First Statewide Data Center Ban Passed by Maine Legislature
Maine’s Democrat-controlled legislature has passed a groundbreaking ban on the construction of large data centers exceeding 20 megawatts (MW), marking the first statewide restriction of its kind in the United States. The House approved the measure 79-62, and the Senate followed with a 21-13 vote, largely along party lines. The bill now awaits the signature of Governor Janet Mills, who has indicated conditional support for the legislation. The ban imposes a moratorium on new large data center projects until November 2027 and establishes a council to assess the economic and social impacts of data centers on Maine residents. Despite Maine having relatively few data center projects—only two currently mapped—the legislation responds to concerns about rising electricity costs linked to data center demand. Maine ranks fourth highest in the nation for electricity prices, and critics argue that large data centers exacerbate this issue by consuming substantial amounts of power. The 20 MW threshold set by the bill is notably low compared to the average modern data center, which typically uses around 40 MW, effectively blocking the development of facilities designed to support artificial intelligence (AI) operations and other high-capacity computing needs. This move by Maine contrasts with other states where similar efforts to regulate or ban large data centers have largely stalled or failed, including Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The legislation reflects growing national debates over the environmental, economic, and infrastructural impacts of data centers, particularly as AI technologies drive demand for increasingly powerful computing facilities. The newly formed council will play a critical role in shaping future policy by evaluating the broader costs and benefits of data centers to the state’s population and economy.
Mouse: P.I. For Hire Review: A Competent Shooter Oozing With Cartoon Charm
Mouse: P.I. For Hire, an indie first-person shooter developed by Polish studio Fumi Games, combines a distinctive black-and-white cartoon aesthetic with a mature detective narrative. Set in the fictional city of Mouseburg, players assume the role of Jack Pepper, a war hero turned private investigator, who embarks on a missing persons case that unravels a sprawling conspiracy. The game’s visual style draws heavily from 1930s "rubber hose" animation, reminiscent of early Mickey Mouse cartoons, contrasting sharply with its violent gunplay and gritty noir themes. The narrative is steeped in classic noir tropes, featuring a hard-boiled protagonist, a femme fatale, political corruption, social inequality, and a corrupt police force. Players piece together clues on a bulletin board as they navigate through Mouseburg’s high society and its dangerous underworld. Despite the cartoonish visuals, the story treats the genre with seriousness, serving as a homage to detective fiction and film noir. The developers conducted extensive historical research to authentically capture the period’s atmosphere and storytelling style. Mouse: P.I. For Hire’s release follows years of anticipation fueled by trailers and teasers shared on social media. Priced at $30, it offers a blend of nostalgic animation and engaging gameplay that appeals to fans of both classic cartoons and noir detective stories. The game’s unique combination of style and substance highlights the potential for indie titles to innovate within established genres, providing a fresh experience that balances charm with complexity.
I used the 'Plus Five' rule to fix my iPhone's slow wireless charging - here's how it works
Wireless charging for iPhones can often be slower than expected due to the use of incompatible or low-quality cables and power adapters. A practical method known as the "Plus Five" rule helps optimize charging speed by ensuring the wireless charger is paired with a wall adapter that provides at least 5 watts more power than the charger's rated output. For example, a 15W wireless charging pad should be connected to a 20W or higher wall adapter to maximize efficiency and reduce charging times. Wireless charging technology, while convenient for reducing cable clutter and enabling simultaneous charging of multiple devices, is inherently less efficient than wired charging. Power loss occurs due to heat generation and magnetic field leakage during the charging process. Using the original or certified accessories designed for the charger is crucial, as uncertified or low-wattage adapters can significantly slow down charging speeds or even pose safety risks. Investing in a quality wall brick with sufficient wattage ensures that the wireless charger can deliver power effectively. The "Plus Five" rule is a simple yet effective guideline for consumers looking to improve their wireless charging experience without needing to upgrade the entire charging setup. This approach highlights the importance of matching or exceeding the charger's power requirements with the wall adapter to avoid bottlenecks. It also underscores the broader issue of accessory compatibility in wireless charging, which can impact device performance and user satisfaction. As wireless charging becomes more common in daily tech use, understanding these nuances is essential for users to get the most out of their devices. Proper charging gear not only speeds up the process but also enhances safety and device longevity, making it a worthwhile consideration for anyone relying on wireless power solutions.
