Category: Technology

Technology News

Facebook and Instagram Experience Global Outage, Affecting Hundreds of Thousands of Users, Restored Within 2 Hours

Posted on March 6, 2024 by A Real World

A significant global outage affected Meta Platforms’ services, including Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger, impacting hundreds of thousands of users. The disruption, which lasted about an hour, was felt worldwide, with reports of service interruptions coming from multiple countries. Meta swiftly resolved the issue, apologized for the inconvenience, and assured that steps were being taken to prevent future occurrences. Notably, the outage sparked widespread reactions across the internet, including comments from notable figures and concerns among Meta employees.

Solving Battery Fire and Explosion Issues, Water Batteries Expected to Hit the Market Within 5 Years

Posted on March 6, 2024 by A Real World

Scientists from Liaoning University in Shenyang, China, and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia have jointly developed an innovative “aqueous metal ion battery,” also known as a “water battery.” This breakthrough technology, which utilizes water as the electrolyte, addresses the significant safety risks of fire and explosion associated with traditional batteries. The design of water batteries enables easy disassembly for material recycling, enhancing their environmental friendliness. While currently offering a lower energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries, ongoing research into new nanomaterials for electrodes aims to improve this aspect significantly. Water batteries promise to be a safer, more sustainable, and potentially cheaper alternative to existing battery technologies, with the potential to replace lead-acid and gradually lithium-ion batteries. This development is expected to have a profound impact on the battery industry, promoting safer energy storage solutions and sustainable development.

Surpassing GPT-4, Former OpenAI Executive Launches “Strongest” Large Model

Posted on March 5, 2024 by A Real World

Anthropic, an AI startup, has launched its most advanced AI model, Claude 3, surpassing its predecessors and competitors like OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Google’s Gemini Ultra in performance and speed. Claude 3 is available in three versions: Opus, Sonnet, and Haiku, with Opus being the most capable. This model introduces multimodal support, allowing for the analysis of unstructured data like photos and documents. Despite its high cost, the model has undergone successful A/B testing with several companies. Anthropic, supported by major tech firms and having secured significant funding, is emerging as a leading player in the generative AI market, addressing challenges such as bias and model safety while competing in both the enterprise and consumer sectors.

Wall Street Journal Reporter’s Experience with Vision Pro One Month Later: The Novelty Has Worn Off, Hard to Avoid Gathering Dust

Posted on March 5, 2024 by A Real World

Joanna Stern, after a month of using Apple’s Vision Pro, noted a decrease in usage frequency and expressed skepticism about its value for personal purchase, citing a high price point and limited utility beyond initial excitement. Despite enjoying its application for in-flight entertainment, Stern highlighted the broader issue of VR headsets losing appeal over time, suggesting that Vision Pro might face a similar fate of being underutilized.

Smartphone Batteries Do Not Favor a 100% Charged State

Posted on March 1, 2024 by A Real World

In summary, although smartphone batteries do not favor a 100% charged state, this does not mean we should always keep the battery level low. Through sensible usage habits and maintenance methods, we can keep our smartphones ready for use while also extending the life of their batteries.

Shenzhen Tests Autonomous “Air Taxi”

Posted on February 29, 2024 by A Real World

Shenzhen has successfully tested an autonomous “air taxi,” marking a significant advancement in urban transportation. The “eVTOL” air taxi demonstrates the potential to revolutionize city travel through its advanced electric flying technology, capable of vertical takeoff and landing. It promises to alleviate traffic congestion, offer faster travel options, and support green transportation initiatives. Despite the promise, the path to commercialization faces challenges in safety, pricing, and airspace management, underscoring the need for further exploration and innovation in this field.

“Weight Loss Miracle Drug” Semaglutide Faces Misuse in China, Leading to Emergency Hospitalizations Due to Dehydration

Posted on February 28, 2024 by A Real World

The recent surge in popularity of the “weight loss miracle drug” semaglutide in China has led to its misuse, drawing attention to the broader issues of social aesthetics and the global obesity crisis. Individuals, driven by societal pressures and personal aesthetic standards, have resorted to using semaglutide, a drug initially approved for type 2 diabetes and obesity, to achieve rapid weight loss without considering the medical guidelines or potential side effects. This trend not only highlights the desperate measures some take to conform to ideal body images but also underscores the need for a more scientific and regulated approach to weight management. Misuse has resulted in serious health incidents, including emergency hospitalizations due to dehydration, reflecting a lack of awareness and understanding of the drug’s intended use and risks. The phenomenon is part of a larger narrative about the challenges of addressing obesity and the influences of cultural and societal expectations on health behaviors.

Miracle! U.S. Man Cured of Both Leukemia and HIV After Bone Marrow Transplant

Posted on February 28, 2024 by A Real World

Paul Edmond, a 68-year-old man from California, has been declared cured of both acute myeloid leukemia and HIV, becoming the fifth person globally to achieve this status following a bone marrow transplant. The donor’s rare genetic mutation, CCR5-delta 32, which naturally resists HIV, played a crucial role in this miraculous recovery. This case, celebrated in the New England Journal of Medicine, showcases the potential of bone marrow transplantation in curing both leukemia and HIV, albeit with high risks and limited applicability due to the rarity of suitable donors. The medical community remains cautious but hopeful about the broader implications of such treatments.

Chinese Netizens Compare AI Development Between China and the US: While the US Advances in Technology, Tsinghua PhD Li Yizhou Sells AI Online Courses, Making 50 Million Yuan from a 199 Yuan Course

Posted on February 22, 2024 by A Real World

The recent buzz around Li Yizhou, a Tsinghua PhD, selling an AI online course for 199 yuan and making 50 million yuan within a year, highlights a significant discussion in China regarding the development of AI between China and the US. While the US focuses on advancing technology, Chinese talents like Li Yizhou are capitalizing on the AI hype by selling educational courses. Despite his background in the Academy of Fine Arts and being unrelated to AI or deep learning, Li’s entrepreneurial success and ability to market his course reveal a trend where knowledge and expertise are packaged for mass consumption. This situation underscores a broader concern about the prioritization of quick profits over substantial technological development and research in China’s tech environment.

World’s First Sodium-Ion Pure Electric Production Car Rolls Off the Line

Posted on December 28, 2023January 22, 2024 by A Real World

JAC Yiwei’s Huaxianzi, the world’s first sodium-ion battery-powered mass production car, has been launched in China. This innovation introduces a more cost-effective alternative to traditional batteries, although with a lower energy density. The debut of this vehicle marks a significant milestone in the new energy sector, offering diverse options for electric mobility, particularly for vehicles that do not require extended electric ranges.