The first week of January is coming to a close and your weekly round-up of tech news has arrived. From solar probe records to YouTube updates and more, we have you covered. Check out what you missed this week in the world of technology!
Parker Solar Probe Makes Historic Flyby of the Sun
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has set a record as the closest human-made object to the Sun. The solar probe came within 3.8 million miles of its surface on December 24th. Traveling at 430,000 mph, the solar probe survived extreme conditions thanks to its advanced heat shield, maintaining its internal temperature at just 85°F despite external temperatures of 2,500°F. Designed to study the Sun’s corona and solar wind, the solar probe transmitted a signal confirming its health and success on December 26th, with detailed data expected on January 1st.
Samsung Brings Budget-Friendly Galaxy Fit 3 and Galaxy A16 5G to the US
Samsung is launching the Galaxy Fit 3 fitness tracker and Galaxy A16 5G phone in the US on January 9, 2025. Priced at $59.99, the Galaxy Fit 3 features a 1.6-inch aluminum display, 13-day battery life, and advanced health tracking, including heart rate monitoring, sleep analysis, and over 100 workout modes. The Galaxy A16 5G, available for $199.99, offers a 6.7-inch FHD Plus OLED display, a 90Hz refresh rate, and a versatile triple-camera system, making both devices accessible and feature-packed options.
Classic Works from 1929 Enter the Public Domain
Thousands of iconic works from 1929 are now in the public domain, including early versions of Popeye and Tintin, William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury, Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own, and Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms. This year also marks the public domain release of groundbreaking films like Alfred Hitchcock’s Blackmail and Disney’s The Skeleton Dance. As copyright protections lapse, these works are free to reuse, repurpose, and inspire new creations, with even more beloved characters like Betty Boop entering the public domain in 2026.
YouTube Tests New “Play Something” Button for Random Video Picks
YouTube is experimenting with a floating “Play Something” button in its Android app, designed to randomly select a video for users to watch. The button, located above the bottom bar, plays videos using the YouTube Shorts player, regardless of format. This follows earlier tests of similar features, echoing Netflix’s now-retired “Surprise Me” video picker.
HHS Proposes New Cybersecurity Rules for Healthcare Data Protection
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is proposing stricter cybersecurity requirements for healthcare organizations to safeguard patient data from cyberattacks. The rules include mandatory multifactor authentication, network segmentation, and encryption of patient information, along with enhanced risk analysis and compliance measures. Set to update the HIPAA Security Rule, these changes aim to address rising cyber threats, with implementation costs estimated at $9 billion in the first year. The proposal will open for public comment starting January 6, 2025.