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News Image Hard to See This Discount on Apple’s Monitor, But Here It Is for Over $250 Off for Prime Day

Save 16% on the Apple Studio Display with standard glass and a tilt-adjustable stand.

Business Possible ad Read on Gizmodo
News Image States Pile in on TikTok Lawsuit, Say the App Is Like ‘Digital Nicotine’

The suit also alleges that TikTok violates COPPA by "actively" monetizing data on users younger than 13 years old.

Crime and Courts Read on Gizmodo
News Image Elon Musk’s ‘Free’ Starlink for Hurricane Helene Victims Will Cost at Least $400

Upon inspection, the offer of a free month of Starlink service seems to be the type of deal you might give to any new customer.

Business Read on Gizmodo
News Image Proving Zeus Correct, Netflix Cancels Kaos After One Season

That Jeff Goldblum-starring series about the Greek Pantheon has already passed into myth.

Entertainment Read on Gizmodo
News Image Quench Your Thirst All Day with the Popular Stanley Tumbler for Up to 27% Off for Prime Day

Save up to 27% off on a Stanley water bottle that can keep your drink cold for up to two days straight.

Politics Possible ad Read on Gizmodo
News Image Most People Actually Aren’t That Into Ozempic, Survey Finds

A new survey shows that most people would rather try dieting to lose weight than take the latest injectable drugs like Ozempic.

Health Read on Gizmodo
Alleged Switch modder takes on Nintendo’s legal might without a lawyer

When faced with a legal threat from Nintendo, most alleged modders, ROM pirates, and/or emulator makers will simply give in to a cease-and-desist demand, reach an out of court settlement, or plead guilty rather than hiring legal representation for what could be a lengthy, costly trial. Then there's Ryan Daly, alleged owner of ModdedHardware.com, who has apparently decided to represent himself as a recent lawsuit brought against him by the Switch maker moves forward. Nintendo says it first approached Daly in March about his site (currently password-protected but archived here) and its sales of modded Switch consoles, console modding services, and piracy-enabling devices such as the MIG Switch card that were pre-installed with popular Nintendo games. At that time, Daly agreed "both verbally and in signed writing" to refrain from these infringing sales, according to Nintendo. It was only after months of Daly continuing those sales and largely ignoring further contact from Nintendo that the company says it was forced to file its June lawsuit in a Seattle federal court. In that initial lawsuit, Nintendo said it "received a communication from a lawyer purporting to represent [Daly]" in June, followed by a message days later that Daly "was in the process of obtaining new counsel." That search for new counsel has seemingly not moved forward, as last week Daly filed a pro se response to Nintendo's allegations, representing himself without any outside legal advice (thanks, TorrentFreak). Read full article

Crime and Courts Read on Ars Technica
News Image GM’s Ultium battery gets the ultimatum

GM will discontinue the Ultium battery brand name as it looks to expand the types of cells and chemistries it uses in its electric vehicles. During an investor event today, Kurt Kelty, GM’s VP of batteries and a former Tesla executive, announced plans to adopt lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technology in order to decrease the cost of its EVs by “up to $6,000.” GM uses the more common nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) batteries in its Ultium platform. Some automakers are using LFP-based cells already, including Tesla and Ford. There’s less complexity in LFP, they cost less to produce, and they aren’t dependent on the excessive cobalt used in NCM batteries. Cobalt has a bad rep as the “blood diamond of batteries,” and many automakers...

