#data integration and interoperability

[vorro]

Hello lightning-fast speed and farewell mistakes.

Enter the era of data magic now!

Learn more: https://vorro.net/solutions/interoperability/

[georgetony]

Why Businesses are Rapidly Adopting Cloud Integration IPAAS Solutions

In today’s digital-first world, companies are increasingly relying on a wide variety of cloud-based applications to streamline operations. From CRM systems like Salesforce to collaboration tools like Slack, the average business now uses dozens of different apps. But with that growth comes complexity. The need for seamless communication between these tools has given rise to a powerful solution: Cloud Integration IPAAS.

The Problem with Traditional Integration In the past, integrating business applications required custom code, manual workflows, and expensive middleware solutions. IT teams would spend weeks or months trying to connect disparate systems. These legacy approaches are not only time-consuming, but they are also costly and hard to maintain.

More importantly, as businesses scale, this patchwork of systems creates data silos, miscommunication, and operational inefficiencies. This is where Cloud Integration IPAAS comes in.

What is Cloud Integration IPAAS? Cloud Integration IPAAS (Integration Platform as a Service) is a cloud-based platform that enables businesses to connect apps, data, and services without writing complex code. It provides pre-built connectors, drag-and-drop functionality, and real-time data syncing—allowing organizations to create integrated workflows quickly and efficiently.

Why Are Businesses Adopting It So Quickly?

Real-time Data Synchronization iPaaS solutions offer real-time synchronization between cloud apps, ensuring consistent and updated data across all platforms.

Scalability and Flexibility Whether you're a growing startup or a multinational corporation, iPaaS platforms can scale with your needs. Adding new apps or expanding integrations doesn’t require rebuilding from scratch.

Hybrid Cloud Environments Modern businesses often use a mix of cloud and on-premise applications. Cloud Integration IPAAS platforms support hybrid environments, enabling seamless communication between all systems.

Cost-Effective Automation Automating manual workflows reduces errors and saves time. With low-code interfaces, business users—not just developers—can create powerful integrations.

Who Should Use Cloud Integration IPAAS? Small to Medium Businesses (SMBs): Scaling operations without increasing IT overhead

Enterprises: Managing hundreds of applications across departments

IT Teams: Simplifying integration processes while improving governance and security

Cloud Integration IPAAS is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity for modern businesses aiming for agility and digital transformation. Whether it’s automating data flows or connecting CRM systems with marketing tools, iPaaS helps reduce complexity while increasing efficiency.

For companies looking to future-proof their operations and embrace automation, Cloud Integration IPAAS is the smart choice.

[aerisseo]

Real-Time Data Sharing in Healthcare: Enhancing Patient Care and Collaboration

Explore how real-time data sharing in healthcare improves patient outcomes, enables seamless collaboration, and accelerates decision-making. Discover Helixbeat’s solutions that empower providers with timely, secure access to critical health information across systems.

[tudipblog]

What is Cloud Computing in Healthcare?

Cloud computing for the healthcare industry is the way of implementing remote server access through the internet for storing, managing, and processing healthcare data. In this process,  on-site data centers aren’t established for hosting data on personal computers and hence provides a flexible solution for healthcare stakeholders to remotely access servers where the data is hosted.

Shifting to the cloud has two-fold benefits for both patients and providers. On the business side, virtualization in cloud computing has been beneficial to lower the operational spend while enabling healthcare providers to deliver high-quality and personalized care.

The patients, on the other hand, are getting accustomed with fast delivery of the healthcare services. Healthcare cloud computing increases involvement of patients by giving them access to their healthcare data, which ultimately results in better patient outcomes.

The remote accessibility of healthcare added with the democratization of data free the providers and patients which breaks down the location barriers to healthcare access.

What are the Benefits of Cloud Computing in the Healthcare Industry?

Cost-effective solution:The primary premise of healthcare cloud services is real time availability of computer resources such as data storage and computing power. Both healthcare providers and hospitals don’t need to buy data storage hardware and software. Moreover, there are no upfront charges linked with the cloud for healthcare, they will only have to pay for the resource they actually use. Applications of cloud computing in healthcare provides an optimum environment for scaling without paying much. With the patient’s data coming  from not only EMRs but also through healthcare apps and wearables, a cloud environment makes it possible to scale the storage while keeping the costs low.

Easy interoperability: Interoperability is establishing data integrations through the entire healthcare system, regardless of the origin or where the data is stored. Interoperability powered by healthcare cloud solutions, makes patients’ data available to easily distribute and get insights to aid healthcare delivery. Healthcare cloud computing enables healthcare providers in gaining access to patient data gathered from multiple sources, share it with key stakeholders and deliver timely protocols.

Ownership of data by patients:The combination of cloud computing and healthcare democratize data and give the patients control over their health. It increases participation of patients in decisions related to their health, working as a tool to better patient involvement and education. The importance of cloud computing in the industry can also be seen by the fact that the medical data can be archived and then retrieved easily when the data is stored on the cloud. With an increase in the system uptime, the redundant data reduces to a huge extent, and the data recovery also becomes easier.

Improved collaboration:The implementation of cloud for healthcare has a major role in boosting collaboration. By storing the Electronic Medical Records in the cloud, patients don’t need to have separate medical records for every doctor visit. The doctors can easily view the information, see the outcome of previous interactions with the specialists, and even share information with each other. This saves their time and enables them to provide more accurate treatment.

Enhanced patient experience:With the help of cloud for healthcare, doctors have now the power to increase the patient involvement by giving them anytime access anywhere to medical data, test results, and even doctors’ notes. This gives the patients control over their health as they become more educated regarding their medical conditions. In addition to this, cloud computing in healthcare provides a check for the patients from being overprescribed or dragged into unnecessary testing as doctors can find in the medical records.

Click the link below to learn more about the blog What is Cloud Computing in Healthcare? https://tudip.com/blog-post/what-is-cloud-computing-in-healthcare/

[latestindustryreports]

Ecosystem of the Healthcare Data Interoperability Market

Health data has always been challenging to access and share securely. The nature of health data creates a paradox: It’s difficult to share because it’s sensitive and requires a high level of privacy and security, yet the inability to access it when it’s needed has the potential to cause significant harm. As populations around the world age and people live longer, interoperability and data sharing are going to become increasingly critical for delivering effective healthcare. From patient data exchanges to developer toolkits, vendors in the healthcare data interoperability market are working across tech markets to make healthcare data more accessible. The result is a whole new ecosystem of interoperability tech vendors helping to make the data more usable. These technologies enable data integration, access, and exchange at scale.

With the rising cost of healthcare, incessant inefficiencies, and healthcare quality failures experienced by healthcare providers and patients, there is a need to understand the critical role that interoperability plays in data sharing and re-use among disparate healthcare applications and devices, reduction of healthcare costs and the improvement in the quality of care. Thus, healthcare providers are critically appraising the benefits of complete data interoperability in healthcare. Data interoperability establishes a seamless continuum of healthcare. The major benefit of interoperability in healthcare is to facilitate easy access to health-related information that is stored in heterogeneous systems irrespective of the geographical locations of the healthcare providers as well as the patients.

About Us:

The Insight Partners is a one-stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We specialize in industries such as Semiconductor and Electronics, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Biotechnology, Healthcare IT, Manufacturing and Construction, Medical Devices, Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Chemicals and Materials.

[mariacallous]

Trans-Atlantic relations as we know them are over. The Trump administration in the United States has made it clear that it prefers striking a deal with Russia or other autocrats over maintaining long-term commitments with its Western partners. These threats have united Europeans, who are ramping up their support for Ukraine, investing heavily in their own defense, and striving to build a stronger and more resilient economy. Meanwhile, U.S. institutions that once supported international cooperation and American soft power are getting dismantled.

