My Brain Took an Extended Vacation. All images courtesy of Ben Zank, shared with permissionMy Brain Took an Extended Vacation: Ben Zank Playfully Twists the BanalNovember 25, 2024PhotographyGrace EbertWhen words cant quite sum up a feeling, Ben Zank (previously) leans into a bizarre visual language. The New York-based photographer creates strange situations in which subjects find themselves subsumed by topiaries and shrubs or buttoned up with structural supports. Captured in non-discernable locations, Zanks images turn the banal into the surreal, while his witty titlesFailed Columnist and Cloudy with a Chance of Despairamplify his penchant for humor.Earlier this year, Zank published a monograph titled Nothing to See Here, which is available from Aliens in Residence. You can find more of his work on Instagram.Hot Local Landscapes Near YouFailed ColumnistAnxiety Takes a HolidayHalf a ManCloudy with a Chance of DespairNext article

Illustration for Quanta Magazine about the history of Neutrino research. All images courtesy of Myriam Wares, shared with permissionWarmth and Mystery Emanate from Illustrations by Myriam WaresNovember 25, 2024IllustrationKate MothesIn a way, I was always an illustrator at heart, at least since I was old enough to hold a pencil, says Myriam Wares. Drawing has always been a part of me since childhood; I simply continued along that path into adulthood.The Montral-based artist layers themes like the natural sciences, technology, mythology, and contemporary social issues through a surrealist lens. Her rich illustrations, commissioned by the likes of The New York Times, Barrons, Quanta, and more, invite viewers into enigmatic, introspective worlds of wonder.La retombe (The fallout) (2024), digital paintingWares emphasizes dramatic lighting, complementary colors, and the power of scale in dynamic scenes that emanate warmth. She draws on her background in visual art and an interest in art history to create narrative scenes featuring classical sculptures, emotional figures, and inviting landscapes.The language of symbols and visual metaphors feels the most natural to me when comes the time to express myself, the artist tells Colossal. I love playing with meanings and thinking of different ways to visually represent an idea.Wares enjoys the constant challenge of balancing numerous projects along with personal creative work, which evolves over time and informs how she approaches commissions for clients. Every new assignment comes with its own set of demands and aesthetic particularities, she says. I never really have time to get bored before a new project comes along.See more work on Waress website, Behance, and Instagram.The MessengerMaking amends in the wake of #MeTooIllustration for The VergeNatura morta per la fine dellestateIllustration for Stripes Increment MagazineUne nuit ensoleille (a night full of sun) (2024), digital paintingPrevious articleNext article

Tech North Korean hackers use disguised apps to target Macs with hidden malware Be careful about what apps you're downloading on your Mac Published November 25, 2024 10:00am EST close Tech experts sounding alarm on cyberattack targeting iPhone users Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson on the alleged text scam to gain access to users' Apple ID information and the popular new Noplace app being used by Gen Z. Macs are safer than Windows PCs, but theyre not foolproof. Hackers occasionally find ways to infect Apple devices, and in most cases, were the ones who allow it. Since infiltrating Apples App Store is difficult, hackers trick people into downloading apps from third-party stores or random websites.These apps look legitimate but are actually tools for infecting devices with malicious software. A recent incident highlights this issue, with North Korean hackers targeting Macs by hiding malware in seemingly harmless macOS apps.IM GIVING AWAY A $500 GIFT CARD FOR THE HOLIDAYSEnter bysigning up for my free newsletter. A person working on their Mac (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)How does the malware work?Recent discoveries byJamf Threat Labs have unveiled a sneaky form of malware targeting macOS computers. While it may sound technical, understanding the basics of how this malware operates can help you stay safe online.This malware hides in seemingly harmless applications, such as a game called Minesweeper and a note-taking app referred to as a Notepad. These apps function as expected, but behind the scenes, they run malicious programs that could allow hackers to take control of your computer.The apps use a technology called Flutter, a tool often used to create apps that work on multiple devices like phones and computers. Flutter makes it easier for app developers to design their software, but its unique structure also helps hackers hide their malicious code, making it harder for experts to detect.Once installed, the malware connects to a remote server (think of it as a command center for hackers) to receive instructions. These instructions could include running commands on your computer without your knowledge. One trick this malware uses is running AppleScripts, a type of script built for macOS systems, which can quietly execute commands to steal your