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Check out this convincing deepfake of Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk in Star Trek

TechSpot News | Feb. 20, 2020, 9:20 p.m. | Original

In context: It’s no secret that deepfakes have been getting better in recent times, especially when it comes to placing people into movies and TV shows. The latest example sees Amazon boss Jeff Bezos and Tesla CEO Elon Musk dropped into the pilot episode of the original Star Trek, and it’s quite an eye-opener.

Deepfakes, for those unfamiliar with the term, is the manipulation of images and videos using machine learning, usually involving the superimposing of a person’s face over the source material.

Google launches Android 11 Developer Preview with tons of improvements

TechSpot News | Feb. 20, 2020, 12:20 p.m. | Original

Something to look forward to: While Android 11 is still in the early stages of development and not at all recommended for normal users, developers have a lot to be excited about in terms of new features and APIs. However, some new privacy and security improvements will disrupt apps that require a lot of permissions and access to storage.

Google launched the Android 11 Developer Preview a little early, as everyone expected it to drop sometime in the second week of March. Interestingly, Google refers to it simply as "

You'll be able to stream and play Cyberpunk 2077 through GeForce Now on launch day, ray tracing and all

TechSpot News | Feb. 20, 2020, 10:13 a.m. | Original

Highly anticipated: Any gaming platform is only as good as its content. As cloud gaming surges, companies are battling each other to be the go-to service, trying to one-up each other in their offerings. While we already know that Stadia will be getting Cyberpunk 2077 at some unannounced time, Nvidia has strengthened its partnership with CDPR to promise its GeForce Now members the title on the day it launches.

Nvidia has announced that CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077 will be landing

HBO shares official trailer for Westworld season three

TechSpot News | Feb. 20, 2020, 9:36 a.m. | Original

From what we can gather in the nearly three-minute-long clip, Dolores is seeking to partner up with Caleb, a construction worker played by Aaron Paul. “You and I are a lot alike. They put you in a cage. Decided what your life would be,” Dolores notes, perhaps as a clever...

Apple is exploring the idea of allowing custom browser and email default apps in iOS 14

TechSpot News | Feb. 20, 2020, 8:54 a.m. | Original

Something to look forward to: Apple's antitrust battles in the US and EU have caused quite a stir inside the company, to the point that it is now considering significant changes in the way it treats third-party apps in iOS. The company is likely evaluating this possibility to avoid any legal action that might ensue, but there's no denying that it would make power users and app developers happy.

According to a Bloomberg report , Apple is looking into changing policy surrounding iOS apps to quell antitrust concerns of

HTC teases its prototype 'Vive Proton' VR headset

TechSpot News | Feb. 20, 2020, 8:16 a.m. | Original

In brief: HTC is perhaps best known these days for its wide array of VR headsets, ranging from standalone budget offerings to high-end PC-powered devices. Today, HTC announced something a little different: the Vive Proton, a prototype headset that looks considerably different than the company's other VR products.

The Vive Proton seeks to combine the worlds of virtual reality, mixed reality, and augmented reality into one device, in the hopes of offering users a more "immersive" headset experience. As we mentioned

MIT developed a simulation to determine the best way to deflect an asteroid

TechSpot News | Feb. 20, 2020, 7:33 a.m. | Original

Why it matters: Barring self-inflicted catastrophes like nuclear war or irreversible climate change, the biggest threat to humanity is likely to come from outer space in the form of a rogue asteroid. It’s the type of fodder that makes for a decent blockbuster film but the truth is, it’s a very real concern.

Scientists for decades have theorized how to avoid an impact and now, researchers have gone so far as to lay out a framework to help determine what method of intervention would be best to mitigate

The IRS is suing Facebook for $9 billion in unpaid taxes

TechSpot News | Feb. 20, 2020, 6:46 a.m. | Original

Bottom line: Hot on the heels of a $5 billion fine from the FTC over privacy violations, Facebook is now under fire from the IRS. The tax collection agency says that the social media giant owes taxes dating from a 2010 revenue shuffle with Facebook Ireland. The company could be stuck with a $9 billion tax bill plus interest and penalties.

The Internal Revenue Service is suing Facebook for $9 billion in back taxes. The trial began on Tuesday and is expected to go on for about a

YouTube Music will soon let you upload your own tunes

TechSpot News | Feb. 20, 2020, 5:15 a.m. | Original

What just happened? Google has published a support document outlining how to upload your personal music collection to your YouTube Music library. The functionality doesn’t seem to be active yet but the existence of the document alone suggests the switch could be flipped sooner rather than later.

There are two ways to add music to your account. From your computer, you can simply drag and drop compatible files onto the web player. Optionally, you can click your profile picture and select “upload music.” A progress bar will confirm

Chess is experiencing a renaissance thanks to the Internet

TechSpot News | Feb. 20, 2020, 3:58 a.m. | Original

In brief: Online streamers like Botez earn money primarily through viewer donations, or tips. Those with a substantial following can also play the sponsorship field, generating extra income by partnering with a particular brand or product.

If you would have told me a decade ago that millions of people would elect to watch other people play games rather than participate themselves, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. Add in the fact that some people are earning a comfortable living playing games for strangers and the concept gets even more absurd.

What just happened? Google has published a support document outlining how to upload your personal music collection to your YouTube Music library. The functionality doesn’t seem to be active yet but the existence of the document alone suggests the switch could be flipped sooner rather than later.

In brief: Online streamers like Botez earn money primarily through viewer donations, or tips. Those with a substantial following can also play the sponsorship field, generating extra income by partnering with a particular brand or product.

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