Tag: Computers

Nintendo Switch is arguably one of the best-selling consoles, the handheld console has amassed numerous fans for its portability and large game catalog. After all, it is a great console for people of all ages and a great gifting option. With the yearly Black Friday sales commencing, the offers on Nintendo Switch and its accessories have started popping up. Hence, we compiled some of our favorite Black Friday deals on the Nintendo Switch, along with its accessories and games.

Best Black Friday Nintendo Switch Console Deals

If you are planning on gifting a Nintendo Switch to your loved one or buying the OLED model for yourself, now might be the right time. We will first start with the console deals, and there is one bundle that caught our eye. We expect more deals to come through when we reach the actual sale days, so bookmark this page for updated deal prices. For now, here are some early deals:

1. Nintendo Switch Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle

One of the first mid-gen refreshes, the Nintendo Switch, packed the popular console with a better battery life. The first console is known for having a poor battery life. This refresh has a better battery life, giving you more hours of gaming on the go. Furthermore, this bundle comes with a Mario Kart 8 Deluxe digital copy and a three-month subscription to Nintendo Switch Online, making it worth the price. I mean, you are getting freebies worth around $70 for the price of the console itself.

Buy on Amazon ($299.99)
Buy on Best Buy ($299.99)

2. Nintendo Switch OLED Splatoon 3 Special Edition

One of the latest refreshes, the Nintendo Switch OLED, adds a brand-new OLED screen that allows gamers to see the images with better clarity and vibrance. This is the perfect time to pick one up if you’ve never purchased a Nintendo Switch. This edition comes with a custom dock design and custom Joycon designs. It sports the Splatoon-inspired artwork on both the peripherals, making them look better than the standard edition. While you do not get Splatoon 3 free with it, this is a great buying choice if you want to add a Switch OLED to your collection.

Buy on Walmart ($359.00 $323.99, 10% discount)

3. Nintendo Switch Lite Grey

Nintendo Switch Lite is an alternative to the standard Switch, which strips off the docking capabilities of Switch and makes it a handheld-only console. It has a smaller screen and pretty much most of the features of the standard Switch.

While different colors are available, only the grey variant seems to have gotten a discount this Black Friday. If you want a portable option and don’t mind the omission of the docking feature, then Switch Lite is the perfect choice.

Buy on Walmart ($199.00 $189.99, 5% Discount)

Best Black Friday Nintendo Switch Game Deals

While the consoles currently have no eye-popping deals, the games, on the other hand, are getting some lucrative discounts. We’ve noted some of the best Nintendo Switch game deals for Black Friday below.

1. Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1

The quintessential package of the popular stealth action title Metal Gear Solid. The master collection bundles the PS1 classic Metal Gear Solid and PS2 classics Metal Gear Solid 2 and Metal Gear Solid 3. Furthermore, it also contains bonus items, such as art books, a history compendium, the old NES and MSX ports for Metal Gear 1 and 2, and soundtracks for each game in digital format in-game. If you have never tried out these games and own a Nintendo Switch, this is the best time to purchase and try it out.

Buy on Best Buy ($59.99 $39.99, 33% discount)
Buy on Amazon ($59.99 $39.99, 33% discount)

2. Luigi’s Mansion 3

The third entry in the popular Luigi’s Mansion title, Luigi’s Mansion 3, sees one-half of the Super Mario Brother revisiting the haunted mansion. Players can enjoy this ghost-catching experience solo or with another friend in multiplayer co-op. If you enjoyed the first few Luigi games, this is a solid addition to your collection.

Buy on Walmart ($59.99 $52.15, 13% discount)

3. Super Mario 3D World+Bowser’s Fury

An enhanced port of the WiiU 3D platformer, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury puts players in the shoes of the iconic plumber Mario as they explore and reach the finish line by any means possible. While it’s presented in a 3D format, it includes the classic platformer gameplay the series is well-known for.

This version also comes with a brand-new set of missions called Bowser’s Fury. It is a must-play title for people who enjoy the adventures of Mario or want a relaxing experience for all ages.

Buy on Walmart ($59.99 $47.90, 20% discount)
Buy on Amazon ($59.99 $49.80, 17% discount)

4. Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild

A launch title for Nintendo Switch, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, sees you control Link as you explore the open world of Hyrule to find answers to what happened in the world. The game is well-known for its sandbox nature, where you approach any challenge by any method.

