of How to Get Rid of Gnats Safely By www.discovermagazine.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 16:00:00 GMT Gnats may be harmless to humans, but they’re still nuisances and pests to plants. Learn how to handle a gnat infestation at home. Full Article Planet Earth
of Voices: Who should replace Gary Lineker on Match of the Day? Join The Independent Debate By www.independent.co.uk Published On :: 2024-11-12T09:32:51+00:00 Should the BBC pass the torch to a seasoned veteran or opt for a fresh voice when Lineker steps down? Full Article Football Sport
of David Jason decries lack of TV roles for older stars By www.independent.co.uk Published On :: 2024-11-12T10:08:10+00:00 Jason, 84, said senior actors had a ‘tremendous amount to offer’ Full Article News TV & Radio Culture
of The 9 contenders to replace Gary Lineker on Match of the Day By www.independent.co.uk Published On :: 2024-11-12T11:32:35+00:00 The former footballer has hosted the show since 1999 Full Article News TV & Radio Culture
of Revealed: Meet the I’m A Celebrity class of 2024 By www.independent.co.uk Published On :: 2024-11-12T11:55:49+00:00 I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!’s 2024 campmates were finally confirmed on Monday, 11 November. Full Article Culture Indy TV
of Strictly pro isn’t happy with BBC show’s treatment of Shayne Ward By www.independent.co.uk Published On :: 2024-11-12T11:57:59+00:00 ‘You deserve something better!’ Ward’s partner Nancy Xu said of result Full Article News TV & Radio Culture
of Inside Gary Lineker’s Goalhanger podcast empire as host ends Match of the Day tenure By www.independent.co.uk Published On :: 2024-11-12T12:59:41+00:00 As Lineker prepares for life away from the BBC, his podcast empire is proving there is life away from football Full Article News TV & Radio Culture
of The full I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! 2024 lineup revealed By www.independent.co.uk Published On :: 2024-11-11T19:00:42+00:00 Meet the full cast, including Coleen Rooney and N-Dubz’s Tulisa Contostavlos Full Article News TV & Radio Culture
of Match of the Day and BBC will miss Gary Lineker’s urbane presence – the feeling is not mutual By www.independent.co.uk Published On :: 2024-11-12T13:01:48+00:00 Gary Lineker is leaving ‘MOTD’ at the end of this season, after a glittering 25-year tenure as the host of the BBC’s flagship football show. Nick Hilton looks back at the pundit’s highs and lows, from predatory striker to top broadcaster and media mogul Full Article Features TV & Radio Culture
of BBC confirms exit of ‘world-class’ Gary Lineker from Match of the Day By www.independent.co.uk Published On :: 2024-11-12T15:47:43+00:00 The former striker will depart the programme at the end of the 2024/25 season Full Article Football Sport
of The dark world of Nineties boybands: ‘They put a bucket by the stage so I could spew’ By www.independent.co.uk Published On :: 2024-11-12T17:05:39+00:00 Screaming girls. Sudden riches. Your face on the cover of Smash Hits magazine. Life in a Nineties boyband sounds like a dream, but one survivor of the maelstrom likens it more to being in the military. Jessie Thompson goes behind the scenes of revealing new BBC documentary ‘Boybands Forever’ Full Article Features TV & Radio Culture
of Wheel of Fortune contestant goes viral with hilariously incorrect answer By www.independent.co.uk Published On :: 2024-11-13T03:38:07+00:00 All-timer of a game show moment stunned audience into silence Full Article News TV & Radio Culture
of George RR Martin teases potential new Game of Thrones project with Maisie Williams By www.independent.co.uk Published On :: 2024-11-13T05:42:14+00:00 Williams played Arya Stark in Game of Thrones for eight seasons Full Article News TV & Radio Culture
of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigns over sex abuse scandal By www.npr.org Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 10:51:56 -0500 Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has resigned over accusations that he failed to report physical and sexual abuse to the police. Full Article
of A Frank Assessment of Israel's Goals in Gaza From the Former Defense Minister By www.npr.org Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 15:46:52 -0500 Israel's Defense Minister was fired last week by Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu who said that trust had "eroded" between them. The now former defense minister met with families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and gave his thoughts on what Israel can still achieve in Gaza. We hear what was said. Full Article
of New Zealand formally apologizes to victims of abuse in state care By www.npr.org Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 17:47:25 -0500 An inquiry found abuse, torture and neglect of some 200,000 people in state care over 70 years. People with disabilities or from Maori and Pacific Islander communities were especially vulnerable. Full Article
of Connection and hope in the lives of others By www.starobserver.com.au Published On :: Fri, 22 May 2015 10:25:33 +0000 “IT was very lonely at first,” one woman says. “It was hard because I didn’t know any other queer people, other than my partner and one of her friends from ... The post Connection and hope in the lives of others appeared first on Star Observer. Full Article Healthy Living Sponsored Content
