Intel’s Troubles Mount As Hedge Fund Urges Action

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Intel’s Troubles Mount As Hedge Fund Urges Action

Third Point LLC, an activist hedge fund, is urging Intel to make changes to address its falling status in the chipmaking industry.

Once the undisputed leader in chipmaking, Intel’s processors were used in everything from mobile devices to PCs to servers. Unfortunately for the company, it failed to keep up with changes in the industry, especially with the rise of mobile processing.

Designed by Arm Holdings, ARM chips are known for their outstanding performance to power consumption ratio. ARM-based chips power iPhones, iPads, Android devices and, most recently, computers. In the case of Apple’s Mac platform, the ARM-based M1 offers superior performance to comparable Intel chips while using a fraction of the energy. The result are machines that run cooler and have much longer battery life.

Intel, in contrast, has struggled to offer that winning combination of performance and efficiency. The company struggled to move to 7nm processors, has had issues keeping up with demand and been plagued with “unfixable” security issues. The company has also lost some of its best engineers, including Jim Keller and Murthy Renduchintala.

To make matters worse, AMD has been chipping away at some of Intel’s stronghold markets, especially with its Ryzen line of chips. The Ryzen 3000 took aim at the desktop, the 4000 series made headway in the mobile market and the 5000 is challenging Intel in the gaming market. Meanwhile, the Threadripper Pro is challenging Intel’s server dominance.

Intel’s issues have reached the point where the company is even considering outsourcing its chip production.

Third Point CEO Daniel Loeb wrote to Intel’s chairman, Omar Ishrak, urging the company to take action to address its issues, according to Reuters.

“Without immediate change at Intel, we fear that America’s access to leading-edge semiconductor supply will erode, forcing the U.S. to rely more heavily on a geopolitically unstable East Asia to power everything from PCs to data centers to critical infrastructure and more,” Loeb wrote.

One of the suggested remedies was “separating its chip design from its semiconductor fabrication plant manufacturing operations, according to the sources. This could include a joint venture in manufacturing, according to the sources.”

It’s unclear if Intel will respond, although Third Point’s nearly $1 billion stake in Intel could make it hard to ignore. Either way, one thing is clear: Intel must figure out a way to turn its business around before it’s too late.

Intel’s Troubles Mount As Hedge Fund Urges Action
Matt Milano

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Japan’s Solution to Space Junk: Wooden Satellites

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Japan’s Solution to Space Junk: Wooden Satellites

Japan is working to address the growing issue of space junk, with plans to launch satellites made of wood.

Space debris is a growing problem, with an estimated 14,000 pieces larger than 4 inches, 200,000 pieces between 0.4 and 4 inches, and possibly millions smaller than 0.4 inches. Unfortunately, the problem is only going to get worse as the commercialization of space continues.

As companies continue to deploy satellite constellations for internet access, engage in commercial flights and more, space junk will continue to add up. Adding to the concern is what happens when old, defunct satellites fall back to earth, potentially releasing harmful elements on reentry, or scattering dangerous debris across the Earth’s surface.

Japanese company Sumitomo Forestry, along with Kyoto University, is working on a solution involving wooden satellites, according to the BBC. The two organizations are experimenting with different types of wood to find one that can withstand the rigors of space. If successful, wooden satellites would eliminate much of the threat by completely burning up in the atmosphere.

“We are very concerned with the fact that all the satellites which re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere burn and create tiny alumina particles which will float in the upper atmosphere for many years,” Takao Doi, a professor at Kyoto University and Japanese astronaut, told the BBC.

“Eventually it will affect the environment of the Earth.”

“The next stage will be developing the engineering model of the satellite, then we will manufacture the flight model,” Professor Doi added.

If Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry are successful, their work could revolutionize the space industry and potentially solve one of its biggest challenges.

Japan’s Solution to Space Junk: Wooden Satellites
Matt Milano

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Apple Music Support Likely Coming to Tesla

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Apple Music Support Likely Coming to Tesla

Teslas may soon have native Apple Music support, according to a hacker who found a placeholder in Tesla’s software.

With an estimated 72 million subscribers, Apple Music is one of the most popular music streaming services. Apple has been steadily improving its offering, including family sharing options and making it easy for auto manufactures to integrate via CarPlay.

Hacker @greentheonly was poking around the Tesla 2020.48.26 software update and found a reference to Apple Music.

they's been working on it for quite some time
it's a bit of a stub now so who knows when it actually comes, the tidal is the next one I think because it actually started to get things populated. pic.twitter.com/du3TG1QYRX

— green (@greentheonly) December 27, 2020

According to the hacker, Tidal integration is probably next, but it appears Tesla has been working on Apple Music integration for some time. Hopeful Tesla owners will soon be able to access the feature.

