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Hirokazu Kore-eda is so back December 9, 2023

Well Go USA The director of Monster talks about the complexities (and simplicities) of portraying multiple points of view Continue reading…

Seoul-based Finda, which runs an online loan comparison service, raised a ~$37M Series C from JB Financial and 500 Global; Finda brokered ~$3B in loans in 2022 (Shruti Khairnar/FinTech Futures)

Shruti Khairnar / FinTech Futures:
Seoul-based Finda, which runs an online loan comparison service, raised a ~$37M Series C from JB Financial and 500 Global; Finda brokered ~$3B in loans in 2022  —  South Korean fintech Finda, which operates a loan comparison platform, has secured $37 million (KRW 47 billion) in Series C funding from JB Financial Group and 500 Global.

Seoul-based Finda, which runs an online loan comparison service, raised a ~$37M Series C from JB Financial and 500 Global; Finda brokered ~$3B in loans in 2022 (Shruti Khairnar/FinTech Futures)

Shruti Khairnar / FinTech Futures:
Seoul-based Finda, which runs an online loan comparison service, raised a ~$37M Series C from JB Financial and 500 Global; Finda brokered ~$3B in loans in 2022  —  South Korean fintech Finda, which operates a loan comparison platform, has secured $37 million (KRW 47 billion) in Series C funding from JB Financial Group and 500 Global.

AI-Powered War Machines: The Future of Warfare Is Here

The advancement of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) has paved the way for a new era in warfare. Gone are the days of manned ships and traditional naval operations. Instead, the US Navy’s Task Force 59 is at the forefront of integrating AI and robotics into naval operations. With a fleet of autonomous robot ships, the Navy aims to revolutionize the way wars are fought at sea.

The Persian Gulf serves as a testing ground for Task Force 59’s fleet of robot ships. These unmanned vessels, ranging from solar-powered kayaks to surfboard-style boats, are equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Their purpose is to act as the eyes and ears of the Navy, collecting data through cameras, radar, and hydrophones. Pattern-matching algorithms help differentiate between oil tankers and potential threats like smugglers.

One particular vessel, the Triton, stands out with its ability to submerge for extended periods. This feature allows it to evade enemy detection and resurface when it is safe to do so. The Triton can stay submerged for up to five days, utilizing this time to recharge its batteries and transmit valuable information back to base.

AI plays a crucial role in the success of Task Force 59’s operations. By harnessing the power of algorithms and machine learning, the Navy can analyze vast amounts of data collected by the robot ships. This enables them to make informed decisions and respond quickly to emerging threats. AI image generators are also utilized, raising questions about the future of artists in a world driven by technology.

Despite its potential, AI is not without its limitations. The complexity of navigating the unpredictable seas and detecting unconventional threats poses challenges that require continuous improvement and development of AI systems. However, the Navy is committed to staying at the forefront of AI technology and integrating it seamlessly into naval operations.

The deployment of autonomous robot ships is just the beginning of a future dominated by AI-powered warfare. The Navy’s focus on robotics and AI reflects the broader trend towards autonomous systems in the military. The ability to operate without human intervention allows for increased efficiency, reduced risk to personnel, and the potential for more strategic decision-making.

The war in Ukraine serves as a stark reminder of the increasing role of drones and autonomous systems in modern conflicts. Ukrainian-built drone boats, armed with explosives, targeted a Russian-occupied naval base, sparking concerns about the potential for widespread use of autonomous weapons. However, the Fifth Fleet operating in the Gulf region remains relatively uninformed about these developments, highlighting the need for better cross-regional intelligence sharing.

As AI technology continues to advance, ethical considerations surrounding its use in warfare become increasingly important. The ability of autonomous systems to make life-or-death decisions raises questions of accountability and the potential for unintended consequences. Striking the right balance between leveraging AI’s capabilities and ensuring human oversight and control is crucial to avoiding catastrophic outcomes.

