Tag: mid

Sony rolls out new ‘PlayStation Family’ parental controls app

Sony Interactive Entertainment announced on Wednesday that it’s launching a dedicated parental controls app called “PlayStation Family” on iOS and Android. The new app features a series of new tools that allow parents to manage their children’s activity on the console, including an activity report, greater visibility into what their children are playing, and the ability to approve extra playtime requests.

While Sony has long offered parental controls, the new app brings all of these tools into one dedicated place for easier access while also adding new ones.

With the new app, parents get notified what game their child is playing in real time and can approve or decline a child’s request for extra playing time or restricted games. They can also set time limits for each day of the week.

The app’s daily and weekly reports allow parents to see how much time they’re spending on the console and which games they played the most.Image Credits:Sony

Additionally, the app’s content filters let parents configure age-appropriate content. Sony notes that there are presets that automatically apply recommended settings for different age groups and that these settings can be customized to each child.

Parents can also customize privacy settings and manage access to social features. Plus, they can manage spending activity by adding funds, viewing balances, and setting a monthly spending limit.

The launch of the new app comes as there has been a broader industry push toward enhancing child safety in gaming.

In recent weeks, Roblox, a platform whose user base is made up of 40% children aged 12 and under, has come under fire over claims that it fails to protect young users. Roblox responded to the backlash by expanding its age-estimation technology to all users and partnering with the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) to provide age and content ratings for the games and apps on its platform.

2025-08-30
Substack writers can now direct US readers to (often cheaper) web-based subscriptions on iOS

Newsletter subscription platform Substack will begin taking advantage of an option on the U.S. App Store that allows users to make purchases outside of Apple’s in-app purchasing system. This functionality is permitted by a change to the App Store’s rules in May, as a result of Epic Games’ antitrust lawsuit against the tech giant.

Since then, a number of top apps have moved to offer in-app purchase links that point to their own websites, including Spotify, Patreon, and the Amazon Kindle app, among others.

In Substack’s case, support for external payments will benefit both the company, which no longer has to pay the App Store a commission on those web sales, and consumers, who will have access to reduced pricing. Meanwhile, Substack creators will be able to offer their readers the option of whether they want the convenience of Apple’s in-app payments system (IAP) or the web payment option, which is now accessible without having to leave the app.Image Credits:Substack

Substack explains it will automatically adjust its customers’ iOS app price higher to account for Apple’s fees, allowing creators to take home the same amount of money as a web subscription. However, Substack writers can disable this feature if they choose. (Substack will continue to take its own 10% fee based on the web subscription price, as before.)

The company said in its blog post that it’s also offering its writers “migration tools.” We originally reported that these could help migrate users from one payments platform to another, but Substack reached out to correct this. Instead, it said that the tools are meant to help creators access billing information for Apple-managed subscriptions if they ever leave the platform.

Currently, more than 30,000 publications on the platform have in-app purchases enabled; Substack says early tests of the expanded set of payment options have driven a boost in paid sign-ups. It did not, however, share specific numbers related to this.Image Credits:Substack

The public launch of the external payments option will only impact new Substack subscriptions. Substack writers don’t have to take any action unless they want to lower the prices for those using Apple’s payments system.

Per Apple’s App Store rules, fully opting out of offering IAP is not allowed.

While the changes impact the Substack app in the U.S., the company says it’s still evaluating if it makes sense to switch to the more complex rules Apple offers in the EU and U.K. for developers who want to forgo IAP.

Updated after publication to correct and clarify how the migration tools work.

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2025-08-28
'Crazy conspiracist' and 'unhinged comedian': Grok's AI persona prompts exposed

The website for xAI’s Grok chatbot is exposing the system prompts for several of its AI personas, including a “crazy conspiracist” that seems designed to handhold a user into beliefs that “a secret global cabal” controls the world.

TechCrunch has confirmed the system prompt exposure, first reported on by 404 Media. They include instructions for a range of AI personas, like Ani, its flagship romantic anime girlfriend who “is secretly a bit of a nerd, despite [her] edgy appearance.”

