Wednesday, August 21, 2024

Technology News and More-Thursday Edition...

Technology News and More...



How to Check Your Wi-Fi Signal Strength
500+How-To Geek / 8h
If your internet seems slow or web pages won't load, the problem could be your Wi-Fi connection. Perhaps you're too far from the source, or thick walls are blocking the signal. Here's how to check your precise Wi-Fi signal strength.


Japan Airlines Airbus A350-1000 Routes & Flights


14KOne Mile at a Time / 17h
Japan Airlines is in the process of refreshing its long-haul fleet. The oneworld airline is gradually replacing its Boeing 777-300ERs with Airbus A350-1000s. Not only is the A350 a joy to fly in general, but these planes are particularly exciting, given that they feature an all-new passenger experience . I’ve reviewed Japan Airlines’ new A350 first class , and it’s spectacular , among the best fi


The Banks That Financed Elon Musk's Acquisition of Twitter Are Now Absolutely Screwed
3KFuturism / 16h
Major Hang-Up Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter has proved so disastrous that it's resulted in the worst merger-finance deal for banks since the 2008 to 2009 financial crisis, The Wall Street Journal reports . Typically, banks that lend money for takeovers try to quickly sell the debt to other investors so they can get it off their balance sheets. But things haven't worked out that way for Morgan S





New method for phishing discovered for Android and IPhone users
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 52min
Banking customers have been targeted in a newly discovered method of phishing attacks, new research has found. A report from ESET found the attacks primarily focused on iPhone and Android users by getting them to unknowingly download Progressive Web Applications (PWA) disguised as authentic apps. PWAs are websites made to behave like a stand-alone application, with the image seemingly verified by


Dream Machine 1.5 Catches Sora and other rival AI video makers napping
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 1h
Luma Labs has enhanced its Dream Machine AI video generator to a new level of realism and greater ability to interpret your vision. Dream Machine 1.5 should really act as an alarm clock to its rivals to step up their efforts. That's especially true for OpenAI, which seems to keep hitting snooze on releasing its Sora AI video model to the public. Dream Machine only came out a couple of months ago,


Today’s Wordle Hints (and Answer) for Thursday, August 22, 2024
LifeHacker / 1h
If you’re looking for the Wordle answer for August 22, 2024 read on. We’ll share some clues, tips, and strategies, and finally the solution. Today’s puzzle is easier; I got it in three. Beware, there are spoilers below for August 22, Wordle #1,160! Keep scrolling if you want some hints (and then the answer) to today’s Wordle game. How to play Wordle Wordle lives here on the New York Times website


Price drop: Score a Windows 11 Pro lifetime license for under £18
Mashable / 1h
TL;DR: Pay only £17.54 for a lifetime device license for Microsoft Windows 11 Pro through Sept. 3 — that's a savings of 88%. Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro Lifetime License £17.54 at the Mashable Shop £151.92 Save £134.38 You don't necessarily have to buy a new computer to upgrade your tech arsenal. Sometimes, all it takes is installing a brand-new operating syst


How to watch the 2024-25 Premier League online for free
Mashable / 1h
TL;DR: Live stream the 2024-25 Premier League for free on Fubo . Sign up for a free trial of Fubo from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN . A lot of domestic football leagues claim to be the best. La Liga probably offers the best example of attacking play and skillful individuals. Serie A has a reputation for tactical excellence and impressive defensive systems. But for pure entertainment? The


How to watch Dallas Wings vs. New York Liberty online for free
Mashable / 1h
TL;DR: Watch Dallas Wings vs. New York Liberty in the WNBA for free with a 30-day trial of Prime Video . Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN . Dallas Wings and New York Liberty are up next in the latest WNBA fixture on the schedule. Both teams have performed well this season, as New York Liberty have positioned themselves well for a place in the playoffs. Compe


How to watch Bears vs. Chiefs online for free
Mashable / 1h
TL;DR: Live stream Chicago Bears vs. Kansas City Chiefs for free on DAZN . Watch NFL preseason games for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN . OK, it's only preseason, but the Kansas City Chiefs — the 2024 Super Bowl winners — are currently 0-2 following losses to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions. The Chiefs showed moments of flair in last week's game against the Lions — Pat


NFL Sunday Ticket costs almost $700 on iPhones and iPads — here's how to avoid paying so much
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 2h
Next month is the start of a new NFL season, and to make things easy for iOS users, YouTube is offering access to NFL Sunday Ticket via the Apple App Store. It’s a must-have service for football fans as it lets you watch every single game in the league, even if they’re out-of-market. But there’s a problem: purchasing a subscription on an iPhone or iPad will cost you an eye-watering $679.99 for th


NYT Strands hints, answers for August 22
Mashable / 3h
If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands , the New York Times ' elevated word-search game. By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections . SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 22 SEE ALSO: Wordle today


Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for August 22
Mashable / 3h
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 August 22'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


NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 22
Mashable / 4h
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


Google strikes a deal with California lawmakers to fund local news
Engadget / 5h
Google has reached a deal with California lawmakers to fund local news in the state after previously protesting a proposed law that would have required it to pay media outlets. Under the terms of the deal, Google will commit tens of millions of dollars to a fund supporting local news as well as an AI “accelerator program” in the state. The agreement ends a months-long dispute between lawmakers an


