Cpvr

Hey Cheryl! Welcome to the community.

Over the past year, we have continued to make incredible progress in artificial intelligence. Today, we are releasing the first model in the Gemini 2.0 family of models: an experimental version of Gemini 2.0 Flash. It’s our workhorse model with low latency and enhanced performance at the cutting edge of our technology, at scale. We are also sharing the frontiers of our agentic research by showcasing prototypes enabled by Gemini 2.0’s native multimodal capabilities. Gemini 2.0 Flash Gemini 2.0 Flash builds on the success of 1.5 Flash, our most popular model yet for developers, with enhanced performance at similarly fast response times. Notably, 2.0 Flash even outperforms 1.5 Pro on key benchmarks, at twice the speed. 2.0 Flash also comes with new capabilities. In addition to supporting multimodal inputs like images, video and audio, 2.0 Flash now supports multimodal output like natively generated images mixed with text and steerable text-to-speech (TTS) multilingual audio. It can also natively call tools like Google Search, code execution as well as third-party user-defined functions. Gemini 2.0 Flash is available now as an experimental model to developers via the Gemini API in Google AI Studio and Vertex AI with multimodal input and text output available to all developers, and text-to-speech and native image generation available to early-access partners. General availability will follow in January, along with more model sizes. To help developers build dynamic and interactive applications, we’re also releasing a new Multimodal Live API that has real-time audio, video-streaming input and the ability to use multiple, combined tools. More information about 2.0 Flash and the Multimodal Live API can be found in our developer blog. Gemini 2.0 available in Gemini app, our AI assistant Also starting today, Gemini users globally can access a chat optimized version of 2.0 Flash experimental by selecting it in the model drop-down on desktop and mobile web and it will be available in the Gemini mobile app soon. With this new model, users can experience an even more helpful Gemini assistant. Early next year, we’ll expand Gemini 2.0 to more Google products. source: Google blog what are your thoughts on Gemini 2.0? Have you tried it?

I agree. There’s still fans of these particular operating systems and I think it would be a good idea to have them open as well. It doesn’t hurt to allow discussions of them. It might even attract new users as well. Linking to wikipedia wouldn’t be exactly wise. It would be better if the discussion and coverage stayed here on the community.

Hey there! Welcome to the community.

I’m looking forward to the merger! Here’s to a successful one!😃

Welcome back! How’s everything going for you?

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Microsoft is gradually rolling out a new feature that allows you to seamlessly share files between your iPhone® and Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC when connected via Phone Link and the Link to Windows app. This was announced on the Windows blog To use this feature, you’ll need to meet the following requirements: • An iPhone® running iOS 16 or higher. • The Link to Windows app on your iPhone (version 1.24112.73 or higher). • Phone Link version 1.24112.89.0 or higher. • You must be registered for the Windows Insider Program. If you haven’t yet connected your iPhone® to Phone Link, you will be prompted to enable file sharing during the setup process. For those already paired, you can set up file sharing by visiting aka.ms/addAccount on your PC. To share a file from your iPhone® to your PC: • Navigate to the file or files you want to share on your iPhone®. • Tap the share icon. • Select “Link to Windows.” • Choose the device you wish to share the file with. To share a file from your PC to your iPhone®: • Select the file or files you want to share on your PC (local files only). • Right-click on the file and choose “Share.” • Select “My Phone” or, if not available, choose Phone Link. For feedback, please submit it in the Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Apps > Phone Link.

LG has officially discontinued all its Blu-ray players, including the UBK80 and UBK90 UHD models, with remaining units only available while stocks last. This move mirrors similar decisions by Oppo in 2018 and Samsung in 2019, when both companies exited the optical disc player market entirely. LG’s decision to pull the plug on its Blu-ray and UHD Blu-ray players is reflected on LG’s online channels and has been confirmed by multiple sources to FlatpanelsHD. However, in a statement to FlatpanelsHD, LG Korea stopped short of confirming a full global exit from the optical disc player market, leaving the possibility open for a return if demand resurfaces. For now, a few older models remain available in regions like America and Europe, but they will be gone once inventory is depleted. Do you still own a Blue-ray player? source: Flatpanelhd

