Technology
- USAssociated Press
New York City turns to AI-powered scanners in push to keep guns out of the subway system
New York City is turning to AI-powered scanners in a new bid to keep guns out of its subway system, but the pilot program launched Friday is already being met with skepticism from riders and the threat of a lawsuit from civil liberties advocates who say the searches are unconstitutional. The Evolv scanner — a sleek-looking weapons detector using artificial intelligence to search riders for guns and knives — was on display at a lower Manhattan subway station where Mayor Eric Adams announced the
5 min read - BusinessEngadget
ISPs are fighting to raise the price of low-income broadband
Internet service providers are objected to the lower rates they need to offer lower income customers if they want to obtain government funds from a new Internet access program.
2 min read - BusinessTechCrunch
Apple reports iCloud Private Relay global outages for some users
Apple's iCloud Private Relay, which helps protect paid iCloud users from online trackers, has experienced outages affecting major markets, restricting users from accessing web services and apps that use internet connectivity. TechCrunch understands that iCloud Private Relay's downtime has affected some Apple users in markets including Europe, India Japan, and the United States since at least Thursday. The sporadic outages are restricting users from accessing the web on the Safari browser and r
1 min read - LifestylePopular Mechanics
Reach New Heights Safety With These Editor-Approved Ladders
These editor-recommended models give you a boost for painting projects, clean gutters, hanging pictures, and more.
11 min read - TechnologyBloomberg
Elon Musk’s X Gives Users Chance to Keep Posts From AI Chatbot
(Bloomberg) -- Elon Musk’s X has given users a way to prevent their posts and interactions from helping train his artificial intelligence chatbot Grok.Most Read from BloombergTrump Risks Losing Voters He Needs With Loaded Attacks on HarrisParis Sticks to Olympics Opening Event Plans After Rail SabotageFed’s Favored Price Gauge Rises at Mild Pace, Spending Holds UpHarris Just Showed Why Trump Is So Afraid of HerUS Accuses Famed Short-Seller Andrew Left of Securities FraudSettings for X users defa
1 min read - TechnologyTechCrunch
Apple signs the White House's commitment to AI safety
Apple signed the White House's voluntary commitment to developing safe, secure and trustworthy AI, according to a press release on Friday. The company will soon launch its generative AI offering, Apple Intelligence, into its core products, putting generative AI in front of Apple's 2 billion users. Apple joins 15 other technology companies — including Amazon, Anthropic, Google, Inflection, Meta, Microsoft and OpenAI — that committed to the White House's ground rules for developing generative AI
2 min read - TechnologyTechCrunch
Privacy watchdog says it's 'surprised' by Elon Musk opting user data into Grok AI training
X, formerly Twitter, quietly pushed out a change that appears to default user data into its AI training pool for Grok, a move that was spotted by users of the platform on Friday. Grok is the name of a conversational AI, or large language model (LLM), developed by Elon Musk-owned X and intended as a rival to OpenAI's viral ChatGPT chatbot — but with less political correctness (and more humor) as its claimed selling point. Anyone concerned about their X info being fed to Musk's chatbot can learn
2 min read - BusinessEngadget
Apple’s M3 MacBook Air with 16GB of RAM is $200 off right now
Apple’s M3 MacBook Air combines Apple’s lightest and thinnest laptop design with the cutting-edge horsepower of the latest Apple silicon chip. You can get the 2024 model on sale for $200 off right now.
2 min read - BusinessTechCrunch
Alphabet X spinoff Skip partners with Arc’teryx to bring ‘everyday’ exoskeleton to market
Skip exited stealth this week to announce a partnership with outdoor clothing specialist Arc’teryx. The deal is the first to bring Skip’s MO/GO technology to market: “powered pants” that utilize a soft exoskeleton technology, developed in-house at Alphabet’s X Labs moonshot factory. Reservations for the technology open this week, with plans to begin shipments later this year.
4 min read - TechnologyEngadget
Here's how to stop Grok's AI models using your tweets for training
X automatically opted users into letting Grok's AI models train on their tweets and interactions with the chatbot. Here's how to opt out.
2 min read - TechnologyPopular Mechanics
Safeguard Your Electronics With These Power Strips and Surge Protectors
Many surge protectors incorporate surge protection—and now with lots of handheld devices that charge at low voltages, they’re more important than ever.
12 min read - TechnologyEngadget
The 65-inch LG C3 OLED TV is nearly half off for today only
The 65-inch LG C3 OLED TV is nearly half off for today only. That brings the set down to a record low of $1,300.
1 min read - TechnologyTechCrunch
Ledger launches Ledger Flex, a mid-range hardware crypto wallet
Ledger, a French startup mostly known for its secure crypto hardware wallets, has launched a new mid-range device, the Ledger Flex. Available now, priced at $249, the dinky hardware wallet features an E-Ink display to navigate the interface and approve transactions with a tap. Like all of Ledger’s wallets, the Ledger Flex is built around a secure element where the private keys of your wallet are safely stored.
