In a nutshell: After leaving the smartphone business three years ago, LG is now apparently scheming a flashy return thanks to an AI-focused partnership with Samsung. The two Korean companies are developing some "revolutionary" AI tech based on the newly introduced ixi-O digital assistant for LG Uplus customers. Next year's Mobile World Congress could see the introduction of the first "real AI phone," a project Samsung and LG are now secretly working on. Unnamed industry sources told KED Global that this new smartphone will include a highly advanced digital assistant, with AI technology designed to go beyond the simplistic integration of some third-party AI assistant service in a pre-existing mobile device.LG Uplus, a South Korean mobile network operator, introduced its ixi-O AI call assistant technology earlier this month. The ixi-O agent can provide AI services such as answering and summarizing phone calls, converting audio into text, and detecting scam attempts. The technology works entirely on-device and is LG's attempt to enter the burgeoning AI business.Despite being part of the LG conglomerate, LG Uplus will not make new smartphones. Instead, the company will provide its ixi-O agent to Samsung to integrate into select Galaxy devices. According to the insiders, the two companies are working on a tighter knit between AI capabilities and smartphones.With Samsung's powerful Galaxy hardware, ixi-O will provide end customers with a "revolutionary" AI experience. LG Uplus, South Korea's smallest mobile carrier, is making the new AI phone exclusive to its subscribers. The current version of ixi-O is available on Apple iPhone 14 devices.Even if LG Uplus plans to manage its jointly developed AI phone as a strictly Korean affair, Samsung could have broader plans. The manufacturing giant might be interested in bringing the "Galaxy ixi-O" digital assistant to other models, working in partnership with more mobile carriers to offer the new AI tech outside South Korea. // Related StoriesLG Uplus is investing heavily in AI ventures. According to Chief Executive Hwang Hyeon-sik, the company plans to sink up to 3 trillion won (or $2.1 billion) into AI tech while seeking high-profile partnerships with Google, Amazon, and other major technology corporations.

Maze mayhem: Few games have managed to ingrain themselves in the minds of people the way Pac-Man has. The iconic maze game will soon jump out of the screen and become a physical experience. Launching in Manchester, England, the new game will have players running around a giant Pac-Man board, eating dots and dodging ghosts. Pac-Man is coming to life thanks to a collaboration between Bandai Namco and Little Lion Entertainment. Set to open on March 22, the "Pac-Man Live Experience" aims to transport fans into the neon-drenched world of Pac-Man. We're not talking about a virtual reality game. Players will physically become the yellow chomper, dashing through life-size maze projections.The centerpiece is the massive "Arcade Arena" with two gigantic Pac-Man courts displayed on the floor. The surrounding walls will be covered in dynamic visuals, immersing participants in the pixelated universe.The key component is the "Pac-Vest," a wearable that lets players control their Pac-Man with body movement. These vests use advanced trackers to blend reality with augmented graphics. As players navigate the neon maze, the vests provide haptic feedback and lighting effects to sell the illusion of being shrunken down into a life-sized game.It's akin to the feel of the Tron movies, with all those radiant neon lights and a virtual audience seated around the arena scrutinizing your moves, except instead of battling the MCP, players will evade the colorful and iconic Pac-Man. The Live Experience stays faithful to the original game, with Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde all present to chase players. The only variance is that the game adds exclusive new bonus levels and power-ups for a refreshing spin.The game will also have a "Pac-Master" host who doubles as commentator and referee while helping to guide the group through the experience. The Pac-Master will explain the rules, offer tips, and provide commentary as the participants play. Top-scoring players will have their performance immortalized on leaderboards.It's certainly a trip down the nostalgia lane for long-time fans. However, Bandai Namco emphasizes the multi-generational appeal, calling it the perfect occasion "to create lasting memories together in Pac-Man!" // Related StoriesTickets are available now in 30-minute slots at an enticing "Early Bird" pricing. Adults and kids as young as eight enjoy the attraction for 25 apiece. Little Lion has no word on standard ticket prices after the early bird window closes.

Highly anticipated: As the unveiling of consumer Blackwells draws near, clear images of Nvidia's next-generation graphics cards are beginning to materialize. The new lineup's flagship product will undoubtedly set new performance benchmarks, but the latest information suggests that it will also use one of the biggest chips in Nvidia's history. Trusted leaker "MEGAsizeGPU" recently claimed that Nvidia's upcoming GB202 graphics processor, which will power the GeForce RTX 5090, uses a 24mm x 31mm die. If the report is accurate, it might support earlier rumors claiming the graphics card will retail for nearly $2,000.A 744mm die would make the GB202 22 percent larger than the RTX 4090's 619mm AD102 GPU. It would also be the company's largest die since the TU102, which measured 754mm and served as the core of the RTX 2080 Ti, released in 2018.Although the RTX 5090 utilizes a larger GPU than the 4090, earlier reports indicated that the final consumer product will be smaller than its predecessor, as it won't use the entire die. The 4090's monstrous profile primarily stems from its triple-slot cooler. In contrast, the Blackwell flagship will have a more typical two-slot design featuring dual fans to fit a broader range of chassis.However, all other known specs suggest that the 5090 represents a substantial leap forward. With 21,760 CUDA cores and 32GB of 28GB/s GDDR7 VRAM on a 512-bit bus, it should offer an estimated 70 percent performance boost over the 4090. The clock speed remains unclear, but the card features a 600W TBP. Connectivity support includes PCIe 5.0 and DisplayPort 2.1a.The second Blackwell GPU, GB203, will power the RTX 5080 and 5070 Ti. While the 5080 utilizes the whole die with 10,712 cores, 16GB of VRAM on a 256-bit bus, and a 400W TBP, the 5070 Ti is cut down to 8,690 cores and draws 300W. // Related StoriesThe RTX 5070 will also use the full GB205 die, with 6,400 cores and 12GB of VRAM on a 192-bit bus. Reports indicate that the 5090, 5080, 5070, and 5070 Ti will debut at CES in January, featuring GDDR7 VRAM. The RTX 5060 will likely launch a few weeks later.AMD is also expected to unveil the Radeon RX 8000, codenamed RDNA4, at CES, while Intel might reveal its Arc Battlemage GPUs next month.

In context: A new hacking technique raises concerns about how cyber warfare and espionage continue to evolve. As nation-state actors develop more sophisticated methods, the line between physical and digital security becomes increasingly blurred. Russian hackers have devised a highly sophisticated method of breaching Wi-Fi networks from afar that researchers have dubbed the "nearest neighbor attack," as it allows hackers to infiltrate target networks without physically approaching the premises.The new technique involves a multi-step process that leverages vulnerabilities in neighboring networks to breach the intended target. Instead of risking detection by getting close to the target, as has been the norm in previous Wi-Fi hacking attempts, hackers can now orchestrate their attacks from a safe distance.Cybersecurity firm Volexity uncovered this unprecedented Wi-Fi hacking technique while investigating a network breach targeting a customer in Washington, DC, in 2022. The firm's researchers traced the intrusion to a Russian hacker group known by various monikers, including Fancy Bear, APT28, and Unit 26165, part of Russia's GRU military intelligence agency.Wired notes that cybersecurity researcher Steven Adair revealed how his firm discovered this technique at the Cyberwarcon security conference held this week in Arlington, Virginia.A "nearest neighbor attack" operates through a series of calculated steps. Hackers first breach a vulnerable network in a building near the intended target. They then gain control of a laptop within this compromised network. They use the device's Wi-Fi from there to breach the targeted network. This method allows the attackers to remain physically distant while exploiting local Wi-Fi vulnerabilities. // Related StoriesIn the case investigated by Volexity, the attack's sophistication extended beyond a single jump. The researchers discovered evidence of a daisy chain of Wi-Fi network breaches that involved up to three separate networks before reaching the final target. The attack's success hinged on several technical elements, including credential exploitation, two-factor authentication bypass, and domain name leakage. The hackers were very determined, according to Volexity, making multiple intrusion attempts even after initial discovery.This technique is an evolution of the GRU's previous "close-access" hacking methods. In 2018, officials caught Russian spies attempting to hack the Wi-Fi network of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague using equipment hidden in a car trunk. The "nearest neighbor attack" seems to directly respond to the operational security risks exposed by that incident.This new attack vector presents significant challenges for cybersecurity professionals. Organizations must now consider the security of neighboring networks as part of their threat landscape. The ability to conduct these attacks from afar increases the potential pool of attackers and complicates identifying who is behind an attack.In light of this new threat, cybersecurity experts recommend several protective measures, including limiting Wi-Fi range, obfuscating network names, implementing more robust authentication protocols, and monitoring Wi-Fi access points, especially those near windows or external walls.Cybersecurity experts warn that nearest-neighbor attacks may become more prevalent. John Hultquist, a threat intelligence expert at Google-owned Mandiant, suggests that this technique represents a "major improvement" for close-access operations, and hackers are likely to use it more frequently.Image credit: Volexity

In a nutshell: Western Digital has introduced a sleigh full of new storage devices just in times for the holidays, including a new high-performance NVMe solid-state drive starting under $60. The WD Black SN7100 is a PCIe Gen 4x4 DRAMless SSD targeting mainstream gamers. It features Western Digital's latest TLC 3D NAND and is offered in 500 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB capacities. The top tier drive boasts sequential read speeds of up to 7,250 MB/s and 6,900 MB/s sequential writes, with random read and write IOPS of 1000K and 1400K, respectively. According to WD, this model is 35 percent faster than the previous generation.Performance typically scales with capacity, and that is the case here as well. The 500 GB drive, for example, is a bit slower at 6,800 MB/s sequential reads and 5,800 MB/s sequential writes, and 760K random read IOPS / 1200K random write IOPS.Western Digital says the drives were engineered with laptops and gaming handhelds in mind, and are up to 100 percent more power efficient compared to last gen drives.All models adhere to the M.2 280 form factor, come backed by a five year limited warranty, and weigh in at 5.8 grams. The 2 TB model boasts a 1,200 TBW endurance rating; the rating of the other models was not mentioned.As the name suggests, DRAMless SSDs are those that don't utilize onboard memory. Such drives are typically more affordable than their DRAM-equipped counterparts because they contain fewer components, but performance can sometimes suffer. Conversely, fewer parts means less power consumption. Ultimately, it all comes down to determining what is the best fit for your budget and the type of computing you do most often. // Related StoriesWestern Digital's new solid-state drives are available to pre-order now and are expected to ship in the coming weeks. Pricing is set at $59.99 for the 500 GB model, $89.99 for the 1 TB variant, and $149.99 for the 2 TB drive. Western Digital teased a 4 TB model that is due out sometime in 2025, but did not share any specifications, potential pricing, or a more specific launch window.WD also announced a new SanDisk-branded Extreme Pro portable SSD with USB 4 connectivity, an 8 TB Extreme Portable SSD, and a 2 TB WD Black C50 expansion card for Xbox. Details on those and more can be found in Western Digital's press release.

What just happened? GlobalFoundries, the third-largest semiconductor foundry in the world, is finally receiving the funding promised by the US government through the Chips Act. The official announcement outlines the three main projects that will be supported by the grant, along with a massive, multi-year investment effort. The previously leaked decision to award GlobalFoundries $1.5 billion in subsidies to manufacture chips in the US is now official. The company has announced an agreement with the US Department of Commerce to receive direct funding through the Chips and Science Act, securing what will likely be the last subsidies granted under this ambitious plan before a new federal administration takes office in Washington.The $1.5 billion award follows a preliminary memorandum of terms signed in February 2024, according to GlobalFoundries. The funding will be used to expand the company's "essential" chip manufacturing capabilities in the United States, which will, in turn, provide a more resilient and reliable supply chain for the country's high-tech industry.The Chips and Science Act's plan to strengthen US semiconductor manufacturing has been five years in the making, said GlobalFoundries' president and CEO, Thomas Caulfield. The company is a crucial element of the US economy, supply chain, and national security, with two plants accredited as "Trusted Foundry" sites to manufacture secure chips for the US government.GlobalFoundries will use the $1.5 billion award to support three specific projects. First, the company will expand its existing chip fab in Malta, New York, by implementing "critical technologies" already used in other locations outside the US. This new technology is expected to provide a reliable supply of essential chips for the US automotive industry.GlobalFoundries' second project is the modernization of its existing plant in Essex Junction, Vermont, where production capabilities will be significantly expanded. The plant will also host a new facility designed for high-volume manufacturing of gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductors, which, according to GF, are essential for the next generation of electric vehicles, data centers, IoT devices, smartphones, and more. // Related StoriesLastly, GlobalFoundries will build a completely new manufacturing plant within its Malta, New York campus. The new fab is expected to meet domestic demand for essential chips in the aerospace, defense, computing, and automotive industries, though GF will proceed "in alignment" with market conditions and customer demand.GlobalFoundries will add the $1.5 billion award from the Chips Act to a much larger investment plan across its two US sites. The company plans to invest $13 billion over the next 10 years, with additional funding from the New York State Green Chips Program ($550 million), the state of Vermont, and other unnamed incentives.All things considered, the plan is expected to create around 1,000 direct manufacturing jobs and more than 9,000 construction jobs. GF will also work with New York and Vermont authorities to develop a qualified workforce for its semiconductor business.

