Category Archives: Technology

Tencent and CATL Designated as Military-Linked

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Akihabara News — In a move that has escalated tensions between the United States and China, the US Department of Defense has added two major Chinese technology companies, Tencent and CATL, to a list of entities it believes are linked to China’s military activities.

Tencent is a colossal tech conglomerate known for its WeChat app, which serves as a multifunctional platform combining messaging, social media, and payment services. Beyond WeChat, Tencent is a major player in gaming, owning Riot Games, the creators of League of Legends, and holding stakes in other international game developers. The company’s influence extends deep into entertainment, media, and even cloud computing, making it a pivotal part of China’s tech ecosystem.

On the other hand, CATL, or Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited, is the world’s leading manufacturer of batteries for electric vehicles (EVs). CATL’s inclusion on the US military-linked companies list could impact the global supply chain for EVs, given its significant role in providing battery technology to major car manufacturers worldwide.

The US Department of Defense’s decision to classify these companies as having ties to the Chinese military isn’t about immediate sanctions but serves as a warning. It signals to American businesses and investors the potential risks of associating with these firms, given the alleged military connections. This could affect their ability to secure business deals in the United States and possibly lead to more stringent regulations or even sanctions in the future.

Both companies have vehemently denied these allegations, with Tencent stating its inclusion was “clearly a mistake” and emphasizing its non-military nature. CATL similarly argued it does not engage in any military-related activities.

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Woven City Opens Its Doors

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Akihabara News — Toyota Motor has officially inaugurated its pioneering “Woven City” project, a smart city designed to redefine mobility and urban living. The first phase of the city, located at the base of Mount Fuji in Susono, Shizuoka Prefecture, has been completed and is now welcoming its initial residents.

Announced during CES 2025 in Las Vegas, the launch of Woven City marks a significant milestone in Toyota’s transformation from a traditional car manufacturer to a “mobility company.” The city, which seeks to test and develop new technologies in real-world settings, emphasizes sustainability and human-centric design.

The first residents, approximately a hundred in number, will primarily consist of Toyota staff and their families. They will move into the city this fall, with plans to expand the community to around 360 residents by the end of Phase 1. Eventually, Woven City aims to house up to two thousand people, including inventors and entrepreneurs from various fields.

Woven City has been designed with three types of streets: one for autonomous vehicles, another for mixed use including personal mobility devices and pedestrians, and a third exclusively for pedestrians. This innovative layout is intended to enhance safety and connectivity within the urban environment.

The city’s buildings, constructed with sustainable materials like wood, are equipped with the latest in smart home technology, including in-home robotics and health-monitoring AI systems. The infrastructure is powered by hydrogen fuel cells and solar energy, underlining Toyota’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

A notable aspect of Woven City is its collaborative approach, inviting inventors, startups, and academic institutions to participate through an accelerator program set to start in the summer of 2025. This initiative aims to foster innovation by providing a real-life testbed for new products and services.

Akio Toyoda, Toyota’s chairman, described Woven City not just as a place to live but as a “living laboratory” where residents actively participate in testing and refining new mobility concepts. The project has already garnered attention for its potential to influence future urban planning and mobility solutions globally.

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Hooglee Hoopla

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Akihabara News — Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google, has unveiled Hooglee, a new startup that merges AI video generation with social networking, aiming to challenge the likes of TikTok in the digital content space. The platform, which has been quietly developed under Schmidt’s guidance, seeks to democratize video creation by leveraging Artificial Intelligence to simplify communication and enhance user engagement.

Hooglee’s mission is clear: to bring people closer through innovative use of AI. The platform offers tools that allow users to create professional-quality videos with little to no prior editing experience. This initiative, backed by Schmidt’s family office, Hillspire, marks his first personally incubated AI project following significant investments in AI ventures like Anthropic and SandboxAQ.

The startup is led by Sebastian Thrun, a Silicon Valley veteran known for his work on Google’s autonomous car project Waymo and its moonshot division. Thrun’s involvement signals a robust commitment to making Hooglee not just another social media platform but a technological powerhouse. The team also includes former Meta AI researchers, which adds a layer of expertise in AI-driven content creation.

Hooglee promises to combine AI-powered video generation with social networking capabilities, creating a space where users can produce content and engage with a community seamlessly. While specifics on how Hooglee will differentiate itself from existing platforms remain under wraps, trademark filings indicate a focus on both AI video creation software and social media networking.

