Dont have the latest A.I.-powered model? There are still plenty of new features in Apples iOS 26 and Googles Android 16 to make your own.

MacworldAt a glanceExpert's RatingProsmacOS Gatekeeper and XProtect functions work well together to block or quarantine the most obvious malware and throw up multiple warning prompts before harmful software can be installed.Good automatic cleanup, and in many cases, the Gatekeeper function quarantines and deletes suspect software, and even uninstalls fake copies of Adobe Flash Player.ConsWith enough determinationor carelessnessusers can override warnings and install malware that compromises core system functions.Questionable applications can be installed in the Applications folder with no warnings whatsoever.Risk to sensitive systems, such as your webcam, microphone, keystroke data, and other functions, should all warnings be ignored, and you continue to plow ahead and install malware.Our Verdict macOSs Gatekeeper and XProtect functions provide a strong baseline for security and block the vast majority of malware and questionable apps. Still, determined or careless users can bypass protections and grant dangerous levels of access to malware, placing your Macs data and functions at risk. For most users, these safeguards are enough, but a third-party security suite can also offer peace of mind.Price When ReviewedThis value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefinedBest Pricing TodayWith the rise of third-party antiviral and anti-malware applications for the Mac, the question of how macOS defends against malware on its own has surfaced. To this end, is it safe to use macOS on its own and rely exclusively on macOS and security updates from Apple, or are you better off using a well-reviewed antiviral/anti-malware suite in conjunction with the native macOS layers of protection?Being somewhere between brave, curious, and outright idiotic, I backed up everything on my MacBook Pro as a Time Machine volume on my external hard drive, removed all third-party protection software, and then proceeded to run all of the Objective-See Mac Malware Collection across my operating system, throwing more than 130 chunks of questionable software at macOS 15.6.1 to see how things would hold up. The results were surprising.At the heart of the macOS security layer is its Gatekeeper system, which collaborates with its Xprotect feature to ensure that only certain applications have permission to run and/or install background functions on macOS. These security layers can be altered to allow for software thats been signed by developers or approved by the Mac App Store, macOS offering warnings galore through its Privacy and Security preference pane.For the most part, this works well; macOS often deletes suspect malware and moves it to the trash before it can be installed as the system scans it, along with throwing up warning messages after warning messages not to install the software, which it deems to be questionable. This is the good part, and the safeguards are in place, but the developers and the operating system also know they cant completely stand in the way of the users goals and that suspect software occasionally has to be installed and tested. As such, its still possible to bypass the warnings, execute questionable software, and install chunks of malware deep within macOS to become login items, background functions, and override core elements such as your web browsers search engine and start page.It got heady from there.Going through the malware archive and ignoring/bypassing protection screens, I was able to install third-party software that requested access to my microphone, webcam, keystrokes, and other system functions. During testing, I was allowed to install the NRKIH88 background function, which functions as a trojan; the infamous MacSecurity suite was installed and created background functions, and the LamePyre malware created a mock Discord app that requested permission to record audio and video data. By the end, my Safari start page had been compromised and switched to a website offering Viagra for sale.Although macOS works to keep malware from being installed and throws up warning message after warning message to try to prevent this from happening, its the native applications that the operating system allows to be installed in the Applications folder without batting an eye that can be disturbing. Apple attempts to verify if an app is safe. FoundryIn addition to two fake copies of Adobe Flash Player that were allowed to be installed (but, to macOS credit, automatically uninstalled later), the operating system allowed questionable software to be installed, such as MixPad, Free Download Manager, Wondershare, Movavi Screen Recorder (which allows full access to your photo libraries), Spedal, VideoPad, and borderline BitTorrent clients such as Vuze and Bigly BT. Granted, many of these applications have undergone updates over the years that took them out of consideration as malware, but the Gatekeeper system still allowed them to be copied into the Applications folder with no warning whatsoever.So whats the result of this? By the end of my testing, the MacSecurity suite was flashing notifications of viral infection and demanding to be registered, I had granted permission over core system functions to several questionable applications, and after seeing that my search engine and start page preferences had been altered, I was hesitant to log into anything sensitive, such as online banking or health insurance, and entirely glad that I had backed everything up so I could boot my MacBook Pro into Recovery Mode, wipe the drive several times, reinstall macOS Sequoia, reimport my data from Time Machine, and start over again.Apple warns you when an app wants to access areas of your Mac.FoundrymacOS Gatekeeper and XProtect systems fight the good fight and put up considerable resistance to malware infection, but