For over 60 years, NORAD has tracked Santa Claus’s Christmas Eve journey, starting with an accidental phone call in 1955. Millions worldwide follow Santa’s route online and via phone, creating a global Christmas tradition blending technology and holiday cheer. Advanced radar and satellite systems, originally designed for security, now track Rudolph’s glowing nose, allowing NORAD to share Santa’s location in real-time.
Google is reportedly adding an “AI Mode” to its search engine, allowing users to interact with search results via a chatbot interface. This move is seen as a response to the growing popularity of AI chatbots like ChatGPT. The new feature will enable users to ask follow-up questions and interact with search results more naturally, marking a significant evolution in the search experience.
OpenAI’s “12 Days of OpenAI” showcased numerous updates, including new reasoning models, video generation capabilities, and deeper integration with other platforms. Highlights include the launch of Sora video generation and advancements in the ChatGPT interface and API. The event revealed a focus on expanding access and improving the user experience, while also hinting at future developments in AI technology.
SkyBridge Capital’s founder, Anthony Scaramucci, views Bitcoin’s current price fluctuations as typical market cycles, involving the purging of leveraged trades. However, he expresses reservations about some altcoins. Conversely, other analysts highlight the potential for altcoin rallies driven by investor behavior and FOMO. Cathie Wood maintains a bullish Bitcoin prediction of $1.5 million by 2030, while experts acknowledge the impact of macroeconomic factors.
TSMC’s new Kumamoto, Japan plant will begin commercial production by the end of 2024, with Sony and Denso as initial customers. This $13.5 billion investment, supported by significant Japanese government funding, will produce advanced chips, solidifying Japan’s position in the semiconductor industry. A second plant is planned, further expanding TSMC’s global presence and creating investment opportunities.
OpenAI’s latest AI model, o3, surpasses its predecessors in reasoning and accuracy. Internally fact-checking its responses, o3 shows improved performance on various benchmark tests and includes transparency in its reasoning. Currently available to researchers, its future integration into public platforms is highly anticipated.
A recent poll reveals that investors believe Nvidia is poised to benefit the most from a potential Santa Claus rally. With Nvidia significantly outperforming the market and its Magnificent 7 peers in 2024, investors are optimistic about its continued growth. Other stocks such as Tesla and Amazon are also seen as strong contenders in a potential year-end market surge.
Viettel High Tech (VHT) of Vietnam has won a multi-million dollar contract from High Cloud Technologies (HCT) in the UAE to supply 5G systems. This strategic partnership will expand 5G coverage in the Middle East, particularly in underserved areas, improving digital access and living standards. VHT’s advanced and cost-effective technology is key to this success, marking a major milestone for the company’s international growth.
Palantir Technologies, after a significant stock price surge, saw a 3.62% drop in pre-market trading. This follows a neutral rating from an analyst citing valuation concerns despite strong fundamentals. A large, new U.S. Army contract, however, may provide a counterbalance to the negative market reaction.
Valens Semiconductor, a chipmaker, is experiencing rapid growth due to the increasing demand for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). The company’s high-performance chipsets are crucial for ADAS and other technologies like LiDAR, video conferencing, and medical imaging. Recent design wins and a strong financial position further solidify Valens’ promising outlook.
