The advent of advanced AI models has led to innovations in how machines process information, interact with humans, and execute tasks in real-world settings. Two emerging pioneering approaches are large concept models (LCMs) and large action models (LAMs). While both extend the foundational capabilities of large language models (LLMs), their objectives and applications diverge.LCMs operate on abstract, language-agnostic representations called concepts, enabling them to reason at a higher level of abstraction. This facilitates nuanced understanding across languages and modalities, supporting tasks like long-context reasoning and multi-step planning. LAMs, on the other hand, are designed for action execution, translating user intentions into actionable steps in both digital and physical environments. These models excel in interpreting commands, automating processes, and adapting dynamically to environmental feedback.LCMs and LAMs offer a comprehensive framework for bridging the break between language understanding and real-world action. Their integration holds immense potential for agentic graph systems, where intelligent agents require robust reasoning and execution capabilities to operate effectively.Large Concept Models (LCMs): An In-Depth OverviewLarge Concept Models (LCMs) by FAIR at Meta elevate reasoning from token-based analysis to an abstract, language-agnostic, and modality-agnostic conceptual level. These models aim to generalize and process information with unparalleled adaptability and scalability, addressing some limitations of traditional LLMs. Their innovative architecture and approach to handling information offer unique opportunities for advanced AI applications.Abstract and Modality-Agnostic ReasoningAt the core of LCMs lies their ability to operate on concepts rather than specific language tokens. This abstraction enables LCMs to engage in reasoning that transcends linguistic or modality barriers. Instead of focusing on the intricacies of a particular language or mode of input, these models process underlying meanings and structures, allowing them to generate accurate outputs across diverse linguistic and modal contexts.For instance, an LCM trained on English data can seamlessly generalize its capabilities to other languages or modalities, including speech and visual data, without additional fine-tuning. This scalability is attributed to its foundation in the SONAR embedding space, a sophisticated framework that supports over 200 languages and multiple modalities.Key Characteristics of LCMsHierarchical Structure for Clarity: LCMs employ an explicit hierarchical structure, enhancing long-form outputs readability. This design supports generating logically structured content, making it easier to interpret and modify as needed.Handling Long Contexts: Unlike traditional transformer models, whose computational complexity scales quadratically with sequence length, LCMs are optimized to handle extensive contexts more efficiently. By leveraging shorter sequences in their conceptual framework, they mitigate processing limitations and enhance long-form reasoning capabilities.Unmatched Zero-Shot Generalization: LCMs excel in zero-shot generalization, enabling them to perform tasks across languages and modalities they have not explicitly encountered during training. For example, their ability to process low-resource languages like Pashto or Burmese demonstrates their versatility and the robustness of their conceptual reasoning framework.Modularity and Extensibility: By separating concept encoders and decoders, LCMs avoid the interference and competition seen in multimodal LLMs. This modularity ensures that different components can be independently optimized, enhancing their adaptability to specialized applications.Applications and GeneralizationLCMs are useful in tasks requiring comprehensive understanding and structured reasoning, such as summarization, translation, and planning. Their ability to handle various modalities, including text, speech, and visual data, makes them ideal candidates for integration into complex AI systems. Moreover, their generalization capabilities have been proven through extensive evaluations. For example, LCMs outperform comparable models in generating coherent outputs for multilingual summarization tasks, particularly in low-resource languages.Large Action Models (LAMs): A Comprehensive OverviewMicrosoft, Peking University, Eindhoven University of Technology, and Zhejiang University have developed large action models (LAMs) that extend the capabilities of traditional LLMs to enable direct action execution in digital and physical environments. These models bridge the gap between language understanding and real-world engagement, allowing for tangible, task-oriented outcomes.The Shift from LLMs to LAMsWhile LLMs excel at generating human-like text and providing language-based insights, they are inherently limited to passive outputs. They cannot interact dynamically with the world, whether navigating digital interfaces or executing physical tasks. LAMs address this limitation by building on LLMs foundational capabilities and integrating advanced action-generation mechanisms. They are designed to:Interpret User Intentions: LAMs analyze diverse forms of inputtext, voice commands, or even visual datato discern user objectives. Unlike LLMs, which primarily generate text-based responses, LAMs translate these intentions into actionable steps.Execute Tasks in Real-World Contexts: By interacting with their environments, LAMs can autonomously perform tasks such as navigating websites, managing digital tools, or controlling physical devices. This capability represents a fundamental shift toward actionable intelligence.Key Characteristics of LAMsAction Generation: LAMs generate detailed, context-aware sequences of actions that correspond to user requirements. For example, when