It’s over! After being engaged for nearly a year, Chase Chrisley and Emmy Medders revealed they ‘agreed to part waves and move on with our lives.’
It’s over! After being engaged for nearly a year, Chase Chrisley and Emmy Medders revealed they ‘agreed to part waves and move on with our lives.’
Will this pair of Hollywood strikes ever end? It looks like the big corporations are digging in for a long battle, illustrated by Netflix’s recent job posting for a machine learning platform product manager. The position pays an annual salary of $300,000 to $900,000 at a time when many actors make around $200 a day, according to this SAG-AFTRA contract. The role AI will play in creating future entertainment is a key item of debate for both striking parties.
The job listing indicates that the AI will be used to “create great content” and not just develop new algorithms to recommend shows and movies. The posting also alludes to a far-reaching effort by the streaming giant to integrate artificial intelligence in “all areas of the business.” A separate section on the company’s website goes on to say that Netflix uses AI “to optimize the production of original movies and TV shows.”
That’s not the company’s only AI-heavy job posting promising a giant payday. Netflix is also hiring a technical director for generative AI at its burgeoning gaming studio that pays an annual salary of up to $650,000, as reported by The Intercept. These efforts are already bearing fruit, as Netflix currently airs a Spanish reality dating series called Deep Fake Love that scans contestant’s faces to create AI-generated “deepfakes” and its gaming studio employs generative AI to compose narratives and dialogue.
This all comes after striking actors rejected a proposal from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) that generously offered workers a one-time $200 day rate for performers to get scanned for future use as AI-enhanced CGI simulacrums forever, until the end of time. SAG-AFTRA says the company would “own that scan, their image, their likeness, and be able to use it for the rest of eternity in any project they want with no consent and no compensation.”
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/netflix-lists-900000-ai-job-as-actors-and-writers-continue-to-strike-190037630.html?src=rss
Amazon has the company’s Kindle Kids e-reader on sale for 33 percent off right now. Its $80 price (usually $120) is nearly as low as it was on Prime Day, making it an ideal time to surprise your little one(s) with the gift of distraction-free reading. The device is an Engadget recommendation in our Best Educational Toys guide.
The discounted Kindle Kids model is the latest (2022) version. It includes a cover, bundled with your purchase, available in three designs resembling children’s book art: space whale, ocean explorer and unicorn valley.
The e-reader’s internal tech is identical to the standard 2022 Kindle, one of our picks for the best e-reader. Its specs include a high-res (300 ppi) display, 16GB storage, six weeks of battery life, USB-C charging and an adjustable front light. Each purchase comes with a year’s subscription to Amazon Kids+, including a library of thousands of kid-appropriate books and hundreds of audiobooks. (The membership will renew at $5 a month after that, so be sure to cancel before then if you only want the free year.)
Although the standard Kindle Kids is our top recommendation, you can also save on the Kindle Paperwhite Kids if you don’t mind spending more on an upgraded model. Compared to the cheaper Kindle Kids model, the child-focused Paperwhite has a larger screen (6.8 inches vs. 6 inches), more LEDs for better front-lit reading and an adjustable warm light that’s easier on the eyes. Amazon’s sale has the Kindle Paperwhite Kids for $114 (typically $170), only $10 higher than its Prime Day discount.
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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazons-kindle-kids-e-reader-is-40-off-right-now-192011410.html?src=rss
Lynda Carter gave a beauty pageant smile as she posed alongside her gorgeous daughter in a picture she shared on her birthday. See the sweet photo here.
Lynda Carter gave a beauty pageant smile as she posed alongside her gorgeous daughter in a picture she shared on her birthday. See the sweet photo here.
If you’re looking for a portable Bluetooth speaker that puts natural-sounding analog audio at the forefront, then you’ll enjoy the Orange Box. As long as you don’t have too many other requirements, that is. Orange has been making guitar amps since the 1960s and it’s apparently not changing the formula to compete against commonplace plastic Bluetooth speakers with all the mod cons. I’ve personally come to enjoy the bohemian design and bright orange exterior, which is a refreshing change from what you’d usually find. You do have to deal with losing some useful features and it’s less rugged than some other portables, but the audio quality is a standout.
The hardware elements and iconography from the company’s long history of amps and speakers have been merged into this portable battery powered version. The orange Tolex (vinyl) exterior, logo badge, speaker mesh, wood framing, dials, toggle switches, indicator lights and other details are a perfect match with the brand’s existing stable of products. The mechanical ‘thunk’ of the on/off toggle is satisfying, while the domed orange power light seems pleasantly retro.
