doors.Neeva, founded by a pair of former Google executives and the subject of intense fascination within the tech - [Ethics — what ethics? For Microsoft, it’s full speed ahead on AI](https://ans-pa.com/ethics-what-ethics-for-microsoft-its-full-speed-ahead-on-ai/) - Microsoft is all in on artificial intelligence (AI) for a very simple reason: it believes its lead in the technology will make it the tech world’s top dog again. Microsoft is far behind Google in search and browsers, but it believes AI can help it eat into that lead, or even make Microsoft dominant.The stakes - [G7 leaders warn of AI dangers, say the time to act is now](https://ans-pa.com/g7-leaders-warn-of-ai-dangers-say-the-time-to-act-is-now/) - Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) nations on Saturday called for the creation of technical standards to keep artificial intelligence (AI) in check, saying AI has outpaced oversight for safety and security.Meeting in Hiroshima, Japan, the leaders said nations must come together on a common vision and goal of trustworthy AI, even while those solutions - [Meta fined $1.3B for violating EU GDPR data transfer rules on privacy](https://ans-pa.com/meta-fined-1-3b-for-violating-eu-gdpr-data-transfer-rules-on-privacy/) - The Irish Data Protection Commission has levied a record-breaking fine against Facebook's parent company, Meta, for transferring data to the US without data privacy safeguards. - [Why Apple's iOS 16.6 upgrade will be talk of the town](https://ans-pa.com/why-apples-ios-16-6-upgrade-will-be-talk-of-the-town/) - Apple’s big developer event is approaching, and it looks as if the company will press home its message on privacy as it begins to seed support for the AR operating systems it’s now expected to announce there.Apple wants to get you updating As of now, the Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) starting June 5 seems set to - [China bans chip maker Micron from key infrastructure projects](https://ans-pa.com/china-bans-chip-maker-micron-from-key-infrastructure-projects/) - A network security review of Micron products sold in China has revealed that these products pose a significant security risk to the country’s key information infrastructure supply chain, according to the Cyberspace Affairs Commission of China.Micron is a US memory chip giant that produces computer memory and computer data storage including dynamic random-access memory, flash memory, - [The fax is still king in healthcare — and it’s not going away anytime soon](https://ans-pa.com/the-fax-is-still-king-in-healthcare-and-its-not-going-away-anytime-soon/) - The fax — that 1940s technology that exploded in the 1980s and operates by copying an image and transmitting it through squeaks and squawks over a phone line — is still used by a large majority of healthcare providers, insurance payers, and pharmacies.And it’s simply not going away anytime soon.As recently as 2019, seven in - [US Teenager Indicted for Credential Stuffing Attack on Fantasy Sports Website](https://ans-pa.com/us-teenager-indicted-for-credential-stuffing-attack-on-fantasy-sports-website-6/) - Wisconsin teen Joseph Garrison is charged with launching a credential stuffing attack that affected roughly 60,000 user accounts. The post US Teenager Indicted for Credential Stuffing Attack on Fantasy Sports Website appeared first on SecurityWeek. - [Apple bans employees from using ChatGPT. Should you?](https://ans-pa.com/apple-bans-employees-from-using-chatgpt-should-you/) - Reflecting warnings given earlier, Apple is now among the growing number of businesses banning employees from using OpenAI's ChatGPT and other similar cloud-based generative AI services in a bid to protect data confidentiality. The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple has also barred staff from using GitHub’s Copilot tool, which some developers use to help - [UK announces $1.2B chip strategy, faces criticism over funding size](https://ans-pa.com/uk-announces-1-2b-chip-strategy-faces-criticism-over-funding-size/) - Two years after the UK government promised it would introduce forward a national semiconductor strategy, a new policy paper outlines its efforts to make the UK an industry leader. - [Meta is working on its own chip, data center design for AI workloads](https://ans-pa.com/meta-is-working-on-its-own-chip-data-center-design-for-ai-workloads/) - The Facebook parent said that it is working on a new AI-optimized data center design and the second phase of its 16,000 GPU supercomputer for AI research. - [Three problems with generative AI have yet to be addressed](https://ans-pa.com/three-problems-with-generative-ai-have-yet-to-be-addressed/) - Generative