Geek News Central Podcast (Video‪)‬ Todd Cochrane

ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, has expressed a preference for shutting down its TikTok app in the U.S. if forced to divest rather than sell it. This stance stems from the importance of the app’s core algorithms to ByteDance’s global operations. Despite TikTok’s substantial user base in the U.S., it represents only a tiny portion of ByteDance’s revenue. The company would rather cease operations than compromise on the algorithms integral to its suite of applications. This decision came after the President signed a bill to force the sale by January 19th in the U.S. that mandated the sale of TikTok due to alleged national security concerns, with ByteDance steadfast in maintaining control over its technological assets.

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Show Notes Summary and Story Links:

In this episode, Todd Cochrane discusses several topics, starting with the main subject: ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, potentially shutting down the app in the United States rather than selling it due to an order from the President that demands ByteDance be sold. Cochrane highlights that ByteDance values its core algorithm too much to sell it and that the app represents only a tiny portion of the company’s global revenue. Despite TikTok’s popularity, the decision comes amid concerns of national security. Cochrane expresses skepticism about the motives behind the legislation, suggesting that other interests, particularly financial interests from competitors, might be at play.

During the episode, Cochrane acknowledges his primary sponsor, GoDaddy, thanking them for their long-term support and encouraging listeners to step up and support the sponsor during the new reporting period. He mentions some behind-the-scenes statistics and reminds listeners to check out deals from GoDaddy on his website. C

Cochrane displays a replica of the Dragon spacecraft sent by an anonymous donor and expresses appreciation for the gift. He then dives into his opinion on government intervention regarding TikTok, criticizing the legislative decision and comparing the situation to past social media controversies. Todd discusses the implications of the U.S. government pressuring a sale of TikTok and voices strong support for free speech.

Transitioning to other topics, Cochrane reports on various news items, including the FTC ruling against noncompete agreements and the arrest of a school athletic director for impersonating a principal using AI voice synthesis to create offensive messages. He shares news about the FCC’s actions against certain Chinese telecommunications companies and discusses breakthroughs in brain-like computing using water and salt.

Cochrane continues to discuss updates in the entertainment industry, Toyota’s new car manufacturing investments, and the possibility that Apple might start developing its AI chips. He touches upon FTC refunds to Ring customers over security failures and the report that Ford has been selling its electric cars at a loss.

Jason Citron, CEO of Discord, explores the platform’s unique position in the online world. Unlike traditional social networks, Discord offers a private space for communities centered around shared interests like gaming, AI, and fandoms. Citron discusses Discord’s shift from voice chat to a comprehensive social hub, emphasizing a future focused on intimate, community-driven experiences. He also addresses challenges such as content moderation and the decision against selling to Microsoft, highlighting the platform’s ongoing adaptation and focus on gaming and user-generated content. He thinks the Internet will get narrower as younger generations spend most of their time on the platform.

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Show Notes Summary and Story Links:

The episode opens with Todd Cochrane, showcasing the unique position of Discord in the online world. As a private space for communities with shared interests like gaming, AI, and fandom, the platform has shifted from a voice chat service to a comprehensive social hub.

Jason Citron, CEO of Discord, is discussed, and his views on the future focused on intimate community-driven experiences are highlighted. He addresses content moderation challenges and explains his decision not to sell to Microsoft, emphasizing their focus on gaming and user-generated content and his belief in a narrower Internet experience for younger generations.

Todd gives a shoutout to the primary sponsor, GoDaddy, encouraging listeners to check out the deals for various GoDaddy services on the Geek News Central website and expresses gratitude for GoDaddy’s ongoing sponsorship.

The conversation then transitions to Todd’s personal experiences with network upgrades, sharing his positive experience with the UNIFY product line by Ubiquiti. He details the installation process in his studio and touts the advantages of the new network infrastructure.

The episode continues with a roundup of news stories and technological developments:

– Audacity 3.5’s release

– SSD and hard drive prices going up due to increased demand

– Mutant bacteria thriving in space and the concerns it raises

– Dark web activities and challenges with child sexual abuse image detection

– Anticipated M4 Mac mini and skipped M3 generation

– Google’s new AI experiment Gemini potentially syncs with music streaming services

Todd advocates for his listeners to adopt modern podcast apps and consider utilizing podcasting 2.0 technology, which could pay users to listen to podcast episodes and engage with the community. He believes in building a community rather than restricting internet experiences to smaller, more private spaces.

