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Slashdot is a pioneering technology news website that was founded in 1997. It focuses on delivering news, insights, and commentary on various topics of interest across multiple sections such as News, Technology, Science, Tech Culture, and Off Beat. In addition to news articles and blog postings, the site features a robust community-driven system which enables users to comment on articles, participate in discussions, and submit new stories. A strong feature of Slashdot is the comment rating system, where comments are rated by users - allowing for insightful comments to rise to the top of the conversation while filtering out less useful ones. The site also hosts polls on different topics, giving members an opportunity to express their views as part of a broader community. Slashdot covers technology news, product reviews, interviews from tech pioneers, and new technological advancements. It has played a significant role in breaking key tech stories over the years and introducing new ideas and technologies to the tech community. A notable aspect of Slashdot is its nerdy or "geeky" culture, with many members participating in the site being knowledgeable about technical terms, acronyms, jokes, and references, which are also frequently used within the site itself. In summary, Slashdot is a platform filled with a knowledgeable and passionate community, an extensive forum for discussing the latest in technology and science, and a source where readers can find in-depth coverage of the latest innovations and developments in the tech and science communities.
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RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Aug 19, 2024

Thread Of Notes

The Tragedy of Losing Your Wikipedia Page

Wikipedia faces the constant challenge of determining what subjects are notable enough for inclusion. Subjects like Xavier Trudeau, a musician and son of a former prime minister, or even a Yachtmaster of the Year, have had their biographies considered for deletion. This isn't due to a lack of storage space, as Wikipedia hosts millions of articles. Instead, the issue stems from a limited number of volunteer editors available to maintain accuracy and verifiability.Many biographies, including those of minor celebrities or briefly active athletes, are regularly purged. Editors prioritize verifying existing information over creating new articles for subjects lacking clear notability. The core principle guiding these deletions is verifiability, not necessarily truth. For instance, a claim about a Civil War officer was removed not because it was false, but because it lacked reliable evidence. Wikipedia's editors assess whether there's sufficient reliable evidence to support a subject's notability, rather than making subjective judgments about their intrinsic importance. This rigorous standard ensures the encyclopedia's reliability, despite the continuous influx of potential new entries.
https://news.slashdot.org/story/26/10/30/0142219/the-tragedy-of-losing-your-wikipedia-page news.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 30

First Wired XR Glasses Powered By Android XR

XREAL has introduced the AURA, its first wired augmented reality glasses, running on Google's Android XR platform. These glasses feature transparent Micro-OLED displays, a wide 70-degree field of view, Gemini AI integration, and a Snapdragon Reality Elite processor. The AURA's core concept is to provide users with portable access to their apps, entertainment, and an AI assistant. Users can access millions of familiar mobile apps and games from Google Play, along with XR-specific experiences. Android XR facilitates natural hand and voice inputs, while Gemini enhances user experiences by integrating with visual and interactive elements.A significant feature is Wired Mirroring, allowing users to connect computers or gaming consoles via USB-C for a large, private spatial display. This enables a multi-monitor setup for laptops or immersive gaming from handheld devices within a spatial workspace. The AURA aims to make spatial computing practical and portable for various scenarios. For professional use, it creates a multi-window workspace, combining Android XR apps with mirrored laptop content and Gemini's assistance. For entertainment, the AURA transforms into a private theater, offering access to streaming apps and an expansive virtual display with adjustable dimming. Gamers can enjoy Android games and mirrored console content on a large, immersive private screen. The AURA is now available for order, with shipping expected in mid-November.
https://tech.slashdot.org/story/26/10/29/1839246/first-wired-xr-glasses-powered-by-android-xr tech.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 30

Proton CEO Is In 'Full AI Psychosis'

Proton CEO Andy Yen is reportedly forcing aggressive AI adoption on employees, cultivating a fear-based workplace culture. This environment discourages employees from voicing security concerns or challenging leadership, according to a 404 Media investigation. Employees describe an inability to raise genuine security concerns about AI-driven development without fear of reprisal. Yen allegedly berates staff publicly and threatens their employment for questioning his directives. He reportedly dismissed a security testing request as "bullshit and loser thinking." Yen also stated that "perception is more important than truth" regarding product communication. He warns employees to embrace AI or "get crushed," predicting a future where AI largely replaces human programming. Yen believes developers will soon primarily write specs for AI-generated and validated code. He even suggested that 2024 might be the last year Proton hires traditional engineers, shifting to AI-focused "product managers" instead.
https://slashdot.org/story/26/10/30/0126236/proton-ceo-is-in-full-ai-psychosis slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 30

Polymarket Halted International Trading After Hackers Drained Accounts

Polymarket's international trading platform has resumed operations after a hack that compromised trader wallets. The breach targeted a third-party vendor in the UK, not the prediction market's website directly. UK law enforcement has been informed of the incident. Trading was temporarily halted for investigation, during which time traders reported significant financial losses. Blockchain analytics suggest around 700 users lost approximately $2.7 million. Polymarket has stated it will refund affected traders. The hack did not affect users on the separate Polymarket US platform. Polymarket US is a regulated exchange, while the flagship platform is crypto-based and banned in some regions. This is not the first security incident for Polymarket, with a similar vendor attack in June causing substantial losses. Separately, a large amount of cryptocurrency was drained from Binance wallets shortly before Polymarket halted trading.
https://it.slashdot.org/story/26/10/29/2347249/polymarket-halted-international-trading-after-hackers-drained-accounts it.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 30

Trump's CTFC Steps In to Defend Kalshi As Utah Brings Criminal Charges Against Execs

Utah has filed 14 criminal charges against Kalshi and its co-founders for allegedly violating anti-gambling laws. The charges include counts of online gambling promotion and unlawful activity. Utah's Attorney General stated that gambling is illegal in the state, regardless of how it is labeled or if it is federally registered. He also mentioned a prior court ruling that Utah's gambling laws apply to Kalshi. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is suing Utah to defend its exclusive authority over federally registered prediction markets. The CFTC argues that states should not be able to regulate these sites. CFTC Chairman Selig emphasized that these markets provide valuable information about future events. Congress has entrusted the CFTC with sole responsibility for overseeing these commodity derivatives. The CFTC is committed to defending its regulatory jurisdiction in these matters.
https://yro.slashdot.org/story/26/10/29/193242/trumps-ctfc-steps-in-to-defend-kalshi-as-utah-brings-criminal-charges-against-execs yro.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 29