While Tears to The Kingdom, its sequel, hasn’t received a discount, Breath of the Wild has got an impressive price cut. A must-pick if you own a Nintendo Switch console.

Buy on Walmart ($59.99 $45.25, 24% discount)

5. Other Great Nintendo Game Deals

• Octopath Traveller 2 ($59.99 $39.99, 33% discount)
• Five Nights at Freddy’s: The Core Collection ($39.99 $24.99, 37% discount)
• Mario + Rabbids: Spark of Hope ($59.99 $14.99, 75% discount)
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons ($59.99 $50.79, 15% discount)
• Pokemon Legends: Arceus ($59.99 $48.95, 18% discount)
• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe ($59.99 $43.99, 26% discount)

Best Black Friday Deals on Switch Accessories

Similarly, the accessories for Nintendo Switch have received some impressive deals. So, if you plan on adding something additional to your collection, here are a few of the best deals.

1. PDP Rematch Enhanced Wireless Controller

Do you need an additional controller for the couch gaming sessions? Are you looking for a controller that releases you from the shackles of the wires? Then, PDP Rematch is the perfect controller at this price point.

It is a wireless controller that connects to your Nintendo Switch without wires for up to 30-foot distance. It has two programmable back buttons near the grips and a 40-hour battery life, ensuring the best gaming experience. Additionally, the design glows in the dark, making this a perfect controller to flaunt around your friends.

Buy on Amazon ($49.99 $44.74, 10% discount)

2. Hori Nintendo Switch Split Pad Pro

Nintendo’s Joycons is a good controller, but its QA is finicky. Since day one, multiple users have complained of their Joycons drifting mere months after opening it up. This problem still exists to this date. To ensure gamers are not annoyed, multiple third-party brands launched Joycon replacements with better control sticks.

In comes the Hori Switch Split Pad Pro, a controller that looks and feels like a standard PlayStation or Xbox controller. It has a standard controller design, replacing the round D-Pad of Joycons with a traditional D-Pad. Furthermore, it provides a controller-like grip. This is a perfect replacement for Joycons for users who want a durable replacement.

Buy on Best Buy ($49.99 $36.75, 26% discount)

3. SanDisk 512GB Ultra MicroSDXC Card

Of course, we had to throw in a deal for microSD cards. After all, the Nintendo Switch barely has any internal space, with 64GB being the maximum space you will get out of it if you buy an OLED model. As such, you will require a microSD for that additional storage, and what better than to suggest the SanDisk Ultra microSDXC? We’ve suggested this in our Steam Deck SD card suggestions, and the same goes for this. The 512GB variant is currently priced well, so grab it until the offer stays.

Buy on Amazon ($39.99 $36.99, 7% discount)

4. PowerA Protection Case For Nintendo Switch

Protection of your console is important, especially if it is a Nintendo Switch. And we had to pick PowerA’s protection case. This is a multi-purpose carrying case for Nintendo Switch, the OLED variant, and the Switch Lite.

Unlike other cases where you have a separate compartment to carry your dock inside the case, this doesn’t have that option. However, if you want a compact carrying case that can store your game cartridges and the Nintendo Switch in handheld mode, it is the perfect choice.

Buy on Amazon ($19.99 $13.99, 30% discount)

And these are our picks for some of the best deals on Nintendo Switch. The deals will indeed keep getting updated every single day, and better offers might creep in. Hence, we’ll keep updating this article to include as many great Switch deals as possible. Did any particular deal catch your eye that others should know? Let us know in the comments below.

Launched back in October, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has now started appearing in more flagships. Xiaomi 14 was the first lineup to feature the SoC, which is now in the hands of many reviewers. And with that, the flagship Android chipset is currently subject to in-depth evaluation.

While it’s pretty clear that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a proper upgrade over its predecessor in terms of performance, efficiency has been a concern. One reputed reviewer named Golden Reviewer has shed light on this. The reviewer has tested the chipset with a standardized benchmark tool. And it’s pretty apparent that the CPU’s efficiency is not as great as its performance gains.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Is Less Efficient Than The Predecessor

In case you missed our in-depth coverage, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 features a new architecture from Qualcomm. This platform packs two efficiency cores, five performance cores, and one prime core. According to the test from Golden Reviewer, the big core in the chipset offers a massive performance boost.

