👁️ Neuralink's Breakthrough, Google's RCS Encryption, Discord's E2EE
Good morning. It’s Wednesday, September 18. Today we are covering:
Musk's Neuralink gets FDA's breakthrough device tag for 'Blindsight' implant
Google working on RCS encryption between Android and iPhone
Discord launches end-to-end encrypted voice and video chats
United Airlines is adding free Starlink Wi-Fi to all of its planes
iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max review: Cameras and customization
Let’s dive in
Musk's Neuralink gets FDA's breakthrough device tag for 'Blindsight' implant
Reuters
Neuralink has announced that its Blindsight implant, designed to restore vision, has received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's "breakthrough device" designation, aiming to accelerate development and regulatory processes.
The Blindsight device is remarkable as it allows vision restoration for individuals who have lost both eyes and their optic nerves, according to Elon Musk.
Neuralink is also conducting separate trials for an implant that enables paralyzed patients to operate digital devices using thought alone, with ongoing evaluations in a study that will span several years.
𝕏: Techbros yet again solving the unimportant problems - Austen Allred (@Austen)
Google working on RCS encryption between Android and iPhone
By Abner Li via 9to5Google
Google is advancing its RCS (Rich Communication Services) capabilities by developing cross-platform end-to-end encryption (E2EE) between Android and iPhone devices.
The GSMA governing body emphasizes that this advancement will be the first standardized, interoperable messaging encryption across different computing platforms, enhancing user security against scams and fraud.
Google aims to implement this E2EE for RCS chats as swiftly as possible, while already supporting E2EE for RCS 1:1 and group conversations on Android, excluding iPhone interactions.
𝕏: As iMessage launches #RCS support (iPhone users can now send rich messages to their Android friends), “The next major milestone is for the RCS Universal Profile to add important user protections such as interoperable end-to-end encryption.” - Ian Brown (@1Br0wn)
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Discord launches end-to-end encrypted voice and video chats
By Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai via TechCrunch
Discord has implemented end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for voice and video calls on its platform, ensuring that even the company cannot access the content of these communications.
The encryption will apply to voice and video in DMs, Group DMs, voice channels, and Go Live streams, with users being able to verify encryption status and participant authenticity.
Despite the new security measures for calls, Discord's text messages will continue without E2EE to maintain the platform’s content moderation policies.
𝕏: NEW: Discord has started rolling out end-to-end encryption for audio and video calls on the platform. For now, citing the need to do content moderation, DMs and group text chats will NOT be end-to-end encrypted. - Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai (@lorenzofb)
United Airlines is adding free Starlink Wi-Fi to all of its planes
By Tom Warren via The Verge
United Airlines is set to enhance in-flight connectivity by integrating SpaceX's Starlink Wi-Fi across its entire fleet of over 1,000 aircraft, offering high-speed internet service free to passengers starting in early 2025.
The Starlink Wi-Fi service aims to provide a seamless online experience comparable to ground services, boasting speeds up to 220Mbps, allowing for activities like streaming and video conferencing at 35,000 feet.
This strategic move by United places pressure on competitors, as other airlines globally are also beginning to adopt Starlink's services to upgrade their in-flight internet offerings.
𝕏: United Airlines is adding free Starlink Wi-Fi to all of its planes. United will start rolling out the high-speed Wi-Fi to passenger flights later next year, and it will eventually be available on more than 1,000 planes. - Tom Warren (@tomwarren)
iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max review: Cameras and customization
By Cherlynn Low via Engadget
The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max highlight significant upgrades in camera technology and customization options, featuring a new Camera Control button for enhanced photographic precision and larger displays.
Despite innovative features, the iPhone 16 Pro struggles with battery life, often requiring more than one charge per day, which contrasts with the Pro Max's longer battery endurance.
Apple maintains its approach of thoughtful, albeit cautious, innovation, introducing changes like Photographic Styles for in-depth image customization, while also preparing for future enhancements with iOS 18 and pending Apple Intelligence features.
𝕏: So iPhone embargo is up And I want to point out something. A18 Pro NPU is still 35 TOPS. Geekbench AI 1.1 performance improved by ~50%, 30K on A17 Pro quantized vs ~45K A18 Pro quantized Same TOPS, better performance… maybe there’s a bottleneck somewhere or TOPS aren’t be all end all - Max Weinbach (@MaxWinebach)
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