Under the plans, the media regulator will be able to take enforcement action if articles don’t meet relevant broadcast standards.

The move is intended to give audiences greater confidence that the BBC is being held to account, ministers said.

The BBC said it remained “the number one source for trusted news”.

Ofcom said it welcomed the government’s recommendations, “which will support us as we continue to hold the BBC to account on behalf of audiences”.

The BBC is investing more money into digital journalism, as audiences increasingly switch from television to online news.

Currently, Ofcom oversees the BBC’s TV, radio and on-demand output, but it has no formal enforcement powers for BBC online material.

It can only issue an opinion on whether the BBC has observed editorial guidelines in its online content.

But the government is now extending Ofcom’s regulation to parts of the BBC’s digital services. This includes to areas over which the broadcaster has editorial control, including the BBC News website and the BBC’s YouTube channel.

The move is part of a package of changes which are being recommended by ministers following a review of the BBC, at the halfway point of its current charter.

The review looked at areas such as editorial standards and impartiality, the way the BBC handles complaints about coverage, and the effectiveness of its governance arrangements.

The government consulted with the BBC and Ofcom in developing the recommendations.

A changing media landscape

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said impartiality remains “an ongoing issue for audiences” and cited “a lack of public confidence” in the way the BBC currently handles complaints.

It said it would review the effectiveness of the BBC’s new social media guidelines, which were brought in following a row over Gary Lineker’s social media posts.

Other recommendations include greater independent scrutiny of complaints handling, and improving transparency for commercial media organisations.

And Ofcom will be given a new legally binding responsibility to review more of the BBC’s complaints decisions.

The BBC is also being urged to better reflect diverse views in decision-making and improve engagement with underserved audience groups.

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said the government wanted to see “a strong, independent BBC” that would thrive in years to come.

But she warned that in a rapidly changing media landscape, the BBC needed to adapt or risk losing the trust of audiences.

“We have recommended reforms that I believe will improve accountability while boosting public confidence in the BBC’s ability to be impartial and respond to concerns raised by licence fee payers,” she said.

“These changes will better set up the BBC to ask difficult questions of itself, and make sure Ofcom can continue to hold the broadcaster to account.”

A BBC spokesperson said the review was designed to look at the corporation’s governance and regulation, adding: “We’re pleased the government’s findings reflect that overall these are working well.”

On the topic of impartiality, the spokesperson said “no other organisation takes its commitment to impartiality more seriously”, and that the corporation has well-established plans to continue to improve standards.

“We know this matters to audiences and the BBC continues to be the number one source for trusted news, with the highest scores for impartiality and accuracy,” they said.

The spokesperson said the BBC was “operationally and editorially independent”, adding: “We remain committed to continuous improvement to ensure we deliver for all licence fee payers.”

By: Noor Nanji | Culture correspondent
Source: BBC.com
Featured Image: Getty Images

The post BBC review: Ofcom to gain more powers over BBC News website appeared first on The Reimage Blog.

NEW YORK — NEW YORK (AP) —

The influx of generative artificial intelligence software is transforming small businesses.

Small business owners are using A.I. tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Bard and others to check grammar in emails, punch up marketing copy and research business plans.

What’s more, bigger companies are developing tools specifically to help small businesses integrate A.I. into their operations in more advanced ways.

Microsoft’s Copilot lets users ask software to perform tasks like summarize an email or a Teams meeting, come up with key themes in a document, or draft emails in a conversational tone in Outlook.

The service, which costs $30-a-month per employee, was recently expanded from companies with at least 300 employees to all companies, so smaller businesses — even “solopreneurs” with no employees — can use Copilot for Microsoft 365.

Meanwhile, MasterCard is piloting a product called MasterCard Small Business A.I., aimed at helping small business owners analyze data and offer other resources to help grow their business.

It uses information from MasterCard’s content library as well as information licensed from media companies focused on inclusivity, including digital media company Blavity Media Group and Spanish-language media company TelevisaUnivision, to answer small business owners’ queries.

Mastercard plans to pilot the tool in the U.S. later this year, with international markets to follow.

