jeudi 2 mars 2023

Here are the best Kindle deals right now

The Kindle Paperwhite lying on a bunch of physical books while turned on. — *The 2021 Kindle Paperwhite Kids is on sale at Amazon and Best Buy starting at just $104.99.* | Photo by Chaim Gartenberg / The Verge

When it comes to finding a device to use to read your ebooks, you have a few options to choose from. You can always buy a tablet or use your phone, but those devices are multipurpose and can be used for a ton of things, like surfing the web or doom-scrolling on Twitter. If you are looking for something to strictly read books, e-readers, while niche, are designed to store all of your books in a virtual library with limited functionality.

Amazon, one of the pioneers of the e-reader, has dominated the space for years with its ever-expanding Kindle lineup, which consists of several unique models with their own pros and cons. The bulk of the devices function as simple ebook readers; however, with the Kindle Scribe, Amazon looks to be moving beyond books and into the realm of writing — something that should make future Kindles function more akin to physical paper.

Below, we’ve listed each model currently available. Sometimes, there isn’t a deal for one or any of the products, but we’ve mentioned the most recent sale price in those instances. Also, keep in mind that Amazon offers 20 percent off all of its Kindles when you trade in select devices, as well as $20 off when you purchase two (at least in some cases), so there are still other ways to save money when none of the models are available at a discount.

Best Kindle deals 2023

The best Kindle (2022) deals

In case you missed it, Amazon announced a new entry-level Kindle last year, one that’s designed to replace the 2019 model. The latest Kindle — which starts at $99.99 — puts Amazon’s base e-reader more in line with the most recent Kindle Paperwhite, providing a number of quality-of-life improvements in the process. The new model features longer battery life, a 300ppi screen, and now charges via USB-C instead of Micro USB. It also touts 16GB of storage by default and comes in a new “denim” color, which resembles the soft blue you might associate with jeans.

Although the new Kindle recently dropped to $74.99 in the run-up to Valentine’s Day, it’s currently only available at retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Target with ads and up to four months of Kindle Unlimited for $99.99, its standard retail price. It’s also available in its ad-free configuration at Amazon for $119.99 or with a power adapter and a fabric cover starting at $149.97, neither option of which is discounted. Regardless of whether you choose the standalone model or the bundle, however, the new Kindle remains a worthwhile option if you’re looking to pick up an e-reader for $40 less than the current price of the latest Paperwhite.

The best Kindle Kids (2022) deals

The new base Kindle wasn’t the only e-reader Amazon introduced in September. The new entry-level model has arrived alongside a new Kindle Kids, which is identical to the standard model but comes with a handful of accessories and provides age-appropriate content for younger readers who prefer digital books. Like the last-gen Kindle Kids, the new model retails for $20 more than the base model, bringing the MSRP to $119.99.

In terms of add-ons, the new Kindle Kids edition consists of four items: the device, a case, a two-year extended replacement guarantee (in the event the device breaks), and one year of Amazon Kids Plus. The latter is the biggest selling point of the device aside from the kid-friendly patterns, as it allows parents to grant their child access to a digital library of kid-friendly books like Percy Jackson and the entire Harry Potter series at no additional cost.

On the discount front, we recently saw the 2022 Kindle Kids drop to $84.99 ($30 off), which remains the e-reader’s all-time low. Right now, however, it’s only available at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target for its full retail price of $119.99.

*The Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is identical to the standard model but features wireless charging and a sensor to automatically adjust the backlight.*

The best Kindle Paperwhite (2021) deals

Amazon’s latest Kindle Paperwhite is its 11th-gen model, which comes with USB-C support, longer battery life, and a larger 6.8-inch display. The e-reader launched more than a year ago, and it's starting to receive steep discounts at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. That said, you can also still occasionally pick up the last-gen model from 2018 at a discount.

The 2021 Kindle Paperwhite comes in three main configurations: an 8GB model with ads for $139.99, an 8GB model without ads for $159.99, and a 32GB ad-free Signature Edition for $189.99. The latter is identical to the standard Paperwhite except it also features Qi wireless charging and a sensor that will automatically adjust the backlight when needed. Amazon has also rolled out a Kindle Paperwhite Kids Edition for $159.99, which comes bundled with a kid-friendly cover, a two-year extended replacement guarantee, and a year of Amazon Kids Plus, much like the aforementioned Kindle Kids. All 2021 models are also similar to the 2018 model in that they feature a waterproof design and Audible audiobook support.

Amazon’s latest Paperwhite recently dropped to an all-time low of $104.99 in the run-up to Valentine’s Day. As of right now, though, the e-reader is only available in the ad-supported configuration at Amazon, Target, and Best Buy starting at $139.99, or in its ad-free variant at Amazon starting at $159.99.

As for bundles, Amazon is offering the base Paperwhite from 2021 as part of a package that contains a power adapter and your choice of a fabric cover for $169.97, a leather cover for $179.97, or a “cork” cover for $189.97, all of which are $20 off.

As for the 32GB ad-free Signature Edition, it’s available at Amazon and Best Buy right now for its full retail price of $189.99, or about $60 more than the e-reader’s all-time low. If you prefer a bundle, Amazon is currently selling it in three configurations: one with a cork cover and a wireless charging dock starting at $239.97 ($20 off), one with a fabric cover and a wireless charging dock starting at $219.97 ($20 off), and one with a leather cover and a wireless charging dock starting at $229.97 ($20 off).

Lastly, if you’re looking for the Kindle Paperwhite Kids Edition, it’s available at Amazon and Best Buy starting at $159.99, which is the e-reader’s standard retail price and $55 more than its most recent low. If want to outfit your child with additional storage, the 16GB model is also available at Best Buy, Amazon, and Target for $169.99 (its full retail price).

The best Kindle Oasis (2019) deals

The Kindle Oasis is the most expensive of the lineup, starting at $250. The device comes in two storage configurations, 8GB or 32GB, and like the other models, you can get it with or without ads on the lock screen.

The 2019 Kindle Oasis looks very similar to the previous model. It retains its waterproof 7-inch 300ppi E Ink display and supports Audible audiobooks via Bluetooth. However, unlike previous models, it can adjust the color temperature to a yellow-toned display, making it easier to read at night.

In the past, we’ve seen the 8GB Kindle Oasis drop to as low as $174.99, which remains the lowest price to date for the standalone configuration. Unfortunately, the ad-supported Oasis is only retailing at Amazon and Best Buy right now starting at $249.99. If you prefer the model without ads, you can pick it up on Amazon for $269.99 with three months of Kindle Unlimited. Lastly, if you need additional storage, the 32GB model is available on Amazon with ads for $279.99 or for $299.99 without.

As for bundles, the 8GB Kindle Oasis is currently on sale in its ad-supported configuration at Amazon with a power adapter and a fabric cover for $279.97, a leather cover for $289.97, or a “premium” leather cover for $304.97, all of which are $30 off.

The best Kindle Scribe deals

The ad-free Kindle Scribe is Amazon’s biggest e-reader to date — one that also represents a departure from past Kindle models. It packs a 10.2-inch display with 300 dpi, along with the same great battery life for which Kindles have become known. What separates the Scribe from other models, however, is that it comes with one of two styli, which can be used to annotate books, doodle, or jot down notes. We found the e-reader’s note-taking capabilities lacking in our testing, but Amazon has already started to improve the software via free OTA software updates, helping bring it up to speed with other E Ink competitors.

Although we recently saw the Kindle Scribe drop to $194.99, the 16GB base model is currently only available at Amazon and Best Buy with up to four months of Kindle Unlimited and a Basic Pen starting at $339.99, its typical retail price. The 16GB base model with the Basic Pen is also available on Amazon bundled with a fabric cover and a power adapter for $379.97 or with a leather cover and a power adapter for $399.97, both of which are $40 off.

