Microsoft and Apple go way back and share the same target audience, which makes them consistently compete against each other. Macs have taken over the laptop market by storm, especially after the company transitioned to its custom M-series of chips, and even though Microsoft is late to the party, it has gradually improved on various fronts as well. In a new ad posted on YouTube, Microsoft claims that "we're faster than a Mac," a claim made against Apple's more than a year-old M3 MacBook Air, and not even the "Pro" models. Microsoft targets Apple’s year-old M3 MacBook Air, claims 58 percent faster performance while avoiding M4 Pro, M4 Max models Apple recently introduced the M4 MacBook Air in the spring, which features improved performance over last year's M3 model. The company also launched its M4 Pro and M4 Max chips last year with the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, which take performance levels to an entirely new level. It appears that Microsoft is comparing its best laptops with Apple's entry-level MacBooks and calling itself better. In a new ad, also shared below, Microsoft says that its best Windows PCs with Copilot+ branding are 58 percent faster in terms of performance than the previous-gen M3 MacBook Air, with the results derived from Cinebench 2024 multi-core CPU benchmarks. The ad mentions performance figures that go way back to May 2024, which only goes to show that the machines are not as capable as the company's base MacBooks launched this year. Even though the ad compares Microsoft's best Windows laptops against last year's M3 MacBook Air, the company's fine print does mention that some Copilot+ PCs are faster than even the M4 MacBook Air, with the results derived from the same Cinebench 2024 benchmarks. You can see that Microsoft compared the M3 MacBook Air with the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x housing Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite chip, Microsoft Surface Laptop with the same X Elite chip, and HP's OmniBook Ultra 14 with AMD's Ryzen AI 9 HX 375. Microsoft's claims are not entirely out of context, but we do have to consider that Apple leads the industry in performance-to-watt ratio, delivering improved computational and graphical output while consuming less power. Moreover, the MacBook Air models also do not come with a fan onboard, offering a completely silent user experience. The M4 Pro and M4 Max chips are far superior to the base chips, and they did not even make it into the comparison. At the end of the day, it all boils down to user preference if they want Windows over macOS. Deal of the Day #microsoft #claims #its #best #pcs

Steam is shaking things up with a refreshed look for its monthly top-releases chart, now spotlighting the platform’s highest-earning games each month. Users can also browse the top 50 titles going all the way back to November 2004, when Half-Life 2 launched. The new layout features a trailer section that highlights top games one at a time, and a side menu, offering a more dynamic browsing experience. Each chart showcases at least 50 releases, divided into gold, silver, and bronze tiers, though the total number may vary depending on regional availability. It’s worth noting that new DLC deemed popular enough may also appear in the top 50 of a given month, outside of the new “DLC For You” section, which highlights DLC released in the month for games users play, and new content relevant to their catalog. Previously, users could browse each month’s best-selling titles, but the latest update makes these lists much more detailed and informative. The new side menu offers quick access to live charts, including Top Sellers, Most Played, Top Played on Steam Deck, Weekly Charts, and Monthly Top Releases. The revamped monthly charts focus on the first two weeks of revenue for each new release, organizing them into gold, silver, and bronze tiers. Steam’s charts remain one of the most reliable sources in the gaming industry for insights on sales, player activity, and more. The long-standing Top Sellers chart highlights the platform’s highest-grossing games and tracks their daily shifts in ranking. The Steam team has been manually updating the monthly charts since they first launched in April 2019. Now, the process is automated, ensuring that charts will be released consistently, exactly 14 days after the end of each month, unlike the irregular schedule in the past. Check out the new look for yourself, and if you’re worried about having to reset your password after those Steam hack headlines, don’t fret, Valve has already addressed it. #steamampamp8217s #monthly #topreleases #charts #just

