The Future of Tech, News and making sense of it all!

Friday, May 5, 2023

Early Friday Technology News and More...

Technology News and More...


The Seabed Empire Funding Britain’s New King



Wired / 1h
The Crown Estate lays claim to vast ocean assets, allowing the royal family to cash in on the booming blue economy.


Apple introduces 20 new games to Apple Arcade
TechCrunch / 16min
Apple launched 20 new games Thursday on Apple Arcade including a new exclusive Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles title along with classic games like Temple Run and Snake.io . Paramount Global’s TMNT Splintered Fate is a “roguelike adventure” game where you must play different characters including Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael to find the missing Master Splinter. Image Credits: Apple O


Quordle today - hints and answers for Friday, May 5 (game #466)
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 1h
It's time for your daily dose of Quordle hints - now with added Daily Sequence answers! Yes, that's right: the makers of Quordle have a new game, which sees you complete four Wordle puzzles consecutively. The twist is that the letters you've already used on the first game are repeated on the second and so on. It's good fun, but also difficult - so if you already find yourself searching for Wordle



Kenya’s Fingo partners with Ecobank, launches neobank on the back of $4M investment
TechCrunch / 1h
Yesterday, Fingo , a YC-backed Kenyan fintech, launched its neobank, which it developed in collaboration with Pan-African financial institution Ecobank Kenya. The Ecobank subsidiary unveiled the neobank, the first of its kind in the East African country, according to the pair, in an event with the country’s president, William Ruto, in attendance. It’s taken a while for Fingo to get here since CEO


India’s Meesho cuts 251 jobs
32TechCrunch / 2h
Meesho has cut 15% of its workforce, or 251 roles, as the Indian social commerce startup pares its expenses to improve its financial health and confront the “economic reality.” This is the second round of job cuts at Meesho, which eliminated about 150 roles a year ago. The Bengaluru-headquartered startup, backed by Fidelity, Prosus, SoftBank, Sequoia India and Meta, said in a statement that it is


Praktis lands $20M to help Indonesian D2C brands handle their supply chains
TechCrunch / 2h
Small to medium-sized enterprises contribute 60% of Indonesia’s gross domestic product . But companies in the D2C space still struggle to compete against bigger brands. Praktis wants to put them on a more level playing field. The startup, which handles everything from raw material purchases to order fulfillment for D2C brands and suppliers, announced today it has raised $20 million in Series A fu


This stacked Microsoft Office bundle is on sale for 96% off
Mashable / 2h
TL;DR : The All-In-One Microsoft Office Professional for Windows 2021 and Premium Microsoft Office Training Bundle is on sale for £55.89, saving you 96% on list price. Like a crisp new notebook, a brand-new computer feels like a totally blank canvas to work on. But whether it's a laptop or desktop setup, at some point you're going to come to a tough realisation...you need a new license to Microso


Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for May 5
Mashable / 2h
You made it! It's Friday! Celebrate with today's Wordle. We're here as always to help guide the way with our expert Wordle advice and the solution. If you prefer to just be told the answer, you can scroll to the end of this article for May 5's Wordle word to be revealed. But if you'd rather work through it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you. Where did Wordle


Grab your old iPhone from the drawer, Apple is offering better trade-in values
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 2h
Apple quietly changed the trade-in value for various product lines about two weeks after redesigning its Trade-In website . Looking at the charts , the changes are not across the board as some older models and Android phones will stay at their current amount. For the most part, you will get more money back for trading in old Apple devices, but a few are seeing a drop in value. Below is a series o


How to livestream F1 online for free
Mashable / 3h
SAVE 49%: Watch F1 livestreams from anywhere in the world with a VPN. A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.03 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This discounted plan also includes a generous money-back guarantee. Can anyone stop Max Verstappen from claiming another F1 title? Sergio Pérez is probably best positioned to give his teammate a


Tesla Model S Plaid's Incoming Track Package Promises Blistering Speeds
SlashGear / 4h
Tesla has a new teaser to commemorate the arrival of the track package, a set of Model S Plaid upgrades that will finally unlock the 200 mph top speed.


Everything We Know About The Air Force's Futuristic New eVTOL
SlashGear / 4h
Aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing capability is not new, but doing it with electric power is and one aircraft has captured the Air Force's interest.


Pixel Phones May Soon Feature An Exclusive Google Bard AI Widget
SlashGear / 4h
Microsoft is ahead of Google when it comes to implementing AI in its products. Google may catch up soon, though, at least across its own Pixel lineup.


Why The NYPD Is Asking People To Put Apple AirTags In Their Cars
SlashGear / 5h
Car thefts remain high, particularly ones involving some Kia and Hyundai models due to poor security and a viral TikTok trend. The NYPD hopes AirTags will help.


Can You Use MagSafe Accessories On Android Phones? It Depends
SlashGear / 5h
MagSafe has revolutionized iPhone charging and accessories, but even though Apple pioneered the feature, Android users can still get in on the magnetic fun.


How To Watch Netflix With Your Friends On Discord
SlashGear / 5h
Movies are best appreciated with friends, and thanks to the magic of Discord, it's easier than ever, even if you can't be together in person.


TikTok tracked UK journalist via her cat's account
400+BBC News - Technology / 6h
London-based reporter Cristina Criddle says it was "chilling" to learn her data had been accessed.


White House: Big Tech bosses told to protect public from AI risks
76BBC News - Technology / 6h
The White House say firms have a "moral" duty to make sure their products are safe.


