We may earn a commission from links on this page.This week, an update to Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses introduced the option of substituting a celebrity voice for their generic AI voice. If you've ever wanted John Cena, Awkwafina, Keegan-Michael Key, or Kristen Bell to tell you your battery is at 33%, you're in luck. I really like my Meta Ray-Bans, as you can see from my review, but I really hate when celebrities are inserted where they don't belong. Back in the pre-smartphone days, I had a TomTom turn-by-turn direction device with the option of replacing the units voice, and I quickly learned that I do not want to take a road trip with John Cleese giving directions, in character as a stuck-up British doof. So it was with trepidation that I checked out Meta's crop of stars-in-your-eyeglasses. Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses $329.00 at Best Buy Shop Now Shop Now $329.00 at Best Buy Im happy (and a little shocked) to report that Metas AI's use of celebrity voices isnt totally annoying. Meta chose to have its new voices mimic the tone, inflection, and pitch of celebrities, but not try to ape the personality of celebrities, so you're basically just getting some new voices instead of a whole schtick. How to install celebrity voices on your Meta Ray Ban smart glassesInstalling the new voices on your glasses is easy. Heres a step-by-step:Open the Meta View app on your phone.Click Meta AI.Click Language and Voice.Make your celebrity selection, then hit save on the top right.Once they're installed, your glasses work exactly as they did before. Say "hey, Meta," and ask it to read a sign, give you a weather report, or tell you a joke, and it will, but with a different, semi-recognizable voice. Do Meta AI's celebrity voices really sound like celebrities?As a test of how close the AI comes to sounding like the celebrities its going for, I had my wife test out all four voices and see if she could identify who was speaking. She got all of them wrong. She was sure John Cena was Jon Hamm, and thought Awkwafina might be an NPR host.So they dont sound that much like celebrities, especially since they're not saying the things a celebrity would say. Meta Ray-Ban celebrity voices in order of least to most annoying Credit: Stephen Johnson While these star voices are not as annoying as they could be, they're still kind of annoying. Some celebrities are just better AI subjects than others. Here are my ratings, in order of least to most annoying. Awkwafina: AI Awkwafinas medium pitch and natural-sounding inflections sound the least like a computer. I made her voice my default. Verdict: not annoying.John Cena: The wrestler-turned-actor has a distinctive, deep voice that works well as an AI agent, but AI Cena occasionally sounds very fake and computer-like. Verdict: a little annoying.Kristen Bell: This actress has a naturally high voice, and her inflections and emphasis often take it into even higher registers. Theres something about the AI version of Bell that comes off as sing-songy too, like she's talking to a child.Verdict: annoying.Keegan-Michael Key: Im a fan of Key, so Im sorry to report hes the worst of the AI-agents. AI Keegan-Michael Key comes off as condescending and impatient, as if hes affecting perfect pronunciation to make you feel bad. Verdict: very annoying.What if you want your Meta glasses to have the personality of a celebrity?I was a little disappointed that Meta doesn't try to mimic the personalities of the celebrities whose voices it licenses, because that would be funny. But then I remembered that its an AI, so I monkeyed around with the prompts by saying things like this: Hey, Meta. Tell me a story using the personality of Awkwafina." This gave me the "why would anyone want this?" experience I craved, and I found that trying to get your eyeglasses to talk to you like a B-list celebrity is very of-the-moment. AI Awkwafina says like and bruh a lot, and told me this story: Bruh, I was at the bodega the other day and I saw this dude, right, and he was trying to pay with a coupon for a free cat. Duh. Verdict: annoyingly hip, and doesn't even make sense. AI Cena calls you brother a lot and seems to only talk about wrestling and himself as a hero. Sample story: I stepped into the ring, brother, and delivered a thunderous attitude adjustment to the villain, saving the day for the good people. Verdict: annoyingly egoistical.AI Bell tells domestic stories about her family, like so: I was trying to cook a romantic dinner and I ended up setting the kitchen towels on fire and my husband just laughed and said, I guess thats one way to get a spark in the relationship.' Verdict: annoyingly unrealistic story.AI Keys stories all have urban settings, and usually involve Key cattily commenting on someone else being lame. He's always hanging out at coffeeshops and parks. Example: OK. OK. OK. Im at the park and this guys playing fetch with his dog, and the dogs just looking at him like, youre doing this? Verdict: Annoyingly judgy.

