Quick Task - Home

Entertainment

Cord-Cutting Crisis: YouTube TV and Disney Standoff Leaves 'Jeopardy!' Fans in the Dark

YouTube TV and Disney are locked in a dispute over streaming deals, leaving YouTube TV subscribers without access to Disney-owned networks like ABC and ESPN. This blackout has affected millions, with sports fans and 'Jeopardy!' viewers feeling the impact. YouTube TV is offering a $20 credit to subscribers, but some argue it's not enough compared to past disputes. Disney is estimated to lose millions due to the standoff, while YouTube TV claims Disney's demands would raise prices for customers.

The dispute centers on fair rates for Disney's channels, with Disney potentially gaining revenue from its new ESPN Unlimited subscription. The author humorously laments the inability to watch 'Jeopardy!' and hopes for a resolution to the blackout.

Government & Policy

States' Data Sharing with ICE Sparks Concern Among Lawmakers

Democratic lawmakers have cautioned governors in Arizona, California, Colorado, and Wisconsin about the inadvertent sharing of drivers’ data with federal immigration authorities, specifically U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), through the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (Nlets).

Nlets facilitates the sharing of state residents’ personal data between state, local, and federal police agencies. Lawmakers are urging governors to block ICE's access to this data, citing concerns about potential abuse and the use of drivers’ license photos for facial recognition purposes.

Some states like Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Washington have already restricted ICE's access via Nlets, highlighting the potential for states to control data sharing practices.

Artificial Intelligence

Hero's Autocomplete SDK Streamlines AI Prompts for Developers

Hero, a productivity startup, has launched an invite-only autocomplete SDK designed to simplify AI prompt creation for developers. This SDK anticipates and populates prompt fields based on context, reducing the back-and-forth needed with AI apps.

The SDK can be used to easily create a tune. With AI autocomplete, you pull forward all the inputs needed to complete an action, finishing it 10 times faster as there are fewer back-and-forths involved. This unlocks a whole new set of use cases ranging from travel to commerce, and ads to customer support,” Kowalk said.

Hero, founded by ex-Meta employees, raised $4 million in seed funding last year and has secured an additional $3 million. The company plans to release the autocomplete feature in its app and is exploring AI-powered ads with Koah Labs.

Robotics

Bio-Inspired Robotics: Bat-Like Drones for Search and Rescue

Nitin J. Sanket from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is developing small, agile flying robots inspired by bats for search and rescue missions. These robots, equipped with ultrasound sensors and AI-powered software, can navigate challenging environments and detect obstacles within a two-meter radius. The project aims to replace human search and rescue teams in dangerous conditions. Sanket's research draws inspiration from biology, particularly how insects and birds achieve remarkable feats of flight with limited resources. The team overcame challenges related to sensor noise by mimicking the sound modulation techniques used by bats. Currently, they are focused on improving the robots' speed and navigation capabilities.

INVALID

AI data startup WisdomAI has raised another $50M, led by Kleiner, Nvidia

Space Exploration

Solar Storms Ground Blue Origin's New Glenn Rocket Launch

Blue Origin has postponed the second launch of its New Glenn mega-rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, due to intense solar activity.

The delay is attributed to the potential impact of solar storms on the ESCAPADE spacecraft, a NASA science mission to Mars being carried by the rocket.

This launch was initially scheduled for Wednesday but has been pushed back without a new date announced.

The first launch of New Glenn occurred in January and was primarily a demonstration mission.

Recent attempts to launch were also hindered by weather concerns, a cruise ship obstructing the flight path, and issues with launchpad equipment.

AI and 3D Modeling

Marble: World Labs Launches AI-Powered 3D World Generator

World Labs, founded by Fei-Fei Li, has launched Marble, its first commercial world model product. Marble allows users to generate editable, downloadable 3D environments from text prompts, photos, videos, 3D layouts, or panoramas.

Marble creates persistent 3D environments that can be exported as Gaussian splats, meshes, or videos. It features AI-native editing tools and a hybrid 3D editor for spatial structure blocking.

Key features include flexibility in input (multiple images/videos), Chisel (a 3D editor for decoupling structure from style), and the ability to expand generated worlds. It is available in four subscription tiers, including a free tier.

Marble's potential use cases include gaming, VFX, and virtual reality, with future applications in robotics and spatial intelligence.

Cybersecurity

Australia on High Alert: Chinese Hackers Target Critical Infrastructure

Australia's intelligence head, Mike Burgess, has revealed that China-backed hackers are actively probing the country's critical infrastructure, with some already gaining access. These hacking groups, supported by the Chinese government, are positioning themselves for potential sabotage and espionage activities.

Burgess specifically mentioned Volt Typhoon, a hacking group attempting to infiltrate vital networks like power, water, and transportation systems. Successful breaches could lead to widespread outages and disruptions in essential services.

Another group, Salt Typhoon, known for targeting phone and internet companies to steal sensitive data, is also focused on Australia's telecoms infrastructure. This group has a history of hacking over 200 companies, including major US providers.

The warnings echo similar concerns raised by the U.S. government, highlighting the potential for economic and societal disruption due to these ongoing hacking campaigns. The situation underscores the need for heightened vigilance and cybersecurity measures to protect critical infrastructure.

Automotive Technology

Teradar's Innovative Terahertz Sensor Secures $150M Funding to Revolutionize Automotive Safety and Self-Driving Tech

Teradar, a Boston-based startup, has secured $150 million in Series B funding for its innovative solid-state sensor that utilizes the terahertz band of the electromagnetic spectrum. This sensor combines the benefits of radar and lidar, offering high resolution and the ability to function in adverse weather conditions.

The funding round was led by Capricorn Investment Group, with participation from Lockheed Martin's venture arm, IBEX Investors, and VXI Capital. Teradar is collaborating with five major automakers in the U.S. and Europe, aiming to integrate its sensors into 2028 vehicle models.

The company's primary focus is on automotive applications, particularly advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and self-driving technology. Teradar's sensor offers a cost-effective alternative to lidar, making it accessible for a wider range of vehicles. The technology was inspired by a car crash where existing sensors failed due to glare and fog.

Teradar's co-founders, Matt Carey and Gregory Charvat, started the company in 2021, with initial support from MIT's The Engine incubator. While previous attempts to commercialize terahertz technology have been limited to industrial and security sectors, Teradar aims to leverage recent advancements in silicon technology and a team of experts to transform automotive sensing.

Technology

Figma Focuses on India for Growth, Targeting Developers

Figma is expanding its presence in India with a new local office and increased hiring, aiming to strengthen ties with its extensive user base and attract more developers. While already popular among designers, Figma wants to be seen as a comprehensive platform for end-to-end product creation by the large Indian developer community.

The company's Bengaluru office will focus on sales and marketing. Figma reports significant usage in India, with 85% of overall usage being international, making India its second-largest user base after the U.S. Indian users have influenced product development, leading to improved code-export options for higher-quality code.

Figma's user base in India includes startups like CRED, Groww, and Zomato, as well as major IT services and consumer companies.