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Uber, DoorDash and Grubhub are suing for an injunction to stop New York City's new $18 minimum wage law for food delivery app workers, The Washington Post has reported. The app delivery platforms are asking for a temporary restraining order against the new rules, set to be implemented on July 12th. "We will not stand by and let the harmful impacts of this earnings standard on New York City customers, merchants, and the delivery workers it was intended to support go unchecked," a DoorDash spokesperson told CNN.The Worker's Justice Project that backed the survey decried the new lawsuit. "This latest legal maneuver to prop up their business model comes at the expense of workers who can barely survive in a city facing a massive affordability crisis," director Ligia Guallpa told the Post.New York became the first US city to mandate a minimum wage for food delivery workers, ordering platforms to pay workers $17.96 per hour, plus tips, by July 12th. The minimum wage in the city is $15 per hour, but the extra amount accounts for the fact that delivery workers are usually paid as contractors, so have higher taxes and must pay work-related expenses out of pocket. According to an estimate from the DCWP (NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection), NYC has more than 60,000 food delivery workers who earn an average of $7.09 per hour.However, DoorDash and GrubHub argued that the earnings estimate was based on flawed methodology. Workers surveyed were told up front that the aim was to help raise the pay of delivery workers and suggested "correct" answers, according to the lawsuit.Grubhub also expressed concern about the increased difficulty in monitoring workers. Uber said, in a separate lawsuit, that the higher minimum wage would inflate food order prices, in turn hurting local restaurants.App services like Uber have fought for years against regulations against the "gig worker" economy. Earlier this year, a court ruled that Uber and Lyft could keep treating drivers as contractors, rather than reclassifying them as salaried employees.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/uber-doordash-and-grubhub-sue-new-york-city-over-18-minimum-wage-law-103531552.html?src=rss

So, you signed up for a Threads account, because you wanted to see what the fuss was about with Meta's Twitter rival. If you decide that the new social network isn't for you or if you want to start fresh, deleting your Threads profile may not be the way to go - as The Verge notes, doing so will also erase your entire Instagram account. When you open a Threads account, you can use your Instagram credentials to sign up if you want to bring over your profile and your circles from the photo-sharing app. But by doing so, your accounts on both platforms become inextricably linked.In a post on Threads, Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, said Meta is aware of the issue and is currently looking for a way to allow you to delete your Threads account separately. The company is also working on features that are still missing from the app, including the following tab, hashtags, fediverse support and messaging. For now, you can deactivate your Threads account to hide your profile and content. You can also set your profile to private or simply just delete individual threads. To note, you can also sign up for a Threads account with an email or a phone number not linked to your Instagram account, so you can keep the two platforms completely separate.Meta couldn't have launched Threads at a better time. Twitter recently made changes that frustrated even the most avid users. It first prevented people who aren't logged in from seeing tweets - though it quietly backtracked on requiring users to log in - and then put a strict cap on how many posts users can see per day. Around 10 million users signed up for a Threads account within its first seven hours, and in the first morning after it became available, the app already had 30 million users. Shortly after Threads launched, Twitter threatened to sue Meta, accusing it of poaching former employees and misappropriating trade secrets and intellectual property. In a response to a tweet about the potential lawsuit, Elon Musk replied: "Competition is fine, cheating is not."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/meta-is-working-to-stop-deleted-threads-accounts-from-nuking-instagram-too-094423213.html?src=rss

Amazon's $1.7 billion acquisition of Roomba manufacturer iRobot is under scrutiny not only in the US, but also in Europe. The European Commission has revealed that it has opened an in-depth investigation into the purchase out of concerns that the merger would restrict competition for robotic vacuum cleaners. In particular, the commission is concerned that Amazon might prevent iRobot's rivals from selling their robot vacuums on its marketplace. Amazon might favor iRobot's products in both paid and unpaid search results or charge competing products more to advertise their offerings, the commission said.In addition, authorities are worried about the possibility of Amazon preventing iRobot rivals from accessing future Alexa APIs and from getting the "Works with Alexa" certification, since voice control with the assistant is one of the most important selling points for robot vacuums. Finally, the commission has raised concerns about Amazon obtaining access to iRobot users' data, which it believes could provide the e-commerce giant "an important advantage." Amazon could, for instance, use that information to better personalize and target advertisements. Bottom line is that the "transaction may raise barriers to entry and expansion for Amazon's competitors to the detriment of consumers."The commission will now look into these concerns in cooperation with other competition authorities and has until November 15th to finalize its results. In the US, the Federal Trade Commission launched a probe into the acquisition last year after politicians from both parties asked it to oppose the purchase.An Amazon spokesperson told Reuters that the company will "continue to work through the process with the European Commission and [is] focused on addressing its questions and any identified concerns at this stage." They also told the news organization that Amazon could "offer a company like iRobot the resources to accelerate innovation and invest in critical features while lowering prices for consumers."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazons-irobot-purchase-is-under-investigation-by-european-authorities-054857108.html?src=rss

French law enforcement may soon have far-reaching authority to snoop on alleged criminals. Lawmakers in France's National Assembly have passed a bill that lets police surveil suspects by remotely activating cameras, microphones and GPS location systems on phones and other devices. A judge will have to approve use of the powers, and the recently amended bill forbids use against journalists, lawyers and other "sensitive professions," according to Le Monde. The measure is also meant to limit use to serious cases, and only for a maximum of six months. Geolocation would be limited to crimes that are punishable by at least five years in prison.An earlier version of the bill passed the Senate, but the amendment will require that legislative body's approval before it can become law.Civil liberties advocates are alarmed. The digital rights group La Quadrature du Net previously pointed out the potential for abuse. As the bill isn't clear about what constitutes a serious crime, there are fears the French government might use this to target environmental activists and others who aren't grave threats. The organization also notes that worrying security policies have a habit of expanding to less serious crimes. Genetic registration was only used for sex offenders at first, La Quadrature says, but is now being used for most crimes.The group further notes that the remote access may depend on security vulnerabilities. Police would be exploiting security holes instead of telling manufacturers how to patch those holes, La Quadrature says.Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti says the powers would only be used for "dozens" of cases per year, and that this was "far away" from the surveillance state of Orwell's 1984. It will save lives, the politician argues.The legislation comes as concerns about government device surveillance are growing. There's been a backlash against NSO Group, whose Pegasus spyware has allegedly been misused to spy on dissidents, activists and even politicians. While the French bill is more focused, it's not exactly reassuring to those worried about government overreach.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/french-assembly-passes-bill-allowing-police-to-remotely-activate-phone-cameras-and-microphones-for-surveillance-210539401.html?src=rss

Twitter isn't exactly happy about Meta's Threads app, a new text-based Instagram sibling. As Semafor reports, Twitter has threatened legal action against Meta, accusing it of poaching former employees and unlawfully misappropriating trade secrets and intellectual property.Twitter intends to strictly enforce its intellectual property rights, and demands that Meta take immediate steps to stop using any Twitter trade secrets or other highly confidential information," Alex Spiro, Elon Musk's personal lawyer, wrote in a letter to Meta. Twitter reserves all rights, including, but not limited to, the right to seek both civil remedies and injunctive relief without further notice to prevent any further retention, disclosure, or use of its intellectual property by Meta."Spiro, who is acting on behalf of Twitter parent X Corp, claims that Meta has hired dozens of ex-Twitter employees over the last year. He claimed the company "deliberately assigned" them to work on Threads "with the specific intent that they use Twitter's trade secrets and other intellectual property in order to accelerate development of Meta's competing app." He argued this violates state and federal laws as well as those employees' obligations to their former employer. In addition, Spiro said Meta is prohibited from scraping Twitter data relating to who people follow.Meta has refuted Spiro's claims. No one on the Threads engineering team is a former Twitter employee - that's just not a thing," Meta communications director Andy Stone wrote on (where else?) Threads.For the time being, Threads users need to sign up for the app with their Instagram profile. It's an easy process that helped Meta quickly sign up tens of millions of users. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that 30 million people had joined Threads by Thursday morning, just over 12 hours after the app went live.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/twitter-threatens-to-sue-meta-over-the-new-threads-app-191141961.html?src=rss

The Super Mario Bros. Movie has been available for digital purchase and download from various sources for a little while now. The film will be available to rent starting July 11th on services such as Apple TV and Amazon Video. It was even available to watch through Twitter for a short period of time. But for those who prefer (or already subscribed to a ton of) streaming services, the movie will be hitting Peacock on August 3rd, according to Deadline.Despite some earlier mixed reviews, most fans seemed to like it overall. The Super Mario Bros. Movie even broke box office records. When we checked the movie out, our reviewer Devindra Hardwar thought that it was great for all ages with endless references that didn't take you out of the movie if you're not a diehard Nintendo fan. Its A-List cast includes Jack Black as Bowser, Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad and Chris Pratt as the lovable Mario. The movie follows the Mario Bros struggling to get their Brooklyn-based plumbing business off the ground. Somehow, someway (you'll have to watch the movie to find out) the duo falls into the Mushroom Kingdom and ultimately have to battle it out with the one and only Bowser.The success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie hopefully sets a precedent for more films from Nintendo. It's long been rumored that Nintendo is working on a Legend of Zelda movie or TV series, and the success of Mario might give them reason to finally do it.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-super-mario-bros-movie-is-coming-to-peacock-on-august-3rd-184942554.html?src=rss

