❌

Normal view

There are new articles available, click to refresh the page.
Today β€” 6 March 2025Main stream

Reddit's rule check feature will help users avoid breaking subreddit rules

Reddit has announced several new tools that seem like they were designed to encourage more lurkers to participate in discussions on the website. One of the new tools called Rules Check will make it easy to see if what you're posting potentially goes against a subreddit's rules. Before submitting your post, you can click the wand icon in the lower right-hand corner of the post composer, which you can see in the photo above. Doing that will highlight anything in your post that may be breaking a subreddit's rules. Reddit will start testing the feature on iOS and Android before giving it a wider release.Β 

Another new tool called Post Recovery will show you a prompt if your post has been removed due to community rules. The prompt will contain a notice of removal, along with a link that will enable you to quickly share your deleted post to a more appropriate subreddit. To make sure you're posting in the right community in the first place, Reddit will now suggest relevant communities based on what you write through a drop-down menu on the upper left corner of the composer screen. It will now also show you if a community has requirements, such as account age or minimum karma points, before you can post.Β 

The last tool is perhaps most useful if you promote products and services on Reddit. Post Insights will show you how many views, upvotes, shares and crossposts your posts have gotten, giving you an idea on what works when it comes to post engagement. All these tools other than Rules Check are now available on Reddit's website and mobile app.Β 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/reddits-rule-check-feature-will-help-users-avoid-breaking-subreddit-rules-160001398.html?src=rss

Β©

Β© Reddit

Screenshots of Reddit on a phone.
Yesterday β€” 5 March 2025Main stream

Court denies Elon Musk's attempt to block OpenAI's for-profit transformation

US federal judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has denied Elon Musk's request for an injunction that would have immediately stopped OpenAI's conversion into a for-profit entity. Musk filed for an injunction late last year after suing OpenAI and Microsoft and accusing them of telling investors not to fund rival AI companies, such as his own xAI. According to the Financial Times, the judge dismissed his request based on that claim of anticompetitive behavior. Gonzalez Rogers cited a previous statement by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, saying that the company only warned certain investors who were granted access to sensitive information that their rights would be terminated if they made a non-passive investment in rival companies.Β 

The judge also reportedly rejected the request based on Musk's claim that OpenAI and Altman broke their contract with him and violated the company's founding mission of building AI "for the benefit of humanity." Musk, who helped found OpenAI and funded it when it was just starting out, said Altman and his fellow OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman "took advantage of [his] altruism in order to lure him into funding the venture." In a statement sent to Bloomberg, OpenAI said that the lawsuit has "always been about the competition." The company added that "Elon’s own emails show that he wanted to merge a for-profit OpenAI into Tesla. That would have been great for his personal benefit, but not for [OpenAI's] mission or US interests."Β 

After Musk filed his original lawsuit against OpenAI last year, the company published old emails between Musk and other people in the company. OpenAI revealed that Musk was not only aware that it was taking the for-profit route, he wanted majority equity, control of the initial board of directors and the CEO position. Anoter email from Musk suggested making the organization a part of Tesla. In February this year, Musk launched a bid to buy OpenAI for $97.4 billion, but the company gave him a firm "no thank you" in response.

As Bloomberg noted, the judge's rejection of Musk's request is significant, because OpenAI is already in the process of talking with government officials about taking on a more typical corporate structure. While the judge has rejected Musk's request, she is fast-tracking his lawsuit and will hold an expedited trial later this year on the basis of public interest and on his claim that OpenAI's transformation has a "potential for harm if a conversion contrary to law occurred."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/court-denies-elon-musks-attempt-to-block-openais-for-profit-transformation-133025600.html?src=rss

Β©

Β© Reuters / Reuters

FILE PHOTO: OpenAI logo is seen in front of Elon Musk photo in this illustration taken March 11, 2024. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Volvo reveals its ES90 EV with an 800-volt charging system

Volvo has officially launched the ES90, the fully electrified version of its S60 sedan. While the vehicle can technically be considered a sedan, Volvo says it has the "adaptability of a fastback, and the spacious interior and higher ground clearance associated with SUVs." It's the first Volvo EV with an 800-volt system, which promises faster charging times. Since Volvo's 800-volt technology uses lighter components to reduce the vehicle's overall weight, it could also lead to a longer range and better acceleration.Β 

For the ES90, specifically, Volvo promises a driving range of 700 kilometers or 435 miles, though the official EPA range could be shorter. When plugged into a 350 kW fast charger, the model can add 300 kilometers (186 miles) of range in just 10 minutes, and its 106 kWh battery can go from 10 to 80 percent full in just 20 minutes. All the vehicle's variants have a top speed of 112 mph, but the Twin Motor Performance (all-wheel drive) version has the fastest acceleration and can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds.

