Archive

Emma RothApr 27

Taylor Swift tries to trademark her voice and image.

Swift’s company filed trademark applications for the sound marks “Hey, it’s Taylor Swift” and “Hey, it’s Taylor,” while another application applies to a photo of Swift “wearing a multi-colored iridescent bodysuit with silver boots.”

The applications seemingly come as part of efforts to protect Swift from AI copycats. But as noted by IP attorney Josh Gerben, trademarks for a celebrity’s spoken voice have “not been tested in court before.”

Taylor Swift Moves to Trademark Her Voice and Image as AI Threats Grow

[Gerben IP]

Richard LawlerApr 27

“The Abstraction Fallacy: Why AI Can Simulate But Not Instantiate Consciousness.”

That’s the title of a paper that 404 Media reports was recently published by Alexander Lerchner, a Senior Staff Scientist at Google DeepMind. Regardless of grand pronouncements from folks, including DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis, about AGI’s potential, the paper states that “phenomenal consciousness” is a physical state, and “not a software artifact that can be accidentally or deliberately created.”

After 404 reached out for comment, the DeepMind letterhead was removed, and a disclaimer about it representing the author’s “personal views” was moved to the top.

Google DeepMind Paper Argues LLMs Will Never Be Conscious

[404 Media]

Elizabeth LopattoApr 27

Apparently things are exciting outside.

While the lawyers ask questions of prospective jurors, apparently there are Happenings outside the courtroom.

Andrew LiszewskiApr 27

KitKat’s new wrapper forces you to take a break without your phone.

To encourage breaks that focus on carbs instead of doomscrolling and texting, KitKat in Panama created a limited edition Faraday cage wrapper for your phone that blocks cell signals. The wrapper is made from layers of copper, polyester, and polypropylene and is expected to work for about a year at which point you can recycle it.

Jay PetersApr 27

Our Steam Controller AMA for subscribers is starting soon!

If you have any burning questions about Valve’s new gamepad after reading our reviews, Cameron Faulkner and I will be responding in the comments of this article starting at 3PM ET.

We reviewed Valve’s new Steam Controller, ask us anything

Jay Peters and Cameron Faulkner

Apr 27

Jay PetersApr 27

Valve tells IGN that it’s “hard at work” on the next Steam Deck.

There’s still no word on when it will be out, though. And with Valve still working on getting the Steam Controller out the door next week and shipping the Steam Frame and Steam Machine sometime this year, we could be waiting a while for a Steam Deck 2.

Valve Says It's 'Hard at Work' on Steam Deck 2, but There's Still No Release Window

[IGN]

Nilay PatelApr 27

Sergey Brin, MAGA warrior.

The NYT has a deep dive into the Google co-founder’s hard turn to the right, which is either because he hates the proposed billionaire tax in California or because he’s super into his hardcore MAGA girlfriend. (Or both.) In any case, he’s having “intimate” dinners with Trump — and bringing Sundar Pichai along for the ride.

Sergey Brin Moves to the Right, With a ‘MAGA Girlfriend’ by His Side

[The New York Times]

Trump demands ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel

Jay PetersApr 27

Google employees ask Sundar Pichai to say no to classified military AI use

Stevie BonifieldApr 27

Sean HollisterApr 27

Lose the new Steam Controller? You can ring it like a phone.

Every controller should have this, right? With most pads, you’d be lucky to even vibrate them at a distance — but TIL that official Nintendo Switch 2 pads do this too.

Emma RothApr 27

Block’s new crypto wallet has a screen.

Jack Dorsey’s Block has launched a follow-up to its coaster-like Bitkey wallet, featuring an OLED touchscreen display that crypto holders can use to verify transactions and “authorize every security-critical operation in the wallet,” according to a post on X. The hardware wallet costs $250 and is available to preorder now.