Study Point

Cristina Criddle / Financial Times : A look at the rise of AI-generated virtual influencers, with some charging thousands of dollars to promote products, leading to concerns from human influencers   —  Hyper-realistic ‘virtual influencers’ are being used to promote leading brands — drawing ire from human content creators from Techmeme https://ift.tt/2Thcf05

Make 2024 the year of travel with this two-pack subscription from DFC: one for you and one for your favorite travel buddy. from CNET https://ift.tt/dbNuKkH

Rita Liao / TechCrunch : Chinese robotaxi companies are shifting to less advanced but more commercially viable smart-driving solutions, as funding dries up and losses continue to mount   —  Losses push China's self-driving upstarts to seek new revenue streams  —  A few years ago, robotaxis were the darlings of venture capitalists in China. from Techmeme https://ift.tt/Rj297wo

We hacked the system and got several months of healthy meal kits at more than 50% off. Here's how we did it. from CNET https://ift.tt/KSuxRm1

NBC News : Sources: US intelligence determined that the Chinese spy balloon that flew across the US in January and February 2023 used a US ISP to communicate with China   —  An American intelligence assessment found that the balloon used a commercially available U.S. network to communicate, primarily for navigation, U.S. officials say. from Techmeme https://ift.tt/WUDHbi3

If you want to pick up some headphones with excellent noise canceling and audio fidelity, this deal on the Bose 700 may be perfect for you. from CNET https://ift.tt/kfR50Uq

Danny Nelson / CoinDesk : Binance CEO Richard Teng says the crypto exchange's user base grew 30% to 170M accounts in 2023; Binance Pay, Binance Earn, and Binance's P2P platform all grew   —  The largest cryptocurrency trading venue added 40 million accounts to 170 million.  —  Register Now from Techmeme https://ift.tt/vzLZ1Ux

If you need access to Microsoft Office but don't want to sign up for an expensive subscription, this $40 lifetime license is the perfect option. from CNET https://ift.tt/z4ULZkT

Gené Teare / Crunchbase News : Tiger, Coatue, Vision Fund, a16z, Insight, Accel, Sequoia, Lightspeed, and Index together invested in 44 unicorns in 2023, down from 213 in 2022 and 471 in 2021   —  Funding to the unicorn class of companies — those private startups valued at $1 billion or more — has fallen dramatically in 2023 … from Techmeme https://ift.tt/RABDZkt

Mayank Parmar / Windows Latest : Microsoft tests a feature that lets Windows 11 users reinstall the OS using Windows Update, a method that preserves files, settings, and installed apps   —  A new Windows Update feature could be a game-changer for those scared of losing files or pictures when attempting to reinstall or recover their Windows 11 installations. from Techmeme https://ift.tt/igc7HCD

Most of the time, a quick reset will usually fix the problem. from CNET https://ift.tt/97rRdAm

Jessica Toonkel / Wall Street Journal : Nielsen: YouTube's share of US viewership by 2- to 11-year-olds jumped from 29.4% in September 2021 to 33% in September 2023, while Netflix fell from 25% to 21%   —  Major streaming services test releasing children's content on YouTube and cut back on fare for kids from Techmeme https://ift.tt/RfsuSOb

Jennifer Elias / CNBC : After vocal commitments following George Floyd's murder in 2020, DEI programs at Big Tech companies, including Meta and Google, are in broad retreat in 2023   —  - After vocal commitments following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, DEI programs in the tech industry are in broad retreat. from Techmeme https://ift.tt/D7HjecO

Want to watch the Baltimore Ravens play the San Francisco 49ers? Here's everything you need to stream Monday Night Football on Christmas Day at 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC. from CNET https://ift.tt/DAsur1Y

Rowing machines make a great addition to any home gym, as long as you pick one best suited to your space. from CNET https://ift.tt/LViTOsv

Almost everyone in Redding has access to fast internet from at least one provider, but choices are limited at most addresses. from CNET https://ift.tt/whRYGDA

