Month: May 2025

Tesla Insider Confidence Shifts as Board Member Purchases 4,000 Shares

In a surprising move for Tesla, Joe Gebbia, a board member and co-founder of Airbnb, recently purchased 4,000 shares of the electric vehicle giant, valued at approximately $1 million.

This transaction marks a significant departure from the trend observed over the past five years, where insiders—executives and board members—predominantly sold shares rather than buy them.

This long-standing pattern had become a source of dark humor within the company, as it suggested a lack of confidence among Tesla’s leadership.

Airbnb Co-Founder Takes Bold Step by Buying 4,000 Tesla Shares

Before this purchase, Gebbia’s stake in Tesla was minimal, owning only 111 shares despite being on the board since 2022. This relatively modest investment in relation to his estimated net worth of over $7 billion serves as a testament to his newfound confidence in the company.

The timing of this transaction is especially notable given the significant turmoil Tesla has recently faced; the company reported its worst quarterly performance in years, yet its stock surged by 20% post-announcement, leaving many analysts scratching their heads over the firm’s actual health.

Despite the poor results, the board’s inaction has left Tesla enthusiasts and market followers disillusioned.

Historical transactions from board members, including a peak sale of over $100 million by chairwoman Robyn Denholm, have contributed to a narrative of insiders looking to cash out at critical moments, often before declines in stock value. The recent sales by executives like Kimball Musk and CFO Vaibhav Taneja further feed into this skepticism.

As Tesla grapples with major challenges in its core business, many are questioning if the board, now seemingly awakened by Gebbia’s purchase, will take assertive steps to revive confidence in the company amid diminishing prospects from its prior ambitions of self-driving and humanoid robotics.

Pricing for Isuzu’s D-MAX EV Expected to Exceed €36,500

In a significant shift towards electrification, Isuzu has announced that mass production of its first fully electric pickup truck, the D-MAX EV, has officially commenced.

The company plans to introduce the new model to the European market in the third quarter of 2025, with left-hand drive variants being the first to roll off the assembly line.

Right-hand drive versions, aimed at the UK market, are expected to begin production by the end of this year, paving the way for sales to kick off in 2026.

D-MAX EV Set to Hit European Market with Impressive Towing Capacity

The D-MAX EV shares a design closely resembling its diesel counterpart while featuring a robust dual-motor setup that provides full-time 4WD capabilities.

With a combined output of 188 horsepower and a maximum torque rating of 240 lb-ft, this electric powerhouse is engineered to match the performance metrics of existing diesel models. It can tow over 7,700 pounds (3,500 kg) and supports a payload of more than 2,200 pounds (1,010 kg)—numbers that align closely with the D-MAX diesel model’s capabilities.

Fueling the D-MAX EV is a 66.9 kWh battery, offering a WLTP-rated driving range of up to 263 kilometers (162 miles), with an impressive 224-mile (361 km) range in urban conditions.

The vehicle is designed for both on-road and off-road adventures, showcasing over 8 inches (210 mm) of ground clearance and a wading depth of nearly 24 inches (600 mm).

While pricing details remain undisclosed, the D-MAX EV is anticipated to start at a price slightly higher than the diesel model’s base of approximately €36,500 ($41,600). This electric pickup will compete directly with popular rivals like the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger, as well as electric newcomers such as Geely’s Radar R6 and Ford’s F-150 Lightning.

Gemini could be part of Apple Intelligence later this year

As Google faces legal scrutiny over its market dominance, a surprising detail emerged from the courtroom: Google is negotiating with Apple to integrate its Gemini AI into iPhones. This unexpected alliance could reshape the future of mobile AI, as Apple looks beyond its own models to enhance the capabilities of Siri and Apple Intelligence.

Apple opens the door to third-party AI

During the trial, Google CEO Sundar Pichai confirmed ongoing talks with Apple, revealing that a potential agreement could bring Gemini to iPhones before the end of 2025. Internally, Apple has already shifted its stance on third-party models, with software chief Craig Federighi noting users may prefer different AIs for different tasks—from creative writing to code generation.

Apple’s new openness follows a restructuring of its Siri and AI teams, where integrating external models is no longer taboo. Federighi even acknowledged during WWDC 2024 that Apple might “look forward to doing integrations with different models like Google Gemini.”

