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

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Early Wednesday Technology News and More...

 Technology news and more...



Sony says it sold 600,000 PS VR 2 units in six weeks


300+Engadget / 1h
Apparently, the PlayStation VR2 sold way better than its predecessor in the weeks after it became available. During a business presentation, Sony has revealed (PDF) that it sold almost 600,000 PS VR2 units within its first six weeks of availability. That's around 8 percent more than its PS VR sales for the same time window. As PushSquare notes, that number only covers sales until the beginning of


Microsoft’s AI reaches Indian villages
TechCrunch / 52min
Merely months have passed since Microsoft and OpenAI unveiled ChatGPT to the world , sparking a fervor among tech enthusiasts and industry titans. Now, the technology that underpins this generative AI is breaking barriers, reaching remote hamlets hundreds of miles away from the tech hubbubs of Seattle and San Francisco. Jugalbandi, a chatbot built in collaboration by Microsoft, the open-source in


Everything you need to know about the wild world of alternative jet fuels
MIT Technology Review / 4min
Tech Review Explains: Let our writers untangle the complex, messy world of technology to help you understand what’s coming next. You can read more here . The future of flying might depend on french fries, trash, and sunlight. Aviation accounts for about 2% of global carbon dioxide emissions , and once you add in other polluting gases, the industry is responsible for about 3% of all human-caused g



Amazon's Fire TV Cube falls to a new all-time low in streaming sale
Engadget / 8min
Amazon's Fire TV devices are currently on sale , with its Fire TV Cube reaching a new all-time low price at $120, down from $140. The third-generation model has been hovering around $125 since it dropped in September, so the latest discount is another $5 off. It's not a significant change, but you can use that leftover money to grab some batteries or even snacks for your next watch. The third-gen


AEW Fight Forever to feature comical amounts of blood
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 24min
If you were concerned AEW Fight Forever wouldn't fully lean into its outlandish arcade roots, then fear no more. AEW Fight Forever , due to launch on June 29 for PS5 , Xbox Series X |S, Nintendo Switch and last-gen consoles, is developer Yuke's highly anticipated return to the wrestling genre. And its official Twitter account just confirmed that the game will fully lean into its T / 16+ rating. A


How 'Ted Lasso' fumbled Nate's redemption arc, big time
Mashable / 26min
When Coach Nate (Nick Mohammed) turned to the dark side in Ted Lasso 's Season 2 finale, I pulled a quote from the Book of Lasso and thought, "smells like potential." After all, Nate's heel turn teased both the potential of a great TV villain and a chance at a killer redemption arc , and Ted Lasso appeared equipped to deliver us both. Across Seasons 1 and 2, Ted Lasso introduced smarmy villains l


'Ted Lasso': 5 burning questions we have for the series finale
Mashable / 26min
Ted Lasso is barreling down the pitch toward its series finale, but there are still many questions it needs to answer before it wraps up for good. The sheer volume of unknowns left hanging comes courtesy of the larger scope of Season 3, which introduced seemingly more plotlines than the first and second seasons combined. Some of these have wrapped up in the last few episodes: For example, Keeley


A huge star just exploded, and you can actually see it
Mashable / 25min
Boom . In the colossal Pinwheel galaxy, 25 million light-years away, a star has just exploded and is even visible through small telescopes. The supernova-hunting astronomer Koichi Itagaki discovered the radiant anomaly in the sky on May 19, enticing other scientists to train telescopes on the object. Not all stars explode fantastically, in dramatic events called supernovae , at the end of their s


Save 27% on this power bank that charges 6 devices at once
Mashable / 25min
TL;DR: As of May 24, get the Flash Pro Plus 100W USB-C 25000mAh Power Bank and charge up to six devices for only $229.99 — that's a 27% discount. If you're carrying around multiple devices from the Apple ecosystem, you likely know the struggle of keeping them all juiced up. Plus, when you're away from an outlet you might find yourself even more limited in what you can charge up. Power up six devi


Save $159 on Microsoft Windows 11 Pro with early access to this Memorial Day price
Mashable / 25min
TL;DR: As of May 24, get Microsoft Windows 11 Pro for just $39.99 — that's a 79% discount. As the temperatures heat up this summer, some of us will end up spending more and more time indoors basking in the glory of air conditioning. Is your computer updated enough to keep you entertained? If you're a PC owner, particularly one who scored a great deal on a refurbished model, it might be time to up