The deployment of AI in warfare also has implications for civilian society. As AI becomes more prevalent, it has the potential to transform various aspects of everyday life. The development of conversational AI interfaces, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, illustrates the rapid progress being made. However, society must grapple with the implications of these advancements and ensure they are used responsibly and ethically.

In conclusion, the integration of AI and robotics into naval operations marks a significant shift in the future of warfare. Task Force 59’s fleet of autonomous robot ships showcases the Navy’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements. With AI-driven algorithms, these vessels serve as distributed eyes and ears, collecting invaluable data and enabling swift decision-making.

However, the rise of AI in warfare also poses ethical challenges that must be addressed. The potential for autonomous systems to make life-or-death decisions necessitates careful consideration of accountability and human oversight. As society grapples with the implications of AI, it is essential to strike a balance between leveraging its capabilities and ensuring responsible and ethical use.

The AI-powered, totally autonomous future of war is here, and it is our responsibility to navigate its complexities with caution and foresight. By embracing the potential of AI while upholding our ethical principles, we can shape a future where technology serves humanity’s best interests.

First reported on Wired

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Featured Image Credit: Unsplash

The post AI-Powered War Machines: The Future of Warfare Is Here appeared first on ReadWrite.

Google will ‘supercharge’ Assistant with AI that’s more like ChatGPT and Bard

Illustration: The Verge

Google is planning to update Assistant with features powered by generative AI, according to a report from Axios. In an email obtained by the outlet, Google tells staff members that it has already started exploring a “supercharged” Assistant powered by the newest large language models (LLM), similar to the technology behind ChatGPT and Google’s own Bard chatbot. According to the email, “A portion of the team has already started working on this, beginning with mobile.”

As part of this change, Google says it’s condensing the team that works on Assistant. The email obtained by Axios states that the company is “eliminating a small number of roles,” although it’s unclear how many employees are affected. According to Axios, Google laid off…

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Leaked Google memo shows it ‘deeply committed’ to Assistant, bringing LLM power

Credit: Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

A leaked memo shows Google is still behind Google Assistant, even if it seems doomed in the age of ChatGPT.
The memo says Google is adding LLM smarts to Assistant to make it “supercharged.”
Unfortunately, internal restructuring has necessitated some team members being dropped.

Back at Google I/O in May, we heard all about AI. In fact, if you replay the keynote and drink every time you hear the term “AI,” you’d likely die before the end of it. One thing we didn’t hear much about at I/O, however, was Google Assistant.

What chance does Assistant even have in a world with ChatGPT, Bing Chat, and even Google’s own Bard? This realization has caused some people to question whether or not Assistant is doomed. Thankfully, that doesn’t appear to be the case now that we’ve seen a leaked memo on the matter (via Axios).

A US judge denies Terraform Labs’ motion to dismiss an SEC lawsuit, saying the SEC made a “plausible claim” that UST and LUNA may have violated securities law (Nikhilesh De/CoinDesk)

Nikhilesh De / CoinDesk:
A US judge denies Terraform Labs’ motion to dismiss an SEC lawsuit, saying the SEC made a “plausible claim” that UST and LUNA may have violated securities law  —  Terraform Labs argued that there was no contract in the sale of UST to retail investors.

A German data watchdog says it has been probing Worldcoin since November 2022 due to concerns over the project processing “sensitive data at a very large scale” (Elizabeth Howcroft/Reuters)

Elizabeth Howcroft / Reuters:
A German data watchdog says it has been probing Worldcoin since November 2022 due to concerns over the project processing “sensitive data at a very large scale”  —  A German data watchdog has been investigating OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s Worldcoin project since late last year due …

RF Remote Made Easy

The 433 MHz spectrum is a little bit of an oddball. It’s one of the few areas of the radio spectrum which is nearly universally unlicensed, meaning as long as devices using it adhere to the power restrictions and other guidelines about best practices, it’s essentially an open playground. IoT devices operate here, as well as security systems and, of course, remote controls. And, using a few off-the-shelf parts [hesam.moshiri] shows us how to take advantage of this piece of spectrum by designing and building a programmable and versatile 4-channel 433 MHz remote control.

