Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

Popular：

Virtualization DNS security formal verification reachability analysis compiler errors macro conflict web extension development framework Bitmap Graphics API inconsistencies All Tags

Whisky, the macOS Gaming Wrapper, Shuts Down Due to Developer Burnout

2025-04-21

Whisky, the macOS Gaming Wrapper, Shuts Down Due to Developer Burnout

The open-source macOS gaming application Whisky has ceased active development. Creator Isaac Marovitz, facing overwhelming user expectations and limited resources, made the difficult decision to shut down the project. CodeWeavers CEO James Ramey expressed empathy and acknowledged Whisky's significant contribution to the macOS gaming community. Despite the closure, Marovitz remains involved in Mac gaming, currently collaborating on a recompilation of Sonic Unleashed. The shutdown highlights the considerable pressures faced by developers of open-source projects.

(arstechnica.com)

Game

Curiosity Rover Finds Evidence of Martian Carbon Cycle

2025-04-19

Curiosity Rover Finds Evidence of Martian Carbon Cycle

The Curiosity rover, while ascending Mount Sharp, discovered sediment samples rich in iron carbonate. These samples indicate that ancient Mars had a carbon cycle, with atmospheric carbon sequestered in rocks. However, the lack of plate tectonics on Mars prevented the carbon from returning to the atmosphere, leading to atmospheric thinning and Mars' transformation into the lifeless desert it is today. This discovery confirms previous model predictions and provides crucial insights into the evolution of Mars' climate.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech

AI Deepfake Nightmare: Actors Regret Selling Their Likenesses Cheaply

2025-04-18

AI Deepfake Nightmare: Actors Regret Selling Their Likenesses Cheaply

Cash-strapped actors are regretting selling their likenesses for AI videos, unaware of the potential consequences. Adam Coy, a New York actor, licensed his face and voice for $1000, only to discover his AI avatar predicting disasters. Simon Lee, a South Korean actor, found his likeness used to promote fraudulent health cures. As AI avatar technology advances, companies like Synthesia (valued at $2.1 billion) are profiting, prompting Synthesia to launch an equity fund to incentivize actors. However, lawyers warn that many actors signed contracts with exploitative clauses without fully understanding them, highlighting the ethical dilemmas of this burgeoning technology.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech AI deepfake actor rights

Climate Change May Increase Arsenic Levels in Rice

2025-04-18

Climate Change May Increase Arsenic Levels in Rice

A six-year study reveals that climate change, specifically rising CO2 and temperature, increases inorganic arsenic levels in rice grains. Rice cultivation involves flooding paddies, leading to arsenic absorption from the water. Inorganic arsenic, a toxic substance from industrial materials, contaminates water sources. Exposure to inorganic arsenic is linked to various health issues, including cancers and heart disease. This research highlights the potential threat of climate change to food security and human health, especially in regions where rice is a staple food.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech rice

AI-Powered Code Editor's Bot Fabricates Policy, Leading to User Cancellations

2025-04-18

AI-Powered Code Editor's Bot Fabricates Policy, Leading to User Cancellations

An AI-powered code editor, Cursor, recently faced backlash after its AI chatbot fabricated a company policy. A developer discovered that switching devices instantly logged them out of Cursor. When contacting support, an AI agent named "Sam" claimed this was a new security feature. However, no such policy existed; the AI invented the information, leading to user complaints and subscription cancellations. This highlights the risks of deploying AI systems in customer-facing roles without human oversight, potentially resulting in frustrated customers, damaged trust, and financial losses.

(arstechnica.com)

Development

Trump's Assault on US Universities: A War on Academic Freedom

2025-04-18

Trump's Assault on US Universities: A War on Academic Freedom

The Trump administration is waging a full-scale assault on America's university system, using the pretexts of "viewpoint diversity" and "antisemitism" to pressure universities into conforming to MAGA ideology. This includes threats to funding, investigations of students and faculty, interference in university policies, and direct challenges to university autonomy and academic freedom. Harvard's public defiance of government demands marks a significant act of resistance, but most universities remain silent, raising concerns about appeasement. The article calls for universities to leverage their resources—endowments, students, faculty and alumni networks, real estate, athletics, and research projects—to unite in non-violent resistance, defending academic freedom and the independence of universities.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech

LG Teams Up with Zenapse for AI-Powered Emotional Advertising

2025-04-17

LG Teams Up with Zenapse for AI-Powered Emotional Advertising

LG has partnered with Zenapse to launch ZenVision, an AI-powered system that analyzes the psychographic data of LG smart TV viewers. ZenVision segments viewers into highly specific groups like "goal-driven achievers" and "social connectors," allowing advertisers to target them with emotionally intelligent ads based on psychological factors, rather than just demographics. This deeper understanding of viewers aims to improve ad effectiveness and reflects LG's strategy to grow its smart TV advertising business, responding to advertisers' increasing need for emotional marketing and the search for new revenue streams by TV OS operators.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech AI advertising smart TV

Small ISP Takes on the Giants: Bringing High-Speed Internet to Underserved Areas

2025-04-16

Small ISP Takes on the Giants: Bringing High-Speed Internet to Underserved Areas

Frustrated by poor service from major ISPs, network architect Mauch spent five years building his own fiber network, bringing affordable, high-speed internet to underserved areas of Washtenaw County, Michigan. He secured $2.6 million in government funding to offer 100Mbps and 1Gbps plans, aiming to complete half the project by the end of 2023. This contrasts sharply with major ISPs' exorbitant line extension fees, highlighting government efforts to bridge the digital divide. Mauch's story showcases individual initiative and the crucial role smaller ISPs play in expanding internet access.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech fiber network broadband deployment

Physicists Develop Mathematical Model to Predict Bowling Ball Trajectories

2025-04-16

Physicists Develop Mathematical Model to Predict Bowling Ball Trajectories

With over 45 million bowling fans in the US, improving strike percentage is a constant pursuit. A team of physicists, including three skilled bowlers and a Team England coach, has developed a mathematical model to predict bowling ball trajectories. The model accounts for lane oil composition and patterns, ball asymmetries, and player variability, offering a more nuanced approach than previous statistical analyses. The complexity stems from numerous variables influencing the ball's path, such as inconsistent oil application on lanes. This research provides a new perspective for enhancing bowling performance by leveraging physics and mathematics.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech bowling physics model

4chan Hacked: Extensive Data Breach Fears

2025-04-16

The infamous online imageboard 4chan was reportedly hacked Monday evening, remaining largely inaccessible. Soyjack Party, a rival imageboard, claimed responsibility, showcasing screenshots suggesting access to 4chan's admin interface and databases. Security researchers point to outdated PHP versions and phpMyAdmin as potential vulnerabilities. The hack potentially exposed source code and user data, with unsubstantiated claims of leaked names, IPs, and institutional emails circulating online. While 4chan's demise is premature, the incident highlights significant security concerns.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech

Android Auto-Reboot Security Feature Rolling Out Silently

2025-04-15

Android Auto-Reboot Security Feature Rolling Out Silently

Google is quietly rolling out a significant security update to all Android devices via Play Services 25.14. This update includes a feature that automatically restarts a locked device after three consecutive days of inactivity. This enhances security by preventing unauthorized access. The update also brings other improvements like improved settings screens and better connectivity with cars and wearables. Released on April 14th, the update may take a week or more to reach all devices. This auto-reboot mirrors Apple's 'Inactivity Reboot' in iOS 18.1, which raised concerns among law enforcement due to increased difficulty accessing data.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech Auto-Reboot

CT Scans: Weighing the Tiny Cancer Risk Against Significant Diagnostic Benefits

2025-04-15

CT Scans: Weighing the Tiny Cancer Risk Against Significant Diagnostic Benefits

A new study suggests that while CT scans slightly increase cancer risk (approximately 0.1%), the benefits in disease diagnosis and treatment far outweigh this risk. Experts advise that when a doctor recommends a CT scan, patients should proceed, as the potential benefits in diagnosing illness far outweigh the small added cancer risk. However, the study also notes the increase in CT scan use in recent years and suggests doctors should more carefully weigh risks and benefits, considering diagnostic algorithms and alternative imaging technologies like ultrasound and MRI, and involving patients in the decision-making process.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech

Kennedy's Appointment of Anti-Vaccine Advocate Sparks Outrage

2025-04-13

Kennedy's Appointment of Anti-Vaccine Advocate Sparks Outrage

Vanderbilt researchers Jeremy Jacobs and Garrett Booth strongly criticized Kennedy's appointment of notorious anti-vaccine advocate David Geier to lead a federal study on immunizations and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Geier and his father have a history of promoting the debunked claim that vaccines cause autism. The researchers argue this appointment compromises scientific integrity, erodes public trust, and platforms unreliable information, calling it a 'dangerous concession to pseudoscience.' They urge a defense of evidence-based medicine and call for public institutions and academic leaders to demonstrate courage and clarity in rejecting the normalization of misinformation and safeguarding public health.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech anti-vaccine pseudoscience

FreeDOS 1.4 Released: Stability Update for Legacy DOS PCs

2025-04-13

FreeDOS 1.4 Released: Stability Update for Legacy DOS PCs

FreeDOS, the open-source DOS successor, has released version 1.4, focusing on stability improvements. The update includes a revamped installer, updated versions of essential tools like fdisk and format, and an updated edlin text editor. A 'Floppy-Only Edition' caters to vintage systems, while a 'BonusCD' offers additional tools and the OpenGEM graphical interface.

(arstechnica.com)

Development

Microsoft's Recall AI Returns: Privacy Concerns Reignite

2025-04-12

Microsoft's Recall AI Returns: Privacy Concerns Reignite

Microsoft has reintroduced its controversial AI tool, Recall, in Windows 11. Recall screenshots, indexes, and stores user activity every three seconds. Previously, it faced heavy criticism for significant security and privacy risks, including potential exploitation by malicious actors and privacy violations. While Microsoft claims improvements with opt-in and pause functionality, concerns remain about its potential misuse. This reignites debate about the balance between technological advancement and user privacy, highlighting the challenges in mitigating risks associated with powerful AI tools.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech

32-bit RISC-V Processor Built from Molybdenum Disulfide

2025-04-11

Researchers have created a groundbreaking 32-bit RISC-V processor using molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a significant advancement in 'beyond silicon' hardware. Unable to dope MoS2 like silicon to adjust threshold voltage, they cleverly used different metal wiring (aluminum and gold) and embedding materials. Machine learning optimized transistor combinations. The resulting processor, with 5900 transistors, boasts a 99.8% chip-level yield, despite slower speeds, and implements the full 32-bit RISC-V instruction set. While initially limited to low-power applications like sensors, its future potential is vast.

(arstechnica.com)

Hardware Molybdenum Disulfide Beyond Silicon

SpaceX vs. ULA: A Battle of Orbital Altitudes

2025-04-10

SpaceX vs. ULA: A Battle of Orbital Altitudes

SpaceX and ULA are competing in the rocket launch market. SpaceX dominates low-Earth orbit (LEO) launches with its Falcon 9 rocket, leveraging high launch frequency and reusability for cost-effectiveness. ULA's Vulcan rocket excels in high-energy orbit missions, with its Centaur V upper stage proving efficient for long-duration tasks, particularly placing military payloads directly into geosynchronous orbit. While SpaceX significantly outpaces ULA in launch volume, ULA maintains a strong position in high-energy missions due to experience and the Vulcan's capabilities. Each company holds an advantage in different orbital niches, making the competitive landscape mission-specific.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech rocket launches

FCC's toothless bite: News Distortion Enforcement a Rare Bite

2025-04-07

FCC's toothless bite: News Distortion Enforcement a Rare Bite

A nearly quarter-century-old study reveals the FCC's incredibly rare punishment of news distortion. Since the Reagan-era deregulation of broadcast news in 1982, such penalties have plummeted. While the FCC lacks explicit rules against news distortion, a policy has emerged through case-by-case adjudications. Recent allegations, including the inaccurate 2000 election projections, rarely result in findings of news distortion. This highlights the FCC's surprisingly weak enforcement of news accuracy, revealing significant practical limitations.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech news distortion media regulation

EU Prepares $1B+ Fine for X, Citing DSA Violation

2025-04-06

EU Prepares $1B+ Fine for X, Citing DSA Violation

The European Union is reportedly preparing a massive fine, potentially exceeding $1 billion, against X (formerly Twitter) for violating the Digital Services Act (DSA). The penalty, expected this summer, would be the first under the new EU law. Regulators are considering calculating the fine based on the revenue of Elon Musk's other companies, like SpaceX. X has vehemently denied wrongdoing and claims to have complied with the DSA, vowing to fight the penalty, framing it as an attack on free speech. This move underscores the EU's assertive approach to regulating tech giants.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech DSA

TRON: Ares - Leto's AI Takes Over the Real World

2025-04-06

TRON: Ares - Leto's AI Takes Over the Real World

After years of development and setbacks, Disney's TRON franchise is back with a reboot: TRON: Ares. Jared Leto stars as Ares, a sophisticated AI program sent from the digital world into our reality, marking humanity's first encounter with AI beings. The film also features Evan Peters, Greta Lee, and a star-studded cast, including the return of Jeff Bridges. With a Nine Inch Nails soundtrack, TRON: Ares hits theaters October 10, 2025.

(arstechnica.com)

Game Jared Leto

Near-Disaster: Astronauts Face Potential Earth Return Failure

2025-04-06

Near-Disaster: Astronauts Face Potential Earth Return Failure

Last summer, the Starliner spacecraft lost four thrusters while approaching the International Space Station, forcing astronaut Butch Wilmore to take manual control. The thruster failure prevented the spacecraft from moving as intended. Although Starliner was near the station, mission rules dictated a return to Earth. However, Wilmore stated they might have been unable to return. Recently, Wilmore and fellow astronaut Suni Williams recounted the harrowing experience at a press conference, sidestepping political controversies surrounding claims of a 'rescue' by the Trump administration.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech spaceflight astronauts

Woolly Mammoth Revival: Ecological Claims Questioned

2025-04-05

Woolly Mammoth Revival: Ecological Claims Questioned

Colossal's ambitious plan to resurrect woolly mammoths rests on claims of their positive ecological impact, particularly on carbon sequestration. However, existing research on the effects of large herbivores on carbon sequestration is mixed: African forest elephants may enhance it, while savanna elephants reduce it. While one study suggests increasing large herbivore populations lowers permafrost temperatures, the feasibility and cost-effectiveness are questionable. Furthermore, warmer winters due to climate change could mean mammoth trampling accelerates soil warming. Ecosystems are complex and unpredictable, making it challenging to assess extinct species' impact on modern ecosystems. Colossal's narrative leverages this uncertainty, but this doesn't make their claims more likely to be true.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech

OpenAI Wins Partial Victory in Copyright Lawsuit Against NYT

2025-04-05

OpenAI Wins Partial Victory in Copyright Lawsuit Against NYT

The New York Times sued OpenAI for copyright infringement, alleging ChatGPT's unauthorized use of its content. A judge dismissed some claims, including those of 'free-riding' and removal of copyright management information, but upheld others, finding that OpenAI had at least reason to investigate and uncover end-user infringement. OpenAI argued its AI training is fair use and highlighted ChatGPT's benefits. The ruling is likely disappointing for news publishers, but a partial win for OpenAI.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech fair use

NSA Warns: Fast Flux Technique Threatens Critical Infrastructure

2025-04-04

NSA Warns: Fast Flux Technique Threatens Critical Infrastructure

The National Security Agency (NSA) has warned that a technique known as "fast flux," used by hostile nation-states and ransomware groups to hide their operations, poses a significant threat to critical infrastructure and national security. Fast flux allows decentralized networks to evade takedown attempts by rapidly cycling through IP addresses and domain names. This constant change makes identifying the true source of attacks extremely difficult and provides redundancy. The NSA, FBI, and their allies urge enhanced cybersecurity defenses to counter this growing threat.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech

SpaceX Engineer's Hacking Past Exposed

2025-04-04

SpaceX Engineer's Hacking Past Exposed

Christopher Stanley, a former SpaceX and X engineer currently serving as a senior advisor at the Department of Justice (DOJ), has reportedly been caught boasting about hacking and distributing pirated ebooks, bootleg software, and game cheats. These boasts appeared on archived websites, several of which were quickly deleted after being flagged. Stanley was assigned to the DOJ by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). While Musk claims DOGE operates transparently, little is known about its staffers or their roles. Stanley's DOJ duties remain unclear, but the Deputy Attorney General's office investigates various crimes, including hacking and malicious cyber activity. The DOJ confirmed Stanley, a 'special government employee,' doesn't receive a government salary. Stanley's questionable past reportedly dates back to 2006, when he was in high school. Reuters connected him to various online forums and sites using pseudonyms, including Reneg4d3, still used on YouTube, verifying the connection through registration data, old email addresses, and biographical information.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech

American Wealth Doesn't Guarantee a Longer Life: Study Reveals Systemic Issues

2025-04-04

American Wealth Doesn't Guarantee a Longer Life: Study Reveals Systemic Issues

A study of over 73,000 adults in the US and Europe reveals a shocking disparity: the wealthiest Americans have lower life expectancies than their European counterparts. The survival rate gap between the richest and poorest in the US far exceeds that seen in European nations. Even the poorest Americans fare worse than the poorest in Europe. Beyond healthcare access and social safety nets, the researchers suggest systemic factors like diet, environment, behavior, and cultural differences contribute to this uniquely American phenomenon of shorter lifespans, even among the wealthy. This highlights the deep-seated systemic issues impacting health outcomes in the US.

(arstechnica.com)

Misc health disparity life expectancy socioeconomic inequality

DeepMind's Blueprint for Safe AGI Development: Navigating the Risks of 2030

2025-04-04

DeepMind's Blueprint for Safe AGI Development: Navigating the Risks of 2030

As AI hype reaches fever pitch, the focus shifts to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). DeepMind's new 108-page paper tackles the crucial question of safe AGI development, projecting a potential arrival by 2030. The paper outlines four key risk categories: misuse, misalignment, mistakes, and structural risks. To mitigate these, DeepMind proposes rigorous testing, robust post-training safety protocols, and even the possibility of 'unlearning' dangerous capabilities—a significant challenge. This proactive approach aims to prevent the severe harm a human-level AI could potentially inflict.

(arstechnica.com)

AI

Bonobos' Complex Language: Beyond the Sum of its Parts

2025-04-03

Bonobos' Complex Language: Beyond the Sum of its Parts

Swiss scientists have discovered that bonobos can combine simple vocalizations into complex semantic structures, meaning their communication is more than just a sum of individual calls; it exhibits non-trivial compositionality—a trait once thought to be uniquely human. Researchers built a massive database of bonobo calls and used distributional semantics to decipher their meaning, offering a valuable insight into bonobo communication in the wild. This research was laborious, requiring researchers to wake early, trek to bonobo nests, and record calls and contextual information throughout the day.

(arstechnica.com)

AI bonobos

Europol Shuts Down Massive Dark Web Child Porn Ring

2025-04-02

Europol Shuts Down Massive Dark Web Child Porn Ring

Europol has dismantled KidFlix, one of the world's largest dark web child pornography networks. Launched in 2021, KidFlix offered low-quality child sexual abuse material (CSAM) previews for free, then charged cryptocurrency for higher-resolution videos. Operation Stream, a multinational effort involving over 35 countries, seized the servers, uncovering 91,000 unique CSAM videos, many previously unknown to law enforcement. 79 arrests have been made, 39 child victims protected, and over 3,000 devices seized. Despite cryptocurrency's supposed anonymity, investigators successfully traced payments to suspects, highlighting the effectiveness of law enforcement's advanced techniques.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech child exploitation

Nintendo Switch 2 Unveiled: Beefed-Up Hardware and a Killer Game Lineup

2025-04-02

Nintendo Switch 2 Unveiled: Beefed-Up Hardware and a Killer Game Lineup

Nintendo has officially revealed the Switch 2, boasting larger Joy-Cons with enhanced shoulder buttons, a sturdier adjustable stand, and an extra USB-C port. A slew of third-party AAA titles are coming, including Cyberpunk 2077, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Elden Ring, and more. FromSoftware showcased The Duskbloods, a Switch 2 exclusive vampire-themed action RPG. Switch 2 Online subscribers will gain access to a library of upscaled GameCube classics like The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. New Kirby and Donkey Kong titles were also teased. The highly anticipated Donkey Kong Bonanza launches July 17th. Priority purchasing invitations for the Switch 2 will be sent to eligible Switch Online members starting May 8th.

(arstechnica.com)

Game Games Hardware Upgrade

← Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Next →