And for Microsofts latest trickNurPhoto via Getty ImagesRepublished on January 26th with Microsofts new security and update nightmares for Windows users, just as the latest AI updates land badly.The fun and games between Microsoft and Google continues, and for its latest trick, the Windows-maker just made Google disappear. New tactic just dropped, complained one Google exec. How low can they go!?This appears to be the follow-up to Microsoft changing the look and feel of its Bing search results to mimic Google. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Chromes boss posted when that was outed. But Microsoft spoofing the Google homepage is another tactic in its long history of tricks to confuse users & limit choice.Searching for GoogleBing.comThat tactic was reversed, but now we have this new one. Recently, we saw Microsoft tricking searchers into thinking they were searching in Google and not on Bing, SEO Roundtable reported, when the latest ruse was first spotted. Now, Bing is hiding the Google search results and placing when you search Bing for the term Google. Plus, Bing is showing a Promoted by Microsoft search box.MORE FOR YOUIn essence, if you search for Google through Bing in your browser, youll see a promoted by Microsoft dropdown search box negating the need to click through to Google after all. Bing is also testing a version with that Google looking logo again but not hiding the Google search listings below them. I have approached Microsoft for any comment on this latest update and the response.Searching for ChromeBing.comThese updates might be wryly amusing, but the question remains whether theyre actually effective. Google dominates search and no-one has yet to make much of a dent. The real threat will come from AI changing the nature of search itself, not adjusting results appearances in a browser.This isnt the only trick doing the rounds at the moment. Microsoft doesnt want Google to dominate the search market and browser war, Windows Latest reports, after spotting Microsoft rolling out a server-side update that makes it slightly tricky to find the Chrome download link.. Microsoft shows a giant search bar when you search for Google Chrome on Bing.For those watching from afar, Google and Microsoft taking swipes at one another even as they both dominate their respective domains will make for some interesting headlines. It is still only January, but its already clear that theres a settling-down period underway across big tech, as the reality of a world driven by AI with these giants in the driving seat hits home.Meanwhile, Bings invisibility cloak isnt the only Microsoft update decision making headlines. We also have its new, controversial move to keep users logged into their accounts rather than signing in each time. This is a potential security nightmare when it comes to inadvertently leaving accounts exposed on shared or (worse) public computers without realizing. Users need to remember to use private browsing to ensure no risks what could go wrong?The web browser sign-in experience is changing when you sign in to any product or service using your Microsoft account, the company has confirmed. Starting February 2025, you will stay signed in automatically unless you sign out or use private browsing... If you sign in on your own computer, your browser will remember your sign-in information, but if you sign in on a computer, phone or tablet that doesn't belong to you, or is accessed by other people, you should follow the steps below to use a private browsing window instead. Private browsing ensures that others won't be able to: Access your Microsoft account, OneDrive or Outlook.com mailbox; See your search and browsing history. Make sure you dont forget.While Google and Microsoft go head-to-head over Chrome versus Edge and Google Search versus Bing, the much bigger spat is over AI. Google has now taken Gemini to its next level, causing consternation across some users at the difficulties in disabling the features on platforms such as Gmail.And now Microsoft is coming under even more fire for a confusing mess with its own most recent AI expansion the Copilot rebrand of Office. Microsoft is known for making poor rebranding decisions, and its recent move is no exception, Windows Latest says. Microsoft has rebranded Microsoft 365 Office as Microsoft 365 Copilot, retiring the household name of the most popular productivity suite, Microsoft Office. With this rebranding, Microsoft integrated Copilot chat into the productivity suite along with making minor tweakings to the UI. But this rebranding effort has drawn more criticism than praise for various reasons.The irony is that as the two companies bash it out on various flavors of device with stunts such as masking the Chrome download