instructed to purchase an item online, a LAM can autonomously navigate to a website, search for the item, and complete the purchase.Adaptability: These models can re-plan and adjust actions dynamically in response to environmental feedback, ensuring robustness and reliability in complex scenarios.Specialization: LAMs are optimized for domain-specific tasks. Focusing on particular operational scopes achieves efficiency and performance comparable to or better than generalized LLMs. This specialization makes them suitable for resource-constrained environments like edge devices.Integration with Agents: LAMs are often embedded within agent systems, which provide the necessary tools for interacting with environments. These agents gather observations, use tools, maintain memory, and implement feedback loops to support effective task execution.Applications of LAMsLAMs have already demonstrated their utility in various fields. In Automated Digital Navigation, Models like GPT-V, integrated into agentic systems, have shown promise in performing web navigation tasks. They automate processes such as searching for information, completing online transactions, or managing content across multiple platforms. Also, for task automation in GUI environments, LAMs enhance human-computer interaction by automating user interface tasks and reducing manual effort in repetitive or complex operations.LCMs and LAMs for Agentic Graph SystemsAgentic graph systems require sophisticated reasoning, planning, and action-execution capabilities to function effectively. The combination of LCMs and LAMs forms a powerful architecture that addresses these needs by leveraging the strengths of each model type.LCMs in Agentic SystemsLCMs bring a conceptual framework that excels in reasoning and abstract thinking. They can generalize knowledge across diverse contexts by processing information in a language-agnostic and modality-agnostic manner. This makes them particularly valuable for managing long-context scenarios, where understanding dependencies and maintaining coherence are critical.Hierarchical Planning: LCMs ability to operate with explicit hierarchical structures aids in structuring plans and outputs. This hierarchical reasoning is crucial in agentic graph systems, which often involve complex, multi-step tasks.Cross-Modality Integration: By functioning on SONAR embeddings, LCMs support multi-modal data inputs, such as text, speech, and visual data. This ensures seamless integration across different information sources in an agentic graph system.LAMs in Agentic SystemsLAMs, focusing on action generation, provide the execution layer for agentic systems. They interpret user intentions and translate them into concrete actions that interact with digital or physical environments.Task Execution: LAMs excel in decomposing complex goals into actionable subtasks. Their adaptability enhances this capability, allowing them to re-plan and adjust actions in real-time based on feedback.Dynamic Interaction: LAMs integrate with agent frameworks to interact with tools and environments. This interaction allows web navigation, application control, and physical device manipulation.The Synergy Between LCMs and LAMsThe integration of LCMs and LAMs in an agentic graph system leverages the strengths of both models. LCMs provide the reasoning and planning capabilities necessary for understanding complex contexts, while LAMs execute these plans in real-world settings.Knowledge Graph Integration: Knowledge graphs serve as a unifying framework, enabling both models to access structured information for better planning and execution. This enhances the systems ability to model relationships, store memory, and select appropriate tools.Complementary Strengths: While LCMs address abstract reasoning and multi-modal understanding, LAMs focus on real-world action. This complementary functionality ensures robust performance across cognitive and physical domains, meeting the demands of sophisticated agentic systems.In conclusion, integrating LCMs and LAMs enables systems that combine abstract reasoning with practical execution. LCMs excel in processing high-level concepts, handling long contexts, and reasoning across languages and modalities. LAMs complement these capabilities by generating and executing actions that fulfill user intentions in real-world scenarios. In agentic graph systems, the synergy between LCMs and LAMs offers a unified approach to solving complex tasks that require planning and execution. By leveraging knowledge graphs, these systems gain enhanced memory, reasoning, and decision-making capabilities, paving the way for more intelligent and autonomous agents. While challenges remain, including scalability, safety, and resource efficiency, ongoing advancements in LCM and LAM architectures promise to address these issues.SourcesAlso,dont forget to follow us onTwitter and join ourTelegram Channel andLinkedIn Group. Dont Forget to join our70k+ ML SubReddit. Aswin Ak+ postsAswin AK is a consulting intern at MarkTechPost. He is pursuing his Dual Degree at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. He is passionate about data science and machine learning, bringing a strong academic background and hands-on experience in solving real-life cross-domain challenges. Meet 'Height':The only autonomous project management tool (Sponsored)

