The guide presents a list of 50 uncommon words that were used as prompts in Midjourney to generate unique images. These words, which are not typically used in everyday language, were selected by exceptional AI artist Thaeyne to explore their visual interpretation when used as the first word in various prompts. The prompts were themed […]
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Uh oh. Apple, Meta and Google could be in hot water in Europe over their attempts to stand within the letter, if not exactly the spirit, of the bloc's sweeping new Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Core to the probe are concerns Google parent Alphabet and Apple have not given sufficiently allowed "app developers to “steer” consumers to offers outside the gatekeepers' app stores, free of charge," according to the European Commission (the European Union's executive arm). As things currently stand, the new rules from these tech companies may "constrain ... developers' ability to freely communicate and promote offers and directly conclude contracts, including by imposing various charges."
The European Commission said it also believes Alphabet's search may still engage in self-preferencing of Google-owned services, like Google Flights. Apple, it said, may not be allowing users meaningful choice in selecting alternatives to default iOS services or preferences — the ability to uninstall any pre-loaded app, for instance. Also caught up in the probe is Meta, in relation to its new EU scheme wherein users can opt out of ads, but only for a price.
The European Commission had, in the lead up to these probes, been hinting at a possible investigation into Apple and Google. In January, Apple announced a raft of App Store changes to comply with the DMA, which required it to (among other things) enable alternative app marketplaces on iOS in the EU and to let developers direct users to third-party payment systems. Included in Apple's updates was a new "core technology fee" of €0.50 that developers will have to pay per user per year after the first 1 million installs of an app — even if a user downloads the software from a third-party marketplace. Google is also charging developers fees in the EU if they bypass the Play Store.
Many of Apple's rivals slammed the App Store changes. Some criticized the company's fees for third-party payments in the US too.
The EU, perhaps unsurprisingly, is keeping a close eye on how companies subject to DMA rules are complying (or not) with them. "There are things that we take a keen interest in, for instance, if the new Apple fee structure will de facto not make it in any way attractive to use the benefits of the DMA," antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager told Reuters on March 19. "That kind of thing is what we will be investigating."
Today's announcement also hints that Apple's "new fee structure" for alternative app stores may still be on the docket for future intervention, along with, apparently, Amazon's possible self-preferencing in its digital storefront.
In statements to press Apple has said it's "confident our plan complies with the DMA" while Alphabet has said it will "continue to defend our approach in the coming months." A Meta spokesperson called its paid, ad-free option "a well-established business model across many industries."
News of the sweeping probe comes soon after the US Justice Department filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple. The government and more than a dozen states accused Apple of fostering a mobile app monopoly, claiming the company makes it too difficult for rivals to compete with its own products and services.
It might be a while before we learn the outcome of the EU probes. According to Bloomberg, EC investigators try to reach a final decision within a year of starting a formal investigation. If officials determine that these companies aren't complying with the DMA, they face hefty penalties.
Under the law, the EU can fine a company up to 10 percent of its total annual revenue, and up to 20 percent for repeated violations. Such penalties could make the $2 billion that the EU recently fined Apple for allegedly suppressing iTunes and Apple Music competitors like Spotify look like pocket change.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-eu-is-investigating-apple-meta-and-google-over-fees-and-self-preferencing-124147179.html?src=rss
Following on from the unveiling of Sora, OpenAI’s powerful text-to-video AI model earlier this year a new alternative to Sora has emerged in the form of Open-Sora. Which stands out as a community-driven platform, offering an alternative to proprietary models like OpenAI’s Sora. Its goal is to make video production accessible to everyone. With Open-Sora, […]
The post Open-Sora open source alternative to OpenAI’s Sora text-to-video AI appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.
