Ask.com, originally founded as the Y2K stalwart Ask Jeeves, is officially dead.
“As IAC continues to sharpen its focus, we have made the decision to discontinue our search business, which includes Ask.com. After 25 years of answering the world’s questions, Ask.com officially closed on May 1, 2026,” the homepage now reads.
Ask Jeeves was launched in 1997 by the Berkeley-based duo Garrett Gruener and David Warthen, a year before Google’s now-dominant search engine debuted to the masses. At the time, Ask Jeeves’ natural language processing, combined with its personality-filled voice and branding, made it the go-to web search and answer engine for early internet adopters. The website’s butler mascot, Jeeves, modeled after the P.G. Wodehouse character, made appearances at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, holding its own against other iconic corporate logos of the early 2000s.
Mashable Trend Report
“Can one man have all the answers?” If he has access to the entire internet, absolutely.
But while many still refer to the site by its 1990s name, Ask.com hasn’t been “Ask Jeeves” for nearly 20 years, with the brand dropping the latter word and its valet logo in 2006. The shift came after a change in ownership, when the brand was transferred to American holding company IAC. In 2009, Ask.com was dubbed the official search engine of NASCAR.
“We are deeply grateful to the brilliant engineers, designers, and teams who built and supported Ask over the decades. And to you — the millions of users who turned to us for answers in a rapidly changing world — thank you for your endless curiosity, your loyalty, and your trust,” Ask.com reads. “Jeeves’ spirit endures.”
Amid an overwhelming shift toward generative AI-powered search engines and a repositioning of AI agents as the future of web browsing, the loss of Ask.com feels like a true end of the early dot-com era. So long Jeeves, hello AI.
Ask.com, originally founded as the Y2K stalwart Ask Jeeves, is officially dead.
“As IAC continues to sharpen its focus, we have made the decision to discontinue our search business, which includes Ask.com. After 25 years of answering the world’s questions, Ask.com officially closed on May 1, 2026,” the homepage now reads.
Ask Jeeves was launched in 1997 by the Berkeley-based duo Garrett Gruener and David Warthen, a year before Google’s now-dominant search engine debuted to the masses. At the time, Ask Jeeves’ natural language processing, combined with its personality-filled voice and branding, made it the go-to web search and answer engine for early internet adopters. The website’s butler mascot, Jeeves, modeled after the P.G. Wodehouse character, made appearances at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, holding its own against other iconic corporate logos of the early 2000s.
Mashable Trend Report
“Can one man have all the answers?” If he has access to the entire internet, absolutely.
But while many still refer to the site by its 1990s name, Ask.com hasn’t been “Ask Jeeves” for nearly 20 years, with the brand dropping the latter word and its valet logo in 2006. The shift came after a change in ownership, when the brand was transferred to American holding company IAC. In 2009, Ask.com was dubbed the official search engine of NASCAR.
“We are deeply grateful to the brilliant engineers, designers, and teams who built and supported Ask over the decades. And to you — the millions of users who turned to us for answers in a rapidly changing world — thank you for your endless curiosity, your loyalty, and your trust,” Ask.com reads. “Jeeves’ spirit endures.”
Amid an overwhelming shift toward generative AI-powered search engines and a repositioning of AI agents as the future of web browsing, the loss of Ask.com feels like a true end of the early dot-com era. So long Jeeves, hello AI.
#Jeeves #Ask.com #officially #shuttered">No more Jeeves: Ask.com officially shuttered
Ask.com, originally founded as the Y2K stalwart Ask Jeeves, is officially dead.
“As IAC continues to sharpen its focus, we have made the decision to discontinue our search business, which includes Ask.com. After 25 years of answering the world’s questions, Ask.com officially closed on May 1, 2026,” the homepage now reads.
Ask Jeeves was launched in 1997 by the Berkeley-based duo Garrett Gruener and David Warthen, a year before Google’s now-dominant search engine debuted to the masses. At the time, Ask Jeeves’ natural language processing, combined with its personality-filled voice and branding, made it the go-to web search and answer engine for early internet adopters. The website’s butler mascot, Jeeves, modeled after the P.G. Wodehouse character, made appearances at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, holding its own against other iconic corporate logos of the early 2000s.
Mashable Trend Report
“Can one man have all the answers?” If he has access to the entire internet, absolutely.
But while many still refer to the site by its 1990s name, Ask.com hasn’t been “Ask Jeeves” for nearly 20 years, with the brand dropping the latter word and its valet logo in 2006. The shift came after a change in ownership, when the brand was transferred to American holding company IAC. In 2009, Ask.com was dubbed the official search engine of NASCAR.
“We are deeply grateful to the brilliant engineers, designers, and teams who built and supported Ask over the decades. And to you — the millions of users who turned to us for answers in a rapidly changing world — thank you for your endless curiosity, your loyalty, and your trust,” Ask.com reads. “Jeeves’ spirit endures.”
Amid an overwhelming shift toward generative AI-powered search engines and a repositioning of AI agents as the future of web browsing, the loss of Ask.com feels like a true end of the early dot-com era. So long Jeeves, hello AI.
#Jeeves #Ask.com #officially #shuttered
Ask.com, originally founded as the Y2K stalwart Ask Jeeves, is officially dead. "As IAC continues…
Beginning Monday, attorneys for Meta and New Mexico will return to a Santa Fe courthouse for a three-week public nuisance trial, where they’ll argue over the changes the AG wants the judge to order Meta make to Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Those changes include adding age verification for New Mexico users, prohibiting end-to-end encryption for users under 18 and capping their use to 90 hours per month, limiting engagement-boosting features like infinite scroll and autoplay, and requiring Meta to detect 99 percent of new child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
“From the outset, our goal was to try and change the way the company’s doing business,” Torrez told The Verge on a recent visit to Washington, DC, to advocate for new kids safety legislation. “I recognize that even at $375 million for a company this big and this profitable, it’s not enough in and of itself to change the way they’re doing business. In fact, there’s probably some folks in that company who think of it as the cost of doing business.”
“Even at $375 million for a company this big and this profitable, it’s not enough in and of itself to change the way they’re doing business”
While any changes ordered by the judge would only apply to Meta and its operations in New Mexico, the company could apply the changes in other states for the sake of simplicity. Or, as it’s threatened to do, it could simply go dark in the state. A court order could send a message to other tech companies that courts may be willing to alter their businesses if they’re found liable.
During the trial, New Mexico will argue Meta has become a public nuisance by creating a public health hazard in the state. The AG’s office expects to call on about 15 witnesses, including experts who will testify to the feasibility of their proposed remedies, and fact witnesses who will testify about Meta’s alleged harms. After Meta makes its defense, Judge Bryan Biedscheid will evaluate which proposals are relevant and feasible — a process that could take some time, compared to the speedy turnaround of the jury verdict in March.
A sweeping win for New Mexico could energize Torrez and thousands of other plaintiffs currently pursuing cases against tech companies. Conversely, a limited order could be a significant blow. The outcome won’t directly impact other cases, but it will almost certainly color negotiations over potential settlements.
Several of Torrez’s requests are hot-button tech policy issues. Age verification would almost certainly require Meta or a third-party provider to collect more personal information on adults and minors alike, which privacy advocates have consistently warned can make users less safe. Don McGowan, who previously served on the board of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), said that barring encrypted communications on platforms like Facebook “is a great way to make sure that nobody uses Facebook Messenger anymore and just moves their activity to other platforms that aren’t touched by this lawsuit.”
The mandate may do little to change the reality of certain parts of the business — Meta recently announced it was getting rid of end-to-end encrypted messaging on Instagram that it said “very few people” actually used.
Peter Chapman, associate director of the Knight-Georgetown Institute, which works to connect policymakers and others with independent tech policy research, said there could be “significant tradeoffs” to a prohibition on encryption, and other changes may be more effective. For example, evidence presented by the state showed that Meta’s own profile recommendations were connecting adults and minors, a feature that poses a clearer danger of harm without much benefit, and which Torrez is also asking the court to stop. “There’s an opportunity to intervene at that level and try to prevent more of these harmful interactions from taking place without having to tackle encryption,” said Chapman.
No single feature change is likely to solve the entire child and teen safety problem, said Chapman, which is why it’s notable that Torrez plans to ask for several layers of changes. Still, the overall effectiveness of any given remedy will also depend on how it’s implemented and monitored. For instance, what would be the methodology Meta uses to report a 99 percent detection rate of new CSAM? How does it count or surmise what it hasn’t caught? The same goes for the accuracy and reliability of any mandated age verification.