Chopper Is the Chaos Star Wars Needs
33Gizmodo / 6h
Star Wars ’ relationship with droids has always been weird . Their portrayal has run the gamut from revolutionary to servant underclass, to killer foes and straight-laced allies. But no droid has ever felt more true to the ragtag heroic ethos of Star Wars than Hera Syndulla ’s very own little freak, Chopper . Read more...


10 Frustrating Instagram Problems And Easy Ways To Fix Them
SlashGear / 7h
Nothing ruins a mindless scrolling session quite like lag, bugs, and freezing. Here are 10 frustrating Instagram problems and easy ways to fix them.



5 Of The Best Engines Ever Put In A Chevy Truck
SlashGear / 7h
Here are some of the best engines that have ever graced a Chevy pickup truck. And spoiler alert, there's even one non-V8 engine on the list.


This Helpful Tesla Feature Should Be On Every New Car
SlashGear / 7h
Tesla rolled out a new feature in an OTA update in late 2021 that is potentially really useful. We'll tell you what it is and why everyone should be doing it.


5 Tips That Will Help You Use Bing AI Chat Like A Pro
SlashGear / 7h
Microsoft opened up Bing AI Chat, so it's available for everyone. If you want to start using it, we have some suggestions to make the most of it.


The Avengers' Russo Brothers Had a Near Miss With Kevin Feige's Star Wars
Gizmodo / 7h
The directing-producing team of Anthony Russo, Joe Russo , and Kevin Feige , which minted money for Marvel in the form of Captain America movies The Winter Soldier and Civil War , and Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame , apparently came very close to teaming up in another cinematic galaxy—the one far, far away. Read more...


Why teaching robots to blink is hard but important
33BBC News - Technology / 7h
Blinking conveys more information than you might think and it's hard to make robots do it properly.


In a world first, RSV vaccine wins FDA approval for adults 60 and up
51Ars Technica - All content / 8h
Enlarge / An electron micrograph of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). (credit: Getty | BSIP ) The Food and Drug Administration issued the world's first approval of a vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) , an achievement that researchers have worked toward for decades after a catastrophic clinical trial in the 1960s. The vaccine, called Arexvy from pharmaceutical giant GSK, is ap


As Alexa flounders, Amazon hopes homegrown generative AI can find it revenue
Ars Technica - All content / 8h
Enlarge / An Amazon Echo Dot. (credit: Amazon ) While voice assistants initially seemed to be a convenient, futuristic way to get information and perform basic tasks, they have barely graduated from that role. And the lack of evolution has left voice assistants surrounded by uncertainty. Google, for example, has shut down third-party Google Assistant smart displays and reportedly shifted Assistan


Luke’s Awakening fan art merges Star Wars with Zelda to delightful 8-bit effect
Ars Technica - All content / 8h
Enlarge / Star Wars: Luke's Awakening imagines a Game Boy Color game that never was. (credit: Shoehead) Just in time for Star Wars Day , Irish pixel artist and indie game developer Shoehead debuted nine delightful mock-up images of a non-existent Game Boy Color game called Star Wars: Luke's Awakening . It's a fan tribute that melds the design sensibilities of the 1993 Game Boy classic Zelda: Link


Apple Q2 earnings are down, as everything but iPhones is harder to sell
Ars Technica - All content / 8h
Enlarge / Tim Cook posing for selfie at an Apple Store opening in New Delhi, India. Cook is optimistic about "switcher and first-time buyer metrics" in that country. (credit: Bloomberg/Getty) Apple reported its earnings for Q2 2023 today, beating both Wall Street's and its own dour revenue estimates just a bit but continuing to show marked declines in new hardware sales. Overall sales revenue was


LIGHTSPEED Presents: 'One Heart, Lost and Found' by Kat Howard
Gizmodo / 8h
io9 is proud to present fiction from LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE . Once a month, we feature a story from LIGHTSPEED’s current issue. This month’s selection is “One Heart, Lost and Found” by Kat Howard. You can read the story below or listen to the podcast on LIGHTSPEED’s website. Enjoy! Read more...


5 Of The Best Japanese Kei Trucks You Can Buy
SlashGear / 8h
Kei trucks are some of the most popular vehicles on Japanese roads but are almost entirely unknown in the U.S. Here are the ones most worth importing.


The Best Supercar Model From Every Major Brand
SlashGear / 8h
Supercars are technologically sophisticated sportscars built for performance that command high prices. Here is the best supercar model from every major brand.


Apple's Latest Quarter Went Better Than Expected, But Sales Were Still Down
SlashGear / 8h
Apple has revealed its revenue figures for Q2 2023, and though it saw a slump across multiple hardware lines, the overall results were still positive.


2024 Volvo C40 & XC40 Recharge RWD First Drive: Better Off Single
SlashGear / 8h
Volvo's C40 and XC40 Recharge electric crossovers are getting new, single-motor versions, but while you lose a motor you gain in two important ways.


'Quordle' today: Here are the answers and hints for May 5
Mashable / 8h
If Quordle is a little too challenging today, you've come to the right place for hints. There aren't just hints here, but the whole Quordle solution. Scroll to the bottom of this page, and there it is. But are you sure you need all four answers? Maybe you just need a strategy guide. Either way, scroll down, and you'll get what you need. What is Quordle ? Quordle is a five-letter word guessing gam


In Europe, Accel banks on a turnaround over the next 6 to 9 months
21TechCrunch / 8h
It’s been almost five years since this editor sat down with longtime VC Harry Nelis and three other investors from Accel’s London office to talk about the trends rippling through the venture industry. At the time, our talk largely centered on Brexit and SoftBank’s feverish pace of investment, which was beginning to drive other late-stage funds into earlier-stage companies. Of course, much has cha


Apple’s Slowdown Eases, but Sluggish Demand Hurts Results
NYT > Technology / 8h
Overall iPhone sales were up, and revenue for the company’s services business set a record.


