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Meta will test blocking news for some Canadians ahead of new law

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Meta will test blocking news for some Canadians ahead of new law

Meta will test blocking news content for some users in Canada in response to the country’s Online News Act, the company has announced. The test is expected to impact between one and five percent of the company’s users across Facebook and Instagram, according to ABC News, with affected users being unable to see or share news content on the platforms. Both Canadian and international news outlets will be impacted.

The tests come ahead of a permanent block if the Online News Act passes. The legislation, also known as Bill C-18, is designed to force platforms like Meta and Google to negotiate with Canadian news publishers to pay them for content, but Meta has said it would rather block news content in the country entirely rather than be compelled to pay for it.

“When a big tech company… tells us, ‘If you don’t do this or that, then I’m pulling the plug’ – that’s a threat”

Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez told Reuters that Meta’s tests were unacceptable. “When a big tech company… tells us, ‘If you don’t do this or that, then I’m pulling the plug’ — that’s a threat. I’ve never done anything because I was afraid of a threat,” Rodriguez said.

“All we’re asking Facebook to do is negotiate fair deals with news outlets when they profit from their work,” Rodriguez said in comments reported by Reuters in March. “This is part of a disappointing trend this week that tech giants would rather pull news than pay their fair share.”

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The company previously knows as Facebook has publicly claimed that its approach in Canada will be different from the one it took in Australia, CBC News previously reported. “It’s absolutely our intention to not make the same errors in Canada that we made in Australia,” Rachel Curran, head of public policy for Meta Canada, told Canada’s House of Commons heritage committee last month.

“Some of the things that were mistakenly scoped in Australia, we’re working very hard to make sure we do not do that this time,” Curran said, noting that Meta is working to exempt pages from government bodies, emergency services, and community organizations from any potential block.

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The next big game from Clash of Clans developer Supercell launches in May

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The next big game from Clash of Clans developer Supercell launches in May

Supercell doesn’t release a lot of games, but the studio’s mobile releases tend to be big hits. Think Clash of Clans, Brawl Stars, and Clash Royale. Now, the developer is gearing up for its next major release: Squad Busters, which will be out globally on both Android and iOS on May 29th.

It’s a competitive multiplayer game, but one on a larger scale than a typical mobile release. In each match, 10 players compete to collect the most gems while building up a squad of computer-controlled characters. It’s sort of like a simplified MOBA: you move your team around fighting minions, earning cash that lets you improve and grow your squad before you eventually start fighting other players and going for the big gem pile in the middle of the map. It also has a bit of a Smash Bros. vibe, as the cast of characters are all pulled from popular Supercell games.

The studio is known for experimenting with different games and genres, and it’s also known for not moving forward with titles that it doesn’t think will become a Clash-level hit — which means the developer seems to have a lot of faith in Squad Busters, which is currently in soft launch in a number of territories, including Canada, Mexico, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Singapore.

“Our dream is to create great games that as many people as possible play for years and that are remembered forever,” Supercell CEO Ilkka Paananen said in a statement. “Huge credit to the Squad Busters team — it’s already apparent that the game has such high potential, making it our first company game launch since Brawl Stars in 2018.”

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This off-road teardrop trailer adds luxury camping to the most remote locations

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This off-road teardrop trailer adds luxury camping to the most remote locations

Are you looking for a camper that breaks away from the conventional teardrop design and blends functionality with sleek aesthetics? Meet the Kimberley Kube. 

This innovative camper challenges the norms with its unique rectangular profile, flat roofline and vertical rear end.

By integrating the smooth composite construction of Kimberley’s Kruiser line with the enclosed form of the Karavan, the Kube offers a compact yet surprisingly spacious design. 

CLICK TO GET KURT’S FREE CYBERGUY NEWSLETTER WITH SECURITY ALERTS, QUICK VIDEO TIPS, TECH REVIEWS AND EASY HOW-TO’S TO MAKE YOU SMARTER

Kube camper. (Kimberley Kampers)

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Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or a long adventure, the Kube brings a fresh perspective to teardrop campers, providing eye-catching design without sacrificing space or functionality.

KIMBERley kube 2

Kube camper. (Kimberley Kampers)

MORE: BEST CAR ACCESSORIES 2024

Built for rugged roads

True to Kimberley’s heritage of robust, trail-ready caravans, the Kube is not just another pretty face. It’s built to tackle the harshest of terrains, equipped with a molded thermoplastic-composite body shell, a 100% recycled ArmaPET plastic floor and a sturdy hot-dipped galvanized steel chassis.

Complementing its tough build are 16-inch steel wheels, custom air springs, off-road racing mono-tube shocks and hydraulic override disc brakes, ensuring that it can handle even the most challenging off-road conditions.

