Connect with us

Tech

Robot Replacements, Galaxy XR, $133 Million Raised By General Intuition, ChatGPT’s Atlas Browser

Published

on


I have been doing a lot of research into the effects of AI on media, including social media, and the craft of content creation. Both NPR and CBS interviewed me and asked “why are people so afraid of AI?” People are afraid of losing their jobs, I told them. And they have good reasons to be. When I read stories like this next one about Amazon, it feels like the answer is more obvious than the question. No one is in charge, no guardrails or limits are in place. The only thing we can do is take our medicine, adapt and somehow turn this era of epic disruption to our advantage.

Amazon plans to replace more than half a million jobs with robots by 2033. The NY Times revealed internal company documents Tuesday. Amazon’s automation team estimates the company can avoid hiring more than 160,000 people in the US that it would otherwise need by 2027, saving thirty cents on each item it delivers. A dissonant companion article introduces Sparrow, Cardinal and Proteus, the chipper robots that will replace the human workers in the company’s warehouses.

Meta is cutting about 600 positions across its AI division as it consolidates research under the newly formed TBD Lab, which now leads its push toward superintelligence. Legacy units like FAIR and product AI teams are being folded into fewer, more focused groups. New Chief AI Officer Alexandr Wang told staff the goal is smaller teams with greater impact. The company is encouraging affected employees to apply for other jobs within Meta and expects most will find another position internally. It continues hiring for TBD Lab and other model-building efforts. In this game of corporate musical chairs, even the disruptors’ jobs are not safe.

Samsung’s new Galaxy XR headset launched on Oct 21 2025 in the U.S. with an $1,800 Price Tag. We welcome Samsung back to the world of XR that it exited after making a mark with the smartphone-powered Samsung Gear in 2016. That shipped six million units and was supplanted by the unfortunately stillborn Samsung View for Google Daydream. Despite these whippings, the Android smartphone maker is back with a state-of-the-art mixed reality headset powered by Google and Qualcomm, the first of many Google Android XR devices to come. The new Galaxy XR features dual 3,552 × 3,840 Micro-OLED displays (default 72 Hz, up to 90 Hz), 16 GB RAM, Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chip, and runs Android XR OS, giving access to both mobile and XR-optimized apps. It all allows 3D browsing of your 2D photo library, something that will make you say ‘Wow!’ When you first see it. The headset is positioned for prosumers and enterprise rather than mass market, with a broader XR product roadmap planned by Google. Cnet editor Scott Stein, their top specialist in XR, said “the headset felt like an open door for product ideas to come,” and that Gemini is its killer app.

General Intuition raises $133.7 million seed round for AI Training data generated by games. GI is going to train AI agents in spatial-temporal reasoning using billions of user-generated game videos. CEO Pim de Witte says this real-world visual data helps agents learn to navigate environments and predict actions, which can be used to train robots, drones, and vehicles. Khosla Ventures and General Catalyst led the round, which followed a reported $500 million acquisition attempt by OpenAI.

OpenAI has launched Atlas, a free Mac browser that merges ChatGPT with live web access. Users can chat with the model about any page, or, for paid subscribers, let “agent mode” perform browsing tasks autonomously. Atlas runs on Chromium and includes parental controls, incognito mode, and granular permissions for logins, cookies, and data sharing. OpenAI warns that agent mode increases privacy risks since it can act on logged-in sites, though it cannot execute code or access local files. The optional “memories” feature personalizes experiences but stores more data, raising questions about surveillance, advertising, and long-term information security. Two days after OpenAI’s Atlas, Microsoft re-launches a nearly identical AI browser.