Translate on the go with the Fluentalk T1 Translator Device, 15% off for a limited time
Mashable / 25min
TL;DR: As of May 24, get the Fluentalk T1 Translator Device for only $254.15 — that's a 15% discount. Travelers and expats have long relied on learning local languages to connect with people. Unfortunately, the older you get, the more difficult it's supposed to be to absorb a new vocabulary and grammar system. The Fluentalk T1 Translator Device is a handheld device by Timekettle that’s designed t


'American Born Chinese' review: A coming-of-age story full of heart and unexpected heroes
Mashable / 25min
American Born Chinese feels — respectfully — like an old Disney Channel original movie. Based on Gene Luen Yang's graphic novel of the same name, American Born Chinese is a coming-of-age story sprinkled with fantasy. The show's eight episodes follow Jin Wang (Ben Wang), an average high school student trying to make the most out of the new school year. His plans for climbing his school's social la


'Platonic' is more than funny; it's an epic hang
Mashable / 25min
It takes some serious chutzpah to try to reclaim the terrain that Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan iconically charted in the classic romantic-comedy When Harry Met Sally… Yet, Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne have done just that — and with aplomb! — in Platonic , a 10-part comedy series that's as heartfelt as it is hilarious. But don't get it twisted. This isn't a prolonged remake retreading a tale of opposit


EBANX: We will be operating in 11 African countries by the end of the year
TechCrunch / 32min
For all the talk about emerging markets and their similarities, moves involving African startups expanding to Latin America are rare. Only two significant activities come to mind recently: Migo’s expansion to Brazil and Paga’s planned move to Mexico , their respective second markets outside Africa. What’s rarer, however, is the reverse — Latin American tech startups extending their footprint into


DouxMatok takes sweet journey to become Incredo after securing $30M
TechCrunch / 32min
DouxMatok, a food tech company whose first product is a sugar-based, sugar reduction solution called Incredo Sugar, is taking a nod from that and changing its company name to Incredo . Incredo’s technology binds real cane or beet sugar with trace amounts of a natural carrier that is able to reduce the amount of sugar in foods by between 30% and 50%. This means that people can eat less of it, but


What to Know About Limiting Your Child’s Screen Time
NYT > Technology / 35min
Concerned parents have many tools, including free software from Apple and Google, to actively oversee how children use their tech.


How well do you know the history of mobile phones?
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 55min
We all remember our first device, whether it was a groundbreaking iPhone, an indestructible Nokia, or a pioneering Motorola DynaTAC. In a short time, we’ve gone from making calls and sending texts on brick phones to playing 3D games and streaming live 4K video on shiny, sleek handsets. The smartphone is as much a fashion item and part of popular culture as it is a productivity device in 2023. But


The EOS R100 is Canon's cheapest R-series mirrorless camera yet
23Engadget / 1h
Canon has unveiled its cheapest R-series camera yet, the $480 EOS R100 that's similar to the old EOS M50 II with a new mount. It's "designed for new, first-time mirrorless camera or existing interchangeable camera users who previously enjoyed EOS Rebel or EOS M cameras," the company said. For that price, though, it's missing some key features that you'd expect on a modern mirrorless camera. The E


What is this? A car for ants? Volvo hypes EX30’s ‘smaller’ CO2 footprint
TechCrunch / 1h
Volvo is back with new details on its forthcoming EX30 electric SUV. This time, the Swedish automaker is talking up the vehicle’s carbon footprint, claiming it is smaller “than any Volvo car ever before.” In fact, Volvo is so determined to drive home an air of minimization that it made promotional images of the EX30 in miniature. Look how small it is, cruising into a shadow on the dashboard of a


Logitech's Pro X 2 gaming headset promises longer battery life
Engadget / 2h
If you’ve been looking to get a new gaming headset , or your very first, Logitech has a few new options. The company is today updating its Pro gaming headset with a few notable changes that not only makes it a better gaming headset, but potentially a great set of all-purpose headphones . First and foremost, the new Pro X 2 headset features a new 50mm Pro-G Graphene audio driver. Why is that impor



