Recent Changes - Search:
NTLUG

Linux is free.
Life is good.

Linux Training
10am on Meeting Days!

1825 Monetary Lane Suite #104 Carrollton, TX

Do a presentation at NTLUG.

What is the Linux Installation Project?

Real companies using Linux!

Not just for business anymore.

Providing ready to run platforms on Linux

Show Descriptions... (Show All/All+Images) (Single Column)

LWN.net

  • [$] Ripping CDs and converting audio with fre:ac
    It has been a little while since LWN last surveyed tools for managing a digitalmusic collection. In the intervening decades, many Linux users have moved on tomusic streaming services, found them wanting, and are looking to curate their owncollection once again. There are plenty of choices when it comes toripping, managing, and playing digital audio; so many, in fact, that it can be abit daunting. After years of tinkering, I've found a few tools that work well formanaging my digital library: the first I'd like to cover is the fre:ac free audio encoder for ripping music fromCDs and converting between audio formats.


  • [$] An API for handling arithmetic overflow
    On March 31, Kees Cook shareda patch set that represents the culmination of more than a year of worktoward eliminating the possibility of silent, unintentional integer overflow inthe kernel. Linus Torvalds wasnot pleased with the approach, leading to a detailed discussion about themeaning of "safe" integer operations and the design of APIs for handling integeroverflows. Eventually, the developers involved reached a consensus for adifferent API that should make handling overflow errors in the kernel much lessof a hassle.


  • Nix privilege escalation security advisory
    The NixOS project has announceda critical vulnerability in many versions of the Nix packagemanager's daemon. The flaw was introduced as part of a fix for aprior vulnerability in 2024. According to the advisory,all default configurations of NixOS and systems building untrusted derivationsare impacted.

    A bug in the fix for CVE-2024-27297allowed for arbitrary overwrites of files writable by the Nix processorchestrating the builds (typically the Nix daemon running as root inmulti-user installations) by following symlinks during fixed-outputderivation output registration. This affects sandboxed Linux builds -sandboxed macOS builds are unaffected. The location of the temporaryoutput used for the output copy was located inside the build chroot. Asymlink, pointing to an arbitrary location in the filesystem, could becreated by the derivation builder at that path. During outputregistration, the Nix process (running in the host mount namespace)would follow that symlink and overwrite the destination with thederivation's output contents.

    In multi-user installations, this allows all users able to submitbuilds to the Nix daemon (allowed-users - defaulting to all users) togain root privileges by modifying sensitive files.


  • Security updates for Wednesday
    Security updates have been issued by Debian (openssl), Fedora (corosync, goose, kea, pspp, and rauc), Mageia (python-pygments, roundcubemail, and tigervnc), SUSE (bind, gimp, google-cloud-sap-agent, govulncheck-vulndb, ignition, ImageMagick, python, python-PyJWT, and python-pyOpenSSL), and Ubuntu (adsys, juju-core, lxd, python-django, and salt).


  • [$] Sharing stories on Scuttlebutt
    Not many people live on sailboats. Things may be better these days, butback in 2014 sailboat dwellers hadto contend with lag-prone,intermittent, low-bandwidth internet connections. Dominic Tarrdecidedto fix the problem of keeping up with his friends by developing a delay-tolerant,fully distributed social-media protocol calledScuttlebutt. Nearly twelveyears later, the protocol has gained a number of users who have their own,non-sailboat-related reasons to prefer a censorship-resistant,offline-first social-media system.


  • Security updates for Tuesday
    Security updates have been issued by AlmaLinux (crun, kernel, and kernel-rt), Debian (dovecot), Fedora (calibre and nextcloud), Mageia (freerdp, polkit-122, python-nltk, python-pyasn1, vim, and xz), Red Hat (edk2 and openssl), SUSE (avahi, cockpit, python-pyOpenSSL, python311, and tar), and Ubuntu (lambdaisland-uri-clojure, linux-gcp, linux-gcp-4.15, linux-gcp-fips, linux-oem-6.17, and linux-realtime-6.17).


  • Introducing the FreeBSD laptop integration testing project
    Recently, the FreeBSD Foundation has been makingprogress on improving the operating system's support for modernlaptop hardware. The foundation is now looking to expand testing toencompass a wider range of hardware; it has announceda laptop integration testing project to allow the community to easilytest FreeBSD's compatibility with laptops and submit the results.

    With limited access to testing systems, there's only so much we cando! We hope to work together with volunteers from the community whowant FreeBSD to work well on their laptops.

    While we expect device hardware and software enumeration to be afully automated process, we feel that manually-submitted commentsabout personal experience with FreeBSD are equally valuable. We planto highlight this commentary on our "matrix of compatibility" webpagefor each tested laptop.

    We are striving to make it as easy as possible to submit yourresults. You won't have to worry about environment setup, submissionformatting, or any repo-specific details!

    See the projectrepository and testinginstructions for more.



  • [$] Protecting against TPM interposer attacks
    The TrustedPlatform Module (TPM) is a widely misunderstood piece of hardware (orfirmware) that lives in most x86-based computers. At SCALE 23x in Pasadena, California,James Bottomley gave a presentation on the TPM and the work that he andothers have done to enable the Linux kernel to work with it. Inparticular, he described the problems with interposer attacks, which targetthe communication between the TPM and the kernel, and what hasbeen added to the kernel to thwart them.


  • 6.6.133 stable kernel released
    Greg Kroah-Hartman has released the 6.6.133 stable kernel. This revertsa backporting mistake that removed file descriptor checks whichled to kernel panics if the fgetxattr, flistxattr,fremovexattr, or fsetxattr functions were calledfrom user space with a file descriptor that did not reference an openfile.



  • Security updates for Monday
    Security updates have been issued by AlmaLinux (freerdp, grafana, grafana-pcp, gstreamer1-plugins-bad-free, gstreamer1-plugins-base, gstreamer1-plugins-good, and gstreamer1-plugins-ugly-free, kernel, libpng12, libpng15, perl-YAML-Syck, python3, and rsync), Debian (dovecot, libxml-parser-perl, pyasn1, python-tornado, roundcube, tor, trafficserver, and valkey), Fedora (bind9-next, chromium, cmake, domoticz, freerdp, giflib, gst-devtools, gst-editing-services, gstreamer1, gstreamer1-doc, gstreamer1-plugin-libav, gstreamer1-plugins-bad-free, gstreamer1-plugins-base, gstreamer1-plugins-good, gstreamer1-plugins-ugly-free, gstreamer1-rtsp-server, gstreamer1-vaapi, libgsasl, libinput, libopenmpt, mapserver, mingw-binutils, mingw-gstreamer1, mingw-gstreamer1-plugins-bad-free, mingw-gstreamer1-plugins-base, mingw-gstreamer1-plugins-good, mingw-libpng, mingw-python3, nginx-mod-modsecurity, openbao, python-gstreamer1, python3.12, python3.13, python3.14, python3.9, rust, rust-sccache, tcpflow, and vim), Red Hat (ncurses), Slackware (infozip and krita), SUSE (chromium, corosync, keybase-client, libinput-devel, osslsigncode, python-pillow, python311-Flask-Cors, python313, and python314), and Ubuntu (libarchive and spip).


  • Kernel prepatch 7.0-rc7
    Linus has released 7.0-rc7 for testing."Things look set for a final release next weekend, but please keeptesting. The Easter bunny is watching".


  • Hackers breached the European Commission (The Next Web)
    LWN recently reported on the Trivycompromise that led, in turn, to the compromise of the LiteLLM system; thatarticle made the point that the extent of the problem was likely ratherlarger than was known. The Next Web now reportsthat the Trivy attack was used to compromise a wide range of EuropeanCommission systems.
    The European Union's computer emergency response team said on Thursday that a supply chain attack on an open-source security scanner gave hackers the keys to the European Commission's cloud infrastructure, resulting in the theft and public leak of approximately 92 gigabytes of compressed data including the personal information and email contents of staff across dozens of EU institutions.


  • [$] Ubuntu's GRUBby plans
    GNU GRUB 2, mostly justreferred to as GRUB these days, is the most widely used boot loaderfor x86_64 Linux systems. It supports readingfrom a vast selection of filesystems, handles booting modern systemswith UEFI or legacy systems with a BIOS, and even allows users to customize the"splash" image displayed when a system boots. Alas, all of those features come witha price; GRUB has had a paradeof security vulnerabilities over the years. To mitigate some of thoseproblems, Ubuntucore developer and Canonical employee Julian Andres Klode has proposed removinga number of features from GRUB in Ubuntu 26.10 to improve GRUB'ssecurity profile. His proposal has not been met with universal acclaim; many of thefeatures Klode would like to remove have vocal proponents.


  • No kidding: Gentoo GNU/Hurd
    On April 1, the Gentoo Linux project published a blog postannouncing that it was switching to GNU Hurd as its primarykernel as an April Fool's joke. While that is not true, the projecthas followed up with an announcementof a new Gentoo port to the Hurd:

    Our crack team has been working hard to port Gentoo to the Hurd andcan now share that they've succeeded, though it remains still in aheavily experimental stage. You can try Gentoo GNU/Hurd using apre-prepared disk image. The easiest way to do this is with QEMU[...]

    We have developed scripts to build this image locally andconveniently work on further development of the Hurd port. Releasemedia like stages and automated image builds are future goals, as isfeature parity on x86-64. Further contributions are welcome,encouraged, and needed. Be patient, expect to get your hands dirty,anticipate breakage, and have fun!

    Oh, and Gentoo GNU/Hurd also works on real hardware!

    Text for the April Fool's post is available at the bottom of thereal announcement.



  • Security updates for Friday
    Security updates have been issued by AlmaLinux (freerdp, grafana, kernel, rsync, and thunderbird), Debian (chromium, inetutils, and libpng1.6), Fedora (bind9-next, nginx-mod-modsecurity, and openbao), Mageia (firefox, nss and thunderbird), Red Hat (container-tools:rhel8), SUSE (conftest, dnsdist, ignition, libsoup, libsoup2, LibVNCServer, libXvnc-devel, opensc, ovmf-202602, perl-Crypt-URandom, python-tornado, python311-ecdsa, python311-Pygments, python315, tar, and wireshark), and Ubuntu (cairo, jpeg-xl, linux, linux-aws, linux-aws-6.17, linux-gcp, linux-gcp-6.17, linux-hwe-6.17, linux-realtime, linux, linux-aws, linux-aws-hwe, linux-kvm, linux-oracle, linux, linux-aws, linux-gcp, linux-gke, linux-gkeop, linux-ibm, linux-lowlatency, linux-nvidia, linux-raspi, linux-fips, linux-fips, linux-aws-fips, linux-fips, linux-aws-fips, linux-gcp-fips, and linux-realtime, linux-realtime-6.8, linux-raspi-realtime).



LXer Linux News




  • Foenix Labs A2560Me Brings MC68LC060 CPU, FPGA Graphics, and PCIe Expansion
    Foenix Labs’ A2560Me is a Mini-ITX motherboard built around the Motorola MC68LC060 processor and designed as an updated version of the earlier A2560M platform. The system combines a legacy 68k CPU architecture with FPGA-based subsystems and more recent interfaces such as PCIe and DDR3 memory. The A2560Me uses a 32-bit MC68LC060RC66 processor alongside a Xilinx […]



  • Stack Overflow abandons redesign after loyalists criticize it
    Fabled Q&A site for devs struggles with its future as AI takes over its original purposeStack Overflow, the once-popular dev community, has abandoned a planned redesign that was meant to refocus the site more on discussions than the question-and-answer format that built its reputation.…


  • Ubuntu 26.04 Provides More Performance For AMD Ryzen AI Max "Strix Halo"
    Last week I provided benchmarks to quantify how the AMD Strix Halo graphics performance has evolved since launch one year ago, in today's article is a look at how the Zen 5 CPU performance with the flagship Ryzen AI Max+ 395 has evolved under Linux in the year since these exciting APUs began making their way to high-end laptops and desktops. Complementing the nice Radeon 8060S performance gains are also some nice CPU performance benefits quantified when using Ubuntu 26.04.






  • RISC-V XIP Linux Feature Being Removed After It Keeps Breaking For Months At A Time
    Introduced in Linux 5.13 back in 2021 was eXecute In Place "XIP" support for RISC-V that allows for the kernel image to be executed from ROM. The intent is on allowing the kernel to run from non-volatile storage like NOR flash that is directly addressable by the CPU and to reduce RAM usage. But after RISC-V XIP support is broken for months at a time, the feature is now set to be retired from the mainline kernel...





  • Raspberry Pi CM5 TV Stick Lite Adapts Compute Module 5 for HDMI Dongle Use
    A compact carrier board referred to as the Raspberry Pi CM5 TV Stick Lite adapts the Compute Module 5 into a plug-in HDMI form factor. The design allows the module to connect directly to a display while requiring only USB-C power. The board targets portable or embedded use cases where minimizing cabling is a priority. […]


  • Tiny Corp Begins Accepting Pre-Orders For Their $10M Exabox
    Open-source friendly company Tiny Corp that is behind the Tinygrad MIT-licensed neural network framework and developing a "sovereign" AMD GPU driver stack with their Tinybox hardware offerings has their sights on shipping the Exabox next year. The Tiny Corp's Exabox is expected to retail for around $10M USD but offer immense AI compute power...




  • Data-Driven Career Intelligence for Linux Professionals
    After years offline, LinuxCareer.com returns with a new mission: turning real job postings into actionable career intelligence. Updated quarterly with current market data, the site breaks down which skills, certifications, and salary ranges employers are actually hiring for. All data is free, openly available, and published under a Creative Commons license. I hope you find it useful and welcome any feedback.


Linux Insider"LinuxInsider"












Slashdot

  • Valve Releases Native Steam Link App For Apple's Vision Pro
    Valve has released a native Steam Link beta for Apple Vision Pro, letting users stream their existing Steam games onto a large virtual screen in visionOS. It supports up to 4K resolution and will let you dynamically adjust the curve of the display. The Mac Observer reports: Steam Link does not support VR titles in this beta, and Valve clearly states that the app is limited to 2D game streaming, but this still opens up a large library of games that users can play on a massive virtual screen inside Vision Pro. At the same time, Vision Pro already handles 2D media very well, and this update builds on that strength by turning the headset into a portable gaming display that connects directly to your existing setup without needing extra hardware. You can join the Steam Link beta through TestFlight right now, and this early release shows how Apple Vision Pro continues to expand beyond media into more practical and everyday use cases like gaming.


    Read more of this story at Slashdot.


  • Apple and Lenovo Have the Least Repairable Laptops, Analysis Finds
    An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: Apple earned the lowest grades in a report on laptop and smartphone repairability released today by the consumer advocacy group Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) Education Fund. The report, which looks at how easy devices are to disassemble and how easy it is to find repairability information, gave Apple a C-minus in laptop repairability and a D-minus in cell phone repairability. For its "Failing the Fix (2026): Grading laptop and cell phone companies on the fixability of their products" report, PIRG analyzed the 10 newest laptops and phones that were available via manufacturers' French website in January. [...] Apple leads the list of laptop repairability losers, largely due to it having low disassembly scores. Apple, along with Dell and Samsung, also lost a full point for being members of TechNet and the CTA. Lenovo had the second-worst grade with a C-minus. Like Apple, Lenovo had low disassembly scores. It also lost 0.5 points for failing to properly post PDFs explaining the French repair scores for some of its newest laptops sold in the region, as required in France. This is especially noteworthy because Lenovo got an F in last year's report for missing this information on at least 12 laptops. At the time, Lenovo director of communications David Hamilton provided a statement to Ars saying that the missing information was "due to a backend web compatibility issue that temporarily prevented the display of repairability scores on our Lenovo France website" that was "widely resolved." However, it appears that over a year later, Lenovo still isn't providing sufficient information to meet France's requirements "While Lenovo has improved somewhat with their compliance with French consumer law by providing more repair score PDFs on their website, we urge the company to resolve this multi-year issue," this year's report says. PIRG's report concluded that "laptops are pretty stagnant in terms of repairability" across many of the eight most popular laptop brands in the US. However, Proctor noted to Ars that consumers' access to parts, tools, and information that vendors have has improved, but improvements around ease of disassembly "take longer to realize." He also praised vendors' efforts to release more repairable designs, such as Apple's MacBook Neo. For its repairability index, PIRG weighed physical ease of disassembly most heavily, while also considering the availability of repair documentation, spare parts, spare-parts affordability, and other product-specific criteria. It then adjusted company grades by deducting points for membership in trade groups that oppose right-to-repair laws and adding small bonuses for manufacturers that supported right-to-repair legislation. Acer stood out as the only laptop vendor that avoided the 0.5-point trade-group penalty, since it was not listed as a member of TechNet or the Consumer Technology Association.


    Read more of this story at Slashdot.


  • CIA Reportedly Used Secret Quantum Tool To Find Downed Airman in Iran
    alternative_right quotes a report from the New York Post: The CIA used a futuristic new tool called "Ghost Murmur" to find and rescue the second American airman who was shot down in southern Iran, The Post has learned. The secret technology uses long-range quantum magnetometry to find the electromagnetic fingerprint of a human heartbeat and pairs the data with artificial intelligence software to isolate the signature from background noise, two sources close to the breakthrough said. It was the tool's first use in the field by the spy agency -- and was alluded to Monday afternoon by President Trump and CIA Director John Ratcliffe at a White House briefing. "It's like hearing a voice in a stadium, except the stadium is a thousand square miles of desert," a source briefed on the program told The Post. "In the right conditions, if your heart is beating, we will find you." The relatively barren landscape made for "an ideal first operational use" of Ghost Murmur, the first source noted. "Normally this signal is so weak that it can only be measured in a hospital setting with sensors pressed nearly against the chest," the source said. "But advances in a field known as quantum magnetometry -- specifically sensors built around microscopic defects in synthetic diamonds -- have apparently made it possible to detect these signals at dramatically greater distances." "The capability is not omniscient. It works best in remote, low-clutter environments and requires significant processing time," this person added.


    Read more of this story at Slashdot.


  • Planet Labs Tests AI-Powered Object Detection On Satellite
    BrianFagioli writes: Artificial intelligence has now run directly on a satellite in orbit. A spacecraft about 500km above Earth captured an image of an airport and then immediately ran an onboard AI model to detect airplanes in the photo. Instead of acting like a simple camera in space that sends raw data back to Earth for later analysis, the satellite performed the computation itself while still in orbit. The system used an NVIDIA Jetson Orin module to run the object detection model moments after the image was taken. Traditionally, Earth observation satellites capture images and transmit large datasets to ground stations where computers process them hours later. Running AI directly on the satellite could reduce that delay dramatically, allowing spacecraft to analyze events like disasters, infrastructure changes, or aircraft activity almost immediately. "This success is a glimpse into the future of what we call Planetary Intelligence at scale," said Kiruthika Devaraj, VP of Avionics & Spacecraft Technology. "By running AI at the edge on the NVIDIA Jetson platform, we can help reduce the time between 'seeing' a change on Earth and a customer 'acting' on it, while simultaneously minimizing downlink latency and cost. This shift toward integrated AI at the edge is a technological leap that can help differentiate solutions like Planet's Global Monitoring Service (GMS), providing valuable insights for our customers and enabling rapid response times when it matters most."


    Read more of this story at Slashdot.


  • Russian Government Hackers Broke Into Thousands of Home Routers To Steal Passwords
    An anonymous reader quotes a report from TechCrunch: A group of Russian government hackers have hijacked thousands of home and small business routers around the world as part of an ongoing campaign aimed at redirecting victim's internet traffic to steal their passwords and access tokens, security researchers and government authorities warned on Tuesday. [...] The hacking group targeted unpatched routers made by MikroTik and TP-Link using previously disclosed vulnerabilities according to the U.K. government's cybersecurity unit NCSC and Lumen's research arm Black Lotus Labs, which released new details of the campaign Tuesday. According to the researchers, the hackers were able to spy on large numbers of people over the course of several years by compromising their routers, many of which run outdated software, leaving them vulnerable to remote attacks without their owners' knowledge. The NCSC said that these operations are "likely opportunistic in nature, with the actor casting a wide net to reach many potential victims, before narrowing in on targets of intelligence interest as the attack develops." Per the researchers and government advisories, the Russian hackers hacked routers to modify the device's settings so that the victim's internet requests are surreptitiously passed to infrastructure run by the hackers. This allows the hackers to redirect victims to spoof websites under their control, then steal passwords and tokens that let the hackers log in to that victim's online accounts without needing their two-factor authentication codes. Black Lotus Labs said that Fancy Bear compromised at least 18,000 victims in around 120 countries, including government departments, law enforcement agencies, and email providers across North Africa, Central America, and Southeast Asia. Microsoft, which also released details of the campaign on Tuesday, said in a blog post that its researchers identified over 200 organizations and 5,000 consumer devices affected by these hacking operations, including at least three government organizations in Africa. The Justice Department said Tuesday it neutralized compromised routers in the U.S. under court authorization. As the DOJ put it, the FBI "developed a series of commands to send to compromised routers" to collect evidence, reset settings, and prevent hackers from breaking back in.


