Friday, 12 July 2019

The human ears that listen in via Google Assistant

Engadget Email Newsletter

It's Friday, July 12, 2019.

Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.

Welcome to Friday! Some Google employees are apparently listening to a small percentage of your Assistant queries, there’s a new full-frame camera that’s just very small and it’s time to get excited for augmented reality Minecraft -- it’s landing later this month.

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Google says it transcribes a small percentage of audio recordings.

Surprise: People are listening to your Google Assistant queries

While AI smarts might be recognizing and responding to your vocal commands to Google Assistant, the company behind it uses contractors to manually review a handful of those recordings, about 0.2 percent of all requests. Reports from VRT NWS detail how it listened to thousands of recordings leaked by a whistleblower working for Google. Some of these transcribed conversations end up being worked on by "language experts" hired by the company.

Google claims transcribing conversations in various languages is critical to building speech technology that understands all languages, accents and dialects. According to the company, reviewers only transcribe audio directed to Google, not background conversations or other noises.

It weighs in at just 370 grams.

The Sigma fp is the 'world’s smallest' full-frame mirrorless camera

Full-frame mirrorless are normally huge and expensive. Sigma’s fp is just one of those. Look at it! The company is calling the fp a "pocketable full-frame" camera, and at 112.6 x 69.9 x 45.3 mm (or 4.4 x 2.75 x 1.8 inches), it will likely fit in the palm of your hand. Sigma hasn't announced how much it will cost, but the company's other mirrorless cameras range from $800 to $1,200. It's too soon to predict how successful the camera will be. If nothing else, it's certainly unique.

Register now for early access.

The 'Minecraft Earth' beta begins its global takeover this month

Mojang says the Minecraft Earth closed beta will launch on iOS within the next two weeks, with Android following "soon thereafter." There’s also a new trailer to help players get familiar with this AR version of the hit building game. To be one of the first players with access, you'll need to sign up for the free game right here.

Start a new side hustle with this Amazon FBA training

Instagrammers are flocking to a luminous lake that's actually a coal plant's run-off.

Popular social media site is a toxic dump

A lake in Siberia nicknamed the Novosibirsk Maldives is a popular Instagram spot because of the appealing color of the water. It's also close to a Trans-Siberian Railway stop. The vivid turquoise visage is great for the ‘gram, but the lake is an artificial creation, and the Siberian Generating Company (SGC) has warned people to stay away as it's actually an ash dump for one of its coal plants. Appealing.

The color comes from calcium salts and other metal oxides dissolved within the lake. The SGC warns on signs near the lake that the bottom of it is so muddy that people may get stuck.

The console is getting a new processor and flash storage, according to FCC filings.

Nintendo is working on a minor upgrade for the original Switch

A new Nintendo Switch might be on the way. No, we're not talking about the Switch Lite or a beefier Switch Pro. As The Verge spotted in some FCC filings, Nintendo seems to be planning a minor refresh to the original Switch, with a new processor and flash storage. Details are vague, but you can assume they will be better. And, the controllers will still detach.

But wait, there's more...

1. Harley-Davidson offers free charging for its LiveWire electric motorcycle

2. Apple disables its walkie-talkie Watch app due to vulnerability

3. Boosted's Rev scooter is an inconveniently fun powerhouse

4. Google placed 'Stranger Things' AR ads in 'The New York Times'

5. Editorial: Twitter was down and we were free

6. Disney's 'Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance' ride opens December 5th

7. Tell us: How good are Grado Labs' first wireless headphones?

8. 'StarCraft' gets the cartoon makeover nobody asked for

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Thursday, 11 July 2019

Editor's Pick: The Subscription Model: The Shining Star of E-Commerce

The Subscription Model: The Shining Star of E-Commerce

Vivian Wagner
Jul 11, 2019 10:02 AM PT

Subscription sales have become a strong part of e-commerce. Everything from razors to dog toys to movies is being sold on the subscription model, and there is no sign of letting up. "Our customers tell us that opening their BarkBox with their dog is one of the best experiences they share every month," said Allison Stadd, vice president of marketing at Bark, about its monthly dog supply box. [More...]

More Picks:

Signpost Secures $52M to Expand Its SMB Marketing Reach
Cloud marketing company Signpost has raised $52 million in new funding to "increase the scale of our business and invest in our technology," CEO Stuart Wall announced. The company's SaaS platform for SMBs consists of artificial intelligence-based customer relationship management and marketing automation technology powered by automated data collection and cross-channel marketing. [More...]

E-Commerce Startup Bolt Snags $68M to Grow Checkout Biz
E-commerce checkout platform vendor Bolt has raised $68 million to help it increase its engineering team, invest in additional enterprise functionality, partner with best-in-breed e-commerce platforms, and build and expand advanced features and functionality. Bolt's platform combines checkout, payments and fraud detection to provide a better buying experience and maximize conversions. [More...]

The Router's Obstacle-Strewn Route to Home IoT Security
It is newly minted conventional wisdom that not a single information security conference goes by without a presentation about the abysmal state of IoT security. While this is a boon for researchers looking to make a name for themselves, this sorry state of affairs is definitely not beneficial for anyone who owns a connected device. IoT device owners aren't the only ones fed up, though. [More...]

