The move comes amid Google’s strategy to move further into the physical AI space.
Intrinsic, an Alphabet-owned software and AI company, is joining Google. The platform, which was established in 2021 as one of Alphabet’s ‘other bets’ under the ‘moonshots’ research and development segment X Development, builds AI models and software designed to make industrial robots more accessible.
In joining Google, Intrinsic will continue to operate as a distinct entity, however, it will work closely with Google DeepMind and will tap into Google’s Gemini AI models and cloud services. Thus far, Alphabet has declined to share information regarding funding or the purchase price.
Commenting on the news, Wendy Tan White, the CEO of Intrinsic said: “The Intrinsic team has been working for years to enable access to intelligent robotics through a democratised platform, so more people can build and benefit from robotics applications.
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“Combined with Google’s incredible AI and infrastructure, we’re going to unlock the promise of physical AI for a much broader set of manufacturing businesses and developers. This will fundamentally shift production, from its economics to operations and enable truly advanced manufacturing.”
Hiroshi Lockheimer, the chief product officer of Other Bets, added: “At Google, we see the immense opportunity in bridging the gap between the digital and physical world, that is also true for intelligent robotics in industries like manufacturing and logistics. We’re excited to welcome the Intrinsic team to Google, so we can bring breakthrough AI to more businesses and industries, at scale.”
In other Alphabet news, Alphabet and Google were in hot water earlier this month as both were at the centre of a new antitrust complaint filed by the European Publishers Council with the European Commission on 10 February.
The complaint alleged that Google and Alphabet are abusing their dominant position in general search services via the use of AI overviews and AI mode embedded within Google Search.
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The global smartphone market just had a bit of a shake-up, and this time, it’s Apple sitting comfortably at the top. Yep, iPhones have officially taken the crown in early 2026, while Google’s Pixel lineup is quietly pulling off one of its best growth runs yet.
iPhones take the top spot (for the first time ever in Q1)
According to the latest data from Counterpoint Research, Apple grabbed the No.1 spot globally in Q1 2026, marking the first time it has ever led the market in a first quarter. The company held around 21% market share, edging past Samsung’s 20%, even as the overall smartphone market actually declined by 6% year-on-year.
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What’s driving that, you ask? A mix of strong demand for the iPhone 17 series, aggressive trade-in offers, and solid performance in key markets like India and Asia-Pacific. Meanwhile, Samsung slipped slightly due to delayed launches and weaker entry-level demand, showing that even the biggest players aren’t immune to market slowdowns right now.
Pixel’s quiet growth is the real plot twist
While Apple grabbing headlines isn’t shocking, Google’s Pixel story is where things get interesting. The Pixel lineup reportedly saw around 14% year-on-year growth, even as most of the industry struggled. That growth is being attributed to Google doubling down on things it does best: AI features, computational photography, and a clean software experience. Add to that the launch of newer models like the Pixel 10a also helped push those numbers up.
Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends
It’s still not challenging the top three just yet, but it doesn’t need to. Pixel’s strategy seems less about dominating volumes and more about steadily carving out a loyal, premium niche. And in a market that’s shrinking overall, that kind of growth stands out. While Apple is busy winning the crown, Pixel is quietly proving it might be one of the most interesting players to watch next.
Buying a computer is an investment. Even budget brands aren’t exactly cheap, especially if you’re buying a new, non-refurbished model. It’s easy to drop at least a couple of hundred dollars on a new laptop or computer — and that’s before you even get into buying any peripherals you might need, like a monitor, keyboard, or mouse. Whatever you buy, you want to know that you’re going to get your money’s worth, and that you won’t be spending big again any time soon. That’s doubly the case if you use it all the time, for working from home, gaming, or anything else you might see fit.
If you want to be happy with whatever computer you wind up picking, you probably don’t want to exclusively research the specific model or specifications of the device you have your eye on. You should also take a look at what people have to say about the make or brand of computer you’re planning to purchase from.
Per the data from 2025 shared by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ASCI), hardware manufacturer Acer ranks as the singular worst brand for customer satisfaction, with a rating of 75 out of 100. They also held the same rank in data from 2024, but the company has fallen by a further four points since the last ASCI analysis, when it had previously scored 78 out of 100. For context, the overall satisfaction rating for all personal computers is 81, meaning the company ranks below average compared to others analyzed for the report.
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Why does Acer rank poorly for customer satisfaction?
The ASCI report itself doesn’t publicly state exactly why Acer ranked the lowest compared to other personal computer manufacturers, nor does it say why the company’s score fell from last year. However, there is a breakdown of which benchmarks are considered while assessing customer satisfaction, varying from technical considerations, to other factors like call center or website satisfaction, as well as a device’s design, the availability of compatible software or apps, how easy devices are to use, and what peripherals or accessories are available. The overall score given to Acer is lower than the average score for most of those benchmarks.