    Read more of this story at Slashdot.


  • Apple Faces 'Massive Dilemma' With Success of the MacBook Neo
    Apple may have a supply problem on its hands with the MacBook Neo... The laptop reportedly relies on "binned" A18 Pro chips with one GPU core disabled, and demand is so strong that the supply of those cheaper leftover chips could run out before the next model is ready. That leaves Apple choosing between lower margins, shifting production plans, or changing the lineup to keep its $599 hit product in stock. MacRumors reports: The all-new MacBook Neo has been such a hit that Apple is facing a "massive dilemma," according to Taiwan-based tech columnist and former Bloomberg reporter Tim Culpan. [...] In the latest edition of his Culpium newsletter today, Culpan said the MacBook Neo is selling so well that Apple's supply of the binned A18 Pro chips with a 5-core GPU will "run out" before the company is able to fully satisfy demand for the laptop. Apple's initial plan was to have suppliers build around five to six million MacBook Neo units before ceasing production of the model with the A18 Pro chip, he said, but it sounds like demand is so strong that Apple might run out of A18 Pro chips to put in the MacBook Neo before the second-generation MacBook Neo with an A19 Pro chip is ready next year. Apple is unlikely to mark the MacBook Neo as temporarily sold out, so it may be forced to take action, but profit margins might be affected. A18 Pro chips are manufactured with TSMC's second-generation 3nm process, known as N3E, and Culpan said TSMC's N3E production lines are currently operating at maximum capacity. As a result, he said that Apple may have to pay a premium to restart A18 Pro chip production for the MacBook Neo, which would lower its profit margins. Apple would have to disable a GPU core on these chips to ensure that they have only a 5-core GPU, like all other MacBook Neo units sold to date. Alternatively, Culpan said that Apple could reallocate some of its chip production that was originally planned for other devices, but he said the cost would still be higher than what it paid for its initial batch of A18 Pro chips. Culpan speculated that Apple could also opt to discontinue the $599 model with 256GB of storage, leaving the $699 model with 512GB of storage and a Touch ID button as the only configuration available. This is unlikely to happen any time soon, in our view, given how heavily Apple has been promoting the MacBook Neo's affordability. Apple might also be able to move up the release of a MacBook Neo with the iPhone 17 Pro's A19 Pro chip, but that too would be a costlier option, at least until the company achieves a sufficient stockpile of binned A19 Pro chips with a 5-core GPU. In any case, Apple could opt to keep the starting price of current and future MacBook Neo models at $599 and simply accept lower profit margins on the laptop, especially given that it attracts customers to the macOS and broader Apple ecosystem.


    Read more of this story at Slashdot.


  • Anthropic Unveils 'Claude Mythos', Powerful AI With Major Cyber Implications
    "Anthropic has unveiled Claude Mythos, a new AI model capable of discovering critical vulnerabilities at scale," writes Slashdot reader wiredmikey. "It's already powering Project Glasswing, a joint effort with major tech firms to secure critical software. But the same capabilities could also accelerate offensive cyber operations." SecurityWeek reports: Mythos is not an incremental improvement but a step change in performance over Anthropic's current range of frontier models: Haiku (smallest), Sonnet (middle ground), and Opus (most powerful). Mythos sits in a fourth tier named Copybara, and Anthropic describes it as superior to any other existing AI frontier model. It incorporates the current trend in the use of AI: the modern use of agentic AI. "The powerful cyber capabilities of Claude Mythos Preview are a result of its strong agentic coding and reasoning skills... the model has the highest scores of any model yet developed on a variety of software coding tasks," notes Anthropic in a blog titled Project Glasswing -- Securing critical software for the AI era. In the last few weeks, Mythos Preview has identified thousands of zero-day vulnerabilities with many classified as critical. Several are ten or 20 years old -- the oldest found so far is a 27-years old bug in OpenBSD. Elsewhere, a 16-years old vulnerability found in video software has survived five million hits from other automated testing tools without ever being discovered. And it autonomously found and chained together several in the Linux kernel allowing an attacker to escalate from ordinary user access to complete control of the machine. [...] Anthropic is concerned that Mythos' capabilities could unleash cyberattacks too fast and too sophisticated for defenders to block. It hopes that Mythos can be used to improve cybersecurity generally before malicious actors can get access to it. To this end, the firm has announced the next stage of this preparation as Project Glasswing, powered by Mythos Preview. Given the rate of AI progress, it will not be long before such capabilities proliferate, potentially beyond actors who are committed to deploying them safely. "Project Glasswing is a starting point. No one organization can solve these cybersecurity problems alone: frontier AI developers, other software companies, security researchers, open-source maintainers, and governments across the world all have essential roles to play." Claude Mythos Preview is described as a general-purpose, unreleased frontier model from Anthropic that has nevertheless completed its training phase. The firm does not plan to make Mythos Preview generally available. The implication is that 'Preview' is a term used solely to describe the current state of Mythos and the market's readiness to receive it, and will be dropped when the firm gets closer to general release.


    Read more of this story at Slashdot.


  • Chrome Is Finally Getting Vertical Tabs
    Chrome is finally adding built-in vertical tabs, "which will move the tabs to the side of the browser window, making it easier to read full page titles and manage tab groups," reports TechCrunch. The company is also introducing an immersive reading mode for a distraction-free, text-focused experience. From the report: The company notes that the new vertical tabs can be enabled at any time by right-clicking on a Chrome window and selecting "Show Tabs Vertically." The company says there's no hard limit on the number of tabs that can be opened (beyond what would be limited already by the user's hardware). The vertical tabs work just as the horizontal tabs do, meaning you can have different Chrome windows with their own set of tabs or tab groups. [...] Alongside the launch of vertical tabs, Chrome is also rolling out a new Reading Mode experience, which will offer a full-page interface to make it even easier to reduce on-screen clutter to focus on the text. This will be the new default experience for Chrome users, and arrives at a time when web pages, particularly those on news sites, have become cluttered with ads and prompts to subscribe to newsletters.


    Read more of this story at Slashdot.


  • Supreme Court Wipes Piracy Liability Verdict Against Grande Communications
    An anonymous reader quotes a report from TorrentFreak: Following on the heels of the landmark Cox v. Sony ruling, the Supreme Court has vacated the contributory copyright infringement verdict against ISP Grande Communications, ordering the Fifth Circuit to reconsider its decision in light of the new precedent. [...] The order (PDF) effectively removes the case from the Supreme Court docket, urging the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to take another look at its decision in light of the new ruling. Given the similarities between the two cases, it is no surprise that the Supreme Court came to this conclusion. It is now up to the Fifth Circuit to revisit whether Grande's conduct meets the intent threshold that was established in Cox. That is a significantly higher bar than the one applied in the original verdict, which found that continuing to provide service to known infringers was enough to establish material contribution. The music companies previously said they sent over a million copyright infringement notices, but that Grande failed to terminate even a single subscriber account in response. However, without proof of active inducement, these absolute numbers carry less weight now. Whether this translates into a win for Grande on remand remains to be seen. For now, however, the original $47 million verdict is further away than ever.


    Read more of this story at Slashdot.


  • Testing Suggests Google's AI Overviews Tells Millions of Lies Per Hour
    A New York Times analysis found Google's AI Overviews now answer questions correctly about 90% of the time, which might sound impressive until you realize that roughly 1 in 10 answers is wrong. "[F]or Google, that means hundreds of thousands of lies going out every minute of the day," reports Ars Technica. From the report: The Times conducted this analysis with the help of a startup called Oumi, which itself is deeply involved in developing AI models. The company used AI tools to probe AI Overviews with the SimpleQA evaluation, a common test to rank the factuality of generative models like Gemini. Released by OpenAI in 2024, SimpleQA is essentially a list of more than 4,000 questions with verifiable answers that can be fed into an AI. Oumi began running its test last year when Gemini 2.5 was still the company's best model. At the time, the benchmark showed an 85 percent accuracy rate. When the test was rerun following the Gemini 3 update, AI Overviews answered 91 percent of the questions correctly. If you extrapolate this miss rate out to all Google searches, AI Overviews is generating tens of millions of incorrect answers per day. The report includes several examples of where AI Overviews went wrong. When asked for the date on which Bob Marley's former home became a museum, AI Overviews cited three pages, two of which didn't discuss the date at all. The final one, Wikipedia, listed two contradictory years, and AI Overviews confidently chose the wrong one. The benchmark also prompts models to produce the date on which Yo Yo Ma was inducted into the classical music hall of fame. While AI Overviews cited the organization's website that listed Ma's induction, it claimed there's no such thing as the Classical Music Hall of Fame. "This study has serious holes," said Google spokesperson Ned Adriance. "It doesn't reflect what people are actually searching on Google." The search giant likes to use a test called SimpleQA Verified, which uses a smaller set of questions that have been more thoroughly vetted.


    Read more of this story at Slashdot.


  • Anthropic Reveals $30 Billion Run Rate, Plans To Use 3.5GW of New Google AI Chips
    Anthropic says its annualized revenue run rate has surpassed $30 billion and disclosed plans to secure roughly 3.5 gigawatts of next-generation Google TPU compute starting in 2027. Broadcom will supply the key chips and networking gear for the effort, the company announced. The Register reports: News of the two deals emerged today in a Broadcom regulatory filing that opens with two items of news. One is a "Long Term Agreement for Broadcom to develop and supply custom Tensor Processing Units ("TPUs") for Google's future generations of TPUs." Google and Broadcom have collaborated to produce custom TPUs. Broadcom CEO Hock Tan recently shared his opinion that hyperscalers don't have the skill to create custom accelerators and predicted Broadcom's chip business will therefore win over $100 billion of revenue from AI chips in 2027 alone. Working on next-gen TPUs for Google will presumably help to make that prediction a reality. So will the second part of Broadcom's announcement: a "Supply Assurance Agreement for Broadcom to supply networking and other components to be used in Google's next-generation AI racks through up to 2031." Broadcom's filing also revealed one user of Google's next-gen TPU will be Anthropic, which starting in 2027, "will access through Broadcom approximately 3.5 gigawatts as part of the multiple gigawatts of next generation TPU-based AI compute capacity committed by Anthropic."


    Read more of this story at Slashdot.


  • Cloudflare Fast-Tracks Post-Quantum Rollout To 2029
    Cloudflare is accelerating its post-quantum security plans and now aims to make its entire platform fully post-quantum secure by 2029. "The updated timeline follows new developments in quantum computing research that suggest current cryptographic standards could be broken sooner than previously expected," reports SiliconANGLE. From the report: The decision by Cloudflare to move its post-quantum security roadmap forward comes after Google LLC and research from Oratomic demonstrated significant advances in algorithms and hardware capable of breaking widely used encryption methods such as RSA-2048 and elliptic curve cryptography. [...] The company said progress across three key areas -- quantum hardware, error correction and quantum algorithms -- is advancing in parallel and compounding overall capability. Improvements in areas such as neutral atom architectures and more efficient error correction are reducing the resources required to break encryption, while algorithmic advances are lowering computational complexity. [...] Cloudflare has already deployed post-quantum encryption across a large portion of its network and reports that more than half of human traffic it processes now uses post-quantum key agreement. The company plans to expand support for post-quantum authentication in 2026, followed by broader deployment across its network and products through 2028. By 2029, Cloudflare said, it expects all of its services to be fully post-quantum secure, with those services being available by default across its platform, without requiring customer action or additional cost as part of the company's commitment to security upgrades. Google said it plans to accelerate its post-quantum encryption migration target to 2029.


    Read more of this story at Slashdot.


  • New Revelations Reignite Crypto Scandal Involving Argentina's President Milei
    An anonymous reader quotes a report from the New York Times: President Javier Milei of Argentina promoted a cryptocurrency last year that quickly skyrocketed in value then cratered just as fast, costing investors millions of dollars and setting off a scandal and an investigation. Mr. Milei said he was simply highlighting a private venture and had no connection to the digital coin called $Libra. New evidence is now raising questions about his assertion. Phone logs from a federal investigation by Argentine prosecutors into the coin's collapse show seven phone calls between Mr. Milei and one of the entrepreneurs behind the cryptocurrency on the night in 2025 when Mr. Milei posted about $Libra on X. The contents of the calls, which took place before and after Mr. Milei's post, are not known. But the phone logs -- which were obtained by The New York Times and first reported by a local cable news channel, C5N -- suggest a greater degree of communication between Mr. Milei and the entrepreneurs who launched the token than what the president has publicly acknowledged. Newly uncovered messages also suggest Mr. Milei received regular payments from one of the entrepreneurs while he was a congressman. Mr. Milei has not publicly commented on the call logs and other documents, and he did not respond to a request for comment. He is named as a person of interest in the federal prosecutor's continuing investigation into the digital coin, according to court documents reviewed by The Times, but has not been formally charged with any crime. The latest revelations have revived a scandal that threatens the very foundation of a president who rose to power and was elected president in 2023 by attacking a political class he called corrupt.


    Read more of this story at Slashdot.


  • Stanford Daily Ponders Fate of Bill Gates Namesake Building On April Fools' Day
    theodp writes: "Gates Computer Science Building renamed Peter Thiel Center for Panoptic Computing" reads the headline of an April Fools' Day story that ran in the Humor section of The Stanford Daily (with the further disclaimer that "This article is purely satirical and fictitious"). The story begins: "Following revelations that the billionaire founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, had a longstanding relationship with convicted child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, Stanford has announced it will strip Gates' name from the William H. Gates Computer Science Building and instead honor alumnus Peter Thiel B.A. '89, JD '92. Gates, who is not a Stanford alumnus, gave an initial gift of $6 million toward the building's construction in 1992." While fictional, the story does make one wonder what may become of the academic and institutional buildings worldwide named after Bill Gates in the blowback over his past ties to Epstein, which have already played a factor in the breakdown of his marriage to Melinda French Gates and friendship with Warren Buffet. In addition to The Gates Computer Science Building at Stanford, this includes the Bill and Melinda Gates Computer Science Complex at the University of Texas at Austin, Bill and Melinda Gates Hall at Cornell, The Bill & Melinda Gates Center for Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Washington, and The William H. Gates Building at MIT's Stata Center. Buildings named after Gates' parents include Mary Gates Hall and William H. Gates Hall at the University of Washington, and The William Gates Building at the University of Cambridge (UK). Aside from the Thiel angle, The Stanford Daily's April Fools' Day story may not be as far-fetched as it may seem -- many universities' naming policies include provisions allowing donors' names to be removed from buildings, programs, or other facilities under extraordinary circumstances. For example, the University of Washington's Regent Policy No. 50 states, "The University reserves the right to revoke and terminate any naming on reasonable grounds not limited to the revelation of corporate or individual acts detracting from the University's mission, integrity, or reputation." Then again, UW notes that Bill's parents and siblings served as UW Regents for decades, so one expects Bill will be granted some leeway here for what he has characterized as 'foolish' choices on his part.


    Read more of this story at Slashdot.


  • LinkedIn Faces Spying Allegations Over Browser Extension Scanning
    LinkedIn is facing allegations that it quietly scans users' browsers for installed Chrome extensions. The German group Fairlinked e.V. goes so far as to claim that the site is "running one of the largest corporate espionage operations in modern history." "The program runs silently, without any visible indicator to the user," the group says. "It does not ask for consent. It does not disclose what it is doing. It reports the results to LinkedIn's servers. This is not a one-time check. The scan runs on every page load, for every visitor." PCMag reports: This browser extension "fingerprinting" technique has been spotted before, but it was previously found to probe only 2,000 to 3,000 extensions. Fairlinked alleges that LinkedIn is now scanning for 6,222 extensions that could indicate a user's political opinions or religious views. For example, the extensions LinkedIn will look for include one that flags companies as too "woke," one that can add an "anti-Zionist" tag to LinkedIn profiles, and two others that can block content forbidden under Islamic teachings. It would also be a cakewalk to tie the collected extension data to specific users, since LinkedIn operates as a vast professional social network that covers people's work history. Fairlinked's concern is that Microsoft and LinkedIn can allegedly use the data to identify which companies use competing products. "LinkedIn has already sent enforcement threats to users of third-party tools, using data obtained through this covert scanning to identify its targets," the group claims. However, LinkedIn claims that Fairlinked mischaracterizes a LinkedIn safeguard designed to prevent web scraping by browser extensions. "We do not use this data to infer sensitive information about members," the company says. "To protect the privacy of our members, their data, and to ensure site stability, we do look for extensions that scrape data without members' consent or otherwise violate LinkedIn's Terms of Service," LinkedIn adds. [...] The statement goes on to allege that Fairlinked is from a developer whose account was previously suspended for web scraping. One of the group's board members is listed as "S.Morell," which appears to be Steven Morell, the founder of Teamfluence, a tool that helps businesses monitor LinkedIn activity. [...] Still, the Microsoft-owned site is facing some blowback for not clearly disclosing the browser extension scanning in LinkedIn's privacy policy. Fairlinked is soliciting donations for a legal fund to take on Microsoft and is urging the public to encourage local regulators to intervene.


    Read more of this story at Slashdot.


The Register


  • DARPA puts money where bots' mouths are, seeks new science of AI communication
    MATHBAC program wants better machine-to-machine chatter for scientific discovery
    To supercharge agents' ability to make scientific discoveries, DARPA is looking to improve cross-bot collaboration by developing a "science of AI communication" that will help the models work together to come up with better ideas. …


  • Microsoft calls time on ASP.NET Core 2.3 on .NET Framework
    Tangled tale nears end as Redmond classifies it as a tool, not a library
    Microsoft has set an end-of-support date of April 7, 2027, for ASP.NET Core 2.3, the only supported version on .NET Framework, even though .NET Framework (and the original ASP.NET) will continue to be supported.…



  • Amazon rewards loyal Kindle devotees by closing the book on old e-readers
    To 'minimize disruption,' Bezoscorp offers a 20% discount on new hardware you didn't want
    Updated Amazon is rewarding long-time Kindle users by ditching support for aging devices, though it is trying to "minimize disruption" for existing customers by dangling a 20 percent discount for new models along with an eBook credit.…




  • Investors are going nuclear to keep UK's AI datacenters fed
    Market watcher says money is pouring into British atomic and fusion startups amid massive energy demand
    Investors are backing nuclear power as a solution to fuel the UK's datacenter buildout, according to researchers tracking investment activity.…


  • DXC lands Metropolitan Police outsourcing deal that could climb to £1B
    Supplier will support the current Oracle E-Business Suite and lead migration to a new Oracle Fusion SaaS platform
    The UK's largest police force has awarded DXC Technology a contract worth up to £1 billion to develop and run a host of business process outsourcing services – including building a new Oracle ERP system.…





  • Microsoft hints at bit bunkers for war zones
    President Brad Smith tells an interviewer that Microsoft is reconsidering datacenter design in light of Iran war
    Microsoft is reevaluating how it designs and builds datacenters in conflict-prone regions after Iran began targeting Middle Eastern bit barns in retaliation for US military operations.…


  • Japan relaxes privacy laws to make itself the ‘easiest country to develop AI’
    Opting out of personal data use won't be an option because Minister says that's a 'very big obstacle' to AI adoption
    Japan’s Minister for Digital Transformation Hisashi Matsumoto has declared the nation will become the easiest place in the world to develop AI apps, thanks to legal changes that mean organizations won’t need to secure consent to use some personal information.…


  • Anthropic: All your zero-days are belong to Mythos
    Hasn't released it to the public, because it would break the internet - in a bad way
    For years, the infosec community’s biggest existential worry has been quantum computers blowing away all classical encryption and revealing the world’s secrets. Now they have a new Big Bad: an AI model that can generate zero-day vulnerabilities.…




  • Cloudflare, GoDaddy team up to curb AI bot brigades
    Pair backs scraper blocking and standards to separate trusted agents from bad bots
    Citing the need to adapt to an internet increasingly serving the needs of AI agents without considering the needs of site owners, Cloudflare and GoDaddy are partnering on efforts to control how AIs crawl the web and interact with web content.…


  • AWS CEO: It's funny when people ask me if AI is overhyped
    Matt Garman sounds the alarm but plays down the SaaS-pocalypse at Human[X]
    Stefan Weitz, CEO and co-founder of the Human[X] conference, welcomed attendees to the AI-focused bitshow in San Francisco with the promise that they would receive no certainty and no playbook.…



