Uber Eats now shows users which of their personal details couriers can see

The next time you order something from Uber Eats, you’ll be able to find out what personal information of yours a courier can see at each stage of the delivery process. The View as Delivery Person feature follows a View as Driver function Uber added in 2020. Starting today, Uber Eats users in the US and Canada can access the information from the recent order page and in the app’s privacy center (under the privacy menu on the account tab).

The delivery person will only know an approximate delivery location until they collect the order. Then they’ll typically have access to your first name, initial of your last name and exact delivery location. Uber will provide them with your delivery instructions and notes too. After the order is completed, the courier will once again only see a general delivery location in their app.

Moreover, the feature will tell you what kinds of details couriers can’t see, such as your phone number, payment details or driver rating. If you order products like alcohol or weed through Uber Eats, you need to prove you’re of legal age by sharing a picture of your ID. Couriers can’t see your ID details after they make the delivery, Uber says.

The idea is to provide users with more peace of mind and transparency, as Zach Singleton, Uber’s head of privacy and equity product, told The Verge. View as Driver was a popular privacy feature among users, according to Singleton, who noted that Uber receives thousands of support tickets from users who are concerned about how much personal information their driver or courier gets, as well as those eager to know more.

Safety is a critical concern for many Uber and Uber Eats users. Singleton added that women are “53 percent more likely to have a concern about the information that delivery people had when something uncomfortable has occurred.”

OnePlus teases its first tablet ahead of next month’s official reveal

A OnePlus tablet is on the way. A new official image of the upcoming OnePlus Pad surfaced, showing a “Halo Green” color and an unconventional camera placement. The tablet will reportedly launch alongside the OnePlus 11 5G and Buds Pro 2 at a February 7…

Tesla Cybertruck won’t enter mass production until 2024

You might not want to count on getting a Cybertruck this year despite promises to the contrary. During a conference call discussing Tesla’s latest earnings, company chief Elon Musk said mass production of the electric pickup won’t begin until 2024. He still expects manufacturing to kick off “sometime this summer,” but warned that output would be “very slow” early on. Tesla is still in the midst of installing assembly equipment.

Tesla unveiled the Cybertruck in 2019, but has delayed its release multiple times. The company also warned that the final specs and pricing will change. The EV was originally supposed to start at $39,900 in its single-motor configuration and climb to nearly $70,000 for the tri-motor version. While the automaker is still taking deposits, it’s no longer promising specific configurations. The pandemic, a rough economy, longstanding supply chain issues and design tweaks are all expected to influence what you can ultimately buy.

This isn’t a new problem for Tesla. Production of the Model 3 started in July 2017, but was very limited until mid-2018 as the company struggled to clear factory bottlenecks. The Cybertruck poses unique challenges, however. Its signature cold-rolled steel body is said to be extra-tough, but also requires manufacturing techniques not normally used for cars. Most production is expected to take place at the Giga Texas factory near Austin, which formally opened last April.

The revised timeline may create problems. The Cybertruck is already entering a fiercer competitive landscape that includes the Ford F-150 Lightning, GMC Hummer EV and Rivian R1T. By the time Tesla’s production is in full swing, it will likely have to take on the Ram 1500 EV and Chevy Silverado EV as well as more affordable versions of existing trucks. An electric pickup is no longer the novelty it was four years ago, and it’s not clear if the finished Cybertruck will offer major advantages over its rivals.

‘Dead Space’ is the new benchmark for video game remakes

In the split second before a necromorph slides its arm blades into Isaac Clarke’s stomach, it looks like the massive monster is giving him a bloody, snarling, over-excited hug. This precise moment, frozen between horrific brutality and a comforting embrace, captures the essence of the Dead Space remake. As a fan of the 2008 game, playing the new Dead Space is a cozy experience, even amid all the terror, death and gore. Hell, because of these factors. The Dead Space remake is big, beautiful and better than the original, while maintaining the magic that made the first game an instant classic. Turns out, great game design is timeless.

