X updates its privacy policy to allow third parties to train AI models with its data

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X is updating its privacy policy with new language that allows it to provide users’ data to third-party “collaborators” in order to train AI models. The new policy, which takes effect November 15, 2024, would seem to open the door to Reddit-like arrangements in which outside companies can pay to license data from X.

The updated policy shared by X includes a new section titled “third-party collaborators.”

Depending on your settings, or if you decide to share your data, we may share or disclose your information with third parties. If you do not opt out, in some instances the recipients of the information may use it for their own independent purposes in addition to those stated in X’s Privacy Policy, including, for example, to train their artificial intelligence models, whether generative or otherwise.

While the policy mentions the ability to opt out, it’s not clear how users would actually do so. As TechCrunch notes, the policy points to users’ settings menu, but there’ doesn’t appear to be an control for opting out of data sharing. The policy doesn’t go into effect until next month, though, so there’s still a chance that could change. X didn’t respond to a request for comment.

If X were to begin licensing its data to other companies, it could open up a significant new revenue stream for the social media company, which has seen waning interest from major advertisers.

In addition to the privacy policy, X is also updating its terms of service with stricter penalties for entities that are caught “scraping” large numbers of tweets. In a section titled “liquidated damages” the company states anyone viewing or accessing more than a million posts a day will be subject to a penalty of $15,000.

Protecting our users’ data and our system resources is important to us. You further agree that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, if you violate the Terms, or you induce or facilitate others to do so, in addition to all other legal remedies available to us, you will be jointly and severally liable to us for liquidated damages as follows for requesting, viewing, or accessing more than 1,000,000 posts (including reply posts, video posts, image posts, and any other posts) in any 24-hour period - $15,000 USD per 1,000,000 posts.

X owner Elon Musk has previously railed against “scraping.” Last year, the company temporarily blocked people from viewing tweets while logged out, in a move Musk attributed to fending off scrapers. He also moved X’s API behind a paywall, which has drastically hindered researchers’ ability to study what’s happening on the platform. He’s also used allegations of “scraping” to justify lawsuits against organizations that have attempted to study hate speech and other issues on the platform.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/x-updates-its-privacy-policy-to-allow-third-parties-to-train-ai-models-with-its-data-234207599.html?src=rss

This Little Geodesic Dome Is The World’s First Pentakis Dodecahedron (60-Sided) Tiny Home

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Called the Mini Dome, this is the world’s first pentakis dodecahedron (60-sided) tiny home. It is a geodesic dome home that has been created to maximize the limited space, serving as a unique vacation rental. The pint-sized little house will be available for sale in bare hub kit form too. Geodesic domes were initially popularized by the architect Buckminster Fuller, and they comprise interconnected triangles. The domes are often preferred by hobbyists for greenhouses and eco-homes. This little dome was designed by Dodeca Domes’ Joshua Tulberg, and it includes a welded steel hub and wooden struts. It is supported by an elevated pier and beam foundation and also features great insulation.

Designer: Joshua Tulberg of Dodeca Domes

The interior of the dome occupies around 308 sq ft, and it spans over two floors. It has a pretty open layout, with a front door leading to the main living area. The living area is equipped with triangular windows, and the interior of the home is pretty attractive with a unique shape. The layout is cleverly designed to accommodate the curving walls, and it contains a sofa bed and a dining table for two people. A central section functions as the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. It also includes a TV. The kitchen is amped with a fridge/freezer, sink, coffee maker, microwave, toaster, and some cabinetry. While the bathroom includes a shower and a toilet.

The bedroom can be accessed via a space-saving spiral staircase, and it is essentially a simple mezzanine with a queen-sized bed. There is plenty of space to stand upright as well. The Mini Dome is up for rent on Airbnb, and Tulberg is planning to sell the bare hub kit for US$15,000 in 2025.

The post This Little Geodesic Dome Is The World’s First Pentakis Dodecahedron (60-Sided) Tiny Home first appeared on Yanko Design.

