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  • Seaglider takes off: Another major airline joins the push for battery-powered water flights

    Seaglider takes off: Another major airline joins the push for battery-powered water flights

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    The REGENT Seaglider aims to fly between cities near the water transporting passengers in the most efficient way possible.  A recent successful test flight is making it more of a reality and attracting additional interest. 

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    A number of airlines are investing in the future of aviation. Japan Airlines has joined Hawaiian Airlines in showing its commitment to sustainability and desire to be at the forefront of the aviation industry’s shift toward more environmentally friendly and cost-effective practices. 

    Both airlines are looking to reduce their carbon footprint by investing in the electric REGENT Seaglider, which has the potential to reduce emissions and improve the overall environmental impact of air travel. 

    Image of the exterior of the  electric REGENT Seaglider which can hold 12 passengers and flies exclusively over water. 
    (REGENT )

    What is the REGENT Seaglider aircraft? 

    The REGENT Seaglider aircraft is a 12-passenger vehicle that operates exclusively over water. It can cross the ocean in one of three modes which include hull, hydrofoil, and flight in ground effect.  

    HOW TO MAKE USE OF GOOGLE FLIGHTS

    The aircraft has a 160-nautical mile range with existing battery technology, which is upgradeable to over 400-nautical mile range with next-generation battery technology and will enter service by 2025. Full-scale prototypes will begin sea trials this year. 

    The aircraft is designed to give all passengers exceptional views from their seats that feature 34 inches of seat pitch, 3000 lbs of payload in the passenger configuration, and 88 cubic feet of luggage space. A quarter-sized test aircraft achieved its first flight last September. 

    Image of the interior of the REGENT Seaglider aircraft. 

    Image of the interior of the REGENT Seaglider aircraft. 
    (REGENT)

    What is the benefit of flying on the REGENT Seaglider? 

    One perk of flying this way is that if you’re someone who isn’t a fan of flying or heights, you don’t have to worry as much about this aircraft.  

    Rather than flying thousands of feet in the air like a normal plane, this one acts more like a hydrofoil, taking off and landing on water and flying just above the water’s surface. It’s also a super-fast way to travel, accelerating to between 145 and 180 mph at top speed.  

    HOW TO AVOID THE WORST SEAT ON THE PLANE

    The Seaglider will essentially act as a water and air taxi between urban centers and coastal areas like New York City, the Hawaiian Islands, Tokyo, and Barcelona, to name a few. It’s also designed to help the environment by generating less noise pollution and fewer emissions and only requires half of the operating costs of a traditional aircraft. 

    Will the REGENT Seaglider take off with consumers? 

    REGENT promises lower costs, increased speed, and zero emissions with its Seaglider aircraft. Not to mention a mission to drastically reduce the headache of regional transportation between coastal cities.  

    That all sounds great if REGENT can overcome the technological and economic hurdles in bringing a new mode of transportation to the marketplace. The company is making a significant financial investment and putting a lot of expertise and time into it.  

    If that pays off and the REGENT Seaglider becomes a reality, it could transform the way we get from point A to point B in the future. Only time will tell if this mix of boat and plane will take off with consumers.

    WILD INNOVATIONS COMING IN 2023 DESPITE DOWNTURN IN ECONOMY

    Image of the interior of the REGENT Seaglider.

    Image of the interior of the REGENT Seaglider.
    (REGENT)

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    For more of my tips, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by clicking the “Free newsletter” link at the top of my website. 

    Copyright 2023 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.  CyberGuy.com articles and content may contain affiliate links that earn a commission when purchases are made. 

    Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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  • Apple is the only US tech giant to have avoided significant layoffs. Will it last? | CNN Business

    Apple is the only US tech giant to have avoided significant layoffs. Will it last? | CNN Business

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    CNN
     — 

    In less than three months, four of the big five US tech companies have cut tens of thousands of employees combined, shattering myths about the industry’s seemingly unstoppable growth in the process.

    But there has been one notable exception: Apple.

    To date, Apple

    (AAPL)     has not announced any substantial cuts, thanks in part to slower headcount growth than some of its peers during the pandemic and continued demand for its core products. Some analysts think more modest cost cuts could be coming, however.

    The iPhone maker is set to report earnings results for the final three months of 2022 on Thursday after the bell. It is expected to post a rare year-over-year decline in revenue.

    While these expectations show the strain Apple’s business is under, Wedbush Securities’ Dan Ives said in a note this week that pent-up demand for upgrading iPhones remains strong. “Apple will likely cut some costs around the edges, but we do not expect mass layoffs from Cupertino this week,” Ives wrote.

    Tom Forte, a senior research analyst at DA Davison, agreed there will be staff reductions, but likely not as drastic as those at other large tech companies. “Apple will cut headcount,” he said in a recent interview on Bloomberg TV, but suggested the cuts would come through attrition or reductions at the retail level.

    “While they haven’t done so yet, like everyone else, they will adjust their headcount for the current level of demand,” he said.

    Fueled by a surge in demand for digital products earlier in the pandemic, Big Tech went on a massive hiring spree.

    Amazon

    (AMZN)     and Meta each doubled their headcount between the third quarter in 2019 and the third quarter 2022, according to data shared in the companies’ securities filings. Alphabet, meanwhile, grew its headcount 64% during that time, and Microsoft grew its staff by more than 50% over approximately the same period.

    Apple, by comparison, grew its headcount by a more modest 20%. As of September 2022, Apple said it had approximately 164,000 full-time employees.

    Many tech CEOs, with varying degrees of remorse, have blamed over-hiring in the early days of the pandemic for the mass layoffs now. As pandemic restrictions eased last year, the demand for digital services shifted back toward pre-pandemic levels. Inflation pinched consumer and business spending, and rising interest rates evaporated the easy money tech companies had tapped into. And one-by-one, amid the whiplash, household names in Silicon Valley began announcing widespread layoffs to adjust to the new environment.

    While Apple has not announced layoffs, its business has been strained in other ways. Like other Big Tech companies, it has faced threats of antitrust action in the United States and EU. Earlier this month, Apple also said CEO Tim Cook had agreed to a massive pay cut this year, following a shareholder vote on his compensation package after its stock fell about 27% in 2022.

    As consumer spending tightened, global smartphone shipments plunged 18% in the fourth quarter of 2022, according to market research firm Canalys. Apple’s business also faced supply chain hurdles linked to China’s Covid lockdowns and unrest that hit a key production site in Zhengzhou, China late last year.

    Still, Apple’s business is weathering the downturn better than some of its fellow tech giants. In its most-recent earnings report, the company reported sales grew 8% year-over-year and that the company hit a September quarter revenue record for iPhone.

    Thursday’s earnings results will show whether Apple can keep defying gravity.

    “Apple continues to innovate with high-quality, industry-leading products supported by a powerful digital platform,” analysts at Monness, Crespi and Hardt wrote in an investor note Tuesday. “However, regulatory headwinds persist and we believe the darkest days of this downturn are ahead of us.”

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  • When the government is the customer (some things to keep in mind)

    When the government is the customer (some things to keep in mind)

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    Five years ago, Google backed away from a Pentagon government contract because thousands of employees protested that its tech might be used for lethal drone targeting. Today, however, Silicon Valley has far fewer qualms about developing tech for the U.S. Department of Defense.

    So said four investors — Trae Stephens of Founders Fund, Bilal Zuberi of Lux Capital, Raj Shah of Shield Capital and longtime In-Q-Tel president Steve Bowsher — speaking at a startup event for military veterans today in San Francisco. Said Shah of the shift in attitude that he has observed personally: “The number of companies, founders, and entrepreneurs interested in national security broadly — I’ve never seen it at this level.”

    Bowsher argued that the “reluctance of Silicon Valley to work with the [Defense Department] and intel community” was always “overblown,” adding that across his 16 year with In-Q-Tel, which is the CIA’s venture fund, his team has met with roughly 1,000 companies each year and just “five to 10 have turned us down, saying they weren’t interested in working with the customers we represent.”

    We’ll have more from the panel in TechCrunch+ but wanted to share parts of our conversation that centered on Things to Consider when selling to the U.S. government, given that founders with commercial customers may be thinking increasingly trying to sell their products and applications to the U.S. military. (This is particularly true of AI and cybersecurity and automation startups.)

    We talked with the investors, for example, about mission creep, meaning how a startup that begins to work with the government can ensure it doesn’t wind up spending the bulk of its time catering to the government owing to new requests — and ignoring earlier, commercial customers in the process.

    Here Trae Stephens — who also cofounded Anduril, a maker of autonomous weapons systems that has aggressively courted business from government agencies from its outset — said that this kind of gradual shift in objectives is “exactly what makes it hard to do both [cater to civilian enterprises and the government] at an early stage.”

    He said that a “lot of the programs that [enable founders to] do early business with the Department of Defense requires some, like, DoD-ization of your product for that use case.”

    Though In-Q-Tel backed Anduril early on, for which Stephens said he is thankful, he offered that many companies that take money from government, including through its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, “end up building all of these very specific workflow steps that take them away from the commercial businesses needed to make” the business truly work. (Stephens relatedly noted that very few outfits can chase after the military exclusively, as did Anduril, because it “takes so long to get into production with the DoD that you have to be able to raise, basically, an infinite amount of seed dollars; otherwise, the company’s going to die.” )

    Relatedly, we asked how so-called dual-use companies deal with their intellectual property rights once they’ve begun selling to the government. For example, you can imagine a scenario in which a tech helps the NSA identify certain types of people who are making certain types of calls, and while there are commercial applications for this tech, the government doesn’t want it being released to adversaries. Is there a way to sort that out in advance, we wondered?

    Here, there was no easy answer other than: get the right help and do it as fast as possible.

    Zuberi recounted one cautionary tale centered around one of Lux’s own portfolio companies. Said Zuberi: “I have a company that received a $100,000 [National Science Foundation] grant. Two guys started it in my office. I didn’t think much of it; I thought it was nice to have on their resume. Then they started to do a Series B raise, and one of the [interested] firms does diligence on what other contracts [the team might] have, and there was a clause in that NSF grant that said, ‘Hey, if the government needs [what you’re building], we can use it.’ So we had to wait six months while we negotiated with [someone] at the NSF who didn’t care about it at all to get that right back. I would have paid them double the amount of the grant just to make it go away, but they said ‘No, you can’t do this, we can’t go back.’ So you can run into problems.

    Again, we’ll have more from this discussion soon, including about AI in military applications; we learned a lot — hopefully you will, too.

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    Connie Loizos

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  • Why Twitter users are upset about the platform’s latest change | CNN Business

    Why Twitter users are upset about the platform’s latest change | CNN Business

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    The season of Twitter shakeups isn’t over yet.

    The social media platform has announced it will eliminate free API access for third-party developers. While the concept of an “API restriction” may not sound dramatic, this latest change has users once again worried about Twitter’s future. In simple terms, this means the site’s innumerable automated accounts will grind to a halt, unless the person in charge of them decides to pay for access.

    It also means researchers who leverage Twitter’s API to collect public data from the site will lose a key resource – again, unless they pay.

    Many of Twitter’s users are not happy about the change, as they say it will fundamentally alter the platform’s culture.

    API stands for “application programming interface,” and it’s a framework that allows programs to communicate and connect with each other. In the case of a platform like Twitter, or Facebook or YouTube, this means developers outside the company can create programs that connect with the main product. Twitter’s description of its API says developers can use the feature to “moderate conversations for health and safety,” “enable creation and personal expression,” “measure and analyze what’s happening” and more.

    Automated accounts are a common example of how this work appears on the platform. If you’ve ever seen an account that automatically tweets out reminders to hydrate, or random photos of possums, you’ve seen one way an API can be used. Some people have used Twitter’s API to provide accessibility options to content, like alt text or image descriptions. Others, like thread readers or reminders, can help people save and revisit information on the site.

    Since Twitter’s announcement, many of these accounts have made forlorn announcements that they will cease working once the policy goes into effect on February 9. The Twitter Dev account noted that more details on what users could expect would come next week, while CEO Elon Musk remarked in a separate tweet that “Just ~100/month for API access with ID verification will clean” up what he said was abuse of the API.

    While accounts that tweet “Lord of the Rings” quotes or make site navigation easier aren’t necessarily the backbone of the platform, users argue they contribute to the social experience that’s become a part of every day life.

    APIs also allow people to create searches for publicly available data stored in a digital record, which is extremely useful for research, marketing and other purposes. Some users are concerned about what the API access changes will mean for their work.

    It’s not unusual for a platform as big as Twitter to have an API that’s accessible to the public, as it provides more ways for people to use the platform – a relationship that can be beneficial for the company. Tech experts surmise that Twitter’s decision to have people pay for API access is one in a long string of moneymaking attempts since the company came under Musk’s direction.

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  • How to add your credit cards and loyalty passes to your iPhone

    How to add your credit cards and loyalty passes to your iPhone

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    Let’s face it: Having to carry your wallet everywhere can be a real pain, not to mention it’s inconvenient. Yet we all have credit, debit and loyalty cards to keep track of. So what’s the solution? 

    Well, rather than keeping all of them in your physical wallet, you may consider keeping a secure copy of them on your iPhone using your Wallet app. 

    What is the Wallet app? 

    The Wallet app automatically comes on every iPhone and Apple Watch running the iOS operating system. It is a software application that allows you to store, manage and secure digital currency, credit and debit cards and other personal information in a virtual wallet on your smartphone or Apple Watch for easy access. 

    If you hate carrying a wallet around, using this app could be a way for you to leave it behind. The Wallet app can also store the following: 

    WHY YOUR PHONE GETS SO HOT DURING CALLS AND HOW TO PREVENT IT

    • Transit cards
    • Digital keys
    • Driver’s license or State ID (in some states)
    • Employee badges
    • Student ID cards
    • Rewards cards
    • Boarding passes
    • Concert tickets
    • Vaccination cards

    How do I add a card or loyalty pass to my Wallet app? 

    • Adding to your Wallet app is quite simple if you follow these steps:
    • Open your Apple Wallet app

    CLICK TO GET KURT’S CYBERGUY NEWSLETTER WITH QUICK TIPS, TECH REVIEWS, SECURITY ALERTS AND EASY HOW-TO’S TO MAKE YOU SMARTER 

    The Wallet app stores cards, tickets and more.
    (CyberGuy.com)

    • Click the + icon in the top right-hand corner
    Here's how to use Wallet.

    Here’s how to use Wallet.
    (CyberGuy.com)

    • Pick which type of card or pass you’d like to add
    Tap here to add cards, keys and more to your Apple Wallet.

    Tap here to add cards, keys and more to your Apple Wallet.
    (CyberGuy.com)

    Add your credit card to your Apple Wallet.

    Add your credit card to your Apple Wallet.
    (CyberGuy.com)

    BEST HOME-DELIVERY GROCERY APPS OF 2023

    • Use your device’s camera to capture the card information or enter the card details manually
    Follow these steps to add your credit card to your Apple Wallet.

    Follow these steps to add your credit card to your Apple Wallet.
    (CyberGuy.com)

    • Verify the information is correct, then tap Next
    Enter the details of your card to add to Apple Wallet.

    Enter the details of your card to add to Apple Wallet.
    (CyberGuy.com)

    • Follow any additional instructions to verify the card and complete the setup process.  Each credit card company has a unique verification process that could require a direct phone call, text or use of their official app.

    Note: The exact steps may vary depending on the version of iOS you are using and the type of card you are adding 

    What if I still want to carry my physical cards with me? 

    Not every store has Apple Pay, and not every facility will accept a digital copy of an important card, such as a license or vaccination card. 

    Or if the thought of not carrying your physical cards with you makes you too nervous, Amazon sells plenty of convenient cardholders that can stick directly to the back of your iPhone so that you can still carry your cards and your phone all at once. Check out the short list we’ve compiled below. 

    Apple Leather Wallet with MagSafe 

    This lets you stick your wallet on the back of your iPhone.

    This lets you stick your wallet on the back of your iPhone.
    (Apple)

    The Apple leather wallet with MagSafe is now compatible with Find My, so you can be notified of its location if your wallet ever gets separated from your phone. It has strong magnets that snap directly onto the back of your phone and can safely hold 2 to 3 cards.  

    It’s compatible with the following iPhone models:  iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12, and iPhone 12 mini.  At the time of publishing, with over 6,200 ratings and 74% 5-star reviews, this product is a solid purchase. 

    Get Apple Leather Wallet with MagSafe 

    Wallaroo Premium Leather Phone Card Holder 

    Here's another cardholder to attach to your phone.

    Here’s another cardholder to attach to your phone.
    (Wallaroo)

    MOVE OVER, SIRI: APPLE’S NEW AUDIOBOOK AI VOICE SOUNDS LIKE A HUMAN

    This Wallaroo phone cardholder is compatible with nearly every smartphone model and can comfortably hold up to 3 cards. It’s made of 100% genuine leather and can attach to your phone with its super strong 3M adhesives that don’t get affected by heat, light moisture or sweat. At the time of publishing, it has nearly 6,000 reviews on Amazon with a 77% 5-star rating, so this product is a safe bet as well. 

    Get Wallaroo Premium Leather Phone Card Holder 

    Sinjimoru Secure Card Holder  

    This cardholder also protects your private information.

    This cardholder also protects your private information.
    (CyberGuy.com)

    What’s great about the Sinjimoru Secure Card Holder is that it comes with an extra flap function that prevents direct exposure of your private information to anyone and gives optimal security to all the cards you carry.  

    It’s compatible with most smartphone devices, However, beware that iPhone models with glass backs, such as iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 plus, iPhone 7 matte black/jet black, must be used with appropriate cases to avoid adhesion problems. At the time of publishing, with over 6,100 reviews and 76% 5-star ratings, the Sinjimoru product is a great choice. 

    Get Sinjimoru Secure Card Holder  

    ESR HaloLock Vegan Leather Wallet 

    Examples of the leather wallet standing up an iPhone.

    Examples of the leather wallet standing up an iPhone.
    (CyberGuy.com)

    Not only does this product have three different slots for you to keep your cards in. It also comes with an adjustable stand you can use to perfectly position your phone for watching shows, FaceTime calls or surfing the internet.  

    It’s made of high-quality vegan leather and has metallic mesh lining to give your cards some extra protection. At the time of publishing, this has over 2,100 reviews and 72% 5-star reviews, making it a great one to purchase. 

    Get ESR HaloLock Vegan Leather Wallet 

    What do you think of the wallet app? Is it something you use or will use in the future? 

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    For more of my tips, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by clicking the “Free newsletter” link at the top of my website. 

    Copyright 2023 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. CyberGuy.com articles and content may contain affiliate links that earn a commission when purchases are made.

    Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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  • 10 cool Valentine’s Day gifts for your kids and grandkids

    10 cool Valentine’s Day gifts for your kids and grandkids

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    My mom is right. She always says to tell them you love them every chance you get. Valentine’s Day is the best day of the year to show all your loved ones how much you mean to them, and that includes your kids and grandkids. We’ve got 10 of the best gifts you can give, whether your gift is going to younger kids or older teens. 

    CLICK TO GET KURT’S CYBERGUY NEWSLETTER WITH QUICK TIPS, TECH REVIEWS, SECURITY ALERTS AND EASY HOW-TO’S TO MAKE YOU SMARTER 

    A Chocolate Pen, used to make sweet treats.
    (Chocolate Pen)

    Get this super fun Chocolate Pen for the kids in your life that will let them draw in chocolate and DIY their own baking creations. The pen can automatically load chocolate, and it comes with a melting tray that keeps colors melted and ready to go.

    It’s perfect for the kid who loves to bake and wants to make some Valentine’s Day treats. At the time of publishing, this product had over 4,400 global reviews with 56% of customers giving it five stars. 

    Get Chocolate Pen 

    The Galaxy Rose nightlight.

    The Galaxy Rose nightlight.
    (QUNPON)

    This Galaxy Rose in a glass dome is a great gift for your child or grandchild who wants a really cool nightlight. It illuminates multiple colors with LED lighting and even comes in a personalized box to unwrap. At the time of publishing, this product has over 2,600 global reviews with 80% of consumers giving it five stars. 

    HOW TO KEEP YOUR AMAZON GIFT PURCHASES A SECRET

    Get Galaxy Rose 

    Nekteck's foot massager.

    Nekteck’s foot massager.
    (Nekteck)

    Our tester keeps this under his desk throughout the day making all those around him envy the relaxation possible in minutes. This Nekteck foot massager is great for a loved one of any age. It has six massage heads with 18 rotating massager nodes and even has a heating function to help fatigued muscles and improve foot wellness. The heating function is safe and optional to use.

    Plus, you don’t even have to bend down to turn the device on. Simply touch the power button with your toe, and it will turn on automatically. At the time of publishing, this product had over 24,000 global ratings with 67% of consumers giving it five stars. 

    Get Nekteck Foot Massager 

    BRONAX's black Cloud Slippers.

    BRONAX’s black Cloud Slippers.
    (BRONAX)

    Keeping up with the foot comfort theme, the BRONAX Cloud Slippers can provide the ultimate support and comfort for your feet. It has a rebound sole that is lightweight and compression resistant, and a broad strap that hugs your foot for a snug fit. At the time of publishing, this product had over 28,000 reviews with 70% giving it five stars. 

    WHO HAS CASH TO BURN FOR THESE EXTRAVAGANT $1,000+ AMAZON GIFTS?

    Get BRONAX Cloud Slippers 

    The Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug.

    The Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug.
    (Ember)

    Keep your beverages warm all winter long with the Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug. This isn’t just any ordinary mug.

    It has a built-in battery to continuously heat your drink for up to 1.5 hours on a single charge, and it can be controlled from your smartphone with the Ember app to set your temperature, customize presets, receive notifications and more. At the time of publishing, this product had over 7,100 global ratings with 78% giving it five stars. 

    Get the Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 

    The DASH red mini waffle maker.

    The DASH red mini waffle maker.
    (DASH)

    If you have a kid who loves to cook, the DASH waffle maker is the perfect gift to get them started with simple recipes. Not only can you make waffles, but you can also make other foods like hash browns, cookies, and even biscuit pizzas. It comes with a 4-inch nonstick cooking surface which makes cleanup super easy, so you don’t have to worry about your kitchen being destroyed. At the time of publishing, this product had over 223,000 reviews with 80% of consumers giving it five stars. 

    Get DASH Mini Waffle Maker 

    COOL TECH TO KEEP YOU WARM IN THE COLD

    A woman modeling The COMFY wearable blanket. 

    A woman modeling The COMFY wearable blanket. 
    (The COMFY )

    The COMFY is the perfect accessory for you to use to bundle up this winter. It’s a wearable blanket that you can wear anywhere you go, and it fits people of all sizes. It is double layered with luxurious fleece microfiber on the outside and premium fluffy sherpa on the inside, so it can keep you warm and cozy for hours on end. At the time of publishing, this product had over 92,000 ratings with 89% of consumers giving it five stars. 

    Get The COMFY 

    Various ways to use The Book Seat. 

    Various ways to use The Book Seat. 
    (The Book Seat Store)

    The Book Seat is redefining comfort for all the bookworms out there. You can now read comfortably without having to sit in awkward positions, as the Book Seat has a shelf with an adjustable page holder that holds and supports books upright with the pages open.

    You can adjust it to multiple positions and angles just like a beanbag, and it fits all book sizes. At the time of publishing, this product had over 2,300 global reviews with 71% giving it five stars. 

    Get The Book Seat 

    The Dan&Darci Flower Gardening Kit. 

    The Dan&Darci Flower Gardening Kit. 
    (Dan&Darci)

    This Flower Gardening Kit is the perfect gift for Spring which will be here before we know it. You can paint and plant your very own stoneware garden with the 3 stoneware pots, the stoneware tray, and plant markers that come in the kit, and sow Marigold, Cosmos and Zinnia flowers. It even comes with a 12-color paint strip, two paintbrushes, a paint palette, three wooden plant markers, a shovel, a watering bottle and an instruction booklet. At the time of publishing, this product had over 1,200 global ratings with 79% giving it five stars.

    SAY IT WITH PHOTOS: BEST DIGITAL FRAMES FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

    The AURA digital picture frame.

    The AURA digital picture frame.
    (AURA)

    The AURA Frame is a top-rated digital picture frame that allows you send pictures and videos from your smartphone directly to the frame. Just connect to your Wi-Fi, download the AURA app which is available for both iOS and Android phones and invite friends and family to share photos directly to your digital picture frame. You also get free unlimited cloud storage. At the time of publishing, this product had over 7,300 ratings with 89% giving it five stars. 

    Get Aura Frame 

    Do you have other items you love giving as Valentine’s Day gifts? Let us know!

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    For more of my tips, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by clicking the “Free newsletter” link at the top of my website. 

    Copyright 2023 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. CyberGuy.com articles and content may contain affiliate links that earn a commission when purchases are made. 

    Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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  • Can 4 activist investors play nice in the Salesforce sandbox?

    Can 4 activist investors play nice in the Salesforce sandbox?

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    Salesforce finds itself in a rather unusual situation, with four activist investors operating inside the company at the same time: Elliott Management, Starboard Value, ValueAct and Inclusive Capital. Experts suggest that having so many activist investors in play at once at a major tech company like Salesforce is exceptional.

    What do these folks want from Salesforce, which is hardly in full distress? Sure, the stock is down, but Salesforce raked in $8 billion last quarter.

    But that could be precisely why the investors are so interested — because they believe whatever they think is wrong can be fixed fairly quickly, and everyone can make a lot of money without a lot of fuss.

    That may or may not be the case. When you have four strong personalities involved in the same game, even if their end goal is in sync, how do you get them all collaborating to pull CEO Marc Benioff and the board of directors in line with them? And let’s not forget that Benioff has a pretty strong personality himself.

    If the investors have differing opinions about what’s wrong at Salesforce, it can create an opening for Benioff to negotiate, something that activist investors don’t typically like to do. Instead, they like to dictate terms and position themselves — usually by capturing board seats — to make sure the company does what they want. Salesforce did announce three new board members last week, including ValueAct CEO and chief investment officer Mason Morfit.

    But with four firms, who gets additional board seats? Who negotiates these changes? Do they work together or do they come apart? It’s an interesting exercise in teamwork. Can these investors share the responsibility without driving each other crazy?

    Searching for consensus

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    Ron Miller

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  • A first-generation iPhone is expected to go for $50,000 at auction

    A first-generation iPhone is expected to go for $50,000 at auction

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    A first-generation iPhone is up for auction and is expected to sell for a whopping $50,000. The 2007 phone, which is still sealed in its box, is being sold on LCG Auctions.

    The owner of the phone, Karen Green, had it appraised on the talk show “The Doctor & The Diva” in 2019. Because it is an 8GB — not 4GB — and is still in its original packaging, the appraiser said it was worth $5,000. 

    “In 2007, I got a new job and my friends bought me the latest, newest first generation iPhone,” Green said. “It had all these neat things on there to do a new job, like a calendar.”

    She said she didn’t open the box because she had just gotten a new phone. “I didn’t want to get rid of my phone, and I figured, ‘It’s an iPhone, so it will never go out of date.’” 

    Little did she know, several new iterations of the iPhone would be released year after year. Now, Apple is selling the iPhone 14.

    Her friends likely bought the phone for $499 to $599. LCG Auctions set the starting bid price for the unopened phone at $2,500. It has received two bids so far and the auction will be open until Feb. 19. LCG Auctions expects it will reach $50,000.

    Apple founder Steve Jobs introduced the first of its kind phone on Jan. 9, 2007 at MacWorld, a trade show in San Francisco. It was available for purchase about five months later and quickly became Apple’s most successful product, according to LCG. It has a touch screen — innovative for phones that time — a 2-megapixel camera and web browsing.

    First-release iPhones have been auctioned off before. 

    One sold for $35,414 in August and another for $39,339 in October through LCG. 

    “There’s little doubt that interest in culturally relevant collectibles is rapidly increasing, and despite the impressive sales numbers, many believe the space is still in its infancy,” LCG says. 

    Apple has a strong following of loyal fans — some of whom want to own a piece of Apple history. Last year, an Apple-1 Computer prototype from the mid-1970s sold at auction for more than $677,000. And it’s not just electronics Apple devotees are after — Steve Jobs’ worn Birkenstock sandals sold at auction for $218,750 in December. 

    The evolution of Apple products


    The evolution of Apple products

    66 photos

    Caitlin O’Kane


    caitlin-okane.jpg

    Caitlin O’Kane is a digital content producer covering trending stories for CBS News and its good news brand, The Uplift.

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  • Why your phone gets so hot during calls, and how to prevent it

    Why your phone gets so hot during calls, and how to prevent it

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    I recently received an email from Gordie about an issue he was having with his iPhone. 

    He wrote, “Kurt: got an interesting iPhone question for you…. I have a base model IPhone 11…, & I use Google Meet to vid chat with a buddy of mine (he has an Android phone), and after about 20-25 minutes, my phone gets very hot… But I can talk to another person (who has an iPhone (so I use FaceTime) & I’ll talk with her for the same amount of time (90 minutes), and the phone doesn’t get hot at all. Any ideas???!!! – GORDIE

    Hey Gordie, there are several answers to your question.  

    CLICK TO GET KURT’S CYBERGUY NEWSLETTER WITH QUICK TIPS, TECH REVIEWS, SECURITY ALERTS AND EASY HOW-TO’S TO MAKE YOU SMARTER

    1. Too many resources being used 

    Let’s start with the fact that you are using the Google Meet app to conduct your video chat. Google Meet may be using more processing power, memory, and network resources compared to FaceTime, leading to higher heat generation.  

    WHY A GREEN AND ORANGE DOT ON YOUR PHONE CAN INDICATE SOMEONE LISTENING AND WATCHING

    So, it’s no surprise that your iPhone gets very hot because you’re using an app that uses many of the device’s resources, including the processor and graphics processor, which handle the video and audio streams – not to mention memory and data.  

    When these processors are too overworked by running demanding apps like Google Meet for an extended period, your phone is guaranteed to heat up after a while. 

    Also, if other apps are running in the background, they could be using resources and draining the battery, also causing your phone to get hot.

    2. High battery usage 

    Video calls consume a lot of battery power, causing your phone to get hot. Also, a low phone battery can cause it to heat up as it struggles to keep your device powered.  If your battery is older, it may not be able to handle the high usage and could cause your phone to get hot.  

    DO’S AND DON’TS OF CHARGING YOUR PHONE THE RIGHT WAY

    It is recommended that those of you with an iPhone replace your batteries once they are below 80% battery health. This means that at a full charge, your iPhone is holding less than 80% of the charge that it held when it was new, which could cause various issues in the device’s performance.  

    How to check your battery health 

    To check if your phone needs a new battery, perform the following steps: 

    • Go to your Settings app
    • Select Battery

    Checking the battery in the iPhone settings.
    (Fox News)

    • Tap Battery Health & Charging
    Instructions on checking your battery health.

    Instructions on checking your battery health.
    (Fox News)

    • Look at your Maximum Capacity percentage. If it’s below 80%, then it’s time to get a new battery.
    Viewing the Maximum Capacity percentage of your battery. 

    Viewing the Maximum Capacity percentage of your battery. 
    (Fox News)

    3. Weak network connection 

    If the network connection where you’re using your iPhone is weak or unstable, it can cause an app that you’re using to use more resources to maintain a good connection, causing it to get hot.  

    REPLACING YOUR IPHONE’S BATTERY IS ABOUT TO BECOME MORE EXPENSIVE

    4. Quality of Service 

    Google Meet may be using higher quality video and audio settings compared to FaceTime, leading to increased heat generation. 

    5. Overuse 

    Simply using your iPhone for an extended period of time can also cause it to get warm.   

    How to prevent your phone from overheating 

    Close out your apps: If you have a lot of apps open, close out of them fully by swiping upward from the bottom of the screen and pausing in the middle of the screen. Swipe right or left to find the app that you want to close. Then swipe up on the app’s preview to close the app. This will help reduce the workload on your phone. 

    Turn off unnecessary features: Turn off features such as background app refresh and location services when not in use. 

    IPHONE HACK MAKES IT EASY TO USE ONE-HANDED AND REACH EVERYTHING ON SCREEN

    Check your connection: Try connecting to a stronger Wi-Fi network if you’re using a cellular connection. You can check your modem or router if you believe you’re having a poor connection at home or call your internet provider.

    Charge your phone: Before using a high-resource app, plug your phone in and don’t use it until it has charged fully. Also, avoid charging your phone in direct sunlight, and do not overcharge your iPhone. Limit charging time to prevent overheating. 

    Make sure your phone is fully charged before a long phone or video call.

    Make sure your phone is fully charged before a long phone or video call.
    (Fox News)

    Update your software: Keep your iPhone updated to the latest version of iOS to ensure optimal performance. 

    Use a case: Using a case can help to dissipate heat, such as those made of silicone or leather. 

    WHICH APPS ARE DRAINING YOUR PHONE’S BATTERY?

    Reduce screen brightness: Reducing screen brightness can help to reduce the heat generated by your iPhone as it requires less power to run the screen at lower brightness levels. Also, a darker screen will also reduce the overall load on the phone’s processor, which is another source of heat. 

    Keep it clean: Clean the vents and charging port of your iPhone to ensure proper airflow. 

    Give it a break: Finally, if your iPhone feels hot, give it a break, and stop using it until it cools down. 

    Do you have any other suggestions for how to keep your phone from overheating? Let us know. 

    CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

    For more of my tips, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by clicking the “Free newsletter” link at the top of my website. 

    Copyright 2023 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. CyberGuy.com articles and content may contain affiliate links that earn a commission when purchases are made.

    Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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  • Todos quieren tu correo electrónico. Piénsalo bien antes de dar tu dirección

    Todos quieren tu correo electrónico. Piénsalo bien antes de dar tu dirección

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    Durante muchos años, la industria de los anuncios digitales ha compilado un perfil tuyo basado en los sitios que visitas en la red. La información sobre ti solía ser recolectada de maneras encubiertas, incluyendo las antes mencionadas cookies y los rastreadores invisibles plantados en el interior de las aplicaciones. Ahora que más compañías bloquean el uso de dichos métodos, han surgido nuevas técnicas para dirigir anuncios.

    Una tecnología que está ganando impulso es un marco de referencia de publicidad llamado Unified ID 2.0, o UID 2.0, desarrollado por The Trade Desk, una compañía de tecnología publicitaria en Ventura, California.

    Por ejemplo, digamos que estás comprando en un sitio web de zapatos deportivos que usa UID 2.0 cuando aparece un cuadro de diálogo y te pide compartir tu dirección de correo electrónico y que aceptes recibir publicidad relevante. Tras haber ingresado tu correo electrónico, UID 2.0 lo transforma en un token compuesto de una serie de dígitos y caracteres. Ese token viaja con tu dirección de correo electrónico cuando lo usas para iniciar sesión en una aplicación de emisión en continuo de deportes en tu televisor que emplea UID 2.0. Los anunciantes pueden vincular las dos cuentas con base en el token y pueden dirigirte anuncios de zapatillas deportivas en la aplicación de emisión de deportes porque saben que visitaste el sitio web de zapatillas deportivas.

    Dado que tu dirección de correo electrónico no es revelada al anunciante, UID 2.0 puede ser considerado como una mejora para los consumidores en comparación con el rastreo tradicional basado en “ookies, el cual da acceso a los anunciantes a tu historial de navegación detallado e información personal.

    “Los sitios web y las aplicaciones solicitan cada vez más la autenticación a través del correo electrónico en parte porque tiene que haber una mejor manera para que los editores moneticen su contenido y que sea más centrada en la privacidad que usar cookies”, comentó en un correo electrónico Ian Colley, director de marketing de Trade Desk. “Internet no es gratis, después de todo”.

    No obstante, en un análisis, Mozilla, la organización sin fines de lucro que creó el navegador web Firefox, calificó al UID 2.0 como una “regresión en privacidad”, al permitir el tipo de comportamiento de rastreo que los navegadores web modernos fueron diseñados para evitar.

    Hay formas más sencillas de que los sitios web y las aplicaciones rastreen tu actividad en la red a través de tu dirección de correo electrónico. Un correo electrónico puede contener tu nombre y apellidos, y suponiendo que lo hayas utilizado durante algún tiempo, los intermediarios de datos ya habrán compilado un perfil completo sobre tus intereses basándose en tu actividad de navegación. Un sitio web o una aplicación pueden introducir tu dirección de correo electrónico en la base de datos de un intermediario de publicidad para cotejar tu identidad con un perfil que contenga información suficiente para ofrecerte anuncios específicos.

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    Brian X. Chen

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  • How ChatGPT Kicked Off an A.I. Arms Race

    How ChatGPT Kicked Off an A.I. Arms Race

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    The growth has brought challenges. ChatGPT has had frequent outages as it runs out of processing power, and users have found ways around some of the bot’s safety features. The hype surrounding ChatGPT has also annoyed some rivals at bigger tech firms, who have pointed out that its underlying technology isn’t, strictly speaking, all that new.

    ChatGPT is also, for now, a money pit. There are no ads, and the average conversation costs the company “single-digit cents” in processing power, according to a post on Twitter by Sam Altman, OpenAI’s chief executive, likely amounting to millions of dollars a week. To offset the costs, the company announced this week that it would begin selling a $20 monthly subscription, known as ChatGPT Plus.

    Kevin Roose and Casey Newton are the hosts of Hard Fork, a podcast that makes sense of the rapidly changing world of technology. Subscribe and listen.

    Despite its limitations, ChatGPT’s success has vaulted OpenAI into the ranks of Silicon Valley power players. The company recently reached a $10 billion deal with Microsoft, which plans to incorporate the start-up’s technology into its Bing search engine and other products. Google declared a “code red” in response to ChatGPT, fast-tracking many of its own A.I. products in an attempt to catch up.

    Mr. Altman has said his goal at OpenAI is to create what is known as “artificial general intelligence,” or A.G.I., an artificial intelligence that matches human intellect. He has been an outspoken champion of A.I., saying in a recent interview that its benefits for humankind could be “so unbelievably good that it’s hard for me to even imagine.” (He has also said that in a worst-case scenario, A.I. could kill us all.)

    As ChatGPT has captured the world’s imagination, Mr. Altman has been put in the rare position of trying to downplay a hit product. He is worried that too much hype for ChatGPT could provoke a regulatory backlash or create inflated expectations for future releases, two people familiar with his views said. On Twitter, he has tried to tamp down excitement, calling ChatGPT “incredibly limited” and warning users that “it’s a mistake to be relying on it for anything important right now.”

    He has also discouraged employees from boasting about ChatGPT’s success. In December, days after the company announced that more than a million people had signed up for the service, Greg Brockman, OpenAI’s president, tweeted that it had reached two million users. Mr. Altman asked him to delete the tweet, telling him that advertising such rapid growth was unwise, two people who saw the exchange said.

    OpenAI is an unusual company, by Silicon Valley standards. Started in 2015 as a nonprofit research lab by a group of tech leaders including Mr. Altman, Peter Thiel, Reid Hoffman and Elon Musk, it created a for-profit subsidiary in 2019 and struck a $1 billion deal with Microsoft. It has since grown to around 375 employees, according to Mr. Altman — not counting the contractors it pays to train and test its A.I. models in regions like Eastern Europe and Latin America.

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    Kevin Roose

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  • A Trip to TikTok, ChatGPT’s Origin Story and Kevin Systrom’s Comeback

    A Trip to TikTok, ChatGPT’s Origin Story and Kevin Systrom’s Comeback

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    TikTok is opening up a “Transparency and Accountability Center” to try to win over skeptics. Is the company’s strategy working? Then, the origin story of OpenAI’s ChatGPT and how the company kicked off an A.I. arms race.

    Plus: The co-founder of Instagram, Kevin Systrom, hopes to make a “TikTok for text.”

    “Hard Fork” is hosted by Kevin Roose and Casey Newton and produced by Davis Land. The show is edited by Paula Szuchman. Engineering by Alyssa Moxley and original music by Dan Powell, Elisheba Ittoop, Marion Lozano, Sophia Lanman and Rowan Niemisto. Fact-checking by Caitlin Love.

    Special thanks to Hanna Ingber, Nell Gallogly, Kate LoPresti and Jeffrey Miranda.

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    Kevin Roose, Casey Newton, Davis Land, Paula Szuchman, Alyssa Moxley, Dan Powell, Elisheba Ittoop, Marion Lozano, Sophia Lanman and Rowan Niemisto

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  • Snap stock plunges 15% as revenue growth stalls | CNN Business

    Snap stock plunges 15% as revenue growth stalls | CNN Business

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    New York
    CNN
     — 

    Snapchat’s parent company reported stalled revenue growth and a large net loss for the final three months of 2022, as it confronts tighter advertiser budgets amid broader economic uncertainty.

    Snap’s quarterly revenue was just shy of $1.3 billion, essentially flat from the year prior. For the full year, Snap’s revenue grew 12%, a slower rate that the company attributed to “rapid deceleration in digital advertising growth.”

    The situation appears to be even worse in the current quarter. Snap said it has already seen a roughly 7% revenue decline so far in the first quarter compared to the year prior. It estimates revenue for the first three months of the year will be down between 2% and 10% compared to the previous year. (Those figures were included in an investor letter, despite Snap saying it would not provide specific guidance for the quarter.)

    Meanwhile, Snap posted a net loss of more than $288 million in the quarter, compared to the $22.5 million in net income it earned in the same period a year ago.

    Snap

    (SNAP)     shares fell as much as 15% in after-hours trading following the report.

    The report marked the fourth straight quarter of net losses for Snap, which has suffered from increased competition in the social media market, disruptions to its ad business from Apple’s app privacy changes and weaker advertiser demand amid fears of a looming recession. High interest rates and inflation have also impacted many large tech firms.

    Snap’s earnings could be a concerning bellwether for the other tech giants that rely on the health of the digital ad market, including Facebook-parent Meta and Google-parent Alphabet, both of which are set to report results this week.

    Shares of Meta and Alphabet dipped slightly in after-hours trading Tuesday following Snap’s results.

    Snap in August became one of the first big tech firms to announce major layoffs when it said it would cut 20% of its staff. A slew of other tech companies have followed suit in recent months, including Meta, Alphabet, Amazon, Mircrosoft and others, resulting in tens of thousands of job losses in the industry.

    In addition to challenges in the digital advertising market, Snap pointed to a change to its ad platform that it expects “will drive improvement for our partners and our business over time, but that may be disruptive… in the near term.”

    Perhaps the lone bright spot for Snap in the results is its audience. The company reported having 375 million daily active users in the quarter, an increase of 17%. Snap’s subscription service Snapchat+, which launched last year in an attempt to grow new revenue sources, reached more than 2 million paying subscribers in the fourth quarter, it said.

    The company also said it expects to realize the $500 million in cost reductions it had promised as a result of its restructuring by the end of the first quarter.

    Still, Scott Kessler, an analyst for investment firm Third Bridge, said in an investor note following the report that, “one of the big questions about Snap is whether it remains a growth story or can soon continue as a growth story,” given its gloomy outlook for the start of this year.

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  • Twitter Blue expands to six new countries, brings back Spaces curation

    Twitter Blue expands to six new countries, brings back Spaces curation

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    Twitter is in a hurry to make money, and in another step that might lead to some revenue it has expanded the Twitter Blue subscription to six new countries. The paid plans are now available in Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain making it 12 regions in total to which users can subscribe to it.

    The company also launching a new Spaces tab with curated stations for live and recorded spaces along with podcasts. Users without a Twitter Blue subscription can access the Spaces tab already but it mostly shows what live audio sessions are currently going on.

    Twitter is also bringing back themed stations that list Spaces station by topics. The company already started testing it in August before Musk took over. But in the last few months, Spaces had almost no curation because of the layoffs. Now, the social network might be relying on algorithms to group related real-time audio conversations together.

    The social network is making podcasts available to only Blue subscribers and “some people on Twitter for iOS and Twitter for Android apps.” Podcasts were also integrated into Twitter in the pre-Musk era, but the company seems to be resuming work on some of those projects. Twitter said that at the beginning, there will be no way to search for podcasts. So you will have to listen to whatever the algorithm serves you.

    Twitter Blue’s expansion is not surprising as the company aims to bring more revenue in all ways possible. Last month, the social media company enabled people on Android to get a subscription. On Thursday, Twitter announced that it is discontinuing free access to its API and will roll out a basic paid plan next week. While the company didn’t declare the price tag, Elon Musk tweeted that basic plans might cost $100 a month — which could be steep for some independent developers, students, and researchers.

    While the company has registered declining ad revenue, the good news for Musk is that plenty of companies including PepsiCo and Anheuser-Busch InBev have reportedly committed millions of dollars for Superbowl takeover ads on Twitter. Last month, the social network teamed up with ad tech firm DoubleVerify Integral Ad Science (IAS) to inform marketers if their ads are appearing next to inappropriate tweets.

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    Ivan Mehta

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  • Protect your privacy: A guide to avoiding drone surveillance

    Protect your privacy: A guide to avoiding drone surveillance

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    I share a ton of tips to protect your privacy online. Do this quick 30-second check to keep your Google and Facebook accounts safe if you haven’t yet.

    What about when you leave your home? Just about everywhere you go, you’re being watched. 

    Not all cameras are out in the open, either. I once found more than a dozen cameras in an Airbnb I rented. Here are my best tips for spotting hidden cams in a rental, new apartment, home, or hotel room. But now we have drones to deal with.

    The internet is a dangerous place. Join over 400,000 people and stay updated with my free daily newsletter.

    I spy with my eye a drone in the sky

    The other day, I heard a familiar buzz while swimming in my backyard pool. Sure enough, a drone hovered overhead and quickly vanished when I shooed it away with my hand. That’s how I got the idea for this post.

    The legality of drone surveillance varies by country and state, but if the drone is flying on your private property and recording you without your consent, call the police. It’s a violation of your privacy. 

    An Airspace Systems Interceptor autonomous aerial drone flies during a product demonstration in Castro Valley, California March 6, 2017.
    (Reuters)

    It’s difficult to learn who owns a drone. In my case, it flew out of my eyesight in seconds. Had my iPhone been within reach, I would have taken a photo of the drone. Some drones have their registration numbers visible, usually in case the owner loses sight of it.

    ISRAELI POLICE FOIL DRONE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT IN GANGLAND HIT

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) maintains a database of drone owners who have registered their drones with the FAA. To search the FAA drone owner database, you need the drone’s registration number. Here’s where to search the FAA drone owner database.

    The things you should never do to a drone

    There are effective, perfectly legal ways to avoid surveillance. There are also a few ways that are illegal for private citizens. 

    The Federal Aviation Administration legally protects drones from being:

    • Shot at: Firing a gun into the sky is dangerous and illegal. Just don’t do it.
    • Interfered physically: This includes lasers and other objects.
    • Disabled or otherwise tampered with: Using a jammer and hacking are criminal acts.

    There are other things you might be doing that break the law. Scan this list.

    Now we have that out of the way, here’s what you can do.

    The COVID-test drone delivery project involves Walmart, Quest Diagnostics and DroneUp.

    The COVID-test drone delivery project involves Walmart, Quest Diagnostics and DroneUp.
    (Walmart)

    Carry an umbrella

    It might feel cumbersome, but an umbrella is a cheap and practical way to protect your privacy. In rainy or extra sunny weather, it’s a no-brainer. You might get some strange looks, but who cares?

    Get one now while you’re thinking of it. This tiny umbrella is as big as a cell phone, so you could keep it in your pocket. This one is bigger but will hold up better in wind and rain.

    There are tech products to protect your data and privacy in many ways. Tap or click for eight picks that can do everything from mute your mic to protect your credit cards. 

    Use your surroundings as cover

    Own a drone or know someone who does? I bet you’ve had to deal with someone throwing something at it. That is not the right way to avoid drones.

    You should take a more passive approach. In bad weather — heavy rain, fog, and wind — drones have difficulty flying or getting great footage. Score for you.

    When it’s sunny and you see a drone buzzing overhead, find a place it’s less likely to spot you. Trees, alcoves, awnings, and tunnels are all excellent places to tuck away while the drone passes.

    Use this free tool to find out if the police have your face saved to their database.

    Wear an invisibility cloak

    Get this: Researchers at the University of Maryland found that patterned sweaters can thwart AI systems.

    These sweaters use the same images engineers use to train AI systems to recognize objects. Wear one, and instead of seeing you as a person, the system might interpret you as an animal, like a giraffe.

    Fashion brands are catching on. Italian startup Cap_able sells clothes with these patterns that confuse facial recognition software, also known as “adversarial patches.”

    5 DRONES, EXPERT-REVIEWED

    Be warned, though: These garments are pricey. A hoodie will set you back about $450. Like all new inventions, you can expect the price to decrease if these catch on.

    MIT researchers say that an autonomous drone fleet could help find lost hikers.

    MIT researchers say that an autonomous drone fleet could help find lost hikers.
    (Melanie Gonick)

    PODCAST PICK: Facebook killer, tech layoffs, gas vs. electric cars

    Emailing your doctor? Prepare for fees. Plus, rent your car for cash, why you need a new email address ASAP and how to find spy cams with your phone.

    Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Today” on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

    Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, “Komando.”

    Get more tech know-how on The Kim Komando Show, broadcast on 425+ radio stations and available as a podcast. Sign up for Kim’s 5-minute free morning roundup for the latest security breaches and tech news. Need help? Drop your question for Kim here.

    CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

    Copyright 2023, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. By clicking the shopping links, you’re supporting my research. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. I only recommend products I believe in.

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  • Ford Lost $2 Billion in 2022 as Some Investments Soured

    Ford Lost $2 Billion in 2022 as Some Investments Soured

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    The company sold 1.15 million vehicles in the fourth quarter, an increase from 1.1 million a year earlier but about 500,000 fewer than Ford had expected, Mr. Lawler said.

    Ford’s production has been slowed by the global shortage of computer chips, and Mr. Lawler said the company expected some disruptions to continue this year and a slight increase in production volume.

    “In 2023, there is still going to be volatility on chips,” he said. “On the older chips used in the auto industry, there is still capacity constraint.”

    Ford said it expected this year’s adjusted earnings before interest and taxes to range between $9 billion and $11 billion.

    Shares of Ford stock were down about 7 percent in extended trading on Thursday.

    Earlier in the day, Ford said that its sales of cars and trucks in the United States increased 2 percent in January and that its sales of electric vehicles more than doubled in the month.

    The automaker sold 145,070 cars and light trucks last month, up from 142,445 in January 2022, when a shortage of computer chips slowed production and left dealers with few vehicles to sell. At the end of January, Ford had 370,000 vehicles on dealer lots, up from 201,000 a year earlier, a strong signal that supply chain problems were easing.

    Models responsible for the increase included pickup trucks, the Bronco sport utility vehicle and battery-powered models. Ford sold 2,264 electric F-150 Lightning pickup trucks, up from just 63 in January 2022, when the vehicle had just become available. It also sold 2,626 Mustang Mach-E electric S.U.V.s, up 11 percent.

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    Neal E. Boudette

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  • Apple Revenue and Profit Down as iPhone Sales Slow

    Apple Revenue and Profit Down as iPhone Sales Slow

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    When a Covid-19 outbreak in China forced a lockdown of Apple’s largest iPhone factory in November, the world’s most valuable company warned investors that it would lose sales. The question was: How much?

    On Thursday, Apple reported that revenue fell 5 percent to $117.15 billion during the three months that ended in December, the company’s first quarterly sales decline since before the pandemic. Profits decreased 13 percent to $30 billion.

    Apple’s results are the latest evidence of the challenges buffeting the tech industry. After recording double-digit sales gains during the early pandemic, companies have recently shifted to cost cutting and mass layoffs, with Microsoft, Amazon and Alphabet — Google’s parent company — each eliminating at least 10,000 jobs.

    A less severe whiplash has hit Apple. From 2020 to 2022, the company increased its annual revenue by nearly $125 billion. But demand for iPhones, iPads and Macs has slowed, causing investors to sour on the company. Over the course of a year, Apple lost $1 trillion in market value, a stunning reversal for the only U.S. company to ever reach a valuation of $3 trillion.

    The company’s shares declined about 4 percent in after-hours trading, reversing most of the gains from earlier in the day when tech shares rallied following Meta’s earnings report on Wednesday. Wall Street had expected $122 billion in sales and $31 billion in profit.

    Though its business has slowed, Apple hasn’t moved to cut jobs. Unlike some of its peers, such as Google and Meta, which aggressively hired during the first years of the pandemic to keep up with demand, Apple remained disciplined, adding 24,000 new workers, just 3,000 more than it added in the three years before 2020.

    Still, many investors have reduced their stakes in Apple out of concern its business will be hit by the slowing economy. Consumer spending in the United States, Apple’s largest market, has declined, posing a potential challenge to sales of pricey iPhones.

    “It’s impacting the higher end consumer’s willingness to spend and that’s going to impact the most valuable company in the world,” said Dave Wagner, a portfolio manager at Aptus Capital Advisors, which has about $5 billion under management and an investment in Apple.

    Apple recorded $65.78 billion in iPhone sales, an 8 percent decline from the previous year. The modest decline testified to the company’s supply chain acumen. After the company shut down its biggest iPhone factory in November, it shifted some production to other factories, according to Counterpoint, a market research firm.

    On the sales front, Apple benefited as more iPhone buyers chose its more expensive Pro models, lifting the average selling price 9 percent to $936, according to Counterpoint.

    Apple offset its iPhone struggles with increased sales of its iPads and services. The company said its iPad business recorded $9.4 billion in sales, a 30 percent increase. It increased sales of apps and subscription services such as Apple Music to $20.77 billion, about 6 percent from the previous year.

    The company’s biggest challenge remains its concentrated supply chain in China. The faltering of U.S.-China relations has accelerated, with Congress creating a special committee this year to evaluate competition with Beijing. Concerns are also mounting in Washington that China could soon take military action against Taiwan.

    Amid the rising tensions, Apple has shifted production from China to Vietnam and India. But a vast majority of its revenue continues to come from products made in China. And Chinese consumers count for about a fifth of total sales.

    During the December period, sales in China fell 7 percent to $23.9 billion. Apple’s business there should improve in the current period as China’s economy reopens after years of strict Covid-19 restrictions. Analysts predict sales in the current quarter will decline about 4 percent.

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    Tripp Mickle

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  • A first generation iPhone going up for auction hopes to fetch $50,000 | CNN Business

    A first generation iPhone going up for auction hopes to fetch $50,000 | CNN Business

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    New York
    CNN
     — 

    An unopened first-generation iPhone from 2007 is hitting the auction block Thursday – with an estimated value of $50,000.

    Originally on sale for $599, the first iPhone offered early Apple adopters a 3.5-inch screen with a 2-megapixel camera, plus 4 GB and 8 GB storage options, internet capabilities and iTunes. It had no app store, ran on a 2G network and was exclusive to AT&T’s network.

    Cosmetic tattoo artist Karen Green was gifted the 8 GB version and never broke the seal, according to her appearance on daytime television program “The Doctor & The Diva” in 2019. An appraiser on the show valued the phone at $5,000 at that time.

    Since then, another unopened first-generation iPhone like Green’s auctioned off for over $39,000 in a listing by LCG Auctions that closed in October. LCG Auctions is also listing Green’s phone, with bidding opening at $2,500.

    Green and LCG Auctions did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.

    The iPhone changed the way billions of people around the world communicate, make payments, do their jobs, take photos and even how they wake up in the morning. It killed dozens of industries (camcorders, MP3 players, flip phones) and gave life to many more.

    Speaking at Apple’s annual Macworld expo in 2007, then-Apple boss Steve Jobs opened his presentation with: “We’re going to make some history together today.” Jobs called the new smartphone a “revolutionary mobile phone” that will feature an iPod, phone and what he called an “Internet communicator.”

    “It’s bad out there today,” said Jobs of mobile Web browsers. “It’s a real revolution to bring real Web browsing to a phone.”

    Apple enthusiasts will have until February 19 to bid on the tech relic.

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  • Colombian judge uses ChatGPT in ruling on child’s medical rights case

    Colombian judge uses ChatGPT in ruling on child’s medical rights case

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    A judge in Colombia caused a stir by announcing he had used the AI chatbot ChatGPT in preparing a ruling in a children’s medical rights case.

    Judge Juan Manuel Padilla said he used the text-generating bot in a case involving a request to exonerate an autistic child from paying fees for medical appointments, therapy and transportation given his parents’ limited income.

    Padilla told Blu Radio on Tuesday that ChatGPT and other such programs could be useful to “facilitate the drafting of texts” but “not with the aim of replacing” judges.

    He ruled in favor of the child and wrote in his judgment, dated Jan. 30, that he had consulted ChatGPT on the matter, without specifying to what extent he had relied on the bot.

    Padilla also insisted that “by asking questions to the application we do not stop being judges, thinking beings.”

    ChatGPT uses artificial intelligence and reams of data from the internet to generate answers to questions posed by human users.

    In this case, Padilla said he asked the bot: “Is autistic minor exonerated from paying fees for their therapies?” among other questions.

    It answered: “Yes, this is correct. According to the regulations in Colombia, minors diagnosed with autism are exempt from paying fees for their therapies.”

    The judge argued that ChatGPT performs services previously provided by a secretary and did so “in an organized, simple and structured manner” which could “improve response times” in the justice system.

    Professor Juan David Gutierrez of Rosario University was among those to express incredulity at the judge’s admission.

    Gutierrez, an expert in artificial intelligence regulation and governance, said he put the same questions to ChatGPT, and got different responses.

    “It is certainly not responsible or ethical to use ChatGPT as intended by the judge in the ruling in question,” he wrote on Twitter.

    He called for urgent “digital literacy” training for judges.

    Created by California-based company OpenAI, ChatGPT has taken the world by storm since its launch in November, with its ability to write essays, articles, poems and computer code in just seconds.

    Critics have raised fears it could be used for widespread cheating in schools and universities.

    OpenAI has cautioned that its tool can make mistakes.

    But Padilla said “I suspect that many of my colleagues are going to join in this and begin to construct their rulings ethically with the help of artificial intelligence.”

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  • Usage-based pricing is rising, but not replacing other models

    Usage-based pricing is rising, but not replacing other models

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    61% of SaaS companies used UBP in some form in 2022

    Usage-based pricing (UBP) is on the rise — 61% of SaaS companies used this model in some form in 2022, VC firm OpenView found out.

    UBP consists of charging based on how the service or product is consumed, not on how many people are using it; that would be the seat-based approach.

    But as often in pricing, things are more blurred, and many companies are actually using blended models. Think of Zapier, for example: It offers subscription tiers that include consumption as one of its main variables.

    The Exchange explores startups, markets and money.

    Read it every morning on TechCrunch+ or get The Exchange newsletter every Saturday.

    That blending is one of the key findings of OpenView’s State of Usage-Based Pricing report: “It’s not usage-based or subscription pricing. Today SaaS companies are turning to more complex, hybrid models,” the authors wrote.

    Now in its second edition, the firm’s report is based on responses collected between July and August 2022 from private SaaS companies. That was a few months ago, so the data may be lagging a bit, but it still reflects the new spirit in which founders find themselves.

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    Anna Heim

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