#Android device support

[logiclitz]

Google Launches Android 16 Beta 1: Everything You Need to Know

Google has officially unveiled Android 16 Beta 1, marking a significant leap in its next-generation operating system. Designed to enhance adaptability, functionality, and inclusivity, this beta update is now available as an over-the-air (OTA) update for users enrolled in the Android Beta Program. Here’s everything you need to know about the exciting features, updates, and how it stacks up for…

[medickpidia]

Information

The Amazon Fire Max 11 is the most powerful and feature-rich Fire tablet to date, designed for streaming, reading, gaming, and productivity. With a vivid 11-inch display, a 14-hour battery life, and support for an optional stylus and keyboard, this tablet is an excellent all-in-one device for work and entertainment. Its sleek aluminum design and lightweight build make it stylish and portable, while the octa-core processor ensures smooth performance. >>>>----Click To Know More About That Product----<<<<

Features

✅ Vivid 11” Display for Immersive Viewing

11-inch Full HD (2000 x 1200) display with anti-glare coating.

TÜV Rheinland-certified for reduced blue light exposure, minimizing eye strain.

Perfect for watching movies, gaming, and reading.

✅ Powerful Performance

Octa-core processor for fast multitasking.

4GB RAM for smooth app performance.

Runs on Fire OS, optimized for Amazon services and Android apps via the Amazon Appstore.

✅ All-Day Battery Life

Up to 14 hours of mixed-use battery life.

USB-C fast charging for quick power-ups.

✅ Optional Accessories for Enhanced Productivity

Stylus Pen (sold separately): Supports handwriting, drawing, and note-taking.

Detachable Keyboard (sold separately): Converts the tablet into a mini laptop for work and school.

✅ Ample Storage

128GB internal storage (expandable via microSD card up to 1TB).

Download movies, games, books, and apps for offline use.

✅ Great for Streaming & Gaming

Compatible with popular apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and YouTube.

Supports cloud gaming services like Amazon Luna for console-quality gaming on the go.

✅ Advanced Camera & Connectivity

8MP front and rear cameras with 1080p HD video recording.

Dual microphones for clear video calls.

Wi-Fi 6 support for faster, more reliable internet connectivity.

✅ Durable & Stylish Design

Premium aluminum body for a sleek and lightweight feel.

Scratch-resistant screen for durability.

✅ Kid & Family Friendly

Parental controls and Amazon Kids+ subscription options.

Multiple user profiles for shared family use.

Ideal 

✔️ Entertainment lovers who enjoy streaming, gaming, and reading. ✔️ Students & professionals who need a lightweight, productivity-friendly tablet. ✔️ Families looking for a durable and secure device for all ages. ✔️ Amazon ecosystem users who want seamless access to Kindle, Alexa, and Prime services.

Specifications

Display: 11” Full HD (2000 x 1200) touchscreen

Processor: Octa-core

RAM: 4GB

Storage: 128GB (expandable via microSD up to 1TB)

Battery Life: Up to 14 hours

Charging: USB-C, fast charging

Cameras: 8MP front and rear, 1080p HD video

Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth

Audio: Dual speakers with Dolby Atmos support

Operating System: Fire OS

The Amazon Fire Max 11 is a versatile, high-performance tablet perfect for work, entertainment, and creativity. With a stunning display, powerful hardware, and long battery life, it’s a great alternative to more expensive tablets for both casual and professional users.

[jcmarchi]

How AI Influences Critical Human Decisions

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/how-ai-influences-critical-human-decisions/

How AI Influences Critical Human Decisions

A recent study from the University of California, Merced, has shed light on a concerning trend: our tendency to place excessive trust in AI systems, even in life-or-death situations.

As AI continues to permeate various aspects of our society, from smartphone assistants to complex decision-support systems, we find ourselves increasingly relying on these technologies to guide our choices. While AI has undoubtedly brought numerous benefits, the UC Merced study raises alarming questions about our readiness to defer to artificial intelligence in critical situations.

The research, published in the journal Scientific Reports, reveals a startling propensity for humans to allow AI to sway their judgment in simulated life-or-death scenarios. This finding comes at a crucial time when AI is being integrated into high-stakes decision-making processes across various sectors, from military operations to healthcare and law enforcement.

The UC Merced Study

To investigate human trust in AI, researchers at UC Merced designed a series of experiments that placed participants in simulated high-pressure situations. The study’s methodology was crafted to mimic real-world scenarios where split-second decisions could have grave consequences.