The Backbone One: PlayStation Edition mobile controller is now available for Android
TechCrunch / 2h
Backbone One – PlayStation Edition controller, made by Sony and Backbone , is now available for Android. Last July, both companies partnered to release an iOS version of the controller with a lightning port. The idea of a Backbone controller is to slide your phone into its extended grip and play games. Both iOS and Android versions of the Backbone One – PlayStation Edition look like the Sony-made


How to remove scratches from your phone
100+Mashable / 2h
Whether it's from the car keys in your pocket or an accidental drop, our phones are bound to be victims of scratches and scuffs. The best (and safest!) way to fix your scratched and scuffed-up iPhone , Android phone, or other mobile device is to replace the screen ! Apple for example only charges $29 to replace your screen if you have AppleCare+ . If your warranty is expired, it costs around $129


France Bans Short Domestic Flights, But…
92One Mile at a Time / 3h
France has just formally banned short domestic flights that can be covered by train in a reasonable amount of time. While French lawmakers initially voted to ban these flights back in April 2021, it took over two years to actually implement this new law. While this no doubt sounds drastic, the practical implications are fairly limited. France’s ban on domestic flights Under a government decree pu


SpaceX wants to join the FAA as defendant in environmental groups' Starship lawsuit
Engadget / 3h
While SpaceX completed the first fully integrated flight test for its Starship vehicle in April, the event wasn't exactly a complete success. The company blew up the spacecraft on the launch pad due to a separation failure, and that caused debris to shoot out across hundreds of acres of land that contained sensitive habitats. It also started a 3.5-acre fire on state park land. In response, enviro


Quordle today - hints and answers for Wednesday, May 24 (game #485)
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 3h
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


Virgin Orbit: Branson’s rocket dream ends after mission failure
100+BBC News - Technology / 4h
Virgin Orbit's shutdown follows a major launch failure and most of staff have been laid off.


Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro are finally available on your iPad – here's how to get them
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 5h
Just two weeks after the initial announcement, Apple's Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro editing software have made landfall on select iPad models. Both apps function similarly to their desktop counterparts with some customizations so they can take full advantage of the hardware. As stated in our previous coverage , Final Cut Pro will feature a new jog wheel to make interacting with the touch screen ea


The new Canon EOS R100 is all out of touch with beginners
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 5h
Canon’s RF-mount mirrorless camera range has just welcomed a new entry-level model, the Canon EOS R100, that sits below the Canon EOS R50. Think of the EOS R100 as a modern-day Canon EOS 2000D, which is Canon's cheapest DSLR camera. At its heart, the EOS R100 is a stripped-back version of Canon’s DSLR-style Canon EOS R50 with a lower list price, and the same 24MP APS-C crop sensor that has been a


Save 90% on 10TB of cloud storage space for life
Mashable / 5h
TL;DR: As of May 24, get Degoo Premium: Lifetime 10TB Backup Plan for only $89.97 — That's 90% off. Just like what happens with items you lose between your couch cushions, you never really know where your lost files go when you delete them, accidentally or otherwise. Do they go to some sort of digital black hole? Into the abyss? In some random corner of the world wide web? No one knows for sure,


UK’s Moonfire VC raises its second fund at $115M to aim at early stage startups
TechCrunch / 5h
It was back in the Pandemic era of 2021 that we reported on the launch of Moonfire , at the time a $60 million “Fund I” seed-stage “data-driven” VC geared around the new world of remote working and remote pitching. It’s new $115 million fund-raise (“Fund II”) plans to continue what it calls its “data-driven” approach. Since its launch by former Atomico co-founder Mattias Ljungman , Moonfire says


Save 50% on lifetime access to this helpful PDF app for Macs
Mashable / 5h
TL;DR: A lifetime subscription to PDF Expert is on sale for £56.22, saving you 50% on list price. Whether you’re at work, in school, or just trying to find the manual for your coffee maker online, it’s hard to avoid PDFs. If you don’t have an app or program that allows you to handle PDFs seamlessly, that may be a problem, but there’s still time to get a lifetime license to PDF Expert. This intuit


Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for May 24
Mashable / 5h
It is Wednesday, my dudes, and it's time for Wordle ! And as always, we're here to offer some wisdom to help guide you to a solution. If you'd rather just be told the answer, you can jump to the end of this article for May 24's Wordle solution delivered to you straight up. But if you'd rather figure it out yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you. Where did Wordle


20 of the best MIT courses you can take online for free
Mashable / 5h
TL;DR: A wide range of online courses from MIT are available for free on edX. Learn about Python programming, finance, machine learning, and much more, without spending anything. You can find a long list of partnering schools on edX, which is great news for anyone looking to pursue a passion. MIT leads the way though, with an absolutely massive range of online courses available for free on edX. Y


Chip war: Apple strikes major US-made semiconductor deal
71BBC News - Technology / 5h
The firm reaches an agreement with Broadcom as the tech trade row between US and China intensifies.


