Month: May 2024
Google Algorithm Leak Contradicts What Google Has Said About Website Rankings – CNET
The 2,500-document leak confirms, to an extent, what everyone has been thinking.
The 2,500-document leak confirms, to an extent, what everyone has been thinking.
Silent Hill 2 remake hits PS5 and PC on October 8
Bloober Team’s remake of Silent Hill 2 is due to hit PlayStation 5 and PC on October 8, and it’s looking nice and spooky. It’s available to pre-order on the PlayStation Store and Steam.
It’s been less than two years since Konami and Bloober Team announced the Silent Hill 2 remake, though news of its existence leaked a few months beforehand, giving fans plenty of time to catastrophize the situation. Today we got the first gameplay trailer for the remake, showcasing familiar hallways lined with bloody nurses, low-light environments crawling with bugs, and other nasty surprises that have always been lurking in the sleepy town of Silent Hill. With modern visuals, lighting and sensibilities, it all looks eerily beautiful.
The release date trailer dropped during today’s PlayStation State of Play showcase. Right after that, Konami held a separate event just for its numerous Silent Hill projects, including an extended look at the Silent Hill 2 remake.
Bloober Team is the studio behind the Layers of Fear franchise, Observer, Blair Witch and The Medium — all perfectly serviceable psychological horror experiences. Still, there’s a lot to live up to here: Silent Hill 2 is a beloved, classic horror game. It hit the PlayStation 2 in 2001 and, more than 20 years on, plenty of fans are anxious to see how the remake will hold up. Bloober Team has completely rebuilt the game, including full performance capture and swapping a semi-fixed camera for a modern third-person perspective.
Bloober Team co-founder Piotr Babieno told Engadget in June 2023 that the studio shifted its entire game-making ethos for the Silent Hill 2 remake. Instead of leading with mood and set dressing, they made mechanics the foundation of the on-screen terror, using player input to generate disquiet. The Layers of Fear collection that came out last summer marked the end of Bloober Team’s psychological-horror era. As Babieno said last June:
“This year is like closing the era of making psychological horror games. Right now we are going into Bloober Team 3.0, making mass-market horror…. We decided that our next titles should be much more mass-market oriented. We’d like to talk with more people. We’d like to deliver our ideas, with our DNA, not by environment or storytelling, but by action. So all of our future titles will have a lot of gameplay mechanics. They will be much bigger.”This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/silent-hill-2-remake-hits-ps5-and-pc-on-october-8-230731258.html?src=rss
Bloober Team’s remake of Silent Hill 2 is due to hit PlayStation 5 and PC on October 8, and it’s looking nice and spooky. It’s available to pre-order on the PlayStation Store and Steam.
It’s been less than two years since Konami and Bloober Team announced the Silent Hill 2 remake, though news of its existence leaked a few months beforehand, giving fans plenty of time to catastrophize the situation. Today we got the first gameplay trailer for the remake, showcasing familiar hallways lined with bloody nurses, low-light environments crawling with bugs, and other nasty surprises that have always been lurking in the sleepy town of Silent Hill. With modern visuals, lighting and sensibilities, it all looks eerily beautiful.
The release date trailer dropped during today’s PlayStation State of Play showcase. Right after that, Konami held a separate event just for its numerous Silent Hill projects, including an extended look at the Silent Hill 2 remake.
Bloober Team is the studio behind the Layers of Fear franchise, Observer, Blair Witch and The Medium — all perfectly serviceable psychological horror experiences. Still, there’s a lot to live up to here: Silent Hill 2 is a beloved, classic horror game. It hit the PlayStation 2 in 2001 and, more than 20 years on, plenty of fans are anxious to see how the remake will hold up. Bloober Team has completely rebuilt the game, including full performance capture and swapping a semi-fixed camera for a modern third-person perspective.
Bloober Team co-founder Piotr Babieno told Engadget in June 2023 that the studio shifted its entire game-making ethos for the Silent Hill 2 remake. Instead of leading with mood and set dressing, they made mechanics the foundation of the on-screen terror, using player input to generate disquiet. The Layers of Fear collection that came out last summer marked the end of Bloober Team’s psychological-horror era. As Babieno said last June:
“This year is like closing the era of making psychological horror games. Right now we are going into Bloober Team 3.0, making mass-market horror…. We decided that our next titles should be much more mass-market oriented. We’d like to talk with more people. We’d like to deliver our ideas, with our DNA, not by environment or storytelling, but by action. So all of our future titles will have a lot of gameplay mechanics. They will be much bigger.”