By: MAE ANDERSON AP business writer
Source: abcnews.com
Featured Image: The Microsoft logo is displayed at an event at the Chatham House think tank in London, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. Microsoft’s Copilot lets users ask software to perform tasks like summarize an email or a Teams meeting, come up with key themes in a document, or draft emails in a conversational tone in Outlook.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung) | The Associated Press

The post Microsoft and others are making new tools to help small businesses capitalize on A.I. appeared first on The Reimage Blog.

If you feel like your computer is slowing down or doesn’t quite have the pep it’s supposed to, check how much RAM you have. RAM is a significant part of your computer’s everyday performance and having too little for what you want to do can cause bottlenecks. As a general rule, 4GB is too little, 8GB is fine for general internet browsing and streaming, and 16GB is the standard for gaming and video editing.

Once you have an idea of how much RAM you have and how much you need, you can decide whether to upgrade your computer or get a new one. Just be aware that some Apple laptops have the RAM soldered to the motherboard so upgrading might not be possible (for warranty purposes if nothing else).

STEPS FOR HOW TO CHECK HOW MUCH RAM YOU HAVE

1. Open your PC settings (PC)
2. Go to the About section (PC)
3. Read the about information (PC)
4. Open About section (Mac)
5. Read about information (Mac)

TOOLS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Windows or Apple computer

STEP BY STEP GUIDE FOR WINDOWS

1. Open your PC settings (PC)

Open Settings on your PC.

2. Go to the ‘About’ section (PC)

Go to System and scroll to the bottom and click on About. 

3. Read the about information (PC)

You’ll see plenty of hardware information listed under Device Specifications including installed RAM.

STEP BY STEP GUIDE FOR MAC

1. Open About section (MacOS)

Click on the Apple Menu Bar icon and scroll down to About This Mac. 

2. Read the about information (MacOS)

You’ll get a pop-up window listing your processor, RAM, serial number, and current operating system. If your Mac has upgradable RAM this window will include a bar with Memory as one of the options.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Finding out how much RAM you have is as simple as it is important as it’s a potential bottleneck for all sorts of apps, not just games. Google Chrome, for instance, takes up plenty of resources for every tab you have open.

If you want to dive even deeper to see how your Windows computer is using your currently installed RAM, then open the Task Manager, go to the Performance tab, and press on Memory. You’ll see plenty of metrics that will either give you peace of mind or show you how much your currently installed RAM is throttling your performance. Plus, you can see the speed of the RAM here.

For an Apple computer, you’ll open the Activity Monitor app to see the same information. It should by default show memory usage, but if it doesn’t, just press on Memory at the top.

Written by: James Holland
Source: TechRadar.com
Featured Image: Future

The post How to check how much RAM you have appeared first on The Reimage Blog.

Browsing slowing to a crawl. Dropped Wi-Fi signals. Wireless dead zones. Every one of these problems is maddening in a world where getting online has become, for some, as necessary as breathing. (Well, maybe not that critical…but still important.)

If you feel like your Wi-Fi has gotten sluggish, there are many tools you can use to test the speed of your internet. There are also a few tricks you can try to troubleshoot your network issues. However, if the only way you can get decent reception is by standing next to your wireless router, these simple tips can help optimize your network.

1. Check Your Wired Internet Connection

Before you blame the Wi-Fi, make sure the internet coming into your house is performing as it should. You can do this by connecting your computer directly to the router using an Ethernet cable. If your laptop doesn’t have an Ethernet port, you will need a USB-to-Ethernet adapter.

Run a speed test to see your internet speed. If it doesn’t match the speed on your internet bill, you may need to call your ISP or replace your router or modem. If your speed test does match your internet bill, but it still seems slow, it may be time to pony up for a better plan. (My grandmother was convinced her Wi-Fi was faulty, only for me to tell her she was subscribed to a snail’s-pace 3Mbps connection.)

If everything seems okay, try running the test again wirelessly, standing right next to the router. If you get similarly good speeds here, but not elsewhere in the house, then your Wi-Fi coverage may be to blame. If your internet is still slow standing right next to the router, you may have some outdated gear that needs an upgrade.

2. Update Your Router Firmware

Before you start tweaking things, it’s a good idea to update your router’s firmware. Router manufacturers are always improving software to eke out a bit more speed. How easy—or how hard—it is to upgrade your firmware depends entirely on your device’s manufacturer and model.

