Daily Tech Headlines: Microsoft Announces New Intel-Powered Surface PCs for Business
Episode: "Microsoft Announced New Intel-Powered Surface PCs For Business - DTH"
Release Date: January 30, 2025
Hosts: Sarah Lane, Robb Dunewood, Tom Merritt
Duration: Approximately 5 minutes (01:49 - 06:54)
1. Microsoft Expands Surface Line with Intel-Powered Devices
At the outset of this episode, Rob Dunewood delves into Microsoft's latest announcement regarding its Surface lineup. The company has introduced new Intel-powered versions of the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7, specifically tailored for business customers. These devices are scheduled to ship on February 18, 2025, and are equipped with Intel's Core Ultra CPUs, ensuring they meet the hardware requirements necessary for Copilot PC features.
“Enterprise users may prefer Intel chips for better app and driver compatibility,” Rob noted at [02:15].
This move follows Microsoft's September release of Qualcomm-powered variants, indicating a strategic diversification to cater to varied enterprise needs. Additionally, Rob references the earlier launch in March 2024 of the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6, which were Microsoft's inaugural AI-centric PCs. These models marked the beginning of Microsoft's collaboration with hardware partners to establish the Copilot Plus category, setting specific hardware standards for enhanced AI functionalities.
2. Integration of DeepSeq's R1AI Model into Azure AI Foundry
Continuing with Microsoft's advancements, Rob highlights the integration of DeepSeq's R1AI model into Microsoft's Azure AI Foundry platform and GitHub. The R1 model has attracted attention due to its cost-effective training compared to OpenAI's models, making it accessible for Microsoft's clientele to incorporate into their AI-driven applications.
A significant point Rob emphasizes is a statement from Asha Sharma, Microsoft's Corporate Vice President of AI Platform:
“Developers can experiment and integrate AI rapidly using R1 on Azure AI Foundry,” as mentioned at [03:30].
Microsoft has undertaken thorough safety evaluations and security reviews to address and mitigate potential risks associated with deploying the R1 model, ensuring a secure environment for developers.
3. Waymo's Expansion of Autonomous Vehicle Testing
Shifting focus to autonomous vehicles, Rob reports that Waymo plans to expand its autonomous vehicle testing to 10 new cities throughout the year, with initial tests beginning in Las Vegas and San Diego, as reported by The Verge. It's important to note that this expansion does not signal an imminent commercial launch. Instead, Waymo intends to deploy fewer than 10 vehicles per city, which will remain manually driven during testing phases.
4. Social Media Growth: Threads vs. BlueSky
In the realm of social media, Threads has shown impressive growth, boasting 320 million monthly active users, up from 300 million last month and 275 million in November. This steady increase underscores Threads' rising popularity amidst a competitive landscape featuring platforms like BlueSky, Mastodon, and X.
In contrast, BlueSky has experienced a slowdown in growth. Following a substantial 189% increase in November 2020, its growth rate dropped to less than 10% month-over-month in December 2020, and it currently maintains a total of 26.44 million users.
5. Authors Guild Launches Human Author Certification Program
Addressing concerns about AI-generated content, the Authors Guild, one of the largest writers' associations in the United States, has initiated a human author certification program. This initiative aims to help authors and readers distinguish between human-written and AI-generated works. Certifications will be listed in a public database and are currently limited to Authors Guild members and single-author books, with plans for future expansion. To qualify, books must be predominantly written by humans, allowing minor exceptions for AI-powered tools like grammar and spell checkers.
6. SoftBank's Potential $25 Billion Investment in OpenAI
In a significant financial development, Reuters reports that SoftBank is in talks to invest up to $25 billion in OpenAI, the Microsoft-backed company behind ChatGPT. This potential investment is part of SoftBank's broader strategy to expand in the AI sector. A specific source mentioned that SoftBank's possible investment of $15.25 billion could partially fund Stargate, a joint venture with Oracle and SoftBank aimed at maintaining US leadership in AI against China. This would be in addition to the $15 billion SoftBank has already committed to Stargate, though discussions are still in the early stages.
7. Meta Platforms' Settlement with Former President Donald Trump
In legal news, Meta Platforms has agreed to pay approximately $25 million to settle a 2021 lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump. The lawsuit stemmed from the suspension of Trump's accounts following the US Capitol attack. Of the total settlement, $22 million will fund Trump's presidential library, while the remaining funds will cover legal fees and compensation for other plaintiffs. Importantly, the settlement does not include an admission of wrongdoing by Meta, as confirmed by the agreement signed by President Trump in the Oval Office.
8. Vodafone's Satellite Video Calling and AST Space Mobile Partnerships
Highlighting advancements in mobile technology, Vodafone has reportedly conducted what it claims to be the world's first satellite video call using a standard smartphone. This testing employs a system designed to provide mobile broadband service to 4G and 5G phones without necessitating dedicated satellite hardware. Powered by satellites from AST Space Mobile, a competitor to SpaceX, this service is slated to launch in Europe by late 2025.
Additionally, AT&T and Verizon have partnered with AST Space Mobile to offer satellite services in the United States. With FCC-approved testing for AT&T set to commence this spring, a full U.S. rollout may follow subsequent to the European launch.
9. Sony Makes PlayStation Network Logins Optional for Single-Player PC Games
In a move to enhance user accessibility, Sony has made PlayStation Network (PSN) logins optional for several single-player PC games. Titles affected include God of War: Ragnarok, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, and The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered. While a PSN account is no longer mandatory to play these games, players who choose to sign in will receive in-game bonuses such as:
- Cosmetic outfits
- Early unlocks of gear and resources
- Trophies
- Access to a friends management feature
Rob concludes by directing listeners to dailytechnewshow.com for more detailed analysis, show notes, and links to all the headlines discussed.
Notable Quote:
“Enterprise users may prefer Intel chips for better app and driver compatibility,” — Rob Dunewood [02:15]
This episode of Daily Tech Headlines provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in the tech world, from Microsoft's strategic hardware updates and AI integrations to significant movements in the social media, automotive, and gaming industries. Stay tuned for more insightful analyses and updates in future episodes.