N e w s C e n t r a l

Google reportedly made sure Israel's military had access to its AI tools

Google has been a much larger facilitator of tools to Israel during its war with Hamas than previously disclosed. A new <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/01/21/google-ai-israel-war-hamas-attack-gaza/">report from The Washington Post</a> found that Google employees have repeatedly worked with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel’s Defense Ministry (IDM) to expand the government's access to AI tools. In 2021, Google entered into a $1.2 billion cloud computing contract with the Israeli government, titled <a href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/deepmind-workers-urge-google-to-drop-military-contracts-190544509.html">Nimbus</a>, alongside Amazon. Internal documents show that Google employees repeatedly requested greater access to the company's AI technology on behalf of Israel — starting shortly after the October 7 attacks. An employee in Google's cloud division reportedly escalated appeals from the IDM for greater access to <a href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/googles-generative-ai-video-model-is-available-in-private-preview-160055983.html">Vertex</a>. In one document, an employee allegedly warned the IDM could turn to Amazon instead, losing Google business. A November document then allegedly shows the employee thanking their co-worker for assisting with the request.  Additional documents from 2024 reportedly show further requests which  continued to as recently as November 2024, with an employee requesting the IDF receive access to <a href="https://www.engadget.com/home/gemini-ai-is-coming-to-google-tv-devices-in-2025-making-them-easier-to-talk-to-160003805.html">Gemini AI technology</a> in order to develop its own AI assistant. The request was for improved processing of audio and documents, but its unclear what earlier access pushes were used for in regards to military operations.  The news sheds a fresh light on employees' protests over Google's cloud computing contract with Israel's government. Google employees have spoken out against the company's dealings with Israel since the contract began. However, the war brought renewed calls from its employees for Google to drop out of Nimbus. Instead, Google has <a href="https://www.engadget.com/google-fired-28-workers-who-protested-israeli-government-cloud-contract-084444878.html">fired over 50 employees</a> for <a href="https://www.engadget.com/google-fires-engineer-who-protested-at-a-company-sponsored-israeli-tech-conference-090430890.html">protesting the contract due</a> to what it called "disruptive behavior." In mid-2024, over 100 Google employees — made up of managers and members of its human rights group — reportedly emailed the company to review the Nimbus contract, but Google ignored it. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-reportedly-made-sure-israels-military-had-access-to-its-ai-tools-142130574.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

