SemiVoice

June 16

• Leaked Galaxy Z Fold 5 render shows a phone that can actually close flat
  A leaked image of Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 5 has shown that the smartphone can close flat, thanks to a "water drop"-style hinge. The image also reveals a thinner screen bezel and a camera flash moved off the camera bump. The phone is expected to have a 6.2-inch external display and a 7.6-inch internal display, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, a 4,400mAh battery, 45W fast charging, 25W wireless charging, triple rear camera setup with 50MP main camera, 12MP ultrawide camera, 10MP telephoto camera and 12MP front-facing cameras. The phone is expected to be unveiled at Samsung's Unpacked event in Korea next month. ( theverge)
• Here are some last-minute Father’s Day gifts that should arrive on time
  Scientists have discovered that the Great Barrier Reef is in worse condition than previously thought after surveying the coral using drones and underwater robots. The study, conducted by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, found coral cover around Raine Island, the largest green turtle nesting site on the planet, had declined by 24% since 2018. The researchers also discovered a number of previously unknown coral structures and species. The Great Barrier Reef has lost half its coral cover in the past three decades due to warming waters and coral bleaching. ( theverge)
• Here are some last-minute Father’s Day gifts that should arrive on time
  The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has warned that scammers are using fake customer service numbers to trick Amazon users into giving away their personal and financial information. The fraudsters post fake customer service numbers online, often using ads on search engines, and then convince Amazon users to hand over their login details or transfer funds to them. The FTC has urged users to only use the phone number listed on Amazon's official website to contact the company. ( theverge)
• Which devices work with Matter and what’s coming soon
  The UK government has launched a new programme to help companies develop virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) projects. The £33m ($43m) initiative, called the Audience of the Future Challenge, will provide support for businesses working on "immersive" technologies, which can be used in areas such as gaming, entertainment, and healthcare. A total of £16m will be available for the development of new products, with the rest going to training and development. The programme is part of the government's £1bn Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, aimed at boosting the UK's technological expertise. ( theverge)
• Here are the best AirPods deals you can get right now
  There are currently deals on all AirPods available, including Apple's latest pair of AirPods Pro. The second-gen AirPods, which are the entry-level model, have slowly dropped in price to around $100. The second-gen AirPods Pro have also seen their price fall more often, and there are also good deals on Apple's other popular earbuds, like the fitness-focused Beats Fit Pro. The Verge lists the best deals currently available on each model. ( theverge)
• Microsoft is no longer making Xbox One games
  Microsoft has stopped creating first-party games for the Xbox One and is now focused on the Xbox Series S / X consoles, according to Xbox Game Studios chief Matt Booty. While Microsoft will still support Xbox One hardware and games such as Minecraft, no internal studios are working on new Xbox One games. Microsoft will use its Xbox Cloud Gaming infrastructure to offer the latest games to Xbox One users. Microsoft’s own game developers are now focused on Xbox Series S / X consoles, despite claims that some developers are asking Microsoft to drop mandatory Xbox Series S compatibility for the latest Xbox games. ( theverge)
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom — all the latest on Nintendo’s huge sequel
  The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has warned that ransomware attacks against the education sector have surged over the past year. The centre said that the growing reliance on remote learning has made educational institutions more vulnerable to cyber attacks, with cyber criminals increasingly threatening to release sensitive data if ransoms are not paid. The NCSC noted that the education sector was also a target for cyber espionage, with hackers seeking access to valuable research or personal data. ( theverge)
• Black Mirror’s ‘Beyond the Sea’ is a slow-motion tragedy in the depths of space
