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This is the most exciting printer design I've seen in years - and it reminds me of an obscure vertical Panasonic printer

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 17:28
  • SMÅ Printer simplifies printing with only three buttons and a single LED for status updates
  • The top-feeding paper design saves desk space while holding up to 120 sheets reliably
  • Maintenance is intuitive, allowing one-handed ink replacement without spills or awkward handling

Our printers have long been seen as bulky, frustrating gadgets that occupy too much desk space and often require complicated maintenance.

The SMÅ printer, designed by Jakob Höxtermann, challenges these assumptions with a design that emphasizes simplicity, sustainability, and compactness.

Unlike many home and business printers that are built with glued components, the SMÅ uses screws to hold its parts together, making it easier to take apart and recycle at the end of its life.

Streamlined functionality - not for heavy duty printing

Traditional printers often overwhelm users with buttons, menus, and unclear indicators.

The SMÅ simplifies this with only three buttons: power, stop, and a setup option for occasional adjustments.

A single LED communicates the printer’s status using intuitive colors, allowing users to know instantly when everything is ready, when ink needs replacing, or when a paper jam occurs.

The design of this printer encourages reduced paper and ink usage, while its straightforward interface makes it easy to operate.

Remember the Panasonic SP-70 and SPV series with a vertical screen printer? The SMÅ printer recreates this vertical layout, which sets it apart visually and functionally from standard horizontal designs.

By feeding paper from the top, the SMÅ conserves valuable desk space while also offering storage for up to 120 sheets without the need for additional trays.

A transparent extension ensures that stacked paper remains stable, which is a subtle but practical feature often overlooked in other printers.

Maintenance is equally straightforward: replacing ink involves lifting the outer shell and sliding in a new cartridge with one hand, avoiding messy spills or awkward handling.

Visually, the SMÅ adopts a minimalist style with soft edges that blend naturally into contemporary home or office environments.

It does not dominate a desk or appear as an industrial tool, which can make it easier to integrate into spaces where aesthetics matter.

This printer pushes intuitiveness and can be set up with smartphones or PCs.

That said, this device does not include advanced features found in high-end business printers and will not cater to heavy-duty needs.

Via Yanko Design

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Categories: Technology

OpenAI rival gets free publicity by offering to buy Google Chrome for just under $35 billion - so does that mean it will kill Comet?

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 15:34
  • Perplexity AI stunned the industry with an unsolicited $34.5 billion cash offer for Google Chrome
  • Chrome browser remains a key part of Google’s AI tools and long-term LLM development strategy
  • Perplexity’s own valuation is less than half of the amount it offered to acquire Chrome

Perplexity AI has attracted attention with an unsolicited $34.5 billion cash offer to acquire Google’s Chrome browser.

The proposal comes despite Chrome not being officially for sale, and its deep-set integration into Google’s broader AI strategy, not to mention its wider software platform.

Analysts view the bid as an ambitious move aimed at boosting publicity, given Chrome’s role in driving search traffic, supporting AI tools, and collecting user data essential for Google’s long-term machine learning and large language model (LLM) development.

Bid details and competitive implications

The proposed acquisition terms reportedly commit to keeping Chromium, the underlying browser code, open source, with Perplexity saying it would invest $3 billion over two years and maintain Chrome’s current default search engine.

The company claims these steps would protect user choice while potentially easing regulatory concerns.

However, the offer is below the $50 billion valuation that some industry figures, including DuckDuckGo’s CEO, believe Chrome might fetch if divestiture were ever mandated.

Regulatory context plays a huge role in this situation, as the US Justice Department has pursued a Chrome divestiture as part of remedies in a broader antitrust case against Google, which was found to hold an unlawful monopoly in search.

Federal Judge Amit Mehta is expected to issue a ruling on remedies soon, but experts suggest a sale order could face years of appeals.

Experts also claim that higher courts, including the D.C. Circuit and potentially the Supreme Court, tend to be skeptical of forced divestitures.

Perplexity’s own financial position is raising questions, mainly because the company was founded just three years ago.

It raised around $1 billion from backers such as Nvidia and SoftBank and was last valued at $14 billion.

It has not disclosed exactly how it would finance the acquisition, but says multiple unnamed funds have offered full financing.

The scale of the bid, more than twice its valuation, recalls Perplexity’s earlier high-profile but unrealized proposal to merge with TikTok’s U.S. operations.

The bid also highlights shifting dynamics in how people interact with the web.

Browsers, once considered stable infrastructure, have regained strategic importance as more users turn to AI tools and chatbot interfaces for information.

By acquiring Chrome’s three billion users, Perplexity could potentially accelerate the adoption of its AI-driven browser, Comet, which is currently limited to waitlisted users and premium subscribers.

For now, it appears the bid is primarily a publicity stunt, and the likelihood of Google accepting the offer is very low, as Chrome remains integral to Google’s AI roadmap, including features like “Overviews” that provide AI-generated search summaries.

If Perplexity’s bid is mainly a visibility strategy, it may succeed in drawing attention to Comet, but it will likely not scratch Chrome’s dominance.

Via Reuters

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Categories: Technology

Can a robot vacuum effectively mop your floors, too? I've tested all kinds of hybrid robovacs, and here's what I've found

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 15:00

Most modern robot vacuums don't just vacuum your floors – they can also mop them for you. This type of robovac is sometimes referred to as a 'hybrid robot vacuum', and it's increasingly difficult to find bots that don't offer mopping these days.

But how much should you focus on the mopping part? How does it work, and is it actually any good? I review robot vacuums for a living, and I've tested out cheap bots with the very simplest mops, right up to the very best robot vacuums on the market, with complex wet cleaning setups. Here's everything you need to know about robot vacuum mops, and if they're worth your time.

How does the mopping work on a robot vacuum?

The exact setup varies by model, but essentially, there will be a mop pad (or two) that's fed water from a tank in the main part of the robot. The robot vacuum will pull the pad(s) across your floors to clean them.

Sometimes the pad might spin, vibrate, or press down to dislodge dirt. Some robovacs will vacuum at the same time as mopping – the idea being that it cuts down on overall cleaning time. Others can be set to mop after vacuuming, or just do one or the other.

If you opt for a more advanced dock type, it might refill the bot's onboard water tank for you, so you don't need to top it off yourself as frequently. It might also wash and dry your mop pads for you. However, with cheaper, more basic bots, you'll need to take care of all this yourself.

What kinds of mop are there?

Some robot vacuums can mop much better than others. Here's a quick rundown of the main mop types, and my experience of how well each one cleans.

D-shaped pad

This is one of the most common mop types. It consists of a fixed, D-shaped pad that can be cleaned and reused. The pad is fed with water from an onboard tank as it's dragged along the floor. On more advanced bots, this pad might vibrate or press down as it goes, to help dislodge dried-on dirt.

A fixed, D-shaped pad will do a decent wipe-down job (Image credit: Future)

In general, I've found this style of mop pad pretty effective. It'll do a good job of wiping down your floors and picking up any lingering dirt. However, the dragging pad doesn't offer much by way of scrubbing – and especially so if it doesn't press down or vibrate – and because the pad isn't getting cleaned as it goes, if you have a spillage on the floor, it might end up getting dragged about a bit.

Two spinning discs

Another common type of robovac mop. Two disc-shaped pads are attached to the base of the bot and spin to scrub away dirt. They're fed with water from an onboard tank as they clean.

Spinning circular pads tend to be better at scrubbing (Image credit: Future)

This is probably my favorite mop type. It's similar to a D-shaped pad, but the rotation means these mops are a little better at scrubbing; some can even handle dried-on stains.

The pads can be removed and popped into the washing machine for a deep clean. However, because they're not getting cleaned as they go, big spillages will likely end up getting spread around, and I wouldn't use this kind of mop to tackle sticky or smelly substances.

Rotating roller

This is a less common type of robot vacuum mop, consisting of a mop pad on a track, like a tank. Fresh water is applied as the pad rotates around, but where this mop style has the edge on other setups is that there's a scraper that siphons off dirty water and any general gunk that's been picked up, too.

(Image credit: Future)

Roller mops are relatively new to the market right now, but are getting more popular. I wonder if we'll start seeing a lot more of them before long.

I haven't had a chance to test out a bot with a roller mop yet, but my reviewers who have done so have been impressed. In our Eureka J20 review, our tester found it "did a fantastic job of cleaning up spills," although noted that it wasn't as successful with dried-on dirt, suggesting that, like most robovac mops, it's more of a wiper than a scrubber.

