Tag: era

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Entertainment

Refurbished Sonos Era 300 speakers are $90 off in a rare deal

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Sonos has been excluding its first music speaker designed for spatial audio from previous sales events since it was released last year, so listen up: The company is selling refurbished units of the Era 300 for $359, or $91 less than retail. Yes, it’s not brand new, but Sonos’ refurb program has a good track record. At the moment, only the white Era 300s are available at a discount — the black version is sold out — but if you don’t care about color, then you will get three free months of Apple Music with your purchase.

Sonos

Sonos is selling refurbished Era 300 speakers for $91 less than retail.

$359 at Sonos

We found the Era 300 to be one of the best-sounding speakers Sonos has made when we reviewed it. The model’s spatial audio experience can be a hit or miss in that sometimes, the Atmos versions of songs could sound like they have too much reverb that the vocals get lost in the mix. But overall, it exhibited excellent sound quality and can make songs shine by reproducing bass, vocal and instrumentation in great detail. It makes songs sound rich, crisp and vibrant. We advised not buying the Era 300 only for the sake of spatial audio in our review, since the library of tracks that support the feature remains quite small. That could change in the future, though, especially if Apple truly does start rewarding artists for offering their music in spatial audio.

It’s worth noting that Sonos recommends pairing two Era 300 speakers for “mind-bendlingly realistic surround sound,” and getting the cheaper versions would make that a more affordable prospect. The model is pretty easy to set up anyway — just add the speaker to your Sonos app and then pair it with your music services of choice — so having two or more won’t be an issue. In case you’re looking for something else, though, Sonos is selling more refurbished devices on its website.

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Bisnis Industri

Mac OS 8 ends Mac clone era: Today in Apple history

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March 8: Today in Apple history: Apple outwits clone-makers with Mac OS 8 March 8, 1997: Apple renames the forthcoming Mac OS 7.7 update, calling it “Mac OS 8.” It’s more than just a name change, though: It’s a sneaky sucker punch that ultimately knocks out Mac clones.

Unfortunately for Mac users, the updated operating system does not deliver the total top-to-bottom rewrite promised by Apple’s Project Copland. However, the renaming strategy turns out to be a brilliant (if underhanded) way of getting Apple out of terrible licensing deals.

Mac OS 8 and the attack of the Mac clones

Early 1997 wasn’t a good time to be an Apple watcher. Despite the return of co-founder Steve Jobs, Apple continued losing money hand over fist, suffering through some of its worst financial quarters ever.

One big challenge Apple faced at the time was the existence of clone Macs, which the company originally viewed as a way to save itself from Microsoft’s Windows 95 juggernaut. Starting in December 1994, Apple signed a number of licensing deals with companies like Power Computing and Radius to produce Macintosh-compatible computers.

The goal? Make Mac competitive with Microsoft.

As Apple’s market share fell, long-time rival Microsoft steamed ahead, thanks to its software-licensing strategy. Cupertino execs envisioned clone Macs as a good way to secure Apple’s future.

Unfortunately, it didn’t quite work like that.

Mac OS 8 ends a bad deal for Apple

Apple CFO Fred Anderson worked out that the clone Macs strategy actually cost the company money. The $50 fee Apple received for every clone Mac sold proved far too low. The company failed to even recoup the money lost when a person chose a clone over an actual Mac.

Cupertino could not get out of the disastrous agreement if it kept updating System 7, the Mac OS licensed to clone-makers. However, if Apple released Mac OS 8, it could argue that the deal became null and void.

Apple made the switch, calling the new operating system Mac OS 8. Then Cupertino began negotiating new, more favorable terms with third parties licensing the Mac operating system.

Mac clone-makers fight back

This inevitably led to consternation from Apple’s licensees. On August 5, 1997, Apple became locked in a standoff with Power Computing after the official launch of Mac OS 8. (You can read more about the feature set of Mac OS 8 here.)

Apple eventually agreed to acquire Power Computing’s customer list and Mac OS license for $10 million and an additional $100 million in AAPL stock. That covered all of Power Computing’s outstanding debts and costs. The clone-maker closed shop for good in early 1998.

Putting an end to Mac clones was one of the first major moves Jobs made as Apple’s new CEO after his 1997 return, along with shutting down the Newton MessagePad division.

System 8 proved a hit in the marketplace, even though it fell short of expectations. Mac fans had to wait for OS X to see a major update, but System 8 marked the start of Apple’s turnaround.