This simple email trick saves me from annoying marketing spam (and it's free to do)
A simple yet effective email strategy can significantly reduce the influx of marketing spam that often follows online shopping. The key is to create a separate, dedicated email account solely for shopping and subscription services. By using this “shopping email” for retailer sign-ups, promo codes, and online orders, users can keep their primary inbox free from clutter and avoid the hassle of unsubscribing from numerous marketing emails. This approach involves setting up a free email account, such as through Gmail, that is not linked to personal or important communications. All promotional emails, order confirmations, receipts, and subscription notifications are directed to this secondary inbox. This method not only minimizes unwanted marketing messages in the main inbox but also organizes purchase-related information in one place, making it easier to track orders, returns, and subscription details. The strategy has practical benefits beyond spam reduction. For example, having a dedicated shopping email simplifies managing online purchases and subscription renewals, as all relevant communications are consolidated. This can be especially helpful when searching for receipts or tracking delivery updates without sifting through unrelated emails. It also eliminates the need for time-consuming unsubscribe campaigns, as users can simply ignore or delete the shopping email account if it becomes overwhelmed with unwanted messages. Overall, this straightforward email management technique offers a free, low-effort way to enhance digital organization and reduce the annoyance of marketing spam. As online shopping and digital subscriptions continue to grow, adopting a separate shopping email can improve users’ email experience and streamline their online activities.
Godzilla goes to New York in 'Minus Zero' teaser trailer
Japanese entertainment company Toho has released a teaser video for Godzilla Minus Zero, the upcoming sequel to the award-winning film Godzilla Minus One. The teaser shows the famous monster next to the Statue of Liberty as it rampages across New York. Godzilla Minus Zero is set in 1949, two years after the events of the first film, and will be a direct sequel. You’ll see familiar faces from Minus One in the short trailer, as well, namely Koichi Shikishima and Noriko Oishi, two of the first movie’s main characters.The kaiju flick was filmed specifically for IMAX with high-definition digital cameras. Even its audio was optimized for the massive screen’s immersive cinema experience. Minus One won an Oscar for Best Visual Effects, so expectations are high for this sequel. The good news is that this movie is also helmed by Takashi Yamazaki, who wrote, directed and oversaw the visual effects for Minus One. Godzilla Minus Zero is heading to cinemas in Japan on November 3 and in the United States on November 6 this year. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/godzilla-goes-to-new-york-in-minus-zero-teaser-trailer-015029346.html?src=rss
FCC Exempts Netgear from Foreign-Made Router Ban for Some Reason
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted Netgear an exemption from its ban on foreign-made routers, allowing the company to continue selling overseas-manufactured routers in the U.S. until October 2027. This decision stands in contrast to the FCC’s recent rule that prohibits the sale of new routers not made domestically, a measure aimed at securing the router supply chain against cyber vulnerabilities. Netgear, which holds the third-largest share of the router market, can now sell a broad range of products—including its Nighthawk and Orbi series routers, cable gateways, and modems—without complying with the new domestic manufacturing requirements. The FCC’s ban was introduced following concerns about cybersecurity risks linked to foreign-made routers, notably after the Salt Typhoon cyberattack in 2024. The agency’s policy requires new routers to be manufactured in the U.S. or to receive “conditional approval” based on a manufacturer’s plan to relocate production stateside. However, there is no public evidence that Netgear has submitted such a plan, raising questions about the rationale behind the exemption. The FCC has similarly exempted one other company, Adtran Inc., but details on the criteria for these exceptions remain unclear. Netgear’s exemption effectively creates a significant loophole, enabling the company to maintain its overseas manufacturing operations in countries like Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand—nations considered U.S. allies—while continuing to supply the U.S. market. The company’s website still confirms that its consumer routers are produced abroad, and its exemption announcement does not mention any plans to shift manufacturing domestically. This situation has drawn criticism from industry observers, including the Technology Policy Institute, which argues that the ban may inadvertently increase security vulnerabilities by limiting updates and complicating router supply chains. The FCC’s approach to router security and manufacturing has been marked by inconsistencies, including a recent policy that restricts security updates for existing routers, potentially undermining the ban’s stated cybersecurity goals. Both the FCC and Netgear have been contacted for clarification on the exemption and any manufacturing relocation plans, but no official explanations have been provided to date.
Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for April 15, #569
The New York Times Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for April 15 featured four distinct categories, challenging players to identify groups related to sports themes. The puzzle’s categories included Major League Baseball (MLB) teams as seen on scoreboards, teams associated with tigers, members of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team, and terms related to the Winter Olympics sport of curling. The answers for the MLB group were CIN, MIL, PIT, and STL, representing Cincinnati, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis. The tiger-themed group included Clemson, Detroit, LSU, and Memphis, while the basketball group featured Doncic, James, Smart, and Vanderbilt, all linked to the Lakers. The final group focused on curling terminology. This edition of the puzzle is part of the subscription-based sports journalism platform owned by The Athletic and is not available through the NYT Games app. Players can access it via The Athletic’s app or play it for free online. The puzzle’s design tests both sports knowledge and word association skills, appealing to fans of baseball, basketball, college sports, and winter sports alike. The inclusion of curling terms ties into recent interest generated by the Winter Olympics, making the puzzle timely and relevant. The puzzle’s structure encourages players to think across different sports and categories, highlighting the diversity within the sports world. The MLB scoreboard abbreviations group taps into familiarity with baseball’s shorthand, while the tiger-themed group draws on collegiate and professional team mascots. The basketball group’s focus on Lakers players combines current and historical figures, adding depth to the challenge. Meanwhile, the curling terms group introduces a less mainstream winter sport, broadening the puzzle’s appeal. Overall, this edition of the Connections: Sports Edition puzzle offers a balanced mix of difficulty levels, from easier baseball abbreviations to the more obscure curling terms. It reflects the growing popularity of sports-themed word puzzles and the integration of current sports events into recreational activities, providing both entertainment and a mental workout for sports enthusiasts.
