dWebServe Submit News Opinions Worldwide |
- Washington state regulators say Amazon’s workflow and pace injures warehouse workers
- Redesigned Mac mini with M1X chip revealed in renders from top Apple leaker
- Senators spar over the idea of giving billions to Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin venture for lunar lander program
- This big ‘Black Widow’ spoiler might reveal a huge plot twist
- AST Announces IP3 2021, a Collaborative Fixed Price, Fixed Term Patent Buying Program
- Will Self-Driven Cars Replace Humans in the Future?
- The 4Moms Breeze Plus Playard Helper
- Amazon shareholders tackle tech giant’s prickliest problems after a turbulent year amid the pandemic
- Microsoft adapts OpenAI’s GPT-3 natural language technology to automatically write code
- D.C. AG targets Amazon in new antitrust suit over third-party seller pricing policies
| Washington state regulators say Amazon’s workflow and pace injures warehouse workers Posted: 25 May 2021 05:40 PM PDT dWeb.News Article from Mike Lewis  (Amazon Photo) Washington state workplace regulators fined and admonished Amazon for pushing workers at its Dupont, Wash. fulfillment center so relentlessly that it resulted in workplace injuries. Additionally, the company was cited for lack of follow-through on its own ergonomic plans. According to the citation from the state Department of Labor and Industries, Amazon managers at the DuPont warehouse, "did not provide employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause serious injury." The department fined the online retail giant $7,000 for the violation. An Amazon spokesperson didn't return calls seeking comment. The Seattle Times first reported the story. Pay and high-pressure nature of warehouse work at Amazon has been a magnet for criticism for years. After critical comments by members of Congress and labor leaders, the company three years ago adjusted to a minimum $15 an hour wage throughout all of its U.S. fulfillment centers. Workplace safety and the relentless push to process packages led to an attempt this year to unionize workers in Bessemer, Ala. The union organization attempt failed. In DuPont, state regulators who inspected the plant noted, "Employees are expected to maintain a very high pace of work. Information collected documented that pressure is put on workers to maintain that pace without adequate recovery time to reduce the risk of MSDs (musculoskeletal disorders). There is a direct connection between Amazon's employee monitoring and discipline systems and workplace MSDs." Amazon grades employees on their ability to meet a specific workflow. Employees who don't meet the processing standard or who make too many mistakes meeting the hourly package rate can be fired. Recognizing that Amazon's reputation as an employer had taken a hit, particularly during the bruising union fight, founder and outgoing CEO Jeff Bezos said the company's long-term goal was straightforward: to make the company an admired employer worldwide. "We are going to be Earth's Best Employer and Earth's Safest Place to Work," Bezos wrote in his final letter to shareholders one month ago. At one million square feet, the DuPont facility is the second-largest in the state behind the Spokane, Wash., warehouse. It specializes in larger items to ship such as canoes and televisions. See the full Department of Labor and Industries citation and notice below: Washington state workplace regulators fined and admonished Amazon for pushing workers at its Dupont, Wash. fulfillment center so relentlessly that it resulted in workplace injuries. Additionally, the company was cited for lack of follow-through on its own ergonomic plans. According to the citation from the state Department of Labor and Industries, Amazon managers at the DuPont warehouse, "did not provide employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause serious injury." The department fined the online retail giant $7,000 for the violation. An Amazon spokesperson didn't return calls seeking comment. The Seattle Times first… Read MoreAmazon, DuPont, fulfillment center, labor and industries, Washington The post Washington state regulators say Amazon's workflow and pace injures warehouse workers appeared first on dWeb.News Daniel Webster dWeb Internet Cowboy             |
| Redesigned Mac mini with M1X chip revealed in renders from top Apple leaker Posted: 25 May 2021 05:40 PM PDT dWeb.News Article from Jacob Siegal  Apple’s annual developer conference is just around the corner, but the past few weeks have been so packed with Apple leaks and launches that it feels like we’re currently in the middle of one long Apple event. This latest round of leaks began when Front Page Tech host Jon Prosser shared renders of the colorful new M2 MacBook Air lineup, which the company is expected to unveil later this year. Just over a week later, Prosser returned with renders of the Apple Watch Series 7, which has a more rounded design, similar to that of the iPad Pro. Two days after that, Apple started selling new iMac, iPad Pro, and Apple TV 4K models that were announced in April. Needless to say, this has been a busy month, but Prosser isn’t done yet. On Tuesday, a new episode of Front Page Tech arrived to give us our potential first look at the redesigned M1X Mac mini. Today’s Top DealPrime Day 2021 started early for the Fire TV Stick 4K — get one for just $29.99!Price: $29.99 Today’s Top Deals Amazon's hottest smart home device is somehow $19.99 today, but it's about to sell out Trending Right Now: $3,600 in new stimulus payments start hitting your account next month – here's who gets paid The post Redesigned Mac mini with M1X chip revealed in renders from top Apple leaker appeared first on dWeb.News Daniel Webster dWeb Internet Cowboy       |
