Author: Techie.lk

Alphabet’s (GOOGL.O), opens new tab early bet on SpaceX (SPCX.O), opens new tab has multiplied more than 100-fold, with the Google parent disclosing a stake worth about $94 ​billion at the end of June, up from a $900 million investment in Elon Musk’s rocket company in 2015. Alphabet has emerged as by far the ‌largest single institutional holder of SpaceX following its $86 billion initial public offering in June, according to a Reuters analysis of publicly available quarterly filings. Other investors to unveil their holdings after the IPO include early backer Fidelity Investments, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public…

Tesla (TSLA.O), opens new tab plans to unveil a redesigned Roadster as early as this month, The Information reported on ​Friday, nearly a decade after the electric-vehicle maker ‌first revealed a next-generation version of its original sports car. The event could include a demonstration of a limited-edition Roadster with ​cold-gas thrusters developed in collaboration with SpaceX (SPCX.O), opens new tab, the ​report said, citing people familiar with the plans. ⁠The demonstration is expected to take place at SpaceX’s ​test site in McGregor, Texas. Tesla did not immediately respond ​to a Reuters request for comment. Tesla originally revealed the next-generation Roadster in 2017 and…

Two counties identify AI and digital transformation as priority areas for expanded cooperation Govt. sees National AI Data Centre as infrastructure to support development and deployment of AI capabilities in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka is seeking deeper Japanese support to establish a National AI Data Centre and accelerate its long-delayed transition to digital television, as the government moves to build the domestic infrastructure needed for its broader digital economy ambitions. The proposals were discussed yesterday between Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne and a delegation led by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Senior Vice President Hara Pohei, with the two…

NeuroX 1.0, Sri Lanka’s premier buildathon, was held recently at NSBM Green University, bringing together undergraduate innovators from across the country for a national buildathon competition. Organised by the Hackathon Hub of the Faculty of Computing, NSBM Green University, the inaugural buildathon attracted over 300 participants, with more than 80 teams representing 20+ universities across Sri Lanka. The first round was judged by Sysco Labs, who shortlisted the Top 15 Elite Builder Teams to advance to the Grand Finale, where they presented technology solutions to real-world challenges in a live, physical demo before a panel of judges. Team Alt +…

Abans, in partnership with LG Electronics, brought ‘Living Just Right with LG AI’ to Colombo City Centre, giving the Sri Lankan consumers an opportunity to experience how thoughtful technology can make everyday living simpler, more comfortable and more personal. Held from August 12 to 16, at the Colombo City Centre Atrium, the activation introduced visitors to LG’s vision of Affectionate Intelligence, a human-centred approach to technology designed to understand people, adapt to their needs and fit naturally into their everyday lives. Rather than making life more complicated, LG AI is designed to work quietly in the background, helping make everyday…

Spotify (SPOT.N), opens new tab said on Tuesday it would begin adding “AI Persona” badges to some profiles from ​mid-September to give listeners more transparency about ‌whether the artist behind the music was a real person. Listeners have expressed concerns about artist profiles that appear ​human but instead represent AI-generated personas, the ​media streaming platform said. Spotify will display the ⁠badge on banners and About sections in artist ​profiles, as well as in Search and on ​track rows across playlists. Starting Tuesday, artists can disclose that their profile represents an AI Persona through Spotify for Artists. Spotify ​will also review profiles whose…

Bill Ackman ​unveiled six new holdings, including Netflix (NFLX.O), opens new tab, Visa (V.N), opens new tab and Mastercard (MA.N), opens new tab, marking the billionaire investor’s biggest portfolio overhaul in years. Ackman said ‌on Thursday he acquired shares starting in the second quarter that will be held in his investment funds, including his newest offering Pershing Square USA, which was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in April. Along with Netflix, which Ackman held briefly in 2022 before selling at a loss, his funds are also ​investing in eye care firm Alcon, exchange operator Intercontinental Exchange (ICE.N), opens…

For many people, fitness is no longer simply about looking good. It’s about living healthier, preventing lifestyle diseases, improving productivity and enjoying life with confidence. Yet modern lifestyles often make achieving those goals increasingly difficult. Long working hours, sedentary office jobs, family commitments and irregular schedules leave little time for exercise, proper nutrition and recovery. While countless fitness programs promise quick results, many fail because they overlook one important reality: every person’s body, lifestyle and journey are different. Recognizing this gap, Jarachanthan Ratnakumar, Co-Founder & CEO of Xtellig, founded Fit Tempo, a fitness and wellness brand built on science, personal…

The Honor Robot Phone has been on our radar for a while now and it’s finally available to preorder, though just in China for now. The “robot” in the name refers primarily to the automated pop-up camera gimbal, which does seem like a boon for photographers and videographers. This gimbal is made from titanium and can move in various directions, including a full 360-degree rotation. This obviously allows people to get difficult shots that normal smartphones would struggle with. It supports a wide range of cinematic movement modes. These include a tilt lock, FPV view and a spinshot, among others.…

The biggest complaint surrounding Siri has always been that it wasn’t smart enough. Soon, the complaint might be that it’s too expensive, as Apple has confirmed for the first time that its upcoming AI-powered Siri could come with a monthly fee for people who use it heavily. The company isn’t planning to put Siri behind a full paywall, but if you are constantly leaning on Apple’s revamped assistant, you may eventually have to pay for extra AI power through an upgraded iCloud+ subscription.