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/silent-hill-2-remake-hits-ps5-and-pc-on-october-8-230731258.html?src=rss
The first electric Jeep for the US is finally here
Image: Jeep
Spoiler alert. Jeep, the rugged American brand known for popularizing the SUV, finally has its own electric model for the US. Today, in New York City, the company unveiled the Wagoneer S, a premium two-row SUV with an estimated 300 miles of range and a lot of, shall we say, interesting design details. That includes a unique spoiler and a massive 45-inch digital display across the dashboard.
The only trim announced today was the Launch Edition, which goes on sale this fall with a starting price of $71,995. Other trims, including more affordable versions, will be announced later.
An estimated 300 miles of range and a lot of, shall we say, interesting design details
Sure, it’s not the fully electric Wrangler that was initially promised and many thought would come first. (That’s coming later as the Jeep Recon.) And yeah, its premium pricing isn’t exactly what a lot of customers are looking for right now, with sluggish sales and sticker shock keeping many people tethered to their gas engines.
But Jeep is one of the most iconic auto brands in the US. Its hybrid models are very popular. So people are going to be at least curious about the first battery-electric model.
If you’ve been paying close attention, you’ve likely already seen the Wagoneer S. It was previewed back in 2022 as part of Jeep’s big “we’re going electric” event. Then, at the beginning of the year, Jeep accidentally leaked a few photos. And finally, the company pitted a preproduction model against a Tesla Model Y in a drag race a few weeks ago. (Guess who won.)
The Wagoneer S is sporting a lot of the same specs that were first announced in 2022, with one notable exception: range. Jeep initially said the Wagoneer S would have at least 400 miles, but it now looks like that estimate was off by 100 miles. Other than that, the vehicle’s specifications are pretty much the same: dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain capable of 600 horsepower and 617 pound-feet of torque, a zero to 60mph time of about 3.4 seconds, and the iconic seven-pillar grille lit by LEDs.
The iconic seven-pillar grille lit by LEDs
Jeep has kept its fans waiting a long time for the release of an all-electric model. The company outlined a full lineup of EVs in 2022, including an electric Wrangler. The Jeep Avenger, the company’s first BEV, went on sale in Europe last year. (Over 40,000 units have been reserved, according to the most recent data.) And the company has said it’s aiming to have EVs comprise 50 percent of sales in the US and 100 percent of sales in Europe by 2030.
In the meantime, a number of Jeep-like competitors have released their own models, including the Rivian R1T and R1S. Scout, an SUV pioneer now owned by Volkswagen, has said it will reveal its first rugged model later this year. Ford and GM have both released their own electric trucks as well as several midsize SUVs.
But now, it’s Jeep’s turn. The five-passenger Wagoneer S will have a 100.5kWh battery built on parent company Stellantis’ unibody STLA Large vehicle platform, which is one of the four platforms for all the company’s EVs. (There’s STLA Small, STLA Medium, STLA Large, and STLA Frame.)
But unlike other STLA Large platform vehicles with 800-volt architectures, the Wagoneer S will only have a 400-volt architecture, which, theoretically, could mean slightly slower DC fast charging. But Jeep insists it will still be relatively quick, to the tune of charging 20 to 80 percent in 23 minutes.
The look of the Wagoneer S is certainly unique. The seven-pillar LED lights in the grille are sure to be a conversation starter — if not outright controversial. And the cantilevered rear spoiler, while not Cybertruck-level weird, still takes some getting used to. Jeep fans are already sounding off in Reddit threads and various message boards.
By electrifying its premium SUV, Jeep isn’t exactly signaling this will be an off-roader’s ideal EV. Tellingly, the words “off-road” don’t appear anywhere in Jeep’s six-page press release. (The company saved that for the Trailhawk concept that may or may not get built.) Still, the Wagoneer S will have its own 4xe (pronounced “four by E”) bona fides to boast of. Stellantis has been pouring millions of dollars into developing its own electric drive modules (no, not that kind of EDM) at three different US plants to power its future EVs.
And now those EDMs are being put to use in the Wagoneer S, powering both the front and rear wheels independently. According to Jeep:
The Jeep Wagoneer S’s 3-in-1 EDMs combine the electric motor, gearing and power electronics into a single, compact unit that is both powerful and efficient. The front EDM is equipped with wheel disconnects to reduce energy draw when cruising and to help optimize range.