On Friday, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) sued four financial companies involved with Zelle. The CFPBs lawsuit (via CNBC) accuses Zelles operator (Early Warning Services) and three of the services partner banks JPMorgan Chase, Bank Of America and Wells Fargo of failing to protect consumers from widespread fraud on the peer-to-peer payment system.The CFPB says customers of those three banks have lost over $870 million during Zelles seven years as a payment service. The suit claims hundreds of thousands of customers who filed fraud complaints were denied meaningful assistance, with some being told to contact the fraudsters directly to recover their money. (Pro tip: Dont do that.)The nations largest banks felt threatened by competing payment apps, so they rushed to put out Zelle, CFPB Director Rohit Chopra wrote in a statement. By their failing to put in place proper safeguards, Zelle became a gold mine for fraudsters, while often leaving victims to fend for themselves.The CFPB says one of the systems loopholes is that its tokens (linked US phone numbers or email addresses) can be used and reassigned across different banks. The agency claims fraudsters can exploit this by connecting a victims number or email to the perpetrators deposit account, causing payments meant for the consumer to go to the scammers account instead.The suit accuses Zelle and the banks of allowing repeat offenders to bounce between financial institutions with impunity. Banks did not share information about known fraudulent transactions with other banks on the network, the CFPB wrote. As a result, bad actors could carry out repeated fraud schemes across multiple institutions before being detected, if they were detected at all.The CFPB also claims the defendant banks didnt heed red flags to prevent further fraud, report incidents consistently or on time, properly investigate customer complaints or take appropriate action.On Friday, Zelle framed the governments lawsuit as a political hit that would help criminals and force them to charge fees. The CFPBs attacks on Zelle are legally and factually flawed, and the timing of this lawsuit appears to be driven by political factors unrelated to Zelle, Jane Khodos, Zelle spokesperson, wrote in a statement. Zelle leads the fight against scams and fraud and has industry-leading reimbursement policies that go above and beyond the law. The CFPBs misguided attacks will embolden criminals, cost consumers more in fees, stifle small businesses and make it harder for thousands of community banks and credit unions to compete.In September, JPMorgan Chase wrote in a quarterly filing (via CNBC) that it would consider counter-litigation if the CFPB took action against the bank for its role with Zelle.Last month, The Washington Post reported that President-elect Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans plan to limit the CFPBs funding and powers, aligning with the agendas of large financial institutions. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, his government efficiency advisors, have said they want to eliminate the agency, which was established in 2011 in response to the 2007-08 financial crisis and resulting recession.Killing the agency would require a congressional vote that wouldnt likely pass, given Republicans thin majorities. But they could do what Trump did in his first term: appoint a new director to slow or stop regulatory actions, effectively kneecapping the agency as long as theyre in charge.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/the-us-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-sues-zelle-and-four-of-its-partner-banks-175714692.html?src=rss

The winter solstice is upon us, which means that Christmas is next up and that the clock for timely gift-giving is nearly expired. If you're gifting for a tech fan, something from Apple, Google, Samsung or another big brand is always at the top of the list. But be prepared for sticker shock once you look at the price tags for their latest and greatest devices. Thankfully, you dont have to spend hundreds of dollars to get a gift for someone that has all the cachet of a brand they know and love.Apple, Samsung, Sony and other big tech companies all have affordable gear that comes in at $100 or less, you just have to know where to find them. These are some of our favorites, but remember: you can often find alternatives that are just as good (and sometimes better) than these. However, for the people in your life for which brand names really do matter, these gifts will speak to them. Check out the rest of our gift ideas here. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/the-best-tech-gifts-for-100-or-less-to-give-for-christmas-from-apple-samsung-and-more-130038897.html?src=rss

