This week, BuzzFeed News, citing sources familiar with the matter, wrote that Facebook is developing an AI tool that summarizes news articles so that users don’t have to read them. The tool — codenamed “TLDR” in reference to the acronym “too long, didn’t read” — reportedly reduces articles to bullet points and provides narration, as well as a virtual assistant to answer…
Fable Studio unveils two AI-based virtual beings who can talk to you
December 19, 2020
Fable Studio has announced two new conversational AI virtual beings, or artificial people. Their names are Charlie and Beck, and they will be able to hold conversations as if they were real people.
The new characters are a blend of storytelling and artificial intelligence, a…
HomeKit Weekly: Despite a slow rollout, Adaptive Lighting in iOS 14 is one of the best new HomeKit features
December 19, 2020
Adaptive lighting in HomeKit was one of the new features from Apple in iOS 14. While it took a while for manufacturers to begin rolling it out, I’ve finally been able to spend a few weeks with it. It’s another way that HomeKit is providing experiences to automate your…
Google Photos storage bug ‘inaccurately counted’ uploads for some on iOS, Google One refunds triggered
December 19, 2020
A Google Photos storage system “mistake” this year resulted in image and video uploads being “inaccurately” counted towards your cloud storage quota. This Photos issue, which is now fixed, was present throughout 2020 and Google is offering a refund for One storage during that period.
The company, specifically the Photos team, reached out to those impacted today, noting that this problem…
Report: Qualcomm sees boost from strong iPhone 12 demand as Apple works on in-house modem
December 19, 2020
A new report on how the global chip makers stacked up for Q3 suggests that Qualcomm likely has the iPhone 12 to thank for solid growth and taking the number one spot with almost $5 billion in quarterly revenue. That almost a 40% increase from Qualcomm’s 2019 Q3. However…
Apple debuted its powerful ProRAW feature for the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max cameras with iOS 14.3 earlier this week. It’s been called a “massive leap forward” by pro photographer Austin Mann. Now the Instagram iOS app is able to accept ProRAW’s DNG format when…
How to check who can access your iPhone, iPad, and Apple accounts
December 19, 2020
Apple continues its focus on privacy and security with some new resources on how to protect your devices, accounts, and personal safety. Let’s look at the recommended steps to check who can access your iPhone, other Apple devices, and Apple accounts.
Apple published its new 20-page support guide called “Device and Data Access When Personal Safety is at Risk.” And whether you’ve got some…
As we covered here this week, Facebook criticized Apple with a full-page ad in US newspapers due to the new App Store guidelines, which will force apps to offer an option for users not to be tracked across the web. After Apple responded to Facebook, the company started…
I’m not exactly a fan of using my iPhone with a case, especially with the stunning new iPhone 12 design. Even so, I still like to have some cases around — either to protect my iPhone in some situations or to change its style from time to time. I’ve been using the Mujjo…
AI controlled a US military aircraft for the first time
December 19, 2020
As much as the US military relies on drones to bolster its aerial arsenal, it has still relied on human operators to guide its aircraft — until now. Air Force Assistant Secretary Dr. Will Roper has revealed to Popular Mechanics that AI controlled a US military aircraft (and really, military system) for the first time, serving as the “co-pilot” aboard a U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane during a…
