Author Archives: Sarah Fielding

New report says ‘the world is on a disastrous trajectory’ due to climate change

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As a controversial COP28 continues in Dubai, a new report emphasizes that "the world is on a disastrous trajectory." The Global Tipping Points report emphasized the need for an immediate phasing out of fossil fuels and a commitment to beneficial solutions. Tipping points are small thresholds that, when crossed, spark a series of events, including the passage of other tipping points. 

The report, led by the University of Exeter and the Global Systems Institute, looked at 26 negative tipping points and the Earth's chances of breaching them as it heads towards a global warming of 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit. Scientists from the European Union have declared 2023 as the hottest year on record. As things stand, researchers found five tipping points are currently at risk of being hit, such as major ice sheets collapsing and warm-water coral reefs dying off. Another three are possible in the 2030s (when that 2.7 F marker is crossed).

The Global Tipping Points report bluntly states: "The existence of tipping points means that 'business as usual' is now over. Rapid changes to nature and society are occurring, and more are coming. If we don't revise our governance approach, these changes could overwhelm societies as the natural world rapidly comes apart." It also emphasizes the importance of pursuing positive tipping points, such as the massive rollout of EVs.

The report lays out six key recommendations to avoid negative tipping points and pursue positive ones:

  • Phase our fossil fuels and land use emissions now, certainly way before 2050

  • Strengthen adaptation and loss-and-damage governance, with a particular focus on vulnerable communities

  • Include tipping point risks, positive tipping point possibilities and related action in the Global Stocktake and Nationally Determined Contributions

  • Coordinate policy efforts on activating positive tipping points, especially ones that could create a beneficial domino effect

  • Have the UN Secretary General convene a meeting on tipping point risks and activating positive tipping points

  • Invest in deepening the scientific knowledge of tipping points and helpful actions

The controversies surrounding the ongoing COP28 are one of the barriers to implementing these initiatives. Reports have indicated that the United Arab Emirates planned to use the conference to make deals for its oil and gas companies with other countries. In fact, at least 2,456 fossil fuel lobbyists have access to COP28's climate negotiations, the Guardian reports. This number is larger than any country's delegation other than Brazil and UAE and more than those traveling from the top ten most climate vulnerable countries.

Then there's Sultan Al Jaber, COP28's president and the chief executive of Adnoc, UAE's state oil company, who added fire to his already controversial opinion. In a livestream conversation with Mary Robinson, the chair of the Elders group and a former UN special envoy for climate change, Al Jaber stated, "There is no science out there, or no scenario out there, that says that the phase-out of fossil fuel is what's going to achieve 1.5C." His comment came after Robinson told Al Jaber that he had the "credibility" as head of Adnoc to work towards ending fossil fuel use.

Robinson then questioned Al Jaber about reports that Adnoc is increasing its fossil fuel use, which he denied. "Please help me, show me the roadmap for a phase-out of fossil fuel that will allow for sustainable socioeconomic development, unless you want to take the world back into caves," Al Jaber added and told her to stop pointing fingers. He later called out the press for misinterpreting his statements.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/new-report-says-the-world-is-on-a-disastrous-trajectory-due-to-climate-change-132508138.html?src=rss

Discord overhauls its mobile app with new tabs, messaging features and more

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Discord bluntly describes the mobile app it launched in 2015 as a squished-down version of its desktop platform. But that acknowledgment comes with an announcement that said app is getting a complete redesign that's an "independent experience" from its computer-based counterpart. It includes a new set of navigation tabs prominently displayed at the bottom of your screen: Servers, Messages, Notifications and You. 

While Discord considered changes like a horizontal layout, the Servers tab looks very similar to before — just no direct messaging option. Instead, a Messaging tab replaces the existing Friends one, displaying all your one-on-one and group messages in one place instead of having to click through multiple pages. You can also favorite a conversation so it stays at the top of your chats and use a search bar to find a message, file, pin or attachment across all discussions — same as WhatsApp or general messaging. Also new in conversations is the ability to swipe left on a message to reply to it, rather than having to hold it down. You might have noticed that Discord already changed the formatting of picture messages to show in a gallery style versus one by one.