3 min read - TechnologyYahoo Finance
Here's what the CrowdStrike outage exposed about our connected world. It's not good.
The CrowdStrike breakdown shows that our modern connected world is incredibly fragile.
4 min read - SciencePopular Mechanics
Engineers Found Evidence of Hydraulics in an Ancient Pyramid, Solving a 4,500-Year-Old Mystery
Researchers found evidence that hydraulic systems might have been used to build Egypt's Step Pyramid of Djoser 4,500 years ago, revealing advanced technology.
3 min read - USAssociated Press
Justice Department defends group's right to sue over AI robocalls sent to New Hampshire voters
The federal Justice Department is defending the legal right to challenge robocalls sent to New Hampshire voters that used artificial intelligence to mimic President Joe Biden’s voice. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke and U.S. Attorney Jane Young filed a statement of interest Thursday in the lawsuit brought by the League of Women Voters against Steve Kramer — the political consultant behind the calls — and the three companies involved in transmitting them.
2 min read - TechnologyEngadget
Apple agrees to stick by Biden administration's voluntary AI safeguards
Apple has joined more than a dozen other tech companies in signing up for the Biden administration's voluntary AI code of practice.
1 min read - TechnologyTechCrunch
Here's how to disable X (Twitter) from using your data to train its Grok AI
X, formerly known as Twitter, has automatically activated a setting that allows the company to train its Grok AI on users’ posts. The good news is that you can switch it off and also delete your conversation history with the AI. If the setting is turned on, X can “utilize your X posts as well as your user interactions, inputs and results with Grok for training and fine-tuning purposes,” according to the platform’s settings page.
2 min read - BusinessTechCrunch
SpaceX cleared to resume Falcon 9 launches while FAA investigation remains open
Regulators have given SpaceX the all-clear to return to launch with the Falcon 9 rocket two weeks after the vehicle experienced an anomaly on orbit. It’s a quick turnaround for the space company, which had to conduct an investigation overseen by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, identify the probable cause of the anomaly, and the corrective actions it will take to ensure it doesn’t happen again. This course of action is standard after a rocket launch goes wrong.
3 min read - SciencePopular Mechanics
4,000 Meters Below Sea Level, Scientists Have Found the Spectacular 'Dark Oxygen'
Scientists discovered "dark oxygen" produced by deep-sea polymetallic nodules deep below sea level, redefining our understanding of ocean and early Earth life.
4 min read - TechnologyEngadget
Samsung Galaxy Ring review: A bit basic, a bit pricey
The Galaxy Ring is comfortable and seemingly basic, but actually delivers detailed insight on your sleep, walks and runs.
11 min read - BusinessTechCrunch
ZeroTier raises $13.5M to help avert CrowdStrike-like network problems
With the CrowdStrike update continuing to cause havoc across the planet, a startup has raised $13.5 million to at least improve some level of security for the kinds of devices that have been affected. California-based ZeroTier raised the Series A in a funding round led by Battery Ventures. While legacy companies like Cisco or Palo Alto Networks typically secure edge networks, the new vanguard of this sector is considered to be more focused around devices.
2 min read - TechnologyEngadget
The Morning After: OpenAI reveals its AI-powered search engine, SearchGPT
The biggest news stories this morning: AI video startup Runway reportedly trained on ‘thousands’ of YouTube videos without permission, The best cameras for 2024, WhatsApp hits 100 million monthly active US users.
3 min read - BusinessTechCrunch
Egypt's MNT-Halan banks $157.5M, gobbles up a fintech in Turkey to expand
MNT-Halan, a fintech unicorn out of Egypt, is on a consolidation march. The microfinance and payments startup has raised $157.5 million in funding and is using the money in part to fund the acquisition of another fintech, Tam Finans, to expand into Turkey. Tam Finans provides financing to micro-enterprises and SMEs.
