Kalakshar US

Google has reached a deal with California lawmakers to fund local news in the state after previously protesting a proposed law that would have required it to pay media outlets. Under the terms of the deal, Google will commit tens of millions of dollars to a fund supporting local news as well as an AI “accelerator program” in the state.

The agreement ends a months-long dispute between lawmakers and Google over the California Journalism Preservation Act, a bill that would have required Google, Meta and other large platforms to pay California publishers in exchange for linking to their websites. Google strongly opposed the measure, which was similar to laws passed in Canada and Australia.

Earlier this year, Google began a “short-term test” in the state that removed links to local news for some users in California. The company also halted some of its own spending on local news in the state.

Now, under the new agreement, Google will direct “at least $55 million” to “a nonprofit public charity housed at UC Berkeley’s journalism school,” Politico reports. The university will distribute the fund, which also includes “at least $70 million” from the state of California. Google will also “commit $50 million over five years to unspecified ‘existing journalism programs.’”

The agreement also includes funding for a “National AI Innovation Accelerator.” Details of that program are unclear, but Cal Matters reports that Google will dedicate “at least $17.5 million” to the effort, which will fund AI experiments for local businesses and other organizations, including newsrooms. That aspect of the deal, which is so far unique to Google’s agreement in California, could end up being more controversial as it could exacerbate existing tensions between publishers and AI companies. 

In a statement, Alphabet’s President of Global Affairs, Kent Walker, credited the “thoughtful leadership” of California Governor Gavin Newsom and other state officials in reaching the agreement. “California lawmakers have worked with the tech and news sectors to develop a collaborative framework to accelerate AI innovation and support local and national businesses and nonprofit organizations,” he said. “This public-private partnership builds on our long history of working with journalism and the local news ecosystem in our home state, while developing a national center of excellence on AI policy.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-strikes-a-deal-with-california-lawmakers-to-fund-local-news-000522484.html?src=rss 

YouTube added a new AI assistant feature that allows users who have been hacked to recover their accounts and safeguard them from future invasions. An announcement for the new help feature appeared earlier today on Google’s support page for YouTube.

The new “hacked channel assistant,” available on YouTube, will allow “eligible creators” a way to troubleshoot their accounts when they’ve been hacked. The feature can be accessed in the YouTube Help Center.

The assistant will ask a series of questions to help affected users secure their Google login, undo anything the hacker may have done to their channel and secure their channel from further access to hackers. So far, the feature is only available in English and for a select group of “certain creators,” but Google says it’s working to make the features accessible to all YouTube creators.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/youtube/a-new-ai-support-chatbot-is-available-for-hacked-youtube-channels-222800979.html?src=rss 

Better get out your winter parka and a thermos full of hot cocoa because the hit downhill mountain biking game Lonely Mountains: Downhill is getting a very snowy sequel. Megagon Industries’ released a gameplay trailer with commentary during Gamescom for its new blocky skiing game Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders.

The new downhill racing game will get a Steam release by the end of the year. If it becomes a big enough hit just like the first Lonely game, it could be ported to consoles.

The Lonely Mountains titles are racing games at their core but they aren’t loud and brash. They don’t even have any music. There are times and challenges to beat with rewards like new bikes and new trails and mountains to explore. The game’s real focus is more on the simple, serene experience of riding downhill through beautiful polygonal landscapes at the pace you want to go and finding new paths that can carve seconds off your best times. Just like your therapist always tells you, it’s more about the journey, not just the finish line.

Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders carries that same, simple gaming formula but with some added features. Snow Riders will offer a solo and live multiplayer mode with up to eight other players. The multiplayer matches can also be a simple race to the bottom of the mountain or a cooperative mode in which players must work together to complete certain milestone challenges and work towards getting the highest collective score, according to the trailer commentary.

The new downhill game will also have a special “Zen Mode.” This mode allows you to just go on a ride and explore the different paths on the mountain to uncover shortcuts and other secrets. You can even pause your snow session and just sit and take in the scenery with your block headed rider friend.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/lonely-mountains-snow-riders-makes-its-gameplay-trailer-premiere-at-gamescom-210059169.html?src=rss 

Twitch is updating subscription costs for mobile purchases. Beginning October 1, Tier 1 sub and gift sub prices made in the company’s mobile app will be $8, up from the current rate of $6 a month. Tier 2 and Tier 3 prices will not be impacted.

The company announced this summer that the Tier 1 price for subscribing to a channel on desktop would be increasing by a dollar in the US, rising from $5 to $6. That change initially took effect in July, the first time Twitch sub costs had risen for US viewers. The move followed similar hikes for Tier 1 subs in the UK, Canada, Australia and Turkey earlier this year.

The bigger increase to sub costs on mobile is likely a response to the fees both major tech companies charge for in-app purchases. This subject has gotten the companies snared in some antitrust suits, and they have reduced their commission percentage for several use cases. Both Apple and Google have also adopted new fee structures in Europe in response to the Digital Markets Act.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/twitch-subscription-prices-are-increasing-by-2-on-ios-and-android-213528826.html?src=rss 

Smart doorbell company Ring has launched an updated basic model in its battery-powered line. The Ring Battery Doorbell includes feature upgrades to match some of the company’s other products at a lower price point.

Longevity is critical for a product with ‘battery’ right there in the name. The Ring Battery Doorbell promises a 23% improvement in battery life over its previous iteration. It also comes with a new pin-push mount intended to make installation easier as well as simple detachment for recharging.

The Ring Battery Doorbell has been updated with the company’s Head-to-Toe HD video, offering vertical visibility in line with the more expensive Ring Battery Doorbell Plus and Ring Battery Doorbell Pro models. The device also offers color night vision. It comes with the same motion-detection and real-time alerts of other Ring products, and can be linked to Alexa-compatible devices. And of course, Ring also sells a subscription package to provide customers with smart alerts and more detailed notifications.

Preorders for the Ring Battery Doorbell begin today direct from the company and on Amazon for $100, and shipments will go out starting September 4.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/ring-refreshes-its-basic-battery-powered-doorbell-with-improved-video-203832129.html?src=rss