Month: November 2023
4,789 Facebook Accounts in China Impersonated Americans, Meta Says
The company warned that the inauthentic accounts underscored the threat of foreign election interference in 2024.
The company warned that the inauthentic accounts underscored the threat of foreign election interference in 2024.
Raw iGaming Partners with Digitain
Online slots developer Raw iGaming has formed an important strategic partnership with iGaming platform Digitain in an effort to improve
The post Raw iGaming Partners with Digitain appeared first on ReadWrite.
Online slots developer Raw iGaming has formed an important strategic partnership with iGaming platform Digitain in an effort to improve the distribution and accessibility of Raw iGaming’s catalog of slot titles to operators using Digitain’s platform.
According to a recent Gambling Insider report, the collaboration aims to leverage the reach of Digitain’s platform to expose Raw iGaming’s uniquely entertaining slot titles to more operators globally. Digitain provides an iGaming platform that operators can use to efficiently roll out an online casino offering, handling technical integrations and enabling easy access to content from top developers.
By making its titles readily available on Digitain’s platform, Raw iGaming is looking to get its games in front of more potential operational partners who can choose to offer the slots to their own player bases.
Raw iGaming will distribute some popular titles through Digitain
Some of Raw iGaming’s most popular titles that will now be distributable through Digitain include Ave Caesar, Raging Super2Ways, and the newly launched Twisted Toy Tales. These slots are designed to captivate players with features like SuperSlice, SuperTracks, and SuperSymbols.
From Raw iGaming
SuperSlice uses spinning wheels instead of traditional slot reels. SuperTracks incorporates visible pathways showing potential wins, and SuperSymbols allow adjacent matching symbols to combine into larger symbol groups for more significant win possibilities. The idea behind these innovations is to provide something fresh and unexpected while still being easy for players to understand.
Providing new experiences
“Players like to try new things, but they are not willing to spend time and money learning something entirely new,” explained Raw iGaming Founder and CEO Tom Wood. “They want to play, and they want to be entertained, and we ensure that’s the case when they engage with any one of our titles.” Wood believes the Digitain integration significantly widens access and “significantly increases the reach of our games among operators as well as challenger brands looking for something new.”
The Digitain deal builds on Raw iGaming’s recent strategic efforts to grow its distribution footprint, including a partnership with Videoslots in the newly regulated Ontario igaming market, deals with First Look Games and NetBet Italy in Europe, and market expansion into the burgeoning United States online casino vertical.
Featured Image Credit: Logos of two iGaming Platforms, Raw iGaming and Digitain; Thank you!
The post Raw iGaming Partners with Digitain appeared first on ReadWrite.
Google Messages new update makes it look a bit like the iPhone’s Messages app
The app implements its own take on Contact Poster called Profiles and now has full-screen animations for texts.
To commemorate one billion monthly active users, Google is introducing several new customization options on its Messages app.
What’s particularly interesting about the update is that a few of the features are reminiscent of what you find on Apple’s own Messages app. For example, you have Photomoji, allowing you to clip specific parts in a photograph and use them as emoji reactions. iOS 17 has something similar called Stickers. In Google Messages, cutouts are “saved in a special tab for reuse”, plus other people in a group chat can use the same Photomojis at any time.
The similarities don’t stop there. Google Messages is adding Profiles that let users create an introductory biography about themselves alongside their name and a picture. Its iOS counterpart would be Contact Poster. In addition, the app will now have animated Screen Effects akin to the message animations on iPhone. Unlike iOS, you can’t activate the colorful displays whenever you want as Google’s rendition requires you to enter specific “prompt words”. The full list of prompts isn’t in the announcement, although it does mention two.
Typing in “I love you” will launch a bunch of hearts. Entering “it’s snowing” would presumably cause snowflakes to fall from the top. There wasn’t a demo showcasing the latter so we can’t say for sure.
Unique inclusions
Of course, the update isn’t only about copying Apple.
There are Voice Moods that’ll let you slap an emoji onto a voice recording, giving it extra visual flair. Additionally, Google states it’ll be “increasing the bitrate and sampling rate” on vocal messages to improve audio quality. Next, you can change the color scheme of a chat, namely the text bubbles and background, to whatever you want via Custom Bubbles. This can help you differentiate conversations so you don’t accidentally send the wrong text to your mom when it was meant for a friend.