Doom: The Dark Ages is set to release for Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC on May 13 if you buy one of the more expensive editions, or May 15 if you buy the standard edition. The latest in a long line of heavy-metal-infused, demon-slaying first-person shooters, Doom: The Dark Ages promises to offer plenty of pools of blood and gore as you blast your way through the hordes of hell. Fun times. Its available to preorder now in handful of editions (see it at Best Buy). Below, youll find details about what comes in each edition, where its available, and more. Put on your Slayer suit and lets dive in.Doom: The Dark Ages - Standard EditionOut May 15Doom: The Dark Ages$69.99 at Best BuyPS5Get it at Best Buy - $69.99Get it at Target - $69.99Get it at Walmart - $69.99Get it at PS Store (digital) - $69.99XboxGet it at Best Buy - $69.99Get it at Walmart - $69.99Get it at Xbox Store (digital) - $69.99PCGet it at GMG (Steam) - $59.49Get it on Steam - $69.99The standard edition just comes with the game and the preorder bonus (see below). If youre cool with that, this is the one to get.Doom: The Dark Ages - Premium EditionOut May 13Doom: The Dark Ages - Premium Edition$99.99 at Best BuyPS5Get it at Best Buy - $99.99Get it at Target - $99.99Get it at Walmart - $99.99Get it at PS Store (digital) - $99.99XboxGet it at Best Buy - $99.99Get it at Walmart - $99.99Get it at Xbox Store (Digital) - $99.99PCGet it at GMG (Steam) - $84.99Get it on Steam - $99.99The premium edition comes with the game on disc and the following extras:2 days early access (starting May 13)Campaign DLCDigital artbook and soundtrackDivinity Skin PackDoom: The Dark Ages Premium UpgradeGet it for Xbox/Windows - $34.99If youve preordered the standard edition, or you plan to play the game via Game Pass, and you want the premium items or to play two days early, the premium upgrade gets you that. It basically turns your standard edition into the premium edition.Doom: The Dark Ages - Collectors BundleGet it at Bethesda Store - $199.99Get it at PlayStation Direct - $199.99Get it at Microsoft Store - $199.99The collectors edition comes with the premium edition of the game on disc, plus the following:12 Doom Slayer statueKey card replica in steelbookUp to 2 days early accessCampaign DLCDivinity Skin PackDigital artbook and soundtrackDoom: The Dark Ages Will Be on Game PassXbox Game Pass Ultimate (3 Months)Like all Microsoft-published games, Doom: The Dark Ages will be available to play on Game Pass Ultimate at launch. However, launch means the release date of the standard edition, which is May 15. If you want to play it two days early (May 13), you can purchase the premium upgrade above.Doom: The Dark Ages Preorder BonusPreorder the game, and youll receive the Void Doom Slayer skin at launch.Doom: The Dark Ages TrailerPlayFor info on what exactly the game is, check out our first Doom: The Dark Ages preview.Other Preorder GuidesChris Reed is a deals expert and commerce editor for IGN. You can follow him on Bluesky @chrislreed.com.

When this 18-year AC fan was told hed be spending time in Shadows, that'sI was soon tested by bandit ronin, angry samurai, and those big-boned gits game designers love to roll out as Heavies. My greatest enemy, however, was the Stygian darkness around me. Trying to fight silhouetted foes by their UI flourishes and navigating intricate castle battlements using controller vibration braille? Challenging.It dawned on me that Id simply have to wait until the sun came up, in-game, at which point my heroine would be less effective because shed stand out like a tengus diamond-studded nose ring.Assassin's Creed Shadows - Art and Concept ArtBe that as it may, I'm glad I soldiered on. Though the overall experience still wasnt perfect, in full daylight, the considerably delayed and controversy-stricken Shadows shone brighter than I figured it could. Mind you, my expectations were lower than one of Naoes underhanded sweep kick executions.In a minute, Im going to dive into Shadows pros and cons as I see them so far. For now, though, I guess I should provide prices for the diehards willing to make a leap of faith preorder now. If youre more the type to hang back, synchronise, and get a better lay of the landlike methen click here to skip the window shopping and get to my continued thoughts. Assassins Creed Shadows (Standard Edition)Assassin's Creed ShadowsPS5Get it at Amazon - $89Get it at JB Hi-Fi - $89Get it at Big W - $89Get it at Harvey Norman - $88Get it at PS Store (digital) - $109.95Xbox Series XGet it at Amazon - $89Get it at JB Hi-Fi - $89Get it at Big W - $89Get it at Harvey Norman - $88Get it at Xbox Store (digital) - $109.95PCGet it at Ubisoft Store - $TBAPreorder any version of Assassins Creed Shadows and youll receive a bonus quest called Thrown to the Dogs. You'll also get the first expansion for freeAssassins Creed Shadows Gold EditionPS5Get it at Amazon - $159.95Get it at JB Hi-Fi - $158Get it at Big W - $139Get it at PS Store (digital) - $TBAXboxGet it at Amazon - $159.95Get it at JB Hi-Fi - $158Get it at Big W - $139Get it at Xbox Store (digital) - $TBAPCGet it at Ubisoft Store - $TBAThe gold edition comes with the base game, plus the following:Season PassAssassins Creed Shadows Ultimate Edition (Digital)Get it at PS Store - $TBAGet it at Xbox Store - $TBAGet it at Ubisoft Store - $TBAThe digital-only ultimate edition comes with the game itself, plus the following:Season PassSekiryu character packSekiryu hideout pack5 skill pointsRed dragon filter in photo modeAssassins Creed Shadows Collectors EditionGet it for PS5 - $329.95Get it for Xbox Series X - $329.95Get it for PC - $329.95The collectors edition comes with the ultimate edition game, plus the following: Diorama figurine with dual protagonistsUltimate Edition: Base game + Ultimate packSteelbookHardcover artbookShinobi's metal tsuba replica with standSilk creed kakemono rollSet of 3 sumi-e lithographsHands On ContinuedLet me reiterate that a lack of brightness settings was a work-in-progress flub that definitely won't affect you on day one. And, despite my extreme visibility issues, even I could see something about Naoeshes just incredibly spry and fun to use. And I mean like no assassin Ive ever inhabited before (and Ive Animused them all). Shes brilliant at displacing from bad situations and using her last known location, plus a variety of tricks, to turn any