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  • Google Launches New AI Search Engine: How to Sign Up

    Google Launches New AI Search Engine: How to Sign Up

    Google has launched Search Generative Experience, or SGE, an experimental version of Search that integrates artificial intelligence answers directly into results, the company said in a blog post on Thursday.

    Unlike a normal Google Search, which brings up a list of blue links, SGE uses AI to answer your questions right on the Google Search webpage. After entering a query in Google Search, a green or blue box will expand with a novel answer generated by Google’s large language model, like the one powering OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

    Google pulls this information from websites and links to sources used when generating an answer. It’s also possible to ask follow-up questions in SGE to get more precise results.

    At the moment, SGE isn’t open to the public and requires you to sign up to Google’s Search Labs. To join, click the link here. Search Labs is currently available only to a limited number people in the US and in English only, though you can join the waitlist. Google didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

    With the launch of ChatGPT late last year, an AI chatbot that could answer almost any question with a unique answer, companies have been adding generative AI features to their products amid increased public interest. Google unveiled Bard earlier this year, an AI chatbot similar to ChatGPT. Microsoft followed up by adding ChatGPT into Bing directly, including an AI image generator powered by Dall-E, also by OpenAI. AI chatbots are powered by a large language model, or LLM, a technology that uses a massive set of text data to write sentences that mimic human language. The model essentially aims to figure out what the next best word should be when generating sentences, a process that’s been described as “autocomplete on steroids.”

    AI was also a core focus earlier this month at Google I/O, the search giant’s annual developers conference, with the term being said more than 140 times during the two-hour presentation. During I/O, Cathy Edwards, vice president of engineering at Google, said that with a standard Google Search, people have to break up complex queries into multiple questions, sift through websites for information and formulate the answer in their heads. With SGE, the AI can do all of that for you.

    How to join the Google Search Labs waitlist

    Here’s how to join the waitlist for Search Labs so you can be among the first to test Google’s SGE:

    1. Open the Chrome browser on a computer.
    2. Sign into you Google account.
    3. Open a new tab in your browser.
    4. At the top right, there will be a Labs icon (of a beaker) if Labs is available to you.
    5. If the Labs icon is there, click it and then click Join Waitlist.

    You’ll get an email when Labs becomes available.

    SGE is part of Search Labs and includes experimental features such as Code Tips, which gives coding suggestions directly in Search, and Add to Sheets, a feature that can automatically bring in information found in Search into Google Sheets.

    If you’re able to get into SGE now, Google requires you to agree to its privacy notice and asks you not to include sensitive or confidential personal information that “can be used to identify you or others in your interactions with SGE features.” This is because during this trial run, some data will be analyzed by human reviewers, although the data will be “stored in a manner that is not associated with your Google account.” It’s possible to delete interactions via the My Activity page.

    Google also warns of the follies of generative AI and that accuracy may vary. This is likely referring to “hallucinations,” a problem found with generative AI where it can confidently say something is accurate when it isn’t. Google suggests you not rely on generative AI for medical, legal, financial or other professional services.

    Editors’ note: CNET is using an AI engine to create some personal finance explainers that are edited and fact-checked by our editors. For more, see this post.SGE can be accessed via the Chome desktop web browser or the Android and iOS Google apps. a large language model

  • Company Allowing Billions of Robocalls to Your Phones Gets Sued by 48 US States

    Company Allowing Billions of Robocalls to Your Phones Gets Sued by 48 US States

    The Federal Communications Commission isn’t the only one cracking down on illegal robocalls, as nearly every US state has sued a telecom company accused of allowing over 21 billion robocalls to US telephone numbers, including 7.5 billion that are on the national Do Not Call registry.

    The lawsuit was brought by attorneys general of every US state except Alaska and South Dakota along with Washington, D.C. against Avid Telecom for allowing robocalls that misled and scammed recipients of the calls, thus violating consumer protection laws, as Gizmodo reported earlier Thursday.

    Avid Telecom is a voice provider that transfers calls to US phone number owners, and the Industry Traceback Group that notifies providers about illegal robocalls coming through their networks notified Avid at least 329 times that it was transmitting said calls. The telecom has “been on notice about this illegal call traffic for many years,” the states claim in the lawsuit.