Multi-Billion Binance Hack Hitting Crypto Markets

Binance is investigating a potential hack after a significant amount of cryptocurrency, estimated to be over $2 billion, was moved from one of its wallets. The company confirmed its teams are actively looking into the reported security issue. Binance founder CZ stated that user funds are safe and will be fully covered. He also noted that Tether and Circle quickly froze a substantial portion of the transferred funds.
https://slashdot.org/story/26/10/29/2143222/multi-billion-binance-hack-hitting-crypto-markets slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 29

Patrick Stewart, 'Star Trek' Captain and 'X-Men' Superhero, Dies At 86

Patrick Stewart, the acclaimed British actor, has passed away at 86. He died at his Los Angeles home after a brief battle with Alzheimer's and Lewy body dementia. Stewart's longtime spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak, shared the news. He was surrounded by family and friends, experiencing profound emotions. Bush Novak emphasized Stewart's peaceful demeanor in his final moments. His career was marked by iconic science fiction roles. Stewart famously portrayed Capt. Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation. He also played Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films. Beyond these, he earned Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for diverse roles. Stewart's legacy includes performances in Moby Dick, The Lion in Winter, and Hamlet. He even reprised his Picard role in Star Trek: Picard.
https://entertainment.slashdot.org/story/26/10/29/2059216/patrick-stewart-star-trek-captain-and-x-men-superhero-dies-at-86 entertainment.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 29

Nvidia Chief Seen As Target of Chinese Spy Plot

American spy agencies uncovered striking intelligence: a top executive, Alice Huang, at a Singapore-based data center company, was suspected of funneling advanced Nvidia AI chips to China. Officials concluded Huang was a Chinese intelligence asset, providing information to Beijing. More alarmingly, surveillance revealed her close relationship with Jensen Huang, Nvidia’s CEO. This discovery raised alarms at the White House, as Jensen Huang is a powerful figure in AI and an influential ally of former President Trump.Roughly a year ago, Trump was briefed on these findings but chose not to act. He was wary of disrupting Nvidia's chip sales, which boost the economy, and further complicating trade relations with China. Officials already suspected Huang was helping China evade AI chip constraints, but her direct access to Jensen Huang presented more troubling possibilities. This included the potential for her to glean insights into Trump's thinking on a vital issue ahead of a potential presidential visit to China. It also raised concerns about her ability to acquire sensitive information about Nvidia, a key player in U.S. AI leadership.Surveillance of Ms. Huang continues, and companies linked to her still purchase Nvidia chips. Nvidia stated that Jensen Huang's interactions with Ms. Huang were normal for a CEO, involving thousands of customer executives annually. The company expressed confidence that the U.S. government would inform them if any person posed a threat to American industry. Nvidia also clarified that customers like Megaspeed, Huang's employer, only receive ordinary business information, not sensitive trade secrets or national security-relevant data. Megaspeed stated it takes the allegations seriously, has retained outside counsel for an internal investigation, and is cooperating with the U.S. government.
https://slashdot.org/story/26/10/29/189230/nvidia-chief-seen-as-target-of-chinese-spy-plot slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 29

Alphabet Heads For a $500 Billion Drop In Market Value

Google's Q3 earnings report revealed that searches conducted via its AI Mode generate less revenue than traditional search methods. Despite this, overall search revenue saw a 12% year-over-year increase, reaching $63.25 billion. This news caused Alphabet shares to plummet, with Bespoke Investment Group noting it was on track for its steepest post-earnings decline since the company's IPO in 2004. At its lowest point, Alphabet lost $524 billion in market value, the second-largest single-day loss for a US-listed company. Only Nvidia has experienced a larger drop. Alphabet's current decline is its worst day in terms of dollar value, surpassing its previous record loss of $275 billion. This downturn is also projected to be its steepest stock drop following an earnings report since its public debut. The company has already lost approximately $1.4 trillion since reaching its peak in May. This event highlights a broader trend of significant single-session stock value losses among US-listed companies, which has become more frequent in recent years.
https://news.slashdot.org/story/26/10/29/1756212/alphabet-heads-for-a-500-billion-drop-in-market-value news.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 29

Canada to Join EU Network of Supercomputers

Canada is integrating into the European Union's supercomputing network, providing its companies, startups, and researchers access to advanced European computing resources for AI development. This collaboration seeks to enhance AI cooperation and diminish reliance on US technology. The EU's supercomputing network, managed by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, boasts an 8.2 billion-euro budget. It encompasses 14 supercomputers, 19 AI factories, and 10 quantum computers. Furthermore, seven AI gigafactories, large data center hubs with a 30 billion-euro investment, will be established next year. Experts acknowledge the potential benefits of this EU-Canadian collaboration but caution that it is merely an initial step. They emphasize that while "compute cooperation" is a clear path for "middle power" AI collaboration, it currently does not significantly reduce dependence on the U.S. Substantial buildouts comparable to U.S. gigawatt-scale clusters are necessary to truly impact this dependence. Canada's involvement expands on its previous participation in Horizon Europe, the EU's flagship R&D program, which partially funds EuroHPC. In total, 38 countries, including EU member states and others like Norway, Switzerland, and the UK, have joined the EU's supercomputing network.
https://news.slashdot.org/story/26/10/29/1741210/canada-to-join-eu-network-of-supercomputers news.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 29

DoorDash Strikes $17 Billion Deal For US Rival Instacart

DoorDash plans to acquire Instacart for approximately $17 billion, expanding its reach into the U.S. grocery delivery market. This strategic move aims to diversify DoorDash's services beyond restaurant delivery. Instacart shareholders will receive $65 per share, representing a 26% premium over the stock's closing price on October 22. At least 75% of the consideration will be cash, with shareholders choosing between cash, DoorDash stock, or a mix. The acquisition is projected to finalize between late 2027 and mid-2028. However, the deal is expected to encounter regulatory review due to concerns about industry consolidation. The New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection has already expressed unease regarding the merger's potential impact on competition. Despite these concerns, DoorDash has committed to allowing local grocers to continue using various delivery platforms. This assurance aims to mitigate fears of reduced competition among delivery services. Ultimately, the acquisition signifies a major shift in the online delivery landscape.
https://slashdot.org/story/26/10/29/1644224/doordash-strikes-17-billion-deal-for-us-rival-instacart slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 29

Reddit Is Getting a 'For You' Feed

Reddit is updating its homepage to feature separate "For You" and "Following" feeds. The "For You" feed will blend subscribed communities with algorithmic recommendations based on user interests. This change reflects Reddit's ongoing effort to personalize the user experience, building on earlier steps like deprecating r/all. The company aims for these new feeds to enhance content discovery, fostering novel connections and perspectives. Ultimately, Reddit hopes to create a more engaging and participatory online environment for its users.
https://tech.slashdot.org/story/26/10/29/0518249/reddit-is-getting-a-for-you-feed tech.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 29