Samsung’s new foldable hinge might look nicer, but it probably won’t have a longer life span

Galaxy Z Fold 4 folded in half on a desk with hinge facing outward. — *The Galaxy Z Fold 4’s U-shaped hinge might make way for a new shape this year.* | Photo by Allison Johnson / The Verge

We have good reason to believe that Samsung will put a new kind of hinge in its next flagship foldable, and a South Korean trade publication has just supplied more confirmation. Spotted by 9to5Google, The Elec reports that Samsung has started reliability testing a new water drop-style hinge for the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 5.

The new hinge design would make the folded phone thinner and help reduce the appearance of a crease with the main screen unfolded. But according to this report, Samsung is testing the hinge to withstand 200,000 folds like the last one, which falls short of longevity claims from recent competitors like the Honor Magic VS and Oppo Find N2 — both rated to 400,000 folds.

The Elec’s report does mention that the hinge would be tested to a maximum “limit” of 300,000 folds, but 200,000 folds seems to be the main bar that this design needs to clear. After folding 200,000 times (which takes four to five days!), the hinge needs to maintain at least 85 percent of its original strength. That test, in theory, represents about five years of daily use if you open the phone a little more than 100 times per day. The Magic VS and Find N2, on the other hand, would last for around 10 years, which is roughly an eternity in consumer electronics years.

An image showing the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 in an unfolded state — *The Z Fold 4’s hinge design leaves a noticeable crease in the main display — hard to see straight-on, but it’s visible at an angle.*

In fairness to Samsung, the Z Flip 4 and Z Fold 4 boast IPX8 water resistance ratings — neither the Find N2 nor Magic VS has an IP rating of any kind. If you drop your non-water-resistant foldable phone in a puddle two years into ownership, it’s not much comfort knowing that it would have kept folding for another eight years.

Still, we’re hoping to see Samsung pushing the limits of its folding devices a little further this year. It’s been basically running unopposed for Foldable of the Year the past couple of years in the US, where competition is scarce. With more candidates (hopefully) in the mix this year, it would be nice if Samsung felt a little more pressure to innovate — we’ll just keep our fingers crossed for bigger cover screens and better cameras.

Best podcasts of the week: Words of wisdom from Michelle Obama and her famous friends

In this week’s newsletter: Personal stories and platitudes abound in the former first lady’s The Light We Carry podcast. Plus: five of the best shows to help you organise your life

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Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast
Audible, all episodes out on Tuesday
We could all do with some of the formidable former first lady’s words of wisdom being fed into our ears from time to time. These eight recordings of conversations Michelle Obama conducted as part of her most recent book tour for The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times provide exactly that. Speaking to the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King, she serves personal stories to learn from and on-brand platitudes to live by.
Hollie Richardson

Fujifilm announces the new Instax Mini 12 instant camera

White, purple, pink, blue, and green Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 instant cameras against a white background. — *The Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 comes in a variety of colors.* | Image: Fujifilm

Fujifilm has announced the newest instant camera in its Instax Mini lineup: the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12. The Instax Mini 12 is a new iteration of the Instax Mini 11 — our current top instant camera pick — and will be available around mid-March for $79.95.

Save for a few minor feature and design updates, the Instax Mini 11 and Instax Mini 12 look identical. However, the lens structure is the most notable change. You can now, for instance, twist the lens to enter the Close-Up Mode instead of pushing a button, much as you would a traditional point-and-shoot. I’ve only just started testing the camera, but based on my first impression, this makes zooming in just a little more fun and intuitive as a result.

You can also now power the instant camera on and off by simply twisting the lens to clearly labeled “on” and “off” settings. Previously, you had to click a button on the side to turn the camera on and pop the lens out and then push it back to turn the camera off. That’s not exactly intuitive, and I imagine that, combined with the lack of clear “on” and “off” labels, may have made it a little harder for kids to use the Instax Mini 11.

Still, while I like the fact that it’s now more intuitive to turn off the camera, I prefer using the Instax Mini 11’s button to turn it on. That’s because the Close-Up mode is close to the “on” and “off” settings. This makes it easy to accidentally turn the Instax Mini 12 off, which I did while trying to switch the lens to Close-Up Mode. It’s possible, though, things will improve after I test the camera more and adjust to the change.

Fujifilm’s also made some changes to the flash that are worth pointing out. Though, unfortunately, you still can’t turn the flash off, Fujifilm says the new automatic flash control should better optimize image quality in bright and low light environments. I’ll have to do further testing to see if that claim holds true, but I hope it is since that was one of my main issues with its otherwise excellent predecessor.

A green Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 instant camera against a white background. — *The new green Fujifilm Instax Mini 12*

Finally, as mentioned before, the Instax Mini 12 features a few design changes. Most noticeably, the body is more rectangular than square, though with the same rounded edges as its predecessor. It also lacks the Instax Mini 11’s curved side and is less wide, which makes holding it while taking photos easier. In addition, Fujifilm’s swapped out the black colorway with a new and fun mint green shade that may appeal more to the younger crowd.

In addition to the Instax Mini 12, Fujifilm has announced the launch of a new free downloadable INSTAX UP! smartphone app that will be released soon. Users can digitally scan, import, organize, and store their pictures in the app no matter which Instax print or camera they own, which means Instax Mini 12 users will also be able to use it.

I’ll soon be updating our instant camera guide after I finish testing the Instax Mini 12 and will add my thoughts about how it stacks up against rivals from Polaroid and Kodak, so stay tuned.

‘They’re more concerned about profit’: Osha, DoJ take on Amazon’s grueling working conditions

The federal workplace safety agency has issued citations against the company at multiple warehouses for various violations

The US’s top workplace safety regulator and the justice department are pressuring Amazon to explain safety practices that have led to injury rates for warehouse workers that are on average close to twice as high as the company’s competitors and in one case five times higher.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Osha) issued citations against Amazon at six warehouses in December 2022, January 2023 and February 2023 over unsafe working conditions, ergonomic hazards and failure to properly report injuries.

Ebay parcel was lost, but the courier can’t trace it

Using the platform to book an Evri delivery signs sellers up to Packlink

Before Christmas my husband used eBay to sell two toys, and went on the site to book the parcels firm Evri to deliver them. The problem is that they didn’t arrive. In the past we have been able to claim whenever a parcel got lost but not this time.

We have tried logging on via the website, chat, or the customer service phone line but to no avail. Whenever we give Evri the tracking number of our parcels, the company says they cannot be found and to follow “our protocols” for lost parcels.

mercredi 1 mars 2023

‘The internet’s sewer’: why Turkey blocked its most popular social site

Chaotic free speech on Ekşi Sözlük finally proved too much after devastating earthquakes hit country

Launched on the eve of the millennium, Turkey’s most popular homegrown social media website has weathered lawsuits, criticism from the highest levels of government and even death threats directed at one of its founders. A simple editable online dictionary turned national obsession, Ekşi Sözlük has for more than two decades spurred its own biting form of social satire while providing a rare haven for free expression on the Turkish internet.

But this year’s earthquakes that upended life across Turkey may prove to be the death knell for Ekşi Sözlük, which was abruptly blocked across the country in the weeks after the earthquakes first struck, without proper explanation.

TikTok will limit teens to 60 minutes screen time a day (but you can turn the limit off)

TikTok will also soon roll out similar features available to all users to allow for better screen time management. | Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge

TikTok has announced a batch of new features intended to reduce screen time and improve the well-being of its younger users.

In the coming weeks, a daily screen time limit of 60 minutes will be automatically applied to every TikTok user under 18 years old. Teens that hit this limit will be asked to enter a passcode to continue watching. They can disable the feature entirely, but if they do so and spend more than 100 minutes on TikTok a day, they’ll be asked to set a new limit.

