competition

Europe forces Google to open Android to ChatGPT and Claude, but the blow is that it will have to give up its search engine data to the competition

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The European Commission has ordered Google to open two of its greatest competitive advantages– Android’s access to rival AI assistants and the search data that feeds Gemini. They are two binding measures under the Digital Markets Act (DMA)adopted on July 16. Android must be open by July 2027, search data by January 2027, and no resources are stopping those deadlines. In detail. The first measure affects how a rival assistant can live inside Android. Right now, Gemini has privileges that no competitor shares: Keyword activation at the operating system level, not the application level. Access to the home button or navigation gesture as a gateway. Reading content on screen to respond with context. Executing tasks within other applications, such as sending an email or sharing a photo. Priority access to hardware and AI models built into the device. There are 11 points in total. Starting with the next major version of Android, ChatGPT, Claude or any other attendee will be able to claim the same treatment that only they have today Gemini. The second measure is the one that weighs the most for the business: the data of queries, clicks and results with which Google trains a good part of its LLM. From January 2027, rivals such as OpenAI will be able to access an anonymized version, under conditions that Brussels demands are fair and non-discriminatory. Google’s waterline. Between the lines. Google completed a few months ago the transition from Google Assistant to Gemini as Android’s default assistant, just before Brussels opened the file. The order arrived with Gemini already installed as a part of the system and not as just another application. Apple chose the opposite path: it negotiated before launching, proposed a monitored permit system and Brussels rejected it. Siri AI It still hasn’t reached the iPhone in the European Union. Google launched Gemini without asking permission and has discussed the conditions afterwards, with better results. Yes, but. Google, like Apple, alleges security and privacy reasons. Its head of global affairs, Kent Walker, has explained that opening screen reading and the execution of tasks between applications to any external service bypasses the filter that the manufacturers themselves apply today before granting these permissions. And now what. Google will appeal, but the appeal does not give it extra time: from the criteria established in the Apple case, the obligation is fulfilled while it is discussed whether it was legal to impose it. The United Kingdom and Japan, which are preparing their own digital competency frameworks, are presumably taking note of how “fair access” to a mobile is defined here. What Brussels sets about wake words or search data prices will not remain only in Europe. In Xataka | AI has destroyed traditional captchas. Google’s solution requires scanning a QR… and having its services installed Featured image | Xataka

I have tried a high-end stroller that rocks on its own. And how expensive stops seeming so when you look at its competition

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From the creators of “I have pricked a glucometer without being diabetic” either “I have gone out into the street with an exoskeleton“, everything is for workcomes now “I have had a daughter to be able to go one step further with this type of articles.” It may not have been exactly like that, but the truth is that I have been pushing the Cybex e-Gazelle S, an electric baby stroller, for eight weeks. It rocks itself and helps you on slopes. I have been carrying it since my daughter was born and always in individual mode: I have not mounted the second seat or the tandem carrycot that this model promotes, only the Gazelle S Cot carrycot that came in the pack. I say this because there is reviews out there they value their behavior in double, with two children and purchases on top, and I can’t talk about that. I’m talking about what I’ve experienced: a stroller for a newborn in Valencia, without impossible hills or epic due to a double upbringing (parents of twins, you have my full appreciation). And yet it has given me much more to think about than I expected. Because the e-Gazelle S is, above all, a good stroller. And only later, one that rocks alone. First the car, then the engine It’s easy for the word “electric” to take over the rest of the spec sheet, and I think that would be a mistake. The e-Gazelle S is large, comfortable and built with a solidity that is noticeable in the hand: aluminum chassis, wheels that absorb potholes and poorly graded sidewalks well, huge lower basket plus a removable shopping basket that I plan to use as soon as my xiqueta can go to the stroller. The chassis with the chair (not the carrycot) weighs 14.7 kilos, almost two more than the “normal” e-Gazelle (12.9 kg), somewhat heavy when it comes time to put it in the trunk of the car, figures very similar to those of the most similar stroller in the competition, the Bugaboo Donkey, which I will talk more about later to compare them. Folding and unfolding is quite simple once you remember everything to touch at once. Image: Xataka. Overall maneuverability is good. It turns easily, is controlled with one hand when the other is needed for whatever, and the carrycot, with its XXL hood, is one of the most successful I have tried. My daughter is comfortable in there, and that, at eight weeks old, is the only thing that really matters to me. Although in reality I also care about my comfort wearing it: I’m 1.90m tall and not all of the strollers I tried a few months ago seemed designed for my height. Some made my lower back work and made me walk with a bump. It might be harmless for two minutes, but it would certainly be hellish for a long walk. This car has an adjustable handlebar that when fully deployed reaches 1.10 m in height, at the top of the models I reviewed. Comfortable, great, it lets me walk straight. Image: Xataka. But there is a ‘but’ that I think is not usually mentioned: The rear wheels, the large ones, protrude beyond the width of the chassis, as can be seen in the image above this paragraph. In large spaces nothing is noticeable. The problem appears in the tight maneuvers of everyday domestic life: a turn between the sofa and the living room furniture, leaving or entering the elevator, avoiding a door jamb, etc. There, more than once, especially in the first few days, I have accidentally hit something with that wheel that sticks out a little more than the eye calculates. It’s not serious—nothing has happened—but it’s the type of daily use friction that I haven’t seen mentioned and that can only be discovered by living with the stroller, not by trying it for a while in the store. I think that’s my only real ‘but’ to this stroller. The rocking chair, put to the test This is where the e-Gazelle S differs from any other stroller I’ve tried. You lock the front wheels, brake the rear, turn on the engine, hold down the rocking button until you choose the intensity (there are three) and the stroller It begins to swing on its own, back and forth, like your own hand would do on the street holding the handlebars.. With less grace, yes. One nuance: at first you turn it on accidentally from time to time. Holding the handlebar in one hand to maneuver without looking at it too much makes it easy to end up accidentally touching the button. Although nothing happens, you get used to avoiding pressing that area. But when the stroller falls into the hands of a family member who wants to take it, again it is easy for them to hit it and you will find it turned on. It’s a minor issue, but it doesn’t hurt to mention it. From those two buttons on the handlebar you control its electrical part. Image: Xataka. The first few weeks my daughter didn’t quite give in to the invention. He found it difficult, he preferred human movement in general and holding her in his arms in particular. But in recent times she has changed her mind, and there is one afternoon that I remember well: I was especially upset on the terrace of a cafeteria, for no apparent reason, and I tried the rocking chair almost without faith. He calmed down and stayed that way for a long time, much longer than I expected. In fact, I had the idea (untested, just intuition) that the battery would last about 20 minutes of use. It stayed active much longer than that. lThe autonomy reaches just over a continuous hour depending on the rocking level. Rocking at its lowest intensity. Image: Xataka. And the rocking at its greatest intensity. Image: Xataka. I cannot speak with the same reliability about the … Read more

