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Thomas Ricker

Thomas Ricker

Deputy Editor

Deputy Editor

    More From Thomas Ricker

    Thomas Ricker
    Thomas Ricker
    The US now has weapons in space.

    It’s the first official confirmation, delivered by Air Force Secretary Troy E. Meink:

    “We are increasing readiness against existing threats, and the United States has on-orbit space control weapons capable of defending the Joint Force against hostile adversary action.”

    It’s like the race to build self-improving superintelligence before the other guy does, only with space guns. Meink apparently never saw Gravity.

    Thomas Ricker
    Thomas Ricker
    Yes, Apple TV is the new HBO.

    Apple just answered the question we raised in June by taking home 28 (plus one for an ad) Emmy awards, the most of any studio. It’s the first time Apple has come out on top thanks to its focus on tentpole titles like Pluribus and Widow’s Bay that created cultural moments this year.

    Thomas Ricker
    Thomas Ricker
    Perplexity AI search is “an unacceptable risk for kids.”

    Common Sense Media says the search alternative is just as bad as Google for kids, and largely treats minors as adults. It earned the Youth AI Safety Institute’s lowest rating after failing four out of five severe-harm Red Lines and doing poorly on all eight of its AI Principles. Examples cited include discussing pornography and engaging in romantic roleplay with accounts identified as minors, and often doing their homework despite being set to Academic mode.

    Perplexity Risk Assessment

    [Youth AI Safety Institute]

    Thomas Ricker
    Thomas Ricker
    China: AI CEOs are “fear mongering.”

    When asked about the flurry of weekend blog posts and tweets from the CEOs of Anthropic, OpenAI, Microsoft, SpaceX, (and Alphabet’s Hassabis) calling for a coordinated slowdown on the development of advanced AI models, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry said, “Fear mongering, confrontation, competition will just disrupt [the] process of global AI governance.”

    That partially aligns with Trump’s view that the execs are overreacting and “bringing up things that won’t happen,” but at least Beijing supports international regulation.

    Thomas Ricker
    Thomas Ricker
    Sam Altman: Let’s slow down.

    Last night, the OpenAI CEO lent additional support to Anthropic’s CEO urging AI companies to slow down advanced model development. “When we talk about ‘pacing,’ we do not mean ‘stopping.’ Progress has been rapid and will continue to be. But it should be slower than it otherwise could be,” said Altman. That statement seems targeted at Trump and Co who fear letting China catch up. “No amount of American competitive pressure should justify recklessness, or let capabilities get ahead of alignment and monitoring.”

    “Where we will need the help of our government is for international coordination. But first we should do what we can ourselves,” Altman added.

    Thomas Ricker
    Thomas Ricker
    The first phone with a trio of 200 megapixel cameras.

    Oppo is teasing a September 22nd launch of its Find X10 series in China. The Pro Max model is reliably tipped to pack three 200MP sensors into the squircle around back, while the flash and other sensors get stuffed into that raised vertical bar.

    Thomas Ricker
    Thomas Ricker
    Google makes it easy to switch Android password managers.

    Now you can move both passwords and passkeys between Google Password Manager, 1Password, Bitwarden, and Dashlane, with more password managers to come. It works at the OS level, so there’s no unencrypted text file for you to deal with on the import / export.

    Importing and exporting requires just a few clicks.
    Importing and exporting requires just a few clicks.
    Image: Google
    Thomas Ricker
    Thomas Ricker
    Apple betters its software remote.

    The latest iOS beta has given up details of an overhauled Apple TV Remote. Now how about making a physical Apple TV remote with a display?