It's been a whopping four years since Pokemon Sleep was announced, in the wake of the Pokemon Company's success with Pokemon Go. For a while everyone thought the bizarre sleep tracking app would disappear into the dustbin of vaporware history, but there's a brand-new gameplay' trailer and an approximate release date of late July.We put gameplay in italics because this isn't a game. It's a sleep-tracking app with a Pokemon skin. The app pairs you with the snooze-loving Snorlax. You increase your bond with the giant oaf by, you'll never guess, sleeping. Getting a good night's sleep increases your score and allows Snorlax to siphon drowsy power" from your poor, lifeless husk. In return, more tired Pokemon visit and gift you rare sleep styles. Rinse and repeat until your Sleep Style Dex" is filled to the brim. Gotta catch 'em all.You can also moderately increase your bond with Snorlax by feeding it berries and specialized drinks, but that won't bring exhausted Pokemon like Slowpoke and Diglett to your sleep island." That requires rest and accurate sleep tracking.To that end, the sleep tracking capabilities seem fairly robust, leveraging your phone's microphone and accelerometer sensors to see how much you toss and turn or if you snore. Your personal sleep style seems to inform which pocket monsters come to visit. For instance, if you toss and turn all night, expect Togepi to impart its Rocking Sleep" style. If you snore, Jigglypuff will offer a song via its signature Singing Sleep" style. The company hasn't noted which Pokemon comes to visit if you lay in bed all night staring at your phone surrounded by potato chips, nor have they stated why a sleep tracker took over four years to develop.The app is a walled-garden and doesn't integrate with any fitness tracking or sleep tracking apps. It does, however, pair up with the Pokemon Go Plus bracelet, letting users begin sleep tracking by pushing a button on the device. Using the bracelet also encourages a rare visit from a nightcap-wearing Pikachu. A bracelet costs around $30 and the forthcoming Pokemon Sleep is a free app.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/pokemon-sleep-is-coming-later-this-month-and-theres-a-gameplay-trailer-to-prove-it-182444048.html?src=rss

All of the the world's governments will, at least officially, be out of the chemical weapons business. The US Army tellsThe New York Times it should finish destroying the world's last declared chemical weapons stockpile as soon as tomorrow, July 7th. The US and most other nations agreed to completely eliminate their arsenals within 10 years after the Chemical Weapons Convention took effect in 1997, but the sheer size of the American collection (many of the warheads are several decades old) and the complexity of safe disposal left the country running late.The current method relies on robots that puncture, drain and wash the chemical-laden artillery shells and rockets, which are then baked to render them harmless. The drained gas is diluted in hot water and neutralized either with bacteria (for mustard gas) or caustic soda (for nerve agents). The remaining liquid is then incinerated. Teams use X-rays to check for leaks before destruction starts, and they remotely monitor robots to minimize contact with hazardous material.The Army initially wanted to dispose of the weapons by sinking them on ships, as it had quietly done before, but faced a public backlash over the potential environmental impact. Proposals to incinerate chemical agents in the 1980s also met with objections, although the military ultimately destroyed a large chunk of the stockpile that way.The US last used chemical weapons in World War I, but kept producing them for decades as a deterrent. Attention to the program first spiked in 1968, when strange sheep deaths led to revelations that the Army was storing chemical weapons across the US and even testing them in the open.This measure will only wipe out confirmed stockpiles. Russia has been accused of secretly making nerve gas despite insisting that it destroyed its last chemical weapons in 2017. Pro-government Syrian military forces and ISIS extremists used the weapons throughout much of the 2010s. This won't stop hostile countries and terrorists from using the toxins.Even so, this is a major milestone. In addition to wiping out an entire category of weapons of mass destruction, it represents another step toward reduced lethality in war. Drones reduce the exposure for their operators (though not the targets), and experts like AI researcher Geoffrey Hinton envision an era when robots fight each other. While humanity would ideally end war altogether, efforts like these at least reduce the casualties.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-us-is-destroying-the-worlds-last-known-chemical-weapons-stockpile-181026211.html?src=rss

Generally, the game-creation process begins with a mechanic. There tends to be an input method that developers want to explore, or maybe even a storyline that they think will be particularly powerful in an interactive setting. There's usually a central theme grounded in a genre like first-person shooter" or isometric roguelike," and the game comes together within this framework, its details and proper nouns crystalizing along the way.In the case of Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, Simogo started with the name.There wasn't a single a-ha moment," Simogo co-founder Simon Flesser told Engadget. We had the title which we really liked, and from there we have been trying to figure out what laser eyes are."SimogoLorelei and the Laser Eyes is the ninth major game from Simogo, the acclaimed Swedish studio that's responsible for Device 6, Year Walk and Sayonara Wild Hearts. Simogo revealed Loreleiin June 2022 with a noir-inspired trailer promising a murder mystery, a maze of deceptions and a palace of memories. A smartly dressed woman moves languidly behind the trailer's text, eyes glowing red as she navigates the monochromatic grounds of a large estate.Simogo didn't divulge a ton of detail about Lorelei at its debut, and it hasn't provided much clarity in the year since. The game's latest trailer includes the years 1847, 1963 and 2014, and it hints at international espionage with a paranormal twist, emphasizing the player's ability to recognize patterns and solve puzzles. Do you remember the maze?" the trailer asks, over and over again.So, here are some basic details about Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, directly from Flesser:

Now's the time to get a smart speaker with a little flourish. Amazon is running an early Prime Day sale on Echo devices that includes steep discounts on fifth-generation Echo Dot bundles with Star Wars stands. The best deal is for a bundle featuring The Mandalorian's ever-so-adorable Baby Grogu for $46, or 41 percent off - that's less than the normal price of the speaker by itself. You can also buy a Darth Vader bundle for $63 (30 percent off), and a Stormtrooper kit for the same price. Just remember that you'll need to be a Prime subscriber to take advantage of these discounts.You'll also find bargains for the latest Echo Show displays, the higher-end Echo Studio and the entry-level Echo Pop. Fourth-gen Echo Dot bundles are also on sale.The fifth-gen Echo Dot is ultimately a refinement of the previous model, but that's not a bad thing. You're getting surprisingly powerful sound for a budget speaker, an eye-catching design and the robust Alexa smart home ecosystem. This newest model ups the audio quality and adds a temperature sensor that can help check indoor conditions. This may be helpful if you want to keep a child's room cool during the summer, for instance.The current Echo Dot doesn't have a 3.5mm jack like its predecessor, so it's not your pick if you're just looking to enhance a conventional speaker system. Likewise, there are still more capable speakers if audio quality is a priority. For the money, though, it's difficult to find better.Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for the best Amazon Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In the Know. Hear from Autoblog's car experts on must-shop auto-related Prime Day deals and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/echo-dot-star-wars-bundles-are-up-to-41-percent-off-132748818.html?src=rss

To give you an idea how old Angry Birds is, it arrived on iOS, webOS and something called Maemo 5 (?) before it even came to Android, according to our 2010 review. Not only is it still around over 13 years later, but developer Rovio is being purchased by Sega for around $776 million. And on top of all that, Rovio is opening the first Angry Birds-themed restaurant on Friday (July 8th). Called "iSwii by Angry birds," it'll be located within the Food Court at Tangram's new mall in Flushing, Queens, NY - ready to fling cakes, pastries and other treats into your mouth.Partnering with construction outfit SCG America, Rovio promises "endless culinary treats, bright visuals, newest Angry Birds Games and interactive technology." Its decorated with "Instagrammable" NYC-themed statue installations outside the entrance, a ceiling mural, terrazzo counter and flooring that looks like dessert sprinkles. You'll also see "nest-like wicker and hanging chairs, bird paradise graphic wall coverings, and tropical plants on the shelving units where hatchlings, the baby birds wander around."No menu was shown, but the press release mentions "yummy seasonal holiday cakes and pastries," and the provided photo shows mostly deserts, candies and other sweets. It's also hosting private parties in "nests" or "rooms that will offer Angry Birds VR games & treats, including customizable Angry Birds-themed gift bags for party goers.We're not sure if people will embrace a restaurant based on a game that peaked around 2015 with the Angry Birds Movie. In any case, Sega's purchase for three-quarters of a billion dollars shows the IP still has value, and the app has over 5 billion downloads to date - plus, the restaurant has a 2013 vibe that could make it a big nostalgia draw.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/new-york-is-getting-the-first-ever-angry-birds-cafe-130421618.html?src=rss

As teased, Meta's launched its Twitter rival, timed perfectly to capitalize on the latter's recent struggles and contractions. Threads has started rolling out worldwide, though it won't be available in the European Union until the company addresses potential regulatory concerns.Some basic features are missing - the sort of thing Twitter (and normal Instagram) is already capable of. That includes hashtags (!), account switching on the same device and post editing. The company described Threads as a separate space for real-time updates and public conversations," which relies on users' Instagram credentials but will eventually be compatible with a wider swath of decentralized services like Mastodon.If you haven't tried it already, you log in to Threads with your existing Instagram account - or make a new one. Usernames and verification status carry over, although you can tweak your bio and profile if you want to change it up from your Instagram one. It's all very old Twitter in style, with support for text posts up to 500 characters, as well as photos and videos. Threads will also support reposts - its version of a retweet - as well as quote posts. Users can limit their replies and block and report other users, thankfully.At this early stage, Threads is a reminder for all the users on Instagram that I muted long ago. Remember, just because you can post something to Threads, you don't have to. (But we all know I did anyway.)- Mat SmithYou can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!The biggest stories you might have missedAudi's updated Q8 E-Tron focuses on luxury over performance The best wireless earbuds for 2023The modular Fairphone 4 arrives in the US for the first timeSpotify stops accepting payments set up through Apple's App Store OnePlus Nord 3 delivers a 120Hz screen and 80W fast charging Samsung will unveil its new foldables on July 26thPrepare for an early morning live stream.SamsungSamsung has confirmed the date of its latest Unpacked product launch. The event will take place on July 26th at 7 AM ET, the company announced today. The early start is because Samsung will stream from Seoul, South Korea - home territory. When Samsung began teasing Unpacked last month, it promised the event would feature its latest generation of foldable devices. In other words, expect new iterations of the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip. Because it's Samsung, though, don't be surprised to see more wearables or even a tablet. Even if you didn't ask for either.Continue reading.

Meta's Twitter rival Threads just went live and has already exceeded 10 million signups within the first seven hours, according to (a Thread by) CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Then, as the west coast was waking up, Zuckerberg noted that the app already has more than 30 million sign-ups "as of this morning." The app is now available globally (except in Europe), with the rapid signup pace showing Meta's enormous ability to scale up compared to other Twitter rivals like Bluesky - which still requires invite codes.To, er, mark the occasion, Zuckerberg tweeted for the first time in over a decade with the classic Spider-Man standoff picture (showing that unlike Elon Musk, he actually knows how memes work). "10 million signups in seven hours," he added on Threads.

