Month: May 2024
Scuf’s Nomad controller for iPhone has full-size drift-free sticks at a competitive price
The stick layout almost reminds me a bit of the Steam Deck. | Image: Scuf
Corsair-owned Scuf is best known for its vividly colored, outlandishly priced esports controllers. But its new $99.99 mobile phone controller looks built more for the normies.
The Nomad is a clamp-style iPhone controller akin to a Backbone or Razer Kishi, though it features full-size, drift-free Hall effect sticks (with swappable stick toppers) that are symmetrical on the top half of the pad. Around back are two customizable rear paddles amidst the controller’s contoured and rubberized grips. If you squint, it looks a bit like a thick-boy version of the Backbone One, though the Nomad is compatible with more phone cases since it relies on Bluetooth for connectivity instead of a protruding USB-C or Lightning plug.
Scuf’s first foray into the world of phone controllers is compatible with competitive mobile games like Call of Duty: Mobile, Warzone Mobile, and cloud / remote play streaming services like the PlayStation Remote Play app. The accompanying Scuf app for launching games, capturing and sharing gameplay recordings, and tweaking controls does not require paid subscriptions.
To me, as an original Backbone One owner, the Nomad and its larger Hall effect sticks, contoured grips, and Xbox-like D-pad seem intriguing, though Bluetooth has higher latency than the Backbone’s direct connection. And it’s yet another device to keep charged, albeit one with a claimed 16 hours of battery life.
The Nomad is available to preorder now in black or white and estimated to arrive July 8th.
The stick layout almost reminds me a bit of the Steam Deck. | Image: Scuf
Corsair-owned Scuf is best known for its vividly colored, outlandishly priced esports controllers. But its new $99.99 mobile phone controller looks built more for the normies.
The Nomad is a clamp-style iPhone controller akin to a Backbone or Razer Kishi, though it features full-size, drift-free Hall effect sticks (with swappable stick toppers) that are symmetrical on the top half of the pad. Around back are two customizable rear paddles amidst the controller’s contoured and rubberized grips. If you squint, it looks a bit like a thick-boy version of the Backbone One, though the Nomad is compatible with more phone cases since it relies on Bluetooth for connectivity instead of a protruding USB-C or Lightning plug.
Scuf’s first foray into the world of phone controllers is compatible with competitive mobile games like Call of Duty: Mobile, Warzone Mobile, and cloud / remote play streaming services like the PlayStation Remote Play app. The accompanying Scuf app for launching games, capturing and sharing gameplay recordings, and tweaking controls does not require paid subscriptions.
To me, as an original Backbone One owner, the Nomad and its larger Hall effect sticks, contoured grips, and Xbox-like D-pad seem intriguing, though Bluetooth has higher latency than the Backbone’s direct connection. And it’s yet another device to keep charged, albeit one with a claimed 16 hours of battery life.
The Nomad is available to preorder now in black or white and estimated to arrive July 8th.
Report: Apple and OpenAI have signed a deal to partner on AI
The deal has parallels to Apple’s infamous search deal with Google.
Enlarge / OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. (credit: JASON REDMOND / Contributor | AFP)
Apple and OpenAI have successfully made a deal to include OpenAI’s generative AI technology in Apple’s software, according to The Information, which cites a source who has spoken to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman about the deal.
It was previously reported by Bloomberg that the deal was in the works. The news appeared in a longer article about Altman and his growing influence within the company.
“Now, [Altman] has fulfilled a longtime goal by striking a deal with Apple to use OpenAI’s conversational artificial intelligence in its products, which could be worth billions of dollars to the startup if it goes well,” according to The Information’s source.
Windows adds suggested replies to Phone Link for Android
Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge
As May draws to a close, Microsoft is squeezing another Windows 11 Canary build across the line that comes with a fresh new connected Android phone feature: Suggested Replies. Now when someone texts to ask how you’re doing, you can just click one of several replies like “Not bad, you?” or “Fine, you?” so you don’t have to reach for your phone or your computer keyboard as you click through the web.
The feature is part of Phone Link, which lets you connect your mobile phone to Windows so you can send and receive texts, browse recent photos, and take phone calls on your PC. Suggested Replies works by using Microsoft’s cloud-based intelligent suggestion model to figure out three replies relevant to the context of the conversation. Windows Insiders who install Canary Preview Build 26227 and receive Phone Link version 1.24051.98 (or newer) in a rollout will find the feature enabled by default.
Image: Microsoft
Suggested Replies uses AI to generate message options.
This Canary build also comes with a notable change for accessing Copilot on your PC. Microsoft is retiring the Windows Key + C keyboard in anticipation of upcoming Copilot Plus PCs that have the new Copilot key. For existing PCs, now the shortcut is Windows Key + the number corresponding to the Copilot app’s taskbar position.
Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge
As May draws to a close, Microsoft is squeezing another Windows 11 Canary build across the line that comes with a fresh new connected Android phone feature: Suggested Replies. Now when someone texts to ask how you’re doing, you can just click one of several replies like “Not bad, you?” or “Fine, you?” so you don’t have to reach for your phone or your computer keyboard as you click through the web.