Publisher Nexon has revealed that its recently-released action RPG, The First Berserker: Khazan, missed internal sales forecasts. During its recent earnings call, the company said that Q1 revenue for the game was under what the company was expecting of it. However, Nexon isn’t too disappointed with this, since the game did manage to get a fair bit of commercial success, and ultimately, helped in bringing more attention to the Dungeon & Fighter IP. “The game made its global debut on March 28 with strong ratings from both players and critics,” said the company in its earnings call. “While Q1 revenue was below our outlook, the game achieved our objective as a strategic first step in a multi-year plan to introduce Dungeon & Fighter IP to a global audience.” The Dungeon & Fighter franchise is around a decade old at this point. However, it has only really been known in east-Asian markets, thanks to MMO beat ‘em up game Dungeon Fighter Online. Nexon has previously tried to bring more global attention to the franchise with the release of games like DNF Duel, but had failed to spark interest in the IP until the release of The First Berserker: Khazan. Dungeon Fighter Online revolves around players taking on the role of characters dubbed Dungeon Fighters as they take part in various adventures across the world of Arad. The core gameplay revolves around fast-paced actions and dungeon crawling, where players can take on dangerous enemies and progress their character through level ups as well as by finding new equipment. The First Berserker: Khazan takes place in the same setting, and expands on one of the key time periods of the backstory. The action RPG revolves around the eponymous Khazan, who is saved from the brink of death by the Blade Phantom. A deal is struck between them, and they set off to investigate a mysterious force that is causing disruptions in the flow of souls from the northern parts of Arad. Developer Neople has continued to support The First Berserker: Khazan through post-launch update since its release. The most recent one, out earlier this week, brought with it two Boss Rush modes. Described as modes that offer the “Ultimate Challenge”, players can take part in what is essentially meant to be post-game content once they have finished the main story. The two Boss Rush modes are dubbed the Great General’s Crucible and Berserker’s Bloodshed. The First Berserker: Khazan is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. For more details about the action RPG, check out our review. And in case you’re stuck on some parts, check out our guides for all bosses and their locations, some of the most powerful gear sets, and how you can level mastery and earn skill points quickly. While The First Berserker: Khazan has been a critical and commercial success, Nexon also has another game in the Dungeon & Fighter world in the works. Dubbed Dungeon and Fighter: ARAD, the game is currently in development for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. It doesn’t yet have a release date, however. #first #berserker #khazan #missed #internal

America’s quest to protect its semiconductor technology from China has taken increasingly dramatic turns over the past few years—from export bans to global restrictions—but the latest proposal from Congress ventures into unprecedented territory. Lawmakers are now pushing for mandatory GPS-style tracking embedded in every AI chip exported from the United States, essentially turning advanced semiconductors into devices that report their location back to Washington.On May 15, 2025, a bipartisan group of eight House representatives introduced the Chip Security Act, which would require companies like Nvidia to embed location verification mechanisms in their processors before export. This represents perhaps the most invasive approach yet in America’s technological competition with China, moving far beyond restricting where chips can go to actively monitoring where they end up.The mechanics of AI chip surveillanceUnder the proposed Chip Security Act, AI chip surveillance would become mandatory for all “covered integrated circuit products”—including those classified under Export Control Classification Numbers 3A090, 3A001.z, 4A090, and 4A003.z. Companies like Nvidia would be required to embed location verification mechanisms in their AI chips before export, reexport, or in-country transfer to foreign nations.Representative Bill Huizenga, the Michigan Republican who introduced the House bill, stated that “we must employ safeguards to help ensure export controls are not being circumvented, allowing these advanced AI chips to fall into the hands of nefarious actors.” His co-lead, Representative Bill Foster—an Illinois Democrat and former physicist who designed chips during his scientific career—added, “I know that we have the technical tools to prevent powerful AI technology from getting into the wrong hands.”The legislation goes far beyond simple location tracking. Companies would face ongoing surveillance obligations, required to report any credible information about chip diversion, including location changes, unauthorized users, or tampering attempts. This creates a continuous monitoring system that extends indefinitely beyond the point of sale, fundamentally altering the relationship between manufacturers and their products.Cross-party support for technology controlPerhaps most striking about this AI chip surveillance initiative is its bipartisan nature. The