Senators are still concerned social networks aren’t doing enough to protect children. The Washington Postreports Senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal have introduced a bill, the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), that would give kids more control over their privacy and safety on social media while setting stricter guidelines for the companies in question.
Most notably, social media firms would have to give children under 16 tools to protect their data, turn off “addictive” features and bow out of algorithm-based recommendations. The “strongest settings” would have to be enabled by default, according to the bill. Parents would also get controls to help pinpoint harmful behavior, while both camps would receive a dedicated channel for reporting those harms affecting children.
Social networks, meanwhile, would have to “prevent and mitigate” exposure to inappropriate content, including self-harm, eating disorders, sexual exploitation and alcohol. They would also have to conduct yearly independent audits of their KOSA compliance and the risks to children. Similarly, the social sites would have to turn over “critical datasets” to academic and public interest researchers hoping to study child safety.
The bill is effectively a response to months of inquiries into tech giants’ handling of child safety, with a particular focus on the testimony of Facebook (now Meta) whistleblower Frances Haugen. She called on the company to make multiple changes to protect children, including an end to algorithmic ranking, opening up its research and modifying the Communications Decency Act’s Section 230 for more accountability. Senators also asked Instagram head Adam Mosseri to testify after concerns Meta might not have told the truth about hiding research into harmful effects on children.
We’ve asked Meta for comment. It has made changes in response to calls for greater child protections, including offers to share data and teen safety features like screen time tracking, break reminders and bulk content deletion.
There are no guarantees KOSA will pass the Senate, let alone become law. It would join existing legislation that includes COPPA, which protects internet privacy for children under 13. The bipartisan nature of the bill may help, though. Blumenthal is also tenacious in attempts to curb harmful online behavior. This is the second bill tackling Big Tech that Blumenthal has introduced in recent weeks, after reintroducing the controversial EARN IT Act.
For years, Alienware eschewed thin-and-light gaming laptops, opting instead to make slightly bulkier systems with more affordable pricing. But all that changed last year with the introduction of its X-series notebooks. And now, Alienware is pushing its quest for sleekness even further with the new x14, the company’s thinnest and lightest gaming laptop yet. To add even more rum to the punch, the x14 is also one of the first gaming laptops available featuring Intel’s latest 12th-gen mobile CPUs. And while the x14 isn’t without its quirks, the result is a machine that makes me wish Alienware had gotten into portable gaming rigs years ago.
Design
Sporting Alienware’s Legend 2.0 design language, the x14 is without a doubt a striking system, though ultimately you’ll need to decide how much you fancy its sci-fi aesthetics. What’s not in question is the laptop’s thinness, which stands at just 0.57 inches thick while weighing barely more than four pounds. That’s even thinner and almost a pound lighter than the x15 (0.63 inches and 5 pounds), while making Alienware’s more mainstream M15 R7 seem almost bloated (0.8 inches and 5.3 pounds).
Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Now I’m not normally the type to lust after a few ounces or tenths of an inch getting shaved off a device, but on the x14, every little reduction matters. That’s because while most gaming laptops don’t even come close to fitting in my everyday messenger bag that’s not meant to stash anything larger than a 13-inch ultraportable, the x14 actually fits, if just barely.
That means I’m much more likely to bring this thing with me on trips, which is kind of the whole point of a thin-and-light gaming notebook. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate beastly 17-inch gaming rigs, but when my back starts to hurt at the mere thought of carrying one around, in practice those systems often function more like mobile desktops than any sort of travel-friendly gaming machine.
Sam rutherford/Engadget
The main innovation on the x14 is Alienware’s new dual-torque which adds strength and stability to the laptop’s display, while once again reducing weight and thickness compared to previous X-series machines. And, as you’d expect from Alienware, the x14 comes with customizable RGB lighting on its lid and keyboard. That said, compared to its larger siblings you do lose the extra RGB light ring that would normally outline the system’s rear ports. (Fun fact: That pill-like shape is actually called a stadium.) Inside, there’s a lovely soft-touch finish on x14’s wrist rest, which may feel a bit cramped for people with larger hands.
