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Monday, December 25, 2023

Technology News and More-Sunday Edition...

 Technology News and More...




Japan Airlines Airbus A350-1000 Debuting January 2024
10KOne Mile at a Time / 9h
Note : I’ve updated this post to reflect that Japan Airlines’ schedule now shows the A350-1000 flying to New York daily as of March 30, 2024. Thanks to @IshrionA for flagging this. Japan Airlines has officially started the process of refreshing its long-haul fleet, as the oneworld carrier is taking delivery of Airbus A350-1000s, which will gradually replace Boeing 777-300ERs. Not only is the A350


All the airlines’ flight delay and compensation policies from DOT’s customer service dashboard


1KThe Points Guy / 6h
Editor’s note: This post was updated with new information. The cost of flight delays or cancellations can quickly add up. On top of the inconvenience of being stuck in an airport for hours on end, missing a family gathering or a day of vacation, flight disruptions can get expensive — from extra meals at the airport to, in the worst cases, an unexpected night in a hotel. In some cases, though, the


Leaked Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra image shows off its quad-lens rear camera
34TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 12h
The next major flagship smartphone launch should be for the Samsung Galaxy S24 series in January – and the leaks around the handsets are continuing, with the latest an image purportedly showing the Ultra model's rear camera setup. This image comes from tipster @chunvn8888 (via GSMArena ), and seems to come from some kind of manufacturing facility: we can see multiple modules in a tray, together w


A Guest With 287 Hotel Nights In 2023 Shares How Hotel Chains Are Getting It Wrong
View from the Wing / 33min
At the end of last year I shared the hotel observations of a reader who racked up 249 elite nights on the road , mostly with Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG hotels. He expected his travel to slow down to no more than 150 nights. That didn't happen. And he reports back after a year on the road, sleeping around a bit across different chains. Continue reading ...


Disney Sues Florida as Willow Star Ralph Ineson Sues Disney
Gizmodo / 1h
Earlier this year, Disney filed a lawsuit against Florida governor Ron DeSantis and the state’s other elected officials. The corporation apparently isn’t done hitting the state quite yet, as it’s now suing Florida again while also facing a lawsuit from one of its recent actors. Read more...


Suit Against Twitter Over Unpaid Bonuses Gets Go-Ahead From Judge
200+NYT > Technology / 2h
More than $5 million in bonuses were orally promised but never paid, according to the suit. A judge denied the company’s motion to dismiss the case.


I’m one of the first passengers on Carnival’s newest ship: Check out more than 100 Carnival Jubilee photos
The Points Guy / 2h
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a cruise ship almost entirely to yourself? I have, and for two days this week, I had the chance to experience it. I was one of just three non-employees on Carnival Cruise Line ’s new Carnival Jubilee, the third ship in the line’s Excel Class , which gives a nod to some of the brand’s original vessels. I was visiting the vessel before its first


Uber’s Downward Spiral: How Driver Pay Has Worsened As The Company Stopped Innovating
View from the Wing / 3h
Uber drivers are protesting their declining pay and it strikes me that there was an uproar over how Uber treated its drivers and that was part of pushing out their founder CEO, but things have actually gotten worse for drivers since then. Continue reading ...


Open Channel: Tell Us What You Thought About Rebel Moon and Aquaman 2
21Gizmodo / 3h
It’s Christmas weekend, and Hollywood still has gifts to give. This weekend saw the release of two big sci-fi epics, both of which are unified by their connection to filmmaker Zack Snyder , who previously spearheaded the DC Extended Universe . Read more...


Ubisoft apparently stopped a 900GB data breach
Mashable / 3h
Just days after Insomniac suffered a horrible data breach , Ubisoft may have avoided the same fate. Security collective VX-Underground shared a report on X (formerly Twitter) that, on Dec. 20, an "unknown Threat Actor" got access to Ubisoft's internal tools, sharing screenshots online. They allegedly intended to get 900GB worth of data from the French game publisher behind titles like Assassin's


"Stick them on disk": Plucky UK firm wants humble hard drives to win data war against tape, optical disks and cloud storage — and it plans to do so by getting rid of RAID and slowing down spinning disks to a full stop
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 3h
Disk Archive Corporation has announced it can boast more than 350 customers in the broadcast and media industry as it continues on its near-20-year crusade to promote its unique approach to data storage. The UK-based company, founded in 2008, believes its Alternative to Linear Tape-Open (ALTO) chassis appliance is far superior to conventional archival methods. This system relies on SATA disk driv