of A PrEP trial of epic proportions By www.starobserver.com.au Published On :: Fri, 26 Feb 2016 07:21:35 +0000 On World AIDS Day last year, the NSW Government announced an expansion of a trial to make PrEP available to 3700 people in the state. Known as EPIC NSW, it is expected to reduce new HIV diagnoses by 50 per cent or more in two years. Matthew Wade found out more. The post A PrEP trial of epic proportions appeared first on Star Observer. Full Article Healthy Living New South Wales News Sponsored Content
of An underwater war story: See ships sunk by Hitler’s U-boats just off Bell Island By www.cbc.ca Published On :: Mon, 04 Nov 2024 04:30:00 EST Go beneath the waves and back in time to explore the incredible story of the German attack on Bell Island. In 1942, four merchant ships were sunk by Hitler’s U-boats, coming to a final rest on the ocean floor. Now, we’ve teamed up with historians and divers to take you on an underwater tour of the shipwrecks. Full Article
of Mystery of blobs washing up on Newfoundland's beaches solved, as scientists pinpoint chemical By www.cbc.ca Published On :: Tue, 05 Nov 2024 04:30:00 EST Throughout the fall, unusual white blobs have been washing ashore on beaches in eastern Newfoundland. A Memorial University chemist says the substance is a type of pollution that shouldn't have been in the ocean in the first place. Full Article News/Canada/Nfld. & Labrador
of Iceland looking to add space solar power to its sources of renewable energy by 2030 By www.cbc.ca Published On :: Tue, 05 Nov 2024 14:30:27 EST The U.K. based aerospace company, Space Solar, plans to launch its space-based solar power plant by 2030 to deliver clean energy to Iceland, which is already a renewable-energy powerhouse. Full Article Radio/Quirks & Quarks
of 10 Dirtiest Cities in the U.S. (L.A. Shockingly Isn't One of Them) By science.howstuffworks.com Published On :: Wed, 23 Oct 2024 10:10:03 -0400 Living in a city offers a lot of excitement and opportunity on a daily basis, but it also comes with some downsides like pollution, trash and health risks. So, which cities have it worst? LawnStarter did a deep dive on this very topic to uncover the dirtiest cities in the U.S. Full Article
of The Risks of Nonprofit Local Journalism By www.nationalreview.com Published On :: Sun, 10 Nov 2024 11:30:44 +0000 Outrage over the Washington Post’s presidential non-endorsement has renewed interest in a bad idea that would only tilt the media further to the left. Full Article
of The Unsung Piloting Feats of Georgia Jipp By www.nationalreview.com Published On :: Sun, 10 Nov 2024 11:30:55 +0000 A new children’s book tells the tale of a young South Dakota woman who flew dozens of mercy missions during the great blizzards of 1949. Full Article
of The Last Stand of Anti-Trump Lawfare By www.nationalreview.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 17:15:39 +0000 What will Judge Merchan do this week? Full Article
of Honor Veterans by Improving the Benefits of Military Service — and Reducing the Risks By www.nationalreview.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 20:45:48 +0000 Private ownership, consumer choice, and competition would deliver better benefits to veterans — and force policy-makers to confront the costs of military engagements. Full Article
of Reject the Numbing of America By www.nationalreview.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 11:30:18 +0000 The Sacred Heart and the presidential election. Full Article
of Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones are $100 off in this Black Friday deal By www.engadget.com Published On :: Sun, 10 Nov 2024 19:20:16 +0000 There is already a bunch of early Black Friday deals to check out, but if you're on the lookout for a great set of wireless headphones for yourself or a loved one, here's one that's absolutely worth your attention. Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones have dropped to $298. That's a $102 discount. This isn't quite the lowest price we've seen for the over-ear XM5s. They dropped to $280 at one point earlier this year. However, the headphones haven't gone back down to that point since, and this is still a great deal. The XM5s are our pick for the best wireless headphones overall. We've long been recommending Sony's 1000X line and this is the best iteration to date. They earned a score of 95 in our review. The redesigned headphones are much more comfortable to wear for extended periods than previous models. Sony has improved the active noise cancellation (ANC) feature as well, thanks to the addition of a new chip and four more microphones. We feel that the company's current flagship headphones do a better job of blocking out high frequencies and background noise (and even human voices) than the XM4s. The XM5s can switch between noise modes depending on your location or activity, and they can pause audio automatically when you start speaking. They deliver better call quality than rival models and, in general, you'll get clear, crisp sound, including punchy bass. You won't need to charge the XM5s too often either, as they have a 30-hour battery life. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/sonys-wh-1000xm5-headphones-are-100-off-in-this-black-friday-deal-192016343.html?src=rss Full Article Technology & Electronics site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Kris Holt