'Please Let the Internet Die'

The internet, particularly its current web iteration and accompanying social fabric, is widely seen as failing expectations. Signs of significant cultural decline are evident, with platforms like Meta and Google facing lawsuits for privacy violations and mental health harms from addictive features. Schools and countries are implementing smartphone and social media restrictions for minors, while parents worry about their children's online career aspirations, exposure to online casinos, or radicalization. Generative AI, once a novelty, now exacerbates the web's problems by creating vast amounts of useless and grotesque content, fueling concerns about job displacement and cognitive decline. The data centers supporting this technology are also becoming politically contentious.Many now perceive being online as an experience of constant manipulation and exploitation. The rise of "rage bait," Oxford University Press's word of the year, highlights the prevalent use of bad-faith and extremist content, often automated by AI, to profit from hostile engagement. Billionaire platform owners have further enabled this by reducing moderation, leading to an increase in inauthentic activity, conspiracy theories, and hate speech. Unlike a decade ago when glimmers of community and intellectual exchange might have offset the toxicity, today's online landscape offers little perceived value worth preserving.
https://tech.slashdot.org/story/26/10/29/052237/please-let-the-internet-die tech.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 29

Google Struggling to Make AI Mode Searches Pay

Alphabet's stock dropped nearly 10% after Google revealed its AI Mode searches generate less revenue. Despite this, overall search revenue still grew 12% year-over-year to $63.25 billion in Q3. Google reported its highest search query growth rate in five years, partly due to AI Mode adoption. However, AI Mode's lower monetization contributed to a slower growth rate compared to the previous year.Alphabet's substantial Q3 infrastructure spending, totaling $51.4 billion, primarily on servers and networking, impacted profitability. Net income for the quarter was $26.17 billion, down from $35 billion in Q3 last year. Chief Business Officer Philipp Schindler attributed the revenue slowdown to AI Mode's lower monetization.He expressed optimism that AI search will eventually be profitable, citing its ability to capture high-value commercial intent and create incremental monetization opportunities. Google has now enabled ads alongside AI Mode searches globally, after initial US testing. Currently, AI Mode searches are less lucrative than traditional search, which accounts for nearly half of Alphabet's overall quarterly revenue of $125.8 billion.
https://tech.slashdot.org/story/26/10/29/0444201/google-struggling-to-make-ai-mode-searches-pay tech.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 29

Ink Droplets In Motion Snag Top Prize In Nikon Small World Contest

A 25-year-old German photographer, Ole Bielfeldt, won the 2026 Nikon Small World competition with a microscopic image capturing ink droplets in midair. His winning entry froze the moment an inkjet printer deposits ink onto paper, beating out 1,802 other global entries. Bielfeldt's interest in photomicrography began during the COVID-19 lockdown when he found an old microscope. He self-taught the art, building custom adapters and tools to connect the microscope to a camera. His brand, macrofying, features behind-the-scenes videos of his technique. The inspiration for his winning entry came from curiosity about inkjet printers, despite the challenge of capturing fast-moving ink. Bielfeldt deconstructed the printer, creating a stationary printhead and using a flash in a dark room as a shutter to freeze the droplets. He achieved this without expensive equipment and without using AI, relying on traditional methods. Nikon Instruments praised Bielfeldt's entry for its blend of imaging, ingenuity, and artistry. His work transformed a familiar object into something new, highlighting the microscope's creative potential. The image serves as a reminder of how microscopes can expand our perception of the world.
https://slashdot.org/story/26/10/29/0436243/ink-droplets-in-motion-snag-top-prize-in-nikon-small-world-contest slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 29

Bank of America Kindly Asks That You Don't Share Your Password With Your AI Assistant

Bank of America recently issued an email alert to its customers regarding the security risks of AI tools. Titled "Protecting your finances in the AI World," the email warned against sharing login credentials with any external service, including AI agents. A bank spokesperson confirmed the email's authenticity, emphasizing the customer's responsibility in such situations. Sharing credentials makes customers liable for any resulting account activity, as per most bank agreements.
https://yro.slashdot.org/story/26/10/28/2247205/bank-of-america-kindly-asks-that-you-dont-share-your-password-with-your-ai-assistant yro.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 29

Anthropic Engineer Declares the Coding Interview Dead

An Anthropic engineering manager has halted traditional coding interviews, citing AI's superior performance on such challenges. He believes AI, like Claude, now excels at these tasks more than human candidates. The manager suggests that successful engineers are not defined by their ability to pass these tests. He anticipates the demise of the coding interview, seeing it as a sign of software engineering's increasing abstraction. However, he admits uncertainty about what will replace these interviews in assessing candidates who collaborate effectively with AI. He is currently looking for portfolios demonstrating taste, empathy, and principled thinking. A Google principal engineer expressed interest in interviewing candidates on their use of coding agents as a measure of skill. Despite this shift at Anthropic, the tech industry generally still widely employs skills assessments. A recent survey indicates the Information sector leads in requiring formal skill tests for initial applications. This change might signify a move towards prioritizing soft skills over purely technical ones as AI handles coding. While AI can code, it lacks critical thinking, a skill employers find increasingly absent in candidates.
https://slashdot.org/story/26/10/28/2222217/anthropic-engineer-declares-the-coding-interview-dead slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 28

Massive Leak Exposes 41,000 Homeland Security Workers

A significant leak has exposed records belonging to over 41,000 DHS employees and contractors, including approximately 10,000 ICE personnel. The compromised data, believed to originate from DHS's Okta login system, includes phone numbers, email and office addresses, reporting structures, and permission groups related to sensitive operations. This information encompasses details about undercover work, wiretapping, and surveillance tools. Wired reports that the leak effectively provides a comprehensive organizational and operational map of DHS. The records cover DHS and seven component agencies, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement and US Customs and Border Protection, with the latest update being August 19, 2026.The transparency organization Distributed Denial of Secrets (DDoSecrets) and cybersecurity researcher maia arson crimew shared the data with WIRED, attributing its acquisition to a group named the Department of Peace. DDoSecrets has since published the archive, dubbed "Icepick," citing DHS's Okta login system as the source. The hackers, in a note accompanying the files, justified the leak by stating, "They have our information, so it's only fair that we have theirs." However, an Okta spokesperson has stated that the company is unaware of any breach and that its systems remain secure. Okta maintains there is no evidence of compromise to its data or systems.
https://yro.slashdot.org/story/26/10/28/2158201/massive-leak-exposes-41000-homeland-security-workers yro.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 28

Amazon Puts a Camera In Its Echo Studio So Alexa Can See

Amazon has launched a new Echo Studio speaker with an integrated camera, enabling Alexa to visually identify objects and assist users with tasks. This camera feature also allows for remote room monitoring via the Alexa app. For privacy-conscious consumers, Amazon will continue to offer a camera-free version of the Echo Studio. The new camera-equipped speaker is priced at $249.99, while the camera-free model remains available for $219.99, with a dedicated button to disable both microphones and the camera.
https://yro.slashdot.org/story/26/10/28/191236/amazon-puts-a-camera-in-its-echo-studio-so-alexa-can-see yro.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 28

Are AI Execs Too Out of Touch To Build For the General Public?

Marissa Mayer, former Yahoo CEO, is facing criticism for her promotion of her new AI app, Dazzle. Dazzle is an AI assistant designed to learn from a user's camera roll. Mayer highlighted its utility by stating it helped her generate descriptive bullet points about her daughter for a school presentation. Critics found this disclosure concerning, viewing it as a disconnect between Silicon Valley culture and broader society. In her defense, Mayer clarified she was testing Dazzle's capabilities and that it surfaced photos illustrating her daughter's traits. She also suggested Dazzle could help with tasks like planning birthday party themes and family vacations. Mayer admitted she hadn't fully considered the implications of a "frictionless future planned by AI." This raises the question of what aspects of life are appropriate to outsource to artificial intelligence. Experts suggest that while AI can handle low-stakes tasks, preserving human connection in customer interactions is crucial. Some may find certain tasks that seem like "grunt work" to others to be meaningful experiences. Outsourcing deeply personal or sentimental tasks to AI, like describing one's child, can be seen as detrimental.
https://slashdot.org/story/26/10/28/199238/are-ai-execs-too-out-of-touch-to-build-for-the-general-public slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 28

Amazon Finds 'Tokenmaxxing' Lacks Productivity Gains

Amazon is advising its engineers to focus on actual results from AI usage rather than simply tracking token counts. Updated engineering guidelines state that high AI consumption does not automatically equate to better productivity or value. Metrics like AI adoption rates and token usage are considered deeply flawed when disconnected from tangible outcomes. Setting these metrics as targets can encourage wasteful practices and increase costs and complexity. Amazon emphasizes that long-term results should be the primary measure of AI's impact. While usage data is still useful, it needs to be analyzed carefully alongside other indicators. The company suggests comparing teams with high and low AI usage to assess its effectiveness. Not every task necessarily requires an AI tool. Engineers identifying limitations in current AI tools are demonstrating good judgment. This approach aligns with Amazon's principles of frugality and simplicity.
https://tech.slashdot.org/story/26/10/28/1816223/amazon-finds-tokenmaxxing-lacks-productivity-gains tech.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 28

Apple Announces Its First Touchscreen MacBook Pro

Apple has released its first MacBook Pro with a touchscreen, a significant shift from its long-held stance. This new model incorporates OLED touch input, a light-up Apple logo, and is powered by the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips. The 14-inch version is priced at $2899, while the 16-inch model costs $3399. Pre-orders are open now, with deliveries beginning November 6.
https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/26/10/28/1732233/apple-announces-its-first-touchscreen-macbook-pro hardware.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 28

EMACS Turns 50

The text celebrates the 50th anniversary of EMACS, a significant text editor in computing history. Early programming involved physical configurations like switches and cables on machines like ENIAC. MIT engineers later programmed the Whirlwind by punching code onto paper tape, a precursor to stored-program computers. The shift to punch cards became a common method for inputting code. By the 1960s, line editors on teletypes allowed for interactive coding, though still line by line. Full-screen text editors, like EMACS, emerged, revolutionizing how programmers interacted with code. EMACS first appeared in 1976 at MIT's Artificial Intelligence Laboratory on video terminals. Its powerful design led to rewrites for numerous operating systems over the years. EMACS even saw distribution with Apple's Mac OS X. Furthermore, the community that formed around EMACS was instrumental in the development of the free software movement and the GNU/Linux operating system.
https://news.slashdot.org/story/26/10/28/1541214/emacs-turns-50 news.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 28

FCC Approves Amazon Leo's $11.5 Billion Acquisition of Globalstar

Amazon's Leo has received FCC approval for its $11.5 billion acquisition of Globalstar. This move grants Leo crucial infrastructure and spectrum for direct-to-device satellite connectivity. Globalstar is known for providing Apple's emergency satellite services for iPhones and Apple Watches. Apple previously held a 20 percent stake in Globalstar. As part of the deal, Leo will continue powering these satellite services for Apple devices. Leo, a competitor to SpaceX's Starlink, has been expanding its reach. The company currently has 400 satellites in orbit. Leo has also launched satellite internet service in Uzbekistan recently. Furthermore, it is collaborating with Delta to offer in-flight satellite internet. Amazon is planning to deploy over 3,000 low-earth orbit satellites, though this number is less than SpaceX's planned fleet.
https://science.slashdot.org/story/26/10/28/1532238/fcc-approves-amazon-leos-115-billion-acquisition-of-globalstar science.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 28

Google Begins Certifying Registered App Stores For Android

Google faces increased complexity managing its app ecosystem after the Epic Games antitrust case, leading to the creation of a Registered App Stores program for international Android users. This program allows eligible app stores to apply for preferential treatment, including single-click app installation and silent background updates, mirroring the Google Play Store experience. While U.S. users access alternative stores through Google Play by court order, the international program will not be supported in the U.S.To qualify, app stores must meet stringent requirements, such as protecting intellectual property, removing illegal content, publishing privacy policies, and implementing ongoing security measures against malware. Applicants must provide comprehensive documentation in English and upload all their apps for review. Participation in the program costs $10,000 annually, payable upfront, with potential additional fees for malware-related issues.Google intends to launch the program on December 1, supporting devices running the latest Android 17 builds, starting with Android 17 QPR2 on Pixel phones. The program will roll out in dozens of nations globally, excluding the U.S. and Europe. This initiative aims to regulate and support third-party app stores while maintaining user security and platform integrity on Android devices internationally.
https://tech.slashdot.org/story/26/10/28/0313217/google-begins-certifying-registered-app-stores-for-android tech.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 28

