Mar 01
Nanobots have been in development for years – why are some people only now realizing the potential consequences of creating cell-sized robotics in real life?
Mar 01
Elon Musk appears to have used his position of power to deliver internet services to the people of Ukraine with Starlink – but is all as it seems?
Mar 01
Instagram’s fierce competition with TikTok is bearing more fruit. The social network is matching its rival by introducing automatic captions (which TikTok has had since last April) to videos in your feed. They’ll be enabled by default for creators, too. Auto-generated captions will initially be available in “select” languages, but Instagram hopes to expand them to more languages and countries.
The AI behind the captions won’t be flawless. Instagram expects the quality to “continue to improve” as the AI learns, however.
The addition should improve accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing users, who’ll have more choices for spoken-word video. Producers won’t have to manually add captions themselves. However, Instagram also noted that this should help people who simply prefer to watch video with the sound off. You won’t have to toggle the volume (and startle others in the process) just to understand what someone is saying.
In that regard, automatic captions might change your Instagram habits. You might be more likely to watch a video right away instead of scrolling past or saving it for later. That’s good news for Instagram’s viewing stats, of course, but it could also help aspiring social media stars build their audiences.
Mar 01
Facebook is taking new steps to curb the influence of Russian state media outlets on its platform. The company, which has already blocked access to RT and Sputnik within the European Union and Ukraine, now says it will demote all Russian state media across Facebook and Instagram around the world.
Calling the move “unprecedented,” Meta’s president of Global Affairs Nick Clegg, said the company was making Russian state media “harder to find” on Facebook and Instagram. “We are demoting content from Facebook Pages and Instagram accounts for Russian state controlled media outlets,” Clegg said during a call with reporters. “We have also begun to demote posts that contain links to Russian state controlled media websites on Facebook over the past few days.”
While Facebook has in the past down-ranked certain types of content, like vaccine misinformation, it’s unusual for the company to demote a wide swath of content entirely. RT in particular is prolific on social media, and has millions of followers on Facebook alone. On the call, Clegg called the move “unprecedented,” and noted that Meta has received requests from a number of governments to suppress Russian state media. So far, the company has only blocked the pages entirely in the European Union — following a ban from lawmakers — and inside of Ukraine.
Facebook
In addition to demoting content, Clegg said Facebook will also add labels to all links to Russian state media websites that are shared on its platforms in order to “provide more information to people before they share them or to let them know that they lead to state controlled media websites.” Facebook Pages and Instagram accounts controlled by state media will also have labels.
The labels, which are expected to roll out in the coming days, will appear on any link to Russian state media and will warn that Facebook believes the publisher is “partially or wholly under the editorial control of the Russian government.” Facebook’s head os Security Policy Nathaniel Gleicher added that the company will be on the lookout for new websites or links created to evade the policy.
Facebook’s latest update comes after several days of crackdowns on Russian state media from major tech companies. Twitter has also added new labels to state media outlets, and taken steps to reduce their visibility on its platform. TikTok has also blocked access to the content within the EU, and Microsoft has removed Russian state media from many of its platforms as well.
Clegg also confirmed that the company’s services are being “throttled” within Russia, a move the country’s regulators announced after Facebook declined to stop fact-checking state media accounts. “We see the effect most particularly on video and other multimedia content … the degradation of the service is definitely discernible,” he said.
Developing…
Mar 01
Stellantis isn’t just leaning on a Chrysler concept to define its EV future. As part of a new “Dare Forward 2030” strategic plan, the automaker has unveiled the first all-electric Jeep SUV. The company didn’t provide specifications or even a name, but the Jeep EV launches in early 2023 and appears to be relatively compact like the Compass. Autoblognotes Jeep might be using the STLA Small platform that supports up to an 82kWh battery and 300 miles of range.
More is coming in 2024. You’ll find a more off-road oriented model and a “lifestyle family” SUV in 2024. Jeep won’t be alone, either, as Ram will release an electric ProMaster van in 2023 and 1500 pickup truck (shown at middle) the following year.
Stellantis
The cautious rollout leaves Stellantis behind Ford, GM and other incumbent brands that already have multiple EVs either on the road or coming this year. That’s not including electric-only badges like Tesla or Rivian. To date, the company has focused on either converted cars like the Fiat 500e or its 4xe plug-in hybrids.