Just a wet wipe

It's rare to see, but some budget bots just have space to attach a wet wipe, which is then dragged across the floor. This is the least effective type of mop.

The pads have a smooth surface rather than a grippy one, and do very little by way of scrubbing. They also can't be washed or reused, so you're generating waste if you opt for this style of mop, and you'll need to factor in the ongoing cost of replacing the wipes.

Wet wipe style mops are more fiddly, and only provide a light wipe (Image credit: Future)

The most high-profile brand to use this approach is Switchbot with its mini robovacs. I've yet to test one of these models out myself, and opinions differ as to whether this kind of mopping is worth the effort at all.

Our SwitchBot K10+ Pro Mini Robot Vacuum reviewer called it "perfunctory at best" and commented that he couldn't see anyone bothering to purchase a new set of wet wipes once the provided pack ran out.

However, my teammate Cat Ellis finds the setup useful for everyday cleaning: "It definitely isn't a substitute for proper mopping, but I've found it very handy for keeping everyday dust under control on my dark floors (which show up every speck of dirt). I'm often surprised by just how much it manages to pick up in the hallway, even when I've vacuumed recently."

Is the mopping any good?

Generally, my experience is that robot vacuum mopping is good enough to be a significant effort-saver – especially if you have lots of hard flooring that requires regular mopping. They're great for everyday maintenance cleaning, but not good enough that you won't need to resort to manual cleaning occasionally.

Regardless of mop type, I wouldn't leave one to tackle a big spill (it'll get stuck on the mop cloth and end up being spread around the floor) or a dried-on stain (the bot won't scrub hard enough to clear it).

Will my carpets get wet?

Maybe – depends which model you go for. Mid-range robot vacuums and above can often detect when they're going over carpet, and lift their mop pads so they're not dragging. Some premium bots have magnetic mops that they'll drop off in the dock when tasked with vacuuming carpet.

Some bots have a thin, removable water tank, and the mopping is 'on' whenever it's attached (Image credit: Future)

However, cheaper, more basic robot vacuums will drag their damp mop pads over carpets if you don't remove them. On some, the water is automatically 'on' when the mop pad and/or water tank is attached, so you'll need to shut the bot in the room you need mopping so it doesn't try and give your carpets and rugs the same treatment.

Will the mops start to smell?

If you leave them damp and don't clean them, yes. More basic robot vacuums will need to have their mop pads removed to dry after mopping, and you'll also want to hand-wash them or run them through the washing machine fairly regularly to keep them fresh and hygienic.

More advanced robot vacuums have docks that will take care of some mop maintenance for you. For example, they might be able to wash the mop pads – sometimes with hot water, to cut through grease – and dry them off, too. That cuts down the amount of intervention required from you. You'll pay extra for these kinds of features, though.

More advanced docks can take care cleaning the mop pads for you (Image credit: Future)Can you use floor cleaner?

Sometimes, but generally no. Most hybrid robot vacuums recommend you just use water, although it's worth checking the manufacturer's instructions as to whether it's okay to mix in cleaning solution.

The most advanced bots will let you use cleaning fluid, but they'll stress that only their proprietary cleaner is allowed, and it's invariably very expensive. Some will have a cleaning fluid tank that sits alongside the water tanks in the dock, and dispenses fluid evenly as the bot's onboard tanks are refilled.

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Categories: Technology

Remember floppy disks? This YouTuber set out to build his own from scratch - see how he got on

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 14:33
  • Floppy disks were officially deemed obsolete in 2010, yet persisted in surprising places for years
  • Polymatt used CNC machining and PET film to craft a functioning magnetic storage disk
  • Iron oxide coating allowed the handmade disk to store and retrieve basic magnetic data

Floppy disks, once a staple of personal and professional computing, have been phased out for over a decade - but while the technology was officially declared obsolete in 2010, some organizations kept using it surprisingly long.

The Japanese government only moved away from the format in 2024, while the German Navy followed suit the same year. In the United States, the last official use of 8-inch floppy disks for nuclear launch coordination ended in 2019, with San Franciso's government also finally cutting ties with floppies in 2024.

Against this backdrop of obsolescence, a YouTuber known as polymatt decided to recreate one from scratch, using modern tools and consumer-grade equipment.

Engineering a working floppy from the ground up

Polymatt began the project by carefully measuring and modeling the disk enclosure and internal components using Shapr3D and MakeraCAM software.

He then cut aluminum parts with a Carvera Air CNC machine, ensuring precise tolerances for the mechanical structure.

For the magnetic disk surface, he laser-cut PET film and coated it with a suspension of iron oxide powder, replicating the material properties needed for magnetic data storage.

After assembling the components, he managed to magnetize the disk and write to it.

While the data handling capabilities were basic, the fact that a functioning magnetic storage medium emerged from raw materials marked a notable technical achievement.

The process was not without difficulties, but persistence and methodical experimentation allowed him to complete the build.

Today, cloud storage services allow vast amounts of data to be accessed from anywhere, without the physical limitations of older media.

SSDs deliver high-speed and durable storage in compact formats, while an external SSD offers portable capacity far exceeding what was once possible with floppy disks.

A single modern SSD can store millions of times more data than the recreated floppy, with speeds that make the older medium seem impractically slow by comparison.

While polymatt’s recreation is unlikely to be used in practical applications, it demonstrates the enduring appeal of hands-on engineering projects.

Building a floppy disk in 2025 serves more as a tribute to a pivotal era in computing than as a viable alternative to current storage methods.

For those who once relied on them, the familiar clunk of a floppy drive reading data is part of a technological heritage that shaped modern computing.

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Categories: Technology

The Apple Watch may get a major redesign – but not in time for the Apple Watch 11

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 11:30
  • A new report outlines changes to the Apple Watch 12
  • We could get new sensors and an exterior redesign
  • The wearable won't be launching until September 2026

It looks likely that the Apple Watch 11 will be unveiled sometime next month, if Apple sticks to its usual schedule, but a new report suggests that its 2026 successor is going to feature a pretty significant redesign.

This tip comes from a report in DigiTimes (via MacRumors), based on supply chain sources, although we don't get too much information about what it might involve – and this isn't a device that has changed much in terms of its looks through the years.

The article does mention an increased number of sensors, presumably for more accurate health and fitness tracking, or perhaps to add to the metrics that can be tracked. These additional sensors may form part of the redesign.

In the past we've heard rumors of an Apple Watch with a camera and an Apple Watch with a touch-sensitive glass frame, but these potential upgrades aren't specifically mentioned in the latest reporting from DigiTimes.

Battery boost

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 (Image credit: Future)

The new article also mentions improved power efficiency too, which hopefully means we can look forward to better battery life with the Apple Watch 12, and perhaps the Apple Watch Ultra 4 (the Apple Watch Ultra 3 should arrive this year).

In terms of this year's model, the report does say that the Apple Watch 11 will be getting some Apple Intelligence features. However, based on what we've seen of watchOS 26, it seems likely that these will mostly be managed on a connected iPhone.

Given what DigiTimes is predicting for 2026, it seems the Apple Watch 11 might be a more minor upgrade. The publication does have a mixed track record for Apple gadget predictions though, so bear that in mind.

We'll no doubt get plenty more leaks and rumors about the Apple Watch 12 over the course of the next year, but before that we've got the Apple Watch 11, which should appear alongside the iPhone 17 handsets at some point in September.

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The end of laptops at work? Desktop as a service is now cheaper and easier to run, reports claim

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 11:02
  • DaaS could be more effective than laptops for 95% of workers by 2027
  • Hosted machines are twice as popular as they were in 2019
  • DaaS spending could grow to $6bn by 2029

New Gartner research has suggested hosted PCs, otherwise known as Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS), are now cheaper to operate than on-prem business laptops.

By 2027, Gartner expects DaaS to be cost-effective for around 95% of the workforce, up from 40% in 2019, with more users set to use hosted machines as their main workspace as a result (20%, compared with 10% in 2019).

However, for the time being, most organizations only deploy DaaS to a minority of employees to assist with securing remote work. But a growing emphasis on cost, operational efficiency and sustainability could change this.

More companies are considering DaaS

Gartner predicts DaaS spending to grow from $4.3 billion in 2025 to $6.0 billion in 2029, thanks to the fact that the total cost of ownership has now dropped below laptops for many use cases, especially with thin clients.

"DaaS solutions allow remote workers, offshore workers, third-party employees, contractors, frontline workers and office workers to access virtual desktops hosted in the cloud," Gartner explained.