data or even control your device.Even scarier, some versions of this malware had been signed and approved by Apples security system before experts caught on. This means the hackers were testing how far they could push their schemes without raising suspicion. A woman working on different Apple devices (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)The North Korea connectionThis malware isnt just a random act of cybercrime, it has ties to tactics and techniques often associated with North Korean hackers. Experts have identified similarities between this malware and previous attacks linked to North Korea, including the use of certain coding methods and domains that the countrys cyber teams are known to exploit.North Korea has a history of using cyberattacks to fund its operations or disrupt systems worldwide, often targeting financial systems or vulnerable individuals. In this case, the malware seems to be in the testing phase, potentially laying the groundwork for a larger attack in the future.The apps containing the malware were designed to look harmless. These tactics suggest a focus on tricking people through social engineering, a method North Korean hackers have used in the past.By embedding the malware within apps that appear useful or fun, the attackers can increase the chances of someone downloading and using the infected software. While this particular malware has not yet been linked to active attacks, its connection to North Koreas cyber playbook is a strong indicator of potential risks ahead. A woman working on her laptop (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)5 tips to protect yourself from Mac malware1) Use reliable antivirus software:A strong antivirus program is your first line of defense against malicious links and malware that could steal your private information. Avoid clicking on random links, especially in emails or messages that claim to be urgent or demand updates. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. It can also warn you about phishing emails and ransomware scams, helping to keep your personal data and digital assets safe.Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.2) Be careful with downloads and links:Only download apps from trusted sources like the Mac App Store or official websites of known developers. Hackers often disguise malware as legitimate updates or harmless apps.3) Keep your software up to date:Regular updates for macOS and installed apps are essential because they patch security flaws. Apple frequently rolls out updates to address vulnerabilities, so enabling automatic updates ensures you stay protected without the hassle of manually checking for them.4) Use strong, unique passwords:A strong password can help keep your Mac safe from unauthorized access. Avoid reusing passwords across different accounts. Apassword manager can be incredibly helpful hereit generates and stores complex passwords for you, making them difficult for hackers to crack.It also keeps track of all your passwords in one place and automatically fills them in when you log into accounts, so you dont have to remember them yourself. By reducing the number of passwords you need to recall, youre less likely to reuse them, which lowers the risk of security breaches. Get more details about mybest expert-reviewed Password Managers of 2024 here.5) Enable two-factor authentication (2FA):Activate2FA for key accounts like your Apple ID, email, and financial services. This adds a second layer of security, making it much harder for attackers to access your accountseven if they have your password.Kurts key takeawayI've noticed a significant rise in malware hiding in seemingly harmless apps, whether it's related to Mac, Windows, Android, or even iPhones. It just shows that no device is completely safe, not even one made by Apple. Hackers, including those backed by North Korea, are constantly finding new ways to trick users into downloading malicious software. These attacks often fly under the radar because they look like regular, safe apps. With these threats becoming more sophisticated, its more important than ever to stay aware of the risks and be cautious about what you download and click on.Do you trust third-party app stores or only use official app marketplaces?Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

close 'CyberGuy': How to use iPhone's mic mode for crystal-clear, noise-free calls Kurt Knutsson reveals how iPhones new Automatic Mic Mode adjusts settings for optimal call quality automatically. For years, iPhone users have relied on Voice Isolation to block out background sounds during calls, a handy feature for noisy environments or busy homes. However, with the iOS 18 update, things have shifted a bit.Heres a question from Debbie in Half Moon Bay that sums up the experience of many users: "Since I updated Apple software to iOS 18.0.1, I can no longer remove background noise while on the phone. This used to be in the Control Center. Have you figured out how to do this?"Thats from Debbie, a fan of the Voice Isolation feature that used to let her chat on the phone with her dog barking in the background without her callers hearing the noise.Good news, Debbie. With iOS 18, Apple introduced a smart new feature