(Image credit: Google)
The last two aren’t as impactful, but they can add some nice flourishes to a chat. Now when you react to a message with an emoji, a short animation called a Reaction Effect will play at the same time. Also, standalone emojis sent through the app will sport extra visual effects like sparkles.
Once you get the patch, you can try out most of these features so keep an eye out for when it eventually arrives. The two outliers are Voice Moods and Reaction Effects; both of which are currently in beta. To try those out, you’ll have to become a beta tester for Google Messages, according to the official support page.
Android update
Besides the Messages update, Google is adding new features to other Android platforms. A lot is being implemented so we’re only going to mention the more impactful additions.
Moving forward, smartwatches running Wear OS can now control more smart appliances like vacuums and groups of smart lights. The TalkBack tool is being given an AI voice that’ll read out text descriptions to help blind people understand the content in front of them. And finally, Live Caption on smartphones will be available in more languages.
Be sure to check out TechRadar’s list of the best Android phones for 2023.
You might also like
Hell freezes over – Apple to support RCS messages from Android phones next yearGoogle Drive is getting some big changes – with a bonus for iPhone usersGoogle has a new fix for Android 14 phones that are stuck in reboot loops
Reddit updates look after rough 6 months and ahead of reported IPO
“Edit: Obligatory ‘F— Spez’ for karma.”
Enlarge / Left: Reddit’s old logo. Right: Reddit’s new logo. (credit: Reddit)
Writing a long comment providing detail about Reddit’s refreshed logo, mascot, and typeface this week, a Reddit employee seemingly rethought the post and opted to conclude it with choice words. The post’s last line currently reads:
“Edit: Obligatory ‘Fuck Spez’ for karma.”
The Reddit employee, going by Acidtwist on Reddit and known as Tavish, says they’re Reddit’s head of brand creative (Reddit says it doesn’t disclose the real identities of its workers on Reddit).
HP Printer Software Turns Up Uninvited on Windows Systems
Windows users are reporting that Hewlett Packard’s HP Smart application is appearing on their systems, despite them not having any of the company’s hardware attached. From a report: While Microsoft has remained tight-lipped on what is happening, folks on various social media platforms noted the app’s appearance, which seems to afflict both Windows 10 and Windows 11. The Windows Update mechanism is used to deploy third-party applications and drivers as well as Microsoft’s updates, and we’d bet someone somewhere has accidentally checked the wrong box.
Up to now, the response from affected users has been one of confusion. One noted on Reddit: “I thought that was just me. I didn’t install it, it just appeared on new apps in start menu out of nowhere.” Another said: “I just checked and I had it installed too. Checking the event log for the Microsoft Store shows that it installed earlier today, but I definitely did [not] request or initiate it because I do not have any devices from HP.” And, of course, there was the inevitable: “Would it be that hard for Microsoft to just provide an operating system without needless bloat?” To be clear, not all users are affected.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Windows users are reporting that Hewlett Packard’s HP Smart application is appearing on their systems, despite them not having any of the company’s hardware attached. From a report: While Microsoft has remained tight-lipped on what is happening, folks on various social media platforms noted the app’s appearance, which seems to afflict both Windows 10 and Windows 11. The Windows Update mechanism is used to deploy third-party applications and drivers as well as Microsoft’s updates, and we’d bet someone somewhere has accidentally checked the wrong box.
Up to now, the response from affected users has been one of confusion. One noted on Reddit: “I thought that was just me. I didn’t install it, it just appeared on new apps in start menu out of nowhere.” Another said: “I just checked and I had it installed too. Checking the event log for the Microsoft Store shows that it installed earlier today, but I definitely did [not] request or initiate it because I do not have any devices from HP.” And, of course, there was the inevitable: “Would it be that hard for Microsoft to just provide an operating system without needless bloat?” To be clear, not all users are affected.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Tesla’s long-awaited Cybertruck will start at $60,990 before rebates
After years of production delays, Tesla CEO Elon Musk took to a dimly-lit stage on Thursday to hand-deliver the first batch of Cybertruck EVs to their new owners. The company has also, finally announced pricing for the luxury electric truck. Prospective buyers can expect to pay anywhere from $60,990 to $100,000 MSRP (and potentially $11,000 less after rebates and tax credits). The company has launched an online configurator tool for those interested in placing an order of their own.