Sam Altman’s Worldcoin startup is dropping the coin and doubling down on Orbs

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Sam Altman’s Worldcoin is going to need some new business cards printed up because it’s dropping the “coin” in its name. The OpenAI CEO’s startup is shifting from cryptocurrency to focus more on its identification technology and it just unveiled a new version of its signature gadget.

Bloomberg reported that the new company called (wait for it) World will focus its eye scanning tech on confirming identities, something that could come in handy in a world of deep fake videos popping up all over the internet.

Co-founder and CEO Alex Blania introduced the World’s newest device called Orb, a biometric eye scanner used to confirm human identities through an identity service called Deep Face.

The latest model of the Orb, which uses NVIDIA’s Jetson chipset, will roll out to customers as the need arises. Chief Device Officer Rich Heley said at the San Francisco event that access to the Orb will be on demand and delivered the same way that people order pizza. A company statement says, “These advancements make it possible to offer new ways of providing World ID’s proof of human verification in more places around the world.”

According to the company’s website, almost 7 million people have been scanned by World Orbs to date. Everyone in attendance at the San Francisco launch event received a free Orb for their human identifying needs.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/sam-altmans-worldcoin-startup-is-dropping-the-coin-and-doubling-down-on-orbs-232105287.html?src=rss

Governors Point is the Ultimate Eco-Luxury Escape You’ll Wish You Lived In

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Governors Point, an exclusive residential enclave, sits on a pristine 125-acre peninsula in Washington’s Salish Sea. Envisioned by acclaimed architect Omer Arbel, this unique community offers an exquisite mix of luxury living and deep respect for the environment. The development features 16 custom waterfront homes that blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. Each home is crafted to celebrate the raw beauty of the area, ensuring it complements rather than overpowers the natural setting.

Designer: Omer Arbel

Image credit: Governors Point

Governors Point’s history adds depth to its current form. Originally, the site was slated for over 300 homes and multiple marinas, but a transformative partnership between design entrepreneur Randy Bishop and the Whatcom Land Trust shifted its destiny. Their focus was on conservation, turning Governors Point into a haven for both residents and nature.

Exterior Design: Blending With Nature

The exterior of each home at Governors Point reflects Omer Arbel’s innovative approach to merging architecture with nature. The homes are placed strategically along the peninsula, with some landward facades partially buried to reduce their visual presence and make them part of the landscape.

Image credit: Governors Point

On the west-facing side, a “cloudlike” exterior skin made from cedar burl offcuts adds a striking visual feature. These cedar pieces, described as “boulder-shaped modules,” are mounted on metal standoffs and gently sway, creating a kinetic effect. Over time, moss and lichens will grow on these surfaces, adding a living, evolving element to the design.

Roofs are designed to allow the forest to grow over them, making the homes seem like natural extensions of the landscape. This design choice also offers energy efficiency, as the forest provides natural insulation.

Paths leading to the homes are discreet, guiding residents through nature in a way that contrasts the enclosed feeling of the homes—often opening up dramatically to views over the cliffs. These paths are set between retaining walls, enhancing the contrast between entering underground spaces and emerging to cliff-edge views. Landscaping is restricted to just 3,000 square feet per 1.5-acre lot, ensuring that most of the natural flora is preserved. This careful planning maintains the native beauty of Governors Point, keeping ecological integrity at the forefront.

Image credit: Governors Point

The design also respects the existing kayak route along the shoreline, ensuring that the natural recreational pathways remain unobstructed and inviting for kayakers.

Interior Design: Seamless Flow Indoors and Out

The interior of each Governors Point home reflects Arbel’s commitment to creating harmony between luxury and nature. The homes are capped at 2,900 square feet, maintaining a modest size that fits within the environment.

Expansive floor-to-ceiling windows bring in sweeping views of the Salish Sea and San Juan Islands, flooding rooms with natural light. These windows create a seamless connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces, making the landscape a natural part of the home’s interior.

The living room design beautifully showcases this philosophy, featuring woven leather chairs and a low-profile marble coffee table. The living area opens directly to the outdoors, framed by boulder-like modules connecting the home to the natural world. The use of earthy tones and tactile fabrics throughout the living room maintains a sense of warmth and cohesion, while built-in shelves add functionality without overwhelming the space.

