Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Review: Big & Beautiful

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Review: Big & Beautiful
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Samsung’s latest and greatest (and largest) tablet is now out and available. The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. It’s a pretty great tablet, to be honest, but is it worth spending $1,199 on? That’s the tough question here, because as everyone knows, Android doesn’t have a lot of great tablet apps that are optimized. But Samsung has tried to get around that with DeX, which gives you a nice desktop experience. So it is worth the price? Let’s find out in the full review.

A quick note before we jump into this review. While we are reviewing the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra here, the majority of this review will be the same for the Galaxy Tab S9 and S9 Plus. The major differences being the display size, and battery life. Since the whole lineup has AMOLED displays, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and at least 8GB of RAM. So keep that in mind.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Review: Hardware & Design

As was the case with the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra last year, the Tab S9 Ultra is still incredibly thin. It’s just 5.9mm thick, which is pretty insane, when you think about it. Especially since this is a 14.6-inch tablet. Obviously, you probably are wondering how easy it is to fold in half, and well we’ve got some bad news – we didn’t test that out. But rest assured, JerryRigEverything will likely try this out, after last year’s model did fold in half pretty easily.

Because it is so thin, and yet so large at the same time, it does become tough to hold onto for a long period of time. Your hand will definitely feel a bit of fatigue after some time – for me, it’s after about 20 minutes or so. And because of that, I’ve come to the conclusion that the Ultra model here, is really only great for those that use a tablet on a table. Like as a laptop replacement. Those that just want a tablet to sit on the couch and browse the web and social media, the Ultra isn’t it. The S9 is probably a better option, since it’s only 11-inches.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra AM AH 1

As for the hardware, it’s basically what you’d expect from Samsung. It’s all aluminum, with a glass section on the back for charging the S Pen – which comes in the box. The S Pen can now be charged in either direction, and you can also attach it to the sides of the tablet too. But will only charge on the back of the tablet.

On the top of the tablet, you’ll find the power button on the left side, and a volume rocker to the right of that. The fingerprint sensor is under-display, and on the right side if you’re holding it in landscape, or on the bottom if you’re holding it in portrait mode. The sensor is decent, but I still despise these under-display sensors. Especially after using the Google Pixel Fold, Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5, where they are all in the power button. Why couldn’t we get that on the tablets too?

There is a USB-C port on the right side for charging. There are also some pins on the bottom, that get used with the various Keyboard attachments that Samsung has on sale – like the Book Cover Keyboard and Book Cover Keyboard Slim.

Samsung has also added quad speakers on the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, so you have them on the top and bottom on each the left and right side. This makes it tougher to cover up the speakers when playing games or watching videos. And also makes them sound really good. Samsung has included Dolby Atmos here, and for some reason it’s not turned on by default. Turn on Dolby Atmos and these speakers sound so much better. Don’t forget they are tuned by AKG, so that makes sense that they sound incredible.

The hardware is top-notch, and definitely what you would expect from a tablet that costs $1,199 – which is $100 less than the iPad Pro 12.9 actually.

Now, I do wish that the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra was a bit thicker and had a bit thicker bezels. As it is currently, it’s pretty hard to hold onto. It’s super thin, which makes it pretty hard to hold onto comfortably. The bezels being so thin means that you’re getting accidental touches quite often, which is not a good experience either. Just make the bezels a tiny bit thicker, and also make the tablet a tiny bit thicker overall. Which would make this much bigger tablet a lot easier to use and hold onto. As it is, this is really only good for using in a case on a table or on your lap. Instead of holding it.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Review: Display

Previously, Samsung kept the AMOLED display for the Ultra model, but this year, all Tab S9 models come with the Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, and it looks incredible. On the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, we’re looking at a 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display here. It has a resolution of 2960×1848 pixels, which gives us a 16:10 aspect ratio.

Why is that aspect ratio important? Well, it makes scrolling through the web better, but when you’re watching content in full screen, it means that the notch for the dual-front facing cameras doesn’t cut into the content. Though, it’s still kind of weird that the cameras needed a notch anyways, since it is so tiny.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra AM AH 3

On this display, I’ve watched a ton of content on YouTube, Peacock, YouTube TV, Hulu, Netflix and more, over the past couple of weeks, and the experience is incredible. And that’s likely the big reason why someone would buy the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, due to it’s size. Either for content consumption, or for replacing your laptop. Which, given the price, and buying a keyboard for it, it’s more than a laptop these days. So can it really be a laptop replacement then? We’ll be exploring that in the coming weeks actually.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Review: Battery life & Charging

Battery life on the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra can be very subjective, even more-so than on smartphones. Depending on the S Pen features that you turn on, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra can go from good battery life, to pretty poor battery life. With Air Commands on, you might get a handful of hours of screen on time, and standby is really not great with Air Commands on.