The Jack Dorsey-backed decentralized social network Bluesky has launched a paid domain service in partnership with Namecheap as a way for users to verify their identity. In a post discussing its plans to make Bluesky sustainable, the team said "users become the product" when a company relies on ads. Since Bluesky set out to "build a protocol where users can own their data," it chose to explore "other avenues of monetization" instead. It's worth noting that the social app started as a project funded by Twitter, but it has lost its connection to the website after Elon Musk took over.Since earning by ads isn't an option, the team thought of offering paid services, starting with domain names. Users can already set up custom domain names to use with Bluesky, but they have to go through a separate process with a domain registrar first. This integration will supposedly allow them to do so in under a few minutes. They can simply log into their account, search for a domain name to use as a handle and then pay for it all within Bluesky's interface. For a Twitter competitor that doesn't have a centralized verification system, using a domain name is the best way for a user to verify that they are who they say they are. US Senators, for instance, have apparently been using the senate.gov domain to verify their identities.Users who use the integrated service will be able to manage their domain settings and configurations within Bluesky, and they can forward emails sent to their domains to an address of their choice. They can also choose to redirect their domain to their Bluesky profile or any URL they want. And in the event they decide to leave the platform or to use another registrar, they can transfer their domain away.Based on Bluesky's announcement, domain integration is just the first in what could be several paid services available on the platform. It says it's exploring other services it "can bundle to users to provide a more seamless experience." That said, Bluesky is still in private beta, and those interested will have to join a waitlist before they can get in.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/bluesky-begins-offering-custom-domains-in-its-bid-to-remain-ad-free-071922355.html?src=rss

We knew it was coming but Samsung has confirmed the date of its latest Unpacked. The event will take place on July 26th at 7AM ET, the company announced today. The early start time is due to the fact Samsung plans to host the showcase from its home base of Seoul, South Korea. When Samsung first began teasing Unpacked last month, it promised the event would feature its latest generation of foldable devices. In other words, expect new iterations of the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip. Thanks to pre-release leaks, we have a pretty good idea of what Samsung has planned for those devices. In the case of the former, all signs point to a refined hinge mechanism that allows the Z Fold 5 to close flat, while the most significant change with the Z Flip 5 looks to be a larger front-facing cover display.Ahead of the 26th, Samsung is offering a $50 reservation credit for those who decide they want to pre-order the Galaxy Z Fold 5 or Galaxy Z Flip 5 sight unseen. If you want to take advantage of the promotion, all you need to do is visit the company's website and provide your name and email. If you later change your mind, thankfully it's a no-commitment offer.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/samsung-will-unveil-its-new-foldables-on-july-26th-230053235.html?src=rss

Threads, Meta's text-based app to challenge Twitter, is now official. Mark Zuckerberg announced the new service one day ahead of the July 6th launch date that appeared in app stores earlier this week. Meta has begun rolling out the new service around the world, though it won't be available within the European Union until the company addresses potential regulatory concerns.In a blog post announcing the Twitter rival, the company described Threads as a separate space for real-time updates and public conversations" that relies on users' Instagram credentials but will eventually be compatible with a wider swath of decentralized services like Mastodon. For now though, Threads users log into the app and website with their existing Instagram account. The company will carry over" existing usernames and verification status to Threads, though users have the option to further customize their profiles.Like on Instagram, the company will rely heavily on recommendations to help people discover new accounts to follow. And Meta has been quietly testing the service with a small group of celebrities and creators, as well as its own employees, so new users won't be greeted with an empty social network.The service itself looks remarkably similar to Twitter though its design will feel familiar to Instagram users. It supports text posts up to 500 characters, as well as photos and videos up to five minutes. Threads will also support reposts - its version of a retweet - as well as quote posts. Users can also limit their replies, block and report other users. And posts from Threads can be easily shared to users' Instagram Story for added visibility.MetaThe launch comes at a particularly chaotic moment for Twitter, just days after Elon Musk announced strict rate limits that severely restricted the number of posts many users could view on the platform. The company also stopped showing tweets to logged-out users, before quietly backtracking. Musk, who has complained about AI companies training their platforms on Twitter data, blamed both unpopular moves on data scraping."With Threads, Meta is challenging not just Twitter but the growing wave of Twitter alternatives like Mastodon. The company is planning to make Threads compatible with ActivityPub, the open source protocol that powers Mastodon and other decentralized services sometimes collectively referred to as the Fediverse."Our plan is to work with ActivityPub to provide you the option to stop using Threads and transfer your content to another service," the company wrote in a blog post. Our vision is that people using compatible apps will be able to follow and interact with people on Threads without having a Threads account, and vice versa, ushering in a new era of diverse and interconnected networks."As Meta explains, this means that users from Mastodon and other services that support ActivityPub will be able to follow and interact with public-facing posts on Threads. (Private accounts on threads will still be able to manually approve new followers from other services.) And other developers could one day create their own Threads-compatible features and services.For now, it's not clear how long it will take for Meta to fully integrate ActivityPub into Threads. In an early post on the service that was briefly viewable ahead of its official launch, Instagram head Adam Mosseri said the company was committed" to the protocol, but didn't provide a timeline. It's also not clear how ActivityPub integration could affect content moderation and other safety issues. While Meta's Threads app has the same content moderation policies as Instagram, services built by other developers are able to set their own standards and policies just as different instances on Mastodon have their own guidelines and norms. Meta notes that this will give users the freedom to choose spaces that align with their values."At the moment, the biggest question facing Threads, though, is whether it has a chance at becoming a viable Twitter alternative. Since Musk took over the company last year, Twitter users have flocked to alternative platforms like Mastodon, Bluesky, T2, and others. But so far none have achieved anything close to the scale of Twitter, much less Meta. But, with more than 1 billion Instagram users, Zuckerberg and Meta are clearly hoping that they can gather momentum much more quickly than other decentralized upstarts."It'll take some time, but I think there should be a public conversations app with 1 billion+ people on it," Zuckerberg write in a post on Threads shortly after its launch. "Twitter has had the opportunity to do this but hasn't nailed it. Hopefully we will."Update July 5th, 2023, 5:15 PM PT: This story has been updated to quote a post from Mark Zuckerberg's Threads account.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/metas-threads-app-is-here-to-challenge-twitter-230039730.html?src=rss

OpenAI is forming a dedicated team to manage the risks of superintelligent artificial intelligence. A superintelligence is a hypothetical AI model that is smarter than even the most gifted and intelligent human, and excels at multiple areas of expertise instead of one domain like some previous generation models. OpenAI believes such a model could arrive before the end of the decade. Superintelligence will be the most impactful technology humanity has ever invented, and could help us solve many of the world's most important problems," the non-profit said. But the vast power of superintelligence could also be very dangerous, and could lead to the disempowerment of humanity or even human extinction."The new team will be co-lead by OpenAI Chief Scientist Ilya Sutskever and Jan Leike, the research lab's head of alignment. Additionally, OpenAI said it would dedicate 20 percent of its currently secured compute power to the initiative, with the goal of developing an automated alignment researcher. Such a system would theoretically assist OpenAI in ensuring a superintelligence is safe to use and aligned with human values. While this is an incredibly ambitious goal and we're not guaranteed to succeed, we are optimistic that a focused, concerted effort can solve this problem," OpenAI said. There are many ideas that have shown promise in preliminary experiments, we have increasingly useful metrics for progress, and we can use today's models to study many of these problems empirically." The lab added it would share a roadmap in the future.Wednesday's announcement comes as governments around the world consider how to regulate the nascent AI industry. In the US, Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has met with at least 100 federal lawmakers in recent months. Publicly, Altman has said AI regulation is essential," and that OpenAI is eager" to work with policymakers. But we should be skeptical of such proclamations, and indeed efforts like OpenAI's Superalignment team. By focusing the attention of the public on hypothetical risks that may never materialize, organizations like OpenAI shift the burden of regulation to the horizon instead of the here and now. There are much more immediate issues around the interplay between AI and labor, misinformation and copyright policymakers need to tackle today, not tomorrow.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/openai-is-forming-a-team-to-rein-in-superintelligent-ai-214333388.html?src=rss

Spotify is notifying users who've subscribed to its Premium service through Apple's in-app purchase system that it will no longer be supporting it as a payment method. As a refresher, Spotify hasn't allowed users to subscribe through Apple's in-app purchase since 2016. However, those who had already subscribed via that method years ago could keep paying Spotify that way until now.As reported by Variety, the company is emailing affected subscribers about the upcoming change. The email reads, We're contacting you because when you joined Spotify Premium you used Apple's billing service to subscribe. Unfortunately, we no longer accept that billing method as a form of payment." Spotify continues to say that those users will automatically be switched to the company's Free, ad-supported tier at the end of the current billing cycle. If you wish to keep your Premium subscription, you will need to re-subscribe after your last billing period has ended and your account has been moved on to the Free account."But that's probably for the best. Due to Apple taking 30 percent of in-app purchases, Spotify users who were subscribed through in-app purchases were being charged an extra $3 per month compared to subscribing through Spotify directly. That's despite the fact that Apple now reduces its commission rate to 15 percent on subscriptions after the first year. Apple said in a regulatory filing from 2019 that it collected that 15 percent fee on roughly 680,000 Spotify customers. Users transitioning from Apple's payments can subscribe to Premium via a credit card or PayPal.Both Apple and Google charge a tax" on their respective app stores, regardless if a user is purchasing apps or subscribing through in-app purchase. Early last year, Google announced that it would be piloting a program that would allow third-party billing systems on Android, beginning with Spotify called User Choice Billing (UCB). Google began rolling out UCB to Spotify users late last year. Though, it's unclear how many users are subscribing via UCB compared to using Google's standard in-app purchase system. While there have been rumors about Apple allowing third-party app stores on iOS, there aren't any official plans for those or for accepting third-party billing.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/spotify-stops-accepting-payments-that-were-set-up-through-apples-app-store-211722624.html?src=rss

