Apple's "gone full Android"
TLDRApple will enable sideloading of apps in the EU this spring, allowing users to download apps directly from developers' websites, albeit with strict requirements and fees. The EU AI Act aims to limit the use of biometrics by law enforcement and impose stricter AI regulations. Meanwhile, the US government warns of existential threats from AI and the tech world reacts to various developments, from AI text-to-video generators to privacy concerns with Airbnb's policy on security cameras.
Takeaways
- 📱 Apple will allow sideloading of apps in the European Union, enabling direct downloads from developers' websites.
- 🔒 To be eligible for sideloading, developers must be part of the Apple Developer Program as an EU organization for over 2 years, submit apps through Apple's notarization process, and have an app installed over 1 million times on iOS in the EU.
- 💶 Developers must pay a 'core technology fee' of €0.50 per subsequent install after meeting the eligibility criteria for sideloading.
- 🚫 The EU AI Act has been adopted, limiting law enforcement's use of biometrics and prohibiting AI-enabled social scoring and emotion recognition systems in workplaces.
- 📈 The EU AI Act has faced criticism for potentially disadvantaging European AI firms compared to American companies in development and funding.
- 🎥 Sora CTO Mira Muradi announced that the text-to-video generator, Sora, will be available to the public this year, with future capabilities to generate audio and limited nudity.
- 🚨 A US government-commissioned report warns of serious security risks and potential extinction-level threats posed by AI, urging immediate action.
- 🤔 Social media users speculated about Kate Middleton's whereabouts after a significantly edited Mother's Day photo was released.
- 🏎️ Apple's canceled electric vehicle project was reportedly a minivan, with an AI brain as powerful as four M2 Ultra chips combined.
- 📈 Insurance premiums may increase for drivers due to tracking features in connected car apps, which sell driving data to third parties.
- 📹 Airbnb will ban indoor security cameras in rentals starting April 30th, in response to past abuses of the previous policy.
Q & A
What is Apple's new policy regarding app sideloading in the European Union?
-Apple will allow sideloading of apps in the European Union later this spring, which means users can download apps directly from developers' websites instead of only through the App Store.
What are the requirements for developers to be eligible for sideloading apps on iOS in the EU?
-To be eligible for sideloading, developers must be enrolled in the Apple Developer Program as an EU organization in good standing for at least 2 years, submit their apps through Apple's notarization process, and have one of their apps installed more than 1 million times on iOS in the EU. Additionally, there is a core technology fee of €0.50 per subsequent install.
What does the EU AI Act aim to limit in terms of law enforcement's use of biometrics?
-The EU AI Act limits law enforcement's use of biometrics and prohibits AI-enabled social scoring, exploitative behavioral engineering, and emotion recognition systems at work or school.
What are some criticisms of the EU AI Act within Europe?
-Some critics within Europe argue that the EU AI Act goes too far, potentially placing European AI firms at a disadvantage compared to American rivals in development, raising capital, and possibly destroying civilization as we know it.
What is the expected timeline for the full implementation of the EU AI Act's new provisions?
-The new provisions of the EU AI Act will be rolled out in phases over the next 2 years to give companies time to come into compliance.
What was the controversy surrounding a Mother's Day image of Kate Middleton?
-A Mother's Day image of Kate Middleton was found to have been significantly edited, including a disappearing sleeve and a zipper that splits into two, leading to speculation that the photo was entirely AI-fabricated or that her face was photoshopped over a stand-in.
How did the royal family explain the edited Mother's Day photo?
-The royal family claimed that the photo was edited using a 2022 version of Photoshop from before AI features were added, and apparently, Princess Kate took responsibility for the poor Photoshop job.
What is Grammarly's role in assisting professionals with writing?
-Grammarly is an AI writing partner that helps professionals write better and faster by generating ideas, making outlines, and providing helpful tips for improving writing.
What is the Tiny Box, and what is its significance in the AI server market?
-The Tiny Box is an AI server developed by George Hotz's company, the tiny Corp, powered by RX700 XTX GPUs. It is significant because it represents an alternative in the AI server market, potentially challenging Nvidia's dominance.
What was the rumored design of Apple's canceled electric vehicle project?
-Apple's canceled electric vehicle project was rumored to be a minivan, and the Apple silicon team was involved in designing an AI brain for the vehicle that was as powerful as four M2 Ultra chips combined.
What is Airbnb's new policy on indoor security cameras in rentals?
-Airbnb will start banning the use of indoor security cameras inside rentals starting April 30th, following past abuses despite a previous policy that tried to restrict camera use.
What is the risk of Inception attacks on virtual reality headsets like the Quest and Vision Pro?