TikTok claims these prompts increased the use of its screen time management tools by 234 percent during the feature’s first month of testing. Teens will also be sent an inbox notification each week that recaps their screen time, allowing younger users to be aware of how much time they spend on the app and requiring that they make active decisions to extend the recommended screen time.

TikTok says it consulted current academic research and experts from the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital when deciding how long the time restriction should be.

“While there’s no collectively-endorsed position on how much screen time is ‘too much’, or even the impact of screen time more broadly, we recognize that teens typically require extra support as they start to explore the online world independently,” said Cormac Keenan, Head of Trust and Safety at TikTok, in a statement.

The 60 minute time limit will also apply to children under the age of 13 using the “TikTok for Younger Users” limited app experience. In this instance, a parent or guardian will need to set or enter an existing passcode to enable 30 minutes of additional watch time on the account if the screen time limit is reached.

Four new features are also being added to Family Pairing, TikTok’s customizable parental controls that allow a parent or guardian to link their TikTok account to a younger user’s account. Custom limits can be applied, allowing restrictions to be adjusted based on what day of the week it is (or more widely extended over school holidays).

Family Pairing will also grant access to TikTok’s screen time dashboard that summarizes how much time a child has spent on the app, how often it was opened, and a breakdown detailing how much time was spent during the day and night. A new “Mute Notifications” setting will soon allow parents to set a schedule to mute app notifications on their children’s accounts. Push notifications are already muted automatically from 9PM for users between 13 and 15 years old, while 16-17 year-olds have push notifications disabled from 10PM.

Finally, TikTok says it’s developing new content controls that will allow caregivers to filter videos with words or hashtags they don’t want their children to watch. The company is working with “parenting, youth, and civil society organizations” over the coming weeks to design the feature.

Outside of Family Pairing, TikTok said some of these settings will be available widely to all accounts “soon,” allowing any user to schedule mute notifications and set customized screen time limits for each day of the week. A sleep reminder is also being introduced that allows users to set a time to be reminded to close the app and go to bed.

TikTok has not said when exactly the new features announced today will roll out to users. We’ve reached out to TikTok to request a release timeline, and will update this story should we hear back.

Metroid Prime was astonishingly ahead of its time. I can’t put it down

Unlike a lot of throwbacks, a new remastered version of the 3D space adventure plays even better than it did two decades ago. Plus, your gaming questions answered

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Welcome back to Pushing Buttons! First up – last week’s newsletter had a few errors in it. Most obviously, I referred to the Meta Quest 2 headset as the now-discontinued Oculus Go (even though I’d just been playing with the Quest 2, to compare it with PSVR2 – nice job, brain). I also gave some incorrect pricing info. A corrected version is on the Guardian site. Apologies for the mistakes.

I wrote a few weeks ago about how bringing games back from the 1990s can be a difficult exercise, given how technologically hamstrung developers were in the early 3D era. Replaying games from that period today requires a kind eye and a willingness to accept compromising quirks. But sometimes, you play a game from a decades ago and think, this might actually hit better now. Metroid Prime Remastered is one of those games. I’ve been unable to play anything else for weeks, since I downloaded it on a whim after February’s Nintendo Direct. This game was astonishingly ahead of its time. In fact, I didn’t appreciate it in 2003, when I was a teenager, as much as I do now.

The next big Olympics esports competition will feature chess and Just Dance

SPAIN-IRAN-WOMEN-PROTEST-CHESS — Image: CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP via Getty Images

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is taking its next steps into esports competitions, and it’s adding chess and Just Dance to the mix.

In June, the IOC will host Olympic Esports Week, which expands upon the Olympic Virtual Series it put on in 2021 with some new events. Like the Olympic Virtual Series, Olympic Esports Week will focus on virtual representations of physical activities. While that means you won’t see any Overwatch 2 gold medalists, the IOC is adding some entries to the lineup that adhere less to the traditional concept of “sport.”

New for Olympic Esports Week are archery, tennis, tae kwon do, Just Dance (Ubisoft’s hit dancing franchise), and chess, which will sit alongside returning competitions in motorsport (via Gran Turismo), cycling, baseball, and sailing. Chess, to me, feels particularly notable given how huge it has become on Twitch, and I think there could be a huge draw to watching the fight for the first Olympic esports chess champion.

Olympic Esports Week technically kicks off today, March 1st, with initial qualifiers. The competitions will conclude with an in-person event that’s set to take place in Singapore from June 22nd to 25th.

New mobile puck will allow smartphones to send texts via satellite

Low-cost device launched to solve mobile blackspots with SOS and two-way texting for Android and iPhone

The Defy Satellite link gives any Android or iPhone an instant upgrade with the ability to send and receive text messages via satellite, solving the problem of mobile dead zones for emergencies and wilderness adventures.

Announced ahead of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and produced by the British phone manufacturer Bullitt under the Motorola brand, the Satellite link connects to a normal smartphone via Bluetooth and uses an app to send not only SOS messages but general two-way chat via texts.

mardi 28 février 2023

‘We’re not taking care of it’: why film preservation should be prioritized

A new documentary acts as a cautionary tale urging us to be more aware of how we store and preserve what we film and watch

There’s a widely taken-for-granted consensus that in film lies immortality; in Damien Chazelle’s recent drama Babylon, a Tinseltown gossip columnist waxes rhapsodic about how actors captured on celluloid effectively live forever in posterity, her general sentiment reiterated in higher-minded terms by reams of film theory scholarship. Advertising lingo rebranded cherished memories as “Kodak moments” in response to our species’ innate desire to freeze a fleeting unit of time as a physical quantity we can revisit over and over at our leisure. This line of thinking is understandable, seeing as anyone can click over to the internet and watch 100-year-old footage of working-class daily life. But Inés Toharia needs everyone to know that it’s also fundamentally mistaken.

“We’re going so fast as a society that we don’t always realize what we’re leaving behind,” she tells the Guardian from her home in Spain. “We should pause to think about saving our digital materials, because they don’t last forever. And a lot of video today isn’t even meant to last, things like security camera footage, a lot of what’s on YouTube. We’re producing more than ever, but we’re not taking care of it. A friend shows me a video of their kid taking their first steps, I think, ‘Oh, that’s not going to last.’”

¿Cómo usa Twitter Elon Musk?

¿Cómo usa Twitter Elon Musk? Elon Musk suele decir que Twitter debe ser una plataforma más abierta en la que haya una gran diversidad de voces y puntos de vista pero, a menudo, su cronología se centra en memes, respuestas a los elogios que le escriben y controversias.

US Marshals Service Breached by Ransomware Attack

U.S. Marshals Service spokesperson Drew Wade said in comments to news outlets on Feb. 27 that the agency received a ransomware demand and found a data exfiltration event that affected the agency's stand-alone computer system. The post US Marshals Service Breached by Ransomware Attack appeared first on TechNewsWorld.

Twitter’s decentralized alternative Bluesky arrives as an invite-only iOS app

An image showing three side-by-side screengrabs of Bluesky on mobile — Image: Bluesky

Bluesky, the decentralized project that originated within Twitter, has arrived on the Apple App Store as an invite-only social network, as first reported by TechCrunch. The listing also gives us one of our very first glimpses at the app, which closely resembles Twitter down to the timeline and profile pages.

The project’s backed by Jack Dorsey, the co-founder and former CEO of Twitter, and has been working on an app powered by its open-source social protocol for months now, called the Authenticated Transfer Protocol, or “AT Protocol” for short. Bluesky describes it as a “federated social network” where separate networks exist within a single hub.

According to Bluesky, AT Protocol is built based on four main ideals: account portability; algorithmic; performance; and interoperability. This framework is supposed to allow you to easily transfer your account data to another Bluesky provider as well as give you more control over what you see on a network, among other things.

