AI and Human Writers Unite: The Birth of the AI Authors Society3 min readJust now--Prompt: A digital quill emanating code and light, bridging classical literature with AI technology. Model: Ideogram V2 TurboWriting has changed forever. As I sit with my digital companion, crafting sentences and refining ideas, Im struck by how profoundly the creative landscape has shifted in just a few years.This transformation inspired me to found the AI Authors Society a community where writers, technologists, and creatives can navigate this new frontier together.From Stone Tablets to Silicon ChipsIve always been fascinated by how writing evolves with technology. Our ancestors carved hieroglyphics into stone. Medieval scribes labored over illuminated manuscripts. The printing press democratized knowledge. Word processors freed us from typewriter ribbons and correction fluid.Each technological leap changed not just how we write, but what writing means.Now we face perhaps the most significant shift yet. AI writing tools have become sophisticated enough to be true creative partners. Some writers embrace this enthusiastically. Others approach with caution. Many feel uncertain about what it all means for the craft they love.Ive experienced this evolution firsthand. Initially skeptical, Ive discovered that AI collaboration can amplify my voice rather than replace it but only with intentional, thoughtful guidance.A Middle Path ForwardPublic conversation about AI writing tends toward extremes. Techno-optimists herald AI as our creative salvation. Traditionalists warn it will destroy authentic expression.The truth lies somewhere in between.The AI Authors Society rejects this false choice. Instead, were building something more nuanced a framework for human-AI partnership that honors timeless creative principles while exploring new possibilities.Our manifesto centers on five core beliefs:Humans at the Heart: AI should amplify your unique voice, not homogenize itQuality Above Convenience: Using AI to enhance excellence, not just increase outputHonest Attribution: Transparent acknowledgment of how work is createdAccess for Everyone: Ensuring these tools serve diverse voices and communitiesResponsible Innovation: Establishing thoughtful practices that respect the craftThe Spectrum of CollaborationAI assistance isnt all-or-nothing. It exists on a spectrum from light editing suggestions to substantial generation guided by human direction.In my own writing, Ive found value across this spectrum sometimes using AI as a thesaurus or grammar checker, other times as a brainstorming partner, occasionally as a first-draft generator that I then extensively reshape.The key insight that drives our society is collaborative intelligence the recognition that human creativity, lived experience, and moral judgment combined with AIs pattern recognition and language processing creates possibilities neither could achieve alone.Join Our Creative CommunityIf you write, teach writing, develop writing tools, publish written work, or care about the future of writing, we need your voice.The AI Authors Society isnt just a manifesto its a living community. Over the coming weeks, Ill share more about our vision through this Medium account, exploring:Practical techniques for effective human-AI collaborationEthical frameworks for attribution and responsibilityCase studies of successful collaborative projectsGuidance on maintaining your authentic voice while leveraging AI capabilitiesTools and resources for writers navigating this new landscapeThe relationship between humans and writing technology is evolving faster than ever before. Rather than letting this future happen to us, lets actively shape it together creating a world where technology serves our highest creative aspirations while preserving what makes writing profoundly human.Proudly written with Claude 3.7 Sonnet, humanised by Robert Clarke, embodying the principles of transparent partnership that define the AI Authors Society.Follow this account for weekly installments of our complete manifesto and practical insights for writers exploring AI collaboration.#AIWriting #CreativeWriting #WritingCommunity #AIAuthors #FutureOfWriting #AuthorshipInTheAIAge #WritingTechnology #AICollaboration #DigitalCreativity #WritingCraft

FromSoftwares The Duskbloods proved one of the bigger surprises for the Nintendo Switch 2, though its also relatively new for the developer. As a PvEvP title, the focus is on multiplayer as you control the Bloodsworn and compete for the First Blood as humanity ends. In a Creators Voice interview with Nintendo, director Hidetaka Miyazaki revealed more details about the Bloodsworn and their abilities. There are several reasons we put the players focus on the Bloodsworn with one of those being character actions. The Bloodsworn possess superhuman abilities thanks to special blood, so their actions are more dramatic than anything seen in our previous titles. Even basic character actions in this game, such as sprinting, super jump, and double jump, are designed to be dynamic and stress-free and are complemented by each characters unique weapons and abilities, allowing for a wide range of creativity. Each Bloodsworn can also attack at range, with some possessing firearms. While each match can have up to eight players, there are over a dozen different characters to choose from, each with their own identity and appearance. I think there are a lot of unique elements to the character designs and the weapons they use, so hopefully, players can find one or two favorites among them, said Miyazaki. He also confirmed that players can customize them to a certain extent and build a character that feels like their own. The Duskbloods launches in 2026 as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. Stay tuned for more details in the coming year. In the meantime, FromSoftware is bringing Elden Ring to the platform with the Tarnished Edition, which includes the base game, Shadow of the Erdtree and some new items.