Meta points to this potential issue in its argument against Torrez’s proposed remedies. “Regardless of where the accuracy threshold is set, Meta would never be able to prove that the system met that standard, because doing the calculation would require that Meta detect 100% of CSAM to use as the denominator,” the company wrote in a legal filing. Torrez’s chief deputy, James Grayson, said on a press call that the court and an appointed independent monitor would have some discretion over tracking; the office hasn’t yet identified who this monitor would be.
“The demands that are being made in New Mexico are ill-informed and provide massive additional exposure for other kinds of exploitation”
Meta and other groups that oppose the AG’s approach say the outcomes he’s seeking are counterproductive. “The demands that are being made in New Mexico are ill-informed and provide massive additional exposure for other kinds of exploitation,” said Maureen Flatley, president of Stop Child Predators, a group that advocates for more funding for enforcement of criminal laws against child predators, and has received funding from Meta-backed trade group NetChoice. “This notion that the platforms have to be responsible for pushing all these people out would be like saying to the US Bankers Association, ‘By the way, you are responsible for all the bank robberies from now on,’ which is ludicrous.”
“The New Mexico Attorney General’s focus on a single platform is a misguided strategy that ignores the hundreds of other apps teens use daily,” Meta spokesperson Chris Sgro said in a statement. “The state’s proposed mandates infringe on parental rights and stifle free expression for all New Mexicans. Regardless, we remain committed to providing safe, age-appropriate experiences and have already launched many of the protections the state seeks, including 13 safety measures this past year.”
But Torrez has taken aim at the broader tech industry, too. He recently visited Washington, DC, to advocate for new protections for kids online and an overhaul of Section 230, the law that protects tech platforms from being held liable for their users’ posts. “While we were able to prevail in our district court in Santa Fe, I still think the law as it currently exists creates a lot of ambiguity,” he told The Verge on that visit. “If Section 230 were not something that these companies could hide behind, then it increases the chances that they’re going to have to actually make their case to a jury.”
But Chapman said regulation through lawsuits isn’t an “uncommon sort of story” in the US. “Whether that’s tobacco, opioids, e-cigarettes, there is precedent for legal action moving a broader policy conversation.”
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
Beginning Monday, attorneys for Meta and New Mexico will return to a Santa Fe courthouse for a three-week public nuisance trial, where they’ll argue over the changes the AG wants the judge to order Meta make to Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Those changes include adding age verification for New Mexico users, prohibiting end-to-end encryption for users under 18 and capping their use to 90 hours per month, limiting engagement-boosting features like infinite scroll and autoplay, and requiring Meta to detect 99 percent of new child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
“From the outset, our goal was to try and change the way the company’s doing business,” Torrez told The Verge on a recent visit to Washington, DC, to advocate for new kids safety legislation. “I recognize that even at $375 million for a company this big and this profitable, it’s not enough in and of itself to change the way they’re doing business. In fact, there’s probably some folks in that company who think of it as the cost of doing business.”
“Even at $375 million for a company this big and this profitable, it’s not enough in and of itself to change the way they’re doing business”
While any changes ordered by the judge would only apply to Meta and its operations in New Mexico, the company could apply the changes in other states for the sake of simplicity. Or, as it’s threatened to do, it could simply go dark in the state. A court order could send a message to other tech companies that courts may be willing to alter their businesses if they’re found liable.
During the trial, New Mexico will argue Meta has become a public nuisance by creating a public health hazard in the state. The AG’s office expects to call on about 15 witnesses, including experts who will testify to the feasibility of their proposed remedies, and fact witnesses who will testify about Meta’s alleged harms. After Meta makes its defense, Judge Bryan Biedscheid will evaluate which proposals are relevant and feasible — a process that could take some time, compared to the speedy turnaround of the jury verdict in March.
A sweeping win for New Mexico could energize Torrez and thousands of other plaintiffs currently pursuing cases against tech companies. Conversely, a limited order could be a significant blow. The outcome won’t directly impact other cases, but it will almost certainly color negotiations over potential settlements.
Several of Torrez’s requests are hot-button tech policy issues. Age verification would almost certainly require Meta or a third-party provider to collect more personal information on adults and minors alike, which privacy advocates have consistently warned can make users less safe. Don McGowan, who previously served on the board of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), said that barring encrypted communications on platforms like Facebook “is a great way to make sure that nobody uses Facebook Messenger anymore and just moves their activity to other platforms that aren’t touched by this lawsuit.”
The mandate may do little to change the reality of certain parts of the business — Meta recently announced it was getting rid of end-to-end encrypted messaging on Instagram that it said “very few people” actually used.
Peter Chapman, associate director of the Knight-Georgetown Institute, which works to connect policymakers and others with independent tech policy research, said there could be “significant tradeoffs” to a prohibition on encryption, and other changes may be more effective. For example, evidence presented by the state showed that Meta’s own profile recommendations were connecting adults and minors, a feature that poses a clearer danger of harm without much benefit, and which Torrez is also asking the court to stop. “There’s an opportunity to intervene at that level and try to prevent more of these harmful interactions from taking place without having to tackle encryption,” said Chapman.
No single feature change is likely to solve the entire child and teen safety problem, said Chapman, which is why it’s notable that Torrez plans to ask for several layers of changes. Still, the overall effectiveness of any given remedy will also depend on how it’s implemented and monitored. For instance, what would be the methodology Meta uses to report a 99 percent detection rate of new CSAM? How does it count or surmise what it hasn’t caught? The same goes for the accuracy and reliability of any mandated age verification.
Meta points to this potential issue in its argument against Torrez’s proposed remedies. “Regardless of where the accuracy threshold is set, Meta would never be able to prove that the system met that standard, because doing the calculation would require that Meta detect 100% of CSAM to use as the denominator,” the company wrote in a legal filing. Torrez’s chief deputy, James Grayson, said on a press call that the court and an appointed independent monitor would have some discretion over tracking; the office hasn’t yet identified who this monitor would be.
“The demands that are being made in New Mexico are ill-informed and provide massive additional exposure for other kinds of exploitation”
Meta and other groups that oppose the AG’s approach say the outcomes he’s seeking are counterproductive. “The demands that are being made in New Mexico are ill-informed and provide massive additional exposure for other kinds of exploitation,” said Maureen Flatley, president of Stop Child Predators, a group that advocates for more funding for enforcement of criminal laws against child predators, and has received funding from Meta-backed trade group NetChoice. “This notion that the platforms have to be responsible for pushing all these people out would be like saying to the US Bankers Association, ‘By the way, you are responsible for all the bank robberies from now on,’ which is ludicrous.”
“The New Mexico Attorney General’s focus on a single platform is a misguided strategy that ignores the hundreds of other apps teens use daily,” Meta spokesperson Chris Sgro said in a statement. “The state’s proposed mandates infringe on parental rights and stifle free expression for all New Mexicans. Regardless, we remain committed to providing safe, age-appropriate experiences and have already launched many of the protections the state seeks, including 13 safety measures this past year.”
But Torrez has taken aim at the broader tech industry, too. He recently visited Washington, DC, to advocate for new protections for kids online and an overhaul of Section 230, the law that protects tech platforms from being held liable for their users’ posts. “While we were able to prevail in our district court in Santa Fe, I still think the law as it currently exists creates a lot of ambiguity,” he told The Verge on that visit. “If Section 230 were not something that these companies could hide behind, then it increases the chances that they’re going to have to actually make their case to a jury.”
But Chapman said regulation through lawsuits isn’t an “uncommon sort of story” in the US. “Whether that’s tobacco, opioids, e-cigarettes, there is precedent for legal action moving a broader policy conversation.”
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
Lauren Feiner
#Metas #historic #loss #court #cost #lot #millionLaw,Meta,Policy,Privacy,Speech,Tech">Meta’s historic loss in court could cost a lot more than $375 million
New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez won a historic sum of $375 million in a landmark child safety case against Meta earlier this year. But the next stage of the fight could be even more consequential for Meta and the social media industry at large.
