Archaeologists scrutinizing two groups of runestones from Denmark have determined the name ‘Thyra’ mentioned in the two inscriptions refers to the same woman: Queen Thyra, wife of Gorm the Old, and mother of Harald Bluetooth, the ruler whose name adorns the technology that connects modern wireless devices.
Comcast is upgrading its residential cable internet service to offer upload and download speeds of up to 2 Gbps through decades-old coaxial cables. The company says it’s the first ISP in the world to offer multi-gigabit symmetrical speeds to customers through DOCSIS 4.0 technology, which it’s powering through the Xfinity 10G network.
The zippy X-Class Internet service will first be available in some neighborhoods in Colorado Springs, Colorado starting next week. It will arrive in parts of Atlanta and Philadelphia soon, and then in other markets over the next few years.
Comcast says DOCSIS 4.0 connections are already available in tens of millions of homes across the US. Multi-gigabit download speeds have been possible via cable for several years. Upgrading to DOCSIS 4.0 will not only improve download speeds but make it possible to deliver symmetric uploads while minimizing lag and avoiding any impact to downstream service.
Comcast has been working on this technology for several years and it aims to offer 2 Gbps symmetrical service in more than 50 million homes by the end of 2025. Since they’ll be able to access faster connections through existing coaxial cable infrastructure, many consumers won’t need to wait for Comcast to connect their home to a fiber network before they can make the most of multi-gigabit upload and download speeds.
What’s more, DOCSIS 4.0 is capable of supporting up to 10 Gbps downstream and up to 6 Gbps upstream speeds, so coaxial cables may be able to carry even faster internet connections in the future. In a test last year, Comcast achieved download speeds of 6 Gbps and upload speeds of 4 Gbps.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/comcast-starts-squeezing-2-gbps-symmetrical-internet-speeds-through-decades-old-coaxial-cables-143657830.html?src=rss
This lightweight, versatile vacuum works wonders on fur, dust, dirt and more.
On Hideki Kamiya’s first video for his new YouTube channel, the man who helped direct landmark games like Bayonetta, Okami, Viewtiful Joe, and Devil May Cry is seen walking out of Platinum Games’ headquarters carrying the trademark cardboard box of the recently laid off. He’s wearing shorts and an orange bandana.
The “Tonight Show” host saw a Trump-connected future for the newly indicted congressman.
Two weeks have passed since the Writers Guild of America reached a deal to resume working, but things aren’t looking good for its counterpart, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). Talks broke down Wednesday night with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) due to “bully tactics,” with CEOs reportedly walking away without any proposed counteroffer, SAG-AFTRA’s negotiating committee said in a statement. CEOs such as Disney’s Bob Iger and Netflix’s Ted Sarandos started personally meeting with SAG-AFTRA negotiators in early October.
🧵To Our Fellow #SagAftraMembers:
It is with profound disappointment that we report the industry CEOs have walked away from the bargaining table after refusing to counter our latest offer. (1/11) pic.twitter.com/nd2PfpDH4F
— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) October 12, 2023
The committee is working to reach an agreement for actors, striking since mid-July. “We have negotiated with them in good faith, despite the fact that last week they presented an offer that was, shockingly, worth less than they proposed before the strike began,” SAG-AFTRA added. “These companies refuse to protect performers from being replaced by AI, they refuse to increase your wages to keep up with inflation, and they refuse to share a tiny portion of the immense revenue your work generates for them.”
The AMPTP claims a requested cut in streaming revenue would cost $800 million a year, a figure SAG-AFTRA says is inflated by 60 percent after “big, meaningful counters” from the union. According to SAG-AFTRA, this tactic is an attempt to fool members and break down support. The union also claims AMPTP is requiring day one AI consent from actors to use their likeness across an entire franchise. For now, SAG-AFTRA encourages its members to continue showing up at picket lines and solidarity events.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sag-aftra-accuses-studios-of-bully-tactics-after-talks-break-down-114617412.html?src=rss
At Kia’s EV day event, the automaker has launched its upcoming electric vehicle, the EV5, and introduced two new concepts meant to make the technology more accessible. The company says it aims to offer people a wide-ranging EV lineup that includes the EV6 and the newer EV9, which promises Level 3 autonomy and a 336-mile range. It’s hoping to sell the EV5 and, eventually, the EV4 and EV3 at prices ranging from $35,000 to $50,000 “to accelerate the widespread adoption of EVs.”
