Category Archives: Technology

Google DeepMind's Weather AI Can Forecast Extreme Weather Faster and More Accurately

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In research published in Science today, Google DeepMind’s model, GraphCast, was able to predict weather conditions up to 10 days in advance, more accurately and much faster than the current gold standard. From a report: GraphCast outperformed the model from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) in more than 90% of over 1,300 test areas. And on predictions for Earth’s troposphere — the lowest part of the atmosphere, where most weather happens — GraphCast outperformed the ECMWF’s model on more than 99% of weather variables, such as rain and air temperature. Crucially, GraphCast can also offer meteorologists accurate warnings, much earlier than standard models, of conditions such as extreme temperatures and the paths of cyclones. In September, GraphCast accurately predicted that Hurricane Lee would make landfall in Nova Scotia nine days in advance, says Remi Lam, a staff research scientist at Google DeepMind. Traditional weather forecasting models pinpointed the hurricane to Nova Scotia only six days in advance.

[…] Traditionally, meteorologists use massive computer simulations to make weather predictions. They are very energy intensive and time consuming to run, because the simulations take into account many physics-based equations and different weather variables such as temperature, precipitation, pressure, wind, humidity, and cloudiness, one by one. GraphCast uses machine learning to do these calculations in under a minute. Instead of using the physics-based equations, it bases its predictions on four decades of historical weather data. GraphCast uses graph neural networks, which map Earth’s surface into more than a million grid points. At each grid point, the model predicts the temperature, wind speed and direction, and mean sea-level pressure, as well as other conditions like humidity. The neural network is then able to find patterns and draw conclusions about what will happen next for each of these data points.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.



Source: Slashdot – Google DeepMind’s Weather AI Can Forecast Extreme Weather Faster and More Accurately

Merry Little Batman's Trailer Promises a Cute and Chaotic Gotham Christmas

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It’s a bummer being a kid whose parents get called to work on Christmas Eve—but that trouble is amplified about a billion when Dad is Batman. Damian Wayne is familiar with the burdens of being part of a superhero family, but as the trailer for Prime Video’s Merry Little Batman shows, he’s also capable of stepping up…

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Source: Gizmodo – Merry Little Batman’s Trailer Promises a Cute and Chaotic Gotham Christmas

Zelle Begins Refunding Scam Victims in Major Tone Shift

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Zelle, a payments app owned by seven of America’s largest banks, began reimbursing victims of imposter scams on the platform, according to an emailed statement from the company. Early Warning Services, the network operator of Zelle, says it will process refunds for scams dating back to June, which is a change of…

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Source: Gizmodo – Zelle Begins Refunding Scam Victims in Major Tone Shift

You can now limit Instagram posts and Reels to Close Friends

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Instagram is expanding its Close Friends feature from Stories and Notes to feed posts and Reels. As such, you’ll be able to share Reels and feed posts with a smaller, perhaps more trusted audience instead of everyone who follows you.

The Instagram team says folks use Close Friends “as a pressure-free space to connect with the people that matter most.” By expanding the Close Friends option to Reels and feed posts, the developers hope you’ll have “more ways to be your most authentic self on Instagram while having more choices over who sees your content.”

Sharing a Reel or feed post only with Close Friends is pretty straightforward. When you’re creating one, hit the Audience button, select Close Friends and then tap Share. The post or Reel will have a green star label, so those on your Close Friends list who see it will know they’re part of an exclusive club. To highlight the expansion of the feature, you might see the app’s plus button turn into a green star icon today.

It’s worth noting that the Close Friends list will be the same group of people across all Instagram features. However, Instagram has been looking at other ways for everyone to share things with smaller audiences. Last month, Instagram head Adam Mosseri revealed that his team was experimenting with a way to let users share Stories with different subsets of followers. Facebook users have long been able to set up many different lists of friends and choose which one to share a post with.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/you-can-now-limit-instagram-posts-and-reels-to-close-friends-181123680.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – You can now limit Instagram posts and Reels to Close Friends

Nothing is Bringing iMessage To Its Android Phone

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Nothing Phone 2 owners get blue bubbles now. The company shared it has added iMessage to its newest phone through a new “Nothing Chats” app powered by the messaging platform Sunbird. From a report: The feature will be available to users in North America, the EU, and other European countries starting this Friday, November 17th. Nothing writes on its page that it’s doing this because “messaging services are dividing phone users,” and it wants “to break those barriers down.” But doing so here requires you to trust Sunbird. Nothing’s FAQ says Sunbird’s “architecture provides a system to deliver a message from one user to another without ever storing it at any point in its journey,” and that messages aren’t stored on its servers.

