Category Archives: technology

Apple is using ChatGPT-like app to test new Siri features

**Apple is Using ChatGPT-like App to Test New Siri Features**

*By Akash Pandey | Sep 27, 2025, 01:21 PM*

Apple is reportedly testing a ChatGPT-style app, internally known as “Veritas,” as part of its ambitious plan to revamp Siri, according to Bloomberg. The tech giant aims to enhance its voice assistant’s capabilities to handle more complex tasks and provide a more intuitive user experience.

### Internal Testing with Veritas

The Veritas app—named after the Latin word for “truth”—is being developed by Apple’s AI division to experiment with new Siri features. Among its capabilities, Veritas can search through personal data such as songs and emails, as well as perform in-app actions like editing photos.

Much like other popular AI chatbots, Veritas allows users to manage multiple conversations simultaneously, reference previous chats, and engage in extended back-and-forth exchanges. This multi-turn conversational ability marks a significant upgrade from current voice assistant functionalities.

### Introducing the New ‘Linwood’ System

In addition to testing new features, Veritas is also being used to evaluate a new underlying system called “Linwood.” This innovative system combines Apple’s in-house large language models with third-party AI models to create a more powerful and responsive assistant.

Currently, Apple does not plan to release the Veritas app publicly. However, its development highlights the company’s serious commitment to advancing artificial intelligence technologies.

### Delayed Launch for New Siri

Apple initially aimed to launch the revamped Siri in spring 2025. However, technical challenges have delayed the release. Some features reportedly experienced failure rates of up to one-third during internal testing.

The updated Siri is now expected to debut as early as March 2026. Once released, it is anticipated to perform tasks beyond the current assistant’s scope, such as interacting with on-screen content and facilitating smoother navigation across Apple devices.

### Leadership Changes Amid AI Overhaul

Apple’s AI division has seen significant leadership shifts amid this overhaul. John Giannandrea, who previously led the company’s AI efforts, was sidelined earlier this year. Additionally, Robby Walker—former head of Siri—is set to leave Apple in October.

Walker’s newly formed AKI (Answers, Knowledge, and Information) team is now spearheading the effort to integrate AI-driven search into the next-generation Siri, signaling a fresh direction for Apple’s voice assistant strategy.

Apple’s continued investment in AI and voice assistant technology reflects CEO Tim Cook’s push for the company to excel in this rapidly evolving field. With innovations like Veritas and Linwood, Apple hopes to redefine how users interact with their devices in the near future.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/apple-using-chatgpt-style-app-to-test-next-gen-siri/story

Farewell Amazon Fresh: the no tills thing was all a bit too awkward | Jason Okundaye

Amazon Fresh, the till-free grocery shop that uses just walk-out technology, is closing all 19 of its stores in London, just under five years after opening its first outlet. If that sounds weird and disorienting, then I can assure you, having visited an outlet out of pure curiosity and having left distressed, it truly is.

Among the reasons given for the venture’s failure—ranging from location choices to struggling to differentiate itself in the market—one financial analyst suggested that till-less technology always felt a little awkward. When I visited, I wasn’t totally clear on how to get in or, frankly, how to get out.

A sense of panic overwhelmed me as I wondered if the sensors would process me changing my mind about an item and putting it back on the shelf, or charge me for it. Would I be prosecuted if, say, a large box of cereal blocked the sight of a tin of sardines and thus escaped the sensors? Of course, every store has CCTV equipment, but the idea that sensors and cameras could be connected to my phone and track every item I touched felt like big tech overreach—surveillance on steroids.

The fact that you could just walk out of a shop without pressing pay seemed strangely incongruous with the direction of other grocery stores. Around two years ago, the big Sainsbury’s down the road installed scan-receipt-to-exit barriers, a technology I first saw in Paris and has since been rolled out to many other big supermarkets. It is truly a nightmare.

Not only does it feel like you’re going through an airport when you’re just picking up a meal deal, but the scanner is repeatedly faulty, often resulting in a pile-up of people trying to exit. Then, there is the failure of self-scan checkouts. These tills were meant to save time, but that possibility immediately collapses once there’s an unidentified item in the bagging area or the overwhelmed shop assistant has to approve someone’s age.

