Boffins claim discovery of the first piezoelectric liquid

The Register - Tue, 03/28/2023 - 23:26
Move over, magic crystals – electric syrup is here

A research team from Michigan State University (MSU) has discovered a liquid they say "defies a simple theoretical explanation" because it has piezoelectric characteristics.…

Categories: Tech News

Here’s What Really Happens When You Become Homeless in Australia

Motherboard (Vice) - Tue, 03/28/2023 - 22:31

The number of homeless people in Australia is rising.  

More than 122,000 Australians were homeless on Census night in August 2021, up from 116,000 people counted in the previous Census in 2016. The data, released last week, was collected during COVID-19 lockdowns, in the most populated parts of the country, when state governments figured out how to easily and cheaply house people in available hotel rooms and apartments.

Since 2021, though, crisis lockdown accommodation has disappeared. The cost of living has soared, our rental crisis has deepened, and homelessness services say demand has increased dramatically, especially in 2023.

“Australia’s homelessness crisis has been exacerbated by the long-term absence of a serious and sizeable commitment to building new social and affordable homes,” Mission Australia’s CEO Sharon Callister told VICE.

“The ongoing severe lack of appropriate social and affordable housing is clearly evidenced in the worrying rise in people in temporary accommodation unable to move into long-term homes.”

The average Australian’s circle of separation from someone experiencing homelessness is shrinking, so is there enough help available for everyone?

Melbourne resident Jody Letts experienced homelessness in 2015 for close to two years and hers could be the story of thousands of people in similarly vulnerable positions.

Letts suffered a workplace injury and, while on unpaid leave, her landlords wanted to sell the property she rented.

“I was on sick leave without pay for very extended periods of time,” she told VICE. 

“My income was dramatically impacted and … I needed to find somewhere else to live, but unfortunately I had payslips that said $0.00”.

After 48 unsuccessful rental applications, Letts, 42 at the time, and her 13-year-old daughter turned to living out of their van while Letts had to attended multiple physical and mental health appointments each week in orde to return to work.

They moved across Victoria daily, from friend’s house to friend’s house for the occasional shower and load of laundry, to her daughter’s school two hours north-west of Melbourne, to health appointments and to pharmacies and hospitals to collect Letts’ prescription medications, including anti-psychotics and morphine. 

“We would choose where we're going to stay based on the first appointment that was rigged up for the next day, wherever that might be,” Letts said.

Despite this, Letts thought her situation was fleeting. 

“I was working really hard on all of the treatment programs I was attending, all the counselling, all the psychologists. I was going to every appointment that was thrown at me because, in my mind, I was going back to work, and as soon as I went back to work, my pay would restart and it would all be over,” she said.

“I, unfortunately, was in that headspace for a long period of time and really believed that I was going back to work, all I had to do was maybe one more appointment, then I would get that final report done, they'd sign off, and it would end.”

As a military veteran with a well-paying public service job, Letts never saw homelessness coming, but she was one in a large group of people known as the “hidden homeless”. This group makes up the overwhelming majority of homeless people in Australia and often don’t see themselves as “homeless” at all because they don’t fit the damaging and derogatory stereotypes of homelessness. In fact, those sleeping rough make up less than 10 per cent of homeless people in Australia. Most are instead staying with friends, in cars or in temporary accommodation. 

Letts’ main income was $328 a fortnight from the Family Tax Benefit scheme, which is intended to assist low-income earners raise a child. Were she childless, she wouldn’t have been eligible for support.

Letts’ medication and appointments were subsidised, but this money barely covered fuel.

“It started to get really hard to be everywhere and get everything, which meant that sometimes I was a day or two out getting my morphine scripts. And for anyone that has an understanding of addiction — I only used to get seven-day batches and it was like the seven days plus one second, you started to withdraw from it. Insane withdrawals. 

“It started to have all of these different impacts on my behaviour, because it was withdrawing from drugs, but having a lot of pain, and then I couldn't drive the car because I was in too much pain. 