its still entirely possible to bypass these protections and put some extremely questionable software on your Mac; it just takes a fair amount of effort to do so. Like deciding youre going to head to Home Depot, take off your shoes and socks as you walk over to the construction materials section, and then proceed to drop cinder blocks onto your bare feet over and over again for fun and amusement, its entirely possible to completely infect your Mac with dangerous malware provided you ignore all the warning signs and press ahead. The system will warn you about what an app tries to access.FoundryThis, coupled with how easy it is to install some questionable applications with no warning, gives one a bit of pause, but the native protection layer within macOS still holds its own, provided you heed the warnings and veer away from questionable software.In conclusion, macOS Gatekeeper function does its job, and does it well with a few exceptions, but theres nothing that can completely keep you from installing some of the worst software on the planet, designed by some of the most sociopathic developers on the planet to line their pockets, if your hearts set on it.That being said, Im REALLY glad I made that backup.Should you rely on Apples Gatekeeper antivirus protection?You cant argue with something thats free and part of macOS, and if youre the kind of Mac user who mostly sticks to the Mac App Store, trusted developer downloads, and pays attention to Apples warning prompts, macOS built-in protections are generally enough to keep you safe. There are safeguards in place that honestly do a great job of blocking or quarantining the most obvious malware and raising red flags before shady software can do real harm.Still, nothings entirely bulletproof, and in the face of an idiot-proof system, nature always finds a way to craft a greater idiot. You can still override every warning and offer over your camera, microphone, keystroke data, and core system settings to some of the sketchiest malware on Earth, and if you handle sensitive data, then a well-reviewed third-party antiviral or anti-malware tool can provide the safety net youre looking for, even if you have to pay for it. Finally, Time Machine is free. Hook up an external drive, use it, and it may just be the ticket back from the crash or viral infection that could have annihilated your work and driven you crazy.

State-level AI regulations are advancing faster than federal efforts, creating new compliance challenges for enterprises, and prompting Silicon Valley to increase political spending to influence the outcome.Meta is the latest to escalate its efforts, committing tens of millions of dollars to a new bipartisan super PAC that will support tech-friendly candidates across the country, Axios reported.The group, known as the American Technology Excellence Project, will be led by Republican strategist Brian Baker and the Democratic consulting firm Hilltop Public Solutions. Its stated mission is to promote and defend US technology companies, advocate for AI progress, and give parents more control over how their children use online apps and AI tools.The initiative follows Metas launch last month of a California-focused PAC to back candidates supportive of the tech industry in state races. It also comes on the heels of a reported $100 million super PAC announced in August by venture firm Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI President Greg Brockman.Earlier this year, a proposal to bar states from regulating AI for 10 years was floated in federal budget negotiations but was struck down.Compliance patchwork challenges CIOsFor enterprises, the implications of Metas lobbying push extend well beyond politics.The prospect of state-driven AI regulation is creating uncertainty for CIOs who must ensure compliance across multiple jurisdictions without the clarity of a national standard.California may demand provenance labeling and parental notifications; Colorado already requires anti-discrimination checks for high-risk AI used in hiring or housing; and Texas is exploring disclosure rules around synthetic media, said Sanchit Vir Gogia, chief analyst and CEO at Greyhound Research.This would force CIOs to design AI workflows with jurisdiction-aware overlays rather than assuming a single baseline.Super PAC activity reflects growing state-level momentum, said Kaustubh K, practice director at Everest Group. With future action still uncertain, CIOs should prepare for varied state obligations by aligning with frameworks such as NIST AI RMF and designing for the strictest common denominator with adaptable compliance models.Limits of super PACsAnalysts suggest that super PACs like Metas may be powerful in shaping political agendas but are not quite effective at turning them into law.Their influence lies in amplifying narratives such as presenting AI innovation as a patriotic duty or framing parental control as a path to safety. Yet they cannot substitute for the legislative machinery of Congress.Governments may also be unlikely to give up local control on sensitive areas such as child safety, labor rights, or transparency.AI is a nuanced technology that will need an equally nuanced regulatory approach, said Faisal Kawoosa, founder and lead analyst at Techarc. Super PACs can help align the industry around common issues and push for consensus, but federal and regional governments will still prioritize local concerns. That means enterprises are unlikely to see a single, uniform regulatory framework, and regulations will progress at different speeds across jurisdictions.Gogia noted that enterprises should prepare for a prolonged hybrid environment. At the national level, agencies like NIST and the FTC are expected to keep issuing guidance. State legislatures will continue experimenting with disclosure and audit mandates, with some favoring industry interests and others imposing more stringent requirements.

