The Linux 6.17 kernel is tracking well for its planned stable release on Sunday. Here is a look back at some of the most interesting changes to find with this next kernel version…
Last month, the Trump administration issued an executive order asserting political control over grant funding, including all federally supported research. In general, the executive order inserts a layer of political control over both the announcement of new funding opportunities and the approval of individual grants. Now, a coalition of more than 50 scientific and medical organizations is firing back, issuing a letter to the US Congress expressing grave concerns over the order’s provisions and urging Congress to protect the integrity of what has long been an independent, merit-based, peer-review system for awarding federal grants.
As we previously reported, the order requires that any announcement of funding opportunities be reviewed by the head of the agency or someone they designate, which means a political appointee will have the ultimate say over what areas of science the US funds. Individual grants will also require clearance from a political appointee and “must, where applicable, demonstrably advance the President’s policy priorities.”
The order also instructs agencies to formalize the ability to cancel previously awarded grants at any time if they’re considered “no longer advance agency priorities.” Until a system is in place to enforce the new rules, agencies are forbidden from starting new funding programs.
Meta has rolled out Vibes, an endless feed of AI-generated videos within its Meta AI app and meta.ai website. Users can create short-form synthetic videos from scratch or remix existing AI content from the feed, adding music and adjusting styles before redistributing the artificial output to Instagram, Facebook Stories and Reels. The feed promises to become “more personalized over time” as it learns user preferences for machine-generated content. Meta positioned the feature as part of its broader AI video strategy, adding another stream of synthetic media to platforms already saturated with algorithmic content. The company says additional AI creation tools are coming.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
The wrestlers were all dressed up in Pokémon-themed costumes referencing characters like Hawlucha and Machamp
The post <em>Pokémon</em> Took Over A Major Wrestling Event And It Absolutely Ruled appeared first on Kotaku.
This 2TB external game drive from Seagate is at its lowest price and officially-licensed for PlayStation consoles.
The post Seagate 2TB Hard Drive for PlayStation Returns to Nearly Free Per TB Pricing as Amazon Blows Out Remaining Stock appeared first on Kotaku.
Facebook and Instagram users in the UK will soon be offered paid subscriptions that remove ads. In the coming weeks, those over the age of 18 can pay £3 ($4) per month on the web, or £4 ($5) per month when using Meta’s iOS or Android apps. If you’re wondering why the mobile version is more expensive, Meta blames that on fees levied by Apple and Google in their respective app stores.
A no-ads subscription will apply to any Facebook and Instagram account added to a Meta Accounts Center, which is what Meta uses to let users connect various Meta logins on its different platforms. Any additional account listed in a user’s Accounts Center will automatically gain their own subscription for an extra £2 ($3) per month on the web or £3 ($4) per month for iOS and Android. Anyone who chooses to decline Meta’s offer will continue to see ads on its free platforms as normal, and can still use Ad Preferences to choose which ads they would prefer to see more or less of.
Meta says the change is a response to new regulatory “consent or pay” guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), whereby users are given the choice between consenting to an organization using their data to personalize ads, or paying to avoid it. Meta previously introduced a similar change for its EU users, offering an ad-free subscription option for €10 ($11), but was fined €200 million by the European Commission for allegedly failing to comply with its stricter Digital Markets Act (DMA) laws. The company later offered a revised, cheaper, ad-free plan that was still being assessed by the EC earlier this year.
Meta praised the ICO for its “constructive approach” to personalised ads, which it insists provide the best experience for both its users and businesses, and criticised EU regulators for continuing to “overreach” with its privacy regulations. As reported by Bloomberg, digital advertising accounted for around 97 percent of Meta’s revenue in 2024.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/meta-announces-paid-subscriptions-for-both-instagram-and-facebook-in-the-uk-140913304.html?src=rss
The openSUSE project is nearing the release of Leap 16, its
first major release since openSUSE Leap 15
in May 2018. This release brings some changes to the
core of the distribution aside from the usual software upgrades; YaST has been retired,
SELinux has replaced AppArmor as the default mandatory access control
(MAC) system, and more. If all goes according to plan, Leap 16
final should be released in early October, with planned support
through 2031.
PlayStation keeps making more money as it keeps raising prices
The post PS5 Is Sony’s Most ‘Successful’ Console Generation Ever And It’s Not Even Close appeared first on Kotaku.
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If you’re in the market for a solid mid-range model that vacuums, mops, and has plenty of hands-free cleaning features, the Eufy Robot Vacuum + Mop Omni C20 is a great option, and it’s currently 46% off on Amazon, marking its lowest price ever according to price tracking tools.
The Omni C20 has an auto-empty dustbin, and while the mop heads are not washed with hot water, they are automatically cleaned and dried with room-temperature air. This makes the cleaning process low-maintenance, but it does take a bit longer than heated drying systems. It features dual rotating mop pads with 180 rotations per minute and 6N of pressure, while the vacuum function delivers 7,000Pa suction with both a rolling brush and a side brush that better pick up debris, fur, and crumbs. While 7,000Pa performs well for everyday use, it may not pick up embedded dirt and debris on carpeting as effectively, sometimes requiring multiple passes. Still, it’s considered one of the best robot mops of 2025, according to PCMag.
It only supports 2.4 GHz wifi, and while battery life is advertised at around 132 minutes on a single charge, it receives mixed reviews on Amazon. Some users say it needs more frequent charging compared to brands like Dreame, and also takes longer to recharge (around three hours). However, unlike Dreame and some other competitors, the C20’s slim height of 3.35 inches allows it to fit under low-profile furniture and get into tight spaces, so you don’t have to struggle to manually reach tough spots like under beds and couches.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for a sub-$400 robot vacuum that also mops, your home has mostly hard floors with low clutter, and you’re seeking the convenience of automation over top-tier performance and AI features, the Eufy Robot Vacuum + Mop Omni C20 is a solid option.
Digital ID will be mandatory in order to work in the UK, as part of plans to tackle illegal migration. From a report: Sir Keir Starmer said the new digital ID scheme would make it tougher to work in the UK illegally and offer “countless benefits” to citizens. However, opposition parties argued the proposals would not stop people crossing the Channel in small boats.
The prime minister set out his plans in a broader speech to a gathering of world leaders, in which he said it had been “too easy” for people to work illegally in the UK because the centre-left had been “squeamish” about saying things that were “clearly true.”
Addressing the Global Progressive Action Conference in London – attended by politicians including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney – Sir Keir said it was time to “look ourselves in the mirror and recognise where we’ve allowed our parties to shy away from people’s concerns.”
“It is not compassionate left-wing politics to rely on labour that exploits foreign workers and undercuts fair wages,” he said. “The simple fact is that every nation needs to have control over its borders. We do need to know who is in our country.”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
PostgreSQL 18 open-source RDBMS brings 3× faster I/O, easier upgrades, OAuth 2.0 authentication, and new developer tools.
The Apple Watch Series 11 is already available on Amazon, and you can pick up select color and case combos for $10 less than Apple’s base price. The newest generation of Apple’s smartwatch was just revealed this month at the company’s iPhone 17 event in Cupertino.
The Series 11 packs some new features like 5G connectivity on cellular models, a more scratch-resistant screen, new sleep features, improved battery life and a hypertension alert system that just received FDA clearance. The GPS-only version is our top pick for Best Apple Watch in 2025.
In our hands-on review, we gave the Apple Watch Series 11 a score of 90 out of 100, noting its thin and light design, the excellent battery life, a nifty new wrist-flick gesture and its comprehensive approach to health and fitness monitoring. It is relatively pricey however, and the Watch SE 3 is probably enough for most users, but the Series 11 has a brighter and larger display, a thinner design, longer battery life and more advanced health features.
For anyone who hasn’t bought a new Apple Watch in a few years, the Series 11 is a worthy upgrade. If you’re in the market for your first Apple Watch, then this model would be a great one to start with. If you’re rocking a Series 10, then you probably don’t need to upgrade now unless the improved battery life will mean that much to you.
The Apple Watch Series 11 is available on Amazon in all sizes, colors and connectivity options. There are a few case color and band combinations that are $10 off Apple’s base price.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apple-watch-series-11-models-are-already-on-sale-at-amazon-135020611.html?src=rss
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a new requirement for all working adults in the country to carry a digital identification called the Brit Card. In practice, the Brit Card will be based on the One Login infrastructure already used by the UK government.
Supporters of the plan say digital ID cards can ensure that people have the right to work in the UK, and thus could help crack down on illegal immigration and exploitative employment schemes. “It will send a clear message that if you come here illegally, you will not be able to work, deterring people from making these dangerous journeys,” Starmer’s office wrote bluntly in the announcement. The UK government also plans to have an “outreach programme, including face-to-face support” for those “who aren’t able to use a smartphone” or those who “aren’t as experienced with the digital world, like the homeless and older people.”
The announcement claims the scheme will use “state-of-the-art encryption and authentication technology” and that “digital credentials will be stored directly on people’s own device.” However, critics say the IDs may infringe on civil liberties by requiring citizens to give the government additional personal information. They also raise concerns about how the administration plans to protect all those sensitive details from misuse or theft.
“No system is immune to failure, and we have seen time and again governments and tech giants fail to protect people’s personal data,” said David Davis, a Conservative MP and former cabinet minister. “If world-leading companies cannot protect our data, I have little faith that Whitehall would be able to do better.”
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/uk-announces-plans-for-digital-id-cards-133833359.html?src=rss
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With this live blog, you can keep up with the best deals the Lifehacker team finds every day, all in one place. Bookmark this page to keep an eye on what we’re finding. As always, we use price-tracking tools to suss out the deals that are actually worth paying attention to, not just hype designed to instill a false sense of urgency.
Forefront kicks off its open beta in two weeks for the 32-player Battlefield-style FPS.
Developed by Triangle Factory, Forefront will host open beta testing from October 9 until October 20. Compared to last month’s open alpha, this features a new map, a new mode, more vehicles, plus additional weapons and gadgets. Though the alpha test was only for Quest 3 and 3S, the studio confirmed that this upcoming beta will also support Quest 2 and SteamVR.
More details on how to join the beta test will be available soon and, much like before, this upcoming beta test should not be confused with the early access launch later this year. Alongside the wider Meta Quest platform and PC VR via Steam, Forefront will also launch on Pico.
Originally announced in March, Forefront is a 16v16 VR shooter that splits each team into four-person squads. This promises expansive maps with semi-destructible environments, over 20 types of weapons, and 10 different vehicles covering land, air, and sea. Four classes can be selected with unique abilities, while two gameplay modes will be available at launch.
It’s a notably different approach to Triangle Factory’s previous game, Breachers, a tactical 5v5 shooter reminiscent of Rainbow Six Siege and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. After launching in 2023 at $29.99, the studio announced earlier this week that it’s getting a permanent price reduction across all platforms to $19.99.
Forefront targets an early access launch “later this fall” on Quest, Steam, and Pico. A full release will follow in 2026.
Save up to $91 for a limited time on the Kingston NV3 SSD internal drive at Amazon.
The post Amazon Clears Out 4.8-Star Kingston SSD in All Capacities at Record Low, Cheaper Than Samsung or Crucial appeared first on Kotaku.
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