Most current routers have the update process built right into the administration interface, so it’s just a matter of hitting a firmware upgrade button. Older models still require you to visit the manufacturer’s website, download a firmware file from your router’s support page, and upload it to the administration interface. It’s tedious, but still a good thing to do since it would be such a simple fix.

In fact, even if your wireless network isn’t ailing, you should make it a point to update your firmware on a regular basis for performance improvements, better features, and security updates. For help with this, we have a guide on accessing your router’s settings. Once inside, look for an update tool within the System section of your settings.

If you really want to get the most out of your current router, the adventurous can look at a third-party firmware, like the open-source DD-WRT. This can ramp up performance and give you access to more advanced networking features, including the ability to install a VPN right onto your router. It’s a bit more complex to set up, but for tech-savvy users, it may be worthwhile.

3. Achieve Optimal Router Placement

Not all homes will distribute Wi-Fi signal equally. The fact is, where you place the router can hugely affect your wireless coverage. It may seem logical to have the router inside a cabinet and out of the way, or right by the window where the cable comes in, but that’s not always the case. Instead, here are some pointers:

• Keep your wireless router surrounded by open air, away from walls and obstructions, to prevent interference and overheating.
• Place your router in the center of your house, if possible, so the signal can reach to each corner of the house with ease.
• If you can eliminate even one wall between your workspace and the router, you can drastically improve performance.
• Avoid heavy-duty appliances or electronics, since running those in close proximity can impact Wi-Fi performance.
• If your router has external antennas, orient them vertically to bump up coverage.
• it can even help to elevate the router—mount it high on the wall or on the top shelf to get a better signal.

There are also plenty of tools to help you visualize your network coverage. We like Ekahau’s Heatmapper or MetaGeek’s inSSIDer, which show you both the weak and strong spots in your Wi-Fi network. There are plenty of mobile apps, too, such as Netgear’s WiFi Analytics.

4. What’s Your Frequency?

Take a look at your network’s administrator interface and make sure you have it configured for optimal performance. If you have a dual-band router, you’ll likely get better throughput by switching to the 5GHz band instead of using the more common 2.4GHz band.

Not only does 5GHz offer faster speeds, but you’ll likely encounter less interference from other wireless networks and devices because the frequency is not as commonly used. Note, though, that it doesn’t handle obstructions and distances quite as well, so it won’t necessarily reach as far as a 2.4GHz signal does.

Most modern dual-band routers should offer the option to use the same network name, or SSID, on both bands. Check your router’s administration interface, look for the 5GHz network option, and give it the same SSID and password as your 2.4GHz network. That way, your devices will automatically choose the best signal. If your router doesn’t let you use the same SSID, just give it another name—like SmithHouse-5GHz—and try to connect to it manually whenever possible.

5. Change That Channel

Interference is a big issue, especially for those who live in densely populated areas. Signals from other wireless networks can impact speeds, not to mention some cordless phone systems, microwaves, and other electronic devices.

Ever play with walkie-talkies as a kid? You may remember how the units needed to be on the same “channel” in order for you to hear each other. And if you happened to be on the same channel as your neighbor, you could listen in on someone else’s conversation, even if they were using a completely different set. In that same vein, all modern routers can switch across different channels when communicating with your devices.

Most routers will choose the channel for you, but if neighboring wireless networks are also using the same channel, you’ll encounter signal congestion. A good router set to Automatic will try to choose the least congested channel, but older or cheaper routers may just choose a predefined channel, even if it isn’t the best one. That could be a problem.

If you’re on a Windows PC, you can see what channels neighboring Wi-Fi networks are using. From the command prompt type netsh wlan show all, and you’ll see a list of all wireless networks and the channels being used in your vicinity. The aforementioned network analyzers can also show you this information, often in an easier-to-read graphical format.

At the PCMag office, for instance, most of our networks and those of our neighbors are using channels 6 and 11. In general, you want 2.4GHz set to channels 1, 6, and 11 since they’re the only ones that don’t overlap with other channels (which can degrade performance). 5GHz generally uses non-overlapping channels, however, which should make selecting the right one much easier.

If you find the Auto setting isn’t working well for you, sign into your router’s administrator interface, head to the basic wireless category, and try selecting one manually (ideally, one that isn’t in use by many networks in your area). Run another speed test to see if that provides a better signal and faster speeds over the Automatic setting in your problem areas.