Man, EA used to make some good games. Dead Space came out at the height of EA’s golden era, a year after the first Mass Effect and a month before Mirror’s Edge, and it defined the sci-fi horror genre in a way that persists today. Dead Space was the game that introduced HUD-less horror environments, incorporating health and ability meters into Isaac’s suit, rather than displaying static indicators over every scene. The remake uses the same immersion system, alongside a pop-up inventory that doesn’t interrupt gameplay. Stores and upgrade benches are scattered around the USG Ishimura, the main ship where the nightmare unfolds, powered by credits and nodes that players find while slicing their way through the monsters onboard.

In the remake, the Ishimura is a maze of twisting metal corridors and locked rooms, and it’s bursting with secrets. I found myself checking every corner for glowing boxes to stomp on or shiny bits of ammo and credits, and my exploration was often richly rewarded. Never too rich, though — asset management underscores the game’s tension, and Isaac is constantly at risk of running out of ammo, stasis energy, oxygen or health. He’s always vulnerable in some way. In an action-horror game, this feeling is paramount.

Isaac has his classic arsenal of improvised and scavenged weapons, including the plasma cutter, disc ripper and flamethrower, but with some modern updates. The secondary mechanism on the flamethrower, for instance, deploys a wall of fire rather than an explosive orb, and it’s an ultra-satisfying way to cut off encroaching hordes. Shooting the necromorphs’ long limbs will always be more powerful than a headshot; stomping on mutant corpses still releases goodies (and any lingering player frustration), and the stasis ability remains a critical tool in managing enemies, temporarily freezing them in place. Kinesis is incredibly useful as well, allowing Isaac to pick up and hurl objects at any time, with unlimited duration.

Isaac Clarke, the protagonist of Dead Space, aims his weapon at a necromorph that is standing, menacingly silhouetted against a harsh light on a space ship.
EA Motive

Isaac gains new weapons and abilities at a rapid pace, and these tools flow into each other smoothly during locked-room combat scenes. Players are able to approach fights in a variety of ways and swap strategies on the fly — though stasis, shoot, stomp is always a valid approach. Save and refill stations are positioned generously throughout the environments, while ammo and health drops tend to appear right when they’re needed. In general, it doesn’t feel like the game mechanics are working against you — that’s only the murderous mutant space monsters.

Aside from significant graphical improvements, the single biggest enhancement in the Dead Space remake is the addition of zero-gravity flight. This mechanic opens up the game in a way that feels authentic to the source material — as if this is what developers wanted to do back in 2008, but hardware limitations made it impossible. In the original, Isaac leapt from surface to surface in zero-gravity, but now he floats and soars freely through these scenes with boosters on the soles of his boots. While flying, he can shoot, freeze and fling objects at enemies in any direction. 

Boss fights and large-scale puzzles are dynamic in zero-G, and flying changes some sections of the game drastically. Isaac’s final fight against the Leviathan (a big tentacle blob) is now a fast-paced, no-oxygen, in-literal-space event with three turrets, requiring a combination of kinesis, mid-flight strafing and shooting skills. In the original Dead Space, this fight has Isaac firing on the tentacles from a gunner seat inside the Ishimura. There’s no denying, the remake does it better.

Isaac Clarke, the protagonist of Dead Space, stands under a spotlight in a dark, dingy corner of a spaceship.

Dead Space is bloody and beautiful from start to finish on PlayStation 5. The game includes full voice acting, expanded narrative arcs, fresh mechanics, new puzzles and no loading screens (just a few suspiciously long tram rides that developers at Motive claim exist purely to increase the tension). 

Only a couple of sections in my playthrough came close to tedious. More than halfway through the game, I was grabbed by a giant tentacle and had the wrong weapon equipped to shoot its glowing weak point. It took half a dozen deaths for me to properly swap guns and land enough shots to end the sequence. This felt unfair and deflating after an entertaining and challenging boss fight. However, I’m happy to say this was my largest gripe with the remaster — despite minor hiccups like this one, Dead Space is a master class in action-horror game design. 

