Finally, a better look at Pedro Pascal as Joel in HBO’s The Last of Us series. The Mandalorian star shows his face as an apocalypse survivor out for redemption in a world riddled with “clickers,” humans who have mutated into zombies thanks to the worldwide Cordyceps Brain Infection outbreak. Here Pascal plays the lead…
Source: Gizmodo – The Last of Us Show’s First Trailer Heralds a Heartbreaking Apocalypse
Big Brother is watching you take your Instagram photos. In delightfully dystopic fashion, a Belgian artist has used artificial intelligence to scour open security cameras and match people’s Instagram photos to footage of them taking them, showing us how eyes—both human and digital—are on us at all times.
Source: Gizmodo – ‘The Follower’ Project Uses Open Webcams to Find Your Instagram Photoshoot
Kai Cenat provided a bright spot at the end of what was a very bad week for Twitch. The 20-year-old streamer managed to crack 80,000 paid subs, overtaking Félix ‘xQc’ Lengyel to become the most subscribed English-speaking channel on Twitch. A tearful mid-stream call with his mom summed up everything the moment meant…
Source: Kotaku – Streamer Kai Cenat Calls Out Twitch After Overtaking xQc For Most Subs
It’s a tough life out there for a bird, but natural threats like predators aren’t the only reason. Of the top three causes of wild bird deaths, two can be easily eliminated or reduced: outdoor cats and large, bonkable windows.
Source: LifeHacker – How You’re Killing Birds (and How to Stop)
Enlarge / Terra, the “algorithmic stablecoin” designed to stick close to the value of the US dollar, collapsed in May 2022, spurring a wider crypto sell-off. (credit: Getty Images)
Do Kwon, the cryptocurrency founder whose tanking Luna and “stablecoin” TerraUSD currencies ushered in a $300 billion crypto crash, is now sought by Interpol following arrest warrants issued earlier this month.
South Korean authorities issued warrants last week for Kwon and five others on September 14, alleging their work on Terraform Labs’ crypto products violated the country’s trading laws. All six were believed to be located in Singapore at the time. Singapore police believe Kwon is no longer there, according to media reports. Interpol issued a “red notice” recently, asking law enforcement agencies around the world to locate and hold Kwon.
Kwon tweeted three days after the South Korean warrant that he was “not ‘on the run’ or anything similar” and that he was “in full cooperation and we don’t have anything to hide.” But he hasn’t tweeted publicly in more than a week since.
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Source: Ars Technica – Interpol issues red notice for crypto founder Do Kwon
After missing 2022 altogether, one of the most important gaming trade shows will return next year. On Monday, the Entertainment Software Association announced that E3 2023 will take place between June 13th and June 16th at the Los Angeles Convention Center, with the event open to the public starting on June 15th. Ahead of the show proper, there will also be partner showcases that will start on June 11th.
Before announcing last year’s cancelation, the ESA had planned to host a digital-only event but later changed course. At the time, the organization said it would devote its resources to delivering a “revitalized physical and digital E3 experience next summer.” For next year’s show, the ESA has recruited the help of ReedPop, a company with experience organizing events like PAX, EGX and Star Wars Celebration.
The 2023 show will be an important one for the ESA. Even before the pandemic, E3 had waned in importance as companies like Sony decided not to take part in the 2019 edition. In many ways, the ESA also has yet to regain the trust of the industry after it inadvertently leaked the contact information of more than 2,000 journalists, analysts and content creators that same year.
Source: Engadget – E3 will return to LA on June 13th, 2023
Apple’s high-end rugged Apple Watch Ultra is said to be the most durable yet, but can it withstand a torture test? YouTuber TechRax decided to put the new watch to the test, dropping it, shaking it in a jar of nails, and even taking a small sledge hammer to the watch face.
