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Image: Crystal Dynamics

Embracer Group, the gaming giant that has the rights to big franchises like The Lord of the Rings and Tomb Raider, detailed how it’s thinking about the use of artificial intelligence for game development in its latest annual report.
The conglomerate, which recently split into three separate companies, has adopted a “Group AI Policy” that it says is based on the notion of “empowerment.” While the report doesn’t include the text of the policy, there’s a chunk of text in the report’s “Risk and Mitigation Overview” section that seems to offer a summary of its stance on AI:

AI has the capability to massively enhance game development by increasing resource efficiency, adding intelligent behaviors, personalization, and optimization to gameplay experiences. By leveraging AI, we create more engaging and immersive experiences that provide each player with a unique, dynamic, and personalized experience. We also see great opportunities for AI in game development speed, logistics and planning. Embracer Group also understands the potential risks associated with the use of AI.
Our aim is to empower our employees with AI applications.

Developers have expressed concerns about the use of AI in making games and how AI might affect their jobs. Those concerns might be particularly high regarding any AI initiatives from Embracer given the company’s recent layoffs. But Tomas Hedman, Embracer’s head of privacy and AI governance, says the company doesn’t want to use AI in place of humans.
“We do not want to replace people with AI, we want to empower them,” according to a statement from Hedman in the report. “This is the core of our human-centric approach to leveraging the potential with AI.” Hedman also argues that AI can “open up coding to a broader group of developers” by lowering the barrier to making games.
That said, Embracer believes it needs to adopt AI to stay competitive. In a heat map, Embracer identifies “non implementation of AI” as a potential “major” risk. “Not using AI for relevant tasks within Embracer Group will lead to us losing competitiveness and being outrun by our competitors,” the company says. Embracer also tracks AI governance as a potential risk, noting that the use of AI is “subject to general as well as specific laws and requirements.”

Image: Crystal Dynamics

Embracer Group, the gaming giant that has the rights to big franchises like The Lord of the Rings and Tomb Raider, detailed how it’s thinking about the use of artificial intelligence for game development in its latest annual report.

The conglomerate, which recently split into three separate companies, has adopted a “Group AI Policy” that it says is based on the notion of “empowerment.” While the report doesn’t include the text of the policy, there’s a chunk of text in the report’s “Risk and Mitigation Overview” section that seems to offer a summary of its stance on AI:

AI has the capability to massively enhance game development by increasing resource efficiency, adding intelligent behaviors, personalization, and optimization to gameplay experiences. By leveraging AI, we create more engaging and immersive experiences that provide each player with a unique, dynamic, and personalized experience. We also see great opportunities for AI in game development speed, logistics and planning. Embracer Group also understands the potential risks associated with the use of AI.

Our aim is to empower our employees with AI applications.

Developers have expressed concerns about the use of AI in making games and how AI might affect their jobs. Those concerns might be particularly high regarding any AI initiatives from Embracer given the company’s recent layoffs. But Tomas Hedman, Embracer’s head of privacy and AI governance, says the company doesn’t want to use AI in place of humans.

“We do not want to replace people with AI, we want to empower them,” according to a statement from Hedman in the report. “This is the core of our human-centric approach to leveraging the potential with AI.” Hedman also argues that AI can “open up coding to a broader group of developers” by lowering the barrier to making games.

That said, Embracer believes it needs to adopt AI to stay competitive. In a heat map, Embracer identifies “non implementation of AI” as a potential “major” risk. “Not using AI for relevant tasks within Embracer Group will lead to us losing competitiveness and being outrun by our competitors,” the company says. Embracer also tracks AI governance as a potential risk, noting that the use of AI is “subject to general as well as specific laws and requirements.”

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It’s the ideal power bank if your office never stops moving. | Photo: Anker

My army of portable chargers is eight soldiers strong. It’s a little ridiculous, but the variety gives me flexibility to pick the perfect charger for the day’s needs, whether it’s my sleek MagSafe charger to keep my iPhone going on longer days or a bigger brick for my iPad, camera, and other devices when I anticipate heavier usage. My collection ballooned as charging tech improved over the years, but it’s way more than any one person needs.

I’m hoping to consolidate my kit with the Anker Prime 27,650mAh Power Bank (250W) I’ve been eyeing, and now seems a decent time to buy since it’s matching its all-time low of $124.99 ($55 off) at Amazon and directly from Anker with code WS7DV2MTYMJV. It’s compatible with an optional $69.99 magnetic charging base, but you can also use the included 140W charging cable to top up the power bank or charge your USB-C devices.

