Trend Micro launches AI-powered Digital Twin technology to help enterprises predict and simulate cyber threats, enhancing security without risking production systems. Read...

Stuck on a boss? Don’t know how to “perfect parry?” Microsoft is adding its AI assistant, Copilot, to help you with your games via an addition to the Windows Game Bar application. Right now, what Microsoft is calling “Gaming Copilot (Beta)” will show up only for those enrolled in previews for Xbox Insiders on the PC platform. Microsoft has issued a similar update for handheld PCs, too. Microsoft says that Gaming Copilot understands what game you’re playing, which makes sense. A Voice Mode allows you to open an oral conversation via the “microphone” widget and then pin the widget to your screen as you play. You can also snap a screenshot of your screen and then let Gaming Copilot “look” at it for additional help. To use the new Copilot-equipped Game Bar, you’ll need to be enrolled in the program, launch Game Bar (the Windows key+G) and then look for the Gaming Copilot logo on the home bar to open the widget, Microsoft says. It’s available for Xbox Insiders in the United States, but only if you’re 18 or older. Microsoft doesn’t explain the last requirement. Oddly, Microsoft already has a technology to “see” your entire screen and help you out: Copilot Vision, which Microsoft says is out of beta and is available for all PCs in the United States. But Copilot Vision’s vision was pretty lousy when I tested it on games like Solitaire, let alone quick first-person games. Microsoft may have improved its “vision” capabilities with the new Copilot Game Bar, but I wouldn’t expect it to be as helpful as an online guide or just a nearby buddy. But with the Copilot application cropping up everywhere — within Windows, the Edge browser, even applications like Microsoft Excel — expect Copilot’s march to continue into pretty much every PC application that Microsoft owns. Read...

Nvidia is sitting on an absolutely mind-boggling amount of money… like, enough to make Solomon and Midas and Croesus go, “Wow, that’s a lot of money.” It’s become one of, if not the, richest companies on the planet by riding both the crypto and AI chip booms. But are all those pricey chips secure? Nvidia says they are—and should stay that way, much to the chagrin of some lawmakers. “To mitigate the risk of misuse, some pundits and policymakers propose requiring hardware ‘kill switches’ or built-in controls that can remotely disable GPUs without user knowledge and consent,” reads a blog post from Tuesday. “Some suspect they might already exist. Nvidia GPUs do not and should not have kill switches and backdoors.” The blog post is an obvious response to the tensions between the United States and China, which are currently in something of an arms race for “AI” technology, with Nvidia’s chips a key point of contention. Earlier this year, a US lawmaker proposed putting location trackers in Nvidia chips to keep them from being smuggled into mainland China, something that happens on a regular basis to evade export restrictions. Chinese cybersecurity authorities summoned Nvidia employees last week to rather pointedly ask if newly available industrial H20 AI chips contained spyware or backdoors. The highly-sought-after chips were cleared for export by the Trump administration in April, immediately after an apparent bit of personal lobbying from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang at a $1-million-a-head dinner at Trump’s personal residence in Florida. “There is no such thing as a ‘good’ secret backdoor—only dangerous vulnerabilities that need to be eliminated,” wrote Nvidia’s chief security officer in the blog post. “Kill switches and built-in backdoors create single points of failure and violate the fundamental principles of cybersecurity.” In light of the bill proposed earlier this year, it seems possible that the US could demand exactly that as a condition of clearing hassle-free and lucrative chip exports to China. I wonder if more expensive dinners are in Jensen Huang’s future. The blog post gives a brief history of chip-level security failures, name-dropping Spectre and Meltdown. It’s important to note that what Nvidia is denying here is deliberate, intentional means of disabling or spying upon chips—not security vulnerabilities or bugs that make them susceptible to attack, which do crop up from time to time. Read...

Shaun Thompson is challenging the Met Police`s use of live facial recognition technology. Read...

Unanswered questions include when the change will happen, how much vehicle owners will be paying, and what technology will be used. Read...

Claroty partners with Google Security Operations to enhance threat detection and response across IT and operational technology environments. Read...

