Monthly Archives: September 2024

MrBeast and Amazon are being sued by contestants of their planned competition show

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A lawsuit on behalf of five unnamed contestants who participated in YouTuber MrBeast’s Beast Games was filed on September 16 in Los Angeles against MrBeast as well as Amazon, which plans to distribute the show. It’s also seeking class-action status.

Beast Games is the brainchild of Jimmy Donaldson, also known as MrBeast. This game show had participants go through challenges for a shot at $5 million in cash. There would only be one winner out of 1,000 participants, so the money would only go to the last person standing.

When the five contestants participated in the game show, they each wanted to win the money, but nothing prepared them for the poor conditions, mistreatment and harassment they experienced. Among the 14 complaints are failure to pay minimum wages, sexual harassment, false advertising and failure to provide uninterrupted meal and rest breaks.

The plaintiffs filed this lawsuit on behalf of all Beast Games contestants besides themselves. Much of the lawsuit’s content is hidden, including the contestants’ names and the exact details of their mistreatment. Of note were the female contestants’ experiences. The lawyers claimed that the work environment there “fostered a culture of misogyny and sexism where Production Staff did nothing.”

The contestants were considered employees under California law, but MrBeast and Amazon allegedly misclassified them to obtain a tax credit of around $2 million. They also arrived on set to discover that instead of 1,000 total competitors, there were far more people playing for the prize, thus lowering everyone's chances of coming out a winner. According to the New York Times, the total number of contestants was about 2,000, something MrBeast said was the plan all along. The plaintiffs claimed this significantly reduced anyone’s chances of winning and was considered false advertising. Even worse, the show organizers did not grant them meal and rest breaks as required by California law. According to the lawsuit, some of the show participants developed injuries that “continue to persist and will persist from the future.”

This isn’t the first time MrBeast has been involved in a lawsuit. Last year, he sued Virtual Dining Concepts (VDC) for making subpar MrBeast Burgers, ruining his reputation. VDC countersued MrBeast, seeking $100 million in damages.

According to a report from Variety, MrBeast and Amazon have yet to comment on the lawsuit, with the former refusing to. Beast Games, slated for an Amazon Prime Video release, still has no announced release date.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/mrbeast-and-amazon-are-being-sued-by-contestants-of-their-planned-competition-show-152613641.html?src=rss

Life360 launches the smallest Tile Bluetooth Tracker and its longest-range option

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Bluetooth trackers save us the drama of lost and stolen stuff. This notion is the mainstay of Life360 – which after its acquisition by AirTag competitor Tile – has for the first time announced a consortium of Tile Bluetooth trackers. These come with a range of new features including longer track range, SOS button, and a louder alert sound.

Life360 has designed the Tile Bluetooth trackers to help families keep track of their everyday items and valuable belongings using its dedicated app, comprehensive ecosystem, and enhanced location sharing capabilities. Put the ring on your things, pets, or even people (who may need it) and sheet them in an extra layer of security that the entire family unit can have access to right on their smartphone.

Designer: Life360

The main highlight of the Life360 Tile Bluetooth trackers is a multifunction button on them that on the push sends an SOS alert in emergency situations. In addition to this, the new Tile Bluetooth trackers offer enhanced integration with the Life360 app, which allows the users to bring everything and everyone in their family circle in one place, the Life360 Map. This is possible by linking the Tile account and Life360 and the entire circle sees your Tiles and finds lost, misplaced items quickly and effortlessly. The dedicated app is compatible with both Android and Apple ecosystems.

The SOS button on the Tile tracker, when pressed three times, triggers a Life360 SOS alert. When this happens, a notification is sent out with the user’s location to the designated emergency contacts. Even though many add-on features are subscription only, ‘SOS alerts are free for all Life360 users.’ The new Tile lineup features four new models that are sleeker in design, and arrive in as many new colors: green, pink, aqua blue, and navy blue.

The four models comprise Tile Mate, Tile Pro, Tile Slim and Tile Stricker. With a built-in keyring, the Tile Mate comes for $24.99 and is ideal for keeping track of keys, backpacks, lunchboxes and purses. The Tile Slim, as the name implies is the slimmest of the four trackers. At $29.99 it is apt for slipping into wallets, passport holders, and luggage. $24.99 Tile Sticker is the smallest Bluetooth tracker on the market and the Title Pro with its sticker price of $34.99 is the most powerful. It has the loudest ring and longest range in the Tile trackers, and can keep track of all kinds of items you may choose. Tile Mate, Slim, and Sticker trackers are now available, while the Tile Pro will be available starting in October.

The post Life360 launches the smallest Tile Bluetooth Tracker and its longest-range option first appeared on Yanko Design.

