For everything from family to computers…
https://gizmodo.com/facebook-is-negotiating-a-record-multi-billion-dollar-f-1832633623
Facebook is in active negotiations to resolve the Federal Trade Commission’s investigation into the company’s privacy failures, according to a new Washington Post report, talks that could result in a multi-billion dollar fine or a heavyweight court battle. The report didn’t include an exact figure and said that …
via Gizmodo https://gizmodo.com
February 14, 2019 at 04:54PM
https://gizmodo.com/elon-musk-backed-ai-company-claims-it-made-a-text-gener-1832650914
Researchers at the non-profit AI research group OpenAI just wanted to train their new text generation software to predict the next word in a sentence. It blew away all of their expectations and was so good at mimicking writing by humans they’ve decided to pump the brakes on the research while they explore the damage…
via Gizmodo https://gizmodo.com
February 15, 2019 at 11:18AM
https://geekologie.com/2019/02/video-of-a-real-life-robotech-mecha-tran.php
This is a shaky video of a Macross (english adaptation Robotech) VF-1S mecha transforming at a previous Beijing Comic Convention. The all-metal 1/9 scale model was created by artist Sun Shiqian and transforms back and forth from its two forms all on its own. I know, I thought it was the Decepticon’s Starscream at first too. It’s not though, it’s a Robotech VF-1S mecha. I’ll admit, I’m not that familiar with the Robotech franchise. With the local Dairy Queen franchises? All the owners know me by name. And that name, of course, is — "Sir Eatalot?" IT’S THE BLIZZARD KING, JERK.
Keep going for a couple shots of the mecha and the video of its transformation, which is really just the gif in higher quality.
Thanks to my good pal/worst enemy Terry, who I will undoubtedly have to mech battle to the death one day. The future just isn’t big enough for the two of us.
via Geekologie – Gadgets, Gizmos, and Awesome https://geekologie.com/
February 15, 2019 at 11:07AM
https://www.autoblog.com/2019/02/15/amazon-invests-in-rivian-ev-truck-maker/
While Amazon was shocking New York this week by ditching its plans to place a second headquarters there, it has been spending lavishly on another front: the automotive sector. U.S. electric pickup truck maker Rivian Automotive on Friday announced an equity investment of $700 million, led by Amazon.
Reuters reported on Tuesday that Amazon and General Motors were in talks to invest in Rivian in a deal that could value the company between $1 billion and $2 billion. Both Rivian and Amazon declined to comment on the valuation.
The investment comes on the heels of Rivian unveiling its all-electric R1T pickup and R1S SUV at the Los Angeles Auto Show last November, the company said.
The funding will be a major boost for the Plymouth, Michigan-based startup, which aspires to be the first carmaker to the U.S. consumer market with an electric pickup.
Last week, meanwhile, Amazon invested $530 million in self-driving car startup Aurora Innovation. The new funding brings Aurora’s valuation to more than $2.5 billion.
Aurora Chief Executive Chris Urmson, who earlier led Alphabet’s self-driving program, said the financing allows Aurora to expand and refine the testing and development of its autonomous driving system, and to hire, growing its staff of more than 200 people spread between offices in Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Palo Alto, California.
Rivian’s existing financial backers include Saudi auto distributor Abdul Latif Jameel Co, Sumitomo Corp of Americas and Standard Chartered Bank.
Related Video:
via Autoblog http://bit.ly/1afPJWx
February 15, 2019 at 09:34AM