Author Archives: Mariella Moon

Elon Musk’s X could lose $75 million in ad revenue following antisemitic content backlash

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X, the social network formerly known as Twitter, typically earns the most money in the last months of the year, as brands ramp up their advertising campaigns for the holiday shopping season. According to The New York Times, though, the company's earnings report for this quarter might look different than usual. Based on internal documents The Times has seen, over 100 brands and even other types of advertisers, such as political candidates, have fully paused their ads on the website, while dozens more are considering pulling their campaigns. If advertisers don't come back, X could lose up to $75 million in ad revenue earnings this year. 

The documents reportedly track how X would be affected by brands leaving the website, including the first ones that paused their ads shortly after Elon Musk's controversial tweet, wherein he agreed with an antisemitic conspiracy theory. Shortly after he posted his tweet, media watchdog Media Matters published a report showing ads on the website right next to antisemitic content. In response, X filed a lawsuit against the organization, accusing it of "knowingly and maliciously [manufacturing] side-by-side images depicting advertisers' posts on X Corp.'s social media platform beside Neo-Nazi and white national fringe content."

X said in its complaint that Media Matters deliberately created an environment to show ads from some of the platform's biggest advertisers next to "extreme, fringe content." Linda Yaccarino, the company's CEO, defended X in a post and said that only two users saw Apple's ad next to unpalatable content on the platform. One of them was Media Matters, she added. The organization called X's lawsuit "frivolous" in a statement to Engadget and said it looks forward to winning in court. 

IBM, Apple and Disney were among the brands that quickly pulled their ads from X after the incidents. Lionsgate specifically cited Musk's tweet as its reason for suspending its advertising campaigns, while Ubisoft was one of the first video game companies to withdraw its ads from X. According to The Times' report, Airbnb has halted over $1 million worth of advertising on X, and Netflix has pulled $3 million in ads. X could also lose $4 million in ad revenue due to Microsoft's subsidiaries pausing their campaigns. Uber and Coca-Cola are two other well-known brands that have chosen to put their advertising on X on hold. 

In a statement to the publication, the company said the figures it viewed were either outdated or "represented an internal exercise to evaluate total risk." It also said that the revenue at risk was only around $11 million and that the exact amount keeps fluctuating as some advertisers return or increase their ad spending. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/elon-musks-x-could-lose-75-million-in-ad-revenue-following-antisemitic-content-backlash-075316116.html?src=rss

1Password Black Friday deal: Save 50 percent on the password manager’s individual and family plans

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At this point in time, you probably have a ton of passwords to keep track of across a vast number of websites, apps and services. One way to keep them safe and organized, and to prevent losing access to your accounts, is to use a password manager. For Black Friday this year, 1Password is giving you the chance to purchase an individual or a family subscription for 50 percent off their normal prices, as long as you're a new subscriber. The manager's individual account normally costs $35.88 a year, while its family account is typically priced at $59.88, so expect to pay half those amounts, respectively. 

Both subscription tiers come with access to the service's mobile and desktop passwords, as well as its browser extensions. You can save not just log in credentials with 1Password, but also addresses and credit card details, and you can hide select vaults when you switch on Travel mode. 1Password will allow you to temporarily share logins with anybody, as well, even if they're not a user. But if you purchase a family subscription, you can share the account between five people who can create an unlimited number of shared vaults. Each member can also help another recover their access in case they get locked out.

It's worth noting that 1Password recently went beyond well, passwords, and rolled out support for passkeys to desktop and mobile users. That means you'll be able to sync your passkeys across devices and across platforms, so you can log in to your accounts without having to resort to using your credentials. This special Black Friday discount will be available from November 24 to November 27 only. 

Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo’s Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog’s experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/1password-black-friday-deal-save-50-percent-on-the-password-managers-individual-and-family-plans-173051507.html?src=rss

A four pack of Apple AirTags is down to $80 on Amazon for Black Friday 2023

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If you've wanted a couple more AirTags to keep track of your keys, wallet or luggage, now's a good time to grab them. An Amazon Black Friday deal has brought the price of a four pack down to $80, which is close to a record low. That also brings the price per AirTag down to $20 each, which is a great price. If you really only have need for one extra Bluetooth tracker, you can buy one AirTag for $24.

Apple's AirTags leverage the company's Find My network that's powered by all of its devices around the world. You'll need to pair them with an iPhone or an iPad to be able to track them, of course, but as long as they're within range of another Apple device, you'll know where they currently are or what their last location was. The Find My map will be able to guide you, so you can find your purse, suitcase, wallet, or whatever it is you're tracking. 