Built around an ATmega8 microcontroller, making it easy to work with Arduino sketches, and with a 2×8 character LCD for ease-of-use when not connected to a computer, the wireless switching device can store up to 80 remote control codes in its EEPROM memory. This was one of the harder parts for [hesam] to sort out, but using structures to store the data for the codes eventually solved the problems. A simple GUI makes using it with whatever remote happens to be on hand fairly straightforward, including the ability to record codes from existing remotes on the fly and also to associate those codes with specific actions.

Schematics and a bill of materials are available on the project’s page, making this fairly accessible to those looking to add some wireless connectivity to a project, home automation system, or IoT device. It’s mainly set up as a switching device, but with some modifications could be put to work doing more complex tasks. The 433 MHz spectrum is an exciting place to be, too, and things like setting up entire security systems using it are not too far removed from a switching device like this.

Microsoft’s repairability push now extends to Xbox controllers, too

Photo by Tom Warren / The Verge

Microsoft has started selling controller parts on its online store. Owners of both the Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller and the standard Xbox Wireless Controller can head to the Microsoft store right now to buy replacement boards, sticks, buttons, covers, and more. Now, if your shoulder buttons are broken or your sticks are drifting, it means you don’t have to rely on third-party sources for parts and directions to attempt a repair that could be much cheaper than replacing controllers that can cost $59.99 or $179.99 brand-new.

The Elite series 2 controller repair kits range in price from $23.99 for button sets to $59.99 for a replacement PCBA and motor assembly. As you’d expect, prices are lower for the standard controller,…

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Elon Musk’s extravagant ‘X’ sign atop the former Twitter HQ has been dismantled

Workers prepare to dismantle a large X logo on the roof of X headquarters on July 31st, 2023, in San Francisco, California. | Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Well, that was fast. Twitter, which is currently rebranding itself to X, is now removing the giant, garishly lit X logo that was placed on top of its San Francisco headquarters, as previously reported by CNBC and ABC7 News. The sign, rapidly erected and supported in part by sandbags, had already received complaints from residents living near the building.

According to the city’s complaint, Twitter repeatedly denied access to inspectors seeking access to the roof, explaining to them that the X logo was a “temporary lighted sign for an event.”

Patrick Hannan, communications director for the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection and City Planning, confirmed to The Verge in an email that a notice of violation was issued to the…

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Bloom Has the Secret to Gen Z Wealth Building

As a company, Bloom is aware of the absence of youth-friendly resources for financial education. Existing platforms may provide free stock or trade transactions, but they often fail to provide users with the fundamental education they need to succeed in the investment world. Inspired by their own struggles, Maman and Yang set out to fill this knowledge gap by developing an app that does more than just offer a brokerage account; it also provides users with engaging, hands-on lessons on how to use it.

Bloom uses an Instagram-like structure to provide educational content and quizzes to reinforce learning. By answering questions correctly in quizzes, users are rewarded with points within the app. This game-based method of education not only makes studying fun, but also increases knowledge retention and comprehension.

Bloom is unique because it has no commission structure. By eliminating the burden of high fees, Bloom makes investing accessible to young people without reducing their returns. Bloom provides a low-priced entry point for users to begin their investment journey with a monthly fee of $15 or a yearly fee of $120. Furthermore, there is no required minimum balance to use the app, making it available to users of varying economic means.

Bloom has achieved remarkable success and growth since its inception. The app’s success in teaching young people to invest can be seen in the fact that over 10 million users have completed lessons. The company has also hit seven figures in annual recurring revenue in its first year of business.

The rapid expansion of Bloom’s user base is further evidence of the app’s widespread appeal. Although the app’s initial target audience was younger teenagers, its current user base is skewed toward those in their early twenties. Because of this change, the company’s founders are thinking about developing new products to meet the demands of their clientele.

