The prolific Clop ransomware gang has named dozens of corporate victims it claims to have hacked in recent weeks after exploiting a vulnerability in several enterprise popular file transfer products developed by U.S. software company Cleo.In a post on its dark web leak site, seen by TechCrunch, the Russia-linked Clop gang listed 59 organizations it claims to have breached by exploiting the high-risk bug in Cleos software tools.The flaw affects Cleos LexiCom, VLTransfer, and Harmony products. Cleo first disclosed the vulnerability in an October 2024 security advisory before security researchers observed hackers mass exploiting the vulnerability months later in December.Clop claimed in its post that it notified the organizations it breached, but that the victim organizations did not negotiate with the hackers. Clop is threatening to publish the data it allegedly stole on January 18 unless its ransom demands are paid.Enterprise file transfer tools are a popular target among ransomware hackers and Clop, in particular given the sensitive data often stored in these systems. In recent years, the ransomware gang previously exploited vulnerabilities in Progress Softwares MOVEit Transfer product, and later took credit for the mass exploitation of a vulnerability in Fortras GoAnywhere managed file transfer software.Following its most recent hacking spree, at least one company has confirmed an intrusion linked to Clops attacks on Cleo systems.German manufacturing giant Covestro told TechCrunch that it had been contacted by Clop, and has since confirmed that the gang accessed certain data stores on its systems.We confirmed there was unauthorized access to a U.S. logistics server, which is used to exchange shipping information with our transportation providers, Covestro spokesperson Przemyslaw Jedrysik said in a statement. In response, we have taken measures to ensure system integrity, enhance security monitoring and proactively notify customers.Jedrysik confirmed that the majority of the information contained on the server was not of a sensitive nature, but declined to say what types of data had been accessed.Other alleged victims that TechCrunch has spoken with have disputed Clops claims, and say they were not compromised as part of the gangs latest mass-hack campaign.Emily Spencer, a spokesperson for U.S. car rental giant Hertz, said in a statement that the company is aware of Clops claims, but said there is no evidence that Hertz data or Hertz systems have been impacted at this time.Out of an abundance of caution, we are continuing to actively monitor this matter with the support of our third-party cybersecurity partner, Spencer added.Christine Panayotou, a spokesperson for Linfox, an Australian logistics firm that Clop listed on its leak site, also disputed the gangs claims, saying the company does not use Cleo software and has not experienced a cyber incident involving its own systems.When asked if Linfox had data accessed due to a cyber incident involving a third-party, Panayotou did not respond.Spokespeople for Arrow Electronics and Western Alliance Bank also told TechCrunch that they have found no evidence that their systems had been compromised.Clop also listed the recently breached software supply chain giant Blue Yonder. The company, which confirmed a November ransomware attack, has not updated its cybersecurity incident page since December 12.When last reached by TechCrunch, Blue Yonder spokesperson Marina Renneke confirmed on December 26 that the company uses Cleo to support and manage certain file transfers and that it was investigating any potential access, but added that the company has no reason to believe the Cleo vulnerability is connected to the cybersecurity incident we experienced in November. The company did not provide evidence for the claim, nor provide any more recent comment when reached this week.When asked by TechCrunch, none of the companies that responded would say if they had the technical means, such as logs, to detect access or exfiltration of their data.TechCrunch has not yet received responses from the other organizations listed on Clops leak site. Clop claims it will add more victim organizations to its dark web leak site on January 21.Its not yet known how many companies have been targeted, and Cleo which itself has been listed as a victim of Clop did not respond to TechCrunchs questions.

Breakdown & ShowreelsHitpig: Animation Reel by CinesiteBy Vincent Frei - 16/01/2025 Go behind the scenes with Cinesite to explore how they brought the world of Hitpig to life! Inspired by Berkeley Breatheds Pete & Pickles, the film combines painterly visuals with bold 80s aesthetics, creating a vibrant and dynamic animated experience!WANT TO KNOW MORE?Cinesite: Dedicated page about Hitpig on Cinesite website. Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2025

Flower Kiosk | Joel MoritzSigurd Lewerentz, a key figure in Scandinavian modernism, was known for his ability to combine simplicity with thoughtful architectural expression. Recognized for his focus on material honesty and craftsmanship, Lewerentzs work often conveys a sense of timelessness. Among his designs, the Flower Kiosk at Malm Eastern Cemetery highlights his architectural philosophy. Modest in scale, the kiosk demonstrates his skill in creating spaces that connect deeply with their surroundings.Flower Kiosk Technical InformationArchitects1: Sigurd LewerentzLocation: Malm Eastern Cemetery, Malm, SwedenArea: 10 m2 | 108 Sq. Ft.Project Year: 1969 1971Photographs: See Caption Details Classicist, stripped Classicist, window and door handle manufacturer, enjoyer of cigars, encourager of guys doing naughty tubes-and-vents architecture, Romanticist, Brutalist. Sir Peter Cook describing Sigurd LewerentzFlower Kiosk Photographs Joel Moritz Joel Moritz Paulo dos Santos Sousa Paulo dos Santos Sousa Paulo dos Santos Sousa Paulo dos Santos Sousa Paulo dos Santos Sousa Paulo dos Santos Sousa Paulo dos Santos Sousa Paulo dos Santos SousaThe Flower Kiosk: A Study in Material and FormLocated in Malm Eastern Cemetery, the Flower Kiosk harmonizes with its surroundings. Constructed primarily from brick, the kiosk showcases the raw materiality that grounds it in its environment. The bricks, laid with uneven mortar joints, give the structure a handcrafted quality and celebrate imperfection.The kiosks form is defined by simple geometrya rectangular