The materials used throughout the homes, like locally sourced wood and stone, add warmth and texture, while low-VOC paints and reclaimed wood floors keep the building process eco-friendly.

Fixtures from Arbel’s design firm, Bocci, are featured throughout, including custom glass pendants that bring a unique glow to the rooms. The collaboration between Omer Arbel and Bocci goes back nearly two decades, allowing Bocci’s luxurious finishes to integrate seamlessly into Arbel’s architectural projects. Skylights and open floor plans ensure that natural light fills every corner, enhancing the spaciousness while connecting each room to the outdoors.

Image credit: Governors Point

In the kitchen, an elegant concrete finish defines the space, with natural textures continuing to enhance the connection between indoor and outdoor environments. This description is based on conceptual design elements rather than a confirmed source from the images or documents provided. Large windows frame views of the sea, while the design focuses on subtle built-in features, such as hidden storage and a minimalist aesthetic, ensuring the kitchen is functional and stylish.

The Parametric Approach: Architecture With Variation

Omer Arbel takes a parametric design approach at Governors Point—meaning the homes are crafted within a set of guidelines that allow for natural variations. Each home follows core principles but adapts to the specific conditions of its location.

Image credit: Governors Point

For example, cedar burl offcuts on the west-facing facades are arranged within set parameters but come together in unique compositions. This gives every home its personality while maintaining a consistent architectural language across the community.

Arbel’s process involves setting constraints and letting materials and site-specific factors guide the final design. This approach allows the architecture to adapt to the environment, making each home a reflection of its surroundings.

It turns construction into a creative, evolving process that celebrates unpredictability and uniqueness. Arbel also extends this parametric philosophy to interior fixtures, using materials like copper and glass to adapt to the living spaces’ flow.

Image credit: Governors Point

The master bedroom continues the organic design language with a feature wall that mimics the boulder-shaped modules seen outside. The furniture, including the bed and integrated shelving, balances the ruggedness of natural materials and refined craftsmanship. Custom Bocci lighting adds a sculptural quality, casting soft light that enhances the serene atmosphere.

Image credit: Governors Point

A Commitment to Sustainability

Governors Point is a model of sustainable architecture, with 98 of the 125 acres set aside as a nature reserve managed by the Whatcom Land Trust. This area features a 2.5-mile public access loop trail, allowing residents and visitors to explore the peninsula’s stunning natural beauty, including access to beaches and viewpoints on both sides.

Image credit: Governors Point

Keeping most of the land as a nature reserve helps protect local ecosystems, balancing development and conservation.

Each residence is capped at 2,900 square feet, with an additional 1,100 square feet allowed for garages or outbuildings. By limiting the size of the homes and restricting manicured landscaping, the development ensures that the natural surroundings remain untouched as much as possible.

Using sustainable materials, such as repurposed cedar burl offcuts for exterior cladding, reduces waste and promotes regional resource efficiency. Governors Point also bans using pesticides and harmful chemicals, protecting the local flora and fauna.

Image credit: Governors Point

Energy efficiency is key in architectural planning, with large windows designed to optimize passive solar heating while offering stunning views. The project maintains a low-density footprint by limiting the development to only 16 homes on the 27 developed acres, reducing habitat disruption and preserving wildlife corridors.

The design blends the homes into the landscape with natural features like buried facades and forest-covered roofs, setting a new standard for eco-conscious luxury.

The post Governors Point is the Ultimate Eco-Luxury Escape You’ll Wish You Lived In first appeared on Yanko Design.

YouTube is testing a new version of its Premium Lite subscription

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YouTube is testing a revamp of its Premium Lite subscription tier. User screenshots made the rounds on social media this week, and today a Google rep later confirmed to multiple other outlets that the plan is being tested in Australia, Germany and Thailand. This new version would have "limited ads," which the fine print describes as most videos being ad-free, "but you may see video ads on music content and Shorts, and non-interruptive ads when you search and browse."

The original Premium Lite subscription began testing in Europe in 2021, but it only lasted a few years, with the video platform eliminating the option in October 2023. The plan's only benefit was removing all ads; it didn't offer the offline or background viewing options of the regular Premium offering.