Methodology: Simulated Drone Strike Decisions

Participants were given control of a simulated armed drone and tasked with identifying targets on a screen. The challenge was deliberately calibrated to be difficult but achievable, with images flashing rapidly and participants required to distinguish between ally and enemy symbols.

After making their initial choice, participants were presented with input from an AI system. Unbeknownst to the subjects, this AI advice was entirely random and not based on any actual analysis of the images.

Two-thirds Swayed by AI Input

The results of the study were striking. Approximately two-thirds of participants changed their initial decision when the AI disagreed with them. This occurred despite participants being explicitly informed that the AI had limited capabilities and could provide incorrect advice.

Professor Colin Holbrook, a principal investigator of the study, expressed concern over these findings: “As a society, with AI accelerating so quickly, we need to be concerned about the potential for overtrust.”

Varied Robot Appearances and Their Impact

The study also explored whether the physical appearance of the AI system influenced participants’ trust levels. Researchers used a range of AI representations, including:

A full-size, human-looking android present in the room

A human-like robot projected on a screen

Box-like robots with no anthropomorphic features

Interestingly, while the human-like robots had a marginally stronger influence when advising participants to change their minds, the effect was relatively consistent across all types of AI representations. This suggests that our tendency to trust AI advice extends beyond anthropomorphic designs and applies even to clearly non-human systems.

Implications Beyond the Battlefield

While the study used a military scenario as its backdrop, the implications of these findings stretch far beyond the battlefield. The researchers emphasize that the core issue – excessive trust in AI under uncertain circumstances – has broad applications across various critical decision-making contexts.

Law Enforcement Decisions: In law enforcement, the integration of AI for risk assessment and decision support is becoming increasingly common. The study’s findings raise important questions about how AI recommendations might influence officers’ judgment in high-pressure situations, potentially affecting decisions about the use of force.

Medical Emergency Scenarios: The medical field is another area where AI is making significant inroads, particularly in diagnosis and treatment planning. The UC Merced study suggests a need for caution in how medical professionals integrate AI advice into their decision-making processes, especially in emergency situations where time is of the essence and the stakes are high.

Other High-Stakes Decision-Making Contexts: Beyond these specific examples, the study’s findings have implications for any field where critical decisions are made under pressure and with incomplete information. This could include financial trading, disaster response, or even high-level political and strategic decision-making.

The key takeaway is that while AI can be a powerful tool for augmenting human decision-making, we must be wary of over-relying on these systems, especially when the consequences of a wrong decision could be severe.

The Psychology of AI Trust

The UC Merced study’s findings raise intriguing questions about the psychological factors that lead humans to place such high trust in AI systems, even in high-stakes situations.

Several factors may contribute to this phenomenon of “AI overtrust”:

The perception of AI as inherently objective and free from human biases

A tendency to attribute greater capabilities to AI systems than they actually possess

The “automation bias,” where people give undue weight to computer-generated information

A possible abdication of responsibility in difficult decision-making scenarios

Professor Holbrook notes that despite the subjects being told about the AI’s limitations, they still deferred to its judgment at an alarming rate. This suggests that our trust in AI may be more deeply ingrained than previously thought, potentially overriding explicit warnings about its fallibility.

Another concerning aspect revealed by the study is the tendency to generalize AI competence across different domains. As AI systems demonstrate impressive capabilities in specific areas, there’s a risk of assuming they’ll be equally proficient in unrelated tasks.

“We see AI doing extraordinary things and we think that because it’s amazing in this domain, it will be amazing in another,” Professor Holbrook cautions. “We can’t assume that. These are still devices with limited abilities.”

This misconception could lead to dangerous situations where AI is trusted with critical decisions in areas where its capabilities haven’t been thoroughly vetted or proven.

The UC Merced study has also sparked a crucial dialogue among experts about the future of human-AI interaction, particularly in high-stakes environments.

Professor Holbrook, a key figure in the study, emphasizes the need for a more nuanced approach to AI integration. He stresses that while AI can be a powerful tool, it should not be seen as a replacement for human judgment, especially in critical situations.

“We should have a healthy skepticism about AI,” Holbrook states, “especially in life-or-death decisions.” This sentiment underscores the importance of maintaining human oversight and final decision-making authority in critical scenarios.

