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News

People are using ChatGPT to summarize fiction – and it’s everything wrong with AI - Monday, August 18, 2025 - 11:00

Every morning, I browse the internet looking for clever ways people are using AI to achieve their goals. While I often find impressive use cases like "This ChatGPT prompt ‘unlocks 100% of GPT-5’s power’", this morning I stumbled across someone using ChatGPT to summarize book chapters.

Now, summarization tools are nothing new; in fact, some of the best examples of AI are apps like NotebookLM, which condense information into smaller, easily digestible chunks.

In this case, however, this prompt is being used to summarize fictional works, removing the beauty of what makes literature so inherently romantic. At first, I thought I would scroll past the Reddit thread, but after sitting on it for a while, I decided it was only right that I voice my opinion.

I think AI, in specific circumstances, is an excellent tool that can truly improve our lives. However, this prompt is an example of everything wrong with AI, and I can't help but feel sad to see people championing it.

Don't summarize artI Used AI to Read Books Chapter by Chapter — Here’s Why I’ll Never Read the Same Way Again from r/ChatGPTPromptGenius

The Reddit thread in question is titled, "I Used AI to Read Books Chapter by Chapter — Here’s Why I’ll Never Read the Same Way Again." Yeah, of course you won't be reading the same way again; you're no longer reading!

The user explains how they have been using an in-depth prompt to summarize books chapter by chapter, and honestly, it sounds like they're stripping pieces of literature of everything that makes them what they are in the first place.

I've not lost all hope in humanity, however, as the comments on the Reddit thread are pretty clear that this might just be a step too far. One user wrote, "This is one use of AI I CANNOT get behind, might as well put a Michelin star meal through a blender and eat it as a shake."

Another said, "Read the book… And if you can get the content and experience of the book with an AI summary of it, then it probably is not a book that you should be reading, in which case, just don’t read it or summarize it."

I see a place for summarization tools when it comes to simplifying non-fiction subjects like college textbooks, and I think that's a genuinely great way to get the most from AI. However, I fundamentally disagree with using AI to make creative work shorter and simpler for consumption.

Nowadays, every article you find online probably has some form of summary embedded at the top of the post, or you might even have an AI tool like Apple Intelligence to do the job for you. Even in these circumstances, I'm not a fan of the over-simplification of content, especially as we all continue to shorten our attention spans with the likes of quick-cut, short-form video content.

If you're relying on AI to summarize a book, you shouldn't be reading the book in the first place. Life is about curation, and what makes it so precious is the fact that we can't consume every single book, movie, or video game on the planet.

Use AI to help you make choices about what to consume next, but please, please don't use AI to do the consumption for you.

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Cisco warns of worrying major security flaw in firewall command center, so patch now - Monday, August 18, 2025 - 11:02
  • Cisco found a 10/10 flaw in Secure Firewall Management Center
  • It released a patch and advised on possible mitigations
  • No evidence of in-the-wild abuse so far, but users should still be on guard

Cisco recently fixed a maximum-severity vulnerability in its Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) product, and urged users to apply either the patch, or the mitigation, as soon as possible.

FMC is a centralized platform for configuring, monitoring, and analyzing Cisco Secure Firewalls, where users can manage policies, track threat intelligence, and monitor their deployments across endpoints.

As per Cisco’s new security advisory, the vulnerability was discovered in the RADIUS subsystem implementation of FMC. RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) is a protocol used to authenticate, authorize, and account for FMC administrators and VPN users by integrating with an external identity server.

Fixes and mitigations

The flaw is described as an “improper handling of user input during the authentication bug” which could allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to inject arbitrary shell commands.

In theory, this could be done by sending crafted input when entering credentials - however the caveat here is that FMC must be configured for RADIUS authentication for the web-based management interface, SSH, or both, for the bug to be exploitable.

The bad news is that, according to BleepingComputer, this configuration is “commonly used” in enterprise and government networks where administrators want centralized login control and accounting for network device access. Therefore, the attack surface could be rather large, and the victims high in profile.

It is now tracked as CVE-2025-20265, and was given a severity score of 10/10 (critical).