of The Morning After: Nintendo sues pirated software streamer for millions By www.engadget.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 12:16:30 +0000 Nintendo has filed a lawsuit against a streamer called EveryGameGuru, accused of streaming gameplays of pirated games before they were even released — and of providing viewers access to piracy tools and illegal copies of the games. EveryGameGuru allegedly streamed Mario & Luigi: Brothership across five days, weeks before its official release on November 7. After Nintendo had the videos taken down from various platforms, including YouTube, they continued live streaming on Loco and even included a QR code for their CashApp handle. Nintendo said EveryGameGuru sent the company an email, saying it has “a thousand burner channels” and “can do this all day.” Don’t anger the house of Mario! The company is asking for $150,000 in damages per violation of its copyright. 404media did the math: That could add up to millions, seeing as the suit cites at least 10 games, streamed on at least 50 occasions. — Mat Smith The biggest tech stories you missed Engadget review recap: Two new Macs, the PS5 Pro and more Sony has sold 65 million PS5s Andor season two will hit Disney+ in April Get this delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! HTC Vive Focus Vision review An average-performing premium VR headset. Engadget Sure, it’s not for most of us. The Vive Focus Vision isn’t for the same people as the PSVR2 or Meta Quest 3. This is meant to be high-end VR for businesses and creators: a cross between the Focus 3 and last year’s goggle-like XR Elite. The build quality is excellent, but it’s running on aging hardware. Worse, it’s riddled with software issues and is rather expensive compared to the Meta Quest 3. Continue reading. The voice of AOL’s You’ve got mail! dies aged 74 He recorded four phrases for $200 in 1989. If you’re aged 30 and up, you know the voice of Elwood Edwards, realize it or not. He recorded the phrase, “You’ve got mail!” and three other lines for Quantum Computer Services in 1989. That company became America Online (AOL), Meg Ryan made the movie with Tom Hanks and everything else. (AOL is currently owned by Yahoo, Engadget’s parent company.) Continue reading. Latest God of War Ragnarok patch tells the son to be quiet It reduces all the hints from Kratos’ offspring. Sony The latest patch for the PS5 version of God of War Ragnarok adds the option first seen in the PC port to tone down the boy’s excessive and unsolicited hints when Kratos is contemplating the game’s many puzzles. Enough, Atreus! (The patch also includes PS5 Pro upgrades, for smooth 60 fps and better visuals. But that’s not as funny.) Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-nintendo-sues-pirated-software-streamer-for-millions-121630229.html?src=rss Full Article Media Arts & Entertainment site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Mat Smith
of Nintendo will show off 'Donkey Kong Country' theme park expansion at live event today By www.engadget.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 13:00:15 +0000 Nintendo is set to show off the Donkey Kong Country expansion of its Super Nintendo World theme park today (Monday, November 11) at 5PM ET, the company revealed in a post on X. That means the new Universal Studios Japan area might finally open soon, after being delayed from the previously announced launch window of Spring 2024. The new park attraction featuring Mario's barrel-throwing nemesis was first revealed in 2021. The centerpiece is a ride called Mine Cart Madness, named after the best level in the 1994 SNES game Donkey Kong Country. After being blasted out of a barrel cannon, you'll take a mine cart ride through the jungle that includes a "leap across a collapsed track" as Nintendo showed in a render earlier this year. Tune in on 11/11 at 2 p.m. PT for a SUPER NINTENDO WORLD Direct livestream! The stream will be roughly 10 minutes and showcase Donkey Kong Country of #SuperNintendoWorld at Universal Studios Japan. No game information will be featured. #NintendoDirect????: https://t.co/0QwNF7DIkG pic.twitter.com/P0HPDK9x0y— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) November 10, 2024 The direct livestream appears to be focused on Donkey Kong world alone, and Nintendo specifically pointed out that "no game information will be featured" — so don't expect any news on the next-gen Switch 2 console either. Donkey Kong Country will expand the park size by up to 70 percent, Nintendo said when it was announced. Current attractions at the Japan park are the Mario Kart: Kuppa's Challenge rollercoaster and Yoshi Adventure. Nintendo recently announced that it would open a Super Nintendo World attraction at Universal Studios Orlando on May 22nd, 2025 with the same attractions as the park in Osaka. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-will-show-off-donkey-kong-country-theme-park-expansion-at-live-event-today-130015655.html?src=rss Full Article Game Consoles site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Steve Dent
