Now that Bluesky has opened itself up to the public and introduced some new moderation options, the team’s decided it’s finally time to allow world leaders on board, too. A post from the official Bluesky account on Friday notified users, “By the way… we lifted our ‘no heads of state’ policy.” The policy has been in place for the last year as Bluesky worked through all the early growing pains of being a budding social network.
Bluesky remained an invite-only platform from its launch in February 2023 until February of this year, when it finally ditched the waitlist. Bluesky had said last May that it wasn’t ready for heads of state to join, and even asked users to give its support team notice “before you invite prominent figures.” It’s since grown to more than 5 million users, gaining roughly a million alone in the day after it stopped requiring invite codes.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/bluesky-now-allows-heads-of-state-to-join-the-platform-202700504.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
TikTok recently pulled a tool that allowed researchers and others to study the popularity of hashtags on its app. The change, first reported by The New York Times, came shortly after researchers published a report using data from the tool that criticized the company.
As The New York Times points out, the tool was one of the few publicly-accessible methods of tracking details about the popularity of specific hashtags. TikTok, like other social media companies, has made it difficult for outsiders to track how content spreads in its app.
The tool in question is a feature called Creative Center, which provides data about the popularity of hashtags to would-be advertisers and others. Researchers at Rutgers’ Network Contagion Institute had used Creative Center’s search function to track hashtags deemed “sensitive” to Chinese government interests. The researchers compared the prevalence of the hashtags between TikTok and Instagram and concluded that many “sensitive” topics were “dramatically underrepresented on TikTok” compared with Instagram.
Soon after the report was published, the researchers said the search feature in Creative Center disappeared without an explanation. “Search capacity for Hashtags has itself now been removed from the user interface entirely, which NCRI discovered to have occurred on Christmas day, days after this report’s initial release,” they wrote in an addendum to the report. They added that TikTok had also disabled direct access to a number of “sensitive” topics they had previously tracked, including hashtags related to US politics and other geopolitical issues.
In a statement to The New York Times, TikTok confirmed the change. “Unfortunately, some individuals and organizations have misused the Center’s search function to draw inaccurate conclusions, so we are changing some of the features to ensure it is used for its intended purpose,” a company spokesperson said.
The dust-up is the latest example of mounting tensions between social media companies and researchers trying to study thorny topics like misinformation. Meta has also found itself at odds with researchers, and reportedly plans to deprecate CrowdTangle, a tool widely used by researchers and journalists to study how content spreads on Facebook. X has also greatly restricted researchers’ access to data since Elon Musk took control of the company, making its once open APIs prohibitively expensive to most groups.
In TikTok’s case, the company may be particularly sensitive to what it considers improper use of its tools. The company has for years denied that it aligns its content policies with the interests of the Chinese government as numerous government officials have called for the app to be banned. More recently, the company faced increased scrutiny over its handling of content related to the Israel-Hamas war — criticism that was also fueled by what the company said was an inaccurate portrayal of hashtag data.
That said, the company has made some concessions to researchers. TikTok began offering an official Research API to some academic institutions last year, and reportedly plans to make the tools available to some civil society groups that have questioned the company’s content moderation practices.
But for researchers, the move to abruptly cut off a tool will likely fuel more questions about just how willing the company is to work with them. “This lack of transparency is of deep concern to researchers,” the NCRI researchers wrote.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tiktok-pulled-a-hashtag-tracking-feature-researchers-used-to-study-the-platform-015454077.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
Adult film icon and media investor Riley Reid aims to bring the transformational capabilities of generative AI to adult entertainment with an online platform where users can chat with digital versions of content creators. But unlike other, scuzzier adult chatbots, Clona.AI’s avatars are trained with explicit consent of the models’ creators who have direct input in what the “AI companions” will, and won’t, talk about.
For $ 30 a month, fans and subscribers will be able to hold “intimate conversations” with digital versions of their favorite adult stars, content creators and influencers. The site’s roster currently includes Reid herself and Lena the Plug. A free tier is also available but offers just five chat messages per month.