Star Wars Icon Carrie Fisher Honored at Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony
73Gizmodo / 8h
Star Wars Day, May 4, always brings with it lots of fun activities. This year, though, the Star Wars galaxy centered on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, CA—where Princess Leia herself , Carrie Fisher, was finally given a star on the iconic Walk of Fame. Read more...


Daily Crunch: Shopify lays off 20% of staff and sells its logistics arm to Flexport
TechCrunch / 8h
To get a roundup of TechCrunch’s biggest and most important stories delivered to your inbox every day at 3 p.m. PDT, subscribe here . Why, hello, Crunchers! We’re excited to tell you that today is Thursday! How fabulously exciting. Over on TC+, Haje has been hard at work trying to create the Perfect Pitch Deck . Oh, and Euro startups: Here’s your chance to apply to Startup Battlefield 200 ! — Chr


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 leak suggests foldables may become more useful
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 8h
A new leak for Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 5 is making the rounds revealing some detailed specs for the external screen alongside images of the display in action. This information comes from notable industry insider Ice Universe on Twitter , who claims the outer display will measure 3.4 inches diagonally and sport a resolution of 720p (720x748 pixels) and 305 ppi (pixels per inch). So, you’r



Americans Are Ready for AI Regulation, Poll Finds
Gizmodo / 8h
A new poll of more than 1,200 registered voters provides some of the clearest data yet illustrating the public’s desire to reign in AI. Read more...


8Bitdo launches a $30 version of its Ultimate controller
Engadget / 9h
Gamepad maker 8Bitdo unveiled a cheaper version of its beloved Ultimate Controller today. The new Ultimate C 2.4G Wireless Controller is a $30 wireless accessory in purple or green color options. It’s compatible with Windows, Android, Steam Deck and Raspberry Pi. As its name suggests, the new gamepad connects wirelessly using an included 2.4GHz USB dongle. 8Bitdo describes it as a “simplified” ve


carolrain : dynamoe : those posters with celebrities for America’s Libraries READ got pretty weird. ‘80s Yoda Poster: S...
Music, Arts & Literature / 9h
carolrain : dynamoe : those posters with celebrities for America’s Libraries READ got pretty weird. ‘80s Yoda Poster: Still Guilting Us to READ


Five Things Scammers Are Hoping You Google
Lifehacker / 9h
Humans are predictable: When we want to know something, we’re probably going to google it. Companies (including digital media sites like Lifehacker) know this, and often try to “game the algorithm” by producing content they know will match with common searches. The problem is, scammers know this too—and are happy to… Read more...


New York State Passes Historic Ban on Gas Appliances (Stoves Included)
29Gizmodo / 9h
New York has become the first state in the country to ban gas hook-ups in new buildings. A section of the state’s recently passed, long-delayed 2024 budget includes a policy known as the All Electric Buildings Act. Under the law, signed by Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday, New York is headed for a climate-friendlier… Read more...


Unionized Apple Workers Say Tip Your Genius Bar-Tender
Gizmodo / 9h
Workers at one of only two unionized Apple stores in the country are in the throes of contract negotiation. One of the many ideas on the table: introducing the option to tip into customer transactions. Read more...


Google's Larry Page Could Be Served in Jeffrey Epstein Case
Gizmodo / 9h
Google co-founder Larry Page can be served with court papers related to a case over Jeffrey Epstein ’s sex trafficking, a federal judge ruled on Thursday. The U.S. Virgin Islands filed a civil lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase, where Epstein was a longtime customer, claiming the bank knew of his sex trafficking of… Read more...


House of the Dragon, Rings of Power Continue Production Without Writers
49Gizmodo / 9h
Hollywood headlines have been all about the writer’s strike happening between the Writers Guild of America, representing film and television writers, and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, representing various networks and streaming services—including Amazon’s Prime Video and Warner Bros’ HBO. As … Read more...


How To Clear The Telegram Cache On Your Android Phone (And Why You Might Need To)
SlashGear / 9h
Clearing your Telegram cache is straightforward as long as you can find the option in the first place. We'll show you where it is and why you might want to.


Priority Bicycles E-Coast Review: An E-Bike Made For Smooth Summer Cruising
SlashGear / 9h
Priority Bicycles e-Coast is an e-bike made to cruise with ease -- and in comfort. This bike also rolls with a few key smart features, for good measure.


This Aircraft Engine Is Based On Porsches Legendary 911 Flat-Six
SlashGear / 9h
As far back as the 1950s, Porsche was working on aircraft engines. As a result it built one of the most durable engines to every take to the skies.


Steve Wozniak: If You Want to Learn About AI Killing People, "Get a Tesla"
1KFuturism / 9h
Tesla Killer Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has some harsh words for Tesla. In a new interview, Wozniak argued that the Elon Musk-led company's self-driving efforts leave a lot to be desired — and are actively making Teslas incredibly unsafe to drive. "And boy, if you want a study of AI gone wrong and taking a lot of claims and trying to kill you every chance it can, get a Tesla," Wozniak told CN


Startup's Proposed Satellite Swarm Would Create 3D Maps of Earth's Entire Surface
Gizmodo / 9h
Satellites flying overhead in Earth’s orbit largely provide a two-dimensional view of our planet, but a Florida-based company is hoping to change that by using satellites to routinely build 3D maps of Earth’s entire surface. Read more...