Facepalm: Large language models have a long, steep hill to climb before they prove trustworthy and reliable. For now, they are helpful in starting research, but only fools would trust them enough to write a legal document. A professor specializing in the subject should know better. A Stanford professor has an egg on his face after submitting an affidavit to the court in support of a controversial Minnesota law aimed at curbing the use of deepfakes and AI to influence election outcomes. The proposed amendment to existing legislation states that candidates convicted of using deepfakes during an election campaign must forfeit the race and face fines and imprisonment of up to five years and $10,000, depending on the number of previous convictions.Minnesota State Representative Mary Franson and YouTuber Christopher Kohls have challenged the law, claiming it violates the First Amendment. During the pretrial proceedings, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison asked the founding director of Stanford's Social Media Lab, Professor Jeff Hancock, to provide an affidavit declaring his support of the law (below).Expert Declaration of Professor Jeff Hancock via CourtListenerThe Minnesota Reformer notes that Hancock drew up a well-worded argument for why the legislation is essential. He cites several sources for his conviction, including a study titled "The Influence of Deepfake Videos on Political Attitudes and Behavior" in the Journal of Information Technology & Politics. He also referenced another academic paper called "Deepfakes and the Illusion of Authenticity: Cognitive Processes Behind Misinformation Acceptance." The problem is that neither of these studies exist in the journal mentioned or any other academic resource.The plaintiffs filed a memorandum suggesting that the citations could be AI-generated. The dubious attributions challenge the declaration's validity, even if they aren't from an LLM, so the judge should throw it out. // Related Stories"The citation bears the hallmarks of being an artificial intelligence 'hallucination,' suggesting that at least the citation was generated by a large language model like ChatGPT," the memorandum reads. "Plaintiffs do not know how this hallucination wound up in Hancock's declaration, but it calls the entire document into question."Click to enlargeIf the citations are AI-generated, it is highly likely that portions, or even the entirety of the affidavit, are, too. In experiments with ChatGPT, TechSpot has found that the LLM will make up quotations that do not exist in an apparent attempt to lend validity to a story. When confronted about it, the chatbot will admit that it made the material up and will revise it with even more dubious content (above).It is conceivable that Hancock, who is undoubtedly a very busy man, wrote a draft declaration and passed it on to an aide to edit, who ran it through an LLM to clean it up, and the model added the references unprompted. However, that doesn't excuse the document from rightful scrutiny and criticism, which is the main problem with LLMs today.The irony that a self-proclaimed expert submitted a document containing AI-generated misinformation to a legal body in support of a law that outlaws that very information is not lost to anyone involved. Ellison and Hancock have not commented on the situation and likely want the embarrassing faux pas to disappear.The more tantalizing question is whether the court will consider this perjury since Hancock signed under the statement, "I declare under penalty of perjury that everything I have stated in this document is true and correct." If people are not held accountable for misusing AI, how can it ever get better?

WTF?! Microsoft recently released the Bing Wallpaper app on the Windows Store, offering users a new, official way to change your desktop wallpaper on a daily basis. The app includes a collection of images from around the world that have been featured on the Bing homepage, but it apparently also brings a series of very questionable hidden perks after being installed on a Windows PC. Some third-party software companies behave like true malware sellers, packing their products with really questionable functionality and hidden payloads. When Microsoft shows the same behavior, however, Windows users tend to react swiftly and in an extremely negative way.According to Windows dev and "reverse engineer by night" Rafael Rivera, Bing Wallpaper is an absolute nightmare for the user's security and privacy. The app automatically installs Bing Visual Search and includes code to decrypt cookies saved in other browsers, Rivera said, and it also brings a "free" geolocation web API to the system.Cool wallpaper, not so cool app...The developer discovered "many" nasty tricks Microsoft integrated in Bing Wallpapers, which include trying to change the browser's settings and set Edge as the default system browser. If the default browser isn't Edge, the app will open the default browser after some time asking to enable the previously installed Microsoft Bing Search for Chrome extension.Rivera provided a list of the forcefully installed extensions users need to block in Chrome or Firefox. The developer straight up defined Bing Wallpaper as a malicious app, pointing to the app's server configuration for people interested in further investigating this malware. There's also a registry key that can apparently force the app to "nuke itself," which sounds like a very nice option to have at this point. // Related StoriesNetizens welcomed the Bing Wallpaper "malware" with open arms, and now they are sharing some very nice comments on Microsoft's latest attempt to bother the Windows userbase. People are saying that this sounds exactly like a thing Microsoft would do, while someone is even evoking a class action lawsuit against the company. If the wallpaper is free, one user said, you are likely the product.At this point, Bing Wallpaper can be considered unwanted, hostile adware at best. Dynamic wallpapers and related desktop customization features are readily available with other, adware-free apps and proper Win32 programs like Dynamic Wallpaper, Wallpaper Engine, and many more. Windows 11 even includes a native feature to change the desktop background every day, so there really is no need to install "official" Bing apps to get the job done.

Cutting corners: Depending on who you ask, digital piracy has been a topic of controversy, partly due to the ambiguity surrounding its legality compared to physical theft or counterfeiting. A recent Norwegian government survey highlights that acceptance of piracy varies significantly across age groups. Unsurprisingly, younger respondents were the least opposed to piracy, often citing high costs as their primary justification. A recent survey reveals that nearly half of Norwegians under age 30 have no qualms about streaming or downloading movies, music, or TV shows from unofficial sources. Slight less than half admit to having pirated digital media.Conducted by Ipsos and published by the Norwegian government, the survey questioned 1,411 participants aged 15 and older about their attitudes toward digital piracy and counterfeit physical goods. As expected, these practices are less popular among older age groups. However, about one-third of all respondents expressed some level of acceptance toward piracy and buying knock-off goods.Translation by TorrentFreak, click to enlargeThe survey found that 21 percent of participants under 30 strongly agreed that accessing movies, music, or TV shows from illegal sources is acceptable when official channels are too expensive.Another 29 percent partially agreed. Among respondents aged 30 to 44, the proportion who strongly or partially agreed only dropped slightly, to around 40 percent. In contrast, more than half of participants over 45 strongly disagreed with this stance. // Related StoriesInterestingly, respondents across all age groups were less concerned about pirating content that is unavailable through legal channels. Nearly two-thirds of those under 30, along with 46.6 percent of all respondents, deemed it acceptable in such cases.Copyright holders frequently argue that piracy harms media industries and potentially affects jobs. Surprisingly, 71.2 percent of survey participants either fully or partially agreed with this assertion, suggesting that many consumers justify piracy despite acknowledging its potential harm.While at least half of respondents from all age groups reported paying for legal streaming services, 44 percent of those under 30 admitted to knowingly or unknowingly accessing media from illegal sources. Among those who engaged in piracy, 40.6 percent said they would switch to official platforms if prices were more affordable.Unfortunately for consumers, streaming companies are trending in the opposite direction. Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube Premium have all announced price hikes this year. Meanwhile, Amazon Prime Video (which is paid to begin with) recently introduced ads, launched a pricier ad-free subscription option, and plans to increase the number of ad slots next year.Survey respondents were slightly less accepting of purchasing counterfeit physical items.Among those under 30, 48.7 percent found it acceptable to buy knock-offs when authentic goods were too expensive. However, only 8.2 percent admitted to knowingly purchasing counterfeit products. The most commonly purchased counterfeit items were clothing, sunglasses, and electronics, in that order.

In brief: DDR5 memory chips generally have higher latency than DDR4, but this usually doesn't pose a problem under normal usage. However, MSI has released a firmware update to address a mild latency increase introduced last month. Chinese website Uniko's Hardware recently spotted a new feature in MSI firmware for AM5 motherboards called "Latency Killer," which is designed to improve RAM latency. According to its description, Latency Killer can boost latency performance but may have a negative impact on CPU performance. However, most users are unlikely to notice any significant difference in everyday use.The Latency Killer feature offers three settings: Enabled, Disabled, or Auto. This new option is intended to restore latency levels to those seen on AM5 motherboards before the recent AGESA 1202a update, which increased latency by around 10 nanoseconds. Some users had been flashing their motherboards with older AGESA versions to regain lost performance.Corsair explains that a DRAM module's latency refers to how many clock cycles it takes to access a specific set of data stored in RAM. CAS (Column Address Strobe) latency is a key specification that indicates how many clock cycles are needed for the DRAM to provide the requested data to the CPU. For example, a CAS latency of 34 means the module needs 34 RAM clock cycles to fulfill a data request from the processor.DDR5 RAM generally has higher CAS latency than DDR4 memory, but it still offers significant performance benefits due to higher power efficiency, greater storage density, and much faster clock speeds. In practical terms, a 10-nanosecond reduction in latency is unlikely to have a noticeable impact on everyday tasks or gaming performance. // Related StoriesThe new Latency Killer option appears to be aimed at restoring the memory latency levels seen on AM5 motherboards before the AGESA 1202a update. However, AMD is working on a new firmware revision that will address the latency increase without requiring users to enable or disable any BIOS options.The AGESA 1.2.0.2a microcode update, released a few weeks ago, added support for Ryzen 9000X3D "Granite Ridge" CPUs on AM5 motherboards. The Granite Ridge architecture, based on Zen 5, is a powerful CPU design with a generous amount of integrated L3 cache, which should help offset the additional latency introduced by AMD's microcode.

Retro Potato: Longtime Microsoft software engineer Raymond Chen recently responded to an intriguing retro-tech question posed by a game developer on X. The developer inquired about the three distinct user interfaces used during the Windows 95 setup process, which transitioned from DOS to Windows 3.x, and finally to the classic Win9x GUI. Chen explaining that it was a deliberate design choice to minimize the amount of code required for the Windows 95 configuration experience. Experienced PC users may be well aware of the peculiar relationship between MS-DOS code and the GUI environment within the Win9x ecosystem. However, according to Chen, the multi-OS support built into the Windows 95 setup program was far more sophisticated than it might initially seem.With over 30 years of experience shaping the evolution of Windows, Chen holds deep insights into the hidden intricacies of one of the world's most widely used software platforms. Writing The Old New Thing blog, he said Windows 95 setup was designed to upgrade systems from three possible starting points MS-DOS, Windows 3.1, and Windows 95 itself. This necessity dictated the need for compatibility with three distinct computing environments.The setup program was primarily written as an MS-DOS application but was designed to run on three different operating systems to perform distinct tasks. The DOS portion was necessary when setup was launched from the MS-DOS prompt, as accessing the Win9x environment would have been impossible without first installing it on the hard drive.Also see: Who wrote the BSOD screen? Former Windows developer finally has an answerThe MS-DOS setup component installed a minimal version of Windows 3.1 just enough to support the 16-bit portion of the setup tool. After booting into this miniature Windows 3.1 environment, the 16-bit GUI setup program would launch. This application could also run in a full Windows 3.x environment or even within an already installed Windows 95 OS, enabling users to repair a corrupted system if necessary. // Related StoriesThe 16-bit Windows application was the centerpiece of the process, Chen explained, as it handled the majority of tasks required for the "real" Windows 95 installation. This graphical interface managed user interaction, collected configuration data, determined which OS components to install, and performed hardware detection to select the appropriate drivers.After copying the Windows 95 files and drivers to the system, the 16-bit setup booted into the Win9x environment. The third and final setup stage involved a genuine Win32 application, which finalized the installation by handling tasks such as installing printers and configuring other peripherals.By chaining together these three setup programs, Microsoft was able to streamline development by reusing a single codebase across all three main installation scenarios. "Each program takes you one step closer to the goal. And everything got implemented only once," the developer said.

