Tech Patrol

Kategori: Genel

  • # Raycast’s “Sort Of” iOS Debut: Bringing AI Chat and More to Your iPhone and iPad

    ## Raycast’s “Sort Of” iOS Debut: Bringing AI Chat and More to Your iPhone and iPad

    Raycast, the beloved Mac launcher known for its powerful navigation and automation capabilities, is finally making its way to iOS. But don’t expect a complete replica of the desktop experience on your iPhone or iPad. Instead, Raycast’s initial iOS offering focuses on bringing two of its most popular features to mobile: its integrated AI chatbot and a familiar, synced interface.

    For those unfamiliar, Raycast on macOS is a game-changer. It’s more than just a simple app launcher; it’s a command center that allows you to launch applications, tweak settings, execute commands, manage windows, and perform a plethora of other tasks with remarkable efficiency. Translating this functionality to the inherently different environment of iOS proved to be a significant challenge for the Raycast team.

    The result is an iOS app that prioritizes accessibility to Raycast’s built-in AI chatbot, a feature that integrates various AI models. Users can now continue their AI conversations seamlessly on their iPhones and iPads, leveraging features like photo attachments via the phone’s camera and voice input. While the iOS app market is already saturated with AI chatbot options, Raycast co-founder Petr Nikolaev highlights the key differentiator: the ability to sync conversations across devices and maintain a familiar Raycast interface on mobile.

    While the initial release doesn’t attempt to replicate the full breadth of Raycast’s desktop capabilities, this launch represents an intriguing first step. It remains to be seen how Raycast will evolve its iOS app in the future, but for users who rely on Raycast’s AI features, the ability to access them on the go is a welcome addition.

  • # Content Moderators Unite: Global Alliance Takes on Big Tech Over Working Conditions

    ## Content Moderators Unite: Global Alliance Takes on Big Tech Over Working Conditions

    Content moderators, the individuals who sift through the internet’s darkest corners to protect online platforms from harmful content, are fighting back against the psychological toll and precarious working conditions imposed by Big Tech. A new global trade union alliance, the Global Trade Union Alliance of Content Moderators (GTUACM), launched in Nairobi, Kenya, is aiming to hold companies like Meta, Bytedance, and Alphabet accountable for their treatment of these essential, yet often overlooked, workers.

    The GTUACM’s primary focus is addressing long-standing issues such as low wages, the severe mental health consequences stemming from exposure to disturbing content, and a lack of union representation. Companies often outsource content moderation to contract workers, requiring them to analyze and flag graphic content including violent videos, hate speech, and child abuse imagery. This constant exposure can lead to depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidal ideation, particularly when coupled with inadequate mental health support and unrealistic performance targets.

    “The pressure to review thousands of horrific videos each day – beheadings, child abuse, torture – takes a devastating toll on our mental health, but it’s not the only source of strain. Precarious contracts and constant surveillance at work add more stress,” explains Michał Szmagaj, a former Meta content moderator now involved in unionizing efforts in Poland. He emphasizes the need for stable employment, fair treatment, and accessible mental health support during work hours.

    The alliance aims to provide a unified global platform for negotiating with tech companies, coordinating collective campaigns, and conducting research on occupational health. Currently, unions from Ghana, Kenya, Turkey, Poland, Colombia, Portugal, Morocco, Tunisia, and the Philippines are part of the GTUACM, with unions from other countries like Ireland and Germany expected to join soon.

    While the US is not currently represented in the alliance’s formal membership, Benjamin Parton, Head of UNI Global Union’s ICTS Sector, clarified that collaboration with US unions like the CWA continues to demand justice within the Big Tech supply chain.

    The launch of the GTUACM comes amidst growing legal pressure on tech companies. Meta, in particular, faces lawsuits from former content moderators in Ghana and Kenya over psychological distress resulting from their contracted roles. A group of former TikTok content moderators has also sued Telus Digital, alleging they were fired for attempting to unionize and improve their working conditions.

    Benson Okwaro, the General Secretary of the Communication Workers Union of Kenya (COWU), emphasized Kenya’s growing importance as a content moderation hub, stating, “We welcome investors to Kenya to invest in this sector, but it must not be against the health of workers in this country.” He declared that the alliance aims to send a clear message to major players like Meta, TikTok, Alphabet, and Amazon: moderators will no longer remain silent while platforms profit from their suffering.