Cisco released a patch to fix the issue, and said those that cannot apply it should disable RADIUS authentication and replace it with a different method, such as local user accounts, external LDAP, or similar. The company also said that the mitigations proved good in testing, but warned customers to run the tests themselves.

Via BleepingComputer

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Garmin watches could finally get a key feature Apple's had for years – here's why it matters - Monday, August 18, 2025 - 11:08
  • Two new leaks claim future Garmin watches will be getting LTE connectivity
  • This feature allows you to add smartwatches to a data plan, allowing you to make calls and stream without a phone
  • It's a feature included on Apple and Samsung watches, usually on more expensive models

Two new leaks claim we could soon be able to make calls, stream music and answer texts from some of the best Garmin watches yet to be announced – even without an attached phone.

Yes, LTE connectivity is coming to Garmin watches, according to separate reports from leak sites Garmin Rumors and The5Krunner. Garmin Rumors partnered with a site called AppSensa, which digs into code to discover in-development features. Garmin is reportedly going "all-in" into cellular connectivity, according to the site.

Listed features include emergency satellite SOS messaging, two-way messaging, LiveTrack location sharing without a phone, and voice calling with contacts.

Garmin Messenger, the watch-to-watch satellite messaging service, is also reportedly being expanded. Perhaps Garmin Messenger will now be Garmin's principle messaging client, able to text using your data plan and reaching phones as well as other Garmin watches?

The5KRunner also reports these claims, stating that the obvious starting point is a rumored Fenix 8 Pro, in which the "Pro" stands for the inclusion of LTE connectivity. The best Apple Watches and best Samsung watches often come in cheaper Bluetooth-only and more expensive LTE-capable variations, so it would make sense for Garmin to follow this pattern.

A big step forward

(Image credit: Future)

Garmins have long been considered separate entities to smartwatches, as they're more like adventure companions or training tools than everyday communications devices. However, certain ranges such as the Garmin Venu series already blur the lines a little.

Making the watches capable of no-phone communications would mean a huge change in strategy, and would enable more smartwatch-like models, such as the Garmin Venu X1 to seriously compete with the likes and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra.

If true, I'm intrigued to see which future models get this rumored LTE option. The Garmin Venu 4 seems like a no-brainer. One commenter on our Garmin Venu 4 rumors hub agreed, stating: "If the Garmin Venu 4 ever came with LTE and text message response that would definitely be a gamechanger. So many current iPhone users would jump on the Venu 4 – it would be a dream watch."

Perhaps we'll see Forerunner Pros with LTE options in future too, as phoneless LiveTrack seems like a great safety tool for triathletes and trail runners doing solo training.

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Netflix confirms November release for Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein –here's how I plan on watching it sooner - Monday, August 18, 2025 - 11:38

Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein will be coming to Netflix on November 7, with the streamer confirming the news alongside a first look at two of the new movie’s promotional posters (see below). We’ve already seen a few preview snaps of what’s to come as well as a two-minute trailer, showing Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, Mia Goth as Elizabeth Lavenza and Charles Dance as Leopold Frankenstein. However, Jacob Elordi’s monster largely still hides in the shadows, only appearing as a black silhouette shrouded with furs and claws as dark as night.

FRANKENSTEIN, a film by Guillermo del ToroStarring Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, and Christoph Waltz. Coming to select theaters October 17 and on Netflix November 7. pic.twitter.com/zdYFoq9cURAugust 18, 2025

It goes without saying that this is another adaptation of the famed novel by gothic author Mary Shelley, with Frankenstein’s monster (which isn’t called Frankenstein, though we often get that mixed up) appearing in countless movies since way back in 1915. This is neither Netflix’s first foray into bringing the tale to life (remember Creature?), nor is it del Toro’s first original creation for one of the best streaming services around, having previously made an animated version of Pinocchio for Netflix in 2022.

But a version of Frankenstein made by del Toro! What a world we get to live in. The upcoming move has been my most-anticipated film of 2025 since last year, and thankfully, there’s a way I can see it before it hits Netflix in November (where I’ll watch it again, obviously).