There’s a surprising amount of restraint to this remake: EA updated the right things in the right way, while avoiding the baggage of modern AAA games. You’ll find no procedural generation here, no open world, no way to communicate with other players, not even a HUD; just a limited set of skills and a spaceship filled with violent, half-dead, long-limbed monsters.

Playing the Dead Space remake feels like snuggling into a cozy sweater made out of bloody, infected flesh and razor-sharp bone fragments. It’s scary, yes, but in a way that makes you laugh after jumping in fright. It’s a lot like being spooked by a friend — or, maybe, getting hugged by a necromorph.

Ayaneo 2 review: A more premium (and pricier) take on the Steam Deck

Handheld PCs have been around for years, but the arrival of the Steam Deck brought renewed interest and demand to the category — much like what the Nintendo Switch did for consoles back in 2017. And while the amount of engineering and tech that went into the Steam Deck is certainly impressive, Valve’s mission to make a portable and affordable PC for gaming on the go means there’s plenty of room in the handheld space for something with a bit more giddyup — which brings us to the Ayaneo 2.

Design: Like a Steam Deck, but fancier

While the Ayaneo 2 doesn’t deviate too much from the Steam Deck’s basic blueprint, right from the get-go it’s also apparent that this thing isn’t some cheap knock-off either. It features a big 7-inch 1920 x 1200 LCD display with strong brightness (just under 400 nits in our testing) that’s flanked by an Xbox-style controller layout. There are also handy buttons on each side for opening menus or functioning as shortcuts, along with some more customizable controls crammed in on top that by default serve as left and right mouse clicks. Even the power button has a built-in fingerprint sensor, which is a welcome bonus not available on the Steam Deck.

One of the things that impresses me the most is Ayaneo’s attention to detail. The whole setup feels well-built. The PC’s case is smooth and sturdy and has a very reassuring heft. In front, there’s a single sheet of glass that goes across the face of the system (with cutouts for the joysticks and buttons), which gives it a slick, streamlined appearance. The company even went out of its way to ensure that there aren’t any visible screws. Though if you do want to get inside, there’s an included pick you can use to pry off the little covers on each side. Just be careful so you don’t mess up the finish like I did.

Among other premium upgrades compared to the Steam Deck, the Ayaneo 2 sports magnetic hall sensor joysticks and shoulder triggers that feel crisp and snappy. There’s basically no dead zone, unlike what you get with Valve’s handheld. But my favorite thing about the Ayaneo 2’s design is that its touchscreen doesn’t have any bezels, and almost looks elegant.

Finally, while I don’t think either machine is truly pocketable, the Ayaneo 2 is definitely the more compact of the two. The Steam Deck measures nearly a foot across (11.7-inches) versus a more manageable 10.4-inches for the Ayaneo 2.

Ports and accessories: So many options

Unlike the Steam Deck, the Ayaneo 2 features a total of three USB-C ports, two of which can be used for charging.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Another quality that elevates the Ayaneo above its rivals is a wealth of ports. Not only do you have a 3.5mm audio jack and a microSD card slot for expandable storage, you also get three USB-C ports, two of which can be used for charging. That flexibility came in handy more often than I expected, because it gave me the freedom to plug in a power cable to either the top or bottom, which makes it easier to keep the cord out of the way no matter how you’re holding the system.

On top of that, while Ayaneo makes a dock for its handhelds, because there are three USB-C ports along with two USB-A adapters in the box, you don’t really need to buy one at all. Even without any additional dongles or hubs, you still have enough connectivity to plug in a mouse, keyboard and an external display, so it’s really easy to use this thing as a standard PC in a pinch. And if that wasn’t enough, Ayaneo even includes a charging brick, a couple of international power adapters, a USB-C cable and an extra set of screw covers.