Business Read on The Verge Tech
Disney likely axed The Acolyte because of soaring costs

We had mixed feelings about the news in August that Disney+ had cancelled its Star Wars spinoff series The Acolyte after just one season. At the time, it seemed steadily declining ratings were to blame, particularly given the high production costs. More budgetary details have trickled out since then, indicating that the streaming series spent far more than previously reported, topping $230.1 million—roughly $28.7 million per episode—before post-production had even been completed. That's significantly more than the original $180 million reported budget, or about $22.5 million per episode. The show received solid-to-lukewarm critical reviews, although a review-bombing campaign hurt the series' standing on Rotten Tomatoes among user reviews. As we previously noted, from the start, The Acolyte was a bit of a departure from a typical Star Wars series, weaving in elements from wuxia films and detective stories while remaining true to the established Star Wars aesthetic and design. That alone made it an intriguing effort, with fresh characters and new takes on classic Star Wars lore. And the martial arts-inspired fight choreography was clever and fun to watch—especially in the shocking, action-packed fifth episode ("Night"). But there were some obvious shortcomings as well, most notably the clunky dialogue—although that's kind of a long-standing attribute of the Star Wars franchise. The pacing lagged at times, and there was a surprisingly high body count among the central characters. All these contributed to the lukewarm critical reviews. Read full article

Business Read on Ars Technica
Samsung quits updating Galaxy Z Fold 2 that came out in 2020 for $2,000

Samsung is no longer providing software or security updates for the Galaxy Z Fold 2 foldable smartphone that it released in September 2020. Highly anticipated ahead of its full unveiling, the Z Fold 2 released with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+, 12GB of RAM, 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, and a 4500 mAh battery. The phone’s hallmark is, of course, a foldable 7.6-inch OLED screen with 2208×1768 pixels running at a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz. Surpassing its predecessor, the Fold 2’s outside screen is 6.2 inches (2260×816 pixels), compared to the Fold 1’s 4.6 inches. The Fold 2 also introduced under-screen cameras to Samsung devices. With the Fold 1 having serious durability problems, the Fold 2 represented another chance for Samsung. And Samsung continued with the line in 2021 in the form of the cheaper ($1,800 upon release) Galaxy Z Fold 3. Samsung is now up to its sixth iteration of the Galaxy Z Fold, which came out in July for $1,900. Read full article

Business Read on Ars Technica
Tesla Robotaxi reveal: What to expect

Tesla is gearing up to reveal its Robotaxi this Thursday, and everyone wants to know what it will look like, whether Tesla will unveil a commercialization strategy, and what outrageous timelines Elon Musk might announce to bump Tesla’s stock.  The “We, Robot” event will take place at 7 p.m. PT at Warner Bros. Discovery’s movie […]

Entertainment Read on TechCrunch
SpaceX’s next Starship launch—and first catch—could happen this weekend

We may not have to wait as long as we thought for the next test flight of SpaceX's Starship rocket. The world's most powerful launcher could fly again as soon as Sunday, SpaceX says, assuming the Federal Aviation Administration grants approval. The last public statement released from the FAA suggested the agency didn't expect to determine whether to approve a commercial launch license for SpaceX's next Starship test flight before late November. There's some optimism at SpaceX that the FAA might issue a launch license much sooner, perhaps in time for Starship to fly this weekend. The launch window Sunday opens at 7 am CDT (8 am EDT; 12:00 UTC), about a half-hour before sunrise at SpaceX's Starbase launch site in South Texas. Read full article

Technology Read on Ars Technica
News Image Free Uber Rides Available to Floridians Evacuating to Hurricane Milton Shelters

Use promo code MILTONRELIEF for rides to and from designated shelters.

Environment Possible ad Read on Gizmodo
News Image The best mechanical keyboards to buy right now

Whether wired, wireless, or low profile, here are our picks for the best readily available boards.

Politics Read on The Verge Tech
News Image Mastodon switches things up to make its app a little easier to use

Mastodon just released version 4.3 of its web app, and CEO Eugen Rochko says its new updates, like grouped notifications, should make the open social network easier to use. For example, a “Who to follow” carousel that shows up in the home tab now recommends a mix of “generalized results” such as profiles that are popular in your language and personalized recommendations based on who you follow, making it easier to find new people you might like to follow, too. And as a little treat, there are explanations for why you’re seeing those profiles when you click “view all.” Rochko says Mastodon is improving these personalized recommendations because it found its earlier version wasn’t really helping users with discovery: “We found that people...