The EV5 SUV is the third purely electric vehicle in its lineup. Kia designed it on top of E-GMP, its dedicated EV platform, and currently plans to manufacture and sell them in China and Korea. Its specifications differ for each market, with China getting a standard, a long-range and a long-range AWD variant. China’s standard model will come with a 64kWh battery pack, along with a 160kW motor, and is expected to have a range of 530 km or 329 miles.
Meanwhile, the long-range version will have a bigger battery that can reach a range of 720 km or 447 miles on a single charge. The AWD model will have a range of 650 km or 404 miles and will come with a fast-charging capability. As for the Korean models, their range will apparently be tailored to meet market demands. Kia says a GT variant with performance features will also be unveiled at a later date.
While the EV5 is very much a real product that will initially be available for sale in the Chinese market later this year, the other electric vehicles Kia unveiled during its event are still a concept at this point. The EV3 (pictured above), if it turns out exactly as the automaker has envisioned, will be a compact and accessible version of the EV9. Kia’s EV4 (below), on the other hand, will be a sedan with a low nose, sharp lines and a futuristic cocoon-like interior. It remains to be seen whether Kia can achieve a $35,000 price point, which seems to be a common target among EV makers, for any of the aforementioned vehicles.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/kia-debuts-the-ev5-suv-alongside-two-new-affordable-electric-concepts-122040979.html?src=rss
The 92-year-old billionaire controlled the sport for four decades until 2017.
Scientists appear to have developed a hand prosthetic that provides much more control and comfort than those available today. In new research this week, they’ve detailed the case of a Swedish woman who has successfully worn the advanced bionic limb for years with no major issues, while experiencing significantly less…
A new bill out of New York is targeting the thing we all have a love-hate relationship with on social media: the algorithm. Governor Kathy Hochul joined lawmakers in introducing the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act, which would require a parent or guardian’s consent to access algorithm-based feeds on platforms such as TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. In her statement of support, Hochul called for adults to protect their children and villainized algorithms as technology that “follows” and “preys” on young people.
Lawmakers pointed to a range of studies demonstrating social media’s association with poor mental health and sleep quality in young people — especially with excessive use. “Social media platforms are fueling a national youth mental health crisis that is harming children’s wellbeing and safety,” New York State Attorney General Letitia James said. “Young New Yorkers are struggling with record levels of anxiety and depression, and social media companies that use addictive features to keep minors on their platforms longer are largely to blame. This legislation will help tackle the risks of social media affecting our children and protect their privacy.”
While pages like TikTok’s For You face restrictions, the legislation would allow young people to view content from people they follow without permission. This setup means they can still see accounts with dangerous misinformation or ideals — such as promoting harmful eating habits — as long as they click the follow button. However, the law would also allow parents or guardians to limit the number of hours a person can spend on each app and to restrict access and notifications completely between midnight and 6 AM. Social media platforms that fail to enforce these policies could owe up to $5,000 in damages.
Lawmakers proposed an identical fine for violations of the New York Child Data Protection Act, which was introduced alongside the SAFE for Kids Act. This legislation would ban “collecting, using, sharing or selling” anyone under 18’s personal data unless they receive consent or can prove it absolutely necessary.
SAFE for Kids Act’s sponsors, State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, could bring it before the New York legislature as soon as early 2024. The bill has already faced opposition from Meta and TikTok, as well as Tech:NYC, which represents more than 800 tech companies. Concerns range from restricting free speech to losing out on community-building.
The first state-led bill of this kind passed in Utah earlier this year, requiring anyone under the age of 18 to obtain a parent or guardian’s consent to create a social media profile — not just to explore the algorithm. Arkansas enacted a similar law soon after, but a judge blocked it from taking effect in September. Utah’s legislation is set to take effect in early 2024. Each of these cases would require more comprehensive age verification on the part of social media companies, likely reviewing an ID of some sort — not something every early adolescent has.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/new-york-lawmakers-are-cracking-down-on-kids-exposure-to-social-media-algorithms-095838157.html?src=rss
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