Performance: Zen3 makes a big difference

The Ayaneo 2 features a handy QuickTool that makes it easy to adjust things like performance and fan settings, but it could use a little more quality control, as certain options like the one for resolution can be a bit hit-or-miss.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

The other major advantage the Ayaneo 2 holds over the Steam Deck is raw performance. While Valve worked with AMD to create a custom chip based on the company’s Zen2 architecture, the Ayaneo 2 sports a newer Ryzen 7 6800U chip built on the Zen3+ platform. That’s a jump in processing power that you can really feel.

In benchmarks, the Ayaneo 2 scored 4,282 on 3DMark’s Wild Life Extreme test, which is comparable or slightly better than what we’ve seen from similarly-priced laptops like the Surface Laptop 5 (3,848) or the XPS 13 Plus (3,505). And when gaming, the Ayaneo 2 is between 25% to 40% faster than the Steam Deck depending on the title. In Shadow of the Tomb Raider on high settings at 800p, the Ayaneo 2 averaged 54 fps versus 40 fps for the Steam Deck. And when I increased the game’s resolution to take advantage of the Ayaneo 2’s full HD+ screen, it still managed to pump out a playable 35 fps at 1920 x 1200 ( in SotTR), despite pushing nearly twice as many pixels. It’s a similar story in Elden Ring, where the Ayaneo 2 hovered around 55 fps in 800p at medium settings, compared to 48 fps for the Steam Deck, or at 40 fps at 1200p.

In use: A more luxurious way to game on the go

Thanks to its Ryzen 7 6800U chip, the Ayaneo 2 can deliver strong framerates even at 1920 x 1200.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Ok ok, enough about the design and specs, what is this thing actually like to use? Well, in short, the Ayaneo 2 addresses some of my biggest complaints about the Steam Deck, but in a smaller, more compact and better-performing chassis. Its screen is way brighter, more colorful and higher-res making everything look sharper too. And thanks to its Ryzen 7 6800U CPU, you can get similar framerates with the Ayaneo 2 at 1920 x 1200 versus 800p for the Steam Deck. I should also mention that, while the Valve’s portable PC tops out with just 512GB of onboard storage, the Ayaneo 2 can be specced with up to a 2TB SSD, while still having a microsD card slot (with a neat protective cover) for extra room if you want it.

The Ayaneo 2’s control setup is excellent too. That’s because even without built-in touchpads, like you get on the Steam Deck, you can still easily navigate Windows 11 using the left stick, which doubles as a way to move your mouse cursor. Sure, that means you’re probably not going to want to play Civilization 6 or an RTS on the Ayaneo 2, but even with more optimized controls, those games still feel clunky on the Steam Deck. Ayaneo’s magnetic hall sensors in the analog sticks and shoulder triggers also deliver an incredibly responsive experience. And while I wouldn’t call it a quiet system, when its fans spin up the whir isn’t nearly as loud or annoying as what I get from my Steam Deck. (Note: For what it’s worth, my Deck has the slightly whinier sounding Huaying fan.)

The really emphasize its streamlined design, the Ayaneo 2 has little faceplates that cover up its external screws.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

That said, there are still more than a few awkward aspects about the Ayaneo 2. The first is that Windows 11 is kind of annoying to use with touch controls, though simply booting into Steam’s Big Picture mode lets you sidestep much of that. Second, while I appreciate the included Ayaspace app, which serves as the company’s consolidated game launcher and performance monitoring tool, the user experience feels a bit unpolished.

Changing the system’s resolution from the AyaQuickTool window was often hit-or-miss. On top of that, when I installed an update to the AyaSpace app, its language setting reverted back to Chinese. That’s not a huge pain to fix, but I’d rather be playing games than diving through menus repairing something that shouldn’t have changed. Then there are other little quirks like its weak rumble motors and not knowing what makes the lights underneath the joysticks change colors. That’s because aside from a couple of short quick-start manuals, Ayaneo doesn’t provide much documentation for the device, so you’re kind of on your own when it comes to figuring out the system’s more hidden features. (There’s a link to a FAQ doc in the AyaSpace app, but the whole thing is in Chinese, so it’s not much help for many of us in the west.)