button or hiding Google Search, all that is almost certain to be overtaken by AI, which still promises to revolutionize web and search albeit nobody knows exactly how or exactly when.Microsoft is targeting Google where it dominates and Google is doing the same. Meanwhile, both are stitching their AI offerings through their most popular platforms to a captive audience, running the risk that we see that same level of dominance all over again. The stakes are sky high.And while both companies are under fire at the same time for their latest updates, were firmly in the experimentation phase and so it will be soon forgotten. The AI search prize is driving some of this jostling as the potential for a new baselining comes into view for the first time in a decade. While Microsoft dominates desktop software and productivity, Google has an equally unassailable lead in browsing and search. But that could change to an extent. Maybe

Key TakeawaysOn January 23, 2025, OpenAIs ChatGPT experienced a major outage, affecting thousands of users in the UK and beyond.The downtime followed the rollout of a new user interface for better customization.The outage highlighted users reliance on ChatGPT, with over 300 million weekly users and a billion daily messages.On Thursday, 23rd January, OpenAIs AI chatbot faced an error that left the users unable to interact with the chatbot. The usual interface of the platform was replaced by an error window that said, The web server reported a bad gateway error, as reported by around several users at noon time in the UK.This sudden outage led to a surge of complaints on Down Detector a well-known website tracking website. With over 10,000 complaints, this outage shows how ChatGPT is central to work and study today, with over 300 million people using it every single week.According to an announcement made last year by CEO Sam Altman, more than a billion messages are sent to ChatGPT every single day. Its humbling to imagine our dependence on AI within just 2 years of its launch.Many users took to X to express their disappointment and frustration about the unavailability of the platform. It was interesting to watch how users added humor to the situation when they were stuck in the middle of a coding session or were taking GPTs help to write an essay but then had to do all the work by themselves.While the company has not publicly commented on the cause of the outage, OpenAI implemented a fix at 15:09 GMT for the issue and said that it is monitoring the results on its status page.OpenAI Introduces a New User Interface to Make Customization EasierIt is noteworthy that just a few days prior to this outage, OpenAI rolled out a new UI (user interface) on the web to allow better customization of the chatbot. It is, however, still unclear whether that had anything to do with the outage.Launched in 2022, ChatGPT quickly grew to become the fastest-growing launch ever and has since added many new features and systems to make it more accessible and beneficial to the audience.Several third-party integrations have been added to the platform as well, which was also taken down during the downtime.ChatGPT charges up to $200 per month for its various membership tiers, and OpenAI says that more than 1.3 million developers have built on the systems in the US. Sam Altman has already hinted that ChatGPT 5 is in the works and may soon be launched.It will be interesting to see how OpenAI plans to handle the growing traffic on the platform to avoid such outages in the future.Add Techreport to Your Google News Feed Get the latest updates, trends, and insights delivered straight to your fingertips. Subscribe now! Subscribe now Vlad is Tech Report's Executive Editor. With over a decade of experience in tech content, he's passionate about computer hardware, an advocate of online privacy, and strongly believes in the open-source, scarce-money nature of cryptocurrency.When hes not working, hes traveling with his partner and their cat, learning Python, or reading good books. He never owned a PC he did not build. View all articles by Vlad Melnic Our editorial processThe Tech Reporteditorial policyis centered on providing helpful, accurate content that offers real value to our readers. We only work with experienced writers who have specific knowledge in the topics they cover, including latest developments in technology, online privacy, cryptocurrencies, software, and more. Our editorial policy ensures that each topic is researched and curated by our in-house editors. We maintain rigorous journalistic standards, and every article is 100% written byreal authors.

A medical-mystery take on Arthur Conan Doyles Watson, The Weeknd issues his anticipated Hurry Up Tomorrow, Schmigadoon! gets a stage adaptation, and more.

