The Comunicano for Friday January 31st 2025

What A Friday

Hold on to your seats, because the world of tech is moving at breakneck speed, and if you blink, you might just miss it. So let’s get rolling…

OpenAI’s got some new tricks up its sleeve—the O3 Mini and O3 Mini High. Leaked specs suggest these models are lean, mean, efficiency machines, promising power without the bloat. Whether you're running a startup from your garage or an enterprise from a skyscraper, OpenAI’s making sure AI is within reach.

But while one AI company builds, another is raising eyebrows. DeepSeek is skyrocketing in influence, and with that comes a dark side—phishing scams, fraud, and cybercriminals having a field day. Governments are scratching their heads, wondering if those AI export restrictions are actually working, because DeepSeek is proving they can compete with the big dogs, U.S. regulations or not. Experts are at the table debating—where does AI go from here? Ethics, security, strategy—it’s all up for grabs.

Meanwhile, over at the Allen Institute, they’re dropping a bombshell of their own. Meet Tulu 3, an open-source AI giving tech giants a run for their money. It’s smart, it’s transparent, and it’s designed to shake up the AI industry in a big way. Innovation shouldn’t be locked behind corporate doors, they say. The future of AI should be in everyone’s hands.

And speaking of big numbers—Apple just hit a staggering 2.2 billion active devices. That’s more screens, more connections, more everything. But before you get too excited, Apple’s also waving a caution flag: if you’re heading to the Super Bowl, plug your ears—because stadium noise can wreck your hearing. Consider yourself warned.

Over at Meta, Mark Zuckerberg’s having a rough week. He’s trying to steer Facebook back to its roots, doubling down on real connections. At the same time, he’s admitting, yeah, maybe they underestimated TikTok, and, oh yeah, he’s also mad that his own internal meetings keep leaking. Irony? You bet.

Meanwhile, TikTok isn’t going down without a fight. Even with the threat of a U.S. ban, traffic is surging, content creators are thriving, and it looks like TikTok’s not ready to pack up and go just yet.

On the video front, Russia might be gearing up to ban YouTube altogether. A digital iron curtain? It’s possible. And in a surprising twist, LinkedIn—yes, LinkedIn—is going all-in on video, with viewership up 36%. Professional networking just got a whole lot more… cinematic.

And in the battle of the billionaires, Jeff Bezos is ready to take on Elon Musk. Amazon’s Project Kuiper is rolling out in the UK, challenging Starlink for satellite broadband supremacy. But Amazon’s also playing defense, suing to keep its satellite secrets out of the public eye. Trade secrets or just corporate paranoia? You decide.

And that, folks, is your high-speed tour of the tech world today. Stay tuned, because if there’s one thing we know—it’s that tomorrow? Well, it’s bound to be even wilder. Stay sharp, stay curious, and stay ahead of the game. And keep reading THE COMUNICANO!!!

Andy Abramson

OpenAI Watch

O3 Mini and O3 Mini High Specs Leaked (TestingCatalog.com)—Leaked details on OpenAI’s upcoming O3 Mini and O3 Mini High suggest the models will focus on efficiency while retaining strong performance. These compact AI models are expected to be optimized for personal and enterprise use.
Read more here

DeepSeek Watch

DeepSeek's Rapid Rise Raises Security Concerns (Cyble.com)
DeepSeek's swift ascent in the AI landscape has inadvertently led to a surge in fraudulent activities and phishing attacks. Cybercriminals are exploiting the platform's popularity, creating counterfeit profiles and deceptive content to dupe unsuspecting users. This trend underscores the necessity for heightened vigilance and robust security measures to safeguard users against emerging threats in the digital realm.
Read more here

DeepSeek's Impact on AI Development and Security (InvestmentMonitor.ai)
The emergence of DeepSeek's advanced AI models has prompted discussions about the effectiveness of U.S. AI export restrictions. Despite these limitations, DeepSeek has developed capabilities comparable to leading U.S. AI firms, raising questions about policy efficacy and the global dynamics of AI advancement. This development highlights the need for a reassessment of international AI collaboration and security strategies.