However, with the features on out-of-the-box, battery life tends to be pretty good. Getting at least 6 hours of screen on time with more than half the battery left. And that’s over the course of a few days. So it’s pretty decent. Standby is also pretty decent, over the course of about 12 hours, it lost only about 1-2%. Which is a whole lot better than a smartphone, though it does have fewer things running in the background, so that makes plenty of sense. But that also means it’s great for using for a few hours then leaving on the side table until the evening to pick up again, you won’t lose a whole lot battery during that time. Something that some tablets can really suffer from.

Now, when it comes to charging, it’s pretty slow. Samsung has 45W charging here – faster than the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 actually. Now when I say that the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is slow at charging, you have to remember that this does have a 11,200mAh battery inside. So charging at even 45W, it’s still going to take a few hours to fully charge. In my experience, it was about 2-3 hours to fully charge. Not to bad, especially since you’re not going to charge it every single day, maybe once or twice a week.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Review: Software

Software on the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, Samsung has done a great job at making it easier to use a larger screen like this. Giving us features like Pop-up window, split screen, DeX and much more.

But on the other hand, the number of apps that are optimized for tablets is pretty small. Now this is something that will likely change in the future. As Google now has a tablet and a foldable, so they are now more interested in getting more developers to optimize their apps for these larger screens.

Google has said that they are beginning to highlight more tablet-optimized apps on the Play Store. So that should get more developers interested in making apps for tablets and these larger screens.

Having said that, Pop-up window and Split Screen are two really good features to use on this 14.6-inch screen. Pop-Up window allows you to open apps in their individual windows, on the main screen here. This is really good for apps like Instagram, that only works in portrait mode, and looks pretty comical on a 14.6-inch screen in portrait mode. Now you can open up Instagram, Twitter and even Samsung Internet all on the same screen. It makes multi-tasking a bit better.

Split Screen is pretty similar, but they will take up the entire display. What I’ve done a lot is have TikTok on one side and Twitter on the other. So I can doom-scroll on Twitter while watching the latest trends on TikTok at the same time.

Google has also added a nice taskbar, since Android 12L, so when you’re in an app, you’ll see a dock of apps at the bottom, with your most recent apps on the right of that. Of course the app drawer is listed on the left side. This makes it easier to switch apps, without jumping into the Recents menu. This taskbar can be set to hide automatically, or leave open all the time.

Samsung does need to work on preventing accidental touches on the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. Because the bezels are so small, your fingers are going to touch the display while you’re holding it. And that means that trying to swipe to go back or tapping on different things on the screen, it might or might not work. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve swiped to go back, and it didn’t work because my other hand was interfering with touching the screen.

DeX is fantastic on a tablet

I’ll be honest, when Samsung first announced DeX many years ago, I thought it was a gimmick. I was thinking, who would want to plug their phone into a monitor, keyboard and mouse and use their phone on a much larger display. I still think that portion is a gimmick, but bringing it to tablets was a stroke of genius.

With DeX on a tablet, you get a nice desktop experience on the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. And given how large this display is, that’s a really nice experience. In fact, this tablet is larger than my MacBook Air. In DeX mode, you can open apps in full screen, or in Pop-Up windows. You can have as many as 12 apps open at a time, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but also sounds like a lot. You still get the taskbar at the bottom, like you do on regular Android. But there are a couple of differences here. For example, you get the time and date on the far right side. Tapping on that opens the calendar. Next to that, there’s the WiFi, Bluetooth and Battery icons. If you tap on that, you’ll get your quick settings. Then there’s an icon for notifications, sound and a screenshot button. It looks pretty crammed, especially if you are using the three-button navigation, but it’s actually very useful.

Screenshot 20230814 084802 Samsung DeX home

You can also plug in this tablet to a monitor, and get DeX on a larger screen, and you’ll also get more pop up windows you can use. You also have the ability to use this as a second display for your Windows laptop. Now this I was not able to test out, since I use a Mac. But did get to try it out in Korea, and it works as you’d expect. So with the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, you can basically carry around a second monitor, for a lot less weight. Making it great for those that do a lot of traveling.

Tablet apps

There are, now, some pretty good tablet apps available for the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. Like Good Notes and LumaFusion. Good Notes is a pretty popular notes app that does work well on this large display, and it also works with the S Pen. So you can take handwritten notes. LumaFusion is a video editor that works really well on both macOS and Windows, as well as iOS. And now you can use it on the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra – it was pre-installed on my review unit. Making this a much more likely laptop replacement.