called Automatic Mic Mode, which adapts to your surroundings to automatically enhance call quality. Voice Isolation is still available, but now its part of a more intelligent, hands-free experience.IM GIVING AWAY A $500 GIFT CARD FOR THE HOLIDAYSEnter bysigning up for my free newsletter. A woman talking on her iPhones speaker (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Introducing Automatic Mic ModeAutomatic Mic Mode builds on the Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum features that Apple introduced in iOS 15. Now, the mode can intelligently sense your environment and select the best microphone setting for clearer, more natural communication. Automatic Mic Mode on iPhone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Who gets Automatic Mic Mode?This feature isnt limited to the newest iPhones. If your device supports iOS 18, you can experience the flexibility of Automatic Mic Mode, from iPhone XR to the latest models. Not sure if you're running the latest iOS? No worries. Here are some quick steps to update your iPhone:OpenSettingsTapGeneralSelectSoftware UpdateIf available, tapUpdate Now and begin downloading and installing iOS 18.1 Steps to update iPhone software (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Heres what it looks like in actionIn a Noisy Place? If youre on a work call in a bustling coffee shop, Automatic Mic Mode will default to Voice Isolation, blocking out background noise so that the other person hears only your voice.On Speakerphone for a Group Chat? Switch to speakerphone for a group chat, and Automatic Mic Mode may shift to Standard Mode, creating a more open, natural sound thats perfect for group conversations.With Automatic Mic Mode, you no longer need to go into settings for most calls; your iPhone now makes those decisions for you. But dont worry, Debbie, Voice Isolation is still available for manual selection if you prefer.How to enable Voice Isolation manually on iOS 18For those who want to choose Voice Isolation themselves, heres how to access it in iOS 18.0.1.1) During a call: Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open the Control Center.2) Access Mic Mode: Tap on the app controls for your current call near the name of the app (like Phone or FaceTime).3) Select Voice Isolation: Under Audio & Video, youll see options like Automatic, Standard, Voice Isolation and Wide Spectrum. TapVoice Isolation to reduce background noise. Here's a breakdown of those options:Automatic: Automatically uses the Mic Mode that's best for your call typeStandard: Uses standard voice processingVoice Isolation: Prioritizes your voice and blocks ambient noisesWide Spectrum: Leaves ambient noises unfiltered Voice Isolation on iPhone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Your selection will only affect the app you're using to make the call. Mic Modes will remain active for that app until you choose a different one.Kurt's key takeawaysWith the shift to Automatic Mic Mode, Apple is keeping up with our fast-paced, mobile lives. From noisy environments to quiet settings, your iPhone now ensures crystal-clear calls automatically. And for users like Debbie, who often multitask during calls, its a game-changer. Debbie, give it a try! Whether youre handling household tasks or taking a call on a crowded street, your iPhone will adapt so you can focus on the conversation.What features would you like to see added to future iOS updates to enhance your calling experience further? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Aleksandr Gladkiy - stock.adobe.NewsMore Google search woesSummary judgment clears path for UK campaigner to pursue collective action against Google over search engine practicesByCliff Saran,Managing EditorPublished: 25 Nov 2024 15:55 The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has certified a 7bn collective action against Google.The specialist UK court will require Google to defend its long-standing conduct in the search engine market after approving the landmark legal action brought by Nikki Stopford, co-founder of Consumer Voice, and legal firm Hausfeld & Co LLP.The claim accuses Google of exploiting its dominance in the search market to increase advertising costs.Stopford will represent all UK-domiciled consumers aged 16 years or over who, during the period from 1 January 2011 until 7 September 2023 (inclusive), purchased goods and/or services from a business selling in the UK that used search advertising services provided by Google. The action is being brought as an opt-out collective action, meaning that everyone in the UK affected is automatically included as a claimant in the case unless they choose not to be.The collective action argues that Google used its dominant position in the UK search engine market to overcharge advertisers and that these costs were then passed directly on to consumers.Stopfords case against Google and its parent, Alphabet, is that under arrangements dating from at least 2009, Google permitted its app store to be installed on Android mobile devices only if Googles own search app was also installed, together with Googles Chrome browser. The case also concerns Googles agreements with Apple under which Google is awarded exclusive default search