Read more here

DeepSeek Debates Raise Questions About AI’s Future (SemiAnalysis.com)—DeepSeek’s rapid advancements and controversial research directions have sparked debates on the ethical and strategic future of AI. Experts are weighing its long-term impact on global AI leadership.
Read more here

AI Watch

AI2's Tulu 3 Challenges Tech Giants (GeekWire.com)—The Allen Institute for AI (AI2) has unveiled Tulu 3, an open-source AI model that rivals offerings from major tech companies. Tulu 3 excels in tasks such as mathematics, instruction following, and conversational abilities. By releasing the model along with its training data and code, AI2 aims to democratize AI research, enabling broader access and fostering innovation in the AI community.
Read more here

Allen Institute’s Blog on Tulu 3 (AllenAI.org)—The Allen Institute discusses Tulu 3’s potential to democratize AI research and challenge proprietary models from tech giants. The blog outlines its capabilities, benchmarks, and openness in AI innovation.
Read more here

Apple Watch

Apple Hits 2.2 Billion Active Devices Worldwide (MacRumors.com)—Apple has reached a record 2.2 billion active devices globally, driven by strong iPhone, iPad, and Mac sales. This milestone underscores Apple’s continued dominance in the consumer electronics market.
Read more here

Apple Study Warns of Super Bowl Noise Risks (University of Michigan)—Apple’s Hearing Study highlights the dangers of excessive noise levels at major events like the Super Bowl. The research warns attendees about potential hearing damage from prolonged exposure to loud stadium environments.
Read more here

Meta Watch

Meta's Renewed Focus on Facebook's Core Experience (9to5Mac.com)
Meta is prioritizing a return to Facebook's foundational elements, emphasizing authentic connections and user-centric features. This strategic shift aims to revitalize user engagement by focusing on meaningful interactions and community building, countering previous criticisms of the platform's complexity and algorithm-driven content. The move reflects Meta's commitment to enhancing the user experience by returning to its roots.
Read more here

Zuckerberg Admits Meta Underestimated TikTok (Neowin.net)—Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged that Meta was slow to recognize TikTok’s rise and impact. He admitted the company failed to respond quickly to the platform’s viral short-form content model, which significantly shifted user engagement patterns.
Read more here

Zuckerberg Complains About Leaks in Leaked Meeting (404Media.co)—Ironically, leaked audio from a Meta meeting captures Zuckerberg complaining that "everything I say leaks." He expressed frustration over internal discussions frequently being exposed to the media, raising concerns about corporate confidentiality.
Read more here

TikTok Watch

TikTok Traffic Rebounds Amid US Shutdown Fears (CNBC.com)—Despite regulatory uncertainty and potential bans in the US, TikTok’s traffic has rebounded as creators diversify their content and audiences expand. This suggests TikTok remains resilient despite legal and political challenges.
Read more here

Video Watch

Russia Reportedly Plans to Ban YouTube (NYTimes.com)—Russia is considering banning YouTube, escalating its ongoing restrictions on Western digital platforms. The move would be a significant blow to independent media in the country, further tightening government control over online content.
Read more here

LinkedIn's Video Strategy Gains Momentum (Digiday.com)—LinkedIn's concerted effort to integrate video content is yielding positive results, with a significant increase in video viewership and creation. The platform's initiatives to support video creators and publishers have led to a 36% year-over-year growth in video consumption. This trend indicates LinkedIn's successful adaptation to the growing demand for dynamic content, enhancing user engagement and platform vitality.
Read more here

Amazon Watch

Amazon's Project Kuiper Set to Compete with Starlink in the UK (GBNews.com)
Jeff Bezos' Amazon is preparing to launch Project Kuiper, a satellite-based broadband service aimed at rivaling Elon Musk's Starlink in the UK market. With plans to deploy a constellation of satellites, Project Kuiper seeks to provide high-speed internet access, particularly in underserved areas. This initiative underscores the intensifying competition in the satellite internet sector and Amazon's commitment to expanding its technological horizons.
Read more here

Amazon Challenges Disclosure of Project Kuiper Records (GeekWire.com)
In a legal move, Amazon is suing Washington state to prevent the release of sensitive information about its Project Kuiper satellite operations. The lawsuit aims to protect proprietary details from being disclosed through public records requests, highlighting the company's efforts to safeguard its competitive advantages in the burgeoning satellite internet industry. This action reflects the broader tension between corporate confidentiality and public transparency.
Read more here