Russia reportedly severed certain regions of the country from the global internet for a day, effectively isolating them, according to reports from European and Russian media outlets that were echoed by the US nonprofit Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and other Western sources. Roskomnadzor, Russia’s communications authority, imposed the block on Dagestan, Chechnya, and Ingushetia—regions with predominantly Muslim populations—cutting off access to major foreign websites and apps like Google, YouTube, Telegram, and WhatsApp. Even the use of VPNs did not guarantee access in these areas, a local Russian news outlet reported. Roskomsvoboda, a Russian digital rights NGO, told TechRadar that most VPNs failed during the shutdown, though some managed to bypass the block—exactly which ones, or how many, remain unclear. Russia has been increasingly targeting VPNs, with Apple aiding the country’s censorship efforts by removing VPN apps from its Russian App Store. Currently, 197 VPNs are blocked across Russia, according to the Russian news agency Interfax. These latest internet disruptions are part of Russia’s broader initiative to build a “sovereign internet” that it can fully control. This year alone, Russia has tested its ability to throttle sites like YouTube by drastically slowing internet speeds, rendering them nearly unusable. Moscow has invested $648 million into its national internet infrastructure and technology capable of enforcing such restrictions, a project seemingly underway since at least 2019. Looking ahead, Russia could expand its restrictions to include services like Amazon Web Services (AWS), HostGator, and other foreign web hosts. The government may also mandate that Russian residents and businesses transition to using Russian-owned alternatives, solidifying its control over the internet. Separately, in September, platforms like Wix and Notion advised Russian users to discontinue their services due to US sanctions. In 2022, following its invasion of Ukraine, Western domain registrar GoDaddy condemned the conflict as “horrible,” stopped supporting Russian domains, discontinued its support for the ruble, and announced a $500,000 donation to aid Ukraine. These ongoing blocks and disruptions contribute to the emergence of a splinternet, where regions are increasingly isolated from each other’s digital landscapes. source: Pcmag what are your thoughts on this? Do you block Russia traffic from your website as well?

I wouldn’t trust an AI when it pertains to coding as it’s still a machine and it hallucinates, so it still produces wrong answers sometimes. However, you can trust it to write content for you about certain subjects.

Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field!

Hey @ZacheryZha welcome to the community!

Mozilla is removing the Do Not Track (DNT) setting from the Firefox browser. This change will take effect in version 135 and beyond, where the DNT setting will no longer be available. The change is already live and can be seen in the Nightly version. Do Not Track (DNT) is a browser setting that allows users to signal their preference not to be tracked by websites. When enabled, it sends a special HTTP header to websites indicating the user’s choice to opt out of tracking. According to Wikipedia, DNT was introduced in 2009 by researchers Christopher Soghoian and Sid Stamm, and Mozilla Firefox was the first browser to implement this feature. However, as we approach 2025, with growing concerns about online privacy and data protection, Mozilla believes that DNT is no longer an effective privacy measure. Many websites ignore the DNT signal. Therefore, Mozilla has removed the DNT signal from Firefox version 135. We verified the Nightly build’s “Website Privacy Preferences” and confirmed that the option to “Send websites a ‘Do Not Track’ request” is no longer present. This is also confirmed by the Mozilla believes that privacy preference is not honored by websites and that sending the Do Not Track signal may impact your privacy. The company has updated Firefox’s Do Not Track help support page to confirm that. Do Not Track Alternative: Global Privacy Control The company recommends using the Global Privacy Control setting as an alternative to prevent websites from tracking user data. It’s unclear what will happen to users who have DNT enabled when they upgrade to the affected Firefox version. They may see a message stating that “Firefox no longer supports Do Not Track,” or the signal may still be sent to websites. We have asked Mozilla to clarify this and will provide an update when we receive a response. While Mozilla has removed DNT, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and other browsers still offer this setting. We will have to see if this move impacts these browser vendors to pull DNT support as well. To enable Do Not Track in Chrome: Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Send a “Do Not Track” request with your browsing traffic. To enable Do Not Track in Microsoft Edge: Navigate to Settings > Privacy, Search, and Services > Toggle “Send Do Not Track requests” to “on.” While Firefox itself recommends GPC, you can enhance your privacy by using privacy-focused browsers like Brave and DuckDuckGo, ad blockers, VPN services, and browser extensions such as Privacy Badger. Recently, Mozilla started planning to run a bold experiment for Windows that would make Firefox the default browser. This experiment involves a clever trick that affects the Firefox download page and installer. What’s your take on Firefox dropping the Do Not Track setting? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

I think Discord really put a dent in Skype’s marketshare. A lot of users now prefer to use Discord instead of Skype. However, Skype did pave the way for Discord’s success.

Congratulations on the successful merger!

Same here. I’ve been using Reddit for the past 8 months though. I wasn’t apart of it when it first started to gain traction. What was the early days like?