AI continues to take the world by storm, but there are growing concerns this technology could, if not aggressively managed and regulated, do a great deal of harm. In addition to fears about the technology making decisions and doing things autonomously against our interests, other concerning aspects involve the related training sets.These training sets - [Researchers Identify Second Developer of ‘Golden Chickens’ Malware](https://ans-pa.com/researchers-identify-second-developer-of-golden-chickens-malware/) - Security researchers have identified the second developer of Golden Chickens, a malware suite used by financially-motivated hacking groups Cobalt Group and FIN6. The post Researchers Identify Second Developer of ‘Golden Chickens’ Malware appeared first on SecurityWeek. - [Safari alternatives: 12 smart iOS browser options](https://ans-pa.com/safari-alternatives-12-smart-ios-browser-options/) - Chances are your corporate IT policy dictates which browser you use on your laptop or desktop. On your iPhone, though, you may be free to choose a more exotic browser. We’ve rounded up a dozen Safari alternatives for iOS that may suit you better.Ever since the release of iOS 14 in 2020, Apple has allowed - [Cloudflare Unveils New Secrets Management Solution](https://ans-pa.com/cloudflare-unveils-new-secrets-management-solution/) - Cloudflare introduces Secrets Store, a new solution to help developers and organizations securely store and manage secrets. The post Cloudflare Unveils New Secrets Management Solution appeared first on SecurityWeek. - [Apple Patches 3 Exploited WebKit Zero-Day Vulnerabilities](https://ans-pa.com/apple-patches-3-exploited-webkit-zero-day-vulnerabilities/) - Apple has patched 3 zero-days, two of which are the vulnerabilities patched with the tech giant’s first Rapid Security Response updates. The post Apple Patches 3 Exploited WebKit Zero-Day Vulnerabilities appeared first on SecurityWeek. - [Supreme Court sides with Twitter, Google over tech platform liability](https://ans-pa.com/supreme-court-sides-with-twitter-google-over-tech-platform-liability/) - In a pair of highly anticipated rulings handed down Thursday, the US Supreme Court found that Google and Twitter could not be held liable under anti-terrorism laws for hosting content posted by terrorist groups. The decision was seen as a victory for the technology sector.In Twitter, Inc. v. Taamneh, Justice Clarence Thomas, writing for a - [Is Apple’s supply chain creaking?](https://ans-pa.com/is-apples-supply-chain-creaking/) - We’ve all heard a great deal concerning Apple’s work to build up new manufacturing bases outside China. We’ve also heard that some products have been delayed due to supply chain challenges; might these obstacles have begun to hit the company’s wider supply chain?Can Apple get the parts? While the first waves of the COVID-19 emergency - [Investors Make $6M Bet on Manifest for SBOM Management Technology](https://ans-pa.com/investors-make-6m-bet-on-manifest-for-sbom-management-technology/) - Manifest raises $6 million in seed funding to help businesses generate, collect, and manage software bill of materials (SBOMs). The post Investors Make $6M Bet on Manifest for SBOM Management Technology appeared first on SecurityWeek. - [Industrial Secure Remote Access Is Essential, but Firms Concerned About Risks](https://ans-pa.com/industrial-secure-remote-access-is-essential-but-firms-concerned-about-risks/) - Secure remote access is essential for industrial organizations, but many are concerned about the associated risks, a new study shows. The post Industrial Secure Remote Access Is Essential, but Firms Concerned About Risks appeared first on SecurityWeek. - [Triple Threat: Insecure Economy, Cybercrime Recruitment and Insider Threats](https://ans-pa.com/triple-threat-insecure-economy-cybercrime-recruitment-and-insider-threats/) - A wave of layoffs, coupled with increased recruitment efforts by cybercriminals, could create the perfect conditions for insider threats to flourish The post Triple Threat: Insecure Economy, Cybercrime Recruitment and Insider Threats appeared first on SecurityWeek. - [Google Announces New Rating System for Android and Device Vulnerability Reports](https://ans-pa.com/google-announces-new-rating-system-for-android-and-device-vulnerability-reports-2/) - Google is updating its vulnerability reports rating system to encourage researchers to provide more details on the reported bugs. The post Google Announces New Rating System for Android and Device Vulnerability Reports appeared first on SecurityWeek. - [PoC Tool Exploits Unpatched KeePass Vulnerability to Retrieve Master