You can make an AirTag play a sound on its built-in speaker through your phone or tablet to make it easier to find, or you can ask Siri to do it for you. If you have an iPhone 11 or later that supports Ultra Wideband, you'll have access to the Find Nearby feature that displays the distance to and the direction information for your AirTag. Your phone will also vibrate the closer you get to the tracking device. And if you want to be notified as soon as it's spotted by Apple's Find My Network, all you have to do is put the device in Lost Mode. When it comes to maintenance, you don't have to do much: The AirTag is water and dust resistant, and it runs on a coin battery that you only have to replace once a year or so. 

Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo’s Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog’s experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/a-four-pack-of-apple-airtags-is-down-to-80-on-amazon-for-black-friday-2023-183636656.html?src=rss

NVIDIA sued for stealing trade secrets after screensharing blunder showed rival company’s code

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NVIDIA is facing a lawsuit filed by French automotive company Valeo after a screensharing blunder by one of its employees. According to Valeo's complaint, Mohammad Moniruzzaman, an engineer for NVIDIA who used to work for its company, had mistakenly showed its source code files on his computer as he was sharing his screen during a meeting with both firms in 2022. Valeo's employees quickly recognized the code and took screenshots before Moniruzzaman was notified of his mistake. 

To note, Valeo and NVIDIA are working together on an advanced parking and driving assistance technology offered by a manufacturer to its customers. Valeo used to be in charge of both software and hardware sides of the manufacturer's parking assistance tech. In 2021, however, the the bigger corporation won the contract to develop its parking assistance software. Valeo wrote in its lawsuit that its former employee, who helped it develop its parking and driving assistance systems, had realized that his exposure and access to its proprietary technologies would make him "exceedingly valuable" to NVIDIA. 

Moniruzzaman allegedly gave his personal email unauthorized access to Valeo's systems to steal "tens of thousands of files" and 6GB of source code shortly after that development. He then left Valeo a few months later and took the stolen information with him when he was given a senior position at NVIDIA, the complaint reads. He also worked on the very same project he was involved in for Valeo, which is why he was present at that video conference. 

Valeo said its former employee admitted to stealing its software and that German police found its documentation and hardware pinned on Moniruzzaman's walls when his home was raided. According to Bloomberg, he was already convicted of infringement of business secrets in a German court and was ordered to pay €14,400 ($15,750) in September. 

In a letter dated June 2022, NVIDIA's lawyers told the plaintiff's counsel that the company "has no interest in Valeo's code or its alleged trade secrets and has taken prompt concrete steps to protect [its] client’s asserted rights." Valeo still sued the company earlier this month, however, and said that NVIDIA has "saved millions, perhaps hundreds of millions, of dollars in development costs, and generated profits that it did not properly earn and to which it was not entitled" by stealing its trade secrets. 

This is but another proof that competition continues to heat up in the autonomous driving market. Back in 2017, Waymo accused Uber of colluding with its former employee, Anthony Levandowski, to steal over 14,000 confidential and proprietary design files. Levandowski was sentenced to 18 months in prison, but he was pardoned six months later by then President Donald Trump. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/nvidia-sued-for-stealing-trade-secrets-after-screensharing-blunder-showed-rival-companys-code-063009605.html?src=rss

Instagram makes public Reels downloadable for everyone

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Instagram launched the ability to download publicly viewable Reels in June, but it limited the feature's availability to users on mobile in the US. Now, Instagram head Adam Mosseri has announced on his broadcast channel that the feature is rolling out to all users worldwide. Anybody on the app can now download public Reels to their devices and not just save them for viewing later. They simply have to tap on the Share button and start their download from there. 

As TechCrunch reports, Mosseri explained during his broadcast that downloaded Reels will have the Instagram watermark with the account's username, similar to downloaded TikTok videos. In addition, Reels will only come with music if they're scored with original tracks. Instagram will strip their audio if they use licensed music as a background. 

TikTok's video downloading feature helps attract more users to the app, since it gives creators (and reposters) an easy way to share clips across platforms. People who don't have TikTok may decide to sign up if they find creators they want to follow or if they want to see more similar types of content. Instagram could be looking to replicate that strategy, though users will have the ability to prevent their Reels from being download. To change their download options, they'll have to go to Reels and Remix under Privacy in Settings and toggle off "Allow people to download your Reels."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/instagram-makes-public-reels-downloadable-for-everyone-120638475.html?src=rss

Google’s Bard AI chatbot is getting better at understanding YouTube videos

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Google has updated the Bard AI chatbot so you can have deeper and more meaningful conversations with it when it comes to YouTube videos. In its most recent experiment update log, the company has announced that it has expanded the capabilities of Bard's YouTube extension so that when it's enabled, the generative AI can "understand some video content." For example, Google said you'd be able to ask Bard how many eggs were used in a video for an olive oil cake recipe. As Android Authority suggested, you'll also likely be able to ask it for the name of specific tools in DIY videos. For food reviews, Bard may be able to tell you where certain restaurants discussed in videos are located, or where a specific cuisine came from. 