The platform’s launch has sparked conversations about the ethical implications of AI, particularly regarding deepfakes and misinformation. Schmidt, who has previously expressed concerns about AI’s potential for harm, has suggested the implementation of safeguards like watermarks and AI content detection systems, though it’s unclear if such features will be part of Hooglee’s initial rollout.

Industry observers speculate that Hooglee could be positioned as a direct competitor to TikTok, especially given the regulatory pressures TikTok faces in various markets. Schmidt has hinted at a vision of Hooglee as a place where communication is simplified, engagement is enhanced, and the power of AI is harnessed for more meaningful digital interactions.

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Switch 2 Set for 2025 Release

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Akihabara News — Nintendo has officially announced the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, confirming that the highly anticipated successor to the original Nintendo Switch will hit the market later in the year. The announcement came via a first-look trailer, which provided initial insights into the console’s design and capabilities.

The Nintendo Switch 2 maintains the hybrid nature of its predecessor; it will be compatible with both physical and digital games from the original Switch, although certain Switch games might not be fully compatible or supported. This backward compatibility is a significant feature, ensuring that fans can continue enjoying their existing game libraries on the new system. The console’s design appears similar to the original Switch but is evidently larger, with Joy-Con controllers that now attach magnetically to the sides of the console rather than using the slide-in mechanism of the first Switch.

Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch 2 will play exclusive titles designed specifically for it, alongside the library of Switch games. However, the company has been cautious about revealing exact specifications or detailed features of the console. More comprehensive information is slated to be disclosed during a Nintendo Direct event scheduled for April 2, where the company plans to elaborate on the console’s capabilities, potential launch titles, and other specifics.

To build excitement and provide hands-on experience, Nintendo will host “Nintendo Switch 2 Experience” events in various cities around the world starting in April. These events will allow consumers to interact with the new console, offering a tangible feel of what the Switch 2 will bring to the gaming community.

Ticket registration for these events commenced on January 17, 2025, for those with a Nintendo Account.

The initial market reaction suggested some skepticism or perhaps concerns about the design similarity to its predecessor, which might not meet expectations for innovation. Nevertheless, the promise of backward compatibility and the potential for enhanced performance are expected to be significant selling points for the console.

With the original Nintendo Switch having sold over 146 million units, the Switch 2 enters the market with high expectations.

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Why Modern Invoicing Software is a Game-Changer for Freelancers and SMEs

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Is invoicing the bane of your existence? Do you dread the end of a billing cycle? Are you cutting yourself short because you’re not following up with clients who have yet to pay you? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’re in the right place. Modern invoicing tools are revolutionizing how freelancers, contractors, and SMEs (or small and medium-sized enterprises) bill their hours. But it wasn’t always as easy as it is today to get paid quickly and seamlessly. 

You may be surprised to learn that the concept of invoicing dates back over 5,000 years! In the historic days, IOUs were filled out in clay as merchants bought goods from each other. With the printing press, clay turned to paper as invoices were sent and delivered to each other. The rise of technology led to digital invoicing, allowing individuals to send bills via email and electronic platforms. Today, invoicing software tools make it easy to send payments in a timely, efficient manner. 

Below are a few ways that modern invoicing software is a game-changer for freelancers and SMEs and the benefits of using this software. 

Templates Make Things Easier

If you’re a freelancer or contract worker, there’s a good chance that you have multiple clients. You likely have different payment terms for each one. Perhaps one client wants you to bill at the end of the month while another one wants you to bill them weekly. Creating a custom invoice for each client can be time-consuming, taking you away from the work that you are actually getting paid for! That’s where templates come into play. 

Invoicing software tools include templates that you can easily customize for each of your client’s needs. These templates allow you to add your personal details, including a branded logo and colors. Adding these touches makes the invoice feel more professional than a black-and-white PDF document. Additionally, customizing your invoices strengthens your brand image and can build better relationships with your clients by showcasing your professionalism. 

Invoices that stand out and are easy to read and understand are more likely to get paid quicker too. When a client recognizes your invoice, there is less confusion at stake. They know who you are and why you are billing them. This can improve payment speed and result in prompt delivery. 

When selecting a template, make sure it fits your needs. Someone who bills hourly will need a different template than someone who is billing by project. Make sure it allows you to include all necessary information. This includes invoice date, description of project or services, client contact information, and total amount due. Save the invoice template for future iterations so you just have to adjust the project and total amount. 

Insightful Reporting and Real-Time Visibility

Another time-saving benefit to using invoicing software is its ability to provide insightful reports. Instead of manually calculating where you are at the end of the month, quarter, or year, these tools will automatically generate financial reports for you. Not only does this save you time, but it reduces errors. 