These developments amount to a trans-Atlantic divorce—and also an opportunity to shape a new trans-Atlantic future by investing in the human capital that the Trump administration has made newly available. At the same time that Europe is trying to build its military capacity, stand on its own feet in intelligence, and make its data and energy infrastructure more resilient, the United States is bleeding talent across the board. U.S. human capital can help build Europe’s future and lay the foundation for a potential renewed trans-Atlantic partnership sometime in the future.

The Trump administration has frozen vast federal funds and announced the elimination of as many as 100,000 jobs, including senior military and security personnel. It has also threatened to push aside military officers who support diversity, equity, and inclusion. The treatment of U.S. intelligence agencies has been even harsher. The CIA has offered buyouts to numerous staff members and initiated the termination of an undisclosed number of contracts for junior officials and probationers.

While the exact numbers of those who have retired or resigned from U.S. intelligence agencies and the military are classified, it is evident that this action resembles a purge of thousands of competent employees. This has led to numerous debates within the United States, with the most prominent being about potential threats to U.S. security and the loss of top talent.

While this talent may potentially compromise U.S. security and military capabilities, it could also present unexpected opportunities for the European defense and intelligence sectors. Suddenly, thousands of competent military and security personnel are seeking new employment. While many would likely consider positions within the U.S. private defense and security sectors, the sheer number indicates that some may be interested in pursuing careers in other regions. Given the evident discontent with their dismissal, as well as their disagreement with U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies on basic human and political levels, it is conceivable that some would consider offering their services to another NATO army or agency in another Western country.

The transfer of personnel who have worked on highly sensitive matters or are trained in one military doctrine to another country is not a straightforward process. However, it is not impossible. Such a move would be more than opportunistic; it would also have practical and symbolic political benefits.

While direct transfers of officers between NATO members’ armed forces are rare, mechanisms like exchange programs and NATO assignments exist to promote interoperability. These arrangements, supplemented by targeted training and professional development, ensure that officers can effectively integrate and operate within different national military frameworks.

It is fair to assume that some of the U.S. military personnel who have been laid off, or are now dissatisfied and considering leaving, have participated in such exchange programs in the past, which would make it easy for them to engage again with those NATO member units in Europe. There should no obligation for U.S. military personnel to join regular European units in a standard service contact; they could be hired as advisors instead, which would be politically and administratively more palatable for the hiring militaries.

Clearly, for intelligence professionals, such a transition may be more challenging due to laws over nondisclosure and state secrecy. But by employing some creativity—within schemes championed by philanthropic foundations, for example—it could be possible. One could think of fellowship programs, for example, that would allow senior officials to maintain their income and independence, while providing consultation and support for European public administrations at the same time. Although not directly comparable, consider the effort that George Soros made after the end of the Cold War to sponsor scientists from the former Soviet Union in order to preserve nuclear and scientific expertise from falling into the hands of rogue states.

Such trans-Atlantic connections could also be a significant political statement. By welcoming competent and able U.S. personnel into their own agencies, Europeans would demonstrate that Euro-Atlantic ties extend beyond mere government relations—a message that resonates not only with the Democratic Party but also with the many Americans who disagree with Trump. It would also underscore Europe’s commitment to continue working together for mutual benefit, strengthening the trans-Atlantic relationship and demonstrating solidarity with those Americans who have been recently laid off.

This sort of hiring spree by Europe may not require extensive publicity, but it will certainly diverge from the Trump administration’s narrative and strategic approach. This could potentially cause some diplomatic friction, but it could also be of some broader diplomatic benefit. Europe can demonstrate its ability to act as an unpredictable and potentially influential independent entity, capable of identifying and acting on material opportunities that become available. It’s an ability that demands to be taken seriously.

What is possible in military and intelligence domains is even easier in the broader economy, where Europe can gain valuable insight from public officials who have experience in the oversight of sectors like energy and data, or other domains marked by integrated platforms and collaborative work such as public health and science.

It’s likely that European governments will be slow to provide the necessary support for hiring former U.S. officials, given various legal and bureaucratic obstacles. Legally, it may be much easier for personnel with U.S. security clearances to receive a fellowship or contract from a U.S.-based foundation rather than one from a foreign government. Therefore, philanthropists on both sides of the Atlantic, shocked by the dismantling of the institutions and tools of American soft power and geopolitical leadership, could act before governments step in by providing seed capital. Starting fellowships programs and imagining short-term affiliations or consultancy contracts would allow senior leadership from the United States to be included in Europe’s construction.

In these turbulent times, such links would create an alternative integration of the Western world that is focused on networked human capital. All this would have both short- and long-term positive effects. It would immediately speed up the improvement of European security and intelligence. In the long term, it would safeguard the basis for a future trans-Atlantic alliance through interpersonal connections and a shared culture.

However, it is urgent to think about how trans-Atlantic relations will look after the current divorce. It is not only because the investment in Europe’s defense and intelligence capacities needs to start immediately with full speed, but also because U.S. talent is already on the job market.

Time is of the essence. As with all good ideas, Europeans will not be the only ones pursuing an investment in U.S. human capital to strengthen their own interests. American employers will inevitably be among those competing for this talent. And U.S. intelligence has produced evidence that Russia and China are already scouting disgruntled federal workers. Europeans would be well advised to focus on helping the many competent officials currently in distress, if only for the sake of giving the West a chance to survive its current turmoil.

[usafphantom2]

U.S. Approves Foreign Military Sale for South Korean F-15K Upgrade

The State Department has approved the possible sale of components that will allow South Korea to upgrade its F-15K Slam Eagle fleet to a configuration similar to the F-15EX Eagle II.

Stefano D'Urso

F-15K upgrade

The U.S. State Department has approved on Nov.19, 2024, a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Republic of Korea of components that will allow the upgrade of the country’s F-15K Slam Eagle fleet. The package, which has an estimated cost of $6.2 billion, follows the decision in 2022 to launch an upgrade program for the aircraft.

The State Department has approved the possible sale of components that will allow South Korea to upgrade its F-15K Slam Eagle fleet to a configuration similar to the F-15EX Eagle II.The F-15KThe new capabilities

The Slam Eagles are the mainstay of the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (ROKAF) multirole missions, with a particular ‘heavy hitting’ long-range strike role. According to the available data, the country operates 59 F-15Ks out of 61 which were initially fielded in 2005. In 2022, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) approved the launch of an upgrade program planned to run from 2024 to 2034.

In particular, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s (DSCA) FMS notice says a number of components were requested for the upgrade, including 96 Advanced Display Core Processor II (ADCP II) mission system computers, 70 AN/APG-82(v)1 Active Electronically Scanned Arrays (AESA) radars, seventy 70 AN/ALQ-250 Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) electronic warfare (EW) suites and 70 AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems (CMWS).

In addition to these, South Korea will also get modifications and maintenance support, aircraft components and spares, consumables, training aids and the entire support package commonly associated with FMS. It is interesting to note that the notice also includes aerial refueling support and aircraft ferry support, so it is possible that at least the initial aircraft will be ferried to the United States for the modifications before the rest are modified in country.

A ROKAF F-15K Slam Eagle drops two GBU-31 JDAM bombs with BLU-109 warhead. (Image credit: ROKAF)

The components included in the possible sale will allow the ROKAF to upgrade its entire fleet of F-15Ks to a configuration similar to the new F-15EX Eagle II currently being delivered to the U.S. Air Force. Interestingly, the Korean configuration will also include the CMWS, currently not installed on the EX, so the F-15K will also require some structural modifications to add the blisters on each side of the canopy rail where the sensors are installed.

“This proposed sale will improve the Republic of Korea’s capability to meet current and future threats by increasing its critical air defence capability to deter aggression in the region and to ensure interoperability with US forces,” says the DSCA in the official notice.

