Tech

Earlier this week, Twitch announced new branded content guidelines limiting how creators can monetize and place ads on their streams. With tensions already at a tipping point, instigated by previous controversies surrounding changes in revenue split and gambling streams, the unwelcome rule changes sent the entire community into an uproar as both small creators and the most popular streaming stars threatened to leave the platform for alternatives such as YouTube and Kick.The specific rule changes included restricting creators from inserting "burned in" video ads, which are directly placed into the streams via a third-party app, and a new size limitation for on-stream brand logos, limiting the banners to 3% of the screen size.Among the many who spoke out was Mr. Beast who wrote, "Hey Twitch ...

United Airlines has teamed up with Panasonic Avonics to bring 4K screens and Bluetooth accessibility to select aircrafts. The airline plans to install nearly 300,000 units of Panasonic Avionics' Astrova seat-back displays on new Airbus A321XLRs and Boeing 787s beginning in 2025. According to a press release from Panasonic Avionics, this is the most an airline has ever invested in its in-flight-entertainment.Panasonic first revealed the Astrovia display at the 2022 Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX), and at this year's AIX, United managing director of identity, product and loyalty Mark Muren announced the airline's plan to purchase the displays. United will launch Astrovia displays on international fights first, then roll them out on domestic US flights shortly thereafter.The Astrova employs 4K ...

Starting from June 11, Tencent will begin to introduce palm recognition through its WeChat Pay service. The verification method will first be tested on the Airport Express Line in Beijing, China before expanding to other locations and settings including offices, retail outlets, college campuses, and restaurants.Users simply need to hold their hands over designated scanners, currently situated at select metro station turnstiles, and an automatic payment is made. The technology which is developed by the AI lab YouTu, scans both the surface-level palm prints as well as hand veins to make a read.For now, eligible users include residents in mainland China who have completed the real name verification process for WeChat Pay. While the new payment method is far from becoming the new norm, issues ...

Mark Zuckerberg has officially announced that Meta will be leaning into the AI trend. Zuckerberg appears to have big plans for generative AI, which the CEO says, will be coming to all products including Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. While the company has not fully adopted to the ways of generative AI, Zuckerberg has made it abundantly clear that artificial intelligence is the future. In a new report from Axios, Zuckerberg had a companywide all-hands on deck meeting to lay out Meta's AI plans for the future. The CEO briefed employees that the company plans on placing generative AI "into every single one of our products."The plan extends to include AI "agents" for WhatsApp and Messenger, which Zuckerberg has explained in the past. These two apps are likely the first to get the ...

Roger Federer is a man of many trades. Most people know him as one of the world's greatest tennis players, but beyond that, he's also a skilled linguist. Putting his talents to good use, the polymath is now the latest celebrity voice to arrive on Waze, providing drivers with real-time directions in three different languages: French, German and English, according to Google.In addition to simply supplying turning instructions, Federer offers a series of inspirational one-liners. "It's drive time — I can feel the adrenaline kick in already," he says in one clip. "Time to ride! Trust your ability. I'm ready to coach you along the way," he adds in another recording. When you drive in the wrong direction, he'll provide some words on encouragement: "Make a U-Turn. Hey, even champions can mess up....