The episode covers various other tech developments and current events, including:

– Ecosia’s energy-generating browser

– Leaks about Beats’ new Bluetooth speaker from LeBron James,

– Archeological 3D mapping at Cape Canaveral,

Meta has launched a significant update to its AI platform, Meta AI, now powered by the open-source Llama 3 large language model. This upgrade introduces broader functionality and integration across Meta’s products, including Instagram, Messenger, Facebook feeds, and WhatsApp, along with a new dedicated web portal.

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Show Notes Summary and Story Links:

Title: Meta Unveils Llama 3 AI: Let the AI Race Begin

The episode begins with host Todd Cochrane discussing Meta’s significant update to its AI platform. The platform, Meta AI, is now integrated with the open-source large language model Llama 3, which has expanded functionality across Meta’s various products. This includes Instagram, Messenger, Facebook feeds, WhatsApp, a new web portal, Ray-Ban smart glasses, and the upcoming Quest headsets. Despite the advancements, Todd mentions challenges in cultural relevance and hallucination issues that were spotted during preliminary testing.

Todd acknowledges his sponsor, GoDaddy, and offers a range of promotion details for listeners to consider. He also invites listeners to contribute to the show via the website and encourages them to join the live chat at geeknews.chat. The discussion moves on to community elements and how listeners can provide feedback.

Transitioning to his work life, Todd shares his experiences upgrading his studio with Unifi equipment from Ubiquiti. From there, Todd dives into tech news, beginning with the observation that Google has taken action against disruptive employee behavior. Google fired 28 workers for participating in a protest about an Israeli government cloud contract, which Google described as violating their conduct policies. Todd elaborates on the situation and the consequences faced by the employees.

Next, the UN investigates a ransomware attack that resulted in data theft from several of its agencies based in Copenhagen. Todd then discusses a feature allowing guests staying at specific IHG hotels to stream content from their phones to hotel TVs using AirPlay.

The conversation shifts to Spy Pet, a site selling data on Discord users and their messages. Todd explains how the site operates and its privacy implications. National Geographic’s Earth Month celebration is highlighted next, emphasizing digital series featuring meditative videos.

Todd thanks listeners for boosting the podcast with micro-donations before covering more technology stories. These include the United Nations’ efforts to patch a light leak in its space telescope, issues with 911 services going offline in parts of the U.S., Google’s decision to combine its Android and hardware teams to focus on AI, and Google Photos’ new decluttering feature.

Additional news items relate to Google Maps’ 3D building view feature for Android Auto, Pixel smartphone updates, global IT spending, and the illusory of healthcare organizations’ cybersecurity maturity.

Last week, the U.S. Congress faced intense debates over the reauthorization of FISA Section 702, which allows indirect surveillance of American citizens without a warrant. The controversy peaked when a proposed amendment to mandate warrants for such surveillance failed in a 212-212 vote. Despite significant opposition and a temporary block by a bipartisan coalition, the renewal bill passed the House and is now pending Senate approval before the April 19 deadline.

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Show Notes Summary and Story Links:

In episode 1737 of Geek News Central, host Todd Cochrane discusses several topics, with the key focus being the intense debates and controversy over the reauthorization of FISA Section 702 in the U.S. Congress. Todd reports that, despite opposition and an evenly split vote on an amendment mandating warrants for surveillance of American citizens, the renewal bill has passed the House and is pending Senate approval.

He also highlights his partnership with GoDaddy and encourages listeners to use promo codes from Geek News Central to support the podcast and use GoDaddy’s services for online businesses. Todd segues into his personal experiences and reviews of a product line from Ubiquiti, specifically the UnifI product, which he used to address bandwidth constraints in his rural loft. Moreover, he shares his frustration about frequent issues with a PoE switch that affected his security cameras. Todd touches on upcoming travel plans, including speaking engagements in Asia and Europe.

The episode covers news on Google’s reaction to a proposed journalism fee in California, expectations for Google IO announcements, the use of AI for mental health services in the public sector, and a new battery recycling machine. Todd shares his enthusiasm for new AI tools in Adobe Premiere Pro and expresses skepticism about a headband that claims to improve athletic performance.

Todd also discusses layoffs at Tesla due to declining delivery numbers, Samsung’s billion-dollar investment in semiconductor manufacturing in Texas, and Adobe’s development of AI video tools for Premiere Pro.

The podcast wraps up with Todd responding to Senator Elizabeth Warren’s concerns over TurboTax’s upselling tactics, discussing California’s declining share of tech jobs, and inviting listeners to contribute to the podcast via email and SATs boosts.



* Google starts removing links to news outlets

* Google I/O 2024

* Dropbox CEO wants you to embrace AI

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Microsoft is gearing up to unveil a series of groundbreaking AI tools for PCs and the cloud at its Build conference in May. With a vision to integrate AI into every PC by 2024, the company will showcase advancements such as the Advanced Paste feature, new AI capabilities for Windows applications, and safety enhancements for Azure AI Studio. CEO Satya Nadella and newly appointed head of Microsoft AI, Mustafa Suleyman, will highlight Microsoft’s commitment to AI innovation and responsible development.