But the big performance gains come at the cost of efficiency. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 had an average power consumption per watt of 4.9 in the SPEC benchmark. In comparison, the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has a 6.27 average power consumption per watt.

This increase in power consumption doesn’t bode well in terms of efficiency. What’s more interesting is that the SPEC benchmark reveals that the max power consumption per watt is 11.05. This is not good news for the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

For those who aren’t familiar with this benchmark, a lower score is better. To be exact, it’s better to have a high performance per watt score and low power consumption per watt. And with these scores, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 sees an 11 percent degradation. You can check out the in-depth test result in the picture attached below.

However, it’s worth noting that this might not be an actual representation of the chipset. As critics have pointed out, Android OEMs optimize the Qualcomm SoCs differently. So, there’s a chance that the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 may have better efficiency scores in other smartphones than the Xiaomi 14 Pro.

Upcoming Chipset May Tell A Different Story

When Qualcomm released the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, it said that the 8 Gen 4 would see the biggest upgrade. The chipset manufacturer has recently unveiled the Snapdragon X Elite platform. These are laptop-class chipsets, which offer great performance and efficiency performance.

They are the first SoCs to feature the custom Oryon cores. And that’s basically why the Snapdragon X Elite could offer such an amazing performance. Now, as you might know, current Snapdragon mobile chipsets are based on ARM. But with Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, we will see custom in-house cores.

In other words, the Oryon cores that make the Snapdragon X Elite chipsets great performers will be featured on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. This will lead to higher performance gains and better overall efficiency scores. And with it, the gap between the Apple flagship chipsets and Snapdragon SoCs could become very close. So, things look very different for the upcoming mobile SoC from Snapdragon.

Ask any gamer around the world, and they will tell you that a good gaming chair is a must-have. However, it’s also no surprise that most folks don’t go for them due to their high price. Thankfully, Black Friday is here, and with it come the best gaming chair deals. To help you out, we have curated a list of the best gaming chairs to buy in the Black Friday 2023 sale. So, without further ado, take your pick!

1. Corsair TC100 Relaxed Gaming Chair

The Corsair TC100 Relaxed is an excellent option to pick at the entry-level price point. At this low price, you get a minimal-looking black gaming chair to match your setup. The TC100 comes with a racing-inspired design with a relaxed bolstering for long hours. The seat size is also ample, with a seat width of 375mm, and you even get a plush leatherette variant!

For even greater the included lumbar pillow and memory foam neck pillow will ensure you can sit with comfort. You don’t have to think about that when buying the Corsair TC100 Relaxed Gaming Chair, a reliable pick when it comes to affordable gaming chairs.

TC100 Relaxed Fabric Edition — Buy on BestBuy ($320.80 $189.99, 41% off)
TC100 Relaxed Leatherette Edition — Buy on Amazon ($320.80 $249.99, 22% off)

2. AKRacing Core Series EX Gaming Chair

The AKRacing Core Series X has all the essential features to make it a comfortable gaming chair. This is their entry variant into the Core series and is touted as a performance chair. The breathable fabric keeps things cool at the gaming chair’s base, especially during long sessions. It also has a 180-degree recline, so you can lie all the way down for relaxed gaming sessions.

This gaming chair comes in a few color options — Red, Black, and Blue. However, not all of them are on discount. At its sale price during Black Friday 2023, it’s a good pick.

Buy on BestBuy ($399.00 $269.00, 32% off)
Buy on Amazon ($399.00 $269.00, 32% off)

3. Razer Enki Pro Alcantara Gaming Chair

The Razer Enki Pro dives into the high-end gaming chair. The usual pricing for this gaming chair is upwards of $1200+, but during Black Friday 2023, it has gone down considerably. The materials used here are very premium, upholstered with Alcantara, bringing you optimal comfort when gaming. This also gives you a dual-textured finish and durability.

If you remember, even Microsoft used this material on their flagship Surface laptops. While it only reclines back to 152 degrees, it is still enough for most to lean back and get comfortable. Furthermore, it also comes with a built-in lumbar arch for support. So go ahead and grab this deal right now!