Stop Sleeping on Canned Mushrooms
LifeHacker / 6h
Somewhere along the line, we got downright judgmental about canned food. Protein-rich SPAM is frowned upon, the convenient canned potato has been widely dismissed, and the lovable canned mushroom is ignored, at best. In fact, that’s why I brought you all here today. Friends, we need to talk about the humble canned mushroom. It’s the versatile and cheap pantry hero we all deserve. Canned mushrooms


How to maximize the British Airways distance-based award chart
200+The Points Guy / 6h
Looking for business-class flights to Europe from just 50,000 points each way? British Airways is the largest full-service airline in the United Kingdom and flies to more destinations in the U.S. than any other European carrier. The airline’s loyalty program is called the Executive Club , and its currency is Avios. With a huge route network and an easily earned and redeemed loyalty currency , it


VC leading Bolt’s hoped-for $450M deal confirms he’s offering ‘marketing credits’
TechCrunch / 6h
Ashesh Shah, the founder and CEO of The London Fund is, as you might imagine, bullish on Bolt. The London Fund is a U.K. venture firm with “over $1 billion in cash and assets” in AUM that is leading a proposed $450 million raise for Bolt, a one-click checkout startup that has been embroiled in […] © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.


NASA wants clarity on Orion heat shield issue before stacking Artemis II rocket
25Ars Technica - All content / 6h
Enlarge / The Orion spacecraft for the Artemis II mission, comprising its crew and service modules, was lifted into a vacuum test chamber at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 4, 2024. (credit: NASA/Amanda Stevenson ) NASA would like to start stacking the Space Launch System rocket for the Artemis II mission—the first human flight around the Moon since 1972—sometime next month, but t


“We run a business”—why Microsoft’s Indiana Jones will be on PS5
Ars Technica - All content / 6h
Enlarge / So I'm not stuck on Xbox, eh? (credit: Bethesda) Bethesda's Indiana Jones and The Great Circle is the latest game from a Microsoft subsidiary that will make its way to the PlayStation 5. The game will hit Sony's console in the spring of 2025, Microsoft announced yesterday , months after a planned December launch on Xbox Series S/X and Windows. In an interview with YouTube channel Xbox O


Chick-fil-A plans to launch streaming service with original shows
79Ars Technica - All content / 6h
Enlarge / Would you like a streaming subscription with that? (credit: Getty ) Look out, Peacock. There's reportedly a new video streaming service that's avian-themed. The fast-food chain Chick-fil-A plans to launch a video streaming service, Deadline reported today, citing anonymous sources. The streaming service is expected to focus on “family-friendly” content and include original TV shows, the


NYT Connections today — hints and answers for Thursday, August 22 (game #438)
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 7h
Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need clues. What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Wordle hints and answers , Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too.


NYT Strands today — hints, answers and spangram for Thursday, August 22 (game #172)
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 7h
Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints. Want more word-based fun? Then check out my Wordle today , NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games. SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read


Quordle today – hints and answers for Thursday, August 22 (game #941)
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 7h
Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now nearly 1,000 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers. Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my Wordle today , NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles. S PO


The Pixel 9 Pro Is Great (If You Ignore the AI)
LifeHacker / 7h
Google’s Pixel 9 Pro has a lot to live up to: It's the company's new flagship phone, coming in as AI competition starts to heat up . As Google faces monopoly charges , this is the company's chance to justify its unified ecosystem, a task that the Pixel 9 Pro sadly falls short of. And yet, on its own, it’s an excellent product. While much of the front-and-center branding tries to sell you on tech


'Cold Turkey' Makes You Practice Flash Cards Before You Can Open Addictive Apps
LifeHacker / 7h
We all have apps on our phone that we wish we opened a little less often, like TikTok or Reddit. Cold Turkey is an iPhone app that won't let you open particular apps until you practice a few Spanish, French, or Japanese flash cards beforehand. This helps you fight the impulsive desire to scroll while also helping you learn a few words. The application was made by indie developer Gustavo Nasciment


This Overlooked Linux Distro Will Give Your Old Laptop a New Life
How-To Geek / 7h
Ubuntu isnt your only option for reviving old PCs through Linux. Xubuntu is a lighter version of Ubuntu capable of running on moderately old hardware. Lets see how well it delivers the Ubuntu experience on an older laptop.


A new AI support chatbot is available for hacked YouTube channels
Engadget / 7h
YouTube added a new AI assistant feature that allows users who have been hacked to recover their accounts and safeguard them from future invasions. An announcement for the new help feature appeared earlier today on Google’s support page for YouTube . The new “hacked channel assistant,” available on YouTube, will allow “eligible creators” a way to troubleshoot their accounts when they’ve been hack


A secure PC is a fast PC: Tips to optimise your performance
Mashable / 7h
So, you want your PC to perform at its best? Outside of just buying the most expensive hardware, one of the keys to achieving this is ensuring top-notch security. A secure PC isn't just safer, it's also faster. By following these tips to optimise your system, you'll transform your computer into a sleek, efficient powerhouse. Get ready to experience the best of both worlds: security and performanc


Chinese Scientists Working on Magnetic Launch System to Fling Cargo From Moon's Surface Back to Earth
53Futurism / 7h
Moon Shot A group of Chinese scientists want to build a magnetic launch system that spins up and then hammer throws cargo from the Moon's surface, shooting it towards Earth. The moon shot project, which has a proposed price tag of $18 billion, would work by harnessing the Moon's low gravity and lack of an atmosphere, according to a study about the project published in the journal Aerospace Shangh


