AllYouCanTech

Introducing the Redesigned Ars: Relish an Ad-Free Experience for Just $25 Annually

# Ars Technica’s Revamp and Subscription Strategy: A New Chapter for Readers

In the rapidly changing landscape of digital media, being pertinent and user-centric is essential. Ars Technica, a prominent destination for technology aficionados, has recently experienced a noteworthy overhaul with its **version 9 revamp**. This overhaul, which was implemented last month, is a direct reaction to audience input and seeks to improve the reading journey for both casual visitors and loyal subscribers.

## The Ars Technica Version 9 Revamp: What’s Different?

The updated design of Ars Technica is the result of extensive preparation, trial, and user insights. The objective? To develop a **fully responsive** and **mobile-friendly** site that presents a stylish, contemporary appearance without sacrificing usability. Here are several notable updates:

1. **Responsive Layout**: The site is now fully configured for mobile browsing, guaranteeing that users on smartphones and tablets enjoy a seamless experience. Whether accessing content on a desktop or mobile device, Ars Technica adjusts to your screen dimensions, facilitating easier navigation and article reading.

2. **Font Size Selector and Layout Adjustments**: In response to user suggestions, the design team has introduced a **font size selector** that empowers readers to tailor their reading experience. Furthermore, the default font and headline layout have been refined for enhanced readability.

3. **Wide Mode for Subscribers**: For those who favor extended line lengths, Ars Technica now provides a **”wide mode”** exclusively for subscribers. This capability accommodates line lengths exceeding 100 characters, catering to readers who seek a more engrossing reading experience.

4. **Enhanced Information Density**: The overall information density has been optimized, particularly for mobile users. This adjustment ensures that readers can access more content without feeling inundated by excessive clutter.

5. **Sticky Navigation Bar**: On mobile devices, the navigation bar has become “sticky,” meaning it remains visible as users scroll through articles. This minor but impactful change facilitates easier navigation between sections and access to other parts of the site.

6. **Orange Hyperlinks**: For those who enjoy a splash of color, the introduction of **orange hyperlinks** offers the site a more dynamic and engaging aesthetic.

These enhancements are merely the beginning. The Ars Technica team, spearheaded by Jason and Aurich, is actively developing additional features, including a **”true light” theme** and refinements to the commenting and voting systems. These upgrades are designed to make the site even more user-friendly and interactive.

## The Advantages of Ars Technica’s Subscription Model

While the revamp is thrilling, Ars Technica’s **subscription model** delivers even greater value to its readers. At a mere **$25 annually**, subscribers receive a plethora of benefits that extend beyond mere site support. Here’s what subscribers can enjoy:

1. **Ad-Free Browsing**: Subscribers benefit from a completely **ad-free** experience. With no distractions from banners or pop-ups, reading becomes cleaner, quicker, and far more enjoyable.

2. **Absence of Trackers**: In addition to being ad-free, subscribers are not subjected to any trackers, ensuring a more private and secure browsing session.

3. **Exclusive Layout Options**: Subscribers can select from exclusive layouts such as the **”Neutron Star”** layout, which features ultra-dense content, and the **”Ars Classic”** view, which revives the blog-style format that long-time readers may cherish.

4. **Wide-Text Mode**: As stated previously, the **wide-text mode** is a feature reserved for subscribers that allows for extended line lengths, perfect for those who prefer a more spacious reading layout.

5. **Full-Text RSS Feeds and PDF Downloads**: Subscribers also gain access to **full-text RSS feeds** and the capability to download articles as **PDFs**, simplifying offline reading or use on other devices.

6. **Backing Quality Journalism**: By subscribing, you’re not merely enhancing your reading experience—you’re also supporting Ars Technica’s **fully unionized workforce** and contributing to the preservation of high-quality tech journalism.

## Why This is the Prime Time to Subscribe

As the tagline suggests, there’s **”no better time than now”** to sign up for Ars Technica. With the recent revamp and ongoing enhancements, the site is more user-friendly and captivating than ever. However, beyond the technical improvements, subscribing to Ars Technica reflects a commitment to a platform that has been providing **geeky excellence** for more than two decades.

In an era where journalism is encountering unprecedented challenges, supporting independent, high-quality reporting is vital. Ars Technica has established itself as a trusted source for thorough, well-researched articles on science, technology, and policy. By subscribing, you’re aiding in the sustenance and growth of this invaluable resource.

Trump’s Win Signals Major Reform of U.S. AI Regulations

# Trump’s Agenda to Overturn Biden’s AI Executive Directive and Enforce Tariffs on GPU Imports: Implications for the Technology Sector

In a significant political shift, Donald Trump has become the anticipated victor of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, paving the way for major alterations in federal regulations, especially concerning artificial intelligence (AI) and trade. One of the most prominent changes Trump has vowed to implement is the cancellation of President Biden’s 2023 AI Executive Directive, which introduced essential oversight measures for AI advancements. Furthermore, Trump has suggested levying tariffs on GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) imports, a decision that could have extensive repercussions for the technology sector, particularly in AI research and innovation.

## Biden’s 2023 AI Executive Directive: Key Concerns

President Biden’s AI Executive Directive, released in October 2023, aimed to tackle the escalating worries surrounding AI technologies, especially regarding safety, security, and ethical implications. The directive encompassed several fundamental aspects meant to regulate AI advancement:

1. **Creation of the U.S. AI Safety Institute (AISI):** This organization was established to oversee AI safety and guarantee that firms developing AI technologies complied with rigorous safety standards, including vulnerability testing and clarity in AI training methods.

2. **Obligations for AI Companies to Report:** The directive required firms to submit in-depth documents regarding their AI models, detailing information on training data, security protocols, and potential hazards.

3. **Guidance from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST):** NIST was instructed to formulate guidelines to assist businesses in detecting and resolving flaws in their AI models, ensuring the dependability and safety of AI systems.

These provisions were designed to construct a framework for accountable AI development, fostering innovation while addressing necessary safety and ethical challenges. Nevertheless, Trump and his proponents have contested these regulations, asserting that they hinder progress and create undue strains on businesses.

## Trump’s Agenda: Deregulation and Tariffs

### Annulment of the AI Executive Directive

Trump has asserted that one of his primary actions as president will be to annul Biden’s AI Executive Directive. His supporters maintain that Biden’s regulations could obstruct the breakthroughs in advanced AI technologies. For example, Representative Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) cautioned that the stipulations for reporting could dissuade innovation, indicating that the swift evolution of tools like ChatGPT might be stifled under burdensome regulation.

Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has similarly disparaged the AI safety standards set by NIST, arguing that they could be utilized to regulate speech and enforce “woke” safety regulations. Given this opposition, the fate of the U.S. AI Safety Institute and other regulatory entities initiated under Biden’s directive remains in jeopardy.

### Tariffs on GPU Imports

Along with deregulating AI, Trump has proposed a 10% tariff on all U.S. imports and a significant 60% tariff on goods from China. This strategy could drastically affect the AI industry, which heavily depends on GPUs for functions such as AI training and inference. GPUs, especially those manufactured by companies like NVIDIA, are vital for expediting AI calculations, and any disruption in their availability could hinder AI progress.

The suggested tariffs might also escalate tensions between the U.S. and China, particularly within the technology arena. China is a key supplier of semiconductors and other vital components essential for AI frameworks. Should the U.S. enforce steep tariffs on Chinese imports, it could provoke retaliatory responses from China, complicating the worldwide supply chain for AI technologies.

Additionally, Trump’s administration might reinforce export controls on AI chips and models to China, potentially restricting access for Chinese businesses to sophisticated AI tools. While some Chinese organizations currently leverage these tools via cloud services, tighter export regulations could disrupt their functionalities.

## Consequences for the Tech Sector

The interplay of deregulation and tariffs could yield mixed outcomes for the tech sector, particularly for AI enterprises. On one hand, deregulation has the potential to ignite innovation by eliminating bureaucratic obstacles and empowering companies to innovate freely. Conversely, the tariffs on GPU imports might heighten expenses for AI firms, rendering the creation and deployment of AI systems more costly.

### Challenges in Talent and Resources

Trump’s wider policy initiatives may also impact the tech sector in various dimensions. For example, his intentions to limit H-1B visas could hinder AI companies’ ability to attract leading talent globally. The U.S. technology sector significantly relies on skilled foreign professionals, especially in AI and machine learning, and any immigration restrictions could aggravate the existing talent gap.

Moreover, Trump’s focus on bolstering oil and gas exploration might siphon resources from clean energy endeavors, which are increasingly interlinked with AI advancements. AI is becoming increasingly essential in enhancing energy efficiency and developing sustainable technologies, and any shift in governmental priorities could impede progress in these fields.

“Trump’s Suggested 60% Tariffs Could Impede Growth in China’s Tech Sector”

# Tech Sector Calls for Diplomacy as Trump Tariffs Loom

As Donald Trump gears up for a return to the White House after the 2024 presidential election, the technology sector is on high alert regarding the extensive tariffs he pledged during his campaign. The possibility of a 60 percent tariff on all imports from China has sparked concerns throughout the tech industry, which is already dealing with the economic repercussions of past tariffs. Leaders in the industry are now advocating for increased diplomatic efforts, cautioning that the suggested tariffs could lead to severe consequences for both consumers and businesses.

## Effects of Previous Tariffs

During Trump’s initial term, tensions rose into a trade war with China as the U.S. imposed a variety of tariffs on Chinese imports. These tariffs aimed to penalize China for unfair trading methods, such as intellectual property theft, and to diminish the U.S. trade deficit. However, these tariffs also significantly impacted American businesses, especially in the tech space, which relies heavily on manufacturing from China.

While President Joe Biden has maintained and even broadened some tariffs, the tech sector has thus far successfully sidestepped the most damaging effects. Major consumer technology items like smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles were spared from tariffs due to effective lobbying by tech firms. Nevertheless, the industry now faces the risk of losing these exemptions if Trump’s proposed 60 percent tariff takes effect.

## Possible Price Increases for Consumers

Should Trump’s tariffs be enacted, tech companies might incur costs that are four times greater than those experienced during his previous presidency. A report from the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) predicts that prices for widely-used tech products might surge drastically. Laptop prices could almost double, game consoles might climb by 40 percent, and smartphone prices could jump by 26 percent. Such steep price increases would likely alter the landscape of consumer electronics, making affordable, advanced technology less accessible for Americans.

The tech industry has consistently warned that completely severing ties with China is unfeasible. China constitutes 30 percent of global manufacturing, and relocating supply chains away from the country would necessitate significant time and investment. Redirecting resources to achieve decoupling from China could also hamper innovation, as companies would have reduced capital available for research and development.

## Potential Retaliation from China

Analysts concur that China is poised to retaliate if Trump’s tariffs are enforced. In the previous trade conflict, China countered U.S. tariffs with its own tariffs on American goods and limited access to critical resources, such as rare earth elements vital for technology manufacturing. If the trade war intensifies, China could further hinder U.S. access to these resources, potentially disabling the production of semiconductors and other essential components.

China has also signaled the possibility of restricting access to Taiwan, a crucial center for semiconductor production. With a significant portion of the world’s semiconductors coming from Taiwan, any disruption in trade in and out of the region could have dire consequences for the global tech industry.

## The Call for Diplomacy

In light of the potential ramifications of a full-scale trade conflict, numerous stakeholders in the tech industry are advocating for a more diplomatic strategy from the U.S. government. Rather than imposing tariffs to penalize China, experts propose that the U.S. focus on establishing trade agreements that hold China accountable for its unfair practices while ensuring access to essential materials and markets.

Jim McGregor, a strategist in the tech sector, asserts that the U.S. requires leaders who prioritize building bridges instead of erecting barriers. He cautions that isolating China might lead to divergent standards within the tech industry, impeding growth and innovation. McGregor also notes that many American companies are already attempting to move their manufacturing out of China, but this transition could take decades to finalize.

Mary Lovely, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, concurs on the necessity of enhanced diplomacy. She argues that the prevailing strategy of imposing tariffs without a clear objective is ineffective. Instead, the U.S. should aim to create a new global value chain that decreases reliance on China while promoting decarbonization efforts and elevating labor standards among allied nations.

## Effects on Consumers

If Trump’s tariffs are enacted, consumers are likely to bear the brunt of the costs. Increased prices for tech products may result in diminished demand, negatively affecting Americans’ access to the latest technologies. This could, in turn, suppress innovation, as companies would have fewer motivations to create new, more energy-efficient products.

The CTA indicates that the expenses associated with decoupling from China could be staggering. Relocating manufacturing back to the U.S. would demand at least a decade, ten times the current workforce, and $500 billion in direct business investments. Even if the U.S. looked to treaty allies and trading partners to mitigate costs, the expense would still reach approximately $127 billion.

Small businesses, in particular, are expected to suffer significantly from the new tariffs. Many are already struggling to manage

Corning Being Examined for Antitrust Violations Due to Market Control in Gorilla Glass Manufacturing

# European Commission Probes Corning for Alleged Antitrust Infractions

The European Commission (EC) has initiated an investigation into Corning, a glass manufacturing giant based in the US, concerning potential antitrust violations linked to its leading product, Gorilla Glass. The EC is examining claims that Corning’s alleged restrictive business strategies, including exclusivity agreements, pricing tactics, and patent demands, may have hindered competition and innovation within the mobile phone screen sector.

## Allegations Made Against Corning

Corning’s Gorilla Glass is a prominent brand in the mobile device market, renowned for its toughness and resistance to shattering. However, findings from the EC’s inquiry suggest that Corning’s market position may not solely be attributed to the superior quality of its offerings. The EC alleges that Corning has engaged in practices that constrain competition by binding device manufacturers and finishers (entities that convert raw glass into final products) into exclusive or predominantly exclusive contracts.

### Principal Allegations:
1. **Exclusive Procurement Contracts**: The EC asserts that Corning has provided rebates and additional incentives to device manufacturers who commit to sourcing “all or nearly all” of their glass requirements from Corning. This could potentially obstruct rival glass manufacturers from establishing a presence in the market.

2. **Disclosure of Competing Offers**: Corning reportedly mandated device producers to disclose any competitive proposals from alternative glass manufacturers. This could grant Corning an undue advantage by permitting it to undercut competitors before they could secure contracts.

3. **Coercion of Finishers**: The EC further charges Corning with pressuring finishers to refrain from collaborating with competing glass suppliers and dissuading them from contesting Corning’s patents. This could restrict competition and innovation within the sector even further.

### Possible Market Consequences

The EC’s concerns revolve around the notion that Corning’s practices might have excluded competing glass manufacturers from significant portions of the market. This exclusion could lead to fewer choices for consumers, elevated prices, and diminished innovation in the mobile phone sector. The Commission expressed that such arrangements “may have barred rival glass producers from extensive segments of the market, resulting in decreased consumer options, increased costs, and stifled innovation to the detriment of worldwide consumers.”

Should the allegations be substantiated, Corning may face substantial penalties and be compelled to revise its business practices in Europe.

## Gorilla Glass: A Dominant Player

Gorilla Glass has become a synonym for resilient smartphone displays, akin to how brands like Xerox and Kleenex are associated with their products. Corning has persistently promoted its glass as being tougher and more resilient than that of its competitors, with each iteration of Gorilla Glass showcasing enhanced features.

For instance:
– **Gorilla Glass 4** was advertised as being “up to two times stronger” than any competing alternative.
– **Gorilla Glass 5** claimed the ability to withstand a 1.6-meter fall 80% of the time.
– **Gorilla Glass 6** presented improved resistance to cumulative damage from multiple drops.

These advancements have enabled Corning to uphold its role as the primary supplier for numerous smartphone manufacturers, including leading names like Apple.

## Corning and Apple: A Close Ties

The strong bond between Corning and Apple has been extensively documented. Apple has made substantial investments in Corning, including a $45 million investment in 2021 aimed at enhancing its US manufacturing capabilities. Corning’s glass products are essential to Apple’s devices, exemplified by the **Ceramic Shield** utilized on the iPhone 12, heralded for delivering four times better drop performance than earlier models.

Originally, the first iPhone was set to feature a plastic screen, but Steve Jobs famously insisted on the switch to Gorilla Glass shortly before the device’s launch. Since then, Corning has served as a vital supplier for Apple, and both companies have continued to collaborate on pioneering advancements in glass technology.

## What Lies Ahead?

The EC’s investigation is in its preliminary phases, and it is uncertain if Corning will incur any penalties or be required to alter its business practices. If the EC determines that Corning has breached antitrust regulations, the company could face substantial fines and be mandated to diversify its supply chain to encourage more competition.

Corning has yet to respond to the allegations, but the company is anticipated to defend its business operations by asserting that its success stems from the quality of its products rather than engaging in unfair competition.

The outcome of this investigation may significantly affect the mobile phone industry, especially in Europe, where antitrust authorities have taken a firm stance against monopolistic behaviors in recent years.

## Summary

The European Commission’s probe into Corning draws attention to the increasing scrutiny directed at large corporations that monopolize specific markets. While Corning’s Gorilla Glass has achieved widespread recognition in the mobile phone sector, the EC’s claims indicate that its market supremacy may not be entirely based on the quality of its offerings. Should the investigation conclude that Corning has participated in anti-competitive practices, it could lead to substantial ramifications for the company.