bill enjoys broad support across party lines, co-led by House Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi. Other cosponsors include Representatives Ted Lieu, Rick Crawford, Josh Gottheimer, and Darin LaHood.Moolenaar said that “the Chinese Communist Party has exploited weaknesses in our export control enforcement system—using shell companies and smuggling networks to divert sensitive US technology.” The bipartisan consensus on AI chip surveillance reflects how deeply the China challenge has penetrated American political thinking, transcending traditional partisan divisions.The Senate has already introduced similar legislation through Senator Tom Cotton, suggesting that semiconductor surveillance has broad congressional support. Coordination between chambers indicates that some form of AI chip surveillance may become law regardless of which party controls Congress.Technical challenges and implementation questionsThe technical requirements for implementing AI chip surveillance raise significant questions about feasibility, security, and performance. The bill mandates that chips implement “location verification using techniques that are feasible and appropriate” within 180 days of enactment, but provides little detail on how such mechanisms would work without compromising chip performance or introducing new vulnerabilities.For industry leaders like Nvidia, implementing mandatory surveillance technology could fundamentally alter product design and manufacturing processes. Each chip would need embedded capabilities to verify its location, potentially requiring additional components, increased power consumption, and processing overhead that could impact performance—precisely what customers in AI applications cannot afford.The bill also grants the Secretary of Commerce broad enforcement authority to “verify, in a manner the Secretary determines appropriate, the ownership and location” of exported chips. This creates a real-time surveillance system where the US government could potentially track every advanced semiconductor worldwide, raising questions about data sovereignty and privacy.Commercial surveillance meets national securityAI chip surveillance proposal represents an unprecedented fusion of national security imperatives with commercial technology products. Unlike traditional export controls that simply restrict destinations, the approach creates ongoing monitoring obligations that blur the lines between private commerce and state surveillance.Representative Foster’s background as a physicist lends technical credibility to the initiative, but it also highlights how scientific expertise can be enlisted in geopolitical competition. The legislation reflects a belief that technical solutions can solve political problems—that embedding surveillance capabilities in semiconductors can prevent their misuse.Yet the proposed law raises fundamental questions about the nature of technology export in a globalized world. Should every advanced semiconductor become a potential surveillance device? How will mandatory AI chip surveillance affect innovation in countries that rely on US technology? What precedent does this set for other nations seeking to monitor their technology exports?Accelerating technological decouplingThe mandatory AI chip surveillance requirement could inadvertently accelerate the development of alternative semiconductor ecosystems. If US chips come with built-in tracking mechanisms, countries may intensify efforts to develop domestic alternatives or source from suppliers without such requirements.China, already investing heavily in semiconductor self-sufficiency following years of US restrictions, may view these surveillance requirements as further justification for technological decoupling. The irony is striking: efforts to track Chinese use of US chips may ultimately reduce their appeal and market share in global markets.Meanwhile, allied nations may question whether they want their critical infrastructure dependent on chips that can be monitored by the US government. The legislation’s broad language suggests that AI chip surveillance would apply to all foreign countries, not just adversaries, potentially straining relationships with partners who value technological sovereignty.The future of semiconductor governanceAs the Trump administration continues to formulate its replacement for Biden’s AI Diffusion Rule, Congress appears unwilling to wait. The Chip Security Act represents a more aggressive approach than traditional export controls, moving from restriction to active surveillance in ways that could reshape the global semiconductor industry.This evolution reflects deeper changes in how nations view technology exports in an era of great power competition. The semiconductor industry, once governed primarily by market forces and technical standards, increasingly operates under geopolitical imperatives that prioritize control over commerce.Whether AI chip surveillance becomes law depends on congressional action and industry response. But the bipartisan support suggests that