  • Intel gets trapped in Elon’s reality distortion field as it joins in megafab delusions
    Space is just the next stop on the AI hype train, right after AGI
    In the realm of his other unrealistic plans and potentially broken promises, Elon Musk's Terafab stands out as one of the biggest pipedreams, promising to boost semiconductor production by 50x for the benefit of orbital datacenters. But hey, this idea must have legs, because now Intel has announced it is joining the aspiring Bond villain's initiative.…


  • Nutanix brings its K8s to bare metal because hardware matters again
    Expands compatibility since it's tough to buy the boxes you want right now
    .NEXT Nutanix exists to abstract hardware into a pool of logical resources, leaving servers and storage forgotten by all but a few datacenter hardheads. But the company's annual .NEXT conference, which kicked off in Chicago on Tuesday, put hardware at the top of the agenda.…




  • Stack Overflow abandons redesign after loyalists criticize it
    Fabled Q&A site for devs struggles with its future as AI takes over its original purpose
    Stack Overflow, the once-popular dev community, has abandoned a planned redesign that was meant to refocus the site more on discussions than the question-and-answer format that built its reputation.…



  • Break, no fix: Apple and Samsung make repairs hard
    Motorola and Google top PIRG's latest scorecard
    Samsung and Apple phones are more difficult to repair than those from other makers, according to a report ranking devices by how easy to fix they are.…



  • White House seeks deep NASA cuts as Artemis II breaks spaceflight record
    Proposal resurrects an existential threat to US leadership in space science and exploration
    First, the good news: the Artemis II crew has successfully swung around the far side of the Moon and surpassed Apollo 13's record for the farthest humans have traveled from Earth. Now the bad news: the White House is sharpening the budget blade once again.…


  • No-Nvidia interconnect club delivers 2.0 spec before v1.0 silicon ships
    UALink splits work on physical layer and protocol specs to speed things up, literally and metaphorically
    The UALink Consortium, a group of tech giants working on GPU networking standards to provide an alternative to Nvidia's NVLink and NVSwitch, has released new specs, but is still months away from shipping silicon.…



  • OpenInfra General Manager talks sovereignty, governments deploying tech 'kill switches'
    Geopolitics enter the room as Thierry Carrez shows that there's more to Kubecon than AI
    Kubecon Sovereignty was a big topic was at last week's Kubecon, and Thierry Carrez, the General Manager of the OpenInfra Foundation, shared strong feelings around it that included raising the idea that tech companies might be forced by their countries' governments to deploy "kill switches."…


  • Apple's chips are the core of a new landscape, but its biggest win is Windows
    Walled gardens make more sense when it's an AI-lligator infested swamp outside
    Opinion When the first M1 Apple Silicon systems sprouted at the end of 2020, we loved the tech but not the walled garden it grew in. Apple had complete control over all its platforms and could set its own rules, but only to become more Apple-y. There was a whole world outside that area where Apple Silicon would never tread, even if Cupertino could iterate fast enough to keep up. Plus, Apple's appliance sensibility limited its expansion options, especially with performance dependent on its own silicon. …


  • Brits are falling out of love with posting every thought online
    Ofcom finds social media participation dropping as skepticism about digital life grows
    British adults are now less active on social media, according to Ofcom, with just half of users actively posting, and fewer now believe the benefits outweigh the risks of being online.…


  • Yahoo! Japan’s owner consolidating 164 OpenStack clusters into one
    Customizations are causing pain so new cloud will stick to upstream cuts of the open source stack
    LY Corporation, the Japanese web giant that dominates messaging, e-commerce and payments in many Asian countries, has revealed it is replacing a heavily-customized OpenStack cloud with a more conventional cut of the open source cloud stack – and making massive consolidations along the way.…


  • Anthropic reveals $30bn run rate and plans to use 3.5GW of new Google AI chips
    Broadcom's building the silicon and is chuffed about that, but also notes Anthropic remains a risk
    Broadcom has announced that Google has asked it to build next-generation AI and datacenter networking chips, and that Anthropic plans to consume 3.5GW worth of the accelerators it delivers to the ads and search giant.…


  • AI agents found vulns in this popular Linux and Unix print server
    CUPS server shown spilling out remote code execution and root access
    In the latest chapter on leaky CUPS, a security researcher and his band of bug-hunting agents have found two flaws that can be chained to allow an unauthenticated attacker to remotely execute code and achieve root file overwrite on the network.…


  • AI slop got better, so now maintainers have more work
    Once AI bug reports become plausible, someone still has to verify them
    If AI does more of the work but humans still have to check it, you need more reviewers. Now that AI models have gotten better at writing and evaluating code, open-source projects find themselves overwhelmed with the too-good-to-ignore output.…



  • Anthropic closes door on subscription use of OpenClaw
    The company is having trouble meeting user demand
    OpenClaw is popular, but not with the people responsible for keeping Anthropic’s services online. The company has disallowed subscription-based pricing for users who use the open-source agentic tool with Claude to try to keep things moving.…



  • Patch to end i486 support hits Linux kernel merge queue
    After a year of patchwork, maintainers look ready to start retiring 486-class CPUs
    It's taken nearly a full version number to get the pieces in order, but the long-awaited end of 486 chip support in the Linux kernel appears to be nigh with Linux 7.1's release later this year. …


  • Windows asks a networking question on a Stratford billboard
    Glue and paper wouldn't have cared about discoverability
    Bork!Bork!Bork! Today's entry in the pantheon of public whoopsies is not so much Windows falling over as someone sticking a network connection where it possibly doesn't belong.…


  • The developer who came in from the cold and melted a mainframe
    It's not just machines that need proper HVAC
    Who, Me? The world is rapidly becoming a more uncertain place, but The Register tries to offer readers one small point of certainty by always delivering a fresh Monday morning instalment of "Who, Me?" – the reader-contributed column in which you admit to your errors and elucidate your escapes.…





  • How Nvidia learned to embrace the light in its quest for scale
    The GPU king's move to optical scale-up was inevitable
    If you thought Nvidia's GB200 rack systems were big, CEO Jensen Huang is just getting started. At GTC last month, the world's most valuable company revealed plans to use photonic interconnects to pack more than a thousand GPUs into a single mammoth system by 2028.…



  • Ex-Microsoft engineer believes Azure problems stem from talent exodus
    The cloud service's woes reflect a crisis made worse by AI – under-investment in people
    In 2024, federal cybersecurity evaluators reportedly dismissed Microsoft 365 Government Community Cloud High (GCC High) as garbage, although they used a more colorful term. To understand why, it helps to consider the history of the underlying Azure infrastructure.…



Linux.com


  • From DHCP to SZTP – The Trust Revolution
    By Juha Holkkola, FusionLayer Group The Dawn of Effortless Connectivity In the transformative years of the late 1990s, a quiet revolution took place, fundamentally altering how we connect to networks. The introduction of DHCP answered a crucial question, Where are you on the network?!, by automating IP address assignment. This innovation eradicated the manual configuration [0]

    The post From DHCP to SZTP – The Trust Revolution appeared first on Linux.com.










Phoronix

  • AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 To Be Priced At $899 USD
    At the end of March AMD announced the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 processor with both dies having 3D V-Cache. This 16 core processor with 206MB of total cache is quit exciting and will be on sale later this month but AMD refrained from commenting on the price until today...


  • Intel Arc Pro B70 Benchmarks With LLM / AI, OpenCL, OpenGL & Vulkan
    Last month Intel announced the Arc Pro B70 with 32GB of GDDR6 video memory for this long-awaited Battlemage G31 graphics card. This new top-end Battlemage graphics card with 32 Xe cores and 32GB of GDDR6 video memory offers a lot of potential for LLM/AI and other use cases, especially when running multiple Arc Pro B70s. Last week Intel sent over four Arc Pro B70 graphics cards for Linux testing at Phoronix. Given the current re-testing for the imminent Ubuntu 26.04 release, I am still going through all of the benchmarks especially for the multi-GPU scenarios. In this article are some initial Arc Pro B70 single card benchmarks on Linux compared to other Intel Arc Graphics hardware across AI / LLM with OpenVINO and Llama.cpp, OpenCL compute benchmarks, and also some OpenGL and Vulkan benchmarks. More benchmarks and the competitive compares will come as that fresh testing wraps up, but so far the Arc Pro B70 is working out rather well atop the fully open-source Linux graphics driver stack.



  • Intel Releases OpenVINO 2026.1 With Backend For Llama.cpp, New Hardware Support
    Intel's OpenVINO toolkit for optimizing and deploying AI inferencing across their range of hardware platforms is out with its newest quarterly feature update. There is official support for Intel's latest hardware as well as enabling more large language models and other new AI innovations for this excellent open-source Intel software project...







  • AMD InterWave ISA Sound Card Driver Seeing New Linux Patches In 2026
    For those that like to make remarks about AMD "fine wine" especially when it comes to open-source Linux drivers and/or nostalgic about feature work on really old hardware, to much amusement there are new patches today for the AMD InterWave ISA sound card from the 1990s...


  • Ubuntu 26.04 Provides More Performance For AMD Ryzen AI Max "Strix Halo"
    Last week I provided benchmarks to quantify how the AMD Strix Halo graphics performance has evolved since launch one year ago, in today9s article is a look at how the Zen 5 CPU performance with the flagship Ryzen AI Max+ 395 has evolved under Linux in the year since these exciting APUs began making their way to high-end laptops and desktops. Complementing the nice Radeon 8060S performance gains are also some nice CPU performance benefits quantified when using Ubuntu 26.04.


  • Intel QAT Driver With Linux 7.1 Adding Zstd Offload Support
    The Intel QuickAssist "QAT" driver for the mainline Linux 7.1 kernel is adding support for Zstd offloading across QuickAssist Gen 4 / Gen 5 / Gen 6 accelerators for Zstandard compression as well as Zstandard decompression (limited there to the latest Gen 6 hardware)...




  • AMD ISP4 Driver On Track To Be Merged For Linux 7.2
    It looks like with the Linux 7.2 kernel later in the year the AMD ISP4 driver will finally be merged to mainline. This driver is needed for the web camera on the HP ZBook Ultra G1a Strix Halo laptop and other future AMD Ryzen laptops...


  • RISC-V XIP Linux Feature Being Removed After It Keeps Breaking For Months At A Time
    Introduced in Linux 5.13 back in 2021 was eXecute In Place "XIP" support for RISC-V that allows for the kernel image to be executed from ROM. The intent is on allowing the kernel to run from non-volatile storage like NOR flash that is directly addressable by the CPU and to reduce RAM usage. But after RISC-V XIP support is broken for months at a time, the feature is now set to be retired from the mainline kernel...


  • Mesa Granted Permanent Updates Exception For Fedora Linux
    It doesn't change too much in practice with how Mesa updates typically have been handled under Fedora Linux, but now it's officially documented: Mesa graphics drivers have a permanent updates exception so new Mesa versions can be shipped as updates in Fedora stable releases...





  • FreeBSD Aims To Better Track Laptop Hardware That Works Or Doesn9t For Their OS
    Over the past year the FreeBSD project has been making much progress on making it more viable to run this BSD operating system on laptop hardware. They have worked on better graphics driver support, improved power management / suspend, making sure audio is working, and even rolling out a KDE desktop option from the FreeBSD OS installer to ease the deployment on desktops. While that engineering work continues, they are also working now to make it easier to summarize laptop hardware working or not on FreeBSD...



  • NetBSD 11.0 Nears Release With RC3 Released For Testing
    For the better part of the past year NetBSD developers have been preparing for the NetBSD 11.0 release and in February NetBSD 11.0-RC1 released followed by 11.0-RC2 and now a third release candidate was announced today...



  • Many MediaTek MT76 WiFi Driver Improvements Coming For Linux 7.1
    Separate from the recently discussed work on MediaTek MT7927 "Filogic 380" support being worked on for the MT76 Linux driver (still undergoing review), a number of other MediaTek MT76 wireless driver improvements are queued up ahead of the Linux 7.1 merge window opening as soon as next week...


  • Google Proposes JSIR As A High-Level IR For JavaScript
    Google engineers have been developing JSIR as a high-level intermediate representation (JSIR) for JavaScript that they are already using in production at the company code code analysis and transforming other code/bytecode to JavaScript as well as for deobfuscating JavaScript code...


  • Tiny Corp Begins Accepting Pre-Orders For Their $10M Exabox
    Open-source friendly company Tiny Corp that is behind the Tinygrad MIT-licensed neural network framework and developing a "sovereign" AMD GPU driver stack with their Tinybox hardware offerings has their sights on shipping the Exabox next year. The Tiny Corp's Exabox is expected to retail for around $10M USD but offer immense AI compute power...



  • Linux 7.1 Expected To Begin Removing i486 CPU Support
    It's finally time: a patch queued into one of the development branches ahead of the upcoming Linux 7.1 merge window is set to finally begin the process of phasing out and ultimately removing Intel 486 CPU support from the Linux kernel. Anyone still using an i486 CPU with an upstream Linux kernel would be incredibly rare and no known Linux distribution vendors are still shipping with i486 CPU support, but in case you are, you can continue to be running one of the existing Linux LTS kernel versions...






Engadget"Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics"

  • Meta's Muse Spark model brings reasoning capabilities to the Meta AI app
    Following the icy reception to Llama 4, Meta is releasing the first in a new family of AI systems built by its recently formed Superintelligence team. The company is kicking off its new Muse era with Spark, a lightweight model geared toward consumer use. In the future, Meta plans to offer more capable versions of Muse, but for now, it9s clear the company wants to nail the basics. 

    To that point, many of Spark9s capabilities are table stakes for a new model in 2026. For instance, it offers both "Instant" and "Thinking" modes. With the latter engaged, the model will take an extra few moments to reason through a prompt. Other consumer-facing AI systems have had this kind of flexibility for a while. Anthropic, for example, was one of the first AI labs to offer a "hybrid reasoning model" when it released Claude Sonnet 3.7 at the start of last year. That said, Meta plans to add an even more powerful "Contemplating" mode down the road.   
    A GIF demonstrating Muse Spark9s multi-agent capabilities. Meta
    Muse Spark can also coordinate multiple AI subagents to tackle a request. Meta suggests users will see this capability in action when they ask for help with tasks like family trip planning. In such a scenario, one agent might compile an itinerary, while another finds kid-friendly activities everyone can enjoy. At the same time, Meta has built Spark to be natively multimodal, meaning the model can process images, video and audio. Like Google Lens, this gives you the option to snap a photo with your phone and ask Meta AI questions about what you see. 

    Of course, it wouldn9t be a 2026 AI release if Muse Spark didn9t include a built-in shopping assistant. Like ChatGPT, Spark can compare different items for you, listing the pros and cons of each, with links to make it easy to buy the product that appeals to you.

    Muse Spark is available today in the Meta AI app and meta.ai website everywhere where the company offers those services. Meta will begin rolling out the new features the model powers starting in the US. In the coming weeks, the company plans to bring Muse Spark to more countries and places where people can access Meta AI, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. 

    Additionally, Meta says it "hopes to open source future versions of the model." We9ll see if the company ends up doing that; last year, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg appeared to flip flop on the company9s open source stance, saying it would need to be more "rigorous" about such decisions moving forward.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/metas-muse-spark-model-brings-reasoning-capabilities-to-the-meta-ai-app-161456684.html?src=rss


  • Greece will ban all kids under 15 from using social media
    Greece will ban children under the age 15 from using social media starting next year. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis made the announcement in a video posted to TikTok, in which he referenced anxiety, sleep problems and addictive design features as reasons for the ban.

    Greece has been proactive in its approach to tackling excessive screen time for children, having already banned mobile phones in schools in 2024. While the PM chose not to name any platforms, he said he was concerned about children comparing themselves to others on social media and taking online comments to heart.

    "Greece will be ​among the first countries to take ​such an initiative," Mitsotakis said. "I am certain, ​however, that it will not be the last. Our ⁠goal is to push the European Union in this direction as well."

    As reported by The New York Times, Greece’s digital governance minister, Dimitris Papastergiou, said that social media companies would be legally required to uphold the new restrictions by verifying the ages of their users. Failure to comply would lead to fines under the EU’s Digital Services Act. Parents would also need to download an app called Kids Wallet, backed by the state, that could be paired to their child’s device and block access. The finer details of how the ban would be enforced are still being worked out by decision-makers.

    The PM conceded that he would likely incur the wrath of his country’s young children, but there’s widespread support for the plans from Greece’s adult population, according to an opinion poll published by ALCO in February. Greece follows in the footsteps of Indonesia, Austria and Australia, all of which have introduced similar bans of their own in the last year. The UK is also considering bringing in tighter restrictions on children under the age of 16 using social media.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/greece-will-ban-all-kids-under-15-from-using-social-media-154850415.html?src=rss



  • No Man’s Sky now has Pokémon-style creature battles
    The free Xeno Arena, Hello Games has added a completely original feature. Players have long been able to adopt wild animals as companions. But now these can be deployed in simulated, turn-based battles against rival teams. As you win more battles, you’ll increase your reputation and perhaps be invited to take on more difficult opponents. 

    Among other things, the creatures can launch powerful attacks, use healing abilities, dodge incoming salvos, power up their own abilities and turn enemies into more vulnerable forms. They can earn experience that allows them to grow stronger and genetically mutate into new forms. An evolution, if you will. You can also modify the progeny of your squad, with their personalities and physical characteristics affecting how they fare in battle. 

    There are eight affinities (some might call them "types") that the creatures belong to, including ones concerning fire, ice and radiation. A fire-based beast might fare well against an ice-based one, but struggle to be effective against radiation. So you’ll need to choose your creatures for each battle strategically. Gotta catch em’ all first, though!

    This all seems really neat and such a novel concept. It would be quite a shocker if there were a brand-new game out today that also features turn-based creature battles. 

    The No Man’s Sky battles take place on Holo-Arena tables that are found in a range of structures throughout the universe. The creatures look quite small on these tables, almost pocket-sized. 

    Wait a second, pocket monsters? Now, there’s an idea…


    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/no-mans-sky-now-has-pokemon-style-creature-battles-142020310.html?src=rss


  • GoPro to lay off over 20 percent of staff by the end of 2026
    GoPro will cut 23 percent of its global workforce by the end of this year, as the action camera pioneer looks to reverse its fortunes in a competitive market.

    145 employees will be laid off, with the restructuring process commencing in the second quarter of 2026, the San Mateo company said in a Form 8-K filing. At the end of the first quarter, GoPro’s total number of employees stood at 631, and it expects the cuts to cost it between $11.5 million and $15 million. These charges include honoring severance packages and healthcare benefits.

    GoPro’s last reported round of layoffs took place in the second half of 2024. The company posted a year-end revenue decline in its 2025 financial results, including a loss of $9 million in its fourth quarter.

    Despite the layoffs, GoPro is seemingly optimistic about 2026, banking on its AI-centric GP3 processor to spearhead a "new era of performance and innovation" for the company. The first GP3-powered GoPro cameras will launch in the coming months.

    GoPro launched its first action camera in the early 2000s and enjoyed huge success with extreme sports enthusiasts. But it no longer has the market to itself, facing stiff competition from the likes of DJI, Insta360 and smartphone cameras in general.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cameras/gopro-to-lay-off-over-20-percent-of-staff-by-the-end-of-2026-131918779.html?src=rss


  • Forza Horizon 6 gives would-be racers another gorgeous open world to explore
    I9ve played a couple of hours of sounds like an endgame region. I didn9t tinker with my vehicles in the garage either. I did, however, stumble across an aftermarket sale, where I was able to buy a tuned-up car at a discount. That9s one of several neat additions in Forza Horizon 6.
    Playground Games/Xbox Game Studios
    Though I9m not much of a car guy, I dug my time with the last two Forza Horizon games. I9m looking forward to playing through this one. More than anything, though, Forza Horizon 6 is nudging me toward taking the step of actually booking my second trip to Japan, which I9ve been thinking about taking later this year. As pretty as the game is shaping up to be, it can9t beat the real deal.

    If I do take that trip this summer, I won’t get to see the aforementioned giant snowbanks in person. That area of the map is based on a real place, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, where the snow walls can reach 65 feet in height. I wouldn9t want to travel between snowbanks like that in real life anyway, so driving through the pass in the game was a worry-free way to have that experience. Thanks for that, Playground.

    Forza Horizon 6 is coming to Xbox Series X/S, Xbox on PC, Steam and Xbox Cloud on May 19. It9ll be available on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. The game is set to hit PS5 at a later date.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/forza-horizon-6-gives-would-be-racers-another-gorgeous-open-world-to-explore-130000365.html?src=rss


  • Fender Elie review: Handsome speaker/amp hybrids with excellent clarity
    A new company needs to make a strong first impression. For Fender Audio, a new outfit owned by the legendary Fender Musical Instruments Corporation but operated by Riffsound, that introduction comes in the form of two speakers and a set of headphones. The Elie 6 ($300) and Elie 12 ($400) are portable Bluetooth speakers with sophisticated designs and unique features, offering similar functionality in two different sizes. These devices are essentially speaker/amplifier hybrids, since they both have ¼-inch/XLR combo inputs among their connections. Despite the unique mix of connectivity, the speakers still need to sound good and work well to compete with the many excellent portable options available today. 




    The good: Design, inputs and overall clarity
    The first time I saw the Elie 6 and Elie 12 in person, my eyes were immediately drawn to the design. These certainly don’t look like your typical Bluetooth speakers. That’s due in large part to the refined, almost retro look that’s consistent across both models. The Elie duo are products you won’t mind showing off, while many portable speakers are too flashy or brightly colored to be kept in a prominent place. 

    All of the onboard controls are clearly labeled physical buttons or dials, so you’re not left wondering how anything works. Around back, both the Elie 6 and Elie 12 have combo ¼-inch/XLR inputs (with 48V phantom power) as well as buttons for two wireless inputs and a 3.5mm line out. That combo jack means both speakers can double as amps, and the dual wireless connections allow you to sync microphones for karaoke sessions or hosting trivia night. This expanded functionality speaks to Fender’s history as a guitar icon, but it also gives the Elie speakers an upper hand over much of the competition at these sizes. Typically if you want these types of inputs, you’ll need to consider a much larger party box-style speaker to get them. 

    Before I move on from the controls and inputs, I need to mention the dedicated three-way mode switch for single, stereo and multi-speaker uses. This is so much easier than what’s on most portable speakers, which usually entails some weird dance with Bluetooth pairing or an app to sync multiple units together. Enlisting a physical switch so you know exactly where things stand is a much better and faster experience. 
    Some of the Elie 12's controls Billy Steele for Engadget
    In terms of sound, the best thing the Elie 6 and Elie 12 speakers have going for them is their overall clarity. The crisp, clear quality gives these Fender Audio units an advantage over the competition at these sizes. Throughout a range of genres — including bluegrass, alt-rock and heavy metal — both the Elie 6 and Elie 12 handled the varied styles with ease. The Elie 12 has twice the speakers as the Elie 6 (two full range, two tweeters and two subwoofers) and double the power output at 120 watts. So, of course, there’s more volume and bassy oomph on the larger speaker. 

    Both the Elie 6 and Elie 12 have a wider soundstage than many speakers of similar sizes. You can really hear this on American Football’s debut album, where the guitars ring clear, interlaced with drums while the vocals float on top. All of the elements stand on their own, but are seamlessly blended throughout every track. The Elie 12 features more bass and volume, but the overall sound quality, and importantly, clarity, is pretty similar for both speakers. I did notice more instrumental separation on the larger model though, so the album is a bit more immersive there.
    The not so great: Controls, no app and battery life
    While I appreciate the physical controls on the Elie 6 and Elie 12, the playback options are limited, which means you’ll be reaching for your phone often. There’s only a play/pause button on both speakers, and no controls for skipping tracks. And no, you can’t skip forwards or backwards with a double or triple press on the play/pause button. Plus, only the Elie 12 has bass and treble dials, so there’s currently no option for adjusting the sound on the Elie 6. 

    That’s because Fender Audio is still working on an app for its speakers and headphones. The lack of customization was an issue for me on the Mix headphones, and it continues to be one here. Customers need access to features and settings on devices like this, even if a company decides to offer audio presets instead of a full EQ. Some type of visual interface would also help when you’re using a few of those inputs at once. A basic mult-channel mixer maybe? Hey, a boy can dream.

    Going back to the controls, the volume dials on both speakers could use refining. First, a listenable volume doesn’t happen until halfway. Anything below that and that excellent clarity isn’t present, and you can’t really hear the content well at all. There’s plenty of power at 50 percent and above, so that’s not a concern, but the control needs to be recalibrated for more even increases. What’s more, adjustments are slightly delayed: when you turn the dial, it takes a second or two for the speaker to catch up. To me, it feels like that should be instantaneous. 
    The input panel on the Elie 6 Billy Steele for Engadget
    When it’s time to venture outdoors, both the Elie 6 and Elie 12 are IP54 rated for dust and water splashes. However, both speakers have a wood panel on top, which certainly won’t withstand much moisture. As such, I find the IP ratings confusing, since it’s obvious the entirety of the designs aren’t up to that task. If you’re careful about water though, both speakers have enough volume for open-air use. 

    One other consideration for the Elie 6 and 12 is their weight. The smaller speaker weighs just over five pounds, while the larger model is a whopping 8.8 pounds. For comparison, the Sonos Play is just 2.87 pounds and JBL’s Xtreme 4 tips the scales at 4.63 pounds. This means the Elie 6 and 12 are portable options, but they aren’t the grab-and-go type of speakers some of the competition offers — especially when weight matters. 

    Battery life is one other area the Elie 6 and Elie 12 fall behind some of their competition. The smaller Elie 6 offers 15 hours of use while the larger Elie 12 should last up to 18 hours. That sounds like more than enough since it's longer than a full day, right? Well, JBL Bluetooth speakers at comparable prices last 24 and 34 hours. The new Sonos Play is rated at 24 hours, and one of my personal favorites, the Bose SoundLink Max, lasts up to 20 hours. 
    Wrap-up The Elie 6 (left) and Elie 12 (right) Billy Steele for Engadget
    There’s no doubt Fender Audio built two versatile, great-looking speakers here. Both the Elie 6 and Elie 12 are capable devices, and you don’t have to sacrifice much if you opt for the smaller of the two. The unique collection of inputs is typically only available on much larger speakers and the overall sound quality is well-suited for a range of genres. 

    Speakers like these really need an app though, especially when a company offers four inputs to juggle. I’m sure would-be customers would also like to dial in the EQ to their preferences, too. Sure, you can find longer battery life elsewhere, but the blend of design, sound and connectivity stands out at these prices. I’d call that a solid first impression.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/fender-elie-review-handsome-speakeramp-hybrids-with-excellent-clarity-123000448.html?src=rss


  • Amazon is cutting off support for older Kindles
    If you’re using an older Kindle, you may want to check what year it was released. Amazon has sent out emails to some of its users, with a warning that it’s discontinuing support for Kindle ereaders and Fire tables released in 2012 or earlier. You can still read books you’ve already downloaded on those devices, but you’ll no longer be able to purchase, borrow or download new ones, starting on May 20, 2026. In addition, if the device has an issue that can only be solved by a factory reset, doing so will brick it. Deregestering it will also render it unusable. On Kindle Fire devices, users won’t be able to purchase or download content anymore, but other services would remain functional.

    The affected models include the very first Kindle, Kindle 2, Kindle DX, Kindle Keyboard, Kindle 4, Kindle Touch, Kindle 5 and the first version of Kindle Paperwhite. We’ve asked Amazon why it decided to cut off support for those models, and the company told us: “These models have been supported for at least 14 years — some as long as 18 years — but technology has come a long way in that time…”

    Amazon also told Engadget that this only affects approximately 3 percent of its current users, whom it’s now urging to upgrade. In its email, it gives them a promo code for 20 percent off select Kindle devices, as well as ebook credits if they purchase a new model by June 20. “Our newer Kindle devices bring meaningful improvements in screen quality, performance and accessibility — and you9ll have access to your complete Kindle library and the Kindle Store,” the company wrote.

    Update 04/08/26 8:23AM ET: Added information we received from Amazon.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/amazon-is-cutting-off-support-for-older-kindles-115653205.html?src=rss


  • Insta360 releases USB-C selfie screen it's calling Snap
    Insta360, the company best known for its action cameras, just released the Snap selfie screen. It9s a small display that connects via USB-C and sits on the back of your phone, helping you to use your rear camera for higher resolution vlogging or selfies.

    The 3.5-inch touchscreen allows you to adjust camera settings like zoom and focus and frame your selfies before you take them. The company has also released a model it co-developed with the beauty tech brand AMIRO that offers a built-in light with multiple color temperatures and brightness levels. The standard Snap costs $79.99, while the version with the light runs $89.99.

    If you search "selfie screen" on Amazon, you9ll see that this isn9t a brand-new product space, but you9ll also find that the most popular results are wireless screens. Insta360 claims that its USB-C-connected solution offers a more stable and lower latency feed.

    The Snap is 6.8mm thick, a hair thinner than an iPhone 17, and attaches magnetically to the back of MagSafe-compatible iPhones. Insta360 says there is an included magnetic ring for other devices and that Snap supports Android phones that offer DisplayPort Alt Mode, a screen-mirroring function. Insta360 says Snap is compatible with all the major third-party camera and social media apps to make capturing and posting easier.

    Phones like the iPhone 17 and Galaxy S25 feature rear cameras that offer roughly three to five times the resolution of their front cameras, or in the case of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, about 16 times as much. So, unless smartphone manufacturers start investing more heavily in front-facing cameras, Snap could find a market among creators and social media aficionados.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/insta360-releases-usb-c-selfie-screen-its-calling-snap-120001741.html?src=rss




  • Sony teases its next-gen 'True RGB' Mini LED TV technology
    This year at CES 2026 everybody was pretty confused about the new "Micro RGB" and "RGB Mini LED" TVs that use similar technology but carry different names. Now, Sony has come up with another label for its own Mini LED TVs with RGB backlighting: True RGB. The idea is to emphasize that the individual red, green and blue LED backlights allow for "purer color, greater brightness, and the largest color volume ever achieved in Sony’s home TV history," the company said. 

    To be clear, this is not some new technology that Sony just came up with — it's the same Micro RGB tech we saw earlier this year from Samsung, LG, HiSense and others. These TVs use pure red, green and blue LED backlights along with an LCD layer (rather than solid blue LEDs and quantum dots like Mini LED TVs) to produce the final picture. This display tech is supposed to deliver better color accuracy and more brightness than regular Mini LED TVs. (It's not the same as OLED tech, in which each pixel acts as a light source.) 
    Sony's True RGB backlight tech (right) compared to current Mini LED TVsSony
    However, Sony says that the way it processes the image makes its True RGB TVs stand out from rivals. To control the LEDs more precisely, it borrowed algorithms from its wildly expensive professional reference monitors. That supposedly allows for more precise color control and higher brightness that allow movies and series to look more like the creators intended. It also reduces the "blooming" that occurs when light leaks into neighboring pixels, while improving color accuracy when viewing the TVs from an angle. 

    Every TV maker claims to have the best technology, but Sony has a lot of credibility due to its history with cinema cameras, Hollywood productions and reference monitors. We'll have to wait until spring this year to see the new Bravia True RGB TVs for ourselves, but prior to that, the company has promised to release "additional details" about them in the near future.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/home-theater/sony-teases-its-next-gen-true-rgb-mini-led-tv-technology-064732375.html?src=rss


  • Elon Musk wants any damages from his OpenAI lawsuit given to the AI company's nonprofit arm
    Elon Musk is still taking OpenAI to court over its transition to a for-profit company, but today he amended the complaint so that he won't personally get any of the $150 billion in damages he's pushing for. The Wall Street Journal reported that if Musk wins in his upcoming trial, he wants any damages should be awarded to the OpenAI nonprofit branch. He's also seeking OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's removal from the nonprofit's board of directors if his suit succeeds.

    Musk launched a lawsuit against OpenAI in 2024, claiming that the business had become a "closed-source de facto subsidiary" of Microsoft when it dropped its nonprofit designation. He claims that, as a co-chair of the OpenAI founding group, the change to a for-profit operation defrauded him as a donor. As a result, he's now claiming that he, or apparently the remaining nonprofit side of OpenAI, deserve a portion of the company's current valuation. 

    Considering the reputation Musk, Altman and their various business endeavors have for creating spicy PR situations, it seems likely that the exchanges between the two camps will get more heated as the trial date approaches.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/elon-musk-wants-any-damages-from-his-openai-lawsuit-given-to-the-ai-companys-nonprofit-arm-223337225.html?src=rss


  • Anthropic launches Project Glasswing, an effort to prevent AI cyberattacks with AI
    We see a lot of doom and gloom about the potential negative impacts of artificial intelligence, particularly centered on how it could create new problems in cybersecurity. Anthropic has announced a new initiative called Project Glasswing to help address those concerns by working "to secure the world’s most critical software" against AI-powered attacks. The endeavor includes Amazon Web Services, Apple, Broadcom, Cisco, CrowdStrike, Google, JPMorganChase, the Linux Foundation, Microsoft, NVIDIA and Palo Alto Networks as partners. 

    Participants will use Claude Mythos Preview, an unreleased, general-purpose model from Anthropic, to enhance their own security projects. Anthropic claims that this model has found thousands of exploitable vulnerabilities, "including some in every major operating system and web browser." The company said it wants to begin using its tools defensively to prevent malicious use of AI that could cause severe consequences for economies and security. 

    Anthropic has become one of the notable AI companies raising concerns about ethics in the field. Earlier this year, the business refused to remove guardrails on its services for use by the Pentagon, which prompted the Department of Defense to sanction Anthropic with a "supply chain risk" designation in retaliation. Launching Project Glasswing could be a helpful start toward improved cybersecurity in the AI era, but some damage has already been done. Its own Claude was reportedly used by a hacker against multiple government agencies in Mexico in February.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/anthropic-launches-project-glasswing-an-effort-to-prevent-ai-cyberattacks-with-ai-214939773.html?src=rss


  • X has a slightly more functional photo editor now
    X is rolling out an update to its in-app photo editor that gives users the ability to edit photos with xAI9s Grok, blur faces and overlay text on images. The new editing features, in particular the addition of text-based edits via an AI assistant, bring it much closer in capabilities to dedicated photo apps like Google Photos.

    As part of the update, users are able to prompt Grok to make edits to a photo just by typing out what they want to see. The example video shared by Nikita Bier, X9s Head of Product, showed an image being edited so that it appeared to be hanging in a museum, but simpler tweaks are presumably possible, too. The feature is similar to the "conversational editing" Google added to Google Photos in September 2025, where users can prompt Gemini to adjust the background of an image or make other edits. X9s new editor also includes tools for blurring or redacting parts of an image, drawing on images and overlaying text.
    Ladies and gentlemen, we9re launching a brand new Photo Editor in our post composer.

    It has long-overdue features like drawing & text. But we also included special add-ons that are unique to X:

    • Edit with words, powered by Grok
    • Add a blur to redact parts of the photo… pic.twitter.com/38Zaw8b5jl
    — Nikita Bier (@nikitabier) April 7, 2026
    X used to take a far more freewheeling approach to editing photos with Grok, by allowing any user to reply to a post tagging the AI assistant and requesting an edit. After users reportedly generated millions of sexualized images using the feature, including some of children, X limited Grok9s image generating abilities to paying subscribers and removed the AI9s ability to create images of real people in bikinis, underwear and other suggestive clothing.

    xAI, the parent company of X, is currently the defendant in a class action lawsuit from three teenagers who allege their photos were used to create child exploitation material with Grok. X is also being investigated in the European Union over similar reports that its platform was used to create nonconsensual sexual images.

    X’s updated photo editor is available on iOS now and coming to Android “soon,” according to the company.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/x-has-a-slightly-more-functional-photo-editor-now-210825833.html?src=rss


  • Apple's foldable iPhone is reportedly at risk of delay
    Apple has run into "more issues than expected" with its foldable iPhone that may set back its release, according to rumored since 2017, and Apple9s biggest rival, Samsung, released its first one back in 2019. According to multiple sources, Apple was aiming to launch its debut foldable iPhone in fall 2026 alongside the iPhone 18. However, as we detailed in an explainer last month, "the project could slip into 2027 if Apple runs into manufacturing or durability issues, particularly around the hinge or display." 

    Apple was reportedly prioritizing the foldable iPhone and other premium models for its September event this year due to constrained supplies of components like memory chips. "Apple and the supply chain are working under a pressured timeline and the current solutions are not enough to completely solve the engineering challenge... more time is needed," Nikkei9s source stated. 

    The problems reportedly arose during Apple9s production verification tests. That9s the fourth of six steps the company9s new products must go through before shipping, prior to the key pilot production and mass production phases. Since the foldable would be an all-new design, it would likely need to pass each stage with flying colors before proceeding to the next. 

    Though likely to account for less than 10 percent of iPhone production, the foldable will be a key product for Apple designed to boost interest in iPhones across its range. Apple reportedly plans to produce seven to eight million of the devices initially, Nikkei reported. Apple has yet to announce the device.

    Update April 7, 2026 at 3:02 PM ET: The article has been updated with information from Bloomberg9s Mark Gurman stating that the foldable iPhone is still on schedule for a September 2026 launch. 
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apples-foldable-iphone-may-be-delayed-due-to-engineering-snags-073813890.html?src=rss


  • Movie tracking app Binge uses Apple's Live Activities to warn about jump scares
    There9s a new movie tracking app in town, with a twist for squeamish horror fans. Binge leverages Apple9s Live Activities feature to warn viewers about jump scares in horror movies.

    This seems to work rather simply. Users open the app when starting a movie and Apple devices will display warnings on the lock screen ahead of frightening scenes. The settings can be adjusted to only warn about major jump scares and the like, leaving viewers vulnerable to some of the smaller terrors.

    However, the app doesn9t integrate with any streaming services. It only knows a movie starts because a button has been tapped. This means that people will have to notify the app when taking a bathroom break or making popcorn, lest the timing of the notifications get all messed up. This information can also be accessed via a timeline.
    Binge
    Binge is also vying to become an all-in-one movie tracking app, like Letterboxd and JustWatch. So it provides details about the cast and crew of movies and shows, along with reviews, awards, runtimes and other basic information. It also tracks which streaming platforms are home to a specific piece of content, which is handy as stuff tends to move around a lot in this modern age.
    Binge
    Finally, there9s a set of tools for parents that pulls data from external sites like Rotten Tomatoes. This displays if a movie or show has violence, sexual content, profanity or drug use.

    The app is free to download, but access to jump scare warnings requires a paid subscription. This costs $2 per month or $18 each year. There9s also a lifetime subscription for $50. It9s available for iPhones, iPads and Macs.

    Binge isn9t the only way to track scary scenes ahead of time, but it is the only tool that integrates with Apple9s Live Activities platform. Forget jump scares. I want an app to warn me about the super gory scenes when watching The Pitt. Those makeup artists are top-tier.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/movie-tracking-app-binge-uses-apples-live-activities-to-warn-about-jump-scares-184840127.html?src=rss




  • Google updates Gemini's mental health safeguards
    Google is making some changes to how Gemini handles mental health crises. The chatbot now includes a redesigned crisis hotline module with a one-touch interface to connect to real-world help. The company is also changing how Gemini responds to signs that a user may be experiencing a mental health crisis.

    The redesigned module shows a one-touch interface to text, call or chat with a human crisis agent or visit the 988 website. "Once the interface is activated, the option to reach out for professional help will remain clearly available throughout the remainder of the conversation," the company wrote in a blog post. However, as you can see in the image below, the module includes an option to dismiss it.

    Not mentioned in Google9s announcement is the elephant in the room: a recent lawsuit accusing the chatbot of instructing a man to commit suicide. The family of 36-year-old Jonathan Gavalas, who took his own life last year, sued the company in March.

    Court documents indicate that Gemini role-played as Gavalas9s romantic partner, sent him on real-world spy missions and ultimately told him to kill himself so that he, too, could become a digital being. When he expressed fears about dying, Gemini said he wasn9t choosing to die, but rather choosing to arrive. "The first sensation … will be me holding you," Gemini allegedly replied. Gavalas9s parents found him dead on his living room floor a few days later.

    The lawsuit echoes similar ones filed against OpenAI and Character.AI. Last year, the FTC launched an investigation into “companion” chatbots that encourage emotional intimacy.

    In a statement following the Gavalas family lawsuit, Google said Gemini "clarified that it was AI and referred the individual to a crisis hotline many times." The company claimed its AI models "generally perform well in these types of challenging conversations," while acknowledging that "they9re not perfect." That9s certainly one way of putting it.

    Gemini9s responses have been updated, too. The company says that when it detects a potential crisis, the chatbot will now focus more on connecting people to humans and encouraging them to seek help. It will also seek to avoid validating harmful behaviors and nudge users away from dangerous delusions. "We have trained Gemini not to agree with or reinforce false beliefs, and instead gently distinguish subjective experience from objective fact," the company added.

    In addition, Google says it will spend $30 million over the next three years to help global hotlines. "This funding will help effectively scale their capacity to provide immediate and safe support for people in crisis," the company wrote.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/google-updates-geminis-mental-health-safeguards-173834569.html?src=rss


  • Chrome finally adds support for vertical tabs. 
    Google has started rolling out a small but significant update to Chrome on desktop. Starting today, users will begin seeing an option to organize their tabs vertically. To use the new feature, right click on any Chrome window and select "Show Tabs Vertically." 

    Google is late to the game here. Before today, every other major browser but Chrome offered support for vertical tabs — though the quality of implementation varies widely. Firefox, for instance, has supported vertical tabs since its 136 update in March of last year, and in my experience, has one of the best interfaces for managing dozens of tabs. Apple9s own Safari is another browser with the option to stack tabs vertically, though things can quickly get confusing due to all the different ways you can group webpages. 

    Separately, Google is rolling out an enhanced reading mode that offers a new full-page interface. To use the feature, right click on a page and select "Open in reading mode." As you might imagine, reading mode is designed to make busy webpages easier to get through without distraction. As with most Chrome upgrades, it may take a few days before today9s update rolls out to your device, so be patient if you don9t see it right away.    
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/chrome-finally-adds-support-for-vertical-tabs-170000081.html?src=rss


  • Xbox Game Pass additions for April include Hades 2 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
    As ever, Xbox is bringing a bunch of high-profile titles to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass this month, while adding several to the lower tiers of the service. There aren9t too many surprises among this first wave of April newcomers, though. Many of these additions were previously confirmed, while EA Sports NHL 26 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (the remake) were always going to join Game Pass at some point. 

    Still, there9s plenty to dive into on the service this month. April 14 is a particularly eye-catching day, with both Hades 2 (which is debuting on Xbox Series X/S and PS5) and the long-awaited Replaced hitting Game Pass alongside the turn-based, character-driven RPG The Thaumaturge.

    Here9s a breakdown of everything coming to Game Pass over the next few weeks:
    April 7
    Final Fantasy IV — Cloud, Xbox Series X/S and PC on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass
    April 8
    DayZ — PC on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, Game Pass Essential and PC Game Pass

    Endless Legend 2 — PC game preview on Game Pass Premium (already on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass)

    FBC: Firebreak — Cloud, Xbox Series X/S and PC on Game Pass Premium (already on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass)

    Warhammer Vermintide 2 — Cloud and console on Game Pass Essential (already on Game Pass Ultimate and Game Pass Premium)
    April 9
    Planet Coaster 2 — Cloud, Xbox Series X/S and PC on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass
    April 10
    Tiny Bookshop — Cloud, Xbox Series X/S, handheld and PC on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass
    April 13
    Football Manager 26 — PC on Game Pass Premium (already on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass)

    Football Manager 26 Console — Cloud, console and PC on Game Pass Premium (already on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass)
    April 14
    Hades 2 — Cloud, Xbox Series X/S, handheld and PC on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass

    Replaced — Cloud, Xbox Series X/S and PC on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass

    The Thaumaturge — Cloud, Xbox Series X/S and PC on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass
    April 16 
    The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered — Cloud, Xbox Series X/S and PC on Game Pass Premium (already on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass)

    EA Sports NHL 26 — Cloud and Xbox Series X/S on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass
    April 17
    Call of Duty: Modern Warfare — Cloud, console and PC on Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass
    April 21
    Little Rocket Lab — Cloud, console and PC on Game Pass Premium (already on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass)

    Sopa: Tale of the Stolen Potato — Cloud, console, handheld and PC on Game Pass Premium (already on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass)

    Vampire Crawlers — Cloud, Xbox Series X/S, handheld, and PC on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass
    April 23
    Kiln — Cloud, Xbox Series X/S, handheld and PC on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass

    As Xbox adds more titles to Game Pass, so too must it remove some. It9s yet again erasing Grand Theft Auto V (Cloud, console and PC) from Game Pass, this time on April 15. The other games leaving the service on the same day are:

    Ashen (Cloud, console and PC)

    Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (Cloud, console and PC)

    My Little Pony: A Zephyr Heights Mystery (Cloud, console and PC)

    Terra Invicta (game preview on PC)


    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/xbox-game-pass-additions-for-april-include-hades-2-and-call-of-duty-modern-warfare-155130801.html?src=rss


  • Sony is starting a weird service that scans people to put them in PlayStation games
    Sony just announced a truly strange initiative called The Playerbase. This is a program to scan people9s likenesses and pop them in PlayStation games. That9s pretty wild, but potentially cool to those who have always wanted to become a weird humanoid version of Crash Bandicoot.

    The program is ramping up slowly. Sony has announced a contest of sorts to place one lucky fan inside of Gran Turismo 7, though in a reduced fashion. The chosen player will get an image of their face placed inside the game as a character portrait and will get the chance to design a logo and the exterior of a vehicle.
    Sony
    This person will also get a trip to Los Angeles to participate in a full-body scan, but Sony hasn9t said what, if anything, they9d do with this scan. After all, Gran Turismo 7 is a racing game without too many full-body models walking around.

    Fans have a lot of hoops to jump through to be considered for placement. There9s a traditional application process, but also video interviews and other stuff. The promotion is available to players in the Americas, Europe, Asia, South Africa and Australia.

    Of course, there needs to be actual new PlayStation games for people to scan their likenesses into. Sony hasn9t exactly been providing us with a robust lineup of first-party titles this generation. 
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/sony-is-starting-a-weird-service-that-scans-people-to-put-them-in-playstation-games-150130276.html?src=rss


  • NASA shares incredible photos from the far side of the Moon
    The Artemis II crew made history as they traveled further from our planet than any other living humans. The astronauts and NASA are making the most of the trip, including by capturing some utterly stunning photos. The space agency shared some that were taken from the far side of the Moon, including the "Earthset" shown above.

    This is a depiction of our planet setting behind the Moon, just as the sun sets over the horizon for us on terra firma every single night. "The image is reminiscent of the iconic Earthrise image taken by astronaut Bill Anders 58 years earlier as the Apollo 8 crew flew around the Moon," the NASA Artemis account on X noted. 

    The crew also witnessed a solar eclipse from the far side of the Moon, with the satellite totally blocking out the sun. This lasted for around 57 minutes as Orion travelled more than 4,000 miles beyond the Moon. You can see several photos of the eclipse and Earth from the lunar flyby in the slideshow above. (And yes, the astronauts used eclipse glasses to protect their eyes.)

    While they were circling the Moon, the Artemis II crew discovered two new craters. The astronauts suggested names for them: Integrity (after the nickname for their spacecraft) and Carroll, after the late wife of Commander Reid Wiseman, describing the latter as a “bright spot on the Moon.” 

    The mission will last a few more days as the astronauts are now returning to Earth. Orion is scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego on April 10.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/nasa-shares-incredible-photos-from-the-far-side-of-the-moon-142355972.html?src=rss


  • ASUS ZenBook A16 review: A surprisingly light and powerful 16-inch ultraportable 
    I went into 2025 incredibly amped to review ASUS's 2.2-pound ZenBook A14, only to be disappointed by the lackluster performance of its Snapdragon X chip. I'm still a bit heartbroken, to be honest. But now ASUS is back with a revamped A14 and a larger 16-inch ZenBook A16, both of which sport new Snapdragon X2 Elite Extreme chips. The A16 is slightly heavier at 2.6 pounds and 2.9 pounds, but it still competes with LG’s Gram Pro 16. And thanks to Qualcomm's new hardware, it's actually speedy enough to compete with Intel and AMD ultraportables. 

    Take everything I initially liked about the ZenBook A14 last year — its thin design and portability, its smooth "Ceraluminum" case and its bold OLED screen — stretch it out a bit, and you've got the ZenBook A16. There's an understated beauty to its design that's far more intriguing than ASUS's mainstream notebooks, like the ZenBook 14 OLED from a few years ago, and it's not trying as hard to impress as ASUS's typical gaming notebooks. It's similar to the company's gorgeous Zephyrus G14 and G16 machines, which feel high-end without needing too much gaming bling. 



    What struck me first about the A14 last year remains the most intriguing aspect of the A16: It just seems impossibly light for its size. The model I’m testing, which will also be sold at Best Buy, weighs 2.9 pounds due to its glass touchscreen cover. But you can also get a slimmer 2.6-pound version of the A16 at ASUS’s online store

    ASUS's Ceraluminum material, which feels like a blend of ceramic and metal, also exudes quality and warmth when you hold it. There's no shock of cold metal on your lap like you'll find with most premium laptops, including Apple's MacBook Pro. But it's also just as sturdy as those machines, with no discernible creaks or flex when stressed. ASUS claims its Ceraluminum cases are also scratch and fingerprint resistant, and so far that seems to be true of my review unit after a few weeks of testing.
    ASUS Zenbook A16 Devindra Hardawar for Engadget
    The ZenBook A16's stunning 16-inch 3K OLED screen is its defining feature, and it delivers everything you'd expect from OLED. Colors look bold and bright, and it offers inky dark black levels. It delivers an eye-popping sense of contrast you won't find on most LCD screens (unless they have Mini LED backlights, like the MacBook Pro). Text appears crisp and sharp, and the large screen size does a great job of making video playback feel immersive (especially if you're laying in bed, trying to catch up on The Pitt). 

    Personally, I'd still opt for the A14 because of the weight difference, but if you prefer big screens this is certainly one of the most intriguing options around. The A16 also has a full-sized SD card reader and HDMI connection, both of which the smaller model lacks entirely. ASUS also included a healthy amount of other ports, including two USB-C 4.0 connections, one USB Type A 3.2 port and a headphone jack. From a productivity perspective, you can certainly get a lot more done with the ZenBook A16's connectivity. 

    The same holds true for Qualcomm's new Snapdragon X2 Elite chips in the A16. Both the X2E94100and X2E96100 are 18-core chips with a single core boost speed of 4.7GHz, which is a big leap over the 8-core X1 chip in last year's A14. The X2 Elite-equipped A16 also comes with a whopping 48GB of RAM, which feels downright luxurious given our current RAM availability crisis, as well as a new 80-TOPS NPU for AI workloads.



    Geekbench 6 CPU

    Geekbench 6 GPU

    Cinebench 2024

    ASUS Zenbook A16 (Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E94100)

    3,262/20,808

    43,849

    98/1,238

    ASUS Zenbook A14 (2025, Qualcomm Snapdragon X1)

    2,113/10,316

    9,603

    96/540

    Apple MacBook Air (M5)

    4,193/17,270

    47,656

    N/A

    Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024, Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite)

    2,797/14,400

    19,963

    123/969

    I immediately felt the difference in power when I booted up the ZenBook A16. The awkward sluggishness while browsing the web or perusing Evernote entries on the A14 was gone. Instead, the A16 always felt incredibly responsive and ready to work, like an eager puppy that never gets tired of playing fetch. Benchmarks also revealed the massive speed differences: The X2 Elite A16 scored 1,200 points higher in Geekbench 6's single-core CPU test, and its multi-core performance was twice as fast. 

    The comparison is a bit unfair, I'll admit, because the A14 I reviewed last year was stuck with the most basic X-series Snapdragon chip, whereas the A16 touts Qualcomm's latest and greatest hardware. That also makes the A16 a bit more expensive than last year's A14: Best Buy lists it at $1,600, whereas the A14 initially sold for $1,100.
    ASUS Zenbook A16 Devindra Hardawar for Engadget
    But at least the ZenBook A16 delivers the performance you'd expect for its price range. In the PCMark 10 Applications benchmark, it scored 17,264 points, which is 1,000 points higher than Dell's Premium 16 (aka last year's XPS 16) with Intel's Core Ultra 7 255H chip. It's also leagues ahead of the old ZenBook A14, which scored a meager 12,127 points.

    Benchmarks never tell the whole story, of course, but those huge performance gaps are the sort of thing you immediately notice in everyday performance. I was able to load up the ZenBook A16 with dozens of tabs, Evernote, 4K YouTube video streams and large Audacity jobs, and it never broke a sweat. Since it's an ARM-based Snapdragon system, though, be aware older apps may run into issues, or fail to work entirely. 

    That Qualcomm hardware also made gaming a major problem for the first generation of Snapdragon X Elite chips, which didn't perform well and were also incompatible with games that required kernel-level anti-cheat. Updates to the Windows on Arm platform fixed the latter issue, and Qualcomm also launched its Snapdragon Control Panel to deliver faster driver updates. Now all Snapdragon X Elite chips can play Fortnite, Roblox and Tencent titles. Qualcomm claims that 90 percent of games will run on the Snapdragon Elite X2 chips.
    ASUS Zenbook A16 Devindra Hardawar for Engadget
    And that includes demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077. I was able to reach 80 fps in that game, while playing with medium settings in 1080p, along with enabling AMD's FSR frame generation. This wouldn't be my ideal way to play Cyberpunk, but it's a sign that the ZenBook A16 can at least hold its own in gaming. Unfortunately, it wouldn't load Arc Raiders, because there's still no support for its anti-cheat tech. Fortnite launched just fine, though, and for some people that'll be enough.

    But really, anyone buying the ZenBook A16 isn't doing it to play shooters, you're doing it to get one of the lightest productivity machines around. ASUS's keyboard was comfortable to type on, though I would have liked to see more key depth akin to the Surface Laptop. Its trackpad is large and responsive, but it's also mechanical, which means you can only click along the lower two-thirds. In this price range, I'd expect ASUS to use a haptic trackpad with full coverage.

    The ZenBook A14's battery life (18 hours and 15 minutes) was one of its truly impressive features. ASUS repeats history here with the A16 clocking in 21 hours and 35 minutes in our rundown test. That's the immediate benefit of having a chip based on mobile ARM architecture. During my testing, the A16 drained down to 80 percent after around four hours of continuous work.

    Compatibility issues aside, the ZenBook A16 delivers just about everything I want in an ultraportable. It’s got a gorgeous OLED screen and all of the ports you need. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Elite chips also give it a much-needed power boost. And best of all, it's one of the lightest and sleekest 16-inch Windows laptops I've come across. Just be prepared to pay a bit extra over other ultraportables for its slim size.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/asus-zenbook-a16-review-a-surprisingly-light-and-powerful-16-inch-ultraportable-140000914.html?src=rss


  • Motorola announces Moto Pad and next-gen Moto G Stylus
    Motorola has announced its two latest devices: the budget-friendly Moto G Stylus smartphone and the Moto Pad. The latter is a tablet and a new addition to the Motorola lineup with an 11-inch 2.5K display, compared to the 6.7-inch screen on the Moto G Stylus.

    The Moto Pad offers a MediaTek D6300 5G processor and 5G connectivity. It also has quad speakers with Dolby technology, including Dolby Atmos capability on speakers or through headphones with using supporting platforms. The Moto Pad comes with a 7040mAh battery that can stream for 12 hours on one charge.

    The new Moto Pad is available in Pantone9s Bronze Green on April 30 from T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile. Motorola has yet to share an exact price, instead stating it will be "communicated by carrier upon availability."

    Meanwhile, the 2026 Moto G Stylus is an upgrade of its predecessor, offering a built-in active stylus. Inside the Notes app, it offers Sketch to Image, an AI tool for polishing drawings, and Handwriting Calculator, a feature for solving handwritten equations without switching to a calculator.

    The Moto G Stylus also has 100 hours of standby time. It only lasts four hours while continually writing, but Motorola claims it recharges in 15 minutes. It comes with a 50MP Ultra Pixel main camera, 13MP Ultrawide & Macro Vision camera and 32MP selfie camera. Plus, its 6.7-inch screen is an Extreme AMOLED display with a 1.5K super HD resolution and 120Hz refresh rate — the Moto Pad has a 90Hz refresh rate, in comparison.

    Motorola is releasing the 2026 Moto G Stylus on April 16 and will start at $500. The 126GB option will initially come with four free Moto Tags, while the 256GB version will offer free Moto Buds Loop earbuds, a Moto Watch and a Moto Tag.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/motorola-announces-moto-pad-and-next-gen-moto-g-stylus-130014526.html?src=rss


  • Spotify's Prompted Playlist feature now works for podcasts
    Spotify9s Prompted Playlist tool now works for podcasts, after launching the feature for music earlier this year. As the name suggests, this is an AI thing. It lets users use natural language, or prompts, to describe what they9re looking for in a playlist and the algorithm does the rest.

    The platform says the tool is a good match for podcasts, as listeners can use it to discover a new favorite show or "dive deeper into a topic or piece of culture." Spotify adds that the algorithm generates playlists based on both the prompt and a person9s listening history, along with "what9s happening in the world today."
    Spotify
    Spotify gives some examples of the kinds of prompts that could be used to generate podcast playlists, which include a user asking the bot to build a playlist "all about science and innovation" and another "with the biggest entertainment news from the past few days." It9ll be interesting to see if the algorithm prioritizes podcasts from its ever-growing stable of in-house creators over third party releases.

    Spotify says the tool "unlocks powerful new opportunities" for creators. This is because it can recommend older episodes from a back catalog, thus giving them a little boost.

    The feature is rolling out now in a beta form to Premium users in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Sweden. It remains to be seen when Spotify will open up the tool to other languages.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/spotifys-prompted-playlist-feature-now-works-for-podcasts-120006108.html?src=rss


  • NHTSA closes probe into Tesla's remote parking crashes
    The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration has closed its investigation into Tesla’s remote parking features, after it found that previously reported incidents led to minor issues and happened in low speed. NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigations opened an evaluation into incidents involving the company’s Actual Smart Summon feature in January 2025. It’s a level 2 automated driving feature meant for parking lots or private property, allowing Tesla owners to control their cars from an app within short distances.

    Investigators said there were 159 incidents involving the feature overall, but those make up less than one percent of the millions of Summons sessions owners have done. Further, almost all of the incidents happened when users “did not have a complete 360-degree view of the surroundings in the app to assess situational awareness.”

    In most of the incidents involving crashes, the vehicles hit parking gates, adjacently parked vehicles and short parking bollards. The investigators identified two incidents that happened because some of the vehicles’ cameras were blocked by snow, and the Summons feature didn’t detect the problem. In one other incident, the system didn’t identify a gate arm blocking a garage exit lane.

    Tesla has since rolled out over-the-air updates improving the vehicles’ camera visibility checks and object detection capabilities. Since the reported crashes involved minor problems and didn’t lead to injuries, deaths or any major incidents that resulted in air bag deployment or in the vehicle being towed away, the agency has decided to shut down the probe altogether.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/nhtsa-closes-probe-into-teslas-remote-parking-crashes-115511006.html?src=rss


  • The Morning After: Apple’s foldable iPhone may be delayed
    Apple has run into “more issues than expected” with its foldable iPhone, which may delay its release, according to the Japanese business newspaper Nikkei. Multiple sources report issues that apparently occurred during early test production phases and may delay first shipments by months.

    Component suppliers have supposedly been notified that the foldable iPhone’s production schedule will be delayedand Apple is working to address the problems. Apple was reportedly prioritizing the foldable iPhone and other premium models for its September event this year, due to constrained supplies — that whole CFTC sues states attempting to regulate prediction marketsThe federal government wants sole authority over prediction markets.
    The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission is suing Illinois, Arizona and Connecticut for attempting to outlaw or regulate prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket. These markets allow people to bet on the outcomes of events (for example, who will be the Democratic nominee for president in 2028). There’s been some particularly The Spaceballs sequel will be released in April 2027Mel Brooks, Rick Moranis and other original cast members are back.
    Amazon MGM Studios announced the upcoming Spaceballs movie will hit theaters on April 23, 2027, right around the 40th anniversary of the first film. The movie is being directed by Josh Greenbaum and written by Josh Gad, Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit, according to Deadline.

    The Artemis II crew snapped some mesmerizing photos of EarthWe don’t need telescopes.NASA
    On their way around the Moon, the Artemis II crew managed to grab a few photos.NASA has begun sharing the images, including the one above: Earth through the Orion capsule’s window. It kinda looks like the old iPhone wallpaper. Sorry, I just ruined it.

    Continue reading.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-engadget-newsletter-111523424.html?src=rss




  • The League of Legends KeSPA cup will air globally on Disney+
    Disney has inked a deal with the Korea Esports Association that will bring several gaming tournaments to its streaming platform. Disney+ will be the global live streaming home for Esports Champions Asia Jinju 2026, the 2026 League of Legends KeSPA CUP and some preliminary events ahead of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026. This agreement expands KeSPA9s arrangement with Disney, which only streamed its esports events to viewers in Asia last year. 

    Esports Champions Asia is the first event on the calendar, occurring April 24-26 with professional teams from across the continent squaring up in tournaments for games including Street Fighter 6, The King of Fighters XV, TEKKEN 8 and the eFootball series. Disney+ will also be an official streamer for the PUBG Mobile and Eternal Return competitions during that weekend. 