Music-streaming app Tidal has begun rolling out hi-res FLAC streams across the platform, according to CEO Jesse Dorogusker via a Reddit post. FLAC (free lossless audio codec) streams offer high fidelity audio up to 24-bit/192Hz. These files are on the larger side, taking up around four times the space of a standard MP3, which is why you rarely see the format on widely-adopted streaming platforms.The feature is rolling out in early access for iOS users and the company says listeners can choose from over six million tracks available in the hi-res FLAC format, with more being added every day. All you have to do is update the beta app, if you have access, and select the Max" quality in settings. Dorogusker says that Tidal is waiting for user response before making the tools more widely available. The CEO notes that the new streaming option will be available for all users in August, for Android fans and those not affiliated with the company's early access plan.Previously, Tidal used MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) audio for hi-res streaming, but this is more of an upscaling technique than an actual file type. Dorogusker hasn't addressed the continued use of MQA, but has said that the company will support multiple formats" of hi-res audio.With more access to hi-res audio comes a hi-res price tag. You need a HiFi Plus subscription to access FLAC streams, which costs $20 per month. Tidal recently increased the price for standard subscriptions, from $10 to $11 per month. Rumors abound that industry leader Spotify is preparing its own hi-fi tier.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tidal-adds-hi-res-flac-streaming-for-hifi-plus-subscribers-164540463.html?src=rss

If cost has been standing in the way of you picking up that smart display you really want, then today might be your lucky day. Early Prime Day sales are here, and they're slashing the prices on some of our favorite smart displays, the Echo Show series. The Echo Show 5 third generation is at a new all-time low price, with a 50 percent discount bringing its cost to $45 from $90.Amazon released its third-gen Echo Show 5 in May with better sound quality and 20 percent faster speeds than its predecessor. It uses Alexa to set timers, check the weather and turn on a playlist. Music-wise, it can stream Amazon Music (obviously), Apple Music and Spotify. You can use its 2MP camera to call loved ones or check in on your pets while out. The device itself is made of 100 percent recycled aluminum.Early Prime Day sales have also brought Amazon's Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 10 down to record-low prices. The Echo Show 8 second generation is down from $130 to $60 - a 54 percent discount - and features an eight-inch screen, 13MP screen for video calls, 1200 x 800 resolution and visual ID personalization. The third-generation Echo Show 10 is down from $250 to $163 - a 35 percent discount - and touts the same features found on the Echo Show 8, but on a 10.1-inch screen.Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for the best Amazon Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In the Know. Hear from Autoblog's car experts on must-shop auto-related Prime Day deals and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/early-amazon-prime-day-deal-knocks-half-off-the-new-echo-show-5-163043163.html?src=rss

OnePlus has unveiled the Nord 3, and it's a significant upgrade over the 2T - to the point where you might prefer it over comparable rivals. The new mid-range model jumps to a 6.7-inch, 120Hz 2,772 x 1,240 screen, promising a big boost over the 6.4-inch, 90Hz 1080p panel from its predecessor. You'll also get 80W wired fast charging the company claims can deliver a 60 percent charge in 15 minutes.The OnePlus Nord 3 also makes the leap to a MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chip (versus the 2T's Dimensity 1300), and it now comes with up to 16GB of RAM instead of last year's 12GB. The battery is larger, too, at 5,000mAh versus 4,500mAh. The device's 50MP primary camera is the same as on the higher-end OnePlus 11. That won't beat the absolute best cameras on the market, but it's more compelling in this price class. You can also expect an 8MP ultra-wide camera, a 2MP macro sensor and a 16MP front cam.Software support is stronger this time around. OnePlus now promises three years of major OS updates for the Nord 3 compared to just two for the 2T. You'll also receive four years of security fixes. That's not as extensive as for the OnePlus 11 or rivals like Samsung, but it still means your phone will likely remain up to date until you're ready to replace it.OnePlus is taking Nord 3 pre-orders today, starting at 449 ($488) for 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Pay 549 ($597) and you'll get 16GB of RAM alongside 256GB of storage. At the moment, though, it's only poised to reach 16 European Union countries as well as key markets like India. It's not surprising that OnePlus won't release the phone in the US (the company only offers its entry Nord N-series stateside), but it's also not coming to the UK as of this writing. A spokesperson toldTech Advisor last week that "logistical challenges" with customs prevented it from offering the Nord 3 and other phones online. You may still see a UK debut, but not in the immediate future.Whether or not it's a good buy versus the Google Pixel 7a or Samsung Galaxy A54 depends on your priorities. OnePlus is offering some of the best display, camera hardware and memory in this category, but Google typically produces better real-world photos and offers a 'pure' Android interface with timelier upgrades. Samsung, meanwhile, offers better secondary cameras than OnePlus, more updates and tight integration with its ecosystem.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/oneplus-nord-3-delivers-a-120hz-screen-and-80w-fast-charging-161505940.html?src=rss

Fairphone is at long last bringing its sustainability-focused smartphones to the US. The company has teamed up with Murena to start offering a version of the Fairphone 4 in the country. The Murena Fairphone 4 is available to order now. It starts at $599 for 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, according to the Murena store. A variant with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage will run you $679. Storage is expandable via microSD.Those prices might seem fairly steep for a two-year old device with a mid-range Qualcomm chip from 2020, but the Murena Fairphone 4 is about much more than the pure specs. For one thing, it's a privacy-centric device with a version of Android that's detangled from Google. Murena's /e/ operating system eschews Google's stock apps. For instance, rather than Google Maps, you'll get an open-source alternative by default. The device has its own directory that gives each app a privacy rating. As such, you'll have some information about how each app tracks your data before you install one.You can still install Google-built apps. Murena purports to snag apps from the Play Store without directing your information to Google. You can install a standard version of Android if you like, but Murena warns that this will void your warranty. (For what it's worth, Fairphone 4 buyers in Europe can opt to have either stock Android or /e/ out of the box). Murena plans to provide software updates and security patches for at least five years, while Fairphone offers a five-year hardware warranty.Fairphone's ethos centers around repairability and as such the smartphone is designed to be long-lasting. The Fairphone 4 has a 10 out of 10 repairability score from iFixit. It has a modular design and it's said to be the first such phone with an IP rating of IP54. That means the phone should be protected from dust and rain. None of the components are glued together and you can use a regular screwdriver to swap them out.The Murena Fairphone 4 has a 3905mAh battery as well as 5G and dual-SIM support. On the camera front, you'll get a dual 48MP rear camera and 25MP selfie camera. The device's body, camera array, loudspeaker, USB-C port and 6.3-inch display are all individual parts and you'll be able to buy replacements from Murena. Meanwhile, the Murena Fairphone 4 doesn't come with a USB cable, power adapter or headphones in the box. Murena sells those separately as it encourages buyers to use cables and adapters they might already have stuffed in a drawer somewhere.Although the device is unlocked, T-Mobile and mobile virtual network operators that use the T-Mobile network are the only recommended carriers for it in the US. Fairphone is framing the device's US debut as a pilot as the company is primarily focused on the European market. "This collaboration with e/OS/ is a great opportunity for us to pilot selling devices in the US market with a long-standing partner and learn more about the American market," Fairphone CEO Eva Gouwens told Engadget in a statement.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-modular-fairphone-4-arrives-in-the-us-for-the-first-time-155721165.html?src=rss

Amazon Prime Day is upon us, and with it comes great deals on many of our favorite smart home devices, including already well-priced speakers. We're big fans of Amazon's Echo Dot, recently naming its fifth generation the best smart speaker available for under $50, and now it's at an all-time low of $23. This 54 percent discount brings one of the most affordable smart speakers on the market down to a small fraction of what its competitor's cost.Amazon released the Echo Dot fifth-gen last year with improved sound quality compared to previous models. It plays Amazon Music, Spotify and Apple Music, has Alexa on hand to answer any questions or tell you the weather and comes with a mic off button for when you don't want her listening.Echo Dots are compatible throughout your home, making them ideal for parties or larger spaces. They can also sync with your Fire TV and create a home theater system of sorts. Since the current discount lets you buy two for the price of one (with a few dollars for movie snacks left over), it's worth thinking about whether you want a more expansive sound.If you're looking for a smart speaker for a more compact space - and to save a little more money - Amazon's Echo Pop is also touting a big markdown for Prime Day, with a 55 percent discount bringing the speaker from $40 to $18. The new arrival has a front-facing speaker and can lose a little bit of sound quality at high volumes, but other than a few different color options, it doesn't vary too much from its sibling.Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for the best Amazon Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In the Know. Hear from Autoblog's car experts on must-shop auto-related Prime Day deals and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazons-echo-dot-drops-to-an-all-time-low-of-23-in-early-prime-day-deal-153021785.html?src=rss

8BitDo is reviving and modernizing the classic NSK Neo Geo controller. The new controller, based on the Neo Geo CD controller released in 1994, supports Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless and is compatible with Windows and Android as well as the significantly less common Neo Geo Mini series. The controller lasts 35 hours wirelessly and will take one hour to charge. You can optionally plug the controller into your device to eliminate any sort of latency or interference.The officially-licensed NSK controller also features L/R shoulder buttons, button layout swapping and a turbo function to help with compatibility across a wide range of games and platforms. According to 8BitDo, it was able to create a "flawless remake" of the unique joystick found on the original, including the clicky feel and sound of the joystick.In the past, 8BitDo products have been solid, and the Neo Geo CD should hopefully be no different. With its wide platform support, it's a great companion for those who are constantly gaming on the go, though Apple fans will be left out for starters. 8BitDo announced earlier this year that all of its controllers now support iPhones, iPads and Macs. The company says that support for Apple devices is coming, but didn't provide a specific timeline for when that may happen.8BitDo is known for making customizable and often less expensive controllers compared to the equivalent first-party controllers as well as modern riffs on other classic controllers like those for the NES, Super NES and Sega Genesis. In early 2022, the company released its Ultimate Wired Controller, which included Xbox-specific face buttons, haptic feedback and a built-in headphone jack.The 8BitDo Neo Geo CD will be available in four limited edition color options in addition to the standard black. The controller will be available for pre-order on Amazon starting today at $34.99 and will be available on August 15th.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/8bitdos-modernized-neo-geo-cd-controller-offers-35-hour-battery-life-and-wireless-connectivity-150005718.html?src=rss