some form of semiconductor monitoring may be inevitable, marking a new chapter in the relationship between technology, commerce, and national security.Conclusion: The end of anonymous semiconductors from America?The question facing the industry is no longer whether the US will control technology exports, but how extensively it will monitor them after they leave American shores. In this emerging paradigm, every chip becomes a potential intelligence asset, and every export a data point in a global surveillance network.The semiconductor industry now faces a critical choice: adapt to a future where products carry their own tracking systems, or risk being excluded from the US market entirely. As Congress pushes for mandatory AI chip surveillance, we may be witnessing the end of anonymous semiconductors and the beginning of an era where every processor knows exactly where it belongs—and reports back accordingly.See also: US-China tech war escalates with new AI chips export controlsWant to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including Intelligent Automation Conference, BlockX, Digital Transformation Week, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo.Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here. #congress #pushes #gps #tracking #every

RT Humanoid HistorySyd Mead's epic poster art for the 1983 World Sports Fair in Tokyo. #humanoid #history #syd #mead039s #epic

The record sheds light on the climate early humans experienced when they were spreading out of Africa. #150000year #history #earth039s #magnetic #field

Nature, Published online: 16 May 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-01517-xLucrative prizes are offered for an AI-powered breakthrough in communications between humans and other species. #can #help #talk #dolphins #race

The AI clones establish a rapport and then try to trick the target into clicking dirty links. Image: Moor Studio/Getty Images Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. If you recently received a voice message from an unusual number claiming to be your local congressperson, it’s probably a scam. The FBI’s crime division issued a warning this week about a new scheme in which bad actors use text messages and AI-generated voice clones to impersonate government officials. The scammers try to build a sense of connection with their target and eventually convince them to click on a malicious link that steals valuable login credentials. This scam is just the latest in a series of evolving attacks using convincing generative AI technology to trick people. “If you receive a message claiming to be from a senior US official, do not assume it is authentic,” the FBI crime alert reads.  How the scam works Government officials say the scam began around April of this year. Attackers either send text messages or use AI-generated voice clone technology to impersonate government employees. Many of the targets of these attacks, the alert notes, have been officials or close contacts of government officials. AI technology has improved rapidly in recent years, to the point where some systems can generate convincing fakes after analyzing just a few minutes, or even seconds, of a person’s voice recordings. Public officials—many of whom frequently give speeches or statements—are particularly vulnerable to voice cloning. Though the FBI notice is sparse on details, it says scammers typically use the supposed government official’s identity to create a sense of familiarity or urgency with their target. From there, they often ask the target to click a link to continue the conversation on a different messaging platform. In reality, that link is a trap designed to steal sensitive credentials like usernames and passwords. The FBI warns that this type of attack could also be used to target other individuals in government positions. If scammers gain access to a victim’s contacts, they could use that information to target additional officials. The stolen contact details could later be used to impersonate others in attempts to steal or transfer funds. “Access to personal or official accounts operated by US officials could be used to target other government officials, or their associates and contacts, by using trusted contact information they obtain,” the FBI notes.  Related:Scammers are leaning into AI deepfakes  Increasingly convincing AI-generated audio and video are making phishing scams more effective. A 2024 report from cybersecurity company Zscaler found that phishing attempts increased by 58 percent in 2023, a surge attributed in part to AI deepfakes. While these scams can target anyone, seniors are often disproportionately impacted. In 2023, FBI data showed that scammers stole billion from senior citizens through various financial schemes. AI, the agency notes, is worsening the problem by making scams appear more believable, tricking people who might otherwise recognize them as fraud. Some of these attacks can be shockingly targeted. Over the past two years, there have been numerous reports of attackers using voice cloning technology to trick parents into believing their child has been kidnapped. In a state of panic, the victims transfer large sums of money, only to later discover their loved one was never in danger. Voice clones are also being used in the political arena. Last year, voters in New Hampshire received a robocall featuring what sounded like former President Joe Biden, urging them not to vote in the state’s primary. The “Biden” voice was actually generated by AI. That audio was reportedly created by political consultant Steve Kramer, who was working with then-Democratic presidential primary challenger Dean Phillips. Kramer was eventually fined million by the FCC and is facing criminal charges for alleged voter suppression.