`It will be a cornerstone of our plan to grow a high-tech, high-value economy.` Read...

As expected, by 2028 your PC will be internally passing a terabyte’s worth of data per second as part of PCI Express 8.0. The PCI Special Interest Group said Tuesday that the PCIe 8 specification is due to be released in 2028, with speeds of 256 gigatransfers per second. In real-world terms, that works out to 1 terabyte per second being passed over a x16 connection via the PCI Express 8.0 bus. The new data rate should come as no surprise, as the SIG has consistently released iterative PCI Express standards that double the available bandwidth about every three years. In June, the PCIe SIG formally announced the PCI Express 7 specification, projected to be released in 2027. At that time, the SIG disclosed the existence of PCIe 8 without the bandwidth data, but the projection was easy enough to make. The timing of it all can be a bit confusing. Practically, the fastest PCI Express devices currently available for the PC, such as the fastest PC SSDs, use the PCI Express 5 protocol — 128GB/s at x16 speeds. Last week, the first PCI Express 6.0 SSD shipped: the Micron 9650, which can hypothetically process 256GB/s at a time. (They can’t, in reality. The drive reads of up to 28,000 MB/s — which is roughly 13 percent under the peak PCIe 6.0 bandwidth, with sequential writes of 14,000 MB/s.) The graphic below shows the progression of PCI Express speeds, but also hints as the hypothetical limits of certain components, too. SSDs typically use a x4 interface, so they’ll have a maximum hypothetical data rate of 256GB/s under PCI Express 8, versus the 32GB/s they operate under with the current PCI Express 5. Graphics cards, conversely, use a x16 connection, meaning that PCIe 8 will supply about seven times more bandwidth than it does today. PCI-SIG The Micron 9650, however, is aimed at data centers, not the PC. Micron’s release of the 9650 coincides with our report that the PCI Express 6.0 integrator’s list of actual PCIe 6 hardware will be released this year, though data centers and AI may gobble up all of the available hardware. Silicon Motion’s CEO told Tom’s Hardware that the company doesn’t expect PCI Express 6.0 to appear in PCs for a few years. That’s what the PCIe SIG is saying for the first PCIe 8.0 devices, too: they’ll be used for artificial intelligence and machine learning first and foremost, then high-speed networking and quantum computing. “As artificial intelligence and other data-intensive applications continue to scale rapidly, PCIe technology demand will be sustained in the long run due to its high bandwidth, scalability and power efficiency,” said Reece Hayden, principal analyst at ABI Research, as quoted by the PCI-SIG. “Data center networks are already preparing to implement PCIe 6.0 technology and are showing great interest in the PCIe 7.0 specification. The introduction of the PCIe 8.0 specification further ensures that the industry’s bandwidth requirements will be supported well into the future.” A graphic from the PCI-SIG shows how PCI Express bandwidth has increased over time.PCI-SIG A terabyte’s worth of bandwidth, though, is no joke, and neither are the thermal issues that come with it. The two key problems that need to be addressed are when AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm plan to add PCI Express 6 to their PC roadmaps — let alone 7 or 8 — and how device makers will deal with the corresponding increase in heat that the increased bandwidth will bring with it. Read...

