Author: News Room
As Pope Leo XIV laid out his vision for the papacy in an address to the College of Cardinals, he also explained why he picked his papal name. Incredibly, artificial intelligence played a big part.In the Vatican’s translation of his speech, Pope Leo XIV explained that his name references Pope Leo XII, who presided over the church at the dawn of the industrial revolution.…I chose to take the name Leo XIV. There are different reasons for this, but mainly because Pope Leo XIII in his historic Encyclical Rerum Novarum addressed the social question in the context of the first great…
Whoop is in damage control mode. After debuting its Whoop 5.0 fitness tracker, users were angered to find it had reneged on a promise of free hardware upgrades. In a new Reddit post, the company now says users who have been members for over 12 months can get the Whoop 5.0 for free.Part of the outrage was prompted by Whoop’s confusing messaging. Early yesterday morning, my colleague Victoria Song reported that to get a Whoop 5.0 band, users would need to extend their existing membership by an additional 12 months or pay a one-time upgrade fee. However, until at least…
Whether you’re after a distraction-free reading experience or a fun way to keep the kids engaged this summer, the latest Kindle Paperwhite Kids is worth considering. And now, thanks to Amazon’s Mother’s Day promo, you can pick it up at either Amazon or Best Buy starting at just $139.99 ($40 off), which matches the e-reader’s best price to date. Although aimed at children, Amazon’s kid-friendly ebook reader is almost identical to the standard Kindle Paperwhite, which is remains our favorite e-reader for devouring Kindle books. It boasts IPX8 water resistance and the same seven-inch 300ppi display, along with USB-C support…
The TOS explicitly prohibits the use of licensed content, such as music from major labels, for training any AI models, including generative AI. For other types of content uploaded to SoundCloud, the TOS allows for the possibility of AI-related use. Importantly, no such use has taken place to date, and SoundCloud will introduce robust internal permissioning controls to govern any potential future use. Should we ever consider using user content to train generative AI models, we would introduce clear opt-out mechanisms in advance—at a minimum—and remain committed to transparency with our creator community. Read the full article here
Apple is known for prioritizing privacy and security, but there are additional measures you can turn to if you feel you need them. iPhones, iPads, and Macs have what’s known as a Lockdown Mode that takes protecting your data to a whole new level.It’s clear that this isn’t for everyone: Apple describes it as being for those who feel they might be attacked by “the most sophisticated threats.” Think journalists working in dangerous regions, activists under threat from surveillance or censorship, or politicians with access to top secret information.Anyone can turn it on and off as needed — you don’t…
Clear skies might be cause for wide-eyed celebration, but squinting is no way to spend those precious sunny days. Want to embrace the weather in shaded style? You need a pair of the best sunglasses. This guide is here to provide exactly that. From cycling shields to recycled shades, the list below features our pick of the top sunglasses for every fairweather pursuit – whether that’s hiking up hills or perching in pub gardens. There are frames fit for every face, taste and budget – plus some handy buying tips to help you pick the perfect pair. Sunshine sold separately.…
Knowing which the best iPhone used to be easy – you just had to choose the colour and the storage capacity. It was guaranteed to be among the best smartphones on sale. But now, things are not so simple. From Mini to Plus to Pro to Pro Max, Apple’s flagship phones ship in more variants than ever before. And just to muddy the waters further, the mobile maker still sells a few of its former headline handsets from previous generations, as well as the entry-level SE for buyers on a budget. So there’s an Apple smartphone for everyone. The tricky…
AI is terrible. AI will improve our future. Whether you love or hate AI, holding both those thoughts in your head at the same time might make it hurt. But you should. Because last week, two industry giants perfectly demonstrated how both statements can be true. Yes, AI can be a menace and a boon – it all depends on how it’s being used. Right now, Netflix and Meta are using AI in very different ways. One is solving problems. The other is inviting us to stare into the abyss. Netflix first. Its plans have – for now – even convinced an AI sceptic like me. That’s…
A shoe engineered to be made entirely from additive manufacturing will be polarizing in the first quarter of the 21st century. That’s certainly been my experience wearing Adidas’ new 3D-printed Climacool sneakers on the beach, trail, or in the city. I felt more eyes on my footwear than normal, with a determined flick upward to see who was brave enough, dumb enough, or fantastic enough to wear such a shoe.I’ve been a fan of Adidas’ 3D-printed kicks ever since I purchased a pair of its 4D running shoes a few years ago. But those are traditional multi-material sneakers with 3D…
Smartwatches have come along way since the first Apple Watch arrived on the scene more than a decade ago. However, despite how ubiquitous they’ve become, they’re still nowhere near as discrete — or long-lasting — as a smart ring like the Samsung Galaxy Ring. Thankfully, if you’re looking to ditch the watch, Samsung’s first-gen smart ring is available with a $100 gift card at Best Buy and Amazon, where you can pick it up in a variety of sizes starting at $299.99 ($100 off), an all-time low.In many ways, the Android-only Galaxy Ring is more of an accessory for existing…
Google is set to pay $1.375 billion to settle claims of data privacy violations brought by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, according to a press release.Texas filed two lawsuits in 2022 against Google for “unlawfully tracking and collecting users’ private data regarding geolocation, incognito searches, and biometric data,” the release says. Before now, no single state has “attained a settlement against Google for similar data-privacy violations greater than $93 million.”“This settles a raft of old claims, many of which have already been resolved elsewhere, concerning product policies we have long since changed,” Google spokesperson José Castañeda tells The Verge. “We…
Donald Trump signed a presidential memorandum Friday afternoon directing the Department of Energy to “consider using all lawful authority to rescind” or weaken regulations for water and energy efficiency for dishwashers and washing machines. The action also includes water use standards for showers, faucets, toilets, and urinals.It closes out a week of attacks on policies meant to save Americans money by incentivizing manufacturers to make products that save water and energy. Earlier in the week, CNN and E&E News reported that the Trump administration would shutter the Energy Star program as part of a “reorganization” planned at the Environmental Protection…