    Christy Hoffman, General Secretary of UNI Global Union, succinctly summarized the alliance’s mission: “Companies like Facebook and TikTok can’t keep hiding behind outsourcing to duck responsibility for the harm they help create. This work can – and must – be safer and sustainable. That means living wages, long-term employment contracts, humane production standards, and a real voice for workers.” The formation of the GTUACM marks a significant step towards achieving these goals and ensuring better working conditions for content moderators worldwide.

  • # Sadakatin Yeni Yüzü: Aldatmayanları Kanıtlayan Akıllı Yüzük Geliyor mu?

    ## Sadakatin Yeni Yüzü: Aldatmayanları Kanıtlayan Akıllı Yüzük Geliyor mu?

    Teknolojinin aşk hayatımıza ne kadar dahil olabileceğini düşünmüşsünüzdür? Ya partnerinizin duygusal durumunu anlık olarak takip edebileceğiniz bir yüzük olsaydı? Bilim kurgu gibi geliyor, değil mi? Ancak “RAW Ring” adındaki akıllı yüzük, teoride de olsa bu hayali gerçeğe dönüştürmeyi hedefliyor.

    Gelecekte uyandığınızı, yüzüğünüzü şarjdan aldığınızı ve parmağınıza taktığınızı hayal edin. Kahvaltınızı yapıp, işe gitmek için sevgilinize veda ediyorsunuz. Her şey yolundayken, bir de ne göresiniz? Yüzüğünüzün üzerindeki LED ışık pembe renkte yanıp sönüyor! Bu, partnerinizde bir şeylerin ters gittiği, muhtemelen kalp atış hızının yükseldiği anlamına geliyor. Telefonunuzu çıkarıp uygulamayı açıyorsunuz ve yapay zeka tarafından üretilmiş detaylı analizlere göre partneriniz… uyarılmış durumda! Kaşlarınızı çatıyorsunuz. Evde değilsiniz. Bir şeyler kesinlikle yolunda gitmiyor.

    Bu senaryo şu an için bir bilim kurgu olsa da, RAW Ring’in hayata geçmesi durumunda, satın alabileceğiniz gerçek bir ürün haline gelebilir. Son haftalarda adından sıkça söz ettiren bu akıllı yüzük, “distopik bir sadakat takipçisi” olarak tanımlanıyor ve partnerinizi aldatırken yakalamanıza yardımcı olabileceği iddia ediliyor. Henüz gerçek bir ürün olmasa da, bu fikir, kullanıcıların filtresiz, gerçek zamanlı, çift kameralı selfie’ler yüklemesini sağlayarak “catfishing” ve “ghosting” gibi sorunları azaltmayı amaçlayan bir flört uygulaması olan RAW’ın arkasındaki ekip tarafından geliştirildi. RAW CEO’su Marina Anderson’a göre RAW Ring…

    RAW Ring, giyilebilir teknoloji ve duygusal izleme alanında yeni bir çığır açabilir mi, yoksa sadece distopik bir aşk senaryosu mu? Zaman gösterecek. Ancak kesin olan bir şey var: Teknoloji, ilişkilerimizde giderek daha büyük bir rol oynamaya başlıyor.

    **(Makalenin tamamını The Verge’den okuyabilirsiniz.)**

  • # Rad Power Bikes’tan Yepyeni Bir Elektrikli Bisiklet: RadRunner Max Sahneye Çıkıyor

    ## Rad Power Bikes’tan Yepyeni Bir Elektrikli Bisiklet: RadRunner Max Sahneye Çıkıyor

    Elektrikli bisiklet sektöründe adından sıkça söz ettiren Rad Power Bikes, en çok satan modeli RadRunner serisini yeniliyor. Şirketin tepe yönetiminde bazı çalkantılar yaşansa da, ürün geliştirme ekibi durmaksızın çalışmaya devam ediyor ve sonuç ortada: RadRunner serisi, bir dizi yeni özellikle karşımızda. Özellikle de Class 3 sınıfına yükseltilen RadRunner Max, dikkatleri üzerine çekmeyi başarıyor.

    RadRunner, sağlam yapısı, kalın lastikleri ve ağır yük taşıma kapasitesiyle bilinen bir model. Hatta çocuk koltuğu takmak bile mümkün. Yenilenen seri, hava koşullarına karşı daha iyi koruma, arkadan gelen araçları algılayan radar ve ek güvenlik için dijital anahtar gibi özelliklerle donatılmış durumda.