Buy on Amazon ($1299.00 $849.99, 35% off)

4. Anda Seat Phantom 3 Gaming Chair

The Anda Seat Phantom 3 is a reasonable choice to consider as your next gaming chair. It has a wide seat base and features an incline range between 90 to 160 degrees. The 2D adjustable arm wrests do allow some versatility as well. Its ergonomic design also prevents sagging over time which can be a big concern in the future.

This gaming chair’s seat base features thickened foam. Combined with its large lumbar pillow, it is going to be a comfortable experience to sit on. You have to apply a coupon to get the Anda Seat Phantom 3 at its deal price. So go ahead and grab the coupon while it lasts.

Buy on Amazon ($299.99 $249.99, with $50 promotional coupon)

5. COUGAR Armor One Royal

The Cougar Armor One Royal comes from a high-end PC gaming brand, and it packs all sorts of features you’d want in a gaming chair. The finish here looks quite cool, with the Cougar branding giving the black chair bright-looking gold accents. While not everyone will be a fan of this design, it still has its audience.

It supports 180-degree reclining and also features 3D armrests, allowing for different configurations as you see fit. The chair is made out of PVC leather, looking exquisite and being breathable at the same time. So if you want an all-rounder gaming chair that stays affordable, this Black Friday deal is for you.

Buy on Amazon ($325.04 $243.21, 25% off)

6. Secretlab Titan Evo & Omega Gaming Chair Deals

Secretlab Gaming Chairs are top-of-the-line. The TITAN Evo and OMEGA series are available with good discounts on their website during Black Friday 2023. Make your pick on Secretlab’s awesome gaming chairs, which are available with various color themes and beautiful designs centered around popular esports games and movies.

The Secretlab brand is common amongst many professional gamers, too, so you know you are getting a gaming chair proven to be reliable enough for highly competitive gaming sessions.

Buy Secretlab OMEGA 2020 Overwatch ($524 $424, 19% off)
Buy Secretlab TITAN Evo Dark Knight ($624 $524, 16% off)

So, what are you waiting for? Buy the gaming chair you like and elevate your gaming setup in the Black Friday 2023 sale. Already got one of these deals? Then, expand your gaming arsenal with some of the best gaming laptop deals, PS5 Black Friday deals, and also Xbox deals that we have listed here. Which gaming chair deal did you like the most? Let us know in the comments section.

Meizu is gearing up to introduce its new flagship smartphones. After multiple reports, the company has finally shared the official launch date with us. On November 30, the Chinese smartphone maker will introduce the Meizu 21 series. The event is set to start at 2:30 PM Beijing Time (6:30 UTC) and the lineup is expected to include the Meizu 21 and Meizu 21 Pro.

Meizu 21 and Meizu 21 Pro Key Features and Details

Meizu already teased some of the key specifications coming with the Meizu 21. For instance, the new smartphone will boast a 6.55 Samsung OLED screen. It will feature symmetrical 1.74 mm bezels on all four sides of the screen. Meizu also revealed it will offer a version of the Meizu with a white front panel. Nowadays, we don’t have many devices with white front panels, so it’s definitively a nice extra. Under the hood, the Meizu 21 series will boast the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with FlymeOS based on Android 14.

Obviously, Geely, the automaker behind Meizu brand, will also take the opportunity to tease FlymeAuto along with the Meizu 21 series. The new phones are expected to pair nicely with Geely’s fleet of vehicles that come under Polestar, Lotus, and Lynk & Co brands. Meizu also confirmed it will offer an extended 36-month warranty to all Meizu 21 smartphones.

The Meizu 21 series battery capacity will start at 4,800 mAh and both phones are expected to include 80W fast-charging support. The Pro variant may get a slightly larger battery with 5,020 mAh capacity. It is unclear whether the Pro model will also offer wireless charging. Both the Meizu 21 and 21 Pro are expected to include an OIS-enabled 50 MP primary camera. The standard variant will feature an ultra-wide camera and a telephoto camera. The Pro edition will have a ultra-wide shooter and a periscope telephoto camera. Both phones will feature an RGB ring LED flash on the back. Both phones will come with Flyme 10-based Android 14.

