A search for “AI chat” in the Mac App Store returns dozens of applications sporting black-and-white icons nearly identical to ChatGPT’s official logo. OpenAI’s ChatGPT desktop application isn’t available through the Mac App Store and can only be downloaded from the company’s website. The copycat applications use various combinations of “AI,” “Chat,” and “Bot” in their names, including “AI Chat Bot : Ask Assistant,” “AI Chatbot: Chat Ask Assistant,” and dozens of similar variations. One application named itself “Al Chatbot” using a lowercase L instead of a capital I in “AI.” Additional lookalike icons mimicking Claude, Grok, and Gemini applications also appear in search results.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Folks in the US can now snap up the first smart projector that’s powered by Roku tech. The Aurzen Roku TV Smart Projector D1R Cube is available on Amazon for a regular price of $250. Until October 1, though, there’s a coupon that drops the price to $180 (a discount of $70).
There was a Roku-branded 3M projector that arrived all the way back in 2012, but that required a Roku Streaming Stick. The new Aurzen model has Roku’s operating system built in.
You’ll be able to operate this projector using the Roku remote. It uses the Roku interface and personalized homescreen, which includes access to The Roku Channel and a litany of streaming media apps. The projector also works with Roku’s mobile app and smart home ecosystem, as well as compatible wireless speakers and soundbars. You’ll be able to use Bluetooth headphones and there’s a 3.5mm audio out jack.
The projector is designed for indoor and outdoor use, and it supports screen sizes of between 40 and 150 inches. It has Apple AirPlay support, an HDMI port so you can plug in a games console or another device, dual 5W speakers and 1080p resolution. Brightness tops out at 330 ANSI lumens. Getting the projector ready to use should be pretty straightforward as the D1R Cube has auto focus and auto keystone correction, as well as a guided setup process.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/the-first-roku-powered-smart-projector-is-here-143155271.html?src=rss
I recently learned of a rather interesting pilot study undertaken by Nissan together with the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and UC Berkeley that leverages the automaker’s partially automated driving system, ProPilot Assist, to ease traffic congestion. The idea is called “Cooperative Congestion Management,” which works by letting a car in traffic inform vehicles behind it.
Researchers from Nissan’s advanced technology center in Silicon Valley have trialed CCM on I-680 in the Bay Area, logging about 600 miles. Starting with Nissan vehicles equipped with ProPilot Assist, which combines adaptive cruise control and lane keeping, they added the ability for those cars to communicate with each other, informing other cars about their speed and any hazards. On the road, they were able to show that the system reduced hard-braking events by 85 percent and cut time stationary in traffic by 70 percent.
But we’re not talking about platooning—the idea of having road trains of autonomously driven semi trucks networked together and driving in convoy was all the rage a decade ago, but mostly fell from favor once people realized the human truck drivers were needed for more than just the steering, accelerating, and braking bits of the job.
Ironically, the D1R Cube isn’t a cube,
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Did you know you can customize Google to filter out garbage? Take these steps for better search results, including adding Lifehacker as a preferred source for tech news.
Right now, the Arlo 2K Essential Indoor/Outdoor Camera (2nd Generation) is available in a three-pack at 59% off, bringing it down to $109.99 and marking its lowest price ever, according to price trackers. If you’re looking to boost your home security system and cover multiple vantage points, this is a strong option.
This security camera bundle features 2K video resolution, which is a step up from many cameras that only have 1080p resolution—like this indoor Arlo camera, which received an “Excellent” rating from PCMag. And unlike that model, this one can be used both indoors and outdoors. It’s weather-resistant and features a wireless design. Plus, it has a rechargeable battery. For low-light conditions, the camera has a built-in spotlight and color night vision. Its field of view is around 130°, and it can zoom in up to 12x, letting you identify minute details. (This zoom is likely digital rather than true optical zoom, so quality may degrade if you’re zooming in too closely.)
