Whether you're going off-grid or safeguarding against blackouts, these beefy, WIRED-tested batteries can keep the lights on.
Politics Read on WIRED Top StoriesThe odd discovery provides new insights into ancient dairy practices and the origin of kefir.
Environment Read on GizmodoProbably the best way to play Sony’s games — here’s why, plus some caveats.
Entertainment Read on The VergeMicrosoft is planning to combine its Xbox Game Pass and Xbox mobile apps into a single application soon. The software maker is testing a new version of the Xbox app for iOS and Android this week that includes features from the separate Xbox Game Pass app. You’ll soon be able to explore the full Game Pass library and manage memberships within the Xbox mobile app. Game Pass Ultimate members will also be able to claim perks within this updated Xbox app. “These updates will be available for Xbox beta members on mobile and will be coming to everyone soon,” says Microsoft in a blog post. “As part of these changes, we will no longer support new downloads of the Xbox Game Pass app, starting in November.” The new Xbox app will now include the...
Business Read on The VergeAudible, the Amazon-owned audiobook service, continues to experiment with AI to improve audiobook discovery and offer customized recommendations. Recent tests involve AI-powered tags, which analyze customer feedback to offer tailored suggestions according to individual preferences, and topic pages that recommend tags to help you find closely related subjects. The experiments are only available to 50% […]
Business Read on TechCrunchMeta has acquired the Threads.com domain name, according to Whois records of the URL that were updated on September 24. Users on domain-related forums pointed out this transfer, and TechCrunch confirmed the Whois records of Threads.com separately, which list Meta’s Instagram as the registrant. TechCrunch reached out to Meta to understand if it plans to […]
Business Read on TechCrunchResharing a post on Facebook, Instagram, or another social media platform is not how you legally protect your data or opt out of anything.
Lifestyle Read on WIRED CultureThe European Commission has revealed a list of the first 100-plus signatories to the AI Pact — an initiative focused on getting companies to publish “voluntary pledges” on how they approach and deploy artificial intelligence. While the bloc’s legally binding risk-based AI rulebook (the AI Act) entered into force last month, it will be several […]
Politics Read on TechCrunchKlaas Knot, the president of De Nederlandsche Bank, expects that the European Central Bank will continue to lower interest rates but that inflation in the Netherlands will remain higher t
Economy Read on NL TimesCalifornia Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Phone-Free School Act into law this week, requiring every school district, charter school, and county office of education statewide to implement rules limiting cellphone use by July 1st, 2026. There are exceptions to the rule, including using phones for emergencies or with permission under certain circumstances. “We know that excessive smartphone use increases anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues — but we have the power to intervene,” said Newsom in a statement. This comes as other states like New York consider pursuing legislation for a total ban on phones in schools. It’s part of a wave of laws targeting tech-related child safety at the state and national level, including the...
Education Read on The VergeThe iconic Winamp media player has fulfilled a promise made in May to go open-source and has now published its complete source code on GitHub....
Business Read on Bleeping ComputerTicktock! The countdown is on to lock in your ticket for TechCrunch Disrupt 2024 at a huge discount. Save up to $600 on individual ticket types if you register before September 27 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Secure your spot before prices go up — this offer won’t last long Disrupt 2024 is your gateway to […]
Business Possible ad Read on TechCrunchMeta Connect starts Wednesday at 10 a.m. PT and is set to focus on Meta's XR platforms, the metaverse, and its generative AI platform, Llama.
Politics Read on TechCrunchGoogle has filed a complaint with the European Commission (EC), alleging that Microsoft uses anti-competitive licensing practices to strongarm companies into staying on its Azure cloud infrastructure. The complaint relates to a 2019 licensing change which made it more expensive to run Windows Server software on rival clouds. That change prompted European not-for-profit trade association Cloud Infrastructure […]
Business Read on TechCrunchGoogle has filed an antitrust complaint to EU regulators, accusing Microsoft of unfair licensing contracts for its Azure cloud services. CNBC reports that Google, which is third behind Microsoft and Amazon in the cloud market, alleges that Microsoft uses licensing terms that make it difficult and expensive to use Windows Server and Office products on non-Azure cloud infrastructure. Reuters reports that Google Cloud vice president Amit Zavery told reporters Microsoft made customers pay a 400 percent markup to continue using Windows Server on rival cloud providers but that this fee doesn’t apply on Azure. Google’s complaint comes just months after Microsoft reached a settlement with an industry group backed by European cloud infrastructure...
Business Read on The VergeEnlarge Google has filed an antitrust complaint in Brussels against Microsoft, alleging its Big Tech rival engages in unfair cloud computing practices that has led to a reduction in choice and an increase in prices. The US search giant has accused Microsoft of leveraging its Windows software to lock customers into its Azure cloud services, preventing them from easily switching to alternatives. In a complaint sent to the European Commission, seen by the Financial Times, Google said Microsoft is “exploiting” its customers’ reliance on products such as its Windows software by imposing “steep penalties” on using rival cloud providers.
Business Read on Ars TechnicaRock your inner jock with a pair of sturdy, sweatproof, and tangle-proof headphones. Here are our favorites.
Entertainment Read on WIRED Top StoriesThe employees at an Apple Store in Oklahoma City voted on Tuesday to ratify their union contract, making it the second retail location to reach a collectively bargained agreement with the company. The store’s 78 employees, who are represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), shared the details of the contract, which includes wage increases of up to 11.5 percent over the next three years and guaranteed paid time off. The contract also ensures employee involvement in scheduling, job protection in case of a store closure, and health benefits. The Apple Store workers in Oklahoma City voted to unionize in 2022. They later reached a tentative agreement with Apple after holding an informational picket outside the store. In...
Business Read on The VergeA broken overhead line at Schiphol Airport’s train station is impacting all train traffic to, from, and through the Amsterdam airport.
Local News Read on NL TimesThe Marvel Studios hit arrives on digital next week—plus, we've got all the details on the Blu-ray release coming October 22.
Entertainment Read on GizmodoBackyard Baseball 1997 is being remastered and will be available October 10 for $10.
Entertainment Possible ad Read on TechCrunch