The US sneaks trackers into AI chips to thwart shipments to China
The AI race is the modern-day space race, and the US is concerned that China will make too much progress too quickly. This is precisely why President Trump recently suggested that the likes of NVIDIA only allowed to sell limited versions of its AI chips to Chinese customers.
How could this be policed? Through the use of trackers, according to sources familiar with the matter.
AI firm Perplexity makes ridiculous bid to buy Chrome from Google
Chrome has not been put up for sale, but that has not stopped AI startup Perplexity from putting in a bid to buy the web browser from Google.
While on the face of things the $34.5 billion bid seems large, it has been widely dismissed as being a fraction of Chrome’s real value. So, what is the deal with Perplexity trying to snap up the most popular web browser in the world?
Can AI master classic text adventures? Someone went on a quest to find out
Large language models (LLMs) have shown impressive results in many areas, but when it comes to playing classic text adventure games, they often struggle to make it past even the simplest of puzzles.
A recent experiment by Entropic Thoughts tested how well various models could navigate and solve interactive fiction, using a structured benchmark to compare results across multiple games. The takeaway was that while some models can make reasonable progress, even the best require guidance and struggle with the skills these classic problem-solving games demand.
Why browser security is increasingly essential for the enterprise [Q&A]
As enterprises embrace hybrid work, SaaS applications, and AI tools at unprecedented scale, one critical access point is being increasingly targeted by attackers: the browser.
To better understand the risks and what can be done to secure the browser, we spoke with Alon Levin, vice president of product management at Seraphic Security, and an expert in enterprise browser security.
UK tax agency using AI to help target fraud and evasion
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the UK’s national tax authority, has confirmed it is using artificial intelligence to monitor the social media accounts of people suspected of tax fraud. The BBC reports that this is done only as part of criminal investigations and not for everyday taxpayers.
For readers outside the UK, HMRC is the government department responsible for collecting taxes, administering certain benefits, and enforcing compliance with tax laws. Its role is similar to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the United States or the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in Canada.
Continua is an AI assistant that joins your group chats and keeps plans on track
Continua has launched an AI assistant designed to work directly inside group chats, helping participants keep track of ideas, decisions, and plans in real time. The tool can join conversations on SMS, iMessage, or Discord, offering live web search, scheduling tools, and the automatic organization of group discussions.
The company describes the product as a “social AI” agent that listens in, remembers details, and can turn ongoing conversations into shareable documents, checklists, or calendar invites. It can also suggest restaurants, find meeting times that suit all members, and provide quick answers without breaking the flow of conversation.
Google Pay adds new ways to make web payments easier
Google Pay has announced three new features which it says will make online payments simpler and more flexible for shoppers. The update focuses on providing more choice, convenience and value, and covers both everyday purchases and larger transactions, as well as international money transfers.
For US buyers, Chrome’s autofill feature will now display reward details for over 100 credit cards, expanding from the smaller set previously supported. This addition makes it easier to see which card offers the best benefits for a specific purchase before checkout.
Foxit streamlines PDF document workflows with new developer tools
Developers building browser-based PDF applications have traditionally faced challenges related to performance bottlenecks, limited form handling, cumbersome signing workflows, and inconsistent cross-browser experiences.
PDF software specialist Foxit is aiming to change that with the launch of a new SDK for Web v11, which with its WebAssembly-powered rendering engine, modular architecture, and deeply refactored core components, eliminates many of the long-standing problems.
Linux Mint 22.2 'Zara' beta now ready to download -- here's what's new
Linux Mint 22.2 “Zara” beta version has been released, giving testers and enthusiasts an early look at the next long term support release of the popular desktop Linux distribution. The final version will be supported until April 2029, but this preview is aimed at testing, so some issues are to be expected.
This update continues Mint’s focus on making small, but noteworthy changes. Sticky Notes now have rounded corners, Wayland support, and can sync with Android devices via the new StyncyNotes app. The login screen gains a blur effect, user avatars, and a cleaner layout.
How access to company networks is sold on the dark web for under $1,000
New analysis of illicit dark web marketplaces where cybercriminals buy and sell access to corporate networks uncovers new insights into how initial access to compromised businesses is being sold -- often for less than $1,000 -- and the steps defenders can take to disrupt the process in its earliest stages.
Rapid7’s threat intelligence researchers analyzed hundreds of posts by Initial Access Brokers (IABs) offering access to compromised networks across a range of industries and regions. Their findings show that ‘initial’ access doesn’t necessarily equate to minimal; in many cases, this access represents a deep compromise.
Spread of AI agents sparks fears of a cybersecurity crisis
A new report reveals an increasing trust gap between businesses deploying agentic AI for external communications and consumers wary of sharing personal information due to security concerns.
The research, carried out by Censuswide for Salt Security, also warns that without proper API discovery, governance and security, the very technology meant to drive smarter customer engagement could open the door to cybersecurity issues including attacks or data leakage.
Excel can now explain formulae with Copilot
Microsoft just found a new use for AI. Excel users can now turn to the new Explain Formula feature which uses Copilot to use artificial intelligence to understand how a formula works.
There are many advantages to this. It can serve as a way to learn about how to create new formulae of your own, but it is also a handy way to not only understand how a formula works as well as a means of debugging if the output is not what you were expecting it to be.
Microsoft OneNote finally gets unformatted text pasting
Microsoft OneNote is an incredibly useful tool, and a clever one – sometime too clever. After being absent for far too long, it now finally has an unformatted text pasting option.
It is hard to believe that it has taken over twenty years for this to arrive – and it is not clear why it has taken so long – but it is finally here. No longer will you have to strip out unwanted formatting, change color and so on. Unformatted text pasting is now just a keyboard shortcut away.
Epson launches ReadyPrint subscription for unlimited color printing at a fixed monthly cost
Epson has launched ReadyPrint, a subscription-based printing service that aims to make color printing simple, predictable, and cost-effective for homes and businesses.
The plan combines an EcoTank wireless all-in-one Supertank printer with unlimited color printing, premium support, and automatic ink replacement for a fixed monthly fee.
Microsoft launches Windows 365 Reserve preview to reduce downtime
Microsoft has launched a limited public preview of Windows 365 Reserve, a new cloud-based service to help reduce downtime and disruption for business when disaster strikes.
Whether there is a system failure, a cyberattack, or something else goes wrong, Windows 365 Reserve provides access to a Cloud PC to help reduce disruptions. Microsoft says that it offers businesses “secure and on-demand Cloud PC access from anywhere when you need it most”.
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