How to unblock Max for free from anywhere in the world
Mashable / 5h
SAVE 49%: ExpressVPN is the best service for accessing Max from anywhere in the world. A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.61 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. Opens in a new tab Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) (opens in a new tab) £82.61 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) (opens in a new


How to watch French Netflix for free
Mashable / 5h
SAVE 49%: Watch French Netflix from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN. A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £81.38 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also comes with a money-back guarantee. Opens in a new tab Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) (opens in a new tab) £81.38 only at ExpressVPN (money


How to watch the Monaco Grand Prix online for free
Mashable / 5h
SAVE 49%: Livestream the F1 for free with a high-speed VPN. A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £81.38 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a money-back guarantee. Every F1 fan has their favourite track, and whilst Monaco might not be the fastest or necessarily best for racing, few would argue that it isn't the most famous t


No, Elon Musk can't run for U.S. Vice President
Mashable / 5h
This week, Florida governor Ron DeSantis will launch his U.S. presidential campaign via an interview with Elon Musk on Twitter Spaces. Seeing these words in the same sentence has some people playing sloppy word association, wondering if Musk might run for the position of vice president alongside DeSantis. Short answer: He can't. Musk is legally barred from becoming the U.S. president. Under Artic


I compiled the ultimate list of free web hosting sites in the known universe
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 6h
Free web hosting services are becoming more popular as people look for ways to start new businesses online without incurring significant costs. Such services have a place in the market as they offer a way for anyone to start building a web presence for free, trialing new ideas before moving on - should they be successful - to something more solid. I compiled the ultimate list of free website host


5 Of The Best SMS App Alternatives To Replace Messages On Android
SlashGear / 6h
While your Android no doubt has a default SMS messaging app, you can download others if you have specific desires for your texting.



This Super Cheap Calculator Can Play Tons Of Classic Nintendo Games
SlashGear / 6h
The GHLBD doesn't come with these games installed, which means if you want to do this you'll have to delve into the world of emulators and ROM.


The Netflix password sharing crackdown is here. Check your inbox.
69Mashable / 6h
Netflix has begun sending out emails informing U.S. users that the halcyon days of password sharing are over . While you're still technically able to share your account with people outside your household, you're now no longer able to do so for free. According to a sample email shared in Netflix's blog post , you'll now have to pay an additional $7.99 per month for an extra member slot if you want


Watch Out For These ChatGPT Scams On The App Store And Google Play
SlashGear / 7h
ChatGPT is an exciting development in AI and LLMs, but like many other exciting developments, it has brought its share of scams to mobile app stores.


Indonesia’s Skorlife gets funding to give Indonesians power over their credit scores
30TechCrunch / 7h
Skorlife , the fintech that wants to give Indonesians more transparency into their credit scores, has raised $4 million in seed funding. The round was led by Hummingbird Ventures with participation from QED Investors, and returning investors AC Ventures and Saison Capital. The startup’s last funding round was $2.2 million in pre-seed funding announced in September . Co-founded by Ongki Kurniawan


OpenFin’s attack on the ‘toggle tax’ in financial apps secures it a $35M Series D round
TechCrunch / 7h
Not unlike a post-Internet-era Bloomberg Terminal, OpenFin was a startup which joined the revolutionary world of user interfaces to fast-moving information, back in 2010. If you cast your mind back, those old interfaces were not good, to put it mildly. Think what it was like ordering a cab 15 years ago? Any app that made that experience better became a way to own the user. And in the same way, Op


Reliance’s Zivame customers say their accounts were hacked
TechCrunch / 7h
Some customers of Zivame, an Indian online women’s intimate apparel store owned by Reliance Retail , have complained that their accounts were hacked, leading to the exposure of their personal information, including their full names, phone numbers and email addresses. Over the past few weeks, alleged data from Zivame has been sold by hackers on multiple forums. Three customers told TechCrunch that


The Flash's Final Trailer Teases the Benefits of Fancy Friends Like Batman
Gizmodo / 8h
If given the chance to bring back those you love, would you risk it all? DC hero Barry Allen ( Ezra Miller ) will explore the consequences of some well-intentioned time and space meddling in The Flash , which just dropped its final trailer. (Like previous looks at the film , Batmen abound.) Read more...