Lionsgate signs a deal with the devil (an AI startup)

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Remember when the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA went on strike for months, in great part to get protections against AI? Well, while they did get some stipulations in there, it's not stopping AI from coming to Hollywood anyways. Lionsgate, the studio behind the John Wick and Hunger Games franchises, has struck a deal with AI startup Runway, the Wall Street Journal first reported and Runway confirmed in a press release. The arrangement will allow Runway access to Lionsgate's content library in exchange for a fresh, custom AI model that the studio can use in production and editing.

The deal is similar to recent (and equally icky feeling) ones with publishing houses such as TIME and Dotdash Meredith, but it is the first of its kind for the film and TV industry. Vice chairman of Lionsgate Studio, Michael Burns, said that in recent months, he feared falling behind competitors without a step like this. "Runway is a visionary, best-in-class partner who will help us utilize AI to develop cutting edge, capital efficient content creation opportunities," Burns stated. He then claimed, "Several of our filmmakers are already excited about its potential applications to their pre-production and post-production process."

There's also the small matter that he expects the company will save "millions and millions of dollars" through this agreement. Whether that money will come out of creatives' paychecks is something we can only speculate about now, but it wouldn't be surprising.

As for Lionsgate's new bedfellow, like many AI companies, Runway has faced accusations of pilfering content to train its system. A former employee came forward in July with alleged internal spreadsheets demonstrating that Runway used YouTube videos from the likes of Disney, Netflix and popular media outlets to train its Gen-3 model. A group of artists are also suing Runway and other players like Stability AI for copyright infringement, reports Artnet. The plaintiffs garnered a win in August, with California District Judge William Orrick finding they had reasonably argued these companies had violated the artists' rights.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/lionsgate-signs-a-deal-with-the-devil-an-ai-startup-151046341.html?src=rss

Substack, a newsletter service, is now also a live video company

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Substack is adding a live video component to its newsletter service. In its announcement post, the company positioned this feature as providing real-time audience engagement for creators. At launch, the feature will only be available to people with Substack's Bestsellers badges, but the company said it plans to roll it out to all users in the coming months.

Creators can begin live videos within the Substack app. As with written material on the platform, a creator can set whether the audience for a live video is everyone, all subscribers or paid subscribers. Any channel subscribers will be notified when a live video begins. There's also an option for collaboration, inviting other Substack members into the live broadcast. For now, only iOS users can issue invitations; Android users can accept an invite for now, and are slated to receive access to the full feature "soon." After a live broadcast finishes, a recording will be saved in post drafts so the video can be used in a future newsletter. There's also a clipping tool for light video editing tasks.

Substack has been making a push to bring video content creators to its platform from TikTok, which doesn't seem like an obvious competitor to the company's existing offerings or an obvious match for the community it has cultivated. Emails are asynchronous communication that can be read whenever it's convenient, the polar opposite of must-watch-now live videos. The option to include recordings in newsletters is useful, but adopting the live viewing as a regular part of their Substack routine may be a big ask for current users. In short: there's no guarantee that the new feature will function well, or that most newsletter creators and readers are interested in engaging with video content.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/substack-a-newsletter-service-is-now-also-a-live-video-company-150004585.html?src=rss

FryMist concept combines air frying and steaming into one device

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I’ve been trying for years to eat healthier due to various health conditions that have come up. I’m not much of a cook and the only things I can do right now are fry things. But of course it’s not the healthiest way so having an air fryer would be ideal. Another way would be to steam things but there are times when frying, or at least air frying, is better.

Designer: Duygu Yildiz

A designer said, why not have both? FryMist is a concept for a cooking device that puts an air fryer and a steamer into just one device to save space in your kitchen. It’s not really combining the two processes but integrating them into just one device. This way you are able to get low-fat cooking and healthier dishes while also not giving you harmful chemicals from high heat.

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The steamer part has a water boiling container and a grill since you of course need water to be able to steam your veggies or fish or whatever else you can steam. The air fryer part has the container and the air fry grill. The air fryer and steamer also has separate screens so you won’t get confused as to the controls and the displays.

This would be an ideal cooking device for people who like me who don’t have much time to cook actual dishes. If this is made into an actual product, I would probably be first in line to get one.

The post FryMist concept combines air frying and steaming into one device first appeared on Yanko Design.

Apple confirms expanded language support for Apple Intelligence in 2025

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The rollout of Apple Intelligence will be fairly slow-paced, with Apple gradually adding new features and support for more languages over the coming months. The company has now confirmed support for several more languages as Apple Intelligence will be available in German, Italian, Korean, Portuguese and Vietnamese in 2025. That’s in addition to previously announced support for Chinese, French, Japanese and Spanish.

Apple will initially offer Apple Intelligence in the US in English with the release of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1 in October. As such, you won’t have access to the tools immediately if you pick up an iPhone 16 when Apple’s latest smartphone lineup ships on Friday.