Meizu’s new flagships set to compete with OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo and other mainstream brands

The Meizu 21 series will replace the Meizu 20 and Meizu 20 Pro flagships which debuted with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip earlier this year. The launch of new smartphones in less than one year after their predecessors is a surprise. In fact, it confirms Geely’s wish to re-establish Meizu’s glory as a flagship smartphone company. The company is not only launching new flagships in less than a year, but is also taking a ride in the trend of new flagships coming after the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. We are excited to see what Meizu has in tow for the smartphone market.

At this point, Meizu will compete with Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Honor and OnePlus and most of the maistream brands launching flagships with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. The device can be an interesting competitor with unique design and some neat features like FlymeOS.

This year’s Black Friday shopping extravaganza is here, making this the perfect opportunity for those looking to buy a new Apple Watch for themselves or their loved ones. From the original SE to the premium Watch Ultra 2, each model is available at a discount. While Apple is not offering a direct discount, sale prices at major online retailers may give you a better shot at finding a bargain. And the best part is that we have all the Apple Watch Black Friday 2023 deals at your disposal. So, with no time to waste, let’s dive in.

Apple Watch SE Deals

If we look at the Apple Watch’s product lineup, the Apple Watch SE is the most affordable Apple Watch one can find in the lot. The 40mm and 45mm 2nd generation SE watches are available at a flat $70 discount at retailers like Walmart.

It has standard features, like activity and sleep tracking, a heart rate monitor, and fall-and-crash detection, and is water resistant up to 50 meters. Although Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen misses out on many latest health features found on the Series 8 or 9 models, but is an amazing starter smartwatch and a budget-friendly pick.

Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen [GPS, 40mm]

• Buy on Walmart ($249 $179, 28% discount)
• Buy on Amazon ($249 $189, 24% discount)

Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen [GPS + Cellular, 40mm]

• Buy on Amazon ($289 $239, 17% discount)

Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen [GPS, 44mm]

• Buy on Walmart ($279 $259, 7% discount)
• Buy on Amazon ($279 $259, 7% discount)

Apple Watch SE 2nd Gen [GPS + Cellular, 44mm]

• Buy on Amazon ($329 $269, 18% discount)
• Buy on Walmart ($329 $309, 6% discount)

Apple Watch Series 9 Deals

Apple Watch Series 9 is the latest generation of the Apple Watch, launched alongside the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro models this year. It comes with an all-new S9 SiP, advanced sensors, double-tap gesture, and smart features like fall and crash detection. And considering this new Apple Watch was just launched two months back, the available flat $70 discount is a steal deal for users.

Apple Watch Series 9 [GPS, 41mm]

• Buy on Amazon ($399 $329, 17% discount)
• Buy on Walmart ($399 $329, 17% discount)

Apple Watch Series 9 [GPS + Cellular, 41mm]

• Buy on Amazon ($499 $429, 14% discount)
• Buy on Walmart ($499 $429, 14% discount)

Apple Watch Series 9 [GPS, 45mm]

• Buy on Amazon ($429 $359, 16% discount)

Apple Watch Series 9 [GPS + Cellular, 45mm]

• Buy on Amazon ($529 $459, 13% discount)
• Buy on Walmart ($529 $459, 13% discount)

Apple Watch Ultra 2 Deals

For the first time since its release, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is available at a sale price and a flat $60 discount. This is the most premium option for Apple Watch users and is the 2nd iteration of last year’s Watch Ultra.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 comes with a new S9 Sip, double tap gesture, and improved peak brightness. The smartwatch is designed to meet the demands of athletes and adventurers, with even specialized bands for water sports.

Apple Watch Ultra 2 [GPS + Cellular, 49mm] 

• Buy on Amazon ($799 $739, 8% discount)
• Buy on Best Buy ($799 $739, 8% discount)

Apple Watch Series 8 Deals

The Apple Watch Series 8 was launched alongside the iPhone 14 series last year. If you don’t mind missing out on the latest S9 SiP and the double-tap gesture, this Apple Watch can still be considered one of the best smartwatches.

It comes with advanced sensors, a sleeker design, and features like ECG and fall and crash detection. During the Apple Watch Black Friday 2023 sale, you can save up to $100 and get an Apple Watch Series 8 starting at only $299.

