Predicates are for filtering the fetched CNContact objects, to restrict the outcomes to people who match some standards. For instance, you would possibly use a predicate to fetch solely contacts with telephone numbers:
But it surely received’t “break up” a single CNContact into a number of entries, one for every telephone quantity. It’s a must to do this your self. You need to use the sample that Joakim outlined (+1). Or, personally, I would use a flatMap technique that takes an array of return values and builds an array from that:
extension CNContactStore {
/// Flat map
///
/// - Parameters:
/// - request: The `CNContactFetchRequest`.
/// - rework: A closure that returns an array of values to be appended to the ultimate outcomes.
/// - Returns: A flat array of all the outcomes.
func flatMap(request: CNContactFetchRequest, _ rework: (CNContact, UnsafeMutablePointer) -> [T]) throws -> [T] {
var outcomes: [T] = []
strive enumerateContacts(with: request) { contact, cease in
outcomes += rework(contact, cease)
}
return outcomes
}
/// Map
///
/// - Parameters:
/// - request: The `CNContactFetchRequest`.
/// - rework: A closure that returns a price to be appended to the ultimate outcomes.
/// - Returns: A flat array of all the outcomes.
func map(request: CNContactFetchRequest, _ rework: (CNContact, UnsafeMutablePointer) -> T) throws -> [T] {
var outcomes: [T] = []
strive enumerateContacts(with: request) { contact, cease in
outcomes.append(rework(contact, cease))
}
return outcomes
}
}
That’s each a flatMap (to your use-case the place you might wish to return a number of objects for a given CNContact), in addition to a extra conventional map rendition (not used right here, however is my typical use-case).
Anyway, you possibly can then use it like so:
let keys = [
CNContactPhoneNumbersKey as CNKeyDescriptor,
CNContactFormatter.descriptorForRequiredKeys(for: .fullName)
]
let request = CNContactFetchRequest(keysToFetch: keys)
request.predicate = NSPredicate(format: "phoneNumbers.@rely > 0")
request.sortOrder = .userDefault
let formatter = CNContactFormatter()
formatter.fashion = .fullName
do {
let outcomes = strive retailer.flatMap(request: request) { contact, _ in
contact.phoneNumbers.compactMap { telephone -> Contact? in
guard let identify = formatter.string(from: contact) else { return nil }
return Contact(fullName: identify, phoneNumber: telephone.worth.stringValue)
}
}
…
} catch {
print("Did not fetch contacts with telephone numbers:", error)
}
Tons of of cybersecurity professionals, analysts and decision-makers got here collectively earlier this month for ESET World 2024, a convention that showcased the corporate’s imaginative and prescient and technological developments and featured a variety of insightful talks concerning the newest developments in cybersecurity and past.
The subjects ran the gamut, however it’s secure to say that the topics that resonated essentially the most included ESET’s cutting-edge menace analysis and views on synthetic intelligence (AI). Let’s now briefly take a look at some classes that lined the subject that’s on everybody’s lips nowadays – AI.
Again to fundamentals
First off, ESET Chief Expertise Officer (CTO) Juraj Malcho gave the lay of the land, providing his tackle the important thing challenges and alternatives afforded by AI. He wouldn’t cease there, nevertheless, and went on to hunt solutions to a number of the elementary questions surrounding AI, together with “Is it as revolutionary because it’s claimed to be?”.
Juraj Malcho, Chief Expertise Officer, ESET
The present iterations of AI expertise are largely within the type of giant language fashions (LLMs) and numerous digital assistants that make the tech really feel very actual. Nevertheless, they’re nonetheless moderately restricted, and we should completely outline how we need to use the tech so as to empower our personal processes, together with its makes use of in cybersecurity.
For instance, AI can simplify cyber protection by deconstructing complicated assaults and lowering useful resource calls for. That means, it enhances the safety capabilities of short-staffed enterprise IT operations.
Demystifying AI
Juraj Jánošíokay, Director of Synthetic Intelligence at ESET, and Filip Mazán, Sr. Supervisor of Superior Risk Detection and AI at ESET, went on to current a complete view into the world of AI and machine studying, exploring their roots and distinguishing options.