Apple Music Support Likely Coming to Tesla
Matt Milano

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Volkswagen Offers First Glimpse of Mobile Charging Robot

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Volkswagen Offers First Glimpse of Mobile Charging Robot

Volkswagen has provided the first glimpse of a mobile charging robot, designed to provide autonomous vehicle charging.

One of the biggest challenges to the wide-scale adoption of fully electric vehicles is a charging infrastructure. With multiple automakers committed to transitioning to electric vehicles within the next two decades, the race is on to provide the charging infrastructure that will be needed.

“A ubiquitous charging infrastructure is, and remains, a key factor in the success of electric mobility. Our charging robot is just one of several approaches, but is undoubtedly one of the most visionary,” explains Thomas Schmall, CEO of Volkswagen Group Components.

Volkswagen’s mobile charging robot, complete with blinking eyes, is designed to charge vehicles in close-quarters areas where a traditional charging station is not an option. The robots may be used in underground garages, restricted parking areas, or other places where space is at a premium.

Users will be able to use to app or Car-to-X communication to summon the robot for charging. Once summoned, the robot will autonomously take over the entire process, including communicating with the vehicle, opening the charging port, plugging in, charging and disconnecting.

“Setting up an efficient charging infrastructure for the future is a central task that challenges the entire sector,” says Schmall. “We are developing solutions to help avoid costly stand-alone measures. The mobile charging robot and our flexible quick-charging station are just two of these solutions.”

Volkswagen Offers First Glimpse of Mobile Charging Robot
Matt Milano

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US Government Appeals TikTok Injunction

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US Government Appeals TikTok Injunction

In the latest twist of the never-ending saga, the US government is appealing an injunction against its TikTok ban.

The US government has been working to ban TikTok for some time. The Trump administration has accused TikTok of being a security threat, and made it clear that only a sale to an American company would prevent an outright ban. Oracle, with Walmart joining it, emerged as the winning bidder. Per the terms of the deal, however, Oracle would only gain a 20% stake in the company. Meanwhile, China signaled it would oppose a deal it felt was unfavorable to the country’s image.

Meanwhile, TikTok was left in limbo as it tried to work out a deal with the US government as the deadline approached. The company won an injunction, with at least one judge even questioning if the ban was legally viable.

Not willing to give up the fight, the US government is now appealing the injunction, according to Reuters. The Justice Department is bringing the case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

Given that Judge Carl Nichols — when granting the injunction — said the government had “likely overstepped” in its decision to ban TikTok, this case could redefine the limits of the government’s authority.

US Government Appeals TikTok Injunction
Matt Milano

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iPad Pro With 5G and Mini-LED Expected First Quarter 2021

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iPad Pro With 5G and Mini-LED Expected First Quarter 2021

Apple is reportedly planning on releasing a new 12.9-inch iPad Pro in early 2021, featuring 5G and a mini-LED display.

Many have been eagerly anticipating a refresh of Apple’s flagship iPad Pro in view of recent developments. The iPad Air was refreshed in September 2020, powered by a new A14 Bionic chip. Similarly, Apple unveiled its new line of Macs in November, powered by its M1 custom silicon. In contrast, the iPad Pro is still powered by the older A12Z Bionic chip.

According to a report by DigiTimes, Apple is preparing the next version of the iPad Pro, one powered by a newer A14x chip. The new iPad Pro will also feature a mini-LED display, a major improvement over existing models. The new display will provide sharper, brighter colors, as well as improved power-efficiency.

The new model will also reportedly be the first iPad with 5G connectivity. Given Apple’s efforts to position the iPad Pro — especially the 12.9-inch model — as a professional work device, including 5G makes a lot of sense.

Apple often releases new iPad models in March, meaning we may have less than three months before the latest version of Apple’s revolutionary platform.

iPad Pro With 5G and Mini-LED Expected First Quarter 2021
Matt Milano

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Unmanned Drones Cleared For Night Flight and Flight Over People

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Unmanned Drones Cleared For Night Flight and Flight Over People

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has passed new rules allowing drones to fly at night and fly over people.

Drones represent the single fastest-growing segment in the transportation sector, although the lack of clear regulation has slowed full adoption. The FAA has now addressed two of these issues, passing rules that should pave the way for more widespread drone usage.

The first change is that the FAA will now require Remote Identification (Remote ID) for drones. Remote ID will help integrate drones with the national airspace system by providing a way to identify them and their control station locations.

The second major change is allowing drones to be flown at night, as well as over people. While these kind of operations are currently allowed, they’re only allowed with a waiver from the FAA. With the new rules, drone operations will have increased flexility to perform these kind of operations without a waiver.

“The new rules make way for the further integration of drones into our airspace by addressing safety and security concerns,” said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. “They get us closer to the day when we will more routinely see drone operations such as the delivery of packages.”

Unmanned Drones Cleared For Night Flight and Flight Over People
Matt Milano

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