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AppleInsider - Apple Watch glucose tracker gets Apple Silicon executive as project l
Apple Watch offers essential health tracking
Apple’s vice president of platform architecture in charge of developing Apple Silicon, Tim Millet, has been assigned to head the Apple Watch glucose tracker project.
According to a report from Bloomberg, Apple has assigned a new head to the glucose monitoring project after months without a dedicated executive in place. Tim Millet, Apple’s vice president of platform architecture, has been tapped for the position.
It may be many years before the Apple Watch or other wearables will introduce non-invasive glucose monitoring. However, if Apple can get ahead of the competition with this technology, it would make the Apple Watch even more of a must-have health product.
The Fedora Project is pleased to announce the immediate availability of Fedora Linux 39 Beta, the next step towards our planned Fedora Linux 39 release at the end of October.
Get the the prerelease of any of our editions from our project website:
Or, try one of our many different desktop variants (like KDE Plasma, Xfce, or Cinnamon) from Fedora Linux Spins.
You can also update an existing system to the beta using DNF system-upgrade.
Beta release highlights
In some ways, this release might seem notable largely for what isn’t here. We’d planned to update the DNF package manager to a new, speedier version. We also hoped to showcase a long-awaited refresh to the user interface for Anaconda, our installation program. However, we decided these things just weren’t ready in time.
Don’t let this get you down, though — this is a healthy process at work. Years ago, we didn’t always have a good way to alter course once we’d accepted a change proposal. We often found ourselves in a situation where the only reasonable way forward was to forge ahead, even if we weren’t happy enough with the change for general users. Now, even though it’s somewhat disappointing, we’re recognizing that these big changes need more time to bake, and putting them back into the oven is a good thing.
I’ve got a kid that always wants to get 100% (or higher!) in every class. I keep telling her, “Really, you learn best when you’re right 80% of the time. Otherwise, you’re not getting enough of a challenge.” To keep up with Fedora’s commitment to innovation, we also need to take risks. If everything went according to plan, that would mean we’re not trying hard enough. At the same time, our process now allows us to take these risks while still making sure the Fedora Linux OS we ship for general use is of A+ quality.
We still plan to bring you these features in the near future, and if they’re of interest to you, please keep your eyes open for upcoming test announcements.
In the meantime, enjoy the many updates across all of Fedora Linux updates, ready for you to test in this new beta.
Notable updates
Fedora Workstation 39 Beta brings us GNOME 45 (itself also in beta). For everyone who needs a free and open source desktop suite, there’s LibreOffice 7.6.
Fedora Cloud images for AWS now default to less-expensive gp3 storage volumes.
We also have an update to the GNU Toolchain (gcc 13.2, binutils 2.40, glibc 2.38, gdb 13.2). Of course, developers appreciate that we include the latest tools, but these updates also include improvements to security and performance that will benefit everyone who uses Fedora Linux.
Testing needed
Since this is a beta release, we expect that you may encounter bugs or missing features. To report issues encountered during testing, contact the Fedora Quality team via the test mailing list or in the #quality channel on Fedora Chat. As testing progresses, common issues are tracked in the “Common Issues” category on Ask Fedora.
A beta release is code-complete and bears a very strong resemblance to the final release. If you take the time to download and try out the beta, you can check and make sure the things that are important to you are working. Every bug you find and report doesn’t just help you, it improves the experience of millions of Fedora Linux users worldwide! Together, we can make Fedora rock-solid. We have a culture of coordinating new features and pushing fixes upstream as much as we can. Your feedback improves not only Fedora Linux, but the Linux ecosystem and free software as a whole.
More information
For more detailed information about what’s new on the Fedora Linux 39 Beta release, you can consult the Fedora Linux 39 Change set. It contains more technical information about the new packages and improvements shipped with this release.
News - Soapbox: Nintendo, “THE Prime Asset” In Xbox’s Content Quest? It’s On
Image: Nintendo Life
The FTC case examining Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, depending on your perspective, is either the gift that keeps on giving or an eye-scrapingly dull, never-ending saga. Still, you can’t deny that it’s turned up some tasty behind-the-scenes morsels to chew on, giving gamers a fascinating glimpse of the day-to-day correspondences and conversation topics between some of the biggest names in the gaming industry.
Today’s revelations will be keeping our friends over at Pure Xbox busy for some time, and we can’t imagine Microsoft’s top brass is happy to have its product plans, next-gen timelines, and unannounced projects ejected into the vacuum of the internet for all to see (although let’s face it, nothing on that roster of potential games is particularly groundbreaking — holy crap, they’re working on another DOOM and some remasters?! Unprecedented!).
Obviously, around these parts, we’re more interested in an email between Xbox boss Phil Spencer and Microsoft CMOs Chris Capossela and Takeshi Numoto in which he explains his feelings around a potential acquisition of Nintendo by the US firm.
It’s juicy stuff, and it’s unusual to see such frank discussion of the topic between Microsoft’s bigwigs. However, it should come as precisely zero surprise to anyone that Nintendo is, as Spencer puts it, “THE prime asset for us in Gaming.” Given its historic place in the industry and its ability to craft evergreen, genre-shaping software while sticking to its core tenants of surprising and delighting a fiercely loyal audience, Microsoft being keen to co-opt Nintendo’s prestige and expertise — not to mention its huge catalogue of all-ages IP — is the definition of a no-brainer.