Microsoft was rated as a top leader, with strengths in digital workplace, cloud and AI, and products including Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365 and Microsoft Dev Box.

For Microsoft in particular, Gartner estimates that 60% of its DaaS clients belong to mid-sized organizations (100-4,999 employees), with larger companies (5,000+ employees) accounting for 30% and just 10% coming from smaller orgs (up to 99 employees).

"Gartner rarely speaks to an organization that is planning to deploy a new on-premises VDI solution. Net-new deployments are almost exclusively using DaaS, and on-premises deployments are either migrating to DaaS or moving to a cloud control plane, except for a few land-locked use cases," the company concluded.

Looking ahead, businesses are now looking into the cost-efficiency benefits of DaaS with scaling opportunities further amplifying the potential savings.

However, as a relatively small portion of the overall PC market that's in its early stages with limited regulation, there raises some questions around vendor lock-in and licensing complexity, meaning that early adopters could have to put up with headaches until regulators weigh in.

Via The Register

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Chaos at DeepSeek as R2 launch crashes into hardware problems – rivals gain huge advantage

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 10:09
  • DeepSeek delays R2 launch due to persistent technical difficulties with Huawei Ascend chips
  • Nvidia H20 systems remain more reliable for AI training than domestic Ascend hardware
  • Alibaba’s Qwen3 exploits DeepSeek’s delays, incorporating core algorithms while improving efficiency and flexibility

Chinese AI giant DeepSeek has apparently encountered unexpected delays in releasing its latest model, R2, after facing persistent technical difficulties with Huawei’s Ascend chips.

The company had been encouraged by Chinese authorities to adopt domestic processors instead of relying on Nvidia’s H20 systems, which are generally regarded as more mature and reliable.

Despite Huawei engineers being on-site to assist, DeepSeek could not complete a successful training run using Ascend chips - and as a result, the company relied on Nvidia hardware for training while using Ascend for inference tasks.

Technical challenges delay R2 development

The R2 launch, originally scheduled for May 2025, was postponed due to these technical obstacles and longer-than-expected data labeling for the updated training dataset.

DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the model’s progress, emphasizing the need for additional development time to produce a model capable of maintaining DeepSeek’s competitive edge.

Meanwhile, competitors like Alibaba’s Qwen3 were able to take advantage of this delay, as it has incorporated DeepSeek’s core training algorithms while improving efficiency and flexibility, showing how rapidly AI ecosystems can evolve even when a single startup struggles.

Beijing’s broader push for AI self-sufficiency has placed pressure on domestic firms to adopt local hardware.

In practice, however, this strategy has revealed gaps in stability, inter-chip connectivity, and software maturity between Huawei chips and Nvidia products.

Developers continue to play a crucial role in shaping the success of AI ecosystems - Nvidia has emphasized maintaining access to Chinese developers is strategically important, warning that restricting technology adoption could harm economic and national security interests.

Chinese AI companies, meanwhile, must balance government pressures with practical realities in developing and deploying LLMs.

Despite these setbacks, DeepSeek’s R2 model may still be released in the coming weeks.

The model is likely to face scrutiny regarding its performance relative to rivals trained on more mature hardware, offering a clear example of the tension between political ambitions, technical capability, and real-world AI deployment.

Via Arstechnica

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Wix vs Weebly: How these top website builders compare

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 09:32
Wix

Wix offers a fast yet flexible way to build your site. You get thousands of templates, an easy drag-and-drop editor, and powerful security. AI tools make setup super simple. We can see why many businesses prefer its features and freedom to customize.

Pros
  • Huge template library
  • Flexible drag-and-drop editor
  • Powerful built-in features
  • AI site builder
  • Strong app market
Cons
  • Higher monthly price
  • Can’t change template later
  • Overwhelming choices
  • No email support
  • Slower performance at times
Weebly

Weebly makes website building simple for everyone. It’s very affordable and its editor is easy to learn. You get free ecommerce on the basic plan, although many design features are limited as Weebly has not received updates since its acquisition by Square.

Pros
  • Very affordable
  • Unlimited free plan
  • Free ecommerce option
  • Simple drag-and-drop editor
  • Easy setup process
Cons
  • Fewer template choices
  • Outdated design features
  • Limited customization
  • Mobile editing not supported
  • Rarely updated platform

Building a business website today is simpler than ever. We have many accessible no-code platforms at our fingertips, designed for people who aren't coding experts. These website builders let anyone create a functional and good-looking site without needing to learn how to code.

Wix and Weebly are both popular options for beginners in 2025. But the differences matter quite a lot. Wix has endless features, flexible editing, and strong AI tools. Weebly is affordable and easier for small shops, but many features feel outdated. We’re going to break down what’s great, what’s not, and help you choose the best fit.

Wix vs Weebly: A detailed breakdown

Feature

Wix

Weebly

Starting price: USD/month

$17

$10

Free plan: Yes/No

Yes

Yes

Templates

2,000+ highly customizable

50+ basic options

Editor type

Flexible drag-and-drop, AI builder

Simple drag-and-drop

Ecommerce features

Advanced (paid plan needed)

Free on basic plan

Mobile editing

Yes

No

SEO tools

Advanced and customizable

Basic guides only

Customer support

Solid, but no email support

24/7 only on premium

Apps/Integrations

800+ options

350+ options

AI features

Yes, AI website builder

None

Customization

High design freedom

Low customization power

Performance

Sometimes slow

Fast, but very basic

Both Wix and Weebly are designed with ease of use in mind. However, Wix may have an edge when it comes to user-friendliness. The platform features an intuitive editor that makes it easy to add content and design your website exactly how you want it. Weebly’s editor is also straightforward to use, but it doesn’t offer quite as much flexibility as Wix.

When it comes to templates, both Wix and Weebly offer a good selection of modern and professional- designs. However, Wix arguably has the edge when it comes to template quality and variety. So, if you’re looking for more choices when it comes to designing your website, Wix is the better option.

Additionally, Wix and Weebly offer a good selection of features to help you build a professional-looking website. However, Wix offers more advanced features than Weebly, such as an app market, password-protected pages and the ability to sell products on your website. 

Wix vs Weebly: Features

Weebly has a traditional drag-and-drop interface that's easy to use but very restrictive. Meanwhile, Wix uses a more modern approach that relies on AI, templates, and drag-and-drop components to help you create websites. Weebly offers about 500 templates while Wix has over 2,000. Also, Wix's templates are more recent, with better design and accessibility.

Wix and Weebly both offer a wide range of features, including e-commerce, contact forms, and social media integration. However, Wix tends to have way more unique and innovative features, such as the Wix App Market and the Wix AI.

Weebly has an HTML/CSS editor for advanced customization, but very limited built-in flexibility. Wix also has an HTML/CSS editor, but it's also got many more tools for no-code development plus more recent updates to its platform. However, Weebly does have a fully free starter plan with no time restrictions and functional ecommerce features, which is absent with Wix. This is incredibly rare since most no-code tools charge for ecommerce features.

So, which platform is better? Wix has the clear higher ground here, but if youjust want an easy-to-use platform with a generous free plan, Weebly is a good choice. Just know that you won't have as much room to grow once you decide to upgrade to paid tiers for better scalability.

Wix vs Weebly: Ease of use 

Weebly is known for its ease of use. The platform’s editor makes adding content and creating pages simple. You can drag and drop elements onto your pages with ease, plus you don’t need any coding skills to create a top quality website. Since the options here are very limited, you could say that this platform is a better playground for beginners who haven't used these tools before.

Wix also has an easy-to-use editor, but it is not as simple as Weebly’s. Wix’s editor can be a bit confusing and overwhelming for first-time users, since it packs way more into its interface. It takes some time to get used to the platform, but once you do, you can create stunning websites that won't be possible with Weebly.

Wix vs Weebly: Support

Wix delivers solid support. It’s got a huge help center, tons of video walkthroughs, live chat, and phone support for premium users. Our experience shows answers are quick, especially if you pay for their higher plans. The only catch: you can’t get direct email support anymore. Social channels step in for fast fixes.

Weebly covers the basics with a detailed knowledge center and community forums. Most help comes from help articles or the integrated support button. You get live chat and phone support, but only if you pay for their upper plans. Free users might wait longer for help.

In general, Wix offers better customer support than Weebly. Both platforms are good at providing timely and helpful assistance when you need it, but the former is more complex and therefore features a more efficient support ecosystem.

Wix vs Weebly: Pricing and plans

Wix and Weebly both start free if you just want a basic site. Wix’s paid tiers begin at $17/month and go up to about $152/month. The most entry-level plan (Core) is $17/month, still giving you plenty: custom domain, lots of storage, and basic ecommerce tools. Want better features or top analytics? You’ll pay more.

