His change of position comes after "the first security incident that I have felt very viscerally."

Anthropic's Claude Mythos Preview has "found flaws in a weakened version of a digital encryption standard that is in pervasive use throughout the internet," reports The New York Times. Researchers said the model discovered novel attacks against weakened versions of AES and the experimental post-quantum HAWK system, including one that was 200 to 1,000 times faster than previous human-developed methods. From the report: The flaws identified do not concern a cryptographic standard currently in use today, which means that modern banking and communication systems are not subject to immediate potential intrusions from A.I. Instead, Anthropic's technology cracked a watered-down version of an algorithm for Advanced Encryption Standard, or A.E.S., a ubiquitous protocol that safeguards web traffic, wireless networks, data storage and more. It is common to perform tests on weaker versions of encryption algorithms to understand whether more powerful computers could someday crack the actual standards, akin to solving a simpler math problem to identify whether patterns may exist for a more complicated one. In the testing, Mythos was able to break the weaker version of Advanced Encryption Standard in a way that Anthropic said made an assault 200 to 1,000 times faster than what previous human research had managed to do. While the immediate ramifications are minimal, the long-term implications could be significant. In previous tests, large-language models seemingly could not match or best what humans can do in the mathematically dense field of cryptographic research, but their rapid advances could suggest a future in which top models can surmount traditional internet security protections that are foundational to just about everything that takes place on the internet. [...] In addition to the attack on the encryption standard, Mythos also orchestrated another improved attack against a different digital cryptographic system known as HAWK that is designed to be bulletproof against both traditional and quantum computers. HAWK is not currently in use, but under consideration by the National Institute of Standards and Technology to become a new standard. The HAWK attack was validated by its authors, and independent cryptographers reviewed the Advanced Encryption Standard attack, Anthropic said, adding that it had shared its findings with the U.S. government and industry partners ahead of publication. Mythos devised the cryptographic attack on A.E.S. almost entirely autonomously, Anthropic said, but only after first refusing to contemplate the problem because it believed it was impossible to improve on existing methods of analysis. But after some coaxing, the chatbot sat with the puzzle for about a week before engineering its novel attack. Two human researchers then worked for nearly a month to verify that the method appeared correct. "Given that we are constantly underestimating the power and time of availability of future models, are we really comfortable that two years from now strong encryption won't be threatened?" said Glenn S. Gerstell, the former general counsel at the National Security Agency. "Mathematicians would tell you that it shouldn't be possible given current computing powers to break strong encryption in any meaningful time," added Mr. Gerstell, who helped write a report on cryptology in 2022. "But I don't think the capabilities of future models in the medium term -- before quantum computing or quantum-proof cryptography -- should be dismissed as trivial in this context."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

In June, Nintendo announced a new version of the Switch 2 that should let you easily replace its battery pack - but only for Europe. Logitech will do much the same. User-replaceable batteries will be the law in Europe in February 2027, but instead of bringing them to the rest of the world, Logitech plans to ship one version of its wireless mice to Europe and a different version everywhere else.

That's the word from Logitech's new gaming boss, Robin Piispanen. We talked about it over iced vanilla lattes at my local cafe, right after discussing how Logitech isn't sure it wants to make another gaming handheld.

Why? Logitech believes that les …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Ozlo’s first major update to its sleep earbuds introduces longer battery life, improved connectivity, enhanced audio, and new sleep features as the startup continues the product line once abandoned by Bose.

A hobby coder's rough return to Visual Studio highlights how IntelliSense, IntelliCode and GitHub Copilot have created several overlapping layers of code completion -- along with settings intended to keep them from fighting for attention.

Join XBOX at gamescom 2026 as we celebrate 25 years of play. We’re returning to Cologne, Germany to connect with players from around the world and spotlight many of the incredible games coming soon to XBOX.

The XBOX booth will be packed with new worlds to explore, developers to meet, and experiences that showcase what’s next for XBOX. Our booth will feature 25 upcoming games and 140 gaming stations, giving fans the opportunity to go hands-on before they launch. Be among the first to play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, Minecraft Dungeons II, Gears of War: E-Day, METRO 2039, STRANGER THAN HEAVEN, Alien: Isolation 2, and more.

As XBOX commemorates 25 years of play, gamescom 2026 is our way to celebrate the players and communities who made those many years possible. Attendees can revisit iconic moments, games, and innovations from every generation of XBOX through interactive experiences that honor the memories, friendships, and stories created along the way.

That celebration continues with the return of XBOX FanFest, bringing together members of our global community for exclusive experiences and unforgettable moments.

Can’t join in person? We’ll be streaming live on YouTube and Twitch, connecting fans around the world with developer interviews, special guests, gameplay reveals, new trailers, and more.

It’s all about the games

The biggest games of the year will be on XBOX, and many of them will be in our booth ready for you to dive into early.

• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 takes center stage. Step into the franchise’s signature Core 6v6 Multiplayer on XBOX Series X, where every match showcases the fluid movement and best-in-class ballistics that define Modern Warfare 4. Whether you’re returning after the Early Access Beta or getting your first taste of the action, this is your chance to experience the next chapter of Modern Warfare Multiplayer firsthand.
• Gears of War: E-Day brings the first public playable hands-on experience with campaign to gamescom, giving players an early look at the brutal origins of the Locust War and the beginning of the brotherhood between Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago ahead of its October 6, 2026, release.
• Play Minecraft Dungeons II for the first time. Drop your pickaxe and grab a sword (and a friend) because the foes are tougher than ever – but the loot is worth the battle. Can you fight the crisis?
• For the first time ever, Fable will have a live demo theater presentation by Playground Games, showcasing live gameplay to the public, taking fans on a Hero’s journey that highlights its smooth and responsive combat. Seamlessly combine melee, ranged, and magical abilities to forge a combat style that feels uniquely your own.
• Play STRANGER THAN HEAVEN for the first time. Face down fate in the 50-year, action-adventure saga’s demo showcasing the innovative combat system that has you independently control the left and right sides of protagonist Makoto Daito across 3 of the 5 immersive Japanese cities & eras found in the full game.
• Get hands-on with METRO 2039 for the first time at gamescom ahead of its release in February 2027. Explore, scavenge, and survive the post-apocalyptic ruins of Moscow in the next landmark FPS from acclaimed storytellers 4A Games.
• Halo: Campaign Evolved lets attendees go hands-on with the faithful yet modernized remake of Halo: Combat Evolved’s legendary campaign, featuring updated visuals, refined gameplay, expanded combat options, and the iconic ringworld adventure that started it all.
• Between new Forza Horizon 6 features and partnership collaborations, there is always something new happening in Japan. Players can test their driving skills in the new Drift Attack feature and get a sneak peek at partnership collaborations dropping over the next few months.
• Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 brings riveting content and announcements from the world of digital aviation, including the first public playable hands-on experience with the National Championship Air Races, giving players a chance to experience the fastest motorsport on earth.

There’s so much more to play including Alien Deathstorm, Alien: Isolation 2, Bad Magpie, The Blood of Dawnwalker, Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, Crowsworn, Genigods: Nezha, Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, STAR WARS Zero Company, Terrible Lizards, Turok: Origins, and Valor Mortis.

Tune in from home

XBOX will bring the show to you with live broadcasts from the heart of the XBOX booth starting at 4pm CEST on Wednesday, August 26 and Thursday, August 27 featuring interviews, special guests, gameplay reveals, new trailers, and more.

Tune in on YouTube and Twitch. The show will be available in American Sign Language (ASL) and English Language Audio Descriptions (AD). Select content from the show will be available in additional languages.

XBOX Booth Details

You’ll be able to find us in Hall 7, booth A-0.61.  

• Thursday, August 27 – 10am to 8pm CEST
• Friday, August 28 – 10am to 8pm CEST
• Saturday, August 29 – 9am to 8 pm CEST
• Sunday, August 30 – 9am to 8pm CEST 

Our booth will be wheelchair accessible, with XBOX Adaptive Controllers available upon request and select demo stations equipped with adjustable-height desks and monitors. “Here to Help” staff will be on hand to help players with adaptive set ups and our Quiet room and sensory items will be available for players looking for a reduced sensory experience. Additionally, we will provide ASL, BSL and DGS interpreters and English- and German-language Audio Descriptions at our booth from 12-5pm Thursday through Sunday.

XBOX FanFest Sweepstakes

XBOX FanFest’s next stop is Cologne, Germany on Wednesday, August 26 from 8pm – 11pm CEST at the XBOX booth. Check our official social channels and the official XBOX FanFest website for news about how to enter the sweepstakes for your chance to win tickets.

The post XBOX @ gamescom 2026 appeared first on XBOX Wire.