Many Akai devices will soon support Native Instruments sound packs

Akai and Native Instruments are sort of like the Nintendo and Sega of music production. These long-time rivals offer many similar products, but some musicians get drawn to Akai’s MPC workflow while others choose NI’s Maschine platform. Soon, folks may not have to choose at all. These two icons of the space are teaming up. The MPC platform will soon be home to Native Instruments sound packs. This means that if you currently use an MPC Live II or a Key 61, or any other number of <a href="https://www.engadget.com/akai-adds-a-37-key-standalone-workstation-to-its-mpc-lineup-191246047.html">standalone music-making machines</a> by Akai, you’ll be able to pull up legit Native Instruments sounds for your tracks. This is a truly big deal. The MPC workflow is iconic and many genres of music wouldn’t be the same without it. At the same time, NI is known for its top-tier instruments and sounds. <div id="53cc971d425c4922b28a3b0e68eaf2d4"></div> “This collaboration bridges two iconic brands to provide creators with a fully integrated ecosystem,” said Simon Cross, CPO of Native Instruments. “By combining Akai’s legendary hardware with our expansive sound libraries and tools, we’re pushing the boundaries of music creation.” We spoke to legendary instrument designer Roger Linn, who originally invented the MPC platform all the way back in 1988, about this partnership. He’s no longer with Akai in an official capacity but said that putting NI instruments on Akai products will "really benefit both companies." He also said that the move perfectly positions MPC devices "to be the next standard musical instrument like the guitar or piano."  Linn, who also invented modern digital music-making concepts like swing and quantization, heaped praise on newer MPC devices, as the platform has come a long way since the MPC60 in 1988. He says that products like the Live II are "still warm and fuzzy for the people who are familiar with the MPC, while moving toward a DAW (digital audio workstation)." The Native Instruments integration promises to make these products even warmer and fuzzier.  <div id="9cc826777a3645d28a2325a422c4559c"></div> The only caveat? MPC devices can only access Play Series instruments and official Expansions, which are genre-specific sound packs. You won’t be able to pull up, say, the full Massive X synthesizer or Kontakt. All told, there are five instruments that will be available in the middle of February, along with five Expansions. These have all been “expertly tailored for the MPC platform.” More releases are likely to follow, assuming positive user feedback.  We asked Native Instruments CPO Simon Cross if there are plans for compatibility in the other direction. Will the Native Instruments Maschine+ standalone groovebox be able to pull up Akai plugins and sound packs? There are no current plans, which is something of a bummer. It’s a bit understandable, given that the company only has <a href="https://www.engadget.com/maschine-plus-native-instruments-virtual-instruments-groovebox-155725975.html">one standalone device</a>, but still. <figure><img alt="A Midi controller." src="https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2025-01/3e535430-d762-11ef-abff-3a554012b49f" style="height: 1140px; width: 1718px;" /><figcaption></figcaption><div class="photo-credit">Akai</div></figure> Finally, the partnership extends to <a href="https://www.engadget.com/akai-mpk-mini-plus-midi-controller-141814734.html">MPK controllers</a>. Akai’s line of MIDI controllers will soon integrate with Native Instruments’ Native Kontrol Standard (NKS). This means that Akai controllers will be able to “seamlessly control all NKS-compatible plugins.” The integration allows for pre-mapped controls and “intuitive navigation” directly from MPK devices. The software update drops at end of February.  This expands controller compatibility to over 1,800 new instruments and plugins. The NKS standard is also coming to third-party controllers in the near future from companies like M-Audio, Novation and Korg, among others.  To celebrate the burgeoning partnership, all current MPK Series owners will receive a free copy of Komplete 15 Select. This is a curated bundle of Native Instruments instruments and effects. Again, this is free for all MPK Series owners, and not just new purchasers.  <div id="28bcecc1fb3642a5bc1820381d45562b"></div> As for Linn, his company currently manufactures the <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2010-05-16-linnstrument-multitouch-music-maker-gets-demoed-on-video-grasps.html">ultra-expressive MIDI controller LinnStrument</a>. The device tracks finger movements in five ways, to bring acoustic-like expressiveness to digital instruments. He also (relatively) recently co-designed one of my all-time favorite drum machines, <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/video/2011-01-14-synth-pioneer-roger-linn-shows-us-his-new-analog-drum-machine-t.html">the Tempest</a>, along with MIDI and synthesizer luminary Dave Smith, who passed away in 2022. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/many-akai-devices-will-soon-support-native-instruments-sound-packs-140059822.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

