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Half a million users could be leaving X due to “blocking” changes  

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X, formerly known as Twitter, has undergone multiple changes under Elon Musk’s administration. In some cases, the changes have led to backlash from users who try alternative platforms in response. That’s what’s been happening in the last few hours with modifications to the behavior of the “blocking” feature and terms of use on X. Up to half a million users could be leaving X, according to reports.

Bluesky reported half a million new users after the latest X’s announcements

Bluesky is a social platform that emerged as a rival to Twitter. It was the brainchild of Jack Dorsey, former co-founder and CEO of Twitter. However, Dorsey is not currently part of the project and has even been highly critical of it. He claims that Bluesky is making the same mistakes as Twitter and is not the original idea.

Anyway, after news about updates to the terms of use of X, Bluesky published that it received 100,000 new users. A day after the announcement, Bluesky updated the numbers, stating that they received 500,000 folks. So, up to half a million users could be leaving X right now. The influx of new people even caused an outage on Bluesky’s servers for a couple of hours.

That said, it is not the first time something like this has happened. There have been multiple instances of users massively trying out an alternative service to X/Twitter after an announcement that caused anger. However, for various reasons, many users later returned to the platform. We will likely find out in the coming hours whether the situation has changed this time.

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The changes in the “blocking” feature that caused the backlash

First, the blocking function will no longer work as it has until now. When you block a profile on X, it prevents you from viewing any posts or replies from that particular profile. It also prevents the blocked profile from interacting with you. If the profile comments on a post you are reading or a contact shares a post from that profile, you will only see a message indicating that the post has limited visibility. If you tried to check that account, you would only see a message saying that you blocked it (or you were blocked) on the feed.

However, X is rolling out a new behavior for the block option. Now, all public posts on the blocked profile will still be accessible, but the account will not be able to interact with you. Of course, it won’t be able to send you direct messages or anything similar. Notably, checking the feed of a blocked profile was not particularly difficult. Opening said profile from a tab in “Incognito mode” of your browser was enough.

Elon Musk showed intentions to change the way the “block” feature works last year. It even seems that his initial intention was to remove it, since in August 2023 he said that it “makes no sense.” However, more than a year later, the X dev team is only changing the behavior of the option.

New AI training policies too

The other reason behind the backslash is the new data usage policies for AI training. Until now, X only used the platform’s content to train Grok, its own AI-powered chatbot. However, the platform will now allow third parties to use X’s content to train their AI models as well. The topic of artificial intelligence training always generates controversy, and this time was no exception. The artists were particularly unhappy with the announcement.

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Apple not giving the iPhone 16 this one crucial feature is another example of its worst habit

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Apple iPhone 16 Review

After five joyous years as an Android user, curiosity got the best of me – I’ve been using an iPhone 15 for the last week or so to re-immerse myself in iOS and offer stronger contributions to our iPhone coverage.

Overall, I’ve been impressed by last year’s base-model iPhone. A lot has certainly changed since I parted with my iPhone 5S in 2019, and in the ten years between the launch of the iPhone 5S and iPhone 15, Apple has improved the iPhone in nearly every way, from the screen size (4 inches to 6.1 inches) to the battery life (a couple of hours to nearly all day) and connectivity (USB-C!).

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5 Amazon Prime Video shows that are perfect to stream in the fall

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5 Amazon Prime Video shows that are perfect to stream in the fall
Three people stand in Fallout.
Amazon Prime Video

With the fall season is in full swing and the weather beginning to turn, you might be thinking of cozy nights in versus busy days out. That’s especially with the holiday season on the horizon and all the hustle and bustle that comes along with that.

For those days or nights when you just want to relax in your loungewear and slippers while binge-watching a show, there are some great options. Digital Trends has selected these five Amazon Prime Video shows that are perfect to watch in the fall.

Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new shows to stream this week, as well as the best shows on Netflixbest shows on Hulubest shows on Amazon Prime Video, the best shows on Max, and best shows on Disney+.

Upload (2020-)

Upload Season 3 – Official Trailer | Prime Video

A delightful sci-fi comedy drama that parodies our real-life obsession with technology and AI, Upload begins when Nathan Brown (Robbie Amell) is near-death after a tragic car accident. In a panic, his wealthy girlfriend, Ingrid (Allegra Edwards), uploads him to a lavish afterlife community, an option in this near-future world that allows those with the financial means to continue interacting with their loved ones, even after death. As Nathan tries to deal with his now perpetual existence and an ex he was planning to break up with holding his purse strings, he grows closer with his living woman handler, Nora (Andy Allo). But he also starts to uncover a plot that suggests his death was no accident.

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Nora wearing VR glasses showing Nathan in the screen in a scene from Upload on Amazon Prime.
Amazon Prime Video

As the story in Upload takes many twists and turns, the chemistry among the main cast and standout supporting characters like Luke (Kevin Bigley), a frat boy-like former army vet uploaded after death, and his persistently annoyed handler, Aleesha (Zainab Johnson), will have you both laughing and also terrified about a future ruled by technology. The show will return for a fourth and final season, so this fall is the perfect time to catch up on the first three.

Stream Upload on Amazon Prime Video.

Gen V (2023-)

Gen V – Official Redband Trailer | Prime Video

With a second season confirmed, but no launch date yet (likely sometime in 2025), you have time to catch up on season one of Gen V if you haven’t seen it yet. A spinoff of The Boys, the satirical superhero series follows a group of students in a university where they are trained to become the next batch of superheroes. These aren’t admirable heroes, however. The real superheroes, who possess various unique powers, are managed by an evil corporation that uses them to further its interests.

Golden Boy wears a light blue suit in Gen V.
Brooke Palmer / Prime Video

Gen V is like a teen drama mixed with plenty of violence, gore, and scenes that will make you wince for more reasons than one. While the show stands on its own, it ties nicely with the storylines in The Boys. If you haven’t watched that show yet, start with seasons 1 through 3 of The Boys, then check out season 1 of Gen V before returning for season 4 of The Boys to get the full, thematic story. For those who aren’t easily grossed out, Gen V has clever themes that mirror real-life social and political situations beneath its bloody surface.

Stream Gen V on Amazon Prime Video.

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Fallout (2024-)

The Ghoul with his head down in a cowboy hat on Fallout.
Amazon Prime Video

If you’re loving Ella Purnell in her new series Sweetpea and enjoyed her in Yellowjackets, you’ll appreciate her performance in Fallout, a postapocalyptic drama based on the popular video game franchise. Even if you know nothing about the game or the story, Fallout beautifully weaves action and storylines in a desolate world with humor that anyone can enjoy.

The story follows Purnell’s character, Lucy, who emerges from an underground fallout bunker where most humans reside following an apocalyptic nuclear war above ground. She has never ventured out, but with her father kidnapped and possibly in trouble, she is desperate to rescue him.

Fallout – Official Trailer | Prime Video

She meets friends and foes along the way, notably a grotesque, disfigured bounty hunter known as The Ghoul (brilliantly portrayed by Walton Goggins). It’s action-packed through all eight episodes and will have you at the edge of your seat.

Stream Fallout on Amazon Prime Video.

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Them (2021-)

A woman hugs a child tight, both looking terrified in Them: The Scare.
Quantrell Colbert / Amazon Prime Video

The fall season and horror go hand in hand, largely thanks to Halloween. If you’re looking for a creepy show to dive into as you celebrate the holiday, Them is a good choice. The first season, called Them: Covenant, is set during the Second Great Migration in the mid-20th century. A Black family moves from North Carolina to East Compton in the Los Angeles area, where they are now living in an all-white neighborhood. But when evil forces attack, they must fight back. The second season, called Them: The Scare, fast-forwards to 1991 and follows a detective working the case of a gruesome murder.

While Them is especially graphic, the stories, talented cast, and intelligent background social commentary make it a must-watch. The second season was met with much better reviews than the first, earning an impressive perfect 100% Rotten Tomatoes critic score.

Stream Them on Amazon Prime Video.

Downton Abbey (2010-2015)

A man and woman walk hand-in-hand as a crowd looks on in Downton Abbey.
ITV

Honor the recent death of Maggie Smith by watching, or rewatching, Downton Abbey. The British historical drama is set in the early 20th century and focuses on the aristocratic Crawley family and their domestic servants. While fictional, the show integrates real-life happenings into the plot, including the sinking of the Titanic, the First World War, and the Spanish Influenza pandemic. But there are also stories involving torrid affairs, familial discord, and class disparities.

Earning numerous awards throughout its run, Downton Abbey spawned two film adaptations, with a third reportedly in the works as well. If you love and miss shows like Bridgerton and you’re looking for something to fill that void this fall, Downton Abbey is a good option.

Stream Downtown Abbey on Amazon Prime Video.

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Snag this 2024 Moto G for under $170

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Snag this 2024 Moto G for under $170

Right now Best Buy has a pretty good deal on the 2024 Moto G, a phone that comes with a 50MP rear camera for some snazzy smartphone photos and a stylish faux leather backing that comes in a Sage Green color.

