Runway's AI video creation and editing service has added the promised video-to-video revamp feature to its Gen-3 Alpha model platform. The video-to-video tool lets you submit a video and a text prompt to alter it. The changes can adjust the setting, performers, or other elements of the video to match the text prompt or any of a handful of preset style suggestions.
Video-to-video is the last major addition to Runway's video creation options. Runway already allows users to start with either text or images to define the look and motion of the video. Now, by starting with a real-world video, users can define the motion upfront and then use AI to alter the design and aesthetics. Runway trained the feature on a large set of videos and images captioned with details to teach the AI model how to understand uploaded films and the prompts for changing them. It's like seeing a new video from another universe entirely. You can see how it works below.
"Video to Video represents a new control mechanism for precise movement, expressiveness, and intent within generations," Runway explained on social media. "To use Video to Video, simply upload your input video, prompt in any aesthetic direction you like, or, choose from a collection of preset styles."
When combined with Gen-3 Alpha's existing ability to handle complex transitions and expressive human faces and emotions, the results can be pretty spectacular. Runway has been quick to augment Gen-3 Alpha with new options. Most recently, the company showed off the Gen-3 Alpha Turbo version of its model, which sacrifices some functionality for speed. Along with the video-to-video makeover option, the tool also works with Motion Brush, Advanced Camera Controls, Director Mode, and other, more granular video editing features.
Gen-3 Alpha comes off as far more versatile and user-friendly than the Gen-2 model. That said, it does have limitations despite its impressive output. Currently, it can generate video clips up to 10 seconds long, hardly a feature length film. Speed and quality may make up for that until it can go longer. There's ever more competition for Runway to have to outdo, though.
The best-known is OpenAI'sSora model, but it's far from the only one. Stability AI, Pika, Luma Labs' Dream Machine, and more are all racing to bring AI video models to the public. Even TikTok's parent company, Bytedance, has an AI video maker called Jimeng.
If you want to try out Runway's video-to-video tool, Gen-3 Alpha is accessible to users on paid plans starting at $12 per month.
The ever zealous DJI-leaker @Quadro_News has shared a screenshot provided by @MauroTandoi on X (formerly Twitter) that seemingly shows the rumored DJI Air 3S on DJI's Fly app (see below).
I couldn't find the same product when looking through the app, so perhaps it has since been taken down. However, if the Air 3S did indeed appear on the app, it would seemingly confirm the rumored mid-range consumer drone's existence.
@Quadro_News has also tentatively suggested that the drone, which could supersede the Air 2S and Air 3, will land in stores at some point next month, following DJI's next product which is reportedly going to be the Osmo Action 5 Pro – officially teased last week in DJI's 'A Pro Rises' video on X with a September 19 launch date.
👉DJI Air 3S is getting ready) The guys have found another confirmation... Tentatively October https://t.co/dsWflnmhFRSeptember 14, 2024
Other DJI leakers have suggested the rumored Air 3S' launch date could be even earlier than October, with teaser artwork detailing a September 25 announcement. We can't verify if this is legitimate, and although that date seems unlikely, the Air 3S leaks have been gathering momentum which suggests it might not be long until DJI's next drone is in our hands.
We enjoyed reviewing the DJI Air 3 (above), and the rumored Air 3S could feature an improved main camera.(Image credit: Future)
Mid-range magic?
There has been a steady flow of DJI Air 3S leaks that suggest the mid-range drone will enjoy everything from LiDAR – which would be a first for one of DJI's consumer-level drones and could help improve flight performance, through to a camera upgrade with one of its two cameras supported by a larger 1-inch sensor, which would be an improvement from the twin 1/1.3-inch sensors of the excellent Air 3.
If DJI is indeed building up to announcing an Air 3S, it would mark business as usual for the drone giant despite its looming ban in the US. It would follow up the excellent DJI Neo as a compelling all-rounder drone based on the Air 3 design for those who want a little extra grunt and camera versatility, but who are not put off by the extra requirements and restrictions that a super-250g drone brings – its likely C1 rating in Europe demands the completion of a A2 certificate of competency.
We currently rate the DJI Air 3 as the best all-rounder drone by DJI and in fact by any drone maker. Naturally, word of a successor is met with much excitement by drone fans, especially with the rumored upgrades. However, I'm pouring a little cold water over the rumors and the timeline for now, because they feel like they're based on speculation and I'm not seeing the level of detail in the leaks yet that typically suggests its arrival is imminent.
In a bid to cut e-waste, Microsoft is employing AI-powered robots to streamline the disposal of old data center hard drives.
The initiative is part of the Secure and Sustainable Disposal of Hard Disks project, which originated during the 2022 Microsoft Hackathon. Spearheaded by Principal Data Scientist Ranganathan Srikanth, the project expands on Microsoft's Circular Centers scheme which is designed to repurpose and recycle servers and related cloud hardware.
Circular Centers are a pivotal part of Microsoft's broader environmental goals. In 2020, Microsoft President Brad Smith committed the company to being carbon-negative by 2050, with zero waste by 2030.
#NoShred
Data centers, which house computer systems and essential components like telecommunications and storage, contribute significantly to global electricity demand. In 2022 this accounted for approximately 1-1.3%, but thanks to AI, energy use is skyrocketing and is expected to at least double by 2026. The strain on local power grids is intensifying as a result, and end-of-life data centers risk clogging landfills with e-waste.
