AllYouCanTech

Amazon and Apple Excel in Meeting Affordable Housing Pledges While Other Tech Firms Face Challenges

### The Affordable Housing Dilemma in Silicon Valley: An In-Depth Look at Tech Giants’ Contributions

The emergence of Silicon Valley as a technology center has resulted in considerable economic advantages, yet it has also sparked a critical affordable housing dilemma. The surge of high-paying job opportunities, notably within the tech industry, has escalated housing demand and prices, rendering it more challenging for typical wage earners to secure affordable housing solutions in the region.

#### The Role of Tech Corporations

In light of the escalating housing dilemma, numerous tech giants have committed to aiding in solutions. Apple, specifically, has undertaken significant measures since 2019 when it unveiled a $2.5 billion initiative aimed at tackling the housing deficiency. By July 2024, Apple had allocated over $1.6 billion from this promise, financing the building and preservation of more than 10,000 affordable housing units, offering financial aid to those vulnerable to homelessness, and providing down-payment support to first-time buyers.

Kristina Raspe, Apple’s vice president of global real estate and facilities, voiced pride in the company’s collaborations with community organizations to improve access to affordable housing. Nevertheless, uncertainty still lingers regarding the $300 million worth of land in San Jose that Apple committed for developing affordable housing.

#### Comparison with Other Tech Corporations

Although Apple has achieved notable advances, other tech firms have found it challenging to fulfill their pledges. Meta Platforms promised $1 billion yet has only utilized around $200 million, mainly on loans for extremely low-income residents. Similarly, Google, which also pledged $1 billion, is still negotiating the construction of 15,000 committed homes, with no actual building initiated to date.

On the other hand, Amazon has thrived in its housing initiatives, albeit not specifically within Silicon Valley. The company has met its $2.2 billion promise and has subsequently committed an additional $1.4 billion for housing projects in Seattle and Nashville.

#### Conclusion

The affordable housing dilemma in Silicon Valley continues to be a critical concern, worsened by the swift expansion of the tech sector. While Apple has positioned itself as a frontrunner in combating this issue, the overall response from tech giants has been varied. Ongoing efforts and accountability will be essential to ensure that the commitments made convert into real enhancements for those affected by the housing crisis.

iPhone 17 Air Anticipated to Include Binned GPU, Based on Leaker Insights

### iPhone 17 Air to Feature Binned GPU

A recent leak has disclosed that the forthcoming iPhone 17 Air will be equipped with a “binned” variant of the A19 Pro chip, which will incorporate only five graphics cores instead of the usual six available in the Pro versions. This detail was confirmed by the leaker, Fixed Focus Digital, indicating that prospective buyers should brace themselves for certain trade-offs if they choose Apple’s slimmest iPhone thus far.

#### Insight into Binned Chips

The production of chips utilizing advanced technology nodes is exceptionally complex, and even slight manufacturing mistakes can result in non-operational CPU or GPU cores. When such problems emerge, the affected chips are frequently “binned,” which means they are sorted according to their performance capabilities. Instead of discarding these chips, corporations like Apple leverage them in devices with lower specifications, as demonstrated with the M1 MacBook Air in 2020.

The iPhone 17 Air will employ a binned A19 Pro chip, suggesting that while it shares the same architecture as its Pro models, it will offer diminished graphical performance due to its five-core GPU setup.

### Another Element Affecting Performance

Although the decrease in GPU cores may not greatly influence everyday users, it could be evident for gamers or individuals involved in resource-heavy tasks like video editing. Moreover, the slender design of the iPhone 17 Air might restrict its heat dissipation capability. This could result in thermal throttling happening earlier than in the Pro models, further impacting performance during demanding applications.

### A Series of Compromises

The stylish design of the iPhone 17 Air is accompanied by various compromises. One of the most noticeable is the presence of a single camera, unlike the triple-camera system found in the Pro models. Additionally, the battery capacity is anticipated to be less due to the limitations of fitting components into a more slender casing.

Other compromises include the absence of ProMotion features in the display, leading to less fluid scrolling compared to the Pro models. The iPhone 17 Air will also not support the latest iterations of 5G technology and will come with only one speaker, further setting it apart from its higher-end variants.

### Conclusion

The iPhone 17 Air is set to draw interest with its sleek design, but potential customers should be mindful of the trade-offs involved. With a binned GPU, diminished camera features, and other restrictions, it is crucial to reflect on whether these compromises meet individual requirements and usage habits before making a buying decision.