The feature is part of Phone Link, which lets you connect your mobile phone to Windows so you can send and receive texts, browse recent photos, and take phone calls on your PC. Suggested Replies works by using Microsoft’s cloud-based intelligent suggestion model to figure out three replies relevant to the context of the conversation. Windows Insiders who install Canary Preview Build 26227 and receive Phone Link version 1.24051.98 (or newer) in a rollout will find the feature enabled by default.
Image: Microsoft
Suggested Replies uses AI to generate message options.
This Canary build also comes with a notable change for accessing Copilot on your PC. Microsoft is retiring the Windows Key + C keyboard in anticipation of upcoming Copilot Plus PCs that have the new Copilot key. For existing PCs, now the shortcut is Windows Key + the number corresponding to the Copilot app’s taskbar position.
Microsoft and CWA forge labor neutrality agreement covering all ZeniMax workers
Microsoft and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) have forged a labor neutrality agreement for all ZeniMax workers. The CWA says the deal is similar to the one from 2022 covering Activision Blizzard’s workforce, which went into effect in April of this year.
“Thousands of our ZeniMax co-workers now have a free and fair path to organize together for better working conditions,” Page Branson, a Senior Quality Assurance (QA) Tester, wrote in a CWA press release.
In 2022, the Xbox maker signed a formal agreement with CWA to respect Activision Blizzard employees’ right to organize. Set to take effect 60 days after Microsoft’s acquisition closed, it didn’t become official until earlier this year. It also extends Microsoft’s early 2023 recognition of ZeniMax QA workers’ right to unionize, and it now includes every eligible employee at ZeniMax.
The CWA says the new agreement means Microsoft will take a neutral approach when employees express interest in joining the union. The workers can communicate with their peers and union reps about membership “in a way that encourages information sharing and avoids business disruptions.”
According to the CWA, workers will have access to a decision-making process that respects their privacy if they wish. In addition, it includes a dispute resolution and arbitration process in the case of any disagreements between the union and Microsoft.
“When we organized our union under a similar legal agreement the process was clear and management did not try to influence anyone’s decision and the company did not try to interfere with the voting process,” Branson wrote. “There is strength in numbers, and as our numbers grow at ZeniMax, at Microsoft, and in the video game industry, we will gain the respect we deserve and raise the standards of working conditions for everyone across the video gaming industry. When we benefit, the consumer and the company will ultimately benefit with us and help keep this industry stable for current and future workers.”This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-and-cwa-forge-labor-neutrality-agreement-covering-all-zenimax-workers-212643324.html?src=rss
Microsoft and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) have forged a labor neutrality agreement for all ZeniMax workers. The CWA says the deal is similar to the one from 2022 covering Activision Blizzard’s workforce, which went into effect in April of this year.
“Thousands of our ZeniMax co-workers now have a free and fair path to organize together for better working conditions,” Page Branson, a Senior Quality Assurance (QA) Tester, wrote in a CWA press release.
In 2022, the Xbox maker signed a formal agreement with CWA to respect Activision Blizzard employees’ right to organize. Set to take effect 60 days after Microsoft’s acquisition closed, it didn’t become official until earlier this year. It also extends Microsoft’s early 2023 recognition of ZeniMax QA workers’ right to unionize, and it now includes every eligible employee at ZeniMax.
The CWA says the new agreement means Microsoft will take a neutral approach when employees express interest in joining the union. The workers can communicate with their peers and union reps about membership “in a way that encourages information sharing and avoids business disruptions.”
According to the CWA, workers will have access to a decision-making process that respects their privacy if they wish. In addition, it includes a dispute resolution and arbitration process in the case of any disagreements between the union and Microsoft.
“When we organized our union under a similar legal agreement the process was clear and management did not try to influence anyone’s decision and the company did not try to interfere with the voting process,” Branson wrote. “There is strength in numbers, and as our numbers grow at ZeniMax, at Microsoft, and in the video game industry, we will gain the respect we deserve and raise the standards of working conditions for everyone across the video gaming industry. When we benefit, the consumer and the company will ultimately benefit with us and help keep this industry stable for current and future workers.”
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-and-cwa-forge-labor-neutrality-agreement-covering-all-zenimax-workers-212643324.html?src=rss
OpenAI Disrupts Five Attempts To Misuse Its AI For ‘Deceptive Activity’
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Reuters: Sam Altman-led OpenAI said on Thursday it had disrupted five covert influence operations that sought to use its artificial intelligence models for “deceptive activity” across the internet. The artificial intelligence firm said the threat actors used its AI models to generate short comments, longer articles in a range of languages, made up names and bios for social media accounts over the last three months. These campaigns, which included threat actors from Russia, China, Iran and Israel, also focused on issues including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza, the Indian elections, politics in Europe and the United States, among others.