Fight Breaks Out At Chicago O’Hare Baggage Claim
42View from the Wing / 9h
It's not clear what started the fight, but this actually breaks out into more than one fight . It always amazes me that at a major international airport there are numerous law enforcement agencies of all kinds on premises, and cameras literally everywhere, yet no one seems to intervene. Continue reading ...


California urges EPA to approve ban on new gas-powered car sales by 2035
TechCrunch / 9h
California is urging the Biden administration to grant approval for its proposal that mandates all new vehicles sold within the state by 2035 to be exclusively electric, hydrogen-powered or plug-in electric hybrids (PHEVs), according to a letter seen and reported on by Reuters . The California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved the plan in August , but it still needs a green light from the Envir


Your fave illustration of Franklin’s kite experiment is likely riddled with errors
Ars Technica - All content / 10h
Enlarge / Hand-colored lithograph published by Currier & Ives in 1876, probably the most widely distributed illustration of Benjamin Franklin's kite experiment. Franklin is wrongly shown to be holding the string in one hand above where the key is attached. (credit: Public domain) Most Americans are familiar with the story of Benjamin Franklin and his famous 18th century experiment in which he att


Windows Copilot Adds An AI Helper To Windows 11
SlashGear / 10h
Microsoft has already teased a new AI-powered feature heading to Windows 11, one that will bring Bing and ChatGPT features directly to the taskbar.


10 Reasons Not to Miss Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai
Gizmodo / 10h
Be careful with bright lights, water, and snacks after midnight: Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai has been unleashed on Max! The animated series follows Gizmo, the adorable critter from Joe Dante’s Gremlins films , on his adventures with Sam Wing (Izaac Wang), a much younger version of the shopkeeper character in … Read more...


Choice Hotels Is Looking To Buy Wyndham
View from the Wing / 10h
Both chains are more booking platforms than hoteliers, since they not only don't own hotels they generally don't run them either, preferring to franchise. Choice currently has over 7,000 properties and Wyndham over 9,000. Continue reading ...


Meet Taylor Sheesh, the Philippines' favorite Taylor Swift impersonator
300+Mashable / 10h
The grind never stops for Taylor Sheesh, the Philippines' preeminent Taylor Swift impersonator. The minute we get on Zoom, they admit they've just woken up from a well-timed nap. After performing as the pop star for 90 minutes on Sunday in front of several thousand people (a concert that went viral on TikTok and Twitter ), Sheesh, who also goes by Mac, is gearing up to work the graveyard shift at


Widespread FBI abuse of foreign spy law sets off “alarm bells,” tech group says
Ars Technica - All content / 11h
Enlarge (credit: Chip Somodevilla / Staff | Getty Images North America ) The FBI isn't supposed to use its most controversial spy tool to snoop on emails, texts, and other private communications of Americans or anyone located in the United States. However, that didn't stop the FBI from sometimes knowingly using its Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Section 702 powers to conduct warrant


Apple Brings Final Cut Pro And Logic Pro To iPad
SlashGear / 11h
As promised, Apple has brought two of its popular software products to the iPad, making the tablet slightly more useful as a tool for creators.


Ray-Ban Stories Update Finally Turns Them Into Smart Glasses
SlashGear / 11h
Meta's smart glasses, the Ray-Ban Stories, has received an update that brings new features and capabilities. There's also an account requirement deadline.