The ES90 was built on top of the Volvo Cars Superset tech stack, just like the EX90 SUV. That's a single set of hardware and software that will serve as the base for all of Volvo's electric vehicles and will make it possible to simultaneously roll out over-the-air updates for all its EVs as needed. ES90, however, is the first Volvo model to be powered by dual NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Orin configuration, which the company's chief engineering and technology officer says makes it the "most powerful car [Volvo has] ever created in terms of core computing capacity."Β 

Volvo gave the ES90 a slightly raised ride height and its Thor's Hammer headlight design, along with its new C-shaped LED rear lamps. It also equipped the vehicle with an array of sensors that include one lidar, five radars, seven cameras and twelve ultrasonic sensors for its active safety systems that can help drivers avoid collision and hazards. Inside, owners can individually fold down its three rear seats for more space. And while the panoramic roof provides 99.9 percent UV protection, buyers can choose the electrochromic version that will allow them to darken the glass and reduce glare at the touch of a button. Owners can access the model's infotainment system on its 14.5-inch center screen display, which comes with built-in Google apps, including Maps and Assistant.Β 

Interested buyers can now order the ES90 in Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Volvo will release it in more markets later this year and into 2026.Β 

Volvo ES90 Interior
Volvo

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/volvo-reveals-its-es90-ev-with-an-800-volt-charging-system-101006882.html?src=rss

Β©

Β© Volvo

A silver sedan.
Before yesterdayMain stream

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 arrives on July 11

After weeks of teasers from Activision and Tony Hawk, the video game publisher has officially announced that Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 will be available on July 11. Iron Galaxy Studios remade the old skateboarding games from the ground up to create an updated version of the classics. The remake includes the original games' content, along with cross-platform online multiplayer for up to eight skaters. Activision says it picks up from where Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 left off, but it didn't mention whether the new title would also come with local multiplayer like its predecessor does.Β 

The new game was developed by a different studio than the one that remade the first two games even though Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 was pretty well-received. Hawk previously revealed that Vicarious Visions, the studio that developed the first remake, was supposed to work on the third and fourth installments, as well. However, that plan was scrapped after the studio got absorbed into Blizzard. The new game will feature new skaters, tricks and brand-new parks. Its skater selection will include legends in the sport β€” though Bam Margera was notably absent in the roster we were given β€” as well as newer names, like two-time Olympics champion Yuto Horigome.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 will be available for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch. For the PC, it can be purchased through Steam, Battle.net and Microsoft Store. Finally, Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers will be able to play it at launch through the game streaming service. Pre-orders will be available starting today, and those who do purchase in advance will be able to access the Foundry Demo in June. Those willing to pay extra and pre-order the Digital Deluxe and Collector's Editions will be able to access the game earlier on July 8. The Digital Deluxe Edition comes with extra content, while the Collector's Edition comes with a full-size Birdhouse skateboard deck and a printed Tony Hawk autograph.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/tony-hawks-pro-skater-3--4-arrives-on-july-11-180029571.html?src=rss

Β©

Β© Activision/Tony Hawk

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4

TSMC is investing an additional $100 billion into semiconductor manufacturing in the US

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world's top semiconductor manufacturer, has pledged to invest another $100 billion over the next four years to boost advanced semiconductor manufacturing in the United States. The company's chairman and CEO C.C. Wei has announced its expanded investment in the US at the White House with President Donald Trump. TSMC was originally going to invest $40 billion into building chip-making facilities in Arizona, which it then raised to $65 billion after it was announced as a CHIPS Act recipient getting $6.6 billion in grants under the Biden administration. This announcement is for an additional $100 billion, bringing the company's total planned investment to $165 billion. TSMC called it "the largest single foreign direct investment in US history."