Keep in mind that channel congestion can change over time, so if you choose a channel manually, you may want to check in once in a while to make sure it’s still the best one.

6. Kick Off Wi-Fi Intruders

It’s entirely possible the problem has nothing to do with interference or Wi-Fi range. If your network is open, or has a weak password, you could have an unwanted guest or two piggybacking on your network. If the neighbor is downloading multiple 4K movies on your Wi-Fi, your video chats will suffer.

A tool like Wireless Network Watcher will show you all the devices using your internet and help you sniff out someone who might be stealing your Wi-Fi. Your router’s admin interface may also have a traffic analyzer of some sort that will tell you which devices are using lots of data. You may even find one of your own kids is sucking up bandwidth without you realizing it. (If so, here’s how to kick them off).

Once you find the intruder and remedy the problem, secure your network with a strong password—preferably WPA2 or WPA3, since WEP is notoriously easy to crack—so others can’t join in.

7. Control Quality

Most modern routers come with Quality of Service (QoS) tools to limit the amount of bandwidth that apps use, like the Netgear menu above. QoS settings can typically be found under advanced settings in the network’s administrator interface.

For example, you could use QoS to prioritize video calls over file downloads—that way, your call with grandma won’t drop just because someone else is grabbing a big file from Dropbox. The file may take longer to download, but it should keep the video call looking nice. Some QoS settings even allow you to prioritize different apps at specific times of day.

Some routers may make it easier by offering a one-click multimedia or gaming setting, so you know those applications will be prioritized. If you’re trying to stream games while sharing a network, there are steps you can take to make things better.

8. Replace Your Antenna

If your router uses an internal antenna, adding an external one would be a good idea, as the latter tends to send a stronger signal. Your router may have come with antennas you can add on yourself, but if not (or if you threw them away long ago), many router manufacturers sell antennas separately.

In many cases, you can choose between omnidirectional antennas, which send a signal to all directions, or directional ones, which send a signal in one specific direction. Most built-in antennas tend to be omnidirectional, so if you plan to buy an external one, it should be marked “high-gain” to actually make a difference.

A directional antenna tends to be a better option, since odds are that you aren’t experiencing weak spots in your network in every direction. Point your external antenna in the direction of your weak spot, and it will broadcast the signal accordingly. Check your router manufacturer’s website for details on what to buy.

9. Upgrade Your Obsolete Hardware

It’s a good idea to get the most out of your existing equipment, but if you’re running old hardware, you can’t expect the best performance. We have a tendency to subscribe to the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality with back-end devices, especially networking gear. However, if you bought your router years ago, you might still be using the older, slower 802.11n standard (or God forbid, 802.11g).

These older routers may cap at fairly low bandwidths, and may even have shorter ranges. For instance, the maximum throughput for 802.11g (Wi-Fi 3) is 54Mbps, while 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4) caps out at 300Mbps. All the tweaking we’ve outlined above will only get you so far with one of these older models.

However, if you upgrade to a new router with the latest 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) standard, you get support for 1Gbps. Meanwhile, next-gen Wi-Fi 6 routers can theoretically hit 10Gbps, and Wi-Fi 6E routers have access to even more spectrum that can offer additional coverage. Plus, you’ll get modern features like QoS, and better channel selection and band steering for 5GHz devices.

Some newer routers also have features like Multi User-Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO), like the Editors’ Choice TP-Link Archer AX11000 tri-band gaming router. MU-MIMO routers can send and receive multiple data streams simultaneously to multiple devices without bandwidth degradation and require specialized testing with multiple clients, but the clients need to be MU-MIMO compatible.

If you do end up buying a new router, the setup process won’t be too scary. We have a guide on how to set up and configure the device.

Even if your router is new, you might have some ancient devices that are falling back to older, slower standards. If you bought a PC within the last 10 years, you likely have an 802.11ac wireless adapter, or at least 802.11n. But the older your devices, the less likely they are to have modern tech built in.

For these machines, you might be able to buy a USB Wi-Fi adapter that plugs into a USB port and improves connectivity. This way you don’t have to completely replace your computer just to take advantage of new Wi-Fi technology.

