Google has announced a big upgrade for the document scanner in Google Drive for Android. The company is now adding auto-enhancement to the app's feature set, which will remove shadows and fix lighting issues in your document scans. In addition to making your scans look nicer, Google also says auto-enhancement will allow the app to digitize documents faster, so you can spend less time fixing scans and more time getting work done. The catch? At this time, the auto-enhancement feature isn't coming to Google Drive for iPhone, which can also scan documents.Auto-enhancement is a part of the latest Google Workspace updates for December. At launch, it'll include auto sharpening, white balance correction, contrast enrichment, shadow removal, and a few more benefits. Which effects you can apply depend on the state of the document you're scanning and how much work needs to be done to make it easy to read. To use auto enhancement, first scan any document using the Google Drive app. Then, tap the Enhance button in the top-right corner.Auto-enhancement is currently rolling out to Android phones. Devices on the rapid release schedule should get it by January 2, 2025, while those on the scheduled release cycle should start to see it around January 6, 2025. This feature is available to all Google Workspace users, even those on free or personal accounts; however, only paid accounts have access to the rapid release schedule.The feature follows additional updates that introduced the option to save scanned documents as either PDF files or JPEG images, plus gave users the ability to add a black-and-white filter to scanned documents. Google Drive still is one of the best document scanner apps on Android. iPhone users might instead prefer to use Apple Notes to scan documents or try an alternative called QuickScan (a personal favorite).

If you find yourself losing motivation to do much else besides scroll on your phone, TikTok, ironically, may offer a solution: Create a dopamine menu. It's not obvious by the trendy name what that even means, but there is no shortage of videos out there explaining the concept. Essentially, you're creating a list of the things you love to do or the things you need to do, as long as you get a little rush of fulfillment or joy from them, then referring back to it when you feel stuck. Here's what you need to know about the new viral trend.Why is there a menu involved?First of all, a dopamine menu is actually what it sounds like, which is to say it looks similar to a restaurant menu. You have appetizers, entrees, sides, desserts, and specials. These categories each serve a purpose: to help you figure out which kinds of activities belong under which heading. You're familiar with how restaurant menus work, so these groups can help guide you as you figure out how much time and energy each activity might cost you. Here's what each means:Appetizers are small activities that bring you a quick rush of fulfillment or happiness, but don't take a lot of time or effort. Going on a walk or grabbing a coffee can be an appetizer. Entrees are still accessible, but require a little bit more from you. If texting an old friend is an appetizer, getting dinner with an old friend is an entree. Think of these as activities that pay off a little more. Going to the gym is an entree, for instance, because it requires more out of you than an appetizer, but it also gives you a greater reward at the end.Sides are activities that work together with a different task. Perhaps cleaning your bedroom could be an entree, as you do feel accomplished when it's over, but that's still hard work and can be frustrating, so listening to a podcast or favorite artist while you do it could count as a side. Desserts are indulgences you don't always "order" but really cherish when you do, like a bubble bath or splurging on something from your Amazon wishlist. Getting takeout can be a dessert. Then again, if you really enjoy cooking, making a delicious meal could literally be an entree. Where you sort things depends on how much effort they require of you, personally, and how great you judge the reward to be.Specials are similar to desserts, but less accessible and frequent. Going to a museum might be a dessert but going on a vacation would be a special. They are more resource-intensive than your standard self-treats but should give you a major sense of happiness or accomplishment.What do you do once you've made a dopamine menu?It's best to actually write this out somehow. A contributing factor to why these menus are all over social media is that there is an appeal to actually making a menu by hand. If you're the crafty type, creating one using paper, markers, stickers, and other art supplies could even be an entree for you. Once you've made your dopamine menu, you keep it on hand so that when you're feeling low on energy or joy, you can whip it out and pick from it, like you would at a restaurant. Depending on how "hungry" you are for something to do and how much time and energy you have to "spend," you select what you want. The goal here is to create some structure so you can look at a ready-made list of things that will increase your mood, motivation, and overall happiness. You're aiming to deny yourself the opportunity to claim you just couldn't think of anything to do on a day you're bored or lackluster. Spending some time thinking about what really makes you happy or what will thrill you when it's finally taken care of reminds you that there's plenty to do, so even making the menu itself can be a little dopamine hit. I decided to try it out. Here's what I came up with: Credit: Lindsey Ellefson It was actually trickier than I thought it would be since a lot of the things I do for self-care and funlike take classes, have meetings for my personal businesses and projects, go to in-salon appointments, or go on tripsare pre-planned and don't lend themselves to day-of dopamine hunting. I had to think about tasks I enjoy that are accessible on any given afternoon when I'm feeling low. I was impressed that I came up with so much, but I'll warn you this does take some time. Ultimately, I was pleased to see the variety among the things that make me happy.