The upgrade of the F-15K is part of a broader modernization of the ROKAF’s fighter fleet. In fact, the service is also upgrading its KF-16s Block 52 to the V configuration, integrating a new AESA radar, mission computer, self-protection suite, with works expected to be completed by 2025. These programs complement the acquisition of the F-35 Lightning II and the KF-21 Boramae.

Ulchi Freedom Shield 24

A ROKAF F-15K Slam Eagle, assigned to the 11th Fighter Wing at Daegu Air Base, takes off for a mission on Aug. 20, 2024. (Image credit: ROKAF)

The F-15K

The F-15K is a variant of the F-15E Strike Eagle built for the Republic of Korea Air Force’s (ROKAF) with almost half of the components manufactured locally. The aircraft emerged as the winner of the F-X fighter program against the Rafale, Typhoon and Su-35 in 2002, resulting in an order for 40 F-15s equipped with General Electric F110-129 engines. In 2005, a second order for 21 aircraft equipped with Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 engines was signed.

The Slam Eagle name is derived from the F-15K’s capability to employ the AGM-84H SLAM-ER standoff cruise missiles, with the Taurus KEPD 350K being another weapon exclusive to the ROKAF jet. The F-15K is employed as a fully multi-role aircraft and is considered ad one of the key assets of the Korean armed forces.

With the aircraft averaging an age of 16 years and expected to be in service until 2060, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) launched in 2022 an upgrade program for the F-15Ks. The upgrade, expected to run from 2024 to 2034, is committed to strengthening the mission capabilities and survivability of the jet.

The F-15K currently equips three squadrons at Daegu Air Base, in the southeast of the country. Although based far from the demilitarized zone (DMZ), the F-15K with its SLAM-ER and KEPD 350 missiles can still hit strategic targets deep behind North Korean borders.

An F-15K releases a Taurus KEPD 350K cruise missile. (Image credit: ROKAF)

The new capabilities

It is not yet clear if the F-15K will receive a new cockpit, since its configuration will be similar to the Eagle II. In fact, the F-15EX has a full glass cockpit equipped with a 10×19-inch touch-screen multifunction color display and JHMCS II both in the front and rear cockpit, Low Profile HUD in the front, stand-by display and dedicated engine, fuel and hydraulics display, in addition to the standard caution/warning lights, switches and Hands On Throttle-And-Stick (HOTAS) control.

Either way, the systems will be powered by the Advanced Display Core Processor II, reportedly the fastest mission computer ever installed on a fighter jet, and the Operational Flight Program Suite 9.1X, a customized variant of the Suite 9 used on the F-15C and F-15E, designed to ensure full interoperability of the new aircraft with the “legacy Eagles”.

The F-15K will be equipped with the new AN/APG-82(V)1 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. The radar, which has been developed from the APG-63(V)3 AESA radar of the F-15C and the APG-79 AESA radar of the F/A-18E/F, allows to simultaneously detect, identify and track multiple air and surface targets at longer ranges compared to mechanical radars, facilitating persistent target observation and information sharing for a better decision-making process.

F-15K upgrade

A ROKAF F-15K Slam Eagle takes off for a night mission during the Pitch Black 2024 exercise. (Image credit: Australian Defense Force)

The AN/ALQ-250 EPAWSS will provide full-spectrum EW capabilities, including radar warning, geolocation, situational awareness, and self-protection to the F-15. Chaff and flares capacity will be increased by 50%, with four more dispensers added in the EPAWSS fairings behind the tail fins (two for each fairing), for a total of 12 dispenser housing 360 cartridges.

EPAWSS is fully integrated with radar warning, geo-location and increased chaff and flare capability to detect and defeat surface and airborne threats in signal-dense and highly contested environments. Because of this, the system enables freedom of maneuver and deeper penetration into battlespaces protected by modern integrated air defense systems.

The AN/AAR-57 CMWS is an ultra-violet based missile warning system, part of an integrated IR countermeasures suite utilizing five sensors to display accurate threat location and dispense decoys/countermeasures. Although CMWS was initially fielded in 2005, BAE Systems continuously customized the algorithms to adapt to new threats and CMWS has now reached Generation 3.

@TheAviationist.com

[one-of-many-journeys]

Day 15 (1/2)

Regional Control Centre

I woke in the middle of the night to see that Gaia had managed to unlock more of the facility. While she continued booting up, piecing herself back together with Minerva, I did a little more exploring.

As Gaia's integrated herself further with the Control Centre's systems, I can see a whole lot more with my Focus. Just scanning the server racks gives me information about each one, a summary of its internal data and its utility to us. She's been busy.

Most crucial in terms of utility: showers, sinks, and toilets. The plumbing is in ruins, but Gaia indicated that it wouldn't take much in way of repairs to get things patched up. It'd be amazing to get it all working—otherwise it's either out on the frigid mountain or down the elevator shaft.

There are sleeping quarters next to the amenities, four sections with a bed, desk, and plenty of storage space. The blankets have decomposed to scrap and the place reeks of mould, but with a bit of cleaning, it could be a nice place to stay. Better than a Nora bedhouse, for sure.

Gaia still didn't have all the rooms hooked into the power supply, but she unlocked a few for me to explore, one stocked with more servers and a smaller holographic projector. Again, Gaia had got their interfaces up and running to help me process their data on my Focus. There isn't much left; this place was meant to hold knowledge specific to operating and improving the terraforming system, but it was wiped clear along with Apollo.

There were a couple of offices accessible as well, similar to the offices in Zero Dawn facilities, but cleaner and better kept. They reminded me of Elisabet's office.

I don't need an office as such—with its physical monitors and old, creaky chairs—but I could use a place to stash my stuff, work on my gadgets and weapons. This is sure to worsen my hoarding problem. No more lugging everything around until I can pawn it off on the next merchant, and no more leaving stuff behind at secluded camps hoping it won't be stolen. I'm not going to let myself lose everything again.

The last accessible room was a little more useful—a lab, with a lot of mechanisms still operational. Most exciting was the fabrication terminal, a contraption capable of taking in scrap metal and other parts and rebuilding them to certain specifications. It was built to be interoperable with Gaia's machines, so using it to analyse and recreate structures from machine parts will help build the data I need to complete those corrupted override schemas I lifted from the Tau Cauldron core. I'm sure there's a whole lot more I can do with it too.

Watching it at work on a small test sample, tiny machines swirling behind the glass, it reminded me of the golden machine swarms wielded by the intruders at the Proving Lab. Maybe a more advanced form of similar technology?

Varl woke and joined me as I finished poking around the lab. He and Zo had similarly found somewhere passably warm to curl up. He wanted to know what was next; so did I. I tried not to come across as completely clueless about our plans going forward. I didn't tell him about the intruders at the lab, or the other clone. Not yet. Not until I know who they are and what they're really after.

As we were talking, Gaia called me over Focus to summon me back to the projection theatre. Her initialisation and merge with Minerva was complete. She was ready to talk and, I hoped, make everything clear.

She spoke to me first about the state of the biosphere. Not good, was the general prognosis. Gaia said it would only take about four months for the rabid terraforming system to degrade beyond all reasonable hope of repair. The good news was, since the RCC was built for long range communication, unlike Latopolis, Gaia could now run a far more sophisticated scan for the escaped subfunctions. However, the scan could take days or more likely weeks to complete, given she'd have to pinpoint each function's mutated signature and circumvent the many techniques they've likely employed to hide themselves. The others are unlikely to be as forthcoming as Minerva.

The only subfunction that Gaia could detect deafeningly loud and blindingly clear was Hephaestus. Figures, I've seen it around too. Gaia explained that it's scattered across the global Cauldron network, and in any attempt to capture it, it would simply slip away to some distant location, as I'd experienced at Firebreak and in Cauldron Tau. It had no reason to hide its activities.

