Tech

Why Players Blame Skill-Based Matchmaking For Losing In Call of Duty

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Motherboard: Two months ago, esports pro Seth "Scump" Abner logged into the Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War multiplayer alpha and found himself struggling. Not because of any major gameplay changes developer Treyarch had made, Cold War plays like any other Call of Duty from the past decade, but rather because of the players Abner was being put up against: They were all good. This, Abner felt, wasn't normal. He should know: he's a world champion, he spend...
Tags: Tech, Miami, Abner, Treyarch, Scuf, Steve Rousseau, Seth Scump Abner, TDM Abner

Mike Cagney is right now testing the boundaries of the U.S. banking system

Founder Mike Cagney is always pushing the envelope, and investors love him for it. Not long after sexual harassment allegations prompted him to leave SoFi, the personal finance company that he cofounded in 2011, he raised $50 million for a new lending startup called Figure that has since raised at least $225 million from investors and was valued a year ago at $1.2 billion. Now, Cagney is trying to do something unprecedented with Figure, which says it uses a blockchain to more quickly facilitate ...
Tags: Startups, TC, Senate, Tech, Regulations, Joe Biden, Banking, Biden, Blockchain, SoFi, Donald, Fed, Brooks, FDIC, OCC, Fannie Mae

Mike Cagney is testing the boundaries of the banking system for himself — and others

Founder Mike Cagney is always pushing the envelope, and investors love him for it. Not long sexual harassment allegations prompted him to leave SoFi, the personal finance company that he cofounded in 2011, he raised $50 million for new lending startup called Figure that has since raised at least $225 million from investors and was valued a year ago at $1.2 billion. Now, Cagney is trying to do something unprecedented with Figure, which says it uses a blockchain to more quickly facilitate home equ...
Tags: Startups, TC, Senate, Tech, Regulations, Joe Biden, Banking, Biden, Blockchain, SoFi, Donald, Fed, Brooks, AB, FDIC, OCC

How to convert HEIC files to JPG on a Mac computer, so you can upload photos to websites in a supported format

It's easy to convert HEIC files to JPG files on a Mac desktop or laptop. Matthew Leete/Getty Images You can convert HEIC files to JPG on your Mac using the Preview app.  High Efficiency Image Container (HEIC) files are a relatively new format for images, videos, and multimedia said to have smaller file sizes compared to the standard JPG. Apple started using HEIC with its iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra software updates.  Some websites don't allow HEIC images to be uploaded and require ...
Tags: Iphone, Apple, Ios, Google, Images, Mac, Trends, Conversions, Files, PNG, Google Doc, Tech Insider, HEIC, Meira Gebel, Product Card, BI-freelancer

Google Fiber Rolls Out Insanely Fast 2Gbps Service In Two Lucky US Cities

Google Fiber has made its 2Gbps service "widely available" in Nashville, Tennessee, and Huntsville, Alabama, the company said Thursday. CNET reports: New and existing Google Fiber customers in Nashville and Huntsville can choose either 1-gigabit-per-second service for $70 a month, or 2Gbps service for $100 a month. The latter is designed for "power users, the latest devices, and advanced smart homes that use lots of internet," Google said in a blog post. The 2Gbps service comes with the Google F...
Tags: Google, US, Tech, Nashville, Google Fiber, Cnet, Nashville Tennessee, Huntsville, Huntsville Alabama

Google widely criticized after parting ways with a leading voice in AI ethics

Many Google employees and others in the tech and academic communities are furious over the sudden exit from Google of a pioneer in the study of ethics in artificial intelligence—a departure they see as a failure by an industry titan to foster an environment supportive of diversity.
Tags: Google, Cnn

Google AI researcher's exit sparks ethics, bias concerns

International Business News: More than 1,200 Google employees on Friday demanded that Google explain why it had dismissed Artificial...
Tags: Google, International Business News

How to reset your HomePod

Having trouble with your Apple HomePod? Is it time to sell or donate the device? Either way, you'll first need to perform a factory reset. We'll teach you how.
Tags: Apple, Trends, How-to, Factory Reset, Smart Home, Apple Siri, Smart Speakers, Apple HomePod, Apple HomePod mini

Google Fi is offering $100 to upgrade your 3G phone before it stops working

3G is inching closer to being phased out
Tags: Google

Google AI ethicist says she was fired for an email, 1,400 Googlers sign letter supporting her

Timnit Gebru, a prominent AI researcher, has been outspoken about the lack of diversity in the tech industry.
Tags: Google, Timnit Gebru

What is Android Auto? Here's what you need to know about the smart driving platform