The bottom of the Ayaneo 2 features one USB-C port, a microSD card slot (with a small protective cover) and a pair of surprisingly decent stereo speakers.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Now I should note that the company says it’s already working on a second version of the AyaSpace app, and in the month I’ve had the system, there have been multiple patches, so it’s clear the company is committed to improving the situation. Still, while the Ayaneo 2’s specs are top-notch, some of its software still feels like a work in progress.

However, a lot of the Ayaneo 2’s weak points are made up for by the fact that it runs Windows, which means almost every game just kind of works. Don’t get me wrong, I have a huge appreciation for what Valve is trying to do with SteamOS and for Linux gaming as a whole, but even with thousands of games that have been verified to run on the Steam Deck, there are thousands more that aren’t (and in some cases, may never run right). With the Ayaneo 2, you simply have a lot more confidence that the next game you buy won’t have issues when you boot it up.

And now let me turn things over to my colleague James, who has been testing out the Ayaneo 2’s emulation capabilities.

James’ retro corner

For those who aren't a fan of the white model, the Ayaneo 2 is also available in black.
James Trew

It would be decadent to recommend buying something like the Ayaneo 2 as an emulation-first device. But, it’s worth talking about its performance here as it really does expand the potential library of games. Of course, if you want to rip ROMs from games you already own, you’ll need to figure that side out yourself.

Obviously, with the power to run some fairly demanding PC games, the Ayaneo 2 will be more than capable of running everything up to the 5th or 6th generation of consoles without too much trouble. You’ll be able to go beyond this, but with mixed results. Skate 3 on the PS3, for example, runs on the Ayaneo 2 at 60fps with almost no special configuration. The Last of Us, on the other hand, was only able to muster between 13-23fps, with the odd flicker above and below that.

The Ayaneo 2 has lights behind its joysticks that change colors from blue to red depending on the situation, though due to a lack of documentation, it's not always clear why.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

Theoretically, you can almost come right up to the present day, with some industrious YouTubers getting Nintendo Switch games to run with varying levels of success. Of course, for now at least, this is the limit but if you had a library of old games and were hoping they might have a second life on the Ayaneo 2, the answer is that, unsurprisingly, it’s a very capable emulator that benefits from built-in controls (which saves a surprising amount of meddling around).

Battery life: Could be better

One of the few shortcomings of the Ayaneo 2 is its battery life. That’s because when compared to the Steam Deck which typically lasts three to four hours on a charge (depending on the title), the Ayaneo 2’s longevity is closer to two or three. That said, you can adjust the power draw of the system if you want to improve energy efficiency, but in the end, this is the price you pay for increased performance.

Wrap-up

The Ayaneo 2's much brighter, more colorful and higher-res screen is almost worth the added cost all on its own.
Sam Rutherford/Engadget

As I look back, I still think the Steam Deck was one of the most important gadgets of 2022. Putting premium laptop specs with great controls and surprisingly good battery life in a handheld PC that starts at just $400 is an unbeatable deal. But for people who want something a bit more premium, the Ayaneo 2 has a lot to like. It’s got a cleaner, more compact design with a way better screen. Its joysticks and buttons also feel tighter and more luxurious. And on the inside, it’s got a significantly more powerful chip that not only delivers solid performance at FHD+, [the decision to go] with Windows instead of Steam OS also means much wider game compatibility. Unfortunately, with the cheapest version of the Ayaneo 2 starting at around $850, you’re also paying a premium for all those fancy upgrades. But if you’ve been searching for something that is essentially a Steam Deck Pro, the Ayaneo 2 is it.