The spotlight doesn’t just illuminate the coverage area—it acts as a built-in deterrent (as does the integrated siren), upgrading this system from passive recording to actively dissuading intruders. Like most cameras, it features two-way audio that lets you listen and speak, but smart features like person and vehicle detection, which can cut down on false alarms, require a paid subscription, as does cloud storage. If you have a smart home ecosystem like Google Home or Alexa, this camera bundle can integrate seamlessly, allowing for features like automation and voice control.
That said, there are some limitations. This camera only works on 2.4 GHz wifi and may require frequent recharging if there’s excessive motion or the postlight is being activated often. Additionally, a subscription is required for many features, like smart detection, that come for free from brands like Blink or Wyze. Still, if you want a versatile, easy-to-install setup that can monitor your home’s exterior or interior and cover more than one area, the Arlo 2K Essential Indoor/Outdoor Camera Bundle (2nd Gen) offers solid bang for your buck.
An anonymous reader shares a report: Anyone who surveys the public, from marketers to pollsters, struggles nowadays to get people to answer their questions. That phenomenon afflicts crucial government data, making it harder for policymakers and investors to know the true state of the economy. Falling survey participation is an important reason the flagship jobs report released every month by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, part of the Labor Department, has undergone such big revisions recently.
This has rippled into the political sphere. On Aug. 1, President Trump fired BLS Commissioner Erika McEntarfer after a particularly large downward revision to jobs for May and June that owed partly to late responses from survey participants. The White House and top administration officials increased their attacks on the BLS last week after the agency published an annual revision suggesting the U.S. added 911,000 fewer jobs over the 12 months through March. The BLS blamed the initial overestimate partly on response rates.
[…] One hypothesis is known as survey fatigue: People are being asked to answer too many questionnaires. Jonathan Eggleston, a senior economist at the U.S. Census Bureau, found in a 2024 study that recent participants in that agency’s monthly and annual surveys, which are voluntary, were less likely to answer the 2020 census by mail, phone or online, without a knock on the door. Another is the rise of cellphones with caller ID. In the days of landlines, people had to pick up the phone to know who was calling. These days, many decline to answer callers they don’t recognize.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Next week marks one year since the launch of the Xeon 6900P series Granite Rapids server processors. Given the occasion and a new server in the lab, here is a look at how Intel’s Granite Rapids top-end Xeon 6980P server processors are performing one year after the original introduction with a production-grade server platform as well as incorporating all of the Linux software improvements over the past year.
The Socket.dev blog describes
this week’s attack on JavaScript packages in the npm repository.
A malicious update to @ctrl/tinycolor (2.2M weekly
downloads) was detected on npm as part of a broader supply chain
attack that impacted more than 40 packages spanning multiple
maintainers.The compromised versions include a function
(NpmModule.updatePackage) that downloads a package
tarball, modifies package.json, injects a local script
(bundle.js), repacks the archive, and republishes it,
enabling automatic trojanization of downstream packages.
Jaguar Land Rover’s dealers and suppliers fear the British carmaker’s operations will take another few months to normalize after a cyber attack that experts estimate could wipe more than £3.5 billion off its revenue.
JLR, which is owned by India’s Tata Motors, had been forced to shut down its systems and halt production across its UK factories since August 31, wreaking havoc across the country’s vast supply chain involving roughly 200,000 workers.
JLR on Tuesday said it would extend its production halt until at least next Wednesday as it continued its investigation. In a statement, the company also cautioned that “the controlled restart of our global operations… will take time.”
The
How does vacation affect cycling performance? Hear from one Zwifter as he shares how a family vacation quickly turned into a series of struggles.
We’ve also included videos about intense race finishes, FTP tests, Zwift Ride after 30 days, and the ultimate Zwift setup.
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The UCI has said that the Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez’s support for the pro-Palestine protests at the Vuelta a España “calls into question Spain’s ability to host major international sporting events”.