Display and sound
On the x14 there’s only one display option, and it’s a good one. The 144Hz 1,920 x 1,080 screen is plenty sharp, while support for NVIDIA’s G-Sync helps prevent screen tearing while gaming. But the thing that impressed me most is the way colors pop. At first, I almost mistook the x14’s display for an OLED panel. And while its black levels aren’t quite deep enough for that, thanks in part to support for Dolby Vision HDR, colors look rich and vibrant regardless of whether you’re gaming or watching a movie. And with a tested brightness of just under 400 nits, the x14’s screen looks good in both dim and sun-filled rooms (though trying to game outside in direct sunlight is still a challenge).
Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Dolby tech is also available on the x14’s speakers thanks to support for Dolby Atmos, which adds an extra dimension to audio through the use of extra height channels. Unfortunately, I felt like the x14’s audio sounded a bit distant, despite its upward-firing speakers being located right behind the laptop’s keyboard. And even though the x14 had no issues turning up the volume, it’s almost too much of a good thing, because in certain situations you can hear the x14’s chassis rattle when the speakers are set above 80 percent.
Performance
While the x14 isn’t quite as powerful as its larger siblings and doesn’t have the space to accommodate beefier GPUs, Alienware’s thinnest gaming laptop still punches well above its weight. I was able to easily hit 60 fps on high settings in a number of AAA games like Halo Infinite, and you can push things even higher if you don’t mind fiddling with a game’s graphics settings. And for people more focused on getting a competitive advantage, maxing out the x14’s 144Hz display is a cinch in titles like CS:GO on lower settings (which is what you’d probably use anyway).
Sam Rutherford/Engadget
In Shadow of the Tomb Raider on the highest settings, the x14 averaged 102 frames per second, with similar results in Far Cry 5 of 96 fps on Ultra. And while the x14 posted a slightly lower average frame rate of 55 fps in Metro Exodus on ultra, lowering the game’s texture settings a touch was more than enough to boost frame rates firmly back above 60 fps.
Remarkably, despite limited space inside for cooling, Alienware’s proprietary Element 31 thermal paste and vapor chamber (which only come on systems with RTX 3060 graphics) did a good job of preventing throttling from becoming a major issue. The downside is that the x14’s fans are quite aggressive, often spinning up the instant you launch a game, while producing a somewhat high-pitched whine that you can’t really escape unless you put on some headphones. Thankfully, Alienware’s Command Center app supports a number of thermal profiles including a Quiet setting to help reduce fan noise, though depending on the game, that might cause your frame rate to dip a bit.
Keyboard, touchpad and ports
Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Trying to cram a full-size keyboard with media controls on a 14-inch laptop is always a bit of a challenge, and while the x14 generally makes good use of space, it ain’t perfect. The function keys are half-sized, and even the x14’s keycaps are a touch smaller than what you’d get on Dell’s non-gaming systems like an XPS 15.
It’s a similar situation for things like the Windows key, the Function button, and the Shift key, all of which are smaller than normal. And for those who use the Delete key a lot, watch out, because it’s a little too close to the laptop’s power button for my liking. On the flip side, I do appreciate the extra row of media control keys on the right, which includes an always useful mic mute button. In short, I wouldn’t go as far to say the x14’s keyboard is a dealbreaker, it just requires more adjustment time than usual.
As for the touchpad, at 4.5 x 2.15 inches it’s definitely on the small side. Though on gaming laptops, having a less roomy touchpad is a bit more forgivable as the vast majority of gamers typically prefer to use an external mouse, even when they’re using the laptop’s built-in keyboard.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Meanwhile, when it comes to connectivity, Alienware definitely didn’t skimp on ports. The x14 features three USB-C connections (two of which support Thunderbolt 4), one USB 3.2 Type-A socket, HDMI 2.1, a combo audio jack, and even a microSD card slot. While I would have liked to see an Ethernet jack too, my only real gripe with the x14’s ports is that they are located around back. Putting all the ports in the rear of the system helps cut down on clutter, but when you just want to quickly insert something like a thumb drive, spinning the laptop around to do so feels clunky (especially if you have any other peripherals plugged in).
Note: Just don’t expect much from the x14’s 720p webcam. It’s fine in a pinch, but the fairly low resolution combined with mediocre image quality means you’ll likely want to use an external camera if you plan to show your face while livestreaming.
