"This sounds like science fiction right now, and somewhat crazy to even talk about it."Path ForwardOpenAI CEO Sam Altman has tried all kinds of rhetorical strategies to suggest that the dawn of artificial general intelligence (AGI) is nigh and in new missive, now he's trying a fresh pitch: that while OpenAI hasn't quite created AGI quite yet, it knows the roadmap to get there."We are now confident we know how to build AGI as we have traditionally understood it," Altman wrote in a personal blog post.There's a lot to unpack about what a "traditional" understanding of AGI might entail. In the past, OpenAI has described it as a "system that outperforms humans at most economically valuable work" and Altman characterized it as a "magic intelligence in the sky,"though an exact definition remains shrouded in controversy.One thing's for sure: this latest appeal dovetails perfectly with OpenAI and Altman's current business proposition: that they can pull off economically compelling AI, if only they can obtain more and more financial and computing resources to build the systems to support it.To that end, Altman wrote in his new post that AI "agents" may begin to "join the workforce" this year. In doing so, the CEO wrote, these seemingly AIs will "materially change the output of companies" which would also mean, of course, that they'd replace human workers, with all the baggage that entails.Glory DaysIn reality, whether OpenAI is really on the cusp offinally birthing AGI which Altman has been teasingfor agesis a matter of serious contention among experts.Sure, maybe it can fund enough data centers to scale its way to true human-level intelligence, but it's also perfectly possible that it'll hit a wall, or that its gains are already leveling off.But for all Altman's bravado, his latest entreaty sounds a lot like OpenAI's familiar and steady drip of AGI investment pitches."This sounds like science fiction right now, and somewhat crazy to even talk about it," the CEO contended. "Thats alright weve been there before and were OK with being there again."Share This Article

Jan 07, 2025Ravie LakshmananFirmware Security / MalwareCybersecurity researchers have uncovered firmware security vulnerabilities in the Illumina iSeq 100 DNA sequencing instrument that, if successfully exploited, could permit attackers to brick or plant persistent malware on susceptible devices."The Illumina iSeq 100 used a very outdated implementation of BIOS firmware using CSM [Compatibility Support Mode] mode and without Secure Boot or standard firmware write protections," Eclypsium said in a report shared with The Hacker News."This would allow an attacker on the system to overwrite the system firmware to either 'brick' the device or install a firmware implant for ongoing attacker persistence."While the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) is the modern replacement for the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), the firmware security company said the iSeq 100 boots to an old version of BIOS (B480AM12 - 04/12/2018) that has known vulnerabilities.Also noticeably absent are protections to tell the hardware where it can read and write firmware, thereby allowing an attacker to modify device firmware. Also not enabled is Secure Boot, thereby allowing malicious changes to the firmware to go undetected.Eclypsium pointed out that it's not advisable for newer high-value assets to support CSM, as it's chiefly meant for old devices that can't be upgraded and need to maintain compatibility. Following responsible disclosure, Illumina has released a fix.In a hypothetical attack scenario, an adversary could target unpatched Illumina devices, escalate their privileges, and write arbitrary code to the firmware. This is not the first time severe vulnerabilities have been disclosed in DNA gene sequencers from Illumina. In April 2023, a critical security flaw (CVE-2023-1968, CVSS score: 10.0) could have made it possible to eavesdrop on network traffic and remotely transmit arbitrary commands."The ability to overwrite firmware on the iSeq 100 would enable attackers to easily disable the device, causing significant disruption in the context of a ransomware attack. This would not only take a high-value device out of service, it would also likely take considerable effort to recover the device via manually reflashing the firmware," Eclypsium said."This could significantly raise the stakes in the context of a ransomware or cyberattack. Sequencers are critical to detecting genetic illnesses, cancers, identifying drug-resistant bacteria, and for the production of vaccines. This would make these devices a ripe target for state-based actors with geopolitical motives in addition to the more traditional financial motives of ransomware actors."Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE

Will Smith will not star in the next Matrix movie.The King Richard actor sparked speculation on Monday that he would be part of the fifth installment of the franchise that is currently in development after he shared a cryptic video on Instagram that told how he initially turned down the lead role of Neo, which ultimately went to Keanu Reeves, with the post ending on a teaser that led to fans speculating he was joining the series.The video message, in a Matrix-style font, read: In 1997, the Wachowskis offered Will Smith the role of Neo in The Matrix. Smith turned it down. He chose Wild Wild West, believing it was a better fit for him at the time. But the question remains: What would The Matrix have been like with Will Smith as Neo? Wake up, Will The Matrixhas you ...However, insiders told The Hollywood Reporter thatSmith will not be joining director Drew Goddard's upcoming Matrixproject.Warner Bros.Warner Bros.loading...READ MORE: The Best 90s Movies EverThe upcoming movie will be the first not directed by a Wachowski, though Lana Wachowski, who directed 2021's The Matrix Resurrections without sister Lilly, will executive produce the film.The project was announced last April, with Warner Bros praising The Cabin in the Woods filmmaker's vision.The studio said in a statement: Drew came to Warner Bros. with a new idea that we all believe would be an incredible way to continue the Matrix world, by both honoring what Lana and Lilly began over 25-years ago and offering a unique perspective based on his own love of the series and characters.Goddardsaid in his own statement: It is not hyperbole to say The Matrix films changed both cinema and my life. Lana and Lillys exquisite artistry inspires me on a daily basis, and I am beyond grateful for the chance to tell stories in their world.Meanwhile,Smith previously spoke of how he turned down The Matrix after being unimpressed by the siblings pitch.He said in a 2019 video shared to his YouTube channel: The Wachowskis, they came in and it was like, they had only done one movie...They came in, and they made a pitch for The Matrix. As it turns out, theyre geniuses, but there's a fine line in a pitch meeting between genius and what I experienced in the meeting... So, I made Wild Wild West. Im not proud of it.Get our free mobile app90s Movies We Cant Believe Got RemakesThese popular 90s movies got remakes. And all we want to know is ... why?

Meet the face of McDonalds new McValue menu: John Cena.(You can see him in the picture above, right? Sometimes people cant see him.)McDonaldsannounced a new bunch ofmenu deals today, with Cena astheir somewhat unlikely, extremely yellow sweater-wearing spokesperson.The companys new McValue platform includes a buy one, add one for a dollar offer, as well as a $5 Meal Deal. New users of the McDonalds appcan also get a free McCrispy chicken sandwich.Personally, wecant stop staring at the pictures of Cena,who returned to WWElast night for the start of what Cena has claimed will be his final year of wrestling before his retirement, brandishing trays of McDonalds food.McDonaldsMcDonaldsloading...READ MORE: Once-Beloved Fast Food Items That No Longer ExistIt is somewhat difficult, given Cenas hulking physique, to imagine him eating too often at McDonalds. But he toldPeople Magazinehis go-to order at the restaurant is two double cheeseburgers and two six-piece Chicken McNuggets.I tend not to do any drinks, because I just want to enjoy the savoriness of that, he added.Two burgers and two McNuggets and absolutelynodrink whatsoever to wash it down? You sit there with the residue of four meat patties and 12 nuggets in your mouth so you can enjoy the savoriness? Is that a thing?!? Isnt that just called being thirsty?Anyway, the items you can get under the buy one, add one for $1 deal include a six-piece McNuggets, a double cheeseburger, a McChicken, or a small fries. (For breakfast, you could opt for a Sausage McMuffin, biscuit, burrito, or hash browns. Its a big day for sausage fans.) The $5 Meal Deal comes with McDouble or McChicken, small fries, four-piece McNuggets and a small drink for five bucks.You can get more info on McDonalds website. Go there and enjoy the savoriness.Get our free mobile appThe Craziest Fast Food Menu Items EverFiled Under: Fast Food, John Cena, McDonald's, WWECategories: TV News

Title of Role: Virtual Interior Graphic Designer (Remote)Nathan James is hiring a Graphic Designed specializing in Virtual Room Designs to join our team. This role supports the Brand Marketing team's efforts in curating stunning visual assets for website merchandising, e-interior design, and other key brand initiatives.People-first company, design-first home.We are a design-first, home furnishing company focusing on the habits of urban dwellers and first time home buyers. We create stylish, affordable furniture that empowers people to bring their dreams homes to life.Because we are a people-first company, we understood the importance of being fully distributed from the beginning. Our fully remote team prioritizes collaboration, thoughtful work, and a people-first approach that values personal and professional happiness. Taking this approach helps our teammates avoid compromising who they are or their values in pursuit of a career.ABOUT THE ROLE:As a Graphic Designer specializing in virtual room design, you will be joining a Brand marketing team with three other designers. You will be responsible for curating room setups that highlight Nathan James products in aspirational, on-trend