For most techies, a $125 power bank is absolutely overkill. If all you’re worried about charging is a phone and perhaps a Nintendo Switch or a pair of earbuds on the occasional extended outing, you could easily get by with something half the price. But it’s easier to justify expanding your budget for something like this when you regularly tote laptops, tablets, cameras, and other gear that you can’t wait around forever to charge.
It’s a little chunkier and heavier than the average power bank — it’s just small enough to be “portable” but definitely not meant for pockets — however, the 27,650mAh capacity may be worth the heft. Starting from 100 percent, it should fully charge smaller laptops like a MacBook Air with room to spare, and devices with smaller batteries can get several extra cycles. Cheaper power banks can, too, but you’re really paying for the charging bandwidth here.
The 250W maximum throughput (the fastest available from Anker’s smaller options) splits across two USB-C ports that can charge devices at up to 140W each (if used alone) and a USB-A port that can go up to 65W. If you’re charging two devices, you can simultaneously pull up to 140W and 100W from each USB-C port or 140W and 65W from USB-C and USB-A.
With three devices, the USB-C ports still offer plenty of headroom at 140W and 92W, but the USB-A port takes a steep drop to 18W — still suitable for charging a phone or smaller accessories at decent speeds. One caveat in all of this: a built-in mechanism periodically throttles charging speeds when the power bank is below 55 percent capacity, which Anker deems necessary for preserving long-term battery health.
I also like the built-in display that shows the power bank’s total capacity and how much time remains before it’s fully charged (Anker claims it can go from empty to full in as little as 37 minutes), plus the current power being delivered to each port. There’s also a companion app that’ll show all of this, plus a feature that makes the power bank emit a sound to help you locate it.

It’s the ideal power bank if your office never stops moving. | Photo: Anker

My army of portable chargers is eight soldiers strong. It’s a little ridiculous, but the variety gives me flexibility to pick the perfect charger for the day’s needs, whether it’s my sleek MagSafe charger to keep my iPhone going on longer days or a bigger brick for my iPad, camera, and other devices when I anticipate heavier usage. My collection ballooned as charging tech improved over the years, but it’s way more than any one person needs.

I’m hoping to consolidate my kit with the Anker Prime 27,650mAh Power Bank (250W) I’ve been eyeing, and now seems a decent time to buy since it’s matching its all-time low of $124.99 ($55 off) at Amazon and directly from Anker with code WS7DV2MTYMJV. It’s compatible with an optional $69.99 magnetic charging base, but you can also use the included 140W charging cable to top up the power bank or charge your USB-C devices.

For most techies, a $125 power bank is absolutely overkill. If all you’re worried about charging is a phone and perhaps a Nintendo Switch or a pair of earbuds on the occasional extended outing, you could easily get by with something half the price. But it’s easier to justify expanding your budget for something like this when you regularly tote laptops, tablets, cameras, and other gear that you can’t wait around forever to charge.

It’s a little chunkier and heavier than the average power bank — it’s just small enough to be “portable” but definitely not meant for pockets — however, the 27,650mAh capacity may be worth the heft. Starting from 100 percent, it should fully charge smaller laptops like a MacBook Air with room to spare, and devices with smaller batteries can get several extra cycles. Cheaper power banks can, too, but you’re really paying for the charging bandwidth here.

The 250W maximum throughput (the fastest available from Anker’s smaller options) splits across two USB-C ports that can charge devices at up to 140W each (if used alone) and a USB-A port that can go up to 65W. If you’re charging two devices, you can simultaneously pull up to 140W and 100W from each USB-C port or 140W and 65W from USB-C and USB-A.

With three devices, the USB-C ports still offer plenty of headroom at 140W and 92W, but the USB-A port takes a steep drop to 18W — still suitable for charging a phone or smaller accessories at decent speeds. One caveat in all of this: a built-in mechanism periodically throttles charging speeds when the power bank is below 55 percent capacity, which Anker deems necessary for preserving long-term battery health.

I also like the built-in display that shows the power bank’s total capacity and how much time remains before it’s fully charged (Anker claims it can go from empty to full in as little as 37 minutes), plus the current power being delivered to each port. There’s also a companion app that’ll show all of this, plus a feature that makes the power bank emit a sound to help you locate it.