You'll have some good choices for summer gaming if you have an Xbox Game Pass subscription. Microsoft has revealed that Capcom's dinosaur shooter Exoprimal will be available to Game Pass members on Xbox, PC and the cloud when the title launches July 14th. If you were hesitant to buy the hybrid PvE/PvP game sight unseen (or weren't sure about the beta), you won't necessarily have to.Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto V is also making its third appearance on Game Pass, albeit only for Xbox and streaming - sorry, no PC downloads this time. There's not much more to add about the decade-old classic at this point, but it's likely worth checking out if you somehow haven't played GTA V before or simply miss the escapades of Michael, Franklin and Trevor.Other additions include adventure game pioneer Ron Gilbert's The Cave (July 18th for cloud and Xbox), Insurgency: Sandstorm (July 11th for PC), McPixel 3 (July 6th for all platforms), Common'hood (July 11th for all platforms) and the preview for Techtonica (July 18th, all platforms). You may want to play Spelunky 2 soon, though, as the side-scrolling cave explorer is leaving Game Pass on July 15th.These arrivals aren't necessarily as sweet as Sony's free PlayStation Plus games for July, which include Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Alan Wake Remastered. That's not true every month, though, and it's clear there are different objectives this time around. Microsoft is hoping to reel in people who look for launch day games and long-time favorites. Sony, meanwhile, is choosing well-known games that shine a spotlight on Microsoft's attempt to buy Activision Blizzard.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/capcoms-exoprimal-is-coming-to-xbox-game-pass-soon-143520052.html?src=rss

Several days after Twitter stopped showing tweets to logged-out users, that basic functionality seems to be returning. Several Engadget editors are once again able to see individual tweets without being logged into their accounts. Profiles still seem to be busted for those who aren't signed in, however. For instance, I'm able to see a user's bio, but their feed of tweets isn't showing up. Meanwhile, tweet previews are working in iMessage again for some folks.Making tweets inaccessible to logged-out users was a temporary emergency measure," according to Twitter owner Elon Musk. We were getting data pillaged so much that it was degrading service for normal users," he wrote.The company gave a similar explanation as to why it temporarily put limits on the number of tweets each user is able to read per day. On Tuesday, it said it made that move, which busted various Twitter apps, to detect and eliminate bots and other bad actors that are harming the platform," such as those who are scraping data to train artificial intelligence models. Twitter added that the rate limits were affecting a small percentage of users at that point.Twitter no longer has a communications department that can be reached for comment. Still, public tweets are once again becoming available for anyone to view just as Meta starts rolling out its Twitter competitor, which is called Threads. That service is expected to go live in several markets on Thursday, but not in the European Union.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/twitter-quietly-backtracks-on-requiring-users-to-log-in-to-see-tweets-135230558.html?src=rss

Audi's original E-Tron was really just an electric Q8. Now that it uses the E-Tron moniker as a label for all of its EVs, the carmaker has rebadged the updated E-Tron as the Q8 E-Tron. Yet this is more than just a facelift. Instead, Audi took the opportunity to make the vehicle better based on what it's learned over the past few years as an EV builder.The biggest difference from the offset is the increased range. The previous E-Tron had a range of 204 miles at launch. This new Q8 E-Tron manages a more impressive 285 miles on a single charge, which should appease most people looking to buy an EV.Behind the wheel, the new Audi is just a better driving vehicle than the original E-Tron. It's less performance-centric than you would expect from a brand like Audi, instead the automaker has targeted a luxury ride and frankly, it's nailed it. It's a good example of automakers taking what they've learned while building EVs over the past few years and evolving their platform. For the full story, check out our video below.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audis-updated-q8-e-tron-focuses-on-luxury-over-performance-133217104.html?src=rss

With Twitter seemingly on its last legs, it doesn't come as a big surprise that other social media giants would want to capitalize on the void. Meta is launching Threads, which allows users to write and comment on posts much in the same way as Twitter. Now we have a first look at how Threads will operate, thanks to early users' profiles showing up on its website.Instagram head Adam Mosseri has used his first few posts to share more about Thread's purpose and features, including an image demonstrating how to limit replies. "We have lots of work to do, but we're looking to build an open, civil place for people to have conversations," Mosseri shared in his first post. Users will also be able to Repost (instead of Retweet) individual Threads, as well as share them.Threads will eventually include Fediverse integration, allowing users to follow and interact with users on other services like Mastodon. Mosseri confirmed that Meta is "committed" to supporting the ActivityPub protocol but the company wasn't able to finish the integration before launch. "You may one day end up leaving Threads, or, hopefully not, end up de-platformed," the Instagram chief explained. "If that ever happens, you should be able to take your audience with you to another server. Being open can enable that."ThreadsMeta employees like CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Mosseri have been posting alongside celebs like Shakira and Gordon Ramsey and a range of influencers who were given first access to Threads. The limited number of initial users reflects in current follower counts, with most profiles only having a few hundred and Zuckerberg and Mosseri at only a couple thousand.Threads will be available on the web and for download on the App Store and Google Play Store starting the morning of July 6th in the US and UK. It won't be available across the rest of Europe yet, though, likely due to stricter EU data privacy rules. In the meantime, Meta employees aren't averse to patting themselves on the back while taking a dig at Twitter, as Meta product designer Peter Franko did in his first post on the site.ThreadsThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/metas-threads-is-already-showing-conversations-on-the-web-120453471.html?src=rss

Fisker has given us another glimpse of the 600-mile range Ronin convertible EV and promised to unveil it in full on August 3rd, according to an Instagram post from CEO Henrik Fisker. Like the original Fisker Karma, it's a low and swoopy four-door "super GT" sedan that will join the Ocean SUV and future Pear EV. "Fisker Ronin, All Electric super GT! Reveal August 3rd! Super fast & space for 5! The ultimate long distance Grand Touring car with anticipated range of 600 miles!" Fisker wrote in the post.There's no word yet on the price, but the company previously promised to keep it under $200,000. Other than the anticipated range, specs like power have yet to be shared. It was first revealed last year when Fisker announced it would show it off in August 2023, so it's on schedule in that regard.It's a bit behind on Ocean EV deliveries, however. The company announced the start of production back in December 2022, saying it planned to build 300 Ocean EVs in Q1 2023 and boost that to more than 8,000 in Q2 and 15,000 in Q3. So far, however, it has only shipped 22 units in the US and just started deliveries a few weeks ago. The Ocean (built at Fisker's "carbon neutral" Graz, Austria factory) is priced at $37,500 for the base model and goes up to $69,000 for the 350-mile range, 550 HP Ocean Extreme.Fisker is working on an even more affordable EV, the four-door Pear that starts at $29,900 before any incentives. Not a lot of details are available for that vehicle either, but production is supposed to start next year in Lordstown, Ohio, with Foxconn as the contract manufacturer. The two companies plan to eventually produce a minimum of 250,000 units per year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/fisker-gives-the-best-look-yet-at-its-600-mile-range-ronin-ev-114048266.html?src=rss

MSG and Sphere Entertainment have started fully testing the Sphere, a 17,600-seat venue near The Venetian with an animated outer dome and a wraparound internal 16K LED screen. It displays images, video and animation on the outside and the inside, apparently opening up entirely new concert and cinematic experiences.MSG's James Dolan and David Dibble explained to Rolling Stone the aim is to create a VR experience without the "damn goggles." Creators use a special camera to produce footage that envelops the audience. Construction started in 2019, but the pandemic and technological complexity have brought costs close to $2.3 billion, making it the most expensive venue in Las Vegas to date. And this is Las Vegas - not a place of humble, small-scale buildings and structures.You can watch it here, but it will count as one of your finite tweet views a day...- Mat SmithYou can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!The biggest stories you might have missedThe best 2-in-1 laptops for 2023 Tech giant gatekeepers must comply with all of the EU's new digital market rulesJudge blocks federal officials from contacting tech companiesThe best early Prime Day deals for 2023Apple wants to take the Epic Games case to the Supreme CourtPrior rulings could reduce its App Store profits.Apple is initiating one last-ditch effort to maintain a cut of in-app sales, asking the Supreme Court to hear its appeal of Epic Games' anti-trust case, Reuters reports. Two lower courts ruled Apple must drop its guidelines preventing apps from including their own payment options, a policy that helped Apple's bottom line.The lawsuit was a mixed bag for both parties involved: In 2021, US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Epic knowingly violated Apple's rules, and the iPhone maker wasn't required to re-add Fortnite to its App Store. Rogers also stated Apple wasn't acting like a monopoly, but it must allow apps to offer third-party payment systems. The change went into effect last year, and the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the entire injunction this past April.Continue reading.July 3rd was the hottest day in recorded historyAverage global temperatures climbed past 17 degrees Celsius on Monday.ReutersAccording to US National Centers for Environmental Prediction, meteorologists documented the hottest day in recorded history on Monday, July 3rd. They saw average global temperatures over 17 degrees Celsius (62.62 Fahrenheit) for the first time since satellite monitoring of global temperatures began in 1979. Scientists even believe Monday is also the hottest day on record since humans began measuring daily temperatures in the late 19th century. The recent heat is attributed to a combination of El Nino and ongoing human-driven emissions of greenhouse gases. Studies have shown climate change is contributing to heat waves that are more frequent, last longer and hotter than ever.Continue reading.Twitter says it couldn't tell people about rate limiting in advanceThe company claims bad actors could otherwise have changed their strategies.Twitter's decision to limit the number of tweets users could read each day came as a surprise to many. (Most? All?) However, the company now says it could not give folks a heads-up. "We temporarily limited usage so we could detect and eliminate bots and other bad actors that are harming the platform," a Twitter Business blog post reads. "Any advance notice on these actions would have allowed bad actors to alter their behavior to evade detection."Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-sphere-tests-its-giant-led-video-dome-in-las-vegas-111513051.html?src=rss