Discord UI
Engadget

The Notifications tab will now include server events, friend requests and message replies, all of which you can click to reach the source immediately. Plus, notifications should now auto-clear instead of requiring you to remove them. Rounding out the now four tabs on the bottom (bye search) is still the You page. The Friends tab has been integrated here, alongside features like changing your status or profile picture. This is also still the tab for accessing account settings but with a bit more convenience. You can double-tap the You tab to go directly to account settings and, once there, there's a search bar to find whatever information you need. One tool you can access there is the new Midnight theme, providing a pure black background that should rest your eyes a bit.

The app's functioning has also improved, with Discord claiming that opening the app will take you 55 percent less time on Android and 43 percent less on iOS — apparently using four times less data while doing so. Android users' crash rate has also been reduced by half over the past year. Plus, voice and video calls have improved functioning, with an updated UI allowing for "more intuitive interactions." 

Discord also shared that it's working on other requested updates, such as quick access to a server's member list, better search filters, more customization options for viewing messages, and overall app performance improvements. You can use the feedback forum at any point to express things you're unhappy with or that you'd like to see changed.

Notably, Discord got itself in a bit of hot water recently with the US Senate Judiciary Committee. The company refused to have its CEO, Jason Citron, testify about children's safety online, wouldn't accept an electronic subpoena and merited an office visit by US Marshals to hand deliver one. Citron will speak with the committee about protecting kids — and Discord's "failures" to do so — alongside the CEOs of Meta, X, TikTok and Snap on January 31, 2024, at 10 AM ET.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/discord-overhauls-its-mobile-app-with-new-tabs-messaging-features-and-more-170035917.html?src=rss

Apple Watch Series 9 falls to a new low of $310

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There's something so satisfying about waiting to buy a newly released product and then seeing it go on sale. Take the Apple Watch Series 9, which debuted in September at $399 before dropping to $329 for Black Friday. If you still waited, there's good news: the Apple Watch Series 9 in (Product) Red and Storm Blue is even cheaper now, at a new all-time low of $310. The great deal comes courtesy of an eight percent discount and a $59 coupon that will activate at checkout. 

The Apple Watch Series 9 is an excellent addition to the lineup and (potentially) to your wrist. We gave it a 92 in our review thanks to new and improved features like Double Tap and Raise To Speak. Double Tap rolled out to devices in October and works by tapping your index finger and thumb together on the same hand as your watch. This motion can complete actions like answering or ending a call and replying to a message with dictation.

Raise To Speak involves elevating your wrist to activate Siri, though, in our experience, this only works about half the time. Speaking of Siri, requests to the digital assistant now go directly through the watch instead of another one of your devices. This update means you can still ask Siri something offline or disconnected from your iPhone. 

Another nice feature comes courtesy of the Apple Watch Series 9's second-generation UWB chip. Now, you can find out how many feet you are from your paired device and which direction it's in. Once you get closer than five feet, the missing device will buzz. The Series 9 is also one of Apple's first two carbon neutral products (the other is the Ultra 2). 

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-watch-series-9-falls-to-a-new-low-of-310-131051573.html?src=rss

GM’s first EV chargers at Flying J rest stops are now open

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Car manufacturers continue pushing out EVs, and the government keeps offering incentives, but accessing charging stations is still a barrier for many people considering purchasing an EV. To that end, last year, General Motors partnered with Pilot Travel Centers and EVgo to install up to 500 charging stations at Pilot Flying J rest stops, and the first ones are now open. 

Currently, there are 17 charging stations open across 13 states, with GM estimating that number will jump to at least 25 before the end of 2023 — with 100 chargers between them. GM states that "many" stations will include multiple chargers with 350kW (which can be reduced depending on a car's charging needs), around-the-clock access with onsite staff, pull-through charging stations, Plug and Charge compatibility and protective canopies. They will also have typical rest stop amenities, such as restrooms and food, along with free Wi-Fi. 

EV drivers can locate charging stations in a few ways, including the GM vehicle brand, Pilot myRewards Plus and EVgo apps. The myRewards Plus app will have food, drink and merchandise deals for all EV owners. But, starting in Spring 2024, GM customers will also get discounts on charging fees and be able to reserve charging stations ahead of time. 

