AMD’s VP of AI Software, Anush Elangovan, has used Claude Code to help craft a pure-Python AMD GPU user-space driver. This Python user-space driver is currently being created to help exercise other ROCm code and for debugging in passing through the ROCm/HIP user-space stack…
With Markdown support, syncing across devices, and end‑to‑end encryption, Lockbook makes it easy to keep your Linux notes organized and locked down.
The post Keep Your Linux Notes Encrypted with Lockbook appeared first on FOSS Force.
Rhythm games never really went away after the decline of Guitar Hero and Rock Band, but it feels like they’re having a bit of a moment again. From projects like Clone Hero and YARG, to Fortnite Festival and Stage Tour (an upcoming title from Guitar Hero veterans at RedOctane), to indies with rhythm elements like Ratatan and People of Note, music games are still very much around. You can now add Beat Weaver to the mix.
This upcoming game from Echolox Interactive — solo developer Christopher Lerch — is inspired by pre-Guitar Hero Harmonix titles like Amplitude and Frequency. (Given the way that tracks twist and turn, the trailer also reminds me a bit of Thumper. Thankfully, this doesn’t feel nearly as ominous.)
As in Amplitude, you control a ship that barrels along tracks. You’ll need to hit notes at the right time to be successful, of course, though Beat Weaver brings some interesting complexities to the formula.
Each track is linked to an instrument and you can switch between tracks at will. However, you’ll first need to unlock additional tracks. If you play a sequence of notes (i.e. phrases) without a mistake, you’ll activate one. As long as a track is active, it will sip away some of your energy. If that drops too low and you make an error, all the activated tracks will be disabled and you’ll need to gradually unlock them again.
You’ll need to switch between tracks and complete more phrases to keep the full mix active. Songs can have up to 16 tracks, so you might need to stay on your toes. That said, you won’t need to hit every note dead on.
Lerch is aiming for more of a flow state feel and there are several difficulty levels. Plus, if an upcoming phrase looks overly complex for your current mood, you can stick to a track that has a simpler note pattern. Powerups that give you the opportunity to slow down and rewind tracks should help too.
Lerch originally started working on Beat Weaver as a hobby back in 2017. After receiving funding from Germany’s Press Start: Games Founding Grant program last year, Lerch was able to focus on Beat Weaver full time. The developer says the protracted development time “allowed me to experiment with audio playback systems and engine architecture to maximize the interactive music experience, as well as making maximum use of the third dimension with the dynamic note highway system.”
Details about artists who are featured in the game will be revealed later. Lerch composed much of the music personally. Players will be able to add custom songs, though they’ll need to load in separate audio files for each playable instrument.
Lerch is developing Beat Weaver in a custom engine without using generative AI. “For rendering it doesn’t use any traditional texture mapping in favor of generating colors, patterns and skyboxes with shader code, noise functions, raymarching and mathematical expressions,” Lerch wrote. “Its comparatively low performance demands and dependencies allow it to run on older machines.”
This game just looks really neat. It’s nice to be excited about neat-looking things. Beat Weaver is slated to hit Steam (with support for Steam Deck) later this year.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/indie-rhythm-game-beat-weaver-looks-like-a-mix-of-amplitude-and-thumper-110000834.html?src=rss
System76 begins the official upgrade rollout from Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS to 24.04 LTS, replacing GNOME with the new COSMIC desktop environment.