You might then think the idea of a till-free checkout would be a relief. But if anything, when you’re made to feel so distrusted and burdened by inconvenience, it feels far more like a setup. No till? Surely someone is waiting on the other side ready to bundle me into a police van over an unscanned pot of pesto pasta.

Mostly though, the failure of Amazon Fresh reveals that we are simply not ready for technology like this. It is the kind of futuristic development that you might have imagined would totally change the face of high street shopping, but shoppers have roundly rejected it. Like our reluctance to take up self-driving cars, it’s about a lack of trust in being totally at the whim of technology.

Some stores have been able to win over the public. The Japanese casual wear brand Uniqlo’s self-checkout technology is pretty frictionless and genuinely loved. But even then, as a frequent Uniqlo shopper, while the convenience is nice, it makes me feel strangely isolated.

We need, and maybe even like, other people. Whether it’s grocery or clothes shopping, having a little chat or a flirt with a store assistant makes the experience. Recently, after a frustrating and failed attempt to find a suit for a wedding, I soothed myself by spending far too much money on a lovely knitted jumper at Drakes on Savile Row. The shop assistant told me I looked good in it and, seeing how flustered I was, offered me an espresso. For that alone, I’ll be back to blow more of my money.

Of course, I don’t expect that treatment on the high street or in a grocery store, but I do find myself missing the small comments of “I love these crisps, my favourite” at a supermarket till. And queueing, though I’ll rue saying this during the post-work rush, is not all bad. One of my favourite things to do in a supermarket queue is peer into other shoppers’ baskets to make a guess about what kind of evening they’re having or what kind of life they live.

If you can simply walk out, you might save some time, but you’ll learn less about the people around you—while a computer gets to know it all.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/sep/27/amazon-fresh-store-closing-technology-shopping

Versatility of Fibre Channel: Multi-Protocol Magic

**Presented by Patty Driever, IBM; Howard Johnson, Broadcom**

### About this Talk

Storage networking consumers are well aware of the classic benefits of Fibre Channel as a dedicated storage networking solution. It provides reliable and lossless data transfer, along with high availability and redundancy.

What is less known is that Fibre Channel supports several Upper Layer Protocols (ULPs), including SCSI, FICON, NVMe, Avionics, and RDMA.

In this webinar, we explore the FC-4 layer of the Fibre Channel architecture, which provides the services used by the various ULPs deployed in Fibre Channel products.

Join us for an in-depth exploration into:

– The history of Fibre Channel’s versatility
– Fibre Channel architectural layers
– Overview of the current FC-4 transports: FCP, FC-SB, FC-NVMe, FC-RDMA

Attendees of the webinar will gain a well-rounded understanding of Fibre Channel technology and become familiar with its broad scope and capabilities.
https://www.brighttalk.com/webcast/679/653837

Bhopal News: Hi-Tech Policing; Ragging Complaints, Bank Alarms To Reach Police Top Brass Directly

**Bhopal Police Implement Hi-Tech Alert System for Faster Response**

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): In a significant move towards modernizing law enforcement, the Bhopal Police have introduced an advanced alert system that connects the national anti-ragging helpline and bank security alarms directly to the police commissioner’s dashboard. This initiative is aimed at ensuring immediate police response and swift action in critical situations.

In a recent incident, a distressed college student used the anti-ragging helpline late at night. Thanks to the new system, the complaint alert was instantly received by Police Commissioner Harinarayanchari Mishra. Acting swiftly on his instructions, the police intervened promptly, effectively addressing the issue. Officials confirm that similar cases involving ragging and harassment have been resolved quickly under this new mechanism.

The system has also been extended to banks across the city. Whenever a security alarm is triggered inside a bank, a direct alert flashes not only on the police commissioner’s dashboard but also on the screens of senior police officers. This real-time notification enables police teams to mobilize rapidly, often stopping criminals before a robbery can take place.