Beginning Monday, attorneys for Meta and New Mexico will return to a Santa Fe courthouse for a three-week public nuisance trial, where they’ll argue over the changes the AG wants the judge to order Meta make to Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Those changes include adding age verification for New Mexico users, prohibiting end-to-end encryption for users under 18 and capping their use to 90 hours per month, limiting engagement-boosting features like infinite scroll and autoplay, and requiring Meta to detect 99 percent of new child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
“From the outset, our goal was to try and change the way the company’s doing business,” Torrez told The Verge on a recent visit to Washington, DC, to advocate for new kids safety legislation. “I recognize that even at $375 million for a company this big and this profitable, it’s not enough in and of itself to change the way they’re doing business. In fact, there’s probably some folks in that company who think of it as the cost of doing business.”
“Even at $375 million for a company this big and this profitable, it’s not enough in and of itself to change the way they’re doing business”
While any changes ordered by the judge would only apply to Meta and its operations in New Mexico, the company could apply the changes in other states for the sake of simplicity. Or, as it’s threatened to do, it could simply go dark in the state. A court order could send a message to other tech companies that courts may be willing to alter their businesses if they’re found liable.
During the trial, New Mexico will argue Meta has become a public nuisance by creating a public health hazard in the state. The AG’s office expects to call on about 15 witnesses, including experts who will testify to the feasibility of their proposed remedies, and fact witnesses who will testify about Meta’s alleged harms. After Meta makes its defense, Judge Bryan Biedscheid will evaluate which proposals are relevant and feasible — a process that could take some time, compared to the speedy turnaround of the jury verdict in March.
A sweeping win for New Mexico could energize Torrez and thousands of other plaintiffs currently pursuing cases against tech companies. Conversely, a limited order could be a significant blow. The outcome won’t directly impact other cases, but it will almost certainly color negotiations over potential settlements.
Several of Torrez’s requests are hot-button tech policy issues. Age verification would almost certainly require Meta or a third-party provider to collect more personal information on adults and minors alike, which privacy advocates have consistently warned can make users less safe. Don McGowan, who previously served on the board of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), said that barring encrypted communications on platforms like Facebook “is a great way to make sure that nobody uses Facebook Messenger anymore and just moves their activity to other platforms that aren’t touched by this lawsuit.”
The mandate may do little to change the reality of certain parts of the business — Meta recently announced it was getting rid of end-to-end encrypted messaging on Instagram that it said “very few people” actually used.
Peter Chapman, associate director of the Knight-Georgetown Institute, which works to connect policymakers and others with independent tech policy research, said there could be “significant tradeoffs” to a prohibition on encryption, and other changes may be more effective. For example, evidence presented by the state showed that Meta’s own profile recommendations were connecting adults and minors, a feature that poses a clearer danger of harm without much benefit, and which Torrez is also asking the court to stop. “There’s an opportunity to intervene at that level and try to prevent more of these harmful interactions from taking place without having to tackle encryption,” said Chapman.
No single feature change is likely to solve the entire child and teen safety problem, said Chapman, which is why it’s notable that Torrez plans to ask for several layers of changes. Still, the overall effectiveness of any given remedy will also depend on how it’s implemented and monitored. For instance, what would be the methodology Meta uses to report a 99 percent detection rate of new CSAM? How does it count or surmise what it hasn’t caught? The same goes for the accuracy and reliability of any mandated age verification.
Meta points to this potential issue in its argument against Torrez’s proposed remedies. “Regardless of where the accuracy threshold is set, Meta would never be able to prove that the system met that standard, because doing the calculation would require that Meta detect 100% of CSAM to use as the denominator,” the company wrote in a legal filing. Torrez’s chief deputy, James Grayson, said on a press call that the court and an appointed independent monitor would have some discretion over tracking; the office hasn’t yet identified who this monitor would be.
“The demands that are being made in New Mexico are ill-informed and provide massive additional exposure for other kinds of exploitation”
Meta and other groups that oppose the AG’s approach say the outcomes he’s seeking are counterproductive. “The demands that are being made in New Mexico are ill-informed and provide massive additional exposure for other kinds of exploitation,” said Maureen Flatley, president of Stop Child Predators, a group that advocates for more funding for enforcement of criminal laws against child predators, and has received funding from Meta-backed trade group NetChoice. “This notion that the platforms have to be responsible for pushing all these people out would be like saying to the US Bankers Association, ‘By the way, you are responsible for all the bank robberies from now on,’ which is ludicrous.”
“The New Mexico Attorney General’s focus on a single platform is a misguided strategy that ignores the hundreds of other apps teens use daily,” Meta spokesperson Chris Sgro said in a statement. “The state’s proposed mandates infringe on parental rights and stifle free expression for all New Mexicans. Regardless, we remain committed to providing safe, age-appropriate experiences and have already launched many of the protections the state seeks, including 13 safety measures this past year.”
But Torrez has taken aim at the broader tech industry, too. He recently visited Washington, DC, to advocate for new protections for kids online and an overhaul of Section 230, the law that protects tech platforms from being held liable for their users’ posts. “While we were able to prevail in our district court in Santa Fe, I still think the law as it currently exists creates a lot of ambiguity,” he told The Verge on that visit. “If Section 230 were not something that these companies could hide behind, then it increases the chances that they’re going to have to actually make their case to a jury.”
But Chapman said regulation through lawsuits isn’t an “uncommon sort of story” in the US. “Whether that’s tobacco, opioids, e-cigarettes, there is precedent for legal action moving a broader policy conversation.”
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
Now, Netflix says “The Magician’s Nephew” will begin exclusive Imax previews on February 10, 2027, followed by a wide global release in theaters on February 12. (In Netflix’s words, it will be a “global eventized release.”) The movie won’t start streaming until April 2.
The company’s announcement doesn’t get more specific about which theaters will be showing “The Magician’s Nephew,” but Imax released a statement noting that the delay will allow the film to have “a full theatrical window,” so the major theater chains are unlikely to complain
With a cast that includes Daniel Craig and Meryl Streep, “The Magician’s Nephew” adapts one of the later books in C.S. Lewis’ classic fantasy series — a prequel that lays out the origins of Narnia.
Techcrunch event
San Francisco, CA|October 13-15, 2026
In Netflix’s announcement, Gerwig said she first read the book as a child, when she “fell in love with the gorgeously improbable but completely brilliant concept of a cosmic lion singing the world of Narnia to life.”
When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.
Now, Netflix says “The Magician’s Nephew” will begin exclusive Imax previews on February 10, 2027, followed by a wide global release in theaters on February 12. (In Netflix’s words, it will be a “global eventized release.”) The movie won’t start streaming until April 2.
The company’s announcement doesn’t get more specific about which theaters will be showing “The Magician’s Nephew,” but Imax released a statement noting that the delay will allow the film to have “a full theatrical window,” so the major theater chains are unlikely to complain
With a cast that includes Daniel Craig and Meryl Streep, “The Magician’s Nephew” adapts one of the later books in C.S. Lewis’ classic fantasy series — a prequel that lays out the origins of Narnia.
Techcrunch event
San Francisco, CA|October 13-15, 2026
In Netflix’s announcement, Gerwig said she first read the book as a child, when she “fell in love with the gorgeously improbable but completely brilliant concept of a cosmic lion singing the world of Narnia to life.”
When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.
#Netflix #delays #Greta #Gerwigs #Narnia #movie #big #theatrical #push #TechCrunchGreta Gerwig,Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew,Netflix">Netflix delays Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ movie for big theatrical push in 2027 | TechCrunch
Audiences will have to wait a few months longer to see “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew,” with the release date pushed back from Thanksgiving to February 12, 2027.
In addition to relaunching “Narnia” on big screens and serving as writer-director Greta Gerwig’s first film since “Barbie,” “The Magician’s Nephew” also looks like the next step in Netflix’s relationship with movie theaters — and it’s becoming an even bigger step with the delay.
The company had previously said “The Magician’s Nephew” would play exclusively on Imax screens for at least two weeks before a streaming release for Christmas. That would be an ambitious theatrical release by Netflix’s standards, but relatively limited compared to many other Hollywood blockbusters.
Now, Netflix says “The Magician’s Nephew” will begin exclusive Imax previews on February 10, 2027, followed by a wide global release in theaters on February 12. (In Netflix’s words, it will be a “global eventized release.”) The movie won’t start streaming until April 2.
The company’s announcement doesn’t get more specific about which theaters will be showing “The Magician’s Nephew,” but Imax released a statement noting that the delay will allow the film to have “a full theatrical window,” so the major theater chains are unlikely to complain
With a cast that includes Daniel Craig and Meryl Streep, “The Magician’s Nephew” adapts one of the later books in C.S. Lewis’ classic fantasy series — a prequel that lays out the origins of Narnia.
