Tech News Feed

Bose Smart Soundbar 300 - CNET

CNET News - Mon, 2023-12-11 20:45
Smart music system w/ Wifi voice assistant.

Apple iPad 10.9" 256GB Bundle - CNET

CNET News - Mon, 2023-12-11 20:41
Bluetooth keyboard, trackpad & other accessories.

Apple Watch Series 9 - CNET

CNET News - Mon, 2023-12-11 20:36
Charging stand,Bluetooth earbuds, 45mm.

Meta Quest 2 VR Headset, 256GB - CNET

CNET News - Mon, 2023-12-11 20:29
With battery strap & case.

Wendy's Expanding Use of AI Chatbot To Take Orders At Drive-Thrus

SlashDot - Mon, 2023-12-11 20:25
According to Bloomberg, Wendy's is expanding its test of an AI-powered chatbot that takes orders at the drive-thru. From the report: Franchisees will get the chance to test the product in 2024, the Dublin, Ohio-based chain said Monday. The tool, powered by Google Cloud's AI software, is currently active in four company-operated restaurants near Columbus. More locations are slated to start using it soon. Wendy's announced the pilot in May, joining the AI race as fast-food joints contended with elevated labor costs and the enduring popularity of drive-thrus. In writing for the chain, Matt Spessard, senior vice president and global chief technology officer, said Monday the software could on average take 86% of orders without intervention from restaurant staff, just exceeding the 85% target outlined earlier this year. The system, called Wendy's FreshAI, uses generative AI to create responses and adapt to customers in real time, Wendy's said. In one location, service times were 22 seconds faster than the average for Columbus.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Tabletop Heater & Fireplace - CNET

CNET News - Mon, 2023-12-11 20:15
Realistic flames, heat up to 400ft.

Apple Releases Spatial Video Recording On iPhone 15 Pro

SlashDot - Mon, 2023-12-11 19:45
With iOS 17.2 rolling out today, Apple is giving users the ability to record spatial videos on their iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. "The new feature lets users film in three dimensions and experience their favorite memories and special moments on Apple Vision Pro, the upcoming mixed-reality headset," reports TechCrunch. From the report: In order to create a three-dimensional video, Apple explains that the iPhone uses both the main and ultrawide cameras when recording. This is then saved as a single file within a new album in the Photos app titled "Spatial." The videos will also sync across devices with iCloud. Spatial videos are captured in 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second. Spatial video recording can be enabled in Settings by toggling on "Spatial Video for Apple Vision Pro" in the Camera section under Formats. Apple suggests holding the iPhone in landscape orientation for optimal results. Spatial videos can be viewed on all iPhones and other devices; however, they'll appear as regular, 2D videos. The new feature allows users to record videos that Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, Greg Joswiak, describes as "magical" and "setting a new bar for what's possible." While that's marketing speak, it's a differentiator for Apple's high-end iPhone, and will deepen users' connections with Apple's latest product, the AR/VR headset, launching next year. As part of today's release, Apple also launched its Journal app, which is designed to allow iOS users to record key moments in their lives.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Holly Jolly Pixel Watch Deals: Save on the Pixel Watch and Pixel Watch 2 - CNET

CNET News - Mon, 2023-12-11 19:30
Discounts abound on this popular Google smartwatch. We've rounded up the best deals out there.

Best Internet Providers in Eugene, Oregon - CNET

CNET News - Mon, 2023-12-11 19:30
Xfinity is the only option for many people in Eugene, but Hunter Fiber and T-Mobile are also worth considering.

HALO 100Wh Power Bank - CNET

CNET News - Mon, 2023-12-11 19:28
TSA approved, wireless charging & AC outlet.

Huawei To Start Building First European Factory In France

SlashDot - Mon, 2023-12-11 19:02
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Reuters: China's Huawei will start building its mobile phone network equipment factory in France next year, a source familiar with the matter said, pressing ahead with its first plant in Europe even as some European governments curb the use of the firm's 5G gear. The company outlined plans for the factory with an initial investment of 200 million euros ($215.28 million) in 2020, but the roll-out was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the source said on Monday. The source did not give a timeline for when the factory in Brumath, near Strasbourg, will be up and running. A French government source said the site was expected to open in 2025. Further reading: 'How Washington Chased Huawei Out of Europe'

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Google Play Movies & TV Is Ending. Here's How to Find Your Past Purchases - CNET

CNET News - Mon, 2023-12-11 18:30
Google outlined where you can find your TV and movie purchases outside of Google Play Movies & TV.

Google Play Movies, TV Apps Shutting Down In January 2024

SlashDot - Mon, 2023-12-11 18:20
Google Play Movies & TV will be replaced with Google TV on January 17, 2024. 9to5Google reports: Since the 2020 launch of the Google TV platform, that branding has replaced Play Movies & TV in areas such as mobile apps, but that's also led to the choice to do away with Play Movies & TV branding basically everywhere else. In October, that decision also made its way to Android TV, and the app has not been working ever since. Despite some confusion over the past few days, the app currently just redirects to Android TV's "Shop" tab, which has been widely available for months. In a new post, Google explains that it will do away with the last parts of Google Play Movies & TV in January 2024: "With these changes, Google Play Movies & TV will no longer be available on Android TV devices or the Google Play website.* However, you'll still be able to access all of your previously purchased titles (including active rentals) on Android TV devices, Google TV devices, the Google TV mobile app (Android and iOS), and YouTube." On January 17, Play Movies & TV will officially cease for good on Android TV. For anyone who does still have the app working -- again, most users cannot use the app already -- the "Shop" tab will become the only option. Similarly, Google says that Play Movies & TV will cease on other remaining platforms that same date. Any cable boxes with the app integrated will also lose it, and in turn pushed to the YouTube app for continued access to purchased content. Web access via play.google.com/movies will also go away, with youtube.com/movies becoming the alternative.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

How Important Are Lumen Ratings When Buying a Projector? - CNET

CNET News - Mon, 2023-12-11 18:00
From bite-size portable PJs to big home theater light throwers, here's much brightness do you actually need?