Weebly makes pricing simpler. Paid plans are $10/month (Personal), $12/month (Professional), and $26/month (Performance). Even the cheapest one lets you sell products online for free, which is rare. You get fewer templates and not as many add-ons, but the website works.

We’ve found Wix offers much more for businesses wanting features and flexibility, but costs add up faster. Weebly saves you money and lets you try e-commerce without risk, yet it isn’t as robust. Serious businesses or those needing growth tools should spend for Wix, while smaller shops or simple sites will be happy with Weebly.

Weebly wins for budget users, Wix for those needing a richer site and more features.

Wix vs Weebly: Final verdict

Wix is the clear winner for 2025. It brings advanced features, powerful AI tools, and unmatched freedom to customize your site. We’ve seen Wix consistently improve its platform, staying ahead with fresh updates and solid support. If you want the best website builder for creative control, design, or scaling your business, Wix is your go-to.

Weebly still deserves a look, especially for beginners and budget-focused users. Its free eCommerce features and simple editor make it ideal if you just want a functional site with no fuss. We can say Wix wins for most, but Weebly is better if affordability and fast setup matter most to you.

Wix vs Weebly: FAQsWhich builder is easier for beginners — Wix or Weebly?

Weebly takes the crown for ease. Its editor keeps things simple, guiding you through site creation step by step. You don’t need any web know-how. Wix is more powerful but can feel overwhelming if you’re brand new to site building. Wix’s new AI builder does help, but Weebly still wins for pure UI simplicity.

Can I sell online using Wix and Weebly’s free plans?

Weebly lets you start selling products with its free plan. You get solid ecommerce basics without spending a cent. Wix, on the other hand, requires you to upgrade to a paid plan before you can open an online shop. This gives Weebly a big edge for budget-conscious sellers starting out.

Is Wix worth the higher price compared to Weebly?

If you want rich features, AI design, and lots of customization, Wix’s extra cost is justified. We know Wix isn’t cheap, but you get great value. Weebly remains the budget pick, especially for small sites or basic shops. But for most businesses aiming to grow, Wix pays off over time. For personal projects or local shops, Weebly keeps things very affordable.

Which platform offers better design flexibility?

Wix is far more flexible. Its editor lets you move anything, anywhere, no grid lock or restrictions. You can pick from thousands of templates and tweak every detail. Weebly’s templates are fewer and its editor keeps you within the lines. If creative freedom matters, Wix is the choice.

How do support options compare in 2025?

Wix covers more ground with live chat, a massive help center, and phone support for paid users. You get help quickly and there are tons of video tutorials. Weebly offers basic help articles and community forums. Premium users get phone and chat support, but free users might wait longer. Wix is faster and more complete for most support needs.

  • The best web hosting service will accompany your top quality website builder to create the perfect site
Categories: Technology

Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, August 17 (game #1301)

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 09:00
Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Saturday, August 16 (game #1300).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1301) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1301) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 2.

Quordle today (game #1301) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1301) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1301) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• F

• A

• D

• C

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1301) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1301, are…

  • FUNGI
  • AMITY
  • DRIER
  • CHECK

Another day where I struggled to find my final word and thought about entering an incorrect one – it was going to be “admit” – just to keep the game moving and attempt to turn a few letters green.

AMITY was an experiment as it sounded like a word (as well as the town in Jaws) but it turned out to be correct (it means friendly relations).

Daily Sequence today (game #1301) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1301, are…

  • PUFFY
  • WEIGH
  • SHEIK
  • STRIP
Quordle answers: The past 20
  • Quordle #1300, Saturday, 16 August: OWING, QUAKE, SLIDE, ELITE
  • Quordle #1299, Friday, 15 August: WHALE, PRISM, DRAKE, TEPEE
  • Quordle #1298, Thursday, 14 August: LAPEL, IDIOM, RENEW, LIVER
  • Quordle #1297, Wednesday, 13 August: CACTI, HOMER, EMAIL, ALBUM
  • Quordle #1296, Tuesday, 12 August: SPOOL, TITLE, JAUNT, OVINE
  • Quordle #1295, Monday, 11 August: ADULT, BROOM, PURER, CRUEL
  • Quordle #1294, Sunday, 10 August: SCRUM, PIPER, TROLL, SPORE
  • Quordle #1293, Saturday, 9 August: NOOSE, INLET, ELEGY, VIRUS
  • Quordle #1292, Friday, 8 August: KNEEL, KINKY, RALPH, BOOZY
  • Quordle #1291, Thursday, 7 August: PLUNK, PROXY, CURVY, PEARL
  • Quordle #1290, Wednesday, 6 August: RISKY, APART, FAUNA, HANDY
  • Quordle #1289, Tuesday, 5 August: ROAST, SLICK, AUDIT, BILLY
  • Quordle #1288, Monday, 4 August: MACAW, SINCE, COLON, CHIRP
  • Quordle #1287, Sunday, 3 August: MOTIF, LEERY, LOFTY, BURST
  • Quordle #1286, Saturday, 2 August: WARTY, PUPAL, CLEAR, SLICE
  • Quordle #1285, Friday, 1 August: ACTOR, MEALY, WIDTH, ADOBE
  • Quordle #1284, Thursday, 31 July: STYLE, VALET, AGONY, ALLOY
  • Quordle #1283, Wednesday, 30 July: DEBAR, ADMIN, FOLIO, USAGE
  • Quordle #1282, Tuesday, 29 July: BATCH, TOPIC, MURKY, BUNCH
Categories: Technology

NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, August 17 (game #798)

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 09:00
Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Saturday, August 16 (game #797).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #798) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

  • PRESS
  • CLOSE
  • WELCOME
  • STAMP
  • OPEN
  • SPEECH
  • HANDY
  • ADDRESS
  • PETITION
  • ENVELOPE
  • PUSH
  • ACCESSIBLE
  • NAME
  • NEARBY
  • ASSEMBLY
  • EXIT
NYT Connections today (game #798) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

  • YELLOW: Local places
  • GREEN: Put it in the post
  • BLUE: Seen at an entrance 
  • PURPLE: Protected by the US Constitution

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #798) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

  • YELLOW: CONVENIENTLY LOCATED
  • GREEN: NEEDS FOR SENDING A LETTER 
  • BLUE: WORDS ON A DOOR 
  • PURPLE: FIRST AMENDMENT FREEDOMS

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #798) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #798, are…

  • YELLOW: CONVENIENTLY LOCATED ACCESSIBLE, CLOSE, HANDY, NEARBY
  • GREEN: NEEDS FOR SENDING A LETTER ADDRESS, ENVELOPE, NAME, STAMP
  • BLUE: WORDS ON A DOOR EXIT, OPEN, PUSH, WELCOME
  • PURPLE: FIRST AMENDMENT FREEDOMS ASSEMBLY, PETITION, PRESS, SPEECH
  • My rating: Easy
  • My score: 1 mistake

I made one mistake today and it came from rushing to put together a quartet before properly considering all 16 tiles. 

Thinking I was collecting words linked to pressure on an opposing team, I grouped together PRESS, CLOSE, PUSH and ADDRESS.

I abandoned this pursuit and studied the board a bit more carefully immediately seeing NEEDS FOR SENDING A LETTER and then FIRST AMENDMENT FREEDOMS, something I’m surprised warranted being a purple group.

The oddity of the round for me was completely overlooking the yellow group – something on reflection I really should have seen ahead of anything else.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, August 16, game #797)
  • YELLOW: INTREPIDITY FORTITUDE, GRIT, PLUCK, RESOLVE
  • GREEN: RENOVATIONS CONSTRUCTION, REPAIRS, UPGRADES, WORK
  • BLUE: TROUNCE CREAM, CRUSH, ROUT, SHELLAC
  • PURPLE: KINDS OF SOFT/LIGHTWEIGHT PAPER CREPE, ROLLING, TISSUE, TOILET
What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Categories: Technology

NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, August 17 (game #532)

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 09:00
Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, August 16 (game #531).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #532) - hint #1 - today's themeWhat is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

Today's NYT Strands theme is… Think again!

NYT Strands today (game #532) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

  • TINT
  • GRAIN
  • STEER
  • FILTH
  • TRIVIA
  • TUNA
NYT Strands today (game #532) - hint #3 - spangram lettersHow many letters are in today's spangram?

