Last Week's Tech Highlights
Trump’s Cryptocurrency Shakes the Market: $25 Billion Gain in 24 Hours
President Donald Trump launched his cryptocurrency, $TRUMP, generating $25 billion in value within 24 hours. The coin surged 600% on its first day, reaching $32 per unit and achieving a market cap of over $32 billion. Managed by CIC Digital, a Trump Organization subsidiary, 80% of the coins are locked under a three-year vesting schedule. Trump announced the project at a "Crypto Gala," marking the first officially endorsed Trump coin.
TikTok Banned in the U.S.: Apple and Google Remove App
After the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a ban on TikTok, Apple and Google removed the app from their stores, and TikTok ceased operations in the U.S. The ruling, under the "Protecting Apps Controlled by Foreign Adversaries Act," forced ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a mandatory shutdown. Lemon8, another ByteDance app, was also restricted. TikTok CEO Shou Chew criticized the ban as a blow to free speech, while President Trump expressed a desire to find a resolution.
China’s Revolutionary Iron-Making Method: 3,600x Faster
Chinese researchers have developed "flash iron-making," a groundbreaking method that produces liquid iron in 3-6 seconds, revolutionizing traditional processes that take hours. This innovation increases energy efficiency by over 30%, eliminates coal use, and significantly reduces carbon emissions, aligning with China's environmental goals. The process uses explosive chemical reactions in a high-temperature furnace and works effectively with low-grade ore.
Black Panther 2.0: Robotic Dog Outruns Human Athletes
Chinese researchers unveiled "Black Panther 2.0," a robotic dog capable of running 100 meters in under 10 seconds. Weighing 38 kg and powered by AI motion optimization, it achieves unmatched coordination and speed using biomimetic designs such as springy leg joints and carbon-fiber shins. The robot clocked a record 9.87 seconds, beating its predecessor but still shy of Usain Bolt’s 9.58-second world record.
OpenAI’s Model “o1” Baffles Researchers by Thinking in Chinese
OpenAI’s "o1" model unexpectedly processes some problems in Chinese or other languages, despite delivering final answers in English. Researchers attribute this to training data, with some suggesting efficiency-driven language shifts or computational "hallucinations." OpenAI is investigating why languages like Hindi and Thai occasionally emerge during reasoning tasks.
Light-Powered Processor Breakthrough for AI
MIT researchers have developed a photonic processor capable of completing deep learning tasks using light instead of electricity. This processor achieves ultra-fast performance while minimizing energy consumption, excelling in lidar, telecommunications, and scientific research. It handles matrix multiplications in under a nanosecond with over 92% accuracy, offering scalable designs for industrial applications.
Microsoft Raises Office Subscription Prices by 30%
Microsoft has increased Office subscription prices by up to 30%, citing the integration of AI tools like document analysis and text generation. Family plans now cost $130 annually, while individual plans are priced at $100. Despite mixed reactions and competition from alternatives like Google Docs, Microsoft offers a budget-friendly "Microsoft 365 Classic" option.
New York Proposes Background Checks for 3D Printer Buyers
New York is drafting a bill to require criminal background checks for 3D printer purchases, targeting the production of ghost guns. The bill mandates a 15-day review process, similar to handgun purchases. Critics question the law’s enforceability and impact on personal freedoms, while proponents highlight a 1,000% increase in ghost gun-related crimes as justification.
Colossal Raises $200M to Resurrect Extinct Species
Biotech firm Colossal secured $200 million in funding to advance projects aimed at reviving extinct species like the woolly mammoth, dodo, and thylacine. With $435 million raised to date, the company plans to enhance genetic engineering tools while contributing to biodiversity conservation.
AI Scammers Pretend to Be Brad Pitt, Con Woman Loses $850K
A French interior designer fell victim to an AI scam in which fraudsters impersonated Brad Pitt, manipulating photos and sending fake romantic messages. The victim lost $850,000, believing the money was for Pitt’s "cancer treatment." Pitt’s representatives confirmed he has no social media accounts, warning against similar scams.
