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Sony’s new image sensors will make cameras smarter with onboard AI

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Onboard AI also means you can get information processed in real-time. A camera at the front of a store could count the number of people entering, and even alert security if someone isn’t wearing a face mask (a major health risk as we’re still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic). Another camera could keep track of item stock on store shelves, while others could monitor the flow of foot traffic to determine shopping “hot spots.”

To be clear, these image sensors won’t replace the work of sophisticated cloud-based machine learning tools, which can go far beyond just recognizing objects. But they’re a step towards a future where cameras can function more like self-contained computers.

And they can also assist more complex computer vision systems. For example, in a cashier-less store like Amazon’s, where tons of video data is being captured and processed by a slew of cameras, Sony’s sensors could detect exactly where customers are located. If nobody is by the milk aisle, there’s no reason to flip those 3D cameras on, right?

Hanson tells us samples for the IMX500 have already been sent out to Sony’s partners, while the IMX501, which is packaged to fit onto devices like smart boards, will start shipping in June. We can expect to see devices using the new hardware by the end of the year and throughout 2021. 

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Evo Online event stretches across July with four open tournaments

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The coronavirus pandemic forced organizers of the annual Evo fighting game event to cancel their 2020 event, but now they’ve announced details of an online version. According to a video they posted, the event will include five weekends of fighting game action running through the month of July. While that will include “special exhibitions and content” for the original tournament lineup, going online will also make it more interactive for fighting game fans.

That’s because the new schedule includes four open tournaments. Players can go head-to-head in Mortal Kombat 11 Aftermath, Killer Instinct, Them’s Fightin Herds and Skullgirls 2nd Encore. Signup and event info is “coming soon,” and the action gets started on July 4th.



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Senate passes Patriot Act amendment strengthening independent oversight

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The amendment senators did pass, by a 77-19 margin, was introduced by Patrick Leahy (D, Vermont) and Mike Lee (R, Utah). As described by the ACLU, it “strengthens the role of independent “friends of the court” to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, ensuring that the court has additional opportunities to hear the views of outside experts.”

In an op-ed published Sunday seeking support for the measures, the senators said “The key to our proposal is to substantially strengthen a program that currently allows FISA judges, in very limited circumstances, to appoint outside legal scholars — called “amici”— to independently analyze FBI surveillance requests that are particularly sensitive…We propose measures that would authorize and actively encourage judges in this secret court to seek independent amicus reviews in all sensitive cases — such as those involving significant First Amendment issues — thereby adding a layer of protection for those who will likely never know they have been targeted for secret surveillance.”

In response to the votes, ACLU Senior Legislative Counsel Neema Singh Guliani said in a statement “After many years of just rubberstamping laws used to commit civil liberties violations, Congress has overwhelmingly passed changes that will help ensure that government claims before a secret intelligence court do not go unchecked. The House should not consider any legislation that excludes these important changes.

But this won’t address all of the surveillance abuses that have come to light in recent years and Congress has more work to do to protect Americans’ privacy online. The vote today shows that a majority of senators agree that what we do online should not be subject to warrantless surveillance — and it’s past time for Congress to make this clear in our laws.”

On Thursday the Senate will vote on the third proposed amendment, from Rand Paul, that would require a warrant for the use of FISA searches on US citizens.



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Kia’s future EVs will sport extra-fast 800V charging

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Super-speedy 800V charging won’t just be reserved for luxury EVs in the near future. As part of a roadmap outlining its next wave of electrification, Kia has revealed (via Autoblog) that some of its upcoming EVs will boast an 800V charging capacity — and not just in the high-end models. Instead, the architecture will be put into play when it “most closely matches” the usage expected from a given vehicle. You may see it in a coupe or a brawny sedan, but “cost-conscious buyers” and others driving more modest rides will have to make do with 400V.

As with 800V in vehicles like the Porsche Taycan and Audi’s upcoming E-Tron GT, the gains should be dramatic when you’re plugged into the right charger. Kia is aiming for top-ups under 20 minutes even as it provides a range over 310 miles. That’s still far slower than a gas pump, but it’s quick enough that you can make a reasonably short pit stop and expect to come back to a full charge.

