Apr 03

ChatGPT Image Generator Now Available For Free Users, But With Limitations

Posted in: Today's Chili

The popular chatbot ChatGPT became a trending topic recently because of its ability to generate images in the style of Studio Ghibli illustrations, a feature that previously was limited to paid subscribers (ChatGPT Plus, ChatGPT Pro, and ChatGPT Team users).

However, OpenAI has now made it available to all the users—Yup, including those on the free plan! The announcement was made by OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, through a post on X (formerly Twitter). According to OpenAI’s official blog, free users can generate up to three images per day; Once they reach this limit, they are invited to upgrade to a paid plan for additional image generation.

The rise in interest was largely driven by the appeal of Studio Ghibli-inspired illustrations, influenced by the studio’s renowned films such as Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, and My Neighbor Totoro. The ability to create artwork in this beloved style led to a surge in new users, with ChatGPT gaining over one million new users in just a single hour.

This feature quickly became a trending topic on social media, as users eagerly experimented with AI-generated illustrations—However, the excitement was accompanied by discussions about the potential consequences for artists. Many raised concerns that AI-generated art could devalue the work of human illustrators and impact the creative industry.

Despite these debates, ChatGPT continues to expand its user base at a rapid pace—According to OpenAI, the chatbot now has over 500 million weekly active users. The decision to make image generation available to everyone further cements ChatGPT’s role as a widely used AI tool, blending accessibility with advanced creative capabilities.

As AI-generated art becomes more common, discussions about its ethical and professional implications are likely to continue.

ChatGPT Image Generator Now Available For Free Users, But With Limitations

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

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Apr 03

Hori's Piranha Plant Switch 2 camera is a work of art

Posted in: Today's Chili

Yesterday, we learned a lot about the Switch 2 we didn’t know before, including the fact Nintendo that will offer a webcam alongside the new console. As far as accessories go, the $50 Switch 2 Camera looks boring, and judging from the footage the company shared on Wednesday, not particularly great at its intended purpose of, you know, capturing moving pictures. 

The good news? Nintendo is allowing third-party manufacturers to make their own webcams for the new console. Enter the Hori Piranha Plant Camera. 

The Piranha Plant can attach directly to the top of the Switch 2.
Hori

Hori’s Switch 2 camera has a couple of features you won’t find on Nintendo’s first-party offering. First, the pot the Piranha Plant sits in functions as both as a stand and USB extension for the device. The part of the Piranha that houses the webcam can detach from the pot, allowing you to, ahem, plant it directly on the top of the Switch 2. In that way, you can take your new buddy on the road. Want to trash talk your friends over video in GameChat while on a domestic flight? With the Piranha Plant and in-flight Wi-Fi, you can. 

Second, the Piranha Plant camera has a built-in privacy shutter. You can simply close its mouth to obscure the lens. If that’s not clever, functional design, I don’t know what is.

The Piranha Plant Camera features a clever built-in privacy shutter.
Hori

Hori has yet to list the Piranha Plant camera on its US website, but over in Germany, retailer Media Markt has the accessory priced at €40 or €20 less than the official Switch 2 Camera from Nintendo. Practical, stylish and affordable, what’s not to love? 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/horis-piranha-plant-switch-2-camera-is-a-work-of-art-194430377.html?src=rss

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Apr 03

Google Chrome Development Version Brings Extension Support To Android

Posted in: Today's Chili

Google Chrome, one of the most widely used web browsers, is available across multiple operating systems. However, a common complaint among users is the lack of feature parity between the desktop and mobile versions—particularly the absence of extension support on Android devices. This may soon change!

A new version of Chrome, referred to as “Desktop Android”, has been spotted with support for extensions. This version runs in a desktop-like mode of Android, designed for larger-screen devices such as tablets. The discovery was made by tech expert Mishaal Rahman and reported by Android Authority.

 

Extension Support on Android

The Desktop Android version was first noticed last year as a fusion of Chromium’s codebase with elements from Chrome for desktop. Initially, while it allowed the browser to run on Android with some desktop-like features, it still lacked extension support.

A recent update, however, has introduced the ability to manually install .crx extension files. This version is not available on the Google Play Store but can be downloaded through Google’s API repositories by developers or advanced users. Notably, this build does not support Google Account synchronization.

During testing, Rahman successfully installed and ran popular extensions such as Keepa, Dark Reader, and uBlock Origin. Once installed via the chrome://extensions page, the extensions were automatically activated after refreshing the browser.

