Author: TechBrunch
Elon Musk's X begins experimenting with a new way of using community notes, a crowdsourced fact checking system, highlighting appropriate posts from users with different perspectives. On Thursday, the Community Notes X account announced the launch of a pilot test where selected contributors can rate posts by answering questions about whether they like or don't like that particular post. This system is similar to how communities fact-check their own facts. Rather than allowing users to support or downboat posts for accuracy, it's something that can be easily played when like-minded contributors combine to promote their own opinions. Community Notes use…
Apple has released its first public beta version of iOS 26, the new mobile operating system. It features a “Liquid Glass” user interface and improved AI features. This release will allow early adopters to get the latest Apple software before wider public availability later this fall. This update represents the most notable visual transformation since iOS 7. It features a “liquid glass” design that provides a more transparent, glassy feel to user interface elements, such as buttons, screens, in-app navigation and controls. Liquid Glass is integrated throughout iOS 26, including key apps such as phones, cameras, safaris, music, notifications, lock…
Netflix and Spotify have teamed up to launch a golf-inspired game as a way to promote “Happy Gilmore 2,” a sequel to Adam Sandler's 1996 comedy film, which premieres on Netflix on Friday, July 25th. This partnership represents a new venture for Spotify. This is because music platforms have never worked with other companies to create game experiences in-app before. The game is an area that Spotify has largely overlooked. So, even if it's just a promotional campaign that serves as a test to see if consumers resonate with the experience, it's notable that they work with the streaming giant.…
A self-styled “leaks and cracking forum” where users promote and share compromised databases, stolen credentials, and pirated software, leaked the IP address of logged in users to the open web. According to researchers at Upguard, the leak zone left an ElasticSearch database exposed to the internet without a password. In a blog post shared with TechCrunch ahead of the publication, researchers discovered the database on July 18th, and found that the data could be accessed by anyone with a web browser. The exposed database contained over 22 million records that stored the IP address and the exact timestamp of leak…
The so-called AI slops, which refer to low-quality images, videos and text generated by LLM, have taken over the internet in the past few years. The cybersecurity world is also not affected by this issue. Last year, people in the cybersecurity industry expressed concern about the AI Slop Bug Bounty Report. This means reports claiming they have found a vulnerability that does not exist. “People get reports that sound reasonably sound. They look technically correct. And you try to dig into them and understand, “No, where is this vulnerability?” “It turned out to be hallucination all along. The technical details…
On Thursday, Google announced that it will launch a new AI feature that allows users to virtually try on clothes. Tech Giant will also roll out updated price alerts to tease upcoming features and allow users to explore shopping outfits and room inspiration using Generative Imagery. Two months after Google first began testing, the official launch of the Virtual Tryon feature will be made. This feature works by allowing users to upload photos of themselves and virtually try out the clothing. This feature is launched in the US today, and try out apparel items on Google Shopping Graphs across search,…
Snapchat is launching a new way to let users and families know that they've made their home safe after going out, called “Home Safe,” announced by the social network on Thursday. To use this feature, you will need to tap Bitmoji on the snapmap and then “My House” to set the home location. If you want to notify your friends when you leave and get home, open a conversation, tap the map icon, then tap the Home Safe button. Your friends will receive automatic alerts in your chat conversations when you arrive at home. Snapchat says alerts can only be…
On August 9th, those who previously ran the Startup Incubator Y Combinator events and PR are holding a small invitation-only event with former Andreessen Horowitz social media manager. The To Do List Summit concludes with 80 early-stage founders, and teaches them how to work with the media to run their own social media, organizers promise. The event costs $600. YC fired most of those who took the event between the small layoffs of about a year ago and 2023. These layoffs were surprising at the time, as Y Combinator events have always been a major force in making San Francisco…
Open Source X and Thread competitor Mastodon begins experimenting with a new way to raise funds: in-app donations. On Wednesday, the organization announced it would launch a campaign to introduce banners within Android and iOS apps, urging users to make financial contributions. Initially, this feature is only visible on Mastodon.social and mastodon.online on Mastodon servers that the nonprofit itself runs on. These banners are easy to dismiss and are only shown to those who have an account that has been around for at least four weeks, says Mastodon. The organization promises not to continue encouraging users to donate as well.…
Google Photos get major AI chops. On Wednesday, Google announced a handful of new features that allow users to become more creative with photo memories, including the option to turn photos into videos and the options to change photos into different styles, such as anime, comics, sketches, and 3D animations. The app also centralizes access to creative tools, including both AI-powered and traditional tools, in the new Create tab of the Photos app. The two newly launched features will be housed in this tab alongside other tools that allow you to create collages, highlight videos and create more. Image credit:…