TECHSWU # 6-7

Tech Stuff We Use

Volatus Infrastructure & Energy Solutions has announced the addition of Cody Ross, CEO of /slingshotVR, to its board of directors. 🎉 Ross brings extensive experience in the sports, media, and technology industries, and will provide insights and guidance to the company in these sectors.

Sheena Banker, CMO of VI&E Solutions, praised Ross for his track record of accomplishments and commitment to excellence, calling him a "testament to the power of dedication, leadership, and entrepreneurial vision." Ross has a proven ability to drive business development, secure licensing agreements, and foster partnerships that propel organizations to new heights.

As the CEO of SlingshotVR, he has led the company's growth by closing significant capital investments, managing finances, and implementing a robust business strategy. Ross has also established SlingshotVR as an industry leader in immersive sports training and rehabilitation through partnerships with championship organizations in the NBA and top-tier athletes.

Cloud migration is having a significant impact on modern network security, according to a survey conducted by CyberRisk Alliance (CRA). The survey found that 93% of respondents had migrated some of their workloads to the cloud in the past year, with 42% stating that more than half of their workloads were cloud-based.

However, securing a cloud-based network or a hybrid network with both cloud and on-premises elements presents new challenges. Security tools and personnel must now follow each asset, data set, and user individually in order to create adequate protections.

Misconfigurations are among the top risks facing cloud users, with 33% of organizations finding it challenging to identify and correct misconfigurations before they are exploited. Despite these challenges, the survey found that fewer than half of respondents used cloud-native security monitoring tools, indicating a need for increased awareness and adoption of these tools.

Overall, the opportunities and benefits of cloud computing are clear, but organizations must invest in proper security measures to protect their assets in the cloud.

🌐 The Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionizing our world, connecting devices and creating a web of smart technology that was once only seen in science fiction. From smart homes to industrial automation, the IoT has become a part of our daily lives.

In this exciting article, we dive into the IoT landscape, exploring its benefits, challenges, and strategies for navigating this connected world. 💡

The IoT is a network of interconnected devices, embedded with sensors, software, and connectivity capabilities.

These devices, ranging from smartphones to industrial machinery, collect, exchange, and analyze data. Sensors allow devices to gather information such as temperature and motion, while actuators enable devices to perform actions based on this data.

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Connectivity is a crucial component of the IoT, allowing devices to communicate and share data. This interconnected web of smart devices is transforming industries and unlocking new possibilities.

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In this article, we uncover the potential of the IoT and provide insights for harnessing this technology for growth. The future is here, and we are excited to navigate and explore this connected world.

Spatial computing is transforming the field of medicine, bringing futuristic healing techniques into reality. 🌍🔬 This technology merges the physical and digital realms, offering interactive, three-dimensional experiences that revolutionize patient care.

👩‍⚕️ Through augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies, medical practitioners are able to explore detailed, dynamic 3D models of patients' anatomies, resulting in more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans. 💡🏥 Spatial computing also has the potential to dissolve geographical barriers, allowing remote or underserved patients to access medical expertise through immersive telemedicine sessions.

📲👩‍⚕️ Furthermore, this technology streamlines healthcare administration, enabling more efficient resource management and advanced analysis of patient data. 💻📊 In the realm of medical research and education, spatial computing offers experiential learning opportunities for students and accelerates the research process by providing real-time 3D simulations of human pathology and drug interactions.

🎓💪 With the adoption of these advancements, the possibilities for integrated, patient-centric care are boundless.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is giving a raise to the company's artificial intelligence (AI) engineers in an effort to prevent poaching from OpenAI, the creator of the ChatGPT chatbot. Musk confirmed that OpenAI has been aggressively recruiting Tesla engineers with massive compensation offers and has successfully hired some of them.

He described the talent war for AI as the craziest talent war he has ever seen. 💥 OpenAI is considered the leader in generative AI, with its ChatGPT chatbot becoming the fastest-growing software application in the world.

🚀 In response to the competition, Musk has been boosting the pay of Tesla's AI engineering team. Musk was a co-founder of OpenAI but left the board in 2018.

He later launched his own AI startup called xAI in an effort to create a "maximum truth-seeking AI" as an alternative to OpenAI and Google bots.

Irish Watchdog, the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), has hit Meta Platforms with a landmark fine of $1.3 billion for violating Europe's data privacy law.

🚨 The regulator found that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, failed to protect European Facebook users' data from U.S.

surveillance practices. The fine is the largest on record related to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), surpassing the fine on Amazon in Luxembourg in 2021.