Passwords](https://ans-pa.com/poc-tool-exploits-unpatched-keepass-vulnerability-to-retrieve-master-passwords/) - Researcher publishes PoC tool that exploits unpatched KeePass vulnerability to retrieve the master password from memory. The post PoC Tool Exploits Unpatched KeePass Vulnerability to Retrieve Master Passwords appeared first on SecurityWeek. - [Micron to invest $3.6B for Japanese production of DRAM chips](https://ans-pa.com/micron-to-invest-3-6b-for-japanese-production-of-dram-chips/) - Chipmaker Micron Technologies plans to invest up to 500 billion yen ($3.6 billion) to bring extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) to Japan, making them the first company to bring this production method to the country.Extreme ultraviolet lithography (EVU) is used in the most advanced semiconductor device fabrication and Micron plans to use machines powered by this - [Do business Macs still need to run Windows?](https://ans-pa.com/do-business-macs-still-need-to-run-windows/) - In January 2006, Apple took an important step toward success in the business world — it began to transition the Mac onto Intel processors. In so doing, the company paved the way for Macs to natively run Windows and Windows applications. Initially this capability came via Apple’s dual-boot system, called Boot Camp, followed by Parallels - [15 Android settings that'll strengthen your security](https://ans-pa.com/15-android-settings-thatll-strengthen-your-security/) - You might not know it from all the panic-inducing headlines out there, but Android is actually packed with practical and powerful security options. Some are activated by default and protecting you whether you realize it or not, while others are more out of the way but equally deserving of your attention.So stop wasting your time - [Apple's Neural Engine and the generative AI game](https://ans-pa.com/apples-neural-engine-and-the-generative-ai-game/) - While Apple’s assistive technology announcements this week are important, the question that remains unaswered is just how much they rely on the company's powerful Neural Engine.The Neural Engine comprises a collection of specialized computational cores that exist on Apple Silicon chips. They're designed to execute machine/artificial intelligence functions quickly and with great efficiency because the action takes - [Access to Energy Sector ICS/OT Systems Offered on Hacker Forums](https://ans-pa.com/access-to-energy-sector-ics-ot-systems-offered-on-hacker-forums-17/) - Threat actors have been selling access to energy sector organizations, including ICS and other OT systems, according to a new report from Searchlight Cyber. The post Access to Energy Sector ICS/OT Systems Offered on Hacker Forums appeared first on SecurityWeek. - [Cognizant cuts 3,500 jobs in post-COVID, hybrid work restructuring plan](https://ans-pa.com/cognizant-cuts-3500-jobs-in-post-covid-hybrid-work-restructuring-plan/) - Technology services and consulting company Cognizant is set to lay off around 3,500 employees, approximately 1% of its global workforce, and reduce office space in an effort to cut costs.Despite the company reporting a 3% increase in net profit year-on-year, Cognizant was “carefully monitoring what remains an uncertain macroeconomic environment and with its potential for - [Slack GPT brings native generative AI to chat app](https://ans-pa.com/slack-gpt-brings-native-generative-ai-to-chat-app/) - Slack is working on new generative AI features that provide users with automated summaries of conversations and AI assisted writing natively within its collaboration app.Slack had already discussed plans to connect its popular software to large language models (LLMs) offered by third-parties, announcing an integration with OpenAI’s ChatGPT (currently in beta) in March, and Anthropic’s - [White House unveils AI rules to address safety and privacy](https://ans-pa.com/white-house-unveils-ai-rules-to-address-safety-and-privacy/) - The Biden administration today announced a new effort to address the risks around generative artificial intelligence (AI), which has been advancing at breakneck speeds and setting off alarm bells among industry experts.Vice President Kamala Harris and other administration officials are scheduled to meet today with the CEOs of Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, the creator of the popular ChatGPT - [Q&A: Google’s Geoffrey Hinton — humanity just a 'passing phase' in the evolution of intelligence](https://ans-pa.com/qa-googles-geoffrey-hinton-humanity-just-a-passing-phase-in-the-evolution-of-intelligence/) - Geoffrey Hinton, a professor and former Google engineering fellow, is known as “godfather of artificial intelligence" because