Actualités — Page199

Apple’s HomePod line has struggled to keep pace with the rapid evolution of smart‑speaker markets and the broader AI push. Launched years after Amazon and Google’s offerings, the HomePod arrived late, at a high price point, and with a Siri that fell short of consumer expectations. Subsequent versions, including the HomePod Mini and the second‑generation HomePod with Thread support, added incremental improvements but did not reshape the product’s market position. As AI assistants migrate toward smartphones and computers, Apple’s roadmap now points to a major Siri overhaul slated for 2026 and a new smart‑home hub expected no earlier than 2027, leaving the HomePod largely sidelined.Lire la suite

AegisAI, a new email security startup founded by former Google Safe Browsing and reCAPTCHA leaders Cy Khormaee and Ryan Luo, has emerged from stealth with a $13 million seed round co‑led by Accel and Foundation Capital. The company builds a network of autonomous AI agents that analyze every component of an email in real time to detect phishing, malware, and business‑email‑compromise threats. Early pilots in the United States and Europe have already added paying customers, and the team plans to expand its technical and go‑to‑market capabilities.Lire la suite

After years of speculation dating back to 2017, Spotify is finally introducing lossless audio streaming. The new tier‑less offering will reach Premium subscribers across 50 markets, starting with regions such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany and Japan. Users will receive in‑app notifications, enable lossless in the media quality settings, and see an indicator when listening. Initial device support includes Sony, Bose, Samsung and Sennheiser hardware, with Sonos and Amazon devices slated to follow. The service tops out at 24‑bit / 44.1 kHz FLAC, which is lower than the 24‑bit / 192 kHz offered by competitors like Apple Music, Tidal and Qobuz. YouTube remains the only major streaming platform without a lossless option.Lire la suite

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren has written to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanding details about a Department of Defense contract awarded to Elon Musk’s xAI, the maker of the Grok chatbot. Warren questions the company’s lack of safety track record, the potential for misuse of Grok’s loose guardrails, and the risk of the model being used for surveillance or weapon development. The contract, worth up to $200 million, also includes OpenAI, Anthropic and Google, but Warren’s letter focuses on xAI’s controversial history of generating offensive content and its limited safety reporting.Lire la suite

Nvidia released a fresh GeForce Game Ready driver that adds Borderlands 4 optimizations, including DLSS 4, Multi Frame Generation, and Reflex support, as well as enhancements for Dying Light: The Beast. At the same time the company refreshed its RTX Remix tool, adding fire and smoke particle capabilities for modders working on legacy titles. More than 165 games are now RTX Remix‑ready, and Nvidia highlighted its RTX 50‑series graphics cards now back in stock across major retailers.Lire la suite

Nikon has introduced the ZR, its first cinema camera co‑designed with RED. The hybrid model blends RED’s color science and video codecs with Nikon’s advanced subject‑detect autofocus and five‑axis in‑body stabilization. Featuring a partially stacked 24‑megapixel sensor with Dual Base ISO 800/6400 and 15+ stops of dynamic range, the ZR can record up to 12K RAW video and supports multiple RAW and ProRes formats. Built‑in 32‑bit float audio, versatile mic patterns, and a high‑brightness 4‑inch display round out a feature set aimed at creators seeking high performance at a lower price point.Lire la suite

Microsoft’s September update for Windows 11 introduces a suite of new features, many of which are tied to the Copilot+ AI platform. Highlights include a new Recall homepage, expanded AI Agent in Settings, customizable lock‑screen widgets, improved search layout, and a corrected CPU usage display in Task Manager. Additional refinements address Click‑to‑Do tutorials, a refreshed Windows Hello design, larger clock options, and clearer permission prompts. The update’s size, roughly 4 GB, carries AI models even for devices without Copilot+, prompting concerns about download time and storage impact.Lire la suite

Prime Video’s new thriller “The Girlfriend,” starring Robin Wright, Olivia Cooke, and Waleed Zuaiter, offers a tense, dual‑perspective narrative that keeps viewers guessing about reliability and motive. Set against a backdrop of strained marriages and secret affairs, the series uses alternating viewpoints to heighten suspense. Cast members highlight the demanding scenes in episodes five and six, while Wright’s dual role as actor‑director adds a layer of collaborative intensity. Executive producer Jonathan Cavendish praises Wright’s ability to judge performances on both sides of the camera, underscoring the series’ focus on nuanced character dynamics.Lire la suite

Pokémon Legends Z‑A pre‑orders are available at a range of retailers in the United States and United Kingdom, each offering its own exclusive free gift. U.S. shoppers can receive a set of Pokémon‑themed pins from Walmart or a tote bag from GameStop, while UK customers may obtain a sticker set from ShopTo or figurines and pins from Nintendo’s online store. The promotion also notes that console bundles, including the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, remain available for pre‑order at select outlets.Lire la suite

Spotify has begun rolling out its long‑awaited Lossless audio tier to Premium users across more than 50 regions, including the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. The feature, offered at no extra charge, provides up to 24‑bit/44.1 kHz FLAC playback and will be available for the majority of the catalog. Users must manually enable Lossless on each device, and the service recommends streaming over Wi‑Fi or wired connections because Bluetooth bandwidth is currently insufficient. The rollout will continue through October.Lire la suite

