Monthly Archives: December 2023

Microsoft agrees to union contract terms involving the use of AI

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Microsoft has agreed to union contract language regarding its use of artificial intelligence, which should give workers a voice when challenging how the technology’s deployed, as reported by Bloomberg. This is the first US instance of collective bargaining in Microsoft’s history and could be a huge step for those employed with the tech giant.

This came to pass as part of negotiations with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union and involves contract language that covers a few hundred staffers at Microsoft’s game studio ZeniMax, which includes well-known subsidiaries like Bethesda and Arkane, among others.

The gist here is that the contract language incorporates Microsoft’s previously-announced AI principles, sort of a ten commandments type deal. The language dictates that AI systems will “treat all people fairly” and “empower everyone.” To that end, it will give employees covered under the contract an avenue of recourse should they feel that Microsoft isn’t holding up its end of the bargain. Microsoft even hired dozens of ZeniMax contract workers as full-time employees, potentially as a show of good faith.

“The goal is to ensure tools and technologies benefit rather than harm workers,” the contract states. The language stipulates that Microsoft must inform the CWA whenever AI or related automation technology is implemented in a way that could impact workers. If requested, the company must enter into good-faith negotiations regarding the change. This is a big first step, considering Microsoft’s massive play into the AI space via integration with OpenAI products.

This would be news on its own, given Microsoft’s former hesitance to engage with unions in any way, shape or form. However, there’s more. The company also entered into a partnership with the AFL-CIO, the country’s largest federation of unions. The entities struck a deal that ensures Microsoft will remain neutral in efforts by unions to encourage workers to join up.

The partnership also creates an “open dialogue” to discuss AI and how it impacts workers. The AFL-CIO calls this team-up the “first of its kind between a labor organization and a technology company.” Microsoft has committed to share information with labor leaders regarding impactful AI trends and consider “worker perspectives” when developing new technologies.

Why the about face? There’s a whole lot of uncertainty out there regarding artificial intelligence and how it will impact workers across multiple industries. It looks like Microsoft is setting itself up to be the “adult in the room” when compared to rival entities. It’s worth noting, though, that Microsoft shareholders rejected a proposal last week that would slow down AI spending until a risk-assessment project could be conducted.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-agrees-to-union-contract-terms-involving-the-use-of-ai-173354643.html?src=rss

Anker headphones and charging accessories are up to 43 percent off right now

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If you're looking to grab a wallet-friendly pair of wireless headphones or restock your charging gear for the holidays, a few recent Amazon sales on Anker accessories may be of interest. Several of Anker's Soundcore headphones, including a couple of top picks from our guide to the best budget wireless earbuds, are currently down to the lowest prices we've tracked, as are a handful of charging stations, cables, power banks and similar accessories. There's a decent amount of discounts between the sales, but we'll run through the highlights below. 

This deal has been available for the past few days, but it brings the the top recommendation in our budget wireless earbuds guide back down to the all-time low we saw on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The Soundcore Space A40 delivers a number of features we'd expect from more expensive pairs, including wireless charging, multi-device pairing, eight- to 10-hour battery life and, most notably, genuinely useful active noise cancellation (ANC). Its warm sound profile isn't the most accurate we've tested, but it should be pleasing to most, and you can customize the EQ curve through the Soundcore app. Call quality is just OK, however, and playback won't automatically pause when you remove an earbud.

The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC is the runner up in our budget earbuds guide, as it offers a highly similar feature set to the Soundcore Space A40 but comes in an AirPods-style "stem" design. It's bulkier as a result, but some may find this shape easier to remove. It supports auto-pausing and has slightly more extensive touch controls as well, though the former can be finicky, and its more bass-heavy sound may not be to everyone's liking. Right now the Liberty 4 NC is $30 off and down to $70, which is another all-time low we previously saw on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. 

While the Soundcore Space Q45 isn't a formal pick in any of our guides, it's worth considering at this price if you want a set of over-ear noise-cancelers for less than $100. This $50 discount matches the best deal we've seen. The Space Q45's adaptive ANC system can't top the best wireless headphones on the market, but it's good for the money, and its lively V-shaped sound should be fun for pop music. A comfy design and multi-device pairing also help. Mic quality is mediocre, however.

