Author Archives: Jeremy Gan

Zoom’s latest feature update focuses heavily on its AI assistant

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Zoom’s Zoomtopia 2024 feature drop is, perhaps unsurprisingly, focused on actively integrating AI even more into its platform, especially for Zoom Workplace and Zoom Business Services. There’s plenty to talk about, but we’ll focus on Zoom AI Companion 2.0 for Zoom Workplace since this appears to be the biggest news the company is announcing today.

AI Companion 2.0 promises to be a persistent presence in a Zoom Workplace window, and it will even remember previous conversations and come up with citations for statements users made. Since it’s connected to the web, it can work with external apps like Gmail, Google Calendar and Microsoft Office. Other functions include summarizing documents, email chains and generating content drafts.

AI Companion is an assistant designed to help workers find important points in messages, take notes, create post-call summaries and help compose emails. It can also generate content like speaker biographies, event descriptions and messages.

If you haven’t encountered it before, Zoom Workplace is a paid plan designed for companies that have many remote workers. The plan has functions designed to improve collaboration and communication. Besides organizing meetings, Zoom Workplace lets teams schedule events, write on virtual whiteboards and even send clips of meetings to keep members up to speed. It also has features that compete directly with Google like mail, calendars and docs. In short, it’s Zoom for remote and hybrid teams.

AI Companion 2.0 isn’t ready for release yet, but it should be downloadable next month for free if you’re paying for a Zoom Workplace account. It won’t be available for all regions or industries, but Zoom wasn’t more specific about where exactly you can use it.

If the standard AI Companion feature set isn’t enough, there’s Zoom AI Studio, which lets users tailor the companion to their liking. For example, you can teach the AI your company’s unique vocabulary and jargon. It can also reference company HR resources or documentation to provide answers. The custom AI Companion add-on costs $12 per user each month, and it will be available in the first half of 2025. Some features will be available for preview in the next few months.

While the AI Companion works for online meetings, it can also listen in on in-person meetings. Based on available office data, it can provide meeting summaries and even recommend specific days for employees to go into the office.

Besides the many new AI features, Zoom is branching out but offering industry-specific AI functions. So far, there’s Zoom Workplace for Frontline, Healthcare, Clinicians and Education. Zoom Workplace for Education uses AI for lecture summaries, live-generated notes, personalized feedback and more. Frontline users have access to shift summaries, insights, communications and more. Zoom Workplace for Clinicians and Healthcare will each have specialized features that benefit workers in those sectors.

Those interested in these Zoom updates can tune in to Zoomtopia 2024 today if in the US. Another session on the 10th will also be tailored for Asian-Pacific, Middle Eastern and Japanese time zones.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/zooms-latest-feature-update-focuses-heavily-on-its-ai-assistant-170013512.html?src=rss

A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead can hear real-world sounds through your controller’s microphone

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A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead is set for an October 17 release, making it the first video game spinoff from the Quiet Place franchise. The premise involves sound-sensitive creatures that hunt by listening for prey, and one wrong move spells disaster, making it perfect for a horror game adaptation. The developers have just announced that A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead will feature noise detection support.

Fans of the films already know that silence is the most important thing about this franchise. The characters try to move around without making noise because any sound will attract aliens with an extraordinary sense of hearing. To boost immersion, developer Stormind Games is implementing a “Microphone Noise Detection” feature. If you make a sound in real life, the aliens can hear you through your microphone and potentially kill you.

Playing without the microphone can be challenging enough since movement and interaction with objects make noise. But by activating it, the difficulty is sure to skyrocket. We expect increased heart rates and lots of screaming. The game is set to arrive on Steam, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, and you can pre-order it for $30 now.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/a-quiet-place-the-road-ahead-can-hear-real-world-sounds-through-your-controllers-microphone-153821754.html?src=rss

The Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 technical alpha happens this month

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Those looking forward to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024’s November 19 release may get an early taste of what the flight simulator feels like. The developers have opened up sign-ups for the software’s technical alpha test. We still don’t know when the alpha will be online, but Microsoft is saying it will be on a weekend this October. Additionally, this test is confined to PC only.

The image below includes Microsoft’s minimum, recommended and ideal PC specs. Your PC should at least reach the minimum requirements for a chance of selection. Spots are also limited, so not everyone who signs up will be selected. Microsoft says that all who sign up must run a DxDiag test and provide their PC specs. Selected participants will be informed of the test dates via email, and access should be limited to two or three days.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Specs
Microsoft

If you weren’t selected, you’ll have to wait until the game launches on November 19. The full release, for Xbox Series X/S as well as PC, should be a much better experience.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/the-microsoft-flight-simulator-2024-technical-alpha-happens-this-month-144231252.html?src=rss

Threads code shows that a community groups feature may be in development

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Many social media platforms take ideas from each other, and Meta seems to be doing something similar recently. As first reported by TechCrunch, Threads is testing a community groups feature that’s similar to Subreddits and X Communities. Chris Messina, a Threads early adopter, discovered this after scanning the latest app update’s code.