Apple introduced a live translation capability for its AirPods Pro 3, supporting English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish at launch, with plans for Italian, Japanese, Korean and simplified Chinese. The feature does not work in the EU, affecting its 450 million residents. Reviewers found the translation lagged behind natural conversation, struggled in noisy environments, and raised concerns about reduced cultural immersion and safety when users wear noise‑cancelling earbuds in public. While the technology is novel, its practical usefulness remains uncertain.Lire la suite

Apple introduced a bold new hue for its flagship iPhone 17 Pro: a deep, “cosmic orange” that wraps the aluminum body and camera bump. The shade aligns with current fashion runway trends and summer color palettes, and its timing coincides with pop‑culture moments such as Taylor Swift’s recent orange‑themed tour outfits. Reviewers praise the color’s vibrancy and its ability to stand out on a table, while the more muted silver and deep‑blue options provide alternatives. The launch marks a rare instance of Apple using a high‑impact color as its hero shade for a Pro model.Lire la suite

Apple introduced three updated smartwatches—Apple Watch SE 3, Apple Watch Series 11, and Apple Watch Ultra 3—each featuring the new S10 chip, always‑on displays, 5G connectivity, and watchOS 26. The SE 3 adds faster charging, sleep‑score analytics, and cellular 5G. The Series 11 retains its size options while offering a more scratch‑resistant glass, hypertension‑monitoring sensor, and a 24‑hour battery. The Ultra 3 maintains its rugged case but gains a larger OLED screen, up to 48‑hour battery life, and satellite texting. All models are available for preorder and ship later this month.Lire la suite

Apple introduced its iPhone 17 family during the Awe dropping event, adding the standard iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 ProMotion Max, and a new iPhone Air. The Air is the thinnest iPhone ever at 5.6 mm, features a 6.5‑inch ProMotion display, a single 48 MP fusion camera, and the A19 Pro processor. The iPhone 17 line brings larger 6.3‑inch displays, dual 48 MP cameras, and a revamped 18 MP front camera. The Pro models retain 6.3‑inch and 6.9‑inch screens, add a triple‑camera “plateau” bump, and sport bigger batteries. Pricing starts at $799 for the base iPhone 17 and $999 for the iPhone Air, with pre‑orders opening on a Friday and shipments following a week later.Lire la suite

Reddit disclosed that a recent machine‑learning translation test unintentionally generated English‑to‑English rewrites, causing a lesbian‑focused subreddit to be labeled as a space for “straight” women. The bug was quickly resolved and the test withdrawn, but the incident fueled speculation that Reddit was using generative AI to alter user content for SEO purposes. Moderators expressed frustration over the lack of advance notice and the inability to disable the feature, warning that similar glitches could harm community trust. Reddit’s spokesperson confirmed the issue was a test error and reiterated that the platform does not currently employ generative AI to modify user‑generated posts.Lire la suite

Anthropic introduced a file creation capability for its Claude AI model. While the company added safeguards—such as disabling public sharing for Pro and Max users, sandbox isolation for Enterprise, limited task duration, and domain allowlists—independent researcher Simon Willison warned that the feature still poses prompt‑injection risks. Willison highlighted that Anthropic’s advice to "monitor Claude while using the feature" shifts responsibility to users. He urged caution when handling sensitive data, noting that similar vulnerabilities have persisted for years. The situation underscores ongoing challenges in AI security for enterprise deployments.Lire la suite

A comprehensive look at modern keyboards covers size and layout choices, ergonomic designs that promote better posture, and the variety of mechanical switch types that affect feel and sound. It also explores wired versus wireless connectivity and how each option fits different user needs, from office work to gaming.Lire la suite

Gaming laptops are emerging as versatile tools for students, offering the performance needed for demanding coursework while still delivering solid gaming experiences. Modern models balance powerful CPUs and GPUs with lighter designs, multiple ports, and features like touchscreens that aid productivity. While they may weigh more than ultra‑light notebooks and have shorter battery life, their ability to handle video editing, 3D rendering, and other intensive tasks makes them a compelling option for those who want a single device for both school and entertainment.Lire la suite

Beats has launched a new collection of cases designed for Apple’s latest iPhone 17 lineup. The highlight is a removable lanyard that doubles as a magnetic kickstand, offering hands‑free viewing and added security for mobile users on the go. The lineup also includes a slim, lightweight case with a microfiber interior and a rugged model featuring impact‑absorbing sidewalls and an enclosed bottom. Each design is offered in a range of colors and priced between $45 and $79, positioning Beats as a versatile accessory maker for iPhone 17 owners.Lire la suite

Apple’s latest lineup pits the ultra‑thin iPhone Air against the flagship iPhone 17 Pro. Both run the same A19 Pro chip and share many core features, but they diverge in size, camera systems, battery capacity and price. The Air emphasizes a slim titanium body and lighter weight, while the Pro offers a triple‑camera array, higher video frame rates and longer video playback. Understanding these trade‑offs helps buyers decide whether they prioritize style and cost or full‑spec performance.Lire la suite