The courageous story of Afghanistans first all-girls robotics team is coming to a theater near you.Rule Breakers is based on the true story of The Afghan Girls Robotics Team, who grabbed the worlds attention when they were denied member visas by the United States in 2017 while attempting to compete at the First Global Challenge international robotics competition. Fifty three members of Congress signed a petition and President Donald Trump intervened to give the girls travel documents on special humanitarian grounds allowing them to enter the US and compete in the robotics games, according to a New York Times profile.The story of the teams struggle to compete in the robotics competition goes much deeper than their attempts to enter the US. First Global founder Dean Kamen, who is best known for designing the Segway, put together his competitive robotics league as a way to spark interest in science and technology among high schoolers. He invited and enlisted Afghan tech entrepreneur and Digital Citizen Fund (DCF) founder Roya Mahboob to put together an all-girls robotics team for the competition nicknamed the Afghan Dreamers. A dozen girls made the cut forming the first team and worked on their robotic creation in Mahboobs parents basement using whatever they could find for tools along with parts donated by Kamen, according to the Times.The movie tells the story of the teams deep and perilous struggle to compete and pursue their passions. The Talibans return to power in 2021 reversed years of gender equality and strife for freedom by forbidding women from receiving an education in science and technology, forcing some of the team members to flee their country for their own safety and the right to pursue their future on their terms. Team member Sadaf Hamidi, who fled for Qatar in 2021, told NBC News last year that one of her sisters had to give up her dream of going to medical school saying This is heartbreaking for me and for them.Rule Breakers is directed by two-time Academy Award winner Bill Guttentag and stars Nikohl Boosheri as Mahboob and Fleabags Phoebe Waller-Bridge. The film hits theaters on March 7, 2025.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/trailer-rule-breakers-will-bring-afghanistans-first-ever-girls-robotics-team-to-the-big-screen-on-march-7-170049854.html?src=rss

Microsoft Copilot Vision launches for Pro.

Looking for NYT Strands answers and hints? Here's all you need to know to solve today's game, including the spangram.

Looking for NYT Connections answers and hints? Here's all you need to know to solve today's game, plus my commentary on the puzzles.

How Legacy Effects crafted the practical creature effects for the Offspring in Alien: Romulus. An excerpt from befores & afters magazine.The climactic encounter of the film occurs between the remaining characters and the fast-growing humanxenomorph hybrid: the Offspring. Romanian former basketball player Robert Bobroczkyi was brought on to play the tall and skinny creature, owing to his distinctive body features. Fede called us and said theyd seen Robert in some YouTube clips, and said, Do you think we could use this guy? Hes not an actor, he is an athlete. Do you think itd be a good idea? And we were like, Hell, yeah.When we were first talking about the Offspring and looked at storyboards, adds Mahan, it just looked like it was supposed to grow very fast and be like a teenage underdeveloped brain but a big, gawky thing with a lurking presence that doesnt really understand itself. The sub-base of what Robert is just naturally was going to be phenomenal. We could do the same makeup on a six-foot tall guy and it would just be okay. But Robert made it special and really made the ending tremendous. Hes 90% of the success of that creature.The Offspring make-up effects from Legacy consisted of 13 pieces of translucent silicone appliances, with portions of Bobroczkyis skin showing through. Mahan and MacGowan were particularly impressed with Bobroczkyis on-set acting, for someone who had not ever done this kind of work before. Says Mahan: Robert was phenomenal because he really took it to heart and really put the effort in to make a character. I think it was his idea to be smiling during some of it. He worked with the acting coach at his school. He worked very hard on creating the movement and character, and he just showed up ready to rock and roll.When Chris Swift and I, with the team, did his make-up test for the first time, we took him to second unit to shoot a test, recounts Mahan. We knew it was very, very special and we both said it was like when Karloff as Frankenstein walks through the door backwards. It was that magical. Fede and everybody had video monitors over on first unit and they could see us setting it up, and then everyone ran over to come to see it. They just couldnt believe it. Read the full issue of the magazine.The post A new challenge: the Offspring appeared first on befores & afters.