stealth error into the perfect bait-and-switch kill.The key skill to use for this has got to be her multi-tool rope. Im introduced to it early on in a non-combat scenario first, which is basically me shooting the shit by scaling Himeji Castle and stopping to pat the odd random tailless cat that I chance upon.Sadly, this isnt a manually aimed grapple hook, which makes me miss the granddaddy of the genre, Tenchu: Stealth Assassins. What you get instead is a contextual LB icon that constantly flicks on and off in the upper middle of your screen to signify a no-looker attach opportunity. Again, this makes me miss a gameGhost of Tsushima and its more or less HUD-less approach to everything. This isnt a manually aimed grapple hook, which makes me miss the granddaddy of the genre, Tenchu.Zipping up castle ramparts with the grappling hookabout 30 feet per flingis pretty intoxicating too. I wouldnt say this game has the best climbing in the series, as I abhor how one-button and technique-less its been streamlined into, but Im willing to admit that its the most visually impressive upward scrambling Ive seen. Extremely complex hand grips and body contortions flow from animation to animation as Naoe scurries up things. She even does these nifty little contextual somersaults between rooftop eaves.All this being said, I did spot some frame rate chugs when I got to the highest altitudes. Presumably because the engine was girding itself to stream in some ridiculously commanding view at the end of my ascent.I expected the worst when I got up to the apex of this particular 152 foot castle and triggered the big synch point camera pan. To my relief, not a chug was there at all, so I believe its probably a tuning problem at this point. I also see no framerate issues when I chuck myself off that roof into a haybale roughly 100 ft below (truly the mechanic that never, ever gets old).Thanks to my Ubisoft demoers, Im kitted out with what I believe is some of the best gear available. Im rocking a Dragons Edge Legendary Katana, which provides two passive perks and very impressive Weapon DPS, Posture DPS, Ability Damage, and Adrenaline Gain numbers.I also have a Kusarigama (think: a fun-sized scythe with a chain attached to a chunk of metal) that goes by Death Whisperer and a Tanto (basically a short sword). Likewise, the clothes maketh the master assassins stats, so Im decked out in an epic Silent Shinobi Hood and cuirass, which also have large numbers to embiggen my Health, Crit Chance, and Adrenaline Gain.I also have a Kusarigama (think: a fun-sized scythe with a chain attached to a chunk of metal).When it comes to personal growth, this particular Animus system doesnt feel hugely unique when compared to the last high-tech sofa bed I lounged in. Like Valhalla, were grinding XP to earn levels that come with Knowledge Points to spend in Naoes six perk trees. Theyre named Katana, Kusarigama, Tanto, Tools, Shinobi, and Assassin, and each of them has around 16 or so things to buy.Ill start with the katana, my home slice favourite. Youll want to invest early in the Tidal Wave strike that pings you forward a few metres, bites off 25% damage, staggers the recipient, and can be upgraded to include a second target.I also adore the pantsings provided by Eviscerate, a gutstab that ends with this lovely Spartan-kick-to-backlip hybrid move. Upgrading it to be used on larger foes is worth it, purely because the base animation will unintentionally look like youre stabbing them in the groin instead of the stomach of a regular-sized grunt.Failing any of those techniques, the unimaginative swordsfolk among you can simply invest in Guard Breakers, Momentum Builders that reward comboing with damage, Repeat Dodges that achieve the same thing, Daze inflictions, and those good old-fashioned table-turning counter-attacks on your LB parry.The base animation will unintentionally look like youre stabbing them in the groin instead of the stomachIf crowd control isnt your bag, I had great success with Quick Strikes. Basically, if you pause after any attack and then tap RB or RT, you can inject two additional strikes into your combo. They seem to cross-up most foes. Or you can just do a Cyclone Blast that lassoes your chain ball into multiple enemies around you. Its low-damage stuff, admittedly, but the big-boy version of it knocks people back and even slices shrubs and small trees in half. (Im a sucker for the little details.)When it comes to the Tanto, you shouldnt let its diminutive size deceive you into thinking it cant provide large damage and big fun opportunities. Case in point: the Shadow Piecer ability that turns a thrown Tanto to the face into a follow-up charge where you yank it out at an unpleasant angle. When I upgraded that to gift back 80% of my adrenaline bar, well, everybody got an express delivery Tanto to their melon.Theres also the highly effective Shadow Barrage ability, which turns a successful dodge into a 20-second, freeform combofest that ends after 7 hits dispensed (or one received). If youre good enough to chain some kills in there, thatll up the damage by 5% for more murder. I punch all those numbers into my calculator, and it makes a smiley face.You should also know that the Tanto is the Little Bread Knife That Could in terms of armour breaking. There are a bunch of perks that have Naoe inexplicably finding the gaps in armour for massive pain. Bonus buckets of blood can be yours if you can perform these chink-finding stabs from behind.Beyond the three main weapons, I invested an absurd amount of points in my actual Tools of the trade. As an entree, I highly recommend placing yourself atop some balcony edge and then hoiking a stage 3 enhanced kunai into somebodys face for a 400% damage insta-kill. Hoiking a stage 3 enhanced kunai into somebodys face for a 400% damage insta-kill.As you may have guessed, Naoes greatest strength is her insane mobility, and Shinobi arts can give her Spider-Man-level skills at doing Peter parkour. On the grappling hook side of things, I was more than up for an Ascension Boost perk for zippier rooftop escapes. Likewise, the Heightened Sense mode, which makes time go molasses for 8 seconds, is pretty ludicrous. Itll cease when an enemy spots you, at which point the flow state ends and your beating probably begins.I also found great use in using the Vault technique after an attack deflectionyoull use the enemy as a mini jumping castle and then capitalising on his discombobulated state that follows. I also saw huge success with a Shallow Water Breathing technique for basically staying underwater forever as a means to crocodile snatch anybody near the waters edge.When my time came to an end with Assassins Creed Shadows, my impressions were of something familiar that's finally leaning hard into what has always been its most ideal and aspirational form. The original AC blueprint, from its very inception, was really just a Middle-Eastern-flavoured ninja sim. AC Shadowswell, half of it at leastfeels like a stealth experience homecoming thats been ages in the making.Naoe is my jam, and while this Japanese sandbox isnt as painterly as the islands of Tsushima and Iki, Shadows has the edge in terms of interesting major metropolitan areas. They're all built around what I consider to be the most satisfying to climb jungle gyms ever builtmulti-tier Edo-period fortresses.I simply cannot wait to scale them for the purposes of springboarding into repeated death-from-above executions (or just insane haybale dives). The new release date of March 20th can't get here soon enough. Adam Mathew is our Aussie deals wrangler. He plays practically everything, often on YouTube.

Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) and Rose Larkin (Luciane Buchanan) make quite the team. Hes a secret agent trained in evasive manoeuvres, marksmanship and beating up bad guys, and shes a coding whizz who can hack and track with the best of them. In The Night Agent season one, Peter and Rose could only afford to trust each other as they hunted down the killers of Roses aunt and uncle, leading them to uncover a top-level White House conspiracy. (If you need a refresher on last time, weve run down the major points in our recap article.)In season two, Peter and Rose are thrown back together and tasked with sniffing out another conspiracy, this time one that could threaten the Night Action programme itself. Theyre joined by the brand new cast below, alongside cameos from returning characters secret service agent Chelsea Arrington (Fola Evans-Akingbola) and President Michelle Travers (Kari Matchett).Brittany Snow as AliceStar of the Pitch Perfect movie franchise Brittany Snow plays Alice, an established Night Agent whos paired up with Peter on his first assignment overseas. Posing as honeymooners, she and Peter are tasked with tracking down a leak that threatens US national security.Amanda Warren as Catherine WeaverA veteran of the Night Action programme, Catherine trains and manages new recruits like Peter. The question is: after the betrayal he faced from Diane Farr in season one, can he really trust his new handler? Actor Amanda Warren is known for having played Lucy in The Leftovers, Jane in The Purge, Olivia in Madam Secretary, Betty in Dickinsian and DI Regina Heywood in East New York.Arienne Mandi as NoorThe L Word: Generation Qs Arienne Mandi plays Noor, a young Iranian woman in New York City who works as a low-level assistant in the Iranian mission to the United Nations, in the service of Abbas (see below). Shes desperate to help her mother and younger brother, who are both still in Iran.Louis Herthum as Jacob MonroeJacob Monroe is a shadowy figure in The Night Agent season two. Hes a wealthy international businessman with fingers in all kinds of valuable pies. Hes played by Louis Herthum, a familiar face on screen with acting credits stretching back to the early 1980s and supporting roles in a huge number of TV shows and movies from True Blood to Longmire to What/If, and he memorably played Dolores father Peter Abernathy in Westworld.Berto Colon as SolomonAn ex-Marine whos mixed up in some decidedly shady business, Solomon becomes a target of investigation for Peter after hes present at several crime scenes. Hes played by Berto Colon, whos already had a long and varied screen career with highpoints including the role of Cesar in Netflix prison dramedy Orange is the New Black, Lorenzo in Power Book II: The Ghost, and recently, Castillo in HBOs The Penguin.Navid Negahban as AbbasAbbas is an important politician and the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations. He heads up the New York City-based mission where Noor is employed. Actor Navid Negahban is no stranger to the spy action-thriller genre, having previously had recurring roles in Homeland and 24, just two of many parts in shows from Fringe to Legion, to recently, Ghosts of Beirut and The Old Man.Rob Heaps as Toms Bala & Elise Kibler as SloaneBritish actor Rob Heaps (Good Girls, Station 19, Imposters) plays Tomas, the wealthy son of a former dictator who was imprisoned for war crimes. Educated at Oxford University, Tomas has bigger plans than living out the playboy life available to him. Tomas girlfriend Sloane is played by playwright and actor Elise Kibler (Daredevil, Younger).ALSO APPEARINGMichael Malarkey plays military leader Markus, a cousin of Tomas who remains loyal to Tomas dictator uncle Viktor Bala.Keon Alexander plays Javad, the head of security for the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations.Teddy Sears plays Warren Stocker, an intelligence officer who comes under investigation.Dikran Tulaine plays Viktor Bala, father to Tomas, and a convicted war criminal.The Night Agent season two is available now on Netflix.