Juraj Jánošík, ESET’s Director of Synthetic Intelligence, and Filip Mazan, Sr. Supervisor of Superior Risk Detection
Mr. Mazán demonstrated how they’re essentially primarily based on human biology, whereby the AI networks mimic some facets of how organic neurons perform to create synthetic neural networks with various parameters. The extra complicated the community, the better its predictive energy, resulting in developments seen in digital assistants like Alexa and LLMs like ChatGPT or Claude.
Later, Mr. Mazán highlighted that as AI fashions develop into extra complicated, their utility can diminish. As we strategy the recreation of the human mind, the rising variety of parameters necessitates thorough refinement. This course of requires human oversight to consistently monitor and finetune the mannequin’s operations.
And pigs would possibly fly … (generative AI fashions may be masterfully inventive)
Certainly, leaner fashions are generally higher. Mr. Mazán described how ESET’s strict use of inner AI capabilities leads to quicker and extra correct menace detection, assembly the necessity for speedy and exact responses to all method of threats.
He additionally echoed Mr. Malcho and highlighted a number of the limitations that beset giant language fashions (LLMs). These fashions work primarily based on prediction and contain connecting meanings, which might get simply muddled and end in hallucinations. In different phrases, the utility of those fashions solely goes up to now.
Different limitations of present AI tech
Moreover, Mr. Jánošík continued to deal with different limitations of latest AI:
Explainability:Present fashions include complicated parameters, making their decision-making processes obscure. In contrast to the human mind, which operates on causal explanations, these fashions perform via statistical correlations, which aren’t intuitive to people.
Transparency: High fashions are proprietary (walled gardens), with no visibility into their interior workings. This lack of transparency means there is not any accountability for a way these fashions are configured or for the outcomes they produce.
Hallucinations: Generative AI chatbots usually generate believable however incorrect data. These fashions can exude excessive confidence whereas delivering false data, resulting in mishaps and even authorized points, comparable to after Air Canada’s chatbot introduced false data a couple of low cost to a passenger.
Fortunately, the bounds additionally apply to the misuse of AI expertise for malicious actions. Whereas chatbots can simply formulate plausible-sounding messages to assist spearphishing or enterprise e-mail compromise assaults, they aren’t that well-equipped to create harmful malware. This limitation is because of their propensity for “hallucinations” – producing believable however incorrect or illogical outputs – and their underlying weaknesses in producing logically related and useful code. In consequence, creating new, efficient malware sometimes requires the intervention of an precise knowledgeable to right and refine the code, making the method tougher than some would possibly assume.
Lastly, as identified by Mr. Jánošík, AI is simply one other device that we have to perceive and use responsibly.
The rise of the clones
Within the subsequent session, Jake Moore, World Cybersecurity Advisor at ESET, gave a style of what’s at the moment potential with the best instruments, from the cloning of RFID playing cards and hacking CCTVs to creating convincing deepfakes – and the way it can put company information and funds in danger.
Amongst different issues, he confirmed how simple it’s to compromise the premises of a enterprise by utilizing a well known hacking gadget to repeat worker entrance playing cards or to hack (with permission!) a social media account belonging to the corporate’s CEO. He went on to make use of a device to clone his likeness, each facial and voice, to create a convincing deepfake video that he then posted on one of many CEO’s social media accounts.
Jake Moore, World Safety Advisor, ESET
The video – which had the would-be CEO announce a “problem” to bike from the UK to Australia and racked up greater than 5,000 views – was so convincing that folks began to suggest sponsorships. Certainly, even the corporate’s CFO additionally obtained fooled by the video, asking the CEO about his future whereabouts. Solely a single individual wasn’t fooled — the CEO’s 14-year-old daughter.
In a number of steps, Mr. Moore demonstrated the hazard that lies with the speedy unfold of deepfakes. Certainly, seeing is now not believing – companies, and other people themselves, must scrutinize every thing they arrive throughout on-line. And with the arrival of AI instruments like Sora that may create video primarily based on a number of traces of enter, harmful instances might be nigh.
Ending touches
The ultimate session devoted to the character of AI was a panel that included Mr. Jánošík, Mr. Mazán, and Mr. Moore and was helmed by Ms. Pavlova. It began off with a query concerning the present state of AI, the place the panelists agreed that the most recent fashions are awash with many parameters and wish additional refinement.