There are certain social media rules we can all agree on: Ghosting a conversation is impolite, and replying k to a text is the equivalent of a backhand slap (violent, wrong, and rude). But what about the rest of the rules? When can we really remind someone of our old Venmo request? What happens when someone tries to flirt with you on LinkedIn?Fortunately, terminally online writers Delia Cai and Steffi Cao are here to answer all your digital quandaries, big or small. Welcome to Fast Companys advice column, Posting Playbook. This week, Delia and Steffi will both tackle the question of internet shadethrowing and receiving.What are the rules of throwing internet shade? Were all doing it, but whats the difference between being snarky and being mean? I see my co-worker tweeting shadily about our other colleagues and even our manager all the time, and Im wondering if Im the prude for feeling like thats not cool.Steffi: Subtweeting your colleagues on your main feed when you know they follow you is wild work, and I dont think its out-of-bounds to think its not cool. You cant spend eight peaceful hours on Slack together and then switch tabs to see them writing nonsense like, ugh I hate these ugly losers I spend eight hours a day on Slack with. Its awkward! Everyone has problems with their coworkers at some point or anotherbut at least for me, its the insincerity that becomes the grating part of it all.To me, the delineation of being snarky and being mean is the depth of the cut. A catty swipe at someones work is one thing, but taking it to the level of someones personal values and identity is mean. No ones a saint, either! Weve all been snarky, and weve all been mean. But the difference comes when youre not willing to own up to either.I tend to live by the idea that anything you tweet publicly, you should be able to say in person to someones face. Not that the world should be one giant episode of Bad Girls Club, but weve entered the era of social media where I think we can all agree that our statements online can come back to haunt us. So you better be ready to stand on it.Delia: Im all for the basic rules of comedy: Punching up is good, but punching down is bad. Leaving specific names out of it offers good plausible deniability. But your coworkers tweets are crossing the line in my opinion because, as Steffi and I have addressed in the past, people should be very careful about how they mix their online and professional lives. Tweeting about your evil boss is probably punching up, technically, but Id save that kind of shade for your group chats and IRL vent sessions.Steffi: Agreedif I can leave you with one last thing, I will reiterate that you need to stop letting your coworkers follow you on socials. Use your Close Friends tools. If you dont want the smoke, dont light a gigantic fire on your feeds.An article I wrote came out recently, and I saw peoplenot friends of mine, but like, we definitely know each otherdisparaging my writing on X and even in their newsletters. It definitely hurt my feelings, but I also get that criticism is a fact of life. Should I say anything? It just sucks because were not strangers, and I wish theyd given me a heads up. But is that even fair to expect?Delia: Receiving criticism is definitely the name of the game if youre a writer, of course, but youre also allowed to defend yourself! Its up to you. I would probably not say anything but make a nice little mental note (meaning, I would memorize every dastardly word they said), and then simply wait for the opportunity to come when we end up seeing each other in person. Then Id casually bring up something like, So I saw/heard that you didnt like my work! in a kind of cheery voice, and see how they react. A real critic at heart would be willing to engage with you about the work; someone whos just shading for clout will probably start spluttering and backpedal.If they were being more personally shady, i.e., calling into question your character or spreading a rumor about you, then you are well within your right to reach outvia a public reply, DM, or what have youand tell them that theyre being a jerk. Ive personally gone in with a quote tweet around the offending shade and gotten snippy right back, but that is a matter of personal preference!Steffi: Ive been on both sides of this coin, getting heat from people for disagreeing with their hot take, as well as having hordes of people piling on my work and subtweeting my skill. Heres the truth that Ive learned over the years: If you are going to stir the pot, you have to be prepared for a splash zone. Not everyone is going to like your work, just as you arent going to like everyone elses. The same goes for anyone trying to put their work out online, whether its music or paintings or vlogs. Obviously, prejudice and attacks on character are never okay. But to be honest, I think everything else is fair game.Your feelings are entirely valid! No one has ever been raised to handle this kind of digital feedback loop. But I think you have to maintain some level of perspective. At the end of the day, do you still stand by what you wrote? Did it resonate with the people you wanted it to? If yes, then who cares! To be a writer analyzing the world means accepting that your perspective will in turn be analyzed. It is childish to demand sympathetic immunity as a one-way street, and it makes you a poorer writer for it. Actually, Delia imparted some incredibly important advice when I was in the throes of getting a lot of shade about my writing: there is a kind of criticism that sees what you are trying to do and can acknowledge where you fell short, and there is the kind of criticism that is grading you against an entirely different scale. Only you get to decide what you intake and improve on.Ultimately, this is the kind of problem that only really exists online, because most of these mutuals do not have the gall to fight you IRL. And more realistically, I would guess that theyre also trying to curry for some likes online. Who among us? Let yourself feel hurt by it, but know that this will likely be the end of such negativity. Sticks and stones may break your bones. . . .