Messina discovered references to “Loops” in the code on Monday. Besides that, the code also mentions how users can join or leave communities as well as name a Loop community. In TechCrunch’s report, an unidentified Instagram source confirmed that the feature is still in the earliest developmental phases and is not being tested yet.

Messina said in his thread that users can join communities and discuss relevant topics, similar to the competition. However, since Threads doesn’t use traditional hashtags, it’s likely Loops will need a different tagging system.

How Thread’s Loops will work remains to be seen, as we haven’t seen much of it. Alessandro Paluzzi, a developer and leaker, did manage to find out what Loops may look like, including a menu to create new Loops. Much more about this feature is still unknown, and we’ll have to wait for official announcements to find out more.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/threads-code-shows-that-a-community-groups-feature-may-be-in-development-133729430.html?src=rss

Sony will delist LittleBigPlanet 3 and its DLC on October 31

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LittleBigPlanet 3 has been around for a long time. The beloved game was released in November 2014 for both the PS3 and PS4. But after just about a decade, gamers won’t be able to purchase it and its DLC after October 31 because Sony will delist it.

To be clear, the game and DLC won’t be available for purchase anymore after the end of the month, but you can still keep your copies and enjoy them. Sadly, ever since the PS4 servers were shut down back in April this year, fan-created levels that weren’t already saved locally aren't available to download and play anymore. At this point, you’re limited to the base game — something worth playing, but much of the game’s charm came from all its user-generated content.

Sony didn’t say why it is delisting LittleBigPlanet 3, but it’s possible that the game’s music licenses are expiring after 10 years. No matter the reason, it’s best to grab a copy of the game if you want to enjoy your adventures with Sackboy.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/sony-will-delist-littlebigplanet-3-and-its-dlc-on-october-31-154650421.html?src=rss

Sequel to 2014’s Alien: Isolation is now in development

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Many fans of 2014’s Alien: Isolation video game praised its graphics, story and general gameplay, making it a bit of a standout from many other games adapted from a movie. It even received seven separate DLC packs. Gamers have been enjoying this cult classic on mobile and Switch for a while now, but today, on the game’s 10th anniversary, the developers announced that they’re developing a sequel.

Yes, you heard us right. Alien: Isolation now has a sequel in early development. If you don’t believe us, take the official X account’s word for it.

We currently don’t have any other details on this sequel, but a look back at reviews for Alien: Isolation should give you hope we’ll get another solid game here. If the sequel is anything like the original, then you can expect horror, stealth and second-guessing yourself just as the claws of an alien take your life.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/sequel-to-2014s-alien-isolation-is-now-in-development-162213148.html?src=rss

How to use the new Apple Cash Tap to Cash feature in iOS 18

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iPhone and Apple Watch users who prefer paying with Apple Cash over other apps like Venmo can now send or receive money in person using Tap to Cash. All transactions using this method are private, which means your phone number and email aren’t shared with the other party. Let’s see how you can use Tap to Cash.

To use Tap to Cash, you and the other person must have an iPhone that’s been updated to iOS 18 or an Apple Watch running watchOS 11. Naturally, you should have a verified Apple Cash account already set up. Using cellular data is fine if you’re not connected to Wi-Fi.

It’s important to remember that you can only send or receive a maximum of $2,000 per seven-day period. The minimum amount you can send is $1, and the maximum is $2,000. These limits are unique to Tap to Cash, and if you need to pay more, you must swap to Messages.

Apple Cash is currently only available in the US. For those outside the US, you'll have to rely on other payment methods. Venmo is also US-only.

On your iPhone, open the Wallet app and look for your Apple Cash card. Note that you won’t be able to do this by double-clicking your iPhone’s side button to get into Apple Pay — you’ll need to unlock your phone and open the Wallet app directly. Select “Send or Request” and then tap “Tap to Cash.” You can then enter the desired amount to pay the recipient, and there’s an option to add a note specifying the payment’s reason or context. Tap “Next” to proceed.

You’ll now have to double-click the side button to confirm your payment, ensuring you’re paying the recipient. After doing so, hold your iPhone so the top is close to the recipient’s iPhone or Apple Watch. Confirm the transaction went through, and you’re free to make another one.

To check the transaction, open the Wallet app and tap on your Apple Cash card. The transaction should be under “Latest Transactions” and have a Tap to Cash icon beside it.