The AI panel dialogue was chaired by Victoria Pavlova, UK editor of CRN Journal
The dialogue then shifted to the fast risks and considerations for companies. Mr. Moore emphasised {that a} vital variety of persons are unaware of AI’s capabilities, which dangerous actors can exploit. Though the panelists concurred that refined AI-generated malware is just not at the moment an imminent menace, different risks, comparable to improved phishing e-mail era and deepfakes created utilizing public fashions, are very actual.
Moreover, as highlighted by Mr. Jánošík, the best hazard lies within the information privateness facet of AI, given the quantity of knowledge these fashions obtain from customers. Within the EU, for instance, the GDPR and AI Act have set some frameworks for information safety, however that isn’t sufficient since these are usually not international acts.
Present AI presents each alternatives and a few actual risks
Mr. Moore added that enterprises ought to ensure that their information stays in-house. Enterprise variations of generative fashions can match the invoice, obviating the “want” to depend on (free) variations that retailer information on exterior servers, probably placing delicate company information in danger.
To deal with information privateness considerations, Mr. Mazán urged corporations ought to begin from the underside up, tapping into open-source fashions that may work for less complicated use circumstances, such because the era of summaries. Provided that these become insufficient ought to companies transfer to cloud-powered options from different events.
Mr. Jánošík concluded by saying that corporations usually overlook the drawbacks of AI use — pointers for safe use of AI are certainly wanted, however even frequent sense goes a good distance in the direction of holding their information secure. As encapsulated by Mr. Moore in a solution regarding how AI needs to be regulated, there’s a urgent want to lift consciousness about AI’s potential, together with potential for hurt. Encouraging vital considering is essential for making certain security in our more and more AI-driven world.
Common energy banks and battery packs are good, however if you would like one thing that may really deal with all of it, the Anker SOLIX F3800 Energy Station is the corporate’s greatest battery that’s nonetheless thought of moveable. This factor is so highly effective it might energy entire houses, RVs, or cost your electrical automobile. It’s not low-cost at $3,999, however proper now, there’s a really good deal that saves you a complete $1,300, bringing the value right down to a extra manageable $2,699.
This sale is accessible from Amazon, however you will need to manually clip on the $1,300 coupon on the Amazon product web page.
The Anker SOLIX F3800 Energy Station is one thing else. It has a large 3,840Wh battery. To place that in perspective, that is sufficient power to cost a cellphone over 450 occasions. It could actually additionally run a mean fridge for practically 15 hours, or a window AC for about 3.7 hours.
There’s additionally no want to fret about wattage, because the Anker SOLIX F3800 can output as much as 6,000W, each at 120V and 240V. That’s sufficient to maintain virtually any equipment working, however when you have particular wants, you may hook up two items for a complete of 12,000W. It even has particular NEMA 14-50 and L14-30 ports for powering your RV or EV instantly.
After all, you get loads of different ports, together with six AC retailers, three USB-C connections, and a automotive socket. And if you wish to be off the grid, it helps photo voltaic charging as much as 2,400W. Moreover, you may monitor the battery state utilizing Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
If you’d like in on this deal, go forward and join quickly, as the value ought to return to regular comparatively quickly. It’s not usually you save $1,300 on something!
Additional deal: Anker SOLIX C1000 Energy Station
Is the Anker SOLIX F3800 Energy Station a bit an excessive amount of in your wants? Perhaps you need one thing highly effective, however way more moveable. The Anker SOLIX C1000 Energy Station is simple to take in your tenting journeys and weekend adventures. It has a smaller, but nonetheless very substantial 1,056Wh battery that may cost a cellphone over 90 occasions. It could actually additionally output 1,800W, with peaks of two,400W, so it might nonetheless energy 99% of home equipment. There are six AC retailers, together with two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and a automotive socket. To not point out it’s less expensive!
The subsequent main cycle of Mac upgrades includes the M4 chip and it’s beginning quickly, in response to experiences. All the M4 Macs aren’t being launched on the similar time, nonetheless, and since Apple doesn’t actually persist with a set schedule just like the iPhone or Apple Watch, it may be complicated to determine when every Mac is coming and what sort of upgrades will probably be accessible.
