'Hey Disney' Brings Mickey and Crew to Your Amazon Echo - CNET

You can subscribe to the new voice assistant for $6 a year.

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Luxury car brand Mercedes-Benz is outfitting its MBUX Voice Assistant with ChatGPT as part of a new US-only beta program. Joining the beta will allow drivers of over 900,000 “vehicles equipped with MBUX [to hold] “more dynamic” conversations with the onboard AI.

In the official announcement post, the company states it's seeking to improve its voice assistant beyond “predefined tasks and responses”. ChatGPT’s own large language model would “greatly improve [MBUX’s] natural language understanding [to] expand the topics to which it can respond.” So not only will customers be able to give voice commands, but they can also ask the AI for detailed information about their destination or suggestions for a new dinner recipe. 

(Image credit: Mercedes-Benz)

Security

To make the program possible, Mercedes is incorporating Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service in the rollout, ensuring, according to the auto manufacturer, “enterprise-grade security, privacy, and reliability”. Conversation data will be collected and then stored in the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud where it will be “anonymized and analyzed.” All IT processes will be controlled by the company as it promises to protect “all customer data from… misuse.” Microsoft won’t have any access.

If you want to see it in action before installation, tech news site Electrek recently published a couple of videos showing off the upgraded MBUX. It utilizes both the dashboard screen as well as its onboard voice to deliver answers. When asked for suggestions for the best local beaches, the AI displayed a text list of nearby locations before recommending activities like surfing. It can even tell jokes, although they’re pretty terrible.

Availability

The beta program starts June 16 in the United States only, as stated earlier. To get started, eligible customers must first say “Hey Mercedes, I want to join the beta program” as a command to MBUX. From there, it’ll teach you how to install the ChatGPT patch. It appears part of the onboarding process includes connecting a mobile device to the AI. A full list of vehicles supporting the beta is available on the company’s website. In total, there are over 25 models ranging from sedans to SUVs.

(Image credit: Mercedes-Benz)

The beta program should last three months. After that time, it’ll go offline for an indeterminate amount of time. Mercedes will then take the data it collects to improve the AI for an eventual launch. It’s unknown if either the program or the final version will be available to other global regions or other languages besides English.

We reached out to Mercedes-Benz for more information on the launch. This story will be updated at a later time.

Having a generative AI at your beck and call giving you travel suggestions sounds pretty useful and could lead to a lot more fruitful sightseeing. To that end, we recommend checking TechRadar’s list of the best travel camera for 2023 before planning your next trip.

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Watch UEFA Nations League Soccer: Livestream Spain vs. Italy From Anywhere - CNET

The second semifinal sees these two European giants clash in the Netherlands.

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Intel has made its rumored processor rebranding official with the announcement of the new Intel Core and Intel Core Ultra brands, phasing out the 'i' in its Core series processors that the company has used for more than a decade.

"Our client roadmap demonstrates how Intel is prioritizing innovation and technology leadership with products like Meteor Lake, focused on power efficiency and AI at scale," Caitlin Anderson, Intel vice president and general manager of Client Computing Group Sales, said in a statement. "To better align with our product strategies, we are introducing a branding structure that will help PC buyers better differentiate the best of our latest technology and our mainstream offerings."

According to Intel, the new branding will apply to its new Core processors starting with Meteor Lake, and will initially feature Intel Core 3, Intel Core 5, and Intel Core 7 processors, though it's not clear if there will be an option for an Intel Core 9.

(Image credit: Intel)

We do know that this highest tier will at least fall under the new Intel Core Ultra brand, which is set to debut in the second half of 2023, according to the company. This new branding differentiates between its mainstream and "advanced" lineup of processors, with the Ultra series seemingly geared toward the high-end enthusiast market and enterprise users while the vanilla Intel Core processors are more mainstream-facing chips.

This rebranding is a significant leap for Team Blue, which has spent 15 years building up the reputation of its Core i-series processors, with its latest Raptor Lake processors easily earning spots on our best processor list.

Another major change is that Intel will no longer reference the specific generation in its marketing or product markings, so no '14th-generation' or similar, though the generation number will still be identifiable in the specific processors model number, so presumably Intel Core Ultra 9-14XX, or similar, though Intel hasn't settled on a new numbering convention for the rebranded chips yet.

15 years of hard work building a stellar brand, gone like that

(Image credit: Intel)

With the rebranding of its Core series processors, Intel leaves behind more than a decade of hard work building up the reputation of its flagship processors, which is not something that Intel would do lightly.

I still don't understand why it is necessary, however, and the differentiation between Core and Core Ultra is also somewhat head-scratching, especially since there will at least be some overlap between the two brands when it comes to its middle tiers. There will be both Intel Core 5 and Intel Core 7 processors, but also Intel Core Ultra 5 and Intel Core Ultra 7, and this doesn't do that much to alleviate customer confusion when it comes to which processor to buy for their specific needs.

This may become clearer with time, but the difference between a Core and a Core Ultra processor is going to be just as opaque to most mainstream buyers (and even for many professional customers) so the rebranding doesn't look, at first glance, like it makes anything clearer.

(Image credit: Intel)

The mainstream customers that Intel seems most concerned with here are just as likely to ask the floor associate at Best Buy or Currys which one is better (or Google it) as they were with the old numbering convention. Plus, the enthusiast community that builds their own PCs is already very familiar with Intel's existing branding. Put simply, this isn't clarifying things for anyone who is out to buy an individual Intel processor from Newegg.

And, for enterprise users who need extra security features and such, Intel already has its vPro branding (though it will further differentiate between vPro Enterprise and vPro Essential), so designating a chip a Core Ultra 9 vPro Enterprise or Core Ultra 9 vPro Essential only seems to add complexity to an already complex system, and now everyone has to relearn everything from scratch.

Obviously, given time, we will learn this new system just as we did when Intel introduced its Core processors back in 2006, but there's no getting around the fact that the Intel Core i3, Intel Core i5, Intel Core i7, and Intel Core i9 processors have been an incredibly simple product tiering system that is easily recognizable and easy to explain. It's why AMD more or less just copied the convention wholesale when it introduced its Ryzen processors back in 2016.

Intel says that the rebranding reflects a major shift in the chips' architecture, and so on that level, it makes sense that a rebranding might be appropriate, but there is no way to shake the feeling that with this move Intel is leaving behind something important. Let's just hope Intel doesn't come to regret it.

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Fed Ends Rate Hike Streak Pausing for the First Time in 15 Months. What's Next? - CNET

There's a chance for another rate hike in July.

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If you're wondering why office productivity nosedived this week, you can probably blame Google and its ingenious Katamari Damacy Easter egg game.

Katamari is a two-decade-old puzzle-action Namco gaming franchise that launched on PlayStation 2 in 2004 (but was unveiled in 2003 at the Tokyo Game Show). The initial game tells the tale of a prince seeking to restore the cosmos that his father, the King, destroyed in a drunken rage. 

What made it so popular though was the whimsical gameplay which features a giant magical ball that's rolled around and collects all kinds of objects. The game ultimately spawned at least 14 more variations over the span of 20 years.

Perhaps in honor of the anniversary, Google has added a little something special to the "Katamari" Google search result.

The key to this Easter egg is that little Katamari ball. (Image credit: Future)

If you search for that term on the desktop and look at the Google knowledge box on the left, you'll notice the magical Katamari ball. Click on it and a rendered 3D Katamari ball will appear in the middle of the screen, along with visual guidance on how to control the ball with your keyboard's arrow keys.

As soon as you tap or hold one of the arrow keys, the ball will roll in that direction. It also has built-in momentum which means that the longer you hold the key, the faster the ball rolls and the longer it takes to stop. You can also use your mouse to click and push the ball in any direction you want.

As the ball rolls, it acts like a magnet and collects up all the images and thumbnails on the search results page until the ball is covered and only the rolling thumbnail graphics are visible. Collected graphics also get the same treatment as the 3D ball and even throw shadows on the page.

We grabbed it all. (Image credit: Future)

This is also an Easter game of skill as the ball becomes somewhat harder to control the more stuff you roll onto its endlessly sticky body.

We can almost guarantee you will spend too much time rolling the ball around to grab every single graphic. Okay, maybe it was just us.

The Katamai Easter egg works on your best Android phones and best iPhones, but instead of a keyboard, you control the magic ball by taping it in the direction you want the ball to roll.

Unlike Google Doodles that appear on the anniversary day and then often disappear, the best Google Easter Eggs like this can last for as long as people search the term. We suggest you try it out, play for a bit, and then get back to work. We can't all afford to get permanently distracted, can we?

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Best Mac Mini Deals: Lowest Prices Yet for Latest Mac Mini Models - CNET

Save big on a Mini. Apple's newest M2 and M2 Pro Mac Mini desktops are at all-time low prices right now.

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A series of leaked renders for OnePlus’ Nord 3 have recently surfaced, potentially giving us our first look at the upcoming smartphone.

The renders come from German tech website WinFuture, and they appear to be either marketing or press images which may indicate an imminent launch. If you check out the photos, you may notice the device has an identical design to the China-exclusive OnePlus Ace 2V. This gives credence to a previous rumor stating the company is rebranding the Ace 2V as the successor of the Nord line for Western users. It’ll even come in the same black and mint green color options. 

(Image credit: WinFuture/OnePlus)

Specs

Assuming it really is a renamed Ace 2V, the Nord 3 at launch will look a little different than what current rumors suggest. A leak from March 2022 claimed the future device would sport a 6.7-inch screen outputting a resolution of 1080 x 2412 pixels. With the new information in mind, the Nord 3 may have a 6.74-inch, 120Hz AMOLED screen outputting a resolution of 1024 x 2772 – a small bump in quality.

Under the hood, the phone is set to come with the high-end Dimensity 9000 chipset (not the Dimensity 8100 as previously reported) alongside 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. Other potential changes include a 5000 mAh battery complete with 80W fast charge, plus a three-camera system led by a 50MP wide lens; not 64MP as seen on the Ace 2V. The ultra wide-angle and macro lenses on the Nord 3 will remain the same at 8MP and 2MP, respectively.  

Pending launch

Of course, take this information with a grain of salt. OnePlus can final adjustments to the Nord 3's hardware at any time. If the leaks do come true, however, it’ll make the Nord 3 a more than worthy follow-up to the OnePlus Nord 2. It appears the brand is building on what made the Nord 2 so great and addressing some of our complaints, such as the lackluster 90Hz screen on the older model.

A release date for the Nord 3 remains unknown although it is worth pointing out that the smartphone has already appeared on several certification sites leading many to believe the launch is almost here. Those same websites, by the way, also hint at the 80W fast charging mentioned earlier – providing further proof the Nord 3 is a renamed Ace 2V. Price tag is a mystery, too, at least at the time of this writing. We expect the price point to be around £379 to £399.

Until we get more info about the Nord 3, be sure to check out TechRadar’s list of the best OnePlus phones for 2023 if you’re in the market for a new handheld.

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Best Healthy Meal Delivery Services of 2023 - CNET

Whether you prefer to cook wholesome meal kits or eat healthy prepared meals, we've tested the best healthy meal delivery services available so you can keep your nutrition goals in check.

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A closed beta for Assassin's Creed Codename Jade has been announced at the Ubisoft Forward event. The public testing event is going to occur later this summer (no exact date was stated) but fans and prospective players can sign-up at the game's official website for access right now.

The new trailer for Assassin's Creed Codename Jade shows off a mixture of CGI story-driven cutscenes and what appears to be in-game footage. The latter is dark and stylish taking apparent design cues from the afterlife confession sections in Assassin's Creed Origins. The as-of-yet-unnamed hooded protagonist walks among a shrine of golden statues and is told to "rise to even greater heights to step out of the shadows". 

If you're someone who plays some of the best iPhone games or the best Android games - or you're a fan of all Assassin's Creed games - then Assassin's Creed Codename Jade should be a game to keep on your radar. The game is reportedly going to be a free-to-play title, meaning it's likely to utilize the freemium game model of having multiple virtual currencies and other conventions of the medium. 

Assassin's Creed Codename Jade is far from the first foray into mobile territories for Ubisoft's flagship franchise. Currently, on both the Android Play Store and the App Store there is Assassin's Creed Rebellion, which appears to be a top-rated action RPG utilizing a cartoonish art style, this upcoming game looks to be far more faithful to the mainline console entries with its approach to combat. 

While only around 10 seconds or so of the closed beta trailer was reserved for in-game action, what's there paints a picture of what's to come. It looks as though the hit-box style of the RPG games is present instead of the chained animation-based system of prior games, which makes sense given the limitations of the hardware. 

We're bringing you all you need to know about this year's ongoing E3 2023 as there's still steam in the tank charging ahead with new game reveals and extended looks yet to come. 

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Best Android Tablet for 2023 - CNET

Which tablet is right for you? Tested and reviewed by CNET, here are our best picks.

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We've now seen Star Wars Outlaws in-engine footage for the first time.

Kay Vess with a small creature companion skulks around a seedy underbelly of an unlicensed chop shop before getting into a full-on blaster fight. The upcoming game appears to have light stealth elements akin to Ubisoft's Watchdogs franchise, taking a wildly different approach to Respawn's popular Star Wars Jedi series. 

Light parkour is in play and vehicles are a part of the experience as Vess mounts a land speeder being chased and fired upon by galactic scoundrels. It appears to have some similarities with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Truly, the game world of Star Wars Outlaws is more expansive than anything ever seen with the license before, as the lead character enters a densely populated town that bears a striking resemblance to the famous dunes of Tatooine. 

Vess shares a lot of DNA with rogues of the Star Wars universe such as Han Solo, which is evident in one moment where she pulls a blaster on someone in a cantina to settle an argument. It's looking like Star Wars Outlaws will be a much more morally grey title than the previous light and dark sides of the series beforehand. 

This is compounded by a wanted system, which looks to function in a similar way to how bounties do in the Red Dead Redemption games. Things escalate when taking to the air, confirming that spaceships can be boarded and used for free travel at any time. Also confirmed is real-time dog fighting which hasn't been a feature in a game since EA's Star Wars: Squadrons, a game that was solely about aerial vehicles.

For such a brief look at the game, this latest Star Wars Outlaws trailer reveals a lot about the characters, the setting, and the kinds of things that we'll be able to do across the galaxy, both good and bad. It's a refreshing take on the formula that we can commit crimes and can operate outside of the genre conventions of the Jedi and the Sith.

The momentum behind Star Wars Outlaws is undeniable as this title could become one of the best open-world games to date. We're bringing you everything you need to know about E3 2023 as the big reveals and events are raging right now. 

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Avowed has now been revealed with in-engine footage showing off the tone and the combat of the upcoming Obsidian RPG at the Xbox Games Showcase. 

The team behind The Outer Worlds and Fallout: New Vegas has been working on Avowed for some time, so seeing the dark fantasy title in action has been a long-anticipated event for many fans. It's likely to become one of the best RPGs available on the Xbox Series X and PC. 

A brief look at the combat reveals a mixture of elemental attacks and physical damage taking clear inspiration from the Elder Scrolls series. As with the developer's other titles, your choices will likely have consequences, with dialogue being briefly showcased here, too. 

What's most exciting is the focus on guns and other ranged weapons here with Avowed which makes this fantasy title distinct from others set in a similar setting. Yes, swords and shields are present, but also firearms which make for a game that feels truly different from the Wasteland wading across the Mohave and the capitalist satire of The Outer Worlds. 

The first-person magic casting appears to be reminiscent of Tango Gameworks' Ghostwire: Tokyo which makes a change from the more rigid style of staffs and stoic magic from The Elder Scrolls series. It's an interesting mix, and we're excited to see how it will all come together next year. Hopefully, this launch window stays consistent, as we're likely to really see this one release in the latter period of 2024. 

It's been two years since Avowed was announced at a previous Xbox Games Show so the chance to finally see the game in action has been incredibly satisfying. Obsidian is one of the best developers when it comes to delivering player freedom, so this upcoming game shows no signs of breaking the winning streak.

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Belmont Stakes 2023: How to Watch Live or Stream Today's Race From Anywhere - CNET

Dek needed

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Solar Panel Will Eventually Save You Money. This Formula Will Tell You When - CNET

When considering a solar panel purchase, you'll want to know when the actual savings begin after the initial upfront investment.

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