SpaceX and T-Mobile Provide Satellite Connection During LA Wildfires
SpaceX and T-Mobile activated satellite-based Starlink connectivity for areas affected by Los Angeles wildfires, enabling evacuation alerts and emergency messaging. T-Mobile offers free access to its customers, while SpaceX provides free Starlink dishes for those in need. The technology has proven effective in past disaster relief efforts.
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Tetris in a 60KB PDF Works on Any Browser
Security analyst Thomas Rinsma created "Pdftris," a Tetris game compressed into a 60KB PDF file. Using JavaScript and ASCII coding, the minimalist game operates in any browser. The project showcases PDF's untapped potential and is available as open-source on GitHub.
New PayPal Phishing Campaign Uses Genuine Links
Fortinet uncovered a phishing campaign targeting PayPal users by sending legitimate-looking payment requests. Victims are redirected to real PayPal login pages, where attackers gain access to accounts. Fortinet advises users to scrutinize emails and train employees to recognize such threats.
Chinese Hackers Target U.S. Treasury’s CFIUS Division
The Chinese hacker group Silk Typhoon breached the U.S. Treasury’s CFIUS division using stolen keys from BeyondTrust software. The attack highlights growing cyber tensions between the U.S. and China, with the hackers potentially planting malware for future disruptions.
Netgear Unveils Wi-Fi 7 Mesh System with 21Gbps Speed
Netgear’s Orbi 870 mesh system, revealed at CES 2025, supports Wi-Fi 7 with speeds up to 21Gbps. Priced at $1,299 for a three-unit system, it offers 10GbE WAN and 2.5GbE LAN ports, enhanced wireless backhaul, and security features like VPN and ad blocking.
AI Agents Could Surpass Humans as Primary Application Users
A report by Accenture predicts that by 2030, AI agents will become the primary users of corporate digital systems. By 2032, users may spend more time interacting with AI agents than traditional applications. CTO Karthik Narain describes this shift as the "Binary Big Bang," highlighting AI’s ability to eliminate language barriers and dynamically adapt to users' needs. However, the complexity and cost of these systems necessitate robust monitoring and trust mechanisms for successful adoption.
Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed’s $1.5 Trillion AI Strategy
UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed aims to transform Abu Dhabi into an AI superpower through G42, a leading technology company. Moving away from Huawei, Tahnoun secured a $1.5 billion partnership with Microsoft to access Nvidia chips. While praised for advancing AI, critics warn of potential data-sharing risks with China and highlight concerns about UAE’s authoritarian governance model.
FBI Remotely Deletes Chinese Malware from U.S. Computers
The FBI, in collaboration with French authorities, successfully removed the PlugX malware from 4,258 U.S. computers. Developed by the Chinese-linked Mustang Panda group, PlugX targeted government agencies, businesses, and dissident groups since 2014. Using a "self-delete" command, the FBI ensured legitimate files remained unaffected, marking a significant victory against global cyber threats.
India Pushes Caller Name Display to Combat Spam Calls
India's Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has urged telecom operators to implement Caller Name Presentation (CNAP) technology to reduce spam and fraud. While the feature is in testing phases, it is expected to exclude 2G users due to technological limitations. Operators face challenges in balancing privacy concerns with the system’s rollout.
Apple Loses Smartphone Leadership in China
Apple’s annual smartphone sales in China fell by 17% in 2024, dropping the company to third place behind Vivo and Huawei. Despite price cuts for iPhone 16 models, local brands gained market share with advanced features and competitive pricing. Huawei’s use of domestic chips further solidified its position in the market.
TikTok Ban Drives Duolingo Chinese Learning Surge
Following the TikTok ban in the U.S., Duolingo reported a 216% increase in users learning Chinese. Many Americans are migrating to China-based social media platform RedNote, which has a Mandarin default setting, spurring interest in language learning. Duolingo downloads rose 36%, highlighting a growing curiosity about Chinese culture despite geopolitical tensions.