Other than that, there are some tablet-optimized apps, but not many. Much like with the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Samsung is forcing apps to fill the entire display, and on a display like this, Twitter looks comical. A picture will take up the entire display, which is hilarious. Hopefully we’ll get some more tablet optimized apps for Android tablets in the very near future. But then again, I’m not sure I’d hold my breathe for that.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra AM AH 2

S Pen makes the experience complete

With Samsung’s tablets, the S Pen is included in the box. Which I think is the right move for Samsung, since it does add so much to the experience. Compared to the iPad, where the Apple Pencil is not included in the box and costs an extra $129. The only real complaint is that the S Pen needs to attach to the back to charge. You can attach it to the sides, but it won’t charge there. Though, it really only needs to charge if you are using the Air Commands feature on the S Pen.

The S Pen on Samsung’s tablets, allow you to do some nice drawing in the PENUP app, or taking notes in apps like Samsung Notes and Good Notes. This year, Good Notes now supports the S Pen for handwriting notes, which I did use quite a bit while reviewing the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. Given the much larger screen on the Ultra, it does make it really good for taking notes, as you do have a much larger canvas here.

You can also use the S Pen to navigate through the OS, however the gestures to go home, recents and back, don’t really work with the S Pen. Which is a bit odd, but that might be to keep the S Pen from scratching the bezels of the tablet.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Review: Camera

On the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, there’s four cameras. That’s FOUR cameras on a tablet. Crazy right? Basically, Samsung has given users a 13-megapixel main sensor on the back and a 8-megapixel ultrawide. On the front, there’s two 12-megapixel sensors, with a main and an ultrawide sensor available. Which is where the notch comes from.

The front cameras are likely the ones that you’d use the most. For things like Zoom, Google Duo and other video calling apps. The ultrawide sensor is really great for doing group video calls, as you’re able to fit more people in the frame. Additionally, the cameras are on the long side. Meaning that when you use the tablet in landscape mode, it’s on the top, instead of the side.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra AM AH 7

The rear cameras are okay, they aren’t perfect, but they’ll get the job done. Just please don’t be those people that use a tablet for taking photos at your kids soccer games. Your phone is going to take better photos, even if the viewfinder is much smaller than this 14.6-inch display.

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra?

It’s a hard question, and it’s not Samsung’s fault. I really like this tablet, but the down side is always going to be app support. If you’re someone that uses a tablet for consuming media, or for getting some work done, then the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is a good option. But if you want it to browse the web, and check in on social media from the couch, you might want a smaller tablet – like the Galaxy Tab S9.

You should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra if:

– You are looking for a lightweight laptop replacement.

– You can get it on sale at a good discount.

– You want a large screen for getting work done, or watching videos.

You should not buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra if:

– You need tablet-optimized apps.

– You want a tablet to sit on the couch and browse the web and social media.


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Xiaomi Mi Phones Flags Telegram as Malicious App

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Xiaomi Mi Phones Flags Telegram as Malicious App
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Xiaomi, the Asian smartphone giant, has implemented measures within its MIUI operating system that flag Telegram as a malicious app. 

This move has ignited discussions surrounding both technical and political dimensions, raising questions about user privacy, app censorship, and the potential involvement of the Chinese government.

The introduction of MIUI 13 in 2022 brought with it a new security feature designed to identify and block applications deemed malicious. 

This feature, while intended to bolster user security, has not been without controversy. 

Critics argue that it might serve as a means for surveillance and censorship.

One of the focal points of criticism revolves around the suspicion that Xiaomi’s security measures could be tied to a veiled collaboration with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to monitor user activities and control app accessibility. 

This speculation has been exacerbated by MIUI’s history of blocking apps that allow users to modify network settings beyond default configurations. 

The case of Telegram being labeled as a dangerous app in China raises questions about the wider implications for free speech and personal privacy.

MIUI’s Approach to Telegram

Reports emerging from Telegram channels suggest that when MIUI identifies Telegram, it issues a warning indicating that the app hasn’t passed Xiaomi’s security review. 

                                           MIUI flags Telegram as dangerous

The message highlights potential risks associated with using the app, such as fraudulent deductions or unwarranted consumption. 

Users are advised to activate additional security measures to ensure application safety and guard against risky apps. 

These warnings reflect the growing concern about app safety in an increasingly interconnected digital landscape.

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Confirmation and Global Concerns

Chinese mobile developer Hikari Calyx confirmed the reports of MIUI flagging Telegram and other apps in China. 