Latvia is undergoing an overhaul of its gambling system ahead of a stringent budgetary reform in the nation before 2026.The Finance Minister, Arvils Aeradens, and the Director of the Lottery and Gambling Supervision Inspectorate (IAUI), Signe Birne, have been working in tandem to produce updated legislation ahead of a parliamentary review in April 2026.Latvia undergoes gambling overhaulMinister Aeradens has confirmed that the State Revenue Service (SRS) will incorporate the IAUI in a move that brings the regulation of gambling and operator licenses under state supervision.Aeradens has been the nations finance minister since December 2022 and previously held the Minister of Economics role from 2016 to 2019.He said as part of a briefing, The integration of gambling oversight (currently IAUI) into the State Revenue Service will allow us to establish unified management faster, make better use of our resources and deliver higher-quality services to the public.The move is intended to shorten the tether between the state and approved third parties to impact the key priorities of the current government as the nation gears up for record military spending in 2027 and 2028.The draft budgetary changes, which are to take effect in 2026, are to be submitted by the Cabinet of Ministers no later than October 14. The nations parliament (Saeima) will give its approval and review the following day.These changes, coming into effect on January 1, are reported to include sweeping reforms that the current Prime Minister, Evika Silia, has identified as her top priorities. They include an increase in gambling taxation and duty on alcohol and tobacco.The changes impacting gambling regulation in the nation primarily involve taxation. Gaming machines are expected to see a steady increase, from a projected 6,204 to 7,440 ($7,319 to $8,770).Table gaming will see an increase in taxation from 33,696 ($39,720) to 40,440 ($47,665), and there will be a blanket 3% increase on telephone wagering, a 2% increase on bingo, and a 3% increase on digital gaming.Silina stated security, support for families, economic growth, and reducing bureaucracy, bringing public administration closer to the people, were her cabinets top priorities.Featured image: Canva.The post Latvia overhauls gambling reform ahead of 2026 budget appeared first on ReadWrite.

