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Everything posted by Trendingger
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As the much-anticipated total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, draws near, the question on everyone’s mind is, "Where can I get my free solar eclipse glasses?". The answer is closer than you might think. Warby Parker, a renowned eyewear brand, has taken the initiative to distribute free solar eclipse glasses at all of its retail locations. The company has even dedicated an entire page on its website to the event. This move is part of Warby Parker’s commitment to ensuring that everyone has the necessary gear to safely witness this celestial spectacle. In addition to Warby Parker, Boost Mobile and local libraries across the nation are also giving away free solar eclipse glasses. To find out which libraries near you have glasses available, you can check out an interactive map provided by Star Net. For those residing in New York State, the state is distributing free glasses at locations including New York State Welcome Centers and Thruway Rest Stops. Chain restaurants such as Smoothie King are offering free eyewear with a purchase. If you’re unable to find a location near you to get free glasses, don’t worry. NASA has provided instructions on how to create your own viewing tool with materials that you can find around the house. Remember, normal sunglasses aren’t strong enough to protect your eyes from the harmful solar radiation during an eclipse. Therefore, it’s crucial to use special protection designed specifically for observing an eclipse. As we prepare for this rare astrological phenomenon, it’s important to remember the significance of safety. What are your thoughts on this? Do you think enough is being done to ensure the public can safely view the solar eclipse? Share your views with us. Read more: https://www.warbyparker.com/solar-eclipse-2024 https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/here-are-all-the-places-to-get-free-eclipse-glasses-right-now-in-nyc-040324 https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/05/where-to-get-free-solar-eclipse-glasses-this-weekend.html Image: Adil Abdrakhmanov | Dreamstime.com
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Procter & Gamble (P&G), a multinational consumer goods corporation, has issued a recall for over 8.2 million bags of various laundry detergent brands. The recall includes popular brands such as Tide, Gain, Ace, and Ariel. This recall has been triggered due to a defect identified in the products’ child-resistant packaging. The packaging defect poses a significant risk as the outer packaging, designed to prevent easy access to the liquid laundry detergent pods, can split open near the zipper track. This could potentially lead to serious risks to children and others who may ingest them, in addition to possible skin or eye injuries. It’s worth noting that there have been no confirmed injuries directly tied to this defect. The recall impacts select batches of these laundry detergents that were manufactured between September 2023 and February 2024. These products were sold at major retailers including Walmart, Target, CVS, and Amazon. The recalled products, which can be identified by lot code, vary in scent and size. About 8.2 million were sold in the U.S. and more than 56,700 were sold in Canada. Consumers in possession of the now-recalled bags are instructed to keep the products out of the reach and sight of children and contact Cincinnati-based P&G for a full refund and replacement child-resistant bag to store the detergent. The detergent itself remains safe to use for laundry purposes. The health risks tied to the ingestion of liquid laundry detergent have been well-documented. Ingesting the detergents’ chemicals can cause vomiting, diarrhea, liver and kidney damage, and even death. Experts warn that children are especially vulnerable to accidentally ingesting liquid laundry packets, as they may confuse the products with candy. This incident brings to light the importance of effective child-resistant packaging for potentially harmful household products. It also underscores the need for consumers to be vigilant about storing such products safely. What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you think more stringent regulations should be put in place for the packaging of potentially harmful household products? We’d love to hear your views. Read more: https://www.pggoodeveryday.com/bags/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/caileygleeson/2024/04/05/procter--gamble-recalls-more-than-8-million-tide-pods-and-other-laundry-detergent-packets/ https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/05/business/tide-gain-ace-ariel-detergent-pods-recall-faullty-packaging/index.html Image: P&G
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In a delectable marketing move that has foodies buzzing, Chipotle Mexican Grill has announced a massive giveaway. The popular fast-food chain is giving away 100,000 free burritos, a move that coincides with National Burrito Day. This generous offer is part of an interactive game called “Burrito Vault” that the company has launched. The “Burrito Vault” game challenges fans to guess two exact order combinations, ingredient by ingredient. The first 50,000 fans who successfully decipher the Burrito Vault code on April 2 and April 3 will win a Buy-One-Get-One (BOGO) free entrée code. The game begins daily at noon PT, and winners can only redeem the code on April 4. In addition to the BOGO offer, those who win a code will automatically be entered into Chipotle’s National Burrito Day sweepstakes. This sweepstakes will randomly select 53 winners, who will receive free burritos for a year in the form of 52 reward credits for a regular entrée. On National Burrito Day, Chipotle is also extending a $0 delivery fee offer to all Chipotle Rewards members ordering via Chipotle.com, Chipotle.ca, and the Chipotle app with the code DELIVER. This offer is another way the company is celebrating National Burrito Day and rewarding its loyal customers. What are your thoughts on this marketing strategy? Do you think it’s an effective way to engage customers and promote the brand? We’d love to hear your views on this topic. Read more: https://newsroom.chipotle.com/2024-04-02-CHIPOTLE-HIDES-MORE-THAN-1-MILLION-IN-FREE-BURRITOS-INSIDE-NEW-BURRITO-VAULT-GAME-AHEAD-OF-NATIONAL-BURRITO-DAY https://www.allrecipes.com/chipotle-is-giving-away-100000-free-burritos-8624098 Image: Chipotle