Astronomers May Have Just Discovered Our Solar System's Sixth Dwarf Planet

Astronomers at the Vera C. Rubin Observatory have identified 2026 ED138, a significant object beyond Neptune. This discovery could potentially make it the solar system's sixth dwarf planet, pending confirmation of its spherical shape due to sufficient mass. Located approximately 46 times farther from the Sun than Earth, 2026 ED138 is estimated to be between 600 and 1,500 kilometers wide. The object remained undetected for years because it lies against a densely populated field of Milky Way stars.The discovery involved processing billions of data pieces from the Rubin Observatory using a specialized search code developed by Matthew Holman and Kevin Napier. Holman initially reacted with "excited disbelief" due to the rarity of such objects. Subsequent verification by Holman and Mario Juric revealed 30 more observations from Rubin and even earlier sightings from other tools dating back to 2016. These extensive data allowed astronomers to begin charting 2026 ED138's orbit.Its distance from the Sun makes it more remote than Pluto, and its orbit is tilted approximately 25 degrees from the solar system's plane, possibly due to Neptune's gravitational influence. Initial measurements suggest it is one of the largest dwarf planet candidates found, but size alone is not enough for classification. Further observations are crucial to confirm if 2026 ED138 possesses the mass needed to achieve a round shape, a defining characteristic for dwarf planets. Its location in a star-dense region of the sky explains its previous elusiveness.
https://science.slashdot.org/story/26/10/28/035218/astronomers-may-have-just-discovered-our-solar-systems-sixth-dwarf-planet science.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 28

CDC Warns of Rising Threat of Drug-Resistant Germs

The CDC reports that 19 drug-resistant pathogens lead to 9.7 million infections and over 50,000 deaths yearly in the U.S. This issue is considered an urgent public health threat, as resistance continues to exceed new treatment development. The CDC's latest comprehensive assessment in seven years details these threats, ranking them by severity, transmissibility, and available treatment options.Four pathogens are deemed most urgent: Candida auris, drug-resistant gonorrhea, Acinetobacter, and Enterobacterales. Gonorrhea has developed resistance to all but one antibiotic class, while Acinetobacter and Enterobacterales are resistant to "last resort" antibiotics. A new "concerning" threat, Neisseria meningitidis, causes meningococcal disease and is showing growing resistance to penicillin and ciprofloxacin. While childhood vaccinations prevent this illness, its developing resistance warrants monitoring.On a positive note, Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infections are decreasing annually, leading to its downgrade from an urgent to a serious threat. This update provides a nuanced picture of the ongoing battle against antibiotic resistance.
https://science.slashdot.org/story/26/10/28/0256204/cdc-warns-of-rising-threat-of-drug-resistant-germs science.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 28

Greenhouse Gas Levels Set Records In 2025, UN Says

Greenhouse gas levels reached record highs in 2025, locking in long-term climate impacts, the United Nations reported. Concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide all rose to unprecedented figures. The World Meteorological Organization indicated this increase would cause further long-term planetary temperature rises. This bulletin focuses on atmospheric gas concentrations instead of annual emissions.In 2025, carbon dioxide concentrations hit 426.8 parts per million, methane reached 1,948 parts per billion, and nitrous oxide was at 339.1 parts per billion. These levels represent significant increases from pre-industrial figures before 1750. Carbon dioxide alone contributes approximately 66% of the overall warming effect.Roughly half of all CO2 emitted annually stays in the atmosphere. From 2024 to 2025, CO2 concentrations globally increased by 2.8 ppm, less than the previous record surge. This smaller increase was attributed to land carbon sink recovery and fewer fire emissions after a strong El Nino. However, this 2.8 ppm increase remains a significant addition of carbon from fossil fuel combustion. It also exceeds the average growth rate for the past decade and the 1960s. These trapped greenhouse gases are fueling extreme weather and posing risks to economies and societies.
https://news.slashdot.org/story/26/10/27/2325218/greenhouse-gas-levels-set-records-in-2025-un-says news.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 28

Ford's Most Affordable EV Will Offer Built-In Bidirectional Home Charging

Ford's new Fathom electric truck, priced at $28,350, will feature a built-in inverter providing up to 10 kW of AC power to homes. This makes bidirectional charging more accessible in a cheaper EV, with the hardware for inverting battery DC to AC power integrated into the truck. Owners will need additional Ford home hardware for features like outage backup and peak-rate energy management, though this is expected to be significantly cheaper than previous systems. The Fathom will utilize Ford's Universal EV Platform, developed with Auto Motive Power, with bidirectional power as a core design element. It will meet UL 1741 and IEEE 1547 standards for safe grid connection. The truck is expected to use the NACS plug type and SAE J3068 for high-power AC charging communication. While the Fathom eliminates the need for an external wall inverter, additional home hardware like the Ford Home Power Station is still required for features like home power management. This station allows users to optimize energy use by charging the truck when power is cheap and using that energy during peak hours. Ford anticipates this component will cost roughly $650, half the price of its first-generation system.
https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/26/10/27/2151204/fords-most-affordable-ev-will-offer-built-in-bidirectional-home-charging hardware.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 27

Growing List of Firms Object to OKX-ICE Tokenized Stock Plans

Intel, Oracle, IBM, and IonQ are among 26 companies now objecting to tokenized trading of their shares on OKX and Intercontinental Exchange's blockchain venture. This represents a significant portion of the companies initially listed for this service. Their objections highlight a challenge for OKXICE and the SEC's new tokenized stock trading framework. The framework aims to allow for round-the-clock blockchain-based stock trading through an "Innovation Exemption." However, it also provides public companies with a mechanism to opt out of having their shares tokenized and traded. OKXICE initially announced its plans on October 4th. These plans involve using Uniswap v4 liquidity pools on OKX's XLayer blockchain. Transactions were intended to be settled using stablecoins. The trading venue would utilize automated market makers instead of traditional order books. Under the regulatory framework, companies like OKXICE must notify issuers and allow a 30-day period for objections before proceeding with tokenized share offerings.
https://news.slashdot.org/story/26/10/27/2130245/growing-list-of-firms-object-to-okx-ice-tokenized-stock-plans news.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 27

Code-Execution Flaw In UEFI Firmware Threatens Most Servers On Planet Earth

A critical code-execution vulnerability, rated 9.5 out of 10, has been uncovered in boot-time firmware. This flaw exists in TianoCore EDK II, an open-source codebase widely used for UEFI firmware by server vendors and data centers. The vulnerability affects virtually all UEFI suppliers and even Microsoft's Project Mu. Tracked as CVE-2026-97631, it is a memory-corruption flaw in an ICMP component. Attackers can exploit this to execute malicious code before operating system and firmware defenses like Secure Boot are active. Although payloads from this specific exploit lack persistence, they provide an opportunity to install other persistent early boot payloads. The vulnerability was discovered by Alex Matrosov and Dan Holmes, who had planned a coordinated disclosure. However, AMI prematurely published a pull request detailing the vulnerability and its fix. This public disclosure prompted TianoCore to release an advisory. Now, advanced hackers can easily create exploits using the publicly available patch code. Patching this UEFI vulnerability across millions of devices from numerous hardware makers and cloud providers will be a significant and lengthy challenge.
https://it.slashdot.org/story/26/10/27/2121232/code-execution-flaw-in-uefi-firmware-threatens-most-servers-on-planet-earth it.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 27