Srikanth recognized the potential to address these mounting issues through the Hackathon project. "If it was just one hard disk, it wouldn’t be an opportunity," Srikanth noted. "However, in 2022 alone, there were two million hard disks shredded and that would fill the cargo of up to nine 747s."
Historically, end-of-life hard drives have been shredded to protect sensitive data, but this process also destroys valuable materials like neodymium. Up to 70 million HDDs are destroyed annually, resulting in a significant waste of rare metals.
The Hackathon team proposed a #NoShred solution, which prioritizes dismantling HDDs with robotics. "The process uses computer vision and robotics to disassemble the hard disk, sorts them, and destroys the media that contains data. The materials are then recycled," a Microsoft narrator explained in a new video which you can watch below. By breaking down the disk drives, the robots ensure data security while preserving and recycling component parts.
Microsoft's Circular Centers employ machine learning to decommission servers onsite, sort reusable parts, and improve future equipment sustainability. A successful pilot in Amsterdam demonstrated reduced downtime, increased availability of parts, and lower carbon emissions, Microsoft says.
The Secure and Sustainable Disposal of Hard Disks project aims to achieve a 90% reuse and recycle rate of all hard disks by 2025.
Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.
NYT Strands today (game #197) - hint #1 - today's theme
What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?
• Today's NYT Strands theme is… What a stud!
NYT Strands today (game #197) - hint #2 - clue words
Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
LONE
BORN
SCAR
SCAN
PING
MEET
NYT Strands today (game #197) - hint #3 - spangram
What is a hint for today's spangram?
• Skin adornments
NYT Strands today (game #197) - hint #4 - spangram position
What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?
First: left, 4th row
Last: right, 5th row
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Strands today (game #197) - the answers
(Image credit: New York Times)
The answers to today's Strands, game #197, are…
CHEEK
NOSE
EARLOBE
EYEBROW
SEPTUM
NAVEL
TONGUE
SPANGRAM: PIERCING
My rating: Easy
My score: Perfect
Another day, another easy Strands puzzle. Come on, NYT – give us something tougher! Admittedly, the theme clue of 'What a stud!' left things open, and maybe I'd have struggled a little more if I hadn't uncovered CHEEK by accident when hunting for words. But once I had that it was clear what I needed to do. Completing it was then a simple matter of searching the word grid for parts of the body. Easy.
Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Sunday 15 September, game #196)
WHISKEY
BITTERS
WATER
CHERRY
ORANGE
SUGAR
SPANGRAM: OLDFASHIONED
What is NYT Strands?
Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.
I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.
from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/Zl3s9Wk
With Meta Connect 2024 just around the corner – September 25-26 – I’m sharing the five announcements I most want to see at the event, as well as explaining why I think they are (or aren’t in one entry’s case) likely to happen.
Meta Connect is an annual Meta event focused on its Reality Labs division, where it reveals exciting new hardware coming our way soon and teases future hardware and software we’ll see in the coming years.
This year’s event will likely continue the trend of focusing on XR tech – a catchall for virtual, mixed, and augmented reality technologies – as well as the omnipresent AI, which in Meta’s case is inventively called Meta AI. So this list reflects those expectations, starting with an announcement that has practically already been made.
Meta Quest 3S revealed
Meta Reality Labs - Project Ventura/PantherMeta Quest 3S - Final Design pic.twitter.com/6Tc9ig2hJoAugust 11, 2024
Based on everything we know, the Quest 3S will boast the Quest 3’s Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, but a bulkier body and lower-spec displays so it can target a lower price tag – hopefully, somewhere around the Meta Quest 2’s $299 / £299 / AU$479.
This would be an ideal headset for anyone who doesn’t want to be left behind by VR software now that Meta Quest 3 exclusives like Batman: Arkham Shadow are on the way, but isn't ready to spend ($499.99 / £479.99 / AU$799.99) on a VR headset.
Obviously, we’ll have to wait and see exactly what Meta announces during Connect, but I expect the Quest 3S could be the best and biggest reveal we get in terms of making current-gen VR accessible again.
Horizon OS is the best standalone VR operating system I’ve tried. It’s clean, intuitive, feature-rich, and home to the best standalone VR and MR software catalog, thanks, in part, to some great exclusives. I was excited to see that other headset manufacturers would be able to access this OS and all its benefits, as it would allow their hardware to shine without being let down by comparatively lackluster software.
Since the announcement, however, we’ve not heard a thing. Now, hardware does take time to develop, but at Meta Connect 2024, I’d love to see a sizzle reel showcasing these third-party headsets – or even just one of them.
One factor helping my prediction is Google’s XR platform. With Google’s XR efforts – which it developed alongside Samsung – set to be announced sometime this year a reminder from Meta that Horizon OS is open to third parties makes sense so Horizon OS doesn’t get forgotten in the noise.
Meta AR glasses teaser
(Image credit: Meta)
Meta, and the industry at large, has steadily shifted focus from VR headsets to MR headsets to AR glasses. The products being teased for the coming decade are a new breed of sleek XR wearable focused on augmented reality.
We know Meta is working on something blending AR and AI, Mark Zuckerberg has suggested as much, but we've yet to get a proper look at what these glasses might look like – ignoring the stylish non-AR smart glasses Meta has developed in partnership with Ray-Ban.
A launch this year or even next year seems unlikely. I expect we’d get a sneak peek at a prototype AR glasses model at most. Nevertheless, I’d love to finally get a good look at what Meta has been working on in AR, even at this in-development stage.