App Building AI startup Rocket has raised a $15 million seed round. Surat-based in a seed round led by Salesforce Ventures and Accel, with participation from Together Fund. Founded by Vishal Virani, Rahul Shingala, and Deepak Dhanak, Rocket offers an AI platform that lets users build production-ready apps using natural language. The company says more than 400,000 users across 180 countries have created over 500,000 apps since launch. The new capital will fund R&D, hiring, and a new office in Palo Alto as the startup expands internationally. Rocket grew out of DhiWise, an earlier developer tool built by the same team.

nDreams’ Reach a new VR cinematic action-adventure for the Quest 3, PSVR and Steam won this rave review from Upload’s Henry Stockdale, who said “Reach is an exemplary hit that excels in its VR-focused design, and it’s out today on most major platforms.”

This column has a companion, The AI/XR Podcast, hosted by its author, Charlie Fink, and Ted Schilowitz, former studio executive and futurist for Paramount and Fox, and Rony Abovitz, founder of Magic Leap. This week’s guest is Rikard Steiber, former Google and HTC Vive SVP, turned Venture investor. We can be found on Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube.



Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Tech

X Issues November 10 ‘Account Will Be Locked’ Twitter Security Warning

Published

on


Given the continuing popularity of Elon Musk’s X social network, and the swathing staffing cuts made when the world’s richest man bought what used to be (and still is in my mind) Twitter, it doesn’t make the cybersecurity headlines as much as you might have thought. With PayPal users currently warned of ongoing attacks, ditto WordPress website owners, and even LastPass password manager customers, all being in the threat actor crosshairs, this is a good thing. However, X users have now been warned that unless they make a change to a legacy Twitter security setting, they will be locked out of their accounts from November 10. Here’s what you need to know.

ForbesAct Now — Microsoft Issues Emergency Windows Update As Attacks Begin

The X Safety Team Issues Clarification After Warning Of Twitter Account Lockouts

Whatever you call it, X or Twitter, the social network isn’t immune to security threats. This year alone, I have reported on outages caused by a claimed DDoS attack and a warning for 650 million X users not to change their passwords. Sometimes, though, the perceived security threat comes from inside the building. Such was the case after the X safety team tweeted on October 24: “After November 10, if you haven’t re-enrolled a security key, your account will be locked until you: re-enroll; choose a different 2FA method; or elect not to use 2FA.”

This, rather unsurprisingly if you ask me, created a wave of concern amongst both ordinary users and security experts on the social media platform. One asked whether not using 2FA meant their account would remain active; another asked whether there had been a security breach; and another asked whether this only impacted passkey users?

ForbesGmail Account Lockout Warning — Users Must Check This 1 Setting Now

The confusion sat with X warning that “all accounts that use a security key as their two-factor authentication method to re-enroll their key to continue accessing X,” and adding that users could “re-enroll your existing security key, or enroll a new one.” A typical example of someone who knows what they are talking about but not how to communicate that in such a way to people who do not. Translating tech-speak into ordinary language is an essential skill and one that the X safety team appears to have misplaced on this occasion.

What X should have said, and ended up being forced into actually saying a day later, was: “To clarify: this change is not related to any security concern, and only impacts Yubikeys and passkeys – not other 2FA methods (such as authenticator apps). Security keys enrolled as a 2FA method are currently tied to the twitter.com domain. Re-enrolling your security key will associate them with x.com, allowing us to retire the Twitter domain. If this relates to you, you’ll be prompted automatically to re-enroll.”

ForbesOrganizations Can’t Deploy Passwordless, Declare Victory And Walk Away





Source link

Continue Reading

Tech

Google’s Pixel 10 Series Could Soon Receive A Significant Performance Boost

Published

on


Key Takeaways

  • Some Pixel 10 users have reported underperforming graphics and battery life.
  • Google has confirmed it will release driver updates, potentially addressing these issues and unlocking the Pixel 10’s full potential.
  • A new GPU driver update (version 25.2) is available that Google could deploy for significantly improved performance.

October 26 Update Below: A driver update may be essential for security reasons. This article was originally published on October 24

The Pixel 10 could soon receive a significant boost in performance, and potentially battery life, thanks to an upcoming graphics driver upgrade.