In a statement released last night, the UCI, cycling’s international governing body, added that Sánchez’s position on the protests is “contradictory to the Olympic values of unity, mutual respect, and peace”.
After continued protests against Israel–Premier Tech’s participation in La Vuelta, Sunday’s final stage was cut short due to pro-Palestine demonstrators flooding the finish line in Madrid. Race winner Jonas Vingegaard and the peloton were forced to turn back from the city centre with 55km of the stage remaining, and race organisers said there would be no podium ceremony.
There were reportedly 3,000 protestors at the finish in Madrid and an estimated 100,000 demonstrators continued to protest after the race had ended. Spanish authorities brought in extra police to Madrid, making it the largest security operation since the 2022 NATO summit in the city.
Speaking before the final stage, Sánchez said: “We would like to express our gratitude and absolute respect for the athletes but also our admiration for the Spanish people who mobilise for just causes, such as Palestine.”
His words were criticised by opponents, including Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar, who said on X that the Spanish prime minister “encouraged demonstrators to take to the streets” and that the “pro-Palestinian mob heard the incitement messages”.
On Monday, a day after the protests, Sánchez said he had a “deep admiration” for those who protested peacefully against Israel–Premier Tech.
Sánchez also called for Israel to be barred from international sporting events for as long as its “barbarism” in Gaza continued. The Spanish prime minister also said he hoped the protests in Madrid would lead others to reconsider the country’s participation in sporting events.
“I think that debate that’s begun after what happened here in Madrid yesterday should widen and spread to all corners of the world,” Sánchez said.
“It’s already happening in some parts of the world and we’ve seen how European governments are saying that as long as the barbarism continues, Israel can’t use any international platform to whitewash its presence.
“And I think that sports organisations need to ask themselves whether it’s ethical for Israel to keep taking part in international competitions.”
Stephanie Adam, of the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, which called for the protests, told BikeRadar that the Israel–Premier Tech’s participation at the race was “sportswashing pure and simple”.
The UCI said it “strongly condemns the exploitation of sport for political purposes in general, and especially coming from a government.”
“Sport must remain autonomous to fulfill its role as a tool for peace. It is unacceptable and counterproductive for our sport to be diverted from its universal mission,” the UCI added.
In a letter addressed to the UCI’s president David Lappartient, of the Consejo Superior de Deportes, the Spanish government’s autonomous agency for the promotion of sport, said: “In Spain, as in all democratic societies, the right to demonstrate freely and peacefully is a fundamental right, enshrined in our 1978 Constitution.”
“We believe that sport cannot remain indifferent to what is happening in the world, much less remain oblivious to serious human rights violations,” the letter continued.
“There is no peace without justice, and using sport to “whitewash” a genocide like the one being committed in Gaza, with thousands of deaths, innocent children, and a famine already declared by the United Nations, is a political position that contravenes the Olympic Charter and the most basic values of sport.”
Many riders voiced concern for their safety at La Vuelta and there were several crashes due to protests. Israel–Premier Tech began riding in jerseys without its team name, citing safety concerns.
As protests mounted at La Vuelta, the team, owned by Canadian–Israeli businessman Sylan Adams, was endorsed by Benjamin Netanyahu, who said: “Great job to Sylvan and Israel’s cycling team for not giving in to hatred and intimidation. You make Israel proud!”
The UCI will host its annual congress next week, which it says will be attended by representatives from Palestinian, Israeli, Russian and Ukrainian National Federations.
Student thought she had the hang of this ‘Linux’ thing and its kooky CLIWho, Me? It’s Monday morning, and a week of possibilities presents itself to IT pros everywhere. Which is why The Register brings you another edition of Who, Me? It’s the reader-contributed column in which we remind you what not to do with your day, your week, and your career, by sharing stories of your worst workplace mistakes and the contortions you made to survive them.…
October Prime Day will be here soon on October 7 and 8, but as to be expected, you can already find some decent sales available now. Amazon always has lead-up sales in the days and weeks before Prime Day, and it’s wise to shop early if you’re on the hunt for something specific and you see that item at a good discount.
