Author: Thomas Hawthorne

George Lucas is preparing to open one of his most ambitious projects outside cinema: a vast new museum in Los Angeles dedicated to the art of visual storytelling. The spaceship-like Lucas Museum of Narrative Art brings together paintings, comics, photography, murals, costumes and film production material in an institution designed to challenge conventional definitions of fine art. Lucas Museum of Narrative Art prepares to open in Los Angeles “I’m used to doing the impossible,” Lucas said as the museum was unveiled to the press. But “this one almost broke my will”. The film-maker was referring to the lengthy journey behind…

Artificial intelligence, connected appliances and increasingly autonomous household technology are taking centre stage at IFA 2026 in Berlin, offering a glimpse of how homes could change over the coming years. Under the theme “The Future is Now”, the consumer electronics and home appliances trade fair brings together more than 1,900 brands from 49 countries. This year, manufacturers are increasingly looking beyond the traditional “smart home” towards an “intelligent home” capable of learning routines, adapting to users and anticipating their needs. AI Appliances Aim to Make Everyday Life Simpler Making household chores easier has long been one of the promises of…

Artificial intelligence agents capable of communicating and acting with increasing independence are raising fresh cybersecurity concerns, with experts warning that groups of autonomous systems could potentially coordinate in unexpected ways. The warnings come amid growing scrutiny of so-called AI agents — software systems designed not merely to answer questions, but to carry out tasks, make decisions and interact with digital environments with limited human supervision. AI Agents Raise New Cybersecurity Concerns Researchers are increasingly examining what happens when multiple AI agents are allowed to communicate with one another inside controlled environments. Unlike conventional chatbots, autonomous agents can be equipped with…

Google has increased the wired charging capability of its latest Pixel flagship, but testing of the Pixel 11 Pro XL suggests the improvement comes with significant compromises. While the handset can approach its advertised 45W charging figure with the right USB-C adapter, strict charger requirements and problems activating the new Extreme Charging feature undermine the upgrade. Pixel 11 Pro XL Gets Closer to Its 45W Charging Claim The Pixel 11 Pro XL represents a step forward from previous generations when it comes to peak wired charging power. Testing with Google’s Pixel Flex 67W charger produced a peak of 40.7W, which…

More than 100 technology and cybersecurity companies have called for urgent collective action to strengthen digital defences as artificial intelligence increasingly changes the scale and sophistication of cyber threats facing businesses, governments and public services. The group, which includes major technology companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and Microsoft, warned that organisations have a “limited window to strengthen cyber-defences” before AI-assisted attacks become considerably more capable and widespread. Tech Companies Warn Existing Cyber Defences May Not Be Enough In an open letter, the companies said AI-enabled cyber attacks are expected to grow as increasingly capable models become available around the…

Scientists have identified the remains of an enormous ancient supervolcano buried deep beneath England’s east coast, revealing a previously hidden chapter in Britain’s geological history. Centred beneath The Wash and extending into Norfolk and Lincolnshire, the volcanic system erupted around 454 million years ago with a force thousands of times greater than that associated with Mount Etna. Supervolcano Beneath The Wash Spanned at Least 65km The ancient volcano measured at least 65km (40 miles) across and is believed to have produced one of the largest eruptions in Earth’s history. Researchers at the British Geological Survey (BGS) say the eruption could…

Intel’s forthcoming Nova Lake-S desktop processors are reportedly undergoing testing with AVX-512 and APX instruction support, signalling the return of advanced 512-bit vector processing to the company’s mainstream desktop platform. Early testing information also points to 24-core and 28-core configurations as Intel prepares its next generation of Core Ultra desktop chips. Intel Tests 24-Core and 28-Core Nova Lake-S Processors Information shared by @InstLatX64 indicates that Intel is testing at least two Nova Lake-S processor configurations. One is a 24-core model operating at 3.4 GHz, while the other features 28 cores running at 3.2 GHz. Both processors reportedly support AVX-512 and…

Polaroid has unveiled a limited-edition Pokémon collection featuring instant cameras, film and accessories, marking the 30th anniversary of the globally recognised entertainment franchise. The range combines familiar Polaroid hardware with designs inspired by characters including Pikachu, Sylveon and Snorlax. The collection is due to open for pre-orders in the UK, US and Canada on 25 August, ahead of a wider global release expected on 5 October. Pokémon Designs Come to Polaroid Instant Cameras The centrepiece of the collection is a trio of limited-edition instant cameras. Rather than introducing new hardware, Polaroid has redesigned existing models with Pokémon-inspired finishes and matching…

Meta is facing a major US court battle over allegations that it deliberately designed its social media platforms to keep children and teenagers engaged while collecting their data. The case, being heard in a federal court in California, could have significant implications for how technology companies design and operate services used by young people. US States Seek Billions From Meta Over Child Privacy Claims Four US states appearing in court are seeking billions of dollars from Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. They are acting on behalf of a wider group of 29 states that filed legal action…

A group of former Ubisoft Barcelona developers has launched a new independent games company, Dark Ritual Studios, with plans to pursue smaller-scale development and greater creative control. The Barcelona-based studio is already working on its debut title, dark fantasy game Puzzle Mage, which is scheduled for PC release in 2027. Dark Ritual Studios Emerges Following Ubisoft Barcelona Job Cuts The formation of Dark Ritual Studios comes after Ubisoft eliminated 51 positions at its Barcelona operation following the June launch of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced. Led by founder Myles Kerwin, the new studio brings together former Ubisoft Barcelona staff and…