Reports indicate that the Pixel 10 series currently underperforms in graphics performance, notably scoring lower than the Pixel 9 Pro in some benchmark tests. The Pixel 10 series uses a PowerVR DXT-48-1536 GPU from Imagination Technologies, rather than the ARM Mali component found in previous models, which has led to complaints of poor performance, especially when playing popular, graphically intensive games such as Genshin Impact, and reduced battery life during video playback in apps like Netflix.

A primary cause of these performance issues appears to be an outdated GPU driver. The Pixel 10 shipped with driver version 24.3, lacking key features and optimizations necessary for the new GPU to reach its full potential. While it’s not unusual for a smartphone to ship with slightly older drivers, the switch from Mail to PowerVR appears to have exacerbated the issue.

A New GPU Driver Is Already Available

Fortunately, Imagination Technologies has since released driver version 25.2, adding official support for Android 16, along with significant performance enhancements, including support for the latest Vulkan 1.4 specification. That means this particular update could greatly benefit Pixel 10 users, and early indications suggest Google will most likely implement it.

A Google representative recently confirmed to Android Authority that the company plans to continue releasing GPU driver improvements in its regular system updates.

“We are continuing to improve driver quality in our monthly and quarterly system updates. For example, the most recent September and October patch releases included driver improvements. In future releases we are planning further GPU driver updates.”

Google has a strong track record in this area, having delivered a significant GPU performance boost for Pixel 8 Pro users in its December 2023 update, and several generations of Pixel smartphones received performance gains thanks to an updated GPU driver in the March 2025 Feature Drop. However, Google’s statement stops short of any commitment to any specific driver versions or performance benefits for the Pixel 10 range.

Google Pixel 10: Performance Upgrades Are Likely

If this pattern continues, Pixel 10 users can expect significant performance gains with future driver updates. Given that the new driver is already available from Imagination Technologies, we can hope it arrives sooner rather than later. For those currently experiencing graphics performance issues, a fix appears to be on the horizon.

October 26 Update: Existing vulnerabilities make a driver update extremely likely.

Driver updates typically offer not only performance improvements but also essential security patches, increasing the urgency of releasing updates.

The Pixel 10’s GPU driver is vulnerable, putting additional pressure on Google to provide an update.

According to Imagination Technologies’ published GPU Driver Vulnerabilities list, versions of the PowerVR GPU driver, up to and including version 24.3, currently deployed in the Pixel 10 series, contain critical vulnerabilities that could result in system instability, reboots and non-privileged access to secure data.

Addressing these vulnerabilities will be a high priority for Google, making a driver update urgent. Imagination Technologies doesn’t appear to have released any driver updates between versions 24.3 and 25.1, which fixes all of the listed vulnerabilities and adds most of the improvements listed in this article.

This means Google’s next Pixel 10 GPU driver update will likely be to least version 25.1, if not the latest version 25.2 released to partners on Oct 8. Pixel 10 Users can therefore expect significant improvements in performance, reliability and security once Google releases this update.

Follow @paul_monckton on Instagram.

ForbesNano Banana AI Image Editing Comes To Billions Of Google UsersForbesGoogle Photos’ New Update Leaves International Users Wanting More





Source link

Continue Reading

Tech

Edifier Unveils Upgraded S880DB MKII Active Speakers For Hi-Res Performance

Published

on


Edifier is a speaker brand that’s rapidly building a reputation for producing premium mid-range speakers that sell for very affordable prices. Edifier has just announced the launch of the S880DB MKII, its fully upgraded successor to the brand’s acclaimed S880DB model. This latest version features enhanced acoustic performance, redesigned circuitry and an improved user experience.

The S880DB MKII speakers now feature a completely upgraded driver system that can produce a richer and more precise sound. The tweeters have been upgraded to a 1.25-inch titanium dome model with a 25mm voice coil and neodymium magnet. The output through the tweeters is 12W per channel. The previous model used a 1-inch tweeter, so the improvements deliver clearer and more transparent highs that offer more accuracy and detail.