Listen to a recap of the top stories of the day from9to5Mac. 9to5Mac Daily is availableon iTunes and Apples Podcasts app,Stitcher,TuneIn,Google Play, or through ourdedicated RSS feedfor Overcast and other podcast players.Sponsored by Ulysses: The ultimate writing app for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Learn more and get started today for free.New episodes of 9to5Mac Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as theyre available.Stories discussed in this episode:Listen & Subscribe:Subscribe to support Chance directly with 9to5Mac Daily Plus and unlock:Ad-free versions of every episodeBonus contentCatch up on 9to5Mac Daily episodes!Dont miss out on our other daily podcasts:Share your thoughts!Drop us a line at happyhour@9to5mac.com. You can also rate us in Apple Podcasts or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

This is Rumor Replay, a weekly column at 9to5Mac offering a quick rundown of the most recent Apple product rumors, with analysis and commentary. Today: an iPhone 17 Air leak, Apples spring product details, iOS 19 redesigns, and more. Here are this weeks Apple rumors.iPhone 17 Airs camera bar design leaksWe got the first possible glimpse at this falls iPhone 17 Air via a leaked image that lines up with CAD drawings seen by 9to5Mac. It shows a full-width camera bar on the back of the device, a big change from the current iPhone models corner bump. My takeawaysThis iPhone 17 Air leak represents a fairly big change for iPhone design, but its not out of step with prior reports. The 17 Air and also 17 Pro models have both been expected to feature some sort of rectangular bump. Its especially curious on the Air though, since the device will only feature a single rear camera.The size of the camera bar does help explain Ming Chi-Kuos curious claim that the 17 Air would be 5.5mm at its thinnest part. A tapered design was one possibility to explain the thinnest part reference, but with such a prominent camera design, Kuos words make more sense even without such a radical change.Apples spring product detailsSeveral different rumors this week concerned two expected spring products from Apple.First, a leaked asset for the new iPhone SE shows that it may feature a Dynamic Island. Additionally, Mark Gurman reported that inventory of the current SE model is growing thin at Apple Storesa sign not only of the upcoming revision, but also that Apple will likely retire the model altogether.Finally, while weve seen varying reports about whether the new iPad Air would include an M3 or M4 chip, a code reference this week supported the notion of an M3 update.My takeawaysThe two iPhone SE happenings this week are especially intriguing to me.If the new SE truly will boast a Dynamic Island, the base iPhone 16 will lose one of its only remaining advantages over the cheaper model. That doesnt make a ton of sense, even if its great news for budget-conscious buyers. At this point I still think a standard notch is more likely.The diminishing inventory of current iPhone SE models indicates Apple doesnt plan to keep the old SE around at a cheaper price. Perhaps not a big surprise, though the company could still sell it in developing markets.As for the iPad Air, either an M3 or M4 wouldnt have made a huge difference, but sticking with the M3 at least means theres a little more differentiation for the iPad Pro line. Im just wondering what the point of such a quick, minor update isunless this new Air has a secret upgrade we havent heard about yet.iOS 19 Camera app redesign, macOS 15.4 Mail updateJon Prosser shared on YouTube that Apple is planning to redesign the Camera app in iOS 19, and possibly other system apps too. The redesign has a visionOS-style translucency theme.Also on the note of software, Mark Gurman explained that the iPhones big Apple Mail redesign would be coming to the Mac and iPad soon. Its expected to arrive in macOS 15.4 and iPadOS 15.4 in April.My takeawaysI love the idea of a visionOS-style visual refresher for iOS 19. However, if it does arrive, its unlikely to impact more than a small number of apps.The days of Apple shipping major iOS redesigns have long been behind us. Apples practice now is to make smaller refinements to select apps and system elements iteratively over time.That said, I hope Prosser is right and Apple has some nice design refreshes coming this year.On the note of Mail changes coming to the Mac and iPad, its good to hear that we wont have to wait long. While Ive personally disabled some of iOS 18.2s updates for Mail on iPhone, Im all for continuity across devices.Improved iPhone 17 cooling systemFinally for today, a new rumor from Chinese tech siteMyDrivers indicates that Apples making changes to the full iPhone 17 lineup to improve device cooling.Ming-Chi Kuo previously reported the 17 Pro Max would see a vapor chamber added to the devices graphite sheet cooling method, but it seems it wont be the only model with upgrades.My takeawaysThe source is a bit unproven, but this report makes a lot of sense. Apple Intelligence is pushing Apple to make significant hardware changes to its devices that it may not have otherwise. Boosting RAM across iPhones, iPads, and Macs, special Apple silicon upgrades, and now improved cooling are all setting the stage for big AI advancements yet to come.What are your takeaways from this weeks Apple rumors? Let us know in the comments.Best iPhone accessoriesAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. 