Zach Griff’s 2023 travel highlights, elite status earned and trip stats
The Points Guy / 3h
Toward the end of each year, I love opening my camera roll and reflecting on all the pictures and videos I took during the year. It might not surprise you that most of my pictures and videos are taken during my travels, so it’s a great way for me to recap my top experiences and relive the monumental moments from each year. I just did this exercise and can assuredly say that 2023 was a blockbuster


8 best drinks to order with a cruise ship beverage package (and 3 to avoid)
300+The Points Guy / 3h
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, updated with new information. If you’re going to spend $60 to $140 per day for a cruise ship drink package , you will want to make sure you’re getting the best value. Order the right drinks and you can definitely get your money’s worth. Choose the wrong drinks, and you’ll end up spending more money than necessary. The most cost-effective option is to get a


Your complete guide to shopping protections on American Express cards
The Points Guy / 3h
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. Numerous American Express cards offer shopping protections that can protect your purchases and the money you’ve spent on them. Coverage terms and limits vary by card. Rather than trying to remember all of this on your own, we’ll guide you through the various shopping protections offered by American Express cards. Thi


The Christmas Motel of Munising, Michigan closed a few years ago. Today, it operates as the…
Music, Arts & Literature / 3h
deadmotelsusa : The Christmas Motel of Munising, Michigan closed a few years ago. Today, it operates as the Paddler’s Inn. The original sign is gone.


Mint Mobile says hackers accessed customer information during a security breach
Engadget / 3h
Mint Mobile, the prepaid mobile carrier backed by Ryan Reynolds, notified customers via email this weekend that their information may have been stolen in a security breach, according to BleepingComputer . That information includes names, phone numbers, email addresses, plan descriptions, and SIM and IMEI numbers — which could be used for SIM swap attacks. After a Reddit user posted a screenshot o


NASA beamed a video of a cat named Taters from deep space to Earth
Engadget / 4h
In a successful demonstration of new laser communications capabilities, NASA beamed an ultra-high definition video across 19 million miles of space from its Psyche spacecraft to Earth earlier this month. It’s the first time a UHD streaming video has been sent from deep space via laser. The history-making video? A 15-second clip of an orange cat named Taters chasing a laser dot. The signal from th


CPU_FAN vs. CPU_OPT on Motherboards: What's the Difference?
How-To Geek / 5h
You'll come across many similar-looking fan headers when trying to find your way around the motherboard to connect to the CPU cooler. And while the printed labels can help you navigate the motherboard, they aren't exactly descriptive. For example, what does CPU_FAN and CPU_OPT even mean?


The Suicide Squad Game's Leaked Spoilers May Have Been Made Up
Gizmodo / 5h
Though the Insomniac Games hack and the information gleaned from it overwhelmed video game news for the entire week, it was the second “leak” to hit this week. Shortly before, big plot spoilers for Rocksteady’s upcoming Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League were posted online and quickly circulated. But for as far as… Read more...


Mickey Mouse will sort of become public domain on Jan. 1
24Mashable / 5h
If you've ever wanted to make money off a drawing of Mickey Mouse shooting guns or what have you, Jan 1. is your lucky day. That's because, as pointed out in an interesting Variety feature , Disney's mascot finally becomes public domain on that day, 95 years after his 1928 debut. It's a landmark day in U.S. copyright law history, as Disney's iconic mouse has long been seen as a mascot of sorts fo


Art by Franco Matticchio
Music, Arts & Literature / 5h
dancyrilkingston :


How Travelers Avoid Extra Fees with a Simple Luggage Cheat at Check-In
View from the Wing / 5h
Most checked bags in the U.S. are limited to 50 pounds. Anything heavier than that and you’ll pay extra. First and business class passengers, and those with elite status, may be allowed 70 pounds. When you approach the check-in counter, they'll weigh your bags, and if your luggage is overweight you'll be assessed an extra fee. But some passengers are using a trick to make their luggage seem light


10 Fun Linux Commands to Try When You’re Feeling Bored
How-To Geek / 5h
Who said the Linux terminal is boring? Not when you have a list of fun Linux commands to run and have a chuckle. Whether you're just looking to kill some time or explore new Linux programs, these 10 commands will take you on an adventure into the world of Linux entertainment.