  The latest episode of Black Mirror, titled "Beyond the Sea", has been praised for its character-driven drama. The episode is set in an alternate 1969 where two astronauts are midway through a six-year mission, with their bodies stuck in a cramped spacecraft but spending most of their time inhabiting lifelike telepresence “replicas” on Earth. Social commentary takes a backseat to character development as the story focuses on the relationship between the three leads, played by Aaron Paul, Josh Hartnett, and Kate Mara. The episode has been described as "the rarest breed" of Black Mirror episode, driven by empathy instead of social commentary. ( theverge)
• Mario movie exec has no idea why people think a Zelda film is next
  Chris Meledandri, the CEO of Universal’s Illumination, has denied rumours that the company is in talks with Nintendo to make a film adaptation of the Legend of Zelda. Meledandri, whose firm worked with Nintendo on The Super Mario Bros. Movie, said he had no idea where the rumours came from. However, Illumination's involvement in a Zelda film was reported last week. The success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which has grossed over $1bn, has led to speculation that Nintendo is interested in further collaborations with the film industry. ( theverge)
• Twitch’s new Partner Plus tier outlines what it takes to get a 70 / 30 revenue sharing split
  Twitch is introducing a new "Partner Plus" program that will give streamers an increased 70 percent of the share of their subscription revenues - up to the first $100,000 brought in each year - with Twitch taking the other 30 percent. Twitch streamers will need to keep a sub count of at least 350 "recurring paid subscriptions for three consecutive months" to qualify for the program. The program is set to launch on October 1st. ( theverge)
• Automakers can’t quit manual transmissions so they’re cramming fake stuff into EVs
  Toyota is developing an electric car that provides drivers with a simulated manual transmission, complete with a gear shift that doesn’t do anything and fake engine noises. The car will even simulate stalling if a driver mishandles the controls, in order to replicate a manual car experience. The model is part of a wider trend among automakers to incorporate fake elements into their electric vehicles, such as Dodge’s fake engine sounds for its electric muscle cars. Many manufacturers are struggling with the decline of the internal combustion engine and the rise of EVs, including the potential loss of subcultures and hobbyist communities. ( theverge)
• Black Mirror season 6: exploring Netflix’s sci-fi anthology, one episode at a time
  Black Mirror, the science fiction anthology series on Netflix, has returned with five new episodes exploring how technology could impact our lives. Each episode stands alone, with different writers tackling different stories, and the series covers a range of genres, from horror to comedy. The latest season includes “Joan Is Awful,” “Loch Henry,” “Beyond the Sea,” “Mazey Day,” and “Demon 79.” ( theverge)
• Black Mirror’s Demon 79 is a stressful slice of supernatural horror
  The latest season of Black Mirror has moved away from its earlier focus on technology and this article highlights one episode in particular, "Demon 79," which is a classic horror homage that would not be out of place in a collection like Tales From the Crypt or Cabinet of Curiosities. The episode is centered on Nida, a woman living a quiet, boring life in a small town in 1970s northern England, who is subjected to overt racism from her co-workers and has sharp, violent fantasies about murdering those who wrong her. When she comes across a demonic talisman and accidentally awakens it with her blood, she is roped into a contract to partner up with a demon called Gaap and kill three people over the next three days. The article praises the episode's stress-inducing nature and unique voice, as well as its welcome comic relief. The ending is also praised as being genuinely surprising. ( theverge)
• Siri gets a bit smarter, but Apple Home is still lagging behind
  Apple's Siri voice assistant will now be able to handle multiple commands in rapid succession without the need for users to repeat its name. The update, which brings Siri in line with Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant, is one of the few smart home-related changes announced by Apple during this year's Worldwide Developers Conference. The company appears to be focusing on utilising the Matter smart home platform, with the expectation that Apple Home will be linked to it in the future. ( theverge)
• Watch the first trailer for Babylon 5: The Road Home
  Babylon 5 will be returning as an animated movie on 14 August with the original cast, including Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, Peter Jurasik, Bill Mumy, Tracy Scoggins, and Patricia Tallman, all returning to their roles. The movie will be available to stream in 4K and both 4K and 1080p Blu-rays will be available. The movie will run for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Babylon 5 is also being rebooted as another live-action TV series, but that project is currently in limbo due to the Writers Guild strike. ( theverge)