of The Google Pixel 8a drops to $399 ahead of Black Friday By www.engadget.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 18:08:27 +0000 If you're looking for an excellent midrange smartphone for yourself or a loved one among all the early Black Friday deals, your search may be over. Google's Pixel 8a is on sale. It has dropped by $100 to $399. That's not quite the lowest price we've seen for the handset. It fell to $380 at one point. But this is still a good deal if you're looking for a great phone that won't break the bank. This price is for a configuration with 128GB of storage, but 256GB models are also $100 off at $459. The Pixel 8a is our pick for the best midrange smartphone overall. We gave it a score of 90 in our review. Thanks to Google's inclusion of the Tensor G3 chip, the Pixel 8a supports many of the same AI features that you'll find on flagship Pixel devices. We feel that the cameras are excellent, while that 6.1-inch 120Hz OLED display sure looks pretty. The Pixel 8a has great battery life too. It lasted for 20 hours and 29 minutes in our video rundown test, actually beating out the Pixel 8 by 13 minutes. On the downside, wireless charging is pretty slow as it maxes out at 7.5W. The bezels are a little thicker than you might like too, but otherwise the design is fairly slick. Another plus point is that the Pixel 8a is IP67-rated for dust and water resistance, so it should be somewhat durable. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-google-pixel-8a-drops-to-399-ahead-of-black-friday-180827185.html?src=rss Full Article Technology & Electronics site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Kris Holt
of A four-pack of Apple AirTags drops to a record low of $70 in this Black Friday deal By www.engadget.com Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 19:10:40 +0000 Black Friday is right around the corner and the deals are already coming in hot. You can pick up a four-pack of Apple AirTags for just $70, as an early Black Friday promotion. This is a discount of 30 percent and represents a record low price. Apple AirTags easily made our list of the best Bluetooth trackers, particularly for regular iPhone users. We love the vast finding network, which really helps when you misplace a tag. Just think of all of those AirTags, iPhones and other Apple devices out there helping to create this network. Apple AirTags also offer the ability to tap into the ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless protocol. This creates a sort of game out of finding lost items, as long as the object is within 25 feet of the phone. The screen will display directional arrows and a distance meter so you can zero in on the lost item without having to ring the AirTag. There are some caveats. These trackers only really work with iPhones, so Android users should buy something else. Also, the ringer only goes for seven seconds at a time, which isn’t always enough time to track something down. Finally, there’s no attachment point for connecting to a keychain or a related item. However, there are plenty of good AirTag accessories to solve that problem. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/a-four-pack-of-apple-airtags-drops-to-a-record-low-of-70-in-this-black-friday-deal-191040686.html?src=rss Full Article Technology & Electronics Handheld & Connected Devices Information Technology site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Lawrence Bonk
of NVIDIA's new all-in-one PC app launches out of beta today By www.engadget.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 14:00:40 +0000 NVIDIA has been testing a single app that merges the GeForce Experience and Control Panel over the past year. After rolling out several betas to make sure it works as intended, the company has officially launched the NVIDIA application, which is now available to download for users with its GPUs in their PCs and laptops. The company says the app is meant to make it easy to keep their NVIDIA Studio and GeForce Game Ready drivers updated and to give users quick access to its latest programs. In its home screen, users will find a prominently displayed section that will lead them to the latest driver downloads, as well as sections that will take them to other NVIDIA applications. At the bottom, they'll find a Library section showing their most recently opened games and programs that they can launch from there. Since it's supposed to provide a unified experience, users will be able to fine-tune the settings for their games and programs from within the app. Users will be able to access Optimal Playable Settings with relevant Control Panel options, and they'll be able to configure their displays, enable G-SYNC, enhance videos with AI and fine-tune their GPU's performance from within its interface. NVIDIA explains that it designed the unified application to be 50 percent more responsive than the GeForce Experience. It also installs in half the time. It's also worth noting that app will introduce a redesigned in-game overlay that simplifies access to gameplay recording tools capable of capturing video in 4K at 120 FPS, as well as AI-powered filters for those with RTX GPUs. They'll then be able to view their screenshots and new videos in the app's Gallery. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/nvidias-new-all-in-one-pc-app-launches-out-of-beta-today-140040945.html?src=rss Full Article Software Technology & Electronics site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Mariella Moon