The new machines and Stellantis’ new plan might help with that, though. Under Dare Forward, the brand hopes to sell five million EVs in 2030. That’s enough to completely replace its European passenger car sales, and half of all passenger cars and trucks in the US. There will be over 25 EVs aimed at American buyers. It’s just a matter of whether or not the brand can make up for lost time, particularly with rivals like GM already planning to eliminate combustion passenger vehicle sales.
Mar 01
GOP Reps. Andrew Clyde, Thomas Massie and Chip Roy voted against the Emmett Till Antilynching Act.
Mar 01
Manhart Performance created a monster custom version of the second-gen BMW M2 CS with the name Manhart MH2 630, the final member of the Manhart MH2 F87 family.
Mar 01
It took a year and a half, but Amazon’s Luna cloud gaming service finally exists as more than an early access project. Amazon has formally launched Luna in the mainland US for Android, iOS, Chrome OS, macOS and Windows. The core Luna+ service with over 100 games will normally cost $10 per month, with the kid-friendly Family Channel and Ubisoft+ Channels available for a respective $6 and $18 per month. Amazon hopes to reel in newcomers by dropping the monthly fees of Luna+ and the Family channel to $6 and $3 for anyone who signs up during March. Existing users just have to maintain their subscriptions to lock in that pricing.
The official debut comes alongside some new channels. A Prime Gaming channel, as the name implies, gives Amazon Prime members a free, rotating mix of games. The March selection will include titles like Devil May Cry 5 and Flashback. Pay $5 per month for the Retro Channel and you’ll get Capcom and SNK classics like Street Fighter II Hyper Fighting and Metal Slug 3, while a similar outlay for the Jackbox Games Channel provides access to all eight Jackbox Party Pack titles.
Luna’s latest update also makes it simpler to stream gameplay from a Fire TV device, Mac or Windows PC on Twitch. You’ll need a webcam and mic if you want to interact with viewers, but this might be an option if you’re determined to broadcast and don’t have a brawny-enough computer to play demanding locally-stored games.
Amazon’s challenge, as with comparable services like Microsoft’s Game Pass Ultimate, is to convince players that subscription-based game streaming is a good supplement or even replacement for conventional PC and console gaming experiences. You’ll have the convenience of playing on seemingly every device you own, but you’ll also be limited by what you can play and the quality of your internet connection. Amazon’s main advantage is its ubiquity — it can make sure people are aware Luna exists, whether they’re watching on Twitch or buying a Fire TV gadget for the living room.
Mar 01
There are only a few weeks left of winter, so it’s time for many folks to start planning their outdoor setup so they can get the most out of the warmer months. Unfortunately, that means irritating bugs like mosquitos are on the way back. To ward off those pesky pests, Thermacell has released a smart mosquito repellent system called Liv.
Liv connects multiple repeller units to a smart hub. You can switch the system on and off using the hub, Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The Liv+ mobile app also offers control over the repellers. You can turn them on or off from anywhere, set timers and set up push notifications. Using a feature that’s in beta, you’ll be able to monitor the cartridge levels of each device.
Thermacell, which also offers battery-powered bug repellent units, says the system isn’t designed to run around the clock. Cartridges should last for a season — around eight hours per week for 12 weeks — before requiring refills. The repellent uses 5.5 percent metofluthrin as the active ingredient, and the units heat the cartridges to emit a small amount of fog. Thermacell says the fog is odorless and provides a 20-foot radius of protection from mosquitoes.
Thermacell
Liv requires a wired setup, though Thermacell can connect customers who aren’t keen on DIY with professionals who can install it for them. The company says the repellents are weatherproof, so you shouldn’t need to disassemble the system and put it back together every year.
Thermacell had been teasing the system for a while and it’s available to order now. Liv starts at $699 for a pack of three repellers (which the company says will cover up to 945 square feet), plus the hub, cables, standard mounts and ground stakes. Thermacell claims the $799 four-pack will cover 1,260 square feet and the $899 five-pack will cover 1,575 square ft. The system can connect up to five repellers — adding an extra one will run you $150. Refills, meanwhile, cost $120 for a pack of six.
It’s not an inexpensive system, especially for those who spend a lot of time in the yard or on the porch. Still, if it works as promised, Liv could keep the mosquitoes at bay without relying on other, smellier deterrents.
Mar 01
“I approach Disability Day of Mourning, a day that memorializes disabled people killed by their parents or caregivers, with complicated feelings.”
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