Gaia would continue devising a plan to lock it out of the network and capture it, though attempting to do so before she had been reunited with at least three more of her subfunctions would lead to disaster. Hephaestus had mutated to a dangerous degree since the original Gaia's self-destruction. Given freedom of movement it had grown massive, volatile, and hostile; as it absorbed Cyan, it would absorb this more rudimentary, weaker version of Gaia with ease. She needed to be powerful enough to match it in battle by increasing her 'processing density'. The mission remained as it always had been: repair Gaia. Just because she was here, speaking and smiling and strategising, that didn't mean I was done. Far from it.

Hephaestus is our most important target. Without it, Gaia can't build machines of her own or take control of the Cauldron network. The machines are like her tools, her hands, able to act upon her orders and bring the terraforming system back into balance. With the other subfunctions, she would be able to enact some measure of change using existing machines and facilities to temper the most acute affects of system collapse, but without new machines to join the effort, that temperance wouldn't last long. That's to say nothing of the threat of Hephaestus itself as it continues to take direct control of Cauldrons, building more dangerous machines meant to cull humankind to make way for its own purple progeny.

So that's problem one: we need at least three subfunctions, along with a plan to bring Hephaestus to heel. We still have no clue where those other subfunctions could be, if they still exist, except that they'll be hiding in processor cores somewhere within rapid networking distance of Gaia Prime. That only leaves just about everywhere not on the other side of an ocean, if I'm lucky.

Gaia said she will devote as much of her internal resources as possible to detecting more of her subfunctions and notify me as soon as they're located. There's not much sense in me striking out into the open before then, especially with what I know is waiting for me, wanting me dead and well out of their way.

I asked Gaia then about the strangers at the Proving Lab.

She'd seen the whole encounter through my Focus, and she shared in my unease. She then laid out her theory, and it was worse than I ever speculated. Bombshell one: the signal that woke Hades, which Gaia ominously calls 'the extinction signal', didn't come from anywhere on Earth. She showed me, in projection form, Earth from a distance, moon and stars surrounding, then pulled back, the image moving so fast that the stars were coloured streaks racing past us. I was transfixed; horrified, but morbidly awestruck. What was so far away that would want to harm us here on Earth? Other worlds, other life?

This was the distance that the signal travelled to reach Gaia, a length so vast that light itself takes 8.6 years to cross it. That number was familiar, somewhere in the back of my mind, but I didn't realise where I'd heard it until Gaia's projection reached its destination, the motion of light finally ceasing.

There it was, orbiting a planet of brown landmasses, dark blue oceans, and thick swirls of clouds: the Odyssey. It was the same projection that Osvald Dalgaard used in his presentation at the Far Zenith launch facility. 8.6 light years...he used the same figure when describing the Odyssey's destination, the Sirius system.

Gaia said it was the only logical origin, though realistically the signal could have come from any direction of the same approximate distance away. As Hades said, the signal repeated for 17.22 years, and Gaia explained as I continued trying to get my head around distances that light crossed at a long crawl. That was 8.6 years once the signal arrived, for the fact of its failure to reach its sender, and another 8.6 for the sender's ceasing order to make it back to Earth.

Working theory: Far Zenith lied about their shuttle's explosion. After Travis' attack on their systems, and their deal with Zero Dawn coming to an end, they clearly didn't trust the descendants of the project to leave them alone. I know that Elisabet's view of Far Zenith was less than favourable; maybe they saw that as a potential threat. So, Far Zenith fake the destruction of their ship to keep Zero Dawn off their backs for good, and stay hidden from those that the project would raise and educate under Gaia's care.

I know they were paranoid. In the Old World, no one knew who the members of Far Zenith were, and it seems like a large portion of the public hated them for their flagrant wealth and hoarded power. They kept themselves secret on Earth, then hid their presence in space. They tried to steal Gaia before they left Earth, then tried to use their 'extinction signal' to steal her again, planning to take the whole world down in the process. Why?

I suppose they didn't know that Apollo was destroyed, maybe they thought we were still a threat, but even so, we didn't know about them. We couldn't have known, thanks to their cover up. So, what was it? They sent their signal to wake Hades and destroy all life on Earth, clean it of 'filth', as Hades put it, and then what? They subdue Hades, reinstate Gaia and...re-program her, maybe. Use her to create the world that they want. Play god, just as Elisabet feared. This is why she didn't want to hand over a copy of Gaia in the first place, but in refusing, in retaliating...did she doom us, here and now?

I posed my thoughts to Gaia, and she agreed that it was her own conclusion as well. Far Zenith had always planned to flee Earth in its dying days. Maybe they always planned to return as well. Return and claim the world they once dominated.

I thought there was only one inheritor of the human legacy, but there were two. One, Elisabet's, and the other...the space-born descendants of Peter Tshivhumbe.

Gaia confirmed something else that Hades said: the signal was meant for it alone, and the mutations imparted on the other subfunctions were only incidental, only unleashed when Hades was unable to assume control fast enough as Gaia initiated self-destruction, something Far Zenith couldn't anticipate. It was an incredibly advanced piece of malware, as Sylens observed, and Gaia said that only someone with in-depth knowledge of her code structures and her system as a whole could have engineered it. So...maybe Far Zenith was able to steal more of Zero Dawn's data than Travis thought. Maybe they've been working on reverse-engineering it ever since.

Suddenly, the strangers at the Proving Lab made a whole lot more sense. Their advanced technology, their flashy weaponry, their gilded ornamentation...Far Zenith, grown formidable with the knowledge of the Old Ones, given by Zero Dawn, on their side. They came here to do what their extinction signal failed to do: wipe out life on Earth, and use a stolen backup of Gaia to build it all over again for them to rule, destroying Elisabet's dream forever.

And all I could think about was that clone, moving on their orders, silent, weak. How could she go along with this plan? She stole Gaia for them, handing her over to Elisabet's enemy for them to use, to twist into a weapon to destroy and remake the world into some abomination, some paradise for these people who think themselves entitled to the planet.

How did they make a clone in the first place? Why, when their technology is supposedly so powerful?

Gaia explained that Far Zenith could have obtained a sample of Elisabet's DNA, with or without her consent, and stored it on board the Odyssey along with their many Earth life samples and human zygotes. She said that even with their ability to engineer powerful malware, obtaining a physical backup of Gaia in a shut-down state could only be done by walking in and taking it, and only someone with Elisabet Sobeck's genetic code could do that. Far Zenith made the clone as a key, just as Gaia made me. The only crucial difference is I was made to save the world, not kill everything on it.

Gaia had her doubts about the clone. She seems to think it's more likely that she's a subordinate, some sort of slave forced to take their orders. No way. She's Elisabet Sobeck, just as much as I am, she's no subordinate. Elisabet loved life; she gave everything for this world, just for this clone to come along and destroy it all? No. Just the thought of her makes me sick.

So it's all down to me. I knew it would be; it always is. Gaia can't do much from here but keep scanning for the other subordinate functions. As soon as she finds them, I'll be her eyes and hands. Vessel, if we want to get all Nora about it. I'll have to go and load each subfunction onto the cartridge I found Gaia on, then bring them back here to merge into her new system. Meanwhile, that other clone is running around with Far Zenith, who likely have way more advanced scanning capabilities, hunting the subfunctions right alongside me, with their own version of Gaia to mold and command. If they get to Hephaestus first, merge it into their version of Gaia...it'll be over. They'll have control over every Cauldron on the planet. They'll rule the biosphere and be able to build whatever devastating weapons they can dream up to kill us all.

But if I can beat them to it, we'll have the upper hand. Enough damage will take down the Zenith's shields, which to my onslaught seemed impenetrable. With an army of machines, we'll have the ability to destroy Far Zenith and their Specters on Earth, but even then...how many more of them are out there? How far have they already spread across the stars? How long will this fight go on?