--RBeing sued right now, please help me find a lawyerMemberOct 25, 201715,152 NotLiquidOne Winged SlayerMemberOct 25, 201737,426MOO MOO MEADOW COWIDontBeatGamesThreadMarksman - Saved Transistor's sanity twiceMemberOct 29, 201720,417New YorkWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOBishop89What Are Ya' Selling?MemberOct 25, 201741,779Melbourne, AustraliaLooks very fun.AlehMemberOct 27, 201719,453IT LOOKS ABSOLUTELY SPECTACULARmrmickfranThe FallenOct 27, 201732,591GongagaJumping on chain links HOLY SHITpikachuizgodMemberApr 19, 20192,622yeah that's a day 1 pick upElectricBlanketFireWhat year is this?MemberOct 25, 201734,464WOW!!!!!!SunBroDave"This guy are sick"MemberOct 25, 201714,852Incredible trailerElven_StarMemberOct 27, 20174,671Looked amazing tbh. KINGofCRA5HMemberOct 25, 20171,207Napa, CAI mean, wowkimbo99MemberFeb 21, 20215,014Can't waitByakuraShinra EmployeeAvengerOct 25, 20171,806Canadaplayable moo moo cow?!?'poklaneMemberOct 25, 201731,513the NetherlandsSwitch 2 exclusive, in case anyone thought it might be cross-gen.KadzorkHas got mad skills!!MemberOct 27, 201723,494My god it looks good.Franky D TankMemberMay 15, 2024927Alright, I can play as a cow, that makes this one the GOAT already.GuitarGuruuMemberOct 26, 20177,576Looks really good. Outfits look great, tracks look great, soundtrack, and characters!PhendriftMemberOct 25, 201733,185SOOO GOODPlanetSmasherThe Abominable ShowmanMemberOct 25, 2017130,661looks like Mario Kart, yepNot really exciting anymore since I've been playing these games for 30 years, but it looks like something I'll play whenever I get the console.JuryviciousMemberOct 28, 20178,017They did it... Holy fuck this looks glorious.An MMO Mario Kart. Like holy shit. NeoxonSpotlighting Black Excellence - Diversity AnalystMemberOct 25, 201792,623Houston, TXAnd yeah, Switch 2-only.Also, is Kamek not playable anymore? I saw him as an item.JCRMemberOct 27, 2017932Mario Burnout Paradise!?Oni_JMemberOct 28, 2017314Switch 2 Exclusive (Thread title worthy?)IDontBeatGamesThreadMarksman - Saved Transistor's sanity twiceMemberOct 29, 201720,417New YorkYou drive to your next maps instead of loading into them HOLYdeep_dishMemberOct 25, 2017994This looks great!Oliver JamesAvengerOct 25, 20179,614Forza WAHOOrizon?JawmuncherCrisis DinoModeratorOct 25, 201744,005Ibis IslandThis definitely looks like an interesting change up to the formula. I'm intrigued.TechnicPuppetMemberOct 28, 201711,747JCR said:Mario Burnout Paradise!?Click to expand...Click to shrink...Yeah I don't like Mario Kart but this looks really good from a brief look.Turning on MK8 for first time was such a shock to the system for someone used to arcade racers like Burnout and other ones like Forza Horizon. I was like where are the modes, where's the career.vestan#REFANTAZIO SWEEPMemberDec 28, 201727,394OPEN WORLD!!!!!!DUDE IT'S LITERALLY MARIO KART X FORZA HORIZON FUCK YEAHHHHHHHHHHAngieBest Avatar Thread Ever!MemberNov 20, 201748,574Kingdom of CoronaLaunch game please pswii60MemberOct 27, 201728,563The Milky WayOliver James said:Forza WAHOOrizon?Click to expand...Click to shrink...Looks that way!VormundMemberOct 27, 20171,804Mario Kart HorizonIDontBeatGamesThreadMarksman - Saved Transistor's sanity twiceMemberOct 29, 201720,417New YorkFREE ROAM MODE!!RavelleMemberOct 31, 201719,865I'm pumped! Looking real good!Desma"This guy are sick"MemberOct 27, 20176,643No way, Mario's Burnout ParadiseHareganMemberAug 21, 20224,584SerbiaHoly shit this game is crazy. Actual big change in formula. Getting Switch 2 just for this.HongMemberOct 30, 2017844Man this gonna be so fun online. 24 players holyAscenionProphet of Truth - One Winged SlayerMemberOct 25, 201712,684Mecklenburg-StrelitzDay fucking one!!!Threadmarks Mario Kart World Direct announced for April 17NewIndexOP OP--RBeing sued right now, please help me find a lawyerMemberOct 25, 201715,152NewIndexparasite2MemberOct 22, 20201,040It looks so pretty and sooooo fun. Mark1MemberOct 30, 20172,240Yeah this is going to be insane. Already in for this Mario Kart as a launch title already confirms that this will be a HUGE releaseWollanMostly PositiveMemberOct 25, 20179,748Norway but living in FranceMario Kart Horizon is pretty big.KanjoBazooie Legend AvengerOct 26, 201732,202Chicagothis looks amazing lolBishop89What Are Ya' Selling?MemberOct 25, 201741,779Melbourne, AustraliaFreeroam wowBeansBeansBeansMemberJan 14, 2025393This looks amazing. I was kind of bored with Mario kart of this is awesome!AkaiMemberOct 25, 20176,223Launch Title. Wow.IDontBeatGamesThreadMarksman - Saved Transistor's sanity twiceMemberOct 29, 201720,417New YorkJust announcedJuryviciousMemberOct 28, 20178,017Holy fucking shit. I'm actually at a loss for words.HMS_PinaforeMemberOct 25, 20175,825Straya M8Yeah, this game look incredible.Oni_JMemberOct 28, 2017314Multiplayer free roam is the start of the Grand Theft Mario Universe guys.