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It’s also not just the ASCI report that suggests that Acer computers could be disappointing. A quick look at customer reviews and consumer forums leaves little room for surprise that it ranked so low in ASCI’s report. The Trustpilot score based on user reviews attains the company a Poor rating, with an average of 2.7/5. Similarly, customer reviews on the Better Business Bureau gives Acer an average of 1.2/5, albeit based on a small sample size of only around 20 reviews.
Meanwhile, an analysis shared by Which? revealed that after one year of ownership, around 4% of Acer laptops develop faults. The figure rises to 13% after three years of ownership, and 22% — so, almost a quarter of those sampled — after seven years. However, Acer isn’t alone with these figures. LG took the title of having the highest fault rates after three years, with 6%, and Acer tied with Dell for the amount of faults developed after three years. Similarly, the usually high-ranking HP also matched Acer’s fault rate after seven years of use, with Dell close behind.
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How Acer compares to other personal computer manufacturers
When it comes to customer satisfaction, Acer ranks the lowest by ASCI’s standards — but some other brands are surprisingly close behind. Microsoft and Asus each sit two ranks above it, each with a score of 76. The next company above that is Amazon, with a rating of 78. It’s a close race, with only three points making a big difference in terms of rankings.
There are also only nine major companies that earn their own individual ranks on the podium. A category labeled All Others sits with the same rating as Amazon, which accounts for a collection of other, smaller manufacturers that don’t have their own public, individual scores. Above that is Lenovo, with 79; the last company to bag a below-average rating. The remaining four major computer companies — Samsung, Dell, Apple, and HP, in order — all received an average or above rating of 81 or higher. So, although Acer sits below average in terms of customer satisfaction, it certainly isn’t alone.
Something else notable about the ASCI data is that almost every company’s score decreased in the 2025 data compared to the previous year. The only two that didn’t lose points from the previous year were Dell, which increased its score by three points, and the All Others category, which scored exactly the same. Acer tied with Apple and Microsoft as the three companies to have dropped the most points in comparison to the previous year, with each manufacturer falling by 4 points. Despite the general downward trend for many companies, overall customer satisfaction with personal computers stayed stable, at 81 out of 100.
Starting next month, UK shoppers can order the Honda Super-N for less than £20,000 ($26,910). This cool electric vehicle pays homage to a famous 1980s Honda model and injects some joy back into daily travels. Honda constructed the Super-N on a lightweight architecture derived from their popular kei cars in Japan, where it was initially known as the Super-One. The end result is a low-slung car that’s easy to drive in traffic, feels agile, and saves money without compromising any of the necessities.
The exterior design is similar to the original City Turbo II, but with some interesting modifications. It has a broad track and hefty wheel arches, giving the vehicle a sturdy, planted feel. Larger bumpers and cute small side vents give visual appeal and, more significantly, aerodynamic flair. You can choose from a variety of colors, including a two-tone roof in gloss black and some amusing body graphics. Fifteen-inch wheels with Yokohama tires fit the arches perfectly, resulting in some very sharp handling on UK roads.
Speed & Range: Experience exhilarating rides with the Ninebot S2’s impressive top speed of 11.2 mph and range of 21.7 miles.
Beginner-Friendly: Perfect for riders aged 16-50, the Segway S2 features a user-friendly learning mode, providing a smooth and gradual introduction.
Adjustable & Supportive: Enjoy a customized fit tailored to your needs, as the Segway S2 accommodates heights ranging from 4’3″ to 6’6″ and supports…
A 29.6kg battery pack lays flat beneath the floor, helping to reduce the center of gravity and keeping the Super-N stable as you corner. The end result is a total weight of just over 1,097 kilograms, making it one of the lightest electric vehicles on the market in Europe right now, and you can really feel the difference while you’re driving, as the car changes direction quickly and there’s almost no body roll when you take a turn.
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In everyday driving, you get a respectable 47 kilowatts/63 horsepower. However, using the BOOST button increases the output to 70 kilowatts / 94 horsepower. In addition, the system includes a nifty simulated 7-speed transmission that shifts smoothly and even emits authentic engine noises via Active Sound Control. Honda has fine-tuned the suspension and chassis to provide a smooth ride over bumps while remaining extremely responsive when necessary. According to official tests, you can anticipate to go up to 199 miles in the city or approximately 128 miles on a mixed road.
