N e w s C e n t r a l
The FTC says social media companies can’t be trusted to regulate themselves
<figure> <img alt="An illustration featuring eyes and locks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VzwH7dIpQ6Im6JSRXzIZto6Jn-c=/0x0:2040x1360/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73596989/acastro_190204_1777_privacy_0002.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge</figcaption> </figure> <p id="FOQEkb">The Federal Trade Commission published a <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/09/ftc-staff-report-finds-large-social-media-video-streaming-companies-have-engaged-vast-surveillance">new report</a> about the data collection policies of social media platforms and video streaming services, and the results are damning, if not unexpected. The report, which was released on September 19th, found that these platforms not only surveil consumers but often retain vast troves of data indefinitely about users and non-users alike — and suggests they can’t be trusted to regulate themselves.</p> <p id="Y9L9pG">Given the billions of dollars companies stand to earn from collecting and monetizing user data, “self-regulation has been a failure,” the report says. “Predicting, shaping, and monetizing human behavior through commercial surveillance is extremely profitable — it’s made these companies some of the most...</p> <p> <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/19/24249073/ftc-data-retention-privacy-report-facebook-meta-youtube-reddit">Continue reading…</a> </p>
Source: www.theverge.com
Reception: Negative
Logitech is making 502 metal mice
<figure> <img alt="A graphic of Logitech’s G502 X Plus AL Edition limited-edition mouse." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1ykjCnBjCEIvz4BcFbyCpIVubLg=/115x0:966x567/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73596966/g502_10yr_anniversary_kv_still_one_1.1.1_gleam_copy.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Image: Logitech</figcaption> </figure> <p id="wFU2Q5">Logitech is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its G502 gaming mouse with <a href="https://imp.i140643.net/c/482924/546180/9160?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.logitech.com%2Fblog%2F2024%2F09%2F17%2Fintroducing-the-g502-aluminum-celebrating-a-decade-of-innovation-and-excellence%2F&sharedid=theverge.com" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">a limited-edition aluminum version</a>. The G502 X Plus AL Edition has the same functionality as the standard wireless G502 X mouse, plus an aluminum chassis with laser-etched markings, including a serial number from 1 to 502. </p> <p id="WxLqqD">Sorry to put my high school chem lab assistant hat on, but that L in<strong> </strong>“AL Edition” should really be lowercase — though I speculate Logitech wanted to avoid people confusing Al with AI, as in artificial intelligence.<strong> </strong></p> <div><aside id="FOj4Wg"><div></div></aside></div> <p id="hnVfBN">In the 10 years since it launched, the G502 has been a mainstay of Logitech’s gaming lineup. The original was a wired mouse, a version of which you can still buy new today <a href="https://howl.me/cm70vvGCp8M">for around $50</a>. In 2019, the <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/8/18531144/logitech-g502-wireless-gaming-mouse-lightspeed-price-specs-features">G502 X</a> made the jump to...</p> <p> <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/19/24249195/logitech-g502-limited-edition-aluminum-10th-anniversary-gaming-mouse">Continue reading…</a> </p>
Source: www.theverge.com
Reception: Negative
Apple Intelligence is now available in public betas
<figure> <img alt="A photo of Apple devices running Apple Intelligence." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/x6ia9bMDRCzIVe1aBeSN4oq6ybk=/154x0:1807x1102/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73596907/Apple_WWDC24_Apple_Intelligence_hero_240610.0.jpg" /> <figcaption>Image: Apple</figcaption> </figure> <p id="91H4v0">Apple has just released public betas of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, and they include upcoming Apple Intelligence features like text rewriting tools, the glowy new Siri design, a “Clean Up” tool to remove objects from your photos, and more.