Samsung has announced a sale on its Galaxy Watch Ultra, a rugged smartwatch designed for adventurous types. The watch is currently available at Amazon starting at $499.99, which is $150 off the original price. The Galaxy Watch Ultra features an emergency siren, multisport activity tracking, and customizable shortcut buttons. It also offers longer battery life than other Samsung smartwatches and has a titanium case with 10ATM water resistance.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/23/24276728/samsung-galaxy-watch-ultra-apple-ipad-mini-6-deal-sale
Garmin has announced its latest smartwatch series, Venu 3, which offers a range of features for training and everyday use. The watch includes GPS, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and stress tracking, as well as access to Garmin Coach's free training plans. A notable addition is the wheelchair mode, making it more accessible for individuals with mobility needs.
The device also comes with improved sleep tracking and nap detection, as well as audio-guided meditation sessions. For connectivity, users can take calls directly from their wrist and issue voice commands via Bluetooth.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/23691498/best-garmin-smartwatch-fitness-tracker-wearables
Apple has released the first developer beta of iOS 18.2, featuring more AI-powered features and integration with ChatGPT. The update includes tools like Genmoji, Image Playground, and Visual Intelligence for iPhone 16 phones. Apple Intelligence is also expanding to more regions. While some users are excited about the new capabilities, others may be concerned about the growing role of AI in their devices.
Liquid AI, a startup spun out of MIT, has developed a novel type of "liquid" neural network that could revolutionize artificial intelligence. This new technology is more efficient, less power-hungry, and transparent than traditional AI models. Liquid AI's liquid networks draw inspiration from the C. elegans worm, which despite having just a few hundred neurons, can perform remarkably complex behaviors.
The company has revealed several new AI models based on this technology, including ones for detecting fraud in financial transactions, controlling self-driving cars, and analyzing genetic data. These models are being licensed to outside companies and have received funding from investors like Samsung and Shopify.
Source: https://www.wired.com/story/liquid-ai-redesigning-neural-network/
Wireshark, a popular network protocol analyzer, offers various configuration options that can be used for harmless and entertaining purposes. The tool's flexibility allows users to customize its behavior in unexpected ways. Practical jokes using Wireshark can include modifying display filters to make packet lists unreadable or disabling protocols to hide capture details. Additionally, users can create custom hosts files to translate network names, making it appear as though different devices are communicating. These pranks may bring a smile to the faces of colleagues and friends.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has announced that Goldman Sachs and Apple will pay a total of $89.8 million for violating legal obligations related to their joint credit card, Apple Card. The CFPB found that Apple failed to send tens of thousands of consumer disputes to Goldman Sachs, and when they did, the bank did not follow federal requirements for investigating these disputes. Goldman Sachs will pay $64.8 million, with $19.8 million going back to consumers and $45 million in penalties to the regulator. Apple will pay $25 million for its role in marketing and servicing the Apple Card.
A new book reissue from Swedish photographer Lars Tunbjörk, "Office," captures the dreary and isolating workspaces of the late 1990s. The collection shares similarities with the film "Office Space" (1999) in its depiction of modern office environments as hostile and suffocating. However, Tunbjörk's work is more perceptive, pointing to technology as a culprit behind this alienation. His photographs show workers isolated by computers, networks, and endless streams of digital information.
Determinate Systems has announced the general availability of FlakeHub Cache and private flakes. These features aim to simplify Nix adoption across teams and projects, providing a unified cache with fine-grained access controls and secure sharing of Nix expressions.
Source: https://determinate.systems/posts/flakehub-cache-and-private-flakes/
The PyPy project has recently merged a new DSL (Domain-Specific Language) for peephole transformation rules, designed to optimize runtime values. The DSL uses rply for parsing and Z3 for checking rule correctness. The implementation is relatively ad-hoc, with a small type checker and pattern matching RPython code generated using an approach inspired by Luc Maranget's paper.
The current status of the DSL has it being used in PyPy's main branch, with some integer rewrites already ported over from imperative style. However, there are still missing features and potential extensions planned for future development. These include support for overflow-checking variants and correctness proofs for operations like division.
Source: https://pypy.org/posts/2024/10/jit-peephole-dsl.html
"Introducing Agent.exe, a cross-platform app that enables users to control their machine using Claude's new computer use APIs. The app is an Electron-based project that allows users to direct their local computer with ease. According to the developer, the initial plan was to include a 'semi-auto' mode, but due to slow execution times, it was deemed unnecessary. Users can easily stop the run if the model becomes confused.
When it comes to choosing a cheap VPN, there are several factors to consider. A recent review by CNET highlights the importance of cost, privacy, speed, and usability. The article recommends Surfshark as the best cheap VPN option, citing its excellent price-to-performance ratio. However, it also advises against using free VPNs due to their typically slow speeds, limited features, and potential data selling.