Inside, it’s all about simplicity, with plenty of physical buttons and no messing with menus. The seats feature wonderful extra side support for prolonged trips, as well as a striking blue accent reminiscent of the original Turbo model. The ambient lighting is also a wonderful touch, with a cool blue for normal use and a deep purple when you push the boost button. And, of course, Honda’s Magic Seats design allows the back seats to easily fold, slide, and get out of the way. Storage compartments, a handy glovebox, and all of the other necessities are also included.
Charging the Super-N is as simple as it gets, with a standard connection that fits most household wall outlets and public charging points without the need for any extra adapters. Honda has adopted a prudent approach to development, paying special attention to what constitutes the usual daily routine for owners, such as the daily commute and a few errands around town, which is where most people spend their time. The little battery they’ve chosen keeps weight and price low, while still providing adequate range for a full week of average use before requiring a battery recharge.
For the time being, the Honda Super-N will only be available in the United Kingdom, so if you live anywhere else, you’ll have to either wait patiently or hunt elsewhere for one. At this price point, it naturally competes with other tiny electric choices on the market, but what distinguishes it is its ability to pack a playful personality into its lightweight body, resulting in a very enjoyable driving experience. Orders will open soon, and the first cars will be delivered in July, at which point we should anticipate news to spread about how much pleasure can be packed into such a small box. [Source]
An international law enforcement action led by the U.K.’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has identified over 20,000 victims of cryptocurrency fraud across Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Dubbed “Operation Atlantic,” this joint action took place last month, and it involved the NCA, the U.S. Secret Service, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Ontario Securities Commission, and multiple private industry partners.
“The NCA hosted law enforcement agencies at their London HQ and through real time intelligence sharing, technical capabilities and victim outreach, multiple fraud networks were disrupted across the world,” the NCA said. “City of London Police, Financial Conduct Authority and other international law enforcement bodies also joined the weeklong action.”
The investigators have also frozen more than $12 million in suspected criminal proceeds obtained through “approval phishing” attacks, in which scammers trick victims into granting them access to their cryptocurrency wallets, typically via investment scams. They also identified more than $45 million in stolen cryptocurrency connected to fraud schemes worldwide.
Officials said the public-private partnership model used in Operation Atlantic will be a core element of the U.K. government’s recently announced Fraud Strategy, which connects industry data and law enforcement expertise to enable fraud prevention.
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“Operation Atlantic is a powerful example of what is possible when international agencies and private industry work side by side,” added Miles Bonfield, NCA Deputy Director of Investigations.
“This intensive action has led to the safeguarding of thousands of victims in the UK and overseas, stopped criminals in their tracks and helped save others from losing their funds.”
The NCA added that, together with law enforcement and private-sector partners, it will continue to analyze intelligence gathered during this joint action to support other victims and pursue potential criminal activity.
Since January 2024, the FBI has also identified more than 8,000 victims of cryptocurrency investment fraud (also known as pig butchering) with support from the U.S. Secret Service, as part of Operation Level Up. The FBI said that roughly 77% of those victims were unaware they were being scammed and that the estimated savings to victims is $511,511,288.
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In its 2025 Internet Crime Report, the FBI said it received 61,559 complaints of cryptocurrency investment fraud last year, linked to $7.228 billion in losses and representing a massive 48% increase in complaints and a 25% increase in losses from 2024.
Automated pentesting proves the path exists. BAS proves whether your controls stop it. Most teams run one without the other.
This whitepaper maps six validation surfaces, shows where coverage ends, and provides practitioners with three diagnostic questions for any tool evaluation.
Scientists from MIT’s Media Lab have developed extremely thin strands that wrap and unravel at the flip of an electric switch. They strikingly resemble your own muscles. When grouped together, they can generate significant force and movement, all while remaining completely silent and hidden.
Each electrofluidic muscle fiber is only 2 millimeters thick and weighs roughly 2 grams. Inside, there’s a little self-contained loop of highly unique liquid and a tiny pump the size of a toothpick. When you run some electricity through the pump, the liquid zooms ahead without any of the rotating elements or big storage tanks you’d expect. On one side, the liquid accumulates and shortens the fiber, while on the other, it is sucked out and the fiber extends out, similar to how your biceps and triceps work together to bend your elbow.
Sleek & Durable Design: Standing at 132cm tall and weighing only approx. 35kg, the G1 is constructed with aerospace-grade aluminum alloy and carbon…
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Before turning on the electricity, the engineers kept everything steady and supplied gentle ongoing pressure to the entire system. Just that simple method prevents the development of microscopic air bubbles, allows the pump to operate at greater voltages, and allows the fiber to contract far more than it would otherwise. As a result, they can now achieve a 20% contraction in roughly a third of a second and generate 50 watts of power per kilogram, which is comparable to human skeletal muscle.