Having this data means you have real-time visibility of where your business stands. Knowing you’re having a less profitable month, for example, you may decide to focus some attention on pitching potential new clients. Perhaps you put a call-to-action out on LinkedIn describing your services and notifying others that you’re open to work. 

By looking at your report, you can also see which clients are providing you with the most revenue. If you’re spending more time on one client but not getting paid as much, this should raise a red flag. This data can help you either negotiate a better rate or decide if keeping the client is the best decision for the success of your business. After all, time is money and your time is valuable!  

Payment Management 

Freelancers often experience unpredictable income month-to-month. Because you can’t predict the future, you can’t accurately know what your income will be next month let alone six months from now. That’s why payment management is all the more important to solo entrepreneurs. A client who is tardy on billing can alter your livelihood, making it harder for you to pay rent or bills on time. 

Invoicing software platforms can automatically remind clients who have yet to pay you. By sending a reminder during a set cadence, you can follow up in a professional, courteous way. The software will update based on when a client has paid you — no more scrolling through your bank account looking for payments!  If you notice that a client is consistently delaying payment, you can ask to have a conversation with them. Ask if there is a better payment schedule that will work for them or if they have any suggestions on how to resolve this issue. You may decide to implement a past-due invoice fee if the problem recurs. 

Final Thoughts

Invoicing is easier than ever thanks to the introduction of modern invoicing software. New technology has made it incredibly simple to create, send, and check invoices. This software is easy to use and keeps everything organized in one place, allowing you to focus on the work that you’re being billed for. 

Written by Scott Weathers

HP Threat Report: AI Is Becoming More Common

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HP released its quarterly threat report, which includes some increasingly scary elements. Unlike its peers, HP created a separate security unit called Wolf Security that can focus more sharply on our increasing security exposures. While this security unit is somewhat hobbled in that it is subordinate to HP’s PC and printing businesses, this allows it to focus more deeply on the endpoints it provides, resulting in a greater level of protection where most breaches continue to occur: the user or at the endpoint. 

This is a defense-in-depth approach that is narrower than a typical security company would or could supply since it covers both software and hardware elements for HP’s enterprise PCs and printers, arguably making HP more secure than the competition.

Like many independent security firms and unlike its OEM peers, HP also researches and issues security reports that highlight what it has found, and this quarter’s report is as scary as the last one was. 

Users Remain the Biggest Exposure

One thing that isn’t changing quarter-over-quarter is that users remain the biggest exposure conduit, and current user training is proving to be inadequate. While prior user attacks focused on one click to infection, security tools have improved. Now it takes three to four clicks on average to become infected. However, social engineering and AI are being used to trick users into making those three clicks and these users too often turn off their security protection in order to unknowingly download and install malware that compromises their credentials and their firm. 

I remain convinced that we need to do far more regular internal security tests with penalties for failing so users take this far more seriously because even the most rigorous security protections are worthless if the users disable them.

AI Use

AI has moved from occasional conceptual tests to far more common production uses for malware delivery but not yet for malware creation. These tools are becoming extremely good at tricking users into doing harmful things. For instance, GitHub’s repository has been compromised with Lumma Stealer that targets gamers looking for cheats to improve their scores. Game cheats are often misidentified as malware and blocked, so it takes disabling your security software to install them. Along with the cheat comes malware designed to give the attacker access to the system and its contents, including IDs and passwords. And another form of malware called XWorm has become a very popular worm designed to steal crypto currency wallets. 

Commercial Malware

Even though AI isn’t being used to create malware, this doesn’t mean that malware isn’t advancing. Commercial companies continue to build and sell malware offerings, but the recent trend is to do so in building block form. In other words, attackers use multiple malware downloads over time to fully compromise the system but make it so the components go in without triggering a security warning. This then allows the complete tool to build after all of the components have been installed, often using PowerShell as the download and installation tool. The stages are Attack, Intermediate and Infection and are very hard to detect until the damage is being done. Right now, you can create a major malware campaign with virtually no programming skills. 

The Danger of Pictures

One of the recent changes is that attackers are attaching malware to downloadable pictures like those images of old obsolete websites. If you download the picture, you are in the path to becoming infected. The website may not be at fault since these pictures are uploaded onto legitimate sites that don’t have the technology to scan the pictures for one of the malware building blocks. 

With pictures and some other file types, you can measure the success of a campaign by the number of downloads or views. The average is 29K. That’s a lot of infected people per effort. 

