Simply Tech

Massive Data Breach at National Public Data, A16z’s Social Media Drama, Google’s Influencer Controversy, and Instagram’s Profile Grid Test

National Public Data admits it leaked Social Security numbers in a massive data breach. A16z offers social media tips after its founder's 'attack' tweet goes viral. Google threatened tech influencers unless they 'preferred' the Pixel. Instagram is testing vertical profile grids and knows that might mess up layouts. Stay informed about the latest tech news and controversies with 'Simply Tech' podcast.Sources:https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/16/24222112/data-breach-national-public-data-2-9-billion-ssnhttps://techcrunch.com/2024/08/16/a16z-offers-social-media-tips-after-its-founders-attack-tweet-goes-viral/https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/16/24221755/google-team-pixel-reviews-influencershttps://www.theverge.com/2024/8/16/24222022/instagram-vertical-profile-grids-mess-up-layoutsOutline:(00:00:00) Introduction(00:00:43) National Public Data admits it leaked Social Security numbers in a massive data breach(00:03:01) A16z offers social media tips after its founder’s ‘attack’ tweet goes viral(00:05:10) Google threatened tech influencers unless they ‘preferred’ the Pixel(00:07:39) Instagram is testing vertical profile grids — and knows that might mess up layouts

Google’s AI Image Generator Upgrade, Meta Axes CrowdTangle

Google releases an upgraded version of its AI text-to-image generator. Meta faces criticism for axing CrowdTangle and introducing a replacement with limited features. Plus, Geekbench introduces an AI benchmark tool, and Fortnite's next Marvel season features Doctor Doom and Disney crossovers. Tune in to Simply Tech for all the latest tech updates!Sources:https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/15/24221218/google-ai-image-generator-imagen-3-availablehttps://techcrunch.com/2024/08/15/meta-shut-down-crowdtangle-a-tool-for-tracking-disinformation-heres-how-its-replacement-compares/https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/15/24221382/geekbench-ai-benchmark-softwarehttps://www.theverge.com/2024/8/15/24221374/fortnite-marvel-absolute-doctor-doomOutline:(00:00:00) Introduction(00:00:40) Google’s upgraded AI image generator is now available(00:02:43) Meta axed CrowdTangle, a tool for tracking disinformation. Critics claim its replacement has just '1% of the features'(00:05:45) Geekbench has an AI benchmark now(00:08:22) Fortnite’s next Marvel season features a whole lot of Doctor Doom

High-end Racing Bikes Vulnerable to Hacking, Ex-Google CEO’s Controversial Remarks

High-end racing bikes are now vulnerable to hacking, posing a threat to major races. Former Google CEO's comments on AI startups and remote work spark debate. Plus, Acer honors Intel's warranty extension on crashing chips, ensuring customer satisfaction. Also, Binance restarts services in India after a seven-month regulatory halt.Sources:https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/14/24220390/bike-hack-wireless-gear-shiftershttps://www.theverge.com/2024/8/14/24220658/google-eric-schmidt-stanford-talk-ai-startups-openaihttps://www.theverge.com/2024/8/15/24220887/acer-will-honor-intels-warranty-extension-on-crashing-chips-meaning-everyones-finally-on-the-same-pahttps://techcrunch.com/2024/08/15/binance-restarts-services-in-india-after-seven-month-regulatory-halt/Outline:(00:00:00) Introduction(00:00:44) High-end racing bikes are now vulnerable to hacking(00:03:13) Ex-Google CEO says successful AI startups can steal IP and hire lawyers to ‘clean up the mess’(00:06:00) Acer will honor Intel’s warranty extension on crashing chips — meaning everyone’s finally on the same page.(00:08:25) Binance restarts services in India after seven-month regulatory halt