'Quordle' today: Here are the answers and hints for May 24
Mashable / 11h
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


Microsoft wants to help you build a website with Copilot AI
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 11h
Microsoft has added AI enhancements to its low-code website building offering, Power Pages. Announced at its Microsoft Build conference, Copilot in Power Pages lets website developers leverage AI capabilities for copywriting and form building. The new update to Microsoft Power Pages tool looks to speed up the time it takes website builders to generate text, build detailed forms and chatbots, usin


Netflix's password crackdown hits UK, US and Australia: here's all the info
32TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 11h
Netflix’s new password-sharing crackdown has finally arrived in the US, UK, and Australia, starting today (May 23rd), as the platform expands its controversial policy to multiple new countries. According to a recent announcement , the streaming giant will send emails to anyone sharing their Netflix password outside of their 'household' beginning immediately. The letter will apparently state to Ne



alrauna: Lily Seika Jones (@rivuletpaper)
Music, Arts & Literature / 11h
alrauna : Lily Seika Jones (@rivuletpaper)


Matt Berry to Co-Star in Minecraft With Jason Momoa
44Gizmodo / 11h
I spent 10 minutes trying to come up with a clever way to explain this news, but ultimately the news just speaks for itself: Matt Berry, the hilarious comedic force of FX’s What We Do in the Shadows , is teaming up with previously announced star Jason Momoa, hot off his villainous turn in Fast X , for the big screen… Read more...


Peloton Works to Stay Relevant With Massive Rebrand
Gizmodo / 11h
Peloton is rebranding itself as a high-end health app after seeing a continued drop in subscribers. The company, which sells luxury exercise bikes with an accompanying exercise class subscription, is transitioning to focus on offering inclusive health options. Read more...


Minister attacks Meta boss over Facebook message encryption plan
42BBC News - Technology / 11h
Minister Tom Tugendhat criticises Mark Zuckerberg over Facebook's extension of message encryption.


Netflix crackdown on account sharing hits US with $8 fee for each extra user
71Ars Technica - All content / 11h
Enlarge (credit: Netflix) Netflix is now telling US customers to stop sharing accounts with people outside their households or pay $7.99 a month for each extra member. "Your Netflix account is for you and the people you live with—your household," Netflix says in an email targeted at customers whose accounts are being used in multiple locations. The email provides two options: transfer the extra p


Fake Pentagon “explosion” photo sows confusion on Twitter
83Ars Technica - All content / 11h
Enlarge / A fake AI-generated image of an "explosion" near the Pentagon that went viral on Twitter. (credit: Twitter) On Monday, a tweeted AI-generated image suggesting a large explosion at the Pentagon led to brief confusion, which included a reported small drop in the stock market. It originated from a verified Twitter account named "Bloomberg Feed," unaffiliated with the well-known Bloomberg m


Apptronik readies its humanoid robot for a summer unveil
33TechCrunch / 11h
Jeff Cardenas pulls out his MacBook. Apptronik’s co-founder and CEO has a slideshow he wants to show, running down the Austin startup’s seven-year history. It does, indeed, take a bit of contextualizing. Like many fellow robotics firms, the company was fueled by government contracts in its earliest days. First up was Valkyrie 2, the second iteration of NASA’s humanoid space robot. The young compa


Make These Pickle Fries, Which Rule
30Lifehacker / 11h
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it at least four times: We are living in a golden age of pickled products. Some of them are good, and some of them are bad, but few will come close to the perfect of the Golden Flake Dill Pickle Potato Chip (pre-acquisition by Utz, that is). Read more...


Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Star Sean Gunn on Performing Young Rocket Raccoon
Gizmodo / 12h
Read more...


The best programs for maximizing stopovers and open jaws on award tickets
The Points Guy / 12h
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with the latest information. Understanding the complexities of stopovers and open jaws on award tickets can be overwhelming, but they can be a great way to visit two or more destinations for the price of one. Some airline programs have lenient routing rules that you can leverage to create a tour of Europe or Asia and sometimes even a mini


NASA Says It May Have Spotted Remains of Crashed Japanese Moon Lander
30Futurism / 12h
Final Impact NASA says it's spotted the impact site of Japanese company ispace's lunar lander, which made a hard impact with the lunar surface last month. Close-up images taken by the agency's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) show four large craters dotting the Moon's surface, likely the remains of ispace's HAKUTO-R Mission 1 lander. The robotic spacecraft company was hoping to become the first


Google Bard AI Can Now Retrieve Images, And That's Just The Start
SlashGear / 12h
Bard continues to evolve as Google innovates and expands its new AI generative search tools, now expanding into simple and complex prompt-based image gathering.


