A group of lawmakers from a House of Representatives committee wants Apple, like many Jon Stewart enthusiasts, to explain why its streaming arm abruptly canceled the talk show The Problem With Jon Stewart. The current affairs TV series hosted by Jon Stewart briefly made its debut on Apple TV+ in 2021 but its time on air ended when the show received the ax for a third season, reportedly due to “disagreements” over show topics.

According to Reuters, Lawmakers want to know if the show’s coverage and criticism of China has anything to do with the show’s cancellation. The government officials have asked Apple to speak on the issue by Dec 15, 2023. 

In a letter to the tech giant, the House members wrote that while Apple has the right to determine what content it deems appropriate for its platform, “the coercive tactics of a foreign power should not be directly or indirectly influencing these determinations.” This effort is bipartisan, with members from both Republican and Democratic parties affiliated with the House of Representatives’ Select Committee on Competition with the Chinese Communist Party.

Roughly 19 percent of Apple sales come from China, with over $72.5 billion in net sales reported for the company’s fiscal 2023, which closed in September. It might make sense that the company would avoid streaming a show with strong political opinions that could impact its bottom line in such a significant way. But the show discussed several hot-button topics, including artificial intelligence and gun control. According to the New York Times, sources familiar with the matter said that, beyond discussions about China, the show’s criticism of topics like artificial intelligence played a role in the decision to cut the show.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lawmakers-question-apple-over-cancellation-of-jon-stewarts-show-192316298.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – Lawmakers question Apple over cancellation of Jon Stewart’s show

When the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) unveiled its Qi2 charging standard earlier this year, we noted that it was built using Apple’s MagSafe technology. So it only makes sense that the iPhone 15 line will be among the first smartphones to adopt the new wireless charging method. It’s honestly quite rare to see Apple jumping on-board with a new technology so quickly, though the company has allowed for Qi wireless charging in the past.

In other words, new wireless iPhone 15 chargers are coming soon, this holiday season as a matter of fact. The WPC says companies like Belkin, Mophie, Anker and Aircharge have all pre-announced Qi2 products that should integrate with Apple’s latest and greatest. All told, over 100 devices are currently undergoing testing with an eye toward a near-future release. This includes Anker’s recently-announced MagGo lineup of chargers.

So what’s the big deal with Qi2? The WPC advertises faster charging, higher efficiency and greater convenience. It’s replacing the original Qi charging standard, which is over 13 years old now so, yeah, it’s time for a refresh. The Qi2 platform offers support for 15-watt charging and boasts foreign object detection, in addition to enhanced safety features to prevent device damage or battery life shortening.

Perhaps the greatest draw for Qi2, however, is with regard to interoperability. This is a new standard that should be adopted industry-wide, so you’ll be able to, in theory, use one Qi2 charger with a broad range of devices, no matter where you live in the world. The protocol even allows for the charging of unusually-shaped accessories that typically struggle with a flat charging pad.

All Qi2 devices will feature an obvious logo for branding purposes, so you know you aren’t about to use a knockoff charger. As a final aside, it’s pronounced “chee two” if you find yourself at a dinner party or something. Just a heads up.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-iphone-15-series-will-work-with-the-upcoming-qi2-wireless-charging-standard-190807866.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – The iPhone 15 series will work with the upcoming Qi2 wireless charging standard

Cameo has added a pair of timeless superstars to its stable of celebrities (a term used loosely in some cases) available for personalized video greetings. Cookie Monster and Elmo, who may or may not have fallen on hard times, will shamelessly plug their services on the six-year-old platform, offering to count to your kid’s age or rattle off words that start with the same letter as your child’s name — for $25 a pop. Perhaps that relatively low price for the Sesame Street icons is because humans don’t appear to record their voices: Cameo describes the characters as “powered by artificial intelligence.”

Cookie Monster and Elmo join a Cameo crew that also includes Kenny G ($350 per message), Danica McKellar ($150) and Billy Dee Williams ($300), among many others. Other animated characters on the platform include Thomas the Tank Engine, Grumpy Bear (from Care Bears) and JJ from CoComelon.

“Hiya, it me, Cookie Monster,” the perpetually hungry, AI-fueled blue Muppet says in a sample Cameo on the service’s website. “Me so excited to meet you and maybe share a cookie or two. Me love to sing ‘Happy Birthday,’ say goodnight before bedtime or just say hi. Me can’t wait.”

Disclosures on the websites for the Sesame Street characters notify customers that AI powers them. “Elmo is a virtual character powered by artificial intelligence,” the description reads. “They will take the details you give them and craft a custom video just for you!” Engadget reached out to Cameo to clarify which parts of the message are AI-generated; we’ll update this article if we hear back.

Whether parents will find it worth paying for “personalized” greetings conjured by artificial intelligence remains to be seen. Still, at least the algorithmically created furry monster messages only cost around 12 percent of the price of Michael Rapaport.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai-powered-elmo-and-cookie-monster-are-shilling-25-video-messages-on-cameo-185614571.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – AI-powered Elmo and Cookie Monster are shilling video messages on Cameo

It has been a year since Apple enabled emergency SOS via satellite on all iPhone 14 units in the US. The feature lets users text emergency services for help when they don’t have cell service. The company is offering two years of free access upon activating an iPhone 14 or iPhone 15.

