Author: Rolands Umbrovskis
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WP Engine wins legal battle to regain access to WordPress.org
WP Engine secured a legal victory against Automattic, forcing the WordPress parent company to restore access to WordPress.org and crucial plugins. The dispute stemmed from allegations of unfair practices and trademark misuse, shaking the open-source community. This case could redefine competition and governance within the WordPress ecosystem.
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Breaking Apple’s grip: Vipps launches first true iPhone payment rival
Vipps, a Norwegian payment service, has launched the first-ever alternative to Apple Pay for iPhone users, leveraging the EU’s mandate for Apple to open its NFC technology to competitors. With features like contactless payments and widespread bank support, Vipps aims to challenge Apple’s dominance in the mobile payments space. This move signals a shift toward…
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Bluesky surges to 25 million users: a Big Blue Balloon ready to pop or soar?
Bluesky has surpassed 25 million users, riding a wave of dissatisfaction with X and post-election political shifts. Celebrity endorsements from figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Guillermo del Toro boost its credibility, while rapid user growth raises challenges in moderation and monetization. The platform’s future hinges on its ability to scale without losing its community-oriented identity.
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The illusion of openness in large language models (LLMs) 🎭
While many large language models (LLMs) market themselves as “open,” access to source code without training data is largely performative. Openwashing – a practice where companies exaggerate openness while maintaining restrictions – exposes the illusion of transparency in AI. To achieve genuine openness, access to methodologies, reusable code, and modifiable models is essential, but most…
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Is Elon Musk hurting Tesla in Germany? Falling sales tell all.
Tesla’s popularity in Germany is slipping as VW and BMW take the lead in the EV market. Once seen as “cool” and innovative, Tesla now struggles with an image problem tied to Elon Musk’s controversial reputation. Germans seem more drawn to local brands, leaving Tesla to play catch-up.
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Russia fines Google $20.6 decillion: Because when you can’t win, just go astronomical
Russia’s unprecedented $20.6 decillion fine against Google stems from the tech giant’s block on pro-Kremlin channels, emphasizing escalating tensions over digital sovereignty. This astronomical figure is more symbolic than practical, highlighting Russia’s message to tech companies about local control over digital narratives. The fine reflects a global trend where governments seek stronger regulation of foreign…
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Nasdaq hits a record high as AI and Big Tech cash in
The Nasdaq reached an all-time high as AI hype and strong earnings from Alphabet fuel tech’s ongoing rally. Investors are betting big on AI, with Broadcom and OpenAI’s recent chip partnership driving confidence. But can tech stocks keep this momentum, or is reality about to set in?
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Linus’ “Special Kernel operation”: Russian maintainers sent to /dev/null
Linus Torvalds affirmed the removal of 11 Russian maintainers from the Linux kernel team, citing compliance with U.S. sanctions. The decision has caused division within the open-source community, with concerns about transparency and inclusivity. Torvalds, however, stood firm, dismissing critics as “Russian trolls.”
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Outlook outage hits hard: Microsoft faces wave of user complaints
On October 10, 2024, a major Outlook outage left users unable to access their accounts, impacting businesses and individuals globally. Microsoft is actively investigating the disruption, citing memory management issues as a potential cause. Users have turned to temporary workarounds while waiting for a resolution.
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Google Play forced to open the doors to rival app stores
A federal judge ruled that Google must allow third-party app stores and alternative billing methods on its Android platform. The ruling, part of Epic Games’ antitrust lawsuit, challenges Google’s hold over the Play Store and offers developers more freedom. Google plans to appeal, but the decision could change how apps are distributed on Android.
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Mozilla Thunderbird for Android
Mozilla has launched the long-awaited Thunderbird email app for Android. This privacy-first, feature-rich email client is now available in beta on Google Play and GitHub. K-9 Mail users can seamlessly migrate, and user feedback will shape the final release expected soon.
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WP Engine vs. Automattic: a WordPress battle that might just affect You too
WP Engine and Automattic are embroiled in a legal dispute over trademarks, access to WordPress resources, and alleged extortion. WP Engine claims Automattic is demanding excessive fees and unfairly limiting their access, which could impact costs and security for users. The case raises questions about governance and contributions within the WordPress community.