5 min read - BusinessBloomberg
TSMC Joins Global Tech Rout as Trading Resumes After Typhoon
(Bloomberg) -- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. shares fell the most in three months upon trading resumption, joining a global tech rout as investors dramatically soured on the promises of artificial intelligence. Most Read from BloombergTrump Risks Losing Voters He Needs With Loaded Attacks on HarrisParis Sticks to Olympics Opening Event Plans After Rail SabotageFed’s Favored Price Gauge Rises at Mild Pace, Spending Holds UpHarris Just Showed Why Trump Is So Afraid of HerUS Accuses Famed
2 min read - BusinessBloomberg
JPMorgan Gives Staff AI-Powered ‘Research Analyst’ Chatbot
(Bloomberg) -- JPMorgan Chase & Co. has launched a generative artificial intelligence tool and told employees to think of it as a research analyst that can offer information, solutions and advice, according to an internal memo viewed by Bloomberg. Most Read from BloombergTrump Risks Losing Voters He Needs With Loaded Attacks on HarrisParis Sticks to Olympics Opening Event Plans After Rail SabotageFed’s Favored Price Gauge Rises at Mild Pace, Spending Holds UpHarris Just Showed Why Trump Is So Af
2 min read - BusinessBloomberg
Amazon Says Washington State Injury Case Has Been Dismissed
(Bloomberg) -- A case alleging that Amazon.com Inc. exposed warehouse workers to injuries has been dismissed for lack of evidence, the company said in a statement Thursday.Most Read from BloombergTrump Risks Losing Voters He Needs With Loaded Attacks on HarrisParis Sticks to Olympics Opening Event Plans After Rail SabotageFed’s Favored Price Gauge Rises at Mild Pace, Spending Holds UpHarris Just Showed Why Trump Is So Afraid of HerUS Accuses Famed Short-Seller Andrew Left of Securities FraudThe
2 min read - BusinessAssociated Press
Uber and Lyft drivers remain independent contractors in California Supreme Court ruling
The California Supreme Court ruled Thursday that app-based ride-hailing and delivery services like Uber and Lyft can continue treating their drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. The unanimous decision by the state's top court is a big win for tech giants. It also ends a yearslong legal battle between labor unions and tech companies over a law dictating the status of app-based service workers in the state.
3 min read - PoliticsEngadget
X's Grok chatbot is misleading voters about the presidential election
Grok's AI chatbot claims that President Biden's name must stay on the ballot in nine states, a claim that is categorically false.
2 min read - WorldAssociated Press
Citing climate change, a federal court in Brazil halts rainforest highway paving
In an unusual action, a Brazilian federal court halted progress on a project to pave a dirt highway that connects the major city of Manaus to populous regions, ruling it likely will contribute to climate change. The court suspended on Wednesday a key environmental permit after the Climate Observatory — a network of 107 environmental, civil society and academic groups — argued that the preliminary permit could lead to mass clearing of pristine rainforest. Amazon deforestation is the major sourc
2 min read - LifestylePopular Mechanics
These Expert-Recommended Fireproof Safes Will Keep Your Most Important Documents Safe
Safeguard valuables, heirlooms, and documents with an expert-approved fireproof safe from trusted brands including SentrySafe, Honeywell, and Sanctuary.
14 min read - BusinessYahoo Finance
'Never going to be the same': How Nvidia is trying to revolutionize healthcare
Nvidia, a pioneer in the semiconductor and artificial intelligence space, is increasingly looking to leverage those skills toward transforming healthcare.
5 min read - BusinessAssociated Press
OpenAI tests ChatGPT-powered search engine that could compete with Google
OpenAI is testing a ChatGPT-powered search engine that could put the artificial intelligence company in direct competition with search giant Google and affect the flow of internet traffic seeking news and other timely information. San Francisco-based OpenAI said Thursday it is releasing a preview of the SearchGPT feature to get feedback from a small group of users and publishers. Google upended its search engine in May with AI-generated written summaries now frequently appearing at the top of
1 min read - USAssociated Press
Company says manufacturing problem was behind wind turbine blade breaking off Nantucket Island
The maker of a massive wind turbine blade that broke apart off Nantucket Island and washed up on the beaches says a manufacturing problem was responsible. GE Vernova CEO Scott Strazik said on an earnings call Wednesday that insufficient bonding at one of its factories in Canada was responsible for the blade coming apart and that there was no indication of a design flaw.
2 min read - BusinessTechCrunch
Applied Intuition closes $300M secondary four months after raising $250M
Autonomous vehicle software startup Applied Intuition has closed a $300 million secondary sale just four months after raising a $250 million Series E round, yet another sign of how white-hot the investment scene is for artificial intelligence companies. The secondary round adds Fidelity Management & Research Company to an already-stacked lineup of investors in the automotive AI startup, which includes Lux Capital’s Bilal Zuberi, Elad Gil, Andreessen Horowitz, and Mary Meeker’s growth fund Bond.
2 min read - BusinessEngadget
Sonos apologized for messing up its app and has offered a roadmap for fixing everything
Sonos apologized for messing up its app and offered a roadmap for fixing everything. Various features will be coming back online through October.
2 min read - BusinessEngadget
Tesla warns against wet towel charging trick two months too late
Tesla's Charging PR team (or the lack thereof) had to issue a warning to its customers not to do the "wet towel" trick.
