Snapchat’s new ad format makes AI chatbots sound like salespeople

Snapchat’s AI Sponsored Snaps may look like a new ad format, but they also show how quickly chatbots are moving from answering complaints to chasing sales.

The keyboard used to score Dune 2 is getting more affordable
The keyboard used to score Dune 2 is getting more affordable

Expressive E is making its Osmose MPE keyboard (comparatively) more affordable by ditching the synthesizer and making it a simple MIDI controller. The new Osmose CE comes in two sizes, 49 and 61 keys, for $999 and $1,199, respectively. Now, $999 is pretty expensive for a MIDI controller, but it’s far less than Osmose’s $1,799 […]

Xpeng VLA 2.0 test drive: Tesla is not alone with ‘Full Self-Driving’ anymore
Xpeng VLA 2.0 test drive: Tesla is not alone with ‘Full Self-Driving’ anymore

I test-drove Xpeng’s new VLA 2.0 autonomous driving system in Beijing last week, and after 40 minutes of navigating one of the most aggressive driving environments in the world, I didn’t have to intervene once.

This is a major development. Tesla has…

Taylor Swift deepfakes are pushing scams on TikTok
Taylor Swift deepfakes are pushing scams on TikTok

Scammers are using AI-generated videos of celebrities including Taylor Swift and Rihanna to promote shady services on TikTok, according to authentication company Copyleaks. The ads typically show celebrities in interview settings, such as red carpets, podcasts, or talk shows, and often manipulate real footage with AI, the company said. Many promote rewards programs claiming users […]

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Electric air taxis are finally taking flight — just not with passengers
Electric air taxis are finally taking flight — just not with passengers

It was the perfect day for an electric air taxi demonstration – albeit one without passengers. On Monday, an electric aircraft from Joby Aviation took off from JFK Airport for a flight demonstrating the company’s future air taxi route to Manhattan. The aircraft – egg-shaped cabin, six tilt-rotor propellers, electric motor – made its way […]

Your PS5 can now transform into a Linux PC
Your PS5 can now transform into a Linux PC

A developer has created a method to get Linux running on some versions of Sony’s PlayStation 5 console. Andy Nguyen previously showed off a ported version of Ubuntu running PC games on a PS5 last month, and he’s now published the installation steps on GitHub this week. This is a soft mod, so it won’t […]

This ultra-light cargo e-bike from JackRabbit can carry 10x its own weight
This ultra-light cargo e-bike from JackRabbit can carry 10x its own weight

JackRabbit has made a name for itself by doing things differently in the e-bike world, and now the company is taking that same unconventional approach into cargo territory. This week, the San Diego-based micromobility brand unveiled the new MG Cargo, a…

Meta isn’t doing enough to keep kids off Facebook and Instagram, rules EU
Meta isn’t doing enough to keep kids off Facebook and Instagram, rules EU

Meta is breaching Europe’s Digital Services Act (DSA) rules by failing to prevent children under 13 from using Facebook and Instagram, according to a preliminary decision issued by the European Commission. The Commission announced the ruling on Wednesday after an almost two-year investigation, saying that Meta doesn’t have adequate measures in place to stop under-13s […]

China freezes new robotaxi licenses after Baidu chaos
China freezes new robotaxi licenses after Baidu chaos

China has suspended new licenses for autonomous vehicles, Bloomberg reports, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter. The move comes after dozens of robotaxis operated by Chinese tech giant Baidu ground to a halt in traffic last month in Wuhan, creating chaos. The restrictions will prevent companies from adding new driverless cars to their fleets, […]

PlayStation’s new 30-day DRM check is a step backwards for gamers

A 30-day online DRM check for PlayStation digital games is sparking backlash, with players worried about losing access to purchased titles if they stay offline.