During the announcement at the White House, Trump reportedly said that his threat to impose new tariffs on chip imports prompted TSMC to invest more into its US manufacturing efforts. The president previously told reporters that his administration could collect 25 percent in taxes, or higher, for chip imports. The tariffs could go substantially higher over the course of a year, he said.Β 

The company's original investment already included plans for three fabrication factories in Arizona. This expansion will allow TSMC to build three more fabrication plants, two advanced packaging facilities and a major research and development center. TSMC's facilities in Arizona will manufacture chips for AI and other cutting-edge applications for its customers, which include Apple, NVIDIA, AMD, Broadcom and Qualcomm. The company didn't give a timeline for when the new facilities will open, but it said its additional investment will lead to 40,000 construction jobs in the next four years and will create "tens of thousands of high-paying, high-tech jobs in advanced chip manufacturing and R&D."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/tsmc-is-investing-an-additional-100-billion-into-semiconductor-manufacturing-in-the-us-130045776.html?src=rss

Β©

Β© TSMC

A building with TSMC on the foreground.

Meta and Internet Society team up to expand internet access around the world

Meta and the Internet Society have established the Connectivity Co-Funding Initiative, which aims to expand affordable internet connection around the world. They announced the new project at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The partners are committing a $30 million investment through 2030 that will go to funding infrastructure development in various communities, specifically those overlooked or intentionally ignored by commercial providers. In addition, the initiative's money will go towards training programs that improve the technical know-how of marginalized grounds, to community-centered solutions for underserved areas, as well as to locally owned networks that create jobs.Β 

This an expansion of the non-profit organization's partnership with Meta, which started years ago when they worked together to improve internet connectivity in Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America by developing Internet exchange points. These points, or IXPs, are physical locations where internet providers can exchange traffic.Β 

Meta is only the Internet Society's first partner for the Co-Funding Initiative, and the non-profit org is putting out a call for more partners who can help grow that fund. "This new Connectivity Co-Funding initiative, supported by Meta, is a prime example of collective action that will help provide meaningful access to more than 2 billion people across the world with insufficient or no Internet," said Sally Wentworth, President and CEO of the Internet Society. "It is our hope that this fund plays a pivotal role in reducing this gap and creating a more equitable digital society."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/meta-and-internet-society-team-up-to-expand-internet-access-around-the-world-080034114.html?src=rss

Β©

Β© Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

MENLO PARK, CA - DECEMBER 29: Meta (Facebook) sign is seen at its headquarters in Menlo Park, California, United States on December 29, 2022. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Lenovo's new AI laptops for MWC 2025 include the Yoga Pro 9i Aura edition and the IdeaPad Slim 3x

Lenovo has announced new laptops with generative AI features for this year's Mobile World Congress (MWC), including the Yoga Pro 9i Aura edition. Lenovo's Aura edition branding is the result of a partnership with Intel to create a set of "distinct software, hardware and AI features" that make "computing a more personalized, productive, and protected experience." The Yoga Pro 9i Aura edition is powered by the Intel Core Ultra processor and ships with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 GPU, which is the company's most affordable model in the RTX 50 series.

It has a 16-inch 3.2K PureSight Pro display with a double layer of OLED pixels that increases its overall brightness to 1600nits peak, as well as boosts its power efficiency. The display also supports 100 percent sRGB, P3 and Adobe RGB color gamut that provide true-to-life color accuracy. Like the previous versions of the Yoga Pro 9i, the Aura edition comes with the Lenovo Creator Zone, an on-device AI suite that can make third-party video, photo and music applications for creators easier to use. Lenovo's Yoga Pro 9i Aura Edition will be available starting in the second quarter of 2025, with prices starting at $1,799.

The company has also introduced the 15-inch IdeaPad Slim 3x, a Copilot+ PC that runs on Snapdragon X chip, Qualcomm's new platform designed to put Copilot+ PCs within reach for more people. IdeaPad Slim 3x can also process AI tasks on device and comes with a dedicated key for Microsoft's Copilot assistant. One more interesting feature is the device's open SSD slot that can fit an extra SSD for those who want to expand the laptop's storage capacity. The model will be available starting this month for at least $649.

A laptop.
Lenovo

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/lenovos-new-ai-laptops-for-mwc-include-the-yoga-pro-9i-aura-edition-and-the-ideapad-slim-3x-230024761.html?src=rss

Β©

Β© Lenovo

A laptop with a person on a motorcycle on its screen.

Apple's Mythic Quest spin-off Side Quest debuts on March 26

Side Quest, formerly called Mere Mortals, will premiere on March 26 on Apple TV+. It's the spin-off/expansion series for Mythic Quest, a comedy show on the streaming service about a video game studio developing an MMORPG of the same name. All four episodes of Side Quest will be available on the service on the same day the season four finale of Mythic Quest drops on the platform. Side Quest will revolve around the lives of the fictional studio's employees, as well as the players and fans impacted by the Mythic Quest game.Β 

The show will take on an anthology format, with a bunch of actors taking on leading roles for each installment. It was created by Mythic Quest writers Ashly Burch, John Howell Harris and Katie McElhenney, who also served as executive producers. Burch plays the character of Rachel in the original show. Charlie Day, Megan Ganz and Rob McElhenney, who created the Mythic Quest series, served as executive producers for the spin-off, as well. Lionsgate, 3 Arts Entertainment and Ubisoft produced the show for Apple TV+.

