Airbnb

Winsage
May 23, 2025
OpenAI has acquired the “io” hardware division from Jony Ive’s design studio, LoveFrom, investing [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: This week has seen a fascinating interplay between two titans of artificial intelligence, OpenAI and Google, as they both made significant announcements that reveal much about their competitive dynamics. The backdrop of this rivalry is the remarkable rise of ChatGPT, which has kept Google’s leadership on high alert. As the tech community anticipated Google’s I/O event, there was palpable tension regarding whether Sam Altman of OpenAI would attempt to overshadow Google’s showcase, reminiscent of last year’s pre-I/O event where OpenAI unveiled ChatGPT’s advanced voice capabilities. This year, however, OpenAI chose to make its splash a day later, with news that has quickly shifted the narrative. OpenAI's acquisition of the “io” hardware division from Jony Ive’s design studio, LoveFrom, is a strategic move that some might view as a clever act of SEO sabotage. While the name “io” is said to stand for “input output” and was chosen well in advance, the timing of the announcement has undeniably redirected attention from Google’s strong presentation at I/O. The contrasting announcements highlight the strengths and weaknesses of both companies: while Google boasts technically superior models that are more widely utilized, OpenAI excels in capturing public interest and generating buzz. OpenAI's Strategic Moves Delving deeper into OpenAI’s recent announcement reveals a commitment to innovation and talent acquisition. The company is investing .5 billion in equity to onboard approximately 55 individuals from LoveFrom, including notable ex-Apple design leaders such as Evans Hankey, Tang Tan, and Scott Cannon. These new recruits will work under the guidance of Peter Welinder, a seasoned product leader at OpenAI. Meanwhile, the remaining LoveFrom designers, including renowned figures like Mike Matas, will continue their work with Ive, who is currently engaged in designing the first electric Ferrari and collaborating with Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky. According to OpenAI’s press release, Ive and his team will take on significant design and creative responsibilities within the organization. Once their existing client commitments are fulfilled, they will focus exclusively on OpenAI while maintaining their independence. OpenAI is also actively seeking new talent for its “future of computing” initiatives, with roles that promise competitive compensation, including a senior research engineer position offering between 0K to 5K plus equity. The timeline leading to this collaboration is noteworthy. Altman and Ive first met two years ago, and discussions about hardware collaboration began last year. The io division was established at LoveFrom to work closely with a select group of OpenAI employees, and investments from OpenAI and Laurene Powell Jobs were made towards the end of 2024. This partnership is poised to yield a voice-first AI device, with prototypes already in existence, suggesting a product that could be as compact as an iPod Shuffle and potentially wearable as a necklace. Additionally, there are plans for AI earbuds, with Altman envisioning a suite of AI-first products designed to reduce reliance on Apple and Google for distribution. Google's Resilience On the other side, Google demonstrated its own resilience during I/O, with the rollout of AI Mode in Google Search. While its product strategy may appear fragmented compared to OpenAI’s cohesive approach, Google is leveraging its vast troves of personal data to enhance the capabilities of its Gemini model. If Gemini can effectively integrate with services like Gmail, Workspace, and YouTube, it could create a compelling reason for users to remain within the Google ecosystem, much like how Meta successfully integrated Stories into Instagram, curtailing Snapchat's growth. Conversations with Google employees revealed a sense of confidence within the organization. While there is an acknowledgment of the challenges posed by OpenAI’s growth, Google’s Gemini is nearing 500 million monthly users. The company appears to be modernizing its search capabilities more swiftly than anticipated, positioning itself for continued leadership in model development. The latest Gemini models are impressive, and Google is preparing for a future that extends beyond traditional smartphones with initiatives like Project Astra. Industry Developments Anthropic also made headlines this week by unveiling its Claude 4 models, which it claims are the best for coding. In a competitive landscape where major players like OpenAI, Google, and Meta vie for dominance, Anthropic is positioning itself as a key provider of AI models. Microsoft Build faced disruptions during its event due to protests against its business dealings with Israel, overshadowing several noteworthy announcements, including the introduction of Elon Musk’s Grok model on Azure. Google’s smart glasses prototype was also showcased, featuring basic voice interactions and navigation capabilities. While still in early development, Google’s partnerships with eyewear brands signal its commitment to advancing augmented reality technology. Personnel Changes YouTube has appointed Justin Connolly from Disney as its head of media and sports, a move that has sparked legal action from Disney. Tinder CEO Faye Iosotaluno is stepping down, with her responsibilities being assumed by Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff. Vladimir Fedorov, a veteran engineering executive from Meta, has joined Github as CTO. Will Robinson, formerly Coinbase’s VP of engineering, is now the CTO at Plaid. Stephen Deadman, Meta’s VP of data protection in Europe, is departing due to organizational changes." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].5 billion to onboard approximately 55 individuals, including notable ex-Apple design leaders. OpenAI aims to develop a voice-first AI device and AI earbuds, with prototypes already in existence. Google introduced AI Mode in Google Search during its I/O event and is leveraging personal data to enhance its Gemini model, which is nearing 500 million monthly users. Anthropic unveiled its Claude 4 models, claiming they are the best for coding. YouTube appointed Justin Connolly as its head of media and sports, Tinder CEO Faye Iosotaluno is stepping down, Vladimir Fedorov joined Github as CTO, Will Robinson became the CTO at Plaid, and Stephen Deadman is leaving Meta.
Tech Optimizer
May 12, 2025
Cybersecurity developers have created a tool called defendnot, which disables Windows Defender by utilizing undocumented Windows Security Center (WSC) APIs. This tool is a successor to the no-defender project, which was taken down due to DMCA challenges. The developer reverse-engineered WSC’s validation algorithms and identified Taskmgr.exe as a suitable process to host the necessary code. Defendnot persists across reboots by adding itself to Windows autorun and can be managed via a command-line interface with options to disable Windows Defender and Windows Firewall. Unlike its predecessor, defendnot does not use third-party antivirus code. Security experts warn that disabling protection mechanisms should only be done in controlled environments by knowledgeable users.
AppWizard
April 11, 2025
Google's Android Auto has the potential to enhance the driving experience through the integration of various apps, which are currently limited due to safety concerns. Anticipated additions include: - Google Tasks: Allows access to to-do lists and checklists directly from the car dashboard, facilitating pre-trip preparations and reminders. - Google Keep: Provides quick access to stored information like road trip plans and addresses, improving efficiency for passengers. - Airbnb: Enables reading host messages aloud and accessing check-in procedures and contact information while driving. - Google Drive: Offers quick access to important documents and reservation confirmations on the Android Auto screen. - Slack: Could allow users to manage workplace communication and respond to messages safely while on the road. - Fitbit: May provide insights into health metrics like heart rate during driving, potentially suggesting optimal driving times and rest breaks. - YouTube: Could allow access to audio content while driving, with video playback available when parked. These apps could significantly enrich the Android Auto experience, making it safer, more enjoyable, and efficient.
AppWizard
November 19, 2024
PixelShot is an Android app developed by Mehul Kanzariya that enhances screenshot management for all Android devices, extending features previously exclusive to the Pixel 9 series. It uses on-device AI to analyze screenshots, allowing users to search for extracted text and relevant information. Users can add notes, organize screenshots into collections, and the app is free and ad-free for devices running Android 11 or later. While it does not upload screenshots to the cloud, it sends extracted text for summarization using a cloud-based AI model, with assurances that the text is not stored online. Limitations include the potential introduction of in-app purchases or ads as the user base grows, the inability to process images without text, and the need for manual checks to ensure screenshots are processed, as the app does not analyze them in the background.
AppWizard
October 28, 2024
Former television chef Pete Evans is promoting an Airbnb getaway in Byrill Creek, New South Wales, available for short stays from November to January. Since launching in July 2023, the property has received five-star reviews and is described as a health retreat featuring amenities like a sauna, ice bath, mineral spa, magnesium pool, and natural swimming holes. Additionally, Evans and his partner have secured an offer for their wellness retreat, Evolve Sanctuary, which accommodates up to 17 guests and is recognized in wellness tourism. The property is being marketed with options for new owners to start a business or maintain rental operations with Evans. Evans has also recently changed his hairstyle, dyeing his hair blonde.
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