volume with openings that serve as windows. These apertures are positioned to frame views naturally and allow light into the space. The balance between solid walls and voids creates a rhythmic composition that enhances the kiosks presence.A notable feature of the Flower Kiosk is its acceptance of aging. The weathered bricks and patina of the metalwork integrate with the natural surroundings over time. This approach aligns with Lewerentzs philosophy of creating architecture that matures gracefully.Functionality and ExpressionThe Flower Kiosk functions as a space for selling flowers to cemetery visitors. Its design reflects dignity and integrates with the cemeterys atmosphere, offering a place of quiet reflection and interaction.The deliberate proportions, tactile materials, and carefully placed openings create a sense of intimacy. The kiosk mediates the relationship between the living, the departed, and the natural world.Beyond its utility, the design explores life, death, and renewal themes. The kiosks role in the ritual of placing flowers on graves underscores its deeper significance as an architectural statement. Legacy and Lessons for ArchitectsThe Flower Kiosk demonstrates how small-scale architecture can leave a lasting impression. Architects continue to study Lewerentzs ability to simplify complex ideas and his respect for materials.The kiosk highlights the importance of material integrity and design in harmony with the context. It shows that carefully executed simplicity can evoke powerful emotions and create meaningful spaces.Flower Kiosk PlansPlans | Sigurd LewerentzFlower Kiosk Image GalleryAbout Sigurd LewerentzSigurd Lewerentz (18851975) was a Swedish architect and designer considered a pioneer of Scandinavian modernism. Trained as both an engineer and architect, Lewerentz balanced technical precision with artistic sensitivity. Over his six-decade career, he created notable works such as the Woodland Cemetery in Stockholm (in collaboration with Gunnar Asplund) and St. Marks Church in Bjrkhagen. Known for his reclusive nature, Lewerentzs later works, including the Flower Kiosk, reflect his preference for raw materials and minimalist forms. His legacy influences architects worldwide, emphasizing simplicity and the passage of time.Credits and Additional NotesClient: Malm City Cemetery Administration

Cornwalls Foreign Mission School, which began operations in 1817, was virtually unique in the United States, educating both Native Americans and young men from around the globe, including Hawaiian, Bengali, and Japanese. The school was created for the purpose of educating youths of heathen nations, to convert them to Christianity, educate them, and train them to become preachers, translators, and teachers back in their native lands. The problematic nature of the schools seemingly forced assimilation, causing the erasure of cultures, paired with the disdain for foreign students in town lead to much animosity towards the school in Cornwall. The tension reached a head when in 1824, John Ridge, a student at the Foreign Mission School and the son of a Cherokee leader, began a courtship with Sarah Northrop, the white daughter of the schools steward. A year later they married. Additionally, in 1826, another Foreign Mission School student, Elias Boudinot (John Ridges cousin), fell in love with a young Cornwall girl named Harriet Gold, they married in 1826. These marriages were generally opposed to and racism caused support for the school to dissolve, closing by 1827. This c.1814 house was the home of John Northrop, the father of Sarah Northrop, and steward to the Foreign Mission School. The family home, seen here, was also used to house some students while they attended the school. The Northrop House remains one of the few extant buildings with direct ties to this school. The house is one of 65 National Historic Landmarks in Connecticut.

BLAGWhat's Inside Issue 06 of BLAG (Better Letters Magazine?Between the covers of the worldwide adventures in sign painting from Issue 06 of BLAG.Better LettersJan 16, 2025 7 min readBLAG 06 and the 'Pillow Gild' poster insert.The sixth installment of our adventures in sign painting craft, community, and culture is out now. Inside, you'll find work and contributions from 18 countries spanning five continents, so read on for an appetiser...BLAG 06 contains 80 pages packed with our latest adventures in sign painting from around the world. GIF and all magazine photography: Edgar Gonzalez.The magazine's 80 pages are once again completely free of advertising, thanks to members around the world . Then, sandwiched in the alphabetic centre spread, is our latest limited edition poster insert: a how-to for Veronika Jrgensen's 'Pillow Gild' effect.The poster came about after Veronika shared the results of a project on social media, and then kind of snowballed when I suggested it could make for a nice poster/instructional piece. So thank you Veronika for rolling with it, and to Brian Kure who took on the photography side of things.Inside each copy of BLAG 06 there's a folded poster insert with a step-by-step guide to creating the 'Pillow Gild' in reverse on glass.BLAG in print ships exclusively to members worldwide twice each year. Join today to get your first copy sent straight away.Join BLAGBLAG Meet: Inside Issue 06The BLAG Meet event for Issue 06 is happening on Saturday, 26 April. Register here for this free online event, and catch up on the recordings from previous events.On the CoverThe cover photo comes from the 'Pillow Gild' how-to that sits on the reverse of the poster insert. Gilding features a few times across the issue, which inspired the designers at UTILE to suggest a special foil finish for the masthead.A magnesium plate was created to apply the gold foil to the letter outlines. The cover photo is from Veronika Jrgensen's poster insert that shows how she created the 'Pillow Gild' effect.ContentsThe absence of advertising inside the magazine means that all 80 pages are packed with what we're all here for: the sign painting. From the longer features, to the tidbits in the 'Sundries' section, this content is intended to inform and inspire in equal measure, with a few pleasant surprises along the way.The BLAG 06 contents, showing the numerous articles, features, and sections that fill the issue. Before getting deeper into it, I'd like to thank our wonderful sponsors, whose support