European iOS developers can begin testing alternative app stores 

Apple this week began implementing its controversial plans to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), allowing developers to now submit alternative app stores and external apps via App Store Connect.

This development comes amid Apple's efforts to meet the DMA requirements by March 2024. With the deadline looming, Apple is taking proactive steps to enable developers to test their apps and marketplaces ahead of time.

In an update on its developer website, Apple...

Gemini Pro: Google empowers developers with advanced AI capabilities

Google has announced the availability of its AI model Gemini Pro for developers and enterprises to craft solutions for their specific needs. This move is accompanied by a commitment to ongoing refinement based on user feedback.

Gemini comes in three distinctive sizes: Ultra, Pro, and Nano. The Nano version has already been integrated into Android – starting with the Pixel 8 Pro – while a specially tuned iteration of Gemini Pro is embedded in Bard.

Empowering...

AWS AppFabric boosts productivity across SaaS apps using AI

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced a new feature for its AppFabric service that helps software developers create more productive experiences in cloud applications using AI capabilities spanning multiple Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) tools.

The productivity feature for AppFabric, now in preview, enables developers to build or enhance AI-powered assistants in their apps that can understand the context from other SaaS applications end users rely on.

This new feature...

AI coding assistants: A double-edged sword for DevOps in 2024

A growing reliance on AI-powered coding assistants is reshaping how DevOps teams operate, for better or worse.

According to Forrester's 2024 cybersecurity, risk, and privacy predictions, AI coding assistants are becoming integral to boosting productivity. However, a cautionary note accompanies this technological shift, as Forrester warns of potential pitfalls that could lead to cybersecurity breaches.

Forrester predicts that the combination of inconsistent compliance and...

Wallarm highlights disturbing trends in API security threats

Wallarm has released its Q3 2023 API ThreatStats report which sheds light on the escalating threats targeting APIs and revealing vulnerabilities that have impacted industry giants such as Netflix, VMware, and SAP.

The report's revamped ‘Top 10 API Security Threats’ compilation outlines 239 vulnerabilities discovered during the quarter, with injections taking the lead.

Injections involve inserting malicious data or code into APIs, leading to unauthorised access and...

Google scraps controversial Web Environment Integrity API

Google has officially scrapped its controversial Web Environment Integrity API proposal, which was likened to digital rights management (DRM) for the open web.

The API, which was at the proposal stage, aimed to allow websites to verify the authenticity of users and their devices or browsers.

Google's intentions behind this initiative were to enhance user trust in online environments and combat issues such as social media manipulation, phishing campaigns, non-human...

Google’s latest APIs focus on fighting climate change and its effects

In a bid to further its commitment to environmental sustainability, Google has announced the launch of a suite of new sustainability APIs at the Google Cloud Next event.

The new APIs provide developers with real-time insights into solar potential, air quality, and pollen levels, aiming to collectively reduce carbon emissions by 1 gigaton annually by 2030.

One of the highlights is the Solar API, an evolution of Google's 2015 Project Sunroof. This initiative harnessed...

Salt launches STEP program to enhance API security for enterprises

Salt Security has launched an initiative to help enterprises significantly reduce risk across their API ecosystem.

The STEP (Salt Technical Ecosystem Partner) program encompasses the integration of AI-driven API security insights into existing workflows and tools within organisations. This integration empowers joint customers to bolster their security posture using the Salt Security API Protection Platform.

Salt has introduced STEP’s inaugural partners, focusing on API...

OpenAI removes the GPT-4 API waitlist

OpenAI has announced that its GPT-4 API is now available to all paying customers.

The API has been under closed testing since its launch in March. Developers can integrate OpenAI's large language model (LLM) into their own products for uses such as summarisation, coding assistance, analysis, and composition.

OpenAI has also introduced updates to chat-based models, announced a shift from the Completions API to the Chat Completions API, and outlined plans for the...

Reddit hacker’s demands include reversing API changes

Reddit recently fell victim to a phishing attack and the group responsible has now publicised their ransom demands.

The attack resulted in the exposure of internal documents, dashboards, code, and contracts. 

While the data has not been made public so far, the situation could change as ransomware gang BlackCat – also known as ALPHV – has claimed responsibility for the hack and threatened to release the data.

Unsurprisingly, BlackCat is demanding a...