HackerNews Summary (2023-05-18 07AM)

Source: Reality Pro headset significantly compromised; top execs skeptical; Apple selling it at cost

Summary
Apple’s upcoming Reality Pro AR/VR headset is significantly compromised, deviating from CEO Tim Cook’s original vision for the device as unobtrusive glasses. Some top executives are skeptical and the company is selling it almost at cost. Meanwhile, development on the Apple Glasses project, which accounts for only 10% of resources, has been postponed.

Fact

🔮 Apple CEO Tim Cook’s original vision for the Reality Pro device was a pair of unobtrusive glasses that could be worn all day, but the device has morphed into a headset that resembles ski goggles and requires a separate battery pack.

🛑 Development of Apple Glasses, the lightweight and unobtrusive AR device, has been postponed and only 10% of resources have been spent on the project.

🧑‍💼 Some top Apple executives are skeptical about the potential of the Reality Pro headset and distance themselves from it.

🤝 Apple is planning to sell the Reality Pro headset at a breakeven cost, which is a significant deviation from the company’s typical high margins.

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Source: Using LangChainJS and Cloudflare Workers together

Summary
Cloudflare Workers now support LangChainJS, empowering developers worldwide to build applications with AI. With LangChainJS, developers can seamlessly switch between different large language models (LLMs) and chain prompts together to build complex applications across multiple LLMs.

Fact

🚀 LangChainJS now supports multiple JavaScript environments, including Cloudflare Workers.

🤖 LangChain is a framework for building applications powered by large language models (LLMs).

🔗 LangChainJS allows developers to switch between LLMs easily and chain prompts to build sophisticated applications.

✨ LangChainJS and Cloudflare Workers allow developers worldwide to build innovative applications with AI.

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Source: New Maintainer Steps Up For GCC Compiler’s MIPS CPU Port

Summary
Years after development for the MIPS architecture was officially discontinued, the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) has finally found a new maintainer in YunQiang Su, who will maintain GCC MIPS and serve as the director of software ecosystem at CIP United Inc.

Fact

💻 YunQiang Su, director of software ecosystem at CIP United Inc, will be the new maintainer of GCC MIPS.

🐞 The GCC MIPS code hasn’t been well-maintained since the former maintainer left years ago.

🤝 Richard Sandiford, the former GCC MIPS maintainer prior to the previous maintainer, supports the new proposal.

💰 CIP United Inc plans on maintaining open-source software for MIPS and is the exclusive owner and operator of MIPS intellectual property in China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

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Source: Ferrite bead

Summary
A ferrite bead is used to suppress high-frequency electronic noise in electronic circuits. It dissipates radio frequency energy as heat, preventing electromagnetic interference and acting as a low-pass filter.

Fact
💡 Ferrite beads prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI) in two directions – transmitting and receiving it. They are used internally and externally in electronics and can be slipped over component leads to suppress parasitic oscillation.

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Source: Montana to become first US state to ban TikTok

Summary
Montana has become the first US state to ban TikTok over alleged intelligence gathering by China. Governor Greg Gianforte signed legislation making it unlawful for Google and Apple’s app stores to offer the app from 2024, though they will not impose penalties on individual users. TikTok has denied sharing data with the Chinese government and called the Montana law “unlawful.”

Fact

📱 TikTok has been banned in Montana, making it the first US state to do so, amid allegations of intelligence gathering by China.

🚫 The ban will take effect from Jan. 1, 2024, but will not impose penalties on individuals using the app.

💰 Montana said TikTok could face fines for each violation and additional fines of $10,000 a day if it violates the ban. Apple and Google could also be fined $10,000 per violation, per day.

👥 TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew faced questions in March from a congressional committee about whether the Chinese government could access user data or influence what Americans see on the app. The company denies ever sharing data with the Chinese government.

🗣️ The American Civil Liberties Union called the law “unconstitutional”, and TikTok’s free speech allies include several Democratic members of Congress, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and First Amendment advocates.

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