The financial needs of young people are a growing market, and Bloom competes with other startups like Copper and Greenlight. Copper, a banking and investment app aimed at teenagers, has raked in $29 million in funding and amassed over 800,000 users in a little over a year. Greenlight, a children’s app that teaches them about money and keeps them safe, has also been very successful.

Despite stiff competition, Bloom has raised $4.4 million in seed funding from high-profile backers like Contrary, Slow Ventures, Offline Ventures, Rocketship VC, and an angel group led by Andrew Yang. With these funds, Bloom will be able to expand its product line and strengthen its position in the market.

As Bloom continues to expand, co-founders Maman and Yang are thinking ahead about what’s next for their tech platform. The partners hope to broaden their catalog to include retirement savings accounts and other freemium-style add-ons. Bloom’s ultimate goal is to be its users’ trusted financial partner throughout life by constantly providing helpful tools and encouraging long-term commitment.

Bloom’s unique selling proposition is its commitment to educating and equipping young people in the realms of personal finance and investment. Bloom is a one-of-a-kind resource for young people looking to learn and grow their wealth thanks to its zero-commission model, interesting educational materials, and intuitive interface. The company’s future success and growth position it to become a major influence on young people’s financial lives.

First reported on TechCrunch

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Bloom, and what sets it apart from other financial platforms?

Bloom is a company that addresses the lack of youth-friendly resources for financial education and investment. Unlike other platforms that offer free stock or trade transactions without adequate educational content, Bloom focuses on providing engaging, hands-on lessons and quizzes to help users succeed in the investment world. The app’s game-based learning approach enhances knowledge retention and comprehension.

2. How does Bloom make investing accessible to young people?

Bloom eliminates the commission structure, making investing more accessible to young people without reducing their returns. It offers a low-priced entry point with a monthly fee of $15 or a yearly fee of $120, and there is no required minimum balance to use the app, catering to users with varying economic means.

3. What are some of the milestones and achievements of Bloom since its inception?

Bloom has achieved remarkable success and growth, with over 10 million users completing lessons and hitting seven figures in annual recurring revenue in its first year of business.

4. Who is Bloom’s target audience, and how has it evolved?

Initially targeting younger teenagers, Bloom’s current user base is now skewed toward those in their early twenties. This shift has prompted the founders to consider developing new products to meet the demands of their clientele.

5. How does Bloom compare to other startups in the market?

Bloom competes with other startups like Copper and Greenlight, which also focus on providing financial education and investment options to young people. Copper has secured $29 million in funding and amassed over 800,000 users in a little over a year, while Greenlight has achieved significant success as well.

6. Who are some of Bloom’s high-profile backers?

Bloom has raised $4.4 million in seed funding from well-known investors such as Contrary, Slow Ventures, Offline Ventures, Rocketship VC, and an angel group led by Andrew Yang.

7. What are Bloom’s plans for the future?

Bloom aims to expand its product line, potentially including retirement savings accounts and other freemium-style add-ons. The company’s ultimate goal is to be a trusted financial partner for its users throughout life, providing helpful tools and encouraging long-term commitment.

8. How does Bloom stand out as a unique resource for young people?

Bloom’s unique selling proposition lies in its commitment to educating and equipping young people in personal finance and investment. Its zero-commission model, interesting educational materials, and intuitive interface make it a one-of-a-kind resource for young individuals looking to learn and grow their wealth.

9. How can users get started with Bloom?

Users can sign up for Bloom through the app and begin their financial education journey by accessing the educational content and quizzes designed to make learning about investments fun and engaging.

Featured Image Credit: Unsplash

The post Bloom Has the Secret to Gen Z Wealth Building appeared first on ReadWrite.

