Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

File Systems: The Proto-Hypermedia?

2025-01-22

This article explores the intriguing idea of file systems as a precursor to hypermedia. It argues that the linking structure of directories and files, along with support for diverse data types, provided a form of flexible and varied information access and organization, echoing core hypermedia principles. While lacking the interactivity and dynamism of modern hypermedia, the article highlights the file system's pioneering role in information management, laying groundwork for later hypermedia technologies.

(jon.work)

Tech file systems information organization

OpenAI's Lobbying Surge: A Sevenfold Increase in Political Influence

2025-01-22

OpenAI's government lobbying spending soared to $1.76 million in 2024, a nearly sevenfold increase from the previous year. This marks OpenAI's significant entry into the political arena, aiming to shape AI policy. Their lobbying efforts focused on legislation related to AI research centers and benchmark testing. The company hired several seasoned lobbyists, including former staff of Senator Lindsey Graham. While still less than major tech competitors, OpenAI's increased influence is evident, as they push for favorable energy policies, national security contracts, and relaxed regulations.

(www.technologyreview.com)

Tech Lobbying AI Policy

Stratoshark: Extending Wireshark to the Cloud

2025-01-22

Stratoshark is an open-source tool bringing the power of Wireshark's network analysis capabilities to cloud environments. It captures system calls and log activity, offering advanced features for troubleshooting and analysis. Sharing the dissection engine and much of the UI with Wireshark, and supporting the same file format as Falco and Sysdig CLI, Stratoshark allows seamless workflow between tools. Available for Windows, macOS, and via source code, it provides an unprecedented view into application activity in your cloud.

(stratoshark.org)

Tech network analysis

Mastercard's Five-Year-Old DNS Error

2025-01-22

A security researcher, Philippe Caturegli, uncovered a nearly five-year-old error in Mastercard's domain name server settings. This misconfiguration could have allowed anyone to intercept or divert internet traffic for the company by registering an unused domain name. Caturegli spent $300 to register the domain 'akam.ne' to prevent its exploitation by cybercriminals. Mastercard acknowledged the mistake but claimed no real security risk existed. The incident highlights the potential for significant vulnerabilities in even large organizations' DNS configurations.

(krebsonsecurity.com)

Tech DNS error Mastercard

Plex's 2025 Roadmap: Revamped User Experience and New Features

2025-01-22

Plex kicked off 2025 with a bang, announcing updates focused on enhancing user experience and introducing exciting new features. These include a revamped review and interaction system allowing users to write and comment on reviews, enhanced profile visibility and sharing options on watch.plex.tv for increased community interaction, a preview of a redesigned Apple TV app, and the official release of HEVC hardware encoding for Plex Pass subscribers, boosting video quality while reducing bandwidth consumption. Overall, Plex aims to create a more robust streaming platform and a more vibrant community.

(www.plex.tv)

Tech

Canadian Crypto Payment Processor Cryptomus Allegedly Aids Russia in Sanctions Evasion

2025-01-22

Cryptomus, a Canadian-registered financial firm, has been identified as the payment processor for dozens of Russian cryptocurrency exchanges and websites offering cybercrime services to Russian-speaking customers. Investigations reveal Cryptomus's registered address is a virtual office shared with numerous other financial entities, raising concerns about large-scale money laundering and sanctions evasion. Researchers found Cryptomus processed transactions for at least 122 cybercrime services, including those selling stolen accounts, anonymity services, and attack infrastructure. These transactions ultimately linked to accounts in major Russian banks, currently sanctioned by the US and other Western nations. The actual operations of Cryptomus and the legitimacy of its registered address are highly questionable, highlighting the potential for cryptocurrency to facilitate sanctions evasion.

(krebsonsecurity.com)

Tech sanctions evasion money laundering

Instagram Censorship on Trump's Inauguration Day

2025-01-22

On Trump's second inauguration day, Instagram censored search results for popular Democratic hashtags for 9 hours, affecting users globally. Meta claimed a technical error, but evidence suggests selective censorship targeting Democrats while Republican hashtags remained unaffected. This occurred after Trump's "Restoring Freedom of Speech" executive order and Zuckerberg's meetings with Trump and changes to Meta's content moderation team, raising concerns about political bias.