Ubisoft reportedly stopped hackers from stealing 900GB of data in a breach this week
Engadget / 5h
Ubisoft’s internal services were compromised in a security breach this week when hackers attempted to steal 900GB of data, including Rainbow Six Siege user data, according to VX-Underground . Ubisoft spotted the breach 48 hours later, and was able to revoke the hackers’ access before they could successfully exfiltrate the data. In a statement to BleepingComputer , Ubisoft said, “We are aware of a


Next Generation Satellites and Sensors to Counter Hypersonic Missiles
Next Big Future / 6h
A new, elevated sensor architecture is required to detect, identify, and track a spectrum of maneuvering missile threats with sufficient quality to support missile defense fire control. These threats combine high speeds, unpredictable, non-ballistic trajectories, and large raid sizes to stress legacy defense designs. SpaceX has already place over 5000 Starlink satellites into orbit. Placing ... Re


5 Reasons to Avoid Your Smart TV's Apps
How-To Geek / 6h
Your "smart" TV is basically a huge smartphone with all the apps you need built in. That means you don't need to plug in any extra boxes, right? Perhaps not. Most of these TVs aren't as smart as they first seem.


Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro – everything we know so far and what we want to see
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 6h
Read through our Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro review and you'll see we were very impressed by the wireless earbuds. They launched back in August 2022, though, and we're still waiting for a new pair of Pro buds to come along and replace them. Samsung hasn't made anything official yet, but here we're going to collect all the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro leaks and rumors we've heard so far – as well as of


The 9 favorite airline routes of 2023, as nominated by TPG’s aviation team
The Points Guy / 6h
As we close out the year, the TPG team is looking back at all the big travel announcements from 2023. This includes going through the near-constant stream of route-map updates unveiled by airlines around the world. We’ve already rounded up the top 10 best new airline routes of the year, and now the TPG aviation team — comprised of senior aviation editor Ben Mutzabaugh , senior aviation business r


Salesforce escaped from the jaws of activists to find stability in 2023
TechCrunch / 6h
Salesforce started the year with an unusual level of turbulence, but after escaping activist investors, it ended up having a good year. © 2023 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.


The OG Mickey Mouse Finally Hits the Public Domain Next Week
99Gizmodo / 7h
January 1, 2024 won’t just be the start of a new year. It’ll also see Mickey and Minnie Mouse enter the public domain . Read more...


How we built a less-explodey lithium battery and kickstarted the EV revolution
Engadget / 7h
Sand, salt, iron, copper, oil and lithium — these foundational materials are literally what the modern world is built on. Without sand for glass, say goodbye to our fiber optic internet. No copper means no conductive wiring. And a world without lithium is a world without rechargeable batteries. For the final installment of Hitting the Books for 2023, we're bringing you an excerpt from the fantast


What Is Google Search Generative Experience, and How Do You Enable It?
How-To Geek / 7h
The generative AI fever is in full swing and thanks to that, we’re seeing new tech debut all the time. Earlier this year at Google’s annual I/O event, the Mountain View giant showed a glimpse of the AI-powered search experience that promises to make searching more interactive, and now we can leverage it in a few simple steps.


The Best Laptop Cooling Pads of 2023
34How-To Geek / 7h
A cooling pad for your laptop can help prevent overheating when gaming and performing other demanding tasks. The best laptop cooling pads have adjustable fans and can fit a variety of laptop sizes.


Passenger Charges Overweight Seatmate $150 To Sit Next To Him On Flight [Roundup]
View from the Wing / 7h
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips. Continue reading ...



Music, Arts & Literature / 7h



Nothing Phone 2a leak teases camera specs and wallpaper images
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 7h
It looks increasingly likely that the follow-up to the Nothing Phone 2 is going to be the Nothing Phone 2a rather than the Nothing Phone 3 – and now we have some more details about what to expect in terms of the camera setup. According to Smartprix (via Notebookcheck ), the Nothing Phone 2a is going to come with a dual-lens 50MP main + 50MP ultrawide camera setup on the back, while carrying a 32M


Review: Cathay Pacific Business Class Airbus A350 (HKG-SIN)
45One Mile at a Time / 8h
After a long day of lounge hopping at Hong Kong Airport, it was time to continue my long journey to Abu Dhabi , flying Cathay Pacific’s Airbus A350-1000 business class from Hong Kong to Singapore. As is just about always the case, flying business class within Asia is an absolute treat, and blows away what we’re used to in the United States. Cathay Pacific’s A350s have some of my favorite reverse


What it’s like staying at Hotel Indigo Madrid Princesa
The Points Guy / 8h
[circuit type=review circuit_id=”20420171665″] My trip to Madrid was a trip of many firsts. From my first-ever international business-class flight over the Atlantic Ocean to my first adult solo trip , I had no idea what to expect, what to do and what to see — especially in such a limited amount of time. It was go-time as soon as the plane touched down at Adolfo Suarez Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD)


NYT's The Mini crossword answers for December 24
Mashable / 8h
The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times ' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe. With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it. So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustr


Google Chrome Not Loading Images? Try These Tips to Fix It
How-To Geek / 8h
From disabled JavaScript to misconfigured browser settings, several factors can stop images from loading properly. If Chrome isn't loading images on websites, here are some potential fixes you can try.