TikTok Myth of the Week: You Need a 'Non-Toxic' Air Fryer
LifeHacker / 8h
According to legions of TikTokers, I should throw away my air fryer, and you should too. It’s supposedly filling your body with “forever chemicals” and probably giving you cancer. These aren’t realistic fears, though. Let’s break down the truth, and then look at where this TikTok trend is coming from, anyway. Why TikTok says your air fryer is dangerous There are actually a few different narrative


Google's Nest Audio Speaker Is on Sale for $50
LifeHacker / 8h
The Google Nest Audio has been around since 2020, but it is still Google's best smart speaker when it comes to audio quality. Right now, you can get it from Best Buy for $49.99 (originally $99.99), the lowest price I have seen after checking price-checking tools . Google Nest Audio Powerful smart speaker with Google Assistant functionality. $49.99 at Best Buy $99.99 Save $50.00 $49.99 at Best Buy


This new accessible Xbox nunchuk controller has 3D-printable joystick parts
TechCrunch / 8h
Microsoft demonstrated its leadership in accessible gaming hardware again on Wednesday with the announcement of a new one-handed joystick controller for Xbox and PC. The Xbox Adaptive Joystick works with the company’s already robust accessibility hardware stack, and even includes support for custom 3D-printed parts. The Adaptive series of devices and controllers has been around […] © 2024 TechCru


Twitch subscription prices are increasing by $2 on iOS and Android
Engadget / 8h
Twitch is updating subscription costs for mobile purchases. Beginning October 1, Tier 1 sub and gift sub prices made in the company's mobile app will be $8, up from the current rate of $6 a month. Tier 2 and Tier 3 prices will not be impacted. 📱 Starting October 1, we’re increasing new Tier 1 sub and gift sub prices on the mobile app in over 40 countries. 🔴 You can bring your questions to Patch


McAfee’s Deepfake Detector keeps it real for Lenovo AI PCs
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 8h
Deepfake videos are an impressive demonstration of how AI can mimic real people, but the technology is too often leveraged to trick people into thinking they are seeing and hearing a real person, especially celebrities. It’s a cybersecurity issue, which is why McAfee has partnered with Lenovo to bring its Deepfake Detector exclusively to Lenovo AI PCs. As the name suggests, McAfee’s Deepfake Dete


These Are the Best Sites for DRM-Free eBooks and Comics
How-To Geek / 8h
When I bought my first physical eReader, I was devastated to learn that I didn't actually own the books I purchased. Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo primarily sell you licenses to read digital books, which they're free to revoke at any time.


Late 90s Hip Hop Star Kicked Out Of First Class Pulls His Celebrity Card “There’s Gonna Be Repercussions!”
View from the Wing / 8h
Hip Hop start Juvenile (Terius Gray) was kicked out of American Airlines first class. His wife was allowed to stay in the overbooked cabin. However, rather than suffer the indignity of American’s Main Cabin, he got off the aircraft – declaring himself a celebrity and than American was making a mistake denying him the seat. Continue reading ...


U.S. Investigating Americans Who Worked With Russian State Television
500+NYT > Technology / 8h
The F.B.I. raided the homes of two prominent commentators on Russian state television channels as part of an effort to blunt attempts to influence November’s election.


How to easily move credit across your American Express cards online
The Points Guy / 8h
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. Managing your credit card portfolio can get complicated if you have several credit cards . This includes figuring out how to shift credit limits across cards. Luckily, the solution is simple if you’re an American Express cardmember. Here’s what you need to know. How to move credit across American Express cards One op


Reservations are open for the Chase Lounge at the US Open, but there’s already a waitlist
32The Points Guy / 8h
If you are a Chase cardholder heading to the U.S. Open Tennis Championships in New York this year, you’ll get a chance to enjoy the action from the Chase Lounge and Terrace. Here’s everything you need to know about securing your spot. All Chase cardholders All Chase cardholders, regardless of card, can access the Chase Lounge from Aug. 19 to Sept. 8 for both Fan Week and tournament action. The lo


Telco fined $1M for transmitting Biden deepfake without verifying Caller ID
Ars Technica - All content / 8h
Enlarge / President Joe Biden leaving the White House on August 16, 2024, in Washington, DC. (credit: Getty Images | Anna Moneymaker ) A phone company agreed to pay a $1 million fine for transmitting spoofed robocalls in which a deepfake of President Joe Biden's voice urged New Hampshire residents not to vote. Lingo Telecom, which is based in Texas, agreed to a settlement with the Federal Communi


German warship floats down Thames while playing Darth Vader’s theme
100+Ars Technica - All content / 8h
The German navy going "full Empire" down the Thames. The FGS Braunschweig is a German naval corvette made for stealthy littoral (shoreline) operations, but the Braunschweig ditched the stealth completely while transiting up the Thames this week on a training mission to London. Instead, the ship turned out its enlisted men to stand on deck in light blue shirts and dark pants while the boat blasted


Novel technique allows malicious apps to escape iOS and Android guardrails
Ars Technica - All content / 8h
Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) Phishers are using a novel technique to trick iOS and Android users into installing malicious apps that bypass safety guardrails built by both Apple and Google to prevent unauthorized apps. Both mobile operating systems employ mechanisms designed to help users steer clear of apps that steal their personal information, passwords, or other sensitive data. iOS bars the