There are manual volume and EQ dials on the top panel. The bass and treble start out flat in the 12-o’clock position, letting you boost or lower those levels as desired. The dial positions are a little hard to read, though, unless you’re standing directly above them since the position dot on the dial is near the bottom. The Bluetooth control has a blue light that flashes when it’s in pairing mode and does double-duty as a pause/play control. You’ll also find an orange overload indicator light, which could become a common sight if you like to play your music loudly, especially with heavy bass.
Aside from that, there’s a 3.5mm minijack on the top and an DC charging port on the back. You can charge the 2,600mAh battery for up to around 15-hours of playback or you can just run it while it’s plugged in. Next to the domed power indicator is a battery level light that’s red as it’s charging, green when it’s full and flashes red if the battery is at 10 percent or lower, with nothing in between. Like any speaker, if you’re planning a long outing, you should keep the power cable handy. I tested the speaker at a relatively high volume for an hour, plus 10 hours at medium and two overnight stretches powered off. This got me to the 10-percent warning and seems par for the course in regards to battery life.
If you plan to travel with your speaker, you may want to consider getting the $60 Gigbag carrying case since there’s no IP rating or waterproofing for the device. You’ll just have to trust Orange Amps’ build quality. Although we haven’t seen the bag in person, I expect it should at least help keep the speaker dry and clean when you’re not using it. There’s a shoulder strap option as well, and while the Orange Box is portable, it’s still over 6.5 pounds. You could always save some money though, since it does fit into a backpack easily enough.
The best part about the Orange Box is its warm and bright output. There’s both digital Class D and A/B analog amps that deliver crisp and punchy front-facing sound from the 4-inch sub and dual 2-inch high frequency drivers. There’s a relatively wide frequency range from 35Hz to 20kHz and aptX support is a huge plus, especially if you have access to hi-res streaming. Most styles of music sound good on the Orange Box, but the speaker really shines with songs that have live instrumentation or anything that can benefit from an analog touch. Some types of modern digital music didn’t come across quite as well here, so it’s worth testing your types of tunes before buying.
The 50-watt speaker puts out enough volume to work well as a personal boombox in the park or around the house. It’s fairly loud for its size and can handle small outdoor get togethers well if you just need background music. The output has decent bass that does reverberate through its case, especially if you’re near to it. Although when testing on a large windy rooftop area, it didn’t project as much if you’re 15-20 feet away.
I didn’t notice any distortion when pushing it to the max, but that overload light is a subtle hint to always check your levels. You’ll see the light flashing quite often if you enjoy loud music. It’s only when you have the overload light on constantly that you could get distortion and potentially damage the drivers. If that does happen, you do have the benefit of contacting an authorized repair center instead of having to cut your losses.
Some features that many have grown used to using aren’t available on the Orange Box and if you just want something to play tunes, it’s not a big deal. However, there’s no app for the speaker and it doesn’t support multipoint or pairing with a second Orange Box for more sound. It won’t go to sleep even if you’ve disconnected Bluetooth, so the battery may slowly drain if you leave it on all night without charging. And if you’re used to watching the battery levels, it will be a bit of a mystery until you’re at 10 percent power. Plus, since there’s no USB charging, you’ll want to keep track of the power cable that came with the device.
On the plus side, there’s obviously the analog amps on board and aptX support sweetens the deal. The Bluetooth 5.0 range is as good or better than some other speakers in this category. Also, if you need a tiny DJ monitor, there’s no processing delay when using the 3.5mm input jack, so you can mix by ear if needed. For eco-conscious consumers, the authorized service centers and replacement parts on offer until 2030 means you can actually repair the speaker if something happens to it. It’s a proper piece of equipment that you should be able to enjoy for a long time.
While I wouldn’t quite call it an audiophile speaker, it’s certainly for analog or Orange Amp enthusiasts. I know the design isn’t new since the Orange Amps style has hardly changed since the ‘60s, but for me it feels like a refreshing change of pace. I can imagine lots of people with those turntables in luggage cases hooking up the speaker (although make sure you have good needles people). Sure, it’s a bit chunky, you shouldn’t leave it out on the porch in the rain and you’ll need to keep track of the specific charging cable, but that’s doable.
It’s hard to say if the sound or style will appeal to everyone, but it’s great to have another option available, especially one that’s built and sold by a brand with a legacy. At $299 the Orange Box isn’t terribly expensive and it feels less disposable than many of the products out there. The Orange Box, its $60 Gigbag carrying case and the slightly larger non-portable sibling the Orange Box-L ($345) are all currently available from the Orange Amps website. Oh, and you can also get them in black if that’s your preference. I know Furry Vince Noir would.