“The reality is, AI is coming, and if it's not Clona, it’s somebody else,” Reid told 404 Media. “When [other people] use deepfakes or whatever — if I'm not partnering up with it, then someone else is going to steal my likeness and do it without me. So being presented with this opportunity, I was so excited because I felt like I had a chance to be a part of society's technological advances.”
Clona uses Meta’s Llama 2 large language model as a base, then heavily refines and retrains it to reflect the personality of the person it’s based on. Reid explains that her model was first trained on a variety of her online media including interviews, podcast appearances and YouTube videos (in addition to some of her x-rated work) before further fine tuning its response by having the AI chat with Reid herself.
“I’ll be able to see how it responds to users, and edit it to be like ‘no, I would have said it more like this,’’’ Reid said. “But in the beginning my focus was on things like making sure it had my dogs’ names right, making sure I was fact-checking it.”
While the AI companion will be capable talking dirty, how dirty that gets depends on the actor’s preferences, not the user’s. Reid notes that her model, for example, will not discuss physically dangerous sex acts with users. "I don't know if the tech team thought about the sounding guys, but I was like, I thought about them,” she said.
Generative AI technology has shown tremendous potential in creating digital clones of deceased celebrities and recording artists. The process requires little more than the celeb’s permission (or that of their estate) and a sufficiently large corpus of their vocal or video recordings. However, we’ve already also seen that technology be misused in deepfake pornography and shady dental advertising. Unscrupulous data scraping practices on the public web (data which is then used to train LLMs) has also raised difficult questions regarding modern copyright laws, copyright infringement and Grammy award eligibility.
Still, Reid remains optimistic about the historically proven resilience of the sex industry. “I feel like we're gonna be a huge part of AI adapting into our society, because porn is always like that,” Reid said. “It’s what it did with the internet. And the porn world has seen so many advances in technology.”
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/adult-film-star-riley-reid-launches-clonaai-a-sexting-chatbot-platform-000509221.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
Antstream Arcade is offering over 1,300 retro game titles on Xbox One and Series X/S, with notable titles such as Space Invaders, Metal Slug and Bubble Bobble. The company says these titles will be playable instantly without additional downloads or installation via its cloud gaming platform, with more titles being added every week. This is notable as Antstream will be the first third-party game streaming service on Xbox.
The service will support cloud-based game saves, an online scoreboard and the ability to pick up your game from multiple devices. Antstream Arcade is already available on Mac, PC, Linux, Android TV, Firestick and Samsung TVs, but this marks the first time it is coming to a game console.
Antstream says that it is using its “unique technology” to mod original games, allowing the company to create new mini-game challenges for both new and returning players. For example, you could play a modified Pac-Man map where the main objective is to avoid collecting the dots. Players will be able to enter tournaments, challenge other players to duels or compete for the highest score.
Microsoft already has its own Xbox Cloud Gaming streaming service, and that’s available as a native app on Android, Windows, Samsung smart TVs and select VR headsets. It’s also available on iOS and Mac but you’ll need to use a web browser to access it. Though, Xbox Cloud Gaming is more focused on playing modern titles away from your console, while Antstream Arcade is solely focused on tugging those nostalgic heart strings.
Antstream Arcade on Xbox will be available for pre-order starting today on the Xbox store. Pricing will start at $ 29.99 annually with a one-time lifetime purchase option for $ 79.99. The company says all future games and new features will be included, regardless of which purchase option you decide to go with.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cloud-gaming-platform-antstream-arcade-brings-over-1000-retro-games-to-xbox-070057648.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
Besides making processors for smartphones and tablets, MediaTek also produces chips for a vast range of devices ranging from TVs, smart speakers, audio products and more. MediaTek’s new T830 platform is its latest 5G product and it’s headed to 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) routers and mobile hotspot devices (CPE). Featuring MediaTek’s M80 modem, the […]
Come comment on this article: MediaTek’s new T830 platform is headed to 5G routers and mobile hotspots
Android TV may not have as many users as Apple TV or Roku, but that’s changing fast. What can it do, and how can you get it? Here’s everything you need to know.
