"Black Friday HP Deals 2024: Get ready for discounts on laptops, desktops, monitors, and more. Expert-curated deals are now live, with savings starting at 20% off on select products. Explore the best pre-sale offers before Black Friday (Nov. 29) and Cyber Monday (Dec. 2)."
Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-black-friday-hp-deals-2024/
** Microsoft Office Lifetime License Available for Windows and Mac at a Discounted Price
Microsoft Office Professional 2021 is now available with a lifetime license for both Windows and Mac users, starting at $70. This deal is offered through Stack Social, an authorized Microsoft partner. The software bundle includes access to Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Publisher, and Access.
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Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/buy-a-lifetime-license-for-microsoft-office-for-windows-or-mac-for-70/
Printful and Printify Merge in $130M Deal, Joining Forces for Greater Efficiency and Innovation
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/05/printful-and-printify-ink-a-merger-deal/
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Meta Fined $15.7 Million for Processing Sensitive User Data Without Consent
A South Korean data protection agency has fined Meta, the parent company of Facebook, a significant sum after finding that it processed sensitive user information without proper consent and shared it with advertisers. The agency discovered that the social media giant collected data on users' interests, behaviors, and affiliations, including those related to politics, sexuality, and religion.
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** Canadian authorities arrest hacker suspected in massive Snowflake data breaches, but extradition details unclear.
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** Arizona Senate Candidate Kari Lake Fosters Election Dispute After Past Election Denial Claims. As her campaign nears its end, Kari Lake has once again sparked controversy by suggesting that the upcoming election might be rigged.
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Source: https://www.wired.com/story/kari-lake-campaign-claims-election-fraud/
Xiaomi's Smart Band 9 offers a great entry-level wearable experience with accurate sleep tracking, fitness metrics, and a small, lightweight design. However, it may not be the best fit for those with smaller wrists due to its tendency to lose skin contact, and its small display can be difficult to navigate during intense activities.
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"VCs warn that AI startups will need 'quality of revenue' and solid business fundamentals to raise funds in 2025, shifting focus from quantity of ARR to customer retention and loyalty. This shift reflects the end of the AI gold rush and the drying up of CIO budgets."
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DeepRoute.ai raises $100 million from Great Wall Motor in bid to challenge Tesla's FSD dominance in China.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/05/deeproute-raises-100m-in-push-to-beat-teslas-fsd-in-china/
Nintendo has launched a music app, Nintendo Music, allowing users to listen to various video game soundtracks. The app features some innovative ideas, such as extended loop options for songs and spoiler prevention lists. However, it faces limitations, including a limited selection of available games (25 titles), lack of desktop compatibility, and no credit given to real humans involved in creating the music.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/5/24288201/nintendo-music-streaming-hands-on-impressions
The BPF instruction set architecture (ISA) has been standardized with the publication of RFC 9669. This development aims to facilitate offloading capabilities for various use cases, including NVMe and eXpress Resubmission Path (XRP). The standardization is expected to encourage vendors to implement BPF offloading without being risk-averse.
Source: https://lwn.net/Articles/997002/
** World's first wooden satellite launched into space in test for Mars exploration, with researchers aiming to use renewable materials to build habitats on the moon and Mars.
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**Tronsmart Mirtune S100 Bluetooth Speaker Review: A Surprisingly Loud and Durable Option**
** Babbel Language Learning Subscription on Sale with 74% Discount
The language learning platform Babbel is currently offering a discounted lifetime subscription, allowing users to choose from 14 languages and access over 10,000 hours of online education for $150.
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Flash, a payment management service founded by ex-Flipkart exec Ranjith Boyanapalli, has launched in the US. The app helps shoppers manage multiple online orders, earn rewards, and gain insights into their spending habits.
Researchers are exploring new ways to benchmark AI models using games like Pictionary and Minecraft. These games challenge models' problem-solving skills, creativity, and understanding of spatial relationships. Proponents argue that these tests can help identify more sophisticated AI capabilities, such as resourcefulness and multimodality. However, some experts question the significance of these benchmarks, suggesting they may not accurately reflect real-world reasoning or adaptability.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/05/people-are-using-games-like-pictionary-to-benchmark-ai-now/
** Scientists Launch First Wooden Satellite into Space, Testing Material's Durability and Potential for Future Space Habitat Construction
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A Complex Issue: Reevaluating Assistance for Homeless Individuals
A thought-provoking article discusses the complexities surrounding giving money to homeless people. The author reflects on their own experiences and struggles with balancing empathy with nuanced understanding of societal issues.
Source: https://spiralprogress.com/2024/11/04/why-shouldnt-you-give-money-to-homeless-people/
Netflix's European offices have been raided by French and Dutch authorities as part of a tax fraud investigation. The probe, which began in November 2022, is looking into suspicions of "covering up serious tax fraud and off-the-books work." Netflix has not commented on the raids but claims to comply with tax laws.
Google TV Streamer Review: A Pleasant Surprise for Extreme Cord Cutters
The Google TV Streamer has received positive reviews from a long-time cord cutter, who praised its speed and reliability. The device features 4K-resolution support, 32GB of storage, and 4GB of RAM. Its interface is similar to FireOS, with categories arranged in horizontal rows for browsing apps and content recommendations. However, it lacks an audio sync tool and hands-free voice control. The device's AI image generator and Google Home integrations were also highlighted as positives.