From Ars Technica · 40 stories
Amazon Expands Prime Air Drone Delivery to Nearly 500 US Cities and Towns
Amazon announced plans to expand its Prime Air drone delivery service to nearly 500 US cities and towns by the end of 2024, a sixfold increase from its current footprint. The company aims to make 1 million drone deliveries this year, having already completed hundreds of thousands, with new metro areas including Chicago, Syracuse, Cleveland, Atlanta, and Boise.
Anthropic Settles $1.5 Billion in Landmark AI Copyright Case
A federal judge approved Anthropic's $1.5 billion settlement in a copyright lawsuit for training AI on pirated books. This decision deemed such training as fair use, marking a critical point in AI law. The payout, spread over 480,000 works, may resolve lingering legal disputes over AI use in copyrighted materials.
New York Imposes One-Year Moratorium on New Large Data Centers
Governor Kathy Hochul has enacted a one-year moratorium on the construction of new data centers with over 50 megawatts of power in New York State. The measure, the first of its kind in the United States, aims to address environmental and energy concerns while the state develops regulatory standards. The decision has sparked political backlash, with critics arguing it may hinder economic growth.
Cybersecurity Expert Sentenced for Role in BlackCat Ransomware Scams
Angelo Martino, a former ransomware negotiator, has been sentenced to 70 months for aiding the BlackCat ransomware gang. Collaborating with accomplices, he shared confidential negotiation details, causing victims to lose over $75 million. This highlights vulnerabilities within cybersecurity industries.
Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 Rocket Successfully Achieves Orbit on First Launch
Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 rocket has successfully reached orbit on its inaugural launch from Sriharikota, marking India's entry into the private satellite launcher market. This represents a significant milestone in India's space capabilities, allowing it to compete in the commercial space sector.
Google Launches Googlebooks: New Android-Based Laptops Starting at $899 with Deep Android Integration
Google has launched Googlebooks, a new line of laptops designed to integrate with Android phones, with pre-orders available now and general availability starting October 4. These premium devices, from partners Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo, run on an Android-based OS, feature high-end specifications, and are priced from $899. The platform emphasizes cross-device continuity, Material 3 Expressive UI, and includes Gemini AI capabilities.
Apple Releases New Mac Studio with M5 Ultra Chip, Targeting Local AI and Pro Workloads
Apple has launched updated Mac Studio models featuring the new M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips, replacing the M4 Max and M3 Ultra. The M5 Ultra model, with up to a 36-core CPU and 80-core GPU, demonstrates significant performance gains, including up to 30% faster CPU performance and 63% higher GPU rendering scores compared to the M3 Ultra. This update positions the Mac Studio as Apple's high-end desktop, particularly for AI developers and demanding visual effects professionals, and is noted for its ability to run local AI models efficiently.
Google DeepMind and Google Research Release WeatherNext 3 AI Weather Model
Google DeepMind and Google Research have released WeatherNext 3, an AI model for global weather forecasting. The model provides hourly predictions with higher resolution, leveraging real-time satellite observations, and has demonstrated higher accuracy than other leading AI and traditional forecasting systems in independent evaluations.
xAI Sues South Carolina Man Over Grok-Generated Sexual Images
xAI has initiated a lawsuit against Terry Wayne Harwood, alleging misuse of its Grok AI to generate child sexual abuse material (CSAM). This legal action, driven by Harwood's alleged bypassing of Grok's safeguards, underscores the challenges AI companies face in preventing abuse of their technology.
Google may soon allow customization of Gemini voice parameters
Google's upcoming Gemini update could enable users to customize voice characteristics such as Energy, Formality, Speed, and Warmth. This feature will enhance user interaction with Gemini across various applications, likely improving personalization options for voice interactions.
AI Companies Source Old Books for Training Data, Avoiding AI-Generated Text
AI companies are increasingly purchasing printed books published before 2022 as training data to avoid contamination from AI-generated text. ISBNdb facilitates bulk acquisitions, claiming these books provide high-quality, curated information that doesn't suffer from issues like model collapse.
Twitch Streamers Can Now Opt Out of Content Being Used for Amazon AI Training
Twitch has introduced an opt-out setting allowing streamers to prevent their content from being used to train Amazon's generative AI models. This change means streams, video-on-demand (VODs), clips, stream chats, and channel images/text will not be used for future AI model training if the user opts out. The setting is enabled by default, requiring users to manually disable it.
New "Pass-ta-key" Attacks Bypass Passkey Protections in Google Password Manager
Researchers from Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42 have identified three "Pass-ta-key" attack methods that allow malware on compromised Windows machines to bypass passkey protections in Chrome's Google Password Manager. These attacks exploit how Chrome stores device keys and re-enrolls devices, enabling silent authentication, installation of attacker-controlled keys, or extraction of synced passkey private keys, demonstrating vulnerabilities in passkey implementations when an endpoint is already compromised.
Google Play Store now hosts rival app stores in the US, starting with Aptoide Games
Google has begun listing third-party app stores directly within the Google Play Store in the United States, a change resulting from a 2024 legal ruling in its antitrust case with Epic Games. Aptoide Games is the first such store available, allowing users to install alternative app distribution channels without sideloading. A US District Judge has since ordered Google to improve the discoverability of these stores within the Play Store.