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Jealousy is a disease.Sticks and StonesThis week, tech rivals Elon Musk and Sam Altman have been falling over themselves to win the favor of returning president Donald Trump.The petty squabblestarted on Tuesday,Stargate." Altman's OpenAI was a prominently-featured partner in the project while Musk's xAI was passed over, with Trump callingAltman the "leading expert based on everything I read."That didn't sit well with Musk, who fumed online that OpenAI doesn't "actually have the money" for the project.Altman shot back that Musk was "wrong, as you surely know," and invited him to "come visit the first site."Is it skin-crawlingly embarrassing to see adults publicly grovel for the affection of a daddy figure? Absolutely but in the uneasy new world of the tech industry under Trump, it's probably going to be par for the course.Best BoyMusk then doubled down by reposting a 2021 screenshot of a tweet by Altman in which the OpenAI CEO praised efforts to keep Trump from being reelected in the 2020 election. For good measure, he kept reposting and replying to anti-Altman posts well into Wednesday night, with his usual insightful commentary: "Wow" and "True.""Altman literally testified to Congress that he wouldnt get OpenAI compensation and now he wants $10 billion!" Musk quote tweetedone Reuters article."What a liar."Why is Trump's embrace of Altman getting so deeply under Musk's infamously thin skin? The two have a history, but the main issue lately is clearly that Musk spent hundreds of millions of dollars to get Trump reelected, while Altman is a johnny-come-lately to the Trump Train and already reaping the benefits.The rift is likely to be one of many we'll see in the months to come as the wealthy and powerful flock to the Oval Office to win the privilege of Trump's ear. That said, it's unlikely any will be quite as dramatic as that between Musk and Trump, an unlikely alliance between two notoriously difficult personalities that seems liable to fall apart at any moment.Altman, who has a more subdued profile and who's mostly let Musk rage without reply throughout the tiff, finally caved earlier today with a cutting subtweet: "just one more mean tweet and then maybe you'll love yourself."Share This Article

They're looking to "fight the commercial arm of fascism."Heil MaryThe "Sieg Heil" heard 'round the world has made its way to Deutschland, where activists are using the now-infamous image at Tesla's German Gigafactory to send abold message.German activist group Zentrum fur Politische Schnheit, or Center for Political Beauty, posted on X-formerly-Twitter a short video of its latest political performance: a projected image of Musk's flat-handed salute, accompanied by the word "Heil" in Tesla's futuristic font that was lined up perfectly with the Tesla factory's own logo.The group said in a subsequent post that it worked with the UK-based campaign group Led by Donkeys to "fight the commercial arm of fascism," a clear reference to the Musk-owned electric carmaker.Notably, performing a "Sieg Heil" gesture has long been illegal in Germany as part of its postwar denazification efforts. However, it remains unclear whether Musk's gesture specifically would be deemed illegal in Germany because, as legal experts explained toNewsweek, courts there would have to determine that it was Nazi in intent before making any such declaration.Law enforcement has already indicated that an investigation is underway into the activist groups. As Der Spiegel reports, state security services are looking into the groups for "using symbols of unconstitutional organizations.""It's about the distribution and projection of this image, taken out of context, which shows a gesture that looks very similar to the Hitler salute," a spokesperson for the Brandenburg public prosecutor's office toldSpiegel.In response to the news, the group claimed a resounding victory, arguing that investigators had proved their point."They do see a Hitler salute after all!" the group tweeted, as translated from German."Hopefully, he'll be put in jail for that," the group wrote in a followup.Non-DenialMusk himself hasn't denied outright that his bizarre gesture, which he did twice in succession during Donald Trump's inauguration festivities, was a Nazi salute. Instead, he accused those who pointed out the blatant Nazi-ness of the motion of engaging in "dirty tricks" and hyperbolically claimed that his detractors were comparing him to Adolf Hitler.Musk then proceeded to make a slew of gross puns using the names of various Nazi leaders an escalation of his increasingly edgelord behavior that earned him condemnation from Jewish groups including the Anti-Defamation League, which had defended his Nazi salute as an "awkward gesture" days prior.During an appearance at Davos, Switzerland following the salute, German chancellor Olaf Scholzappeared to leave the door open to potential blowback for the salute."We have the freedom of speech in Europe and in Germany," Scholz said at the billionaire convention. "Whatwe do not accept is if this is supporting extreme right positions. And this is what I would like to repeat again."While Germany's leader may be playing demure about the gesture that charmed online Neo-Nazis, its antifascist activists certainly aren't and they're saying so in an outlandish and, dare we say, fabulous fashion.More on Musk's inaugural appearance: Elon Musk Seen Acting Strangely Before Nazi SaluteShare This Article