In Barcelona, ​​hoteliers have grown tired of the competition from Mercadona’s ‘mercaurantes’. So they are denouncing them

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Until now they might have liked the outlook more or less, but it was certainly clear. Traditional hoteliers basically competed with other members of the trade, restaurant chains, fast food and (maybe) some other food truck. Now that list adds a new rival that has made the bars on their guard: the ‘merchants’a hybrid that allows the customer to choose freshly cooked dishes in their supermarket, pay for them at the cashier and then eat them without even leaving the store. The model is so similar to what they themselves do in their premises that the hoteliers of Barcelona have decided take action. As? Denouncing dozens of ‘merchants’ in the city for intrusion and breaking the regulations. What has happened? What could be expected: that hoteliers have gone from threats to action. After several months questioning the legal reserve of the ‘mercaurantes’ (or at least sowing doubts), restaurateurs have decided to take action on the matter. Their objective: to stop the growing competition from what they consider “low cost restaurants”. Yesterday the Restoration Guild (the association that represents the restaurants, bars and cafes of Barcelona) advertisement the presentation of an administrative complaint against 30 Mercadona stores that, in your opinioncommit two irregularities: a “regulatory breach” and an “intrusion” that harms traditional bars. Gremi has also warned that this will only be his first step. In the coming weeks it will extend the complaint to other supermarket chains alleging exactly the same reason. Is it a novelty? Yes. And no. In December the state association of hoteliers (Hostelería de España) I already recognized that the competition of the ‘mercaurants’ was beginning to be “a controversial issue” and just a month ago its president, José Luis Álvarez Almeida, went further by accusing them of “unfair competition.” The novelty is that the Gremi de Restauració has taken the next step: presenting a formal complaint in which 30 establishments in Barcelona are identified and details the points of the ordinance that, in the association’s opinion, violate Juan Roig’s chain. What exactly are they denouncing? The technicians of the Gremi de Restauraciò remember that Barcelona regulations expressly prohibit “the area between the cash registers and the exit doors” of supermarkets “from being used for any commercial or service activity”, a guideline that they believe is not complied with in the 30 stores reported. “They are catering spaces, conceived and conditioned as such. And proof of this is that they have the necessary assortment: napkins, glasses, cutlery, buckets to separate waste and even microwaves. Some have up to 30 seats,” underlines the association, which recalls that licenses “are subject to rules and limits. The rules must be met and the limits respected.” Has Mercadona spoken? Yes. In statements to The Worldthe Valencian chain has defended that its activity does not go against Catalan regulations: “From the checkout line we are not charging for any service. The commercial activity is located before reaching the payment area.” From his point of view, what he has basically done is adapt “to the rhythm set” by his customers and add extra space in part of his stores: “It is not a restaurant area, but rather a rest area, with different uses: from those who heat a plate and eat it to those who sit down to read the newspaper.” In them, arguesThere is not the same furniture as in restaurants or waiters. Why that crash? Because the ‘mercaurantes’ are becoming a rival increasingly important for hoteliers, who until now were basically forced to compete with other union colleagues, restaurant chains or (perhaps) some other local self service either food trucks. Business lines such as Mercadona’s ‘Ready to Eat’ add a new competitor to that equation. One that also completely hits the model of the daily menu, immersed for years in a deep crisis of profitability. In a Mercadona with this service (and there are more and more of them) a worker can choose their own freshly cooked food, pay less for it than in a bar and eat it later at home, a park or the store itself. Are the dishes at the supermarket of worse quality than those at the corner bar? What the figures suggest is that customers prioritize other issuessuch as the money and time they will save or the flexibility when choosing what, where and when they eat. Is it just theory? No. Although the business model is relatively young (Mercadona’s ‘Ready to Eat’ was launched in 2018) we already have some data that reveals the competition exercised by the ‘mercaurants’ over the hospitality industry. Recent reports from Worldpanel by Numerator show that the sale of prepared meals in supermarkets has skyrocketed 55% from 2022 and that the number of customers who choose to eat in stores does not stop growing: in the last year they opted for that option 1.3 millionalmost double that of the previous year. We also know that there are chains of retail obtaining huge profits through this new activity. In 2025 Mercadona billed 700 million of euros through its ‘Ready to Eat’ section, a figure that rises to 3,000 million if we also include the offer of pre-cooked products (refrigerated, trays…) and the joint business volume in Spain and Portugal. Is this something new for the hospitality industry? No. The Gremi de Restauraciò has already shown on other occasions that it is willing to fight. Since 2019 the entity has in the spotlight to tasting bakeries, businesses that in their opinion violate municipal regulations, exceeding the maximum surface area that they can dedicate to tasting or marketing other products, including alcohol. The group has decided to file a new complaint against 50 bakeries in which you believe this situation occurs. Images | Mercadona, Wikipedia and Simon Karemann (Unsplash) In Xataka | We knew that freezing bread was convenient, cheap and fashionable. What we are not clear about is that it is “so good” for health