| Posted: 25 May 2021 04:39 PM PDT dWeb.News Article from Alan Boyle  An artist's conception shows the human landing system that's being developed by Blue Origin and its industry partners in the foreground, and Blue Origin's Blue Moon cargo lander in the far background. (Blue Origin Illustration) The tussle over NASA funding for lunar landing systems has touched down in the Senate — with one leading senator seeking additional funding that could go to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin space venture, and another leading senator arguing against a "Bezos Bailout." The senator on the pro-funding side is Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., who chairs the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Her amendment to the Endless Frontier Act could put Kent, Wash.-based Blue Origin and its space industry partners back in the running for billions of dollars of NASA support for their human landing system. Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., is on the anti-funding side: This week, he submitted an amendment that would "eliminate the multi-billion dollar Bezos Bailout." Sen. Bernie Sanders is jumping into NASA’s lunar lander fiasco with an amendment that deletes the whole human landing system section from the NASA authorization bill “Purpose: To eliminate the multi-billion dollar Bezos Bailout” pic.twitter.com/cTdVb44E4i — Joey Roulette (@joroulette) May 24, 2021 This all has to do with NASA's decision last month to award a $2.9 billion contract to SpaceX for a Starship lunar lander that's designed to carry astronauts to the lunar surface for the space agency's Artemis program, as early as 2024. NASA had been considering proposals from SpaceX as well as from Alabama-based Dynetics and the team led by Blue Origin (which includes Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Draper). The optimal plan was to select two competitive proposals to go forward, but NASA officials said Congress didn't appropriate enough money for two teams. So they went with SpaceX, which submitted the least expensive plan. In response, Blue Origin's team and Dynetics filed separate protests with the Government Accountability Office. The teams said that their proposals didn't get proper consideration, and that NASA should have handled the competition differently with the budget it was given. The GAO has until Aug. 4 to rule whether the award to SpaceX should stand or the competition should be redone. In the meantime, NASA has held up on the award. Cantwell's amendment calls for NASA to receive more than $10 billion in additional funding for a second lunar lander contract and other infrastructure needs. Her language is part of the version of the bill cleared by her committee this month. The fact that the extra money could benefit a space program that's basically headed by the world's richest individual drew the ire of Sanders, a longtime critic of Amazon, Bezos and other billionaires. Lobbyists for Blue Origin and SpaceX are also in the thick of the fray, as detailed by The Washington Post. Determining the winner of this latest battle of the billionaires — pitting Bezos against SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, America's second-richest individual — will probably take months. Both houses of Congress have to approve authorizing legislation as well as an actual appropriation. And it's not likely that Congress will get all that done before the GAO's ruling, which could reset the terms of the competition in August. Space News' Jeff Foust probably had it right when he tweeted that there's been "a lot of drama about a bill unlikely to become law in anything like its current form." The tussle over NASA funding for lunar landing systems has touched down in the Senate — with one leading senator seeking additional funding that could go to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin space venture, and another leading senator arguing against a "Bezos Bailout." The senator on the pro-funding side is Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., who chairs the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. Her amendment to the Endless Frontier Act could put Kent, Wash.-based Blue Origin and its space industry partners back in the running for billions of dollars of NASA support for their human landing system. Sen. Bernie Sanders,… Read MoreSpace, Artemis, Bernie Sanders, Blue Moon, Blue Origin, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, lunar lander, maria cantwell, Moon, Politics, SpaceX The post Senators spar over the idea of giving billions to Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin venture for lunar lander program appeared first on dWeb.News Daniel Webster dWeb Internet Cowboy       |
| This big ‘Black Widow’ spoiler might reveal a huge plot twist Posted: 25 May 2021 03:39 PM PDT dWeb.News Article from Chris Smith  Black Widow should have been Marvel's first massive success of the MCU's Phase 4. It's a movie that fans have been waiting for years for Marvel to make, but the studio needed more than a decade to finally deliver the film that is deserved by both the titular character and the actress who played her in so many MCU adventures. But the pandemic ruined that glorious Phase 4 opening that Black Widow would have delivered. The movie’s release was delayed several times because of the pandemic, but it will finally be released on July 9th. It'll still be the first MCU Phase 4 movie, but not the first Marvel adventure to kickstart this new phase. That title goes to WandaVision, which launched in mid-January. It's because of the pandemic that Black Widow's box office success might take a severe hit since the film will launch online at the same time as its theatrical release. Also, the launch delays allowed various rumors to trickle in, detailing other Marvel films set to be released around Black Widow. As it stands right now, Eternals and Spider-Man: No Way Home seem to be the most exciting Marvel films of the year, and they appear to be a lot more interesting than Black Widow. Of course, Black Widow still should be a ton of fun to watch. And it turns out that the film might have a huge plot twist we never saw coming despite seeing plenty of Black Widow leaks so far. Before you read any further though, we’ll warn you that massive spoilers might follow below. Today’s Top DealPrime Day pricing is here for the ultimate Roku streaming box!Price: $69.00 Today’s Top Deals Amazon's hottest smart home device is somehow $19.99 today, but it's about to sell out Trending Right Now: $3,600 in new stimulus payments start hitting your account next month – here's who gets paid The post This big 'Black Widow' spoiler might reveal a huge plot twist appeared first on dWeb.News Daniel Webster dWeb Internet Cowboy       |
| AST Announces IP3 2021, a Collaborative Fixed Price, Fixed Term Patent Buying Program Posted: 25 May 2021 03:39 PM PDT dWeb.News Article from  AST, the member-driven cooperative and leading provider of proactive patent defense solutions, has announced the upcoming launch of IP3 2021 (Industry Patent Purchase Program). IP3 has been carefully designed as a collaborative patent buying platform where the seller determines a fixed price and there is an established fixed term which results in a streamlined process. PRINCETON, N.J. – May 25, 2021 – (Newswire.com) AST, the member-driven cooperative and leading provider of proactive patent defense solutions, has announced the upcoming launch of IP3 2021 (Industry Patent Purchase Program). IP3 connects patent sellers with AST’s Member companies who span across multiple industries. These include companies such as ASSA ABLOY, Avaya, Cisco, Dolby, Facebook, Google, Honda, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Oracle, Philips, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Slack, Snap, Sony, Spotify, Twitter, Uber and Verizon, among others. This exposure to some of the world’s largest leaders in technology provides sellers the opportunity to market their patents in the secondary market to a much broader audience than what they could find on their own. This is the sixth year that AST has offered this program with the goal of simplifying sellers’ access to the secondary market by eliminating some of the common hassles that may accompany this process. IP3 has been carefully designed as a collaborative patent buying platform where the seller determines a fixed price and there is an established fixed term which results in a streamlined process. This year’s program will solicit patents for sale at a fixed price from an extensive group of technology areas. These 16 categories that can be found below have been arranged by priority of what we would like to see: · Advertising & Content Distribution Last year’s IP3 program received a record number of submissions from 365 sellers and closed 29 deals amid budget constraints and other challenges caused by Covid-19. IP3 2020 attracted strong interest from both patent sellers and Member companies which included Cisco, Facebook, Google, Intel, Microsoft, Oracle, Snap, Twitter, Uber, and Verizon, among others, spending $2.85 million to acquire 31 patent families. AST launched IP3 in 2016 based on Google’s 2015 patent purchase program because AST was well-suited to offer an industry wide program that would foster a collaborative environment among companies. The technology categories will remain the same as last year. Also continuing in 2021, the portfolios are listed on a non-exclusive basis until the final phase of IP3 2021. This means that patent sellers may continue to market their offerings during the IP3 program. But if a seller’s offering is still available during the last 8 days of the program, they must sell to IP3 if their price is met. “This is our sixth IP3 program and it has been exciting to see the growth each year with new sellers, increased submissions, and more interest among AST Members. These fixed priced, fixed term programs offer a lot of advantages for both sellers and buyers and we look forward to another successful program,” said Russell W. Binns, Jr., CEO of AST. “Last year our Members were pleased with the variety of submissions that we had received due to having more than half of the submissions being first-time submissions which drove Member participation in a difficult year. We are looking to continue that trend this year and hope to see many new and high-quality patents during our June submission window.” Binns added: “We often hear from our Members that having the opportunity to participate in programs like IP3 provides a unique opportunity to take advantage of group thinking and the wisdom of the crowd when it comes to purchasing patents, and makes for an efficient, productive buying experience. Because of this, we continue to evolve the IP3 program according to Member and seller feedback. We want to be certain that we are providing an easy, fast and efficient process that benefits both our Members’ businesses and the patent seller community.” How to Submit Patents for Sale Patent sellers and brokers are welcome to submit their patents for sale at a price they set via the AST IP3 portal: www.ast.com/IP3 from June 21 through July 2, 2021. AST will consider submissions in the technology areas outlined above for this installment of IP3. Sellers need only identify the patent family and fixed price at which they are willing to transact. Each submission should contain only related assets, and a preference will be made for single family submissions or related families. AST’s preference is to review new patent portfolios, although sellers who already submitted their patents to AST’s Standard program, where the price is negotiable, can also participate in IP3 2021 by transferring their submission. For additional information on how to transfer the submissions, contact us at ip32021@ast.com. At the end of the submission period, AST and its Members will review all the submissions and let the submitters know whether there is interest in a purchase by September 27, 2021, if not sooner. AST will also let submitters know whether there is no interest in a purchase through IP3 as soon as possible, and no later than September 27, 2021. Once AST contacts sellers about purchasing their patents, there will be additional diligence which will enable transaction closure in short order. It is anticipated that all transactions and payments will be completed by the end of 2021. From the time patents are submitted to September 19, submitters must let us know if their offering is sold and no longer available or encumbered. After September 20, submitters must sell to IP3 if their price is met and they are notified of an intent to purchase by September 27, 2021. To obtain more detailed information about IP3 2021, please visit ast.com/IP3. All pertinent IP3 documents, such as the applicable patent assignment agreement and terms and conditions can be downloaded here. Participating sellers are encouraged to consult with an attorney prior to their submission to fully understand the terms and conditions of this program. Throughout this process, AST reserves the right not to transact for any reason. About AST AST was founded in 2007 by four global high-tech companies as a member-driven cooperative to mitigate patent risk and to operate with no profit motive. AST serves the world’s most innovative and recognized technology companies through the cost-sharing acquisition of patent rights; provides access to the most comprehensive database of patents offered in the secondary market; offers Quarterly Market Insights reporting; and facilitates a community for IP thought leaders to interact and form business relationships. AST’s Members include over 40 top global companies from a wide range of industries including ASSA ABLOY, Avaya, Cisco, Dolby, Facebook, Google, Honda, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Oracle, Philips, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Slack, SNAP, Sony, Spotify, Twitter, Uber and Verizon. For more information on AST, please visit http://www.ast.com. Press Release Service Original Source: More Business and Technology News at https://dWeb.News The post AST Announces IP3 2021, a Collaborative Fixed Price, Fixed Term Patent Buying Program appeared first on dWeb.News Daniel Webster dWeb Internet Cowboy       |