Vice President Harris tells tech CEOs they have a moral responsibility to safeguard AI
Engadget / 9h
The Biden administration may be funding AI research , but it's also hoping to keep companies accountable for their behavior. Vice President Kamala Harris has met the CEOs of Alphabet (Google's parent), Microsoft, OpenAI and Anthropic in a bid to get more safeguards for AI. Private firms have an "ethical, moral and legal responsibility" to make their AI products safe and secure, Harris says in a s


Why American Airlines Respects Passenger Time During Boarding – United And Delta Do Not
View from the Wing / 9h
The problem with United's boarding isn't just that they board earlier but how their gates are set up: boarding pens . Passengers line up in their assigned group, with each group having a different area (airport and gate-allowing), far in advance of boarding. Continue reading ...


Investors cheer as Coinbase beats Q1 expectations
72TechCrunch / 10h
Today after the bell, Coinbase reported its Q1 2023 financial results, handily beating expectations. In the first three months of the year, the U.S. cryptocurrency exchange generated net revenues of $736 million, a $79 million net loss and adjusted EBITDA of $284 million. Analysts had expected a far slimmer $655 million in revenue and a larger loss from the company in the first quarter. In after-


Lyft shares tumble as investors react to dim outlook
100+TechCrunch / 10h
Lyft shares tanked as much as 12% moments after the company reported first-quarter earnings as investors placed more weight on a dim outlook and lower quarter-over-quarter revenue than other financial gains. Shares have since stabilized in after-hours trading, now trading down about 10%. Lyft beat both its own revenue expectations and Wall Street’s, but it wasn’t enough to assuage investors focus


Strong iPhone sales aren't enough to offset a big downturn in Mac shipments
Engadget / 10h
Apple had its second "bad" quarter in a row. Bad, of course, is a relative term — the company's revenues declined again , but Apple is still making a positively massive amount of money. Specifically, the iPhone and Services categories, both of which have been Apple's biggest money-makers for years now, saw revenue gains year-over-year. But this wasn't enough to offset declines everywhere else: th


How to Snack, Italian Style
Lifehacker / 10h
Been to Italy? Or know someone who has? They probably talk about aperitivo. It’s a tourist rite of passage, well known by students who just got back from their first semester abroad and seasoned travelers alike. With similarities to tapas, happy hour, or even a buffet, this uniquely Italian tradition brings people… Read more...


iPhone sales help Apple beat revenue forecasts for Q2
78TechCrunch / 10h
Everyone knew this would be a rough quarterly earnings report, but the question was just how rough. Facing broader economic headwinds and a slowing smartphone market, Apple reported its second straight quarterly sales drop. Still, the company managed to beat Wall Street forecasts, on the strength of better-than-expected iPhone revenue. Apple itself issued no formal guidance ahead of earnings, a m



Google celebrates Star Wars Day with a fun Grogu Easter egg
100+TechCrunch / 10h
Google is celebrating Star Wars Day with a special Easter egg featuring Grogu , also known as Baby Yoda. When you type “Grogu” or “Baby Yoda” into the Google Search bar, the character will appear in the bottom right corner of your screen. Once you click on him, he will use the Force to knock out the top section of the results. If you click on him again, he will continue to dismantle the search re


All the Best Star Wars Merch You Can Buy on May 4
Gizmodo / 10h
This year Lucasfilm is rolling out across the galaxy—er, retailers, with Star Wars merch for every fan. Read more...


Google makes the Pixel Fold official
Ars Technica - All content / 10h
The Google Fold. This is an official shot from Google's video. [credit: Google ] I guess the Pixel Fold wasn't going to be a surprise to anyone after all the leaks, so why not just announce it? Google posted a teaser site for the long-awaited foldable, where you can join a mailing list for "The first foldable phone engineered by Google." This is the first time the company has acknowledged the Fol


Googlers angry about CEO’s $226M pay after cuts in perks and 12,000 layoffs
65Ars Technica - All content / 10h
Enlarge / Google CEO Sundar Pichai speaks at Vox Media's Code Conference on September 6, 2022, in Beverly Hills, California. (credit: Getty Images | Jerod Harris ) Following Google's layoff of 12,000 employees and other cost-cutting moves, employees are reportedly expressing anger about CEO Sundar Pichai's $226 million pay package. "In the weeks since Pichai's annual compensation was made public,


Snoop Dogg on AI risk: “Sh–, what the f—?”
500+Ars Technica - All content / 10h
Enlarge / Snoop Dogg talking about AI at the 2023 Milken Institute Global Conference on May 3, 2023. (credit: Milken Institute) On Wednesday, celebrated multi-platinum recording artist Snoop Dogg took part in a panel at the Milken Institute's 2023 Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California. After fielding a question by Variety editor Shirley Halperin about AI in relation to the 2023 WGA write


This App Makes Your Mac’s Keyboard Sound Vintage
Lifehacker / 10h
Typing on a modern Apple keyboard isn’t a silent experience by any means, but it certainly doesn’t compete with a mechanical keyboard. There’s something satisfying about the clicks and clacks produced when typing on one of those specialty keyboards, an experience you miss out on when writing on your MacBook or iMac.… Read more...