Netflix quietly confirms October 17 theatrical release date for Del Toro’s Frankenstein before it drops on streaming

If you look closely at the above posters, you’ll see that Frankenstein is showing in select theaters from October 17. While that doesn’t mean everyone will have direct access, it does mean global hotspots will get the movie early (think New York, Los Angeles and London). Frankly, it’s a clever move, and addresses the one piece of feedback Netflix has received time and time again over the years: give your original movies a theatrical release, too.

Think of KPop Demon Hunters, the monster smash hit (pun intended) nobody expected is now playing catch-up with singalong screenings after the fact. On top of this, said screenings are typically only playing for two days in very limited locations, which basically defeats the point of letting fans enjoy the experience in the first place. Netflix has to do theatrical screenings before a streaming release for the strategy to work, for both struggling cinemas and the platform itself.

Given the two minutes of footage we’ve seen tells us as much information as a blank piece of paper, anybody seeing Frankenstein in cinemas first is essentially walking in blind. Sure, we’ll have likely had some reviews before then, but these showings will drum up the hype and engagement would Netflix chew its own hand off for, in the most organic way possible (by word of mouth from audiences). By the time Frankenstein then hits Netflix, it’ll be an explosion of views, with people likely racing to be able to see it first. It’s a marketing masterstroke, and a generous one too.

Speaking about the film, del Toro said in a statement: “The most important figure from English legacy is, incredibly, for me, a teenager by the name of Mary Shelley, and she has remained a figure as important in my life as if she were family. And so many times when I want to give up, when I think about giving up, when people tell me that dreaming of the movies and the stories I dream are impossible, I think of her.” Thank you Shelley, and del Toro, for your service.

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A shocking amount of companies are knowingly shipping insecure code - and it might be hard to recover - Monday, August 18, 2025 - 12:03
  • Four in five companies knowingly ship vulnerable code, survey warns
  • One-third say 60% of their code is now AI-generated
  • Orgs need to use AI to identify vulnerabilities

A study of 1,500 CISOs, AppSec Managers and developers conducted by Checkmarx has claimed four in five (81%) companies knowingly ship vulnerable code, putting them and their users at risk of attack.

An estimated one in two respondents already use AI security code assistance, with around one-third (34%) admitting that more than 60% of their code is AI-generated – which can often contain known vulnerabilities by default.

An overwhelming majority (98%) have experienced a breach due to vulnerable code in the past year, and yet they continue to ship vulnerable code without implementing the right protective measures.

Companies are shipping vulnerable, AI-generated code

The report outlines how generative AI has now eroded developer ownership with code less likely to be affiliated with any particular individuals. It has also expanded the attack surface by reopening vulnerabilities that could previously have been avoided with proper coding expertise.

The trend has largely been blamed on artificial intelligence, with vibe coding on the rise and many developers now opting to edit AI-generated code rather than write their own from the ground up.

The lack of governance around this has created what the company describes as the perfect storm.

Fewer than half of the respondents were found to be using foundational security tools like DAST and IaC scanning, with a similar number using DevSecOps tools.

Looking ahead, Checkmarx stresses security should be built into projects right from coding level, with organizations urged to establish policies for AI tool usage. Acknowledging that developers are now actively using AI, Checkmarx suggests that, instead of banning it, companies should also utilize agentic AI to analyze and fix issues across projects.

"AI generated code will continue to proliferate; secure software will be the competitive differentiator in the coming years," Checkmarx VP of Portfolio Marketing Eran Kinsbruner concluded.