    Of the billions of robocalls, more than 8.4 million “appeared to be coming from government and law enforcement agencies, as well as private companies,” according to a press release from Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry, who is one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. Avid Telecom allegedly allowed robocalls scamming recipients on Social Security, Medicare, Amazon, credit card interest rate reduction, and of course, auto warranties.

    The lawsuit is the result of the Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force of attorneys general from every US state and Washington, D.C., with help from the Federal Trade Commission and Social Security Administration.

    The legal action follows the FCC ramping up action on illegal robocalls by making voice providers like Avid Telecom responsible for the scam calls carried through their networks. In addition to setting more restrictive rules, after repeated warnings the agency recently banned a provider from sending calls into the US.

    Avid Telecom did not respond to a request for comment by time of publication.

  • Starz Will Raise Its Subscription Price by $1 in June

    Starz Will Raise Its Subscription Price by $1 in June

    It’s going to cost a bit more to stream Starz beginning late next month. A subscription to the streaming service will go from $9 per month to $10 starting June 26. It’ll be the first price increase for the standalone service since it launched in 2016.

    The change will go into effect around the same time as Paramount Plus hikes subscription prices when it integrates Showtime into the service. Disney Plus is also expected to raise the price of its ad-free offering by the end of the year.

    Starz’s ad-free subscription will now cost the same per month as Netflix’s Basic ad-free tier, but it’ll still cost less per month than ad-less Hulu, Max and Disney Plus. (Max replaced HBO Max earlier this week, and ad-free streaming is still $16 per month).

    Starz offers series like Party Down, P-Valley, The Serpent Queen and Outlander, which is getting a new, two-part season 7 starting on June 16. In her review of Starz, CNET’s Kourtnee Jackson referred to the streamer as “an intriguing alternative to its better-known rivals,” noting that the Starz network promotes diversity and representation in its originals and that its cost is “a low price for a service with Starz’s selection and no commercials interrupting what you watch.”

  • Watch Premier League Soccer: Livestream Man United vs. Chelsea From Anywhere

    Watch Premier League Soccer: Livestream Man United vs. Chelsea From Anywhere

    Manchester United host struggling Chelsea at Old Trafford today in the English Premier League, knowing that a draw will seal qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League.

    Currently three points above fifth-placed Liverpool with a game in hand, United boss Erik ten Hag will be determined to finish off the job here this evening at home and avoid a nervy final game of the season against Fulham on Sunday. A win here would also see them leapfrog Newcastle into third.

    With Mauricio Pochettino waiting in the wings to take over as boss at Stamford Bridge in the summer, Frank Lampard will be intent on pulling off a big result here, as he looks to go out on a high after a torrid tenure as interim Chelsea manager.

    Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the game live wherever you are in the world.

    Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag gesturing "thumbs up".Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag gesturing

    Erik ten Hag will be keen for his side to seal their place in next year’s Champions League, with Manchester United needing just one point to secure a spot in the EPL’s top four.

    Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto/Getty Images

    Man United vs. Chelsea: When and where?

    Man United host Chelsea at Old Trafford on Thursday, May 25. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. BST local time in the UK (3 p.m. ET, 12 p.m. PT in the US, and at 5 a.m. AEST on Friday, May 26 in Australia).

    How to watch the Man United vs. Chelsea game online from anywhere using a VPN

    If you find yourself unable to view the game locally, you may need a different way to watch the game — that’s where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it’s also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.

    With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.

    Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Canada, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you’re streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions.

    Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals taking place right now.

    Express VPNExpress VPN

    Sarah Tew/CNET

    ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It’s normally $13 per month, and you can sign up for ExpressVPN and save 49% plus get three months of access for free — the equivalent of $6.67 per month — if you get an annual subscription.

    Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

    Livestream the Man United vs. Chelsea game in the US

    This EPL fixture is streaming on Peacock. You’ll need a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus account to catch the game live.