If you want a more affordable set of over-ears, the Soundcore Life Q30 is also worth a look at $56, though that pair isn't as sturdily built and its default sound might be too bass-heavy for most tastes.

Moving onto to charging gear, the Anker 335 Wireless Charger is down to $17, which matches the lowest price we've seen. This is a three-in-one wireless charging station that can partially fold up and lets you refill a smartphone, Apple Watch and set of wireless earbuds at the same time. It's not as fast as the best wireless chargers we've tested — maxing at 10W for Samsung phones, 7.5W for iPhones, and 5W for other devices — and you need to supply your own USB-A charging puck to use an Apple Watch. Larger iPhone 15 models may not fit, either. But if you can live with all of that and just want a way to passively top up your devices throughout the day, this is an affordable and travel-friendly way to make it happen.

A pick from our power bank buying guide, the Anker Nano is an ultracompact portable battery that can connect directly to a device through its built-in, foldable USB-C port. It has a capacity of 5,000mAh and supplies up to 22.5W of power — though some devices will get a bit less — so it's best suited for emergency situations where you might need a quick refill but don't want to carry around a heftier power bank. You'll want to be gentle when attaching the connector, though. Right now the "shell white" version of the Nano is on sale for $21, which ties its best price to date. 

If you have an older iPhone, the Lightning-based version of this charger is also discounted to a low of $20.

Among the rest, a two-pack of 10-foot USB-C to Lightning cables is down to a low of $20 for those willing to pay extra for a braided model. The compact 20W Anker 511 Charger is available for $12.59 with a 10 percent coupon, which is about a dollar more than the lowest price we've seen. And the 65W Anker 735 Charger can be had for $34 with a 15 percent coupon; that's about $6 more than its best-ever price, but it's a more powerful multiport model we recommend in our fast charger buying guide.

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/anker-headphones-and-charging-accessories-are-up-to-43-percent-off-right-now-165634084.html?src=rss

Anker headphones and charging accessories are up to 43 percent off right now

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If you're looking to grab a wallet-friendly pair of wireless headphones or restock your charging gear for the holidays, a few recent Amazon sales on Anker accessories may be of interest. Several of Anker's Soundcore headphones, including a couple of top picks from our guide to the best budget wireless earbuds, are currently down to the lowest prices we've tracked, as are a handful of charging stations, cables, power banks and similar accessories. There's a decent amount of discounts between the sales, but we'll run through the highlights below. 

This deal has been available for the past few days, but it brings the the top recommendation in our budget wireless earbuds guide back down to the all-time low we saw on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The Soundcore Space A40 delivers a number of features we'd expect from more expensive pairs, including wireless charging, multi-device pairing, eight- to 10-hour battery life and, most notably, genuinely useful active noise cancellation (ANC). Its warm sound profile isn't the most accurate we've tested, but it should be pleasing to most, and you can customize the EQ curve through the Soundcore app. Call quality is just OK, however, and playback won't automatically pause when you remove an earbud.

The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC is the runner up in our budget earbuds guide, as it offers a highly similar feature set to the Soundcore Space A40 but comes in an AirPods-style "stem" design. It's bulkier as a result, but some may find this shape easier to remove. It supports auto-pausing and has slightly more extensive touch controls as well, though the former can be finicky, and its more bass-heavy sound may not be to everyone's liking. Right now the Liberty 4 NC is $30 off and down to $70, which is another all-time low we previously saw on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. 

While the Soundcore Space Q45 isn't a formal pick in any of our guides, it's worth considering at this price if you want a set of over-ear noise-cancelers for less than $100. This $50 discount matches the best deal we've seen. The Space Q45's adaptive ANC system can't top the best wireless headphones on the market, but it's good for the money, and its lively V-shaped sound should be fun for pop music. A comfy design and multi-device pairing also help. Mic quality is mediocre, however.