Forward-looking: Real-time translation is often cited as one of the most practical applications of generative AI, and Microsoft plans to bring this feature to its video conferencing and team collaboration software early next year. The company also showcased numerous new and upcoming AI features at its recent Ignite 2024 event. One of the many Copilot "AI agents" coming soon to Microsoft 365 aims to translate speakers' voices during meetings in Microsoft Teams. The functionality will enter public preview in early 2025.Supported languages include Mandarin, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, and Spanish.Users can also instruct the agent to replicate their voice and speaking style in the translated language. Additionally, a new AI transcription feature in Teams supports translations into 31 languages. Another translation tool, launching next year, enables Copilot to convert entire PowerPoint presentations into one of 40 languages without changing their formatting.Microsoft's new Copilot enterprise agents essentially customizable AI-based apps were first introduced a month ago. The first wave was designed to automate some tasks for sales and finance companies, a new wave of these agents will roll out to other industries between now and early 2024.For example, Copilot will soon be able to recap Microsoft Teams discussions, answer participant questions, and summarize files shared in chat. A feature launching later this month will allow Copilot to schedule one-on-one meetings by analyzing users' calendars, identifying mutually available times, and drafting meeting agendas. // Related StoriesAgents have also come to Microsoft's SharePoint tools. A new AI assistant can summon information about a company and its products to assist customers, train new team members, or plan budgets. Additionally, 365 subscribers can implement SharePoint Advanced Management at no extra cost starting early 2025.ServiceNow, Workday, Cohere, and other companies are also preparing to release more AI agents in the coming months. Meanwhile, Copilot is expected to expand its data access capabilities through partnerships with companies like S&P Global and CB Insights.Microsoft's Ignite 2024 announcements show the company is betting heavily on GenAI. However, features like translation, summaries, and queries hinge on accuracy a persistent challenge for AI due to the well-documented issues of hallucinations.Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff harshly criticized Microsoft's initial Copilot Agent rollout, citing insufficient accuracy, data, and security. However, Salesforce is attempting to compete with its Agentforce AI tools. The recent debut of Apple Intelligence has called generative AI summaries into question, with numerous unintentionally funny results spreading on social media.Microsoft contends that limiting AI agents to information from user-determined datasets will ensure accuracy. The upcoming public betas will put that claim to the test.

Today, we're re-reviewing the Core Ultra 9 285K just kidding! Instead, we're throwing Intel's latest flagship CPU to the wolves, and by that we mean we are comparing it head-to-head with the Ryzen 7 9800X3D across 45 games.What we want to know is how these CPUs compare across a wide range of games or, more specifically, how much faster the 9800X3D is. For this review, we're sticking with the new format. Instead of showing individual results for a dozen or so titles and summarizing the margins for the rest, we'll present results for five games at a time. This way, you can see the FPS data for every game tested.As always, all CPU gaming benchmarks are conducted at 1080p using the GeForce RTX 4090. If you're curious why this is the best approach for evaluating CPU performance in games today and into the future, we have an article for that right here.Now, let's dive into the graphs!Gaming BenchmarksThe Last of Us, Cyberpunk, Hogwarts Legacy, ACC, Spider-ManFor our first batch of games, let's begin with The Last of Us Part 1. This is an example where the 285K performs quite well, resulting in the 9800X3D being only 5% faster a negligible margin. In this scenario, both CPUs deliver exceptional performance, as expected from flagship processors.However, the 285K stinks in Cyberpunk 2077, choking the RTX 4090 to just 151 fps. As a result, the Ryzen 7 processor is an impressive 45% faster. The 9800X3D also crushes the 285K in Hogwarts Legacy, delivering 43% better performance. The margins are even more brutal in ACC, where the AMD processor outpaces the Intel CPU by a staggering 75%. While performance improves for Intel in Spider-Man Remastered, the 9800X3D still maintains a 15% lead.Baldur's Gate 3, Homeworld 3, APTR, Flight Simulator, StarfieldNext, we have Baldur's Gate 3, where the 9800X3D is 34% faster, jumping from 131 fps to 176 fps. The margins become even more striking in Homeworld 3, with the 9800X3D achieving 58% better average frame rates and an incredible 117% improvement in 1% lows.The 285K also performs unexpectedly poorly in A Plague Tale: Requiem, averaging just 123 fps compared to 195 fps on the 9800X3D a 59% performance boost for the AMD CPU.In Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, the 9800X3D maintains a strong lead with an average of 95 fps, a 34% improvement over the 285K. The Intel CPU shows one of its best results in Starfield, though even here, the 9800X3D is 10% faster.Horizon Forbidden West, Horizon Zero Dawn, Watch Dogs, Far Cry 6, T&LIn Horizon Forbidden West, the 285K delivers one of its best performances, coming within a few percentage points of the 9800X3D. However, in Horizon Zero Dawn, the Ryzen 7 processor is 29% faster. The 9800X3D also outpaces the 285K by 46% in Watch Dogs Legion and 28% in Far Cry 6, while the margin is negligible in Throne and Liberty.Hitman 3, Callisto Protocol, SoTR, Halo, Warhammer 3Next is Hitman 3, where AMD's 3D V-Cache processor is just 7% faster. Both CPUs provide more than enough performance for this older game. We've updated the benchmark for The Callisto Protocol to a less GPU-bound test, showing the 9800X3D outperforming the 285K by 42%.We're also seeing a 24% increase in Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and like Hitman 3 performance here is much higher than is required, but it's a good benchmark tool for comparing the gaming performance of these two parts. Then we see that performance in Halo Infinite and Warhammer III is near enough to be identical.Black Ops 6, Borderlands 3, Riftbreaker, Remnant 2, SWJSThis next set of results begins with Black Ops 6, where the 9800X3D is 19% faster. Although the 285K is more than capable in this case, the Ryzen 7's significant advantage suggests better longevity.Similarly, in Borderlands 3, the 9800X3D delivers a 21% improvement. In The Riftbreaker, the 285K faces a substantial defeat, with the 3D V-Cache processor is a whopping 42% faster.In Remnant 2, the 285K produces relatively low frame rates for a high-end CPU, making the 30% improvement provided by the 9800X3D highly noticeable, especially for those using high refresh rate monitors. Finally, in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, the 9800X3D delivers a crushing 45% performance lead.War Thunder, Skull and Bones, Returnal, Ratchet & Clank, Dying Light 2And here we have yet more gaming data. Those seeking ultimate performance in War Thunder will find the 285K underwhelming, as 266 fps is not particularly impressive in this title. This also means the 9800X3D was nearly 50% faster.Performance in Skull and Bones, Returnal, and Ratchet & Clank is nearly identical, with no clear winner. However, the 9800X3D delivers a 19% performance uplift in Dying Light 2.Forza Horizon 5, Forza Motorsport, Gears 5, Ghost of Tsushima, HuntThe 9800X3D is only slightly faster in Forza Horizon 5, but it shows a 21% improvement in Forza Motorsport. In Gears 5, the Core Ultra 9 processor is completely outmatched, managing just 180 fps with 1% lows of 101 fps. This results in the 9800X3D being 62% faster. Margins are more modest in Ghost of Tsushima and Hunt: Showdown, though the 9800X3D is comfortably ahead in both cases.World War Z, F1 24, Rainbow Six Siege, Counter-Strike 2, FortniteThe 285K is once again crushed, with the 9800X3D delivering a 27% lead in World War Z and an 18% advantage in F1 24. Similar gains are observed in Rainbow Six Siege, where the Ryzen 7 processor provides 26% greater performance, and in Counter-Strike 2, where it delivers a 30% improvement.In Fortnite, we encountered a compatibility issue with Easy Anti-Cheat, which prevented the game from running on the 285K. We reported the issue to Intel over a week ago, and they have informed us that they are working with Epic Games on a fix. Hopefully, this will be resolved soon.Assassin's Creed x2, Space Marine 2, SW Outlaws, Dragon Age: The VeilguardFinally, we arrive at the last set of results, starting with Assassin's Creed Mirage, where the 9800X3D leads by a comfortable 22%, pushing frame rates beyond 200 fps. In Valhalla, the 9800X3D shows only a 5% improvement in average frame rates but an impressive 64% advantage in 1% lows, based on a three-run average.Space Marine 2 is heavily CPU-limited, making the 27% performance boost from the 9800X3D a significant advantage, particularly for those using high-refresh-rate displays. Similarly, Star Wars Outlaws is CPU-intensive, but here, the 9800X3D is just 5% faster. Lastly, in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the 9800X3D maintains a 15% lead.45 Game AverageHere's how the Ryzen 7 9800X3D and Core Ultra 9 285K compare head-to-head across the 45 games tested. There are no instances where the Ryzen processor was slower. Margins within 5% are considered a tie, as differences of 1 3% are not statistically significant.Across the 45 games, we found the 9800X3D to be, on average, 24% faster. While this margin is smaller than our review data, that's because reviews often emphasize CPU-limited gaming. This dataset includes several GPU-limited titles, such as Forza Horizon 5.What's particularly troubling for the 285K is the number of games where the Ryzen CPU led by over 40%. Hopefully, this is something Intel can address, but it seems the 285K may simply not be ideal for gamers.When looking at the 1% lows, the story remains largely the same. The 9800X3D provides, on average, 29% better 1% lows. While there are notable double-digit gains across many titles, the overall averages and 1% lows paint a consistent picture.What We LearnedTo say this was a one-sided bashing, with AMD wielding the 3D V-Cache hammer, would be stating the obvious. Intel's 285K got annihilated. You might think that's a bit over the top, after all the 285K delivered perfectly acceptable gaming performance in most titles tested, but we are talking about Intel's latest high-end CPU, and at $630, it is far from cheap.Granted, the Core Ultra 285K is a much better productivity CPU. However, that's not the competition the 9800X3D was built for it's designed for gaming. As it stands, the 9800X3D is the best gaming CPU available, with the previous-generation Ryzen 7 7800X3D coming in as the next best.Worse still for the 285K, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is expected early next year. It will likely claim the productivity crown from Intel's 285K. Even now, it's unclear whether the 285K holds that title, as the 9950X already outperforms it in several productivity workloads.Returning to gaming, if you're looking for the absolute best in CPU performance, Intel is no longer part of the conversation, which is shocking. The 9800X3D is simply too fast. Intel has admitted that Arrow Lake missed the mark and promised performance fixes by December, but expectations remain uncertain.Intel's Robert Hallock has publicly acknowledged that specific BIOS and OS-level settings have caused issues that negatively impacted performance. It's likely that Windows scheduling improvements will stabilize performance across a broader range of games. Compatibility problems, such as those with Easy Anti-Cheat, also need to be resolved. We are aware of Intel's statements about Arrow Lake's performance, if they manage to get out some updates before year's end, you can rest assured we'll re-test everything you've seen here.Shopping Shortcuts:AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D on AmazonIntel Core Ultra 9 285K on AmazonAMD Ryzen 9 9950X on AmazonIntel Core Ultra 7 265K on AmazonAMD Ryzen 7 9700X on AmazonAMD Ryzen 7 7700X on AmazonAMD Ryzen 5 9600X on Amazon

