Author Archives: Lawrence Bonk

Sony is investigating possible ransomware attack at Insomniac Games

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Sony’s investigating a possible ransomware attack at PlayStation subsidiary Insomniac Games, the makers of the beloved Spider-Man series. A hacking group called Rhysida has claimed credit for the alleged incident and announced that it’ll be selling any acquired data for $2 million within seven days if Insomniac and Sony don’t pay up, according to Cyber Daily.

This data potentially includes the usual stuff, like internal emails, confidential documents and personal information, but Rhysida says it goes even further. The organization claims it not only stole personal documents related to Spider-Man voice actor Yuri Lowenthal, but images and details regarding that forthcoming Wolverine game.

To that end, the group released proof-of-hack documents that suggest it grabbed screenshots from the game, in addition to character art relating to other superheroes that may be featured in the title. Rhysida put up a temporary website to advertise the sale of the documents, urging purchasers to “seize the opportunity to bid on exclusive, unique and impressive data.” It also promises that it only “sells to one hand, no reselling.” Honor among thieves, I guess.

Sony has issued a statement on the matter to Video Games Chronicle, writing “we are aware of reports that Insomniac Games has been the victim of a cyber security attack.” The company says it’s “currently investigating this situation” but notes that the alleged attack didn’t spread beyond Insomniac, so other Sony divisions remain unscathed.

Insomniac is recently known for Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man: Miles Morales, but the company cut its teeth in the 1990s making well-regarded PlayStation platformers like Spyro the Dragon and Ratchet & Clank. The developer’s Wolverine game was revealed back in 2021 and there’s no announced release date.

As for Sony, it's one of the largest companies in the world, so it tends to attract this kind of thing. The company fell victim to a similar ransomware attack back in October, which exposed the personal information of more than 7,000 employees. In September, a hacking group called Ransomed.vc alleged that it compromised “all” of Sony’s connected systems, but other hackers claimed this was a scam. Sony investigated the alleged attack but hasn’t released any findings.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/sony-is-investigating-possible-ransomware-attack-at-insomniac-games-173435808.html?src=rss

Capture One is axing the free tier of its photo-editing software on January 30

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Capture One’s eponymous photo-editing software suite is ending the free Express tier, effective on January 30. The popular Adobe Lightroom alternative will be fully pay-to-play, with a number of Pro tiers to choose from. The company says ending the free tier was necessary to “focus on our main products.”

Once January 30 hits, you won’t be able to download or use Express from the website and license keys will expire. Additionally, any saved images and edits will go the way of the dodo, so get in there and finish up before next month. You can, however, quickly transfer images and edits from Express to Pro, which is something Capture One would very much like you to do.

To that end, Pro subscriptions range from $24 to $34 each month, depending on if you choose a desktop client or a combo pack that adds a smartphone app. You can also buy the desktop client outright for $300, but you won’t get any updates or access to the smartphone app. There’s a 30-day free trial for those on the fence.

Capture One has become a crucial tool for digital photographers, as it allows you to connect an external camera and shoot images directly to the desktop software or app. The algorithm automatically applies edits as the photos come in. Capture One works with more than 500 cameras, including models by Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fujifilm, Leicia and Sigma, among others.

The software also handles RAW conversion, color processing and general editing tasks, just like Lightroom. You can even share a live link of a shoot with colleagues, to allow for speedy and efficient collaborations. This is serious photo-editing software made primarily for professionals or those serious about the craft. Still, it’s sad to see the free version sail away into that color-corrected sunset. If the Pro version’s cost has you wavering, the iPhone app by itself costs $5 each month.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/capture-one-is-axing-the-free-tier-of-its-photo-editing-software-on-january-30-162035781.html?src=rss

TimeSplitters studio Free Radical Design has shut down

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Free Radical Design, the company tasked with making a TimeSplitters reboot, has closed its doors, according to employee statements acquired by Eurogamer. Additionally, the developer’s official website now redirects to a 404 error, along with text reading “company not found” and a sad face. Ex-staffers have also taken to social media to announce the closure.

The company was reformed back in 2021 specifically to develop new games based on the long-defunct TimeSplitters franchise. However, parent company Embracer Group has been on a cost-cutting spree these past few months, reducing its overall headcount by more than 900 people. At that time, we noted that Free Radical Design was likely in trouble, putting the TimeSplitters reboot in limbo.