Nintendos Switch 2 ramp-up week started with a cheerful bang (a jingle, really) at Wednesdays Switch 2 Direct that revealed the sleek new consoles release date, launch games, and features. Donkey Kong hype abounded online, at least until the companys news releases started trickling out to outlets like Polygon, and sticker shock took over. Nintendo announced it would charge $450 for its console and $80 for its flagship game, Mario Kart World (or $500 for the two bundled together).Around the same time, President Trump announced his sweeping global trade plan, which included significant tariffs for virtually every country in the world including uninhabited regions. To put it simply, everyone began freaking the fuck out in response, and the stock market did, too. In the news and on social media, both Switch 2 and Trump tariffs began trending, marking the beginning of a very chaotic 48 hours in which the release of a highly anticipated game console and the blundering whims of the U.S. president became inextricably linked not just for the folks who care about games, but for consumers of other mainstream media, too.The tariffs will impact the cost of almost everything Americans purchase, all amidst stocks plummeting downward and social services getting dismantled. That might include the cost of Switch 2 a price that a lot of people werent happy about before Nintendo announced it would delay pre-orders due to tariffs and evolving market conditions. Panic has ensued for fans: What if the Switch 2 is even more expensive than $450? Thats on top of this other bit of lurking dread: What if there arent enough Switch 2s to go around?Business professor and author Joost van Dreunen said in an email to Polygon that Nintendos explicit reference to tariffs in its statement is highly unusual for the company, and for Japanese corporate posturing in general. Japanese companies traditionally avoid commenting on foreign policy matters, making this directness particularly noteworthy. By specifically naming tariffs as the cause rather than using vaguer language about supply chain challenges or global market conditions, Nintendo is clearly signaling to shareholders and consumers that the delay stems from external policy decisions rather than internal planning failures. (Polygon reached out to Nintendo for comment but did not hear back before press time.)There have long been a vocal few in the gaming community who talk about keeping politics out of games, which is a senseless take devoid of critical thought to begin with. But that take has never been more senseless than it is right now: Trumps trade war is, quite literally, impacting games. And Nintendo wants us to know it, too.But its likely not because so many gamers favorite nostalgia manufacturer is taking a stand against the big bad along with us. Its a strategic decision (though I wouldnt be surprised if Nintendos execs privately despise Trump for this decision and maybe even others).It insulates Nintendo from criticism about their own execution while gently educating their consumer base about how trade policy directly impacts product availability and potentially pricing, van Dreunen said. The reference to evolving market conditions gives them flexibility to make adjustments beyond just responding to tariffs, potentially including competitive positioning against the rumored PS5 Pro price drop or shifts in component availability.Trumps newest round of tariffs include a hefty increase up to 46% for Vietnam, the location Nintendo moved much of its manufacturing to several years ago when Trump increased tariffs on China. But van Dreunen doesnt think its too likely Nintendo will raise the price of Switch 2 so close to launch, which he says would be unprecedented.Nintendo needs time to assess whether their existing price point of $449.99 remains viable or if their projected margins have been compromised. The delay gives them flexibility to either secure additional inventory ahead of potential tariff implementation, explore manufacturing alternatives, or adjust their go-to-market strategy, van Dreunen said. More likely, Nintendo will maintain the announced price but potentially reduce initial production volume or adjust bundle offerings to preserve margins. Theyre essentially buying time to make the most informed decision possible in a rapidly evolving trade environment.And while its tempting to take van Dreunens salient expertise here as a sign that its not all that bad, he also says the gaming industry tends to offer a decent pulse on the rest of the economy.Nintendo specifically makes an interesting barometer because their audience skews more mainstream and family-oriented than competitors, meaning their customer base includes the middle-income consumers most affected by economic headwinds, van Dreunen said. In this case, Nintendos response to these tariffs offers a preview of how global companies with complex supply chains will navigate increasing trade barriers not by immediately passing costs to consumers, but by tactical delays and strategic reassessment. Their caution signals the broader uncertainty facing multinational companies as global trade tensions escalate.The only thing we know for sure is that a lot more uncertainty is coming our way.See More:

The iPad mini 7 was received pretty well by the tech community after its launch, but there are still areas that Apple needs to work on. The size and form factor of the device is ideal and a favorite for many, but the display is where things could have been better. The iPad mini lineup has featured an LCD display for years, and it appears that the seventh iteration could be the last one. The latest suggests that Apple is testing an OLED display for the iPad mini, which will be made by Samsung Display.Apple's 2026 version of the iPad mini could get an OLED upgrade, slated to be supplied by SamsungA Weibo-based leaker who goes by the name of Digital Chat Station on the platform claims that Apple's next iPad mini could feature a Samsung-made OLED display, which will be a major step up from the current display type. The leaker also claims that even though the display will be supplied by the South Korean tech giant, it remains to be seen if Apple will use a 60Hz or a higher refresh rate panel.The existing iteration of the LCD panel on the iPad mini 7 features a 60Hz refresh rate, but if we are lucky, the company could announce the next version with an OLED display with 120Hz ProMotion technology, which will also fix an essential issue with the device. This is not the first time that we have heard details on the iPad mini's display upgrade, and some reports have also coined that Apple has requested OLED panels for the iPad mini from its suppliers.It was also reported last year that Samsung has already started developing a sample 8-inch OLED display for the future iPad mini. It plans to initiate mass production at its Cheonan facility in the second half of this year. The same report also claimed that the company will upgrade the iPad Air lineup with an OLED display as well. However, these notions are slightly different from the reports shared by Ross Young from DSCC, claiming that the company is working on a slightly bigger 8.5-inch OLED display for the iPad mini, which will be released in 2026. while the iPad Air lineup will be upgraded the following year.There are various benefits associated with an OLED display compared to an LCD panel, which could make the next iPad mini upgrade a significant one compared to previous years. For one, the picture quality on the OLED display is far better than that of the LCD. It features inkier blacks, improved contrast ratio, and better saturation, allowing the panel to deliver punchier and crispier content.Apart from this, the OLED display is also more power efficient than the LCD panels, allowing the device to consume less power and deliver better overall battery life. The iPad mini has also faced jelly scrolling issues in the past, and while Apple has fixed it to some extent, it is not entirely gone. The OLED display on the iPad mini could finally eliminate jelly scrolling from the iPad mini lineup.Deal of the Day

Fanatical has launched a new edition of its Mystery Egg Bundle, and this year, you can grab some of the biggest PC games of 2025 if luck is on your side. Like previous instances of this event, the Mystery Egg Bundle will offer a randomized selection of PC games from a curated list, ranging from AAA releases to indie gems. A single Mystery Egg is priced at $1, and inside, you'll find a code for a game that can be redeemed on Steam. The more keys you add to your bundle, the lower each costs, maxing out at 25 Steam keys for just $16 total. See bundle at Fanatical If you're really lucky, you might even get a Golden Egg, which contains games worth $1,000 in total and includes titles like Monster Hunter Wilds, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, and Sid Meier's Civilization 7. Fanatical will be offering prizes over the next eight weeks as part of a giveaway, which includes Steam Decks, VR headsets, and discount vouchers. Chosen winners will also unlock Fanatical store spends of up to $100 during this event.One thing to note is that Fanatical will guarantee different games in a single bundle purchase, but there is a chance that you can receive duplicate games if you buy multiple bundles.Continue Reading at GameSpot

It's safe to say that The First Berserker: Khazan is a success for Neople, with the game garnering plenty of critical acclaim and what seems to be some promising sales figures. While official data on exactly how many units The First Berserker: Khazan has sold isn't currently available, using Steam metrics and looking at the game's launch on PSN paints a clear picture. On PSN, Khazan has had the 7th-largest launch for 2025, while the game's peak Steam player count of 136,000 concurrent users and positive review scores (91% "Very Positive" at time of writing) seem to indicate that it's resonating well with PC players. It begs the question whether players can expect a sequel.