Tesla also officially revealed the vehicle’s performance specs and model options at the event. The Cybertruck’s entry-level version is the $60,990 single-motor rear-wheel drive ($49,890 after “incentives” and an “est. 3-year gas savings,” per the configurator). It will offer an estimated 250 miles of range and a pokey 6.5 second zero-to-60. Who knew steel sheeting would be so heavy?. It won’t be released until the 2025 model year.
The mid-level model is the $79,990 all-wheel drive version and sports e-motors on each axle. It weighs just over 6,600 pounds — 1,900 less than the Rivian R1S and nearly 2,500 less than the Hummer EV. It will offer 340 miles of range, a more respectable 4.1-second zero-to-60 and 600 HP with 7435 lb-ft of torque. Its 11,000-pound towing capacity is a touch more than the Ford Lighting XLT’s 10,000-pound maximum.
For $99,990, you can buy the top of the line Cyberbeast — yes, you will have to refer to it as that in public. The Cyberbeast comes equipped with a trio of e-motors that will provide AWD handling, a 320 mile range, 2.6-second sero-to-60, a 130 MPH top speed, 845 horses and 10,296 lb-ft of torque. Despite those impressive specs, the Cyberbeast is stuck with the same 11,000 pound tow limit as the base model.
Both the Cyberbeast and the AWD iteration will be able to carry 121 cubic feet of cargo and accommodate five adult passengers. The Cybertruck line is compatible with Tesla’s supercharger network and can accept up to 250W maximum, enough to add 128 miles of range for every 15 minutes of charge time. The AWD and Cyberbeast are both currently available to order on Tesla’s website, though prospective buyers will need to put down a fully-refundable $250 deposit upon ordering.
DevelopingThis article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/teslas-long-awaited-cybertruck-will-start-at-60990-before-rebates-211751127.html?src=rss
After years of production delays, Tesla CEO Elon Musk took to a dimly-lit stage on Thursday to hand-deliver the first batch of Cybertruck EVs to their new owners. The company has also, finally announced pricing for the luxury electric truck. Prospective buyers can expect to pay anywhere from $60,990 to $100,000 MSRP (and potentially $11,000 less after rebates and tax credits). The company has launched an online configurator tool for those interested in placing an order of their own.
Tesla also officially revealed the vehicle’s performance specs and model options at the event. The Cybertruck’s entry-level version is the $60,990 single-motor rear-wheel drive ($49,890 after “incentives” and an “est. 3-year gas savings,” per the configurator). It will offer an estimated 250 miles of range and a pokey 6.5 second zero-to-60. Who knew steel sheeting would be so heavy?. It won’t be released until the 2025 model year.
The mid-level model is the $79,990 all-wheel drive version and sports e-motors on each axle. It weighs just over 6,600 pounds — 1,900 less than the Rivian R1S and nearly 2,500 less than the Hummer EV. It will offer 340 miles of range, a more respectable 4.1-second zero-to-60 and 600 HP with 7435 lb-ft of torque. Its 11,000-pound towing capacity is a touch more than the Ford Lighting XLT’s 10,000-pound maximum.
For $99,990, you can buy the top of the line Cyberbeast — yes, you will have to refer to it as that in public. The Cyberbeast comes equipped with a trio of e-motors that will provide AWD handling, a 320 mile range, 2.6-second sero-to-60, a 130 MPH top speed, 845 horses and 10,296 lb-ft of torque. Despite those impressive specs, the Cyberbeast is stuck with the same 11,000 pound tow limit as the base model.
Both the Cyberbeast and the AWD iteration will be able to carry 121 cubic feet of cargo and accommodate five adult passengers. The Cybertruck line is compatible with Tesla’s supercharger network and can accept up to 250W maximum, enough to add 128 miles of range for every 15 minutes of charge time. The AWD and Cyberbeast are both currently available to order on Tesla’s website, though prospective buyers will need to put down a fully-refundable $250 deposit upon ordering.
Developing
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/teslas-long-awaited-cybertruck-will-start-at-60990-before-rebates-211751127.html?src=rss
Tesla’s CyberTruck Delivery Event: Everything Revealed in 5 Minutes video – CNET
Watch Tesla CEO Elon Musk deliver the first CyberTruck’s to customers at the company’s Design Studio in Austin, TX.
Watch Tesla CEO Elon Musk deliver the first CyberTruck’s to customers at the company’s Design Studio in Austin, TX.