If youve used Cash App in the last six years, you might be entitled to compensation as part of a class-action settlement. The company set up a $15 million fund after breaches enabled a trove of user personal data to leak. You can file a claim through a dedicated settlement website, and depending on what you can prove, you could receive up to $2,500. If theres a downside beyond having your private financial data leaked, its that youve only got until November 19 to file.
Dan Cooper
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News in Brief
Panic hits pause on the Playdate Stereo Dock, says its unlikely well see it anytime soonAlas, making the dock was almost harder than making the Playdate itself.
Ongoing notifications similar to Apples Live Activities could come to AndroidTheyre very useful.
What to read this week: Jeff VanderMeer returns to Area XThis includes a fourth book in the Southern Reach series, which began with Annihilation.
Lyft will have to tell drivers how much they can truly earn, with evidenceIt promised would-be driver rates only its top earners made.
Apple reportedly tested a blood glucose monitoring appStill no closer to the dream of a non-invasive glucose monitor.
8Bitdo has a new $50 Android gaming controller with Hall effect sticks and triggersThere are trade-offs, but for that sort of money, you cant complain.
McDonald's restaurants can finally repair their own McFlurry machinesOur long national nightmare is over.
Google is reportedly developing Jarvis AI that could take over your web browser
Itll be good for, uh, research.
Google
Google is reportedly developing an AI agent for Chrome to act as a live assistant for your daily browsing. Codenamed Jarvis, because of course it is, it will help you with common tasks, like research, shopping and booking flights. Perhaps you could ask it to look at every price comparison website, collate the results and select the cheapest option. Maybe, in future, it could even buy, use and enjoy the thing youre looking to purchase while you sit at your computer.
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Mosseri confirms Instagram reduces video quality for posts not raking in views
High-resolution playback is for closers.
If youve ever noticed one of your Instagram videos looks worse now than it did before, theres a reason. Instagram head Adam Mosseri revealed the platform intentionally downgrades video quality for clips not pulling eyeballs. Which feels like Instagrams putting its finger on the scale for folks whove already cracked the secret of virality against those still working it out.
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Apple may tap into a beloved retro design for its smart home display
Everyone loves the Sunflower iMac G4.
Apple
As elegant as Apples computers are, the last one to transcend that and become beautiful was the iMac G4. Now, the rumor mill is hinting the companys long-rumored smart home display may wind up using the same design. On one hand, great, who doesnt want to see what Apple can do with that design? On the other, Apples lackluster commitment to the smart home means itll probably be a pointless waste of money anyway.
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Apple wins $250 in Masimo smartwatch patent case
Siri, can you look up Pyrrhic in the dictionary?
Masimo
The endless battle between Apple and Masimo has seen the bigger company win its latest courtroom skirmish. Apple successfully argued some of Masimos watches infringed on Apples design patents but won just $250 (not a typo) in damages. Sadly, Apple didnt win big enough to score an injunction preventing Masimo from selling its watches. That sound you cant hear right now is champagne corks not being popped in the hallowed halls of Apple Park.
Continue Reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-111516206.html?src=rss
In an AMA this weekend, Instagram head Adam Mosseri shared some insight into why some videos on the platform appear reduced in quality well after theyre posted, and it all boils down to performance. Responding to a question about old stories looking blurry in highlights, Mosseri said, In general, we want to show the highest-quality video we can. But if something isnt watched for a long time because the vast majority of views are in the beginning we will move to a lower quality video. If the video later spikes in popularity again, then we will re-render the higher quality video, he said in the response, which was reposted by a Threads user (spotted by The Verge).
Further elaborating in a follow-up reply, though, Mosseri added, We bias to higher quality (more CPU intensive encoding and more expensive storage for bigger files) for creators who drive more views. The comment has sparked concern from small creators in the replies who say it puts them at a disadvantage competing with others who have larger platforms. Meta has previously said it uses different encoding configurations to process videos based on their popularity as part of how it manages its computing resources.
The performance system works at an aggregate level, Mosseri said, not an individual viewer level Its not a binary theshhold [sic], but rather a sliding scale. In response to one user who questioned its fairness for smaller creators, Mosseri said the quality shift doesnt seem to matter much in practice as it isnt huge and viewers appear to care more about video content over quality. Quality seems to be much more important to the original creator, who is more likely to delete the video if it looks poor, than to their viewers, he said. Understandably, not everyone seems convinced.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/mosseri-confirms-instagram-reduces-video-quality-for-posts-that-arent-raking-in-views-233033536.html?src=rss
Apples rumored smart home display may look a lot like an old friend the iMac G4 of the early 2000s. In the Power On newsletter this weekend, Mark Gurman reports that the countertop tablet will feature a square screen thats positioned at an angle on a small base, making it reminiscent of the circular bottom of the iMac G4. That may be where the speakers are housed too. The device is expected to arrive sometime next year, followed later on by a higher-end version with a robotic limb that can change the position of the display.