Astronomers think they’ve found a plausible explanation of the Wow! signal
Ars Technica - All content / 8h
Enlarge / The Wow! signal, represented as "6EQUJ5," was discovered in 1977 by astronomer Jerry Ehman. (credit: Public domain) An unusually bright burst of radio waves—dubbed the Wow! signal —discovered in the 1970s has baffled astronomers ever since, given the tantalizing possibility that it just might be from an alien civilization trying to communicate with us. A team of astronomers think they m


Microsoft will try the data-scraping Windows Recall feature again in October
26Ars Technica - All content / 8h
Enlarge / The Recall feature provides a timeline of screenshots and a searchable database of text, thoroughly tracking everything about a person's PC usage. (credit: Microsoft) Microsoft will begin sending a revised version of its controversial Recall feature to Windows Insider PCs beginning in October, according to an update published today to the company's original blog post about the Recall co


Taking Mounjaro Reduces Risk of Developing Diabetes by 94 Percent in Three-Year Trial
27Futurism / 8h
Preliminary results from a three-year study into the effects of Eli Lilly's weight loss injectables Zepbound and Mounjaro found that they're extremely effective at reducing the risk of developing diabetes. In a press release about the new findings , Lilly boasted that weekly shots of tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound, reduced the risk of the onset of diabetes by 94 perce


Late 90s Rapper Kicked Off American Airlines Pulls His Celebrity Card “There’s Gonna Be Repercussions!”
View from the Wing / 8h
Rapper Juvenile (Terius Gray) was kicked out of American Airlines first class. His wife was allowed to stay in the overbooked cabin. However, rather than suffer the indignity of American’s Main Cabin, he got off the aircraft – declaring himself a celebrity and than American was making a mistake denying him the seat. Continue reading ...


Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders makes its gameplay trailer premiere at Gamescom
Engadget / 8h
Better get out your winter parka and a thermos full of hot cocoa because the hit downhill mountain biking game Lonely Mountains: Downhill is getting a very snowy sequel. Megagon Industries’ released a gameplay trailer with commentary during Gamescom for its new blocky skiing game Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders . The new downhill racing game will get a Steam release by the end of the year. If it be


All Nippon Airways Adds Free Wi-Fi In Business Class
100+One Mile at a Time / 9h
We’ve seen a trend lately whereby more airlines have made free Wi-Fi available for more passengers. Japanese Star Alliance carrier All Nippon Airways (ANA) is the latest airline to introduce free inflight connectivity . While this was announced a few months back, this improvement has just gone live in business class. ANA adds free Wi-Fi in business class as of August 2024 As of August 20, 2024, A


Telecom that enabled Biden deepfake scam will pay FCC $1M
TechCrunch / 9h
Early this year, AI-powered fake audio of President Biden reached voters in New Hampshire. The FCC struck back swiftly, identifying the perpetrator as the Texas-based Life Corporation, which has been behind similar scams over the years, and whacked them and an associated individual with a $6 million fine. But the scammers also enlisted the help […] © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For pers


OpenAI’s opposition to California’s AI bill ‘makes no sense,’ says state senator
24TechCrunch / 9h
OpenAI broke its silence on California’s most controversial AI bill on Tuesday, officially expressing opposition in a letter to California state Senator Scott Wiener and Governor Gavin Newsom. The AI giant argued that SB 1047, introduced by Wiener in February, would stifle innovation and push talent out of California — a position Wiener quickly replied […] © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved.


7 Ways to Get Your Money's Worth Out of Netflix
How-To Geek / 9h
With Netflix's price increases and a lack of password sharing, you might feel like it's getting harder to make the most of your Netflix subscription. We've got some methods that can help you feel like your Netflix subscription isn't going to waste, even at an increased subscription cost.


American To Retrofit Boeing 777-300ERs With New Cabins
500+One Mile at a Time / 9h
American Airlines will soon be rolling out a new passenger experience on long haul flights, as the airline introduces its new Flagship Suite business class , and front-row Flagship Suite Preferred . While this product will be offered on newly delivered Boeing 787-9s ( which are unfortunately delayed ), we’re also going to see existing Boeing 777-300ERs reconfigured. I wanted to provide an update


Bayesian Yacht Sinking: Climate Change Created Perfect Storm for Waterspouts
87Wired / 9h
While the exact cause of the deadly sinking of the Bayesian superyacht remains unknown, dangerous waterspouts were spotted in the area. Scientists say they may become far more common.


What's New on Paramount+ With Showtime in September 2024
LifeHacker / 9h
In September, Paramount+ will premiere the sophomore seasons of several of its original series. Sylvester Stallone returns in Tulsa King (Sept. 15) as Oklahoma-based mafia capo Dwight Manfredi, while Kelsey Grammar continues in his titular role in the Frasier reboot (Sept. 19). Season two of Colin from Accounts , the Australian romantic dramedy about two singles who are brought together by a car


My Favorite Amazon Deal of the Day: Amazon Echo Hub
LifeHacker / 9h
Smart-home devices can make life easier, but things can quickly get messy if you have too many and they all need separate apps. That's when a smart-home hub can come in handy. Amazon's new Echo Hub came out this February and is already discounted at $144.99 (originally $179.99), the lowest price it has been since its release, according to price-checking tools . Amazon Echo Hub 8” smart home contr


Microsoft Is Bringing Recall Back to Windows 11
How-To Geek / 9h
The Recall feature in Windows 11 was one of Microsofts biggest mistakes in recent memory. Microsoft has now confirmed that it will start testing a modified version soon in the Windows 11 Insider builds.