📉 Meta has stated that it will appeal the ruling and seek a stay of the orders through the courts. Despite the fine, there will be no immediate disruption to Facebook in Europe, as the decision includes implementation periods that run until later this year.

⏳ Meta has until October to suspend any future transfer of personal data to the US and six months to cease the unlawful processing of EU users' personal data in the US. 🛑 The fine stems from a 2020 ruling by the European Court of Justice that quashed an agreement between the U.

S. and EU known as the Privacy Shield.

Meta was also fined $422 million by the DPC in January for noncompliance with the GDPR.

Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a high-performance magnesium-air battery that is paper-based and activated by water. 🌱💡 The battery, which achieves an open circuit voltage of 1.

8 volts and a maximum output of 103 milliwatts/cm², was inspired by the respiration mechanism of plants. 🌿🔋 The researchers bonded magnesium foil to paper and added the cathode catalyst and gas diffusion layer directly to the other side of the paper.

📝⚡ This paper battery has the potential to be used in wearable devices, as demonstrated by its successful use in a pulse oximeter sensor and a GPS sensor. 📱⌚ The battery is lightweight, thin, and environmentally friendly, as it does not use toxic materials.

🌍🚫 This innovative use of paper as a material for energy devices contributes to a greener future and reduces reliance on metal or plastic materials.

📺 MediaKind, a leading media technology services provider, has announced its support for Apple's spatial computing product, Vision Pro. By utilizing MediaKind's video streaming solution, Engage, Apple can deliver interactive video content with exceptional picture quality to Vision Pro users, offering them a personalized and immersive viewing experience.

💥 At the NAB Show 2024, MediaKind will showcase demonstrations of Engage's capabilities, including powering one of the first immersive live sports apps on Apple's new headset. 🏀 Engage offers a comprehensive solution for content owners, sports leagues, and broadcasters looking to distribute live video conveniently.

With an SDK for Apple Vision Pro, developers can create interactive video applications for sports fans and enthusiasts. This extension allows viewers to watch multiple games simultaneously, access real-time player statistics, and enjoy stunning, immersive video.

🌟 MediaKind's Engage solution aims to deliver a seamless and exceptional viewing experience for users of Apple Vision Pro.

The Romanian Smart City Association (ARSC) recently held the 8th edition of the Smart City Industry Awards, recognizing revolutionary initiatives in development, sustainability, and digital transformation. 💡 A total of 60 projects worth €2 billion, equivalent to 1% of Romania's GDP, entered the competition, setting a record for the awards.

🏆 The event brought together government officials, local authorities, business leaders, and experts from various sectors. ARSC awarded 39 prizes in 8 categories, highlighting innovative solutions contributing to the progress of the urban environment.

🌆 The winners represented a wide range of sectors and showcased the desire to create more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable cities. 🌍 The event also saw collaborations and partnerships established and highlighted the commitment to advancing digital initiatives nationwide.

In this humorous and lighthearted opinion piece, David Brooks explores the idea that technology seems to have a personal vendetta against him. He playfully suggests that his electronic devices may be possessed by demonic forces, as they often refuse to cooperate with him in the most frustrating ways.

😈 He gives an example of a recent incident where his phone stopped charging and refused to pair with his earbuds, despite his desperate attempts to "seduce" them into working. He pokes fun at the idea of artificial intelligence, suggesting that technology is more accurately characterized by its stubbornness and obstinacy.

🤖 With a touch of wit and self-deprecating humor, Brooks conveys the exasperation and confusion many of us have felt when dealing with technology gone awry.

Apple is venturing into the field of home robotics following the cancellation of its electric vehicle project 🚀. The company is reportedly exploring the development of mobile robots that can assist with household chores 🏠, as well as tabletop devices that use robotic technology to tilt a display during video calls for a more immersive experience 📲.

These projects are being conducted within Apple's hardware engineering division and AI/machine-learning group, overseen by executives Matt Costello and Brian Lynch 💡. Though still in the early stages of development, these ventures into robotics showcase Apple's search for new growth avenues and emphasize their commitment to innovation in the realm of automated home devices and artificial intelligence 🏠🤖.

While specific details and release dates are unclear, Apple's foray into home robotics suggests their dedication to finding the "next game changer" for their future growth and innovation 🌟.

SolarEdge Technologies has acquired Wevo Energy, a startup specializing in AI-driven electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, in a move that promises to revolutionize EV charging management. 🚀 Wevo's software supports the operation of multiple chargers on a single circuit and dynamically allocates electricity among them, making it ideal for commercial and industrial settings.