It's...a lot. It's everything. My hands leapt to Elisabet's pendant without my knowing, tracing its comforting shapes and textures. Peeling paint, rusted hinges; the last thing Elisabet ever touched. I couldn't help but profess my doubts to Gaia. Even if it wasn't exactly her idea to create me, it was a version of her. Somewhere in her un-lived future there's a part of her that believes I am her best hope to save this world.

She gave me comfort. After all, she'd listened to her predecessor's final message too, trusting it. She'd seen that future, and repeated its words. Though her phrasing was mechanical, flat, ringing against old metal, the message was the same as I'd always heard when facing adversity, from Rost. Though the odds may seem insurmountable, there is hope. You are capable. You have prevailed many times.

Look deeper. Keep moving forward.

Before I left the theatre, I noticed a console on the circumference of the room. Gaia told me more about it; it was meant for uploading and accessing footage from observation drones. These drones were meant to be deployed in an emergency when biosphere observation could not be handled by personnel in the RCC. The centre had deployed them automatically a few years ago, when the first signs of blight start showing up. It took something extremely anomalous to trigger the system, apparently, and due to its degradation, the RCC soon lost connection to all the dispatched drones.

So, that explained the drone I found circling near that Thunderjaw in No Man's Land. I was able to upload the data I'd taken off it to the console, allowing the RCC to reconnect to the drone. And there it was, a live feed of red rocks and rusted bots. Those closest stones almost looked real. I figured that reconnecting these drones could be of some use to Gaia, who can observe the lands through them until she takes control of the Cauldron network again. Until, no if's.

I spoke to Varl and Zo briefly before heading back out into the wilds. They plan on staying behind to get up to speed on things with Gaia and make some repairs to the centre's facilities. Who knows, maybe I'll come back to a working shower.

Without any clear direction to where the subfunctions might be hiding, I may as well make myself useful in doing what I can to help the people of these lands. After Hephaestus' attack, the Utaru are sure to be struggling, and with Regalla's rebels still prowling their territory, the danger isn't over.

Sylens and his little army fits into all of this somehow. He knew who the Zeniths were, I'm sure of it. I'm willing to bet he was using me as some sort of bargaining chip; he leads Far Zenith to a backup of Gaia and a clone of Elisabet, he asks for a copy of Apollo in return. Then he uses his army to, what, conquer? That doesn't seem like his style. Maybe he thought Far Zenith would let him join up, otherwise I have no idea how he was planning to survive their plan for the world. What a self-absorbed idiot.

I thought it'd be a quick journey down the mountain with my Shield Wing. Beautiful views, pleasant weather, and no signs of total war and ruin down in Plainsong.

Not so quick once the rain started and a few Skydrifters came swooping in. I kept them down with spark cell detonations before going in for spear strikes. Ropes to keep the others from moving around too much in the meantime. A Burrower came to join in too, but I silenced it before it could call any more machines to the area. Fortunately, none of them were Hephaestus' deadly creations.

Continuing on my way down, I passed a signal tower like the one I found back in the Daunt. Scanning it, I picked up another corrupted projection. I made the quick climb back up to the ruin on the rise to repair the image from its original vantage. It showed the turbines and satellite dishes that now house Plainsong.

It was another site of the Miriam Technologies tour. This satellite array was once used to detect and monitor near-Earth objects—big rocks, I guess—rich in minerals. Miriam Technologies developed machines for the automated mining of these minerals out in space. I guess there wasn't much left of the stuff on Earth after the Claw Back, but it's pretty cool to think about. Unfortunately, there's only one near-Earth object I need to be concerned with right now, and that's the fucking Odyssey.

No need to dwell on it right now. There are people here who need my help. I continued down toward Plainsong.

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

New data model paves way for seamless collaboration among US and international astronomy institutions

Software engineers have been hard at work to establish a common language for a global conversation. The topic—revealing the mysteries of the universe. The U.S. National Science Foundation National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NSF NRAO) has been collaborating with U.S. and international astronomy institutions to establish a new open-source, standardized format for processing radio astronomical data, enabling interoperability between scientific institutions worldwide.

When telescopes are observing the universe, they collect vast amounts of data—for hours, months, even years at a time, depending on what they are studying. Combining data from different telescopes is especially useful to astronomers, to see different parts of the sky, or to observe the targets they are studying in more detail, or at different wavelengths. Each instrument has its own strengths, based on its location and capabilities.

"By setting this international standard, NRAO is taking a leadership role in ensuring that our global partners can efficiently utilize and share astronomical data," said Jan-Willem Steeb, the technical lead of the new data processing program at the NSF NRAO. "This foundational work is crucial as we prepare for the immense data volumes anticipated from projects like the Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade to the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array and the Square Kilometer Array Observatory in Australia and South Africa."

By addressing these key aspects, the new data model establishes a foundation for seamless data sharing and processing across various radio telescope platforms, both current and future.

International astronomy institutions collaborating with the NSF NRAO on this process include the Square Kilometer Array Observatory (SKAO), the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), the European Southern Observatory (ESO), the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ), and Joint Institute for Very Long Baseline Interferometry European Research Infrastructure Consortium (JIVE).

The new data model was tested with example datasets from approximately 10 different instruments, including existing telescopes like the Australian Square Kilometer Array Pathfinder and simulated data from proposed future instruments like the NSF NRAO's Next Generation Very Large Array. This broader collaboration ensures the model meets diverse needs across the global astronomy community.

Extensive testing completed throughout this process ensures compatibility and functionality across a wide range of instruments. By addressing these aspects, the new data model establishes a more robust, flexible, and future-proof foundation for data sharing and processing in radio astronomy, significantly improving upon historical models.

"The new model is designed to address the limitations of aging models, in use for over 30 years, and created when computing capabilities were vastly different," adds Jeff Kern, who leads software development for the NSF NRAO.

"The new model updates the data architecture to align with current and future computing needs, and is built to handle the massive data volumes expected from next-generation instruments. It will be scalable, which ensures the model can cope with the exponential growth in data from future developments in radio telescopes."

As part of this initiative, the NSF NRAO plans to release additional materials, including guides for various instruments and example datasets from multiple international partners.

"The new data model is completely open-source and integrated into the Python ecosystem, making it easily accessible and usable by the broader scientific community," explains Steeb. "Our project promotes accessibility and ease of use, which we hope will encourage widespread adoption and ongoing development."

[onewaveofficial]

EVM Compatible Blockchain 2025: The Backbone of Web3 Scalability & Innovation

As the Web3 ecosystem matures, 2025 is shaping up to be a transformative year, especially for EVM-compatible blockchains. These Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible networks are no longer just Ethereum alternatives; they are becoming the foundation for a more connected, scalable, and user-friendly decentralized internet.

If you’re a developer, investor, or blockchain enthusiast, understanding the rise of EVM-compatible blockchains in 2025 could be the edge you need to stay ahead.

What is an EVM-compatible blockchain?

An EVM compatible blockchain is a blockchain that can run smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps) originally built for Ethereum. These networks use the same codebase (Solidity or Vyper), making it easier to port or replicate Ethereum-based applications across different chains.

Think of it as the “Android of blockchain” — a flexible operating system that lets developers deploy applications without needing to rebuild from scratch

Why 2025 is the Breakout Year for EVM Compatible Blockchain?

1. Scalability & Speed Are No Longer Optional

In 2025, network congestion and high gas fees are still major pain points on Ethereum. EVM compatible blockchains like Polygon, BNB Chain, Avalanche, Lycan, and the emerging Wave Blockchain are providing faster throughput and significantly lower transaction costs. This allows dApps to scale without compromising performance or user experience.