</p> <div class="c-float-left c-float-hang"><aside id="Gg11Se"><div></div></aside></div> <p id="RNEMz4">To be able to access the betas, you’ll need to register on <a href="https://beta.apple.com">Apple’s beta software program site</a>. Once you’ve done that, you should be able to see the beta update available <a href="https://www.theverge.com/24198819/ios-18-public-betas-install-how-to">in settings</a> for you to download and install. Note that a only few iPhones can access the Apple Intelligence features: last year’s <a href="https://www.theverge.com/23879619/apple-iphone-15-pro-max-review">iPhone 15 Pro phones</a> as well as the nearly-here <a href="https://www.theverge.com/24247479/apple-iphone-16-plus-review-camera-control-screen-battery">iPhone 16</a> and <a href="https://www.theverge.com/24247538/apple-iphone-16-pro-review">iPhone 16 Pro</a>. iPads and Macs with M1 chips or newer can try Apple Intelligence as well.</p> <p id="eRXlRE">Previously, these Apple Intelligence...</p> <p> <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/19/24249206/apple-intelligence-ios-18-1-public-beta">Continue reading…</a> </p>
Source: www.theverge.com
Reception: Positive
The best ebook reader to buy right now
<figure> <img alt="Various floating in the air against a blue background" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ahl9GA-W3_l8GrBRn3vh1DQwhUU=/0x0:2040x1360/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72396035/236754_Best_ebook_readers_for_2023_WJoel.5.jpg" /> <figcaption>Image: Will Joel / The Verge</figcaption> </figure> <p>From reading in the bath to scribbling notes in the margins, from diving into the Amazon ecosystem to avoiding it outright, there’s an e-reader for everyone.</p> <p> <a href="https://www.theverge.com/23769068/best-ebook-readers">Continue reading…</a> </p>
Source: www.theverge.com
Reception: Neutral
Here is what’s illegal under California’s 8 (and counting) new AI laws
<p>California Governor Gavin Newsom is currently considering 38 AI-related bills, including the highly contentious SB 1047, which the state’s legislature sent to his desk for final approval. These bills try to address the most pressing issues in artificial intelligence: everything from futuristic AI systems creating existential risk, deepfake nudes from AI image generators, to Hollywood […]</p> <p>© 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.</p>
Source: techcrunch.com
Reception: Positive
Gaming Lyft’s Citi Bike algos was a lucrative side hustle for a while
<p>A New York Times article Thursday highlighted a lucrative side hustle that is emblematic of the times we live in: gaming algorithms to earn money. In this case, folks figured out they could maximize the payout from Lyft’s Citi Bike “Bike Angels” program by taking advantage of a company algorithm used to meet its supply-and-demand […]</p> <p>© 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.</p>
Source: techcrunch.com
Reception: Positive
Chipmaker Qualcomm lays off hundreds of workers in San Diego
<p>This is the chipmaker's second round of layoffs over the past year, while the company recorded billions in revenue.</p> <p>© 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.</p>
Source: techcrunch.com
Reception: Negative
SpaceX disputes $633K FAA fine, citing ‘systematic challenges’ with agency
<p>SpaceX sent a letter to top congressional leaders on Wednesday denying allegations that it violated its launch licenses on two separate occasions last year, which has resulted in regulators seeking $633,009 in penalties from the company. Instead, the company asserts that the inability of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) to […]</p> <p>© 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.</p>
Source: techcrunch.com
Reception: Positive
Elon Musk’s reposts of Kamala Harris deepfakes may not fly under new California law
<p>California’s newest law could land social media users who post, or repost, AI deepfakes that deceive voters about upcoming elections in legal trouble. Governor Gavin Newsom suggests that AB 2839, which went into effect immediately after he signed it on Tuesday, could be used to reel in Elon Musk’s retweets, among others who spread deceptive […]</p> <p>© 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.</p>
Source: techcrunch.com
Reception: Positive
MIT develops recyclable 3D-printed glass blocks for construction
<p>The team points to glass’ optical properties and its “infinite recyclability” as reasons for turning to the material.</p> <p>© 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.</p>
Source: techcrunch.com
Reception: Neutral