Ohsnap announces MCON mobile gaming controller for MagSafe smartphones
Ohsnap has introduced MCON, a compact gaming controller designed for MagSafe-enabled smartphones. Set to launch on Kickstarter on January 2, 2025, and make its debut at CES 2025, MCON aims to provide a portable option for mobile gaming enthusiasts.
Developed by 19-year-old inventor Josh King in collaboration with Ohsnap CEO Dale Backus, MCON features a minimalist design that prioritizes portability and ease of use. With a “launch” button that slides out full-sized hall-effect joysticks and tactile buttons, the device connects via Bluetooth without requiring clamps, cables, or complex pairing.
Google unveils Gemini 2.0 -- is it better than ChatGPT?
Google has finally unveiled Gemini 2.0, an evolution of its AI models designed to usher in a so-called “agentic era.” Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, has described this as a major leap forward for AI, emphasizing the model’s advanced reasoning, multimodal capabilities, and its potential to revolutionize tools like Google Search, among others. While Google is making big promises, my own experience with Gemini has left me wondering if it’s really a match for the historically superior ChatGPT.
Gemini 2.0 builds on the successes of previous iterations, like Gemini 1.5, and aims to push boundaries with native image and audio output, text-to-speech capabilities, and native integration with tools like Google Search and coding functions. Google is pitching this as more than just an AI chatbot. The model is described as a foundation for creating AI agents capable of handling complex, multi-step tasks, from generating research reports to serving as a developer assistant. Projects like Astra, Mariner, and Jules further showcase Google’s ambition to embed AI into everyday workflows and beyond.
Creative releases premium Pebble Nova desktop speakers with RGB lighting
Creative has launched Pebble Nova, the latest addition to its desktop speaker lineup. Positioned as an upgrade within the Pebble series, the Nova offers updated design elements, versatile connectivity options, and RGB lighting.
The Pebble Nova features a coaxial driver design that aligns the tweeter and woofer, delivering balanced sound across the audio spectrum. Its 45-degree elevated drivers are intended to direct sound toward the listener, and an included stand allows for further elevation and improved projection.
From a Generative AI winter to the revival of automation -- 4 enterprise tech predictions for 2025
While enterprise AI adoption boomed in 2024, 45 percent of US employees fear their company does not categorize AI applications based on the risk of potential harm to employees and customers. In the year ahead, business leaders must contend with the real data privacy and intellectual property risks that generative AI poses and chart a more pragmatic path forward.
Here are four trends I see shaping the enterprise technology landscape in 2025:
97 percent of banks hit by third-party data breaches
New analysis released by SecurityScorecard reveals that 97 percent of the top 100 US banks have experienced a third-party data breach in the past year.
As banks increasingly rely on third-party vendors for core functions, their exposure to supply chain vulnerabilities increases. Using the largest proprietary risk and threat intelligence dataset, SecurityScorecard's experts analyzed how third-party breaches impact the banking sector.
Windows just got smashed -- by a better OS: OpenMandriva ROME update is here to show you why Linux is better!
If you’re tired of the constant updates, system requirements, and licensing headaches that come with Windows 11, OpenMandriva ROME 24.12 might be the perfect solution. As a rolling-release Linux distribution, OpenMandriva offers users the freedom to always stay on the cutting edge without waiting for major version updates.
With this latest release, OpenMandriva delivers a combination of performance and customization, making it a solid choice for those looking to break free from Windows. The inclusion of KDE Plasma Desktop (versions 6.2.4 and 5.27.11) offers a sleek, modern interface that’s as polished as any operating system Microsoft has to offer. Add to that the flexibility Linux provides, and you’re looking at a user experience that can be tailored to your needs.
'Circuit compression' technology brings commercial quantum a step closer
Quantum computing is something that we've been covering for a while but commercial implementations always seem to be tantalizingly out of reach.
It could be getting nearer though thanks to work by Classiq Technologies, with Deloitte Tohmatsu Group, and Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation to demonstrate improved circuit compression.
The five email attacks to watch for in 2025
Despite the rise of other means of communication email remains the most commonly used. This makes it attractive to cybercriminals as it offers an entry point to businesses and the gateway that employees rely on to do their jobs.
A new report from Abnormal Security highlights the attacks that we’re likely to see in the next year and shows the need for improved defenses, including the use of AI.
How businesses can protect against online scams over the holiday season
The run up to the holiday period is a prime time for cyber attackers as they try to exploit the rise in online activity to launch phishing and spoofing attacks, distribute malware, and create fraudulent schemes.
Online retail brands are a prime target. Last year UK shoppers lost more than £11.5 million to online scammers between November and January. However, it’s important to remember that the risks also extend to other industry sectors, as employees may use work devices for last minute festive shopping and other end-of-year activity. Here we explore how scammers take advantage of this annual trend and how to protect against these threats.
How business function mapping can help align IT and cybersecurity with business priorities [Q&A]
In the modern business world, organizations face the ongoing challenge of aligning their IT and cybersecurity efforts with their business priorities.
The difficulty lies in understanding how your infrastructure supports your business's core functions. Without this understanding, prioritizing cybersecurity initiatives, managing vulnerabilities, and ensuring business continuity remains an uphill battle.
Why agentic AI could make API threats a $100 billion-problem
APIs are the glue that holds together the modern enterprise. As digital transformation projects get the boardroom green light in ever greater numbers, so the infrastructure connecting software, data and experiences has expanded. Yet a potential storm is coming in 2025, as a new wave of agentic AI innovation takes hold in the enterprise. In fact, Gartner predicts over 30 percent of the increase in demand for APIs will come from AI and tools that use Large Language Models (LLMs)by 2026.
Unless organizations can mature their API security posture, next year could be the first time we see an LLM app security breach linked to APIs. And without improved API observability, it won’t be the last.
Mozilla removes Do Not Track setting from Firefox and suggests an alternative
Mozilla has removed support for Do Not Track from Firefox, with the company stating that it was a setting that was largely ignored by websites anyway.
More than this, Mozilla believes that Do Not Track sometimes served to reduce privacy, rather than increasing it. The suggestion for affected users is to start using options within Global Privacy Control (GPC) which are legally enforced in some countries, and far more widely respected by websites regardless of legislative requirements.
Linux Mint dethrones MX Linux as the most popular distro on DistroWatch
Linux Mint has reclaimed its position as the top-ranked Linux distribution on DistroWatch, dethroning MX Linux. The latest page hit rankings, which reflect the popularity of distributions among DistroWatch users, place Linux Mint in first place with 2,412 hits per day. MX Linux, previously the reigning champ, now sits in second with 2,280 hits.
This shift in rankings isn’t entirely surprising. Linux Mint has long been a favorite among newcomers and seasoned users alike, thanks to its user-friendly interface, stability, and robust support. Its Cinnamon desktop environment, designed for simplicity and familiarity, is often cited as one of the best for users transitioning from Windows. Meanwhile, MX Linux gained a loyal following for its lightweight design, which is perfect for older hardware or users seeking performance efficiency.
Apple Music strengthens its edge over Spotify with three new live radio stations
Apple Music has solidified its position as the superior music streaming platform with the launch of three new live radio stations: Apple Música Uno, Apple Music Club, and Apple Music Chill. These additions, available for free without a subscription, further distinguish Apple Music from competitors like Spotify, offering curated, live-hosted programming that highlights Apple’s commitment to a premium listening experience.
Apple Música Uno celebrates the diverse world of Latin music, from Música Mexicana to reggaetón and tropical Latin pop. Artists like Becky G, Rauw Alejandro, and Grupo Frontera bring exclusive shows to the station, which debuts with Bad Bunny’s “EL CLúB.” Programming will feature bilingual commentary, making it accessible to a global audience.
Email security: Why traditional defenses fall short in today's threat landscape
Despite decades of technological advancement, email remains the predominant attack vector for cybercriminals, with estimates suggesting that 80-90 percent of cyberattacks originate through email channels. While the cybersecurity industry has made significant strides in other areas, many businesses continue to rely on outdated email security measures that leave them vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated threats. This protection gap demands immediate attention from IT leaders.
Traditional secure email gateways (SEGs) like Mimecast and Proofpoint have served as the backbone of organizational email security for years. Similar to how traditional firewalls operate at network perimeters, these gateways excel at blocking known threats through signature-based detection and basic filtering rules. However, just as modern network security has evolved beyond simple perimeter defenses, email security requires a more sophisticated approach.
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