Avatar: The Last Airbender is one of the greatest cartoons of all time. The story of Aang and friends has been adapted into a movie, a live-action series, and multiple video games. But the end of that story isn't actually the end of the story. There have since been a series of graphic novels that continue Aang's journey after the fall of Firelord Ozai and before the start of The Legend of Korra.There have been five Avatar: The Last Airbender graphic novels released since the end of the animated series, and a new box set was just released that features all of them. Not only that, Amazon has already discounted the set to a new low price.Avatar: The Last Airbender Omnibus Boxed Set SaleNew ReleaseAvatar: The Last Airbender Omnibus Boxed SetThe ATLA graphic novels were written by award winning cartoonist Gene Luen Yang and feature artwork from Gurihiru. The stories were created in collaboration with the original creators of the beloved Nickelodeon series and act as a bridge between the end of The Last Airbender and the start of The Legend of Korra. The newly released Omnibus features the complete stories of the following:Avatar: The Last Airbender - The PromiseAvatar: The Last Airbender - The SearchAvatar: The Last Airbender - The RiftAvatar: The Last Airbender - Smoke and ShadowAvatar: The Last Airbender - North and SouthWith the current sale on Amazon, this new release is the most affordable way to purchase the entire series. This set had already gone on sale several times during its preorder period, but this new discount that just arrived with its release is the first time we've seen it dip under $100. If you love the ATLA series and haven't already read the continuation of the story, this price cut makes it a great time to do so.Are There Any Other Upcoming ATLA Stories?Fans will be happy to know that new episodes from the Avatar universe are definitely on their way. Avatar: The Last Airbender creators Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko recently announced a new series called Avatar: Seven Havens, which will be a 26-episode, 2D animated series following a young Earthbender who is the next Avatar following Korra.In a press release, Nickelodeon says Seven Havens will be set in a world shattered by a devastating cataclysm. A young Earthbender discovers shes the new Avatar after Korra - but in this dangerous era, that title marks her as humanitys destroyer, not its savior. Hunted by both human and spirit enemies, she and her long-lost twin must uncover their mysterious origins and save the Seven Havens before civilizations last strongholds collapse.Avatar Studios is also producing a new full-length movie based on Aang that will release in 2026.

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"American architect and Diller Scofidio + Renfro partner Ricardo Scofidio has passed away at the age of 89. Scofidio founder the New York-based firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro (DS+R) with her partner Elizabeth Diller in 1981.Scofidio, who led the firm with Elizabeth Diller, Charles Renfro and Benjamin Gilmartin, was known for his high-profile and large-scale projects, including the High Line and The Shed arts center projects.Announced on DS+R's Instagram account, the firm said that "it is with great sadness that we announce DS+R founder Ricardo Scofidio has passed away peacefully on March 6, 2025 at the age of 89."DS+R's High Line in New York completed in 2014. Image Iwan Baan"He was surrounded by his family, including his partner in life and work, Elizabeth Diller. Ric had a profound impact on our architectural practice, establishing the studio with a mission to make space on his own terms.""The firms partners and principals, many of whom have collaborated with him for decades, will extend his architectural legacy in the work we will continue to perform every day," the firm added."A memorial service to celebrate Rics life is being planned and will be announced in the coming weeks," said the statement.Ricardo's interdisciplinary work has brought him recognition on TIME's "100 Most Influential People" list and the first architecture-related MacArthur Foundation fellowship.Evening view of The Shed, from 30th Street. Photo Iwan Baan. Courtesy The ShedHe was in charge of designing the Blur Building, a fog-made pavilion on Lake Neuchtel for the 2002 Swiss Expo, the High Line, an adaptive reuse of an old, industrial rail infrastructure into a 1.5-mile public park, and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York and The Broad in Los Angeles. Many of the studio's independent projects were led by Ricardo Scofidio, such as Musings on a Glass Box for the Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain in Paris, Tourisms: suitCase Studies, an exploration of American tourist attractions at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, and Soft Sell, a video installation in an abandoned porn theater in Times Square.The Broad Museum on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles. Image Iwan BaanAt The Cooper Union School of Architecture, he held the title of Professor Emeritus.Scofidio went on to study architecture at the Cooper Union School of Architecture, then in 1960, while GSAPP was still known as The Columbia School of Architecture, he graduated from Columbia with a Bachelor of Architecture. In 1965, he started teaching at the Cooper Union.Although DS+R is most recognized for its cultural projects that have been completed all over the world, the office actually calls itself a "interdisciplinary" studio because of the wide range of projects it has worked on in the areas of print, digital media, architecture, installations, art, multi-media performance, and urban design.Lincoln Center in New York completed in 2010. The studio redesigned public spaces of the building, including the Central Plaza, the North Plaza, the conversion of 65th Street from a service corridor into a new central spine, the transformation of three blocks of Lincoln Centers frontage at Columbus Avenue and eventually, Damrosch Park. Image courtesy of DS+RProjects by DS+R do not adhere to a certain architectural language; instead, they incorporate flexibility, complexity, new materiality, a new media interface, and a strong emphasis on public space.The most well-known projects designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro include the High Line Park in New York, which was created by converting the former industrial rail infrastructure into a 1.5-mile public park; the Broad Art Museum in Los Angeles, which was completed in 2015 with the intention of urbanizing the structure for people arriving straight from the street; and the renovation of Lincoln Center's half-century-old performing arts campus.The firm has won multiple accolades, including the 2009 Royal Academy Architecture Prize. In the same year, Scofidio and Diller were recognized among Time's Worlds Most Influential People.The top image in the article: Ricardo Scofidio Geordie Wood.> via DS+R