Given that Meta does like to use Connect to showcase exciting projects that are still several years (or longer) from launch, I think an AR glasses segment is more than possible for Meta Connect 2024.
Meta AI’s wider rollout and upgrades
(Image credit: Meta)
Enough about hardware, let’s talk software.
It’s been the buzzword of 2024 and I’m certain that Meta AI will have plenty of time devoted to it, however, I particularly want to see two announcements.
The first is a wider rollout. Officially, Meta AI on the Ray-Ban smart glasses and the Meta Quest 3 is only available in the US and Canada. Some users (including me) have been able to access it regardless – in my case, I have Meta AI on my smart glasses – but I want to see people outside of North America able to reliably use Meta AI. It’s a really neat assistant, especially on the Ray-Bans, and it’s a shame this major feature is region-locked right now – even if it’s not yet perfect.
The second would be to see Meta AI achieve better parity with the Apple Intelligence and Google Gemini upgrades we’ve seen at recent events, and perhaps some unique features. This could include integration with a wider selection of apps so it can pull context from more places, better speech recognition so you can talk to Meta AI more naturally, AI image editing and generation tools so you can edit snaps taken on your Ray-Ban smart glasses on the fly, or a service that lets you conjure up virtual objects you describe while using your Quest headset in a mixed reality sandbox.
A mini Quest Gaming Showcase
For my fifth and final entry, I’m picking something that seems the most unlikely because Meta Connect usually doesn’t dive too deeply into gaming: a mini Quest Gaming Showcase highlighting some new and exciting VR titles.
This year we didn’t get a proper Quest Gaming Showcase, so I’d love to see some Quest titles get a chance to shine on a big Meta stage at Connect 2024 – especially mixed reality experiences and software that doesn’t have the recognisability of major gaming franchises (like Batman: Arkham Shadow) to help draw in crowds.
Saying that, one particularly exciting announcement would be the revival of GTA: San Andreas VR following it being labeled as “on hold indefinitely” by a Meta spokesperson back in August. That announcement’s about as likely as hearing about Silksong during a Meta presentation (or any 2024 presentation for that matter, it seems) so I certainly won’t be holding my breath.
Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.
NYT Strands today (game #196) - hint #1 - today's theme
What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?
• Today's NYT Strands theme is… On the rocks
NYT Strands today (game #196) - hint #2 - clue words
Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
WHISK
STET
WHEAT
CHEAT
SLED
FARE
NYT Strands today (game #196) - hint #3 - spangram
What is a hint for today's spangram?
• Mad Men tipple
NYT Strands today (game #196) - hint #4 - spangram position
What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?
First: left, 4th row
Last: left, 7th row
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Strands today (game #196) - the answers
(Image credit: New York Times)
The answers to today's Strands, game #196, are…
WHISKEY
BITTERS
WATER
CHERRY
ORANGE
SUGAR
SPANGRAM: OLDFASHIONED
My rating: Moderate
My score: Perfect
Thank heavens for Mad Men. I devoured the brilliant AMC show during lockdown, having somehow missed it when it originally aired about a decade before, and without it I probably would have found today's Strands to be far, far tougher. As it was, I remembered lead character Don Draper's favorite drink and therefore the spangram OLDFASHIONED.
Not that I knew the ingredients as such – but I remembered enough that finding the likes of BITTERS, WATER, CHERRY and SUGAR wasn't an impossible task. It might have been without WHISKEY, but fortunately the theme clue of 'On the rocks' had set me on the path to searching for that, making the whole thing more manageable than it would otherwise have been.
Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday 14 September, game #195)
BELT
HANDBAG
SCARF
JEWELRY
WATCH
GLASSES
SPANGRAM: ACCESSORIZING
What is NYT Strands?
Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.
I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.
from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/MPez4Sf
Adele has set a new Guinness World Record with the largest continuous outdoor LED screen.
Used during her now-completed ‘Adele in Munich’ concert series, the temporary screen, verified on August 23, 2024, measured an impressive 4159.7 square meters (44,774.6 square feet) and was a standout feature of her residency at Messe München in Germany.
This massive display sits alongside other iconic large-scale screens, including the Las Vegas Sphere, which boasts 1.2 million LED lights and a 16x16K resolution interior, and the 100-meter projection screen at the Gasometer museum in Oberhausen.
Pushing beyond the limits
Designed in collaboration with Solotech, a Canadian AV and entertainment technology services company, the LED screen at Adele’s show had a unique wavy form, described as resembling an unraveled scroll.
Throughout the concerts, custom visuals created specifically for each song played across the screen, enhancing the audience’s experience. The residency ran from August 2 to August 31, 2024, in an 80,000-seat outdoor arena. Following the final show, the screen was dismantled, with Solotech planning to repurpose sections of it for future installations and live events.
Guinness World Records adjudicator Joanne Brent commented, “I was intrigued to see how such an expansive and seamless screen would be utilized during the concert. The bespoke visual effects, tailored to each song, truly elevated the performance adding an undeniable ‘wow’ factor.”
"This Munich residency is unlike anything that has ever been done before," noted Ian Woodall, Solotech’s director of global touring and special projects.
