Colonial Pipeline paid a $5 million ransom—and kept a vicious cycle turning by WIRED on 2021-05-15 10:00 (#5HVJM) Stopping payments would go a long way to stopping ransomware.
China has successfully landed on Mars [Updated] by Eric Berger on 2021-05-15 01:00 (#5HTQQ) China has become only the second nation to make a soft landing on the red planet.
Pipeline attacker DarkSide suddenly goes dark—here’s what we know by Dan Goodin on 2021-05-14 21:25 (#5HV5X) The closure may mean the group is ceasing or altering ops—or pulling an exit scam.
Researchers force two mice to hang out and induce FOMO in a third by Ars Contributors on 2021-05-14 20:24 (#5HV3R) Synchronized activity between brains seems to be the key to socializing.
Despite big Marvel and Star Wars shows, Disney+ falls short of targets by Samuel Axon on 2021-05-14 18:47 (#5HTZ4) The limits to recent explosive streaming platform growth might be in sight.
ISPs claim broadband prices aren’t too high—Biden admin isn’t buying it by Jon Brodkin on 2021-05-14 18:38 (#5HTZ5) Biden still plans "bold action" to lower Internet prices despite heavy lobbying.
Mysterious health “attack” cases rise to 130, US officials confirm by Beth Mole on 2021-05-14 18:17 (#5HTZ6) The cases, linked to brain injuries, are still piling up, with one in the last few weeks.
TSMC is considering a 3 nm foundry in Arizona by Jim Salter on 2021-05-14 17:57 (#5HTZ7) The already planned 5 nm Arizona plant may be joined by a second, 3 nm plant.
Mount Vesuvius victims died just moments away from rescue by Kiona N. Smith on 2021-05-14 16:51 (#5HTTB) A skeleton unearthed at the site may belong to a high-ranking naval officer.
Multiple US agencies probing world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by Tim De Chant on 2021-05-14 16:43 (#5HTTC) The IRS, DOJ, and CFTC are looking at potential criminal violations.
Google Pixel 6 leak shows off distinctive new design by Ron Amadeo on 2021-05-14 16:37 (#5HTTD) Besides the all-new Google "Whitechapel" SoC, it's reportedly getting a new design.
After Epic v. Apple namecheck, Itch.io runs one-day-only dev-friendly promo by Sam Machkovech on 2021-05-14 16:31 (#5HTTE) Similar to "Bandcamp Fridays"—comes after Itch.io was disparaged in Epic v. Apple.
Ireland’s health care system taken down after ransomware attack by Eric Bangeman on 2021-05-14 16:17 (#5HTQP) Doctors left unable to access patient records after "very sophisticated" attack.
Rocket Report: Starship orbital flight details, Ariane 5 may delay Webb launch by Eric Berger on 2021-05-14 11:00 (#5HTA4) Also, Boeing's Starliner spacecraft gets a new launch date.
Lenovo’s new “Go” brand of travel gear kicks off with a wireless-charging mouse by Samuel Axon on 2021-05-13 22:18 (#5HSVG) Also announced: a 20,000 mAh portable charger for users' various devices.
New users can get 3 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for $1 today by Ars Staff on 2021-05-13 19:33 (#5HSMC) Dealmaster also has deals on iPhone cases, Garmin watches, and robot vacuums.
New analysis confirms hypothesis for source of mysterious auroral “dunes” by Jennifer Ouellette on 2021-05-13 19:24 (#5HSMD) Ongoing collaboration between physicists and amateur stargazers yields new insights.
Tesla owner who “drives” from back seat got arrested, then did it again by Jon Brodkin on 2021-05-13 18:57 (#5HSH2) Man jailed for leaving driver seat empty says he feels safer in back seat.
Vaccinated people can now go maskless in most indoor locations [Updated] by John Timmer on 2021-05-13 18:32 (#5HSH3) With vaccines generally available and highly effective, the US shifts its advice.
Microsoft Surface Duo fire sale puts device at 50% off by Ron Amadeo on 2021-05-13 16:59 (#5HS8V) Microsoft's weird dual-screen Android phone hits the bargain bin.
Microsoft puts Windows 10X variant on the back burner by Jim Salter on 2021-05-13 16:20 (#5HS6T) It looks like Microsoft is abandoning its plans for the tablet-focused distro.
Musk: Bitcoin is bad for climate (and you can’t buy Teslas with it anymore) by Tim De Chant on 2021-05-13 16:00 (#5HS6V) Tesla CEO flip-flops, says that environmental concerns drove the decision.
Biden signs executive order to strengthen US cybersecurity by Financial Times on 2021-05-13 15:31 (#5HS6W) Move comes after high-profile hacks, including attack on crucial fuel pipeline.
Congress fires warning shot at NASA after SpaceX Moon lander award by Eric Berger on 2021-05-13 14:44 (#5HS4T) "This bill, in the main, is not supposed to be about space."
Real robotaxi service gets a step closer in San Francisco (Updated) by Jonathan M. Gitlin on 2021-05-13 12:24 (#5HS0S) Waymo and Cruise have both applied for permits to deploy a commercial service.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition: Tests, thoughts, and a 10 am EDT Twitch stream by Sam Machkovech on 2021-05-13 12:00 (#5HS0T) If you can't make the morning Twitch stream, we still have tons of impressions to share.
