Monthly Archives: July 2024

X’s Grok chatbot is misleading voters about the presidential election

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The US is in the middle of another hotly contested and seemingly close presidential election. This election is also happening in this new age of widespread access to artificial intelligence and easily disseminated misinformation. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon says his office tracked the source of one key piece of election misinformation back to X’s Grok chatbot.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that X’s premium chatbot service is passing along erroneous information about the deadlines for states’ presidential ballots including Minnesota. When Grok is asked “Which states’ presidential ballot deadlines have passed?”, Grok claims Alabama, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington “have passed their presidential ballots.” Grok then sources its information to an X post published on Sunday by user and conservative pundit @EvanAKilgore, which does not include a correction or warning about election misinformation.

In “Fun Mode,” Grok repeats the incorrect information and source with the comment, “So if you’re planning on running for president in one of these states, you might want to check if there’s a write-in option. Or, you know, travel back to before the deadlines passed.” Another response to the same question said “These states have already passed their deadlines to get on the presidential ballot, which means they're probably just sitting around, twiddling their thumbs, wondering what to do now that Joe Biden has dropped out. But hey, at least they've got their ballots ready to go, right?”

Grok insinuates that President Joe Biden’s name can’t be replaced on these nine states’ ballots because the deadlines have passed. President Biden was the presumptive nominee until he announced he would no longer seek a second term on Sunday. The Democratic Party will choose its nominee through a virtual roll call vote ahead of its convention and states don’t start printing ballots until after both conventions. Also, Minnesota's ballot deadline isn't until Aug. 26. 

Several fact checks from more reputable news outlets refute the claim that Biden’s name is etched into stone on these states’ ballots. Politifact rated a similar claim with the same list of nine states as “False.”

Simon says members of his staff tried to inform X about the misinformation their chatbot was spreading on its platform but could not reach a media relations representative. The response he says he received was equally concerning.

“[They] got what I can only verbalize as the equivalent of a shoulder shrug,” Simon said to the Star Tribune.

We reached out to X's press email for comment and only received a reply that read, "Busy now, please check back later." 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/xs-grok-chatbot-is-misleading-voters-about-the-presidential-election-224839736.html?src=rss

Comic-Con leak sparks rumors of two remastered Soul Reaver games

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San Diego Comic-Con is a popular time to announce any big news for the geekdom, but it's also a popular time for big news to accidentally get revealed early. Today, an attendee took a photo of the booth for comic publisher Dark Horse that may have leaked plans for a remaster of two Soul Reaver games. The image shows a statue of characters Raziel and Kain, and the artwork is accompanied by a sign with branding that reads Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver I and II Remastered. The sign has since been removed from the display.

Dark Horse Comics Vice President of Product Development and Sales Randy Lahrman spoke to GameSpot at the convention about the leak. He said the statue in question would be available in August and that more details would be forthcoming, but he did not comment on the possible game remasters.

The Soul Reaver games were made by Crystal Dynamics. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver initially came out in 1999 for the original PlayStation, and sequel Soul Reaver II came out two years later. Both projects were helmed by director Amy Hennig, who went on to work at Naughty Dog on the Uncharted and Jax and Daxter franchises. Crystal Dynamics may be best known for its work on the rebooted Lara Croft series, and the company was acquired by Embracer Group alongside Eidos-Montréal and Square Enix Montréal in 2022.

It does seem plausible that remasters are in the works. Earlier this month, news dropped about a planned prequel graphic novel titled Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver - The Dead Shall Rise. It will be a Kickstarter project by Bit Bot and Crystal Dynamics.

We've reached out to Crystal Dynamics about today's leak and will update the story if we receive any official information.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/comic-con-leak-sparks-rumors-of-two-remastered-soul-reaver-games-223906020.html?src=rss

Omega Paris 2024 Bronze Gold Edition: Combining Olympic Spirit with Vintage Elegance

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The allure of the Olympic Games extends beyond the thrill of competition; it’s also about the iconic symbols of victory. Gold, silver, and bronze medals represent the pinnacle of athletic achievement. As the Official Timekeeper of Paris 2024, Omega pays homage to these cherished awards with a special edition watch: the Paris 2024 Bronze Gold Edition. This timepiece draws inspiration from a classic Omega wristwatch from 1939, a nod to the brand’s storied history in timekeeping.