Style: Orange peel Tolex, acoustically transparent grille
Drivers: 1 x 4-inch bass driver, 2 x 2-inch high frequency drivers
Amplifiers: 1 x 30-watt sub, 2 x 10-watt full range
Frequency Range: 35Hz – 20kHz
Weight: 3 KG / 6.62 LBS
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, 3.5mm aux input
Codecs: aptX, AAC, SBC
Battery: 2,600mAh, 3 hours to full charge, 15-hour runtime
Extras: Vegan-leather carry strap, 3.5mm aux cable, 19.5V power supply
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/orange-amps-portable-bluetooth-speaker-shines-by-sticking-to-the-basics-180021381.html?src=rss
‘American Idol’ is feeling 22! The beloved singing competition will return for season 22. From the judges to what we know about the premiere date, here are all the latest updates.
‘American Idol’ is feeling 22! The beloved singing competition will return for season 22. From the judges to what we know about the premiere date, here are all the latest updates.
Kyle Richards revealed that the February outing where she didn’t wear her wedding ring ‘sparked a lot of stuff’ on ‘RHOBH’ season 13.
Kyle Richards revealed that the February outing where she didn’t wear her wedding ring ‘sparked a lot of stuff’ on ‘RHOBH’ season 13.
A Congressional subcommittee is set to hold a hearing into UFOs, which are also referred to as unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP). The panel will hear “firsthand accounts” of UAP and “assess the federal government’s transparency and accountability” regarding possible threats to national security. You’ll be able to watch the hearing below on July 26th at 10AM ET.
The hearing — conducted by the Subcommittee on National Security, the Border and Foreign Affairs — will also focus on drives for legislation to “bring transparency to UAPs.” The subcommittee wants to force the federal government to provide US residents with “information about potential risks to public safety and national security” as well. According to Rep. Tim Burchett, “The Pentagon and Washington bureaucrats have kept this information hidden for decades and we’re finally going to shed some light on it.”
The federal government has placed more of an onus on UAPs over the last few years (publicly, at least). In 2021, the Pentagon set up a task force to look into UAP sightings while NASA has established a separate panel to investigate the phenomena. The Department of Defense also created its own UAP investigative body, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), in 2022.
Among the three witnesses who will testify during the hearing is David Grusch. The former intelligence official recently claimed that the US government has been recovering alien spacecraft and the bodies of UAP pilots for decades. Grusch, who until July 2022 was the co-lead for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s UAP analysis, also said there was evidence of “malevolent activity” by UFOs. His claims, for which he has not provided any physical evidence, led to the hearing.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/how-to-watch-this-weeks-congressional-ufo-hearing-164546251.html?src=rss
Amid Bronny James’ terrifying hospitalization, Damar Hamlin – who suffered cardiac arrest during an NFL game – said he was praying for Bronny’s recovery.
Amid Bronny James’ terrifying hospitalization, Damar Hamlin – who suffered cardiac arrest during an NFL game – said he was praying for Bronny’s recovery.
Elon Musk is taking his battle with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to the highest court in the country. Attorney Alex Spiro has confirmed that Musk will ask the Supreme Court to decide whether the SEC went too far with a consent decree determining what Musk can say about Tesla’s financials on Twitter (now X). He’s challenging a May 15th appeals court decision dismissing allegations the SEC abused the decree to harass him with investigations over Twitter usage.
The new appeal comes a day after a judicial panel denied Musk’s request that judges reexamine the case. The entrepreneur previously claimed he was pushed into the decree, and had to give up his right to contest the constitutionality of the SEC’s terms if he wanted to pursue the eventual settlement. The truce saw a total of $40 million in fines between Musk and Tesla, and required that Musk both step down as board chairman and seek legal approval when posting about company financials.
Musk drew the SEC’s attention in August 2018, when he tweeted that he was considering taking Tesla private and had “funding secured” with “investor support.” The deal never went through, and shareholders pinned ensuing losses on Musk’s posts. The Commission sued Musk over the tweets, arguing that they could be considered fraud.
During a shareholder trial, Musk contended that people didn’t necessarily believe or respond to his tweets the way you’d expect. He pointed to one example where Tesla’s stock price surged despite a tweet saying the value was too high. At the same time, he acknowledged that he has ignored requests to stop tweeting over delicate subjects, such as when he accused a Thai cave rescue diver of being a “pedo guy.”
There’s no certainty the Supreme Court will take the case or overturn the outcome. Either way, the court’s response should have a significant impact on Musk’s social media posting, either forcing him to honor the SEC’s decisions or giving him more flexibility in what he says online.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/elon-musk-is-taking-his-sec-fight-to-the-supreme-court-161255874.html?src=rss