If you want a more affordable set of over-ears, the Soundcore Life Q30 is also worth a look at $56, though that pair isn't as sturdily built and its default sound might be too bass-heavy for most tastes.

Moving onto to charging gear, the Anker 335 Wireless Charger is down to $17, which matches the lowest price we've seen. This is a three-in-one wireless charging station that can partially fold up and lets you refill a smartphone, Apple Watch and set of wireless earbuds at the same time. It's not as fast as the best wireless chargers we've tested — maxing at 10W for Samsung phones, 7.5W for iPhones, and 5W for other devices — and you need to supply your own USB-A charging puck to use an Apple Watch. Larger iPhone 15 models may not fit, either. But if you can live with all of that and just want a way to passively top up your devices throughout the day, this is an affordable and travel-friendly way to make it happen.

A pick from our power bank buying guide, the Anker Nano is an ultracompact portable battery that can connect directly to a device through its built-in, foldable USB-C port. It has a capacity of 5,000mAh and supplies up to 22.5W of power — though some devices will get a bit less — so it's best suited for emergency situations where you might need a quick refill but don't want to carry around a heftier power bank. You'll want to be gentle when attaching the connector, though. Right now the "shell white" version of the Nano is on sale for $21, which ties its best price to date. 

If you have an older iPhone, the Lightning-based version of this charger is also discounted to a low of $20.

Among the rest, a two-pack of 10-foot USB-C to Lightning cables is down to a low of $20 for those willing to pay extra for a braided model. The compact 20W Anker 511 Charger is available for $12.59 with a 10 percent coupon, which is about a dollar more than the lowest price we've seen. And the 65W Anker 735 Charger can be had for $34 with a 15 percent coupon; that's about $6 more than its best-ever price, but it's a more powerful multiport model we recommend in our fast charger buying guide.

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/anker-headphones-and-charging-accessories-are-up-to-43-percent-off-right-now-165634084.html?src=rss

Bubbles chandeliers create an atmosphere of playful wonder in any space

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As kids, we would often find joy and fun in some of the simplest things. Bubbles, for example, would send children into a fit of giggles as they try to chase and maybe pop these ephemeral spheres. As such, bubbles and similar shapes have always been used to portray such a childlike sense of wonder and bliss, employed in media, art installations, and even interior designs. The gentle yet mesmerizing play of light on a bubble’s reflective surface, however, is a seemingly perfect metaphor for artistic lighting. And that is exactly what this collection of hanging lights tries to offer, bringing the innocence and beauty of childhood memories to elevate the mood in any room or space.

Designer: Brand van Egmond

It’s both a tragedy as well as a deep message that some of the most beautiful things in nature are short-lived, from rainbows to butterflies to bubbles. Whether occurring naturally or made through soapy machinations, bubbles have always delighted the eyes and hearts of all ages. Recreating those blissful feelings indoors has become the mission of many bubble-inspired designs that mostly hang from the ceiling. But if you’ll be dangling something from that height, why not turn it into a chandelier or pendant lamp as well?

That’s precisely what the Bubbles lighting collection brings to the table, or rather to your room. As if floating in the air, the chandeliers and hanging lamps attach orbs of varying sizes to a metal frame of twisting and bending rods that give the fixture a more natural form, almost like branches of a tree. Even with this design alone, the piece of structural art is already ornamental and eye-catching, adding accents that will undoubtedly be a conversation starter for your visitors.

Once the lights are turned on, however, the entire space transforms into an almost magical atmosphere. The lamps cast a warm glow on the area, and the lights bounce against each other, creating a symphony of reflections that truly mesmerize the eyes. Not all the spheres contain lighting elements, so there is a bit of variation and randomness in each group. After all, not all bubbles are created equal even in real life.

The Bubbles collection also comes in different forms, with Swirl offering a more compact arrangement that you can use in smaller spaces or as a group. Flow, as the name implies, takes a longer horizontal form, as if the bubbles were flowing across the air. Whether used in a living room, above a dining space, or as mood lighting for restaurants, these bubble-inspired hanging lights will make you daydream and long for those happy, innocent moments of childhood when every little thing inspired awe, wonder, and joy.

