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Cryptocurrency

Bitcoin's Meteoric Rise: Soaring Past $118,000 Amidst Institutional Interest

Bitcoin has reached a new all-time high of $118,900, surpassing its previous record of $113,822. This surge marks a significant recovery from its low of around $76,000 in early April and nearly $49,000 last August. Analysts speculate that reaching $150,000 could trigger a buying frenzy. The rise is attributed to factors like President Trump's pro-crypto stance, which has attracted substantial institutional investment, driven by the expectation of cryptocurrencies playing a bigger role in finance. In March, Trump signed an executive order establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve.

Space Technology

Apolink Secures $4.3M to Revolutionize Satellite Connectivity

Apolink, a Y Combinator-backed space-tech startup, has raised $4.3 million in seed funding to establish a real-time connectivity network for LEO satellites. Founded by Onkar Singh Batra, the company addresses the issue of satellite downtime due to dead zones, offering 24/7 connectivity.

Apolink's solution involves a constellation of 32 satellites using lasers and radios to provide connectivity without requiring specific hardware on user satellites. The startup aims to launch its initial demo mission in Q2 2026 via SpaceX and plans to roll out its commercial constellation in 2028, with full deployment by 2029.

The company has already secured over $140 million in letters of intent from various sectors and is backed by investors including Y Combinator and 468 Capital. Apolink aims to offer nearly 99% uptime with low latency, positioning itself as a key player in the evolving space communications landscape.

Cryptocurrency

Bitcoin's Unprecedented Surge: New Heights Above $118,000

Bitcoin has reached a new all-time high of $118,900, surpassing its previous record of $113,822. This milestone signifies Bitcoin's strong resurgence from a low of around $76,000 in early April and a drop to nearly $49,000 last August. Some analysts speculate that reaching $150,000 could trigger a buying frenzy. Factors contributing to the surge include President Trump's pro-crypto stance and increased interest from institutional investors who anticipate a larger role for cryptocurrencies in the financial sector. In March, Trump signed an executive order establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve.

Data Security

McDonald's Job Applicant Data at Risk Due to Weak Chatbot Security

Security researchers discovered that the personal information of 64 million McDonald's job applicants was potentially exposed due to a weak password ("123456") on the company's AI job hiring chatbot, McHire.

Researchers Ian Carroll and Sam Curry identified this vulnerability, along with another in an internal API, during a brief security review. This allowed them to access past conversations between applicants and the chatbot, which is supplied by Paradox.ai.

The exposed data included names, email addresses, home addresses, and phone numbers. Paradox.ai claims to have resolved the issues within hours of the report and asserts that no candidate information was leaked online or made publicly available.

Space Technology

Apolink Secures $4.3M Seed Funding to Revolutionize LEO Satellite Connectivity

Apolink, a Y Combinator-backed space-tech startup, has raised $4.3 million in seed funding to establish a real-time connectivity network for satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). Founded by Onkar Singh Batra, the company aims to address the issue of satellite downtime caused by dead zones.

Apolink's solution involves a constellation of 32 satellites equipped with lasers and radios, ensuring 24/7 connectivity for LEO satellites. The company's technology is backward-compatible and doesn't require specific hardware on the user end.

Apolink plans to launch its initial demo mission in Q2 2026 via a SpaceX rideshare, with a commercial constellation rollout expected in 2028. The startup has already secured over $140 million in letters of intent from various companies.

The seed round was supported by investors including Y Combinator, 468 Capital, Unshackled Ventures, and several angel investors.

Wearable Technology

Samsung Eyes Expansion into Wearable Earrings and Necklaces

Samsung is considering expanding its wearable technology lineup beyond smartwatches and rings. The company is exploring new form factors like glasses, earrings, and necklaces to allow users to communicate and perform tasks without relying on their phones. Won-joon Choi, COO of Samsung’s mobile experience division, highlighted the company's interest in wearable devices that eliminate the need to carry a phone. Samsung is also reportedly collaborating with Google on smart glasses and developing advanced microdisplays for AR glasses.

Business and Technology

Recruit Holdings Cuts 1,300 Jobs at Indeed and Glassdoor Amid AI Integration

Recruit Holdings, parent company of Indeed and Glassdoor, is laying off approximately 1,300 employees as part of a restructuring plan.

The restructuring involves integrating Glassdoor's operations into Indeed and increasing the focus on using AI to streamline hiring processes.

The job cuts will primarily affect R&D, tech, HR, and sustainability divisions in the U.S., but will impact all functions across all countries.

Glassdoor's CEO, Christian Sutherland-Wong, is departing, as is LaFawn Davis, Indeed's chief people and sustainability officer.

The move aligns with a broader trend of tech companies cutting jobs and re-evaluating sustainability initiatives to invest in AI integration.

Technology

RealSense Embarks on Independent Journey to Advance 3D Perception Technology

RealSense, after 14 years under Intel, has spun out as an independent entity to further develop its stereoscopic imaging technology. The company's cameras combine images from different angles with infrared light to provide machines with enhanced depth perception. This technology is used in robots, drones, autonomous vehicles, and facial authentication systems.

CEO Nadav Orbach, formerly an Intel executive, highlighted the increasing demand for real-time, high-accuracy 3D understanding in various industries. RealSense has over 3,000 customers and has seen a surge in interest due to advancements in AI, including applications in robotics and other sectors like fish farming and restaurant automation.

The spinout was approved by former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, and RealSense has secured $50 million in Series A funding from Intel Capital and other investors. The company plans to use the funding to expand its team and improve its technology, with a focus on enhancing safety in human-robot interactions and improving access control.

Autonomous Vehicles

Tesla Seeks to Test Autonomous Vehicles in Arizona, Expanding Robotaxi Ambitions

Tesla has applied to test and operate autonomous vehicles in Arizona, aiming to expand its robotaxi service to the Phoenix Metro area. The company contacted the Arizona Department of Transportation to begin the certification process, expressing interest in both testing with and without a driver. A decision is expected by the end of the month. Tesla's move follows the launch of a limited robotaxi service in South Austin. The company is also seeking regulatory approvals to launch robotaxis in the Bay Area. Waymo, the Alphabet-owned autonomous vehicle company, already operates a driverless robotaxi service in the Phoenix Metro area and holds the necessary permits in Arizona and California.

Artificial Intelligence

Pat Gelsinger's Flourishing AI: A New Benchmark for Human-Aligned AI

Former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger has launched Flourishing AI (FAI), a benchmark in partnership with Gloo, to assess how well AI models align with human values.

FAI is based on The Global Flourishing Study, incorporating categories like Character and Virtue, Social Relationships, Happiness, Meaning and Purpose, Mental and Physical Health, and Financial Stability, with an added focus on Faith and Spirituality.

Gelsinger aims to ensure AI models support a flourishing humanity through this new benchmark, reflecting his lifelong involvement in faith tech.