Plex update adds public reviews and profiles

Plex is kicking off the year with some updates that could make the streaming platform a more social place. Viewers will be able to leave public reviews on titles and to comment on other users' assessments. "To us, discovery isn’t just about finding what to watch, but also about finding more friends and fans like you in the process," the company said in a <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.plex.tv/blog/new-year-same-mission/__;!!Op6eflyXZCqGR5I!FINsEpHNAxe9SIObHJkcujeCnIC9TG54RWJPT04EjVKbBxoyuM7EFMpg2BU9mu8jRkKMRA-2WU-A$">blog post</a> announcing the new features. Public reviews expand on the social features Plex <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/plex-is-adding-reviews-for-tv-shows-and-movies-173622067.html">introduced</a> in October. The expanded reviews are paired with some new privacy options. Plex users can make their profiles visible to others in search, allowing anybody to see their reviews and ratings, as well as their watchlist and viewing history. Users will be findable in search by default unless they have previously changed that setting. Plex is also letting users set how broadly visible their ratings and reviews will be; this setting ranges from totally public to all logged in Plex users to friends of friends to friends only to private. Plex has been working on a redesign of its app for <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/apps/plex-is-overhauling-its-apps-with-a-redesign-and-under-the-hood-upgrades-160521751.html">a long time</a>, and today the company will begin previewing the new look on Apple TV. More platforms will be added to the preview "soon." The blog post cautioned that the Apple TV preview is still preliminary and encouraged users to provide feedback. The new look emphasizes more artwork and visuals, as well as offering more intuitive navigation through the library. Finally, Plex is ready to make its HEVC encoding available to members of its Plex Pass membership. This option offers improved visual quality at a lower bitrate, and it preserves HDR metadata.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/plex-update-adds-public-reviews-and-profiles-140050631.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

Sonic The Hedgehog 4 will arrive on March 19, 2027

We finally know when Sonic will grace movie theaters again: Paramount has announced Sonic The Hedgehog 4 will arrive on March 19, 2027, <a href="https://variety.com/2025/film/news/sonic-4-release-date-march-2027-1236280697/">Variety reports</a>. The company <a href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/sonic-the-hedgehog-4-movie-confirmed-by-paramount-190234137.html">confirmed the next installment</a> back in December, but we only knew that Spring 2027 was its premiere goal.  The first Sonic The Hedgehog movie premiered in early 2020, just before the world shut down. The third <a href="https://www.engadget.com/sonic-the-hedgehog-3-movie-release-date-fall-guys-141838217.html">movie came out just before Christmas</a> last year — though Paramount had already announced its follow up was in the works. Similarly, it was first announced about two years before its final release date. If the pattern continues then we should get <a href="https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/sonic-the-hedgehog-3-trailer-introduces-keanu-reeves-broody-shadow-134106308.html">a trailer</a> in late 2026.  Each of the movies has done well at the box office, with Sonic The Hedgehog 3 currently grossing $218 million domestically and $422 million globally. Paramount also claims that the movies have driven another $180 million-plus from digital purchases and at-home rentals. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/sonic-the-hedgehog-4-will-arrive-on-march-19-2027-133002387.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

Eleven percent of game developers were laid off in 2024, according to GDC survey

It's a challenging time to be a developer these days, according to <a href="https://gdconf.com/news/gdc-2025-state-game-industry-devs-weigh-layoffs-ai-and-more">GDC's 2025 State of the Game Industry</a> report that surveyed over 3,000 game devs and industry professionals. In one of the worst years ever for game industry job losses, 11 percent of developers said they were let go from their positions in 2024 and 29 percent observed direct colleagues being laid off. All of that is part of an <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/2024-was-the-year-the-bottom-fell-out-of-the-games-industry/">unfortunate trend</a> caused in part by <a href="https://www.engadget.com/activision-blizzard-now-officially-belongs-to-microsoft-125053787.html">consolidation</a> that could see around 14,000 layoffs in 2024 when final tallies are done. Meanwhile, live service games appear to be here to stay, despite the spectacular <a href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/concord-aside-playstation-is-having-a-great-year-171506490.html">flameout of Concord</a> and the <a href="https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/sony-axes-two-more-live-service-games-130048000.html">axing of several Sony projects</a>. One-third of AAA developers said they're currently working on live service games (GaaS), with 16 percent across the entire developer base working on such titles. That doesn't mean they all like it though, as 41 percent expressed that they weren't interested at all on working on GaaS style games. That lines up with a <a href="https://www.pcgamer.com/im-officially-exhausted-by-all-the-live-service-games-and-i-want-to-see-way-less-next-year/">general malaise</a> among gamers with regard to live service titles.  One encouraging upward trend is in PC games, where 80 percent of developers reported that they were working — up massively from 66 percent last year. That could be due in part to Valve's Steam deck, as 44 precent of devs said they were interested in working specifically on that platform. Browser games are also on the upswing, with 16 percent of respondents working on releases. Finally, while gaming execs seem to love the potential for AI in gaming, developers hate it, with 30 percent saying it's having a negative impact on the industry — up 12 percent from last year. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/eleven-percent-of-game-developers-were-laid-off-in-2024-according-to-gdc-survey-130003228.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Negative