Apple has not said how much it will charge for the feature when the free access period ends. However, users won’t have to worry about that for a couple more years. Apple says existing iPhone 14 users (i.e. those who activated their phone before Wednesday in a country where the service is available) will get free access for an extra year.

“Emergency SOS via satellite has helped save lives around the world. From a man who was rescued after his car plummeted over a 400-foot cliff in Los Angeles to lost hikers found in the Apennine Mountains in Italy, we continue to hear stories of our customers being able to connect with emergency responders when they otherwise wouldn’t have been able to,” Kaiann Drance, Apple’s vice president of worldwide iPhone product marketing, said. “We are so happy iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users can take advantage of this groundbreaking service for two more years for free.”

Apple is extending the free access period for many users not long after it emerged that Qualcomm’s bid to offer a similar feature on Android devices has sputtered out. Iridium, its partner on the Snapdragon Satellite project, said smartphone makers have opted not to include the tech in their devices. Qualcomm noted that OEMs are looking for “standards-based solutions.” The costs involved in the initiative may have put them off too.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-extends-free-emergency-sos-satellite-access-for-existing-iphone-14-owners-183256442.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – Apple extends free emergency SOS satellite access for existing iPhone 14 owners

Chinese automobile manufacturer HiPhi, otherwise called Human Horizons, just unveiled the HiPhi A, an all-electric hypercar that’s drenched in power. The company claims it can reach a top speed of 186 MPH and can accelerate to 60 MPH in around two seconds. The maximum power output is 1,305 PS, thanks to the company’s in-house-developed high-performance powertrain with a front single-motor drive and rear dual-motor drives.

The “A” in HiPhi A stands for Apollo and refers to the company’s technology partnership with the EV maker of the same name. Apollo’s behind several innovative hypercars, including the Intensa Emozione and Project Evo models. As such, the HiPhi A is more than just raw power and all-electric bona-fides. It boasts adaptive dampers, rear-wheel steering and a proprietary torque vectoring system that the company says improves both handling and braking.

There’s also plenty of premium features to suit consumers with deep pockets. These include a 23-speaker Meridian audio system, nappa leather trim and a robust driver-assist platform that features 34 sensors including lidar. As is the case with most modern high-end vehicles, there’s also an entertainment/infotainment screen to stave off boredom during those long road trips. This screen is attached to an “eight-direction, infinitely adjustable, high-speed motion robotic arm.”

This is an electric vehicle, so the battery is worth discussing. The 800-volt electrical system was developed in-house and features a battery that discharges up to 1,500 kw at its peak. Those numbers look good on paper, but HiPhi has yet to provide a range estimate, despite saying that the casing is fireproof.

The HiPhi A will take center stage at Friday’s Guangzhou Auto Show, which will be the first time people will be able to see it in person. The company promises more information, like pricing and availability, in the coming months. It’s worth noting that the brand doesn’t currently operate in the US, but has recently expanded to Europe. 

Electric supercars are extremely expensive, so you had better start hitting up your rich relatives now. For instance, the Lotus Evija cost over $2 million when it launched back in 2020.

HiPhi’s release shouldn’t be quite so bad, as the company’s all-electric HiPhi Z all-electric sedan cost around $90,000 when it launched. This isn’t a hypercar, of course, but does include many of the same features, such as that nappa leather interior and floating entertainment screen.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/chinas-hiphi-debuts-electric-hatchback-with-a-top-speed-of-186-mph-181037798.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – China’s HiPhi debuts electric hatchback with a top speed of 186 MPH

Google has been trying to make it easier for people to secure their accounts for years now. The company is one of several that are pushing a transition to passkeys from passwords, and they have also sold physical keys for unlocking accounts that support FIDO standards. Today, Google has updated its lineup of Titan security keys with some features that’ll make them work better with passkeys as well as passwords.

As before, Google is offering two Titan keys, one with USB-C and another with USB-A. Both keys still support NFC so they can be used to unlock accounts on compatible smartphones as well as through the physical port. The new key supports FIDO2 specifications for password-free sign-ins and can store up to 250 passkeys. 

Google is using this as an opportunity to push people towards using passkeys to protect their Google account — as part of the set-up process, you’ll be encouraged to create a passkey and store it on the Titan key rather than continue using your password. At that point, you’ll also set up a PIN that can be used in conjunction with the security key to unlock your Google account. But the Titan key can work with any supported account, not just Google. And, of course, you can use it as a two-factor authentication device alongside traditional passwords, as well.

These new Titan keys are on sale today on the Google Store and cost the same as the ones they’re replacing. The USB-A model is $30, while the USB-C key costs $35. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/googles-updated-titan-security-key-can-store-up-to-250-passkeys-180035899.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – Google’s updated Titan security key can store up to 250 passkeys