Bard first gained the ability to pull data from YouTube in September after an update that integrates it with other Google products, including Docs, Maps, Lens, Flights and Hotels. It couldn't parse a video's contents, however, and couldn't answer detailed questions about it. Google said it rolled out this update because it "heard you want deeper engagement with YouTube videos." It also said that it has just taken the "first steps in Bard's ability to understand YouTube videos," which indicates that the technology could better analyze videos on the platform in the future. To be able to chat with Bard about YouTube videos, you'll have to enable the YouTube extension on the chatbot's web portal.  

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/googles-bard-ai-chatbot-is-getting-better-at-understanding-youtube-videos-065614540.html?src=rss

Razer’s Black Friday deals knock up to 65 percent off gaming peripherals

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There's a seriously hefty list of Razer products on sale at Amazon right now for Black Friday, with the most deeply discounted accessories selling for up to 65 percent off their retail price. One of the accessories you can grab with a 65 percent discount is the Kiyo Pro Streaming Webcam, which is currently listed for $70.87 instead of its usual price of $200. You can use it for streaming, video conferencing or recording, and it's capable of capturing uncompressed full HD 60 fps videos. It can also take HDR videos at 30 fps and comes with a large aperture, wide-angle lens with three field-of-view options. 

Meanwhile, the Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma wired controller is only $90 right now instead of $150. It comes with remappable back paddles with four extra triggers, non-slip grips for good ergonomics and responsive and tactile buttons. This wired controller is compatible with the Xbox Series X|S, the Xbox One and your PC. If you're looking for a cheaper Xbox controller and don't mind getting a less powerful model, the non-pro Razer Wolverine V2 controller is on sale for $46.12, down 54 percent from $100. It has two extra remappable multi-function buttons and a 3.5mm jack. Both controllers have a Hair Trigger Mode to enable an ultra-fast rate of fire.

You can also grab the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro Wireless Gaming Headset for $100, or $80 off its retail price, right now. Its closed earcups prevent sounds from leaking out and noise from getting in, it supports THX 7.1 surround sound, and it has a detachable mic. While it is a wireless headset, it comes with a 3.5mm jack so you can use it for console gaming. If you need a new mouse for PC gaming, though, the Razer Viper Ultimate Lightweight Wireless Gaming Mouse is on sale for $53.72, as well, which is 59 percent less than its retail price. It was designed to be light and fast, and it was created for both right-handed and left-handed users with programmable buttons on both sides. 

Yet another PC gaming accessory on sale is the Razer BlackWidow V3 Tenkeyless mechanical gaming keyboard that uses the brand's green switches and is compatible with Razer hardware, Philips Hue and products from the brand's partners. Currently being sold for $70, it's down $20 from $90. And if you want a standalone console for your streams, there's the Razer Stream Controller, which you can get for $200 instead of for $270. Even if you didn't see anything you'd buy in this post, you may still want to check out Razer's Black Friday deals page and scroll down until you get to the bottom, where a bunch of other discounted products are listed. 

Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo’s Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog’s experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/razers-black-friday-deals-knock-up-to-65-percent-off-gaming-peripherals-125836307.html?src=rss

OpenAI and Microsoft hit with copyright lawsuit from non-fiction authors

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OpenAI has been hit with another lawsuit, accusing it of using other people's intellectual property without permission to train its generative AI technology. Only this time, the lawsuit also names Microsoft as a defendant. The complaint was filed by Julian Sancton on behalf of a group of non-fiction authors who said they were not compensated for the use of their books and academic journals in training the company's large language model. 

In their lawsuit, the authors state how they spend years "conceiving, researching, and writing their creations." They accuse OpenAI and Microsoft of refusing to pay authors while building a business "valued into the tens of billions of dollars by taking the combined works of humanity without permission." The companies pretend copyright laws do not exist, the complaint reads, and have "enjoyed enormous financial gain from their exploitation of copyrighted material."