FBI, ICE Turn Drivers' Licenses Into Facial Recognition Gold
State motor vehicle departments have become a rich source of facial recognition data for and FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Researchers at Georgetown Law's Center on Privacy & Technology reportedly used public records requests to gather a cache of documents that show the agencies have turned state DMV databases into the foundation of a vast surveillance infrastructure. [More...]

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E-Commerce Minute

E-Commerce Minute: Thursday -- July 11, 2019

The E-Commerce Times -- E-Business Means Business
https://www.ecommercetimes.com
Part of the ECT News Network

Headline Scan
E-Commerce Startup Bolt Snags $68M to Grow Checkout Biz
Signpost Secures $52M to Expand Its SMB Marketing Reach
Workers' Prime Day Strike Could Pose a Problem for Amazon
How to Run a Profitable Business on Amazon

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Today's Story Highlights

E-Commerce Startup Bolt Snags $68M to Grow Checkout Biz

E-commerce checkout platform vendor Bolt has raised $68 million to help
it increase its engineering team, invest in additional enterprise
functionality, partner with best-in-breed e-commerce platforms, and
build and expand advanced features and functionality. Bolt's platform
combines checkout, payments and fraud detection to provide a better
buying experience and maximize conversions.
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/86119.html

Signpost Secures $52M to Expand Its SMB Marketing Reach

Cloud marketing company Signpost has raised $52 million in new funding
to "increase the scale of our business and invest in our technology,"
CEO Stuart Wall announced. The company's SaaS platform for SMBs consists
of artificial intelligence-based customer relationship management and
marketing automation technology powered by automated data collection and
cross-channel marketing.
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/86117.html

Workers' Prime Day Strike Could Pose a Problem for Amazon

Amazon workers at a Minnesota, fulfillment center plan to strike for six
hours on July 15, the first day of Amazon's Prime Day sales event. The
strike threat reportedly is linked to unsafe working conditions at
Amazon's warehouses, caused by low wages and pressure to meet shipping
demands. Union officials also want a larger portion of temporary
warehouse workers converted to full-time employees.
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/86114.html

How to Run a Profitable Business on Amazon

Selling on Amazon can be an extremely profitable business all on its
own. Third-party sellers like small business owners and authors on
Amazon's marketplace account for 58 percent of gross merchandise volume.
This provides a huge opportunity for entrepreneurs to make a massive
profit. However, most entrepreneurs stop the process at taking a sale
rather than scaling it into something great.
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/86112.html

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Nintendo's Lite Switch

Engadget Email Newsletter

It's Thursday, July 11, 2019.

Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.

Nintendo reveals its next console, and we even have a peek at Samsung’s next Galaxy Note. There’s also a new update for Google’s AI-powered Translate camera, and the last Windows 10 preview is testing a post-password lifestyle. It’s Thursday.

(View in browser.)

If it only does one thing, then why is it still called a Switch?

Nintendo's Switch Lite is a $200 handheld-only console

The Switch Lite is a slightly different console that’s intended purely for handheld play, and it will arrive September 20th in three colors, priced at $200. The lower price comes with a smaller screen 720p screen, non-removable Joy-Con controls, no TV-out support and no HD Rumble.

While it justifies its name by weighing less than the original, it also should have better battery life by about a half-hour, and it has swapped the four-button D-pad for an old-school Nintendo cross.

And it can autodetect the correct language.

Google Translate's camera now works with more than 100 languages

Google Translate's instant camera feature will now make translating a foreign street sign as easy as aiming your phone -- even if your native language isn't English. The company today unveiled a set of new updates to its translation tool, including enabling the instant camera to translate between any of more than one hundred languages supported by Google Translate -- even if English isn’t either one of them.

Suddenly, Apple's product lineup makes sense.

Farewell, 12-inch MacBook, you crazy, overpriced experiment

The new MacBook was designed to solve a problem that didn't really exist, at least not by the time it debuted. And the compromises that Apple made to reach that small size and weight often made it harder to use than the machines it sought to replace.

This $170 air fryer is only $85 today

Why wait for the Unpacked event in August?

Galaxy Note 10 image leaks spoil Samsung's party

As you might have suspected, Samsung’s new Notes appear to push the Galaxy S10's nearly all-screen concept even further. The more rectangular design has virtually no bezel, and the only interruption is a hole-punch camera at the top center of the display.

After eight months of captive carry tests.

Virgin Orbit's first rocket drop test was a success

The company's Boeing 747 launch aircraft (Cosmic Girl) successfully dropped a dummy LauncherOne rocket from its wing above the Mojave Desert, bringing it one step closer to launching real payloads into space. If successful, Virgin Orbit could become a go-to option for satellite operators that want to trim costs. According to an exec, it plans to attempt a full-fledged launch before summer is over.

And its own fragrance.

Bentley's centennial EXP 100 GT concept car comes with an AI butler

The best thing about the Bentley EXP 100 GT is its AI companion. The Bentley Personal Assistant takes care of tasks like charging the vehicle, adjusting the seating and curating the experience for the passengers via biometric information and environmental conditions. It even has different modes for passengers: Enhance, Cocoon, Capture, Re-Live and Customize.