Forbes : How AI defense tech developer Rebellion Defense is struggling to survive after failing to win a US DOD contract, losing its founders, and shuttering its UK arm   —  Launched with funding from former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, Rebellion Defense promised to deliver cutting-edge AI for the U.S.-U.K. alliance. from Techmeme https://ift.tt/gNO3JDn

Is it time to level up your weight lifting workouts? These are the best squat racks to add to your home gym. from CNET https://ift.tt/gnHwCPi

Jay Peters / The Verge : Humane says it will begin shipping its Ai Pin in March 2024, starting with customers who placed priority orders   —  Humane announced Friday that the AI Pin, its splashy AI-powered wearable, will start shipping in March 2024. … While Humane didn't share a specific date for when orders … from Techmeme https://ift.tt/M7CFBva

The Galaxy S24 will likely have new AI features along with routine camera and processor upgrades. from CNET https://ift.tt/VklRrpH

Sarah Wynn / The Block : Prometheum says it received the first-ever FINRA approval to offer digital asset securities clearing services through its special purpose broker dealer license   —  - Prometheum announced on Thursday that it received the first-ever approval from FINRA to allow for digital asset securities clearing … from Techmeme https://ift.tt/0HGuztb

Ron Miller / TechCrunch : Cisco acquires cloud-native security and networking startup Isovalent, which had raised $69M and has helped develop open-source projects eBPF and Cilium   —  Cisco announced this morning that it intends to acquire Isovalent, a cloud-native security and networking startup that should fit … from Techmeme https://ift.tt/C571Uio

Despite its 2021 acquisition by SunPower, Blue Raven still offers its own flavor of solar service with a strong reputation for customer satisfaction in 18 states. from CNET https://ift.tt/hCbYeNR

Cyrus Farivar / Forbes : Etsy, despite its guidelines, lists tons of AI-generated porn for sale found via simple searches; it removed deepfake porn of 55+ celebs after it was notified   —  AI-generated pornographic images of at least 55 well known celebrities were available for purchase until Forbes notified Etsy. from Techmeme https://ift.tt/eSNhmx5

The Verge : Memo: Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick is leaving Microsoft on December 29; Activision's leadership remains and is being integrated into Microsoft Gaming   —  Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick is stepping down officially December 29th.  Microsoft has not appointed a direct replacement … from Techmeme https://ift.tt/kUHlI6s

Finding the right mattress for you starts with deciding on what's the ideal size for your needs. Here's what to consider when choosing between the two most popular bed sizes. from CNET https://ift.tt/MjYds79

Anton Shilov / Tom's Hardware : Analysis: Huawei's new HiSilicon Kirin 9000S, based on a 7nm SMIC process, is slower than the HiSilicon Kirin 9000, released in 2020 using TSMC's 5nm N5 process   —  You cannot beat a 5nm processor with a 7nm chip.  —  The year was 2020, and Huawei released its HiSilicon Kirin 9000 … from Techmeme https://ift.tt/i1rwqAn

Erin Woo / The Information : After Dave Willner's July exit from OpenAI as the head of the trust and safety team, OpenAI has broken up the team, whose vetting process some devs called slow   —  OpenAI has overhauled how it handles the task of rooting out disinformation and offensive content from ChatGPT and its other products … from Techmeme https://ift.tt/mXjrlzt

Yuvraj Malik / Reuters : Data analytics company Alteryx says it has agreed to be acquired by PE firms Clearlake Capital and Insight Partners, in a deal valued at $4.4B including debt   —  Alteryx (AYX.N) said on Monday it has agreed to be acquired by private-equity firms Clearlake Capital Group and Insight Partners … from Techmeme https://ift.tt/slEd6tq

The Guardian : Internal docs: TikTok gave a “protected list” to some moderators to prevent action being taken against accounts related to heavy advertisers, like Amazon   —  Exclusive: Internal communications suggest video platform working to protect its lucrative relationship with e-commerce firm from Techmeme https://ift.tt/qZodpUS