Techcrunch event
San Francisco, CA|October 13-15, 2026
In Netflix’s announcement, Gerwig said she first read the book as a child, when she “fell in love with the gorgeously improbable but completely brilliant concept of a cosmic lion singing the world of Narnia to life.”
When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.
Audiences will have to wait a few months longer to see “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew,”…
Infinix has introduced the GT 50 Pro as a gaming-focused smartphone with meaningful upgrades. It solves problems such as overheating and delays when playing for long hours. The device integrates an advanced cooling mechanism, improved control, and strong performance capability.
The GT 50 Pro is for gamers seeking a high-end smartphone with no interruptions. While other phones focus on making phone calls and sending text messages, the GT 50 Pro is designed for gamers. This means better control and cooling features to ensure good performance.
Smart Cooling That Prevents Overheating
The HydroFlow Liquid Cooling system is specifically designed to address overheating in gaming phones. The cooling mechanism ensures overheating does not occur by shielding the heat-producing parts and simultaneously circulating liquid to disperse heat.
In addition, to make the gaming experience easy and smooth, the GT 50 Pro comes with pressure-sensitive GT Triggers. Such triggers offer fast input and control in extreme gaming situations, along with adjustable settings options.
Display and Performance
The GT 50 Pro is equipped with an enormous 6.78 inches 1.5K screen with a maximum refresh rate of 144Hz. This ensures that the visuals are crisp and clear, especially when gaming or scrolling. In addition, the phone has high-brightness capabilities, ensuring you can view the screen in various lighting conditions. The phone is equipped with eye-care features that minimize eye strain during use. When it comes to audio, the device supports Dolby Atmos.
The GT 50 Pro runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultimate chip, which uses a very efficient 4nm process. As such, the phone delivers smooth performance in any game and does so in a very power-efficient manner, meaning it won’t overheat or drain its battery.
Camera and Battery
Infinix has added a balanced camera setup to the GT 50 Pro. The primary 50 MP camera should take clear photos thanks to the stabilization system and is used for landscape shots, alongside the 8 MP ultra-wide-angle camera. The 13 MP front camera is effective for selfies and video calls.
With a large 6500mAh battery, the GT 50 Pro offers longer battery life, including when playing games. The device supports not only wired but also wireless fast charging. Furthermore, the reverse charging feature is present; additionally, bypass charging provides heat management.
Price and Availability
In terms of availability, the GT 50 Pro is available in two storage variants, with 12GB of RAM and expansion support. It also supports RAM expansion for better efficiency. However, the price will depend on the region and may vary in different markets.
Infinix has introduced the GT 50 Pro as a gaming-focused smartphone with meaningful upgrades. It solves problems such as overheating and delays when playing for long hours. The device integrates an advanced cooling mechanism, improved control, and strong performance capability.
The GT 50 Pro is for gamers seeking a high-end smartphone with no interruptions. While other phones focus on making phone calls and sending text messages, the GT 50 Pro is designed for gamers. This means better control and cooling features to ensure good performance.
Smart Cooling That Prevents Overheating
The HydroFlow Liquid Cooling system is specifically designed to address overheating in gaming phones. The cooling mechanism ensures overheating does not occur by shielding the heat-producing parts and simultaneously circulating liquid to disperse heat.
In addition, to make the gaming experience easy and smooth, the GT 50 Pro comes with pressure-sensitive GT Triggers. Such triggers offer fast input and control in extreme gaming situations, along with adjustable settings options.
Display and Performance
The GT 50 Pro is equipped with an enormous 6.78 inches 1.5K screen with a maximum refresh rate of 144Hz. This ensures that the visuals are crisp and clear, especially when gaming or scrolling. In addition, the phone has high-brightness capabilities, ensuring you can view the screen in various lighting conditions. The phone is equipped with eye-care features that minimize eye strain during use. When it comes to audio, the device supports Dolby Atmos.
The GT 50 Pro runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultimate chip, which uses a very efficient 4nm process. As such, the phone delivers smooth performance in any game and does so in a very power-efficient manner, meaning it won’t overheat or drain its battery.
Camera and Battery
Infinix has added a balanced camera setup to the GT 50 Pro. The primary 50 MP camera should take clear photos thanks to the stabilization system and is used for landscape shots, alongside the 8 MP ultra-wide-angle camera. The 13 MP front camera is effective for selfies and video calls.
With a large 6500mAh battery, the GT 50 Pro offers longer battery life, including when playing games. The device supports not only wired but also wireless fast charging. Furthermore, the reverse charging feature is present; additionally, bypass charging provides heat management.
Price and Availability
In terms of availability, the GT 50 Pro is available in two storage variants, with 12GB of RAM and expansion support. It also supports RAM expansion for better efficiency. However, the price will depend on the region and may vary in different markets.
#Infinix #Introduces #Pro #Gamers #Improved #Cooling #Control #Featuresinfinix">Infinix Introduces GT 50 Pro for Gamers with Improved Cooling and Control Features
Infinix has introduced the GT 50 Pro as a gaming-focused smartphone with meaningful upgrades. It solves problems such as overheating and delays when playing for long hours. The device integrates an advanced cooling mechanism, improved control, and strong performance capability.
The GT 50 Pro is for gamers seeking a high-end smartphone with no interruptions. While other phones focus on making phone calls and sending text messages, the GT 50 Pro is designed for gamers. This means better control and cooling features to ensure good performance.
Smart Cooling That Prevents Overheating
The HydroFlow Liquid Cooling system is specifically designed to address overheating in gaming phones. The cooling mechanism ensures overheating does not occur by shielding the heat-producing parts and simultaneously circulating liquid to disperse heat.
In addition, to make the gaming experience easy and smooth, the GT 50 Pro comes with pressure-sensitive GT Triggers. Such triggers offer fast input and control in extreme gaming situations, along with adjustable settings options.
Display and Performance
The GT 50 Pro is equipped with an enormous 6.78 inches 1.5K screen with a maximum refresh rate of 144Hz. This ensures that the visuals are crisp and clear, especially when gaming or scrolling. In addition, the phone has high-brightness capabilities, ensuring you can view the screen in various lighting conditions. The phone is equipped with eye-care features that minimize eye strain during use. When it comes to audio, the device supports Dolby Atmos.
The GT 50 Pro runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultimate chip, which uses a very efficient 4nm process. As such, the phone delivers smooth performance in any game and does so in a very power-efficient manner, meaning it won’t overheat or drain its battery.
Camera and Battery
Infinix has added a balanced camera setup to the GT 50 Pro. The primary 50 MP camera should take clear photos thanks to the stabilization system and is used for landscape shots, alongside the 8 MP ultra-wide-angle camera. The 13 MP front camera is effective for selfies and video calls.
With a large 6500mAh battery, the GT 50 Pro offers longer battery life, including when playing games. The device supports not only wired but also wireless fast charging. Furthermore, the reverse charging feature is present; additionally, bypass charging provides heat management.
Price and Availability
In terms of availability, the GT 50 Pro is available in two storage variants, with 12GB of RAM and expansion support. It also supports RAM expansion for better efficiency. However, the price will depend on the region and may vary in different markets.
Infinix has introduced the GT 50 Pro as a gaming-focused smartphone with meaningful upgrades. It…
Witch Hat Atelier has quickly become one of, if not the, must-watch anime of the season. So much so, you can’t fault fans for hitting a common anime adaptation impasse: watching weekly, banking episodes for a finale-day binge, or giving in and reading ahead in Kamome Shirahama‘s beloved manga. Decisions, decisions.
But what if we told you there’s a secret third option—one that scratches the Shirahama itch to bask in her bespoke artistry and trades the unspeakable horrors awaiting Coco for a side-splitting, utterly riotous comedy? Well, good, because we are. That option is her slept-on, pre-Witch Hat Atelier manga, Eniale & Dewiela.
If Witch Hat Atelier is Shirahama in her grand adventure, Dragon Ball Z era, Eniale & Dewiela was her at peak Dr. Slump whimsy.
Set in a world where heaven and hell coexist, the manga follows the unruly yet wildly endearing friendship between Eniale, the angel, and Dewiela, the demon—two gals tasked with collecting souls on Earth, a job they’d much rather procrastinate on by going shopping. Unfortunately for them, celestial bureaucracies run a tight ship, so shirking their duties only piles more work onto them.