Android | Digital Trends
The Hyundai Motor Group are not new hands at building electric vehicles, having produced the Soul EV since 2014, not to mention the “relentlessly sensible” Niro EV, the Kona EV and also the upcoming Ioniq brand of electric vehicles. But all of the mo…
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MediaTek held its Online Summit earlier where it announced its new Dimensity 700 chipset that aims to bring 5G connectivity to affordable smartphones. In the process, the company revealed that it plans to re-enter the flagship processor arena with an as-yet-unnamed chip that will launch before the end of 2020. The Premium Platform, as the […]
Come comment on this article: MediaTek’s new ‘Premium Platform’ processor will launch before 2021 to take the fight to Qualcomm
Just a few hours ago it looked like the fight between NBCUniversal and Roku would get ugly, and even see the Comcast-owned network’s other channels disappear from streaming boxes and sticks. But now the two have patched things up, and announced that…
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Every day, people come to YouTube to connect with their favorite creators, and in the process, they discover new products they love. In turn, this creates a valuable opportunity for brands to reach new audiences on YouTube and partner with creators to amplify their message. Over the years, we’ve seen branded content grow on YouTube, thanks to the direct connection creators have with their fans. In fact, the influencer marketing industry as a whole is projected to reach $ 15 billion by 2022.
Given the success our brands and creators have seen with branded content on YouTube, we are evolving FameBit to YouTube BrandConnect.
Through YouTube BrandConnect, we’re making it easier for creators and brands to create branded content that is both authentic and effective. Our focus will continue to be supporting and driving revenue to creators, providing measurable campaigns for brands, and reaching viewers with authentic and relevant content. We’ve built unique, industry-first features within our branded content platform to support each of these goals.
On the creator side, we’ve developed insights-based matchmaking tools that allow more access to branded content deals for eligible creators across YouTube. Because of the connection that creators have with their fans, our proactive matchmaking produces highly engaging and relevant branded content. And it’s working – over the past two years, average deal size across the full service product grew more than 260%.
YouTube creators have a real-time pulse on their community and have the flexibility to pivot their content to serve audience (and brand) needs, something we’re seeing firsthand right now. For example, the Reese’s brand’s March Madness campaign took a turn when the annual basketball tournament was cancelled due to the pandemic. Creators including 2Hype, Smosh Pit, and Eh Bee Family were able to adapt their previously-shot content to still bring a relevant vibe to fans at home, while driving strong consumer engagement and awareness for Reese’s Miniature Cups newly designed packaging, which was perfect for a stay-at-home game of couch basketball.
For brands, we’ve added new measurement solutions like Brand Interest Lift, Influencer Lift, and organic view-through conversations that provide them with real-time campaign results and bring the accountability of digital advertising to branded content campaigns. Brand Interest Lift allows advertisers to measure consumer search behavior resulting from viewing the creator’s video, and Influencer Lift measures consumer sentiment on Purchase Intent, Brand Recall, and more. Through Google insights and tools, it is possible for brands to measure the impact and ROI of influencer marketing for the first time on YouTube.
We’ve also introduced several ads technology innovations such as the shopping shelf and app shelf to help viewers buy products and download apps being discussed in creators’ videos directly from the watch page. This will soon expand to a new media shelf, where viewers can buy or rent movies and shows. We’ve also introduced new technologies like the AR try-on experience that allow viewers to virtually try on and shop products, alongside their favorite creators.
Eligible creators in the U.S. with 25,000+ subscribers will be able to sign up for YouTube BrandConnect directly in YouTube Studio, where we’ll be adding more campaign management features in the coming months. With YouTube BrandConnect, brands can easily connect and measure branded content campaigns with their Google and YouTube advertising strategies – allowing for full-funnel influencer marketing integrations.