"There was no template, no comparison - only possibilities. What makes this show groundbreaking isn't just the scale of the record-breaking LED screen, but the innovative thinking that made it possible. This production redefines how live entertainment can be experienced. Working alongside Adele's visionary team and all the other top-tier suppliers, we were able to push beyond the limits of what anyone thought was possible. It's this spirit of collaboration and innovation that made the Guinness World Records for the Largest Outdoor LED Screen achievable.”
McLaren and Lego have a long history of partnerships, with the unlikely duo teaming up on a number of highly complicated kits, including 1:8 scale versions of the Senna GTR and MCL36 F1 race car.
But now, the relationship has been taken to the next level, with a 1:1 Lego replica of the famous P1 arriving on the scene that uses a staggering 342,817 Lego Technic pieces (yes, someone actually counted), as well as a combination of Technic batteries and a small EV battery to power it.
Far from simply being an amazing model for crowds to gawp at, both McLaren and Lego’s engineers set about creating eight motor packs, each consisting of 96 Lego Power function motors, which means the car features a total of 768 Lego motors that allow it to hit up to 40mph.
That’s not bad, especially given the fact that the entire thing weighs 1,220Kg, which is only around 200kg lighter than the actual McLaren P1 – complete with big, fat twin-turbocharged V8 and hybrid system installed.
Clearly faced with a lot of boring rainy days, it took the 23 specialists from both Lego and McLaren 8,344 hours of development and construction to complete. Although it doesn’t say how many cups of tea and chocolate biscuits they got through.
To prove that the 1:1 replica actually works, the team stuck McLaren Formula 1 Team driver Lando Norris in the hot seat and asked him to put in a hot lap of Silverstone’s famous race circuit (above), where the car completed all 3.66 miles without falling apart.
Brick by boring brick
(Image credit: McLaren/Lego)
As publicity stunts go, this is one of the most intricate we’ve ever seen. Despite featuring the wheels, steering wheel and the steel chassis of the original, the rest of the build is fashioned from Technic elements, including 11 that were moulded specifically for this model.
Granted, it is designed to help shift more Lego Technic McLaren P1 1:8 scale model sets ($449.99 / £389.99 / €449.99 / AU$699.99, if you're interested) before Christmas, but it’s also testament to how seriously these Technic guys take their models.
Even tackling the 1:8 McLaren P1 kit is an undertaking in itself, as it consists of 3,893 pieces that create a seven-speed gearbox, a V8 piston engine and working suspension, among others.
There’s no word on whether Lego is going to release the instruction manual for the 1:1 scale model, which is a shame, as it feels like the cheapest way to own a P1.
We've been reporting on YouTube's increasingly annoying ads for a long time now: the plans for unskippable TV ads from early last year, followed by the arrival of longer ads on smart TVs last December, and so on. And now the streamer has found a new way to really push those YouTube Premium subscriptions – it's going to make YouTube a bit more irritating.
The changes were announced earlier this year but they're rolling out now. If you're not a Premium subscriber, you'll soon start to see ads whenever you pause a YouTube video on your TV. As 9to5Google reports, it appears to be a limited rollout so far: the only advertiser that appears to be showing up is Dunkin Donuts.
Instead of keeping your video fullscreen when you pause, YouTube now makes your video smaller and puts an advert beside it on the right of the screen with a "dismiss" button below it.
There is some good news: these ads so far appear to be static, not video. But when you're talking about YouTube adding ad formats there tends to be an unspoken 'yet': they're not video ads... yet; they're not fullscreen... yet; YouTube isn't sneaking into your apartment, kidnapping your pets and demanding you subscribe to YouTube Premium if you want them back... yet.
As one Redditor said about the Google screenshot, "look at all that empty space on the screen where more ads can be placed".
Time to skip YouTube?
(Image credit: Future)
Using smart TVs these days does feel rather like the urban legend of boiling a frog, with us as the frogs and ads as the water. My smart TV experience has gone from being largely ad-free to increasingly intrusive, even on services I pay for.
I don't currently pay for YouTube on my TV, and it's already reached the point where the amount of ads means that, for me at least, it's bordering on unusable.
I idly started watching a live concert the other evening and it didn't even manage to play one full song before interrupting with advertising. I'm sure that for some people, more ads will indeed push them towards a Premium sub (which currently costs $13.99 / £12 / AU$16.99 a month).
But for me, it just makes me less likely to watch anything at all, and drives me from my smart TV's built-in apps towards something more viewer-friendly – like the best streaming services, or even some of the best free streaming services that don't have an excessive number of ads that pop up unpredictably.
New analysis from Symantec has revealed a significant increase in the number of ransomware attacks in the second quarter of 2024.
The company's figures claimed criminal groups claimed 1,310 attacks during the period, a 36% increase from the previous quarter, and close to the all-time high of 1,488 attacks recorded in Q3 2023.
“The sharp increase in attacks in the second quarter of this year suggests that momentum is once again with attackers,” the report states. “While high-profile ransomware operations such as Noberus shut down, the pool of skilled affiliates appears to be undisturbed and many appear to simply migrate to alternative franchises.“
A new wave - with some old names
Symantec's report suggests the disruption of Lockbit, the largest ransomware as a service (RaaS) provider earlier this year, led to a dramatic decrease in ransomware attacks for the first quarter of 2024, but the latest reports show cyber criminals have bounced back. Lockbit operations in Q2 2024 accounted for 353 attacks, the highest level detected to date.