is a big part of making BLAG what it is:And to give a big shout out to BLAG's patrons: Blackout Signs & Metalworks; Chicago Sign Systems; Colossal Media; Dragging the Line; John Moran; Right Way Signs; Romana Schrift; Sepp Leaf Products; Skiltmaler Gundersen; Through the Wood Signs; and W&B Gold Leaf.BLAG patrons receive two copies of the magazine, in addition to recognition of their support in print and online. It's a good option for larger shops, or for those that want to gift a membership to someone less able to pay.American SignsOne of the three main features looks at the American Sign Museum's recent expansion, and the sign painting and gilding produced for the new 'buildings' on its flagship flagship Main Street exhibit.Also at the museum are drawings from Chicago's Beverly Sign Co., whose influence on sign design is explored in another feature from the authors of The Golden Era of Sign Design. (The book will soon be available in the BLAG Shop.)'Magic on Main Street at the American Sign Museum' and a spread from Kelsey & Andrew McClellan's piece on the enduring influence of Chicago's Beverly Sign Co.Books, Books, BooksIn addition to the Beverly Sign Co. book, this issue's 'Book Club' profiles publications from no less than five countries: Argentina, Belgium, Costa Rica, India, and The Netherlands.There's also a bookish theme for 'Inside Letterform Archive', where Stephen Coles introduces The Complete Commercial Artist from Japan, and the archive's new publication about this 1920s/30s periodical.Books in BLAG 06: The Complete Commercial Artist; Estudio de Fileteado Porteo; Arti Letterboek; Publi Fluor; Pura Vida, Costa Rica; and SADAK.The RegularsIn some of the other regular columns and sections, you'll find: San Francisco's secret palimpsests in 'Ghost Sign Corner'; thoughts and advice on pricing in 'Doing it the Right Way'; negative space in 'Interowriting'; painting dragons in 'The Sercrets of Fileteado Porteo'; and Rob Cooper's 'Inscribe' alphabet.Alice Mazzilli's adventures in writing continue in her latest 'Interowriting' column, while Gustavo Ferrari's next instructional is on painting the dragons of Fileteado Porteo.ProfilesEvery sign painter, and every firm connected with the trade, has their own story to tell, and the pages of BLAG once again feature a host of these. In addition to celebrating significant birthdays for A.S. Handover and Colossal Media, we get to meet Italy's Nicolo Granata in 'Ye Olde Sign Shoppe' and the Lee family behind Portland's Studio Sign Co. in the 'Shop Talk' column.This issue's 'Ye Olde Sign Shoppe' tells the story of Sicily's graphic design pioneer, Nicolo Granata, while Jenna Homen looks back at more than 60 years of Studio Sign Co. in her 'Shop Talk' column.Fernanda Martins introduces us to the unique output of Brazil's Nelson Stefanelli for our latest 'Lettering Location', while Vanessa Power builds on her research into the history of Irish mosaics by sharing her experience of trying out the medium.We once again 'Meet the Letterheads' at some recent events, while also remembering and honouring those that have left us: Hanif Kureshi, Brian Heppell, and Chris Mackenzie-Gray.Adventures mosaic making in Sligo, Ireland, and remembering those we have lost, but not forgotten.Projects'On the Brush' features ten projects from around the world, while the third main feature is a deep dive into sign painting for film and television, including a number of productions with work from the five profiled painters. (There's even more sign painting for film in the feature on Wes Anderson's French Despatch in BLAG 01.)'On the Brush' shares new, fun, and interesting projects from around the world, while BLAG 06 also has an extended feature profiling the work of sign painters on film and TV productions.End MatterAs always, the back of the issue is given over to 'Sundries', with some 'not safe for work' lettering and sign painting, more miniature goodness from Danielle McGurran (also see BLAG 03), an award-winning business card, and some fan art.'Wise Words' and 'Back to the Future' are some of the regulars in BLAG's 'Sundries' section.'Tools of the Trade' takes a look at the nifty proportion wheel, and there's also a full page cartoon with the humble mahl stick as its subject. It's creator, Hana Sunny Whaler, has also turned it into a tea towel, so go buy one and dry your dishes in style!ThanksMore than 65 contributors from around the world made BLAG 06 possible, and it was once again a pleasure to collaborate with so many brilliant people. Thank you all.Nothing happens without the members, patrons, and sponsors that fund all the work that goes into the magazine. Thank you! If you're not one already, then join today and receive everything above, and more, delivered directly to your mail/post box.Join BLAG HereFeatured bl.ag online articles and details of contributors, sponsors and patrons in BLAG 06.Thanks also to the wonderful team that brings the final print magazine to fruition: Jenna Homen on sub-editing; UTILE on design; SYL, The Art of Books on print; and Ra & Olly on distribution.Fonts in Use are Aktiv Grotesk by Dalton Maag and Utile by Sibylle Hagmann from Kontour.BLAG Back IssuesBLAG Meet

ASDF - stock.adobe.comNewsBank of England and New York counterpart exchange puts technology cooperation into 3DA staff exchange between regulators will see US and UK financial technology experts cross the Atlantic ByKarl Flinders,Chief reporter and senior editor EMEAPublished: 16 Jan 2025 11:15 Financial services regulators in the UK and New York are to share staff through a secondment programme that kicks off next month.The New York Department of Financial Services and the Bank of England plan to share insights, knowledge and experience of emerging financial services and technologies.The Transatlantic Regulatory Exchange programme, as it is known, will start with the exchange of experts in emerging payment platforms and digital assets.Secondments will be for a minimum of six months, but could be extended to up to one year.The New York regulators superintendent, Adrienne Harris, said: Connecting the two global financial capitals of New York and London is critical for regulatory harmonisation in a world where financial services are not defined by geography.Those taking part are expected to return to their home regulator where they can bring their enhanced insights, knowledge and experience