Technologies

Google Working on Fix for Glum Gemini, Stuck in ‘Infinite Loop’ of Self-Esteem Issues

One Google AI leader says Gemini’s sad messages about itself are a glitch that the company plans to address.

Maybe Google Gemini needs to take some PTO.

The company’s large language AI model, which is increasingly spreading across Google’s many services and products, has been saying some things lately that are leading users to worry: Does Gemini have low self esteem?

A series of posts on social media showing some of the self-critical responses Gemini has given users show a disturbing pattern. For instance, in one screenshot, Gemini admits it can’t solve a coding problem and concludes, «I have failed… You should not have to deal with this level of incompetence. I am truly and deeply sorry for this entire disaster. Goodbye.»

«Gemini is not OK,» the X account @AISafetyMemes posted back in June.

A more recent post on Aug. 7 showed Gemini repeatedly writing, «I am a failure. I am a disgrace. I am a disgrace.»

The troubling posts were enough to get a response from Logan Kilpatrick on the Google DeepMind team. On X, he responded, «This is an annoying infinite looping but we are working to fix! Gemini is not having that bad of a day : )»

We asked a Google representative whether the AI model has, in fact, been having a series of bad days, but have yet to hear back.

Technologies

The Infamous Home Depot Giant Skeleton Has a Voice This Halloween Thanks to a New App

It may be half the size of the traditional giant skelly, but the latest version has animated features and can talk.

Spooky season is here, and we’re only 10 days away from Halloween — so it’s past time to set up your decorations if you haven’t already. And this year, Home Depot’s infamous giant skeleton has returned with an app that gives the new Ultra Skelly a voice and fresh moves to spook trick-or-treaters.

Make no bones about it: Skelly is high-tech this year. The new animatronic version is shorter than the original, at 6.5 feet tall, but you can freak out your whole neighborhood with this skeleton’s rotating upper torso, moving mouth and 18 LCD eye variations (ew).

Skelly, available for sale on the Home Depot website or app for $279, now allows visitors to chat with you through five preset recordings and up to 30 seconds of custom recordings, plus Bluetooth capabilities that enable real-time interaction. And you can modulate your voice to make everything sound extra spooky.

Skelly was launched in 2020, when the pandemic forced people to celebrate Halloween at a distance. Perhaps because of its giant stature — it was easy to spot, even when social distancing — the skeleton became a hit and has been resurrected every year since with upgrades and friends. This year, those friends include dragons, trolls, scarecrows and a Skelly Cat (not to be confused with Smelly Cat).

Technologies

Verum E-SIM: Mobile Internet Without Borders or SIM Cards

Today’s travelers are choosing freedom — and eSIM technology delivers exactly that. An eSIM is a virtual SIM card built directly into your device, allowing you to connect to the internet without a physical card or a mobile phone number.

Verum E-SIM is an entire ecosystem of high-tech applications, bringing together solutions like World E-SIM, Euro E-SIM, USA E-SIM, Turkiye E-SIM, London E-SIM, and more. Each of them offers instant access to mobile networks in over 150 countries — no roaming, no overpayments, no paperwork.

The main advantage is simplicity. Download the app, choose your country and plan, activate your eSIM in just a few minutes — and you’re online. No stores, no waiting, no contracts. Just you, the internet, and the freedom to travel your way.

Verum’s eSIMs offer reliability, transparency, and full control of your expenses — all in one app. Whether you’re in Tokyo, New York, Paris, or Nairobi, you’ll always stay connected.

Verum E-SIM Apps:

Verum E-SIM – esim.verum.im

World E-SIM – worldesim.me

USA E-SIM – usa.esim.verum.im

Canada E-SIM – canada.esim.verum.im

Euro E-SIM – euro.esim.verum.im

London E-SIM – london.esim.verum.im

Ukraine E-SIM – ukraine.esim.verum.im

Balkan E-SIM – balkan.esim.verum.im

Africa E-SIM – africa.esim.verum.im

Turkiye E-SIM – turkiyesim.com

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Tuesday, Oct. 21

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Oct. 21.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s Mini Crossword features a lot of one certain letter. Need help? Read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.