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News

How to Navigate the AI Era with Google Bard in 2024

Google Bard

This guide is designed to show you how to navigate the AI era with the help of AI tools like Google Bard. The year 2024 stands poised on the precipice of a new era, one where Artificial Intelligence (AI) ceases to be a futuristic buzzword and firmly embeds itself into the fabric of our lives. From the algorithms curating your newsfeed to the software navigating your streets, AI’s influence is undeniable. But amidst this inevitable wave of change, a crucial question emerges: how can individuals like you and me navigate this landscape and not only survive, but thrive in the AI-powered future?

Enter Google Bard, a cutting-edge large language model developed by Google AI, which holds the potential to become your personal sherpa on this journey. Think of Bard not just as a chatbot or a fancy search engine, but as a versatile toolkit empowering you to embrace AI and future-proof your skills and abilities.

This article isn’t about predicting the future; it’s about preparing for it. We’ll dive deep into how Google Bard, with its unique capabilities, can equip you to succeed in 2024 and beyond, across various aspects of your life:

Level Up Your Creativity

Ever dreamed of writing captivating poems, crafting compelling scripts, or generating catchy musical pieces? Google Bard can make it a reality. Its ability to understand and manipulate language transcends simple search functions. Imagine telling Bard the essence of your idea, a feeling you want to evoke, or a theme you want to explore, and watching it spin words into magic. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a filmmaker with a vision, or simply someone who enjoys the playful art of wordcraft, Bard becomes your co-creator, pushing the boundaries of your imagination.

Bridge the Language Gap

The world is a tapestry of vibrant cultures and diverse tongues. With Bard, you can break down communication barriers and tap into a global understanding. Its advanced translation capabilities allow you to converse with people in their native language, access information from across the globe, and experience the world without the limits of vocabulary. Think of it as your personal Rosetta Stone, opening doors to new perspectives and enriching your cultural awareness.

Become a Knowledge Powerhouse

Information overload is a real struggle in today’s digital age. But Bard offers a solution. Its vast knowledge base is constantly learning and evolving, fueled by Google’s extensive data resources. Ask Google Bard anything – a complex scientific principle, a historical event shrouded in mystery, or a current affairs debate with no easy answers – and watch it present you with insightful and comprehensive responses. It doesn’t just provide facts; it weaves them into a tapestry of context and understanding, turning you into a walking encyclopedia ready to tackle any intellectual challenge.

Embrace the Automation Revolution

Repetitive tasks, mundane chores, and the constant struggle to stay organized – these are time-consuming drains on our productivity. Googe Bard can help streamline your life by automating your routine. Tell it about your recurring to-do lists, schedule updates, and information-gathering needs, and let it handle the heavy lifting. From generating meeting agendas to booking travel arrangements to summarizing lengthy documents, Bard becomes your personal assistant, freeing you up to focus on the core areas where your human touch and creativity truly shine.

Personalize Your Learning Journey

Education is no longer confined to classrooms and textbooks. Bard unlocks a new paradigm of personalized learning. Tell it about your interests, goals, and learning style, and watch it curate a customized curriculum just for you. Whether you’re a visual learner who thrives on interactive diagrams or an auditory learner who absorbs information through podcasts, Bard tailors its approach to meet your individual needs. Imagine learning at your own pace, exploring topics that ignite your passion, and constantly pushing the boundaries of your knowledge – all fueled by the adaptive intelligence of Bard.

Navigate the Ethical Conundrum

As AI permeates our lives, ethical concerns abound. Questions about privacy, bias, and job displacement demand careful consideration. Bard helps you engage in informed discussions on these crucial topics. Its ability to synthesize complex information and present diverse perspectives empowers you to understand the nuances of AI ethics, form your own opinions, and participate in shaping a responsible future for human-machine interaction.

Stay Ahead of the Curve

The future of AI is a moving target. New applications, algorithms, and advancements are constantly emerging. Bard acts as your personal trend scout, keeping you apprised of the latest developments in the AI landscape. Imagine receiving curated updates on groundbreaking research, innovative uses of AI in your field, and emerging career opportunities in the tech-driven world. With Bard, you’re no longer a passive observer; you’re an active participant, ready to adapt and thrive in the ever-evolving AI ecosystem.

Unleash Your Inner Collaborator

The future of work is not about humans competing with machines; it’s about humans and machines collaborating to achieve extraordinary things. Bard bridges the gap between human ingenuity and AI’s processing power, paving the way for synergistic partnerships. Imagine brainstorming with Bard, bouncing ideas back and forth, and feeding its algorithms with your creative spark. It can process your brainstorming notes, refine your concepts, and even generate alternative solutions you might not have considered. With Bard, you unleash your inner collaborator, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible when human imagination meets AI’s computational might.

