Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Technology News and More-Wednesday Edition...

Technology News and More...





India’s top court clears way for Byju’s insolvency proceedings
TechCrunch / 1h
India's Supreme Court has cleared the way for insolvency proceedings to be resumed against Byju's in a win for U.S. creditors. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.


'The Daily Show' mocks Trump's weird apparent crush on Kamala Harris
Mashable / 1h
"The Daily Show" host Desi Lydic has weighed in on Monday night's glitchy X Spaces interview between Donald Trump and Elon Musk.


Nintendo Switch 2 to launch in April 2025 at the earliest according to reports
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 36min
It seems that the next Nintendo console, tentatively being referred to as Nintendo Switch 2 , isn't expected to launch until the next financial year according to the latest reports. This comes from Chris Dring, head of GamesIndustry.biz . On the website's latest Microcast episode, Dring spoke on the expected launch window for Nintendo Switch 2, and that it's unlikely to arrive during the current



Google has finally launched Zoom Enhance, and it’s coming to the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 8 Pro
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 6min
Zoom Enhance has been a long time coming – it's a feature that Google first announced almost a year ago at the Pixel 8 launch – but now it's finally arrived. The feature will be available on the Pixel 9 Pro , Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold on day one, and it’s also now rolling out to the Pixel 8 Pro – sadly, the standard Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 miss out. While it remains to be seen how well Zoom


How to wean your toddler off a tablet
Mashable / 18min
It always starts with good intentions. Your toddler is fussy or irritable, and you've seen how the tablet calms them down. Why not hand it over for a few minutes to prevent a tantrum while you get dinner ready? It's a scene that plays out successfully in many households everyday, but the short-term victory may lead to a major parenting challenge in the future, according to new research. The study


Master the entire Microsoft Office suite with a training bundle for just $40
Mashable / 18min
TL;DR: Prepare for your next job with beginner to advanced courses on Excel, Word, Access, Outlook, and PowerPoint with the Ultimate Microsoft Office 2021/265 Training Bundle on sale for just $40. Opens in a new window Credit: StreamSkill The Ultimate Microsoft Office 2021/365 Training Bundle $39.99 at The Mashable Shop $449.00 Save $409.01 Learning courses for Excel, Word, Access, Outlook, and P


Access pro-level photo editing with this $150 app + add-on bundle
Mashable / 18min
TL;DR: Only through September 3, get the Red Dot Award-Winning Luminar Neo with an instructional video and six add-ons for just $149.97 (reg. $752). This digital age we live in demands the use of visuals for a variety of professionals and even hobbyists. From professional photographers to influences and content creators to marketing professionals and website owners, you catch more flies with some


Unleash your inner chef with these premium Damascus knives for 70% off


Mashable / 18min
TL;DR: Bring professional precision to your kitchen with this Damascus 5-piece knife set and included gift box for $74.97 (reg. $249) through September 3. Ready to slice and dice like a top chef? The Konig Kitchen Damascus 5-piece knife set is here to turn your home kitchen into a culinary wonderland. Perfect for foodies and home chefs alike, these knives offer the perfect blend of form and funct


Get a refurbished 2020 MacBook Air half off
Mashable / 18min
TL;DR: Save 49% on a 2020 MacBook Air in grade “A” refurbished condition. It has an Intel Core i3 and 256GB of storage. Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 13-inch 2020 Apple MacBook Air (8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $449.99 at The Mashable Shop $999.00 Save $549.01 Refurbished Imagine walking into Apple, except this time, they guide you into a secret back room. Inside, they have MacBooks for less than ha


Scientists detect water sloshing on Mars. There could be a lot.
Mashable / 18min
A pioneering NASA robot detected over a thousand quakes on Mars . It also may have revealed a huge reservoir of water. Planetary scientists used unprecedented data collected by the space agency's InSight lander , which recorded geologic activity on Mars for four years, to reveal that water may exist many miles down in the Martian crust. The research, which invites further investigation, may expla


4 Best Credit Cards For Priority Pass Lounge Access
100+One Mile at a Time / 19min
Airport lounge access is one of the premium credit card perks that people value most. Back in the day there weren’t many credit cards offering lounge access, but times have changed. In this post I wanted to take a look at the best US-issued credit cards for accessing Priority Pass lounges. What is Priority Pass? Priority Pass is the world’s largest network of independent airport lounges, with ove


California A.I. Bill Causes Alarm in Silicon Valley
NYT > Technology / 30min
California state senator Scott Wiener wants to stop the creation of dangerous A.I. But critics say he is jumping the gun.