Kube camper. (Kimberley Kampers)

MORE: DISCOVER THE FUTURE OF RVING WITH THE ELECTRIC TRANSFORMER HOUSE

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Spacious and luxurious interior

Stepping inside the Kube, one is greeted by an interior that rivals a well-appointed hotel room. The trailer stretches 17 feet, providing ample space for a king-sized bed positioned within a mini-greenhouse setup that offers 270-degree views through three large windows and an additional skylight.

Kimberley Kube bed

Kube camper. (Kimberley Kampers)

Storage is ingeniously integrated around and under the bed, ensuring that every inch of space is utilized. The front of the cabin includes a full-width console with storage solutions and an 85-L upright fridge/freezer, enhancing both convenience and comfort.

Outdoor living enhanced

Kimberley understands that camping is about engaging with the outdoors. The Kube features a slide-out outdoor kitchen accessible from a hatch at the rear, equipped with a dual-burner stove, sink and dedicated prep area.

Kimberley Kube exterior

Kube camper. (Kimberley Kampers)

This kitchen setup allows for comfortable outdoor dining under the awning, facilitated further by a stainless steel breakfast table that attaches to the kitchen unit.

Kimberley Kube exterior 2

Kube camper. (Kimberley Kampers)

Additionally, the Kube offers the luxury of hot showers, thanks to a Webasto diesel water heater, with the option to add an ensuite shower/toilet tent for complete privacy.

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25 CAMPING ESSENTIALS YOU NEED FOR VENTURING OUT INTO THE WOODS

Kimberley Kube rack view

Kube camper. (Kimberley Kampers)

MORE: 5 BEST PORTABLE CHARGERS

Tailored to technology and comfort

The Kube is prepared for any adventure with advanced technology integrations, such as a 200-Ah lithium battery, extensive LED lighting, optional solar charging and Starlink satellite internet prep.

The inclusion of modern comforts such as air conditioning, an onboard audio/video setup and the ability to stay connected via superfast 4G and GPS technology makes the Kube a standout in its class.

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Kimberley Kube bedroom

Kube camper. (Kimberley Kampers)

MORE: TOP TECH YOU NEED ON RV ROAD TRIPS

What does the Kube camper cost?

With prices starting at approximately $44,675, the Kimberley Kube offers a unique blend of luxury, functionality and ruggedness, making it an ideal choice for adventurers who refuse to compromise on comfort and style.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Whether exploring remote landscapes or enjoying a weekend getaway, the Kube promises an unmatched camping experience. It truly stands out as the “King of the Off-Road.” It’s a trailblazing camper that promises both the thrill of the journey and the pleasures of home, wherever you may roam.

What additional features or customizations would you like to see in future models of the Kimberley Kube? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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For more of my tech tips & security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:

Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

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Zuckerberg says it will take Meta years to make money from generative AI

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Zuckerberg says it will take Meta years to make money from generative AI

The generative AI gold rush is underway — just don’t expect it to create profits anytime soon.

The company is already quite profitable, having grown net income to more than $12 billion on $36.5 billion in revenue in the last quarter alone. But its revenue growth is expected to slow going forward. At the same time, it’s spending more than ever on AI and the metaverse.

“Historically, investing to build these new scaled experiences in our apps has been a very good long-term investment for us and for investors who have stuck with us,” Zuckerberg said on the first quarter earnings call, drawing an analogy to the rollouts of Stories and Reels. “And the initial signs are quite positive here, too. But building the leading AI will also be a larger undertaking than the other experiences we’ve added to our apps, and this is likely going to take several years.”

He said that the Meta AI assistant has been “tried” by “tens of millions of people” since it was made widely available last week, though that’s to be expected given how prominently it’s now featured in areas like the Instagram search box. The real test will be whether Meta AI becomes a product that people come back to often and if lots of people want to use an AI assistant in social media apps.

Looking ahead, Meta sees multiple ways to monetize its assistant, which is free to use right now.

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“There are several ways to build a massive business here, including scaling business messaging, introducing ads or paid content into AI interactions, and enabling people to pay to use bigger AI models and access more compute,” Zuckerberg said. “And on top of those, AI is already helping us improve app engagement, which naturally leads to seeing more ads and improving ads directly to deliver more value.”

A different path than OpenAI

In the next year or so, Zuckerberg suggested that usage of Meta AI could also improve the quality of its ads, which implies that the company will analyze the way people use its assistant to better understand what they’re interested in buying. This approach puts Meta on a different path than OpenAI, which has, so far, resisted advertising as a business model in favor of subscriptions and a nascent enterprise focus.

“I used to think that AR glasses wouldn’t really be a mainstream product until we had full holographic displays,” he said. “But now it seems pretty clear that there’s also a meaningful market for fashionable AI glasses without a display.”

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