Battery life and charging
Sam Rutherford/Engadget
The x14’s battery life varies a ton depending on how you use it. If you’re just browsing the web or streaming video, the x14’s battery life won’t quite last through a full workday, but it’s more than serviceable. On our local video rundown test, the x14 lasted just short of eight hours. The bigger issue is that if you have any dreams of gaming without plugging in, you might want to squash those now. I found that while playing Teamfight Tactics (which isn’t a demanding game), the x14 conked out after about an hour and 15 minutes.
Battery life
Alienware x14
7:57
Hp Spectre x360 16
10:55
Surface Laptop Studio (120Hz)
12:24
Asus ROG Strix G15
7:50
That said, I do want to credit Alienware for equipping the x14 with a 130-watt USB-C power cable instead of a proprietary charger like so many gaming laptops. Because the x14’s power cable is USB-C, you can use it to charge other USB-C devices like a phone or tablet, potentially reducing the number of cords you need to carry around while traveling, Alternatively, you could use a universal USB-PD charger instead, though you’ll want to make sure that charger has the required power output and an appropriate cable to properly juice up the x14, as many of Dell’s systems can be picky about USB-C charging if you’re using old or out of spec accessories.
Configurations
The x14 starts at $1,650 for an Intel Core i7-12700 CPU, 16GB of RAM, 512GB of NVMe storage and an NVIDIA RTX 3050 GPU, with fully loaded systems like our review unit topping out at around $2,300 with 32GB of RAM, 2TB of storage and an NVIDIA RTX 3060. In my opinion, the sweet spot is around $1,800, which gets you 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage and an RTX 3060. Though I should mention that while you can upgrade storage post-purchase, you won’t be able to upgrade your RAM as it’s soldered onto the laptop’s motherboard.
Wrap-up
Sam Rutherford/Engadget
The x14 might not be quite as powerful as its bigger siblings, but given its even more portable dimensions, there’s a lot to like. When compared to a $1,800 x14 with 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD and an RTX 3060, a similarly equipped x15 costs just $50 less. The main trade-offs being a little less thermal headroom, a more cramped keyboard and a slightly slower 144Hz screen (instead of 165Hz on the x15). That’s not a lot to sacrifice for an even more travel-friendly thin-and-light design.
However, if you don’t need a new gaming laptop right now, the smart move would be to wait a month or two for some of Alienware’s competitors to release updated systems for 2022. Both Razer and ASUS are coming out with refreshed versions of their 14-inch gaming laptops later this spring, and once those become available, we’ll have a much better idea of how the x14 fares against its biggest rivals. But if you like the x14’s combination of style and sleekness, this is a slick gaming laptop that’s made to move.
There could be more Ready Player One on the way… and more I Am Legend!? Denis Villeneuve offers an update on Dune Part 2‘s schedule. Moon Knight has found the voice of Khonshu. Plus, another new glimpse of The Batman and Netflix’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Spoilers now!
Snapchat on Wednesday unveiled a new partnership with Ticketmaster that will make staying updated on shows and inviting friends a little bit easier. The in-app Mini — a sort of micro-app inside the Snapchat app — functions a little bit like a dating service and can curate a selection of local shows tailored to individual users’ interests.
Users are first asked to take a small survey, which allows the app to compile a list of artists and events they might like. They can then swipe right or left depending on if the show sparks an interest, and see if any of their Snapchat friends also liked the event. Snap Maps will also display upcoming concerts and events that are nearby.
Snapchat’s popularity with the under-25 demographic gives it a unique advantage in the live music space. Snap Inc. had a recent boost in popularity, gaining 13 million new users in the last quarter of 2021. The platform has already gotten its feet wet in the music space, partnering with Universal Music Group last year to launch a music discovery tool. Snapchat rivals only TikTok as the Gen Z app of choice, but the latter has stood out with its ability to make both new and old songs go viral. Given that Snapchat’s strength lies in connecting people in more intimate networks, a tool that matches users to shows and allows them to invite friends makes more sense.
The existing Privacy Sandbox is itself a set of proposals that would eventually grow into a set of open standards Google hopes the industry will adopt. Last year, one of the primary approaches Google was putting forward was FLoC (or Federated Learning of Cohorts) that would group people with thousands of other users with similar browsing histories. That was replaced last month by Topics API, which let Chrome use your browsing history to serve publishers a list of five subjects it determines you’re interested in, again based on your browsing history.