Netflix Starts Cracking Down On Password Sharing In The US
SlashGear / 12h
Netflix users in the United States are now facing an unpopular reality: stop sharing your account with people outsides of your home or start paying extra.


Ford Retunes Its AM Radio Decision After Massive Backlash
SlashGear / 12h
Not many people tune into AM radio stations, but the old-school radio tech has stuck around for a good reason. That's why Ford has changed its mind.


FTX’s Dr. Frankenstein Tries to Revive Dead Crypto Exchange
Gizmodo / 12h
Other than Terra , FTX is perhaps the biggest synonym for failure in the crypto industry. It’s a three-letter word dragged so far through the mud that it’s hard to distinguish it from a cow patty. Yet enough people working at the exchange think people would be interested in a reboot. So much so, FTX’s new CEO has… Read more...


Timber! Japan's Wooden Satellite Is Nearly Ready for Space
25Gizmodo / 12h
Apparently, space wood is a thing. Japanese researchers are preparing to launch the world’s first satellite made from wood following a successful experiment on board the International Space Station (ISS), which suggests lumber can be quite sturdy in outer space. Read more...


'Profound risk of harm': Surgeon General issues warning about youth social media use
Mashable / 12h
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued an advisory Tuesday declaring what many families already know to be true: Social media use may cause harm to children and adolescents. Murthy's 19-page advisory outlines the ways in which social media can expose children to violence, sexual and hate-based content, disordered eating, bullying, and predatory and self-harming behaviors. Though it's diffic


Ford to keep AM radio in cars after pressure from lawmakers
31TechCrunch / 12h
Ford has reversed its decision to build new vehicles without AM radio after pressure from lawmakers. CEO Jim Farley wrote in posts on Twitter and LinkedIn Tuesday that AM radio will be included on all 2024 Ford and Lincoln Motor vehicles, a decision the executive came to “after speaking with policy leaders about the importance of AM broadcast radio as part of the emergency alert system.” Last wee


Chase Becoming 3rd Largest Online Travel Agency To Rival Expedia, Booking.com
View from the Wing / 12h
Chase has been planning ‘the new Chase Travel’ for some time. They even promised it would launch last year. The idea is to bring together all of the disparate assets, from booking to dining to advice, in order to become a force in lifestyle that competes with the biggest players in the space. This is supposed to appeal to affluent customers who will be stickier with Chase’s banking services, and


Southwest Credit Card Bonus: 60,000 Points & 30% Off Promo Code
One Mile at a Time / 12h
Link: Apply now for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card Southwest Airlines is one of the most popular airlines in the United States, thanks to its extensive domestic route network, vouchers that never expire, and two free checked bags. The carrier’s co-branded credit cards are quite popular as well. We’ve just seen some interesting new welcome offers rolled out on these cards, which I want



Soundcloud will lay off eight percent of its staff in hopes of becoming profitable
1KEngadget / 12h
Last August, SoundCloud cut its workforce by 20 percent , citing "the challenging economic climate" for the layoffs. That's been a common refrain among companies reducing staff in recent years — with companies like Google, Meta, Amazon and more framing layoffs as restructuring or cost cutting measures. Now, SoundCloud says it will be cutting staff by an additional 8 percent, telling staff that th


Netflix Puts U.S. Password-Sharing Customers on Notice
65Gizmodo / 12h
Netflix’s worldwide efforts to squash password sharing are beginning to ramp up in the United States. The company has started reaching out directly to customers it suspects have been routinely using the same Netflix login across multiple home addresses. If that description sounds like you, you may have received (or… Read more...


The Best Side Hustles With Little or No Start-Up Costs
Lifehacker / 12h
You know the grind never stops; but how do you get the grind to start ? In addition to my main job guiding you through the ins and outs of personal finance here at Lifehacker, I’m also hustling. Every year I can depend on additional money from humor writing, copy editing, voice-over work, and even a pet sitting gig or… Read more...