settings. Your work will be instrumental in shaping how customers visualize our products & collections in their own spaces as these images are used on our website product pages, social media & ads. Youll receive guidance and training from our senior visual artist to help you thrive in this role.This role is responsible for:Primary Responsibility: Curate virtual room designs in Google Slides for our 3D team, including collaborating with and giving feedback to our 3D rendering team.Work with the product development team to create templated instruction sheets using InDesign (ability to understand simple dielines required).Assist with brand service requests such as web assets, video editing, UGC curation, onsite imagery, and retailer-specific assets.Our current stack includes: Adobe Creative Suite, Asana, G-Suite , Later Social Media Management, Airtable, and Shopify.ABOUT US:We appreciate that time is our most valuable resource. Thats why, in everything we do, we focus on what truly matters. We do this by removing processes and ideologies that hinder our work, designing benefits that nurture a healthy relationship with work, and upholding our operating values to guide us. Through these frameworks, we build a resilient organization.We also understand working for Nathan James isnt the only function of our lives, and we dont expect that! Weve found that a team member who will be happy and fulfilled as a remote team member at Nathan James is someone who values their personal life and identity outside of work. Thats why we dont create mandatory team hangouts or events.Weve done our best work when we focus on what were solving for and whats true, so we dont create barriers or false expectations that distract us from our mission. We also dont set unreasonable working hours, deadlines, or goals. We create with calm, slow is smooth and smooth is fast.Check out Glassdoorto hear what the team has to say about working at Nathan James.ABOUT YOU:We're looking for a passionate designer with a background in graphic design (web/digital) and e-commerce photography. You should have expert knowledgeof Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator) and a strong visual aesthetic.Having an interior design "eye" is required for this role as you will be designing on-trend virtual rooms.This is a remote role, so you'll have the flexibility to work wherever you're most productive! To succeed, you'll need:Exceptional communication and organizational skills (both verbal and written).A self-starter mentality with strong time management abilities.Comfort with taking and applying feedback.For this role we do require that your normal workday has at least 4 hours overlap with both PST & EST workday without impinging on your personal/family life.Programs We UseAdobe Creative Suite:Photoshop (Advanced), Illustrator (Advanced), and InDesign (Intermediate) is required for creating visual layouts and design assets.Google Slides: Used for curating and presenting room concepts for the 3D rendering team.AirTable(no prior experience required) - used for Product & Information Management & front-end Shopify codeAsana(no prior experience required) - used internally for task & project managementSlack (no prior experience required) - used internally for communicationBonus Skills (Not Required):Experience with Shopify/front-end web designExperience creating and editing online ads (e.g., Meta Ads, Google Ads), including both static and video formats, with knowledge of ad design best practices and relevant tools (e.g., Final Cut, CapCut, Canva, Descript, Adobe Premiere, After Effects).UI/UX design experienceBENEFITS & PERKS:Our benefits are all aimed at supporting a life well lived both at work and away from work.With these benefits, we want and expect you to take vacations, spend time with your family, and be conscious of your personal wellness.HOW TO APPLY:Please submit an application here that speaks directly to this position. A cover letter is not required, but those that clearly demonstrate how Nathan James would be a great fit for you and how you would be a great fit for us will be given full attention and are highly appreciated.We expect to take two weeks to review all applications. If you dont hear from us by then, we have decided to move forward with other candidates.If we choose to move forward to the next steps in the interview process, youll hear from us and advance to a brief video interview and then on to a work sample, where youll get a chance to see the types of challenges you would be solving in this role. Our interviews are all remote by video chat, with your future colleagues, on your schedule.We aim to make an offer by end of February with a start date in March.Virtual Interior Graphic Designer Application FormA note on culture fit:At Nathan James, we are a fully remote team. We dont emphasize traditional workplace socializing or unnecessary meetingsyour time and energy are yours to manage. Well discuss this and more during the interview process!If this approach resonates with you and youre not someone who gets their social energy from work, were excited to learn more about you and review your application!