Steam’s “price parity rule” isn’t wreaking havoc on game prices by Kyle Orland on 2021-05-13 10:45 (#5HRXG) Game publishers aren't "passing on the savings" from "cheaper" online storefronts.
Colonial Pipeline resumes operations after ransomware prompted closure by Dan Goodin on 2021-05-13 00:21 (#5HRJJ) Closure led to panic-buying, price hikes, and other disruptions in East Coast states.
Vizio TV buyers are becoming the product Vizio sells, not just its customers by Samuel Axon on 2021-05-12 22:01 (#5HRGD) Vizio's ads, streaming, and data business grew 133 percent year over year.
CDC advisory committee recommends COVID vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds by John Timmer on 2021-05-12 20:40 (#5HRFA) Formal approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech by the CDC expected within 24 hours.
Amazon’s 2nd-gen Echo Show offers better cameras, CPUs, and speakers by Jim Salter on 2021-05-12 20:12 (#5HRDX) Echo Show 8 features a 13mp wide-angle camera, 8-core CPU, and digital pan/zoom.
Better than holograms: 3D-animated starships can be viewed from any angle by Jennifer Ouellette on 2021-05-12 19:45 (#5HRDY) Unlike holograms, the optical trap display produces images viewable from all angles.
Xiaomi and the US government bury the hatchet, settle investment ban by Ron Amadeo on 2021-05-12 17:40 (#5HR99) Trump's DOD called Xiaomi a "Communist Chinese military company" in mid-January.
Neural implant lets paralyzed person type by imagining writing by John Timmer on 2021-05-12 17:03 (#5HR9A) A paralyzed individual hit 90 characters per minute, 99% accuracy.
$50 monthly broadband discounts available starting today via 825 ISPs by Jon Brodkin on 2021-05-12 16:36 (#5HR77) FCC's emergency pandemic fund is open, with 825 home and mobile ISPs participating.
Snap suspends Yolo, LMK anonymous messaging apps after lawsuit over teen’s death by Tim De Chant on 2021-05-12 16:23 (#5HR78) Lawsuit alleges messaging apps were “dangerous and defective.”
Valve’s Gabe Newell hints at vague console plans coming “this year” by Kyle Orland on 2021-05-12 15:31 (#5HR53) Indefinite tease comes during Q&A with New Zealand students.
J&J vaccine supply has run out; Emergent says it’s working on improvements by Beth Mole on 2021-05-12 14:57 (#5HR55) Vaccine production at Emergent's facility is still halted.
Volvo and Daimler bet on hydrogen truck boom this decade by Financial Times on 2021-05-12 10:45 (#5HQSZ) Swedish and German groups expect fuel to challenge diesel in long-distance freight.
Aston Martin’s new boss tells us about the future of the company by Jonathan M. Gitlin on 2021-05-11 23:01 (#5HQDT) Former AMG CEO Tobias Moers is now in charge of the British carmaker.
Famed Arthurian tale comes to silver screen in The Green Knight trailer by Jennifer Ouellette on 2021-05-11 22:09 (#5HQCV) "Honor. That is why a knight does what he does."
Rare fungal infections that destroy eyeballs and kill are on the rise in India by Beth Mole on 2021-05-11 21:40 (#5HQBC) People with diabetes are particularly vulnerable to the aggressive fungus.
Ransomware crooks post cops’ psych evaluations after talks with DC police stall by Dan Goodin on 2021-05-11 21:07 (#5HQBD) Babuk demands $4 million, Metropolitan Police Department offers $100,000.
Nvidia’s RTX 3050 brings ray tracing and DLSS to $800 laptops by Ron Amadeo on 2021-05-11 20:56 (#5HQ9K) Performance-boosting DLSS on entry-level laptops could be a big deal.
Github reverses takedown of reverse-engineered GTA source code by Kyle Orland on 2021-05-11 19:55 (#5HQ85) Identical fork is restored after DMCA counterclaim.
Intel claims its new Tiger Lake-H CPUs for laptops beat AMD’s Ryzen 5000 by Samuel Axon on 2021-05-11 19:39 (#5HQ86) Flagship Core i9-11980HK allegedly beats Ryzen 9 5900HX by 11 to 26 percent.
Our fave gentleman thief is back for revenge in trailer for Lupin part 2 by Jennifer Ouellette on 2021-05-11 18:55 (#5HQ87) Viewers frustrated by part 1's maddening cliffhanger won't have much longer to wait.
Baltimore chief prosecutor asks FCC to stop negative news coverage about her by Jon Brodkin on 2021-05-11 18:25 (#5HQ6P) First Amendment prevents FCC from punishing news station for its "tone."
Apple’s MagSafe wireless charger is on sale for a new low price today by Ars Staff on 2021-05-11 18:14 (#5HQ6Q) Dealmaster also has wireless headphones, Switch gear, and gaming monitors.
After many delays, Massachusetts’ Vineyard Wind is finally approved by John Timmer on 2021-05-11 18:14 (#5HQ6R) The new project will be over 20 times larger than anything built in the US.