Author Archives: Jeremy Gan

The Guardian is leaving X

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The Guardian announced it will no longer be active on X (formerly Twitter) — all its editorial accounts will stop posting on the platform. Users can, of course, still share the outlet's articles on X, and journalists working for The Guardian may link to or embed X posts in their articles or continue using the platform to gather news.

According to the statement, X has become rife with “far-right conspiracy theories and racism” and is simply not worth sinking more resources into. The newspaper would rather spend its time and energy on less "toxic" platforms. Additionally, The Guardian cites Elon Musk as a major reason for moving away, since the results of the recent US presidential election have allegedly shown how Musk "has been able to use its influence to shape political discourse." Essentially, the concern appears to be that continuing to post would be adding fuel to a propaganda machine.

The Guardian isn’t the only news outlet to ditch X: NPR and PBS both left in 2023. Corporations like Apple, IBM, Disney and others still post, but no longer advertise on X. These companies have historically been the social media platform’s biggest source of ad income, as reported by Axios.

The Guardian claims it's able to make this decision because it doesn’t rely on advertising as its main business model. But Twitter was always more about influence than driving traffic, and the returns on investment for publishers have only gotten worse with time.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/the-guardian-is-leaving-x-144549755.html?src=rss

Shell wins appeal in Dutch court after three-year battle against green groups

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Climate activists won against Shell in 2021 when a Dutch court commanded the oil giant to reduce its carbon emissions by 45 percent by the end of 2030. Three years later, Shell managed to win its appeal against this ruling. In the court's view, Shell doesn’t have a “social standard of care” to curtail emissions, the BBC reports.

The 2021 ruling was noteworthy, as it was the first time a court made a private company obey the 2015 Paris Agreement in addition to Dutch law. However, the appeals court judge said that while Shell had an obligation to reduce emissions, a 45 percent cut could not be established as there is no universally accepted amount. Shell’s statement says it’s planning to reduce its products’ carbon intensity by a comparatively paltry 15 to 20 percent by 2030 compared to a 2016 baseline.

The 2021 ruling would only be effective in the Netherlands as well. Shell wouldn’t have been legally obligated to follow the lower court's ruling for its operations outside Dutch territory. Now even that small gain is off the table for now.

The activists, who are largely associated with Milieudefensie (the Dutch branch of Friends of the Earth), issued a statement promising to continue the fight against climate change. “Large polluters are powerful. But united, we as people have the power to change them,” said Donald Pols, Director of Milieudefensie. They’re now trying to take the case to the Supreme Court, but getting a final verdict will likely take years.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/shell-wins-appeal-in-dutch-court-after-three-year-battle-against-green-groups-165543894.html?src=rss

Signal makes it easier to start group video calls

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Signal users may be familiar with the problem of creating group chats just for a group call, but that’s about to become a thing of the past. You can now share a call link and let up to 50 people hop in, all in the span of a few seconds. The days of selecting contacts one by one are over.

Now, all you have to do is create a call link after going to the Calls tab and send it to whomever you want. The link is also reusable, which is convenient if you have fixed call times. Participants can raise their hands and send emojis. Hosts can set the room up so people must be approved before joining the conversation.

Based on Signal’s blog post, the new group call experience highly resembles Zoom. Those interested in privacy yet desire a conference call-like experience may find the new update helpful. Like Zoom, the desktop app offers more options.

Besides Zoom, these features will be familiar to frequent users of Microsoft Teams, Google Meet and some WhatsApp users. Raising hands is found on all three platforms as a non-verbal way to signal the speaker. WhatsApp does have a lower participant count of 32 people after an update in June. While there’s no raise hands function, doing certain gestures can send emojis for all to see. It’s worth noting that many apps with group call functionality are adopting similar features.

These new features are available on Android, iOS, Windows and macOS. If you don’t see them yet, we recommend updating your Signal app.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/signal-makes-it-easier-to-start-group-video-calls-153519653.html?src=rss

Rogue Point is a tactical shooter from the teams behind Worms and Black Mesa

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Team17, the developer of the Worms and publisher of Dredge, Blasphemous and more, is working on Rogue Point, a new rogue-lite tactical FPS game. The studio has enlisted the help of Crowbar Collective, the team behind Black Mesa, the fan-made and Valve-approved Half-Life remake that needs no further introduction. Rogue Point is currently in development and slated to enter early access soon.

Rogue Point is set in a dystopian future where a single CEO had controlled everything. After his death, competing companies work to carve up his empire. To achieve this, they hire mercenaries using the MERX app, and it’s as simple as getting food using Uber Eats. Currently, only Rogue Point, a team of vigilantes, is fighting back against this dystopian state of affairs.

