News June 11, 2024
The Titan Submersible Disaster Shocked the World. The Exclusive Inside Story Is More Disturbing Than Anyone Imagined
The Ocean Sciences Building at the University of Washington in Seattle is a modern structure with large glass windows reflecting the bay across the street. On July 7, 2016, it was being slowly locked down as students and faculty filed out under overcast skies. The building’s high-pressure testing facility was preparing to unleash one of the most destructive forces in the natural world: the crushing weight of about 2½ miles of ocean water. A black, pill-shaped capsule hung from a hoist on the ceiling, a scale model of a submersible called Cyclops 2, developed by OceanGate. The company’s CEO, Stockton Rush, had designed the sub to take paying customers down to the Titanic, but during testing, the model imploded thousands of meters short of the safety margin. The sudden roar and violent shuddering sent shockwaves through the building, leaving everyone shaken.
Danish Media Threatens to Sue OpenAI
As the battle between AI and the media continues to rage on, major Danish newspapers and TV stations are threatening to take legal action against OpenAI unless the company agrees to compensate them for allegedly using their content to train its models. The Danish Press Publications’ Collective Management Organization (DPCMO) is leading the charge, with CEO Karen Rønde stating that they plan to sue if a deal is not reached within the next year. This move could set a precedent for other small countries looking to take on Big Tech. OpenAI has been striking individual deals with publishers, but DPCMO wants to negotiate as a collective. The organization claims that Denmark was not prioritized in OpenAI’s negotiations and that they are now left with nothing. Rønde is waiting for a response from OpenAI’s lawyer and hopes to strike a deal before the value of press publishers’ content becomes too low.
AI Is Apple’s Best Shot at Getting You to Upgrade Your iPhone
Apple’s latest AI strategy is set to revolutionize its upgrade-your-iPhone approach, with the introduction of Apple Intelligence, a suite of new AI features that will transform sketches into images, sort through photos and videos, rewrite emails, and more. This innovative technology will be available on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, iPads Pro and Air, and select Mac computers later this year. However, it’s only compatible with devices running Apple’s A17 Pro chip or M1 chip, leaving older iPhones behind. Industry experts speculate that less-powerful chips would result in a less-performant AI, but Apple hasn’t confirmed the reason for this limitation. Nevertheless, this move could be a clever tactic to convince customers to upgrade to newer iPhones this fall. With iPhone sales slumping and revenue decreasing due to the decline in sales, Apple’s new AI features might just change the growth trajectory of Cupertino and spur an AI-driven iPhone upgrade cycle starting with iPhone 16.
‘Sausage Party: Foodtopia’ trailer is non-stop food nastiness
Get ready for a wild ride with Sausage Party: Foodtopia, the upcoming series that’s sure to leave you in stitches. The show picks up where the original left off, with Frank and Brenda leading a food revolution against humans - but things take a turn when they’re forced to confront the harsh realities of rain, which is apparently lethal to their kind. As they struggle to build their perfect foodtopia, they’ll enlist the help of human Jack, who’s in for a world of trouble thanks to Frank’s… let’s say, creative approach to mind control. With its trademark blend of raunchy humor and culinary chaos, Sausage Party: Foodtopia promises to be a real treat - just don’t say I didn’t warn you about the hot dog-related trauma that awaits. Mark your calendars for July 11, when the series premieres on Prime Video.
Google is letting you dig through the treasured Vogue image archive
Get ready to indulge in a visual feast as the Vogue Archive, a collaboration between Google Arts and Culture and Condé Nast, officially opens its doors today. This online treasure trove celebrates the rich history of Vogue, with over 15,000 newly-digitized archival images spanning six decades. The platform is meticulously curated, featuring stories clustered by era and achievement, showcasing iconic cover art, illustrations, and photographs from the likes of Irving Penn and Gordon Parks. From the birth of the miniskirt to the evolution of the “It Girl,” this archive delves into pivotal moments that shaped culture across the years. With special tributes to photographers and designers, as well as trends like Barbiecore and balletcore, this site is an aesthetic treat for fashion enthusiasts. As Condé Nast’s corporate photography director puts it, the Vogue Archive is “the essential destination to learn about the people and moments that made fashion history.”