Prime Day deals are typically reserved for subscribers, but there are always a few that anyone can shop. We expect this year to be no exception, and we’re already starting to see that trend in these early Prime Day deals. These are the best Prime Day deals you can get right now ahead of the event, and we’ll update this post with the latest offers as we get closer to October Prime Day proper.
Apple iPad Air (11-inch, M3) for $449 ($150 off): The only major difference between the latest iPad Air and the previous generation is the addition of the faster M3 chip. We awarded the new slab an 89 in our review, appreciating the fact that the M3 chip was about 16 percent faster in benchmark tests than the M2. This is the iPad to get if you want a reasonable amount of productivity out of an iPad that’s more affordable than the Pro models.
Apple Mac mini (M4) for $499 $100 off): If you prefer desktops, the upgraded M4 Mac mini is one that won’t take up too much space, but will provide a ton of power at the same time. Not only does it come with an M4 chipset, but it also includes 16GB of RAM in the base model, plus front-facing USB-C and headphone ports for easier access.
Anker 622 5K magnetic power bank with stand for $28 (42 percent off): This 0.5-inch thick power bank attaches magnetically to iPhones and won’t get in your way when you’re using your phone. It also has a built-in stand so you can watch videos, make FaceTime calls and more hands-free while your phone is powering up.
Anker MagGo 10K power bank (Qi2, 15W, ultra slim) for $60 (25 percent off): A 10K power bank like this is ideal if you want to be able to recharge your phone at least once fully and have extra power to spare. This one is also Qi2 compatible, providing up to 15W of power to supported phones.
Anker MagGo 10K power bank (Qi2, 15W) for $72 (20 percent off, Prime exclusive): One of our favorite power banks, this 10K brick has a built-in kickstand and a small display that shows you the battery’s remaining charge.
Anker Soundcore Select 4 Go speaker for $23 (34 percent off): This small Bluetooth speaker gets pretty loud for its size and has decent sound quality. You can pair two together for stereo sound as well, and its IP67-rated design will keep it protected against water and dust.
Anker Soundcore Space A40 for $45 (44 percent off): Our top pick for the best budget wireless earbuds, the Space A40 have surprisingly good ANC, good sound quality, a comfortable fit and multi-device connectivity.
Levoit Core 200S smart air purifier for $70 ($30 off): This compact air purifier cleans the air in rooms up to 140 square feet and uses a 3-in-1 filter that removes microscopic dust, pollen and airborne particles. It has a mobile app that you can use to set runtime schedules, and it works with Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands.
8BitDo Pro 2 controller with travel case for $40 (34 percent off, Prime exclusive): We generally love 8BitDo controllers, and the Pro 2 has been one of our favorites for a long time. This model works with Switch 2, Steam Deck, Android and more, plus it has Hall Effect joysticks and a slew of customization options.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 for $200 (20 percent off): These Beats earbuds have a hook design that will be good for anyone who wants the most secure fit while doing strenuous workouts. They also have a built-in heart rate monitor and up to 45 hours of battery life with their included charging case.
Amazon Fire TV Cube for $100 (29 percent off): Amazon’s most powerful streaming device, the Fire TV Cube supports 4K, HDR and Dolby Vision content, Dolby Atmos sound, Wi-Fi 6E and it has a built-in Ethernet port. It has the most internal storage of any Fire TV streaming device, plus it comes with an enhanced Alexa Voice Remote.
Rode Wireless Go III for $199 (30 percent off): A top pick in our guide to the best wireless microphones, the Wireless Go III records pro-grade sound and has handy extras like onboard storage, 32-bit float and universal compatibility with iPhones, Android, cameras and PCs.
Paramount+ Essential for $30 for one year (50 percent off): Not technically an Amazon deal, but worth mentioning: New and returning subscribers can get half off one year of Paramount+. That brings the ad-supported Essential plan down to just $30 for the year, and the Premium plan down to $60 for the year. A subscription will give you access to NFL content on CBS and UEFA Champions League, along with shows like South Park, Tulsa King, Tracker, Ghosts and more. The discount runs through September 18.
Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-best-october-prime-day-deals-to-shop-now-save-on-tech-from-apple-beats-anker-and-others-050801988.html?src=rss
Like clockwork, October Prime Day will be back this year in a few weeks. Amazon announced that its Prime Big Deal Days sale event will take place on October 7 and 8 this year, returning back to a 48-hour duration after extending Prime Day in July to four full days this summer.
And that July Prime Day continues to be Amazon’s marquee sale event for Prime members, being a big driver of the “Black Friday in Summer” trend. But ever since its debut in 2022, October Prime Day gives Prime subscribers the opportunity to shop thousands of exclusive deals closer to the holidays and get a jump on their actual Black Friday shopping. Of course, it also provides Amazon a way to boost sales during the same time period and, arguably more importantly, increase the number of overall Prime subscribers.
As for the deals we expect, Prime Day(s) is often a boon for discounts on apparel, shoes, household goods and more. Discounts on elecontrics are some of the most sought after, but it can be difficult to decipher if you’re actually getting a good deal or not. Here’s what we at Engadge think you should keep in mind before shopping during October Prime Day.
Use a price tracker. Handy online price trackers like CamelCamelCamel and Keepa show price history charts for items available on Amazon. That way you can see if those earbuds you’ve been eyeing were $10 cheaper last week, or if the Prime Day price is the lowest in months. You can also add things to your cart or wishlist ahead of Prime Day, and you’ll see an alert the next time you visit your cart or wishlist if any items have dropped in price since you added them.
Shop early, and shop for the big stuff first. Over the past few years, Amazon has made a habit of releasing solid Prime Day deals in the two weeks leading up to the actual shopping event. Historically, many of those deals stick around through the event itself, so if you seen something on your list drop in price a week before Prime Day, it could be a good time to buy it. It’s also wise to look for big-ticket items first like robot vacuums, premium headphones and more when you’re shopping an event like this.
Amazon devices will be some of the best deals. Most commonly, we see Amazon’s own devices — Kindles, Echo speakers, Blink and Ring cameras and more — drop to record-low prices during Prime Day and in the weeks leading up to it. If you have anything like that on your shopping list, we highly recommend waiting until at least the last few days of September to buy any that have early discounts.
Stock up on stocking stuffers. We’ve noticed a trend of affordable tech getting even cheaper during Prime Day over the past couple of years. Think things like wireless chargers, charging cables, power banks, Bluetooth trackers, cheap speakers and more. If you need a few backup charging cables or want to pick up a couple of stocking stuffers early in preparation for the gifting season, definitely use Prime Day deals to your advantage to do that.
Lightning deals are generally questionable deals. “Lightning deals” are Amazon’s limited-time discounts that are, thankfully, clearly labeled with the amount of time remaining to grab the sale price. In our experience, only a handful of these flash deals are actually worth your money — but if you see something that’s been on your wishlist drop in price for only a few hours, it’s in your best interest to grab it immediately.
If history is any indication, the sale prices we see during October Prime Day will be similar (and in some cases, the same) as those we see during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. If you can shop early and cross a few things off your list, we recommend doing so. Engadget will be covering October Prime Day in full, so if you have a lot of tech on your to-buy list, be sure to check back here on Prime Day for the best tech deals we can find.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/amazon-prime-day-dates-revealed-prime-big-deal-days-is-back-on-october-7-and-8-050552812.html?src=rss
Patches were posted this past weekend for enabling the mainline Linux kernel to run on the Tenstorrent Blackwhole SoC of A0 silicon on the Blackhole P100 and P150 PCIe accelerator cards…
