When was the last time you went through a CAPTCHA verification system? Probably when you tried to illegally download something off Mediafire or when you forgot your password to some random gaming forum. Point is, no one should be using CAPTCHA anymore because it’s annoying, hard to read, and harder to get past even for humans. So praise the heavens that Ticketmaster is finally kicking CAPTCHA verifications to the curb.
Thanks to a new software created by New York startup Solve Media, no more will buyers be forced to type in a string of jumbled letters and numbers. Instead of deciphering the randomized mess of alphabets, the new verification will ask customers to type in common phrases, select an answer to a simple multiple choice question, or type in a description that matches a displayed image. Already this is proving to be a much more effective way of differentiating humans from robots, since it relies on basic human knowledge rather than our reading abilities.
CAPTCHA, short for Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart, puzzles have recently gotten increasingly confusing in an effort to outsmart the bots. Sadly, these new levels of illegibility have also baffled human consumers, forcing them to try multiple times to get past the security check page. And you wonder why everyone hates on Ticketmaster when they can’t snatch tickets to a popular show because these obnoxious CAPTCHAs slowed them down.
The new system is currently being tested by Ticketmaster, and so far results have shown fairly increased effectiveness. Kip Levin, Ticketmaster’s executive vice president of eCommerce, said the average time it takes to solve these puzzles has been halved from 14 seconds to 7 seconds. He also expects the new system will go into full effect beginning in February, where it is estimated to serve up to 200 million puzzles per month. Undoubtedly, less CAPTCHA attempts will equal heightened customer satisfaction, which goes to show that when it comes to computers, e-commerce, and verifications, the KISS protocol still holds true. Seriously, just keep it simple, stupid.
Outdoor security cameras are not always practical if you live in an apartment or rental. Drilling into an exterior wall may be off-limits, while pointing a regular indoor camera through a window can create another problem once reflections start showing up after dark.
Baseus is trying to solve both issues with the new PrimeSentinel W1, a $69.99 security camera designed specifically to monitor the outdoors through glass. It mounts directly to a window without drilling and uses a 4K Starlight sensor with an F1.0 aperture for full-color monitoring during the day and at night.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.
With AI progressing so fast, it's only a matter of time before we start getting AI companions like the ones we used to see in movies like R2-D2, Wall-E, or Baymax. Now, Singapore-based OKA Technology has unveiled Mori, a cute little AI companion that looks less like a conventional home robot and more like someone turned the Pokémon Foongus into a table lamp.
Mori isn't meant to clean your house or control your smart home, but to serve as what OKA calls a "Nature Companion." It uses subtle movements, warm lighting, nature-inspired sounds, and small reactions to make its presence around the house feel calming rather than distracting. Mori can sit quietly while you read, sway along to music, welcome you when you enter a room, or encourage you to slow down for a moment without requiring a screen or a conversation.