Google knows what we search for, where we go, who we email—and diligently stores it all as well. For many users, this has long been too much of a “good thing”. If you want to live a more digitally self-determined life, you can gradually turn your back on the data giant from Silicon Valley. But to do that means you’ll also need to find alternatives for services such as Google Search, Gmail, Maps etc. Sounds like a lot of effort? It doesn’t have to be. We show you how you can gain more privacy with just a few clicks. Without sacrificing convenience: Replace Google search: No more data snooping Data protection instead of a data octopus: DuckDuckGo shows search results without tracking or personalized advertising.Sam Singleton Google search delivers brilliant results—but it lets them look deep into your personal life. If you don’t want to be tracked while surfing, you can rely on search engines that take privacy seriously. DuckDuckGo DuckDuckGo is perhaps the best-known Google alternative. It completely dispenses with tracking, does not store IP addresses and still delivers solid results, especially for general search queries. No user profiles are created and no search histories are recorded. The results come from a mix of its own crawlers and partly from Bing, but occasionally with slightly less accuracy compared to Google. Pro: Pure data protection, quick and simple changeover from other search engines (also mobile). Cons: Fewer personalized hits, weaker results for niche topics. Startpage Startpage shows anonymized Google search results—without any tracking, cookies or personalized advertising. This means we get the usual quality of Google searches without our personal data being stored. The service originates from the Netherlands and is subject to European data protection standards. Pro: Best results with privacy. Cons: Slightly longer loading times, adverts in the mix (but they’re discreet). Gmail? No thanks: Emails without readers Tutanota is a German email provider with a zero-tracking philosophy.Sam Singleton Google scans emails (usually automatically) to personalize advertising and services. If you prefer a more discreet approach, switch to a mail provider with a focus on security. Thankfully, we have plenty of choices, as Gmail is one of the Google services that is easiest to replace. Proton Mail Proton Mail is a secure e-mail service from Switzerland that consistently focusses on data protection. Emails between Proton Mail users are automatically end-to-end encrypted, and password protection can be set up for external recipients. The servers are located in Switzerland and are therefore subject to strict data protection laws. The web interface is modern and easy to understand, there are apps for Android and iOS as well as a bridge for classic mail programs. Pro: Strong encryption, servers outside the USA. Cons: Interface takes some getting used to, limited storage in the free plan. Do without Android: De-Googling your smartphone /e/OS is a completely “de-Googled” open source operating systemSam Singleton Android may be open source, but the Google services it contains are not. If you want a smartphone that is as “Google-free” as possible, you have to dig deeper into your bag of tricks—or try something completely new. /e/OS /e/OS is a privacy-friendly Android operating system that works completely without Google services. Instead, it offers its own apps, an alternative app store (Aurora Store) and synchronization via its own /e/ cloud. Many well-known smartphones (such as Samsung and Fairphone) can be reloaded with /e/OS or purchased pre-installed as a “de-Googled Phone”. It’s ideal for everyone who wants to use Android without being tracked by Google. Pro: Compatible with Android apps, many devices supported. Cons: Somewhat technical to set up, not all apps run perfectly. GrapheneOS (for advanced users) GrapheneOS is a particularly secure Android derivative that was specially developed for Pixel smartphones. It is aimed at experienced users and focusses on maximum security, system hardening, and data protection. Google services are not included as standard, but can be installed manually if required (sandboxed)—GrapheneOS is not designed for the “normal” use of Google services. Pro: Extremely secure, hardly any data leakage. Cons: For technology fans, not “plug & play”, requires some know-how and effort Goodbye Google Maps: How to navigate with privacy Map service without tracking: The open source app Organic Maps does not use advertising, does not collect any user data, and works completely offline.Sam Singleton Google Maps knows our routes—oftentimes better than we do. Fortunately, there are alternatives for privacy fans that come with less prying eyes. Organic Maps Organic Maps is an open source navigation app that is based on OSM (OpenStreetMap) maps and works completely without an internet connection. The app does not use tracking or advertising, which makes it particularly privacy-friendly. Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and anyone who wants to navigate reliably offline, Organic Maps also offers practical functions such as route planning and voice prompts. Pro: Works without the internet, ideal for travelling. Cons: No traffic data, weaker POI search. Magic Earth The Magic Earth map service combines OpenStreetMap data with its own maps and provides a privacy-friendly alternative to Google Maps. In addition to navigation, the app also offers real-time traffic information, offline maps and an overview of cycle paths and footpaths. With a focus on privacy, Magic Earth does away with user tracking and advertising, but remains functional and user-friendly. Pro: Good maps, many features, no data transfer. Cons: Less well-known places are sometimes harder to find. Byebye Google Chrome: Fast, but nosy Far less widespread than Chrome – but a real high-flyer in terms of data protection and customisation: the Firefox browser.Sam Singleton Chrome is the top dog among browsers, but it’s also a real data hoover. If you want to surf without being watched, you can switch to these alternatives: Firefox Firefox is the classic among free browsers—fast, secure, expandable. Developed by the Mozilla Foundation, Firefox places great emphasis on transparency and data protection. The browser is flexible and can be highly customized with numerous add-ons: from ad blockers to cookie control. Pro: Many data protection add-ons, active community. Cons: Sometimes a little slower than Chrome. Brave Brave is a Chromium browser with in-built tracking protection and ad blocker. It blocks adverts, trackers, and fingerprinting by default, even without extensions. Pro: Very fast, good privacy by default. Cons: Partial crypto integration, which not everyone wants. No more Google Docs: texts and spreadsheets with better data protections ONLYOFFICE is a really strong alternative to Google Docs.Sam Singleton Practical, collaborative, usable everywhere: these are the strengths of Google Docs. But if you don’t want to store your documents on US servers, there are also good alternatives. ONLYOFFICE ONLYOFFICE is a powerful office suite that works with Word, Excel and PowerPoint-compatible documents and works both online and offline. The platform is particularly suitable for team collaboration and offers extensive functions for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. Compared to Google Docs, ONLYOFFICE offers more control over your own data, as the software can also be installed on your own servers. Pro: Compatible with Word, Excel & Co. Cons: Somewhat technical to get started (but easy to use in the cloud). CryptPad CryptPad is a web-based office suite that places particular emphasis on data protection and security by storing all data end-to-end encrypted. Users can work together on documents, spreadsheets or presentations without the operator having access to the content. Ideal for anyone who values anonymous use and maximum data sovereignty. CryptPad also offers functions such as surveys, whiteboards, and markdown editors. Pro: Can be used completely anonymously, no registration required. Cons: Fewer functions, not ideal for large teams. Alternatives for Google Drive: Cloud storage without data snooping Tresorit is a cloud provider from Switzerland with a focus on security for teams and individuals.Sam Singleton Google Drive is convenient, but scans content for its own purposes. If you prefer encrypted storage, you should take a look at these services: Tresorit The cloud storage service Tresorit is based in Switzerland and focuses on security and end-to-end encryption. Files are encrypted before being uploaded so that even Tresorit has no access to the content. The servers are located in Europe, which is a clear advantage for users from the EU in terms of data protection. Ideal for companies and private individuals who want to store and share sensitive data securely online. Pro: End-to-end encryption, GDPR-compliant. Cons: More expensive than Google Drive. Snyc.com The Canadian cloud service Sync.com relies on zero-knowledge encryption. This means that only you have access to your data, not the provider. The service is easy to use, offers apps for all platforms and is ideal for team collaboration. There are no trackers or adverts here either, and even with the free entry-level plan you can get a lot done. It’s a strong Google Drive replacement with significantly more privacy. Pro: Good usability, can also be used free of charge. Cons: Sometimes slower uploads, English-language version. Google Photos is not irreplaceable: Archive your memories without the prying eyes Immich is a self-hosting photo management system with AI functions – without Google.Sam Singleton Google recognizes faces, places, and objects in pictures. And while this is impressive, it’s too much for many people. If you want to store your photos securely, you need alternatives. Immich Immich is an open-source solution for managing and backing up photos on your own server or NAS. The user interface is reminiscent of Google Photos—including face recognition, albums, timelines and AI-supported search. All data remains local and under your own control. Ideal for anyone who wants maximum privacy and is prepared to bring some technical know-how to the table. Pro: Face recognition locally, no cloud compulsion. Cons: Technical expertise required. Internxt Photos Simple cloud service with a focus on encryption: Internxt Photos stores images in the cloud—completely end-to-end encrypted so that no one but you can access them. The app is simple, functional and available for desktop and mobile devices. It has server locations in numerous place including in the EU, and no advertising or tracking. Particularly suitable for anyone who wants to store their photos securely online without relying on big tech providers. Pro: GDPR-compliant, intuitive operation. Cons: Fewer features than Google Photos. Bonus tip: Independence from YouTube—is that even possible? YouTube is hard to replace – also because you can find The Full Nerd videos there.Sam Singleton To be honest: not really. YouTube is not just a video portal, but has long been a gigantic archive for tutorials, documentaries, music, live streams and nerd knowledge. If you don’t use it at all, you’re missing out on a lot. Nevertheless, there are ways to become at least a little more independent—or to use YouTube more sparingly. NewPipe NewPipe is an alternative YouTube app for Android (for using YouTube) that works without a Google account, does not show adverts and also has a background mode on board. Pro: No registration required, no tracking, videos can be downloaded directly. Cons: Only for Android, no commenting or liking possible. Peertube Peertube is a free, decentralized video network that sees itself as a counterpart to YouTube. Content comes from many small instances, without a nosy large corporation behind it. Unlike the NewPipe app presented above, it’s a genuine alternative to YouTube with its very own content. Pro: Open source, ad-free, community-based. Cons: Smaller offering, difficult to browse. Conclusion: Escaping the Google universe step by step In the modern, digitalized world, living without Google is almost as difficult as living without electricity. But it is possible, at least in part. If you consciously look for alternatives, you can reduce tracking, strengthen data protection, and gain more control over your own data. Opting out doesn’t have to be a radical break: even small steps (such as an alternative browser or a new search engine) can have a big impact. Read...