In order to make the ride as smooth and silent as possible, Jeep’s engineers tweaked the body torsion stiffness for a 35 percent improvement over other midsize Jeeps. The vehicle’s aerodynamics are also optimized — which is typical of an EV — with a drag coefficient of 0.29. And there is some indication of off-road capabilities, with five distinct drive modes: Auto, Eco, Sport, Snow, and Sand. (I’m told that Jeep recommends you select Sand when driving in deep snow and Snow when looking to avoid slippage. Makes sense!)
Most notably, Jeep is betting big on interior screen real estate. A massive 45-inch glass display stretches the width of the dash, including a segment just for passengers — a first for Jeep. The 10.25-inch passenger display also runs on Stellantis’ Uconnect operating system and can “talk” with the main display, so passengers can share driving directions and other information.
The instrument cluster and central display both measure 12.3 inches and also run on Uconnect. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available. And while the price tag may turn some people off, Jeep says the Wagoneer S is likely to qualify for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, which can be applied directly at the dealership.
There’s a lot riding on the Wagoneer S. Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa, who assumed the role from Christian Meunier last year, has been slashing prices and reorienting the brand’s marketing strategy in a bid to reverse flagging US sales. The Wagoneer S will be a key component in Filosa’s effort to breathe new life into the company. (Look for my Q&A with Filosa tomorrow on The Verge.)
Jeep’s approach is interesting, to say the least. Picking a fight with a Tesla Model Y in a drag race, when the Tesla sells for $20,000 less, may strike some as a mismatched fight. A better equivalent would probably have been Rivian, but more people know Tesla, the clear leader in the EV race.
Jeep has its sights set on the top dog. And it thinks it can win.
Image: Jeep
Spoiler alert.
Jeep, the rugged American brand known for popularizing the SUV, finally has its own electric model for the US. Today, in New York City, the company unveiled the Wagoneer S, a premium two-row SUV with an estimated 300 miles of range and a lot of, shall we say, interesting design details. That includes a unique spoiler and a massive 45-inch digital display across the dashboard.
The only trim announced today was the Launch Edition, which goes on sale this fall with a starting price of $71,995. Other trims, including more affordable versions, will be announced later.
Sure, it’s not the fully electric Wrangler that was initially promised and many thought would come first. (That’s coming later as the Jeep Recon.) And yeah, its premium pricing isn’t exactly what a lot of customers are looking for right now, with sluggish sales and sticker shock keeping many people tethered to their gas engines.
But Jeep is one of the most iconic auto brands in the US. Its hybrid models are very popular. So people are going to be at least curious about the first battery-electric model.
If you’ve been paying close attention, you’ve likely already seen the Wagoneer S. It was previewed back in 2022 as part of Jeep’s big “we’re going electric” event. Then, at the beginning of the year, Jeep accidentally leaked a few photos. And finally, the company pitted a preproduction model against a Tesla Model Y in a drag race a few weeks ago. (Guess who won.)
The Wagoneer S is sporting a lot of the same specs that were first announced in 2022, with one notable exception: range. Jeep initially said the Wagoneer S would have at least 400 miles, but it now looks like that estimate was off by 100 miles. Other than that, the vehicle’s specifications are pretty much the same: dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain capable of 600 horsepower and 617 pound-feet of torque, a zero to 60mph time of about 3.4 seconds, and the iconic seven-pillar grille lit by LEDs.
Jeep has kept its fans waiting a long time for the release of an all-electric model. The company outlined a full lineup of EVs in 2022, including an electric Wrangler. The Jeep Avenger, the company’s first BEV, went on sale in Europe last year. (Over 40,000 units have been reserved, according to the most recent data.) And the company has said it’s aiming to have EVs comprise 50 percent of sales in the US and 100 percent of sales in Europe by 2030.
In the meantime, a number of Jeep-like competitors have released their own models, including the Rivian R1T and R1S. Scout, an SUV pioneer now owned by Volkswagen, has said it will reveal its first rugged model later this year. Ford and GM have both released their own electric trucks as well as several midsize SUVs.
But now, it’s Jeep’s turn. The five-passenger Wagoneer S will have a 100.5kWh battery built on parent company Stellantis’ unibody STLA Large vehicle platform, which is one of the four platforms for all the company’s EVs. (There’s STLA Small, STLA Medium, STLA Large, and STLA Frame.)