👥 The acquisition will enhance SolarEdge's One energy optimization platform, allowing for a unified energy management system that combines solar power generation, storage, and large-scale EV charging. ☀️🔋⚡ Wevo's vendor-neutral design accommodates industry-standard protocols and enables multi-user billing, charging prioritization, and predictive load distribution.

The merger reflects the growing demand for integrated solutions in the solar power industry and the need for efficient EV charging infrastructure as electric vehicle adoption continues to rise. 🌎 With the expertise of both companies combined, further innovations in energy management and charging ecosystems are expected.

Israeli sports-tech companies are set to impress top Bundesliga clubs in Germany. 🇮🇱⚽️💪 During a delegation visit organized by the Export Institute, 11 Israeli companies will showcase their new sports-tech technologies to representatives from Bundesliga clubs such as Bayern Munich, Stuttgart, Hoffenheim, and Frankfurt.

One of these companies is ViTAs Labs, which has developed a cognitive training system for soccer players. 🧠⚽️🏋️‍♀️ The system allows players to improve their scanning, spatial understanding, and decision-making abilities.

The company founders, Dror Porat and Ili Omer, are excited about the visit and hope it will open doors for collaboration and innovation in football technology. 🤩🚀 They believe their technology has the power to revolutionize the football industry and elevate player performance and training methodologies to new heights.

⚡️⚽️🔝 This delegation visit presents a unique opportunity for Israeli sports-tech firms to make a mark in the Bundesliga and potentially change the game.

The article explores the exciting integration of wearables and artificial intelligence (AI) in esports training. 🎮 Esports has rapidly gained mainstream popularity, with professional players competing for large prize pools.

To refine their skills, players are now turning to technology for innovative solutions. Wearable devices such as smartwatches and biometric sensors provide real-time feedback on vital metrics like heart rate and stress levels, allowing players to adjust their strategies and prevent burnout.

Additionally, wearables help monitor physical activity and posture to promote healthier gaming practices. 💪 On the other hand, AI-powered analytics analyze extensive gameplay data and provide valuable insights for improvement.

📈 For example, AI can analyze decision-making processes and reaction times to offer tailored recommendations. The integration of wearables and AI allows players to gain a thorough understanding of their performance and make data-driven decisions to optimize their training routines.

🔄 While challenges such as privacy concerns and accessibility exist, technology continues to transform esports training and pave the way for talent development and growth in the industry.

The Ryvid Anthem is an exciting new electric commuter motorcycle that combines sleek design with sporty performance. 🏍️💨 It boasts a top speed of 84 mph and a range of up to 75 miles per charge, making it perfect for city riding or even just having some fun.

🚀 The Anthem has received the prestigious 2024 Rider's Choice award for best electric commuter motorcycle, further highlighting its quality and appeal. 🏆 The electric motorcycle market is rapidly expanding, particularly in the smaller bike category, and the Anthem is targeting this segment with its beginner-friendly features.

📈 It is powered by a 72V electric motor and a 72V 4.3kWh battery, providing ample power and torque.

⚡ The Anthem also offers adjustable suspension, regenerative braking, cruise control, and a unique removable battery system. 🔄⚡️ While the pricing may be a bit steep for budget-conscious shoppers, the Anthem is definitely worth considering for those who prioritize replacing their internal combustion engine vehicle with an electric one.

🌟 In today's interconnected world, the internet has revolutionized our lives, but it also comes with its fair share of risks. Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics and targeting unsuspecting internet users.

However, there are emerging trends in cyber threats that every internet user needs to know.

🔒 One of the most alarming trends is the rise of ransomware attacks.

These attacks involve hackers encrypting a victim's data and demanding a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption keys. To protect yourself, it's crucial to implement robust security measures and regularly back up your data.

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🎣 Another prevalent threat is phishing campaigns. 🎣 Cybercriminals use various tactics to trick individuals into divulging sensitive information.

To safeguard yourself, be vigilant when receiving unsolicited messages and avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. 🚫

💻 Lastly, as the Internet of Things (IoT) expands, new security challenges have emerged.

IoT devices often lack robust security features, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals. To mitigate the risks, prioritize the security of your IoT devices by updating firmware, using strong passwords, and implementing network segmentation.

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🔒 By understanding these emerging trends and implementing best practices for online security, you can protect yourself and your data in the digital age.