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More major advertisers are pulling their ads from X amid a growing backlash to antisemitic content on the platform. Apple, Disney and Lionsgate are all reportedly suspending ads from the platform days after X owner Elon Musk appeared to publicly endorse an antisemitic conspiracy theory, according to Axios and The New York Times.Warner Brothers Discovery also paused its ads, according to Deadline, as did Paramount Global per CNBC.The companies join IBM, which confirmed Thursday it was suspending its ads while it investigated a report that found ads for its Watson division appearing next to pro-Nazi content. The report, published by watchdog group Media Matters, also found ads for Apple, Oracle and other tech companies alongside similar content.An executive at X previously told Engadget that the posts identified by Media Matters were no longer monetizable and that the X system is not intentionally placing a brand actively next to this type of content, nor is a brand actively trying to support this content with placement." X CEO Linda Yaccarino also said that X has also been extremely clear about our efforts to combat antisemitism and discrimination."Many of X's advertisers have long been concerned about the state of hate speech on the platform, but the departures of Apple, Disney, Lionsgate and IBM are a new blow to the company's already struggling ad business. And it appears that a recent tweet from Musk, in which voiced agreement with an account promoting an antisemitic conspiracy theory, has prompted more advertisers pull back from the platform, at least temporarily.Axios reported that Apple opted to pause" all advertising on the platform, though it's not clear whether the decision was driven by Musk's tweet, Media Matters' report or both. The company didn't immediately respond to a request for comment, but this wouldn't be the first time the company has raised concerns about the direction of the platform under Musk's leadership, and its role as a major advertiser. Apple CEO Tim Cook said in September the company was constantly" questioning whether it should continue advertising on X. Apple also briefly paused ads on X (then Twitter) last year, amid a "misunderstanding" between the two CEOs.The latest advertiser exodus comes one year after civil rights groups called for an advertiser boycott following Musk's takeover of Twitter amid concerns about rising hate speech and relaxed content moderation policies under Musk. Though some major Twitter advertisers returned to the platform, the company's ad business never rebounded. Musk said over the summer that the company's ad revenue was down more than 50 percent.Update, November 17 2023, 6:55PM ET: This story has been updated to note that Disney and Lionsgate have joined Apple in pausing advertising on X.Update, November 17 2023, 7:15PM ET: This story has been updated to reflect reports that Warner Brothers Discovery has also pulled its ads.Update, November 17 2023, 7:45PM ET: This story has been updated with CNBC's report that Paramount Global has also pulled ads from X.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-reportedly-pulls-ads-from-x-amid-a-growing-backlash-to-antisemitic-content-on-the-platform-205849759.html?src=rss

In a surprise shakeup of its c-suite Friday, OpenAI's board of directors announced that CEO Sam Altman has been fired and will be leaving both the company and the board, effective immediately. Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati has been named interim CEO.Altman's oustering reportedly follows an internal "deliberative review process" which found he had not been "consistently candid in his communications with the board, hindering its ability to exercise its responsibilities," the company announced. As such, "the board no longer has confidence in his ability to continue leading OpenAI."OpenAI, which owns popular AI chatbot ChatGPT, thanked Altman for his "many contributions to the founding and growth of OpenAI," but believes that "as the leader of the company's research, product, and safety functions, Mira is exceptionally qualified to step into the role of interim CEO." The board added it has "the utmost confidence in her ability to lead OpenAI during this transition period."OpenAI's board is comprised of the company's Chief Scientist Ilya Sutskever, as well as Chairman and President Greg Brockman. Independent advisors, who hold no equity in the company, are also board members: Quora CEO Adam D'Angelo, tech entrepreneur Tasha McCauley and privacy advocate Helen Toner of the Georgetown Center for Security and Emerging Technology. Altman was also considered an independent advisor on the board, despite being CEO of the company prior to his departure.

Half-Life is one of the greatest video games of all time and just ahead of its 25th anniversary on Sunday, Valve has released a major update for the first-person shooter. For one thing, the base game now includes Half-Life Uplink. This was a demo of Half-Life, but most of its content doesn't appear in the original game.Uplink was initially available on CDs that came free with magazines (remember those?) and hardware like sound cards. It's also been available on the internet for a while for those who know where to look. But now players can access it by clicking the New Game button in Half-Life itself.On top of that, Valve has added four spanking new multiplayer maps. Some might seem familiar, such as one based on an abandoned Xen outpost and another set at an old orbital satellite launch facility. "If we could switch on the oxygen lines, power, and fuel, we might just be able to light this candle," Valve said. The company has added three other maps that were originally available on a disc called Half-Life: Further Data.You can now, at long last, play the original Half-Life in widescreen without having to resort to mods or the fan remake Black Mesa. Valve has added controller support along with a string of other under-the-hood updates, UI tweaks and bug fixes. Steam Networking support should make multiplayer smoother too.

Amazon is sacking employees in its Alexa division even as it prepares to upgrade Alexa to be as smart as modern AI-powered chatbots like ChatGPT. The move will impact several hundred employees in the US, Canada, and India, according to an internal email sent on Friday.As we continue to invent, we're shifting some of our efforts to better align with our business priorities, and what we know matters most to customers - which includes maximizing our resources and efforts focused on generative AI," wrote Daniel Bausch, Amazon's vice president of Alexa and Fire TV in the email, first obtained by GeekWire. These shifts are leading us to discontinue some initiatives, which is resulting in several hundred roles being eliminated."An Amazon spokesperson confirmed to Engadget that the company was, indeed, laying off several hundred" people in the division and said that Amazon was trying to find roles for those impacted wherever possible. While this was a hard decision to make, we remain very optimistic about the future of Alexa," the spokesperson said in a statement. As we move forward, Alexa remains an incredibly important part of our business, and we will continue to invest and innovate to deliver on our vision." The spokesperson did not say which initiatives were being discontinued.Amazon released Alexa in 2014. But nearly ten years later, most people don't use the digital assistant for anything beyond playing music, asking for the weather, or setting timers. OpenAI's ChatGPT, which was powered by generative AI, was widely perceived to be smarter than Alexa and Siri, which sometimes struggle with basic requests. A few months ago, OpenAI added voice capabilities to ChatGPT, letting people have conversations with it in natural language.In September, Amazon announced that it would upgrade Alexa with capabilities that would bring it closer in line with ChatGPT. Alexa will soon be powered by a large language model, the same foundational technology that is the basis of modern chatbots like ChatGPT. Our latest model has been specifically optimized for voice," David Limp, Amazon's SVP of Devices & Services, told the audience at the company's event that month, and the things we know our customers love - like having access to real-time information, efficiently controlling their smart home, and getting the most out of their home entertainment." Earlier this year, Limp announced he would leave Amazon after more than 13 years later this year and is now the CEO of Jeff Bezos' space company Blue Origin.The new upgrades to Alexa will mean that you won't have to say Alexa" each time you want something done. You'll also be able to give complex requests, like asking the assistant to prepare the house for bedtime every weeknight at 9 PM, dim the lights, lock the doors, and set the temperature all at one go. Alexa will also be able to hold longer conversations and maintain the context of the discussion.Amazon has so far laid off more than 27,000 employees across the company after it began mass-scale cutbacks a year ago for the first time in its history. Last week, the company cut 180 jobs from its gaming division, including the entire staff of Crown, a company-backed Twitch channel. Earlier this month, Amazon also laid off an unspecified number of employees in its music streaming unit and has previously cut more than 100 employees from its gaming divisions.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazon-is-laying-off-several-hundred-employees-working-on-alexa-190339189.html?src=rss

Cadillac has unveiled a new entry-level compact electric SUV. The Optiq will sit below the Lyriq in Cadillac's lineup, and images the automaker shared suggest it will also borrow from the more expensive SUV's stylings. However, you may have to wait a while before buying one, as Cadillac says we won't hear more about the Optiq (including its full specs) until 2024.The Optiq will continue Cadillac's naming convention of ending its EVs' names with some form of IQ." In addition to the Lyriq, other examples include the Escalade IQ and Celestiq.Although Cadillac hasn't explicitly stated so, the Optiq will likely use GM's Ultium battery platform. Road and Driver speculates that since Cadillac's SUV is similar in size to the Chevy Equinox EV, it could have similar specs. The Equinox has a 210-horsepower electric motor for the front wheels and an optional 290-horsepower dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup with a range likely capping out at around 300 miles for maxed-out configurations.CadillacAutoblog notes details we already know about the version of the Optiq made for China, thanks to photos and information shared through the country's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) pre-market vehicle approval process. That model is allegedly 189.8 inches long, 75.3 inches wide and 64.6 inches tall. That would make it around 2.5 inches narrower and seven inches shorter (in length) than the Lyriq. The China model is listed as weighing 4.850 lbs with a top speed of 112 mph. It has two front-wheel-drive configurations, including a 201-horsepower motor and a 241-hp one.Cadillac's full press release was short and to the point. Today, Cadillac has confirmed the fourth vehicle to join its expanding global electric vehicle portfolio - OPTIQ," the announcement reads. OPTIQ will act as the entry point for Cadillac's EV lineup in North America, slotting in below LYRIQ, a luxury compact SUV. OPTIQ's spirited driving dynamics are designed to appeal to global luxury customers. Additional details, as well as available features and pricing, will be unveiled next year."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cadillacs-midrange-optiq-electric-suv-takes-cues-from-the-high-end-lyriq-183414934.html?src=rss

A number of Anker chargers, cables, power adapters and other accessories are on sale for Black Friday at Amazon, with discounts of up to 37 percent. One key callout is on our favorite premium power bank, Anker's Prime 20,000 mAH battery with charging base. It's currently down to $130 for the set and the lowest price ever. At full price, we've seen the set go for as high as $200. The base is what makes it really stand apart from other power banks - simply drop the brick on the platform and it starts recharging.The screen on the Prime bank is impressive as well, detailing just how much charge the pack has left and how much is heading out of each of the three ports (one USB-A and two USB-C). In our tests, it revived a dead iPhone back to 100 percent in just over an hour and 45 minutes, with enough left over for another three-quarters charge. It brought a spent iPad Air back to full in a little under two hours. Not only is the base an easy way to recharge the battery, it also acts as a charging hub with three ports of its own for powering up other stuff.Other Anker accessories we like are seeing big discounts too, including the 67W USB-C charger for 37 percent off, bringing it to $38, matching its all-time low. It has two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, so you can charge your phone, tablet and even a battery pack at one time.Our top 65W fast wall charger is Anker's 735 GaN Prime, which is down to a new low price after a 38 percent discount. It's got the same three ports as the above wall adapter and outperformed other contenders in our tests.Finally, the diminutive and handy Anker Nano Power Bank is seeing one of its first discounts since coming on the market a couple months ago. It's down to $21 and would make a great stocking stuffer - particularly for those who always seem to have a phone hovering around 5 percent. The small brick has a built-in foldable USB-C connector and in my experience, it got a Galaxy S23 Ultra to 62 percent in about an hour. Plus its easy to use the phone while the bank is pugged in.Check out the larger Black Friday Anker sale here.Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo's Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog's experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ankers-black-friday-deals-will-save-you-up-to-37-percent-on-some-of-our-favorite-charging-gear-183048555.html?src=rss