If the rumors are right, each Mac in Apple’s lineup will get an replace throughout the subsequent 12 months. Right here’s a information for when every mannequin will get the M4 chip, and what else to count on from every improve.
Replace August 23, 2024: Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman experiences that Apple will maintain an iPhone occasion on September 10, with M4 Macs “coming later.” [This article was originally posted on August 19, 2024.]
M4 MacBook Air
The MacBook Air will wait till 2025 for its M4 improve.
The MacBook Air will wait till 2025 for its M4 improve.
Foundry
The MacBook Air will wait till 2025 for its M4 improve.
Foundry
Foundry
Launch date: The M4 improve for the MacBook Air appears like a possibility for Apple to set a daily launch interval for the corporate’s hottest Mac. The M4 MacBook Air is predicted to ship within the spring of 2025, a couple of yr after Apple launched the M3 MacBook Air.
The M1 Air was launched in November 2020; the M2 Air in July 2022; the 15-inch M2 MacBook Air was launched in June 2023. The M4 Air launch is an opportunity to ascertain a spring cycle for the MacBook Air that Apple might make a daily occasion.
Design: Apple gained’t change something in regards to the MacBook Air design. The present design was launched in 2022 and it gained’t change for a number of extra years.
Chip: The 2025 MacBook Air may have a base M4 chip, just like that used within the iPad Professional. Benchmark outcomes present that the M4 gives a 20 p.c enchancment over the M3 it should exchange.
Options: Apple shouldn’t be anticipated to improve the Liquid Retina show, change the port configuration (MagSafe 3, two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, a 3.5mm audio jack), or improve the digital camera or audio system. Wi-Fi 7 help is feasible for the reason that Wi-Fi Alliance made the normal official in the beginning of January.
The MacBook Professional will get its M4 improve this fall.
The MacBook Professional will get its M4 improve this fall.
Foundry
The MacBook Professional will get its M4 improve this fall.
Foundry
Foundry
Launch date: The autumn timeframe appears to be what Apple has settled on for MacBook Professional releases. Apple will probably launch the M4 collection of MacBook Professional this fall, in October or November. That might be a couple of yr after Apple launched the M3 MacBook Professional lineup.
Design: Apple gained’t change something in regards to the MacBook Professional design. The 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Professional design was launched in 2021. This design will probably be in place for a couple of extra years.
Chip: Apple releases the MacBook Professional with three variations of its M-series chip: A base chip, a Professional chip, and a Max chip. The M4 Professional and M4 Max will probably be variants of the bottom M4, implementing extra CPU and GPU cores and extra unified reminiscence. The M4 chips will supply a 20 p.c enchancment over the M3 chips they exchange.
Options: Apple shouldn’t be anticipated to improve the Liquid Retina XDR show, change the port configuration (MagSafe 3, two or three Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, HDMI, an SDXC Card slot, and a 3.5mm audio jack), or improve the digital camera or audio system. Wi-Fi 7 help is feasible for the reason that Wi-Fi Alliance made the normal official in the beginning of January.
The iMac’s M4 improve is scheduled for the autumn.
The iMac’s M4 improve is scheduled for the autumn.
Foundry
The iMac’s M4 improve is scheduled for the autumn.
Foundry
Foundry
Launch date: Stories point out that Apple will launch the M4 iMac this fall, in October or November. That might be a couple of yr after Apple launched the M3 iMac. The M3 iMac changed the M1 iMac, which was launched in Might 2021. Apple could possibly be taking this chance to ascertain a fall launch cycle for the iMac.
Design: Apple gained’t change something in regards to the iMac design. The present 24-inch iMac design was launched in Might 2021, and it’ll virtually definitely stay in place for a couple of extra years.
Chip: The 24-inch iMac options base M-series chips, so the brand new iMac may have the bottom M4. Benchmarks have proven that the M4 gives a 20 p.c enchancment over the M3.
Options: Apple shouldn’t be anticipated to improve the Retina show, change the port configuration (two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports (two further USB-3 ports, and gigabit ethernet on the mid-and high-end fashions), and a 3.5mm audio jack), or improve the digital camera or audio system. Wi-Fi 7 help is feasible for the reason that Wi-Fi Alliance made the normal official in the beginning of January.
