The US vs Apple case will take years to conclude. Apple's success is built upon integration - its hardware, software, services, and entire ecosystem of products work together to create an experience. Developers who want to enter the iOS ecosystem have to go through the App Store and abide by its rules and restrictions. This article looks at the facts of the case against Apple, which directly attacks Apple's core differentiation: its deep integrations across its devices.

Tardigrades have an incredible ability to stay alive in extreme environments. Researchers from the University of Wyoming found that expressing key tardigrade proteins in human cells slowed metabolism. The research could eventually lead to treatments for slowing down aging or safe cell storage at cold temperatures. There is other research underway looking at whether tardigrade proteins can stabilize important blood products used to treat genetic diseases.

Microsoft will unveil its vision for AI PCs at an event in Seattle on May 20. The company is confident that its new Arm-powered Windows laptops will beat Apple's M3-powered MacBook Air in both CPU performance and AI-accelerated tasks. The laptops will feature Snapdragon X Elite processors from Qualcomm. Microsoft is planning to ship consumer models of its Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 with Snapdragon X Elite processors instead of the Intel Core Ultra processors that the business-focused versions have.

Google has launched the Find My Device network for Android-based products. The Android Find My Device network can use the millions of existing Android devices to track down lost, stolen, and missing Android products. The network uses Bluetooth and works even when Android devices are offline and do not have a cellular or Wi-Fi connection. The network will also work with third-party Bluetooth trackers starting in May.

Elon Musk gave a 45-minute speech at SpaceX's Starbase facility in South Texas last weekend about making life multiplanetary, the booster for Starship, the upper stage, and SpaceX's plans to ultimately deliver millions of tons of cargo to Mars for a self-sustaining civilization. SpaceX has now completed 327 successful launches, with 80% of those involving used boosters. This performance has given Musk confidence that reusability can be achieved with the Super Heavy booster that powers Starship. While SpaceX's goals seem audacious, the company has proven that rocket reusability is a very viable thing, so its other goals appear a lot more achievable.

A group of scientists launched a stream of microscopic salt particles off the deck of a decommissioned aircraft carrier last Tuesday in Alameda, California, as part of an experiment to limit global warming by increasing cloud cover to reflect sunlight away from Earth. Very few people knew about the project beforehand as geoengineering projects are controversial and the team was concerned that critics would try to stop them. The experiment will run through the end of May, and visitors are able to view the experiment.

Meta's Threads has introduced developer documentation and a sign-up sheet for interested parties ahead of its API's public launch planned for June. The documentation details the API's current limitations and endpoints. Developers can use the API to track analytics and publish posts and media, among other things. Threads accounts are limited to 250 API-published posts and 1,000 replies every 24 hours, with a text post limit of 500 characters.

Microsoft will unveil its vision for AI PCs at an event in Seattle on May 20. The company is confident that its new Arm-powered Windows laptops will beat Apple's M3-powered MacBook Air in both CPU performance and AI-accelerated tasks. The laptops will feature Snapdragon X Elite processors from Qualcomm. Microsoft is planning to ship consumer models of its Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 with Snapdragon X Elite processors instead of the Intel Core Ultra processors that the business-focused versions have.

Google has launched the Find My Device network for Android-based products. The Android Find My Device network can use the millions of existing Android devices to track down lost, stolen, and missing Android products. The network uses Bluetooth and works even when Android devices are offline and do not have a cellular or Wi-Fi connection. The network will also work with third-party Bluetooth trackers starting in May.

Elon Musk gave a 45-minute speech at SpaceX's Starbase facility in South Texas last weekend about making life multiplanetary, the booster for Starship, the upper stage, and SpaceX's plans to ultimately deliver millions of tons of cargo to Mars for a self-sustaining civilization. SpaceX has now completed 327 successful launches, with 80% of those involving used boosters. This performance has given Musk confidence that reusability can be achieved with the Super Heavy booster that powers Starship. While SpaceX's goals seem audacious, the company has proven that rocket reusability is a very viable thing, so its other goals appear a lot more achievable.

A group of scientists launched a stream of microscopic salt particles off the deck of a decommissioned aircraft carrier last Tuesday in Alameda, California, as part of an experiment to limit global warming by increasing cloud cover to reflect sunlight away from Earth. Very few people knew about the project beforehand as geoengineering projects are controversial and the team was concerned that critics would try to stop them. The experiment will run through the end of May, and visitors are able to view the experiment.

Meta's Threads has introduced developer documentation and a sign-up sheet for interested parties ahead of its API's public launch planned for June. The documentation details the API's current limitations and endpoints. Developers can use the API to track analytics and publish posts and media, among other things. Threads accounts are limited to 250 API-published posts and 1,000 replies every 24 hours, with a text post limit of 500 characters.

Microsoft will unveil its vision for AI PCs at an event in Seattle on May 20. The company is confident that its new Arm-powered Windows laptops will beat Apple's M3-powered MacBook Air in both CPU performance and AI-accelerated tasks. The laptops will feature Snapdragon X Elite processors from Qualcomm. Microsoft is planning to ship consumer models of its Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 with Snapdragon X Elite processors instead of the Intel Core Ultra processors that the business-focused versions have.

Google has launched the Find My Device network for Android-based products. The Android Find My Device network can use the millions of existing Android devices to track down lost, stolen, and missing Android products. The network uses Bluetooth and works even when Android devices are offline and do not have a cellular or Wi-Fi connection. The network will also work with third-party Bluetooth trackers starting in May.

