Slashdot

News for nerds, stuff that matters

Epic and Google Have a Secret $800 Million Unreal Engine and Services Deal

A federal judge revealed a previously undisclosed ~$800 million, six-year partnership between Epic Games and Google tied to Unreal Engine services and joint marketing. It raises questions about whether the deal influenced Epic's willingness to settle its antitrust case over Android. The Verge reports: [California District Judge James Donato] allowed Epic and Google to keep most of the details of the plan under wraps. But during the hearing, he quizzed witnesses, including Epic CEO Tim Sweeney and economics expert Doug Bernheim, on how it might impact settlement talks -- revealing some hints in the process. "You're going to be helping Google market Android, and they're going to be helping you market Fortnite; that deal doesn't exist today, right?" Donato asked Bernheim, who answered in the affirmative. He also described it as a "new business between Epic and Google."

Sweeney's testimony cracked the mystery a little further. He referred to the agreement as relating to the "metaverse," a term Sweeney has used to refer to Epic's game Fortnite. "Epic's technology is used by many companies in the space Google is operating in to train their products, so the ability for Google to use the Unreal Engine more fullsome... sorry, I'm blowing this confidentiality," Sweeney said. Donato then offered a hard dollar figure on one part of the deal: "An $800 million spend over six years, that's a pretty healthy partnership," he said. We soon learned that refers to Epic spending $800 million to purchase some sort of services from Google: "Every year we've decided against Google, in this year we're deciding to use Google at market rates," he said. Sweeney did throw cold water on the idea that Epic and Google are jointly building a single new product together, though. "This is Google and Epic each separately building product lines," he clarified, when Judge Donato asked what the term sheet referred to with the line "Google and Epic will work together."

Donato seemed potentially leery of the partnership, asking Bernheim whether it could constitute a "quid pro quo" that reduced Epic's incentive to push for terms that would benefit other developers. Currently, Epic is backing a settlement that would see Google reduce its standard app store fees worldwide and allow alternative app stores to register for easy installation on Android. Sweeney disputed the notion that Epic might be getting paid off to soften its terms, when it's the one paying out. "I don't see anything crooked about Epic paying Google off to encourage much more robust competition than they've allowed in the past," he said. "We view this as a significant transfer of value from Epic to Google." He also says the Epic Games Store won't get any special treatment from Android in the future under this deal. It appears that the settlement arrangement is tied to the business deal. Judge Donato suggested that Epic and Google would only make the deal if the settlement goes through. Sweeney says the specific terms of the deal have not yet been reached, but admitted that he expects them to. He told Judge Donato that yes, he considers the settlement and deal "an important part of Epic's growth plan for the future."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Intel Struggles To Meet AI Data Center Demand

Intel says it struggled to satisfy demand for its AI data-center CPUs while new PC chips squeeze margins. CEO Lip-Bu Tan framed the turnaround as supply-constrained, not demand-constrained, with manufacturing yields (18A) improving but still below targets. Reuters reports: The forecast underscores the difficulties faced by Intel in predicting global chip markets, where the company's current products are the result of decisions made years ago. The company, whose shares have risen 40% in the past month, recently launched a long-awaited laptop chip designed to reclaim its lead in personal computers just as a memory chip crunch is expected to depress sales across that industry.

Meanwhile, Intel executives said the company was caught off guard by surging demand for server central processors that accompany AI chips. Despite running its factories at capacity, Intel cannot keep up with demand for the chips, leaving profitable data center sales on the table while the new PC chip squeezes its margins.

"In the short term, I'm disappointed that we are not able "to fully meet the demand in our markets," Chief Executive Officer Lip-Bu Tan told analysts on a conference call. The company forecast current-quarter revenue between $11.7 billion and $12.7 billion, compared with analysts' average estimate of $12.51 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. It expects adjusted earnings per share to break even in the first quarter, compared with expectations of adjusted earnings of 5 cents per share.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

EU Parliament Calls For Detachment From US Tech Giants

The European Parliament is calling on the European Commission to reduce dependence on U.S. tech giants by prioritizing EU-based cloud, AI, and open-source infrastructure. The report frames "European Tech First," public procurement reform, and Public Money, Public Code as necessary self-defense against growing U.S. control over critical digital infrastructure. Heise reports: In terms of content, the report focuses on a strategic reorientation of public procurement and infrastructure. The compromise line adopted stipulates that member states can favor European tech providers in strategic sectors to systematically strengthen the technological capacity of the Community. The Greens even called for a stricter regulation here, where the use of products "Made in EU" should become the rule and exceptions would have to be explicitly justified. They also pushed for a definition for cloud infrastructure that provides for full EU jurisdiction without dependencies on third countries.

