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Decentralized Push Notifications: Escaping the Centralized Trap?

2025-02-04

This article explores how mobile push notifications introduce centralization to decentralized services and how to avoid it, even for mainstream configurations. Many decentralized apps (e.g., Mastodon, Nextcloud) currently rely on Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM), leading to centralization. The article proposes a solution: directly using the WebPush protocol to communicate with FCM servers, combined with the UnifiedPush framework, to achieve decentralized push notifications. This eliminates the need for centralized gateways and allows users to choose their preferred services. While not all services will immediately support WebPush, the future trend is towards decentralization.

(unifiedpush.org)

Development push notifications

Gmail Ditches SMS Authentication for QR Codes

2025-02-24

Gmail Ditches SMS Authentication for QR Codes

In a significant security upgrade, Gmail is phasing out SMS-based authentication in favor of QR code verification. Citing vulnerabilities to phishing and abuse, Google aims to bolster user security by eliminating the risks associated with SMS codes. The new system, rolling out in the coming months, will require users to scan a QR code with their phone's camera instead of entering a text message code. This change aims to curb spam, malware distribution, and other forms of account compromise.

(www.forbes.com)

Tech QR Code Authentication

GOAT Robot: Shape-Shifting for Superior Terrain Navigation

2025-03-03

GOAT Robot: Shape-Shifting for Superior Terrain Navigation

Researchers at EPFL have developed GOAT, a bio-inspired robot capable of dynamically altering its shape to navigate diverse terrains. Unlike traditional robots relying on complex path planning and numerous sensors, GOAT efficiently traverses challenging environments (rough terrain, water) by morphing between a flat rover and a spherical shape. This shape-shifting, combined with compliant materials, minimizes energy consumption. For example, it can roll downhill passively to save energy, or swim through obstacles. Inspired by various animals, GOAT uses inexpensive materials. Future applications include environmental monitoring, disaster response, and even extraterrestrial exploration.

(actu.epfl.ch)

Tech bio-inspired robot shape-shifting robotic locomotion

Calibre 8.0 Released: Enhanced Kobo Support and More

2025-03-21

Calibre 8.0 is here, boasting significantly improved Kobo support! It now natively edits, views, and converts KEPUB files, automatically converting EPUB to KEPUB when sending to Kobo devices (configurable via the Kobo icon). New features include connecting to folders (ideal for Chromebooks), a revamped ToC editor, updated macOS icons, and numerous bug fixes. Previous 7.x releases introduced exciting additions like an audio overlay tool, automatic PDF header/footer removal, drastically faster EPUB opening, and the new Piper neural network TTS engine, enhancing reading and editing workflows.

(calibre-ebook.com)

Development e-book update

Bypassing Malware VM Detection: Spoofing a CPU Fan via Custom SMBIOS

2025-06-30

Malware often checks for the absence of hardware components typically not emulated in virtual machines (like a CPU fan) to evade analysis. This post details how to bypass this detection by modifying the virtual machine's SMBIOS data to spoof a CPU fan. The author thoroughly explains the steps for Xen and QEMU/KVM environments, including obtaining SMBIOS data, creating a custom SMBIOS file, and configuring the VM. The post also highlights the need to additionally handle SMBIOS Type 28 (temperature probe) data in Xen for successful WMI deception.

(wbenny.github.io)

Development

Euclid Spots a Rare Einstein Ring in a Nearby Galaxy

2025-03-02

Euclid Spots a Rare Einstein Ring in a Nearby Galaxy

The European Space Agency's Euclid telescope has discovered a perfect Einstein ring – a ring-shaped optical phenomenon created by gravitational lensing – in the galaxy NGC 6505, a mere 590 million light-years from Earth. This is incredibly rare, as Einstein rings typically occur in much more distant galaxies. The discovery not only confirms Einstein's General Theory of Relativity but also provides valuable data for studying dark matter and stellar composition in the galaxy's center. Euclid's exceptionally long observation time and high-resolution imaging made this astonishing discovery possible.

