From the streaming service that brought you crappy AI-generated movie posters and totally nonsensical AI-generated synopses, Amazon Prime Video presents: "AI-aided" dubbing! Which will replace actors' original dialog with a translated, machine-amalgamated mess. That's movie magic, people.Announced this week, the e-commerce giant said it'll be debuting the feature in English and Latin American Spanish for a selection of twelve licensed movies and shows, including the 2003 animated feature "El Cid: La Leyenda."The pilot program will make its "vast streaming library accessible to even more customers," the company claimed, "offering AI-aided dubbing on licensed movies and series that would not have been dubbed otherwise." (This, we'd wager, is not what Korean director Bong Joon-ho had in mind when he famously urged audiences to overcome the "one-inch tall barrier of subtitles" four years ago.)Amazon has been pretty ardent on AI, and its huge streaming platform has become a petri dish for all kinds of grotesque machine-generated experimentation. Last fall, for example, it began offering AI-generated recaps for TV shows. Also included in that suite of features? A generative AI tool to recommend you movies with similar plot points and character arcs to your favorite films, just to give you an idea of how much it wants to soullessly codify all spontaneity in art.Beyond that, Amazon's done little if anything to police the AI content that ends up on the platform. Users complain that it's now littered with lazy, almost certainly AI-generated movie descriptions brandished even on renowned classics like the 1975 Al Pacino film "Dog Day Afternoon." Movie posters on the platform have also succumbed to the trend, with an AI-generated one slapped onto the 1922 horror flick "Nosferatu," enraging cinephiles.It's not surprising to see Amazon do this, in other words. And yet, to outright swap out the original human performances with an algorithm-altered ones is another level of audaciousness. There's been no shortage of filmmakers and studios experimenting with AI to create new content or to revive old icons but this is a retroactive maneuver signaling that the vast corpus of cinema history, from canonical classics to streaming staples, are now fair game to be rewritten with an AI model.Still, maybe we're getting a little ahead of ourselves, because Amazon is being pretty vague about exactly how its "AI-aided" dubbing works. Mostly, it's emphasized that humans remain in the loop somewhere along the line, anyhow."This AI-aided pilot program is a hybrid approach to dubbing in which localization professionals collaborate with AI to ensure quality control," the company said in the announcement. "AI-aided processes like this one, which incorporate the right amount of human expertise, can enable localization for titles that would not otherwise be accessible to customers."In any case, these hijinks are not exclusive to Amazon. Recently, fellow streaming titan Netflix came under fire for hosting an AI-upscaled version of an 80s sitcom, plagued with garbled imagery and hallucinated artifacts. Art history isn't just being bastardized, but people's lives, too: in one of its exclusive true crime series, Netflix used AI to reproduce the voice of a murdered woman a clear sign as any that nothing is considered sacrosanct by tech companies.Share This Article

Image by Nicol Campo / LightRocket / Alishia Abodunde /Simon Bruty / Anychance via Getty / FuturismStudiesUsing a database that tracks the health outcomes of twins, scientists have found more evidence that getting tattoos may be linked to skin cancer.In a new paper published in the journalBMC Public Health, researchers from the University of Southern Denmark and Finland's University of Helsinki have found that among twins, tattooed individuals are roughly 1.62 times more likely to develop skin cancer than their un-inked siblings.Looking at data on more than 2,600 twins, the Danish scientists found that this link was even greater for people who had larger tattoos, defined as larger than palm-sized. The twins with bigger pieces were found to have skin cancer roughly three times more often than their siblings without tattoos.(Though it's not related explicitly to tattoos, it is worth noting that Denmark has some of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. Because the small Scandinavian country is located so far from the equator, its residents don't get the same amount of solar radiation as their counterparts further south, and often get worse cancer-causing sunburns as a result.)While it's fairly well known that tattoo ink is often toxic due to the lack of regulation for the industry that produces it, it's still relatively unclear exactly how affects the human body especially because researchers can't seem to decide what biological mechanisms it impacts.In this newstudy, the scientists rely upon prior research that found tattoo ink particles migrating and accumulating in the lymph nodes. As such, the researchers included lymphoma, a disease that targets the immunity-regulating lymphatic system, in the cancers they were on the lookout for."When tattoo ink penetrates the skin, some of it is absorbed into the lymph nodes," a press release from the schoolexplains. "The researchers are particularly concerned that tattoo ink may trigger chronic inflammation in the lymph nodes, which over time could lead to abnormal cell growth and an increased risk of cancer."In the school's statement, hematologist and clinical professor Henrik Frederiksen suggested that it's possible our bodies attack tattoo ink particles that enter the lymph nodes because they're perceived as "foreign substances" that need to be expelled."This may mean that the immune system is constantly trying to respond to the ink," thepress release theorizes, "and we do not yet know whether this persistent strain could weaken the function of the lymph nodes or have other health consequences."As with all other studies of this nature, these Danish scientists acknowledge that there needs to be much more research to fully figure out if, how, and why tattoo ink can be substantially linked to cancer.While there has been lots of researchwith tattoos seem to be diagnosed with skin cancers more often than their un-tattooed peers, it's still a big question mark as to why that might be happening.On their part, the Denmark-basedteam behind this study plans to study tattoo inks' effects on the lymph nodes "at the molecular level" and to see if certain types of lymphoma are more associated with tattoos than others.More on foreign substances: Microplastics Getting Stuck in Brain Vessels Like Clots, Scientists Find, Causing "Neurological Abnormalities" in MiceShare This Article