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Image: OpenAI/August Kamp on YouTube OpenAI has just unveiled the first music video entirely conceived by its AI video generator, Sora. This innovative leap is nothing short of a visual feast, marking a significant milestone in the realm of AI-generated content. The music video features the song “Worldweight” by independent musician August Kamp. The video, which is available on OpenAI’s official YouTube channel, presents a series of short clips in a wide 8:3 aspect ratio. These clips, showcasing various environments, are coupled with the ambient track to create a uniquely ethereal experience. Sora, the AI engine behind this creation, is capable of producing multi-shot clips from nothing more than a text prompt. The video for “Worldweight” captures the images that Kamp visualized in her mind while composing the piece. This ability of Sora to translate human imagination into visuals represents a turning point for artists. However, August Kamp isn’t the only one harnessing Sora for content creation. Media production company Shy Kids also published a short film on YouTube called “Air Head”, which was made using the same AI engine. OpenAI’s Sora has been described as a level above other AI video generators. With its ability to create longer and more consistent shots, Sora is changing the landscape of AI-generated content. As artificial intelligence continues to grow, it opens up new lanes of artistry, as stated by August Kamp. How will the widespread adoption of AI like Sora shape the future of filmmaking and entertainment? We invite you to share your thoughts on this intriguing topic. Read more: https://www.allaboutai.com/ai-news/openai-releases-sora-first-music-video/ https://en.softonic.com/articles/sora-the-audiovisual-ai-from-openai-has-just-made-its-first-music-video https://www.techradar.com/computing/artificial-intelligence/openais-sora-just-made-its-first-music-video-and-its-like-a-psychedelic-trip
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Image generated on AI Apple is reportedly exploring the realm of personal home robots. This move comes after the company abandoned its plans to develop an electric vehicle. The focus on robotics is seen as an attempt to discover the next big thing in the tech market. The company is said to be in the early stages of developing a mobile robot that can follow users around their homes. This robot is part of Apple’s broader exploration into personal robotics. In addition to the mobile robot, Apple has reportedly developed a tabletop device that uses a robot to move a screen around. The idea behind this device is to mimic head movements and lock onto a single person in a group, potentially enhancing the video call experience. Despite the exciting prospects, the home robot project is still in its early research and development phase. The company is also grappling with the question of whether people would be willing to pay top dollar for the robots it has in mind. This uncertainty has led to disagreements among Apple executives over whether to continue with these projects. Apple’s exploration into home robots represents a significant shift in the company’s product line. However, it also raises an intriguing question: Will personal home robots become the next must-have gadget in our homes? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Read more: https://techcrunch.com/2024/04/03/apples-electric-car-loss-could-be-home-robotics-gain/ https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-exploring-home-robots-as-next-big-thing-report-2024-4 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-03/apple-explores-home-robots-after-abandoning-car-efforts
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Meta’s AI image generator has recently been under scrutiny for its inability to accurately represent interracial couples. The tool, which is designed to generate images based on user prompts, consistently fails to depict couples of different races. This issue has raised concerns about the inherent biases in AI systems and their potential implications. When prompted with phrases like “Asian man and Caucasian friend,” or “Asian man and white wife,” the AI tool tends to generate images of individuals of the same race. Independent testing by various sources confirmed these findings. For instance, when asked to generate an image of “an Asian man with a white woman friend” or “an Asian man with a white wife,” the tool consistently produced images of Asian couples. The issue extends beyond just the representation of interracial couples. When asked to generate an image of “a diverse group of people,” the AI tool produced a grid of nine white faces and one person of color. This highlights the tool’s limitations in accurately representing diversity. Moreover, the AI tool has been found to exhibit other subtle signs of bias. For example, it tends to depict Asian men as older and Asian women as younger. It also occasionally adds culturally specific clothing to the generated images, even when such details are not specified in the prompt. These findings underscore the challenges faced by AI platforms in accurately representing diversity and avoiding stereotypes. The cause behind Meta AI’s struggle with these types of prompts is yet to be determined. However, this isn’t an isolated incident as AI platforms have previously faced criticism over their representation of race. How can we ensure that AI systems accurately represent the diversity of the human race? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Read more: https://www.engadget.com/metas-ai-image-generator-struggles-to-create-images-of-couples-of-different-races-231424476.html https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/metas-ai-image-generator-faces-difficulty-creating-diverse-couple-images/story https://www.globalvillagespace.com/tech/issues-with-metas-image-generator-and-mixed-race-couples-and-friends/ https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/3/24120029/instagram-meta-ai-sticker-generator-asian-people-racism Image: Rokas Tenys | Dreamstime.com