“So that started a little bit more of a ripple effect. But at the same time, we weren't necessarily getting breakfast, lunch and dinner because we were here, there and everywhere. We weren't able to find toilets all the time that were open, or showering much, so we started to have some hygiene issues.”

Letts said her experience in the military prepared her for such deprivation, but her daughter took it differently. 

“She was completely removed from any peers, any social interaction, thrown into this real crisis scenario. She started to get unwell physically and mentally. And we then started to have extreme arguments.”

Meanwhile, Letts said the medications and her dependence on them were taking a toll.

“I was off my face. I had absolutely no idea what day it was, I was turning left instead of turning right. I was disorientated,” she said.

“So this 13-year-old started to have fears about her mum waking up every day and which kind of mum she was going to get. And, unfortunately, that forced her to then become the decision-maker in the relationship and go from a child to an adult very quickly.”

Eventually, Letts took her daughter to get mental health support at a provider in Collingwood.

“We were having one of these little arguments in the waiting room and a worker from the reception came over to us and said, ‘Look, I don't want to be overhearing, but I'm just wondering if you've ever heard of this organisation around the corner?’”

She was talking about Launch Housing, a homelessness support organisation. It was something Letts and her daughter had never even considered. Despite months filled with more than 1000 mental and physical health appointments, it was the first time Letts had connected her situation with “being homeless.”

“I hadn't even thought to ask where the homeless food services were or where the emergency accommodation was,” she said, “because I didn't imagine myself as homeless because still, in my mind, I was going back to work next week.”

“My daughter refused to get back in that car with me after that appointment unless I went and asked for help.”

They went around the corner and completed an initial crisis intake assessment. The staff said they could help with accommodation, but supply was scarce there and everywhere.

“You might get one night, two nights or you might get three nights, it really depended on who else was needing accommodation that night and what was available in the area. But no second allocation was in the same place. We might’ve been out in Box Hill, then Preston, then Abbotsford, then the CBD, then St Kilda — we were all over the shop.”

It meant more driving, often for no pay-off.

“You go in and wait your turn, which is fair, but if you weren’t [at the crisis accommodation provider] early enough, like if you had a 9am appointment you didn’t get there ‘til 10am, then you were 10, 15, 20 people down the queue and it was unlikely that you would get any accommodation. They’d say, ‘all of our allocation’s gone for the day, sorry,’ so you’ve wasted your whole day sitting there.”

Letts said they received regular parking fines when they were staying in crisis accommodation because of their busy or inner-city locations.

“It started to put us through an enormous amount of stress,” she said.

After about four weeks in this cycle, they became eligible for a support worker dedicated to their case, which Letts said was the turning point.

“That one worker really took the slack off our lives,” she said.

The support worker booked Letts’ appointments, drove her to some, would sit in with her occasionally, took notes, filled out forms and organised doctor’s certificates. She knew them and their story, so there was no need for Letts to keep explaining their needs over and over to every professional they passed. 

She was also an emotional pillar.

“She always made sure that my day had been positive,” Letts said.

“And if it had been negative, she'd say, ‘do we just do this another time?’ Or if [we] looked a bit flat, she would say, ‘you know, what? Do you and your daughter just want to go to the movies today? I'll go grab some movie passes, and some popcorn vouchers, and just go and have the day just to relax.’

“If she hadn’t existed in my space, what would’ve happened to us? She was, for 18 months, that rock we needed”.

Eventually, Letts’ workplace dismissal dispute was settled and she was given involuntary disability redundancy, which meant she was able to access her super and rent a house. 

Her support worker organised the movers and helped Letts pick out new furniture.

But eight years later, Letts feels like one of the lucky ones, because there weren’t — and still aren’t — enough of these support workers to help everyone. 

Government funding for homelessness support services becomes less adequate every day, and organisations have to fight for the funding to keep support workers in their low-paid jobs, let alone hire more help. 

“You can imagine how important these people are,” Letts said.

“If you don't have your own resources, you don't have the motivation. You've got depression, you've got too many demands — you just can't do it all … without that guiding star.”