VC funding into AI tools for healthcare was projected to hit $11 billion last year a headline figure that speaks to the widespread conviction that artificial intelligence will prove transformative in a critical sector. Many startups applying AI in healthcare are seeking to drive efficiencies by automating some of the administration that orbits and enables patient care. Hamburg-based Elea broadly fits this mould, but its starting with a relatively overlooked and underserved niche pathology labs, whose work entails analyzing patient samples for disease from where it believes itll be able to scale the voice-based, AI agent-powered workflow system its developed to boost labs productivity to achieve global impact. Including by transplanting its workflow-focused approach to accelerating the output of other healthcare departments, too.Eleas initial AI tool is designed to overhaul how clinicians and other lab staff work. Its a complete replacement for legacy information systems and other set ways of working (such as using Microsoft Office for typing reports) shifting the workflow to an AI operating system which deploys speech-to-text transcription and other forms of automation to substantially shrink the time it takes them to output a diagnosis.After around half a year operating with its first users, Elea says its system has been able to cut the time it takes the lab to produce around half their reports down to just two days.Step-by-step automationThe step-by-step, often manual workflow of pathology labs means theres good scope to boost productivity by applying AI, says Eleas CEO and co-founder Dr. Christoph Schrder. We basically turn this all around and all of the steps are much more automated [Doctors] speak to Elea, the MTAs [medical technical assistants] speak to Elea, tell them what they see, what they want to do with it, he explains.Elea is the agent, performs all the tasks in the system and prints things prepares the slides, for example, the staining and all those things so that [tasks] go much, much quicker, much, much smoother.It doesnt really augment anything, it replaces the entire infrastructure, he adds of the cloud-based software they want to replace the labs legacy systems and their more siloed ways of working, using discrete apps to carry out different tasks. The idea for the AI OS is to be able to orchestrate everything.The startup is building on various Large Language Models (LLMs) through fine-tuning with specialist information and data to enable core capabilities in the pathology lab context. The platform bakes in speech-to-text to transcribe staff voice notes and also text-to-structure; meaning the system can turn these transcribed voice notes into active direction that powers the AI agents actions, which can include sending instructions to lab kit to keep the workflow ticking along.Elea does also plan to develop its own foundational model for slide image analysis, per Schrder, as it pushes towards developing diagnostic capabilities, too. But for now, its focused on scaling its initial offering.The startups pitch to labs suggests that what could take them two to three weeks using conventional processes can be achieved in a matter of hours or days as the integrated system is able to stack up and compound productivity gains by supplanting things like the tedious back-and-forth that can surround manual typing up of reports, where human error and other workflow quirks can inject a lot of friction.The system can be accessed by lab staff through an iPad app, Mac app, or web app offering a variety of touch-points to suit the different types of users.The business was founded in early 2024 and launched with its first lab in October having spent some time in stealth working on their idea in 2023, per Schrder, who has a background in applying AI for autonomous driving projects at Bosch, Luminar and Mercedes.Another co-founder, Dr. Sebastian Casu the startups CMO brings a clinical background, having spent more than a decade working in intensive care, anaesthesiology, and across emergency departments, as well as previously being a medical director for a large hospital chain.So far, Elea has inked a partnership with a major German hospital group (its not disclosing which one as yet) that it says processes some 70,000 cases annually. So the system has hundreds of users so far.More customers are slated to launch soon and Schrder also says its looking at international expansion, with a particular eye on entering the U.S. market. Seed backingThe startup is disclosing for the first time a 4 million seed it raised last year led by Fly Ventures and Giant Ventures thats been used to build out its engineering team and get the product into the hands of the first labs. This figure is a pretty small sum vs. the aforementioned billions in funding that are now flying around the space annually. But Schrder argues AI startups dont need armies of engineers and hundreds of millions to succeed its more a case of applying the resources you have smartly, he suggests. And in this healthcare context, that means taking a department-focused approach and maturing the target use-case before moving on to the next application area.Still, at the same time, he confirms the team will be looking to raise a (larger) Series A round likely this summer saying Elea will be shifting gear into actively marketing to get more labs buying in, rather than relying on the word-of-mouth approach they started with. Discussing their approach vs. the competitive landscape for AI solutions in healthcare, he tells us: I think the big difference is its