(www.euclid-ec.org)

Tech

Game Exploit: Hackers Can Take Over Your PC via Marvel Rivals

2025-02-03

Game Exploit: Hackers Can Take Over Your PC via Marvel Rivals

A security researcher discovered a Remote Code Execution (RCE) exploit in Marvel Rivals. Attackers on the same Wi-Fi network can execute arbitrary code on other players' PCs. The vulnerability stems from the game's use of RCE for patching, without verifying server connections, and running with admin privileges. This allows for potential remote takeover of PCs. The researcher highlights the need for game developers to prioritize security, implement robust bug reporting systems, and establish bug bounty programs to incentivize vulnerability disclosure.

(shalzuth.com)

Game remote code execution exploit

UK Mission to Search for Life in Venus's Clouds

2025-07-14

UK Mission to Search for Life in Venus's Clouds

A UK-led mission aims to definitively answer whether life exists on Venus. The mission will send a probe to search for microbial life, not on the surface, but within Venus's clouds. Recent discoveries of phosphine and ammonia—potential biosignatures—in the Venusian clouds have fueled this investigation. While these gases are produced by biological activity and industrial processes on Earth, their origin on Venus remains a mystery. Given Venus's harsh surface conditions, microbial life in the cooler, higher altitudes of the clouds is a more plausible explanation. The mission, VERVE, will hitch a ride on the ESA's EnVision mission, launching in 2031, and conduct an independent atmospheric survey upon arrival. Previous detections of phosphine were controversial, but further research suggests its presence varies and is destroyed by sunlight, explaining discrepancies in earlier findings. The detection of ammonia further strengthens the case for investigating this possibility.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech Probe

Musk Calls for ISS Deorbiting 'As Soon As Possible'

2025-02-20

Musk Calls for ISS Deorbiting 'As Soon As Possible'

Elon Musk, SpaceX founder, advocated for the International Space Station's deorbiting 'as soon as possible.' He tweeted that the ISS has served its purpose, offering diminishing returns, and resources should be redirected to Mars exploration. While NASA contracted SpaceX to deorbit the station safely into the Pacific in 2030, Musk proposed an accelerated timeline, aiming for early 2027. This sparked debate, encompassing political and budgetary complexities, as congressional approval is needed to fund the deorbiting process.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech

JavaScript Benchmarking: A Mess of JIT Compilers, Engine Differences, and Timing Inaccuracies

2024-12-24

JavaScript Benchmarking: A Mess of JIT Compilers, Engine Differences, and Timing Inaccuracies

Benchmarking JavaScript performance is notoriously difficult. This article highlights the challenges: the JIT compiler's dynamic optimizations lead to wildly varying results across runs; different JavaScript engines (like V8 and JavaScriptCore) exhibit significant performance disparities, with identical code performing dramatically differently; and browsers intentionally reduce timing accuracy to mitigate timing attacks, making precise measurements difficult. The author suggests using tools like d8 on the server-side for greater control over optimization levels and garbage collection, while browser-side testing relies heavily on the limited information provided by developer tools. In short, JavaScript benchmarking requires careful consideration of JIT compilation, engine variations, and timing precision, making it significantly more complex than in other languages.

(byteofdev.com)

Development JavaScript benchmarking JIT compiler engine differences

Canva Engineering Cuts CI Build Times from Hours to Under 30 Minutes

2024-12-18

Canva Engineering Cuts CI Build Times from Hours to Under 30 Minutes

Canva's engineering team dramatically reduced their continuous integration (CI) build times, from an average of 80 minutes to under 30 minutes, sometimes as low as 15. This was achieved through a multifaceted approach. They identified and resolved Bazel caching issues, optimized pipeline structures, improved Git repository checkouts and caching, and leveraged Bazel Remote Build Execution (RBE). Extensive experimentation, including testing different instance types and adjusting Bazel configurations, played a crucial role. A series of incremental improvements significantly increased CI efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced the developer experience.

(www.canva.dev)

Development Continuous Integration CI Optimization

Real-Time Chess: A Physical Board That Eliminates Turns

2025-03-29

Real-Time Chess: A Physical Board That Eliminates Turns

Tired of the long waits in turn-based chess? A developer has created a real-time physical chessboard that eliminates turns entirely. Each piece has an individual cooldown, enforced by electronics and electromagnets, preventing cheating. The project's PCB designs and firmware are open-source, but the author notes issues like inadequate power distribution and tight tolerances.

(github.com)

Hardware

Fully Homomorphic Encryption: Towards a Truly Private Internet

2025-07-18

Fully Homomorphic Encryption: Towards a Truly Private Internet

Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) allows arbitrary computations on ciphertext without decryption. This means data can remain encrypted across the internet, preventing breaches and enabling true privacy. While currently slow, FHE's speed is improving 8x yearly. In the future, FHE may power encrypted cloud computing, encrypted large language model inference, and confidential blockchain smart contracts, potentially disrupting data-harvesting business models and shifting the internet from 'spy by default' to 'privacy by default'.

(bozmen.io)

Tech Fully Homomorphic Encryption

AI-Powered Translation Tool: Bridge the Language Gap Effortlessly

2025-07-15

AI-Powered Translation Tool: Bridge the Language Gap Effortlessly

Tired of language barriers hindering communication with foreign friends or partners? This AI-powered translation tool makes it easy! Simply type what you want to say, add context for uncertain words in curly braces {}, and the AI provides accurate corrections and explanations, along with audio pronunciation to help you master rhythm and intonation. All corrections are saved for review, enabling continuous language improvement. No sign-up or subscription is needed—use it anytime, anywhere, for natural and fluent communication in your target language.

(menerdu.vercel.app)

Development AI translation

California to Honor Steve Jobs with Commemorative Coin

2025-02-22

California to Honor Steve Jobs with Commemorative Coin

California has nominated Steve Jobs for a commemorative coin to be released in 2026, celebrating his innovative contributions to technology. Beyond co-founding Apple and launching revolutionary products like the Apple II and iPhone, Jobs also co-founded Pixar, creating the world's first fully computer-animated feature film. His legacy centers on making complex technology user-friendly and accessible, connecting people globally. The coin, produced by the U.S. Mint, embodies Jobs' innovative spirit and the California ethos.

(www.gov.ca.gov)

Tech Steve Jobs Commemorative Coin

7-Minute Workout: Science or Hype?

2025-01-01

A blog post challenges the efficacy and comprehensiveness of the 7-minute scientific workout featured in The New York Times. The author argues that while the program claims to be science-based, it heavily emphasizes leg exercises while neglecting a balanced workout for glutes, back, and core muscles—a particularly concerning omission for sedentary professionals. A more balanced approach, the post suggests, would include more hip-dominant, upper-body pulling, and core extension exercises to counteract the muscular imbalances caused by prolonged sitting.

(elsbethvaino.com)

Tech fitness scientific training

The AI Design Paradox: Convenience vs. Creativity

2025-02-12

The AI Design Paradox: Convenience vs. Creativity

A veteran designer explores the double-edged sword of AI design tools. While AI offers rapid design generation, it simultaneously compresses the design process, eliminating the 'productive void' – those crucial moments of waiting, exploration, and iteration where inspiration blossoms. The author argues this 'process collapse' risks shallow, unoriginal designs and expresses concern about AI's potential to diminish human creativity. He urges designers to use AI cautiously, viewing it as a tool for expanding, not compressing, creativity, and to value the friction and reflection inherent in the design process.

(www.chrbutler.com)

Design design process

Netflix: The Rise of a Streaming Giant and the Decline of Cinema

2024-12-28

Netflix: The Rise of a Streaming Giant and the Decline of Cinema

Starting as a DVD rental service, Netflix disrupted Blockbuster, conquered the television industry with its streaming platform, and ultimately extended its influence to cinema. Its unique subscription model freed it from traditional film profitability norms, leading to a flood of low-quality content. While initially supporting independent films, Netflix shifted towards scale and low-cost production, resulting in a decline in overall film quality and sparking a profound reflection on the balance between art and commerce in the film industry.

(www.nplusonemag.com)

Tech film industry

Flexible Authorization Library: RBAC, ABAC, and ReBAC Combined

2025-03-24

Flexible Authorization Library: RBAC, ABAC, and ReBAC Combined

A flexible authorization library combining role-based (RBAC), attribute-based (ABAC), and relationship-based (ReBAC) access control policies. It supports policy composition (AND, OR, NOT), detailed evaluation tracing, and a fluent builder API, with type safety and async support. Easily add multiple policies like RBAC and ABAC, and create custom policies using PolicyBuilder. Examples demonstrate RBAC, ReBAC, and policy combinators.

(github.com)

Development authorization

VW's Pay-to-Unlock Horsepower Feature Sparks Debate

2025-08-16

Volkswagen is offering a paid upgrade to unlock extra horsepower in its vehicles, sparking controversy. Owners question why this power is present but requires additional payment. VW argues this mirrors traditional options for different engine power, but shifted to a post-purchase choice. However, unofficially unlocking this power ('jailbreaking') could void warranties or invite legal action. This practice isn't unique to VW; BMW and Polestar have also offered similar paid performance upgrades.

(www.autoexpress.co.uk)

Tech pay-to-unlock vehicle performance

Artificial Sweetener Erythritol May Impair Brain Blood Vessel Health

2025-06-13

Artificial Sweetener Erythritol May Impair Brain Blood Vessel Health

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have found that the artificial sweetener erythritol may harm essential cellular functions maintaining brain blood vessel health. Erythritol was shown to increase oxidative stress, disrupt nitric oxide signaling, increase vasoconstrictive peptide production, and decrease clot-dissolving capacity in human brain microvascular endothelial cells. While popular in low-calorie foods due to its sweetness and negligible impact on blood sugar, epidemiological studies have linked higher erythritol levels to increased cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. This new in vitro study provides a cellular mechanism for this association, showing adverse effects on brain endothelial cell function and potentially increasing stroke risk. Further long-term and in vivo research is recommended to clarify the cerebrovascular consequences of repeated erythritol consumption.

(medicalxpress.com)

Tech erythritol brain health stroke risk

Your Second Brain: The Astonishing Gut-Brain Connection

2025-03-09

Your Second Brain: The Astonishing Gut-Brain Connection

The gut is far more than a digestive organ; it's intricately connected to the brain via the gut-brain axis. Through the vagus nerve and molecular signals in the bloodstream, the gut and brain are in constant communication. The gut microbiome, its neurons, and the molecules they produce influence mood, sleep, cognitive function, and even the development of Parkinson's disease. Research shows impaired gut-brain signaling in long COVID patients leads to cognitive impairment, while alterations in the gut microbiome are linked to exercise motivation and mental health. Targeting the gut microbiome or stimulating the vagus nerve holds promise for treating related diseases.

(scopeblog.stanford.edu)

Tech gut-brain axis gut microbiome Parkinson's disease

The Rise and Fall of the Game Boy Advance: A Retrospecitve

2025-03-30

The Rise and Fall of the Game Boy Advance: A Retrospecitve

The Game Boy Advance (GBA), released in 2001, revolutionized the handheld gaming market with its powerful 32-bit processor and impressive launch titles. However, its lack of a backlit screen and the eventual rise of the Nintendo DS ultimately led to its decline. This article provides a detailed look at the GBA and its iterations (GBA SP and Game Boy Micro), covering hardware specifications, gameplay experiences, market performance, and comparisons to other Nintendo handhelds, showcasing its triumphs and shortcomings.

(brainbaking.com)

Game

The Dark Side of Software Dependencies: A Trust Crisis and Security Risks

2025-02-13

The Dark Side of Software Dependencies: A Trust Crisis and Security Risks

Modern software development heavily relies on third-party libraries, creating significant security risks. This article delves into the types of software dependencies, the role of package managers, and resulting issues like supply chain attacks, malware, and backdoors. The author emphasizes the importance of regularly auditing dependencies, using signatures and verified sources, implementing security policies, and employing the principle of least privilege. Strategies such as minimizing dependencies and using well-maintained standard libraries are also suggested, ultimately concluding that isolating and containing untrusted software is crucial for mitigating risks.