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Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time was Ubisoft’s breakout hit of 2003, but the company’s cult classic Beyond Good & Evil, released just two weeks later, will beat it to an upgraded rerelease. Ubisoft has released a trailer for Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition that confirms it’ll arrive next Tuesday, June 25th — just five days after I write these words.
I hope it stands up because I remember it as a phenomenal game. Jade and her pig buddy Pey’j were memorable characters with a remarkably lived-in sci-fi world, where you wield a camera and a mean stick rather than resorting to gunplay. It struck enough of a chord that gamers have been clamoring for a sequel ever since — but Beyond Good & Evil 2 has now been stuck in development hell for 15 years, longer than even the infamous Duke Nukem Forever.

Image: Ubisoft
The camera is your most important tool in BG&E.

Here’s how Ubisoft’s trailer description describes the 20th Anniversary Edition remaster:
Embark on this epic adventure in up to 4K, 60fps with improved graphics, controls and audio. Explore the anniversary gallery, and discover more about Jade’s childhood in the new treasure hunt!
The trailer also mentions a “reorchestrated soundtrack.” Last year, we were also told it would have autosave and cross-save features, which could make it a good bit more pick up and play than the original, since 2003 was still the era of save points in video games. I’ll probably play it handheld!
We knew the remaster was coming — Ubisoft even accidentally released an unfinished version of the game last November and was forced to confirm its existence early! And earlier today, it deleted a tweet that accidentally revealed the June 25th release date, too. The game’s trophies leaked earlier this month. And Ubisoft also appears to have delisted the original game from Steam, though — as usual — existing owners like me can still download it just fine. Let me know if you see that change.
Meanwhile, the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake, which should be a ground-up redo rather than a remaster and has also seen its share of delays and even complete development reboots, is now coming in 2026.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time was Ubisoft’s breakout hit of 2003, but the company’s cult classic Beyond Good & Evil, released just two weeks later, will beat it to an upgraded rerelease. Ubisoft has released a trailer for Beyond Good & Evil 20th Anniversary Edition that confirms it’ll arrive next Tuesday, June 25th — just five days after I write these words.

I hope it stands up because I remember it as a phenomenal game. Jade and her pig buddy Pey’j were memorable characters with a remarkably lived-in sci-fi world, where you wield a camera and a mean stick rather than resorting to gunplay. It struck enough of a chord that gamers have been clamoring for a sequel ever since — but Beyond Good & Evil 2 has now been stuck in development hell for 15 years, longer than even the infamous Duke Nukem Forever.

Image: Ubisoft
The camera is your most important tool in BG&E.

Here’s how Ubisoft’s trailer description describes the 20th Anniversary Edition remaster:

Embark on this epic adventure in up to 4K, 60fps with improved graphics, controls and audio. Explore the anniversary gallery, and discover more about Jade’s childhood in the new treasure hunt!

The trailer also mentions a “reorchestrated soundtrack.” Last year, we were also told it would have autosave and cross-save features, which could make it a good bit more pick up and play than the original, since 2003 was still the era of save points in video games. I’ll probably play it handheld!

We knew the remaster was coming — Ubisoft even accidentally released an unfinished version of the game last November and was forced to confirm its existence early! And earlier today, it deleted a tweet that accidentally revealed the June 25th release date, too. The game’s trophies leaked earlier this month. And Ubisoft also appears to have delisted the original game from Steam, though — as usual — existing owners like me can still download it just fine. Let me know if you see that change.

Meanwhile, the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake, which should be a ground-up redo rather than a remaster and has also seen its share of delays and even complete development reboots, is now coming in 2026.

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20th Century Studios

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ stunning visual effects are nothing short of astounding, but for the film’s upcoming home release, 20th Century Studios is giving you the ability to see the motion capture performances that were key in bringing the talking apes to life.
Though Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes will be available to download on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home starting on July 9th, you might want to wait until the movie’s physical release on August 27th when the 4K Ultra HD featuring Inside the Lens: The Raw Cut is in stores.

Image: 20th Century Studios

In an announcement about The Raw Cut, 20th Century Studios described it as a full-length, split-screen alternative cut that will allow viewers to see what the film looks like before its VFX are finished. In addition to spotlighting actors’ performances beneath the film’s VFX, The Raw Cut will also include optional commentary tracks from director Wes Ball, editor Dan Zimmerman, and VFX supervisor Erik Winquist.
Unfortunately, it seems like The Raw Cut won’t be included on Blu-ray and DVD copies of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (which will also be out on August 27th), but if it’s something you need to see, now might be the time to hop on the UHD bandwagon.