In addition to announcing the show's premiere, Apple has also released the official trailer for the show, which gives you a pretty good idea of its tone and what you can expect if you watch it.Β 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/apples-mythic-quest-spin-off-side-quest-debuts-on-march-26-160057451.html?src=rss

Β©

Β© Apple

A hand holding a controller.

Alphabet's Taara chip uses light beams to provide high-speed internet

Alphabet has announced a new development for Taara's technology that could lead to low-cost, high-speed internet connectivity, even in far-flung locations. Taara's general manager, Mahesh Krishnaswamy, has introduced the Taara chip, a silicon photonic chip that uses light to transmit high-speed data through the air. The Taara chip is abut the size of a fingernail, far smaller than the technology the Alphabet division has been using. Taara Lightbridge, which is what its first-generation technology is called, is the size of a traffic light and uses a system of mirrors and sensors to physically steer light to where it needs to go. The new chip uses software instead.Β 

Taara is a project under X, Alphabet's moonshot factory. The high speed wireless optical link technology underpinning the project was originally developed for X's Project Loon internet broadcasting balloons. Alphabet pulled the plug on Loon in 2021 and focused on Taara instead, using its technology to beam broadband across the Congo River and the streets of Nairobi. Even years before Loon shut down, Alphabet's X was already toying with the idea of using light to beam internet and tested the technology in India.Β 

Taara's technology works by using a "very narrow, invisible light beam to transmit data at speeds as high as 20 gigabits per second, up to distances of 20 kilometers (12.1 miles)." It's like traditional fiber, in the sense that it uses light to carry data, except that light doesn't travel through cables. Instead, Taara's hardware emits beams of light. The beams from two units must be aligned with each other to be able to form a secure link that can transmit data, which is why Lightbridge was fitted with the parts needed to be able to physically steer the light. Taara's new chip doesn't need those components: It contains hundreds of tiny light emitters controlled by software with automatic steering

Krishnaswamy said Taara's light-beaming units will only take days to install instead of the months or years it can take to lay fiber. During tests in the lab, the Taara team was able to transmit data at speeds of 10 Gbps over a distance of one kilometer (0.62 miles) using two of the new chips. They're now looking to improve the chip's capacity and range by creating an "iteration with thousands of [light] emitters." The team expects the chip to be available in 2026.Β 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/alphabets-taara-chip-uses-light-beams-to-provide-high-speed-internet-140040922.html?src=rss

Β©

Β© Alphabet

The components of a chip.

SEC says meme coins are not subject to federal securities laws

28 February 2025 at 06:00

Meme coins are not securities and, hence, aren't subject to federal laws regulating the financial instruments, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The agency has issued its official stance on meme coins, comparing them to collectibles, since their value is "derived from speculative trading and the collective sentiment of the market." Meme coins do not fit the definition of securities under the law, SEC said, because they do "not generate a yield or convey rights to future income, profits, or assets of a business." People who purchase them are also not considered to be investing in an enterprise, which means they're not "investment contracts" that are classified as securities.Β 

As such, people who sell and offer meme coins do not have to register their transactions with the commission under the Securities Act. Buyers are not protected by securities laws as a result, though that doesn't automatically mean that scammers can use them to dupe people without repercussions. Any fraudulent transaction involving meme coins could still be subject to enforcement action under other federal and state laws.Β 

The Trump administration's Securities and Exchange Commission has been showing signs of being friendlier towards the cryptocurrency industry ever since he took office. Just within this month, the SEC agreed to end an enforcement case that accused Coinbase of illegally running an unregistered securities exchange. The commission also dropped an investigation into Robinhood, which faced charges of violating securities laws with its crypto listings and sales.