Aleksandra Bliszczyk is a Senior Reporter for VICE Australia. You can follow her on Instagram here, or on Twitter here

Categories: Tech News

Apple sued for allegedly firing, threatening union organizers

The Register - Tue, 03/28/2023 - 22:24
iGiant urged to think different about workers' rights

Apple has been accused of unlawfully firing and threatening pro-union retail store workers in two complaints filed by the Communications Workers of America with the National Labor Relations Board. …

Categories: Tech News

Baidu's AI chatbot goes AWOL as demo mysteriously cancelled

The Register - Tue, 03/28/2023 - 21:29
Please, let's not go all Skynet on this: ERNIE just isn't that impressive up close

Baidu's ERNIE chatbot, launched with great fanfare two weeks ago, has gone missing.…

Categories: Tech News

Alibaba to separate into six parts. Take that HP and IBM, with your puny two-way splits

The Register - Tue, 03/28/2023 - 19:31
Cloud and AI bundled into an entity that’s free to seek its own funds or list

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba has decided to break itself into six smaller entities – one of which will include its hyperscale public cloud.…

Categories: Tech News

China urges Apple to improve security and privacy

The Register - Tue, 03/28/2023 - 18:27
It's a juicy market that welcomes foreign investment, National development boss reminds Tim Cook

Senior Chinese government officials have urged Apple CEO Tim Cook to improve the security and privacy features of his company's products.…

Categories: Tech News

US cyber spymaster calls TikTok China's 'Trojan horse'

The Register - Tue, 03/28/2023 - 17:44
It's not a smoking gun, it's 'a loaded gun' suggests NSA's Rob Joyce

TikTok is China's "Trojan horse," according to Rob Joyce, who heads the cyber security unit of America's National Security Agency. …

Categories: Tech News

Ransomware crooks are exploiting IBM file exchange bug with a 9.8 severity

ARS Technica - Tue, 03/28/2023 - 17:24
Ransomware crooks are exploiting IBM file exchange bug with a 9.8 severity

Enlarge (credit: Getty Images)

Threat actors are exploiting a critical vulnerability in an IBM file-exchange application in hacks that install ransomware on servers, security researchers have warned.

The IBM Aspera Faspex is a centralized file-exchange application that large organizations use to transfer large files or large volumes of files at very high speeds. Rather than relying on TCP-based technologies such as FTP to move files, Aspera uses IBM’s proprietary FASP—short for Fast, Adaptive, and Secure Protocol—to better utilize available network bandwidth. The product also provides fine-grained management that makes it easy for users to send files to a list of recipients in distribution lists or shared inboxes or workgroups, giving transfers a workflow that’s similar to email.

In late January, IBM warned of a critical vulnerability in Aspera versions 4.4.2 Patch Level 1 and earlier and urged users to install an update to patch the flaw. Tracked as CVE-2022-47986, the vulnerability makes it possible for unauthenticated threat actors to remotely execute malicious code by sending specially crafted calls to an outdated programming interface. The ease of exploiting the vulnerability and the damage that could result earned CVE-2022-47986 a severity rating of 9.8 out of a possible 10.

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Categories: Tech News

Amazon opens its ad-hoc Wi-Fi-sipping Sidewalk mesh to all manner of gadgets

The Register - Tue, 03/28/2023 - 16:43
The sensor data must flow

Amazon says its Sidewalk mesh network of Echo smart speakers and Ring doorbells can now cover nine out of 10 Americans, and is ready for broader integration by third-party device makers.…

Categories: Tech News

Google reminds everyone it too can offer an AI code-suggestion bot

The Register - Tue, 03/28/2023 - 15:58
Replit after me

Google has tapped up IDE developer Replit to bake the startup's AI-powered code-suggestion tools into its cloud platform so that it can challenge Microsoft's GitHub Copilot.…

Categories: Tech News

Apple Pay Later turns Apple into a full-on money lender

ARS Technica - Tue, 03/28/2023 - 15:29

With the limited launch today of a new service called Apple Pay Later, Apple will now lend money directly to users through the Wallet app on devices like the iPhone.