    NBC’s streaming service Peacock offers access to plenty of Premier League soccer throughout the season. You’ll need to be signed up with a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus account to stream games live. For a limited time, you can sign up for Peacock Premium at a 60% discount, dropping the monthly cost as low as $2 (or even less with an annual account).

    Livestream the Man United vs. Chelsea game in the UK

    Premier League rights in the UK are split between Sky Sports, BT Sport and Amazon Prime Video. This game is exclusive to Sky Sports, showing on its Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League and Ultra channels. If you already have Sky Sports as part of your TV package, you can stream the game via its Sky Go app, but cord-cutters will want to get set up with a Now account, and a Now Sports membership, to stream the game.

    Sky subsidiary Now (formerly Now TV) offers streaming access to Sky Sports channels with a Now Sports membership. You can get a day of access for 12, or sign up to a monthly plan from 25 per month right now.

    Livestream the Man United vs. Chelsea game in Canada

    If you want to stream this EPL clash live in Canada, you’ll need to subscribe to FuboTV Canada. The service has exclusive rights to this Premier League season.

    FuboTV is the go-to destination for Canadians looking to watch the Premier League this season with exclusive streaming rights to every game. It costs CA$25 per month, though you can save some cash by paying quarterly or annually.

    Livestream the Man United vs. Chelsea game in Australia

    Football fans Down Under can watch this EPL fixture on streaming service Optus Sport, which is showing every single Premier League game live in Australia this season.

    With exclusive rights to screen every EPL match live this season, as well as German Bundesliga and Spanish La Liga games, streaming service Optus Sport is a particularly big draw for Aussie soccer fans.

    If you’re already an Optus network customer you can bag Optus Sport for a reduced price, with discounts bringing the price down to as low as AU$7 per month. If you’re not, a standalone monthly subscription to the service starts at AU$25.

    Quick tips for streaming the Premier League using a VPN

    • With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming EPL matches may vary.
    • If you don’t see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the “search for city or country” option.
    • If you’re having trouble getting the game after you’ve turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs — like Roku — don’t have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you’ll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you’re using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
    • All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network’s sports app, you’ll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
    • And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend Brave.
  • TikTok Is Testing Its Own In-App AI Chatbot Named ‘Tako’

    TikTok Is Testing Its Own In-App AI Chatbot Named ‘Tako’

    TikTok is the latest tech company to begin work on an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot. The video-hosting company announced Thursday on Twitter that it’s begun a limited test of its AI-powered tool, called Tako, with select users in the Philippines.

    “Tako is an AI-powered tool to help with search and discovery on TikTok,” the company tweeted. “No current plans for this beyond these early tests, but we’re excited to hear your feedback!”

    “We’re always exploring new technologies that add value to our community,” a TikTok spokesperson told CNET in an email. “We look forward to learning from our community as we continue to create a safe place that entertains, inspires creativity, and drives culture.”

    According to the tech research firm Watchful.ai, Tako can recommend content to watch and users to follow based on what you’ve watched and questions you’ve asked it. A screenshot of Tako posted by the firm says the chatbot can answer questions and have a conversation with you, but Tako’s responses might not be true and shouldn’t be relied upon.

    See also: ChatGPT vs. Bing vs. Google Bard: Which AI Is the Most Helpful?

    Other tech companies, like OpenAI, Google and Snapchat, have rolled out AI chatbots to people. Microsoft has also integrated AI into its Bing search engine.

    TikTok is seemingly late to the game by those standards, but some major tech companies, like Apple, haven’t made any announcements concerning AI features or tools yet.

    Editors’ note: CNET is using an AI engine to create some personal finance explainers that are edited and fact-checked by our editors. For more, see this post.

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    Watch this: Windows 11 Gets AI Copilot

    09:08

  • DirecTV Will Keep NFL Sunday Ticket in Bars, Restaurants and Hotels

    DirecTV Will Keep NFL Sunday Ticket in Bars, Restaurants and Hotels

    DirecTV is keeping NFL Sunday Ticket… at least for bars, restaurants and other “commercial venues.” The new multiyear deal, which begins with the 2023 football season, was announced Thursday by the satellite company and EverPass Media, the NFL’s new media platform for handling the distribution of “live sports and entertainment content” to businesses.