Today's NYT Connections Hints and Answer for August 14 (#429)
How-To Geek / 32min
Connections is a game from the New York Times that challenges you to find the association between words. It sounds easy, but it isn'tConnections categories can be almost anything, and they're usually quite specific. If you need a hand getting the answers, we've got you covered.


NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 14
Mashable / 54min
The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times ' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe. With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it. So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustr


NYT Strands hints, answers for August 14
Mashable / 54min
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 14 SEE ALSO: Wordle today


Overcoming challenges in introducing AI assistants to your workforce
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 58min
Artificial intelligence is promised to be one of the most disruptive and transformative forces in the modern world. By the end of 2023, there were over 30,000 mentions of AI on earnings calls, compared with 500 mentions the previous year—showing its quickly increasing prominence. AI is a tool most industries want to integrate into their ways of working. Fifty five percent of organizations use AI


The English Premier League Will Ditch Its Hated VAR Offside Tech for a Fleet of iPhones
Wired / 2h
Later this season, the UK's top soccer division will replace its controversial VAR offside detection system in favor of a whole bunch of Apple's smartphones.


Decentralized AI Network HyperCycle Sets Out To Make A Splash At Ai4 2024
Next Big Future / 2h
The decentralized artificial intelligence compute network startup HyperCycle is hoping to get some attention this week as it enters the spotlight at Ai4 2024, one of the hottest AI events on the calendar. HyperCycle is unusual compared to most other decentralized AI players in that its distributed network is not based on a blockchain. Rather, ... Read more



Breaking down online shopping's silent threat
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 3h
Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) have long served as the invisible backbone of online retail. They empower retailers to seamlessly integrate the intricate web of ecommerce systems, orchestrating everything from payment processing to shipping logistics and inventory management. This interconnectedness, however, has also made the retail sector a lucrative target for threat actors. Facing a


Apple welcomes back PC emulators on iOS – but are they here to stay?
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 3h
Remember the days of MS-DOS? If you don’t, you can experience classic PC games from that era on your iPhone, thanks to new App Store rules that, once again, allow the distribution of emulators. Which means iDOS 3 – a PC emulator that allows you to run applications made for MS-DOS via DOSBox – is back on the App Store. It was only in April this year that we were celebrating the ability to turn an


xAI releases Grok-2, adds image generation on X
21TechCrunch / 4h
Elon Musk-owned launched Grok-2 and Grok-2 mini in beta today with improved reasoning. The new Grok AI model can now generate images on the X social network, though Grok access is currently limited to Premium and Premium+ users on X. xAI said that both Grok-2 and Grok-2 mini are available to users on X in […] © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.


Turn your iPhone into a portable scanner for life for just £24
Mashable / 4h
TL;DR: Scan documents, photos, and more on the go with permanent access to iScanner for your iPhone/iPad on sale for just £23.33 through September 3. Opens in a new window Credit: BP Mobile iScanner App: Lifetime Subscription £23.33 at The Mashable Shop £155.64 Save £132.31 For iPhone/iPad If you've ever had to scan something while away from your home printer/scanner (if you even have one nowaday


China firm claims world's fastest-charging EV battery
31BBC News / 4h
Zeekr says its new batteries can be charged from 10% to 80% in 10 and a half minutes using its chargers.


Google's new Pixel Screenshots takes an active (and safe) approach to organizing your digital life
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 5h
During the recent Made by Google event , we got our first official look at many of the features coming to the Pixel 9 series, from Satellite SOS to Add Me. One of the standouts, though, was Pixel Screenshots , an app that aims to “help you save, organize, and recall information” collected on the smartphone. To explain how it works, let’s say you’re looking to update your wardrobe and find a nice


Today’s Wordle Hints (and Answer) for Wednesday, August 14, 2024
LifeHacker / 5h
If you’re looking for the Wordle answer for August 14, 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 14, Wordle #1,152! 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


Google faces headwinds as it brings Pixel 9 to India
24TechCrunch / 5h
Google Pixel 9 series India launch coincides with the expansion of its sales channels and after-sales support in the country. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.