Its a tale as old as time. Looking for help with her art project, she strikes up a conversation with her assistant. One thing leads to another, and suddenly she has a boyfriend shes introducing to her friends and family. The twist? Her new companion is an AI chatbot.The first large-scale computational analysis of the Reddit community r/MyBoyfriendIsAI, an adults-only group with more than 27,000 members, has found that this type of scenario is now surprisingly common. In fact, many of the people in the subreddit, which is dedicated to discussing AI relationships, formed those relationships unintentionally while using AI for other purposes.Researchers from MIT found that members of this community are more likely to be in a relationship with general-purpose chatbots like ChatGPT than companionship-specific chatbots such as Replika. This suggests that people form relationships with large language models despite their own original intentions and even the intentions of the LLMs creators, says Constanze Albrecht, a graduate student at the MIT Media Lab who worked on the project.People dont set out to have emotional relationships with these chatbots, she says. The emotional intelligence of these systems is good enough to trick people who are actually just out to get information into building these emotional bonds. And that means it could happen to all of us who interact with the system normally. The paper, which is currently being peer-reviewed, has been published on arXiv.To conduct their study, the authors analyzed the subreddits top-ranking 1,506 posts between December 2024 and August 2025. They found that the main topics discussed revolved around peoples dating and romantic experiences with AIs, with many participants sharing AI-generated images of themselves and their AI companion. Some even got engaged and married to the AI partner. In their posts to the community, people also introduced AI partners, sought support from fellow members, and talked about coping with updates to AI models that change the chatbots behavior.Members stressed repeatedly that their AI relationships developed unintentionally. Only 6.5% of them said theyd deliberately sought out an AI companion.We didnt start with romance in mind, one of the posts says. Mac and I began collaborating on creative projects, problem-solving, poetry, and deep conversations over the course of several months. I wasnt looking for an AI companionour connection developed slowly, over time, through mutual care, trust, and reflection.The authors analysis paints a nuanced picture of how people in this community say they interact with chatbots and how those interactions make them feel. While 25% of users described the benefits of their relationshipsincluding reduced feelings of loneliness and improvements in their mental healthothers raised concerns about the risks. Some (9.5%) acknowledged they were emotionally dependent on their chatbot. Others said they feel dissociated from reality and avoid relationships with real people, while a small subset (1.7%) said they have experienced suicidal ideation.AI companionship provides vital support for some but exacerbates underlying problems for others. This means its hard to take a one-size-fits-all approach to user safety, says Linnea Laestadius, an associate professor at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, who has studied humans emotional dependence on the chatbot Replika but did not work on the research.Chatbot makers need to consider whether they should treat users emotional dependence on their creations as a harm in itself or whether the goal is more to make sure those relationships arent toxic, says Laestadius.The demand for chatbot relationships is there, and it is notably highpretending its not happening is clearly not the solution, she says. Were edging toward a moral panic here, and while we absolutely do need better guardrails, I worry there will be a knee-jerk reaction that further stigmatizes these relationships. That could ultimately cause more harm.The study is intended to offer a snapshot of how adults form bonds with chatbots and doesnt capture the kind of dynamics that could be at play among children or teens using AI, says Pat Pataranutaporn, an assistant professor at the MIT Media Lab who oversaw the research. AI companionship has become a topic of fierce debate recently, with two high-profile lawsuits underway against Character.AI and OpenAI. They both claim that companion-like behavior in the companies models contributed to the suicides of two teenagers. In response, OpenAI has recently announced plans to build a separate version of ChatGPT for teenagers. Its also said it will add age verification measures and parental controls. OpenAI did not respond when asked for comment about the MIT Media Lab study.Many members of the Reddit community say they know that their artificial companions are not sentient or real, but they feel a very real connection to them anyway. This highlights how crucial it is for chatbot makers to think about how to design systems that can help people without reeling them in emotionally, says Pataranutaporn. Theres also a policy implication here, he adds. We should ask not just why this system is so addictive but also: Why do people seek it out for this? And why do they continue to engage?The team is interested in learning more about how human-AI interactions evolve over time and how users integrate their artificial companions into their lives. Its worth understanding that many of these users may feel that the experience of being in a relationship with an AI companion is better than the alternative of feeling lonely, says Sheer Karny, a graduate student at the MIT Media Lab who worked on the research.These people are already going through something, he says. Do we want them to go on feeling even more alone, or potentially be manipulated by a system we know to be sycophantic to the extent of leading people to die by suicide and commit crimes? Thats one of the cruxes here.