TSMC is on the ropes and its biggest problem is not competition: it is water

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CC Wei, the president and CEO of TSMC, has just participated in the inauguration of the Pingtung technology park, southern Taiwan. The ceremony was held under very intense rain, and the head of the largest chip manufacturing company of the planet has celebrated it publicly: “Last month I was still wondering: what should we do with the water? Should we start using tankers?” Wei has compelling reasons to be concerned about water. In Taiwan it is a very scarce resource, and it is also essential for its semiconductor factories. The integrated circuit production industry faces five major shortages: water, energy, labor, land and talent. And water is probably the most precious resource of all and the most difficult challenge to overcome. Lai Ching-te, the president of Taiwan, has communicated CC Wei the Government’s plans to connect the island’s reservoirs together in a clear attempt to alleviate this problem. The water we are familiar with, such as that which comes from the tap, spring water, and even bottled mineral water, is full of impurities. It contains bacteria, dissolved gases, mineral salts and microscopic particles in suspension. This is not a problem for most of the everyday applications for which we usually use it, but this water is not suitable for making chips. Even the smallest impurity invisible to the human eye is pure poison when involved in the production of cutting-edge semiconductors, such as 2nm integrated circuits which are currently being manufactured by TSMC, Intel and Samsung. Droughts are the biggest threat to TSMC The integrated circuit manufacturing process requires cleaning silicon wafers dozens of times. Every time a geometric pattern is transferred to wafers using lithography, they need to be cleaned. Also after pouring chemical reagents and photoresist fluids on them. However, the water used to remove any residue that may have deposited on the wafer cannot have the slightest impurity. It must be absolutely pure. In fact, the industry standard calls for water with an electrical resistivity of 18.2 megaohms per centimeter, which is the theoretical limit of water purity at room temperature. The problem is that producing ultrapure water is not easy. And it is not because it is necessary to subject it to reverse osmosis in multiple stages and ion exchange treatments. It is also necessary to degas it under vacuum, eliminate any microorganisms that it can contain with ultraviolet light and filter it using membranes expressly designed to capture the slightest impurity. In this article we do not need to delve into these processes, but there is something that we cannot ignore: this treatment consumes energy and requires the use of a large amount of chemicals. Furthermore, a significant part of the water that is processed is not transformed into ultrapure water, so it cannot be used. In 2021 Taiwan faced the most aggressive drought in recent decades In 2021 Taiwan faced the most aggressive drought in recent decades. The reservoirs that supply the north of the island, which is the region where most of the integrated circuit manufacturing plants are located, reached a critical level. This scenario forced the Government to suspend agricultural irrigation in order to protect industrial supply. Even so, TSMC had to resort to tanker trucks to transport water from other areas of the island. This crisis passed, but it exposed a structural vulnerability of an industry that is deeply sensitive to extreme climate phenomena and for which water is as valuable as silicon or some rare earth elements. At the moment TSMC reuses 85% of water that it consumes in its processes, but its plants require so much water daily that the 15% that cannot be reused continues to be a very large amount. Paradoxically, some of the most important chip factories in the US reside in Arizona, which is the second driest state in the country only behind Nevada. Both Intel and TSMC have state-of-the-art plants in this region, and Samsung manages several state-of-the-art factories in Texas, another state where water is not exactly plentiful. Besides, Intel has several very important plants in Israelagain a country for which water is a scarce resource, and, therefore, of great strategic value. The choice of these locations responds to geostrategic and geopolitical factors, and not to planning that prioritizes sustainability. In addition, there is another unappealable reality that further complicates this panorama: the most advanced integrated circuit manufacturing nodes. consume more ultrapure water than mature nodes. A 3nm chip from TSMC goes through more than 1,000 individual stages, and many of them require washing with ultrapure water As transistors become smaller and chips become more sophisticated, the number of stages required for their production process is higher, making it necessary to clean the wafers with ultrapure water more times. A 3nm semiconductor from TSMC goes through more than 1,000 individual stages, many of which require washing with ultrapure water. 2nm chips are even more demanding, and those that will arrive in the future will surely multiply water consumption. The problem faced by TSMC, Intel, Samsung, SK Hynix, Micron, GlobalFoundries and other semiconductor manufacturers is daunting. These companies are developing solutions, but at the moment they are not enough. TSMC, Samsung and Intel have very advanced water recycling and reuse programs. In addition, these companies are developing dry cleaning systems for wafers using reactive plasmas instead of water for use in some steps. And they are even looking for new materials for the ultrapure water distribution pipes with the purpose of minimizing losses in the circulation system. The problem is that these solutions do not eliminate the deep dependence that chip factories have on water. The definitive solution has not yet arrived. And it is urgent. It is very urgent. Image | TSMC More information | Reuters In Xataka | ChatGPT blocking mode: what it is, what it is for, who can use it and how to activate it In Xataka | AI is replacing one of the most hated jobs in the world: the tailcoat collector