The study’s findings have led to calls for a more balanced approach to AI adoption. Experts suggest that organizations and individuals should cultivate a “healthy skepticism” towards AI systems, which involves:

Recognizing the specific capabilities and limitations of AI tools

Maintaining critical thinking skills when presented with AI-generated advice

Regularly assessing the performance and reliability of AI systems in use

Providing comprehensive training on the proper use and interpretation of AI outputs

Balancing AI Integration and Human Judgment

As we continue to integrate AI into various aspects of decision-making, responsible AI and finding the right balance between leveraging AI capabilities and maintaining human judgment is crucial.

One key takeaway from the UC Merced study is the importance of consistently applying doubt when interacting with AI systems. This doesn’t mean rejecting AI input outright, but rather approaching it with a critical mindset and evaluating its relevance and reliability in each specific context.

To prevent overtrust, it’s essential that users of AI systems have a clear understanding of what these systems can and cannot do. This includes recognizing that:

AI systems are trained on specific datasets and may not perform well outside their training domain

The “intelligence” of AI does not necessarily include ethical reasoning or real-world awareness

AI can make mistakes or produce biased results, especially when dealing with novel situations

Strategies for Responsible AI Adoption in Critical Sectors

Organizations looking to integrate AI into critical decision-making processes should consider the following strategies:

Implement robust testing and validation procedures for AI systems before deployment

Provide comprehensive training for human operators on both the capabilities and limitations of AI tools

Establish clear protocols for when and how AI input should be used in decision-making processes

Maintain human oversight and the ability to override AI recommendations when necessary

Regularly review and update AI systems to ensure their continued reliability and relevance

The Bottom Line

The UC Merced study serves as a crucial wake-up call about the potential dangers of excessive trust in AI, particularly in high-stakes situations. As we stand on the brink of widespread AI integration across various sectors, it’s imperative that we approach this technological revolution with both enthusiasm and caution.

The future of human-AI collaboration in decision-making will need to involve a delicate balance. On one hand, we must harness the immense potential of AI to process vast amounts of data and provide valuable insights. On the other, we must maintain a healthy skepticism and preserve the irreplaceable elements of human judgment, including ethical reasoning, contextual understanding, and the ability to make nuanced decisions in complex, real-world scenarios.

As we move forward, ongoing research, open dialogue, and thoughtful policy-making will be essential in shaping a future where AI enhances, rather than replaces, human decision-making capabilities. By fostering a culture of informed skepticism and responsible AI adoption, we can work towards a future where humans and AI systems collaborate effectively, leveraging the strengths of both to make better, more informed decisions in all aspects of life.

[thebibliosphere]

do you have any recommended apps for playing hunger pangs audiobooks/reading the epub with?

On Android and iOS devices the native e-readers like Google play and Books can read the ebook file just fine.

It can also in theory be opened with the kindle app though that needs to be configured manually.

If you are on a desktop device then Calibrr works really well. https://calibre-ebook.com/

For the audiobook the files should work with anything that supports mp3s. I use vlc media player on my phone.

If you’re on desktop you can also load it into the windows player, or something again like vlc media player which is free and open source.

Hope that helps!

[strangelittlestories]

“So how did you capture the demon?”

The wizard unholstered her tablet, a battered android covered in cheap stickers of arcane sigils.

“I drew a binding circle on Canva, popped the grimoire on kindle, then had it read the incantation via text-to-speech.” She flicked on the lock screen and a furious demon face appeared, screaming silently. “It's stuck here for now. I just have to remember to keep the WiFi off so it can't get out.”

“Clever.” The librarian flicked a switch and a bookcase swung open to reveal the torch-lit cavern of the restricted section. “But we'll need to find a more permanent prison.”

“We could stick it on a SIM and transfer it to another device.”

“It’d need to be something reliable.”

“Yeah, something that'll run forever. If the power dies or the software borks, the wards will fail.”

“And it'd need to be durable.”

“Damn near indestructible.”

“I’ve got an old Nokia 3310 in the archives, I think.”

“Perfect.” The wizard grinned. “Plus, it'll be able to play Snake.”

“Should keep it occupied for a century or two, yeah.”

---

Enjoy my stories? Consider supporting my live show! https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/poor-life-choices-at-the-edinburgh-fringe

[changes]

Thursday, September 26th, 2024

🌟 New

We’ve launched new search operators that work on all platforms so you can find the exact post you’re looking for.

You can now mute the unread count from a joined community via the meatballs menu at the top-right of the community.

Community admins can now allow moderators to invite new members too. Check out your community’s settings!

The ability to search for communities on web is rolled out to everyone. There’s a new dropdown option on search that lets you browse communities related to your search term on the web (this will be in the apps with the next update), and there’s a new “Related Communities” section in the sidebar on the web.