OpenAI and Softbank team up for a $500 billion AI data center venture

<a href="https://www.engadget.com/ai/openais-next-generation-o3-model-will-arrive-early-next-year-191707632.html">OpenAI</a> will build and open AI infrastructure worth $500 billion in the United States over the next four years in partnership with SoftBank. The two entities have teamed up to establish a new company called <a href="https://openai.com/index/announcing-the-stargate-project/">the Stargate Project</a> to build AI data centers for the ChatGPT maker, and according to their announcement, it will "secure American leadership in AI" as well as "create hundreds of thousands of American jobs." SoftBank will finance the project, while OpenAI will be in charge of its operations. Masayoshi Son, the CEO of SoftBank, will serve as its chairman.  While OpenAI and SoftBank will serve as the Stargate Project's lead partners, there are several other companies involved in the initiative. In addition to OpenAI, Arm, NVIDIA, Oracle and, of course, Microsoft will be its key initial technology partners. The company's official announcement says OpenAI, NVIDIA and Oracle will work together to "build and operate this computing system," though it didn't expound on what that means.  As for Microsoft, the company has posted an <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=fa8ebf86-f4bb-42c9-94d8-e6811a09bed8&featureId=text-link&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL2Jsb2dzLm1pY3Jvc29mdC5jb20vYmxvZy8yMDI1LzAxLzIxL21pY3Jvc29mdC1hbmQtb3BlbmFpLWV2b2x2ZS1wYXJ0bmVyc2hpcC10by1kcml2ZS10aGUtbmV4dC1waGFzZS1vZi1haS8iLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6ImZhOGViZjg2LWY0YmItNDJjOS05NGQ4LWU2ODExYTA5YmVkOCIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9ibG9ncy5taWNyb3NvZnQuY29tL2Jsb2cvMjAyNS8wMS8yMS9taWNyb3NvZnQtYW5kLW9wZW5haS1ldm9sdmUtcGFydG5lcnNoaXAtdG8tZHJpdmUtdGhlLW5leHQtcGhhc2Utb2YtYWkvIn0&signature=AQAAAdQfwJCtXyXaz0v7KmAplEIObeqi7XVxNFR4ubSwnPtg&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.microsoft.com%2Fblog%2F2025%2F01%2F21%2Fmicrosoft-and-openai-evolve-partnership-to-drive-the-next-phase-of-ai%2F">announcement</a> about its involvement in the project and said that it will continue its "strategic partnership" with OpenAI. Microsoft will still have the right to use OpenAI IP on its products, and the OpenAI API will still exclusively run on Azure. However, it will no longer be OpenAI's exclusive provider for computing capacity. Whenever OpenAI needs additional capacity as its needs grow, Microsoft will have the "right of first refusal," which means the ChatGPT-maker has to <a class="rapid-with-clickid" href="https://shopping.yahoo.com/rdlw?merchantId=34e37b9c-8975-48da-aa39-df8bcd5badc3&siteId=us-engadget&pageId=1p-autolink&contentUuid=fa8ebf86-f4bb-42c9-94d8-e6811a09bed8&featureId=text-link&merchantName=CNBC&custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jbmJjLmNvbS8yMDI1LzAxLzIxL21pY3Jvc29mdC1sb3Nlcy1zdGF0dXMtYXMtb3BlbmFpcy1leGNsdXNpdmUtY2xvdWQtcHJvdmlkZXIuaHRtbCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZmE4ZWJmODYtZjRiYi00MmM5LTk0ZDgtZTY4MTFhMDliZWQ4Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jbmJjLmNvbS8yMDI1LzAxLzIxL21pY3Jvc29mdC1sb3Nlcy1zdGF0dXMtYXMtb3BlbmFpcy1leGNsdXNpdmUtY2xvdWQtcHJvdmlkZXIuaHRtbCJ9&signature=AQAAAZtytrkHDfixlXP7UMPV6xDIzoyTAa2-CtciObMeUK5z&gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnbc.com%2F2025%2F01%2F21%2Fmicrosoft-loses-status-as-openais-exclusive-cloud-provider.html">check with it first</a> before working with other parties.  The Stargate Project is releasing $100 billion immediately for its first data center buildouts, starting with one in Texas. As <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2025/01/21/openai-teams-up-with-softbank-and-oracle-on-50b-data-center-project/">TechCrunch</a> notes, it was previously reported that OpenAI was in talks with Oracle to lease a data center in Abilene, Texas that can reach almost a gigawatt of electricity by 2026. It didn't mention any other sites, but it did say that it's "evaluating potential" locations across the country.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/openai-and-softbank-team-up-for-a-500-billion-ai-data-center-venture-120018021.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

