Category: Technology

OpenAI has abandoned its controversial restructuring plan. In a dramatic reversal, the company said Monday it would no longer try to separate control of its for-profit arm from the non-profit board that currently oversees operations. “We made the decision for the nonprofit to retain control of OpenAI after hearing from civic leaders and engaging in constructive dialogue with the offices of the Attorney General of Delaware and the Attorney General of California,” said Bret Taylor, the chairman of OpenAI.

OpenAI had originally argued its existing structure would not allow its nonprofit to “easily do more than control the for-profit.” It also said it needed more money, a mere two months after securing $6.6 billion in new investment. “We once again need to raise more capital than we’d imagined,” the company wrote in December. “Investors want to back us but, at this scale of capital, need conventional equity and less structural bespokeness.”

OpenAI’s previous plan called for the nonprofit to cede absolute control of the for-profit, in return for whatever degree of control came with the amount of stock it was granted through the reorganization process.

This was the controversial part of OpenAI’s plan, with many, including former employees, labor and nonprofit groups and even Elon Musk, voicing opposition to the proposal. Now, the company says its nonprofit will retain control and become a “big shareholder in the PBC.”

“How is the nonprofit going to maintain control? How will that purpose be advanced?” asks Jill Horwitz, a visiting professor of law at Northwestern University. “We know from the press that OpenAI plans to appoint all the board members of the operating entity. Will that happen forever? Who will they be? Will it be self-perpetuating? Will the for-profit investors have a say in who those board members are?”

Put another way, OpenAI hasn’t said the exact structure that it intends to implement. According to Professor Michael Dorff, executive director of the Lowell Milken Institute for Business Law and Policy at UCLA, the company could adopt one of a few different options.

“If you had one class of stock, one vote per share, they would elect a board. You could just give the nonprofit the majority of the shares, and then they would then elect a majority of the board. They would therefore be in charge, at least for a while,” he says.

“More stable governance arrangements could be done by having dual class shares, where the nonprofit would have a class of stock and they would be the only owners of that class of the stock that is either super voting shares, again, giving it a majority, or even better, you can define a class of stock and say it has the right to elect a majority of the board.”

In short, the company hasn’t said how it plans to ensure its nonprofit maintains control. The nonprofit may have a “big” stake to start, but there are a few different ways that stake could be diluted. Even if you set aside the idea of an IPO for now, the company could still issue new shares or carry out a stock split. In those scenarios, if OpenAI’s non-profit doesn’t own special shares, its control of the company would be weakened.

According to Bloomberg, Microsoft has yet to sign off on OpenAI’s proposal. The company has invested nearly $14 billion into OpenAI. Under the terms of its October funding round, OpenAI had two years to transform itself into a for-profit business. If it failed to do so, the $6.6 billion it secured would turn into debt. We don’t know for sure, but the question of control is likely front and center in the negotiations between Microsoft and OpenAI, with the company’s financial future at stake. Complicating matters is that whatever arrangement the two come to, it needs to be rubber stamped by the state attorneys general of California and Delaware.

“We look forward to advancing the details of this plan in continued conversation with [the state AGs], Microsoft, and our newly appointed nonprofit commissioners,” Altman wrote in his letter.

Parts of OpenAI’s previous plan remain unchanged. As before, the company will reorganize its for-profit subsidiary into a public benefit corporation. In doing so, OpenAI still plans to eliminate the current capped profit structure that limits investor returns to 100x, with excess profits reserved for the nonprofit. OpenAI has yet to record a profit; as of last year, the company recorded around $5 billion in losses.

“This is not a sale, but a change of structure to something simpler,” wrote OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in a letter to employees shared by the company. “Instead of our current complex capped-profit structure—which made sense when it looked like there might be one dominant AGI effort but doesn’t in a world of many great AGI companies—we are moving to a normal capital structure where everyone has stock.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openais-new-for-profit-plan-leaves-many-unanswered-questions-193942365.html?src=rss 

Zoox, the Amazon-owned robotaxi company, announced a voluntary software recall for its vehicles. The company had paused its driverless vehicle operations for a review following an incident last month where a Zoox car and a passenger car collided in Las Vegas. According to the report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the crash did not cause any injuries. CNBC reports that Zoox has resumed usual operations following the software update.

“After analysis and rigorous testing, Zoox identified the root cause,” the company said in a blog post today. “We issued a software update that was implemented across all Zoox vehicles. All Zoox vehicles on the road today, including our purpose-built robotaxi and test fleet, have the updated software.”