Rogue Point
Team17/Crowbar Collective

The game pits teams of four against computer-controlled enemies of different classes, each offering unique challenges. Players must strategize and play with the right loadouts or risk losing. There’s plenty of gear to acquire, too, with some weapons only available in the mission field.

Maps are procedurally generated to ensure no two playthroughs are the same. Unlocked equipment may also be used in future runs. Besides the standard campaign missions where “high-octane tactical combat meets strategic planning,” there’s an endgame mission with maxed-out difficulty, promising a challenge for those craving it.

The developers have a rather extensive wishlist of features they hope to add to the game down the road. Those include new weapons (who doesn’t like new gear?), improved AI and new maps. There are currently four maps announced, but the procedural generation should make things less repetitive.

Rogue Point isn’t in early access yet, but you can wishlist it on Steam. The game is set to come out in 2025, but the developers have yet to announce a final release date.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/rogue-point-is-a-tactical-shooter-from-the-teams-behind-worms-and-black-mesa-142959920.html?src=rss

Stardew Valley now has a secret multiplayer mode on mobile

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Stardew Valley on mobile just received its latest update, and in it is a new secret multiplayer mode. Developer ConcernedApe says it’s currently secret because of its experimental nature, and mobile multiplayer can be “frustrating.”

Unlike Stardew Valley multiplayer on other platforms, players on mobile can’t discover others’ farms and can only connect via IP address. They can still join a PC-hosted farm using their mobile devices. The developers also warn that using a mobile network isn’t recommended, as it may not be stable enough. The experience works best when both devices are on the same network, but that’s not compulsory.

Stardew Valley Home Screen
ConcernedApe

To unlock mobile multiplayer, you’ll have to tap the leaves in a specific order. It’s actually part of the Konami code, but without the A and B buttons because, well, smartphones and tablets don’t have them. The Stardew Valley multiplayer blog has instructions if you’re interested.

Once you see the new co-op menu on the screen, you can host or join a farm. You’ll need an IP address if you want to join someone’s farm, but that isn’t difficult to find on your mobile device. The Stardew Valley post also has instructions for that for both iOS and Android users.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/stardew-valley-now-has-a-secret-multiplayer-mode-on-mobile-150956438.html?src=rss

The EU is looking into Corning for alleged anti-competitive practices

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US-based glass manufacturer Corning is the company behind Gorilla Glass, a break-resistant glass used to protect screens that’s used on essentially all of the most popular smartphones. Today, the European Commission announced an investigation into Corning for anti-competitive practices, alleging that the glassmaker is preventing competition through exclusive supply agreements.

According to the press release, Corning requires mobile phone manufacturers to source all or nearly all of their alkali-AS glass from it, and it also grants rebates to these companies if they do so. Additionally, these phone makers must tell Corning if they receive competitive offers from other glass manufacturers. They aren’t allowed to accept these offers unless Corning cannot match or beat the price.

Similarly, Corning has agreements with companies that process raw glass, forcing them to get all or most of their alkali-AS glass from Corning. They also aren’t allowed to challenge Corning patents.

These charges reinforce how aggressive Corning is in defending its dominant position in the smartphone glass screen market. The latest Apple and Android devices, like the Google Pixel 9, usually have Gorilla Glass screens, as they’re scratch-resistant and prevent cracking or breaking. While not indestructible, the glass does hold up well against damage. However, Corning’s market dominance coupled with these practices are enough to get the EU’s attention.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/the-eu-is-looking-into-corning-for-alleged-anti-competitive-practices-140328416.html?src=rss

Lyft is partnering with Mobileye and introducing more autonomous vehicles in 2025

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Lyft has just announced plans to partner with three companies in the autonomous vehicle (AV) sector and gradually introduce their technology into its network starting in 2025. The three companies are Mobileye, May Mobility and Nexar.

Mobileye is a pioneer of self-driving technology and has also developed advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Lyft’s partnership with Mobileye will allow vehicles already equipped with Mobileye’s tech to start transporting passengers to their destinations, integrating them into the Lyft network seamlessly. The technology will be available to both small and large fleets on Lyft.

Additionally, Lyft and May Mobility, another AV company, are teaming up to bring AVs to Atlanta next year. May Mobility’s technology helps these cars drive independently and will serve as a proof of concept before Lyft brings them to other locations. Riders in Atlanta can just use the app for a chance to match with Lyft’s autonomous Toyota Sienna minivans in the city.

Because AV technology is still far from mature, Lyft is working with Nexar, the world’s first vehicle-to-vehicle network provider, to gather anonymized fleet and marketplace data to improve autonomous driving technology. Nexar’s smart dashcams not only keep drivers safe but they help fleet operators monitor their drivers. Nexar has plenty of video footage, up to hundreds of millions of hours. Combining this data and Lyft’s can help improve self-driving cars. Besides optimizing its AV’s performance, Lyft wants to “jointly contribute to a more complete data set for autonomous research and development.”