Transit app Moovit adds ticket-purchasing functionality throughout Europe

Transit app <a href="https://www.engadget.com/tag/moovit/">Moovit</a> has partnered with the travel marketplace Distribusion Technologies to let users plan and book <a href="https://moovit.com/press-releases/moovit-launches-intercity-ticketing-europe/">long-distance trips throughout Europe</a>. The app now includes a ticketing system that works in 40 European countries. The company says travelers can book trains, buses and ferries straight from the app, as well as learning directions to a station, checking out schedules and keeping an up-to-the-minute eye on trip timing. This should help alleviate much of the stress of long-distance travel, as various aspects of the journey will all be viewable and adjustable via a single app. Moovit says this is a “first for urban mobility platforms.” It’s also the first time that Moovit has enabled mobile ticketing for inter-city journeys throughout Europe, including cross-border trips. The company has partnered with carriers like Deutsche Bahn, Trenitalia and National Express to make this happen. These tools are available right now on Android, iOS and the web client. The big caveat? It's only in Europe, for now. The app is available in 3,500 cities across 112 countries. We’ll let you know when other regions get access to this tech.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/transit-app-moovit-adds-ticket-purchasing-functionality-throughout-europe-110043997.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

The best streaming devices for 2025

Nearly every TV on the market today is a smart TV, but not every operating system is a winner. A media streaming device lets you pair whichever user interface you prefer with just about any screen that has an HDMI port. In some cases, such as with older or less expensive smart TVs, a streaming stick or dongle could even be speedier and less glitchy than your TV’s built-in system. At home, these handy gadgets make it easier for cord cutters to watch the millions of hours of content streaming services provide without cable. And while traveling, a streaming player lets you watch your preferred content on hotel sets (without painstakingly typing in a bunch of passwords or activation codes). We tested out streaming players from Roku, Google, Apple, Amazon and more, gauging the usability and the performance of each to come up with our list of the best streaming devices you can buy. <h2 id="jump-link-what-to-look-for-in-a-tv-streaming-device">What to look for in a TV streaming device</h2> <h3 id="jump-link-operating-system-and-interface">Operating system and interface</h3> Google’s TV Streamer, the Apple TV 4K, Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks and Roku devices are the most popular players in the space. Three of those brands also come built into TVs, such as Fire, Google and Roku TVs, but the Apple TV 4K doesn't come pre-loaded on any set. Each one has a unique operating system and interface. This may be the biggest deciding factor for many people, as it determines how the content you want to watch is arranged and presented. We go into detail for each platform below, but all of them come with home screens that, to varying degrees, gather your apps in one place, present the movies and TV shows you’re currently watching and give you suggestions of other media streaming options. Nearly all streaming devices come with a remote that lets you search and do other operations using your voice, eliminating the need to hunt and peck at on-screen keyboards. They all offer “universal search,” in which searching for a title takes you to whichever app has it available. If you want to watch Barbie but don’t know where it’s playing, just push the voice button on the remote and say "Barbie.” (We found simply saying the title or the genre you want sometimes works better than saying “Show me…” or “Search for…”) From the search results, hit the play button and the correct app will open and start playing — assuming you’ve previously logged into that app and, in most cases, have an active subscription. <h3 id="jump-link-connectivity">Connectivity</h3> Most streaming sticks connect to the internet via Wi-Fi, with the majority of them supporting Wi-Fi 5 or 6 protocols. Set-top boxes can also have Ethernet ports, so you can hardwire your internet connection to the device, which is always faster than wireless. Streaming media players connect to your TV through an HDMI port, and most sticks hide behind the screen, while set-top boxes sit on a surface nearby. Nearly all units also plug into an AC outlet for power. Some sticks used to work by