10. Reach Further With a Range Extender or Mesh Wi-Fi

If all of the above tips fail, it’s possible that your house is just too big for a single router to send a good signal everywhere. Your router may also just have too many corners to go around and walls to penetrate. If this is the case, you would need another solution to extend your signal: A range extender or mesh network.

Range extenders receive a signal from your router, then rebroadcast it to your devices, and vice-versa. In this way, you get an inexpensive solution that can act as a repeater to extend the range of your wireless router. However, they are often not as effective as mesh Wi-Fi systems, which replace your existing router entirely.

Instead of merely repeating a router’s signal, multiple units work together to intelligently route traffic back to your modem, blanketing your house in a single Wi-Fi network that reaches everywhere you need. When setting up these mesh points, stick to the same rules for figuring out placement: one node is connected to your modem, and each of the other nodes should be close enough to pick up a solid signal, while far enough to extend coverage to dead zones. 

Note that even with a mesh system, you may still incur some performance loss on the far ends of your house, especially if your Wi-Fi has to make multiple “hops” between nodes. Again, placing the main unit in the center of the house is best. And connecting the nodes with Ethernet will produce the best results (trust me: If you truly want problem-free Wi-Fi, it’s worth calling an electrician to run the wires).

The traditional downside to Wi-Fi mesh systems has been that they’re generally more expensive than simply adding a range extender to your existing router. If you’re tech-savvy, you might be able to save some money by setting up a few cheaper (but more complex) Ubiquiti UniFi Lite access points. Amazon’s Eero 6, Eero Pro 6, and Eero 6+ are priced lower than much of their mesh competition while offering Wi-Fi 6 compatibility and a built-in Zigbee smart home hub.

(Editors’ Note: Ekahau and Ookla are owned by Ziff Davis, the parent company of PCMag.)

By: Whitson Gordon
Source: PCMag.com
Featured Image: nito / Shutterstock

The post 10 Ways to Boost Your Wi-Fi Signal appeared first on The Reimage Blog.

Hackers can compromise intranet-connected wrenches – and it’s a lot more dangerous and disruptive than it sounds, with ransomware as the possible end threat.

Cybersecurity researchers from Nozomi published a report in which they claim finding almost two dozen vulnerabilities in a device called Bosch Rexroth Handheld Nutrunner NXA015S-36V-B. This is a cordless, intranet-connected wrench that engineers use to tighten bolts to a precise torque levels. 

As the researchers explain, having too loose, or too fastened bolts, can cause some hardware to overheat, and even start fires. Other failure scenarios are possible, as well.

Patch in the works

With Nutrunner, engineers get a torque-level indicator display, backed by a certification from the Association of German Engineers, which was adopted back in 1999. With it, the engineers can make sure they’re tightening the bolts to just the right torque level.

However, the discovered vulnerabilities mean hackers can tamper with the device and wreak havoc. For example, the display can show the correct torque level when, in reality, the bolts were either too loose, or too tight. Furthermore, hackers can install ransomware on the devices, and prevent the engineers to even view torque levels before paying the ransom demand.

The 23 flaws carry vulnerability scores from 5.3 to 8.8, it was said.

Users can control the device’s firmware, called NEXO-OS, via a browser-based management interface. Hence, hackers would also need access to this interface in order to exploit the flaws. However, even low-level privileges enable hackers to create an attack chain that leverages a traversal vulnerability to deploy malware, the researchers explained. Even unauthenticated hackers can breach the wrenches by chaining the traversal flaw with, for example, the hardcoded account vulnerability. 

Bosch was notified of the findings and said to be working on a fix. The patch (or patches) should become available by the end of the month. 

Via ArsTechnica
Written by: Sead Fadilpašić
Source: TechRadar.com
Featured Image: Kaspersky

The post Even wireless tools aren’t safe from ransomware attacks appeared first on The Reimage Blog.

A new feature in the Chrome browser disables third-party cookies – small files stored on your device to collect analytic data, personalise online ads and monitor browsing.

It will initially be available to 1% of global users, about 30 million people.

Google describes the changes as a test, with plans for a full rollout to eliminate cookies later this year.

However, some advertisers say they will suffer as a result.

Google’s Chrome is the world’s most popular internet browser.

Rivals such as Apple’s Safari and Mozilla Firefox – which account for far less internet traffic – already include options to block third-party cookies.