Marques Brownlee has also had a preview of Nothing Chats. He confirmed with Nothing that, similar to how other iMessage-to-Android bridge services have worked before, “…it’s literally signing in on some Mac Mini in a server farm somewhere, and that Mac Mini will then do all of the routing for you to make this happen.” Nothing’s US head of PR, Jane Nho, told The Verge in an email that Sunbird stores user iCloud credentials as a token “in an encrypted database” and associated with one of its Mac Minis in the US or Europe, depending on the user’s location, that then act as a relay for iMessages sent via the app. She added that, after two weeks of inactivity, Sunbird deletes the account information.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.



Source: Slashdot – Nothing is Bringing iMessage To Its Android Phone

Review: Steam Deck OLED’s brilliant screen fixes the portable’s biggest flaw

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The Steam Deck OLED (bottom) sunbathing with its older brother.

Enlarge / The Steam Deck OLED (bottom) sunbathing with its older brother.

When the Steam Deck first launched, our extensive review specifically called out the “ho-hum” LCD screen as “the system’s biggest heartbreak.” The “washed-out” color reproduction and “obvious light bleed” were among the more obvious effects of Valve “cut[ting] corners to save cash” on the Deck’s 7-inch LCD panel.

In the many months since that launch, Valve has offered frequent software updates to fix other early issues in areas like game compatibility, stability, and system-level features. But that lackluster LCD screen has remained the Steam Deck’s biggest flaw, a headache that users need to tolerate to enjoy a portable PC gaming experience that’s otherwise quite low on compromises.

With the Steam Deck OLED, Valve is ready to eliminate that issue. The new unit, which goes on sale later this week, sports a brilliant screen that’s finally on par with the one Nintendo provided to eager Switch owners over two years ago. Paired with a handful of other small quality-of-life hardware upgrades, the new version of Valve’s handheld should arouse plenty of jealousy in those who are stuck with a now-outdated LCD unit.

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Source: Ars Technica – Review: Steam Deck OLED’s brilliant screen fixes the portable’s biggest flaw

AI is starting to outperform meteorologists

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A machine learning-based weather prediction program developed by DeepMind researchers called “GraphCast” can predict weather variables over the span of 10 days, in under one minute. In a report, scientists highlight that GraphCast has outperformed traditional weather pattern prediction technologies at a 90% verification rate.

The AI-powered weather prediction program works by taking in “the two most recent states of Earth’s weather,” which includes the variables from the time of the test and six hours prior. Using that data, GraphCast can predict what the state of the weather will be in six hours. In practice, AI has already showcased its applicability in the real world. The tool predicted the landfall of Hurricane Lee in Long Island 10 days before it happened, while the traditional weather prediction technologies being used by meteorologists at the time lagged behind. Forecasts made by standard weather simulations can take longer because traditionally, models have to account for complicated physics and fluid dynamics to make accurate predictions.

Not only does the weather prediction algorithm outperform traditional technologies to forecast weather patterns in terms of pace and scale, GraphCast can also predict severe weather events, which includes tropical cyclones and waves of extreme temperatures over regions. And because the algorithm can be re-trained with recent data, scientists believe that the tool will only get better at predicting oscillations in weather patterns that coincide with grander changes that align with climate change.

Soon, GraphCast, or at least the basis of the AI algorithm that powers its predictions, might pop up into more mainstream services. According to Wired, Google might be exploring how to integrate GraphCast into its products. The call for better storm modeling has already paved a path for supercomputers in the space. The NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) says it has been working to develop models that will provide more accurate readings on when severe weather events might occur and importantly, the intensity forecasts for hurricanes.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai-is-starting-to-outperform-meteorologists-173616631.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – AI is starting to outperform meteorologists

The $2,000 Phones That Let Anyone Make Robocalls

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An anonymous reader writes: Videos collected by 404 Media over months give a peek into the world of spoofing numbers, automated call scripts, and a specific seller of the phones. From the report: “Alright lads,” a man sitting in the passenger seat of a moving car says in a heavy British accent. In his left hand he holds a special phone he is showing off to his clients, while with the other he films his demonstration which was later uploaded to Telegram. “I’m only going to say it once, yeah. You swipe, and it’s gone,” he continues, demonstrating one app installed that can instantly destroy data stored on the device. The phone in question is one from “Russiancoms,” an underground outfit that sells the devices for just under $2,000 each. For that price, customers get a laundry list of features: the ability to spoof phone numbers, play hold music, and have a computerized voice read pre-determined scripts. While Russiancoms does not acknowledge in its Telegram channel what the phones might really be for, those are features well suited to committing fraud.