Meta's rival to Twitter called Threads, an Instagram app is set to launch tomorrow in the US and UK, but it may not come to the rest of Europe anytime soon. A Meta spokesperson told Ireland's Data Protection Commission that the service will not be rolled out in the EU "at this point," Independent.ie has reported.Threads may not be launching in much of Europe due to more stringent data privacy requirements. The DPC is apparently not blocking the service - instead, it's Meta that has "not yet prepared the service for a European launch outside the UK, which is not fully governed by GDPR or EU privacy rules," according to the report.The EU just hit Meta with a ruling that it must obtain consent from users before delivering personalized ads in the region. Prior to that, the company was fined 390 million EU (about $425 million) for not receiving consent before serving up such ads.On top of that, in 2021, the DPC fined WhatsApp 225 million ($266.8 million at the time) or not providing enough detail on how it shares EU users' data with Facebook. That could pose a problem for Threads in its current state, as it automatically imports data from Instagram, including advertising and behavior information, according to the policy listed on its iOS App Store page.Threads is arriving amidst issues with Twitter like "rate limits" on tweets and degraded service for the power-user app Tweetdeck. Many of Twitter's active users have been seeking an alternative with apps like Bluesky and Mastodon, but some see Threads as the most viable option due to Meta's scale. That's despite any reservations they may have about CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook's track record on privacy and other issues.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/metas-twitter-rival-threads-wont-initially-launch-in-the-eu-090314803.html?src=rss

Seven companies, mostly made up of American tech giants, have notified the European Commission that they meet the criteria to be classified as "gatekeepers" under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, TikTok owner ByteDance, Meta, Microsoft and Samsung have declared that they meet the thresholds the EU set when it passed the new law. According to Reuters, Booking.com also expects to meet gatekeeper status by the end of the year and will notify authorities by then.Gatekeepers are companies with an annual turnover in Europe of at least 7.5 billion (US$8.16 billion) in the last three financial years or those with a fair market value of at least 75 billion (US$81.6 billion) in the last financial year in at least three member states of the EU. They must also have served more than 45 million monthly active end users and more than 10,000 yearly active business users in the EU over the last three years. These criteria were designed to include the biggest players in the field, since as the law's name indicates, it's meant to cover large online platforms that act as "gatekeepers" in digital markets.Under the DMA, gatekeepers will be prohibited from favoring their own services over their rivals' and from locking users into their ecosystem. They must allow third parties to interoperate with their own services. They must also allow business users to promote their products/services and "conclude contracts with their customers outside the gatekeepers' platform." In Google's and Apple's case, that means they can't prevent developers from using a different payment systems other than their own. The companies can't prohibit users from removing pre-installed apps or from sideloading apps from outside sources, as well. That will mean huge changes for Apple, in particular, whose ecosystem has been designed as a "walled garden" for the longest time. In December last year, Bloomberg reported that Apple was preparing to allow third-party app stores and sideloading with the release of iOS 17.All gatekeepers will have to comply with all aspects of the DMA in 2024. For now, European authorities will be reviewing the submissions and will be designating the gatekeepers for specific platform services by September 6th.

On Monday, meteorologists documented the hottest day in recorded history, according to US National Centers for Environmental Prediction (via Reuters). July 3rd, 2023 saw average global temperatures edge past 17-degrees Celsius (62.62 Fahrenheit) for the first time since satellite monitoring of global temperatures began in 1979. Scientists believe Monday is also the hottest day on record since humans began using instruments to measure daily temperatures in the late 19th century. The previous record was set in August 2016 when the world's average temperature climbed to 16.92C (62.45 Fahrenheit).This week, the southern US is sweltering under a heat dome that has sent local temperatures past the 110 Fahrenheit mark (43C). Even places that normally aren't known for their warm weather have been unseasonably hot in recent days and weeks, with the Vernadsky Research Base in Antarctica recording a July high of 8.7C.Scientists attribute the recent heat to a combination of El Nino and ongoing human-driven emissions of greenhouse gases. Studies have shown that climate change is contributing to heat waves that are more frequent, last longer and hotter than ever. "The average global surface air temperature reaching 17C for the first time since we have reliable records available is a significant symbolic milestone in our warming world," climate researcher Leon Simons told BBC News. "Now that the warmer phase of El Nino is starting we can expect a lot more daily, monthly and annual records breaking in the next 1.5 years."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/july-3rd-was-the-hottest-day-in-recorded-history-214854746.html?src=rss

A judge has blocked the Biden administration and other federal officials from communicating with social media companies in a case that could have far-reaching implications. On Tuesday, a Trump-appointed judge granted the state attorneys general in Louisiana and Missouri a temporary injunction against the federal government, reports The Washington Post. The two Republican lawyers sued President Joe Biden and other top government officials, including Dr. Anthony Fauci and Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, last year, accusing them of colluding with Meta, Twitter and YouTube to remove truthful information" related to the COVID-19 lab leak theory, 2020 election and other topics.Although he has yet to make a final ruling in the case, Judge Terry A. Doughty wrote in his order that the Republican attorneys general produced evidence of a massive effort by Defendants, from the White House to federal agencies, to suppress speech based on its content." While the order grants some exceptions for the government to communicate with Meta, Twitter and YouTube, it also specifically targets more than a dozen individual officials. Among those are Jen Easterly, the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and Alejandro Mayorkas, the secretary of Homeland Security.The lawsuit is the latest effort by some Republicans to allege the Biden administration pressured social media platforms to censor conservative views. The GOP has aired that grievance in a few different venues - including, most notably, a contentious House Oversight Committee hearing at the start of the year related to the so-called Twitter Files." The lawsuit from the attorneys general of Louisiana and Missouri takes a different tack. Instead of directly targeting Meta, Twitter and YouTube, which argue they have a First Amendment right to decide what content is allowed on their platforms, the attorneys general sued the federal government. Whatever happens next, that strategy has already led to the most successful effort yet to counter online content moderation.Separately, it's worth noting Meta, Twitter and YouTube have all recently scaled back their moderation policies in one way or another. In the case of YouTube, for instance, the company said last month it would begin allowing videos that falsely claim fraud occurred during the 2020 election. Meta, meanwhile, last month back its COVID-19 misinformation rules for Instagram and Facebook in countries where the pandemic is no longer deemed a national emergency.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/judge-blocks-federal-officials-from-contacting-tech-companies-192554203.html?src=rss

Twitter has been even more of a mess than usual over the last few days, in part because it limited the number of tweets users could read each day. The decision came as a surprise to many, but the company said it was unable to give folks a heads up."We temporarily limited usage so we could detect and eliminate bots and other bad actors that are harming the platform," a Twitter Business blog post reads. "Any advance notice on these actions would have allowed bad actors to alter their behavior to evade detection."While some have been skeptical of Twitter's reasoning for the move, the company says it limited the rate limit to stop bad actors from scraping public data to feed into artificial intelligence models and to prevent them from "manipulating people and conversation on the platform in various ways." It says that the rate limits currently impact a small percentage of users and it will provide an update when these efforts are complete.It seemed strange that Twitter posted this update on its business blog until the company mentioned that rate limiting has had a "minimal" effect on advertising. Many pointed out that limiting the number of tweets users could read per day would make it harder for advertisers to reach users and for Twitter to make money.Rate limiting broke Twitter's website and apps for the most part, including TweetDeck, an app that many power users rely on. To help remedy that, the company released "a new, improved version of TweetDeck." The company is moving all users over to the latest version, but there was another twist in store: Twitter is making the app exclusive to verified accounts, effectively putting a paywall on TweetDeck for the vast majority of users.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/twitter-says-it-couldnt-tell-people-about-rate-limiting-in-advance-183928265.html?src=rss

The Las Vegas skyline will soon be dominated by a massive display. MSG and Sphere Entertainment have started full testing of the Sphere, a 17,600-seat venue near the The Venetian Resort that's defined by an enormous (516ft across and 366ft tall) animated dome and a wraparound internal 16K LED screen. It's eye-catching on the outside, but the main attraction is the immersion for live entertainment on the internal display - it's meant to rethink concerts and cinematic experiences.As MSG's James Dolan and David Dibble explain to Rolling Stone, the aim is to effectively create a VR experience without the "damn goggles." Creators use a special camera to produce footage that envelops the audience. There's also a unique 164,000-speaker audio system that can isolate specific sounds, or even limit them to certain parts of the audience. One section could hear only Spanish-language dialog, for instance.

While there's a week to go until Amazon officially kicks off Prime Day, the company is getting things started early with deals on many of its own products. Ring video doorbells, cameras and security systems are among the products on sale. A bundle of a Ring Video Doorbell and Echo Show 5 (which you can use to monitor what the doorbell sees) typically costs $190. However, for Prime members, Amazon has dropped the price by 66 percent to $65. That's the lowest price we've seen for this bundle to date.You'll get the second-gen Ring Video Doorbell, which Amazon released in 2020. While Amazon has released two newer versions in the interim, it's still a capable device. It offers up to 1080p HD video, while the original was limited to 720p. It can run on battery power alone, or you can hardwire it or connect it to a Ring solar charger.A privacy zone option enables you to block out certain areas of the field of view from recordings. There are adjustable motion zones (you'll receive a notification when someone triggers the built-in motion sensor or presses the doorbell), an audio privacy setting and, Amazon claims, improved night vision over the first model.The Echo Show 5, meanwhile, is the new third-gen model that Amazon released in May. Although the design is almost the same as the previous version, the latest Echo Show 5 is 20 percent faster and offers "double the bass" through an upgraded speaker system, Amazon says. The device typically retails for $90 alone.In case you don't need or want an Echo Show 5 (you can still see a video feed from the doorbell on a phone, tablet or PC), you can pick up the second-gen Ring Video Doorbell by itself for $55 if you're a Prime member. This again is a record low price. The device usually sells for $100.There are lots of deals elsewhere in the Ring sale. Prime members can get 50 percent off the second-gen Ring Indoor Cam that Amazon released several weeks ago. It's on sale for $30. Those looking for more peace of mind may be interested in a Ring Alarm kit. Several options are on sale, including the latest version of the five-piece kit. That has dropped from $200 to $120.Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for the best Amazon Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In the Know. Hear from Autoblog's car experts on must-shop auto-related Prime Day deals and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/rings-early-prime-day-deals-include-an-echo-show-5-bundle-for-just-65-150337948.html?src=rss