The action highlights the ongoing tension between individual freedoms and state control. 

While MIUI’s measures might be perceived as enhancing security, they also have the potential to infringe on user autonomy and digital privacy. 

The move to label Telegram as “dangerous” underscores China’s broader efforts to exert control over digital communication spaces.

Historical Context and Broader Implications

This incident is not isolated; historically, the Chinese government has imposed restrictions and bans on various global platforms, curbing access and inhibiting free communication. 

China’s sophisticated censorship mechanisms have involved limiting access to foreign websites, filtering sensitive keywords, and monitoring internet activities. 

In recent years, Chinese alternatives to Western social media platforms have gained prominence. 

The attention now directed towards communication apps like Telegram underscores China’s evolving strategies in controlling unmonitored digital communication.

Xiaomi’s decision to flag Telegram as a malicious app within its MIUI system highlights the complex intersection of technological advancements and political agendas. 

The evolving MIUI security measures raise questions about individual privacy, state censorship, and control over digital spaces. 

As tech enthusiasts continue to monitor this situation, it serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between security and individual freedoms in the digital age.

Keep informed about the latest Cyber Security News by following us on GoogleNews, Linkedin, Twitter, and Facebook.


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South African Power Supplier Hit by DroxiDat Malware

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South African Power Supplier Hit by DroxiDat Malware
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  • Cybersecurity researchers uncover cyberattack targeting South African power-generating firm.
  • Attackers deploy new variant of SystemBC malware, named DroxiDot, with CobaltStrike beacons.
  • Speculation that attack could be an initial stage of a ransomware attack, occurring in March 2023.
  • DroxiDot variant is a compact 8kb payload, serves as a system profiler, and sets up SOCKS5 proxies on target computers.
  • Attacker’s C2 infrastructure linked to energy-oriented domain potentially tied to Russian ransomware group FIN12.

Cybersecurity researchers at Securelist have discovered a cyberattack against a power-generating firm in South Africa. Reportedly, the firm was targeted with a new variant of the SystemBC malware and a yet unidentified hacking group carried out the attack.

It is worth noting that a variant of SystemBC was also identified in the 2021 cyber attack against Colonial Pipeline, a major American oil pipeline system. In the recent attack, however, attackers deployed the proxy-capable backdoor with CobaltStrike beacons.

According to Securelist, the new SystemBC malware variant is dubbed DroxiDat. Attackers used these tools to compromise systems and remotely access the electricity generator. However, researchers speculated that it could be the “initiate stage of a ransomware attack” that took place in the third or fourth week of March 2023.

For your information, SystemBC payload is a “changing, malicious” malware-as-a-service backdoor available on darknet forums since 2018. It is a C/C++-based commodity malware first observed in 2019.

“This platform is made up of three separate parts: on the server side, a C2 web server with admin panel and a C2 proxy listener; on the target side is a backdoor payload,” Securelist’s report revealed.

Compared to previously detected SystemBC variants that were around 15-30kb+, DroxiDot is a compact, 8kb variant that serves as a system profiler, and its main job is to set up SOCKS5 proxies on target computers so that attackers can tunnel malicious traffic.

The malware can also retrieve usernames, IP addresses, and machine names from an active device, encrypts the data, and transfers it to the attacker’s C2 server. This variant doesn’t feature many of SystemBC’s functionalities and acts as a system profiler to exfiltrate information to a remote server.

However, it doesn’t feature download or executing capabilities and can only connect with “remote listeners, pass data back and forth, and modify the system registry.”

This variant, however, allows attackers to simultaneously target multiple devices through automating tasks. If the credentials are legit, they can even deploy ransomware using built-in Windows tools without manually controlling the process.

 The attacker’s C2 infrastructure involved an energy-oriented domain “powersupportplancom,” which resolved to a suspicious IP host. Researchers believe this host was previously used in an APT activity to improve the attack’s potential.

Furthermore, researchers discovered that DroxiDot was used in another healthcare-related incident during the same time when it delivered Nokoyawa ransomware.

Regarding the attackers, researchers claim that evidence suggests the involvement of a Russian ransomware group, probably FIN12 (also known as Pistachio Tempest). This group is known for deploying SystemBC with Cobalt Strike Beacons to launch ransomware attacks against healthcare facilities in 2022.