Google's Genie 4 World Model Adds Audio, More Realistic Worlds

Google DeepMind has unveiled Genie 4, a groundbreaking new world model available in research preview. This advanced model creates exceptionally photorealistic and interactive simulated environments. Users can now modify scenes mid-simulation by simply typing prompts. Genie 4 also produces real-time, contextually appropriate audio, including music and dialogue. It significantly surpasses its predecessor, Genie 3, in photorealism and interactive capabilities. The new model allows for freeform edits, such as altering weather or camera angles dynamically. Users can also introduce new characters or objects into the simulation in real time. Genie 4 can sustain scene consistency for up to two minutes, a notable improvement over the previous version. It boasts enhanced physics and more lifelike characters. Google anticipates a hybrid future where Gemini and Genie models collaborate to simulate reality.
AI and ML News on Bluesky @ai-news.at.thenote.app bsky.app
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 27

Anduril Partners With Qualcomm to Build Laptops On US Soil

Anduril, a defense technology company, is embarking on a bold project to create a 100% U.S.-sourced laptop. This initiative aims to establish a fully domestic supply chain for computer manufacturing. The laptop will feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon System on a Chip. It is highly probable that the operating system will be Linux-based, given the processor choice. Anduril's founder, Palmer Luckey, emphasized that the company intends to manufacture the laptops in the U.S., not just design them there. The project will focus on utilizing metals that the U.S. can domestically extract, refine, process, and mill. This commitment extends to all components, including battery technology. The project, named BlueChip, will be implemented in stages. It will start by increasing domestic sourcing and manufacturing. The ultimate goal is to eliminate foreign suppliers and create a complete American supply chain. The first laptop is anticipated to be available in April 2027.
https://news.slashdot.org/story/26/10/27/1833240/anduril-partners-with-qualcomm-to-build-laptops-on-us-soil news.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 27

Apple's Foldable iPhone Duo Draws Early Complaints of the Screen Cracking

Apple has confirmed an inner-display defect affecting a small number of its new iPhone Duo foldables. Customers have reported hearing a crunch sound when unfolding the device, followed by cracks and display failures along the crease. Apple is aware of the issue and is replacing affected phones while investigating the cause. iFixit suggests a failing hinge component might be pressing into and cracking the display. Reports of this problem initially emerged on social media platforms like Reddit. Bloomberg News has independently verified the issue with multiple customers who experienced device damage. These customers provided photographic evidence of the damage and their interactions with Apple support. Apple acknowledged the problem in a statement, stating they are aware of the issue impacting a small number of iPhone Duo units. The company advises users experiencing display issues to contact AppleCare for a replacement. Apple also indicated that the defect typically appears early in the device's use and that the majority of Duo units are not affected.
https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/26/10/27/1630226/apples-foldable-iphone-duo-draws-early-complaints-of-the-screen-cracking hardware.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 27

Cybersecurity CEO Indicted For Allegedly Scamming Millions From Ransomware Victims

A Florida man, Zohar Pinhasi, has been indicted on federal charges for defrauding clients of his ransomware data recovery firm. Pinhasi, who used the alias Zack Green, was the subject of a 2019 ProPublica investigation. The Justice Department alleges that Pinhasi falsely claimed to recover encrypted files without paying hackers. In reality, he paid the ransoms and then charged victims a significantly higher fee. This mirrors the findings of ProPublica's 2019 report, which detailed how Pinhasi's firm, MonsterCloud, misled clients. Prosecutors stated that Pinhasi re-victimized clients while extracting a hefty profit. In 2019, Pinhasi described his recovery methods as a "trade secret." Investigators found that Pinhasi charged clients over $19 million and paid over $8 million in ransom payments. One client paid $150,000 after Pinhasi made an $8,200 ransom payment. If convicted, Pinhasi faces up to 20 years in prison. He previously promoted MonsterCloud's ties to law enforcement to bolster its credibility.
https://it.slashdot.org/story/26/10/27/1550230/cybersecurity-ceo-indicted-for-allegedly-scamming-millions-from-ransomware-victims it.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 27

Apple Updates MacBook Pro With M6 Chips

Apple has refreshed its standard 14-inch MacBook Pro with the new M6 processor. This M6 chip is Apple's first 2nm chip and offers up to 20% faster multithreaded performance. It also boasts improved power efficiency and enhanced on-device AI capabilities. The updated MacBook Pro retains its MagSafe 3 charging port, full-size HDMI, and an SDXC card slot catering to photographers. It also features three Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, all capable of charging and DisplayPort connectivity. The M6 processor has a 12-core CPU, an increase from the M5's 10 cores. AI tasks are handled by a Dual 16-core Neural Engine. The GPU has been upgraded to 12 cores, with a Neural Accelerator in each core. Pricing for the M6 14-inch MacBook Pro begins at $1,999 for the 16GB memory configuration. Preorders are scheduled to open on October 28th, with shipping to commence on November 6th.
https://apple.slashdot.org/story/26/10/27/1541235/apple-updates-macbook-pro-with-m6-chips apple.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 27

In China, the AI Bubble Has Already Burst

Global tech stocks are experiencing instability, but China's tech sector has already suffered a significant crash. This meltdown, with the STAR50 index falling 40% in under four months and erasing $480 billion, is a negative sign for other global markets. It also hinders China's goal of encouraging domestic savings into stocks to fuel the AI boom. The crash has halted a two-year rally driven by stimulus promises and stalled Beijing's aim for a stable, "slow bull" market. China's main blue-chip index has declined about 20% from its peak in June. Fund managers describe the stock market as having evolved into a speculative bull market that is now bursting. High valuations, tax concerns, and potential foreign bans on Chinese data center equipment are cited as possible triggers for the selloff. AI stocks constitute a large portion of China's market capitalization and trading volume, making investors highly vulnerable. The downturn is expected to deter new companies from listing their shares. An overemphasis on technology company weightings in major indexes led to capital distortion and a severe bubble in certain sectors. Ultimately, Chinese chipmakers and AI suppliers are likely to face price wars, as all bubbles inevitably burst.
https://slashdot.org/story/26/10/27/0218203/in-china-the-ai-bubble-has-already-burst slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 27

Denmark Gives Up On Replacing Microsoft Office With Collabora

Denmark's Ministry of Digitization reportedly halted a pilot program to replace Microsoft Office with the open-source Collabora suite. The project, launched in 2025, involved 38 employees transitioning from Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel to the Collabora suite. Then-Digitization Minister Caroline Stage initiated the experiment to decrease Denmark's reliance on American technology. This move mirrored similar efforts in France and the Netherlands to replace Microsoft software. However, the pilot concluded in less than six months, reportedly by February 2026. Employees reported various issues, including problems with style, paragraph formatting, blank pages, and tracking changes. Despite the pilot's conclusion months ago, Professor Mikkel Flyberbom criticized the lack of a proper evaluation. He emphasized the value of testing alternatives through pilot projects. Flyberbom expressed a desire for the ministry to learn from this experience. He also hoped they would share those insights with other public sector entities.
https://tech.slashdot.org/story/26/10/26/2222246/denmark-gives-up-on-replacing-microsoft-office-with-collabora tech.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 27

Industry Executives Knew For Decades That Microplastics Were Infiltrating the Human Body

Industry executives have known for decades about microplastics infiltrating the human body, according to a Los Angeles Times report. Scientists are only now beginning to understand the full extent of harm these tiny plastic bits cause. Internal company memos reveal the plastics industry has been aware of this potential contamination for at least half a century. These documents show industry scientists were concerned about microplastic particles migrating beyond the gut and depositing in organs. This knowledge could significantly impact the plastic food packaging industry.The concern dates back to a 1974 scientific meeting where a German gastroenterologist presented findings on ingested particles infiltrating the body. While overlooked by government scientists, this presentation sparked worried discussions among company scientists. A Stanford professor, Tracey Woodruff, who reviewed the documents, stated that major chemical companies knew and remained silent. She compared this inaction to other industries aware of pollutants like greenhouse gases, asbestos, and tobacco. However, a chemical industry spokesperson, Craig Davis, disputes this characterization, stating that scientific debate is not silence but rather how sound science advances. He affirmed the industry's commitment to advancing microplastics science through independent research and supportive policies.
https://science.slashdot.org/story/26/10/27/0232248/industry-executives-knew-for-decades-that-microplastics-were-infiltrating-the-human-body science.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 27

US Designates Helium As a Critical Material

The U.S. Energy Department has designated helium as a critical material due to its essential role in semiconductor manufacturing and its vulnerable global supply. This designation unlocks federal funding for helium producers and increases government oversight of the resource. Primarily a byproduct of natural gas processing, the United States is the largest global producer, alongside Qatar and Russia. Helium's unique, irreplaceable properties, like its non-combustibility and extremely low boiling point, are vital for various critical applications. These include wind, solar, and nuclear energy production, space exploration, medical imaging, and particularly semiconductors, quantum computing, and superconducting magnets. While natural gas extraction for helium raises environmental concerns regarding CO2 emissions, there are also opportunities for more sustainable practices. Experts suggest directly producing hydrogen and solid carbon from natural gas, rather than burning it, which would offer clean fuel and permanent carbon sequestration. This approach could mitigate environmental impacts while still securing essential helium supplies. The focus is on ensuring a robust supply to support critical national technologies and industries. The government's increased attention aims to stabilize this crucial resource for future technological advancements.
https://news.slashdot.org/story/26/10/26/227203/us-designates-helium-as-a-critical-material news.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 27

PHP2Shell Security Flaws Now Successfully Exploited

Critical PHP2Shell vulnerabilities, CVE-2026-109618 and CVE-2026-109619, are now being exploited in the wild. This confirms earlier suspicions after patches were released. Adel Karimi of Perplexity detected the malicious activity on his honeypots. His findings demonstrate confirmed remote code execution against an Apache mod_php installation. The exploitation led to a significant 800 KiB decoded cookie dump. A function address derived from this dump was used in a subsequent execution payload. This specific chain was observed on a single-worker mod_php profile. Karimi emphasized this doesn't guarantee reliability across all configurations. Marcus Hutchins, a threat researcher, corroborated Karimi's findings. He hailed this as the most definitive confirmation of in-the-wild PHP2Shell exploitation to date.
https://yro.slashdot.org/story/26/10/26/2150206/php2shell-security-flaws-now-successfully-exploited yro.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 26

Skydance Offers Buyouts, Gives 5-Day RTO Order

Skydance is implementing significant changes as it integrates Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. The company is offering voluntary buyouts to some employees as part of its restructuring efforts. Layoffs are also anticipated as Skydance aims for over $6 billion in annualized cost savings within three years. Chairman and CEO David Ellison and co-CEO Ynon Kreiz outlined these developments in a memo to staff. They acknowledged that not every employee might see their future with the combined entity. The Voluntary Buyout Program is designed to offer eligible employees a graceful exit option. Additionally, Skydance is enforcing a mandatory five-day-per-week in-office policy. The executives emphasized the importance of in-person collaboration for creativity and business success. They believe this policy fosters a stronger company culture and generates better ideas. This move is seen as being in the best interest of the company and its workforce.
https://slashdot.org/story/26/10/26/2128235/skydance-offers-buyouts-gives-5-day-rto-order slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 26

Firefox Tries to Bring Back the Internet's 'Good Old Days'

Mozilla has launched a new ad campaign for Firefox, aiming to recapture users who have switched to other browsers. The campaign taps into nostalgia for the early internet, contrasting its past with the current internet's tracking and intrusive practices. Mozilla's CEO highlights that the current internet's issues stem from corporate decisions for profit, not its intended design. The ads feature prominent viral internet personalities from the past to evoke this sense of remembrance.
https://news.slashdot.org/story/26/10/26/1931208/firefox-tries-to-bring-back-the-internets-good-old-days news.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 26

Instagram Chases YouTube With a Push For Longer, Widescreen Videos

Instagram is piloting a new longform, horizontal video format named "Features." This move signals Instagram's increasing competition with YouTube for video content. Previously, Instagram's head, Adam Mosseri, expressed reservations about longform video on the platform. His concern was maintaining Instagram's focus on connecting with friends over pure entertainment. Longform videos might not be as readily shared with friends, potentially impacting engagement metrics. However, the team is now aiming to create a symbiotic relationship between shortform and longform content. This includes content like podcasts or comedy specials that can be viewed in full or in shorter clips. This innovation follows the recent launch of Instagram's TV app. Initially, the TV app was a Reels-focused pilot for Amazon Fire TV. It has since expanded to other smart TV platforms like Google TV, Samsung TVs, and Apple TV. Instagram has also introduced features like watching Stories on the TV app.
https://entertainment.slashdot.org/story/26/10/26/1846258/instagram-chases-youtube-with-a-push-for-longer-widescreen-videos entertainment.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 26