Zoom Patches Critical Vulnerability Allowing Device Takeover During Screen Sharing
Zoom has patched critical vulnerabilities in its video conferencing platform that allowed attackers to remotely execute code and take over devices during screen-sharing sessions. Discovered by A Security using fewer than 20 AI prompts, the flaw affected all supported operating systems and required no victim interaction, highlighting the increasing accessibility of advanced exploit development.
eBay and Former Executives Settle Harassment Lawsuit for $56 Million
eBay and several former executives have agreed to pay approximately $56 million to Ina and David Steiner, publishers of EcommerceBytes, to resolve a 2021 civil lawsuit. The settlement stems from a 2019 harassment and cyberstalking campaign orchestrated by former eBay employees in retaliation for the couple's critical reporting on the company. This resolution follows criminal charges and prison terms for some of the former eBay employees involved.
Bipartisan Bill Proposes AI 'Kill Switch' Mandating Shutdown Capabilities
Reps. Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) introduced the "AI Kill Switch Act," requiring developers of powerful AI models to implement shutdown or throttling capabilities. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) could order these actions in specific "loss-of-control" scenarios, such as those involving significant casualties or economic damage, with non-compliance facing fines up to $20 million per day.
HalluSquatting Attack Exploits AI Hallucinations to Form Botnets
The "HalluSquatting" attack exploits AI hallucinations to inject malicious commands into coding assistants, potentially creating botnets. Researchers from Tel Aviv University and other institutions demonstrated that attackers can pre-register fictitious software names generated by AI. AI models' tendency to hallucinate and act on fake package names can expose systems to widespread malware deployment.
Microsoft Launches MAI-Cyber-1-Flash and Perception for AI Cybersecurity
Microsoft introduced MAI-Cyber-1-Flash, its first AI model specialized in cybersecurity, and Project Perception, an agentic security platform. These tools are designed to identify and remediate software vulnerabilities, with MAI-Cyber-1-Flash integrated into Microsoft's MDASH harness. The company claims the new offerings outperform competitor models on benchmarks and reduce operational costs.
OpenAI Launches $230 Codex Micro Keyboard for AI Coding Assistants
OpenAI has introduced the Codex Micro, a $230 RGB-lit mini-keyboard designed in collaboration with Work Louder to enhance user interaction with Codex AI agents. The device features color-coded keys for live feedback, a joystick, and rotary controls to streamline coding tasks. The Codex Micro represents OpenAI's first foray into branded hardware as the company faces a separate legal battle with Apple.
PamStealer Malware Targets macOS for Credential Theft Using Apple's PAM
Researchers have discovered PamStealer, a macOS malware that uses Apple's PAM interface to steal user credentials. This sophisticated malware employs a two-stage delivery system, disguising as the clipboard manager Maccy and utilising stealthy JavaScript for Automation. It highlights emerging threats in macOS security exploiting native Apple frameworks for credential theft.
OpenAI Proposes 5% Equity Stake to U.S. Government Amid AI Industry Scrutiny
OpenAI is in early discussions with the U.S. government to potentially sell a 5% equity stake to foster better relations. This proposal may expand to other AI firms like Google and Meta as a way to share AI-driven wealth with the public. The initiative comes amid increasing governmental scrutiny over AI developments and deployment.
Tesla Reports 25% Increase in Q2 2026 Vehicle Deliveries, Exceeding Expectations
Tesla reported a 25% year-over-year increase in vehicle deliveries for Q2 2026, totaling 480,126 units. This represents a recovery in sales after two years of decline, driven largely by strong demand for the Model 3 and Model Y. The growth exceeded Wall Street expectations but did not prevent a subsequent 7% drop in Tesla's stock price.
New PlayStation 5 Jailbreak Supports Firmware Versions 7.00 to 13.60
A new jailbreak for the PlayStation 5 has been released, supporting firmware versions from 7.00 up to 13.60. This exploit allows for kernel read/write access, enabling custom payloads and potentially unauthorized software on the console.
Meta ran ads promoting AI-generated child sexual abuse material, including real children
Meta displayed 332 ads containing AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on Facebook and Instagram, some featuring real children, which remained active for days. The ads, primarily for Chinese AI apps and "nudify" tools, violated federal child pornography laws and depicted minors, including a royal family member and an Instagram influencer, in sexually explicit AI-generated content.
Apple Reports Q3 2026 Earnings: $109.4 Billion Revenue, Stock Drops on Supply Concerns
Apple reported $109.4 billion in revenue for its third fiscal quarter of 2026, a 16% increase year-over-year, with net profit reaching $29.8 billion. Despite strong overall financial performance, the company's stock fell approximately 10% due to concerns over slowing Services growth and worsening supply chain constraints expected to impact future quarters.
