Today Microsoft demonstrated new versions of its Bing search engine and Edge web browser that use an artificial intelligence “copilot” to organize and find information. Powered by OpenAI technology, it takes requests that you ask in normal language and comes up with responses to things like “Give me a meal plan for a family of four with vegetarian options and caters to people who don’t like nuts.”
And speaking of new Eras, my colleague Chris Welch has a scoop on Sonos’ upcoming speaker lineup set to debut in the coming months. We now know that they’re set to be branded as “Era,” with specific models including the Era 300 and Era 100. The former will apparently focus on spatial audio, and support playback of Dolby Atmos content.
Finally, this year’s Super Bowl looks like it’s going to be free of the cryptocurrency promotions that filled its ad spots last year. It’s yet another sign of the winter that the crypto industry is currently in.
And now, here’s a silly tweet to start your day.
Stay tuned, as we continue to update this list with the most important news of today: Tuesday, February 7th, 2023.
OnePlus 11 5G review: a great phone that’s a tough sell
The price is right for the OnePlus 11 5G — $699 to be exact — but after a tumultuous few years for the company, is anyone buying?
Fitbit suffered another outage for the second time in 24 hours
Fitbit said the issue was resolved yesterday, but it sure didn’t look like it earlier this morning
Microsoft thinks AI can beat Google at search — CEO Satya Nadella explains why
AI is coming for your browser, your social media, and your operating system, too.
- RWatch Satya Nadella talk about “conversational intelligence agents.”
If you’re curious about what Microsoft is building with OpenAI and ChatGPT, its CEO is the person to tell you about the new features in Bing and Edge.
And, like Google’s plans to offer businesses an API connection to the LaMDA tech powering its AI, CNBC reports Microsoft is working on ways for companies to build their own custom versions.
We’ll find out what Google has to say about it tomorrow.
- TDo you like Wordle? Prepare to hate Wordle.
Flappy Birdle is a sadistic experiment in word games. You will not survive. You will fail. Over and over again. It’s terrible. Good luck.
Flappy Birdle - Flappy Bird meets Wordle by AE Studio[flappybirdle.com]
Wyze’s security cameras and home monitoring services will go offline tonight for two hours
Videos won’t be uploaded to the cloud, the professional monitoring company won’t be notified in the event of a break-in, and none of your automations will run starting at 12 AM PT on February 8th.
- MFacebook adds new bulk comment moderation tools.
Creators on the platform will be able to sort comments by keywords, dates, and commenter name and moderate en masse, according to TechCrunch.
The new feature gives Facebook creators the option to like or hide several comments on their posts at once.
Users say Samsung’s latest Pro SSDs have health problems
Samsung’s high-end NVMe drives seem to be degrading rapidly, with many users reporting its health statuses declining after light usage. A firmware update reportedly helps resolve similar issues in the older 980 Pro, but the 990 Pro’s issue remains in question.
Disney removes Simpsons episode in Hong Kong that references Chinese labor camps
The episode One Angry Lisa has been pulled from Disney Plus in Hong Kong. Disney has not explained why.
Feb 7Mitchell Clark and Emma Roth
Microsoft’s ChatGPT-powered Bing is open for everyone to try starting today
The limited preview will open up for full access soon. You can join the waitlist now.
Microsoft announces new Bing and Edge browser powered by upgraded ChatGPT AI
Microsoft pushes AI to unseat Google’s dominance
Zoom is laying off 1,300 employees, around 15 percent of its workforce
US employees were notified via email and will be getting a 16-week severance package.
Microsoft’s ChatGPT event live blog
Microsoft is holding a surprise in-person event where it’s likely to demo a version of Bing with ChatGPT integrated and much more.
Samsung prices its super bright 77-inch QD-OLED TV at $4,500
The company’s second-gen QD-OLED TVs will deliver even brighter performance — hopefully with most of the S95B’s bugs ironed out.
Can mailing your kitchen scraps to this startup tackle climate change?
A startup with big-name backers wants to make chicken feed out of your food waste.
VW recalls nearly 21,000 ID.4s over faulty battery software
The problem is the high-voltage battery management software could reset while the vehicle is in motion, leading to a loss of propulsion — not good, in other words.
Nintendo announces first Direct of 2023
Fans can expect the 40-minute presentation to cover games coming out in the first half of 2023.
Microsoft’s Adaptive Accessories are a tradeoff
They’ve got genuinely helpful features, but the materials could use some work.
Hot Wheels: Rift Rally is a mixed reality R/C car for PS4, PS5, and iPhone
From the makers of Mario Kart Live.
OnePlus brings flagship Buds Pro 2 to the US with support for head-tracked spatial audio
Alongside the new OnePlus 11, the Oppo subbrand’s new flagship true wireless earbuds are getting an international launch.
OnePlus’ first mechanical keyboard looks like a rebadged Keychron
The Oppo subbrand’s announcement is light on details, but we can make some educated guesses about its debut mech.
OnePlus is officially getting into the tablet game with the OnePlus Pad
It features an up to 144Hz display with an unusual 7:5 aspect ratio and will also be compatible with a OnePlus stylus and keyboard.
Mercedes-Benz’s electric eSprinter van is finally coming to the US
An all-electric version of the German automaker’s van will start production in North American and Europe in the second half of 2023.
- RGreen light.
All eyes will be on Microsoft’s event at 1PM ET. We don’t have details on what to expect, but the stage is set for a 2023 battle of AI tech, with Microsoft vs. Google taking top billing, and this could just be the first round.
Playdate’s failure to launch in Malaysia
The tiny handheld was manufactured in Southeast Asia, but the realities of global shipping have kept it out of the hands of local gamers.
Lego returns to The Lord of the Rings with a $500 Rivendell set
Elen síla lúmenn’ omentielvo.
Razer Blade 16 review: the RTX 4090 is a powerful, very expensive chip
Here’s what you get when you throw out any idea of a reasonable budget for a gaming laptop in 2023.
Sony’s noise-canceling WH-1000XM5 headphones are $50 off today
We also found solid deals on Amazon’s latest Kindle, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, and Google’s first in-house smartwatch.
The Nintendo Switch is now the third-bestselling console of all time
The milestone comes despite falling demand for the Switch, with Nintendo reporting disappointing sales in its quarterly earnings and a reduced forecast for 2023.
Biden administration acknowledges it can force Bitcoin mines to disclose pollution
In a letter shared exclusively with The Verge, Democrats pressed the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency on their timelines for mandating energy and emissions disclosures by crypto mining companies.
Microsoft and Google are about to Open an AI battle
After six years of peace, the two tech giants are on course to butt heads again over the future of artificial intelligence.
Fox’s Super Bowl LVII ads won’t include any crypto companies
Don’t expect a repeat of last year’s ‘crypto bowl’ now that the companies behind those ads are experiencing bankruptcy and layoffs.
Exclusive: Sonos’ next speakers will be called the Era 300 and Era 100
CEO Patrick Spence has said Sonos will “reset the bar” in its existing audio categories, and the Era speakers will lead that charge this year.
Microsoft announces surprise event for Tuesday with Bing ChatGPT expected
Microsoft is holding a special press event at its Redmond headquarters today, and it’s expected to focus primarily on its OpenAI partnership and ChatGPT for Bing.