New groups like Qilin proved to be more prolific in the wake of the Lockbit takedown, claiming 97 attacks in Q2 of 2024, which was a rise of 47%. The Ransomhub group tripled its attacks from Q1 to Q2, proving perhaps that the Lockbit disruption simply diversified the landscape rather than cripple any operations.
Adobe’s Acrobat Reader, the go-to PDF reader for many of us, is vulnerable to a flow that allows threat actors to remotely run malicious code on the target device.
The vulnerability is described as a “user after free” flaw, and is tracked as CVE-2024-41896. A “use after free” flaw happens when a program tries to access data in a memory location that was previously freed. If a malicious actor manages to deploy malicious code in that freed piece of memory real estate, it could be executed on the device and, consequently, compromised.
It was discovered by cybersecurity researcher Haifei Li, who created a sandbox platform called EXPMON, designed to detect advanced zero-day exploits. After multiple files were submitted to the platform, the flaw was discovered, and with it the fact that it is being actively exploited in the wild. The silver lining here is that the weaponized .PDF files were not deploying any malware, but were simply crashing targeted endpoints, which could also mean that the PoC is still in its infancy or experimental stage.
A fix is out there
However, now that the news is out, it is also safe to assume that different threat actors will start looking for unpatched Adobe Acrobat Reader variants to use. Therefore, it is pivotal that IT admins apply the fix as soon as possible.
While we don’t know who is using it, or against whom, we do know that it all begins with a weaponized .PDF document, so it’s safe to assume that the attack starts with a phishing email. PDF files are often used as invoices, purchase orders, and similar.
Adobe released a patch last month, which did not properly address the problem - but the bug was ultimately fixed earlier this week, and was given a new tracking number - CVE-2024-41869.
SK Hynix, the world’s second-largest memory maker (behind fellow South Korean chip giant Samsung), recently turned down a 500 billion won ($374 million) advance payment from an unnamed AI accelerator company to secure a dedicated high-bandwidth memory (HBM) production line.
Instead, according to The Korea Economic Daily, SK Hynix has committed to supplying over 1 trillion won ($749 billion) worth of HBM products to Nvidia, the leader in AI chip development.
HBM, a critical component in AI accelerators and high-performance computing, has become a hot commodity as demand for AI chips continues to surge. Nvidia’s AI chips, which are crucial in data centers and AI applications, heavily rely on HBM, making memory suppliers like SK Hynix key players in the supply chain.
AI and data center growth
Samsung and SK Hynix, the two largest DRAM producers globally, are both expanding their HBM production capabilities. Samsung is currently building a new production line for DRAM and HBM at its Pyeongtaek facility, which will supply AI accelerator chips for companies like AMD. Meanwhile, SK Hynix recently teamed up with TSMC to advance HBM development.
SK Hynix's decision to reject the offer from Nvidia's competitor underscores its strong commitment to Nvidia, which continues to dominate the AI chip market. The global DRAM market, which includes HBM, is expected to double to $175 billion this year, driven largely by the growth of AI and data center technologies.
Both Samsung and SK Hynix are set to benefit from this boom, with increasing investments in DRAM production. Samsung’s capital expenditure for DRAM is expected to rise by 9.2 percent in 2024, reaching $9.5 billion, while SK Hynix is tripling its DRAM spending to $7.1 billion this year.
As AI continues to grow, memory chipmakers like SK Hynix and Samsung are ramping up HBM production to meet the increasing demand from tech giants like Nvidia. HBM prices, currently five to six times higher than standard DRAM products, are expected to further boost profitability for both companies as they continue to benefit from the skyrocketing AI market.
AI can soon be your wingman when you use the dating app Bumble, according to CEO Lidiane Jones. As people continue to adjust how they look for love with technology, Jones explained during this year’s Goldman Sachs Communacopia technology conference that Bumble has plans to enhance its usual setup with new AI-powered tools in the coming months.
Jones outlined the company’s plans to enhance the app with AI tools that aim to improve the user experience, particularly in the areas of profile creation and conversation support. That includes AI help in picking out profile photos. The idea is to make it easier to take that first step in making a profile, which eases users into actually trying to match with others on the app. AI help picking photos is also an idea Tinder is also pursuing, which means it may become a new standard option in the world of dating apps.
“We want the bar for profile creation to continue to be high, but we want to reduce the friction that exists users,” Jones said. “Users have a lot of anxiety in creating profiles. We’re going to make that as smooth as possible. So AI for profile creation is a big one.”
Should the photo assistance go over well with users, Jones hinted that AI might be applied to helping users craft their profile bio and prompts for starting conversations. AI could help with icebreakers and better communication in general. It’s something Bumble has been trying out on its Bumble for Friends app but hasn’t been available on the dating app before. Jones pointed out that icebreakers can be challenging, but AI can help craft personalized opening lines based on the profile of a match to get over that obstacle.
Matchmaker AI
Though enthusiastic about how AI can help users actively pursue romance, Jones was particularly keen to point out how Bumble has deployed AI in its safety tools for several years. For instance, Bumble’s Deception Detector can spot fake profiles, annoying spammers, and people trying to scam other users. And, to avoid the dreaded unrequested nude photo, the AI-fueled Private Detector automatically blurs nude images shared within chats.
More recently, Bumble added the ability to report any profiles with what appear to be AI-generated images or videos, which are explicitly prohibited by the app. Bumble wants people to trust their app and that the people they encounter are real and not an AI-powered hoax. That’s crucial as dating apps aren’t quite as huge for single people as they have been. Tinder and Bumble see AI as a way to enhance their apps and encourage users, and there is a lot of potential for very personalized matchmaking tools through AI, but it won’t matter if no one meets someone they want to go out with at least once. Bumble’s conscious effort to center those human connections in the app shows that Jones and her team know that, stripped of AI bells and whistles, people using a dating app just want an easier way to meet someone.
“One of the key principles for us as we embrace more and more AI in our products and services is ensuring that AI is not replacing users. And our belief is that AI can facilitate you showing up, but we still want users to be themselves. We want them to speak for themselves. And so we have a really clear set of principles,” Jones said. “We’re really excited about the use of AI for future innovation here, but again, with the principle that people are meeting real people.”
The infamous RansomHub ransomware group has been spotted abusing a legitimate Kaspersky tool to disable endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools and then deploy stage-two malware on infected systems without being seen.
Cybersecurity researchers Malwarebytes, who recently spotted the activity in the wild, noted once RansomHub compromises an endpoint and finds a way inside, it first needs to disable any EDR tools before deploying infostealers, or encryptors. In this scenario, the tool they used is called TDSSKiller - Kspersky’s specialized tool designed to detect and remove rootkits, particularly those from the TDSS family (also known as TDL4).
Rootkits are malicious programs that hide their presence on infected systems, making them difficult for standard antivirus software to detect. TDSSKiller can identify and eliminate these deeply embedded threats, helping to restore system security and functionality. The tool is lightweight, easy to use, and can be run alongside other antivirus solutions for added protection.
Deploying LaZagne
Once EDR is out of the way, the group deploys LaZagne, an infostealer capable of grabbing login credentials for various services on the network. This malware extracts all stolen credentials into a single file which, after upload, the group deletes to cover their tracks. With the gained access, they can then deploy the encryptor without fear of being flagged by antivirus programs.
RansomHub is a relatively young ransomware player, who spun from the now defunct ALPHV/BlackCat. The group was an affiliate of ALPHV, and was responsible for the attack at Change Healthcare, which resulted in the healthcare org paying $22 million in ransom. ALPHV operators took all of the money and shut down its infrastructure, leaving RansomHub without their share of the spoils. Since then, the group has been active, compromising dozens of organizations around the world.
As AI continues to drive exponential growth in data centers, securing adequate power supplies has become a critical challenge.
Chatting with HPCwire, James Walker, CEO of Nano Nuclear Energy, outlined how micro nuclear reactors could offer a viable solution. These small, portable reactors are designed to provide clean, safe, and reliable energy to meet the increasing demands of data centers and other industries.
Nano Nuclear Energy is focusing on developing micro reactors that are compact enough to be transported via road, rail, or sea. This mobility makes them ideal for remote locations, including data centers, which often require substantial power but have limited access to traditional energy sources. According to Walker, the company's micro reactors are engineered to be plug-and-play, meaning they can be easily installed and removed with minimal infrastructure or on-site personnel.
Regulatory approval
The company’s micro reactors are also designed with safety in mind. Unlike traditional nuclear power plants, which carry risks of overheating and core meltdowns, these micro reactors use advanced technology to ensure safe operation. Even in the event of a total mechanical failure, the reactors are built to passively dissipate heat, preventing catastrophic outcomes. Walker emphasized that nuclear power is already the safest form of energy when measured by deaths per gigawatt hour, and the safety is even greater with micro reactors.
One of the significant challenges to deploying these reactors is regulatory approval.
Currently, nuclear regulations are stringent, particularly concerning the transportation of fully fueled reactors. However, Walker noted that there are indications of potential regulatory changes that could facilitate the deployment of micro reactors. For instance, the US Department of Defense’s Project Pele is developing micro reactors for military bases, which may help streamline the regulatory process for commercial use.
Nano Nuclear Energy is on track to have its first commercial micro reactors ready by the early 2030s, with prototypes expected as soon as 2027. These reactors, which could cost as little as $20 million, offer a scalable solution to the growing energy needs of data centers and other industries.
Walker acknowledges people are always going to be concerned about nuclear reactors, especially when it comes to the issue of nuclear waste, but he told HPCwire, "When people talk about waste, they forget that if you were to take all the reactors that have ever been operated in the United States, and I include the submarine reactors, the aircraft carriers, all of those ever since the 1950s. So everything and you were to put all the waste in one place. It wouldn’t fill a football field. It’s a very small amount of spent nuclear fuel that is generated by the operation of these reactors. And it’s the only type of power where, you know, 100% where all of your waste is at any one time down to the last atom. So it’s very safe to say that it’s the safest and it’s the cleanest form of energy we’ve ever come up with. "
Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.
NYT Strands today (game #192) - hint #1 - today's theme
What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?
• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Play-with words
NYT Strands today (game #192) - hint #2 - clue words
Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
TRICE
STOKE
CURT
SLOE
PULL
DUPE
NYT Strands today (game #192) - hint #3 - spangram
What is a hint for today's spangram?
• Pocket money purchases?
NYT Strands today (game #192) - hint #4 - spangram position
What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?
First: left, 5th row
Last: right, 5th row
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Strands today (game #192) - the answers
(Image credit: New York Times)
The answers to today's Strands, game #192, are…
PUZZLE
TRUCK
SLIME
DOLL
PUPPET
BLOCKS
TRICYCLE
SPANGRAM: TOYSTORE
My rating: Easy
My score: Perfect
It's a long, long time since I was child, but it's not quite so long ago that my kids were more likely to be found playing with SLIME or a PUZZLE than they were to be fixated on TikTok or Netflix as they generally are these days. Not that I think you'd need first-hand experience to solve this Strands game – because it's a rather simple one.
The theme clue set the tone: the keen-eyed among you will have spotted that it was 'Play-with words', rather than 'Play with words'. That hyphen was all-important, signifying that the answers here would be things you can play with. After that, it was merely a case of looking for the obvious solutions. PUZZLE, with its two Zs, stood out right away, as did TRUCK (I always look for C and K in close proximity as a way into a word). The spangram was fairly obvious too, and is always the case the puzzle got easier as I uncovered each word.
Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Tuesday 10 September, game #191)
WALTZ
QUICKSTEP
FOXTROT
SALSA
JIVE
RUMBA
SPANGRAM: BALLROOMDANCE
What is NYT Strands?
Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.
I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.
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Microsoft’s Photos app in Windows 11 is getting a “Visual Search with Bing” feature, which will enable you to search for images similar to whatever pictures you’re viewing.
The updated version of the Photos app also brings improved navigation for your photo gallery, quick access to image editing capabilities, and some tweaks to make Photos a better user experience overall.
Photos is the default app for viewing and organizing pictures in Windows and this update brings some long-awaited features to it. While you’re looking at a picture and feel a tinge of curiosity about something in it, you can use Visual Search with Bing to perform an instant reverse image search, which will prompt Bing to scour the internet for similar images and any information that might be relevant to the image you’re looking up (similar to Google’s reverse image search).
A similar feature already exists in the Snipping Tool app, which enables you to do this after you take a screenshot.
(Image credit: Shutterstock/insta_photos)
What else is in the pipeline for the Photos app?
As well as the new reverse image search capabilities, smoother gallery navigation will make flicking through pictures easier and you’ll be able to jump straight into image-editing tools from your desktop or File Explorer.
The enhanced Photos app is currently available via the Windows Insider Program, a special group of Windows users who get early access to Windows features. Regular users hopefully won’t have to wait long, as the majority of features that make it to this preview state are usually rolled out widely later on in future cumulative Windows 11 updates.
Users of the Photos app in Windows 10 can also now sync their iCloud photos, Apple’s cloud storage for images, a feature that’s been in Windows 11 for some time. This means if you have a Windows PC and an iPhone or iPad, you can easily access your iCloud photos after syncing them in the Photos app on your Windows 10 device.
I don’t know how many people will find this useful as Google search still currently dominates the search market and offers its own image-searching capabilities, but it’s good to give users more tools and possibilities to interact with their own media. Bing reverse image search has more convincing to do, as most people who have even heard of reverse image search would usually think of Google or TinEye - if at all.
Cybersecurity researchers from McAfee have uncovered hundreds of malicious Android apps designed to steal access to people’s cryptocurrency wallets.
The researchers dubbed the campaign SpyAgent, which was made up of 280 apps in total, so far, mimicking legitimate banking apps, government services tools, TV streaming, utilities apps, and more. The criminals would host then these on malicious sites and third-party app stores (never on Google Play Store), and look to trick victims into installing them via phishing, social messaging apps, and similar.
When the victim installed the app, the malware would scour through images saved on the device and use optical character recognition (OCR) to scan the contents of the files. If it finds anything useful (for example, words), it would exfiltrate the contents to a cloud-hosted database, where the attackers would grab it.
Mnemonic keys and seed phrases
Most cryptocurrency wallets have two layers of protection. One is a password, a PIN code, or biometrics, which is stored on the device and allows the user to access and operate the wallet. The other is the so-called “mnemonic key”, or “seed phrase” - a set of 12 or 24 random words, which allow the user to load the contents of the wallet into a new device. The mnemonic key is a backup option of sorts. If a user loses access to their phone, or hardware wallet, they can get a new one, load the seed phrase, and regain access to their wallets and all the currency found inside.
However, if a malicious actor gets their hands on the mnemonic key they, too, can load the wallet and easily empty it. Since many people use “hot wallets” (mobile apps, basically), they also store their mnemonic keys as screenshots on their phones.
The best way to protect against these apps is to only download them from vetted sources, such as the Google Play Store. For more details on malicious apps, check out McAfee’s report here.
Cybersecurity researchers from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, came up with a very James Bond-esque way to steal sensitive files from air-gapped systems.
The method is dubbed RAMBO (short for Radiation of Air-gapped Memory Bus for Offense) because it abuses the target computer’s RAM memory to steal data, taking advantage of the electromagnetic radiation the memory generates while operating.
An air-gapped system is disconnected from the wider network, and the internet. This is a (relatively) extreme measure reserved only for the most critical of systems, holding the most important data. So, even if a user inadvertently introduces a piece of malware (for example, via a compromised USB device), the malware would still have no way of transmitting the data to the outside world (other than copying the files directly onto the said USB, which is an entirely different beast).
Defending air-gapped systems
However, in this scenario, the malware would tamper with RAM components to allow for a recipient, which needs to be standing relatively close, to exfiltrate sensitive data.
The large caveat is still the fact that a person would need to stand relatively close. Another caveat is that the file transfer done this way is relatively slow. Don’t expect to be stealing any large files or databases, since it takes more than two hours to download 1 megabyte of information (for the fossils among you - author included - that’s slower than dial-up).