20th Century Studios

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ stunning visual effects are nothing short of astounding, but for the film’s upcoming home release, 20th Century Studios is giving you the ability to see the motion capture performances that were key in bringing the talking apes to life.

Though Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes will be available to download on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home starting on July 9th, you might want to wait until the movie’s physical release on August 27th when the 4K Ultra HD featuring Inside the Lens: The Raw Cut is in stores.

Image: 20th Century Studios

In an announcement about The Raw Cut, 20th Century Studios described it as a full-length, split-screen alternative cut that will allow viewers to see what the film looks like before its VFX are finished. In addition to spotlighting actors’ performances beneath the film’s VFX, The Raw Cut will also include optional commentary tracks from director Wes Ball, editor Dan Zimmerman, and VFX supervisor Erik Winquist.

Unfortunately, it seems like The Raw Cut won’t be included on Blu-ray and DVD copies of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (which will also be out on August 27th), but if it’s something you need to see, now might be the time to hop on the UHD bandwagon.

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Anker’s new 2-in-1 USB-C charging cable could reduce the number of wires you need to wrangle by half. | Image: Anker

Anker’s trying something new that could potentially cut the number of cables you need to wrangle in half. Its 2-in-1 USB-C cable allows two devices to simultaneously charge from a single USB-C port with built-in “Smart Power Management” that automatically adjusts power distribution based on “each device’s power needs.”
The four-foot-long cable features a single USB-C port on one end that splits into a pair of USB-C ports on the other, each with a foot of cable that can be shortened as needed to keep things neat and tidy. It’s all wrapped in a durable sheath that Anker promises will survive “over 10,000 bends.”

Image: Anker
The twin USB-C ports on one end each have a foot of cable that can be shortened as needed.

Supporting the PD, PPS, and PIQ 2.0 USB power delivery protocols, Anker’s 2-in-1 charging cable can deliver up to 140W of power when connecting a single device to a power adapter. With two devices connected, such as a laptop and a smartphone, the maximum power delivery drops to 130W if one of the devices is drawing more than 100W. If neither device needs that much juice, the cable’s total power delivery is reduced and will not exceed 100W.
Anker has provided some additional details on how the 2-in-1’s automatic power management works. If two laptops are plugged in at the same time to a single USB-C power source, the first one plugged in will receive more power. When charging two devices from a slower 60W power adapter, such as a laptop and smartphone, the computer will only receive 30W of power, while the phone will be limited to just 13.5W. Not surprisingly, you’ll want to stick with a beefier USB-C power adapter to take full advantage of this 2-in-1 cable’s capabilities.
Data transfer is also supported, but unfortunately, Anker’s new 2-in-1 cable doesn’t function as a USB-C hub. Only the first device connected will be able to share data, and transfers are limited to 480Mbps USB 2.0 speeds.
Although we haven’t had the opportunity to test the new cable ourselves, it seems like it may require you to upgrade your USB-C power adapter to something with a little more kick. But at $25, the Anker 2-in-1 USB-C charging cable is a tempting upgrade if the inside of your everyday carry is looking like a rat’s nest of wires.

Anker’s new 2-in-1 USB-C charging cable could reduce the number of wires you need to wrangle by half. | Image: Anker

Anker’s trying something new that could potentially cut the number of cables you need to wrangle in half. Its 2-in-1 USB-C cable allows two devices to simultaneously charge from a single USB-C port with built-in “Smart Power Management” that automatically adjusts power distribution based on “each device’s power needs.”

The four-foot-long cable features a single USB-C port on one end that splits into a pair of USB-C ports on the other, each with a foot of cable that can be shortened as needed to keep things neat and tidy. It’s all wrapped in a durable sheath that Anker promises will survive “over 10,000 bends.”

Supporting the PD, PPS, and PIQ 2.0 USB power delivery protocols, Anker’s 2-in-1 charging cable can deliver up to 140W of power when connecting a single device to a power adapter. With two devices connected, such as a laptop and a smartphone, the maximum power delivery drops to 130W if one of the devices is drawing more than 100W. If neither device needs that much juice, the cable’s total power delivery is reduced and will not exceed 100W.