(docpop.org)

Tech content censorship political bias

Arm's Chiplet System Architecture Spec Opens Up a New Era of Silicon Design

2025-01-22

Arm has released the first public specification for its Chiplet System Architecture (CSA), with over 60 companies already engaged. The CSA addresses the growing demand for custom silicon and the associated high costs and complexities of monolithic chip production by enabling the reuse of specialized chiplets to create multiple custom systems-on-chips (SoCs) with better performance and lower power consumption. This standardization effort, developed collaboratively with the ecosystem, ensures interoperability and reusability, accelerating innovation and reducing fragmentation. Early adopters are already leveraging the CSA to build solutions tailored for diverse AI workloads. Alphawave Semi, for instance, combines Arm Neoverse CSS-powered chiplets with proprietary I/O dies to create performant chips for various markets. Meanwhile, ADTechnology, Samsung Foundry, and Rebellions are collaborating with Arm on an AI CPU chiplet platform for large-scale AI training and inference, boasting a 2-3x efficiency advantage for GenAI workloads.

(newsroom.arm.com)

Tech Chiplets

DHS Dismantles Advisory Committees, Halting Salt Typhoon Review

2025-01-22

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has terminated all its advisory committees, including several cybersecurity boards like CISA's advisory panel and the Cyber Safety Review Board investigating the Salt Typhoon incident. A source familiar with the matter says the review is now effectively “dead.” This action raises concerns about the future of cybersecurity oversight and collaboration.

(bsky.app)

Tech DHS Salt Typhoon

Icelandic Turf Houses: A Journey Through Time

2025-01-22

This article recounts the author's journey through Iceland, visiting several remarkably preserved turf houses, including Laufas and Glaumbaer. These ancient structures, with walls and roofs primarily made of turf, offer excellent insulation thanks to their thick walls. The author details the interior layout, lifestyle within these homes, and the evolution of turf house design over time. The narrative includes a captivating interlude of unexpectedly encountering a traditional music performance in a Glaumbaer turf house. Furthermore, the article highlights other open-air turf house museums, providing a glimpse into Iceland's unique cultural heritage.

(rachelsruminations.com)

Tech turf houses historical architecture

IMDb Founder Steps Down After 35 Years

2025-01-22

Col Needham, founder of the Amazon-owned IMDb database, stepped down as CEO after 35 years at the helm. He's succeeded by Nikki Santoro, the former COO, who becomes the first woman to lead the company. Needham will transition to executive chairman. Santoro, with the company since 2016, has overseen expansion of the database and improvements to IMDbPro. This marks a significant transition for IMDb into a new era.

(techcrunch.com)

Tech CEO transition Tech Company

Trump Announces $500B AI Infrastructure Investment

2025-01-21

Shortly after his inauguration, the Trump administration announced a massive $500 billion investment in AI infrastructure, spearheaded by a new entity called 'Stargate,' a joint venture between OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank. The initial $100 billion investment will focus on building data centers and power generation in Texas to fuel further AI development. This is touted as a declaration of confidence in America's potential and is also linked to advancements in digital health records and disease treatment. While the project's initial planning occurred under the Biden administration, Trump is highlighting it as a key economic achievement of his new term.

(apnews.com)

Tech Trump administration

Mercator: Extreme – A Mind-Bending Map Projection

2025-01-21

Mercator: Extreme isn't your average map. It lets you set any point on Earth as the 'pole,' extending the projection infinitely to reveal extreme distortions. From cities to atoms, everything is warped in a fascinating way. This project not only offers a unique visual experience but also reinterprets distance, direction, and location, giving you the sensation of being at the 'center of the universe'.

(mrgris.com)

Tech map projection

UK Launches Digital Driving Licence and GOV.UK Wallet App

2025-01-21

The UK government is launching a GOV.UK Wallet and App to simplify access to government services and documents. A digital driver's licence will be among the first features, allowing users to show their licence on their phone for age verification or driving proof online and offline. The wallet will also include other government-issued documents like Veteran Cards. Alongside this, the government plans to save £45 billion through public sector technology improvements and leverage technology to boost economic growth. The GOV.UK App, launching this summer, will offer personalized services and features like an AI-powered chatbot.

(www.gov.uk)

Tech digital driving licence GOV.UK Wallet digital government

US Officially Withdraws from the World Health Organization

2025-01-21

On January 20, 2025, the US President signed an executive order formally withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). The order cites the WHO's mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health crises, failure to adopt necessary reforms, and susceptibility to undue political influence from member states. The US also alleges unfairly high financial contributions are demanded from it. This action will halt US funding to the WHO, recall personnel, and seek alternative international partners to assume previous WHO activities. Negotiations on the WHO Pandemic Agreement and amendments to the International Health Regulations will also cease.