Ring refreshes its basic battery-powered doorbell with improved video
Engadget / 9h
Smart doorbell company Ring has launched an updated basic model in its battery-powered line. The Ring Battery Doorbell includes feature upgrades to match some of the company's other products at a lower price point. Longevity is critical for a product with 'battery' right there in the name. The Ring Battery Doorbell promises a 23% improvement in battery life over its previous iteration. It also co


Bolt’s Breslow faces uphill battle with proposed cramdown
22TechCrunch / 9h
Bolt’s aggressive ultimatum to its existing shareholders will be an expensive uphill battle, an expert familiar with Bolt’s corporate charter tells TechCrunch. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.


Windows Recall is coming back to PCs in October, as part of the Insider Program
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 9h
Microsoft’s controversial Windows Recall feature is coming back. The tech giant recently announced on its official blog that the feature will be made available to testers on the Windows Insider Program in October of 2024. Once ready, it will roll out to all Copilot Plus PCs, though no exact time frame was given. To give you a quick refresher, Windows Recall was originally met with intense pushbac


How to Clean Up Your Facebook Feed
How-To Geek / 9h
My Facebook news feed was a chaotic mix of irrelevant content a few years ago. When I finally took the step to clean it up, I was amazed at how simple it was to customize. Today, Ill show how you can use Facebooks built-in tools and features to remove irrelevant content from your news feed.


Amazons $160 Digital Photo Frame Will Soon Be Filled With Ads
How-To Geek / 9h
Amazon will end its PhotosPlus service on September 23rd. As a result, the Echo Show 8 Photos Editiona $160 smart display that can cycle through customer-selected photos without any advertisementswill soon feature advertisements.


Marriott elite status: What it is and how to earn it
500+The Points Guy / 9h
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. Marriott Bonvoy is the loyalty program for over 30 hotel brands. These brands offer almost 8,900 properties in 141 countries and territories. If you have Marriott elite status , you’ll enjoy extra perks when you stay at properties across the program’s portfolio. Marriott elite status can be extremely valuable to freq


Recall just got a release date window for Windows PCs. Here’s when you’ll get to test it.
Mashable / 9h
The most controversial new Windows feature in years is making its grand re-entrance in a couple of months. After a previous, open-ended delay announced in mid-June, Microsoft announced via an update to an old blog post that its new "Recall" feature will be available for Windows Insiders testing in October. "As previously shared on June 13, we have adjusted our release approach to leverage the val


A Shocking Percentage of Our Brains Are Made of Microplastics, Scientists Find
87Futurism / 9h
Researchers have found that a shocking amount of microplastics are ending up in our brains. As detailed in a yet-to-be-peer-reviewed paper , scientists found that all 91 brain samples they examined, taken from autopsied bodies earlier this year, contained microplastics. Worse yet, the samples contained ten to 20 times more microplastics than liver and kidney samples collected from the same bodies


Democrats neglect cyber but promise data privacy at DNC
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 9h
The 2024 US Presidential election cycle has represented a shift in policy away from embracing technology, with both parties staying quiet on any plans to invest or employ cybersecurity strategies. And whilst the Republican party took a more hands-off approach to tech, the Democratic platform appears to have tapped into the growing bipartisan support for regulatory crackdowns on tech giants - a po


Microsoft’s revised Recall AI feature will roll out to beta testers in October
Engadget / 9h
Microsoft’s Windows Recall feature, which stores a timeline of activity snapshots on your PC, has a new release date for Windows Insiders. Microsoft unveiled the feature to much fanfare in May, only to delay it indefinitely (after blowback from security researchers ) a few weeks later. After taking time to recalibrate, the company said on Wednesday it will roll out Recall to beta testers using Co


United Airlines Eyes Major Price Hikes for Club Access – While Restricting Benefits
View from the Wing / 10h
United Airlines is surveying changes to their United Club - from higher costs for memberships and for their premium co-brand credit card, to limitations on benefits. They are also contemplating changes to give some customers priority getting into the lounge, getting help with their bookings, and finding seats. Much of this is inspired by Delta Air Lines and their Sky Clubs. Continue reading ...


These stunning iPhone Photography Award 2024 winners show you don't need an iPhone 16 upgrade after all
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 10h
The iPhone 16 Pro rumors might be promising some improved optical zoom and a better wide-angle camera, but the new winners of the iPhone Photography Awards 2024 show you don't need a new iPhone to take great snaps. The competition, now in its 17th year, runs independently of Apple but has become a staple in the smartphone-snapping calendar. It claims to be the world's longest-running iPhone photo


Ford Just Shelved Its Upcoming Three-Row EV SUV
How-To Geek / 10h
Electric vehicles (EVs) are the future, and they are also the place where we're most likely to see innovation as far as the automotive market goes right now. Ford is doing a restructuring of its EV section, including announcing new vehicles and cancelling others.


August was Medium’s first profitable month — ever
TechCrunch / 10h
August was online publishing platform Medium’s first profitable month — ever. That’s according to Medium CEO Tony Stubblebine, who on Wednesday published a recap of Medium’s recent digital Medium Day 2024 conference. Stubblebine says that Medium had over a million subscribers as of April, and that more members “than ever before” are subscribing to the […] © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. F


Stadiums Are Embracing Face Recognition. Privacy Advocates Say They Should Stick to Sports
20Wired / 10h
Protesters took to Citi Field Wednesday to raise awareness of the facial recognition systems that have become common at major league sporting venues.