Last year, the NHTSA investigated issues with Toyota Highlander cars equipped with Zoox’s automated driving system exhibiting unexpected braking. Car models retrofitted with the Zoox system recently began testing and mapping in Los Angeles.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/zoox-issues-software-recall-for-all-robotaxis-following-las-vegas-collision-195501061.html?src=rss 

If you’re suffering from Netflix fatigue and are looking to cancel your subscription, the process is relatively simple. In fact, depending on how you initially signed up for the service, you’ll typically be able to end your membership in just a few steps. It’s also worth noting that Netflix allows you to downgrade or upgrade your plan if you want to keep your account but pay less. This guide covers how to cancel Netflix, how to switch your plan and what to know before doing either.

How to cancel your Netflix subscription

Netflix offers a fairly straightforward cancellation process, but the steps to do so vary slightly depending on how you’re subscribed. If you signed up directly through Netflix, you can cancel via the website or mobile app. However, if you subscribed through a third-party service such as Apple, Google or your cable provider, the process may be slightly different.

Cancel Netflix via the web

If you signed up through Netflix.com, these are the steps for canceling your subscription from a desktop or mobile browser:

Go to Netflix.com and sign in.

Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner and select Account from the dropdown menu.

On the Account page, locate the Membership & Billing section.

Click the Cancel Membership button.

You’ll be taken to a confirmation page. Click Finish Cancellation to complete the process.

After cancellation, your account will remain active until the end of your current billing cycle. Netflix will store your viewing history and preferences for 10 months in case you decide to return.

How to cancel Netflix via the app

You can also cancel your membership using the Netflix app on Android or iOS (the steps for both are the same):

Open the Netflix app and tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.

Select Account from the dropdown menu — this will open a browser window.

From there, follow the same steps listed in the section above to cancel via the web.

The mobile app simply redirects to the browser-based account page, so the process remains largely the same.

How to cancel Netflix through a third-party service

If you’re billed through a third party, such as Apple, Google, Amazon or a TV provider, the steps will be different. You’ll need to cancel through that provider’s billing system.

To find out who handles your billing:

Go to your Netflix Account page.

Look under Membership & Billing. If you see a message like “Billed through Apple,” you’ll need to cancel through that service.

Here’s how to cancel through some of the most common third-party providers:

Apple (iPhone/iPad)

Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.

Tap your name at the top, then tap Subscriptions.

Find Netflix in the list and tap it.

Tap Cancel Subscription.

Google Play

Open the Google Play Store app.

Tap your profile icon in the top-right, then select Payments & subscriptions > Subscriptions.

Choose Netflix, then tap Cancel subscription.

Amazon

Go to Amazon’s Memberships & Subscriptions page.

Find Netflix in your list of subscriptions.

Click Manage Subscription, then select Cancel Channel or Cancel Subscription.

Cable or mobile provider

If you added Netflix through your cable package (such as Comcast/Xfinity, Verizon or T-Mobile), you’ll need to cancel via their app, website or customer support. Each provider has its own cancellation process, so check your account or contact their customer service for assistance.

What happens after you cancel

Once you cancel, your Netflix account will remain active until your current billing period ends. You won’t be charged again unless you restart your membership. Netflix retains your profile information, viewing history, My List and settings for 10 months after cancellation. So if you resume your service within that time, you can pick up right where you left off.

If you’re on the Netflix DVD plan (only available in the US), you’ll need to cancel it separately from your streaming subscription. You can do this under the DVD Plan section on your Account page.

How to change your Netflix plan

Instead of canceling completely, you may prefer to switch to a more affordable subscription tier. Netflix offers several plans, each with different features and price points. As of early 2025, the available plans in the US are:

Standard with ads ($7.99/month): 1080p resolution, ad-supported content, watch on two devices at a time

Standard ($17.99/month): 1080p, ad-free, two simultaneous streams, option to add extra members

Premium ($24.99/month): 4K UHD + HDR, four simultaneous streams, supports spatial audio and more download devices

Here’s how to change your plan:

Go to Netflix.com and sign in.

Hover over your profile icon and select Account.

Under Plan Details, click Change Plan.

Select your desired plan and click Continue.

Confirm the change.

Plan changes take effect immediately. If you upgrade, you’ll be charged a prorated amount for the remainder of your billing period. If you downgrade, the change will apply at the start of your next billing cycle.

How to delete your Netflix account entirely

If you’re looking for a clean break from Netflix altogether, you can completely delete your account. Doing so will take slightly more time and involves going to your email, so have your inbox open.

1. Go to the Security section of your account and select Delete Account. 

2. Complete the security check. 

3. Select Permanently Delete from the available options. An email will then be sent to you to confirm your selection.

Additional things to consider

Before canceling or changing your Netflix subscription, keep the following in mind:

Shared accounts: If you’re part of someone else’s Netflix plan as an extra member, you won’t be able to cancel the entire subscription (the account holder would need to be the one to do this) — but you can remove yourself from the shared access.