Yellowstone season 5 recently finished airing, but if you don't mind pivoting to earlier in the Dutton timeline, Yellowstone prequel 1923 is dropping new episodes.1923 follows a new Dutton family generation after fellow spin-off 1883, time-warping viewers to the early 20th century. Season 2, which kicked off on Feb. 23, once again stars Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren as ranchers Jacob and Cara Dutton. According toa synopsis, season 2 will see a harsh winter and adversaries pose a threat to the Dutton legacy. The second installment will also focus on Spencer Dutton's journey home and Alexandra's efforts to find Spencer.If you never miss a Taylor Sheridan creation on Paramount Plus (or Peacock), here's how to watch the third episode of 1923 season 2.How to watch Taylor Sheridan's 1923 season 2Paramount Plus is the only way to watch season 2. In the US, the third episode will be available to stream at 12 a.m. ET onMarch 9 (March 8at 9 p.m. PT), according to Paramount Plus. New installments will drop one each week on Sundays.Episode 3, Wrap Thee in Terror: March 9If you don't currently have Paramount Plus and want to get it to stream the new season, the Essential plan will run you $8 per month or $60 per year. You can also opt for the Paramount Plus With Showtime plan, which costs $13 per month or $120 per year. Sarah Tew/CNET Trying to decide between Paramount Plus Essential and Paramount Plus with Showtime? The latter plan is pricier but lets you watch Showtime programming like the currently airing Yellowjackets. It also includes your local live CBS station, removes ads from your streaming experience (outside of live TV) and lets you download titles for offline viewing. Read our Paramount Plus review. See at Paramount Plus

Reached the end of a binge and ready for something new? Prime Video may offer your next small-screen fixation.The streamer is the place to visit for can't-miss originals such as The Boys and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. With new shows premiering frequently, such as the postapocalyptic drama Fallout, you can choose a fresh release or start a series you've had on the back burner.Prime Video is now ad-supported and charges an extra fee to remove commercials. Read on for this month's new releases and a collection of the best shows on the streamer. What's new on Prime Video in MarchNote:These descriptions are taken from Prime Video press releases and lightly edited for style.March 6For the Win: NWSL, season 1 premiere (2025- ):Documentary. The series offers unprecedented access into the 2024 National Women's Soccer League playoffs and Championship.March 13The Wheel of Time, season 3 premiere (2021- ): Fantasy. The series is based on Robert Jordan's best-selling fantasy book series.March 27Bosch: Legacy, season 3 premiere (2022- ): Crime. The series follows Harry Bosch, a retired LAPD homicide detective turned private investigator.Best Amazon Prime Video original TV showsThis list focuses on shows that have premiered a new season since 2020 and have a score of at least 70 on Metacritic.Romance David Lee/Prime Video Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2024- ) Prime Video's Mr. & Ms. Smith castDonald Glover and Maya Erskine in a story about strangers turned married spies. The eight-episode series reimagines the 2005 action film starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, following the unconventional spy couple as they encounter risky missions and, inevitably, a change in their feelings for each other. Dana Hawley/Prime Video The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022- ) If a coming-of-age tale with a peak summer setting, a teenage love triangle and a soundtrack stocked with Taylor Swift songs sounds appealing to you, keep reading. The show centers on Belly (breakout actor Lola Tung), who makes a much-anticipated annual commute to a beach house with her mom and brother. She looks a bit different than she did the last time she set foot on Cousin's Beach and spent time with her mom's best friend's sons, Conrad and Jeremiah. Young-adult author Jenny Han wrote the book on which the TV series is based and serves as one of the showrunners. Prime Video With Love (2021-2023) Looking for love? With Love might be the perfect feel-good rom-com. The charming premise sees the Diaz siblings, Lily and Jorge, navigate major holidays across the year, from Halloween to Christmas -- major holidays that put pressure on singletons in search of romantic relationships. Follow the Diazes on their journey, along with their delightful and sometimes delightfully awkward extended family. An earnest, enjoyable breeze. Amazon Studios The Pursuit of Love (2021) You're either going to fall madly in love with or arch an unimpressed eyebrow at this romance based on the 1945 Nancy Mitford novel of the same name. The Pursuit of Love follows two cousins who represent different ways of life. Lily James is Linda Radlett, whose exuberant romantic adventures see her travel from London to Paris. Emily Beecham, meanwhile, is Fanny Logan, navigating