    Ancak en büyük yenilik, hiç şüphesiz RadRunner Max’in tanıtılması. Bu model, RadRunner 3’ün yeniden tasarlanmış hali ve serinin ilk Class 3 elektrikli bisikleti olma özelliğini taşıyor. Bu, pedala destekli sürüş anlamına geliyor, gaz kolu bulunmuyor ve maksimum hız 45 km/saate ulaşıyor. Rad Power Bikes’ın ilk Class 3 modeli olmasa da (RadWagon 5, Radster Trail ve Radster Road modelleri Class 2 ve 3 arasında geçiş yapabiliyordu), RadRunner Max, seriye yepyeni bir soluk getiriyor.

    Class 3 elektrikli bisikletler, özellikle Amerika Birleşik Devletleri’nde giderek daha popüler hale geliyor. Daha yüksek hızları sayesinde otomobil trafiğine ayak uydurabilmeleri, tercih edilmelerinde önemli bir etken. Ancak bisiklet ve moped arasındaki çizginin giderek bulanıklaşması, bazı eyaletleri daha ağır ve hızlı modellere karşı önlem almaya itiyor.

    Rad Power, RadRunner Max’in tork sensörleri sayesinde gücün “anında ve sezgisel” bir şekilde dağıtılacağını belirtiyor. Yeni “Feather Pedal” özelliği ise bir otomobilin pürüzsüz hızlanmasını taklit ediyor. Ayrıca, sürücü yaklaştığında bisikletin kilidini açan yeni bir dijital anahtar da bulunuyor. Sekiz vitesli bir vites kolu ve arkadan yaklaşan bir araç olduğunda sürücüyü uyaran yeni bir “RADar” sensörü de cabası. Üstelik RadRunner Max, Apple’ın Find My uygulamasıyla da uyumlu. Yani sürücüler, kaybolması durumunda bisikletlerini iPhone’ları aracılığıyla bulabilecekler. Batarya, tek şarjla 104 kilometreye kadar sürüş imkanı sunuyor.

    Bu özellikler, giriş seviyesi RadRunner ve RadRunner Plus modellerinde bulunmuyor. Ancak yine de beğenilecek birçok şey var. Her üç bisiklet de 750W motor, hidrolik disk frenler, kadans sensörleri ve şirketin yeni yangına dayanıklı SafeShield bataryalarıyla donatılmış durumda. Temel model RadRunner tek vitesliyken, Plus modelinde yedi vitesli bir vites kolu bulunuyor. Rad Power, toplam taşıma kapasitesini 145 kilograma çıkardığını ve tek şarjla menzili 88 kilometreye kadar uzattığını söylüyor (güç ayarına bağlı olarak).

    Rad Power ayrıca, elektrikli bisikletlerinden daha fazla kilometre almak isteyenler için Menzil Genişletici’yi de piyasaya sürüyor. Şirket, RadRunner serisinin son yenilendiği 2023’ten beri bir menzil genişletici sözü veriyordu ve şimdi teknoloji nihayet müşterilerle buluşmaya hazır. Menzil Genişletici, RadRunner Plus, RadRunner Max ve önceki nesil RadRunner 3 Plus ile uyumlu olacak. Genişletici ile RadRunner Plus tek şarjla 201 kilometre, RadRunner Max ise 241 kilometre yol kat edebilecek.

    Temel model RadRunner 1.499 dolardan satışa sunulacakken, RadRunner Plus 1.799 dolardan satılacak. Her iki bisiklet de bugünden itibaren, 30 Nisan’dan itibaren satışta olacak. RadRunner Max ise 2.299 dolardan ön siparişe açık ve sevkiyatına Mayıs başlarında başlanacak. Menzil Genişletici ise ekstra 249 dolara alınabilecek ve aynı zamanda Mayıs başlarında sevkiyatlarla birlikte ön siparişe açık olacak. (Önceki nesil RadRunner modelleri, Rad Power Bikes’ın web sitesinde indirimli fiyatlarla satışta bulunuyor.)

  • # Is This Love, Or Surveillance? The “Loyalty Tracker” Smart Ring Raises Ethical Questions

    ## Is This Love, Or Surveillance? The “Loyalty Tracker” Smart Ring Raises Ethical Questions

    Imagine a future where your commitment is constantly monitored by a wearable device. A future where suspicion, not trust, fuels romantic relationships. This unsettling scenario is edging closer to reality with the concept of the RAW Ring, a smart ring designed to track a partner’s biometric data and potentially expose infidelity.

    The RAW Ring, a project from the creators of the RAW dating app, aims to provide real-time insights into a partner’s emotional state. Through continuous biometric tracking, the ring analyzes data like heart rate and body temperature, feeding the information into an AI-powered app. The app then interprets these signals, purportedly revealing moments of arousal or heightened emotional activity, even when you’re not together. The idea is to keep tabs on the other person.