Google says randomly-chosen users will be asked if they want to “browse with more privacy”.

Anthony Chavez, Google vice president, said in a blog post: “We’re taking a responsible approach to phasing out third-party cookies in Chrome.

“If a site doesn’t work without third-party cookies and Chrome notices you’re having issues… we’ll prompt you with an option to temporarily re-enable third-party cookies for that website.”

Google says it is working to make the internet more private.

But from the point of view of many websites, cookies are a vital part of selling the advertising on which they depend.

For some that advertising can feel intrusive. Many people will have the experience of visiting a website, or making a purchase and then having related ads appear on all the sites they visit.

Cookies can be used to record various kinds of data about users including:

• what you do on the site
• whereabouts in the world you are
• what device you are using
• where you go online afterwards

“Google’s solution, the Chrome Privacy Sandbox, which only works on a Chrome browser, likely doesn’t benefit anyone other than Google,” said Phil Duffield, UK vice president at The Trade Desk, which operates a platform for companies to buy ads online.

“Protecting consumer privacy online, doesn’t have to mean making it harder for publishers to earn revenue”.

He added “the advertising industry is on a collective mission to build something better”.

The UK’s competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority, can block the plans if it concludes they will harm other businesses.

Written by: Philippa Wain
Source: BBC.com
Featured Image: Getty Images

The post Google Chrome starts blocking data tracking cookies appeared first on The Reimage Blog.

Intel, in collaboration with Florida-based asset manager and investor DigitalBridge, has unveiled a new spin-off company called Articul8 AI, which will focus on artificial intelligence (AI) tools.

Articul8 is set to become an independent generative AI company with a “full-stack, vertically-optimized and secure generative artificial intelligence software platform” at its heart.

Intel confirmed that DigitalBridge will be the lead investor, with Intel retaining a smaller stake alongside a host of other venture investors.

Intel creates new AI spin-off

Intel’s CEO, Pat Gelsinger, stated: “With its deep AI and HPC domain knowledge and enterprise-grade GenAI deployments, Articul8 is well positioned to deliver tangible business outcomes for Intel and our broader ecosystem of customers and partners.”

Gelsinger said that the chipmaker will continue to work with Articul8, which is set to be headed up by Intel’s Data Center and AI Group’s former VP and GM, Arun Subramaniyan.

The software platform promises customers speed, security, and cost-efficiency and is the product of an earlier collaboration between Intel and Boston Consulting Group (BCG). More recent developments have resulted in a platform designed to cater to the needs of enterprise customers who need security and specialized domain knowledge, such as the financial sector.

In an interview (via Reuters), Articul8 CEO Subramaniyan said: “We’ve been really trying to address the biggest gap in generative AI today, which is that building a proof of concept is easy, but getting things into production and doing it safely and in a cost sustainable way is really what is missing.”

Intel has been under increasing pressure in recent months from the likes of Nvidia, which has seen soaring measures of success thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence. While Intel is already working on next-generation hardware and components, the launch of a new software company could help the business to secure a more reliable revenue stream as the economy continues to throw up challenges.

Written by: Craig Hale
Source: TechRadar.com
Featured Image: Intel/Articul8 AI

The post Intel reveals new spin-off company looking to bring generative AI learning to businesses everywhere appeared first on The Reimage Blog.

Camera companies are looking to fight the rise of AI-generated images by embedding digital signatures in the photos.

Nikon, for instance, plans to start offering mirrorless cameras with authentication technology built in for photojournalists and other professional photographers. The technology will embed tamper-resistant digital signatures, including the date and time a photo was taken as well as its location and the photographer, Nikkei Asia reports.

A group of news organizations, camera makers, and technology companies have joined together to create a web tool called Verify for checking the authenticity of images for free. If the image has a digital signature, the site will display the date, location, and other credentials for the image.

The authentication technology is now adopted by Nikon, Sony, and Canon. Sony plans to expand the lineup of compatible camera models and lobby others to do the same and will incorporate digital signatures into its professional-grade mirrorless SLRs via a firmware update this year. Canon also plans to release a camera with the technology as early as next year. The technology was tested by Sony and the Associated Press this past October.

In addition to marking images as real images, some other companies are looking at ways of identifying AI images as well. Last year, Intel developed a way to to determine whether an image was real by analyzing skin color changes. In August, Google also released a tool to add invisible watermarks to AI-generated images.