But unlike other STLA Large platform vehicles with 800-volt architectures, the Wagoneer S will only have a 400-volt architecture, which, theoretically, could mean slightly slower DC fast charging. But Jeep insists it will still be relatively quick, to the tune of charging 20 to 80 percent in 23 minutes.
The look of the Wagoneer S is certainly unique. The seven-pillar LED lights in the grille are sure to be a conversation starter — if not outright controversial. And the cantilevered rear spoiler, while not Cybertruck-level weird, still takes some getting used to. Jeep fans are already sounding off in Reddit threads and various message boards.
By electrifying its premium SUV, Jeep isn’t exactly signaling this will be an off-roader’s ideal EV. Tellingly, the words “off-road” don’t appear anywhere in Jeep’s six-page press release. (The company saved that for the Trailhawk concept that may or may not get built.) Still, the Wagoneer S will have its own 4xe (pronounced “four by E”) bona fides to boast of. Stellantis has been pouring millions of dollars into developing its own electric drive modules (no, not that kind of EDM) at three different US plants to power its future EVs.
And now those EDMs are being put to use in the Wagoneer S, powering both the front and rear wheels independently. According to Jeep:
The Jeep Wagoneer S’s 3-in-1 EDMs combine the electric motor, gearing and power electronics into a single, compact unit that is both powerful and efficient. The front EDM is equipped with wheel disconnects to reduce energy draw when cruising and to help optimize range.
In order to make the ride as smooth and silent as possible, Jeep’s engineers tweaked the body torsion stiffness for a 35 percent improvement over other midsize Jeeps. The vehicle’s aerodynamics are also optimized — which is typical of an EV — with a drag coefficient of 0.29. And there is some indication of off-road capabilities, with five distinct drive modes: Auto, Eco, Sport, Snow, and Sand. (I’m told that Jeep recommends you select Sand when driving in deep snow and Snow when looking to avoid slippage. Makes sense!)
Most notably, Jeep is betting big on interior screen real estate. A massive 45-inch glass display stretches the width of the dash, including a segment just for passengers — a first for Jeep. The 10.25-inch passenger display also runs on Stellantis’ Uconnect operating system and can “talk” with the main display, so passengers can share driving directions and other information.
The instrument cluster and central display both measure 12.3 inches and also run on Uconnect. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available. And while the price tag may turn some people off, Jeep says the Wagoneer S is likely to qualify for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, which can be applied directly at the dealership.
There’s a lot riding on the Wagoneer S. Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa, who assumed the role from Christian Meunier last year, has been slashing prices and reorienting the brand’s marketing strategy in a bid to reverse flagging US sales. The Wagoneer S will be a key component in Filosa’s effort to breathe new life into the company. (Look for my Q&A with Filosa tomorrow on The Verge.)
Jeep’s approach is interesting, to say the least. Picking a fight with a Tesla Model Y in a drag race, when the Tesla sells for $20,000 less, may strike some as a mismatched fight. A better equivalent would probably have been Rivian, but more people know Tesla, the clear leader in the EV race.
Jeep has its sights set on the top dog. And it thinks it can win.
Jeep’s Wagoneer S Trailhawk concept teases a fully electric off-roader
In New York today, Jeep unveiled its first fully electric SUV for the North American market. And while all the focus was on the $71,995 Wagoneer S, the automaker had one more thing to show off: an off-road-capable Trailhawk concept of the same EV, sitting pretty on 31.5-inch tires.
The forest green SUV sports several features that distinguish it from the standard Wagoneer S, including an intimidating laser-cut roof rack, 3D-printed tow hooks, lifted suspension, wheel caps, and a host of other goodies for gearheads and boulder lovers alike.
Sitting pretty on 31.5-inch tires
Trailhawk is the trim name usually applied to Jeep’s most rugged off-road vehicles, complete with more durable equipment and materials. In addition, Trailhawk vehicles are often trail rated, meaning they’ve passed a battery of tests for maneuverability, articulation, and ground clearance. And with the Wagoneer S Trailhawk concept, Jeep is signaling its interest in extending those capabilities to its nascent battery-electric segment.