Wrapping Up:

Companies like HP and units like Wolf Security are working hard to both identify and mitigate the increasing number of AI-enabled malware attacks. However, no matter how effective the defense, it is pretty much worthless if the user bypasses it or turns off the security software, and this is happening way too often. 

If we truly want to address this threat, users must become a more active part of the solution. If a malicious malware attack is successful and the user helped create it, it could cost them not only their job but their life savings (depending on the damage), but the current levels of user training are inadequate. 

If this isn’t fixed, this exposure will become one of the strongest arguments to replace many users with AIs that will follow proper security protocols and be less of a threat to the organizations within which they work. 

Slip and Fall vs. Trip and Fall Injuries: What’s the Difference?

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Accidents happen every day, often when we least expect them. A common type of accident involves slipping or tripping, which can lead to serious injuries. Understanding the difference between slip and fall and trip and fall injuries is important. A slip and fall typically occurs when a person loses footing on a slick surface. It might be a wet floor or an icy sidewalk. On the other hand, a trip and fall happens when something stops your forward movement, like a raised sidewalk or uneven carpet. Each has unique causes and effects on the body. Recognizing these differences can help in preventing accidents and managing injuries if they occur. The D2 Law Firm team emphasizes the importance of awareness in these situations. By knowing the distinct characteristics of each, better safety measures can be put in place. This knowledge can also aid in seeking appropriate medical attention and legal aid if necessary.

What Causes Slip and Fall?

Slip and fall incidents usually arise from wet or polished surfaces. They can also happen on icy surfaces or when liquids spill onto floors. Poor lighting can make these hazards even more dangerous. Shoes with inadequate grip can increase the risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), slips contribute significantly to accidents in homes and workplaces.

What Causes Trip and Fall?

Trip and fall accidents often occur when an object unexpectedly interrupts your path. It can be a loose rug, a raised edge on a walkway, or a cluttered floor. Poor visibility is another contributing factor. This type of accident can also occur when walking on uneven surfaces or climbing stairs. Ensuring pathways are clear and well-lit can help reduce these incidents.

Comparing Slip and Fall and Trip and Fall Injuries

Understanding the differences between these two types of falls can help in prevention and treatment. Here is a simple comparison:

Criteria Slip and Fall Trip and Fall
Typical Cause Slick Surface Obstruction in Path
Common Injuries Back and Head Injuries Foot and Leg Injuries
Prevention Measures Improve Surface Grip Clear Walkways

Common Injuries from Falls

Both slip and fall and trip and fall incidents can lead to injuries. Slip and fall often result in back, wrist, and head injuries. In contrast, trip and fall accidents frequently cause injuries to the knees, elbows, and face. Fractures and bruises are common in both cases. Some injuries may require immediate medical attention, while others might need long-term care.

Preventative Measures

Preventing falls requires vigilance and proactive measures. Here are three steps you can take:

  • Keep walkways clear and well-lit.
  • Use rugs with non-slip backing on smooth floors.
  • Wear shoes with proper grip, especially on wet or icy surfaces.

Seeking Help After a Fall

If an accident occurs, it’s crucial to seek medical attention. This ensures you receive necessary care and helps document the incident. Consulting with a legal professional, like the D2 Law Firm team, can guide you in understanding your rights and options. Knowing when to reach out for help can make a significant difference in recovery.

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between slip and fall and trip and fall accidents is essential for prevention and treatment. Simple steps and precautions can reduce risks significantly. If an accident does happen, knowing how to respond can aid in recovery and ensure proper handling of any legal considerations. Staying informed and prepared helps in maintaining a safe environment.

Written by Lara Harper

Horse Racing Gains Traction in Japan

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In recent years, horse racing has ascended to become one of the most beloved sports in Japan, with the nation’s horses now setting their sights on some of the globe’s most prestigious races.

Annually, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe remains a primary target for Japanese trainers, and they’ve also begun sending contenders to races in the United States. Many believe it’s only a matter of time before Japan claims its first victory in the iconic Kentucky Derby.

Cultural Significance

The burgeoning popularity of horse racing in Japan can be traced to its cultural importance. Far beyond being just a sport, it acts as a gathering event that unites diverse groups of people. Unlike many places around the world, where family attendance at races might be less common, Japan uniquely attracts children to the sport. This tradition, dating back generations, has been handed down from grandparents to the young.

Additionally, the evolution of racecourses has significantly contributed to the sport’s growth. Since the 1860s, Japan’s racetracks have undergone continuous enhancements to provide an unparalleled experience on race days.

