Ocasio-Cortez, Warren blast Amazon for ‘wholly inadequate’ warehouse safety

Amazon’s handling of the deadly Edwardsville, Illinois warehouse collapse in December is drawing criticism from key figures in Congress. Motherboardreports that Senator Elizabeth Warren and representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Cori Bush have sent a follow-up letter to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy and chairman Jeff Bezos criticizing the company’s “disappointing” response to an initial series of questions about the Illinois warehouse’s safety. They said OSHA’s findings described a “wholly inadequate safety culture” that may have played a role in the deaths of six facility workers.

The data pointed to “serious concerns” about safety training at the Edwardsville location, the politicians wrote. While OSHA didn’t fine or otherwise punish Amazon, its investigation contradicted the company’s statements about preparedness. Staff didn’t participate in emergency drills that might have protected them from the tornado, and some didn’t even know the location of the designated shelter area. And while Amazon claimed the warehouse had an Emergency Action Plan, OSHA said the company neither customized it for the area nor followed it properly.

The investigation and Amazon’s response suggested the firm only did the “bare minimum” or less to protect workers, according to the politicians. They added that there was evidence of injuries and exploitation elsewhere, and urged Amazon to honor the House Oversight Committee’s request for documents as part of its own inquiry.

We’ve asked Amazon for comment. The tech giant said in its response letter that safety was its “top priority” and defended its practices at the Edwardsville warehouse. Bezos told shareholders roughly a year ago that Amazon needed to improve its treatment of employees, but his focus was on reducing repetitive strain injuries and general safety projects, not disaster preparedness. The retailer acknowledged some of the calls for reform by permanently allowing cellphones on-site.

Whatever Amazon’s answer to this latest letter, it’s likely to face considerably more scrutiny. On top of the House probe, Amazon is dealing with multiple lawsuits accusing the company of negligence that led to deaths and injuries at the Illinois hub. There’s still plenty of pressure to change, and Amazon might not succeed in resisting political demands.

Scientists reveal first image of the black hole in the center of our galaxy

Scientists have imaged a black hole before, but now they’ve captured a picture of the most important example — the one at the heart of the Milky Way galaxy. Researchers using the Event Horizon Telescope have revealed the first image of Sagittarius A* (aka Sgr A*), the supermassive black hole at the center of our home galaxy. The snapshot confirms both the presence of the black hole and provides more details of how these extreme space objects work.

Like the black hole spotted inside M87, Sgr A* is bending all the light around it — hence why it looks so similar. They’re far from identical beyond this, however. The Milky Way’s hole is over 1,000 times smaller and less massive. That made it a challenge to accurately visualize the gas whipping around the hole, as it orbits in minutes where M87’s gas takes days or even weeks. And while the object is huge at 4 million times more massive than the Sun, M87’s counterpart is billions of times more massive.

The team needed the Event Horizon Telescope’s network of radio observatories to produce the imagery over the course of multiple nights. They developed new imaging tools, and used a mix of supercomputing power (to analyze and combine data) and black hole simulations to help compare their findings. The project took five years to complete, including 100 million hours of supercomputer time at the US’ National Science Foundation.

The image finally helps humanity see the center of the galaxy, which sits roughly 27,000 light-years away. It should also help study black holes in general — astronomers can now compare images of two different black holes to refine their models of how these supermassive examples behave. The improved understanding of gas behavior could shape understandings of how galaxies form and evolve. The light ring data also lined up well with predictions based on the Theory of General Relativity.

You can expect more data going forward. The EHT is continuing to expand, and conducted its largest observation effort yet this March. Scientists hope for both more detailed images and videos of Sgr A* and other black holes in the “near future,” according to the NSF. All told, black hole visuals could be relatively commonplace before long.

Bethesda delays ‘Starfield’ to 2023

Two of Bethesda’s highest-profile games won’t make their long-promised release dates. The Microsoft-owned company has delayed both the sci-fi RPG Starfield and Arkane’s vampire shooter Redfall to the first half of 2023. The developers have “incredible ambitions” and need the extra time to deliver the “best, most polished” titles they can, according to Bethesda.

The studio promised deep-dive gameplay explorations for the two projects “soon.” Starfield was previously slated to ship November 11th this year, while Redfall was poised to launch in the summer.

These certainly aren’t the only major games delayed to 2023. Nintendo’s Breath of the Wild sequel and EA’s PGA Tour are among those pushed back. Bethesda’s delays may sting more than usual, though. Starfield is a tentpole game that will show what the company can do under Microsoft’s wing, while Redfall is building on the hype of previous Arkane successes like Dishonored, Prey and Deathloop. The waits may be worthwhile, but they will prevent Bethesda from ending 2022 with some blockbuster releases.

Redbox’s new owner is the company that saved Sony’s Crackle

Redbox has tried to keep itself relevant over the years with on-demand streaming video and free live TV, but it’s still best-known as the company pushing movie disc rentals at kiosks. It might soon have a better shot at shaking that reputation, however. Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, the company that rebooted Sony’s Crackle service, is acquiring Redbox in an all-stock deal. The move will help Chicken Soup build an ad-supported streaming service for “value-conscious customers” and “accelerate” Redbox’s shift from physical to digital.

The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2022. Chicken Soup will own a 76.5 percent stake, while Redbox will own the rest. There weren’t mentions of leadership changes, but Chicken Soup won’t change its name as part of the purchase.

It may seem unusual to buy a company best known for supporting shrinking video formats. Chicken Soup stands to gain a lot, though. The new owner will have access to tens of millions of potential customers, including 40 million Redbox Perks members —even if only a fraction embrace streaming, that’s still a large potential audience. Although we wouldn’t expect it to challenge heavyweights like Amazon or Netflix, it might help Redbox and Chicken Soup compete with free-to-watch alternatives like Tubi or The Roku Channel.

Google’s latest security upgrades include virtual credit cards

Google is using I/O 2022 to unveil (and flaunt) a host of privacy and security upgrades, including some significant features for online shopping. The company is introducing virtual payment cards on Android and Chrome that promise extra security by replacing the real card number with a digital counterpart. It should be faster, too, as you won’t have to enter the CVV or other details that frequently slow you down.

Virtual cards will be available in the US this summer for American Express, Visa and Capital One holders. Mastercard is due later in the year. This isn’t as ambitious a financial project as Google’s defunct Plex banking service, but it may be useful if you’re worried a hacker might scrape your payment details while you’re checking out.

Other additions are subtler, but potentially useful. Google now protects Workspace users against phishing and malware in Docs, Sheets and Slides, not just Gmail. You should also see the safety status in apps to let you know when your Google account is at risk.

Google is also making it easier to control data. On top of plans to let you remove contact details from search results (still in a months-long rollout), you’ll also have the option to see more or less of certain brands and categories in ads through My Ad Center. You won’t just be limited to blocking or reporting content.

The expansions come alongside ongoing efforts. Google is automatically enrolling users in two-factor authentication to reduce account hijacking. It’s also scaling back the volume of sensitive personal info, anonymizing that content and curbing access through technologies like end-to-end encryption and the secure enclaves on modern phones. Yes, Google is partly touting these features to counter long-running accusations of less-than-stellar privacy, but they might be welcome if you’re jittery about trusting the company with your data.

Follow all of the news from Google I/O 2022 right here!

Twitter made a game to explain its privacy policy

Twitter has revamped its privacy policy to help you understand how it handles your data, but it’s not convinced that’s enough. The social network has launched a Data Dash game that it hopes will help you understand the trickier parts of the new policy in simpler terms. At its heart, it’s a simple platformer that has you guide your dog Data around unwanted ads (for cats, naturally), navigate through spam DMs and avoid trolls. Complete a level and you’ll learn more about Twitter’s approach and how you can take control of the experience.

Data Dash won’t exactly challenge hardcore gamers, and the mechanics are a bit crude. The 8-bit retro style is cute (if unoriginal), though, and the easy gameplay makes it more likely that you’ll learn something rather than give up in frustration.

The biggest issue may simply be the tone. While the game is glib, the issues it’s dealing with are potentially serious — we doubt people will enjoy this if they’ve been targets for harassment or hate speech. Data Dash is more for newcomers and other innocents who want to wrap their heads around privacy concepts before they encounter the sobering reality.

Airbnb’s big redesign helps you split stays between homes

Now that it’s relatively safe to travel again, Airbnb is unveiling an overhauled experience that includes some much-needed features for frequent travellers. To start, the reworked app now lets you search for categories tied to the home style, location or activity. You can look for places close to national parks, or even book a treehouse. Airbnb is clearly hoping you’ll book stays beyond the usual tourist hotspots.

The biggest addition, however, might be Split Stays. As the name implies, this lets you split a trip between two homes without having to separately book each location. You can split between categories or destinations, too. This promises to be helpful for long trips, or any travel where you won’t stay in one place.

And while Airbnb no longer offers refunds if you get COVID-19, it is providing some extra protections to encourage travel. A new AirCover program will either relocate you or provide a refund if the host needs to cancel (within 30 days), if you can’t check in or if the home doesn’t match the advertised claims. The 24-hour safety phone line has also expanded support to 16 languages, and AirCover is built directly into both the app and Airbnb’s website.

The reworked experience is available in the US today, and should spread worldwide this week. Airbnb may be stretching when it claims this is its largest change “in a decade,” but it might be enough to prompt a vacation after two years of huddling in place.

Korg’s DIY oscilloscope comes paired with a coffee table book

It’s relatively easy to find coffee table books on music, but how many of them give you the tools to make that music? Korg’s does. The company has introduced a bundle that pairs its new NTS-2 do-it-yourself oscilloscope kit with a Patch & Tweak with Korg book from Bjooks (which also made books for Moog and Roland) that explores semi-modular synthesis. You’ll find the usual history and artist interviews, but you’ll also find guides to help you use the NTS-2 in tandem with synths and other equipment.

The NTS-2 is a companion of sorts to the NTS-1 synth and similar hardware. The pocketable box helps you visualize the signals and voltages from your music-making gear (up to four signals at once), tune inputs, analyze spectrums or generate dual waveforms. You can generate the exact sound you want rather than having to play it by ear. The device runs on either battery power or USB-C, and the DIY design practically begs for customization.

The bundle is a limited edition, and will be available soon for $230 through retailers like B&H. That’s not trivial if you’re just getting started on music creation, but might be easy to justify if you’re hoping to elevate your production skills — and find something to read during your downtime.

Nintendo Switch falls to new all-time low of $260 at Amazon

This is a golden moment to buy a console ahead of your summer vacation. Amazon is selling the standard Nintendo Switch with blue and red Joy-Cons at a new all-time low price of $260, or $40 below the official sticker. That’s $20 better than a Woot deal from February, and a large-enough discount that you can easily use the savings to buy a microSD card for storing additional games.

Buy Nintendo Switch at Amazon – $260

The regular Switch might not have the eye-catching screen of the OLED model, but the fundamentals that make the system so enjoyable remain intact. This is a console you can use either handheld or at your TV, and without making too many compromises. The current revision offers plenty of battery life. And most importantly, the Switch now has a huge catalog of hits after five years, ranging from launch-era titles like Breath of the Wild through to recent successes like Metroid Dread. You won’t run out of games to play on a long road trip.

You’re likely already familiar with the limitations. The Switch isn’t as powerful as dedicated TV consoles like the PS5 or the comparably-priced Xbox Series S, so you won’t get 4K or some of the more visually demanding games on the market. And while you might not miss the Switch OLED’s display, you’ll also have to go without its improved stand and dock-based Ethernet jack. At this price, though, it’s an easy choice if you want a two-in-one device or just don’t want to pay a stiff premium to play current games.

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Razer unveils the sequel to its ultra-light Viper gaming mouse

Razer’s original Viper was one of the better-known ultra-light gaming mice when it arrived in 2019, and now it’s finally getting a sequel to keep up with rivals. The brand has introduced a Viper V2 Pro wireless mouse that trims the weight even further, from 69g to 58g, while improving the fundamentals — this is meant for esports players and enthusiasts who need precise, flick-friendly input to thrive.

The design revolves around an equally new Focus Pro 30K optical sensor that, as the name implies, promises 30,000 dots per inch resolution. It’s reportedly 99.8 percent accurate, and uses AI to guide tracking. You even have 26 levels of customization for height (to determine when tracking starts or stops) versus ‘just’ three for the first Viper.

The Viper V2 Pro also introduces third-generation optical mouse switches that supposedly end accidental double-clicks and debounce delay (the wait to filter out unintended input signals). Their lifecycle is about 25 percent longer, too, so you might not chew through mice quite so quickly if you’re a pro gamer. You can recharge through USB-C, and a dedicated DPI button lets you tweak sensitivity without using software.

Razer is now selling black and white versions of the Viper V2 Pro for $150 with grip tape, a charging cable and a USB dongle extender in the box. That puts its price in line with competing ultra-lightweight mice from the likes of Logitech and SteelSeries, and could make it a viable option whether or not you’re loyal to the Razer brand.