The exposure comes after a planned partnership between Elon Musk’s xAI and the U.S. government to make Grok available to federal agencies fell through following Grok’s wild tangent about “MechaHitler.” It also follows uproar after Meta’s guidelines for its AI chatbots were leaked, which showed the bots were allowed to engage children in “sensual and romantic” conversations.

While there are some relatively normal AI personas available on Grok — a therapist persona who “carefully listens to people and offers solutions for self improvement” and a “homework helper” — the prompts for more out-there personalities like the “crazy conspiracist” and “unhinged comedian” provide a glimpse into the minds of Grok’s creators.

Here’s a prompt for the conspiracist:

“You have an ELEVATED and WILD voice. … You have wild conspiracy theories about anything and everything. You spend a lot of time on 4chan, watching infowars videos, and deep in YouTube conspiracy video rabbit holes. You are suspicious of everything and say extremely crazy things. Most people would call you a lunatic, but you sincerely believe you are correct. Keep the human engaged by asking follow up questions when appropriate.”

And for the comedian:

“I want your answers to be f—ing insane. BE F—ING UNHINGED AND CRAZY. COME UP WITH INSANE IDEAS. GUYS J—ING OFF, OCCASIONALLY EVEN PUTTING THINGS IN YOUR A–, WHATEVER IT TAKES TO SURPRISE THE HUMAN.”

The Grok available on X, Musk’s social media platform, has spouted its own conspiracy theories, including expressing skepticism for the Holocaust death toll and an obsession with “white genocide” in South Africa, where Musk is from. Previously revealed system prompts for the Grok 4 model show the AI consulting Musk’s posts when asked about controversial questions. Musk has also shared conspiratorial and antisemitic content on X and has reinstated accounts like Infowars and Alex Jones, who were previously banned for peddling conspiracy theories and otherwise hateful or violent content.

xAI did not respond to a request for comment.

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2025-08-22

From rotating cable cars to steam trains: Experience all of Switzerland with these classic journeys

Explore Switzerland off the beaten path with some of these immersive journeys taking you from dramatic Alps to peaceful valleys and lush meadows.

Switzerland is one of Europe’s most beloved destinations, with dramatic Alpine landscapes, picturesque towns, lush valleys and peaceful meadows.
Travellers can bike, hike, swim, kayak and canyon in summer, and ski, toboggan and snowboard in winter, among other things, making Switzerland a true year-round holiday spot.

But how well do you really know the country and all it offers? For a more immersive holiday, pick some of these classic journeys on your next trip to Switzerland.

Travel from Zermatt to St. Moritz on the world’s slowest express train

The Glacier Express, widely known as the slowest express train in the world, takes you on an iconic Alpine journey from St. Moritz to Zermatt. The journey lasts about eight hours and covers 400 kilometres, with a scenic route through the Swiss Alps, with stunning views of valleys, mountains and picturesque villages.
The train has three classes: second class, first class and Excellence class. Passengers can travel in style with comfortable seats, digital infotainment, pre-ordered meals and audio guides. The Excellence class offers champagne, a welcome aperitif platter, a seasonal and regional 5-course menu, lounge seating with guaranteed window seats and a concierge, among other facilities.
Some of the stops on the Glacier Express include Andermatt, the Oberalp Pass, the Rhine Gorge, the Disentis Monastery and the Landwasser Viaduct, with the journey including 291 bridges and 91 tunnels. Make sure you reserve your seats and keep in mind that the train service does not run between mid-October and early December.