Anker has provided some additional details on how the 2-in-1’s automatic power management works. If two laptops are plugged in at the same time to a single USB-C power source, the first one plugged in will receive more power. When charging two devices from a slower 60W power adapter, such as a laptop and smartphone, the computer will only receive 30W of power, while the phone will be limited to just 13.5W. Not surprisingly, you’ll want to stick with a beefier USB-C power adapter to take full advantage of this 2-in-1 cable’s capabilities.

Data transfer is also supported, but unfortunately, Anker’s new 2-in-1 cable doesn’t function as a USB-C hub. Only the first device connected will be able to share data, and transfers are limited to 480Mbps USB 2.0 speeds.

Although we haven’t had the opportunity to test the new cable ourselves, it seems like it may require you to upgrade your USB-C power adapter to something with a little more kick. But at $25, the Anker 2-in-1 USB-C charging cable is a tempting upgrade if the inside of your everyday carry is looking like a rat’s nest of wires.

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Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

CDK Global, the company that provides management software for nearly 15,000 car dealerships in North America, is down for a second day following a cyberattack, according to a report from Automotive News. The outage has left car dealerships across North America unable to access the internal systems used to track car sales, view customer information, schedule maintenance, and more.
On Wednesday, CDK Global told dealerships that it’s “investigating a cyber incident” and “proactively shut all systems down” while addressing the issue. However, as reported by Automotive News, CDK Global restored its systems shortly after, only to shut them down hours later due to “an additional cyber incident.”
Many car dealerships have had to go back to pen and paper while CDK’s software is down. Teddy Morse, the CEO of the Ed Morse Automotive Group, tells Automotive News that the dealer “can still take a piece of paper and walk it over to the technician and get the job done.”
CDK Global hasn’t provided any information on the cyber incident that caused the attack — or who’s behind it. There’s no word on when CDK will restore its service, either. “At this time, we do not have an estimated time frame for resolution and therefore our dealers’ systems will not be available at a minimum on Thursday, June 20th,” CDK Global said in its message to dealers. The Verge reached out to CDK Global with a request for more information but didn’t immediately hear back.

Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

CDK Global, the company that provides management software for nearly 15,000 car dealerships in North America, is down for a second day following a cyberattack, according to a report from Automotive News. The outage has left car dealerships across North America unable to access the internal systems used to track car sales, view customer information, schedule maintenance, and more.

On Wednesday, CDK Global told dealerships that it’s “investigating a cyber incident” and “proactively shut all systems down” while addressing the issue. However, as reported by Automotive News, CDK Global restored its systems shortly after, only to shut them down hours later due to “an additional cyber incident.”

Many car dealerships have had to go back to pen and paper while CDK’s software is down. Teddy Morse, the CEO of the Ed Morse Automotive Group, tells Automotive News that the dealer “can still take a piece of paper and walk it over to the technician and get the job done.”

CDK Global hasn’t provided any information on the cyber incident that caused the attack — or who’s behind it. There’s no word on when CDK will restore its service, either. “At this time, we do not have an estimated time frame for resolution and therefore our dealers’ systems will not be available at a minimum on Thursday, June 20th,” CDK Global said in its message to dealers. The Verge reached out to CDK Global with a request for more information but didn’t immediately hear back.

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The new Apple Pencil Pro is compatible with Apple’s new iPad Pros and Airs, unlike the second-gen model. | Photo: David Pierce / The Verge

Unfortunately, if you’re looking at picking up the new iPad Pro or Air, you’re going to have to pay to upgrade your second-generation Apple Pencil, too. After all, the new tablets are only compatible with the new Apple Pencil Pro, but thankfully, today, there’s a deal to offset the cost slightly. Right now, Amazon and Walmart are selling the new Apple Pencil Pro for $119 ($10 off), which is the best price we’ve seen and the first real discount on the stylus since its debut.

Apple might have launched the more affordable USB-C Apple Pencil last year, but it lacks support for Find My and advanced creative features, like pressure sensitivity and double-tap tool switching. It also comes with new capabilities the second-gen Apple Pencil lacks, like the new “Barrel Roll” gyroscope, which lets you quickly turn your digital pen or brush by twisting the stylus as you draw. Apple also added a useful new squeeze gesture, which lets you switch between software functions so you can quickly navigate between menus and other tools you often use and even control your smart home. And of course, with the release of iPadOS 18 later this year, you’ll be able to do even more with the stylus, like solving math problems after writing them out.

