The tech industry is fast-paced and ever-changing. The rapid developments in just one week can be monumental for the industry’s future. With this said, we are here to break down the latest news to help you stay updated. This week has seen a lot of developments across various sectors, from the EU warning TikTok CEO about disinformation, an Amazon Fresh Store winning an unprecedented certification, the new Google Pixel 8 release, and more. So, let’s get started!
The EU Warns TikTok CEO About Hamas-Israel Disinformation
The European Commissioner for the Internal Market, Thierry Breton, sent a stern letter to TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, expressing concerns that TikTok is being used to spread disinformation and illegal content related to the Israel-Hamas war.
Breton emphasized TikTok’s responsibility and urged them to remove misinformation and violent content from the platform. Breton also sent similar letters to X owner Elon Musk and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg this week.
Under the EU’s new Digital Services Act, TikTok has to monitor and remove illegal content. Failure to do this results in fines of up to 6% of the company’s annual revenue. Breton demanded TikTok to enhance its efforts, engage law enforcement, and respond within 24 hours.
Amazon Fresh Store Wins World’s First Zero Carbon Certification
An Amazon Fresh store in North Seattle is the world’s first grocery store certified as Zero Carbon by an international nonprofit dedicated to promoting sustainable buildings.
A new building must employ low-carbon construction materials and operate with high energy efficiency to achieve this status. The project must also invest in offsets to counterbalance the carbon impacts of construction and contribute to the development of new renewable power either on or offsite from the building.
Spanning 35,000 square feet, the store has eco-friendly tech features such as a refrigeration system utilizing natural refrigerants, a kitchen and hot water heating system powered by electricity instead of natural gas, floors constructed with low-carbon concrete, and electric-vehicle charging stations for customers.
This environmentally conscious grocery store aligns with Amazon’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2040.
The New Google Pixel 8 Releases
After many months of leaks, Google released its highly anticipated Pixel 8 series on Oct. 12. The tech has updated designs, speedier processors, enhanced cameras, and AI software elements.
The Pixel 8 and 8 Pro is powered by the Tensor G3 chip. The Pro model has additional professional camera features like manual modes and zoom enhancement. However, the standout feature of the Pixel 8 series is the promise of seven years of software updates, setting a new standard for Android tech.
Microsoft Outlook Announces Upcoming AI Tools
Microsoft will extend its use of artificial intelligence in Outlook, potentially allowing AI to compose more company emails. The Microsoft 365 Copilot tool, known as an “everyday AI companion,” aids users in creating concise and error-free emails and shortening lengthy email threads for quick response suggestions.
Beginning Nov. 1, the new tech feature will first be accessible to more corporate clients, following extensive testing with major companies like Visa, General Motors, KPMG, and Lumen Technologies.
In addition to emails, Microsoft 365 users can utilize AI tech to summarize meetings, suggest follow-up actions, generate specific Excel charts, and transform Word documents into PowerPoint presentations.
Recent Reports Show Teens Stream YouTube More Than Netflix
In a recent survey by investment bank Piper Sandler, American teenagers revealed that they now spend more time watching videos on YouTube than on Netflix. This survey, conducted in September, included responses from over 9,000 teens across the U.S., averaging just under 16 years old.
According to the poll, teens spend 29.1% of their daily video viewing time on YouTube, surpassing Netflix for the first time, which accounted for 28.7% of their viewing time. The findings suggest YouTube’s improved content quality and the intensifying competition in the streaming market are making a difference.