Google has filed a proposal outlining how it would remedy the antitrust violations its been accused of by the Department of Justice, after the DOJ called for Google to sell off Chrome and face restrictions that would prevent it from favoring its own search engine in Android. Judge Amit Mehta of the US District Court for the District of Columbia ruled in August that Google has violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act, and called Google a monopolist. Google said in the proposal filed on Friday night that it disagreed with the ruling but suggested ways to make its contracts with browser companies and Android device makers more flexible.In a blog post summarizing the filing, Googles VP of regulatory affairs Lee-Anne Mulholland wrote that the proposal would let browser companies like Apple and Mozilla continue to offer Google Search to their users and earn revenue from that partnership, while allowing them to have multiple default agreements across different platforms (e.g., a different default search engine for iPhones and iPads) and browsing modes. And browsers would be able to change their default search provider every 12 months. The proposal would also give device makers additional flexibility in preloading multiple search engines, and preloading any Google app independently of preloading Search or Chrome.Google said it plans to appeal the judges decision ahead of a hearing in April, and will submit a revised proposal on March 7. In the blog post, Mulholland called the DOJs proposal overboard, going on to write that it reflects an interventionist agenda and goes far beyond what the Courts decision is actually about our agreements with partners to distribute search.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-proposes-alternative-remedies-for-its-search-monopoly-after-doj-demands-radical-changes-185253526.html?src=rss

TeamGroup's CAMM2 technology aims to introduce a new memory standard.

Nvidia, AMD and TSMC have invested millions in a startup that may hold the key to faster chip connectivity to quench AI's thirst for bytes.

Previous reports suggested that the OnePlus Open 2 could be launched as early as January, February, or March.