The new Apple Pencil Pro is compatible with Apple’s new iPad Pros and Airs, unlike the second-gen model. | Photo: David Pierce / The Verge

Unfortunately, if you’re looking at picking up the new iPad Pro or Air, you’re going to have to pay to upgrade your second-generation Apple Pencil, too. After all, the new tablets are only compatible with the new Apple Pencil Pro, but thankfully, today, there’s a deal to offset the cost slightly. Right now, Amazon and Walmart are selling the new Apple Pencil Pro for $119 ($10 off), which is the best price we’ve seen and the first real discount on the stylus since its debut.

Apple might have launched the more affordable USB-C Apple Pencil last year, but it lacks support for Find My and advanced creative features, like pressure sensitivity and double-tap tool switching. It also comes with new capabilities the second-gen Apple Pencil lacks, like the new “Barrel Roll” gyroscope, which lets you quickly turn your digital pen or brush by twisting the stylus as you draw. Apple also added a useful new squeeze gesture, which lets you switch between software functions so you can quickly navigate between menus and other tools you often use and even control your smart home. And of course, with the release of iPadOS 18 later this year, you’ll be able to do even more with the stylus, like solving math problems after writing them out.

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Illustration by Kristen Radtke / The Verge

The Biden administration is announcing plans to ban the sale of Kaspersky Lab’s antivirus software in the United States due to national security concerns, Reuters reports.
Sources told Reuters that Kaspersky’s close ties to the Russian government pose a national security risk, potentially letting the company — and the Russian government — steal sensitive information from, install malware on, or withhold updates from Americans’ computers.
The Biden administration is expected to announce the ban Thursday. Kaspersky will be banned from conducting new US business 30 days after the restrictions are published. The ban will also prohibit downloads of software updates, resales, and licensing of the antivirus software, according to Reuters. Businesses already using Kaspersky’s software will have 100 days after the announcement — until September 29th — to find alternatives. Biden’s authority to ban the software is derived from powers created under the Trump administration. (It’s unclear which powers.)
The ban is the culmination of a two-year probe into Kaspersky by the Department of Commerce, which first began investigating the company in 2022. After Russia invaded Ukraine, the federal government warned some companies that the Russian government could manipulate Kaspersky software, causing the Commerce Department to escalate the probe, Reuters reported at the time. National security concerns notwithstanding, Kaspersky’s antivirus software has been well-reviewed. PCMag called the software highly effective but later stopped recommending it in 2022 “based on the increasing censure and criticism of Kaspersky by US government agencies, foreign agencies, and informed third parties.”
Concerns over Kaspersky preceded Russia’s invasion. In 2017, the Department of Homeland Security prohibited federal agencies from using the software, citing the fact that Russian law let intelligence agencies compel assistance from companies, including Kaspersky, and intercept certain communications.

Illustration by Kristen Radtke / The Verge

The Biden administration is announcing plans to ban the sale of Kaspersky Lab’s antivirus software in the United States due to national security concerns, Reuters reports.

Sources told Reuters that Kaspersky’s close ties to the Russian government pose a national security risk, potentially letting the company — and the Russian government — steal sensitive information from, install malware on, or withhold updates from Americans’ computers.

The Biden administration is expected to announce the ban Thursday. Kaspersky will be banned from conducting new US business 30 days after the restrictions are published. The ban will also prohibit downloads of software updates, resales, and licensing of the antivirus software, according to Reuters. Businesses already using Kaspersky’s software will have 100 days after the announcement — until September 29th — to find alternatives. Biden’s authority to ban the software is derived from powers created under the Trump administration. (It’s unclear which powers.)

The ban is the culmination of a two-year probe into Kaspersky by the Department of Commerce, which first began investigating the company in 2022. After Russia invaded Ukraine, the federal government warned some companies that the Russian government could manipulate Kaspersky software, causing the Commerce Department to escalate the probe, Reuters reported at the time. National security concerns notwithstanding, Kaspersky’s antivirus software has been well-reviewed. PCMag called the software highly effective but later stopped recommending it in 2022 “based on the increasing censure and criticism of Kaspersky by US government agencies, foreign agencies, and informed third parties.”

Concerns over Kaspersky preceded Russia’s invasion. In 2017, the Department of Homeland Security prohibited federal agencies from using the software, citing the fact that Russian law let intelligence agencies compel assistance from companies, including Kaspersky, and intercept certain communications.