(linux-howto.org)

Development supply chain attacks

Rust's `#[derive]` Macro Limitations and Workarounds

2025-07-08

Rust's `#[derive]` macro, when generating implementations for traits like `Clone`, requires all generic parameters to also implement `Clone`. This limits its applicability. The article analyzes two examples showing why this restriction prevents code from compiling. The author proposes two solutions: submitting an RFC to change compiler behavior, and writing a custom macro to circumvent the limitation. The author opts for the latter, planning to implement more flexible derive macros in the `derive_more` crate or a self-created crate to address this issue.

(rgbcu.be)

Development

OsmAnd vs. Organic Maps: A Deep Dive into Offline Mapping Apps

2025-09-03

This review compares two offline mapping apps based on OpenStreetMap data: OsmAnd and Organic Maps. OsmAnd boasts more features but can feel bloated, while Organic Maps is cleaner but less feature-rich. OsmAnd provides more detailed map information and superior customization options, including water navigation, public transit route planning, and more precise track recording. Organic Maps excels in its clean interface and map layering. The author ultimately chooses to stick with OsmAnd but is interested in Organic Maps' future development.

(blog.firedrake.org)

Development

Solarpunk: A Hopeful Vision for a Sustainable Future

2025-03-03

Solarpunk: A Hopeful Vision for a Sustainable Future

Solarpunk is more than a sci-fi subgenre; it's a socio-cultural movement encompassing literature, art, fashion, and activism. Central to solarpunk is the vision and pursuit of a sustainable future deeply intertwined with nature and community. Rejecting dystopian narratives, it embraces renewable energy, DIY ethics, and counter-cultural elements of punk like rebellion and post-capitalism. In stark contrast to cyberpunk's depiction of technological alienation and social injustice, solarpunk offers a hopeful vision of technology harmoniously integrated with nature. From literature and art to architecture and lifestyle, solarpunk is shaping a new cultural paradigm.

(en.wikipedia.org)

Design Utopian Fiction

Carrier Battles the Internet: Connectivity Upgrade, Combat Power Multiplied

2025-02-02

Carrier Battles the Internet: Connectivity Upgrade, Combat Power Multiplied

During its Red Sea deployment, the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) used commercial satellite networks like Starlink and OneWeb to achieve unprecedented internet connectivity onboard. This significantly boosted F-35 fighter jet capabilities by enabling rapid intelligence data updates and design improvements, enhancing survivability and lethality. Beyond combat, it improved sailor quality of life, training efficiency, maintenance speed, and boosted morale. The initiative, Sailor Edge Afloat and Ashore (SEA2), is now a funded Navy program of record called Flank Speed Wireless, aiming to deliver high-speed, reliable global connectivity across the fleet.

(www.twz.com)

Tech Navy

Spectral JPEG XL: Crushing Spectral Image File Sizes by 10-60x

2025-03-29

Spectral JPEG XL: Crushing Spectral Image File Sizes by 10-60x

Researchers have developed a new technique leveraging JPEG XL to compress spectral images by a remarkable 10 to 60 times, shrinking them to sizes comparable to regular high-quality photos. The method prioritizes discarding less important high-frequency spectral details while preserving metadata and high dynamic range. Although lossy, this approach holds immense potential for scientific visualization and high-end rendering, addressing the storage and transfer challenges posed by massive spectral image files.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech spectral imaging image compression

Helix Editor Gets a File Explorer

2025-01-25

Helix Editor Gets a File Explorer

A significant update has landed in the Helix editor! Developer drybalka has integrated a file explorer with minimal code changes. This file explorer functions similarly to the Telescope file browser but cleverly leverages Helix's existing file picker, modifying only a few core files. The result is a substantial improvement in user experience, providing a much-needed file browsing capability. While currently basic, it addresses a long-standing user request and significantly enhances Helix's usability.

(github.com)

Development File Explorer Code Editor

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