The Trailhawk concept boasts a lot of the same features as the Wagoneer S — while taking them a step further. In addition to those all-terrain 31.5-inch tires, the concept sits on a lifted suspension for better ground clearance. Tow hooks are embedded in the front and rear of the vehicle, and functional air extractors are intended for high-pressure environments. The hood decal is anti-glare, the badging is flush with the vehicle, and the panoramic sunroof is dual panel for letting in fresh air — or trail dust, as it were.
Jeep’s five driver modes for the Wagoneer S gain a sixth mode for the Trailhawk concept: Rock. The mode selector is emergency red in the center console for ease of switching. And the steering wheel is octagonal-shaped, with special grips at the 9 and 3 o’clock positions for those especially hairy moments.
Electric off-roading isn’t exactly a new thing. Ford, Chevy, GMC, and Rivian all market their electric trucks as just as capable on gravel as they are on pavement. And the annual King of the Hammers off-roading competition features a segment just for battery-powered rock crawlers. But Jeep is a brand that prides itself on its overpowered dirt spewers, so introducing a plug-in version would make total sense.
The company isn’t committing to putting the Trailhawk concept into production, but during today’s event, executives hinted heavily that the off-roader would indeed eventually become a real EV. Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa said that the Wagoneer S would feature several trims, with the fully loaded Launch Edition coming first.
Photography by Andrew J. Hawkins / The Verge
In New York today, Jeep unveiled its first fully electric SUV for the North American market. And while all the focus was on the $71,995 Wagoneer S, the automaker had one more thing to show off: an off-road-capable Trailhawk concept of the same EV, sitting pretty on 31.5-inch tires.
The forest green SUV sports several features that distinguish it from the standard Wagoneer S, including an intimidating laser-cut roof rack, 3D-printed tow hooks, lifted suspension, wheel caps, and a host of other goodies for gearheads and boulder lovers alike.
Trailhawk is the trim name usually applied to Jeep’s most rugged off-road vehicles, complete with more durable equipment and materials. In addition, Trailhawk vehicles are often trail rated, meaning they’ve passed a battery of tests for maneuverability, articulation, and ground clearance. And with the Wagoneer S Trailhawk concept, Jeep is signaling its interest in extending those capabilities to its nascent battery-electric segment.
The Trailhawk concept boasts a lot of the same features as the Wagoneer S — while taking them a step further. In addition to those all-terrain 31.5-inch tires, the concept sits on a lifted suspension for better ground clearance. Tow hooks are embedded in the front and rear of the vehicle, and functional air extractors are intended for high-pressure environments. The hood decal is anti-glare, the badging is flush with the vehicle, and the panoramic sunroof is dual panel for letting in fresh air — or trail dust, as it were.
Jeep’s five driver modes for the Wagoneer S gain a sixth mode for the Trailhawk concept: Rock. The mode selector is emergency red in the center console for ease of switching. And the steering wheel is octagonal-shaped, with special grips at the 9 and 3 o’clock positions for those especially hairy moments.
Electric off-roading isn’t exactly a new thing. Ford, Chevy, GMC, and Rivian all market their electric trucks as just as capable on gravel as they are on pavement. And the annual King of the Hammers off-roading competition features a segment just for battery-powered rock crawlers. But Jeep is a brand that prides itself on its overpowered dirt spewers, so introducing a plug-in version would make total sense.
The company isn’t committing to putting the Trailhawk concept into production, but during today’s event, executives hinted heavily that the off-roader would indeed eventually become a real EV. Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa said that the Wagoneer S would feature several trims, with the fully loaded Launch Edition coming first.
Photography by Andrew J. Hawkins / The Verge
Twitch is disbanding its Safety Advisory Council and will replace it with streamers
Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge
According to a report published at CNBC, Twitch has decided to terminate the contracts of all the existing members of its Safety Advisory Council. The council received the news that Twitch would not be renewing their contracts earlier this month, and they will reportedly be terminated effective Friday, May 31st, without further pay.
The advisory council was formed in May 2020 with the goal to “enhance Twitch’s approach to issues of trust and safety.” It was made up of nine members, including Twitch streamers, moderators, and outside experts with experience studying and combating online harassment. The group assisted Twitch on the development of new safety policies and products while also acting as a liaison, able to bring the Twitch community’s safety concerns to decision makers.
Though these contracts are at their end, Twitch intends for the Safety Advisory Council to continue. In a statement to The Verge, Twitch trust and safety communications manager Elizabeth Busby writes that the streaming platform will expand the council’s membership to the roughly 180 members of Twitch’s ambassador program.