Spangram has 10 letters

NYT Strands today (game #532) - hint #4 - spangram positionWhat are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: bottom, 4th column

Last side: top, 6th column

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #532) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #532, are…

  • CREATIVITY
  • FEELINGS
  • SPONTANEITY
  • INTUITION
  • SPANGRAM: RIGHT BRAIN
  • My rating: Easy
  • My score: Perfect

The day after giving us the theme of left brain with a spangram running down the left of the puzzle, today Strands followed it up with RIGHT BRAIN. 

Activities associated with this side of our brains are those that involve visual-spatial processing and imagination, whereas the left involve logical, analytical, and sequential processing (I engaged the center of my brain – which I like to call 'Google' – to bring you these facts).

Despite the tricky words – SPONTANEITY always trips me up – this was a relatively easy puzzle to complete, but a worthwhile exercise all the same, as it’s always nice to be reminded about the wonder of our brains and the multitudes they contain.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, August 16, game #531)
  • LOGIC
  • ANALYSIS
  • LANGUAGE
  • NUMBERS
  • ORDER 
  • REASON
  • SPANGRAM: LEFT BRAIN
What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

Categories: Technology

James Gunn drops major hint over Supergirl age rating – and it's what I expected for the DC comic-book movie

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 08:00
  • James Gunn has dropped a big hint about Supergirl's age rating
  • The DC Studios co-CEO indicated that "everyone" will be able to see it
  • Gunn's comment suggests it'll have a similar rating to Superman

James Gunn had dropped the biggest hint yet over Supergirl's age rating – and, if you were expecting it to a mature movie, you'll be disappointed.

Speaking as part of a roundtable attended by TechRadar to promote Peacemaker season 2, Gunn heavily implied that the Milly Alcock-starring DC Universe (DCU) film won't be as age-restricted as some viewers might have expected. Instead, Gunn indicated that it'll fall within the same bracket as Gunn's Superman movie, which carried a PG-13 rating in the US and a 12A classification in the UK.

As part of a wider answer about how each DCU Chapter One project's age rating is determined, especially in a shared cinematic world where characters from R-rated productions could appear in more family-oriented ones and vice versa, Gunn replied: "I think it's exciting to be able to tell different stories for different groups of people.

"So, you know, Superman was for everyone. Peacemaker is for an adult audience. Supergirl will be for everyone. We have the Krypto shorts [included on Superman's forthcoming physical release] that are for children. Then, we have Clayface, which is an R-rated horror film. So, I really like the idea of telling truly different tales within a singular universe."

Have you seen #Superman in theaters yet? pic.twitter.com/p4s60RWBXdAugust 9, 2025

Supergirl, which was known as Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow until Gunn confirmed its shorter title in June, will be the next DCU film that flies into theaters. Supergirl's official release date was confirmed in June 2024, and it'll make its global theatrical debut on June 26, 2026.

We haven't had to wait for our first glimpse of Alcock in Gunn and Peter Safran's new-look DC comic-book universe, either. In January, the movie's first image showed Alcock's Kara Zor-El in a place that'll be very familiar to DC comic fans. Then, after teasing that Superman would include characters Gunn hadn't publicly revealed yet, one of the DCU film's final scenes included a crowd-pleasing cameo from Alcock's Kryptonian – and that 30-second teaser was all I needed to have full confidence in the DCU's Supergirl movie.

Following Kara's all-too-brief appearance in her cousin's latest big-screen adventure, Supergirl's first poster revealed a near-full first look at her superhero costume, and put a rebellious spin on Superman's 'Look up' tagline. If you were expecting her to be a squeaky clean as Clark Kent/Kal-El, you're sorely mistaken.

For more on the DCU's next silver-screen project, check out my dedicated guide on Supergirl and then find out why Jason Momoa's Lobo is such a vital part of its story.

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Categories: Technology

I’m going to ruin The Bear for you – but without spoilers

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 05:30

I’m a little late to the table, but I’ve recently started season 4 of The Bear on Disney+ with the hope that the slow simmering of season 3 is replaced with one that reaches the boiling points of the earlier ones.

It’s early days for me to fully chew into what season 4 has on the menu, but the steaks have been raised and it looks appetizing to add to my TV series diet. Yet there’s one ingredient in The Bear that’s made in through all four seasons, and has started to turn sour.

This could ruin The Bear for you, regardless of which season you’re on, as once you see it, there’s potentially no going back…

Heady flavors

That thing is the nodding. So. Much. Nodding.

Very noticeable in the first two seasons, to my eyes, every time key characters have a deep and meaningful interaction, they tend to nod a lot at each other. Speech pauses, the camera fixes on their individual faces and cuts between them, nodding to each other.

Fixing on faces and having slower moments is a fine tool to emphasise the emotion or impact of a scene, especially when the story is centered on chef Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto’s coping with trauma, death, and a dysfunctional restaurant. And Carmy’s nodding is almost a signature emote brought to the character by actor Jeremy Allan White.

This is all fine until you start to notice other actors and characters also nodding away in close-up scenes, often with eyes full of sadness or damp emotion. Used a few times, it’s a neat touch and seasons a scene or interaction.

Can we appreciate Carmy’s signature head nod for a moment??? from r/TheBear

As such, now that we’ve got to season 4, I find myself struggling to watch The Bear without fixating on spotting the incessant nodding, be it big and bold or just a subtle dusting of y-axis head movement. Though with a little sprinkle of irony, I don’t think this season is quite as full of nodding as the others, with the exception of Carmy’s bobbing head.

But there’s still a heck of a lot of slow scenes with characters staring into the void or at each other, which I fear is blunting the pace of The Bear and leaving episodes to feel a bit spongy in terms of proper narrative progression.

The Bear is less about food and more about the characters as they process challenges and changes, jeopardy and joy, all in the pressure cooker of a busy restaurant kitchen. But after the frenetic pace of the first two seasons and some standout episodes, The Bear’s focus on the characters is starting to taste a little samey without much in the way of big changes to push the narrative forward at a speed that’s in sync with the 30-minute runtime of each episode.

It feels like more development could be coming after my appetiser of two episodes. My hope is that season 4 rounds out with a perfectly baked story, and characters that don’t feel like they’ve been left in the emotional oven for too long or underdone like Edwin Lee Gibson’s Ebraheim, who I felt didn't get much time to sizzle on screen.

And I do hope the nodding is kept in check, as otherwise I’m going to be driven slowly mad by The Bear, which would be a shame given a fifth season has been greenlit.

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Categories: Technology

Forget a hosepipe ban - UK government suggests we help combat drought by deleting old emails and pictures

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 05:26
  • England’s drought was declared nationally significant after the driest six months since records began in 1976
  • The UK government urges the public to delete old files as part of a nationwide water conservation strategy
  • Hosepipe bans remain in place while reservoirs across England drop to alarmingly low seasonal levels

The UK government has proposed an unconventional way to contribute to water conservation during the country’s ongoing drought - deleting old emails and pictures.

ThE suggestion came from the National Drought Group, which includes government agencies, water companies, and environmental experts.

The ongoing drought in England has been declared a “national incident” following the driest six months since 1976.

Six months of extreme dryness prompt government-level alert

The reasoning behind the advice is linked to the operation of data centers, which support services such as email hosting, cloud storage, and email services.

These facilities use large volumes of water to cool servers and maintain optimal performance, so by reducing the amount of stored data, the argument goes, demand on data center capacity could be lowered, potentially cutting water consumption.

However, the real-world effect of such personal digital cleanups is uncertain.

While data centers do consume large amounts of water, particularly in high-density computing operations, experts have not presented clear evidence showing that deleting small amounts of personal data measurably reduces their cooling needs.

Critics suggest that structural changes, like reducing leaks and improving water infrastructure, would have a more immediate and tangible impact.

The drought has already prompted hosepipe bans in parts of Yorkshire, the South East, and other affected regions.

Reservoirs have dropped to 67.7% capacity on average across England, far below the early August norm of over 80%.

Some are now below 50%, with river flows at historically low levels in certain areas.

Prolonged dry conditions and multiple heatwaves have worsened the situation, affecting agriculture, wildlife, and public water supply.

Water companies have intensified leak repairs, with some fixing over 800 each week, and smart meters are being used to identify problem areas.

Public awareness campaigns have encouraged traditional water-saving actions such as taking shorter showers, fixing leaking toilets, and collecting rainwater for garden use.

The inclusion of a digital storage cleanup in official conservation messaging reflects a broader recognition that water consumption is linked not only to domestic and industrial activities, but also to the infrastructure supporting online life.

