The 5 best AI chatbots of 2023 (so far)
2023 is the year conversational AI went mainstream. AI chatbots have been around for years, but they were mostly seen as gimmicky sideshows, ridiculed for giving unhinged responses or failing "the Nazi test." That is, until ChatGPT came along in Nove.....»»
Amazon is bricking primary feature on $160 Echo device after 1 year
Smart display will soon default to showing ads after three hours. Enlarge (credit: Amazon) In September of 2023, Amazon announced the Echo Show 8 Photos Edition. It looked just like the regular Echo Show 8 smart display.....»»
Journalists and social media users are key drivers behind product recall decisions, says researcher
Canada saw a record 2,330 product recalls in 2023—more than six per day and the highest since the federal government started releasing the data in 2011. A product recall occurs when a manufacturer takes action to remove consumer goods with safety d.....»»
Stellantis, GM slash headcount in Michigan but keep state incentives
Stellantis employed 38,913 people in the state at the beginning of 2023, a 7 percent year-over-year drop, according to data submitted to Crain’s. GM’s Michigan-based headcount of 50,316 at the start of 2024 represents a 9 percent decline from 202.....»»
The changing dynamics of ransomware as law enforcement strikes
After peaking in late 2023, the ransomware industry is beginning to stabilize in productivity, with notable developments in ransomware targets, and industry dynamics, according to WithSecure. Sectors impacted by ransomware (Source: WithSecure) While.....»»
The 2023 Motorola Razr is down to $400 from $700 at Best Buy
The Motorola Razr 2023 is currently available with a huge discount from Best Buy. From the folding phone's original price of $700, it's on sale for only $400......»»
Researcher: Young Black people are disproportionately strip-searched—ways the justice system treats them as a threat
A new report from the Children's Commissioner for England has found that 457 strip searches of children by police took place between July 2022 and June 2023. The report shows that Black children were four times more likely, when compared to national.....»»
Feds’ probe of hard braking in Cruise robotaxi crashes ends after recall
Software updates stopped Cruise robotaxis from brake-checking other road users. Enlarge / A Cruise robotaxi seen in San Francisco in 2023. Later that year, Cruise paused operations, resuming them in May 2024. (credit: David Paul.....»»
Fed’s probe of hard braking in Cruise robotaxi crashes ends after recall
Software updates stopped Cruise robotaxis from brake-checking other road users. Enlarge / A Cruise robotaxi seen in San Francisco in 2023. Later that year, Cruise paused operations, resuming them in May 2024. (credit: David Paul.....»»
Average DDoS attack costs $6,000 per minute
2023 saw a surge in the frequency and duration of DDoS attacks, and in the first half of 2024, it’s clear that surge has become the new normal, according to Zayo. DDoS attack duration increases DDoS attacks surged 106% from H2 2023 to H1 2024. The.....»»
Coming through wildfire: Professor"s campus is a living lab
Flames surrounded West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund's crews. Firefighters had dug in to protect the $75-million Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant from the 2023 McDougall Creek wildfire......»»
UAW threatens to strike Stellantis if it backtracks on reopening Ill. plant
The union says at least seven locals are prepared to file grievances against Stellantis if the automaker reneges on commitments it made in its 2023 labor agreement......»»
Here’s a sneak peek at one of the Google Pixel 9 Pro’s new camera features
A camera feature first announced by Google in 2023 is finally seeing the light of day. Here's an early look at what Google's Zoom Enhance feature can do......»»
Protecting academic assets: How higher education can enhance cybersecurity
Cyber attacks against higher education institutions increased by 70% in 2023. This is largely due to legacy endpoint security management and practices, limited IT support staff, and overwhelming amounts of data, much of which is PII (personally ident.....»»
The mental health crisis in British schools
NHS statistics suggest that 20.3%—1 in 5—children and young people aged from eight to 16 years in England had a probable mental disorder in 2023. This a huge rise from 2017, when 12.5% had a probable mental health disorder......»»
The Run of Record-Breaking Heat Has Ended, for Now
Air temperatures in July 2024 were fractionally cooler than in July 2023, probably because of a waning El Niño. But don’t expect things to be much cooler in coming years......»»
Unusual mix of blazes sparked 2023 fire season, study shows
An unusual mix of blazes sparked Alberta's fierce 2023 wildfire season, suggests a new report by experts including a University of Alberta researcher......»»
Medicare drug price negotiations: 10 list prices drop between 38% to 79%
If the prices were set in 2023, Medicare would have saved $6 billion. Enlarge / Prescription drugs are displayed at NYC Discount Pharmacy in Manhattan on July 23, 2024. (credit: Getty | Spencer Platt) In the first round.....»»
NASA image reveals the colorful palette of Brazil"s São Francisco River
This Dec. 27, 2023 image of the São Francisco River in southeast Brazil showcases the range of vibrant colors in the area including blues, reds, greens, and yellows. Much of the unvegetated land, such as unplanted fields and unpaved roads, appears i.....»»
Big-name drugs see price drops in first round of Medicare negotiations
If the prices were set in 2023, Medicare would have saved $6 billion. Enlarge / Prescription drugs are displayed at NYC Discount Pharmacy in Manhattan on July 23, 2024. (credit: Getty | Spencer Platt) In the first round.....»»
DDoS attack volume rises, peak power reaches 1.7 Tbps
The total number of DDoS attacks during H1 2024 amounted to 830,000, an increase of 46% when compared to H1 2023, according to Gcore. Peak attack power rose from 1.6 terabits per second (Tbps) in H2 2023 to 1.7 Tbps. DDoS attacks hit Gaming, tech, fi.....»»