Chili's has been having a moment on social media, helped by people testing promotional deals.The "Triple Dipper" and "3 For Me" offerings have caught the eyes of new and returning customers.I went to my local Chili's to check out the vibes and taste the viral menu items.It's been a tough few years for a lot of food chains. One that seems to be bucking the trend is Chili's.So, I went along on a Friday night with my best friend to see who was eating at one of their restaurants in Queen's, NY, what they seemed to be ordering, and what the vibes were like.What I found was that Chili's seems to be a go-to for a wide range of families, sports fans, and friends at the start of the weekend. And me, a 24-year-old writer from Houston.As a disclaimer, I'm somewhat of a regular at Chili's, so I know my way around the menu. I hadn't been on a popular weekend night, however, and I was surprised at how busy it was. We didn't mind because this location is situated in a strip mall where we could kill time strolling stores.Brinker International, the parent company of Chili's, reported a 7.4% increase in same-store sales at Chili's for 2024, and sales jumped 14% on the same basis in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, which ended in September 2024.The uptick in sales seemed to be reflected at our restaurant. We walked into a packed host area with patrons in line to be seated and a wait time of 45 minutes to an hour at 9 p.m. something I'd expect more from a trendy restaurant in Manhattan. The other food options in the area were mostly fast-casual with limited seating, save for California Pizza Kitchen.Once we were seated (in less than 45 minutes), we immediately ordered the viral Triple Dipper appetizer.If you're new to Chili's, the Triple Dipper is a sampler of appetizers that can be customized to your preferences for under $20. We chose the cheeseburger sliders, chicken tenders, and egg rolls for our three selections. Our Triple Dipper came out to $17.29. Jordan Hart/BI The Triple Dipper has gained a following online, with TikTokers showing anything from cheese pulls (a video of the epic stretchy string of cheese from mozzarella sticks) to first-timers filming themselves trying the options. These value meals, which we wrote about late last year, are helping the restaurant chain grow, Chili's CMO George Felix said, and they're not going anywhere soon.In fact, we overheard the table next to us telling the server that it was their first time at Chili's, and they ordered a Triple Dipper too.For our drinks, we chose the "Marg of the Month": a $6 margarita called "the Resolution Breaker." It's made with tequila, pineapple juice, fresh sour, mango syrup, and Sprite. The price for a cocktail seemed pretty reasonable compared to a lot of places in the five boroughs. Chili's offers a specialty drink every month. Jordan Hart/BI While other eateries have been trying to bring customers back with promotional deals, Chili's has been building momentum. Alongside the "Triple Dipper," the "3 For Me" deal offers an appetizer, entre, and drink starting at $10.99.My best friend went for that but upgraded to the six-ounce sirloin for $16.99, with chips and salsa as her appetizer. I decided to get a Chili's classic that I hadn't had in years: the baby back ribs.Similar to the "3 For Me" or "Triple Dipper," the "Smokehouse Combo" is a customizable plate of barbecue and sides. I got two proteins and two sides for $22.49, which I enjoyed but saved some for home. I barely touched the ribs by the time I'd finished off my portion of the "Triple Dipper" and our chips and salsa. My "Smokehouse Combo" came with barbecue ribs and sausage (not pictured). Jordan Hart/BI We stayed until the last call at the bar, around 10:30 p.m. The dining room stayed packed throughout our hour-and-a-half dinner. I observed families, people just hanging out at the bar watching sports, and a few girls-night-out tables, like us. Servers circulated around the dining room nonstop, it seemed.Our total check came out to just under $100. We had two alcoholic drinks each, two appetizers, and two entres, so not a bad deal by New York standards. I'll definitely be back for another "Triple Dipper," but I think I'll stick to weeknights to avoid the crowds and focus on my food.

