At Apple’s “Glowtime” on September 9, (‘Glowtime’ being a reference to glowing lights around the device screen when Siri is active), an event to Apple’s latest products and innovations the company, Apple introduced the iPhone 16 series, Apple Watch Series 10, and AirPods 4.

Apple’s iPhone 16 lineup, featuring the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, Pro, and Pro Max, introduces the A18 Pro chip and larger displays. For users, this will mean faster performance, better photography, and more immersive visuals, especially with its enhanced camera systems. For Apple, these improvements are designed to maintain its leadership in the premium smartphone market (especially against competitors like Samsung) by offering advanced hardware paired with cutting-edge AI capabilities.

The Apple Watch Series 10, with a brighter, thinner design and new health tracking features (such as sleep apnoea detection) continues Apple’s push to dominate the wearable tech space. Apple clearly hopes it will appeal to health-conscious consumers and fitness enthusiasts, thereby expanding Apple’s ecosystem of health-focused products. With the updated Watch Ultra in new finishes, Apple is also hoping to cement its presence in the rugged, luxury smartwatch market, competing with brands like Garmin and Fitbit.

The new AirPods 4 introduced at Glowtime, equipped with the H2 chip, are designed to deliver superior audio quality and personalised Spatial Audio. The addition of USB-C charging should offer users convenience and compatibility. Apple hopes these enhancements will help position the AirPods as a top-tier audio accessory, competing with premium headphones from Bose and Sony, while offering integration with its broader device ecosystem.

At the “Glowtime” event, Apple also confirmed that the release dates for its major software updates, including iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS 15 Sequoia, watchOS 11, and visionOS 2, will be September 16 this year.

The rising demand for second-hand smartphones has fuelled a 150 per cent spike in phone thefts across the UK, particularly street snatch thefts.

Crime Survey for England and Wales figures show that between March 2023 and March 2024, an estimated 78,000 phones or bags were stolen, with many devices quickly sent abroad, some reportedly reaching China within days. However, police face challenges recovering these stolen phones, with less than 1 per cent of cases resulting in charges. Despite using tracking tools like Find My iPhone, many victims are unable to retrieve their devices, which are often dismantled for parts in tech hubs like Shenzhen (China). This international trade in stolen phones makes law enforcement efforts even more difficult.

In response, the UK government is now calling on tech companies and phone manufacturers to introduce stronger anti-theft measures. The hope is that they can build on features like remote phone tracking and disabling, while pushing for innovations that prevent stolen phones from being resold or re-registered.

To reduce the risk of theft, phone users should activate security features like strong passcodes, biometric locks, and location tracking. For iPhone users, enabling Lost Mode via Find My iPhone or Android’s Find My Device can lock a phone and prevent access to personal information. Disabling payment services like Apple Pay is also advised if a phone is stolen.

With phone thefts on the rise, taking personal security measures is crucial. By ensuring devices are locked and trackable, users can make it harder for thieves to profit from stolen phones while minimising the risk of identity theft.

Meta (Facebook and Instagram’s parent company) says it has struck a deal to buy geothermal power from Sage Geosystems to supply its U.S. data-centres.

Why? 

Meta’s deal with Sage Geosystems is part of its push to support its sustainability goals while trying to meet the growing energy demands of its AI infrastructure. Geothermal energy offers a continuous, carbon-free, and reliable power supply, unlike intermittent sources like solar and wind, thereby ensuring stable operations for energy-hungry AI technologies. Also, by diversifying its energy mix, Meta can enhance its resilience and reduce reliance on a single source, thua partnering with Sage supports clean energy innovation and offers long-term cost efficiency through geothermal’s stable operating costs.

What Kind of Deal? 

Although the financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, Meta says its new partnership with Sage Geosystems is a “first-of-its-kind project exploring the use of new, advanced geothermal energy in parts of the country where it has not been possible before”. 

Meta says the first phase of its project to use geothermal energy and utilise Sage’s proprietary Geopressured Geothermal System (GGS) to provide carbon-free power for Meta’s data-centres, will aim to be online and operating in 2027. As part of this partnership with Sage, Meta hopes to deliver “up to 150 MW of new geothermal baseload power” to support its data-centre growth.

It’s also worth noting here that the geothermal energy from Sage Geosystems will not actually be directly supplying each data-centre, but will feed the power grid. Meta could use renewable energy credits (RECs) and geothermal energy can help stabilise energy prices.

Geothermal Can Save Costs For Meta 

Meta has been overhauling its infrastructure to support AI workloads, refitting data-centres to accommodate AI-optimised chips. This AI push has driven up its expenses. For example, Meta has forecast $37-40 billion in capital expenditure for 2024 and warned that infrastructure costs will keep rising in 2025. Geothermal energy offers a cost-effective, stable power source, helping to manage these growing operational costs while ensuring reliable energy for its AI-driven operations.