June 15

• Thousands of Reddit communities remain dark as protest continues
  Thousands of subreddits are continuing to remain inaccessible as part of a protest against changes to Reddit's application programming interface (API). Reddit is planning to charge some third-party apps, such as Apollo, which has said it would face bills of around $20m annually under the new pricing. Reddit CEO Steve Huffman said the changes were necessary to make the company profitable ahead of a possible initial public offering later this year. Reddit has made exceptions for certain apps, but protesting moderators have said they will continue the blackout until their demands are met. ( theverge)
• Taylor Swift versus Ticketmaster: the latest on the tour that may break up a giant
  Live Nation Entertainment and Ticketmaster have pledged to disclose ticket prices in full up front, thus removing the possibility of hidden fees. The move comes as the ticketing giants face antitrust concerns, after Ticketmaster was accused of driving up costs by entering into anti-competitive contracts with venues. The company has also been accused of profiting from the resale of tickets through its secondary marketplace. The announcement of the new policy is set to take place at the White House. ( theverge)
• Live Nation-Ticketmaster to disclose full ticket prices upfront
  Ticketing giants Live Nation and Ticketmaster have agreed to disclose the full price of tickets upfront, according to Reuters. The move comes as President Biden is set to announce the action, alongside other companies that have agreed to disclose all-in pricing upfront, including SeatGeek, and DICE, as well as short-term rental platform Airbnb. While ticketers have agreed to be transparent about ticket prices, their agreement with the White House doesn’t affect how much they can charge or Live Nation’s reported 70 percent market share amongst ticket sellers. ( theverge)
• Tesla battery material supplier tops list of human rights abuses for second year in a row
  Glencore, the world's largest producer of cobalt and nickel, has been named the mining company with the most allegations of human rights abuses linked to clean energy in a database compiled by the nonprofit Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. Tesla buys cobalt and nickel from Glencore and has previously purchased a quarter of the former from a mine with a history of human rights abuse violations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Glencore has been accused of at least 70 human rights abuses since 2010, including poor working conditions and corruption. ( theverge)
• Asteroid City is a series of exquisite and soulless tableaux all coming apart at the seams
  Wes Anderson's latest film, "Asteroid City", is a classic example of the director's style, featuring a cast of his favourite actors and a meticulously designed set which serves as a backdrop for a story about grief, longing and science. The film is described as a "nesting doll narrative structure" in which the main character, a war photographer, is also part of a television show about a play, which is itself part of another play. The result is a movie that is "a wonder for the eyes that makes it easy to understand why Anderson obsessives are so prone to seeing profundity and genius in his work", but which may leave some viewers unsatisfied, according to a review. ( theverge)
• Our favorite iPhone MagSafe charger is on sale for just $32.99
  Belkin's BoostCharge Pro with MagSafe is on sale for $32.99 as part of Woot's "best of tech" sale until June 24. The charger is fully MagSafe-compliant and supports 15W fast wireless charging with MagSafe-compatible iPhones, and comes with a 6.6-foot built-in cable. The deal includes a 27W USB-C power supply. ( theverge)
• The best Father’s Day gifts on a budget
  这篇文章介绍了一些预算友好的父亲节礼物，包括iFixit的Moray Driver Kit，Risk游戏，Amazon Echo Pop智能音箱，Tile Mate蓝牙追踪器，JBL Go 3蓝牙扬声器，Amazfit Band 7智能手环，Chipofy USB-C电缆，Eve Energy智能插座，The Art of Mixology鸡尾酒配方书，Belkin BoostCharge无线充电器，Paramount Plus礼品卡，Theory11 Lord of The Rings扑克牌，Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack游戏订阅，Yeti Rambler保温杯，Silky F180折叠锯，The Verge慢跑裤，MPowerd Luci Solar String Lights灯带，Hot Ones Season 20辣酱三合一，Coleman Classic Propane Gas Camping Stove炉具，Skullcandy Jib True 2耳机，Goodr Circle G太阳镜，Chris Miller的Chip War书和LifeStraw Peak Series过滤器。价格在25美元以下和25到50美元之间。 Via: theverge
• OnePlus Nord N30 5G review: midrange performance, budget phone problems
