In a move that has left music enthusiasts scratching their heads, Justin Bieber recently took to the stage at Coachella, using YouTube to play parts of his older songs. The performance sparked speculation about whether the sale of his music catalog had restricted his ability to perform full versions of his hits. However, experts say this notion is nothing more than a myth with no basis in reality.

At the heart of the matter lies the public performance right in the songs, which is administered by performance rights organizations (PROs). These organizations license their entire repertory to venues like Coachella, allowing performers to play any song from the catalog without needing to own the rights themselves. In theory, Bieber and his new owner, Recognition Music Group, could have negotiated restrictions on his ability to perform certain songs, but experts say this would be unprecedented.

As the electric vehicle (EV) landscape continues to evolve, manufacturers are scrambling to adapt to changing consumer demands. One such example is Mercedes-Benz, which has revived its EQ lineup in the US market after a year-long hiatus. The latest iteration of the EQS, a maximalist electric sedan, boasts significant upgrades, including an impressive estimated range of 925km (575 miles) on the WLTP cycle and enhanced charging capabilities.

A New Era of Electric Mobility

In a significant blow against cybercrime, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced the takedown of a global phishing operation that targeted thousands of victims worldwide. Dubbed W3LL, this operation was notorious for selling fake login pages and credentials to malicious actors, enabling them to steal sensitive information and attempt massive fraud.

At its core, W3LL operated as an online marketplace where cybercriminals could purchase and deploy phishing kits, designed to mimic the login pages of legitimate services. These kits allowed criminals to steal passwords and multi-factor authentication codes from unsuspecting victims, with attempts totaling over $20 million in fraudulent activities. The FBI’s takedown of this operation marks a major milestone in the ongoing battle against cybercrime.

As the technology of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance and permeate every aspect of our lives, a growing disconnect between AI insiders and the general public has become increasingly apparent. A recent report from Stanford University highlights this trend, revealing a widening gap in opinions on AI’s impact on society.

The report reveals that while AI experts are generally optimistic about the technology’s potential to positively impact key areas such as jobs, medical care, and the economy, the general public is increasingly anxious and skeptical. This disparity is not limited to concerns about job losses or economic disruption; it also extends to more fundamental questions about the role of AI in society.

In a breakthrough that is sure to delight tech enthusiasts and Apple fans alike, it has been discovered that Apple does not impose color limitations on spare parts for its latest laptop, the MacBook Neo. This means that users can create a truly one-of-a-kind multicolor masterpiece by mixing and matching replacement keycaps, bottom covers, and top cases in various hues. The possibilities are endless, with options ranging from bold and bright to subtle and sophisticated.

The tech world has been abuzz with the latest developments in wearable technology, and the Apple Watch Series 11 is no exception. With its impressive array of features, durability, and sleek design, this flagship device has finally returned to its best-ever price point. For a limited time, consumers can snag the 42mm model with GPS for an unbeatable $299, or opt for the larger 46mm variant at $329 - both significant savings of $100.

As the world descends upon Indio, California for the iconic Coachella music festival, a new phenomenon has emerged that is fundamentally altering the social media landscape. Gone are the days when influencers had to physically attend events to generate buzz; AI-powered avatars have taken center stage, posing with celebrities and producing eerily realistic content. This development raises existential questions about the nature of influence and our ability to discern reality from artifice.

In a move that’s set to revolutionize the online gaming landscape for kids, Roblox has announced the introduction of “Kids” and “Select” accounts, designed to provide age-appropriate access to chat and games. This bold initiative comes on the heels of the company’s mandatory age-checks implementation in January, which aimed to tackle concerns around child safety.

At its core, Roblox’s new account system is centered around ensuring that kids are shielded from explicit content and mature themes, while still allowing them to engage with the platform’s vast array of games. To achieve this, the company has developed a three-step screening process for developers, which includes ID verification, two-step verification, and an active Roblox Plus subscription.

The recent hack at business monitoring software maker Anodot has left over a dozen companies facing extortion and risking having their sensitive data published online. The incident, which began on April 4, highlights the alarming trend of hackers targeting software used by corporate giants in an effort to steal sensitive data from multiple companies in one go.

Anodot’s breach is particularly egregious due to its role as a cloud-based monitoring platform that helps detect outages and other issues affecting corporate revenue. The company’s customers rely on Anodot to access their cloud-stored data, making the stolen authentication tokens all the more valuable for hackers. By leveraging these tokens, the ShinyHunters hacking group has stolen reams of customer data from cloud storage providers like Snowflake.

As the tech industry grapples with the explosive impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on software development, one company is poised to capitalize on this trend: Vercel, a 10-year-old developer tool and website hosting platform. With its annual recurring revenue (ARR) soaring from $100 million in early 2024 to a run rate of $340 million by February 2026, the company’s growth trajectory has sparked IPO speculation.

At the HumanX conference in San Francisco, Vercel CEO Guillermo Rauch hinted at the company’s public market readiness, stating that “Vercel is very much a working public company.” When asked about his plans for an initial public offering (IPO), Rauch replied that while there’s no specific timeline, the company is getting more ready every day. This cautious optimism is in stark contrast to the prevailing sentiment among tech CEOs, who have gone quiet on their IPO plans amidst market volatility and AI-driven uncertainty.