“Through this advanced connectivity system, alerts from control rooms, helplines, and alarm points go straight to senior officers. This ensures a swift police response and eliminates negligence,” said Police Commissioner Mishra. “With this technology, we have even been able to prevent suicides and thwart bank robbery attempts in the past.”

Additionally, the police are monitoring meta alerts related to suicide-related posts on social media, which help them take immediate action and save lives.

This innovative approach marks a significant step forward in enhancing public safety and demonstrates Bhopal Police’s commitment to leveraging technology for effective law enforcement.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/bhopal-news-hi-tech-policing-ragging-complaints-bank-alarms-to-reach-police-top-brass-directly

Tether (USDT) Fundraising Interest Reportedly From Softbank, Ark Invest

Tech-focused investment firms SoftBank and Ark Invest are reportedly in early-stage talks to invest in Tether, the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin, USDT, Bloomberg reported on Friday.

This news follows earlier reports this week revealing Tether’s plans to raise up to $20 billion in a fundraising round, which would value the company at around $500 billion. Such a valuation would make Tether one of the world’s most valuable private companies, highlighting the explosive growth and investor interest in the stablecoin space.

Stablecoins are a class of cryptocurrencies with prices pegged to fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar. Proponents say stablecoins could offer a cheaper, faster alternative for cross-border transactions by leveraging blockchain technology. The sector has expanded rapidly, growing 40% year-to-date to reach $287 billion, according to data from RWA.xyz. Additionally, analysts at global bank Citi project that stablecoins could reach a market value of $4 trillion in a bull market scenario.

Tether’s USDT leads the market with a $173 billion market capitalization. It is predominantly backed by U.S. Treasuries, which have generated substantial profits from bond yields in recent years. The company reported $4.9 billion in profits in the second quarter of this year alone.

Another major player, Circle (CRCL), issuer of the second-largest stablecoin USDC with a market value exceeding $70 billion, went public in June. Since its debut, Circle’s stock price surged from around $30 to $300, underscoring strong investor appetite for exposure to the stablecoin theme.

Tether has also focused on serving emerging markets with limited access to U.S. dollars. Earlier this month, the company announced its intention to formally enter the U.S. market with a new dollar token dubbed USAT. This token is designed to comply with the GENIUS Act, the nation’s first federal crypto law that sets regulatory standards for stablecoins.

To lead its U.S. division, Tether has hired Bo Hines, the former director of the White House Crypto Council who advised President Donald Trump on cryptocurrency policies.

With substantial backing and strategic moves, Tether is positioning itself to remain a dominant force in the fast-growing stablecoin sector, which has the potential to disrupt global payment systems.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/tech/tether-usdt-fundraising-interest-reportedly-from-softbank-ark-invest/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tether-usdt-fundraising-interest-reportedly-from-softbank-ark-invest

Teacher Arrested For Sharing Voyeur Video With Colleagues

A 41-year-old teacher, identified as Keisuke Tsuguno, has been taken into custody on suspicion of violating laws prohibiting the production of sexually explicit images. Authorities allege that Tsuguno filmed the video in question and distributed it to a private online group composed of teachers.

Although Tsuguno had no personal connection to the four teachers arrested earlier, the video he shared was found stored on one of their smartphones. This discovery ultimately led police to uncover his involvement.

Investigators believe that approximately 10 teachers from elementary and junior high schools were participating in the online group where such explicit material was exchanged.

The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to determine the full extent of the sharing and whether additional arrests will follow.
https://newsonjapan.com/article/147038.php

UK banks forge ‘digital sterling’ in landmark tokenization pilot

**UK Banks Launch Live Pilot for Tokenized Sterling Deposits, Advancing Financial System Modernization**

UK banks are embarking on a live pilot phase for tokenized sterling deposits, marking a significant step toward modernizing the core infrastructure of the United Kingdom’s financial system through distributed ledger technology (DLT).

According to a press release dated September 26, UK Finance is leading this initiative with participation from major banks including Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest, Nationwide, and Santander. The project, running through mid-2026, aims to facilitate live transactions using tokenized sterling deposits.

