Android gets its own show from Google

The upcoming Google I/O event typically serves as the platform for the company to unveil updates regarding its smartphone operating system for the upcoming year. However, this year, Google is introducing a dedicated event specifically for Android. Just a week prior to Google I/O, the company will provide an in-depth exploration of what lies ahead for Android in a special installment of The Android Show.

Google has acknowledged that users are eager for additional insights into the evolving Android experience. This demand raises the question: who exactly are these individuals seeking more information?

According to Google, there are numerous exciting developments to reveal concerning Android, which is the reason behind this special edition of The Android Show—a well-established YouTube series primarily aimed at developers. The presentation will feature Sameer Samat, the president of the Android Ecosystem, but Google also confirmed that Android will be a highlight at the I/O event, where the company promises to share “even more special announcements and surprises.”

Mark your calendars: The Android Show: I/O Edition will be broadcast on May 13 at 1 PM ET.

— Mat Smith

Stay updated with Engadget’s newsletter delivered directly to your inbox. Subscribe right here!

Explore the Biggest Tech Announcements You Might Have Missed

Discover How the Phone Pro 2’s Battery Lasts an Impressive Two Full Days

The latest device from Nothing, the CMF Phone Pro 2, proudly claims the title of the lightest and slimmest smartphone designed by the company. With a mere thickness of 7.8mm and a weight of 6.5 ounces, this phone could potentially be the lightest model Nothing has ever produced; however, it’s worth noting that the iPhone 16 weighs slightly less at just 6 ounces.

Equipped with a stunning 6.77-inch FHD+ AMOLED display and a versatile four-camera setup, including a cutting-edge 50MP main camera, the CMF Phone Pro 2 is designed for photography enthusiasts. The camera system includes a telephoto lens, an ultra-wide lens, and a front-facing selfie camera, and CMF is introducing a modular design that allows users to attach additional accessories like fisheye and macro lenses.

The 256GB variant is priced at an attractive $279, and pre-orders have commenced, with shipments expected to begin on May 6. However, it’s important to note that this device is currently only accessible to participants in the company’s beta program. I have a unit here for testing, but substantial updates will likely come once the intriguing accessories are released alongside it.

Continue reading.

Uncovering the Use of Bot Accounts in r/changemyview

Recently, a group of researchers conducted an unauthorized experiment lasting several months within one of Reddit’s most engaged communities, utilizing AI-generated comments to assess the persuasive capabilities of large language models (LLMs). This experiment was disclosed over the weekend by the moderators of r/changemyview, who described the actions as a form of “psychological manipulation” targeting unsuspecting community members.

Employing LLMs, the researchers generated a variety of comments on the subreddit r/changemyview, a platform where users frequently share contentious opinions and invite discussions from others. The community boasts a membership of 3.8 million individuals, making it a significant space for dialogue.

Moderators reported that during the experiment, the AI assumed multiple identities in its comments, including that of a sexual assault survivor, a trauma counselor specializing in abuse, and a Black individual expressing opposition to the Black Lives Matter movement. Many of the original comments generated by the AI have been subsequently removed.

In light of these revelations, Reddit appears to be contemplating legal action. The Chief Legal Officer, Ben Lee, stated that the actions of the researchers were “deeply wrong on both a moral and legal level” and constituted a violation of Reddit’s community guidelines.

Continue reading.

Russia Raises Concerns Over Wargaming’s Support for Ukraine

High-ranking executives from Wargaming and Lesta Games, the collaborative developers behind the popular game World of Tanks, may face the seizure of their stakes in their respective companies by the Russian government, as reported by Russian news outlets RIA and RBC.

The executives are alleged to be involved in extremist activities, according to Russia’s prosecutor general, which is akin to the role of the US attorney general, due to Wargaming’s stance supporting Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict, as reported by RIA.

The development of World of Tanks was fragmented in 2022 as Wargaming exited its offices in Russia and Belarus following the country’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In response to the humanitarian crisis, Wargaming initiated a campaign within World of Tanks in 2023 to raise funds for medical assistance in Ukraine.

Continue reading.