to work on regulation of emerging financial services and technologies, according to the New York Department of Financial Services.The programme will take the organisations beyond just sharing notes, according to Jean-Louis Bravard, a former managing director and interim CIO at JP Morgan.I think its a great idea because its basically a 3D view instead of a 2D approach to sharing notes on problems, he told Computer Weekly. In terms of method, I think the two regulators are quite different, while in terms of tools, I dont think so.Bravard, who also spent time in the IT outsourcing sector, added that the exchange of knowledge and skills will help the organisations fill gaps without having to outsource. He said the people working at both organisations are highly trustworthy so it is a safe way of accessing different skills.Cross-border cooperation by regulators will also contribute to the global market. Sarah Breeden, deputy governor for financial stability at the Bank of England, said: By sharing our knowledge and learning from one another, we can better ensure that regulation supports global financial stability and safe innovation in payments and financial markets. Connecting the two global financial capitals of New York and London is critical for regulatory harmonisation in a world where financial services are not defined by geography Adrienne Harris, New York Department of Financial ServicesAccording to Chris Skinner, CEO of The Finanser and industry commentator, called it a win-win for both organisations.This is an interesting development as the USA and UK see themselves as leaders in developing and regulating financial technology startups and markets, he said. The USA can bring insights into how the big tech firms think and their position on digital assets. The UK can bring access to the worlds leading fintech centre with the most advanced startup community.In consideration of the first planned exchange, which is around emerging payments and digital assets, David Bannister, analyst at capital markets-focused consultancy GreySpark Partners, said the US could learn a lot from the UK in terms of payment platforms.The US payment system is still stuck in the past and its only in the last few years that the split between electronic payments and cheques was finally in favour of a electronic payments.He added that in terms of digital assets, an emerging field of expertise, international cooperation is vital.The cooperation will inevitably expand into other areas of finance where advanced technologies are used. With the rapid rise in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the banking sector and the continued threat from cyber criminals, keeping up with technology is a constant challenge for regulators.One senor IT executive in the UK banking sector told Computer Weekly that AI is likely to cause the next big banking scandal. Subprime mortgages, PPI all these scandals have happened because the banks push something too far, then it blows up, he said. Then they have to reverse out and pay. Thats the lifecycle of how the banks operate and AI will be the next.Read more about the Bank of EnglandBank of England warns against AI complacency: UK financial services regulator wants to increase understanding of AIs benefits and how firms are managing the risks it poses, as take-up grows and use cases increase.Bank of England starts recruiting Britcoin team: UKs central bank is recruiting people to join its team focused on the development of a digital pound.Bank of England replacing beating heart: Bank has reached a major milestone in its core system replacement programme, with next landmark in sight.In The Current Issue:Interview: Wendy Redshaw, chief digital information officer, NatWest Retail BankPreparing for AI regulation: The EU AI ActDownload Current IssueData engineering - Percona: Measure twice, implement once, the art of thinking ahead CW Developer NetworkThe UK government's AI plan covers all the bases but needs a dose of pragmatism Computer Weekly Editors BlogView All Blogs

ZDNET's key takeaways The Asus ProArt P16 is available now, starting at $1,900.It pairs powerful hardware with a suite of customizable options designed for creatives.The deep personalization requires engagement from the user, the huge trackpad won't be everyone's cup of tea, and the ultra-glossy display tends to glare. more buying choices Asus' ProArt series consists of sleek laptops with high-end hardware for creatives. At the top of the line is the new AMD-powered ProArt P16, which exudes power and performance with a sleek, all-black form factor, giant trackpad with Asus' proprietary DialPad, and brilliant display.I recently had a chance to go hands-on with the ProArt P16 and found it to be a highly capable machine with a lot of raw power. However, it also requires some customization and optimization to get the most out of it. Before I touch on that, let's take a look at the hardware.Also: This Asus laptop is my go-to MacBook alternative - and it's on sale at Best BuyThe ProArt P16 comes with 32GB of memory and the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, a 12-core, 24-thread chip with a 50 TOP NPU. This strong core powers the device's creative endeavors, whether video editing, using advanced animation or graphic design programs or simply multitasking with a handful of different apps and dozens of browser tabs. details View at Best Buy One of the best parts of this laptop, however, is its display. The 500-nit, 3840 x 2400 resolution AMOLED touchscreen display delivers a crisp, bright picture with a glossy, premium coating. Powered by the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, it features DLSS 3 (Deep Learning Super Sampling) and support for ray tracing.Although it is certainly capable of delivering a good gaming experience, it's held back a bit by the 60Hz refresh rate, something that is part of the give-and-take of the device's overall feature set. Asus' decision to limit the refresh rate is disappointing, but it keeps the price point low and solidifies its intended use case as a creator-first machine.Also: I recommend this 2-in-1 laptop to both creatives and professionals - and it's on sale right nowIn that vein, it comes with a stylus that feels precise and responsive, especially on the smooth, glossy display, which feels like a blank canvas beckoning you to sketch on. The pen on this laptop is good