Elon Musk gave a 45-minute speech at SpaceX's Starbase facility in South Texas last weekend about making life multiplanetary, the booster for Starship, the upper stage, and SpaceX's plans to ultimately deliver millions of tons of cargo to Mars for a self-sustaining civilization. SpaceX has now completed 327 successful launches, with 80% of those involving used boosters. This performance has given Musk confidence that reusability can be achieved with the Super Heavy booster that powers Starship. While SpaceX's goals seem audacious, the company has proven that rocket reusability is a very viable thing, so its other goals appear a lot more achievable.

A group of scientists launched a stream of microscopic salt particles off the deck of a decommissioned aircraft carrier last Tuesday in Alameda, California, as part of an experiment to limit global warming by increasing cloud cover to reflect sunlight away from Earth. Very few people knew about the project beforehand as geoengineering projects are controversial and the team was concerned that critics would try to stop them. The experiment will run through the end of May, and visitors are able to view the experiment.

Meta's Threads has introduced developer documentation and a sign-up sheet for interested parties ahead of its API's public launch planned for June. The documentation details the API's current limitations and endpoints. Developers can use the API to track analytics and publish posts and media, among other things. Threads accounts are limited to 250 API-published posts and 1,000 replies every 24 hours, with a text post limit of 500 characters.

The U.S. Department of Commerce has proposed granting Intel up to $8.5 billion under the CHIPS and Science Act to support semiconductor projects in multiple states. This funding aims to bolster U.S. chip manufacturing, develop critical technologies like AI, and create thousands of jobs. Intel's planned $100 billion investment in expansion is one of the largest in U.S. semiconductor history.

China is now producing almost half of the world’s top AI researchers, surpassing the US, with 18% coming from US undergrad institutions. Despite pioneering AI breakthroughs, the US relies heavily on Chinese-born researchers, with Chinese talent making up 38% of top US-based AI professionals. The trend of Chinese researchers staying in China rather than moving to the US could impact global AI leadership dynamics.

A Pew Research Center survey indicates ChatGPT usage among U.S. adults has increased from 18% to 23% since July 2023, with upticks in occupational, educational, and entertainment contexts. Young adults and those with higher education are more likely to use ChatGPT. Reflecting general wariness about AI and politics, 40% of Americans distrust election information from ChatGPT. Despite tech companies' efforts to combat AI-generated misinformation, only 2% of Americans have used ChatGPT to seek election-related facts.

The U.S. Space Force logo has been criticized for its obvious Trekkie influence. If you've wondered what other logo designs were considered, you will see them sometime soon. As a tardy response to Reason's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, the Air Force redacted all images of alternate logo designs that didn't make the cut.

Three former Wieden+Kennedy executives, known for creating iconic Nike ads, have launched Someplace, a new ad agency in Los Angeles. The agency offers a hands-on approach to creative and media strategy for major brands and startups. The executives express a desire to stay close to the creative work and plan to differentiate with their combined expertise, seizing the opportunities presented by media fragmentation.

Tennessee is the first state to enact legislation to protect songwriters, performers, and others in the music industry against the potential dangers of artificial intelligence. AI tools won't be allowed to replicate artists' voices without their consent beginning July 1. People can potentially face civil action if they use AI techniques to reproduce an artist's name, likeness, or voice without permission.

Figma has announced its Config 2024 lineup held in San Francisco on June 26-27. Over 75 speakers from Google, Disney, PayPal, Slack, Uber, Epic Games, and more will discuss their thoughts, work, and what's next. Early bird tickets are currently available at a discounted rate for a chance to connect with a community of builders and the future of product development.

NASA has invited three space companies, Intuitive Machines, Lunar Outpost, and Venturi Astrolab, to build rugged vehicles astronauts can drive on the moon's surface. Next year, the agency will select a winner based on specifications such as range, battery technology, and life span. Using the vehicles, astronauts can carry scientific equipment, collect samples from the surface, and travel farther.

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon has implemented a new law that allows DAOs to be recognized as unincorporated nonprofit associations. Crypto investment giant Andreessen Horowitz has hailed the move as a significant breakthrough as it offers better protection and support for blockchain networks. This law extends the state's blockchain-friendly reputation, encouraging DAOs to establish themselves in the region.

A US district judge has rejected the requests of crypto exchange Gemini and crypto lender Genesis to dismiss a case initiated by the SEC concerning the Gemini Earn program. Judge Edgardo Ramos found that the SEC "plausibly alleged" that both parties offered and sold unregistered securities. Genesis and Gemini were first charged by the SEC in January 2023.

A recent survey by Paradigm revealed the growing importance of crypto in the US, indicating policymakers should be paying attention. The poll suggests that dissatisfaction with traditional financial institutions is driving people toward crypto, with 19% of respondents owning it. Ownership is highest amongst college graduates and minorities. The survey also shows that crypto holders make up a significant voting bloc, enough to potentially influence election outcomes, indicating political parties should develop thorough crypto policies.

Marathon Digital Holdings is investing $87.3 million in a Texas 200-megawatt Bitcoin mining facility to boost capacity and reduce costs by 20% to counter the impact of bitcoin's halving.

This thread lays out two new crypto law concepts that were recently introduced - DUNAs (Decentralized Unincorporated Nonprofit Associations) and BORGs (Cybernetic Organizations). DUNAs are intended to grant legal personhood to DAOs, allowing them to contract, sue, and pay taxes under US tax law. BORGs are legally wrapped multisigs that limit liability while setting parameters for their activities. Experts suggest these concepts, while not universal solutions, add to the growing toolkit for managing DAOs within a legal framework.