Designer: Omega

The Paris 2024 Bronze Gold Edition captures the vintage essence of the original 1939 model, blending historical significance with contemporary craftsmanship. Its design reflects a timeless elegance, perfect for collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate the confluence of tradition and modernity. The watch features a bronze gold alloy, a distinctive material choice that adds to its aesthetic appeal and ensures durability and longevity.

Every detail of the watch is meticulously crafted to celebrate the spirit of the Olympic Games. The dial, adorned with subtle yet striking elements, echoes the colors of the medals, creating a visual connection to the glory of the Games. The hands and markers, precise and clear, underscore Omega’s commitment to accuracy and excellence in timekeeping.

This limited edition watch celebrates athletic achievement and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Looking back to a classic design from 1939, Omega reaffirms its legacy in sports and horology while looking forward to the future of timekeeping at the Paris 2024 Games. The Paris 2024 Bronze Gold Edition is a fitting tribute to the athletes who strive for greatness and the timeless tradition of the Olympic spirit.

Heritage Omega logos can be found throughout the watch’s design, highlighting the brand’s rich history. The embossed logo on the watch’s crown stands out with its raised, intricate detailing, creating a tactile experience for the wearer. On the strap buckle, the polished Omega logo in positive relief adds a touch of sophistication and reflects the light beautifully, enhancing the watch’s overall elegance. The dial features a dark grey Omega logo, subtly blending with the “Clous de Paris” pattern, reinforcing the watch’s vintage charm while maintaining a contemporary look.

“Clous de Paris” pattern

The “Clous de Paris” pattern on the dial is a classic symbol of luxurious French decoration. This intricate guilloché pattern, characterized by its small pyramid-like shapes, adds depth and texture to the dial, creating a captivating play of light and shadow. Omega has complemented this design with a small seconds display at 6 o’clock, providing a balanced and symmetrical look. The brushed pattern on the minute track and subdial track further enhances the dial’s elegance, offering a refined contrast to the textured “Clous de Paris” motif. These elements work harmoniously to create a visually appealing and functionally precise dial.

In tribute to this summer’s sporting event, the caseback is decorated with a stamped and frosted Paris 2024 medallion. This detailed engraving features the iconic Olympic Flame and the Olympic Rings, rendered in a beautiful mirror-polished style that contrasts elegantly with the frosted background. The medallion’s intricate design commemorates the Paris 2024 Games and showcases Omega’s exceptional craftsmanship in fine detail work. The caseback serves as a fitting conclusion to the watch’s design, connecting the wearer to the historical significance of the Olympic Games and the timeless quality of Omega’s timepieces.

In tribute to sporting achievement, this special edition watch features a 39mm case crafted in Omega’s exclusive Bronze Gold, a radiant dial made from Ag 925 silver, and slender hands in 18K Sedna Gold with a special PVD Bronze Gold coating.

The watch features a manual-winding movement with Co-Axial escapement. It is a Certified Master Chronometer approved by METAS and resistant to magnetic fields reaching 15,000 gauss. A small seconds display at 6H. The free-sprung balance has a silicon balance spring and two barrels mounted in series. The rhodium-plated finish has Geneva waves in arabesque.

Omega CALIBRE 8926 Movement

The watch is delivered to customers inside a special Paris 2024 presentation box, which also houses a Master Chronometer certification card, which proves its quality to the highest standard.

Paris 2024 Bronze Gold Edition

The post Omega Paris 2024 Bronze Gold Edition: Combining Olympic Spirit with Vintage Elegance first appeared on Yanko Design.

Shaun of the Dead will stumble back into theaters for its 20th anniversary

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The greatest British zombie rom-com in film history will return to theaters for another run to the Winchester in honor of its 20th anniversary. Focus Features announced that Shaun of the Dead starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost will get another theatrical run starting on Aug. 29 for US theaters and Sept. 27 for UK theaters.

Shaun of the Dead tells the story of a British slacker named Shaun who gets dumped by his girlfriend Liz, played by Kate Ashfield, on the eve of an undead apocalypse. His best friend Ed, played by Nick Frost, takes him out for a night of drinking just as the zombies start to emerge to help him get over the breakup and remind him “it’s not the end of the world.”