Apple Watch Series 8 [GPS, 41mm]

• Buy on Amazon ($399 $299, 25% discount)

Apple Watch Series 8 [GPS + Cellular, 45mm]

• Buy on Amazon ($529 $429, 19% discount)

Apple Watch Ultra Deals

Launched last year, the Apple Watch Ultra is the first-ever rugged smartwatch introduced by Apple. This last year’s model only missed out on the new S9 Sip and the double tap gesture. It is priced slightly higher than the Apple Watch 9 during the sale, but you can get a suitable variant at an affordable price.

Buy on Amazon ($799 $544, 32% discount)

While major online retailers are already trying their best to grab your attention with these amazing Apple Watch Black Friday 2023 deals, Apple isn’t sitting idle either. Starting November 24, Apple is hosting a shopping event to give out exclusive Apple Gift cards alongside every Apple Watch purchase.

You can get a $50 Apple gift card when you purchase a new Apple Watch Series 9 or Watch SE (2nd Gen) from Apple’s official website, which can be used on a later purchase.

Also, the offer is only applicable till November 27, 2023. So, make sure to mark your calendars if you are interested in this deal. Details for these deals are available on the official Apple Store Shopping Event webpage.

With that, you’re now ready to buy a new Apple Watch without burning a hole in your pockets. But which Apple Watch are you planning to go for this Black Friday? Tell us in the comments section below!

OpenAI, the AI research company, has named Emmett Shear as its interim CEO after the ousting of former head Sam Altman. Shear is a former CEO of Twitch, the live video streaming platform, and a partner at startup accelerator Y Combinator. He is known for his advocacy of safety in the development of artificial intelligence. Shear has shared a plan for the next steps at OpenAI, saying he would look to reform the startup’s management team and hire an independent investigator to dig into Altman’s departure.

According to The Information and Forbes, OpenAI’s board of directors selected former Twitch co-founder and former CEO, Emmett Shear as interim CEO. Today Emmett Shear posted on X after taking over as OpenAI’s interim CEO. Amongst other things, he said that after talking it over with his family and thinking about it for several hours, he accepted.

Previously, the OpenAI board of directors sent a memo to staff stating that its former CEO Sam Altman would not return to his job as CEO. In the memo, the board said Shear “has the unique skills, expertise and relationships to drive OpenAI forward,” adding that this was “the only way to advance and defend OpenAI’s mission.”

It is worth mentioning that earlier today, Microsoft CEO Nadella announced on X that OpenAI founders Sam Altman and Brockman will join Microsoft. The two will lead the new Microsoft AI team. Nadella said the Altman team will get all the resources they need and they will get it quickly.

Who is Emmett Shear?

Emmett Shear is a former CEO of Twitch, the live video streaming platform, and a partner at startup accelerator Y Combinator. He co-founded Twitch as Justin.tv in 2006, before its name was changed to Twitch in 2011. The platform quickly gained traction in the gaming community. It was acquired by Amazon for just under $1 billion in 2014. Shear stepped down as CEO of Twitch in March 2023 after more than 16 years at the company. Shear has a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Yale University.

Why was Shear appointed as interim CEO of OpenAI?

OpenAI’s board of directors appointed Shear as interim CEO after a weekend of chaos at the company. Former CEO Sam Altman was ousted in a move that rocked the tech industry. Shear was part of the first batch of startup accelerator Y Combinator along with Altman. He is known as an outspoken advocate of safety in the development of artificial intelligence. Shear has shared a plan for the next steps at OpenAI, saying he would look to reform the startup’s management team and hire an independent investigator to dig into Altman’s departure.

What are Shear’s qualifications for the role?

Shear’s appointment as OpenAI CEO caused confusion across Silicon Valley. This is largely because in the hours before the announcement there were reports indicating that Altman might be reappointed. There were also questions about what Shear’s track record at Twitch might indicate about his leadership at OpenAI. However, some sources have given a mixed review of his suitability for the role. A senior Twitch employee, who worked with Shear for a number of years, described him as “highly intelligent but socially awkward” and not the best communicator. However, the same employee also said that Shear has an ethical core and that the move to OpenAI makes a lot of sense for him.

What are Shear’s plans for OpenAI?

Shear has shared a plan for the next steps at OpenAI. He said he would look to reform the startup’s management team. Also, he would hire an independent investigator to dig into Altman’s departure. He will also work to make sure OpenAI does not lose customers and partners. This is the core of how it generates revenues. Shear said that OpenAI will “reform the management and leadership team in light of recent departures into an effective force to drive results for our customers.”