Apple TV+ Programs Offered at No Cost on United Airlines Flights

**Apple TV+ Now Accessible on United Airlines In-Flight Entertainment**

In a noteworthy advancement for travelers, United Airlines has revealed a new collaboration with Apple, permitting passengers to enjoy Apple TV+ shows on in-flight entertainment systems throughout its fleet. This partnership signifies an expansion of Apple’s presence in the airline sector, following a comparable agreement with American Airlines.

**Access to Apple Originals**

United travelers can now access a collection of popular Apple Originals at no extra charge. Among the titles offered are critically acclaimed series such as *Severance*, *Slow Horses*, and *Ted Lasso*. The airline intends to consistently update its selections, adding more titles monthly to enrich the viewing experience for its passengers.

**Viewing Options**

Customers can watch these shows either through the in-flight entertainment system located at their seatbacks or via the United app. A specific Apple TV+ channel has been established to store this new content, making it convenient for travelers to locate and view their favorite shows during their flight.

**Content Restrictions**

It is crucial to point out that the complete Apple TV+ library is not presently accessible on United flights. Currently, only the initial seasons of select flagship shows can be viewed. For example, while passengers can watch the first season of *Severance*, the second season is not available for viewing. This approach seems designed to encourage viewers to subscribe to Apple TV+ to continue enjoying the series they started during their flight.

**Launch Titles and Future Additions**

At the beginning of this partnership, United Airlines will provide the full first seasons of several popular series, including *Severance*, *Shrinking*, *Ted Lasso*, *Slow Horses*, and *Silo*. Furthermore, the airline plans to roll out *The Morning Show* and *Bad Sisters* in September, further broadening the content selection available to passengers.

For more details on this exciting partnership, you can read the official press release

Reddit Limits Non-Profit Wayback Machine from Storing Its Content

# The Internet Archive and Its Influence on Digital Preservation

The Wayback Machine of the Internet Archive is among the most essential free services offered on the internet, safeguarding vital information sources from the uncertainties of fate and technology firms. Since its launch in 1996, the archive has focused on conserving the extensive breadth of the internet, capturing web pages, books, audio files, videos, and more. With more than 835 billion web pages stored, it stands as a vital asset for researchers, historians, and the general populace alike.

## The Internet Archive

The Internet Archive commenced its task of archiving the internet in 1996, when the web was just beginning to flourish. The founders acknowledged that, in contrast to traditional media such as newspapers, online content was often temporary and not retained. Nowadays, the Wayback Machine extends access to over 28 years of web history, cooperating with over 1,200 libraries and partners through its Archive-It initiative to recognize and preserve significant web pages.

Millions utilize the archive daily, enabling users to delve into the progression of websites, retrieve lost data, and examine the digital landscape over time. Its extensive collection encompasses not only web pages but also a wide variety of media, making it an essential instrument for numerous academic disciplines.

## Reddit Blocks Wayback Machine

Recently, the Internet Archive encountered major difficulties when Reddit enacted new limitations, effectively obstructing the Wayback Machine from accessing most of its material. According to reports, Reddit has curtailed the Wayback Machine’s capacity to crawl beyond its homepage, blocking access to comments, subreddit pages, post details, and user profiles.

This action represents a shift from Reddit’s earlier position, where it had pledged to allow good faith actors, including the Internet Archive, to reach its content for non-commercial aims. The change raises alarms regarding the preservation of digital information, as Reddit’s extensive user-generated content is now predominantly inaccessible to archival endeavors.

## All Stems from Monetizing User Content

The restrictions placed on the Wayback Machine are part of a wider trend at Reddit to monetize user content. As the firm gears up for its IPO, it has increasingly prioritized selling access to its data. Notably, Google compensates Reddit over $60 million per year for access to user content used to train its AI models, with similar deals made with OpenAI.

Speculation indicates that the new limitations may have been prompted by fears of AI companies scraping Reddit content through the Wayback Machine. This transition aligns with Reddit’s recent API modifications, which have constrained third-party applications and incited backlash among users and moderators.

In addition to these alterations, Reddit has revealed intentions for paid subreddits, though these plans are currently paused. The company’s shifting approach to content access signifies a substantial transformation in how digital platforms oversee and monetize user-generated content.

## Conclusion

The Wayback Machine of the Internet Archive serves a vital function in retaining the digital history of the internet. However, recent restrictions enforced by platforms like Reddit underline the obstacles in preserving access to precious online resources. As the realm of digital content keeps evolving, the tension between monetization and preservation will persist as a critical concern for both content creators and archivists.