The Pentagon includes BYD, Unitree, Alibaba and other Chinese giants on its blacklist. It’s taking away competition with cannon shots

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The river already sounded at the end of 2025: the Pentagon agreed that Chinese giants like Alibaba, BYD and Baidu They were linked to the Chinese Army. It was unclear at the time whether the companies would be included on the Pentagon’s 1260H list, but it was clearly a warning and came just three weeks before Donald Trump and Xi Jinping agreed to a trade truce. It seemed like things had calmed down, especially with more recent moves like the opening of the market for Nvidia can sell its GPUs H200 for AI or Donald Trump’s visit to China (accompanied by several CEOs of American companies) to ease tensions and maintain a fine balance in that trade truce. But it turns out not and, as they point in Reuters, Alibaba, BYD and Baidu are the new Chinese companies on the Pentagon’s list. And they are not the only ones. Many more Chinese companies on the Pentagon’s blacklist The update of the known list 1260H It had been expected for a long time. The November thing was a warning, but not a real update. It is now, one month after Donald Trump’s diplomatic visit to Beijing, that the Pentagon has launched the new version that reflects interesting changes. Because we have mentioned Alibaba, BYD and Baidu as companies that join that selector ‘club’ of companies for which there are still no direct sanctions, but there is a clear consequence: starting at the end of this month, the United States Department of Defense will have prohibited from contracting directly with any of these companies. And… what are they? Well, it turns out that there are a lot, and from all sectors. Alibaba and Baidu are two Internet giants (like putting Amazon and Google on the list respectively, wow), but there are also the aforementioned BYD -cars and batteries-, CXMT and YMTC -semiconductors and RAM memory-, Unitree and RoboSense -robotics- or WuXi AppTec -biotechnology-. It is a very curious list because they are companies that are competing, directly, against American or Taiwanese companies. For example, we have recently told how the technology industry is looking so much at CXMT like YMTC for get a RAM memory which they cannot access through traditional means due to the component crisis. The United States and China are immersed in the war over robotics and Unitree is one of the most advanced in both humanoid and quadruped robots (something China is exploring for military use). Precisely, Nvidia announced that it was going to work closely with Unitree for the development of robots. And then there is China BlueChemical Limited, a subsidiary of state oil company CNOOC, and Baicells, which makes telecommunications equipment. As we say, there are no consequences in the form of direct sanctions on these companies or with pressure like what happens with Huawei, but according to US law, the Department of Defense will not be able to make deals with these companies starting this month and, starting in 2027, it will not be able to buy their products or services through third parties. What do Chinese companies say? As we read so much in Reuters as in GuardianAlibaba considers that it is something that has no basis because “Alibaba is not a Chinese military company nor part of any military-civil fusion strategy”, ensuring that they will take “all available legal actions against attempts to tarnish the company”. Baidu, for its part, also rejection the measure, ensuring that “the suggestion that Baidu is a military company is completely unfounded”, noting that they will not hesitate to “use all immediate measures to be removed from the list.” This is something that WuXi AppTec has also responded to and it is possible to get off that list, but only if they withdraw from the United States or if they change the name of the entity. “These Chinese companies are working with the Chinese military against our national interests” – John Moolenaar From the Pentagon it is stated that publicly traded companies have ballots to be classified as “Chinese military companies”, although they can request their removal from the list, according to Pentagon representatives. House Select Committee Chairman Joihn Moolenaar was somewhat more direct, noting that updating the list “It’s a warning to American companiesall levels of government and for the American people themselves”, ensuring that “these Chinese companies are working with the Chinese military against our national interests.” In Reuters, Craig Singleton, an expert on relations with China, points out that Washington no longer treats Chinese companies as isolated entities, but as a strategic conglomerate that is part of an arm of the Chinese government. In Xataka | A Chinese company has been building AI for years to predict who is going to criticize the government before they do so