(www.whitehouse.gov)

Tech US WHO Withdrawal

MIT's Tiny Robot Insect: A Leap Towards Robotic Pollination

2025-01-21

MIT researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking robot insect designed for artificial pollination, potentially revolutionizing indoor farming. Weighing less than a gram, this agile robot mimics the flapping flight of a real insect, achieving unprecedented flight times of nearly 17 minutes – a 100-fold improvement over previous models. The vision is a multi-level indoor farm maximizing yield and minimizing environmental impact, with swarms of these robots performing synchronized pollination missions. While still needing improvements in speed and endurance compared to bees, this advance marks a significant step towards sustainable, high-yield agriculture.

(thedebrief.org)

Tech robotic insect artificial pollination indoor farming

Escape the Tech Noise: The Rise of Calm Tech Certification

2025-01-21

Amidst the constant distractions of modern technology, Calm Tech certification emerges as a solution. Founded by Amber Case, the Calm Tech Institute has established 81 standards across six categories—attention, periphery, durability, light, sound, and materials—to reward products designed for focus and minimal distraction. Initial certified devices include the reMarkable Paper Pro and the Mui Board Gen 2, both prioritizing minimalist design and reduced notifications. The Calm Tech Institute plans further research and collaboration with neuroscientists to better understand cognitive needs in UI design.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech Tech Certification Reduced Distractions

Scale AI CEO Warns: America Must Win the AI War

2025-01-21

Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang took out a full-page ad in The Washington Post urging President Trump to prioritize the AI race. He argues the US needs increased AI investment, shifting focus from algorithms to compute power and data. Wang also recommends streamlining new energy production and leveraging government data for AI development. He believes AI will create jobs, but the US needs to support workers adapting to new roles.

(www.semafor.com)

Tech

Gartner Warns: Large-Scale VMware Migrations Are Long, Costly, and Risky

2025-01-21

Gartner's latest report warns that migrating from VMware to alternative virtualization platforms will be a long, expensive, and risky undertaking. For organizations running 2,000+ VMs, migrations could take 18-48 months, with per-VM costs ranging from $300 to $3,000. The report highlights the complexity stemming from VMware's deep integration beyond just virtualization, encompassing networking, storage, and management tools. Many VMware users haven't started migration planning; Gartner advises starting early to avoid potential Broadcom price increases. Alternatives exist from vendors like Red Hat and Oracle, but migration still demands extensive planning and testing.

(www.theregister.com)

Tech VMware Migration

15-Year-Old Discovers Zero-Click Deanonymization Exploit Leveraging Cloudflare Cache

2025-01-21

A 15-year-old high school student, Daniel, discovered a critical zero-click deanonymization attack exploiting Cloudflare's caching mechanism. This vulnerability allows attackers to pinpoint the location of users within a 250-mile radius by sending a malicious payload to vulnerable applications like Signal, Discord, and hundreds of others. The attack requires no user interaction and can even be achieved via push notifications. Daniel developed a tool, Cloudflare Teleport, to demonstrate the exploit. While he responsibly disclosed the vulnerability, responses from affected companies were largely unsatisfactory. This highlights the potential security risks inherent in CDN caching and underscores the importance of user privacy awareness.

(gist.github.com)

Tech vulnerability

FCC Chair Brendan Carr: A Tech Regulatory Storm Brewing?

2025-01-21

Brendan Carr's ascension to FCC chair signals significant regulatory changes for the tech and media industries. His involvement in Project 2025, proposing limitations on Section 230 immunity for tech companies and content prioritization disclosures, foreshadows a stricter regulatory environment. He also plans to leverage the FCC's power to revoke spectrum licenses for networks violating the equal time rule. However, Trump's shift on TikTok complicates Carr's approach to national security threats posed by the app. His success hinges on securing support from other Republican commissioners.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech Tech Regulation

China Shatters Renewable Energy Installation Record in 2024

2025-01-21

China set a new record for renewable energy installations in 2024, adding approximately 277 gigawatts of solar and nearly 80 gigawatts of wind power. This achievement marks a significant milestone, allowing China to reach its 2030 renewable energy target six years ahead of schedule, contrasting sharply with the US's shift towards fossil fuels. Despite a challenging year for the solar industry due to oversupply, the installation pace remained impressive. While challenges like grid infrastructure upgrades and land availability may slow growth in the coming years, substantial additions are still projected for 2025.

(financialpost.com)

Tech China energy

Printercow: AI Printing, Now Accessible to All

2025-01-21

Printercow transforms any thermal printer into an API endpoint, letting you print anything from receipts to AI-generated art via HTTP requests. Support for various thermal printer brands is included, along with 300 free prints per month. Simple installation via command line or desktop app makes setup a breeze. Whether you're a hobbyist printing AI poems or a business handling thousands of receipts daily, Printercow scales to your needs. Its flexible settings, robust features, and privacy-focused design make it the perfect bridge between AI and the physical world.

(www.printercow.com)

Tech

Garmin's $40B Pivot: From Car GPS to Fitness Watch King

2025-01-21

GPS pioneer Garmin faced near-extinction from Apple and Google's rise. However, massive R&D investment allowed a dramatic pivot, transforming the company from a car navigation device firm into a leader in fitness watches and trackers. The article details Garmin's journey, from the invention of GPS and Garmin's founding to its transition from car navigation to the outdoor and fitness tracking market. Its sustained R&D spending enabled survival and growth in a fiercely competitive landscape, showcasing the importance of continuous innovation and adaptation.

(www.readtrung.com)

Tech Transformation

Poland Furious Over US AI Chip Export Restrictions

2025-01-21

Poland, a key US ally, is furious over US restrictions on the export of AI chips. This move threatens Poland's ambitious military expansion and technological development. The Polish government considers the decision incomprehensible and is seeking redress from both the US and the EU to protect its technological and defense interests.

(www.politico.eu)

Tech US export restrictions Poland

Mars Dichotomy Boundary Eroded Hundreds of Kilometers

2025-01-21

New research suggests Mars' iconic dichotomy boundary, separating the higher southern hemisphere from the lower northern one, may have receded hundreds of kilometers due to water erosion. Researchers analyzed data from the Mars Express and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, finding that thousands of buttes and mesas near Mawrth Vallis, situated at the dichotomy boundary, share a similar height with a nearby higher-elevation plateau, indicating they are remnants of a larger plateau eroded away. This massive erosion suggests an active water cycle early in Mars' history, consistent with the theory of a northern ocean but also potentially caused by other hydrological processes like ice cap melting. The finding offers new clues about early Martian climate and geological evolution, adding to evidence for a past ocean but also raising new questions.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech Mars hydrological cycle

Iron Age Celtic Tribe Centered Around Women, DNA Reveals

2025-01-21

A groundbreaking study using ancient DNA has revealed a surprising social structure in an Iron Age Celtic tribe in Britain. Unlike previous prehistoric societies, the Durotriges tribe, dating from 100 BCE to 100 CE, was centered around women. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA showed matrilocal residence, with men moving to their wives' communities. This provided women with strong support networks and significant influence, challenging traditional gender roles and offering a new perspective on ancient social organization. The findings suggest a widespread matrilocal custom across Britain during the Iron Age.

(www.npr.org)

Tech ancient DNA Celtic matrilocal society

Beyond the Skies: The Unexpected Lives of the Rolls-Royce Merlin Engine

2025-01-21

The Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, famed for powering Allied aircraft during WWII, found a surprising second life beyond the skies. This article details its unexpected applications in cars, boat racing, and even tanks. From 'The Beast,' a monstrous car built around a Merlin, to its use in record-breaking hydroplanes, the Merlin's power and adaptability are showcased. The story highlights the ingenuity of those who repurposed this iconic engine, creating unique and powerful machines.

(en.wikipedia.org)

Tech Rolls-Royce Merlin Automotive Aviation Engine

Trump Halts TikTok Ban for 75 Days: A High-Stakes Gamble

2025-01-21

President Trump issued an executive order temporarily halting enforcement of the TikTok ban for 75 days. This move aims to prevent penalties against American companies like Apple and Google for working with TikTok, but its legal standing is questionable. The ban stemmed from a law demanding TikTok divest from its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, and Trump's action effectively circumvents this legislation. While the reprieve may offer temporary relief, the decision carries significant legal and political risks, with massive fines still a possibility and its effectiveness highly debated.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech

1888: The World's First True Electric Car

2025-01-21

In 1888, Andreas Flocken, a German engineer, created the world's first true electric car, the Flocken Elektrowagen, at his Maschinenfabrik A. Flocken in Coburg. This four-wheeled vehicle, initially resembling a horse-drawn carriage, was powered by an electric motor and could reach a top speed of 15 km/h. While early technology limited its performance, the Flocken Elektrowagen holds immense historical significance as a landmark in the dawn of the electric car era.

(en.wikipedia.org)

Tech electric car Germany

Category: Tech