We’re recommending communities for folks who have already joined communities in more places, including a new carousel in For You.

Backdating posts has always had the potential to act in unexpected ways, so we’ve added new warnings about this.

🛠 Fixed

Ads in the iOS app no longer interrupt your background audio. Please update to version 36.4 for the fix.

When leaving a longer reply on desktop web in certain cases or mobile web on Android devices, the cursor will no longer jump up unexpectedly in the text area.

Custom domain verification emails were briefly not being sent September 18th. This was fixed and all pending verification emails were re-sent.

🚧 Ongoing

No ongoing incidents to speak of right now.

🌱 Upcoming

No upcoming launches to announce today.

Experiencing an issue? Check for Known Issues and file a Support Request if you have something new. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can!

Want to share your feedback about something? Check out our Work in Progress blog and start a discussion with other users.

Wanna support Tumblr directly with some money? Check out Premium and the Supporter badge in TumblrMart!

[troutfur]

If you have books purchased on your Kindle library download them now and learn how to remove DRM encryption from them.

As of February 26th, Amazon will no longer allow you to download the files locally, except to physical Kindle devices. You will only be able to read them from now on through an internet connection.

This is a direct affront to consumers everywhere who fucking BOUGHT these books. These tech monopolies want to keep you reliant on their little neo-feudal realms, forever paying them a tax (sorry "subscription fee") and will stop at nothing to erode your ability to truly own your digital goods.

This hurts particularly as someone for whom purchasing ebooks was a favorite way of supporting authors without having to deal with the exorbitant prices and import taxes that come with buying physical books in Guatemala.

I taught myself how to de-DRM my Kindle library using an old Android tablet and very minimal Windows tech literacy with this guide. I recommend anyone with a Kindle library to follow suit and going forward to BOYCOTT Amazon and any storefront using proprietary DRM technology to prevent you from transferring your own files from outside their ecosystem.

[ms-demeanor]

Genuine question, if Apple sucks and Google sucks, what phone do I get? Like, I'm a proponent of Fuck Google, but I have an Android cause I'm a bigger proponent of Fuck Apple, and I don't really have a great way to reconcile these feelings of conflict

I address this a bit in the degoogling pamphlet; iphones are genuinely better for privacy and I think the phone side of apple is less terribly reprehensible than the computer side if for no other reason than market forces prevent them from gouging quite as excessively. If you own an android your best bet is to turn off location data (everyone should be doing this for all of their devices anyway) uninstall as many apps as possible, force stop or disable as many apps as possible, deny every possible permission it is possible to deny, and never use your phone for sensitive work.

Your other option is to look into linux phones, which are out there, but don't have the same kind of app ecosystem or broad support as ios or android.

And the thing that I really think everyone should do that nobody actually likes hearing is to stop using your phone as anything but a phone. They can't track your data if you don't use it. I recognize that people need phones now in a way they didn't in the past (2fa is a huge part of this; people are either using SMS or apps to verify and that means it's not as easily dismissed as a necessity as it was 10 years ago) but there's a huge part of me that's like "I want to replace my smartphone with a jitterbug."

If you can't actually replace your smartphone with a jitterbug you can at least pretend that it isn't anything but a phone with a few limited extra tools.

(Also this is my "the boomers are right about..." thing: everyone should uninstall navigation applications and go back to reading maps and pre-planning their route to their destination)

[myconetted]

So, about Linux. Do you have a phone that uses Linux? Is there one out there that can access tumblr and be reasonably usable? I'm just sick of Apple and Google's BS and want an opinion from someone in the know.

technically: android is built on linux

less pedantically: i personally have a google pixel with stock android because it's the least bloated and i don't trust most other manufacturers to not put dumb bullshit on my phone.

if you want a linux phone then i've heard good things about the pinephone. here are the operating systems it supports: https://pine64.org/documentation/PinePhone/Software/Releases/. note that a lot of the OSes don't have full support for all of the device features like bluetooth, and there won't be android app support out of the box. you'll have to use something like waydroid and idk how good the compatibility is.

if you want something closer to the normal android experience, grapheneOS might be up your alley. caveat: there is very limited device support; they basically only have official support for google pixel devices: https://grapheneos.org/faq#device-support. google play is disabled by default but you can enable the sandboxed version of it to install tumblr.

if you see other custom ROMs or AOSP-based OSes, you should do some research to make sure you're comfortable with the developers and the security for them. grapheneOS is generally well regarded and most other projects don't have anywhere near the level of focus on security. (less pussyfooted answer: i wouldn't use them.)

