Software news

Software

How randomness tames vast network problems

Networks are everywhere. They connect computers across the internet, carry electricity through power grids and represent transport routes for moving people and goods. Yet many problems that appear to have nothing to do with ...

Software

AI may cut junior coding tasks and weaken the pipeline to senior developers

New research suggests that generative artificial intelligence (AI) could weaken not only employment opportunities for junior software developers but also the pathway through which they develop into senior professionals.

Software

A 60-year-old computing strategy gets an update for AI-era data centers

When a website loads quickly or an operating system runs smoothly, you can thank caching—a widely used computing process for fast data access that works by storing frequently used pieces of data in a computer's memory.

Software

'End of an era': Players lament decline of the disc at Gamescom

Some video game fans are flabbergasted at Sony's decision, announced at Germany's Gamescom trade show, to discontinue disc sales starting in 2028—leading to calls for a boycott.

Software

New system recognizes masked faces using eyes and forehead

A face-recognition system that can identify people even if they are wearing a face mask covering their nose and mouth is discussed in the International Journal of Computational Vision and Robotics. The new system uses biometrics ...

Software

'Appy marriages: AI helps hundreds of Japanese wed

A total of 265 couples have married after meeting on an AI-powered dating app launched by the Tokyo government in 2024 to lift Japan's low birth rate, according to official data.

Software

Daydreaming algorithm helps AI remember what matters

During the day, our brain acquires new memories; at night, during sleep, it consolidates the important ones and eliminates the useless ones. A similar principle has been applied to Hopfield networks, one of the classic models ...

Software

Reliably detecting and clearly explaining deepfake images

Artificial intelligence can now generate images that are virtually indistinguishable from real ones. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation IOSB have developed RealOrRender, ...

Software

Blueprint for the perfect coronavirus app

Many countries are turning to digital aids to help manage the COVID-19 pandemic. ETH researchers are now pointing out the ethical challenges, that need to be taken into account and the issues that need careful consideration ...

Internet

Google Maps displays traffic light locations

For millions of motorists around the globe, GPS traffic guidance has become indispensable. This week, Google confirmed it has been testing a feature that will make getting to where you want to go even easier: traffic light ...

Software

NOVID is the most accurate app for contact tracing

NOVID, a contact tracing app that anonymously traces users' exposure to COVID-19, is the first such app in the world to demonstrate the distance accuracy required to perform contact tracing without significant false positives. ...

Software

New open-source software aims to reduce cybersickness in VR use

Cybersickness, or motion sickness during the use of virtual reality, can be a major roadblock to the development and adoption of augmented and virtual reality technology. Now researchers at UTSA have built GingerVR, the first ...

Software

Getting real with immersive sword fights

Sword fights are often the weak link in virtual reality (VR) fighting games, with digital avatars engaging in battle using imprecise, pre-recorded movements that barely reflect the player's actions or intentions. Now a team ...

Software

'Hey Siri,' shortcut put to use against police abuse

The widespread protests against police brutality have created a buzz around a software shortcut letting people cue iPhones to start video recording during a traffic stop in case of misconduct by officers.

Software

Britain scraps virus tracing app for Google-Apple system

Britain scrapped plans to launch its own coronavirus contact tracing smartphone app because of technical problems and will now work on building one using technology supplied by Apple and Google, health authorities said Thursday.