March 23, 2025
Tech News
Google recently conducted an experiment across eight European markets, temporarily removing news from search results for 1% of users. The results indicated that news content is nearly worthless to its advertising business, which may influence negotiations with European publishers over copyright laws.
In a significant shift, TechCrunch has been acquired by Regent, a private equity firm, after spending years under Yahoo’s ownership. This transition is designed for minimal disruption, keeping the trusted team and enhancing its mission of chronicling technology’s future without sacrificing its editorial independence.
Meanwhile, Microsoft announced that its first cloud region in Malaysia is set to launch in Q2 2025. As part of the Bersama Malaysia initiative, this facility aims to boost local businesses with improved speed and compliance, potentially generating substantial revenue and job opportunities in the region.
Looking toward robotics, Norwegian startup 1X is gearing up to test its humanoid robot, Neo Gamma, in a few hundred homes by the end of 2025. This initiative aims to gather data to improve the robot’s AI capabilities, even though its full autonomy is still a distant goal.
Transitioning seamlessly through these headlines, the tech landscape is buzzing with activity. Each development, from Google’s contentious test on news value to Microsoft’s investment in cloud infrastructure, reflects the ongoing evolution of technology and its interplay with society.
Tech Explained
Advertising – A business practice where companies pay to promote their products or services to potential customers. Google’s reliance on advertising revenue highlights its interest in maximizing profit, especially in light of the findings from its news content experiment.
Cloud computing – The delivery of computing services over the internet, allowing for data storage and access without the necessity of local servers. Microsoft’s new cloud region in Malaysia illustrates the growing importance of local data centers for businesses needing compliance and speed.
Data center – A facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems. The establishment of data centers is crucial for hosting cloud services, as seen with Microsoft’s Malaysia West cloud region.
Humanoid robot – Robots designed to resemble and mimic human behavior and interactions. 1X’s Neo Gamma represents a significant step in robotics, showcasing how these machines can potentially integrate into everyday home life.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) – The simulation of human intelligence in machines programmed to think like humans. Both 1X and other companies are leveraging AI to improve interactions with robots, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in home automation technology.
