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Tech Archive

Archives for October 2024

Adobe made its painting app completely free to take on ProcreateAdobe made its painting app completely free to take on Procreate
How to switch your Instagram account from public to privateHow to switch your Instagram account from public to private
Apple is ‘concerned’ about AI turning real photos into ‘fantasy’Apple is ‘concerned’ about AI turning real photos into ‘fantasy’
Gaby Del Valle
Gaby Del Valle
Meta Oversight Board helpfully defines what is not sex.

The board, which oversees Meta’s content moderation policies, determined that an image of someone pinching a person’s nipple over their clothes doesn’t violate its policy prohibiting “derogatory sexualized photoshop or drawings.”

This decision didn’t come out of the blue. A user appealed to the board after Meta took down a post in which VP Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz’s faces were edited onto the movie poster for Dumb and Dumber.

Thomas Ricker
Thomas Ricker
Qualcomm x Arm beef escalates.

Arm has given 60-days notice that it’s canceling the architectural license that lets Qualcomm use Arm IP to design its chips. It’s an escalation of a feud dating back to 2022 after Qualcomm bought Nuvia and failed to negotiate a new license. Qualcomm contends it doesn’t have to.

Here’s Bloomberg:

Qualcomm sells hundreds of millions of processors annually — technology used in the majority of Android smartphones. If the cancellation takes effect, the company might have to stop selling products that account for much of its roughly $39 billion in revenue, or face claims for massive damages.

Oof! But this is a negotiation and the most likely outcome is Qualcomm and Arm reaching a deal — else both companies suffer.

Arm to Scrap Qualcomm Chip Design License in Feud Escalation

[Bloomberg]

The Boox Palma 2 has a faster processor and adds a fingerprint readerThe Boox Palma 2 has a faster processor and adds a fingerprint reader
Jay Peters
Jay Peters
The video player in Google Drive is about to look a bit nicer.

In addition to a refreshed design, Google is making it easier to fast forward, rewind, adjust playback speed, and turn captions on or off for videos you’re watching in Google Drive, according to a blog post. The updates will be available to all Google Workspace customers.

A screenshot of the new video player in Google Drive.
Image: Google
Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
NYT: Bill Gates donated $50 million to an organization backing Kamala Harris.

The Times writes that Gates told friends he’s donated about $50 million to a 501(c)(4) “dark money” organization, Future Forward USA Action. It’s the nonprofit arm of what the Times previously described as “The biggest super PAC in American politics.”

Gates didn’t endorse Harris when asked, and is quoted saying:

I support candidates who demonstrate a clear commitment to improving health care, reducing poverty and fighting climate change in the U.S. and around the world.

I have a long history of working with leaders across the political spectrum, but this election is different, with unprecedented significance for Americans and the most vulnerable people around the world.

Bill Gates Privately Says He Has Backed Harris With $50 Million Donation

[The New York Times]

Kevin Bacon, Kate McKinnon, and other creatives warn of ‘unjust’ AI threatKevin Bacon, Kate McKinnon, and other creatives warn of ‘unjust’ AI threat
A satellite made by Boeing just fell apart in spaceA satellite made by Boeing just fell apart in space
Emma Roth
Emma Roth
Amazon’s God of War show brings Ronald D. Moore on board.

After Amazon and Sony parted ways with the original creative team working on the live-action adaptation, Deadline reports that Moore has joined the production as writer, executive producer, and showrunner.

Moore is best known for producing Battlestar Galactica and for his work on Star Trek spinoffs Deep Space Nine and The Next Generation.

‘God Of War’: Ronald D. Moore Boards Amazon Series As New Showrunner

[Deadline]

It’s not just you: Amazon’s shopping app is trying a different lookIt’s not just you: Amazon’s shopping app is trying a different look
Richard Lawler
Richard Lawler
Tim Walz: “Look, Elon’s on that stage, jumping around skipping like a dipshit.”

Appearing at a campaign event in Madison, WI, with Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate for vice president shared this characterization of Musk’s campaign event athleticism.

As seen in the clip below, it doesn’t end there, though, as Tim Walz explains his view of exactly what that $1 million daily voter sweepstakes is buying the MyPillow of government contractors.

The Joker sequel is heading home after less than a month in theatersThe Joker sequel is heading home after less than a month in theaters
Jay Peters
Jay Peters
Apple might feature games in a new app on iOS.

The new gaming-focused app could combine parts of the App Store and Game Center, 9to5Mac reports:

According to our sources, the app will have multiple tabs, including a “Play Now” tab, a tab for the user’s games, friends, and more. In Play Now, users will find editorial content and game suggestions. The app will also show things like challenges, leaderboards, and achievements. Games from both the App Store and Apple Arcade will be featured in the new store.

Exclusive: Apple working on new App Store-like app dedicated to games

[9to5Mac]

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