Meta will have to limit the reach of its personalized ads in the European Union. The region's Court of Justice has ruled that Meta's Facebook brand will need to obtain consent before delivering at least some personalized ads in the EU. The custom ads "cannot justify" processing that volume of data without users' permission, according to the ruling.We've asked Meta for comment. In a statement to The Wall Street Journal, a spokesperson said the social media giant was still "evaluating the court's decision" and would say more in the future.Meta is already appealing a 390 million EU fine (now worth about $425 million) for requiring that Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp users accept personalized ads just to use those platforms. The governing body requires "freely given" consent for features, and believes Meta violated the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by asking for ad targeting data just to use Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp on a basic level. In the new ruling, the Court of Justice said it was up to a site operator to prove that people willingly give permission.The decision is included in a larger court finding that local competition regulators, such as Germany's Federal Cartel Office, can factor in compliance with other laws (such as the GDPR) when investigating antitrust cases. Put simply, a country could decide that rule breaking in one area is evidence of broader anti-competitive behavior.The ruling is somewhat vague, and it's not clear just how officials will interpret the requirement in practice. Meta might have to ask permission to provide personalized ads on Facebook and other platforms. That could improve privacy for users, but affect the company's bottom line. The outfit warned of a hit to its ad revenue when iOS 14 gave users the ability to reject ad tracking in apps - this could represent another blow that affects everyone in the EU, regardless of the device they use.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/facebook-will-need-permission-to-show-personalized-ads-in-the-eu-140106138.html?src=rss

Here's your chance to get a Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 for a price lower than anything we've seen it go for on Amazon. You can get the Galaxy Watch 5 for as low as $199, or 29 percent less than its retail price. The price applies to the 40mm Bluetooth smartwatches in gray and pink gold, though the silver and navy/mustard color options are only just a dollar more expensive at $200. Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 models are most likely on sale, because the company could launch its next-gen wearables at its Unpacked event scheduled for late July. But this model is still a solid option if you're looking for a smartwatch with health tracking capabilities.We gave the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 a score of 85 in our review and praised it for having a clean design and a durable build. We also praised the smartwatch for having comprehensive health and activity tracking features. The device has an advanced sleep tracker that can detect and and analyze sleep stages. It can monitor your activity, remind you to get up and suggest simple exercises, as well as track activities like running, rowing and swimming. The watch can also analyze your body composition - we found its results to be pretty spot on - and has a more accurate heart rate sensor than its predecessor.If you want one of the larger watches, some of the 44mm Galaxy Watch 5 models are also on sale. The Bluetooth versions are currently list for $229, while the LTE models will set you back at least $279.Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/samsungs-galaxy-watch-5-falls-to-a-new-low-of-199-132507458.html?src=rss

Apple is initiating one last-ditch effort to maintain a cut of in-app sales, asking the Supreme Court to hear its appeal of Epic Games' anti-trust case, Reuters reports. Two lower courts ruled that Apple must drop its guidelines preventing apps from including their own payment options, a policy that helped Apple's bottom line.The fight began in 2020 when Epic rolled out a new Fortnite update that allowed gamers to purchase digital coins through a direct payment feature. The move violated Apple's policy that required all iOS games to use in-app purchases - and gave Apple a 30 percent cut of the profits. Apple removed Fortnite from its App Store in response, despite its regular status as one of its highest-grossing games. In retaliation, Epic sued Apple to end its "unfair and anti-competitive actions" with the goal of changing its policy versus seeking any damages.The lawsuit was a mixed bag for both parties involved: In 2021, US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Epic knowingly violated Apple's rules and the iPhone maker wasn't required to add Fortnite back to its App Store. Rogers also stated that Apple wasn't acting like a monopoly but that the company must allow apps to provide their users with third-party payment systems. The change went into effect last year, and the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the entire injunction this past April.In their filing, Apple's lawyers claim that the ruling extends beyond Epic Games and "exceeds the district court's authority under Article III, which limits federal court jurisdiction to actual cases and controversies." Basically, they argue that the court overreached and asked the Supreme Court to acknowledge that and let its App Store go back to business as usual (developers giving but cuts of sales to Apple). One way or another, Apple will at least have to adapt in some countries, with new European Union regulations requiring the company to allow third-party app stores by 2024.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-wants-to-take-the-epic-games-case-to-the-supreme-court-123501115.html?src=rss

As Twitter continues to figuratively kneecap itself by limiting tweet views, Meta is hustling to bring its Twitter rival to reality. A listing for an app called Threads was spotted on the iOS App Store with an estimated release date of July 6th. In May, a report said the microblogging service was nearing completion and could be out as soon as the end of June. While an end-of-June launch didn't quite happen, the app could arrive when Twitter users are more willing (and maybe even eager) to finally jump ship.Twitter boss Elon Musk announced at the weekend that verified accounts - which translates to paying users - can read 6,000 posts daily, while non-paying users can only read 600. He said the website is adopting the measure to "address extreme levels of data scraping [and] system manipulation."From both the app listing and rumors, we're expecting Threads will migrate your followers and circles from your existing Instagram handle, ensuring you should have an active timeline right from the outset. That is, if you're an Instagram user.- Mat SmithYou can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!The biggest stories you might have missedAmazon is offering a $5 credit when you buy a $50 eGift card for Prime DayBlue Origin is planning to open new launch sites outside the US Tidal is increasing its HiFi plan to $11 per monthThe best mobile microphones for 2023The best cameras for 2023Compacts, DSLRs, action cams and, of course, mirrorless cameras.EngadgetSince smartphones started eating casual photography's lunch, camera makers have focused on devices designed for very specific uses. Action cams provide sharp, fluid video. Compact cameras target both tourists and vloggers. And DSLRs are available at some of the best prices we've seen. Then there are mirrorless cameras, which continue to improve their autofocus and video. And that's where some guidance helps. Whether you're a creator looking for just the right vlogging camera, an aspiring wildlife photographer or a sports enthusiast, we'll help you find the perfect camera to match your budget and needs.Continue reading.There's an animated GIF generator nowAre your group chats ready for this level of nonsense?Remember the early days of the AI hype train, when everyone spent their time making stupid images using text prompts? If you want to recapture the nostalgic haze of, uh, late 2022, Picsart has you covered. The popular image editor just launched an AI-powered animated GIF generator, calling the tool its most unhinged" platform yet. Type a bunch of nonsense into the chat box, wait a minute or so and marvel at your chaotic and eccentric" creation. The platform's integrated into the regular Picsart app and is available for iOS, Android devices and on the web.Continue reading.Twitter launches 'new' TweetDeck as the old version breaks downThe feature will also be exclusive to Twitter Blue in 30 days.If you've been having trouble using Twitter recently, you aren't alone - the service has been having issues since it started limiting the daily number of posts users could view. Although many of the platform's issues stabilized over the weekend, TweetDeck remains broken unless users switch to the beta version of the list aggregator. Now, Twitter is gearing up to solve the issue by making that beta version of TweetDeck the main version. According to Twitter Support, the feature will become exclusive to Twitter Blue subscribers in the near future, noting that "in 30 days, users must be Verified to access TweetDeck."Continue reading.Some HBO shows are streaming on Netflix in the US for the first time'Insecure' is now on the platform, with 'Band of Brothers' and 'Six Feet Under' arriving later.There really is an HBO show on Netflix. All five seasons of Issa Rae's highly acclaimed comedy-drama series Insecure are now streaming on Netflix in the US. Even more HBO shows are on the way, too. Band of Brothers, The Pacific, Six Feet Under and Ballers are also coming to Netflix as part of the deal, the company told Deadline. Meanwhile, Netflix users outside the US can stream True Blood on the service.Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-metas-instagram-linked-twitter-rival-could-arrive-this-week-111508536.html?src=rss

If you're looking for a high-quality 4K streaming stick, look no further. Amazon's best model, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, is on sale for Prime Day at an all-time low of $25, a full 55 percent off the regular price. And if even that is slightly too expensive, Amazon has also discounted the regular Fire TV Stick 4K by 54 percent to $23 (also an all-time low). Finally, if you want the most streaming power possible, the Fire TV Cube is on sale for $110 ($30) off - once again the cheapest price we've ever seen.The best deal by a long shot is the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, though, with a steep $30 discount that makes it just $2 more than the Fire TV Stick 4K. It's Amazon's most powerful streaming stick, thanks to a faster processor that delivers 40 percent more power than the one in the Fire TV Stick 4K. That translates to faster app start times and more fluid menu navigation, for a better overall experience. The Fire TV Sitck 4K Max also comes with WiFi 6 connectivity, as well as support for Dolby Vision, HDR, HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos audio, along with Alexa commands via the Alexa Voice Remote.While not quite as zippy, the Fire TV Stick 4K is also on sale for $23, or 54 percent off. It's a great option if you want a low-profile streaming device that can handle 4K content. It also supports Dolby Vision and HDR, and comes with the Alexa Voice Remote, which lets you search for and launch content with voice commands. Frankly though, for the extra $2, I'd grab the Fire TV Stick 4K Max.AmazonThe Fire TV Cube (which is rarely discounted much) is on sale at an all-time low price of $110 (21 percent off). It's Amazon's most powerful streaming device with a hexa-core processor, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. It supports 4K, HDR content with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and it has picture-in-picture live view as well. You're also getting hands-free Alexa controls, too, which means the Cube's built-in speaker will hear and recognize your commands to turn off your lights or check the weather, even with your TV off.Finally, if you want to upgrade your remote on any Fire TV device, the Alexa Remote Pro is on sale for $28, or 20 percent off the regular price. It features a backlight and programmable buttons, but the most useful feature is the Remote Finder, which lets you ask Alexa to trigger a noise if decides to play hide and seek. And if you want to save a few more bucks on top of these all-time low prices, don't forget that Amazon is offering a $5 credit with the purchase of a $50 eGift Card.Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for the best Amazon Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In the Know. Hear from Autoblog's car experts on must-shop auto-related Prime Day deals and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazons-fire-tv-stick-4k-max-falls-to-25-in-early-prime-day-streaming-sale-103554549.html?src=rss

