Apple disables end-to-end encryption for UK iCloud users after government push

Meanwhile, existing ADP users will have to block the feature manually during an unspecified grace period. It was essentially end-to-end encryption that stored the keys on the user’s rig instead of Apple. This doesn’t mean that encryption has been entirely disabled. It’s merely being downgraded to standard encryption, which still keeps things safe in transit. The only difference this time is that it’s Apple holding the decryption keys. However, Apple is clearly not waving the white flag just yet....

February 22, 2025 · 1 min · 131 words · Daryl Rivera

Nvidia is investigating RTX 50 crashes and black screen issues, but no fix date yet

The problems appear to have started when Nvidia’s latest 570 driver branch first launched. Issues range from minor stuttering and crashes in games to full-blown blue screens of death. It contained only a single fix relating to display stability after waking from sleep mode. Others havereportedthat downgrading to PCIe 4.0 has also helped. All this is far from ideal considering the ongoingpriceandavailability situationsurrounding these GPUs. Finding the cards in stock continues to be a battle....

February 22, 2025 · 1 min · 88 words · Courtney Sanchez

Scientists discover way to revive batteries by injecting fresh lithium

First, some context on why batteries degrade. Over time, this, along with electrode degradation and electrolyte breakdown, reduces the battery’s capacity. The usual solution is to replace the battery. There are a few caveats here, though. For one, the re-lithiation process requires specially designed batteries that allow pumping in the lithium slurry. This requires additional space and increases complexity compared to a standard sealed unit. The complete findings can befoundin the scientific journal Nature....

February 22, 2025 · 1 min · 77 words · Daniel Bruce

University of Minnesota sued by student who says AI expulsion was part of a conspiracy

Haishan Yang was working toward his second PhD from the University of Minnesota when he was expelled last year. It’s alleged that he used artificial intelligence tools to write his essays. 33-year-old Yang took a preliminary exam remotely while travelling to Morocco during the summer of 2024. He was allowed to use notes, reports, and books, but AI tools were not allowed. All four faculty graders of Yang’s exam expressed concerns that it was not written by the student....

February 22, 2025 · 2 min · 336 words · Brittney Wagner

Why Windows is Taking Forever to Shut Down? Explained with solutions

Users report their laptop takes so long to shut down after a Windows update. Whatever the reason, here are several methods to diagnose and fix ifWindows is Taking Forever to Shut Down. To deactivate the fast startup option ClickSave changes, kickstart your laptop, and test whether shutdown is faster. Removing these devices ensures that Windows does not hang while attempting to disconnect them safely. Close Background Processes Manually Applications running in the background can prevent Windows from shutting down quickly....

February 22, 2025 · 2 min · 249 words · Kevin Wright

Amazon MGM gains creative control over James Bond movie franchise

The deal represents a notable shift in Barbara Broccoli’s stance towards Amazon. For three decades, she had been the key decision-maker regarding the production of new Bond films. Broccoli had been vocal about her concerns regarding Amazon’s potential impact on the franchise. However, both parties have managed to overcome their differences. Wilson echoed this sentiment, stating their trust in Amazon MGM to lead James Bond into the future. Featured on TechSpot

February 21, 2025 · 1 min · 71 words · Stephanie Walker

Dark mode could drain more battery than light mode, BBC study says

Were we fed one big lie all along? !Conventional wisdom suggests that using dark mode on apps and websites helps conserve battery life on your devices. This process was repeated for both the light and dark mode versions of the page. Too often, the BBC team found that energy advice for developers lacks solid data to back it up. As a result, coders end up wasting effort on changes that don’t truly improve sustainability....

February 21, 2025 · 1 min · 121 words · Brandon Anthony

HP forced customers to wait 15 minutes for tech support - on purpose - backpedaled after backlash

Even HP’s customer service staff criticized the bafflingly dumb move. The Register reports that HP intentionallyforcedcustomers to wait 15 minutes when trying to reach tech support. The IVR system only mentioned the 15-minute wait time at the beginning of the call. The company said it was taking “decisive short-term action to generate warranty cost efficiencies.” Technology companies seeking quarterly profits above everything else have never been particularly good with customer support....

February 21, 2025 · 1 min · 106 words · Peter Roberts

Nvidia's RTX 5070 Ti vanishes in seconds as supply woes continue

Amazon and Micro Center also sold out of their online stock almost immediately. Its specificationsresemblethose of the RTX 4070, including the same disappointing 12GB VRAM capacity. Details on the RTX 5060 are scarce, and even less is known about the 5060 Ti. Meanwhile, AMD may offer serious competition as early as March with the Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT. Featured on TechSpot

February 21, 2025 · 1 min · 63 words · Ruth Mills

Scientists attach insect antennae to drones for smell-based navigation

This poses a challenge when surveying disaster-stricken areas, where visibility may be compromised. Additionally, aerial surveillance can be inefficient when there’s no clear target to track. To address these limitations, researchers took a creative approach giving drones the ability to detect scents. Previously, the research team developed a bio-hybrid prototype using insect antennae electrodes for odor detection. The antennae interface has also undergone a major upgrade for improved performance. A newly designed funnel, combined with a conductive coating, helps reduce airflow resistance and electrical noise....

February 21, 2025 · 1 min · 116 words · Danielle Mitchell

Sony former exec says the company is "printing money" by releasing PlayStation games on PC

He had already advocated for bringing PlayStation games to PC when Sony was still committed to strict console exclusivity. According to Yoshida, releasing a PlayStation game on PC is beneficial for several reasons. Those profits, in turn, help fund expensive new AAA projects for PlayStation. However, PS4 emulation is makingnotable progresson this front. Yoshida confirmed that China is a massive market, and PC releases are essential for reaching that audience.

February 21, 2025 · 1 min · 70 words · Joseph Waters

US soldier accused of leaking Donald Trump and Kamala Harris' call logs pleads guilty to phone records theft

He faces up to 20 years in jail if convicted. Krebs on Securityrevealedmore information about Wagenius, including his status as a US soldier. To show he was serious, he released a sample of the stolen data. The two are alleged to have netted around $2 million from the heist. Customers of Indian state-owned telecom firm BSNL are believed to have also been affected. Featured on TechSpot

February 21, 2025 · 1 min · 66 words · James Jensen

Users can now sign up for Meta's Community Notes on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads

As such, they were being replaced by Community Notes. Examples include background information or a tip that people might find useful. Notes will have a 500-character limit and must include a link. Community Notes will be rolled out in the United States over the next couple of months. Contributors will be removed from the wait list once the beta starts. No word yet on when the feature will arrive in other locations....

February 21, 2025 · 1 min · 108 words · Zachary Mullins MD