the confinements of married life. If you're in the mood, this three-episode miniseries will sweep you up into a story of happiness and sadness, laughter and pain. Fantasy Jonathan Prime/Prime Video My Lady Jane (2024) Lady Jane Grey, the Queen of England for just nine days in 1553, is the subject of this Prime Video series. The show doesn't stick closely to the events of her life, weaving in fantasy elements like humans who can turn into animals and imagining a world where she met a fate other than execution. Based on a book of the same name and blending comedy, action, romance and more, My Lady Jane is a wild, enjoyable ride you won't find in a history book. Prime Video I'm a Virgo (2023- ) Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You) created this surreal series about Cootie (Jharrel Jerome), a 13-foot-tall Black man who leaves home for the first time at 19. The gentle giant from Oakland, California, experiences friendship, love and more milestones in this coming-of-age story, which brings humor, social commentary and undeniable originality to the small screen. Ben Rothstein/Prime Video The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (2022- ) Haven't watched Prime Video's buzzy, wildly expensive fantasy series yet? The Rings of Power brings incredible visuals, a sprawling cast and a sense of adventure to the streaming service. It's set thousands of years before The Lord of the Rings, and in part follows a young version of the character Galadriel, who's played by Morfydd Clark. Amazon Studios The Legend of Vox Machina (2022- ) Buckle up for a new animated series that centers on a group of boisterous, belching misfits called Vox Machina. Based on Dungeons & Dragons web series Critical Role (you don't have to be familiar with that to enjoy this show), The Legend of Vox Machina sees its protagonists go from being broke bar-hoppers to accepting a mission to stop evil brewing in Exandria. We're further introduced to the characters in a musical number that occurs about halfway through the first episode.That's right, I said musical number. You'll be down for every element this show throws at you. Why would anyone choose these misfits to fight for the kingdom? "Well ... they do have a bear," one royal decision-maker concedes. Crime Shane Mahood/Amazon Studios Reacher (2022- ) Adapted from Lee Child's best-selling Jack Reacher book series, Reacher's eight-episode first season packs a muscular punch. Reacher, a brawny former US Army military policeman played by Alan Ritchson, arrives in a small town and is promptly arrested for a murder he didn't commit. Armed with killer strength and some solid detective skills, the protagonist eventually fends off an array of enemies while uncovering a criminal conspiracy. A treat for crime thriller fans and lovers of Child's novels. Amazon Studios Bosch (2014-2021) This seven-season police procedural, inspired by Michael Connelly novels, gets everything right for old-fashioned detective drama. We follow Los Angeles police detective Harry Bosch, played by Titus Welliver, who's haunted by the death of his mother. While catching serial killers and keeping his family safe, he investigates her murder. Functional and no-nonsense, Bosch provides steady mystery with an equally steady lead. Comedy Prime Video The Outlaws (2021- ) Seven strangers are assigned to the same community payback sentence in this appealing comedy thriller set in Bristol, England. The six-episode show is fun, dark and touching, offering an engaging look at its rule-breakers backgrounds and the relationships that form between them. The plot thickens when some members of the group come across a bag of cash. If you need another draw, the show is co-created by Stephen Merchant, who co-created the UK version of The Office. Amazon Studios Undone (2019- ) This unique series uses theRotoscoping animation techniqueto tell the story of a young woman who, after suffering a near-fatal car accident, discovers she can manipulate time. Intriguing, right? It gets better: Bob Odenkirk plays Alma's dead father, who enlists her help in investigating his murder. Bending both time and space, Undone is surreal and beautifully existential for those looking for deep material. Jackie Brown/Amazon Studios The Kids in the Hall (2022) Prime Video has resurrected The Kids in the Hall, the Emmy-nominated Canadian sketch comedy show that originally ran from 1988 to 1995. (By "resurrects," I mean the show literally exhumes members of the comedy troupe from a grave they were buried in at the end of the original show. That's just the beginning of the fun.) Follow the comedians as they freak out over mislabeled desserts, fight over imaginary love interests and write Earth's last fax. Be warned: Some of these sketches are highly NSFW. Amazon Studios A League of Their Own (2022) Prime Video's TV series A League of Their Own is inspired by the 1992 film of the same name and introduces new characters portrayed by Abbi Jacobson, D'Arcy Carden and others. In the comedy-drama's first episode, women try out for the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in the '40s. The show explores themes of race and sexuality and offers a satisfying period setting and compelling characters. Amazon Studios The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017-2023) A '50s housewife who becomes a standup comic? This brilliant series from Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino is filled with sparkling performances from Rachel Brosnahan and Alex Borstein, with dialogue to match. Set in a vibrant and changing New York, our delightful heroine moonlights as a comedian, while doing her duties as an upper-class Jewish American housewife. With impressive visuals, warmth and zingers, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is the full package. Superhero Brooke Palmer/Prime Video Gen V (2023- ) Gen V is a spin-off of Prime