The Moto G has come a long way since its early days, and Motorola has come a long way in designing an entry-level phone that can look just as good as devices that cost hundreds and hundreds more. That’s part of what makes this such a good deal. Normally, you would have to pay $199.99 for this phone if you were paying the full retail price. However, if you grab it while Best Buy has it on sale, then you can get it for $169.99, which is just under $170.

This appears to be the cheapest it’s ever been, although it does seem to have dropped to this price back on October 8 and has stayed there.

Moto G 2024 Best Buy Price History

Now aside from the 50MP camera, the Moto G is 5G-capable and that means you’ll get the fastest possible speeds for page loads, downloads, and streaming when connected to a reliable 5G network. While you won’t always be in a 5G area it’s nice to know that when you are your phone can connect to it. The Moto G also comes with a pretty large battery capacity. At 5,000mAh, you likely aren’t going to have to worry about draining the battery too quickly.

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This phone is also going to be great for entertainment purposes. With a large 6.6-inch screen a 120Hz refresh rate and Dolby Atmos support, your content will come to life and feel more immersive. Not to mention the 120Hz refresh rate would be good for some casual gaming. If you need an inexpensive phone for any reason, then this is a must-have deal.

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DJI challenges its ‘Chinese military company’ Pentagon designation in court

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DJI challenges its 'Chinese military company' Pentagon designation in court

DJI has filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Defense over its addition to the Pentagon list that designates it as a “Chinese military company.” In its filing, shared by The Verge, the company said it’s challenging the designation because it’s “neither owned nor controlled by the Chinese military.” It described itself as the “largest privately owned seller of consumer and commercial drones,” mostly used by first responders, fire and police departments, businesses and hobbyists.

The company claimed that because the Pentagon has officially proclaimed it as a national security threat, it has suffered “ongoing financial and reputational harm.” It also said that it has lost business from both US and internal customers, which terminated contracts and refused to enter new ones, and it has been banned from signing contracts with multiple federal government agencies.

DJI explained that it tried to engage with the Department of Defense for over 16 months and submitted a “comprehensive delisting petition” on July 27, 2023 to get the agency to remove its designation. However, the agency allegedly refused to engage in a meaningful way and to explain its reasoning behind adding the company to the list. On January 31, 2024, the DoD redesignated the company without notice, DJI wrote in its complaint. DJI alleged that the DoD only shared its full rationale for its designation after it informed the agency that it was going to “seek judicial relief.”

The company claimed that the DoD’s reasoning wasn’t adequate to support its designation, that the agency confused people with common Chinese names and that it relied on “stale alleged facts and attenuated connections.” DJI is now asking the court to declare the DoD’s actions as unconstitutional, describing the Pentagon’s designation and failure to remove it from the “Chinese military company” list a violation of the law and of its due-process rights.

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DJI has long been at the crosshairs of various US government agencies. The Department of Commerce added it to its entity list in 2020, which prevented US companies from supplying it with parts without a license. A year later, it was added to the Treasury department’s “Chinese military-industrial complex companies” list for its alleged involvement in the surveillance of Uyghur Muslim people in China. And just a few days ago, DJI confirmed that its latest consumer drones are being held at the border by US customs, which cited the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. The drone-maker denied that it has manufacturing facilities in Xinjiang, the region associated with forced Uyghur labor.

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How TiMi Studio revived Age of Empires Mobile for a new age of fans

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How TiMi Studio revived Age of Empires Mobile for a new age of fans

Mobile gaming fans around the world are ready for battle as Age of Empires Mobile has launched worldwide on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Co-developed by TiMi Studio Group (Call of Duty: Mobile, Pokémon Unite) and World’s Edge, an Xbox Games Studio, Age of Empires Mobile is a fresh and innovative experience for the beloved series, bringing familiar elements from the iconic Age of Empires games with brand-new and mobile-specific gameplay to mobile players. We’ll see how mobile players take to it. Reviews are mixed, but fans are going to get their chance to weigh in with their opinions in a big way now.

It’s been hard to translate PC and console games to mobile, but TiMi Studio Group in Shenzhen (and multiple other cities) has had enormous success in hardcore mobile games over the years. Started in 2008, the studio is a part of Tencent and its Level Infinite brand. TiMi’s hit games include Honor of Kings, Speed Drifters, and Arena of Valor. TiMi has also created Call of Duty: Mobile and the first strategic Pokémon team battle game Pokémon Unite.