AI images are becoming more commonplace in the world, making it harder to determine their authenticity. Earlier this year a popular free AI image detector labeled a photo of an infant killed in Hamas’ recent attack on Israel as being generated by AI even though it is likely real.

Written by: Emily Price
Updated January 1, 2024
Source: PCMag.com
Featured Image: Shutterstock / Deemerwha studio

The post Camera Companies Fight AI-Generated Images With ‘Verify’ Watermark Tech appeared first on The Reimage Blog.

A federal appeals court has temporarily halted a ban on the newest versions of the Apple Watch, which will return to stores this week.

“We are thrilled to return the full Apple Watch lineup to customers in time for the new year. Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2, including the blood oxygen feature, will become available for purchase again in the United States at Apple Stores starting today and from Apple.com tomorrow by 12pm PT,” Apple said in a statement.

The watches will return to select Apple Stores today, with wider availability by Dec. 30.

Apple removed the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 from online stores and Apple Stores last week after the International Trade Commission (ITC) found that the blood oxygen sensor in the Apple Watch infringes on patents held by the company Masimo.

Masimo says that Apple met with the company under the guise of working together on the device, but instead poached some of its key employees and used them to recreate Masimo’s tech within Apple, infringing on the company’s patents in the process.

Masimo sued and later asked the ITC weigh in; it ruled in Masimo’s favor in October.

The Biden administration had until Dec. 25 to veto the ITC ruling. Yesterday, it issued a statement that said “after careful consultations, Ambassador [Katherine] Tai decided not to reverse the ITC’s determination and the ITC’s decision became final on December 26, 2023.”

Apple requested that the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit weigh in and allow it to sell the Apple Watches as it appealed the decision. Next month, Apple plans to ask the court to let it sell the Series 9 and Ultra 2 during the entire appeals process, which could be quite lengthy.

In the interim, Apple has also asked US Customs to approve a redesign of the two Apple Watches that it says gets around the patent issue.

The Apple Watch SE, which does not have a blood oxygen sensor, is not involved in this dispute.

Editors’ Note: This story was updated with Apple’s statement.

Written by: Emily Price
Updated December 27, 2023
Source: PCMag.com
Featured Image: Shutterstock / charnsitr

The post Court Temporarily Halts Apple Watch Ban, Series 9, Ultra 2 Return to Apple Stores appeared first on The Reimage Blog.

CUPERTINO, Calif. — Apple on Thursday stopped online sales of two popular models of its internet-connected watch in the U.S. after losing its latest attempt to untangle a patent dispute that’s blocking it from using some of the technology on the device.

Both the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 became unavailable to order online beginning at 3 p.m. ET, as the company followed through on its plan to suspend sales of them because of a legal battle over an intellectual property claim filed by medical technology company Masimo.

The International Trade Commission on rejected Apple’s bid to get around a late October order blocking the company from using some of technology underlying the Blood Oxygen measurement feature on the Series 9 and Ultra 2 watches.

Stymied by the decision, Apple decided to stop to stop selling the two watch models in the U.S. to comply with the ITC ruling that will now stand, unless the Biden administration overturns it by Christmas.

Although the online sales suspension went into effect Thursday afternoon, the devices are scheduled to remain on store shelves until Sunday. The less sophisticated Apple Watch will remain available in the U.S. after Christmas Eve. Previously purchased Apple Watches equipped with the Blood Oxygen aren’t affected by the ITC order.

Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives estimates Apple’s holiday-season sales will be reduced by $300 million and $400 million if the patent dispute results in the two watch models being pulled from the U.S. market during the final week of the year.

Written by: The Associated Press
Source: abcnews.com
Featured Image: FILE – The Apple logo is illuminated at a store in the city center of Munich, Germany, Dec. 16, 2020. Apple plans to suspend sales of the Series 9 and Ultra 2 versions of its popular Apple Watch for online U.S. customers beginning Thursday afternoon, Dec. 21, 2023, and in its stores on Sunday, Dec. 24. The move stems from an October decision from the International Trade Commission restricting Apple’s watches with a Blood Oxygen feature as part of an intellectual property dispute with medical technology company Masimo. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File) The Associated Press

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