Video's hit violent and satirical series The Boys. Despite efforts to keep her head down, freshman Marie Moreau gets swept up in a mystery at Godolkin University, a prestigious but shadowy school for superheroes. The new series' strong characters and fresh story establish it as something pretty super in its own right. Another reason to watch? Season 4 of The Boys picks up after the events of the first Gen V season. Amazon Studios Invincible (2021- ) For those who aren't a fan of cartoons, Invincible could be your converter, up there with other adult cartoons like BoJack Horseman and Rick and Morty. Based on a comic book from Robert Kirkman, the creator of the Walking Dead, Invincible follows 17-year-old Mark Grayson and his training to become a superhero just like his father, who happens to be the most powerful superhero on the planet. Episodes run long at nearly 50 minutes, connected into one big, blood-spattered story. A subversive series with a huge cast featuring Steven Yeun, Sandra Oh and J.K. Simmons, Invincible will engross you in its smart animated world. Amazon Studios The Boys (2019- ) The Boys stormed Amazon with its ultra-violent tale of antihero vigilantes seeking revenge against the world's most beloved superheroes. These heroes aren't what they seem: Their corporate overlords cover up their shady personal lives, including sexual harassment and the odd assassination. With social commentary, black comedy and pops of gore, The Boys takes a thrilling and unapologetic step away from the family-friendly genre. Drama Prime Video Expats (2024- ) A new miniseries starring Nicole Kidman may be enough to guide your finger to the Play button, but you may also want to know that Expats comes from Lulu Wang, the director of the critically acclaimed 2019 comedy-drama The Farewell. In the six-episode show, Kidman portrays an American woman who's living in Hong Kong and is one of three characters linked by a sudden family tragedy. David Hindley/Prime Video Riches (2022) A soapy drama about a family after the death of their wealthy patriarch sits tantalizingly on Prime Video. In Riches, the will reading goes in an unexpected direction, leading Stephen Richard's two sets of children to vie for control of his business. You'll glide through the stylish first season, which includes Ted Lasso Emmy nominee Sarah Niles. Amazon Studios The English (2022) Gripping Western drama series The English stars Emily Blunt and Chaske Spencer as an unlikely duo traveling across a treacherous landscape. The first episode of the miniseries presents some terrible characters and reveals a bit of what motivates both protagonists -- Blunt's aristocratic Englishwoman and Spencer's Pawnee ex-cavalry scout -- to continue in the face of danger. Gorgeous visuals and superb acting make The English worth a binge. Alan Peebles/Prime Video A Very British Scandal (2022) Unfurling over three hour-long episodes, A Very British Scandal dramatizes the highly publicized, real-life divorce between the Duke and Duchess of Argyll in the 1960s. Claire Foy, of Netflix's The Crown, and WandaVision's Paul Bettany star. Ali Goldstein/Amazon Studios As We See It (2022) A newer entry to Prime Video, As We See It earns a spot among its best shows. Starring three actors who identify as autistic, this sincere series follows young adults on the autism spectrum as they navigate jobs, make friends and find love. Neurotypical actors usually play autistic characters on screen, so the casting sets this one apart. It's also heartfelt, funny and poignant, with well-rounded characters you'll want to root for. I could let the show's glowing Metacritic score speak for itself -- but whatever convinces you, this needs to be your next watch. Prime Video The Underground Railroad (2021) Sublime filmmaker Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) takes on adapting Colson Whitehead's novel The Underground Railroad into a powerful 10-episode series. Set in the southern US during the 1800s, the fictional story follows Blacks attempting to escape from slavery via a network of hidden tracks and tunnels. Tapping magical realism and a superb cast including Thuso Mbedu and William Jackson Harper, The Underground Railroad is an emotional and chilling triumph. Sci-fi Prime Video Fallout (2024- ) Prime Video's video game adaptation is an entertaining postapocalyptic adventure you shouldn't leave sitting in a vault. The series follows three characters occupying the same wasteland. One is Lucy (Ella Purnell), who wanders in search of her kidnapped father and feels the need to invoke the Golden Rule to a cruel post-human Ghoul (Walton Goggins). Meanwhile, an eager Maximus (Aaron Moten) gets his big break as a squire in the Brotherhood of Steel. It's an unpredictable series with humor and gore. Don't let long episode runtimes deter you from exploring Fallout. Prime Video The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy (2024- ) A wacky, stellar adult animated comedy about exceptional alien surgeons, the Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy follows best friends Dr. Sleech and Dr. Klak (voiced by Stephanie Hsu and Keke Palmer) as they perform daily duties like treating a patient usingan anxiety-eating parasite (that's just episode 1). The series' out-of-this-world voice cast also features Maya Rudolph, Natasha Lyonne and all five Culkin brothers. Prime Video Paper Girls (2022) The first episode of Paper Girls, a sci-fi TV series based on popular comics by Brian K. Vaughan and Cliff Chiang, brings together four kids riding bikes on their paper delivery routes in 1988. While that may sound like a sci-fi-er you've binged already, (yep, Netflix's hit Stranger Things), Prime Video's show stands on its own. Follow along as the girls travel through time, navigate powerful adversaries and learn more about themselves. Another reason to watch? Comedian Ali Wong is also part of the cast.