Bundles of these fibers scale up quickly, with one configuration lifting and moving 4 kilograms, or 200 times its own weight, and stretching out around 30 millimeters. Another one, with several more pumps working simultaneously, elevates a lever arm at 180 millimeters per second and flings small items around in less than a tenth of a second. Woven into a cloth sleeve, the same fibers bend a robotic arm 40 degrees while remaining soft enough to allow for a friendly handshake.
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Photo credit: Ozgun Kilic Afsar Traditional motors in robots have large heavy cylinders near each joint, forcing designers to add a slew of gears and other connections that add bulk and make it difficult to achieve the fine movement required. However, these fibers may be stretched the whole length of a limb or an article of clothing, distributing weight evenly and allowing the structure to bend and twist in all the correct places. Everything remains sealed inside, allowing you to operate the device without the noise or mess of compressors and dangling hoses. This makes all types of wearing exoskeletons much more practical, and a sleeve knitted from the fibers allows you to lift huge objects without feeling stiff or being driven insane by incessant whirring. Prosthetic arms can achieve motion that is far more natural, quiet, and obedient.
Photo credit: Gabriele Pupillo, Ozgun Kilic Afsar Ozgun Kilic Afsar, the project’s lead student who also worked with academics from Politecnico di Bari and MIT’s Media Lab, points out that previous fluid-powered systems all required large, heavy support equipment that was difficult to transport or wear. The new fibers address this by putting all of the necessary components directly inside the strand. Vito Cacucciolo, one of the team’s professors, observes that these fibers allow engineers to distribute actuators throughout a robot rather than grouping them all at the joints. [Source]
This article contains story spoilers for The Last of Us Part 1.
The Last of Us is an institution of modern media – Naughty Dog’s post-apocalyptic zombie shooter escaped the confines of its PS3 game case almost immediately after its initial release in 2013, and has since spanned live events, comic books, remasters, a full-on sequel, and even a TV series on HBO.
From the Backlog
Every gamer has a backlog — and that’s no different for us at TechRadar Gaming. From the Backlog is a series about overdue first-plays, revisiting classics, returning to online experiences, or rediscovering and appreciating established favorites in new ways. Read the full series here.
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When a franchise becomes this popular, not to mention this critically acclaimed, it can be a little surprising to find that there are people who haven’t engaged with it. Until recently, one of those people was a good friend of mine – let’s call him Ralph, because that’s his name – who, despite havingThe Last of Us Part 1installed on his PS5,had never really got into it.
As a lover of story-driven single player games, but decidedly not a horror fan, he had found himself stuck in the early chapters of the game, wherein main characters Joel, Ellie, and Tess find face off against the terrifying infected for the first time.
Article continues below
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I’d never played the remade PS5 version of The Last of Us myself, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity to see my favorite PlayStation game through a new pair of eyes, as well as a chance to turn this exclusively solo title into a more social experience.
So, for a few weekends, me, Ralph, and whoever else wanted to join us put our gaming skills together to guide Joel and Ellie through their journey across the post-apocalyptic United States – here’s what I found out along the way.
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Re-remastered
Yep, this game looks good. (Image credit: Naughty Dog)
Before anything else, I need to take a moment to appreciate just how mind-blowingly good The Last of Us Part 1 looks.
My first playthrough of The Last of Us was on the PS3 way back in 2013. I remember it being one of the best-looking games I had ever played, even back then, until The Last of Us Remastered released on PS4 the following year, sharpening up the visuals even further.
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However, The Last of Us Part 1 is simply a different beast.
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Throughout the entirety of our 12-ish hour playthrough, I was continually blown away by how incredible this game looks. From the verdancy of the outskirts of Bill’s Town to the spore-addled dormitories of the University section, The Last of Us Part 1 has effectively reset my imagination on what’s even achievable when it comes to video game graphics.
Just as I was seeing the game in a new light through Ralph’s first playthrough, I was also seeing it in a new light through the updated textures, expressive new character models, and ray-traced reflections bouncing off each pool of water.
This is all stuff our The Last of Us Part 1 review describes, but it still blew me away to play through it all myself.
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As for performance, I can hardly remember seeing a long loading screen or a single dropped frame during our playthrough. That might not be surprising for a game that is coming up to 15 years old under the good, but it went a long way in making the game as enjoyable to watch as it was to play.