of his contributions to the development of the technology. A cognitive psychologist and computer scientist, he pioneered work on developing artificial neural networks and deep learning techniques, such as back propagation — the algorithm that allows computers to learn. Hinton, - [StatCounter data confirms Apple's Mac renaissance](https://ans-pa.com/statcounter-data-confirms-apples-mac-renaissance/) - StatCounter's latest US desktop OS market share data tells a story full of change, tangible evidence that proves the continued ascendancy of the Mac platform and a continued slow decline in Windows market share.Depending on how you see it, it shows either a 14 percentage point or 5 percentage point decline in Windows share of the US desktop OS market - [Fraud Detection Startup Moonsense Raises $4.2 Million in Seed Funding](https://ans-pa.com/fraud-detection-startup-moonsense-raises-4-2-million-in-seed-funding-2/) - Fraud detection startup Moonsense has raised $4.2 million in a seed funding round co-led by Race Capital and XYZ Ventures. The post Fraud Detection Startup Moonsense Raises $4.2 Million in Seed Funding appeared first on SecurityWeek. - [Ransomware Attack Affects Dallas Police, Court Websites](https://ans-pa.com/ransomware-attack-affects-dallas-police-court-websites/) - Dallas was hit with a ransomware attack that brought down its Police Department and City Hall websites on May 3rd. The post Ransomware Attack Affects Dallas Police, Court Websites appeared first on SecurityWeek. - [Data center sustainability becoming the norm, not the exception](https://ans-pa.com/data-center-sustainability-becoming-the-norm-not-the-exception/) - Sustainability initiatives like maximizing IT equipment lifecycles, using renewable energy and more can help save money, improve the environment and insulate themselves against risk, according to Gartner report. - [AI deep fakes, mistakes, and biases may be unavoidable, but controllable](https://ans-pa.com/ai-deep-fakes-mistakes-and-biases-may-be-unavoidable-but-controllable/) - As generative AI developers such as ChatGPT, Dall-E2, and AlphaCode barrel ahead at a breakneck pace, keeping the technology from hallucinating and spewing erroneous or offensive responses is nearly impossible.Especially as AI tools get better by the day at mimicking natural language, it will soon be impossible to discern fake results from real ones, prompting - [Court Rules in Favor of Merck in $1.4 Billion Insurance Claim Over NotPetya Cyberattack](https://ans-pa.com/court-rules-in-favor-of-merck-in-1-4-billion-insurance-claim-over-notpetya-cyberattack-5/) - Court says insurers must pay Merck for losses related to the Russia-linked NotPetya cyberattack. The post Court Rules in Favor of Merck in $1.4 Billion Insurance Claim Over NotPetya Cyberattack appeared first on SecurityWeek. - [Apple, Google Propose Standard to Combat Misuse of Location-Tracking Devices](https://ans-pa.com/apple-google-propose-standard-to-combat-misuse-of-location-tracking-devices/) - Apple and Google propose new industry specification for Bluetooth location-tracking devices, to prevent unwanted tracking. The post Apple, Google Propose Standard to Combat Misuse of Location-Tracking Devices appeared first on SecurityWeek. - [Q&A: At MIT event, Tom Siebel sees ‘terrifying’ consequences from using AI](https://ans-pa.com/qa-at-mit-event-tom-siebel-sees-terrifying-consequences-from-using-ai/) - Speakers ranging from artificial intelligence (AI) developers to law firms grappled this week with questions about the efficacy and ethics of AI during MIT Technology Review's EmTech Digital conference. Among those who had a somewhat alarmist view of the technology (and regulatory efforts to rein it in) was Tom Siebel, CEO C3 AI and founder of - [Box adds generative AI capabilities through OpenAI partnership](https://ans-pa.com/box-adds-generative-ai-capabilities-through-openai-partnership/) - Box is getting set to launching Box AI, comprising generative AI models that will be natively integrated into the company's Content Cloud to help users surface information and generate new content faster.The new Box AI capabilities will be powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT API and at launch, will only be available inside the Box Content Cloud, - [Apple, Google team up to tackle Bluetooth tracker-stalking terror](https://ans-pa.com/apple-google-team-up-to-tackle-bluetooth-tracker-stalking-terror/) - The days when people can be abusively tracked using devices such as Apple's AirTags may be numbered; both Apple and Google today jointly announced work on a new standard that will prevent this from happening and hinted that Android