Internal email: Google is revamping Assistant to focus on using generative AI, starting with the mobile version, and is reorganizing related teams (Ina Fried/Axios)

Ina Fried / Axios:
Internal email: Google is revamping Assistant to focus on using generative AI, starting with the mobile version, and is reorganizing related teams  —  Google plans to overhaul its Assistant to focus on using generative AI technologies similar to those that power ChatGPT and its own Bard chatbot …

SpaceX’s ‘Mega Steel Pancake’ Will Protect Starship From Fiery Launches

SpaceX, the renowned aerospace manufacturer and space transportation company founded by Elon Musk, recently conducted a full-pressure test of a new water deluge system for its Starship launch vehicle. This test is a significant step towards resolving one of the major problems that arose during the orbital flight test in April, where the heat and energy from the Super Heavy booster’s engines damaged the launch pad and orbital launch mount. In this article, we will delve into the details of SpaceX’s innovative solution and explore the environmental considerations surrounding this new system.

To protect against the immense heat and force generated during the Starship launch, SpaceX has developed what CEO Elon Musk refers to as a “mega-steel pancake.” This water deluge system consists of a thick perforated steel plate placed directly underneath the rocket, along with multiple large water jets that continuously cool the rocket with water, even in the presence of flames from the rocket engine.

Elon Musk shared a tweet showcasing the new water deluge system, stating, “New water deluge system to protect against the immense heat & force of Starship launch.” The accompanying video posted on X by Musk provides a glimpse of the test, suggesting a substantial amount of water is discharged during a full-pressure spray.

While the water deluge system appears to be an effective solution for protecting the launch infrastructure, there are environmental concerns surrounding the use of such a system. It has been reported that SpaceX did not apply for an environmental permit for disposing of industrial process wastewater as required by the U.S. Clean Water Act. However, it remains unclear whether SpaceX actually needs such a permit.

The key question is whether pollutants, such as chemicals, may mix into the water as it sprays up at the rocket. If this is the case, SpaceX will need to implement a process for disposing of the water without causing harm to the surrounding wetlands. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is currently evaluating the new deluge system to determine if any environmental regulations apply.

A representative from TCEQ mentioned that the need for a discharge permit is the responsibility of the business owner based on their wastewater management plan. While the evaluation process is ongoing, SpaceX seems confident in the effectiveness of their water deluge system. With the installation of the steel plate, the company is now closer to conducting pre-launch testing on Booster 9, the Super Heavy prototype for the upcoming test flight.

Before SpaceX can proceed with the next Starship flight test, they must obtain approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA, as the regulatory authority for all rocket launches, grounded the Starship after the last test resulted in a mid-air explosion. While the grounding was expected given the outcome of the test, SpaceX still needs regulatory approval for the next flight test.

In addition to the FAA’s approval process, SpaceX is also a co-defendant in a lawsuit filed by environmental and Indigenous groups. The lawsuit alleges that the FAA failed to fully assess the environmental effects of SpaceX’s activities in the Starbase area, where the Starship launch program is centered. Although the lawsuit is in its early stages, it poses the potential to delay Starship’s future flights.

In summary, cSpaceX’s development of the “mega steel pancake” water deluge system marks a significant advancement in ensuring the safety and integrity of the Starship launch infrastructure. The company’s innovative solution to protect against the intense heat and force generated during launch demonstrates their commitment to pushing the boundaries of space technology.

While environmental concerns and regulatory considerations remain, SpaceX is actively working with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to evaluate the impact of the water deluge system. The outcome of this evaluation will determine the necessary steps SpaceX needs to take to comply with environmental regulations.

As SpaceX awaits regulatory approval from the FAA for their next flight test, they also face potential delays due to the ongoing lawsuit regarding the environmental review of Starbase and the Starship launch program. Despite these challenges, SpaceX continues to push forward, aiming to revolutionize space travel and exploration with their groundbreaking technologies.

Stay tuned for more updates on SpaceX’s progress as they pave the way for the future of space exploration.

First reported on TechCrunch

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is SpaceX’s water deluge system, and why is it significant?