Apple announced its first ever Apple Watch Ultra during its recent
Source: Hot Hardware – Watch The Apple Watch Get Hammered In This Durability Test With Surprising Results
The UK’s privacy regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), has today served TikTok with notice that it believes the app may have breached UK data protection law, including processing the data of children under the age of 13 without parental consent.
Source: Gizmodo – TikTok May Have Illegally Used Kids’ Data for 2 Years, UK Privacy Regulator Says
Today, HBO released the first big trailer for the upcoming Last Of Us live-action TV series. The show stars Pedro Pascal as Joel and Bella Ramsey as Ellie. No specific release date has been shared by HBO, but it will be premiering sometime in 2023.
Source: Kotaku – Last Of Us TV Show Gets Its First Full Trailer
Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica and 13 other European telecoms providers on Monday made their strongest push for Big Tech to share network costs, citing the energy crisis and EU climate change goals. From a report: The call comes as the European Commission prepares to seek feedback from both sides before making a legislative proposal that could force tech companies to help pay for the roll-out of 5G and fibre cables across the 27-country European Union. The sector which invests some 50 billion euros ($48.5 billion) annually in infrastructure, needs more funding and urgently, the chief executives of the companies said in a statement.
“Costs of planning and construction works are increasing. Prices for fibre optic cables, for example, have almost doubled in the first semester 2022. Similarly, the hikes in energy prices and in the prices of other inputs are also hitting the connectivity sector,” they said. “Timely action is a must: Europe missed out on many of the opportunities offered by the consumer internet. It must now swiftly build strength for the age of the metaverses,” the CEO’s said. Europe’s telecoms operators argue that U.S. tech firms such as Alphabet’s Google, Meta and Netflix account for more than half of internet traffic and should bear some of the cost of upgrading infrastructure. Big Tech has rebuffed such requests, saying they are already investing in equipment and technologies to deliver content more efficiently.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Source: Slashdot – EU Telcos Call For Shared Network Costs
Tropical Storm Ian strengthened into a category 1 hurricane early Monday morning, with sustained winds reaching 80 mph on its approach to western Cuba. It’s projected to gain more force, becoming a major storm (with winds over 111 mph), and make landfall on the island later today before continuing on a path toward…
Source: Gizmodo – Hurricane Ian Heads Toward Florida, Parts of Tampa Ordered to Evacuate
Your podcast app’s discovery tab is very good at suggesting you listen to one of the new big podcasts backed by a major network—and certainly a lot of those shows are going to be great—but there are plenty of podcasters making beautiful content, and doin’ it on their own.
Writing, engineering, producing, hosting,…
Source: LifeHacker – 10 of the Best Indie Podcasts You’ve Never Heard Of
Some iPhone users will start seeing a new country name engraved on the back of their devices.
Source: Gizmodo – Apple’s Moving iPhone 14 Assembly to India
Daffy Duck and Porky Pig take center stage in “Graveyard Goofs,” a Looney Tunes short which is a part of HBO Max’s Bugs Bunny’s Howl-O-Skreem Spooktacular. The iconic duo totally has everything under control in an io9 exclusive clip shared with us from Warner Bros. Animation.
Source: Gizmodo – Bugs Bunny’s Howl-O-Skreem Spooktacular Promises a Graveyard Bash
Walmart is making its first move into the metaverse. Starting Monday, the retailer will unveil two immersive experiences on Roblox’s virtual platform. Walmart Land will feature fashion, beauty and entertainment items, while Walmart’s Universe of Play will showcase toys, the company announced. From a report: Walmart follows companies from Nike to VF in a bid to get consumers’ attention via virtual universes, where elements of video conferencing, gaming, social media and e-commerce blend together. Roblox has a community of more than 52 million daily users, and many of them are younger people, who are particularly valuable targets for corporate powerhouses.