  1. Fake Tor Browser Installers Distributing Clipper Malware
  2. Big Head Ransomware Found in Fake Windows Updates
  3. SmugX: Chinese Hackers Targeting Embassies in Europe
  4. Hackers targeting embassies with trojanized TeamViewer
  5. Cyber-Partisans hit Belarus railroad system with ransomware
  6. New malware hides behind free VPN, pirated security software

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You need to know about these Hidden Galaxy Z Fold 5 Features

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You need to know about these Hidden Galaxy Z Fold 5 Features
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Samsung is pretty well-known for giving its users just about every feature they could want. However, there are even more features on the Galaxy Z Fold 5 that are actually hidden. So in this article, we’re going to go over these features, so you can get the most out of your new foldable from Samsung.

Download Good Lock for the ultimate customization

Screenshot 20230814 100806 Good Lock

Good Lock is an app that is limited to Samsung’s own smartphones, and available in the Galaxy Store to download. It’s a must-have for any Galaxy phone owner, and on foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold 5, it really opens a whole new world of possibilities.

Good Lock is the main app, which has a number of sub-apps that you can use to customize your device. Here are some of the more popular ones:

Theme Park: This app will allow you to create a full theme for your phone. Beyond what Material You allows you to do. Adjusting the background of the quick settings, the way the keys on the keyboard look, and even the volume panel.

Pentastic: This is another popular one for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 since it does work with the S Pen. This allows you to change just about everything about the S Pen pointed and Air Command menu. You’ll also be able to create app shortcuts, by holding down the pen button and even double-tapping the display.

LockStar: This one is going to bring infinite changes to your lock screen, which really helps to make this unique to yourself.

NavStar: Not happy with the navigation buttons or gestures that Samsung includes on the Galaxy Z Fold 5? Well with this plug-in app, you can change almost everything. This includes making the navigation hint bar transparent, allowing the back gesture in full screen and much more.

These are just a few of the many different apps available with Good Lock. And the customizations are endless here.

Force apps to transfer from the main to cover display

Screenshot 20230814 100817 MultiStar

Using the MultiStar app from the Good Lock application, you are able to force apps to open from the main screen to the cover screen. The other way around works in the main settings for the Galaxy Z Fold 5. But say you have a YouTube Video playing and you want to use the Galaxy Z Fold 5 in tent mode. You need that video to play on the outer display, and this mod lets you do just that.

Go into Good Lock and download, MultiStar. After you download it, go into I Heart Galaxy Foldable. From there, you’ll have find a number of great options available, look for Continue All Apps on front screen and turn that on.

Force portrait apps to work in landscape

Screenshot 20230814 100847 Settings

The main display on the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is almost a square. Which means that some portrait mode apps won’t work in landscape, even though the resolution isn’t very different. But Samsung has a fix for that as well. You likely won’t need to use this on a lot of apps, but again, one that comes to mind here is Instagram.

You can go into Settings > Advanced Features > Labs > Landscape view for portrait apps, and then select the app you want to work in landscape view. You can turn this on for each individual app. So it’s not a switch for all apps like some other features here. This is a labs feature, so you could run into issues. So it’s important to remember this feature so you can turn it off if need be.

Force all apps to work in split-screen

Screenshot 20230814 100842 Settings

Let’s face it, some apps are stubborn. One app that comes to mind is Instagram, which doesn’t work on a lot of different display sizes. But, Samsung has a feature to help you with that.

If you head into Settings > Advanced Features > Labs and tap on “Multi window for all apps” this will force every app to work in multi-window or split screen. A lot of apps already work in multi window, but this feature makes sure that every app does so. You might run into issues with some apps having problems in multi window, so keep that in mind here.

Change the refresh rate to get more out of the battery

Screenshot 20230814 101133 Settings

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 has dual 120Hz displays, which, as you can imagine, does take a toll on the battery. There’s only a 4400mAh capacity battery inside this phone, which isn’t that large, but it does still do quite well and lasts a full day. But if you need a bit more battery, you can switch the screens over to 60Hz.

Just head into Settings > Display > Motion Smoothness, and you can switch from Adaptive to Standard. Adaptive will intelligently adapt your refresh rate from 1Hz up to 120Hz. While Standard will keep it at 60Hz all the time. You might notice a difference with animations and such. But you will likely get a couple extra hours of screen on time with this feature.


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Android 14 will give users the control over full-screen ads

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Android 14 will give users the control over full-screen ads
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Ads are the primary source of revenue for many businesses and organizations alike. However, in recent years, companies have started blurring the lines between acceptable ads and obtrusive full-scale banners that take the entire smartphone screen. Now, in an effort to solve this issue, Google is introducing a new feature with Android 14 that empowers users to revoke the USE_FULL_SCREEN_INTENT permission, thereby curtailing the barrage of full-screen ads and notifications.