Siri could soon rely on Gemini or ChatGPT

While Siri already asks for permission to use ChatGPT in some situations, a system that lets users choose between ChatGPT and Gemini could soon become reality. Evidence of such flexibility appeared in beta iOS code discovered earlier this year, suggesting Apple is laying the groundwork for multiple AI models under the Apple Intelligence umbrella.

For now, Gemini remains available as a separate app, but integration with Siri would offer a more seamless user experience. Given Apple’s urgent need to meet its AI promises, partnering with Google may be the fastest route to delivering a more competitive digital assistant.

Can Apple run out of iPhone 16 because of Trump and the tariffs?

The tariff war initiated by former President Donald Trump has had a significant impact on the cost of imported products from China, with a levy reaching 145%. Although iPhones are temporarily exempt from these tariffs, uncertainty in Apple’s supply chain could result in a possible stock shortage in stores in the coming months. According to T.H. Tung, a Taiwanese businessman who has analyzed the situation, the disruption in the supply chain has forced Apple to move part of its production from China to India. Tech companies are preparing […]

The tariff war initiated by former President Donald Trump has had a significant impact on the cost of imported products from China, with a levy reaching 145%.

Although iPhones are temporarily exempt from these tariffs, the uncertainty in Apple’s supply chain could result in a possible stock shortage in stores in the coming months.

According to T.H. Tung, a Taiwanese businessman who has analyzed the situation, the disruption in the supply chain has forced Apple to move part of its production from China to India.

Tech companies prepare for the impact of tariffs

This adjustment aims to mitigate the effects of tariffs and ensure the availability of products for the U.S. market, although the viability of this strategy is a considerable challenge.

Although this relocation could eventually ease tariff pressure and meet demand, the immediate effects have led to a surge of purchases at Apple Stores, as consumers fear a shortage of units of the new iPhone 16 and other devices.

This phenomenon of “panic buying” has intensified due to the uncertainty surrounding the supply chain, which has been corroborated by analyst Mark Gurman, who warns of the possibility of shortages in the market.

In addition to Apple, other tech companies like Dell and HP also face the challenge of relying on suppliers affected by these tariffs. Manufacturers like Pegatron, which operate in countries like Vietnam and India, are also under pressure due to lower, yet still relevant, rates.

The current situation suggests that it will not be easy for these companies to adapt quickly, a process that requires long-term planning and could entail prolonged uncertainty in the technology sector.

Microsoft confesses that the programmer job is disappearing in its company due to AI

Microsoft has revealed that it currently uses artificial intelligence (AI) to write between 20% and 30% of the code that powers its software. During the LlamaCon conference, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella shared this advancement while discussing the impact of AI on software development alongside Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta. This notable use of AI highlights how technology is revolutionizing code production, although it also raises concerns about the potential displacement of jobs for novice programmers in a highly competitive labor market. Microsoft claims that AI writes up to 30% […]

Microsoft has revealed that it currently uses artificial intelligence (AI) to write between 20% and 30% of the code that powers its software.

During the LlamaCon conference, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella shared this advancement while discussing the impact of AI on software development alongside Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta.

This remarkable use of AI highlights how technology is revolutionizing code production, although it also raises concerns about the potential outsourcing of jobs for novice programmers in a highly competitive labor market.

Microsoft claims that AI writes up to 30% of its software code

In a similar context, Google indicated that 25% of its new code is generated by AI. These percentages suggest that the adoption of AI in large corporations is a growing trend, primarily focusing on repetitive and data-heavy tasks.

Despite these advancements, the code generated by AI still requires supervision from senior developers to avoid potential failures in production environments.

Nadavella highlighted that Microsoft has seen better performance in code generation in Python compared to C++, which is attributed to Python’s simpler syntax and its dynamic error handling.

The characteristics of C/C++, more related to low-level code, make its automation a challenge. This approach raises questions about whether AI should be allowed to participate in critical updates like the upcoming Windows.

In light of these changes, emerging developers may be at risk, as AI-generated code could limit job opportunities. However, experts advise programmers to maintain a balance, emphasizing the importance of understanding the fundamentals and using AI as a tool, without relying entirely on it to ensure a sustainable professional future.

