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Stay connected in the world of tech with our weekly round-up of tech and media news. From an ASCII Barbie to AI on Shopify and more, we have you covered. Read on below for the latest from across the World Wide Web. 

Google Secures Significant Offshore Wind Energy Agreement

Google has announced its largest offshore wind energy deal to date, aimed at powering its European data centers. This involves signing agreements to support two new wind farms off the Netherlands coast, contributing over 700 megawatts of clean energy to the grid. The initiative is part of Google’s goal to match its data center electricity use with renewable energy on a 24/7 basis by 2030. The agreement with the CrossWind and Ecowende consortia, joint ventures between Shell and Eneco, will significantly boost Google’s clean energy usage in the Netherlands. Additionally, Google plans to purchase renewable energy from wind and solar farms in Italy, Poland, and Belgium. This move by Google and other tech giants like Microsoft aims to not just match annual energy consumption with renewable sources, but to support the generation of renewable energy locally and in real-time, helping to increase the capacity and reliability of clean energy on the power grid.

Microsoft Begins Rollout of OneDrive’s New Design for Consumer Users

Microsoft is rolling out an updated design for its OneDrive cloud storage service, targeting personal users. The new Fluent design, first introduced last year, is set to reach all personal users by the end of February. This redesign, described by Microsoft product manager Miceile Barrett, aims to offer both visual and functional improvements, focusing on quick file access and better content organization. The refreshed interface aligns more closely with Windows 11 and Microsoft Office app updates, featuring a simplified, modern look and a new ‘people view’ for easier file locating based on shared contacts. Enhancements include new file filters for sorting documents by type and a more integrated ‘add new’ button for streamlined file uploads and document creation. Microsoft plans further changes for OneDrive, especially for business users, including offline support and faster loading times.

Shopify Introduces ‘Magic’, an AI-Powered Image Editor to Enhance Product Photos with a Professional Finish

Shopify is enhancing its Magic suite with an AI-powered media editor for easy background changes in product photos and a conversational search feature, launching this spring. This tool, free for merchants, aims to help those without professional photography resources showcase their products effectively. Additionally, Shopify has integrated AI-driven tools like automated descriptions and chatbot functions and is competing with similar features on platforms like Amazon. The new search functionality focuses on interpreting the intent behind conversational queries for more accurate results. Shopify’s AI suite, built on models like GPT and Llama 2, includes moderation and watermarking capabilities.

Replika’s Latest AI Therapy App Aims to Transport Users to a Zen-like island

Replika has partnered with the creators of the AI dating simulator Blush to launch Tomo. The new app is a wellness and meditation app available on the Apple iOS store. Tomo transports users to a virtual island retreat, offering personal growth, mental well-being, and fulfillment programs. While the app offers a three-day free trial, continued use requires a subscription fee. Users engage with Tomo through a text-based interface, similar to other text therapy services. However, the experience with Tomo doesn’t significantly differ from typical chatbots. Tomo is currently exclusive to iPhones, with plans for an Android version and an immersive experience on Apple’s Vision Pro.

MSCHF Art Collective Offers Free Streaming of Movies like Barbie in ASCII Format

The art collective MSCHF is creating waves on the internet with its new project, ASCII Theater. The project broadcasts popular films daily in ASCII format for free. By entering a command in their computer’s terminal, viewers can watch films like Barbie. The project converts each frame into lines of text characters, replacing pixels with text. This technique is not new, with notable examples like the ASCII art version of the original 1977 Star Wars movie. MSCHF’s ASCII Theater, however, is unique in offering full-length ASCII films, with upcoming titles including the horror film Hereditary. 

February has arrived, and with it comes a bevy of fun happenings around town. From Lunar New Year festivals to Valentine’s Day and Black History Month, there are many ways to celebrate. Read on below for our curated list of fun happening February 2 through February 4.

Los Angeles Weekend Events | February 2 – February 4 

John Williams Spotlight

When: February 2 through May 19, 2024

Where: DTLA

What: In the ongoing multi-year tribute to John Williams by the LA Phil, attendees can experience “A Century of Film” from February 2 to 4. This event, conducted by David Newman, will feature a selection of pieces from several of Williams’ scores, including Indiana Jones and Close Encounters, alongside music from Batman, The Godfather, Back to the Future, Lawrence of Arabia, and other iconic films.

Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy

When: Through Spring 2024

Where: Boyle Heights

What: In the summer of 1987, Germany hosted a unique carnival where traditional rides were embellished with art from Salvador Dalí, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, David Hockney, Sonia Delaunay, and many others. After that summer, this distinctive carnival disappeared, tucked away in storage for years. Recently, however, Luna Luna has been resurrected in Los Angeles. Thanks to the efforts of several art world collaborators and Drake, the carnival has been meticulously restored and reassembled. It is now open for visitors in a Boyle Heights soundstage until the spring of 2024.