After spending much of 2024 closing stores and recent months trying to solidify a sale of the company to keep its doors open, discount retail chain Big Lots has announced that it now plans to close all stores and go out of business. Heres what you need to know about Big Lotss closure.Whats happened?On Thursday, Big Lots released a statement saying that it now plans to go out of business and close all of its remaining stores (in the absence of a Hail Mary playmore on that below). Big Lots says it came to the decision to prepare to commence going-out-of-business sales after a deal with Nexus Capital Management fell through.Big Lots had been working with the investment firm on a deal that would have seen it sell itself to Nexus Capital Management. Big Lots had been facing severe financial difficulties in 2024 as inflationary pressures bit into profits and caused customers to cut back on discretionary spending, which is Big Lotss bread and butter.Things got so bad for the company that it began closing stores over the summer. In September, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as a way to get its finances under control.In recent months, Big Lots had been working on an asset purchase agreement with Nexus Capital Management, but that possible deal has now collapsed. In its statement announcing going-out-of-business sales, Big Lots did not give a reason why it would be unable to complete a sale to Nexus Capital Management, but Bloomberg reports that a valuation appraisal of Big Lotss inventory came in below expectations, which made it economically unviable for Nexus Capital Management to proceed with the sale.Is there any hope for Big Lots?Yes, but its a slim one. Announcing that it would commence going-out-of-business (GOB) sales, Big Lots CEO Bruce Thorn said, While we remain hopeful that we can close an alternative going concern transaction, in order to protect the value of the Big Lots estate, we have made the difficult decision to begin the GOB process.An alternative going concern transaction means a sale to another party. Some Big Lots stores may be saved if a sale can still be completed. As for who Big Lots would sell itself to, the companys statement said it could be with Nexus or another party. Big Lots said it hopes any such deal could be closed by early January.But Big Lots isnt waiting until then to begin closing stores.When will the going-out-of-business sales be held? Likely soon. According to Big Lots, every remaining location will commence sales in the coming days to protect the value of its estate. The company has about 870 locations left. What about Big Lots employees?Big Lots did not address the impact that closing stores would have on its employees. Bloomberg pegs the companys employee headcount at around 27,000. Unfortunately, most of these workers will likely lose their jobs once the going-out-of-business sales are complete.Big Lots stock price collapsed in 2024Unsurprisingly, with all of Big Lotss financial troubles, the stock crashed this year. Shares had previously traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker BIG, but with its collapse in price, it now trades on the over-the-counter exchange OTCPK under the ticker BIGGQ.As of yesterdays market close, BIGGQ shares were trading at 8 cents per share, representing a year-to-date decline of nearly 99%.Big Lots was founded in Columbus, Ohio, in 1967 as Consolidated International, Inc. and, in 2001, changed its name to the one it has today. The company celebrated its 57th anniversary this year.