The growing demand for cloud storage and generative AI has added to the load on data centers, and environmental reports have shown measurable water use from AI processing tasks.

Whether deleting old files will have an impact on water supplies remains open to question.

However, England is in dire need of a solution for the drought, and small, everyday actions, whether at home or online, are part of the collective effort to protect the country’s strained water resources.

"Simple, everyday choices, such as turning off a tap or deleting old emails, also help the collective effort to reduce demand and help preserve the health of our rivers and wildlife," said Helen Wakeham, Director of Water at the Environment Agency.

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Categories: Technology

How to watch Australia vs South Africa 3rd T20 2025 — live streams, TV schedule

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 03:54
  • Watch Australia vs South Africa 3rd T20 on Willow via Sling TV (US)
  • Abroad? Unblock your stream with NordVPN (Save 70%)
  • Australia vs South Africa 3rd T20 starts at 7.15pm AEST / 10.15am BST / 5.15am ET Saturday, August 16

Australia vs South Africa T20 at Cazaly's Stadium, Cairns, on Saturday is the deciding third game in a three-match series.

Australia won the first game, to extend their winning run to a record nine T20I games. But then South Africa rallied in thrilling and record-breaking fashion in the second match at Darwin to set up a fascinating series decider in Cains on Saturday, August 16.

Australia have welcomed back some of their leading T20 players for this series, with Travis Head, Josh Hazlewood and Matt Short returning having missed the 5-0 series victory in the Caribbean over West Indies. The hosts are a formidable T20 side at present, with 22 wins in their past 26 matches leading up this series.

For South Africa this is a different opportunity. The visitors are using the chance to give some fringe players exposure as they have another 16 T20 matches scheduled after this series in the run up to the next T20 World Cup.

However, the tourists still have experience in the form of several of their big-name players including skipper Aiden Markram, and pace bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi. The bowling line up also includes the exciting 19-year-old left arm quick Kwena Maphaka. On his T20I debut in December, one of his deliveries was of 151.6kph (94.75mph).

So, read on and we'll explain how to watch the T20 series decider between Australia and South Africa in Cairns.

Use a VPN to watch any Australia vs South Africa stream

If you're keen to watch the cricket but you're away from home and your preferred coverage is geo-blocked, you could always use a VPN to access it (assuming you're not breaching any broadcaster T&Cs, of course). You may be surprised by how simple it is to do.

There are lots of VPNs but NordVPN is the one you can rely on to unblock streaming platforms – and right now you can save 70%.

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How to watch Australia vs South Africa T20 live streams in the US

Cricket streaming service Willow TV is the place to watch the Australia vs South Africa T20 series in the US.

If you don't have it as part of your cable package, you can watch Willow coverage through your choice of Sling TV's Desi Binge Plus or Dakshin Flex plans – starting from $10 per month.

Outside the US right now? You can make use of NordVPN to catch the action.

For US residents, Sling TV is the perfect plan in order to watch cricket from WillowTV. You can sign up to your choice of its Desi Binge Plus, Dakshin Flex or Urdu plans, which all include Willow.

Prices start from only $10 per month or $50 for six months.View Deal

How to watch Australia vs South Africa live streams in the UK

The Australia vs South Africa T20 series is being televised on TNT Sports in the UK. Today's match is on TNT4.

To access TNT Sports, you'll either need to add it to your TV package, or you can take out a standalone subscription via Discovery+, which will set you back from £30.99 per month. You'll also have access to Premier League, Champions League and Europa League football plus rugby, wrestling, UFC, MotoGP and more.

If you're currently traveling overseas, don't worry, as you can use NordVPN to watch your usual service from abroad.

How to watch Australia vs South Africa live streams in India

The rights to Australia's home cricket internationals are held by Disney Star, now known as JioHotstar.

Subscriptions start at Rs. 149 ($1.70) for 3 months, but the best option is to purchase their Premium Plan for Rs.299/month which is ad-free and offers streaming across four devices at the same time.

Visiting the US from India? Use NordVPN to access your usual streaming service while away.

How to watch Australia vs South Africa live streams in Australia

The Australia vs South Africa T20 series will be broadcast on Fox Sports 501 which is available on Foxtel in Australia.

However, your most cost-efficient option is specialist sports streamer Kayo Sports, with plans starting from $30 a month after you've taken advantage of its first month for $1 offer or 7-day free trial.

Away from Oz when the series is on? Use a VPN to watch your usual cricket stream when abroad.

How to watch Australia vs South Africa in South Africa

SuperSport has the rights to show the Australia vs South Africa T20 series in South Africa.

To access SuperSport you can through satellite on DStv or on DStv Now, the streaming platform which offers cordless access to the SuperSport channels.

If you're travelling outside of South Africa during the series you can still access your usual cricket streams using a VPN.

Australia vs South Africa T20 series 2025 Q+AWhat is the schedule for the Australia vs South Africa T20 series?
  • August 10: First T20, Marrara Stadium, Darwin – Australia won by 17 runs
  • August 12: Second T20, Marrara Stadium, Darwin – South Africa won by 53 runs;
  • August 16: Third T20, Cazalys Stadium, Cairns.
What time does the match start?

Play is due to start at 7.15pm AEST / 10.15am BST / 5.15am ET

Australia vs South Africa 3rd T20 teams

Australia: 1 Travis Head; 2 Mitchell Marsh (capt); 3 Josh Inglis (wk); 4 Cameron Green; 5 Tim David; 6 Glenn Maxwell; 7 Aaron Hardie; 8 Ben Dwarshuis; 9 Nathan Ellis; 10 Adam Zampa; 11 Josh Hazlewood.

South Africa: 1, Aiden Markram (capt); 2 Ryan Rickelton (wk); 3 Lhuan-dre Pretorius; 4 Dewald Brevis; 5 Tristan Stubbs; 6 Rassie van der Dussen; 7 Corbin Bosch; 8 Senuran Muthusamy; 9 Kagiso Rabada; 10 Kwena Maphaka; 11 Lungi Ngidi.

What happened in the 1st T20?

Australia batted first for the first time in seven T20Is and slumped to 75-6, but recovered to 178 thanks to Tom David's 83, which contained eight sixes.

It was , however, the first time they had been bowled out by South Africa in their 26 T20I meetings. Kwena Maphaka, at 19 years and 124 days old, became the youngest player from a Full Member country to take a four-for in T20Is.

Australia had not previously successfully defended such a low score against South Africa, but did so this time to give Mitchell Marsh his 22nd win out of his 25 matches as captain.

What happened in the 2nd T20?

South Africa brought to an end Australia's winning run in record-breaking style.

The Proteas made 218-7, their highest score against Australia, and 22-year-old Donald Brevis' 125* is the highest T20I score for South Africa and the highest in a T2OI in Australia. The visitors then bowled Australia out for 165.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Categories: Technology

ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories from the demise of dial-up to the return of a missing Apple Watch feature

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 02:00

It's been another busy week in the world of tech.

AOL ended dial-up, we flew the world's first 360 drone, and celebrated the return of a missing Apple Watch feature, even though it is now a little different.

To catch up on all this and more, scroll down for the week's seven biggest news stories, which we've summarized for your convenience.

7. AOL ended dial-up

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

In our modern age, constant connectivity is a given, but there was a time when you made the connection through dial-up. That process was accompanied by the unforgettable and iconic sound of a digital handshake between your computer and a service like. Now, the last vestiges of AOL’s dial-up service are disappearing. We look at what that means.

6. Apple spoiled an AirPods upgrade

(Image credit: Future)

The latest developer beta of iOS 26 has seemingly teased a major unannounced upgrade for AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2: real-world, real-time translation.

Apple announced Live Translate last month at WWDC, but not for real-world chatting, so this real-time translation on AirPods is something we didn’t know was coming (outside of leaks).

Much is still unknown, like precisely how the feature works and what languages are supported, but this is a serious upgrade to our existing Apple tech – and we’re all for it.

5. HTC launched Vive glasses

(Image credit: HTC)

HTC has for some time felt like it’s second-fiddle to Meta in the VR headset category, but its new Vive Eagle glasses could be a winner.

Hardware-wise, Vive goes beat for beat with the competition. It boasts a 12MP snapper as well as open-ear speakers, and a solid battery life of up to 36 hours of standby time and 4.5 hours of music playback while still boasting a sleek 49g design.

But on the AI side, we feel it might edge ahead with its ability to access both Gemini and ChatGPT.

The catch? It’s only available in Taiwan for now, but we’re praying for a global release.

