News
Airbnb’s #WeAccept Super Bowl AD is Aimed at Refugees and Immigrants
The tech community in general has been the most vocal business sector opposing U.S. President Donald Trump’s ban on refugees and immigrants from mostly Muslim nations. Taking it a step further, Airbnb has taken its stance to the highest profile platform on television, with a Super Bowl ad. Check out the AD below:
“No matter who you are, where you’re from, who you love, or who you worship, you deserve to belong,” wrote Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky in a link to the #WeAccept campaign, announced Sunday.
No matter who you are, where you’re from, who you love, or who you worship, you deserve to belong https://t.co/WufQUWkYXs #weaccept
— Brian Chesky (@bchesky) February 6, 2017
Airbnb says its goal is to provide short-term housing for 100,000 people “in need” over the next five years. “We’ll start with refugees, disaster survivors, and relief workers, though we want to accommodate many more types of displaced people over time,” says the advertisement, which shows an evolving overlay of people of various races, ages and religious backgrounds.
“To help people around the world facing displacement, we’ll work with our community of hosts to find not just a place to stay, but also a place to feel connected, respected, and a part of a community again,” it says. It also says Airbnb will contribute $4 million over four years to the International Rescue Committee to support the most critical needs of displaced populations globally.
Artificial Intelligence
LG Launches New AI-Powered OLED TVs
LG Electronics is once again pushing the boundaries of OLED technology with its 2024 lineup of OLED TVs. This year’s models, including the C4, M4, G4, and B4 OLED evo series, promise to deliver unparalleled picture quality, personalized content, and seamless interactivity. At the top of the range, the LG G4, available in sizes up to a stunning 97 inches, offers a gallery-design aesthetic that seamlessly blends into any living space. This model delivers breathtaking visuals, thanks to LG’s advanced OLED technology.
The LG C4, available up to 83 inches, strikes a balance between performance and value. It offers vibrant colours, deep blacks, and incredible detail, making it the perfect all-around OLED TV. For those seeking a truly wireless experience, the LG M4, also available up to 97 inches, eliminates cable clutter with its innovative Zero Connect Box. This allows for a cleaner and more minimalist setup. The LG B4, available up to 77 inches, provides an immersive cinematic experience at an exceptional price point.
Powered by the latest α11 and α8 AI processors, LG’s 2024 OLED TVs offer a range of intelligent features:
- Personalized Content Recommendations: The TVs analyze viewing habits and preferences to curate tailored content recommendations.
- Multiple User Profiles: Create up to 10 individual profiles for a truly personalized experience.
- AI Concierge: Get personalized content recommendations based on your viewing history.
- AI Picture Pro: Experience unparalleled realism with AI-enhanced picture quality.
- AI Acoustic Sound: Enjoy immersive audio with AI-optimized sound performance.
LG’s 2024 OLED TV lineup sets a new standard for home entertainment, offering a blend of cutting-edge technology, stunning design, and intelligent features.
News
Microsoft Unveils a Sleek New Design for Windows Hello
Microsoft is significantly upgrading Windows Hello, its facial and fingerprint recognition authentication system, in Windows 11. This revamped experience, now in beta testing with Windows Insiders, features a fresh look, new icons, and improved passkey functionality.
In this episode of GV Weekly Tech Update, Rysha Media’s Zack Zorro and Alison Osborne speak about the new features of Windows Hello!
The new UI will be visible not only on the Windows 11 login screen but also when using passkeys to access websites and apps. The Windows team explains that this redesign aims to create a cleaner, more intuitive experience for secure and swift authentication. Users will be able to effortlessly switch between authentication options and select passkeys or devices.
While Microsoft currently supports passkeys in Windows 11, the existing experience, involving QR code scanning and an outdated UI, can be cumbersome. The new sign-in UI for passkeys and Microsoft account authentication will greatly enhance this process.
Microsoft has also introduced a new API for third-party password and passkey managers. This API enables developers to integrate directly with the modern Windows Hello experience, allowing Windows 11 users to authenticate with apps and websites on their PC using passkeys from a mobile device. Additionally, users can save passkeys to third-party apps or sync them to their Microsoft account.
This new Windows Hello experience is being tested in the Windows 11 beta channel (23H2) and is expected to roll out to the dev channel (24H2) soon. It’s anticipated that all Windows 11 users will have access to this updated UI in the coming months.
Artificial Intelligence
Acer Intros New Veriton NUC Series with AI Features
Acer announced the new Veriton NUC Series offering reliable performance and high efficiency. The Veriton NUC Series is adaptable to various applications, from small and medium-sized businesses to front desks, small offices, and digital signage. With its slim and compact design, the Acer Veriton NUC is smaller than a traditional desktop PC, making it especially useful in narrow workplaces where space is limited and easier to transport when needed. Thanks to the VESA mount support, it can be conveniently hidden behind a monitor, optimising the workspace.
Acer’s new Mini PC series integrates Intel Core Ultra processors, enabling AI-assisted functions to enhance productivity and creativity. Powered by advanced Intel ARC graphics with 8Xe cores, the new Veriton NUC Series is ideal for large workloads that require parallel throughput. This cutting-edge technology offers better graphic performance than traditional on-board GPUs. In addition, the new NUC supports 8K resolution displays, offering users natural and sharp original quality. With Intel AI Boost, the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) in the Acer Veriton NUC Series offers innovative AI features that maximise energy efficiency, delivering exciting new user experiences with Windows Studio Effects and next-generation collaboration, streaming and creation applications.
Thanks to its wide range of ports, the Acer Veriton NUC makes multi-tasking even easier. Equipped with HDMI, Display and Type-C ports, Acer’s new NUCs support the connection of all necessary peripherals and offer a seamless user experience. The integrated full-function USB Type-C port with DisplayPort Alt mode allows Acer’s new Mini PCs to connect directly to a display or monitor, while USB 3.2 Gen 2 supports speeds of up to 10 Gbps. Additionally, the new Veriton NUC Series supports the multi-screen configuration, allowing up to three displays to be connected simultaneously. This functionality is particularly appreciated in certain sectors where comparing different images or graphs is essential, such as in the medical, financial or engineering fields.
The new Veriton NUC Series integrates the Wi-Fi 6E module that supports speeds of up to 9.6 Gbps, nearly 3 times faster than the 3.5 Gbps speed of Wi-Fi 5, improving performance and reliability. High-speed file sharing, smooth 4K streaming, ultra-responsive surfing and gaming, great work from home and remote learning experiences become a reality with Acer’s innovative new NUC series. In addition, Wi-fi 6E also supports WPA3 encryption, improving security and protection against possible hacker attacks.
Users can enjoy uninterrupted and secure connections without worrying about network traffic overload. The availability of Dual LAN ports guarantees greater stability, security, and efficiency for wired connectivity. The other LAN port can act as a backup, ensuring a stable and uninterrupted Internet connection. It can also enable the configuration of an internal and external network, increasing security and helping balance the network traffic between two ports to prevent overloading.