Booga1 writes:Researchers explored a new range of colors using a different kind of laser vision. Direct laser stimulation of individual photoreceptors:
aliks writes:The stated aim is to promote better security by encouraging automation of certificate renewal, and this is the narrative promoted by vendors who will coincidentally benefit mightily from increased certificate and services sales.The story was picked up by most of the usual tech channels such as Computerworldhttps://www.computerworld.com/article/3960658/vendors-vote-to-radically-slash-website-certificate-duration.htmlwho have a decent summary of the likely consequences, but here is an exercept from the press release of one vendor: Sectigohttps://www.sectigo.com/resource-library/sectigo-cab-reduce-ssl-tls-certificates-lifespan-47-daysScottsdale, AZ - April 14, 2025 - Sectigo, a global leader in digital certificates and automated Certificate Lifecycle Management (CLM), today announced that the CA/Browser (CA/B) Forum ballot it endorsed to reduce the maximum validity term of SSL/TLS certificates to 47 days by 2029 has passed. This groundbreaking move to shorten digital certificate lifespans seeks to enhance online security, drive automation in certificate management, and ready systems for quantum computing challenges by improving crypto agility.The newly approved measure, initially proposed by Apple and endorsed by Sectigo in January 2025, will gradually reduce certificate lifespans from the current 398 days to 47 days through a phased approach:March 15, 2026: Maximum TLS certificate lifespan shrinks to 200 days. This accommodates a six-month renewal cadence. The Domain Control Validation (DCV) reuse period reduces to 200 days.
aliks writes:Glyn Moody writing for the techdirt.com site has a good summary of the status of Deepseek - with an added bonus of lots of links to his source material. Longish article, covering a lot of ground including usage of AI for social surveillance by the Chinese governmenthttps://www.techdirt.com/2025/04/14/deepseek-is-already-being-applied-widely-across-chinas-industries-and-used-for-government-surveillance-and-propaganda/
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-04/pope-francis-dies-on-easter-monday-aged-88.htmlPope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.Read more of this story at SoylentNews.
upstart writes:The Israeli spyware maker, still on the US Commerce Department's "blacklist," has hired a new lobbying firm with direct ties to the Trump administration, a WIRED investigation has found:
upstart writes:The new general AI agent from China had some system crashes and server overload-but it's highly intuitive and shows real promise for the future of AI helpers:
upstart writes:Modern science wouldn't exist without the online research repository known as arXiv. Three decades in, its creator still can't let it go.:
Tech Review has a short article that attempts to describe "vibe coding" and discuss some of the ramifications, https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/04/16/1115135/what-is-vibe-coding-exactly/
fliptop writes:Advanced Micro Devices (AMD.O), said on Tuesday its key processor chips would soon be made at TSMC's (2330.TW), opens new tab new production site in Arizona, marking the first time that its products will be manufactured in the United States:
upstart writes:Microsoft has begun the rollout of an AI-powered tool which takes snapshots of users' screens every few seconds.The Copilot+ Recall feature is available in preview mode to some people with Microsoft's AI PCs and laptops.It is the relaunch of a feature which was dubbed a "privacy nightmare" when it was first announced last year.Microsoft paused the rollout in 2024, and after trialling the tech with a small number of users, it has begun expanding access to those signed up to its Windows Insider software testing programme.The BBC has approached Microsoft for comment.Microsoft says Recall will be rolled out worldwide, but those based in the EU will have to wait until later in 2025.Users will opt in to the feature and Microsoft says they can "can pause saving snapshots at any time".The purpose of Recall is to allow PC users to easily search through their past activity including files, photos, emails and browsing history.For example, Microsoft says a person who saw a dress online a few days ago would be able to use the feature to easily locate where they saw it.Privacy campaigner Dr Kris Shrishak - who previously called Recall a "privacy nightmare" - said the opt-in mechanism is "an improvement", but felt it could still be misused."Information about other people, who cannot consent, will be captured and processed through Recall," he said.The feature is able to save images of your emails and messaging apps such as WhatsApp - meaning pictures and messages from others will be saved.This is no different to a user taking a screenshot themselves when they receive a message."Think of disappearing messages on Signal that is stored on Recall forever," he said.And he said he was concerned that malicious actors could exploit the images saved by Recall if they gained login access to a device.Original SubmissionRead more of this story at SoylentNews.
aliks writes:ArsTechnica has a story about a painted altar in the mesoAmerican city of Tikal, revealing clues about the Aztec takeover of Tikal a couple of thousand years ago.https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/04/painted-altar-in-maya-city-of-tikal-reveals-the-aftermath-of-an-ancient-coup/LIDAR scans effectively strip away the jungle revealing the ruins of ancient buildings and this has triggered a whole mass of new information. The original article is in Antiquity magazine for those who want more detail [link below]:Here is a quick summary: