Ring wont give cops a free pass on warrants for video requests
Amazon-owned doorbell camera startup Ring will stop allowing police departments to request footage from its users. It will continue to allow law enforcement agencies to use the ‘Neighbors Public Safety Service’ (NPSS) to post helpful information to community residents, a Ring spokesperson said. Earlier, Gizmodo had found that city governments were blanketed by Ring cameras, subjecting residents to widespread surveillance.
Tim Sweeney called Apple App Store changes to be hot garbage
Apple has said its iOS 17.4 update would allow third-party browsers and sideloading. It added that the App Store will be open to game streaming services and developers can use alternative in-app payment options. It also said the new terms of distribution of apps through the App Store that choose to use an alternative payment system will charge a 17% commission instead of 30%.
OpenAI was quiet about its promise to release documents to the public
OpenAI, founded by Elon Musk in 2015, is an artificial intelligence ( AI) lab that aims to develop powerful artificial intelligence. OpenAI’s reports to US tax authorities said that anyone can review copies of its documents, whether they are governing documents or financial statements. OpenAI said it has been following industry standards since 2000 and that includes not publicly distributing internal documents.
alternate App stores are coming to the iPhone from Apple
Apple has announced a new “Core Technology Fee” for iPhone app developers who distribute their apps through the App Store in the European Union (EU). The fee will be charged 0.50 (around 54 cents) per annual install. However, this fee only kicks in after a million annual installs in the EU. Apple will lose its position as sole distributor of iPhone apps.
Gene therapy can help patients with an inherited form of deafness
Doctors at China’s Fudan University have created a functioning form of a gene required for sound signals to travel to the brain, restoring hearing in six children born with a genetic defect. “Before the treatment…they couldn’t hear a thing. You could put the loudest sound in the ear and they don’t hear anything,” a doctor said. The children were born with a genetic problem.
The Mac turns 40 years old
Apple has announced that it’ll be discontinuing its high-end Mac series. “The reason why we’re stopping is that we don’t believe we have the capabilities to make a new Mac,” an Apple executive said. Earlier, Apple had announced that it will discontinue the Mac series by 2021 after the success of the Mac Pro.
At least 6 people were killed by Russian missiles in Ukrainian cities
Russia has blamed Ukraine for downing a military plane that was carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners to a prisoner exchange on Wednesday, claiming it was shot down by a “terrorist” missile. The plane was flying to the Belgorod airfield for an exchange of prisoners, Russia added. However, some Ukrainian authorities, including the country’s ombudsman for human rights, suggested the report was propaganda aimed at destabilizing Ukrainian society.
The streaming service has a complete one
Netflix has signed a 10-year streaming deal with WWE worth over $5 billion (35,800 crore). The deal will also include WWE’s live events and original programming. Netflix’s CEO Ted Sarandos said the deal is “one of the most valuable deals in TV history”. The agreement also includes rights to WWE’s intellectual property, including wrestler Brock Lesnar’s autobiography ‘The Undertaker’.
The OnePlus 12 review is very basic
OnePlus has unveiled its new OnePlus 12 smartphone, which will be available in the US and Europe from February 6. The OnePlus 12 is powered by an Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The phone features a 12MP rear camera with laser autofocus, 5MP front-facing camera and a 4000mAh battery.
You can enable Stolen Device Protection on your device
Apple has added Stolen Device Protection to its iOS and macOS software to help protect its users’ smartphones from thieves when they’re “away”. Stolen Device Protection will appear during attempts to access passwords or passkeys, use payment methods saved in Safari, Turn off Lost Mode, erase your phone, use a new Apple device, apply for a new Apple card, transfer money with Apple Cash.