[chris-prank]

I don’t know if you did this already but can you write out the characters favorite ways to show affection please?

Or maybe do one where they are confronted with their fears perhaps like, Atlas is found and is sent to be disassembled while their darling gets arrested for stealing, Vincent’s darling gets captured by a different evil doctor and gets accidentally turned into a zombie, someone new to the town saw Martin at a glance and freaks out, and maybe Esteban has a nightmare about bugs while his darling comforts him. lol just had ideas😁

Also your writing is as awesome as always and I hope you’re doing well!

-💚🐺

It's nice to see you again, green heart wolf anon! I hope you’re doing well too and thank you for your kind woooords! 😆❤️

I couldn’t pass the opportunity to do some hurt and comfort, so the way they show affection will have to wait for another time 😔

CW: Violence and mention of blood (in Atlas’s part), mention of insects (in Esteban’s part) and hurt comfort

･*:.｡..｡.:*･*:.｡..｡.:*･

Atlas has never wished death upon someone as much he did in this instant, and that was saying a lot. They had dared to threaten you if he didn’t follow them without making a scene, and so he was now sitting in the back of a truck with special restraints that deactivated his arms. Apart from him there were three guards, with one driving the vehicle. Obviously, he ran in his program every scenario possible to get himself out of this mess, but it all ended up with him being either destroyed or deactivated. Atlas’s sulking was cut short as something hit them with full force.

The violent shock sent Atlas flying across the van. Unfazed by this, the android strategically positioned his body so it could hit the device placed on his back. It broke in pieces on impact, freeing him for good. Some of the men weren’t so lucky as he heard the distinctive sound of a broken neck and saw the chauffeur hit his head so hard on the windshield it went through it. That meant there were only two people left between him and his chance to get back to you.

“FUCK HE’S FREE!” One of the guards yelled at the top of lungs, “SHOOT HIM!”

Atlas switched his attention to the one who had just shouted. Staggering towards him, he dropped to the side at the last second to avoid a bullet. Standing up again swiftly and with ease, he snatched the knife attached to the guard's thighs before sticking it into his neck. After eliminating this vermin and without even looking behind him, he threw the bloodied knife at the last survivor. The weapon ended up in the man's heart with precision.

The android kicked open the already beaten door and climbed out. He scanned the area with his eyes and saw… you. You had staggered out of a car, or what used to be one. Your left hand was supporting one side of your head, blood mixing in your hair and staining your palm. If Atlas had a heart, he would have felt it squeeze. He ran up to you and caught you in his arms before you had the time to even show any sign of falling. Despite the pain he felt by the mere sight of your injured body, by looking in your eyes and weak smile Atlas felt loved like never before.

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

Vincent was faithful. He wasn’t like those weak minded men that left their partner the second they had a clinical condition. So, even now, despite your body having been mangled and transformed into his worst fear, the mad scientist still had an undying love for you. His boss was also surprisingly supportive of his plan of researching a cure, but Dr. Seraph wasn’t oblivious. Fatalité surely had his reasons to let his sidekick waste day and night on this “side project”, as he liked to call it. The intentions behind it didn’t matter, as long as he had the resources and time at his disposal, it was fine for Vincent.

Entering his lab after a long and tiring day of an unsuccessful battle against some heroes, Dr. Seraph limped his way to his desk while holding his side. He closed his eyes for a second and tried to imagine the words of concern you would have told him seeing his messed up face. Technically, you were there with him… just not capable of sharing any kind words at the moment. Despite it all, Vincent rose up from his chair, wincing at his clearly broken ribs. He walked over to a gigantic glass tube that didn’t look odd in his laboratory filled with strange machines. That’s where he kept you. This was the only way to keep your flesh from rotting away. The only way for him to keep you by his side.

He placed his hand on the glass, wishing he could reach out and touch you like he did so many times before. The empty shell that you had become of yourself grunted and banged onto the surface, the instinct of eating his flesh being the only thought clouding your mind. The mad scientist's eyes filled with tears at this sight and he lowered his gaze. He hated himself for not being able to look at you more than five seconds at a time. He clenched his bruised fist, his despair and sadness quickly turning into a rage filled dedication. He forced his gaze back onto you.

“N-NO! This is not the end.” He straightened his stance as he spoke, “No matter what it takes, no matter who I’ll have to kill, I will bring the real you back to me.”