The deceptive operations were an “attempt to manipulate public opinion or influence political outcomes,” OpenAI said in a statement. […] The deceptive campaigns have not benefited from increased audience engagement or reach due to the AI firm’s services, OpenAI said in the statement. OpenAI said these operations did not solely use AI-generated material but included manually written texts or memes copied from across the internet. In a separate announcement on Wednesday, Meta said it had found “likely AI-generated” content used deceptively across its platforms, “including comments praising Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza published below posts from global news organizations and U.S. lawmakers,” reports Reuters.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Reuters: Sam Altman-led OpenAI said on Thursday it had disrupted five covert influence operations that sought to use its artificial intelligence models for “deceptive activity” across the internet. The artificial intelligence firm said the threat actors used its AI models to generate short comments, longer articles in a range of languages, made up names and bios for social media accounts over the last three months. These campaigns, which included threat actors from Russia, China, Iran and Israel, also focused on issues including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza, the Indian elections, politics in Europe and the United States, among others.
The deceptive operations were an “attempt to manipulate public opinion or influence political outcomes,” OpenAI said in a statement. […] The deceptive campaigns have not benefited from increased audience engagement or reach due to the AI firm’s services, OpenAI said in the statement. OpenAI said these operations did not solely use AI-generated material but included manually written texts or memes copied from across the internet. In a separate announcement on Wednesday, Meta said it had found “likely AI-generated” content used deceptively across its platforms, “including comments praising Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza published below posts from global news organizations and U.S. lawmakers,” reports Reuters.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Magic Leap is Google’s new mystery partner for XR headsets
Image: Magic Leap
Google Glass and Magic Leap were both among the biggest technology flops of the past decade — but could their underlying ideas power something worthy and new? We may find out because Google and Magic Leap now have a “multi-faceted strategic technology partnership” designed to “foster the future of the XR ecosystem with unique and innovative product offerings.”
It is not at all clear what the deal involves, but the press release does repeatedly boast about Magic Leap’s optics and manufacturing expertise — expertise that, it claims, produces “highly-precise eyepieces with incredibly high yield rates and quality at scale.” (IIRC, the company itself has never shipped a headset with an MSRP below $2,000 and never shared sales numbers, so “scale” may be relative.)
It is true that Magic Leap has spent considerable effort researching and patenting intriguing optical techniques, though, as I wrote about in 2015 for Gizmodo. And though Google reportedly downsized its own AR / VR division and lost many of its leaders, the company is clearly still interested in augmented reality glasses — it showed off a blink-and-you-missed-it prototype pair at Google I/O earlier this month.
Image: Google
The mystery glasses prototype Google briefly teased at I/O.
Many leading tech companies chasing lightweight glasses are reportedly finding their optical components are difficult to develop and expensive to produce and are merely dipping toes in the water while they figure it out — like Apple with its heavy and pricey $3,500 Vision Pro, or Meta with its Quest 3’s passthrough mode or the lightweight Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses that don’t have a display at all but do have a generative AI voice assistant. (Speaking of generative AI, it’s also sucked a lot of air out of the VR / AR / XR room.)
But perhaps Magic Leap has a technology or a patent that Google thinks will help it win the race to truly smart glasses?
If so, I wouldn’t expect to find out anytime soon. Google also inked a mystery deal with Samsung and Qualcomm to produce a headset back in February 2023, and we’ve heard basically nothing about it from those companies since then — though the rumor mill suggests it might arrive by the end of 2024 and could be revealed alongside the next Galaxy Z Flip and Fold handsets.
Image: Magic Leap
Google Glass and Magic Leap were both among the biggest technology flops of the past decade — but could their underlying ideas power something worthy and new? We may find out because Google and Magic Leap now have a “multi-faceted strategic technology partnership” designed to “foster the future of the XR ecosystem with unique and innovative product offerings.”
It is not at all clear what the deal involves, but the press release does repeatedly boast about Magic Leap’s optics and manufacturing expertise — expertise that, it claims, produces “highly-precise eyepieces with incredibly high yield rates and quality at scale.” (IIRC, the company itself has never shipped a headset with an MSRP below $2,000 and never shared sales numbers, so “scale” may be relative.)
It is true that Magic Leap has spent considerable effort researching and patenting intriguing optical techniques, though, as I wrote about in 2015 for Gizmodo. And though Google reportedly downsized its own AR / VR division and lost many of its leaders, the company is clearly still interested in augmented reality glasses — it showed off a blink-and-you-missed-it prototype pair at Google I/O earlier this month.
Image: Google
The mystery glasses prototype Google briefly teased at I/O.
Many leading tech companies chasing lightweight glasses are reportedly finding their optical components are difficult to develop and expensive to produce and are merely dipping toes in the water while they figure it out — like Apple with its heavy and pricey $3,500 Vision Pro, or Meta with its Quest 3’s passthrough mode or the lightweight Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses that don’t have a display at all but do have a generative AI voice assistant. (Speaking of generative AI, it’s also sucked a lot of air out of the VR / AR / XR room.)
But perhaps Magic Leap has a technology or a patent that Google thinks will help it win the race to truly smart glasses?
If so, I wouldn’t expect to find out anytime soon. Google also inked a mystery deal with Samsung and Qualcomm to produce a headset back in February 2023, and we’ve heard basically nothing about it from those companies since then — though the rumor mill suggests it might arrive by the end of 2024 and could be revealed alongside the next Galaxy Z Flip and Fold handsets.