Walter Koenig, Chekov On Original 'Star Trek,' Dies At 90

Acclaimed actor Walter Koenig, best known for his role as Ensign Pavel Chekov in the original "Star Trek" series, has passed away at the age of 90. His representative confirmed his death to CBS News, stating he died peacefully at his Los Angeles home on Sunday night. Koenig was surrounded by his daughter and niece at the time of his passing. In "Star Trek," Chekov represented the Soviet Union on the USS Enterprise's bridge crew. His character served as a symbol of cooperation between rival nations in the show's futuristic setting. Koenig's portrayal featured a distinct Russian accent and embodied stereotypical pride and loyalty. He was also known for his deep appreciation for Russian poetry. Beyond his acting, Koenig was a beloved figure at fan conventions, sharing his kindness and wit with enthusiasts. His representative highlighted his understanding of "Star Trek"'s impact and his embrace of the show's community. Koenig is remembered for his contributions and for living up to the show's ethos of exploration.
https://entertainment.slashdot.org/story/26/10/26/1828230/walter-koenig-chekov-on-original-star-trek-dies-at-90 entertainment.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 26

Highway Thieves Are Spoofing GPS To Steal Millions In Data Center-Bound Cargo

Highway thieves have stolen over $100 million in data center equipment since June. They employ sophisticated tactics, including hacking freight broker accounts and posting fake shipments to lure trucking companies. Once responders click malicious links, thieves gain account control to bid on real shipments. In some cases, unsuspecting legitimate drivers are hired, while other times fake licenses are used for accomplices. The stolen goods, such as servers, chips, and mining machines, are then resold. GPS tracking has also been spoofed to evade digital monitoring, as seen in a significant theft. Equipment stolen includes valuable copper wire and custom power solutions, with some shipments also containing diverse consumer goods. Experts fear these broader thefts could impact consumers beyond the AI industry. While some stolen items are recovered, significant thefts have resulted in no recovery, and escorting officers have been targeted. These tactics represent a shift from opportunistic theft to a more organized, technology-driven operation.
https://yro.slashdot.org/story/26/10/26/1759233/highway-thieves-are-spoofing-gps-to-steal-millions-in-data-center-bound-cargo yro.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 26

Apple Updates the iPad Mini With a Larger OLED Display

Apple has announced a redesigned iPad Mini with a larger 8.5-inch OLED display. The new model boasts an A20 Pro chip and twice the peak brightness of its predecessor. Despite the larger screen, slimmer bezels allow it to maintain a similar overall footprint. The device is also thinner and lighter than the previous generation. It now features an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance. The upgraded A20 Pro chip enables support for new Siri AI features. These AI enhancements include adjustments to the expressiveness and pace of Siri's voice. The front-facing 12MP camera has been repositioned to the long edge. This change is intended to improve the experience of video calls in landscape mode. The redesigned iPad Mini starts at $699 and will be available on November 6.
https://apple.slashdot.org/story/26/10/26/1549226/apple-updates-the-ipad-mini-with-a-larger-oled-display apple.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 26

Microsoft Offers Mass Buyouts For Roughly a Quarter of Its Workforce

Microsoft is offering buyouts to approximately 60,000 employees, nearly a quarter of its workforce, to manage headcount without resorting to layoffs. This "voluntary exit offer" is available to eligible employees at the vice president level and below in the U.S., Canada, India, and the UK. Recipients will receive a standard severance package tailored to their location. This initiative follows a voluntary retirement program earlier this year, which saw about one-third of eligible U.S. employees accept the offer. Microsoft has been actively reducing its corporate workforce since May 2025, initially through mass layoffs. Last year, the company laid off around 15,000 employees globally, including about 3,200 in Washington state. Layoffs have persisted this year, albeit on a smaller scale, primarily impacting the gaming division. This current buyout program represents a more creative approach to workforce reduction. The company is strategically controlling its employee numbers. These voluntary offers are a key part of Microsoft's ongoing staffing adjustments.
https://slashdot.org/story/26/10/26/1544243/microsoft-offers-mass-buyouts-for-roughly-a-quarter-of-its-workforce slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 26

Anthropic Files For IPO

Anthropic, the developer of Claude, has filed for an IPO on the Nasdaq under the ticker ANT, with a potential valuation exceeding $2 trillion. The company has acknowledged that its significant expansion costs might prevent future profitability, despite recent substantial revenue growth. This business model is highly capital-intensive, and current growth rates may not be sustainable. Details regarding share price, number of shares, and overall valuation will be finalized after investor roadshows. Anthropic has committed to massive spending on cloud services and computing infrastructure with major tech partners. This includes $110 billion with Amazon, $120 billion with SpaceX, $115 billion with Google, and $45 billion with Microsoft. The company reported a 1,368% year-over-year revenue increase for the three months ending June 30, 2026, while server and chip costs rose by 300%. Anthropic incurred a net loss of $80.7 billion in the first half of 2026 and $42 billion in 2025. While current funds are sufficient for the next twelve months, future revenue hinges on infrastructure costs, potentially necessitating additional financing. Anthropic has raised approximately $141 billion to date and holds $112.4 billion in cash.
https://slashdot.org/story/26/10/26/156218/anthropic-files-for-ipo slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 26

Reddit's Largest Open Source Community Dumbfounded By AI Ban: 'I Guess Linux Is No Longer Allowed?'

Reddit's r/opensource subreddit has banned all AI-assisted and AI-related projects. The new rules require projects to be at least one year old and have multiple contributors. Posters must also speak English, and the project cannot be made by or intended for AI. Moderators stated that current AI is incongruent with the open source community. This decision has upset the majority of users, who argue that AI use does not negate an open-source license. Some commenters pointed out that this could exclude projects like the Linux kernel, as its developer reportedly uses AI. A moderator suggested that external online commentary amplified the negative reaction. In response to the ban, several alternative subreddits have been created. These include r/OpenSourceAIAllowed, r/TrueOpenSource, r/OpenSourceWare, and r/ActuallyOpenSource.
https://tech.slashdot.org/story/26/10/26/0540245/reddits-largest-open-source-community-dumbfounded-by-ai-ban-i-guess-linux-is-no-longer-allowed tech.slashdot.org
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Oct 26