a spot solution versus vertically integrated.A lot of the tools that you see are add-ons on top of existing systems [such as EHR systems] Its something that [users] need to do on top of another tool, another UI, something else that people that dont really want to work with digital hardware have to do, and so its difficult, and it definitely limits the potential, he goes on.What we built instead is we actually integrated it deeply into our own laboratory information system or we call it pathology operating system which ultimately means that the user doesnt even have to use a different UI, doesnt have to use a different tool. And it just speaks with Elea, says what it sees, says what it wants to do, and says what Elea is supposed to do in the system.You also dont need gazillions of engineers anymore you need a dozen, two dozen really, really good ones, he also argues. We have two dozen engineers, roughly, on the team and they can get done amazing things.The fastest growing companies that you see these days, they dont have hundreds of engineers they have one, two dozen experts, and those guys can build amazing things. And thats the philosophy that we have as well, and thats why we dont really need to raise at least initially hundreds of millions, he adds. It is definitely a paradigm shift in how you build companies.Scaling a workflow mindsetChoosing to start with pathology labs was a strategic choice for Elea as not only is the addressable market worth multiple billions of dollars, per Schrder, but he couches the pathology space as extremely global with global lab companies and suppliers amping up scalability for its software as a service play especially compared to the more fragmented situation around supplying hospitals.For us, its super interesting because you can build one application and actually scale already with that from Germany to the U.K., the U.S., he suggests. Everyone is thinking the same, acting the same, having the same workflow. And if you solve it in German, the great thing with the current LLMs, then you solve it also in English [and other languages like Spanish] So it opens up a lot of different opportunities.He also lauds pathology labs as one of the fastest growing areas in medicine pointing out that developments in medical science, such as the rise in molecular pathology and DNA sequencing, are creating demand for more types of analysis, and for a greater frequency of analyses. All of which means more work for labs and more pressure on labs to be more productive. Once Elea has matured the lab use case, he says they may look to move into areas where AI is more typically being applied in healthcare such as supporting hospital doctors to capture patient interactions but any other applications they develop would also have a tight focus on workflow.What we want to bring is this workflow mindset, where everything is treated like a workflow task, and at the end, there is a report and that report needs to be sent out, he says adding that in a hospital context they wouldnt want to get into diagnostics but would really focus on operationalizing the workflow.Image processing is another area Elea is interested in other future healthcare applications such as speeding up data analysis for radiology.ChallengesWhat about accuracy? Healthcare is a very sensitive use case so any errors in these AI transcriptions say, related to a biopsy thats checking for cancerous tissue could lead to serious consequences if theres a mismatch between what a human doctor says and what the Elea hears and reports back to other decision makers in the patient care chain.Currently, Schrder says theyre evaluating accuracy by looking at things like how many characters users change in reports the AI serves up. At present, he says there are between 5% to 10% of cases where some manual interactions are made to these automated reports which might indicate an error. (Though he also suggests doctors may need to make changes for other reasons but say they are working to drive down the percentage where manual interventions happen.)Ultimately, he argues, the buck stops with the doctors and other staff who are asked to review and approve the AI outputs suggesting Eleas workflow is not really any different from the legacy processes that its been designed to supplant (where, for example, a doctors voice note would be typed up by a human and such transcriptions could also contain errors whereas now its just that the initial creation is done by Elea AI, not by a typist).Automation can lead to a higher throughput volume, though, which could be pressure on such checks as human staff have to deal with potentially a lot more data and reports to review than they used to. On this, Schrder agrees there could be risks. But he says they have built in a safety net feature where the AI can try to spot potential issues using prompts to encourage the doctor to look again. We call it a second pair of eyes, he notes, adding: Where we evaluate previous findings reports with what [the doctor] said right now and give him comments and suggestions.Patient confidentiality may be another concern attached to agentic AI that relies on cloud-based processing (as Elea does), rather than data remaining on-premise and under the labs control. On this, Schrder claims the startup has solved for data privacy concerns by separating patient identities from diagnostic outputs so its basically relying on pseudonymization for data protection compliance.Its always anonymous along the way every step just does one thing and we combine the data on the device where the doctor sees them, he says. So we have basically pseudo IDs that we use in all of our processing steps that are temporary, that are deleted afterward but for the time when the doctor looks at the patient, they are being combined on the device for him.We work with servers in Europe, ensure that everything is data privacy compliant, he also tells us. Our lead customer is a publicly owned hospital chain called critical infrastructure in Germany. We needed to ensure that, from a data privacy point of view, everything is secure. And they have given us the thumbs up.Ultimately, we probably overachieved what needs to be done. But its, you know, always better to be on the safe side especially if you handle medical data.