The MSI Claw and ASUS ROG Ally are two high-end handheld gaming consoles that have been compared in terms of performance, specifications, and battery life. Both devices feature a 7-inch 120Hz IPS display and run on Windows 11. The MSI Claw is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 155h processor, while the ROG Ally […]
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With the roll-out of iOS 17.4 and iOS 17.4.1, iPhone users around the globe are enjoying a slew of new features and improvements. Among these enhancements, the update promises to bolster battery life, a crucial aspect for any smartphone user. However, to truly reap the benefits of these battery life improvements, certain adjustments and optimizations […]
The post How to Improve iOS 17.4 Battery Life (Video) appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.
OpenAI is reportedly developing a new voice engine project, which has been hinted at through a recent trademark filing for a “voice engine.” The trademark suggests the project may involve voice and speech recognition, processing commands, and converting between text and speech. The project is expected to be released later in the year, as indicated […]
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OpenAI is reportedly developing a new voice engine project, which has been hinted at through a recent trademark filing for a “voice engine.” The trademark suggests the project may involve voice and speech recognition, processing commands, and converting between text and speech. The project is expected to be released later in the year, as indicated […]
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I love a well-designed and functional lighting design with some aesthetic value. But besides these three holy grails, it also helps if the light is compact and doesn’t occupy too much precious real estate on your desk, bedside table, or wherever we place it. Besides that, a well-designed lighting fixture should not only have the ability to illuminate any living space but also add that extra oomph factor! I mean, of course, we need them to see in the dark, but as highly functional as they should be, a lighting fixture also needs to be aesthetically pleasing, adding an attractive and visually soothing element to your home or office space. And, we’ve curated a bunch of compact and exceptional lighting designs that will make excellent additions to your home.
This compact little lighting design is inspired by the traditional Japanese ‘chouchin’ lantern, and it has a unique billowy pillar shape and an almost ambient and ethereal-looking aura to it. It is the kind of lighting design that can add some calm and peace to your cumbersome workday and can be easily moved around.
The Japanese lantern candle is a contemporary and modern take on an iconic Japanese design. It has a minimalist and compact ethos, which occupies minimum space on your bedside table or desk. It emits a relaxing glow and is handcrafted by artisans in Kurashiki, Japan.
This conceptual desk lamp is a space-saving and ingenious design that replaces those bulky lamps that take up precious desk space. It not only provides proper lighting to those who spend hours working on their desk but also brings a bit of sustainability to the table. It is called the Tars desk lamp, and it has a minimalist ethos.
It is designed to be clipped to the edge of your table, giving you loads of space for the important things and tasks you need to finish on your desk. It is flexible and is equipped with a wide range of movements, letting you easily place the light where you may need it.
Named Amber Crystal Light, this little lighting design by Gingko looks like a fortune-telling orb that is placed on a wooden base. Intricate and pretty little designs have been etched onto the center of the glass orb, and once the light is switched on, the art scatters light in various directions, creating a glowing display that looks like visual magic.
The light features five different artworks within the orb itself – galaxy, dandelion, solar system, Saturn, and a motif of Earth as a globe. The various motifs represent different emotions like hope, curiosity, serenity, and a genuine love for space, science, and nature.
Designed by Danish design brand Karakter, the Lari Mini Lamp is a miniature and renewed version of a lamp that was originally created by the late Italian architect and sculptor Angelo Mangiarotti in 1978. This adorable mini lamp features a rounded-square silhouette, with a ribbed central section made from hand-blown glass.
The beautiful lamp is crafted from hand-blown glass, and it has quite a unique and distinctive shape that instantly grabs attention. It is made up of a glass volume of two bulbs that emit a warm white glow. The bulbs are placed against a black oval-shaped base, which creates an interesting piece.
Dubbed the Anywhere-Use Lamp, this minimalist and compact table lamp is a subtle and functional lighting solution in a world overflowing to the brim with glaring screens and harsh lights. It features a mushroom-inspired head which gives out a soft and relaxing ambient glow.
The Anywhere-Use Lamp is powered by four AA batteries, and it has a unique modular design that provides atmospheric enhancement wherever you place it. It features six high-color rendering LEDs, which offer a soothing luminescence, transforming your home into an oasis of calmness.