With the decision, the MEPs want to lay the foundation for a European digital public infrastructure based on open standards and interoperability. The principle of Public Money, Public Code is anchored as a strategic foundation to reduce dependence on individual providers. Software specifically developed for administration with tax money should therefore be made available to everyone under free licenses. For financing, the Parliament relies on the expansion of public-private investments. A "European Sovereign Tech Fund" endowed with ten billion euros was discussed beforehand, for example, to specifically build strategic infrastructures that the market does not provide on its own. The shadow rapporteur for the Greens, Alexandra Geese, sees Europe ready to take control of its digital future with the vote. As long as European data is held by US providers subject to laws such as the Cloud Act, security in Europe is not guaranteed.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The Microsoft-OpenAI Files

Longtime Slashdot reader theodp writes: GeekWire takes a look at AI's defining alliance in The Microsoft-OpenAI Files, an epic story drawn from 200+ documents, many made public Friday in Elon Musk's ongoing suit accusing OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman of abandoning the nonprofit mission (Microsoft is also a defendant). Musk, who was an OpenAI co-founder, is seeking up to $134 billion in damages. "Previously undisclosed emails, messages, slide decks, reports, and deposition transcripts reveal how Microsoft pursued, rebuffed, and backed OpenAI at various moments over the past decade, ultimately shaping the course of the lab that launched the generative AI era," reports GeekWire. "The latest round of documents, filed as exhibits in Musk's lawsuit, [...] show how Nadella and Microsoft's senior leadership team rally in a crisis, maneuver against rivals such as Google and Amazon, and talk about deals in private."

Even though Microsoft didn't have a seat on the OpenAI board, text messages between Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman following Altman's firing as CEO in Nov. 2023 (news of which sent Microsoft's stock plummeting), revealed in the latest filings, show just how influential Microsoft was. A day after Altman's firing, Nadella sent Altman a detailed message from Brad Smith, Microsoft's president and top lawyer, explaining that Microsoft had created a new subsidiary called Microsoft RAI (Responsible Artificial Intelligence) Inc. from scratch -- legal work done, papers ready to file as soon as the WA Secretary of State opened Monday morning -- and was ready to capitalize and operationalize it to "support Sam in whatever way is needed," including absorbing the OpenAI team at a calculated cost of roughly $25 billion. (Altman's reply: "kk"). Just days later, as he planned his return as CEO to the now-reeling-from-Microsoft-punches nonprofit, Altman joined Microsoft's Nadella, Smith, and CTO Kevin Scott in a text messaging thread in which the four vetted prospective board members to replace those who had ousted Altman. Later that night, OpenAI announced Altman's return with the newly constituted board.

If you like stories with happy Microsoft endings, as part of an agreement clearing the way for OpenAI to restructure as a for-profit business, Microsoft in October received a 27% ownership stake in OpenAI worth approximately $135 billion and retains access to the AI startup's technology until 2032, including models that achieve AGI.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

New Jersey Law Requires E-Bike Drivers To Have License, Insurance

An anonymous reader quotes a report from CBS News: As one of his final acts in office, former New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law new requirements for e-bikes in his state. The new legislation signed Monday requires that owners and operators of e-bikes have licenses, registration and insurance. Owners and operators of e-bikes must be at least 17 years old and have a valid driver's license or be at least 15 years old with a motorized bicycle license under the law, which covers all types of electric bikes.

"We are in a new era of e-bike use that requires updated safety standards to help prevent accidents, injuries, and fatalities. Requiring registration and licensing will improve their safe use and having them insured will protect those injured in accidents," said Senate President Nick Scutari, who co-sponsored the bill. The legislation follows an increase in crashes involving e-bikes, including multiple incidents that killed or injured young people in New Jersey in 2025. [...] Registration and licensing fees for e-bikes will be waived for one year, and riders will have six months to get the registration, insurance and license that they need under the law.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The Register

Biting the hand that feeds IT — Enterprise Technology News and Analysis

Oracle, Michael Dell, named as investors in JV that will run TikTok's US operations

Big Red gets to store data, advise on security, and store the 'I'll watch just one more video' algo

Made-in-China social network TikTok has announced the formation of a joint venture that will run its US operations, the condition lawmakers required for its flagship app to continue operating in America.…

Intel puts consumer chip production on back burner as datacenters make a run on Xeons

CFO David Zinsner says foundry capacity should improve starting in Q2

If you notice PC prices creeping up over the next few months, the rising cost of memory won’t be the only reason, because on Thursday Intel said it is reallocating foundry capacity from client chips to meet surging demand for Xeon processors used in AI servers.…

Former crypto-mining company building 430 MW datacenter in secret location for secret client

Keeps location under wraps after communities opposed past projects

Crypto miner turned AI infrastructure provider Applied Digital announced it has broken ground on a 430 MW data center somewhere in the southern US, but it isn’t yet ready to reveal the location of its new facility.…

Fokke & Sukke

F & S

Wel.nl

Minder lezen, Meer weten.

Trump: Amerikaanse vloot is op weg naar Iran

AIR FORCE ONE (ANP/RTR) - President Donald Trump zei donderdag dat de Verenigde Staten een "armada" onderweg hebben naar Iran, die hij hoopt "niet te hoeven gebruiken". Hij herhaalde zijn waarschuwingen aan Teheran om geen demonstranten te doden of het nucleaire programma te hervatten.

De in de VS gevestigde mensenrechtenorganisatie HRANA heeft sinds het begin van de protesten in Iran op 28 december 4519 doden geverifieerd in verband met de onrust. Onder hen zijn 4251 demonstranten. De protesten namen vorige week af.

