• Fake DeepSeek installers are infecting your device with dangerous malware
    www.techradar.com
    McAfee is warning of a "cocktail of malware" hiding behind fake DeepSeek apps.
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  • The future of benefits is hiding where you might not expect it
    www.fastcompany.com
    In an unpredictable labor market, where job gains in January fell below expectations and the future remains uncertain, one thing is clear: Employers cant afford to rest on their laurels. While the economy has remained relatively strong, shifts in the job market have been historically inevitable, and companies must constantly evaluate their operations to ensure theyre attracting and retaining the best talent.One area that employers should pay close attention to: employee benefits. Surprisingly, small businessesoften perceived as lacking the resources to offer substantial perksare quietly leading the charge in providing the kinds of benefits that employees value most. Small businesses are stepping up to meet workers needs, and its not just about flashy perks like wellness programs or flexible work arrangements. Traditional benefits, particularly retirement plans like 401(k)s, have emerged as crucial factors in attracting top talent and securing long-term employee satisfaction, according to Guideline research.While its easy to focus on the more visible, short-term perks that have become synonymous with modern work culture, many employees are prioritizing long-term financial stability over immediate rewards. As workers grow older, their anxiety about financial security in retirement naturally may only increase. This economic uncertainty has become a driving factor in employee decision making. Our Guideline research shows that a stunning 93% of employees say that retirement benefits, such as a 401(k), influence their decision to join a company. More tellingly, half of employees surveyed said they would turn down a job offer from a company that did not offer a retirement benefit. For businesses, this shift in worker priorities presents a clear opportunityand a possible call to action.Small businesses are going the extra mileSmall businesses, often without the same resources as larger companies, have begun to recognize the growing importance of retirement benefits. In fact, the same research revealed that 70% of employers feel offering employees retirement benefits helped them with recruiting and hiring talent. And theyre not just offering 401(k) plans, but making them as impactful as possible. For example, nearly 80% of businesses that offer a 401(k) plan through Guideline provide employer matching. Our research shows that these contributions can increase employee participation in 401(k) plans by 9%, further cementing their value as part of an overall benefits strategy.No matter the size of your business, it may not be enough to just offer the basics when it comes to employee benefits. Employers can help employees bridge the retirement savings gap. After all, the lack of access to retirement plans or the absence of a company match may disproportionately affect those who need help saving the mostespecially in a climate where wages have stagnated for many workers. Providing access to a 401(k) plan and offering employer matching are key ways businesses can fulfill their role in helping employees plan for a comfortable retirement.Small businesses are spurring the 401(k) boomThe numbers speak for themselves: over 15,000 businesses signed up for a Guideline 401(k) plan just last year. Of these new signed plans, 92% of them were customers who previously hadnt offered a retirement saving option. This surge in interest signals a clear shift in mindseta recognition that long-term financial security is just as important, if not more so, than the short-term perks that have become trendy. Small businesses are recognizing the changing needs of workers and stepping up to meet this demand. As more businesses recognize the impact of robust retirement benefits, its clear that this trend is more than just a passing phaseits a fundamental shift in how employers view their responsibilities to employees.Workers today are no longer looking for a job that simply offers them a paycheck and a handful of perks. Theyre looking for long-term stability and the opportunity to build a secure future for themselves and their families. To put this into perspective, last year, nearly 85% of employees who received access to retirement savings through Guideline participated in their plans, and on average, contributed close to 7% of their paycheck. Small businesses, by offering meaningful benefits like 401(k) plans with employer contributions, are not just meeting these demandstheyre helping to shape the future of employee benefits.While large employers may have the resources to provide a broad array of perks, its the small businesses that are truly leading the charge in addressing the real concerns that employees have about their futures. This shift toward offering substantial retirement benefits isnt just good for employeesit can be good for businesses as well. By helping to ensure their workers can retire with dignity and financial security, small businesses are investing in their most valuable asset: their people.In todays labor market, the companies that prioritize long-term stability and employee well-being can undoubtedly stand out. The time is now for businesses, large and small, to rethink how they approach employee benefits. Its no longer enough to offer just the basics. Employees are looking for more, and small businesses are proving they have what it takes to deliver.The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more.