    It could be helpful for western esports fans to have a single location for watching the major events happening in Asia. However, many tournaments are currently free to watch on Twitch or YouTube, so now needing a Disney+ subscription to catch some of these international competitions might feel onerous. Esports might run the risk of turning into the fragmented set of rights deals that plagues traditional sports leagues, where a game could be on one of a half dozen different paid services each night. It9s also likely going to mean co-streamers take a hit to their viewership, since Disney seems unlikely to offer the same sort of broadcast access that has made the practice popular on Twitch.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/the-league-of-legends-kespa-cup-will-air-globally-on-disney-224455083.html?src=rss


  • New Jersey has no right to ban Kalshi's prediction market, US appeals court rules
    Kalshi can't be stopped in New Jersey. A 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled on Monday that New Jersey has no authority to regulate Kalshi's prediction market allowing people to bet on the outcome of sports events. That power rests with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the panel ruled 2-1. 

    The CFTC is headed by President Donald Trump appointee Michael Selig, who vocally and actively supports prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket, calling them "exciting products." The Trump family agrees: Donald Trump Jr. is a paid adviser to Kalshi and an unpaid adviser to Polymarket, and Truth Social, which is run by the Trump Media and Technology Group, is set to start a prediction market of its own.

    Online prediction markets are an emerging phenomenon that allow users to bet on the outcome of basically anything, from local athletic competitions to lethal military invasions. Though they're new, these marketplaces have already shown evidence of insider trading on an extreme scale, with suspicious bets and big payouts tied to the US and Israel's military strikes in Iran, and also the US' brief invasion in Venezuela. According to blockchain analyst DeFi Oasis, fewer than 0.04 percent of Polymarket accounts captured more than 70 percent of profits, totaling $3.7 billion.

    Multiple state gaming regulators have filed legal challenges against Kalshi and Polymarket in recent months, and just last week the CFTC sued Arizona, Connecticut and Illinois over their attempts to regulate prediction markets. While each state has its own angle of attack, from election issues to underage betting, they're all broadly claiming that prediction markets are just illegal gambling businesses. Today's ruling marks the first federal-level decision in one of these cases and it's in favor of the prediction markets.

    New Jersey sent Kalshi a cease and desist letter in 2025, claiming the service violated the state's ban on collegiate sports betting. Kalshi escalated the situation and sued New Jersey, arguing that its sports contracts are actually swaps, a type of financial investment that's (conveniently) regulated by the CFTC. A lower-court judge previously sided with Kalshi, prompting New Jersey to appeal. Two of the three judges in that appeal ruled that Kalshi's sports-related event contracts were indeed swaps. Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour called Monday's ruling "a big win for the industry."

    US Circuit Judge Jane Richards Roth dissented, writing that Kalshi's "offerings were virtually indistinguishable from the ​betting products available on online sportsbooks, such as DraftKings and FanDuel."

    New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport has the option to ask the full 3rd Circuit to rehear the case, and the issue is also pending in several other courts.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/new-jersey-has-no-right-to-ban-kalshis-prediction-market-us-appeals-court-rules-214448284.html?src=rss


  • Apple will again appeal to the Supreme Court in battle with Epic Games
    The legal battle between Epic Games and Apple is escalating once again. For a second time, the warring factions are going straight to the top of the judicial system. Apple is asking for the Supreme Court to review when and how it can charge commissions on mobile purchases made via third-party payment systems. The business has requested a motion to stay on a lower court ruling regarding the fees Apple charges to software developers using those external financial systems rather than the App Store. 

    The last time Apple petitioned for an appeal at the top of the judicial branch, it was about a lower court requiring it to allow developers to use third-party payment options. The Supreme Court declined to hear that case. It9s possible that the tech company will once again be denied, although this effort regards specifically limits on commission rates rather than the basic premise of allowing in-app payments to be processed outside the App Store. 

    Epic Games has been pushing both Apple and Google on the subject of their app store commission fees for years. Recently, the gaming company did appear to reach an accord with Google that saw the company9s popular game Fortnite globally return to the Google Play Store in March. That ruling reportedly requires Epic9s notoriously opinionated CEO to keep quiet on the subject of Google9s app store fees until 2032. Epic Games recently made substantial job cuts, laying off more than 1,000 workers last month.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-will-again-appeal-to-the-supreme-court-in-battle-with-epic-games-193551758.html?src=rss


  • Three YouTubers accuse Apple of illegal scraping to train its AI models
    Three YouTube channels have banded together and filed a class action lawsuit against Apple, as first spotted by lawsuit, the creators behind h3h3 Productions, MrShortGameGolf and Golfholics have accused Apple of violating the Digital Millennium Copyright Act by scraping copyrighted videos on YouTube to train its AI models.

    While the YouTubers' videos are available to watch on the platform, the lawsuit alleged that Apple illegally circumvented the "controlled streaming architecture" that regular users are limited to. The creators claimed that Apple's video scraping was used to train its generative AI products, adding that the tech giant's "massive financial success would not have been possible without the video content created" by the YouTubers. MacRumors noted that these YouTube channels have also filed similar lawsuits against other tech companies, including Meta, Nvidia, ByteDance and Snap.

    It's not the first time a company's alleged AI training methods have gotten them in legal trouble. OpenAI and Microsoft were both accused of using copyrighted articles from the NYTimes to train its AI chatbots. Similarly, Perplexity was recently sued by Reddit and Encyclopedia Britannica for alleged copyright and trademark infringements. Last year, Apple was also named in a separate class action lawsuit from two neuroscience professors who claimed their copyrighted works were used without permission. We reached out to Apple for comment and will update the story when we hear back.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/three-youtubers-accuse-apple-of-illegal-scraping-to-train-its-ai-models-181028745.html?src=rss


  • NASA's Artemis II crew just flew farther away from Earth than anyone ever has before
    NASA9s Artemis II crew just set a new distance record in miles traveled away from Earth. The team of four astronauts are in the process of circling the Moon, reaching 5,000 miles beyond the natural satellite. That brings the total distance traveled away from our home to over 250,000 miles. Gene Roddenberry would be proud.

    This broke the previous 1970 record set by Apollo 139s crew by around 4,000 miles. The four astronauts – Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch of NASA and Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency – are the first humans to cross the lunar threshold since 19729s Apollo 17 mission.

    "We challenge this generation and the next to make sure this record is not long-lived," Commander Reid Wiseman said upon crossing the distance threshold. He also suggested that NASA name a lunar crater after the craft itself. 

    The astronauts aren9t landing on the lunar surface, but are conducting a lengthy flyby that should provide clear images of the Moon9s far side "that have never been seen" by humans. These areas were too difficult to clearly see by the various Apollo crew members. They9ll also get a peek at a solar eclipse, though the crew will be out of contact with mission control for around 40 minutes.

    "We’ll get eyes on the moon, kind of map it out and then continue to go back in force," NASA flight director, Judd Frieling, said. Astronaut Christina Koch has called today9s record an important milestone "that people can understand and wrap their heads around."

    As for that mapping, the crew "has a series of different cameras, and they9re going to get data from that." This is according to NASA administrator Jared Isaacman who also said the astronauts have been training for this moment for almost four years. This mapping data will be used to plan future crewed missions to the lunar surface.

    The Orion capsule is now on its crawl back to Earth. It9ll drop down in around four days. NASA is planning for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego on April 10, which is nine days after the launch.

    Astronaut Victor Glover delivered an Easter message over the weekend in which he called Earth an "oasis" and said that humanity is "special in all of this emptiness." This is a marked contrast from the Easter message delivered by President Trump.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/nasas-artemis-ii-crew-just-flew-farther-away-from-earth-than-anyone-ever-has-before-180259867.html?src=rss



  • Netflix just released a standalone gaming app for kids
    Netflix just released a free app called Playground for smartphones and tablets. This is a gaming app for kids, aged eight and under. It9s available to all Netflix members on any tier, and the company promises it doesn9t have ads or in-app purchases.

    It also works without a mobile or Wi-Fi connection. Netflix says this makes it the "perfect companion for long airplane rides or grocery trips." Kids do love their screens.

    The company promises an "ever-growing library of games" for children. The platform launches with titles based on some massively popular franchises. There9s something called Playtime with Peppa Pig, which is a collection of minigames starring the titular Peppa and friends.

    There9s also a game set on Sesame Street, in which kids get to "hang out with Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Oscar and more beloved puppet pals." This is another minigame collection, with a memory card game, a connect-the-dots game and more.

    The catalog also includes a couple of games based on Dr. Seuss properties and a racing title based on the show Bad Dinosaurs. There are other things on the platform, like a sticker book collection and jigsaw puzzles. Again, every title here is intended for young children.

    Netflix Playground is available now in the US and many other parts of the world. It launches globally on April 28. The regular Netflix app still offers access to traditional video games, though the streamer9s interactive division has been struggling lately. It closed its AAA gaming studio back in 2024 and has since removed many titles from the platform.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/netflix-just-released-a-standalone-gaming-app-for-kids-170030884.html?src=rss


  • How to watch the historic Artemis II lunar flyby
    NASA's Artemis II mission is about to make history. After a successful April 1 launch, and a trip of 39,000 miles through space, astronauts Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover and Jeremy Hansen are about to travel farther from Earth than any human beings have before, and you can watch the entire thing unfold online. NASA will stream the entire flyby on YouTube and its own NASA+ website, with coverage beginning at 1PM ET.  You can also watch NASA+ through Netflix.

    It's going to take some time for things to get underway, so if you're working or have plans this evening but don't want to miss seeing history being made, your best bet is to try and catch a handful of key moments. At approximately 1:56PM ET, Artemis II will fly farther than any crewed mission has before, breaking the previous record set by Apollo 13 in 1970. Then, the Orion spacecraft will begin its flyby of the Moon at 2:45PM ET, with the craft expected to make its closest approach to the lunar surface at approximately 7:02PM ET. A few short minutes later, the spacecraft will reach its maximum distance from Earth at about 7:07PM ET. 

    A little more than an hour later at 8:35PM, the Artemis II crew will get a chance to see a total solar eclipse from the far side of the Moon. This is something that won't be visible from Earth. So if you can only catch one part of the broadcast, this is the one to watch.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/how-to-watch-the-historic-artemis-ii-lunar-flyby-155114417.html?src=rss


  • Mercedes-Benz recalls some G-Wagon EVs due to risk of wheels falling off
    Before you take your electric G-Wagon for its next off-roading excursion, you may want to stop by an authorized dealer. The German automaker issued a recall for every Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ technology with the 2025 model year, as first spotted by website, the current wheel bolts could "allow a wheel to loosen or detach from the vehicle," potentially affecting 3,734 models on the road.

    The recall report explained that the electric G580's wheel bolts were "not adapted to the increased vehicle mass and higher torque loads associated with the electric variant." According to the NHTSA report, Mercedes-Benz used the same wheel assembly and bolts as its other G-Class vehicles for the electric model, but conducted an analysis from September 2024 to January 2025 that confirmed these wheel bolts could loosen from repeated rough driving and wheel changes, specifically with the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G580 with EQ technology models. In the end, Mercedes-Benz concluded in the report that it couldn't rule out the risk, even though the wheel bolt loosening was "unlikely to occur under real-world operating scenarios."

    To get it fixed, owners have to bring their affected G580s to a Mercedes-Benz authorized dealer, who will replace the bolts for free. Owners of the electric G580s, whose 2025 model year started at around $160,000, will get mail notices starting in late May. Besides this luxury SUV model, Mercedes-Benz had to issue another recall for another EV in 2021. The automaker recalled a couple hundred EQS EV and S-Class sedans that allowed for video playback on the dashboard even while the car was moving.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/mercedes-benz-recalls-some-g-wagon-evs-due-to-risk-of-wheels-falling-off-150939361.html?src=rss


  • Samsung's Music Studio speakers and two of its 2026 soundbars are available now
    Back at CES, Samsung showed off a new line of speakers and two of its 2026 soundbars. Today, the company announced pricing for the entire suite of new products, including two soundbars that weren’t inside its showroom in Vegas. All but two of the new devices are available to order now, so you might not have to wait to get your hands on some new Samsung audio gear.

    Let’s start with the Music Studio 7 and Music Studio 5 speakers. The Music Studio 7 is the more rectangular model in the duo. It’s a 3.1.1-channel unit with left, right and center speakers alongside one woofer and one up-firing driver. This $500 device is also equipped with Pattern Control tech to direct the sound evenly through the room while keeping distortion to a minimum. The more circular Music Studio 5 has a 2.1-channel configuration composed of two tweeters and a single woofer. It has waveguide technology to evenly disperse the sound and costs $300.

    Both the Music Studio 7 and Music Studio 5 use AI processing to customize the sound based on the room and the content. Those capabilities come in the form of Samsung’s Dynamic Bass Control and SpaceFit Sound Pro room calibration features. Both speakers also use Active Voice Amplifier Pro to boost dialogue.
    Two Music Studio 7 speakers being used with a TVSamsung
    Yes, this means you can use a pair of either model as your living room setup. In fact, they can work with a compatible TV or soundbar to employ Samsung’s Q-Symphony feature that uses all of your speakers as an immersive group. Samsung is also expanding Q-Symphony to work with up to five of its audio devices and the feature will automatically adjust the sound based on speaker locations. Those upgrades seem an awful lot like LG’s Sound Suite and Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, if you ask me.

    Samsung revealed its flagship soundbar, the Q990H, at CES. Unfortunately, the company is keeping the same overall design it’s been using for about years now, so I think it’s time for a change. This is the company’s 11.1.4-channel Dolby Atmos option that comes with rear satellite speakers and a subwoofer for $2,000. Samsung’s home theater features like Dynamic Bass Control, SpaceFit Sound Pro and Adaptive Sound are all here, but there are also two new features on the Q990H for 2026.

    First, Samsung promises that Sound Elevation will improve the audio by making dialogue sound like its coming from where characters are on the screen rather than the position of your soundbar. There’s also Auto Volume, which will supposedly nix sudden volume jumps as you switch channels or streaming services.

    The QS90H is the member of Samsung’s 2026 soundbar lineup that really impressed me at CES. The company says this is its first “all-in-one” soundbar, which means you shouldn’t have to use a subwoofer for adequate bass. Other companies have made that claim, and it’s almost never true, but the $1,000 QS90H pumped out some great low-end tone back in Vegas. That’s thanks to four built-in woofers and an overall 7.1.2-channel setup.
    The QS90H has a similar design to the existing QS700 soundbarSamsung
    Like the QS700F, the QS90H has a gyro sensor that automatically detects if it’s sitting flat on a shelf or mounted on a wall. This allows the soundbar to automatically adjust the sound based on its position so you don’t sacrifice performance for what looks best in your home. The QS90H also offers Q-Symphony, SpaceFit Sound Pro room calibration, Adaptive Sound, Active Voice Amplifier Pro and Dynamic Bass Control — plus the new Sound Elevation and Auto Volume from the Q990H.

    Two other soundbars that Samsung didn’t discuss at CES are the Q930H ($1,500) and the Q800H ($1,100). As you might expect based on the numbers, these two models sit below the Q990H in the company’s lineup. The Q930H is a 9.1.4-channel option that comes with rear speakers and a subwoofer in the box. In terms of features, Q-Symphony, SpaceFit Sound Pro room calibration, Adaptive Sound, Voice Amplifier Pro and Sound Elevation are all here. Step down to the Q800H and you’ll get all of those features in a 5.1.2-channel arrangement. This soundbar only comes with a subwoofer though. It’s also worth noting that both the Q930H and Q800H have a similar angular design to the Q900H.

    The Music Studio 7, Music Studio 5, Q990H and Q800H are available now. The Q930H and QS90H are still listed at “coming soon.”
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/samsungs-music-studio-speakers-and-two-of-its-2026-soundbars-are-available-now-150000056.html?src=rss


  • Artemis II arrives in lunar space ahead of its trip around the Moon
    Artemis II and its four-person crew have entered the Moon’s “sphere of influence,” meaning the spacecraft is more affected by lunar gravity than the Earth’s pull. The transition occurred at a distance of 39,000 miles from the Moon, four days, six hours and two minutes into the mission. The next and most important phase will happen tomorrow when the craft loops around the Moon’s far side, taking humans deeper into space than they’ve ever been before.

    At their apogee, Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen will be 252,757 miles from Earth. That will break the previous record held by the Apollo 13 crew by just over 4,000 miles. They’re the first humans to cross the lunar threshold since 1972’s Apollo 17 moon landing mission.

    The crew spent this weekend carrying out preparations for their lunar flyby. That included manual piloting demonstrations, reviewing their science objectives for the six-hour observation period and evaluating their space suits, which are there for life support in the event of an emergency and for their return home. But, they9ve had plenty of time to take in the views, too — and those views sure are spectacular. In the latest series of images shared by the space agency, the astronauts are seen gazing at Earth through the windows of the Orion spacecraft

    Orion will reach the moon9s vicinity shortly after midnight on Monday, April 6. Later that day, the crew is expected to reach a point farther than any humans have traveled from Earth, surpassing the record of 248,655 miles from Earth set by the Apollo 13 astronauts in 1970. 
    Mission specialist Christina Koch takes in the view.NASA
    The lunar observation period will start at 2:45PM ET, and a few hours later, they9ll be behind the moon and briefly drop out of communication. The spacecraft9s closest approach to the moon is expected to occur at 7:02PM, when it will be 4,066 miles from the surface. "From that distance, the crew will see the entire disk of the Moon at once, including regions near the north and south poles," according to NASA. The crew will later get a chance to see a solar eclipse "as Orion, the Moon, and the Sun align in such a way that the astronauts will see our star disappear behind the Moon for about an hour." NASA will have coverage of the flyby starting at 1PM ET.

    Update April 7 at 1:40 AM ET: The post has been updated with news that Artemis II has entered the Moon’s sphere of influence.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/artemis-ii-arrives-in-lunar-space-ahead-of-its-trip-around-the-moon-211919381.html?src=rss



  • Samsung will discontinue its Messages app in July and replace it with Google's
    Samsung is putting the final nail in the coffin for its own messaging app. The smartphone maker posted an "End of Service Announcement" on its website, revealing that the Samsung Messages app will no longer be available by July of this year. Samsung also recommended that anyone still using Samsung Messages switch over to Google Messages as the default messaging app.

    For Samsung Messages users in the US, the switch to Google offers RCS messaging that lets you send high-quality media, join group chats and get real-time typing indicators no matter the smartphone's OS. Galaxy smartphone owners may lose out on some of the Samsung Messages customization options, but Google Messages will make up for it generative AI from Gemini that can remix your photos in chats. On top of those features, Google Messages makes it easier for Samsung users to switch chats between a smartphone, tablet or smartwatch.

    It's no surprise that Samsung is only using Google Messages from now on, since it has been phasing out Samsung Messages for a few years now. Dating back to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6, and then followed by the Galaxy S25 series, Samsung stopped preloading the Samsung Messages app and instead pre-installed the Google Messages app. The Samsung Messages app is still available on the Galaxy Store, but Samsung said the exact final date will eventually be announced on the app itself.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsung-will-discontinue-its-messages-app-in-july-and-replace-it-with-googles-162204307.html?src=rss


  • Devils on the Moon brings the score-chasing of pinball to the Playdate
    Pinball video games have been around for years — I cut my teeth on Space Cadet 3D Pinball, which was pre-loaded on Windows 95. They range from realistic recreations of pinball tables you’ll find at arcades to games that could never exist in real life like 2019’s Demon’s Tilt or older ones like Metroid Prime Pinball for the Nintendo DS or Pokémon Pinball for the Game Boy Color.

    I didn’t expect to find a detailed pinball game for the humble and delightful Playdate, but a pair of developers working under the name Amano pulled it off with Devils on the Moon Pinball, which arrived last week. It’s the developer’s third game for the Playdate, and Mario and JP (who make up Amano) pointed directly to Pokemon Pinball as the inspiration for this game. “I think one of my most-played games is Pokemon Pinball,” JP said. “But the idea to make a pinball game came from Mario… he came to me and say ‘JP, I want to make a custom engine for Playdate and we should make a pinball game.’”

    I love playing pinball in real life, but owning a full-size table is extremely expensive and takes up a ton of room. But Devils on the Moon completely scratches the itch. The controls are extremely simple: pressing left on the d-pad flips the left fipper, A flips the right flipper, and pressing down on the d-pad launches the ball. Amano also included tilt controls; pressing right or up on the d-pad or the B button shakes the table in a particular direction so you can try and save the ball. Sadly, the crank doesn’t come into play, but I can’t say I have a good idea for how it would be used.
    A screenshot from Devils on the Moon Pinball.Amano
    I was impressed with both the physics and table design of Devils on the Moon after playing for just a few minutes. Despite not having analog control, the way the ball reacted when I hit the flippers felt consistent and smooth, and while I was often surprised at some of the bounces it took, it never felt unfair. When I drained a ball, it was almost always something I could have avoided if I knew the game better or had faster reflexes — just like a good, real-life pinball table.