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Honda brings Android Auto to Gold Wing motorcycles

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Honda was the first to bring Apple CarPlay to motorcycles in 2017, but it has left Android-toting fans hanging ever since. Now, though, you won’t have to be picky about the phone you carry when you cruise. The company has revealed that its current-generation Gold Wing bikes (that is, ones after 2018) will get Android Auto support in the middle of June. It won’t be a fundamental break from the familiar experience, but that’s more than enough — you can navigate in Google Maps or stream YouTube Music while leaving your phone safely stowed away.

Both Android Auto and CarPlay are coming to more bikes in the the future, so this won’t be a one-off upgrade. Either way, it’s clear that Google is keen to spread Android Auto to more places. With badges like Harley-Davidson and BMW delivering Android Auto updates, you won’t have to worry quite so much about whether a potential new ride will pair nicely with your phone.

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Apple starts selling Amazon’s Eero mesh routers

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Technology updates can sometimes make for strange bedfellows, and Apple is providing proof. The tech giant has started selling Eero mesh WiFi routers through its website, starting at $100 for a lone router and $250 for the three-pack you’l likely want to cover a whole home. Yes, that’s right — it’s Apple selling an Amazon product instead of the other way around. As you might guess, this stems from Eero adding support for HomeKit’s secure smart home feature. In theory, you can buy everything you need for an Apple-friendly household in one place.

The store already sells mesh routers from the likes of Linksys and Netgear, although those can be more expensive if you’re buying whole-home bundles.

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Slack’s revamped mobile app puts key features within easy reach

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Slack is following up its desktop app redesign with a similar overhaul for the mobile crowd. The company is rolling out updates for Android and iOS that remove some of the clutter and make it easier to reach the features you’re more likely to use when away from your computer. Instead of wading through side menus, there’s a Home screen with tabs to quickly access your DMs, mentions and personal features like your status and notification settings. It should be that much easier to respond to an off-hours request, or to snooze alerts entirely when you’re determined to improve your work-life balance.

You’ll also find improvements for more specific tasks. The compose button has come to mobile to quickly start a message (even for an existing chat), and the Call button is readily available in DMs for those times when text just won’t do. Swipe gestures make it easier to navigate between screens one-handed, and the lightning bolt icon near the input bar lets you perform actions in other services without leaving Slack.

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Food apps in Chicago will soon show the premium you pay for delivery

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The policy comes as restaurants across the US and much of the world struggle to stay in business. In most instances, even depending on deliveries to offset not being able to serve diners in their own spaces, some restaurants have closed permanently.

Unsurprisingly, the companies the policy targets aren’t fans. “We support policy and legislation that help restaurants serve their communities, and a path to reopening those businesses must be the focus,” a Grubhub spokesperson told NBC Chicago. “These arbitrary disclosure rules will do exactly the opposite of their intent by causing confusion to consumers.”

The city, however, sees it as a way to make the entire delivery process more transparent. “By providing customers with more transparency when they use these delivery services, we can further ensure not only fair business practices for our restaurants but also maintain the innovation that is essential to this industry,” said Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

In their defense, both Grubhub and DoorDash lowered their restaurant fees shortly after the coronavirus pandemic began. In Grubhub’s case, it even went so far as to waive fees for independent businesses. They also already provide a breakdown of the fees you pay as a customer. Of course, having more access to information can never hurt consumers, and it will be interesting to see if other cities adopt similar policies. 

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NASA backs studies on environmental effects of COVID-19 lockdowns

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You’ve probably heard stories of skies and water clearing up while most people stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, but how much have things improved, really? Scientists are about to rely on NASA technology to find out. The space agency is funding four research projects that will rely on satellites and various data resources to understand how pandemic lockdowns have affected pollution worldwide.

One project will study uneven gains in air quality around the world by connecting satellite data to weather, traffic and other info. Another effort will meld satellite and meteorological data to gauge how reduced air pollution has affected the atmosphere. A third initiative will determine what if any effect lowered air pollution has had on water quality, while a fourth will use light pollution satellite data to examine socioeconomic impacts and the effectiveness of stay-at-home orders.

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FBI accuses China of attempting to steal US COVID-19 research

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Today, the FBI warned that China-backed hackers are attempting to steal COVID-19 research from organizations in the US. In a joint statement, the FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced that they have observed state-backed hackers attempting to obtain intellectual property, data and research related to vaccines, treatments and testing.

“The potential theft of this information jeopardizes the delivery of secure, effective and efficient treatment options,” the FBI and CISA wrote, adding that organizations conducting COVID-19 research should monitor for suspicious activity.

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