    The new deal is for commercial use only and not for consumers who subscribe to DirecTV’s satellite TV service or its internet-based Stream TV offering. DirecTV says its commercial unit consists of over 300,000 locations and also includes casinos, hotel lounges and shops.

    NFL Sunday Ticket was a long-time DirecTV-only product for both businesses and consumers, but the consumer version has now become exclusive to Google’s YouTube TV. The streaming TV service has already begun taking preorders for the football package, with discounted pricing running until June 6 that charges YouTube TV subscribers $249 for the full NFL season. The price jumps to $349 after that date. Non-YouTube TV users can get Sunday Ticket as well through YouTube Primetime Channels, but they will need to pay a higher rate.

    Financial terms of the new deal were not disclosed. While it will include all out-of-market NFL games on Sundays, it was not immediately clear if this version of Sunday Ticket would include the NFL’s popular RedZone channel.

    When DirecTV offered the full Sunday Ticket package, it produced its own version of RedZone separate from the option that was more broadly available to other TV providers.

    For DirecTV, the move to keep Sunday Ticket follows its other deals with streaming services to continue to air sports for businesses, even as the games themselves increasingly become streaming-only for users. The satellite giant has previously struck deals with Amazon (for Thursday Night Football) and Apple (Friday Night Baseball and MLS Season Pass) to air their respective streaming-exclusive games on its traditional satellite network for its commercial customers.

  • Apple’s Plans for iOS 17 Could Make Your Locked iPhone Screen a Smart Home-Esque Display

    Apple’s Plans for iOS 17 Could Make Your Locked iPhone Screen a Smart Home-Esque Display

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    Apple’s upcoming iOS 17 software update for iPhones could come with a feature that lets you view more items on your locked phone screen, Bloomberg reported Wednesday. The smart display would reportedly show things such as calendar appointments, weather and notifications.

    The display would appear horizontally and resemble a smart home display like those sold by Amazon and Google while your phone is locked and lying unused on your desk or nightstand, Bloomberg said, citing unidentified sources. It’ll have a “dark background with bright text,” the report says, so that you can easily read the information.

    A similar horizontal smart display would reportedly come to iPads at a later date.

    Apple didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment, but the news will reportedly be revealed at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference next month.

    The smart display rumor follows Apple last year launching lock screen widgets on iPhones and a customizable lock screen under iOS 16. The smart display would be a different experience, potentially giving you information without you having to touch your phone.

    Apple’s WWDC event will kick off with a keynote on June 5, where it’s expected the tech giant will unveil iOS 17, an AR/VR mixed-reality headset and possibly a new MacBook Air. You’ll be able to watch WWDC online as well as on the Apple TV app.

    Read more: Apple WWDC 2023: Everything We Expect at the June 5 Event

  • Sony’s Project Q PS5 Game Handheld Revealed: What We Know So Far

    Sony’s Project Q PS5 Game Handheld Revealed: What We Know So Far

    The PlayStation Vita is long gone, but Sony is making a return to gaming handhelds — in a sense. At Sony’s latest PlayStation gaming showcase on Wednesday, the company teased a surprise new device that should be coming later this year. Called “Project Q,” it looks very much like a giant display fused with a DualSense controller.

    The handheld, which should play all PlayStation games over Wi-Fi, has an 8-inch HD LCD screen and a controller that Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan promised will have all the features of the DualSense that’s standard on the PlayStation 5.

    gaming-image-cnetgaming-image-cnet
    Watch this: Sony PlayStation Unveils Project Q Gaming Handheld

    01:10

    The price of this screen-equipped Wi-Fi streaming handheld is unknown, and it’s unclear how Sony will position this device. Is it, as a colleague noted, something like a Wii U tablet for the PS5? Is it a home-based local Wi-Fi companion for the console? Can it be used on the go? And can it essentially also double as an everyday DualSense controller with second-screen benefits, like Nintendo’s Wii U once did?

    According to a source that leaked the news of this handheld originally, the release date could be late November this year.