of Baidu announces its own pair of AI smart glasses By www.engadget.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 14:30:44 +0000 Baidu, which is often called China's answer to Google, has launched its own pair of AI-powered smart glasses at its annual World Conference event in Shanghai. The device will run on the company's ERNIE generative AI technology and was designed to "become a private assistant," according to the Financial Times. Users will reportedly be able to interact with the device using their voice and ask it questions about what it sees in their current environment. They can also tell it to play music and even track their calories consumption. And since the glasses are equipped with cameras, they can ask it to snap photos or take videos. When the glasses start shipping sometime next year, they could become the Chinese consumers' alternative to Meta's and Snap's devices. Meta teamed up with Ray Ban a few years ago to release a pair of smart sunglasses that can livestream and send photos hands-free. Its latest model comes built-in with Meta's generative AI assistant that users can talk to. However, the company's device isn't officially sold in China, because its servers are blocked in the country. Baidu has yet to announce how much its glasses would cost, but Meta is selling its device for $299. The Baidu World Conference had a huge focus on the company's AI efforts, as it takes steps to make sure ERNIE can keep up with its competitors' technologies. It also launched a new AI image generator called iRAG that apparently experiences fewer hallucinations than its predecessor, along with a tool that enables people to create software programs even if they don't have coding expertise. According to The Times, ByteDance's Doubao is now the leading AI chatbot in China based on monthly active users as observed by Sensor Tower. ByteDance is also growing its hardware offerings and recently launched a pair of earbuds with access to its AI assistant Doubao. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/baidu-announces-its-own-pair-of-ai-smart-glasses-143044805.html?src=rss Full Article Technology & Electronics Information Technology site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Mariella Moon
of The M3 MacBook Air with 16GB of RAM is on sale for $899 ahead of Black Friday By www.engadget.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 15:49:22 +0000 It's rare that you'll find discounts on Apple products through the company's own retail channels, but other storefronts are often happy to slash prices on such wares. You can find early Black Friday deals on a bunch of Apple products, including MacBooks. The M3 MacBook Air with 16GB of RAM has dropped to its lowest price to date at Amazon. The laptop will run you $899, which is $200 off the list price. This is a 13-inch MacBook Air with 256GB of storage. Other configurations with more storage space are on sale too. One with 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD is $300 off at $999, though we'd recommend having at least 16GB of memory. It's not possible to upgrade the RAM in an Apple Silicon MacBook, but you can always add external storage if need be. To that end, you can snag a 13-inch M3 MBA with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of built-in storage for $1,099. If a model with 24GB and the same SSD is what you're looking for, you can snap one up for $1,299. Both are $200 off. Apple just released its first M4-powered Macs, but it has yet to slot the latest chip into the MacBook Air. To that end, we reckon the 13-inch M3 MacBook Air is the best laptop for most people. It's our pick for the best laptop for college students too. The 13-inch MBA's blend of power and portability makes it a potent choice and we gave it a score of 90 in our review. It delivers fast performance and has a killer display. The design is sleek and sturdy and it sounds great thanks to a quad-speaker array. We like the trackpad and keyboard as well, while the upgrade to Wi-Fi 6E connectivity is a definite plus. Our main quibble is that the USB-C ports are on the same side of the unit as the one for the charger — having even one USB-C on the right side would be handy. But that's a minor complaint about an otherwise excellent laptop. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-m3-macbook-air-with-16gb-of-ram-is-on-sale-for-899-ahead-of-black-friday-154922025.html?src=rss Full Article Computing Shopping Technology & Electronics site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Kris Holt
of One of our favorite Anker power banks is 41 percent off for Black Friday By www.engadget.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 16:15:43 +0000 I'm a big fan of Anker's chargers, especially its portable ones, as they tend to be sleek, fast and small enough to shove in my pocket (the last bit is a requirement for me). While the company's products run the gambit price-wise, there's a big sale on one of Anker's more expensive options: the 200W Prime Power Bank. Right now, you can get this power bank and its 100W charging base for just $110, down from $185 — a 41 percent discount. Anker's 200W portable charger is our choice for best premium power bank thanks to features like charging an iPhone in an average of one hour and 48 minutes. One of the best parts of the power bank is its sleek screen, which shows the power coming in or out and how much battery the accessory is holding. This feature is much more exact than the four dots on my cheaper (but still loved) Anker Nano Power Bank. The power bank and charging base both offer one USB port and two USB-C ports so there's plenty of ways to charge your devices. The base also uses magnets to secure its pins to the power bank and charge it upright. Our biggest quip with the power bank was its high price, but with this sale it's definitely worth looking into. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/one-of-our-favorite-anker-power-banks-is-41-percent-off-for-black-friday-161543537.html?src=rss Full Article Technology & Electronics site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Sarah Fielding
