Neowin News Feed for: Algorithm

Google Search algorithm update seemingly pushing up AI-generated content

Paul Hill — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 03:24:01 +0000

Google's latest update to its search engine has content creators up in arms because AI-generated content seems to be reaching the top of the results more easily. Google has a guide to address issues. Read more...

White House reveals plans for big tech with focus on privacy, transparency, and youth safety

Usama Jawad — Fri, 09 Sep 2022 05:42:01 +0000

U.S. President Joe Biden's administration has laid out plans for a legislative reform in areas concerning big tech firms. The focus is on transparency of algorithms, privacy, and youth safety. Read more...

Columbia Univ builds breakthrough algorithm that stops spying microphones from listening

Sayan Sen — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 05:18:02 +0000

The Columbia University's computer science department has developed a new algorithm that can be used to stop microphones and automatic speech recognition systems from spying on the public. Read more...

Meta introduces data2vec, the first self-supervised algorithm for speech, vision, and text

Fiza Ali — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 18:26:01 +0000

Meta's "first high-performance self-supervised algorithm", data2vec, for speech, vision, and text will allow machines to learn about their surroundings without depending on labeled data. Read more...

Here's what you need to know about FLoC: Google's alternative to individual tracking

Usama Jawad — Sat, 06 Mar 2021 10:26:01 +0000

Google recently announced that it will soon stop individual tracking to preserve user privacy. But what does that mean exactly? We take a deep-dive around its proposed FLoC approach to find out. Read more...

Microsoft develops new machine learning model to detect password spray attacks

Usama Jawad — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 04:56:01 +0000

Microsoft has developed a new machine learning model in order to autonomously detect password spray attacks. The model has vastly improved performance compared to its previous heuristic mechanism. Read more...

Mozilla's new browser extension will help fix terrible YouTube recommendations

Usman Khan Lodhi — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 11:58:01 +0000

Mozilla is introducing a new browser extension, which will let users send in reports about recommended harmful videos. The browser extension is available for both Chrome and Firefox. Read more...

Facebook reportedly knew its algorithms were dividing people yet did nothing

Mehrotra A — Wed, 27 May 2020 11:16:01 +0000

A report from WSJ disputes the company's claim that its algorithms are bringing people together. According to WSJ Facebook's algorithms aren't bringing people together. They were driving people apart. Read more...

Researchers build an octopus-inspired robot that can grip a wide array of objects

Ather Fawaz — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 06:20:01 +0000

At the Wyss Institute at Harvard, researchers have made an octopus-inspired soft robot complete with suckers that can grip and manipulate objects like eggs, balls, and even live crabs. Read more...

Toshiba's new algorithm seemingly leverages quantum computing while running on ordinary PCs

Ather Fawaz — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 20:06:01 +0000

Employing the principles of quantum computing while running on a PC built with off-the-shelf components, Toshiba's Simulated Bifurcation Algorithm churns through market data in microseconds. Read more...

Instagram rolling out "You're All Caught Up" prompt for its iOS, Android apps

Abhay V — Mon, 02 Jul 2018 22:02:01 +0000

Instagram is rolling out a neat feature that provides a visual cue informing users that they have viewed all the feed posts in the past 48 hours. The feature is heading to its iOS and Android apps. Read more...

Instagram adjusts feed sorting algorithm, recent posts to be prioritized

Timi Cantisano — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 02:24:01 +0000

After years of complaints, Instagram is making some changes to feeds that will more likely show recent posts first. The change also arrives with a "New Posts" button that will give users more control. Read more...

Twitter testing a new method of showing more breaking news to users

Jay Bonggolto — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 08:34:01 +0000

Twitter is testing a new method that uses new algorithms to show more timely breaking news content to its users. The test involves a small number of iOS and Android users in the U.S. Read more...

YouTube's algorithms strike white noise with copyright claims

Vishal Laul — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 23:40:02 +0000

An Australian musician and YouTube content creator has had his 10-hour long video of white noise struck by copyright claims via YouTube's automated ContentID system. He intends to dispute the claims. Read more...

Facebook announces crackdown on ‘engagement bait'

Paul Hill — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 12:12:01 +0000

Facebook is going to start cracking down on what it called engagement bait over the coming weeks. The company claims that people don't like the posts and consider them to be spammy. Read more...

Oops! YouTube blocks an official Chromebook ad as spam

John Keefer — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 19:50:01 +0000

The YouTube algorithm that automatically flags videos as problematic has struck again, this time blocking an ad from parent Google for its Chromebook. The issue was fixed, but not without screenshots. Read more...

Microsoft endorses Google's Brotli compression algorithm, announces alpha preview for .NET

Usama Jawad — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 10:34:02 +0000

Microsoft has conducted tests, such as the Weissman Score introduced by the TV show Silicon Valley, on Google's Brotli. It's endorsed the compression algorithm and announced an alpha preview for .NET. Read more...

Computers can now spot autism in people using facial cues

Justin Luna — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 11:18:01 +0000

Researchers have developed a computer algorithm that helps when it comes to diagnosing people with ADHD or autism-like disorders. To do this, they observed the behavior of a number of subjects. Read more...

Google to crack down on mobile websites using intrusive pop-ups

Justin Luna — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 09:24:02 +0000

As a move to provide better search results for users, Google is modifying its mobile search algorithm. It will now give a low ranking to websites which use invasive pop-up elements. Read more...

Twitter to display tweets in 'algorithmic order' possibly from as early as next week

Justin Luna — Sat, 06 Feb 2016 15:24:01 +0000

Twitter is reportedly planning to introduce a new timeline feature that arranges tweets on what an algorithm think a user wants to see. This sparked flak from users, with many complaints going around. Read more...

Hasher 3.2.0.3 Beta

Razvan Serea — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 21:56:01 +0000

Hashing utility for verifying integrity of files using a wide range of supported algorithms: CRC32, MD2, MD4, MD5, SHA1, SHA256, SHA512, RipeMD128, RipeMD160, ED2K. Read more...

In an attempt to improve web security, Google may begin favoring encrypted sites in searches

Jett Goldsmith — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 06:36:20 +0000

One of Google's top engineers has hinted that the search engine may begin to favor encrypted sites over others in its search algorithm, in an attempt to improve web security. Read more...

Windows Phone Marketplace app ranking algorithm changed

Andrew Stevenson — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 15:59:30 +0000

While Microsoft continues to build its Windows and Window Phone Stores, recent changes to the ranking algorithms could impact the smaller developers trying to get their apps seen. Read more...

Google changes search algorithm, tackles content farms

Michael Collado — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:34:57 +0000

Google has made changes to its search algorithm in the last day or so that they claim are so subtle many wouldn't notice, but will still help reduce the ranking of low-quality websites. They define... Read more...