Amazon’s Blink Wired Floodlight Camera is now available for $100

One of Amazon’s home security companies, Blink, unveiled its first wired floodlight camera during the e-commerce giant’s fall event last year. Now, the smart security camera is finally available, and you can get it from Amazon’s website for $100. While most of Blink’s products are small, battery-powered devices, this one connects to your home’s existing outside wiring. Its LED floodlights are also much brighter (2,600 lumens) than the lights (700 lumens) that come with the brand’s older wireless model

The camera itself provides 1080p HD live view through the Blink app, as well as two-way audio, which gives you a way to talk to people or call any pets outside your house. Blink says the model features enhanced motion detection aided by Amazon’s AZ2 Neural Edge Processor, and you can choose to get notifications on your phone if it detects any movement. The device also comes with the ability to sound a 105-decibel siren if you ever need it. And, yes, Blink’s wired floodlight camera works with Alexa, allowing you to access its live view and other features with voice commands. 

You can save and share video clips captured by the camera, as well, but it will cost you extra. To do so locally, you’ll need a Blink Sync Module with a USB drive attached, both of which are sold separately. But you can store clips in the cloud instead through the $10-a-month Blink Subscription Plan, which will also give you access to the company’s new person detection feature.

The Morning After: Donald Trump is getting his Facebook and Instagram accounts back

It’s already been over two years since Meta extended former President Donald Trump’s “indefinite” suspension from Facebook. Now, the company has reinstated his account. In a statement, Meta said Trump would be able to access his Facebook and Instagram accounts in the “coming weeks,” but there would be “new guardrails in place to deter repeat offenses.”

Trump’s campaign had reportedly pushed for the former president to be allowed back on Facebook ahead of the upcoming presidential primaries. This decision from Meta comes just months after Elon Musk restored the former president’s Twitter account. Trump has so far declined to restart his Twitter habit – he’s been a Truth Social user since last year.

Another reason he’s back could be Meta’s handling of Trump’s initial suspension, which it quickly extended from a 24-hour ban to an “indefinite” suspension. It was heavily criticized, even by its own Oversight Board, which chastised Meta for not following its own rules and trying to “avoid its responsibilities.” Trump was initially booted from Facebook for publicly praising the rioters in the aftermath of the attack on the US Capitol on January 6th, 2021.

– Mat Smith

The Morning After isn’t just a newsletter – it’s also a daily podcast. Get our daily audio briefings, Monday through Friday, by subscribing right here.

The biggest stories you might have missed

‘GoldenEye 007’ will hit Switch and Xbox on January 27th

If you have Switch Online’s Expansion Pack or Game Pass, it’s free.

TMA
Nintendo

One of the best-loved Nintendo 64 games is coming to Switch Online’s Expansion Pack this week. You’ll be able to play the game on your Nintendo Switch on January 27th. The game will be available on Xbox on the same date. It’s unusual to see a licensed game arrive on Nintendo’s subscription service, but GoldenEye 007 is one that many fans have been looking forward to replaying (or even playing for the first time). It remains to be seen how well Rare’s classic first-person shooter will hold up almost 26 years after its debut. Xbox owners will get some updates: dual analogue stick support, 4K resolution and “a consistent refresh rate.” Oddly, there’s no online multiplayer on the Xbox version.

Continue reading.

Senator Manchin tries to close battery loophole around $7,500 EV tax credit

He’s trying to halt credits from being offered to foreign-sourced batteries before March.

Senator Joe Manchin, chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has introduced a new bill that squashes a small loophole around the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) $7,500 EV tax credit. The new credits are restricted to cars with final assembly in the US, as well as those with a certain amount of North American battery content.

“It is unacceptable that the US Treasury has failed to issue updated guidance for the 30D electric vehicle tax credits and continues to make the full $7,500 credits available without meeting all of the clear requirements included in the Inflation Reduction Act,” Manchin wrote in a statement. He added: “EV tax credits were designed to grow domestic manufacturing and reduce our reliance on foreign supply chains for the critical minerals needed to produce EV batteries.”

Continue reading.