A portable projector can give you big-screen TV shows, movies and games just about anywhere. Here are the best portable projectors you can buy today. from CNET https://ift.tt/lANipXq

Justine Calma / The Verge : How conservationists are using an AI tool called CeruleanAI, developed by the Coral Restoration Foundation, to analyze 3D maps of reefs and monitor restoration   —  Time is running out to save the world's coral reefs, so conservationists are turning to every tool they can to protect vanishing reefs — including AI. from Techmeme https://ift.tt/JqopiYN

Keep your eyes in tip-top shape, naturally, with these daily habits. Here's everything you need to know about keeping your eyes healthy without surgery. from CNET https://ift.tt/RMLuDPk

Choosing the Best Roku streaming device isn't easy, because there are so many. But we've tested them all and selected the best one based on user interface, content selection and value. from CNET https://ift.tt/R4GANes

Hannah Miao / Wall Street Journal : Robinhood received ~$1.1B in account transfers since it began offering a 1% match on transferred brokerage accounts on October 23, with 150+ transfers of $1M+   —  Trading app receives $1.1 billion in account transfers since offering 1% match  —  Robinhood Markets , known for a clientele … from Techmeme https://ift.tt/MH0FXNQ

Regular, daily exercise can boost your mood and even your eye health. Here's how exercise can protect your vision. from CNET https://ift.tt/Bwto9DQ

Financial Times : A look at the complex structure of the OpenAI/Microsoft alliance; sources say it entitles Microsoft to up to 49% of earnings of OpenAI's for-profit subsidiary   —  ChatGPT-maker quietly clarifies that tech giant has no equity despite $13bn investment — but is in line to make big profits from Techmeme https://ift.tt/KNWPY8C

It's one of our favorite phones of 2023, and you can snag an unlocked model starting at just $599 right now. from CNET https://ift.tt/PwWGmuQ

Will Douglas Heaven / MIT Technology Review : Google DeepMind used its FunSearch model to crack the famous cap set problem in pure mathematics, the first time an LLM solved a long-standing scientific puzzle   —  They had to throw away most of what it produced but there was gold among the garbage.  —  Google DeepMind has used … from Techmeme https://ift.tt/0vLih4p

Holiday deals on Pokemon cards at Best Buy will make it easier for your gaming enthusiast to catch 'em all. from CNET https://ift.tt/QuUTCwD

Jacquelyn Melinek / TechCrunch : Abu Dhabi-based Andalusia Labs, which offers risk management services for digital assets, raised a $48M Series A led by Lightspeed at a valuation “north of” $1B   —  Digital asset risk infrastructure-focused Andalusia Labs, formerly known as RiskHarbor, has raised $48 million … from Techmeme https://ift.tt/zOhcdpR

Jordan Novet / CNBC : OpenAI's nonprofit arm reports $44,485 in revenue in 2022, even though the company is worth billions, avoiding California's $2M threshold for audited financials   —  - OpenAI's nonprofit organization generated $44,485 in revenue in 2022, almost entirely from investment income … from Techmeme https://ift.tt/3k4PADm

Knead out your legs, back and other sore muscles with one of our picks for the best foam roller. from CNET https://ift.tt/q2De3cU

Alex Konrad / Forbes : Armada, aiming to bring AI grade computing capability to remote places like oil rigs using Starlink, raised a $40M Series A; source: at a nearly $250M valuation   —  Led by former DataRobot CEO Dan Wright, one-year-old Armada is leveraging a “close collaboration” with Elon Musk's SpaceX … from Techmeme https://ift.tt/N170Tbj

Ben Schoon / 9to5Google : Beeper says “Beeper Mini is back” but now requires users log in with their AppleID, as phone number registration is not working; Beeper makes the service free   —  Just days after its debut, Beeper Mini was seemingly killed by Apple.  Now, the iMessage app for Android is back, but how long will it last this time? from Techmeme https://ift.tt/UipA2HX