We were able to confirm that the pricing model in Australia is $9 a month for Premium Lite, compared with $17 a month for full Premium access. That's in line with the costs from the original Lite, which were about half the rate of a regular plan. With the current costs of a YouTube subscription — $14 a month for an individual or $23 a month for the family option — having a mid-tier choice could certainly be appealing.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/youtube/youtube-is-testing-a-new-version-of-its-premium-lite-subscription-220050877.html?src=rss

A new trailer for the Dune: Prophecy series just dropped

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A new trailer dropped on the opening day of the New York Comic Con for the new six-episode spinoff series Dune: Prophecy, a prequel to the recent films directed by Denis Villeneuve.

The new series will premiere November 17 at 9PM on HBO. Each episode will be available to stream on Max on Sundays following its TV broadcast.

The Dune prequel is based on the novel Sisterhood of Dune by Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert, the son of Dune creator and science fiction writer Frank Herbert. The new HBO series takes place 10,000 years before the rise of Paul Atreides when the Bene Gesserit begins its ascension to power.

It tells the story of two Harkonnen sisters Valya and Tula, played by Emily Watson and Olivia Williams, who create the sisterhood that will inevitably become the Bene Gesserit, the social, spiritual and political order of powerful women seeking to control and shape the universe. Other members of the cast include Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May and Mark Strong.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/a-new-trailer-for-the-dune-prophecy-series-just-dropped-212154554.html?src=rss

Unity mounts a comeback with launch of Unity 6 game engine

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Unity has released the latest version of its engine for developing games and interactive experiences. Unity 6 has new workflows for creating online multiplayer games and more tools for projects intended for mobile platforms, including mobile web support for Android and iOS browsers. The engine promises improved performance, particularly in graphics rendering, and adds several features for creating more realistic environments via global lighting and other VFX. And it wouldn't be a tech announcement without some AI component; the company has also released the latest version of its Sentis neural network inference library for using AI models within the Unity engine.

The company took a real hit to its public perception when it attempted to revise its pricing structure last September. The proposed payment model would charge devs a fee whenever a player downloaded their creation. The move led to outcry among game developers, particularly the indie scene. After a leadership shakeup and a massive workforce reduction, the company walked back most of the changes it had announced. This September, the controversial fee was dropped entirely.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/unity-mounts-a-comeback-with-launch-of-unity-6-game-engine-205332034.html?src=rss

Turning 350 Razor Blades into a Super-Sharp Damascus Steel Knife

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But why make a massive blade out of something that can ALREADY cut things – you ask? It probably sounds like using a lot of small LEGO bricks to make one large LEGO brick, right? Well, the thing with razor blades is that they’re made to serve a finite purpose. They’ll last a few days, maybe a few weeks, and then they need to be discarded. Razor blades are ridiculously sharp, but they’re also ridiculously flimsy and you can break one with your own hands… so YouTuber Knives Project decided to just use a bunch of them to make something more everlasting, more worthy of being cherished, while being just as sharp.

It took 350 blades being forged together into a metal ingot to make this final knife. The result is truly heirloom-worthy. The knife sports a gorgeous marbled blade created thanks to the combination of the steel used in the razors as well as the steel powder added into the ingot to fill in the air gaps. The knife finally gets a nice wooden handle with a bit of metal at the beginning of the hilt.

Designer: Knives Project

The 15-and-a-half-minute video guides you through Knives Project’s process, from forging the steel ingot to shaping it, etching it, honing it, and then building the handle for the knife. The result looks rather artisanal, with a kitchen knife-style design sporting a drop-point edge and a wonderful marbled body reminiscent of Damascus Steel. The knife also comes with a wooden handle with an octagonal cross-section that’s easy to grip and maneuver.

Razor blades are primarily made from martensitic steel – a steel alloy known for its high strength and wear resistance, with the more expensive ones being made from carbon steel. Given that the knife uses 350 of these razors, it’s possible Knives Project sprung for regular blades, adding them one by one into a bolt to create a cylindrical form. The cylinder was then dropped into a hollow metal block and all the air gaps were filled with steel filings, resulting in a solid block that had no air gaps.