Download content: Any downloaded content will become inaccessible once your subscription ends.

Account reactivation: You can restart your membership at any time by signing in and clicking Restart Membership from your Account page.

Billing dates: Your account page will show your exact billing date. Cancel before this date to avoid being charged for another month.

FAQs

Can I pause my Netflix subscription?

Yes, Netflix allows you to pause your membership, but only for one month. During this time, you can still watch your favorite content until the end of the current billing period. You will not be charged for the next billing period, and will be unable to access content while the pause is in effect. 

At the end of your one-month pause, your membership will automatically resume and you will be charged for the next period. You can choose to “Pause for a month” via the “Cancel Membership” option in your Netflix account settings, and can repeat the process two more times (for a total pause period of three months at a time). However, if you prefer to take a longer break from the service, you may be better off cancelling your membership instead.

Will I get a refund if I cancel early?

No, Netflix does not offer partial refunds. You’ll retain access until the end of your billing cycle instead.

What if I don’t see the Cancel button?

If there’s no Cancel Membership button on your account page, you’re likely being billed through a third party. In that case, follow the provider’s cancellation process.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/how-to-cancel-your-netflix-subscription-202230648.html?src=rss 

The Trump administration has announced plans to eliminate the Energy Star program, as originally reported by The Washington Post. This announcement occurred during an all-hands meeting of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Atmospheric Protection, in which the department was shuttered. 

As for Energy Star, this program started all the way back in 1992 under the first Bush administration. This is the department that’s responsible for the iconic yellow stickers on home appliances. The long-standing public-private partnership certifies energy efficient appliances and helps consumers find tax credits for these fixtures.

Data indicates that the program has helped Americans save more than $500 billion in energy costs in the past 33 years. The organization states that the average American saves about $450 per year on energy bills by choosing appliances that have been Energy Star-certified.

The EPA hasn’t said when this would go into effect and when consumers would stop seeing Energy Star certifications on home appliances. It’s technically illegal for a presidential administration to end this program without Congress, but the same goes for many of Trump’s pronouncements and executive orders.

“Eliminating the Energy Star program would directly contradict this administration’s promise to reduce household energy costs,” Paula Glover, president of the nonprofit coalition Alliance to Save Energy, told CNN. “For just $32 million a year, Energy Star helps American families save over $40 billion in annual energy costs. That’s a return of $350 for every federal dollar invested.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/trump-admin-announces-plans-to-shut-down-the-energy-star-program-184846271.html?src=rss 

Microsoft announced a series of upcoming new features for Copilot+ PCs and Windows 11. One of the most compelling updates for Copilot+ PCs is agent, which provides on-device AI assistance for adjusting a PC’s settings. Some of the example tweaks Microsoft gave for this application are issues such as “how to control my PC by voice” and “my mouse pointer is too small.”

Not only can the agent answer these types of queries, but if the necessary permissions are granted, the AI can also make the requested changes for a user. The blog post specifies that only questions in English are “initially” supported, which hints that more languages will be added at a later date. This feature will first roll out to Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon chips, while thoe computers powered by Intel and AMD will get agents “soon.”

Microsoft is also adding more actions to the Click to Do capability for Copilot AI assistance with whatever is currently active on a computer’s screen. Copilot will be able to act on text or an image, including creating a bulleted list from selected text or drafting copy into Microsoft Word. Other new actions include scheduling a meeting, sending a message to Microsoft Teams and sending data to Microsoft Excel. Click to Do will also support engaging a computer’s Reading Coach and Immersive Reader modes.

While most of Microsoft’s recent messaging about Windows 11 has put Copilot+ PCs at front and center, but there will be some new goodies for the owners of other machines coming to the operating system. Users will be able to customize the Start menu and use AI-focused features in File Explorer. The Copilot app will also be getting support for sharing a screen with the AI assistant thanks to Copilot Vision on Windows.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/microsoft-introduces-agent-for-ai-powered-settings-controls-in-copilot-pcs-182056293.html?src=rss 

High-end Danish audio brand Bang & Olufsen has announced the third generation of its Beosound A1 Bluetooth speaker. The updated A1 remains as portable as its predecessor, retaining its puck-shaped design and minimalist appearance, but there are some key upgrades under its pearl-blasted aluminum shell.

Arguably the most important of these is the larger woofer, which delivers a bass of 64dB, a 2dB improvement on the second-generation model. While that admittedly sounds modest on paper, B&O claims it’s one that makes the speaker capable of comfortably filling a room with meaty sound. If you happen to have an older A1 around, you can form a stereo pair with the latest model for even more sonic muscle.