Submitted by WA ContentsLarge triple-arched windows enhance the iconic presence of the concrete Whisky Bar in Taiyuan, ChinaChina Architecture News - Jan 07, 2025 - 15:13 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Large triple-arched windows have enhanced the iconic presence of the concrete Whisky and cocktail bar in Taiyuan, China.Named The Whisky Bar, the 664-square-metre project, which was part of a typical real-estate housing complex in Taiyuan Xiaodian, the capital of Shanxi Province in North China, involved renovating two floors of a commercial podium.The Whisky Bar was designed by French design firm JSPA Design.Facade and entrance 4The intervention's scope included three existing stores and sought to combine them into a single whiskey and cocktail bar. The area featured a discrete back entrance to a pedestrian business strip and was primarily facing the main street.Facade and entrance 5Because of the apartment building on top, the area was severely limited by the structure. In addition to the load-bearing walls that divided the area into smaller sections, there were also several pipelines and shafts that ran across the area from side to side.First floor Public 1Concrete as the defining facade materialThe faade work was necessary to enable the new project to exist in the cityscape, given the heterogeneity of the current position and surrounds. In order to create a new facade that would contrast with the typical light cladding of commercial facades, JSPA decided to remove all of the current facade claddings.First floor Public 2They worked on a cast-in-place concrete facade that will use its materiality to make an impression on the surrounding area. By using concrete as a material, JSPA was able to construct a monolithic facade that not only gives the city a new texture but also serves as a durable covering for the old building.First floor Public 4Three concrete arches that extended across the building's two levels made up the primary front, highlighting the project's character and attracting attention within its surroundings.In order to create the figure that would serve as the project's identity, the Concrete Arch was then replicated and altered in a number of ways.First floor Public 5Open barA bar for the city and a gathering spot open to the neighborhood were the goals of the project development. The bar area was covered with a concrete arch ceiling, a curved suspended slab that was cast in place to emphasize the space's street-facing orientation. This allowed for the dissipation of the back service spaces as well as all of the pipes and machinery from the original structure.A long concrete bench that could be used on both sides and a set of folding windows that allowed for the removal of physical barriers with the street were features of the ground floor bar's design, which placed a significant emphasis on communication between the project and the city.First floor Public 3Intimacy gradationA sculptural helicoidal steel staircase leads from the busy first floor, which has an urban feel, to the second floor, where the project evolved into a more private setting. A system of steel shelves was designed to provide a showcase area for whiskey bottles, as well as to subtly divide areas and create private alcoves.The display shelf's intriguing pattern, which was formed by endlessly repeating a single identical part, served as the project's second strong identity aspect.Three separate areas were encased in a concrete arch to create the illusion of an alcove, enclosing the area from wall to ceiling and enabling the cast-in design of the fireplaces and benches.Lounge 1Original materialityThe idea of a durable material that would age gracefully led to the natural choice of concrete. It was coupled with gray brick flooring on the first floor, which matched the ceiling and walls' wooden cast concrete in terms of color and design.Lounge 2Additionally, the brick floor reduces the gap between the bar and the city and reminds us of a public area.On the other hand, in order to enhance the users' sensory experience, all of the components that required skin contact were constructed using warm materials, such as the oakwood bar surface and the leather bench seats.Helicoidal StairWhisky cabinet and fireplaceSecond floor Public-moonSecond floor private roomSecond floor Staircase accessYellow brass fire placeConcrete arch corridorBrick staircaseStair AFacade and entrance 2Facade and entrance 1JSPA Design, a French design company based in Beijing that was founded in 2009 by Johan Sarvan, is renowned for its daring and avant-garde approach to product development, architecture, interior design, and landscape design.Project factsProject name:The Whisky BarArchitects:JSPA DesignProject type:Architectural (Faade) Design / Interior DesignPrinciple Designer: Johan SarvanStructure: Jiang Jies TeamVideographer:WM StudioTotal area:664m21F Indoor area:295m22F Indoor area: 369m2Materials brand:SARVAN- Furniture, LightingAll images Liu Xinghao.> via JSPA Design