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  • March Madness: Disrupter bets $1 million that AI bracket will beat pro gambler
    www.fastcompany.com
    Perhaps the surest sign that artificial intelligence really is taking over the world will come the day it wins your favoriteMarch Madnessbracket pool.The day could be coming soon.In an experiment that a) was bound to happen, b) might actually make us all look smarter and c) should probably also scare the daylights out of everyone, a successful CEO-turned-disruptor is running a $1 million March Madness bracket challenge that pits his AI programmers picks against those belonging to one of the worlds best-known sports gamblers.Were not a crystal ball, says Alan Levy, whose platform,4C Predictions, is running this challenge. But its going to start to get very, very creepy. In 2025, were making a million-dollar bet with a professional sports bettor, and the reason we feel confident to do that is because data, we feel, will beat humans.Levy isnt the only one leveraging AI to help people succeed in Americas favorite pick em pool one thats become even more lucrative over the past seven years, after aSupreme Court rulingled to the spread of legalizedsports bettingto 38 states.ChatGPT,a chatbot developed by OpenAI, is hawking its services to help bracket fillers more easily find stats and identify trends. Not surprisingly, it makes no promises.With upsets, momentum shifts, and basketballs inherent unpredictability, consistently creating a perfect bracket may still come down to luck, said Leah Anise, a spokesperson for OpenAI.Also making no promises, but trying his hardest, is Sheldon Jacobson,the computer science professorat Illinois who has been trying to build a better bracket through science for years; he might have been AI before AI.Nobody predicts the weather, he explained in an interview back in 2018. They forecast it using chances and odds.$1 million on the line in AI vs. Sean Perry showdownLevys angle is hes willing to wager $1 million that the AI bracket his company produces can beat that of professional gambler Sean Perry.Among Perrys claims to fame was his refusal toaccept a four-way split in a pot worth $9.3 millionin an NFL survivor pool two years ago. The next week, his pick, the Broncos, lost to New England and he ended up with nothing.But Perry has wagered and won millions over his career, using heaps of analytics, data and insider information to try to find an edge that, for decades, has been proprietary to casinos and legal sports books, giving them an advantage that allows them to build all those massive hotels.Levy says his ultimate goal is to bring that advantage to the average Joe either the weekly football bettor who doesnt have access to reams of data, or the March Madness bracket filler who goes by feel or what teams mascot he likes best.The massive thesis is that the average person are playing games that they can never win, theyre trading stocks where they can never win, theyre trading crypto where they can never win, Levy said. 4C gives people the chance to empower themselves. Its a great equalizer. Its going to level the playing field for everyone.But can AI predict the completely unexpected?Its one thing to find an edge, quite another to take out every element of chance everyhalfcourt game-winner, every 4-point-a-game scorer who goes off for 25, everyquestionable call by a ref,every St. Peters,Yale,FAUor UMBC that rises up and wins for reasons nobody quite understands.For those who fear AI is leading the world to bad places, Levy reassures us that when it comes to sports, at least, the human element is always the final decider and humans can do funny and unexpected things.Thats one of many reasons that, according to the NCAA, theres a 1 in 120.2 billion chance of a fan with good knowledge of college basketball going 63 for 63 in picking the games. Its one of many reasons that almost everyone has a story about their 8-year-old niece walking away with the pot because she was the only one who picked George Mason, or North Carolina State, or VCU, to make the Final Four.You cant take the element of fun and luck out of it, Levy said. Having said that, as AI develops, its going to get creepier and creepier and the predictions are going to get more and more accurate, and its all around data sets.Levy suggests AI is no three-headed monster, but rather, an advanced version of Moneyball the classic book-turned-movie that followed Oakland As GM Billy Beanes groundbreaking quest to leverage data to build a winning team.Now, its all about putting all that data on steroids, trying to minimize the impact of luck and glass slippers, and building a winning bracket.Weve got to understand that this technology is meant to augment us, Levy said. Its meant to make our lives better. So, lets encourage people to use it, and even if its creepy, at least its creepy on our side.The AIs side in this one: Houston to win it all. Perry, the gambler, is going with Duke.Eddie Pells, AP national writer