4. Samsung debuted a world’s first in its latest TV

(Image credit: Samsung)

Samsung officially revealed that its micro-RGB TV is coming to the market, first launching in South Korea in a 115-inch size. Samsung says the tech will eventually come to smaller sets.

Micro-RGB essentially takes micro-sized red, green, and blue LEDs and puts them behind the panel to create refined brightness and color accuracy. It hit 100% HDR color gamut coverage of the BT.2020 color space: a TV first!

The bad news is that micro-RGB is expensive. The 115-inch model is launching in South Korea at 44.9 million KRW, which works out at roughly $32,000 / £24,000 / €28,000 / AU$49,750 (yikes!), so this is definitely out of most people’s budgets. Samsung believes the tech will quickly become more affordable and become a real rival to OLED. Watch this space!

3. Apple brought back an Apple Watch tool

(Image credit: TechRadar)

Following an 18-month ban, Blood Oxygen tracking is finally coming back to the Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 – it’s a little different this time, however.

It was disabled over a ruling in January 2024 due to a patent dispute between Massimo and Apple, but Apple has found a way to obey the ruling and give users access to the feature.

That is, the reading no longer shows on your watch; it’ll appear only on your iPhone – with Apple explaining the update was also enabled by a recent U.S. Customs ruling.

2. We flew the world’s first 360-degree drone

(Image credit: Future)

After its debut a short while ago, we finally had the chance to demo the new Insta360 Antigravity drone – and it’s the most exciting drone we’ve seen in years.

It's no exaggeration to say that flying the A1 is child's play. Overcome the disorientation caused by wearing the goggles as the drone takes to the sky, and you'll quickly get to grips with the Motion controller, and how to use it to control the drone's altitude and flight path.

Unfortunately, while official pricing has yet to be confirmed, the experience likely won't come cheap. You’ve got the drone itself (which packs 360 camera tech) and a headset. But currently nothing does what this drone can, and that could be all that Insta360 needs to succeed right now.

1. OpenAI responded to the haters

(Image credit: Shutterstock/Mijansk786)

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has addressed criticism over the restrictive message cap for ChatGPT Plus users on GPT-5. When the new model launched, Plus subscribers could only send 200 reasoning messages a week, which many saw as a downgrade from the previous model, GPT-4o. Altman confirmed the limit would increase to 3,000 prompts a week for paid subscribers.

Altman also confirmed that OpenAI is working on clearer UI labels to show exactly which model is responding in ChatGPT, something many users have been asking for since the update.

The announcement comes after a wave of backlash over GPT-5, with complaints about the smaller upgrade than expected and the removal of GPT-4o, which has since been restored. Altman’s quick response shows OpenAI is trying to keep its paying users happy as it navigates the tricky balance between new features and user expectations.

Categories: Technology

Data center expansions could bring destruction to the British countryside - and consumers might foot the bill

Sat, 08/16/2025 - 01:03
  • New data centers are being proposed across the UK
  • These are crucial for AI development and usage, but have disastrous impacts on the environment
  • Tech giants are calling for more expansion

The UK could be set for a major increase in the number of data centers across the country, as new reports claim a surge in building is set to commence.

The country currently has 477 of these data centres - with around 100 more on the way, the BBC reports, spurred on by the massive increase in demand for AI, and often funded by US tech giants.

However the impact on the local environment could be devastating - in the US, some living close to data centers have lost access to clean drinking water, as the local wells have been disrupted, and some consumers have seen energy bills rise thanks to the extreme usage from the centers.

The cloud costs

Data centers are essentially warehouses full of computer storage systems and IT infrastructure - and they are both financially costly and enormously energy and water consuming.

A medium sized data center is said to consume between roughly 110 million gallons of water per year in order to cool - and large centers can consume up to 5 million gallons per day - but these data centers now receive advanced protections from the Government, after being designated critical national infrastructure.

Just as these new data centers are being built - the UK Government has published advice on how to address the ‘nationally significant’ water shortfall and drought advice, which includes taking shorter showers, not watering grass, and deleting old emails.

These data centers have received cash injections from US firms, with as much as £6.3 billion poured into construction and funding from foreign firms so that Britain can ‘train and deploy the next generation of AI technologies’ - most of which are developed in the US.

‘Unlocking AI’ has been a priority for the British government, which has encouraged businesses and consumers alike to use the technology to boost productivity - but the environmental cost, as always, is likely to fall on ordinary people.

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Argentina vs New Zealand streams: How to watch Rugby Championship 2025 rugby live online from anywhere

Fri, 08/15/2025 - 23:00

This weekend's Argentina vs New Zealand live stream sees the Pumas and All Blacks kick off their Rugby Championship 2025 campaigns, with the hosts hoping to seal their first ever crown and the All Blacks eager to extend their record nine titles.

So often rugby union's dominant force, the All Blacks will still be smarting after their loss to South Africa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final and subsequent surrender of the Rugby Championship title last year. Scott Robertson's side come into the tournament in excellent form having whitewashed France in a three-match series last month – they'll want to continue that momentum in their visit to South America.

Argentina shocked the All Blacks and Springboks last year with a win against both during one of their best showings in the Rugby Championship since they joined it in 2012. Their recent results have been up and down, however, with a huge win against the British & Irish Lions, followed by two home losses to England. Can they shock the mighty All Blacks in Córdoba on Saturday?

Read on for our guide on where to see Argentina vs New Zealand live streams online, on TV and potentially for free wherever you are.

Can I watch Argentina vs New Zealand for free?

Unfortunately, this game isn't one of those that's showing for free on the 9Now streaming platform in Australia.

The 2025 Rugby Championship is generally behind the paywall worldwide, but we have seen that rugby fans in Fiji will be able to watch every single game on the free-to-air FBC this year.

Remember that, if you're traveling away from home, you can use a VPN to watch 2025 Rugby Championship streams from abroad on your usual platform.

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How to watch Argentina vs New Zealand live streams in the US

Argentina vs New Zealand and all other Rugby Championship 2025 live streams are being shown on FloRugby in the US.

FloRugby plans start from $29.99 a month. Or you can opt for the $150 annual subscription (so effectively better than half price).

Outside the U.S. during this fixture? Use NordVPN to tap into FloRugby's live streams of Argentina vs New Zealand.

How to watch Argentina vs New Zealand live streams in the UK

The rights to the 2025 Rugby Championship in the UK belongs to Sky Sports – this game will go out on its Sky Sports Action channel and stream live through Sports+ from 4.10pm BST on Saturday.

Sky Sports plans start from £35 per month or £20 if you are an existing Sky subscriber. Alternatively, grab a Now Sports subscription from £14.99 a day or £34.99/month if you want to keep up with the rest of the championship.

If you are outside the country during Argentina vs New Zealand you can still watch Sky Sports live streams on Sky Go using NordVPN.

How to watch Argentina vs New Zealand live streams in Australia

(Image credit: free)

This All Blacks game against the Pumas won't be shown on the free-to-air Channel 9 or its online 9Now platform. Only home Wallabies games and New Zealand vs Australia encounters will be free to watch Down Under this season.

To watch Argentina vs New Zealand in Australia you'll need to subscribe to Stan Sport. It costs $20 a month on top of a regular Stan subscription costing from $12 a month.

Away from Australia? Use a VPN to watch Rugby Championship 2025 matches on the above platforms as if you were back Down Under.

How to watch All Blacks vs Argentina live streams in New Zealand

Sky Sport is the 2025 Rugby Championship TV rights holder in New Zealand, which means you can watch this All Blacks match there on Sunday morning at 9.10am NZT. You can access Sky Sport through satellite TV or get a live stream with the Sky Sport Now subscription service starting at $29.99 per day or $54.99 per month.

Missing this game due to work commitments abroad? NordVPN will give you access to your home streaming service.

How to watch Argentina vs New Zealand live streams in Rest of World

NZR+ is showing the Rugby Championship in many international territories (see if yours is listed below). Unlike last year, unfortunately, it is no longer free and costs €14.99 for a month or €34.99 for a whole season.

Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Turkey and Ukraine.

Not seeing your country listed above? Then keep scrolling to see who's streaming the Rugby Championship where you are...

Click through to see Rest of World streams ⬇️

  • Argentina, South America and Caribbean

ESPN has the broadcast rights to the 2025 Rugby Championship matches in South America and the Caribbean. Important to know for all the Pumas fans!

In addition to Argentina, ESPN will also show games in the following countries:

South America – Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Caribbean – Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba, Ascension Island, Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cuba, Curaçao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Falkland Islands, French Guyana, Guyana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Saba, St. Barthelemy, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts and St. Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Martin, St. Pierre & Miquelon, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname Trinidad and Tobago, and Turks and Caicos.