Rumors say Apple might launch a brand new iMac with a show as giant as 32 inches and a higher-end M4 chip. It’s unlikely that such an iMac is prepared for this fall, although Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman just lately reported that “it’s unclear if that will probably be an M4 product or one thing that comes the next yr or later.”
The M4 Mac mini might have a brand new, smaller design than the present M2 Mac mini (above).
The M4 Mac mini might have a brand new, smaller design than the present M2 Mac mini (above).
Foundry
The M4 Mac mini might have a brand new, smaller design than the present M2 Mac mini (above).
Foundry
Foundry
Launch date: Stories point out that Apple will launch the M4 Mac mini this fall. It should exchange the M2 Mac mini, which was launched in January 2023. And the M1 Mac mini was launched in November 2020. Apple could possibly be taking this chance to ascertain a fall launch cycle for the Mac mini, however based mostly on the historical past of the product, the corporate doesn’t appear to imagine {that a} common launch cycle is critical for this product.
Design: The Mac mini will bear a drastic change, in response to Gurman. It should get even smaller, with a footprint in regards to the measurement of the Apple TV. This could make the Mac mini extra of a competitor to the Raspberry Pi, a small PC that’s usually utilized in particular setups.
Chip: Apple presently gives the Mac mini with a base or Professional M-series chip, and this can proceed with the brand new design. In accordance with Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the Mac mini with a base M4 chip will ship “instantly,” whereas the M4 Professional mannequin gained’t be accessible till late October.
Options: The smaller design might imply that the Mac mini doesn’t supply a few of the ports the present Mac mini gives. Gurman reported that Apple has examined three fashions which have at the very least three USB-C ports, an influence connector, and an HDMI port. And whereas Gurman didn’t say so, the USB-C ports are in all probability additionally Thunderbolt ports.
The present M2 Mac mini has a gigabit ethernet port, USB-A ports, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The most recent rumors don’t say whether or not the alignment will change. Whereas the ethernet and audio jack are more likely to keep, It’s doable that Apple will drop the USB-A ports. Wi-Fi 7 help can also be doable for the reason that Wi-Fi Alliance made the normal official in the beginning of January.
Launch date: The Mac Studio is not going to get an improve to the M4 till 2025, in accordance to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The present Mac Studio was launched in June 2023 at WWDC, whereas the primary Mac Studio was launched in March 2022. So, it seems that the M4 Mac Studio gained’t arrive till spring 2025 or at WWDC 2025 in June.
Design: The Mac Studio’s design will probably be solely three years outdated by the point it’s up to date to the M4, so it gained’t change and can preserve its design for a number of extra years.
Chip: Apple outfits the Mac Studio with Max and Extremely M-series chips. So, the 2025 Mac Studio will probably have M4 Max or M4 Extremely chips. The present Mac Studio options M2 Max and Extremely chips, so the bounce in efficiency must be spectacular.
Options: Apple in all probability gained’t change something in regards to the ports. On the again, the Mac Studio has 4 Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, two USB-A ports, gigabit ethernet, HDMI, and a 3.5mm audio jack. On the entrance of the Mac Studio is an SDXC Card slot; the Mac Studio Max has two USB 3 ports, whereas the Mac Studio Extremely has two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports. Wi-Fi 7 help is feasible for the reason that Wi-Fi Alliance made the normal official in the beginning of January.
The design of the Mac Professional hasn’t modified since 2019, and it’s not anticipated to take action.
The design of the Mac Professional hasn’t modified since 2019, and it’s not anticipated to take action.
Foundry
The design of the Mac Professional hasn’t modified since 2019, and it’s not anticipated to take action.
Foundry
Foundry
Launch date: The Mac Professional is not going to get an improve to the M4 till 2025, in accordance to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. The present Mac Professional was launched in June 2023 at WWDC. The M4 Mac Professional gained’t arrive till spring 2025 or at WWDC 2025 in June.