Embrace Lifelong Learning

The age of static careers and defined skillsets is over. In the constantly evolving AI-powered world, lifelong learning is paramount. Bard becomes your partner in this journey. Its ever-expanding knowledge base and personalized learning pathways ensure you always have access to the latest information and skills relevant to your evolving interests and goals. Imagine constantly upskilling yourself, exploring new fields of knowledge, and staying relevant in a dynamic job market, all supported by Bard’s adaptive learning environment. With AI as your learning companion, you can become a lifelong learner, continually adapting and thriving in a world where knowledge is the ultimate currency.

Summary

Future-proofing yourself with Google Bard isn’t about replacing your skills; it’s about augmenting them. By embracing AI as a partner, you unleash your creativity, bridge communication gaps, become a knowledge powerhouse, and navigate the ethical landscape with confidence. You collaborate with AI, contribute to global change, and embrace lifelong learning.

Remember, the future is not something we wait for; it’s something we create. Take the first step by exploring the potential of Google Bard. Embrace AI, not as a threat, but as an opportunity to become the best version of yourself in a world transformed by technology.

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News

The Foreign Minister of Hungary criticizes the Biden Administration’s “lecturing” and wishes for a return to the Trump era.

During Trump’s time in office, ties between Hungary and the U.S. were good.
The Hungarian foreign minister says that his country hopes that former President Donald Trump will return to the White House. He says that the relationship between the U.S. and Hungary has gotten worse because the Biden administration has been “lecturing” and getting in the way of policy.

Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told Fox News Digital that his country, which is run by a conservative government, had good ties with the U.S. when Trump was president, but that things have gotten worse now that Biden is in charge.

“During President Trump’s time in office, we had the best government relationship we’ve ever had with the United States. I think that’s because President Trump has built this friendship on mutual respect, and he didn’t mean to judge, lecture, or teach us,” he said. “He focused on making America better, which he called “America First.” He also focused on making our relationship better, which can help both of us.

He says that the Biden administration is now trying to get involved in domestic matters. He points to a plan to end a mutual tax deal that stopped double taxation in 2022 because Hungary cut its business income tax. Last month, the U.S. also made it harder for people with Hungarian passports to travel without a visa, claiming security worries. The government has also been attacked many times for its treatment of human rights.
“The Democratic government is always trying to get involved in Hungary’s internal affairs. They judge us and give us lectures. The fact that they broke the mutual tax deal between the two countries shows that they tried to put political or economic pressure on us to change our policies, he said. “And that is not okay.”

He said that the “mutual respect” that existed before Trump is gone, and he claimed that politics are to blame.

“We know that the U.S. establishment is very upset that a conservative, right-wing, patriotic Christian Democrat government has been in power in Hungary for so long. But it’s not enough that we’ve been in power for a long time; we’ve also been successful, and I think this makes many liberal forces around the world very uncomfortable. So we do hope that President Trump will bring our friendship back to where it used to be.”

As an example of a unique difference, he brought up the war in Ukraine. He thinks there are about 150,000 Hungarians living in Ukraine, and some of them have been drafted into the army and sent to fight.

“So, to put it this way, we Hungarians are losing our countrymen, and we don’t want to lose any more Hungarians in this war. We don’t want any more people to die in this war, and not just Hungarians, he said.
The U.S. has tried to end the war by giving money and weapons to Ukraine so that it can take back land that the Russians have taken, but Hungary thinks that sending weapons will only make things worse. Thursday, President Biden told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the U.S. is “staying with you” while he tries to get Congress to give more money for the war effort.

Szijjarto said that his country wants the U.S. to bring “peace into the neighborhood, and not weapons.” He said he thought that was more likely to happen under former President Donald Trump, who is running for president again in 2024 and has said he would start peace talks to end the war if re-elected.
“We understand where President Trump is coming from. He wants peace in our area. And we hope that a U.S. government will bring peace to the area, because we have to face the fact that there will be no peace in the area without the U.S., Szijjarto said. “As long as we listen to President Trump, this is very good news, and we’re crossing our fingers for him because we already know what to expect from him. We know how things were when he was in office, and the fact that he wants to make peace is also in our best interests as a country.

Szijjarto said, “We are not Americans, so it doesn’t matter what we think about domestic politics, and we would never interfere in domestic politics either.”

“But of course, we have a past and a future to look forward to. We know what it’s like to work together, and we want the president of the United States to bring peace to our area. And it’s President Trump.”