Buckle up, ghost-hunting fans - Phasmophobia's Bleasdale House has had a terrifyingly good makeover. Read more

Fortnite maker Epic Games sued for "deceptive practices employed on a massive scale"Epic disputes the complaint, saying it "contains factual errors".Image credit: Epic News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on March 8, 2025 Parents have filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against Fortnite maker Epic Games for allegedly creating "the illusion of scarcity" and "FOMO" with its store items.As reported by Polygon, two parents have filed a claim with a San Francisco court on behalf of their children, citing "deceptive practices employed on a massive scale in one of the worlds most popular video games [Fortnite]".To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Xbox Developer Direct - four promising games also coming to PlayStation.Watch on YouTube"Some items, such as the ultra-rare Renegade Raider outfit, were offered briefly and have not been offered in more than six years," lawyers wrote. "Others disappear only to reappear weeks later. These offerings and their schedules are subjects of intense interest to Fortnite players."Taking issue with how the Fortnite Store rotates items on its digital storefront, the complaint reads:"But, when their countdown timers expired, Fortnites Item Shop products did not disappear or return to full price. They remained available for purchase, often at the same purportedly discounted rate, for many days or even weeks at a time. This was an unlawful scheme."Fake sales with made-up expiration times are deceptive and illegal under state statutes proscribing unfair and deceptive trade practices, which prohibit misleading advertisements concerning the reasons for or existence of price reductions and representing that items have characteristics or qualities they do not have. Numerous courts have found that fake countdown timers like Epics run afoul of these and similar prohibitions."This is likely referring to a similar lawsuit in the Netherlands. Epic Games is currently appealing a 1.1m (968k) fine levied by the Dutch consumer regulator, which similarly accused the company of "unfair commercial practices aimed at children". At the time of writing, that decision is still pending.In a statement to press, Epic Games said: "This complaint contains factual errors and does not reflect how Fortnite operates. Last year we removed the countdown timer in the Item Shop and we offer protections against unwanted purchases. This includes a hold-to-purchase mechanic, instant purchase cancellations, self service returns for shop purchases and an explicit yes/no choice to save payment information."When a player creates an Epic account and indicates they are under 13, they are unable to make real money purchases until a parent provides consent. Once they do, we offer industry leading parental controls including PIN protecting purchases. We will fight these claims."Earlier this week we reported that Epic Games is suing a player accused of stealing and selling countless user accounts, and profiting further by flogging details of his tactics to other wannabe thieves.

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Something special went down in the desert outside of Las Vegas this weekend: two EVs took on the Mint 400 for the first time.Since the Mint 400 launched back in 1969, vehicles in this iconic desert endurance race have been powered by dead dinosaurs. Spectators and race participants alike are used to the smell of race fuel in the air as everything from V8-motivated Trophy Trucks to humble Class 11 stock Volkswagen Beetles fly over jumps, clamber over rocks, and go flat out on the dry lake bed.That all changed in 2024 when a group of pals entered a Rivian R1T and Mint organizer Matt Martelli created an EV Production class. This year, Chevrolet got into the game and entered the Silverado EV ZR2 off-road race truck concept, a modified version of its truck EV.The concepts reveal comes as Chevy prepares to launch the 2026 Silverado EV Trail Boss, its first off-road oriented EV variant, this summer.While the Rivian is very much a stock truck save for the upgraded 35-inch BFGoodrich tires, the Silverado EV got plenty of special parts. The longer control arms were taken from the Hummer EV to allow for 13 inches of travel. The air suspension was nixed in favor of dual-coil springs in the front with a spring rate of 1,600 pounds per inch and single coil springs in the rear. These dont have to support quite so much weight and sit at only 978 pounds/inch. Hey, thats what happens when a truck weighs nearly 10,000 pounds.Image Credits:Matt Kalish/The Mint 400The tall springs and 37-inch BFGoodrich tires mean the Silverado EV race truck sits 15 inches off the ground. However, the truck itself is so big that I originally estimated it to be only 11 or 12 inches high. Such is the power of proportion.Also taken from the Hummer is the tri-motor system, with two motors in the rear and one in the front. Chevrolet says all together they produce 1,100 horsepower and 11,500 pound-feet of torque.Dont get too jazzed about that torque number though. Chevrolet is talking about wheel torque, which isnt the measure the industry usually uses to talk about torque. The company hasnt given up all the numbers to do the math, but its safe to say the motors produce over 1,000 pound-feet of the stuff. Still nothing to sneeze at.Chevy didnt change the 205 kWh battery. In the street truck thats good enough for 440 miles, in theory enough to race all four laps at the Mint 400. However, ride height, tire size, tread and air pressure, and the dirt all take their toll.Tim Demetrio, Group Manager for Off Road Performance at Chevrolet, told me that in a limited amount of testing, the truck averaged .5 miles/kWh in the dirt. But he didnt really know how the battery and drive units would react to hard desert racing.Not quite a square offThe chance to see Rivian and the modified Chevy Silverado EV square off at the Mint was disrupted