google Google Unveils Pixel Slate, Its First Chrome OS Tablet Google introduces the Pixel Slate, a 2-in-1 tablet that marks the company's first use of Chrome OS on its own tablet hardware. The device features Intel processors, dual front-facing speakers, and a separately sold backlit keyboard.
google Google Prepares to Unveil Pixel 3 and New Hardware at Made by Google Event Google hosts its annual Made by Google event today, where it plans to reveal the Pixel 3, a smart display, and other devices. Fans watch the live stream on YouTube and Twitter to see the highly anticipated hardware after months of leaks.
facebook Facebook Enters Smart Home Market With Video Chat Devices Portal and Portal+ Facebook introduces Portal and Portal+, two smart screens designed for video calling that face an uphill battle against consumer privacy concerns. The devices feature AI-powered cameras and rely heavily on the Facebook ecosystem.
facebook portal Facebook Portal Smart Display Uses Alexa to Tackle Video Chat Market Facebook enters the smart display market with two Portal models designed primarily for video chatting. The devices rely entirely on Amazon's Alexa for voice assistant capabilities instead of a proprietary solution.
facebook Facebook Enters Smart Home Market With Video-Calling Portal Device Facebook launches Portal, a camera-equipped smart speaker designed to enhance Messenger video calls and compete with Amazon Echo Show. The release comes at a challenging time as the company faces intense scrutiny over recent data breaches and user privacy concerns.
blockchain You're Going to Have to Learn to Love the Blockchain Blockchains face valid criticism but serve as a vital alternative to the internet's flawed advertising-driven architecture.
pytorch Major Tech Firms Unite to Support PyTorch 1.0 Release Facebook unveils PyTorch 1.0 with backing from cloud giants and hardware makers to streamline the path from AI research to production.
salesforce Salesforce Keeps Border Agency Contract Despite Employee Protests Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff rejects an employee petition to cancel a contract with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, stating the technology is not used for family separations. The company instead pledges $1 million to help reunite separated migrant families.
google Google Retools Duplex AI to Address Ethical Concerns Google showcases an updated version of Duplex, its human-sounding AI that makes phone calls on behalf of users. The revised system now clearly identifies itself as an artificial agent to address privacy and ethical backlash.
google Google Begins Public Testing of Duplex AI That Makes Phone Reservations Google is launching a limited public test of its Duplex AI system, which uses Google Assistant to make real phone calls to businesses. The initial tests focus strictly on asking about holiday hours in New York and San Francisco.
google Google Pulls Back the Curtain on Controversial Duplex AI Google reveals new details about Duplex, the AI system that makes human-sounding phone calls to book appointments. The company takes a slow approach to address ethical concerns and gather public feedback.
google Ex-Pentagon Official Criticizes Google's Exit From AI Drone Project The former Deputy Defense Secretary who launched Project Maven expresses alarm over Google's decision to drop the controversial AI contract, arguing the technology actually saves lives.
salesforce Salesforce Workers Petition CEO to End Border Agency Contract Over 650 Salesforce employees demand the company sever ties with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, citing a conflict with the company's core value of equality.
openai OpenAI Dota 2 Bots Defeat Human Players Using Team Neural Networks OpenAI trains a team of five neural networks to defeat human opponents in the real-time game Dota 2. The system plays 180 years' worth of games daily to prepare for an upcoming esports championship.
uber Uber Safety Driver Streamed Hulu During Fatal Self-Driving Crash A newly released police report shows the Uber safety driver involved in a fatal Arizona crash watches a streaming video on her phone for nearly a third of the test drive. Authorities state the driver could have avoided the collision if she kept her eyes on the road.