Geothermal Energy – GGS Will Use Advanced Drilling

In Meta’s announcement of the deal, it highlighted how geothermal energy is a viable, renewable energy source across the US and how advanced geothermal energy is already being used in Nevada, Utah, and California.

However, Sage’s Geothermal Geosystems (GGS) technology aims to tap into geothermal energy by accessing heat from deeper underground than traditional methods. Using advanced drilling and reservoir engineering techniques, GGS can create geothermal systems in areas that were previously unsuitable for geothermal energy. This technology allows for broader geographic access to geothermal power, making it possible to deploy geothermal energy across the U.S. and beyond, even in regions without naturally occurring geothermal hotspots. Meta has, therefore, highlighted that one of the key advantages of its deal with Sage is that Sage’s technology can access geothermal energy virtually anywhere, giving hot dry rock as an example of a vastly abundant resource compared to traditional hydrothermal formations. This is why Meta believes Sage’s GGS technology is a highly scalable approach with the potential for rapid expansion across the US and globally.

Other Tech Companies Using Geothermal Too 

Several major tech companies, in addition to Meta, have explored or invested in geothermal energy to power their data-centres or other operations. For example, these include:

– Google. Back in 2021, Google announced partnerships with companies like Fervo Energy to integrate next-generation geothermal power into its energy portfolio. Google aims to run its data centres on 100 per cent carbon-free energy by 2030, and geothermal energy is part of its plan to provide a continuous, reliable power source.

– Microsoft has also shown interest in geothermal energy as part of its broader renewable energy initiatives. The company is committed to becoming carbon-negative by 2030 and removing its historical carbon emissions by 2050. Microsoft has, therefore, invested in various clean energy projects, including exploring geothermal energy to power its operations and data-centres, especially as it looks for sustainable energy sources that can meet the growing demand from AI and cloud computing.

– Apple. As part of powering all its global operations with renewable energy by 2018, the company has heavily invested in solar, wind, and biogas projects. However, it has also explored geothermal energy, particularly in regions like Nevada, where it has data-centres and renewable energy projects.

What Does This Mean For Your Business? 

Meta’s move to adopt geothermal power is a significant development, not only for its own operations but also for the broader business landscape. For Meta, the shift represents a strategic solution to the growing energy demands of its AI-driven infrastructure. As the company continues to expand its data-centres and refit them to support AI-optimised chips, geothermal energy offers a stable, cost-effective power source. This could help Meta manage its rising operational costs while contributing to its sustainability goals. For businesses like Meta that rely on large-scale AI processing and data storage, accessing renewable energy solutions like geothermal will become increasingly important in maintaining both operational efficiency and environmental responsibility.

Meta’s customers stand to benefit from this shift as well. As the company scales its AI capabilities, users can expect improved performance, reliability, and potentially lower costs passed on from energy savings. For those concerned about sustainability, Meta’s commitment to geothermal energy demonstrates a tangible effort to reduce its carbon footprint (as well as costs), aligning with the growing demand from consumers and businesses for greener practices.

This partnership also signals significant growth for geothermal energy and advanced technologies like Sage Geosystems’ Geopressured Geothermal System (GGS). By tapping into deeper geothermal resources, Meta and Sage could pave the way for the broader adoption of geothermal energy, making it viable in regions previously unsuitable for this form of power. As this technology scales, more businesses should have access to stable, carbon-free energy, supporting the growth of AI, cloud computing, and other data-intensive operations.

For competitors and the wider tech industry, this development highlights the increasing importance of renewable energy solutions. Companies like Google, Microsoft, and Apple are already exploring geothermal energy as part of their sustainability strategies, and Meta’s entry into this space raises the bar for the industry. The shift towards geothermal highlights how AI-driven businesses are rethinking their energy sources, and as AI continues to grow, we can expect more companies to follow suit in embracing renewable energy to power their operations.

This video tutorial explains how you can make a Powerpoint presentation directly from ChatGPT.

[Note – To Watch This Video without glitches/interruptions, It’s best to download it first]

Windows has a built-in “Print to PDF” feature, allowing you to save any file or webpage as a PDF, which is useful for sharing professional, non-editable documents. Here’s how it works:

– Open the document or webpage you want to save.

– Press Ctrl + P to open the Print dialog.

– Select Microsoft Print to PDF as the printer.

– Click Print, choose where to save the file, and it will be saved as a PDF.