by a technicality. Although both vehicles did race, they were in different classes.The Rivian competed in the EV Production class; the Chevrolet, as a vehicle that is currently not offered to the public, was in the EV Open class. And each truck was in a class of one.Whats worse, the Rivian R1T got to make two laps of the 73-mile course, the Chevrolet only one lap. Its common for production vehicles to get fewer laps than the big Trophy Trucks, but I was hoping both trucks would duke it out for two laps to test both efficiency and charging.When I asked Martelli about the discrepancy, he said,The Rivian has already raced and completed one lap in last years race. When we are shepherding in any new class we try to ease them into it. We dont want them to fail. Thats not good for anybody. So we try to manage that by giving them a little bit more each time.Call it the Mint 73Image Credits:Emme HallAs soon as the trucks came off the starting line, I immediately ran to the stock Silverado EV Chevrolet lent me to drive for the weekend.The first pit is at race mile 21, and the initial part of the course is very fast. Teams get to go flat out over a lake bed, through a few sections of whoops and tackle some sandy washes. By the time I got to the first pit, I had missed the truck.The second pit area is a quick drive for chase vehicles, but the Chevy only has to traverse 16 miles of race course. We found a place to park just in time to see the Silverado EV silently zoom around the corner out of the pit area in a cloud of dust.The truck crossed the finish line with a 40% state of charge. That means it averaged .6 miles/kWh a bit better than the team was expecting. It took the team 2 hours and 10 minutes to complete the course, so their average speed was about 34 miles per hour. Not too shabby for a big ol truck.Both driver Chad Hall and co-driver Mark Stielow were in good spirits after the race.We just cruised, said Stielow No problems at all.For Rivian, its the Mint 146Image Credits:Emme HallAfter leaving the Chevy, I hightailed it over to the Electrify America chargers to check on the Rivian.Yes, the Rivian has to charge its 149 kWh battery to make the two laps and luckily there is a 350 kW charger just a mere quarter-mile from the race course. The team only has to enter and exit the course at the same point.I arrived at a scene of controlled chaos.The R1T blew an air spring at race mile 50 or so. The team was busy repairing it while the truck charged.Driver Nick Paris told me they arrived at the charging station with 20% state of charge, putting their lap 1 efficiency at the same .6 miles/kWh as the heavier Silverado.He admitted to having a bit of a lead foot, hitting 110 miles per hour on the dry lakebed. We saw the Chevy in front of us, said co-driver Brett Rieser. And we said Lets go and zoooop! The Rivian made the pass and the race was on.Charged to 90%, the Rivian left on its second lap. The vehicle blew a front damper, but was only down for 15 minutes.The Rivian team arrived at the finish line with a 10% state of charge and despite pushing the truck to 128 miles per hour on the lakebed, their lap 2 efficiency remained .6 miles/kWh.With their charging timeout its tough to get an average speed, but I would put it at a tad slower than the Chevrolet. Chad Hall is, after all, a professional race truck driver. The Rivian team is just a bunch of delightfully nerdy privateers.Regardless, since both trucks finished, both are considered class winners and will take home a first place trophy.Where are Ford, Jeep, Tesla?While battery density and charging infrastructure mean these electron-powered rigs wont be competitive with ICE race cars and trucks, there certainly is room for more EVs to enter the fray to test their charging speed, range and durability.Ford Performance when yall entering the Lightning? Hey Jeep, how about entering a Wagoneer S next year? Heck, Id even be in favor of Uncle Elon entering a Cybertruck. GMC can throw in the Hummer, maybe Porsche could field a Taycan Cross Turismo. I helped Volkswagen get the ID4 to the finish line in Baja in the Mexican 1000 a few years ago, so lets bring that little guy in too. Imagine the spectacle of all these vehicles battling for electric dirt supremacy.

The downsides of doomscrolling and screen addiction are well documented, but while many of us would like to spend less time glued to a smartphone, its easier said than done.Much has been written about the so-called dumbphone revival, where individuals regain some respite from pings and push notifications by downgrading to a basic feature phone. But the reality for most is that this is not a permanent workable solution, simply because so much of society today is built around internet-based tools and services.So it might make more sense to find a middle ground, where we dont completely ditch our smartphones and tablets, and instead find ways to tune out when we dont want the constant distractions of TikTok, YouTube, news alerts, and all the rest.While its true that iPhone and Android devices have some digital well-being tools built in, not to mention an array of third-party apps, these are often too easy to override. TechCrunch has curated some of the best hardware that physically separates people from their round-the-clock connected lives without completely cutting them off from the outside world. Balance, after all, is the name of the game.Although these devices have different approaches to indirectly address smartphone addiction, they each do so from a very similar standpoint: Its all about the user voluntarily adding friction to their digital lives. And paying to do so.UnpluqImage Credits:UnpluqThere are plenty of third-party launchers and blocker apps that bring purposeful friction to your smartphone, but Unpluq makes things physical.The Dutch company has developed an NFC-enabled fob, or a tag, that acts as a digital key to temporarily unblock certain apps on your phone.Related to this, Unpluq offers a mobile app that works independently of the physical fob. You can