Global Scans · GAFA et al · Weekly Summary

• [New] Google is reportedly working on a handy new feature that could help users isolate a malicious app on their smartphone after it is detected. Gadgets 360
• [New] Alteryx announced an expanded partnership with Google to launch Alteryx Analytics Cloud on Google Cloud, alongside expanded AI capabilities with Google Cloud's Gemini models that will extend the capabilities of Alteryx AiDIN. RTInsights
• [New] The Google One VPN service will continue to be available to Pixel users - specifically, Pixel 7 and newer - but paying Google One customers will lose the key benefit in the near future. Android Police
• [New] Companies like Google have been at the forefront of integrating AI into their products to enhance security measures and protect sensitive data against cyber threats. elblog.pl
• [New] Apple has made a significant change to the wording of its threat notifications, opting not to attribute attacks to a specific source or perpetrator, but categorizing them broadly as mercenary spyware. The Register
• [New] For repair shops, Apple writes that service providers will no longer need to provide a device's serial number when ordering parts from the Self Service Repair Store for repairs not involving replacement of the logic board. Gizmodo
• [New] Google plans to invest $1 billion in digital connectivity for North Pacific Connect, which expands the Pacific Connect Initiative, with NEC, to improve digital communications infrastructure between the United States, Japan, and Pacific Island Nations. The White House
• [New] Over the coming months, Airwallex plans on expanding the Airwallex Borderless Card functionality, including the addition of Apple Pay and Google Pay, and the availability of physical multi-currency payment cards for business owners and their employees. FinExtra
• [New] Every Apple Vision Pro native app made by Apple is class-leading and will be hard to usurp by a third party - today. AppleInsider
• [New] Google Cloud customers will be able to use Axion in services such as Google Compute Engine, Google Kubernetes Engine, Dataproc, Dataflow, and Cloud Batch, while Arm-compatible software and solutions are now available on the Google Cloud Marketplace. GSMArena
• [New] The landmark partnership with WPP means that Google's robots could potentially end up creating ads for some of the biggest brands in the world, such as the Coca-Cola Company, L'Oreal and Nestle. Search Engine Land
• [New] To settle a class action lawsuit, Google will delete billions of data records that reflect the tracked browsing activities of users while using the Chrome browser's supposedly private and anonymous Incognito Mode. NetworkTigers News
• [New] In terms of the entertainment industry, XR devices like the Apple Vision Pro have the potential to revolutionize the way we consume media. Smartphone Magazine
• The AR announcements could just be a new iteration of ARKit or new AR features for Google Maps, Google Lens, or another Google app. MIXED
• With Google's enterprise AI platform, Vertex AI, and its Gemini models, PwC will help customers set new benchmarks for digital transformation and improve their businesses for growth and efficiency. Google Cloud Press Corner
• Google will fund the construction of an interlink cable connecting Hawaii, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam. Hawaii Tech News
• A threat actor is using a PowerShell script that was likely created with the help of an artificial intelligence system such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, or Microsoft's CoPilot. BleepingComputer
• By utilizing Shopify's commerce operating system, built on Google Cloud, along with the expansive suite of Google Cloud offerings, brands will have the foundational technology needed for Cognizant to execute impactful digital transformation and deliver benefits across a range of retail scenarios. News | Cognizant Technology Solutions
• The AI network interface cards, which are already being used by Google Cloud, will provide a secure way to offload functionality like storage, networking and container management and manage AI infrastructure. TechRepublic
• Strategic collaboration between MGI and Google Cloud to consolidate MGI's marketplaces into one cloud infrastructure, which is expected to drive economies of scale. Yahoo Finance
• Caribbean - Under the influence of digital transformation, some forward-looking companies like Amazon are finding new opportunities to increase efficiency, improve customer service, and drive growth. ICT Pulse - The leading technology blog in the Caribbean
• Although Amazon's proposition is likely to surprise people who are expecting more innovation in physical retail. The Interline
• Google will allow users to block third-party cookies for five years on incognito mode to prevent potential data collection on external websites. Council on Foreign Relations

Last updated: 21 April 2024