Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Technology News Tuesdays, and More!

Technology News and More...




Everyone Already Forgot About the Apple Vision Pro
200+Gizmodo / 15h
Apple’s Vision Pro debuted just two months ago, drawing crowds of people to sign up for demos and almost immediately selling out . Since then, interest in Apple’s premiere mixed reality headset has plummeted and sales are grinding to a halt at some retail stores, Bloomberg reports on Monday. So, what happened to… Read more...


Amazon halts drone deliveries in California, but kicks off tests in Phoenix
Engadget / 44min
Amazon customers in California won't be able to get drone deliveries anymore. The e-commerce company has closed its delivery site in Lockeford , which has been operational since 2022, and will now offer its personnel in the area opportunities at other sites. Amazon made the revelation almost as an aside in an announcement that it's launching drone deliveries in the West Valley Phoenix Metro area


Watcher apologises for paid subscription service, will continue to release free content
Mashable / now
Watcher has finally addressed the massive backlash to its paid independent streaming platform. Unsurprisingly, it involves both an apology and a rehaul of how its subscription service will operate. Adopting a much more muted tone than in their optimistic announcement last week, Watcher founders Steven Lim, Ryan Bergara, and Shane Madej, published a three-minute video apology on Monday. The digita



Could ChatGPT be the next big cybersecurity worry — researchers say it can crack systems faster than ever before
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 2h
LLMs such as ChatGPT might just be the next cybersecurity worry, according to the latest findings by researchers. Previously believed to only be able to exploit simpler cybersecurity vulnerabilities, LLMs have shown a surprisingly high proficiency in exploiting complex ones as well. Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) found that GPT-4 demonstrates a scarily high prof


Microsoft Makes a New Push Into Smaller A.I. Systems
NYT > Technology / 3h
The company that has invested billions in generative A.I. pioneers like OpenAI says giant systems aren’t necessarily what everyone needs.


Save 89% on a lifetime subscription to this AI-powered flight finder app
Mashable / 3h
TL;DR: A lifetime subscription to a OneAir Elite Plan is on sale for £64.68, saving you 89% on list price. Planning a holiday can be stressful, so much so that once you're there it might feel more like a break from holiday planning than a break from everyday life. As stressful as it is, there are tools to help make it a little easier on you and a little easier on your wallet. OneAir is a unique f


How to watch Chennai Super Kings vs. Lucknow Super Giants online for free
Mashable / 3h
TL;DR: Watch Chennai Super Kings vs. Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL for free on JioCinema . Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN . The IPL is well underway and as we enter the fourth week of matches, the race for playoff spots is truly kicking off. Next to take to the field are the Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants. Will the Chennai Super King


Meta Quest's software is coming to new Asus ROG and Lenovo headsets
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 4h
It’s a big day for Quest users. Meta has announced it’s giving third-party companies open access to its headsets' operating system to expand the technology. The tech giant wants developers to take the OS, expand into other frontiers, and accomplish two main goals: give consumers more choice in the virtual reality gaming market and give developers a chance to reach a wider audience. Among this fir


Australia PM calls Elon Musk an 'arrogant billionaire'
71BBC News / 4h
Anthony Albanese's comments come amid a feud over X's reluctance to remove footage of a stabbing.


Change Healthcare Finally Admits It Paid Ransomware Hackers—and Still Faces a Patient Data Leak
23Wired / 4h
The company belatedly conceded both that it had paid the cybercriminals extorting it and that patient data nonetheless ended up on the dark web.


Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for April 23
Mashable / 6h
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle . As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer. If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for April 23's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you. Where did Wordle c


Rivian targets gas-powered Ford and Toyota trucks and SUVs with $5,000 ‘electric upgrade’ discount
TechCrunch / 6h
Rivian is offering discounts up to $5,000 on its EVs — and a year of free charging — to customers willing to trade in their gas-powered trucks and SUVs. The deal, which kicked off April 22, is aimed directly at some of the best-selling and most ubiquitous gas-powered trucks and SUVs on the market today, […] © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.


Sony’s wearable air conditioner is the first step towards a real Dune stillsuit


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 6h
In Frank Herbert’s Dune , the Fremen natives who inhabit the desert planet Arrakis wear moisture-capturing stillsuits to survive the sweltering conditions. Now, living in London, I have little need for a full-blown stillsuit, but if you’ve ever attempted to ride the Central Line at peak commuting hours in summertime, you’ll share my wish for a better way – any way! – to deal with the downright su


How robots are taking over warehouse work
61BBC News / 7h
At Ocado's newest warehouse robotic arms are helping to pack customer orders.


NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for April 23
Mashable / 7h
Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle , Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle. If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the e


This Fitbit Smartwatch Is $50 Off Right Now
LifeHacker / 8h
Fitbit is the most recognizable brand in fitness smartwatches, and the Fitbit Versa 4 is the best Fitbit smartwatch you can get right now , according to PCMag. Right now, the best deal on the Versa 4 comes from Amazon, which currently selling it for $149.95 (originally $199.95). This matches its lowest-ever price, according to price-checking tools . Only the pink sand/copper rose color is availab


This Google Update Fixes Missed-Call Bug on Pixels
LifeHacker / 8h
One of your smartphone's key features is the ability to make and receive calls and text messages. When this basic functionality stops working, it makes sense that people will complain. That’s been the case with the Pixel 7, Pixel 8, and Pixel Fold: Customers report they are missing calls and texts , as phone aren't ringing and texts aren't coming through. These issues are exceptionally difficult


Quordle today – hints and answers for Tuesday, April 23 (game #820)
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 9h
Welcome to Tuesday's edition of Quordle – the game that challenges you to solve four games of Wordle at the same time. Or to solve them consecutively, in the case of the Daily Sequence variation. You'll find the answers to both puzzles below, plus hints for the standard version (if you play the Sequence version you're on your own, I'm afraid). SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is b


Newsletter service Ghost will support the fediverse protocol ActivityPub
Engadget / 9h
Newsletter platform Ghost is the latest service to pledge support for ActivityPub, the open source protocol powering the fediverse. The company announced Monday it would add ActivityPub support later this year in a move that could bring tens of millions of people into the fediverse. The fediverse is a growing collection of services, including Mastodon, Flipboard and Threads, that support the Acti


There'll Be No More Bluey for a While After This Week's 'Surprise' Episode
Gizmodo / 9h
If viewers felt that after the 28-minute Bluey finale “The Sign”—and its unannounced season three coda episode “Surprise,” which dropped on Disney+ last night—that there was a sense of finality to the beloved animated series , it was in a way intentional. Read more...


Concern grows as bird flu spreads further in US cows: 32 herds in 8 states
Ars Technica - All content / 9h
Enlarge / Greylag geese sit on a field and rest while a cow passes by in the background. (credit: Getty | Daniel Bockwoldt ) Researchers around the world are growing more uneasy with the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in US dairy cows as the virus continues to make its way into new herds and states. Several experts say the US is not sharing enough information from the federal


NYT Strands today — hints, answers and spangram for Tuesday, April 23 (game #51)
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 9h
Here we are then with another edition of the NYT's new(ish) Strands puzzle. It's not quite as popular as Wordle or Connections just yet, but it's great fun and could easily reach the same levels in time. Below, you'll find a selection of hints to help you solve what can be a difficult game, so read on for all of the info. SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't rea


Three-year-olds groomed online, charity warns
94BBC News / 9h
IWF says many were likely filmed remotely while using phones or other handheld devices at home.


UnitedHealth says Change hackers stole health data on ‘substantial proportion of people in America’
100+TechCrunch / 9h
The health tech giant processes 15 billion health transactions a year, and handles health information for about half of all Americans. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.


We Need This Terrifier 3 Popcorn Bucket in Our Lives
Gizmodo / 9h
With Dune: Part Two , Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Deadpool & Wolverine... and probably Dune: Part Two again , 2024 has truly become the year of the popcorn bucket . And if that trend is to continue, one filmmaker with a high-profile sequel coming later this year wants on board. Read more...


Instagram Is Profiting Off Disgusting Apps That Undress People Without Their Consent
100+Futurism / 9h
Dressed Down AI image generators that claim the ability to "undress" celebrities and random women are nothing new — but now, they've been spotted in monetized ads on Instagram. As 404 Media reports , Meta — the parent company of Facebook and Instagram — contained in its ad library several paid posts promoting so-called "nudify" apps, which use AI to make deepfaked nudes out of clothed photos. In


Prepare For Confusion: LAX to Renumber Terminals & Gates in Major Overhaul
88View from the Wing / 9h
Los Angeles International Airport is planning to change the numbers of its terminals and also rename its gates. Terminal 3 will be a different terminal than the current terminal 3. They're going to call the planned future terminal 9... terminal 8. The airport isn't confusing enough for most passengers! Continue reading ...