users will soon be able to tell whether they’re being tracked by an AirTag.Got to stop tracker ## Pages - 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[Product Sales](https://ans-pa.com/services/product-sales/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off”][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title meta=”off” admin_label=”Title Banner” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”gcid-22f20126-7927-4d25-b019-0d5b6341f93e” title_font_size=”45px” background_color=”gcid-6568779f-78d6-4ee9-be56-c10a416a30fb” custom_padding=”50px||25px||false|false” title_text_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-22f20126-7927-4d25-b019-0d5b6341f93e%22:%91%22title_text_color%22%93,%22gcid-6568779f-78d6-4ee9-be56-c10a416a30fb%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Product Sales - [Business Application Support and Upgrades](https://ans-pa.com/services/business-app-upgrades/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off”][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title meta=”off” admin_label=”Title Banner” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”gcid-22f20126-7927-4d25-b019-0d5b6341f93e” title_font_size=”45px” background_color=”gcid-6568779f-78d6-4ee9-be56-c10a416a30fb” custom_padding=”50px||25px||false|false” title_text_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-22f20126-7927-4d25-b019-0d5b6341f93e%22:%91%22title_text_color%22%93,%22gcid-6568779f-78d6-4ee9-be56-c10a416a30fb%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ - [Network Security](https://ans-pa.com/services/security/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”Hero” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ background_image=”https://ans-pa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Threat-Slide.jpg” parallax=”on” custom_padding=”0px|0|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Threat Protection” subhead=”We keep your network and data safe!” text_orientation=”center” button_one_text=”Free Consultation” button_one_url=”https://ans-pa.com/consultation/” admin_label=”Fullwidth Header” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ title_font=”Share Tech||||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_font_size=”80px” title_line_height=”1.2em” content_font=”Open Sans||||||||” content_text_align=”center” content_font_size=”18px” content_line_height=”1.8em” subhead_font=”|600|||||||” subhead_font_size=”24px” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_direction=”140deg” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(0,72,114,0.9) 0%|rgba(41,17,96,0.8) 100%” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(0,72,114,0.9)” background_color_gradient_end=”rgba(41,17,96,0.8)” - [Cloud Services](https://ans-pa.com/services/cloud-services/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”Hero” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ background_image=”https://ans-pa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Cloud-Slide.jpg” parallax=”on” custom_padding=”0px|0|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Cloud Services” subhead=”Save local resources, work from any location or computer!” text_orientation=”center” button_one_text=”FREE Consultation” button_one_url=”https://ans-pa.com/consultation/” admin_label=”Fullwidth Header” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ title_font=”Share Tech||||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_font_size=”80px” title_line_height=”1.2em” content_font=”Open Sans||||||||” content_text_align=”center” content_font_size=”18px” content_line_height=”1.8em” subhead_font=”|600|||||||” subhead_font_size=”24px” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_direction=”140deg” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(0,72,114,0.9) 0%|rgba(41,17,96,0.8) 100%” - [Business Continuity](https://ans-pa.com/services/business-continuity/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”Hero” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ background_image=”https://ans-pa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/BizContSlider.jpg” custom_padding=”0px|0|0px|0px|false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Business Continuity” text_orientation=”center” button_one_text=”FREE Consultation” button_one_url=”https://ans-pa.com/consultation/” admin_label=”Fullwidth Header” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ title_font=”Share Tech||||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_font_size=”80px” title_line_height=”1.2em” content_font=”Open