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Image: FromSoftware

Before Shadow of the Erdtree finally goes live, Bandai Namco has implemented a patch that adds a couple of small features and updates just in time for the DLC’s launch in a few short hours. FromSoftware also shared a new launch trailer to herald the DLC’s arrival, but it’s chockful of spoilers, so beware. The update isn’t particularly earth-shattering, but it does include some things worth keeping in mind before all you Tarnished get your head beat in by the vicious monsters patrolling the Shadow Lands.

Firstly, we get new hair options! I was pretty down on Elden Ring’s character creator for its lack of Black hairstyles. It just didn’t make sense that the character creator was so robust and detailed but lacked hairstyles that represent a good chunk of the human population. There are five new styles to choose from, with two of them being dreadlocks. I chose the loose loc option so my Tarnished can finally get rid of her abhorrent pigtails. I’m not sure if the “white hairs” option was present in the base game or a new addition with this patch, but I really like how it adds gray to my locs, reminding me of when I started picking out errant gray hairs when I had locs.

Image: FromSoftware
Hooray! New hair options!

To change your appearance, all you have to do is visit Fia, Deathbed Companion’s room at the Roundtable Hold. She should have a mirror you can interact with that will let you change your appearance. However! If you’re like me and have completed Fia’s questline, neither she nor her mirror will be present at the Roundtable Hold. Instead, travel to the Raya Lucaria Grand Library site of grace and talk to Rennala. You’ll be able to change your appearance through her.
Secondly — and this is arguably the best little housekeeping update the game has had — the new patch lets you see all your recently acquired items. From now on, new items you pick up either in the Lands Between or the DLC’s Shadow Lands will be marked with a little exclamation point. The game will even collect those new items under their own tab, though that “new items” tab isn’t enabled by default. You have to go into the game’s settings and select the “Show recent items tab” option.

It was extremely helpful in my journey to see the new items and equipment I picked up so I could compare them to the stuff I’d been carrying around for the last 100 hours. Without it, I would have missed the new “Festive Grease” item that increases the number of runes you earn every time you land an attack and the little notes I picked in my travels that hint at where to go next. The “new items” feature makes choosing the right gear and weapons to tackle all the new threats in Shadows of the Erdtree so much easier. Enable it right away.
Beyond that, the patch adds a bunch of weapon balance changes and helpfully tweaks the summoning pool feature for folks who need help taking down Mohg, Lord of Blood, in order to access the DLC. The new patch will also let you summon your faithful horse-goat Torrent during the Elden Beast fight, which will undoubtedly make that final encounter loads easier. You can read the patch notes in detail here.

Image: FromSoftware

Before Shadow of the Erdtree finally goes live, Bandai Namco has implemented a patch that adds a couple of small features and updates just in time for the DLC’s launch in a few short hours. FromSoftware also shared a new launch trailer to herald the DLC’s arrival, but it’s chockful of spoilers, so beware. The update isn’t particularly earth-shattering, but it does include some things worth keeping in mind before all you Tarnished get your head beat in by the vicious monsters patrolling the Shadow Lands.

Firstly, we get new hair options! I was pretty down on Elden Ring’s character creator for its lack of Black hairstyles. It just didn’t make sense that the character creator was so robust and detailed but lacked hairstyles that represent a good chunk of the human population. There are five new styles to choose from, with two of them being dreadlocks. I chose the loose loc option so my Tarnished can finally get rid of her abhorrent pigtails. I’m not sure if the “white hairs” option was present in the base game or a new addition with this patch, but I really like how it adds gray to my locs, reminding me of when I started picking out errant gray hairs when I had locs.

Image: FromSoftware
Hooray! New hair options!

To change your appearance, all you have to do is visit Fia, Deathbed Companion’s room at the Roundtable Hold. She should have a mirror you can interact with that will let you change your appearance. However! If you’re like me and have completed Fia’s questline, neither she nor her mirror will be present at the Roundtable Hold. Instead, travel to the Raya Lucaria Grand Library site of grace and talk to Rennala. You’ll be able to change your appearance through her.

Secondly — and this is arguably the best little housekeeping update the game has had — the new patch lets you see all your recently acquired items. From now on, new items you pick up either in the Lands Between or the DLC’s Shadow Lands will be marked with a little exclamation point. The game will even collect those new items under their own tab, though that “new items” tab isn’t enabled by default. You have to go into the game’s settings and select the “Show recent items tab” option.

