Category: Technology

We know what you’re thinking: there just isn’t enough AI around right now. Luckily for you, Donald Trump emphatically agrees. According to a new report from Reuters, his administration is assembling a number of executive actions that would significantly increase the energy supply used for expanding artificial intelligence. The US and China are currently battling it out to lead the way in the rapidly growing sector, but American companies will need more infrastructure to make the advances Trump wants.

“With the right Government policies, we can solidify our position as the global leader in AI and secure a brighter future for all Americans,” he said back in January when signing an executive order in his first days in office that made clear his intention to reduce any regulatory hurdles to allow unchecked development in the area.

Reuters was told by sources that asked to remain anonymous that, if passed, the planned executive orders would “make it easier for power-generating projects to connect to the grid, and provide federal land on which to build the data centers needed to expand AI technology.” The Trump administration is reportedly also planning to release an “AI action plan” and schedule a number of public events that promote its ongoing efforts.

Power-hungry data centers are often large and not quick to build, but in an attempt to speed up the process, Trump’s actions may offer land managed by the Defense Department or Interior Department to AI project developers. A nationwide Clean Water Act permit, meanwhile, would mean permission to build would no longer operate on a state-by-state basis, making it easier for developers to get projects off the ground.

Donald Trump’s AI crusade has been ongoing since he took office. After initially taking an eraser to Biden’s extensive AI protection framework, the US House of Representatives narrowly passed a “big, beautiful bill” that places a 10-year ban on state AI regulations. It still has to pass through the Senate.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/donald-trump-is-reportedly-preparing-a-sweep-of-pro-ai-executive-orders-171856144.html?src=rss 

The New York Times ran a lengthy interview this morning between columnist Ross Douthat and venture capitalist and PayPal founder Peter Thiel. There’s a reason it was published in the opinion section.

Thiel, a Trump booster whose allies — including Vice President JD Vance — now litter the White House, was given free reign to discuss a variety of topics across over an hour of softball questions. Is Greta Thunberg the literal antichrist? Are the three predominant ideological schools in Europe environmentalism, “Islamic Shariah law” and “Chinese Communist totalitarian takeover”? Is AI “woke” and capable of following Elon Musk to Mars? Peter seems to think so! Perhaps the “just asking questions” school of journalism could add “hey, what the fuck are you talking about” to its repertoire. 

Admittedly, many of these assertions fall squarely into the realm of things that exist within Thiel’s mind palace rather than verifiable facts, with at least one notable exception. Relatively early in their chat, Peter tells Ross the following [emphasis ours]:

If we look at biotech, something like dementia, Alzheimer’s — we’ve made zero progress in 40 to 50 years. People are completely stuck on beta amyloids. It’s obviously not working. It’s just some kind of a stupid racket where the people are just reinforcing themselves.

It’s a pretty bold claim! It’s also completely untrue.

“There was no treatment 40 or 50 years ago for Alzheimer’s disease,” Sterling Johnson, a professor of Geriatrics and Gerontology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, told Engadget. “What we’ve been able to do in the last 20 years has been actually pretty extraordinary. We’ve developed markers that help us identify when this disease starts, using the using amyloid markers and tau biomarkers, we know that the disease actually begins 20 years before the symptoms do, and that is a critical thing to know if we are going to prevent this disease.”

At the moment, Alzheimer’s remains incurable. But the absence of a miracle cure does not negate the accomplishments thus far in detection and prevention. “The first treatments were these window dressing treatments. It’s like treating the symptoms like you would treat a cold […] The first generation of amyloid therapy was that kind of approach where it just addressed the symptoms by amping up the neurons and increasing the neurotransmitters available to the to the brain cells.” Johnson, whose team runs one of the largest and longest studies on people at risk for developing Alzheimer’s diseases, added, “Now we have opportunities to actually modify the disease biology through the amyloid pathway, but also we’re focused on the other proteinopathy — which is tau — and there’s clinical trials underway.”