If the question is what differentiates Samsung from its competition, Charlie Bae, Samsung’s product director, is clear: ecosystem

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The television market is more contested than ever and traditional brands they no longer monopolize sales like they used to. As happens in other areas such as the automotive or smartphones, Chinese manufacturers They have stopped competing only on price and now they also do it in benefits. Hisense reached the second place worldwide in the premium segment with a share of 24% in the third quarter of 2024. TCL, for his partsurpassed Samsung in the television segment of 80 inches or more during that same period: it maintained a share of 23% compared to Samsung’s 19%. Both Chinese brands arrived at CES 2026 presenting their own technologies based on the evolution of its MiniLED panels:Hisense with your RGB MiniLED evo capable of exceeding 110% of the BT.2020 standard, and TCL with its SQD MiniLED as an alternative to OLED. The war is no longer about inches or prices. Now the dispute it’s in the quality. In this context of reconfiguration in the mid- and high-end market, we have had the opportunity to speak with Charlie Baeresponsible for Samsung’s television division in Europe. From volume to value: Samsung’s new scenario When asked about Samsung’s two decades of leadership in the global TV market, Bae doesn’t resort to triumphalism. Aware of the change that is occurring in the market, his reading is more nuanced, almost concerned about what is coming. “The market is transforming: it is going from being driven by volume to being driven by value,” he explains. “Due to the current economic situation, people are more conscious of what they spend. During COVID they spent a lot on changing their televisions, but now, when they consider renewing their TV, they are more cautious and think about the practical side.” That consumer caution is, in Bae’s opinion, both a challenge and an opportunity. A buyer who thinks twice is not necessarily a lost buyer; He is a buyer who can be convinced with solid arguments. And Samsung wants to be the brand that gives it to them. One of Bae’s most compelling arguments in his defense against Chinese rivals is not technological, but mathematical. According to the Samsung manager, a cheap television lasts on average between three and five years. A Samsung television, he tells us, lasts more than seven or eight years on average. “Think about it like this: if your TV lasts three or four years, you can only watch one World Cup. With Samsung, you can watch two.” Added to this is the commitment of seven years of system updates operational. “Even if you bought your TV last year, you’ll still be able to use the new AI features we launch. We want people to buy with the peace of mind that their TV is a long-term investment,” says Bae. Samsung’s response to competitive pressure with Chinese brands has a key piece: artificial intelligence. “15 years ago we introduced the Smart TV and no one imagined that it would become the standard. Today no one conceives of a television without applications, without being able to watch what they want when they want. That change led us to AI. Without a doubt the era of ‘AI TV’ will continue to develop over the next five years,” he concludes. However, Bae is careful to separate the hype widespread surrounding this technology of the actual content. “Previously, AI focused on optimizing the image and sound quality of the television,” he admits. “But now it’s visible and you can ask the TV questions about recommendations, travel plans, anything. The TV is something you can talk to, not just something you watch.” According to the manager, what differentiates Samsung products is that they apply this technology in a way that is useful to users, using as an example the Football Mode with AI included in their televisions, which allows something hitherto unthinkable: silencing the noise of the stands in a football match, without turning off the sound of the commentators. “If you’re watching the game at night and don’t want to turn up the volume, you can simply mute the stands and still hear the commentary clearly,” explains Bae. Beyond AI: OLED, MiniLED and MicroRGB In addition to the revolution in sales, television display technologies have stepped on the accelerator with the democratization of MiniLED panels for mid-range televisions, the gloss enhancement and color volume What QD-OLEDs offer or the new generation of MicroRGB screens. In this sense, Bae rejects the idea of ​​a screen technology that monopolizes the entire television market. “Technology continues to evolve, and I do not think that a single one is going to dominate the market. We do not focus on a single technology; we work on all of them in parallel, because each one responds to different user needs,” says Samsung’s product director. Samsung, its manager assures, works on all fronts: from the transparent Micro LED exhibited at CES to the 130 inch Micro RGBpassing through the high-brightness OLED. But also in formats that no one expected. In fact, Bae not only assures that Samsung will continue developing its catalog to offer different screen technologies, it is also committed to the flexibility of screen sizes and formats. All this in a context of televisions with increasingly larger diagonals, and living rooms with increasingly less square meters. “There are consumers who prefer small screens. We have The Movingstylea 27-inch touch screen that you can move around the house. In Europe, the number of single-person households is growing and homes are getting smaller, so you may be interested in a small, portable screen, not one with many inches,” insists the executive. In addition to the new panel technologies that are arriving in the brands’ catalogues, Samsung also highlights the arrival of other innovations that contribute to improving the visual experience, such as Glare Free technology, the anti-reflective system developed by Samsung that eliminates reflections and glare from windows and lights on the television screen. “Spain is a country with a lot of sun, so if you are … Read more