Sans||||||||” content_text_align=”center” content_font_size=”18px” content_line_height=”1.8em” subhead_font=”|600|||||||” subhead_font_size=”24px” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_direction=”140deg” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(0,72,114,0.9) 0%|rgba(41,17,96,0.8) 100%” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(0,72,114,0.9)” background_color_gradient_end=”rgba(41,17,96,0.8)” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”on” custom_button_one=”on” button_one_text_size=”15px” button_one_bg_color=”#d34e2a” button_one_border_width=”15px” button_one_border_color=”#d34e2a” button_one_border_radius=”100px” - [Managed Services](https://ans-pa.com/services/managed-services/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”Hero” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ background_image=”https://ans-pa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Computer-Focus-scaled.jpg” custom_padding=”0px|0|0px|0px|false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Managed Services” subhead=”Let our experts manage your network and equipment” text_orientation=”center” button_one_text=”FREE Consultation” button_one_url=”https://ans-pa.com/consultation/” admin_label=”Fullwidth Header” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ title_font=”Share Tech||||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_font_size=”80px” title_line_height=”1.2em” content_font=”Open Sans||||||||” content_text_align=”center” content_font_size=”18px” content_line_height=”1.8em” subhead_font=”|600|||||||” subhead_font_size=”24px” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_direction=”140deg” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(0,72,114,0.9) 0%|rgba(41,17,96,0.8) 100%” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(0,72,114,0.9)” background_color_gradient_end=”rgba(41,17,96,0.8)” - [Services](https://ans-pa.com/services/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”Hero” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_image=”https://ans-pa.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/it-services-04.jpg” parallax=”on” custom_padding=”0px|0|0px|0px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″ da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Our Services” subhead=”We support your business, not only your technology!” text_orientation=”center” button_one_text=”Consultation” button_one_url=”https://ans-pa.com/consultation/” button_two_text=”Contact Us” button_two_url=”https://ans-pa.com/contact/” admin_label=”Fullwidth Header” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ title_font=”Share Tech||||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_font_size=”80px” title_line_height=”1.2em” content_font=”Open Sans||||||||” content_text_align=”center” content_font_size=”18px” content_line_height=”1.8em” subhead_font=”|600|||||||” subhead_font_size=”24px” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_direction=”140deg” - [Consultation](https://ans-pa.com/consultation/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title meta=”off” admin_label=”Title Banner” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”gcid-22f20126-7927-4d25-b019-0d5b6341f93e” title_font_size=”45px” background_color=”gcid-6568779f-78d6-4ee9-be56-c10a416a30fb” custom_padding=”50px||25px||false|false” title_text_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-22f20126-7927-4d25-b019-0d5b6341f93e%22:%91%22title_text_color%22%93,%22gcid-6568779f-78d6-4ee9-be56-c10a416a30fb%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Form text” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ - [Contact Us](https://ans-pa.com/contact/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off”][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title meta=”off” admin_label=”Title Banner” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”gcid-22f20126-7927-4d25-b019-0d5b6341f93e” title_font_size=”45px” background_color=”gcid-6568779f-78d6-4ee9-be56-c10a416a30fb” custom_padding=”50px||25px||false|false” title_text_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-22f20126-7927-4d25-b019-0d5b6341f93e%22:%91%22title_text_color%22%93,%22gcid-6568779f-78d6-4ee9-be56-c10a416a30fb%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Form text” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ - [Support](https://ans-pa.com/support/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”Hero” _builder_version=”4.20.2″ background_image=”https://ans-pa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Help-Desk-Slide-1-1200×600-1.jpg” parallax=”on” custom_padding=”0px|0|0px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Support” subhead=”How can we help?” text_orientation=”center” button_one_text=”Client