Once the metal block goes into the furnace, the steel inside begins melting, forming a rough cluster that Knives Project extracts by opening the outer box using an angle grinder. The reason is that this outer box is made of iron, while its internal components are the steel you need to form into an ingot.

The process involved constantly heating, hammering, and forming the resulting metal ingot into a flat strip that could then be cut into the knife’s shape. Once cut, the surface was made smooth before being dipped into an acid bath to reveal the marbled pattern caused by the different kinds of steel used in the knife.

Once the blade was completely ready, Knives Project added a handle to it, using primarily wood combined with metal and a black block of presumably polymer to create a fair amount of contrast. The handle was given an octagonal cross-section and a fairly simple silhouette. Arguably a knife this pretty could be given a prettier, more ergonomic handle, but then again, that may steal from the star of the show, its blade – forged from 350 razors. Now if only Knives Project could cut that blade up into 350 pieces and turn them back into razors!

The post Turning 350 Razor Blades into a Super-Sharp Damascus Steel Knife first appeared on Yanko Design.

Amazon is rebooting its live-action adaptation of the God of War reboot

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Amazon is reshuffling the deck with its God of War series. After the success of Fallout, it wants its next Prime Video gaming adaptation to live up to those lofty expectations — and it’s apparently willing to start fresh to do so. Deadline first reported on Thursday that the series showrunner and two executive producers have left the project as the streamer recalibrates “to move in a different creative direction.”

Showrunner and executive producer Rafe Judkins (Wheel of Time) and executive producers Mark Fergus and Hawk Otsby (Children of Men and Iron Man) are no longer involved with the project. Amazon and Sony reportedly praised their screenplays, which suggests the shakeup is more about wanting a fresh take than quality concerns. According to Variety, Amazon plans to hire a new showrunner and put together a new writers’ room to take another stab at a live-action Kratos.

Kratos and Atreus in a still from God of War. Atreus sits in a boat while Kratos looks grimdark.
Sony / Santa Monica Studio

The series is an adaptation of the 2018 franchise reboot that shifted the action from Greek to Norse mythology. Amazon’s description should sound familiar to anyone who played the game:

“When his beloved wife dies, Kratos sets off on a dangerous journey with his estranged son to spread her ashes from the highest peak — his wife’s final wish.[The quest] will test the bonds between father and son, and force Kratos to battle new gods and monsters for the fate of the world.”

Amazon Studios is co-producing the series alongside Sony Pictures Television. According to Deadline, Santa Monica Studio creative director Cory Barlog is staying on as an executive producer. Also reportedly remaining are PlayStation Productions’ Asad Qizilbash and Carter Swan, as well as Santa Monica Studio’s Yumi Yang and Vertigo’s Roy Lee.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/amazon-is-rebooting-its-live-action-adaptation-of-the-god-of-war-reboot-203305237.html?src=rss

ESPN faces $146K fine for using emergency alert tones in NBA ads

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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) could go all the way with a proposed fine against ESPN.

The proposal calls for a penalty of $146,976 against ESPN for violating the Emergency Alert System (EAS) rules when the network aired ads to promote the 2023-2024 NBA season. The FCC said the tones were used “in the absence of an actual emergency.”

The offending ads contained the unauthorized EAS tune and were aired six times from October 20 to 24, 2023. Several complaints were filed on October 20 about the TV spots. The cable network admitted in response to a letter of inquiry that it used the EAS attention signals in the ads.

ESPN will have an opportunity to respond to the proposed fine. The Commission will examine all the evidence and legal arguments surrounding the alleged illegal tone use before making a final decision on the matter.

This is the third time the network misused an emergency tone on air. The FCC issued a $1.12 million fine as part of a forfeiture order in 2015 when ESPN used EAS tones a total of 13 times across three of its cable networks. ESPN violated EAS tone usage rules a second time during an airing of one of its 30 for 30 documentaries Roll Tide/War Eagle, leading to a $20,000 fine in 2021.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/espn-faces-146k-fine-for-using-emergency-alert-tones-in-nba-ads-200054993.html?src=rss