There is a spontaneous competition to design the “Flag of Humanity.” And the best design is an engraving of Voyager

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It is more than seen and proven that borders and flags sometimes become the focus of conflicts and enmities. The fact of seeing our own planet from the outsidethrough the images taken by Artemis II, helps us understand that, deep down, we are all part of the same whole. A whole that still does not have its own flag. Therefore, for many years now and then someone has proposed a single flag for all of humanity. Now, with everything related to the trip to the Moon, the proposals are once again reaching social networks. The first proposal. In 1970, an Illinois farmer named James Cadle, inspired by the landing of humans on the Moon on Apollo 11, decided to create a flag that represented our entire planet. The result was a simple flag, easy to reproduce, in which the Earth is seen as a blue marble, accompanied by a smaller white one, representing the Moon. The background was yellow and black, in honor of the Sun and the blackness of space. The flag was first raised on a rural power pole that Cadle himself climbed, but has since been part of several space projects. More minimalist concepts. Continuing with the minimalist and, above all, unifying concepts, in 2000 the Danish designer Anne Kirstine Rønhede designed a new flag of Earth. This time there was also a light blue marble, surrounded by a white border representing its atmosphere and a darker blue background representing the cosmos. A symbol of unity. In 2015, Swedish designer Oskar Pernefeldt created another flag of Earth. Seven linked circles are represented, one for each continent. It is hoped that it can be used as a symbol of Earth on future missions to Mars. Science enters the scene. The arrival on the Moon of Artemis II has inspired more people to look for a flag that represents us as a planet. And since it was science that got us there, the most recent proposals focus precisely on it. The pioneers in this type of messages were Frank Drake and Carl Saganwho in the 70s decided to compose messages that combined the scientific knowledge of humanity to launch them into space in search of possible intelligent life. This is how the Pioneer Plaque emerged, a physical gold-anodized aluminum plate that was attached to the Pioneer 10 and 11 probes, in case an alien civilization intercepted the ship. To cover more space, they also designed a radio message, which was named the Arecibo message. It was a signal transmitted through the Arecibo radio telescope, hence its name. A flag based on the Pioneer Plaque. Recently, 2D and 3D designer braingrub has proposed in your X account an Earth flag based on one of the components of the Pioneer Plaque. This is the pulsar map, a diagram that indicates our exact location in the Milky Way. Pulsars are a type of star that is used to map space, because they emit radio rays at very regular and specific periods. Like a unique lighthouse. On the map there are 14 lines that indicate different pulsars located around the Earth. Each line also contains symbols that indicate, in binary, the exact pulse of each of these pulsars. Thus, through its unique pulse, you can find those headlights and, through the relative distance represented in the lines, find the Sun, which is the point at which all of them converge. From the Sun to the Earth, everything would be simpler for an intelligent civilization. An ideal moment. It is not surprising that this is one of the most interesting Earth flag proposals that we can find on the Internet. Without a doubt, the concept is very suggestive, especially in a time when we increasingly see how much we lack unity as humanity. Images | NASA | James Cadle | Anne Kirstine Rønhede | Oskar Pernefeldt |braingrub In Xataka | Artemis II has five different hot sauces on board: the reason is a radical change in what we consider “space food”

Does Apple’s computer have real competition?