Guardians of the Galaxy 3 and Microsoft Are Giving the Zune a Comeback in Space
44Gizmodo / 10h
The Zune, Microsoft’s failed digital music player from the early 2000s, is getting a second chance on board the International Space Station (ISS), after performing cameos in Guardians of the Galaxy 2 and other Marvel movies. Microsoft and its collaborators are planning to resuscitate the famously doomed gadget… Read more...


Ransomware Gang Hijacks College's Emergency Broadcast System to Threaten Students
Gizmodo / 10h
Colleges and schools are a big target for cybercriminals, so the fact that a ransomware gang hacked a university in Virginia last month isn’t exactly surprising. What is surprising is what the ransomware gang did next. In a bold move, the gang hijacked the school’s emergency communications system, using it to spam… Read more...


[no title]
Music, Arts & Literature / 10h
dynamoe : those posters with celebrities for America’s Libraries READ got pretty weird.


Saturn Is Sucking Up Its Rings
78Futurism / 10h
Rings of Power Saturn's innermost rings are steadily disappearing as they're being sucked up into the planet's upper atmosphere — and scientists are still trying to figure out why, Space.com reports , using the mighty James Webb Space Telescope. The planet's icy rings are collapsing i nto the planet as icy rain, succumbing to its intense gravity. But there's a lot we still don't know about the co


This 'CatGPT' AI Chatbot Will Let You Ask A Cat Anything
SlashGear / 10h
CatGPT offers a unique combination of hilarious cat GIFs, silly "meows" and actual AI insight for amusement.


Twitter: How To Use Advanced Search & Sort Through Every Tweet Someone's Posted
SlashGear / 10h
It's not easily found but Twitter has an advanced search feature that, among other things, lets you search the tweets of a specific user. We'll show you how.


2024 Toyota Tacoma: Every Configuration We Expect To See At The Reveal
SlashGear / 10h
The Toyota Tacoma is expected to launch on May 19, but Toyota has been dropping some early hints at what we'll see on that date. Here are our interpretations.


The 5 Absolute Best Star Wars Games, Ranked
SlashGear / 10h
"Star Wars" is one of the most popular movie franchises in history, but its gaming side can be equally as entertaining. Here are five of the best titles.


Pixel Fold Gets A Surprise Reveal, But We'll Have To Wait For The Juicy Details
SlashGear / 10h
Google got swept up in the "Star Wars Day" hype and unleashed official renders of its upcoming Pixel Fold on both its Twitter account and on the Google Store.


The Future of Radiant Black Is in Its Readers' Hands
24Gizmodo / 10h
Image Comics’ superhero series turned cross-comic multiverse Radiant Black has long played with all sorts of tropes from the genre , drawing inspiration from places like Japanese superhero fiction and classic big-two comics. But its latest twist is going back into the past to emulate an all-time iconic moment in… Read more...


Hyatt CEO talks Mr & Mrs Smith integration and bringing all-inclusive resorts to the Middle East
26The Points Guy / 10h
Hyatt’s grip on luxury and lifestyle hotels expanded last week with news the Chicago-based hotel giant plans to acquire the Mr & Mrs Smith booking platform of more than 1,500 luxury boutique hotels. But that doesn’t mean the company is going to do any better than a major competitor it’s snatching the brand from. At face value, Hyatt’s gain comes at the expense of IHG Hotels & Resorts , which curr


How an avatar robot system won a german research group won $5M
Mashable / 11h
Team NimbRo of the University of Bonn has won a $5M prize for their avatar robot system during the ANA Avatar XPRIZE in Long Beach, California. The competition featured seventeen teams from ten different countries with the goal of developing robotic systems that people can use to virtually put themselves in another place.


You Can Probably Get Reimbursed If Your Flight Price Drops
Lifehacker / 11h
One of the few silver linings of the pandemic has been the flexibility that airlines now offer. With the hectic logistic changes that COVID brought, many airlines decided to allow customers to change or cancel their plans for free, with many waiving their change fees permanently . When you combine this perk with many… Read more...


Google ruins its own Pixel Fold surprise less than a week before launch
300+TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 11h
Did you doubt that we would be getting a Pixel Fold from Google soon? I find your lack of faith disturbing. With a nod to May the Fourth and Star Wars Day, Google has announced the Pixel Fold on Twitter and launched a supporting site with a good look at the upcoming folding smartphone. The new phone will be launched at the Google I/O event on May 10, and we will be there to take a proper look. Go



House lawmakers ask for investigation into Apple store labor practices
Engadget / 11h
Apple is facing additional scrutiny over its alleged crackdown against pro-union retail workers . House Representatives Emanuel Cleaver and Sylvia Garcia have sent a letter to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) asking for an investigation into alleged labor abuses at Houston and Kansas City, Missouri stores. The politicians are concerned about claims Apple fired five Kansas City staff in r


The Easiest Way to Stop Wet Wipes From Sticking Together
Lifehacker / 11h
Let’s start off by acknowledging that just because a problem is small doesn’t mean it’s not worth solving, and I am here to remove one minor indignity from your life: When you pull a wet wipe out of the package and two wipes come out because the first one didn’t detach from the one underneath? Maddening. But it… Read more...


Peloton Plans a Comeback, Says It Will Focus on Content
23Gizmodo / 11h
Following nearly two years of downturn exacerbated by a botched treadmill hazard response and rusty bikes , Peloton announced today that it’s relaunching its brand in an effort to make more money. The company plans to focus more on fitness content rather than hardware and will roll out “app tiers” with varying plans… Read more...