The Russiancoms Telegram channel periodically deletes its videos and other messages, but 404 Media has been archiving many of them for months. They provide insight into a little known industry of fraud phones, ones that make it easy for anyone to enter the world of robocalling or other scams. While much of the underground phone industry has been focused on providing secure communications to criminals — companies like Phantom Secure, Encrochat, and Sky for example — Russiancoms and similar companies appear to cater to a different use case: enabling people to make calls that fraudulently appear to come from someone else. A common tool in the underground is also so-called Russian SIMs, which can spoof numbers in some cases. Russiancoms’ phones, however, are more fully featured.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.



Source: Slashdot – The ,000 Phones That Let Anyone Make Robocalls

Sale of United Launch Alliance is nearing its end, with three potential buyers

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Source: Ars Technica – Sale of United Launch Alliance is nearing its end, with three potential buyers

Headspace's Black Friday deal knocks half off annual and monthly memberships

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Subscriptions to the Headspace app are half off this Black Friday for new and returning customers who have had memberships expire. Starting on November 14 through the 27th, the annual $70 fee will be slashed to $35. Alternatively, you could get a monthly subscription for $6.50 each pay period instead of $13.

A subscription to the mindfulness app will get you access to an entire suite of meditation programming, as well as sounds that can help you focus. But the app isn’t just for stress — it landed a spot on our best sleep app list. Users will also gain access to curated yoga and fitness videos that can help them stick to their fitness goals and in turn, improve overall wellness.

Headspace also offers video content and stress-relieving meditation programs specific for work and school. You can calm your nerves and learn how to connect with your peers by taking the advice of a professional before a presentation if you struggle with public speaking, for example. Or you could follow along with a 7-minute meditation clip to help you decompress after a long day at work. If you’re new to meditation, you can start as a beginner through a four-week guided program assembled by a Headspace expert.

If you’re navigating change or undergoing a stressful time, this Black Friday deal might be the perfect gateway into meditation and getting extra mental health support. If you’re thinking about shopping for the holidays, Engadget has recommended a subscription to Headspace app as a thoughtful gift for teachers, or students alike.

Your Black Friday Shopping Guide: See all of Yahoo’s Black Friday coverage, here. Follow Engadget for Black Friday tech deals. Learn about Black Friday trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog’s experts on the best Black Friday deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Black Friday sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/headspaces-black-friday-deal-knocks-half-off-annual-and-monthly-memberships-140017944.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – Headspace’s Black Friday deal knocks half off annual and monthly memberships

Jupiter’s moon Ganymede is telling us more about its alien ocean

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Image of a moon with light and dark patches and many craters.

Enlarge (credit: USGS)

With Europa and Enceladus getting most of the attention for their subsurface oceans and potential to host life, other frozen worlds have been left in the shadows—but the mysterious Jovian moon Ganymede is now making headlines.

While Ganymede hasn’t yet been observed spewing plumes of water vapor like Saturn’s moon Enceladus, Jupiter’s largest moon is most likely hiding an enormous saltwater ocean. Hubble observations suggest that the ocean—thought to sit under 150 km (95 miles) of ice—could be up to 100 km (60 miles) deep. That’s ten times deeper than the ocean on Earth.

Ganymede is having a moment because NASA’s Juno mission observed salts and organic compounds on its surface, possibly from an ocean that lies beneath its crust of ice. While Juno’s observations can’t provide decisive evidence that this moon has an ocean that makes Earth look like a kiddie pool, the Juno findings are the strongest evidence yet of salts and other chemicals making it to the exterior of Ganymede.

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Source: Ars Technica – Jupiter’s moon Ganymede is telling us more about its alien ocean

Uber is clamping down on users who give bad ratings just to get refunds

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Uber drivers (and riders) need to maintain a high rating to keep using the app, but bad actors can pull that score down. Some may even give a driver or courier a poor rating for a perfectly fine ride or food delivery just so they can get a refund. Uber says it’s doing more to tackle that problem and to make the platform fairer and safer for riders and couriers.

The company says it has established new systems to pinpoint users who make complaints solely in an effort to get a refund or other appeasement. Uber says any allegations that these flagged users make will not impact a driver’s rating or play a factor in account deactivation decisions. The company notes that this builds on a policy it’s had since 2017 to discard low ratings for issues that are outside of a driver’s or courier’s control, such as heavy traffic.