So they have their fun wherever they can get it by diving into a generational rivalry of soul-dollect, ducking exorcists, and doing the absolute most in the process to one-up each other. Naturally, their daily angel-devil routine spirals into chaos, ranging from the benign to the apocalyptic, making for a hilarious, short-but-sweet read.
For comparison, Eniale and Dewiela’s dynamic gives Bayonetta and Jeanne a touch of Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt, but with the debauchery dialed down from a raucous 11 to a mischievous five. In Witch Hat Atelier terms, Eni and Dewi read like the proto-blueprint for Agott’s tsundere bite and Coco’s sheepish naïveté reimagined as a madcap buddy comedy duo. Watching Shirahama remove her limiters and let these two wreak havoc—whether sabotaging each other’s soul quotas or teaming up to do the bare minimum—is a delight. And when they’re not butting heads, they’re simply gals being pals: shopping, scheming, and trying to live their best lives.
What I love most about the manga is that it’s Shirahama fully in her comedic bag, writing slapstick gags with an elasticity and confidence that feel distinctly aged-up, in line with Witch Hat Atelier‘s gentler whimsy. With each chapter, you can feel her stretching, riffing, and letting herself be unserious in ways that WHA‘s tone doesn’t always allow. Coincidentally, the manga also teases her natural aptitude for sapphic-tinged storytelling that WHA fans—especially Arkco-truthers (we see you)—will clock immediately. Shirahama’s genuinely funny here, but she’s also effortlessly flexing her ability to weave emotionally stirring beats into her gag comedy manga.
For readers who adore WHA’s visual splendor, rest assured: Eniale & Dewiela carries the same hallmarks. The panel work is exquisite, the ornate borders feel like thumbing through an ancient tome, and the intricate detailing is as gobsmacking as ever. But here, that craft is in service of pure comedy. Across its three volumes, Shirahama unleashes a cavalcade of supernatural disasters born from the duo’s joint dumbassery—raising hordes of zombies while trying to turn a priest into both an angel and a demon, splitting the sea like Moses to find a missing earring, and firing a sky‑beam of souls straight into the heavens.
And when the manga isn’t serving killer runway fashion, heavenly‑hellish hijinks, or a few sapphic glances, it’s got heart. The standout moment comes in chapter eight, where Dewiela goes from hovering over an old woman like a vulture waiting to collect her soul to befriending her and her “fugly” guard cat. That chapter made me misty-eyed, I’m not gonna lie.
So if you need a quick, delightful read while you deliberate over whether you’re going to stockpile Witch Hat Atelier episodes or are simply craving more of Shirahama’s work (outside her Pokémon card illustrations—she contains multitudes), Eniale & Dewiela is absolutely worth your time.
Witch Hat Atelier has quickly become one of, if not the, must-watch anime of the season. So much so, you can’t fault fans for hitting a common anime adaptation impasse: watching weekly, banking episodes for a finale-day binge, or giving in and reading ahead in Kamome Shirahama‘s beloved manga. Decisions, decisions.
But what if we told you there’s a secret third option—one that scratches the Shirahama itch to bask in her bespoke artistry and trades the unspeakable horrors awaiting Coco for a side-splitting, utterly riotous comedy? Well, good, because we are. That option is her slept-on, pre-Witch Hat Atelier manga, Eniale & Dewiela.
If Witch Hat Atelier is Shirahama in her grand adventure, Dragon Ball Z era, Eniale & Dewiela was her at peak Dr. Slump whimsy.
Set in a world where heaven and hell coexist, the manga follows the unruly yet wildly endearing friendship between Eniale, the angel, and Dewiela, the demon—two gals tasked with collecting souls on Earth, a job they’d much rather procrastinate on by going shopping. Unfortunately for them, celestial bureaucracies run a tight ship, so shirking their duties only piles more work onto them.
So they have their fun wherever they can get it by diving into a generational rivalry of soul-dollect, ducking exorcists, and doing the absolute most in the process to one-up each other. Naturally, their daily angel-devil routine spirals into chaos, ranging from the benign to the apocalyptic, making for a hilarious, short-but-sweet read.
For comparison, Eniale and Dewiela’s dynamic gives Bayonetta and Jeanne a touch of Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt, but with the debauchery dialed down from a raucous 11 to a mischievous five. In Witch Hat Atelier terms, Eni and Dewi read like the proto-blueprint for Agott’s tsundere bite and Coco’s sheepish naïveté reimagined as a madcap buddy comedy duo. Watching Shirahama remove her limiters and let these two wreak havoc—whether sabotaging each other’s soul quotas or teaming up to do the bare minimum—is a delight. And when they’re not butting heads, they’re simply gals being pals: shopping, scheming, and trying to live their best lives.
What I love most about the manga is that it’s Shirahama fully in her comedic bag, writing slapstick gags with an elasticity and confidence that feel distinctly aged-up, in line with Witch Hat Atelier‘s gentler whimsy. With each chapter, you can feel her stretching, riffing, and letting herself be unserious in ways that WHA‘s tone doesn’t always allow. Coincidentally, the manga also teases her natural aptitude for sapphic-tinged storytelling that WHA fans—especially Arkco-truthers (we see you)—will clock immediately. Shirahama’s genuinely funny here, but she’s also effortlessly flexing her ability to weave emotionally stirring beats into her gag comedy manga.
For readers who adore WHA’s visual splendor, rest assured: Eniale & Dewiela carries the same hallmarks. The panel work is exquisite, the ornate borders feel like thumbing through an ancient tome, and the intricate detailing is as gobsmacking as ever. But here, that craft is in service of pure comedy. Across its three volumes, Shirahama unleashes a cavalcade of supernatural disasters born from the duo’s joint dumbassery—raising hordes of zombies while trying to turn a priest into both an angel and a demon, splitting the sea like Moses to find a missing earring, and firing a sky‑beam of souls straight into the heavens.
And when the manga isn’t serving killer runway fashion, heavenly‑hellish hijinks, or a few sapphic glances, it’s got heart. The standout moment comes in chapter eight, where Dewiela goes from hovering over an old woman like a vulture waiting to collect her soul to befriending her and her “fugly” guard cat. That chapter made me misty-eyed, I’m not gonna lie.
So if you need a quick, delightful read while you deliberate over whether you’re going to stockpile Witch Hat Atelier episodes or are simply craving more of Shirahama’s work (outside her Pokémon card illustrations—she contains multitudes), Eniale & Dewiela is absolutely worth your time.
#Witch #Hat #Kamome #Shirahama #Blessed #Hilarious #Romp #Gals #PalsKamome Shirahama,Manga,Witch Hat Atelier">Before ‘Witch Hat,’ Kamome Shirahama Blessed Us With a Hilarious Romp About Gals Being Pals
Witch Hat Atelier has quickly become one of, if not the, must-watch anime of the season. So much so, you can’t fault fans for hitting a common anime adaptation impasse: watching weekly, banking episodes for a finale-day binge, or giving in and reading ahead in Kamome Shirahama‘s beloved manga. Decisions, decisions.
But what if we told you there’s a secret third option—one that scratches the Shirahama itch to bask in her bespoke artistry and trades the unspeakable horrors awaiting Coco for a side-splitting, utterly riotous comedy? Well, good, because we are. That option is her slept-on, pre-Witch Hat Atelier manga, Eniale & Dewiela.
If Witch Hat Atelier is Shirahama in her grand adventure, Dragon Ball Z era, Eniale & Dewiela was her at peak Dr. Slump whimsy.
Set in a world where heaven and hell coexist, the manga follows the unruly yet wildly endearing friendship between Eniale, the angel, and Dewiela, the demon—two gals tasked with collecting souls on Earth, a job they’d much rather procrastinate on by going shopping. Unfortunately for them, celestial bureaucracies run a tight ship, so shirking their duties only piles more work onto them.
So they have their fun wherever they can get it by diving into a generational rivalry of soul-dollect, ducking exorcists, and doing the absolute most in the process to one-up each other. Naturally, their daily angel-devil routine spirals into chaos, ranging from the benign to the apocalyptic, making for a hilarious, short-but-sweet read.