If you're looking for a streaming device with a bit more oomph than a standard USB stick, you should check out the NVIDIA Shield TV Pro. It's on sale right now for Black Friday, matching a record-low price of $170. That's $30 off the MSRP, representing a savings of 15 percent for those keeping score.This is an extremely powerful device, with enough juice to stream movies, run a PLEX server, play games via the cloud and do just about anything you want. There's a reason, after all, the Shield TV Pro made our list of the best streaming devices you can buy in 2023. It runs on the Android TV platform and boasts a capable Tegra X1+ processor, so it easily handles 4K streams. It'll even upscale 720p and 1080p video to 4K via the company's proprietary AI neural network.We also liked that this box supports Dolby Vision and HDR10, in addition to boasting 16GB of built-in storage for direct uploads of content. You also get 3GB of RAM to help speed up navigation and opening apps. As for content, you have your pick from all of the major streamers and anything else available on the Google Play Store. It'll also play just about any game from the Play Store, though you'll have to bring along your own controller.To that end, you can use the device to opt into NVIDIA's GeForce Now cloud gaming service, which provides access to over 1,500 games, including the full spate of Xbox Game Pass titles. The Shield Pro boasts an ethernet port for graphically-intensive game streams. About the only downside to this device is the original asking price, an issue made less urgent due to this sale.Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo's Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog's experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nvidias-shield-tv-pro-drops-to-a-record-low-of-170-for-black-friday-182709988.html?src=rss

The Google Pixel Fold, released earlier this year, is on sale for $1,399, knocking $400 off its original price of $1,799. This Amazon Black Friday deal marks the lowest price ever on the 256GB model. If you need more storage on your smartphone, the 512GB model is going for $1,519, down from $1,919. The foldable is powered by the Google Tensor G2 and offers 12GB of RAM, making it a great option for those looking to invest in a foldable smartphone as their daily driver. If you're interested in other Black Friday Google Pixel deals, the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro are down to record low prices as well.The Pixel Fold earned a spot on Engadget's top foldable phones list, namely for how easy it is to use and for its wide-screen design. Folded, the phone gives you a 5.8-inch screen to work with, and unfolded you get a big, 7.6-inch immersive display. When open, the foldable's split screen allows you to multitask and do things like shop online and make video calls at the same time. You're also able to use the main screen and external screen together, letting you take pictures and look at live previews simultaneously. Coming soon is Google Translate's interpreter mode as well, which allows you to watch translations appear on both screens while you're talking to another person in a different language.In terms of camera quality, the Pixel Fold has a lot to offer. The triple rear camera system includes a 48-megapixel main lens, an ultrawide shooter and a telephoto camera with up to 5x optical zoom that delivers sharp photos in daylight and well-exposed photos in the dark. In Engadget's review, one of its selling points was that the photos beat the competition. When compared to Samsung's Galaxy foldable, Google's phone delivered images with better shadows and highlights. Notably, even with Samsung's food mode" on, Engadget's Sam Rutherford said the Pixel Fold's photo chops made food look more appetizing. The phone can also shoot 4K videos at 30 frames per second and 60 frames per second, which is on par with other foldables.Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo's Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog's experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-google-pixel-fold-is-400-off-for-black-friday-181050039.html?src=rss

It has only been a couple of weeks since Apple debuted its M3-powered MacBook Pros, but most variants are already on sale for Black Friday. For instance, you can snap up the base 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro for $1,449 in a great Apple Black Friday deal. That's $150 off the standard price.This model, to which we gave a score of 90 in our review, sits between the MacBook Air and more powerful MBPs. The standard M3 chip has an eight-core CPU and a 10-core GPU. It should handle basic tasks without any issue, as the chipset is fast and efficient. The 14-inch MBP has a gorgeous Liquid Retina XDR display, while Apple's keyboard and trackpad remain great.Unfortunately, this model only comes with 8GB of RAM. That could prove a problem for those who like to keep several apps open or have a bunch of tabs in their browser at the same time. We'd definitely add more RAM before recommending it as the best MacBook for creatives. There's also one fewer USB-C port than you'll get in more expensive variants.So, you may want to stump up some extra cash for a more capable version. A model with a more powerful M3 Pro chip (11core CPU and 14core GPU), 18GB of RAM and a third USB-C/Thunderbolt port is also $150 off at $1,849. However, it still has 512GB of storage.Photo by Devindra Hardawar/EngadgetMeanwhile, if you're looking for a model with a larger screen, you can opt for a 16-inch M3 MacBook Pro. Those are typically $200 off for Black Friday. The 16-inch MBP is much the same as a 14-inch one, albeit with a larger screen and spec bump.A variant with an M3 Pro chipset that has a 12core CPU and 18core GPU, a 16.2-inch display, 18GB of memory and 512GB of storage will run you $2,299. That's eight percent off the usual price of $2,499. This version is also available in the eye-catching Space Black colorway.Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo's Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog's experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-m3-macbook-pros-are-up-to-200-off-for-black-friday-175043898.html?src=rss

The GoPro Hero 12 Black action camera is on sale for $100 off as part of a Black Friday deal. The sale's available via Amazon, Adorama and even the manufacturer itself. This deal is for an accessories bundle, so you can get a carrying case, a strap, an extra battery, a mount and other add-ons, in addition to the camera. All told, that brings the price down to $350 from $450.This is the latest and greatest action camera by the company. We admired the Hero 12 in our official review, calling out the improved battery life when compared to the Hero 11, as it allows for 35 minutes of continuous use per charge. Remember, this deal ships with an extra battery, so that's 70 minutes, minus 30 seconds of fiddling with the battery compartment.We also loved the addition of Bluetooth audio streaming, which even works with devices like Apple's AirPods Pro earbuds. This means you can easily wear earbuds without calling too much attention to yourself while hosting an impromptu vlog or live commentary of some kind. The latency is barely perceptible, if noticeable at all. This functionally also allows you to control the GoPro from afar, thanks to voice commands. Gone are the days of having to chop off those awkward final seconds of footage featuring you clumsily walking to turn the camera off.The Hero 12 Black boasts a larger image sensor, allowing users to experiment with different aspect ratios using the same footage, in addition to offering an 8:7 mode across every setting. On the downside, this is a modest upgrade of sorts, so many of the remaining metrics remain the same as with the GoPro Hero 11. Your footage will look a bit cleaner, but it won't be a night and day difference.Still, this is a good deal for a full-featured action camera that ships with everything you need to not only get started, but thrive. This is a limited-time offer but there's no set end-date, with the company stating that it will continue until GoPro terminates the program."Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo's Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog's experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/a-gopro-hero-12-black-bundle-with-accessories-is-100-off-for-black-friday-171926991.html?src=rss

Apple has joined Meta and TikTok owner ByteDance in contesting their platforms' definitions as part of the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA). The legislation allows regulators to designate dominant companies' services or platforms as gatekeepers," or big and powerful enough to act as a bottleneck between businesses and customers, which it can then fine for prohibited behavior. It currently targets 22 gatekeeper services run by six Big Tech companies (Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet's Google, Meta, Amazon and ByteDance's TikTok). The law encourages consumer-friendly competition, preventing businesses from imposing unfair conditions on customers.The EU Court of Justice (via Reuters) posted on X Friday about Apple's formal objection, announcing that the iPhone maker had joined Meta and ByteDance in contesting its decisions. Although the complaint details aren't public, Bloomberg News reported last week that Apple would challenge the App Store's gatekeeper designation. The company said this week it would soon support RCS on iPhone, potentially removing one of the EU's bones to pick with iMessage consumer lock-in.

The Elgato Stream Deck+ is down to $170 ahead of Black Friday at Amazon and directly from Elgato. That's a $30 discount and its lowest price ever - a full $10 cheaper than it was for Prime Day in July. Game streamers, podcasters and other creators are likely to find the production console endlessly useful, with its programmable buttons, touch bar and dials for incremental adjustments to app settings.This is the newest streaming controller from Elgato and we recommend its 15-key sibling, the MK.2 in our guide to game streaming gear. This one has fewer buttons (8 instead of 15) but it adds in dials and a touch bar that let you make minute adjustments to volume and image levels, light brightness, camera zoom or whatever else you set them to control. The buttons themselves are programmable with icons so you can quickly tell each button apart.Stream decks are game changers (no pun intended) for live streamers with a single button press controlling actions that usually take a few steps. Program a button to mute your mic, activate canned audio snippets, trigger on-screen effects, switch cameras or set off lighting schemes. The deck is also useful for non-game streamers too, allowing for shortcuts in Photoshop for graphic designers, enabling controls for an audio producer's DAW or handling functions in Premiere or other video editing programs.If you know someone getting into game streaming, this could make a great gift, especially now that it's more affordable than ever.Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo's Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog's experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazon-black-friday-deal-elgatos-stream-deck-is-down-to-its-lowest-price-ever-163136379.html?src=rss

Rivian is sweetening the pot just ahead of the Tesla Cybertruck launch by offering a free wall charger and a $2,000 installation credit when you buy an electric pickup. This deal's only for the R1T truck and doesn't apply to the company's R1S SUV. The Home Charging Bundle, as it's called, will be in effect until the end of the year.Here's how it works. The wall charger ships a few days after ordering the truck, saving you around $800, and the purchase automatically provides a credit with Rivian's installation partner Qmerit. Just contact Qmerit to set up an installation and it should be smooth sailing from there. According to the installation company, these installation projects typically cost $800 to $2,000, plus a $150 deposit to schedule a visit. In other words, Rivian's deal should essentially make this free. It's also worth noting that the R1T qualifies for that $3,750 tax credit.This enticing offer comes just ahead of scheduled Tesla Cybertruck deliveries, which allegedly begin on November 30. Tesla's experienced its fair share of controversy regarding the stainless steel dystopian wonder. The company originally instituted a strange policy that would fine Cybertruck buyers $50,000 if they attempted to resell the vehicle too soon, before reversing course after public outcry. There's also this offputting video. It's certainly been a long, strange trip since the truck-ish vehicle was announced back in 2019.Of course, Rivian has had its own issues recently. The company instituted two, yes two, airbag recalls in less than a month. It's also gone through a couple rounds of layoffs, which is not typically a good sign. It's not all bad news, however, as Rivian is building a $5 billion manufacturing facility in Georgia.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/rivian-now-offers-a-wall-charger-and-2000-install-credit-with-ev-truck-purchases-162252249.html?src=rss