‘NBA All-World’ hands-on: Taking basketball video games back to the streets

Niantic’s latest AR app might be the best use of its location-based tech yet.

TMA
Engadget

Niantic, creators of Pokémon Go, is launching a new title called NBA All-World, which might be the best application of its location-based tech to date. That said, the formula appears pretty similar: You get a starter player and use the in-game map to collect items, earn cash or battle other players. The big twist for NBA All-World is you’ll need to visit real-world basketball courts to earn your spot on local leaderboards.

Continue reading.

Multiple Microsoft services, including Teams, Outlook and Xbox Live, go down across the world

It was apparently a network issue.

Multiple Microsoft 365 services went down for thousands of users worldwide, prompting the tech giant to investigate the incident affecting several of its products. In an update, Microsoft said it “isolated the problem to a networking configuration issue.” By 4:26 AM ET, Microsoft “rolled back a network change” it believed was causing the outage, and it was monitoring its services as they started coming back online.

Continue reading.

IK’s iRig Stream Mic Pro is a do-it-all microphone for musicians and content creators

IK Multimedia has launched the iRig Stream Mic Pro designed to be more versatile than typical multimedia mics from Blue and others. It combines a multi-pattern condenser microphone with a 24-bit, 96 kHz audio interface for iOS, Android, Mac and PC. Tha…

Jail threats stop AI ‘robot lawyer’ from making its debut in court

Joshua Browder, the CEO of New York startup DoNotPay, recently announced that his company’s bot will represent a defendant fighting a traffic ticket in the courtroom on February 22nd. “DoNotPay A.I will whisper in someone’s ear exactly what to say. We will release the results and share more after it happens,” he said. We may never know how the “robot lawyer” will fare in court, though, because a few days later, Browder announced that DoNotPay is postponing its court case after reportedly receiving jail threats from state bar prosecutors if he was to go through with his plan. 

The CEO told NPR that multiple state bar associations had threatened his company, and one even said he could be imprisoned for six months. He told the media organization: “Even if it wouldn’t happen, the threat of criminal charges was enough to give it up. The letters have become so frequent that we thought it was just a distraction and that we should move on.” While the State Bar of California refused to talk about DoNoPay’s situation, it told NPR that it has a duty to investigate potential instances of unauthorized law practice. 

Browder originally created DoNoPay as a free AI-powered chatbot that can help draft letters and fill out forms for various legal matters, including appeals for parking tickets. The company’s “robot lawyer” is said to be powered by several AI text generators, including ChatGPT and DaVinci, that have been tuned to focus on law. A defendant using the technology in court would have worn smart glasses to record the court proceedings, as well as a headset that would give the AI a way to tell them what to say. 

As CBS News said in a previous report, though, the tech isn’t legal in most courtrooms. Also, in some states, all parties must consent to being recorded. DoNotPay looked at 300 cases, but only two were viable candidates. In the end, Browder reversed course and suggested the company will instead fixate on consumer rights issues, specifically lowering medical bills, cancelling subscriptions and disputing credit reports, among others.

On January 24th, Kathryn Tewson took to Twitter to share an in-depth analysis of the platform after attempting to generate a Defamation Demand Letter, Divorce Settlement Agreement and a Sue Anyone in Small Claims Court document. They found the process to be confusing, often finding DoNotPay switched focus on the action they wished to take.

“There is literally nothing AI about this. This is a straight-up plug-and-chug document wizard, and it is not well done at all,” Tewson remarked, adding: “Let me be clear: this is a terrible demand letter. Absolutely terrible. Useless or worse than useless — if an actual attorney saw this, she would instantly know that the sender was unsophisticated, unrepresented, and gullible af.”

NPR said, however, that the CEO is still hoping that artificial intelligence could eventually help people in the courtroom. “The truth is, most people can’t afford lawyers. This could’ve shifted the balance and allowed people to use tools like ChatGPT in the courtroom that maybe could’ve helped them win cases,” he told the organization.