The tech to build the holodeck A visit to an elderly mother in Germany highlighted the capability of Gaussian splatting, a novel 3D capture technique creating lifelike 3D models with your phone. This technology, developed in 2023 by European scientists, uses millions of fuzzy, translucent blobs to capture the precise color, location, scale, and transparency of objects, enabling photorealistic 3D reconstructions. Major tech firms like Niantic, Google, Snap, and Meta are utilizing this breakthrough for various applications, from mapping and geospatial games to volumetric video capture and metaverse spaces.

This weekend has been nothing short of extraordinary for TikTok users in the United States. Just this morning, on January 19th, TikTok went dark, leaving millions of users scrambling to adapt and countless small businesses in disarray. Yet, in an astonishing turn of events, the app is now being restored following an intervention by President-elect Donald Trump. All of this has happened within 24 hours — and during a weekend, no less.

As of January 19, 2025, TikTok has officially gone dark in the United States. The popular app, known for its viral dance trends, comedy sketches, and unparalleled ability to catapult creators into stardom, has ceased operations in anticipation of an impending federal ban. For millions of Americans, this marks the end of an era — and the start of a scramble to adapt. Why Did TikTok Shut Down in the U.

The UK government plans to roll out a digital ID system for age verification in pubs, clubs, and shops by 2025, marking a major milestone in modernizing identity verification processes. This initiative is part of the government’s broader ‘Plan for Change’ programme, which aims to enhance digital identity infrastructure and drive economic growth. Key Features of the Digital ID System Smartphone-based: Users will be able to prove their age using certified digital identities stored on their phones.

Microsoft has recently integrated its AI-powered assistant, Copilot, into Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions for consumers. This integration introduces several new functionalities across various applications, accompanied by a subscription price increase of $3 per month in the U.S. Enhanced Features with Copilot Integration Subscribers now have access to Copilot’s AI capabilities within applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Designer. These features include: Content Generation: In Word and PowerPoint, Copilot assists in drafting text and creating presentations based on user prompts, streamlining the content creation process.

Google Signs Deal with AP to Deliver Up-to-Date News through its Gemini AI Chatbot Google has signed a deal with The Associated Press (AP) to enhance its AI chatbot, Gemini, by providing real-time news updates from AP. This initiative marks Google’s first agreement with a news publisher. AP’s Chief Revenue Officer Kristin Heitmann expressed satisfaction with the collaboration, emphasizing the mutual benefit of accurate and timely news distribution. Financial details of the partnership remain undisclosed, and it’s uncertain how Google will present the news content.

Meta’s Generative AI Push Could Bring Big ‘Windfall’ For WhatsApp, Analyst Says Meta Platforms is testing generative AI-powered chatbots within WhatsApp, aiming to enhance customer service and drive e-commerce sales. Analysts project this could generate incremental revenue of $16.6 billion by 2025 and up to $45 billion by 2030. Businesses are charged 2.5 cents per conversation every 24 hours, with potential for price increases. Meta’s stock has responded positively, reflecting investor confidence in this AI initiative.