Trump heeft meermaals gezegd dat de VS ingrijpen als Teheran zijn nucleaire programma zou hervatten na de Amerikaans-Israëlische aanvallen in juni op belangrijke locaties. "Als ze het opnieuw proberen, moeten ze naar een ander gebied gaan. We zullen ze daar ook net zo gemakkelijk treffen", zei hij tegen verslaggevers aan boord van Air Force One.

Volgens Amerikaanse functionarissen arriveren het vliegdekschip USS Abraham Lincoln en verschillende torpedobootjagers met geleide raketten de komende dagen in het Midden-Oosten.


Von der Leyen: snel meer investeren in Arctische veiligheid

BRUSSEL (ANP) - Er moet snel meer worden geĂŻnvesteerd in de Arctische veiligheid en het Arctische gebied, zei voorzitter Ursula von der Leyen van de Europese Commissie na afloop van de extra top van EU-regeringsleiders. "We hebben collectief te weinig geĂŻnvesteerd. Het is dus hoog tijd om de verantwoordelijkheid te nemen."

Het is een "geopolitieke noodzaak" geworden om daarin samen te werken met partners in de regio "zoals het Verenigd Koninkrijk, Canada, Noorwegen en IJsland en anderen", zei de politica.

De leiders hebben op de ingelaste top vanwege de Groenland-crisis "lessen getrokken uit onze gezamenlijke strategie", zei Von der Leyen. "We hebben kernprincipes gevolgd: vastberadenheid, toenadering, paraatheid en eenheid. En het was effectief, dus we moeten deze aanpak in de toekomst blijven hanteren."

De EU was "ondubbelzinnig solidair" met Groenland en Denemarken, zei ze. "We stonden pal achter de zes lidstaten die met extra importtarieven werden bedreigd."

Op verschillende niveaus is "zeer actief" met de VS overlegd, zei Von der Leyen verder. "We deden dat op een vastberaden maar niet-escalerende manier."

De EU was volgens Von der Leyen "goed voorbereid met handelstegenmaatregelen en niet-tarifaire instrumenten" voor het geval Trump de extra importtarieven zou opleggen.

Ze benadrukte het belang van een onafhankelijkere en sterkere EU. "Dat is belangrijker dan ooit", zei de politica.

Op 12 februari praten de EU-leiders daar op een informele top verder over.


Costa na top: EU zal lidstaten blijven verdedigen tegen dwang

BRUSSEL (ANP) - De Europese Unie zal haar belangen en haar lidstaten blijven verdedigen tegen elke vorm van dwang, zei voorzitter van de EU-leiders AntĂłnio Costa na afloop van de extra top donderdag. "Zij heeft de macht en de middelen om dit te doen en zal dit doen wanneer nodig", benadrukte hij.

Costa doelde op het dreigement van de Amerikaanse president Donald Trump om Groenland te annexeren. De voorzitter van de EU-leiders had daarom een extra top belegd.

Het is positief dat de extra Amerikaanse importheffingen op Europese producten van de baan zijn, zei Costa. Dat heeft Trump woensdag in Davos gezegd. "Het opleggen van extra heffingen zou onverenigbaar zijn geweest met de handelsovereenkomst tussen de EU en de VS."

De EU blijft bereid constructief met de VS samen te werken "aan alle kwesties van gemeenschappelijk belang, waaronder het scheppen van de voorwaarden voor een rechtvaardige en duurzame vrede in OekraĂŻne", zei Costa.


Costa: EU zal zich verdedigen ’tegen elke vorm van dwang’

De confrontatie met de VS over Groenland heeft sporen achtergelaten, bleek bij een ingelaste top in Brussel. Europese leiders waren het erover eens dat de EU „het lef moet hebben” om maatregelen te nemen bij een volgende crisis met Washington.

QC RSS

The Official QC RSS Feed

*Claire Intensifies*

her ears are burning

The Guardian

Latest news, sport, business, comment, analysis and reviews from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice

Man accused of plot to murder US border patrol’s Bovino found not guilty

Acquittal of Juan Espinoza Martinez in Chicago marks latest major federal prosecution to fall apart in court

A man accused of a murder-for-hire plot targeting a top US border patrol leader was found not guilty on Thursday in Chicago, the latest high-profile prosecution by the Department of Justice to fall apart in court.

The government alleged that Juan Espinoza Martinez, 37, had offered a $10,000 bounty over Snapchat in October for the killing of Gregory Bovino, the border patrol official who has spearheaded aggressive immigration operations in cities across the country. Defense lawyers argued Espinoza Martinez was sharing an innocuous social media message that did not constitute a threat.

Continue reading...

Stairs

Stueyman has added a photo to the pool:

Stairs

Warnbro Beach, WA

To the Sea

Stueyman has added a photo to the pool:

To the Sea

Wonnerup Estuary, WA

thy feet

Greg Adams Photography posted a photo:

thy feet

British Museum

City Lights

Thomas Hawk posted a photo:

City Lights

Founds Slide -- The Bill Roof Collection

Thomas Hawk posted a photo:

Founds Slide -- The Bill Roof Collection

date stamped on slide, May 1983