Its hard to imagine a holiday season without A Charlie Brown Christmas. The 1965 broadcast has become a stapleetched into traditions across generations like decorating the tree or sipping hot cocoa.But this beloved TV special almost didnt make it to air. CBS executives thought the 25-minute program was too slow, too serious and too different from the upbeat spectacles they imagined audiences wanted. A cartoon about a depressed kid seeking psychiatric advice? No laugh track? Humble, lo-fi animation? And was that a Bible verse? It seemed destined to failif not scrapped outright.And yet, against all the odds, it became a classic. The program turned Peanuts from a popular comic strip into a multimedia empirenot because it was flashy or followed the rules, but because it was sincere.As a business professor who has studied the Peanuts franchise, I see A Charlie Brown Christmas as a fascinating historical moment. Its the true story of an unassuming comic strip character who crossed over into television and managed to voice hefty, thought-provoking ideaswithout getting booted off the air.Call from the blueThe Peanuts special came together out of a last-minute scramble. Somewhat out of the blue, producer Lee Mendelson got a call from advertising agency McCann-Erickson: Coca-Cola wanted to sponsor an animated Christmas special.Mendelson had previously failed to convince the agency to sponsor a Peanuts documentary. This time, though, he assured McCann-Erickson that the characters would be a perfect fit.Mendelson called up Peanuts comic strip creator Charles Sparky Schulz and told him he had just sold A Charlie Brown Christmasand they would have mere months to write, animate and bring the special to air.Charles Schulz drawing in the 1950s. [Photo: Roger Higgins/World Telegram & Sun via Library of Congress]Schulz, Mendelson and animator Bill Melendez worked fast to piece together a storyline. The cartoonist wanted to tell a story that cut through the glitz of holiday commercialism and brought the focus back to something deeper.While Snoopy tries to win a Christmas lights contest, and Lucy names herself Christmas queen in the neighborhood play, a forlorn Charlie Brown searches for the real meaning of Christmas. He makes his way to the local lot of aluminum trees, a fad at the time. But hes drawn to the one real treea humble, scraggly little thinginspired by Hans Christian Andersens fairy tale The Fir Tree.Jazzand the BibleThose plot points would likely delight the network, but other choices Schulz made were proving controversial.The show would use real childrens voices instead of adult actors, giving the characters an authentic, simple charm. And Schulz refused to add a laugh track, a standard in animated TV at the time. He wanted the sincerity of the story to stand on its own, without artificial prompts for laughter.Meanwhile, Mendelson brought in jazz musician Vince Guaraldi to compose a sophisticated soundtrack. The music was unlike anything typically heard in animated programming, blending provocative depth with the innocence of childhood.Most alarming to the executives was Schulzs insistence on including the heart of the Nativity story in arguably the specials most pivotal scene.When Charlie Brown joyfully returns to his friends with the spindly little tree, the rest of the Peanuts gang ridicule his choice. I guess I really dont know what Christmas is all about, the utterly defeated Charlie Brown sighs.Gently but confidently, Linus assures him, I can tell you what Christmas is all about. Calling for Lights, please, he quietly walks to the center of the stage.In the stillness, Linus recites the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2, with its story of an angel appearing to trembling shepherds:And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, which is Christ the Lord.Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men, he concludes, picking up his security blanket and walking into the wings. The rest of the gang soon concludes Charlie Browns scrawny tree isnt so bad, after allit just needs a little love.When Schulz discussed this idea with Mendelson and Melendez, they were hesitant. For much of U.S. history, Protestant Christianity was the default in American culture, but in the years since World War II, society had grown somewhat more mindful of making room for Catholic and Jewish Americans. Unsure how to handle the shifting norms, many mainstream entertainment companies in the 1960s tended to avoid religious topics.The Bible thing scares us, CBS executives said when they saw the proofs of the special. But there was simply no time to redo the entire dramatic arc of the special, and pulling it was not an option, given that advertisements had already run.Fun and philosophyFortunately for the Peanuts franchise, when the special aired on December 9, 1965, it was an instant success. Nearly half of American households tuned in, and the program won both an Emmy and a Peabody Award. Schulz had tapped into something audiences were craving: an honest, heartfelt message that cut through the commercialism.Millions of viewers have continued to tune in to the shows annual rebroadcast for over 50 years on CBS and then ABCand now Apple TV+.When I was researching my spiritual biography of Schulz, A Charlie Brown Religion, one of my favorite finds was a 1965 letter from a Florida viewer, Betty Knorr. She praised the show for stressing the true meaning of the Christmas season at a time when the mention of God in general (is) being hush hushed.The magic of Schulzs work, though, is that it resonates across demographics and ideologies. Some fans find comfort in the shows gentle message of faith, while others embrace it in a purely secular way.Simple but poignant, Schulzs art and gentle humor can do two things. They can act as safe entry points for some pretty hefty thoughtsbe they psychiatric, cultural or theological. Or Peanuts cartoons can simply be heartwarming, festive entertainment, if thats what you want.Today, both the Peanuts empire and the Christmas industry are thriving. Back in the 1960s, commercial realities almost derailed Schulzs special, yet those same forces ultimately ensured its broadcast. The result is a lasting touchstone of innocence, hope, and belief.Stephen Lind is an associate professor of clinical business communication at the University of Southern California.This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