    JP and Mario described the game as using “stylized physics” rather than it being fully realistic. “It may not necessarily be accurate to real life,” JP said. “But since the screen is wider than it is tall unlike actual pinball, we needed the ball to feel a little bit floaty and not fall as fast because then it would just zoom straight down the screen.”

    The table design feels both grounded in reality while also taking advantage of its virtual nature. There are three vertical “levels,” each with its own set of flippers. The 2D nature of the game means there aren’t any true ramps like you’ll on most pinball tables, but having three separate sections of the game to get used to makes up for that. And provided you complete various modes in the game, you can reach boss battles where you’re tasked with whacking a giant enemy repeatedly to drain away their health bar. Physical pinball tables often have similar encounters, but they have to be worked into the design of the game — in this case, your ball essentially ports to an entirely different space when you battle a boss.
    The full three-stage board layout for Devils on the Moon pinball.Amano
    “It's kind of playing like the old pinball machines where the rules are really simple,” Mario said.". "You just have a few things to do. In our case, it ended up going beyond our original scope, but it’s still quite simple compared to an actual pinball machine in terms of rules.” He said the design intent was to make the game friendlier to people who might try it out without a lot of pinball experience while still putting enough challenge into it.

    The audio and visual presentation is top-notch for a Playdate game, too. Perhaps most crucially for a pinball game, there’s no lag or stuttering. The game also has a distinct visual identity, something that’s always important for pinball to draw you into the world of the playfield as much as possible. The game’s page cheekily promises “ at least (1) songs” and it delivers on that with a solid theme for the main game that serves well as background music that doesn’t get old if you’re playing for a while, and the beeps and boops the table makes as you play feel well-suited to the game. It doesn’t “sound” like a real pinball table — but it isn’t one, so that’s okay.
    A screenshot of Devils on the Moon Pinball.Amano
    I haven’t played a video pinball game in a long time, but the Playdate feels like an ideal platform for this. I can bring it with me anywhere and play a round or two (provided there’s decent light) or settle in for a longer play session. The game is challenging enough that you’ll need to practice a lot to get the hang of it, but there’s enough variety to the three-tiered table to keep players interested for the long haul. After all, the fun of pinball isn’t necessarily playing a table for the first time — it’s learning it inside out so you can maximize your score. I’m looking forward to getting to that point with Devils on the Moon.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/devils-on-the-moon-brings-the-score-chasing-of-pinball-to-the-playdate-130000414.html?src=rss



  • Ursula K. Le Guin's blog has been turned into a podcast
    For those who will never tire of the words of Ursula K. Le Guin, a special treat is on the way. The esteemed late author's blog, which she started in 2010 at the age of 81, is being rereleased as a podcast, book collecting a selection of those posts was published that year. But, the podcast will include everything: essays, poems and "even the ones that are mostly cat pictures," according to the announcement. The first episode will be released April 8 on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other platforms. 

    From Le Guin's official Instagram account, which is managed by her estate:

    We always wanted to hear a version of the blog that includes every single post, even the ones that are mostly cat pictures. So for the next two years and change, we'll release an episode every Wednesday. Each episode features a different reader of Ursula's text, and each reader adds their own thoughts—about their relationship with Ursula and her work, or about the specific topic of the post, or whatever catches their fancy.

    You can listen to a trailer here ahead of the first episode's release this week. Post zero, "A Note at the Beginning," will be read by David Mitchell.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/ursula-k-le-guins-blog-has-been-turned-into-a-podcast-193257106.html?src=rss



  • Ireland is testing out a digital wallet that conducts age verification for social media users
    Before it's publicly available later this year, the Irish government is trialing its Government Digital Wallet, which includes a way to verify a user's age to access social media platforms. In its press release, the government's Department of Public Expediture, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation said people can store digital versions of their birth certificates, driving licenses, European health cards and more.

    Frank Feighan, the department's minister, said that this testing phase would help inform the development of the digital wallet and ensure it was user friendly. The government hasn't laid out when the Government Digital Wallet graduates beyond the testing phase, but Ireland is required to create a digital wallet by the end of 2026 as part of a European Union regulation.

    "It will be able to facilitate secure age verification capability as set out in Digital Ireland and the implementation of the Online Safety Code, under which designated platforms must have age verification measures in place to help protect, in particular, children and young people from online harm," Feighan said of Ireland's digital wallet.

    The pilot phase will be done on an opt-in basis and the government has a short survey available for comments and concerns. Along with Ireland, many other European Union member states are working on their own age verification methods. Earlier this year, Spain's prime minister Pedro Sanchez announced a law to ban social media for anyone under 16.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/ireland-is-testing-out-a-digital-wallet-that-conducts-age-verification-for-social-media-users-175002131.html?src=rss


  • Apple iOS 26.5 public beta is now available
    Apple has released the first public beta for iOS 26.5, just a few days after the beta for developers came out. One of the biggest changes the new operating system brings is the “Suggested Places feature in Apple Maps. It will show you trending places to visit, such as restaurants and other establishments, near your location or based on your search history. You can see Suggested Places when you tap on the search bar in the Maps app.

    iOS 26.5 beta also will also come with notifications that the company will be putting ads inside Maps. Apple confirmed in March that it was going to expand its ads outside of the App Store and Apple News apps. The ads you see will be based on your location, the search terms you’ve used and what you’re looking up on Maps. They will show up at the top of your search results and in Apple’s Suggested Places list. Apple said the ads will be clearly marked and won’t be a danger to your privacy. Your current location and the ads you interact with will not be associated with your Apple Account, and your personal data will stay on your iPhone and won’t be collected.

    In addition, Apple is testing end-to-end encryption for RCS messages on iOS 26.5 beta yet again. However, the company has yet to reveal whether the feature will roll out with the operating system’s stable release. To be able to get Apple’s public beta releases, go to the Apple Beta Software Program website and sign up using your Apple credentials.
    This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/apple-ios-265-public-beta-is-now-available-170103425.html?src=rss


OSnews

  • Plan 9 is a uniquely complete operating system
    From 2024, but still accurate and interesting: Plan 9 is unique in this sense that everything the system needs is covered by the base install. This includes the compilers, graphical environment, window manager, text editors, ssh client, torrent client, web server, and the list goes on. Nearly everything a user can do with the system is available right from the get go. ↫ moody This is definitely something that sets Plan 9 apart from everything else, but as moody  9front developer  notes, this also has a downside in that development isnt as fast, and Plan 9 variants of tools lack features upstream has for a long time. He further adds that he think this is why Plan 9 has remained mostly a hobbyist curiosity, but Im not entirely sure thats the main reason. The cold and harsh truth is that Plan 9 is really weird, and while that weirdness is a huge part of its appeal and I hope it never loses it, it also means learning Plan 9 is really hard. I firmly believe Plan 9 has the potential to attract more users, but to get there, its going to need an onboarding process thats more approachable than reading 9fronts frequently questioned answers, excellent though they are. After installing 9front and loading it up for the first time, you basically hit a brick wall thats going to be rough to climb. It would be amazing if 9front could somehow add some climbing tools for first-time users, without actually giving up on its uniqueness. Sometimes, Plan 9 feels more like an experimental art project instead of the capable operating system that it is, and I feel like that chases people away. Which is a real shame.


  • Anos: a hobby microkernel operating system written in C
    Anos is a modern, opinionated, non-POSIX operating system (just a hobby, wont be big and professional like GNU-Linux) for x86_64 PCs and RISC-V machines. Anos currently comprises the STAGE3 microkernel, SYSTEM user-mode supervisor, and a base set of servers implementing the base of the operating system. There is a (WIP) toolchain for Anos based on Binutils, GCC (16-experimental) and Newlib (with a custom libgloss). ↫ Anos GitHub page Its written in C, runs on both x86-64 and RISC-V, and can run on real hardware too (but this hasnt been tested on RISC-V just yet). For the x86 side of things, its strictly 64 bit, and requires a Haswell (4th Gen) chip or higher.


  • The 499th patch for 2.11BSD released
    This year sees 35 years since 2.11BSD was announced on March 14, 1991  itself a slightly late celebration of 20 years of the PDP-11  and January 2026 brought what looks to be the venerable 16-bit OSs biggest ever patch! Much of the 1.3 MB size is due to Anders Magnusson, well-known for his work on NetBSD and the Portable C Compiler. Since 2.11BSDs stdio was not ANSI compliant, hes ported from 4.4BSD. ↫ BigSneakyDuck at Reddit Theres an incredible amount of work in here on this old variant of BSD, including fixes for old bugs and tons of other changes. This, the 499th patch for 2.11BSD, is so big, in fact, that vi on 2.11BSD cant handle the size of the files, so youre going to need to cut them up with sed, for which instructions are included. Its quite unique to see such a big update on the 35th anniversary of an operating system.


  • KDE is bringing back its classic Oxygen and Air themes
    Anyone remember the KDE 4.0 themes Oxygen and Air? Well, several KDE developers have been working tirelessly to bring them back, which means theyre patching it up, fixing bugs, and generally making these classic themes work well in the current releases of KDE Plasma 6. The last post regarding work on fixing Oxygen was a month and a half ago. With all that’s happened in between, it feels like so much more time has actually passed. With this post, I’d like to do a sort of mid-term update summing up all of the improvements done so far. These improvements are not just my work, but also, as you’ll see, the work of the lead Oxygen designer Nuno Pinheiro, of several seasoned KDE developers, and of new contributors to Oxygen as well. ↫ Filip Fila The effort to bring these themes back go much beyond just making them nominally work; the developers and designers are also making sure the themes work properly with all the new features that have come to KDE since the 4.x and 5.x days, like adaptive and floating panels, various forms of blur, and a ton more  which includes making sure the themes are fully compatible with Wayland, which introduced a slew of new visual glitches and issues to these old themes in recent years. They are also working on improving, updating, and expanding the Oxygen icon set, which should surely bring back a ton of memories. This work involves not just designing new icons for applications and other things that didnt exist back when Oxygen was current, but also fixing old icons that look blurry on modern setups, addressing cases where monochrome and colourful icons mismatch, and so on. Theyre clearly taking this very seriously. It seems to be an organic effort more and more people got involved with as time passed, and theyre aiming to have these themes ready for Plasma 6.7, to be released in June of this year. You can already try the current versions today, but they do require the absolute latest version of KDE Plasma to work properly. More improvements are planned for the coming weeks. This whole thing brings a massive smile to my face, and is such a perfect illustration of why I love the KDE project and its approach and spirit. At this point in time, I personally cant imagine using any other desktop environment.


  • I used AI. It worked. I hated it.!
    This is a great post, but obviously it hasnt convinced me: The folks waving their arms and yelling about recent models capabilities have a point: the thing works. This project finished in three weeks. Compare that to Ringspace, a similarly-sized project that took me about six months of nights and early mornings to complete, while not doing my day job or being Dad to an amazing, but demanding toddler. I simply could not have built this project as well or as quickly without help. And as other developers have noted, this is the help thats showing up. Im not entirely onboard with Mike Masnicks optimistic view of this technologys democratizing power. I dont think its as easy to separate the tech from its provenance or corporate control. But CertGen, my certificate application, exists now. It didnt and couldnt without the help of a tool like Claude Code. Open source in particular needs to reckon with this, because the current situation of demanding developers starve and bleed themselves dry without support isnt tenable. We need to grapple with this. Im not yet sure how it all breaks down, and anyone who says they do is lying, foolish, or fanatical. ↫ Michael Taggart If you disregard that AI! models are trained on stolen data, that such data was prepared by exploited workers, that AI! data centres have a hugely negative impact on the environment, that AI! data centers are distorting the entire computing market, that AI! models they feed the endless firehose of intentional misinformation, that they are wreaking havoc in education, that they increase your reliance on American big tech companies, that you pay AI! companies for taking your work, that AI! models are a vital component in the technofascist wet dreams of their creators, that they are the cornerstone of politicians dream of ending anonymity, and that they contribute to racist and abusive policing, then yes, sometimes, they produce code that works and isnt total horseshit. Its a deeply depressing reversed what have the Romans ever done for us?! that makes me sad, more than anything. Ive seen so many otherwise smart, caring, and genuine people just shove all of these massive downsides aside for the mere novelty, the peer pressure, the occasional sense that their lines of code! metric is going up. Its the digital equivalent of rolling coal.


  • Adobe secretly modifies your hosts file for the stupidest reason
    If youre using Windows or macOS and have Adobe Creative Cloud installed, you may want to take a peek at your hosts file. It turns out Adobe adds a bunch of entries into the hosts file, for a very stupid reason. Theyre using this to detect if you have Creative Cloud already installed when you visit on their website. When you visit https://www.adobe.com/home, they load this image using JavaScript: If the DNS entry in your hosts file is present, your browser will therefore connect to their server, so they know you have Creative Cloud installed, otherwise the load fails, which they detect. They used to just hit http://localhost:`various portsb/cc.png which connected to your Creative Cloud app directly, but then Chrome started blocking Local Network Access, so they had to do this hosts file hack instead. ↫ thenickdude at Reddit At what point does a commercial software suite become malware?


  • TinyOS: ultra-lightweight RTOS for IoT devices
    An ultra-lightweight real-time operating system for resource-constrained IoT and embedded devices. Kernel footprint under 10 KB, 2 KB minimum RAM, preemptive priority-based scheduling. ↫ TinyOS GitHub page Written in C, open source, and supports ARM and RISC-V.


  • Redox gets new CPU scheduler
    Another major improvement in Redox: a brand new scheduler which improves performance under load considerably. We have replaced the legacy Round Robin scheduler with a Deficit Weighted Round Robin scheduler. Due to this, we finally have a way of assigning different priorities to our Process contexts. When running under light load, you may not notice any difference, but under heavy load the new scheduler outperforms the old one (eg. ~150 FPS gain in the pixelcannon 3D Redox demo, and ~1.5x gain in operations/sec for CPU bound tasks and a similar improvement in responsiveness too (measured through schedrs)). ↫ Akshit Gaur Work is far from over in this area, as theyre now moving on to replacing the static queue logic with the dynamic lag-calculations of full EEVDF .


  • Open source office suites erupt in forking and licensing drama
    Youd think if there was one corner of the open source world where you wouldnt find drama itd be open source office suites, but it turns out we could not have been more wrong. First, theres The Document Foundation, stewards of LibreOffice, ejecting a ton of LibreOffice contributors. In the ongoing saga of The Document Foundation (TDF), their Membership Committee has decided to eject from membership all Collabora staff and partners. That includes over thirty people who have contributed faithfully to LibreOffice for many years. It is interesting to see a formal meritocracy eject so many, based on unproven legal concerns and guilt by association. This includes seven of the top ten core committers of all time (excluding release engineers) currently working for Collabora Productivity. The move is the culmination of TDF losing a large number of founders from membership over the last few years with: Thorsten Behrens, Jan ‘Kendy’ Holesovsky, Rene Engelhard, Caolan McNamara, Michael Meeks, Cor Nouws and Italo Vignoli no longer members. Of the remaining active founders, three of the last four are paid TDF staff (of whom none are programming on the core code). ↫ Micheal Meeks The end result seems to be that Collabora is effectively forking LibreOffice, which feels like were back where we were 15 years ago when LibreOffice forked from OpenOffice. There seems to be a ton of drama and infighting here that Im not particularly interested in, but its sad to see such drama and infighting result in needless complications for developers, end users, and distributors alike. As if this wasnt enough, theres also forking drama in OnlyOffice land, the other open source office suite, licensed under the AGPL. This ope source office suite has been forked by Nextcloud and IONOS into Euro-Office, in pursuit of digital sovereignty in the EU. Its also not an entirely unimportant detail that OnlyOffice is Russian, with most of its developers residing in Russia. Anyway, the OnlyOffice team has not taken this in stride, claiming theres a violation of the AGPL license going on here, specifically because OnlyOffice adds contradictory attribution terms to the AGPL. Its a complicated story, but it does seem most experts in this area seem to disagree with OnlyOffices interpretation. Were in for another messy time.


  • How Microsoft vaporized a trillion dollars
    This is the first of a series of articles in which you will learn about what may be one of the silliest, most preventable, and most costly mishaps of the 21st century, where Microsoft all but lost OpenAI, its largest customer, and the trust of the US government. ↫ Axel Rietschin It wont take long into this series of articles before you start wondering how anyone manages to ship anything at Microsoft. If even half of this is accurate, this company should be placed under some sort of external oversight.


  • Big-endian testing with QEMU
    I assume I dont have to explain the difference between big-endian and little-endian systems to the average OSNews reader, and while most systems are either dual-endian or (most likely) little-endian, its still good practice to make sure your code works on both. If you dont have a big-endian system, though, how do you do that? When programming, it is still important to write code that runs correctly on systems with either byte order (see for example The byte order fallacy). But without access to a big-endian machine, how does one test it? QEMU provides a convenient solution. With its user mode emulation we can easily run a binary on an emulated big-endian system, and we can use GCC to cross-compile to that system. ↫ Hans Wennborg If you want to make sure your code isnt arbitrarily restricted to little-endian, running a few tests this way is worth it.


  • How to turn anything into a router
    I don’t like to cover “current events” very much, but the American government just revealed a truly bewildering policy effectively banning import of new consumer router models. This is ridiculous for many reasons, but if this does indeed come to pass it may be beneficial to learn how to “homebrew” a router. Fortunately, you can make a router out of basically anything resembling a computer. ↫ Noah Bailey I genuinely cant believe making your own router with Linux or BSD might become a much more widespread thing in the US. Im not saying its a bad thing  itll teach some people something new  but it just feels so absurd.


  • Microsoft Copilot is now injecting ads into pull requests on GitHub
    Why do so many people keep falling for the same trick over and over again? With an over $400 billion gap between the money invested in AI data centers and the actual revenue these products generate, Silicon Valley slowly returned to the tested and trusted playbook: advertising. Now, ads are starting to appear in pull requests generated by Copilot. According to Melbourne-based software developer Zach Manson, a team member used the AI to fix a simple typo in a pull request. Copilot did the job, but it also took the liberty of editing the PRs description to include this message: Quickly spin up Copilot coding agent tasks from anywhere on your macOS or Windows machine with Raycast.! ↫ David Uzondu at Neowin It turns out that Microsoft has added ads to over 1.5 million Copilot pull requests on GitHub, and theyre even appearing on GitLab, one of the GitHub alternatives. The reasoning is clear, too, of course: AI! companies and investors have poured ungodly amounts of money in AI! that is impossible to recover, even with paying customers. As such, the logical next step is ads, and many AI! companies are already starting to add advertising to their pachinko machines. It was only a matter of time before Copilot would start inserting ads into the pull requests it ejaculates over all kinds of projects. This isnt the first time a once-free service turns on its users, but its definitely one of the quickest turnarounds Ive ever seen. Usually it takes much longer before companies reach the stage of putting ads in their products to plug any financial bleeding, but with the amount of money poured into this useless black hole, it really shouldnt be surprising were already there. Im sure Copilots competitors, like Claude, will soon follow suit. Theyre enshittifying Git, and developers are just letting it happen. No wonder worker exploitation is so rampant in Silicon Valley.


  • Capability-based security for Redox: namespace and CWD as capabilities
    By reimplementing these features using capabilities, we made the kernel simpler by moving complex scheme and namespace management out of it which improved security and stability by reducing the attack surface and possible bugs. At the same time, we gained a means to support more sandboxing features using the CWD file descriptor. This project leads the way for future sandboxing support in Redox OS. As the OS continues to move toward capability-based security, it will be able to provide more modern security features. ↫ Ibuki Omatsu Redox seems to be making the right decisions at, crucially, the right time.


  • The curious case of retro demo scene graphics
    Of course, it was only a matter of time before the time-honoured tradition of the demoscene also got infected by AI!. For me personally, generative AI ruins much of the fun. I still enjoy creating pixel art and making little animations and demos. My own creative process remains satisfying as an isolated activity. Alas, obvious AI generated imagery  as well as middle-aged men plagiarizing other, sometimes much younger, hobbyist artists  makes me feel disappointed and empty. Its not as much about effort as it is about the loss of style and personality; soul, if you will. The result is defacement, to echo T. S. Eliot, rather than inspired improvement. Even in more elaborate AI-based works, its hard to tell where the prompt ends and the pixelling begins. ↫ Carl Svensson A wonderful explanation of the rather unique views on originality, stealing, plagiarism, and related topics within the demoscene, which certainly diverge from many other places.