What that demonstrates is the current fluidity of Privacy Sandbox, which is a collection of ideas at the moment. In today’s announcement, vice president of product management for Android security and privacy Anthony Chavez wrote that “these solutions will limit sharing of user data with third parties and operate without cross-app identifiers.” That would include advertising IDs. Chavez said “we’re also exploring technologies that reduce the potential for covert data collection, including safer ways for apps to integrate with advertising SDKs.”
Cherlynn Low / Engadget
But there are no real concrete methods actually being executed right now, and Google is in the design and testing stage. Starting today, the company said developers can “review our initial design proposals and share feedback on the Android developer site.” It is planning to “release developer previews over the course of the year, with a beta release by the end of the year.” Google also promised “regular updates on designs and timelines.”
In the meantime, the company said it will continue to “support existing ads platform features for at least two years, and we intend to provide substantial notice ahead of any future changes.”
Google also referenced Apple’s approach on iOS today (without naming the iPhone maker), acknowledging that “other platforms have taken a different approach to ads privacy.” But Chavez described that approach as “bluntly restricting existing technologies used by developers and advertisers.” The company believes it still needs to provide a way for businesses to serve targeted ads to users and to make sure those ads are relevant.
Chavez added that “we know this initiative needs input from across the industry in order to succeed,” and the company included statements from many partners in its news post today. These include Snap, Duolingo, Rovio, Activision Blizzard and seven other app makers, who each expressed similar sentiments about respecting the privacy needs of Android app users. Google’s Privacy Sandbox has already faced regulatory scrutiny from the EU and the UK, with the latter’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) having accepted Google’s latest proposals last week.
Clearly, there is a lot of work to be done while the internet’s giants and the ad industry figure out how best to balance personalized ads with user privacy, and Google’s inclusion of Android in its considerations is happening not a moment too soon.
Mark Todd is seen repeatedly striking a horse that was refusing to jump into the water in a video that was shared on social media and prompted an investigation.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the ultimate Samsung flagship. For $1,200, you get a gorgeous display, cutting-edge performance, a built-in stylus, and five cameras (four rear-facing and one selfie cam).
First you had to learn the deal with Wi-Fi 6, and now Wi-Fi 6E devices are incoming. Well, buckle up: Wi-Fi 7 is almost here. Here’s what you can expect from the next-gen wireless connectivity standard, and when it might start appearing in gadgets you can actually buy.
Ericsson’s chief executive officer Borje Ekholm has told Swedish newspaper Dagens Industri that the company may have made payments to the Islamic State (ISIL/ISIS) terrorist organization for its operations in Iraq. According to Bloomberg, the CEO said the telecoms giant has identified “unusual expenses dating back to 2018.” While the final recipient of those payments has yet to be identified, Ekholm has admitted that they’re seeing records of purchased transport routes “through areas that have been controlled by terrorist organizations, including ISIS.”
Ekholm’s admission comes after Ericsson issued a statement in which it said it continues to “invest significantly” into an investigation regarding compliance concerns surrounding its Iraq-based business. In that statement, Ericsson said that unusual expense claims triggered an internal investigation in 2019, which led to the discovery of “serious breaches of compliance rules” in the conduct of its employees, vendors and suppliers in Iraq. Regarding those purchased transport routes in particular, Ericsson said they were used in “connection with circumventing Iraqi Customs.” The company wrote:
“Ericsson invested significant time and resources to understand these matters. The investigation could not identify that any Ericsson employee was directly involved in financing terrorist organizations.”
After Ericsson released its statement, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) revealed that the company spoke to address the wrongdoing the consortium uncovered as part of a global investigation. The ICIJ also said that it will publish its own findings “soon.”
Ericsson has been landing massive 5G contracts around the world in the past couple of years, in part because some countries need to replace banned Huawei equipment used in their networks. This isn’t the first time the telecoms giant has been caught in a corruption scandal, however. It was previously charged with violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act between 2000 and 2016 for bribing officials and falsifying records. In 2019, Ericsson settled with the US Justice Department and the SEC for $1.1 billion to leave it mostly free of criminal convictions, sanctions and penalties. But US prosecutors determined last year that it violated the terms of the settlement by failing to provide certain documents and information related to it.
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