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Tech Archive

Archives for January 2024

Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
Google has a convoluted fix for the latest Pixel storage bug.

Months after a storage bug caused problems for Pixel users with multiple profiles upgrading to Android 14, Google now says a similar issue seen with the January 2024 Google Play system update is “more prevalent in devices with multiple user accounts and/or workprofiles.”

As Mishaal Rahman points out, the team says it’s working on a fix, but affected users can get relief now by connecting to a computer with the ADB debugging tool and following the steps outlined in this post.

Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon deal with Samsung will continue, and Apple’s licensing arrangement now runs through 2027.

Qualcomm’s Q1 2024 earnings presentation has wrapped up, with revenue of $9.9 billion and net income of $2.77 billion that’s up compared to last year.

But more notably, analyst Ben Bajarin points out that execs revealed Apple extended the licensing deal they signed in 2019 for an additional two years. It now runs through 2027, aligning with reports that Apple’s own 5G modem tech isn’t ready, while Samsung has added “several years” to a multiyear deal for Snapdragon chips in Galaxy phones.

Slide from Qualcomm presentation announced it has extended a Snapdragon platform agreement with Samsung.
Qualcomm Q1 2024 earnings presentation slide
Image: Qualcomm
Sean Hollister
Sean Hollister
The Mario vs. Donkey Kong demo just hit Nintendo Switch.

Guess I know what my kids and I are playing tonight! Looks just our speed.

(They sure as heck aren’t playing Sony’s stealth-dropped free Silent Hill.)

Emma Roth
Emma Roth
Tesla is getting sued in California for its hazardous waste handling.

Over two dozen California counties accuse the EV-maker of improperly labeling and disposing of hazardous waste in landfills that don’t process that type of material, according to a report from Reuters.

The hazardous materials in question include used batteries, antifreeze, paint materials, brake fluids, and more. As noted by Reuters, a violation of California’s hazardous waste management policies could result in penalties of up to $70,000 per day.

Emma Roth
Emma Roth
The FCC is proposing a ban on robocalls using AI-generated voices.

If approved, it would make robocalls that use voice cloning technology illegal. The FCC would also provide tools to state attorneys general “to go after bad actors behind these nefarious robocalls.”

Last week, a robocall that appeared to use AI to fake President Joe Biden’s voice made the rounds in New Hampshire — and it told people not to vote in the state’s presidential primary.

Charles Pulliam-Moore
Charles Pulliam-Moore
28 Years Later has found a home at Sony, and an executive producer in Cillian Murphy.

Were it not for Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later, Cillian Murphy might not have ended up becoming the odds-on favorite to win Best Actor for his Oppenheimer turn at this year’s Oscars.

And in a lovely bit of Hollywood symmetry, the Murphy has signed on to executive produce (and possibly star in) Boyle’s forthcoming 28 Years Later, which is set to be distributed by Sony.

Mia Sato
Mia Sato
The Messenger is reportedly shutting down after less than a year.

The New York Times reports that the outlet will stop publishing, though it’s unclear when that will happen. The Messenger hired 300 people and was aiming to generate $50 million this year. Despite the initial hiring spree, the outlet struggled to build dedicated readers:

The Messenger’s fatal flaw was over-relying on tech companies like Google and Meta for its readership instead of engaging directly with its audience through newsletters and in-person events, said S. Mitra Kalita, founder of Epicenter-NYC and URL Media.

“The Messenger was built off expertise of an internet that no longer exists,” said Ms. Kalita. “Facebook was not going to surface its links no matter how clickable those headlines were.”

Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
Now the “what is a photo?” debate has reached Australian news.

9News Melbourne aired the altered image shown below of a member of Victoria’s Parliament, Georgie Purcell.

In a statement, 9News director Hugh Nailon said that when the picture was resized, “automation by Photoshop created an image that was not consistent with the original.” However, Adobe maintains (via NYT and the Guardian) “Any changes to this image would have required human intervention and approval.”

So what do you think happened?

Sheena Vasani
Sheena Vasani
Google Assistant Driving Mode will shut down in February

Android Police spotted a new banner on the Google Assistant Driving Mode home screen stating the view will be gone in February (like so many other Google projects). It’s unclear if other parts, like music controls, will remain.

The built-in Google Maps feature offers drivers quick access to Assistant and audio apps. Its shutdown comes after Google also killed both the standalone “Assistant Driving Mode Dashboard” and the “Android Auto for Phone Screens” app.

Screenshot of Assistant Driving Mode
Image: Richard Lawler