Onkyo has unveiled two new types of audio products at CES 2025, as part of its hi-fi reinvention, with powered speakers that can be paired with TVs and a series of streaming amplifiers.The new devices, which follow the Klipsch Flexus collaboration, include the Onkyo GX10DB and Onkyo GX30ARC powered monitors, plus the Icon P-80 network preamplifier, M-80 power amplifier and A-50 network integrated amplifier.The Creator Onkyo GX10DB ($199) and Onkyo GX30ARC ($299) active speakers are designed to be used on a desktop, and yet offer enough inputs to be used as a stereo system or even as a soundbar substitute (GX30ARC). These include Bluetooth, USB-C, Optical, RCA/iPhone, RCA Sub Pre-Out and Aux, while the GX30 adds HDMI.The GX10 comes with a 3-inch woofer and 17x2-watt power while the larger GX30ARC has 25x2W power pushing a 4-inch woofer. Both models sport 3/4-inch tweeters and wooden stands which help point the speakers at a users' ears. Both sets of speakers are due in the spring. The Onkyo Icon A-50 is a striking streaming amplifier. OnkyoMeanwhile, Onkyo's new hi-fi products go all-out for streaming with the P-80 network preamplifier ($1,999) and A-50 network integrated amplifier ($1,499) leading the pack. The Onkyo Icon A-50 (140 watts per channel) looks quite compelling as an all-in-one with its attractive styling. Both devices will stream Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Amazon Music, AirPlay 2 and Google Cast and are Roon Ready. The M-80 ($1,999), with its 150-watts-per-channel amplifier and analog meters, is designed to pair with the P-80. The hi-fi products are due in the fourth quarter of 2025. Onkyo Icon P-80 and M-80 preamp and power amp. OnkyoOnkyo has had streaming amps in the past, but like many recent Onkyo products, they were a reskin of the equivalent Pioneer ones. These new devices are designed to reestablish an identity for the company and hearken back to its hi-fi components of the 1970s and '80s in particular.

I like shiny things, but the new Ultrahuman gold bullion and platinum Rare smart rings take tech bling to a level I've never seen before.The collection of three smart rings inspired by sculpted desert dunes, the rings made their debut at CES in Las Vegas on Tuesday. The Dune and Desert Rose rings are crafted from 18-carat gold sourced from the London Bullion Market Association, whereas the Desert Snow ring is made from pt950 platinum.Ultrahuman has designed the Rare ring series to be a luxury alternative to the existing smart rings on the market. The sector is currently dominated by Samsung and Oura, but other companies are joining the race to take up valuable real estate on our fingers with their own products. Ultrahuman is one of these competitors and has already partnered with Verizon last year to bring its existing product, the Ring AIR to customers.Like their predecessors, the Rare rings come equipped with sensors to provide an array of health-tracking features including sleep, movement, heart rate, heart rate variability, stress and skin temperature.According to Ultrahuman founder and CEO Mohit Kumar, the decision to make smart rings out of precious metals was informed by the fact that people are already treating existing Ultrahuman rings like serious jewelry. "We've seen people using Ring Air in engagement proposals, gifts to their loved ones and many other social occasions," he says.But engineering these high-end rings isn't without its challenges. "Rare metals like gold and platinum are aesthetic, but it has historically been hard to machine them in a way that the structural integrity is maintained in the smart ring form factor along with a 'rougher' usage behavior," Kumar says, adding that It requires "advanced techniques" to shape them. The Rare ring has 6-axis motion sensors. UltrahumanAs you might expect, such high-end metal and labor-intensive manufacturing doesn't result in a cheap end product. When the rings go on sale in Selfridges in London and Printemps in Paris later this month, they'll cost between 1,500 and 1,800 ($1,878 to $2,253). That price also includes lifetime access to UltrahumanX, the company's coverage and benefits program, and free access to existing and future PowerPlugs, a series of specialist analytic tools.Ultrahuman doesn't currently have any fixed plans to sell the Rare rings beyond top European department stores, but is considering options in New York, Dubai and India.