There's a good iPad deal to be found if you're looking for an entry-level model. The 10th-generation iPad has dropped to its lowest price ever. The 64GB WiFi variant is down to $349 for Black Friday. That's $100 off and $30 less than the previous low. You can take your pick from the pink, blue, silver and yellow hues, since they're all available for $349.We gave the 10th-gen iPad, which Apple released just over a year ago, a score of 85 in our review. It's a complete redesign compared with the 9th-gen model. The Home button has vanished, Touch ID is integrated into the lock button and there's a larger, 10.9-inch display. Apple has also moved the front-facing camera to the landscape edge, which is far more sensible, particularly for those who take video calls on their tablet.We found that the 10th-gen iPad offers better performance and battery life than the previous model, though its A14 Bionic chip is not as powerful as the M1 or M2 that you'll find in a current iPad Air or iPad Pro. The display pales in comparison to those on other types of iPads too. However, if you're looking for a relatively inexpensive Apple tablet on which you can browse the web, answer emails, stream TV shows and movies, take notes and maybe even take care of some light photo editing, the 10th-gen iPad will fit the bill.Meanwhile, the 9th-gen iPad has been available at a record low price of $249 for a while. It's our pick for the best budget iPad, though the performance and battery life improvements on the 10th-gen iPad may make that worth the upgrade given the current sale price. However you slice it, the 9th-gen iPad is the least expensive Apple tablet around, and it's still capable enough when it comes to casual tasks.Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo's Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog's experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-10th-gen-apple-ipad-is-at-its-lowest-price-ever-in-an-amazon-black-friday-deal-160553943.html?src=rss

Discord is pulling the plug on its AI chatbot, Clyde, less than a year after it was first introduced. Clyde's support page has been updated with a note alerting users that the bot will be deactivated at the end of this month. The platform announced Clyde back in March, describing it as an experimental feature. It's powered by OpenAI technology.By December 1, 2023, users will no longer be able to invoke Clyde in DMs, Group DMs or server chats," according to the note. Clyde was intended to act as an AI helper that could be accessed right within the server. Users could also converse with it for fun, and ask it to play games or spit jokes. It didn't seem to roll out universally, though, and in the months after its release some users complained that their servers never got access to the bot. And, screenshots occasionally posted to the Discord subreddit showed it could easily be coaxed into spouting vile language.Whatever the reason for its shutdown, Clyde will be no more come December. Discord integrated other AI features in the last year alongside the release of Clyde, including moderation tools, conversation summaries and avatar editing.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/discord-is-already-killing-clyde-its-experimental-openai-chatbot-155231238.html?src=rss

Amazon started its Black Friday deals early this year, and many Amazon devices are on sale right now. We sifted through the sale and selected standout deals on Amazon Kindles, Fire TV sticks, Echo speakers, and Eero routers. There's also a bundle that combines an Amazon display with a doorbell to extend the utility of both. We expect these prices to stay the same through Cyber Monday, so it's probably a safe bet to do the majority of your shopping now.Echo Show 5The Echo Show 5 is Amazon's smallest smart display and was completely refreshed back in May of this year. The processor and audio quality were improved, but the device remains largely the same. It makes a good screen-enabled bedside alarm clock or a handy kitchen display so you can see recipe videos or make calls as you cook. It's currently down to $40 which is $50 off and a discount it has hit twice in the past couple months.Ring Video Doorbell and Echo Show 5The Ring Video Doorbell paired up with an Echo Show 5 is a great starter kit for a connected home. Right now, the two together are $65. Bought separately and at full price, you'd pay $190, though both devices are often discounted, so this deal is about $10 less than the typical sale price for the two. The doorbell runs on battery or your existing doorbell wires and shoots motion-triggered 1080p video, sending it to the Ring app on your phone or directly to your Echo Show 5.Fire TV Stick 4K MaxThe new Fire TV Stick 4K Max is on sale for $40, which is a 33 percent discount and its lowest price since its debut in September. This new model has a faster processor than the previous 4K Max dongle, and is the first stick to support Amazon's Ambient Experience, which was previously limited to the Fire TV sets. When you're not watching, the screen will display art, along with widgets for weather, calendar and smart home devices. The Alexa remote lets you search for and play shows and movies just by talking, and also supports Wi-Fi 6E, letting those who've upgraded to take advantage of that tri-band connection.Kindle ScribeThe base model Kindle Scribe with 16GB of storage and Amazon's "Basic Pen" stylus is down to $240, which is $100 off its $340 list price and and a new low price that's $15 less than the members-only deal from Amazon's July Prime Day. We gave it a review score of 85 when it came out last year and it's one of our picks in our guide to the best E Ink tablets. At its core, it's a Kindle ereader that lets you take hand-written notes. That includes drawing, making to-do lists, creating sticky notes and scribbling in the margins of a small selection of Kindle titles (mostly puzzle and journaling books).Echo DotAmazon's most popular speaker, the Echo Dot is back down to $23. That matches its lowest price ever, which it dropped to for both Prime Day sales earlier this year. It's our favorite smart speaker under $50. It does a good job of delivering Alexa's abilities and smart home control and is capable of pumping out louder and cleaner music than you'd expect from such a compact device. It can also set reminders, answer questions and turn off your connected smart lights, just by asking Alexa - which should get even more conversational soon. The Dot with a built-in clock is also on sale, with a 42 percent discount making it $35 or about $5 more than it went for Prime Day in July.Echo PopAmazon's smallest Echo speaker, the Echo Pop, is currently down to $18, which is a 55 percent discount and matches its all-time low price. It has the same Alexa-enabled features as a full sized Echo speaker, but takes up a lot less space. Of course, the sound won't be nearly as full as its larger siblings, so this makes more sense as a way to add the AI's help to the corner of a room than it does as a dedicated music source.EchoThe Echo is the original Amazon smart speaker and it's been refreshed four times since its launch. The latest model switched over to the globe shape, which allows for larger and more directional speakers. It's currently down to $55, which is the same as it went for during both 2023 Prime sales, but about $5 more than it sold for last Black Friday. We named it our favorite smart speaker under $100 because it is noticeably louder than it's two closest competitors, the Nest Audio or HomePod mini and can fill a room with sound. The bass is impressive, though the highs could be crisper. It also brings all that Alexa can do to whichever room you park it in.Fire HD 10 tabletAmazon's revamped Fire HD 10 tablet with 32GB of storage is now down to $80, which is 42 percent off and represents the new model's first discount since its debut in September. Fire tablets make great couch companions, handling casual streaming and browsing, though they aren't productivity workhorses, particularly since you're locked into Amazon's own app store. This generation is speedier and lighter than the previous generation and includes a better 5MP camera for video calls.Echo Show 10The latest generation of the Echo Show 10 smart display is on sale for $90 off the list price. That makes it $160 and matches its lowest price ever. The Show 10 is unique among smart displays in that it can pivot to face the screen towards you as you move around the room. Combined that with the upcoming chatbot update to Alexa, and it feels like we're getting closer to the advent of house robots. In the meantime, you can use the smart display to show you the weather, tell you a joke or start playing M3gan.Eero Pro 6E mesh Wi-Fi routerIf you want to take advantage of that 6 GHz Wi-Fi band, you'll need a router (and devices) that support it. Amazon's own Eero Pro 6E mesh Wi-Fi router is $400 for a set of three, that's a 27 percent discount and matches the lows it's hit a few times before. The set of three routers should blanket up to 6,000 square feet with Wi-Fi coverage. In our tests, the routers performed well enough; they're easy to set up and use, with an app that has a clean UI and step-by-step instructions. Unfortunately, many of the management features are paywalled, whereas systems by Google offer many of those tools for free.Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo's Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog's experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/these-are-the-10-best-amazon-black-friday-deals-on-kindles-five-tv-devices-and-echos-that-you-can-get-right-now-153025921.html?src=rss

If you're in the market for a premium smart speaker that sounds better than sub-$100 options, this Sonos Black Friday deal may be what you're looking for. The company is taking $50 off the Sonos Era 100, which offers improved bass and clarity over its predecessor, the Sonos One. In addition, the company has notable discounts on the Sonos Ray soundbar and Sonos Roam portable speaker, letting you save on a variety of home audio products thanks to early Black Friday sales.Usually $250, the Sonos Era 100 is one of Engadget's picks for the best smart speakers in 2023. Engadget's Nathan Ingraham gave the device a review score of 88, writing, The $250 Era 100 is a complete redesign, inside and out, and the end result is a worthy upgrade and a very versatile speaker."The Sonos Era 100's audio is a cut above budget choices like the Echo Dot and Nest Mini, and it gives you the option of Alexa or the Sonos assistant for voice control. If you pick up two speakers, you can turn them into a stereo pair that fills your room with rich, immersive audio. The WiFi-connected speakers even have Bluetooth as a secondary option.If you're looking for a soundbar this holiday season, the Sonos Ray may also be of interest. Engadget found it to have a solid balance of price and performance with its clear dialogue, rumbling bass and solid stereo presence. Usually $279, Sonos' Black Friday deal brings the soundbar down to $223, making it a much more attractive buy for enhancing your TV's audio.Photo by Nathan Ingraham / EngadgetMeanwhile, the Sonos Roam lets you take your music with you. Sitting at over six and a half inches tall and weighing less than a pound, its sound quality transcends the simple Bluetooth speakers it could easily be mistaken for. Holding down a button is all it takes to switch from its standard WiFi to Bluetooth when taking the little sound machine to a party or outdoor excursion. Speaking of the latter, the speaker is rated IP67, meaning it can withstand sitting in three feet of water for 30 minutes. When reviewing it for Engadget, Ingraham stuck it in a bucket of water and tossed it across the room; it kept playing without skipping a beat. The speaker even adjusts its audio depending on whether it's sitting upright or horizontally.Sonos' sale runs from today through November 27 (Cyber Monday).Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo's Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog's experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sonos-black-friday-deals-discount-the-era-100-smart-speaker-to-199-140002193.html?src=rss

Samsung's Amazon store is selling the 2023 version of its Smart Monitor M8 at a discount, and it's the lowest we've seen the device go for on the website. You can get the smart TV-monitor hybrid for $400, a full $300 less than its retail price and $100 less than its list price during October's Prime Day sale. Absolutely not bad for a model that only became available for purchase in June this year. The new Smart Monitor M8 is an updated version of the device that launched at CES 2022. It's slimmer than its predecessor and can rotate to portrait mode for when you want to see the entirety of long documents onscreen.The 32-inch smart monitor comes with built-in smart TV experience, complete with streaming apps such as Netflix and YouTube. You can enjoy your movies and shows in 4K and 4K HDR for anything that supports it, but it's still very much a monitor that you can do work on. In fact, its Workmode will allow you to remotely access another PC and use Microsoft 365 programs. You can also use the monitor as an internet-of-things hub to control your smart home devices. That means you can change the lighting around your home or adjust the temperature right from the monitor, as long as you connect your smart home products to Samsung's SmartThings.In addition, the model comes with a SlimFit camera that you can use for video calls and conferences. You can easily use the camera's cover for privacy, or even detach it from the monitor if you're not going to use it anytime soon. The Smart Monitor M8 is on sale for $400 as an early Black Friday deal, so it'll most likely go back to a higher price after sales for the season are over.Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo's Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog's experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.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-refreshed-smart-monitor-m8-falls-to-a-new-low-in-early-black-friday-deal-123505651.html?src=rss