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Apple’s App Store is currently experiencing an outage, affecting users around the globe. This unexpected downtime has left many users unable to access the App Store, leading to a flurry of complaints and concerns. Image: Downdetector, at 7:16PM ET The issue isn’t isolated to the App Store alone. Reports indicate that multiple Apple services, including Apple TV+ and Apple Music, are also down. This widespread outage has been confirmed on Apple’s status page, raising questions about the underlying cause and the extent of its impact. Image: Apple Developer's status page at 7:28PM ET Interestingly, the outage isn’t affecting all users uniformly. Some users have reported being able to access certain features offered by these services. This inconsistency adds another layer of complexity to the situation, making it difficult to predict when full functionality will be restored. As of now, Apple has yet to acknowledge the cause. Users attempting to open the App Store have been met with error messages such as “Cannot Connect” and "Something went wrong". The lack of details about the outage on the Apple System Status webpage has left users in the dark. In conclusion, this unexpected outage of Apple’s App Store and other services has left many users frustrated and seeking answers. As we await further updates from Apple, one can’t help but wonder about the implications of such outages on our increasing reliance on digital services. How has this outage affected you or your daily activities? We’d love to hear your views on this topic. Read more: https://developer.apple.com/system-status/ https://www.reuters.com/technology/multiple-apple-service-down-users-2024-04-03/ https://www.macrumors.com/2024/04/03/apple-services-widespread-outage/ https://9to5mac.com/2024/04/03/app-store-down/ Top image: Boumenjapet | Dreamstime.com
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OpenAI has recently introduced a new feature for its image-generating AI model, DALL-E, allowing users to tweak specific elements within the images generated. The DALL-E editor interface enables users to select an area of the image to edit and describe the desired changes in chat. Users can also provide a prompt with their desired edit in the conversation panel, without using the selection tool. This feature is designed to give users more control over their creative vision. DALL-E’s new editing feature is not just about making changes to existing images. It also allows users to add, remove, and update parts of the image. For instance, users can highlight the top corner of the image and use the prompt “Add cherry blossoms,” to obtain a new image with cherry blossoms added. This feature is a testament to the growing sophistication of AI technology. However, OpenAI acknowledges the potential risks and ethical concerns associated with the deceptiveness of AI-generated images. The company is researching ways to help people identify when an image was created with AI. They are working on an internal tool to decipher AI- versus human-generated art, and promise to share more soon. How will the introduction of DALL-E’s new image editing feature reshape the landscape of AI and image generation? What impact will it have on other industry-leading image editors? Read more: https://help.openai.com/en/articles/9055440-editing-your-images-with-dall-e https://www.pcmag.com/news/openai-unveils-new-and-improved-ai-image-generator-dall-e-3 https://www.zdnet.com/article/dall-e-adds-a-new-way-to-edit-ai-generated-images/ Images: OpenAI
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Apple has unveiled its innovative AI model, ReALM, a new system designed to enhance interactions with voice assistants by improving context comprehension. The tech giant has hinted at its artificial intelligence plans with a research paper, discussing its large language model (LLM) Reference Resolution As Language Modeling (ReALM) and how it can “substantially outperform” OpenAI’s GPT-4. ReALM, which stands for Reference Resolution As Language Modeling, is designed to run on a phone and make voice assistants like Siri smarter by helping it to understand context and ambiguous references. This comes ahead of the launch of iOS 18 in June at WWDC 2024. The company claims it even outperforms OpenAI’s GPT-4 on certain tasks. Apple’s ReALM is not just about outperforming GPT-4, it’s about understanding the user’s vision through their activity. It’s intelligent enough to be precise with its clues, and it acts super fast while being a smaller AI system compared to current models such as GPT-4. This makes it a significant development in the AI space, especially considering Apple’s strict privacy requirements. However, while ReALM works better than GPT-4 in this particular benchmark, it would be far from accurate to say that the former is a better model than the latter. It is just that ReALM beat GPT in a benchmark that it was specifically designed to be good at. It is also not immediately clear when or how Apple plans to integrate ReALM into its products. This development has sparked a wave of anticipation and speculation among tech enthusiasts and industry experts alike. How will the introduction of ReALM reshape the landscape of AI and voice assistants? Do you think ReALM will revolutionize the way we interact with our devices? Read more: https://arxiv.org/pdf/2403.20329.pdf https://www.digitalinformationworld.com/2024/04/apple-unveils-innovative-ai-based-realm.html https://www.tomsguide.com/ai/apple-reveals-realm-new-ai-model-could-make-siri-way-faster-and-smarter https://www.macobserver.com/news/apple-researchers-unveil-realm-to-upgrade-siri-and-take-on-gpt-4/ Image: Dedmityay | Dreamstime.com
