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Apple Initiates Payments in US Class Action Lawsuit Over iPhone Slowdown Controversy

Apple has commenced compensatory payments in the long-standing class action lawsuit concerning allegations of intentionally slowing down specific iPhones in the United States.

Claimants are set to receive a share of a $500 million (£394 million) settlement, equating to approximately $92 (£72) per claim.

In 2020, Apple agreed to settle the lawsuit, asserting its denial of any wrongdoing while expressing concerns about the escalating costs of prolonged litigation.

A parallel case in the United Kingdom seeks £1.6 billion in compensation.

The origins of the US case trace back to December 2017 when Apple confirmed suspicions by admitting to intentionally slowing down some iPhones as they aged. Apple argued that, as batteries aged, their performance declined, and the intentional “slowdown” aimed to prolong the phones’ overall lifespan.

However, Apple faced accusations of throttling iPhone performance without informing customers, resulting in widespread dissatisfaction. To address the issue, Apple offered discounted battery replacements, leading to the initiation of the US legal action. Initial estimates suggested each person might receive as little as $25, but the actual payout now appears to be nearly four times that amount.

In the UK, Apple’s attempt to block a similar mass action lawsuit failed in November. The case, initiated by Justin Gutmann in June 2022, represents an estimated 24 million iPhone users.

While Apple has consistently dismissed the lawsuit as “baseless” and emphasized its commitment to product longevity, Mr. Gutmann, while acknowledging the US payments, highlighted that it does not impact the UK case.

“It’s a moral victory but not much use to me. I’ve got to plough on and pursue the case in the UK jurisdiction,” stated Mr. Gutmann, noting Apple’s staunch resistance to the UK class action. The case is set to progress to the Court of Appeal, where the firm seeks to halt the proceedings. Mr. Gutmann anticipates a potential trial in late 2024 or early 2025 but acknowledges the challenge of establishing a precise timeline.

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Huawei Bounces Back Strongly with Anticipated 2023 Revenue of Over $99 Billion

In a surprising turn of events, Huawei, the embattled tech giant at the center of the US-China technological rivalry, announced on Friday that it is “back on track” with a projected revenue exceeding 700 billion yuan ($99 billion) for the year 2023. This marks a remarkable 9% increase from the 2022 figure of 642.3 billion yuan ($92.4 billion), signifying a significant recovery for the Chinese conglomerate.

Ken Hu, Huawei’s rotating chairman, expressed optimism in a year-end message to employees, stating, “After years of hard work, we’ve managed to weather the storm. And now we’re pretty much back on track.” Hu’s message follows the successful launch of the Mate 60 Pro smartphone in August, a device that defied industry expectations and showcased Huawei’s technological prowess.

The Mate 60 Pro’s advanced features captivated consumers, enabling Huawei to gain market share in China at the expense of its American rival, Apple. Counterpoint Research reported that Huawei secured the fifth position in the Chinese market by the end of September, growing its share from 10% in the first quarter to 14% in the third quarter. During the same period, Apple saw a decline from 20% to 15% in its market share.

Huawei’s resurgence is particularly noteworthy as the company faced significant challenges due to US sanctions in recent years. The sanctions, imposed by the United States, restricted Huawei’s access to critical components for its devices, resulting in the loss of its position as the world’s second-largest seller of smartphones.

Despite ongoing allegations from US policymakers that Huawei poses a national security risk, the company has vehemently denied such claims and has been working to improve its standing in Washington. In March, Huawei declared it was “out of crisis mode” and reported progress in finding alternative components to replace those impacted by US sanctions.

The company’s success is expected to continue into the new year, contingent on its ability to expand production of handsets powered by Kirin chips, the processors featured in the popular Mate 60 Pro. Huawei recently launched new smartphones under the Nova brand, its mid-range lineup, which analysts predict will gain popularity due to their relative affordability.

However, Hu cautioned in his memo that challenges persist, emphasizing the uncertainties posed by geopolitical and economic factors, as well as the ongoing impact of technology restrictions and trade barriers on a global scale. Nevertheless, Huawei’s strong performance in 2023 suggests a remarkable turnaround for the company, proving its resilience in the face of adversity.

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Christian Faith in the Future: The Role of Technology in Modern Church Administration

In an era where technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, its influence extends far beyond the realms of business and personal communication. Churches, too, are embracing the power of technology to streamline their operations and enhance their ministry. In this article, we’ll delve into the evolving landscape of modern church administration, exploring the ways in which technology is shaping the future of faith-based organizations.

The Changing Face of Church Administration

Traditionally, church administration involved meticulous record-keeping, manual communication, and a considerable amount of paperwork. However, the advent of technology has ushered in a new era, transforming the way churches manage their affairs. From communication tools to comprehensive management systems, technology is playing a pivotal role in modernizing and optimizing church administration.