PVC Windows | Courtesy of OknoplastChoosing the right windows for your bedroom is crucial to ensuring comfort, tranquility, and energy efficiency. Windows affect the aesthetic of your interior as well as the acoustic and thermal insulation. Oknoplast offers a wide range of windows that combine modern design with the highest-quality craftsmanship. This means you can enjoy a beautiful view, warmth, and quiet in your bedroom.Modern Design and FunctionalityOknoplast collection includes various window models that seamlessly fit into any interior style. From classic to contemporary, all the windows are characterized by an elegant appearance and precise workmanship. For example, the Pixel line combines minimalist design with maximum daylighting of the room. Slim frames allow for a larger glazed area, meaning more natural light enters your bedroom.Another interesting solution is offered by the Pava line, which combines elegant looks with excellent insulation parameters. These windows provide outstanding thermal insulation, translating into lower heating and cooling costs thanks to innovative technologies, such as polyurethane foam-filled frames.Comfort and SecurityOne key aspect to consider when choosing windows for a bedroom is their ability to provide sound insulation. A bedroom should be a place for rest, so it is essential that the windows effectively protect against external noise. Oknoplast offers windows with excellent acoustic properties, ensuring peace in your bedroom.Additionally, windows from the Pava line are equipped with modern security systems, such as reinforced fittings and special anti-burglary handles. This ensures you feel safe in your home, even when you are away. Security is a priority for the company, which is why every window is rigorously tested and meets the highest quality standards.Energy Efficiency and EcologyPVC Window | Courtesy of OknoplastAnother important aspect to consider when selecting windows for your bedroom is their impact on the buildings energy efficiency. Oknoplast windows feature excellent insulation properties that help maintain an optimal temperature in the room year-round. Thanks to innovative technologies such as triple-glazed units and reinforced frames, these windows minimize heat loss in winter and reduce overheating in summer.The Pixel series is an ideal solution for those who value ecology and energy savings. The high-quality materials used in the production of these windows are not only durable but also environmentally friendly. Additionally, thanks to their excellent insulation properties, these windows help reduce CO emissions, positively affecting our environment.Customization and Individual SolutionsOknoplast understands that every home and every bedroom is unique, which is why it offers extensive customization options for its windows. You can choose from various colors, shapes, and styles to perfectly match your interior. In addition, the company offers various optional extras, such as external blinds, mosquito nets, or automatic opening and closing systems, which enhance the functionality and comfort of the windows.Choosing the right windows for your bedroom is key to creating a comfortable, quiet, and energy-efficient space. Oknoplast offers a wide assortment of modern windows that combine aesthetics with functionality. Thanks to innovative solutions and high-quality craftsmanship, these windows are an excellent choice for anyone who wants to enjoy a beautiful view, warmth, and quiet in their bedroom. For more information about the range, please visit the Oknoplast website.by ArchEyes StaffLeave a comment

There were many consequences of the extraordinary timing of last Julys General Election. One was that my AI Regulation Bill, which had made its way through all stages in the House of Lords and was just about to go to the Commons, was stopped in its tracks. Almost a year later, a new government and another Parliament has provided the opportunity to reintroduce my AI Bill, as I did last week.If the need for artificial intelligence (AI) regulation was pressing in November 2023, when I first brought my Bill to bear, that need is now well past urgent and, it seems, even further from fruition.How the sands have shifted, both domestically and internationally. A UK government, keen on AI regulation while in opposition, slated an AI Bill in the Kings Speech last summer. Now, some eight months later, there is still no sign of a Bill and what appears to be an increasing reluctance to do anything much until they have squared it with the US.At the Paris AI Action Summit earlier this year, a declaration for inclusive and sustainable AI was signed by international participants, although both the UK and US decided not to put their pens to that paper.Further, the AI Safety Institute has been renamed the AI Security Institute signalling a definite shift towards cyber security rather than a broader focus on safety that would include mitigating risks associated with societal impacts of AI modelsAll of this makes the case - the more than urgent case - for UK AI regulation. It seems we still have to slay that falsehood which recurs with tedious inevitability that you can have innovation or regulation but you cant have both. This is a false dichotomy. The choice is not between innovation or regulation. The challenge is to design right-sized regulation - a challenge that has become much more pronounced in the digital age. With no current AI-specific regulation, it is us, as consumers, creatives and citizens who find ourselves exposed to the technologies Lord Chris HolmesEvery learning from history informs us, right-sized regulation is good for citizen, consumer, creative, innovator, and investor. We all know bad regulation - sure, theres some of that around but thats bad regulation, that in no sense says to us regulation of itself is bad.Take the UK approach to open banking as an illustration, replicated by over 60 jurisdictions right around the world. A determined, thought-through regulatory intervention created in the UK - good for consumer, good for innovator and investor.We know how to get right-sized regulation, well, right. This could be no more important than when it comes to AI, a suite of technologies with such potentially positively transforming opportunities - economic, social, psychological. All potentially positive if we regulate it right.My attempt to design a flexible, principles-based, outcomes-focused and inputs-understood, regulatory approach for AI is set out in the provisions of the Bill.First, an AI Authority. Dont think of a huge bureaucratic burdensome behemoth - not a bit of it. We need an agile, right-touch, horizontally focused, small r regulator, intended to range across all existing regulators to assess their capacity and competency to address the opportunities and challenges AI affords. Through this, crucially, to identify the gaps where there exists no regulator or regulatory cover, recruitment being one obvious example.The AI Authority would stand as the champion and custodian of the principles set out for voluntary consideration in the previous governments whitepaper - those principles, put into statute through this Bill.The Bill would also establish AI responsible officers, to the extent that any business which develops, deploys or uses AI must have a designated AI officer. The AI responsible officer would have to ensure the safe, ethical, unbiased and non-discriminatory use of AI by the business and to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, that data used by that business in any AI technology is unbiased.Again, dont think unnecessarily bureaucratic and burdensome. Proportionality prevails and we already have a well-established and well-understood path for reporting through adding to the provisions set out in the Companies Act.With no current AI-specific regulation, it is us, as consumers, creatives and citizens who find ourselves exposed to the technologies. Clear, effective labelling, as provided for in the Bill, would hugely help.It holds that, any person supplying a product or service involving AI must give customers clear and unambiguous health warnings, labelling and opportunities to give or withhold informed consent in advance. Technologies already exist to enable such labelling.Similarly, the Bill supports our creatives through intellectual property and copyright protection. No AI business should be able to simply gobble up others property without consent and, rightly, remuneration.The most important provisions in the Bill are those around the question of public engagement. The Bill requires the government to implement a programme for meaningful, long-term public engagement. It is only through such engagement that we are likely to be able to move forward together, cognisant of the risks and mitigations, rationally optimistic as to the opportunities.When the Warnock inquiry was established to do just this as IVF was being developed in the 1980s, we had the luxury of time. The inquiry was set up in 1982 and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act came into force in 1991.Technologies, not least AI, are developing so rapidly we have to act faster. The technologies themselves offer some of the solution, enabling real-time ongoing public engagement in a manner not possible even a few years ago. If we dont address this, the likely outcome is that many will fail to avail themselves of the advantages while simultaneously being saddled with the downsides, sharp at best - at extreme, existential.To conclude, we need regulation - cross-sector AI regulation for citizen, consumer, creative, innovator, investor. We must make this a reality and bring to life, for all our lives, that uniting truth - our data, our decisions, our AI futures.Read more about AI regulationNavigating the practicalities of AI regulation and legislation - What CIOs need to know about the global patchwork of existing and upcoming laws governing AI and what CIOs need to be doing about them.Global AI regulation is heating up: can the UK afford to remain silent? - Why UK lawmakers should be pro-active about introducing AI regulation.The race to regulate AI The EUs AI Act is set to become a gold standard of AI regulation. Will other countries adopt the same high standards or like the UK opt for a light touch in favour of growth and investment?

Apple has released iOS 18.3.2 and it comes with a warning to update your iPhone now. Thats because ... [+] iOS 18.3.2 fixes a single but serious security issue already being used in real-life attacks.Apple iPhoneApple has released iOS 18.3.2 and it comes with a warning to update your iPhone now. Thats because iOS 18.3.2 fixes a single but serious security issue already being used in real-life attacks.Apple doesnt provide much detail about whats fixed in iOS 18.3.2, so iPhone users have time to update their devices before more attackers can get hold of the details. However, its clear the iPhone maker sees the single patch in iOS 18.3.2 as urgent, because it comes on its own and only a month after it released iOS 18.3.1.Tracked as CVE-2025-24201, the flaw WebKit, the engine that underpins the Safari browser, could allow maliciously crafted web content to break out of Web Content sandbox.The iOS 18.3.2 update is a supplementary fix for an attack that was blocked in iOS 17.2, Apple said on its support page. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals on versions of iOS before iOS 17.2, the iPhone maker added.iOS 18.3.2 Fixes Serious Security IssueOn Feb. 10, Apple issued iOS 18.3.1, fixing a security issue that could allow devices to connect to your iPhone and steal data. The bug fixed in iOS 18.3.2 is in some ways more serious, because the vulnerability can be exploited by a remote attacker operating from anywhere in the world.While this might sound scary, thankfully the vulnerability patched in iOS 18.3.2 has only been used in targeted attacks against specific people. This indicates a nation state-level adversary could have used the flaw for spying on individuals, so if you dont fit the bracket of journalist, dissident or businesses operating in certain sectors, you dont need to worry too much.Apples iOS 18.3.2 also fixes a bug that could prevent playback of some streaming content.But be warned, some users are saying the update auto-enabled Apple Intelligence again by default, according to a post on Reddit. You might want to turn it off and if so, you can read how to in my guide.Why You Should Update Now To iOS 18.3.2Its true the issue fixed in iOS 18.3.2 was used in targeted attacks, however, its only a matter of time before the flaw is taken advantage of by other adversaries. That makes it important that all iPhone users update to iOS 18.3.2 as soon as possibleApples iOS 18.3.2 and iPadOS 18.3.2 are available for the iPhone XS and later, iPad Pro 13-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 7th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later.So what are you waiting for? Go to Settings > General > Software Update and update to iOS 18.3.2 now.