2. Interoperability Becomes a Standard

Web3 is no longer about isolated blockchains. In 2025, cross-chain bridges and multichain apps are the norm. EVM compatible blockchains are leading this interoperability movement, enabling seamless asset transfers and data sharing between chains — without sacrificing security or decentralization.

3. DeFi, NFTs, and Gaming Demand EVM Compatibility

Whether it’s a DeFi protocol like Uniswap, an NFT marketplace, or a Web3 game, developers want platforms that support quick deployment, lower fees, and a large user base. EVM compatible blockchains offer all three. That’s why platforms like OneWave, a next-gen multichain ecosystem, are being natively built on EVM-compatible infrastructure to unlock full utility across DeFi, NFTs, GameFi, and beyond.

Key Benefits of Using an EVM Compatible Blockchain in 2025

Lower Development Costs: Developers can reuse Ethereum-based code, tools, and libraries.

Wider Audience Reach: Most wallets like MetaMask, and protocols support EVM chains out of the box.

Cross-Platform Utility: Launch on one chain, expand to others seamlessly.

Greater Liquidity & Ecosystem Integration: Easier to tap into existing DeFi liquidity pools and NFT communities.

The Future Outlook: What Comes Next?

As of 2025, the trend is clear: dApps will prefer chains that are fast, cheap, and EVM compatible. Ethereum’s dominance is no longer enough to guarantee loyalty. Instead, flexibility and performance are king.

With the rise of modular architectures, Layer 2s, and zkEVM rollups, the EVM ecosystem is expanding at an unprecedented pace. EVM compatibility isn’t just a feature anymore — it’s a requirement.

For more visit: www.onewave.app

[jcmarchi]

Industry First: UCIe Optical Chiplet Unveiled by Ayar Labs

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/industry-first-ucie-optical-chiplet-unveiled-by-ayar-labs/

Industry First: UCIe Optical Chiplet Unveiled by Ayar Labs

Ayar Labs has unveiled the industry’s first Universal Chiplet Interconnect Express (UCIe) optical interconnect chiplet, designed specifically to maximize AI infrastructure performance and efficiency while reducing latency and power consumption for large-scale AI workloads.

This breakthrough will help address the increasing demands of advanced computing architectures, especially as AI systems continue to scale. By incorporating a UCIe electrical interface, the new chiplet is designed to eliminate data bottlenecks while enabling seamless integration with chips from different vendors, fostering a more accessible and cost-effective ecosystem for adopting advanced optical technologies.

The chiplet, named TeraPHY™, achieves 8 Tbps bandwidth and is powered by Ayar Labs’ 16-wavelength SuperNova™ light source. This optical interconnect technology aims to overcome the limitations of traditional copper interconnects, particularly for data-intensive AI applications.

“Optical interconnects are needed to solve power density challenges in scale-up AI fabrics,” said Mark Wade, CEO of Ayar Labs.

The integration with the UCIe standard is particularly significant as it allows chiplets from different manufacturers to work together seamlessly. This interoperability is critical for the future of chip design, which is increasingly moving toward multi-vendor, modular approaches.

The UCIe Standard: Creating an Open Chiplet Ecosystem

The UCIe Consortium, which developed the standard, aims to build “an open ecosystem of chiplets for on-package innovations.” Their Universal Chiplet Interconnect Express specification addresses industry demands for more customizable, package-level integration by combining high-performance die-to-die interconnect technology with multi-vendor interoperability.

“The advancement of the UCIe standard marks significant progress toward creating more integrated and efficient AI infrastructure thanks to an ecosystem of interoperable chiplets,” said Dr. Debendra Das Sharma, Chair of the UCIe Consortium.

The standard establishes a universal interconnect at the package level, enabling chip designers to mix and match components from different vendors to create more specialized and efficient systems. The UCIe Consortium recently announced its UCIe 2.0 Specification release, indicating the standard’s continued development and refinement.

Industry Support and Implications

The announcement has garnered strong endorsements from major players in the semiconductor and AI industries, all members of the UCIe Consortium.

Mark Papermaster from AMD emphasized the importance of open standards: “The robust, open and vendor neutral chiplet ecosystem provided by UCIe is critical to meeting the challenge of scaling networking solutions to deliver on the full potential of AI. We’re excited that Ayar Labs is one of the first deployments that leverages the UCIe platform to its full extent.”

This sentiment was echoed by Kevin Soukup from GlobalFoundries, who noted, “As the industry transitions to a chiplet-based approach to system partitioning, the UCIe interface for chiplet-to-chiplet communication is rapidly becoming a de facto standard. We are excited to see Ayar Labs demonstrating the UCIe standard over an optical interface, a pivotal technology for scale-up networks.”

Technical Advantages and Future Applications

The convergence of UCIe and optical interconnects represents a paradigm shift in computing architecture. By combining silicon photonics in a chiplet form factor with the UCIe standard, the technology allows GPUs and other accelerators to “communicate across a wide range of distances, from millimeters to kilometers, while effectively functioning as a single, giant GPU.”

The technology also facilitates Co-Packaged Optics (CPO), with multinational manufacturing company Jabil already showcasing a model featuring Ayar Labs’ light sources capable of “up to a petabit per second of bi-directional bandwidth.” This approach promises greater compute density per rack, enhanced cooling efficiency, and support for hot-swap capability.

“Co-packaged optical (CPO) chiplets are set to transform the way we address data bottlenecks in large-scale AI computing,” said Lucas Tsai from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). “The availability of UCIe optical chiplets will foster a strong ecosystem, ultimately driving both broader adoption and continued innovation across the industry.”

Transforming the Future of Computing

As AI workloads continue to grow in complexity and scale, the semiconductor industry is increasingly looking toward chiplet-based architectures as a more flexible and collaborative approach to chip design. Ayar Labs’ introduction of the first UCIe optical chiplet addresses the bandwidth and power consumption challenges that have become bottlenecks for high-performance computing and AI workloads.

The combination of the open UCIe standard with advanced optical interconnect technology promises to revolutionize system-level integration and drive the future of scalable, efficient computing infrastructure, particularly for the demanding requirements of next-generation AI systems.

The strong industry support for this development indicates the potential for a rapidly expanding ecosystem of UCIe-compatible technologies, which could accelerate innovation across the semiconductor industry while making advanced optical interconnect solutions more widely available and cost-effective.

[khariscrypt]

STON.fi Expands Its Reach: A New Era for TON Trading with Tomo Wallet

In the world of DeFi, accessibility and efficiency are everything. The ability to execute trades seamlessly, track portfolios, and manage assets across multiple networks determines how traders navigate the market. STON.fi is pushing the boundaries yet again, integrating its powerful decentralized exchange (DEX) functionality into Tomo Wallet, a multichain crypto wallet designed for ease and efficiency.

This integration marks a major leap for traders in the TON ecosystem, providing them with an even smoother trading experience while ensuring they get the best liquidity and rates—all within a single platform.

Why This Matters for TON Traders

TON’s ecosystem is expanding rapidly, and with it comes the need for better trading solutions. Tomo Wallet serves as an all-in-one hub where users can:

✅ Trade assets across multiple chains – Whether it’s TON, Bitcoin, Solana, or EVM-compatible networks, Tomo Wallet ensures seamless transactions.

✅ Monitor portfolios in real-time – Stay updated with live market data and analytics, all in one place.

✅ Execute one-click swaps – No need for multiple platforms—trades happen instantly with just a few taps.

✅ Gift tokens with ease – Send assets to friends, communities, or business partners with a simple, user-friendly interface.

Now, with STON.fi’s SDK integrated into Tomo Wallet, users gain access to deep liquidity and optimal trade execution, ensuring that every swap is efficient, cost-effective, and free from unnecessary slippage.