‘1-2-Switch, only on Xbox.’ You know what, that sounds fine, actually — Image: Nintendo Life
Can you imagine the explosive overnight expansion in the Xbox demographic if it were suddenly the home of all Mario, Pokémon, Zelda, Animal Crossing, Kirby, and Metroid games? Any software-starved, cash-rich company in its right mind is keeping a watchful eye on Nintendo at all times, ready to make a move should “opportunities” arise.
Massive coroporation would like to get its hands on Mario? Shocker. You know what? Sony wouldn’t mind that, either.
Looking at the email text, it’s the mention of applying pressure for increased stock performance via Nintendo’s Board of Directors, and the potential destabilisation and “opportunities” this might create for Microsoft to move closer to Nintendo, which feels like the most hostile, underhanded, and unsavoury detail. But again, while the naked, aggressive Capitalism of it might make Nintendo loyalists and lovers of the medium uncomfortable (and go against Spencer’s magnanimous, inclusive ‘Uncle Phil’ persona), it’s Business 101. There’s really nothing incendiary about these revelations. Massive corporation would like to get its hands on Mario? Shocker. You know what? Sony wouldn’t mind that, either.
Reading the text, you might come to the conclusion that Spencer’s perspective that Nintendo’s “future exists off of their own hardware” is totally pie-in-the-sky. And you wouldn’t be wrong, although the troubled Wii U was fresher in people’s minds back then. This email dates from 2020 and although Switch was doing very nicely at the time (Animal Crossing: New Horizons had launched three months prior), the idea that its success could be a pendulum swing before another disappointing console was far from crazy. And, to be fair, we’re still in the dark about exactly what a ‘Switch 2’ will be and how it will fare; it’s entirely possible that Nintendo’s next consoles won’t click with a mass-market audience in the same way. The ball is Nintendo’s to drop.
2020 was a while ago now, but Nintendo’s strength has only grown since then — Image: Nintendo Life
However, even if the next console were some colossal disaster, Nintendo has diversified its business in the past few years for precisely this reason. Its gradual evolution into a Disney-like ‘entertainment’ company (as Doug Bowser recently called it) — an evergreen and familiar brand built around not just video games, but theme parks, movies, and merchandising up the wazoo — is, in part, a risk avoidance strategy to weather any storms in its console hardware business. You can’t just put all your eggs in one hybrid basket and rely on every single console to be a stonking success.
[sharks are] always circling, whether there’s blood in the water or not. That’s just business.
Ultimately, as Spencer referenced in his email, Nintendo’s cash reserves are substantial and the company would need to produce several Wii Us in a row before it would be in any financial danger. Yes, the sharks would be circling, but if this email reveals anything, it’s that they’re always circling, whether there’s blood in the water or not. That’s just business.
Could Microsoft make a move on Nintendo in the future? It’s not impossible, but it would involve the Kyoto company stepping on multiple rakes and dealing itself catastrophic financial damage over a decade or more. The ongoing Microsoft/Activision saga demonstrates just how many hurdles big acquisition deals can throw up. Add in competition from other corporations worldwide, from China and the Middle East, and the required chain of events that lead to a Microsoft-owned Nintendo from where we are right now would be…not inconceivable, but far-fetched enough to be farcical. Spencer himself writes that Microsoft is “playing the long game,” which is just as well. It’ll be a very long game indeed.
Image: Nintendo
So no, there’s very little for Nintendo loyalists to worry about after seeing these three-year-old emails. If increased cooperation between Microsoft and Nintendo leads to boons like getting Ori and Cuphead on Switch, Banjo in Smash, and — oh, I don’t know — Diddy Kong Racing on Nintendo Switch Online, perhaps, or a Rare Replay Switch port (now there’s a pipedream worth fixating on), Nintendo gamers only stand to gain right now.
Posted by: xSicKxBot - 09-20-2023, 09:47 AM - Forum: Lounge
- No Replies
News - Marvel Snap’s Ravonna Renslayer arrives just in time
It’s new card Tuesday in Second Dinner’s superhero CCG, with Marvel Snap’s Ravonna Renslayer arriving in style to join as part of the Loki For All Time season. This character might not have a mask or cape, but she’s already finding their way into some of the best Marvel Snap decks thanks to an effect that makes powerful cards like Knull, Arnim Zola, and Hobgoblin easier to play.
Joining the roster of Marvel Snap cards as a three-cost three-power summon, Ravonna Renslayer’s effect reads as ‘Ongoing: Your cards with one or less Power cost one less. (minimum 1).’ This effect makes Ravonna a combo starter for plenty of deck types, from making it easier to create multiple copies of Knull with Arnim Zola, to creating some chaos by getting Mister Negative out on the board for one less power.