What happens if Play Store is not real?NurPhoto via Getty ImagesGoogle is building higher fences around its Play Store, as the fast and loose world of sideloading comes under increasing pressure. If Android is to narrow the security gap to iPhone, then this is a key challenge. This month we have already seen Google delete a raft of fake apps from its store, but what happens if Play Store itself is fake?A new report from CTM360 warns that a a large-scale new campaign is actively targeting users through fraudulent Google Play Store download pages, with meticulously crafted fake Play Store websites that closely mimic the official platform, successfully deceiving victims into downloading seemingly legitimate applications.Users are tricked into visiting the malicious pages through social media ads and messages. The apps are free and may come with special offers social engineering tricks to get users to engage. It looks like a Play Store link, but APK downloads are actually sophisticated Trojan malware designed to steal sensitive user information.The team reports finding more than 6,000 such pages, underscoring the widespread nature of the campaign, and that the apps being downloaded harvest banking credentials, monitor clipboard activity, log keystrokes allowing attackers to exploit victims data for further malicious activities. The scale and complexity of this operation indicate a highly coordinated effort to compromise users globally.CTM360 has named the campaign PlayPraetor after the Roman officials yielding control over citizens in the same way the PlayPraetor trojan takes control of infected devices, extracting sensitive data such as credentials and clipboard information.The campaign registers domains that are close enough to legitimate websites to trick users into clicking, or at least to stop them flagging the deceit. Some of those domains go further and mimic government agencies or public service portals, exploiting the trust associated with these organizations to increase the likelihood of successful infections. The fake Play Store download button just installs the Trojan.The same approach is taken with the apps that appear similar to legitimate apps in both icon and name but are actually Trojans designed to act as spyware. As usual with such attacks, there is rife permission abuse, including the Accessibility Services that expose devices to a complete hijack, including capturing screen content, monitoring keystrokes for sensitive data like login credentials and private keys, and continuously tracking clipboard contents to steal cryptocurrency addresses or passwords. The attacks can be targeted, honing in on banking or other financial apps, awaiting an opportunity to steal credentials and share them with their handlers.The advice to mitigating this threat is simple. Dont click links to Play Store on social media posts or ads or within messages. If you want to find an app, use Play Store in the normal way. And maker sure you keep Googles Play Protect enabled and do not disable this defense to install an app unless you know for absolute sure that its legitimate.

Motorola is the latest brand to go all-in with the AI on phone trend for its 2025 lineup, following in the footsteps of big players like Google, Samsung, and nearly every other notable Chinese label. As per a fresh leak, Motorolas upcoming Edge-series phone will be among its first non-foldable phones to offer the companys Moto AI stack.Leakster Evan Blass has shared what appears to be marketing images of the Moto Edge 60 Fusion. Of particular attention is the Moto AI branding on the leaked material. So far, Motorolas AI software goodies have been exclusive to its current-gen foldable phones and the Edge 50 Ultra flagship. Moreover, its worth noting that the whole system is still under beta-testing phase.Recommended VideosAnnounced last year, Moto AI embraces Googles artificial intelligence stack, which includes access to products such as the Gemini assistant, the Imagen photo-creation model, and Google Cloud Vertex. In its initial shape, Moto AI offered a Magic Canvas tool that turns text descriptions into creative images, alongside a Style Sync feature that creates wallpapers based on what users are wearing.X / Evan BlassAs part of the ongoing beta tests, the pool of AI features has increased dramatically, and with a more practical approach. Theres a new Catch Me Up feature that summarizes all the unseen notifications for users. On the other hand, the Remember This feature adds a personal note to the onboard Journal.Please enable Javascript to view this contentAll you have to do is summon the Moto AI with a gesture, snap a picture, and use voice commands for saving the material. Thanks to the integrated search feature with a memory system, the Journal will help users check out what they saved in the past using natural language descriptions.Simplify your life with moto ai - #LenovoTechWorld 2024Theres also a Pay Attention feature that records voice conversations, automatically transcribes them, and adds a condensed summary to it, as well. The approach is not too different from what Apples Notes app has to offer following its Apple Intelligence makeover.With the Edge 60 Fusion, it seems Motorola will offer the whole Moto AI toolkit out of the box. As far as the hardware goes, the upcoming phone will apparently serve three rear cameras. The Edge 50 Fusion, on the other hand, came armed with two rear lenses viz. a 50-megapixel primary snapper and a 13MP ultrawide camera.Its successor is most likely adding a zoom camera into the mix. The leaked images also confirm an optically-stabilized 50-megapixel main camera on the Edge 60 Fusion, which uses one of Sonys LYTIA image sensors.X / Evan BlassThe vegan leather finish is here to stay for another generation, it seems. Theres a new sea green color option this time around, rocking a fresh textile-inspired surface finish on the back panel. Aside from an updated palette of colors, theres another striking design change visible on the Edge 60 Fusion.Unlike the sloping vertical sides on the Edge 50 Fusion, its successor seems to adopt a quad-curved display with symmetrical bezels on all sides. At first glance, it almost appears to be a replica of the excellent OnePlus 7 Pro, save for the centrally-positioned selfie camera breaking the seamless display aesthetics.Details on the rest of the innards are still under the wraps, and there is no word from Motorola regarding an official launch date for the Edge 60 series. But if the Edge 50 series market arrival is anything to go by, the next wave of Edge series phones might be announced at some point in April this year.Editors Recommendations