Could the Internet Actually Be Good for Your Brain?
27Gizmodo / 11h
For all its warts, being online might be an overall positive for older people, new research suggests. The study found that reported regular internet use was associated with a reduced risk of dementia in those over 50. The largest possible benefit was seen in people who reported two hours or less of internet use… Read more...


vculibraries: vculibraries:“Star Wars” No. 1VCU Libraries has a...
Music, Arts & Literature / 11h
vculibraries : vculibraries : “Star Wars” No. 1 VCU Libraries has a vast collection of rare and popular pop-up books, including this elaborate “Star Wars” pop-up book by Matthew Reinhart. Published on April 12, 1977, the inaugural “Star Wars” comic book actually arrived a month before the first “Star Wars” film debuted, marking the first in a long line of comic books exploring the “Star Wars” uni


book-historia: May the 4th be with you! It’s Star Wars day, and...
Music, Arts & Literature / 11h
book-historia : May the 4th be with you! It’s Star Wars day, and while many of you have probably seen the British Library’s illuminated Yoda, I invite you to consider this guy from the Polish National Library. I think he’s even more Yoda-like! He inhabits the late 14th century Sankt Florian Psalter, which contains the oldest known translation of the Psalms into Polish. It’s a beautiful book, and


californiastatelibrary : Skull Hamlet Skull Hamlet Skull Hamlet Because we’ve had an awesome response to our video all ...
Music, Arts & Literature / 11h
californiastatelibrary : Skull Hamlet Skull Hamlet Skull Hamlet Because we’ve had an awesome response to our video all about this amazing edition of Hamlet, we thought we’d share some close-up photos. This edition, published in 1933, includes an amazingly realistic skull inlaid into the leather cover. The skull isn’t real, though, and was constructed with over 2,000 pieces of overlaid leather! It


The May Queen and other poems / Alfred Lord Tennyson ; designed, written out and illuminated by Alberto Sangorski. Rubr...
Music, Arts & Literature / 11h
The May Queen and other poems / Alfred Lord Tennyson ; designed, written out and illuminated by Alberto Sangorski. Rubricated and illuminated. Colophon: “This manuscript, selected poems of Alfred Lord Tennyson, The May Queen , The sea fairies , The beggar maid , Hero to Leander , and Dora was designed, written out, and illuminated by Alberto Sangorski for Messrs. R. Rivière & Son bookbinders & bo


'The Last of Us' and 'Wii Sports' join the World Video Game Hall of Fame
Engadget / 11h
The Strong National Museum of Play has revealed this year's inductees into the World Video Game Hall of Fame. There are four games in the class of 2023: The Last of Us, Wii Sports, Barbie Fashion Designer and Computer Space. They were selected based on a number of criteria, including their influence and popularity over time. The Last of Us is the most recent one of the bunch. Naughty Dog's post-a


Yum! Environmentally Friendly Beer Made From Used Shower Water
200+Futurism / 11h
Greywater Fresh If you want a refreshing, environmentally-friendly beverage — but don't necessarily want to go all the way to Bill Gates' fecal sludge water route — we might have just the thing. It's called the Epic OneWater Brew, and it's a kölsch-style beer that, according to the Guardian , is made from recycled wastewater. Crafted as a collaboration between a San Francisco water recycling comp


Enjoy These Incredible Star Wars Toy Photos for May 4
78Gizmodo / 11h
It’s funny that May 4 has become the official Star Wars day , because if you follow movies, television, and pop culture , every day is basically a Star Wars day. It’s one of the most popular franchises in the world and we all talk about it so much that, on a day like May 4, maybe you want something different. Read more...


Slack GPT Is A Generative AI To Make The Workday A Little Less Hectic
SlashGear / 11h
Salesforce has already begun integrating AI-based features into its popular messaging platform. We'll tell you what's new in Slack as of today.


Discord Profiles Are Getting A Twitter Makeover: What Users Should Know
SlashGear / 11h
Discord is overhauling the platform's username and display name system, making it fall more in line with social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook.


I sat down with 3 Choice Hotels leaders: Here’s their take on the future of Choice Privileges
28The Points Guy / 11h
The Radisson-Choice Hotels integration has been picking up steam lately. In August 2022, Choice Hotels acquired Radisson Hotels Americas . At the end of January, it became possible to transfer points between the programs at a ratio of 2 Radisson Rewards Americas points for every 1 Choice Privileges point. Radisson Rewards Americas will be fully integrated into Choice Privileges later this year. H


Will AI spell doom for humanity? One of ChatGPT’s creators thinks there’s a 50% chance
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 11h
A researcher who was involved in the creation of ChatGPT has warned that AI could well lead to the doom of humankind – or at least there’s about a 50% chance of that scenario playing out. Business Insider reports that Paul Christiano, who led the language model alignment team at OpenAI, but has since left the company and now heads up the non-profit Alignment Research Center, made the warning in t


Cloud security threats are growing faster than ever
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 11h
Cloud-based security threats are growing at a faster rate than ever, as threat actors find new and innovative ways to push malware through the novel technology. Netskope's latest Cloud & Threat Report: Global Cloud and Web Malware Trends paper found more than half (55%) of all HTTP and HTTPS malware downloads came from cloud apps, up from 35% for the same period a year before. That makes it more


Tesla brings back the long-range Model 3 with an 18% discount
200+TechCrunch / 11h
After a nearly nine-month hiatus, Tesla has reopened orders for its long-range Model 3. The vehicle reappeared on the automaker’s website earlier this week with a steep price drop . It previously started at $57,990, but now sits at $47,240 before any interior, exterior or software upgrades. Still, this roughly 18.5% discount seems to come with a catch. Tesla previously advertised a 358-mile range