Zepto’s $5B Valuation in Quick Commerce, Valve Expands SteamOS Support

Zepto hits a $5 billion valuation as quick commerce heats up in India. Valve confirms support for the ROG Ally with its Steam Deck operating system. Plus, Hollywood stars acquire rights to a screenplay about Peter Thiel's Gawker takedown. Also, xAI's Grok introduces image generation on X, raising concerns about potential misuse.Sources:https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/13/zepto-hits-5b-valuation-as-quick-commerce-heats-up-in-india/https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/13/24219469/valve-steamos-asus-rog-ally-steady-progress-dual-boothttps://techcrunch.com/2024/08/13/thiels-gawker-takedown-could-be-coming-to-a-theater-near-you/https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/13/xais-grok-can-now-generate-images-on-x/Outline:(00:00:00) Introduction(00:00:41) Zepto hits $5B valuation as quick commerce heats up in India(00:03:04) Valve confirms it'll support the ROG Ally with its Steam Deck operating system(00:05:47) Thiel's Gawker takedown could be coming to a theater near you(00:08:29) xAI's Grok can now generate images on X

Elon Musk Defends Oil and Gas Industry, Google Wallet Introduces Game-Changing Feature

Elon Musk surprises by defending the oil and gas industry. Google Wallet revolutionizes digital passes with a new AI-powered feature. Plus, Google begins shipping locally made Pixel 8 in India, and Antler doubles down on Southeast Asia with a $72M startup fund.Sources:https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/12/24219183/elon-musk-donald-trump-oil-gas-vilify-tesla-x-interviewhttps://www.theverge.com/2024/8/12/24218932/google-wallet-photo-everything-else-id-ticket-aihttps://techcrunch.com/2024/08/12/google-begins-shipping-locally-made-pixel-8-in-india-ahead-of-pixel-9-launch/https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/12/antler-closes-72m-second-sea-fund-to-ramp-up-startup-investment-in-southeast-asia/Outline:(00:00:00) Introduction(00:00:43) Elon Musk tells Donald Trump ‘we shouldn’t vilify the oil and gas industry’(00:02:58) Google Wallet can make digital passes for nearly anything now(00:05:44) Google begins shipping locally made Pixel 8 in India ahead of Pixel 9 launch(00:09:32) Antler doubles down on Southeast Asia with $72M second startup fund

EV Charging Startup Expands to Southeast Asia, Scott Painter Launches New Vehicle Software Company

India's Kazam powers up to roll out EV charging in Southeast Asia. Exclusive: Scott Painter sells a beach house to start a new vehicle software company. Plus, open source tools to boost productivity and CNH's 'black belt' M&A head makes deals in the agtech industry.Sources:https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/11/indias-kazam-powers-up-to-roll-out-ev-charging-in-southeast-asia/https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/11/scott-painter-autonomy-ads-vehicle-subscription-softwar/https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/11/a-not-quite-definitive-guide-to-open-source-alternative-software/https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/11/how-cnhs-black-belt-ma-head-makes-deals/Outline:(00:00:00) Introduction(00:00:39) India's Kazam powers up to roll out EV charging in Southeast Asia(00:03:25) Exclusive: Why Scott Painter is selling a beach house to start a new vehicle software company(00:05:49) Open source tools to boost your productivity(00:09:00) How CNH’s 'black belt' M&A head makes deals

Amazon’s Alexa Challenges and Signal Blockages in Venezuela and Russia

As Alexa turns 10, Amazon looks to generative AI while facing challenges with its smart speaker. Signal has been blocked in Venezuela and Russia, raising concerns about government censorship. Plus, step back in time with the Virtual Boy emulator and explore Tesla's Dojo supercomputer timeline for autonomous driving.Sources:https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/10/as-alexa-turns-10-amazon-looks-to-generative-ai/https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/9/24217008/signal-blocked-venezuela-russiahttps://www.theverge.com/2024/8/10/24217643/vision-pro-nintendo-virtual-boy-emulator-virtualfriend-impressionshttps://techcrunch.com/2024/08/10/teslas-dojo-a-timeline/Outline:(00:00:00) Introduction(00:00:39) As Alexa turns 10, Amazon looks to generative AI(00:04:17) Signal has been blocked by Venezuela and Russia(00:06:32) This Vision Pro Virtual Boy emulator isn’t fancy, but it gets the job done(00:09:53) Tesla’s Dojo, a timeline