engine status on the Safari browser that is pre-installed on Apples devices in return for a share of Googles corresponding mobile search advertising revenues.This green light from the tribunal is a significant victory for UK consumers, said Stopford. Almost everybody uses Google as their go-to search engine, trusting it to deliver quality results at no cost. But its service isnt genuinely free because its dominance has resulted in increased costs for consumers. Almost everybody uses Google as their go-to search engine, trusting it to deliver quality results at no cost. But its service isnt genuinely free because its dominance has resulted in increased costs for consumers Nikki Stopford, Consumer VoiceGoogle has been warned repeatedly by competition regulators, yet it continues to rig the market to charge advertisers more, which raises the prices they charge consumers. This action seeks to promote healthier competition in digital markets, and to hold Google accountable and ensure that consumers are compensated, she added.Luke Streatfeild, partner at legal firm Hausfeld & Co LLP, who is leading the litigation, said: This judgment is good news for UK consumers, as the case for compensation brought by our client on their behalf can now proceed to trial. The judgment is also helpful in clarifying the standard for assessing exclusionary conduct by dominant companies, in particular in digital markets with high barriers to entry, and it will be a useful reference point in future cases that aim to promote fairer competition and better outcomes for consumers in those marketplaces.The CAT decision follows a ruling in which Alphabet was found to have acted in an anti-competitive manner in the US. The US Department of Justice is now looking to force the company to offload its Chrome browser.Read more stories about AlphabetMicrosoft and Google in war of words following launch of anti-competitive cloud coalition: Microsoft's claims that the newly formed Open Cloud Coalition is not all it seems, and merely a front for Google Cloud to mislead competition authorities over the state of the public cloud market.CMA gets ready to take on Apple and Google over mobile browsing: Preliminary investigation finds a lack of fairness and choice of mobile browsing on iOS devices like the iPhone is holding back innovation.In The Current Issue:Interview: Rahul Todkar, head of data and AI, TripadvisorGartner Symposium: Why the chance of digital success is randomDownload Current IssueAI and analytics? Been there, done that Write side up - by Freeform DynamicsNTT R&D Forum 2024: New horizons for photonics-based chips, clouds & qubits CW Developer NetworkView All Blogs

DamienArt - stock.adobe.comNewsGambling cloud provider bets on Nutanix and cools on VMwareContinent 8 consolidates infrastructure for cloud services and backs Nutanix as it gains influence over product roadmap and cools on VMware amid customer dissatisfaction over licence changesByAntony Adshead,Storage EditorPublished: 25 Nov 2024 15:37 Cloud provider Continent 8 has shifted its virtualisation environment to Nutanix from VMware, in a move partly driven by changes to VMware licensing, but also in an infrastructure shift to hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) and because of influence gained in its ongoing partnership with Nutanix.The move has seen Continent 8 shift the bulk of its infrastructure from VMware to Nutanix HCI with Acropolis Hypervisor for internal IT and customer cloud services. It had largely depended on Cisco UCS converged stacks until these reached end-of-life.Continent 8 provides managed regulated cloud environments for online gaming and betting customers that include Bet365, 888 and PokerStars. It currently manages 106 datacentres globally, with cloud services run from 35 of them.Continent 8s migration to Nutanix as a dominant environment started in the second half of 2023, but it can be traced back to 2017 when it commenced its relationship with Nutanix. The period since then has seen it consolidate from eight to 10 technology partners down to two or three, said chief technology officer Edward OConnor.Nutanix is now dominant in Continent 8s datacentres, with between 1,500 and 3,500 Nutanix virtual machines (VMs) running at any one time for internal services and in the tens of thousands for customers.Nutanix makes so-called hyper-converged infrastructure, which combines compute, networking and storage into a single physical appliance. In so doing, it potentially eliminates costly and time-consuming deployments that involve coordinating compute servers,networking and storage.In addition, Nutanix offers its own virtualisation hypervisor, Acropolis.According to OConnor, changes to VMware licensing were not a big factor in the companys migration although it has had benefits for customers that have made the switch because Continent 8 is still a VMware partner, customers still use VMware and, as a managed service provider (MSP), it supports them in doing so.What has been important is the relationship with Nutanix, said OConnor. We have a big focus on engineering and development and Nutanix is easy to get along with. Our influence on the Nutanix roadmap has been important in, for example, expanding MSP