“After working with many of the same core members for several years, we have brought in new council members to offer fresh, diverse perspectives,” Busby wrote. “We’re excited to work with our global Twitch Ambassadors, all of whom are active on Twitch, know our safety work first hand, and have a range of experiences to pull from.”
CNBC writes that Twitch declined to say whether the ambassadors would be paid. Paid ethics teams have often been cut back as tech companies have tightened their belts over the past couple of years.
Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge
According to a report published at CNBC, Twitch has decided to terminate the contracts of all the existing members of its Safety Advisory Council. The council received the news that Twitch would not be renewing their contracts earlier this month, and they will reportedly be terminated effective Friday, May 31st, without further pay.
The advisory council was formed in May 2020 with the goal to “enhance Twitch’s approach to issues of trust and safety.” It was made up of nine members, including Twitch streamers, moderators, and outside experts with experience studying and combating online harassment. The group assisted Twitch on the development of new safety policies and products while also acting as a liaison, able to bring the Twitch community’s safety concerns to decision makers.
Though these contracts are at their end, Twitch intends for the Safety Advisory Council to continue. In a statement to The Verge, Twitch trust and safety communications manager Elizabeth Busby writes that the streaming platform will expand the council’s membership to the roughly 180 members of Twitch’s ambassador program.
“After working with many of the same core members for several years, we have brought in new council members to offer fresh, diverse perspectives,” Busby wrote. “We’re excited to work with our global Twitch Ambassadors, all of whom are active on Twitch, know our safety work first hand, and have a range of experiences to pull from.”
CNBC writes that Twitch declined to say whether the ambassadors would be paid. Paid ethics teams have often been cut back as tech companies have tightened their belts over the past couple of years.
Sony’s Astro Bot is getting the Mario-like adventure it deserves
Sony’s lovable robo-mascot is getting a new game. During its PlayStation State of Play on Thursday, Sony dropped a trailer for the upcoming PS5 title Astro Bot. The 3D Mario-esque title, a sequel to the beloved pack-in, Astro’s Playroom, arrives on September 6.
The trailer sees our pal Astro wading through puddles full of pink flamingos, grappling across platforms like Bionic Commando and summoning a PS5 console to help fight a giant green alien in a UFO (as one tends to do). In a nod to old-school PlayStation, the trailer even includes a cameo from PaRappa the Rapper.
Sony describes Astro Bot as a “supersized adventure” that spans over six galaxies and 80 levels as you search for your lost crew. You’ll have over 15 new abilities, and, like in its predecessor, it will serve as a showcase for the various sensors and haptics in the DualSense controller.
Astro Bot will be available for pre-order on June 7 ahead of its September 6 release date.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sonys-astro-bot-is-getting-the-mario-like-adventure-it-deserves-225716801.html?src=rss
Sony’s lovable robo-mascot is getting a new game. During its PlayStation State of Play on Thursday, Sony dropped a trailer for the upcoming PS5 title Astro Bot. The 3D Mario-esque title, a sequel to the beloved pack-in, Astro’s Playroom, arrives on September 6.
The trailer sees our pal Astro wading through puddles full of pink flamingos, grappling across platforms like Bionic Commando and summoning a PS5 console to help fight a giant green alien in a UFO (as one tends to do). In a nod to old-school PlayStation, the trailer even includes a cameo from PaRappa the Rapper.
Sony describes Astro Bot as a “supersized adventure” that spans over six galaxies and 80 levels as you search for your lost crew. You’ll have over 15 new abilities, and, like in its predecessor, it will serve as a showcase for the various sensors and haptics in the DualSense controller.
Astro Bot will be available for pre-order on June 7 ahead of its September 6 release date.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sonys-astro-bot-is-getting-the-mario-like-adventure-it-deserves-225716801.html?src=rss
AI Is Changing Your Beauty Products and How You Buy Them – CNET
I got a firsthand look at what L’Oreal is doing, including an app that could be the closest thing to carrying a stylist in your pocket.
I got a firsthand look at what L’Oreal is doing, including an app that could be the closest thing to carrying a stylist in your pocket.