Complementing the upgraded tweeters are a pair of redesigned 3.75-inch mid-bass drivers with an output of 32W per channel for a clearer sound across the entire mid-range. The woofers also provide an extended low-frequency response that goes as low as 50Hz for a fuller and richer bass response. The overall sound of the upgraded drivers is a more solid and balanced soundstage.

High-Quality Sound

At the heart of the new S880DB MKII speakers are high-performance chipsets sourced from Texas Instruments. Edifier has used the powerful XMOS XU216 onboard processor, which provides advanced digital audio processing and can support high-resolution audio playback up to 24-bit/96kHz, for clearer sound and ultra-low distortion.

The S880DB MKII speakers are designed to meet and exceed the specifications required to gain Hi-Res Audio certification. The speaker’s digital interfaces support resolutions up to 24-bit/192kHz, while the Texas Instruments analog front end operates at 24-bit/96kHz, for precise signal handling and clarity across the entire frequency range.

At the rear of the S880DB MKII’s primary speaker unit are all the inputs for connecting the speakers to a digital or analog source. Users can choose from two RCA line-in connectors, a digital coax and optical inputs, plus a USB-C port, which is ideal for connecting these speakers to a computer so they can be used on a desk setup. There’s no 3.5mm input, but a cable is provided that goes from 3.5mm to RCA.

Bluetooth Connectivity

Finally, these speakers also include a Bluetooth 5.3 receiver for wireless input. The S880DB MKII speakers support the LDAC audio codec with transmission rates up to 990kbps, which means high-resolution wireless audio streaming up to 24-bit/96kHz.

Using the LDAC codec ensures audiophile-grade sound quality over Bluetooth from compatible Android devices running Android 8.0 and higher. Anyone using the speakers with a Mac or iPhone could use a Bluetooth dongle that supports LDAC. In addition, the speakers also support the vanilla SBC codec, but not AAC. The sound of these speakers can be shaped using the three rotary controls at the rear of the primary unit. The three knobs control volume, treble and bass.

The S880DB MKII also includes a dedicated SUB OUT port for the connection of an external subwoofer — like Edifier’s recently announced T5S model — and an even deeper bass response. This feature provides a fuller and more immersive low-end that’s suitable for music, movies and gaming. The one thing missing is a front-mounted headphone jack, which a lot of people use for private listening when seated at their computer.

User-Friendly Controls

Controlling the speakers is easy using the included puck-shaped remote control, which is just as well because those rear-mounted controls aren’t particularly convenient to reach. The S880DB MKII speakers come with a newly designed and rechargeable 2.4GHz remote control for quick access to playback and volume levels.

On the front of the primary speaker is an integrated OLED display featuring auto-dimming and providing clear and real-time feedback without too much glare. The speakers are also fully compatible with Edifier’s ConneX smartphone app, which can be used to fine-tune settings and manage the source inputs directly from a smartphone’s screen.

Pricing and Availability:

The Edifier S880DB MKII speakers are available now for $399.99 from Amazon.com.

Tech Specs:

  • Total output power (RMS): Treble: 12W x 2 / Mid-low: 32W x 2.
  • Drivers: 3.75″ long-throw aluminum diaphragm / 1.25″ titanium diaphragm dome tweeters.
  • Frequency response: 50Hz – 40kHz.
  • Signal-to-Noise ratio: ≥ 85dB(A).
  • Audio inputs: USB-C, Optical, Coaxial, Line In 1, Line In 2, Bluetooth.
  • Input sensitivity: USB-C: 500 ± 50mFFS OPT: 500 ± 50mFFS, COAX: 500 ± 50mFFS, Bluetooth: 500 ± 50mFFS, Line In 1: 500 ± 50mV, Line In 2: 700 ± 50mV.
  • Bluetooth: V5.3.
  • Supported audio codecs: SBC, LDAC.
  • Dimensions (W x H x D): 145 x 237 x 207mm (Primary speaker) /145 x 237 x 192mm (Passive speaker).
  • Weight: 6.27kg.



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending