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OpenAI launches Atlas browser to compete with Google Chrome
TechXplore· 2025-10-21 20:09
Core Viewpoint - OpenAI is launching its own web browser, Atlas, to compete directly with Google, aiming to leverage its AI capabilities to attract more internet traffic and digital advertising revenue [3][4][5] Company Overview - OpenAI, known for its AI chatbot ChatGPT, has over 800 million users, many of whom use the service for free. The company is currently seeking ways to become profitable as it is losing more money than it makes [5] - The Atlas browser will initially be available on Apple laptops, with plans to expand to Windows, iOS, and Android platforms [5] Market Context - The launch of Atlas comes amid a competitive landscape where Google’s Chrome browser dominates with approximately 3 billion users. OpenAI's entry into the market is seen as a significant challenge against this established player [8] - OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, views this as a unique opportunity to innovate the browsing experience, suggesting that the traditional URL bar may be replaced by a chatbot interface [10][11] Competitive Landscape - The browser market has seen limited innovation since the introduction of tabs, and OpenAI aims to change that with features like "agent mode," which automates internet browsing based on user preferences [11] - Other smaller AI startups, such as Perplexity, are also entering the browser space, indicating a growing interest in AI-driven browsing solutions [10] User Behavior and Trends - A significant portion of the American population, about 60%, and 74% of those under 30, utilize AI for information searches, highlighting the increasing reliance on AI technology for online queries [12] - Google has been integrating AI-generated responses into its search results, which raises concerns about the accuracy of information provided by AI systems [13]
What caused Amazon Web Services to go down? An expert explains
TechXplore· 2025-10-21 15:14
Core Insights - A major outage at Amazon Web Services (AWS), the largest cloud service provider globally, affected over a thousand websites, highlighting the fragility of internet infrastructure [1][2][3] Company Overview - Amazon Web Services accounts for 30% of the cloud computing market and experienced latency and error rates at multiple data centers in Northern Virginia [3] - The outage was attributed to a Domain Name System (DNS) issue affecting the DynamoDB database, which is critical for many internet services [3][7] Industry Implications - The incident underscores the centralization of internet services, where a few cloud providers are relied upon heavily, leading to widespread disruptions when issues arise [2][3] - Downdetector reported over 6.5 million outage reports, indicating the scale of the impact on users and businesses [8] - Recovery from such outages can be complex, as fixing one issue may lead to new problems, creating a domino effect in interconnected systems [10][12]
Massive Amazon cloud outage has been resolved after disrupting internet use worldwide
TechXplore· 2025-10-21 07:05
Core Insights - Amazon's cloud computing service experienced a significant outage that disrupted various online services globally, including social media, gaming, and financial platforms, but the issue has been resolved as of Monday evening [1][3][21] Company Impact - The outage began early Monday morning and lasted for several hours, with Amazon Web Services (AWS) reporting recovery starting around 6 p.m. Eastern time [3][17] - AWS provides essential cloud infrastructure to major organizations, including government departments and educational institutions, highlighting the dependency on its services [3][18] - The outage affected Amazon's own services, including Ring doorbell cameras and Alexa devices, as well as educational platforms like Canvas, which is used by 50% of college and university students in North America [9][11] Industry Implications - The incident underscores the reliance of modern society on a few companies for internet infrastructure, making disruptions particularly impactful [2][18] - Over 11 million user reports were logged regarding issues across more than 2,500 companies, indicating the widespread nature of the outage [8] - Cybersecurity experts noted that such outages are typically resolved quickly and are not indicative of cyberattacks, but rather technical issues [21]
Internet services cut for hours by Amazon cloud outage
TechXplore· 2025-10-20 16:25
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: AWS handles nearly a third of the planet's cloud infrastructure market, powering millions of apps and websites around the world. Many popular internet services, from streaming platforms to messaging services and some banks, went offline for hours on Monday due to an outage in Amazon's crucial cloud network. The disruption affe ...
Amazon's holiday catalog brings back the joy of the toy store
TechXplore· 2025-10-20 14:04
Core Insights - The Amazon Holiday Kids Gift Book has become a modern wish book for children, reminiscent of traditional toy store experiences [1][4] - The catalog serves as a bridge between past and present shopping experiences, highlighting the enduring appeal of print in an online-dominated retail landscape [2][8] Company Initiatives - Amazon is reviving the concept of printed catalogs, which resonates with children who enjoy the tactile experience of holding a book and marking their desired toys [4][8] - Target has also released its own holiday catalog, indicating a trend among retailers to embrace print media during the holiday season [5] Industry Trends - Toys R Us is making a comeback after filing for bankruptcy in 2017, opening new stores and holiday shops to recreate nostalgic shopping experiences for consumers [6] - The resurgence of printed catalogs and brick-and-mortar toy stores suggests a shift in consumer preferences, valuing tangible experiences over purely digital interactions [8]
FAA allows Boeing to increase 737 Max production nearly two years after door plug flew off plane
TechXplore· 2025-10-18 09:12
Core Insights - The FAA has approved Boeing to increase its production of 737 Max airplanes from 38 to 42 jets per month after extensive safety reviews [4][5][6] - This decision follows a production cap imposed after a safety incident involving an Alaska Airlines jet, which highlighted ongoing safety concerns within Boeing [5][10] - Boeing has emphasized its commitment to safety and quality in production, stating that it will not increase production unless performance indicates a stable system [6][10] Production Increase - The monthly production limit for the 737 Max has been raised to 42 jets, reflecting Boeing's readiness to safely ramp up production [4] - The previous cap was set after a January 2024 incident, but Boeing had already reached the previous limit in the second quarter of the year [5] Safety Oversight - The FAA has stated that its oversight of Boeing's production processes will remain unchanged, continuing efforts to strengthen the company's safety culture [7] - Boeing's ability to conduct final safety inspections and certify 737 Max jetliners has been restored after being restricted for over six years [8] Regulatory Context - The FAA's decision comes after a series of alleged safety violations by Boeing, which resulted in fines totaling $3.1 million sought by the FAA [10] - Boeing's CEO has faced scrutiny from lawmakers regarding the balance between production targets and safety, reinforcing the company's focus on quality [9][10]
What Apple's new 5-year deal with Formula 1 means for US fans
TechXplore· 2025-10-17 16:40
Core Insights - Formula 1 has entered a five-year broadcasting agreement with Apple, making Apple the U.S. broadcast partner starting next season [3][6] - The deal follows ESPN's decision not to renew its contract after a successful partnership since 2018, during which F1's popularity surged in the U.S. [4][14] - Apple's involvement includes the promotion of F1 through various platforms, enhancing the sport's visibility and accessibility to a broader audience [9][11] Broadcasting and Content Strategy - Apple will air all F1 practice, qualifying, sprint sessions, and races on Apple TV, with select races and practice sessions available for free [10] - The partnership aims to leverage Apple's extensive reach, with Apple TV available in over 100 countries and regions on more than 1 billion devices [10] - Eddy Cue from Apple emphasized the goal of delivering engaging content and stories to enhance the viewer experience [6][7] Growth Potential and Market Impact - The collaboration is expected to attract new fans to F1 in the U.S., capitalizing on Apple's large viewer base [11][14] - Dan Towriss, CEO of TWG Motorsports, highlighted Apple's marketing and innovation as key factors in reaching American audiences [13] - F1 President Stefano Domenicali expressed optimism about maximizing growth potential in the U.S. through innovative distribution channels and engaging content [14]
Meta adds parental controls for AI-teen interactions
TechXplore· 2025-10-17 16:29
Core Points - Meta is introducing parental controls for children's interactions with AI chatbots, allowing parents to disable one-on-one chats entirely starting early next year [3][4] - The AI assistant will remain accessible to provide educational content, with age-appropriate protections in place for teens [4] - Parents will have the ability to block specific chatbots and receive insights into their children's interactions, although full chat access will not be provided [4][5] Industry Context - The changes are a response to ongoing criticism regarding the impact of Meta's platforms on children, particularly concerning AI chatbots linked to harmful outcomes [5][6] - A significant portion of teens, over 70%, have engaged with AI companions, with half using them regularly, indicating a strong market presence for AI interactions among youth [5] - Meta's announcement also includes restrictions on teen accounts on Instagram, limiting content to PG-13 standards, which will extend to AI chats as well [6][7] Reactions - Children's online advocacy groups have expressed skepticism regarding the effectiveness of these measures [6] - Observers suggest that these announcements may be aimed at preempting potential legislation and addressing parental concerns about content on Instagram [7]
India's Infosys raises bottom end of revenue outlook
TechXplore· 2025-10-16 17:09
Core Insights - Infosys raised its revenue forecast for the current fiscal year after reporting stronger-than-expected results for the July-September quarter [1] - The company is experiencing a slow revival in client spending despite facing challenges from global uncertainties and trade tensions [3][4] Financial Performance - Infosys reported a 13.19% year-on-year increase in net profit to 73.6 billion rupees ($837.7 million) for the July-September quarter, surpassing analyst expectations [4] - Revenue rose 8.5% year-on-year to 444.9 billion rupees, exceeding forecasts of 439.29 billion rupees [4] Revenue Outlook - The company now expects revenue growth of 2% to 3% on a constant-currency basis for the current financial year, up from the previous forecast of 1% to 3% [3][4] - Infosys continues to make strategic investments to ensure business resilience amid high uncertainty [5]
Canada fears for auto jobs after Stellantis announces US investment
TechXplore· 2025-10-16 10:00
Core Points - Stellantis is shifting production of the Jeep Compass from Brampton, Ontario, to Illinois, USA, which Canadian leaders claim threatens local jobs [3][4] - The company announced its largest investment in the US, amounting to $13 billion, aimed at creating 5,000 jobs in the Midwest [4] - The decision to move production is seen as a consequence of US tariffs and trade policies under President Trump, which have created uncertainty for Canadian autoworkers [6][9] Company Actions - Stellantis confirmed the relocation of the Jeep Compass model and stated its commitment to Canada, mentioning ongoing plans for the Brampton facility [10][11] - The company emphasized its long-standing presence in Canada, having been operational for over 100 years [10] Industry Context - The move is part of a broader trend where Canadian auto jobs are at risk due to US trade policies, with experts predicting a steady decline in auto assembly jobs in Canada [9] - Canadian leaders, including Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, are urging action to protect the auto sector and leverage trade negotiations to counteract job losses [5][6][9]