Even though the commission will not be regulating meme coins, it says it will still evaluate the "economic realities" of the presumably suspicious transactions they're involved in. Meme coins must be crypto assets "inspired by internet memes, characters, current events, or trends" purchased for "entertainment, social interaction, and cultural purposes" and whose value is "driven primarily by market demand and speculation." They typically have "limited or no use or functionality," the commission wrote, and "experience significant market price volatility." Crypto assets labeled as "meme coins" in an effort to evade regulations will still be considered as securities if they don't fit that definition.Β 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/sec-says-meme-coins-are-not-subject-to-federal-securities-laws-140032772.html?src=rss

Β©

Β© NurPhoto via Getty Images

This photo illustration shows the representation of the $Trump meme coin in Brussels, Belgium, on February 13, 2025. (Photo by Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Kia's EV4, its first electric sedan, will be available in the US later this year

27 February 2025 at 06:00

Kia has officially launched the EV4, its first electric sedan and hatchback, at the 2025 Kia EV Day in Tarragona, Spain. The company first unveiled the EV4 as a concept at CES last year, along with several other models. Buyers can choose between the 58.3 kWh standard and the 81.4 kWh long-range battery options, with the long-ranger sedan being able to run for 630 km (391.5 miles) on a single charge. Meanwhile, the standard battery sedan can last for 430 km (267 miles), whereas the hatchback vehicle has a range of 590 km (366.6 miles). The vehicle's 150 kW motor can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds for the standard battery variant and 7.7 seconds for the long-range variant. Both variations have a top speed of 170 km/h.Β 

The EV4 models use Kia's Digital Key 2.0 system that will let owners control certain functions remotely, such as being able to the start the vehicles' engines, through an app across 15 different devices. It even works with Apple Watch. The electric vehicles come with Kia's Highway Driving Assist technology that give owners access to Driver Attention Warning, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Following Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist and Remote Parking Assist Entry. There's also an advanced feature called Driving Package F+ that can detect hazardous situations using cameras and radars and can help drivers maneuver their vehicles to safety.

Kia will be manufacturing the EV4 sedan in Korea, where it will initially be available starting in March. It will produce the five-door hatchback version, meant for sale in Europe in the second half of the year, in Slovakia. The company has yet to reveal when it will start manufacturing the EV4 for the North American market, but it assured interested buyers that it's releasing the vehicle in the United States.Β 

In addition to launching the EV4, Kia has also unveiled the Concept EV2 (pictured below) during the event. It described the EV2 as compact and city-friendly, with an expandable interior that has folding second-row seats. Kia is planning to sell the EV2 in "Europe and other regions" starting in 2026.Β 

A vehicle render.
Kia

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/kias-ev4-its-first-electric-sedan-will-be-available-in-the-us-later-this-year-140039030.html?src=rss

Β©

Β© Kia

A blue sedan with a plate that says EV4

Meta confirms Instagram issue that's flooding users with violent and sexual Reels

26 February 2025 at 21:16

Meta has admitted to CNBC that Instagram is experiencing an error that's flooding users' accounts with Reels videos that aren't typically surfaced by its algorithms. "We are fixing an error that caused some users to see content in their Instagram Reels feed that should not have been recommended," the company told news organization. "We apologize for the mistake." Users have taken to social media platforms to ask other people whether they've also recently been flooded with Reels that contain violent and sexual themes. One user on Reddit said that their Reels pages was inundated with school shootings and murder.Β 

Others said they're getting back-to-back gore videos, such as stabbings, beheadings and castration, nudity, uncensored porn and straight-up rape. Some said they still see similar videos even if they had enabled their Sensitive Content Control. Social media algorithms are designed to show you videos and other content similar to ones you usually watch, read, like or interact with. In this case, though, Instagram has been showing graphic videos even to those who haven't been interacting with similar Reels, and sometimes even after the user has taken the time to click "Not Interested" on a Reel with violent or sexual content.Β 

The Meta spokesperson didn't tell CNBC what exactly the error was, but some of the videos people have reported seeing shouldn't have been on Instagram in the first place, based on the company's own policies. "To protect users... we remove the most graphic content and add warning labels to other graphic content so that people are aware it may be sensitive or disturbing before they click through," the company's policy reads. Meta's rules also state that it removes "real photographs and videos of nudity and sexual activity."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/meta-confirms-instagram-issue-thats-flooding-users-with-violent-and-sexual-reels-051631670.html?src=rss

Β©

Β© picture alliance via Getty Images

SYMBOL - 28 January 2025, Baden-WΓΌrttemberg, Rottweil: The application app of the video and photo sharing platform Instagram can be seen on the display of an iPhone. Photo: Silas Stein/dpa (Photo by Silas Stein/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Alibaba offers free access to its AI model that can generate realistic video and images

