Richard Speed
Richard Speed is a veteran IT professional turned journalist who specializes in covering Microsoft and its ecosystem. With decades of experience in software development and team leadership, Richard brings a unique perspective to his reporting for The Register. He covers not only Microsoft but also its suppliers, customers, and rivals in the space industry. Before becoming a journalist, Richard held various roles within the IT industry including software developer and director of engineering.
81%
The Daily's Verdict
This author has a mixed reputation for journalistic standards. It is advisable to fact-check, scrutinize for bias, and check for conflicts of interest before relying on the author's reporting.
Bias
85%
Examples:
- The author has a tendency to include biases against Microsoft in their reporting, particularly when discussing the company's actions and decisions.
Conflicts of Interest
95%
Examples:
- The author frequently mentions conflicts of interest involving Microsoft and its partners, such as the integration of Copilot Pro with various software and hardware products.
Contradictions
90%
Examples:
- In several articles, the author points out contradictions in Microsoft's statements and actions, such as the Recall feature in Copilot Pro and the handling of user data in Windows 11.
Deceptions
60%
Examples:
- In some articles, the author highlights deceptive practices used by Microsoft, such as the way Recall was introduced and its functionality.
Recent Articles
NASA's Voyager 1 and 2 Resume Data Transmission After Technical Issues in Interstellar Space
Broke On: Thursday, 13 June 2024NASA's Voyager 1 and 2, the most distant spacecraft from Earth, have resumed sending valuable data about interstellar space after encountering technical issues. Both entered interstellar space in the late 1990s and collect information on plasma waves, magnetic fields, and particles. In November 2023, Voyager 1 experienced a computer problem preventing data return; engineers resolved it in May 2024, receiving engineering and science data from plasma waves and magnetometer instruments. Voyager 2 faced similar issues but recovered more quickly. Both now study interstellar space outside the heliosphere. Raspberry Pi Makes Debut on London Stock Exchange, Shares Surge 43% in IPO
Broke On: Tuesday, 11 June 2024Raspberry Pi, a British tech firm known for its affordable computers popular among hobbyists and educators, made its debut on the London Stock Exchange on June 12, 2024. The company raised over £1 billion during its IPO, reaching a market capitalization of approximately £542 million. Known for its low-power ARM-based computers, Raspberry Pi generates most of its revenue from the industrial and embedded segment. Despite its success, the company remains committed to making high-performance computing accessible to everyone and plans to use IPO proceeds for new product development and educational activities. 
Microsoft Retires GPT Builder Feature in Copilot Pro for Consumers Three Months After Launch
Broke On: Tuesday, 11 June 2024Microsoft unexpectedly retires GPT Builder feature in Copilot Pro for consumers three months after launch, effective July 10. Consumers cannot save or access their customized GPTs after this date. 
Europe's New Hope: The Anticipated Launch of Ariane 6 on July 9
Broke On: Friday, 07 June 2024The European Space Agency (ESA) is set to launch the long-awaited Ariane 6 rocket on July 9, marking Europe's return to independent space travel. This powerful and versatile launcher, carrying eight cubesats and reentry capsules, will offer ride-sharing launches for small satellites and pave the way for commercial operations. Delayed due to Covid-19 and technical issues, Ariane 6 is crucial for Europe's space program with an order book of 30 missions. 
Microsoft's Recall Feature in Windows 11: A Potential Privacy and Security Risk?
Broke On: Tuesday, 04 June 2024Microsoft's new Recall feature in Windows 11, which uses AI technology to take screenshots and save personal data locally, has raised concerns due to potential privacy and security risks. Cybersecurity expert Kevin Beaumont discovered vulnerabilities, including data being stored in plain text form and OCR technology extracting sensitive information. Critics argue that unauthorized users could easily access user databases if they have local access or infect the PC with a virus. Microsoft maintains it's an optional experience with privacy controls but faces calls to recall or modify the feature due to productivity concerns and potential impact on data security. 
UK Data Protection Authority Investigates Microsoft's Recall AI Feature over Privacy Concerns
Broke On: Wednesday, 22 May 2024The UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is investigating Microsoft's new AI feature, Recall, over privacy concerns. The feature takes screenshots of a user's active screen and saves them locally for later retrieval. The ICO expects organizations to be transparent about data usage and only process personal data necessary. Recall raises concerns among privacy campaigners as it could potentially be a 'privacy nightmare'. Microsoft states that snapshots are kept on users' local hard disks with encryption, but sensitive information is not hidden. The controversy comes after Microsoft faced scrutiny over user data and privacy handling in 2023. 
Microsoft Copilot and Bing Outages Disrupt Services for Users in Europe and Asia
Broke On: Thursday, 23 May 2024Multiple Microsoft services, including Copilot and Bing, experienced outages on May 23, 2024, affecting users in Europe and Asia. The incidents lasted for several hours and also impacted ChatGPT's web search feature as well as DuckDuckGo and Ecosia search engines. Microsoft acknowledged the issues but the cause remains unclear. The outages caused inconvenience during Microsoft's Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7 launch and Build conference. 
Boeing's Starliner Spacecraft Faces Another Delay: Helium Leak in Service Module
Broke On: Saturday, 18 May 2024Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spacecraft, set to rival SpaceX's Crew Dragon and expand US astronaut transportation to the ISS, faces another delay in its first crewed flight due to a helium leak in the service module. The launch, initially scheduled for May 6 and later pushed back due to rocket issues, is now slated for May 25. NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore await this historic journey amidst Boeing's recent quality control concerns. 
NASA's Psyche Spacecraft Sets Record with 140 Million-Mile Optical Data Transmission
Broke On: Saturday, 08 April 2023NASA's Psyche spacecraft sets a new record by transmitting laser data from 140 million miles away, marking a significant milestone in deep space communication. The achievement, using NASA's Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) technology, demonstrates the potential for high-speed data transmission and opens up possibilities for future missions. 
Revolutionizing Space Travel: NASA's Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3) Launch on April 24, 2024
Broke On: Tuesday, 23 April 2024NASA's groundbreaking ACS3 spacecraft, set to launch on April 24, 2024, from New Zealand using Rocket Lab's Electron rocket, will unfurl a solar sail system over 800 square feet in orbit. This innovative composite sail could revolutionize space travel with its lightweight yet strong materials and significant size reduction potential. Despite challenges like temperature changes and deployment management, the mission marks a major leap forward in solar sailing technology.
