We Have To Go Back…

Despite initial reports of a significant increase in Windows 7 usage following Windows 10 support cutoff, the data source is unreliable, and the tech industry is experiencing a new wave of AI advancements in video generation, smart home devices, and mobile operating systems, alongside ongoing regulatory and legal battles in the tech world.

• Windows 7 market share increase is likely an unreliable data anomaly.

• AI is rapidly advancing in video generation, smart homes, and mobile OS, raising privacy concerns.

• Tech companies face ongoing legal and regulatory challenges while adjusting service pricing.

Reports suggesting a massive return to Windows 7 after Windows 10's impending support cutoff are likely flawed, as the data relies on page views rather than actual user numbers. Meanwhile, OpenAI is launching Sora 2 for realistic video and sound generation, while Meta is collecting AI chat data for ads and Google is integrating Gemini into its smart home devices. Other developments include Apple's continued fight against UK government demands for encrypted user data, price increases for Xbox Game Pass, and Qualcomm's legal victory over ARM.

Windows 7 Usage Anomaly

• 00:00:17 A recent surge in Windows 7's market share, reportedly increasing from 2% to 9.6%, is attributed to users avoiding Windows 10's impending support cutoff. However, the reliability of StatCounter data is questionable, as it tracks website page views on affiliated sites rather than actual OS installations. This spike could be an anomaly, potentially caused by intensive browsing on existing Windows 7 PCs or a misinterpretation of usage metrics, especially given free extended security updates for Windows 10 users.

AI Advancements & Concerns

• 00:02:02 OpenAI is launching Sora 2, a new flagship video and sound generation model that promises improved realism through better physics and body mechanics, with the ability for users to create 'deepfaked' cameos. Concurrently, Meta will begin collecting AI chat data for personalized ads, while Google is replacing its Assistant with Gemini in Nest and Google Home devices, and Nothing is introducing an 'AI native operating system.' Concerns are raised regarding the potential for 'doom scrolling' and 'slop-timized feeds' despite OpenAI's claims of user control, and the pervasive collection of user data by tech giants.

Tech Policy & Pricing

• 00:05:56 The UK government has renewed its demand for Apple to provide access to British users' encrypted cloud storage, citing national security threats and warrants, a request Apple has previously resisted with U.S. support. Separately, Microsoft is increasing the prices for its Xbox Game Pass membership tiers, with PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate seeing significant hikes. These price adjustments, however, include new benefits such as access to Ubisoft Plus Classics for PC and Ultimate subscribers, and improved cloud game streaming quality for Ultimate users.

Hardware & Legal Battles

• 00:07:35 Qualcomm achieved a legal victory against ARM in a dispute concerning licensing agreements related to Qualcomm's acquisition of Nuvia, allowing Qualcomm to continue selling chips using Nuvia's designs, though ARM plans to appeal. In other hardware news, Intel's recent GPU driver updates have resolved CPU overhead issues for its ARC GPUs, leading to significant performance improvements in some games like Spider-Man Remastered. Additionally, Crest Robotics introduced 'Charlotte,' a spider-like robot designed to build structures on Earth and potentially on the Moon or other planets using local materials, aiming to construct homes in a single day.