This announcement aligns with Lyft’s 2022 statement saying that it intended to incorporate more self-driving cars into its services. The same year, Lyft, cooperating with Motional, introduced AVs to Los Angeles. However, Motional remarked in May that its AVs won’t deploy on a large scale just yet.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/lyft-is-partnering-with-mobileye-and-introducing-more-autonomous-vehicles-in-2025-140054826.html?src=rss

Apple might add ChatGPT subscription option to iOS 18.2

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MacRumors noticed an unusual feature in the second iOS 18.2 developer beta, showing that Apple may let users upgrade to a paid ChatGPT plan as part of Apple Intelligence. While Siri doesn’t need to use ChatGPT for all its tasks, some users enjoy using the integration for power tasks and more.

iOS 18.2 ChatGPT
MacRumors

In the image above, you can see that under “advanced capabilities,” there’s a “daily limit” section that shows “under limit.” This means users can only use the latest advanced ChatGPT functions several times a day. This checks out because ChatGPT-4o free access using any platform is limited and resets every 24 hours. If you've used up your daily limit, Siri will swap to a free version of ChatGPT, which boasts fewer advanced tools. For example, DALL-E 3 image creation is only limited to two daily.

If you tap on the “upgrade to ChatGPT Plus” button, you’ll be redirected in-app to a subscription purchase screen. ChatGPT Plus costs $20 a month. Therefore, while Apple itself isn’t implementing a subscription model, it looks like you’ll need to pay for unlimited premium ChatGPT access.

We also covered an upgrade to Apple’s Find My function today. Like this new ChatGPT integration, it’s part of the iOS 18.2 developer beta. Both should eventually launch with the finished version of iOS 18.2, which is rumored to arrive in early December.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/apple-might-add-chatgpt-subscription-option-to-ios-182-152125214.html?src=rss

Apple just approved another app that streams pirated movies and TV shows

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By now, you’d think that Apple’s vetting procedures for the App Store are watertight, but think again. As reported by The Verge, this Threads post shows that an app called Univer Note, a productivity app on the outside, is actually an illegal app that grants certain users access to pirated films.

Univer Note Illegal
Kris Holt/Engadget

The kicker isn’t only that the app is Apple-approved. Univer Note actually functions as a productivity app, but if you’re in countries like France or Canada, a French menu full of pirated movies and shows will show up. The app’s listing makes it appear like a standard, if generic, app, but it has an incredible rating of 4.9 stars out of 5.

When we downloaded and tested this ourselves, we found movies and shows like Agatha All Along, Breaking Bad, The Office, Deadpool and Wolverine and many other titles, all streaming for free.

Univer Note Menu
Kris Holt/Engadget

The content is divided into sections for various streaming services including Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, Prime Video, Max, Paramount+ and Crunchyroll, as well as a few French-only platforms. Some of the movies have only recently been released in theaters, including Venom: The Last Dance and Terrifier 3.

Apple will likely remove Univer Note from the store soon, and it likely won’t be the last app to slip past the tech giant’s filters. However, the fact that it has plenty of content from large streaming platforms makes it a particularly egregious slip-up. You have to imagine that Netflix and Disney aren’t happy with this.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/apple-just-approved-another-app-that-streams-pirated-movies-and-tv-shows-164549689.html?src=rss

Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robot can now pick car parts on its own

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In a new video caught by TechCrunch, Boston Dynamics’ humanoid robot Atlas can be seen working autonomously in a demo space, sorting engine parts between numbered bins. The company claims that Atlas doesn’t need to be controlled by humans to do work.

According to the video description, Atlas uses machine learning to detect environmental changes and work around them. It also has a “specialized grasping policy” to help it maintain a firm hold on objects, continuously estimating the state of what it’s holding. After receiving some bin locations to move parts between, Atlas will get to work without prescribed movements, opting to perform tasks independently.

In contrast, Tesla’s Optimus robots were said to receive human remote assistance despite autonomy claims. The Optimus robots were at a live event and, when asked, answered that they were being assisted.

The video shows Atlas sorting and moving the engine parts to designated locations. It does well, transporting them without much awkwardness. After placing one part into a bin, the robot will repeat the process for other parts.

Atlas has undergone plenty of changes since its 2013 reveal, including swapping from hydraulics to electric after almost 11 years of testing. The older Atlas and the current one are markedly different from each other. Take a look at the video below to see for yourself.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/boston-dynamics-atlas-robot-can-now-pick-car-parts-on-its-own-170052539.html?src=rss