| Will Self-Driven Cars Replace Humans in the Future? Posted: 25 May 2021 02:42 PM PDT dWeb.News Article from Daniel Martin  The driverless revolution in cars is just starting despite there being some twists and turns in its adoption. The invention of self-driven cars is poised to impact the transportation industry greatly. Since the first car got invented decades ago, their basic control has been a human being behind the steering wheel. There had been no major strides as far as vehicle control is concerned. However, that is changing drastically, thanks to the new technological advancements happening in the automotive industry. Tech experts have been working on using technology to enhance car safety. One of their biggest milestones, however, has been the introduction of self-driven cars. Right now, various car manufacturers are making cars that can move without any human input. But then, it is not certain what the future holds for these cars and conventional human-driven ones. Will Self-Driven Cars Replace Humans in the Future?Many people ask themselves whether this advancement spells doom for regular cars. This article looks into whether the world will fully adopt self-driven cars in the future. Besides, it looks into how safe they are, what they mean environmentally, etc. Here's all the information you need to know. How Exactly Do Self-Driving Cars Work?Before getting into the nitty-gritty of self-driving cars, it is vital to understand exactly how they work. Many people think that these cars use rocket science to move from one place to another. However, they work in a simple and easily understandable manner. These cars basically use cameras mounted at the front, back, and sides. These cameras detect objects around the car; the car processes this information and steers to avoid hitting them. Then, there're in-car computers that can understand traffic rules then guide the car to any destination. You could be thinking about how they estimate braking distance and many more. These cars bounce sound and light off objects to determine how far they are and calculate the time it will take to stop without hitting the objects. Besides, they can detect motion, for instance, when in moving traffic. They can determine the direction that traffic is taking and its average speed before adjusting accordingly. Although this isn't a conclusive description of how these cars work, it gives a short description of how self-driven cars work. Why is it Taking Longer Than Expected to Get Self-Driving Cars on the Road?One would expect that these sophisticated cars should have been popular worldwide today. However, these types of cars are yet to become as popular as they should be. Experts have attributed this because these cars rely on artificial intelligence to work, a technology whose adaptation has been slow. There are a lot of things that factor in this delay. One of the biggest challenges has been in training in-car computers on how to navigate roads. The easiest way to do this ideally is to teach cars with billions of videos showing real-life drives. That teaches the computers proper driving behavior making the road safe for all users. However, carmakers and tech experts have tried to create as many such situations to train cars. They have engineered certain situations to represent real road situations. Despite doing this, it is evident that training cars on every road situation is daunting and yet to be possible; thus, their slow adoption. Will People Accept Self-Driving Cars?Another thing that will determine whether self-driven cars will take over is whether they'll get accepted. Perception issues aren't new in the tech world, and that's one thing self-driven cars will need to overcome. Otherwise, getting accepted in a world with varied opinions on new technologies isn't easy. According to a 2019 survey, 71% of people said they'd be scared to be driven by a computer. That shows there's a huge percentage of people that are yet to accept driverless vehicles. According to many people, they'll need to see evidence of how safe this technology is before they start to trust it. Thus, the first step towards enhancing the acceptance of this technology is educating the masses. Tech experts must teach people about AI and how important it is. Besides, the sensitization should extend to how this technology will help to change the transport industry. The best thing about technology is that it only gets better. Although people haven't embraced AI in cars, technology keeps improving in safety and other aspects. Soon, people will have no option other than accept it as it will become safer to be a passenger in an autonomous car than a regular car. Are Self-Driving Cars Safe?Safety is a concern everywhere, and it is even more vital when it comes to cars. Self-driven cars have to prove that they're safe if they're to replace regular cars fully. Thankfully, expert reports from the tests that have already been conducted show that these cars are safer than human-driven ones. However, self-driven cars are yet to become safer and better in all aspects. There are still instances in which human-driven cars have proved to be better. As mentioned earlier, it takes more than following traffic rules to be safe. Self-driven cars cannot perform some critical functions that humans can perform. But then, self-driven cars excel in certain aspects that humans have constantly failed. For instance, a self-driven car doesn't get fatigued, drink, drive, or suffer from sleep deprivation. All these have been attributed to many road accidents globally; driverless cars help mitigate them, making them safe. The accident reports that have involved self-driven cars have led to heated debates. One of the most popular cases is when a woman got hit by a car in self-driving mode. Before that, a man had died as his self-driven Tesla hit a truck, adding to the statistics. It is worth mentioning that self-driven cars have a long way to go as far as safety is concerned. The safety limitations that these cars are experiencing are making it difficult to convince people. In general, self-driven cars may not outperform human-driven cars soon regarding road safety. Are Self-Driving Cars Going to be Good for the Environment?Eco-friendliness is another concern that car manufacturers and users have to think about. Self-driven cars have been a great part of this discussion. Many people question whether these cars can help to solve the existing environmental issues and how efficient their solutions will be today and in the future. There have been different arguments to support this debate. For instance, experts say that self-driving cars will reduce the need to own a car as people will be requesting one when they need to move. That will mean lesser car trips and fewer emissions into the environment, thus conserving it. Besides, some technological advancements are also positively impacting the environment. For instance, experts say that adaptive cruise control is making the environment more efficient by 5-7%. But then, there isn't any solid evidence showing that these cars are better for the environment. Although regular cars emit more gases to the environment, they do not impact industries. Therefore, there's no reason to rate them lower than self-driving cars. The only positive has been better fuel efficiency, but that doesn't make any machine good for the environment. Even though preliminary research has shown that driverless cars reduce the number of trips people make, it isn't conclusive. Many researchers are getting their hands dirty out there to confirm that. Meanwhile, the question of whether they're an eco-friendlier option than regular cars hasn't been settled. There needs to be more proof to confirm that these cars are an excellent option. What Benefits Could Self-Driving Cars Offer?Self-driving cars have faced a lot of hurdles in regards to acceptance and adoption. However, the benefits of using these cars outweigh the disadvantages making them worth thinking about. As manufacturers continue to convince people to accept this technology, the final decisions lie with users. If you're undecided about whether to buy a self-driving car or not, you need to consider the benefits and limitations first. According to experts, one thing that driverless cars will impact is road safety. They will significantly reduce the number of automotive accidents reported making them worthy investments. Some statistics associated with human-driven cars are worrying. For instance, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 94% of auto accidents in the US result from human error. That alone shows that there's a need to find alternatives to human-driven cars to enhance safety. Thus, self-driven cars contribute a lot to how much produce companies manage. Besides making it easier to move, they also impact a person's quality of life, making it more bearable. Also, many self-driven cars are comfortable and make it easier for passengers to do their personal work while enjoying long drives, almost like creating car offices. Is the Rise of Self-Driving Cars an Investment Opportunity?
Business-minded people could be wondering what the rise in self-driving cars means for them. It is common to hear people ask whether it is worth investing in these cars. And since investing in such cars requires a big budget, it is worth taking your time to get the facts right before deciding. A 2016 Business Insider report projected that there would be over 10 million driverless cars on roads by 2020. More projections show that this growth will not only directly relate to these cars. In short, the impact of self-driven cars isn't limited to car manufacturers only. There are lots of other professionals who're set to benefit from this technological advancement. For instance, tech professionals should consider this a suitable opportunity to find employment and practice what they love. Thus, the rise of driverless cars is an opportunity to invest. But then, you should not limit yourself. Casting your net wider can help you make more wise decisions. That means everyone has an opportunity to benefit from this emerging tech, and the best thing is that it will impact even those who won't directly interact with it. What Do Self-Driving Vehicles Mean for Car Companies?Car companies are another lot that could be greatly interested in self-driven vehicles. The question that arises here is on what the introduction of this tech means to car companies globally. Many car companies are quick to jump on the bandwagon of self-driving cars. Soon, Kia dealerships will be filled with vehicles that are autonomous in their driving. They are planning to have a complete fleet by 2030. It is rumored that Kia is in its testing phase now. This is also the story for other car manufacturers such as Tesla, BMW, etc. A situation where car companies do not have to employ drivers may attract more investors. With the technology fitted in these cars, it will be easier to request a ride from any location. The car will arrive by itself, pick up the customer and drop them at their destination without human assistance. The ridesharing industry will be one of the biggest beneficiaries once self-driving vehicles become popular. Many companies will grow their businesses and achieve consistent profitability, making self-driving cars great investments that will shape the future of car companies. Could Driverless Vehicles Completely Replace Regular Cars?Now the big question is whether these cars will completely replace human-driven cars. The reason this question keeps coming up is that more people lose their lives on roads every year. Finding solutions that will reduce these numbers will be great and driverless cars look like a possible solution. Although safety could be a reason to shift to self-driven cars, it will still not be implemented soon. There're major technological strides that the industry needs to make before reaching such a point. Thus, human-driven