When Harry met Sally ... again?We dont yet know what, how, or why theyre meeting again but its happening in some form. Meg Ryan posted on her Instagram account amodern image of herself and herWhen Harry Met Sally co-star Billy Crystal with the caption Its finally happening, were reuniting for something iconic. Cant wait to show you all soon.READ MORE: 12 Modern Romantic Comedies That Are Actually FunnyFrom pretty much the moment it premiered in 1989,When Harry Met Sally was hailed as a great romantic comedy. Directed by Rob Reiner and written by Nora Ephron, the movie interrogated the notion of the possibility of platonic relationships between men and women by following the connection between the two title characters, played byCrystal and Ryan, as they meet, become friends, and then contemplate a deeper connection.When Harry Met Sally was nominated for one Academy Award (for Ephrons screenplay) and grossed almost $100 million. Today its remembered as an 80s classic. (Katz Deli isstill using the famous scene set there to sell pastrami sandwiches.)The film turned Crystal and Ryan into huge movie stars, and they continued making big romances and comedies for the next decade although never, as the Instagram caption suggests, together.As for what this reunion might be ... any time any celebrity hypes a reunion or a sequel to some beloved old film or TV show at this time of year, the odds are that it is for some sort of Super Bowl ad. So then the question becomes what product or servicecould they be advertising? Something involving financial planning is my guess.Get our free mobile appThe Worst Comedies Ever MadeCinema has brought laughter to generations of moviegoers. In these cases, though, the laughs were on the paying customers.Filed Under: Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, Rob Reiner, When Harry Met SallyCategories: Movie News

Apple and Google are facing fresh scrutiny in the UK over the dominance of their mobile ecosystems, including their app stores, browsers and operating systems. British regulator the Competition and Markets Authority announced dual investigations into the companies on Thursday, with the potential to demand Apple and Google open up their ecosystems if it was in the best interests of mobile users.The CMA said it will look into three potential issues: the competition between and within Apple and Google that may prevent competitors from entering the market; the possibility that the companies are leveraging their dominance to favor their own apps and services; and potential "exploitative conduct," which might force developers to sign up to unfair terms.In many ways, the CMA could be seen to be following in the footsteps of the European Union's competition regulator, which hasalready demanded more openness from Apple when it comes to its mobile operating systems. Much of the focus in Europe has been on fairer terms for developers and making it possible to access alternative app stores, in order to ensure people who use Apple and Android phones have the power to choose. This has been tricky for the companies to navigate, as more openness can introduce more security risks, which Apple in particular is well known for keeping to an absolute minimum."More competitive mobile ecosystems could foster new innovations and new opportunities across a range of services that millions of people use, be they app stores, browsers or operating systems," said Sarah Cardell, chief executive of the CMA. "Better competition could also boost growth here in the UK, with businesses able to offer new and innovative types of products and services on Apple's and Google's platforms."Google issued a response to the probe in a blog post, in which it said it welcomed the opportunity to lay out the benefits of its open-source model for the CMA. "Android has increased choice, reduced prices and democratised access to smartphones and apps," wrote Oliver Bethell, senior director of competition at Google. "It is the only example of a successful and viable open source mobile operating system that developers and manufacturers can use to build helpful and secure apps and devices."Apple didn't respond to a request for comment.The CMA is using new powers to probe digital tech companies after the introduction of a new law, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act, last year. Following the investigations, which it expects to conclude by October, it could demand the companies change the way they operate. Potential requirements could include requiring Apple and Google to open up access to key phone features to other app developers, or make it easier for people to use alternative app stores and pay for in-app content in different ways.