Politics Read on The Verge Tech
News Image FEMA adds misinformation to its list of disasters to clean up

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is fighting misinformation on top of a major storm cleanup in Florida as Hurricane Milton rapidly intensifies just after Hurricane Helene rocked the state. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell told reporters on a call Tuesday that misinformation around the storms is “absolutely the worst I have ever seen,” according to Politico. FEMA posted a rumor response page about the hurricane, and though it’s not the first time it’s taken that kind of approach, Criswell said, “I anticipated some of this, but not to the extent that we’re seeing.” FEMA’s rumor response page includes fact-checks to claims made by former President Donald Trump, like that the agency will only provide $750 to disaster...

Crime and Courts Read on The Verge Science
AI mortgage startup LoanSnap loses license to operate in Connecticut

The revocation comes after TechCrunch's exclusive reporting on how LoanSnap was inundated with lawsuits.

Business Read on TechCrunch
News Image GM teases next-gen Chevy Bolt EV: faster charging, multiple models

General Motors teased some new details about the next-generation Chevy Bolt, which is expected to make its official debut later this year as a model year 2026 vehicle. At an investor event today, GM president Mark Reuss teased the new Bolt during a portion of the event in which the livestream was cut for “confidential” reasons so that the company could show images of the still-unannounced vehicle. But Reuss’ presentation could still be heard. Last year, GM said it was discontinuing Bolt production but later confirmed that it would resurrect the EV as an Ultium vehicle for 2025. (GM’s EV powertrain branding is also not long for this world.) The company is now on the cusp of revealing the next-gen Bolt, and Reuss had some new details to...

Business Read on The Verge Tech
Microsoft fixes Remote Desktop issues caused by Windows Server update

​Microsoft says this month's Patch Tuesday cumulative updates fix a known issue that causes Windows servers to disrupt Remote Desktop connections in enterprise networks after installing the July Windows Server security updates....

Politics Read on Bleeping Computer
News Image Everything you need to know about voting right now