Digital Discipleship: Navigating Ministry Challenges

One of the significant challenges faced by churches is efficiently managing their congregations, events, and resources. Modern church administration software addresses these challenges by providing user-friendly solutions that streamline tasks such as member management, event planning, and financial tracking. These tools empower church leaders to focus more on their ministry and less on administrative hurdles.

A Glimpse into the Future: Church Administration by Software Territory

In this tech-driven age, a notable player in the field is Software Territory, set to release an innovative online-based church administration software. This cutting-edge tool aims to revolutionize the way churches handle their day-to-day operations, offering a seamless and efficient platform for tasks ranging from membership tracking to event coordination.

Key Features of Software Territory’s Church Administration Software:

  1. Member Management: Easily keep track of congregational data, including contact information, attendance records, and member involvement.
  2. Event Coordination: Streamline the planning and execution of church events, from services and fundraisers to community outreach programs.
  3. Financial Tracking: Simplify financial management with tools for budgeting, donation tracking, and expense management.
  4. Communication Hub: Enhance connectivity within the congregation through integrated communication tools, fostering a sense of community and engagement.
  5. User-Friendly Interface: Designed with simplicity in mind, the software ensures that even those less tech-savvy can navigate and utilize its features effectively.

Embracing the Future with Faith and Technology

As churches around the world strive to adapt to the changing times, the integration of technology into church administration is not just a convenience but a necessity. Embracing these tools allows faith-based organizations to allocate more time and resources to their core mission—spreading love, hope, and spiritual guidance.

In conclusion, the future of church administration is undeniably intertwined with technology. The introduction of Software Territory’s upcoming church administration software signals a promising step forward in empowering churches to thrive in the digital age while staying true to their timeless mission. Faith in the future means embracing the tools that enable us to focus on what truly matters—nurturing our spiritual communities and spreading the message of love and compassion.

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Apple Faces Sales Ban in the US for Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 as Biden Administration Declines Veto


In a significant development, Apple is prohibited from selling the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 in the United States, as the Biden administration opted not to override the ban imposed by the International Trade Commission (ITC) today.

The removal of both devices from Apple’s official website occurred on December 21st, followed by their withdrawal from store shelves after December 24th. A statement from the Office of US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, reported by CNBC, revealed that the agency “decided not to reverse the ITC’s determination” after careful consideration.

Responding to the ban, an unidentified Apple spokesperson, as reported by Reuters, confirmed the company’s intention to appeal the ITC decision. The spokesperson stated, “We strongly disagree with the USITC decision and resulting exclusion order, and are taking all measures to return Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 to customers in the U.S. as soon as possible.”

The ITC imposed the ban after determining that Apple had violated the patent for blood oxygen saturation technology owned by the company Masimo. Additionally, the ITC directed Apple to cease selling any previously-imported devices containing the infringing technology. Despite Apple’s attempt to halt the decision during the appeal process, the ITC denied the request. The final opportunity for intervention rested with President Joe Biden, who did not veto the ban.

It’s important to note that the sales ban only impacts Apple’s stores in the US. Customers still have the option to purchase the Watch Series 9 or Watch Ultra 2 at retailers such as Best Buy and Target while supplies last. Apple will continue to offer the Watch SE, which lacks a blood oxygen sensor and remains unaffected by the ban.

The future steps for Apple remain uncertain. Analysts, including my colleague Victoria Song, explore potential paths Apple could take, such as implementing software changes to the blood oxygen sensor or disabling the sensor on imported devices. However, these approaches may not be sufficient to satisfy the ITC, leading to speculation that Apple might consider settling with Masimo as an alternative solution.

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Urgent Update Required: Google Chrome Faces Critical Vulnerability Exploited by Malicious Actors

Google Chrome users are urged to take immediate action as a severe vulnerability has been identified in the popular web browser. This particular security flaw, categorized as CVE-2023-7024, is a heap buffer overflow within WebRTC, as disclosed by Google. The gravity of the situation is compounded by the fact that the vulnerability is not only known but is actively being exploited by malicious entities.

Heap buffer overflows, such as the one affecting Google Chrome, involve attackers causing a section of memory to overflow, creating an opportunity for exploitation. Google has officially confirmed the existence of an exploit for this vulnerability, making it a pressing concern for users.

To safeguard against potential security breaches, users are advised to ensure their Chrome browser is updated to version 120.0.6099.130 on Windows PCs, or alternatively, version 120.0.6099.129 for Mac or Linux. Taking prompt action is crucial, as failure to update may leave systems exposed to exploitation.

To check and update Chrome, users can access the Settings page by clicking the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the browser. From there, navigate to the left-side panel and select ‘About Chrome’ at the bottom of the list. This action will automatically check for updates and apply any necessary upgrades.