Battery life has also been increased to 24 hours, which is a sizable six hours more than its predecessor. And while it uses the slightly older Bluetooth 5.1 standard, the new A1 supports Microsoft Swift Pair and Google Fast Pair, both of which cut down on the steps required to pair devices. The previous speaker’s three-microphone setup also makes its way to the A1 3rd Gen, allowing you to take calls from the device itself.

The updated speaker has an IP67 dust and waterproof rating, and sports a modular design that allows you to replace or upgrade broken or outdated components over time. Bang & Olufsen say it’s the first speaker in the world to get a Bronze certification from Cradle to Cradle. The C2C is a globally recognized sustainability standard that assesses a product from its supply chain through to production, and coaches companies in minimizing waste. The Bronze level awarded to the Beosound A1 is the lowest on C2C’s scale, but it’s evidence that Bang & Olufsen is paying mind to sustainability.

The Bang & Olufsen A1 3rd Gen can be purchased in the same Natural Aluminium finish as its predecessor, as well as the two new “nature-inspired” colorways of Honey Tone and Eucalyptus Green. It’s available to buy today and costs $349.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/bang–olufsens-third-gen-beosound-a1-bluetooth-speaker-has-more-battery-life-and-bass-164546063.html?src=rss 

You can save today on our top security camera pick for Alexa users. Amazon has the Blink Outdoor 4 for half price. A single camera (usually $100) only costs $50, which is only $10 more than its all-time low for Black Friday. And the half-off savings also apply to multi-camera bundles.

The Blink Outdoor 4’s name is somewhat deceiving because it works just as well for indoor use. The weather-resistant camera records in up to 1080p and supports black-and-white infrared for nighttime recording. The wireless camera is powered by a pair of AA batteries.

If the impressive Blink Outdoor 4 has an asterisk, it’s the company’s subscription scheme. First, you can cover the fundamentals without one. These include motion alerts, full HD recording, two-way audio, night vision, customizable motion sensitivity, activity zones and privacy zones. But advanced features like person detection, 60 days of cloud storage, motion event recording and an extended live view require a Blink Basic ($3 monthly or $30 annually) or Blink Plus ($10 monthly or $100 annually) plan. The more expensive one adds unlimited cameras, the ability to snooze notifications and an extended warranty. Otherwise, they’re the same.

Fortunately, if storage and multi-camera support are the only things pulling you toward a monthly fee, there’s a subscription-free workaround. Pop a cheap USB drive into the Blink Sync Module 2 (included) and store your clips locally. This option loads your recordings a tad slower than cloud storage, but it isn’t a dramatic difference.

Amazon’s sale ranges from $50 for a single camera to $315 for an eight-pack. Every bundle (which also includes two-, three-, four-, five- and six-camera systems) is half off.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/blink-outdoor-4-security-cameras-are-half-price-right-now-173641806.html?src=rss 

Amazon has finally streamlined the process by which folks can buy books via the iOS version of the Kindle app. The iPhone and iPad apps now include a “Get Book” button with each listed title. Hitting this button will bring up the corresponding Amazon page, along with the option for a 1-Click purchase. Once finalized, it directs users back to the Kindle app for some reading.

This isn’t as seamless as a simple in-app purchase, but it’s miles better than the old method. This would require Kindle users to buy titles on their own via a web browser. There was no portal within the Kindle app or anything like that. Basically, you’d have to jot down the name of the book and head to the web version of Amazon to look it up and make a purchase.

This move is, of course, thanks to a recent court ruling that banned Apple from collecting fees for digital items bought outside of the official App Store. This forced the company to update the App Store to allow for external payment options. As such, companies like Amazon can now experiment with new purchasing methods without forking over 27 percent to Apple.

It’s worth noting that the Kindle “Get Book” button still relies on a web version of Amazon. There’s no current way to buy an e-book on the actual Amazon app. Still, this is a definite step in the right direction.

Amazon isn’t the only company making adjustments based on the recent court ruling. Spotify now lets users subscribe on iOS devices via an external link, thus evading App Store fees. Epic Games is not only bringing Fortnite back to the iOS platform, but also announced its creating standalone webshops to support out-of-app purchases.

Apple isn’t exactly thrilled with this mad dash to avoid those lucrative App Store fees. It recently appealed the aforementioned legal ruling but the grounds for this appeal are unknown. It’s going to be an uphill battle for the iPhone maker, as the judge who issued the ruling called the App Store practices “anticompetitive” and a “gross miscalculation.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/kindles-ios-app-now-has-a-button-to-make-it-easier-to-buy-books-154505235.html?src=rss