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  • The Ultimate Charging Solution: Mag 360 Qi2 3-in-1 Foldable Travel Charging Station
    www.yankodesign.com
    Managing multiple devices has become part of our daily routine with todays modern lifestyles. Most of us juggle between smartphones, smartwatches, and wireless earbuds, creating a tangled mess of cables and chargers that clutter our spaces. The frustration of searching for the right cable or finding an available outlet is a common experience that disrupts our productivity and peace of mind. This is where the innovative Mag 360 Qi2 3-in-1 Foldable Travel Charging Station by ADAM elements steps in to revolutionize how we power our devices.The Mag 360 Qi2 offers a streamlined charging experience by simultaneously supporting iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, including those with MagSafe magnetic charging cases. This versatile charging station eliminates the need for multiple chargers and cables, providing a single elegant solution that keeps all your essential devices powered and ready to go. With its three distinct charging modes, the Mag 360 allows for flexible device arrangements that adapt to your specific needs and preferences.Designer: ADAM elementsClick Here to Buy Now: $83.3 $119 (30% off, use coupon code 30YANKOMG360). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours.What truly sets the Mag 360 apart is its dual 15W fast charging capability. This remarkable feature enables you to charge two phones simultaneously at maximum speed. The efficiency gained from this dual charging system means less time waiting for your devices to be fully charged and more time using them productively, making it an invaluable tool for busy professionals and families alike.The thoughtfully designed Apple Watch stand incorporates a stepless adjustment mechanism, allowing you to position your watch at the perfect angle for visibility and convenience. This flexibility transforms your charging experience from a mere utility to a user-friendly interaction that enhances how you engage with your devices. The stands stability ensures your watch remains securely in place throughout the charging process.One of the most impressive aspects of the Mag 360 is its 360-degree rotating design that provides exceptional stability while preventing the dock from tipping over. This intelligent engineering allows you to rotate the dock freely for effortless charging regardless of your location or setup. The adjustable magnetic charging area enhances your visual experience, making it comfortable to browse messages or watch videos.The rear-axis adjustable stand feature adds another layer of customization, allowing you to modify the stands angle for improved stability in various environments. This adaptability, combined with its foldable design, makes the Mag 360 an ideal travel companion that can be easily packed and transported wherever your journeys take you. The compact folded form takes minimal space in your bag while providing maximum functionality when deployed.Crafted with premium materials, the Mag 360 boasts a sophisticated metal finish that reflects superior craftsmanship and complements any living space or office environment. The premium fabric finish is heat-resistant, stain-proof, and pleasantly soft to the touch, ensuring a long-lasting premium feel that withstands daily use. These quality materials contribute to both the aesthetic appeal and durability of the charging station.The Mag 360 embraces a modern aesthetic with its minimalist design inspired by mechanical elements. Clean lines and geometric elegance create a visually pleasing accessory that enhances rather than detracts from your dcor. Beyond its striking appearance, the charging station incorporates essential safety features including built-in foreign object detection that protects your devices from electromagnetic damage, along with overcharge, overheat, and short-circuit protection systems.Click Here to Buy Now: $83.3 $119 (30% off, use coupon code 30YANKOMG360). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours.The post The Ultimate Charging Solution: Mag 360 Qi2 3-in-1 Foldable Travel Charging Station first appeared on Yanko Design.
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  • M.A.D. Editions M.A.D. 2 watch combines music culture and Swiss functionality with exclusive design
    www.yankodesign.com
    No other watchmaker loves to surprise us as much with out-of-the-box horological marvels as MB&F. But all its complexity-driven models with top-notch finishes have an elite appeal that not everyone can afford. Let alone the wannabe collectors and watch aficionados like you and me; even friends and family members of MB&F founder Maximilian Bsser cannot lay hands on the exclusive Horological or the Legacy Machines. At least none could until Bsser eventually addressed the predicament with the introduction of M.A.D.1 in June 2021.It was of course not an MB&F timepiece, but it was still a precisely created horological marvel. It was developed under the brand name M.A.D.Editions and was priced in a much more affordable range. Continuing with the MB&Fs approach to accessible M.A.D.Editions timepieces, M.A.D.2 is born with a price tag that hovers around the manageable $3,000.Designer: MB&FThe musical designA nod to the affordable universe of exclusive timepieces and the electrifying spirit of 1990s club culture, the M.A.D.2 features a pair of raised subdials displaying jumping hours and trailing minutes. These look like the turntable from a DJ console based on a vinyl-like base disk with reminiscent grooves that reinforce the watchs connection to music. Further, the little metal markers shaped like guitar picks indicate the jumping hour and trailing minutes and present a fitting nuance on the dial.This overpowering influence on the watch is brought forth by its creator and designer Eric Giroud, whose name it bears on the caseback. MB&F Founder Maximilian Bssers name was engraved on the caseback of the M.A.D.1 and the M.A.D.2 is all about Giroud, the ace watch designer who completes his 20 years of a creative partnership with Maximilian designing MB&F watches.His time in the 90s was spent on the dancefloors of Lausannes legendary clubs watching vinyl spinning on the famous Technics SL-1200 Mark 2, which forms the basis of the design of the M.A.D.2. It is a watch with carefully curated color schemes and the creators influence that reflects in its design throughout including behind the sapphire crystal treated with anti-reflective coating on both faces.A distinctive sales approachThe M.A.D.2s 42mm stainless steel case is round, has a similarly shaped crown etched with the logo, and measures 12.3mm high. Lug-to-lug it measures 48.5mm and comes paired with a dial-matching leather strap. Like its predecessor, the M.A.D.2 is also powered by Swiss-made Manufacture La Joux-Perret calibre G101, an automatic movement that offers the watch a 64-hour power reserve. Exclusivity remains the main objective of the M.A.D.Editions that provide M.A.D.2 in two distinct color options: Vibrant Green and Exclusive Orange. The former is available for the general public, while the latter is reserved for the MB&Fs clients and family.The M.A.D. 1 was offered to the public through a raffle system that provided the fortunate winners the right to purchase the watch. The M.A.D.2 is being released through the same lottery system to ensure its limited examples reach the real fans. The 30m water-resistant watch is priced exclusively at $3,275.The post M.A.D. Editions M.A.D. 2 watch combines music culture and Swiss functionality with exclusive design first appeared on Yanko Design.
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  • Hands on: Apple Vision Pro guest mode has massively improved since its first iteration
    appleinsider.com
    It's much easier to share Apple Vision Pro with someone, especially if they're going to put it on more than once in a short period. Here's how guest mode works today.Apple Vision Pro has a guest mode that works great in visionOS 2Guest mode still isn't perfect, but it's much better than it was at release thanks to a few quality-of-life improvements. Namely, settings can be saved for a session to prevent repetitive setups when passing the headset back and forth.Apple announced Apple Vision Pro during WWDC 2023 and shipped it in February 2024. The shipping visionOS 1.0 was smooth for a first release, but needed a lot of quality-of-life work. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
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  • Skate Story Announced for PS5, Moon Battle Showcased in New Trailer
    gamingbolt.com
    Alongside Possessor(s), another Devolver Digital-published title will launch for PS5 later this year: Sam Engs perennially delayed Skate Story. Check out the latest gameplay trailer below, which focuses on a new track by Blood Cultures Overlord.New details are also available courtesy of the PlayStation Blog, including how combat and boss battles work. As showcased in the trailer, fighting the Moon (the very object that the Skater needs) requires dealing damage with tricks. Dishing out enough damage during the songs duration is key, so mixing up your tricks and maintaining speed will ensure that.Other notable characters that appear include a frog with memory issues, a jittery subway train, and more. There are 70+ tricks to learn (obtained through mysterious obelisks), gear to equip and trials that level up the Skater for the journey ahead.Skate Story is also coming to PC. Stay tuned for more details and a release date in the coming months.
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  • Monster Hunter Wilds smashes February sales, numbers still in the red | Circana
    venturebeat.com
    Monster Hunter Wilds is the big success story of February, according to Circana's charts, though overall industry sales are still in decline.Read More
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  • Hugging Face submits open-source blueprint, challenging Big Tech in White House AI policy fight
    venturebeat.com
    Hugging Face challenges Big Tech in White House AI Action Plan submission, arguing open-source models match commercial performance while democratizing access and enhancing national security.Read More
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  • inZOI Early Access Review in Progress
    www.ign.com
    There are a lot of fine details that go into making a life simulator fun but also reflective of the real world. You have to balance customizability and creative freedom with just enough rules to make choices feel realistic and challenging, and then invisibly weave those decisions together in a satisfying way. (It turns out recreating life is hard sorry for all the flak, Dr. Frankenstein.) Yet, despite the difficulties, its a task developer Krafton has taken a respectable stab at with inZOI based on what Ive played of its Early Access launch version so far. Its beautiful, realistic aesthetic makes a striking first impression, and the ambitious simulator systems underneath initially result in some impressive harmony. However, as I continue to spend more time within this simulation, the seams of inZOIs universe are starting to show, leaving the world more empty than you might expect. Addressing the elephant in the room first, its impossible not to immediately compare inZOI to The Sims, a series its very clearly both taking inspiration from and attempting to compete with. You play as an omnipotent figure who can create and control little citizens as they live their best, or more often worse, lives. You can build up a house from scratch, manipulate the features of each person (who are called Zoi), and embroil them in all the local drama you can find. They can have jobs, go to school, and explore the local area with as much or as little free will as you allow. These surface-level similarities quickly run thin, though, once you start digging into Kraftons unique take on this genre. inZOI Gameplay Screenshots (Early Access)When you start a new game in inZOI, you must first build a household using the detailed Character Creator Studio. Alongside choosing their name, gender, and age, you can select a Trait that defines your avatars personality. There are 18 to choose from, ranging from Authoritarian to Individualist, with each option providing a handy Characteristics sidebar describing how this choice will affect how they operate in-game. As a hardworking freelancer, I opted for the Go-Getter trait, which values professional activities and, in an endearing twist, also holds onto nervousness for longer than other Zois. As you press on into the ebb and flow of virtual life, your Zoi will develop their ego further as they encounter likes and dislikes, such as fast food and fitness, that meddle with their mood. inZOI neatly wraps up personality archetypes into simple grab-and-go options, which, while convenient, can feel a bit limiting. Where looks are concerned, you can pick from a sizeable list of presets or take a more fine-tooth comb approach, tugging at the specific anchor points on your Zois body and face I opted for a combination of both, finding my closest match and generously moulding them in my image. There's a selection of preset colours alongside a granular colour picker for many options too, allowing more nuance in your choices. Courtesy of inZOIs realistic visual style, my Zoi quickly resembled a real person, and I enjoyed the process of coordinating their make-up and hair with my own.Its inZOIs fashion sensibilities that really make it stand out.The system for adjusting facial features is a thoroughly engrossing time-sink, but its inZOIs fashion sensibilities that really make it stand out. During the creation process, you need to curate nine different outfits, including formalwear, sleepwear, and weather-appropriate attire for summer and winter. Theres a decent mix of modern trends, like cargo-style parachute pants, alongside tailored classics like military and leather jackets. Basics like t-shirts also come in multiple lengths, and you can mix and match and layer to your heart's content. Safe to say, I spent even longer here, curating a Y2K-inspired outfit complete with leg warmers, Doc Marten dupes, and an adorable oversized baseball jersey. Its not a totally flawless system, with the baggier silhouetted clothing options clipping against the Zois in strange ways. Still, this felt like one of the more polished aspects of inZOI, and I thoroughly enjoyed playing dress-up with my creations. Once your family is organised, the next step is finding them a home. Currently, inZOI boasts two locations: the Korean-inspired city of Dowon, and the Californian Bliss Bay. You can build your own house or move into a predesigned lot, with each township featuring a small selection of public plots like shops, cafes, and open spaces like parks or shrines. Unfortunately, its here that I first noticed the seams of Kraftons ambitious project starting to show. Illuminated neon signs coat the streets of Dowon with a dreamy multicolour glow, while in Bliss Bay, the setting sun imbues the beach with a soothing coastal atmosphere. Sit too long, though, and it all starts to feel a bit hollow. Those neon signs sit atop empty buildings, and the gentle sunlight reflects off static bits of set dressing. Its clear a lot of care has been taken to give the impression of a bustling environment, and I admired those details particularly the faux McDonalds, which garnered a giggle from me but I couldnt shake the feeling that much of the world is mostly a facade.PlayThat nagging sensation continued into my Zois daily life, where I could manage their needs like hunger and hygiene but not really make headway on how they fit into the digital culture. Despite choosing the Go-Getter trait, I didnt get the impression it was making too much of a tangible difference in my day-to-day activities, especially when my other Zoi was acting essentially the same despite the fact Id given them an oppositional personality style. I ran into the same blockades when I started a family in a separate household, with many conversations repeating on a loop no matter who I was controlling. Topics like Cryptocurrency and the power of humility kept showing up in my dialogue tree. It was admittedly funny the first few times, but gradually, that repetition made progressing relationships a tad monotonous. Its delightful that the things like your Zois treadmill display seems functional, or that the detail of their food is so convincing that my stomach often rumbled in unison with my avatars as they tucked into their lunch. However, these pockets of well-designed actions can make the simplistic or repetitive alternatives feel cold by comparison. Over time, it was as if my Zoi was less of an individual and more of a semi-controllable drone, performing tasks without rhyme or reason. Perhaps the options will diversify once they fill out their likes and dislikes and make more friends, though I certainly didnt notice any differences across the roughly 15 hours Ive played so far. inZOI is an Early Access game, and as of right now, it certainly feels like one.Thankfully, a salve to this weirdness is inZOIs Karma system, which punishes or rewards citizens based on their actions. When interacting with other Zois or objects, youre occasionally presented with a choice accompanied by a yin and yang symbol, letting you know that performing that action will affect their Karmic score. Stealing coins from a parking meter is considered bad, whereas giving directions to a random person is considered good. While I was initially sceptical, I soon came to feel the systems wrath. I sent my Zoi on an unwarranted tirade, hulking out at the local park and kicking a vending machine before attempting to win a stuffed turkey toy at a claw machine. After a shocking number of attempts, the toy remained trapped in its plexiglass prison. From here, I directed my Zoi to become a model citizen, complimenting strangers and telling gregarious jokes before returning to the same machine. Wouldnt you believe it, they won a prize on their first attempt this time. Karma is a simple concept that works well in practice and offers a pleasant invisible boundary to rub against I only wish more actions would impact the score. There is still much more to do and see before I reach a final verdict, like diving into its careers, cars, and the nitty-gritty of the build mode, and thats just to start. inZOI is an Early Access game, and as of right now, it certainly feels like one. The lifelike visuals and smattering of highly detailed interactions feel at odds with its rougher, less immersive edges, giving the world a sometimes strange and sterile atmosphere. Even so, theres a surprising amount of depth hidden amongst these blind spots, and Im keen to see if inZOI can deliver on its monumental promises both in the long-term, and as I work toward my final review of whats here at launch in the coming weeks.
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