26 February 2025 at 05:30

Alibaba is giving people free access to its generative artificial intelligence models that can produce highly realistic videos and images from both text and image input. The company has announced that four variants of its Wan 2.1 series, the latest version of its generative AI technology, are now open source and can be downloaded and modified by users. Researchers, academics and commercial entities can all get them from Alibaba Cloud's ModelScope and Hugging Face platforms, both of which give people access to open-source AI models. As Reuters said, the models Alibaba has open sourced are called T2V-1.3B, T2V-14B, I2V-14B-720P and I2V-14B-480P, with the 14B indicating that the model can accept 14 billion parameters.Β 

Last month, Chinese company DeepSeek made its R1 reasoning model free to download and use, creating a clamor for more open-source AI technologies. DeepSeek even expanded its commitment to the open-source community and is in the process of releasing five code repositories behind its service.Β 

Alibaba was one of the companies that joined the fray to develop generative AI tech following the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT two years ago. Just recently, Alibaba Group's Chairman, Joe Tsai, said that the company's generative AI technology will power artificial intelligence features for iPhones meant for sale in the Chinese market. Apple couldn't use the same AI tech for phones released in China due to strict regulations surrounding AI products, so it has to look for local partners, Alibaba being one of them.

🌟 Big News from @alibaba_cloud! 🌟
Meet WanX - our next-gen AI model redefining video generation !

πŸš€ Presenting mind-blowing demos from WanX 2.1!

πŸ”₯ Even more exciting:
WanX 2.1 will be OPEN-SOURCE !
Coming soon …#AIart #OpenSource pic.twitter.com/R1laOyJYAL

β€” Wan (@Alibaba_Wan) February 20, 2025

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/alibaba-offers-free-access-to-its-ai-model-that-can-generate-realistic-video-and-images-133045633.html?src=rss

Β©

Β© CFOTO via Getty Images

SHANGHAI, CHINA - FEBRUARY 24, 2025 - An interior view of Alibaba's headquarters in Shanghai, China, February 24, 2025. (Photo credit should read CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

DoorDash to settle New York lawsuit over misleading tipping practices by paying $17 million

25 February 2025 at 06:30

DoorDash has reached an agreement with the New York Attorney General over an old practice wherein the company used customers' tips to subsidize its drivers' pay. As the office of New York AG Letitia James explained, its investigation had revealed that DoorDash wasn't giving its drivers the tips customers sent them through the app from May 2017 through September 2019. Now, the company will pay $16.75 million in restitution that will be divided between 63,000 drivers. The Attorney General told The New York Times that a lot of drivers will receive payments in the low thousands, but some will get as much as $14,000.Β 

Within the two-year period mentioned above, the service promised Dashers a guaranteed pay for each delivery. When customers checked out an order, they saw a message that said: "Dashers will always receive 100 percent of the tip." Most customers reading that would take it as their driver will get what they were tipping them on top of their payment. Instead, the service used their tips to cover the drivers' guaranteed pay. If a customer tipped $6 for an order with a guaranteed payment of $10, for instance, DoorDash would only pay $4 out of its own pocket. That means the driver would still only get $10 instead of $16.

"DoorDash misled customers who generously tipped and deceived Dashers who deserved to be paid in full. This settlement returns millions to the pockets of hardworking Dashers and ensures transparency in DoorDash’s payment practices going forward," James said in a statement. In 2020, DoorDash also settled a similar lawsuit in Washington, DC for $2.5 million. It settled another lawsuit of the same nature in Illinois last year for $11.25 million.Β 

The company ended its unfair tipping practices in 2019. In New York, app-based delivery companies are now required to pay their drivers a minimum wage that's currently set to $19.56 per hour, not including the tips they get from customers.Β 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/doordash-to-settle-new-york-lawsuit-over-misleading-tipping-practices-by-paying-17-million-143018965.html?src=rss

Β©

Β© DoorDash

A person holding a phone with the DoorDash app open.