​​ The FBI urges people to exercise extreme caution if they receive a communication claiming to come directly from a government official. If that does happen, individuals should attempt to independently verify the person’s identity by calling a known, trusted phone number associated with them. The alert also advises the public to inspect email addresses and URLs for typos or other irregularities that could indicate a phishing attempt. In the case of deepfakes, the notice recommends watching for awkward pauses, unusual intonation, or other oddities that may be telltale signs of an AI-generated voice. That’s easier said than done. Today’s most sophisticated tools can produce manipulated content in ways that’s virtually indistinguishable to the average human observer. #that #weird #call #text #senator

Far before modern humans ever walked the Earth, our Homo erectus ancestors made arduous journeys to the present-day islands of Southeast Asia. Fossil remnants of H. erectus have been left all across this region, and now, two newly discovered skull fragments belonging to the species have added a new angle to their story. A study published in the journal Quaternary Environments and Humans reveals that the fossil remains were found after a marine sand extraction project in the Madura Strait, a stretch of water between the Indonesian islands of Java and Madura. By examining the fossils, archaeologists have opened a window into the lives of H. erectus who took advantage of low sea levels to spread across a now-submerged landmass 140,000 years ago. H. erectus Fossils on JavaAfter leaving Africa nearly 2 million years ago, H. erectus trekked all the way through Asia and eventually hit the Southeast Asian islands closer to 1.5 million years ago. Fast-forward to the late 19th century, and the first set of H. erectus fossils was found by Dutch scientist Eugène Dubois on Java, enshrined in archaeological history as the Java Man. But with Java surrounded by water in modern times, one may wonder, how did H. erectus land there in the first place? In the ancient past, this part of the world was much different than it is today. Millions of years ago, a landmass called Sundaland connected islands like Bali, Borneo, Java, and Sumatra. Sundaland was exposed during glacial periods when sea levels were low, forming a land bridge that paved the way for human migration flows at various points in history. This is how H. erectus and other species could reach Java. Rare Vertebrate FossilsThe new fossils shed light on Javanese H. erectus much later in their existence, around 140,000 years ago. Researchers involved with the study say that vertebrate fossils have never been found in the area that was once Sundaland, now submerged in the ocean. “This makes our discoveries truly unique,” said Harold Berghuis, an archaeologist at Leiden University, the Netherlands, in a statement. “The fossils come from a drowned river valley, which filled up over time with river sand. We have been able to date the material to approximately 140,000 years ago. That was the penultimate glacial period. Large parts of the northern hemisphere were covered by glaciers, and so much water on Earth was stored in ice caps that the global sea level was 100 metres lower than today.”The fossils show that H. erectus living on Java at the time dispersed throughout the lowlands of Sundaland when the sea level had receded enough. They would have traveled along river systems such as the Brantas and Solo Rivers, finding edible plants and shellfish. Read More: Who Was Homo Soloensis, the “Solo Man?”The Extinction of H. erectusThe researchers say that Javanese H. erectus hunted bovids, and potentially learned hunting practices through contact with more modern human species living on the Asian mainland. The final survivors of the entire H. erectus population were living in Java at the time of their death. Homo erectus soloensis, a subspecies of H. erectus, is believed to have lived along the Solo River from around 117,000 years to 108,000 years ago, marking the last known record of H. erectus. The extinction of the species may have occurred as a result of a changing climate that caused Java to morph from an open woodland environment into a rainforest.Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:Britannica. Java manJack Knudson is an assistant editor at Discover with a strong interest in environmental science and history. Before joining Discover in 2023, he studied journalism at the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University and previously interned at Recycling Today magazine. #homo #erectus #crossed #ancient #land

