Amazon Unveils Alexa+, Powered by Generative A.I.

Amazon is aiming to catch up in generative artificial intelligence and to reboot its virtual assistant, which has been leapfrogged by powerful chatbots.

The New York Times - 2h

Amazon unveils revamped Alexa with AI features for $19.99 per month, free for Prime members

Amazon has been working for years to overhaul Alexa with generative AI features as it faced rising competition from OpenAI's ChatGPT and other chatbots.

CNBC - 5h

Amazon's Souped-Up Alexa+ Arrives Next Month

Alexa+ will cost $20 a month but will be free for Amazon Prime members. It'll eventually arrive on nearly every Alexa device the company has shipped.

Wired - 6h

Apple Unveils Lower-Priced iPhone 16e With A.I. Features

The iPhone 16e is the first update to the company’s most affordable model since 2022, but carries a higher price tag of $599.

The New York Times - Feb. 19

Amazon Debuts New Alexa Voice Assistant With AI Overhaul

It’s called Alexa+, and the idea behind it is that generative AI can take the voice assistant to the next level.

Inc. - 6h

Here’s how the new Alexa+ could change the price of Amazon Prime

Amazon revealed its $19.99 Alexa+ service, which will tap generative AI to perform more advanced tasks. Prime members won’t have to pay extra for it — for now.

MarketWatch - 1h

OpenAI Uncovers Evidence of A.I.-Powered Chinese Surveillance Tool

The company said a Chinese operation had built the tool to identify anti-Chinese posts on social media services in Western countries.

The New York Times - 5d

Alexa relaunched with ambition to be 'your best digital friend'

It is available from March and included in a Prime subscription - or $19.99 to non-members.

BBC News - 6h

A.I. Is Prompting an Evolution, Not an Extinction, for Coders

A.I. tools from Microsoft and other companies are helping write code, placing software engineers at the forefront of the technology’s potential to disrupt the work force.

The New York Times - 6d

Republicans Face Backlash, and the Dangers of Fake A.I. Therapists

Plus, is the daytime soap opera back?

The New York Times - 2d

Human Therapists Prepare for Battle Against A.I. Pretenders

Chatbots posing as therapists may encourage users to commit harmful acts, the nation’s largest psychological organization warned federal regulators.

The New York Times - 2d

Their Album Is Wordless. Will Their Protest Against A.I. Resound?

Musicians including Kate Bush and Billy Ocean released a “silent record” in outrage at a proposed change to British copyright law.

The New York Times - 14h

Qualcomm unveils Dragonwing brand for enterprise tech solutions

Qualcomm unveiled its new Qualcomm Dragonwing brand for its products in the industrial, embedded IoT, enterprise and networking markets. Don McGuire, chief marketing officer at Qualcomm, said the ...

VentureBeat - 1d

Framework unveils new repairable and upgradeable laptops and desktop

Framework launched new versions of its 12-inch and 13-inch laptops as well as a new desktop computer today -- all with repairable and upgradeable options.

VentureBeat - 21h

Trillions of Viruses Live in Your Body. A.I. Is Trying to Find Them.

The Human Virome Program will analyze samples from thousands of volunteers in an effort to understand how viruses affect health.

The New York Times - Feb. 19

A.I. Is Changing How Silicon Valley Builds Start-Ups

Tech start-ups typically raised huge sums to hire armies of workers and grow fast. Now artificial intelligence tools are making workers more productive and spurring tales of “tiny team” success.

The New York Times - 6d

Logitech G unveils PowerPlay 2 wireless charging pad for gaming mice

Logitech G has unveiled PowerPlay 2, a wireless charging mouse pad targeted at recharging gaming mice as you play.

VentureBeat - 1d

What did we learn from Ferguson's Rangers unveiling?

Barry Ferguson speaks about his expectations, coaching staff and route to the job at his first media conference as interim Rangers manager.

BBC News - 1d

I’m Not Convinced Ethical Generative AI Currently Exists

WIRED’s advice columnist considers whether some AI tools are more ethical than others, and if developers can make AI wiser.

Wired - 6d

Trump fires top general in Pentagon shake-up

The new defence secretary earlier accused Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff CQ Brown of having a "woke" focus.

