Sony typically reveals the following month’s PlayStation Plus games on the last Wednesday of the month, so we can expect the May 2024 free games to be announced on May 1st. The actual lineup will then be released on Tuesday, May 7th. So far, there have been no leaks or rumors about what the May 2024 PS Plus games will be, but there are some titles that are likely contenders.
The swollen shoot cacao tree virus is posing a significant threat to the global supply of chocolate, as it is rapidly spreading and destroying cocoa trees in Ivory Coast and Ghana, which account for around 50% of the world’s cocoa harvest. The virus is making cacao trees unhealthy and affecting the dried seeds from which chocolate is made. Despite efforts to control the virus using pesticides and tree vaccines, the problem has persisted, and Ghana has lost over 254 million cacao trees in recent years.
The advent of electric vehicles (EVs) has brought with it a new trend: the inclusion of fake engine noises. These noises are designed to simulate the sound of a traditional gasoline engine and are typically played through the car’s speakers. While some EV manufacturers have embraced this practice, others have chosen to let the silence of their vehicles stand out. There are two main categories of fake engine noise in EVs: those that aim to emulate real engines and those that create a more futuristic experience. While some argue that these noises enhance the driving experience and simulate the feeling of driving a gas-powered car, others view them as unnecessary and a sign of a lack of innovation in the EV industry.
Meta has officially announced the availability of passkey support for WhatsApp users on iPhones. This new feature will provide users with an additional layer of security by eliminating the need for traditional passwords and instead relying on secure methods like facial recognition or biometrics.
Apple has released OpenELM, a set of four open-source language models aimed at running AI tasks efficiently on Apple devices. OpenELM stands for ‘Open-source Efficient Language Models’ and boasts smaller sizes than most lightweight AI models, enabling smooth operation on devices like phones and laptops. This release marks Apple’s continued focus on developing AI capabilities to run locally on Apple devices, aligning with CEO Tim Cook’s earlier hints about the company’s ambitions in generative AI.
Google Calendar for Android now includes month chips at the bottom of the monthly overview, making it easier to quickly scroll through months. This feature is available in Google Calendar v13.1 and allows users to view and select months up to 5 months forward or back, eliminating the need for tedious swiping.
If you’re in the market for a hearing aid, Crutchfield is offering an incredible OTC hearing aid sale with savings of up to $500 on select models. With 15 different models included in the sale, there’s sure to be a hearing aid that meets your needs and budget.
Threads, the messaging app from Instagram, is testing a new archiving feature that allows users to manually or automatically hide posts after a set period of time. This feature aims to declutter timelines and encourage users to share more frequently. While archiving is popular on Instagram, it could be more controversial on Threads due to the real-time nature of the service.
Home remodeling projects are leaving homeowners dissatisfied and less likely to take on another project, according to a recent study from Hover and Ipsos. The study found that homeowners are spending more on remodeling projects than expected, experiencing large delays, and having problems that they believe could have been avoided. These issues are leading to a lack of trust between homeowners and contractors, and are discouraging homeowners from taking on future projects. However, new technologies are emerging that can help to improve the remodeling process and make it more transparent and less stressful for homeowners. These technologies include 3D modeling, which allows homeowners to visualize their projects in advance, and project management software, which can help to keep track of progress and identify potential problems early on.
Amidst challenges, Elon Musk unveils his ‘new’ vision for Tesla, focusing on an AI-powered fleet of robotaxis. These robotaxis will provide ride-hailing services and consist of both Tesla-owned vehicles and pre-existing autonomous vehicles owned by individuals. Musk envisions Tesla as an AI and robotics company with Optimus, the humanoid robot, as a central component.
