Technology

Go read this story about Russian cross-stitch stores getting banned from Etsy

Published

3 years ago

March 28, 2022

Go read this story about Russian cross-stitch stores getting banned from Etsy

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is affecting an surprising neighborhood: cross-stitchers who purchase patterns on Etsy. Slate revealed a chunk describing how American cross-stitchers have been “devastated” by Etsy’s current suspension of Russian storefronts, together with cross-stitch patterns retailers which are — to the shock of some crafters — closely concentrated in Russia.

Cross-stitch is a kind of hand embroidery the place crafters sew designs on to cloth with X’s, typically utilizing a sample as a reference. Designs vary from pretty easy or extremely intricate, they usually begin as little as $3 however can go for “rather more” for complicated items. Etsy is a well-liked place for cross-stitchers to seek out digital patterns, and some weeks in the past, cross-stitchers on Reddit started to note that their favourite sample retailers had disappeared off the platform.

Slate spoke with Russian artists and a historian to grasp why so many cross-stitch sample operations have been based mostly in Russia within the first place. One idea was that Russian Etsy sellers have been pirating digital patterns and reselling them, however designers as an alternative attribute it to a wealthy custom of needlework within the nation.

Maria Demina, the proprietor of the favored LittleRoomInTheAttic retailer on Etsy, says, “The saddest half is that each one the gadgets acquired hidden, and no person can see the patterns I’ve been engaged on for the final seven years.” Demina connects the recognition of this passion and number of digital designs in Russia not with piracy, however nationwide traditions, which have been handed by way of generations. “I nonetheless have two shirts that have been cross-stitched by my great-great-grandfather,” she stated.

Etsy wouldn’t say what number of Russian retailers have been closed, nevertheless it’s clear that cross-stitch is in style within the nation, and crafters overseas have benefitted from Russian designs on the market on-line. Slate discovered round 3,000 cross-stitch teams on VK, a preferred social media platform in Russia, and there are trainings and workshops that inexperienced persons can take to study the craft.

The store homeowners affected by the ban are understandably upset about shedding their enterprise and connections to world audiences. Sellers say they really feel like all of their arduous work was wasted — with no sign of ending to restrictions.

The rising isolation of Russia will hardly trigger disaster within the cross-stitch enterprise within the nation and throw it again to Soviet occasions, given the variety of designers and their information. However as many sample makers have admitted, the shortage of cultural alternate and lack of ability to get the suggestions from clients internationally has already affected their motivation. “I really feel dangerous for shedding reference to individuals overseas, as a result of it has inspired me to maintain working. It’s about stars, feedback, messages from customers. It’s all gone,” stated Alyona.

The Slate piece is an interesting instance of how provide chains can break down even when the products are digital. The story does an ideal job of demonstrating the surprising results of Russian sanctions and conflict by way of a distinct segment however devoted neighborhood — and the frustrations of sellers who’ve little or no recourse.

Technology

Gemini can now tell when a PDF is on your phone screen

Published

2 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

Gemini can now tell when a PDF is on your phone screen

In the latest version of the Files by Google app, summoning Gemini while looking at a PDF gives you the option to ask about the file, writes Android Police. You’ll need to be a Gemini Advanced subscriber to use the feature though, according to Mishaal Rahman, who reported on Friday that it had started rolling out.

If you have the feature, when you summon Gemini while looking at a PDF in the Files app, you’ll see an “Ask about this PDF” button appear. Tapping that lets you ask questions about the file, the same way you might ask ChatGPT about a PDF. Google first announced this screen-aware feature during its I/O developer conference in May.

Rahman posted a screenshot of what it looks like in action:

Other context-aware Gemini features include the ability to ask about web pages and YouTube videos. For apps or file types without Gemini’s context-aware support, the assistant instead offers to answer questions about your screen, using a screenshot it takes when you tap “Ask about this screen.”

Technology

Fox News AI Newsletter: Cate Blanchett 'deeply concerned'

Published

2 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 03: Cate Blanchett attends the World Premiere of “The Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim” at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on December 3, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/WireImage) (Jed Cullen/Dave Benett/WireImage)

Welcome to Fox News’ Artificial Intelligence newsletter with the latest AI technology advancements.

IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:

– Cate Blanchett worries AI could ‘totally replace anyone’
– ChatGPT CEO talks Elon Musk feud, criticizes Biden admin AI regulation
– 10 things you should never tell an AI chatbot

‘DEEPLY CONCERNED’: Cate Blanchett is one of the many actors expressing fears about artificial intelligence. In a recent interview with the BBC, the Oscar winner said the technology “deeply concerned” her.

Cate Blanchett at the Cannes Film Festival in a black strapless dress soft smiles

Cate Blanchett. (Rocco Spaziani/Archivio Spaziani/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)

ALTMAN OPENS UP: OpenAI CEO and co-founder Sam Altman opened up about Elon Musk’s feud with him and his view of how regulations related to artificial intelligence development should be framed.

Sam Altman, chief executive officer of OpenAI, during a panel session on day three of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 18, 2024. (Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

CHATBOT SAFETY: This is a heartbreaking story out of Florida. Megan Garcia thought her 14-year-old son was spending all his time playing video games. She had no idea he was having abusive, in-depth and sexual conversations with a chatbot powered by the app Character AI.

SPLIT STRATEGY: A recent survey found that investors and CEOs are viewing artificial intelligence (AI) investments differently. Nearly 80% of investors expect AI projects to generate a positive return on investment within the first year, while 41% CEOs of large-cap companies are willing to let AI initiatives mature over the course of one to two years before they expect positive results.

TECH REVOLUTION: Congress’s bipartisan task force on artificial intelligence recently released its long-anticipated report, detailing strategies for how the U.S. can protect itself against emerging AI-related threats while ensuring the nation remains a leader in innovation within this rapidly evolving sector.

Congress released a long-awaited AI report recently. (iStock)

Subscribe now to get the Fox News Artificial Intelligence Newsletter in your inbox.

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Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future with Fox News here.

This article was written by Fox News staff.

Technology

The US finalizes CHIPS Act funding for Samsung and Texas Instruments

Published

10 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

The US finalizes CHIPS Act funding for Samsung and Texas Instruments

The US Commerce Department has awarded Samsung and Texas Instruments with a combined over $6 billion in “direct funding under the CHIPS Incentives Program’s Funding Opportunity for Commercial Fabrication,” according to a pair of announcements published on Friday.

Samsung will get the larger of the two awards at $4.745 billion. The Commerce Department says the company will use this as part of its planned $37 billion investment in Texas chip facilities that include two new “leading-edge logic fabs and an R&D fab” in Taylor, Texas, and the expansion of its plant in Austin.

The company was originally slated to receive $6.4 billion. In a statement reported by Bloomberg, the company said that its “mid-to-long-term investment plan has been partially revised to optimize overall investment efficiency,” which suggests the company has dialed back its plans, according to the outlet.

Texas Instruments will receive $1.61 billion to bolster the $18 billion it plans to spend on projects like constructing two wafer fabs in Texas and a third in Utah. The Commerce Department announced smaller awards this week too, including $407 million in funding for Amkor Technology, a US-based company that tests and packages chips for companies like Apple.

All three awards were announced earlier this year, with Samsung first in April, and they join other CHIPS Act funding grants given to companies like Micron, Intel, and TSMC. And their finalizations come with just under a month to go before Donald Trump, who has criticized the CHIPS Act, assumes the US Presidency on January 20th.