France bans air travel that could be done by train in under 2.5 hours
France has a well-developed train network, and the ban only affects five routes. Enlarge / A Train á Grand Vitesse. (credit: Michael Dunning/Getty Images) On Sunday, the French National Assembly voted to ban some short-haul flights in favor o.....»»
In the face of bans, ByteDance tightens grip over US TikTok operations
Relationship between TikTok, ByteDance deepens as tensions over the app’s ownership escalate. Enlarge (credit: FT/Getty Images) TikTok’s Beijing-based owner ByteDance tightened its grip over its US operations over th.....»»
The guardian angels of the source of the Seine
The river Seine, the centerpiece of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony in July, starts with a few drops of water in a mossy grotto deep in the woods of central France......»»
Apple releases third beta for iOS 17.5 and more [U: Public betas join]
Update: Apple has released public beta versions of yesterday’s updates. The iOS 17.5 beta train continues today with the third developer release. Apple is also testing macOS Sonoma 14.5, visionOS 1.2, watchOS 10.5, tvOS 17.5, and HomePod 17.5......»»
No more refunds after 100 hours: Steam closes Early Access playtime loophole
It's largely a win against scammers, but a simple policy doesn't fit all games. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) "Early Access" was once a novel, quirky thing, giving a select set of Steam PC games a way to involve enthusi.....»»
US bans TikTok owner ByteDance, will prohibit app in US unless it is sold
Bill gives ByteDance 270 days to sell TikTok or app loses access to US market. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images | Chesnot ) The Senate last night approved a bill that orders TikTok owner ByteDance to sell the company within.....»»
International team detects eruption of mega-magnetic star in nearby galaxy
While ESA's satellite INTEGRAL was observing the sky, it spotted a burst of gamma-rays—high-energy photons—coming from the nearby galaxy M82. Only a few hours later, ESA's XMM-Newton X-ray space telescope searched for an afterglow from the explos.....»»
Apple releases third beta for iOS 17.5 and more
The iOS 17.5 beta train continues today with the third developer release. Apple is also testing macOS Sonoma 14.5, visionOS 1.2, watchOS 10.5, tvOS 17.5, and HomePod 17.5. more….....»»
FTC bans noncompete clauses, declares vast majority unenforceable
Chamber of Commerce vows to sue FTC, will try to block ban on noncompetes. Enlarge / Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan talks with guests during an event in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on April 03, 2024 (credit.....»»
Observations explore globular cluster system in the galaxy NGC 4262
Using the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), Indian astronomers have performed wide and deep field observations of a polar ring galaxy known as NGC 4262. Results of the observational campaign, published April 15 on the pre-print server arXiv, she.....»»
Report: Apple acquires French startup behind AI and computer vision technology
Apple has reportedly acquired Datakalab, a Paris, France-based startup specializing in artificial intelligence compression and computer vision technology. According to French business magazine Challenges, the acquisition was finalized in December......»»
Giant galactic explosion exposes galaxy pollution in action
A team of international researchers studied galaxy NGC 4383, in the nearby Virgo cluster, revealing a gas outflow so large that it would take 20,000 years for light to travel from one side to the other......»»
The 6 best tablets for travel in 2024
If you'll be going on a trip, the experience will be even better if you have one of the best tablets for travel. Here are our recommendations on what to buy......»»
I spent 100+ hours in Hades. Here are my impressions of Hades 2
After spending well over 100 hours in the original game, I'm loving what Hades 2 has to offer to players......»»
A $20 Chromecast with Google TV is perfect for this one reason
If you travel at all, you should consider a $20 Chromecast with Google TV. It's just tough to pass up at that price......»»
Microsoft’s VASA-1 can deepfake a person with one photo and one audio track
YouTube videos of 6K celebrities helped train AI model to animate photos in real time. Enlarge / A sample image from Microsoft for "VASA-1: Lifelike Audio-Driven Talking Faces Generated in Real Time." (credit: Microsoft).....»»
Toxic fireproof chemicals can be absorbed through touch, 3D-printed skin model shows
Cancer-causing flame retardants found in everyday things like plastics, furniture, fabrics and electronics can be sucked up by the skin and absorbed into the bloodstream in 24 hours, scientists have found......»»
Coal train pollution increases health risks and disparities, research warns
Trains carrying loads of coal bring with them higher rates of asthma, heart disease, hospitalization and death for residents living nearest the rail lines, according to a new study from the University of California, Davis......»»
Meta working on travel mode for using Quest headsets during flights after Vision Pro launches with feature
Today I learned two things. First, apparently Meta Quest headsets don’t work on planes? I guess Apple knew to prioritize that feature for Vision Pro. And second, support is reportedly on the way. Add this to the list of ways competition from Vision.....»»
Dwarf Fortress’ Adventure Mode brings the sim’s chaotic spirit to CRPGs
Travel your own world, meet fascinating creatures, and put bolts in their necks. Enlarge / See that fortress over there? You can explore it. And then die when someone in your party remembers a tragic incident involving meat and p.....»»
Researchers train a bank of AI models to identify memory formation signals in the brain
An international research collaboration between Vanderbilt University and the Madrid-based de la Prida lab in the Cajal Institute led to the development of AI models that detect and analyze hippocampal ripples, which are considered biomarkers of memo.....»»