Shear said

“I have a three point plan for the next 30 days: – Hire an independent investigator to dig into the entire process leading up to this point and generate a full report. – Continue to speak to as many of our employees, partners, investors, and customers as possible, take good notes, and share the key takeaways. – Reform the management and leadership team in light of recent departures into an effective force to drive results for our customers.”

Conclusion

Emmett Shear, the former CEO of Twitch and a partner at startup accelerator Y Combinator, has been appointed as interim CEO of OpenAI after the ousting of former head Sam Altman. Shear is known for his advocacy of safety in the development of artificial intelligence. He has also shared a plan for the next steps at OpenAI. He said he would look to reform the startup’s management team. Furthermore, he also claims he will hire an independent investigator to dig into Altman’s departure. There are some mixed reviews of his suitability for the role. However, Shear’s ethical core and experience in the tech industry make him a good fit for the position. What do you think about Emmett Shear and his new role as interim CEO of OpenAI? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below

Author Bio

Efe Udin is a seasoned tech writer with over seven years of experience. He covers a wide range of topics in the tech industry from industry politics to mobile phone performance. From mobile phones to tablets, Efe has also kept a keen eye on the latest advancements and trends. He provides insightful analysis and reviews to inform and educate readers.

Apple’s iMessage is one of the most popular communication platforms. It is also the reason why many love their iPhones. But, iMessage is also the reason why many don’t switch to Android, as they don’t wish to be left out of group chats. And well, the green bubble shame is also a primary reason. Recently, Carl Pei announced the ‘Nothing Chats’ app to bring iMessage to Android. However, amidst security concerns, the app has been taken down from the Play Store.

According to a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), the company says it has removed its Nothing Chats beta app from the Play Store. The launch will be delayed “until further notice,” and Nothing said it will work with Sunbird (who built the technology that enabled iMessage functionality in Nothing chats) to “fix several bugs.”

We’ve removed the Nothing Chats beta from the Play Store and will be delaying the launch until further notice to work with Sunbird to fix several bugs.

We apologise for the delay and will do right by our users.— Nothing (@nothing) November 18, 2023

Nothing also added that it will ‘do right by our users‘, so there is hope that the company has plans to work on these issues. But what are these issues and should you be worried? Let’s look into it.

Privacy & Security Concerns in Nothing Chats App: Details

As revealed by a teardown of the app by select Android app developers and security researchers, the Nothing Chats app is not secure at all. While Nothing and Sunbird claim the iMessage emulating Chats app has ‘end-to-end encryption‘, it has been slammed down to be the opposite instead.

The discoveries show that various information such as contact information, message contents, and even attachment data, can all be hacked into. Apparently, the user data which is sent through Sunbird’s technology over HTTP, remains insecure during transit. Furthermore, it has been revealed that Sunbird can read all your messages and see the media you share with actual iMessage users using the Nothing Chats app. The investigations have been shared by a developer called Dylan Roussel on X (formerly Twitter).

Moreover, the team that developed WordPress & Tumblr, recently published its findings regarding Sunbird/Nothing Chats Security. It has pointed out three major issues: Data in transit vulnerability, Data at rest vulnerability, and Insider Threat / Data Exposure as well. You can read their detailed report at the link above.

Thread time!

Summary:
– Sunbird has access to every message sent and received through the app on your device.

– All of the documents (images, videos, audios, pdfs, vCards…) sent through Nothing Chat AND Sunbird are public.

– Nothing Chats is not end-to-end encrypted.— Dylan Roussel (@evowizz) November 18, 2023

texts team took a quick look at the tech behind nothing chats and found out it’s extremely insecure

it’s not even using HTTPS, credentials are sent over plaintext HTTP

backend is running an instance of BlueBubbles, which doesn’t support end-to-end encryption yet pic.twitter.com/IcWyIbKE86— Kishan Bagaria (@KishanBagaria) November 17, 2023

So, what do you think of the Nothing Chats app being removed from the Play Store? Do you think the project will continue to be alive, and iMessage will come to Android after all? Would you use an app to emulate iMessage, despite the security concerns? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments below.