We first  heard about the service in 2021, and it was officially announced at the company's Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2022. It faced several delays, though, as iOS 16 began to roll out last September.

Now Apple is "inviting select users to access a prerelease version of Apple Pay Later." The service will roll out to everyone "in the coming months."

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Categories: Tech News

The Best Dyson Vacuum Alternatives (for Demolishing Dust for Good)

Motherboard (Vice) - Tue, 03/28/2023 - 15:19

It’s no secret we’re Dyson stans. Hell, the high-tech appliance brand’s V12 Detect Slim Vacuum made one of our writers actually enjoy vacuuming, which is quite impressive (if you ask us). Why is Dyson so beloved? We could chalk it up to the sleek design aesthetics, super-sucky (in a good way) technology, or its viral status on TikTok. No matter how you slice it, the vacuums slap, but all that goodwill and online hype means Dyson products cost a pretty penny. Don’t let an over-the-top price tag make your Dyson dreams into a dealbreaker. Put the Kleenex down, because dust suckers don’t have to also be money suckers.

We’re always doing god’s work, which is why we found five affordable Dyson lookalikes that will get the job done without spending a hearty chunk of your paycheck. They all share similar abilities, have the same sleek lewk, and have fab ratings on Amazon. Spring cleaning never sounded so good.

Tineco A11 Hero Cordless Vacuum

This vacuum by Tineco has a 4.1-star average and over 10,900 reviews on Amazon—not too shabby. It has three power modes: Max Power, Gentle, and Daily to fit your different suction needs. With the ability to convert into a portable handheld vacuum, it comes complete with a power brush, mini power brush, two-in-one dusting brush, and a crevice tool. The features don’t stop there; it also has a 40 minute run-time and LED lights for seeing dark areas.

Black + Decker Power Series Extreme Cordless Vacuum

Although Black + Decker may also make coffee makers and other various household appliances, it also has an impressive vacuum offering (naturally). Features include three speed settings, the ability to convert into a hand vacuum with its extra long crevice tool, and a brush bar for picking up stubborn pet hair.

Belife Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

For under $200, this cordless, lightweight vacuum by Belife offers three runtime power modes: economic, standard, and “strong” depending on how much oomph you need. Its built-in LED touch screen shows the battery level, suction blockage, and allows you to adjust the vacuum power. It’s even equipped with LED headlights on the motorized floor head for dark, hard-to-reach places. Sounds like our version of satisfying dust spelunking.

INSE Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

This model by INSE boasts a run time of up to 45 minutes, allowing you to tackle all kinds of floors, beds, desks, curtains and even window sills. With two adjustable suction settings, LED headlights, and the ability to swivel up to 180 degrees, it’s a pretty dang good Dyson alternative for a whopping 80% off.

ZokerLife Cordless Vacuum

Besides looking like a twin of the Dyson V8 Absolute, ZokerLife’s take includes up to 35 minutes of runtime, a brushless motor with strong suction, a LED light, a washable filter, a one-button dust removal design, and—like several of its contemporaries—up to 180-degree rotation for reaching *mysterious* dark spots. Face it, who knows what’s lurking under there?

Happy cleanin’, bud.

The Rec Room staff independently selected all of the stuff featured in this story. Want more reviews, recommendations, and red-hot deals? Sign up for our newsletter.

Categories: Tech News

Apple patches all the iThings, including an iOS 15 hole under attack right now

The Register - Tue, 03/28/2023 - 15:16
Issue identified in February but owners of older kit weren't warned

Happy belated Patch Tuesday from Cupertino: Apple has issued security updates for almost every piece of code it slings - including a fix for a vulnerability in older iOS devices the iGiant believes is under attack right now.…

Categories: Tech News

Healthy adults don’t need annual COVID boosters, WHO advisors say

ARS Technica - Tue, 03/28/2023 - 15:11
A vial containing Moderna COVID-19 booster vaccine at a vaccination center.