Your big-screen TV is great for showing you the movies you're watching or the games you're playing, but the speakers usually leave a lot to be desired. That's why we recommend picking up a great soundbar and turning those TV speakers off for good. There are plenty to choose from, and you don't have to spend a fortune to get one either. Right now, the TCL S4BH S Class soundbar can be had for just $70, a price that saves you $80 off the original asking price of $150. It's a deal that ends tonight, though, so factor that in when planning your purchase.See at Best BuyThis soundbar offers both wired and wireless connectivity so you have the utmost flexibility when it comes to ways to hook this thing up. HDMI eARC support as well as USB connectivity are just a couple of the wired options, while Bluetooth is also available for those who want to go the wireless route from a phone or tablet.Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.Each soundbar comes with a free wall mount kit in the box so you can keep the installation nice and tidy, while support for Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual: X means that spatial sound kicks in when listening to movies, music and games.Soundbar deals like this are a great way to quickly and easily upgrade your audio setup without breaking the bank. Best Buy offers next-day shipping and you can even collect your new soundbar from your local store if you absolutely can't wait a minute longer. Top deals available today, according to CNET's shopping experts Curated discounts worth shopping while they last Apple AirTag, 4-pack: $70 (save $29)Costco 1-year Gold Star membership + $20 gift card: $65 (save $20)Anker 20-watt USB-C charger, 2-pack: $12 (save $7)Levoit LVAC-200 cordless vacuum: $160 (save $40)Peloton Bike: $1,145 (save $300) Why this deal mattersIt's easy to overlook the audio when kitting out your home cinema, especially if you're focusing on getting the biggest and best TV you can. But the days of having to run cables to a ton of speakers just to get a better audio experience are long gone and these kinds of soundbars are a great way to enjoy improved sound without making things too complicated -- or expensive.

Don't worry, cursed horror game Horses - in which you tend to a farm of naked humans in horse masks - hasn't been cancelledColt following.Image credit: Santa Ragione News by Victoria Kennedy News Reporter Published on Jan. 7, 2025 Horses - the cursed horror game from Saturnalia developer Santa Ragione and directed by Andrea Lucco Borlera - is still coming, it is just taking a little longer to get out of the gates than first anticipated.Horses sees players take on the role of a summer worker at a farm. This sounds safe enough, and after all, it's only for two weeks - but there is something much darker and downright unsettling lying beneath the surface."Will you survive the summer, or will the farm claim yet another victim? In any case, we're sure your summer working experience will be truly unforgettable..." reads the official blurb.Horses - Official Announcement Trailer. Watch on YouTubeHorses was initially announced back in 2023, with a suitably unsettling trailer which showed off the game's silent movie-like style and a host of naked humans with horse masks on their heads. At this time, it was slated for a release in 2024 which, obviously, has been missed.Thankfully though, Horses has not been silently cancelled. Santa Ragione has confirmed to Eurogamer the upcoming game will now be released this year, and a demo is also on the cards."Unfortunately we had to delay the game to 2025," studio director Pietro Righi Riva told me. "[We're] not ready to talk about the reasons for the delay yet, but will absolutely keep you posted. By end of Q2 2025 we'll have a date for both the demo and the full release of the game."So, stay tuned for more information on Horses soon. Image credit: Santa RagioneOur Chris had a go with Horses last year, calling it "magnetically sinister" following time with the game."It's a simpler thing in practise than some of Santa Ragione's previous games - effectively you are waking up and slowly carrying out simple, if escalating strange tasks each day, like watering plants, feeding the dog, or, erm, burying bodies, as a story takes shape around you - but the magic here is in the atmosphere and tone," he wrote."It's also a rare attempt at using actual, suspended meaning in a game. You'll need to bring something of your own to the farmhouse table here, and meet this thing halfway."