The method could still be used to steal keystrokes, passwords, or other data that doesn’t take up too much space.
The best way to defend against these things is simply not to let people near valuable endpoints, the experts conclude.
As the name suggest, it's basically a deep black color with a soft brushed finish. And I think it looks great, despite not being a fan of even the best smartwatches. Alongside that, there's also an option for a Milanese bracelet in a matching satin black; I find that a tad odd for a watch that's been targeted at rugged outdoors action, while that type of bracelet is more something you'd find on fancy mechanical watches. That being said, the titanium band is corrosion-proof, which makes it activity ready.
The satin black Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be available September 20 for $799 / £799 / AU$1,399, which is the same price as the titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2.
But there's a little more here, as the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is getting the sleep apnea detection feature that the newly launched Apple Watch 10 come with. So that's definitely a nice to have, especially as in some cases it could be a life-saving feature.
With the Apple Watch Ultra 2 only being some 12 months old, it's perhaps unrealistic to expect a big update, as there's still scope to get more out of the high-end smartwatch. And a slick new color option could be just what some people on the fence about going for the premium Apple Watch were waiting for.
iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus were launched by Apple at the 'It's Glowtime' hardware event on September 9. These smartphones support Apple Intelligence features that are also coming to the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro Max. They feature two rear cameras with a new layout and also incorporate the Action button, which was introduced with last year's iPhone 15 Pro models. T...
What sparks an iPhone upgrade? It might be a revolutionary design change like flat edges to curves or the introduction of Face ID. More likely, it's a photographic feature like a decent telephoto lens or when Portrait Mode first arrived and transformed every new iPhone 7 Plus into a virtual pro-level camera.
Sometimes, it's not so much the features alone that inspire an upgrade – it's the FOMO. I know that anyone who saw my Portrait Mode images from that iPhone 7 Plus was so agog that they looked dismissively at their likely iPhone 4s or 5s and almost immediately began researching the trade-in prospects and costs for that new device.
On the eve of the Apple iPhone 16 Event ("It's Glowtime!"), I was reading Mark Gurman's latest Bloomberg newsletter, which discusses some smartphone industry watchers' hopes that Apple Intelligence sparks a supercycle of upgrades. Gurman doesn't believe this will happen, and I'm inclined to agree – mostly.
The problem with artificial intelligence, as perceived by most people, not in the tech space, is that it is both a colossus capable of anything and a black box that has no obvious utility to their everyday lives. Consumers are undoubtedly intrigued and inundated with the possibilities of these generative tools. They marvel at videos created by OpenAI's Sora and how Google Gemini, ChatGPT, and Copilot can answer questions and summarize vast swaths of text.
Some people need these things, but most average consumers and many millions of iPhone owners are likely wondering what they might do with any of these new fangled tools. What's the purpose of a Genmoji? Do I really need to keep deleting Aunt Mable from every photo with an Apple Intelligence magical eraser? Is the iPhone 16 Siri better because it makes the whole iPhone screen glow instead of just a tiny little orb near the bottom?
We need a killer app
What we must consider as consumers wonder if its time to trade in the iPhone 15, iPhone 14, or iPhone 13, is if anything that arrives as part of Apple Intelligence next week will be the killer app.
Like many new tools Apple introduces at a platform level, Apple Intelligence will simply arrive with new phones, much as Apple Journal and Shortcuts once did. By my measure, those two tools are not widely used and have not sparked upgrades.
Apple Intelligence, though, is different. It's more pervasive, living across Siri, messaging, writing of all kinds, imaging, image creation, and more. Not all of that will ship with iPhone 16 phones when they arrive in a few weeks (all running iOS 18 and, I'm guessing, featuring Apple Silicon capable of supporting Apple intelligence).
The lack of complete Apple Intelligence integration in the early going might dampen enthusiasm for upgrades, that is, of course, if that's the reason people are choosing to do so.
Putting the old out to pasture
More likely, though, any tsunami of iPhone 16 upgrades will be driven by tremors more deeply bedded in the long-term use of Apple's well-built and longly-supported handsets. There are people still using iPhone 11 phones out there (there might even be some iPhone 7 or iPhone 8 handsets in pockets and hands, too). As platform and app support runs out on some of these aging models, people will look to the next big thing.
However, if they were holding onto their old iPhone because they couldn't afford the latest and greatest, they might look for price reductions on, say, the iPhone 14 or 15, or maybe even the iPhone SE. This assumes that Apple will continue selling one or two legacy models.
It's worth remembering, though, that older models will not support Apple Intelligence. As it is, only the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max and the powerful A17 Pro chip support Apple's version of AI. In other words, if you want Apple Intelligence, you have to swing big and go for an assumed iPhone 16 option.
I like what I see in Apple Intelligence and applaud Apple for finally getting into the generative AI game. It does not matter that it is late because the Cupertino tech giant owns such a commanding position in the market and is a cultural touchstone for the technology zeitgeist. Putting Apple Intelligence in so many new phones at once will likely create some of its own momentum.
Messaging from iPhone 16-owning consumers about their Apple Intelligence experience to the interested and disinterested public will either trigger FOMO and launch a more aggressive upgrade cycle or fall on deaf ears as most people still think AI is for somebody else.
No Apple Intelligence by itself is probably no reason to upgrade to the iPhone 16 – at least not yet.