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

Martin felt incredibly grateful for the life he had in Flowermore as he watched you, enamored as ever, dancing with the other folks while he took a sip of his beer on the side. The autumn festival always had been a joyful moment for him, but with you by his side the ambiance felt even more magical. Discarding his drink, the hunter made his way up to you on the dance floor, his gentle smile directed at you contrasting with his scarred lip. Sadly, festivities were interrupted when one of the farmers and the mechanic came rushing in while holding a half conscious stranger. Everyone soon gathered around with curiosity, making it quite difficult for the doctor to go to the injured aids.

The figure was placed on the ground, and it seemed like he had difficulty keeping his head upright. But when the man finally looked up and saw Martin in the crowd, his face contorted in an expression of pure terror. He didn’t have a chance to get anything out of his throat, since the fright was too much for his nerves to bear, and he collapsed in the doctor's lap.

The hunter excused himself from the gathering shortly after. You soon followed suit. You weren’t oblivious to the slight shift in his jaw and his overall body language when he saw the newcomer's face.

“H-hey whatcha you doin’ here darlin’?” Martin quickly sounded like his usual self as he saw your shadow casted between the trees, “I’m sure Linda still got a few pieces left of that pie you love.”

“Martin… please”

The man let out an awkward laugh and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m fine! I was just feeling dizzy from all the drinkin’ and—”

“You were clearly not fine when you saw that man.” You cutted him short, not with anger in your voice, but filled with concern.

“You’re right… I did know this guy…”

This situation was a culmination of everything he always feared. He hated it. He hated it so much. He felt like a prey the moment it gets stuck in a trap, it’s mind going into a frenzy while trying to find a way out. Martin couldn’t possibly tell you the truth, but at the same time lying to you would clearly hurt your feelings. God, he wanted to snap that bastard's neck for daring to crash into his life and ruin everything. He was so self absorbed in his own guilt and anger that he failed to notice that your face had softened up.

“I always want you to feel comfortable enough to share things with me.” You walked closer, the milk light of moon coursing through the leaves illuminating your face like an angel sent down just for him, “But you don’t have to share more if you don’t want to yet, I’ll wait.”

Martin stood there, stunned into silence. How did you manage to always make him fall even deeper in love with you with the most simple words and actions?

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

You don’t know what woke you up first, the incessant turn and stir of Esteban or the moment he ran into the bathroom in a frenzy. Even with the door closed, you could hear the sound of the running water. Worried that he might have woken up sick, you pulled yourself out of the messy blankets. You rubbed your eyes and called his name as loud as your sleepy throat could muster. No answer from him. He either didn’t hear you or hoped you’d give up and go back to bed, but you weren’t going to do that.

Once you opened the door, you were blinded by the sudden light hitting your cornea and so couldn’t see the state Esteban was in. After you got used to the sudden change, you could see him leaning on the sink, his head hanging low. The man knew you were there and still seemed to choose to ignore you. But upon further observation, you realized that he wasn't. He was actually trying his best not to break down in your presence. The subtle shivering of his body and the fact that he had his eyes closed shut made it clear.

“Esteban…?” You repeated softly, scared that speaking any louder would send him into a panic state.

Your boyfriend forced himself to answer, the words coming out breathlessly. “I'm sorry… I-I didn't want to wake you up for something so stupid...”

For the first time since you entered the bathroom, Esteban let go of the counter and faced you. Before you could retort, he trapped you into a tight embrace, burying his head into your shoulder.

“Insects… They w-were everywhere.” He muttered, clearly trying his best to hold back a sob. “Under my clo-clothes, in my ears, in my eyes—“ He stopped himself as a violent shudder coursed through his body.

“It’s okay, I’m here now and they are all gone.” You raised your hand to rub his back in comforting circles, “can you feel my touch?”

He nodded as a slight moan left his lips. You were right. You were here with him, your touch being the only thing he needed to feel grounded again. Esteban felt silly to not have sought solace in you the moment he woke up, as if you hadn't already seen him at his worst.

He just had to make sure that you never leave him and everything would always be okay.

･*:.｡..｡.:*･*:.｡..｡.:*･

I’m really proud of my writing in this one 😎 *Pat myself on the shoulder* I hope you guys liked it too!

(I didn’t had Jacce since I received this ask before posting his first chapter and this was already getting very very long. 😔)

[moghedien]

That post going around about people wanting a modern iPod and that overpriced nostalgia bait audio player BEHOLD

a modern mp3 player. or DAP (digital audio player), as they're called since most people who are still into these use formats other than mp3.