Sony is nerfing its Bravia TVs' program guide
Sony is removing some features from its TV guide and program guide displays for channels received by an over the air TV antenna on select models of Bravia televisions from 2023-2025. Cord Cutters News reported on the changes, which will take effect in late May.Channel logos and thumbnail images in program descriptions are going away from the built-in TV Guide for antenna TV channels. Only programs from recently watched channels will be shown in the guide, and depending on the channel, program information may not be displayed. Change is also coming for set top box users, with the dedicated Set Top Box TV menu being removed and replaced by a Control menu. This setup will also not show program thumbnail images any longer. This is an admittedly narrow use case in the age of both streaming and cable TV, but Sony didn't provide any reason for making the change. And for those people who are impacted, this could be an unpleasant surprise next month that makes the TV guide and program guide much less helpful.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/sony-is-nerfing-its-bravia-tvs-program-guide-225640797.html?src=rss
OpenAI’s Memos, Frontier, Amazon and Anthropic
OpenAI has recently shared internal memos revealing strategic developments and competitive positioning within the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence (AI) industry. The memos highlight OpenAI’s ongoing efforts to maintain leadership amid intensifying competition from major players such as Frontier, Amazon, and Anthropic. These documents provide insight into OpenAI’s priorities, including advancing AI capabilities, addressing ethical considerations, and expanding commercial applications. Frontier, a newer entrant in the AI field, is noted for its ambitious plans to develop cutting-edge AI models that could rival OpenAI’s offerings. Amazon continues to leverage its vast cloud infrastructure and data resources to integrate AI technologies across its services, aiming to capture a larger share of the enterprise market. Meanwhile, Anthropic, founded by former OpenAI researchers, focuses on creating AI systems with enhanced safety and interpretability, positioning itself as a leader in responsible AI development. The competitive dynamics among these organizations underscore the broader industry trend toward rapid innovation coupled with increased scrutiny over AI’s societal impact. OpenAI’s memos reflect a strategic emphasis on balancing technological advancement with ethical frameworks, a response to growing public and regulatory concerns. This environment is driving companies to not only push the boundaries of AI performance but also to prioritize transparency and safety. These developments matter because they shape the trajectory of AI deployment across sectors such as healthcare, finance, and consumer technology. The interplay between OpenAI, Frontier, Amazon, and Anthropic will likely influence standards for AI governance and the pace at which transformative AI applications become mainstream. As the AI landscape evolves, stakeholders—including policymakers, businesses, and the public—will need to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by these powerful technologies.
Mythos, Muse, and the Opportunity Cost of Compute
The technology landscape is undergoing a fundamental shift as the era of Aggregation Theory, which dominated the 2010s, comes to an end due to the rising economic constraints of artificial intelligence (AI) and compute costs. Doug O’Laughlin of Fabricated Knowledge highlighted that while AI models can theoretically improve indefinitely with unlimited investment, practical business considerations impose real limits. The once-prevailing assumption of near-zero marginal costs in internet-scale businesses is being challenged, signaling a return to capital-intensive operations for hyperscalers. Aggregation Theory explained the dominance of major consumer tech companies like Google, Facebook, Amazon, and platforms such as Uber and Netflix by emphasizing the power of scale and minimal incremental costs for serving additional users. This framework relied heavily on the concept of zero marginal costs, where fixed infrastructure costs were amortized over a vast user base, making each additional user nearly costless to serve. However, the increasing computational demands of advanced AI models are reversing this trend, as the cost of processing and delivering AI-driven services rises with each incremental unit of consumption. This shift has significant implications for the future of technology and business models. Hyperscalers, which thrived by scaling infrastructure and user bases to maximize profits, will face new challenges as their operations become more expensive to maintain and expand. The economics of AI will force companies to reconsider how much they invest in model improvements and infrastructure, potentially leading to more selective and efficient use of compute resources. This transition marks a departure from the internet-era assumptions and introduces a more complex, cost-sensitive environment for innovation and growth. Looking ahead, the technology sector is likely to experience a period of adjustment as it grapples with these rising costs and the changing dynamics of AI deployment. The end of Aggregation Theory signals not only the conclusion of a dominant business paradigm but also the beginning of a more nuanced era where economic constraints shape the trajectory of technological advancement and market competition.