AMD’s New Ryzen CPUs Are Made for Chromebooks
How-To Geek / 12h
Most Chromebooks use Intel processors or ARM chips, but we have seen a few AMD models over the years. There might be more on the way, as AMD just revealed a new series of processors designed specifically for Chromebooks. Read This Article on How-To Geek ›


Microsoft hopes to avoid the mistakes of its past with Windows 11 File Explorer redesign
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 12h
We got a brief tease this week of a new layout for Windows 11 File Explorer, courtesy of Microsoft's Build event. The new redesign for File Explorer appeared in a sizzle reel that Microsoft unveiled on Twitter to show off how it had integrated its AI driven Copilot features into various Windows 11 apps and systems. Today, we announce new AI experiences and tools for #Windows11 to empower develope


'The Idol' review: 'Euphoria' creator's controversial new show shocks and awes
Mashable / 12h
The opening minute of The Idol reveals, in all its chameleonic glory, exactly what it’s working with. Leading lady Lily-Rose Depp takes instruction from a cameraman, as her character, the inimitable music sensation Jocelyn, poses for her album cover. Oscillating between confident, vulnerable, sexy, and sad, the pop star generously gives her audience — us, the folks at home, but also the world and


Dyson just dropped six new products, including a wet vacuum and a new robot vacuum
Mashable / 12h
TL;DR: On May 22, Dyson announced a new suite of home products including upgraded cordless vacuums, air purifiers, and a robot vacuum. Dyson is entering a new era in 2023. Less than two weeks after the company's brand new wet-to-dry hair straightener, the Dyson Airstrait , became available for purchase, Dyson also casually unveiled an entirely new suite of products in its original core categories


Evil Mermaids Meet Their Match in the New Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Trailer
Gizmodo / 12h
Disney’s much-anticipated Little Mermaid live-action remake is out this week, which makes the timing of DreamWorks ’ new trailer for Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken —which features “evil mermaids,” as well as the perils of high school—feel not entirely coincidental. Read more...


Amateur Astronomers Can See a New Supernova in the Night Sky
58Gizmodo / 12h
In the ever-changing cosmic goo that is the universe, the biggest stars end their lives in enormous explosions called supernovae. These bursts are so bright that they are visible across vast distances—and a new one just appeared in the night sky here on Earth. If you turn your telescope toward the constellation Ursa… Read more...


AI Voices Could Soon be Reading Ads on Spotify Podcasts
21Gizmodo / 12h
Spotify is reportedly continuing its quest to bolster its platform with artificial intelligence. The company is looking to develop podcast ads that will be read using an AI version of a human’s voice. Read more...


Sony's Sequel to the Popular ZV-1 Vlogging Camera Has a Wider Lens, Costs $100 More
Gizmodo / 12h
There’s been some debate as to whether or not there exists enough of a market to warrant a mirrorless camera that focuses on video features targeted at content creators. But three years after the debut of the Sony ZV-1 , and several other models in between, Sony is introducing an update to the original with the ZV-1 II … Read more...


The $1,600 Dyson 360 Vis Nav promises to be the world’s most powerful robovac
Ars Technica - All content / 12h
The extremely colored Dyson 360 Vis Nav. [credit: Dyson ] Swanky vacuum manufacturer Dyson has had a turbulent relationship with robovacs. The company's first swing at the idea came in 2016 with the Dyson 360 Eye , which sported a weird tall and stumpy form factor that didn't fit under furniture. A 2020 sequel, the Dyson 360 Heurist , kept the ultra-tall form factor and wasn't even released in th


Woman with untreated TB still on the lam three months after arrest warrant
42Ars Technica - All content / 12h
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Scanning electron micrograph of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, which cause TB. (credit: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases ) A woman with an untreated infectious case of tuberculosis and a months-old civil warrant out for her arrest continues to evade the sheriff's department in Tacoma, Washington, drawing local frustration. On Friday, the woman


Study: People think undermining democracy is ok if others do it first
41Ars Technica - All content / 12h
Enlarge (credit: Douglas Rissing ) Many Americans have been shocked by the frequency with which people who claim to love our democracy have supported blatantly undemocratic efforts to limit people's ability to vote or to selectively discard votes already cast. Unfortunately, this sort of democratic backsliding is far from a US-specific problem. Despite widespread support for democracy in countrie


Windows 11 Will Let You Force Quit Apps From the Taskbar
31How-To Geek / 12h
Even when you close all the windows from an application on Windows, it might still be running in the background, or the close button might not work at all. Microsoft is trying to address this with a new taskbar feature coming to Windows 11. Read This Article on How-To Geek ›