Android Auto software is built into some cars to help you drive more safely. Nisian Hughes/Getty Images Android Auto is a platform found in many modern cars that gives you access to your Android phone on the car's infotainment system by using hands-free voice commands.   You can also access many of your favorite Android apps in your car using Android Auto. Here's everything you need to know about Android Auto, including which phones and car models it's available on.  Visit Business Insider...
Tags: Apple, Google, Android, Trends, Android Apps, Kenwood, Google Maps, Android Auto, Dave Johnson, Tech Insider, Google Assistant, Product Card, BI-freelancer, Tech Reference, Software & Apps (Reference, Tech How To

There may be an ultra matte black iPhone or MacBook in your future

According to a patent filed by Apple, the company may be working on a new super-matte black finish for its lineup of gadgets. The patent, spotted by Patently Apple and titled “Anodized Part Having a Matte Black Appearance,” suggests the colorway would not just be your typical matte black finish. These can still show smudges and scratches; these are really more of a dark grey. The patent instead seems to point to a finish a bit closer to an ultra-black material like Vantablack, able to absorb “ge...
Tags: Apple, Startups, Macbook, Insider, Vantablack, Plugged

JavaScript Turns 25

The programming language JavaScript emerged 25 years ago and has grown to become one of the most important pieces of the web and browser applications we use today. From a report: JavaScript is the go-to language for front-end development and has spawned Microsoft's Typescript, a superset of JavaScript with a stronger optional type system for developers that compiles to JavaScript when run in the browser. Both JavaScript and TypeScript conform to ECMAScript, the standard for JavaScript and node.j...
Tags: Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Tech, Java, Sun Microsystems, James Gosling

Apple Launches iPhone 11 Display Module Replacement Program

Apple today launched a new display replacement program for iPhone 11 devices to address a problem that cases a "small percentage" of ‌iPhone 11‌ displays to stop responding to touch. Apple says that affected devices were manufactured between November 2019 and May 2020, and if there are touch issues, the ‌iPhone 11‌ models could have a problem with the display module. Those with ‌iPhone 11‌ models exhibiting this issue can have eligible devices serviced by Apple. ‌iPhone 11‌ owners can use th...
Tags: Apple, Featured, Holger

Google Fi will no longer support phones if they don’t have VoLTE beginning January - GSMArena.com news

T-Mobile is shifting its call traffic to pure LTE starting next year, so the MVNO must follow suit.
Tags: Google, Mvno

Google’s co-lead of Ethical AI team says she was fired for sending an email (techcrunch)

Timnit Gebru, a leading researcher and voice in the field of ethics and artificial intelligence, says Google fired her for an email she sent to her direct reports.  According to Gebru, Google fired her because of an email she sent to subordinates that the company said reflected “behavior that is inconsistent with the expectations of a Google manager.” Gebru, the co-leader of Google Ethical Artificial Intelligence team, took to Twitter last night, shortly after the National Labor Relations Board ...
Tags: Google, Twitter, News, Bloomberg, National Labor Relations Board, Megan Rose Dickey, Joy Buolamwini, Algorithmic Justice League, Ellen K Pao, Timnit Gebru, Gebru, Gebru Google, Google Ethical Artificial Intelligence, Bloomberg Gebru

You can now share some in-app purchases through Apple’s Family Sharing

The feature was announced back in June, but developers are finally able to allow the feature.
Tags: Apple

Apple launches recall program for iPhone 11 display with touch issues

Apple today announced another Replacement Program, this time for iPhone 11. According to the company, some iPhone 11 users are...
Tags: Apple

Apple TV+ Ad Cleverly Shows How Changing a Few Words Can Alter Everything About a Story

We journalists certainly know the power of a few words--and specifically how much a story can be changed by moving them around. Apple TV+ puts that truth to compelling effect in its newest ad from TBWA\Media Arts Lab, which highlights the subscription streaming service's original programs. The spot writes out some rather humdrum concepts for...
Tags: Apple, Advertising, TBWA \ Media Arts Lab, Streaming & OTT

Let's Ruin the Moon

The Moon taunts us. It is very far away, which has historically protected it from the human species’ innate desire to desecrate it. Fortunately, NASA announced on Thursday it has now selected the four companies it will contract with to jump-start capitalism on the Moon, thereby eliminating its unfair and unearned…Read more...
Tags: Space, Science, Technology, Nasa, Moon, Lunar Landing, Moon Rocks, Moon Mines, Space Resources

Daily Crunch: Slack and Salesforce execs explain their big acquisition

We learn more about Slack’s future, Revolut adds new payment features and DoorDash pushes its IPO range upward. This is your Daily Crunch for December 4, 2020. The big story: Slack and Salesforce execs explain their big acquisition After Salesforce announced this week that it’s acquiring Slack for $27.7 billion, Ron Miller spoke to Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield and Salesforce President and COO Bret Taylor to learn more about the deal. Butterfield claimed that Slack will remain relatively...
Tags: Asia, Enterprise, Microsoft, White House, China, Tech, Salesforce, Stewart Butterfield, Slack, Revolut, Braintree, Butterfield, Ron Miller, OTV, Bret Taylor, Devin Coldewey