The post Bubbles chandeliers create an atmosphere of playful wonder in any space first appeared on Yanko Design.

Amazon knocks up to 53 percent off Blink Outdoor 4 security camera packs

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You can pick up Blink 4 security cameras for up to 53 percent off, via Amazon. The most notable deal here is a combo pack that includes both the fourth-gen Blink Outdoor camera and the Mini indoor camera. That comes out to $72, a discount of 53 percent or a whopping $83 slashed from the MSRP of $155.

The Blink Outdoor 4 is the crown jewel in the company’s lineup. There’s a reason, after all, why it made our list of the best smart home devices. The camera may have “outdoor” right in the name, but this is a fantastic option for both indoor and outdoor use. They run on AA batteries and last up to two years before those cells need replacing. These cameras are weather-resistant and offer support for night vision, motion detection and two-way audio.

This is a wireless camera and clips are stored in the cloud if you have a Blink Subscription Plan, but you can also store them locally via a USB flash drive. The camera works with Alexa, but just Alexa, so other digital assistants are left out in the cold. The Blink Mini, which also ships with this set, is a decent indoor camera for keeping an eye on things, like which cat is stealing all the food.

Amazon is also selling other Blink products at deep discounts. If a combo pack isn’t your bag, the Blink Outdoor 4 by itself costs $72, which is a discount of 40 percent. The Blink Mini Pan-Tilt is on sale for $30, a discount of 50 percent and a record-low. This is an upgraded version of the Mini that ships with the combo pack, as it can pan and tilt for 360-degree coverage.

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/amazon-knocks-up-to-53-percent-off-blink-outdoor-4-security-camera-packs-161447084.html?src=rss

Amazon knocks up to 53 percent off Blink Outdoor 4 security camera packs

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You can pick up Blink 4 security cameras for up to 53 percent off, via Amazon. The most notable deal here is a combo pack that includes both the fourth-gen Blink Outdoor camera and the Mini indoor camera. That comes out to $72, a discount of 53 percent or a whopping $83 slashed from the MSRP of $155.

The Blink Outdoor 4 is the crown jewel in the company’s lineup. There’s a reason, after all, why it made our list of the best smart home devices. The camera may have “outdoor” right in the name, but this is a fantastic option for both indoor and outdoor use. They run on AA batteries and last up to two years before those cells need replacing. These cameras are weather-resistant and offer support for night vision, motion detection and two-way audio.

This is a wireless camera and clips are stored in the cloud if you have a Blink Subscription Plan, but you can also store them locally via a USB flash drive. The camera works with Alexa, but just Alexa, so other digital assistants are left out in the cold. The Blink Mini, which also ships with this set, is a decent indoor camera for keeping an eye on things, like which cat is stealing all the food.

Amazon is also selling other Blink products at deep discounts. If a combo pack isn’t your bag, the Blink Outdoor 4 by itself costs $72, which is a discount of 40 percent. The Blink Mini Pan-Tilt is on sale for $30, a discount of 50 percent and a record-low. This is an upgraded version of the Mini that ships with the combo pack, as it can pan and tilt for 360-degree coverage.

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/amazon-knocks-up-to-53-percent-off-blink-outdoor-4-security-camera-packs-161447084.html?src=rss

Google Messages APK suggests you may soon able to edit messages after they’re sent

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Android users may soon be able to edit texts after they're sent via the Google Messages app. TheSpAndroid dug around in an APK for a recent beta version of Messages and found multiple references to a message-editing feature.

The publication unearthed flags concerning aspects such as a message-editing UI, loading the edit history and processing incoming and outgoing edits. For the time being, enabling these flags doesn't seem to do anything, as The Verge notes. TheSpAndroid also found code suggesting that message editing would work with the RCS protocol.

Were Google to enable this feature (which users would surely appreciate), it would follow the footsteps of WhatsApp and iMessage. Over the last year or so, those services each added the ability to edit messages within a certain timeframe after they're sent.