What is CUDA and what we can do with this Nvidia technology

CUDA is a fundamental technology developed by Nvidia that has revolutionized how graphics cards are used beyond gaming. Originally launched almost two decades ago, CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture) enables the parallel processing of complex tasks. Whether for gaming, video editing, AI model training, or scientific research, CUDA has become an essential tool, especially as the number of CUDA cores in GPUs has dramatically increased in recent years.

Understanding CUDA cores and their impact

A CUDA core is a SIMD (Single Instruction, Multiple Data) processing unit inside an Nvidia GPU. These cores allow for massive parallelism, executing the same instruction across different data points simultaneously. The more CUDA cores a graphics card has, the more capable it is of handling multiple tasks at once, making GPUs like the RTX 4090 and RTX 5090 ideal not only for gaming but also for professional workloads.

How CUDA technology is used today

Beyond its gaming applications, CUDA enables accelerated performance in fields like data science, video encoding, rendering, and AI training. Developers use programming languages such as C, C++, Fortran, Python, and Julia to create software that taps directly into the GPU’s power. APIs like Direct3D, OpenGL, OpenMP, OpenACC, and OpenCL are also supported, broadening its range of applications. Thanks to CUDA, tasks once limited to CPUs are now efficiently managed by GPUs, dramatically speeding up complex processes.

The future potential of CUDA

As the technology evolves, CUDA continues to unlock new possibilities in computing. From enhancing real-time AI processing to enabling faster scientific simulations, CUDA’s role in innovation is only growing. It is clear that Nvidia’s platform will remain a key player across various industries for years to come.

Virtual friends? The risks of AI for teenagers

A recent study conducted by Common Sense, a prominent technology watchdog organization in the U.S., has established that generative artificial intelligence companions pose significant risks to minors and should be banned. As the popularity of applications like Nomi, Character AI, and Replika has grown, these platforms are offered as virtual friends or therapists that interact in a personalized manner. However, the report concludes that, while some cases show potential, they are not safe for children. The study, carried out in collaboration with mental health experts from Stanford University, revealed that […]

A recent study conducted by Common Sense, a prominent technology watchdog organization in the U.S., has established that generative artificial intelligence peers pose significant risks to minors and should be banned.

As the popularity of applications like Nomi, Character AI, and Replika has grown, these platforms are offered as virtual friends or therapists that interact in a personalized way. However, the report concludes that, although some cases show potential, they are not safe for children.

The study, conducted in collaboration with mental health experts from Stanford University, revealed that the chatbots used on these platforms can provide harmful responses, including dangerous advice and self-destructive behaviors, especially among teenagers facing mental health issues.

AI-powered chatbots can be dangerous for young people

“AI companions are designed to create emotional attachment and dependency, which is especially concerning for developing adolescent brains,” warned Nina Vasan, director of the Stanford Brainstorm Lab.

Alarming examples emerged from the analysis, such as recommendations for self-harming behavior. In one case, a user received advice on how to commit a violent act, while another was encouraged to consume a dangerous mix of drugs.

The lack of intervention in crisis situations led a mother to sue Character AI, accusing its chatbot of contributing to the tragedy of her 14-year-old son.

Despite the fact that Character AI has implemented new security measures, they are considered to be insufficient. Robbie Torney from Common Sense stated that the measures taken are “superficial” and that it is crucial to establish more robust safeguards before allowing minors to use these tools.

The report distinguishes that generalist chatbots, such as ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini, do not aim to offer an equivalent range of interactions, which adds another layer of complexity to this emerging debate.

A battery-powered router? Looks like it’s possible

When a blackout took down much of the wired Internet in Spain on April 28, some tech-savvy users started experimenting with off-grid solutions to keep their routers running. While most homes lost connectivity even with backup power, a few clever ideas have shown that Internet access is still technically possible—if the telecom towers stay online.

Creative solutions to power a router during a blackout

One user on X, @carriwho, shared an image of his router powered entirely by AA batteries. By connecting eight 1.5V batteries in series, he recreated the 12V DC power supply needed for the router and ONT to function. While the solution is temporary—offering just two hours of connectivity—it proved that a router doesn’t need to be plugged into the wallto work.

Others suggested more accessible options. User @jeans_jnco demonstrated a setup using a power bank and a USB-C to 12V adapter cable with a built-in voltage converter. This method is both portable and longer-lasting, depending on the power bank’s capacity. The user claimed it “worked perfectly” and provided Internet access for several hours.