SpaceX’s water deluge system, also known as the “mega-steel pancake,” is designed to protect the launch infrastructure during Starship launch missions. It consists of a thick perforated steel plate placed under the rocket and multiple large water jets that continuously cool the rocket, even in the presence of rocket engine flames. This system is a significant advancement in ensuring the safety and integrity of the Starship launch infrastructure.

2. What was the major problem that arose during the orbital flight test in April?

During the orbital flight test in April, the heat and energy from the Super Heavy booster’s engines damaged the launch pad and orbital launch mount. The water deluge system is SpaceX’s innovative solution to address this issue.

3. Has SpaceX applied for an environmental permit for the water deluge system?

There are environmental concerns surrounding the use of the water deluge system, and it has been reported that SpaceX did not apply for an environmental permit for disposing of industrial process wastewater as required by the U.S. Clean Water Act. However, the need for a discharge permit depends on the evaluation of the system’s impact by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

4. How is TCEQ evaluating the water deluge system’s impact?

TCEQ is currently evaluating the water deluge system to determine if any environmental regulations apply. They are assessing whether pollutants, such as chemicals, may mix into the water as it sprays up at the rocket. The outcome of this evaluation will determine the necessary steps SpaceX needs to take to comply with environmental regulations.

5. What is the status of the FAA’s approval for SpaceX’s next flight test?

Before SpaceX can proceed with the next Starship flight test, they must obtain approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA, as the regulatory authority for all rocket launches, grounded the Starship after the last test resulted in a mid-air explosion. SpaceX is awaiting regulatory approval for the next flight test.

6. What is the current situation regarding the lawsuit against SpaceX?

SpaceX is a co-defendant in a lawsuit filed by environmental and Indigenous groups, alleging that the FAA failed to fully assess the environmental effects of SpaceX’s activities in the Starbase area, where the Starship launch program is centered. The lawsuit is in its early stages and could potentially lead to delays in Starship’s future flights.

7. What does SpaceX’s progress with the Starship launch program signify for space exploration?

SpaceX’s continued development and advancement of the Starship launch program demonstrate their commitment to pushing the boundaries of space technology and revolutionizing space exploration. The water deluge system is a key part of their efforts to ensure safe and successful launch missions.

8. How can readers stay updated on SpaceX’s progress with the Starship launch program?

Readers can stay informed about SpaceX’s progress by following official announcements from SpaceX and reputable news sources covering space exploration and technology. Regular updates from SpaceX and reliable media outlets will provide the latest developments and milestones in the Starship launch program.

Featured Image Credit: Unsplash

The post SpaceX’s ‘Mega Steel Pancake’ Will Protect Starship From Fiery Launches appeared first on ReadWrite.

BBC launches an ‘experimental’ Mastodon server

Illustration: The Verge

The BBC has launched its own “experimental” Mastodon server, marking one of the first major news outlets to establish an instance on the Twitter alternative. You can access the server at social.bbc, which encompasses posts from a handful of BBC accounts, including BBC Radio 4, BBC Taster, BBC Research & Development, and a few more.

The BBC says the outlet will try out the server for six months before it decides “whether and how to continue.” While you can’t actually create accounts or posts on the server, you can still leave replies from the instance that you’re using, as well as follow its accounts.

Despite this, the BBC still has some concerns about content moderation, as Mastodon doesn’t have a dedicated moderation team and leaves it…

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Sources: Nvidia has asked some cloud provider startups for their customers’ names; it also ensures some upstart cloud providers get early shipments of new chips (Anissa Gardizy/The Information)

Anissa Gardizy / The Information:
Sources: Nvidia has asked some cloud provider startups for their customers’ names; it also ensures some upstart cloud providers get early shipments of new chips  —  Nvidia plays favorites with its newest, much-sought-after chips for artificial intelligence, steering them to small cloud providers …

Uber driver in first-ever deadly self-driving crash pleads guilty

Image: ABC 15

The backup driver in the self-driving Uber vehicle that killed a 49-year-old woman in Tempe, Arizona, in 2018 pled guilty to one count of endangerment and was sentenced to three years’ probation on Friday.

Rafaela Vasquez worked as a safety driver for Uber’s autonomous vehicle test program in Arizona. She was behind the steering wheel when her vehicle ran over Elaine Herzberg, who was pushing a bicycle across the street. The crash, which happened on March 18th, 2018, is believed to be the first fatal collision involving a self-driving car.

Prosecutors described Vasquez as “the eyes and ears” of the vehicle, which was operating in autonomous mode at the time of the collision, according to the Arizona Republic. Police alleged that she…

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How popular gaming platforms like Minecraft and Roblox are being used to promote Russia’s war narrative, influencing some young and Russian-speaking audiences (New York Times)

New York Times:
How popular gaming platforms like Minecraft and Roblox are being used to promote Russia’s war narrative, influencing some young and Russian-speaking audiences  —  Propaganda is appearing in Minecraft and other popular games and discussion groups as the Kremlin tries to win over new audiences.

Just How Is Voyager 2 Going To Sort Out Its Dish Then?

Anybody who has set up a satellite TV antenna will tell you that alignment is critical when picking up a signal from space. With a satellite dish it’s a straightforward task to tweak the position, but what happens if the dish in question is out beyond the edge of the Solar System?

We told you a few days ago about this exact issue currently facing Voyager 2, but we’re guessing Hackaday readers will want to know a little bit more about how a 50+ year old spacecraft so far from home can still sort out its antenna. The answer lies in NASA Technical Report 32-1559, Digital Canopus Tracker from 1972, which describes the instrument that notes the position of the star Canopus, which along with that of the Sun it can use to calculate the antenna bearing to reach Earth. The report makes for fascinating reading, as it describes how early-1970s technology was used to spot the star by its specific intensity and then keep it in its sights. It’s an extremely accessible design, as even the part numbers are an older version of the familiar 74 logic.

So somewhere out there in interstellar space beyond the boundary of the Solar System is a card frame full of 74 logic that’s been quietly keeping an eye on a star since the early 1970s, and the engineers from those far-off days at JPL are about to save the bacon of the current generation at NASA with their work. We hope that there are some old guys in Pasadena right now with a spring in their step.

Read our coverage of the story here.

Europe’s dark matter-hunting space telescope nabs its first test images

Two early test images from the Euclid space telescope mission. | Image: European Space Agency

Today, the European Space Agency (ESA) showed off the first test images taken from the Euclid space telescope as it approaches its final orbit around the Earth (via Ars Technica). Once in place, scientists at the ESA and its partners in the US, Canada, and Japan hope to gain radical new insights into the very formation and expansion of the universe as well as the role played by dark energy, dark matter, and gravity in all of that.

The first test images, captured by the telescope’s two onboard cameras — the VISible instrument (VIS) and the Near-Infrared Spectrometer and Photometer (NISP) — are a series of detailed shots of the night sky, showing a vast collection of stars, star clusters, galaxies, and more. Knud Jahnke of the Max Planck…

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OnePlus’ debut mechanical keyboard is a Keychron with a twist

You get extra keycaps and a combination switch/keycap puller in the box.

OnePlus’ debut mechanical keyboard, the Keyboard 81 Pro, may be little more than a redesigned Keychron Q1 Pro with a couple of tweaks. But the Keychron Q1 Pro is one of the best mechanical keyboards available today, and the tweaks OnePlus has made to its design range from “inoffensive” to “actually kind of neat.” I wouldn’t go as far as to say the Keyboard 81 Pro is better than the Q1 Pro, but it’s a nice alternative version with its own strengths.