For more information on Japanese horse racing, you can visit TwinSpires.

Introduction of Major Races

The sport’s popularity has seen year-on-year growth, but it was taken to new heights with the introduction of the Japan Cup in 1981. Recognized as one of the richest races globally, it’s now seen as one of the premier season-ending events on the international racing calendar. Founded by the Japan Racing Association (JRA) as an invitational race, it attracts a deep and competitive field, including international contenders from Britain, Ireland, and Australia.

The list of winners, featuring luminaries like Equinox, Contrail, and Vela Azul, speaks to the race’s high caliber. Attendance figures, like the 85,866 fans at the 2023 Japan Cup, reflect the sport’s boom, surpassing the crowds at significant races like the Melbourne Cup and Epsom Derby that same year.

Grand Retirement Farewells

One challenge in flat racing is the early retirement of top performers to stud, often after just two or three seasons in the spotlight. The case of City of Troy in 2024, who won the Epsom Derby and King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes before missing out on the Breeders’ Cup Classic, exemplifies this issue. Fans are thus deprived of a heartfelt farewell.

However, in Japan, there’s a more profound connection between fans and horses, with opportunities provided for fans to celebrate and say goodbye to these equine stars. The ‘Hero is Coming’ marketing campaign by the JRA last year highlighted this beautifully, allowing fans to honor a multiple-time Grade One winner before retirement. Japan’s success in racing also stems from its focus on engaging fans through the sport itself, with gambling and betting seldom highlighted by the JRA or associated tracks.

Fascination with International Races

Japanese runners are making their mark increasingly on the international stage as they chase that elusive Grade One win abroad, positioning Japan as a significant force in global horse racing. The race most closely associated with Japanese aspirations is the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, which captivates millions of viewers in Japan in the early hours of October each year.

Japanese trainers have aimed to break a 20-year jinx in this race, especially since domestic breeding has improved. The 2023 race saw high hopes pinned on Equinox, Japan’s top-rated turf horse, though he did not participate.

However, Through Seven Seas managed a commendable fourth place for trainer Tomohito Ozeki. In 2024, Shin Emperor for Yoshito Yahagi finished 12th, but the anticipation remains that Japan will soon achieve its first Arc victory, possibly ushering in a new era of international racing triumphs for the nation.

The post Horse Racing Gains Traction in Japan appeared first on Akihabara News.

As Reddit CEO Defends Their Controversial API Decision, It Dominates Reddit's Own 'Recaps'

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“Reddit CEO Steve Huffman says that he stands by the company’s decision to charge for API access,” writes the blog 9to5Mac, “despite the fact that it was massively unpopular, and led to the demise of the leading Reddit app, Apollo.”

In an interview with FastCo, Huffman is unrepentant about the API decision, but says it could have been better communicated… “[H]e defended the company’s decision to limit free access to its API as a necessary measure to foil AI-training freeloaders. ‘Reddit is an open platform, and we love that,’ he told me. ‘At the same time, we have been taken advantage of by some of the largest companies in the world.'”

The incident ended up reappearing in Reddit’s own “recap” pages showing highlights from its popular subreddits. For its Technology subreddit, the official recap shows that two most popular posts were “Apollo for Reddit is shutting down” and “Reddit sparks outrage after a popular app developer said it wants him to pay $20 million a year for data access.”

And Reddit’s official recap also shows that discussion leading to the second-most popular comment of the entire year for the subreddit. “Users supply all the content, and reddit turns around with this huge fuck you to its users, without whom it’s just another crappy link aggregator. No, reddit, fuck you and your money grab.”

The first most-popular comment appeared in a related discussion, headlined “Reddit Threatens to Remove Moderators From Subreddits Continuing Apollo-Related Blackouts.” The comment?
Reddit: You’re fired!
Moderator: I don’t even work here.

The topic also dominated the official recap for the Programming subreddit, where it was the subject of all three of the top comments — and all three of the year’s top posts:

Ironically, FastCo headlined its interview “As the AI era begins, Reddit is leaning into its humanity.” (“Rebellious moderators. Large language models’ peril and promise. Maybe a long-awaited IPO. Amid it all, Reddit CEO Steve Huffman says the web megacommunity is on a roll.”)

Other work has addressed concerns that bubbled to the surface during the moderator dust-up, such as accessibility issues: “I told the team, ‘Just show up and ship,'” Huffman says. The official Reddit apps are finally compatible with screen readers used by users with vision impairments, with full compliance with the World Wide Web Consortium’s accessibility guidelines planned by the end of 2024.