OpenAI says it stopped multiple covert influence operations that abused its AI models
OpenAI said that it stopped five covert influence operations that used its AI models for deceptive activities across the internet. These operations, which OpenAI shutdown between 2023 and 2024, originated from Russia, China, Iran and Israel and attempted to manipulate public opinion and influence political outcomes without revealing their true identities or intentions, the company said on Thursday. “As of May 2024, these campaigns do not appear to have meaningfully increased their audience engagement or reach as a result of our services,” OpenAI said in a report about the operation, and added that it worked with people across the tech industry, civil society and governments to cut off these bad actors.
OpenAI’s report comes amidst concerns about the impact of generative AI on multiple elections around the world slated for this year including in the US. In its findings, OpenAI revealed how networks of people engaged in influence operations have used generative AI to generate text and images at much higher volumes than before, and fake engagement by using AI to generate fake comments on social media posts.
“Over the last year and a half there have been a lot of questions around what might happen if influence operations use generative AI,” Ben Nimmo, principal investigator on OpenAI’s Intelligence and Investigations team, told members of the media in a press briefing, according to Bloomberg. “With this report, we really want to start filling in some of the blanks.”
OpenAI said that the Russian operation called “Doppelganger”, used the company’s models to generate headlines, convert news articles to Facebook posts, and create comments in multiple languages to undermine support for Ukraine. Another Russian group used used OpenAI’s models to debug code for a Telegram bot that posted short political comments in English and Russian, targeting Ukraine, Moldova, the US, and Baltic States. The Chinese network “Spamouflage,” known for its influence efforts across Facebook and Instagram, utilized OpenAI’s models to research social media activity and generate text-based content in multiple languages across various platforms. The Iranian “International Union of Virtual Media” also used AI to generate content in multiple languages.
OpenAI’s disclosure is similar to the ones that other tech companies make from time to time. On Wednesday, for instance, Meta released its latest report on coordinated inauthentic behavior detailing how an Israeli marketing firm had used fake Facebook accounts to run an influence campaign on its platform that targeted people in the US and Canada.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/openai-says-it-stopped-multiple-covert-influence-operations-that-abused-its-ai-models-225115466.html?src=rss
OpenAI said that it stopped five covert influence operations that used its AI models for deceptive activities across the internet. These operations, which OpenAI shutdown between 2023 and 2024, originated from Russia, China, Iran and Israel and attempted to manipulate public opinion and influence political outcomes without revealing their true identities or intentions, the company said on Thursday. “As of May 2024, these campaigns do not appear to have meaningfully increased their audience engagement or reach as a result of our services,” OpenAI said in a report about the operation, and added that it worked with people across the tech industry, civil society and governments to cut off these bad actors.
OpenAI’s report comes amidst concerns about the impact of generative AI on multiple elections around the world slated for this year including in the US. In its findings, OpenAI revealed how networks of people engaged in influence operations have used generative AI to generate text and images at much higher volumes than before, and fake engagement by using AI to generate fake comments on social media posts.
“Over the last year and a half there have been a lot of questions around what might happen if influence operations use generative AI,” Ben Nimmo, principal investigator on OpenAI’s Intelligence and Investigations team, told members of the media in a press briefing, according to Bloomberg. “With this report, we really want to start filling in some of the blanks.”
OpenAI said that the Russian operation called “Doppelganger”, used the company’s models to generate headlines, convert news articles to Facebook posts, and create comments in multiple languages to undermine support for Ukraine. Another Russian group used used OpenAI’s models to debug code for a Telegram bot that posted short political comments in English and Russian, targeting Ukraine, Moldova, the US, and Baltic States. The Chinese network “Spamouflage,” known for its influence efforts across Facebook and Instagram, utilized OpenAI’s models to research social media activity and generate text-based content in multiple languages across various platforms. The Iranian “International Union of Virtual Media” also used AI to generate content in multiple languages.
OpenAI’s disclosure is similar to the ones that other tech companies make from time to time. On Wednesday, for instance, Meta released its latest report on coordinated inauthentic behavior detailing how an Israeli marketing firm had used fake Facebook accounts to run an influence campaign on its platform that targeted people in the US and Canada.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/openai-says-it-stopped-multiple-covert-influence-operations-that-abused-its-ai-models-225115466.html?src=rss
Significant mystery malware attack destroys 600,000 routers
Last October, subscribers to an internet service provider called Windstream became embroiled in a mass router breakdown issue, impacting around… Continue reading Significant mystery malware attack destroys 600,000 routers
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Last October, subscribers to an internet service provider called Windstream became embroiled in a mass router breakdown issue, impacting around 600,000 devices across 18 US states.