of Meta cuts the price of its ad-free plan by 40 percent in a bid to sate EU regulators By www.engadget.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 17:49:26 +0000 Meta has long been at loggerheads with European Union officials over its approach to targeted Facebook and Instagram ads. The company is hoping to placate regulators with some changes to its ad model in the bloc, which includes lowering the price of its ad-free subscription. Starting November 13, the plan will cost 40 percent less — €6 ($6.36) per month for signups via the web and €8 ($8.48) for those who subscribe on an iOS or Android device. The fee for each additional Facebook and Instagram account is €4 per month on the web and €5 via mobile. The company will automatically drop current subscribers down to the lower pricing. It says that it will once again ask users in the bloc if they'd like to sign up. When they see this prompt (which can only be ignored for a certain period of time), there will be a third option for EU Facebook and Instagram users to choose from. Those who don't want to pay for a subscription can instead opt to only view ads that are based on what they see in a given session in the apps. Meta will also factor in a few key data markers such as "a person’s age, location, gender and how a person engages with ads." These less-personalized ads naturally won't be as tailored to a given user's interests, the company notes. As such, people are perhaps less likely to click on such ads. To make up for that (and make sure this option doesn't hit Meta in the pocket too hard), folks who choose the less-personalized ads option will sometimes encounter unskippable ads. According to The Wall Street Journal, these will be displayed full screen. "Such ad breaks are common across other services, and are already offered by many of our competitors," Meta argues. "This change will help us continue to provide value to advertisers which ensures we can offer people a less personalized ads experience at no charge." Targeted ads are Meta's biggest revenue driver, but EU officials have reportedly been pressuring the company to offer a free, less-personalized option in its apps. Meta has argued that would negatively impact its bottom line. Although it has seemingly caved to officials' requests, the unskippable ad aspect may be construed as malicious compliance, as it worsens the user experience. Meta claims that these changes to its ad model "meet EU regulator demands and go beyond what’s required" by the bloc's laws. The company introduced its ad-free subscription a year ago to comply with laws such as the Digital Markets Act (DMA), as well as stricter interpretations of the General Data Protection Regulation. It was previously ordered to seek permission from users in the bloc before showing them personalized ads. The EU didn't take too kindly to the paid ad-free approach, however. An investigation into the "consent or pay" model is ongoing. In July, the EU said that in its preliminary findings, Meta was violating the DMA with this plan. These latest changes are said to be Meta's attempt to settle the case, but according to the Journal, the EU's discussions with the company haven't concluded. The bloc's regulatory body has until late March to finish its investigation and make a final decision. If it determines that Meta has indeed violated the DMA, the company could be on the hook for a fine of up to 10 percent of its annual global revenue. Based on its total revenue for 2023, it could have to pay up as much as $13 billion or so.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/meta-cuts-the-price-of-its-ad-free-plan-by-40-percent-in-a-bid-to-sate-eu-regulators-174926790.html?src=rss Full Article Internet & Networking Technology site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Kris Holt
