Google Drive finally gets dark mode on the web
It has been an extraordinarily long time coming, but Google has finally decided to flip the switch on dark mode for Drive on the web.
Much like AI is at the moment, the spread of a dark mode option for apps and websites was something of a cultural and technological phenomenon a few years ago. Quite why it has taken Google such a long time to jump back on this particular bandwagon is anybody's guess, but dark mode will be welcomed by Google Drive users none the less. Here's what you need to know.
Biometric bias and how to prevent it [Q&A]
As we move away from passwords to other forms of authentication, there's increasing reliance being placed on technologies like biometrics.
But there's growing evidence that this technology could be flawed, with facial recognition exhibiting higher error rates for those with darker skin for example. We spoke to Dr. Mohamed Lazzouni, CTO of Aware, to discuss the ethical issue of bias in biometrics and what needs to be done to prevent it.
Microsoft issues reminder about end of support for Office 2016 and Office 2019
For anyone who is using Office 2016 or Office 2019, there is just 18 months of support remaining. Microsoft has reminded users about the October 2025 date for end of support and warned that this could leave individuals and organizations exposed to security issues. Also affected are Exchange Server and Skype for Business Server.
Microsoft says that as of mid-October next year it will no longer provide security fixes, bug fixes, or technical support. The advice -- it will not surprise you -- is to upgrade to Microsoft 365 to access the likes of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams.
Marshall unveils Major V and Minor IV headphones
Marshall has introduced two new products in its audio lineup: the Major V on-ear headphones and the Minor IV true wireless earbuds. Both models promise enhancements in sound quality, battery life, and durability.
According to Martin Wennberg, Product Manager at Marshall, the new Major V builds on its predecessor’s capabilities, increasing playtime from 80+ to 100+ hours. “We’ve refined every detail for the fifth incarnation of Major, from the sound quality to the iconic design,” Wennberg explains.
KeyBudz launches HyperFoam ear tips for Apple AirPods Pro
KeyBudz, a maker of accessories for AirPods, has just improved the auditory experience of Apple’s Pro earbuds with its latest release—the HyperFoam ear tips. These ear tips are not just another accessory; they promise unparalleled comfort and acoustic performance.
The standout feature of the HyperFoam ear tips is the exclusive ComfortCore technology. This patented feature integrates a flexible sound bore made from German Kraiburg ThermoPlastic Elastomer (TPE), which molds to the unique contours of each user’s ear. This adaptability ensures a custom fit that not only enhances the overall listening experience but also maintains an optimal acoustic seal, allowing users to enjoy their music without external interruptions.
AMD Ryzen PRO processors will boost Windows 11 business PCs with cutting-edge AI and security features
Nvidia may be the AI-focused darling of the technology world nowadays, but that doesn’t mean we should forget about good ol’ AMD. In fact, today, AMD announced the launch of its latest Ryzen PRO 8040 and 8000 Series processors designed for commercial mobile and desktop AI PCs.
The Ryzen PRO 8040 Series, specifically designed for business laptops and mobile workstations, introduces the most advanced x86 processors in AMD’s lineup. These processors are built using the innovative 4nm technology and “Zen 4” architecture, which delivers up to 30% increased performance in demanding applications. The series also features models with integrated AMD RDNA 3 graphics, pushing the limits with up to 72% faster performance and significantly reduced power consumption during video conferencing compared to competitors.
8 steps to secure your business during employee offboarding
Imagine this: every year, up to 17 employees leave your 100-person company. Within a half-decade, you could be replacing your entire workforce. That's the reality facing businesses today, with the average employee turnover rate for U.S. businesses reaching 17.3 percent, Canada at 15.5 percent, and Australia at 14 percent in 2023.
Despite these turnover rates, 71 percent of organizations lack a structured offboarding process. This lack of planning can have serious security consequences, as 20 percent of businesses have experienced data breaches linked to former employees. This oversight highlights why 76 percent of IT leaders consider offboarding a significant security threat.
Microsoft is modernizing the workplace -- but where does Copilot fit in?
Whether it’s the company’s commitment to the cloud, to developing its Office suite or being a lead player in the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, Microsoft remains the top provider of enterprise workplace tools. Despite no shortage of competition, Microsoft passed Apple earlier this year as the largest company in the world with a market capitalization of more than three trillion dollars.
Over the last few years, much has been made of Microsoft’s investment in AI. It is the lead investor in ChatGPT and has now rolled out Copilot, its own AI offering for the workforce. Copilot is an awesome tool, which leverages and trains publicly available code to provide users with suggestions and solutions to work challenges. Used properly, Copilot offers enhanced productivity and streamlined software development processes to users.
The AI advantage: Navigating the future of procurement with Generative AI
Generative AI (Gen AI) is no doubt the new “white hot” technology, with tremendous potential for transforming Source-to-Pay processes. In fact, AI can deliver cost savings of up to 40 percent according to research by Oxford College of Procurement & Supply. With its widespread adoption and inclusion in digital transformation initiatives across every industry, Gen AI has become a must-learn technology. It has the potential to improve productivity of Procurement teams tremendously to eliminate time consuming and repetitive tasks and free up time for more strategic thinking. In fact, Gen AI can reduce time spent on some procurement processes by up to 60 percent.
This enables Procurement teams to elevate their strategic impact and spend time on more creative aspects of the function that have a bigger impact.
Plugable launches new premium cables
Plugable has just launched four new cables that promise to solve the universal problem of incompatible and unreliable charging cords. These products, distinguishable by their signature Plugable green band and a clearly listed set of capabilities, are designed to reliably perform everything from charging gadgets to connecting hardware.
The lineup includes the USB-C 20Gbps 240W EPR cable, the Thunderbolt 4 40Gbps 240W EPR Cable with a right-angle connector, a 3.3ft (1m) USB-C to USB-A 10Gbps Cable, and a 6ft (2m) USB-C to USB-A 5Gbps Cable. Each of these is backed by Plugable’s compatibility guarantee, ensuring that they meet the high expectations of today’s tech users.
Election year gives rise to global supply chain cyberthreats
This year sees elections around the world, affecting around half the global population, with voters in the US, Mexico, India, Taiwan, Indonesia, the UK and other places all heading to the polls.
A new report from Everstream Analytics looks at how these elections will create new supply chain risks associated with global trade, commodity supplies and cyberattacks.
Surfshark finally launches VPN app for Apple TV
Following many requests from users, Surfshark has finally launched a VPN app specifically for Apple TV! This new app enhances user privacy by encrypting internet traffic and masking IP addresses, thereby shielding users from invasive online tracking and targeted advertising.
Surfshark’s new offering for Apple TV joins an extensive lineup of available VPN applications across various platforms, including Chrome, Firefox, iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, Linux, FireTV, and Edge. Notably, the Apple TV VPN app is accessible to all existing Surfshark users without any additional fees.
Over half of CISOs expect frozen or lower budgets in 2024
A new State of Pentesting report from Pentera shows that 53 percent of organizations surveyed have decreasing or stagnating cybersecurity budgets, requiring CISOs to do more with less.
This compares to last year when 92 percent of organizations surveyed expected to raise their IT security budgets. Only five percent of CISOs this year are projecting their IT security budgets will grow by more than 10 percent compared to 36 percent in 2023.
KLEVV unveils CRAS C925 Gen4 M.2 SSD for PC and PlayStation 5
KLEVV has announced its latest product, the CRAS C925 Gen4 M.2 solid state drive. This SSD is engineered with the PCI Express Gen4 x4 interface and NVMe 1.4 protocol, ensuring peak performance with sequential read speeds reaching up to 7400 MB/s. This level of speed significantly reduces load times, enhancing productivity and gaming experiences alike. The SSD also achieves up to 700K IOPS for 4K random read and 1000K IOPS for write.
To maintain optimal performance, KLEVV includes an optional aluminum heatsink with the CRAS C925, which can reduce temperatures by up to 12 percent. Its single-sided NAND IC design makes it compatible with a variety of compact devices such as laptops, mini-PCs, and gaming consoles like the PS5, ensuring users do not have to compromise on performance or space.
Zoom rebrands as Zoom Workspace 6.0, an AI-powered update packed with new features
Zoom Video Communications has rolled out a major update and rebrand of its video-conferencing tool for Windows and Mac with the release of Zoom Workspace 6.0. The new name reflects the app’s new function -- as a single collaborative platform for all its AI-powered features, including the new Zoom AI companion.
The rebranded app is accompanied with a visual overhaul, but more notable are the sheer number of new and improved features on show.
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