TechCapsules

Security researchers have disclosed an unpatchable SecureROM exploit, called usbliter8, for Apple's A12 and A13 chips. The vulnerability affects devices such as iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches, allowing researchers to gain control before iOS starts loading. The exploit targets a flaw in Apple's USB boot process and cannot be fixed through software updates. Devices affected include the iPhone XS, iPhone 11 lineup, and several iPad and Apple Watch models. The vulnerability exists in the SecureROM, the first [...]

AI inference company Baseten is reportedly closing a $1.5 billion funding round at a $13 billion valuation, according to the Wall Street Journal. This latest round represents a 160% increase in valuation in less than half a year, following a $300 million Series E round in May 2023 at a $5 billion valuation. The startup, launched in 2019, benefits from the "inference gold rush" and promises to handle inference quickly while controlling costs.

Google has confirmed a bug in Android 17 that causes homescreen widgets to disappear for some Pixel owners. The issue, linked to the Work Profile, affects users who have upgraded to the stable Android 17 update. Reports of the problem date back to February, and affected users have found temporary workarounds, but a proper fix is expected in a future software update. Google has acknowledged the issue and assured a solution is coming soon.

Google Health has rolled out a major v5.02 patch for Android and iOS devices, bringing several updates to the app. The patch includes easier reordering of key metrics, a separate tab for recorded naps, and more sleep data updates. The "Today" tab has also been upgraded with more metrics and reordering controls. Additionally, Hourly Activity has returned to the Google Health app, allowing users to track their step goals per hour. The update is rolling out in [...]

A new leak suggests that Apple may be preparing a second-generation iPhone Air, hinting that the ultra-thin device could become a permanent product line. The leak, reported by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, indicates that Apple may be working on upgrades including a second rear camera, improved battery efficiency, and a more powerful A20 Pro processor. These potential enhancements address the backlash the iPhone Air has been receiving over its camera limitations, battery life, and overheating issues.

Google is opening Dataland, the world's first AI arts museum, in Los Angeles on June 20. Located in The Grand LA, the 25,000-square-foot museum is a collaboration with media artist Refik Anadol and features an inaugural exhibition, Machine Dreams: Rainforest, powered by an AI model trained on natural world data. The museum generates real-time visuals, soundscapes, and scents, all powered by Google's Gemini models running on Google Cloud. The event also includes an AI Artist Residency, providing [...]

Elastic has agreed to buy DeductiveAI, a startup using AI to catch and resolve software bugs, for up to $85 million. DeductiveAI was founded in 2023 and came out of stealth last November with a $7.5 million seed round. The sale marks a speedy exit for the startup, operating in the fast-growing AI site reliability engineering sector. Elastic's observability software could benefit from Deductive's tech, enhancing its platform by giving customers tools to monitor performance and resolve [...]

Google has updated Gemini Live with Memory access, allowing it to recall past chats and information from Connected Apps. This update enables Gemini Live to provide more tailored responses and securely remember key details across different sessions. The feature is currently available in English in the US and helps Gemini Live achieve feature parity with the main chat experience. Gemini Live follows the same permissions as Gemini, and the update was added to the support page after [...]