May 19, 2025
Tech News
OpenAI has unveiled Codex, a new AI coding agent designed to enhance the capabilities of ChatGPT, specifically for Pro, Enterprise, and Team subscribers. Codex aims to assist engineers by generating code from natural language prompts, acting like a virtual coworker while running independently to handle tasks such as fixing bugs and running tests.
In related developments, OpenAI is exploring an acquisition of Windsurf, a coding assistant valued at about $3 billion, positioning Codex alongside other AI tools like Cursor. As Codex becomes integral to engineering tasks at OpenAI, it showcases the company’s focus on creating a general-purpose AI engineer, which is seen as vital in the pursuit of artificial general intelligence.
At Computex 2025 in Taiwan, Acer is making waves by presenting a range of new laptops, including the Swift Edge 14 AI, targeted at competing with the MacBook Air. Weighing just 2.2 pounds, the Swift Edge features a sleek design with impressive specs such as Intel’s Lunar Lake options, a vibrant OLED display, and up to 1TB SSD storage.
Continuing its push in the gaming sector, Acer has also introduced the Predator Triton 14 AI, a laptop that merges gaming and portability. While weighing only 3.5 pounds, it boasts a powerful Intel Arrow Lake processor and an adorable 120Hz OLED display, making it suitable for both gamers and content creators alike.
On the streaming front, Apple Music has rolled out a tool to streamline library transfers from competing services like Spotify. Currently available only in Australia and New Zealand, the feature allows users to import their songs and playlists directly, though only custom playlists can be transferred, highlighting potential gaps in compatibility.
In a chilling reminder of cybersecurity threats, Eric Council Jr. has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for hacking the SEC’s X account. By executing a SIM swap attack, Council and his co-conspirators falsely announced the approval of Bitcoin ETFs, briefly spiking the cryptocurrency’s price and drawing significant attention to the vulnerabilities within digital finance communications.
Tech Explained
AI Coding Agent – An AI coding agent is a specialized software tool designed to assist developers by generating code and performing debugging tasks based on natural language instructions, enhancing productivity in software development.
SIM Swap – A SIM swap attack is a form of fraud where a hacker tricks a mobile carrier into switching a victim’s phone number to a new SIM card, allowing unauthorized access to the victim’s accounts, often leading to data breaches or theft.
Streaming Services – Streaming services transmit audio or video content over the internet in real time, allowing users to access media without needing to download files, thereby offering a seamless viewing or listening experience.
Bitcoin ETFs – Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are investment funds that track the value of Bitcoin, allowing investors to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency without owning it directly, thus contributing to its mainstream adoption in financial markets.