Apple has announced it will begin supporting the RCS messaging standard at some point next year. RCS, or Rich Communication Services, was developed by the mobile industry as an upgrade on SMS and MMS. But Apple has been resistant to adopt it both because it prefers its home-grown iMessage platform, and because it's not secure by default. It doesn't help that Google has used RCS as a cudgel in its own text-message-bubble-color culture war with the iPhone maker.In a statement, presumably typed through gritted teeth, Apple said RCS would offer better interoperability compared to SMS and MMS. But added that iMessage, which, unlike RCS, is end-to-end encrypted by default, remains the best and most secure messaging experience." It's likely the change was, in part, motivated by the European Union, which has been turning its attention to the ways the technology industry makes life harder for consumers.- Dan CooperYou can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!The biggest stories you might have missedThe best home theater giftsThe best wireless headphonesGoogle's AI-powered search tool can help tackle your holiday shoppingThe best gifts for book loversLucid's Gravity electric SUV will have a max range of 440 milesMicrosoft's Copilot AI is officially coming to Windows 10Amazon will start selling Hyundais next yearYou can click and collect (from your local dealership).AmazonIt's hard to tell if there's magic in buying a car, or if the dealership just puts on a show to make you think there is. We'll find out for ourselves next year when Amazon enables direct car sales on its platform. The first automaker to sign up is Hyundai, who is, in return, adding Alexa to its 2025-era vehicles.Continue Reading.YouTube's first AI-generated music tools can clone artist voices and turn hums into melodiesJohn Legend and Charli XCX will let you use their vocal stylings.YouTube's newest feature uses an AI to cook up 30-second backing tracks using the voices of high-profile artists. With Dream Track, users specify a general idea for the system to knock out music and lyrics in the style of a selected star. That includes Charli XCX and John Legend, who have both signed up to lend their simulated pipes to your next short clip.Continue Reading. Unity launches a suite of AI tools intended to simplify game creationUnity Muse costs $30 a month.Unity is now making its suite of AI-enhanced game development tools available to everyone for $30 a month. It's designed to take a lot of the hard work out of making a new title, by automating the coding process. In the future, you can expect to see tools to create game graphics, set NPC behaviors and animate characters, which could be a very big deal indeed.Continue Reading.Hackers use a new SEC rule to snitch on the company they infiltratedWho'd have thought?Earlier this year, the SEC mandated companies had four days to notify regulators if they suffer a material cybersecurity breach. So, when hackers accessed fintech company MeridianLink and saw the SEC hadn't been notified, they took matters into their own hands. Reporting was a way to force the company to negotiate, but it's still wild to think they reported their own hack to regulators.Continue Reading.Kia's latest EV concepts go big on geometrics and cabin vibesRetro-futurism never looked so boxy.KiaKia's concept vehicles merit attention because so many features wind up carrying over to the production model. So, if you're curious about what a next-generation Kia will look like, take a gander at this gallery. Hope you love boxy shapes and straight lines.Continue Reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-apple-will-adopt-rcs-in-2024-121529849.html?src=rss

In May 2022, just months before Elon Musk acquired Twitter (now X), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hit the platform with a $150 million fine and consent decree that imposed stipulations for safeguarding users' personal data. The ruling was imposed after the FTC found that Twitter had violated a previous consent decree by inappropriately sharing user phone numbers and email addresses with advertisers.After acquiring Twitter, Elon Musk went to court in an attempt to overturn that consent decree, arguing that the FTC had increased scrutiny on X and pressured a third-party assessor to find fault with its security practices. In a post on X at the time, Musk called the FTC's actions "a shameful case of weaponization of a government agency for political purposes and suppression of the truth."However, a federal judge just rejected that motion, ruling that his court lacked the authority to block the FTC's court order, while also blocking Musk's request to avoid a deposition that's part of a separate investigation, The Washington Post reported. In other words, X must still adhere to the strict privacy reporting standards imposed by the FTC last year.The judge listed other issues with X's argument, noting that the FTC had good reason to increase scrutiny on X after Musk took over. "The government says this increase in investigative activity should not be surprising because Musk directed at least five rounds of terminations, layoffs or other reductions in X Corp.'s workforce, which affected the security, governance, risk and compliance team," he wrote in the ruling.He added that the third-party assessor said he faced steady delays due to executive turnover at X. Finally, the judge ruled that Musk can't avoid being deposed by the FTC, as "the government argues that the major changes to the company appear to have been initiated by Musk himself."Musk's FTC problems started shortly after his acquisition of X, when key executives on Twitter's privacy and security teams departed. Still, Musk seemed willing to comply with the rules, telling employees at the time that "Twitter will do whatever it takes to adhere to both the letter and spirit of the FTC consent decree."Back in March, though, the FTC stepped up its probe into Musk's actions in an effort to get more information about the company's handling of layoffs, X Premium subscriptions, the "Twitter Files" and other issues.Meanwhile, the platform can't seem to stay out of the news, as IBM recently said it would pull advertising on X after discovering its ads were being placed next to pro-Nazi content. Musk himself faced criticism after he appeared to endorse an antisemitic post on the platform.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/judge-rejects-attempt-by-x-to-nullify-ftc-privacy-settlement-111536396.html?src=rss

YouTube videos that feature breastfeeding content can now earn money on the platform, so long as they meet a certain set of criteria. The website has updated its policy to allow monetization of breastfeeding videos that show the mother's areola, as well as those wherein the person in the video is demonstrating how to use a breast pump with nipples visible. Those videos, however, must include contextual reference to breastfeeding and must include a child in the scene. Otherwise, they still won't be able to earn money from ads.Breastfeeding videos with exposed nipples previously couldn't earn money on the website. A spokesperson told TechCrunch that YouTube reconsidered after getting feedback on how helpful they are for those navigating that particular stage of parenthood.In addition, YouTube has also changed its guidelines when it comes to what it calls "non-sexually graphic dancing." Creators can now earn money for videos with dance moves such as twerking and grinding, unless those videos were made to deliberately focus on the dancers' "extreme minimal clothing" or on their breasts, butt and genitalia. They also won't be earning any money if they use moves that mimic sexual acts, such as grabbing a partner's genitalia while dancing. Showing "fleeting minimal clothing" is fine, though, as well as "fleeting caresses of sexual body parts" and doing moves that mimic or simulate sexual acts in a professional setting, such as a dance studio. TechCrunch says the website is now reviewing existing content that could be eligible for monetization under the new rules and will switch on their ads if they'd actually adhered to its advertiser-friendly content guidelines.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/youtube-will-now-let-breastfeeding-and-twerking-videos-be-monetized-084535300.html?src=rss

Qualcomm just unveiled the latest mobile chipset to join its armada, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. Obviously, this is a refresh of the mid-range Snapdragon 7 Gen 2 and brings some new features to the table. We've long known that Qualcomm chips were about to get on-device AI integration, and the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 is no exception.Nearly every aspect of this chip seems to have been designed with artificial intelligence in mind, with Qualcomm saying that the components deliver across-the-board advancements to ignite on-device AI." This should significantly speed up generative AI applications, with advertised benchmarks of just one second to create Stable Diffusion images from a text prompt.Of course, a mobile CPU is more than just AI, despite what marketing wants you to believe, and the 7 Gen 3 seems powerful for a mid-range chipset. It boasts 2.63GHz peak CPU speeds, a 50 percent bump in GPU performance compared to the previous gen and incredible power efficiency" that should ease the strain placed on your phone's battery. Qualcomm also boasts that the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 will help unlock extraordinary camera capabilities" and allow for increased 5G integration.Mobile chipsets are only as good as the phones they power, so Qualcomm has announced partnerships with OEMs like Honor and Vive. The company says there will be an announcement later this month to officially unveil the first smartphone that uses the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. Maybe it'll show up in the just-announced Honor Magic 6, which also boasts a built-in LLM.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/qualcomm-announces-snapdragon-7-gen-3-mobile-chipset-with-ai-acceleration-063019422.html?src=rss

Bluesky has just crossed 2 million users a year after the service's first ever post was created. While that's nowhere near the numbers Threads has already reached, it's still a big accomplishment for the X rival that only opened the app to users in February and still requires an invite for access. Bluesky hit 1 million users merely a couple of months ago, in September, which could mean that the platform has been sending out more invites recently. In its post announcing the milestone, the Bluesky team has also revealed that it's launching a public web interface around the end of November.The interface will allow anybody, even those without an account, to view posts on the platform. Its launch could make more potential users aware about the service's existence, and Bluesky believes making its posts more accessible "will be especially useful for real-time commentary and breaking news." In the long run, it could make the service one of people's go-to social networks for news in the same way X users rely on the website to read about current events.And for those waiting for Bluesky to become a more open platform like Mastodon, the team says federation is "timelined for early next year if development continues as planned." To become a federated or a decentralized and distributed social network, the team is currently developing the AT Protocol, which will give users the power to migrate both their identities and their content from one personal data server to another. "This is one of the core features of Bluesky that makes it 'billionaire-proof,' - you'll always have the freedom to choose (and to exit) instead of being held to the whims of private companies or black box algorithms," the announcement post reads.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/bluesky-hits-2-million-users-and-will-soon-release-a-public-web-interface-062757340.html?src=rss

The LinkedIn-like job search tool that X has been experimenting with is now live. A beta version of the feature launched in August to verified users, but the web version of the tool is now open to everyone on X, with iOS and Android availability expected soon," according to the company.The job search feature appears to already be populated with open positions at numerous tech companies, including those run by Elon Musk. There are currently roles listed for SpaceX, Tesla and Neuralink, as well as X and Musk's newest venture, x.ai.While Musk previously promised we will make sure that the X competitor to LinkedIn is cool," it appears to be very basic for now. Users can browse job listings and descriptions, but are directed to third-party sites to complete an application, even for roles at X. Elsewhere, the company has been testing job cards" so that individual postings are more easily shareable throughout the platform.But there have been signs the company has more ambitious plans for career-oriented features on its everything app." The company recently updated its privacy policy to note that it may collect data related to users' employment history for job applications and recommendations." This may hint at some kind of recruiting feature for X or other, more advanced job finding features down the line.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/xs-job-search-tool-is-now-live-on-the-web-010200007.html?src=rss