Open the Windows Six ways Microsofts portable Xbox could be a Steam Deck killer It needs to be more than just stock Windows with a coat of paint. Kyle Orland Mar 11, 2025 2:45 pm | 114 It probably won't look exactly like this, but could you imagine if it did? Credit: Aurich Lawson It probably won't look exactly like this, but could you imagine if it did? Credit: Aurich Lawson Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreThe long-running rumors and hints that Microsoft is planning to enter the portable gaming market accelerated forward this week. That's thanks to a Windows Central report that Microsoft is planning to partner with a "PC gaming OEM" for "an Xbox-branded gaming handheld" to be released later this year. The device, code-named Keenan, will reportedly feature "Xbox design sensibilities," such as the branded Xbox guide button, but will almost certainly be a PC gaming device running Windows at its core.Any Microsoft entry into the world of gaming handhelds will join a market that has become quite crowded in the wake of the Steam Deck's success. To make its own portable gaming effort stand apart, Microsoft will have to bring something unique to the table. Here are some of the features we're hoping will let Microsoft do just that.A bespoke user interface There's never been a better time to bring back the old Xbox 360 "blades" interface. Credit: Microsoft / Reddit There's never been a better time to bring back the old Xbox 360 "blades" interface. Credit: Microsoft / Reddit For decades, Windows has been designed first and foremost for the world of large monitors driven by a mouse and keyboard world. When hardware makers try to simply stick that OS into a handheld screen size controlled by buttons and analog sticks, the results can be awkward at best.To be worthy of the Xbox brand, Microsoft needs to design a front-end that is built from the ground up for handheld use case. That means large, easy-to-read design elements that can be easily navigated and selected without a mouse. It also means following SteamOS's example in surfacing the settings and tools most important to gamers.Microsoft's years of experience building elegant controller-driven interfaces for the Xbox console line should give the company a leg up in building a similar interface on top of Windows. Thus far, though, Microsoft has shown no interest in re-creating that console-like interface through the Windows Xbox app. Here's hoping previous reports that Microsoft is working on a "lightweight version" of the Xbox user interface for handheld gaming end up panning out.A gaming-focused OS Running stock Windows on gaming portables leaves a lot to be desired. Credit: Kevin Purdy Running stock Windows on gaming portables leaves a lot to be desired. Credit: Kevin Purdy While Windows has been the premier PC gaming operating system for a while now, the operating system as a whole is obviously designed for much more than gaming. For a gaming-focused handheld, Microsoft needs to make a version of the operating system that's streamlined to focus on the tools and features game makers and players need without all the bloat associated with ones they don't.The 2017 introduction of Windows Game Mode was a step in the right direction here, turning off unnecessary background processes and focusing CPU and memory resources on the game in question. And Microsoft's Xbox consoles have long been built off a Windows core, showing how the PC OS can be modified for gaming purposes.For a dedicated gaming handheld, though, Microsoft should go even further and craft a miniature version of Windows that's laser-focused on running one game at a time on specific portable hardware. Besides streamlining performance, reducing OS overhead, and improving battery life, such a move would mean portable Xbox gamers won't have to worry about automatic printer driver updates or a bunch of mysterious background tasks clogging up their processor.More than just Xbox If you can't download Warcraft II from GOG onto your portable Xbox, why even bother? Credit: GOG/Blizzard If you can't download Warcraft II from GOG onto your portable Xbox, why even bother? Credit: GOG/Blizzard Any Xbox-branded portable gaming system will obviously integrate deeply with Microsoft's existing Windows Xbox App. But it would be a mistake for Microsoft to restrict the hardware to that Microsoft-controlled platform. Players should be able to install games from competitors like Steam, the Epic Games Store, GoG, and others on their Xbox-branded handheld, even if that doesn't necessarily align with the branding.This kind of functionality doesn't have to be front and center in the portable's streamlined UI; Microsoft could hide these features behind a special system option, a la the Steam Deck's Linux desktop mode. But power users who don't want to limit themselves to Microsoft's online store will need to be able to treat their Xbox handheld like any other Windows device if they so choose.Bring old Xbox games to PC The ultimate handheld system seller. Credit: Microsoft / Bizarre Creations The ultimate handheld system seller. Credit: Microsoft / Bizarre Creations Microsoft has made a lot of hay over the way recent Xbox consoles can play games dating all the way back to the original Xbox. If Microsoft wants to set its first gaming handheld apart, it should make those old console games officially available on a Windows-based system for the first time.The ability to download previous console games dating back to the Xbox 360 era (or beyond) would be an instant "system seller" feature for any portable Xbox. While this wouldn't be a trivial technical lift on Microsoft's part, the same emulation layer that powers Xbox console backward compatibility could surely be ported to Windows with a little bit of work. That process might be easier with a specific branded portable, too, since Microsoft would be working with full knowledge of what hardware was being used.If Microsoft can give us a way to play Geometry Wars 2 on the go without having to deal with finicky third-party emulators, we'll be eternally grateful.Multiple hardware tiers One size does not fit all when it comes to consoles or to handhelds. Credit: Sam Machkovech One size does not fit all when it comes to consoles or to handhelds. Credit: Sam Machkovech On the console side, Microsoft's split simultaneous release of the Xbox