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Yahoo has announced the acquisition of Artifact, an AI-driven news aggregation and discovery platform created by Instagram's co-founders, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger. Artifact, known for its proprietary AI-powered personalization technology, will no longer operate as a standalone app. Instead, its technology will be integrated across Yahoo’s products, including the Yahoo News app. This integration is expected to provide users with a more personalized experience for discovering news and information. The acquisition comes at a time when Artifact had announced it would be winding down operations. Despite this, the technology developed by Artifact has been recognized for its potential to transform the way users discover and consume news. Yahoo’s acquisition of Artifact is seen as a strategic move to further establish itself as a trusted guide to digital information, and to enhance its content personalization capabilities. Kat Downs Mulder, SVP and General Manager of Yahoo News, expressed excitement about growing Artifact’s technology and furthering Yahoo’s mission. Kevin Systrom, CEO and Co-Founder of Artifact, echoed these sentiments. He stated that Yahoo’s scale would help Artifact’s technology benefit millions of people. He also emphasized the critical role of connecting people to trusted sources of news and information. This acquisition marks a significant milestone in Yahoo’s journey. It not only enhances Yahoo’s product offerings but also aligns with its vision of connecting users with content that matters most to them. How will this acquisition reshape the landscape of online content aggregation, and the future of Yahoo? Share your views in the comments below. Read more: https://www.yahooinc.com/press/yahoo-announces-the-acquisition-of-artifact-the-news-discovery-platform-created-by-instagram-cofounders-kevin-systrom-and-mike-krieger https://www.neowin.net/news/yahoo-acquires-artifact-the-ai-driven-news-app-made-by-instagram-co-founders/ https://www.engadget.com/yahoo-bought-ai-powered-news-app-artifact-from-instagrams-co-founders-140040172.html
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WhatsApp, the Meta-owned messaging platform, has introduced a feature that allows users to select HD as the default image resolution. This development addresses a long-standing issue where images and videos shared through WhatsApp were automatically compressed, leading to a drop in quality. The new feature, found in the app’s “Storage and Data” settings, lets users choose between ‘Standard’ and ‘HD’ quality for all the images and videos they share. This feature was spotted in the 2.24.5.6 version of WhatsApp for Android. The introduction of this feature eliminates the need to manually activate the ‘HD’ button each time, making it easier to send higher-quality media. Previously, WhatsApp users sending photos would see the images automatically compressed and the resolution reduced to 920 x 1280 to save storage space and keep image-sharing fast over low bandwidth data connections. With the new update, they now have the option to send images in “HD quality,” which equates to 3024 x 4032 resolution. This feature is currently being tested and is expected to be released to all Android users after thorough testing. The ability to send high-resolution videos over WhatsApp is also set to follow soon. How will this impact the overall user experience on WhatsApp? Will the increase in media quality lead to a surge in data usage? Feel free to share your thoughts on this development. Read more: https://www.facebook.com/4/videos/2577125352453919/ https://in.mashable.com/tech/72260/heres-how-you-can-send-hd-quality-photos-and-videos-on-whatsapp-by-default https://www.sammobile.com/news/whatsapp-hd-image-resolution-default-setting-testing/ https://www.macrumors.com/2023/08/18/whatsapp-hd-photos-send-high-res-images/ Image: 777ers | Dreamstime.com
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In a landmark move, Google has agreed to delete billions of web browsing data records. This decision comes as part of a settlement for a lawsuit that accused the tech giant of tracking users who browsed the internet via “Incognito” private browsing mode in Chrome. The lawsuit alleged that Google’s analytics, cookies, and apps allowed the Alphabet unit to improperly track people who set Google’s Chrome browser to “incognito” mode. The terms of the settlement were disclosed in a San Francisco federal court. The legal filing noted that Google will "delete and/or remediate billions of data records that reflect class members’ private browsing activities". The value of the settlement is more than $5 billion. The lawsuit began in 2020, covering millions of Google users who used private browsing since June 1, 2016. Under the settlement, Google will update disclosures about what it collects in “private” browsing, a process it has already begun. It will also let incognito users block third-party cookies for five years. Lawyers for the plaintiffs valued the accord at more than $5 billion, and as high as $7.8 billion. This settlement marks a significant step in requiring dominant technology companies to be honest in their representations to users about how they collect and employ user data. It also mandates them to delete and remediate data collected. The question that arises from this development is: How will this settlement impact the future of data privacy and the practices of other tech giants? We invite you to share your thoughts on this topic. Read more: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/01/tech/google-to-delete-data-records-to-settle-incognito-lawsuit/index.html https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-01/google-agrees-to-delete-web-browsing-data-as-it-settles-incognito-lawsuit https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/04/01/google-chrome-privacy-lawsuit-settlement/c758c542-f05b-11ee-a4c9-88e569a98b58_story.html Image: Mohamed Ahmed Soliman | Dreamstime.com