block your two most distracting apps on a preset schedule (e.g., during a specific time period each day) for free, or you can pay a $61 annual subscription to unlock premium features, including an unlimited number of apps to block on Android and up to 49 on iOS. It also provides more granular controls over the blocking schedule (e.g., restrict it to certain days and times), among other add-ons.However, Unpluqs real value, arguably, lies in the fob, which costs $74 with a one-year subscription bundled, or $22 for the device on its own (you do need a premium subscription to use the fob, so it will have limited value without that).Without the fob, users can unblock apps by circumventing what Unpluq calls distraction barriers, which means having to carry out specific actions to access a given app. This might be having to shake the phone for five seconds, tap several buttons, among other actions.The fob adds an extra layer of friction, requiring users to tap the fob on the phone to gain access to the apps that theyve deliberately blocked. Unpluq says its product is based on the behavioral design theory known as rational override, which is all about introducing deliberate interruptions into a user experience to disrupt habitual behaviors. This makes people think about their actions.The idea is that if you want to block Instagram, X, or The New York Times alerts while trying to study for an exam, you can set the fob as your unblock method and leave the fob on the other side of the house. This should, in theory, make you think twice about doomscrolling and focus on your revision instead.Its worth noting that there are other physical devices that serve similar purposes, such as Brick and 4rem.Boox Palma 2Image Credits:BooxIf you literally want to leave your smartphone behind or lock it away in a box to alleviate yourself from all the temptations it brings, there are other devices that could help.Boox, a brand from Chinese company Onyx, meshes the worlds of ePaper technology and Android to create quirky devices that straddle the notebook, tablet, and e-reader spheres. Crucially, they pack additional connectivity features, including a full gamut of apps via the Google Play store thats preinstalled.Released last year, the Boox Palma 2 is the newest member of the Boox family, and while its pitched primarily as an e-reader, it sports smartphone-like dimensions that make it very pocketable.With access to a full array of Android apps, this might defeat the purpose of what Boox touts as a distraction-free device. However, given that this is an ePaper device, the minimalist screen doesnt have the same appeal for consuming online content. But perhaps more importantly, it doesnt have any cellular functionality, either, meaning connectivity is restricted to Wi-Fi so if you only want to be able to consume offline content while on the move, this could work well for your purposes.In terms of messaging, its also worth noting that WhatsApp now lets users access their messages on multiple devices at the same time. This means that you can lock your smartphone away and still dial in to your social life through the Boox Palma 2 (albeit over a Wi-Fi connection only).The Boox Palma 2 is available now for $279.99.Daylight DC-1Image Credits:DaylightSimilar to the Boox Palma 2, the Daylight DC-1 is an Android-based device primarily designed for reading and writing on; its a distraction-free space for learning and creativity, according to the company. It also offers Google Play, meaning you can access all the usual apps, though it lacks cellular connectivity.At $729, the DC-1 is not cheap, but this device is all about the quality 60 fps display, which promises smoothness and clarity the live paper technology is like E-Ink, but faster, the company says.Its also quite a bit bigger than the Boox Palma 2, which might appeal to some.So if you want a device for reading, working, and researching, with the option of dipping into some of the internets savory delights, then the DC-1 might be for you.TTfone Titan TT950Image Credits:TTfoneOK, not everyone wants to buy a costly e-reader or tablet when all they want is to go places without the temptation of social media or breaking news at their fingertips.While basic 1990s-style feature phones are certainly an option for those looking to keep their smartphones at bay, for most people they lack one key ingredient: WhatsApp.There are various so-called dumbphones that support WhatsApp, owing to the fact that they run Android under the hood. And because WhatsApp now offers multi-device support, you can synchronize all your messages from your smartphone with one of these other devices.Among the cheapest such phones is the Titan TT950, from U.K.- and UAE-based phone makerTTfone.It costs around $106 or your local currency equivalent and is a fairly basic flip phone aimed at seniors. It has no app store to speak of, but it does come with a handful of apps preinstalled, including Facebook Lite, YouTube, a browser, and WhatsApp.Including such apps isnt ideal for those seeking to minimize distractions, but the 2.8-inch touchscreen and accompanying keypad are likely just too fiddly to be of much use for proper internetting.Unihertz: Jelly StarImage Credits:UnihertzEveryone has different compromises theyre willing to make in their digital detoxing efforts. For some, that might mean buying a secondary smartphone that is just so damn small that its totally impractical for TikToking or YouTubing. The Jelly Star from Chinas Unihertz probably fits that bracket. The Jelly Star runs Android 13 out of the box and, as such, is a fully fledged smartphone. But with a 3-inch touchscreen, its just not something you would want to spend too much time doomscrolling on.At $220, the Jelly Star isnt extraordinarily cheap for a secondary device. But if it means you can disappear for the weekend and leave your pocket rocket at home, while still being able to access essential life apps such as WhatsApp, Spotify, Uber, and Google Maps, then it could be a worthwhile investment for some.