For comparison, Eniale and Dewiela’s dynamic gives Bayonetta and Jeanne a touch of Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt, but with the debauchery dialed down from a raucous 11 to a mischievous five. In Witch Hat Atelier terms, Eni and Dewi read like the proto-blueprint for Agott’s tsundere bite and Coco’s sheepish naïveté reimagined as a madcap buddy comedy duo. Watching Shirahama remove her limiters and let these two wreak havoc—whether sabotaging each other’s soul quotas or teaming up to do the bare minimum—is a delight. And when they’re not butting heads, they’re simply gals being pals: shopping, scheming, and trying to live their best lives.
What I love most about the manga is that it’s Shirahama fully in her comedic bag, writing slapstick gags with an elasticity and confidence that feel distinctly aged-up, in line with Witch Hat Atelier‘s gentler whimsy. With each chapter, you can feel her stretching, riffing, and letting herself be unserious in ways that WHA‘s tone doesn’t always allow. Coincidentally, the manga also teases her natural aptitude for sapphic-tinged storytelling that WHA fans—especially Arkco-truthers (we see you)—will clock immediately. Shirahama’s genuinely funny here, but she’s also effortlessly flexing her ability to weave emotionally stirring beats into her gag comedy manga.
For readers who adore WHA’s visual splendor, rest assured: Eniale & Dewiela carries the same hallmarks. The panel work is exquisite, the ornate borders feel like thumbing through an ancient tome, and the intricate detailing is as gobsmacking as ever. But here, that craft is in service of pure comedy. Across its three volumes, Shirahama unleashes a cavalcade of supernatural disasters born from the duo’s joint dumbassery—raising hordes of zombies while trying to turn a priest into both an angel and a demon, splitting the sea like Moses to find a missing earring, and firing a sky‑beam of souls straight into the heavens.
And when the manga isn’t serving killer runway fashion, heavenly‑hellish hijinks, or a few sapphic glances, it’s got heart. The standout moment comes in chapter eight, where Dewiela goes from hovering over an old woman like a vulture waiting to collect her soul to befriending her and her “fugly” guard cat. That chapter made me misty-eyed, I’m not gonna lie.
So if you need a quick, delightful read while you deliberate over whether you’re going to stockpile Witch Hat Atelier episodes or are simply craving more of Shirahama’s work (outside her Pokémon card illustrations—she contains multitudes), Eniale & Dewiela is absolutely worth your time.
Witch Hat Atelier has quickly become one of, if not the, must-watch anime of the season.…
By law, autonomous vehicles aren’t allowed to carry unaccompanied minors in California. Waymo, Alphabet’s self-driving-car company, doesn’t allow kids under 18 to ride alone anywhere outside of metro Phoenix, Arizona. But that hasn’t stopped some time-strapped parents from using their own accounts to transport their kids to school, extracurricular activities, and even social outings. Some have reported that the lack of drivers makes them feel safer.
Waymo is working to crack down on the practice, the company confirmed Friday, after reports of new mid-ride age-verification checks began to float around on social media. The company has “policies in place” to help it identify violations of its terms of service, Waymo spokesperson Chris Bonelli wrote in a statement to WIRED. “We are continuing to refine our system and processes for accuracy over time.” Violating its terms of service can lead to temporary or permanent suspension of an account, Waymo says.
The company uses cameras inside its cars to check that riders aren’t violating its rules. Its privacy policy notes that the company records video inside the vehicle during trips. Waymo says its support workers “may review video under certain circumstances” and, “in more urgent circumstances,” access live video during a trip. The company says it does not use facial recognition or “other biometric identification technologies” to identify individuals.
The news comes a month after several California labor groups, including the California Gig Workers Union, filed a formal complaint with a state regulatory agency, accusing Waymo of violating the terms of its permit to operate in the state by knowingly transporting unaccompanied minors. The matter was assigned to a judge this week. The state is evaluating new rules that could allow solo riders under 18 in driverless cars, perhaps patterned after a program that permits ride-hail companies with human drivers to transport minors in California.
So far, several fresh-faced adults have been caught in the crossfire. On Tuesday, San Francisco machine learning engineer Nicholas Fleischhauer was about five minutes into his Waymo ride when the car connected him to support. A voice came over the line asking Fleischhauer to verify his age. He told the worker the truth: He’s 35. “I had messy and wet hair and a backpack on me,” he says, by way of explaining why he might have been flagged by Waymo’s system. Plus, “people have told me that I look young for my age.” Fleischhauer says he takes Waymo weekly, but this marked the first time he had been asked about his age.
Since last summer, Waymo has allowed parents in the Phoenix area to set up teen accounts for riders ages 14 to 17. The accounts allow the teen riders’ adults to track their real-time locations during their trips. Waymo says a specially trained team of support agents deals with any issues its teen riders might have. Waymo says that “hundreds” of Phoenix families use the service each week.
In Waymo’s other markets across the US, adults are allowed to ride with guests under 18, though children under 8 must be in a secured car or booster seat.
Ethan S. Klein is 23, but his 26th LA Waymo ride on Thursday—plus the music he was listening to—was interrupted by an in-car call from a support agent who asked him, for the first time, to verify his birth date. Klein is an adult, but his first impulse was almost teen-like. “I was a little startled,” he says. “I thought I was in trouble!”
By law, autonomous vehicles aren’t allowed to carry unaccompanied minors in California. Waymo, Alphabet’s self-driving-car company, doesn’t allow kids under 18 to ride alone anywhere outside of metro Phoenix, Arizona. But that hasn’t stopped some time-strapped parents from using their own accounts to transport their kids to school, extracurricular activities, and even social outings. Some have reported that the lack of drivers makes them feel safer.
Waymo is working to crack down on the practice, the company confirmed Friday, after reports of new mid-ride age-verification checks began to float around on social media. The company has “policies in place” to help it identify violations of its terms of service, Waymo spokesperson Chris Bonelli wrote in a statement to WIRED. “We are continuing to refine our system and processes for accuracy over time.” Violating its terms of service can lead to temporary or permanent suspension of an account, Waymo says.
The company uses cameras inside its cars to check that riders aren’t violating its rules. Its privacy policy notes that the company records video inside the vehicle during trips. Waymo says its support workers “may review video under certain circumstances” and, “in more urgent circumstances,” access live video during a trip. The company says it does not use facial recognition or “other biometric identification technologies” to identify individuals.
The news comes a month after several California labor groups, including the California Gig Workers Union, filed a formal complaint with a state regulatory agency, accusing Waymo of violating the terms of its permit to operate in the state by knowingly transporting unaccompanied minors. The matter was assigned to a judge this week. The state is evaluating new rules that could allow solo riders under 18 in driverless cars, perhaps patterned after a program that permits ride-hail companies with human drivers to transport minors in California.
So far, several fresh-faced adults have been caught in the crossfire. On Tuesday, San Francisco machine learning engineer Nicholas Fleischhauer was about five minutes into his Waymo ride when the car connected him to support. A voice came over the line asking Fleischhauer to verify his age. He told the worker the truth: He’s 35. “I had messy and wet hair and a backpack on me,” he says, by way of explaining why he might have been flagged by Waymo’s system. Plus, “people have told me that I look young for my age.” Fleischhauer says he takes Waymo weekly, but this marked the first time he had been asked about his age.
Since last summer, Waymo has allowed parents in the Phoenix area to set up teen accounts for riders ages 14 to 17. The accounts allow the teen riders’ adults to track their real-time locations during their trips. Waymo says a specially trained team of support agents deals with any issues its teen riders might have. Waymo says that “hundreds” of Phoenix families use the service each week.
In Waymo’s other markets across the US, adults are allowed to ride with guests under 18, though children under 8 must be in a secured car or booster seat.
Ethan S. Klein is 23, but his 26th LA Waymo ride on Thursday—plus the music he was listening to—was interrupted by an in-car call from a support agent who asked him, for the first time, to verify his birth date. Klein is an adult, but his first impulse was almost teen-like. “I was a little startled,” he says. “I thought I was in trouble!”
#Waymo #Crack #Solo #Kids #Driverless #Carsself-driving cars,cars,autonomous vehicles,safety,waymo,uber,kids">Waymo Is Trying to Crack Down on Solo Kids in Driverless Cars
By law, autonomous vehicles aren’t allowed to carry unaccompanied minors in California. Waymo, Alphabet’s self-driving-car company, doesn’t allow kids under 18 to ride alone anywhere outside of metro Phoenix, Arizona. But that hasn’t stopped some time-strapped parents from using their own accounts to transport their kids to school, extracurricular activities, and even social outings. Some have reported that the lack of drivers makes them feel safer.