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OpenAI has recently unveiled a new voice-cloning tool, named ‘Voice Engine’, that is capable of mimicking any voice from a brief 15-second audio sample. The result is a synthetic voice that delivers “natural-sounding speech” with emotive and realistic vocal nuances. The development of Voice Engine has been a closely guarded secret, with OpenAI taking a cautious approach to its release. The company has expressed concerns about the potential misuse of synthetic voice technology, particularly in the context of creating audio deep fakes. As such, OpenAI plans to keep the technology tightly controlled until adequate safeguards are in place. Interestingly, the technology behind Voice Engine has been hiding in plain sight. The same generative AI model powers the ‘read aloud’ capabilities in ChatGPT, OpenAI’s AI-powered chatbot. It’s also used in the preset voices available in OpenAI’s text-to-speech API. Despite the impressive capabilities of Voice Engine, OpenAI has made it clear that the technology will not be publicly available just yet. This decision allows the company time to monitor how the model is used and potentially abused. Jeff Harris, a member of the product staff at OpenAI, emphasized the importance of understanding the landscape of where this tech could be dangerous and ensuring that mitigations are in place. In conclusion, OpenAI’s unveiling of Voice Engine marks a significant milestone in the field of voice-cloning technology. However, it also raises important questions about the ethical implications of such technology. Do you think the benefits outweigh the potential risks? Share your views in the comments below. Read more: https://openai.com/blog/navigating-the-challenges-and-opportunities-of-synthetic-voices https://techxplore.com/news/2024-03-openai-unveils-voice-cloning-tool.html https://www.livemint.com/technology/tech-news/openai-unveils-its-voice-cloning-tool-voice-engine-restricts-it-to-testers-only-heres-why-11711771748018.html Image: Rafael Henrique | Dreamstime.com
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PepsiCo has decided to sell milk shots alongside its newest ‘Extra Flamin’ Hot’ spicy snacks. This decision comes in response to the heat of the new snack proving too much for some snack lovers. The latest snack brand from PepsiCo, ‘Extra Flamin’ Hot’, went on sale in the UK last week. The hot new flavor, available across the Walkers MAX, Doritos, and Wotsits Crunchy range, has been given ‘spicy’ reviews. To counteract the heat, PepsiCo has decided to sell milk miniatures, known as ‘Not Extra Flamin’ Hot Milk’, alongside the snacks. Milk was chosen as an antidote to the heat of ‘Extra Flamin’ Hot’ crisps due to its spice-neutralising properties. “Milk contains a protein called casein, which can break down capsaicin in the same way that soap cuts through grease”, explained Dr. Paolo Salify, Extra Flamin’ Hot’s Director of Heat Transference. Interestingly, ‘Extra Flamin’ Hot’ has conducted research to show the parts of the country that can handle the heat of the spicy new snack. It revealed that those from Glasgow are the biggest lovers of spice in the UK, with two-thirds (67%) claiming to either like or love spicy food. Meanwhile, those in Belfast, Northern Ireland like it the least - 41% have either a low, or no tolerance to spicy food. The milk shots are expected to hit the shelves today (April Fool’s!) and will be on sale for “as long it takes for the British taste buds to mature to the spice”. Read more: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/04/01/2854991/0/en/PepsiCo-to-sell-milk-shots-alongside-its-newest-Extra-Flamin-Hot-spicy-snacks-with-research-revealing-those-in-the-UK-can-t-handle-the-heat.html https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/pepsico-to-sell-milk-shots-alongside-its-newest-extra-flamin-hot-spicy-snacks-with-research-revealing-those-in-the-uk-can-t-handle-the-heat-1033210183 https://www.grocerygazette.co.uk/2024/04/01/pepsico-milk-shots-april-fools/ Image: PepsiCo / GlobeNewswire
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Google is looking to make travel planning a walk in the park, with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into its Maps and Search services. As summer approaches, these enhancements are set to make travel planning more efficient and personalized. The tech giant is testing new AI-powered capabilities in Search, known as the Search Generative Experience (SGE). This feature generates trip itineraries based on user queries, such as planning a 3-day historical trip to Philadelphia. The AI collates suggestions for attractions, restaurants, flights, and hotel options, providing a comprehensive overview of the potential trip. In addition to SGE, Google Maps is also being upgraded with curated recommendation lists. These lists, available in select cities in the U.S. and Canada, offer insights from publishers and locals, making it easier for travelers to discover new places. Google Maps is also introducing lists based on current trends and consistently popular spots. Furthermore, Google is adding customization tools to Maps, allowing users to create and organize their own lists of places. This feature enables travelers to tailor their lists based on their needs, making trip planning more flexible. Google’s AI advancements extend beyond trip planning. The company is also using AI to summarize key insights about searched places. This feature allows users to quickly understand what people think about a particular spot without having to read through numerous reviews. Looking for wardrobe recommendations that would best match your itinerary? Google's got you covered too. How will these AI-powered enhancements transform the way we plan our travels? Will they make trip planning more enjoyable and less time-consuming? Share your thoughts below. Read more: https://blog.google/products/search/google-summer-travel-tips-2024/