of This budget Roomba robot vacuum is nearly half off ahead of Black Friday By www.engadget.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 18:44:26 +0000 The blackest of Fridays is nearly upon us and companies have already begun rolling out the deals to separate consumers from their bank accounts. Here’s one for a well-regarded and budget-friendly robovac. The iRobot Roomba Essential Vac is on sale for just $140, which is a discount of 44 percent. The regular price is $250. The Essential Vac features a similar design to the iRobot Roomba 694, which topped our list of the best budget robot vacuums. This one includes a three-stage cleaning system that works on both carpet and hard floors. It features the same smart navigation system as other iRoomba vacuums, so it’ll avoid stairs and work its way around items of furniture. Despite being a budget-friendly robovac, there are some modern flourishes. The vacuum will automatically return to the charging station when the battery runs low, which is always nice. It also integrates with the Roomba app for setting cleaning schedules and for building a custom map of the home. The battery life sits at around two hours, which is a decent metric for the price. That should be more than enough time to thoroughly clean a medium-sized home. The major caveat here is that this is a budget robovac, so it doesn’t mop and it doesn’t ship with a large debris canister. Still, the price is right for those curious about eliminating sweeping from that to-do list. Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-budget-roomba-robot-vacuum-is-nearly-half-off-ahead-of-black-friday-184426408.html?src=rss Full Article Technology & Electronics site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Lawrence Bonk
of The coffee table book of Apple Music's Best 100 Albums will set you back $450 By www.engadget.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 19:30:18 +0000 Apple has a history of eye-popping price tags, but the company is reaching new heights with a product that isn't even a gadget. After Apple Music unveiled a list of the 100 best albums of all time earlier this year, the streaming service is releasing a companion coffee table book. You can grab one of the 1,500 copies for a cool $450. I find these endeavors to rank and quantify art hilarious, because music is subjective and personal by nature. But people do love to debate their own artistic opinions, so if that's your jam there's plenty to dig into with Apple Music's assessment. (And before you ask, the top spot was claimed by The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.) This particular countdown was assembled by "Apple Music’s team of experts alongside an exclusive group of artists including Maren Morris, Pharrell Williams, J Balvin, Charli XCX, Mark Hoppus, Honey Dijon and Nia Archives, as well as songwriters, producers and industry professionals," according to the book listing. I'm sure this limited-run hardcover will be very beautiful, and maybe the liner notes analyzing each entry are deeply insightful. But I also wonder who would bother to buy it. If you are one of those 1,500 people who wants one, the book is due to start shipping in January. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/the-coffee-table-book-of-apple-musics-best-100-albums-will-set-you-back-450-193018825.html?src=rss Full Article Books & Publishing Celebrities Arts & Entertainment site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Anna Washenko
of 23andMe is laying off 40 percent of its staff By www.engadget.com Published On :: Tue, 12 Nov 2024 22:12:07 +0000 More than 200 employees of 23andMe are being laid off as part of the company’s ongoing cost-cutting measures. The layoffs will impact 40 percent of the genetic testing company’s workforce. 23andMe CEO and co-founder Anne Wojcicki said in a statement released on Monday that the staff reduction would save the beleaguered company more than $35 million. She called the layoffs “difficult but necessary actions as we restructure 23andMe and focus on the long-term success of our core consumer business and research partnerships.” The company also announced it will start to shut down its therapeutics clinical programs that used its genetic database to research and develop new drugs. The therapeutics division housed two “immuno-oncology programs” that investigated therapeutic antibodies “designed to restore the ability of the body’s immune cells to kill cancer cells,” according to the division’s website. The San Francisco-based company has not had an easy year. Hackers hit the genetics giant in April of last year and leaked information of 6.9 million customers. The data breach went unnoticed for a year and a half, leading to a $30 million settlement of a class action lawsuit and resignations from the company’s entire board.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/23andme-is-laying-off-40-percent-of-its-staff-221207302.html?src=rss Full Article Health site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Danny Gallagher
of Elon Musk will lead a new ‘Department of Government Efficiency,’ Donald Trump says By www.engadget.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 01:55:21 +0000 President-elect Donald Trump has named Elon Musk as the leader of a new “Department of Government Efficiency," that will “dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” The Tesla CEO and owner of X will spearhead the effort along with former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, Trump announced in a statement on Truth Social. The scope of the role isn’t exactly clear. Trump’s press release said that “the Department of Government Efficiency will provide advice and guidance from outside of Government, and will partner with the White House and Office of Management & Budget to drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” It also stated that “their work will conclude no later than July 4, 2026.” pic.twitter.com/Vnk4MCAofY— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 13, 2024 Musk shared the news on X, but didn’t indicate how the role might impact his obligations at his various other companies. Musk, who poured millions of dollars into Super Pac boosting Trump’s campaign, has previously talked about his desire to work with Trump to cut government spending. He did, however, joke about potential "merch" for the operation. "Republican politicians have dreamed about the objectives of 'DOGE' for a very long time," Trump's statement said. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/elon-musk-will-lead-a-new-department-of-government-efficiency-donald-trump-says-015521217.html?src=rss Full Article Politics & Government site|engadget provider_name|Engadget region|US language|en-US author_name|Karissa Bell