You Can Get These Beginner Guitar Lessons on Sale for $16 Right Now
LifeHacker / 10h
These guitar lesson courses are on sale for $15.97 right now (reg. $480) through April 21. It comes with unlimited access to 12 e-courses and 78 hours of training, and includes beginner courses like Beginner Guitar Lessons Crash Course, Guitar Lessons for the Curious Guitarist, and Guitar Technique, as well as courses in songwriting, finger style, ear training, and playing music with others. Ther


Meta debuts Horizon OS, with Asus, Lenovo, and Microsoft on board
Ars Technica - All content / 10h
Enlarge / The Meta Quest Pro at a Best Buy demo station in October 2022. Meta will open up the operating system that runs on its Quest mixed reality headsets to other technology companies, it announced today. What was previously simply called Quest software will be called Horizon OS, and the goal will be to move beyond the general-use Quest devices to more purpose-specific devices, according to a


TechCrunch Space: Engineering the future
TechCrunch / 10h
Hello and welcome back to TechCrunch Space. Don't worry – we'll be diving into the Mars Sample Return news shortly. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.


Every Disney Theme Park Ride Movie That Is Somehow Still in Development
Gizmodo / 10h
Disney CEO Bob Iger recently revealed that the company’s theme-park expansion plans include both land and IP—and along with that, there are plenty of rides with lore yet to be explored further. After the success of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and the Rock’s Jungle Cruise , and the mixed reception to last… Read more...


Here are the 30+ startups showcasing at HAX’s May 1 Demo Day
TechCrunch / 10h
A few weeks back, TechCrunch ventured out to New Jersey to pay an early visit to HAX’s Newark offices. As much as I complained about the 90-minute commute in from Queens, it’s nothing compared to the last time I paid a visit to the SOSV-run hardware accelerator’s Shenzhen space. HAX’s China operations have shrunk considerably […] © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.


California bill calls for crackdown on Clear at state’s airports
28The Points Guy / 10h
Could a crackdown on Clear be brewing in the nation’s most populous state? On Tuesday, California lawmakers will begin considering a bill that, if passed, could place serious new regulations on the expedited airport security service. Critics say it could effectively force Clear out of many Golden State airports. At issue is the fact that Clear allows members a fast track to the front of the Trans


11 sustainable travel accessories to buy in honor of Earth Day
The Points Guy / 10h
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Every year on April 22, we celebrate in order to recognize the importance of protecting the environment. If you’re a frequent traveler, it’s worth considering how to limit your carbon footprint and environmental impact. Whether opting to take the train instead of a plane or partaking in schemes to offset t


If You Watch Rough Porn, Researchers Have Bad News
Futurism / 10h
Engaging in kinky sex acts in real life is associated with greater sexual satisfaction — but watching rough or taboo porn seems to have the opposite effect. A recent study published in The Journal of Sex Research has found an association between porn depicting rough sex, lower levels of sexual satisfaction, and higher incidences of sexual dysfunction. While doing a larger longitudinal study, auth


Nina Jankowicz Forms New Group to Defend Disinformation Research
21NYT > Technology / 10h
The group intends to fight what its leader, Nina Jankowicz, and others have described as a coordinated campaign by conservatives and their allies to undermine researchers who study disinformation.


The Best Obsidian Plugins to Organize Your Notes (and Your Life)
LifeHacker / 11h
Obsidian is a note-taking app that stores everything in plain text documents on your computer—but that's just the beginning. There are extremely fast search and keyboard shortcuts, plus you can link to any of your notes from any other note. Not everyone gets into it, granted, but if you do, it changes the way you think about writing and note-taking. But where things get really wild are the plugin


Here’s a lab-grown diamond startup that’s attracted a16z’s attention
TechCrunch / 11h
Throughout hip-hop’s long history, jewelry has served as an important vehicle for artists to convey their ideas and affluence, or simply to dazzle onlookers. Diamonds, in particular, serve as an important motif, famously exemplified by Drake’s $400,000 diamond-encrusted iPhone case. But not everyone is a millionaire rapper, and most people can’t exactly afford to wear […] © 2024 TechCrunch. All r


Windows vulnerability reported by the NSA exploited to install Russian malware
2 TTPs•
39Ars Technica - All content / 11h
Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) Kremlin-backed hackers have been exploiting a critical Microsoft vulnerability for four years in attacks that targeted a vast array of organizations with a previously undocumented tool, the software maker disclosed Monday. When Microsoft patched the vulnerability in October 2022—at least two years after it came under attack by the Russian hackers—the company made no


High-speed imaging and AI help us understand how insect wings work
Ars Technica - All content / 11h
Enlarge / A time-lapse showing how an insect's wing adopts very specific positions during flight. (credit: Florian Muijres, Dickinson Lab) About 350 million years ago, our planet witnessed the evolution of the first flying creatures. They are still around, and some of them continue to annoy us with their buzzing. While scientists have classified these creatures as pterygotes, the rest of the worl


Construction on America's First High-Speed Rail Has Begun
Gizmodo / 11h
Ground was broken today on what is said to be America’s first high-speed rail. The project, which is designed to connect Los Angeles and Las Vegas via a 218-mile stretch of track that will be built across the Mojave desert, will be completed within the next four years , its backers say. Read more...


The Irony of Europe’s Green Aviation Policies: Fragmented Skies Fuel Higher Emissions
View from the Wing / 11h
A lot of European concern over the environment is virtue signaling that winds up counterproductive, or just cheap talk. At least France uses nuclear power! Any criticisms of the aviation industry in Europe are unserious though because European aviation is more carbon intensive than U.S. aviation as a result of European government policies. Continue reading ...


What Did Tatiana See at the End of 3 Body Problem?
Gizmodo / 11h
Read more...


The biggest social media moments of Coachella 2024, from No Doubt's reunion to Chappell Roan's ascent
Mashable / 11h
Every April, hundreds of thousands of people descend on Coachella Valley for two weekends of music, $25 caesar salads, and dust-related health complications . The rest of us experience the festival through our phones, watching it unfold on our social media feeds from the comfort of our couches. The biggest moments from Coachella 2024 range from superstar-making sets to technical difficulties and


Amazon Still Can’t Figure Out Deliveries With Drones
How-To Geek / 11h
Amazon started working on package deliveries with drones in 2013, but over a decade later, the company still hasn't figured that out. Prime Air deliveries are still in a trial stage, and now Amazon is ending its tests in one city while working on another test market.


Etihad’s flagship Airbus A380 — and the exclusive Residence — is officially back in the US
23The Points Guy / 11h
Etihad Airways’ superjumbo — and the most exclusive cabin in commercial aviation — is once again flying to the U.S. On Monday, the Abu Dhabi-based carrier resumed Airbus A380 service to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Etihad Flight 1 landed at JFK a bit behind schedule at 9:59 a.m., marking a major milestone for the airline as it charts a new path ahead from the depths of


Generative A.I. Arrives in the Gene Editing World of CRISPR
200+NYT > Technology / 11h
Much as ChatGPT generates poetry, a new A.I. system devises blueprints for microscopic mechanisms that can edit your DNA.


Almost Nobody Is Buying Apple's Super Expensive Vision Pro VR Headset
400+Futurism / 11h
Hindsight 20/20 It's been less than three months since Apple released its uber-expensive Vision Pro virtual reality headset — and it sounds like the tech giant is reportedly struggling to sell existing stock. As Bloomberg reports , barely anybody is even booking demos to try the $3,500 device out at stores. Sales have also gone "from a couple of units a day to just a handful in a whole week," emp


Airchat Is Basically Twitter With Voice Notes, and That's Not a Bad Thing
Gizmodo / 11h
If you’ve been catching up on what’s hip in the social media space, you might have heard of Airchat. It’s the new, big, exclusive, invite-only thing that’s gotten internet residents scrambling for access. Read more...


Chase follows Citi to increase Global Entry statement credits to $120 from October
100+The Points Guy / 12h
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Applying for Global Entry is getting more expensive from October, but two major credit card issuers are boosting their Global Entry benefits for some of their most popular travel rewards cards. On April 11, Citi announced it would increase its Global Entry statement credits to $120 every four years for the


Use the '365 Less Things' Method to Declutter Your Home
LifeHacker / 12h
You know that adage, “The time will pass anyway?” A little over two years ago, I was applying to grad school and telling my friends that I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be 30 years old in a classroom. Someone told me, “The time will pass anyway,” meaning I could either be 32 with a Masters or 32 without one, but I’d end up being 32 either way. I graduate in three weeks, but that lesson will stick wi


Samsung Is Now Selling the Galaxy S23 Lineup for up to $280 Off
LifeHacker / 12h
When Samsung’s Galaxy S23 came out in spring of 2023, it earned major praise from sites like PCMag for its pocketability, performance, and high-quality camera setup. Now, a little over a year out from release, you can add affordability to that list. Samsung has added all models of the Galaxy S23 , including the base Galaxy S23, the Galaxy S23 Plus, and the Galaxy S23 Ultra to its “ Certified Re-N


