Tech News Roundup

Start your weekend off right with the latest issue of Friday Five! In this edition, we review Meta launching a new subscription service, OpenAI’s latest language model, The Telegraph's new puzzle mobile app, the latest tech layoffs, and Google's release of the Bard chatbot. 

Meta Launches Subscription Service 

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has announced the launch of Meta+ in the United States. The service will offer access to a variety of features across Meta’s products, including exclusive content, expanded audio features, and enhanced privacy tools. Read the full article.  

OpenAI’s Latest Language Model, GPT-4 

OpenAI announced GPT-4, the next-generation AI language model stating that it will likely be significantly larger than its predecessor, GPT-3, and will have improved capabilities in areas such as natural language understanding and reasoning. It’s expected to have a broader range of potential applications, including in fields such as medicine and science. Read the full article.  

The Telegraph’s New Puzzle App 

The Telegraph, a UK-based newspaper, has launched a new mobile app dedicated to its popular puzzles section. The app offers access to the paper’s full range of puzzles, including crosswords, Sudoku, word searches, and other brain teasers. Read the full article.  

Amazon’s Latest Layoffs 

Amazon has reportedly laid off hundreds of employees across various divisions, including Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Twitch, as part of its annual performance review process. The company said it regularly reviews its business and makes adjustments to ensure it’s positioned to deliver on its priorities. However, sources have said the layoffs could be a cost-cutting move. Read the full article.  

Google Releases Bard 

Google has released its chatbot called Bard, joining competitors Microsoft and OpenAI. Bard will have initially limited availability in the US and UK, with plans to accommodate more users, countries, and languages over time. Read the full article.