-Inception attacks on VR headsets like the Quest and Vision Pro could allow a hacker on the same Wi-Fi network to control the user's VR environment and manipulate interactions with other users, potentially becoming a serious risk as these headsets are used in more professional applications.
Outlines
📱 Apple's Sideloading Policy and EU Regulations
Apple will allow sideloading of apps in the European Union, enabling users to download apps directly from developers' websites. This change is in response to the EU's digital markets act. To be eligible, developers must be part of the Apple developer program as an EU organization for at least two years, submit apps through Apple's notarization process, and have one app installed over 1 million times on iOS in the EU. This last requirement sets a threshold for the 'core technology fee,' with each subsequent install costing €0.50. The policy also includes several other requirements and is expected to be fully implemented over the next two years.
🤖 EU AI Act and its Implications
The European Parliament has adopted the EU AI Act, which restricts law enforcement's use of biometrics and prohibits AI-enabled social scoring, exploitative behavioral engineering, and emotion recognition systems in workplaces or schools. The act also mandates stricter scrutiny and transparency requirements for AI systems based on their potential risks to society and users. Critics argue that the act may disadvantage European AI firms compared to American companies. The new provisions will be rolled out in phases over two years to allow companies to comply.
🌐 AI and Security Concerns
A US government-commissioned report warns of serious security risks and potential extinction-level threats to humanity posed by AI. It calls for immediate and decisive action to avert these dangers. Meanwhile, social media users have been speculating about the Duchess of Cambridge's whereabouts, following a manipulated Mother's Day image posted on Instagram. The photo's metadata reveals it was edited using an older version of Photoshop, leading to speculation about the use of AI fabrication or Photoshopping over a stand-in.
🚗 Tech Quick Bits
Nvidia's dominance in the AI accelerator market is challenged by alternatives like the Tiny Box, an AI server by George Hotz's company, and Grayskull AI accelerator cards by Jim Keller's company. Apple's canceled electric vehicle project is revealed to have been a minivan with an AI brain as powerful as four M2 Ultra chips combined. Car drivers face increased insurance premiums due to tracking features in connected car apps, with some manufacturers selling driving data to data brokerage firms. Airbnb will ban indoor security cameras in rentals starting April 30th. Researchers warn that VR headsets might be vulnerable to 'Inception' attacks, where hackers can control users' VR environments.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Side loading
💡European Union
💡Digital Markets Act
💡App Store
💡Notarization process
💡AI Act
💡Biometrics
💡Social scoring
💡Emotion recognition systems
💡Text to video generator
💡AI fabrication
💡Photoshop
Highlights
Apple will allow side loading of apps in the European Union later this spring, enabling users to download apps directly from developers' websites.
This side loading feature is not a full transition to an Android-like system, as it comes with certain restrictions and requirements.
Developers based in the EU must be enrolled in the Apple Developer Program for at least two years and submit their apps through Apple's notarization process to be eligible for side loading.
One of the developer's apps must have been installed over 1 million times on iOS in the EU to qualify for the side loading feature.
There is a €0.50 fee for every subsequent install of an app from a developer's website, contributing to Apple's revenue.
The European Parliament has voted to adopt the EU AI Act, which limits the use of biometrics by law enforcement and prohibits AI-enabled social scoring and emotion recognition systems.
The EU AI Act also mandates stricter scrutiny and transparency requirements for AI systems based on the potential risks they pose to society and users.
Critics argue that the EU AI Act may disadvantage European AI firms by hindering development, raising capital, and potentially destroying civilization.
The AI text-to-video generator Sora is expected to be released to the public this year, offering the capability to generate audio and possibly some nudity.
A US government-commissioned report warns of serious security risks and potential extinction-level threats to humanity posed by AI if immediate action is not taken.
Social media users speculate on the edited Mother's Day image of Kate Middleton, suggesting AI fabrication or Photoshopping over a stand-in.
The photo's metadata indicates it was edited using a 2022 version of Photoshop, and Middleton reportedly claimed responsibility for the poor editing job.
Grammarly, the AI writing partner, helps professionals write better and faster, with features like idea generation, outline creation, and sentence enhancement.
Nvidia dominates the AI accelerator market, but alternatives are emerging, such as the Tiny Box by Tiny Corp and Grayskull AI accelerator cards by Tenstorrent.
Apple's cancelled electric vehicle project was reportedly a minivan with an AI brain as powerful as four M2 Ultra chips combined.
Some car manufacturers' connected car apps track and rate drivers' performance, selling the data to entities that may increase insurance premiums.
Airbnb will ban the use of indoor security cameras in rentals starting April 30th, in response to past abuses of the previous policy.
Researchers warn that VR headsets like the Quest and Vision Pro might be vulnerable to Inception attacks, where hackers can control users' VR environments.