IBM is pulling back from X after its ads were placed alongside pro-Nazi content on the platform. The company says it has suspended all ads from the network after nonprofit watchdog group Media Matters reported that it found ads for IBM and several other tech giants next to pro-Nazi memes and other posts promoting Hitler.IBM has zero tolerance for hate speech and discrimination and we have immediately suspended all advertising on X while we investigate this entirely unacceptable situation," the company said in a statement. Comcast, whose ads were also highlighted by Media Matters, told the Financial Timesit was looking into the situation.An executive at X told Engadget that the posts identified by Media Matters will no longer be monetizable" and will appear with sensitive media" labels that require users to click through a warning in order to view the content. They added that while we understand it's not an ideal placement for any ad," the post had only racked up about 8,000 impressions."It's not clear how many campaigns are affected by IBM's decision to suspend ads. But another high profile company pulling back from the platform, even temporarily, is another blow to the company's already battered advertising business.In a post on X, CEO Linda Yaccarino said that discrimination by everyone should STOP across the board," though she didn't reference IBM or Media Matters' report directly. X has also been extremely clear about our efforts to combat antisemitism and discrimination," she wrote. There's no place for it anywhere in the world - it's ugly and wrong."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ibm-suspends-advertising-on-x-after-its-ads-were-placed-next-to-pro-nazi-content-234332820.html?src=rss

Epic has introduced a new tool for documenting toxic behavior in Fortnite. Players will now have access to voice reporting, which will continuously record voice chats in 5-minute segments for players to submit as evidence to moderators when reporting bullying and other forms of harassment. For anyone under the age of 18, this feature will automatically be turned on.Fortnite players who are over 18 will have a bit more say over how voice reporting is applied. In the game's main settings, they'll have the option to set it as Always On," which would apply to every channel they're in, or Off When Possible," which would disable it in Party Channels with friends as long as everyone's preferences match.In what's likely an effort to quell privacy concerns, Epic says audio clips won't be kept for long and they'll only be stored locally on the user's device unless submitted as evidence. And, in those cases, you'll have to move fast. As each new recording comes in, the previous will be deleted. This means only the immediate last five minutes of audio is reportable," Epic said.Epic GamesUnder normal circumstances, audio clips will be auto-deleted either after 14 days or once action has been taken, the company added. If the accused player appeals the decision within that time, it may be extended for another 14 days. However, Epic says it will hold onto an audio clip as long as necessary if legally required to do so.The move follows similar action taken by companies like Activision, Microsoft, Sony and others in the recent past as they attempt to clamp down on harmful online behavior. Earlier this year, Xbox introduced a system for submitting 60-second audio clips alongside reports of abuse in voice chats.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/fortnite-players-can-now-submit-audio-clips-as-evidence-when-reporting-in-game-abuse-220905599.html?src=rss

A hacking group deployed a surprising tactic after infiltrating a financial software company's network. They reported the breach to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).DataBreaches.net initially reported on the incident, which was conducted by ALPHV / BlackCat, a group known for breaching entities as diverse as MGM Resorts and Reddit. The hackers reportedly infiltrated the servers of fintech company MeridianLink on November 7, stealing company data without encrypting it. However, when the business neglected to negotiate directly, the hackers increased the pressure by filing a report with the SEC.They did so citing a new rule the SEC passed this summer, which requires companies falling victim to material cybersecurity incidents" to report them to the agency within four business days.However, the four-day requirement may not have taken effect yet. At least one official form claims the rule kicked in 90 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register (they appear to have been published on August 4, making that alleged effective date November 2) or December 18. But the Federal Register document says, With respect to compliance with the incident disclosure requirements in Item 1.05 of Form 8-K and in Form 6-K [the part referring to the four-day requirement], all registrants other than smaller reporting companies must begin complying on December 18, 2023." Adding to the confusion, Reuters reported in October that the rule takes effect on December 15.Engadget reached out to the SEC to clarify whether the rule is active yet. We'll update this article if we hear back.MeridianLink told BleepingComputer that it quickly worked to contain the threat. Based on our investigation to date, we have identified no evidence of unauthorized access to our production platforms, and the incident has caused minimal business interruption," the company wrote. The company says it's still trying to determine if any consumer personal information was breached, promising to notify affected parties if it was.Whether the SEC has any teeth (or desire) to do anything about MeridianLink's failure to report the incident in four business days, the rule could, ironically, serve as a new tool for cyber attackers. Rather than contacting customers or making calls to tighten the grip and pressure companies to comply with their demands, perhaps they can now simply rat them out to Uncle Sam.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/hackers-use-a-new-sec-rule-to-snitch-on-the-company-they-infiltrated-201242292.html?src=rss

Lucid's Gravity all-electric SUV has been on our radar for a while now, since originally being introduced back in 2022. Now we have more details, including pricing, availability and those all-important range metrics. First, the bad news. This thing likely won't ship until 2025, as production doesn't officially ramp up until late 2024, as reported by Sustainable Mobility Solutions (SAE).We already knew some details surrounding the EV, including the roomy three-row interior, but now we have range data. Lucid CEO Peter Rawlinson promises a range of at least 440 miles, so it looks like it could inch further than that once the Gravity hits the assembly line. The company has stated in the past that this EV would boast a greater electric range than any SUV on the market today."So let's look at some metrics. According to Kelly Blue Book, the Gravity will easily exceed this promise, as the current top-range EV SUV is the Fisker Ocean, with a max driving range of 350 miles per charge. As a matter of fact, if Lucid's forthcoming SUV truly gets 440 miles per charge, that'll place it near the top of the list for any electric vehicle, SUV or not. The only competition will be another Lucid automobile, as the Air Grand Touring sedan gets 516 miles per charge, according to MotorTrend.Like the Air line, the Gravity is built on a 900-volt electrical architecture that supports DC fast-charging. The company says the forthcoming EV can go from 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds, via its dual-motor setup, and boasts a payload capacity of 1,500 pounds with the ability to tow a further 6,000 pounds.Beyond metrics, Lucid also lifted the veil on the interior of the SUV. The Gravity will boast a 34-inch OLED main display and an optional lower display, with multi-tasking available between the two. In other words, you can throw navigation on one screen and the media player on the other. These displays won't get in the way of the dash cluster and will even offer gaming applications in the future, according to Derek Jenkins, senior vice president of design and brand at Lucid.The steering wheel includes two touch controllers inspired by the Apple TV remote, as minute thumb movements select items from the infotainment screen and adjust dashboard display elements. Of course, this is a three-row vehicle, so there's plenty of room for friends and family, if you're into that kind of thing. It seats up to seven people.As previously mentioned, the price should be around $80,000, though things could change before these cars hit showrooms in 2025.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lucids-gravity-electric-suv-will-have-a-max-range-of-440-miles-193859560.html?src=rss

The Amazon Echo Show 5 smart display is on sale for $40 as part of an early Black Friday deal. This matches a record low price for the device and represents a savings of more than 50 percent, as the typical MSRP for the display is $90. The sale applies to various colorways, including white, charcoal and blue.This discount is only for the device itself, so you'll have to pay extra for accessories like a stand. The Echo Show 5 finds a lot of use as a smart home controller, so Amazon also sells bundles that ship with smart light bulbs, the Blink Mini security camera and an Alexa Emergency Assist subscription.The Echo Show 5 easily made our list of the best smart displays in 2023 for a number of reasons. The diminutive 5.5-inch screen makes it easy to place just about anywhere in the home and allows it to double as a highly useful alarm clock. The ambient light sensor automatically adjusts the screen's brightness so you can get some sleep and there's a handy tap-to-snooze function. There's even a sunrise alarm feature that slowly brightens the screen.The smart home controls are handy if you have plenty of installed gadgets throughout the home. The Echo Show 5 is also a decent option for video calling, thanks to the integrated camera system. If the idea of an always-on smart display with a camera makes you feel a bit icky, it ships with a physical cover.For those who balk at the relatively small 5.5-inch display size, Amazon is also selling the much larger Echo Show 10 for $160 as part of the same Black Friday deal. This represents a savings of $90.Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo's Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog's experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazons-echo-show-5-falls-to-a-record-low-of-40-in-a-black-friday-deal-183059264.html?src=rss

Next year, Amazon will let you add a whole ass car to your shopping cart. The company announced today that it will launch vehicle sales in the US next year. The first cars available to purchase will be from Hyundai, as part of an Amazon partnership with the company, but more brands will presumably be added.

Kia's concept EVs often get more than the usual amount of attention because it tends to incorporate a lot of the ideas in the final production models - with the EV9 electric SUV being a good example of that. With that in mind, the company just unveiled the Concept EV3 and Concept EV4 representing its "Opposites Unite" design philosophy, with an emphasis on interior vibes, geometric shapes and sustainable materials.The smallish crossover Concept EV3 looks more production-ready, and Kia says it "offers the technology, practicality and design of [our] flagship SUV, the EV9." That may be true, but the EV3 carries a bold, futuristic design as well. Like the EV9 concept, it has distinct geometric patterns including octagonal wheel wells that flare out considerably from the body, and echoes those shapes in the side skirts and taillights.KiaThe windshield is pushed forward to open up interior space, while the glass roofline slopes front to back and appears to float thanks to the disconnected C pillar. "The unexpected treatment of volumes and graphics simultaneously interlock with each other, creating a logical yet emotional design," the company added in some top-tier concept car PR fluff.KiaThe interior is more fanciful, with a nearly button-free layout designed to emphasize the voluminous interior and create a "transformative cabin ambience," Kia said. It features a horizontal screen mounted on top that functions as both gauge cluster and infotainment system, along with an oval steering wheel and real mirrors. The wide center console "table" converts to four modes, including "focus, social, refreshing and storage." Meanwhile, the fiber weave materials and bioplastics make the cabin inviting and modern.KiaThe Concept EV4 is a clean-sheet design with an emphasis on sportiness that also uses some strong geometric shapes. To that end, it has a low nose and long-tail silhouette with a wide stance, along with a "technical roof spoiler" - two small extensions on either side of the roof. Again, we're seeing bulgy fenders, lots of bold lines and creases, a sloping glass roof and geometric lighting front and back.KiaThe interior is broadly the same as the Concept EV3, but an "HVAC user interface incorporates a control panel that can be neatly stored in the center console when not in use," according to Kia. It incorporates handwoven fabrics in the vehicle's storage area and dashboard to create a 3D effect, and features natural dies and recycled cotton in the interior.KiaKia didn't get into the power, battery or other powertrain features of either car, and painted both as test cases to see what people think. "That's why we came to Los Angeles and America's savviest EV consumers, to gauge reaction to two potential opportunities within the Kia lineup," said Kia America's COO Steven Center. It looks like Kia has nailed these designs once again, so don't be surprised to see them appear in some form as real production vehicles.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/kias-latest-ev-concepts-go-big-on-geometrics-and-cabin-vibes-190529735.html?src=rss

In a landmark decision, the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Agency (MHRA) approved the use of a gene-editing therapy called Casgevy for patients with sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia - both of which are hereditary disorders related to genetic mutations of the red blood cells. The treatment, manufactured by Vertex, is the first-ever approved therapy that utilizes CRISPR-based gene editing technology to treat eligible patients.The UK approval of the novel therapy is informed by two previous global clinical trials that indicated the treatment's efficacy. 97 percent of patients using Casgevy were relieved of severe pain associated with the blood disorders for at least 12 months after treatment during the trials. The results suggest that the gene editing treatment could replace the current standard for care. Stem cell therapy and bone marrow transplants are currently the only pathways to cure sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia, however, they involve a lot of risks.Both sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia are blood disorders characterized by defective red blood cells that can't carry oxygen, and require patients to get monthly blood transfusions that can be costly and time-consuming. Casgevy works by specifically targeting the genes in the bone marrow stem cells that produce faulty blood cells. For the treatment to work, a patient's stem cells need to be extracted from their bone marrow, edited in a lab and then re-infused into the patient.

