Software news

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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

EPFL researchers put proximity tracing app to the test

Over the past two weeks, EPFL computer scientists have been testing and refining the smartphone-based system developed by the international Decentralized Privacy-Preserving Proximity Tracing project (DP3T), with the help ...

Software

Apple, Google say users to control virus 'tracing' tool

Apple and Google said Friday their coronavirus "contact tracing" technology would enable smartphone users to control their own data, and that the system would likely be shut down after the pandemic ends.

Software

Facebook launches app for livestream gaming

Facebook on Monday launched a standalone gaming app, allowing users to create and watch livestreams of games in a challenge to the Amazon-owned Twitch platform.

Software

Zoom rolls out new measures as security fears mount

Videoconferencing platform Zoom is rolling out a number of measures meant to stem criticism over how it has handled security as users flock to the application during the coronavirus pandemic.

Software

Public trust key, EU insists, in developing virus apps

The European Union is urging its 27 member countries to make the use of mobile telephone tracing apps voluntary and to apply similar standards to ensure that national systems can work together in fighting the spread of the ...

Software

As more work from home, Dell unveils new BIOS shield

As millions of employees are suddenly working from home, computer security threats are on the rise. The sudden rush to set up home offices means many users working on insufficiently protected devices are exposing businesses ...

Software

EU looks to apps as way of easing virus lockdown

As the EU's economy reels from virus lockdowns, Brussels unveiled a proposed roadmap on Wednesday to ease restrictions on life and businesses, relying in large part on smartphone tracking apps.

Software

Google introduces braille keyboard for Android

Google released a built-in virtual Braille keyboard for blind and visually impaired users last week. The new TalkBack keyboard was enabled Thursday on devices running Android 5.0 or later. Distribution will continue throughout ...

Software

Apple, Google to harness phones for virus infection tracking

Apple and Google fueled hopes for digital technology's promise against a fast-moving, invisible killer, announcing a joint effort to help public health agencies worldwide leverage smartphones to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.