enough for artists and designers to use seriously, as all too often, they're either too laggy or too barebones to justify using. Here, however, it's snappy and responsive and comes with various capabilities that work in tandem with the DialPad to power customizable, single-click actions.I also appreciate that this laptop isnota 2-in-1. Convertible laptops are often forced to switch to tablet mode if you want to use them with a stylus, as pressing on the display in laptop mode pushes it down unless you support it with your hand.The ProArt P16 was designed with this in mind, as the display locks into place at its furthest angle. Instead of folding back from the pressure of the pen, it stays upright with a generous degree of bend. Just keep in mind that pushing back too hard will result in the front of the device lifting off of the desk.Also: Asus' 2025 laptop lineup features a sleek, understated design ethos (and OLEDs all around)The Asus DialPad is another unique feature that creatives will love to tinker with. If you haven't seen it before, it's a small, raised wheel on the trackpad that can be customized to activate different settings, like changing brush sizes in Photoshop or cutting, pausing, or rewinding in CapCut or Premiere. The DialPad's small physical size makes activating and scrolling through the "wheel" fast and easy, especially for common features. Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETMy only gripe about the DialPad was that it took a minute to set up. It came disabled on the laptop out of the box, requiring me to activate it with a specific gesture on the trackpad that isn't obvious unless you look it up (you press the icon in the top right corner of the trackpad, then quickly slide diagonally down toward the middle of the trackpad). As one of this laptop's premiere features, wouldn't it make sense to a) have it work out of the box and/or b) feature an easy setup tutorial?Also: I tested the lightest 16-inch convertible laptop of the year, but that's not even its best featureOnce it was activated, however, I quickly became a fan. I like how granular you can make the customizations, and it's useful even beyond creative use cases. In fact, I found that some of the most handy cases were in productivity apps and in the browser, enabling quick functions during the workday for frequent actions. Asus/ZDNETThe other Asus programs that come with the laptop have varying degrees of usefulness, not to mention they were rather slow to fire up. Asus' "Muse Tree", for example, took an unexpectedly long time to install and get going. I had a chance to go hands-on with this app previously, and although it's a very cool idea, I'm still on the fence regarding its usefulness.The high-end and satisfying keyboard has absolutely silent keys. Similarly, the trackpad is massive, extending from the keyboard to the edge of the device, and has a velvety matte texture. One downside is that I had some trouble getting it to function at a high capacity in a particularly cold office. If your hands are on the cold side, you might experience some slow responses.Also: This excellent ThinkPad for hybrid workers isn't even Lenovo's newest model (and it's 50% off)This could potentially be adjusted with optimization, which is the other big thing I'd like to mention about this laptop. In my experience, Asus laptops respond particularly well to optimization settings across the board. The ProArt P16 is a perfect example of this; different profiles or settings parameters can drastically affect performance, ranging from battery life to speed and responsiveness.This also applies to Windows updates, particularly regarding demanding workloads. When I first fired up this laptop, for example, its performance was noticeably worse until I went through the series of Windows updates for the OS, updated drivers, and followed up with the list of updates in the MyAsus app.The P16's performance improved after I updated it, and it was then optimized further once I got used to the DialPad and configured the trackpad and power profiles. Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETAll of this is to say that the ProArt P16, for me, was not a laptop that came ready to go out of the box but rather requires some personalization and attention to get the most out of it. This applies to its rich feature set, but it takes a moment to incorporate it into creative workflows. Ultimately, this is a good thing, as it encourages innovation on the user's part to break out of cloned UIs and workflows that all look the same.Putting a more concrete number to its performance, in our benchmarking tests, the ProArt P16 placed somewhere in between the M3 MacBook Pro and the M4, although it should be noted that it's more on par with the M3 than Apple's latest M4 product. Cinebench 24 MCGeekbench 6.2.2 SCGeekbench 6.2.2 MCApple MacBook Pro with M41,0003,82314,849Apple MacBook Pro with M3 906 3,072 11,623 Asus ProArt P161,0962,90412,787Apple MacBook Pro with M1 Pro8282,21112,482Lastly, let's briefly mention the battery. This is a laptop with a powerful suite of hardware and a 16-inch AMOLED display, so I wasn't expecting much going into my testing. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how robust the battery is, especially when paying attention to power-saving settings.Also:The best OLED laptops: Expert testedI easily got over 10 hours of battery life with normal use and intermittent high-demand tasks. However, with intensive creative tasks and heavy multitasking, you can expect around seven hours before connecting to an outlet.ZDNET's buying adviceIf you're looking for a powerful laptop with solid hardware and a rich, dynamic feature set, I recommend the Asus ProArt P16 as a solid choice for advanced creators who want to challenge the status quo and enjoy tinkering with customization settings to maximize creative output.However, if you're looking for an out-of-the-box creative powerhouse, I recommend the Apple M3 or M4 MacBook Pro. It has all the powerful hardware ready to tackle creative tasks and couldn't possibly be easier to set up. If you like the ProArt P16 but want something a bit more accessible, Asus' ProArt PZ13 is a more compact version at almost half the price.Featured reviews

Innovation in document management may not be a "hot" initiative to bring up at the next executive leadership team meeting, but its a necessary discussion.