cars are not about to go extinct unless the self-driven car manufacturers do better in some aspects. One of the ways to ensure that human-driven cars exist on the roads is to use legislation. A few significant strides in enhancing safety in these cars may push governments to think about improving security. But then, there's more research to do and prototyping to ensure that these cars are safer before phasing out the conventional models. The complete shift to autonomous cars is also facing a lot of criticism. For instance, many people argue that technology isn't trusted as it has had glitches and total breakdowns in other sectors. In the transport sector, a simple glitch could cost lives and lead to huge financial losses. Thus, the question of whether driverless cars can replace regular cars is difficult to answer. However, there's light at the end only if the industry that can make major strides both safety and convenience wise. ConclusionAs you can see, driverless cars are a true way for the future. Everyone desires roads that are free from accidents and that are safe for all users. The invention of self-driven cars is timely and has already shown great efforts in reducing accidents. However, it hasn't convinced experts and the rest of the people that it can guarantee safety. But then, its development looks promising, and the wait won't be too long. Several factors will determine how quickly the world gets there. For instance, the acceptance of this technology will be critical. The faster people embrace this technology the easier the stakeholders will implement it including manufacturers and car companies. Soon, you will be moving in a fully computerized car that moves without any human assistance. The post Will Self-Driven Cars Replace Humans in the Future? appeared first on ReadWrite. The driverless revolution in cars is just starting despite there being some twists and turns in its adoption. The invention of self-driven cars is poised to impact the transportation industry greatly. Since the first car got invented decades ago, their basic control has been a human being behind the steering wheel. There had been no The post Will Self-Driven Cars Replace Humans in the Future? appeared first on dWeb.News Daniel Webster dWeb Internet Cowboy       |
| The 4Moms Breeze Plus Playard Helper Posted: 25 May 2021 02:42 PM PDT dWeb.News Article from Deanna Ritchie  The country is finally opening up from COVID so that we can head out from being cooped up in our homes. For those that will be traveling with a little one — the 4Moms Breeze Plus Playard is a fantastic place to start. 4moms Breeze Plus Portable Playard with Removable Bassinet I was a little worried about getting this item for a gift because I thought that maybe the mom-to-be would rather pick out her own stuff. But everyone at the shower was amazed at this product. 4moms Breeze Plus Playard I haven't seen an easier setup for a traveling baby bassinet and changer. It's so easy to set up, the changing basket is secure and easy to use and there is plenty of room for the baby to sleep. Straight from the website — about this itemOne push open, one pull close
The 4moms Breeze Plus Portable Bassinet and Baby Changing Station is small enough to throw in the trunk and keep with you. Grammy decided she needs one in her car too for quick changes in babysitting opportunities — so I'm sending for another. What I likedThis is a really nice, well-made item. I wish I'd had one for my kids instead of hauling around the heavy equipment that was my generation's option. As a gift for a really special baby, I couldn't have done better. It is impressive — and that's what I wanted — something really usable and needed. The 4moms Breeze Plus Portable Bassinet and Baby Changing Station is about $199 on Amazon, but I have noticed that they have sales every once in a while. Image Credit: in the post, amazon.com Top Image Credit: william fortunato; pexels; thank you! The post The 4Moms Breeze Plus Playard Helper appeared first on ReadWrite. The country is finally opening up from COVID so that we can head out from being cooped up in our homes. For those that will be traveling with a little one — the 4Moms Breeze Plus Playard is a fantastic place to start. 4moms Breeze Plus Portable Playard with Removable Bassinet I was a little The post The 4Moms Breeze Plus Playard Helper appeared first on dWeb.News Daniel Webster dWeb Internet Cowboy       |
| Amazon shareholders tackle tech giant’s prickliest problems after a turbulent year amid the pandemic Posted: 25 May 2021 02:42 PM PDT dWeb.News Article from Tony Lystra  Protestors gather outside Amazon's 2019 shareholder meeting. (GeekWire Photo / Monica Nickelsburg) Amazon has been on a wild ride over the last year. The Seattle retail and tech giant's profits and stock price have soared to record highs during the pandemic as the company hired an astounding 500,000 new workers last year, increased its already colossal warehouse capacity by 50% and usurped Boeing as Washington state's largest employer. Yet Amazon has come under fire during that same period over a heap of racial, gender, human rights, labor, environmental and economic issues — and the company's shareholders have taken notice. At Wednesday's shareholder meeting — typically hosted in Seattle but held virtually this year — Amazon's investors will propose more than a dozen initiatives that advocates say are aimed at making the company a more transparent and conscientious corporate citizen. Amazon's board of directors is fighting all of the measures, saying the company is already adequately addressing the issues raised in the proposals. The shareholder resolutions are non-binding, but they're a way for investors to build consensus around certain corporate policies and pressure a company to take action. Similar proposals, also opposed by Amazon's board, have been put forward during previous Amazon shareholder meetings. Each of them failed. Still, Amazon has never faced a year quite like 2020. Amazon employees gather at The Spheres on the company's Seattle campus to voice support for time off to vote. (GeekWire Photo / Taylor Soper) During the past 18 months, shareholders note in this year's proxy statement (resolutions start on page 23), the company has been besieged with allegations about the wellbeing of its warehouse workers, potential abuse of its facial recognition and surveillance