In context: In the early 2000s, when Valve's primary income came from developing games, the studio almost went under. If it had not been for the actions of a summer intern, Valve would have gone belly up, and Steam would not have existed. The story of this pivotal moment in gaming history was recently recounted in Secret Tape's Half-Life 2: 20th Anniversary Documentary. The trouble began after multinational conglomerate Vivendi acquired Sierra Entertainment. Sierra had a long-time relationship with Valve, producing and distributing Half-Life and all of its spinoff games, including Counter-Strike. The conflict began when Vivendi began licensing Counter-Strike to Korean internet cafes. Vivendi did this without Valve's consent.According to Gabe Newell and COO Scott Lynch, it went against their distribution agreement, which they had hammered out with Vivendi during the Sierra acquisition."Sierra, by that point, had become acquired by Vivendi, [which] had worldwide distribution rights, but only for retail package products," Valve lawyer Karl Quakenbush explained (below).At the time, Valve didn't think it was a big deal and simply asked Vivendi to acknowledge it had broken its licensing agreement. Valve wasn't even asking for any compensation for the internet cafe licensing. However, Vivendi refused, saying it had the right, so Valve filed a lawsuit. Even though the proceedings were going to court, the company still only wanted recognition of the breach of contract and reimbursement of the modest legal fees, which were in the tens of thousands of dollars range at that point.Vivendi did not take the filing lightly. Instead, it went "World War III" on Valve, filing multiple countersuits. The counterclaims were not minor either. Vivendi's legal actions included canceling Valve's agreements, seizing ownership of the Half-Life IP, and blocking the development of Steam. Not only that, Vivendi filed lawsuits against Newell and Lynch, making the matter personal. // Related Stories"And so it was kind of like, 'Well, we're gonna put Valve out of business, and then we're gonna bankrupt the two of you,'" Lynch recollected. "I think that was a lot of what they felt like was their path towards winning this fight."Although Valve was quite successful as a game studio at the time, it was no match for Vivendi's seemingly unlimited resources. It was a true David versus Goliath fight, except that in this instance, all Goliath had to do was run out the clock.Newell admitted that there came a point when the company was nearly bankrupt. He asked Lynch if he should put his house on the market to cover legal expenses and finish Half-Life 2."Yeah, I think it's time where you put the house on the market if we want to keep going," Lynch recalls telling Gabe.Ironically, Valve finally got a break because of a "bullsh** move" that Vivendi pulled. In an act of malicious compliance, the conglomerate turned over millions of pages of discovery, all in Korean. Vivendi was confident that Valve could never go through the sheer volume of documentation, let alone translate it, without running out of money first.Little did the Goliath know that Valve just happened to hire a summer intern named Andrew, who was not only a language studies major but also a native Korean speaker. Andrew combed through the discovery and stumbled upon the needle in the haystack.In the reams of documents, which even Vivendi hadn't read, which would become apparent later, was an email from a Korean Vivendi executive discussing orders from higher up, instructing the destruction of documents pertaining to the case. This discovery completely flipped the script. David's stone had struck Goliath right between the eyes.When confronted with the evidence, Vivendi had no choice but to settle favorably with Valve, covering its now considerable legal fees and giving Valve full ownership of its Half-Life IP. With the victory in hand, Valve launched Steam and released Half-Life 2, propelling it into the gaming powerhouse it is today.Without Andrew's timely intervention (and luck), Valve may have faded into obscurity, known only for Half-Life and its three spinoff titles. We would have no Portal, Left 4 Dead, or Dota. Counter-Strike's esports legacy might never have existed. Perhaps most importantly, there would be no Steam.

Why it matters: Microsoft introduced a cloud-based version of Windows a few years ago to help organizations quickly reach the company's tools and access workstation-level processing power on various devices. Microsoft's upcoming mini PC aims to offer a cheap, secure, and fast access point to that remote OS. Pre-orders are now open for the Windows 365 Link, Microsoft's new $349 mini PC that helps schools, businesses, and other organizations quickly access the cloud-based Windows 365 OS. A beta program is open in several countries, and general availability begins in April 2025.Windows 365 has delivered a simplified take on Azure Virtual Desktop for three years, bringing an accessible but fully-featured Windows environment to on-site devices. Traditional low-end Windows PCs can also use the service for extra horsepower in tasks like 3D rendering. The 365 Link is the first piece of hardware designed specifically for the cloud service, aiming to address security and logistical issues that enterprise cloud users commonly face.For instance, malicious actors often exploit client devices as attack vectors for infiltrating cloud systems. In response, the 365 Link closes some security loopholes by omitting all data, apps, and admin privileges from the local software. Furthermore, user authentication is passwordless, employing multifactor authentication through Microsoft Entra ID, the company's authenticator app, passkeys, QR codes, or FIDO USB security keys.Microsoft designed the 365 Link hardware for fast access. It can boot up within seconds and instantly wake from sleep mode. Furthermore, it requires no user or administrator setup. Organizations can begin using the mini PC out of the box by turning it on, connecting to the internet, and signing in.Although the device is a cloud-exclusive PC, its internal hardware is sufficient for high-resolution streaming and conferencing. Supported services include Microsoft Teams and Webex.Connectivity options on the 120 x 120 x 30mm (4.72 x 4.72 x 1.18-inch) mini PC include dual 4K display support through HDMI and DisplayPort, one front-facing USB-A port, two rear USB-A ports, a rear USB-C port, ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3.Admins can monitor fleets of 365 Link devices with familiar Microsoft Intune tools. By default, the mini PCs carry labels starting with "WCPC," making them easy to identify. // Related StoriesPreview testing is now available for the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Microsoft has a public release scheduled for next year in "select" but unspecified markets.

WTF?! Garbage collectors often stumble upon valuable or undamaged items, but finding a mostly functional, high-end PC might rank among one of the luckiest recent finds. Although the components are a few years old, the system booted flawlessly after a few smart repairs and minor replacements. Redditor and garbage truck driver "Siezio" recently shared, then deleted, photos of a gaming PC he salvaged from the trash and easily restored. The rig included an AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X, a GeForce RTX 2080 Ti with 11GB of VRAM, and 32GB of DDR4 RAM.The only missing component was internal storage, and Siezio replaced the water-damaged power supply unit (PSU) as a precaution. After thoroughly cleaning the other components with isopropyl alcohol and letting them dry for two days, the system powered on without issue.While Siezio had previously found other PCs in the trash, they were either severely damaged or decades out of date. In contrast, the 3970X and 2080 Ti are relatively modern, only five and six years old, respectively. Both were enthusiast-class components at launch and still hold up well today.The Threadripper 3970X is a 32-core monster that debuted in 2019 with a $1,999 price tag. We gave the workstation processor a glowing review upon its 2019 release.Meanwhile, the GPU, initially priced at $999, was a flagship beast when it debuted in 2018. It last appeared in our benchmark tests for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 last September, where it performed similarly to recent mid-range graphics cards like the RTX 3060 Ti. Purchasing a used 3970X and 2080 Ti together in 2024 would likely cost around $1,000. // Related StoriesUnsurprisingly, many commenters responded to Siezio's discovery with jealousy, wondering why someone would throw away a PC that likely cost over $3,000 without at least attempting to sell it. The hardware was released just before events like the cryptocurrency mining boom, import tariffs, and supply chain disruptions drove up electronics prices.Though the PC is the most valuable salvage from Siezio's three-and-a-half-year career, it is far from the only useful discovery. The truck driver has also found a power drill worth 250, multiple ratchet sets, an unopened Bluetooth keyboard that now controls his TV, and a chainsaw that only required a new spark plug.Furthermore, nearly all of Siezio's car tools were rescued from the trash. While most of the items were initially broken, repair guides on YouTube made restoring them straightforward.Images via Tom's Hardware

Choose your answer and the correct choice will be revealed. Correct Answer:DiamondAnd now, for some contextAluminum and copper have the highest thermal conductivity among common metals (205W/mK and 401W/mK versus say 50W/mK for steel) and are easily the most frequently used materials in the making of computer heatsinks. Although copper is superior at conducting heat, aluminum performs respectably while being cheaper, lighter and easier for manufacturers to work with.There are better heat conductors but they aren't practical materials for producing computer heatsinks: silver exceeds copper's thermal conductivity at 429W/mK (hence Arctic Silver thermal paste), diamond brings that into the thousands at 2300W/mK (and likewise hence IC Diamond thermal paste), while early measurements of graphene puts it at 5300W/mK. Less popularly, graphite has also been used in the production of PC heatsinks when a manufacturer wants something lighter than both copper and aluminum with thermals that land in between.Diamond is a remarkable material in terms of thermal conductivity, topping the list at an estimated 2,200 to 2,500 W/mK. However, the cost and difficulty of producing large, pure diamond structures make it an impractical choice for mass-produced heatsinks. Silver is the best metallic conductor of heat, with a thermal conductivity of about 430 W/mK. This property makes silver an attractive option for heatsinks. However, like diamond, silver is expensive and not typically used in mass-market cooling solutions. Furthermore, its softer nature compared to other metals could potentially lead to durability issues in the long term.With a thermal conductivity of 400 W/mK, copper is another excellent heat conductor. It's less expensive than silver and stronger too, offering better durability. Copper's high density allows for more efficient heat absorption and dissipation, making it an ideal choice for heatsinks. However, it's heavier than aluminum, and this weight issue can be a drawback in some applications, such as laptops or small form factor (SFF) PCs.Aluminum is the most commonly used material for heatsinks due to its balance of cost, weight, and thermal conductivity (around 205 W/mK). Although it doesn't conduct heat as well as copper or silver, aluminum is lightweight and easy to shape, providing excellent cooling performance for the cost. Its corrosion resistance also adds to its longevity, making it a preferred choice for many manufacturers.The choice of heatsink material often comes down to a balance between thermal conductivity, weight, durability, and cost.

In a nutshell: Everyone is complaining about how Microsoft does business in the cloud, and the Federal Trade Commission has finally decided to step in. While the Commission has not formally opened an investigation, hopes are that the exchange of power between the outgoing and incoming presidential administrations won't hinder efforts. The FTC is considering opening a new investigation into Microsoft, a company accused time and time again of employing anticompetitive practices to hinder competitors in the lucrative cloud business. Unnamed sources spilled the beans to the Financial Times, stating that the federal agency asked industry players for relevant feedback before deciding to start a formal probe.Redmond competitors told the FTC that Microsoft is forcing customers to use its Azure platform by using unlawful practices to block third-party cloud services. Microsoft is allegedly making Office 365 products incompatible with other cloud platforms and requiring costly exit fees for customers considering leaving Azure.The FTC investigation would also look into alleged minimum spending contracts that Microsoft offers to companies at significant discounts if they agree to a certain spending level. The US agency listened to feedback from public cloud providers, and competitors highlighted that some software licensing practices were forcing customers to stay on Azure in perpetuity.This investigation will be the last major initiative by FTC Chair Lina Khan, who has served as the youngest chair (35) since President Joe Biden appointed her in 2021. Khan was particularly active against Big Tech's anticompetitive behavior, stating that her agency was going after the "mob bosses" in the technology business rather than the "henchman" at the bottom.When President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20, 2025, Khan's tenure at the FTC will likely end. Fortunately, the fight against technology giants is one of the few political issues that attracts bipartisan support in Washington. So, a new FTC boss could continue Khan's investigation against Microsoft and other technology monopolists in the future. // Related StoriesRedmond is one of the "Big Three" ventures in the cloud business, fighting for market share with Amazon and Google. In 2023, Google alleged that Microsoft abused its dominant position to gain an anti-competitive advantage in the European cloud sector. Microsoft reacted by accusing Google of funding "shadow campaigns" by hostile lobbying organizations to undermine its position with EU regulatory authorities.

Forward-looking: A small Finnish company has announced a new supply agreement with a major corporation for an innovative fingerprint-resistant coating, set to be applied to over a million laptops and tablets. While the client remains unnamed, Optitune notes that the company has a market capitalization in the trillions. The technology in question is a proprietary polysiloxane nanocoating formulation developed by Optitune. This ultra-thin, invisible layer can be applied to surfaces such as metal, glass, and plastics, enhancing device resilience against scratches, smudges, and fingerprint-induced dirt accumulation.According to Optitune CEO Jussi Paulus, over a million devices will ship to consumers with this invisible fingerprint-resistant nanocoating already applied starting in early 2025. The company claims this innovation will result in clearer screens, fewer distracting smudges, and an overall improved tactile feel that lasts significantly longer than current uncoated devices. Optitune also highlights the coating's "best-in-class" abrasion resistance, as well as its chemical and temperature stability.Perhaps most impressively, Optitune's so-called trillion-dollar partner has chosen to retroactively apply its nanocoating across existing product lineups. This means customers may not need to wait for future models to benefit from the technology they could experience it on current, more affordable devices as well.Paulus also highlighted the nanocoating's environmentally sustainable profile as a key advantage. Optitune was the first to market a fluorine-free polymer for this application, and the company claims that the coating's ultra-thin, nanometer-scale thickness, coupled with the absence of primer usage, drastically reduces chemical waste and its carbon footprint compared to other coatings.As for the identity of this trillion-dollar tech titan, the details remain scarce, but there are clues. With only a handful of publicly traded companies boasting trillion-dollar market caps, potential partners are narrowed to names like Apple, Microsoft, and Google. // Related StoriesHowever, Optitune's announcement specifically mentions "tablets" as recipients of the coating, which may rule out Microsoft, as it doesn't currently offer a dedicated tablet device. Adding to the speculation, Optitune's promotional image prominently features Apple iPads, MacBooks, and iPhones. Even a Samsung Galaxy device makes a cameo. While a non-disclosure agreement may prevent Optitune from naming its partner, all will be revealed when the technology launches next year.

Rumor mill: Intel is rumored to unveil its Arc "Battlemage" discrete GPUs in December, just in time for the holiday season. Previous rumors suggested that the next-gen cards will launch by the end of November in time for Black Friday, but the latest report suggests that users will have to wait a little longer to get their hands on an Xe2 graphics card. The news comes from Japanese tech blog Gazlog, which published an image that's said to be an official teaser from Intel for its Battlemage announcement date. The image was later shared on X by well-known data miner Tomasz Gawronski.A similar timeline was mentioned earlier this month by prolific tipster Golden Pig Update Pack, who claimed that Intel will announce Battlemage before AMD and Nvidia launch RDNA 4 and Blackwell (RTX 5000-series), respectively, at CES 2025 in January. However, the authenticity of the latest image and the earlier report could not be verified, so take them with a grain of salt for now.Meanwhile, another X post rebuffs earlier speculation that Battlemage could be the last hurrah for Intel's discrete GPU ambitions. According to the generally reliable tipster @SquashBionic, Battlemage will not be Team Blue's last discrete GPU, meaning Xe3 "Celestial" is still under active development. However, there's no immediate word on when cards based on these dies might arrive.It is worth noting that Intel originally debuted Battlemage integrated GPUs with its Lunar Lake (Core Ultra 200V) chips earlier this year, but many are waiting for the discrete cards to see how they match up against competition from Nvidia and AMD. Some recent benchmarks suggested that the upcoming cards may offer similar performance compared to AMD's RDNA 3.5, but the leak is yet to be verified.Intel is reportedly working on three Battlemage GPUs, including Arc BMG-G31, Arc BMG-G21, and Arc BMG-G10. According to multiple leaks, G21 is designed for mid-range systems, while G10 is the bigger silicon, aimed at the premium end of the market. The G31 die, which leaked more recently, could feature up to 32 Xe-cores and is believed to be meant for the entry-level market. // Related StoriesImage: Gazlog

Microsoft Office has long been the cornerstone of productivity for professionals and students alike. Office 2024 is the latest version of the suite, bringing an overall design refresh to align with modern aesthetics, offering a more intuitive user experience across all applications.For a limited time, you can buy a lifetime license for Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for PC or Mac at a reduced price of $159, down from the regular price of $249.99. This one-time purchase grants lifetime access to essential applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote, without the need for recurring subscription fees.What's New in Office 2024?Word 2024 offers new tools to help you craft engaging content, featuring Document Recovery, compatibility with ODF 1.4, and a convenient option to remove all resolved comments in one step. New collaboration tools have been incorporated so multiple users can share a document, leave comments, or ask questions directly in the document, easily toggle between Viewing, Reviewing, and Editing modes, and clear all resolved comments with a single click.Transferring images from your phone to your PC used to be a multi-step process, but with Office 2024, you can now seamlessly insert photos directly from your Android device into your documents.Enjoy enhanced performance in Excel 2024. The integration of dynamic arrays allows for more flexible data manipulation, enabling users to create formulas that return multiple values and automatically adjust to accommodate new data entries. Furthermore, Excel introduces new text and array functions for complex data operations.PowerPoint 2024 introduces several practical new tools. You can now record your presentation capturing your voice, ink annotations, and even your video presence, then save it as a shareable video file. Additionally, you can enhance accessibility by adding closed captions to video and audio content.Find what you need more easily in Outlook 2024 with improved search capabilities, offering more accurate results for emails, files, contacts, and events.Lifetime license and other detailsOffice 2024 retains much of the familiarity of Office 2021 but introduces a refreshed default theme inspired by Windows 11's Fluent Design principles. The suite also debuts a new default font, Aptos, replacing Calibri for a modernized look.Microsoft is calling Office 2024 their latest "locked-in-time" update to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other applications, designed for users who prefer not to use the continuously evolving Microsoft 365 versions (which cost you subscription money). Microsoft will provide official support for Office 2024, including bug fixes and security updates for five years, until October 9, 2029.This offer provides immediate delivery of your license key and download, making it super convenient and granting you instant access to the software.StackSocial is a trusted partner of TechSpot, managing the TechSpot Store reliably for over a decade. Prices are subject to change.Here's a summary of other current Microsoft software deals:Windows 11 Pro available for $18Microsoft Visual Studio Professional for $34Microsoft Office 2019 Pro Plus available for $27Microsoft Office 2021 Pro available for $69Microsoft Project 2021 for Windows for $18Microsoft Visio 2021 for Windows for $18

Editor's take: We are frequently asked some version of the question, "Will someone acquire Intel?" At this point, we think it is highly unlikely, but these are unpredictable times. Setting aside all the principal considerations like money, strategy, and regulatory approval there are a few other hurdles. Chief among these is Intel's license for x86. Apparently, when Intel and AMD resolved their multi-decade dispute over x86, the cross-license agreement included provisions about transferability. If either company is acquired, the other has the right to cancel the license, effectively blocking the deal. When this was signed, we have to think everyone involved assumed it would be AMD getting acquired, but the provision seems to be mutual, and times change.Editor's Note:Guest author Jonathan Goldberg is the founder of D2D Advisory, a multi-functional consulting firm. Jonathan has developed growth strategies and alliances for companies in the mobile, networking, gaming, and software industries.So just for fun, let's think through how that would play out. Right now, the most likely potential buyer of Intel is Broadcom. What would happen if they approached AMD about this license?AMD would have a few options. Their default position would likely be to just refuse and block the deal. Broadcom is a fearsome competitor, and even if they do not directly compete in every area, a revitalized Intel under Broadcom would be a serious threat to AMD.That said, a failed Intel would also be a major problem for AMD, if for no other reason than the two are now linked at the hip when it comes to x86, which AMD needs to remain healthy. All of which is to say there is room for negotiation.What would AMD ask for to grant that approval? Obviously, they would take some cash. However, there is only so much Broadcom would be willing to pay before the Intel deal becomes unappealing. That probably amounts to a few billion dollars. Beyond cash, there are things AMD could ask for that might be worth far more strategically.For starters, they could ask Broadcom for help in their fight against Nvidia. This is an area of shared interest between the two companies, and there are likely multiple ways both could benefit from a deeper partnership. For example, Broadcom could invest more heavily in AMD's Ultra Ethernet and other networking initiatives. Alternatively, Broadcom could design an entire networking stack optimized for AMD's Mi300 series of AI accelerators. Going further, AMD could request that Broadcom encourage its AI ASIC customers to adopt AMD-friendly networking interfaces. We imagine there are plenty of novel ways that Broadcom could promote AMD's interests in their combined fight against Nvidia. // Related StoriesAlternatively, AMD could ask Broadcom to steer business toward ZT Systems. After AMD acquires ZT, they plan to sell off ZT's manufacturing side. Securing a healthy backlog of Broadcom orders would certainly make that business more attractive.United against Arm: Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger and AMD CEO Lisa Su at Lenovo Tech World 2024, where both companies announced the x86 Ecosystem Advisory GroupAMD would also want to ensure Broadcom continues spinning off Altera, which competes with AMD's Xilinx division. They could even push Broadcom to commit to incorporating more Xilinx products into future designs and reference platforms.The point of these demands is that they would cost Broadcom relatively little while potentially offering AMD significant strategic value.While this thought experiment is just for kicks, it highlights one more hurdle for anyone interested in buying Intel. Few potential buyers could offer AMD comparable strategic benefits. For instance, a private equity buyer for Intel would likely have only cash to offer, which might not be enough to get AMD on board. The deal is unlikely, but if it happened, it would shake up many corners of the industry.

Why it matters: TSMC's investments in EUV and high-NA EUV technologies are poised to shape the future of semiconductor manufacturing. These hefty investments will enable the production of increasingly powerful and efficient chips for a broad range of applications. TSMC was expected to receive its first high numerical aperture (high-NA) extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography system, the "EXE:5000," from Dutch manufacturer ASML in September 2024, according to Business Korea. While media reports vary on the exact delivery date some suggesting installation at TSMC's Hsinchu R&D center by the end of the year the precise timeline is less critical than the broader implications.The key takeaway is TSMC's evolving stance on this cutting-edge technology. Initially cautious, the company has now fully embraced high-NA EUV lithography to maintain its leadership in the fiercely competitive chip industry, where demand for AI-oriented ultra-fine processes is rapidly increasing.Adopting high-NA EUV scanners is pivotal for TSMC's development of sub-2nm processes. These advanced systems increase the numerical aperture from 0.33 to 0.55, enabling higher resolution and more precise patterning on semiconductor wafers.TSMC plans to incorporate high-NA EUV scanners into its 1.4nm (A14) process, which is scheduled to enter mass production in 2027.However, these advanced lithography systems will not be immediately operational. Rigorous testing, fine-tuning, and process optimization will be required before they can be integrated into high-volume manufacturing. // Related StoriesBy the time these systems become fully operational, TSMC is expected to have advanced to its A10 node, representing several technological generations beyond its current capabilities. This timeline aligns with TSMC's broader roadmap for advancing chip manufacturing processes.During TSMC's Q3 2024 earnings call, CFO Wendell Huang outlined the company's node development schedule. He stated, "We're ramping the N2 in 2026. There will also be some preparation costs for ramping N2. And as we migrate every leading node, more and more advanced, this preparation cost will become bigger and bigger."Each high-NA EUV system comes with a hefty price tag of approximately $384 million. Nevertheless, TSMC's technological leadership in high-NA EUV is expected to attract more high-profile customers seeking cutting-edge chip manufacturing capabilities. This could further widen the gap between TSMC and its competitors, particularly Samsung Electronics, which needs to catch up in securing high-NA EUV equipment.TSMC has already built a strong foundation with current EUV technology. The company's journey with EUV began in earnest in 2019 with the launch of its N7+ process, marking the industry's first commercial EUV lithography process. Since then, TSMC has rapidly expanded its EUV capabilities, with EUV systems growing tenfold between 2019 and 2023.The ASML team gathers outside their global headquarters in Veldhoven, Netherlands, to celebrate the milestone shipment of the first High-NA EUV lithography system, the TWINSCAN EXE:5000.The company now accounts for 56% of the global EUV installation base. The foundry giant has continued to leverage EUV in subsequent processes, including N5 and N3.Industry estimates indicate that TSMC operated about 10 EUV systems when it launched the N7+ process in 2019. TSMC acquired 84 EUV systems in 2022 and more than 100 in 2023.TSMC's approach to EUV adoption has been systematic and customer-focused. The company carefully evaluates new technological innovations based on their maturity, cost, and potential customer benefits before integrating them into mass production. "TSMC plans to bring in high-NA EUV scanners first for R&D to develop the associated infrastructure and patterning solutions needed for customers to fuel innovation," the company told The Register.