Design: Although the design of the Mac Professional is 11 years outdated, no experiences of a redesign have been made. The Mac Professional is made to accommodate inner enlargement playing cards, so if a redesign is within the work, it should maintain the tower type issue, which separates it from the Mac Studio.
Chip: Apple makes use of Extremely variations of its M-series chip for the Mac Professional. The present Mac Professional has a M2 Extremely; the improve in 2025 will probably be a M4 Extremely.
Options: No experiences have been made in regards to the Mac Professional’s options, and, probably, Apple gained’t change something in regards to the slots, ports, or chassis. Wi-Fi 7 help is feasible for the reason that Wi-Fi Alliance made the normal official in the beginning of January.
Singapore and the US are widening their collaboration on synthetic intelligence (AI) to give attention to increase expertise amongst youth and girls.
A brand new AI Expertise Bridge initiative expands on the US-Singapore Girls in Tech Partnership Program that the 2 nations launched in 2022. The newest plan goals to bolster expertise in rising expertise, together with AI, with an emphasis on youth and girls, in line with a joint assertion launched by US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Commerce and Business Gan Kim Yong.
To be rolled out within the coming months, efforts listed below are a part of the Partnership for Development and Innovation pact that the 2 nations launched in October 2021 to establish bilateral commerce alternatives, specifically throughout these 4 areas: digital economic system and good cities, provide chain, healthcare, and clear vitality and environmental expertise.
The pact encompasses shared goals to faucet the advantages of AI and “harness its potential for good,” the 2 authorities businesses mentioned. “The US and Singapore have prioritized growth and adoption of interoperable governance frameworks for the trusted, protected, safe, and accountable growth, deployment, and analysis of AI applied sciences,” they mentioned.
Final October, Singapore’s Infocomm Media Improvement Authority (IMDA) and the US Nationwide Institute of Requirements and Know-how (NIST) mentioned each nations had synced up their respective AI frameworks to ease compliance and can proceed to drive “protected, reliable, and accountable” AI developments.
The mapping train between IMDA’s AI Confirm and NIST’s AI Danger Administration Framework goals to harmonize worldwide AI governance frameworks, provide better readability on necessities, and cut back compliance prices.
With the brand new AI Expertise Bridge plan, the Ministry and the US Division of Commerce goal to proceed their AI partnership to advance “an inclusive and forward-looking agenda” for financial development and to spice up AI competitiveness for each nations.
“We consider the rise of AI, together with generative AI (GenAI), brings with it new and creating alternatives, together with the flexibility to reinforce financial and social welfare and digital inclusion, to speed up and advance socially useful analysis and scientific discovery, to help extra aggressive and environmentally sustainable financial development, and to advertise truthful and aggressive markets,” MCI mentioned.
The ministry mentioned nearly 6,000 US organizations at the moment function in Singapore, with bilateral commerce supporting almost 250,000 jobs throughout the US.
In response to MCI, expertise spending in Singapore tipped at SG$22 billion (USD$16.3 billion) final yr, whereas US firms’ current and dedicated capital investments in AI over the subsequent few years, alongside Singapore enterprise companions, have exceeded SG$50 billion (USD$37 billion). Organizations from each nations even have pledged to spice up the AI capabilities of greater than 130,000 employees in Singapore.
Their joint efforts in AI governance additional point out a must mitigate the challenges that include the fast adoption of AI.
“Either side acknowledge that the testing and analysis of AI applied sciences ought to bear in mind trustworthiness issues that may help the goals of AI governance frameworks,” MCI mentioned.
“We consider AI governance ought to consider related worldwide requirements and internationally acknowledged rules and pointers, together with these on explainability, transparency, accountability, equity, inclusivity, robustness, reproducibility, safety, security, knowledge governance, human-AI configuration, inclusive development, and societal and environmental well-being.”
NIST and IMDA will proceed to collaborate on the subsequent technology of AI, together with mapping their respective frameworks for GenAI, spanning testing, pointers, and benchmarks,
Additionally, the US AI Security Institute, which sits underneath NIST, and Singapore’s Digital Belief Centre, which is funded by IMDA and Nationwide Analysis Basis, will work collectively to advance the science of AI security. It will present a essential hyperlink in a world community of AI security institutes and different government-supported scientific establishments, MCI mentioned.