Current Limitations

Despite the promising development, the implementation still has several limitations:

  • No direct installation from the Chrome Web Store – Users must manually install extensions.
  • No dedicated extension management button – Many extensions require toolbar access or additional interface elements to function properly.
  • Limited functionality – Some extensions break due to missing features.

As of now, extension support remains an experimental feature and is only available for Android devices with larger screens, such as tablets or those running in desktop mode. There is no indication that Google plans to bring this functionality to regular Android smartphones.

While this development may not become a mainstream feature, it marks a step toward bringing Chrome’s desktop capabilities to Android. Whether Google will expand extension support further remains to be seen.

Google Chrome Development Version Brings Extension Support To Android

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

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Apr 03

YouTube is updating the Shorts video editor to make it a better alternative to TikTok

Posted in: Today's Chili

YouTube is updating the video editor for Shorts to better compete with the likes of TikTok and Instagram Reels, and teasing some AI-powered features that are coming later this year that might make it stand out.

The new and improve editor will let users “make precise adjustments and edits to the timing of each clip with zooming and snapping,” along with the usual option to rearrange and delete your footage. YouTube says you’ll also be able to add music and timed text, and preview your video at any point while you’re editing.

At some point in the future, the editor will gain the ability to automatically sync clips to a song. And “later this spring,” YouTube says the editor will be able to create stickers from photos in your image gallery or with a built-in AI image generator. As part of this update, the process of using templates is also getting simplified. Creators of templates will now be automatically credited when anyone uses their work, and templates themselves can now include things like image overlays and filter effects.

YouTube is clearly trying to reach some kind of parity with the creative tools offered by TikTok and Instagram. TikTok’s editing tools and the standalone CapCut video editor have long been the gold standard for creating videos on your phone. Given the uncertain future of TikTok in the US, making YouTube Shorts a more appealing alternative makes sense. It’s also not the first time YouTube has drawn inspiration from TikTok. YouTube added a robotic, text-to-speech narration feature to Shorts, clearly inspired by TikTok’s popular version, in 2024.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/youtube-is-updating-the-shorts-video-editor-to-make-it-a-better-alternative-to-tiktok-182932945.html?src=rss

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Apr 03

Google Chrome Development Version Brings Extension Support To Android

Posted in: Today's Chili

Google Chrome, one of the most widely used web browsers, is available across multiple operating systems. However, a common complaint among users is the lack of feature parity between the desktop and mobile versions—particularly the absence of extension support on Android devices. This may soon change!

A new version of Chrome, referred to as “Desktop Android”, has been spotted with support for extensions. This version runs in a desktop-like mode of Android, designed for larger-screen devices such as tablets. The discovery was made by tech expert Mishaal Rahman and reported by Android Authority.

 

Extension Support on Android

The Desktop Android version was first noticed last year as a fusion of Chromium’s codebase with elements from Chrome for desktop. Initially, while it allowed the browser to run on Android with some desktop-like features, it still lacked extension support.

A recent update, however, has introduced the ability to manually install .crx extension files. This version is not available on the Google Play Store but can be downloaded through Google’s API repositories by developers or advanced users. Notably, this build does not support Google Account synchronization.

During testing, Rahman successfully installed and ran popular extensions such as Keepa, Dark Reader, and uBlock Origin. Once installed via the chrome://extensions page, the extensions were automatically activated after refreshing the browser.

Current Limitations

Despite the promising development, the implementation still has several limitations:

  • No direct installation from the Chrome Web Store – Users must manually install extensions.
  • No dedicated extension management button – Many extensions require toolbar access or additional interface elements to function properly.
  • Limited functionality – Some extensions break due to missing features.

As of now, extension support remains an experimental feature and is only available for Android devices with larger screens, such as tablets or those running in desktop mode. There is no indication that Google plans to bring this functionality to regular Android smartphones.

While this development may not become a mainstream feature, it marks a step toward bringing Chrome’s desktop capabilities to Android. Whether Google will expand extension support further remains to be seen.

Google Chrome Development Version Brings Extension Support To Android

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

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Apr 03

'Careless People' author Sarah Wynn-Williams will testify at a Senate hearing next week

Posted in: Today's Chili

Sarah Wynn-Williams, the former Facebook policy director behind a best-selling memoir about her time at the company, will testify at a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing next week. The testimony will be Wynn-Williams’ first public remarks since Meta initiated emergency arbitration proceedings in an attempt to prevent her from promoting the book.