The Arc Browser Is Finally Coming To Windows

SlashDot - Mon, 2023-12-11 17:40
The Browser Company's Chromium-based Arc browser, which aims to rethink the whole browser UI with a sidebar for tabs and lots of personalization options, is finally coming to Windows. In a post on X, the Browser Company says it's sent out the first Windows beta invites. It's currently only available for iOS and Mac users. Slashdot reader dokjest shares the email they received: Hey there, Hursh here, CTO at the Browser Co, with some exciting news! A little while ago, you signed up for a brand new browser, Arc -- one that The Verge called "The Chrome replacement I've been waiting for" and Shopify's CEO named as "the best browser." Well, starting today, we're onboarding our very first beta testers to Arc on Windows. And you're next! Over the coming weeks, our team will be onboarding hundreds of beta testers to Arc. And come January, we'll be welcoming 1,000s of you from the waitlist every week. If you don't mind a few bugs and some rough edges, sign up as a beta tester and we'll prioritize your invite to Arc! For us, this period leading up to our Windows release is about crafting the very best version of Arc that we can. And that means learning from you -- what you love, what's missing, what doesn't feel quite right. It still feels surreal to say, but it really does all begin today. Follow along for some fun on isarconwindowsyet.com -- And we'll see you very soon! - Hursh and The Browser Co Crew P.S. If you have a friend on Windows with one too many tabs, who could use a better browser -- forward this on to them, too! If you want to get on the beta waitlist, you can sign up here.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Bought a New iPhone 15? Try These USB-C Accessories First - CNET

CNET News - Mon, 2023-12-11 17:32
The switch from Lightning to USB-C opens up a new world of accessories for the iPhone 15.

12 Sony Holiday Headphone Deals Not to Miss: From $10 - CNET

CNET News - Mon, 2023-12-11 17:30
If you're looking to wrap up some Sony headphones or earbuds this holiday season, we've found some of the lowest prices of the year.

US Healthcare Giant Norton Says Hackers Stole Millions of Patients' Data During Ransomware Attack

SlashDot - Mon, 2023-12-11 17:02
An anonymous reader quotes a report from TechCrunch: Kentucky-based nonprofit healthcare system Norton Healthcare has confirmed that hackers accessed the personal data of millions of patients and employees during an earlier ransomware attack. Norton operates more than 40 clinics and hospitals in and around Louisville, Kentucky, and is the city's third-largest private employer. The organization has more than 20,000 employees, and more than 3,000 total providers on its medical staff, according to its website. In a filing with Maine's attorney general on Friday, Norton said that the sensitive data of approximately 2.5 million patients, as well as employees and their dependents, was accessed during its May ransomware attack. In a letter sent to those affected, the nonprofit said that hackers had access to "certain network storage devices between May 7 and May 9," but did not access Norton Healthcare's medical record system or Norton MyChart, its electronic medical record system. But Norton admitted that following a "time-consuming" internal investigation, which the organization completed in November, Norton found that hackers accessed a "wide range of sensitive information," including names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, health and insurance information and medical identification numbers. Norton Healthcare says that, for some individuals, the exposed data may have also included financial account numbers, driver licenses or other government ID numbers, as well as digital signatures. It's not known if any of the accessed data was encrypted. Norton says it notified law enforcement about the attack and confirmed it did not pay any ransom payment. The organization did not name the hackers responsible for the cyberattack, but the incident was claimed by the notorious ALPHV/BlackCat ransomware gang in May, according to data breach news site DataBreaches.net, which reported that the group claimed it exfiltrated almost five terabytes of data. TechCrunch could not confirm this, as the ALPHV website was inaccessible at the time of writing.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

AirPods Pro 2 Deals: Up to $60 Off at These Retailers - CNET

CNET News - Mon, 2023-12-11 17:00
These are the best AirPods Pro 2 prices right now -- and they include bargains on the latest USB-C model.

Nvidia Emerges as Leading Investor in AI Companies

SlashDot - Mon, 2023-12-11 16:20
Nvidia, the world's most valuable chipmaker, has become one of the most prolific investors in AI start-ups this year, seeking to capitalise on its position as the dominant provider of AI processors. From a report: Silicon Valley-based Nvidia said on Monday it had invested in "more than two dozen" companies this year, from big new AI platforms valued in the billions of dollars to smaller start-ups applying AI to industries such as healthcare or energy. According to estimates by Dealroom, which tracks venture capital investments, Nvidia participated in 35 deals in 2023, almost six times more than last year. That made the chipmaker the most active large-scale investor in AI in a banner year for dealmaking in the sector, outstripping Silicon Valley's largest venture firms such as Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia, according to Dealroom, excluding small-scale accelerator funds such as Y Combinator that place many smaller bets. "Broadly, for Nvidia, the number one criteria [for making start-up investments] is relevancy," Mohamed Siddeek, head of its dedicated venture arm NVentures, told the Financial Times. "Companies that use our technology, who depend on our technology, who build their businesses on our technologyâ...âI can't think of a situation where we've invested in a company that did not use Nvidia products."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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