While Bluesky initially made the app available in a private beta for developers in October, it appears the company’s willing to expand the test just a bit more now that it’s on the App Store. The website doesn’t offer any details about when the app could become available to the general public or how many testers are allowed to use the app, but it lets users join a waitlist for access.

The project’s origins within Twitter raised concerns about what would become of Bluesky following Elon Musk’s takeover, as it relied on the social network for funding. However, last year, Bluesky spun off as a separate company, noting that “independence is important to the success of the project,” and added Dorsey to its board.

Judging by the screenshots posted on the App Store and the ones included in TechCrunch’s article as part of a hands-on experience, Bluesky looks promising so far, featuring separate tabs for home, search, and notifications in addition to a Twitter-like “repost” ability. We don’t know when (or if) Bluesky will come to Android, but I sure hope it does. With more Twitter alternatives like Bluesky, Mastodon, and Hive gaining traction, it almost feels like the golden age of social networks again.

Aventon Abound is an electric cargo bike with a lot of flexibility — and a great price

Aventon Abound electric cargo bike — Image: Aventon

Aventon announced a new electric cargo bike, the Abound, which the California-based company describes as “an efficient alternative to driving a car around town.” With a 750-watt motor, a variety of accessories, and a total weight rating of 440 lbs, the Abound is designed to be a versatile, safe, and affordable mobility option for anyone looking to do less driving in their life.

Aventon is mostly known for its fat-tired, adventure-themed road bikes, so a cargo bike was never a guaranteed addition to the company’s lineup. That said, Aventon brought a lot of the same attention to detail to the Abound as it did with previous models, which should help give the bike a bit of a leg-up compared to other low-cost models.

How low cost as we talking? Aventon says the suggest price for the Abound is $2,199, putting on par (if not slightly more expensive) with competitor cargo bikes like Rad Power Bikes’ RadWagon and Lectric’s newly released Xpedition. That should help spark interest among consumers who are looking to supplant car trips with a more sustainable mode of transportation, but don’t want to take out a second mortgage on the house in the process.

The Abound may be low priced compared to many of cargo bikes from legacy manufacturers, but it doesn’t skimp on features. A powerful 750W, rear-hub motor will propel the bike to a max speed of 20 mph (32km/h). There are four assist levels — Eco, Tour, Sport, and Turbo — and torque sensors deliver power nearly as soon as you start pedaling. And when you’re stuck at a dead stop with extra cargo weighing you down, there’s a thumb throttle to help get you started moving.

The removable 720Wh battery (48V / 15Ah) is rated up to 50 miles of range, but that will depend on how much assist you’re using. Like cruising around in the top Turbo mode? You should expect to get less range out of the Abound’s battery if that’s the case.

One of the features that makes Aventon bikes stand out from the rest of the pack is the inclusion of color displays, where you can see important information like speed, mileage, and battery percentages. Most budget e-bikes skimp in this area by offering only the most basic displays, but Aventon likes to splurge on the color LCD, and it’s hard to fault them for it when the price is so nice. Aventon also has its own smartphone app which can be linked to the bike via Bluetooth, for a more thorough breakdown of your bike’s performance.

Another surprising feature you’ll find on this bike are working turn signals in the integrated rear tail light. That certainly comes in handy when communicating your intentions to mostly clueless car drivers who often chafe at sharing the road with cyclists.

In fact, there are a host of top-shelf features to be found on this bike, which again, and I can’t stress this enough, is pretty rare on a bike in this price segment. These include adjustable front suspension, a nice dropper seat, hydraulic disc brakes of extra stopping power, and a 7-speed transmission.

Of course, all those features add up — literally. The Abound is a heavy bike, weighing in at 81 lbs without any accessories. Add a childseat, or rear rack railings, and those pounds will add up. The front handlebar folds down, for extra storage flexibility, but ultimately this is not a bike you want to be caught carrying up (or down) any stairs if you can avoid it.

Speaking of accessories, Aventon offers a lot to help you configure your ride to your specific needs. There’s a front and rear baskets, a rear seat pad for kids or adult passengers, pannier bags, a center compartment for extra storage, and options for a trailer. Of course, adding any of things to your bike will cause that suggested retail price to go up, so keep all that in mind when shopping.

But of course, a fully kitted cargo e-bike should not be compared to traditional bikes, or even other e-bikes, but rather to the car that you’re probably hoping to replace. E-bikes are always a better value proposition, in addition to being better for the environment and all around more fun to ride. Don’t take my word on it: just ask any kid who’s had the pleasure of riding with a parent or caregiver, and they’ll tell you just how much better it is seeing the world from the back of a bike than from a car.

Yes, we have no tomatoes: Why shelves are emptying in UK stores

From fresh produce to medicines and computer chips, a cocktail of problems is playing havoc with supply chains

Early on Saturday morning, as Paul Crane, a trader at London’s renowned Borough market, was arranging blood oranges from Valencia on his stall, he admitted that his industry is facing some of the toughest conditions in a quarter of a century.

The wholesale price of tomatoes, peppers and aubergines has quadrupled, and English cauliflowers are up too. Some stallholders are not even selling vine tomatoes because they are just too expensive.

lundi 27 février 2023

Will future computers run on human brain cells?

Will future computers run on human brain cells? A "biocomputer" powered by human brain cells could be developed within our lifetime, according to Johns Hopkins University researchers who expect such technology to exponentially expand the capabilities of modern computing and create novel fields of study.

‘Scanners are complicated’: why Gen Z faces workplace ‘tech shame’

They may be digital natives, but young workers were raised on user-friendly apps – and office devices are far less intuitive

Garrett Bemiller, a 25-year-old New Yorker, has spent his entire life online. He grew up in front of screens, swiping from one app to the next. But there’s one skill set Bemiller admits he’s less comfortable with: the humble office printer.

“Things like scanners and copy machines are complicated,” says Bemiller, who works as a publicist. The first time he had to copy something in the office didn’t exactly go well. “It kept coming out as a blank page, and took me a couple times to realize that I had to place the paper upside-down in the machine for it to work.”

Meta backs new tool for removing sexual images of minors posted online

Somone holding a mobile phone while using The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s Take It Down tool. — Image: The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has announced a new platform designed to help remove sexually explicit images of minors from the internet. Meta revealed in a blog post that it had provided initial funding to create the NCMEC’s free-to-use “Take It Down” tool, which allows users to anonymously report and remove “nude, partially nude, or sexually explicit images or videos” of underage individuals found on participating platforms and block the offending content from being shared again.

Facebook and Instagram have signed on to integrate the platform, as have OnlyFans, Pornhub, and Yubo. Take It Down is designed for minors to self-report images and videos of themselves; however, adults who appeared in such content when they were under the age of 18 can also use the service to report and remove it. Parents or other trusted adults can make a report on behalf of a child, too.

The past doesn’t have to define your future.

You can’t go back and unsend, but we can help remove your explicit images online so you can move forward.
Learn more: https://t.co/2QBSv9DqFV #SafeChildhood #NCMECTakeItDown pic.twitter.com/M528DDe9cm
— National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (@MissingKids) February 27, 2023

An FAQ for Take It Down states that users must have the reported image or video on their device to use the service. This content isn’t submitted as part of the reporting process and, as such, remains private. Instead, the content is used to generate a hash value, a unique digital fingerprint assigned to each image and video that can then be provided to participating platforms to detect and remove it across their websites and apps, while minimizing the number of people who see the actual content.

“We created this system because many children are facing these desperate situations,” said Michelle DeLaune, president and CEO of NCMEC. “Our hope is that children become aware of this service, and they feel a sense of relief that tools exist to help take the images down. NCMEC is here to help.”