technology, antitrust concerns, its treatment of women and minority employees and more. In fact, shareholders have put forth a proposal this year that would effectively force Jeff Bezos out of the company he founded after he steps down as CEO in this year's third quarter. Bezos plans to remain chairman of Amazon's board after he departs the CEO's office, but the proposal would require that the board be led by "an independent director who has not previously served as an executive officer of the company." Allowing board chairs who have also served as CEO "weakens a corporation's governance, which can harm shareholder value," shareholders said in the proxy statement. The shareholders behind the proposal point out that Amazon has been increasingly at odds with its "key constituencies," including small businesses, its warehouse workers and "communities in which it operates." Amazon said it's spent $11.5 billion on COVID-related measures, including employee safety, even building its own COVID testing labs at a time when government testing efforts were faltering. But lawmakers and worker advocates have been skeptical. The company, meanwhile, has faced allegations of high injury rates among its blue-collar employees. Earlier this year, Amazon mounted a vigorous – and successful – campaign to defeat a union vote at one of its warehouses in Bessemer, Ala. The company's tactics during the unionization vote are now under review by federal officials. Jennifer Bates, an Amazon warehouse employee in Bessemer, is expected to call on Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos Wednesday to appoint one of the company's hourly workers on the company's board of directors, according to Oxfam, the social justice and antipoverty organization. In a statement, Oxfam accused Amazon of continuing "dehumanizing working conditions" in its logistics facilities, as well as "anti-union activities." (Amazon Photo) Beyond Bessemer, Amazon has been hit with a string of gender and racial discrimination lawsuits filed by its corporate employees, including five suits that were filed last week. The company has acknowledged that Black and other minorities make up far too little of its leadership and has pledged to diversify its top ranks. Black employees, meanwhile, have accused the company of hiring them into corporate jobs below their skill level and being slow to promote them. In addition, Amazon Web Services and Amazon's consumer products arm are beset with skepticism over how the company's technology is being used. Amazon has, for now, banned sales of its facial recognition technology to law enforcement agencies, yet a coalition of shareholders are calling for audits of how government agencies, both here in the U.S. and abroad, may be abusing the technology to violate civil and human rights. Shareholders are also calling for greater scrutiny of how law enforcement agencies make use of Amazon's camera-equipped Ring doorbell, which connects to a social network where footage and messages can be shared between neighbors and authorities. Among the concerns is whether the product is being used to disproportionately aim suspicion at people of color. Yet another group of shareholders are asking Amazon to account for plastic packaging that may end up in the world's oceans. "These controversies and operating challenges may have resulted from Amazon's rapid growth, but they threaten to damage our company's corporate reputation and financial performance," shareholders said in the proxy statement. One group that won't get a hearing at Wednesday's shareholders meeting is Amazon Employees for Climate Justice (AECJ), which has pressured Amazon in the past to take more aggressive measures to curb climate change. Jamie Kowalski, a former Amazon software development engineer who now leads AECJ, said the group proposed a resolution calling on Amazon to account for what Kowalski called "the racist impact" of its pollution. Kowalski said Amazon's warehouses are disproportionately located in geographic areas where minorities live. Vast fleets of big rigs hauling packages to and from those facilities each day contribute to poor air quality in those neighborhoods, the group says. Kowalski said Amazon fought the inclusion of the proposed resolution in this year's shareholder meeting and the Securities and Exchange Commission ruled it out on a technicality. "Obviously Amazon did not want to see shareholders vote on this proposal so it's not going to be on the proxy ballot," he said. AECJ made national headlines over the past year after Amazon fired two of its leaders, Emily Cunningham and Maren Costa. The National Labor Relations Board earlier this year ruled that Amazon illegally retaliated against the pair for their activism. The Washington Post reported in January that Amazon also threatened to fire Kowalski, who told GeekWire he's since left the company to think about what what's next for his career. In its proxy statement, Amazon lists a long roster of measures it's taking to protect the environment, ensure its technology is used responsibly and equitably by governments and other customers and to ensure worker safety. Those measures, the company said, include panels of experts closely monitoring how its facial recognition technology and other products are deployed, programs aimed at promoting minority employees and even the use of machine learning to reduce the use of plastic packaging in shipping materials. Meanwhile, Amazon has throughout the last year announced programs to reduce workplace injuries and invest heavily in renewable energy. The company has also touted its $15/hour starting wage for logistics workers, which is more than twice the federal minimum wage. Amazon has been on a wild ride over the last year. The Seattle retail and tech giant's profits and stock price have soared to record highs during the pandemic as the company hired an astounding 500,000 new workers last year, increased its already colossal warehouse capacity by 50% and usurped Boeing as Washington state's largest employer. Yet Amazon has come under fire during that same period over a heap of racial, gender, human rights, labor, environmental and economic issues — and the company's shareholders have taken notice. At Wednesday's shareholder meeting — typically hosted in Seattle but held virtually this… Read MoreAmazon The post Amazon shareholders tackle tech giant's prickliest problems after a turbulent year amid the pandemic appeared first on dWeb.News Daniel Webster dWeb Internet Cowboy       |