Zepto hits $5B valuation as quick commerce heats up in India
TechCrunch / 6h
Indian grocery delivery startup Zepto has finalized a $340 million round that values it $5 billion, up from $3.6 billion in June and $1.4 billion last August, as the startup races to win market share in India’s contested quick-commerce market. sources familiar with the deal told TechCrunch. General Catalyst and Mars Growth Capital are co-leading […] © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For per


The Google Pixel Watch 3's Loss of Pulse Detection is a first for smartwatches, and it could be a lifesaver
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 6h
During Made by Google 2024 , the tech giant unveiled its next-gen wearable, the Pixel Watch 3, and with it, a life-saving feature called Loss of Pulse Detection. This is an opt-in tool that gives the smartwatch the “ability to detect loss of pulse,” which is a very scary event in which your heart suddenly stops beating. According to the announcement , the Pixel Watch 3 utilizes a combination of “


Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for August 14
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 August 14'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


Google is making Gemini AI part of everything you do with your smartphone – here's how
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 7h
Google showed off a lot of impressive hardware at the Made by Google event this year , with new Pixel smartphones, earbuds, and smartwatches. But, the company's Gemini AI model was arguably the real star, playing a central or supporting role in nearly every unveiled feature. We've put together the most notable, interesting, and quirky ways Gemini will be a part of Google's mobile future. Gemini L


Fujifilm’s new Instax Mini printer just landed to make your smartphone snapping fun again
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 7h
Sometimes, you just want the tactile fun of printing Instax photos without the hassle of actually using an Instax camera. If that sounds like you, the new Instax Mini Link 3 printer for smartphones could be your next impulse buy for birthday parties and weddings. The successor to the Instax Mini Link 2, which arrived in 2022, works just like its predecessors. Connect it to your smartphone via Blu


NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 14
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


Hands on With the Google Pixel 9 Series, 9 Pro Fold, Watch 3, and Buds Pro 2
How-To Geek / 8h
Instead of waiting for October, Google took to its Silicon Valley HQ to unveil its latest generation of products at today's Made By Google event. Instead of relying on AI and software features to be the star of the show, Google made serious improvements to its Pixel 9 lineup, with much-needed upgrades to the Watch 3 and Buds Pro 3.


Made by Google 2024: A few AI features you might’ve missed
29TechCrunch / 9h
We rounded up some of the more intriguing AI-related announcements that didn't get a ton of play, like Pixel Studio. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.


U.S. Considers Breaking Up Google to Address Search Monopoly
41NYT > Technology / 9h
The Justice Department and state attorneys general are discussing various scenarios to remedy Google’s dominance in online search, including a breakup of the company.


“Slapped cheek” virus is surging across Europe and US, CDC warns
Ars Technica - All content / 10h
Enlarge / A child with a "slapped cheek" rash (credit: CDC ) A common seasonal respiratory virus that typically infects school-aged children is causing an unusually large spike in cases across Europe and the US this summer. The surge in transmission is a significant danger to certain vulnerable populations including pregnant people, according to a health alert released by the Centers for Disease


Thiel’s Gawker takedown could be coming to a theater near you
22TechCrunch / 10h
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have acquired a screenplay called “Killing Gawker,” which presumably delves into billionaire VC Peter Thiel’s campaign to bury the media outfit for posting excerpts from a Hulk Hogan sex tape. The film is based on a book that details the 2016 court case in which Hogan won a $140 million […] © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.


Google taps YouTube stars to hawk its new Pixel phones
Mashable / 10h
For the launch of its new Pixel phones, Google looked to YouTube stars to bring the heat. An online After Party breathed new life into the brand's snooze-y "Made by Google" keynote by featuring a who's who of YouTube talent. Amelia Dimoldenberg (of "Chicken Shop Date" fame), drag superstars Trixie Mattel and Monét X Change, Hot Ones' Sean Evans, science guy Mark Rober, and more all showed up and


Crypto Crackdown: Airbnb Host Got $1,500 Bill From Guest’s Mining. Is This Happening At Hotels, Too? [Roundup]
View from the Wing / 10h
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips. Continue reading ...