They wake up to a George Romero-esque world overrun by lifeless, shuffling cannibals and a hangover that makes them blissfully unaware of the carnage surrounding them. The hilarious, continuous shot of Shaun walking from his flat to the corner store and back without once noticing the bloody state of the world around him is worth seeing on the big screen.

Shaun of the Dead became one of the sleeper hits of 2004 and marked the first film in the Blood and Ice Cream trilogy starring Pegg and Frost and directed by Edgar Wright. The trio first worked together on another British cult comedy with the two-season TV series Spaced when a zombie themed subplot line in an episode inspired them to make a proper British zombie comedy in the style of Romero’s “Dead” movies. The action cop parody Hot Fuzz in 2007 and the alien invasion pub crawl adventure The World’s End in 2013 rounded out the rest of the trilogy.

The “ice cream” refers to the flavors of Cornetto ice cream treats that make Easter egg appearances in each movie: the red strawberry flavor for Shaun of the Dead, the blue vanilla flavor for Hot Fuzz and the peppermint flavor for The World’s End. The movie also sparked the start of Pegg’s acting career in America as an inspired Scotty in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek film trilogy and Hughie’s father on the Amazon prime superhero satire The Boys.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/shaun-of-the-dead-will-stumble-back-into-theaters-for-its-20th-anniversary-213031726.html?src=rss

California Supreme Court upholds classification of gig workers as independent contractors

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Ride-share companies scored a victory in the California Supreme Court, allowing them to continue classifying gig workers as independent contractors rather than employees. Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and other gig-economy companies invested around $200 million in the passage of Proposition 22, which voters approved in 2020. The state’s highest court rejected a legal challenge from a drivers’ group and a labor union, ending their quest to bring full employee benefits to the state’s gig workers.

The California Supreme Court ruling affirms the state’s definition of drivers and other gig workers as independent contractors. Proposition 22, which received the support of 59 percent of voters in 2020, gives gig workers limited benefits like a baseline income and health insurance for those working at least 15 hours a week. However, it also allows the companies to avoid providing the broad swath of benefits full employees receive.

The Service Employees International Union and a drivers’ group sued to challenge the law after it went into effect in early 2021. Their lawsuit got an early boost from lower courts: An Alameda County Superior Court Justice ruled that year that Proposition 22 was “unconstitutional and unenforceable,” as the LA Times reported. The lower-court judge determined that the law diminished the state Legislature’s power to regulate injury compensation for workers.

However, in 2023, a state appeals court ruled the opposite, that Proposition 22 didn’t impede on the Legislature’s authority. Thursday’s decision upholds that ruling, ending the long saga and leaving the state’s gig workers with fewer benefits than they’d otherwise have. Proposition 22 remained in effect during the legal challenges, so nothing will change in how they’re treated.

Uber, Lyft, DoorDash and other gig-economy companies fought tooth and nail to pass and uphold the law. Four years ago, they invested upwards of $200 million in campaigning for it. They even threatened to pull their businesses from the state if they were forced to classify drivers as employees.

The LA Times reports the decision could influence other states’ laws. Uber has lobbied for similar legislation in other parts of the US. A law in Washington state closely parallels it, and the companies recently settled with the Massachusetts attorney general to provide similar (minimal) benefits to gig workers in that state.

Uber framed the ruling as a victory for upholding the will of the people (well, apart from the gig workers who wanted more benefits and protections). The company described the Supreme Court’s decision as “affirming the will of the nearly 10 million Californians who voted to deliver historic benefits and protections to drivers, while protecting their independence.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/california-supreme-court-upholds-classification-of-gig-workers-as-independent-contractors-210735586.html?src=rss

OpenAI launches new AI search engine SearchGPT, signup now for early access

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OpenAI launches new SearchGPT Search Engine

OpenAI has announced the development of SearchGPT, a prototype search engine that uses its advanced AI models to provide users with fast, accurate answers and clear, relevant sources. This new tool aims to transform the way people search for information online by combining conversational AI capabilities with real-time web data. SearchGPT is available to a […]

The post OpenAI launches new AI search engine SearchGPT, signup now for early access appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

Italian-Japanese Collaboration Reimagines the Moto Guzzi SP3 as a Gorgeous Retro-Modern Cafe Racer

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As far as automotives go, there’s a common consensus that Italy and Japan share equal stake in building mammoth industries and leading the design language in this sector. So what do you get when an Italian and a Japanese overcome physical and even language barriers to collaborate? What design language results from this unique confluence of styles? This stunning custom Moto Guzzi SP3, dubbed the “Fragore” (Italian for “roar”), exemplifies that collaborative spirit perfectly. The project stands out not just for its final form, but for the unique cross-continental effort that brought it to life.