We’re always looking for new ways to help creators earn more money, and we’ve added additional resources to help creators get started making branded content on Creator Academy. We’ll continue investing in our technology and expanding internationally to bring new experiences to creators, brands and their fans globally. This is just the beginning for YouTube BrandConnect, and we’re excited to bring even more value to creators, brands, and viewers through branded content campaigns in the months ahead.
Lori Sobel, Global Business Head of YouTube BrandConnect
Henry Scott-Green, Product Manager at YouTube BrandConnect
A new gaming platform called Meditations could be a great fit for people who love playing those random online games a few minutes a day to decompress. It promises to launch one new "tiny game" every day in 2019, each one accompanied by text to serve…
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Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845 processor is the CPU of choice for most smartphone brands where flagships are concerned, as we’ve seen with the recent Galaxy S9, LG G7 ThinQ, OnePlus 6, and HTC U12+ launches. Mid-tier hands have been mostly using the Snapdragon 660 chip but we could soon see a bunch of mid-range flagships sporting […]
Come comment on this article: Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 710 platform brings premium features to the mid-range
Google announced a new platform they are working to roll out soon that will provide a source for “hyperlocal” news stories. The platform is called Bulletin and will enable people to “put spotlight on inspiring stories that aren’t being told.” Google has things constructed at present to drive the new platform via a smartphone app. […]
Come comment on this article: Google announces new Bulletin hyperlocal citizen news platform
While many consumers in the smartphone market are looking at new devices running Android Oreo or hoping their existing devices get an update to the latest version of the Android operating system, there is a group that is looking for Android Nougat support. Those users are those who want to run an Android compatible gaming […]
Come comment on this article: BlueStacks releases the first Android gaming platform to run Android Nougat
We’re incredibly excited about Google’s Smart Display platform, and it looks like other manufacturers are, too. Lenovo is likely the most high profile name making a device for the platform, but JBL is throwing their hat in the ring, too. Called the JBL Link View, the device sports a high-resolution 8-inch display with stereo speakers. […]
Come comment on this article: JBL joins the Google Smart Display platform with the JBL Link View
Still trying to make a name for itself in the streaming music market, Tidal has launched apps for both the Android TV and Apple TV platforms. The new apps give users more direct, easier access to Tidal and their video library of concerts, music videos and live streams on their big screen devices. If the […]
Come comment on this article: Tidal app launches for Android TV platform
India continues to show signs of becoming a major market for the tech industry despite challenges related to the relative lack of wealth and Google is working hard to capitalize on that growth. The latest move from Google involves a mobile payment platform that is localized for India going by the name Google Tez, which […]
Come comment on this article: Google Tez is new mobile payments platform in works for Indian market
Facebook has announced their next platform to be released, a video streaming service called Watch. Many are pointing to the new Watch as being Facebook’s answer to YouTube TV, although Facebook says they are capitalizing on their own success with making video available on their platform. Watch will serve as a hub to help users find […]
Come comment on this article: New Facebook Watch platform for videos coming up next
Hot on the heels of Apple’s announcement of a new iMessage based payment processing framework to help Apple’s customers move money from person-to-person, a new bank-backed solution called Zelle was announced by Early Warning Services. The new Zelle system will be available to approximately 86-million mobile banking customers through their bank specific apps. Zelle promises […]
Come comment on this article: New Zelle P2P payment system to provide new safe, fast platform to move money
Every year the Black Hat conference highlights and analyzes security vulnerabilities in common services public awareness and a little infamy. On Sunday, a researcher released a paper criticizing the point-of-service purchasing system Samsung Pay for…
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Software management company Movimento has unveiled a new ‘On-The-Air’ automotive platform at the TU-Automotive event in Detroit. We spoke with Movimento CTO Mahbubul Alam about what the platform can do and the future of the software-defined car.
The post Movimento’s ‘On-The-Air’ software platform eyes a truly connected automotive ecosystem appeared first on Digital Trends.