The process is similar to using Tap to Cash on iPhone. You must first open your Wallet, tap your Apple Cash card and then pick “Tap to Cash.” Enter how much you want to send and proceed by tapping “Next.”

Double-click the side button to initiate the transaction. Hold your Apple Watch next to the recipient’s Apple Watch or iPhone before making sure the money went through. You can also look at the latest transactions by opening the Wallet, tapping on your card and tapping a transaction to see if it has “via Tap to Cash” in the information.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/how-to-use-the-new-apple-cash-tap-to-cash-feature-in-ios-18-151915913.html?src=rss

Garmin’s new Lily 2 Active smartwatch is pretty cute, for a GPS watch

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Garmin has just announced its Lily 2 Active smartwatch, which is currently the company’s smallest model with built-in GPS functionality. It boasts nine days of battery life when used without GPS and nine hours with GPS mode on.

This sleek metal watch has two buttons and a display that activates with a tap or wrist turn. The buttons are used to select activities or switch screens. As with many smartwatches out right now, the Lily 2 Active can also gather information on your last night’s sleep and grant insights on improving sleep quality. The sleep function also records heart rate, sleep stages, stress and respiration, among other factors useful for calculating your sleep score. You can also use Body Battery monitoring to check your energy levels.

For those who like to follow workout videos or routines, you can download workouts for strength, yoga sessions and high intensity interval training (HIIT). You can view these workouts on the watch screen to ensure you follow the planned workout correctly.

One final feature that impressed us was the morning report. The Lily 2 Active can provide all of the information above in the morning, as well as “women’s health tracking” information. For example, users can use the smartwatch to track their menstrual cycles and pregnancies.

The Lily 2 Active is compatible with the Garmin Connect smartphone app on iOS and Android. The app lets you check data collected by the watch, and you can even challenge friends who have Garmin products.

We didn’t forget to mention the colors. The Lily 2 Active smartwatch is available in two color schemes: Lunar Gold and Bone or Silver and Purple Jasmine. Those interested can purchase it now for $300.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/wearables/garmins-new-lily-2-active-smartwatch-is-pretty-cute-for-a-gps-watch-165410157.html?src=rss

The NVIDIA app, currently in beta, will replace GeForce Experience soon

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This February, NVIDIA released a one-stop graphical adjustments app in beta, succinctly named the NVIDIA App. The app isn’t a direct replacement for the existing GeForce Experience app since it also lets you install other NVIDIA apps like GeForce NOW (cloud gaming) and NVIDIA Broadcast (improved streaming experience), which GeForce Experience isn’t capable of. However, the latest NVIDIA App updates are slowly attempting to combine the two experiences into one, as the company announced today.

For most gamers with NVIDIA GPUs, GeForce Experience is the most common option for adjusting game graphical settings, updating drivers, and some other quick settings. The new NVIDIA App can do all of that and more, such as activating AI-powered ray-tracing filters for supported games. It also features a new in-game overlay, among other features.

One of the additions in today’s update is RTX HDR multi-monitor support. Those who own multiple HDR-certified monitors can now enable HDR on them simultaneously. You can also now configure G-Sync with the NVIDIA App, something you previously could only do with the NVIDIA Control Panel, which can be confusing to navigate to some people.

Most importantly, NVIDIA is now working hard to integrate more Control Panel features into the NVIDIA app. Once the app exits beta around the end of the year, the company plans to migrate all GeForce Experience users to the new app. For now, users are highly encouraged to provide feedback.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/the-nvidia-app-currently-in-beta-will-replace-geforce-experience-soon-152853070.html?src=rss

US labor board accuses Apple of violating employees’ rights

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Apple has been in hot water with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) since 2022 when the company was accused of union-busting. It agreed to review its labor practices last January, but the NLRB determined that Apple had violated workers’ rights soon after. Today, the NLRB strikes again, accusing Apple of anti-union practices, denying employees the right to discuss wages and even signing illegal nondisclosure, noncompete and confidentiality agreements.

Truth be told, this is pretty much the same song and dance covered since 2022. These complaints originate from former Apple employees Cher Scarlett and Ashley Gjøvik. They claimed that Apple prohibited wage discussion and that CEO Tim Cook aimed to punish leakers, respectively. Gjøvik also alleged that it prevented staff from talking to reporters.

Apple provided a statement to Reuters, which first reported on this complaint. The company claims it always honors employees’ rights to discuss wages, hours and working conditions. Should Apple not settle the case, an administrative judge will hear it in January.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/us-labor-board-accuses-apple-of-violating-employees-rights-164643503.html?src=rss