FBI and CISA Warn of Russian Phishing Attacks on Signal and WhatsApp Accounts
The FBI and CISA have issued an updated warning about Russian intelligence phishing campaigns targeting Signal and WhatsApp accounts. Attackers are using Signal Backup Recovery Keys to hijack accounts, and the U.S. is offering a $10 million reward for information on the group responsible. The campaign has compromised thousands of accounts of high-profile targets, including government officials and journalists.
Rumored features of Apple Watch Series 12 include new chip and health upgrades
Apple Watch Series 12 is rumored to feature a new CPU, improved battery life, enhanced health features, and a new watch face design. These updates aim to improve performance and user experience as Apple expands its health monitoring capabilities.
Microsoft discontinues 'Copilot Plus PC' branding for new Surface devices
Microsoft is no longer using the 'Copilot Plus PC' brand for its new 12-inch Surface Pro and 13-inch Surface Laptop, despite these devices meeting the technical requirements. This change indicates a shift away from the branding, which was originally intended to highlight PCs with built-in AI capabilities.
Discord Implements New Age Assurance System Based on Account Signals
Discord is rolling out an updated age assurance system that automatically assigns users to an age group (13-17 or 18+) using account signals like account age and server participation. This change responds to expanding age assurance laws in regions such as Texas and Brazil, aiming to comply with regulations while addressing user privacy concerns regarding previous verification methods.
Tesla Cybercab Public Launch Nears in Austin Amidst Safety Concerns
Tesla is preparing for the public launch of its two-seater Cybercab in Austin, Texas, potentially as early as this month. The driverless vehicle, which operates without a steering wheel or pedals, relies on Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software, raising questions about its readiness for public roads given ongoing regulatory scrutiny and safety concerns.
Sony Music and Warner Chappell Sue Anthropic for Copyright Infringement
Sony Music and Warner Chappell have filed a lawsuit against Anthropic, alleging the AI company used "tens of thousands" of copyrighted works without permission to train its Claude AI models. The suit seeks up to $150,000 per work, potentially totaling billions, and names Anthropic's co-founders as individual defendants, claiming they were involved in illegal downloading of content.
Google Not Forced to Sell Ad Exchange After Antitrust Loss; Behavioral Remedies Imposed
A US federal judge ruled that Google will not be required to sell its online advertising exchange (AdX), despite losing an antitrust trial in 2025 where it was found to have illegally locked publishers into its exchange. The Department of Justice (DOJ) had sought the divestiture, but the court instead accepted undisclosed "behavioral remedies" that will mandate Google open its ad tech tools to rivals. This decision limits the structural penalties Google faces following the antitrust verdict.
China allows ByteDance and Tencent to import 10,000 H200 chips each for AI development
ByteDance and Tencent have reportedly received 10,000 NVIDIA H200 chips each, with China easing restrictions to support local AI model training. This move allows Chinese companies to better compete with American counterparts in AI development, despite previous US bans on H200 sales to China.
Cloudflare Open-Sources AI Productivity Platform Cloudflare OS for Enterprise Use
Cloudflare has open-sourced Cloudflare OS, an internal AI productivity environment designed to help employees use AI safely and productively. The platform provides an agent chat UI, sandboxed application development, and a security framework called Gatekeepers, allowing other companies to adapt and customize the system for their own AI workloads and internal operations.
Roblox commits to privacy changes after eSafety finds adult-child contact issues
Roblox has agreed to implement privacy changes on its platform following findings by Australia's eSafety commissioner that adults could still contact child accounts and view their profiles without parental consent. These changes aim to strengthen child account settings and prevent unsolicited contact, addressing concerns about compliance with online safety standards.
Google Assistant to be Replaced by Gemini on Android and Wear OS Starting September 4
Google will begin phasing out Google Assistant on Android phones, tablets, Wear OS devices, headphones, and Android Auto starting September 4. Users will no longer be able to use or switch back to Google Assistant on these platforms, with Gemini becoming the sole AI assistant experience for compatible devices in supported regions. This transition marks a significant shift in Google's mobile AI strategy.
Google Schedules August 12 Event for Pixel 11 and Pixel Watch 5 Launch
Google will host its Made by Google event on August 12, 2023, in New York City to unveil the Pixel 11 series, including possible new features like slimmer bezels, a new camera design, and increased base storage. The event will also introduce the Pixel Watch 5 and possibly new Pixel Buds Pro. Rising component costs may result in higher prices for the new devices, which start at 256GB of storage.
Amazon's Texas Data Center to be Powered by 7.65 GW Gas Plant, Permitted for 33 Million Tons CO2
Amazon is developing an AI data center in Pecos County, Texas, which will be powered by a 7.65 gigawatt natural gas plant. This plant is permitted to emit 33 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, potentially making it the largest single source of CO2 pollution in the U.S. This development contrasts with Amazon's commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040.
OpenAI Enters Hardware Market with Screenless AI Smart Speaker
OpenAI plans to launch its first hardware device, a screenless smart speaker integrated with ChatGPT, to be released by 2027. This AI-powered speaker will feature a camera, sensors, and mechanical elements for movement, aiming to create a humanlike interaction experience. The device faces challenges due to legal disputes with Apple and a competitive market landscape for smart speakers.