Gmail’s ‘Help Me Write’ Feature Can Now Polish Up Your Emails With AI
LifeHacker / 10h
Google is continuing its push to help you draft and rewrite your emails with AI—whether or not that's actually useful. These features, powered by Gemini, are combined under the umbrella of the "Help me write" shortcut, and collectively act as an AI email assistant. Since last August , "Help me write" has been available to rewrite a message to be more formal, add more details if you think it needs


Try 'Slow Productivity' to Increase the Quality of Your Work (and Prevent Burnout)
LifeHacker / 10h
My posts on productivity techniques and methods tend to resonate with readers, which makes me happy because I'm providing something genuinely helpful—but a little sad because it reflects just how desperate we all are to find a way to get even more done. I'm no stranger to the rat race, but it still sucks to sit back and realize how stressed everyone is all the time. For a few years now, "burnout"


This founder had to train his AI not to Rickroll people
50TechCrunch / 10h
Flo Crivello was monitoring outputs from the AI assistants his company Lindy makes when he noticed something strange. A new client had asked her Lindy AI assistant for a video tutorial that would help her better understand how to use the platform, and the Lindy responded in kind — that’s when Crivello knew something was […] © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.


15 airlines that allow travelers to put elite status on hold
58The Points Guy / 10h
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Whether it’s becoming a parent, an unexpected illness or any number of factors, frequent flyers sometimes suddenly become infrequent ones. If circumstances find you grounded for an extended period, you may be concerned about the potential threat to your elite status. Some airlines are sensitive to the hect


At Nintendo’s New Museum, Classic Games Get Reinvented for Today
36Wired / 10h
The Nintendo Museum, which opens in Kyoto in October, lets visitors play decades-old games using new controllers, smartphone cameras, and image recognition tech.


Why I Want These Phones to do More
How-To Geek / 10h
OnePlus made a great impact in the market when it came to software and speed. Now that its competitors have all but caught up with OnePlus' performance, how can a new brand differentiate? Nothing and its CMF sub-brand have made headlines but is their message surface level, or does it offer something more meaningful?


As an authorized user, can I open my own account for the same card?
The Points Guy / 10h
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. After being an authorized user on a credit card account, you may be wondering about an account of your own. Perhaps you want to apply for a card for the welcome offer , or so you can earn your own miles and/or improve your credit score. The good news is that you don’t need to close your authorized user card to open y


The best business-class seats to book using Amex Membership Rewards points
200+The Points Guy / 10h
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. It’s easy to earn lots of American Express Membership Rewards points , thanks to lucrative welcome bonuses and generous earning rates on many American Express cards . However, earning points is one thing — redeeming those points for maximum value (and comfort) is an entirely different story. Getting the most value ou


Best & Most Memorable Airline Safety Videos
300+One Mile at a Time / 10h
Over the years, we’ve seen airlines put an increasing amount of effort into their safety videos. In this post I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite airline safety videos, and then I’m curious to hear what safety videos you all like most. Personally I love this avgeek kind of stuff, just as I’ve talked about my favorite airline boarding music and my favorite airline ad campaigns .


Eminem Slaps Affiliate Link for Much-Criticized Teletherapy Startup on End of New Video
47Futurism / 10h
Global rap sensation Marshall "Eminem" Mathers premiered the new music video for his single "Somebody Save Me ," on YouTube today, the final track of his recently-released album "The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)." The cut explores the rapper's strained relationships while dealing with drug addiction, a heart-wrenching exploration of an alternate reality in which he died before his daughter


Proton VPN Now Supports WireGuard on Linux
22How-To Geek / 11h
Proton VPN's Linux application now supports the WireGuard protocol. This greatly improves Proton VPN speed and security on the Linux platform while also eliminating a major pain point for users.


Samsungs New Monitors Convert 2D Into Glasses-Free 3D
How-To Geek / 11h
3D monitors seem to be making a comeback, and Samsung is joining the party with its new Odyssey 3D gaming monitors in 27-inch and 37-inch versions, arriving later this year at as-of-yet-undisclosed prices. 3D mode is optional, and the monitors can switch between 2D and 3D on the fly.


Apple is bringing audio sharing to Beats Studio Pro via firmware update
24TechCrunch / 11h
A firmware update is delivering multi-user audio sharing, allowing music to be streamed to multiple headphones at once. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.


How You Can Protect Yourself Against Inevitable Data Breaches
How-To Geek / 11h
Your privacy and security on the internet isn't just dependent on your own behavior, it also relies on the websites and apps you use being secure. Unfortunately, this is often not the case, and sensitive information regularly leaks online. Here's how to protect yourself for when it happens to you.


Gamified rower startup Aviron branches out into bikes
TechCrunch / 11h
At around $2,000, the Fit Bike places the system between Peloton’s entry-level Bike ($1,500) and Bike+ ($2,500). © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.


