Computers & the Internet News and Discussions

[Yuli Ban]

[Yuli Ban]

Precise and scalable analogue matrix equation solving using resistive random-access memory chips

Precision has long been the central bottleneck of analogue computing. Bit-slicing or analogue compensation can be used to perform matrix–vector multiplication with precision, but solving matrix equations using such techniques is challenging. Here we describe a precise and scalable analogue matrix inversion solver. Our approach uses an iterative algorithm that combines analogue low-precision matrix inversion and analogue high-precision matrix–vector multiplication operations. Both operations are implemented using 3-bit resistive random-access memory chips that are fabricated in a foundry. By combining these with a block matrix algorithm, inversion problems involving 16 × 16 real-valued matrices are experimentally solved with 24-bit fixed-point precision (comparable to 32-bit floating point; FP32). Applied to signal detection in massive multi-input and multi-output systems, our approach achieves performance comparable to FP32 digital processors in just three iterations. Benchmarking shows that our analogue computing approach could offer a 1,000 times higher throughput and 100 times better energy efficiency than state-of-the-art digital processors for the same precision.

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[firestar464]

At Age 25, Wikipedia Refuses to Evolve

https://spectrum.ieee.org/amp/wikipedia ... 2674904016

Eh, I'd argue it's premature to predict the demise of WP simply because editors rejected a summary feature that was seen as duplicating the article leads.

[Yuli Ban]

[firestar464]

Exclusive: US plans online portal to bypass content bans in Europe and elsewhere

https://www.reuters.com/world/us-plans- ... 026-02-18/

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Google Chrome Adds Split View, PDF Annotations, and 'Save to Drive'
Split View lets you place two tabs side by side without managing a second window.
By Devesh Beri February 23, 2026
Last week, Google announced new Chrome features: Split View, PDF Annotations, and Save to Google Drive.

Split View lets you place two tabs side by side without managing a whole second window. This makes it easier to work with two pages at once without switching between tabs. I can see it being useful in many scenarios, from students using it to take notes on a video to transferring data from one page to another.

The PDF Annotations option builds on Chrome's existing PDF viewer, letting you highlight text and add notes directly within the browser—no need to download files or open third-party apps.

https://www.extremetech.com/internet/go ... e-to-drive

[wjfox]

[firestar464]

AI data centers need faster links: A mass-producible optical microchip could help

https://techxplore.com/news/2026-03-ai- ... -mass.html

[wjfox]

Firefox to launch free built-in VPN as part of major browser overhaul

23 March 2026

Mozilla has announced one of the most significant updates to its Firefox browser in recent years, including the introduction of a free built-in virtual private network (VPN) aimed at boosting user privacy online.

The new feature, arriving with Firefox version 149 on 24th March, will allow users to conceal their IP address and browsing activity directly within the browser, without the need for third-party extensions or paid subscriptions.

The company says the VPN will offer users up to 50GB of data per month at no cost, a relatively high allowance compared with many existing free services.

https://www.computing.co.uk/news/2026/f ... r-overhaul

[wjfox]

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YouTube Shorts Introduces AI-Generated Avatars That Mimic Real Creators
The platform will add AI labels and watermarks to clips that incorporate the avatars.
By Devesh Beri April 13, 2026

YouTube is bringing AI-generated avatars to Shorts, and they look and sound just like human creators.

To create an avatar, YouTubers have to record a video of themselves following on-screen prompts that allow the system to capture their face and voice. YouTube uses that data to build a photorealistic clone that can appear in Shorts. The tool can generate clips up to 8 seconds long, and creators can put them together to assemble a complete Short without once stepping in front of a camera each time, 9to5Google reports.

The unnamed avatar-generating tool sits in the main YouTube app and in YouTube Create, where creators can input prompts describing what they want their avatar to say or do in the scene, then place that clip into a Short. The AI then mimics facial expressions and lip movements, aiming to closely match the original creator's voice.

https://www.extremetech.com/internet/yo ... l-creators

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Google Brings End-to-End Encryption to Gmail Apps on Mobile
Encryption is available on both iOS and Android—but you have to pay for Workspace.
By Devesh Beri April 13, 2026

Late last week, Google introduced end-to-end encryption for Gmail on Android and iOS. The catch? It's only available to Workspace subscribers.

Google already offers end-to-end encryption on desktop, but it's exclusively available to users with Enterprise Plus, Education Plus, and Education Standard plans. The mobile update means eligible users can now read, draft, and send encrypted emails directly inside the service's smartphone apps, with each handling encryption and decryption locally before messages reach Google's servers.

The rollout focuses on business, government, and regulated sectors that use higher-tier Google Workspace plans and have client-side encryption enabled by administrators. Google says organizations retain control of encryption keys through external key management services, meaning it can't read encrypted email bodies or attachments. The sender, recipient, date, and subject line are still visible for routing and compliance purposes.

https://www.extremetech.com/internet/go ... -on-mobile

[firestar464]

The Internet's Most Powerful Archiving Tool Is in Peril

https://www.wired.com/story/the-interne ... tal-peril/

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