Enlarge / A vial containing Moderna COVID-19 booster vaccine at a vaccination center. (credit: Getty | SOPA Images)

A vaccine advisory group for the World Health Organization said Tuesday that, at this point, it does not recommend additional, let alone annual COVID-19 booster shots for people at low to medium risk of severe disease. It advised countries to focus on boosting those at high risk—including older people, pregnant people, and those with underlying medical conditions—every six to 12 months for the near- to mid-term.

The new advice contrasts with proposed plans by US Food and Drug Administration, which has suggested treating COVID-19 boosters like annual flu shots for the foreseeable future. That is, agency officials have floated the idea of offering updated formulations each fall, possibly to everyone, including the young and healthy.

In a viewpoint published last May in JAMA, the FDA's top vaccine regulator, Peter Marks, along with FDA Commissioner Robert Califf and Principal Deputy Commissioner Janet Woodcock, argued that annual COVID booster campaigns in the fall, ahead of winter waves of respiratory infections—such as flu, COVID-19, and RSV—would protect health care systems from becoming overwhelmed. And they specifically addressed the possibility of vaccinating those at low risk.

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Categories: Tech News

Huawei’s foldable is thinner, lighter, and has more battery than Samsung

ARS Technica - Tue, 03/28/2023 - 14:56
Giant Huawei logo onstage.

Enlarge (credit: Huawei)

Huawei is still making phones, even if the US-China trade war puts most of the stalwart Android component vendors in a complicated relationship with the Chinese tech company. Huawei's new phones are the flagship Huawei P60 Pro slab phone and a flagship foldable, the Huawei Mate X3.

The trade war makes these phones unique in the world of Android. First, it has a Qualcomm chip, but Huawei isn't allowed to use the latest technology from Qualcomm, so the chip in both of these phones is the "Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G Mobile Platform." Besides being last year's chip, this is a special, Huawei-only version of the chip that is branded as "4G." It has had the 5G bands stripped out of it—both mmWave and sub 6 GHz.

The other oddity is the lack of Google Play apps internationally. Huawei isn't allowed to ship the Google apps due to the export ban. While that's normal in China (where Google Play isn't available), internationally it means the phone is missing standard Google apps like YouTube, Gmail, Google Maps, the Google Assistant, Docs, Search, Photos, and other apps that make Android a competitive consumer OS. Instead of the Google ecosystem, you'll be getting the OS with Huawei Mobile Services, which includes the Huawei AppGallery, Huawei Petal Maps, the Huawei Assistant (which appears just to be a search tool and some widgets, not a voice assistant), Huawei Pay, and Huawei apps for books, music, and video.

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Categories: Tech News

The Best Yoga Mats for Downward-Dogging Your Way Through 2023

Motherboard (Vice) - Tue, 03/28/2023 - 14:18

Whether you’re a front-row expert decked out in the slickest athletic gear possible or a hiding-in-the-back-of-the-room novice who’s just there because your significant other insisted you come, everyone needs a good yoga mat. Shelling out your hard-earned clams to rent a mat each time you go to yoga adds up—plus, the best yoga mats should be the ones that are the right size, thickness, and texture for your specific needs. Owning your own yoga mat also allows you to have complete control over how clean it is, rather than hoping the person who used it before you did a thorough job wiping it down after their class.

Not sure where to start your yoga mat search? No sweat—we pulled a few of our favorite top-rated yoga mats for your reading pleasure. We’ve got the best yoga mats from big-name fitness companies and affordable, under-the-radar brands to splurge-worthy sleepers and more. Take one more big stretch, and peruse.

This thicc boi

If you’re looking for a yoga mat that’s going to provide big-time cushion and support, the [inhales] BalanceFrom GoYoga yoga mat is the right choice for you. Plus, it’s 56% off right now. In addition to being extra-thick, high-density, and anti-tear, it comes in seven different colors, both sides are non-slip, and it has a carrying strap and a 4.5 star rating from 87,000 reviews on Amazon, so it's gotta be doing something right.