Following Elon Musk’s X (Twitter) platform having failed to meet the deadline imposed by a Supreme Court Judge to suspend dozens of X accounts for allegedly spreading disinformation, the judge has now ruled that the X platform will be suspended in Brazil.

What Happened To Get To This Point? 

Back in April, tensions between the social media platform and Brazilian authorities escalated over X’s handling of misinformation and harmful content. The Brazilian government (concerned about disinformation and hate speech) criticised X’s moderation efforts as insufficient, especially regarding sensitive topics like elections and public health. This scrutiny was part of broader concerns in Brazil about the influence of social media on public order and political stability.

The situation intensified when Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordered that X accounts spreading disinformation (many of which supported former right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro), to be blocked while under investigation. Not surprisingly, Musk criticised these actions, which led de Moraes to impose fines of 100,000 reais (approximately $19,774 or £15,670) per day for each reactivated account. Judge de Moraes also warned that X’s legal representatives in Brazil could face personal liability if the orders were ignored. In response to Musk’s defiance, de Moraes opened an investigation into Musk, including charges of obstruction of justice.

New Regulations 

In June 2024, new regulations were enacted in Brazil that mandated stricter content moderation and transparency from social media which added to the pressure on Musk and his X platform. The “Fake News Bill,” also known as the “Brazilian Internet Freedom, Responsibility and Transparency Act” was introduced to target the spread of fake news and misinformation on social media platforms. This legislation also required platforms to have a legal representative in Brazil, banned anonymous automated accounts, and mandated transparency in content promotion and advertising. Regular transparency reporting and established mechanisms for content moderation appeals are also now required under this legislation.

Challenges and Failure To Comply 

Despite these new regulations, X struggled to comply, resulting in a series of legal challenges throughout July and August. The platform was then accused of not sufficiently addressing the spread of illegal content, leading to mounting pressure from the Brazilian courts. By late August, X was facing multiple legal battles, highlighting its difficulties in balancing freedom of expression with the need to prevent harmful content.

Court Hearing and Suspension 

The recent court hearings were therefore held to assess X’s compliance with Brazil’s new laws and Judge de Moraes, citing the platform’s failures, ordered the suspension of X’s business operations in Brazil. The suspension will continue until X names a new legal representative in the country (as required by the new law) and pays any fines for violating Brazilian law. The head of Brazil’s telecommunications agency has been tasked with the actual suspension of the X platform.

Also, Apple and Google have been given a five-day deadline to remove X from their app stores in Brazil and to block its usage on iOS and Android systems. Judge de Moraes has added that anyone or any business caught using a VPN to access X in Brazil may face a R$50,000 (£6,700) fine.

No Office To Close – Just Suspend Operations 

X had already closed its São Paulo office back in November 2022 as part of global restructuring and cost-cutting effort following Elon Musk’s acquisition of the company, so this recent suspension will apply to any remaining operational ties or representation in Brazil rather than leading to any office closure.

Still Live 

Despite X’s suspension and threats of fines for those using a VPN to access X, the service has remained live for Brazilian users. However, the suspension of X’s operations does appear to be a significant event in the enforcement of Brazil’s regulations on social media and highlights the growing conflict between global tech companies and national legal frameworks.

What Does Musk Say? 

Predictably, Musk and X have come out fighting in terms of their response to the ruling. For example, Musk launched an attack (on X) on the judge saying there is “growing evidence that fake judge @Alexandre (Judge de Moraes) engaged in serious, repeated & deliberate election interference in Brazil’s last presidential election. Under Brazilian law, that would mean up to 20 years in prison”. Musk also added that “it appears that some former Twitter employees were complicit in helping him do so.” 

Musk has also shared / commented many more times on his platform about the issue, including:

• Sharing a picture of an apparently overweight man lying on a pile of money with the caption “VPN Companies After Brazil Banned Twitter”. 
• Commenting that “The people of Brazil are not happy with the current regime” and that “Investing in Brazil under their current administration is insane. When there is new leadership, that will hopefully change.” 
• Commenting “I keep telling people that this guy @alexandre (Judge de Moraes) is the dictator of Brazil, NOT a judge. He just wears that as a costume. He has supreme executive, judicial and legislative power, aka a dictator. The cloak he wears is to trick fools in the West into thinking that he’s a judge.” Musk has also said that the responsibility for the situation lies with the judge and that there is “no question that Moraes needs to leave.” 

In terms of the more focused and serious replies to the ruling itself, X has indicated in posts that it will not comply with the ruling. For example, X said on an official account “Soon, we expect Judge Alexandre de Moraes will order X to be shut down in Brazil – simply because we would not comply with his illegal orders to censor his political opponents”. X also said “The fundamental issue at stake here is that Judge de Moraes demands we break Brazil’s own laws. We simply won’t do that”, i.e. Musk is positioning X as defending legal and ethical standards against what he views as overreach by the judiciary.