Published March 8, 2025 10:00am EST close Dont be so quick to click that Google calendar invite. It could be a hackers trap Cybercriminals are sending fake meeting invitations that seem legitimate. Cybercriminals are constantly finding new ways to exploit trusted apps and browser extensions.Since people tend to trust tools that seem legitimate, attackers use them to spread malware or steal sensitive data. A new report reveals that over 3.2 million users have been affected by a security breach involving malicious browser extensions.These extensions, which appeared genuine, were secretly embedding harmful scripts, stealing data and manipulating search results.STAY PROTECTED & INFORMED! GET SECURITY ALERTS & EXPERT TECH TIPS SIGN UP FOR KURTS THE CYBERGUY REPORT NOW A man using a Chrome browser. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)How were the extensions compromised?GitLab Security has uncovered a major security breach affecting over 3.2 million users through a network of compromised browser extensions, including some linked to GitLab. The attack stemmed from a supply chain breach, where threat actors infiltrated legitimate extensions and pushed malicious updates. These updates embedded hidden scripts that allowed unauthorized data collection, altered HTTP requests and injected ads into web pages all without users noticing.Originally built for tasks like ad blocking, emoji input and screen recording, these extensions were repurposed through covert updates that exploited the extensive permissions users had granted, enabling real-time manipulation of web activity.Typically, malicious extensions or apps are created solely to steal data, with their advertised functionality being an afterthought or simply a way to get listed in an official store. That was not the case here. These were legitimate extensions that became harmful only after attackers injected malicious updates into them. An illustration of a hacker at work. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Which extensions are affected?Several of the compromised extensions are commonly utilized and may be present in your browser. For instance, ad blockers such as AdBlock are valued for eliminating disruptive advertisements and enhancing browsing privacy. However, in this breach, these tools were manipulated to deliver malicious payloads. The following extensions have been identified as affected:AdBlock PlusEmoji KeyboardScreen Capture ProDark Mode ToggleGrammar CheckerPDF ConverterWeather ForecastCoupon FinderVideo DownloaderPassword ManagerTranslate ToolPrivacy ShieldSpeed TestNews ReaderShopping AssistantVPN ExtensionIf any of these extensions are installed on your browser, it is recommended that you assess their permissions and consider their removal until official security updates are verified.The malicious extensions bypassed Content Security Policy protections, which are designed to prevent cross-site scripting attacks, allowing attackers to modify web content without detection. They also communicated with command-and-control servers to receive further instructions, showing a high level of coordination. The attackers exploited the trust users place in the Chrome Web Store and its automatic update system. Investigations suggest this activity has been ongoing since at least July 2024. Google Chrome on a smartphone. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)How to remove an extension from Google ChromeIf you have installed one of the above-mentioned extensions on your browser, remove it as soon as possible. To remove an extension from Google Chrome, follow these steps:Open Chrome and click the icon that looks like a piece of a puzzle. Youll find it in the top-right corner of the browser.You can see all the active extensions now. Click thethree dots icon next to the extension you want to remove and selectRemove from Chrome.ClickRemove to confirm.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)? Steps to remove an extension from Google Chrome. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)6 ways you can protect your personal dataHere are 6 ways to safeguard your sensitive information and maintain your online privacy:1.Keep your browser and extensions up-to-date: Outdated software is a goldmine for cybercriminals. Bugs or security gaps in old versions of your browser or extensions can be exploited to inject malicious code, steal data or take control of your system. Updates patch these vulnerabilities, making them a critical line of defense. Turn on automatic updates for your browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Edge) so youre always running the latest version without thinking about it. See my guide onkeeping your devices and apps updated for more information.2. Install extensions only from trusted sources:Official browser stores like the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-ons have rules and scans to catch bad actors, but theyre not perfect. Extensions from random websites or third-party downloads are far more likely to hide malware or spyware. Stick to the official store for your browser dont download extensions from sketchy links.3. Have strong antivirus software:The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE4. Be skeptical of extensions requesting unnecessary access: Some extensions overreach on purpose. A calculator tool asking for your browsing history or a weather app wanting your login data is a huge red flag.Before installing, ask: "Does this permission match the extensions job?" If the answers no, dont install it. Watch out for broad permissions like "Read and change all your data on websites you visit" unless its clearly justified (e.g., a password manager). If an update suddenly adds new permission requests, dig into why. It might mean the extension has been sold or hacked.5. Update your passwords: Change passwords for any accounts that may have been affected by the incident, and use unique, strong passwords for each account. Consider using a password manager. This can help you generate and store strong, unique passwords for all your accounts. Get more details about mybest expert-reviewed Password Managers of 2025 here.6. Remove your personal data from public databases: If your personal data was exposed in this security incident, its crucial to act quickly to reduce your risk of identity theft and scams. While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice.They arent cheap and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites.Its what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet.By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.Check out my top picks for data removal services here.Kurts key takeawaysBrowser extensions can improve functionality but also pose significant security risks if not carefully managed. If you have any of the above extensions installed in Chrome, you should remove them immediately. Treat your browser as a key part of your digital security. Regularly check your extensions, remove unnecessary permissions and be cautious about automatic updates, even from trusted sources.Should browsers implement stricter restrictions on what extensions can do by default?Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/ContactCLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading toCyberguy.com/NewsletterAsk Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to cover.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.