The more affordable model, which will be released first, will have a relatively small screen, according to Gurman, being about the size of two iPhones side by side. Its intended to be used for smart home controls, but will also run apps like FaceTime and Calendar, and display photos and videos. The more expensive model will boast a larger screen in addition to its robotic capabilities, according to Gurman. We likely wont see that product until at least 2026, as he previously predicted, and it may run you almost $1,000. Both models are expected to come with Apple Intelligence.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/apple-may-tap-into-a-beloved-retro-design-for-its-smart-home-display-210412601.html?src=rss
The long-promised Playdate Stereo Dock is officially dead, at least for now. After many months with the desktop accessory stuck in development limbo, Panic has updated the product page so it no longer says it's coming soon, but instead that its been put on pause indefinitely due to issues with the Bluetooth experience, the factory that handled it and the rising costs of resolving it all. The Stereo Dock, first announced in 2021, was meant to be a charging dock that doubles as a Bluetooth speaker (and pen holder), along with being a cute way to display your Playdate when its not in use. But, things didnt quite work out as planned.
The Playdate team said it hit some unexpected hurdles in trying to bring the idea to life, and found that making the Stereo Dock was almost more challenging than making the Playdate itself. The statement explains:
What happened? Well, our first regret was assuming that our factory at that time a factory that made lots of Bluetooth speakers could easily design the electronics for us, saving us lots of time and money. That went pretty well at first. But they, in turn, outsourced the Bluetooth software and chipset to another company in another country.
As a result, the Stereo Dock would crash often rapidly adjusting the volume would do it. The Bluetooth pairing/unpairing experience was rough. And when we played music, it just didnt sound very good. The back-and-forth between three companies trying to fix bugs became a huge challenge. And worst of all: the cost of the Stereo Dock kept getting higher and higher.
It goes on to say that the team worked to improve the experience, even buying the Bluetooth chipset source code in hopes to fix the issues, to no avail. While there are a number of beautiful finished prototypes, Panic says they werent very good to use. The official update was foreshadowed in a social media exchange shared on Reddit earlier this month in which Panics Cabel Sasser, replying to a question about the Stereo Docks status, said it turned out to be incredibly hard for lots of incredibly dumb reasons and was put on pause.
The team says its now turning its focus wholly back to the continuing production of the Playdate. There may still be a chance that we see the Stereo Dock at some point down the line, but dont hold your breath. Will it arrive someday? We still hope so, Panic said. Will it arrive anytime soon? Unlikely.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/panic-hits-pause-on-the-playdate-stereo-dock-says-its-unlikely-well-see-it-anytime-soon-191607744.html?src=rss
Google may be close to unveiling an AI agent that can operate a web browser to help users automate everyday tasks. The Information reports that the company is working on a computer-using agent under the codename Project Jarvis, and it may be ready to be previewed as soon as December. According to sources that spoke to The Information, Jarvis responds to a persons commands by capturing frequent screenshots of whats on their computer screen, and interpreting the shots before taking actions like clicking on a button or typing into a text field.
Jarvis is reportedly made to work only with web browsers particularly Chrome to assist with common tasks like research, shopping and booking flights. It comes as Google continues to expand the capabilities of its Gemini AI, the next-gen model of which is expected to be revealed in December, as reported by The Verge. Gemini Live, Googles AI chatbot, gained support for dozens of new languages this month, and Gemini integration has recently made it to Google Meet, Photos and other applications.
The news of Jarvis comes days after Anthropic introduced a similar but seemingly more expansive feature for its Claude AI, which it says has been equipped with computer skills so it can use a wide range of standard tools and software programs designed for people. Thats available now in a public beta.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-is-reportedly-developing-jarvis-ai-that-could-take-over-your-web-browser-163404705.html?src=rss
Google is reportedly working on a new Android API for what its calling Rich Ongoing Notifications, which would allow apps to display at-a-glance information in a status bar much like Apples Live Activities in the Dynamic Island on iPhone. This is according to journalist Mishaal Rahman, who spotted the code in the Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 release. It could work a lot like the time tracker that currently appears when youre on a phone call, with a bit of text in a bubble at the top of the display that you can tap to open the app for more details.