of The shifting history of North America's ancient ice sheet By www.spacedaily.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 05:57:03 GMT Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 05, 2024 Imagining a vast ice sheet sprawling over Canada and extending down into what is now the northern United States, reaching as far south as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, helps us grasp the scope of ancient glacial coverage between 19,000 and 26,000 years ago. Yet, while picturing this immense ice mass is fascinating, the present-day implications of its retreat - parti Full Article
of Spread of dengue fever in Bangladesh worries medics By www.terradaily.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 05:57:03 GMT Dhaka (AFP) Nov 7, 2024 Bangladesh is struggling to tamp down a surge in dengue cases as climate change turns the disease into a year-round crisis, leaving some paediatric wards packed with children squeezed two to a bed. The Aedes mosquito that spreads dengue - identifiable by its black and white striped legs - breeds in stagnant pools, and cases once slowed after the monsoon rains faded. "Normally, around t Full Article
of NISAR satellite to offer precise monitoring of Earth's surface movements By www.terradaily.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 05:57:03 GMT Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 09, 2024 Data from NISAR will improve our understanding of such phenomena as earthquakes, volcanoes, and landslides, as well as damage to infrastructure. Earth's surface is in a state of continuous motion, although often unnoticed. Scientists have utilized satellite and ground-based technology to observe movements linked to geological events such as earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic activity. A Full Article
of Drinking water outage hits half of France's Mayotte By www.terradaily.com Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 05:57:03 GMT Mamoudzou (AFP) Nov 12, 2024 Around half the people in the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte were without potable water Tuesday after a "technical incident" at a treatment plant, a local authority said in a statement. The "event of electrical origin" at the Ouroveni plant overnight from Monday to Tuesday "is leading to water cuts mostly located in the centre and south" of Mayotte's main island Grande Terre, the p Full Article
of Ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz are for sale nearly 2 decades after they were stolen By www.cbc.ca Published On :: Tue, 05 Nov 2024 14:13:50 EST A pair of ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz are on the auction block nearly two decades after a thief stole the iconic shoes, convinced they were adorned with real jewels. Full Article News/Entertainment
of 'No happy paintings': Dozens of art works by Canadian war artist at Calgary exhibit By www.cbc.ca Published On :: Wed, 06 Nov 2024 10:04:20 EST Bill MacDonnell's paintings are on display at the Military Museums in Calgary through Remembrance Day and into 2025. Full Article News/Canada/Calgary
of Cillian Murphy on the making of Small Things Like These By www.cbc.ca Published On :: Fri, 08 Nov 2024 17:56:14 EST Speaking with CBC News’s Eli Glasner, Cillian Murphy discusses ‘imploding emotionally’ in his role in Small Things Like These, his partnership with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck and how his experience on Oppenheimer influenced this film. CORRECTION: A previous version of this video interview includes reference to communities in Canada 'still finding bodies of Indigenous children in the ground' at 1:24. We have removed this portion of the interview. Searches at the sites of former residential schools using ground-penetrating radar have found evidence of possible unmarked graves. Full Article
of Tony Todd, 'giant of cinema' who starred in Candyman and Final Destination, dead at 69 By www.cbc.ca Published On :: Sat, 09 Nov 2024 17:24:14 EST Actor Tony Todd, known for his haunting portrayal of a killer in the horror film Candyman and roles in many other films and television shows, has died, says his longtime manager. Full Article News/Entertainment
of Musical duo Simon & Garfunkel recently had emotional reunion after years of silence By www.cbc.ca Published On :: Mon, 11 Nov 2024 09:48:55 EST The sound of silence, no more: Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, who as folk duo Simon & Garfunkel were one of the most popular American musical acts of the 20th century, recently reunited after years without speaking. Full Article News/Entertainment