Month: July 2024
Leaf helps farms decipher the troves of data they generate
Farms produce a lot of data. From machines to irrigation systems, farms generate a lot of information that could be helpful to both them and the companies that serve them. Traditionally this data has been siloed across different formats making it hard to read and build off of. Leaf is trying to change that. New
© 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Farms produce a lot of data. From machines to irrigation systems, farms generate a lot of information that could be helpful to both them and the companies that serve them. Traditionally this data has been siloed across different formats making it hard to read and build off of. Leaf is trying to change that. New […]
© 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Google makes it easier to remove explicit deepfakes from its search results
Google has rolled out updates for Search with the intention of making explicit deepfakes as hard to find as possible. As part of its long-standing and ongoing fight against realistic-looking manipulated images, the company is making it easier for people to get non-consensual fake imagery that features them removed from Search.
It has long been possible for users to request for the removal of those kinds of images under Google’s policies. Now, whenever it grants someone’s removal request, Google will also filter all explicit results on similar searches about them. The company’s systems will scan for any duplicates of the offending image and remove them, as well. This update could help alleviate some of the victim’s fears if they’re worried about the same image popping up again on other websites.
In addition, Google has updated its ranking systems so that if a user specifically searches for explicit deepfakes with a person’s name, the results will surface “high-quality, non-explicit content” instead. If there are news articles about that person, for instance, then the results will feature those. Based on Google’s announcement, it seems it also has plans to school the user looking for deepfakes by showing them results that discuss their impact on society.
Google doesn’t want to wipe out results for legitimate content, like an actor’s nude scene, in its bid to banish deepfakes from its results page, though. It admits it still has a lot of work to do when it comes to separating legitimate from fake explicit images. While that’s still a work in progress, one of the solutions it has implemented is to demote sites that have received a high volume of removals for manipulated images in Search. That’s “a pretty strong signal that it’s not a high-quality site,” Google explains, adding that the approach has worked well for other types of harmful content in the past.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-makes-it-easier-to-remove-explicit-deepfakes-from-its-search-results-130058499.html?src=rss
Google has rolled out updates for Search with the intention of making explicit deepfakes as hard to find as possible. As part of its long-standing and ongoing fight against realistic-looking manipulated images, the company is making it easier for people to get non-consensual fake imagery that features them removed from Search.
It has long been possible for users to request for the removal of those kinds of images under Google’s policies. Now, whenever it grants someone’s removal request, Google will also filter all explicit results on similar searches about them. The company’s systems will scan for any duplicates of the offending image and remove them, as well. This update could help alleviate some of the victim’s fears if they’re worried about the same image popping up again on other websites.
In addition, Google has updated its ranking systems so that if a user specifically searches for explicit deepfakes with a person’s name, the results will surface “high-quality, non-explicit content” instead. If there are news articles about that person, for instance, then the results will feature those. Based on Google’s announcement, it seems it also has plans to school the user looking for deepfakes by showing them results that discuss their impact on society.
Google doesn’t want to wipe out results for legitimate content, like an actor’s nude scene, in its bid to banish deepfakes from its results page, though. It admits it still has a lot of work to do when it comes to separating legitimate from fake explicit images. While that’s still a work in progress, one of the solutions it has implemented is to demote sites that have received a high volume of removals for manipulated images in Search. That’s “a pretty strong signal that it’s not a high-quality site,” Google explains, adding that the approach has worked well for other types of harmful content in the past.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-makes-it-easier-to-remove-explicit-deepfakes-from-its-search-results-130058499.html?src=rss
Sony and the NFL are continuing to team up to make the game more accurate and entertaining
Sony and the NFL are partnering to improve the big-game experience, for fans, officials and players alike.
We’re only a little over a month away from the 2025 NFL season kicking off in the US, and the league is finally putting pen to paper with a long-standing partner. Sony, who you may know for excellent earbuds and super-bright TVs, has been working with the National Football League for quite some time – sometimes directly and other times with broadcasters that use Sony cameras for their NFL coverage.
Now, though, Sony is the NFL’s official technology partner and also the sport’s official headphones supplier. In a joint statement, both promise to “transform the future of football” for coaches, players, and fans, whether they’re packed into the rafters at a stadium or watching from home.
Ahead of the news, TechRadar had the chance to talk with Neal Manowitz, Sony’s Electronics North America President and COO, and Gary Brantley, the NFL’s Chief Information Officer and SVP, to unpack some key elements of the partnership. Both emphasized the importance of accuracy, with Brantley noting that a key advantage here would be to improve on that and potentially speeding up on-field play.
In previous seasons, Sony’s Hawk-Eye Technology has been used for officiating, whether checking or double-checking a call or reviewing footage from optical cameras. Sony deployed about 115 for the Super Bowl compared to about 35-50 at a regular season game. Brantley noted that it’s “a foundational component that’s been there and been reliable.” It’s something that is fairly, critically important as it could help determine if a call is valid, or likely impact the final score.