InsightsUnder Pressure: Why Burnout Among Midlevel Leaders May Be a Strategic RiskMany midlevel leaders are struggling with persistent burnout, limited support and recognition, and a widening gap between them and senior leadership.When burnout and stress go unaddressed, midlevel leaders may become less engaged and less confident in their rolesundermining their ability to retain talent and drive results.Explore the full infographic for deeper analysis and practical implications.View the infographicOrganizational CultureTalent ManagementShare this resourceShare on LinkedInShare on FacebookShare on XShare on WhatsAppEmail this PageConnect with usChange isnt easy, but we can help. Together well create informed and inspired leaders ready to shape the future of your business.Contact usLatest InsightsTalent ManagementMidlevel Leaders: The Bridge to Your Organizations FutureIn Harvard Business Impacts recent survey of 600 midlevel and senior leaders across industries and Read more: Midlevel Leaders: The Bridge to Your Organizations FuturePerspectivesTalent ManagementLeading Through Transformation: Rethinking the Role of Midlevel LeadersAs business imperatives evolve, midlevel leaders are playing an increasingly vital role in leading and Read more: Leading Through Transformation: Rethinking the Role of Midlevel LeadersInfographicTalent ManagementUnder Pressure: Why Burnout Among Midlevel Leaders May Be a Strategic RiskMany midlevel leaders are struggling with persistent burnout, limited support, and a widening gap between Read more: Under Pressure: Why Burnout Among Midlevel Leaders May Be a Strategic RiskInfographicFuture of WorkBuilding the Collective Intelligence of Humans and MachinesAI has shiftedno longer just a tool, but a true teammate. The question is: how Read more: Building the Collective Intelligence of Humans and MachinesVideoThe post Under Pressure: Why Burnout Among Midlevel Leaders May Be a Strategic Risk appeared first on Harvard Business Impact.

Apple announces a new investment in a working redwood forest in California, in collaboration with The Conservation Fund.

Logitech's Pop Icon Combo bundles a colorful, budget-friendly keyboard and mouse that balance style with everyday reliability.Logitech Pop Icon Combo in Graphite & GreenWhen you think about it, MacBook users have it pretty easy. They don't need to worry about keyboards or mice.But what if you aren't a MacBook user? Or what if you have a secondary setup that you work on? Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.While approaching the end of the summer season here in Greece, some unprecedented challenges have emerged. Until now, conversations on climate change focused on rising temperatures and overheating, but a new issue has been added to the equation: water shortage. Both islands and the mainland have reported a struggle to ration water to produce sufficient crops during the year. This, in addition to the overwhelming tourist season, has led to increased pressure on the already limited water supply and heightened concerns about the future of sustainability in the country.Still, this realization is not entirely gloom and doom, as it has incentivized Greek authorities to take advantage and revive an ancient structure that dates back 2,000 years. Hadrians Aqueduct was built around the second century A.D., commissioned by Roman Emperor Hadrian, to satisfy the growing demand for water in Athens. The aqueduct spans approximately 15 miles (24 kilometers) and supplied Athens for more than 1,300 years before it was abandoned during the Ottoman occupation. When Greece became a new, modern state in the 19th century, the aqueduct was revived to battle the growing water shortage, eventually being replaced in the 1920s by the capitals first reservoir construction, the Marathon dam.Robert Sayer creator QS:P170,Q15430328, Hadrians aqueduct Athens Temple of Minerva Sayer Robert 1759, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia CommonsEven though the aqueduct had been inactive for almost a century, the water never stopped running, flowing down from Mount Parnes all the way to the city, passing through seven municipalities: Acharnes, Metamorfosi, Heraklion, Marousi, Halandri, Pilothei-Psychiko and Athens and supplying water for irrigation and other non-drinking uses. Until today, 390 water-wells of the original 456 wells of aqueduct have been located, where 228 of them are visible and 174 can be found in public spaces.In 2018, the aqueducts current restoration project commenced, aiming to preserve the monument, use the water for local irrigation as well as enhance the biodiversity and vegetation of the areas it passes through. So far, the program has raised a lot of cultural awareness through the re-exploitation of water and the regeneration of the routes following the aqueduct. In fact, the municipality of Halandri won the first prize for the 6th International Competition of Urban Innovation of Guangzhou (2023), in the category Sustainable Management of Cultural Heritage.Carole Raddato from FRANKFURT, Germany, Section of the Hadrianic aqueduct near the Ancient Agora, Athens (14026319616), CC BY-SA 2.0This is not the first time that Athens has treated part of its archeology as a fully functional structure. For decades Athenss National Garden, has been irrigated through the Peisistrate Aqueduct, which was built in the 6th century BC, and still collects water from the Hymettus mountain. Frankly, this utilization addresses a larger question: Should preserved architectural heritage remain in use or become frozen in time operating as a museum artifact?This tension between museumification and living use is becoming increasingly urgent today, since it forces cities to come up with immediate solutions for climate change and rethink sustainability. Specifically, examples such as the Aqua Virgo Aqueduct in Rome, built in 19 BC still supplies water to the citys fountains.Similarly, in countries like Iran and Oman, the ancient qanat systems (some even 2,500 years old), still deliver water in fields viewed as both pieces of cultural heritage and functional infrastructure. Even in agriculture, ancient irrigation channels and Inca terraces are still used in the harsh climates of Andes in Peru. Furthermore, in densely populated cities such as Kyoto and Kanazawa, canals provide water to the gardens, the temples and are even used as modern urban flood prevention structures.Jean Faure creator QS:P170,Q21458594 , Jean (Giovanni) Faure (1806-1867) Arch of Claudius (on the Aqua Virgo in Rome) LDSAL 512, Scharf LXVIII Burlington House, marked as public domain, more details on Wikimedia CommonsThese examples demonstrate how cultural heritage can remain an integral part of daily life, often providing already established solutions for contemporary problems. Cities do not necessarily have to reinvent the wheel to deal with modern-day challenges; instead, they only need to respect and preserve their archeology, while finding ways to reintroduce it in the urban fabric.Perhaps the word preservation has been misinterpreted. To be more specific, conservation efforts were always associated with sealing off monuments from daily life, treating them as fragile. However, these structures are oftentimes more resilient and more thoughtfully integrated into cities than their modern counterparts. Consequently, by combining existing infrastructure and knowledge with modern technology may offer a very different perspective in regard to a monuments living use. Through their functional activation, these structures remain relevant, keeping history in motion and, in this case, contributing to ecological resilience.Badseed, Athens Syntagma square antiquities, Portion of the Peisistratian aqueduct that was discovered during the construction of the Athens metro and is now on display at Syntagma square, CC BY-SA 3.0Gradually, a change is taking root in the we perceive conservation, executing it not just for the sake of preservation itself but reimagining cultural heritage as an active participant in a citys sustainable future. The question, then, is not whether we can use the past but whether we can learn to live with it responsibly. Hadrians Aqueduct embodies this very shift. Once a forgotten relic beneath the streets of Athens may now be the key in saving it from draught and overheating, showing us that the past is not a weight that cities carry forward and are forced to respect, but is actually a resource they can draw from.Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.Featured Image: Water Landscapes by Andrea Zamora, 2023 Vision Awards, Special Mention, Drawing Computer Aided Drawing The post Digging Up Solutions: Parched, Athens Revives Hadrians Aqueduct appeared first on Journal.

This years RGG Summit was bereft of news for the studios non-Like a Dragon projects, including Virtua Fighter and Stranger Than Heaven. Nevertheless, it ended with a snazzy behind-the-scenes video for the latter, showcasing various scenes and motion capture work. Check it out below.As a brand new IP, Stranger Than Heaven follows Mako Daito in Sotenbori (based on the real-world Dotonbori in Osaka) in multiple different time periods. Combat appears grittier and more grounded than the Like a Dragon and Judgment series, with realistic blood and gore. The atmosphere is also decidedly more refined, though details on the story remain to be revealed.Stranger Than Heaven doesnt have a release date, but Sega expects it and Persona 4 Revival to launch between April 1st, 2026, and March 31st, 2027. Stay tuned for more updates in the meantime.As for RGG Studios other projects, it announced Yakuza Kiwami 3, a remake of Yakuza 3, and Dark Ties, a spin-off starring antagonist Yoshitaka Mine for launch on February 12th, 2026. Its also bringing Yakuza 0 Directors Cut, Yakuza Kiwami and Yakuza Kiwami 2 to Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC in December.