Named the Harmony Flame Fireplace, this beautiful brass lamp lets you build and enjoy a safe little fire indoors. The fireplace utilizes bioethanol to spread some illumination and warmth in your home. The technique which is typically used to create musical instruments was used to craft this fireplace.
The fireplace was designed to elevate and uplift the mood and ambiance of indoor space. It features reflective surfaces that work with the vivid flames to create a play of shadows and lights, forming a decorative piece that is quite aesthetically appealing as well.
Called the Stair Table Lamp, this playful little lamp offers a whimsical approach to gravity and geometry. It looks like a sphere delicately perched on the edge of a staircase. It has a solid stepped base with a spherical light fixed on top, which builds curiosity within the users.
Doubles up as a bookend when placed on a bedside table, desk, or in a children’s playroom. It can also be slipped into the various nooks and crannies of your home, lighting up your house, while also organizing your books and keeping them in place.
Named Skyview, these little lamps can be used for light therapy, which also manages to look quite pleasing. The lamps are designed by Bio by “documented scientific research”, which means the lamps can simulate exposure to sunlight in the comfort of your home.
The lamps can simulate sunshine in your home, even if the sun is not out. They’re well-designed lamp designs that naturally merge with your home, also ensuring that they don’t look out of place in your living room, bedroom, or home office.
This half-folded table lamp is an innovative little design that is bound to bring up images of playful memories from your child, as it has a rather unusual shape that reminds you of the folded paper toys we used to make in our childhood. It not only illuminates your home but also takes you on a trip down memory lane!
The lamp is made of a folded piece of aluminum, and it looks nothing like a lamp at first glance. It looks more like a sheet of metal that was folded diagonally to build an incomplete pyramid that could topple over any minute. However, the shape and fold of the design do provide a stable form.
Dubbed Stella, this brilliant-looking lighting design is built through a range of different techniques – transforming and repetition, and by using various geometric shapes. The lighting design was created as a part of the 2023 New Collection lighting products by COG Design Studio x Bonaki.
Stella has an intriguing triangular intaglio shape and is made using acrylic material. The design beautifully and gently observes the sensibility of light when it is transmitted to a precise and detailed intaglio pattern.
The post 10 Best Compact Lighting Designs That Wont Occupy Precious Real Estate On Your Desk & Tables first appeared on Yanko Design.
Are you poised to elevate your professional path to remarkable new heights? Look no further. The opportunity to transform your career trajectory awaits with IDUNOVA, an esteemed online IT training provider that boasts over twenty years of experience in the field. They now present an invaluable offering: The Six Sigma Green & Yellow Belt Certification […]
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According to Rabbit, the first batch of US pre-orders will ship on March 31. But stay patient, as it’ll take a few weeks for the devices to get to their destinations. The company estimates the first R1 orders will be in customers’ hands “around April 24.”
The Rabbit R1 generated equal amounts of hype and questions regarding next-gen AI hardware and whether it can deliver on the heady demos and press releases. I will say, though, the R1, co-designed by Teenage Engineering, is a pretty piece of tech.
— Mat Smith
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University security researchers found a chip-level exploit in Apple Silicon-powered Macs. The group says the flaw can bypass the computer’s encryption and access its security keys. However, hackers would need to circumvent Apple’s Gatekeeper protections, install a malicious app and let the software run for 10 hours — in addition to other complex conditions. As long as you have Apple’s Gatekeeper turned on (the default), you won’t be able to install such malicious apps anyway.
As the Senate considers a bill that would force the sale or ban of TikTok, lawmakers have heard directly from intelligence officials about the app’s alleged national security threat. Now, two senators are asking the office of the Director of National Intelligence to declassify and make public what the agency has shared.
Instead of a suggestive tease, spam bots in the Instagram universe are now more likely to post a single, inoffensive, completely irrelevant-to-the-subject word, sometimes accompanied by an emoji or two. That’s partially because Instagram’s word filters won’t catch them, but it’s simply a numbers game. Cheyenne MacDonald takes a closer look.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-the-rabbit-r1-starts-shipping-next-week-111518284.html?src=rss