Wynn-Williams’ upcoming appearance at Congress was confirmed by Senator Josh Hawley, who said in a statement that she would testify about “allegations that Facebook cooperated with the Communist regime in China to build censorship tools, punish dissidents, and make American users’ data available for Chinese use.”

In her book, Careless People, Wynn-Williams recounts Meta executives’ interactions with world leaders and government officials as Facebook’s influence expanded globally in the early 2010s. Her account has resurfaced information about Facebook’s attempts to operate in China, and revealed new details about its overtures to Chinese government officials.

“We do not operate our services in China today. It is no secret we were once interested in doing so as part of Facebook’s effort to connect the world,” Meta spokesperson Dani Lever said in a statement. “This was widely reported beginning a decade ago. We ultimately opted not to go through with the ideas we’d explored, which Mark Zuckerberg announced in 2019.”

Prior to her book’s publication, Wynn-Williams also filed whistleblower complaints with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice about alleged misconduct at the company. While the precise details of those complaints haven’t been made public, next week’s hearing will be a significant opportunity for her to speak publicly about what she witnessed.

The hearing, titled, “A Time for Truth: Oversight of Meta’s Foreign Relations and Representations to the United States Congress,” is scheduled for April 9, at 2:30pm ET.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/careless-people-author-sarah-wynn-williams-will-testify-at-a-senate-hearing-next-week-172509027.html?src=rss

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Apr 03

Google Chrome Development Version Brings Extension Support To Android

Posted in: Today's Chili

Google Chrome, one of the most widely used web browsers, is available across multiple operating systems. However, a common complaint among users is the lack of feature parity between the desktop and mobile versions—particularly the absence of extension support on Android devices. This may soon change!

A new version of Chrome, referred to as “Desktop Android”, has been spotted with support for extensions. This version runs in a desktop-like mode of Android, designed for larger-screen devices such as tablets. The discovery was made by tech expert Mishaal Rahman and reported by Android Authority.

 

Extension Support on Android

The Desktop Android version was first noticed last year as a fusion of Chromium’s codebase with elements from Chrome for desktop. Initially, while it allowed the browser to run on Android with some desktop-like features, it still lacked extension support.

A recent update, however, has introduced the ability to manually install .crx extension files. This version is not available on the Google Play Store but can be downloaded through Google’s API repositories by developers or advanced users. Notably, this build does not support Google Account synchronization.

During testing, Rahman successfully installed and ran popular extensions such as Keepa, Dark Reader, and uBlock Origin. Once installed via the chrome://extensions page, the extensions were automatically activated after refreshing the browser.

Current Limitations

Despite the promising development, the implementation still has several limitations:

  • No direct installation from the Chrome Web Store – Users must manually install extensions.
  • No dedicated extension management button – Many extensions require toolbar access or additional interface elements to function properly.
  • Limited functionality – Some extensions break due to missing features.

As of now, extension support remains an experimental feature and is only available for Android devices with larger screens, such as tablets or those running in desktop mode. There is no indication that Google plans to bring this functionality to regular Android smartphones.

While this development may not become a mainstream feature, it marks a step toward bringing Chrome’s desktop capabilities to Android. Whether Google will expand extension support further remains to be seen.

Google Chrome Development Version Brings Extension Support To Android

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

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Apr 03

Google's Pixel Buds Pro 2 are back on sale for an all-time-low price

Posted in: Today's Chili

Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds are on sale via Amazon for just $179. This is a record-low price, as they normally cost $229. This deal is available for multiple colorways, including black, pink, beige and green.

These little cuties easily made our list of the best wireless earbuds. We admired the comfortable and secure fit and the addition of the Tensor chip to handle audio and ANC processing. They also offer a hands-free way to initiate Gemini AI.

However, the main reason we recommend these earbuds is that they sound great. They provide a good low-end, which is tough to do with earbuds, and crunchy highs. Google says it redesigned the entire audio system and it shows. We called out the “noticeable improvement” over the original Pixel Buds Pro earbuds in our official review.

There are plenty of nifty features to set these earbuds apart from the competition. They can detect conversations and automatically adjust audio accordingly. Find My Device support is also included. They offer spatial audio with certain apps. The buds get around eight hours of use per charge, but 30 hours when considering the included charging case. 