Like a grown-up tapestry

We’re not knocking the tapestry that covered an entire wall of your bedroom until just now in your first apartment, but this is certainly an adult upgrade. This reversible Gaiam Yoga Mat comes in a variety of cool colors and prints, and has a 4.7 star rating from over 13,000 reviews on Amazon. “I love my mat,” one buyer wrote. “[It’s] beautiful and I get compliments on it every time I use it.” The stable and sturdy cushioned surface is also non-slip and great for your yoga practice, whether you’re at home or in the studio.

For the front-row yogis

You know the type: They’re decked out in the dopest yoga gear possible, they absolutely crush every flow and movement, and never waver or lose balance for a second—so much so that they become the still objects that the people in the back focus on to try to stop shaking like a leaf while in warrior two. If the former sounds like you (or someone you’re aspiring to be), you can’t go wrong with this reversible yoga mat from Lululemon.

First yoga, then daiquiris

After all, it’s what Ernest would have wanted. This HemingWeigh Yoga Mat is a solid one-inch thick, which makes it the perfect choice for people who need a little extra cushion and support. (Knee pain sufferers, we feel you.) It also comes with an integrated, self-strapping carrying handle for easy transport.

You definitely own matching workout sets

Alo Yoga makes some of the most aesthetic yoga apparel, so it’s only natural this yoga mat makes the cut. It’s dry-wicking for when you’re a sweaty mess, because the last thing you need is to humiliate yourself in front of your yoga instructor.

Simple, sturdy, elegant

This handmade, 100% latex-free Manduka Pro yoga mat comes in at an ultra-dense 6-millimeter thickness, so it’s got all the cushion your achy joints need during your practice. It’s also a snap to clean, since its closed-cell material seals out moisture and bacteria. It’s also OEKO-TEX certified, and built to last a lifetime. “This mat is comfy enough to sleep on if you so wish,” one reviewer writes. (Corpse pose, here we come.)

Elite is your middle name

Last, but by no means least, comes the Long Natural Rubber Yoga Mat by Jade Yoga. Open-cell, natural rubber provides a durable mat that stays slip-free all the time—even when wet. It’s constructed from renewable, natural rubber and made sustainably with emissions-free manufacturing. It’s also PVC-free, and for every mat sold, Jade Yoga will plant a tree. Invest in your body; invest in the earth.

See you at the studio.

The Rec Room staff independently selected all of the stuff featured in this story. Want more reviews, recommendations, and red-hot deals? Sign up for our newsletter.

Categories: Tech News

Microsoft expands its cockpit of Copilots to include security

The Register - Tue, 03/28/2023 - 14:15
It starts with chat bots inventing D&D campaigns and ends with AI all over your Excel and network logs

Microsoft's sprint to push generative AI into all parts of its broad portfolio is reaching the cybersecurity realm with the introduction today of Security Copilot, a GPT-4-based service that might assist security teams pushing back against modern threats.…

Categories: Tech News

Daily Horoscope: March 29, 2023

Motherboard (Vice) - Tue, 03/28/2023 - 14:00

A sweet, caring energy flows as the moon in Cancer connects with Venus in Taurus at 12:50 PM. This may be a lovely time for romance! Creativity can be easily accessed as the moon connects with brilliant Uranus in Taurus at 3:40 PM. The moon squares off with Jupiter in Aries at 7:35 PM: Be careful not to overdo things, or overindulge! 

All times ET.

Read your monthly horoscope for March!

Stay in the cosmic loop with the VICE horoscopes newsletter. Get horoscopes straight to your inbox when you sign up here!

Aries glyph Aries: March 20, 2023 - April 20, 2023

A special and perhaps unexpected gift could come your way as the moon in Cancer connects with Venus and Uranus, both in Taurus. The moon squares off with Jupiter in your sign, Aries, which can find you realizing something special about all the personal growth you’ve experienced lately!

Taurus glyphs Taurus: April 20, 2023 - May 21, 2023

The moon in Cancer connects with Venus and Uranus, both in your sign, inspiring a supportive atmosphere and perhaps bringing unexpected news. The moon squares off with Jupiter in Aries, encouraging you to connect with your intuition.