What is the USE_FULL_SCREEN_INTENT permission?

As the name suggests, the permission grants apps the ability to use the entire smartphone screen to present notifications spanning both its width and height. Although this approach proves beneficial in specific scenarios, such as displaying alarms or incoming call alerts, app developers have unfortunately exploited this permission to display users with invasive full-screen popup ads.

“Full-screen intent notifications are designed for extremely high-priority notifications demanding the user’s immediate attention,” reads the blog post, announcing the decision.

Solving full-screen ads with Android 14

Now, to rectify this issue, Android 14 will give users the choice to manually deactivate this permission on an app-by-app basis. Additionally, Google will, over the next few months, refine its default policy to withhold the USE_FULL_SCREEN_INTENT permission from newly installed apps, except for specific cases like essential phone dialer and alarm clock apps.

Furthermore, Android 14 will also debut a new interface dubbed “Manage full-screen intents,” which will be available in the settings menu and showcase the full list of apps that have permission. Clicking on a specific app entry will reveal a toggle labeled “Allow apps to send full-screen intents,” and users will have the option to activate or deactivate the toggle based on their convenience.

“These changes are landing at the end of 2023. This permission remains enabled for apps installed on the phone before the user updates to Android 14. Users can turn this permission on and off,” reads the blog post.


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You can now add music to your photo carousels on Instagram

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You can now add music to your photo carousels on Instagram
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Sometimes pictures just don’t cut it when trying to express yourself, so that’s where music comes in handy. Instagram has introduced a new feature that gives you even more control over the music in your posts.

In a recent blog post, Instagram announced that you can now include music in your photo carousels. Moreover, you’ll also be able to invite up to three collaborators to work together on a feed post, carousel, or reel.


Adding music to your photo carousels follows the launch of music for feed photos feature introduced last year. With this new feature, Instagram wants to give its users more ways to express themselves when sharing memories and experiences.

 
The updated Collabs feature also has a similar goal. Previously, you could only invite one friend to collaborate on your post or reel. Now, you can include up to three collaborators. Once they accept your invitation, the content will be shown to each collaborator’s audience and appear on their profile grids.

 
Both private and public accounts can collaborate on a post or reel. If your account is private, you can initiate your own post or reel and invite a collaborator as long as they follow you back. This Collabs update could be a big deal for influencers, as their audiences could grow even more through collaborations with other influencers.

 
Lastly, Instagram’s blog post also mentions an update to the Add Yours sticker feature. Creators or artists can now invite their followers to participate in a prompt or challenge they’ve created on Reels. Anyone can create a reel with their unique take on an Add Yours prompt for a chance to be recognized by the original creator.


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Ford Cars WiFi Vulnerability Let Attackers Execute Remote Code

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Ford Cars WiFi Vulnerability Let Attackers Execute Remote Code
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Ford recently identified a buffer overflow flaw in the Wi-Fi driver used by it in the SYNC 3 infotainment system. After the discovery, Ford quickly alerted about this flaw and disclosed the vulnerability publicly.

Car hijacking by hackers exploiting various functions of the car is known, but the real-world execution of such attacks remains challenging.

While there are certain vulnerabilities that cause immediate serious consequences, enabling threat actors to open and start the cars by exploiting the vulnerabilities remotely.

Since this system is used in the Ford and Lincoln vehicles, so, the successful exploitation of this flaw could enable threat actors to perform remote code execution.

This vulnerability has been tracked as “CVE-2023-29468,” and it was detected by a researcher who reported this flaw to the Wi-Fi module supplier, Texas Instruments (TI).

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Flaw Profile

  • CVE ID: CVE-2023-29468
  • Summary: The TI WiLink WL18xx MCP driver does not limit the number of information elements (IEs) of type XCC_EXT_1_IE_ID or XCC_EXT_2_IE_ID that can be parsed in a management frame. Using a specially crafted frame, a buffer overflow can be triggered which can potentially lead to remote code execution.
  • TI PSIRT ID: TI-PSIRT-2022-120160
  • CVSS Score: The CVSS base score for this issue can range from 8.8 to 9.6.
  • Affected Products: WILINK8-WIFI-MCP8 version 8.5_SP3 and earlier

Ford’s Response

The SYNC3 infotainment system offers in-car WiFi, connectivity, voice commands, and third-party apps. The vulnerability concerns Ford customers, but no known exploits were reported. 

Moreover, the attackers need physical proximity to an exposed, running engine with Wi-Fi enabled for a successful attack.

Ford’s investigation concludes that this vulnerability won’t impact vehicle safety, as the infotainment system firewall prevents control interference with steering, throttling, and braking.