The Take It Down service is comparable to StopNCII, a service launched in 2021 that aims to prevent the nonconsensual sharing of images for those over the age of 18. StopNCII similarly uses hash values to detect and remove explicit content across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Bumble.

In addition to announcing its collaboration with NCMEC in November last year, Meta rolled out new privacy features for Instagram and Facebook that aim to protect minors using the platforms. These include prompting teens to report accounts after they block suspicious adults, removing the message button on teens’ Instagram accounts when they’re viewed by adults with a history of being blocked, and applying stricter privacy settings by default for Facebook users under 16 (or 18 in certain countries).

Other platforms participating in the program have taken steps to prevent and remove explicit content depicting minors. Yubo, a French social networking app, has deployed a range of AI and human-operated moderation tools that can detect sexual material depicting minors, while Pornhub allows individuals to directly issue a takedown request for illegal or nonconsensual content published on its platform.

All five of the participating platforms have been previously criticized for failing to protect minors from sexual exploitation. A BBC News report from 2021 found children could easily bypass OnlyFans’ age verification systems, while Pornhub was sued by 34 victims of sexual exploitation the same year, alleging that the site knowingly profited from videos depicting rape, child sexual exploitation, trafficking, and other nonconsensual sexual content. Yubo — described as “Tinder for teens” — has been used by predators to contact and rape underage users, and the NCMEC estimated last year that Meta’s plan to apply end-to-end encryption to its platforms could effectively conceal 70 percent of the child sexual abuse material currently detected and reported on its platform.

“When tech companies implement end-to-end encryption, with no preventive measures built in to detect known child sexual abuse material, the impact on child safety is devastating,” said DeLaune to the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this month.

A press release for Take It Down mentions that participating platforms can use the provided hash values to detect and remove images across “public or unencrypted sites and apps,” but it isn’t clear if this extends to Meta’s use of end-to-end encryption across services like Messenger. We have reached out to Meta for confirmation and will update this story should we hear back.

As Oil Companies Stay Lean, Workers Move to Renewable Energy

As Oil Companies Stay Lean, Workers Move to Renewable Energy Solar, wind, geothermal, battery and other alternative-energy businesses are adding workers from fossil fuel companies, where employment has fallen.

Google Keep is getting a much more capable Android widget

Illustration: The Verge

Google is introducing a new widget for its notes and lists app Keep, which will let you put a single interactive note on your home screen. With it, you’ll be able to check items off a list, which could be handy for a to-do or grocery list.

While you can force one of Keep’s current widgets to show just a single note using the tags system, doing so isn’t as simple as just selecting one to display on your home screen. Plus, Keep’s existing widgets don’t have the level of interactivity that Google’s promising with its new widget; if you try to mark off checkboxes, it’ll just open the app instead of actually checking it off like the single note widget will.

Gif showing the process of adding and using the single note widget. — *The new Keep single note widget will let you keep a checklist on your homescreen.*

Of course, many dedicated task list apps have let you manage tasks using a widget. However, it’s nice to see that Google’s paying some attention to Keep and adding what feels like an obvious feature to it.

Google also says there are new Keep complications coming for Wear OS 3 and up, which will act as shortcuts to creating notes and to-do lists.

The company hasn’t said exactly when these features will roll out, just that it’ll be “soon,” so keep (ha) your eyes out for them.

OnePlus new concept phone is its coolest yet

Rear of OnePlus 11 Concept device — *Those glowing blue lines on the back aren’t (just) for show.* | Photo by Jon Porter / The Verge

OnePlus’ latest concept phone is all about keeping cool. The company showed off the OnePlus 11 Concept device at MWC Barcelona, which features glowing blue pipelines on its back to represent the cooling liquid of its “Active CryoFlux” cooling technology.

Yes, it’s designed to look flashy, but OnePlus argues the cooling system serves an important practical purpose. By keeping the phone cooler under load, the company claims you can get better performance from games, and faster charging speeds. All without the need for the “size, weight, and noise” of a physically spinning fan like we’ve seen from the likes of Nubia or in smartphone cooling accessories from Razer or Asus.

Two quoted performance benefits include a 2.1 degree Celcius (around 35.8 degrees Fahrenheit) drop in temperature during gaming, which OnePlus claims could result in a performance uplift of between 3 and 4 frames per second, or, during charging, the Active CryoFlux system could reduce temperatures by 1.6 degrees Celcius (around 34.9 degrees Fahrenheit), leading to an increase charging speeds by 30 to 45 seconds.

OnePlus 11 Concept from the rear. — *The device didn’t feel significantly thicker or heavier than normal OnePlus phones.*

Close up of OnePlus 11 Concept camera bump. — *There’s also a blue halo around the phone’s camera bump.*

Unfortunately, none of these performance benefits were on display with the OnePlus 11 Concept devices the company was showing off during its MWC demonstration, so we’ll have to take the company’s word on the practical benefits. They sure look pretty, though.

OnePlus says an “industrial-grade piezoelectric ceramic micropump” pushes liquid throughout the device’s pipelines, and that takes up less than 0.2cm² of space. Despite the cooling system, the phone didn’t feel especially thick or heavy in the hand, although it’s unclear if other internal components were made smaller to make space for the cooling system.

Unfortunately it’s not clear when, or indeed if, the Active CryoFlux cooling system might make it into a consumer device. OnePlus has revealed similar concept devices before, including one with a color-changing back and another with disappearing cameras, and we’re yet to see either technology released out into the world. It’d be a shame if the OnePlus 11 Concept was consigned to the same fate.

How ChatGPT mangled the language of heaven | Letter

Asked to generate a story from an English translation of a letter in Welsh published in the Guardian, the AI chatbot came up with a lot of twaddle, reports Fiona Collins

Ian Watson (Letters, 17 February) asks for a translation of my letter in Welsh (13 February). I did include an English translation in my letter, but only the Welsh was published. I sent a second letter asking the Guardian to publish the translation, as I was having a lot of stick from a certain friend who couldn’t read it, but with no luck. Hopefully Ian’s letter will change the letters editor’s mind.

The English version was as follows: “Thank you very much for the excellent editorial article which sang the praises of the Welsh language … Since you are now so enthusiastic about Welsh, may I, from now on, write to you in the language of heaven?”

dimanche 26 février 2023

Ebay parcel was lost, but the courier can’t trace it

Using the platform to book an Evri delivery signs sellers up to Packlink

Crochet enthusiasts asked ChatGPT for patterns. The results are ‘cursed’

The widely popular chatbot is churning out uncanny animal designs and we tried one for a ‘hilarious’ outcome

The meteoric rise of ChatGPT has sparked an artificial intelligence frenzy, stoking fears that the technology could upend jobs, search engines and schools. But online creators have identified one realm yet safe from the computer takeover: fiber arts.

A number of TikTok users have deployed ChatGPT to write patterns for crochet creations, yielding “cursed” results that are testing the boundaries of nascent artificial intelligence capabilities.

Phoenix Community Capital case shines light on UK’s lobbying problem

Interest groups have poured about £250,000 into all-party parliamentary groups in past five years

• Crypto firm with links to parliamentary groups appears to have vanished

For more than a decade, those worried about the reputation of parliament have warned that all-party parliamentary groups (APPGs) can be a problem.

Their supporters say they are a place for like-minded parliamentarians to discuss topics of special interest. But despite their unofficial nature, and with no formal role in the legislative process, APPGs can be a magnet for those who want to get close to MPs and peers – or to pretend that they are for the sake of polishing their reputations.

Does gene editing hold the key to improving mental health?

Research suggests traumatic childhood experiences embed themselves in our brains and put us at risk of mental illness, but epigenetic editing may offer us hope of removing them

The way depression manifested itself in mice in the laboratory of the psychiatrist and neuroscientist Eric Nestler was hauntingly relatable. When put in an enclosure with an unknown mouse, they sat in the corner and showed little interest. When presented with the treat of a sugary drink, they hardly seemed to notice. And when put into water, they did not swim – they just lay there, drifting about.

