Meta repents again to Republicans in hearing over moderation, while Google stands its ground
Meta repents again to Republicans in hearing over moderation, while Google stands its ground At a Senate hearing Wednesday on government censorship of tech platforms, a Meta executive expressed regret to Republican lawmakers for failing to speak out more against the Biden administration’s requests that it remove health and election misinformation, including satire. Google, meanwhile, […]
Say it with me: Windows is the problem with Windows handhelds
Say it with me: Windows is the problem with Windows handhelds It’s been nearly two weeks since Microsoft, a multi-trillion dollar company, shipped a $600 handheld “Xbox” that can’t be relied on to sleep, wake, or hold a charge while asleep in my tests. Neither Microsoft nor Asus would admit there’s a problem with the […]
The FCC just gave itself the power to make a DJI drone ban stick
The FCC just gave itself the power to make a DJI drone ban stick This morning, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 3-0 to let itself retroactively ban gadgets and radio components that it previously approved for entry into the United States, if the company that makes them is deemed a national security risk. Officially, […]
Warner Bros. mergers never work, but they’re trying again anyway
Warner Bros. mergers never work, but they're trying again anyway When Warner Bros. Discovery announced that it was open to the possibility of a sale, the entertainment giant was careful to mention that it has already received multiple unsolicited offers “for both the entire company and Warner Bros.” We knew about WBD’s plan to split […]
The government shutdown is delaying new gadgets
The government shutdown is delaying new gadgets Tech products that are packaged and ready for sale aren’t launching in the US as planned right now, thanks to the government shutdown. Earlier this month, Leica delayed its M EV1 camera due to holdups on approval from the partially shuttered Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The WiiM Sound […]
Pluribus’ Vince Gilligan on making shows that ‘attract really smart viewers’
Pluribus' Vince Gilligan on making shows that 'attract really smart viewers' Rhea Seehorn in Pluribus. Now he’s best known for the crime-fueled duology of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, but when Vince Gilligan was first starting out in television, it was in the realm of sci-fi. Over seven years he penned a number of […]
‘Clinical-grade AI’: a new buzzy AI word that means absolutely nothing
'Clinical-grade AI': a new buzzy AI word that means absolutely nothing Earlier this month, Lyra Health announced a “clinical-grade” AI chatbot to help users with “challenges” like burnout, sleep disruptions, and stress. There are eighteen mentions of “clinical” in its press release, including “clinically designed,” “clinically rigorous,” and “clinical training.” For most people, myself included, […]
Here’s what ads on your $2,000 Samsung smart fridge will look like
Here's what ads on your $2,000 Samsung smart fridge will look like Next month, Samsung will start displaying ads for Samsung-related products and services on its Family Hub refrigerators in the US. Samsung warned us last month that ads were coming to the giant Android tablets embedded in its Family Hub smart fridges. I’ve been […]
Tech left teens fighting over scraps, and now it wants those too
Tech left teens fighting over scraps, and now it wants those too Robots will be flipping your burgers soon. Right now, there are robots stocking convenience store shelves in Japan. We haven’t embraced that tech here in America yet, but it’s hard to imagine 7-11 or Walmart won’t at least experiment with it soon. Walmart […]
ICE is building a social media panopticon
ICE is building a social media panopticon As Immigration and Customs Enforcement carries out raids across the country, the agency is working rapidly to expand an online surveillance system that could potentially track millions of users on the web. Federal records uncovered by The Lever reveal that ICE is paying $5.7 million to use an […]