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He MacBook Neo It has burst in like an elephant in a china shop because many of us have been asking Apple to launch an affordable laptop for years. The question at this point is how it compares to Windows laptops that are around a similar price. We have selected three interesting models for this price and we are going to put them face to face to see how the new Apple equipment looks in front of them. You have the models in question right below. The price could vary. We earn commission from these links HP 15-fd0402ns – 15.6″ FHD laptop (Intel Core 5 120U, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Intel Graphics, Windows 11) Blue – Spanish QWERTY keyboard The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Gen 8 – 15.6″ FHD Laptop (Intel Core i5-13420H, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, Intel UHD Graphics, Wi-Fi 6, Win 11 Home, Office Trial) Spanish QWERTY Keyboard – Arctic Gray The price could vary. We earn commission from these links acer Aspire Go 15 – 15.6″ Laptop (Intel Core i7 13620H, 16 GB DDR5 RAM, 1024 GB SSD, Windows 11 Home, Intel UHD Graphics) Silver Color, Spanish QWERTY Keyboard with Numeric Keyboard The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Differences between the MacBook Neo and similarly priced Windows alternatives Fewer inches, but a higher quality screen The MacBook Neo has a 13 inch screensmaller than the rest of its rivals in this comparison, at 15.6 inches. It is a difference that is noticeable in practice, especially if you are a user who usually works with several windows open at the same time. Now, this smaller size will also be noticeable in the dimensions and weight of the equipment, something we will talk about a little later. If we remove the issue of size from the equation, the MacBook Neo’s screen will win over that of these laptops with Windows operating systems. Not only in color representation (Apple’s True Tone technology does a lot there), but also in the brightness levelwhere he has one higher than that of his opponents. What does this mean? If we work in a room or in a place where there is a lot of light, we will be able to see what we are doing more easily. The operating system is the most important difference A difference that must be addressed and that is not exclusive to this new Neo is the issue of the operating system. Choosing the Apple laptop will introduce us to MacOS, a lightweight and visually very clean operating system. It is true that it is much less customizable than Windows, but in it you will find all the most typical office tools or similar that you need to work or study. Also, if you have an iPhone, you can receive your notifications on your laptop. Or even use an iPad as a second screen. On the other hand, there is Windows. It is a more demanding operating system for the hardware, but in exchange it is also more customizable and usually works better with several windows at the same time. Besides, It is also easier to install applications and gamesalthough these teams are not designed to play. You can also connect your mobile phone to this operating system, although it does not reach Apple’s level of integration. The hardware differences, beyond the numbers Let’s move on to the hardware, which is where the meat of this comparison is. By numbers, if we look at the specifications of the three Windows laptops (you can find them below in a comparison table), they are superior. The MacBook Neo comes with a mobile processor (the A18 Pro that was mounted on the iPhone 16 Pro), but that doesn’t mean it should be underestimated: has more power than a MacBook Air M1. Putting the processors of Windows computers on the table, we have a quite different bouquet. The Acer laptop comes with a 13th generation Intel Core i7, which can offer Better performance in heavy tasks like 4K video editing than the rest. The Lenovo, with its Intel Core i5 of the same generation, is the intermediate option and the HP, with an Intel Core 5 120 U, is the least powerful of all, but with enough for office automation and simple tasks. Important point related to the processor: temperature management. A laptop, due to space issues, has very little room to cool its interior. With very intensive use, it is possible that Windows laptops tend to heat up more and emit noise from the fans. This is something that the MacBook Neo will not suffer at that level, since Apple laptops They are characterized by being very quiet. Processors aside, there is also the issue of memory. The MacBook Neo only has an 8GB RAM configuration, just half of what the three similarly priced Windows options offer. Here we have two things to keep in mind: MacOS is a less demanding operating system, so we will have a more fluid experience than in Windows. However, the 16 GB of RAM is better if you are one of those who has dozens of tabs open in the browser. And finally, there is the issue of storage. This is where the Apple team loses the most, since this configuration It only comes with 256 GB capacity (There is one with 512 GB, but it is more expensive). The HP and Acer laptops win by a landslide, both with 1 TB of storage. The Lenovo falls right in the middle with its 512 GB of storage. If we are going to move a lot with it, the Apple laptop is better The beauty of a laptop is, above all, that it is portable. They are devices designed to work there and there, no matter if it is in the office or on board a train. We may spend part of the day carrying them and, logically, the lighter … Read more