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iPhone 18 Reportedly Won't Launch Until 2027 Because of Foldable iPhone - Monday, August 18, 2025 - 13:40
The move will let Apple shine spotlights on both models and have two iPhone launch events every year.
Best Vegan Meal Delivery Services for 2025, Tested by a Plant-Based Eater - Monday, August 18, 2025 - 13:52
Interested in meal delivery? Also vegan? These are the best meal kits and meal delivery services for your plant-based diet.
How to Screenshot on Mac: 4 Simple Ways to Do It - Monday, August 18, 2025 - 13:57
Capture your entire screen or a part of it with these simple steps on MacOS.
How to Easily Connect Your Laptop to Your TV - Monday, August 18, 2025 - 14:00
From HDMI to wireless casting, here’s how to get your computer screen onto your TV.
How to Install Steam on a Chromebook - Monday, August 18, 2025 - 15:00
It's still in beta, but if you have one of the 35 models that support Steam on ChromeOS, you can play PC games from the Steam store.
Nvidia Will Let You Add Your Own Steam Games to Stream Via GeForce Now - Monday, August 18, 2025 - 15:30
At Gamescom 2025, the company unveiled some major upgrades to its cloud gaming service and more.
Claude AI Can Now End Conversations It Deems Harmful or Abusive - Monday, August 18, 2025 - 16:00
The feature marks a milestone in how Anthropic approaches AI safety.
Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Aug. 19, #330 - Monday, August 18, 2025 - 16:00
Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Aug. 19, No. 330.
Are they brave or stupid? Malware targeting Russian crypto hackers found - Monday, August 18, 2025 - 13:27
  • Researchers uncover two packages carrying an infostealer
  • The victims are apparently Russian, and attackers American
  • This prompted the researchers to speculate if the targets were Russian crypto hackers

Two malicious packages were recently discovered on the npm package manager platform targeting software developers on the Solana ecosystem.

However the discovery, attribution, and potential targets of the malware have made researchers speculate if this was a state-sponsored attack.

Solana is a blockchain designed for decentralized applications and cryptocurrencies. It is similar to Ethereum in many aspects, which is why it is often described in the crypto community as the “Ethereum killer”.

Targeting devs? Or hackers? Or both?

Recently, security researchers from Safety found two npm packages: “solana-pump-test” and “solana-spl-sdk”.

Both were submitted by the same author, and both contained identical code - and according to Safety, when these packages were installed, they ran scripts that exfiltrated sensitive information from compromised devices, including private keys that granted the attackers access to crypto funds.

Safety says that the victims - the developers that downloaded and ran the infostealers - were located in Russia.

The attackers, on the other hand, seem to be located in the United States, based on the IP addresses where the exfiltrated data was relayed.

These things were enough for the researchers to ask if this was a US-backed threat actor targeting Russia, probably due to currently strained geo-political relations between the two powers.

But npm, as a platform, is not Russian, or managed by the Russians. The npm platform is run by npm, Inc., a company that was originally independent but is now a subsidiary of GitHub, which itself is owned by Microsoft.

Still, Russia has multiple state-sponsored and affiliated threat actors known to target cryptocurrency users, or large enterprises which are then forced to make ransom payments in crypto. Groups such as Evil Corp, Sandworm, and APT28 (Fancy Bear) have been linked to campaigns that either exfiltrate cryptocurrency or deploy ransomware for financial gain.

Therefore, it is not too far-fetched to speculate if this attack was aimed at crypto criminals, as well as regular crypto developers.

Via The Register

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The world's first portable color ePaper monitor has gone on sale - but don't expect it to be affordable just yet - Monday, August 18, 2025 - 14:34
  • First portable color ePaper monitor offers 13.3-inch screen, wireless connections and stand
  • Bigme B13 provides multiple refresh modes, adjustable lighting and dual audio options
  • Priced at $699, B13 targets early adopters seeking eye-friendly portable productivity

The world’s first portable color ePaper monitor has gone on sale, marking a new step for ePaper beyond e-readers like the Amazon Kindle.

The Bigme B13 is a 13.3-inch device that combines the familiar look of paper with the flexibility of a modern monitor.

Unlike LCD or OLED panels, ePaper is easier on the eyes for long use, making it appealing for work and study. The B13 supports both wired and wireless connections. It can be connected to a laptop, desktop or mobile device using HDMI or USB-C, or it can mirror content wirelessly.

Different user modes

If you require a dual-screen experience, an optional stand allows the monitor to magnetically attach to a laptop, for a compact portable productivity setup.