Thiel, a well-known advocate for advancements in radical life extension (including a reported interest in injecting himself with the blood of young people) sees the state of scientific research in this area as sluggish and risk averse. But the groundbreaking work is happening at this moment. Professor Johnson pointed to a monoclonal antibody called gantenerumab. In an early test of 73 participants with inherited mutations that would cause them to overproduce amyloid in the brain, it cut the number of participants who developed Alzheimer’s symptoms practically in half. “The big phase three prevention trials [of gantenerumab] are happening right now,” 

For someone who fashions himself as a heterodox thinker, Thiel certainly seems to have stumbled on a remarkably similar talking point to current Trump administration FDA head Robert F Kennedy Jr. “Alzheimer’s is a very, very good example of how [National Institute of Health] has gone off the rails over the past 20 years ago with research on amyloid plaques” Kennedy said at a Department of Health budgetary hearing last month. He claimed the NIH was “cutting off any other hypothesis” due to “corruption.”

Unsurprisingly, the Alzheimer’s Association has called this “demonstrably false.”

“In reality, over the most recent 10 years available (2014-2023), less than 14% of new National Institutes of Health (NIH) Alzheimer’s projects focused on amyloid beta as the therapeutic target,” the organization wrote, “As of September 2024, the National Institute on Aging was investing in 495 pharmacological and non-pharmacological trials. To state that Alzheimer’s research is focused on amyloid to the exclusion of other targets is clearly wrong.” 

If I, personally, wanted more robust medical research and a chance an eternal life (I don’t), greasing the wheels of an administration broadly gutting funding for science would be a strange way to make that happen. But this is the sort of incoherence we’ve come to expect from tech oligarchs: they say what benefits them, even if it’s nonsense on its face, even if a moment’s reflection reveals it to be patently false. What’s embarrassing is the paper of record giving them free reign to do it.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/peter-thiel-is-utterly-wrong-about-alzheimers-173206349.html?src=rss 

Whether you’re setting up a new device or helping a friend connect to your home network, sharing your Wi-Fi password doesn’t need to be a hassle. Today’s smartphones make it easy to share access without typing (or needing to remember) long strings of characters. Both iPhones and Android devices support features that let you send your Wi-Fi password quickly and securely, but the steps can vary depending on the devices involved. 

Of course, you can still go into your Wi-Fi settings to view your password and show it to your guest or copy and paste it into a group chat. But the methods outlined here avoid having to tell anyone what your long, complicated password might be and are generally more secure.

Below are the most reliable ways to share Wi-Fi passwords between iPhones, between Androids and across mobile platforms.

How to share your Wi-Fi password from iPhone to another Apple device

Apple has built-in functionality to simplify Wi-Fi sharing between its own devices that was introduced in iOS 11. This feature works on iPhones, iPads and Macs provided they’re running the latest versions of iOS, iPadOS or macOS.

Before you start:

Make sure both devices are running the latest software.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth should be turned on for both devices.

Personal Hotspot should be turned off.

The Apple ID email address of the person you’re sharing the password with must be saved in your Contacts.

To share your Wi-Fi password:

Unlock both iPhones.

Ensure both devices are physically near each other.

On the receiving iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi and select the same Wi-Fi network.

A pop-up will appear on the sender’s iPhone asking if you’d like to share the password.

Tap Share Password.

Once the password is sent, tap Done.

The receiving device will automatically connect to the Wi-Fi network without needing to type in the password manually.

How to share your Wi-Fi password from iPhone to Android

While Apple devices don’t natively support sharing Wi-Fi passwords with Android phones, there are still a couple of effective workarounds using QR codes. The most user-friendly approach is to create a QR code that an Android phone can scan to connect to the Wi-Fi network.

Option 1: Create a QR code using the Shortcuts app

If you’re using iOS 17 or later, you can build a shortcut to generate a QR code that contains your Wi-Fi credentials.

Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.

Tap the + button to create a new shortcut.

Select Add Action, then choose Text.

In the text box, enter your Wi-Fi credentials using the following format:
WIFI:S:NetworkName;T:WPA;P:Password;;
Replace NetworkName with your Wi-Fi network name and Password with your actual password.

Tap Add Action again and search for Generate QR Code.

Add a final action: Quick Look, which displays the generated code.

Run the shortcut. The QR code will appear on your screen.

Ask the Android user to scan the QR code using their camera app or a QR scanner. This should automatically connect their device to your Wi-Fi network.

Option 2: Use a third-party QR code generator

Alternatively, you can use an online tool like qifi.org to create a QR code.

Open your preferred browser and visit the QR generator website.

Enter your Wi-Fi network name (SSID), security type and password.

Generate the QR code.

Display the QR code on your iPhone.

Let the Android device scan the code to connect.