### Pilot Focus and Objectives

The pilot will specifically test practical applications such as online marketplace payments, remortgaging, and digital asset settlement. Key goals include enhancing transaction speed and reducing fraud, thereby highlighting tangible benefits of tokenized deposits in everyday financial activities.

### Building on the Regulated Liability Network

This new pilot builds directly on the foundation established by the Regulated Liability Network (RLN), a multi-phase initiative exploring how tokenization can be applied to money circulating within the regulated financial system.

Previous RLN trials demonstrated that commercial bank deposits can be transformed into digital tokens without compromising the trust and protections fundamental to the banking sector. Transitioning into a live transaction phase allows UK Finance and its member banks to rigorously test this model at scale and across various real-world use cases.

### Guidance and Support from the Bank of England

The Bank of England has played a discreet yet influential role in shaping this direction. Governor Andrew Bailey recently encouraged banks to prioritize tokenized deposits over issuing proprietary stablecoins, citing tokenized deposits as a more stable and regulated pathway for modernizing money.

### Interoperability and Inclusive Access

A critical technical feature of the pilot platform is its full interoperability. As stated in the press release, the platform is being developed to seamlessly integrate with other emerging digital money and payment systems. This includes tokenized deposits, potential future central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and projects like the planned digital gilt (DIGIT).

Furthermore, the pilot offers tokenization-as-a-service, enabling institutions without in-house capabilities to develop their own digital deposit systems to participate. This approach broadens access and helps establish an inclusive framework for digital payments across the UK financial landscape.

This live pilot phase represents a pivotal milestone in the UK’s journey toward a more efficient, secure, and technologically advanced financial system. By leveraging tokenization and distributed ledger technology, UK banks are setting the stage for innovative payment solutions that promise to benefit consumers, businesses, and the economy as a whole.
https://crypto.news/uk-banks-forge-digital-sterling-in-landmark-tokenization-pilot/

How Beginners Can Transition From Manual To Automated Trading

Trading has evolved significantly over the years. What once relied heavily on intuition, chart reading, and gut feeling has now shifted toward systematic, data-driven methods. For beginners, moving from manual trading to automated trading can feel overwhelming. However, with structured learning, practical guidance, and the right resources, this transition is entirely achievable.

In this article, we’ll explore how beginners can transition from manual to automated trading, the role of education in facilitating this shift, and how QuantInsti’s quantitative finance courses—including *Automated Trading for Beginners* and their day trading course—help learners acquire real-world skills.

### The Challenges of Manual Trading

Manual trading demands constant attention to the markets. Traders must monitor price movements, analyze charts, track news, and make swift decisions. Beginners often face several common challenges:

– **Time-consuming:** Long hours of screen time are required to monitor markets and respond to events.
– **Emotional Influence:** Fear, greed, and impatience can affect decisions, leading to inconsistent results.
– **Limited Data Handling:** Humans can process only so much information at once, often missing hidden patterns.
– **Backtesting Difficulties:** Testing strategies on historical data manually is slow and prone to errors.

While manual trading is excellent for learning market fundamentals, it is often inefficient and not scalable for long-term growth. This is where automated trading becomes a game-changer.

### Why Automated Trading Works

Automated trading uses preset rules and computer programs to execute trades. It offers several advantages, especially for beginners:

– **Consistency:** Trades follow defined rules, eliminating emotional biases.
– **Speed:** Computers react faster than humans, capturing opportunities immediately.
– **Data-Driven Decisions:** Algorithms process technical indicators and historical data for informed trading.
– **Backtesting and Optimization:** Strategies can be tested on past data to refine rules before risking real capital.

Automated trading does not replace human judgment; rather, it enhances it. It allows traders to focus on strategy design, risk management, and market analysis instead of reacting impulsively.

### Building a Strong Foundation

The first step in moving to automated trading is structured learning. Beginners need to understand market basics, trading strategies, and programming fundamentals.

Quantitative finance courses provide this foundation with modules designed for both beginners and advanced learners. Courses like *Automated Trading for Beginners* teach Python programming, quantitative techniques, and methods to analyze historical market data.

Students explore various strategies, including day trading, event-driven trading, ARIMA, ARCH, GARCH, volatility modeling, and statistical arbitrage.

### Learning by Doing

Theory alone is not enough. Beginners must apply what they learn in real-world scenarios. Starting by coding simple strategies such as momentum trading or scalping helps build practical skills.

Backtesting allows learners to evaluate how a strategy performs historically, adjust parameters, and understand market condition impacts. This hands-on approach builds confidence before live trading, ensuring strategies are well understood and risks are managed.

### Transitioning from Manual to Automated Day Trading

Day trading is often where beginners first experience the benefits of automation. A dedicated day trading course shows how to automate strategies previously executed manually. Here’s a step-by-step approach for beginners:

1. **Start Small:** Begin with simple strategies like momentum trading or basic indicators. Understand the rules and execution.
2. **Backtest Strategies:** Use historical data to evaluate performance and identify weaknesses without risking real money.
3. **Paper Trading:** Simulate trades in real-time using virtual capital to bridge the gap between testing and live markets.
4. **Live Trading with Risk Management:** Once confident, start live trading with strict stop-loss rules and proper position sizing.

This structured process saves time, reduces errors, and helps build a systematic, disciplined trading practice.

### A Learner’s Journey: From Curiosity to Confidence

Consider Xavier Anthony from Canberra, Australia. With a background in engineering and computer science, Xavier was naturally drawn to data and technology and had a strong fascination with financial markets. He experimented with mock trades and tested various strategies but struggled to turn knowledge into consistent results.

Xavier’s breakthrough came when he joined QuantInsti’s Executive Programme in Algorithmic Trading (EPAT). Through the program, he acquired technical skills, mastered backtesting, learned risk management, and honed strategy evaluation.

Today, Xavier confidently develops trading strategies, understands why trades execute, and knows how they fit into a broader portfolio—demonstrating how structured education and practical experience are crucial in transitioning from manual to automated trading.

### Tools and Resources for Beginners

QuantInsti offers a comprehensive ecosystem to support learners moving into automated trading:

– **Interactive Notebooks and Coding Exercises:** Learn by doing in an engaging environment.
– **Capstone Projects with Real Market Data:** Apply strategies in realistic, hands-on scenarios.
– **Community and Faculty Support:** Access expert guidance and peer support.
– **Lifetime Access:** Revisit courses, exercises, and projects anytime to sharpen skills.

These resources allow beginners to build expertise gradually without feeling overwhelmed.

### Tips for a Smooth Transition

To make the shift from manual to automated trading easier, keep the following tips in mind:

– **Be Patient:** Automation is not a shortcut to instant profits. Start small and focus on learning.
– **Learn from Mistakes:** Use backtesting and paper trading to experiment safely.
– **Prioritize Risk Management:** Effective position sizing and stop-loss rules are essential.
– **Practice Consistently:** Regular coding, testing, and refining improve skills and confidence.
– **Seek Guidance:** Utilize courses, communities, and mentors to avoid common pitfalls.

### Final Thoughts

Transitioning from manual to automated trading may seem challenging, but it is vital for long-term success. Automation brings consistency, efficiency, and the ability to analyze vast amounts of data.

QuantInsti’s quantitative finance courses equip beginners with the knowledge, hands-on experience, and confidence needed to design, backtest, and implement automated strategies effectively.

QuantInsti offers a modular, flexible, “learn by coding” approach, including free starter courses and affordable per-course pricing. For advanced learners, the EPAT program provides live classes, expert faculty, placement support, and career opportunities through hiring partners and alumni success stories.

Together, these programs help beginners become skilled, confident traders ready to succeed in today’s dynamic markets.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/latest-news/how-beginners-can-transition-from-manual-to-automated-trading

Employees Trial AI Lifestyle In Toyota’s Woven City

Within the city at the base of Mount Fuji in Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture, a dedicated test course for self-driving vehicles has been established. This innovative facility enables experiments such as synchronizing traffic signals with cars—tests that would be difficult to carry out on public roads.

In addition to the self-driving vehicle course, other initiatives are underway. These include next-generation vending machines and cafes that serve as platforms for testing new concepts. Researchers are actively examining how advanced technologies can be seamlessly integrated into daily living.

The first phase of this ambitious project covers roughly one-sixth of the planned area and has already welcomed its initial residents. Toyota has announced that the number of participating companies will expand as the project continues to evolve, paving the way for future technological advancements.
https://newsonjapan.com/article/147026.php

IIT Delhi Opens Registration For Second Batch Of Certificate Programme In Applied Data Science & AI

IIT Delhi Launches Second Batch of Certificate Programme in Applied Data Science & Artificial Intelligence

The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi has announced the second batch of its Certificate Programme in Applied Data Science & Artificial Intelligence: From Fundamentals to Deployment. This comprehensive programme is designed to equip learners with the skills to write production-grade Python code, engineer and analyze data, build and validate machine learning (ML) and deep learning models, and deploy responsible AI solutions using MLOps. The course culminates in an industry-relevant capstone project, ensuring practical, hands-on experience.

Programme Highlights

Offered under IIT Delhi’s Continuing Education Programme (CEP), this six-month course provides a strong foundation in ML and AI principles and their real-world applications. These technologies are becoming increasingly central across sectors such as healthcare, finance, retail, manufacturing, education, transportation, and entertainment.

Key aspects of the programme include:

  • Hands-on Python programming and data manipulation
  • Exploratory data analysis, regression, classification, clustering, and dimensionality reduction
  • Advanced techniques in deep learning, reinforcement learning, and natural language processing (NLP)
  • Model deployment using Docker and cloud platforms
  • MLOps practices and application of responsible AI principles
  • Industry-grounded projects and a culminating capstone project

Curriculum and Learning Format

The curriculum is thoughtfully designed to guide learners from fundamental concepts to advanced applications, including:

  • Python programming, data manipulation, and exploratory data analysis
  • Machine learning techniques such as regression, classification, clustering, and dimensionality reduction
  • Deep learning, reinforcement learning, and natural language processing
  • Model deployment, cloud computing, and MLOps strategies
  • Application of responsible AI principles through hands-on projects and capstone

The programme employs a Direct-to-Device (D2D) delivery model comprising:

  • 72 hours of live, interactive online lectures
  • 40-hour industry-relevant capstone project
  • Practical tutorials and asynchronous learning modules
  • Optional short campus immersion at IIT Delhi for in-person experience

Upon successful completion, participants will earn e-Certificates from CEP, IIT Delhi, subject to fulfilling all programme requirements.

What the Faculty Says

“At IIT Delhi, we’ve built this program around doing, not just knowing,” said Prof. Ankur Gupta of the Centre for Applied Research in Electronics during the programme’s unveiling. “After practicing Python, deep learning, and current machine learning techniques, learners use MLOps and responsible AI principles to deploy their models in production. The capstone, industry examples, and mentoring ensure participants graduate with deployable solutions and the confidence to leverage data science effectively across industries.”

Who Should Apply?

This programme is ideal for:

  • Aspiring data scientists and AI enthusiasts
  • Technology and analytics professionals seeking to upskill or pivot careers
  • Engineers and technologists implementing AI solutions in industry settings
  • Students and researchers aiming to deepen their expertise in applied AI and data science

The Growing Demand for AI Skills

According to McKinsey’s The Data-Driven Enterprise of 2025, data will be ubiquitous across business processes by 2030, requiring leaders to adopt a ‘data and AI first’ approach. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 highlights that 86% of employers expect AI to transform their operations by 2030. However, 63% of these employers cite skill gaps as a major barrier to adoption. Additionally, approximately 39% of current skill sets are projected to become obsolete within five years, underscoring the urgent need for upskilling.

This certificate programme by IIT Delhi offers a timely opportunity for professionals and learners to bridge this gap and prepare for the future of AI-driven industries.

https://www.freepressjournal.in/education/iit-delhi-opens-registration-for-second-batch-of-certificate-programme-in-applied-data-science-ai