ChatGPT includes a wonderful function to assist you in completing sentences. Ironically, this function gets initiated by entering a blank line. For those beginning to ponder as they go through this, let’s delve into some practical applications for this handy AI tool to observe its operation in real time.
**Delta Will Not Utilize Your Data For AI Ticket Pricing, But Privacy Concerns Persist**
Delta Air Lines has recently disclosed its implementation of AI for determining ticket prices, igniting privacy apprehensions. In an earnings call, Delta reported “incredibly positive” outcomes from a trial program employing AI for 3% of fares, with ambitions to broaden this to 20% by the close of the year. This has led to worries about possible predatory pricing, with U.S. legislators voicing apprehensions regarding privacy and price manipulation.
Delta has guaranteed that personal information will not be leveraged to set prices, yet has not detailed how AI establishes dynamic pricing. Democratic Senators Ruben Gallego, Mark Warner, and Richard Blumenthal addressed a letter to Delta CEO Ed Bastian, underlining worries about data privacy and possible fare hikes influenced by individual consumer vulnerabilities.
Delta replied, affirming adherence to pricing regulations and refuting the use of personal data in AI pricing. The airline highlighted that dynamic pricing has been a norm in the industry for years, influenced by market dynamics, and that AI will improve data analysis and response times.
Regardless of Delta’s assurances, doubts linger regarding its AI methods. Legislators Greg Casar and Rashida Tlaib suggested legislation to ban AI-based pricing that utilizes personal data, specifically aimed at airlines. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed concerns regarding AI-driven customized pricing and cautioned about investigations should companies partake in such activities.
The potential abuse of AI in pricing is emphasized by a Federal Trade Commission report concerning retailers employing personal data for price determination. Legislators referenced instances of AI possibly taking advantage of personal situations, such as imposing higher fares on passengers in urgent circumstances. According to officials, Delta’s AI technology utilizes vast amounts of data to forecast consumer willingness to pay, prompting demands for transparency in its data utilization.
Delta’s AI-driven pricing approach remains under evaluation, with lawmakers and regulators vigilantly observing its execution to avert potential consumer exploitation.
Read MoreNetflix audiences globally who are also fans of K-pop — but what “KPop Demon Hunters” has achieved since its June launch on the streaming platform is truly remarkable.
The animated musical journey, featuring original tracks sung by real K-pop artists, has now secured its place as the #4 most-viewed Netflix film ever, amassing 158.8 million views as of now (according to Netflix’s most recent Top 10 statistics). Just to reiterate: “KPop Demon Hunters” is not just Netflix’s 4th largest animated film. It ranks as the fourth largest film overall, without exception. And the momentum continues to build, even more than a month after its debut on the service.
During the week ending August 3, “KPop Demon Hunters” remained solidly at #2 worldwide among Netflix’s original movies, gathering an additional 26.3 million views — and that’s following an unprecedented seven weeks into its release. These HUNTR/X heroines are indeed “Golden.”
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Read MoreInstagram is enhancing its location-sharing capabilities while also increasing options for sharing posts and Reels with acquaintances.
What you should know:
– Meta has revealed a significant update for Instagram that introduces “Instagram Map” for users in their DMs.
– Users have the option to share their location with others, allowing friends and family to see where you are upon opening the app and uploading location-tagged content.
– Instagram’s update incorporates a “repost” feature for posts and Reels, akin to other social media platforms.
Meta is helping you get through the midweek with an announcement regarding the latest Instagram features.
A blog entry discussing Instagram’s recent updates this week emphasizes three key features that users are likely to observe shortly. The first relates to Instagram’s Map feature, which enables users to share “their last active location” with friends. Essentially, users will soon be able to view the Instagram Map and find out where their friends are sharing new content from. Clicking the DMs icon at the upper right of the app and accessing the side-scrolling menu will reveal the new “Map” icon.
From there, Meta indicates that users can explore “location-based” Instagram content by seeing everyone’s position on a map (if they are sharing their location). If someone has uploaded a fresh Reel, Story, or post with active location-sharing, users will notice their circular icon along with a thumbnail of their content.
This content must be “location-tagged” to show up on Instagram Map, and it will stay visible for 24 hours. Newly created Notes will also be accessible from within Maps, letting you know where users were at the time of posting. This feature evokes strong memories of Snapchat when it launched location-sharing and a map for users last year.
As this feature is introduced, Meta specifies that location-sharing will be disabled by default. Furthermore, you can select who sees your location. Users will have choices for “friends” (those who follow you back), Close Friends, Only Selected Friends, and “no one.” If you opt to share your location, Meta states that your location will only refresh when you open or return to the app.
Instagram Map is being made available to users in the U.S. starting today (Aug 6). Instagram had previously launched a location-sharing feature, but that was restricted to DMs and did not include a comprehensive map with multiple users.
Further features for Reels:
Similar to other social media platforms (Threads, X), Instagram is finally introducing its own “repost” button for posts and Reels.
The blog entry mentions that when you repost a Reel or post, it will be credited to the original uploader of that content. However, your icon will appear in the bottom left corner with a purple repost icon, informing your followers that you’ve shared something new. Meta suggests that this could be an excellent opportunity for content creators to connect with new audiences, as their posts might be recommended more broadly.
Additionally, while reposting, Instagram will provide you with a small speech bubble to add a note.