While not as seamless as iPhone-to-iPhone sharing, both methods are secure and help you avoid typing long passwords manually.

How to share your Wi-Fi password from Android to iPhone or another device

Most Android phones running Android 10 or later allow users to share Wi-Fi credentials through a QR code. This works well for sharing passwords with other Android devices and iPhones.

Open the Settings app on your Android phone.

Tap Network & Internet (or Connections, depending on your phone model).

Select Wi-Fi, then tap the name of the connected network.

Tap the Share or QR code icon. You may be prompted to verify your identity with a PIN or fingerprint.

A QR code will appear.

The iPhone user can scan the QR code using the Camera app or the built-in Code Scanner (found in Control Center).

Once scanned, the iPhone will automatically prompt you to connect to the network.

Additional tips for sharing Wi-Fi securely

Avoid sending Wi-Fi passwords over text or unsecured messaging apps.

Use QR codes or password-sharing features when possible to reduce typing errors.

If using a public or guest network, consider setting up a separate SSID and password to keep your main network private.

Always update your devices to the latest operating system to ensure compatibility and security.

When Wi-Fi sharing doesn’t work

If you’re having trouble sharing your Wi-Fi password:

Double-check that both devices have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on.

Restart both devices and try again.

Ensure both devices are unlocked and close to each other.

Make sure contact details are up to date and the correct Apple ID is saved.

For QR code scanning issues, check that the recipient is using a compatible QR code reader. iPhones can scan codes using the Camera app, while most Android devices have built-in scanners or third-party apps available.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/how-to-share-your-wi-fi-password-across-iphones-androids-and-other-devices-144533572.html?src=rss 

Amazon Prime Day is around the corner, but there are plenty of great deals to be found before the July 8 to 11 event. Right now you can pick up the Apple Watch 10 for $100 off its normal price. That’s the lowest we’ve ever seen it, and trust us, 25 percent off on current-generation Apple products is not easy to come by.

It’s hard to believe that the Apple Watch is already ten years old. It seems like only yesterday that we got our hands on the first generation, and now the Apple Watch 10 is counting the days until the next generation is announced. Whether you’re looking to upgrade from an older Apple Watch or this is your first time buying an Apple smartwatch (though keep in mind an iPhone is required to use an Apple Watch), this sale is a great opportunity to pick one up at a fantastic value.

The tenth generation of the Apple Watch represents a powerhouse of computing on your wrist. In our hands-on review, we loved the comprehensive health and fitness tracking capabilities on the watch, which has been a strong niche for Apple. We were sad to see the blood oxygen app removed following a patent dispute, but features like fall detection and sleep apnea tracking are still intact. It’s also the thinnest Apple Watch yet, feeling more like a slim accessory than a bulky gadget. We gave the Apple Watch 10 a score of 90 out of 100, and it remains our top pick for best smartwatch.

The $100 off sale is available across multiple sizes, colors and strap options. The sale includes both GPS and Wi-Fi only models, as well as models with LTE connectivity.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-apple-watch-series-10-is-100-off-ahead-of-prime-day-152348092.html?src=rss 

The Eufy 11S Max robot vacuum is on sale for $140 as part of an early Prime Day sale. That’s half off, as the typical cost is $280 for this particular model. This is extremely close to a record-low price.

This device made our list of the best budget-friendly robot vacuums. Perhaps the coolest feature here is that the 11S Max is extremely thin, so it can slide under short tables and other places typical robovacs are too chonky to reach. It’s also extremely quiet during use, so it can be operated at night without waking everyone up.

It runs for around 100 minutes per charge and it’ll head to the outlet on its own for some juice. The vacuum automatically adapts suction power to suit different floor types. We found the obstacle avoidance here to be excellent, thanks to an included infrared sensor. It also ships with a remote control for those who want to ensure certain parts of the home get extra attention.

This is a budget robovac, so there are some tradeoffs. First of all, it doesn’t connect to WiFi and there’s no affiliated app. It doesn’t really need it, as the obstacle avoidance tech gets the job done, but this does mean that owners can’t set schedules or create maps with no-go zones.