Electric vehicles (EVs) are clearly the future, but what’s available today all feels very samey, and nothing is truly versatile. If you are struggling to get excited about EVs, the FX Super One from Faraday Future could be about to change your mind. More than just an EV, the FX Super One is innovation on wheels. Combining cutting-edge technology, versatility, and affordability, this is a luxury vehicle that completely redefines what an EV can be. If you’re balancing family life and business travel, the FX Super One is built for you. With all the features you need, designed to catch the eye and keep you comfortable, and offering multiple ways to stay connected on the road, this is the EV all busy, eco-conscious drivers have been waiting for. The FX Super One introduces Embodied AI Agent (EAI), a technology that transforms the way drivers interact with vehicles. It’s an integrated smart system that learns your preferences, predicts your needs, and offers real-time recommendations to ensure every drive is smooth, safe, and efficient. Be first to experience the Faraday Future EV revolutionView FX Super One Faraday Future What to expect from the Faraday Future FX Super One The FX Super One features dual-motor all-wheel drive, letting you pick between pure electric or AI Hybrid Extended Range. While the first is fantastic for daily drives and city trips, the latter is perfect for long journeys without the anxiety of how long the battery will last. A triple high-strength cage body structure and side curtain airbags provide 360-degree safety, no matter how far you travel. From voice commands to adaptive route planning, the FX Super One’s smart system ensures the vehicle constantly evolves to meet your expectations.   Faraday Future If the built-in AI didn’t already make the experience feel more personable, the literal face on the front of this EV will. To be more specific, the Super EAI Front AI Communication Ecosystem (F.A.C.E.) includes an LED screen that sits on the front fascia, making this EV one of a kind. You can create your own avatar to display here, which then lets the AI agent express emotions and foster a sense of personality and higher intelligence that is fully in sync with its driver. Inside, the cabin is gorgeous, spacious, and comfortable. It serves as a mobile lounge, with fully adjustable zero-gravity seats available for all FX Super One models. Every journey in this EV offers a space and time for your passengers to recharge, to relax, or even to work. There’s plenty of space here to set up your laptop on a fold-out table, be entertained with media playing on an immersive widescreen with Dolby Atmos surround sound, or even enjoy a refreshing beverage – hot or cold, thanks to a smart all-temperature onboard fridge. Faraday Future How to buy the Faraday Future FX Super One Final pricing has not been confirmed, but Faraday Future promises groundbreaking technology at an accessible price point. You can get early access to the first models off the assembly line when you pay a fully refundable pre-order deposit of $100. The FX Super One will come in six variants, with two powertrain options available with a choice of four-, six- or seven seats. There’s a perfect model for everyone, whether you’re a solo driver or planning family or business travel. The FX Super One isn’t just a vehicle, it’s an experience. Only here will you find a lifestyle upgrade, practicality, and cutting-edge technology, all in one package. Get early access to this smart, spacious MPV built for the future with a fully refundable $100 depositPre-order FX Super One Read...