Griffith Park Run

When: February 4

Where: Griffith Park

What: Experience a pair of exciting runs around the northeast corner of Griffith Park. Participants in the 5K will enjoy a flat loop around the eastern sections of the Wilson and Harding Golf Courses, while the half marathon offers a varied route, combining mostly flat terrain with a challenging hilly midsection. Proceeds from these events will support the Los Angeles Parks Foundation.

Westside and Beach Communities Weekend Events | February 2 – February 4

Free Hot Cups of Spite and Dry Scones at Latte Larry’s

When: February 2 – February 4

Where: Venice and Culver City

What: To celebrate the 12th and final season of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” HBO is transforming Menotti’s locations in Venice and Culver City into Latte Larry’s, the coffee shop created by Larry David in the show’s tenth season. During this promotion, while supplies last, each guest will receive a complimentary hot cup of coffee (dubbed ‘spite’) and a scone. Additionally, limited edition collaborative merchandise, including Menotti’s and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” shirts and mugs, as well as a special signature roast of “Latte Larry’s Beans,” will be available. The event will run from 7am to 4pm, and it’s advised to arrive early as a significant turnout is expected, potentially resulting in long lines.

Lunar New Year Celebration at Disney California Adventure

When: Until February 18

Where: Anaheim

What: Celebrate the Lunar New Year at “the happiest place on earth” – Disney California Adventure. Embracing the Year of the Dragon, the park is hosting a month-long multicultural festival. Children will enjoy photo opportunities and parade processions featuring Mulan, Mushu, and Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Meanwhile, adults can indulge in a delightful culinary experience with flavors from China, Korea, and Vietnam.

Lunar New Year Celebration at South Coast Botanic Garden

When: February 3 – February 25

Where: Rolling Hills / RanchoPalos Verdes

What: Every weekend in February, South Coast Botanic Garden hosts vibrant Lunar New Year celebrations featuring lion dancers, drummers, and folk dancers. Performances dedicated to the Year of the Dragon take place on Saturdays and Sundays at 11am and 3pm. These half-hour shows are part of a full day of activities in the garden’s lower meadow, running from 10am to 4pm. The festivities include red lantern decorations and the option to participate in additional classes, such as puppetry and tea ceremonies, available for purchase.

San Fernando Valley Weekend Events | February 2 – February 4 

Performance by Pianist Jason Stoll

When: February 4

Where: 11455 Burbank Boulevard | Los Angeles, CA 91601

What: An unforgettable afternoon awaits with mesmerizing piano performances by the renowned Jason Stoll. Audiences are set to be captivated by his extraordinary skills and passion for music.

Shaping Gravity: Abstract Art Beyond the Picture Plane

When: Until March 10 

Where: Glendale

What: Experience the vibrant interpretations of abstraction by seven artists at this complimentary exhibit at the Forest Lawn Museum. Explore diverse artworks ranging from sculptures and paintings to augmented reality pieces and interactive video projections. Featured artists include Jen Stark, Molly Larkey, Shane Guffogg, Michelle Jane Lee, Christine Nguyen, Rema Ghuloum, and Sara Ippolito.

VALLEY RELICS MUSEUM EXPERIENCE

When: Every Saturday and Sunday

Where: 16781 Stagg Street Hangar C3 & C4 | Van Nuys

What: Visit the Valley’s beloved Museum of Pop Culture this weekend! The Valley Relics Museum invites you to join them for a day full of nostalgia and fun. Their one-of-a-kind museum.

Conejo Valley Weekend Events | February 2 – February 4 

Zine Lab at the Museum of Ventura County in Ventura

When: February 2

Where: Museum of Ventura County | 100 E Main St, Ventura

What: The Museum of Ventura County’s Zine Lab offers a unique community gathering for unleashing creativity. This event invites attendees to explore the vibrant worlds of art, expression, and advocacy. Utilizing the rich resources of the museum’s library, participants can draw inspiration from Ventura County’s diverse heritage.

Moorpark Groundhog Day 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run

When: February 3 

Where: 4500 Tierra Rejada, Moorpark

What: This inclusive event welcomes participants of all ages and abilities. Children 11 and under who complete the 5K will receive a finisher medal. Additionally, there’s a special “Catch the Groundhog” 1-mile fun run for kids 11 and under on the track, with finisher medals awarded to all young participants.