While neither would give out specifics, we’ll likely see more Hawk-Eye being used behind the scenes to speed up calls and potentially measurements, like yardage, throughout a game. And while this technology is mostly behind the scenes, it comes into view during the broadcast, with elements being displayed over the field as real-time visualizations or even shown on screens at the game.
Most of the time, that view comes from a Sony studio-grade broadcast camera, but the technology giant and the NFL have also flexed some muscles with more unique setups. For instance, during the last Super Bowl, Sony deployed its Sony A7R IV camera on the field with a special lens for up-close shots, essentially using a different type of camera to bring you closer to the action. Manowitz noted that there were 165 cameras deployed to capture the event. He explained that for stills photography – for which Sony has been the exclusive hardware supplier to the Associated Press since 2020 – Sony paired an A7 with a special transmitter to get photos uploaded and transmitted faster.
Looking at the future, though, it’s clear that Sony and the NFL also want the partnership to build on new experiences. For instance, Disney Plus hosted a ‘Toy Story Funday Football’ themed version of an NFL game, which was largely made possible thanks to Sony’s Beyond Sports technology. Essentially, the footage is taken from various cameras and used simultaneously to create a new visual experience. Manowitz succinctly summed it up as “40,000 points of data collected every second and it [Sony Beyond Sports] turns that into a game.”
In this case, it was presenting it under the lens of Toy Story, but he shared, “if you think about next generation of NFL fans, this is the entry point and learning about the game of football and it’s exciting them. It’s also bringing the parents and the kids together so that they’re both getting entertained in a totally new way.” To a degree, it’s an impressive tech feat and turned out to be the biggest Disney Plus live event thus far. Still, from a technology perspective, it teases a wide array of possibilities for the future with other collaborations.
Still, between working to speed up the game and ensure accuracy, there are some opportunities for further innovation that Sony’s partnership with the NFL will hopefully produce. What’s one? Well, we know for sure that Sony will introduce a sideline headset for use by the coaching staff in the 2025 season, which, according to Manowitz, has been in development for years.
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Google Maps will show you where to enter your destination
If you’re a dedicated Google Maps user like me, then you know its not perfect. But, Google is now announcing some improvements with a range of new features for Maps and Waze. One of the things I find most exciting is the additional guidance on entering buildings and where to park. In the coming weeks, Maps will start lighting up the destination and entrance to it as you approach, so you (hopefully!) don’t have to circle it three times in the dark.
Google is also now making it easier to report incidents while using Maps, increasing the size of these icons so you can share quickly — and safely — while on the go. You can also tap to confirm a previously reported incident after approaching it.
Waze is getting three updates, including new camera alerts. Now, Waze will be able to alert you if a camera is approaching and tell you what it’s monitoring, whether it be speed, seat belts or accurate carpool lane use. Waze will also notify you if there’s a traffic event nearby or close to one of your starred locations. You can then send an alert to a friend or family member. Both of these updates are rolling out now on iOS and Android. Rounding out Waze’s updates is the ability to get navigation guidance even when your phone is locked. This feature will launch globally on Android soon, while it will arrive on iOS in the fall. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-maps-will-show-you-where-to-enter-your-destination-130021496.html?src=rss
If you’re a dedicated Google Maps user like me, then you know its not perfect. But, Google is now announcing some improvements with a range of new features for Maps and Waze. One of the things I find most exciting is the additional guidance on entering buildings and where to park. In the coming weeks, Maps will start lighting up the destination and entrance to it as you approach, so you (hopefully!) don’t have to circle it three times in the dark.
Google is also now making it easier to report incidents while using Maps, increasing the size of these icons so you can share quickly — and safely — while on the go. You can also tap to confirm a previously reported incident after approaching it.
Waze is getting three updates, including new camera alerts. Now, Waze will be able to alert you if a camera is approaching and tell you what it’s monitoring, whether it be speed, seat belts or accurate carpool lane use. Waze will also notify you if there’s a traffic event nearby or close to one of your starred locations. You can then send an alert to a friend or family member. Both of these updates are rolling out now on iOS and Android. Rounding out Waze’s updates is the ability to get navigation guidance even when your phone is locked. This feature will launch globally on Android soon, while it will arrive on iOS in the fall.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-maps-will-show-you-where-to-enter-your-destination-130021496.html?src=rss
How to Use Your Smartphone to Help You Sleep
These features to let you wind down for bed, mute notifications and stay on a regular sleep schedule may help you get more rest.
These features to let you wind down for bed, mute notifications and stay on a regular sleep schedule may help you get more rest.