Russian court sentences Meta spokesperson in absentia to six years in prison
Engadget / 12h
A Russian military court sentenced Meta spokesperson Andy Stone in absentia to six years in prison for "publicly defending terrorism," Reuters reports. Stone's lawyer reportedly asked for an acquittal and there are plans to appeal the sentence. A few months after Russian officials placed him on a wanted list and started a criminal investigation, a Moscow court issued an arrest warrant for Stone o


NASA's Voyager 1 Is Finally Making Sense After Months of Transmitting Gibberish
100+Gizmodo / 12h
The Voyager 1 spacecraft returned usable data for the first time in more than five months, giving hope for the 46-year-old mission to finally be able to resume its normal operations. Read more...


Mozilla urges WhatsApp to combat misinformation ahead of global elections
Engadget / 12h
In 2024, four billion people — about half the world’s population — in 64 countries including large democracies like the US and India, will head to the polls. Social media companies like Meta , YouTube and TikTok , have promised to protect the integrity of those elections, at least as far as discourse and factual claims being made on their platforms are concerned. Missing from the conversation, ho


NASA officially greenlights $3.35 billion mission to Saturn’s moon Titan
100+Ars Technica - All content / 12h
Enlarge / Artist's illustration of Dragonfly soaring over the dunes of Titan. (credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Steve Gribben ) NASA has formally approved the robotic Dragonfly mission for full development, committing to a revolutionary project to explore Saturn's largest moon with a quadcopter drone. Agency officials announced the outcome of Dragonfly's confirmation review last week. This review i


1999's 15 Most Essential Horror Movies, 25 Years Later
Gizmodo / 12h
Last week, we looked back on the 15 essential sci-fi movies of 1999 —a year that brought us The Matrix and the long-awaited return of Star Wars in The Phantom Menace . But horror came a close second that year, led by multiple Oscar nominee The Sixth Sense and indie sensation The Blair Witch Project, among many others. Read more...


Researchers May Have Pinpointed Origin of Hope and Koh-i-Noor Diamonds
Gizmodo / 12h
The Hope and Koh-i-Noor diamonds—two of the most famous Golconda diamonds —may have come from southern India’s Wajrakarur Kimberlite Field, according to a team of researchers that reviewed the possible origin points of the gems. Read more...


Delta gives staff 5% raise and hikes minimum starting salary
200+The Points Guy / 12h
Delta Air Lines said Monday that it will give most of its employees a 5% raise and will increase the minimum starting salary that it offers in some positions. The raise takes effect June 1 as another expected busy summer travel season kicks off. It covers flight attendants and most ground-based employees, including front-line workers like rampers and ground handlers, along with mechanics and some


12 best national parks to visit with your kids
100+The Points Guy / 12h
Editor’s note: In celebration of National Park Week, which runs from April 20-28, The Points Guy is publishing a series of articles focusing on the beauty and diversity of America’s national parks. We will share news and tips that will help you get the most out of your next national park visit. The following story is part of this series. From geothermal geysers in Yellowstone to the verdant fores


How to Use Sleep Mode on Your iPhone
LifeHacker / 12h
The iPhone’s sleep mode has a ton of features that can help you get a better night’s sleep, from silencing notifications to enabling sleep detection with your Apple Watch. Here’s a primer showing how to turn it on and off, and how to get the most out of its features. Why the iPhone has a sleep mode The iPhone’s sleep mode is really a sleep focus, so it has all the features of a focus mode, plus a


You Can Get This Award-Winning Oclu Action Camera on Sale for $160 Right Now
LifeHacker / 12h
You can get the Oclu action camera on sale for $159.97 right now (reg. $299) through April 21. It was the winner of the Red Dot Design Award, the iF Design Award, and the European Product Design Award, with a 0.25-inch tripod mount, electronic image stabilization, two-microphone wind reduction, and IPX7 water-resistance. It has a one-touch record function and offers recordings at 4K at 30 FPS or


ASUS and Lenovo Will Build VR Headsets With Meta’s Horizon OS
How-To Geek / 12h
Meta’s Quest headsets are the most popular hardware for virtual reality and augmented reality. Now, Meta will allow other companies to build headsets that use the same software, and Lenovo and ASUS are already on board.