Google leaks its search secrets, plus more tech topics in week 22 of 2024
As Google continues to beat back bad press surrounding its new AI Overview feature, the tech giant accidentally leaked a document containing secrets to its search algorithm. You’ll find this top story and many more in this week’s headline roundup for week 22 of 2024.
Massive Google Search leak unearths treasure trove of SEO data
Leaks are nothing new in the tech world, but sometimes, a breach that’s so immeasurably massive, both in scale and in scope, comes around that changes the entire industry landscape. When it involves a company as big as Google and unveils secretive information about how the world’s most encompassing internet search tool operates, people pay attention. Google, which is constantly teetering on the edge of great decision-making and prompt damage control, has to jump once again towards the latter after over 2,500 pages of SEO documentation was leaked.
Read the full story at Android Police.
Google is in damage control mode following AI Overviews fiasco
Google this month made AI Overviews the default for search results in the US, with plans to bring it to other parts of the world soon. However, the past several days have been filled with examples of these AI-generated results getting things wrong or providing dangerous recommendations. To say it has been a tough couple of weeks for the AI Overviews team would be putting it mildly. In the midst of a social media storm over this change, Google has now put out a statement dismissing some of these viral posts while promising to take action against the wrong results.
Read the full story at Android Police.
Apple Sheds More Light on iOS 17.5 Bug That Resurfaced Deleted Photos
Last week, some iPhone users reported that Apple’s iOS 17.5 update had introduced a bug that caused old photos that were deleted to reappear in the Photos app. Apple quickly released an iOS 17.5.1 update to fix the issue, but for many users, its explanation of “database corruption” in the release notes was all too brief, and did little to allay concerns about the privacy of their data.
Read the full story at MacRumors.
Siri for iOS 18 to gain massive AI upgrade via Apple’s Ajax LLM
Several of Apple’s standard system components are on the verge of receiving significant AI-related enhancements, with Safari, Spotlight Search, and Siri being first in line for the treatment. Over the past several months, there’s been various chatter regarding AI-related features bound for iOS 18, and AppleInsider has since learned some specifics on the functionality of Apple’s Ajax large language model (LLM), as well as information on features the company has been testing alongside it.
Read the full story at AppleInsider.
Galaxy Watch 7 Ultra leak reveals a very new design
Samsung’s next Galaxy smartwatches are among the highly anticipated products we expect to arrive alongside new foldable phones at the next Unpacked event, which is in July. However, the first high-quality renders of the Galaxy Watch 7 Ultra surfaced online ahead of the release, showing Samsung is playing with a new design for its flagship watch.
Read the fully story at Android Central.
The Pixel 9 isn’t here yet, but this crucial detail gives away the Pixel 10
While the Pixel 9 is the next anticipated series from Google, new information already gives exciting details about the successor Pixel 10 series, specifically the chipset that will be powering those models. It was rumored that Google is ditching Samsung for its in-house developed Tensor G5 chip, which likely powers the Pixel 10 series. However, new findings from Android Authority indicate that TSMC will be producing the upcoming Tensor G5 chip and not Samsung.
Read the full story at Android Central.
Is AI all a fad? A new report suggests very few people are using tools like ChatGPT
A new report by the Reuters Institute and Oxford University indicates very few people are using AI, despite the overwhelming hype around the technology and its advances.
Read the full story at Windows Central.
Hands-on: The Fitbit Ace LTE is Google’s most complete launch in ages
Google has been working on the Fitbit Ace LTE for the past two-three years, and it shows. In my brief usage of the Fitbit-branded device powered by Wear OS, what strikes me the most — as someone outside the intended kid/parent audience — is how much of an end-to-end experience it provides.
Read the full story on 9to5Google.
iOS 18 Project Greymatter will use AI to summarize notifications, articles and much more
Apple’s next-gen operating systems will feature Project Greymatter, bringing a multitude of AI-related enhancements. We have new details on AI features planned for Siri, Notes and Messages. Following widespread claims and reports about AI-related enhancements in iOS 18, AppleInsider has received additional information about Apple’s plans in the area of AI.
Read the full story on AppleInsider.
T-Mobile signs a $4.4 billion deal to buy most of US Cellular
T-Mobile has agreed to purchase parts of regional wireless carrier US Cellular in a $4.4 billion deal that includes US Cellular’s wireless customers, stores, and approximately 30 percent of spectrum assets. US Cellular will retain ownership of its towers and “approximately 70 percent of its spectrum portfolio across several spectrum bands,” with T-Mobile entering a long-term arrangement to lease space on more than 2,000 towers.