Gemini glyph Gemini: May 21, 2023 - June 21, 2023

The moon in Cancer connects with Venus and Uranus, both in Taurus, which could find a dream unexpectedly coming true! The moon squares off with Jupiter in Aries, finding you making a decision about how you want to invest in your future.

Cancer glyph Cancer: June 21, 2023 - July 22, 2023

Exciting social connections can form as the moon in your sign, Cancer, connects with Venus and Uranus, both in Taurus. You could connect with an unexpected crowd. The moon squares off with Jupiter in Aries, which may find you taking decisive action in your career.

Leo glyph Leo: July 22, 2023 - August 23, 2023

Your creativity can get you very far in your career today as the moon in Cancer connects with Venus and Uranus, both in Taurus. The moon squares off with Jupiter in fellow fire sign Aries, which could find you feeling swept up by an inspiring new idea or opportunity!

Virgo glyph Virgo: August 23, 2023 - September 23, 2023

The moon in Cancer connects with Venus and Uranus, both in Taurus, which could bring good news and unexpected, exciting opportunities! The moon squares off with Jupiter in Aries, finding you making important decisions about how you invest your time.

Libra glyph Libra: September 23, 2023 - October 23, 2023

The moon in Cancer connects with Venus and Uranus, both in Taurus, which could bring some unexpected support. You may have fans in surprising places! The moon squares off with Jupiter in your opposite sign Aries, finding you making an important choice about who you team up with to meet your future goals.

Scorpio glyph Scorpio: October 23, 2023 - November 22, 2023

The moon in fellow water sign Cancer connects with Venus and Uranus, both in Taurus, which could find you having an inspiring, perhaps surprising, discussion with a partner. The moon squares off with Jupiter in Aries, inspiring productivity and passion.

Sagittarius glyph Sagittarius: November 22, 2023 - December 21, 2023

You may be finding brilliant, unexpected solutions to tricky problems as the moon in Cancer connects with Venus and Uranus, both in Taurus. The moon squares off with your ruling planet Jupiter in fellow fire sign Aries, inspiring passion and creativity!

Capricorn glyph Capricorn: December 21, 2023 - January 20, 2024

The moon in Cancer connects with Venus and Uranus, both in Taurus, inspiring an easygoing atmosphere in your relationships, and finding you connecting with exciting, unexpected people. The moon squares off with Jupiter in Aries, which could find you connecting with partners in a deep and personal way.

Aquarius glyphs Aquarius: January 20, 2023 - February 18, 2023

The moon in Cancer connects with Venus and your ruling planet Uranus, both in Taurus, which could find you making some unexpected changes to your home life or routine. You may be reflecting on themes like comfort, and the balance between security and flexibility. The moon squares off with Jupiter in Aries, bringing an intriguing conversation.

Pisces glyph Pisces:  February 18, 2023 - March 20, 2023

The moon in Cancer connects with Venus and Uranus, both in Taurus, which could find you enjoying novel thrills! A flirtatious energy flows. The moon squares off with your ruling planet Jupiter, currently in Aries, which can find you building your wealth in some exciting way.

Categories: Tech News

How to Pick the Right Clit-Sucking Toy for You

Motherboard (Vice) - Tue, 03/28/2023 - 13:28

Sex toy technology is constantly evolving, and if you’re not familiar with the industry, the term “air pressure toys” might not mean anything to you—but it should. Air pressure toys, sometimes called “suction toys” or “clit-sucking toys,” were initially marketed as toys that mimic oral sex. These toys have a circular head that nestles around a clitoris and use small bursts of air pressure that produce a stimulating suction sensation. While this description is dry, the orgasms that these toys can produce are anything but. 

Air pressure toys can create earth-shattering orgasms that can feel very different from the orgasms achieved with regular vibrators and other pleasure products. Since the sensation is pinpointed on the clitoris and the nerves around it, many users of the toys find they can come much faster and harder than with a typical vibe or dildo.

With the increase in popularity, there are more air pressure toys available than ever before. However, not all air pressure toys are created equal. Suction strength, the shape of the head, the ways you like to hold toys against your body, and price are all things to consider, among other features. (Luckily, I have a very discerning clit and an urge to help people find the perfect toys for their bods and their budgets!) Here are the best suction and air pressure sex toys that make masturbating a breeze, so to speak. 

The most popular clit-sucking toy (and most iconic): The Satisfyer Pro 2

The Satisfyer Pro 2 is the toy I find myself recommending over and over again. What I love about the Satisfyer Pro 2 is not only the varied speeds—which range from a low, buzzy air suction to a strong, constant suction—but the ergonomic handle. The buttons are clear and easy to navigate, and the soft silicone head fits various sizes of clitorises. While it is not the quietest toy on the market, the price point makes it a great-quality starting toy. 

The best suction toy for on-the-go adventures: The Love Triangle By Satisfyer

Compact, discreet, and ready for adventure, this air pressure toy is waterproof and rechargeable! The Love Triangle uses air pressure technology as well as vibration, with two sets of controls so each sensation can be changed independently. As an added bonus, this slim toy is also app-compatible, so it’s perfect if you’re traveling to a destination far from your lover but still want some hot hotel sex. 

The best air pressure toy if you like G-spot stimulation: The LELO Enigma 

The problem with toys that try to stimulate the clit while hitting the G-spot is that they’re trying to do two different things at once, so it can be a challenge to find the right shape and style for your body. Think of dual-stimulating toys as the Goldilocks of sex toys—the fit has to be just right. LELO’s Enigma may have nailed it, though. The flexible arm has a strong curve to vibrate against your G-spot, and the air pulsations are some of the strongest I’ve felt in my extensive research. This vibrator can hit all the right spots without losing any of the power LELO is known for.  

The best clit-sucking toy for under 50 bucks: The Romp Switch 

If you want to save money, check out battery-operated toys. You might not be able to charge them on the go, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t great vibrators. The Romp Switch has a 300-minute runtime—and rechargeable batteries are always an option! Quiet and cute, this is a great budget toy with six different intensity levels and a removable head for easy cleaning. 

The best clit-sucking toy for sex: The We-Vibe Melt 

The We-Vibe Melt was specifically designed to be used during penetrative sex. The sleek design doesn’t take up a lot of space between bodies and the unique curve of the toy means there’s nothing to get in the way of insertion. The We-Vibe Melt is STRONG too, letting you pick between 12 different intensities to play with. The Melt is also app-controlled, which we all know is fun for in-person play or a long-distance romp

The best luxury air pressure sex toy: The Womanizer Premium 

The Womanizer Premium is, over and over again, recommended as one of the best air pressure toys on the market. Hell, it’s frequently recommended as one of the best overall sex toys on the market! The vibrator comes with two different-sized oval heads so you can customize the experience for your body. The Womanizer Premium is quiet compared to other toys and has Smart Silent technology, meaning it has to be against skin to turn on. (Great news for those with thin-walled apartments!) It brings a totally different type of air sensation to the table—from soft to strong, each burst of air pressure is felt individually. Believe me, the 8,000 nerve endings in your clitoris will be rejoicing. 

Even if you already have a vibrator you love, I urge you to treat yourself to an air pressure toy, especially if you haven’t tried one before. Our sex life deserves to be varied and adventurous, and no matter which air pressure toy you gift yourself, your clit is about to have a damn good time. 

The Rec Room staff independently selected all of the stuff featured in this story. Want more reviews, recommendations, and red-hot deals? Sign up for our newsletter.

Categories: Tech News

Google again accused of willfully destroying evidence in Android antitrust battle

The Register - Tue, 03/28/2023 - 13:09
Starting to see a pattern here?

Google Chat histories handed over by the web giant in ongoing Android antitrust litigation reveal the biz has been systematically destroying evidence, according to those suing the big G.…

Categories: Tech News

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