pulling power from a USB port on the TV, but increasingly, these devices are designed to plug into the wall. <h3 id="jump-link-video-and-audio-features">Video and audio features</h3> If you have a screen that can display 4K content with Dolby Vision and HDR10, you’ll want a streaming device that supports those high-end formats. Of course, even the most top-shelf streamer can’t make a 1080p TV display content in 4K. The series or movie also has to be transmitted in 4K and, <a href="https://www.engadget.com/legacy-hbo-max-ad-free-subscribers-will-lose-access-to-4k-streams-soon-092315829.html">increasingly</a>, companies restrict higher-quality streaming to more expensive subscription plans. In short, every element needs to support the video or audio feature, otherwise the highest quality you’ll get will be the lowest of any component in the chain. <h3 id="jump-link-voice-control">Voice control</h3> In addition to helping you find stuff to watch, streaming devices from Apple, Google and Amazon can answer questions about the weather, sports scores and general facts using built-in voice assistants. They can also act as smart home controllers to turn off connected smart bulbs or plugs and show feeds from smart cameras. Just remember, as with all smart home devices, compatibility is key. Fire TV devices work with Alexa-enabled smart home equipment; the Google TV Streamer lets you control Google Home devices; Apple TV 4Ks play nice with HomeKit; and Rokus grant power over Roku’s smart home products. Below are some recommendations for the best streaming sticks and other budget-friendly options. We also included suggestions for set-top boxes and devices geared toward gamers. <h2 id="jump-link-best-streaming-devices">Best streaming devices</h2> This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/best-streaming-devices-media-players-123021395.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

Donald Trump pardons Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht

President Donald Trump has pardoned Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road who was sentenced to<a href="https://www.engadget.com/2015-05-29-silk-road-founder-ross-ulbricht-sentenced-to-life-in-prison.html"><ins> life in prison</ins></a> after being <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2015-02-04-silk-road-creator-found-guilty-on-all-counts.html"><ins>found guilty</ins></a> of money laundering, narcotics trafficking and computer hacking. “I just called the mother of Ross William Ulbright [sic] to let her know that in honor of her and the Libertarian Movement, which supported me so strongly, it was my pleasure to have just signed a full and unconditional pardon of her son, Ross,” Trump said in <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113869048176700070"><ins>a post</ins></a> on Truth Social. Ulbricht has been serving a life sentence since 2015. Prosecutors <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/newyork/news/press-releases/ross-ulbricht-the-creator-and-owner-of-the-silk-road-website-found-guilty-in-manhattan-federal-court-on-all-counts"><ins>alleged</ins></a> that the dark web marketplace Ulbricht created was “used by thousands of drug dealers and other unlawful vendors to distribute hundreds of kilograms of illegal drugs and other unlawful goods and services to well over a hundred thousand buyers, and to launder hundreds of millions of dollars deriving from these unlawful transactions.” Ulbricht was also accused of attempting to <a href="https://www.wired.com/2015/02/read-transcript-silk-roads-boss-ordering-5-assassinations/"><ins>order assassinations</ins></a> of his perceived enemies, though prosecutors said there was “no evidence that these murders were actually carried out.” The reprieve for Ulbricht comes after he tried, <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2017-05-31-silk-road-founder-loses-appeal-will-serve-life-prison.html"><ins>and failed</ins></a>, to appeal his sentence in 2017. Crypto enthusiasts, many of whom <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/06/technology/crypto-industry-spending-election.html"><ins>supported Trump</ins></a> during the 2024 election, have long argued that his sentence was too harsh. Trump said <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-commute-silk-road-website-operator-ross-ulbrichts-life-prison-se-rcna154082"><ins>during his campaign</ins></a> that he would commute Ulbricht’s sentence “on day one” if he was reelected.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/donald-trump-pardons-silk-road-creator-ross-ulbricht-010206263.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

