Science and Technology

In a landmark ruling in Washington, Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google unlawfully exploited its dominant position in the Internet search market to strengthen its position and foster innovation, a development that could reshape the digital landscape while also crippling one of the world’s most recognizable companies. The ruling follows a broad legal case launched by the U.S. Department of Justice against Google nearly a year ago. The evidence was carefully examined over the course of a 10-week trial that included detailed testimony from senior executives at Google, Microsoft, and Apple. Three months after final presentations based on the Mayonnaise…

A US judge’s recent ruling that Google’s monopoly on online search and related advertising is illegal has sparked discussions about potential seismic changes in the tech industry. After a four-year journey to this crucial point, Google’s parent company Alphabet is expected to appeal, prolonging the legal process. The judge’s decision has raised questions about the ramifications, ranging from fines to more complex remedies. The U.S. government is pushing for “structural relief,” prompting speculation about what that might entail. One drastic measure could involve breaking Google into smaller entities, a move U.S. officials have not ruled out. While Google is synonymous…

TikTok, the popular short-form video app, has emerged as a crucial campaign tool for political figures like former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. The platform's appeal lies in its ability to effectively engage young voters, experts have noted. Trump, who has a sizable following on TikTok and his social network Truth Social, and Harris, who recently joined TikTok, are using the platform’s unique campaign style to connect with voters, particularly younger demographics. Through engaging content that includes popular music, editing techniques and celebrity collaborations, both candidates aim to present themselves as relevant and in touch with the…

Like the allure of vinyl records, classic video games, and even the early Internet, the fascination with old photographic standards like point-and-shoot cameras and 35-millimeter film endures, even among people too young to remember when that equipment was cutting edge. The allure of “vintage” photography extends beyond nostalgia and Instagram filters, judging by the number of apps designed to emulate the film, lenses, and visual quirks of pre-digital photos and films. Despite the irony of using a high-end smartphone camera to produce imperfect images that look oversaturated, shaky, low-contrast, unfiltered, or otherwise analog, going for a retro look can help…

Tech giants like Apple, Google, and Microsoft are racing to develop smartphones and computers powered by artificial intelligence (AI). These devices promise to make our lives easier by automating tasks like editing photos or scheduling meetings. But there’s a problem: They require a lot of data from us. More data, more convenience, less privacy? These new AI capabilities come at the cost of more data collection. Companies imagine Windows PCs taking screenshots every few seconds, iPhones stitching together data from multiple apps, and Android phones analyzing calls in real time to detect scams. That raises privacy concerns. To deliver personalized…

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Biden administration in a case involving social media, scoring a significant practical victory. The ruling rejected a Republican challenge that sought to prevent the government from communicating with social media platforms to combat misinformation. In a 6-3 decision, the Court found that the plaintiffs, including states and individuals, had not suffered direct harm that would have entitled them to sue. The decision leaves unresolved broader questions about the First Amendment’s limits on government influence over tech companies, which control much of the flow of information online. The case arose from the government’s…

Seventeen years ago, Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone, a revolutionary device that combined an iPod, a telephone, and an Internet browser in one. At $500, it was expensive, but its innovation justified the cost, despite some initial flaws. Fast forward to today, and my experience with Apple’s new $3,500 Vision Pro headset has been less than stellar. This ski-goggle-style virtual reality headset aims to merge the physical and digital worlds. Apple bills it as a “space computer” designed for work, entertainment, and play. Without an advance review unit from Apple, I purchased the Vision Pro myself. With essential add-ons like…

In Japan, engineers are working to create robots that can mimic human expressions, particularly smiles. They developed a face mask using human skin cells, which they attached to robots using a new technique that hides the bond and is flexible enough to form expressions such as a grimace or a slight smile. The look is a mix between the disturbing Hannibal Lecter mask and the claymation character Gumby. However, scientists believe that these prototypes could lead to more advanced robots. These robots would have a durable, elastic outer layer that protects the machine while making it more human-like. The “skin…

In May, CoreWeave, a provider of cloud computing services for AI companies, raised $1.1 billion, followed by $7.5 billion in debt, reaching a valuation of $19 billion. Scale AI, a data provider for AI companies, secured $1 billion, at a valuation of $13.8 billion. Additionally, xAI, founded by Elon Musk, raised $6 billion, reaching a valuation of $24 billion. According to Kyle Stanford, research analyst at PitchBook, these funding rounds have increased overall deal volume in the industry, both in terms of dollar amounts and number of deals. "It's not declining anymore," he said. "The bottom has already fallen out."…

Is your phone constantly warning you about low storage space? Do you find yourself endlessly scrolling to find a particular photo? Over time, our phones accumulate countless images, apps, and files that can clog up space. Here's how to effectively clean up your photo library and free up storage space using tools readily available on your device. Check your storage space First, assess how much space is left on your device and identify what is taking up space. For Android users, go to the Settings app and select Storage. On Samsung Galaxy devices, go to Settings, choose Device care or…