How STON.fi Enhances Tomo Wallet

STON.fi is known for its zero-slippage trading model and liquidity aggregation, which means traders always get the best possible rates. By bringing this to Tomo Wallet, the benefits include:

🔹 Faster transactions – No delays, no unnecessary waiting times.

🔹 Optimized trade execution – STON.fi’s system ensures that trades go through with minimal cost and maximum efficiency.

🔹 Seamless TON integration – Making the TON ecosystem even more accessible for both new and experienced traders.

This partnership isn't just about convenience—it’s about powering a new wave of DeFi trading where efficiency and accessibility come first.

The Bigger Picture: DeFi Innovation in Action

STON.fi’s continuous expansion reflects a broader trend in DeFi innovation—where interoperability and user experience are taking center stage. By integrating with Tomo Wallet, STON.fi is not just enhancing trading on TON; it’s setting a new standard for cross-chain DeFi solutions.

As more projects adopt STON.fi’s SDK and liquidity solutions, expect TON-based trading to become even more seamless, efficient, and accessible to traders worldwide.

🔗 Ready to experience next-level DeFi? Explore Tomo Wallet and trade with STON.fi today.

#STONfi #TON #DeFi #CryptoTrading #TomoWallet

[cryptocrusader]

Polygon zkEVM Bridge: A Revolutionary Step Toward Seamless Blockchain Interoperability

The Polygon zkEVM Bridge is set to redefine blockchain interoperability by combining the power of Polygon’s scalability with the groundbreaking capabilities of zero-knowledge proof technology. Unlike traditional bridges, the zkEVM Bridge emphasizes speed, security, and efficiency, making it a game-changer for decentralized finance (DeFi), gaming, and cross-chain asset transfers.

This article explores how the Polygon zkEVM Bridge is shaping the future of blockchain connectivity and why it’s an essential innovation in the decentralized ecosystem.

What Makes the Polygon zkEVM Bridge Unique?

Bridges have always played a crucial role in connecting disparate blockchain networks, but they often face challenges like high gas fees, slow transaction times, and security vulnerabilities. The Polygon zkEVM Bridge addresses these pain points by leveraging zero-knowledge proof technology to offer a seamless and secure cross-chain experience.

Key Features:

Instant Finality: Transactions are processed almost instantly without compromising on security.

Lower Gas Fees: zkEVM significantly reduces computational costs, translating into lower fees for users.

Ethereum Compatibility: Full compatibility with Ethereum means that applications and tokens can seamlessly interact across networks.

For a deeper dive into zkEVM technology, check out the Polygon Technology blog.

How zkEVM Enhances Blockchain Connectivity

1. Optimized Cross-Chain Interactions

The Polygon zkEVM Bridge eliminates the inefficiencies of traditional bridges by validating transactions off-chain and posting only the proofs on-chain.

Why It Matters:

Reduces network congestion.

Improves scalability without sacrificing security.

Makes DeFi and NFT interactions faster and more cost-effective.

2. Enhanced Security with Zero-Knowledge Proofs

Zero-knowledge proofs allow one party to prove the validity of a transaction without revealing unnecessary information.

Impact on Security:

Minimizes the risk of exploits often associated with traditional bridges.

Ensures data privacy, making it ideal for sensitive transactions.

Applications of the Polygon zkEVM Bridge

1. Transforming DeFi Strategies

DeFi users can transfer assets between Ethereum and Polygon’s zkEVM seamlessly, enabling advanced strategies such as arbitrage, yield farming, and liquidity provisioning.

Example Use Case: A trader can take advantage of price discrepancies between Ethereum and Polygon-based DEXs without incurring high fees or long delays.

2. Powering GameFi Ecosystems

Game developers can now integrate assets and NFTs across Polygon and Ethereum, creating unified economies for blockchain games.

Why It’s Revolutionary:

Players can trade in-game assets on Ethereum marketplaces while enjoying low-cost gameplay on Polygon.

Developers gain access to a larger pool of users and liquidity.

3. Expanding Multi-Chain NFT Markets

NFT creators can mint on Polygon zkEVM for cost efficiency and list their assets on Ethereum for greater visibility and liquidity.

Benefits for Creators and Collectors:

Lower minting and transfer fees.

Access to high-value Ethereum marketplaces like OpenSea.

Polygon zkEVM Bridge vs. Traditional Bridges

FeatureTraditional BridgesPolygon zkEVM BridgeTransaction SpeedSlow during congestionNear-instant with zk-proofsGas FeesHigh on EthereumSignificantly reducedSecurityVulnerable to exploitsEnhanced with zero-knowledge proofsCompatibilityLimited cross-chain utilityFull Ethereum compatibility

The Polygon zkEVM Bridge clearly outpaces its predecessors, offering superior performance across all key metrics.

Challenges Addressed by the Polygon zkEVM Bridge

1. Bridging Delays

Traditional bridges often suffer from long wait times, especially during high network congestion. The zkEVM Bridge ensures instant finality, eliminating this issue.

2. High Gas Costs

Ethereum’s gas fees are a known barrier for users. By offloading computational tasks to the zkEVM layer, the bridge drastically reduces costs.

3. Lack of Interoperability

Unlike older solutions, the zkEVM Bridge ensures full compatibility with Ethereum, making it easier for developers to create multi-chain applications without rewriting smart contracts.

The Future of Polygon zkEVM Bridge

The Polygon zkEVM Bridge is not just a technological upgrade; it represents a paradigm shift in how blockchains interact. Future enhancements are expected to include:

Multi-Chain Support: Connecting not just Ethereum but other Layer 2 solutions like Arbitrum and Optimism.

Integration with DeFi Aggregators: Enabling users to perform cross-chain DeFi operations from a single dashboard.

Institutional Adoption: The bridge’s security and efficiency make it an attractive option for institutional players exploring blockchain interoperability.

Stay tuned for updates by following the Polygon Technology announcements.

Why Polygon zkEVM Bridge Matters

The Polygon zkEVM Bridge is more than a tool—it’s a cornerstone for the future of blockchain interoperability. Whether you’re a DeFi strategist, an NFT collector, or a GameFi developer, the bridge offers unmatched speed, security, and efficiency, making cross-chain interactions effortless.

Explore the possibilities of the Polygon zkEVM Bridge today by visiting the Polygon Bridge and take the first step toward a seamless multi-chain future.

[usafphantom2]

B-2 Gets Big Upgrade with New Open Mission Systems Capability

July 18, 2024 | By John A. Tirpak

The B-2 Spirit stealth bomber has been upgraded with a new open missions systems (OMS) software capability and other improvements to keep it relevant and credible until it’s succeeded by the B-21 Raider, Northrop Grumman announced. The changes accelerate the rate at which new weapons can be added to the B-2; allow it to accept constant software updates, and adapt it to changing conditions.

“The B-2 program recently achieved a major milestone by providing the bomber with its first fieldable, agile integrated functional capability called Spirit Realm 1 (SR 1),” the company said in a release. It announced the upgrade going operational on July 17, the 35th anniversary of the B-2’s first flight.

SR 1 was developed inside the Spirit Realm software factory codeveloped by the Air Force and Northrop to facilitate software improvements for the B-2. “Open mission systems” means that the aircraft has a non-proprietary software architecture that simplifies software refresh and enhances interoperability with other systems.

“SR 1 provides mission-critical capability upgrades to the communications and weapons systems via an open mission systems architecture, directly enhancing combat capability and allowing the fleet to initiate a new phase of agile software releases,” Northrop said in its release.

The system is intended to deliver problem-free software on the first go—but should they arise, correct software issues much earlier in the process.

The SR 1 was “fully developed inside the B-2 Spirit Realm software factory that was established through a partnership with Air Force Global Strike Command and the B-2 Systems Program Office,” Northrop said.