capabilities and multi-tenant environments.We didnt get that influence to the same extent with VMware. The VMware product was very mature and better. Now we like Nutanix more because of the product roadmap and partnership.OConnor added that the ability to develop for the enterprise and cloud-native markets is important to Continent 8 and that Nutanix enables the company to do that with its support for Kubernetes, for example. The VMware product was very mature and better. Now we like Nutanix more because of the product roadmap and partnership Edward OConnor, Continent 8Migration from VMware to Nutanix at Continent 8 started with internal reviews across teams that included IT, development, security, and so on, and an assessment of the applications, tools and environments that could be virtualised.Internal applications were the first to be worked on, with greenfield sites built in Dublin and Montreal to move to and extensive VM migration testing and proofs of concept carried out.Migration itself was a question of deciding which systems to migrate, in what order and at what pace, with consideration of downtime duration and timing vital for online products that produce tens of millions of dollars of business per hour.Key benefits of the migration to Nutanix for Continent 8 are the speed at which it can roll out new services, said OConnor. We can build infrastructure quickly, he said. We can do it at breakneck speed and we can understand the cost of a build.OConnor also said customers have halved licence costs as they moved from VMware, where they had perpetual licences but were forced to change to a subscription model. For customers, that was like night and day, he said.Continent 8 also provides Nutanix infrastructure on Amazon Web Services (AWS). Licences are transferable, so we can build in a private datacentre and move over to the public cloud using Nutanix, said OConnor.Read more about VMware and NutanixBroadcom/VMware: Joining the dots to migrate off VMware. It may take several years to move off VMware. In the meantime, Nutanix and Rimini Street have ramped up efforts to target unhappy customers.VMware/Broadcom: Should you consider the Nutanix hypervisor? Nutanixs latesting quarterly filing shows the company is benefiting from the fallout following Broadcoms acquisition of VMware.In The Current Issue:Interview: Rahul Todkar, head of data and AI, TripadvisorGartner Symposium: Why the chance of digital success is randomDownload Current IssueNTT R&D Forum 2024: New horizons for photonics-based chips, clouds & qubits CW Developer NetworkDiversity in tech: To work for all, AI needs input from all Computer Weekly Editors BlogView All Blogs

Imagine turning your Christmas lights, lamps, and fans on or off from anywhere in the house. This smart plug is typically $25, but it's 48% off for Black Friday.

Ethernet calbe wires lighting up connected to an internet router modem are seen against a blue ... [+] background in Warsaw, Poland in this illustration photo taken on 17 April, 2024. (Photo by Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)NurPhoto via Getty ImagesIf you take a look at what people are saying about Nvidia right now, youre likely to hear about a new kind of architecture supporting the companys data center services and operations.Its called Blackwell, and its brand new, as of March of this year, when Nvidia started using this design.Blackwell replaces the Lovelace architecture created in 2022, and according to the company, it delivers some pretty impressive performance increases as well as other improvements.Lets look at specifically whats in the Blackwell architecture, and why Nvidia is so proud of this technology.AI Architectures for PerformanceNvidia spokespersons claim that the Blackwell architecture delivers a staggering 25 times the performance of the prior build, specifically, that the architecture supports real-time generative AI on trillion-parameter LLMs, offering up to 25 times the performance and energy efficiency compared to its predecessor.However, skeptical critics contend that its a little more complicated than that, and suggest that you have to use different metrics to really talk about logical performance and speed. Citing the use of disclaimers and asterisks to qualify grandiose claims, some redditors claim that Nvidia is prone to this type of hype.MORE FROMFORBES VETTEDBy contrast, Lovelace was said to be two times the performer over the prior Ampere architecture, just a couple of years ago when it came out.The company reportedly put this statement out at the time: "Ada Lovelace is the greatest generational leap we've ever achieved in performance." Presumably, they would want to revise that now.Tensor Cores and Data TypesTheres also a new use of tensor cores in the Blackwell model.These types of cores help to handle matrix operations and expand the different data types that platforms are capable of dealing with efficiently.In this case, Blackwell is supposed to handle FP6 floating point data types with six-bit design. This in turn enables more efficient processing with less power.Broad-Channel NetworkingThen theres the NV-High Bandwidth Interface (NV-HBI) that delivers a rate of 10 TB/s, by fostering efficient communication between dual GPU