A new Adobe Photoshop app is coming to iPhones

25 February 2025 at 06:00

Adobe has launched a brand new Photoshop app for iPhones, which it's also releasing for Android later this year. While there's already a Photoshop Express for mobile, the company says the new app was "designed from the ground up" with more features and has an easy-to-use mobile interface. The app, which is free to download and use, comes with Photoshop's core imaging and design tools. Users can make selections, layers and masks in the app to combine or blend images. They can also replace parts of an image with the Tap Select tool, remove elements from a photo with the Spot Healing Brush and add new elements by using its generative AI tools, such as Generative Fill and Generative Expand.Β 

Users will have access to free Adobe Stock assets and can link their apps with other Adobe applications, including Express, Lightroom and Fresco. Adobe is, as expected, offering premium upgrades to the app's capabilities for those willing to pay for the new Photoshop Mobile and Web plan. The $8-a-month service will add features to the app on mobile and iPad and will also include access to Photoshop on the web. Users who already have an existing Photoshop subscription, however, will also be able to enjoy the new Photoshop app's premium features.Β 

The premium features included with the new plan include the ability to transition editing from Photoshop mobile to the web if a user needs a bigger screen or more precise controls. Users are also getting extra generative AI features, including Adobe Firefly's Generate Similar, which allows users to create new variations of an existing image. Subscribers will get access to 20,000 fonts, be able to make precise selections of people and objects with the Object Select too, isolate objects with the Magic Wand, erase elements with the Remove Tool, copy and clone certain elements with the Clone Stamp and fill portions of an image with Content-Aware Fill. They will also be able to control an image's transparency and lighten or darken certain areas of an image. The new app for iPhones is already available from the App Store worldwide.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/a-new-adobe-photoshop-app-is-coming-to-iphones-140003461.html?src=rss

Β©

Β© Adobe

An app being used to change the background of a photo.

Apple AirTag four-packs drop to a new record-low price

27 February 2025 at 06:18

Now's the time to pick up a couple more AirTags. Amazon's having a sale right now that brings a four-pack of AirTags down to $68, which is 31 percent off and a new record low. That brings the price per AirTag down to only $17, which is a far cry from the standard $29 price for one. If you've wanted an extra one of these Bluetooth trackers for your backpack, luggage or wallet, picking up a four pack now will get you the best price we've seen.

AirTags are easily one of the best Bluetooth trackers you can buy today, especially if you're an iOS user β€” setting them up and connecting them to your account is pretty much a one-tap affair. The Find My network is vast, what with all the iPhones and AirTags already out there, helping you find a belonging that you're tracking if you lose it.Β 

When you're looking for an item, you can play a sound on the AirTag's built-in speaker from your iPhone to help you find it. If you have a newer phone, the AirTag's Ultra Wideband technology can even lead you right to it if it's nearby. You'll be able to see exactly how far you are from the tag, and you'll get directions on your device's screen. Take note that since AirTags are round, coin-like objects with no way to attach to an item on their own, you'll have to get accessories to be able to use them as keychains or to attach them to your pets' collars.

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/mobile/apple-airtag-four-packs-drop-to-a-new-record-low-price-120018787.html?src=rss

Β©

Β© Apple

A hand holding a round, coin-sized device with the Apple logo.

ASUS' new mouse has a built-in aromatic oil diffuser

22 February 2025 at 07:30

ASUS has launched a new mouse that comes with an built-in fragrance compartment that can be filled with aromatic essential oils. We don't know why you'd want a mouse that's also an oil diffuser, but, well... the option (for some reason) now exists. If you want to change scents, you can just wash the vial and refill it with a different one. Just take note that the vial is in a bottom compartment, so you'll have to take care not to accidentally damage it and smear aromatic oils on your desk. You also cannot use 100 percent pure essential oils and will have to refill the vial with oils for reed diffusers, ultrasonic diffusers and aroma stones.

The ASUS Fragrance Mouse has three adjustable DPI levels at 1200dpi, 1600dpi and 2,400dpi, letting you change sensitivity as needed across different screen resolutions or across different games. You'd want to use a higher DPI for games that need quick responses like first-person shooters. It also has both 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth connectivity that you can use to connect to different laptops and PCs. The mouse isn't rechargeable, but ASUS says an AA battery can power it for a year. In addition, the company says the model's switches can last for up to 10 million clicks. ASUS has yet to announce how much the Fragrance Mouse will cost and when it will be available, but you can easily get a diffuser from Amazon if you're after the fragrance part of the product.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/asus-new-mouse-has-a-built-in-aromatic-oil-diffuser-153100716.html?src=rss

Β©

Β© Asus

A pink and white mouse on a table with the shadow of a hand holding a dropper in the background.

ChatGPT's AI agent Operator is now available for most Pro users

21 February 2025 at 05:30

Operator is now out in Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the UK and most places where ChatGPT is also available, OpenAI has announced. The company launched Operator in the US back in January, introducing it as an "agent that can go to the web to perform tasks" for the user. Operator can handle various browser-based tasks for users, such as filling out forms, making restaurant reservations and ordering groceries. At the moment, it's still a research preview in its early stages that comes with limitations, but the company said it hopes to roll out improvements based on user feedback.