It’s important to note that after the update, users must close all instances of the Chrome browser and reopen it to ensure the upgrade is applied. Failure to address this vulnerability promptly may result in compromised security, so users are strongly advised to verify their browser version without delay.

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Authors File Lawsuit Against OpenAI and Microsoft for Alleged Copyright Infringement in AI Training


Title: Authors File Lawsuit Against OpenAI and Microsoft for Alleged Copyright Infringement in AI Training

A lawsuit has been filed in Manhattan federal court by a group of 11 nonfiction authors, accusing OpenAI and Microsoft (MSFT.O) of misusing their written works to train the models behind OpenAI’s widely-used chatbot ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence-based software.

The authors, including Pulitzer Prize winners Taylor Branch, Stacy Schiff, and Kai Bird, who co-wrote the J. Robert Oppenheimer biography “American Prometheus,” made their case on Tuesday, asserting that the companies violated their copyrights by utilizing their work in training OpenAI’s GPT large language models.

As of Wednesday, representatives for OpenAI, Microsoft, and the authors have not responded to requests for comment.

Last month, writer and Hollywood Reporter editor Julian Sancton initiated the proposed class-action lawsuit. This legal action is part of a series of cases brought by groups of copyright owners, including renowned authors such as John Grisham, George R.R. Martin, and Jonathan Franzen, alleging the misuse of their work in AI training by OpenAI and other tech companies. The companies, including OpenAI, have consistently denied these allegations.

Notably, Sancton’s lawsuit is the first author-initiated legal action against OpenAI that also names Microsoft as a defendant. Microsoft has invested billions of dollars in the artificial intelligence startup and has seamlessly integrated OpenAI’s systems into its products.

According to the amended complaint filed on Monday, OpenAI allegedly “scraped” the authors’ works, along with a substantial amount of other copyrighted material from the internet, without permission. This material was purportedly used to teach GPT models how to respond to human text prompts. The lawsuit contends that Microsoft has been “deeply involved” in training and developing these models, making it equally liable for copyright infringement.

The authors are seeking an unspecified amount of monetary damages and are requesting the court to issue an order for the companies to cease infringing on their copyrights.

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Cloud Dominance: The Growing Concerns Over Big Tech’s Control in AI Development

When engaging with AI chatbots such as Google’s Bard or OpenAI’s ChatGPT, users are actually interacting with a product shaped by three or four critical components. These include the engineering prowess behind the chatbot’s AI model, the extensive training data it processed to understand user prompts, the sophisticated semiconductor chips employed for training (which can take months), and now, cloud platforms emerging as the fourth essential ingredient.

Cloud platforms aggregate the computing power of sought-after semiconductor chips, offering online storage and services to AI companies in need of substantial processing capabilities and a secure space for their training data. This dependence on cloud services significantly influences the dynamics of the broader AI industry, positioning cloud companies at the core of a transformative technology expected to impact work, leisure, and education.

The cloud market, dominated by a few major players like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, has prompted concerns about potential anticompetitive influence over the future of AI. Policymakers, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, emphasize the need for regulation to prevent these tech giants from consolidating power and endangering competition, consumer privacy, innovation, and national security.

While the public cloud market is projected to grow by over 20% to $679 billion next year, AI’s share of this expenditure could range from 30% to 50% within five years, according to industry analysts. This shift places a spotlight on the limited number of cloud platforms capable of delivering the massive processing power increasingly demanded by AI developers.

Government scrutiny is on the rise, with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and President Joe Biden expressing concerns about competition in cloud markets impacting AI development. The FTC warns against a potential stranglehold on essential inputs for AI development, and Biden’s executive order emphasizes the need to address risks arising from dominant firms’ control over semiconductors, computing power, cloud storage, and data.

Exclusive agreements between AI companies and cloud providers, hefty fees for data withdrawal, and the potential for cloud credits to lock in customers have raised competition concerns. Critics fear inflated pricing, anticompetitive practices, and exploitative contract terms that could hinder the development and accessibility of AI services.

Cloud providers defend their record, citing a highly competitive market that benefits the U.S. economy. They argue that customers negotiate extensively on various aspects, including price, storage capacity, and contract terms. However, concerns persist among regulators worldwide, reflecting broader apprehensions towards Big Tech’s concentration of power in digital markets.

As the AI industry continues to evolve, the debate over the role and influence of cloud platforms in shaping its trajectory intensifies. Some AI companies intentionally avoid exclusive ties with cloud vendors, highlighting the significant power wielded by cloud firms in the market.

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TikTok’s Evolution: From Short-Form Sensation to Long-Form Ambitions

In 2020, TikTok emerged as a cultural phenomenon, captivating users with its short, snappy dancing and comedy clips during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. This triggered a short-form video arms race among social media giants like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, all vying to replicate TikTok’s success. However, in a surprising turn, TikTok is now steering its course towards longer videos, challenging the very essence of its initial appeal.