The stand is adjustable, with a universal backplate designed to fit laptops between 13 and 17 inches. Auto gravity adaptation means the screen rotates automatically when repositioned.

With its 4:3 aspect ratio and 3200x2400 resolution, the monitor is built for reading documents, editing text and browsing the web.

It won't be of interest to people whose work depends on creative projects, advanced data visualization, or tasks requiring color-critical business displays, but professionals handling reports, contracts, and lengthy text documents may find it useful.

Color output is rated at 150PPI while black and white reaches 300PPI. At 660g and just 6mm at its thinnest point, the B13 remains lightweight and highly portable.

Different modes allow you to adjust performance depending on the task. Text mode sharpens words, web mode smooths scrolling, image mode boosts color richness and video mode improves motion handling.

If ghosting occurs, which is a possibility, the refresh button clears the screen instantly. A 30Hz refresh rate helps the panel handle video playback with greater clarity than older ePaper screens.

The B13 includes a front light that can be customized for brightness and warmth, ranging from cool white to warm yellow. This light can also be turned off entirely, depending on your needs.

The monitor has built-in dual speakers and a headphone jack for video calls or casual audio playback without extra equipment.

The Bigme B13 is positioned as an early adopter product and priced at $699 although you can save 15% off the price using coupon code B13SAVE.

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I love the look of Samsung’s One UI 8 camera update, but one detail may have ruined it already - Monday, August 18, 2025 - 15:00
  • Samsung could be adding a more vivid camera filter in OneUI 8
  • According to IceUniverse, the feature will force a watermark on your image
  • There's no release date yet

Samsung’s camera app is set to get a new vivid filter, according to leaks, which showcase it producing more striking and vibrant images. The catch? It’ll force you to watermark your photo.

Photo filters are nothing new, but one feature you might not be taking advantage of is that Samsung’s camera app can pre-apply filters to your snap – helping you to better visualize the final product in the moment.

It recently updated the tool to tweak the existing filters and allow you to create a custom filter based on another photo, thanks to AI assistance.

BREAKING!For Samsung users, here's a major discovery!Yesterday, I mentioned that the next version of One UI 8 would introduce two "Chinese-style" photo watermarks. But it turns out there's more to it—Samsung has tied its new "Vivid" style to the watermark. Look, all my… pic.twitter.com/zKx6jAgJc1August 18, 2025

Another change is apparently set to launch with a OneUI 8 update in the future, according to tipster IceUniverse. The update will usher in a new, vivid photo filter profile, but it will also put a border around your snap in a so-called “Chinese-style photo watermark.”

The border makes the snap look kinda like a Polaroid, with a thick bar at the bottom including info like the camera settings, date, and time when the picture was taken, as well as a note saying it was taken on a Samsung Galaxy phone.

This kind of watermark is common on phones from Chinese brands like Xiaomi and OnePlus.

(Image credit: Future)

Some people think the extra information is handy; unfortunately, for me, I’m not in that boat. I believe the watermark comes across as a blatant hijacking of my photos for marketing.

So, as a Samsung Z Fold 7 user, I’ll be steering clear of the vivid filter if this update rolls out as expected. I say that because, as with all leaks, we don’t know how the software update will materialize until it launches.

I’ll also hope the other filters aren’t ruined by a watermark, but we’ll have to wait and see what Samsung delivers.

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Chia Seed Water: Benefits, Drawbacks and How to Make It - Monday, August 18, 2025 - 16:16
Before you take a sip of that chia seed water, this is what experts want you to know about the trendy beverage.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman Believes We're in an AI Bubble - Monday, August 18, 2025 - 16:48
Altman also doesn't want ChatGPT to become an anime sex robot. Good to know.
An Aurora Is Hitting Monday Night Only and Will Be Visible in Over a Dozen States - Monday, August 18, 2025 - 17:45
Increased solar flare activity over the last few days will cause the northern horizon to light up for many states.
Today's NYT Strands Hints, Answers and Help for Aug. 19, #534 - Monday, August 18, 2025 - 17:58
Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for Aug. 19, No. 534.

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