Billion Dollar Startup Sakana AI Makes First AI Scientist
Next Big Future / 10h
Japanese startup Sakana AI claims they have built the world’s first AI Scientist. One of the grand challenges of artificial general intelligence is developing agents capable of conducting scientific research and discovering new knowledge. This new work is a major advance toward that goal. While frontier models have already been used as aids to human ... Read more


NYT Strands today — hints, answers and spangram for Wednesday, August 14 (game #164)
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 10h
How difficult you may find today's Strands puzzle may depend on where in the world you are; if you find it tricky, read on for my 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 on if you don't want to know the answers.


Quordle today – hints and answers for Wednesday, August 14 (game #933)
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 10h
Wednesday's Quordle is not too bad – but there are still plenty of traps awaiting you if you let your guard down for a second. My hints may help you avoid them. 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 POILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if


NYT Connections today — hints and answers for Wednesday, August 14 (game #430)
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 10h
It's time to solve Wednesday's Connections puzzle from the NYT – which means it's also time for some Connections hints if you need. 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. SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT C


ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode First Impressions: Fun, and Just a Bit Creepy
42Wired / 10h
The new voice feature from OpenAI for ChatGPT is often entertaining and will even do a Trump impression. It likely rolls out to all paid users this fall.


What's actually new in Google Gemini AI?
Mashable / 10h
Consumers and investors are sick of AI hype , and Google knows it. "There have been so many promises, so many 'coming soon's, and not enough real-world helpfulness when it comes to AI," Google senior VP Rick Osterloh said at the "Made by Google" event that unveiled new Pixel phones in Mountain View Tuesday. "Which is why today, we're getting real ... we're going to answer the biggest question peo


These New 401(k) Rules Make It Easier to Access Your Cash
LifeHacker / 11h
The IRS has clarified a provision of the SECURE 2.0 Act passed in 2022, now expanding the use of tax-deferred retirement accounts as emergency funds. Previously, retirement savers with an “immediate and heavy” financial need could technically make an early withdrawal from their 401(k)s and traditional individual retirement accounts. However, that early withdrawal would be subject to income tax, a


Elon Musk went judge shopping in ad lawsuit and didn’t get the judge he wanted
27Ars Technica - All content / 11h
Enlarge / Elon Musk speaks at the Satellite Conference and Exhibition on March 9, 2020 in Washington, DC. (credit: Getty Images | Win McNamee ) US District Judge Reed O'Connor today recused himself from Elon Musk's lawsuit alleging that advertisers targeted X with an illegal boycott. O'Connor was apparently Musk's preferred judge in the lawsuit filed last week against the World Federation of Adve


NASA chief to scientists on budget cuts: “I feel your pain”
Ars Technica - All content / 11h
Enlarge / Administrator Bill Nelson delivering remarks and answering questions from the media at the OFT-2 prelaunch press conference. (credit: Trevor Mahlmann) Ars Technica recently had the opportunity to speak with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, who has now led the US space agency for more than three years. We spoke about budget issues, Artemis Program timelines, and NASA's role as a soft powe


The pixelated cyberpunk platformer Replaced has been pushed back to 2025
24Engadget / 11h
Sad Cat Studios announced on X that it is delaying its highly anticipated cyberpunk action game Replaced to next year. The studio says in its online statement that its expectations for the Xbox and PC exclusive are high since they first announced the game at E3 in 2021. It wants to make sure it meets those expectations and doesn’t want to rush the production process. “Our initial release was opti


Google took a very un-Apple-like approach to its Pixel launch, but then it was always gonna be about Gemini
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 11h
If you need a reminder that Google is not Apple, just take a look at how the search giant conducted its Made By Google Pixel product fest rollout on August 13. Instead of regaling us with four new Pixel phones , two new Pixel Watches , and a new Pixel Buds Pro 2 , Google spent the first 30 minutes talking almost exclusively about Gemini. If you've been paying attention, this should come as no sur


Gemini Live first look: Better than talking to Siri, but worse than I’d like
23TechCrunch / 11h
Google launched Gemini Live during its Made by Google event Tuesday. The feature allows you to have a semi-natural spoken conversation, not typed out, with an AI chatbot powered by Google’s latest large language model. TechCrunch was there to test it out firsthand. Gemini Live is Google’s answer to OpenAI’s Advanced Voice Mode, ChatGPT’s nearly […] © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For pers