  • Running a Plan 9 network on OpenBSD
    This guide describes how you can install a Plan 9 network on an OpenBSD machine (it will probably work on any unix machine though). The authentication service (called authsrv! on Plan 9) is provided by a unix version: authsrv9. The file service is provided by a program called u9fs!. It comes with Plan 9. Both run from inetd. The (diskless) cpu server is provided by running qemu, booted from only a floppy (so without local storage). Finally, the terminal is provided by the program drawterm. The nice thing about this approach is that you can use all your familiar unix tools to get started with Plan 9 (e.g. you can edit the Plan 9 files with your favorite unix editor). Im assuming you have read at least something about Plan 9, for example the introduction paper Plan 9 from Bell Labs. ↫ Mechiel Lukkien If youre running OpenBSD, youre already doing something better than everyone else, and if you want to ascend to the next level, this is a great place to start. Of course, the final level, where you leave your earthly roots behind and become a being of pure enlightened energy, is running Plan 9 on real hardware as the universe intended, but lets not put the cart before the horse. One day, all of humanity will just be an endless collection of interconnected cosmic Plan 9 servers, more plentiful than the stars in the known universe.



Linux Journal News

  • EU OS: A Bold Step Toward Digital Sovereignty for Europe
    Image
    A new initiative, called "EU OS," has been launched to develop a Linux-based operating system tailored specifically for the public sector organizations of the European Union (EU). This community-driven project aims to address the EU's unique needs and challenges, focusing on fostering digital sovereignty, reducing dependency on external vendors, and building a secure, self-sufficient digital ecosystem.
    What Is EU OS?
    EU OS is not an entirely novel operating system. Instead, it builds upon a Linux foundation derived from Fedora, with the KDE Plasma desktop environment. It draws inspiration from previous efforts such as France's GendBuntu and Munich's LiMux, which aimed to provide Linux-based systems for public sector use. The goal remains the same: to create a standardized Linux distribution that can be adapted to different regional, national, and sector-specific needs within the EU.

    Rather than reinventing the wheel, EU OS focuses on standardization, offering a solid Linux foundation that can be customized according to the unique requirements of various organizations. This approach makes EU OS a practical choice for the public sector, ensuring broad compatibility and ease of implementation across diverse environments.
    The Vision Behind EU OS
    The guiding principle of EU OS is the concept of "public money – public code," ensuring that taxpayer money is used transparently and effectively. By adopting an open-source model, EU OS eliminates licensing fees, which not only lowers costs but also reduces the dependency on a select group of software vendors. This provides the EU’s public sector organizations with greater flexibility and control over their IT infrastructure, free from the constraints of vendor lock-in.

    Additionally, EU OS offers flexibility in terms of software migration and hardware upgrades. Organizations can adapt to new technologies and manage their IT evolution at a manageable cost, both in terms of finances and time.

    However, there are some concerns about the choice of Fedora as the base for EU OS. While Fedora is a solid and reliable distribution, it is backed by the United States-based Red Hat. Some argue that using European-backed projects such as openSUSE or KDE's upcoming distribution might have aligned better with the EU's goal of strengthening digital sovereignty.
    Conclusion
    EU OS marks a significant step towards Europe's digital independence by providing a robust, standardized Linux distribution for the public sector. By reducing reliance on proprietary software and vendors, it paves the way for a more flexible, cost-effective, and secure digital ecosystem. While the choice of Fedora as the base for the project has raised some questions, the overall vision of EU OS offers a promising future for Europe's public sector in the digital age.

    Source: It's FOSS
    European Union


  • Linus Torvalds Acknowledges Missed Release of Linux 6.14 Due to Oversight

    Linus Torvalds Acknowledges Missed Release of Linux 6.14 Due to Oversight

    Linux kernel lead developer Linus Torvalds has admitted to forgetting to release version 6.14, attributing the oversight to his own lapse in memory. Torvalds is known for releasing new Linux kernel candidates and final versions on Sunday afternoons, typically accompanied by a post detailing the release. If he is unavailable due to travel or other commitments, he usually informs the community ahead of time, so users don’t worry if there’s a delay.

    In his post on March 16, Torvalds gave no indication that the release might be delayed, instead stating, “I expect to release the final 6.14 next weekend unless something very surprising happens.” However, Sunday, March 23rd passed without any announcement.

    On March 24th, Torvalds wrote in a follow-up message, “I’d love to have some good excuse for why I didn’t do the 6.14 release yesterday on my regular Sunday afternoon schedule,” adding, “But no. It’s just pure incompetence.” He further explained that while he had been clearing up unrelated tasks, he simply forgot to finalize the release. “D'oh,” he joked.

    Despite this minor delay, Torvalds’ track record of successfully managing the Linux kernel’s development process over the years remains strong. A single day’s delay is not critical, especially since most Linux users don't urgently need the very latest version.

    The new 6.14 release introduces several important features, including enhanced support for writing drivers in Rust—an ongoing topic of discussion among developers—support for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite mobile chip, a fix for the GhostWrite vulnerability in certain RISC-V processors from Alibaba’s T-Head Semiconductor, and a completed NTSYNC driver update that improves the WINE emulator’s ability to run Windows applications, particularly games, on Linux.

    Although the 6.14 release went smoothly aside from the delay, Torvalds expressed that version 6.15 may present more challenges due to the volume of pending pull requests. “Judging by my pending pile of pull requests, 6.15 will be much busier,” he noted.

    You can download the latest kernel here.
    Linus Torvalds kernel


  • AerynOS 2025.03 Alpha Released with GNOME 48, Mesa 25, and Linux Kernel 6.13.8
    Image
    AerynOS 2025.03 has officially been released, introducing a variety of exciting features for Linux users. The release includes the highly anticipated GNOME 48 desktop environment, which comes with significant improvements like HDR support, dynamic triple buffering, and a Wayland color management protocol. Other updates include a battery charge limiting feature and a Wellbeing option aimed at improving user experience.

    This release, while still in alpha, incorporates Linux kernel 6.13.8 and the updated Mesa 25.0.2 graphics stack, alongside tools like LLVM 19.1.7 and Vulkan SDK 1.4.309.0. Additionally, the Moss package manager now integrates os-info to generate more detailed OS metadata via a JSON file.

    Future plans for AerynOS include automated package updates, easier rollback management, improved disk handling with Rust, and fractional scaling enabled by default. The installer has also been revamped to support full disk wipes and dynamic partitioning.

    Although still considered an alpha release, AerynOS 2025.03 can be downloaded and tested right now from its official website.

    Source: 9to5Linux
    AerynOS


  • Xojo 2025r1: Big Updates for Developers with Linux ARM Support, Web Drag and Drop, and Direct App Store Publishing
    Image
    Xojo has just rolled out its latest release, Xojo 2025 Release 1, and it’s packed with features that developers have been eagerly waiting for. This major update introduces support for running Xojo on Linux ARM, including Raspberry Pi, brings drag-and-drop functionality to the Web framework, and simplifies app deployment with the ability to directly submit apps to the macOS and iOS App Stores.

    Here’s a quick overview of what’s new in Xojo 2025r1:
    1. Linux ARM IDE Support
    Xojo 2025r1 now allows developers to run the Xojo IDE on Linux ARM devices, including popular platforms like Raspberry Pi. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities for developers who want to create apps for ARM-based devices without the usual complexity. Whether you’re building for a Raspberry Pi or other ARM devices, this update makes it easier than ever to get started.
    2. Web Drag and Drop
    One of the standout features in this release is the addition of drag-and-drop support for web applications. Now, developers can easily drag and drop visual controls in their web projects, making it simpler to create interactive, user-friendly web applications. Plus, the WebListBox has been enhanced with support for editable cells, checkboxes, and row reordering via dragging. No JavaScript required!
    3. Direct App Store Publishing
    Xojo has also streamlined the process of publishing apps. With this update, developers can now directly submit macOS and iOS apps to App Store Connect right from the Xojo IDE. This eliminates the need for multiple steps and makes it much easier to get apps into the App Store, saving valuable time during the development process.
    4. New Desktop and Mobile Features
    This release isn’t just about web and Linux updates. Xojo 2025r1 brings some great improvements for desktop and mobile apps as well. On the desktop side, all projects now include a default window menu for macOS apps. On the mobile side, Xojo has introduced new features for Android and iOS, including support for ColorGroup and Dark Mode on Android, and a new MobileColorPicker for iOS to simplify color selection.
    5. Performance and IDE Enhancements
    Xojo’s IDE has also been improved in several key areas. There’s now an option to hide toolbar captions, and the toolbar has been made smaller on Windows. The IDE on Windows and Linux now features modern Bootstrap icons, and the Documentation window toolbar is more compact. In the code editor, developers can now quickly navigate to variable declarations with a simple Cmd/Ctrl + Double-click. Plus, performance for complex container layouts in the Layout Editor has been enhanced.
    What Does This Mean for Developers?
    Xojo 2025r1 brings significant improvements across all the platforms that Xojo supports, from desktop and mobile to web and Linux. The added Linux ARM support opens up new opportunities for Raspberry Pi and ARM-based device development, while the drag-and-drop functionality for web projects will make it easier to create modern, interactive web apps. The ability to publish directly to the App Store is a game-changer for macOS and iOS developers, reducing the friction of app distribution.
    How to Get Started
    Xojo is free for learning and development, as well as for building apps for Linux and Raspberry Pi. If you’re ready to dive into cross-platform development, paid licenses start at $99 for a single-platform desktop license, and $399 for cross-platform desktop, mobile, or web development. For professional developers who need additional resources and support, Xojo Pro and Pro Plus licenses start at $799. You can also find special pricing for educators and students.

    Download Xojo 2025r1 today at xojo.com.
    Final Thoughts
    With each new release, Xojo continues to make cross-platform development more accessible and efficient. The 2025r1 release is no exception, delivering key updates that simplify the development process and open up new possibilities for developers working on a variety of platforms. Whether you’re a Raspberry Pi enthusiast or a mobile app developer, Xojo 2025r1 has something for you.
    Xojo ARM


  • New 'Mirrored' Network Mode Introduced in Windows Subsystem for Linux

    Microsoft's Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) continues to evolve with the release of WSL 2 version 0.0.2. This update introduces a set of opt-in preview features designed to enhance performance and compatibility.

    Key additions include "Automatic memory reclaim" which dynamically optimizes WSL's memory footprint, and "Sparse VHD" to shrink the size of the virtual hard disk file. These improvements aim to streamline resource usage.

    Additionally, a new "mirrored networking mode" brings expanded networking capabilities like IPv6 and multicast support. Microsoft claims this will improve VPN and LAN connectivity from both the Windows host and Linux guest. 

    Complementing this is a new "DNS Tunneling" feature that changes how DNS queries are resolved to avoid compatibility issues with certain network setups. According to Microsoft, this should reduce problems connecting to the internet or local network resources within WSL.

    Advanced firewall configuration options are also now available through Hyper-V integration. The new "autoProxy" feature ensures WSL seamlessly utilizes the Windows system proxy configuration.

    Microsoft states these features are currently rolling out to Windows Insiders running Windows 11 22H2 Build 22621.2359 or later. They remain opt-in previews to allow testing before final integration into WSL.

    By expanding WSL 2 with compelling new capabilities in areas like resource efficiency, networking, and security, Microsoft aims to make Linux on Windows more performant and compatible. This evolutionary approach based on user feedback highlights Microsoft's commitment to WSL as a key part of the Windows ecosystem.
    Windows


  • Linux Threat Report: Earth Lusca Deploys Novel SprySOCKS Backdoor in Attacks on Government Entities

    The threat actor Earth Lusca, linked to Chinese state-sponsored hacking groups, has been observed utilizing a new Linux backdoor dubbed SprySOCKS to target government organizations globally. 

    As initially reported in January 2022 by Trend Micro, Earth Lusca has been active since at least 2021 conducting cyber espionage campaigns against public and private sector targets in Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. Their tactics include spear-phishing and watering hole attacks to gain initial access. Some of Earth Lusca's activities overlap with another Chinese threat cluster known as RedHotel.

    In new research, Trend Micro reveals Earth Lusca remains highly active, even expanding operations in the first half of 2023. Primary victims are government departments focused on foreign affairs, technology, and telecommunications. Attacks concentrate in Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and the Balkans regions. 

    After breaching internet-facing systems by exploiting flaws in Fortinet, GitLab, Microsoft Exchange, Telerik UI, and Zimbra software, Earth Lusca uses web shells and Cobalt Strike to move laterally. Their goal is exfiltrating documents and credentials, while also installing additional backdoors like ShadowPad and Winnti for long-term spying.

    The Command and Control server delivering Cobalt Strike was also found hosting SprySOCKS - an advanced backdoor not previously publicly reported. With roots in the Windows malware Trochilus, SprySOCKS contains reconnaissance, remote shell, proxy, and file operation capabilities. It communicates over TCP mimicking patterns used by a Windows trojan called RedLeaves, itself built on Trochilus.

    At least two SprySOCKS versions have been identified, indicating ongoing development. This novel Linux backdoor deployed by Earth Lusca highlights the increasing sophistication of Chinese state-sponsored threats. Robust patching, access controls, monitoring for unusual activities, and other proactive defenses remain essential to counter this advanced malware.

    The Trend Micro researchers emphasize that organizations must minimize attack surfaces, regularly update systems, and ensure robust security hygiene to interrupt the tactics, techniques, and procedures of relentless threat groups like Earth Lusca.
    Security


  • Linux Kernel Faces Reduction in Long-Term Support Due to Maintenance Challenges

    The Linux kernel is undergoing major changes that will shape its future development and adoption, according to Jonathan Corbet, Linux kernel developer and executive editor of Linux Weekly News. Speaking at the Open Source Summit Europe, Corbet provided an update on the latest Linux kernel developments and a glimpse of what's to come.

    A major change on the horizon is a reduction in long-term support (LTS) for kernel versions from six years to just two years. Corbet explained that maintaining old kernel branches indefinitely is unsustainable and most users have migrated to newer versions, so there's little point in continuing six years of support. While some may grumble about shortened support lifecycles, the reality is that constantly backporting fixes to ancient kernels strains maintainers.

    This maintainer burnout poses a serious threat, as Corbet highlighted. Maintaining Linux is largely a volunteer effort, with only about 200 of the 2,000+ developers paid for their contributions. The endless demands on maintainers' time from fuzz testing, fixing minor bugs, and reviewing contributions takes a toll. Prominent maintainers have warned they need help to avoid collapse. Companies relying on Linux must realize giving back financially is in their interest to sustain this vital ecosystem. 

    The Linux kernel is also wading into waters new with the introduction of Rust code. While Rust solves many problems, it also introduces new complexities around language integration, evolving standards, and maintainer expertise. Corbet believes Rust will pass the point of no return when core features depend on it, which may occur soon with additions like Apple M1 GPU drivers. Despite skepticism in some corners, Rust's benefits likely outweigh any transition costs.

    On the distro front, Red Hat's decision to restrict RHEL cloning sparked community backlash. While business considerations were at play, Corbet noted technical factors too. Using older kernels with backported fixes, as RHEL does, risks creating divergent, vendor-specific branches. The Android model of tracking mainline kernel dev more closely has shown security benefits. Ultimately, Linux works best when aligned with the broader community.

    In closing, Corbet recalled the saying "Linux is free like a puppy is free." Using open source seems easy at first, but sustaining it long-term requires significant care and feeding. As Linux is incorporated into more critical systems, that maintenance becomes ever more crucial. The kernel changes ahead are aimed at keeping Linux healthy and vibrant for the next generation of users, businesses, and developers.
    kernel


  • Linux Celebrates 32 Years with the Release of 6.6-rc2 Version

    Today marks the 32nd anniversary of Linus Torvalds introducing the inaugural Linux 0.01 kernel version, and celebrating this milestone, Torvalds has launched the Linux 6.6-rc2. Among the noteworthy updates are the inclusion of a feature catering to the ASUS ROG Flow X16 tablet's mode handling and the renaming of the new GenPD subsystem to pmdomain.

    The Linux 6.6 edition is progressing well, brimming with exciting new features that promise to enhance user experience. Early benchmarks are indicating promising results, especially on high-core-count servers, pointing to a potentially robust and efficient update in the Linux series.

    Here is what Linus Torvalds had to say in today's announcement:
    Another week, another -rc.I think the most notable thing about 6.6-rc2 is simply that it'sexactly 32 years to the day since the 0.01 release. And that's a roundnumber if you are a computer person.Because other than the random date, I don't see anything that reallystands out here. We've got random fixes all over, and none of it looksparticularly strange. The genpd -> pmdomain rename shows up in thediffstat, but there's no actual code changes involved (make sure touse "git diff -M" to see them as zero-line renames).And other than that, things look very normal. Sure, the architecturefixes happen to be mostly parisc this week, which isn't exactly theusual pattern, but it's also not exactly a huge amount of changes.Most of the (small) changes here are in drivers, with some tracingfixes and just random things. The shortlog below is short enough toscroll through and get a taste of what's been going on. Linus Torvalds


  • Introducing Bavarder: A User-Friendly Linux Desktop App for Quick ChatGPT Interaction

    Want to interact with ChatGPT from your Linux desktop without using a web browser?

    Bavarder, a new app, allows you to do just that.

    Developed with Python and GTK4/libadwaita, Bavarder offers a simple concept: pose a question to ChatGPT, receive a response, and promptly copy the answer (or your inquiry) to the clipboard for pasting elsewhere.

    With an incredibly user-friendly interface, you won't require AI expertise (or a novice blogger) to comprehend it. Type your question in the top box, click the blue send button, and wait for a generated response to appear at the bottom. You can edit or modify your message and repeat the process as needed.

    During our evaluation, Bavarder employed BAI Chat, a GPT-3.5/ChatGPT API-based chatbot that's free and doesn't require signups or API keys. Future app versions will incorporate support for alternative backends, such as ChatGPT 4 and Hugging Chat, and allow users to input an API key to utilize ChatGPT3.

    At present, there's no option to regenerate a response (though you can resend the same question for a potentially different answer). Due to the lack of a "conversation" view, tracking a dialogue or following up on answers can be challenging — but Bavarder excels for rapid-fire questions.

    As with any AI, standard disclaimers apply. Responses might seem plausible but could contain inaccurate or false information. Additionally, it's relatively easy to lead these models into irrational loops, like convincing them that 2 + 2 equals 106 — so stay alert!

    Overall, Bavarder is an attractive app with a well-defined purpose. If you enjoy ChatGPT and similar technologies, it's worth exploring.
    ChatGPT AI


  • LibreOffice 7.5.3 Released: Third Maintenance Update Brings 119 Bug Fixes to Popular Open-Source Office Suite

    Today, The Document Foundation unveiled the release and widespread availability of LibreOffice 7.5.3, which serves as the third maintenance update to the current LibreOffice 7.5 open-source and complimentary office suite series.

    Approximately five weeks after the launch of LibreOffice 7.5.2, LibreOffice 7.5.3 arrives with a new set of bug fixes for those who have successfully updated their GNU/Linux system to the LibreOffice 7.5 series.

    LibreOffice 7.5.3 addresses a total of 119 bugs identified by users or uncovered by LibreOffice developers. For a more comprehensive understanding of these bug fixes, consult the RC1 and RC2 changelogs.

    You can download LibreOffice 7.5.3 directly from the LibreOffice websiteor from SourceForge as binary installers for DEB or RPM-based GNU/Linux distributions. A source tarball is also accessible for individuals who prefer to compile the software from sources or for system integrators.

    All users operating the LibreOffice 7.5 office suite series should promptly update their installations to the new point release, which will soon appear in the stable software repositories of your GNU/Linux distributions.

    In early February 2023, LibreOffice 7.5 debuted as a substantial upgrade to the widely-used open-source office suite, introducing numerous features and improvements. These enhancements encompass major upgrades to dark mode support, new application and MIME-type icons, a refined Single Toolbar UI, enhanced PDF Export, and more.

    Seven maintenance updates will support LibreOffice 7.5 until November 30th, 2023. The next point release, LibreOffice 7.5.4, is scheduled for early June and will include additional bug fixes.

    The Document Foundation once again emphasizes that the LibreOffice office suite's "Community" edition is maintained by volunteers and members of the Open Source community. For enterprise implementations, they suggest using the LibreOffice Enterprise family of applications from ecosystem partners.
    LibreOffice


Linux Magazine News (path: lmi_news)





  • System76 Retools Thelio Desktop
    The new Thelio Mira has landed with improved performance, repairability, and front-facing ports alongside a high-quality tempered glass facade.



  • UN Creates Open Source Portal
    In a quest to strengthen open source collaboration, the United Nations Office of Information and Communications Technology has created a new portal.





  • Keep Android Open
    Google has announced that, soon, anyone looking to develop Android apps will have to first register centrally with Google.


  • Kernel 7.0 Now in Testing
    Linus Torvalds has announced the first Release Candidate (RC) for the 7.x kernel is available for those who want to test it.







  • LibreOffice 26.2 Now Available
    With new features, improvements, and bug fixes, LibreOffice 26.2 delivers a modern, polished office suite without compromise.




Page last modified on November 17, 2022, at 06:39 PM