China Turns On Nuclear-Powered 'Artificial Sun'

China successfully powered up its "artificial sun" nuclear fusion reactor for the first time, state media reported Friday, marking a great advance in the country's nuclear power research capabilities. Phys.Org reports: The HL-2M Tokamak reactor is China's largest and most advanced nuclear fusion experimental research device, and scientists hope that the device can potentially unlock a powerful clean energy source. It uses a powerful magnetic field to fuse hot plasma and can reach temperatures of...
Tags: France, China, Tech, Sichuan Province, People s Daily

Report Claims Huawei Finance Chief Meng Wanzhou Could Be Set Free In Exchange of Admitting Guilt

An anonymous reader quotes a report from CBC.ca: The U.S. Justice Department is talking to representatives of Meng Wanzhou about a potential deal that would allow the Chinese telecom executive to return home from Canada in exchange for signing a deferred prosecution agreement admitting criminal wrongdoing, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. Meng, the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies Co., was detained in December 2018 while she was changing planes in Vancouver. She wa...
Tags: Hong Kong, China, Tech, Iran, Canada, Vancouver, Huawei, Wall Street Journal, Cbc, U S Justice Department, Huawei Technologies Co, Meng, Michael Spavor, Michael Kovrig, Meng Wanzhou, Wanzhou

More than 1,000 Google employees have signed a letter demanding answers from leadership after a top AI researcher was suddenly fired

Timnit Gebru, co-lead of Google's ethical artificial intelligence team. Kimberly White/Getty Images More than 1,000 Google employees have signed a petition over the exit of prominent AI ethicist Timnit Gebru. More than 1,500 additional academic and industry names also have put their names on it. The petition demands Google explain why a research paper coauthored by Gebru was rejected by management. Are you a current or former Googler with more to share? You can contact this reporter se...
Tags: Google, Trends, Alphabet, Dean, Kimberly, Artificial Intellegence, Tech Insider, Jeff Dean, Timnit Gebru, Hugh Langley, Gebru, Google Brain Women and Allies

More than 1,000 Google employees have signed a petition demanding answers from leadership after the ousting of a prominent AI ethicist

Timnit Gebru, co-lead of Google's ethical artificial intelligence team. Kimberly White/Getty Images More than 1,000 Google employees have signed a petition over the exit of prominent AI ethicist Timnit Gebru. More than 1,500 additional academic and industry names also have put their names on it. The petition demands Google explain why a research paper coauthored by Gebru was rejected by management. Are you a current or former Googler with more to share? You can contact this reporter se...
Tags: Google, Trends, Alphabet, Dean, Kimberly, Artificial Intellegence, Tech Insider, Jeff Dean, Timnit Gebru, Hugh Langley, Gebru, Google Brain Women and Allies

What is Google TV? Here's what you need to know about Google's new streaming interface

Google TV lets you browse through all of your streaming services at once. Hinterhaus Productions/Getty Images Google TV is a new interface for Android devices like the newest Chromecast and Sony Android TVs.  The software combines all content from multiple streaming channels into one searchable interface, and makes viewing recommendations based on your history and searches.  It's currently available in just a few devices, like the new Chromecast with Google TV and Android phones via the Go...
Tags: Google, Android, Android TV, Trends, Chromecast, Netflix, Sony, Roku, Google Play Services, Hulu, Google Chromecast, Dave Johnson, Tech Insider, Streaming Devices, Android TV Google, Product Card

How to add footnotes in Google Docs in 4 easy steps, to cite your research and provide links

It can be helpful to add footnotes in Google Docs to cite your research in a lengthy paper. Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock You can add footnotes to a Google Doc on the web or in the Google Docs mobile app. It's easy to add footnotes in Google Docs on the web by using the toolbar to select "Insert," and then "Footnote" in your desired location.  The built-in feature automatically adds a supercript number where you want the note, then takes you to the bottom of the page to add your text...
Tags: Tech Insider, Tech Reference, Tech How To, Google Docs, Google, Footnote, BI-freelancer

Steve Wozniak Is Starting Another Company, 45 Years After Co-Founding Apple With Steve Jobs

45 years after co-founding Apple with Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak is starting a business in the green tech and blockchain space called Efforce. CNBC reports: Efforce, which has been in stealth mode for almost a year, is a marketplace for corporate or industrial buildering owners to have "green" projects funded. According to Efforce, "investors can participate in energy efficiency projects buy acquiring tokenized future savings," while companies benefit from such improvements "at no cost." Using bl...
Tags: Apple, Steve Jobs, Tech, Cnbc, Wozniak, Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs Steve Wozniak, Efforce, HBTC, Bithumb Global