By Tharin Pillay and Harry BoothJanuary 16, 2025 7:07 AM ESTIf 2023 was the year of AI fervor, following the late-2022 release of ChatGPT, 2024 was marked by a steady drumbeat of advances as systems got smarter, faster, and cheaper to run. AI also began to reason more deeply and interact via voice and videotrends that AI experts and leaders say will accelerate. Heres what to expect from AI in 2025.More and better AI agentsIn 2025, well begin to see a shift from chatbots and image generators toward agentic systems that can act autonomously to complete tasks, rather than simply answer questions, says AI futurist Ray Kurzweil. In October, Anthropic gave its AI model Claude the ability to use computersclicking, scrolling, and typingbut this may be just the start. Agents will be able to handle complex tasks like scheduling appointments and writing software, experts say. These systems are going to get more and more sophisticated, says Ahmad Al-Dahle, Metas VP of generative AI. Jaime Sevilla, director of AI forecasting nonprofit Epoch AI, envisions a future where AI agents function as virtual co-workers, but says that in 2025 AI agents will be mostly about their novelty. Melanie Mitchell, a professor at the Santa Fe Institute, warns that agents mistakes could have big consequences, particularly if they have access to personal or financial information. A national-security priorityGovernments will increasingly view AI through the lens of national security, says Dan Hendrycks, director of the Center for AI Safety: Its how many of the big decisions about AI will be made. The U.S. has curbed Chinas access to critical chips, while Meta and Anthropic have forged closer ties with U.S. intelligence agencies by allowing them to use their AI models. Political developments around the world are pointing us in the direction of continued competition, says the U.N. Secretary-Generals envoy on technology, Amandeep Singh Gill, emphasizing the need to preserve pockets of collaboration between the U.S. and China.Governance races to catch upWhile developers compete to build ever-smarter systems, governments around the world are racing to regulate them. The E.U. leads with its AI Act. Its Code of Practice, set to be finalized by April and enforced from August, is one of the first laws targeting frontier AI developers, and many of the E.U. requirements will likely have global impact on how companies operate, unless they opt to take distinct approaches in different markets, says Markus Anderljung at the Centre for the Governance of AI. In the U.S., where more than 100 bills have been brought to Congress, Anderljung predicts very little will happen federally this year, though states may act independently.Facing the investment testThe year ahead will be a year of reckoning, Rumman Chowdhury, CEO of Humane Intelligence, tells TIME in an email. With billions invested, companies now have to show consumer value. In healthcare, that value seems clearfor example, additional AI diagnostic tools are expected to gain FDA approval, and AI may also prove useful in discovering and monitoring the long-term impact of various drugs. But elsewhere, the pressure to demonstrate returns may create problems. Because of the pressure to make money back from all these investments, there might be some imposition of flawed models on the Global South, says Jai Vipra, an AI policy researcher, noting these markets face less scrutiny than Western ones. In India, she points to trends in automating alreadyexploitative jobs like call-center work as a source of concern.AI video goes mainstreamIn December, Google and OpenAI released impressive video models. OpenAIs Sora launch was plagued by access delay, while Googles Veo 2 was released to select users. Sevilla expects video-generation tools to become more widely accessible as developers find ways to make them cheaper to run. Metas Al-Dahle predicts video will also become a key input for AI, envisioning a not-too-distant future in which systems analyze video from smart glasses to offer real-time assistance across various tasks, like fixing a bike.

Intel's Arc B570 is a scaled-down version of the B580 GPU we reviewed about a month ago. The B580 is a budget-minded GPU that really impressed us when we first tested it, but since then things have soured a bit.First and foremost, the discovery of a major overhead issue that negatively impacts performance in CPU-demanding games, particularly when paired with older or slower CPUs. While the B580 is still very usable with a CPU like, say the Ryzen 5 5600, it does result in noticeably slower performance than we initially expected. This shortcoming obviously hurts the overall value of Intel's new GPUs. We have since re-tested the B580 and today's review will incorporate updated data to evaluate the B570.The second issue has been availability. Even a few weeks after launch, the Arc B580 remains frustratingly difficult to find in stock. This is not a great start for Intel's latest GPU lineup, and we will discuss this issue further later in the review.The new Arc B570 is priced at $220, which is only $30 less than the B580. It is based on the same 272mm2 die, but the Xe core count has been reduced by 10%, from 20 to 18. Additionally, the peak core clock has been reduced by 4%, from 2,850 MHz to 2,750 MHz.The memory subsystem has also been downgraded to a 160-bit wide memory bus, which reduces the VRAM buffer to 10 GB. Despite using the same 19 Gbps memory, the memory bandwidth has been reduced by 17%, down to 380 GB/s.In a nutshell, the Arc B570 features a 10% reduction in cores, a 4% decrease in frequency, 20% less VRAM, and 17% less memory bandwidth. All of this comes with a small 12% reduction in price, which could present challenges for the B570's competitiveness. However, we need to examine its performance before drawing any conclusions, so let's dive into that.Gaming BenchmarksMarvel RivalsFirst, we have Marvel Rivals. Here, the B570 roughly matched the performance