Acorn 8 for macOS debuts machine learning tools for a limited-time $19.99
While I’m primarily a Linux user, when I use macOS on my Mac mini, Acorn is my go-to image editor. It’s a great value from an independent developer and has just gotten even better with the release of Acorn 8. This update is packed with major upgrades, and best of all, it’s on sale for a limited time for $19.99, maintaining its one-time purchase model. Yes, folks, you read that right -- Acorn still isn’t subscription-based. Very nice!
One of the most exciting additions is a set of tools that harness machine learning. The new “Select Subject” and “Mask Subject” commands automatically identify and isolate the primary focus in an image, while “Remove Background” eliminates backgrounds without adding a layer mask. These features make it easier than ever to clean up and enhance photos.
Hisense unveils HT Saturn wireless home theater system
Hisense has introduced the HT Saturn Wireless Home Theater System at CES 2025, designed for those who enjoy movies, gaming, and music. Designed to pair with big-screen TVs, particularly those 85 inches and larger, the HT Saturn promises an immersive audio experience with features like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
The system incorporates Hisense’s Hi-Concerto Technology, which works in tandem with the brand’s TVs. By syncing the TV’s built-in speakers with the HT Saturn, the setup creates a unified soundstage, providing a more expansive audio experience. Additionally, its Room Calibration feature automatically adjusts audio based on the acoustics of the user’s space for optimized sound performance.
Discover the Windows tool everyone's talking about: Flow Launcher adds powerful search and app-launching capabilities -- and then some
Jealous of macOS’s Spotlight feature? Want a more accessible -- never mind powerful and customizable -- alternative to Windows’ own dated search and app launching tools? Then Flow Launcher could be just the tool you’re looking for.
Flow Launcher, or “Flow” for short, lets you search for and open apps, files, system settings, and web pages from a single, easily accessible search bar. Triggered by a custom hotkey of your choice, it provides a seamless way to navigate your system. However, its modular design is what truly sets it apart.
Operational tech under attack, deepfake phishing and learning to use passkeys -- cybersecurity predictions for 2025
With a constant power struggle between attackers and defenders cybersecurity is a fast-moving area. That makes it notoriously hard to predict what might happen, but that doesn't stop us trying. Here are what some industry experts think the cybersecurity world has in store for 2025.
Sasha Gohman, VP, research at Cymulate, thinks ransomware will become obsolete. "Ransomware may become obsolete due to the fact that decrypting your important files may become a feasible task with quantum computing. On the other hand, ransomware operators may then choose to encrypt your important files with quantum-resilient encryption."
Europe's move toward cybersecurity sovereignty [Q&A]
Governments around the world are increasingly legislating for cybersecurity and privacy. But regions often have differing views on how this should be achieved.
We spoke to Christian Have, CTO of Logpoint, to get insight into how US surveillance laws could serve as a catalyst for Europe to take greater control over its data, pushing forward the concept of digital sovereignty.
AI in life sciences and healthcare
The life sciences and healthcare industries have critical challenges to overcome in 2025. Costs in both are on the rise, forcing business leaders to seek out more efficient methods for developing and delivering new products and services. Additionally, consumer expectations are higher than ever, with patients and other clients looking for features that maximize convenience and accessibility.
To help with these challenges, industry leaders should consider the potential of artificial intelligence. AI has been transforming the business world by providing the power to automate, analyze, and increase efficiency in unprecedented ways. For life sciences and healthcare, AI provides the capability to gather and analyze data in a way that drives better outcomes and delivers better consumer experiences.
Coding in the age of AI: Redefining software development
As AI marks its stamp on every industry, the software development landscape is experiencing a rapid transformation driven by the integration of automation into coding practices. With approximately $1 billion invested in AI-driven code solutions since early 2022, we’re seeing a shift that goes far beyond just automation. This transformation is redefining the entire software development lifecycle and testing assumptions about what it means to be a developer.
It is clear, as we embark at the beginning of a new era, that the future of coding does not reside in opposing change, but in adapting our approaches to education and practice in software development.
The AI arms race: How machine learning is disrupting financial crime
The financial services industry is in the midst of an unprecedented AI arms race. Criminal organizations are getting smarter, using cutting-edge tech to launch elaborate attacks on financial systems. In response, financial institutions (FIs) are turning to AI and machine learning (ML) to level the playing field. That’s right -- FIs are keeping pace with their criminal counterparts, thwarting malicious activity much more reliably and efficiently.
Having spent my career at the intersection of finance and technology, I've seen the constant race to stay ahead of evolving criminal operations. Rules-based systems, while foundational, simply can't match the speed and adaptability of modern financial crime. But now, through advanced pattern detection, adaptive defense mechanisms, and dramatically improved accuracy in identifying suspicious activity, AI is fundamentally reshaping how we fight financial crime -- and winning.
Gotta go fast! Samsung unveils Sonic the Hedgehog microSD cards
Samsung has partnered with SEGA to introduce a new lineup of Sonic the Hedgehog-themed microSD cards. The Sonic the Hedgehog PRO Plus microSD cards combine Samsung’s storage technology with designs featuring iconic characters, offering fans a functional way to expand their device storage.
The lineup includes designs for Knuckles (128GB), Tails (256GB), Sonic (512GB), and Shadow (1TB), with each card showcasing the character’s face and signature color. Samsung promises “Sonic-speed” performance with read speeds of up to 180 MB/s and write speeds up to 130 MB/s. These cards also feature A2 Application Performance for faster app launches and smoother transitions in gaming.
New investment, state legislation and more penalties -- privacy predictions for 2025
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Decentralized solutions, knowing your developer and AI apprentices -- development predictions for 2025
In the past year economic and business pressures, the rise of AI technologies talent shortages and more have put a strain on code pipelines and increased demands on developer teams. This in turn leads to fears around developer strain, product launch timescales and cybersecurity risks.
So what might 2025 have in store for developers? Here's what some industry experts think.
INTERPOL says we should rename pig butchering to romance baiting to avoid victim shaming
There are always lots of financial scams running online, and pig butchering is currently one of the most commonly used techniques for parting victims from their money.
But INTERPOL doesn’t like the term, saying it is shaming and puts people off reporting crime. The international crime-fighting agency believes that a shift to the rather fluffier sounding “romance baiting” is important.
Intel has released one fix for poor Arrow Lake performance, and has another in the pipeline
Intel’s recently released Arrow Lake processors were notable for the wrong reasons. Performance was found to be more than a little disappointing, particularly for gamers. A fix was promised, and one has been delivered.
The fix takes the form of a not only an update to Windows, but also a BIOS update. But it does not end there. Intel says that it will be releasing a further update in January which will introduce additional performance optimizations.
At long last, Microsoft makes it possible to use your webcam with multiple apps simultaneously in Windows 11
Webcam users rejoice: the end of the “Another App Is Using the Camera Already” error message could be nigh.
People have been asking for the ability to use a single webcam in two or more apps at the same time for what feels likes forever. Built ostensibly as an accessibility feature, Microsoft is finally bringing what it is calling “Multi-app camera” to Windows 11.
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