The green bubble-blue bubble divide may be getting smaller soon. 9to5Mac is reporting that Apple has confirmed it will support the RCS messaging standard that it's long eschewed. That's not to say that messages from Android devices will no longer appear green on Apple's Messages app. It does mean that texts from iPhones to non-iOS devices will support the newer Rich Communication Services protocol, meaning they will not have to go through the aging SMS (and MMS) system. In the statement provided, Apple said "We believe RCS Universal Profile will offer a better interoperability experience when compared to SMS or MMS."That support will "work alongside iMessage, which will continue to be the best and most secure messaging experience for Apple users." With new features like voice memo transcriptions and check-in that aren't available on RCS, iMessage could still outshine default text messaging apps on Android. It also means there might not be change to any of the colors of the conversation bubbles.Google has long taken potshots at Apple for not supporting RCS, saying the texting experience between iPhones and non-iPhones is so outdated it might as well be using a pager. With RCS support, messages between Android and iOS devices will be more secure (than over SMS), while media can be shared at higher quality.A GSMA spokesperson told Engadget earlier this year that the RCS Universal Profile (UP) "provides the industry with an open, consistent and global messaging service across networks and devices. It simplifies interoperability and enables OEMs and OS providers to achieve scale and give consumers a richer and more consistent messaging experience regardless of device or network."It's not yet clear exactly when Apple plans to enable support for RCS UP, though the statement said "later next year." Today's announcement just happens to fall on the date that's the deadline for companies to file challenges at the European Union's General Court. Apple is reportedly looking to challenge the EU's decision to put all of the App Store on a digital antitrust list under its Digital Markets Act.In September, Apple launched the iPhone 15 series, which are the company's first phones to come with USB-C charging ports in place of Lightning. This week, we also saw news about the release of the Qi 2 wireless charging standard with the new iPhones among the first available devices compatible with the updated protocols.Whether it was brought on by EU regulations or other motivations, it's clear Apple is opening up parts of its walled garden to play nice with other devices. And maybe, just maybe, you won't have to "buy your mom an iPhone."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-will-start-supporting-rcs-in-2024-182232923.html?src=rss

If you've been wanting to splurge on a classic-ish synthesizer this holiday season, now just might be your time to shine. Reverb's offering a massive discount on 2021's Korg ARP 2600 M recreation. This deal brings the price down to $1,150 instead of $2,000, a savings of $850 or 42 percent. It's worth noting that this sale is for brand-new models and not refurbished synthesizers, further sweetening the deal.Korg's ARP 2600 M reissue was 39 years in the making, as it recreates a synthesizer that stopped production all the way back in 1981, which is before E.T. even came out. This is a relatively faithful remake, though it's much smaller and lighter than the original, which accounts for the M" (mini) moniker.You still get those three iconic oscillators and a dual-mode, self-oscillating low-pass filter that lets you peruse different sounds drawing from ARP's storied history. There's even a true spring reverb tank included and a pair of built-in speakers, which are great for hashing out ideas but shouldn't be used for microphone recordings. For laying down tracks, use one of the TS style jacks, as this model lacks XLR audio outs.It's worth re-emphasizing how much the miniaturized and lightweight form factor streamlines the music-making process, despite the lack of a dedicated keyboard. This thing is half the size of the original and weighs just 13 pounds, making it easy to gig with or to move between studios. As a reference, the original ARP 2600 weighed nearly three times that. Also, snagging an original 1970s model can set you back as much as $13,000.This is part of Reverb's Dream Deals event that offers steep discounts on a wide range of products, from Focusrite audio interfaces to Fender guitars, and beyond. All of these deals end when the instruments and gadgets sell out.Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo's Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog's experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/korgs-iconic-arp-2600-m-synthesizer-on-sale-for-1150-via-reverb-180839298.html?src=rss

Microsoft's AI ambitions are moving a bit backwards: Today, the company has confirmed that it's bringing Copilot AI to Windows 10. At first, it'll be available to Windows Insider users in an upcoming Release Preview update, where Copilot will appear on the right side of the Task Bar. Once selected, you'll see the familiar Copilot interface, which you can use to ask the AI questions, manage Windows features or interact with documents. Microsoft says the Copilot window won't overlap with desktop content or block open windows.If this all sounds familiar, it's because Windows Central reported that Windows 10 would be getting Copilot earlier this month. The move isn't exactly surprising. While Windows 11 is Microsoft's latest OS, it only accounts for 26 percent of Windows installations, according to GlobalStats. Windows 10, meanwhile, still holds 69 percent of the Windows market.In 2020, Microsoft announced that Windows 10 reached 1 billion devices, and it still appears to be above that figure. Windows Central's reporting suggests that Windows 11 is on 400 million devices, in comparison. Just one look at those numbers and it makes sense why Microsoft is bringing its latest tech into an aging OS (its "end of service" date is still October 14, 2025). If the company was able to declare it brought Copilot's AI to 1.4 billion devices in 2023, this year of over-accelerated AI hype will have been worth it.Windows 10's Copilot will be previewed in North America, as well as parts of Asia and South America over the next few months. For Windows Insiders who want to get in line for the update, Microsoft suggests installing today's November preview update. Additionally, they'll need to enable the "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available" feature in Windows Update.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/microsofts-copilot-ai-is-officially-coming-to-windows-10-180020032.html?src=rss

Amazon is selling the diminutive Echo Dot smart speaker for just $23 as part of an early Black Friday deal. That's a record low price for the gadget and represents a savings of more than 50 percent, as it typically costs $50. This deal is for the latest and greatest Echo Dot, and not a model from several generations ago.The sale applies to various colorways, like gray, blue and black. The Echo Dot may be small in stature, but there's a reason it made our list of the best smart speakers in 2023. This thing is actually pretty useful. The sound quality won't blow you away when compared to its larger siblings, but the speaker gets plenty loud. It also features a temperature sensor and built-in Eero capabilities.The globe-shape is pleasing, the colors are on point and set-up is simple, thanks to the affiliated Echo app. We liked this smart speaker at $50, so we certainly like it at $23. If you've been wanting to experiment with Alexa but were waiting for a good deal, this is it. If you buy this speaker, make sure to ask Alexa to sing the song about cats. Trust me.Amazon's sale extends beyond the company's tiniest smart speaker. You can also nab the standard full-sized Echo speaker for $55, which represents a savings of $45. Additionally, the Echo Dot with Clock is on sale for $35 instead of $60. As the name suggests, this is the above Echo Dot, but with an LED clock. If you don't want to spring for this version, you can always just ask Alexa to tell you the time.Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo's Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog's experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-echo-dot-drops-to-a-record-low-of-23-in-an-amazon-black-friday-deal-174541440.html?src=rss

Instagram is rolling out an app update that is surprisingly robust, bringing a whole bunch of new features to content creators. First and foremost, there's finally some new camera filters, which should shake things up for a while. These filters range from subtle color edits" to more expressive and stylized options.There are some other minor Camera Roll improvements to make it easier to find what you need as you edit. These include updated previews, a refined search function and even the ability to zoom.As for video editing, there's a new undo/redo tool that lets you, surprise, undo actions and redo them with the press of a button. Instagram also says it's testing the ability to scale, crop and rotate individual clips as part of the editing process. The audio tools are also getting some love, as you can pull audio clips from a dedicated media hub to accompany a Reel. Followers can remix this content as they see it. If this sounds a lot like TikTok, well, that's because it is.To that end, there are 10 new English text-to-speech voices to choose from, though they are only available in select countries for now. Additionally, there are six new text fonts and styles available to caption up your Reels or Stories, in addition to bolded outlines that should really make your copy pop. Hopefully.InstagramIf you really want to make something weird, Instagram now allows you to pull any part of a photo or video and turn it into a custom sticker. This also works the other way around, so users can pull eligible content from a favorite creator and turn it into a sticker. This particular tool was aided in development by Meta's custom Segment Anything AI.Finally, there are some updated tools for creators to keep track of their slow and steady rise to viral fame. The Retention Chart will offer a moment-by-moment insight into how many people are watching your content, though it's not rolling out for a couple of months. The rest of these tools are available today.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/instagram-update-adds-new-camera-filters-and-video-editing-tools-for-content-creators-171537564.html?src=rss

In a trial run by Verve Therapeutics, a Cambridge-based biotech company, researchers discovered that a single infusion of a gene-editing treatment called VERVE-101 was able to reduce cholesterol levels in patients. This treatment was tested in individuals with hereditary conditions that made them susceptible to developing clogged arteries and heart attacks. Scientists were able to use CRISPR editing techniques to tweak liver gene cells. The researchers turned off" a cholesterol-raising gene called PCSK9, which is found in the liver, in order to lower LDL-C - sometimes called "bad" cholesterol -which causes plaque to build up in arteries in the first place.PCSK9 was lowered by as much as 84 percent in the cohorts that received higher infusion rates of the treatment. At those higher treatment doses, Verve scientists said that the reduction of those LDL-C-related proteins lasted 2.5 years in previous studies on primates.Verve Therapeutics From a clinical standpoint, this gene editing therapy has the potential to disrupt the current standard treatment for high cholesterol. The current go-to's include prescription statins and PCSK9 inhibitors, but they require strict adherence and can have bad side effects like muscle pain and memory loss.CRISPR, while seemingly miraculous, is a long way from replacing daily medications though. According to Nature, two of the 10 participants in the study suffered from a cardiovascular event" that coincided with the infusion. Verve says one was not related to the treatment at all and the second was potentially related to treatment due to proximity to dosing." The use of a gene-editing technology will always carry some risk because the edits could occur elsewhere in the genome.Before a single infusion therapy for high cholesterol can reach consumers, the FDA mandates that the treatment will need to be studied for up to 15 years. Verve recently received FDA clearance for an Investigational New Drug Application for VERVE-101, meaning that the company can begin to conduct trials in the US. The current trials in New Zealand and the United Kingdom will look for willing clinical trial participants to expand the study.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/researchers-developed-a-gene-editing-technology-that-reduces-bad-cholesterol-170040293.html?src=rss