The Spirit Realm software factory came into being less than two years ago, with four goals: to reduce flight test risk and testing time through high-fidelity ground testing; to capture more data test points through targeted upgrades; to improve the B-2’s functional capabilities through more frequent, automated testing; and to facilitate more capability upgrades to the jet.

The Air Force said B-2 software updates which used to take two years can now be implemented in less than three months.

In addition to B61 or B83 nuclear weapons, the B-2 can carry a large number of precision-guided conventional munitions. However, the Air Force is preparing to introduce a slate of new weapons that will require near-constant target updates and the ability to integrate with USAF’s evolving long-range kill chain. A quicker process for integrating these new weapons with the B-2’s onboard communications, navigation, and sensor systems was needed.

The upgrade also includes improved displays, flight hardware and other enhancements to the B-2’s survivability, Northrop said.

“We are rapidly fielding capabilities with zero software defects through the software factory development ecosystem and further enhancing the B-2 fleet’s mission effectiveness,” said Jerry McBrearty, Northrop’s acting B-2 program manager.

The upgrade makes the B-2 the first legacy nuclear weapons platform “to utilize the Department of Defense’s DevSecOps [development, security, and operations] processes and digital toolsets,” it added.

The software factory approach accelerates adding new and future weapons to the stealth bomber, and thus improve deterrence, said Air Force Col. Frank Marino, senior materiel leader for the B-2.

The B-2 was not designed using digital methods—the way its younger stablemate, the B-21 Raider was—but the SR 1 leverages digital technology “to design, manage, build and test B-2 software more efficiently than ever before,” the company said.

The digital tools can also link with those developed for other legacy systems to accomplish “more rapid testing and fielding and help identify and fix potential risks earlier in the software development process.”

Following two crashes in recent years, the stealthy B-2 fleet comprises 19 aircraft, which are the only penetrating aircraft in the Air Force’s bomber fleet until the first B-21s are declared to have achieved initial operational capability at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. A timeline for IOC has not been disclosed.

The B-2 is a stealthy, long-range, penetrating nuclear and conventional strike bomber. It is based on a flying wing design combining LO with high aerodynamic efficiency. The aircraft’s blended fuselage/wing holds two weapons bays capable of carrying nearly 60,000 lb in various combinations.

Spirit entered combat during Allied Force on March 24, 1999, striking Serbian targets. Production was completed in three blocks, and all aircraft were upgraded to Block 30 standard with AESA radar. Production was limited to 21 aircraft due to cost, and a single B-2 was subsequently lost in a crash at Andersen, Feb. 23, 2008.

Modernization is focused on safeguarding the B-2A’s penetrating strike capability in high-end threat environments and integrating advanced weapons.

The B-2 achieved a major milestone in 2022 with the integration of a Radar Aided Targeting System (RATS), enabling delivery of the modernized B61-12 precision-guided thermonuclear freefall weapon. RATS uses the aircraft’s radar to guide the weapon in GPS-denied conditions, while additional Flex Strike upgrades feed GPS data to weapons prerelease to thwart jamming. A B-2A successfully dropped an inert B61-12 using RATS on June 14, 2022, and successfully employed the longer-range JASSM-ER cruise missile in a test launch last December.

Ongoing upgrades include replacing the primary cockpit displays, the Adaptable Communications Suite (ACS) to provide Link 16-based jam-resistant in-flight retasking, advanced IFF, crash-survivable data recorders, and weapons integration. USAF is also working to enhance the fleet’s maintainability with LO signature improvements to coatings, materials, and radar-absorptive structures such as the radome and engine inlets/exhausts.

Two B-2s were damaged in separate landing accidents at Whiteman on Sept. 14, 2021, and Dec. 10, 2022, the latter prompting an indefinite fleetwide stand-down until May 18, 2023. USAF plans to retire the fleet once the B-21 Raider enters service in sufficient numbers around 2032.

Contractors: Northrop Grumman; Boeing; Vought.

First Flight: July 17, 1989.

Delivered: December 1993-December 1997.

IOC: April 1997, Whiteman AFB, Mo.

Production: 21.

Inventory: 20.

Operator: AFGSC, AFMC, ANG (associate).

Aircraft Location: Edwards AFB, Calif.; Whiteman AFB, Mo.

Active Variant: •B-2A. Production aircraft upgraded to Block 30 standards.

Dimensions: Span 172 ft, length 69 ft, height 17 ft.

Weight: Max T-O 336,500 lb.

Power Plant: Four GE Aviation F118-GE-100 turbofans, each 17,300 lb thrust.

Performance: Speed high subsonic, range 6,900 miles (further with air refueling).

Ceiling: 50,000 ft.

Armament: Nuclear: 16 B61-7, B61-12, B83, or eight B61-11 bombs (on rotary launchers). Conventional: 80 Mk 62 (500-lb) sea mines, 80 Mk 82 (500-lb) bombs, 80 GBU-38 JDAMs, or 34 CBU-87/89 munitions (on rack assemblies); or 16 GBU-31 JDAMs, 16 Mk 84 (2,000-lb) bombs, 16 AGM-154 JSOWs, 16 AGM-158 JASSMs, or eight GBU-28 LGBs.

Accommodation: Two pilots on ACES II zero/zero ejection seats.

[mariacallous]

Apple has become the first big tech company to be charged with breaking the European Union’s new digital markets rules, three days after the tech giant said it would not release artificial intelligence in the bloc due to regulation.

On Monday, the European Commission said that Apple’s App Store was preventing developers from communicating with their users and promoting offers to them directly, a practice known as anti-steering.

“Our preliminary position is that Apple does not fully allow steering. Steering is key to ensure that app developers are less dependent on gatekeepers’ app stores and for consumers to be aware of better offers,” Margrethe Vestager, the EU’s competition chief said in a statement.

On X, the European commissioner for the internal market, Thierry Breton, gave a more damning assessment. “For too long Apple has been squeezing out innovative companies—denying consumers new opportunities and choices,” he said.

The EU referred to its Monday charges as “preliminary findings.” Apple now has the opportunity to respond to the charges and, if an agreement is not reached, the bloc has the power to levy fines—which can reach up to 10 percent of the company’s global turnover—before March 2025.

Tensions between Apple and the EU have been rising for months. Brussels opened an investigation into the smartphone maker in March over failure to comply with the bloc’s competition rules. Although investigations were also opened in Meta and Google-parent Alphabet, it is Apple’s relationship with European developers that has long been the focus in Brussels.

Back in March, one of the MEPs who negotiated the Digital Markets Act told WIRED that Apple was the logical first target for the new rules, describing the company as “low-hanging fruit.” Under the DMA it is illegal for big tech companies to preference their own services over rivals’.

Developers have seethed against the new business terms imposed on them by Apple, describing the company’s policies as “abusive,” “extortion,” and “ludicrously punitive.”

Apple spokesperson Rob Saunders said on Monday he was confident the company was in compliance with the law. “All developers doing business in the EU on the App Store have the opportunity to utilize the capabilities that we have introduced, including the ability to direct app users to the web to complete purchases at a very competitive rate,” he says.

On Friday, Apple said it would not release its artificial intelligence features in the EU this year due to what the company described as “regulatory uncertainties”. “Specifically, we are concerned that the interoperability requirements of the DMA could force us to compromise the integrity of our products in ways that risk user privacy and data security,” said Saunders in a statement. The features affected are iPhone Mirroring, SharePlay Screen Sharing enhancements, and Apple’s first foray into generative AI, Apple Intelligence.

Apple is not the only company to blame new EU rules for its decision to delay the roll out of new features. Last year, Google delayed the EU roll out of its ChatGPT rival Bard, and earlier in June Meta paused plans to train its AI on Europeans’ personal Facebook and Instagram data following discussions with privacy regulators. “This is a step backwards for European innovation, competition in AI development and further delays bringing the benefits of AI to people in Europe,” the company said at the time.