Forward-looking: Corsair wants to put concerns about powering next-gen graphics cards to rest. The company says its range of PSUs will be more than capable of powering the next generation of graphics cards. However, the real story here is the company's bold confidence a hint that Corsair might have the inside scoop on what Nvidia and AMD have cooking for their next high-end GPU launches. In a recent announcement, Corsair stated that its "award-winning range of power supplies will fully support the highly-anticipated next generation of graphics cards." They expect the 12v-2x6 GPU power connector standard to stick around for at least one more cycle.More significantly, Corsair anticipates that systems equipped with next-gen GPUs will require total power draws ranging from 750W to a whopping 1500W. To put that in perspective, the RTX 4090 one of the most power-hungry GPUs currently available has a TDP of 450W.If and when those new GPUs drop, Corsair says that it has you covered with multiple options across its lineup for both ease of installation and premium power efficiency. The fully modular RMe series with Gold-certified efficiency tops out at 1000W for "high-performance builds." If you prefer quiet operation, the RMx models have noise-dampening 140mm fans and are available up to 1200W. For the power-hungry enthusiasts, Corsair's flagship HXi series offers Platinum-rated efficiency and "top-tier electrical reliability" in capacities up to 1500W.However, the real story here is the confidence that Corsair has in its lineup. Its assurance that these power supplies are future-proof suggests that the company may have insider knowledge about what Nvidia and AMD are planning for their next wave of high-end GPU launches.Currently, most users pair the RTX 4090 with an 850W PSU. Doubling that recommendation to Corsair's maximum supported 1500W may seem excessive, but the announcement indirectly hints that next-gen GPUs will have higher TGPs. Earlier rumors from September suggested that the RTX 5090 could draw up to 600W. // Related StoriesBeyond this, issues with the 12VHPWR connector which caused some RTX 4090 connectors to melt might be pushing PSU manufacturers to go overkill. Nvidia has attributed the melting issues to user error though, caused by connectors not being plugged in fully, or so they say.All said, Corsair's grand pronouncements about their readiness may be our first big tease that these power-hungry GPUs are indeed headed our way soon. With the RTX 5080 and 5090 rumored for a CES 2025 unveiling, we should find out what's at play soon enough.

Facepalm: A recent mandatory security update for Windows 11 23H2, known as KB5046633, has triggered an unexpected notification for many users. The update left users scratching their heads after an end-of-support message started showing up. Users who installed the update reported a peculiar notification from the Windows Update service. The message erroneously warns that Windows 11 23H2 is approaching its end of support and prompts users to download a newer version of Windows to stay current.This message understandably caused confusion, as Windows 11 23H2 is officially supported until November 11, 2025, with a full year of security and feature updates still expected.In response to this, a Microsoft support representative confirmed to Windows Latest that the message is indeed a bug. "This is just a reporting bug on our side," the representative explained. Microsoft stated it is actively investigating the issue and plans to resolve it through a server-side update, likely to be deployed within a week.Further adding to the confusion, the erroneous message includes an option for users to check for updates even though the KB5046633 update is already the most recent version available.For those encountering this misleading alert, experts recommend a simple workaround: logging out and restarting the system. This action might clear the incorrect notification. Alternatively, users can wait for Microsoft's server-side fix, which should address the issue automatically. // Related StoriesIt's worth noting that a legitimate end-of-support message was issued earlier this year, targeting users of Windows 11 22H2. Those still running this older version are strongly encouraged to upgrade, as they will no longer receive security or feature updates.Microsoft has a notoriously poor track record with Windows updates. In this particular instance, no significant harm has been done, but it seems that every other month we hear about problematic updates introducing new bugs or crashes for users. As a result, it's generally advisable to take a more conservative approach to OS updates rather than immediately installing the latest ones.Just last week, there was a notable snafu affecting Windows Server users. A routine security update unexpectedly triggered a full operating system upgrade. What was supposed to be a standard patch ended up installing Windows Server 2025 on countless machines still running the 2022 edition.

In context: If you've been keeping tabs on Microsoft's upcoming game releases, you might have noticed something a little unusual several of their major titles launching this fall are PC exclusives, at least initially. Games like World of Warcraft: The War Within expansion, the indie hit Ara: History Untold, and the early access version of Towerborne are all skipping Xbox consoles for now. However, according to Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft's gaming division, this PC-only approach is just a temporary "anomaly." In an interview with Game File, Spencer made it clear that the company's goal is to have their games playable across as many platforms as possible under the Xbox umbrella whether that's consoles, PC, or cloud streaming."We want to get to the point where, when you buy, whether you're buying on cloud which we're getting ready to introduce buying on PC and buying on console, you own it across all of the Xbox ecosystem," said Spencer.If you've seen Xbox's latest marketing campaign (above) that rather outlandishly declares just about every device with a screen an Xbox, this starts to make sense.On the subject of sharing games with rival Sony's PlayStation, Spencer spoke how he's bullish about the company's plans to release certain Microsoft-owned franchises on the other console as well in the future.As for the specific reasons behind this fall's PC exclusives, Spencer provided some context. The World of Warcraft expansion is limited to PC because the core game itself isn't on Xbox. The indie game Towerborne is sticking to PC in early access before expanding to other platforms later. And Ara: History Untold simplified development by launching first on Series X|S, with other versions coming down the road. // Related StoriesHowever, Spencer reiterated that these are exceptions rather than the new norm, saying "I want the expectation to be that when we talk about a game, it's available every place our Xbox user is." He name-dropped plans to have the Diablo 4 DLC "Vessel of Hatred" playable across Xbox's full range of platforms as an example of their cross-ecosystem ambitions.All this talk about expansion and an Xbox "ecosystem" will bring the Xbox handheld to mind, which we've been hearing about for years. It indeed is coming and the company is seriously pursuing the project, as confirmed by Spencer in a previous interview with Bloomberg. But the project remains in its early stages and an actual product may likely be years away.Another project the Xbox team has been working on in the way of expansion is a Microsoft mobile game store. While originally slated for a July launch, it's now been delayed indefinitely as the company "does additional research on the market."

Big quote: Zeng remarking on Musk's tendency to overpromise on timelines. "Maybe something needs five years," Zeng said. "But he says two years. I definitely asked him why. He told me he wanted to push people." Robin Zeng, the founder and chairman of CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co.), the world's largest EV battery company based in Ningde, China, has made a blunt assessment of Tesla's ambitious 4680 battery project, declaring it "is going to fail and never be successful." Zeng's prediction, made during an interview with Reuters, underscores a deepening debate within the EV industry regarding the future of battery technology and Tesla's strategic direction.Tesla's 4680 battery cells, named for their dimensions (46mm diameter and 80mm length), are a significant technological bet for the company. Introduced in 2020, these cells were touted as a game-changer in EV battery technology. Tesla claimed the new design would offer five times more energy capacity and significant cost reductions compared to their previous battery designs.The 4680 cells have already found their way into some Tesla vehicles, including the Cybertruck. Moreover, the company reached a significant milestone in September, announcing that it produced 100 million of these cells an achievement that came just over three months after Tesla had announced producing 50 million 4680 cells, indicating a rapid acceleration in production.Zeng and Musk reportedly clashed over Tesla's battery strategy during a heated debate in an April meeting. According to Zeng, Musk was silent in the face of Zeng's critique. "He doesn't know how to make a battery," Zeng told Reuters.Zeng believes Tesla lacks the expertise to successfully develop and manufacture the 4680 cells at scale. Indeed, scaling up production of the 4680 cells has proven difficult. Tesla has faced issues with the cells collapsing in on themselves during use. Other battery manufacturers like Panasonic have also cautioned about technical problems hindering mass production. // Related StoriesAlso, Tesla's plan to employ dry electrode technology an innovation aimed at reducing costs and improving efficiency has not achieved the anticipated results at a mass production level. This technology was a cornerstone of Tesla's vision for the 4680 cells but has posed significant implementation challenges.Tesla and CATL maintain a complex and interdependent relationship. CATL supplies batteries for Tesla's vehicles produced in China, including models sold in North America. The Chinese company specializes in lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which, while generally offering less range than cylindrical cell units, provide advantages in cost and safety.The disagreement between these two major players in the EV industry underscores the ongoing debate about the future of battery technology. While Tesla continues to heavily invest in its proprietary 4680 cells, CATL and other manufacturers are exploring alternative approaches, such as advancements in LFP batteries and the development of solid-state batteries.Zeng also touched on Musk's leadership style in the Reuters interview, particularly his tendency to set ambitious timelines. Zeng noted that Musk often promises delivery times that are shorter than realistically achievable, a strategy Musk reportedly employs to "push people." This approach has led to skepticism in the industry and among consumers, especially regarding promises about technologies like full self-driving.

In context: AMD's 3D V-Cache technology has significantly enhanced gaming performance in the company's last three generations of processors, with rival Intel yet to respond. In a recent interview, Intel revealed that while it has similar technology in development, gaming performance is not its primary focus. Intel apparently has no plans to produce consumer desktop CPUs featuring 3D-stacked cache to compete with AMD's technology. Instead, the company is focusing on enhancing the cache configuration for its next-generation server CPUs, which it considers a more critical market segment.Over the past few years, stacking die configurations to expand L3 cache has become a key advantage for AMD. The addition of 3D V-Cache to the Ryzen 5 5800X3D made it arguably the best-value gaming CPU upon its launch in 2022. Its newly released successor, the 9800X3D, has undisputedly claimed the title of the best overall gaming CPU, as confirmed in our review.However, Intel Tech Communications Manager Florian Mailslinger recently told YouTubers der8auer and Bens Hardware that the company's equivalent to 3D V-cache won't debut in desktops. Around the 1-hour and 19-minute mark in the interview below, he confirmed that Clearwater Forest, a lineup of Xeon server CPUs set to arrive in 2025, will feature a technology called Local Cache, which uses vertically stacked tiles.Evidence of the technology first surfaced in an ICEP 2024 presentation slide from Intel last June. The slide described how Clearwater Forest will employ 3D stacking to increase overall cache capacity and reduce latency between compute and memory similar to how AMD's X3D chips boost gaming performance.Mailslinger defended Intel's decision by acknowledging that gaming is not a significant mass-market focus for the company. While AMD's 3D V-Cache gives its processors a clear edge over Intel's in gaming scenarios, Mailslinger pointed out that this advantage does not extend to productivity applications a sentiment echoed in our review of the 9800X3D. // Related StoriesAdditionally, Mailslinger downplayed the impact of Intel's gaming performance gap. Prior testing by TechSpot showed that enhanced cache would not yield a substantial improvement in gaming performance for Intel's 14th-gen Core CPUs.The success of Clearwater Forest may play a pivotal role in Intel's future. Production challenges and recent financial struggles have put CEO Pat Gelsinger's efforts to revitalize the company under intense scrutiny. The new server CPUs will introduce Intel's 18A process node, which will determine whether Intel's foundry business can return to competitiveness with industry leader TSMC.Meanwhile, AMD continues to promise further performance gains with future X3D processors, potentially including the 9900X3D and 9950X3D. While details remain scarce, possible improvements could involve varying SRAM stack sizes or increasing cache capacity on high-end models.

What just happened? Valve is celebrating Half-Life 2's 20th anniversary with a massive update, a temporary free giveaway of the full game, and a bundle including the two episodic expansions and new developer commentary. Additionally, a two-hour YouTube documentary sheds light on the canceled third expansion, revealing new details for fans. If you're one of the few Steam users who still doesn't own Half-Life 2, now is your chance to add Valve's blockbuster first-person shooter to your library permanently for free until November 18. The bundle also includes both follow-up episodes, plus the game has received a major update in celebration of its 20th anniversary.The patch doesn't overhaul the game's graphics to the extent of the upcoming RTX Remix mod, but it brings dozens of bug fixes, minor enhancements, and new features.Newly added Steam Workshop support makes it easier for players to discover and install the countless mods created for Half-Life 2 over the years. Players can now select the "Lost Coast" chapter directly from the game's main menu, and the developer commentary feature previously introduced in the episodic expansions is now integrated into the base game, with three and a half hours of new audio.The update also revises visual elements like lighting, grass, HDR effects, and draw distances. Additionally, menus and the HUD add support for various ultrawide aspect ratios and gamepad configurations. For those seeking nostalgia, players can toggle the lighting and effects from the game's original 2004 release.Meanwhile, Valve has released hours of archival footage on YouTube chronicling the development of Half-Life 2 and its episodes. Among the topics covered, the canceled Episode 3 is likely to be the most intriguing for fans. The documentary provides the first official details on the expansion in years.Through new footage and concept art, Valve reveals that Episode 3 would have largely taken place in the Arctic and introduced an ice gun. The developers confessed they could have easily shipped Episode 3 but ultimately didn't due to a lack of fresh ideas that could meet the company's quality standards. However, a group of fans is currently developing a free campaign inspired by a draft of Episode 3's plot, which series writer Marc Laidlaw published in 2017. // Related StoriesOther new videos include demonstrations from Siggraph 2000, E3 2002, and E3 2003. Valve also announced an expanded reprint of Raising the Bar, the book documenting Half-Life 2's development, which has been out of print since 2004. The second edition includes newly uncovered concept art from the three episodes.In tandem with Valve's celebrations, Nvidia has joined the festivities by unveiling a custom Half-Life 2-themed GeForce RTX 4080 Super graphics card. This GPU is designed to showcase the upcoming RTX Remix mod, which will add real-time path tracing and updated textures to the game. Fans can enter a contest on Nvidia's website to win the card, and the upcoming mod now has its own Steam page.

A growing concern: Chinese cyberattacks on the US have surged in recent years, targeting critical infrastructure, government systems, and private corporations. These sophisticated campaigns often aim to steal sensitive data, conduct espionage, and disrupt operations, posing significant threats to national security and economic stability. On Wednesday, the US government confirmed that Chinese hackers breached several US telecommunications service providers. The threat actors compromised wiretap systems used for law enforcement surveillance. The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a statement describing the campaign as "broad and significant," implicating a state-sponsored hacking group from the People's Republic of China (PRC).The attackers infiltrated wiretap systems, raising severe national security and privacy concerns. While the FBI and CISA did not list specific providers, the Wall Street Journal reported in early October that AT&T, Verizon, and Lumen Technologies were among the carriers the hackers hit. The intrusions, which may have lasted for months, enabled the exfiltration of sensitive data, including customer call records and the internet traffic of millions of Americans.The hackers, identified as "Salt Typhoon." It is part of a larger colective called "Typhoon," which has several splinter cells, including Volt Typhoon and Flax Typhoon. Salt reportedly exploited vulnerabilities in the telecommunications networks to gather intelligence. While the bad actors presumably had carte blanche access to the systems, US officials said the compromised data only included private communications from a limited number of individuals, primarily those involved in government or political activities.Although the agencies were reluctant to name names, CNN reported in the lead-up to the US presidential election that high-profile individuals, including President Donald Trump and running mate Senator JD Vance, may have been targeted as part of the hacking campaign. The hackers also copied information related to US law enforcement requests, potentially undermining critical ongoing investigations. // Related StoriesThe CISA and the FBI emphasized that they continue to assist affected companies and encourage other organizations to report suspicious activity."[We] continue to render technical assistance, rapidly share information to assist other potential victims, and work to strengthen cyber defenses across the commercial communications sector," the agencies stated. "We encourage any organization that believes it might be a victim to engage its local FBI Field Office or CISA."TechCrunch notes that the breach is the latest in a series of sophisticated cyberattacks attributed to China-linked "Typhoon" hacking groups targeting critical US infrastructure. Experts warn that the campaign demonstrates heightened strategic targeting by PRC-affiliated actors, who increasingly focus on sensitive government and communications systems.China has denied involvement, with a spokesperson stating that the country "opposes cyberattacks in all forms." However, US officials and cybersecurity experts remain vigilant, warning of the potential for further espionage and disruptive activities.

RISC-V Inside: DeepComputing recently announced the DC-ROMA RISC-V mainboard, a limited-edition platform providing a unique way to experiment with the RISC-V instruction set. The Chinese company designed the new device for industry and business customers interested in making modular computer platforms. DeepComputing has partnered with Framework and Cooler Master to provide cases to accommodate the new motherboards. Some Chinese and Hong Kong ventures have deeply invested in the RISC-V open standard chip architecture. DeepComputing, founded in 2022 by self-declared RISC-V enthusiasts, is now exploring the DIY way with a new motherboard for modular devices. The company says that the DC-ROMA RISC-V mainboard offers "premium" RISC-V hardware, which means it uses a StarFive JH7110 SoC with SiFive U74 cores clocked at up to 1.5 GHz. It also supports an integrated Imagination GPU.Basic specs include 8GB of memory and a 64GB SD card. However, the board has several tiers so customers can opt for more capable models. The cheapest tier is $200, which includes two USB-C expansion cards and a Framework or Cooler Master case and is enough to build a fully functional Linux mini-PC. There's also an expensive $1,000 "Enterprise" tier with additional ports and expansion cards.The DC-ROMA RISC-V Mainboard is a limited initiative designed to give enterprise customers a taste of the RISC-V technology, DeepComputing confirmed. The company plans to start mass manufacturing new models of the motherboard in 2025, thus providing an upgrade path to early adopters. The Chinese venture is open to "valuable feedback," although they will only listen to customers who are paying for the aforementioned value-added services.The board is a limited initiative designed to give enterprise customers a taste of RISC-V technology, DeepComputing confirmed. The company plans to start mass manufacturing new models of the motherboard in 2025, thus providing an upgrade path to early adopters. The is asking for "valuable feedback," although they are only open to customers paying for the bundled value-added packages.DeepComputing has been making new computing hardware based on the RISC-V instruction set for quite some time. Earlier this year, the company built the first RISC-V laptop designed to run Ubuntu Linux using the same JH7110 SoC as the DC-ROMA RISC-V Mainboard. The DC-Roma RISC-V Pad II tablet, announced a few months ago, employs the K1 SoC developed by the Chinese company SpacemiT. // Related Stories

Forward-looking: Wireless technology is continuously evolving. Despite the IEEE having not ratified WiFi 7 yet, WiFi 8 is already in the works. WiFi 8, officially designated IEEE 802.11bn, is slated for release in September 2028, so we have a while before we see mass implementation. While full details have not emerged on the new standard, we know a few things about it. A white paper by MediaTek notes that 802.11bn will be almost identical to 802.11be (WiFi 7). The chart below shows that the maximum channel bandwidth remains at 320MHz with a maximum physical layer rate of 23Gbps. Of course, these theoretical thresholds are under optimum "laboratory" conditions. MediaTek estimates real-world results to be around 80 percent of those numbers.The primary difference will be in its throughput efficiency. Instead of focusing on speed, the working group is improving reliability. If you have ever run a speed test on your WiFi, you may have noticed how jaggy the download speed is sometimes, with bursts of speed for a second and then plummeting before being averaged with the packets sent during the test. The IEEE wants to level that out, making wireless connections more reliable and consistent.The current plan is to have WiFi capable of supporting networks with minimum aggregated throughput reaching 100Gbps, enough to handle multiple gigabit-speed connections through a single router. The blueprint for enabling this involves targeting how devices interact with the network. A few notable advancements include Coordinated Spatial Reuse, Coordinated Beamforming, and Dynamic Subchannel Operation.Coordinated Spatial Reuse enables access points to harmonize their power outputs. It allows closer devices to optimize their connections without interfering with distant ones. Early tests of this technology have shown increases in throughput of up to 25 percent.Coordinated Beamforming is an extension of beamforming techniques seen in previous generations. Devices with Co-BF can route signals more accurately between devices in a crowded network. While Co-BF will be barely noticeable in small networks, it could be a game changer for public hotspots or home networks with many connected devices. // Related StoriesLastly, Dynamic Subchannel Operation assigns data subchannels to devices based on their capabilities and needs. For example, if several machines are downloading the same file, DSO will automatically assign the more advanced devices a subchannel for downloading the file faster. This technology already exists in WiFi 7 but has to be administered manually. WiFi 8 access points can automatically determine the capabilities and needs of each device on the network and route data more efficiently.WiFi 8's focus on user experience over speed is a notable shift in the 802.11 design philosophy. When implemented, the final draft of the 802.11bn standard should bring smoother, more efficient network environments. For home users, this means a more seamless wireless experience with fast, stable connections. For enterprise users, WiFi should provide the same speed and reliability without some of the more complex administration tasks.

Mobile gaming: While Steam Link is available on PCs, mobile devices, Raspberry Pi single-board computers, and even Meta Quest VR headsets, Android accounts for the lion's share of the service's overall user base. Valve recently announced a new version for Android devices, which is available from Google Play, Valve, and our Downloads section. The update provides some noteworthy changes for the free streaming service. Despite discontinuing the original Steam Link hardware a few years ago, Valve is still interested in refining and updating its streaming service app. The software just received an update that provides a greatly enhanced gaming experience.According to Valve, Steam Link version 1.3.12 adds support to over 500 Android devices. The update has notable improvements, including setting recommendations tailored to network test results. The new version also has a "WiFi lock" to avoid interruptions during streaming.The latest version isn't solely focused on Android, though. Valve spread the love around. Steam Link now supports video streaming based on the AV1 codec for "high end PCs." It also now supports HDR streaming on Windows systems and an option to disable low-latency audio.The app is now compatible with the Nintendo Switch Pro controller, and Android TV devices receive surround sound support. It also adds some language features, including Indonesian translation and an English fallback option if non-latin fonts aren't working as expected.User feedback posted on Valve's announcement mentions that the Steam Link app has re-introduced HEVC encoding. Although AV1 encoding doesn't work on portable devices such as Nvidia Shield, Steam Deck, or the old Steam Link hardware client, Meta headsets should be compatible with the royalty-free multimedia technology. // Related StoriesSoon after releasing Steam Link 1.3.12 for Android devices, Valve announced a new build designed to run on Raspberry Pi cards. The tool supports Raspberry Pi 3 to Raspberry Pi 5 devices. It provides some of the changes included in the Android version, including settings recommendations based on network test results, Nintendo Switch Pro controller fixes, and Indonesian language support.Valve launched the original Steam Link software in 2015 alongside the first generation of Steam Machines but discontinued the device in November 2018. A few months later, Valve introduced the Steam Link Anywhere service as a new way to enjoy Steam games on Android devices through an internet connection. Steam Link is free to use, which is a boon for PC gamers tired of being forced to pay for everything, everywhere, all at once.

Highly anticipated: Blizzard's first attempt to remaster a classic Warcraft game four years ago failed spectacularly. Now, for the franchise's 30th anniversary, the company is aiming for redemption by updating and repackaging the entire trilogy with high-resolution graphics, new user interface features, and more. Newly updated editions of Blizzard's first two Warcraft titles are now available on Battle.net, along with a substantial update to the company's critically panned remake of Warcraft III.Warcraft I: Remastered and Warcraft II: Remastered feature new sprites and backgrounds that aim to preserve the art direction of the original versions but in higher resolution, with an option to toggle between the old and new visuals. Enhanced menu features include health bars, hotkey indicators, expanded unit selection, and more.Blizzard released Warcraft III: Reforged in 2020, but numerous bugs and missing features dragged its Metacritic rating to historic lows. Adding insult to injury, the flawed new version replaced the original in users' Battle.net accounts, rendering it unplayable. Blizzard staffers later blamed the poor release to budget cuts and neglect from parent company Activision.The new patch upgrades the game to version 2.0, tweaking the visuals and adding user interface functions. The 2020 release replaced Warcraft III's character models and environments with new assets, but the update allows players to revert to more retro-faithful graphics or mix and match the two styles.A new $39.99 Battle Chest, designed to evoke Blizzard's famously bulky retail packages, bundles together the three revised editions alongside the original versions of Warcraft and Warcraft II. Warcraft I: Remastered is available individually for $9.99, Warcraft II: Remastered for $14.99, and Warcraft III: Reforged for $29.99. Reforged also supports macOS. // Related StoriesClassicists wishing to save money can still buy the original Warcraft for $5.99 and Warcraft II for $9.99 on Battle.net or GOG.com.Those opting for DRM-free copies on GOG may notice a sticker for the GOG Preservation Program, which the site introduced on the same day Blizzard released the new Battle Chest to celebrate both GOG's and Warcraft's anniversaries. The new program rebrands the store's pledge to continue patching retro games to function smoothly on modern operating systems. The sticker and category tag aim to help shoppers identify the 100 compatible titles, including classics like Warcraft, Monkey Island, Myst, Resident Evil, Fallout, and more.

The bleeding edge: In-memory processing is a fascinating concept for a new computer architecture that can compute operations within the system's memory. While hardware accommodating this type of processing is still in early development, researchers have already proposed a software approach that can effectively leverage the hardware. Israeli researchers have developed a new software "platform" to turn easily readable Python instructions into low-level machine code and execute it in RAM without going through the CPU. This new in-memory processing (PIM) architecture significantly improves code performance and will be instrumental in turning the PIM research efforts into a proper computer architecture.Professor Shahar Kvatinsky and his team at the Andrew and Erna Viterbi Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering have worked on PIM technology for quite some time. They are trying to solve the memory wall problem the need for two completely separate hardware components (CPU and RAM) to execute computing tasks.In a traditional PC architecture, the CPU executes programmed instructions stored in RAM. Finding a way to run the instructions at the RAM level would mitigate the "traffic jam" of data transferred between the processor and memory.Proper PIM computation could accelerate computer work in many fields, including AI, biotech, finance, and more. Hardware components to facilitate PIM operations are in development, with researchers working on new memory architectures and electronics. So far, little research has gone into computer programs that can work on PIM-enabled machines.Kvatinsky's team has proposed a concept called PyPIM, a portmanteau of Python and Processing-in-Memory. PyPIM's new interface and development libraries would convert traditional, high-level Python commands into low-level, PIM-enabled machine code that runs more efficiently on PIM hardware. // Related StoriesThe approach proposed by PyPIM could accelerate PIM adoption significantly, as programmers would not have to learn a new language. They would continue to code in Python as usual. The researchers created a hardware development simulator and a performance measurement tool so programmers could assess the performance improvements achieved with PIM. The study also proposed math and algorithmic tasks to show how PyPIM could improve computing performance.

Why it matters: The rise of video game unions signals a shift as industry workers push for better conditions in response to long hours and job instability. Unions like ZeniMax Workers United now challenge major companies on issues like remote work and outsourcing, highlighting the growing demand for fair treatment in the gaming industry. Hundreds of Bethesda employees in Texas and Maryland walked off their jobs Wednesday morning to protest Microsoft's unwillingness to budge at the bargaining table. ZeniMax Workers United, one of the largest video game unions in the US, confirmed on X that workers are officially on strike.Formed and recognized in January 2023 by the Communications Workers of America (CWA), ZeniMax Worker United consists of about 300 quality assurance workers who have worked on games in the Fallout, Elder Scrolls, and Doom franchises. At the time, it was the largest union in the industry until Activision Quality Assurance United came along with 600 members a few months later.Negotiation details have been primarily private, but ZeniMax confirmed that Microsoft came to the bargaining table. Microsoft also confirmed the talks."We respect our employees' rights to express their point of view as they have done today," Microsoft spokesperson Becca Dougherty told Inverse via email. "We will continue to listen and address their concerns at the bargaining table."Despite the company's insistence that it is willing to negotiate, ZeniMax says the parent company has not answered any of the union's requests. Employees claim Microsoft is stonewalling them on remote work and outsourcing."They have continually given us their first proposal again and again, and it's become obvious that our different mobilization tactics have not worked," said union member Rhyanna Eichner, ZeniMax's quality assurance test lead. // Related StoriesThe union's specific grievances are that Microsoft's mandate requiring workers to spend at least two days at the office is not flexible enough. The Redmond giant has allegedly denied remote work requests, even when a doctor has recommended it. Eichner said the union has submitted an alternative remote work proposal but says Microsoft has not budged on its policy.The other core issue is that Microsoft has allegedly started outsourcing QA positions without a union agreement. ZeniMax Workers United is looking for a fair ratio of outsourced to full-time workers in its bargaining unit. Neither Microsoft nor the union has identified the outsourcing partners.Union members have agreed that the strike is necessary but shared differing optimism regarding the situation. Eichner said she was looking forward to the walkout, seeing it as a time to "come together" and bond. However, ZeniMax senior quality assurance tester Juniper Dowell does not feel as positive about striking."Striking isn't fun or ideal, but there's a satisfaction in having a concrete physical action we can do to fight for better work conditions," Dowell told Inverse. "Hopefully, we can convince them to stop dragging their feet and meet us at the table."The strike appears to be a shot across Microsoft's bow as it is scheduled to only last until 6:00 pm Central and Eastern times basically one workday. It will be interesting to see how Redmond executives respond to the surprise action.

A hot potato: A controversial proposal to strengthen international cooperation against cybercrime has gained US support. The Biden Administration is interested in signing the treaty, while politicians are still warning about its potential for misuse and human rights abuse. Senior US government officials have confirmed that the Biden Administration is ready to support a United Nations treaty on cybercrime. The legally binding agreement would be a first and could help shape the UN's future legal initiatives and cooperation in fighting and investigating cyber threats.The treaty pushes for a global criminalization of child sexual abuse material and non-consensual online sharing of intimate imagery. Officials said that the treaty could also help the United States gain more comprehensive access to cybercrime-related digital evidence, while novel extradition rules would help with arrests and investigations.The US, Europe, and other nations initially opposed the treaty. According to an Electronic Frontier Foundation timeline, the Russian Federation presented a letter with the original draft in 2017. The resolution asking for a new international treaty against cybercrime was also sponsored by Belarus, Cambodia, China, Iran, Syria, and other "rogue nations" with no particular interest in defending people's rights to fair and impartial trials.Human rights organizations opposed the draft, urging the UN General Assembly to vote against the resolution. Yet, the ruling body created an Ad Hoc Committee (AHC) to draft a new convention to fight the use of communication technologies for criminal purposes, which seemed more palatable.Earlier this year, the AHC reached an agreement on the new draft, which is now awaiting formal adoption. The treaty will likely pass a General Assembly vote. However, human rights advocates and NGOs still describe the convention as a severe threat to privacy, security, freedom of expression, and AI safety. // Related StoriesA recent letter by six US Democratic senators said that Russia, China, and other authoritarian regimes could exploit the treaty to increase their censorship efforts, infringe online privacy, and abuse human rights. Washington said that it would enforce safeguards against human rights abuses, with the Department of Justice refusing cooperation in blatantly abuse attempts."While the executive branch's efforts to steer this treaty in a less-harmful direction are commendable, more must be done to keep the convention from being used to justify such actions," the Democrats' letter said.Unnamed officials told Bloomberg that the Biden Administration would not support any UN resolution if it did not implement proper safeguards in the new treaty.

In a nutshell: Genetics company 23andMe has had a brutal 2024. The tech economy has not generally been good, but the firm also suffered a data leak. It then blamed its customers for the breach, followed swiftly by accusations to the FTC of running an auto-renewal scam. To avoid bankruptcy, the company is restructuring, laying off half its employees. Home genetics company 23andMe continues to struggle as demand for casual gene tracing declines. On Monday, the company announced that it has decided on a restructuring plan to help reduce expenses. A significant part of the downsizing is eliminating around 200 positions, about 40 percent of 23andMe's workforce. The company estimates that the employment reduction will save more than $35 million per year while only costing it a one-time operating expense of $12 million for severance packages and related costs."We are taking these difficult but necessary actions as we restructure 23andMe and focus on the long-term success of our core consumer business..." said 23andMe CEO Anne Wojcicki. "We are fully committed to supporting the employees impacted by this transition."Layoffs will begin with employees working in departments that 23andMe plans to phase out. The company's restructuring plan includes discontinuing its therapeutics division. This department was conducting research into cancer treatments and monoclonal therapies. While it is closing in-house therapeutics testing and research, Wojcicki said 23andMe intends to continue its work in these areas using "strategic partnerships.""We continue to believe in the promise shown by our clinical and preclinical stage pipeline and will continue to pursue strategic opportunities to continue their development," Wojcicki said.Impacted employees in these divisions still have a little time, as 23andMe indicated that it is not immediately shuttering the labs. However, it is winding down clinical testing "as quickly as practical." The company did not mention details on its potential research partners. // Related StoriesThe struggles that 23andMe is facing are not all that surprising. Home genetic testing is a one-and-done affair. Once you have your genetic profile, it is unnecessary to pay for it again. It's not a very sustainable business model out of the gate, and it's surprising to learn that this is the part of the business the company chose to keep.Contributing to its troubles, 23andMe suffered a data breach earlier this year that exposed a small percentage of its customer base. The leak was relatively minor, resulting in only about 14,000 impacted accounts. However, instead of taking responsibility, the company blamed its customers, saying that the breach occurred because of "recycled credentials" that hackers obtained in an unrelated incident. It also admitted later that it had neglected to notice that the intruders were siphoning data for over five months.More recently, 23andMe had trouble with the FTC after customers complained that its subscription service was a scam. In March, at least 133 customers said the company auto-renewed their subscriptions without consent and would not issue refunds. Gizmodo noted that in some instances, users said they had physically canceled their membership before the end of their subscription, but 23andMe charged them as if the cancellation hadn't happened.

Facepalm: Microsoft occasionally releases rare, out-of-band security updates for its older operating systems when a vulnerability is particularly severe. In contrast, companies like D-Link seem content to leave former users exposed to potentially disastrous network security risks. A recently disclosed security vulnerability impacting D-Link NAS devices will remain unpatched, as the Taiwanese manufacturer confirmed these models have reached their end-of-life / end-of-service status. This means they are likely to stay permanently vulnerable, a situation that has raised concerns among security analysts.The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2024-10914, affects the DNS-320, DNS-320LW, DNS-325, and DNS-340L NAS systems with firmware up to version 20241028. This critical flaw is located in the "cgi_user_add" command and can be triggered via a specially crafted HTTP GET request. The command fails to properly sanitize the "name" parameter, allowing an attacker to inject shell commands.While the National Institute of Standards and Technology noted that the attack complexity is "high," exploitation is possible, as researchers have already disclosed a working exploit online. These NAS devices were once popular among small businesses, but D-Link has since discontinued this line of network storage products.The company recently published a security bulletin regarding the matter, acknowledging the "Command Injection Vulnerability" discovered by NetSecFish in the DNS-320, DNS-325, DNS-340L, and other NAS models. D-Link advised owners of these affected devices to retire them and consider replacing them with newer alternatives.In the bulletin, D-Link reiterated its policy that end-of-life and end-of-service products are no longer supported and that firmware development for these models has ceased. NetSecFish estimated that over 61,000 vulnerable devices remain connected to the internet, putting them at risk of exploitation through malicious HTTP GET requests, which could result in data breaches or botnet activity. // Related StoriesD-Link offered some general advice for users who continue to connect these critically vulnerable NAS devices to the internet. They recommended ensuring the latest firmware is installed, using a unique password, and enabling Wi-Fi encryption. While these steps provide some basic security, they do little to mitigate the CVE-2024-10914 vulnerability itself.Earlier this year, the same researcher identified an additional command injection vulnerability and a hardcoded backdoor in the same NAS models (CVE-2024-3273). D-Link did not issue a fix or firmware update for that vulnerability, either.

In context: The AI boom has had its share of controversy. Whether it's the accuracy of large language models or companies rushing shoddy AI products just to be the first with something, no matter how bad, there are two sides to every issue. The fears over AI replacing human labor are arguably one of the more volatile sub-topics of the continuing AI debate. Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick thinks the ongoing AI revolution will not significantly affect the game production industry from an employment or creative standpoint. Although ChatGPT has proven it can write functional game code, Zelnick doesn't think it can improve game design or make the development process exponentially more efficient."I would love to say that it's going to make things cheaper, quicker, better, or easier to make hits," Zelnick told CNBC in a Squawk Box interview. "I don't think that's the case."He pointed out that Grand Theft Auto V is one of the most successful entertainment products ever released. He says GTA6 is set to continue that legacy, but neither game relied on AI in the sense that we think about it today. Zelnick reminds us that game studios have been in the AI business all along a lot longer than the current LLM craze and that will not change. Every game we However, as far as AI taking over coding duties and other aspects of game design, he doesn't see that happening."The interactive entertainment business has been in AI forever. Let me just remind you that AI stands for artificial intelligence. Which is an oxymoron," the CEO said. "There is no such thing. It's just a description of a digital toolset."He believes AI in gaming will be no different from current toolsets like Blender and Unreal Engine. It will just be another software package that developers can use to help them in their work. It will not lead any company to be more successful than any other because everybody will have access to the same tools. It is still going to be humans who come up with creative ideas that will determine the success of a game."All of our tools do help us become more efficient ... that said, it's going to become commoditized. Everyone is going to have access to the same tools. That is the history of toolsets. What it means, though, is our creative people will be able to do fewer mundane tasks and turn their attention to the really creative tasks. The machines can't make the creative decisions for you."Nvidia and others do not see it that way and are betting the house that AI will replace humans at specific tasks, including writing and coding. Fable creator Peter Molyneux recently stated that people will soon be able to create a game with a simple, plain language prompt. Modders are already adding AI NPCs to games that will improve as language models evolve. Still, other companies are working on toolsets similar to those Zelnick imagines. // Related StoriesI would argue that the games industry has lacked true creativity for several years. I offer all the rehashed, remixed, remastered, and remade games we've had to stomach over the last several years. Maybe AI could do better. It certainly can't do worse at this point. Your thoughts?