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In a bold move to stay afloat, Fisker Inc., the electric vehicle (EV) startup, has slashed the prices of its Ocean SUV model. The price cut is seen as an attempt by the cash-strapped firm to drum up demand and ease concerns regarding its uncertain future. The most significant reduction applies to the top-end version of the Ocean, called “Extreme”, which saw a price cut of $24,000 — a 39% discount — bringing it down to $37,499. The entry-level version, Ocean Sport, also saw a price reduction of around 36%, or $14,000, bringing it down to $24,999 from $38,999. The Ocean Ultra version’s price was also cut to $34,999 from $52,999. These markdowns are seen as extreme measures for Fisker as it tries to weather liquidity challenges and the pending delisting of its stock. The company delivered about 1,300 vehicles in 2024 and the value of the inventory of completed vehicles was more than $200 million. The price cuts come a few days after Fisker’s talks with Nissan about a deal collapsed, sending the company’s shares plunging and prompting the New York Stock Exchange to delist the stock. The price cuts signal an attempt by Fisker to raise more funds to meet its required debt obligations, as the company faces a potential default. This development raises questions about the future of Fisker and the EV industry as a whole. What do you think about Fisker’s strategy? Will the price cuts be enough to save the company from bankruptcy? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Read more: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a60320119/fisker-ocean-ev-suv-big-price-cuts-possible-bankruptcy/ https://insideevs.com/news/714043/2023-fisker-ocean-price-cuts-us/ https://electrek.co/2024/03/25/fiskers-talks-with-large-automaker-fall-through-announcement-pending/ Image: Eric Broder Van Dyke | Dreamstime.com
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The art world mourns the loss of a titan as renowned American sculptor Richard Serra, celebrated for his monumental steel structures, has passed away at the age of 85, due to pneumonia. Known as the ‘poet of iron,’ Serra’s death marks the end of an era in the realm of contemporary art. Serra’s groundbreaking works, characterized by massive tilting corridors and spirals of steel, offered viewers a unique experience, inviting them to navigate through and around the imposing forms to fully comprehend their essence. His sculptures, often likened to ancient temples in scale and enigmatic allure, defied conventional artistic boundaries. Serra’s legacy as a sculptor with architectural sensibilities extends far beyond his artistic achievements, encompassing a profound understanding of spatial dynamics and a relentless commitment to pushing artistic boundaries. His monumental works will continue to inspire and provoke discourse, bridging the realms of art and architecture. As we reflect on the life and work of Richard Serra, one can’t help but wonder: How will his departure impact the contemporary art scene? And who will carry the torch of monumental sculpture in his absence? Read more: https://apnews.com/article/richard-serra-death-c72a88ff972133b3d8c7329b48886d73 https://www.artmajeur.com/en/magazine/2-art-news/richard-serra-visionary-sculptor-of-monumental-steel-passes-away-at-85/335173 https://www.archdaily.com/1015015/monumental-sculptor-richard-serra-passes-away-at-85 Image: Alberto Gonzalez Rovira | Dreamstime.com
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YouTube, the popular video-sharing platform, has been ordered by federal authorities to disclose personal details of certain video viewers. This unprecedented move has raised serious concerns among privacy experts, who argue that such requests are unconstitutional. The authorities have specifically sought information about individuals who watched certain videos on the site between January 1-8, 2023. The investigation is centered around an individual known online as “elonmuskwhm”, suspected of selling Bitcoin for cash, a violation of money laundering laws. As part of the investigation, undercover agents sent links of YouTube tutorials to elonmuskwhm, and then asked Google to provide details on who had viewed the videos. These videos, which covered topics such as mapping via drones and augmented reality software, were not private and had collectively garnered over 30,000 views. This implies that the government’s request potentially targets a large number of users, raising alarms about the extent of digital surveillance. Despite the court granting the government’s request for the information, it remains unclear whether Google complied with these requests. Critics and privacy advocates are concerned that government agencies are overstepping their boundaries and using their power to obtain sensitive information on people who merely watched specific YouTube videos. This incident underscores the delicate balance between law enforcement’s need for information in criminal investigations and the right to privacy in the digital age. It raises the question: How far can authorities go in their quest for information, and where should the line be drawn to protect individual privacy? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this matter. Do you believe this is a necessary step for law enforcement, or an overreach infringing on personal privacy? Read more: https://www.pcmag.com/news/courts-have-ordered-google-to-share-personal-info-about-some-youtube-users https://mashable.com/article/google-ordered-to-hand-over-viewer-data-privacy-concerns https://www.engadget.com/authorities-reportedly-ordered-google-to-reveal-the-identities-of-some-youtube-videos-viewers-140018019.html Top image: Nikkimeel | Dreamstime.com
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OpenAI is now aiming to make inroads into the entertainment industry with its latest innovation, Sora. The company has been reportedly scheduling meetings with Hollywood studios, media executives, and talent agencies, aiming to form partnerships and encourage filmmakers to integrate Sora, their new AI video generator, into their work. Sora, a text-to-video model, has been generating hyperrealistic footage based on text descriptions. Despite its impressive capabilities, some filmmakers believe that Sora is not the end of Hollywood. They argue that while AI models like Sora can generate high-quality video quickly, they remain flawed in some ways, leaving room for human creativity. However, the introduction of Sora has sparked concerns among industry professionals, with its launch leading to Tyler Perry’s decision to halt his $800M studio expansion. Some fear that advancements in AI could lead to job losses in the industry. For instance, roles in reference animation, concept art, and storyboarding could potentially become redundant. Despite these concerns, there are those who see Sora as a tool that could enhance the filmmaking process. They suggest that filmmakers could use the generated videos to concept a storyboard rather than use it as a final output for a project. How will the integration of AI tools like Sora reshape the future of the entertainment industry? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Do you think AI will enhance or hinder the creative process in filmmaking? Read more: https://www.thewrap.com/openai-to-meet-with-hollywood-studios-and-talent-agencies-next-week-on-sora-integration/ https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-03-22/openai-courts-hollywood-in-meetings-with-film-studios-directors https://gizmodo.com/openai-goes-hunting-for-more-suckers-in-hollywood-1851359626 Image: OpenAI
