Latest news with #Vader
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Health
- Tom's Guide
I didn't just stop scooping poop with the Litter Robot 4, it kept my cats healthy — here's how
If there's one unsung hero in my home that doesn't get enough recognition that it deserves, it's none other than Whisker's Litter Robot 4. I've had it for nearly 2.5 years, saving me countless time from getting down on my hands and knees to pick up after my cats. While I can't tell you enough how awesome it is to have this robotic litter box in my home to do the dirty duty of picking up my cats' poops, there's actually another feature about the Litter Robot 4 that I find equally as valuable. I honestly didn't think much of it the first few months, but its ability to monitor and track the weight of my cats has proven to be invaluable. In fact, it helped me to uncover a medical condition that was left undiagnosed for months with my cat Andy — and for that, I couldn't be grateful. Save yourself from constantly having to clean up after your cats with Whisker's Litter Robot 4. This robotic litter box not only cleans up after them, but its smart features allow you to track how frequently they use it and how much they weigh. With an assortment of accessories, it accommodates just about every feline no matter the breed, age, or size. As much as it takes the hassle away from cleaning up after my cats, the Litter Robot 4 has sensors that allow it to weigh them each time. At first, I didn't think much of this until one day I noticed my cat Andy started to feel a bit boney, especially around his back. He's been a hefty little feline, but I only realized his sudden weight change after I picked up my other cat Vader — who's even chonkier. For years taking Andy to the veterinarian, his weight would range from 10 to 12 pounds — so you can imagine my surprise to see it under 10 pounds through the Whisker app. What was even more of a shock was that his weight was trending downwards for the last couple of months, so we immediately took him to the vet. Our veterinarian eventually diagnosed him with IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), so he was put on different medication and a new diet to see if he could pack on the pounds again. Long story short, it's been a struggle with his weight reaching as low as 8 pounds — but through the different remedies and medication, he's been on the upward trend the last 6 months. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Through it all, the Litter Robot 4 allowed me to monitor any big changes week by week. This feature came in hand because we were able to see how well he responded to different remedies. Best of all, it gave me accurate results because it weighs him each time he uses it. Since he's older now, I also like how I can tailor my Litter Robot 4 to meet my exact needs. Most other robotic litter boxes my cats have tested are raised, so oftentimes they fly out of the litter box when they're done — splattering messy pieces of litter everywhere. With the Litter Robot 4, I have a fence installed at the opening to lessen this. I also like how there's a ramp that can help older cats with mobility issues to enter and leave it. Here's hoping for another 2.5 years of faithful service.
CBS News
25-05-2025
- CBS News
Pack of dogs accused of attacking pets in Natomas caught
Pack of dogs caught after alleged attack of cat in Natomas Pack of dogs caught after alleged attack of cat in Natomas Pack of dogs caught after alleged attack of cat in Natomas NATOMAS – A pack of dogs is caught after they're accused of attacking pets in Natomas after being on the run for days. The family of the cat killed is still devastated over the situation. Calm is restored to a community living on edge after a pack of three husky-mix dogs is accused of targeting people's pets in Natomas The owner of a cat, Vader, said the situation is so stressful, he didn't want to show his face. "I just saw three grown dogs wrestle around, and I knew it was one of our cats," Vader's owner said. Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes reacted to the warning put out on May 18 by the Front Street Animal Shelter with questions over how these dogs got out in the first place. "No, and that's why I want code enforcement to do an investigation," Talamantes said. As of Saturday, the owner of the cat killed said he still doesn't know if the dogs' owner will be held accountable for the attacks For now, he's just glad they're off the streets and safety restored for the sake of other people's pets. CBS Sacramento reached out to Talamantes and Front Street Animal Shelter for details on what the next steps will be for the owner of those dogs.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Fortnite' Using A.I. Darth Vader Is Another Step Toward the Dark Side
Darth Vader has a new enemy, but it isn't the Jedi Order reborn. It's the Screen Actors Guild. On May 16, as part of a month-long collaboration between Epic Games' Fortnite and Disney-owned Star Wars, Darth Vader was added to Fortnite Battle Royale as an optional, recruitable ally. What's unusual about Vader is that players can "talk" to him; by pressing a special button, players can say anything into their headsets to Vader, and the Sith Lord will respond using conversational artificial intelligence. The technology uses the voice of the late James Earl Jones, who played Darth Vader in the films. Epic Games wrote on its official blog that Fortnite's A.I. Vader was created with the involvement of Jones' estate: "We're honored to feature the voice of the late Mr. Jones and we thank his estate for the opportunity to make this happen for players," wrote Epic in a statement. However, the union that represents professional actors, SAG-AFTRA, says that Epic violated labor practices by failing to notify the union, "and without bargaining with us over appropriate terms." "We celebrate the right of our members and their estates to control the use of their digital replicas and welcome the use of new technologies to allow new generations to share in the enjoyment of those legacies and renowned roles," reads SAG-AFTRA's statement. It should be emphasized the use of Jones's voice is not the problem here; the actor signed over the rights to his voice to Lucasfilm in 2022, and even worked with Ukranian-based A.I. firm Respeecher prior to his death. The first instance of an A.I. Vader was not Fortnite, but for the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi. Gamers asking Vader vulgar questions or making him cuss—which Epic issued a swift hotfix after players caught the dark lord dropping F-bombs—isn't the issue either. It's that Fortnite released an A.I. Darth Vader, a character otherwise performed by union members, during a major ongoing strike against video game companies by the actors' union. Adds SAG-AFTRA: "However, we must protect our right to bargain terms and conditions around uses of voice that replace the work of our members, including those who previously did the work of matching Darth Vader's iconic rhythm and tone in video games." The union announced it filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against Epic Games' Llama Productions. While yes, it's awfully funny to ask Darth Vader about Skibidi Toilet and Sabrina Carpenter—and in one Reddit user's case, receive an unexpectedly moving response after they told Vader about their recently deceased grandmother—AI's concerning potential to replace human artists evolves at lightspeed. Generative artificial intelligence was at the center of the 2023 dual labor strikes in Hollywood, and in July 2024, SAG-AFTRA began its strike against major gaming publishers over an industry-wide rush to adopt of A.I. Among the parties SAG-AFTRA is striking against is Fortnite's publishers Epic Games. "We're not going to consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse A.I. to the detriment of our members," said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher in the union's July 2024 strike announcement. The real disturbance in the Force is how Epic felt emboldened to drop its A.I. Vader while it is in active dispute with the actors' union over A.I. Since 2024, Epic Games has enjoyed splashy investment from Star Wars' parent company, Disney, with Fortnite as the crux of their partnership. That a tech giant backed by one of the biggest movie studios in the world implemented a virtual novelty action figure—without concerning the labor union that advocates protections for humans from A.I.—comes across as one of the biggest gestures of arrogance yet. The future is yet to be written, but as people grow alarmingly comfortable with artificial intelligence, it may already be decided. You Might Also Like Kid Cudi Is All Right 16 Best Shoe Organizers For Storing and Displaying Your Kicks
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fortnite's AI-James Earl Jones Darth Vader Voice Faces Unfair Practice Charge
The controversy around 's use of AI for the voice of Darth Vader has entered litigious territory with the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) filing an unfair labor practice charge against Llama Productions, a signatory to the union's agreement. Notably, Llama Productions is a subsidiary of Epic Games, the publisher of Fortnite. The SAG-AFTRA filed a complaint against Llama Productions with the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The union accused the Epic Games-owned company of making 'unilateral changes to terms and conditions of employment' for Fortnite's AI-rendered voice for Darth Vader. SAG-AFTRA claimed that Llama Productions did so 'without providing notice to the union or the opportunity to bargain, by utilizing AI-generated voices to replace bargaining unit work.' Notably, the game allows players to interact with Vader, recruit him for their mission, and even fight against him. The late actor James Earl Jones, who provided the voice for Vader for multiple entries in the Star Wars franchise, reportedly permitted the use of archived recordings of his voice for AI re-creations. Jones' family allowed his voice to be used in Fortnite (via Variety). However, SAG-AFTRA claimed that they had not cleared the use of AI for Vader's voice. 'We must protect our right to bargain terms and conditions around uses of voice that replace the work of our members, including those who previously did the work of matching Darth Vader's iconic rhythm and tone in video games,' the union noted in a statement. Several outlets have since reached out to Epic Games for comments without any success. In mid-2023, SAG-AFTRA launched a strike over a labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). One of the main points of contention was the usage of AI and digital recreation. Although that one ended in November 2023, the union started a labor strike in July 2024 against the American video game companies that had accepted its Interactive Media Agreements. At the time of this article's composition, that strike is still ongoing. Originally reported by Tamal Kundu on SuperHeroHype. The post Fortnite's AI-James Earl Jones Darth Vader Voice Faces Unfair Practice Charge appeared first on - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Hollywood actors' union sues Epic Games over Darth Vader's AI voice in Fortnite: ‘Refused to bargain in good faith'
In a case that feels straight out of sci-fi satire, the voice of Darth Vader has landed at the centre of a real-world legal battle involving AI, actors' rights, and one of the most iconic villains in cinematic history. The Hollywood actors' union, Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists or the SAG-AFTRA, has filed an unfair labour practice charge against Llama Productions, a subsidiary of Epic Games, after the company allegedly used AI to replicate Darth Vader's voice in the popular online game Fortnite, without notifying the union or the original performers. Fortnite recently added a fully voiced Darth Vader character to the game. But this version doesn't rely on the familiar timbre shaped by years of actors' performances. Instead, it uses conversational AI, allowing players to interact with the Sith Lord in real time. Once recruited to a team, Vader can answer player questions about the Force, the Galactic Empire, or even in-game tactics. The move, however, has stirred up more than just excitement among fans. According to SAG-AFTRA, the company made unilateral changes to the terms and conditions of employment 'without providing notice to the union or the opportunity to bargain' by using AI-generated voices to replace bargaining unit work. Citing unauthorised use of AI-generated voices in place of union members' performances, the union stated that they 'failed and refused to bargain in good faith with the union'. SAG-AFTRA insists that studios and game developers cannot sidestep negotiated contracts by generating digital replicas without explicit agreements: 'However, we must protect our right to bargain terms and conditions around uses of voice that replace the work of our members, including those who previously did the work of matching Darth Vader's iconic rhythm and tone in video games,' the union said. This dispute comes amid an ongoing strike against major gaming companies, which began in July 2024 after more than a year of negotiations stalled, largely over the unregulated use of AI in games and interactive media. Epic Games, which owns Fortnite, has yet to publicly respond to the filing. James Earl Jones, who passed away in January 2024, was renowned for his portrayal of iconic characters, such as the voice of Mufasa in The Lion King (1994)and Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise.