has the potential to annihilate European competition

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Jim Farley is the CEO of Ford and he already said a few months ago that he didn’t want to get off his Xiaomi SU7. And that was the normal model, the first one launched by the Chinese company and preceded by others like the YU7 and the protagonist of this story: the imposing Xiaomi SU7 Ultra. A unit has fallen into the hands of EV Clinican independent European workshop that has not hesitated for a minute to test it thoroughly… and to gut it. And its conclusion is resounding: it borders on perfection to annihilate the German automobile industry. Gutting the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra. The first thing the workshop has done is mention the speed record achieved by the SU7 Ultra at the Nürburgring in June of last year. He pulverized both the Rimac Refrigerator like that of Porsche Taycan Turbo GT. The second thing has been to throw a ‘stick’ at other analysts. EV Clinic boasts of not being a workshop, but rather of reverse engineering cars to discover their secrets. In their words“while mainstream media focuses on panel adjustments, gear shift leather or cupholders, we dig a little deeper.” And I can tell you that they have reached the depths of the car. Sounds like Tesla 3 to me. They have dismantled the internal plastics to see what they hide and the conclusion is that the chassis is very similar to the new generation of both the Tesla Model 3 as of Model S. They point out that the architecture is very similar in key systems such as the front damping, rear seat clips, support for the air conditioning system, reinforcements, wiring path and battery compartment. Democratizing power. This battery system features an 800V architecture with 214 cells forming a 93.7 kWh pack. The autonomy is 630 kilometers and, according to its tests, the 638 kilo battery is capable of charging from 10% to 80% in 11 minutes with fast charging. The team maintains that 1,550 HP for less than 100,000 euros democratizes sports performance and that there are people spending more than 250,000 euros to get a car with features similar to Xiaomi’s. From the factory, the car arrives configured for the circuit with the huge tires and ceramic discs, and they launch a dig at the Tesla pointing out that, unlike the Plaid SXiaomi’s can withstand intensive circuit use for seven hours straight. “Awesome“The key is in the motor, but also in the batteries. The SU7 Ultra system is signed by CATL, as seen in the Xpeng and NIO, but with some modifications made by Xiaomi. And the general conclusion of the specialists is that it is impressive that Xiaomi has achieved this in such a short time, also highlighting the general comfort of the interior and the finishes. In fact, they point out that “not only does it represent a challenge for the German automobile industry, but it also enters the sports segment to practically annihilate it.” “Every major component has been developed and manufactured in-house in China and pushed to the limit of perfection,” they comment. They have dismantled it, wow | Photo: EV Clinic A serious drawback. Now, although they claim that it is close to perfection, it has its things. EV Clinic points out that they cannot guarantee the extent to which it will be repairable and functional in the long term, a question that only mileage and time can answer. And the fault they have found is that accessing the OBD diagnostics is very difficult. The port is blocked behind a security known as SGW (‘Secure Gateway’) and they found another way by ‘messing around’ between the set of powertrain cables to analyze the data packets. The drawback? Which can make it difficult to repair, at least until the workshops have the necessary tools, in non-Xiaomi points. The Ford CEO thing. EV Clinic concludes by stating that the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra has emerged as the favorite, above Tesla and BMW models. And it’s really not a surprise considering that Ford’s CEO was already delighted. After a trip to China to analyze the competition, He and his team imported several electric carsXiaomi being one of them. The executive has not only been publicly delighted with the power of the car, but also with the performance of the batteries and, above all, with the ecosystem. The Xiaomi SU7 mounts a version of HyperOS (the same software that their cell phones carry), which gives it an advantage in interconnection with both the telephone and home appliances. Now it remains to be seen when they will disembark in Europe. Supposedly, Xiaomi revealed that it would arrive sometime in 2027so we just have to wait. Photos | Xataka, EV Clinic In Xataka | “It’s the most humiliating thing I’ve ever seen”: the conclusion of Jim Farley, CEO of Ford, after months studying Chinese cars

He also never had so much competition breathing down his neck

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If there is a company that has capitalized on the artificial intelligence boomthat was NVIDIA. Your chips have become a fundamental piece to train and run many of the models that underpin the current rise of generative AI. At the GTC conference held in San Joséits CEO, Jensen Huang, went so far as to project at least $1 trillion in backlogged orders for its chips. Meanwhile, a new map of competitors begins to form around the company. The message. Huang put figures on what the company is going through. The executive explained that the expected demand for Blackwell chips, like the B300and Rubin architecture could reach at least one trillion dollars in accumulated orders by 2027. Just a year ago that estimate was around 500,000 million, as he recalled during his speech. The transformation. For decades it was known primarily for its gaming GPUs, but its architecture ended up fitting the needs of machine learning perfectly. This turn has transformed the company: according to data cited by the Associated Pressits annual revenue went from $27 billion in 2022 to $216 billion last year, driven largely by demand for infrastructure for artificial intelligence. Changes are coming. Much of the growth of artificial intelligence in recent years has been based on model training, a process that requires enormous amounts of calculation and where NVIDIA GPUs have clearly dominated. However, the sector is increasingly beginning to look towards inference, the stage in which already trained systems produce answers for users. According to analysts cited by Reutersthat change could expand the number of competitors capable of executing those loads. Big tech companies move. Companies that for years have purchased large quantities of NVIDIA GPUs are simultaneously investing in their own artificial intelligence accelerators. Amazon has developed its Trainium family of chips to train and run models in your cloud, Google continues to expand its line of TPUs and Goal works on several generations of its MTIA accelerator to sustain your AI loads. The Chinese front. The pressure on NVIDIA is not limited to the United States or Europe either. Trade restrictions imposed by Washington have reduced Chinese companies’ access to some of their most advanced chips, accelerating the search for local alternatives. Huawei, for example, prepares mass shipment of its 910C chip for artificial intelligence customerswhile several companies in the country promote alliances to reinforce a domestic ecosystem that encompasses chips, models and infrastructure. The general photography. There is no doubt that NVIDIA remains a fundamental piece of the infrastructure that fuels the rise of artificial intelligence, and its demand forecasts reflect that dominant position. But at the same time, the market is beginning to move in several directions: large technology companies, new companies and national ecosystems are working to build alternatives that reduce their dependence. Images | NVIDIA In Xataka | China already has two chip manufacturers with 7nm technology. This is very bad news for the US and its allies.

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