There are many reasons why sometimes kids are left to play alone or entertain themselves. Oftentimes the babysitter would be a phone or tablet or any gadget but of course these are mostly passive activities and they cannot totally interact with it. Of course actual contact with human beings would be the most ideal but for those that are not able to always do so, an interactive educational and entertainment tool would be the next best thing.Designer: Onurhan DemirThe TED-I is an AI-powered Teddy Bear concept that is meant to be a friend, menter, and teacher to the child that its baby-sitting if there are no available adults at the moment. It is equipped with different features to help engage with the child and recognize their potential early on. The child is also able to interact back with the bear because of the features so they dont feel that theyre just alone with the device.The bear is equipped with two microphones on its ears so it can detect sounds around it, including when the child talks. One of its eyes has a projector lens that can project images and videos onto surfaces while the other eye has a camera that can detect user and environmental movements. It can also record and stream live video for the parents if theyre not there. On the cheeks, there are two speakers so the child can listen to music and to the videos audio. Theres also an LED screen on its mouth so you can see real-life mouth movements and expressions while the artificial heart on its chest also expresses emotions through the different colors. It has a wireless charging pillow when you need to it to rest and recharge. Its an interesting concept if the child (or adult) is not afraid of android bears that might eventually become their overlord. While its meant to be a childs more interactive babysitter, the parents can also enjoy it with their children like watching movies together and listening to music while talking. The post AI-powered teddy bear concept is an interactive babysitter for kids first appeared on Yanko Design.

A new claim says that any iPhone that can run iOS 18 will also work with iOS 19, but some older iPad models won't get iPadOS 19.While Apple Intelligence dominates the feature list, iOS 19 will be compatible with older iPhones also.French website iPhoneSoft, citing anonymous sources from within Apple, says that any iPhone model that can currently run iOS 18 will also be able to run iOS 19 when it arrives in late 2025.This includes the iPhone XR from 2018, along with the second-generation iPhone SE from 2020 and later. Here's the full list of compatible iPhone models: Rumor Score: Likely Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

