Month: October 2024

Apple announced on Monday its new “Apple Intelligence” tool and a series of other updates is now available for its iPhone, iPad and Mac users. The company released iOS 18.1, an update that includes the company’s artificial intelligence, called Apple Intelligence, for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro. It also released software updates for iPad and Mac with Apple Intelligence, and will also be in its latest release on Apple’s macOS Sequoia operating system.

Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a company release: “Apple Intelligence introduces a new era for iPhone, iPad, and Mac, delivering brand-new experiences and tools that will transform what our users can accomplish.” Cook added that Apple Intelligence is generative AI in a way “that only Apple can deliver  .. [the company] is “incredibly excited about its ability to enrich our users’ lives. Apple Intelligence builds on years of innovation in AI and machine learning to put Apple’s generative models at the core of our devices, giving our users a personal intelligence system that is easy to use.”

Apple said that customers will be able to refine language by rewriting, proofreading and summarizing text virtually everywhere they write including Mail, Messages, Notes, Pages and third-party apps, adding that it has partnered with ChatGPT creator OpenAI and its new Writing Tools will be available and also takes advantage of AI.

Monday’s release also included improvements to Siri, including a new look that makes the entire screen glow around the phone’s edges. Siri can answer questions about Apple products, including troubleshooting, and has more natural voices.  Another update with ChatGPT integration and image-generation abilities is also scheduled for later this year as part of iOS 18.2.

Tto install and use Apple Intelligence, customers need an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max or any iPhone 16 model. To download iOS 18.1, go to Settings > General > Software Update. To sign up for the Apple Intelligence waitlist, go to Settings > Apple Intelligence and Siri > Join the Apple Waitlist.

Added: Editorial credit: John Gress Media Inc / Shutterstock.com

The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office has filed a lawsuit on Monday to halt a political action committee run by billionaire Elon Musk from giving away $1 million to registered voters in swing states.

The lawsuit by Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner alleges Musk and his ‘America PAC’ of trying to influence voters in the presidential election by awarding cash prizes, which amounts to an illegal lottery. The filing requests an injunction to block the daily award, which comes just days after the Justice Department sent a letter to the super PAC  warning that awarding $1 million to registered voters could violate federal laws against paying voters.

According to America PAC’s website, the PAC has so far given out sweepstakes-style checks to nine people around the U.S., including four in Pennsylvania. The group notes that the payments are only available to registered voters in seven states, but includes a “special offer” for registered voters in Pennsylvania, offering $100 to petition signers and another $100 to those who referred a signer. America PAC said registered voters are also eligible in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada and North Carolina and Wisconsin. In order to be eligible for the prize residents of the state must be registered to vote and agree to sign a petition, supporting the First Amendment and Second Amendment.

Krasner said in a statement announcing the complaint: “The Philadelphia District Attorney is charged with protecting the public from public nuisances and unfair trade practices, including illegal lotteries. The DA is also charged with protecting the public from interference with the integrity of elections.”

Krasner also accuses Musk of “lulling Philadelphia citizens — and others in the Commonwealth (and other swing states in the upcoming election) — to give up their personal identification information and make a pledge in exchange for a chance to win $1 million. That is a lottery, and it is undisputably an unlawful lottery,” noting lotteries must be regulated by the state. The lawsuit also accused Musk and the PAC of “deploying deceptive, vague or misleading statements that create the likelihood of confusion or misunderstanding,” through the lottery, which violates Pennsylvania consumer protection law.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com