Operator is now rolling out to Pro users in Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the UK, and most places ChatGPT is available.

Still working on making Operator available in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein & Icelandβ€”we’ll keep you updated!

β€” OpenAI (@OpenAI) February 21, 2025

The tool is powered by a model called Computer-Using Agent (CUA) that's trained to see and interact with the buttons, menus and text fields people see when they visit a website. It can click buttons, type on text fields and basically interact with those elements "using all the actions a mouse and keyboard allow." In its announcement, the company said it's still working on launching Operator in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland.Β 

Operator is still only available for subscribers paying $200 a month for ChatGPT Pro, but the company plans to expand its availability to Plus, Team and Enterprise users in the future, before ultimately integrating its capabilities into ChatGPT. When that happens, it could be doing tasks for hundreds of millions of people around the world: ChatGPT recently surpassed 400 million weekly active users, twice as many as the user count OpenAI reported in August 2024.Β 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/chatgpts-ai-agent-operator-is-now-available-for-most-pro-users-133050651.html?src=rss

Β©

Β© OpenAI

A screenshot of OpenAI's Operator

Twitch streamers' uploads and highlights can no longer exceed 100 hours

20 February 2025 at 06:30

Twitch is putting a cap on how much storage a streamer can take up for their uploads and highlight videos. The streaming service has announced that starting on April 19, all uploads and highlights will count towards a new 100-hour storage limit for each streamer, whether the videos are published or not. To note, the cap doesn't apply to past broadcasts, which are previous livestreams saved to a streamer's account for on-demand viewing, or clips, which are minute-long segments that can be shared to social networks. Highlights can be longer than clips and can be made of several key moments from a video, which means they could take up more storage space.Β 

The service explained that it originally launched highlights to drive discovery and engagement for streamers, but the feature apparently hasn't been as effective clips and the mobile discovery feed. Storage is costly, and limiting highlights and uploads will allow the service to support the videos users want to keep on their accounts while also investing in improvements for features like Clips and mobile feed.Β 

Twitch said less than 0.5 percent of active streamers has gone over the 100-hour limit, and those who have will be notified directly. To make it easier for streamers to choose which videos they want to keep, Twitch has rolled out filters for Video Producer that will allow them to sort their content based on length, view count and date created. The service will be deleting videos for users that go beyond the 100-hour cap on April 19 and will be limiting uploads and highlights going forward.Β 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/twitch-streamers-uploads-and-highlights-can-no-longer-exceed-100-hours-143018464.html?src=rss

Β©

Β© Twitch

Twitch logo against a white background.

xAI's Grok 3 is available for free to everyone 'for a short time'

20 February 2025 at 05:30

You can now access xAI's most advanced large language model, Grok 3, even if you don't pay for a subscription on X. Grok 3 is available for free "for a short time," according to xAI founder Elon Musk, though the company didn't say until what "short time" means exactly. When you go to Grok on X or the web, and when you launch the standalone app, you'll now see new "Think" and "DeepSearch" options that are only available with xAI's latest LLM family. Just make sure you're using Grok 3 instead of Grok 2 in the chatbot interface's drop-drown menu. If you're paying for X Premium+, which now costs $40 a month, or the chatbot's standalone $30-per-month SuperGrok plan, you'll get "increased access" to Grok 3's features, as well as early access to advanced features like Voice Mode.Β 

For a short time, Grok 3 is available for free to all! https://t.co/r5iLXi2pBm

β€” Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 20, 2025

The company launched its Grok 3 model family a couple of days ago during a livestream, wherein Musk described it as "an order of magnitude more capable than Grok 2." Some of the models in the family are capable of "human-like reasoning," which you can trigger when you choose the "Think" option. They're best used for more complex queries, like those with mathematics, science and programming questions. Meanwhile, xAI described DeepSearch as the "next generation search engine" that can generate summaries for research inquiries.Β 

I asked the free version of Grok 3 how it differs from the paid option. The chatbot replied that "free interactions might hit server limits if too many people pile in at once" and that paid users get priority. Paid users get access to "Big Brain" mode, which can answer tough math, science or coding problems that need extra processing power, and there's no limit to the number of images SuperGrok subscribers can generate.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/xais-grok-3-is-available-for-free-to-everyone-for-a-short-time-130031943.html?src=rss

Β©

Β© xAI

A screenshot of Grok's interface that says "Grok 3 is here."
❌
❌