KAP10 Weekly Update - News Corp Sues Perplexity, Meta's Account Ban, and Qualcomm’s New Snapdragon

Welcome to this week’s tech roundup, where we explore recent developments making headlines in AI, social media, mobile technology, and more. From lawsuits involving major tech players to innovative mobile processors and new user tools, here’s what you need to know.

News Corp Sues Perplexity Over Copyright Infringement

News Corp, the media giant behind The Wall Street Journal, has filed a lawsuit against AI search engine Perplexity, alleging copyright violations for using its articles and analyses without permission. The case underscores ongoing tensions between traditional media and AI companies over content usage and revenue implications.

Meta Bans Accounts Tracking Celebrity Jets

Meta has banned 38 accounts operated by student Jack Sweeney, who tracked private flights of celebrities. Citing security concerns, Meta has received both praise and criticism over the decision, raising questions about privacy and the balance of public information.

Qualcomm Introduces the Snapdragon 8 Elite Chipset

Qualcomm’s newest mobile processor, the Snapdragon 8 Elite, aims to elevate smartphone performance with enhanced AI capabilities, including an object-removal tool in video content. Early adopters such as Asus and Xiaomi are expected to launch devices with this new powerhouse soon.

X Debuts Radar, a Trend Analysis Tool for Premium Users

Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has rolled out Radar, a feature providing Premium+ users with real-time insights into emerging trends on the platform. This new tool offers advanced analytics and aims to cater to businesses seeking actionable data.

Apple Faces Backlash Over iOS 18’s Distraction Control

French advertising and media groups have expressed concern over Apple’s new Distraction Control feature in iOS 18, which allows users to hide web elements like ads and cookie consent pop-ups. Industry players fear revenue impacts and potential GDPR non-compliance, fueling debate around ad-blocking and user privacy.

Stability AI Launches Stable Diffusion 3.5 for Image Generation

Stability AI has released Stable Diffusion 3.5, a series of updated image-generation models with enhanced diversity and mobile compatibility. While free for non-commercial use, large enterprises are required to license these models. Creators can now opt to exclude their work from training datasets, addressing copyright concerns.

Tesla and Halcon Entertainment Legal Battle Over Blade Runner 2049 Images

In another high-profile copyright dispute, Halcon Entertainment, producer of Blade Runner 2049, has filed suit against Tesla, alleging unauthorized use of film images at a recent event. Halcon claims Tesla altered images with an AI generator after being denied permission, adding to the legal complexities around AI-modified content.

Spotify Introduces Custom Playlist Covers for Personalized Touch

Spotify is rolling out a new feature, “Create a Cover,” enabling users to design unique artwork for playlists. Currently in beta in 65 English-speaking markets, this feature includes artist-designed stickers and visual effects. Though users can’t yet edit covers post-save or save drafts, this addition adds a creative layer to playlist customization.

Anthropic’s Cloud 3.5 Model Adds Experimental Computer Control Features

Anthropic has introduced a groundbreaking capability in its AI model, Cloud 3.5, allowing it to perform direct interactions on a computer. With this experimental feature, the AI can move the cursor, click, and type, similar to human actions, though with limited speed and accuracy. This innovation provides developers with a unique opportunity to test and offer feedback on real-time AI-computer interaction.

Thank you for following this week’s KAP10 Weekly Update! These developments in AI, social media policies, and mobile technology reveal both exciting advances and complex legal, ethical, and user experience considerations. We’ll be back next week with more insights and analysis on the latest in technology and innovation. Stay tuned, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!