These mice had been exposed to “social defeat stress”, meaning that older, bigger mice had repeatedly asserted their dominance over them. It is a protocol designed to induce depression in mice, but in Nestler’s lab, it affected some more than others: those with a history of early trauma.

Why Do A.I. Chatbots Tell Lies and Act Weird? Look in the Mirror.

Why Do A.I. Chatbots Tell Lies and Act Weird? Look in the Mirror. One of the pioneers of artificial intelligence argues that chatbots are often prodded into producing strange results by the people who are using them.

European Commission bans staff using TikTok on work devices over security fears

Parent company, ByteDance, says action is ‘misguided’ and has contacted commission to ‘set the record straight’

The EU’s executive body has banned its thousands of staff from using TikTok over cybersecurity concerns, a decision the Chinese-owned social video app has criticised as “misguided” and based on “fundamental misconceptions”.

The European Commission sent an email to employees ordering them to delete the app from all work phones and devices, and any personally owned ones that use the commission’s apps and email. Employees have until 15 March to comply.

samedi 25 février 2023

Yes, we have no tomatoes: Why shelves are emptying in UK stores

From fresh produce to medicines and computer chips, a cocktail of problems is playing havoc with supply chains

The wholesale price of tomatoes, peppers and aubergines has quadrupled, and English cauliflowers are up too. Some stallholders are not even selling vine tomatoes because they are just too expensive.

Nokia launches DIY repairable budget Android phone

Nokia G22 has removable back and standard screws allowing battery swap in less than five minutes at home

Nokia has announced one of the first budget Android smartphones designed to be repaired at home allowing users to swap out the battery in under five minutes in partnership with iFixit.

Launched before Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Saturday, the Nokia G22 has a removable back and internal design that allows components to be easily unscrewed and swapped out including the battery, screen and charging port.

PSVR 2: How to stay safe, sane, and strong-stomached in Sony’s new headset

Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Sony’s PlayStation VR2 arrived this week, and while it’s one of the best virtual reality headsets we’ve ever used, there’s still a number of common VR pitfalls and PSVR 2-specific annoyances new buyers might run into.

Whether this is your first VR headset or just your most recent purchase, here are a handful of tips that might keep you from getting sick, tripping on a cord, running out of battery, or — and we hear this is particularly common — thinking Sony shipped you a blurry VR headset when it’s probably just a trick of the light.

In fact, let’s start with that one.

*This is how to wear most VR headsets, for that matter.*

How to wear the PSVR 2 and avoid blur

If you want a clear image and a comfortable fit that doesn’t drag down on the front of your head, you need to wear it properly. Take a good look at the picture above.

See how the entire headset is tilted slightly upward? See how the back of the headband is beneath the back of my colleague Adi’s head, while the front lies on top of her forehead? That’s what you should be aiming for. The PSVR 2 should rest on your head, secured diagonally — not sandwich the front and back of your head in a vice. In fact, I wouldn’t cinch down the headband at all until you’ve aligned the lenses with your eyes.

*The center-most circle is the sweet spot.*

Even if you’ve used a VR headset before, you might think the PSVR 2 looks blurry inside. That’s because Sony’s patented custom Fresnel lenses have a remarkably small sweet spot, which is the only place the image looks perfectly crisp. And you’ll need to physically move the headset on your face to find that sweet spot.

Sony does walk you through a lens alignment tutorial when you first put on the headset — one you can summon again from Settings > Accessories > Adjust Lens Distance if you like — but it only instructs you to twist an adjustment dial on the top left edge of the headset to move the lenses closer or farther apart while the eye-tracking camera estimates the position of your eyes.

*The solid white dots are the locations of my pupils, tracked by the PSVR 2’s eye-tracking camera.*

You also need to physically shove the entire eyebox up and down, and maybe even tilt it left or right like you’re straightening a picture on your wall. Want an example? In the photo above, my lenses are the right distance apart, but the entire headset isn’t yet level.

If you’ve done it right, you should see an incredibly sharp image when you’re looking straight ahead, crisp enough to make out the edges of pixels.

*If you’ve got particularly long or thick hair, you could also put it in a ponytail above the headband.*

Then, you can finish cinching down the headset with that clicky dial. It shouldn’t feel like it’s squeezing your brain; just twist until you don’t lose that sweet spot when you shake your head up, down, left and right.

How to deal with the PSVR 2’s cord

The more games my colleagues and I play on the PSVR 2, the more we get tangled up in its 14.7-foot cord. Turns out it’s especially easy to trip when you’re playing intense, death-dodging games like Pistol Whip, Pavlov and Resident Evil Village.

We don’t have any perfect solutions, but here’s what we do for now:

1) Put your PS5 on the floor if you can. You don’t want to yank it to the ground. Remember, you don’t need the PS5 plugged into your TV once you’ve set up the headset.

2) Start your game facing away from your PS5 if possible, so the cord’s behind you and not underfoot. With games like Pistol Whip where you don’t need to turn around much, that can sometimes be enough.

3) You can start a game facing any direction you want by holding down the Start/Options button to reset your position in VR.

4) Try sliding your feet across the ground instead of stepping so you can easily feel the cord. Wear socks or go barefoot instead of shoes, slippers and sandals.

5) If you do get tangled, simply turn the opposite direction to face the way you want. Make three lefts instead of making a right, or vice versa.

How to avoid getting sick in VR

Some people don’t get sick at all in VR. Some always feel sick because of how the technology generally works; any headset that puts magnifying lenses in front of a flat screen can trigger a vergence-accommodation conflict. And people who do get sick can sometimes get their “VR legs” over time.

But if you’re in the majority of VR enthusiasts who get occasionally get sick and simply want to avoid it — like us — here are a few tips that might help.

Always turn by turning your actual head and body — never by moving a thumbstick.

Your body might be uncomfortable if you move in the game without moving the same way in the real world. When I flick a thumbstick to turn right, without turning my head right, I typically get the sweats pretty quick. Some games, like Resident Evil Village, suggest you should do it with a thumbstick, but you always have the choice to move your real body instead.

Turn on comfort settings like tunneling.

Most VR games have dedicated comfort settings, and the best ones will ask you right away. At a minimum, you’ll typically find tunneling, which narrows your field of view whenever you move. That can dramatically reduce motion sickness, and you can typically turn it down (or off) later as you get used to VR games.

If you insist on using a joystick to turn, many games will let you pick snap turns instead of smooth turns, which snap you 30 or 45 or more degrees to the left or right and can be less triggering.

Move by teleporting if possible.

While some games (Resident Evil Village, Pavlov) don’t offer teleport move because it breaks immersion and could be unfair in multiplayer games, many single-player titles will let you aim at a spot on the ground nearby to teleport to that location. Of the many ways to move move in VR, it’s one of the more comfortable — you know where you’re going, but don’t have to experience the act of getting there.

Make sure your headset and controllers aren’t drifting.

One of the quickest ways to get sick in VR is when your virtual head and / or hands start drifting out of place — and with the PSVR 2, that can happen when bright lights are pointed directly at the headset’s cameras, interrupting their motion tracking, or when the room’s too dark to track.

While Sony’s headset may pop up a warning if things are far too dark or bright, I’ve also seen them silently drift when a single bright bulb is aimed at my head. When I aimed the overhead lighting differently, the problem went away.

If you do have a TV in the room, you can also turn on Tracking Support in Settings > Accessories > PlayStation VR2 to use it as an additional marker to stabilize tracking.

Just don’t play overly triggering games.