The review emphasizes the need for a reliable and fast VPN that can handle various online activities such as streaming, gaming, and video conferencing. It also notes that some VPNs may have additional features like Tor over VPN, obfuscation, and multihop connections to enhance privacy.
Consumers should prioritize finding a VPN that meets their specific needs while balancing cost and performance. The review suggests that annual subscription prices can be more budget-friendly than monthly rates, making it worth considering a longer commitment period.
Source: https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/best-cheap-vpn/#ftag=CAD590a51e
Looking for a reliable blender? With so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming! From full-sized blenders with 2,000 watts of power to personal blenders like NutriBullet, Beast, and NutriNinja, each serving a specific purpose. Immersion blenders are perfect for pureeing soups and sauces, while portable blenders allow for on-the-go blending. Blenders and food processors have distinct uses, with blenders ideal for smoothies, soups, and nut butters, and food processors exceling at chopping, dicing, and mincing.
Source: https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/best-blender/#ftag=CAD590a51e
Smart plugs have become a popular way to add smart technology to non-smart devices. With numerous options available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. The Emporia Smart Plug stands out for its energy-use monitoring and customizable settings. However, it requires some setup and may not be necessary for all users. When selecting a smart plug, consider compatibility with your voice assistant, size, and style. Some plugs also offer additional features like energy monitoring and USB charging. Ultimately, the best smart plug for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
Source: https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/best-smart-plugs/#ftag=CAD590a51e
Want to stay updated on your favorite writer's latest musings? Follow these 4 easy ways! First, check if their website has an RSS feed or a "team member" page. You can also install a page as an app on Chromium-based browsers. Alternatively, create a Google Alert for the author's name to receive daily updates. Finally, subscribe to their newsletter or mailing list to stay informed.
The latest Apple Watch Series 10 has gained attention for its impressive features, including a larger display and faster charging technology. ZDNET's review highlights the watch's slim profile, which makes it comfortable for sleep tracking, as well as its ability to monitor sleep disturbances with more precision. The device also comes with new features like Training Load and Smart Stack with gesture support. However, some users may still prefer the Apple Watch Ultra 2 due to its advanced features and longer battery life.
AT&T has launched a new wireless program called Try AT&T, offering iPhone users a free 30-day trial to test their mobile network. The program includes unlimited talk and text, 100 GB of mobile data, and access to AT&T's 5G network. To participate, users must have an iPhone XR or newer with an eSIM. This move follows Verizon and T-Mobile in offering free trials to attract customers.
Amazon Launches Weatherproof Eero Wi-Fi Extender for Smart Home Enthusiasts
Amazon has unveiled its new weatherproof Eero Wi-Fi extender, designed to provide reliable connectivity for outdoor smart home devices. The Eero Outdoor 7 supports Wi-Fi 7 speeds and can cover up to 15,000 square feet of network area.
The Oura Ring 3 and 4 are two smart ring options from Oura, a well-known brand in the health tracking industry. The main difference between the two rings is their design and features. The Oura Ring 4 has receded sensors that make it more comfortable to wear compared to the Oura Ring 3. It also offers expanded sizing, with sizes four through 15 available, whereas the Oura Ring 3 only goes up to size 13.
The Oura Ring 4 also boasts a longer battery life of up to eight days, although during testing, it was found that users can expect around five and a half days. In contrast, the Oura Ring 3 has a battery life of up to seven days, with actual usage time being around four days.
When it comes to software updates, both rings have received improvements such as automatic heart rate monitoring during workouts, an app redesign, and upgraded daytime stress features that help contextualize physiological stress. However, the Oura Ring 4 also includes new features like meal logging through its camera and AI.
Ultimately, the choice between the two smart rings depends on what features are most important to you. If comfort is a top priority, the Oura Ring 4 may be the better option. But if you're looking for a more affordable option with similar features, the Oura Ring 3 could be the way to go.
Amazon has introduced a new perk for Prime members, offering a 10 cents per gallon discount at over 7,000 gas stations across the US. This move is seen as a response to Walmart's similar program, which provides discounts at Exxon, Mobil, Murphy, and Walmart-owned stations. The new benefit comes with enrollment in Earnify, a loyalty program utilized by BP and other BP-owned stations. Additionally, Amazon plans to introduce electric vehicle charging savings through BP Pulse next year.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/23/amazon-gives-prime-members-discount-on-gasoline/
Andreessen Horowitz launches "Oxygen" program, providing AI startups with access to a massive private GPU cluster. The venture capital firm aims to help its portfolio companies meet their compute needs without negotiating market rates.