Portal” button_one_url=”https://alternativenetworksolutions.itclientportal.com/” button_two_text=”Contact Us” button_two_url=”https://ans-pa.com/contact/” admin_label=”Fullwidth Header” _builder_version=”4.24.3″ title_font=”Share Tech||||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_font_size=”80px” title_line_height=”1.2em” content_font=”Open Sans||||||||” content_text_align=”center” content_font_size=”18px” content_line_height=”1.8em” subhead_font=”|600|||||||” subhead_font_size=”24px” background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_direction=”140deg” background_color_gradient_stops=”rgba(0,72,114,0.9) 0%|rgba(41,17,96,0.8) 100%” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(0,72,114,0.9)” background_color_gradient_end=”rgba(41,17,96,0.8)” parallax=”on” parallax_method=”on” custom_button_one=”on” button_one_text_size=”15px” button_one_bg_color=”gcid-6568779f-78d6-4ee9-be56-c10a416a30fb” button_one_border_width=”15px” button_one_border_color=”gcid-6568779f-78d6-4ee9-be56-c10a416a30fb” button_one_border_radius=”100px” button_one_letter_spacing=”5px” button_one_font=”Open Sans|700||on|||||” - [Privacy](https://ans-pa.com/privacy/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title meta=”off” admin_label=”Title Banner” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”gcid-22f20126-7927-4d25-b019-0d5b6341f93e” title_font_size=”45px” background_color=”gcid-6568779f-78d6-4ee9-be56-c10a416a30fb” custom_padding=”50px||25px||false|false” title_text_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-22f20126-7927-4d25-b019-0d5b6341f93e%22:%91%22title_text_color%22%93,%22gcid-6568779f-78d6-4ee9-be56-c10a416a30fb%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Privacy Text” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]1. Terms By accessing this website, you are agreeing to be bound by thiswebsite Terms and Conditions of Use, all - [News](https://ans-pa.com/news/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title meta=”off” admin_label=”Title Banner” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”gcid-22f20126-7927-4d25-b019-0d5b6341f93e” title_font_size=”45px” background_color=”gcid-6568779f-78d6-4ee9-be56-c10a416a30fb” custom_padding=”50px||25px||false|false” title_text_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-22f20126-7927-4d25-b019-0d5b6341f93e%22:%91%22title_text_color%22%93,%22gcid-6568779f-78d6-4ee9-be56-c10a416a30fb%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blog fullwidth=”off” posts_number=”12″ include_categories=”all” show_author=”off” show_date=”off” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_blog][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section] - [Backup Prerequisites](https://ans-pa.com/services/backup/prerequisites/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title meta=”off” admin_label=”Title Banner” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”gcid-22f20126-7927-4d25-b019-0d5b6341f93e” title_font_size=”45px” background_color=”gcid-6568779f-78d6-4ee9-be56-c10a416a30fb” custom_padding=”50px||25px||false|false” title_text_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-22f20126-7927-4d25-b019-0d5b6341f93e%22:%91%22title_text_color%22%93,%22gcid-6568779f-78d6-4ee9-be56-c10a416a30fb%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”|||0px||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]In order to provide the most effective backups the below prerequisites need to be met when - [Vault NAS](https://ans-pa.com/services/vault-nas/) - Vault NAS is a scalable smart NAS that connects to our secure data center. This high-performance NAS provides automatic cloud synchronization and snapshots to protected the data stored on it. Available in sizes from 500GB to 24TB Vault NAS can fit into any environment. Some of the key features of this versatile solution include: Hot-swappable - [Remote Support](https://ans-pa.com/support/remote-support/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_post_title meta=”off” admin_label=”Title Banner” _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”gcid-22f20126-7927-4d25-b019-0d5b6341f93e” title_font_size=”45px” background_color=”gcid-6568779f-78d6-4ee9-be56-c10a416a30fb” custom_padding=”50px||20px||false|false” title_text_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-22f20126-7927-4d25-b019-0d5b6341f93e%22:%91%22title_text_color%22%93,%22gcid-6568779f-78d6-4ee9-be56-c10a416a30fb%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”][/et_pb_fullwidth_post_title][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section] ## Categories - [Tech Industry News](https://ans-pa.com/category/tech-news/) - Tech-related News