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Tech

AI Summary

  • YouTube will exclusively stream the Oscars from 2029, marking a significant shift in live event broadcasting towards streaming platforms.
  • Meta is halting the sharing of its Horizon OS with third-party VR headset makers, indicating a renewed focus on its own hardware and software.
  • Cisco has reported a serious hacking campaign originating from China, exploiting vulnerabilities in its products to target customers.
  • Amazon is exploring a $10 billion investment in OpenAI, while restructuring its AI division under new leadership to drive advancements in artificial intelligence.
  • Amidst a broader trend of layoffs, Amazon's European headquarters will cut approximately 370 jobs, as part of adjustments reflecting updated business strategies.

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Engadget

  • Study links Amazon's algorithmic pricing with erratic, inflated costs for school districts 29 minutes ago by Will Shanklin
    Business, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Will Shanklin

    When it comes to convenience, it’s hard to beat Amazon. And that rationale isn’t limited to consumers: Many local districts shopping for supplies with public funds apply the same logic. But the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) published a study earlier this month (via The American Prospect) that illustrates the cost of that bargain. It suggests that Amazon’s “dynamic pricing” has led many schools and other localities to overpay for supplies. Public schools and local governments have historically bought supplies by soliciting competitive bids from local suppliers. Those vendors then respond with fixed price lists, delivery timelines and other terms. This

  • Meta is 'pausing' third-party VR headsets from ASUS and Lenovo an hour ago by Karissa Bell
    Technology & Electronics, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Karissa Bell

    Last year, Meta announced that it was opening up its VR operating system to other headset makers, starting with ASUS and Lenovo. Now, it seems that Meta is pumping the brakes on the effort and those third-party Horizon OS headsets might never actually launch. The company has "paused" the program, Road to VR reported. Meta confirmed the move in a statement to Engadget, saying that it's instead focusing on "building the world-class first-party hardware and software needed to advance the VR market." ASUS and Lenovo didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Both companies have said little about the headsets

  • This cute little Behringer synthesizer sounds massive and costs just $49 2 hours ago by Lawrence Bonk
    Technology & Electronics, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Lawrence Bonk

    Behringer is no stranger to remaking classic synthesizers and selling them at much cheaper price points. However, this latest release may just take the budget-friendly cake. The company just introduced the UB-1 Micro, previously called the Spirit, a portable analog synth inspired by the Oberheim Matrix line that costs just $49. Despite the price tag, this thing still manages to sound extremely beefy. It features a pair of digitally controlled oscillators (DCOs) based on the Oberheim Matrix 6 analog chip. The monophonic/duophonic synth boasts two LFOs to control filters and tuning and an arpeggiator with three patterns and a hold function. It

  • The best stocking stuffer ideas you can shop for $50 or less 2 hours ago by Valentina Palladino
    Shopping, Hobbies & Personal Activities, Personal Finance - Lifestyle, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Valentina Palladino

    The big ticket tech gifts may get the lion's share of attention during the holidays, but it's surprising how much people appreciate small and thoughtful accessories and gadgets. We picked out a dozen such stocking stuffers for under $50 — perfect for a little something extra for a loved one or a welcome gift for a coworker. Just be sure to check the shipping windows to make sure these handy gizmos will arrive in time. Here are some of our favorite techie gift ideas that come in at $50 or less. BEST STOCKING STUFFERS FOR $50 OR LESS Check out the rest

  • The Oscars will exclusively air on YouTube starting in 2029 2 hours ago by Ian Carlos Campbell
    Arts & Entertainment Events, Arts & Entertainment, site|engadget, provider_name|Engadget, region|US, language|en-US, author_name|Ian Carlos Campbell

    The entertainment industry’s most well-known awards show is heading to streaming. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has announced that the Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, will exclusively air on YouTube starting in 2029. The new deal means the awards show is abandoning its long-time partnership with ABC (owned by frequent Oscars heavyweight, The Walt Disney Company), though the Oscars will continue to air on the network through its 100th anniversary in 2028. The Academy Awards will be joined by other Academy events and programming on the Oscars YouTube channel, including “the Governors Awards, the Oscars Nominations


The Verge

  • Amazon has a new leader for its ‘AGI’ group as it plays catch-up on AI 21 minutes ago by Emma Roth
    AI, Amazon, News, Tech

    Amazon's head of artificial general intelligence (AGI), Rohit Prasad, is leaving the company next year as it reaches an "inflection point" in its development of the technology, CEO Andy Jassy announced on Wednesday. As part of the change, Peter DeSantis, a senior vice president at Amazon Web Services, will helm a new division focused on the company's most advanced AI models, chip development, and quantum computing. Prasad joined Amazon in 2013 and played a key role in the evolution of the company's voice assistant Alexa. He also oversaw the launch of the Amazon Nova AI models and later became the head

  • Video game hardware sales had a historically bad November in the US 35 minutes ago by Jay Peters
    Entertainment, Gaming, News

    Spending on video game hardware during November totalled $695 million, a drop of 27 percent compared to last year, according to market analyst company Circana, "This is the lowest video game hardware spending total for a November month since the $455M reached during the November 2005 tracking period," Circana says. In addition, 1.6 million units of hardware were sold in the US in November, which is "the lowest total for a November month since 1995 (1.4 million)." The rising costs of consoles probably didn't help. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series of consoles both turned five in November, but customers looking

  • The best Bluetooth trackers for Apple and Android phones an hour ago by Victoria Song
    Buying Guides, Gadgets, Tech, Verge Shopping, Wearable

    Bluetooth trackers come in all shapes and sizes. | Illustration: Cath Virginia / The Verge Some people rarely lose things. Wallets are always exactly where they’re supposed to be, keys never go missing, and remotes never slip between the couch cushions. And then there’s the rest of us — the folks who can’t ever seem to find the thing that was right there a few seconds ago. For us, there are Bluetooth trackers. Bluetooth trackers have been around for a long time, and they all generally work the same way. You stick the tracker onto an object, pair it with your phone,

  • AI toys are telling kids how to find knives, and senators are mad 2 hours ago by Hayden Field
    AI, News, OpenAI, Policy

    Sexual fetish content. How to light a match. Where to find knives in the home. These are all conversation topics that recently-recalled children's toys - built atop AI chatbots like OpenAI's GPT-4o - are capable of bringing up to children. On Tuesday, U.S. senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) sent a letter to toy companies about their concerns - including a list of questions and a deadline for the companies to respond by January 6, 2026. "Many of these toys are not offering interactive play, but instead are exposing children to inappropriate content, privacy risks, and manipulative engagement tactics," the

  • The Oscars will stream on YouTube in 2029 2 hours ago by Jay Peters
    Entertainment, News, Streaming, YouTube

    The Oscars are headed to YouTube - in a few years. "Beginning in 2029, the Oscars will broadcast exclusively on YouTube for free globally and on YouTube TV in the U.S.," YouTube announced. YouTube's coverage will include the red carpet, behind the scenes content, and Governors Ball access. The deal runs through 2033, according to an Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences press release shared by The Hollywood Reporter. ABC will continue to broadcast the Oscars through the 100th edition of the show in 2028. Earlier this year, YouTube was rumored to be looking into acquiring the rights to the Oscars. "This


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