I will not play Kayak VR again because the act of sitting in a kayak while paddling smoothly set my brain on fire... even though I feel fine driving a car in Gran Turismo 7. Your mileage may vary. Resident Evil Village’s VR mode includes cutscenes where the game takes control of your head and bobs it around, shoves it to the floor, and even drags it along the ground. Forcing your head to move in ways your actual head is not moving is typically a no-no in VR, and Adi and I did not enjoy it here.

Take breaks.

Seriously, if you start to feel the sweats or a twinge in your stomach or a slight dizziness, stop playing right away. Come back later when it’s gone. It’ll be hard to build your VR legs if even the thought of VR makes you feel sick.

Cutting down on other cables

While there’s no way to get rid of the PSVR 2’s primary cord yet, you can get some other cables out of the way.

For example, the PSVR 2’s built-in earbuds don’t need to dangle when they’re not in use: you can fit them into little tabbed circular openings built into the headset.

And though most replacement headphones might have a longer cable, you can go for completely wireless audio by plugging a headset’s USB wireless audio dongle into your PS5. We tried it with our SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless, though there are plenty of cheaper options too. Bluetooth audio is not supported, though.

You may also want a better way to keep your PlayStation VR2 Sense controller charged, because individually plugging each of them into the PS5 with a pair of USB-C cables can be a bit awkward. Sony sells its own $50 controller charging station with a pair of pogo-pin adapters that slot into the controller’s USB-C ports so you can just set them down to charge, but we can’t necessarily recommend that either: it’s really easy to set them down wrong and find them nearly dead the next day. Though Sony advertises a “click-in design,” it’s nowhere near the reassuring click you get from the company’s DualSense Charging Station for the PS5’s standard gamepads.

Thankfully, it looks like many other companies are working on charging docks too, some of which can hold the headset and/or your entire console.

If you’ve got other key tips for VR comfort, add them in the comments or drop us a line! We’ll plan to update this story in a while.

The Furniture Hustlers of Silicon Valley

The Furniture Hustlers of Silicon Valley As tech companies cut costs and move to remote work, their left-behind office furniture has become part of a booming trade.

vendredi 24 février 2023

The PlayStation 5 bundle with God of War Ragnarök is $30 off at Woot

A photo of the PlayStation 5 console with its controller in front of a blue illustrative background made up of tiled PS5 consoles. — *We’re thankfully beyond the days of restock alerts, so we’re finally getting to some DEALS.* | Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Back in January, Sony said the PlayStation 5 shortage was ending. We’re now starting to see some irrefutable proof of that because not only are the consoles readily available at most retailers but also Woot is selling the PS5 for an actual discount. Right now, you can get the PS5 console bundle with God of War Ragnarök for $529.99 from Woot, a $30 discount off the bundle’s normal price. Note: it is exclusively offered through Woot’s app.

While this deal may be going up in the middle of the night (it started at 1AM) and is scheduled to last a full day, it’s best that you act quickly because there’s a good chance it will sell out before the day is over. If you haven’t yet gotten yourself a PS5, this is a nice opportunity to get one paired with the biggest Sony exclusive of 2022 — buying the bundle means that you’re essentially getting God of War Ragnarök for $30 ($40 off its standalone price). Ragnarök is an excellent open-world follow-up to 2018’s God of War reboot — and one of the biggest games of 2022.

This is the standard version of Sony’s console with a Blu-ray disc drive, in addition to the included 825GB SSD that’s present on both it and the cheaper Digital Edition of the PS5. (Note that about 667GB of that storage is actually usable.) Despite the presence of a disc drive, this bundle gives you its included flagship game as a voucher code for a digital download, which is totally fine but perhaps not ideal if you prefer physical copies to collect or resell later.

Rishi Sunak faces calls to ban TikTok use by government officials

PM under pressure to follow EU and US in taking step over fears Chinese-owned app poses cybersecurity risk

Rishi Sunak has been urged to ban government officials from using TikTok in line with moves by the EU and US, amid growing cybersecurity fears over China.

Officials in Europe and the US have been told to limit the use of the Chinese-owned social video app over concerns that data can be accessed by Beijing.

Apple takes another step towards ads on TV Plus

A photo of characters from Ted Lasso. — *Ads may be coming to Ted Lasso.* | Image: Apple

Apple has made a notable hire that could signal its intent to move into ads on Apple TV Plus. The company has hired advertising exec Lauren Fry to “to help build a video advertising business for its Apple TV Plus streaming service,” according to The Information.

Apple has been turning more to ads to help grow its revenues; it added new ad placements in the App Store last year and reportedly wants to bring ads to apps like Maps, Books, and Podcasts, so it’s not surprising that it’s looking at ads for TV Plus as well. And this hire isn’t even the first exploration of ads with its streaming offerings, as it has run ads against its Major League Baseball games and is reportedly building an ad network around its streaming service with Major League Soccer.

Currently, Apple TV Plus is only available with a paid subscription that recently got more expensive, so an ad-supported tier that’s presumably more affordable could be one way for Apple to bring in new subscribers. At this point, having an ad-supported tier of a streaming service is pretty common — Netflix and Disney Plus got them last year, while HBO Max’s ads plan launched in June 2021 — and in hiring Fry, it appears Apple is moving forward with plans to eventually run ads alongside shows like Ted Lasso and Severance.

Apple didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment.

Microsoft Reined in Bing and Reddit’s Chief Executive Steve Huffman Defends Section 230

Microsoft Reined in Bing and Reddit’s Chief Executive Steve Huffman Defends Section 230 And what Meta’s new paid verification program means for the future of social media.

New mobile puck will allow smartphones to send texts via satellite

Low-cost device launched to solve mobile blackspots with SOS and two-way texting for Android and iPhone

How killer robots are changing modern warfare – video

Uncrewed combat aerial vehicles, or attack drones, have become a common feature of the modern battlefield. Russia has deployed them to terrorise civilians in Ukraine and disable essential infrastructure, and Ukraine has also relied heavily on drones for attack, reconnaissance and surveillance. But these aren't the only 'killer robots' that armies are utilising. Josh Toussaint-Strauss explores how the weaponisation of general-purpose robots and the developments of a wider array of advanced mobile robotics and AI powered machine are changing the dynamics of modern warfare in ways that have prompted leading robotics companies and the UN to raise the alarm and call for greater restrictions

Part of the kill chain’: how can we control weaponised robots?

jeudi 23 février 2023

Ampler Axel e-bike review: this is the way

After a year-long struggle, the boutique maker of stealthy electric bikes finally gets it right.

Yes, that’s an e-bike, despite the hidden battery and motor that’s so quiet and diminutive that nobody would expect it. It’s built by Ampler, which isn’t a household name — but should be.

Founded in 2014, the Estonia-based company was one of the first to recognize that sleekly designed e-bikes are an ideal form of clean and convenient urban transport for young commuters at a time when bicycles with ugly bolt-on batteries were still the domain of cycling septuagenarians. Now, Ampler is back with five models of e-bikes injected with all the know-how the company has accumulated since.

I’ve been testing Ampler’s Yoda-green Axel in Amsterdam, where the company recently opened a showroom and service center, its fifth in Europe. I actually started this review a year ago, but a series of issues, both in and out of Ampler’s control, created quite a few issues and delays that I’ll go into later.

The Axel e-bike isn’t as aggressively styled as Ampler’s Curt or as relaxed as the Juna or Stellar models. Nor is it as sturdy as the company’s Stout. For me, Axel sits right at the sweet spot of sporty yet practical. It’s for anyone looking to travel long distances on a well-made commuter bike that’s also great for running errands around town — so long as you live in Europe and can afford its €2,790 (about $2,970) price tag.

But hey, shipping is free.

Wait, that’s an electric bike?

Refreshingly, Ampler is an e-bike company, not an e-bike plus services company that tries to tempt you with costly upsells like European rivals VanMoof and Cowboy. Ampler also uses lots of industry-standard parts that your local bike shop can procure and service, assuming the supply chain hasn’t been upended, as it has been for much of the last three years.

*The Ampler Axel from the summer of 2022, when this review began (click here* *to enlarge).*

The first thing you notice about the Axel is that it looks like an ordinary bike. That’s because Ampler integrates the battery into the downtube as it does on every model the company sells. The tiny 250W motor (400W peak) of custom Ampler design is located in the hub of the rear wheel. The result is a great-looking e-bike, though one drawback is a non-removable battery (it comes out only for service), which could complicate charging for many city dwellers. Fortunately, though, should you need to maneuver it inside a building or hoist it up and down some stairs, the Axel is relatively light at 16.3kg (almost 36 pounds).

Axel comes in two sizes to fit riders from 172 to 200cm (5ft 8in to 6ft 7in). The rear carrier on my review bike is a €60 option (about $64), but the excellent front and rear lights, fenders, and kickstand all come standard. Axel is currently only available in this matte-green finish I rather enjoy.

Ampler has also done a better job hiding the cables on its second-generation e-bikes. Not only does that make this Axel e-bike look better — it prevents anything from getting snagged when trying to lock the bike in crowded parking stands.

Okay, but how does it ride?

Riding the Axel is comfortable and intuitive. The saddle felt good even after longer rides, and the grips offer an extra degree of sponginess needed to offset the hand-heavy forward stance. The single-speed Gates Carbon belt drive means no shifting and no maintenance of a messy chain and derailleur. And because Axel is fitted with a torque sensor, the pedal-assisted power is delivered in harmony with the pressure you exert on each downstroke.

Still, starting the single-speed bike on even a moderate slope can be a bit of a struggle for the bike’s rated 45Nm of max torque, even in the most powerful pedal-assist mode. If that concerns you, then maybe consider the 11-speed Ampler Curt or nine-speed Stout and Stellar models. The Axel’s motor does a better job at leveling out those hills as they arrive during the commute, however. The throttle-less e-bike offers two pedal-assisted riding modes, which can be toggled in the app or by tapping the button located beneath the on-bike display. It shows the basics, like charge level and trip statistics. The button can also be used to turn the bike on and of, as well as the lights, without having to resort to the app.

The Axel’s relatively fat Continental Contact Urban 50-584 tires feel fantastic on a commuter bike. They soak up bumps reasonably well and make the bike feel stable, even while carrying heavy loads like groceries in bags slung from the grips, a Christmas tree laid across the length, or even a new friend perched precariously on the rear rack after a night out. They also survived a direct hit to chunks of shattered glass from a smashed bottle on the street during my testing — damn tourists.

I did all my testing in max power on mostly flat roads, allowing me to take the 48V 336Wh battery from 100 percent to empty in 54km (33.6 miles). A few other range tests petered out in the low 40km range, however. That’s mostly consistent with Ampler’s claim of 50km to 100km on a single charge. You can, of course, ride the Axel without any power at all if you run out of juice or just looking for the exercise. Otherwise, it will recharge in a little less than 2.5 hours using the included 3A charger.

Measuring speed on a Garmin watch, the motor usually stops providing assistance at around 27km/h, which Ampler says is within the 25km/h max speed tolerances allowed by the EU. Two-piston hydraulic brakes at the front and back bring the Axel to a stop with confidence and control, with the added benefit of the rear nighttime running light serving as a brake indicator.

The Ampler motor is essentially silent, easily masked by the din of the city and wind in my ears. Some early Axels I tested had a noisy freewheel, but my final review model sounded just right when coasting. Taken together with the styling, tiny motor, and fact that the display shuts off as soon as you get up to speed, nobody riding next to an Axel will know it’s an e-bike.

Another way Ampler stands apart is with control over its own firmware and app development. The app connects to the bike over Bluetooth and opens to a customizable dashboard showing charge, speed, and range remaining. It can also be used to lock the motor, show the bike’s location, and monitor historical ride statistics. The app is also needed to send firmware updates to Ampler’s new bikes, allowing them to be serviced in the field, sometimes before owners even know there’s a problem. For me, the app strikes a good balance of being useful without trying to do too much, unlike many other e-bike apps out there.

Ampler’s locking feature is a bit underwhelming at the moment. Locking the Axel does two things. First, it prevents the pedal assist from being turned on until the motor is unlocked in the app — but the bike can still be pedaled away. Second, it causes the front and rear lights to silently flash if the bike is jostled.

The new location tracking works, but its precision can be hit-and-miss. Connectivity depends upon the availability of LTE-M and 2G services in the area, and Amsterdam’s narrow streets that cut through block after block of six-story buildings created a challenge for the Axel. For example, as I type this, the bike is parked outside my building (I hope!), locked to a rack with relatively clear views of the sky. However, the Ampler app still shows its location from six hours ago. Unsurprisingly, tracking usually didn’t work on the ground floor of my house, where even my smartphone often fails to connect to my network provider.

Ampler tells me that an upcoming March software update will help the accuracy issue by pulling location information from connected phones over Bluetooth. And it seems to be working fine elsewhere. “We have already plenty of happy customers reporting to us how they found the stolen bike thanks to the GPS,” said Ampler co-founder and CEO Ardo Kaurit in an email exchange.

What about those delays?

While the company considers the launch of the new Ampler lineup announced last year a success, growing sales by 70 percent compared to 2021, the company still wasn’t able to meet covid-induced demand due to a myriad of issues.

*Amsterdam’s Ampler showroom and service center opened last year just steps from Central Station (click here* *to enlarge).*

Long story short: the company’s launch of five new e-bikes built around a new platform developed in-house for the first time was overly ambitious. Early issues with volume production and defective parts were exacerbated by a Russian invasion of Ampler’s Ukrainian neighbors, followed by waves of covid lockdowns in China that turned the global supply chain upside down — at least that’s how Ampler’s Kaurit explained it to me.

More specifically, the company struggled early on with defective displays that delayed assembly at its Estonian factory, where everything is designed and engineered. And when customers did receive their new e-bikes, some discovered a battery issue that required them to send their expensive vehicles back for warranty repairs. The company also had issues with its in-house developed connectivity solution. Fortunately, some of those problems were solved by over-the-air updates to the bike’s firmware and app.

From March to August 2022, I tried — and returned — three different Ampler e-bikes all suffering from a variety of problems. The company is now confident enough with its production that it sent me a new Axel to test a few weeks ago. “I am happy to say that we have solved all those issues,” said Kaurit. And for what it’s worth, I believe him.

Kaurit has always been excessively transparent about Ampler’s successes, failures, and blindspots. Hell, I’ve known the guy since 2016, when he drove almost 1,500 miles from Tallinn to deliver a prototype of the company’s first commercial e-bike to me just so I could test it. The Axel I’ve ridden almost every day for the last few weeks has been issue free and, aside from slow location updates, performs like a premium e-bike should.

Having said that, if I bought an Ampler, I’d want to live close to one of the company’s nine service centers around Europe, just to be safe. But assuring you can get easy service is my advice for anyone that drops over €2,000 for an e-bike, no matter the brand. At that price, you’re buying a daily commuter that should be available every single day without fail for years to come. Service and repairs are an inevitability for a computer-controlled machine used outdoors in all kinds of weather — so it’s best to be prepared.

Ampler’s new range of e-bikes is designed to appeal to every type of rider. Frame geometries support riders both short and tall and those who prefer to cruise along in an upright position or bomb down hills with a forward lean. It took a while to work out the kinks, but in 2023, Axel has proven to be an excellent e-bike that should be on your shortlist if you’re in the market for a sporty daily commuter that looks as good as it performs.

All photography by Thomas Ricker / The Verge