Doom and Doom II Re-Released with Exciting Updates, Google Photos Introduces Collections

Doom and Doom II get a 'definitive' re-release packed with new features, including a brand-new single-player episode and online cross-platform multiplayer. Google Photos introduces Collections, making it easier to find and organize your albums. Plus, Rocket Lab achieves major revenue milestone and Asus Zenbook S 16 offers stellar performance in a sleek design.Sources:https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/8/24216379/doom-doom-ii-definitive-re-releasehttps://www.theverge.com/2024/8/9/24216637/google-photos-collections-library-update-ios-androidhttps://techcrunch.com/2024/08/08/rocket-labs-sunny-outlook-bodes-well-for-future-constellation-plans/https://www.theverge.com/24215430/zenbook-s-16-2024-review-amd-ryzen-ai-laptopOutline:(00:00:00) Introduction(00:00:39) Doom and Doom II get a ‘definitive’ re-release that’s packed with new stuff(00:02:35) Google Photos’ Library is dead — say hello to Collections(00:05:15) Rocket Lab’s sunny outlook bodes well for future constellation plans(00:08:33) Asus Zenbook S 16 review: a stellar, all-rounder of a laptop

Rocket Lab’s Rapid Growth and Ambitious Plans, Doom and Doom II Re-Released with Exciting Updates

Rocket Lab achieves $100 million in quarterly revenue and plans to establish its own satellite constellation. Bethesda surprises gamers with a re-release of Doom and Doom II packed with new features. Plus, security bugs in ransomware leak sites save six companies from paying hefty ransoms, and OpenAI's ChatGPT now allows free users to generate up to two images per day using DALL-E 3.Sources:https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/08/rocket-labs-sunny-outlook-bodes-well-for-future-constellation-plans/https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/8/24216379/doom-doom-ii-definitive-re-releasehttps://techcrunch.com/2024/08/08/security-bugs-in-ransomware-leak-sites-helped-save-six-companies-from-paying-hefty-ransoms/https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/8/24216348/chatgpt-free-users-dall-e-3-imagesOutline:(00:00:00) Introduction(00:00:41) Rocket Lab’s sunny outlook bodes well for future constellation plans(00:03:44) Doom and Doom II get a ‘definitive’ re-release that’s packed with new stuff(00:06:56) Security bugs in ransomware leak sites helped save six companies from paying hefty ransoms(00:10:00) ChatGPT now lets free users generate up to two images per day made by DALL-E 3

Anduril Raises $1.5B, Blue Skies Space Revolutionizes Astronomy Data, YouTube Tests New Content Creation Feature, Kamala Harris’ VC Supporters Raise Funds

Defense tech startup Anduril raises $1.5B at a $14B valuation. UK satellite startup Blue Skies Space offers astronomy data 'as a service'. YouTube tests a feature for creators to brainstorm video ideas. Kamala Harris' VC supporters raise $150,000 on a Zoom call. Discover the latest developments in defense technology, space research, content creation, and political fundraising in this episode.Sources:https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/07/anduril-raises-1-5b-to-hyper-scale-defense-production/https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/07/uk-satellite-startup-blue-skies-space-wants-to-sell-astronomy-data-as-a-service/https://techcrunch.com/2024/08/07/youtube-is-testing-a-feature-that-lets-creators-use-google-gemini-to-brainstorm-video-ideas/https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/7/24215669/vcs-for-kamala-harris-zoom-callOutline:(00:00:00) Introduction(00:00:42) Anduril raises $1.5B at a $14B valuation(00:03:48) UK satellite startup Blue Skies Space wants to sell astronomy data 'as a service'(00:06:32) EXCLUSIVE: YouTube is testing a feature that lets creators use Google Gemini to brainstorm video ideas(00:09:35) Kamala Harris’ VC supporters raise $150,000 on a Zoom call