Google Maps, Waze Make It Easier to Report Crashes, Cameras and Slowdowns
Both of Google’s navigation apps will see the safety features added in the coming weeks.
Both of Google’s navigation apps will see the safety features added in the coming weeks.
Google’s ‘About This Image’ Feature Will Tell You How Reliable a Photo Is
The new feature is coming to phones with Circle to Search and to Google Lens.
The new feature is coming to phones with Circle to Search and to Google Lens.
The new Google Maps and Waze updates should make finding parking and dodging traffic a whole lot easier
Google Maps has a new tool for finding parking, and Waze’s improved alerts could help you dodge traffic.
Google Maps and Waze are getting a host of essential updates for drivers, including new tools to help you find parking and notifications for new kinds of traffic enforcement.
The best upgrade for drivers by far is coming to Google Maps, as it’ll now offer more useful directions to your destination by telling you where you can park. This will include lighting up the location on your map, highlighting where the entrance to its parking lot is, and showing you nearby parking lots that you can easily navigate to.
(Image credit: Google)
This would have been so helpful on my recent vacation, as navigating some of the towns and cities I visited was a nightmare. Instead of the stress of desperately searching for parking while dodging traffic restrictions and road hazards, I could have simply followed Google Maps. So I’ll be looking out for this as it rolls out to Android and iOS, cars with Google Built-in, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay in the coming weeks.
The other improvement to Maps is its community incident reporting feature. The feature is still there, but thanks to the larger reporting icons, it’ll now be easier to report construction work, lane closures, and other obstructions – and this is rolling out globally right now.
Go your own Waze
If you instead rely on Waze, Google’s other maps service isn’t missing out on upgrades.
On the community reporting side of things, Waze is adding alerts for new speed and traffic enforcement camera types – such as those that detect if you’re wearing a seatbelt, speeding, running a red light, or using a lane you shouldn’t be – which are added by community members using of real world road information and publicly available data from local authorities.
(Image credit: Google)
Additionally, you’ll see the option to share real-time traffic information with friends in Waze based on events that are happening. For example, if a concert or sporting event is happening near a location you’ve saved or recently traveled to, Waze will not only notify you how traffic is being impacted and if there are road closures, but it will also let you share these details with your friends and family to help with their journey. Both this and the above Waze feature are rolling out to Android and iOS globally now.
Lastly, Waze will bring lock-screen navigation – including turn-by-turn directions and real-time traffic updates – to Android later this month. The same feature is coming to iOS, though we’re only told it’s dropping in the Fall (so September, October, or November).
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Audio-Technica’s affordable new turntable wants to get you hooked on hi-fi
The new deck promises entry-level prices but audiophile performance – and given AT’s track record, it’s well worth taking a look.
Audio-Technica’s AT-LP60XBT turntable is our current budget pick of the best turntables even though it’s been around since God was in short pants, and now there’s a new version: the AT-LP70XBT. The firm is pitching it as the perfect first turntable for vinyl newcomers, but says that it’ll delight more experienced LP listeners too.
The AT-LP70XBT is a belt driven, fully automatic turntable with a switchable phono stage and built-in Bluetooth with aptX Adaptive for high-quality streaming to compatible headphones. The cartridge here is the AT-VM95C Integral Dual Moving Magnet cartridge, and it’s compatible with any VM95 series replacement stylus.
Audio-Technica AT-LP70XBT: key features, price and availability
The belt-driven turntable has two speed settings, 45 rpm and 33⅓, and the J-shaped tonearm is designed to minimise tracking errors. The switchable pre-amp means you can use it with an amp or connect it directly to powered speakers via the included RCA cable.
The AT-VM95C cartridge is AT’s entry-level cartridge and has attracted lots of positive reviews for its impressive all-round performance, and it’s upgradeable to elliptical, micro linear or Shibata options. It replaces the ATN3600L you’ll find in the LP60XBT.
The other big difference from the AT-LP60X is the chassis construction, which Audio-Technica says dampens resonance to deliver improved sound quality over its predecessor. The anti-resonance platter is made from die-cast aluminum and the AC adapter does its thing outside the chassis in order to reduce signal chain noise.
It’s a good-looking deck, and as an AT turntable owner (I have the AT-LP120XUSB) I’m sure it’ll deliver impressive sound for the price. However, that price is slightly higher than the LP60: where that model comes in at $149 / £179 / AU$299 the new AT-LP70XBT is $249 / £219 / around AU$430.
There are three color options: Black Silver, Black Bronze and White Silver, and the two silver models will be available from early August 2024. The Black Bronze model will follow a few weeks later.
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Fed Watch Live Blog: What’s Happening at Today’s Federal Reserve Meeting?
Here’s what today’s interest rate decision means for your money.
Here’s what today’s interest rate decision means for your money.