    Streaming handhelds are a definite trend now, with Android devices like Logitech’s G Cloud and the Razer Edge. It’s unclear how or if Sony’s new handheld will work offline at all, but it’s clearly being pitched as a second screen and a mobile play option for the PS5. Meanwhile, the Backbone One game controller, which has a PlayStation partnership and works with phones to play PS5 games wirelessly via streaming, just announced an Android-compatible model.

    ps5-handheld-2.pngps5-handheld-2.png

    A glimpse of the handheld next to the PS5 for comparison.

    Sony Interactive Entertainment

    Sony’s had a lot of pricey PlayStation 5 accessories debut this year. The PlayStation VR 2, a $550 VR headset that’s tethered to the PS5 with a cable, almost seems like an opposite proposition to what Project Q offers. Sony also has the expensive DualSense Edge, a $200 customizable pro controller.

    Sony’s second-screen PS5 game handheld does look exciting, though the price isn’t known. A screen that large could make games look great and a full-featured controller would make everything feel as responsive, possibly, as playing on the PS5 itself. Maybe, just maybe, Sony might consider a new Vita someday, too?

  • Get Fit by Streaming Free Workouts on Your TV With These Apps

    Get Fit by Streaming Free Workouts on Your TV With These Apps

    You can jumpstart a fresh wellness regimen without spending big bucks. How? Turn on your TV to stream a free online fitness class that allows to work out from the comfort of your own home.

    Do you have a preference? You can exercise with equipment, skip weight-lifting routines, bend into some yoga or train for a mini marathon — all without driving anywhere. Here are a few of the best places to start ramping up your wellness goals — without touching your bank account.

    Read more: Best Smart Fitness Mirrors for Your Home Gym

    YouTube is the most obvious stop for fitness content. You’ll find a variety of styles, trainers and niche fare; whether you’re looking for weightlifting instruction, dance, yoga, full body workouts or cycling, there’s something for everyone on YouTube. To help you navigate the scene, we suggest a few channels to check out here.

    Visit channels like The Yoga Room or Yoga with Adriene for beginner yoga techniques, Grow with Jo for walking routines, Fitness Blender for multiple intensity levels, and Chloe Ting, Simeon Panda and others for a variety of workouts. Stream YouTube on your smart TV or cast it to your TV screen from your phone.

    Launched in 2019, FitOn offers hundreds of free on-demand and live streaming workouts that include strength training, HIIT, cardio, yoga, walking, dance, prenatal and circuits. Home to an array of high- and low-impact sequences, the app has routines that are tailored for individuals or entire families. You have the option to choose your intensity level, session length or target body area.

    Follow along with professional trainers or celebrity instructors like Gabrielle Union,Jonathan Van Ness or Jeanette Jenkins to experience HIIT workouts, yoga and body sculpting drills. And each day, FitOn offers live group classes that you can attend without anyone seeing you. New classes are added to the app each month. You can cast workouts to your TV or stream them on Fire TV, Google TV, Roku and Apple TV.

    DoYogaWithMe has a TV app with 10 free yoga classes, suitable for any level. You can stream the app on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV.

    If you want more, you can visit the website and get a basic membership that grants access to more than 500 free classes for yoga, meditation and breathwork. You can choose from different yoga styles such as vinyasa, hatha, chair yoga or prenatal yoga.

    Prime Video members have access to Amazon’s free library of exercise videos covering Pilates, yoga, strength training, weight-lifting and other practices. The platform’s Exercise & Fitness section houses fitness content for all ages. Among the highlights: You can stream workouts from Maggie Binkley or do a 10-day yoga challenge with Chelsey Jones.

    Fawesome is known for being a streaming service that offers movies and TV shows, but the app also has dedicated fitness content on its Healthy Living channel. You can stream videos for barre, cardio, yogalates, kettlebell, full-body sequences and more. And most of the workouts are short and sweet. Stream the Fawesome app on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV or your smart TV.

    Looking for more? Netflix makes it easy to exercise with its new Nike Training Club lineup, or practice mindfulness with its Headspace content. Samsung’s new smart TVs have a wellness hub, and Tubi users can tap into more than 100 free fitness videos (including Jane Fonda classics). You can also hit the ground running with these paid subscription services for your workouts.