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From AI Battles to Social Media Shakeups. This week's Circuit Breaker is a rollercoaster through the tech world's latest highs and lows. Microsoft is doubling down on AI to outpace Apple, Elon Musk's musings shake up X's financials, and TikTok is eyeing Instagram's throne with its new photo-sharing app. As these giants maneuver through advancements and challenges, we're here to bring you the front-row insights into the digital evolution reshaping our world.

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Microsoft Sets Its Sights on Apple with AI-Enhanced ARM PCs

Microsoft is gearing up to launch a new fleet of Arm-powered Windows laptops that it believes will outpace Apple's M3-powered MacBook Air in terms of CPU performance and AI capabilities. The spotlight is on Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processors, which are expected to power the forthcoming wave of Windows laptops, including Microsoft's latest consumer-focused Surface hardware. This bold move reflects Microsoft's confidence in overcoming the long-standing challenges of Windows on Arm, particularly in app emulation where it now claims to have an edge over Apple's Rosetta 2.

At an event in Seattle next month, Microsoft plans to demonstrate the prowess of these processors, showing off their superior CPU tasks, AI acceleration, and app emulation capabilities. This includes the introduction of "next-gen AI Copilot PCs," differentiated by their ability to access new AI-powered Windows features ahead of the curve. One highlight is the AI Explorer app, designed to enhance productivity by allowing users to easily recall past activities on their device.

In addition to boosting productivity, Microsoft is enhancing entertainment on Arm-powered devices with AI-driven features for improved video streaming and creative capabilities. With these advancements, Microsoft aims to not only compete with but surpass its rivals by offering a unique blend of performance and innovation.

Mark your calendars for May 20th, when Microsoft will reveal its AI PC strategy, setting the stage for what promises to be a significant leap forward in the tech landscape. The ambition is clear: to integrate AI deeply into the Windows ecosystem, making it an indispensable tool for users everywhere. As the battle for supremacy in the PC market heats up, all eyes are on Microsoft's next move.

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Elon Musk Admits His Tweets Did Financial Harm to Twitter

In a recent revelation, Elon Musk conceded that his activity on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) may not have been the financial boon he imagined, possibly causing more harm than benefit. This candid admission surfaced during a deposition connected to a defamation lawsuit where Musk was scrutinized for his impulsive social media behavior, particularly involving a false conspiracy theory linking an innocent man, Ben Brody, to a far-right brawl in Oregon.

Despite his towering presence on the platform, Musk defended his engagement as driven not by financial motives but by a desire to share content he finds "interesting or important or entertaining." His posts, he argued, were not guided by the platform's financial interests, a stance that, by his own admission, might not have served the company well.

The lawsuit centers on Musk’s promotion of unfounded claims against Brody, which led to considerable online harassment and forced Brody to evacuate his home. Yet, Musk downplayed the reach and impact of his posts, even when confronted with the staggering audience size they garnered—equivalent to filling all 30 major baseball stadiums to capacity. Musk’s minimization of the incident, alongside his acknowledgment of role-playing as his own toddler son on an undisclosed account, paints a complex picture of the billionaire's social media saga.

As this legal drama unfolds, Musk’s reflections raise questions about the balance between free expression and responsibility on social media, especially when influential figures are involved. This episode not only sheds light on Musk's social media philosophy but also sparks a broader discourse on the impact of high-profile users' actions on the digital and real-world landscape.

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TikTok is Ready to Take on Instagram with Dedicated TikTok Notes App

TikTok is setting the stage to diversify its content sharing capabilities with the upcoming launch of TikTok Notes, a photo-sharing app poised to rival Instagram. In a move signaling its ambition to expand beyond video content, TikTok has begun notifying users about this new addition, aiming to blend the world of snapshots with its thriving social media platform.

TikTok Notes is described as "a new app for photo posts," with a promise to house both existing and future public TikTok photo posts. Users wary of automatic inclusion can breathe easy, as there’s an option to opt out. The brief appearance of a dedicated URL for TikTok Notes offered a sneak peek, suggesting features like captioning for photos, indicating a familiar yet distinct user experience from its video-centric predecessor.

Despite TikTok's tight-lipped approach on the app’s release date, the buzz around TikTok Notes hints at a major shift in the social media landscape. By automatically populating the app with users' previous photo posts, TikTok Notes aims to hit the ground running, potentially giving Instagram a run for its money. This strategic expansion reflects TikTok's vision to empower its community to showcase creativity in more ways than one, making the forthcoming showdown with Instagram one to watch.

QUICK BITS

• Google's Big Leap: Google's Find My Device network has officially launched, introducing a new era of device tracking that could rival Apple and Tile's technology. This update is poised to enhance security and peace of mind for Android users worldwide​.

• Retro Gaming Renaissance on iOS: In a surprising move, Apple has started allowing game emulators on the App Store. This marks a significant shift in policy, potentially opening the door to a vast archive of classic games for iOS users​.

• Nintendo's Nostalgic Shutdown: Today marks the end of an era as Nintendo's online servers for the Wii U and 3DS are officially shut down. These platforms hosted countless memories and multiplayer sessions, symbolizing the end of Nintendo's early foray into online gaming​.

• Tekken 8 Meets Chipotle: In an innovative collaboration, playing Tekken 8 on PS5 could win you free Chipotle chips and guac. This partnership is a delicious blend of gaming achievements and real-world rewards, adding a new flavor to esports tournaments​.