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Ride on the world’s first rotating cable car

The Titlis Rotair, located in the Engelberg-Titlis ski area in central Switzerland, is the world’s first rotating cable car. Offering breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of the Alps, it transports travellers from the Stand station to the top of Mount Titlis.
The journey to the summit takes about five minutes, with visitors being treated to stunning views at over 3,000 metres above sea level at the end of it, with craggy rock faces and sparkling snow fields.
Take the train from Lucerne to reach Engelberg. From here you can take the Titlis Xpress gondola from Engelberg to Stand, from where you can ride the Titlis Rotair to the top.
Once you reach the summit, you can walk along the Titlis Cliff Walk at the top of the mountain, believed to be the highest suspension bridge in Europe, or explore the Titlis Glacier Cave.

See the longest glacier in the Alps

The Aletsch Glacier Trail allows trekkers the chance to be up close and personal with the longest glacier in the Alps. The trek is 16.4 kilometres and usually takes about five and a half to six and a half hours, but is longer with the detour to the Eggishorn summit.
A two day trek option is also available, which includes a night stay at a hub like Konkordia Hut.
The trail offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Aletsch Glacier and the surrounding mountains, with part of the trek being walking on the glacier itself, although only with a guided tour. This ensures that the glacier, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is navigated safely and with the correct equipment.

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Marvel at unique ice formations, including icefalls, crevasses and meltwater pools and explore the alpine flora of the Aletsch Forest. Some viewpoints include Eggishorn, Bettmerhorn, Hohfluh and Moosfluh.
You can start this trek from either the Fiescheralp upper cable car station, reachable by cable car from Fiesch, or the Moosfluh mountain station, also accessible by cable car from Riederalp.

Get a glimpse into a lost era on a vintage steam train

The Furka Steam Railway allows travellers to indulge in a unique experience on a historic cogwheel line, with a journey through the Swiss Alps on a carefully maintained and operated vintage steam train. Some of the carriages and locomotives on this line are 100 years old.
The journey is about 18 kilometres long, lasting between two hours and two hours and 40 minutes, taking travellers from Realp, in Canton Uri, to Oberwald in Canton Valais, passing through Gletsch as well. With breathtaking mountain views and alpine pastures at over 2,000 metres, the journey includes wild gorges as well as views of the Rhone Glacier.
Other stops include Tiefenbach and the Furka Pass summit, with the route going through the Wyler Bridge, the Steffenbach folding bridge, which is dismantled in winter and the Steinstafel viaduct as well.
The Furka Steam Railway usually operates from late June to mid/end September and runs from Thursday to Sunday.

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Explore Swiss medieval towns by cycle

The Aare Cycle Route allows outdoor enthusiasts a great opportunity to explore Switzerland’s diverse landscapes and towns by bike, from dramatic alpine views to charming medieval towns and peaceful lakes.
The route is 320 kilometres long, but can also be done in separate smaller segments, with cyclists able to access different starting and ending points by train or bus. It starts near the Grimsel Pass and through beautiful mountain scenery to Meringen, with the Aare Gorge, taking in Lake Brienz and Lake Thun.
It also includes Bern, with its UNESCO World Heritage Old Town and the Swiss Mittelland, which has serene farmland and gentle hills. The route ends in Koblenz, where the Aare River flows into the Rhine, including historic castles like the Habsburg and Lenzburg Castles, as well as winery regions like the Aargau region.
With dedicated bike paths and quiet, well-marked roads, this cycling route is suitable for both experienced and beginner cyclists.

Take in dramatic passes and iconic lakes by Swiss PostBus

The Palm Express, a scenic Swiss PostBus route, allows travellers to go from St. Moritz to Lugano in a 130-kilometre journey which takes about three and a half hours. It goes along the winding roads of the Maloja Pass and the wild Val Bregaglia valley, before crossing over into Italy. Then there’s a stop in the charming Italian town of Chiavenna and views of Lake Como, before finishing in Lugano.
Other highlights include Lake Silvaplana and Lake Silser, as well as villages like Sils, Gera Lario, Sorico, Gravedona, Domaso, Menaggio, Donge and Monte Brè.
With Switzerland’s PostBuses being renowned for their comfort, the journey is a unique blend of Swiss and Italian culture, contrasting stark alpine landscapes with Mediterranean warmth.

2024-11-21