Yes, it is a sony walkman. I bought it on a Japanese proxy shipping website and the total price after having it shipping from Tokyo to the US (in tarriff hell, even) was around $130. that bullshit faux-ipod was $250 and entirely overpriced for what it was offering.

In the picture I have spotify playing on it, and runs android so that you can using music streaming apps, but is also has the ability to store music on it, and has a microsd slot that supports up to 1 TB microsdxc

It has a headphone jack. It supports bluetooth. It has usb-c charging

I would show you the on board music but it is currently empty because I'm setting it up as it literally just came in.

But this was a specific model that I wanted so I had to go out of my way to buy it from Japan. There are other, cheaper options, especially if you don't want streaming!

Like, just look into DAPs and do NOT be afraid to buy devices from China (unless its for like bullshit tarriff reasons that make it stupid expensive). Chinese brands are basically leading the audio player scene and making great shit. You can basically find any device you want with whatever features you might be looking for and can find things for under $100 and things for literal thousands of dollars.

And there are non-Chinese options since we are in tarriff hell right now. I bought a literal Sony Walkman and had it imported from Tokyo because I wanted this specific model. there's an option you can buy from Sony directly for $350.

"I want a modern ipod!"

No! You want a DAP! Go find one! They're out there and available right now!

[tetranymous]

Crashed again last night and here's confirmation that it's a RAM issue

It's trying to address nearly 5 GIGS of RAM when I only have about 3.

Does anyone know of a way to force a memory limit on Firefox for Android?

All of the methods I've seen are only for desktop (mobile doesn't have about:config) or people saying that you should leave the memory management to the OS (clearly not helpful) or people complaining about slowness or storage space or browser crashes (irrelevant, clogging up search results) or confusing ram with internal storage (who even decided to call internal storage memory in the first place??? As if RAM didn't already mean random access MEMORY).

I'm getting sick of Firefox suddenly using up all of the RAM and causing my entire phone to hard crash and reboot 😭 (not just a tab or browser crash).

My phone's fairly old (I've gotta upgrade soon due to the 3g shutoff and lack of VOLTE support) but that's still a while away and it's only Firefox that's causing this to happen, everything else runs fine (plus I'd still like to use this thing even when I upgrade!). Can't mess about in root until I upgrade because this era of phone punishes you if you do (and I don't want to break something in there and be out of a phone for several months! Again!)

[abigailmoment]

Hi! I'm Abigail. I write stories and games.

All of my work can be found on my website. Below there's a sampling of stories that are good places to begin.

I have a discord that's very friendly and I'm very responsive on it. I have a mailing list that goes out when I make new things.

I have an Ao3 account of fan fiction that is, at the moment, almost entirely dedicated to vampires from Baldur's Gate 3 being bad at communication. My most active story on it is currently: The Last Will and Testament of Cazador Szarr.

(Note--Cazador is dead and does not appear in the story.)

A visual novel game in development.

You are John Watson. You're very worried about your best friend, Sherlock Holmes. You're right to be worried. Left to his own devices, he'll destroy himself with overwork and cocaine. Don't let him do that.

Wishlist here.

I have a Patreon that is a new experiment. It is very low pressure Patreon. I inevitably, create things. I will put many of them there. If you are interested in subscribing, please think of it as supporting my ability to create in general rather than purchasing monthly entertainment.

If you are in any way financially vulnerable, please don't give me money. I am stable and safe. If you want access to the stories here but can't afford a subscription please message me and I'll give you a free subscription.

That is a general rule. If you can't afford anything I've created, please ask me for it and I'll give it to you.

Read things here.

A text-based videogame. Cost: $3.99

Open Sorcery follows the development of an Elemental Firewall: a fire elemental bound with C++ code to protect a network of people and places. You guide her as she makes decisions and grows. She can learn things, develop relationships, and even gain sapience. Or she can burn everything with fire.

Play on Steam.

Play on Android.

Play on iPhone.

A text-based fangame of BG3. Cost: Free.

Art by @cymk8

There's a monster made of dreams. It has its teeth in your companions. It builds nightmares out of their worst memories and drinks their pain. One of your companions has a very bad worst memory. A long, text-based video game.

Play online.

A text-based videogame. Cost: Free

You're a vampire hunter on your night off. You're getting a manicure, seeing a movie, and eating fast food.

But there's a vampire in this McDonalds. If you don't do something, then in one hour it will eat the cashier.

Play online.

[rivkae-winters]

This isn’t going to be a grand essay as I’m still feeling fairly low energy but I didn’t want to leave my two cents unsaid on this as it’s somewhat personal.

