Hi there, this is your daily ☕️ Techpresso.

In today's Techpresso:

🧪 Google unveils new AI co-scientist

📱 Apple introduces its first in-house modem

🚫 Amazon is shutting down its app store on Android

🧬 Nvidia unveils an AI for genetic research

🎬 Amazon takes creative control of James Bond franchise

🎮 Microsoft's new AI can create video games

🎁 + 10 other news you might like

🔮 + 6 handpicked research papers and tools

FROM OUR PARTNER

• Google introduced an AI co-scientist based on its Gemini 2.0 platform to speed up scientific research by formulating new hypotheses, drafting proposals, and refining experiments, albeit with questions about its performance and scope.
• In trials involving 15 research goals, the system outperformed existing models, with experts finding its outputs both novel and potentially impactful, though limited human evaluation hinders broad conclusions.
• The AI co-scientist, integrated with resources like AlphaFold, aims to streamline pharmaceutical research by proposing drug candidates, predicting protein structures, and reducing research timelines, yet faces challenges in transparency and data integrity.

• Apple has introduced its first 5G modem, the C1, developed in-house and featured in the new $599 iPhone 16e, marking a shift from Intel's 5G modem business acquired six years ago.
• The C1 modem is praised for its power efficiency and comprehensive support for key 4G and 5G technologies, yet it does not include some performance-enhancing capabilities like mmWave 5G and Wi-Fi 7, due to their high power demands.
• By integrating its own silicon, Apple aims to reduce costs and gain leverage in negotiations with Qualcomm, with plans to expand the use of its modems in future devices.

• Amazon will shut down its Appstore for Android devices on August 20, 2025, ending its role as an alternative app source to the Google Play Store.
• The closure will also terminate the Amazon Coins program, with refunds provided for any remaining coins as of the shutdown date.
• Apps downloaded from the Amazon Appstore may not function properly on Android devices after the shutdown, though Amazon devices like Fire Tablet and Fire TV will continue to use the store.

• Nvidia and its research collaborators have introduced Evo 2, the largest AI system for biological research, aiming to accelerate advancements in medicine and genetics.
• Capable of reading and designing genetic code, Evo 2 was trained on nearly 9 trillion genetic data points from over 128,000 organisms, including bacteria, plants, and humans.
• Developed with the Arc Institute and Stanford University, the system is accessible to global scientists through Nvidia's BioNeMo platform, potentially aiding in medical and environmental breakthroughs.

• Amazon has reached an agreement with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson to gain full creative control of the James Bond movie franchise through a new joint venture.
• Broccoli and Wilson, co-owners of the franchise, plan to step back from their roles and focus on other projects, expressing trust in Amazon MGM to carry on the legacy.
• Broccoli previously opposed Amazon's involvement due to concerns over its data-driven methods, but the parties have now reconciled to advance the next chapter of the series.

• Microsoft has introduced Muse, a generative AI model designed to create video game sequences in real-time, which could transform how interactive environments like games are developed.
• Muse, part of the World and Human Action Model project, uses seven years of gameplay data from the game Bleeding Edge to simulate game visuals and predict gameplay interactions.
• While Muse shows potential by generating complex gameplay sequences, its practical application is limited, as it cannot create entirely new game mechanics or concepts without extensive training data.

Other news & articles you might like

• Google Lens for iPhone now lets you draw to do visual searches LINK

• Stellantis launches first in-house automated driving technology LINK

• Google's 'Career Dreamer' uses AI to help you explore job possibilities LINK

• Mercor, an AI recruiting startup founded by 21-year-olds, raises $100M at $2B valuation LINK

• Rabbit shows off the AI agent it should have launched with LINK

• Epic sues Fortnite cheater, forces public apology and financial penalty LINK

• "Truly a middle finger": Humane bricking $700 AI Pins with limited refunds LINK

• Spotify is making it easier to release audiobooks narrated by AI LINK

• US cybersecurity agencies warn of global Ghost ransomware threat LINK

• Valve opens up Team Fortress 2's source code, letting modders completely rewrite the game LINK

Latest research and tools

Want to get the latest news differently?