There are only two downsides here. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds are incredibly small, which is cool, that means making adjustments on their equally tiny touch panels can be difficult. Also, the original asking price of $229 is certainly high. This sale alleviates that particular issue.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/googles-pixel-buds-pro-2-are-back-on-sale-for-an-all-time-low-price-164743950.html?src=rss

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Apr 03

Google Chrome Development Version Brings Extension Support To Android

Posted in: Today's Chili

Google Chrome, one of the most widely used web browsers, is available across multiple operating systems. However, a common complaint among users is the lack of feature parity between the desktop and mobile versions—particularly the absence of extension support on Android devices. This may soon change!

A new version of Chrome, referred to as “Desktop Android”, has been spotted with support for extensions. This version runs in a desktop-like mode of Android, designed for larger-screen devices such as tablets. The discovery was made by tech expert Mishaal Rahman and reported by Android Authority.

 

Extension Support on Android

The Desktop Android version was first noticed last year as a fusion of Chromium’s codebase with elements from Chrome for desktop. Initially, while it allowed the browser to run on Android with some desktop-like features, it still lacked extension support.

A recent update, however, has introduced the ability to manually install .crx extension files. This version is not available on the Google Play Store but can be downloaded through Google’s API repositories by developers or advanced users. Notably, this build does not support Google Account synchronization.

During testing, Rahman successfully installed and ran popular extensions such as Keepa, Dark Reader, and uBlock Origin. Once installed via the chrome://extensions page, the extensions were automatically activated after refreshing the browser.

Current Limitations

Despite the promising development, the implementation still has several limitations:

  • No direct installation from the Chrome Web Store – Users must manually install extensions.
  • No dedicated extension management button – Many extensions require toolbar access or additional interface elements to function properly.
  • Limited functionality – Some extensions break due to missing features.

As of now, extension support remains an experimental feature and is only available for Android devices with larger screens, such as tablets or those running in desktop mode. There is no indication that Google plans to bring this functionality to regular Android smartphones.

While this development may not become a mainstream feature, it marks a step toward bringing Chrome’s desktop capabilities to Android. Whether Google will expand extension support further remains to be seen.

Google Chrome Development Version Brings Extension Support To Android

, original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

No Comments
Apr 03

The world’s smallest pacemaker is injectable and powered by light

Posted in: Today's Chili

Engineers at Northwestern University have developed the world’s smallest pacemaker. It’s so small, as a matter of fact, that it fits inside the tip of a syringe. This means that it’s injectable, so patients could potentially avoid a painful surgery.

It safely dissolves into the bloodstream after a time, so it’s a temporary solution. It’s designed for folks who need heart help on a short-term basis, like newborn babies with congenital defects. However, it can work with hearts of all sizes.

It’s also powered by light, which is pretty darned cool. The pacemaker is paired with a wireless wearable device that mounts to a patient’s chest. When that small device detects an irregular heartbeat, it shines a light that activates the pacemaker. These light pulses can penetrate a patient’s skin, bones and muscles.

Even though the pacemaker is tiny, measuring one millimeter in thickness, it still delivers as much stimulation as a full-sized unit. The engineers published their findings in Nature and noted that the device works with both animal and human hearts. The team also reiterated that pediatric care is the primary use case here.

“About one percent of children are born with congenital heart defects,” said Northwestern experimental cardiologist Igor Efimov, who co-led the study. “The good news is that these children only need temporary pacing after a surgery. In about seven days or so, most patients’ hearts will self-repair. But those seven days are absolutely critical. Now, we can place this tiny pacemaker on a child’s heart and stimulate it with a soft, gentle, wearable device. And no additional surgery is necessary to remove it.”

The development of this medical device was co-led by John Rogers, which is a familiar name in biomedical circles. Rogers has been behind a number of astounding innovations throughout the years. He’s advanced technology that could eventually give us invisibility cloaks and health-tracking tattoos. He also built a thumbnail-sized UV sensor and a circuit that dissolves in the body. That last one eventually led to this innovative pacemaker.

Rogers imagines a world in which physicians inject a number of these pacemakers simultaneously, to enable sophisticated synchronization. This could help terminate arrhythmias, as different parts of the heart could be paced at unique rhythms.

“Because it’s so small, this pacemaker can be integrated with almost any kind of implantable device,” Rogers said. “Here, the tiny pacemakers can be activated as necessary to address complications that can occur during a patient’s recovery process.”

This versatility could eventually open up a diverse array of medical possibilities. The tech could be used to help nerves heal, treat wounds and block pain.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/the-worlds-smallest-pacemaker-is-injectable-and-powered-by-light-153302491.html?src=rss

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