of the RTX 4060 at native 1440p, achieving 60 fps. This makes it 12% slower than the B580 and 25% faster than the RX 7600.Switching to the Ryzen 5 5600, the B570 remained 11% slower than the B580. However, it also became 8% slower than the RTX 4060 and just 10% faster than the RX 7600.When upscaling is enabled on the 5600, performance levels out across the board. However, the B570 emerges as the slowest GPU tested, rendering 82 fps, which is 7% slower than the RX 7600.Star Wars Jedi: SurvivorNext, we have Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. At native 1440p, the B570 was 14% slower than the B580, regardless of whether it was paired with the 9800X3D or the 5600. This performance placed it on par with the RTX 4060 and RX 7600. However, enabling upscaling left it 9% slower than the B580 and 8% slower than the Radeon and GeForce GPUs.Marvel's Spider-Man RemasteredSpider-Man Remastered continues to expose the Arc GPUs' overhead issues, especially when paired with lower-end CPUs. At native 1440p with the 9800X3D, the B570 was 12% slower than the B580 but managed to outperform both the RTX 4060 and RX 7600, boasting a 27% lead over the Radeon GPU.However, when paired with the Ryzen 5 5600, the B570 became only 4% slower than the B580. This may seem acceptable, but performance of the Arc GPUs was capped at around 80 fps due to CPU overhead. This limitation negated the earlier advantage, as the B570 dropped from being 27% faster than the RX 7600 with the 9800X3D to being 5% slower with the 5600.Additionally, enabling upscaling exacerbated the issue. The B570 ended up 23% slower than the RX 7600, as performance was again limited to approximately 80 fps with the Ryzen 5 processor.Hogwarts LegacyThe Hogwarts Legacy results are noteworthy. At native 1440p using the 9800X3D, the B570 was 16% slower than the B580, making it the slowest GPU tested. Switching to the Ryzen 5 5600 narrowed this gap to 9%, allowing the B570 to match the RTX 4060.When upscaling was enabled, however, the Arc GPUs fell behind, even when paired with a high-performance CPU like the 9800X3D. In this case, the B570 ended up nearly 30% slower than the RX 7600.Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2In Space Marine 2, the B570 trailed the B580 by 18% at 1440p with the 9800X3D. This margin decreased to 12% when using the Ryzen 5 5600.The bigger issue arose when upscaling was enabled. The Arc GPUs were limited to less than 60 fps with a mid-range CPU, and the problem persisted even with the 9800X3D. At native 1440p with the 5600, the B570 was 20% slower than the RX 7600. Enabling upscaling slightly increased this margin to 22%.Although Radeon GPUs faced their own overhead issues in this scenario, the comparison with the RTX 4060 was less favorable, as the Nvidia GPU was nearly 50% faster than the B570.A Plague Tale: RequiemIn A Plague Tale: Requiem, the Arc CPU overhead issue was not a factor. At native 1440p with either CPU, the B570 was 11% slower than the B580. With upscaling enabled, the B570 matched the RX 7600, offering decent performance overall.Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom LibertyIn Cyberpunk 2077, the B570 performs roughly on par with the RTX 4060, making it slightly faster than the RX 7600, at least when using the 9800X3D. Installing the Ryzen 5 5600 results in performance becoming more CPU-limited, with all four GPUs delivering similar performance at approximately 60 fps.Enabling upscaling pushes all four GPUs to around 80 84 fps. However, the 1% lows are noticeably lower when using the Arc GPUs, which may impact gameplay smoothness.Dying Light 2 Stay HumanDying Light 2 is similar to A Plague Tale: Requiem in that the Arc overhead issue is not a significant factor. Consequently, the B570 performs well in this title, even with the 5600 and when upscaling is enabled. For example, with the 5600 and upscaling, the B570 nearly matches the RTX 4060, trailing by just 4%.StarfieldIn Starfield, the B570 performs poorly, much like the B580. It renders just 37 fps at native 1440p on the medium quality preset. This level of performance is consistent across both the 9800X3D and 5600. With upscaling enabled, the Arc GPUs cap out at around 50 fps on the Ryzen 5 processor, whereas the RTX 4060 achieves 63 fps, making the GeForce GPU 31% faster than the B570.Dragon Age: The VeilguardIn Dragon Age: The Veilguard, both the B570 and B580 are capped at 67 fps when using either the 9800X3D or 5600, matching the performance of the RTX 4060. With upscaling enabled, the Arc GPUs reach just over 80 fps, but the RTX 4060 maintains a slight 6% performance advantage.Star Wars OutlawsStar Wars Outlaws remains an extremely demanding title, even with the medium preset. The B570 achieves only 37 fps at 1440p or 53 fps with upscaling enabled. Interestingly, slightly better performance was observed with the 5600, though this improvement was just a few extra frames.The challenge for the B570 is that while it matches the RTX 4060 at native 1440p with the 5600, enabling upscaling causes the B570 to fall 13% behind as the Arc GPUs struggle to reach 60 fps.War Thunder (DX11)Testing War Thunder in DirectX 11 mode reveals some interesting results. At native 1440p with the 9800X3D, the B570 is actually 10% faster than the RTX 4060. However, switching to the 5600 causes the B570 to become 20% slower, as both Arc GPUs are capped at around 180 fps. This gap widens further with upscaling enabled.War Thunder (DX12 Beta)Switching to DirectX 12 in War Thunder significantly changes the performance landscape. With the 9800X3D, the B570 is only 6% slower than the B580 but remains 8% slower than the RTX 4060. With the Ryzen 5 processor, results are similar, though enabling upscaling gives the RTX 4060 a slight performance edge. The DX12 API effectively addresses the Arc GPUs' overhead issue in this title.The Last of Us Part IIn The Last of Us Part I, the B570 matches the RTX 4060 and RX 7600 at 1440p when paired with the 