Google recently introduced some other handy features to Messages, such as the ability to turn photos into reactions and for users to create a profile with their name and photo that's attached to their phone number. Users can also change the color of text message bubbles, including making them blue.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-messages-apk-suggests-you-may-soon-able-to-edit-messages-after-theyre-sent-155244187.html?src=rss

Google Messages APK suggests you may soon able to edit messages after they’re sent

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Android users may soon be able to edit texts after they're sent via the Google Messages app. TheSpAndroid dug around in an APK for a recent beta version of Messages and found multiple references to a message-editing feature.

The publication unearthed flags concerning aspects such as a message-editing UI, loading the edit history and processing incoming and outgoing edits. For the time being, enabling these flags doesn't seem to do anything, as The Verge notes. TheSpAndroid also found code suggesting that message editing would work with the RCS protocol.

Were Google to enable this feature (which users would surely appreciate), it would follow the footsteps of WhatsApp and iMessage. Over the last year or so, those services each added the ability to edit messages within a certain timeframe after they're sent.

Google recently introduced some other handy features to Messages, such as the ability to turn photos into reactions and for users to create a profile with their name and photo that's attached to their phone number. Users can also change the color of text message bubbles, including making them blue.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-messages-apk-suggests-you-may-soon-able-to-edit-messages-after-theyre-sent-155244187.html?src=rss

The best white elephant gift ideas for 2023

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Whether or not you’ve heard of a white elephant gift exchange before, there’s a good chance you have the wrong idea of what it is, how it actually works and where the idea came from. According to legend, the King of Siam would give a white elephant to courtiers who had upset them. It was a far more devious punishment than simply having them executed. The recipient had no choice but to simply thank the king for such an opulent gift, knowing that they likely could not afford the upkeep for such an animal. It would inevitably lead them to financial ruin.

This story is almost certainly untrue, but it has led to a modern holiday staple: the white elephant gift exchange. Picking the right white elephant gift means walking a fine line: the goal isn’t to just buy something terrible and force someone to take it home with them. Rather, it should be just useful or amusing enough that it won’t immediately get tossed into the trash. The recipient also shouldn’t be able to just throw it in a junk drawer and forget about it. So here are a few suggestions that will not only get you a few chuckles, but will also make the recipient feel (slightly) burdened.

Clocky Alarm Clock on Wheels

KFC Fire Starter Log by Enviro-Log

LDKCOK USB 2.0 Active Repeater Extension Cable

Banana Phone

Galaxy Projector

Msraynsford Useless Machine 2.0

Lightsaber Chopsticks

MMX Marshmallow Crossbow

Friendship Lamp

FAQs

What is white elephant?

A white elephant gift exchange is a party game typically played around the holidays in which people exchange funny, impractical gifts.

How does white elephant work?

A group of people each bring one wrapped gift to the white elephant gift exchange, and each gift is typically of a similar value. All gifts are then placed together and the group decides the order in which they will each claim a gift. The first person picks a white elephant gift from the pile, unwraps it and their turn ends. The following players can either decide to unwrap another gift and claim it as their own, or steal a gift from someone who has already taken a turn. The rules can vary from there, including the guidelines around how often a single item can be stolen — some say twice, max. The game ends when every person has a white elephant gift.

Why is it called white elephant?

The term “white elephant” is said to come from the legend of the King of Siam gifting white elephants to courtiers who upset him. While it seems like a lavish gift on its face, the belief is that the courtiers would be ruined by the animal’s upkeep costs.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/white-elephant-gift-ideas-2023-130058973.html?src=rss

How to Accelerate Your Business Communication With ChaGPT

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Business Communication

In today’s dynamic and ever-changing world of business communication, ChatGPT emerges as a groundbreaking innovation, transforming the way companies interact and exchange information. This article aims to thoroughly examine the multifaceted ways in which ChatGPT can be utilized to not only enhance but also significantly speed up communication processes within a corporate setting. Our exploration […]

The post How to Accelerate Your Business Communication With ChaGPT appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

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