Designers: Maurizio Carraro & Fujita Koichi

Maurizio Carraro of Imbarcadero 14 in Venice, Italy, has long admired the Japanese approach to cafe racer design. So, when the opportunity arose for an international project, he knew exactly who to call: Fujita Koichi of An-Bu Custom Motors in Nagoya, Japan. Despite the distance and language barrier, their shared passion for motorcycles transcended these limitations.

Koichi, with his expertise in modifying non-Japanese bikes, readily agreed. They chose a 1989 Moto Guzzi SP3 1000 as their canvas, a machine with a distinct engine layout compared to Koichi’s usual projects. Drawing inspiration from 1980s endurance racers, Koichi’s vision focused on a sleek new fairing design.

The stock bodywork was stripped away and replaced with Koichi’s signature An-Bu style half fairing with an asymmetrical headlight – a feature he meticulously adapted to the Guzzi’s dimensions. For the rear, a narrow, race-inspired seat and tail section were designed to integrate seamlessly with the bike’s subframe.

Meanwhile, Maurizio took to the subframe with a grinder, shortening it for a sportier look. He then fabricated aluminum surrounds for the tiny taillight Koichi envisioned, incorporating LED indicators for a clean aesthetic.

The original fuel tank was given a new lease on life. Its paint was removed, the raw steel meticulously brushed, and a protective satin clear coat applied. Both the frame and wheels received a fresh coat of black powder coating, while modern, grippy tires were mounted.

To ensure the resulting motorbike was more than just eye-candy, Maurizio removed the airbox and replaced it with high-flow air filters and a custom-made stainless steel exhaust system. The exposed electrical system was simplified and tucked away in the tail section, along with a lightweight lithium-ion battery, helping elevate the redesigned motorcycle’s performance.

The final touches included a suede-covered seat and a custom tank pad to conceal the original seat mount points. The crowning glory? A stunning satin metallic green paint – Maurizio’s interpretation of Moto Guzzi’s Griso green – adorned the An-Bu bodywork, along with subtle branding for all collaborators.

The post Italian-Japanese Collaboration Reimagines the Moto Guzzi SP3 as a Gorgeous Retro-Modern Cafe Racer first appeared on Yanko Design.

Video game performers will strike over AI concerns

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The SAG-AFTRA union today called for a strike against several major video game publishers after failing to reach an accord over AI use. The action will take effect at 12:01 am on July 26.

"We're not going to consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse A.I. to the detriment of our members," SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher said."Enough is enough. When these companies get serious about offering an agreement our members can live – and work – with, we will be here, ready to negotiate."

SAG-AFTRA performers working in games "deserve and demand the same fundamental protections as performers in film, television, streaming, and music: fair compensation and the right of informed consent for the A.I. use of their faces, voices, and bodies," said the union's National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.

The union has been lobbying the video game industry to agree to protections against its members' likenesses and voices being recreated with AI. SAG-AFTRA entered negotiations with the companies for the Interactive Media Agreement in October 2022. Other studios, such as Replica Games, have agreed to the union's contract. The union also secured a similar deal for animated TV shows earlier this year.

A spokesperson for the gaming companies included in the Interactive Media Agreement, Audrey Cooling, provided a statement on behalf of the businesses. ​​“We are disappointed the union has chosen to walk away when we are so close to a deal, and we remain prepared to resume negotiations," she said. "We have already found common ground on 24 out of 25 proposals, including historic wage increases and additional safety provisions. Our offer is directly responsive to SAG-AFTRA’s concerns and extends meaningful AI protections that include requiring consent and fair compensation to all performers working under the IMA. These terms are among the strongest in the entertainment industry."

The strike includes the following studios:

  • Activision Productions Inc.

  • Blindlight LLC

  • Disney Character Voices Inc.

  • Electronic Arts Productions Inc.