It’s The Last of Us, not The Last of Me
“I’ve had some practice”: playing with a mix of newcomers and experts can take the pressure out of tough combat sections (Image credit: Sony)
On that note, The Last of Us has always been a pretty great game for spectators. Its outstanding performances and expertly-directed cutscenes give it the atmosphere of a prestige TV show, and the brutality of the combat encounters keeps adrenaline high and eyes glued to the screen.
Even as someone who gets on well enough with horror games and movies, the newly updated visuals and realistic character models had me feeling grateful to not be playing alone – and for Ralph, my friend who’s not so hot on horror, being part of the group unlocked a pathway through the game itself. The sewer section directly after the Pittsburgh escape was especially frightening, thanks to new enemy models and realistically dimmed lighting.
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It was really grounding to play through Joel and Ellie’s story with someone who had no experience of the game. I gained a new appreciation for the highs and lows of the story – I felt new fear when battling clickers outside Boston, felt new shock at Joel’s injury in Colorado, and felt new hope at that oh-so-iconic giraffe scene.
The Last of Us Part 1
(Image credit: Naughty Dog)
Original release date: September 2, 2022 Released on: PS5, PC Played on: PS5
I’d also forgotten how challenging some of the sections of the game can be, like Ellie’s escape through the blizzard in David’s town and the iconic hospital firefight right at the end of the story. As a group, we found ourselves stuck on particularly tough segments, but being able to crack a few jokes or make some conversation went a long way in keeping our morale (and DualSense controllers) intact.
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Something that the other experienced player in our group and I really appreciated was the improved combat mechanics and enemy AI, both of which take some influence from the more sophisticated systems in The Last of Us Part 2. On the other hand, it was interesting to hear Ralph – who’s most recently played Ghost of Yotei and has pushed through other action games like it – comment on the slowness and gritty realism of each gunfight as he became immersed in the game’s survival-focused world.
“Singleplayer” is only a recommendation
Better together: The Last of Us Part I is even better when playing as a group (Image credit: Naughty Dog)
As we finished our playthrough, our humble group of gamers came to a few key realizations.
The first is that The Last of Us is still one of the best video games ever created – honestly, if any game deserved to become an icon of modern culture, it’s this. From the writing, to the gameplay, to the visuals, The Last of Us Part 1 is airtight (to keep all those spores out, obviously).
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The second is that our experience of playing this single-player game had been made measurably better by playing as a group – so much so that we immediately started planning our next playthrough.
So, if you have a game that’s held pride of place in your catalogue for a few years, I’ve got a suggestion for you – the next time you feel like recommending it to a friend, see if they feel like playing it as a duo or in a larger group, especially if there’s something about it that might typically push your friend away.
That social element is how I ended up having my best gaming experience of the year so far on a horror-inspired game with my friend who can’t stand them, finding a whole new perspective on my favorite PlayStation game along the way. And as for my new gaming crew, something tells me Ralph’s PS5 hasn’t seen the last of us (sorry, not sorry).
Flags flown on vessels have been a nautical tradition for centuries. They’ve allowed pirates to project fear, and enabled naval vessels and civilians alike to identify themselves. The United States’ formidable Navy, of course, is no exception to this rule, and its ships will frequently boast the beloved Stars and Stripes. However, there are other important U.S. military traditions that help to vary the flags that its vessels display, such as mascots and emblems.
U.S. Navy ships are typically named for servicepeople or high-ranking officials, as is the case with the service’s formidable USS Gerald R. Ford – the world’s largest aircraft carrier. Along with this often comes an emblem that emphasizes the connection. These symbols evoke crew pride and togetherness, while also serving as an important identifier. They can take the form of different animals or other symbols, and there are some iconic ones in the U.S. Navy in particular that make for excellent flags. From a legendary pirate symbol to a furious grizzly bear, here are some of the coolest ones that have been sported by U.S. naval vessels besides the Star-Spangled Banner itself.
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1. The grizzly bear flag of USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr
As noted, with the likes of the USS Gerald Ford and the USS Abraham Lincoln, there have been a lot of U.S. Navy ships named after American presidents. It’s not simply about those who have held the highest office in the land, though. Take the USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr., for instance, a guided missile destroyer of the Arleigh Burke class and one of the more recent additions to the Navy’s arsenal of ships. Its now-retired namesake Colonel Harvey C. Barnum Jr. was a member of the Marine Corps and is a proud Medal of Honor recipient.
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The ship’s battle flag, Task & Purpose notes, is also designed as a tribute to the colonel, featuring a formidable grizzly bear. It’s an intimidating and imposing sight in its own right, of course, but it serves a secondary function: Those with whom the colonel served knew him well for his words of wisdom, including the pithy “If you’re going to be a bear, be a grizzly.” Sailors who will serve on the vessel, of course, will surely be inspired to do so boldly, fiercely, and uncompromisingly, like the grizzlies that the former colonel wants them to be. There are few more intimidating flags on the seas than this one, that’s for certain.
As for the ship itself, it’s designed to take on a broader combat role, allowing it to combat a range of nautical threats from above and below the waves, and is set to be commissioned in April 2026. It will be stationed at Norfolk, Virginia, having arrived at the Naval Station there in March.
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2. The flag of the President of the United States
As part of the far-reaching official duties of the office, the president may find themselves on board a naval vessel. When this happens, another particularly notable flag may be seen: the flag of the president of the United States. Simply named for the office and not unique to any particular holder, the president’s flag is a majestic dark-blue design, often featuring a circle of 50 stars (one for each state) encircling an eagle. It grips arrows and an olive branch in its talons, and also features the country’s famous motto, “E pluribus unum” (“Out of many, one”).
The call sign Air Force One is applied to any Air Force aircraft carrying the president, and it’s a similar use case to the flag. It is raised on a naval vessel when the current incumbent arrives aboard. It remains raised while they are aboard, signaling that this particular ship has the current great responsibility and honor of hosting them. As they leave, the flag is then lowered again. It is also prominently displayed on other vehicles the U.S. president travels in, such as the president’s limousine. The Beast, as it’s often dubbed, is frequently seen sporting both the Stars and Stripes and the Commander in Chief’s personal flag.
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3. USS America’s battle standard
Since the advent of the MCU with 2008’s “Iron Man,” the Avengers crew and the broader Marvel characters have embraced the mainstream to an extraordinary degree. One of the clearest signs of this is on the mast of USS America: its flag bears the emblem of Captain America’s shield. Only the most patriotic superhero on the planet will do for such an iconically American vessel, and it’s an astonishing sight to behold to see Cap’s famous red, white, and blue emblem of circles and that central white star on the mast of a warship.
The America class is a class of amphibious assault ships. Though a very different kind of ship from the USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr., it’s similarly armed with a wide range of weaponry to keep it a formidable foe for all kinds of threats. Its arsenal includes Sea Sparrow and Evolved Sea Sparrow missile capacity, as well as seven .50-caliber machine guns. As a valuable offensive and defensive measure, it’s also equipped with the advanced PHALANX CIWS. This is a sophisticated computer-controlled weapon system used by the Navy to automatically target and destroy threats that have eluded the ship’s other multi-faceted defensive systems.
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The America class is set to be a considerable part of the U.S. Navy’s force projection into the future, with advanced capabilities beyond simply weaponry. It has a revolutionary secondary means of propulsion aimed at addressing one of the most significant issues affecting the success of many military vessels (and vehicles more broadly): fuel efficiency. It seems that Captain America’s flag and the ship that bears it will be a significant presence going forward.
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4. USS Carl M. Levin’s battle flag
Carl M. Levin is another prominent American who was honored with a military vessel named after him. Levin was not a president but a long-time Michigan lawmaker well known for his efforts in pursuing justice for military veterans. As a result of his tenacity and dedication, his namesake was constructed, boasting a motto appropriate to the man himself: “Tenacious in the fight.” Along with the USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr., it’s one of the most recent additions to the Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class repertoire. Perhaps its most notable feature is its battle flag, designed by Damage Controlman 3rd Class Hector Mendoza.
As Fox News reports, Mendoza explained to Military.com that he had a simple objective with the design: to make it as formidable and stand-out as possible, and he certainly succeeded on that score. Perhaps inspired by some of the coolest set-pieces from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, he depicted a phoenix flying above a scene that evokes every sailor’s worst nightmare: a kraken tearing a pirate ship apart.
Mendoza’s depiction of these two mythical creatures also boasts considerable symbolism. He explained to Military.com that the addition of these creatures both sets the design apart and, through the phoenix, “symboliz[es] how the crew will persevere through any hardships or challenges.” Life on such a vessel is not for the faint-hearted when it comes to long deployment, but it’s certainly true that Navy sailors are as committed as they come. Who wouldn’t have their spirits lifted when serving under such a flag? Hopefully, though, the hardy crew doesn’t encounter any krakens in real life.
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5. USS Kidd’s Jolly Roger
When it comes to captains called Kidd, many would immediately think of the Scottish-born privateer turned notorious pirate William Kidd. However, there’s another Captain Kidd, an honorable naval officer named Rear Admiral Isaac Campbell Kidd, Sr. The latter, tragically, was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. He had been on his ship, USS Arizona, at the time of the attack. As such, USS Kidd, which was first launched in February 1943, was named for the rear admiral. This meant the ship was associated with two famous Kidds, which could have been problematic. Instead, the crew embraced the connection, as did the rear admiral’s widow, Mrs. Inez Kidd. Together, they secured something unique from naval authorities: the official right to fly the Jolly Roger. This is a right that vessels named USS Kidd still hold today, over eight decades after the original Kidd’s debut.