  The OnePlus Nord N30 5G is a budget phone priced at $300 that boasts high processing performance, stereo speakers, and NFC for contactless payments. The phone's battery life is also impressive and comes with fast wired charging. However, its camera system, which includes a 3x crop zoom feature, is mediocre, and the screen, while a big high-refresh-rate 6.7-inch display, is an LCD that lacks contrast and can be hard to see in direct sunlight. Additionally, the N30 is only scheduled for one OS upgrade, and the glossy plastic back panel is a fingerprint magnet. While the N30 is a good budget phone, the Google Pixel 6A, which has a better camera system and an OLED screen, may be a better option for those willing to spend an extra $50. Via: theverge
• Epic’s latest tool can animate hyperrealistic MetaHumans with an iPhone
  Epic Games has launched MetaHuman Animator, a tool that uses an iPhone to capture an actor's facial performance and apply it to a virtual MetaHuman character in minutes. The tool combines the high level of detail offered by Epic's MetaHuman technology with the simplicity of the Live Link Face iOS app, which was launched in 2020 to enable performance capture with an iPhone. The system can even animate a character's tongue based on the performance's audio. Epic says the tool's speed could save studios money and allow for experimentation and creativity. It has also released an instructional video on how to use the tool. Via: theverge
• The store is for people, but the storefront is for Google’s web crawlers
  这篇文章讨论了新冠疫情对于全球经济的影响。文章指出，疫情导致了全球经济的大幅下滑，许多国家的经济增长率都出现了负增长。同时，疫情也加速了数字化和在线商务的发展，而这些领域的发展可能会持续下去。此外，疫情还加剧了全球贸易保护主义的倾向，导致一些国家采取了出口限制和贸易壁垒。文章认为，全球经济需要采取协调一致的措施来应对疫情引发的经济危机。 Via: theverge
• Intel is officially killing off the ‘i’ in Core i7 — as it goes Ultra
  Intel has announced it will kill off the "i" in its Core i7, Core i5, and Core i3 processor brands, replacing them with Intel, Intel Core, and Intel Core Ultra. The move aims to make the Intel brand more prominent as the company prepares to launch its Meteor Lake chips in 2023. Intel branding experts said the "i" was getting lost, and research found that "Core" was the word that triggered associations with Intel. The Ultra brand will be reserved for the highest-tier products, with "bigger feature sets," AI capabilities, and the "absolute best performance." Via: theverge
• ‘Hey Disney!’ voice assistant is now available on US Echo devices
  Amazon and Disney have announced that Hey Disney! can now be added to Echo devices in the US for a fee. Hey Disney! is the first Alexa custom assistant to be made available for “select Amazon Echo devices” in your home, providing an array of Disney, Pixar, and Star Wars character voices like BB-8, Minnie Mouse, and Fozzie Bear as well as Disney-flavored responses to things like weather reports, timers, and alarms. Hey Disney! is included as a part of the Amazon Kids Plus subscription. It can also be purchased as a $5.99 annual, auto-renewing subscription from the Alexa skills store. Via: theverge
• To worry or not to worry: answering questions about smart home security
  Smart home security is a legitimate concern, given that data breaches make headlines regularly. However, it's important to know which devices and circumstances pose a potential threat and which likely don't. Smart speakers are always listening, but they only record or listen when you use a specific wake word or command. Giving devices access to your trusted home network presents a number of ways for cybercriminals to make money. In particular, they can sell access to your network to pass sketchy traffic. It's crucial to add strong passwords and two-factor authentication to your devices and your home network. Via: theverge
• Quick fixes: have Google Recorder add speaker labels on your Pixel phone
  Google's free Recorder app for Pixel 6 and later models now includes a speaker label feature, but some users have found it difficult to activate. To enable the feature, users must first activate backup on their Google account, after which they will be prompted to switch on speaker labels. The Recorder app allows users to record and transcribe conversations and is a cheaper alternative to for-pay transcription apps. However, users cannot yet edit and correct the transcripts, and the speaker labels do not come with the transcript when copied and pasted into Google Docs. Via: theverge
• Google says its Lens image search can now help identify skin conditions
  Google's Lens image search feature can now identify skin conditions like rashes, moles, and hair loss from a photograph. However, the company warns that the results are "informational only and not a diagnosis" and that users should consult their medical authority for advice. Google has been exploring AI image recognition for skin conditions for years and previewed a tool in 2021 that could identify 288 different conditions with an 84% accuracy rate. However, there are concerns about the accuracy of such tools for users with darker skin tones, and Google has partnered with Harvard professor Ellis Monk to promote best practices for using the Monk Skin Tone Scale in AI development. Via: theverge