Embracer CEO Lars Wingefors addressed the closure in an email to staffers, expressing “gratitude” for the “remarkable work” the team has done. Wingefors went on to say that the parent company looks to support laid-off employees “as much as we can during this transition.” There are no details, however, regarding severance pay or anything like that. It looks like more than 50 people lost their jobs due to the closure, which is a monumental bummer.

Another bummer is that this likely means the death of the TimeSplitters franchise for the time being, though maybe another company will snap up the IP at some point. The original incarnation of Free Radical went bankrupt in 2008 before being temporarily revived to handle the reboot.

This isn’t the only company that Embracer sent packing this year. It abruptly closed Saints Row developer Volition back in August and is reportedly looking to sell Borderlands developer Gearbox. Embracer previously acquired Gearbox for around $363 million as part of a larger deal valued at $1.4 billion.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/timesplitters-studio-free-radical-design-has-shut-down-194718243.html?src=rss

TimeSplitters studio Free Radical Design has shut down

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Free Radical Design, the company tasked with making a TimeSplitters reboot, has closed its doors, according to employee statements acquired by Eurogamer. Additionally, the developer’s official website now redirects to a 404 error, along with text reading “company not found” and a sad face. Ex-staffers have also taken to social media to announce the closure.

The company was reformed back in 2021 specifically to develop new games based on the long-defunct TimeSplitters franchise. However, parent company Embracer Group has been on a cost-cutting spree these past few months, reducing its overall headcount by more than 900 people. At that time, we noted that Free Radical Design was likely in trouble, putting the TimeSplitters reboot in limbo.

Embracer CEO Lars Wingefors addressed the closure in an email to staffers, expressing “gratitude” for the “remarkable work” the team has done. Wingefors went on to say that the parent company looks to support laid-off employees “as much as we can during this transition.” There are no details, however, regarding severance pay or anything like that. It looks like more than 50 people lost their jobs due to the closure, which is a monumental bummer.

Another bummer is that this likely means the death of the TimeSplitters franchise for the time being, though maybe another company will snap up the IP at some point. The original incarnation of Free Radical went bankrupt in 2008 before being temporarily revived to handle the reboot.

This isn’t the only company that Embracer sent packing this year. It abruptly closed Saints Row developer Volition back in August and is reportedly looking to sell Borderlands developer Gearbox. Embracer previously acquired Gearbox for around $363 million as part of a larger deal valued at $1.4 billion.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/timesplitters-studio-free-radical-design-has-shut-down-194718243.html?src=rss

Arturia’s MiniFreak synthesizer gets a firmware update with new engine and effects

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Arturia just launched a massive firmware update for its MiniFreak hybrid hardware synthesizer. Firmware version 2.0 brings a host of improvements and new features for avid fans of Arturia’s weird-but-powerful instrument. The biggest news here is a brand-new wavetable sound engine, boasting 32 wavetables and 64 patches. However, the engine’s only available on one of the oscillators, which does slightly decrease sound design options. Still, more engines are never a bad thing.

There’s also a new Super Unison effect, which is basically a souped-up chorus that increases stereo width by stacking up to six copies of a sound on top of the dry signal. The MiniFreak has some high-quality effects, so this should be fun to fool around with. Arturia says this effect will “transform a simple patch into a supersaw monster.”

LFO modulation has gotten a bit more useful with this update. Users can now adjust the LFO rate to correspond to a single step or even the entire curve, encouraging more “nuanced, evolving and expressive modulations.” For those with active sound design aspirations, Arturia is adding an easily-accessible favorites panel to the MiniFreak to store and bring up custom-made patches.

MiniFreak owners can now also access a dedicated store to purchase sound banks. There are three free banks at launch, with 32 patches, and two paid banks, with 64 patches. These sound packs are available for both the hardware MiniFreak and the affiliated software plugin. Arturia-branded sound packs typically cost $10 to $15. The company promises this is just the beginning, with more MiniFreak sound packs to come.

Other minor enhancements include more control over the Macro Edit mode and increased volume options. MiniFreak Firmware 2.0 is available now as a free update to current owners.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/arturias-minifreak-synthesizer-gets-a-firmware-update-with-new-engine-and-effects-185416143.html?src=rss

Arturia’s MiniFreak synthesizer gets a firmware update with new engine and effects

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Arturia just launched a massive firmware update for its MiniFreak hybrid hardware synthesizer. Firmware version 2.0 brings a host of improvements and new features for avid fans of Arturia’s weird-but-powerful instrument. The biggest news here is a brand-new wavetable sound engine, boasting 32 wavetables and 64 patches. However, the engine’s only available on one of the oscillators, which does slightly decrease sound design options. Still, more engines are never a bad thing.