As a reminder, Keychron’s Q1 Pro is a wireless version of the Keychron Q1. It’s made of a solid aluminum chassis, with a gasket-mounted switch plate that gives it a premium typing feel and is packed with extra features like hot-swappable switches (helpful if you want to change its typing feel…

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X says Elon Musk will lead product and engineering teams, CEO Linda Yaccarino will lead teams including legal and sales, and both will oversee trust and safety (Sheila Dang/Reuters)

Sheila Dang / Reuters:
X says Elon Musk will lead product and engineering teams, CEO Linda Yaccarino will lead teams including legal and sales, and both will oversee trust and safety  —  X owner Elon Musk and Chief Executive Linda Yaccarino will both oversee the trust and safety team at the company formerly known as Twitter …

SAG-AFTRA says interim agreements are ‘a vital part’ of its plan to weather Hollywood’s labor strike

SAG-AFTRA’s striking logo. | Image: SAG-AFTRA

When the Screen Actors Guild began giving independently produced projects clearance to continue production during Hollywood’s two ongoing labor strikes earlier this month, there was a sizable amount of confusion about how the process worked and why the union was doing it, given that it had called for an industrywide work stoppage just days earlier. Now, as more people have begun to question the logic behind the interim agreements being granted, SAG-AFTRA says they’re very much a part of its plan to help its members survive a strike that’s already taken some particularly ugly and telling turns.

On Sunday evening, SAG-AFTRA posted a lengthy statement to its website explaining what its interim agreements are and how they’re being handed out…

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Amazon’s new Echo Pop has dropped back to its Prime Day price

Amazon’s new Echo Pop comes in a unique semi-circular form yet sounds good for its size. | Photo by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge

Since Prime Day was an Amazon event, a lot of the best Prime Day deals we saw earlier this month naturally landed on Amazon’s smart speakers and displays. While Amazon’s deals have since long gone, other retailers are jumping in to give you a second chance if you missed out. Right now, for example, you can buy the latest Echo Dot for $22.99 ($27 off) from Best Buy and The Home Depot. If you prefer a smart display, the latest Echo Show 8 is also on sale at Best Buy for $59.99 ($70 off).

Perhaps one of the most notable deals, though, is this one on the new Echo Pop. At the moment, Amazon’s newest smart speaker is just $17.99 ($22 off) at Best Buy and The Home Depot. The new speaker stands out from others in the lineup thanks to its…

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A Usable Arduino Debugging Tool

For as popular as the Arduino platform is, it’s not without its problems. Among those is the fact that most practical debugging is often done by placing various print statements throughout the code and watching for them in the serial monitor. There’s not really a great way of placing breakpoints or stepping through code, either. But this project, known as eye2see, hopes to change that by using the i2c bus found in most Arduinos to provide a more robust set of debugging tools.

The eye2see software is set up to run on an Arduino or other compatible microcontroller, called the “probe”, which is connected to the i2c bus on another Arduino whose code needs to be debugged. Code running on this Arduino, which is part of the eye2see library, allows it to send debugging information to the eye2see probe. With a screen, the probe can act as a much more powerful debugger than would otherwise typically be available, being able to keep track of variables in the main program, setting up breakpoints, and outputting various messages on its screen.

The tool is not without its downsides, though. The library that needs to run on the host Arduino slows down the original program significantly. But for more complex programs, the tradeoff with powerful debugging tools may be worth it until these pieces of code can be removed and the program allowed to run unencumbered. If you’d like to skip needing to use a second Arduino, we’ve seen some other tools available for debugging Arduino code that can run straight from a connected PC instead.

Ampere Analysis: ad tiers from Netflix, Disney, and others have collectively crossed 100M users in the US; 90%+ of Hulu subscribers are on its ad-supported tier (Lucas Manfredi/The Wrap)

Lucas Manfredi / The Wrap:
Ampere Analysis: ad tiers from Netflix, Disney, and others have collectively crossed 100M users in the US; 90%+ of Hulu subscribers are on its ad-supported tier  —  London-based research firm Ampere Analysis estimates that ad tiers from Netflix, Disney and others have collectively surpassed 100 million users