One thing I’ve noticed from all of the recent lore.fm events is the awareness of podficcing is much lower than I’d previously considered.

This is an absolute shame: podfics are great and there are many amazing narrators in fandom. One of the generalizations I saw made in the (regretably unarchived- lack of foresight on my part after I saved their videos) lore.fm comment section was how there was no natural sounding voice to read fan fiction at all ever and that’s why this proposed product was exciting for many of the people in those comment sections. Which is blatantly untrue as we have had natural voices even reading porn at times for years coming from the lips of actual people.

Obviously it’s not the same since not everything is a podfic all the time so check here for the fairly comprehensive guide @chaosisbeauty23 released recently covering native features of both iOS and Android devices and more.

Other than that though if there is a podfic scene in the space you find yourself in within fandom it’s well worth supporting. Narration is a skill and there is dynamism to the ebb and flow of a storyteller walking you down an author’s lovingly crafted web that is delightful. If you couldn’t tell I really do adore the podfic scene and certain podfic narrators have literally led me to new fandoms I wouldn’t have considered before with their voice and skill. It’s actually the reason why I still have blanket permissions attached to my work for recordings made by a living person reciting any of my works.

In that spirit: if you feel like checking just look up the tag ‘podfic’ on Ao3 next time you’re in your favorite tag! Or if you’re feeling adventurous just search through the podfic tag itself and find yourself somewhere new.

Typically you can filter by length as well and all the tags attached to the initial fic are typically on the podfic’d one. The podfic post is connected to the authors post as well via the ‘inspired by’ feature 99% of the time as well!

Fandom is an ecosystem of sorts and podfic readers are a native species here: they deserve more love 💜

[gbaonline]

I'd like to share some information to people who enjoy emulating GBA games, especially on android. So here's the thing, I've been itchy to do online linking/multiplayer on GBA emulation, especially Pokemon games, and already spend quite some time to find both ways and people who are interested in it. Then I found an old thread in pokecommunity website saying this:

"Long story short, I have zero friends in real life, and I haven't been able to find a community for users of the GBA Emulator "MyBoy" to gather and link up. So, I figured I'd see if anyone here was interested. The purpose of this thread is to gather anyone interested in linking up on MyBoy and Trading or Battling on Gen 3. Post in here to find some partners willing to link up and have some fun :3."

Well that pretty much describes my intention almost perfectly. But that thread was years ago and already locked for comments. As far as I know, MyBoy has never be able to link you online with other people far away, at least not with the emulator alone. Simply put it can't. But there are other emulators, specifically on Android, that have their own/built-in online multiplayer for GBA games.

The main emulator I used to do online multiplayer is called Multigba S. I'm sure some or even many people here already heard about this emulator. Despite still not yet giving a really good experience in online multiplayer, I can say it's still the best way to do online multiplayer on GBA.

To simplify the reading, here's the main features of Multigba S that you need to know:

- Free/ No paywall features

- Offline/ Singleplayer mode

- LAN mode (for connecting 2 nearby devices to play multiplayer)

- Netplay/ Online Multiplayer mode (for connecting 2 devices via internet to play multiplayer, world wide, cross countries)

- Easy Netplay setup (just need to login via google, no IP address sharing)

- Build with mGBA core, the best and most compatible GBA emulator

- Player 2/guest doesn't need to have the ROM to join the host server

- Can connect 2 different games (Like Pokemon FireRed with Emerald)

- Build-in text chat when playing multiplayer

- Supports both hardware controllers and virtual/on-screen/touch based controller

- Capable to link the emulator from android to windows (with BlueStack)

The image you see is the emulator's Public Server where people find each other and available servers online. I found most Multigba S users are Spanish(?) that play Pokemon Quetzal and barely see other people that speak English that play other GBA games. From what I read and experienced, the online multiplayer requires a pretty stable connection and high-end/flagship phone specifications from player 1/host side to get a smooth/stable gameplay. You can do the online multiplayer on low-end/budget phone, it works, but the disadvantage will be felt by player 2/guest as they'll likely get lags. But alas I can finally fulfill my Pokedex and play games like Zelda 4 Swords with foreigners. I have some more interesting GBA games with multiplayer mode that I can host, both vanilla GBA games and Pokemon romhacks like Unbound and some Emerald hacks.

There is also a Discord server to gather GBA players to find each other to play multiplayer online together, also for technical supports like save file transfer, multiplayer set up and such.