Election season is in full swing, and in case you’ve forgotten the specifics, the 2024 election will take place on Tuesday, November 5. Americans will be casting their votes in a historic presidential race, as well as a slew of other federal, state, and local offices.  Before Americans cast their ballot, there are a few bits of practical information they should have on hand: They’ll want to make sure they’re registered to vote, know where their polling place is, and what forms of identification to bring with them (if any). Here’s what you should know about voting in this election. You must be registered to vote before stepping into the voting booth. (Except in North Dakota, which does not have voter registration.) Some states, like California, Washington, Michigan, and Maine, allow same-day registration at the polls on Election Day. Other states require voters to register anywhere from 10 days (Massachusetts) to 30 days (Alaska, Arkansas, Mississippi, Ohio) ahead of the election. The US Vote Foundation has a tool that lists election deadlines, including for voter registration, by state. Depending on where you live, you can register online, in person at a local election office, or by mail. Vote.gov has state-by-state resources on how to register to vote. In order to register to vote, you must be a US citizen, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and meet your state’s eligibility requirements. In some states, people currently incarcerated or convicted for a felony do not have the right to vote. The US Vote Foundation has an online tool that lists voter requirements and registration options for each state. If you can’t remember whether you’re registered to vote, you can check online. For people who moved, or changed their name or party affiliation, since the last election, you’ll need to update your voter registration. You can change this information online via your state’s online voter registration website, by mail, by phone, or in person the same way you would to register. If you moved to another state, you will need to re-register in your new state. How much flexibility you have about when and where you vote depends on where you live. Voters can cast their ballots in person on Election Day, in person during early voting, or by mail (also referred to as voting absentee). Some states — like California, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania — do not require voters to list a reason to vote by mail. Voters in states like Alabama and Kentucky must give a reason to vote by mail, like being too sick to vote or not being in the country. Be aware of both the deadlines for requesting a mail ballot and for postmarking it in order to be counted; you can find both dates by selecting your state on the US Vote Foundation’s tool. Either mail your ballot in via USPS, drop it off at an election office, or locate a dropbox (each county will list the locations of its ballot drop boxes online). If you are traveling or have to work a long shift on Election Day, you may want to vote early in person. Early voting windows vary from state to state (and even county to county) and can begin as early as 45 days before the election  like in Vermont). Check to see your state’s rules for early in-person voting and where you can cast your vote before Election Day. For in-person voting on Election Day, you can find your polling place on your state’s board of elections website, which you can find on Vote.org. All you’ll need is to enter your name and/or address. Most states have laws allowing employees to take time off to vote, but specifics vary from state to state. For example, workers in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Massachusetts, North Dakota, and Wisconsin are not paid for time off to vote. Other states, including Idaho, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, and Virginia, do not have laws granting employees time off to vote. Workers in states like Maryland and Oklahoma must show their employers proof that they voted or attempted to vote. A final method of voting is via a provisional ballot. This occurs when a voter’s name is not on the voter roll but the person believes they are registered. They can cast their vote on a provisional ballot that won’t be counted until the registration status of the person is confirmed after the polls close. Local election officials will verify the voter’s identity and the voter may have to confirm their address or other information. The main reasons provisional ballots are rejected are when the voter is not registered in the state they are trying to vote in, or they are in the wrong jurisdiction. Top billing for this election is voting for president. Vice President Kamala Harris is the Democratic candidate, and former President Donald Trump is the Republican nominee. You may also be voting for governor, Senate, and House of Representatives, as well as lieutenant governor, state attorney general, secretary of state, state legislators, judges, mayor, district attorney, city council, and ballot measures. You can look up a sample ballot on Ballotpedia to find out which candidates are running for which seats in your district. Ballotpedia also explains the wording and interpretation of ballot measures, which can be difficult to parse. To find out where these candidates stand on important issues, you can check their campaign websites, read local news coverage, and tune in to debates. Before you show up to your polling place, double check the hours the site opens and closes. While it differs by state (and even by county), most polling stations open between 6 and 9 am and close between 6 and 9 pm local time. Remember, if you are still in line when the polls close, you are allowed to vote, so don’t leave. Once inside, you’ll check in with a poll worker who will find your name on the list of registered voters. If the poll worker says they can’t find your name, ask if they can check a statewide list or help you make sure you’re at the correct polling place. If they still can’t find your name, ask for a provisional ballot. Some states require voters to show identification prior to voting — like Indiana and Wisconsin — or ask that first-time voters show ID. The National Conference of State Legislatures lists the voter ID laws for each state. The poll worker will then show you to the voting machine or where you’ll fill out a paper ballot and tell you how to cast your vote. Poll workers are available to answer any questions you may have. Voters with disabilities can ask for a chair to sit in, a quiet place to wait for their turn to vote, and to use a voting machine that assists those with vision and mobility disabilities — every polling place must have at least one. Voters with disabilities and who have trouble reading and writing English can also bring a family member or friend to offer assistance. If anyone questions you about your citizenship, your criminal history, your ethnicity, your race, the language you speak, or your education level, that’s voter intimidation — and it’s illegal. Other examples of voter intimidation include violent behavior inside and outside the polling place, blocking the entrance of a polling place, displaying weapons, threats of violence, and spreading false information of voter fraud. According to the ACLU, “if your qualifications are challenged, you can give a sworn statement that you satisfy the qualifications to vote in your state, and then proceed to cast a regular ballot.”Report an instance of voter intimidation, whether you yourself experienced it or you witnessed it, to your local election officials and the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE or 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (en Español). Update, October 8, 3:05 pm: This story was originally published on September 20, 2022, and has been updated to include new information regarding the 2024 election season.

Politics Read on Vox