There’s also a new Super Unison effect, which is basically a souped-up chorus that increases stereo width by stacking up to six copies of a sound on top of the dry signal. The MiniFreak has some high-quality effects, so this should be fun to fool around with. Arturia says this effect will “transform a simple patch into a supersaw monster.”

LFO modulation has gotten a bit more useful with this update. Users can now adjust the LFO rate to correspond to a single step or even the entire curve, encouraging more “nuanced, evolving and expressive modulations.” For those with active sound design aspirations, Arturia is adding an easily-accessible favorites panel to the MiniFreak to store and bring up custom-made patches.

MiniFreak owners can now also access a dedicated store to purchase sound banks. There are three free banks at launch, with 32 patches, and two paid banks, with 64 patches. These sound packs are available for both the hardware MiniFreak and the affiliated software plugin. Arturia-branded sound packs typically cost $10 to $15. The company promises this is just the beginning, with more MiniFreak sound packs to come.

Other minor enhancements include more control over the Macro Edit mode and increased volume options. MiniFreak Firmware 2.0 is available now as a free update to current owners.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/arturias-minifreak-synthesizer-gets-a-firmware-update-with-new-engine-and-effects-185416143.html?src=rss

Microsoft agrees to union contract terms involving the use of AI

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Microsoft has agreed to union contract language regarding its use of artificial intelligence, which should give workers a voice when challenging how the technology’s deployed, as reported by Bloomberg. This is the first US instance of collective bargaining in Microsoft’s history and could be a huge step for those employed with the tech giant.

This came to pass as part of negotiations with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union and involves contract language that covers a few hundred staffers at Microsoft’s game studio ZeniMax, which includes well-known subsidiaries like Bethesda and Arkane, among others.

The gist here is that the contract language incorporates Microsoft’s previously-announced AI principles, sort of a ten commandments type deal. The language dictates that AI systems will “treat all people fairly” and “empower everyone.” To that end, it will give employees covered under the contract an avenue of recourse should they feel that Microsoft isn’t holding up its end of the bargain. Microsoft even hired dozens of ZeniMax contract workers as full-time employees, potentially as a show of good faith.

“The goal is to ensure tools and technologies benefit rather than harm workers,” the contract states. The language stipulates that Microsoft must inform the CWA whenever AI or related automation technology is implemented in a way that could impact workers. If requested, the company must enter into good-faith negotiations regarding the change. This is a big first step, considering Microsoft’s massive play into the AI space via integration with OpenAI products.

This would be news on its own, given Microsoft’s former hesitance to engage with unions in any way, shape or form. However, there’s more. The company also entered into a partnership with the AFL-CIO, the country’s largest federation of unions. The entities struck a deal that ensures Microsoft will remain neutral in efforts by unions to encourage workers to join up.

The partnership also creates an “open dialogue” to discuss AI and how it impacts workers. The AFL-CIO calls this team-up the “first of its kind between a labor organization and a technology company.” Microsoft has committed to share information with labor leaders regarding impactful AI trends and consider “worker perspectives” when developing new technologies.

Why the about face? There’s a whole lot of uncertainty out there regarding artificial intelligence and how it will impact workers across multiple industries. It looks like Microsoft is setting itself up to be the “adult in the room” when compared to rival entities. It’s worth noting, though, that Microsoft shareholders rejected a proposal last week that would slow down AI spending until a risk-assessment project could be conducted.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-agrees-to-union-contract-terms-involving-the-use-of-ai-173354643.html?src=rss

Microsoft agrees to union contract terms involving the use of AI

Posted on by

Microsoft has agreed to union contract language regarding its use of artificial intelligence, which should give workers a voice when challenging how the technology’s deployed, as reported by Bloomberg. This is the first US instance of collective bargaining in Microsoft’s history and could be a huge step for those employed with the tech giant.

This came to pass as part of negotiations with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union and involves contract language that covers a few hundred staffers at Microsoft’s game studio ZeniMax, which includes well-known subsidiaries like Bethesda and Arkane, among others.

The gist here is that the contract language incorporates Microsoft’s previously-announced AI principles, sort of a ten commandments type deal. The language dictates that AI systems will “treat all people fairly” and “empower everyone.” To that end, it will give employees covered under the contract an avenue of recourse should they feel that Microsoft isn’t holding up its end of the bargain. Microsoft even hired dozens of ZeniMax contract workers as full-time employees, potentially as a show of good faith.

