US suspends cyber operations against Russia as Trump seeks deal 🖥️
- The US has halted offensive cyber operations and planning targeting Russia, according to a senior US official.
- This move comes as the Trump administration reconsiders its support for Ukraine and attempts to negotiate with Russia.
- The suspension raises concerns about potential vulnerabilities to Russian cyber attacks and shifts in US-Russia relations.
MWC 2025: Cutting-edge tech takes center stage in Barcelona 📱
- Mobile World Congress 2025 showcases the latest innovations in smartphones, wearables, and AI-powered devices from leading tech companies.
- Highlights include advanced camera systems, and new laptops with enhanced connectivity and performance features.
- These announcements signal the direction of consumer technology for the coming year, with a focus on AI integration and improved user experiences.
Hundreds of US weather forecasters fired as government slashes workforce 🌪️
- Hundreds of employees at NOAA, including weather forecasters, were dismissed on Thursday as part of government workforce cuts.
- The layoffs affect probationary staff at the National Weather Service and other NOAA departments responsible for crucial forecasts and warnings.
- Former agency heads warn these cuts could jeopardise public safety and the economy by reducing the quality of weather predictions and alerts.
Less-educated areas embrace AI writing tools faster, study finds 🤖
- Stanford researchers discovered that AI writing tools are being adopted more rapidly in less-educated U.S. areas, contradicting usual tech adoption trends.
- The study analysed over 300 million text samples across various sectors, revealing AI now assists in writing up to 25% of professional communications.
- This unexpected pattern challenges assumptions about technology adoption and may have significant implications for workforce development and education policies.
Podcastle unveils AI text-to-speech model with 450+ voices 🎙️
- Podcasting platform Podcastle has launched Asyncflow v1.0, an AI model that converts text to speech using over 450 AI voices.
- The company developed the model with low training and inference costs, offering competitive pricing at $40 for 500 minutes of conversion.
- This launch positions Podcastle as a strong competitor in the AI voice technology space, challenging established players like ElevenLabs and Speechify.
Super Mario becomes new benchmark for testing AI capabilities 🎮
- Researchers are now using the classic video game Super Mario Bros. to evaluate and compare the performance of artificial intelligence systems.
- The game’s complex mechanics and varied challenges is said to provide a comprehensive test of AI abilities.
- This approach could lead to more robust AI systems capable of handling diverse tasks and adapting to changing environments.
Being rude to ChatGPT doesn’t affect its performance, but politeness may have benefits 🤖
- A TechRadar writer experimented with being impolite to ChatGPT for a week and found it had no impact on the AI’s responses or capabilities.
- The experiment revealed that ChatGPT doesn’t require social niceties like “please” or “thank you” to function effectively or provide accurate information.
- While rudeness doesn’t hinder ChatGPT, being polite may lead to more detailed responses and help users maintain good communication habits in real-life interactions.
New AI voice companion pushes boundaries of realism 🗣️
- A tech journalist tested an AI voice companion that demonstrated unprecedented realism in conversation, raising concerns about the future of human-AI interactions.
- The AI, created by a startup, engaged in natural dialogue, remembered past conversations, and even expressed emotions through its voice.
- This advancement suggests that widely-used AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Gemini could soon achieve similar capabilities, potentially blurring the line between human and AI communication.
Apple teases new MacBook Air with M4 chip coming this week 💻
- Tim Cook hinted at a new product launch this week, likely to be the MacBook Air featuring Apple’s latest M4 chip.
- The teaser video posted on social media echoes the original MacBook Air launch tagline from 2008, fueling speculation about the new model.
- An M4-powered MacBook Air could offer improved performance and AI capabilities, potentially reshaping the lightweight laptop market.
Google’s Chrome extension cull hits more uBlock Origin users 🛡️
- Google has disabled the popular ad-blocking extension uBlock Origin for some Chrome users as part of its transition to Manifest V3.
- Manifest V3 is a new extension framework that limits the capabilities of content-blocking extensions, affecting millions of users worldwide.
- This move has sparked concerns about user privacy and the future of ad-blocking on Chrome, pushing some users to consider alternative browsers.
Android’s March 2025 update brings critical security fixes and new features 🛡️
- Google has released its March 2025 system update for Android devices, addressing several critical security vulnerabilities and introducing new functionality.
- The update includes patches for remote code execution flaws in the System component and local privilege escalation issues in the Framework.
- Users are advised to install the update promptly to protect their devices, while developers can expect new tools for utilities and web content display.
New Moana 2 Lego set featuring Heihei sells out quickly 🐔
- The 566-piece Lego set of Heihei, Moana’s rooster companion, is already on backorder at the Lego Store but still available on Amazon.
- Released on 1 March, the $40 set allows fans to build a 10.5-inch model of Heihei with movable head, wings and tail feathers.
- The set’s popularity suggests strong interest in Moana 2 merchandise ahead of the film’s release, potentially leading to further product launches.
New K-drama ‘The Witch’ bewitches Netflix viewers, topping daily rankings 🧙♀️
- The new Korean drama ‘The Witch’ has claimed the top spot on Netflix’s daily ranking chart, showcasing its growing popularity among viewers.
- Based on a popular webtoon, the series features Park Jin-young and Roh Jeong-eui in lead roles, telling a unique romance story.
- The show’s success highlights the continued global appeal of Korean dramas and Netflix’s strategy of investing in diverse content.