Costco's CEO Ron Vachris said crowded parking lots are a key concern for the wholesale club.In some cases, busy locations are a sign that the company needs to open a new warehouse nearby.One recent opening in the Bay Area is situated near three existing high-volume locations.Costco's popularity comes at a notable cost: parking at some warehouses can be downright nightmarish.One shareholder even put the question directly to CEO Ron Vachris this week at the company's annual meeting: "What is your plan to address lack of adequate parking in your warehouses?"Vachris said that some options include buying nearby land to add space or building upper-level parking on top of some locations.But full parking lots generally mean busy warehouses, and that's where a more recent trend has been emerging for the company: just add a whole new warehouse nearby.Vachris said the company refers to the move as "cannibalizing these buildings to take some pressure off."One of Costco's most recent openings in Pleasanton, California is exactly this sort of play.The new location sits between three older high-volume warehouses in the Bay Area and still managed to do the highest-ever US opening day sales for the company, with a whopping $2.9 million.These so-called in-fill locations are an increasingly important piece of Costco's growth strategy, execs have said on earnings calls.Last May, Vachris said eight locations were opening that year that initially cannibalized existing Costco warehouses. That accounts for about a third of the total number of new locations Costco typically opens in a year worldwide."We had one in Toronto that cannibalized four buildings around it, but they've built back their sales within six months," he said.In addition, when customers spend less time trying to find a parking spot (and less time waiting in lines in the warehouse), Vachris said they're much more likely to come back more often and spend more money."Frequency improves significantly because members can get back into a high-volume club," he said. "And so it's strategic cannibalization."So the next time you find yourself sitting in your car waiting for someone to Tetris a super-sized pack of toilet paper into an overstuffed Toyota Prius, it could be the first sign that Costco is dreaming up plans for a new warehouse nearby.

The PlayStation 6 will only succeed if Sony changes these six things Readers FeatureGameCentralPublished January 26, 2025 9:00am Couldnt they just make some new games instead? (YouTube)A reader gives their opinion on what Sony should do differently next generation and how the PlayStation 6 can exceed the PS5.Like most people, Im shocked that theres already serious talk about the PlayStation 6, considering it doesnt seem as if the PlayStation 5 has even got into second gear yet.If thats the plan though, then I guess we just have to accept it. But I hope that this is going to signal a major turnaround in how Sony runs its business, because they have been really off the ball in the last few years.They are still ahead of Xbox though, by a long way, so here are my six ideas of what they need to do with the PlayStation 6 to keep it that way.1. More single-player games. The success of PlayStation, especially the PlayStation 4, is built squarely on award-winning single-player games and I have no idea why Sony has stopped making them. If its because theyre taking too long then figure something out, like making them shorter like Spider-Man: Miles Morales, because one game per developer every generation is not going to cut it.2. Stop making live service games. This is the flipside of the same issue but its more than just live service games, its to stop chasing fads in general. When was the last time any of that actually worked out? From motion controls to NFTs, its all just nonsense that nobody wants and distracts from the task of making proper games. All publishers fall for it at some point, but Sony cant afford to be distracted anymore.3. Stop releasing games on PC. Controversial perhaps but this is destroying the point of getting a PlayStation 5 and if theres no point in getting the console then Sony are just going to be in a slow spiral towards going third party, like Microsoft. A lot of their games havent even been successful on PC anyway, so it just needlessly takes away from the importance and uniqueness of owning a PlayStation console.4. Experiment with streaming and AI. Xbox might seem done as a competitor at the moment, but I think theyre just biding their time until streaming is a viable thing for everyone. Theyre also bound to use AI for something too. Microsoft has big advantages here so Sony cannot afford to get behind or feel complacent, especially as they used to have an advantage in streaming that they never took advantage of. Just because streaming isnt big right now doesnt mean it wont be important soon, and probably by the next gen.5. Dont ignore Japan. For decades one of PlayStations big benefits has been that its a Japanese company and so has a unique perspective compared to American companies, plus built-in good relations with Japanese developers. The world has rejected Xbox so Sony should see that as a reason to lean into being Japanese rather than trying to act like theyre American. Make more Japanese games, set-up more Japanese developers, and be more weird in your marketing.More Trending6. Be more communicative. The problem with PlayStation the last few years is that theyve made a bad situation worse by having so few State of Plays and almost all of them being lame. We hardly ever see the people in charge in videos or interviews and we never get any explanation of whats going on or what theyre planning. Its like they dont want to talk to the fans except in the most bland and controlled way possible. This has got to change. Announce your games as soon as you know what they are, talk about your future plans, and try to act like you care what fans think.By reader Looman The PlayStation 6 is rumoured to be only around two years away (Sony Interactive Entertainment)The readers features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you wont need to send an email.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Bats often hang upside down when they sleep instead of sitting right side up or lying down why?

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