Connect with the latest news happening in the world of tech. From Warner Bros. to Nasa and more, we have you covered on what’s buzzing. Read on for our weekly tech news round-up!
Google Upgrades Gemini AI Chatbot with New Features
Google’s Gemini AI chatbot has received an upgrade to the Gemini 1.5 Flash AI model, enhancing its speed and content processing capabilities. According to Amar Subramanya, VP of engineering for Gemini, users will notice significant improvements in response time, reasoning, and image understanding. The chatbot’s context window has been expanded to process 32K tokens at once. The 1.5 Flash model, announced at Google I/O in May, is now available in the free version of Gemini on both web and mobile platforms. Additionally, Gemini will now provide links to related content for fact-seeking prompts, accessible by clicking a gray arrow at the end of a paragraph. Google is also introducing Gemini gradually in Google Messages for users in the European Economic Area, the UK, and Switzerland. Furthermore, Gemini for teens will be available in over 40 languages starting next week.
Amazon Prime Video Secures 11-Year Deal for NBA and WNBA Games
Amazon’s Prime Video has signed an 11-year deal to stream NBA and WNBA games starting with the 2025-2026 season, including 66 regular-season and 20 playoff games annually. The partnership, also involving Disney and NBCUniversal, will bring games to ESPN, ABC, NBC, Disney’s upcoming ESPN streaming service, and Peacock. Financial commitments are significant, with Disney paying $2.62 billion, Comcast $2.45 billion, and Amazon $1.93 billion annually. This marks a shift from the NBA’s long-standing partnership with TNT. Prime Video’s coverage will feature Friday night games, select Saturday afternoon games, Thursday night doubleheaders, the NBA Cup, Play-In Tournament, NBA League Pass, and half of the NBA Summer League games.
NASA Successfully Tests Laser Communications for Space Missions
NASA researchers have successfully tested laser communications in space by streaming 4K video from an airplane to the International Space Station (ISS) and back. This breakthrough could enable live coverage of Moon landings during the Artemis missions and enhance optical communications for future Mars missions. Using infrared light, laser communications can transmit data 10 to 100 times faster than traditional radio waves. In the test, an airplane equipped with a portable laser terminal flew over Lake Erie, sent data to Cleveland, which was then relayed to NASA’s Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) satellite and the ISS. Despite delays in the Artemis missions, the fourth mission aims to bring humans back to the Moon. Likewise, this would potentially provide clear 4K livestreams of astronauts on mainstream 8K TVs.
Apple Maps Launches Beta Web Version
Apple Maps is now available on the web through beta.maps.apple.com, offering driving and walking directions, ratings, and reviews. The web version mirrors many features of the iOS app, such as viewing guides, ordering food, and exploring cities. Apple plans to add more features, like Look Around, in the coming months and will expand language and browser support. This official web launch aims to enhance Apple Maps’ competitiveness against Google Maps and open-source alternatives like the Overture Maps Foundation.
Warner Bros. Games Acquires Player First Games
Warner Bros. Games has acquired Player First Games, the developer behind the new free-to-play platform fighter “MultiVersus.” Player First Games will continue to be led by co-founders Tony Huynh and Chris White, now reporting to Carlos Barbosa, VP and studio head of Warner Bros. Games San Diego. “MultiVersus,” developed with support from Warner Bros. Games San Diego, features a roster of popular characters from Warner Bros. Discovery franchises and is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. The acquisition follows significant layoffs across the gaming industry, affecting major companies like Microsoft, Sony, EA, Take-Two Interactive, and Riot Games.