It was extremely helpful in my journey to see the new items and equipment I picked up so I could compare them to the stuff I’d been carrying around for the last 100 hours. Without it, I would have missed the new “Festive Grease” item that increases the number of runes you earn every time you land an attack and the little notes I picked in my travels that hint at where to go next. The “new items” feature makes choosing the right gear and weapons to tackle all the new threats in Shadows of the Erdtree so much easier. Enable it right away.

Beyond that, the patch adds a bunch of weapon balance changes and helpfully tweaks the summoning pool feature for folks who need help taking down Mohg, Lord of Blood, in order to access the DLC. The new patch will also let you summon your faithful horse-goat Torrent during the Elden Beast fight, which will undoubtedly make that final encounter loads easier. You can read the patch notes in detail here.

Read More 

Image: Microsoft

Last week, I revealed that Microsoft’s Windows engineers were scrambling to secure its controversial AI-powered Recall feature in time for its planned debut on June 18th. Hours later, Microsoft announced that the feature that screenshots nearly everything you do on new Qualcomm-powered laptops is being recalled.
Copilot Plus PCs shipped earlier this week without Recall, and Microsoft has modified the setup process to remove it from Windows 11 — it’s now a feature that’s “coming soon” to these devices. Recall is still prominently featured in Microsoft’s marketing materials, which suggests the company is confident it will return very soon.
After developing Recall largely in secret away from the usual Windows Insider public testing, Microsoft is now relying upon that community of thousands to help test the new AI feature on new Copilot Plus devices. Recall will also be an opt-in feature with additional security improvements to address concerns from researchers.
Microsoft first announced its changes to Recall on June 7th, less than two weeks before it was due to ship on new devices. That rush to fix Recall’s security issues always felt like a big ask, especially having to encrypt the database in time and implement Windows Hello authentication, too. I understand Microsoft had been working on some of these changes before the Recall concerns were raised by security researchers, but OEMs already had the final Windows bits shipping on devices, so that further complicated the situation.
The surprise decision to not ship Recall at launch came on Thursday, June 13th, just five days before Copilot Plus PCs were about to ship. Sources tell me OEMs were informed of the delay ahead of a public acknowledgment from Microsoft. But security researcher Kevin Beaumont got wind of the Recall announcement, forcing Microsoft to edit a previous blog post in response to press queries.
I had planned to write about my time using Recall over the past couple of weeks, but given the feature has now been delayed, I’ll wait to see what changes before I write up my final impressions. In my limited testing with an early version of Recall, I did notice that the feature failed to filter out URLs correctly from its capture method…

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Image: Microsoft

Last week, I revealed that Microsoft’s Windows engineers were scrambling to secure its controversial AI-powered Recall feature in time for its planned debut on June 18th. Hours later, Microsoft announced that the feature that screenshots nearly everything you do on new Qualcomm-powered laptops is being recalled.

Copilot Plus PCs shipped earlier this week without Recall, and Microsoft has modified the setup process to remove it from Windows 11 — it’s now a feature that’s “coming soon” to these devices. Recall is still prominently featured in Microsoft’s marketing materials, which suggests the company is confident it will return very soon.

After developing Recall largely in secret away from the usual Windows Insider public testing, Microsoft is now relying upon that community of thousands to help test the new AI feature on new Copilot Plus devices. Recall will also be an opt-in feature with additional security improvements to address concerns from researchers.

Microsoft first announced its changes to Recall on June 7th, less than two weeks before it was due to ship on new devices. That rush to fix Recall’s security issues always felt like a big ask, especially having to encrypt the database in time and implement Windows Hello authentication, too. I understand Microsoft had been working on some of these changes before the Recall concerns were raised by security researchers, but OEMs already had the final Windows bits shipping on devices, so that further complicated the situation.

The surprise decision to not ship Recall at launch came on Thursday, June 13th, just five days before Copilot Plus PCs were about to ship. Sources tell me OEMs were informed of the delay ahead of a public acknowledgment from Microsoft. But security researcher Kevin Beaumont got wind of the Recall announcement, forcing Microsoft to edit a previous blog post in response to press queries.

I had planned to write about my time using Recall over the past couple of weeks, but given the feature has now been delayed, I’ll wait to see what changes before I write up my final impressions. In my limited testing with an early version of Recall, I did notice that the feature failed to filter out URLs correctly from its capture method…

Read More