In terms of counters to Ravonna, cards like Enchantress and Echo can shut down ongoing cards in a second, so it’s best to take one of either or both into a battle if you’re expecting to face the TVA agent. There’s also the Super Skrull option, whose effect allows you to steal Ravonna’s ongoing ability and use it for yourself. Considering a lot of players test out new cards in the week they’re released, it might be an idea to add a copy of the overpowered Skrull warrior to your deck.
Next week sees the arrival of another character from Disney’s Loki series in the form of Mobius M. Mobius. There’s hope in the community that one of either of the two new arrivals can help to counter the Loki meta decks currently occupying the top tier or Marvel Snap decks. Whether we can see a new archetype capable of taking down Thor’s trickster brother is entirely up to the deck-crafting abilities of the community, but we wouldn’t bet against them.
There you have it, all you need to know about the arrival of Marvel Snap’s Ravonna Renslayer. While you’re here, be sure to check out our Roblox game codes, including links to Blade Ball codes, Type Soul codes, and plenty more.
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AppleInsider - US spokesman behind on the news pours gas on seemingly settled China
iPhone 15
The US government now says that the China government iPhone ban is “aggressive and inappropriate retaliation” despite a statement 12 hours prior by China that there is in fact, no ban.
The first half of September has been a roller coaster for Apple as rumors of a potential China sales ban circulated major media outlets. These rumors didn’t pan out, as iPhone 15 is indeed up for sale in the country and a statement from China denied the allegations earlier Wednesday.
In what appears to be a statement generated before news of the Chinese government refuting ban rumors, the White House chimed in on the matter, as reported by Bloomberg. The National Security Council shared that it is watching the issue with concern.
“It seems to be of a piece of the kinds of aggressive and inappropriate retaliation to US companies that we’ve seen from the PRC in the past,” said John Kirby, the council’s spokesman, referring to the People’s Republic of China.
China Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said China hasn’t issued laws and regulations to ban the purchase of Apple or other foreign brands. This was in response to rumors suggesting government businesses had begun telling employees not to bring their iPhones to work — something investors feared could expand outward to the general public.
Mao Ning does note that China is concerned about security issues with Apple’s products being reported by media. This statement was confusing, as there isn’t any recent major breach or security concern to attach it to.
It could refer to Apple patching known exploits days after they became public knowledge. Regardless, a ban was not implemented — at least not officially.
This likely isn’t the end of the saga. The United States has banned Chinese brand Huawei form sale over security concerns, so the back and forth will likely continue between the countries as Apple sits in the middle.
Fedora - Contribute at Passkey Auth, Fedora CoreOS and IoT Test Week
Fedora test days are events where anyone can help make certain that changes in Fedora Linux work well in an upcoming release. Fedora community members often participate, and the public is welcome at these events. If you’ve never contributed to Fedora Linux before, this is a perfect way to get started.
There are several test periods in the upcoming weeks.
Thursday 21 September and Friday 22 September, is to test Passkey Auth.
Sunday 24 September through Sunday 01 October, is to test Fedora IoT Edition.
Monday 25 September through Monday October 02, focuses on testing Fedora CoreOS .
Passkey Auth
Passwordless authentication methods to log into Linux systems became a hot topic in the past few years. Various organizations started to mandate more secure methods of authentication, including governments and regulated industries. FIDO2 tokens, and smartcards, represent two passwordless authentication methods mandated by the US government in their Zero Trust architecture.
FreeIPA, and SSSD in Fedora 39, enable the capability to log-in to a desktop or a console terminal with a FIDO2-compatible device, for centrally managed users enrolled in Active Directory. This is supported by the libfido2 library. Additionally, for FreeIPA, once the user is authenticated with the FIDO2-compatible device, a Kerberos ticket may be issued .
As a part of this changeset , we will be having test days on Thursday 21 September and Friday 22 September. The idea is to run through test cases and submit results here.
Fedora IoT
For this test week, the focus is all-around; test all the bits that come in a Fedora IoT release as well as validate different hardware. This includes:
Basic installation to different media
Installing in a VM
rpm-ostree upgrades, layering, rebasing
Basic container manipulation with Podman.
We welcome all different types of hardware, but have a specific list of target hardware for convenience. This test week will occur Sunday 24 September through Sunday 01 October.
Fedora 39 CoreOS Test Week
The Fedora 39 CoreOS Test Week focuses on testing FCOS based on Fedora 39. The FCOS next stream is already rebased on Fedora 38 content, which will be coming soon to testing and stable. To prepare for the content being promoted to other streams the Fedora CoreOS and QA teams have organized test days from Monday, 25 Septemberthrough 2 October. Refer to the wiki page for links to the test cases and materials you’ll need to participate. The FCOS and QA team will meet and communicate with the community in async over multiple matrix/element channels. The announcements will be made 48 hours prior to the start of test week. Stay tuned to official Fedora channels for more info.
How do test days work?
Test days or weeks are an event where anyone can help make certain that changes in Fedora work well in an upcoming release. Fedora community members often participate, and the public is welcome at these events. Test days are the perfect way to start contributing if you not in the past.
The only requirement to get started is the ability to download test materials (which include some large files) and then read and follow directions step by step.
Detailed information about all the test days are on the wiki page links provided above. If you are available on or around the days of the events, please do some testing and report your results.