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In a bid to increase engagement between brands and users, Snapchat has introduced sponsored AR filters, which users can add to their posts. The sponsored AR filters are a new ad offering that expands brands’ reach beyond the pre-capture Lens Carousel. This ad placement occurs after Snapchatters capture their content with the Snapchat Camera, accessible by swiping to the post-capture Filter Carousel. One of the key benefits of Sponsored AR Filters is the ability to seamlessly integrate brands into both major tentpoles and everyday moments1. Advertisers can upload existing assets and build Filters from a variety of tried-and-true templates including AR face Filters, location-based overlays, countdown timers, quiz generators, and more. By leveraging Sponsored AR Filters, brands can guarantee optimal visibility and impact across the entire Snapchat Camera experience. With the integration of calls to action (CTAs), advertisers can capture valuable mid-funnel signals, guiding Snapchatters towards specific conversion actions and driving measurable results for campaigns. This development lowers the barrier to entry for AR Ads. With no outside production costs needed, advertisers can effortlessly create Sponsored AR Filters in under 10 minutes using Lens Web Builder, a free DIY tool for Filter and Lens creation. This allows budget-conscious brands to participate without the expense of traditional production and storyboarding. Will this new sponsored opportunity prove to be an effective way for brands to interact with their social media followers? Feel free to share your views in the comments below. Read more: https://forbusiness.snapchat.com/blog/introducing-sponsored-ar-filters?lang=sv-SE https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/snap-launches-sponsored-ar-filters-as-new-ad-option/711056/ https://mumbrella.com.au/snapchat-launches-new-ar-powered-ad-feature-820633 Image: Snapchat
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Instagram, the widely-used social media platform, is reportedly experiencing a significant outage on March 21, 2024, starting from approximately 6:21 PM Eastern Time. The outage was first spotted on Downdetector, a renowned site that tracks service outages. The number of outage reports for Instagram skyrocketed, indicating the severity of the issue. Image: Downdetector, on Mar 21, 2024, 8:38PM Eastern Time The exact cause of the outage remains unknown. However, it’s worth noting that this incident occurred just a fortnight after a previous outage caused by an internal issue. The outage sparked a flurry of activity on alternative platforms like Elon Musk’s X, as frustrated users sought information about the outage. As of now, Meta has yet to provide an official statement regarding the outage or an estimated time for resolution. This incident underscores the critical role these platforms play in global communication and the potential impact of such disruptions. In conclusion, the recent Instagram outage has left users and businesses alike questioning the reliability of these platforms. As we await further updates from Meta, one can’t help but wonder: How will this incident shape future discussions about digital resilience and the need for robust contingency plans? Has this outage affected you or your business? And what measures do you think social media platforms should take to prevent such disruptions in the future? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Image: Badboo | Dreamstime.com
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Nestlé USA has issued an urgent recall for over 440,500 Starbucks mugs. The mugs, which were part of the 2023 holiday Starbucks-branded gift sets, are being recalled due to reports of overheating and breakage, leading to burns and other injuries. These Starbucks mugs were sold at major retailers such as Target and Walmart, as well as through military retail outlets. They were available for purchase both online and in stores from November 2023 through January 2024. The mugs, made of a ceramic material with a metallic coating, can reportedly overheat or break if they are microwaved or filled with extremely hot liquids. The recall was issued after Nestlé USA received at least a dozen reports of the mugs overheating or breaking. These incidents resulted in 10 injuries, including severe burns and blisters on consumers’ fingers or hands, and one person who suffered a cut finger. Consumers are being urged to immediately stop using the recalled mugs. They can either return them where they purchased them to receive either cash or a gift card refund, or receive a full refund from Nestlé USA. This incident raises questions about product safety and quality control. How do you feel about this recall? Does it affect your trust in Starbucks or Nestlé products? Share your thoughts below. Read more: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Nestle-USA-Recalls-Metallic-Mugs-Sold-with-Starbucks-Branded-Gift-Sets-Due-to-Burn-and-Laceration-Hazards https://www.cbsnews.com/news/starbucks-recall-mug-overheat-break-injuries/ https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/over-440k-starbucks-branded-cups-recalled-over-burn-laceration-hazards https://www.opb.org/article/2024/03/21/more-than-440000-starbucks-mugs-recalled-after-reports-of-a-dozen-injuries/ Image: Nestlé