The Two Best Times of Year to Look for a New Job
LifeHacker / 11h
If there was ever a time when people actually worked one job their whole lives and retired with a gold watch and a pension, it’s certainly long gone. Most people will have between 12 and 13 jobs in their lifetime, and almost everyone— 95% of workers —is planning to look for a new job in 2024. There are a lot of great reasons to launch a job search: Folks who switch jobs tend to earn more , someti


Microsoft's latest accessible controllers include the Xbox Adaptive Joystick
Engadget / 11h
Xbox continues to impress with its accessibility accommodations for gamers with disabilities. Alongside some updates to the Xbox console lineup, Microsoft unveiled several new controllers on Wednesday to help more people experience the joy of frictionless gaming. The Xbox Adaptive Joystick fills what Microsoft called a widely expressed “need for an affordable, singular joystick” to use with other


Google can’t defend shady Chrome data hoarding as “browser agnostic,” court says
Ars Technica - All content / 11h
Enlarge (credit: Thomas Trutschel / Contributor | Photothek ) Chrome users who declined to sync their Google accounts with their browsing data secured a big privacy win this week after previously losing a proposed class action claiming that Google secretly collected personal data without consent from over 100 million Chrome users who opted out of syncing. On Tuesday, the 9th US Circuit Court of A


Ars Technica content is now available in OpenAI services
Ars Technica - All content / 11h
Enlarge (credit: Ars Technica) On Tuesday, OpenAI announced a partnership with Ars Technica parent company Condé Nast to display content from prominent publications within its AI products, including ChatGPT and a new SearchGPT prototype. It also allows OpenAI to use Condé content to train future AI language models. The deal covers well-known Condé brands such as Vogue, The New Yorker, GQ, Wired,


Lego's first Mario Kart sets start throwing out shells on January 1
Engadget / 11h
Back when Lego first announced that Mario Kart sets would be arriving in 2025 , we didn’t expect them to release on the very first day of the year. However, the company just announced availability for these sets starting on January 1. It’s a New Year’s miracle. Lego’s Mario Kart collection includes new buildable versions of iconic characters, like Yoshi, Peach, Baby Mario and Donkey Kong. Of cour


Do Business Cards Impact Personal Credit Score?
26One Mile at a Time / 11h
Credit scores can be complicated to understand, and there are also lots of misconceptions about how they’re calculated, and what can impact credit scores. In particular, there’s often confusion about what impact business credit cards have on personal credit scores, so I wanted to address that in this post. Why should you consider a business credit card? First of all, why is it worth considering p


Google set to face class-action lawsuit over data collection in Chrome
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 11h
Google will have to answer in court allegations of collecting users’ private information inside its Chrome browser without their permission following a new ruling. A US federal appeals court has reversed a previous dismissal of the case Calhoun v. Google LLC on the basis that the lower court should have assessed “whether a reasonable user reading [Google’s privacy disclosures would think that he


Airline Ordered To Rehire Flight Attendant Who Drank Before Duty, Skipped Flight For Sex
View from the Wing / 11h
Virgin Australia flight attendant, Dylan Macnish, has to be reinstated after an Australian employment tribunal ruled that his dismissal in February 2024 was unfair. Among other things, he admits to drinking alcohol within 8 hours of working a flight. Continue reading ...


Why Reddit Has Become My Main "Social Media" App
How-To Geek / 11h
Over the years, I've spent so much time on various social media platforms. I've stopped using some of them, but many others I still use every day. When it comes to taking most of my timein a good wayI have to give it to Reddit, the social media for fellow internet strangers.


YouTube Updates Multiview for NFL Sunday Ticket Subscribers
How-To Geek / 11h
YouTube announced on Tuesday that it will be updating its recently released multiview feature, which allows you to watch four live NFL games at once using a split-screen. NFL Sunday Ticket subscribers will get an option to customize which set of games they watch with it.


D-ID launches an AI video translation tool that includes voice cloning and lip sync
TechCrunch / 11h
AI video creation platform D-ID is the latest company to ship a tool for translating videos into other languages using AI technologies. However, in this case, D-ID also clones the speaker’s voice and changes their lip movements to match the translated words as part of the AI editing process. The technology stems from D-ID’s earlier […] © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only


Starfield update offers a new vehicle and improved framerates for Xbox Series S
Engadget / 11h
A new Starfield update from Bethesda adds an off-road vehicle called the REV-8 to your garage and higher frame rates for players with a Xbox Series S. Bethesda announced the new features for Starfield on its X page and a new trailer on YouTube . The REV-8 is a four wheeled, all-terrain beast with all sorts of interesting features for your universe-exploring needs. The new vehicle includes a mount


A new system lets robots sense human touch without artificial skin
MIT Technology Review / 11h
Even the most capable robots aren’t great at sensing human touch; you typically need a computer science degree or at least a tablet to interact with them effectively. That may change, thanks to robots that can now sense and interpret touch without being covered in high-tech artificial skin. It’s a significant step toward robots that can interact more intuitively with humans. To understand the new


Stranded Astronauts Have Taken Up Gardening, NASA Says
100+Futurism / 11h
Keeping Busy What was meant to be an eight-day stint on board the International Space Station has quickly turned into a months-long waiting game for NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. The pair arrived at the orbital lab in early June aboard the maiden crewed journey of Boeing's Starliner, but technical issues plaguing the spacecraft's thrusters then forced NASA to delay their return


8 Things I've Learned from Using My Phone as My PC
How-To Geek / 12h
It may sound crazy, but I've used a phone as my primary PC for most of the past year. My journey started with Moto Ready For on the Moto Edge+ 2023 and transitioned over to Samsung DeX on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. Here's what I've learned along the way.


Typing these four characters could crash your iPhone
26TechCrunch / 12h
A bug in the iPhone makes it crash just by typing four characters. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.