The tools will be available in localized English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK in December. Apple will also start rolling out the features in India and Singapore in English next year. Further language support is to be announced.

There is one key thing worth noting as part of the Apple Intelligence rollout, however. Apple is not planning to broadly offer the tools in the European Union or Chinese mainland right away. So while you’ll be able to use Apple Intelligence in Portuguese or French, you might not necessarily be able to do so while you’re in Portugal or France.

“Apple Intelligence will not currently work if you are in the EU and if your Apple ID Country/Region is also in the EU,” Apple notes in a support article. “If traveling outside of the EU, Apple Intelligence will work when your device language and Siri language are set to a supported language.”

Also, as things stand, Apple Intelligence won’t work on phones bought on the Chinese mainland. Those traveling to China with an iPhone they bought elsewhere also won’t have access to the tools if their Apple ID Country/Region is set to mainland China.

Apple is hoping to bring Apple Intelligence to the EU and China, however. The company told TechCrunch that it's in talks with regulators in both markets over the issue. Apple is initially withholding the AI tools from the EU over concerns related to the Digital Markets Act.

Update 9/18 10:41AM ET: Added a note that Apple is in discussions with the EU and China over Apple Intelligence. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/apple-confirms-expanded-language-support-for-apple-intelligence-in-2025-140548274.html?src=rss

Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ “Motorsport Collectors Edition” Unveiled

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Mercedes

The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ “Motorsport Collectors Edition” is a highly exclusive model that brings the thrill of Formula 1™ to the streets. This special edition is designed to appeal to car enthusiasts and collectors who crave a sporty driving experience and have a passion for motorsport. With its unique design elements and advanced […]

The post Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ “Motorsport Collectors Edition” Unveiled appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

GM electric vehicles can finally recharge at Tesla Supercharger stations

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Starting today, General Motors is starting to sell approved North American Charging Standard (NACS) DC adapters for its electric vehicles. GM originally announced it would support Tesla’s NACS connector 15 months ago, but it’s taken them until today to get adapters out to the market. Models from Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC will all be able to use this new adapter.

Previously, GM electric vehicles weren’t compatible with Tesla Superchargers, as they were outfitted with a different proprietary charging port. Those who own these EVs can purchase an adapter for $225 using your vehicle brand’s mobile app. The app can also help owners locate the closest Supercharger station.

These NACS DC adapters will first be available to US customers, while Canadian EV owners will have to wait until later this year. Moving forward, GM vehicles will now come with NACS DC adapters, meaning future owners won’t have to fork $225 over for the ability to recharge. To ensure all GM EV owners can power up their vehicles, the company is working with multiple supplies to provide enough adapters for all.

Earlier this year, Ford EV owners started being able to charge their vehicles at Tesla’s Superchargers. Subaru, Hyundai and basically every other major automaker in the US also made similar announcements last year. That GM took well over a year to release adapters could be due to Tesla firing its entire Supercharger team in April, according to a report from Forbes.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/gm-electric-vehicles-can-finally-recharge-at-tesla-supercharger-stations-135228213.html?src=rss

AirPods Just Got Even Better with iOS 18: Must-Know Features!

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Apple’s iOS 18 update brings a wealth of exciting features and enhancements to the second-generation AirPods Pro, transforming the way you interact with your audio devices. From intuitive gesture controls to adaptive audio customization, improved voice isolation, and an immersive gaming mode, the AirPods Pro now offer an unparalleled listening experience. Additionally, the upcoming hearing […]

The post AirPods Just Got Even Better with iOS 18: Must-Know Features! appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

Apple’s M3 iMac is down to a record-low price ahead of October Prime Day

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While I'm a MacBook gal myself, the appeal of investing in an iMac has crossed my mind now and again — all that display space is just so enticing. One of the major reasons I've resisted is the price of getting a new iMac, but a record-low price is giving me a change of heart. Right now, the 2023 iMac with M3 chip is down to $1,100 from $1,300 thanks to a 12 percent discount and a $49 coupon. This model offers an 8-core CPU and 256GB of storage but no AppleCare+. 

In our review, we gave the newest iMac an 86, thanks mostly to the M3 chip. In our tests, the iMac never slowed down or struggled with browsing, photo editing, or games. Overall, it gave us all the quality and speed we could need for day-to-day use. Plus, it's great to have 24GB of RAM versus the M1's 16GB. The display is also top-notch, and the device is super lightweight, at under 10 pounds and less than 11.5mm in thickness. 

At the same time, the 2023 iMac isn't a big upgrade from its predecessor. As we said then, "If you've seen a 24-inch iMac before, you've seen this one." It doesn't have a larger option or vertical screen adjustment. Plus, that 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM still make this feel overpriced, even with the markdown. 

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice in the lead up to October Prime Day 2024.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-m3-imac-is-down-to-a-record-low-price-ahead-of-october-prime-day-132441743.html?src=rss