“This is the first major initiative that we have in the metaverse,” William White, Walmart’s chief marketing officer, said in an interview. “This is another step for us in reaching our customers in unexpected ways.” Walmart Land will offer a virtual store where Roblox users can use badges and coins earned on the platform to buy merchandise for their avatars. There will also be a “physics-defying Ferris wheel” that provides a bird’s-eye view of the virtual world, plus unlockable tokens and badges that can be earned in games and competitions.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Source: Slashdot – Walmart Is Making Its First Move Into the Metaverse With Virtual Worlds on Roblox
Enlarge / The fully stacked Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft will roll back to the Vehicle Assembly Building on Monday night. (credit: Trevor Mahlmann)
After delaying a final decision for two days, NASA on Monday made the call to roll its massive Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The space agency took this precautionary step as the storm Ian intensified into a hurricane in the Caribbean Sea and remained on track to move into the southeastern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday.
“Managers met Monday morning and made the decision based on the latest weather predictions associated with Hurricane Ian, after additional data gathered overnight did not show improving expected conditions for the Kennedy Space Center area,” NASA said in a blog post. “The decision allows time for employees to address the needs of their families and protect the integrated rocket and spacecraft system.”
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Source: Ars Technica – NASA makes the call to protect its Artemis I mission from Hurricane Ian
Earlier this year it was shared that SUSE/openSUSE is developing the Adaptable Linux Platform “ALP” for next-generation SUSE Linux Enterprise. Coming out later this week is the first public preview of openSUSE ALP…
Source: Phoronix – openSUSE ALP Prototype “Les Droites” Releasing This Week
Ancient Maya cities like Tikal and Cerén were heavily polluted with mercury, according to recent analysis of soil from the sites. Exposure to the element may have been a health hazard for the Maya and could be a risk to archaeologists today, according to the team that studied the samples.
Source: Gizmodo – The Ancient Maya Were Regularly Exposed to Toxic Mercury, Scientists Say
It’ll soon be easier for WhatsApp users to invite other folks to join a call. Meta is rolling out the option to share Call Links. If you see one of these links, you’ll be able to join a call with a single tap. You’ll need the latest version of WhatsApp to use Call Links. From the app’s Calls tab, you can select the Call Links option. You can then generate a link for a voice or video call to share with family and friends.
It’s a handy feature, and one that we’ve already seen Apple adopt. Last year, the company started offering sharable FaceTime links that allow others to join calls from Android devices and Windows PCs. While Apple enables people to schedule calls ahead of time using links, WhatsApp will not offer a similar feature, a spokesperson confirmed to Engadget.
In addition, WhatsApp has started testing encrypted group video calls for up to 32 people, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said. The company will share more details on that front soon.
Update 9/26 11:53AM ET: Added clarification that WhatsApp will not allow users to schedule calls.
Source: Engadget – WhatsApp users will soon be able to join a call by tapping a link
Now is a good moment to buy a second Xbox controller for your local multiplayer games — or a livelier-looking replacement for the gamepad you already have. Amazon is selling the Xbox Core Wireless Controller for up to 26 percent off. The white model is the most affordable of the bunch at $45 (normally $60), but you’ll also find significant savings for the blue, red and Electric Volt (read: neon green) variants.
Buy Xbox Core Wireless Controller at Amazon – $45
If you own an Xbox Series X or Series S, you know what to expect. The Core Wireless Controller largely offers Microsoft’s years-old layout, just with an Elite-style circular directional pad (better for fighting games and some other titles), a share button and better grip. It’s not as clever as Sony’s PS5-oriented DualSense, but it’s comfortable, offers Bluetooth support and lasts up to three days on AA batteries. It’s clearly the gamepad of choice if you want to use an official design and don’t want to pay the premium for Elite Series 2.
As you’d guess, you won’t get any frills with these gamepads like you would with the Elite or some third-party pads. You won’t find swappable covers or sticks, a luxurious feel or other upgrades catering to the most dedicated gamers. At these sale prices, though, the Xbox Core Wireless lineup is an easy choice when you just need an extra controller for your child or the occasional sports game showdown.
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Source: Engadget – Xbox controllers are up to 26 percent off at Amazon