Tablets are always going to be popular items during Black Friday sales. They make for great gifts, and it's as good a time as any to pick one up for yourself if you've been on the fence. Google's Pixel Tablet is a solid choice, especially if you lean more toward Android than iOS (or iPadOS).The 128GB version of the 11-inch Pixel Tablet has dropped back down to its all-time-low price of $399 at Amazon ahead of Black Friday. That's $100 off the regular price. If you opt for the porcelain variant with 128GB of storage, you can get a case (which is normally $80) at no extra cost. Either way, the tablet comes with a charging dock. Meanwhile, the 256GB model is also $100 off at $499 - there's no SD card slot to expand the storage, unfortunately.We gave the Pixel Tablet a score of 85 in our review in June. Being able to plop the tablet onto the dock (which has a built-in speaker) is a big selling point as that effectively turns the tablet into a smart display. In this mode, you can use the tablet to stream music and video, control and monitor smart home devices, display your favorite photos and more. Thanks to Google Assistant, you'll be able to do much of this hands free. That said, the dock perhaps doesn't position the tablet at the most flattering angle for video calls. The case that you can get for free with the 128GB model handily has a kickstand.The performance is fairly snappy thanks to the Tensor G2 chipset, while the 2,560 x 1,600 LCD display is decent enough (although being limited to a 60Hz refresh rate is a drag). You should get a full day of use out of the tablet before you need to recharge the 5,000mAh battery. Google is also promising OS updates through at least June 2026 and security updates for two years beyond that at minimum.On the downside, the lack of a headphone jack is galling. During our review period, we ran into a few software hiccups while the tablet was in Hub Mode as well. Overall, the Pixel Tablet isn't quite as compelling as the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series when it comes to our pick for the best Android tablet. However, it's still a strong choice for a more budget-friendly Android tablet. It's significantly less expensive than Samsung's models, especially during this sale.Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo's Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog's experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/googles-pixel-tablet-is-100-off-in-early-black-friday-sale-164321754.html?src=rss

Microsoft is offering a steep, and relatively rare, discount on the Surface Pro 9 hybrid tablet as part of a larger Black Friday sales event. The savings fluctuate depending on which model you purchase, but you could save $800 on the absolute top-of-the-line model with 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, bringing the price down to $1,800 from $2,600. This is a record-low deal for this particular SKU.The discounted models offer 8GB to 32GB of RAM and 256GB to 1TB of solid-state storage. You have your choice between the 12th Gen Intel i5, the 12th Gen Intel i7, Microsoft's proprietary Arm-based SQ2 chip or even the latest SQ3 chip. With this in mind, discounts range from $50 all the way to the aforementioned $800. Unfortunately, these deals don't ship with a keyboard or a stylus.There has been some confusion between the Arm-based models and the Intel models. Simply put, the Intel models are for power users and the Arm-based models are more for general use. Yes, even though the SQ chips are newer, the Intel chips are faster. In our review of last year's Surface Pro 9 SQ3, we called it a compromised machine compared to its Intel-based siblings.With that said, the Surface line is well-regarded for a number of reasons. The 13-inch screen is gorgeous, the form factor is on-point and Microsoft makes it easy to source replacement parts, unlike certain rivals.These deals are also available on Amazon, if that's your preferred retail experience. You can grab an Intel i7 version with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of solid-state storage for $1,100, a savings of $500. You can also grab the aforementioned flagship tablet for $1,800, the same price as ordering directly from Microsoft. The company's wider Black Friday deal also offers discounts on the Laptop 5 and Laptop Studio 2, among others.Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo's Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog's experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-black-friday-deals-discount-the-surface-pro-9-by-up-to-800-161628594.html?src=rss

Google's Threat Analysis Group revealed on Thursday that it discovered and worked to help patch an email server flaw used to steal data from governments in Greece, Moldova, Tunisia, Vietnam and Pakistan. The exploit, known as CVE-2023-37580, targeted email server Zimbra Collaboration to pilfer email data, user credentials and authentication tokens from organizations.It started in Greece at the end of June. Attackers that discovered the vulnerability and sent emails to a government organization containing the exploit. If someone clicked the link while logged into their Zimbra account, it automatically stole email data and set up auto-forwarding to take control of the address.While Zimbra published a hotfix on open source platform Github on July 5, most of the activity deploying the exploit happened afterward. That means targets didn't get around to updating the software with the fix until it was too late. It's a good reminder to update the devices you've been ignoring now, and ASAP as more updates become available. "These campaigns also highlight how attackers monitor open-source repositories to opportunistically exploit vulnerabilities where the fix is in the repository, but not yet released to users," the Google Threat Analysis Group wrote in a blog post.Around mid-July, it became clear that threat group Winter Vivern got ahold of the exploit. Winter Vivern targeted government organizations in Moldova and Tunisia. Then, a third unknown actor used the exploit to phish for credentials from members of the Vietnam government. That data got published to an official government domain, likely run by the attackers. The final campaign Google's Threat Analysis Group detailed targeted a government organization in Pakistan to steal Zimbra authentication tokens, a secure piece of information used to access locked or protected information.Zimbra users were also the target of a mass-phishing campaign earlier this year. Starting in April, an unknown threat actor sends an email with a phishing link in an HTML file, according to ESET researchers. Before that, in 2022, threat actors used a different Zimbra exploit to steal emails from European government and media organizations.As of 2022, Zimbra said it had more than 200,000 customers, including over 1,000 government organizations. "The popularity of Zimbra Collaboration among organizations expected to have lower IT budgets ensures that it stays an attractive target for adversaries," ESET researchers said about why attackers target Zimbra.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/an-email-vulnerability-let-hackers-steal-data-from-governments-around-the-world-160005510.html?src=rss

We consider Google's Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro the best Android phones for most people, and right now both handsets are on sale for the lowest prices we've tracked. As part of an early Black Friday sale, the 6.7-inch Pixel 8 Pro has dropped to $799 at various retailers, while the 6.2-inch Pixel 8 is on sale for $549. That's $200 off the usual going rate of the Pixel 8 Pro and a $150 discount for the Pixel 8. These prices are for unlocked models with 128GB of storage; if you need more space, the 256GB Pixel 8 is available for $609, which is another $150 discount. The 256GB and 512GB versions of the Pixel 8 Pro, meanwhile, are both $200 off at $859 and $979, respectively. The deals apply to each color finish of the two devices.We gave the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro scores of 90 and 93, respectively, in our review last month. Both phones offer a vivid OLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, solid battery life, speedy performance via Google's Tensor G3 chip, a typically clean take on Android and superb photo quality. The cameras are particularly aided by a handful of AI editing tools: An "Audio Magic Eraser" feature does a convincing job of eliminating ambient noise from video clips, for example, while "Best Take" stitches together the best results from a series of group photos, so someone who blinked or sneezed during one shot won't do so in the final product. (Philosophical questions over the intrusiveness of AI aside, this actually does work.)Perhaps the biggest feature, though, is Google's promise to provide OS and security updates for a full seven years. Yes, you'll almost certainly want to buy a new phone before 2030, but this extended support means there should be less pressure to upgrade down the line.If money is no object, the Pixel 8 Pro is the better of the two: Its camera system comes with a sharper ultrawide lens and a dedicated 5x telephoto lens, it supports more advanced controls in the camera app, its display is slightly brighter and sharper and its battery lasts a bit longer. Its matte-glass back feels a little nicer in the hand, and the screen supports a wider variable refresh rate range (1-120Hz instead of 60-120Hz). Still, the standard Pixel 8 gets you most of the way there for less cash, and its smaller frame is easier to hold with one hand. Our biggest problem with both phones is that they're priced $100 higher than their Pixel 7 counterparts, but these deals help lessen the blow.If you want a more affordable Android phone, the Pixel 7a is also on sale for $374, which is a $125 discount and an all-time low. That 6.1-inch phone is a step down from the Pixel 8 in most aspects, but it's still our top recommendation for Android fans who can't spend more than $500 on a new handset. In other Pixel deals, the Pixel Buds Pro are down to $120 - that's within a dollar of the lowest price we've seen for the "best for Android" pick in our wireless earbuds buying guide.Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo's Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog's experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-pixel-8-and-pixel-8-pro-are-up-to-200-off-in-a-google-black-friday-deal-140005289.html?src=rss

Early Black Friday sales have been steadily rolling in, but few have been as practical heading into the long winter months as Google's Nest Thermostat. The smart thermostat is typically $130 but is currently just $90 - a 31 percent discount and only $10 more than its all-time low.Google's Nest Thermostat came on the scene in 2020 as a cheaper but solid alternative to its Nest Learning Thermostat (retailing at $240). Both devices have the same goal: to save energy and money. The standard Nest Thermostat is Energy Star-certified and turns the temperature down when you leave to avoid any waste. If you're heading home sooner than expected (or staying out later, for that matter), you can adjust the heat schedule right on the app from your phone, tablet or laptop.While it can be a big help with keeping those heating bills in check, Google's Nest Thermostat should work just as well with your air conditioning system come summer. Plus, it also provides tips for both through the Savings Finder on ways to adjust your heating or cooling schedule to save even more money.The thermostat isn't the only Nest product offering a solid deal ahead of Black Friday. The Google Nest Wireless Doorbell is down to $120 from $180 - one of a trio of Nest products currently at their all-time low price. Rounding out the sale is the Google Nest Indoor Wired Security Camera for $70 from $97 and the two-pack Google Nest Wi-Fi Pro with Wi-Fi 6E available for $200, down from $300.Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo's Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog's experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/googles-nest-thermostat-drops-to-90-in-a-black-friday-deal-133052800.html?src=rss

YouTube on Thursday unveiled some new experimental AI services, including a feature called Dream Track in YouTube Shorts. It creates up to 30-second soundtracks using AI-generation versions of artists' voices. Though musicians have mostly pushed back on AI (and their voices being used for training models without permission or compensation), YouTube got nine big names from the music industry to participate, including John Legend, Troye Sivan, CharliXCX and T-Pain. The company hoped to announce the feature at its Made on YouTube event in September, but it's been tied up in negotiations with recording companies over rights and payments.Users can access Dream Track by typing an idea into the creation prompt and choosing from one of the participating artists. It uses Google DeepMind's Lyria - a new, powerful music generation model designed specifically for creating high-quality vocals and instrumentals while giving the user more control over the final product. Any content Lyria produces will also have a SynthID watermark, denoting it as such.Charlie Puth and T-Pain created sample Dream Tracks, which YouTube has shared as inspiration. However, many of the artists involved expressed their apprehension about AI but hoped that collaborative work could create positive, non-exploitative opportunities. "When I was first approached by YouTube I was cautious and still am, AI is going to transform the world and the music industry in ways we do not yet fully understand," singer CharliXCX said. "This experiment will offer a small insight into the creative opportunities that could be possible and I'm interested to see what comes out of it."Music AI Tools are also coming to YouTube, in collaboration with its Music AI Incubator. These tools can create guitar riffs from a hummed melody or turn a pop track into a reggaeton anthem. Producer and songwriter, Louis Bell, created a sample video to showcase it.YouTube is walking a fine line as it navigates the careful balance of introducing AI tools and protecting against misuse. The video platform recently announced new policies for labeling videos made using AI and letting public figures, such as musicians, report deepfakes.Dream Track is currently only available to a select group of creators and artists, whereas participants of the Music AI Incubator should be able to test the tools out later this year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/youtubes-first-ai-generated-music-tools-can-clone-artist-voices-and-turn-hums-into-melodies-132025817.html?src=rss