This Saturday marks the official phase-out of TikTok’s original “Creator Fund,” signaling a shift toward the new “Creativity Program Beta.” Under this program, content creators seeking monetization will need to produce videos exceeding one minute in length. While this move aligns TikTok with the more lucrative long-form content model, some creators express frustration, fearing a departure from the platform’s roots as a hub for short, easily digestible content.

Nicki Apostolou, a TikTok creator focusing on Native American history and culture, with nearly 150,000 followers, voices concerns, stating, “I don’t always have a minute of content in me.” The sentiment echoes among creators who joined TikTok for its short-form appeal, feeling alienated by the platform’s shift towards a “mini YouTube” model.

TikTok spokesperson Zachary Kizer justifies the move, citing feedback from the community and the need to evolve. The shift towards longer-form content is seen as a strategic business decision, aiming to keep users engaged for extended periods and attract advertisers with more monetization possibilities.

Over the past three years, TikTok has incrementally increased video length limits, currently testing 15-minute uploads. The new Creativity Program targets adult creators with 10,000 or more followers, promising higher pay for videos surpassing the one-minute mark.

While TikTok encourages creators with the prospect of increased payments and deeper audience engagement, critics argue that the platform risks losing its distinct identity. The challenge for creators lies in adapting to the demands of longer content, with concerns about the dwindling attention spans of today’s audience.

Despite apprehensions, TikTok reports creators making longer-form content have more than doubled their earnings in the past year. The platform insists that video recommendations are based on user preferences rather than length, aiming to allay fears of marginalized short-form creators.

As TikTok embraces this evolution, creators like Aly Tabizon express both excitement and concern. Monetizing short astrology videos has been “life-changing,” yet the transition to longer content may pose challenges, given the prevailing eight to ten-second attention span. Tabizon, however, remains open to experimentation, acknowledging the potential for greater pay.

For some, the shift to longer videos raises issues of resource constraints. Laura Riegle, a TikTok creator known for short, snappy content, highlights the increased time and effort required for long-form videos, posing challenges for creators with limited free time.

TikTok, recognizing the evolving landscape, offers alternative monetization avenues such as subscriptions and tips. However, skepticism persists among creators who find these methods akin to “busking on the street” and potentially unsustainable.

As TikTok navigates this transition, the platform faces the delicate task of balancing the demands of longer-form content with the expectations and preferences of its diverse creator community.

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Google Initiates Cookie Slaughter: Chrome’s Tracking Overhaul Begins January 4th

In a groundbreaking move, Google has announced its commencement of the long-awaited dismantling of internet cookies, scheduled to kick off on January 4th. The initial phase will witness the blocking of cookies for 1% of Chrome users, totaling approximately 30 million individuals. This marks the inaugural step in Google’s Privacy Sandbox project, designed to replace traditional cookies with an alternative tracking system, purportedly offering enhanced privacy features.

For the past three decades, websites and tech companies have heavily relied on “third-party cookies” to track consumers online. The prevalence of these cookies has allowed businesses, including Google, to collaboratively monitor users’ online activities, raising concerns about privacy infringement.

In lieu of cookies, Google has introduced a new suite of tools that empowers the Chrome browser to internally track users’ online behavior. This data remains on the user’s device, with the browser categorizing individuals into distinct groups, or “Ad Topics,” such as “Yoga Fan” or “Young Conservative.” While websites can inquire about these categories, they are unable to pinpoint the user’s identity, a departure from the conventional use of cookies.

Although Chrome continues to track user activity, a departure from browsers like Firefox and Safari, Google’s revamped version represents a notable stride in privacy preservation. Despite ongoing tracking, this new iteration discloses less information about users and their internet activities.

Victor Wong, Google’s senior director of product management for Privacy Sandbox, emphasized the significant shift, stating, “We are making one of the largest changes to how the Internet works at a time when people, more than ever, are relying on the free services and content that the web offers.”

While these Privacy Sandbox cookie replacements are currently available on the Chrome browser as an optional tool, their adoption signifies a substantial shift given Chrome’s dominance in the browser market. Users have the flexibility to disable these features in their settings if they find them undesirable.

The impending changes may cause disruptions, given the integral role cookies play in various online functions. Google acknowledges potential issues and is actively working to identify and retain essential cookies while phasing out intrusive ones. Users can disable the new “Tracking Protection” tool on demand, and Chrome will prompt users to disable it for specific websites if complications arise.

Come January 4th, a select 1% of users will experience “Tracking Protection” by default, denoted by a distinctive eyeball logo in the URL bar. As Google progresses with its cookie elimination initiative, this transformation stands as a significant milestone in shaping the future landscape of internet privacy.

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