As for AI’s potential to transform the Reddit experience, Huffman is less prone to exuberant overpromising than the average tech company CEO. But the same attributes that led third-party assemblers of large language models to crave access to the company’s corpus of information could help it leverage the technology to its own benefit… Rather than involving the most obvious AI functionality, like a Reddit chatbot, the examples he provides relate to moderation of problem content. For instance, the latitude that individual moderators have to govern their communities means that they can set rules that Huffman describes as “sometimes strict and sometimes esoteric.” Newbies may run afoul of them by accident and have their posts yanked just as they’re trying to join the conversation. In response, Reddit is currently prototyping an AI-powered feature called “post guidance.” It’ll flag rule-violating material before it’s ever published: “The new user gets feedback, and the mod doesn’t have to deal with it,” says Huffman. He adds that Reddit will also use AI to crack down on willful bad behavior, such as bullying and hate speech, and that he expects progress on that front in 2024…

Members already engage in acts of commerce such as tipping Photoshop wizards to remove ex-boyfriends from images; he says the company plans to facilitate these transactions with a payment system “that will basically involve users sending money to users, whether it’s rewarding them for content or paying for digital services or digital goods or [physical] services.” “People are trying to start businesses on Reddit, but it wasn’t really built for that,” he adds. “So just trying to flesh out that ecosystem, I think that’ll be very powerful.”

Read more of this story at Slashdot.



Source: Slashdot – As Reddit CEO Defends Their Controversial API Decision, It Dominates Reddit’s Own ‘Recaps’

The Race to Shield Secrets from Quantum Computers

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An anonymous reader shared this report from Reuters:

In February, a Canadian cybersecurity firm delivered an ominous forecast to the U.S. Department of Defense. America’s secrets — actually, everybody’s secrets — are now at risk of exposure, warned the team from Quantum Defen5e (QD5). QD5’s executive vice president, Tilo Kunz, told officials from the Defense Information Systems Agency that possibly as soon as 2025, the world would arrive at what has been dubbed “Q-day,” the day when quantum computers make current encryption methods useless. Machines vastly more powerful than today’s fastest supercomputers would be capable of cracking the codes that protect virtually all modern communication, he told the agency, which is tasked with safeguarding the U.S. military’s communications.
In the meantime, Kunz told the panel, a global effort to plunder data is underway so that intercepted messages can be decoded after Q-day in what he described as “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks, according to a recording of the session the agency later made public. Militaries would see their long-term plans and intelligence gathering exposed to enemies. Businesses could have their intellectual property swiped. People’s health records would be laid bare… One challenge for the keepers of digital secrets is that whenever Q-day comes, quantum codebreakers are unlikely to announce their breakthrough. Instead, they’re likely to keep quiet, so they can exploit the advantage as long as possible.
The article adds that “a scramble is on to protect critical data. Washington and its allies are working on new encryption standards known as post-quantum cryptography… Beijing is trying to pioneer quantum communications networks, a technology theoretically impossible to hack, according to researchers…

“In a quantum communications network, users exchange a secret key or code on subatomic particles called photons, allowing them to encrypt and decrypt data. This is called quantum key distribution, or QKD.”

Read more of this story at Slashdot.



Source: Slashdot – The Race to Shield Secrets from Quantum Computers

GM halts sales of its new Chevy Blazer EV amid reports of major software issues

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GM has issued a stop-sale order for the Chevy Blazer EV just weeks after its release following reports of software problems that made the vehicle undrivable. Edmunds, which received confirmation on Friday night that the company is halting deliveries, previously documented 23 issues during tests of the SUV, including the infotainment system repeatedly crashing and displaying a multitude of error messages. Inside EVs writer Kevin Williams also tested the Blazer EV and not only encountered similar problems with the display, but was left stranded after the car broke down while charging.

In a statement to Edmunds, Chevrolet said, “We are aware that a limited number of Blazer EV owners have experienced some software quality issues. To ensure our customers have a great experience with their vehicle, we are temporarily pausing sales of Blazer EVs.” All new deliveries are on pause, VP Scott Bell said.