The Radeon R300 series turns 24 years old this year and thanks to the open-source ATI R300 Gallium3D driver that began via reverse engineering, it’s still continuing to see the occasional random fixes from the open-source community…
The talk this week among open-source projects from Linux distributions to app stores like Flathub is how to deal with California’s latest insanity: the Digital Age Assurance Act. California’s AB 1043 state law is mandating that operating systems — Linux included — collect age information during account setup and exposing that age to eligible apps beginning on 1 January 2027. That leaves much uncertainty for Linux distributions and other repositories/stores and more. Canonical issued a statement today to clarify that they basically don’t have a solution to announce yet…
Warner Bros. is developing a feature film set in the world of Game of Thrones with writer Beau Willimon of Andor and House of Cards. “That’s about all we know right now, and as with everything ‘Thrones’ things could change, but the film is firmly in development,” reports TheWrap. Page Six Hollywood was first to break the news and speculated that the story could revolve around Aegon I, the legendary Targaryen king who spawned a dynasty. From the report: The Targaryens have been at the center of all things “Thrones” on HBO, with “Game of Thrones” following Daenerys Targaryen’s (Emilia Clarke) quest to usurp the throne, spinoff “House of the Dragon” set in the midst of the Targaryens’ reign and recent spinoff “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” following the squire-ship of Aegon “Egg” Targaryen towards the end of the family’s run atop the Iron Throne. All, of course, based on George R.R. Martin’s expansive book universe.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Mountain biking legend Hans Rey has written an open letter to the bicycle industry, calling for clearer definitions over what an ebike is.
In the letter, Rey, one of the best-known and respected figures in the MTB industry, states it’s time to “draw a line in the sand” as electric bikes become increasingly powerful.
He writes: “Ideally, e-bike would mean one thing: A Class 1 pedal-assist bicycle with a maximum assist speed of 20 mph, no throttle, and a motor not exceeding 750 watts of peak power.”
The letter reads as follows:
To the leaders, builders, advocates, and riders who shape our industry,
I’m writing because I care deeply about where bicycles – and electric bicycles – are headed. We are at a crossroads. The decisions we make about language, power limits, and definitions will determine whether Class 1 eBikes remain accepted as bicycles – or get grouped with much more powerful machines that don’t belong in the same category.
It’s time to define our language, and it’s time to draw a line in the sand of when eBikes become too powerful.
Today, the term “e-bike” is used to describe everything from a lightweight pedal-assist mountain bike to electric mopeds and full-blown electric motorcycles. That lack of precision creates confusion – and conflict – with land managers, other trail users, parents, and lawmakers.
If we don’t define our terms, others will define them for us.
Ideally, “e-bike” would mean one thing:
A Class 1 pedal-assist bicycle with a maximum assist speed of 20 mph, no throttle, and a motor not exceeding 750 watts of peak power.
Instead, the label has expanded to cover vehicles with throttles, higher speeds, and significantly more power. That blurring of categories puts access at risk.
We need distinct names for distinct machines:
• E-bicycle (EMTB): Class 1 pedal-assist only (20 mph max assist, 750W max peak power)
• E-moped: Throttle-equipped or faster than 20 mph or exceeding 750W, incl. Class 2 & 3
• E-motorcycle: High-power electric motorcycles well beyond bicycle-level performance
Clear labelling should be mandatory. Every electric vehicle should visibly state its category, assist speed, and peak motor power. This isn’t about enforcement – it’s about clarity and accountability.
The 750-watt peak limit is not arbitrary. It helps determine whether a vehicle is treated as a bicycle or a motorcycle – and whether it remains welcome on trails and bike paths.
Maximum peak power and nominal (or average/rated) peak power are not the same.
A bike limited to 750 watts peak never exceeds that output. A motor rated at 750 watts nominal can produce much higher bursts of power. That difference is significant.
Class 1 eBikes gained acceptance because they behave like bicycles: pedal-assist only, no throttle, limited speed, and moderate power. If we allow power creep – higher torque, faster acceleration, motorcycle-like performance – we shouldn’t be surprised when access disappears, and regulations increase.
We are already seeing warning signs. In New Jersey, proposed legislation would require insurance, registration, and motorcycle helmets, and would restrict trail access for electric bikes.
In California, lawmakers are working to reinforce the 750W peak limit to improve safety and preserve trail legality. These debates are not theoretical – they are happening now.
Resist the temptation to chase bigger numbers at the expense of long-term access. Short-term sales gains could lead to long-term collapse.
Use precise language – even when it’s less convenient. Help draw and defend the line that protects this category.
Ride responsibly. Understand what’s at stake. Don’t take trail access for granted.
Defend Class 1 clearly and consistently. The industry must self-regulate until the laws are defined.
In order to protect what we have, we must stop asking how much power we can get away with – and start asking how much power is too much.”
~ Hans Rey
German cycling superstar Hans Rey is one of the most well known and respected figures in the history of mountain biking. He helped put the sport on the map during a long sponsorship with GT Bicycles as a professional trials rider performing stunt demos on 20in and 26in-wheeled bikes.
Now 59, he has been involved with MTB since its inception and has been central to the evolution and mainstream acceptance of mountain biking.
His letter calls for standardised guidelines worldwide.
Electric bikes are under strict regulations in many countries. In the UK, they are speed limited to 15.5mph (25Kmh). However, guidelines differ across the world, with e-pedelec rules in Europe allowing more power, and a higher speed limit of 20mph in North America.
Rey is a Bosch-sponsored rider and his views align closely with those of Bosch, which is a member of the Confederation of the European Bicycle Industry, or Zweirad Industrie Verband (ZIV). Bosch produces only motors with a maximum output of 750W peak power; less powerful than Specialized’s S-Works motors (850W) and DJI’s Avinox (1,000W).
Under Rey’s proposal, these bikes (and anything over 750W) would require a licence and insurance because they would be classified as class 2 electric mopeds; these require that riders must be 15 years of age or older and possess a class 2 moped licence (or a higher-level driving licence). Motor vehicle insurance would also be required.
If you’re looking to pre-order Apple’s new Studio Display XDR monitor today but have an older Mac, beware of some potential issues. According to the compatibility list spotted by Apple Insider, the new display will only work at 60Hz and not at its full 120Hz refresh rate on some older and less powerful Silicon models. Moreover, support for older Intel Macs isn’t mentioned at all for either the Studio Display XDR or cheaper Studio Display.
All Apple Silicon Macs will work with both monitors, including those with the oldest M1 chips, according to the support pages. However, the compatibility list for the Studio Display XDR includes this nugget: “Mac models with M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, M2, and M3 support Studio Display XDR at up to 60Hz. All other Studio Display XDR features are supported.” So even if you have a hotrod M1 Ultra-based Mac, the Studio Display XDR’s refresh rate is capped at 60Hz — despite the fact that the chip can drive third-party monitors at 120Hz.
Similarly, only the iPad Pro M5 supports the Studio Display XDR at 120Hz, with all other compatible models (in the iPad Pro and iPad Air family) limited to 60Hz.
Intel Mac support isn’t mentioned at all in the compatibility list for either display, though they may function in some limited manner when connected. Intel Macs just received their last new OS update with macOS Tahoe (and only three more years of security updates), but it’s still surprising that they’re not compatible with Apple’s latest monitors.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/apples-new-studio-display-xdr-monitor-has-limited-functionality-on-older-silicon-macs-082212069.html?src=rss
Release lays the groundwork for going Wayland, if that’s your sort of thingBunsenLabs Linux is a lightweight, Debian-based distro forked from CrunchBang, and seven months after Debian 13 “Trixie” arrived, the project has released its latest version, dubbed Carbon.…
NASA is eyeing an April launch window for the upcoming Artemis II mission after it repaired a helium-flow issue on the Space Launch System upper stage rocket. “Work on the rocket and spacecraft will continue in the coming weeks as NASA prepares for rolling the rocket out to the launch pad again later this month ahead of a potential launch in April,” NASA wrote in an update on Tuesday. Space.com reports: The repair work occurred inside the huge Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida. Artemis 2’s SLS and Orion crew capsule have been in the VAB since Feb. 25, when they rolled back to the hangar from KSC’s Launch Pad 39B. Just a few days earlier, the Artemis 2 stack successfully completed a wet dress rehearsal, a two-day-long practice run of the procedures leading up to launch.
In the wake of that test, however, NASA noticed an interruption in helium flow in the SLS’ upper stage. That was a significant issue, because helium pressurizes the rocket’s propellant tanks. Rollback was the only option, as the affected area in the upper stage was not accessible at the pad. The problem took a potential March launch out of play for Artemis 2, which will send four astronauts on a roughly 10-day flight around the moon. It will be the first crewed flight to the lunar neighborhood since Apollo 17 in 1972.
The next Artemis 2 launch window opens in April, with liftoff opportunities on April 1, April 3-6 and April 30. And those options apparently remain in play, thanks to recent work in the VAB. That work centered on a seal in an interface through which helium flows from ground equipment into the SLS upper stage. That seal was obstructing the interface, which is known as a quick disconnect.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
The Chines conglomerate could be forced to divest over security concerns
Nitrux developer Uri Herrera announced today the release and general availability of Nitrux 6.0, a major update to this Debian-based, systemd-free, and immutable GNU/Linux distribution.
Security researchers say a highly sophisticated iPhone exploitation toolkit dubbed “Coruna,” which possibly originated from a U.S. government contractor, has spread from suspected Russian espionage operations to crypto-stealing criminal campaigns. Apple has patched the exploited vulnerabilities in newer iOS versions, but tens of thousands of devices may have already been compromised. An anonymous reader quotes an excerpt from Wired’s report: Security researchers at Google on Tuesday released a report describing what they’re calling “Coruna,” a highly sophisticated iPhone hacking toolkit that includes five complete hacking techniques capable of bypassing all the defenses of an iPhone to silently install malware on a device when it visits a website containing the exploitation code. In total, Coruna takes advantage of 23 distinct vulnerabilities in iOS, a rare collection of hacking components that suggests it was created by a well-resourced, likely state-sponsored group of hackers.
In fact, Google traces components of Coruna to hacking techniques it spotted in use in February of last year and attributed to what it describes only as a “customer of a surveillance company.” Then, five months later, Google says a more complete version of Coruna reappeared in what appears to have been an espionage campaign carried out by a suspected Russian spy group, which hid the hacking code in a common visitor-counting component of Ukrainian websites. Finally, Google spotted Coruna in use yet again in what seems to have been a purely profit-focused hacking campaign, infecting Chinese-language crypto and gambling sites to deliver malware that steals victims cryptocurrency.
Conspicuously absent from Google’s report is any mention of who the original surveillance company “customer” that deployed Coruna may have been. But the mobile security company iVerify, which also analyzed a version of Coruna it obtained from one of the infected Chinese sites, suggests the code may well have started life as a hacking kit built for or purchased by the US government. Google and iVerify both note that Coruna contains multiple components previously used in a hacking operation known as “Triangulation” that was discovered targeting Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky in 2023, which the Russian government claimed was the work of the NSA. (The US government didn’t respond to Russia’s claim.)
Coruna’s code also appears to have been originally written by English-speaking coders, notes iVerify’s cofounder Rocky Cole. “It’s highly sophisticated, took millions of dollars to develop, and it bears the hallmarks of other modules that have been publicly attributed to the US government,” Cole tells WIRED. “This is the first example we’ve seen of very likely US government tools — based on what the code is telling us — spinning out of control and being used by both our adversaries and cybercriminal groups.” Regardless of Coruna’s origin, Google warns that a highly valuable and rare hacking toolkit appears to have traveled through a series of unlikely hands, and now exists in the wild where it could still be adopted — or adapted — by any hacker group seeking to target iPhone users. “How this proliferation occurred is unclear, but suggests an active market for ‘second hand’ zero-day exploits,” Google’s report reads. “Beyond these identified exploits, multiple threat actors have now acquired advanced exploitation techniques that can be re-used and modified with newly identified vulnerabilities.”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
For the past few months have been an ambitious proposal to replace FBCON with the user-space KMSCON as the default VT console starting on Fedora 44. Unfortunately, this and a few other features have now been delayed to the Fedora 45 release six months later…
OpenAI is reportedly developing a code-hosting platform that could compete with GitHub, The Information reported on Tuesday. “If OpenAI does sell the product, it would mark a bold move by the creator of ChatGPT to compete directly against Microsoft, which holds a significant stake in the firm,” notes Reuters. From the report: Engineers from OpenAI encountered a rise in service disruptions that rendered GitHub unavailable in recent months, which ultimately prompted the decision to develop the new product, the report said. The OpenAI project is in its early stages and likely will not be completed for months, according to The Information. Employees working on it have considered making the code repository available for purchase to OpenAI’s customer base.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Note: Flashing lights.
This is a video of Italian Olympic luger Leon Felderer speeding down the track in Lillehammer, Norway at speeds up to 86MPH with nothing between him and the track but some spandex, a sled, and a prayer. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times there’s been nothing between me and certain death but spandex and a prayer. And sometimes just a prayer. I live hard. “Hard or stupid?” Hard AND stupid.
Meta has signed an AI licensing deal with News Corp that will allow the Meta AI maker to use content from The Wall Street Journal and other brands in its chatbot responses and for training of its AI models. News Corp confirmed to Engadget that it had struck a deal with Meta, but didn’t provide specifics on the terms of the arrangement. According to The Wall Street Journal, Meta will pay News Corp. “up to $50 million a year” for a three-year deal that covers content from The Journal, as well as the media giant’s other brands in the US and UK.
News Corp previously struck a five-year deal with OpenAI that was valued at around $250 million. During a recent appearance at Morgan Stanley’s annual Technology, Media & Telecom (TMT) conference, News Corp CEO Robert Thomson hinted that the media company was in the “advanced stage with other negotiations.”
He described the company’s overall approach to such arrangements as “a woo and a sue” strategy, depending on whether companies want to pay for content or scrape it without permission. “We have what you might call a woo and a sue strategy,” he said. “We’ll woo you. We’d like you to be our partner. But if you’re stealing our stuff, we are going to sue you. So there’ll be a discount for those who hand themselves in, and there’ll be a penalty for those that resist.”
Meta didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. But the company, which has been reorganizing its AI teams as it looks to create its next model, has struck a number of licensing deals in recent months. It previously signed multi-year agreements with USA Today, People, CNN, Fox News and other outlets.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/meta-signs-a-multimillion-dollar-ai-licensing-deal-with-news-corp-234157902.html?src=rss
Google is accelerating Chrome’s major release cadence from four weeks to two starting with version 153 on September 8th. “…our goal is to ensure developers and users have immediate access to the latest performance improvements, fixes and new capabilities,” says Google. “Building on our history of adapting our release process to match the demands of a modern web, Chrome is moving to a two-week release cycle.” The company says the “smaller scope” of these releases “minimizes disruption and simplifies post-release debugging.” They also cite “recent process enhancements” that will “maintain [Chrome’s] high standards for stability.” 9to5Google reports: There will still be weekly security updates between milestones. This applies to desktop, Android, and iOS, while there are “no changes to the Dev and the Canary channels”: “A Chrome Beta for each version will ship three weeks before the stable release. We recommend developers test with the beta to keep up to date with any upcoming changes that might impact your sites and applications.”
The eight-week Extended Stable release schedule for enterprise customers and Chromium embedders will not change. Chromebooks will also have “extended release options”: “Our priority is a seamless experience, so the latest Chrome releases will roll out to Chromebooks after dedicated platform testing. We are adapting these channels for the new two-week browser cycle and we will share more details soon regarding milestone updates for managed devices.”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.