The 500 total stations should have up to 2,000 charging stalls and connect both urban and rural areas across the United States. While there's no end date for the project's completion, the trio plans to open 200 charging stations by the end of 2024. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gms-first-ev-chargers-at-flying-j-rest-stops-are-now-open-120239403.html?src=rss

Meta and IBM form open-source alliance to counter big AI players

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AI development and concerns about its safety continue to grow at a rapid pace with little regulation in place. The latest industry-based solution to this comes courtesy of IBM and Meta, which have announced the creation of the AI Alliance. Its mission centers on "fostering an open community and enabling developers and researchers to accelerate responsible innovation in AI while ensuring scientific rigor, trust, safety, security, diversity and economic competitiveness." Part of this work will involve efforts to expand the number of open-source AI models — ones with public source code — which runs counter to the private models of companies like OpenAI and Google.

Open-sourcing is a key pillar of the AI Alliance. "We believe it's better when AI is developed openly — more people can access the benefits, build innovative products and work on safety," Nick Clegg, president of Global Affairs at Meta, said in a statement. "The AI Alliance brings together researchers, developers and companies to share tools and knowledge that can help us all make progress whether models are shared openly or not. We're looking forward to working with partners to advance the state-of-the-art in AI and help everyone build responsibly."

In its announcement, the AI Alliance stated that it will "start or enhance" any projects with specific goals, such as developing benchmarks to ensure the responsible creation of AI systems. This step should involve building a catalog of vetted tools and advocating for developers to utilize them. 

Among other initiatives, it also plans to focus on safety and transparency, including creating educational resources that inform the public and policymakers about the many facets of AI or launching initiatives and events that highlight ways to develop AI safely.

IBM and Meta are joined by over 50 organizations and educational bodies worldwide, such as Intel, NASA, Cleveland Clinic and Yale University. Notably, OpenAI, creator of ChatGPT, is not one of the founding members.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/meta-and-ibm-form-open-source-alliance-to-counter-big-ai-players-104847131.html?src=rss

Prime members can buy a Blink Video Doorbell and two Outdoor Cameras for $100

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If you recently moved into a new place or are just looking to update your home's security, now's a good time to do so. Though Black Friday has come and gone, Blink's video doorbell and two fourth-generation outdoor smart security cameras bundle is currently on sale for $100 (the devices add up to $315 if bought separately). There's a small catch, though: the deal is only available to Prime members. 

While Prime members had access to a similar deal back in September, this time around, the two Blink outdoor cameras included are the fourth-generation model. The cameras offer better image quality and low-light sensitivity. They also have an expanded field of vision, 143 degrees compared to their predecessor's 110 degrees. The cameras should function for two years before the battery needs replacing. The bundle includes six double AA lithium batteries, along with one Sync Module 2, one USB cable, three mounting kits and a power adapter. 

Blink's outdoor camera and video doorbell both allow you to hear and speak with whoever is outside. You can also use the doorbell wirelessly by setting up in-app chimes or with a Blink Mini indoor camera. Otherwise, you can choose to hook it up to your existing system. You can store any clips from these devices in the cloud with a 30-day trial of the Blink Subscription Plan included. After that, Blink Plus will cost you $100 annually. 

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/prime-members-can-buy-a-blink-video-doorbell-and-two-outdoor-cameras-for-100-103504782.html?src=rss

Logitech’s Litra Glow streamer light falls to a new low of $40

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It's getting dark much too early, and that means a lot more time in movies or live streaming with a bright overhead light or frustrating shadows. Logitech's Litra Glow is a fantastic option for ensuring you look good on camera, and right now, it's at a new all-time low price. The light is down to $40 from $60 thanks to a 17 percent off sale and an additional $10 coupon applied at checkout. 

Logitech's Litra Glow is a Premium LED Streaming Light designed for creators and is our recommendation for game-streaming gear that will make you feel like a pro. It clips right onto your computer next to its webcam with three-way mounting, letting you adjust its height, tilt and rotation. The light is USB-powered, so you'll want room for its cord to hide behind your monitor.

The Litra Glow is equipped with Truesoft technology, so you won't just have a painfully bright light in your face. You can also adjust the light's brightness and temperature (a great tool for warm light fans) based on the time of day and personal preference. You can make these changes using manual controls or Logitech's app.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/logitechs-litra-glow-streamer-light-falls-to-a-new-low-of-40-141910194.html?src=rss

Threads may finally launch in Europe in December

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Meta has decided to play ball with the European Union's online services regulations in order to bring Threads to its member countries. According to The Wall Street Journal, Meta will make Threads available across Europe in December and, in compliance with EU policies, allow users to access the platform without needing to create a profile. 