The Chevrolet Blazer EV is powered by GM’s Ultium battery system, which is being used in a slew of other vehicles including the GMC Hummer EV and the Cadillac Lyriq. Those, too, have been the subject of plenty of complaints, as Inside EVs reported. A spokesperson for GM told TechCrunch the Blazer’s problems are “not safety related nor related to Ultium or Google Built-In.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gm-halts-sales-of-its-new-chevy-blazer-ev-amid-reports-of-major-software-issues-214225984.html?src=rss

Source: Engadget – GM halts sales of its new Chevy Blazer EV amid reports of major software issues

'Star Wars Holiday Special' Upscaled To 4K 60fps

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“Millions of Star Wars fans get nostalgia pangs during the holiday season,” reports the Washington Post, “when they are accustomed to seeing broadcasts of their beloved movies…. FX, now owned by Disney, has multiple Star Wars marathons on tap this month, including a marathon on December 23 and 24.” The program-planning director at Disney’s Freedom channel even calls Star Wars a “Christmas-adjacent” franchise.

And now, long-time Slashdot reader H_Fisher writes…

Call it a Life Day miracle, even if nobody was asking for it. YouTube historian and retro-tech enthusiast Perifractic uploaded a restored, mostly-complete 4K upscale of the “infamous” Star Wars Holiday Special to his channel on Wednesday. From the video summary: “Using Topaz Labs [Video AI] with a few other techniques we’ve meticulously upscaled & restored the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special to 5120×3840, with stereo elements, to the best quality the technology currently allows.” Jokingly labeling the resulting file “5K” (8K video height, but tagged “4K” by YouTube due to its original 4:3 aspect ratio), the upscaled version unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your point of view) replaces some songs and omits some segments that were flagged by YouTube’s copyright watchdog.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.



Source: Slashdot – ‘Star Wars Holiday Special’ Upscaled To 4K 60fps

Final Fantasy VII Advent Children is Returning to Theaters

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Before there was a PlayStation 4 remake that blew the doors off its own canon, Final Fantasy VII lived on through various spinoffs that expanded the world of the classic RPG. One of those was Advent Children, the 2005 CG film which followed on from the events of the original game. If you’ve never seen it, or it’s been …

Read more…



Source: Gizmodo – Final Fantasy VII Advent Children is Returning to Theaters

Why the Dinosaurs Died

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“The age of the dinosaurs ended 66 million years ago when a city-size asteroid struck a shallow sea off the coast of what is now Mexico,” writes CNN.

“But exactly how the mass extinction of 75% of the species on Earth unfolded in the years that followed the cataclysmic impact has remained unclear.”

Previous research suggested that sulfur released during the impact, which left the 112-mile-wide (180-kilometer-wide) Chicxulub crater, and soot from wildfires triggered a global winter, and temperatures plunged. However, a new study published Monday in the journal Nature Geoscience suggests that fine dust made from pulverized rock thrown up into Earth’s atmosphere in the wake of the impact likely played a greater role. This dust blocked the sun to an extent that plants were unable to photosynthesize, a biological process critical for life, for almost two years afterward.

“Photosynthesis shutting down for almost two years after impact caused severe challenges (for life),” said lead study author and planetary scientist Cem Berk Senel, a postdoctoral researcher at the Royal Observatory of Belgium. “It collapsed the food web, creating a chain reaction of extinctions.”

To reach their findings, scientists developed a new computer model to simulate the global climate after the asteroid strike. The model was based on published information on Earth’s climate at that point in time, as well as new data from sediment samples taken from the Tanis fossil site in North Dakota that captured a 20-year period during the aftermath of the strike.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.



Source: Slashdot – Why the Dinosaurs Died

The X-Men Will Rise to a New Relaunch Next Summer

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Back in 2019, Jonathan Hickman gave Marvel’s mutants a soft reboot in the form of House of X/Powers of X. Now living on the sentient island of Krakoa and taking active steps to no longer be a punching bag for humans, the stories that have spun out of this have kept the X-Men books going for almost five full years now.…

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Source: Gizmodo – The X-Men Will Rise to a New Relaunch Next Summer

Official Probe Finds Hans Niemann Didn't Cheat Against Magnus Carlsen

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15 months ago U.S. grandmaster Hans Niemannn was accused of cheating in a tournament after beating Magnus Carlsen (five-time world chess champion).

Last week a report was finally issued by the world governing body of chess, CNN reports:
FIDE’s report said that analysis from professor Kenneth Regan — a computer chess cheating expert — showed “instances of cheating” by Niemann in around 32-55 games on the online chess platform; far less than the 100 suggested by Chess.com. According to the FIDE report, Regan also found “discrepancies” in Niemann’s statement that he had only cheated between the ages of 12 and 16. However, the games of 2017 and the games against Bok in August of 2020 occurred after he turned 17 in June. Another important discrepancy is that the cheating took place in rated online games,” said the FIDE report.