| Microsoft adapts OpenAI’s GPT-3 natural language technology to automatically write code Posted: 25 May 2021 02:42 PM PDT dWeb.News Article from Todd Bishop  Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella introduces the new GPT-3 integration into Power Apps in a recorded keynote address for the company's virtual Build conference. Microsoft unveiled new tools for automatically generating computer code and formulas on Tuesday morning, in a new adaptation of the GPT-3 natural-language technology more commonly known for replicating human language. The capability, to be offered as part of Microsoft's Power Platform, is one of the fruits of the company's partnership with OpenAI, the San Francisco-based artificial intelligence company behind GPT-3. Microsoft invested $1 billion in OpenAI in 2019. "The code writes itself," said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, announcing the news in a recorded keynote address to open the company's Build developer conference. The feature is called Power Apps Ideas. It's part of a broader push by Microsoft and other technology companies to make software development more accessible to non-developers, known as low-code or no-code development. Microsoft fine-tuned GPT-3 to "leverage the model's existing strengths in natural language input to give Power Apps makers the ability to describe logic just like they would to a friend or co-worker, and end up with the right formula for their app," says Ryan Cunningham of the Power Apps team in a post describing how it works. Microsoft unveiled new tools for automatically generating computer code and formulas on Tuesday morning, in a new adaptation of the GPT-3 natural-language technology more commonly known for replicating human language. The capability, to be offered as part of Microsoft's Power Platform, is one of the fruits of the company's partnership with OpenAI, the San Francisco-based artificial intelligence company behind GPT-3. Microsoft invested $1 billion in OpenAI in 2019. "The code writes itself," said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, announcing the news in a recorded keynote address to open the company's Build developer conference. The feature is called Power Apps Ideas. It's… Read MoreMicrosoft, Microsoft Build, Satya Nadella The post Microsoft adapts OpenAI's GPT-3 natural language technology to automatically write code appeared first on dWeb.News Daniel Webster dWeb Internet Cowboy       |
| D.C. AG targets Amazon in new antitrust suit over third-party seller pricing policies Posted: 25 May 2021 02:42 PM PDT dWeb.News Article from Todd Bishop  Incoming Amazon CEO Andy Jassy will be grappling with a growing number of antitrust challenges. (GeekWire File Photo / Todd Bishop) A new lawsuit from the Washington, D.C., attorney general alleges that Amazon illegally manipulates the e-commerce market to its own advantage by penalizing third-party sellers that offer products at lower prices on other platforms. Amazon quickly shot back, saying that Attorney General Karl Racine "has it exactly backwards," and that his remedies "would force Amazon to feature higher prices to customers, oddly going against core objectives of antitrust law." The suit, filed Tuesday morning, is part of a broader move by legislators and regulators to scrutinize and take action against Amazon's business practices as a check on the company's market power. Antitrust challenges are shaping up as one of the defining issues for incoming CEO Andy Jassy as founder Jeff Bezos shifts to a new role as executive chairman later this year. Racine's suit puts Amazon's share of online sales at 50% to 70%, citing a U.S. House antitrust subcommittee report last year. Amazon has cited studies putting its market share below 40%, while arguing that the relevant market should be all retail sales, online and offline, of which it claims a much smaller slice. At issue in the D.C. case are Amazon's standard contracts and policies for companies that sell products on its marketplace. Amazon in 2019 removed a clause that prevented sellers from offering lower prices elsewhere as an explicit condition of selling on Amazon. However, Racine's office alleges in the suit that the replacement for that provision, known as the Marketplace Fair Pricing Policy, has a similar chilling effect. The company says in that policy, "If we see pricing practices on a marketplace offer that harms customer trust, Amazon can remove the Buy Box, remove the offer, suspend the ship option, or, in serious or repeated cases, suspending or terminating selling privileges." The result is to "impose an artificially high price floor across the online retail marketplace and allow Amazon to build and maintain monopoly power," Racine's office said in a statement. Amazon, in response, points out that sellers set their own prices. Here is the company's statement in full. "The DC Attorney General has it exactly backwards – sellers set their own prices for the products they offer in our store. Amazon takes pride in the fact that we offer low prices across the broadest selection, and like any store we reserve the right not to highlight offers to customers that are not priced competitively. The relief the AG seeks would force Amazon to feature higher prices to customers, oddly going against core objectives of antitrust law." The suit, filed in Washington, D.C., Superior Court, is available here. A new lawsuit from the Washington, D.C., attorney general alleges that Amazon illegally manipulates the e-commerce market to its own advantage by penalizing third-party sellers that offer products at lower prices on other platforms. Amazon quickly shot back, saying that Attorney General Karl Racine "has it exactly backwards," and that his remedies "would force Amazon to feature higher prices to customers, oddly going against core objectives of antitrust law." The suit, filed Tuesday morning, is part of a broader move by legislators and regulators to scrutinize and take action against Amazon's business practices as a check on the company's market… Read MoreAmazon, Andy Jassy, Antitrust The post D.C. AG targets Amazon in new antitrust suit over third-party seller pricing policies appeared first on dWeb.News Daniel Webster dWeb Internet Cowboy       |
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