    The Verge painted a rather dystopian picture, describing a scenario where a flashing LED on the ring alerts the wearer to suspicious activity, prompting them to delve into AI-generated interpretations of their partner’s physiological responses.

    While the RAW Ring is still in the conceptual stage, the very notion has sparked intense debate. Outlets have already labeled it a “dystopian loyalty tracker,” highlighting the potential for misuse and the erosion of trust within relationships.

    The RAW dating app already uses the technique of requiring users to upload unfiltered, real-time, dual-camera selfies. It does this to cut down on catfishing and ghosting. RAW CEO Marina Anderson now wants to track people in real time.

    The questions surrounding the RAW Ring extend beyond its technical feasibility. Is it ethical to constantly monitor a partner’s biometric data? Could this lead to obsessive behavior and unwarranted suspicion? And what happens to privacy and autonomy within a relationship when every heartbeat is potentially scrutinized?

    While proponents might argue that the ring promotes transparency and honesty, critics fear it could foster a climate of paranoia and control. The line between security and surveillance blurs, raising fundamental questions about the nature of trust, privacy, and the future of intimacy in an age of ever-present technology. Whether the RAW Ring ever sees the light of day, the ethical considerations it raises demand serious reflection. It forces us to ask: how much tracking is too much when it comes to love?

  • # Rad Power Bikes Supercharges its RadRunner Lineup with a Class 3 Upgrade and Smart Features

    ## Rad Power Bikes Supercharges its RadRunner Lineup with a Class 3 Upgrade and Smart Features

    Rad Power Bikes, despite recent leadership changes, is pushing forward with innovation, unveiling a refreshed RadRunner lineup. The biggest news? The introduction of the RadRunner Max, the company’s first Class 3 e-bike in the RadRunner series. This upgrade brings a new level of performance and technology to Rad Power’s bestselling utility bike.

    The RadRunner has become a popular choice for its sturdy frame and fat tires, making it ideal for carrying heavy loads, including child seats. The updated lineup builds on this foundation with enhanced weather protection, increased security features, and cutting-edge technology.

    The RadRunner Max is the star of the show. As a Class 3 e-bike, it’s pedal-assist only, reaching a maximum speed of 28 mph. While not Rad Power’s first foray into Class 3 e-bikes (the RadWagon 5, Radster Trail, and Radster Road already offer this capability), it’s a significant addition to the RadRunner family.

    Class 3 e-bikes are gaining traction, offering riders the ability to keep pace with urban traffic. However, this increased speed has raised concerns in some regions, blurring the lines between e-bikes and mopeds and leading to stricter regulations in certain areas.

    To address these concerns and enhance the riding experience, the RadRunner Max incorporates several innovative features. Torque sensors ensure “instant and intuitive” power delivery, while the “Feather Pedal” feature mimics the smooth acceleration of a car. A digital key provides keyless unlocking, similar to modern car systems. The bike also includes an eight-speed gear shifter and a “RADar” sensor that alerts riders to approaching vehicles via the display. Adding to peace of mind, the RadRunner Max is compatible with Apple’s Find My app, allowing users to track their bike’s location if it’s lost or stolen. A high-capacity battery provides up to 65 miles of riding range.

    While the RadRunner Max boasts these premium features, the entry-level RadRunner and RadRunner Plus also receive notable upgrades. All three models feature a 750W motor, hydraulic disc brakes, cadence sensors, and the company’s new fire-resistant SafeShield batteries. The base RadRunner remains a single-speed, while the Plus model includes a seven-speed gear shifter. Payload capacity is increased to 320 pounds, and the range is extended to 55 miles on a single charge, depending on the power setting.

    Rad Power is also releasing a Range Extender, a feature promised since the last RadRunner refresh in 2023. This extender will be compatible with the RadRunner Plus, RadRunner Max, and the previous generation RadRunner 3 Plus. With the Range Extender, the RadRunner Plus can achieve up to 125 miles on a single charge, while the RadRunner Max can reach an impressive 150 miles.

    The base model RadRunner is priced at $1,499, while the RadRunner Plus costs $1,799. Both are available for purchase starting today, April 30th. The RadRunner Max is available for pre-order at $2,299 and will begin shipping in early May. The Range Extender, priced at $249, is also available for pre-order with shipments expected in early May. For those looking for a bargain, Rad Power Bikes is offering reduced prices on previous generation RadRunner models on their website.