Sancton is the author behind Madhouse at the End of the Earth: The Belgica’s Journey Into the Dark Antarctic, which tells the true survival story of an 1897 polar expedition that got stuck in the ocean in the middle of a sunless Antarctic winter. Sancton spent five years and tens of thousands of dollars to research and write the book. "Such an investment of time and money is feasible for Plaintiff Sancton and other writers because, in exchange for their creative efforts, the Copyright Act grants them 'a bundle of exclusive rights' in their works, including 'the rights to reproduce the copyrighted work[s],'" according to the lawsuit. 

As Forbes notes, OpenAI previously said that content generated by ChatGPT doesn't constitute "derivative work" and, hence, doesn't infringe on any copyright. Sancton's lawsuit is merely the latest complaint against the company over its use of copyrighted work to train its technology. Earlier this year, screenwriter and author also Michael Chabon sued OpenAI for the same thing, as did George R.R. Martin, John Grisham and Jodi Picoult. Comedian Sarah Silverman filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and Meta, as well. Sancton is now seeking damages and injunctive relief for all the proposed class action's defendants. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/openai-and-microsoft-hit-with-copyright-lawsuit-from-non-fiction-authors-101505740.html?src=rss

ChatGPT’s voice chat feature is rolling out to free users

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OpenAI introduced voice chats with ChatGPT on Android and iOS back in September, giving users the option to have actual back-and-forth conversations with the chatbot if they want to. The company only made the feature available to Plus and Enterprise subscribers back then, though, with the promise that it will eventually release it to other groups of users. Now, OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman has announced on X that voice conversations on ChatGPT have started rolling out to all free users on mobile. 

When the company first introduced voice chats, it admitted that the capability to create "realistic synthetic voices from just a few seconds of real speech" presents new risks. It could, for instance, allow bad actors to impersonate public figures or anybody they want. As a result, it decided that ChatGPT's voice feature will focus on conversations. It's powered by a text-to-speech model that can generate "human-like audio from just text and a few seconds of sample speech." OpenAI worked with voice actors to create the capability and offers five different voices to choose from. 

We checked our ChatGPT app on Android and have yet to gain access to voice conversations, which indicates that the feature could take sometime before reaching everybody's accounts. It's not quite clear if users have to opt in to be able to access it, but paid subscribers had to enable it by going to Settings and then to New Features when voice chats rolled out. 

Brockman announced the capability's wide release after he had already left his seat as President of OpenAI. He quit of his own accord after the company's board fired Sam Altman as CEO, causing mayhem with senior staff members resigning in protest and the rest of the employees threatening to quit unless he's reinstated. Shortly after he made the announcement, OpenAI announced that Altman and Brockman had been reinstated and will be returning to their posts. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/chatgpts-voice-chat-feature-is-rolling-out-to-free-users-085549323.html?src=rss

Ubisoft has suspended advertising on Elon Musk’s X

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Ubisoft is the latest company to join what seems to be a growing list of advertisers pulling their campaigns from Elon Musk's X, formerly known as Twitter. The company has confirmed to PCGamer and Axios that it has paused advertising on the website, possibly making it the first video game publisher to do so. While Ubisoft didn't elaborate on its reasoning behind the decision, X's advertisers have been suspending their advertising activities on the social network after Musk supported an antisemitic tweet and Media Matters published a research showing brands' advertisements next to Nazi content. 

IBM, Apple, Disney, Paramount, Warner Bros, Sony and Comcast have all paused their advertising on X. Lionsgate pulled its ads, as well, specifically citing Musk's tweet as the cause. Axios says Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Nexus VR ad campaign was still showing up for X users as recently as Monday morning, and it's unclear if it stopped advertising on the social network before or after Linda Yaccarino published a statement calling Media Matters' report "misleading and manipulated." 

X's CEO issued a call for users and advertisers to "stand with X," claiming that "not a single authentic user on [the website] saw IBM's, Comcast's, or Oracle's ads next to the content in Media Matters’' article." Shortly after that, X officially filed a lawsuit against the media watchdog, accusing it of "knowingly and maliciously manufactur[ing] side-by-side images depicting advertisers' posts on X Corp.'s social media platform beside Neo-Nazi and white national fringe content." 

In its complaint, X explained that Media Matters had to create the right conditions, which included following accounts that post fringe Neo-Nazi and white nationalist content, in order to see ads right next to antisemitic posts. 

Media Matters called the lawsuit "frivolous" and an attempt to "bully X's critics into silence" in a statement sent to Engadget. The organization also told us that it "stands behind its reporting and looks forward to winning in court."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ubisoft-has-suspended-advertising-on-elon-musks-x-074507139.html?src=rss