dies. This tech has a lot of potential for data center integration.Heres where you have to go back a few years to acquisition of Mellanox, an Israeli company making different types of switching hardware and more. The deal was hailed at the time as one of the most important of its kind, when in 2019, Nvidia acquired Mellanox for $6.9 billion.Its likely that the Mellanox deal has been significantly useful to Nvidia in creating the new HBI technology. In pursuing low-latency, high-bandwidth interconnects like InfiniBand and Ethernet solutions, the formerly independent company was setting the stage for the kinds of connections behind modern fabrics. Then theres optimizing data flow at scale. Theres a reason that this deal was such a big headline when it happened.Confidential ComputingThe new model also includes some security improvements, and thats another feather in Nvidias cap, at a time when the corporate world is still getting over a major focus on data breaches as a source of liability.Nvidia explains:When not adequately protected in use, AI models face the risk of exposing sensitive customer data, being manipulated, or being reverse-engineered. This can lead to incorrect results, loss of intellectual property, erosion of customer trust, and potential legal repercussions, spokespersons write. Data and AI IP are typically safeguarded through encryption and secure protocols when at rest (storage) or in transit over a network (transmission). But during use, such as when they are processed and executed, they become vulnerable to potential breaches due to unauthorized access or runtime attacks.The Confidential Computing technology works by locating security operations in what the company calls a trusted execution environment (TEE) within the processor.Heres how the companys site explains the use of this feature:The TEE acts like a locked box that safeguards the data and code within the processor from unauthorized access or tampering and proves that no one can view or manipulate it. This provides an added layer of security for organizations that must process sensitive data or IP.Thats useful innovation to take care of major executive concerns, for example, around standards like HIPAA and the European GDPR.Nvidia SoarsAs we see the integration of this kind of iterative improvement, Nvidia continues to outperform on the stock market, with the stock price more than doubling over one year, and analysts suggesting five-year revenue growth of 44.8%.Its still the biggest company of its kind by market cap, outstripping Apples $3.5 trillion value earlier this year (Nvidias at roughly $3.6 trillion.)Thats a little bit about whats in the latest round of Innovations by Jensen Huang and company. Nvidia is one to watch as the AI space race between firms continues to heat up.

By Brian Bennett and Nik PopliNovember 25, 2024 6:00 AM ESTAs he prepares for his second term as President, Donald Trumps approach on some issues is poised to mirror that of his first term. He's set to once again increase tariffs on imported goods and beef up border enforcement.But in some areas, Trump 2.0 is likely to look very different from Trump 1.0.After taking credit for spearheading the development of COVID-19 vaccines in 2020, Trump now plans to bring an anti-vaxxer into his cabinet. Hes gotten over his early skepticism of Bitcoin, and now wants to strip away regulations and guardrails on cryptocurrency. And after trying to ban TikTok four years ago, Trump now promises to save the app.As Trump prepares to take office in late January, heres a look at key policies where Trumps changed his tune.CryptocurrencyIts no secret that Trump was skeptical of cryptocurrency during his first term. He repeatedly criticized Bitcoin and other digital assets, dismissing volatile, speculative assets as "not money" and "a scam. Trump instead championed the U.S. dollar as the nations only legitimate currency. Its a position he maintained even after leaving office, saying in 2021 that cryptocurrencies seemed like a disaster waiting to happen.But as Trump prepares for his return to the White House, he now stands as one of cryptos most vocal proponents. He has pledged to make the U.S. the "crypto capital of the planet" and to establish a national cryptocurrency reserve. Bitcoin prices spiked after Trumps victory.Trumps pivot was fueled by several factors, including the growing clout of the cryptocurrency industry in Washington. Once seen as a fringe element, the crypto sector now boasts substantial financial influence. The industry's top players poured millions into political campaigns, and in particular those supporting Trump. Super PACs aligned with the industry spent $131 million in the 2024 election cycle, helping to elect pro-crypto lawmakers across the country. The efforts were motivated by a single, unifying goal: to push for a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment.In return, Trump has promised that under his leadership, cryptocurrency would not just survive but thrive. He has vowed to remove Gary Gensler, the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), whose aggressive stance against the crypto industry has made him unpopular among crypto advocates. (Gensler announced on Thursday he would