Waymo is working to crack down on the practice, the company confirmed Friday, after reports of new mid-ride age-verification checks began to float around on social media. The company has “policies in place” to help it identify violations of its terms of service, Waymo spokesperson Chris Bonelli wrote in a statement to WIRED. “We are continuing to refine our system and processes for accuracy over time.” Violating its terms of service can lead to temporary or permanent suspension of an account, Waymo says.
The company uses cameras inside its cars to check that riders aren’t violating its rules. Its privacy policy notes that the company records video inside the vehicle during trips. Waymo says its support workers “may review video under certain circumstances” and, “in more urgent circumstances,” access live video during a trip. The company says it does not use facial recognition or “other biometric identification technologies” to identify individuals.
The news comes a month after several California labor groups, including the California Gig Workers Union, filed a formal complaint with a state regulatory agency, accusing Waymo of violating the terms of its permit to operate in the state by knowingly transporting unaccompanied minors. The matter was assigned to a judge this week. The state is evaluating new rules that could allow solo riders under 18 in driverless cars, perhaps patterned after a program that permits ride-hail companies with human drivers to transport minors in California.
So far, several fresh-faced adults have been caught in the crossfire. On Tuesday, San Francisco machine learning engineer Nicholas Fleischhauer was about five minutes into his Waymo ride when the car connected him to support. A voice came over the line asking Fleischhauer to verify his age. He told the worker the truth: He’s 35. “I had messy and wet hair and a backpack on me,” he says, by way of explaining why he might have been flagged by Waymo’s system. Plus, “people have told me that I look young for my age.” Fleischhauer says he takes Waymo weekly, but this marked the first time he had been asked about his age.
Since last summer, Waymo has allowed parents in the Phoenix area to set up teen accounts for riders ages 14 to 17. The accounts allow the teen riders’ adults to track their real-time locations during their trips. Waymo says a specially trained team of support agents deals with any issues its teen riders might have. Waymo says that “hundreds” of Phoenix families use the service each week.
In Waymo’s other markets across the US, adults are allowed to ride with guests under 18, though children under 8 must be in a secured car or booster seat.
Ethan S. Klein is 23, but his 26th LA Waymo ride on Thursday—plus the music he was listening to—was interrupted by an in-car call from a support agent who asked him, for the first time, to verify his birth date. Klein is an adult, but his first impulse was almost teen-like. “I was a little startled,” he says. “I thought I was in trouble!”
By law, autonomous vehicles aren’t allowed to carry unaccompanied minors in California. Waymo, Alphabet’s self-driving-car…
Samsung’s flagship Galaxy Book 6 Ultra laptop has the premium build, processor and graphics muscle required by creative pros. Can it replace a MacBook Pro?
Samsung’s flagship Galaxy Book 6 Ultra laptop has the premium build, processor and graphics muscle required by creative pros. Can it replace a MacBook Pro?
#Samsung #Galaxy #Book #Ultra #MacBook #Pro">Samsung Galaxy Book 6 Ultra vs MacBook Pro
Samsung’s flagship Galaxy Book 6 Ultra laptop has the premium build, processor and graphics muscle required by creative pros. Can it replace a MacBook Pro?
#Samsung #Galaxy #Book #Ultra #MacBook #Pro
Samsung’s flagship Galaxy Book 6 Ultra laptop has the premium build, processor and graphics muscle…
Microsoft says it built the new Run menu using code from Command Palette, a utility available through PowerToys that allows you to quickly run commands, open websites, search files, and more. Windows 11 Insiders can enable the new Run menu by going to Settings > System > Advanced and turning the option on. An early version of the redesigned Run menu started appearing in preview builds last year.
“We’ve collaborated tightly with partners across the platform to get these UI surfaces loading snappy,” Microsoft’s blog post says. “Improvements we’ve made to the platform don’t just make Run fast, but they help make the whole OS more efficient.”
Microsoft says it built the new Run menu using code from Command Palette, a utility available through PowerToys that allows you to quickly run commands, open websites, search files, and more. Windows 11 Insiders can enable the new Run menu by going to Settings > System > Advanced and turning the option on. An early version of the redesigned Run menu started appearing in preview builds last year.
“We’ve collaborated tightly with partners across the platform to get these UI surfaces loading snappy,” Microsoft’s blog post says. “Improvements we’ve made to the platform don’t just make Run fast, but they help make the whole OS more efficient.”
#Microsoft #tests #redesigned #Windows #Run #menu #dark #modeMicrosoft,News,Tech,Windows">Microsoft tests redesigned Windows 11 Run menu with dark mode and more
In a blog post explaining the changes, Microsoft says it decided to drop the Run menu’s “Browse” button — a shortcut to user files — after finding “very low usage.” Instead, Microsoft added support for a new “~\” command, which leads to your user directory.
Microsoft says it built the new Run menu using code from Command Palette, a utility available through PowerToys that allows you to quickly run commands, open websites, search files, and more. Windows 11 Insiders can enable the new Run menu by going to Settings > System > Advanced and turning the option on. An early version of the redesigned Run menu started appearing in preview builds last year.
“We’ve collaborated tightly with partners across the platform to get these UI surfaces loading snappy,” Microsoft’s blog post says. “Improvements we’ve made to the platform don’t just make Run fast, but they help make the whole OS more efficient.”
It has launched a venture called Next Frontier to buy up land near large power sources with the goal of turning those parcels into data centers, the Wall Street Journal reports. Sources tell the WSJ that Next Frontier has already signed a joint venture with Fluidstack, a cloud infrastructure startup that penned a $50 billion deal to build data centers for Anthropic. (Coatue did not respond to a request for comment.)
Although the U.S. already has 3,000 data centers, more than 1,500 new ones are in various stages of being built, according to Pew Research, most of them in rural areas. The frenzy is enticing land speculation and data center financing projects from lots of players, ranging from Blackstone to Kevin O’Leary from “Shark Tank.”
It has launched a venture called Next Frontier to buy up land near large power sources with the goal of turning those parcels into data centers, the Wall Street Journal reports. Sources tell the WSJ that Next Frontier has already signed a joint venture with Fluidstack, a cloud infrastructure startup that penned a $50 billion deal to build data centers for Anthropic. (Coatue did not respond to a request for comment.)
Although the U.S. already has 3,000 data centers, more than 1,500 new ones are in various stages of being built, according to Pew Research, most of them in rural areas. The frenzy is enticing land speculation and data center financing projects from lots of players, ranging from Blackstone to Kevin O’Leary from “Shark Tank.”
.
#Coatue #plan #buy #land #data #centers #possibly #Anthropic #TechCrunchAnthropic,coatue,data centers,In Brief">Coatue has a plan to buy up land for data centers, possibly for Anthropic | TechCrunch
Coatue, one of the biggest names in venture capital and hedge funds, has a new plan to generate bigger returns on AI beyond its sizable stakes in Anthropic, OpenAI, xAI, and data center companies like Singapore’s DayOne and CoreWeave.
It has launched a venture called Next Frontier to buy up land near large power sources with the goal of turning those parcels into data centers, the Wall Street Journal reports. Sources tell the WSJ that Next Frontier has already signed a joint venture with Fluidstack, a cloud infrastructure startup that penned a $50 billion deal to build data centers for Anthropic. (Coatue did not respond to a request for comment.)
Although the U.S. already has 3,000 data centers, more than 1,500 new ones are in various stages of being built, according to Pew Research, most of them in rural areas. The frenzy is enticing land speculation and data center financing projects from lots of players, ranging from Blackstone to Kevin O’Leary from “Shark Tank.”
Coatue, one of the biggest names in venture capital and hedge funds, has a new…
Eneba.com have made a strong mark by combining everything from rare peripherals to discounted digital game codes in one convenient space. With fierce competition driving prices lower and generous selection on offer, these platforms now rival traditional game shops, yet offer far more flexibility, whether it’s a late-night shopping urge or a flash sale on the latest blockbuster.