In the game, you can take your own strategic approach through your civilizations, heroes and troops with hundreds of combinations to pick your most effective plan of attack. You can participate in massively multiplayer online player alliances and Siege, an alliance-versus-alliance game mode, where large-scale castle sieges unfold with authentic weapons and complex defenses, with hundreds of players controlling thousands of units in one on-screen battle.

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Honestly, I don’t know how they pull of this tech on mobile, but it’s a sign that they’re now able to put what used to be supercomputers inside the brains of mobile devices. I got my first demo from Marta Hu, marketing lead for Age of Empires Mobile at TiMi Studio Group, and Emma Bridle, director of player engagement at World’s Edge, at Gamescom.

You can play multiple single-player modes built on the Age of Empires lineage and featuring iconic elements from the original series. You can build your empire in a vibrant medieval world, with big civilizations, imperial cities and legendary historical figures and test your mettle to becoming the strongest governor.

And the game promises you can experience original gameplay on immersive battlefields, adapt your strategy to dynamic, interactive terrain and changing weather conditions and manage multiple troops with real-time control.

“We wanted to bring fresh experiences to the Age of Empires franchise, giving newcomers a taste of what makes this series so important to its fan base,” Robin Xin, producer from TiMi Studio Group, said in a statement. “Age of Empires Mobile is delivering a lot of strategic depth to players, with a resonant, intricate art style that respects history and mythology.”

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Expanding on the series’ lineage, Age of Empires Mobile offers players the opportunity to select from some of the world’s most legendary historic figures to lead their armies. Players choose from dozens of these leaders, such as Barbarossa, Darius the Great, Hammurabi, Joan of Arc and Leonidas I, each featuring unique individual talents and synergies with each other to unleash on their foes.

There are eight civilizations at launch – play as the British, Byzantines, Chinese, Egyptians, French, Japanese, Koreans or Romans.

“Age of Empires Mobile introduces a brand-new entry point to the franchise for mobile gamers, with its alliance gameplay and siege battles featuring hundreds of players at war,” Earnest Yuen, senior director of production from World’s Edge, in a statement. “And your empire feels so dynamic, you can hear the world come alive, with water lapping the shore and wind blowing in the trees as your empire grows.”

Back in August at Gamescom, I was briefed by TiMi on the work in progress, when there were 200,000 players testing the game on servers. They called it a 4X mobile strategy game and showed me the details of the title.

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They were most proud of the massively multiplayer siege gameplay, because this requires dozens, if not hundreds or thousands of players. It enables teammates — an entire alliance — to go to war against another alliance in an attempt to take the enemy’s fortress.

This is where the strategy, the collaboration, really comes into play. For your alliances, everybody goes on the attack and tries to take out the city center in the end. Players have to coordinate, not only with troops but with ships coming in from a river or with massive siege weapons to take down walls.

The single-player modes include “battlefield survivor.” It’s a bullet heaven mode, fighting in a compact moment. You can do a military exercise where you can test your heroes and builds and tactics as you take a hill or something like it. You can also engage in “island tactics,” which is akin to an autochess experience, as well as “lost borderland.”

“If you press luck and go one step too far, you may lose everything,” TiMi devs said, in our briefing.

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There are collections of heroes where you can play as famous figures from history who have influenced the ages. You can engage in fishing if you like, as a kind of mini game, as you go about gathering resources. You can also train your troops and level them up to get more power. A given land can have thousands of different lords, which each lord being a human player. Getting thousands of human players into one game, such as a Siege, is a pretty amazing achievement.

Each civilization and city will have distinct architecture. And every faction will have its own advantages and disadvantages in battle or resource production. You can see things like the wind blowing things around. It’s like triple-A graphics on mobile.

You can use trebuchets, which are giant rock throwers like catapults on steroids. An alliance can be huge numbers of players, or as small as 16. You can zoom in on the action and see some amazing details. It’s a new frontier for Age of Empires.


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Spider-Man 2 is latest PlayStation exclusive coming to PC

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Spider-Man 2 is latest PlayStation exclusive coming to PC

The PC port will include the base game and all of its subsequent DLC, like New Game Plus mode and extra spider suits, along with PC-specific features like “keyboard and mouse controls, ultra widescreen support, and numerous graphical options,” according to Mike Fitzgerald, Core Technology Director at developer Insomniac. That will include “enhanced ray-tracing options.”

As part of the announcement, Sony also revealed that “we have no additional story content planned for Marvel’s Spider-Man 2” on either platform.

Spider-Man 2 is just the latest in a big PC push from Sony, which also includes a PC overlay that launched in June alongside Ghost of Tsushima’s PC port. Spider-Man 2 is also the fastest a major PS5 game has been ported so far, with the PC version coming less than two years after its original launch.

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