Initially, many customers blamed the company for the widespread system outage but it would later become apparent that something very different was happening after the sets were unresponsive to reboots and other attempts to restore them to working order.
Users congregated around online message boards to vent anger and express their own experiences of how the ActionTec T3200 was displaying a solid red light but very little else. From Alabama and Arkansas to Georgia and Kentucky, people were cut off from the outside world. Some detailed lost earnings as they were unable to work from home, with one Windstream subscriber stating they were down $1500 due to no WiFi and hours spent troubleshooting.
The company replaced the bricked routers but there has not been much in terms of an explanation until a recent report conducted by cyber security firm Lumen Technologies’ Black Lotus Labs.
The investigation uncovered a “destructive event” that Windstream is yet to account for.
It transpires that over 72 hours beginning October 25, malware was deployed, wiping out more than 600,000 router devices connected to a solitary autonomous system number (ASN) belonging to an unnamed ISP.
Potential nation-state attack
Coincidence? While the research team has not declared the ISP involved, the situation matches up to the mass bricking reported by Windstream’s subscribers and the timeframe of their comments on the forums.
Malware known as Chalubo was specified, which infected the routers, executing custom Lua scripts that permanently overwrote the firmware, rendering the devices redundant.
The researchers stated, “Destructive attacks of this nature are highly concerning, especially so in this case.”
“A sizeable portion of this ISP’s service area covers rural or underserved communities; places where residents may have lost access to emergency services, farming concerns may have lost critical information from remote monitoring of crops during the harvest, and health care providers cut off from telehealth or patients’ records.”
“Needless to say, recovery from any supply chain disruption takes longer in isolated or vulnerable communities.”
The researchers noted a sophisticated threat actor is likely to be responsible, potentially a nation-state-sponsored attack, without elaborating further. After thorough analysis, the initial infection vector remains unknown, with a range of possibilities under consideration.
Windstream has still not provided a detailed response or explanation on what happened, leaving customer queries open, with security experts also seeking more answers about this significant and unique cyberattack.
Image credit: Ideogram
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One UI update brings more AI health features to Samsung Galaxy Watch
A new update based on Wear OS 5 is set to bring newer and more adaptive health features to Samsung’s… Continue reading One UI update brings more AI health features to Samsung Galaxy Watch
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A new update based on Wear OS 5 is set to bring newer and more adaptive health features to Samsung’s smartwatch range.
Full integration of Galaxy AI is set to enhance the existing wellbeing assistance provided by Samsung Health. Six new features will complement the stress and sleep markers which contribute to the overall picture of your health, in addition to the regular attributes to support your fitness regime.
Samsung’s development of the Galaxy Watch has come a long way since the first edition in 2018, operating on Tizen. Since the introduction of the Galaxy Watch 4 series in 2021, Wear OS has been in situ, and its own evolution will take the wearable tech to the next level.
The latest version of One UI Watch will be based on Wear OS 5, as detailed in this official press release, which said:
“By combining powerful on-device AI with the extensive Samsung Health app, Samsung is on the path to building some of the most personalized and secure health experiences yet.”
What are the new AI features for Galaxy Watch?
Under the titles of Energy Score and Wellness Tips, various new benefits will be added to the functionality of your Samsung smartwatch.
The company detailed “By combining Galaxy AI with Samsung Health, new health features will provide more comprehensive health insights, along with motivational encouragement to help you improve your daily wellness.”
Energy Score will assess your overall health stats (activity, heart rate, sleep) to put together a picture of your current condition. Wellness Tips will help users achieve goals through “motivational tips” and guidance, customized to your situation and personal data.
Sleep Indicators will combine with Sleep Score to give detailed feedback on your activity during sleep, including movements, heart and breathing rates, and sleep latency. Workout Routine will assist your exercise plans, tapping into your health data to deliver your workout goals, while Race will put your competitive streak to the test, encouraging you to improve on previous runs or outdoor bike rides you have completed.
The final new addition, Aerobic Threshold/Anaerobic Threshold Heart Rate Zone metrics will offer instant performance analysis to support efficient running.
Samsung has indicated the features will roll out to all Wear OS-based Galaxy Watch models with the introduction of the One UI 6 update, with the beta program expected to commence in June, open to users in the US and Korea.
Image credit: Samsung
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