Microsoft Retires Surface Studio: A Unique Vision That Couldn’t Keep Up Microsoft has officially discontinued its ambitious Surface Studio all-in-one desktop, marking the end of an era for the $4,300 touchscreen PC. Once a centerpiece of the Surface lineup, the Studio is now a casualty of Microsoft’s shifting priorities and budget cuts. Windows Central reports that there are currently no plans for a Surface Studio 3, signaling a quiet farewell to one of Microsoft’s boldest hardware experiments. A Revolutionary Design That Fell Behind When the Surface Studio debuted in 2016, it aimed to redefine the desktop experience. Its standout feature—a beautifully engineered hinge that transformed its stunning 28-inch screen into a drafting table—made it a favorite among digital artists and designers. Paired with the Surface Pen, the Studio was a creative powerhouse. But for all its innovation, the Studio struggled to justify its sky-high price tag. Critics frequently noted its outdated internal components, which lagged behind other desktops in performance. Even as Microsoft refreshed the Studio twice over eight years, it never fully resolved these issues, leaving the machine perpetually behind the curve. A Rocky Lifespan The Surface Studio 2, launched in 2018, improved on the original with an upgraded display and marginally better hardware. However, it went untouched for years, forcing Microsoft to tweak Windows 11’s system requirements just to ensure the aging device remained compatible. By the time the Surface Studio 2+ arrived in 2022, it still lacked cutting-edge components, despite jumping multiple CPU and GPU generations. Unlike the Surface Pro and Surface Laptop, which receive regular updates, the Studio’s sporadic refreshes left it feeling neglected. For many, its premium price and underwhelming specs made it a tough sell outside of its niche audience. A Niche Loved by Few, Ignored by Many For the artists and creatives who adored its unique screen and ergonomic hinge, the Surface Studio was irreplaceable. But its appeal never extended far beyond this small group. High costs and middling hardware deterred mainstream buyers, leading to sluggish sales—a death knell for any product. The Legacy of Surface Studio The Surface Studio leaves behind a legacy of innovation tempered by inconsistency. While it might never have captured the market, its visionary design set a standard for what an all-in-one PC could be. For now, Microsoft seems content to focus on more commercially viable devices, leaving creatives wondering if a worthy successor will ever arrive. As the Surface Studio exits the stage, it serves as a reminder: great ideas alone aren’t enough to keep a product alive. Regular updates and competitive pricing matter just as much as innovation. For the Surface Studio, these elements never fully came together. source Ars Technica

Curious about what might happen if you try to delete Microsoft Edge from its file location? When you open the file location for Edge, it directs you to a folder containing a few subfolders and a mysterious 4MB file labeled MS Edge. Even if you manage to get the necessary admin privileges to delete these files, you might quickly find out that it doesn’t actually remove the browser. But just for fun, what if you went ahead and gave it a shot? Would deleting those files actually do anything, or would Edge simply reappear like nothing ever happened? Let’s find out! 🤔💥

DoorDash has partnered with Wendy’s to test an innovative approach to getting you your fast food faster by using Drones. This food delivery concept is currently only available in one city so far, but what are your thoughts on This?

Why don’t skeletons fight each other? They don’t have the guts!

Welcome back! @Trips

While concepts like faster-than-light travel or time travel might remain confined to the realm of fiction, history shows that many once-impossible ideas eventually materialize. Look at smartphones or voice assistants—straight out of yesterday’s sci-fi novels. Personally, I imagine we’ll see mind-reading technology in the future. Imagine a device equipped with advanced neural sensors that could decode and interpret your thoughts, projecting them as images, words, or sounds. It could revolutionize communication, therapy, and creativity—but also raise some big ethical questions. What kind of tech do you think might leap from science fiction into our daily lives?

It makes little sense to restrict it to the '20s. Which technological changes do you see with at least 70% probability will occur between now and 2034? This can include any form of change — new technology, old technology finally becoming obsolete, changes to current technology, etc.

Microsoft was accused in a U.K. lawsuit filed Tuesday of unfairly overcharging customers of rival cloud companies including Amazon, Google and Alibaba Cloud. The lawsuit alleges U.K. businesses are forced to pay more to license Microsoft’s Windows Server software on rival firms’ clouds than its own Azure platform. U.K. firms are owed more than £1 billion in compensation from the anti-competitive practices, according to the lawsuit. Microsoft Faces £1 Billion Lawsuit Over Alleged Overcharging for Rival Cloud Users Microsoft is under fire in a new £1 billion ($1.27 billion) lawsuit filed in the UK, accusing the tech giant of unfairly inflating costs for businesses using competing cloud services like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform, and Alibaba Cloud. The claim, led by competition lawyer Maria Luisa Stasi, argues that Microsoft charges higher licensing fees for its Windows Server software when used on rival cloud platforms, while offering discounted rates for its own Azure cloud service. This pricing model, the lawsuit alleges, coerces customers into using Azure, restricting competition in the growing cloud computing market. “Microsoft is effectively penalizing UK businesses and organizations for choosing alternatives like AWS, Google, or Alibaba,” said Stasi, who is also head of law and policy at Article19, a digital rights advocacy group. “This lawsuit aims to hold Microsoft accountable, expose the extent of the overcharging, and return money to those unfairly impacted.” The collective action, which automatically includes thousands of affected UK organizations unless they opt out, seeks compensation for damages allegedly caused by Microsoft’s practices. The case highlights the growing tension in the cloud computing sector as dominant players compete for market share. Microsoft, which has a stronghold in server operating systems, faces allegations of leveraging its market position to disadvantage competitors and limit customer choice. source: Cnbc How do you see this case impacting the future of cloud computing competition? Could it lead to fairer pricing, or will it set a precedent for similar challenges against other tech giants?