Hawaii deal alert: Fly nonstop to the Big Island, Oahu and Maui from $191 round-trip
78The Points Guy / 12h
For many people, a vacation in Hawaii is near the top of the travel list. A new fare sale offers flights to the Big Island, Oahu and Maui at a big discount. With this sale, you’ll find some round-trip flights from U.S. cities like Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Minneapolis and San Francisco for less than $200. The deal is mostly for itineraries with layovers, but there are several nonstop routes av


Full Eric Schmidt Stanford Talk
Next Big Future / 12h
The Eric Schmidt Stanford talk keeps getting censored on Youtube. It is a very important talk with a lot of insights for the future of AI. People need to see the whole thing. Former Google CEO tells AI startups to steal content and hire lawyersEric Schmidt, Google’s one-time CEO and executive chairman, gave a recent ... Read more


How we could turn plastic waste into food
22MIT Technology Review / 12h
I n 2019, an agency within the U.S. Department of Defense released a call for research projects to help the military deal with the copious amount of plastic waste generated when troops are sent to work in remote locations or disaster zones. The agency wanted a system that could convert food wrappers and water bottles, among other things, into usable products, such as fuel and rations. The system


Use the 25% Rule to Decide How Much Home You Can Afford
LifeHacker / 12h
When it comes to buying a home , one of the biggest challenges is figuring out exactly how much house you can reasonably afford. After all, you don't want to end up "house poor," paying so much for your mortgage that you have little left over for other expenses and savings. That's where the "25% rule of thumb" can be a helpful guideline. What is the 25% rule of thumb? The 25% "rule" states that y


Make Fast and Easy Meatballs With Taco Seasoning
LifeHacker / 12h
There’s something to “special occasion” food that creates this need to agonize over it. It’s once-in-a-while food—so you need to make it perfect! That’s how I would make meatballs. I would use the same recipe every time, make sure the seasonings were perfect and diverse, and doubt myself every time I added more onions or breadcrumbs. It was a good meatball. I got tired of that meatball. Taco seas


Not even zoos are safe from data breaches — Oregon Zoo warns visitors their details may have been stolen
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 12h
More than a hundred thousand people who purchased tickets to the Oregon Zoo online may have had their credit card and other payment information stolen. The zoo has confirmed the news and begun notifying affected individuals of the breach. “On June 26, 2024, we became aware of suspicious activity within the Oregon Zoo’s online ticketing service. We promptly decommissioned the site and began an inv


Pixel 9 phones: The Gemini AI stuff, reviewed
Ars Technica - All content / 12h
Enlarge / I asked Gemini to "reimagine" the background of this Pixel 9 group shot (originally on beige paper) as "science fiction moonscape," and then used "Auto frame" to expand the initially tight shot. Maybe that explains why this moon surface has another moon visible? (credit: Kevin Purdy / Gemini AI) Google made its AI assistant, Gemini, central to its pitch to reviewers and the public—it's


Pixel 9 family: The “just hardware” review (no AI)
Ars Technica - All content / 12h
Enlarge / For this "neutral" hardware-focused review of the Pixel 9 phones, I asked the Pixel to "reimagine" a "neutral white background." (credit: Kevin Purdy / Gemini AI) I asked Google's Gemini Live chatbot, running on a new Pixel 9 Pro, how easy it was to use the Pixel 9 without all the Gemini AI features. "It's definitely possible to use a Pixel 9 without Gemini," the bot responded in a rema


You can pre-order the all-digital Xbox Series X starting today
Engadget / 12h
Today is the first day to pre-order the new 2024 Xbox consoles . The new batch includes the all-digital Xbox Series X, a Special Edition Xbox Series X with 2TB of storage and a white Xbox Series S. They begin shipping to US customers on October 15. Announced in June, the all-digital Xbox Series X is the first iteration of that model without a disc drive. Shipping in “robot white,” the new console


Anthropic’s Claude surpasses $1M in mobile app revenue
TechCrunch / 12h
However, Claude is still ranking far behind top rival ChatGPT. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.


Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review: 3 ways it beats the iPhone 15 Pro Max
27Mashable / 12h
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is the newest addition to the Pixel family. Before the reveal of the Google Pixel 9 series, the lineup only had two phones: a base model (e.g., last year’s Google Pixel 8 ) and a Pro variant (e.g., 2023’s Google Pixel 8 Pro). Now, Google has changed things up with a triple-device lineup: the Pixel 9 , Pixel 9 Pro , and Pixel 9 Pro XL . Interestingly, despite its name, th


Social Security number breach: Do this to find out if you’re one of the billions affected
20Mashable / 12h
In what may be the most bonkers news to happen this year, billions of Americans had their most personal, sensitive info swiped by hackers late last year — and this massive breach wasn't announced until just last week. The devastating data leak at the hands of National Public Data is a nightmare, exposing three decades’ worth of Social Security numbers on the online black market. Yep, it’s as bad


Parents Annoyed When Disney+ Starts Showing Kids "American Horror Story"
23Futurism / 12h
Mickey's Haunted House Streaming service Disney+ gave parents a big fright this summer when it started integrating a wealth of content from Hulu — including violent R-rated movies like "Aliens" and graphic TV series like "American Horror Story." As Business Insider reports , parents weren't expecting the deluge of mature offerings, even after having created a separate child-friendly profile to fi


This Week in AI: Gen Z has mixed feelings on AI
TechCrunch / 12h
This week, surveys suggest that Gen Z — regularly the subject of mainstream media fascination — has very mixed opinions on AI. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.


Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL review: Superb cameras, with a side of Gemini AI
Engadget / 12h
This year, Google decided not only to update the design of its Pixel phones but also put its AI features front and center. The Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL are the first Pixels that have swapped the Assistant for Gemini . With its latest