Double Villa Bukovac / njiric+ arhitektiSave this picture!© Bosnić+DorotićHouses•Zagreb, Croatia Architects: njiric+ arhitekti Area Area of this architecture project Area:  360 m² Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2024 Photographs Photographs:Bosnić+Dorotić, Danijel Krznaric Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers:  Sika, ACO Drainage, Beton Lucko, Caparol, Ervojić, Ferolignum, Galeković PPS, Marlex, Proalarm, Spina Lead Architects: Hrvoje Njirić, Iskra Filipović More SpecsLess Specs this picture! A Dialogue with the Urban Master Plan - The concept for the house emerges as a direct response - and critique - of the General Urban Development Plan of the City of Zagreb. The lots on which the house stands intentionally diverge from conventional urban planning guidelines regarding building density, land utilization, building height, and parking requirements. Rather than conforming to these norms, the project embraces a vision of reimagining the green foothills of Zagreb for a lower-density residential typology—favoring smaller volumes, lower structures, a gentler footprint and larger plots with a minimum area of 1200 m2. In this way, the house becomes a case study proposing a new form of urban decency for the city.this picture!this picture!this picture!Downscaling and Typological Shift
- Instead of maximizing the permitted Gross Built Areaof 600 m² per lot, each of the two residential units contains just 180 m² of living space. Departing from the typical vertical distribution by floors, commonly used for multigenerational housing in this context, the project establishes a horizontal multigenerational living arrangement across two adjacent lots. The houses a positioned side by side rather than stacked, with a space between them acting as a cohesive, integrative communal zone.this picture!this picture!this picture!this picture!A Dual Character - A defining wall along the street creates a threshold, establishing a transitional zone that generates an interactive space on the opposite side. The northwest façade, facing the street, remains largely closed, shielding the interior from noise, wind and unwanted views. ensuring privacy. In contrast, the southeast side of the house opens fully toward the garden, embracing greenery, sunlight and panoramic city views.this picture!Architectural References and Inspiration
- The design draws from personal encounters with influential buildings within architectural discourse. Villa Barbaro by Andrea Palladio inspired the disciplined symmetry of the house, while the Eames House/Studio influenced the concept of a unifying atrium and spatial duality. Thomas Jefferson's University of Virginia campus influenced the relationship to the terrain and the classical rhythm of the façades. The LA Case Study Houses provided reference points in tems of construction techniques methods and dynamic relationship with the urban landscape, particularly panoramic vistas toward the city.this picture!this picture!Materiality and Construction
- The house's façades are defined by their contrasting material expressions: the ground floor, in contact with terrain, adopts an earthy, robust presence, constructed with brick to express weight and permanence. In contrast, the upper floor, in dialogue with the sky, is lighter, more transparent and reflective. It features unconventional materials, including repurposed cable tray mesh, which lends the façade a subtle, ephemeral quality.this picture!The Significance of Section
- The natural slope of the site allows direct access from the street into the underground garage, while the ground floor opens seamlessly into the garden. The double wall of the atrium, positioned between the two homes, functions not only as a spatial divider, but also as a practical niche housing garden tools, a summer kitchen and a barbecue area, making it a central element for family gatherings. The garage beneath the house is designed not only for parking but also doubles as a party venue and an exhibition space for heavy-duty artworks displayed in lightboxes and on metal panels.this picture!Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
- The house functions as a solar pavilion, with minimal energy demands in winter, while in summer, it utilizes passive shading systems such as retractable awnings, regulating interior temperatures during summer months.this picture! Project gallerySee allShow less About this officenjiric+ arhitektiOffice••• MaterialsMaterials and TagsPublished on May 16, 2025Cite: "Double Villa Bukovac / njiric+ arhitekti" 16 May 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . < ISSN 0719-8884Save世界上最受欢迎的建筑网站现已推出你的母语版本!想浏览ArchDaily中国吗?是否 You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream #double #villa #bukovac #njiric #arhitekti