Each week on Polygon, we round up the most notable new releases to streaming and VOD, highlighting the biggest and best new movies for you to watch at home.This week, The Monkey, the new black comedy horror thriller from director Osgood Perkins (Longlegs), screeches and bangs its way onto VOD. Thats not all thats new to rent and purchase this week, as Steven Soderberghs spy thriller Black Bag, starring Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender, also comes to VOD, along with Naoko Yamadas The Colors Within, Paddington in Peru, and more. Plus, the new buddy comedy One of Them Days, starring Keke Palmer and SZA, comes to streaming on Netflix.Heres everything new thats available to watch this weekend!New on NetflixOne of Them DaysWhere to watch: Available to stream on NetflixGenre: Buddy comedyRun time: 1h 37mDirector: Lawrence LamontCast: Keke Palmer, SZA, Katt WilliamsSZA and Keke Palmer star in this buddy comedy in which they play two best friends who have one day to find the $1,500 they need for rent, because one of their boyfriends blew through all their cash. Hilarity and hijinks ensue, as the two desperately try to come up with the cash, resorting to taking out sketchy loans, donating plasma, and climbing up a telephone pole to retrieve a pair of Jordans.New on MaxY2KWhere to watch: Available to stream on MaxGenre:Horror comedyRun time:1h 31mDirector:Kyle MooneyCast:Jaeden Martell, Rachel Zegler, Julian DennisonRemember when everyone thought the year 2000 would cause a bunch of electronics errors? Well, in Kyle MooneysY2K, the error isnt so much an error as it is electronic devices coming to life and trying to enslave humanity. Arent we glad thatthatdidnt happen IRL? There are some brutal and hilarious deaths, including a kill by Tamagotchi, a very 2000 soundtrack, and one great cameo.New on Shudder825 Forest RoadWhere to watch: Available to stream on ShudderGenre: HorrorRun time: 1h 41mDirector: Stephen CognettiCast: Lorenzo Beronilla, Brian Anthony Wilson, Elizabeth VermilyeaDirector Stephen Cognetti (Hell House LLC) is back with a new supernatural horror thriller. After a grisly family tragedy, Chuck Wilson (Joe Falcone) moves to the town of Ashland Falls with his wife (Elizabeth Vermilyea) and sister (Kathryn Miller) in hopes of starting a new life. Upon moving into their new home, however, the family finds themselves stalked by a malevolent presence whose influence runs deep throughout the towns history.New to rentBlack BagWhere to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: Spy thrillerRun time: 1h 33mDirector: Steven SoderberghCast: Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Marisa AbelaSteven Soderbergh returns for his second feature film of 2025, this time a sultry spy thriller starring Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender as a happily married couple of British intelligence officers. When a top-secret malware program is stolen, Kathryn (Blanchett) is implicated and George (Fassbender) is secretly tasked with investigating her. As the plot unfolds, the couple is faced with the challenge of whether or not they can trust each other in a field where nearly everyone knows how to lie.The Colors WithinWhere to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: DramaRun time: 1h 41mDirector: Naoko YamadaCast: Akari Takaishi, Sayu Suzukawa, Taisei KidoIn this quiet, contemplative movie from K-On! and Sound! Euphonium director Naoko Yamada, three lonely teenagers start a band. Its less about a love for music and more about the three of them finding kindred spirits with each other. The main character has a form of synesthesia where she sees particular emotions and people as colors. The splashes of gorgeous watercolor hues add some beautiful emotional impact to the otherwise grounded visuals.From our review:What makesThe Colors Withinwork so well is how the naturalistic animation combined with the specific set-pieces and situations create such a distinct feeling and atmosphere. There are just so many gorgeous, evocative moments where the movie lingers: Kimis forlorn reflection in a set of Newton balls; the slightly fuzzy city lights behind Totsukos hand as she waves goodbye to Kimi; Ruis sneakers on the snow-covered steps of the church, shifting as he calls his mother. All the small details contribute to a feeling of soft loneliness that slowly lessens as the characters grow closer