  • Formosa Interactive LLC

  • Insomniac Games Inc.

  • Llama Productions LLC

  • Take 2 Productions Inc.

  • VoiceWorks Productions Inc.

  • WB Games Inc.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/video-game-performers-will-strike-over-ai-concerns-201733660.html?src=rss

OpenAI unveils SearchGPT, an AI-powered search engine

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OpenAI on Thursday announced a new AI-powered search engine prototype called SearchGPT. The move marks the company’s entry into a competitive search engine market dominated by Google for decades. On its website, OpenAI described SearchGPT as “a temporary prototype of new AI search features that give you fast and timely answers with clear and relevant sources.” The company plans to test out the product with 10,000 initial users and then roll it into ChatGPT after gathering feedback.

The launch of SearchGPT comes amid growing competition in AI-powered search. Google, the world’s dominant search engine, recently began integrating AI capabilities into its platform. Other startups like the Jeff Bezos-backed Perplexity have also aimed to take on Google and have marketed themselves as “answer engines” that use AI to summarize the internet. 

The rise of AI-powered search engines has been controversial. Last month, Perplexity faced criticism for summarizing stories from Forbes and Wired without adequate attribution or backlinks to the publications as well as ignoring robots.txt, a way for websites to tell crawlers that scrape data to back off. Earlier this week, Wired publisher Condé Nast reportedly sent a cease and desist letter to Perplexity and accused it of plagiarism. 

Perhaps because of these tensions, OpenAI appears to be taking a more collaborative approach with SearchGPT. The company's blog post emphasizes that the prototype was developed in partnership with various news organizations and includes quotes from the CEOs of The Atlantic and News Corp, two of many publishers that OpenAI has struck licensing deals with.

“SearchGPT is designed to help users connect with publishers by prominently citing and linking to them in searches,” the company’s blog post says. “Responses have clear, in-line, named attribution and links so users know where information is coming from and can quickly engage with even more results in a sidebar with source links.” OpenAI also noted that publishers will have control over how their content is presented in SearchGPT and can opt out of having their content used for training OpenAI's models while still appearing in search results.

SearchGPT's interface features a prominent textbox asking users, "What are you searching for?" Unlike traditional search engines like Google that provide a list of links, SearchGPT categorizes the results with short descriptions and visuals.

SearchGPT
OpenAI

For example, when searching for information about music festivals, the engine provides brief descriptions of events along with links for more details. Some users have pointed out, however, that the search engine is already presenting inaccurate information in its results.

We reiterate: Please don't get your news from AI chatbots.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/openai-unveils-searchgpt-an-ai-powered-search-engine-195235766.html?src=rss

Sonos apologized for messing up its app and has offered a roadmap for fixing everything

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Sonos seriously stepped in it a couple of months back when it released an overhauled first-party mobile app that shipped with a number of missing features. These included core functions like sleep timers and alarms. Many of the company’s speakers would not appear as a pairing option and it became extremely difficult to precisely adjust the volume level of a paired speaker.Additionally, music search and playback were both negatively impacted by the change, leading to numerous customer complaints. 

Now, the company has apologized for releasing the half-baked app. CEO Patrick Spence whipped up a blog post to address the “significant problems” with the new software. 

“There isn’t an employee at Sonos who isn’t pained by having let you down, and I assure you that fixing the app for all of our customers and partners has been and continues to be our number one priority,” he wrote.

Spence also wrote that the company had planned to quickly incorporate the missing features and patch up any errors, but these fixes were delayed by a “number of issues” that were unique to the update. He did confirm that Sonos has been actively pushing out patches approximately every two weeks to address a wide variety of concerns.

Additionally, he outlined the company’s future roadmap for getting the app into proper working order. Upcoming fixes include increased stability when pairing new products and enhancing configuration options with regard to the music library. Volume responsiveness is also getting a refresh, as is the alarm clock. As a matter of fact, the entire user interface is getting a complete overhaul that is “based on customer feedback.”

All of these changes will be released via a number of app updates from now until October. Spence says he knows the company has work to do to “earn back” the trust of loyal Sonos customers. In better news, it did just release some nifty headphones.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sonos-apologized-for-messing-up-its-app-and-has-offered-a-roadmap-for-fixing-everything-191528422.html?src=rss