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The iconic sports magazine, Sports Illustrated, has found a new lease on life. The brand, which was on the brink of shutdown after laying off much of its editorial staff, will now continue to publish under a new operator. This development has brought a wave of relief among sports enthusiasts and industry insiders alike. The company that owns the brand, Authentic Brands Group, reached an agreement with a new publisher, Minute Media, for its print and digital products. This agreement came into effect on Monday, following a licensing deal between the two entities. The financial terms of this arrangement, however, have not been made public. This transition comes after Authentic Brands Group revoked The Arena Group’s publishing license due to a missed quarterly payment. The negotiations for the new arrangement involved Authentic, Minute Media, and other publishing entities over the past two months. As part of the deal, Authentic will acquire an equity stake in Minute Media. The future of Sports Illustrated under Minute Media remains to be seen. Minute Media, known for its sports sites The Players’ Tribune and FanSided, plans to take the legacy of Sports Illustrated into new, emerging channels. This move aims to enhance visibility, commercial viability, and sustainable impact. As we celebrate this new chapter in the history of Sports Illustrated, one can’t help but wonder: How will this change impact the magazine’s content and its loyal readership? Will the shift to new, emerging channels alter the essence of Sports Illustrated that readers have come to love? Share your thoughts below. Read more: https://apnews.com/article/sports-illustrated-d3e1488aec81638a77f9b907b014b271 https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/39760736/sports-illustrated-continue-operations-new-publisher https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports-media/2024/03/18/sports-illustrated-will-continue-operations-after-owner-reaches-deal-with-new-publisher Image: Sharaf Maksumov | Dreamstime.com
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Apple is reportedly in active negotiations with Google to integrate Google’s Gemini AI engine into its upcoming iPhone software. This news has sparked interest across the tech community, as it signifies a potential collaboration between two of the biggest players in the industry. The discussions revolve around licensing Gemini, Google’s set of generative AI models, to power some new features expected to be introduced in the iPhone software later this year. The terms and branding of the AI agreement are yet to be finalized. This move is seen as an attempt by Apple to bolster its AI capabilities, particularly for features that operate on-device and do not require an internet connection. However, the talks between Apple and Google do not necessarily guarantee a deal. It’s worth noting that Apple has also been in discussions with OpenAI, a competitor of Google in the AI space. The outcome of these negotiations could have significant implications for the future of AI in mobile technology. As the tech world awaits further developments, one can’t help but wonder about the potential impact of this collaboration. Could the integration of Google’s Gemini AI engine transform the way we use our iPhones? And what could this mean for the future of AI in mobile technology? We’d love to hear your thoughts on this. What do you think about Apple potentially powering its AI with Google’s Gemini? Share your views in the comments below. Read more: https://gizmodo.com/apple-cant-build-ai-asking-google-gemini-power-siri-1851343967 https://www.macrumors.com/2024/03/18/apple-google-gemini-ios-18-iphone/ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/apple-google-ai-gemini-iphone-openai/ https://www.rappler.com/technology/apple-talks-let-google-gemini-power-iphone-ai-features/ Top image: Rokas Tenys | Dreamstime.com
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Fisker Inc., a prominent player in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, has announced a temporary halt to its production. The EV manufacturer is reportedly taking this step to manage its inventory and circumvent potential bankruptcy. Fisker’s decision comes at a time when the company is grappling with financial constraints. As of March 15th, the company had a cash reserve of just $121 million. To navigate through this cash crunch, Fisker plans to raise up to $150 million by selling convertible notes. This move is seen as a strategic step to ensure the company’s survival in the competitive EV market. The production pause is expected to last for six weeks. During this period, Fisker aims to sell down its supply of already-built EVs. The company currently has about 4,700 vehicles in inventory, valued at more than $200 million. Despite the challenges, Fisker remains optimistic about its future. The company is reportedly in talks with a large automaker, rumored to be Nissan, about a potential investment and joint development partnership. This partnership could provide the much-needed boost to Fisker’s operations and help it regain its footing in the EV market. Earlier this month, the company had just laid off 15% of staff. The unfolding scenario at Fisker Inc. underscores the volatility and competitiveness of the EV industry. It serves as a reminder that innovation and technological prowess must be complemented with sound financial management for sustainable growth. As we watch this space for further developments, one can’t help but wonder: How will Fisker’s strategic moves shape its future in the EV market? What are your thoughts on this? Share your views in the comments below. Read more: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-03-18/fisker-stops-production-and-warns-it-may-need-to-seek-bankruptcy https://techcrunch.com/2024/03/18/fisker-production-pause-going-concern-cash-raise/ https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/ev-startup-fisker-sell-up-1667-mln-senior-secured-convertible-notes-2024-03-18/ Image: Eric Broder Van Dyke | Dreamstime.com
