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Reddit user Fantastic-Author2736 built a virtual reality version of Diablo II using tools called FlatVR and BodyWalk, relocating the map and inventory to the player's hand and belt for a first-person view. The mod, currently at version 0.141, is downloadable on GitHub and includes recent fixes to sky rendering in several zones and a barbarian animation glitch.
Viatris announced its plan to acquire Pacira BioSciences for $1.65 billion, aiming to broaden its range of pain management medicines. The deal signifies a strategic move to enhance Viatris's portfolio in the healthcare sector.
A recent survey shows that 64% of Americans believe AI is advancing too quickly, with broad bipartisan concern about its pace. Most respondents support government efforts to keep AI under human control and safeguard jobs, while also emphasizing environmental and economic priorities. President Trump’s resistance to slowing AI progress has drawn criticism from the public, reflecting widespread apprehension about the technology’s trajectory.
Meta is testing a Facebook layout in India that opens directly into a full-screen, immersive video feed, with a possible US rollout in 2027. Separately, researcher Radu Oncescu found an Instagram test letting Reels appear as the first screen on app launch, with sound on by default, while Stories stay at top and the regular feed is reached by swiping. A Meta spokesperson confirmed the Instagram test is live in some countries and said users can revert to the old layout.
Amazon consumer electronics chief Panos Panay told Bloomberg that the company is phasing out its Fire tablet line in favor of new Alexa Tablets running standard Android with full Google Play Store access, unlike Fire OS devices which lacked native Google apps. Amazon will continue providing security updates for existing Fire tablets but will not release new hardware for the line, and Panay indicated more hardware announcements are planned for the fall, excluding any Amazon-branded computer or laptop.
AMD's CEO Lisa Su is visiting South Korea to negotiate additional HBM memory supply for AI hardware, following a recent memorandum of understanding with Samsung. Samsung is also interested in broadening its collaboration with AMD to include foundry manufacturing and other semiconductor technologies. The discussions highlight ongoing efforts to secure long-term supply chains amid rising AI demand.
Wi-Fi 7, the new 802.11be standard, adds 320 MHz-wide channels, Multi-Link Operation across bands, 4096-QAM modulation and better beamforming, pushing theoretical speeds to about 46 Gbps versus Wi-Fi 6's 9.6 Gbps. Despite expanded use of the 6 GHz spectrum, it still operates across 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands rather than relying solely on 6 GHz.
Apple's iOS 27 rollout introduces significant CarPlay enhancements, including the integration of Siri AI for more natural voice commands, a persistent Now Playing MiniPlayer with an audio scrubber, and new wallpapers. The update also improves navigation accuracy and wireless stability, aiming to make in-car entertainment and control more reliable and user-friendly. Support for video apps is anticipated in a future release.
Michael Smith, a 54-year-old from North Carolina, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined $8 million after orchestrating a large-scale AI music streaming scam. He used thousands of fake accounts and up to 10,000 bots to generate billions of streams of AI-created songs, earning millions in royalties and surpassing major artists' streaming figures. The FBI-led investigation uncovered the extent of his operation, which involved creating hundreds of thousands of AI tracks to sustain the fraudulent streams over several years.
A master's student from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology developed a technique that can uniquely identify gamers based on their mouse and keyboard input signals. By analyzing data from over a thousand players, the method achieved 100% accuracy with mouse patterns and 98% with keyboard signals, even linking multiple accounts to a single individual. The approach uncovered previously unknown account connections, highlighting its potential for player identification.
WaveSave has introduced a new flood protection device called SlamDam, which can be quickly deployed along riverbanks or shorelines. The inflatable rubber dam can reach heights of 1.3 meters and is designed to be easily set up by anyone during flood events. This innovation aims to provide a simple, rapid response to rising water levels caused by climate change.
A recent rumor claims that the upcoming OLED iPad mini will feature a 60Hz refresh rate, despite reports of a 120Hz option in some sources. The device is expected to include other upgrades such as an OLED screen, a new A20 Pro chip, and a redesigned, more water-resistant body, with a launch anticipated later this month. However, the display refresh rate remains uncertain and could disappoint buyers expecting ProMotion support.