The Easy Way to DIY a Piping Bag
LifeHacker / 12h
A piping bag isn’t something I’d categorize as a “normal” kitchen tool. Former chefs and pastry chefs will keep them in their home kitchen because the cheap, flexible, conical bag has proven its value time and again, but the average home cook doesn’t need one—that is, until they need one. I’m not here to convince you to buy something new that you’re not comfortable using (not today anyway). Besid


This App Gives Your iPhone an Ultra-Minimalist Home Screen
LifeHacker / 12h
We all have that app on our home screen that we impulsively open and scroll, even when we wish that we could stop . You can try to deal with this by making your phone less attractive to pick up. On Android, there are minimalist launchers like 0Launcher , which shows you a list of text instead of icons. The idea is that you'll only put apps you need to use, like texting or maps, on the home screen


The Pixel Watch 3 Can Detect When Your Heart Stops
How-To Geek / 12h
We've seen a push from companies over the past few years for new, life-saving health features. Satellite communications can allow you to get help in those specific cases where you're stranded without a cell signal. Now, the new Pixel Watch 3 might actually literally save your life with one of its new features.


A look inside the new tree-lined main terminal at Portland International Airport
The Points Guy / 12h
Portland International Airport (PDX) in Portland, Oregon, is undergoing a much-needed $2.15 billion makeover. While construction has been underway since at least 2020, visitors will likely feel it was all worth the wait when the airport’s temporary walls come down Aug. 14 to reveal the next (and best) part of the project. Soon, visitors will experience an expansive and reimagined main terminal wi


Texas sues GM, saying it tricked customers into sharing driving data sold to insurers
26TechCrunch / 12h
Texas filed a lawsuit Tuesday against GM over years of alleged abuse of customers’ data and trust. New car owners were presented with a “confusing and highly misleading” process that was implied to be for their safety, but “was no more than a deceptively designed sales flow” that surrendered their data for GM to sell. […] © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.


How to Install Updates Manually on Windows 11
How-To Geek / 12h
If automatic updates have failed to install, you have alternate ways to manually update your Windows 11 PC. Well show you the available methods, so you can get the latest bug fixes and possibly new features on your computer. Lets get started.


Chinese robotaxi startup WeRide gets approval to carry passengers in California
TechCrunch / 12h
Chinese autonomous vehicle company WeRide has received the green light to test its driverless vehicles with passengers in California. The step comes as WeRide begins the process to go public on the U.S. stock market at a nearly $5 billion valuation. The timing also coincides with reports that the Commerce Department is considering a ban […] © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use


Classic PC game emulation is back on the iPhone with iDOS 3 release
Ars Technica - All content / 12h
Enlarge / The start of any journey in MS-DOS. (credit: Samuel Axon) After a 14-year journey of various states of availability and usefulness amid the shifting policies of Apple's App Store approval process, MS-DOS game emulator iDOS is back on the iPhone and iPad. It's hopefully here to stay this time. iDOS allows you to run applications made for MS-DOS via DOSBox, with a nice retro-styled interf


Researchers figure out how to keep clocks on the Earth, Moon in sync
Ars Technica - All content / 12h
Enlarge / Without adjustments for relativity, clocks here and on the Moon would rapidly diverge. (credit: NASA ) Timing is everything these days. Our communications and GPS networks all depend on keeping careful track of the precise timing of signals—including accounting for the effects of relativity. The deeper into a gravitational well you go, the slower time moves, and we've reached the point


5th Circuit rules geofence warrants illegal in win for phone users’ privacy
33Ars Technica - All content / 12h
Enlarge (credit: Getty Images | ) A federal appeals court ruled on Friday that geofence warrants, which are used to identify all users or devices in a geographic area, are prohibited by the Fourth Amendment's protection against unreasonable searches. The ruling was issued by the US Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, which is generally regarded as the most conservative appeals court. The 5th Ci


Donald Trump’s Bizarre Lisp During Elon Musk Interview Prompts Health Concerns
200+Futurism / 12h
What on Earth is going on with Donald Trump? During his chat with tech billionaire Elon Musk on Monday night, Trump appeared to slur his speech and speak with an audible lisp. The strange speech pattern had people