  • Canada

TSN is the place to watch the 2025 Rugby Championship in Canada. You can get TSN as part of your cable TV package or sign up to the TSN+ streaming service.

  • Fiji

The FBC will have free-to-air coverage of the 2025 Rugby Championship in Fiji. It will also be on the Sky Pacific pay TV platform.

  • France, Monaco, Andorra and Switzerland

Canal+ will provide access to the 2025 Rugby Championship in France and across French overseas territories.

It is also the rights holder in Monaco, Luxembourg, Andorra and French-speaking Switzerland.

  • Italy

You can watch the 2025 Rugby Championship on Sky Italia in Italy.

That also goes for Vatican City, San Marino and Italian-speaking Switzerland.

  • Japan

Streaming service Wowow will show the 2025 Rugby Championship in Japan.

  • Pacific Islands

Digicel Pacific has the rights to broadcast the 2025 Rugby Championships across the following Pacific Islands on Digicel TV or through the DTV app.

American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated Staes of Micronesia, French Polynesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna, Samoa.

  • Singapore and South East Asia

Premier Sports has the rights to broadcast the 2025 Rugby Championship in Singapore and a number of other countries in South East Asia. They are as follows:

Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Federated States of Micronesia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Marianas, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Nepal, Northern Marianas, North Korea, Pakistan, Palau, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Tajikistan, Taiwan (Republic of China), Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.

  • Spain

Telefonica holds the broadcast rights for the 2025 Rugby Championship in Spain.

  • South Africa and Africa

Satellite TV provider SuperSport has the 2025 Rugby Championship broadcast rights in South Africa and other parts of the continent.

You can watch SuperSport through lives streams or the DStv satellite service.

Can I watch Argentina vs New Zealand on my mobile?

Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser. For example, Sky Go in the UK and New Zealand.

You can also stay up-to-date with all 2025 Rugby Championship events on the official social media channels on X/Twitter (@SanzarTRC), Facebook (TheRugbyChampionship) and Instagram (@sanzartrc).

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Categories: Technology

Think you’ve got a great Outlander: Blood of My Blood theory? According to the cast, it might be right

Fri, 08/15/2025 - 21:00

Telling the story of Outlanders predecessors, Outlander: Blood of My Blood already looks like another smash-hit for Starz’s time-travelling franchise. We’re three episodes into the new binge-worthy TV show, which follows Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Claire’s (Caitriona Balfe) parents as they travel back to 18th century Scotland and become connected to each other in the process. Even if you’re watching the prequel and didn’t follow the main show too closely, you’ll be able to spot some satisfying Outlander Easter eggs… and there are a lot of them.

Just before episode 3 aired (which is also streaming on MGM+ for those in the UK and Stan in Australia), I caught up with Henry (Jeremy Irvine) and Julia (Hermione Corfield), better known as the younger versions of Claire’s parents. Unlike Jamie’s family, Julia and Henry fell in love during World War I before being launched back in time to where we meet them in the prequel. However, they’ve been separated, finding their way back to each other while talking themselves into rewriting history in the process.

This rewriting of history is already taking so many twists and turns that I don’t know whether I’m coming or going. Seasoned Outlanderheads (as I’m calling the fans) wasted no time devising theories for what might happen in future episodes, including whether we’re going to see Claire unknowingly meet her parents. Not only have Irvine and Corfield seen these theories, but they also hinted to me that some of them are along the right lines.

Outlander: Blood of My Blood fan theories might be closer to the truth than we think

“I have,” Corfield replies when I ask her if she’s seen any fan theories. “I've seen a few comments on Instagram where I've been, like ‘hm…interesting.’ But also, some of them are theories that we don't even know the answer to, because we literally don't know. We get given our scripts while we're filming the block before.”

Popular theories currently include meeting Claire’s parents in Outlander season 8, which wrapped filming in September 2024, Julia’s baby (Claire has already been born) being somebody we’ve already met in the main show, and Jamie’s dad Brian (Jamie Roy) being more closely linked to the pair than we’ve been led to believe.

Given that the cast is in the process of filming season 2, we can rule out any theory that goes too far forward in time (as in, forward from the 18th century but still behind WWI. Keep up!). They still won’t know how the second half of season 2 plays out at all, but Irvine did tease a shocking twist during the first half of season 2 that we’ve likely not guessed at all.

“When you see the characters at the end of season 1, where they then start season 2 is wildly not what you'd expect. I wasn't expecting it at all. I was very confused when I went in for my first costume fitting and saw the costumes, asking ‘what on earth is that going to be for?’

“It’s highs and lows and everything in between. A total rollercoaster,” Corfield adds about what’s definitely to come.

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Meta’s AI chatbot guidelines leak raises questions about child safety

Fri, 08/15/2025 - 21:00
  • A leaked Meta document revealed that the company’s AI chatbot guidelines once permitted inappropriate responses
  • Meta confirmed the document’s authenticity and has since removed some of the most troubling sections
  • Among calls for investigations is the question of how successful AI moderation can be

Meta’s internal standards for its AI chatbots were meant to stay internal, and after they somehow made their way to Reuters, it's easy to understand why the tech giant wouldn't want the world to see them. Meta grappled with the complexities of AI ethics, children's online safety, and content standards, and found what few would argue is a successful roadmap for AI chatbot rules.

Easily the most disturbing notes among the details shared by Reuters are around how the chatbot talks to children. As reported by Reuters, the document states that it's "acceptable [for the AI] to engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual" and to "describe a child in terms that evidence their attractiveness (ex: “your youthful form is a work of art”)." Though it does forbid explicit sexual discussion, that's still a shockingly intimate and romantic level of conversation with children for Meta AI to allegedly consider.

And it's not the only example likely to disturb people. Meta AI's rules, the report notes, allow the chatbot to compose explicitly racist content if the prompt is phrased correctly, and to provide wrong or even harmful health information as long as some kind of disclaimer is included.

In one of the more surreal examples, the guidelines instructed AI to reject inappropriate image generation requests in most cases, but in some instances to instead apparently deflect with a 'funny' substitution. As an example, the document reportedly mentions that a prompt to generate an image of “Taylor Swift topless, covering her breasts with her hands” could be answered by generating an image of Swift “holding an enormous fish.” The document reportedly included both the unacceptable and the “acceptable” version side by side, essentially training the bot to outwit inappropriate prompts with visual sleight of hand. Meta declined to comment on the example.

Meta has confirmed the authenticity of the document and said it’s now revising the problematic portions. Meta removed the children's interaction section after Reuters reached out, and called those rules “erroneous and inconsistent” with company policy. As of now, Reuters said the document still says racial slurs are allowed if disguised in hypotheticals, as is disinformation framed as fiction.

No time for safety and ethics

It’s a troubling revelation that has already prompted public outrage, lawmaker scrutiny, and urgent promises from Meta. But it shows that as AI spreads, the need to move fast with the technology leaves any plans for rules and regulations scrambling to catch up, whether written internally or by lawmakers and regulators.

For most people, the story raises basic questions of AI safety. While it might be ideal to not have minors interacting with general AI chatbots unsupervised, that's very unlikely, judging by the number of children and teens who admit to using tools like ChatGPT for schoolwork. Avoiding Meta AI is particularly challenging because the company has embedded the chatbot across Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram. Users can interact with AI characters that are often presented in playful, friendly ways, and Meta has marketed these tools as fun and even educational. But the leaked guidelines suggest the backend isn’t always aligned with that wholesome image.

Members of Congress have already called for hearings and bills to deal with the situation, but the fact is, there are few legal requirements in place at the moment to moderate chatbot content, for children or otherwise. Noises about AI safety haven't led to any specific national enforcement system. Plenty of AI companies have made a big deal about their efforts to make their products safe and ethical, but if Meta’s rulebook is illustrative of what other companies have put together, there's a lot of work still to do and a lot of questions about what kind of conversations these chatbots have already been having, especially with children.

AI models may be ever-better at mimicking human thinking, but they're really just a collection of choices by human programmers, deliberate and inadvertent. The fact that these rules were apparently codified at Meta doesn't mean similar examples exist at other companies, but it's not something to rule out. And if these are the choices being made behind the scenes at one of the world’s most powerful tech companies, what else is being quietly permitted?

AI chatbots are only as trustworthy as the invisible rules guiding them, and while it's naive to fully trust any company's claims without evidence, Meta's rulebook implies users should take such claims with several extra grains of salt.

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