Writing for Android Authority, Rahman says the API will let apps create chips with their own text and background color that live in the status bar. It could be especially useful for things like transit updates, allowing users to keep track of pertinent information like departure times or an Ubers ETA while using other apps. The feature isnt yet complete, though, and it could still be some time before we see it. Rahman predicts itll arrive with Android 16.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/ongoing-notifications-similar-to-apples-live-activities-could-be-coming-to-android-210443338.html?src=rss
New releases in fiction, nonfiction and comics that caught our attention.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/what-to-read-this-weekend-jeff-vandermeer-returns-to-area-x-160004379.html?src=rss
The legal battle between Apple and medical technology company Masimo rages on, with the bigger company sorta, kinda winning their latest face off. A federal jury has agreed with Apple that previous versions of Masimo's W1 and Freedom (pictured above) watches infringed on its design patents, according to Reuters. It only awarded Apple $250 in damages, which is the smallest amount that could be awarded for patent infringement, but the company's lawyers reportedly told the court that it wasn't after money anyway.
What Apple, which is worth $3.5 trillion, wanted was an injunction on the sales of Masimo's current smartwatch models. However, the jury determined that those newer models don't violate Apple's intellectual property. That is why Masimo is also treating the jury's decision as a win, telling the news organization that it's thankful for the verdict that's "in favor of Masimo and against Apple on nearly all issues." Apparently, the ruling only affects a "discontinued module and charger." As for Apple, it told Reuters that it was "glad the jury's decision today will protect the innovations [it advances] on behalf of [its] customers."
Masimo sued Apple in 2021, accusing it of infringing on several of its light-based blood-oxygen monitoring patents, while the tech giant countersued a year later. A court sided with Masimo in 2023, forcing Apple to pause sales on its latest smartwatch models, as the US International Trade Commission blocked all Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 imports into the country. The company appealed and was ultimately able to sell its watches in the country earlier this year by removing the technology from the units offered in the US. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-wins-250-in-masimo-smartwatch-patent-case-150020340.html?src=rss
Lyft has agreed to to tell its drivers how much they can truly earn on the ride-hailing platform and back it up with evidence as part of its settlement for a lawsuit filed by the US Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission. The lawsuit accused the company of making "numerous false and misleading claims" in the advertisements it released in 2021 and 2022, when the demand for rides recovered following COVID-19 lockdowns in the previous years. Lyft promised drivers up to $43 an hour in some locations, the FTC said, without revealing that those numbers were based on the earnings of its top drivers.
The rates it published allegedly didn't represent drivers' average earnings and inflated actual earnings by up to 30 percent. Further, the FTC said that Lyft "failed to disclose" that information, as well as the fact that the amounts it published included passengers' tips. The company also promised in its ads that drivers will get paid a set amount if they complete a certain number of rides within a specific timeframe. A driver is supposed to make $975, for instance, if they complete 45 rides over a weekend.
Lyft allegedly didn't clarify that it will only pay the difference between the what the drivers' earn and its promised guaranteed earnings. Drivers thought they were getting those guaranteed payments on top of their ride payments as a bonus for completing a specific number of rides. The FTC accused Lyft of continuing to make "deceptive earnings claims" even after it sent the company a notice of its concerns in October 2021, as well.
Earlier this month, the company launched an earnings dashboard that showed the estimated hourly rate for each ride, along with the driver's daily, weekly and yearly earnings. But under the settlement, Lyft will have to explicitly tell drivers how much their potential take-home pay is based on typical, instead of inflated, earnings. It has to take tips out of the equation, and it has to to clarify that it will only pay the difference between what the drivers get from rides and its guaranteed earnings promise. Finally, it will have to pay a $2.1 million civil penalty. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/lyft-will-have-to-tell-drivers-how-much-they-can-truly-earn-with-evidence-120011572.html?src=rss
Apple is reportedly still working on glucose management this time through software. Bloombergs Mark Gurman says the company tested an app this year for pre-diabetic people, helping them manage their diet and lifestyle. Apple is said not to have plans to launch the app to consumers, but it could play a part in future health products.
The company reportedly tested the app internally, with employees confirmed through a blood test to be at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The subjects actively monitored their blood sugar via various devices available on the market, logging corresponding glucose changes. The app would then note correlations between dietary changes and blood sugar levels (for example, dont eat the pasta).
Gurman says Apple paused the test to focus on other health features. Bloomberg notes that the Apple Health app currently lacks meal tracking, something rival services offer. The publication also says Apple could eventually offer deeper third-party glucose tracking integration into its products.
The study reportedly wasnt directly related to Apples 15-year quest to offer non-invasive blood glucose monitoring, something thats seemingly regurgitated in Apple Watch rumors every cycle. The companys current hardware prototype is reportedly an iPhone-sized wearable device that uses lasers to shoot light into the skin. Gurman claims Apples first consumer-facing version whether in the Apple Watch or some other form will likely only notify users if they may be pre-diabetic. Providing specific glucose levels would have to come in later iterations.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-reportedly-tested-a-blood-glucose-monitoring-app-204241266.html?src=rss