More stories

  • in

    Anthropic flags AI’s potential to ‘automate sophisticated destructive cyber attacks’

    Just_Super/Getty Images Anthropic, maker of the Claude family of large language models, this week updated its policy for safety controls over its software to reflect what it says is the potential for malicious actors to exploit the AI models to automate cyber attacks.  The PDF document, detailing the company’s “responsible scaling policy,” outlines several procedural […] More

  • in

    Anthropic flags AI’s potential to ‘automate sophisticated destructive cyber attacks’

    Just_Super/Getty Images Anthropic, maker of the Claude family of large language models, this week updated its policy for safety controls over its software to reflect what it says is the potential for malicious actors to exploit the AI models to automate cyber attacks.  The PDF document, detailing the company’s “responsible scaling policy,” outlines several procedural […] More

  • in

    Sonos’ new Arc Ultra is its best soundbar by far – but it needs these 3 features to impress me

    Jada Jones/ZDNETSonos, a leading name in consumer audio, is known for its premium smart speakers, headphones, and soundbars. A soundbar is a simple way to elevate your TV-watching experience, and Sonos offers some of the best in the market. This week, Sonos introduced the Arc Ultra, the latest addition to its soundbar lineup and the successor to the 2020 Arc. The Arc Ultra brings incremental enhancements in dialogue clarity, audio transparency, and bass response. However, there are other key improvements that show Sonos has spent the last four years thoughtfully refining its flagship soundbar.  Also: Your Roku TV is about to get a major smart home upgrade – for freeWhile the Arc Ultra introduces some notable audio improvements, it remains largely similar to the original Arc. However, with the Arc turning four this summer, it’s worth considering the new model if you’re in the market for a premium Sonos soundbar. Here are three key things to know about the Arc Ultra. 1. Quality audio that goes beyond 2DThe Sonos Arc Ultra features Dolby Atmos technology and delivers a 9.1.4 spatial audio experience. This means nine horizontal audio channels, one subwoofer, and four up-firing channels, providing immersive sound that fills the entire room. Sonos also reconfigured the channel layout, focusing on enhancing the center channels. This improvement aims to deliver clearer dialogue and a wider soundstage. If that’s not enough, Sonos has introduced Speech Enhancement in the app for even greater clarity in TV dialogue.  Also: What is spatial audio? Here’s everything you need to knowThe Arc Ultra’s impressive audio system requires a large form factor to house multiple speakers and a built-in subwoofer. As a result, it may feel oversized if you’re pairing it with a small TV or using it in a compact space.Sonos is also promoting its new Sound Motion technology, designed to deliver enhanced audio quality, deeper bass, and better sound balance within a soundbar’s compact design. Sonos describes Sound Motion as “one of the most significant breakthroughs in audio engineering in nearly 100 years.” I’ll be putting this bold claim to the test when I review the Arc Ultra next month. More

  • in

    7 reasons to avoid the latest Windows 11 update (hint: they’re all bugs)

    Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNETAfter months of beta testing, Microsoft has officially released its major 2024 update for Windows 11. Known as Windows 11 24H2, the latest version enhances the Copilot AI, spruces up File Explorer, promises faster performance and greater stability, and kicks in other improvements.Also: Microsoft blocked your Windows 11 upgrade? This tool can fix thatWith the update now rolling to all Windows 11 users, you may find it popping up in the Windows Update screen on your PC. If so, you can certainly install it from there. Otherwise, the new version is accessible on Microsoft’s Download Windows 11 page where you can grab it through the Installation Assistant, through installation media, or as an ISO file.But wait. Before you dive into the 2024 update, you may want to reconsider. That’s because the new version comes with an array of bugs that could prevent you from fully using Windows the way you want and expect.Also: Why Spacedrive is the cross-platform file manager you didn’t know you neededMost of the glitches have been documented by Microsoft or reported by Windows users. Though no one bug is a show-stopper on its own, collectively, they present a good reason for holding off on this latest update until Microsoft can fix them.Here are just some of the issues you may bump into if you jump to the new version.1. System File Checker bugKnown as SFC, the Windows System File Checker scans your drive for corrupted system files and attempts to repair or replace any that are problematic. Running the command sfc /scannow at a prompt kicks off the scan. If any corrupted files are found, SFC automatically fixes them. Run the scan again, and your system should now get a clean bill of health. More

  • in

    When uBlock Origin stops working on Chrome soon, you’ll have 2 options

    David Malan/Getty Images According to the Google Chrome Web Store, uBlock Origin is now listed with the following warning: “This extension may soon no longer be supported because it doesn’t follow best practices for Chrome extensions.” uBlock Origin has been one of the most popular Chrome extensions for privacy and security because it does a […] More