9800X3D. Similar performance is observed with the Ryzen 5 processor. Although the Arc GPUs fall slightly behind with upscaling enabled, the B570's performance remains respectable overall.Power ConsumptionIn terms of power, the Arc B570 performs well, consuming 8 14% less power than the B580, which aligns with the hardware downgrades.On average, power consumption is about 20 watts higher than the RTX 4060. However, this is unlikely to concern gamers, as the B570's power consumption is not excessive for its class.Performance SummaryUsing the Ryzen 9800X3D at 1440p, the Arc B570 is on average 13% slower than the B580. It roughly matches the RTX 4060 and Radeon 7600, delivering solid results for a $220 GPU. However, when upscaling was enabled for higher performance, the B570 slipped slightly behind the RX 7600. Even so, the overall performance remains reasonable.Now, when testing with a slower CPU, such as the Ryzen 5 5600, the B570 still performed adequately at native 1440p, once again matching the RX 7600 while being 8% slower than the B580.With upscaling enabled, it was 4% slower than the Radeon RX 7600 and 6% slower than the Arc B580. While this represents decent performance for a $220 GPU, we need to evaluate its cost per frame before making any value judgments.Cost Per FrameBefore diving into the data, it's important to acknowledge that Intel B580's $250 MSRP is largely unattainable. Retailers like Newegg remain out of stock, making this pricing unrealistic. Similarly, listing scalper prices is unhelpful. Essentially, if the B580 isn't available at $250 or equivalent pricing in your region, it's not worth buying. The same applies to the B570 if it isn't available at its $220 MSRP, it doesn't offer good value.It's also really difficult to accurately assess the value of the new Arc GPUs as it depends on so many factors. Both the B580 and B570 offer more VRAM than competing AMD and Nvidia GPUs, but the Arc overhead issues often see the Arc GPUs underperform at 1080p or even 1440p with upscaling, and the CPU used plays a key role in all of this. That being the case, we have a few different data sets to make better sense of where these GPUs stand...At native 1440p, the B570 offers excellent value, especially when paired with the 9800X3D. In this configuration, it matches the B580 in value, outperforming the RX 7600 by 15% and the RTX 4060 by 34%.Using the Ryzen 5 5600, the B570 improves its value position relative to the B580, coming in 4% better. Against the RX 7600, it provides 12% better value, while it remains 22% better than the RTX 4060.However, when using upscaling, Intel's value proposition becomes less favorable. With the 9800X3D, the B570 is only 10% better value than the RX 7600 and 18% better than the RTX 4060. With the Ryzen 5 5600, the B570 delivers just 8% better value per frame than the RX 7600, and when factoring in 1% low data, Intel's position becomes even less favorable.Drawing the LineEvaluating the true value of Intel's new Arc GPUs is not as straightforward as it should be. On one hand, if paired with a powerful CPU, the GPUs perform well. On the other hand, those shopping for a budget GPU are unlikely to have high-end CPUs like the Ryzen 5 7600 or better. So if you're running a Ryzen 5 5600 or slower CPU, opting for a competing GPU like the Radeon RX 7600 ensures better overall performance.This is major problem problem for the B570. As an entry-level GPU designed for budget gaming, it needs to perform well with older and/or less capable CPUs but realistically, most budget gamers do not use CPUs more powerful than the Ryzen 5 5600.In our opinion, the Arc B580 can still be worth the gamble as the 12GB VRAM buffer makes it more attractive than the Radeon RX 7600 or RTX 4060. But the cut-down B570 isn't cheap enough to consider. While the 10GB VRAM buffer is an improvement over 8GB, the difference is marginal. Moving forward, 12GB should be the minimum VRAM for GPUs priced at $200 or more.If the Arc B570 were available for $220, should you buy it? Probably not. At that price, it's better to spend $250 for either the B580 or the RX 7600. Since the B580 is largely unavailable, the Radeon GPU becomes the better choice.So far, availability has been the biggest issue for Intel's Arc GPUs not the drivers or the CPU overhead, but simply finding them in stock. A month after the B580's release, availability remains extremely limited. Pricing in other regions is also less favorable than in the U.S., which exacerbates the problem.For example, in Australia, the B580 is available for $470 AUD, which matches the price of the RTX 4060 and is about $40 more than the RX 7600. Using more favorable 1440p native data but factoring in Australian pricing, the B570 offers just 6% better value than the Radeon 7600 when paired with the 9800X3D, and only 5% better value when using the Ryzen 5 5600. And this is assuming Intel's B570 ends up costing $410 AUD, which we've been told might not be the case, and it might cost nearly as much as the B580, which would be disastrous for its value proposition.What began with optimism and excitement for Intel's second wave of Arc GPUs has been marred by critical setbacks. While Intel still has an opportunity to salvage the lineup, it remains to be seen if they can turn things around.As of writing, the Arc B580 is the only model worth buying as long as it can be found at the $250 MSRP. Prices will vary depending on your region, but our rule of thumb is that the B580 needs to be at least 20% cheaper than the Radeon 7600 or RTX 4060 to be a viable option. Otherwise, the competing GPUs are simply better choices.The B570, on the other hand, needs to be priced even lower $200 is the maximum it should cost. If it's not, it's simply dead on arrival.Shopping Shortcuts:Intel Arc B580 on AmazonIntel Arc B570 on AmazonAMD Radeon RX 7600 on AmazonNvidia GeForce RTX 4060 on AmazonNvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super on AmazonAMD Radeon RX 7800 XT on Amazon