Developers are building out the blockchain ecosystem in Barcelona
TechCrunch / 11h
Welcome back to Chain Reaction. This week I’m writing the newsletter from the currently sunny and always beautiful city of Barcelona, Spain. I’m here for the Avalanche Summit II, which is hosted by Ava Labs, the creator of the layer-1 blockchain Avalanche. So far, there have been a lot of discussions surrounding blockchain gaming, decentralized finance and regulation. Avalanche also announced a p


Windows 11’s File Explorer Is Getting a New Details Pane
32How-To Geek / 12h
Microsoft is updating the File Explorer on Windows 11 piece by piece, starting with the new toolbar in the first release, and more recently with tabbed navigation. There’s now another change on the way. Read This Article on How-To Geek ›


Google all but unveils the Pixel Fold just days before I/O
55Mashable / 12h
Well, there goes one of the big "surprises" of Google I/O 2023 . After years of rumors suggesting Google was working on a foldable Pixel phone, the company rather abruptly revealed the device with less than a week to go before the big conference where it'll be officially announced. In a tweet on Thursday, Google gave us firm proof that the Pixel Fold exists. SEE ALSO: Everything you can expect to



Your Sex Life Needs Regular Exercise
Lifehacker / 12h
We all know we should exercise to improve our physical life. But if you needed even more incentive to hit the gym, how about the fact that exercise can also improve your sex life? It seems almost fairly obvious. As Karla Robinson, medical editor at GoodRx , puts it: “ Exercise increases blood flow throughout your body,… Read more...


Can We Build Trustworthy AI?
70Gizmodo / 12h
We will all soon get into the habit of using AI tools for help with everyday problems and tasks. We should get in the habit of questioning the motives, incentives, and capabilities behind them, too. Read more...


Buy Marriott Bonvoy Points With 50% Bonus
200+One Mile at a Time / 12h
Marriott Bonvoy has just launched its newest promotion on purchased points . This could represent a good deal, especially for aspirational redemptions, so let’s go over all the details. Promotion on purchased Marriott Bonvoy points Through Sunday, July 2, 2023, Marriott Bonvoy is offering a bonus on purchased points . This is being marketed as a mystery bonus, so different accounts may be eligibl


The best iPhone 14 Plus deal ever is back at Verizon today - get it for free
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 12h
Quite possibly the best iPhone 14 Plus deal ever is back again this week at Verizon, with the carrier giving the flagship away for free with a new unlimited data plan with the option to bundle in an additional free iPad and Apple Watch on top. What makes this Verizon deal so potent is that you don't need the usual trade-in rebate to be eligible - only a new line on an unlimited data plan. This, p


Russian hackers use a blast from the Windows past to launch cyberattacks
4 TTPs•
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 12h
Russian state-sponsored hackers have wiped data from devices belonging to Ukrainian state networks thanks to poorly protected VPNs, and malware that abuses popular archiving program WinRAR. The Ukrainian Government Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-UA) recently claimed a Russian threat actor, thought to be from the Sandworm group, managed to compromise Ukrainian state networks by using compr


WhatsApp is getting 3 super-useful features – here’s how to get them
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 12h
WhatsApp is so easy to use that it's managed to become the messaging mainstay for most families, but it's still possible to run into the odd quirk or frustration. Fortunately, the app is in the process of fixing three of those annoyances with some new updates. The first two refinements are coming in an iOS and Android update that has started rolling out globally and will be "available to everyone


Hyatts Playing Games: 4 Hotels That Don’t Allow You To Use Your Points For Free Nights
View from the Wing / 12h
Some hotels don't want award guests. They might think they can sell all of their rooms not at their average rate but at a premium, at least some nights of the year. Or they may just have a negative view of program members - they like getting paid nights from these members, but not having to host them on points. Here are four Hyatt hotels that currently do not let members spend their points for fr


Acquisition, retention, expansion: Why SaaS founders must understand GDR and NDR
TechCrunch / 12h
Paris Heymann Contributor Paris Heymann is a partner at Index Ventures , where he invests primarily in B2B SaaS and data. More posts by this contributor Metrics that matter: 3 KPIs to track on the path to profitability Whether it’s the coffee shop down the street, a mobile app on your phone, or software used at work, any long-term minded and customer-centric company is typically focused on: Acqui


Meta pitches augmented reality to advertisers with new AR Reels Ads and Facebook Stories
23TechCrunch / 12h
Augmented reality is coming to Reels Ads and Facebook Stories, Meta announced this afternoon at the IAB’s NewFronts as part of its pitch to advertisers. The update allows brands like Sephora, Tiffany & Co. and others to offer more immersive experiences and AR filters when marketing to Meta’s audience, including its younger Gen Z users. The company said it’s also rolling out other enhancements and


The life and death of a robot vacuum
TechCrunch / 12h
I’m heading back to the South Bay next week, thanks to Google I/O, which is coming back to the Shoreline Amphitheater. I honestly don’t expect much of anything related to this beat, though AI is going to be all over that thing. That’s hardly a new phenomenon, of course — previous developer conferences have showcased how in-house developments have made their way into real-world applications like s


Why is Discord making you change your name?
31TechCrunch / 12h
Popular chat and streaming app Discord is making every single one of its users change their names, and you could be forgiven for wondering why make such a disruptive move at all. But the platform’s founders say it’s more necessary than you might think. Ordinarily, Discord users are identified by a name and random number separated by a hash sign — like MinaHarker#1897. Originally, explains co-foun


Save on Your Electric Bill by Creating a ‘Climate Zone’ at Home
Lifehacker / 12h
Heating and cooling units increase in efficiency every year, but most of us are living with older units and in leaky, older buildings or in new “open floor plans.” At the same time, global warming and environmental change means we’re dealing with more extreme temperatures every year. These are a recipe for nightmarish… Read more...