step down on Jan. 20, allowing Trump to immediately appoint a successor.) Trump has proposed restructuring the SEC to take a softer approach toward digital assets. For some crypto companies currently being sued or investigated by the agency, that could mean their cases get dropped.Trumps shift coincided with significant backing from prominent figures in the crypto world, including Elon Musk, the Tesla CEO who has crypto investments. Industry leaders have been lobbying Trump for a regulatory framework that would establish clearer rules for crypto and prevent its migration overseas, as some foreign markets have proven more accommodating to digital assets. In September, Trump and his family launched World Liberty Financial, a cryptocurrency venture that will likely further entangle his business interests with the burgeoning digital currency sector.While his newfound enthusiasm for cryptocurrency has earned him praise from crypto advocates, it remains to be seen whether his promises will translate into concrete policy changes in his second term. The crypto industry, once rocked by the implosion of companies like FTX, now faces a complex regulatory future, with ongoing debates over how much oversight is necessary without stifling innovation.TikTokIn his first term, Trump was a staunch opponent of TikTok, the Chinese-owned social media giant. He sought to ban the app from the U.S. on national security grounds. Now, as he prepares for a second term, Trump has reversed himself, vowing to protect TikTok from a looming U.S. ban.Trump's initial attack on TikTok began in 2020, as his Administration accused the app of enabling the Chinese government to collect sensitive data on U.S. users. In an executive order, Trump declared TikTok a national emergency, citing concerns about espionage and the app's potential use to "track the locations of Federal employees and contractors, build dossiers of personal information for blackmail, and conduct corporate espionage." His administration pushed for a forced sale of TikTok's U.S. operations, with the hopes of forcing Chinese conglomerate ByteDance to divest its ownership.Despite intense legal battles, including a failed attempt to orchestrate a sale, Trumps efforts to ban the app failed. But bipartisan concerns about TikTok lingered, and in April Congress passed a law, which President Biden signed, mandating that ByteDance sell TikTok by January 2025, or face a nationwide ban. During his campaign, Trump promised to intervene on the apps behalf, saying he would allow it to continue operating freely. For all of those who want to save TikTok in America, vote for Trump. The other side is closing it up, but Im now a big star on TikTok, Trump said in a Sept. 4 video posted on Truth Social.The Washington Post reported this month that he is expected to intervene next year to block a ban on TikTok if necessary.Trumps pivot on TikTok may be his most dramatic. But his position also stands in contrast to many Republicans who still view the app with suspicion, with some lawmakers warning that the app remains a potential security threat. Despite this, Trumps policy shift does not guarantee that TikTok will be safe from government action. Lawmakers, particularly national security hawks, may push for the ban to go ahead. Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, Trumps pick for Secretary of State, previously called for a complete ban on TikTok, calling it a spyware tool for China. Trumps pick to run the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, told TIME in Nov. 2022 that he does not see a path forward thats short of a ban and that TikTok poses a huge national security concern.VaccinesThe final year of Trumps first term was dominated by the pandemic. Trump oversaw Operation Warp Speed, a historic initiative that expedited the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, saving millions of lives. But as vaccine skepticism grew among many of his supporters, his rhetoric shifted.The extent of that shift became clear this month, when he announced that his Health and Human Services Secretary would be Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has a history of spreading misinformation on vaccines, including promoting the debunked claim that they are linked to autism. The pick has some experts worried that Trump will allow Kennedy to discourage people from receiving the same vaccines that Trump once championed.After leaving office in 2021, Trump distanced himself from promoting the vaccines his administration helped develop. He has also previously pledged to cut funding to schools with vaccine mandates, including those for childhood diseases like polio and measles. He has suggested that people should not be forced to take vaccines, framing his approach as a defense of individual freedom, which stands in stark contrast to his Administration's early push for widespread vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic.Kennedy has said that the Trump Administration does not plan to take vaccines off the market, despite widespread speculation that he might. Yet public hearth experts fear even installing Kennedy in such a high-profile role could give his vaccines view more legitimacy and erode immunization rates.Department of EducationDays after winning the election, Trump released a video announcing the Department of Educations days were numbered. One other thing Ill be doing very early in the administration is closing up the Department of Education in Washington, D.C. and sending all education and education work and needs back in the states.The video marked an escalation of Trumps long-standing efforts to shrink the federal governments role in education. In his first term, Trump proposed merging the Department of Education with the Labor Department, but couldnt get Congress on board. Now his goal is to shutter the department entirely over the next four years.The Department of Education was set up in 1980 during the final year of the Carter Administration. Its main function is to direct funds that Congress allocates to local schools and universities. It does not have a role in setting curriculum or deciding issues of enrollment, which lies with states and local school boards.For his Education Secretary, Trump has picked Linda McMahon, the co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment, who served as head of the U.S. Small Business Administration during Trumps first term. She is an advocate for making it easier for states to use education funding for private schools and homeschooling.Even as he prepares to take office with Republicans in control of the House and Senate, closing the department outright remains unlikely. Doing so would require 60 votes in the Senatewhich would require support from some Democratsor a suspension of the filibuster rules to allow a simple majority vote, which the incoming Republican leaders have ruled out.Affordable Care ActDuring the 2024 election, Trump appeared to step away from his multi-year effort to eliminate the Affordable Care Act. In 2016, he had campaigned on ending the law, which is also known as Obamacare, calling it a disaster. When he was President, Trump supported repeated efforts by Republicans in Congress to kill the ACA. And his Administration asked the Supreme Court to block the law, but the court dismissed it.Trump also worked to undermine Obamacare, scaling back outreach efforts to enroll people in the subsidized health plans. In the four years Trump was President, the number of uninsured Americans rose by 2.3 million.But during his 2024 campaign, Trump said he no longer supported a direct repeal of the ACA. In March, Trump wrote on Truth Social that he is not running to terminate the ACA, and that he wants to make it better. Other times, his stance on the law was difficult to parse. During his debate with Harris in September, he said he has the concepts of a plan to replace the ACA, but didnt give more detail.The law remains popular. A KFF tracking poll in April found that 62% of Americans have a favorable view of the ACA. More than 45 million Americans are enrolled in medical insurance plans made cheaper and more accessible by the law. The law also forbids insurers from rejecting customers who have existing medical conditions.Trumps true position will be tested next year when low-income subsidies on health plans in the ACA expire and need to be reupped. House Speaker Mike Johnson said in October that the ACA needs massive reform.

Something to look forward to: Nintendo is flirting with an idea that could reshape local multiplayer gaming. According to a recently published patent, the Japanese gaming giant is exploring the possibility of allowing gamers to use their smartphone as a makeshift controller. The patent outlines a mechanic in which a gamer could scan an on-screen code to transform their handset into a gamepad. While not a totally unique idea (party games have leveraged similar functionality for a while now), it could be handy in the right situation.OEM controllers are not cheap and on more than one occasion, I have found myself in the unfortunate predicament of having too many people and not enough controllers. Serious gamers probably aren't going to substitute their purpose-built controller for a smartphone but in could come in clutch in a pinch. As such, it is unlikely that the feature would cannibalize controller sales very much.Nintendo's patent doesn't mention a specific console but considering the Switch 2 is just around the bend, it is safe to assume the feature could debut on the new platform. That said, it is worth mentioning that patent applications don't necessarily guarantee a feature will make it into a consumer product.Such a feature could also pave the way for some unique second screen functionality. Nintendo had success in this space with the DS, so it is entirely possible they could return to the well here.Should Nintendo decide to move forward with it, one has to wonder how well the feature would age. Looking ahead, the feature would likely be defunct in a few short decades and totally irrelevant to retro gamers of the future. But for now, it makes a lot of sense. // Related StoriesAs for the Switch 2, Nintendo is planning to unveil the console early next year sometime before April 1. Confirmed details are few and far between at this time, but we do know it will feature backward compatibility with first-gen Switch games and will be able to play Switch Online titles.Image credit: Awmleer