and closer.The Last Stop in Yuma CountyWhere to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: Neo-Western thrillerRun time: 1h 30mDirector: Francis GalluppiCast: Jim Cummings, Jocelin Donahue, Sierra McCormickThis neo-Western crime thriller centers on a travelling knife salesman who unwittingly finds himself in an unconventional hostage situation after being stranded at a rural Arizona rest stop. Held at gunpoint by two ruthless bank robbers, both he and the rest stops waitress (Jocelin Donahue) must find a way to escape without arousing the robbers suspicions, all the while carrying on a normal workday like nothings happened. Things only get weirder and worse from there.The MonkeyWhere to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: Horror comedyRun time: 1h 38mDirector: Osgood PerkinsCast: Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Christian ConveryComing off the strength of last years breakout horror thriller Longlegs, director Osgood Perkins is back with a new black comedy horror based on Stephen Kings 1980 short story. The Monkey stars Theo James (Divergent) as Hal and Bill, identical twins who have to find a way to destroy a cursed cymbal-banging monkey toy with the power to kill anyone unfortunate enough to cross its path.As Polygons editor-in-chief Chris Plante puts it:The Monkey, for all of the familiar trappings, isnt just another horror-tinged distraction. As the kills become gnarlier and more, how do I put this? impressive? it becomes clear that Perkins is using a familiar skeleton to support something muscular and human. He once again borrows from the works of some of the greatest filmmakers of all time. Not the ones that get added to the Criterion Collection, but those you see get loving 4K discs from boutique brands like Arrow and Vinegar Syndrome.OpusWhere to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: Psychological thrillerRun time: 1h 44mDirector: Mark Anthony GreenCast: Ayo Edebiri, John Malkovich, Juliette LewisAyo Edebiri (Bottoms) stars in this psychological horror thriller as Ariel Ecton, a young music journalist who is invited to the remote compound of a reclusive pop star (John Malkovich) who has been unseen for the past 30 years. What at first seems a once-in-a-lifetime interview opportunity quickly morphs into a nightmarish scenario as Ariel finds herself surrounded by cultish sycophants, intoxicated colleagues, and a nefarious idol with a lot more than music on his mind.Paddington in PeruWhere to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: AdventureRun time: 1h 46mDirector: Dougal WilsonCast: Hugh Bonneville, Emily MortimerEveryones favorite polite, marmalade-loving bear is back! His adopted siblings are all getting older and his parents face the possibility of an empty nest. But Paddington is called to Peru because his dear Aunt Lucy has vanished from the home for retired bears! Paddington and his family trek through the Peruvian jungles and soon learn that Aunt Lucy isnt the only lost thing people are searching for. Olivia Colman and Antonio Banderas join the cast and commit fully to the bit of campy Paddington cast member.The ActorWhere to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: Mystery thrillerRun time: 1h 38mDirector: Duke JohnsonCast: Andr Holland, Gemma Chan, May CalamawyDuke Johnson (Anomalisa) makes his solo directorial debut with this crime mystery romance starring Andr Holland (Moonlight) and Gemma Chan (The Creator). Having lost his memory following an assault in Idaho, Paul Cole (Holland) attempts to put his life back together in an unfamiliar town. While courting a local costume designer named Edna (Chan), Paul begins to recover fragments and traces of his previous life as an actor, forcing him to question who he is now and what he truly wants out of life.Night of the ZoopocalypseWhere to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: Horror comedyRun time: 1h 31mDirectors: Ricardo Curtis, Rodrigo Perez-CastroCast: David Harbour, Bryn McAuley, Paul Sun-Hyung LeeThis animated adventure follows the antics of a bunch of zoo animals who find themselves facing off against a bunch of zombie-like aliens. A quirky timberwolf teams up with a gruff mountain lion to protect the zoo. They need to learn to work with all the other animals in order to save their home from the creepy alien zombies. David Harbour voices the mountain lion! Appropriate!