The Reels update continues, as Instagram is finally launching its new “Friends” tab globally. Through this tab, Meta states users can discover the Reels their friends have posted or engaged with in some manner. Recommendations through your “Blend” with a friend will also show up in this new tab.
This tab will be positioned at the top of Reels. Instagram emphasizes new controls for users in the Friends tab, including the option to conceal your likes and comments.
Read MoreHere’s another one; and this might be our most impressive appearance so far.
No one can halt the leaks; yet another Google Pixel rumor presents a fresh batch of renders for the Pixel 10 Pro XL just before the launch.
This round of leaked images is sourced from the German outlet, WinFuture, claiming to showcase the design of the forthcoming Pixel 10 Pro XL (via 9to5Google). The photos look directly pulled from Google, providing a transparent glimpse into what the largest Pixel model this year will feature. At a first glance, the design of the Pixel 10 Pro XL seems strikingly similar to what was unveiled last year with the 9 Pro XL.
Google appears to be maintaining the flat edges and rounded corners for the 10 Pro XL, consistent with the rest of the series.
So, what makes it unique each time?
Welcome to Tech Talk, a weekly series about the gadgets we use and their functionality. We aim to keep things straightforward so that everyone can grasp how and why the device in your hand performs as it does.
At times, it might delve a bit into technical territory, as technology naturally tends to be complex and detailed. However, we can work through it together to simplify it!
You can consult Gemini for photography and editing advice while you’re on the move.
It’s no surprise that Google aims to equip its upcoming flagship devices with the latest capabilities from Gemini; however, the specifics of these new features were uncertain until recently. Thanks to a recent leak, we might have an insight into what the Pixel 10 series, launching later this month, has to offer.
As reported by Android Headlines, Google plans to integrate an AI-driven feature dubbed “Camera Coach,” which, as the name implies, will guide users on how to take superior, real-time pictures with their new Pixel device. It’s akin to having a professional photographer helping you develop better techniques and practices to perfect your shots while on the go. This signifies that you won’t need to save Instagram Reels teaching you how to adjust settings like aperture or select different modes for photography; it’s all embedded within the phone.
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Read MoreDeepMind regards Genie 3 as another step towards AGI.
Picture being able to conjure up an entire, interactive universe by merely entering a few words. This is fundamentally what Google DeepMind’s latest AI model, Genie 3, is capable of.
Genie 3 functions as a world model AI that comprehends environmental mechanics and can replicate them. In contrast to Genie 1 and 2, it now has the ability to generate varied, interactive worlds instantly from a simple text prompt, as indicated in a blog update from Google.
Rather than merely delivering videos or images derived from text inputs, Genie 3 is equipped to construct interactive 3D environments that can be navigated in real-time. You input a command, and within moments, you are immersed in a 720p, 24 FPS virtual space that reacts to your movements and retains its form for several minutes.
**CarPlay’s Significant Upgrade in iOS 26: Enhanced Incoming Call Management**
After years of limited updates, CarPlay is poised to receive a major enhancement this fall with the launch of iOS 26. A key highlight of this upgrade is the improved management of incoming phone calls, designed to enrich the driving experience for users.
### Fresh Compact Display for Incoming Phone Calls
For those who often get phone calls while driving, the earlier CarPlay interface presented a challenge. In past versions, an incoming call would dominate the entire display, interrupting navigation and making it hard to view directions. This frequently resulted in frustrating situations, notably during crucial navigation moments.
With iOS 26, CarPlay unveils a long-anticipated remedy: a new compact display for incoming phone calls. This feature allows users to identify the caller without losing track of their navigation. The compact display appears at the bottom of the screen, enabling drivers to decide whether to answer or decline calls while still keeping an eye on vital directions.
The design of this new feature closely resembles the iPhone’s compact call display, introduced in iOS 14. Just like iPhone calls now show up as a banner at the top of the screen rather than overtaking the full display, CarPlay’s revamped call interface reduces disruption, helping users stay focused on their journey.
### Conclusion
The upgrade to CarPlay in iOS 26 signifies a meaningful enhancement in user experience, especially for those dependent on navigation while driving. The launch of the compact call display is a minor adjustment that can lead to a major difference in safety and ease, allowing drivers to handle incoming calls without jeopardizing their navigation experience.
Read Morewe anticipated that the successor to iOS 18 would be named iOS 19. These leaks indicated that Apple would provide a significant visual update to the Camera app this year, enhancing its usability.
Apple nearly validated these speculations during WWDC 2025 in June when it introduced its iOS 26 software. The Camera app indeed embraced a more straightforward user interface, aimed at facilitating the user’s focus on capturing images and videos rather than navigating through numerous menu options. The app also incorporated the same Liquid Glass user interface components found throughout iOS 26.
Even though the emphasis on simplicity is commendable, the redesigned Camera app indicated that some iPhone users may find it challenging to adjust to the new layout. I am referring to individuals who may not be particularly tech-savvy or are reluctant to adapt to changes. However, there is one feature in the revamped Camera app that could irritate younger users as well: the Camera mode selector.
Several individuals who have enrolled in the iOS 26 developer and public betas have voiced their concerns about the new swipe gesture for switching modes in the Camera app over the last few months. Apple eventually tackled this concern in iOS 26 beta 5 by allowing users to choose their preferred swipe direction.