While there are plenty of options to buy digital games online, many in-the-know buyers gravitate toward platforms like Eneba for several reasons. Eneba stands out by offering instant access to game keys, which allow players to redeem titles directly on platforms such as PlayStation, with no disc or shipping required. This gives buyers more choice and frequently better prices than traditional platform stores, while an enormous catalog and up-front global or region-locked information make for transparent shopping. Plus, with verified sellers and robust marketplace controls, the risk of counterfeits drops markedly. Beyond game keys, Eneba also features gift cards for services like Xbox, PSN, and Steam, meaning players can top up accounts and snag games or content of their choice, skipping the hunt for specific game keys.
The Big Draws: Price, Speed, and Selection
What drives players to trust digital marketplaces over the tried and tested big-name stores? Savings are a major factor: prices for both hardware and digital game keys can dip well below official retailer listings. Flash sales or limited-time discounts mean buyers can seize deals at odd hours, no camping out, no extra fees for international shipping.
But it’s not just the cost that wins people over. Instant access is non-negotiable for gamers who want a new release the second it drops, or need to replace a mic in time for tonight’s match. Digital codes and direct-to-home shipping let buyers skip wait times entirely. On top of that, curated stock and real-time availability mean less hunting around, which saves effort. Every moment not spent scrolling is one more minute playing.
Security and Transparency Keep Gamers Loyal
Skepticism around digital goods is only natural when you’re entering codes worth fifty or even a hundred dollars. Digital marketplaces have worked hard to build trust by publishing clear security guarantees, requiring third-party merchant verification, and setting strict standards for compliance and sourcing. Buyers know that when issues arise, support teams are ready to step in, a far cry from faceless classified ads or auction sites.
Transparency is a dealbreaker for many. Region-locked codes? Out-of-stock hardware? Sites that label everything clearly and show purchase history on demand find it easier to retain picky shoppers. Gamers remember who wasted their time and who made the experience simple.
Flexibility for Modern Gaming Lifestyles
Physical games and hardware still have a place, but the digital approach caters to how gamers actually live and play. Swapping consoles with friends, jumping from PC to mobile, and redeeming codes while traveling all become easier with digital ownership. The global reach of digital marketplaces makes it possible to find rare or region-specific gear and content not available locally.
With the cycle of new releases and old favorites never ending, staying ahead of the next hot thing is less stressful when your shopping list can be satisfied in one place. Digital marketplaces like Eneba, offering deals on all things digital, continue to reshape how players discover, buy, and enjoy what they love most.
Eneba.com have made a strong mark by combining everything from rare peripherals to discounted digital game codes in one convenient space. With fierce competition driving prices lower and generous selection on offer, these platforms now rival traditional game shops, yet offer far more flexibility, whether it’s a late-night shopping urge or a flash sale on the latest blockbuster.
While there are plenty of options to buy digital games online, many in-the-know buyers gravitate toward platforms like Eneba for several reasons. Eneba stands out by offering instant access to game keys, which allow players to redeem titles directly on platforms such as PlayStation, with no disc or shipping required. This gives buyers more choice and frequently better prices than traditional platform stores, while an enormous catalog and up-front global or region-locked information make for transparent shopping. Plus, with verified sellers and robust marketplace controls, the risk of counterfeits drops markedly. Beyond game keys, Eneba also features gift cards for services like Xbox, PSN, and Steam, meaning players can top up accounts and snag games or content of their choice, skipping the hunt for specific game keys.
The Big Draws: Price, Speed, and Selection
What drives players to trust digital marketplaces over the tried and tested big-name stores? Savings are a major factor: prices for both hardware and digital game keys can dip well below official retailer listings. Flash sales or limited-time discounts mean buyers can seize deals at odd hours, no camping out, no extra fees for international shipping.
But it’s not just the cost that wins people over. Instant access is non-negotiable for gamers who want a new release the second it drops, or need to replace a mic in time for tonight’s match. Digital codes and direct-to-home shipping let buyers skip wait times entirely. On top of that, curated stock and real-time availability mean less hunting around, which saves effort. Every moment not spent scrolling is one more minute playing.
Security and Transparency Keep Gamers Loyal
Skepticism around digital goods is only natural when you’re entering codes worth fifty or even a hundred dollars. Digital marketplaces have worked hard to build trust by publishing clear security guarantees, requiring third-party merchant verification, and setting strict standards for compliance and sourcing. Buyers know that when issues arise, support teams are ready to step in, a far cry from faceless classified ads or auction sites.
Transparency is a dealbreaker for many. Region-locked codes? Out-of-stock hardware? Sites that label everything clearly and show purchase history on demand find it easier to retain picky shoppers. Gamers remember who wasted their time and who made the experience simple.
Flexibility for Modern Gaming Lifestyles
Physical games and hardware still have a place, but the digital approach caters to how gamers actually live and play. Swapping consoles with friends, jumping from PC to mobile, and redeeming codes while traveling all become easier with digital ownership. The global reach of digital marketplaces makes it possible to find rare or region-specific gear and content not available locally.
With the cycle of new releases and old favorites never ending, staying ahead of the next hot thing is less stressful when your shopping list can be satisfied in one place. Digital marketplaces like Eneba, offering deals on all things digital, continue to reshape how players discover, buy, and enjoy what they love most.
#Savvy #Gamers #Embracing #Digital #Marketplaces #Gear #GamesAndroid Gaming,console gaming,desktop gaming">Why Savvy Gamers Are Embracing Digital Marketplaces for Gear and Games
Waiting in line for a midnight game release or scrambling to find a sold-out gaming headset at your favorite electronics store feels far less appealing in a world where instant digital access is just a click away. Today’s gamers are done chasing physical stock and juggling dozens of store accounts. Instead, they’re seeking out a more streamlined, cost-effective way to buy gear and titles, often without ever leaving their chair.
Digital marketplaces have exploded in popularity among gaming enthusiasts aiming to make every dollar and minute count. For those new to this shift, sites like Eneba.com have made a strong mark by combining everything from rare peripherals to discounted digital game codes in one convenient space. With fierce competition driving prices lower and generous selection on offer, these platforms now rival traditional game shops, yet offer far more flexibility, whether it’s a late-night shopping urge or a flash sale on the latest blockbuster.
While there are plenty of options to buy digital games online, many in-the-know buyers gravitate toward platforms like Eneba for several reasons. Eneba stands out by offering instant access to game keys, which allow players to redeem titles directly on platforms such as PlayStation, with no disc or shipping required. This gives buyers more choice and frequently better prices than traditional platform stores, while an enormous catalog and up-front global or region-locked information make for transparent shopping. Plus, with verified sellers and robust marketplace controls, the risk of counterfeits drops markedly. Beyond game keys, Eneba also features gift cards for services like Xbox, PSN, and Steam, meaning players can top up accounts and snag games or content of their choice, skipping the hunt for specific game keys.
The Big Draws: Price, Speed, and Selection
What drives players to trust digital marketplaces over the tried and tested big-name stores? Savings are a major factor: prices for both hardware and digital game keys can dip well below official retailer listings. Flash sales or limited-time discounts mean buyers can seize deals at odd hours, no camping out, no extra fees for international shipping.
But it’s not just the cost that wins people over. Instant access is non-negotiable for gamers who want a new release the second it drops, or need to replace a mic in time for tonight’s match. Digital codes and direct-to-home shipping let buyers skip wait times entirely. On top of that, curated stock and real-time availability mean less hunting around, which saves effort. Every moment not spent scrolling is one more minute playing.
Security and Transparency Keep Gamers Loyal
Skepticism around digital goods is only natural when you’re entering codes worth fifty or even a hundred dollars. Digital marketplaces have worked hard to build trust by publishing clear security guarantees, requiring third-party merchant verification, and setting strict standards for compliance and sourcing. Buyers know that when issues arise, support teams are ready to step in, a far cry from faceless classified ads or auction sites.
Transparency is a dealbreaker for many. Region-locked codes? Out-of-stock hardware? Sites that label everything clearly and show purchase history on demand find it easier to retain picky shoppers. Gamers remember who wasted their time and who made the experience simple.
Flexibility for Modern Gaming Lifestyles
Physical games and hardware still have a place, but the digital approach caters to how gamers actually live and play. Swapping consoles with friends, jumping from PC to mobile, and redeeming codes while traveling all become easier with digital ownership. The global reach of digital marketplaces makes it possible to find rare or region-specific gear and content not available locally.
With the cycle of new releases and old favorites never ending, staying ahead of the next hot thing is less stressful when your shopping list can be satisfied in one place. Digital marketplaces like Eneba, offering deals on all things digital, continue to reshape how players discover, buy, and enjoy what they love most.