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is keeping a close eye on internet providers to make sure they provide Americans with equal access to broadband services regardless of customers' "income level, race, ethnicity, color, religion or national origin." Two years after the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law became official, the FCC has adopted a final set of relevant rules to enforce.The Commission will have the power to investigate possible instances of "digital discrimination" under the new rules and could penalize providers for violating them. It could, for instance, look into a company's pricing, network upgrades and maintenance procedures to decide whether a provider is keeping an affluent area well maintained while failing to provide the same level of service to a low-income area.As The Wall Street Journal explains, it could even hold companies like AT&T and Comcast liable even if they weren't intentionally discriminatory, as long as their actions "differentially impact consumers' access to broadband." If the FCC does receive complaints against a particular provider, though, it will take into account any technical and economic challenges it may be facing that prevents it from providing equal access to its services.According to The Journal, the FCC approved the new rules in a 3-2 vote. Their critics - mainly internet providers and Republican members of the Congress - argued that the decision could affect investments and that the commission is taking things too far by penalizing unintentional discrimination. But FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel found the rules to be reasonable, especially since the agency will "accept genuine reasons of technical and economic feasibility as valid reasons."In addition to adopting a set of rules for digital discrimination, the FCC has also updated its protections against SIM swapping and port-out scams. It will now require wireless providers to notify customers immediately when a SIM change or a port-out is requested for their account and phone number. Further, providers are required to take additional steps to protect their subscribers from the schemes. Finally, the FCC has voted to begin a formal inquiry to look into the impact of artificial intelligence on robocalls. It could, after all, be used to block unwanted voice and text messages, but it could also be used to more easily defraud people through calls and texts.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-fcc-will-crack-down-on-isps-to-improve-connectivity-in-poorer-areas-125041256.html?src=rss

November 24 might be a few days away yet, but that hasn't stopped swathes of the industry from posting their deals early. Engadget's crack team of coupon-heads has pored over countless listings to find you some absolutely jaw-dropping bargains. That includes hefty bits of cash knocked off the price of a new Mac Mini M2, iPad, Meta Quest and Apple Watch. Even better, you can pick up a pair of Sony XM5s, long regarded as the best in their class, for just $328. Well, you can. Your humble narrator is in the UK, so is ineligible to grab any of these utterly sweet early deals.- Dan CooperYou can get these reports delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!The biggest stories you might have missedWhatsApp chats backed up to Google Drive will soon take up storage spaceAmazon's dinky Astro robot is now available as a security guardYouTube rolls out high bitrate 1080p to all Premium subscribersGoogle's updated Titan security key can store up to 250 passkeysThe best VR accessoriesThe best gifts for teachersApple's iPad Air M1 drops to a record-low $500 in an Amazon Black Friday dealNetflix's stop-motion Pokemon show arrives on December 28Lawmakers question Apple over cancellation of Jon Stewart's showOfficials want to know if the rumors are true.The Problem with Jon Stewart was, in theory, the ideal vehicle for the combative former Daily Show host. A well-heeled venture where Stewart could go deep on tough political topics, backed by a megacorporation too rich to be cowed by advertiser pressure. Except, so the rumors go, Apple pulled the plug on the series to prevent episodes critical of AI and China. Now, a bipartisan group from the House of Representatives is querying what happened and why.Continue Reading.$1,900 Tesla Cyberquad is on sale again, less likely to maim childrenRadio Flyer has updated the model to meet (checks notes) basic safety standards.Radio Flyer / TeslaRadio Flyer has announced its kids' version of the Tesla Cyberquad is back on sale, now with less risk to its rider. It launched back in 2021, only for the Consumer Product Safety Commission to recall it for not meeting safety standards. Now, it's back for $1,900, plus the cost of a helmet and some knee and elbow pads (not included).Continue Reading.The Analogue Pocket will soon come in 8 Game Boy Pocket/Advance colorsThey look beautiful.AnalogueThe Game Boy-aping Analogue Pocket will soon be available in eight gorgeous new colors to give us all some retro-gaming feels. Given they're limited editions, and Analogue units sell out pretty quick, you'd better have your fingers ready when pre-orders open on November 17.Continue Reading. Master & Dynamic MW09 review: Premium materials, impeccable clarityGorgeous, expensive and... not as good as its cheaper rivals.Photo by Billy Steele / EngadgetMaster & Dynamic hasn't quite become a dominant, class-topping force in the world of true wireless earbuds. Its latest entry, the MW09, has been put through its paces by audio guru Billy Steele. Sadly, while it's an improvement on previous offerings, it's still not good enough to whip better, more affordable products into shape.Continue Reading.Researchers printed a robotic hand with bones, ligaments and tendons for the first timeYes, it does remind us of Westworld.ETH Zurich / Thomas BuchnerA significant development in 3D printing technology may have far-reaching implications for the future of medical prostheses and soft robots. Researchers printed a hand with tendons, ligaments and bones, making them simultaneously rather than separately. The technique offers more durability and flexibility, making it the ideal basis for complex prostheses.Continue Reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-the-best-early-black-friday-deals-for-2023-121527436.html?src=rss

Google is scaling up Search Generative Experience (SGE) for holiday shopping. The company announced Thursday that its AI-powered search bot can now spit out gift ideas, photorealistic images of product types and virtual try-ons of men's tops.Google SGE launched in May, offering AI-driven answers and suggestions to complement the search engine's standard web results. The company has since added follow-up queries, better translations and interactive definitions in more complex subjects. The tool requires Chrome on desktop or the Google mobile app on smartphones.GoogleThe search giant says 20 percent of apparel searches are five words or longer, suggesting people often look for something particular when seeking info about fashion products. Now, Google SGE can generate photorealistic images" of the item you're picturing. You can then tweak the image with follow-up prompts before SGE uses the generated output as a foundation to search for actual products it thinks come the closest.Let's say you want a new winter coat - a colorful, patterned puffer jacket - and you haven't found quite what you're looking for," wrote Julie Black, Google's Director of Shopping Product, in an announcement blog post. With generative AI in Search, just look for that style and tap the Generate images' button to see photorealistic, generated images that match your vision. From there, you can refine the images in real time - so if you'd prefer a colorful metallic jacket instead of patterned, just enter that refinement in the text box. Then you'll see a new set of photorealistic images. Once you've found one you like, just scroll down to see similar shoppable products."GoogleGoogle also wants SGE to help you formulate the perfect gift. If you search for great gifts for home cooks" on a compatible device / browser combo, it can produce ideas organized into subcategories like specialty tools, artisanal ingredients, culinary subscriptions and cooking classes. Google says you can refine the query to be ultra-specific, using examples like gifts for home cooks who love pasta or gift ideas for a seven-year-old who wants to be an inventor.Google SGE added virtual clothing try-ons for women's tops in June, which the company says have led to significantly more high-quality interactions from shoppers." Virtual try-ons for men's tops arrive today. If you search for women's or men's tops from a supported brand, you'll see 40 virtual models representing different shapes, sizes, heights and skin tones. You can choose one that looks the closest to you or the person you're shopping for to get an AI-powered view of how the product may look on them. Supported labels at launch include Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, JCrew and Under Armour.If you haven't already enrolled, you'll need to activate SGE for your account before trying it. Visit the Search Labs page or activate SGE in the Google app by tapping the beaker icon on the upper left.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/googles-ai-powered-search-tool-can-help-tackle-your-holiday-shopping-120028149.html?src=rss

Countless aspects of generative AI have caused rampant debate, including its access to copyrighted material. Now, the vice president of audio at Stability AI, Ed Newton-Rex, has resigned due to his belief that training generative AI models using copyrighted content doesn't qualify as "fair use," he wrote in an op-ed on Music Business Worldwide. He joins the likes of artists such as Bad Bunny, who recently spoke out against a viral TikTok song that used AI to mimic his voice.Meanwhile, AI companies have steadfastly supported fair use (training models with copyrighted material without asking permission or providing compensation), and Newton-Rex's decision marks a unique change from the norm. In his public resignation letter, Newton-Rex explains that he believes Stability AI has a more "nuanced view" than some of its competitors. However, he had an issue with the company's recent submission to the United States Copyright Office, which argued that AI development should fall under fair use."I disagree because one of the factors affecting whether the act of copying is fair use, according to Congress, is 'the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work,'" Newton-Rex stated. "Today's generative AI models can clearly be used to create works that compete with the copyrighted works they are trained on. So I don't see how using copyrighted works to train generative AI models of this nature can be considered fair use."Newton-Rex is a published classical composer and founded Jukedeck, which created music using AI, in 2012. He became the product director of TikTok's in-house AI lab after the company purchased Jukedeck in 2019 and subsequently worked at Voicey (acquired by Snap) before joining Stability AI in November 2022.Ironically, there's also been an (as yet unsuccessful) push to protect AI-produced work. In August, a judge upheld the US Copyright Office's decision that AI-generated art can't be copyrighted, stating, "Human authorship is a bedrock requirement of copyright."This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai-music-pioneer-quits-after-disagreement-over-fair-use-of-copyrighted-works-114546092.html?src=rss

Even though Facebook has been moving away from providing its users with easy access to news over the past year, it apparently still remains a go-to source for current affairs in the US. According to Pew Research, three out of ten adults in the country still regularly get their news from Facebook, which has outpaced all the other social media websites in the center's study. YouTube comes next in the list, with 26 percent of US adults getting news from the video hosting website, while Instagram takes third place with 16 percent. While apparently not as popular as the first three when it comes to news, TikTok (14 percent), X (12 percent) and Reddit (8 percent) also serve as news sources for the US populace.When it was reported a year ago that Meta will no longer be paying publishers to run their content on Facebook's News Tab, a spokesperson said "[m]ost people do not come to Facebook for news, and as a business it doesn't make sense to over-invest in areas that don't align with user preferences." But according to the study, 43 percent of users still get their news regularly from the platform. That is, however, admittedly smaller than the 54 percent of users who used to go to the social network to keep themselves updated and read about the latest events back in 2020. Meanwhile, 43 percent of TikTok users say they're getting news from the app now, compared to 22 percent three years ago. Out of all the social networks in the study, though, X (formerly known as Twitter) has the highest percentage of users (53 percent) who go to the website for news.Based on the study's responders, men mostly rely on Reddit to keep them abreast of current events, followed by Twitter and YouTube. Meanwhile, women consume news from Nextdoor the most, followed by Facebook and Instagram. In addition, most of the people who get their news from social media are Democrats or lean Democratic, though "there is no significant partisan difference among news consumers on Facebook, X or Nextdoor." Bottom line is, a lot of people still look to social media websites to read about the latest happenings and new information as they come out. These companies will have to continue keeping a close eye on the spread of misinformation on their platforms, even if they do decide not to focus on news anymore.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/three-in-ten-us-adults-still-get-their-news-from-facebook-110526907.html?src=rss