Google has updated its privacy policy to state that it can use publicly available data to help train its AI models. The tech giant has changed the wording of its policy over the weekend and switched "AI models" for "language models." It also stated that it could use publicly available information to build not just features, but full products like "Google Translate, Bard, and Cloud AI capabilities." By updating its policy, it's letting people know and making it clear that anything they publicly post online could be used to train Bard, its future versions and any other generative AI product Google develops.The tech giant has highlighted the changes to its privacy policy on its archive, but here's a copy of the pertinent part:GoogleCritics have been raising concerns about companies' use of information posted online to train their large language models for generative AI use. Recently, a proposed class action lawsuit was filed against OpenAI, accusing it of scraping "massive amounts of personal data from the internet," including "stolen private information," to train its GPT models without prior consent. As Search Engine Journal notes, we'll likely see plenty of similar lawsuits in the future as more companies develop their own generative AI products.Owners of websites that could be considered public squares in the digital age have also taken steps to either prevent or profit from the generative AI boom. Reddit has started charging for access to its API, leading third-party clients to shut down over the weekend. Meanwhile, Twitter put a restriction on how many tweets a user sees per day to "address extreme levels of data scraping [and] system manipulation."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/googles-updated-privacy-policy-states-it-can-use-public-data-to-train-its-ai-models-095541684.html?src=rss

Google's Pixel 8 Pro may have been revealed in new photos on Reddit by someone affiliated with Google, DroidLife has reported. The back shows a very Pixel-like camera array along with the rumored body temperature sensor, along with a sticker that reads "for test/evaluation only." Another reads "Zuma - B1," a possible code name for Google's incoming Tensor G3 chip. The front screen, meanwhile, shows a Fastboot Mode indicating 12GB of Samsung LPDDR5 DRAM, 128GB of storage and "husky," a previously revealed codename for the Pixel 8 Pro.The Pixel 8 Pro is supposed to have a more capable camera array, with a 50-megapixel (MP) Samsung main camera that allows 50 percent more light, and a 64MP ultrawide Sony camera. It also looks to have a flat display, as rumored, rather than a curved one like the Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 7 Pro models. According to yet another leak, it will have a 5,000 mAh battery (roughly the same as the Pixel 7 Pro) and a modest bump from a 23W to a 27W max charging speed.RedditIn a series of posts on Reddit, the poster "annoyingtoread", said that he received it "from the device team in Google for testing." The person then mused that they should perhaps use a throwaway account, and someone replied "you really should, considering that in this account you've even posed pictures of yourself." The original poster subsequently deleted his account.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/googles-pixel-8-pro-prototype-revealed-in-leak-091118014.html?src=rss

Amazon has the Blink Mini for a mere $17.50 in an early Prime Day deal - half off the security camera's $35 sticker price. The small plug-in device can give you extra peace of mind while you're away from home, letting you check in remotely to ensure your space is free from intruders (or talk to your pets using its two-way audio). The lower price for Prime Day could make it easier to set up a fleet of them in your home without breaking the bank.Unlike the more expensive Blink Indoor, the Blink Mini is a plug-in device, so make sure you have a nearby power outlet or can run an extension cord to the area where you'll set it up. The Blink Mini offers 1080p capture, infrared night vision and optional phone alerts if it senses motion while armed. Setup is straightforward, only requiring a few minutes of following instructions in the Blink app to connect it to WiFi. However, the camera only works with Amazon Alexa, so you may want to look at competing products in Engadget's Smart Home Guide if you rely on Siri or Google Assistant for voice control.If you're more interested in monitoring your yard or entrance, Amazon also has the Blink Outdoor for half off as part of the same early Prime Day deal. Usually $100, you can snag it today for $50. The weather-resistant" wireless camera records in 1080p and can last up to an estimated two years on a pair of AA batteries. Remember that you'll need a Blink Sync Module 2 and a Blink Subscription to save your recorded photos and videos to the cloud with this model.Finally, this Blink Video Doorbell bundle - which includes the Sync Module 2 - is on sale for $47.49 (usually $95.) Like the other devices, it supports 1080p live video with nighttime infrared support and can run for up to two years on a couple of AA batteries. Amazon also describes it as weather-resistant, with a seal protecting it against water. Setup can vary, depending on whether you connect it wired or wirelessly, but either way, the Blink app will guide you through the steps. And if you opt for the simpler wireless setup, you can configure it to use a Blink Mini to play a chime indoors when someone visits.Amazon has deals on several other Blink bundles as well. You can check out the entire sale for the full details.Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for the best Amazon Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In the Know. Hear from Autoblog's car experts on must-shop auto-related Prime Day deals and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazon-discounts-the-blink-mini-by-50-percent-in-an-early-prime-day-deal-070938182.html?src=rss

We've known for quite a while that Meta has been building a Twitter competitor, but now we have a more solid idea of when it will become available. A listing for the app called Threads has popped up in the iOS App Store with an estimated release date of July 6th. In May, a report came out saying that the microblogging service was nearing completion and could be out as soon as the end of June. While an end-of-June launch didn't quite happen, the app could be arriving at a time when Twitter users are more willing (and maybe even eager) to try an alternative.Twitter recently put a cap on how many tweets an unverified account can read per day. In a post, Elon Musk announced that verified accounts - which translates to paying users - can read 6,000 posts a day, while unverified/nonpaying users can only read 600. He said the website is adopting the measure to "address extreme levels of data scraping [and] system manipulation." A regular user can easily hit 600 posts, so people who haven't been paying $8 to $11 a month for blue checkmark have been getting locked out of their feeds as a result.Meta describes Threads as "Instagram's text-based conversation app." Based on the screenshots posted in the listing, users can keep their Instagram handle and follow the same accounts they follow on the photo-sharing platform. That means users will have a pre-existing following and circles on the new app, giving it an edge over other Twitter rivals. Users will also be able to choose the privacy of their posts and make them visible to anyone, to the profiles they follow or only to the accounts they mention. They will be able to heart, send and share other people's posts, as well.Previous reports said Meta's Twitter competitor would be a decentralized service that's compatible with Mastodon, but it's unclear if that's still the case when it launches. We'll know for sure within a few days.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/metas-instagram-linked-twitter-rival-threads-could-arrive-on-july-6th-063129168.html?src=rss

If you've been having trouble using Twitter recently, you aren't alone - the service has been having issues ever since it started limiting the number of posts users could view each day. Although many of the platform's issues stabilized over the weekend, Tweetdeck remains broken unless users switch to the beta version of the list aggregator. Now, Twitter is gearing up to solve the issue by making that beta version of Tweetdeck the main version, announcing on Monday that it has "launched a new, improved version of Tweetdeck."

Tidal has followed Apple Music, Deezer and Amazon Music by increasing the price of its base HiFi subscription. Starting on August 1st, the cost of an individual membership is going up by $1 to $11 per month in the US, while the family plan will run you $17 per month, an increase of $2. According to Billboard, prices are going up in other markets too.Tidal confirmed to Engadget that the Tidal HiFi Plus tier is not affected. This $20 per month plan includes Dolby Atmos Music, Sony 360 Audio and Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) tracks. There appear to be no changes to the free tier, student plan and discounted military membership for now.Several of Tidal's rivals have increased their prices in recent months. Deezer and Apple Music both bumped up the prices of their individual plans to $11 per month in late 2022. Amazon Music followed suit in February.Spotify, meanwhile, hasn't changed the price of its $10 per month individual plan in the US since 2011. The company is expected to do so in the near future, following recent remarks by CEO Daniel Ek. Rumors also suggest that Spotify's long-awaited high-fidelity plan, which is said to include audiobooks, could arrive this year.Update 7/3 2:53PM ET: Added clarification from Tidal.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tidal-is-increasing-its-hifi-plan-to-11-per-month-183139113.html?src=rss

Remember the early days of the AI hype train, when everyone spent their time making stupid images using text prompts? If you want to recapture the nostalgic haze of, uh, late 2022, Picsart has got you covered. The popular image editor just launched an AI-powered animated GIF generator.The major difference between earlier text-to-image platforms like DALL-E and Picsart's new tool is animation. DALL-E is best known for making static images, whereas Picsart's software creates animated GIFs, just like the ones you've been sending in group chats and social media platforms for years. Only, now you don't have to search for your favorite It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia characters doing outlandish things. You can just make those outlandish things up. You can even make two cats arm wrestle.PicsartPicsart is calling the tool its most unhinged" platform yet, and it works exactly how you expect. Type a bunch of nonsense into the chat box, wait a minute or so and marvel at your chaotic and eccentric" creation. The platform's integrated into the regular Picsart app and is available for iOS devices, Android devices and on the web. You can download the GIF directly to your device to share with your group chat or to send anywhere else.The images created by this platform are on the cartoony side, so don't expect photorealism. However, that just adds to the fun. Picsart's AI GIF generator is available right now, so let the nonsense begin. Just don't use these tools to make the opening credits for an uber-expensive TV show based on popular comic book characters.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/animated-gif-generator-from-picsart-makes-ai-fun-again-175935532.html?src=rss

Your eyes aren't deceiving you. There really is an HBO show on Netflix. All five seasons of Issa Rae's highly acclaimed comedy-drama series Insecure are now streaming on Netflix in the US. Not only that, more HBO shows are on the way to the service as Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) tries to wring more revenue out of its expansive library.Band of Brothers, The Pacific, Six Feet Under and Ballers are also coming to Netflix as part of the deal, the company told Deadline. Meanwhile, Netflix users outside the US will be able to stream True Blood on the service. This is the first time that HBO content has appeared on Netflix in the US, though some has previously been available on Prime Video. The shows will still be available on Max.