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Show Notes Summary and Story Links:

This episode of Geek News Central, hosted by Todd Cochrane, discusses Microsoft’s ambitions to integrate AI into every PC by 2024. The episode covers Microsoft’s plan to unveil groundbreaking AI tools for PCs and the cloud at its Build conference in May, advancing features like Advanced Paste, new AI capabilities for Windows applications, and safety enhancements for Azure AI Studio. Todd emphasizes the aggressive timeline Microsoft has set for these integrations within PCs.

Todd discusses various topics from his week and tech industry news. He gives a shout-out to his sponsor, GoDaddy, and encourages listeners to use his sponsor discount codes, stressing the importance of sponsor support to the podcast. He also talks about his experience upgrading his internet at the loft with new Unify equipment for better speeds. He also shares an anecdote about his interaction with the Spectrum technician for upgrading his service to 1 gig down and increased upload speeds.

The episode briefly mentions Elon Musk’s expected visit to India to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Todd also refers to a cybersecurity pay discrepancy study, highlighting that the cybersecurity field shows a narrowing pay gap between men and women compared to national averages.

On the weather front, Todd notes the Weather Channel parent company’s new AI tool for hyperlocal weather videos, and the discussion segues into Google’s one billion dollar investment in undersea cables to connect Japan with Guam and Hawaii, which will significantly impact internet connectivity.

Hints at potential personal updates are also sprinkled throughout the episode, mentioning upgrades he’s making at his loft and potentially speaking at an unspecified event, pending approval from his team at Raw Voice. Todd stresses the grind he’s experiencing with work and his commitment to watching the company’s budget.

The show covers a range of other news, including:

– Uber is making its safety tools more accessible.

– Instagram is testing nudity protection to fight sextortion.

– Space tourism balloon startup’s latest luxury capsule design.

– Alfa Romeo’s move into electric vehicles.

– Google Podcasts going away, leading to listener frustrations.

– DJI is unveiling its latest first-person view drone.

– A warning from the International Monetary Fund on how cyberattacks could trigger bank ...

In a significant bipartisan effort, Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) have introduced the American Privacy Rights Act, aiming to break the deadlock in Congress over data privacy protections. This landmark proposal offers consumers new rights over personal information, including the ability to correct, delete, or export their data and opt out of targeted advertising and data transfers. Additionally, it introduces stringent security measures to protect consumer data and allows for federal and state enforcement and private lawsuits against violations.

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Show Notes Summary and Story Links:

In this episode of Geek News Central, host Todd Cochrane discusses various topics, beginning with the American Privacy Rights Act introduced by Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). The act supports consumers’ data rights, including correction, deletion, exportation of data, opting out of targeted advertising, and introduces stringent security measures.

Todd transitions to thanking the show’s primary sponsor, GoDaddy, and encourages listeners to become GNC insiders, contributing to the show’s community. He briefly recounts his weekend activities, decluttering his home, before returning to discussing the eclipse he experienced in Southern Michigan, noting the commercial exploitation around the event.

Todd then delves into the heart of the privacy act debate, expressing strong opposition to governments censoring online content or silencing dissidents and activists. He supports Elon Musk’s stance on free speech, aligning himself with Musk’s resistance to obeying court-ordered profile bans ordered by Brazil.

He mentions OpenAI’s alleged use of YouTube videos to train their models and relates it to his experience selling his voice recordings for AI training. Todd discusses the upcoming Disney Plus crackdown on password sharing, hackers’ targeting of hospital help desks, and Apple’s response to an EU ruling, which Todd finds Apple inadequate.

Todd talks about a report on the advertising impact of leaving TV streaming continuously, mentioning Tubi, a free ad-supported streaming service. He shares his recent network upgrade due to improved internet speeds and asks his audience for their old suitcase uses.

Todd appreciates the show’s insiders and those who contribute via new podcast apps, emphasizing the value of listener interaction. He covers news such as Gemini AI coming to Android, a new Google feature that allows users to look up unknown caller numbers, and the Nothing Company’s upcoming Nothing Ear 2 earbuds.

The host touches on cybersecurity with Dave Luber’s appointment as the new NSA cybersecurity director, Tesla’s robo taxi and Musk’s denial of scrapping the model 2, and Google’s rumored introduction of gesture controls for TVs with cameras, which Todd opposes.

Todd then discusses various reports and news items, including a Magento e-commerce platform bug, a Crowdfence bug bounty program,