Threads first launched to most of the world in July as an alternative to Elon Musk's increasingly polarizing X, formerly known as Twitter. Threads reached 100 million users in its first week but has experienced some drop-off. The Meta-owned platform currently has about 73 million active users compared to X's 365 million.

An expansion into the EU will undoubtedly grow Thread's global engagement, but time will tell how fast and to what extent. In October, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg predicted that Threads could see a reach of one billion users in the next few years. Instagram, which people can use to make a Threads account quickly, has over two billion active users but didn't hit the one billion mark until eight years after launch. Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, has also announced that deleting your Threads account will no longer delete your associated Instagram account — another point of contention.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/threads-may-finally-launch-in-europe-in-december-124054154.html?src=rss

Meta, X, TikTok, Snap and Discord CEOs will testify before the Senate over online child safety

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Social media's negative impact on children's and young adults' mental health has been a growing cause of concern for parents and lawmakers. Now, the CEOs of Meta, TikTok, Snap, Discord and X are set to testify in front of the US Senate Judiciary Committee on "their failure to protect children online." Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew are willing participants. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel, Discord CEO Jason Citron and X CEO Linda Yaccarino are testifying after being subpoenaed.

Senator Dick Durbin, chair of the Judiciary Committee, and Senator Lindsey Graham, its ranking member, released a statement expressing their frustration with Snap, Discord, and X's initial refusal to have their CEOs participate and even accept the subpoenas. In Discord's case, US Marshals visited their offices to serve the document. 

The senators further shared a feeling of hypocrisy at these platforms wanting a say in policy but fighting against getting involved in discussions. "When we held our first hearing on protecting children online with experts and advocates earlier this year, Big Tech griped about not getting an invitation. We promised them that their time would come," Durbin and Graham stated. "We've known from the beginning that our efforts to protect children online would be met with hesitation from Big Tech. They finally are being forced to acknowledge their failures when it comes to protecting kids. Now that all five companies are cooperating, we look forward to hearing from their CEOs. Parents and kids demand action." 

The Judiciary Committee has focused on this issue a great deal throughout the year, approving bills that would force online platforms to take more responsibility in protecting children (and be more transparent in their efforts) and improve reporting of online child sexual exploitation, among other steps. The hearing with the CEOs from the five tech giants was originally set for December but will now take place on January 31, 2024, at 10 AM ET. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/meta-x-tiktok-snap-and-discord-ceos-will-testify-before-the-senate-over-online-child-safety-110559486.html?src=rss

Dragon’s Dogma 2 finally has a release date

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Over a year after Capcom first confirmed a sequel was coming for Dragon's Dogma, there's finally a release date. Capcom has announced Dragon's Dogma 2 will arrive on March 22, 2024, on the Xbox Series X and Series S, the PlayStation 5 and PC. There's also a new trailer to give you a better look at what to expect from the sequel.

Dragon's Dogma 2 comes 12 years after the original game came into the world. While there were issues like a mediocre interface, the game provided a detailed, customizable story that found a devoted fan base. 

The sequel takes place in a parallel world to the original, following Arisen who had his heart stolen by the Dragon. As Capcom explains, "Queen Regent Disa has installed a false Arisen to maintain control of the kingdom of Vermund for her son. Meanwhile, the beastren nation of Battahl considers the otherworldly Pawns to be a source of misfortune and have turned to worship of the Lambent Flame and their empress Nadinia to ward off calamity." You can play as Arisen or as Main Pawn — whose personality is customizable. Dragon's Dogma 2 also introduces new monsters, such as the towering Golem named Talos. 

While there are still a few months until gameplay can commence, you can officially pre-order Dragon's Dogma 2 now. The standard version retails for $70 and includes a bonus weapon for each starting vocation in pre-order. The Deluxe Edition is available for $80 and has a "New Journey Pack" with items like a custom camping kit and Rift Crystals — plus the Ring of Assurance for pre-orders.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/dragons-dogma-2-finally-has-a-release-date-131037836.html?src=rss