Series S and X showed an understanding that not everyone wants to pay more money for the most powerful possible gaming hardware. Microsoft should extend this philosophy to gaming handhelds by releasing different tiers of portable Xbox hardware for price-conscious consumers.Raw hardware power is the most obvious differentiator that could set a more expensive tier of Xbox portables apart from any cheaper options. But Microsoft could also offer portable options that reduce the overall bulk (a la the Nintendo Switch Lite) or offer relative improvements in screen size and quality (a la the Steam Deck OLED and Switch OLED).Made for Xbox It worked for Valve, it can work for Microsoft. Credit: Valve It worked for Valve, it can work for Microsoft. Credit: Valve One of the best things about console gaming is that you can be confident any game you buy for a console will "just work" with your hardware. In the world of PC gaming handhelds, Valve has tried to replicate this with the "Deck Verified" program to highlight Steam games that are guaranteed to work in a portable setting.Microsoft is well-positioned to work with game publishers to launch a similar program for its own Xbox-branded portable. There's real value in offering gamers assurances that "Made for Xbox" PC games will "just work" on their Xbox-branded handheld.This kind of verification system could also help simplify and clarify hardware requirements across different tiers of portable hardware power; any handheld marketed as "level 2" could play any games marketed as level 2 or below, for instance.Kyle OrlandSenior Gaming EditorKyle OrlandSenior Gaming Editor Kyle Orland has been the Senior Gaming Editor at Ars Technica since 2012, writing primarily about the business, tech, and culture behind video games. He has journalism and computer science degrees from University of Maryland. He once wrote a whole book about Minesweeper. 114 Comments

2025-03-12T08:23:01Z Read in app Daniel Craig has been the last actor to play James Bond. Eon Productions This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Amazon is taking control of the James Bond franchise from Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.The exit of the franchise's longtime producers marks a major shift in direction.Bond expert John Cork says casting the right 007 is crucial to maintaining the franchise's legacy.James Bond is in a tight spot, and no witty one-liner or fancy gadget is going to help him out this time.The news that Jeff Bezos' Amazon has taken control of the Bond franchise from its longtime producers, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, marks the end of an era and raises questions about the franchise's future.With no actor signed on yet to play Bond 2021's "No Time to Die" marked the final installment for the most recent 007, Daniel Craig Amazon has a chance to reboot the franchise and take it in any direction it chooses. But will it take a risk on casting an unconventional 007, focus on spinoffs, or play it safe? John Cork, a filmmaker and author who has produced, written, and directed more than 30 documentaries for MGM's James Bond releases, shared his insight with Business Insider, offering up some ideas for what Bezos and Amazon can do to continue the legacy of one of film's most iconic characters.Broccoli and Wilson's influence on Bond goes back decades, giving them the instant credibility Amazon lacks Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. Tim P Whitby/Getty A full reboot of the franchise hasn't been on the table since the early 1990s, when Broccoli and Wilson stepped in, casting Pierce Brosnan as the new Bond and releasing "GoldenEye" in 1995. The movie went on to became a box office sensation, proving that Bond was still relevant in the post-Cold War era.As the daughter and stepson of producer Albert "Cubby" Broccoli, who originated the Bond franchise, half-siblings Broccoli and Wilson had deep ties the legacy of 007. Wilson had written the previous five Bond movies before producing "GoldenEye" and came up with the thrilling opening sequences for 1977's "The Spy Who Loved Me" and 1979's "Moonraker." Broccoli was the franchise's "beating heart," as Cork put it; she'd cement her own legacy decades later when she cast Daniel Craig."The history of commercial businesses is littered with ventures that have failed because the children of moguls have attempted to fill their parents' shoes," Cork told BI. "Barbara and Michael did it with spectacular success and grace."Like Dave Filoni with "Star Wars" and Kevin Feige with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Broccoli and Wilson were the gatekeepers of Bond who didn't just know its history chapter and verse but had a proven track record of pulling off the gargantuan task of producing a Bond movie for the big screen.With Amazon soon at the helm, they'll have to get acquainted with the franchise's long and storied history and deep fan base fast."You have an audience drumming its fingers going, 'Okay Amazon, prove to me you know how to not screw this up,'" Cork said.Casting the right James Bond will be Amazon's biggest test Daniel Craig, Sean Connery, and Pierce Brosnan as James Bond. MGM. Beyond creating stories filled with thrilling action set in breathtaking locales, the best way for Amazon to silence the doubters is to choose the right James Bond."Audiences are very forgiving to a wide variety of interpretations, but every line and every movement needs to feel like something that James Bond would do," Cork said.Nailing the Bond casting not focusing on any potential spinoffs should be the name of the game, Cork added."It's very hard to do a James Bond movie or series without James Bond," he said of potential spinoffs in the Bond universe. "The thing that differentiates a James Bond film from every other film out there is the character of James Bond."But who should play Bond, and is it time to cast someone other than a white British man? "I don't know, because I haven't seen it tried the other way," Cork said. "All I can say is if I was spending the kind of money that Amazon has spent to gain control of James Bond, do I wish to take the riskiest path and risk the value of the entire franchise off of making a deeply unconventional casting choice?"Whatever Amazon ultimately decides, Cork said he'll be first in line to see what adventures 007 takes on next."There are things that go on here that are invisible to anyone just watching the finished product," he said. "But there are many paths to paradise."