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Google Unveils Revolutionary Password Security Feature for iPhone Users

Google has recently upgraded the security protection for iPhone users by introducing a new real-time system for detecting and warning users about unsafe websites in Chrome. This new system replaces the current local list-based system and includes flagging weak and reused passwords, blocking 25% more phishing attempts, and providing real-time protection against risky websites on Chrome for desktop, iOS, and soon Android. The new system uses an asynchronous mechanism to prevent network calls from blocking page loads and degrades the user experience, and it also includes an option to turn it off in the browser settings. Additionally, Google has partnered with Fastly, a CDN and edge computing specialist, to provide an additional layer of privacy by stripping out any identifying information from the browser request. The new system is currently available in Chrome's Standard mode and offers additional protection in Enhanced mode, including AI-based blocking, deep file scans, and protecti...
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Microsoft Calls Out Google Dominance in Generative AI, Calls for Alliances to Compete

Microsoft believes that Google's extensive data sets give it an edge in the generative AI market. While others rely on partnerships, Google has vertical integration across all layers of AI development, leveraging its access to YouTube content for training its Large Language Model (LLM), Gemini. Microsoft has invested over $10 billion in OpenAI, which is under antitrust investigation. Encouraging pro-competitive partnerships can prevent companies from becoming vertically integrated and gaining an anticompetitive advantage. Satya Nadella, Microsoft's CEO, considers Google the "default winner" due to their resources and capabilities. Google has the talent, compute, data, silicon, models, and products to lead the AI race, according to Nadella. However, Microsoft has faced criticism for its AI-powered productivity tool for Office and Excel, 365 Copilot, which produces harmful content. Nadella acknowledges that tools to reduce unintended AI issues are not perfect and that t...
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GTA 6: The Most Anticipated Game Release in History?

The games industry is currently facing challenges such as cost-cutting measures, layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations. However, the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) is highly anticipated and expected to be a major success, with some analysts predicting it could be the best-selling video game of all time. The game's release is seen as critical for the video game industry, which is currently experiencing a decline in revenue and growth. GTA 6 has the potential to boost the bottom line of companies involved in the video game industry, including retailers like Amazon and GameStop, as well as console manufacturers like Sony and Microsoft. The game's success could also lead to increased interest in video games and gaming overall, potentially leading to a renewed growth period for the industry. However, the development of GTA 6 has been marred by reports of crunch and other issues within Rockstar Games, highlighting the challenges faced by developers in the i...
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Mars Sample Return Science Continues Despite Budget Uncertainty

NASA's Perseverance rover has collected 26 of its 43 sample tubes on Mars, with 20 containing rock cores and 2 containing regolith. The rover is currently climbing up a river delta and scientists are planning the next phases of the rover's traverse, including heading to the crater rim for an "incredible diversity" of rocks. NASA is conducting a review of the Mars Sample Return (MSR) architecture, including the schedule and design of the mission, and is expected to release its revised plans by April. The mission is considered a top scientific priority by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and has been planned for decades. The mission has several compelling reasons to bring samples back from Mars, including advancing our understanding of the Red Planet's geological history, potential habitability, and processes that shape planets. Related reads Column: Mars rocks are a science prize the US can't afford to lose Mars Sample Return scien...
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Enhance Your Looks Before Joining Meetings with Google Meet's Latest Face Touch-Up Filters

Google Meet has introduced face touch-up filters for its web version, allowing users to subtly enhance their appearance before joining meetings. The filters include subtle and smoothing options, which provide natural-looking enhancements without dramatically altering users' appearance. The feature is only available to paid users on certain plans and provides a live preview of the effect before joining a call. Related reads Google Meet introduces face touch-up filters to web version - enhance your looks before joining meetings Google Meet's face touch-up filters come to desktop - The Verge Google Meet introduces face touch-up filters for desktop users
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Apple's AI Ambitions: What to Expect After Acquiring an AI Startup

Apple has acquired DarwinAI, a Canadian AI startup, with the goal of integrating the company's technology into its products. DarwinAI is known for its work in making AI systems smaller and faster, and has also worked on AI technology for visually inspecting components during manufacturing. Apple has already integrated dozens of DarwinAI's employees into the company, including co-founder Alexander Wong. The acquisition suggests that Apple is planning to use DarwinAI's technology to add more AI features to its products, particularly in the area of generative AI. While Apple's current use of AI in its products is limited to a few features in iOS 17 and the Apple Vision Pro, the company has hinted at incorporating more AI into its next operating system, iOS 18. Related read Apple Bought an AI Startup: What to Know About Its AI Plans
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Sony's PS5 Pro Teases PSSR Revolution

Rumored specifications for a potential Sony PS5 Pro and PlayStation 5 System-on-a-Chip Revision (PSSR) console. A custom APU with improved GPU performance, clocked at 2.18 GHz for FP32 calculations and 2.45 GHz for 8-bit integers. A GPU with 60 out of 64 available Compute Units, enabling machine-enhanced super resolution technology. Comparison to FSR2 (Fidelity Super Resolution) in terms of image quality, with the added advantage of dynamic input resolution and support for up to 8K output in the future. Related read Sony PlayStation 5 Pro teased with PSSR (Spectral Super Resolution) support
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