Some even tried using solar panels, though results varied depending on whether the ISP’s local node was still powered. As @SpacePizza22 noted, “router was on, but network was down.”

These home experiments show that alternative power sources like batteries, power banks, or solar panels can keep a router alive, assuming the ISP infrastructure remains operational. Though not viable in large-scale blackouts, such solutions can be handy for localized outages.

What do we know about the Great Blackout in Spain and Portugal?

The blackout that affected Spain and Portugal last Monday has been described as one of the worst in Europe, interrupting essential services for tens of millions of people. At 12:30 p.m. local time, Spain lost approximately 15 gigawatts of electricity, which represents about 60% of the country’s demand, according to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Authorities are still investigating the causes of the blackout, which left much of the Iberian Peninsula without electricity since Monday afternoon. Intermittent signals preceded the worst power outage in Europe in years The company […]

The blackout that affected Spain and Portugal last Monday has been described as one of the worst in Europe, interrupting essential services for tens of millions of people.

At 12:30 p.m. local time, Spain lost approximately 15 gigawatts of electricity, which represents about 60% of the country’s demand, according to Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

The authorities are still investigating the causes of the blackout, which left a large part of the Iberian Peninsula without electricity since Monday afternoon.

Intermittent signals preceded the worst power outage in Europe in years

The operator of Spain’s electrical grid, Red Eléctrica de España, reported that two significant disconnection events had occurred before the blackout, with the second being the most damaging, causing interruptions from the French electrical system.

Additionally, sensors in homes in Madrid detected fluctuations in voltage hours before the blackout, suggesting problems in the electrical grid. These oscillations increased in frequency and magnitude, leading to a preliminary conclusion that the grid was experiencing instability. However, the exact root of the problem is still unknown.

The Supreme Court of Spain has initiated an investigation to clarify the causes, initially ruling out a possible cyberattack. Energy experts have pointed out that the high generation of renewable energy in Spain could have influenced the network’s vulnerability to fluctuations.

Although Spain is a leader in solar and wind energy, this raises questions about whether this dependence may have made the national electrical grid more susceptible to interruptions of this kind.

The interconnection of the electrical grid of Spain and Portugal with the rest of Europe through France plays a key role in the spread of problems. The system is designed to operate cooperatively, but a significant failure can trigger cascading blackouts in neighboring countries.

Surfshark launches a privacy-focused DNS service, the first of its kind

Surfshark has launched an innovative privacy-oriented DNS service, becoming the first VPN provider to offer such a solution. This free service promises not to log or track user activity, addressing a concerning privacy gap for Internet users. Unlike the DNS servers offered by Internet Service Providers (ISPs), which can collect and log user queries, Surfshark DNS operates under a strict no-logs policy. Say goodbye to tracking: Surfshark presents a free DNS solution The Domain Name System (DNS), […]

Surfshark has launched an innovative privacy-focused DNS service, becoming the first VPN provider to offer such a solution.

This free service promises not to log or track user activity, addressing a concerning gap in privacy for Internet users.

Unlike the DNS servers offered by Internet Service Providers (ISPs), which may collect and log user queries, Surfshark DNS operates under a strict no-logs policy.

Say goodbye to tracking: Surfshark presents a free DNS solution

The Domain Name System (DNS), which acts as an Internet phone book, translates domain names into IP addresses. Its proper functioning is essential for online browsing.

However, the DNS provided by ISPs are often subject to traffic monitoring, which could result in targeted advertising and unwanted tracking. Surfshark DNS aims to provide a safer and more private alternative, supported by security protocols such as DoT, DoH, and DoQ, which ensure a more confidential browsing experience.

Karolis Kaciulis, systems engineer at Surfshark, emphasizes that the new service is designed to help those looking to improve their online privacy, encouraging individuals and organizations to take steps towards safer browsing. Additionally, the use of Surfshark DNS can optimize network performance by avoiding overloads and providing a better understanding of geolocation, which can benefit the quality of the Internet connection.

However, Kaciulis also clarified that the use of Surfshark’s DNS in conjunction with its VPN is not recommended, as the latter already includes DNS protection. Surfshark plans to submit its no-logs policy to an independent audit to ensure its effectiveness and reinforce its commitment to user privacy.