“The goal is to ensure tools and technologies benefit rather than harm workers,” the contract states. The language stipulates that Microsoft must inform the CWA whenever AI or related automation technology is implemented in a way that could impact workers. If requested, the company must enter into good-faith negotiations regarding the change. This is a big first step, considering Microsoft’s massive play into the AI space via integration with OpenAI products.

This would be news on its own, given Microsoft’s former hesitance to engage with unions in any way, shape or form. However, there’s more. The company also entered into a partnership with the AFL-CIO, the country’s largest federation of unions. The entities struck a deal that ensures Microsoft will remain neutral in efforts by unions to encourage workers to join up.

The partnership also creates an “open dialogue” to discuss AI and how it impacts workers. The AFL-CIO calls this team-up the “first of its kind between a labor organization and a technology company.” Microsoft has committed to share information with labor leaders regarding impactful AI trends and consider “worker perspectives” when developing new technologies.

Why the about face? There’s a whole lot of uncertainty out there regarding artificial intelligence and how it will impact workers across multiple industries. It looks like Microsoft is setting itself up to be the “adult in the room” when compared to rival entities. It’s worth noting, though, that Microsoft shareholders rejected a proposal last week that would slow down AI spending until a risk-assessment project could be conducted.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-agrees-to-union-contract-terms-involving-the-use-of-ai-173354643.html?src=rss

Amazon knocks up to 53 percent off Blink Outdoor 4 security camera packs

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You can pick up Blink 4 security cameras for up to 53 percent off, via Amazon. The most notable deal here is a combo pack that includes both the fourth-gen Blink Outdoor camera and the Mini indoor camera. That comes out to $72, a discount of 53 percent or a whopping $83 slashed from the MSRP of $155.

The Blink Outdoor 4 is the crown jewel in the company’s lineup. There’s a reason, after all, why it made our list of the best smart home devices. The camera may have “outdoor” right in the name, but this is a fantastic option for both indoor and outdoor use. They run on AA batteries and last up to two years before those cells need replacing. These cameras are weather-resistant and offer support for night vision, motion detection and two-way audio.

This is a wireless camera and clips are stored in the cloud if you have a Blink Subscription Plan, but you can also store them locally via a USB flash drive. The camera works with Alexa, but just Alexa, so other digital assistants are left out in the cold. The Blink Mini, which also ships with this set, is a decent indoor camera for keeping an eye on things, like which cat is stealing all the food.

Amazon is also selling other Blink products at deep discounts. If a combo pack isn’t your bag, the Blink Outdoor 4 by itself costs $72, which is a discount of 40 percent. The Blink Mini Pan-Tilt is on sale for $30, a discount of 50 percent and a record-low. This is an upgraded version of the Mini that ships with the combo pack, as it can pan and tilt for 360-degree coverage.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazon-knocks-up-to-53-percent-off-blink-outdoor-4-security-camera-packs-161447084.html?src=rss

Amazon knocks up to 53 percent off Blink Outdoor 4 security camera packs

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You can pick up Blink 4 security cameras for up to 53 percent off, via Amazon. The most notable deal here is a combo pack that includes both the fourth-gen Blink Outdoor camera and the Mini indoor camera. That comes out to $72, a discount of 53 percent or a whopping $83 slashed from the MSRP of $155.

The Blink Outdoor 4 is the crown jewel in the company’s lineup. There’s a reason, after all, why it made our list of the best smart home devices. The camera may have “outdoor” right in the name, but this is a fantastic option for both indoor and outdoor use. They run on AA batteries and last up to two years before those cells need replacing. These cameras are weather-resistant and offer support for night vision, motion detection and two-way audio.

This is a wireless camera and clips are stored in the cloud if you have a Blink Subscription Plan, but you can also store them locally via a USB flash drive. The camera works with Alexa, but just Alexa, so other digital assistants are left out in the cold. The Blink Mini, which also ships with this set, is a decent indoor camera for keeping an eye on things, like which cat is stealing all the food.

Amazon is also selling other Blink products at deep discounts. If a combo pack isn’t your bag, the Blink Outdoor 4 by itself costs $72, which is a discount of 40 percent. The Blink Mini Pan-Tilt is on sale for $30, a discount of 50 percent and a record-low. This is an upgraded version of the Mini that ships with the combo pack, as it can pan and tilt for 360-degree coverage.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/amazon-knocks-up-to-53-percent-off-blink-outdoor-4-security-camera-packs-161447084.html?src=rss