Finally, it’s just a vacuum. There’s no mop here and it doesn’t ship with a debris canister. It’ll have to get emptied after every use. Still, the price is certainly right.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-eufy-robot-vacuum-is-half-for-before-prime-day-153859274.html?src=rss 

Super Mario Strikers, the first game in the Mario Strikers series that was originally released for GameCube in 2005, will soon be available to play on Switch Online. Nintendo is adding it to its GameCube library for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members, though it will only be accessible from the Switch 2. If you’ll recall, the company announced the addition of a GameCube library to its $50-a-year subscription service as a Switch 2-exclusive upgrade before the console even shipped.  

In Super Mario Strikers, you play soccer (or football to most of the world) in an arena, where there are no penalties and you can quite literally hurt your opponent to get the ball. You can select your captain from the franchise’s characters, including Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Wario and Waluigi. And you can obtain and use various Mario-themed items, such as bananas, shells and mushrooms for power-ups and to hinder your opponent’s progress. In addition to the captain, your team will also have a goalkeeper and three “sidekicks.” However, it’s only the captain who’s capable of taking a shot called the “Super Strike,” which gives you two points when it’s timed correctly. 

You’ll be able to play Super Mario Strikers matches alone, but you’ll also be able to play local and online multiplayer matches with up to four friends. For local matches, every player must have their own controller. The game will be available from the GameCube library on July 3, alongside other classic GameCube games like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Soulcaliber 2 and F-Zero GX.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-is-adding-super-mario-strikers-to-its-switch-online-gamecube-library-130051271.html?src=rss 

Meta is in currently in acquisition talks with PlayAI, a California-based startup that provides its users with an AI voice cloning tool, according to Bloomberg. According to the news organization, Meta is looking to buy the startup’s technology, as well as to absorb some of its employees into the company. The parties haven’t come to an agreement yet, but if the acquisition pushes through, it could give the company the technology it needs to expand its voice AI offerings. It could roll out more voice features for its AI chatbot and assistant, as well as for its smart glasses from Ray-Ban and Oakley. 

While both companies refused to confirm their talks to Bloomberg, the potential purchase of an AI voice cloning tool doesn’t sound out of left field for Meta based on its recent activities. Company chief Mark Zuckerberg has been personally involved in a hiring spree for high-level AI experts over the past few months to form the company’s new AI Superintelligence team. 

Zuckerberg has reportedly been offering experts from rival companies like OpenAI compensation packages as big as $100 million, and a few had already accepted. Just a few days ago, Meta finalized a $14.3 billion investment in Scale AI, a startup that provides other companies with data labeling and model evaluation services for AI training. In exchange, Scale AI’s founder and CEO Alexandr Wang joined Meta and is believed to be heading its new Superintelligence lab. Before Meta decided to invest in Scale AI, it also considered acquiring Perplexity AI. 

PlayAI’s website says its tool can mimic or clone a user’s voice and can generate voices as real as humans, which can be deployed to websites, apps and phones. While its acquisition could lead to useful voice features for Meta’s apps and websites, the company could also use the tool to make more life-like AI chatbots. Zuckerberg’s vision of the future, after all, is a world where people’s AI friends outnumber human ones. We may already be seeing the beginnings of such a world, considering chatbot romances have become increasingly popular over the past few months. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/meta-is-reportedly-looking-to-acquire-ai-voice-replicator-playai-133032491.html?src=rss 

Google Labs is making virtual outfit try ons available to all with a new experimental AI app called Doppl, the company announced in a blog post. You can upload a photo of yourself and any outfit to see how it will look on you and can even create an AI-generated video of yourself and the clothing in motion.

To use it, first upload a full-body photo of yourself, then choose photos or screen shots of outfits. For instance, you can screenshot or download photos from sources like Pinterest or clothing websites, or take photos of clothing from locations like thrift stores. You could even snap a photo of a friend wearing a desired outfit. 

Once the outfit is selected, Doppl (short for doppelgänger one imagines) will create an AI-generated image of you wearing it even and convert the static image into a moving video. You can continue to browse through outfits, save your favorites and share different looks. It may not work perfectly for you — Google pointed out that “Doppl is in its early days and… fit, appearance and clothing details may not always be accurate.” 

Google recently unveiled a similar try-on feature for its Shopping experience, but Doppl works strictly as a standalone app. It looks like the kind of thing people could have some fun with, particularly on social media, but it may also aid Google in gathering data on users’ buying and shopping habits. The app is now available on iOS and Android, but only in the US for now. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/googles-new-ai-app-doppl-lets-you-try-on-outfits-virtually-120014003.html?src=rss