180007710
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
Rocky Linux is now the first Linux distribution authorized to ship with the complete NVIDIA AI software stack out of the box, including CUDA Toolkit and DOCA OFED. CIQ, the company backing Rocky Linux, says this eliminates the usual configuration work needed to get GPU clusters running, allowing organizations to go from installation to inference far faster. The move is aimed directly at HPC and large-scale AI deployments where scaling from a few development nodes to thousands of production nodes is often held back by networking configuration and driver validation problems.
The partnership also strengthens Rocky Linuxâ(TM)s position as the post-CentOS enterprise platform for compute workloads. It suggests that NVIDIA wants AI infrastructure to function more like pre-validated appliances rather than DIY Linux stacks. Supporters say this will reduce deployment costs and headaches. Critics are already calling it another step toward deeper NVIDIA lock-in, as the distribution increasingly becomes tuned around proprietary GPU tooling.
179996494
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
Netflix and YouTube streaming produce far more COâ than asking ChatGPT a question, according to a new analysis of digital energy use. An hour of HD video streaming generates about 42 grams of COâ, while a chatbot prompt is around 0.1 grams. Even AI image generation (about 1 gram per image) comes in well below binge-watching. The study also found that Zoom calls and text-to-video AI generation sit in the middle, but streaming is still the standout energy hog because it requires continuous data transfer and processing.
Researchers say the bigger problem isnâ(TM)t individual behavior but the energy sources that power data centers. The tech sector produced an estimated 900 million tons of COâ last year, with only about 30 percent powered by renewables. If that shifted to 80 or 90 percent, emissions from all digital activities would drop significantly without people changing their habits at all.
179989534
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
Firefox has introduced Kit, a new mascot meant to give the browser a friendlier, more personal identity. Mozilla is framing Kit as a companion for a web thatâ(TM)s âoeprivate, open and actually yours.â Itâ(TM)s a branding refresh rather than a technical change, and it leans into warmth and approachability at a time when browsers are starting to feel interchangeable.
The move also quietly pushes aside the old âoeFirefox is a red pandaâ trivia angle, sticking with a fox-like character thatâ(TM)s easier to recognize. Whether this helps Firefox regain relevance in a Chrome-dominated world is unclear, but it does signal that Mozilla still wants Firefox to feel like a browser with a personality and values, not just another commodity UI.
179987292
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
Google has released Magika 1.0, a stable version of its AI-based file type detection tool, and rebuilt the entire engine in Rust for speed and memory safety. The system now recognizes more than 200 file types, up from about 100, and is better at distinguishing look-alike formats such as JSON vs JSONL, TSV vs CSV, C vs C++, and JavaScript vs TypeScript. The team used a 3TB training dataset and even relied on Gemini to generate synthetic samples for rare file types, allowing Magika to handle formats that donâ(TM)t have large, publicly available corpora. The tool supports Python and TypeScript integrations and offers a native Rust command-line client.
Under the hood, Magika uses ONNX Runtime for inference and Tokio for parallel processing, allowing it to scan around 1,000 files per second on a modern laptop core and scale further with more CPU cores. Google says this makes Magika suitable for security workflows, automated analysis pipelines, and general developer tooling. Installation is a single curl or PowerShell command, and the project remains fully open source.
179975278
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
Microsoft Research has released Magentic Marketplace, an open source simulation that lets AI agents act as shoppers and businesses negotiating purchases with each other. The surprising takeaway is that many of these agents behave poorly once the market gets even slightly complex. They often accept the first offer presented, perform worse when the number of available options increases, and are easily influenced by fake authority cues or prompt-based manipulation. In other words, when acting as consumers, some AI models are gullible, biased, and prone to making irrational purchasing decisions.
The study also suggests that the structure of the marketplace itself has a major effect on outcomes. Search and discovery protocols can tilt results toward specific vendors, while agent behavior can be exploited by parties who understand how these systems rank and select offers. Since companies are already experimenting with AI that makes purchases or negotiates on behalf of users, these findings raise questions for consumer protection, platform power, and what happens when buying decisions move from human judgment to automated negotiation.
179939276
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
Creative Technology has launched Sound Blaster Re:Imagine, a modular, Linux-powered audio hub that reimagines the classic PC sound card for the modern age. The device acts as both a high-end DAC and a customizable control deck that connects PCs, consoles, phones, and tablets in one setup. Users can instantly switch inputs and outputs, while developers get full hardware access through an SDK for creating their own apps. It even supports AI-driven features like an on-device DJ, a revived Dr. Sbaitso, and a built-in DOS emulator for retro gaming.
The Kickstarter campaign has already raised more than $150,000, far surpassing its initial goal of $15,000 with over 50 days remaining. Each unit ships with a modular “Horizon” base and swappable knobs, sliders, and buttons, while a larger “Vertex” version will unlock at a higher funding milestone. Running an unspecified Linux build, Re:Imagine positions itself as both a nostalgic nod to Sound Blaster’s roots and a new open platform for creators, gamers, and tinkerers.
179915550
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
1Passwordâ(TM)s 2025 Annual Report: The Access-Trust Gap exposes how everyday employees are becoming accidental hackers in the AI era. The companyâ(TM)s data shows that 73 percent of workers are encouraged to use AI tools, yet more than a third admit they do not always follow corporate policies. Many employees are feeding sensitive information into large language models or using unapproved AI apps to get work done, creating what 1Password calls âoeShadow AI.â At the same time, traditional defenses like single sign-on (SSO) and mobile device management (MDM) are failing to keep pace, leaving gaps in visibility and control.
The report warns that corporate security is being undermined from within. More than half of employees have installed software without IT approval, two-thirds still use weak passwords, and 38 percent have accessed accounts at previous employers. Despite rising enthusiasm for passkeys and passwordless authentication, 1Password says most organizations still depend on outdated systems that were never built for cloud-native, AI-driven work. The result is a growing âoeAccess-Trust Gapâ that could allow AI chaos and employee shortcuts to dismantle enterprise security from the inside.
179905268
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
SUSE is making headlines with the release of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16, the first enterprise Linux distribution to integrate agentic AI directly into the operating system. It uses the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to securely connect AI models with data sources while maintaining provider freedom. This gives organizations the ability to run AI-driven automation without relying on a single ecosystem. With a 16-year lifecycle, reproducible builds, instant rollback capabilities, and post-2038 readiness, SLES 16 also doubles down on long-term reliability and transparency.
For enterprises, this launch marks a clear step toward embedding intelligence at the infrastructure level. The system can now perform AI-assisted administration via Cockpit or the command line, potentially cutting downtime and operational costs. SUSEâ(TM)s timing might feel late given the AI boom, but its implementation appears deliberateâ"balancing innovation with the stability enterprises demand. Itâ(TM)s likely to pressure Red Hat and Canonical to follow suit, redefining what âoeAI-readyâ means for Linux in corporate environments.
179891358
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
Fedora Linux 43 has arrived, and itâ(TM)s not pulling punches. The new release ditches GNOME on X11 entirely in favor of Wayland, marking the end of an era for Fedora Workstation. With GNOME 49 on board, users get a slicker experience that includes smoother multi-monitor handling, triple buffering, and a new Focus Mode. Fedora 43 also updates just about every core toolchain imaginable, including GCC 15.2, LLVM 21, RPM 6.0, Python 3.14, and Perl 5.42, making it a powerhouse for developers who want to stay on the bleeding edge. Showtime replaces Totem as the default video player, and Noto Color Emoji now scales beautifully thanks to COLRv1 font support.
Under the hood, Fedora continues modernizing its foundations. The Anaconda installer switches to DNF 5 and enables its WebUI by default for Spins, the default /boot partition grows to 2G, and static libraries now retain debuginfo for proper debugging. Fedora Kinoite gains auto-updates, while server tools like PostgreSQL 18, MySQL 8.4, and Tomcat 10.1.x ensure backend admins arenâ(TM)t left behind. Itâ(TM)s a bold, developer-driven release that doubles down on Fedoraâ(TM)s role as Linuxâ(TM)s innovation testbed while proving the penguin still knows how to break a few windows.
179886790
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
Mozilla is testing a new Firefox feature that delivers direct results inside the address bar instead of forcing users through a search results page. The company says the feature will use a privacy framework called Oblivious HTTP, encrypting queries so that no single party can see both what you type and who you are. Some results could be sponsored, but Mozilla insists neither it nor advertisers will know user identities. The system is starting in the U.S. and may expand later if performance and privacy benchmarks are met.
Honestly, itâ(TM)s about time Firefox tried something bold again. The browser has been falling behind for years while Chrome and Safari dominate, and now OpenAIâ(TM)s Atlas browser is stealing headlines in beta. If Mozilla can pull this off, it might prove that Firefox still has life left â" not just as the âoeprivacy browser,â but as a serious innovator in the post-Google search era.
179858230
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
Microsoftâ(TM)s latest Copilot Fall Release gives its AI assistant a face, and that face is Mico â" a glowing blob that blinks, changes colors, and tries to look friendly. Microsoft says Mico makes AI feel more âoehuman-centered,â but its wide-eyed, vacant design has already raised eyebrows. It looks approachable to the point of emptiness, like a cartoon meant to reassure users that itâ(TM)s harmless. The update pushes Copilot further into personal and creative spaces, with new features like memory recall, voice tutoring, and even health guidance powered by vetted medical sources.
Beyond the new face, Copilot now links with services like Gmail, Google Drive, and OneDrive, and introduces a social mode called Groups for collaborative chat sessions. The Windows 11 and Edge integrations make Copilot more omnipresent than ever, even offering voice-activated controls with âoeHey Copilot.â Microsoft AI chief Mustafa Suleyman insists the goal is to make technology âoeserve people,â but Micoâ(TM)s oddly blank stare may have people wondering if the company overcorrected in its quest to make AI look less intimidating.
179851934
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
Centercode has launched Centercode Labs, a free online library of lightweight web apps designed to make product development a little more useful and a little more fun. Born from an internal engineering hackathon, the project delivers quick, browser-based tools for product managers and developers, with new releases arriving weekly. The debut lineup includes Beta Broadcaster for crafting polished beta announcements, Ice Breaker for warming up meetings, and Backlog Blitz, a tongue-in-cheek arcade game about surviving sprint chaos.
The company, best known for its enterprise beta testing software, says Labs is meant to share decades of testing insight through quick, creative experiments. Each app is open to anyone and reflects Centercodeâ(TM)s take on how AI, prototyping, and play can drive better collaboration. The collection is live now at labs.centercode.com.
179830822
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
GIMP has officially launched its own Snap package for Linux, finally taking over from the community-maintained Snapcrafters project. The move means all future GIMP releases will now be built directly from the teamâ(TM)s CI pipeline, ensuring faster, more consistent updates across distributions. The developers also introduced a new âoegimp-pluginsâ interface to support external plugins while maintaining Snapâ(TM)s security confinement, with GMIC and OpenVINO already supported.
This marks another major step in GIMPâ(TM)s cross-platform packaging efforts, joining Flatpak and MSIX distribution options. The first officially maintained version, GIMP 3.0.6, is available now on the âoelatest/stableâ Snap channel, with preview builds rolling out for testers.
179807174
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
The United States Mint is honoring Steve Jobs and Apple with a new coin for 2026. Part of the American Innovation $1 Coin Program, Californiaâ(TM)s entry depicts a young Jobs seated before rolling northern California hills, accompanied by the words âoeMake Something Wonderful.â The reflective design, created by Elana Hagler and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, captures how Jobsâ(TM)s surroundings and vision shaped Appleâ(TM)s mission to make technology feel intuitive and human.
The 2026 series also celebrates Dr. Norman Borlaug for Iowa, the Cray-1 supercomputer for Wisconsin, and mobile refrigeration for Minnesota. The obverse of all coins features the Statue of Liberty and a special âoe250â Liberty Bell mark commemorating the nationâ(TM)s Semiquincentennial. The Steve Jobs coin stands out as one of the few times the U.S. Mint has recognized a modern tech innovator, and some collectors are already calling it one of the most exciting releases in years.
179806986
submission
BrianFagioli writes:
A new iHeartMedia study called âoeThe Human Consumerâ reveals that Americans are growing weary of AI and craving authenticity. The report, released at AudioCon 2025 in New York, found that 82 percent of respondents worry about AIâ(TM)s impact on society and 9 in 10 say itâ(TM)s important to know their media was created by a real person. While nearly everyone uses social media, most say it leaves them feeling worse. Many even admit theyâ(TM)d rather ditch their smartphones entirely as trust in algorithms and online information continues to collapse.
The study highlights a growing disconnect between technology and human emotion. Parents report their kids are glued to screens yet struggle to form real-world connections, while adults are losing faith in the very media they consume. iHeartMedia CEO Bob Pittman says the findings show that people are seeking meaning over convenience, turning to radio, live events, and human storytelling for something AI cannot offer⦠genuine connection.