Besides this, Ford assured that soon it will release the online software patch for USB installation. Meanwhile, customers who are concerned about the flaw can disable the Wi-Fi via SYNC 3’s Settings menu or check the vehicle’s SYNC 3 status online.

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Watch the world’s thinnest foldable get assembled, the HONOR Magic V2

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Watch the world’s thinnest foldable get assembled, the HONOR Magic V2
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A new video has popped up on YouTube, showing you the assembly of the world’s thinnest foldable smartphone, the HONOR Magic V2. This video popped up on JerryRigEverything YouTube channel.

HONOR Magic V2 gets assembled, the world’s thinnest foldable

Needless to say, that YouTube channel is well-known for testing the durability of smartphones, and giving us a peek on the inside of them. Well, HONOR partnered up with Zack from that channel, in order to show us the inside of its latest foldable.

The HONOR Magic V2 got announced in China already, and it will launch globally on September 1, as part of IFA 2023. Having said that, the aforementioned video is embedded below the article, and in it, you’ll not only see the insides of the HONOR Magic V2, but Zack also compared this phone to the Galaxy Z Fold 5.

HONOR made a new titanium hinge here, and also used two silicon-carbon batteries

In order to achieve such a thin profile, HONOR actually made a new hinge, and it used a titanium alloy in order to make it happen. In addition to that, the company used two separate silicon-carbon batteries which are crazy thin.

The company also says the HONOR Magic V2 has been tested for 400,000 folding cycles. That means that you can fold it 100 times a day for 10 years. You won’t be using it for that long, nor will you achieve that many folds in a day, so… this phone should last.

This 8-minute video is actually quite interesting. You’ll be able to see the phone fully disassembled first, and then Zack puts it together, giving us insight into how that’s being done, while showing us all the internal components.

The HONOR Magic V2 is a lot thinner & noticeably lighter than the Galaxy Z Fold 5

Once it’s assembled, you can see how thin and light it is. It’s a lot thinner than the Galaxy Z Fold 5, and also quite a bit lighter. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 clocked in at 14.91mm by Zack, while the HONOR Magic V2 is 9.94mm thick. Do note that this thickness is without the camera bumps.

Officially, Samsung measured the Galaxy Z Fold 5 to be 13.4mm thick when folded, while HONOR measured the Magic V2 to be 9.9mm. So, Samsung somehow managed to measure it to be less thick than Zack did. Even with that counted in, it’s a lot thicker, despite the fact it also folds flat.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 weighs 253 grams, while the HONOR Magic V2 weighs in at 231 or 237 grams, depending on the model.


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SK Hynix announces the world’s first 24GB LPDDR5X RAM

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SK Hynix announces the world’s first 24GB LPDDR5X RAM
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South Korean semiconductor company SK Hynix, which is second only to compatriot Samsung in the memory chip industry, has announced the market release of the industry’s first 24GB LPDDR5X RAM. The OnePlus Ace 2 Pro, which launches in China on Wednesday, August 16, will feature the new chip. The Redmi K60 Ultra Extreme Edition and the Nubia RedMagic 8S Pro+ also come in 24GB RAM variants.

SK Hynix began the mass production of its 24GB Low Power Double Data Rate 5X (LPDDR5X) mobile DRAM solution in November 2022. The company claims that the memory chip can process 68GB of data per second. That’s equivalent to transferring 13 full-HD movies in one second. The faster data transfer rates come without much impact on the device’s battery life, the South Korean firm confirms.

The new 24GB DRAM chip operates in the ultra-low voltage range of 1.01 to 1.12V, a standard set by the Joint Electron Device Engineering Council (JEDEC). Moreover, it integrates the High-K Metal Gate (HKMG) process “to deliver outstanding power efficiency and performance.” OPPO, which now incorporates the OnePlus brand, expects the chip to give OnePlus Ace 2 Pro users an unparalleled multitasking experience.

“With the timely supply of 24GB LPDDR5X from SK Hynix, we were able to become the first to launch a smartphone that features the industry’s largest capacity DRAM,” said Louis Li, Vice President of Marketing at OPPO, referring to the impending launch of the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro. “This new smartphone will allow the customers to enjoy an optimized multitasking environment as well as extended battery life.”

The 24GB OnePlus Ace 2 Pro can open 53 apps simultaneously

OnePlus China President Li Jie gave more insights into the capabilities of the 24GB RAM variant of the company’s upcoming flagship. According to Jie, the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro can open up to 53 apps simultaneously without killing any of them in the background (via GSMArena). Moreover, it can keep up to 41 apps active in the background for three whole days, or up to 72 hours.

