Cache of the day | Elon Musk will co-head the government department | Photo credit: REUTERS
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Elon Musk will co-head the government department
Billionaire Elon Musk is set to co-lead a new U.S. Department of Government Effectiveness (DOGE) alongside former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who aims to crack down on what he sees as excessive regulations and spending while restructuring federal agencies, according to President Donald Trump. He previously indicated that Musk could take an official position in his government if he returns to power after the 2024 elections. The department’s work is expected to be completed by July 4, 2026.
Critics have pointed to potential conflict of interest issues when it comes to Musk’s involvement in government affairs, particularly considering his reach into the electric vehicle, satellite internet, social media and aeronautics in the United States. Separately, the cryptocurrency Dogecoin, which has the same abbreviation form – DOGE – as a new department, has seen a huge price rise over the past week, in part due to its history with Musk.
Apple’s new AI wall tablet
Apple could unveil a tablet next year that functions as a wall-mounted home assistance system running on the iPhone maker’s in-house AI feature package, Apple Intelligence, Bloomberg reported. Some of the things the device could potentially do include controlling home appliances, managing video conferencing, and navigating apps using AI. The wall tablet would be codenamed J490 and would be under development.which should be revealed in March, according to Bloomberg, which cites anonymous sources. However, Apple is yet to confirm or deny this development.
The high-end device could meet Apple users’ needs for an AI-powered home assistance system, like Google’s Nest Hub and Amazon’s Echo Show and Echo Hub.
Netflix is growing at the ad-supported level
Netflix is seeing considerable growth thanks to its ad-supported tier, as customers look for more affordable streaming options, even if that means watching ads in the middle of movies and shows. Netflix said its ad-supported tier sees 70 million monthly active users worldwide. That’s almost double its rates from about six months earlier. For reference, Netflix’s most affordable ad-free plan costs $15.49 per month, while the ad-supported tier costs $6.99 per month in the US.
The streaming giant is working to crack down on password sharing between users as it seeks to expand its revenue streams. This was largely a success that was followed by growth in subscribers, and other streaming companies also followed suit by including advertisements to better monetize their content. However, users are frustrated by the need to download a large number of streaming apps in order to cover their entertainment schedules.
Published – November 13, 2024 at 11:08 am IST