What Is AI Hallucination? Can ChatGPT Hallucinate?
How-To Geek / 9h
Many of us think hallucinations are solely a human experience. However, even esteemed AI chatbots have the ability to hallucinate in their own way. But what exactly is AI hallucination, and how does it affect AI chatbots' responses?


How (and When) to Clear the Download Cache in Steam
How-To Geek / 9h
If Steam keeps acting up or downloading games at a crawl, you may need to clear your download cache. This is where Steam stores temporary download files, but it can sometimes cause problems with the gaming client. Here's how (and when) to clear it.


The Airline Cancelling The Most Flights This Christmas Is Again Southwest
41View from the Wing / 9h
Fog at Chicago Midway airport caused substantial cancellations on Saturday, and the airline's operations are still disrupted today. Those Chicago cancels are having knock-on effects elsewhere in the airline's network. Already dozens of flights out of Chicago Midway have been cancelled for Christmas Eve Day and 57 total cancellations have been recorded prior to 8 a.m. Eastern time to start the day


'It's going to kick off': Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon cast tease 'action-driven' and 'heavy backstory' Part 2 on Netflix
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 9h
Potential Rebel Moon Part 1 spoilers follow. Rebel Moon Part 2: The Scargiver will be a "war-driven" sequel filled with "heavy backstory" elements. That's the verdict of Rebel Moon 's cast, who teased what viewers can expect from the epic Netflix space fantasy's sequel next year. With Rebel Moon Part 1 finally releasing on the streaming giant – read our spoiler-free thoughts on Netflix's Rebel Mo


AMD is betting on strategic partners to one-up Nvidia — with 50-year-old Ethernet being at the heart of an alliance looking to promote a wider, more balanced ecosystem
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 9h
Broadcom's next-generation PCIe switches will support AMD's socket-to-socket Infinity Fabric technology (also known as xGMI) – the company's standard for boosting data transfer speeds between CPUs in a system. The Infinity Fabric interconnect, which is normally used in EPYC servers, can handle package-to-package connectivity, and behave as PCIe Gen5 for cards, as well as CXL. Now, with Broadcom s


The Tantalizing Mystery of the Solar System’s Hidden Oceans
55Wired / 9h
The moons orbiting Jupiter and Saturn appear to have subsurface oceans which could support life beyond Earth. But it’s not clear why these seas exist at all.


From libraryhistorybuff.blogspot.com
Music, Arts & Literature / 9h
detroitlib :


Samsung TV Plus delivers tons of new channels just in time for the holidays
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 10h
Samsung appears to be channeling its inner Santa Claus again this year: it's just given users a huge present for the holidays in the shape of multiple new streaming channels. It's also added more on-demand content too. That takes the total number of channels available to US viewers to well over 330, and it's a very mixed selection that covers everything from Dr Quinn Medicine Woman to more local


Which EV Charging Network Is Cheapest?
How-To Geek / 10h
While EVs are generally cheaper to run than gas or diesel vehicles, charging them up still comes at a cost. So, which EV charging network is cheapest, and where can you find a station near you?


Everyone Is Anxious About EV Range, but Should They Be?
How-To Geek / 10h
Are you considering an electric car for your next vehicle but are worried about so-called "range anxiety"? It's a common saying we've all heard before, and no matter what new EV gets announced or released, the topic always finds a way to surface. So, what is range anxiety, and is the fear warranted? Here's what you need to know.


AI Is Telling Bedtime Stories to Your Kids Now
42Wired / 10h
Artificial intelligence can now tell tales featuring your kids’ favorite characters. It’s copyright chaos—and a major headache for parents and guardians.