The report also said there was no “statistical evidence to support GM Niemann cheating in over the-board games” in an analysis of 13 tournaments over the past three years. “Additionally, it was determined that GM NiemannÂs overall results in the Sinquefield Cup showed no statistical basis for cheating,” the report said. “GM Niemann’s performance through the years is characterized by peaks and troughs, consistent with his expected level of play,” according to the FIDE report.

FIDE’s Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) said in the report that it concluded the case was “an in-between situation,” one “where a complaint can be well-founded without the suspected person not found guilty of cheating…. The EDC also found that Carlsen was not guilty on three charges — reckless or manifestly unfounded accusation of chess cheating, disparagement of FIDE’s reputation and Interest, and attempt to undermine honor.

However, the EDC did find Carlsen guilty of withdrawing from the 2022 Sinquefield Cup “without valid reason.” He was fined €10,000 ($10,800) as a result.

Meanwhile, Forbes reports that the world Rapid Chess Championship begins Monday in Uzbekistan and runs through December 31.

“Norwegian chess legend Magnus Carlsen will compete.”

Read more of this story at Slashdot.



Source: Slashdot – Official Probe Finds Hans Niemann Didn’t Cheat Against Magnus Carlsen

Aquaman's Good Vibes Kept It Afloat for Only So Long

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Almost every DC Comics movie released in the last five or six years has done so with baggage attached that can’t help but talked about. In many cases, said baggage helps inform why the film is what it is, but in other cases, it gets in the way of what makes an individual film rise or fall despite a game effort from…

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Source: Gizmodo – Aquaman’s Good Vibes Kept It Afloat for Only So Long

Bill Gates Predicts 'Supercharged' AI Innovation on Climate, Healthcare Issues

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“I’m optimistic about the world’s climate progress,” Bill Gates wrote this week — but he also explained why.
“In 2024 and beyond, I predict we will see lots of new innovations coming into the marketplace — even in very complicated areas like nuclear. The climate crisis can feel overwhelming, but I find it easier to stay optimistic when you focus on all the progress we’re making. If the world continues to prioritize funding innovation, I’m hopeful we can make good progress on our climate goals.”

And elsewhere Gates writes that “AI is about to supercharge the innovation pipeline.”

My work has always been rooted in a core idea: Innovation is the key to progress. It’s why I started Microsoft, and it’s why Melinda and I started the Gates Foundation more than two decades ago. Innovation is the reason our lives have improved so much over the last century. From electricity and cars to medicine and planes, innovation has made the world better. Today, we are far more productive because of the IT revolution. The most successful economies are driven by innovative industries that evolve to meet the needs of a changing world.

My favorite innovation story, though, starts with one of my favorite statistics: Since 2000, the world has cut in half the number of children who die before the age of five. How did we do it? One key reason was innovation. Scientists came up with new ways to make vaccines that were faster and cheaper but just as safe. They developed new delivery mechanisms that worked in the world’s most remote places, which made it possible to reach more kids. And they created new vaccines that protect children from deadly diseases like rotavirus.

In a world with limited resources, you have to find ways to maximize impact. Innovation is the key to getting the most out of every dollar spent. And artificial intelligence is about to accelerate the rate of new discoveries at a pace we’ve never seen before.

One of the biggest impacts so far is on creating new medicines. Drug discovery requires combing through massive amounts of data, and AI tools can speed up that process significantly. Some companies are already working on cancer drugs developed this way. But a key priority of the Gates Foundation in AI is ensuring these tools also address health issues that disproportionately affect the world’s poorest, like AIDS, TB, and malaria. We’re taking a hard look at the wide array of AI innovation in the pipeline right now and working with our partners to use these technologies to improve lives in low- and middle-income countries…

I feel like a kid on Christmas morning when I think about how AI can be used to get game-changing technologies out to the people who need them faster than ever before. This is something I am going to spend a lot of time thinking about next year.
Gates notes that researchers are already exploring questions like “Can AI combat antibiotic resistance?”

Read more of this story at Slashdot.



Source: Slashdot – Bill Gates Predicts ‘Supercharged’ AI Innovation on Climate, Healthcare Issues

Star Wars: Rogue Squadron Should've Existed This Weekend

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Ever since The Rise of Skywalker in 2019, Disney has struggled with getting more Star Wars movies off the ground. In the years since, Lucasfilm has had a nasty habit of announcing things for the series and then not making them, if they ever actually existed at all. And it all dates back to December 10, 2020, where…

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Source: Gizmodo – Star Wars: Rogue Squadron Should’ve Existed This Weekend