With every game that launches and meets (or surpasses) expectations, there will always be several other titles that fall short. They could have the most extensive marketing budget, the sharpest visuals or the biggest IP behind them things just dont come together in a compelling, much less enjoyable way. Of course, other titles could disappoint simply due to trends and being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Regardless, here are our 15 picks for the most disappointing games of 2024.Star Wars OutlawsAs iffy as certain things looked before launch, there was still some hope for Star Wars Outlaws from Massive Entertainments involvement alone. The Reputation and Wanted system, more organic exploration, and focus on single-player were all the right moves, but it didnt land for consumers. Those who took the plunge suffered numerous bugs and issues with movement, combat, AI, stealth, and so on. Its a better game now, but Outlaws still needs work.Suicide Squad: Kill The Justice LeagueEven with successes like Helldivers 2, this year just wasnt it for live-service titles. However, the negative response to Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League began well prior, with many criticizing the looter shooters format. The release sadly did nothing to rise to the occasion, featuring a horrendous story that falls off a cliff, insufferable characters, and the same dreary games-as-a-service mission structure seen hundreds of times before. With a $200 million impact on Warner Bros. Discoverys revenue, Suicide Squad clearly didnt meet expectations.Skull and BonesAlleged reboots, high-profile departures, constant delays, and a ballooning budget Ubisofts Skull and Bones had all the key ingredients for a potential disaster. Adding in all the live-service staples like seasons, always-online gameplay, a focus on multiplayer, and whatnot hastened the games doom (calling it a quadruple-A title also didnt help). With player numbers reportedly coming in at less than a million around launch, it was a failure before it even got started.Planet Coaster 2Incredible visuals and the studios penchant for attention to detail did little to make a difference for Planet Coaster 2, which is, by all accounts, a hotly awaited sequel, that much more palatable. The awful UI, pathing issues, lackluster pools, awful characters and various bugs were just too significant to ignore, even with the better campaign. Frontier has rolled out improvements, and it will likely excel in the long run, but for now, Planet Coaster 2 is an underwhelming ride.Farming Simulator 25After the failure of Farming Simulator 23 (at least on Nintendo Switch), Farming Simulator 25 marked a return for the franchise to consoles and PC. It shipped with extensive bugs, an annoying user interface, jarring physics, and multitudes of other issues that remain. Thats on top of the unoptimized performance on PC, which hinders the otherwise strong environmental effects and textures. Mods will likely make it a better experience over time but at this point, fans would appreciate a strong title out of the gate (which certainly applies to our next choice).Starfield: Shattered SpaceStarfield had its share of mixed impressions after launching last year and Shattered Space seemed like the perfect opportunity to address many issues while offering a fresh slate. However, the hand-crafted planet of Varuunkai delivered the most rudimentary content and barren surroundings to go with lackluster characters and story-telling. Even the intriguing gravity anomalies barely appear after a point.A Quiet Place: The Road AheadI was excited about Stormind Games first-person horror, especially with how it leveraged the films and their mechanics. Unfortunately, A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead is a hugely linear, highly scripted experience with bizarre AI, questionable design decisions, and a predictable story that fails to really leverage its endearing characters.ConcordSonys biggest first-party failure in years, Concord was seemingly doomed from its first proper reveal, especially when the hero shooter elements became apparent. After a beta with abysmal numbers, it would launch to middling reviews and reportedly sold only 25,000 copies. Sony initially pulled the title from sale and shut down servers before eventually shuttering it and Firewalk Studio.Rise of the RoninDirector Fumihiko Yasuda revealed around June that Rise of the Ronin was Koei Tecmos best-selling game so far, with the publisher even reporting higher sales than Nioh. Thats all great, but the game itself fell short of what we expected in terms of open-world activities and storytelling. At least the combat remains enjoyable, and Team Ninja has provided some extensive post-launch content for free.Dragon Age: The VeilguardThe first Dragon Age title in ten years was bound to have astronomical expectations, especially with all the rumors and reports of reboots. Combat was sharp despite pivoting to a real-time hack-and-slash approach and the environments are gorgeous, without a doubt. Its everything else that either whelmed or disappointed, from the uneven characterization and writing to the mission structure. Though it wasnt BioWares worst, its far from being its best.Call of Duty: Black Ops 6Significant improvements over last years game dont excuse Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 from disappointing in other ways. Despite a superior campaign, its story ultimately felt flat (and continued the same cliffhanger approach), while multiplayer fell short with its map design. Zombies is surprisingly good despite some balance issues, and while the overall experience classifies as good, its nowhere near the series heights.Unknown 9: AwakeningTheres always some skepticism when a developer gets ahead itself and plans out an entire universe for its IP before the first game even launches. Unfortunately, Unknown 9: Awakening loaded its bland premise with dull writing and boring combat, while various bugs and performance issues weighed even heavier. Suffice it to say that with an all-time peak concurrent player count of 285 on Steam at launch, Unknown 9: Awakening failed to meet any expectations heaped on it.MultiVersusFrom promising platform fighter to being pulled and relaunching earlier this year in a worse form, MultiVersus has had quite the journey. Its hard to pinpoint all the issues, be it the sheer lack of quality-of-life features at launch or how underwhelming Rifts felt after they finally went live, but above all else, the feel and fluidity from the open beta felt like it was missing. And unfortunately, Player First Games hasnt been able to capture the magic ever since.XDefiantInitially revealed as part of the Tom Clancy series, XDefiant would become a standalone entity while still crossing over with the publishers various other titles. However, despite some responsive shooting, it couldnt match the features and content of other free-to-play shooters at launch. Various issues like network performance also affected it, causing a sharp downturn. Maybe theres still time to right the ship, but based on the companys other live-service endeavors, XDefiants days could be numbered.Outcast: A New BeginningDeveloping a sequel to a niche title from the late 90s is unusual on its own, but perhaps Outcast: The New Beginning could cater to long-time fans. What it offered was a massive world with nothing exciting, loading up players with menial tasks and awful writing. Appealing as it may be for those seeking more old-school-style titles, A New Beginning felt more like an awkward continuation for a cult-classic series.