Google Pixel Fold: Details, Specs, Release Date
50Wired / 12h
The Pixel Fold was revealed in a tweet today. Here’s what we can discern for now.


Hulu adds PBS stations to its live TV channel lineup
Engadget / 12h
Hulu is adding a full spate of PBS channels to its Live TV subscription service. This includes a wide variety of local PBS affiliates and PBS Kids offerings, giving viewers the chance to watch stuff like Antiques Roadshow, Frontline, Masterpiece and a whole lot of Ken Burns documentaries. This is live TV so you’ll be tied to your local affiliate and will have to (gasp) sit down and watch somethin


EVs Are Clearing the Air in California, but Only for Rich Neighborhoods
Gizmodo / 12h
Electric vehicles are a popular pollution reduction strategy , but vulnerable communities are being left behind. A new study published in PLOS Climate analyzed California’s electric vehicle rebate program and found that EVs are indeed reducing pollution—but only for already affluent areas. Read more...


V. E. Schwab on Her New Fantasy Series, Anime, and Book Recommendations | io9 Interview (Part 2)
Gizmodo / 12h
Read more...


How Shopify bungled its latest layoffs and made employees feel like NPCs
78TechCrunch / 12h
Shopify laid off 20% of its global workforce today — its second sizeable employee culling after a reduction of 10% announced last July. This latest downsizing also includes the wholesale divestment of an entire line of business: Shopify’s in-house logistics arm, which sought to own more of the warehousing and fulfillment chain for its merchants. Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke’s internal message to the en


'Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis)' trailer takes us behind rock's most iconic album covers
100+Mashable / 12h
You might not know the name Hipgnosis, but you've definitely seen this creative duo's work. You might even have copies of it in your house right now. Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey "Po" Powell, aka Hipgnosis (the G is silent, like lasagna), founded the design firm in the late '60s. And along with later members (including Peter Christopherson of Throbbing Gristle), they created album covers for some


“Are you still in business?”—Hyper support ghosts customers, spurring outrage
Ars Technica - All content / 12h
Enlarge / A Hyper GaN charger. (credit: Hyper ) Hyper, known for making some of the best GaN chargers , as well as docks, battery packs, and other accessories, has some work to do to win back customers after numerous complaints of its support team going silent and the dysfunction of its 1-800 support numbers. The silent treatment was so bad that some questioned if Hyper was even a company anymore


Scientists Are Breathlessly Waiting For Betelgeuse to Explode
1KFuturism / 12h
Super Powers Betelgeuse is one of the most visible and iconic stars visible on Earth — and with scientists predicting that it'll go supernova sometime soon, astronomy Twitter naturally has jokes. In 2019, Betelgeuse became noticeably dimmer , which led to stargazers and scientists alike wondering whether the old red giant was about to go supernova. Last year, the Hubble Space Telescope — remember



All The Technology Star Trek Predicted Accurately
46SlashGear / 12h
"Star Trek" has long captivated audiences worldwide with its vision of the future. Here are all of the real technologies that "Star Trek" predicted accurately.


Adobe could be pushing its luck over Figma deal
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 12h
Adobe’s controversial merger with Figma may have hit another roadblock, as the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) confirms it’s investigating the “anticipated acquisition.” The monopoly-busting independent body has revealed plans to find out if the Adobe-Figma merger would lead to “a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom.” Adobe: Too pow


Google Uses Star Wars Day to Officially Reveal the Pixel Fold
100+Gizmodo / 12h
Google really wants you to buy the Pixel Fold, and has given up on trying to keep it under wraps after so many Pixel Fold leaks . It officially announced the phone’s existence in a tweet co-opting Star Wars Day. The tweet says, “May the fold be with you,” and links to the Google Store , where you can pre-order the… Read more...


A Saved Picture of the Quran Is Enough to Detain Uyghurs in China, Report Says
31Gizmodo / 12h
Simply viewing a photo of the Quran in the Xinjiang region of China is enough to be designated a dangerous extremist by government officials, according to a Human Right Watch report released Wednesday. Chinese police maintain a “master list” of around 50,000 video, audio, and photo files they claim contain violent and… Read more...


Use the Two Minute Rule to Stop Procrastinating
Lifehacker / 12h
Even when you’re overwhelmed by looming tasks, there’s an easy way to knock out several of them to gain momentum. It’s called the “two-minute rule” and it can help you be more productive in school, work, and at home. Read more...


Lordstown Motors may stop Endurance EV production ‘in the near future’
Engadget / 12h
EV startup Lordstown Motors is still in trouble after pausing production earlier this year. The Endurance electronic pickup truck maker said today that it expects to stop producing the vehicle “in the near future” if it can’t find a partner to keep it afloat. The warning follows a separate filing from earlier this week saying it could file for bankruptcy if its deal with Foxconn can’t be resurrec


The Harmful Side Effect of Cleaning Up the Ocean
54Wired / 12h
Patches of floating plastic are teeming with life, and cleanup companies hauling trash out of the water risk destroying an aquatic habitat.