2024 Speakers Series Presents: The First People of the Conejo Valley

When: February 4 

Where: Stagecoach Inn Museum | 51 S Ventu Park Rd, Newbury Park

What: Learn about the indigenous people of the Conejo Valley, the mitsqanaqa’n (Ventureño) Chumash people. Barbara Tejada, Cultural Resource Program Manager for California State Parks, and board chair of the Chumash Indian Museum in Thousand Oaks will talk about the people and the places who first called this valley home and how they continue their traditions today.

As another week flies by, we‘re zooming in on the top tech news stories across the web. From Open-Source AI News to Apple Updates and more, we have you covered. Read on below for the headlines of the week through January 25.

GM and Honda Collaborate to Develop Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Diverse Products

General Motors and Honda, through their joint venture FCSM, have commenced production of hydrogen fuel cells for diverse applications, indicating a shift in the automotive industry towards cleaner energy sources. These fuel cells, emitting only water vapor, are being eyed for heavy-duty vehicles and power generators, moving away from traditional gas-powered vehicles. Established in 2017, FCSM has recently started operations in their Brownstown, Michigan facility, built with an $83 million investment. However, the adoption of hydrogen in passenger cars has been slow due to the lack of refueling infrastructure. The Biden administration’s recent tax proposals aim to make hydrogen production cheaper and less polluting, but challenges remain in hydrogen storage and its current production methods that largely rely on fossil fuels.

Google’s Partnership with Hugging Face Enhances Open-Source AI with ‘Supercomputer’ Capabilities

Google Cloud’s recent collaboration with Hugging Face, a leading AI model repository, offers developers the ability to build, train, and deploy AI models using Google’s advanced computing resources without requiring a Google Cloud subscription. This partnership grants affordable access to Google’s high-powered tensor processing units (TPU) and GPU supercomputers, including Nvidia’s sought-after H100s. Hugging Face, valued at $4.5 billion and supported by investments from Google, Amazon, and Nvidia, hosts over 350,000 models, akin to how GitHub is used for code sharing. Starting in the first half of 2024, Hugging Face users can utilize Google’s AI app-building platform Vertex AI and Kubernetes engine for training models. While some of Google’s models are available on Hugging Face, its prominent large language models like Gemini and Imagen remain more exclusive.

Apple Allows Game Streaming Services Access to the App Store

Apple has announced that it is opening its App Store to game streaming apps and services, allowing platforms like Xbox Cloud Streaming and GeForce Now to offer full-featured apps on iOS. This marks a significant shift from Apple’s previous policy, where each game had to be individually submitted and reviewed. Now, developers can submit a single app encompassing their entire gaming catalog. However, all content within these apps must adhere to App Store Review Guidelines, and the host app must maintain an age rating appropriate for its highest age-rated content. Additionally, Apple is enhancing the App Store by allowing mini-apps, mini-games, chatbots, and plug-ins within apps to utilize Apple’s In-App Purchase system. These changes, which apply globally, are part of broader adjustments in response to an antitrust investigation by the European Commission, which also includes permitting alternative app stores and browser engines in the EU.

Unraveling the Secrets of Dark Energy Through the Study of Supernovae

Cosmologists have revealed that the observable matter in the universe, including every atom we see, accounts for only 5% of its total composition. The remaining consists of 27% dark matter and a dominant 68% dark energy, an enigmatic force driving the universe’s accelerating expansion. At a recent American Astronomical Society meeting, researchers presented a decade’s worth of data from the Dark Energy Survey, utilizing the largest and most consistent collection of Type 1a supernovae. These supernovae are crucial in measuring cosmic distances and thereby the rate of the universe’s expansion, shedding light on dark energy’s nature. To detect dark energy’s subtle effects, extensive datasets and precise instruments are necessary. A novel approach using photometry and machine learning has enabled the identification of around 1,500 Type 1a supernovae from the Dark Energy Camera in Chile, advancing the understanding of this mysterious component of the universe.

iOS 17.3 Released, Introducing Stolen Device Protection for iPhone

The latest update, iOS 17.3, introduces a significant security feature called Stolen Device Protection, aimed at preventing unauthorized access to iCloud and other critical accounts like banking and email on iPhones. This feature enhances security beyond the lock screen passcode by requiring fingerprint scanning or Face ID for certain actions, such as accessing saved passwords or applying for a new Apple Card. It also adds a waiting period for sensitive actions like changing your Apple ID password or iPhone passcode. Apple ensures security by requiring a biometric authentication after an hour’s wait. To activate Stolen Device Protection, users can navigate to the Settings app. The iOS 17.3 update also brings collaborative playlists to Apple Music. This also gives users the ability to stream content to TVs in selected hotels. Additionally, Apple has released updates for older iOS versions, potentially including security fixes.