What’s The Link With Bolsonaro? 

During former president Jair Bolsonaro’s term in office, many of his supporters used social media platforms (including X) to spread disinformation, particularly regarding election results, COVID-19, and other politically sensitive topics. Whereas Judge Alexandre de Moraes was active in investigating and ordering the blocking of accounts linked to Bolsonaro supporters (with accusations of spreading fake news), Musk opposed these measures, citing concerns about free speech.

Musk Woes 

The suspension of X in Brazil adds to a growing list of recent legal, regulatory, and PR challenges for Musk including:

– Criticism for complying with Türkiye’s demands to restrict content ahead of elections.

– Concerns over environmental impact and regulatory compliance for Starlink satellite deployment.

– Musk commenting on the recent UK far-right violence, saying “civil war is inevitable,” drawing criticism from the Prime Minister and UK officials for exacerbating tensions amid riots.

– Threats of fines from the EU if X fails to improve content moderation in line with the Digital Services Act.

– Regulatory and competition issues for Tesla in various markets, including the UK.

– A decline in advertising revenue on X (perhaps by as much as 60 per cent in the US) as advertisers pull back from the platform over concerns about their brands appearing alongside hate speech, misinformation, and offensive content on X.

Others Feeling The Heat 

Twitter is not the only platform ‘feeling the heat’ recently. Others which have also found themselves under scrutiny include:

– Meta (Facebook and Instagram) over privacy issues and misinformation, with ongoing regulatory pressure from global governments to improve content moderation.

– TikTok, facing regulatory challenges in the US and EU over data privacy and security, amid fears of Chinese government’s influence on user data. For example, TikTok’s faces a potential ban in the US if ByteDance doesn’t divest it, plus TikTok has been banned from government devices in Australia, Canada, the UK, the EU, New Zealand, Denmark, Taiwan, and other countries.

– Google’s YouTube has been criticised for not adequately controlling harmful content, leading to increased scrutiny from regulators and demands for better content moderation.

– The end-to-end encrypted Telegram messaging app’s CEO Pavel Durov was recently arrested in France for alleged failures in moderating illegal activities on the platform, including child pornography and drug trafficking.

What Does This Mean For Your Business? 

The suspension of X in Brazil, which has been on the cards for a while, is another blow for Elon Musk’s X social media platform and serves as a reminder of the challenges facing global tech companies as they navigate increasingly stringent regulatory landscapes. For Musk, it adds to his growing list of issues, from regulatory scrutiny in multiple countries to declining advertising revenues. The situation in Brazil also highlights the difficulty of balancing ‘free speech’ with the responsibility to curb misinformation, particularly in countries where social media plays a critical role in shaping public opinion and political discourse.

For Brazil, despite Musk’s allegations and comments about the particular judge involved, this decision highlights the government’s commitment to tackling misinformation and enforcing stricter content moderation laws. Crucially, it could set a precedent for other countries dealing with similar issues, potentially leading to a ripple effect where more governments implement more robust regulations to hold social media platforms accountable. This could impact how social media companies operate globally, as they may need to adopt more transparent and responsible content management practices to comply with local laws.

Other social media platforms are likely to watch closely, as this case could herald a new era of heightened regulatory pressure (some would say, not before time). Companies like Meta, TikTok and YouTube are already facing scrutiny over their handling of content, privacy concerns, and their impact on society. They may need to strengthen their policies and practices to avoid similar repercussions. For users, this could mean more restrictive environments on platforms, with tighter controls on what can be posted and shared. It’s worth noting here that in the UK during the recent unrest, inflammatory/false social media posts even resulted in the arrest of (and imprisonment of) some people.

Generally, the evolving regulatory landscape now presents both challenges and opportunities. On the one hand, social media companies may face increased operational costs and legal challenges as they adapt to new laws. On the other hand, businesses that can demonstrate compliance and commitment to ethical standards may gain a competitive advantage, attracting users and advertisers looking for safer and more reliable platforms. For advertisers, these changes could lead to a more controlled and brand-safe environment, reducing the risks associated with negative publicity from ads appearing alongside harmful content.

As the world grapples with the power and influence of social media, the situation with X in Brazil is a clear indication that some governments (or some judges, according to Musk) are willing to take bold steps to ensure that platforms act responsibly. The near future looks likely to see more countries imposing regulations, and social media companies may need to adapt more quickly than before to remain compliant and relevant. This ongoing shift could redefine the relationship between tech companies, governments, and society, making it crucial for all stakeholders to engage constructively in shaping the future of digital communication.