The current iteration of the USS Kidd that serves in the U.S. Navy, as of the time of writing, is a member of the Arleigh Burke class, one of the most powerful destroyer classes in the world. Constructed by Northrop Grumman Ship Systems and having been commissioned in 2007, it’s a 509.5-foot-long powerhouse capable of traveling at more than 30 knots, propelled by gas turbines of approximately 100,000 horsepower. Its pirate theme isn’t only symbolized by the vast skull-and-crossbones flag it sometimes flies, either. It also sports, according to the United States Navy, an “iconic drawing … [of] the Jolly Roger on the rear of the 5-inch gun on the ship’s forecastle,” by Fire Controlman 1st Class Juan Morales, whose work adorns several Navy ships.
A Washinton DC appeals court has declined to pause the US administration’s Anthropic ban, but recommended that the case be expedited.
Anthropic won its first round in court on 26 March, when a district judge granted a temporary injunction against the US administration’s decision to designate the Claude creator a ‘supply chain risk’, something normally reserved for foreign actors.
However, last night the Pentagon succeeded in a related but distinct case, as a Washington DC appeals court declined to pause the effective ‘ban’ on government use of Anthropic products. The court did, though, recognise the likely damage caused to Anthropic, and recommended the case be expedited.
The court substantially sided with the US administration in its order, saying: “In our view, the equitable balance here cuts in favour of the government. On one side is a relatively contained risk of financial harm to a single private company. On the other side is judicial management of how, and through whom, the Department of War [sic] secures vital AI technology during an active military conflict. For that reason, we deny Anthropic’s motion for a stay pending review on the merits.”
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However, the court also recognised the potential harms that were being done to Anthropic and recommended the case be expedited: “Nonetheless, because Anthropic raises substantial challenges to the determination and will likely suffer some irreparable harm during the pendency of this litigation, we agree with Anthropic that substantial expedition is warranted.”
That latter request to expedite the process had been made by Anthropic’s legal team as an alternative to any stay, should that be unsuccessful, and the AI company welcomed that element of the order.
“We’re grateful the court recognised these issues need to be resolved quickly and remain confident the courts will ultimately agree that these supply chain designations were unlawful,” an Anthropic spokesperson told SiliconRepublic.com.
“While this case was necessary to protect Anthropic, our customers and our partners, our focus remains on working productively with the government to ensure all Americans benefit from safe, reliable AI.”
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The judgement also found that “Anthropic’s petition raises novel and difficult questions, including what counts as a supply-chain risk under section 4713 and what qualifies as an urgent national-security interest justifying the use of truncated statutory procedures”, and that will be the fundamental question as the case proceeds.
US district judge Rita F Lin had found in the first court case, when granting a temporary injunction against the ban last month, that: “These broad measures do not appear to be directed at the government’s stated national security interests. If the concern is the integrity of the operational chain of command, the Department of War [sic] could just stop using Claude. Instead, these measures appear designed to punish Anthropic.”
It’s a view held by many. Anthropic drew the ire of the US administration after a standoff with the Pentagon, where Anthropic refused to change its safeguards related to using its AI for fully autonomous weapons, or for mass surveillance of US citizens. The relatively ethical stance in the face of huge pressure from the US administration has earned the company many defenders, and indeed a slew of new customers.
Project Glasswing
Anthropic again flexed its ethics and safety chops this week as it declined to release its powerful new Claude Mythos model to the public, as many fear the consequences of it falling into the hands of bad actors.
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Instead, its Project Glasswing will bring together leading businesses, including Amazon Web Services, Apple, Broadcom, Cisco, CrowdStrike, Google, JP Morgan Chase, the Linux Foundation, Microsoft, Nvidia and Palo Alto Networks, allowing them to access the Mythos preview (released on 7 April) to boost their cyber defences.
According to Anthropic, its unreleased Claude Mythos has already found thousands of high-severity vulnerabilities, including some in every major operating system and web browser.
Anthropic’s Mythos preview is significantly capable at generating exploits. In its research, the company noted that Mythos developed working exploits 181 times out of the several hundred attempts, while Opus 4.6 had a near 0pc success rate.
“AI models have reached a level of coding capability where they can surpass all but the most skilled humans at finding and exploiting software vulnerabilities,” said Anthropic, which has promised to share learnings from Project Glasswing to benefit the wider industry.