Elsewhere, drivers and couriers will receive clearer information as to why Uber deactivated their account. They’ll be able to ask Uber to review the decision and include any details that may help their case, such as video or audio recordings. In addition, drivers in the US who have been accused of operating their vehicle under the influence of drugs will have the option of taking a test to prove their innocence. Uber will cover the cost of the drug test.

These are part of a number of measures Uber is bringing in to make the platform safer and fairer for drivers. For one thing, the company is expanding its Record My Ride feature to more cities in the US. Drivers in more locations will be able to use their iPhone’s front-facing camera to capture video of their trips. As with the audio recording feature that’s now available nationwide, no one will have access to an encrypted video capture unless a driver sends it to Uber for review.

In another safety-oriented update, Uber says that in 2024 it will “significantly expand verification of rider identities to compare rider account details against trusted data sources or an ID document.” Eventually, it will start informing drivers whether the rider they’re set to pick up is verified. The idea is to give drivers more peace of mind before they accept a trip.

Other updates Uber has announced include Android Auto integration so the Uber Driver app can be accessed on a larger screen. That builds on previous CarPlay integration.

Drivers will soon be able to share real-time traffic and route information that other drivers can access, while information on roadworks, crashes and lane closures that are sourced from TomTom are automatically factored into Uber’s suggested routes. Meanwhile, couriers can now see if there’s free parking close to their destination and they can access more information about their drop-off point, including photos of the building or door.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/uber-is-clamping-down-on-users-who-give-bad-ratings-just-to-get-refunds-164045280.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – Uber is clamping down on users who give bad ratings just to get refunds

FBI Struggled To Disrupt Dangerous Casino Hacking Gang, Cyber Responders Say

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The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has struggled to stop a hyper-aggressive cybercrime gang that’s been tormenting corporate America over the last two years, according to nine cybersecurity responders, digital crime experts and victims. Reuters: For more than six months, the FBI has known the identities of at least a dozen members tied to the hacking group responsible for the devastating September break-ins at casino operators MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment, according to four people familiar with the investigation. Industry executives have told Reuters they were baffled by an apparent lack of arrests despite many of the hackers being based in America. “I would love for somebody to explain it to me,” said Michael Sentonas, president of CrowdStrike, one of the firms leading the response effort to the hacks.

“For such a small group, they are absolutely causing havoc,” Sentonas told Reuters in an interview last month. Sentonas said the hackers were “known” but didn’t provide specifics. He did say, “I think there is a failure here.” Asked who was responsible for the failure, Sentonas said, “law enforcement.” […] Dubbed by some security professionals as “Scattered Spider,” the hacking group has been active since 2021 but it grabbed headlines following a series of intrusions at several high profile American companies.

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Source: Slashdot – FBI Struggled To Disrupt Dangerous Casino Hacking Gang, Cyber Responders Say

2023 National Climate Assessment paints grim picture while offering hope

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Climate change presents risks while action to limit warming and reduce risks presents opportunities for the US.

Enlarge / Climate change presents risks while action to limit warming and reduce risks presents opportunities for the US. (credit: 2023 National Climate Assessment)

In a sprawling, multimedia report that stresses it is not too late to act, the Biden administration on Tuesday delivered a sobering catalog of climate change’s impacts in every corner of the United States—from battered coasts to parched cornfields to blazing forests. It measures the human toll, including at least 700 people dying of heat-related illness each year, in a nation warming 60 percent more quickly than the world as a whole.

“The effects of human-caused climate change are already far-reaching and worsening across every region of the United States,” the report says. But it adds that each increment of warming avoided through cutting carbon emissions will reduce the risks and harmful impacts.

“While there are still uncertainties about how the planet will react to rapid warming, the degree to which climate change will continue to worsen is largely in human hands,” the report says.

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Source: Ars Technica – 2023 National Climate Assessment paints grim picture while offering hope

If There's a Thor 5, Taika Waititi Won't Be Part of It

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In one of those rare cases where the rumor mills are actually accurate, director Taika Waititi confirmed that if Marvel Studios decides to make a fifth Thor movie, he won’t be involved. “I wouldn’t know if that’s [a Thor 5 happening] accurate,” Waititi said to Business Insider. “I know that I won’t be involved.”

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Source: Gizmodo – If There’s a Thor 5, Taika Waititi Won’t Be Part of It