The OnePlus Ace 2 Pro will also be available in a 16GB RAM variant, with up to 1TB storage capacity. The phone will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. It will feature a 6.74-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 1.5K resolution, and 1,600 nits of peak brightness. A 5,000mAh battery will fuel the handset, which will reportedly support 150W fast wired charging. If history is any indication, this phone should arrive as the OnePlus 11T in global markets.


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Beware of Fake Chrome Browser Updates that Install Malware

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Beware of Fake Chrome Browser Updates that Install Malware
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Reports indicate that there seems to be an ongoing campaign that lures victims into installing a Remote Administration Tool called NetSupport Manager with fake Chrome browser updates. 

Threat actors use this remote administration software as an info stealer and to take control of the victim’s computers. Investigations point this to a suspected SocGholish campaign which was previously conducted by a Russian threat actor but still remains inconclusive.

Fake Chromium updates campaign (Source: Trellix)

However, the SVP of Trellix Advanced Research Center stated that “Chromium with 63.55% of market share is now the de facto most targeted browser for NetSupport RAT attacks, due to the global usage. Organizations need holistic global threat intelligence and innovative security solutions to get the governance and tools needed to reduce the cyber risk.”

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Fake Chrome Browser Update

These fake chromium updates are spread through compromised websites which are injected with a simple HTML script tag that loads malicious JavaScript content from the C2 servers of threat actors. However, this process seems to be automated and follows a directory structure.

Further analysis showed many compromised websites with traffic from the Federal Government, Financial institutions, and consulting services. These compromised websites can be detected by checking the “/cdn-js/wds.min.php”.

Previously, threat actors used PowerShell with WMI functionality for downloading and installing the RAT. However, the current campaign uses batch files (.bat), VBscripts, and curl tools instead of PowerShell scripts for the RAT download.

When a user clicks on the fake browser update link, it downloads a ZIP archive, “UpdateInstall.zip” which consists of a malicious JS file named “Browser_portable.js” that acts as a next-stage malware downloader.

The second stage JS file is named “Chrome_update.js” which is retrieved from the C2 server of the threat actors and executed. This downloads a batch file “1.bat” in the local “C://ProgramData” folder and runs it.

In addition to this, the 1.bat drops VBScript and batch files, which are investigated to be a dummy one as they were not executed. Further components and the final batch script 2.bat is downloaded using curl commands. 

These components consist of the 7-zip archive file, which is the NetSupport Manager RAT software package and is executed by the 2.bat file.

A complete report has been published by Trellix, which provides detailed information on this campaign and the malware source code.

Indicators of Compromise

hxxps://altiordp[.]com/cdn/www.php
hxxps://cheetahsnv[.]com/cdn-js/wds.min.php
hxxps://ponraj[.]com/05e2f56dd5d8c33a6c402a19629be61c__9336ebf25087d91c818ee6e9ec29f8c1/1.bat?964084
hxxps://ponraj[.]com/05e2f56dd5d8c33a6c402a19629be61c__9336ebf25087d91c818ee6e9ec29f8c1/tempy.7z
hxxps://ponraj[.]com/05e2f56dd5d8c33a6c402a19629be61c__9336ebf25087d91c818ee6e9ec29f8c1/7zz.exe
hxxps://ponraj[.]com/05e2f56dd5d8c33a6c402a19629be61c__9336ebf25087d91c818ee6e9ec29f8c1/2.bat

Files

e67f8b91555993e6315ffa9b146c759b9eeac5208116667fa4b31c717ebe5398 *1.bat 675ede331d690fff93579f9767aa7f80cfbc9d4b99afe298ba3b456ee292ac71 *2.bat c136b1467d669a725478a6110ebaaab3cb88a3d389dfa688e06173c066b76fcf *7zz.exe 00cf43f66d27692f25da1771dca7bf8c3c0e5aa78b35090013b013c17ceb0fff *Chrome_update.js b9711d8d6d1fd59ea9276a70e0b37c28ae26a105c325448e5d62f7858d61b8c2 *UpdateInstaller.zip 7f976e221ece8acac5f6ea32d2ad427a9bcb237e6a6f754043265073cc004ce1 *Browser_portable.js 42679bd369a3b772c43b9ba20bf8a31a2593a360cfa2de77aa6d2023f9a0c109 *tempy.7z
Client32 config
[HTTP]
CMPI=60
GatewayAddress=5.252.178.48:443
GSK=GA;L@KDPHB Port=443
SecondaryGateway=
SecondaryPort=

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