If I told you that your TV watches everything you do in the name of data collection and advertising, it likely wouldnt shock you. Its 2025, after all; we're used to a general lack of privacy. Still, its not cool, and it turns out you can stop it (even if your TV manufacturer has opted you into it). So, how do you stop your smart TV from tracking what you watch, so you can go back to the days of watching Netflix or playing video games in peace? You need to turn off ACR.How does your TV track what you watch?Meet ACR: This technology, short for automatic content recognition, allows your smart TV to watch what you watch, identify what you watch, and use that information to both recommend new content and serve you more relevant ads. Your TV observes moments in a show or movie (sometimes including audio), and will send that information to a database to match it against a library of content. ACR does this by literally taking screenshots of what is happening on your screen, roughly two per second. That enables tracking on everything, whether you use your smart TV apps, a Blu-ray player, a device like an Apple TV, or a PlayStationwhatever you display on your TV, ACR can watch and report. Most major TV manufacturers put ACR tracking in their devices. After Vizio got into hot water for not properly disclosing how much data they were stealing from customers, TV manufacturers started baking these settings into initial setup agreements. If youre like me, you accidentally agreed to this tracking without realizing it, because you were too focused on getting your TV set up to care about, you know, reading a legal document.If you have a smart TV, it likely has ACR tracking you can disable. However, all TV manufacturers call this option something different. I'll run through some of the top brands, what they each call their ACR settings, and where to find them. Even still, these brands change their settings menus and settings names all the time, so even if you have a TV from a company listed here, you might not find my instructions relevant. Your best bet, if these instructions don't help, is to Google your specific TV model and where to find its ACR settings. You should be able to find a guide from the manufacturer, or a walkthrough from someone with access to your TV who knows where to find the setting. But if you have an LG, Samsung, Sony, Hisense, or TCL, follow along below, with a hat tip to our sister-site ZDNet: How to disable ACR on your smart TVLG TVsIf you have an LG smart TV (like me), then your ACR settings are going to be under Live Plus. The setting sounds innocent enough, but its likely meant to so that you keep it enabled. Youll find this option in Settings > General > System > Additional Settings > Live Plus. While youre here, you might as well enable Limit Ad Tracking under Advertisement.Samsung TVsLets take a look at another popular TV brand, Samsung. Youll find your ACR options in the sidebar menu under Privacy Choices > Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy. Just make sure to disable Viewing Information Services."Sony TVsSony keeps their ACR options under Settings > Initial Setup > Samba Interactive TV. From here, disable Samba Interactive TV. In addition, you might find ad tracking features under About > Ads > Ads Personalization.Hisense TVsHisense keeps its ACR under Settings > System > Privacy. Its name will depend on your particular model, but it might be called "Smart TV Experience" or "Viewing Information Services." TCL keeps its settings under Settings > Privacy > Smart TV Experience. Here, disable "Use Info from TV Inputs."

Early this year, Mark Zuckerberg announced that Meta would be ditching its long-running fact checking program, claiming that it has enabled too much censorship on the companys apps. Now, Meta has set an end date for fact-checking on Facebook, Instagram and Threads (at least for its US users).By Monday afternoon, our fact-checking program in the US will be officially over, Metas recently elevated policy chief Joel Kaplan announced in a post on X. That means no new fact checks and no fact checkers.Instead, Meta has been slowly ramping up Community Notes. Meta began allowing potential contributors to sign up in February. It began testing the system, which will initially be powered by the same algorithm as Community Notes on X, earlier this month. But the crowdsourced fact checks have yet to appear publicly on posts. It sounds like thats also about to change with the official end of Metas existing fact checking partners. The first Community Notes will start appearing gradually across Facebook, Threads & Instagram, with no penalties attached, Kaplan said.Though Meta has said it wants to eventually end fact checking entirely, the company has said relatively little about its plans for Community Notes outside of the US. That may be because officials in other countries, like Brazil and the European Union, have already expressed concern about how the change could affect the flow of disinformation around the world.Metas push to end fact checking in the US came early this year alongside several other policy changes that marked a notable rightward shift for the social network just as President Donals Trump took office. The company also ended corporate DEI programs, rolled back hate speech protections on its services and added a close Trump ally to its board.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/meta-is-entering-its-post-truth-era-on-monday-202858791.html?src=rss