BBC News - 4d

The Latest: Polls open in Germany in crucial general election

German voters are heading to the polls for a national election

ABC News - 3d

Trump wants generals involved in Afghanistan withdrawal fired

President Trump said “every single one” of the military generals involved in the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan should be fired, seated next to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a Cabinet ...

The Hill - 2h

Amazon is taking control of the James Bond movie franchise

Amazon MGM Studios, the tech giant's film unit, plans to take "creative control" of the James Bond series under a new deal with the franchise's longtime producers.

NBC News - 6d

Amazon surpasses Walmart in revenue for the first time

Walmart reported $180.5 billion in sales during the most recent quarter while Amazon reeled in $187.8 billion.

CNBC - 6d

Neighbours cancelled for second time as Amazon backs out

Long-running Australian soap will be ‘resting’ from December, after streaming giant withdraws from production. Neighbours: the 10 best memories, from Scott and Charlene to Madge’s ghost The ...

The Guardian - 5d

Maduro surrenders to Trump but clings to power

Nicolas Maduro, the communist Venezuelan tyrant, has offered to the new Trump administration fully paid return flights for migrants, deported of Tren de Aragua criminals, increased oil production, ...

The Hill - 3d

Apple unveils a souped-up and more expensive version of its lowest-priced iPhone

Apple has released a sleeker and more expensive version of its lowest priced iPhone in an attempt to widen the audience for a bundle of artificial intelligence technology that the company has been ...

ABC News - Feb. 19

2025 Rebel Stakes predictions, odds, horses, contenders: Expert who nailed Breeders' Cup unveils picks

After hitting the exacta in the Breeders' Cup Classic, Michelle Yu offers her best bets for the Rebel Stakes 2025 at Oaklawn Park

CBS Sports - 3d

Big Ten, SEC set to unveil grand plans for College Football Playoff change ... but is anyone else on board?

No drastic decisions are expected on Tuesday, but the two power conferences will begin their quest for a CFP takeover

CBS Sports - 2d

GM raises dividend and unveils $6 billion buyback program to cheer weary shareholders

Uncertainty about tariffs and labor-cost headwinds have weighed on stock this year

MarketWatch - 11h

Eli Lilly unveils $27bn US investment as corporate America seeks to woo Trump

Pharmaceutical industry hopes to ward off growing tariff threat

Financial Times - 9h

Trump Cuts Target Next Generation of Scientists and Public Health Leaders

A core group of so-called disease detectives, who track outbreaks, was apparently spared. But other young researchers are out of jobs.

The New York Times - Feb. 18

ESPN plans to add user-generated content to upcoming 'flagship' streaming service

ESPN plans to add user-generated content features in its upcoming streaming application, which will cost either $25 or $30 per month, sources say.

CNBC - 6d

Navy seeks new generation of skilled workers to ramp up submarine production

While the president is cutting jobs, a search is on for a new generation of workers to build nuclear submarines. The Navy has ordered 29 nuclear subs, and the company that makes them has school ...

CBS News - 5d

ChatGPT-generated op-eds appeared in mainstream Latin American media outlets

Chinese propagandists used ChatGPT to write and translate op-eds that they successfully planted in Spanish-language news outlets last fall, researchers said Friday.

NBC News - 5d

Jaguars agree to terms to hire Rams' James Gladstone as new general manager

Gladstone has spent the past four years as the Rams' director of scouting strategy.

Yahoo Sports - 5d

Retired general says Trump Pentagon firings 'extremely destabilizing'

Retired Gen. George Casey said Sunday that recent Pentagon firings by President Trump are “extremely destabilizing” to the military. “That’s extremely destabilizing at — at a time that’s a lot ...

The Hill - 3d

Trump’s Frustration With Generals Led to Picking Dan Caine for Joint Chiefs Chairman

Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, a retired three-star Air Force officer, quickly moved up the list of candidates to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The New York Times - 2d

How much was generated in 1st month of NYC congestion pricing

From Jan. 5, the first day of the program, to Jan. 31, tolls from the congestion pricing program generated $48.66 million, according to the MTA.

ABC News - 2d

Generation K: The disturbing rise of ketamine abuse among young people

Increasing numbers of young people are using the drug, experts say. The health impacts can be catastrophic.

BBC News - 1d

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