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I will say that I think this product could be neat in a few scenarios. If you like to dye your own extensions, or you continually change the color of a streak and don’t need to buy oodles of full-size dye containers, or you’re a parent with kids that are always dip-dying their bleached ends, then it might make sense. And the resulting product does smell good. I also like the included container that lets you store leftover dye. If you’re specifically seeking washed-out, pastel tones, I still think you should just … get some hair dye and dilute it with conditioner.
ScreenshotZuvi app via Louryn Strampe
In the end, based on my assessment, the product fails to do its job. And even if this improves—even if eventually, you can get a black pigment to help darken the shades, or Zuvi moves from using primary colors to using cyan, magenta, and yellow, or the company starts making the process of bleaching your hair at home easier, or the use of generative AI stops and Zuvi starts actually standing behind its own results … at the end of the day, you’re still left with a proprietary machine that uses proprietary cartridges, all of which will become paperweights if the company folds.
I’ve combed through every single result I can find of other reviews on the Internet. I’m not a licensed cosmetologist, but I have been coloring my own hair for around 20 years, and I have yet to see a result that’s more impressive than one the user could have achieved for less money from their local beauty supply. Semipermanent fashion dyes are available in hundreds and hundreds of shades, all of which can be mixed together. It may take some trial and error to dial in your perfect pink or blue or red, but it can be done without a machine. Your local beauty supply store likely has an associate who’s been dyeing their own hair for decades and would be happy to point you in the right direction. And respectfully, if you can’t figure out color theory or add conditioner little by little to dilute your own dye, perhaps you should go to a professional and save yourself the trouble of doing it incorrectly. The Zuvi ColorBox adds more guesswork instead of taking it away.
While I do like the initial low price, color corrections from a professional are very expensive, and the refill cartridges from Zuvi (around $22 each) could easily cost the same amount as the supplies would for dyeing your hair with products from the local beauty supply, especially if your hair is long, thick, and/or curly. And I like the idea of reducing leftover dye waste, but again, you don’t need to buy a gadget for that.
“Yeah folks, it’s gonna be harder in the future to ensure OpenClaw still works with Anthropic models,” OpenClaw creator Peter Steinberger posted on X early Friday morning, along with a photo of a message from Anthropic saying his account had been suspended over “suspicious” activity.
The ban didn’t last long. A few hours later, after the post went viral, Steinberger said his account had been reinstated. Among hundreds of comments — many of them in conspiracy theory land, given that Steinberger is now employed by Anthropic rival OpenAI — was one by an Anthropic engineer. The engineer told the famed developer that Anthropic has never banned anyone for using OpenClaw and offered to help.
It’s not clear if that was the key that restored the account. (We’ve asked Anthropic about it.) But the whole message string was enlightening on many levels.
OpenClaw users now have to pay for that usage separately, based on consumption, through Claude’s API. In essence, Anthropic, which offers its own agent, Cowork, is now charging a “claw tax.” Steinberger said he was following this new rule and using his API but was banned anyway.
Anthropic said it instituted the pricing change because subscriptions weren’t built to handle the “usage patterns” of claws. Claws can be more compute-intensive than prompts or simple scripts because they may run continuous reasoning loops, automatically repeat or retry tasks, and tie into a lot of other third-party tools.
Steinberger, however, wasn’t buying that excuse. After Anthropic changed the pricing, he posted, “Funny how timings match up, first they copy some popular features into their closed harness, then they lock out open source.” Though he didn’t specify, he may have been referring to features added to Claude’s Cowork agent, such as Claude Dispatch, which lets users remotely control agents and assign tasks. Dispatch rolled out a couple of weeks before Anthropic changed its OpenClaw pricing policy.
Steinberger’s frustration with Anthropic was again on display Friday.
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One person implied that some of this is on him for taking a job at OpenAI instead of Anthropic, posting, “You had the choice, but you went to the wrong one.” To which Steinberger replied: “One welcomed me, one sent legal threats.”
Ouch.
When multiple people asked him why he’s using Claude instead of his employer’s models at all, he explained that he only uses it for testing, to ensure updates to OpenClaw won’t break things for Claude users.
He explained: “You need to separate two things. My work at the OpenClaw Foundation where we wanna make OpenClaw work great for *any* model provider, and my job at OpenAI to help them with future product strategy.”
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Multiple people also pointed out that the need to test Claude is because that model remains a popular choice for OpenClaw users over ChatGPT. He also heard that when Anthropic changed its pricing, to which he replied: “Working on that.” (So, that’s a clue about what his job at OpenAI entails.)
Steinberger did not respond to a request for comment.
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