Report: Meta could release its first true AR headset as soon as 2027

Mark Gurman at Bloomberg has released a <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-21/meta-hardware-plans-oakley-and-ar-like-glasses-apple-watch-and-airpods-rivals?sref=10lNAhZ9">report</a> about Meta's next steps in hardware, crediting sources familiar with the company's work. According to these insiders, Meta is developing at least three new smart glasses models and has set a roadmap toward releasing its first true augmented reality glasses. The company is reportedly also continuing efforts to implement AI tools in a wrist wearable and in earbuds. Meta already sells smart glasses in partnership with Ray-Ban, a product line internally called Supernova. Gurman reports that this existing lineup will be introduced to new markets, although he didn't offer specifics about where. Meta's technologies also be applied to frames from other brands owned by its partner, Luxottica Group. This will allegedly lead to the launch of glasses codenamed Supernova 2 based on the Sphaera glasses from Oakley. This set would be intended for cyclists and other athletes, and its camera would be placed in the center of the frames. The third model is internally dubbed Hypernova. This product would be another step closer to a genuine AR experience, giving wearers the capability to run simple software apps, view notifications and display photos taken by the device. The more advanced feature set would reportedly come with a more advanced price tag; sources told Gurman this set is currently projected to cost $1,000. Insiders had already <a class="no-affiliate-link" href="https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/meta-is-reportedly-adding-displays-to-its-ray-ban-smart-glasses-162634427.html">revealed</a> last month that Meta was working on bringing a display to its Ray-Ban glasses models.  Alongside these smart glasses, Meta has also been developing an AR product dubbed <a href="https://www.engadget.com/ar-vr/metas-orion-prototype-offers-a-glimpse-into-our-ar-future-123038066.html"><ins>Orion</ins></a>. Gurman reports that the Orion set will not receive a commercial release. Instead, he said that Meta plans to launch a different iteration of the hardware as early as 2027. This product is codenamed Artemis, and sources told Gurman that these prototype glasses aren't as heavy as Orion and are more advanced than the predecessor. Another item of note in Gurman's report is that Meta is developing a wrist strap that could control its smart glasses. Most of the company's models have controls at the temple, but a wrist option would be similar to the one used for the Orion prototype. Finally, he confirms that Meta is still working on prototypes of camera-enabled earbuds that could be a rival to Apple's AirPods. The Information <a href="https://www.engadget.com/metas-next-hardware-project-might-be-ai-infused-headphones-with-cameras-204741102.html"><ins>reported</ins></a> on this project in May 2024, and it seems that the concept has faced some development challenges. If these "Camerabuds" do reach the market, it likely won't be for years. We've reached out to Meta for comment on this report and will update with any statement we receive.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/report-meta-could-release-its-first-true-ar-headset-as-soon-as-2027-222502610.html?src=rss

Source: www.engadget.com

Reception: Positive

« Previous 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Next »