FCC Raises Definition of Broadband Internet Speed
The FCC has updated its definition of ‘broadband’ internet speed to require download speeds of 100 megabits per second and upload speeds of 20 megabits per second, a significant increase from the previous standard. This decision aims to bridge the digital divide and expand access to high-speed internet across the United States, but challenges remain as nearly 28 percent of Americans in rural areas still lack access to the newly defined broadband speeds.
FCC Seeks Input on Amnesty Period for Internet Service Providers
The Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau is seeking input on a proposed ‘amnesty period’ for internet service providers who may default on their deployment commitments under funding awards received through the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund or Connect America Fund Auctions. This proposal could potentially allow ISPs to relinquish funded areas without facing full default penalties and make those areas eligible for funding under states’ Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Programs.
Best Free AI Image Generators
Discover the top free AI image generators available, including Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, Canva’s Magic Media, Phot.AI, Adobe Firefly, and NightCafe. Learn about the features and capabilities of each tool, and find the best one for your creative needs. Plus, get a deep dive into Microsoft Copilot’s AI image generator, its prompt examples, pricing, and the author’s personal experience.
Gameloft Announces Collaboration with Wizards of the Coast for New Dungeons & Dragons Life-Sim RPG
Gameloft’s collaboration with Wizards of the Coast to develop a new Dungeons & Dragons life-sim RPG set in the Forgotten Realms, the same universe as Baldur’s Gate III, has sparked excitement in the gaming world. The upcoming game promises to offer a unique blend of survival, life simulation, and action elements, presenting an enticing prospect for enthusiasts of the Baldur’s Gate III universe. With the promise of danger at every turn, the upcoming D&D game is poised to deliver an exhilarating gaming experience.
RTX Remix: Bringing Veteran and Hobbyist Devs Together
RTX Remix, created by Nvidia, brings veteran and hobbyist developers together to remaster beloved PC games with modern features. It enables modders to update classic games with advanced lighting, assets, and upscaling, making them comparable to modern triple-A releases. The platform, now available in beta, is already being used widely and has attracted big names in the modding community to take on ambitious projects like a complete remaster of Half-Life 2.
Our Accidental Universe: A Journey Through Space and Mystery
Join astrophysicist Chris Lintott on a captivating journey through the universe in Our Accidental Universe. Delve into the mysteries of Venus’s clouds, the potential for extraterrestrial life, and the challenges of observing the universe’s early stages. A must-read for anyone curious about the cosmos and the endless possibilities that lie beyond our planet.
Breakthrough in Renewable Energy with Hybrid System Integration
U.S. scientists have developed a hybrid energy system that combines photovoltaic cells and radiative cooling for external cooling, potentially revolutionizing energy efficiency in buildings and refrigeration. The system achieved simultaneous subambient daytime radiative cooling and photovoltaic electricity generation, with the potential to surpass the electricity saving of a bare solar cell by as much as 30%.
Groundbreaking Discovery in Nanotechnology: New Method Enables Synthesis of Hundreds of 2D Materials
Researchers at Linköping University in Sweden have developed a new method for synthesizing hundreds of new 2D materials with unique properties, opening up possibilities for applications in energy storage, catalysis, and water purification. This groundbreaking research has been published in the prestigious journal Science, marking a significant advancement in the field of nanotechnology.
Montreal Man Arrested in Calgary for Human Trafficking and Money Laundering
Montreal man, David Maignan, 24, arrested in Calgary as part of a human trafficking investigation. Maignan was apprehended after attempting to flee and has been charged for his attempt to escape police custody. It is unclear whether Thursday’s arrest is related to previous charges of procurement of a person under the age of 18, advertising sexual services, and receiving a material benefit derived from sexual services.
Surprising Insights About Debris Flows on Mars
New research from planetary researcher Lonneke Roelofs at Utrecht University has revealed surprising insights about the formation of gully landscapes on Mars. The study challenges the previous notion that gullies were formed exclusively by liquid water and has significant implications for our understanding of water on Mars and the search for potential life on the planet. The findings are based on experiments conducted in a specialized ‘Mars chamber’ that simulated the process under Martian conditions, providing direct observational evidence of debris flows driven by CO2 ice.