Royal Air Maroc Oneworld Status Match Opportunity
1KOne Mile at a Time / 11h
Royal Air Maroc’s Safar Flyer program is offering a status match opportunity at the moment, which can easily score you valuable status (and lounge access with oneworld). We saw a similar promotion in the spring of 2022, and I know it’s one that many people took advantage of. There’s good news and bad news. The good news is that you’re eligible for this offer even if you took advantage of the last


First Class Lounge Access Unlocked: Status Match To Enter The World’s Most Luxurious Airport Clubs
View from the Wing / 11h
If you're a British Airways silver you can use American Airlines business class Flagship lounges even on domestic flights. If you're a BA Gold you can use partner first class lounges, even if you're flying economy, like Cathay Pacific's Wing or Pier or Qantas first class lounges. Royal Air Maroc is back with its status match offer, this time including to top tier Platinum which is oneworld emeral


SwitchBot Mini K10+ Review: A Cute Robot Vacuum Made For Small Spaces
How-To Geek / 11h
The SwitchBot Mini K10+ robot vacuum is no slacker when it comes to features, but its defining quality is its petite size. Autonomous cleaners are supposed to be round and about 13 inches wide—or so it looked to be determined. The Mini K10+ comes in at 9.7 inches. Changing a vacuum’s size addresses some concerns, but unfortunately, it doesn’t fix all the inherent problems with these devices.


The most exciting EVs are coming from China – the 5 biggest brands to watch in 2024
29TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 11h
The numbers don’t lie: China is an absolute powerhouse of an EV maker. Figures from 2022 suggest that 6.8 million electric vehicles were sold in its domestic market during that 12-month period, while North America, which is still clinging to the title of world’s superpower, managed around 800,000 in the same timeframe. There are numerous fiscal arguments as to how this happened, from government i


The best Shark robot vacuums are as good as their Roomba cousins — or better
Mashable / 12h
In an unspoken sort of way, Roomba has been crowned "the best" on the sole basis that it's the most established brand in the robot vacuum market . But Shark has always had competitive street cred when it comes to vacuums in general, and its newest round of robot vacuums is finally a force to be reckoned with among Roombas and Roborocks. Having tested the top bots from all of these brands, we're r


The JBL Charge 5 is one of the best outdoor Bluetooth speakers
Mashable / 12h
If you’re in the market for a waterproof portable Bluetooth speaker, chances are you’ve come across the JBL Charge 5 . With a reputation as an incredibly rugged portable speaker, the JBL Charge 5 is an IP67-rated waterproof and dustproof speaker with a whopping 20-hour battery life and a built-in power bank functionality that allows you to charge your device while listening to music — which is a


Enjoy a $16 discount on this portable display monitor
Mashable / 12h
TL;DR: Elevate your productivity, even on the road, with this 13.3-inch 2K IPS portable monitor on sale for $152.99 instead of $169.99 — that's a savings of 10%. Thanks to laptops and tablets, crossing tasks off your to-do list even while on the go is possible. But if you find your overall productivity decreasing because of the limited display mobile devices afford you, take it as a sign to final


Get MSO 2019 and Windows 11 Pro for just $49.97
Mashable / 12h
TL;DR: Don't miss this offer on this dynamic duo: Microsoft Office Pro Plus 2019 for Windows and Windows 11 Pro for just $49.97 (reg. $408) through Dec. 25. It's frustrating when you're unsure what to get a particular person on your list. If you are struggling for the professional, the student, or the online browser on your list, you might have to think outside the box and get digital . This Micr


Take online guitar lessons for just $15.97
Mashable / 12h
TL;DR: This guitar lessons training bundle is down to just $15.97 (reg. $480) as of Dec. 24. That's over 95% in savings. This is just about the time most of us start looking for those last-minute gifts. Whether we've been too busy with work or simply just don't know what to get some loved ones, the crunch is real, and it is happening. Luckily, online offers buy us all a little time because we don


Get 73% off this chef knife, on sale for only $79.97
Mashable / 12h
TL;DR : The Ryori 8-inch Emperor Kiritsuke chef knife is on sale for only $79.97 (reg. $299.99) as of Dec. 24 — that's a savings of 73%. Few things will slow you down in the kitchen more than a dull knife when it comes to meal prep. When you’re pressed for time, the Ryori™ 8-inch Emperor Kiritsuke chef knife will help you prepare various meals faster and more precisely. You’ll love this versatile


Save thousands on web hosting with iBrave, now $40
Mashable / 12h
TL;DR : Through Dec. 25, you can get a lifetime subscription to iBrave Cloud Hosting for just $39.97 instead of $539.10. That's a 92% discount. If you’re a business owner, having a website is crucial to your success. The iBrave