2 min read - BusinessBloomberg
Uber, Lyft, DoorDash Prevail in California Gig-Worker Ruling
(Bloomberg Law) -- Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. can keep classifying California drivers as independent contractors, after the state’s top court said a company-backed law passed by voters doesn’t wrongly curtail the legislature’s power over worker protections.Most Read from BloombergTrump Risks Losing Voters He Needs With Loaded Attacks on HarrisParis Sticks to Olympics Opening Event Plans After Rail SabotageFed’s Favored Price Gauge Rises at Mild Pace, Spending Holds UpHarris Just Showed
5 min read - BusinessEngadget
WhatsApp hits 100 million monthly active US users
WhatsApp is growing in the US, with one-tenth of the daily users coming from Texas alone.
1 min read - BusinessYahoo Finance
OpenAI announces SearchGPT in challenge to Google's search dominance
OpenAI debuted its new SearchGPT search engine on Thursday, posing a direct threat to Google's search dominance.
3 min read - BusinessTechCrunch
Uber, Lyft, DoorDash can continue to classify drivers as contractors in California
The California Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Proposition 22 — the ballot measure that passed in November 2020 and classified app-based gig workers as independent contractors rather than employees — is here to stay. The decision is a win for app-based companies like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and Instacart, which have fought hard to maintain their business models that rely on gig workers to give passengers on-demand rides and deliver food and other goods. “Whether drivers or couriers choose to ea
5 min read - LifestylePopular Mechanics
These Editor-Approved Fire Pits Are the Best We Tested, from Wood-Burning to Smokeless to Portable
We’ve tested plenty of fire pits in the last several years, from portable to smokeless to portable. These are the models that stand out against the rest.
7 min read - BusinessBloomberg
WhatsApp Gaining Ground in US, Now Has 100 Million Monthly Users
(Bloomberg) -- Meta Platforms Inc.’s WhatsApp has hit 100 million monthly active users in the US and is growing its daily audience by double digits, signs the messaging app is gaining traction in a market largely dominated by Apple Inc.’s iMessage and traditional texting.Most Read from BloombergTrump Risks Losing Voters He Needs With Loaded Attacks on HarrisParis Sticks to Olympics Opening Event Plans After Rail SabotageFed’s Favored Price Gauge Rises at Mild Pace, Spending Holds UpHarris Just S
1 min read - LifestylePopular Mechanics
These Editor-Approved Air Mattresses Are Your Best Bet for Camping and Overnight Guests
We tested several models with supreme comfort and easy setup in mind.
9 min read - TechnologyEngadget
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro review: AirPods clones that actually deliver
The Galaxy Buds 3 series offers two sets of great earbuds, but Samsung borrowed heavily from Apple to design them.
11 min read - BusinessTechCrunch
Alphabet pours $5B into Waymo, Cruise scraps the Origin and Elon’s bet on autonomy
Listen to this interesting chat with Wayve founder and CEO Alex Kendall and his U.K. startup’s “AI-first” approach to autonomy. A little bird suggested I pay closer attention to Waymo and the company’s expansion plans in the San Francisco area. Specifically, the autonomous vehicle company’s efforts to gain access to the San Francisco International Airport.
6 min read - WorldAssociated Press
North Korean charged in cyberattacks on US hospitals, NASA and military bases
A North Korean military intelligence operative has been indicted in a conspiracy to hack into American health care providers, NASA, U.S. military bases and international entities, stealing sensitive information and installing ransomware to fund more attacks, federal prosecutors announced Thursday. The indictment of Rim Jong Hyok by a grand jury in Kansas City, Kansas, accuses him of laundering the money through a Chinese bank and then using it to buy computer servers and fund more cyberattacks
4 min read - PoliticsAssociated Press
FCC pursues new rules for AI in political ads, but changes may not take effect before the election
The Federal Communications Commission has advanced a proposal that would require political advertisers to disclose their use of artificial intelligence in broadcast television and radio ads, though it is unclear whether new regulations may be in place before the November presidential election. The proposed rules announced Thursday could add a layer of transparency in political campaigning that some tech watchdogs have called for to help inform voters about lifelike and misleading AI-generated m
5 min read - TechnologyEngadget
Google gives free Gemini users access to its faster, lighter 1.5 Flash AI model
Google is making its Gemini AI faster and more efficient across the board.
2 min read - TechnologyTechCrunch
Google makes its Gemini chatbot faster and more widely available
In its bid to maintain pace with generative AI rivals like Anthropic and OpenAI, Google is rolling out updates to the no-fee tier of Gemini, its AI-powered chatbot. Starting Thursday, Gemini 1.5 Flash -- a lightweight multimodal model Google announced in May -- will be available on the web and mobile in 40 languages and around 230 countries. Google claims that Gemini 1.5 Flash delivers upgrades in quality and latency, with especially noticeable improvements in reasoning and image understanding
4 min read
