Older Galaxy device will get these Fold 5, Flip 5 camera features

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Samsung recently launched the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 foldable smartphones with Android 13-based One UI 5.1.1 onboard. Among other things, the foldables bring new and improved camera features. The company has now announced that some of those features will roll out to older Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy S23 series.

According to a Samsung Community moderator in charge of camera-related developments, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 offer improved digital zoom when shooting in the Photo mode with the rear cameras. These improvements will trickle down to the Galaxy S23 series with a future update. The company is currently working on the update and doesn’t have a release timeline to share with its customers.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 brings a usability improvement that allows you to select multiple photos in the Capture View. You can easily share and delete them at once. The new foldable also lets you adjust various camera settings in Pro/Pro Video mode. Samsung plans to roll out these improvements to the Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Fold 3, and Galaxy Z Fold 2. Once again, we don’t have a release timeline for the update.

Another handy camera feature that Samsung added to its latest foldables comes into play when scanning documents. You can choose to sharpen the text and erase distractions such as fingers from documents with ease. If you’re holding a document with one hand and capturing with the other, there’s a chance that your hand will shake or the photo will contain your fingers. The new feature helps fix those issues. The Galaxy S23 series will get it with the Android 14-based One UI 6.0 update.

Older Galaxy S flagships and foldables will get more camera features

The latest Samsung foldables let you copy editing effects such as filters and color tones from one photo and apply them to another. You can find that option in the More section of the Photo Editor menu in the Gallery app. The Korean firm will push this feature to all of its foldables launched in 2020 and beyond, including the original Galaxy Z Flip. The Galaxy S21, Galaxy S22, and Galaxy S23 phones will also get it.

All of these Galaxy devices are also in line to get Samsung’s improved Photo Remaster tool. The community moderator touts improvements in removing fingerprints and erasing foreign objects. The after-before comparison tool has been improved too. Last but not least, Samsung will update these phones to give users an improved video editor. You can make bright areas brighter and dark areas darker. We will let you know when these updates roll out.


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iPhone 15 & 15 Plus won’t get iPhone 14 Pro’s 48MP camera

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We’ve seen a lot of reports regarding the upcoming iPhone 15 series. Some of them suggested that the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus will get the iPhone 14 Pro’s 48MP camera, but that may not be the case.

The vanilla iPhone 15 models won’t get iPhone 14 Pro’s 48MP camera

Based on a new report by Digital Chat Station, a well-known tipster, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus will still get a 48-megapixel main camera, but not the one you’re expecting.

The iPhone 14 Pro has a 1/1.28-inch main camera with a 1.22um pixel size. The iPhone 15 Pro will retain that camera, but add some other improvements, like the hybrid lens design and a larger aperture.

The vanilla iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, on the other hand, are tipped to utilize a 1./1.5-inch 48-megapixel main camera. That would certainly be an improvement over the iPhone 14 Pro’s 12-megapixel (1/1.7-inch) shooter, but not as good as the camera on the Pro models.

This is not exactly surprising

Many would say this is not exactly surprising. Apple wants the ‘Pro’ models to have a proper advantage over the vanilla models, and the cameras are usually the way to make that happen.

The iPhone 15 Pro series will have a more powerful camera that will be able to gather more light, and thus provide sharper and better pictures. Well, that’s at least what’s expected here.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max may get some additional benefits over the regular ‘Pro’ variant, however. That is not something we’re used to seeing, but it will happen with the iPhone 15 Pro series.

The Pro Max model will include a periscope telephoto camera on the back, unlike the regular ‘Pro’ model. Well, at least based on rumors. We’ll have to wait and see. The iPhone 15 series is tipped to arrive in September, though a recent report claims that the launch may be delayed until October.


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New Zenbleed Attack Threatens AMD Zen2 CPUs – Patch released

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AMD recently addressed a critical vulnerability affecting its Zen2 CPUs. Named “Zenbleed,” the researcher who discovered the vulnerability devised an attack strategy that leaks sensitive data from AMD Zen2 processors. Following this discovery, the tech giant patched the vulnerability with a microcode update released for the affected systems.

About Zenbleed Attack

The researcher Tavis Ormandy of Google Project Zero recently shared insights about a severe security flaw threatening AMD processors.

Specifically, he discovered a side channel vulnerability affecting AMD Zen2 CPUs that allows an adversary explicit access to sensitive data. The researcher then demonstrated the exploit via Zenbleed – a dedicated attack strategy targeting this AMD Zen2 vulnerability.

As explained, the vulnerability, CVE-2023-20593, exists due to improper handling of vzeroupper instructions during speculative execution by the processor. Consequently, an attacker may exploit the vulnerability to access sensitive data from the CPU.

Summarizing the steps in the Zenbleed attack, the researcher stated that an attacker first needs to trigger XMM Register (the 128-bit vector registers in standard x86-64 CPUs) Merge Optimization. Then, performing register renaming followed by a mispredicted vzeroupper within a specific time window will let the adversary execute the attack. As described, an adversary may even “spy” on basic operations like strlen, memcpy and strcmp that use the vector registers, even if these operations happen on virtual machines or sandboxes.

The researcher has shared a detailed technical analysis of the flaw and the Zenbleed attack in a separate write-up.

AMD Released A Microcode Fix

Ormandy explained that detecting vulnerability exploits is difficult since it requires no specific system calls or privileges. However, achieving real-world exploits is somewhat tricky since it requires an attacker to bear strong technical knowledge and physical access to the target system to exploit the flaw.

Following Ormandy’s report, AMD released a microcode patch for the following vulnerable Zen2 processors.

  • AMD Ryzen 3000 Series Processors
  • AMD Ryzen PRO 3000 Series Processors
  • AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3000 Series Processors
  • AMD Ryzen 4000 Series Processors with Radeon Graphics
  • AMD Ryzen PRO 4000 Series Processors
  • AMD Ryzen 5000 Series Processors with Radeon Graphics
  • AMD Ryzen 7020 Series Processors with Radeon Graphics
  • AMD EPYC “Rome” Processors

Hence, all users must update their systems with the latest BIOS/firmware releases to receive the patch.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.


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Google is finally rolling out ‘unknown tracker alerts’ for Android users

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Ever since Apple introduced AirTags back in 2021 and disrupted the Bluetooth tracking market, there have been serious concerns about bad actors using them to invade others’ privacy. And although Apple devices receive alerts when an unknown AirTag is following them, Android users do not have such a feature. Now, in an effort to combat this issue, Google is finally rolling out the “unknown tracker alerts” feature, which aims to protect users from potential stalking attempts or unlawful activities involving Bluetooth tracking devices, including Apple AirTags.

Announced at the Google I/O in May, the “unknown tracker alerts” feature automatically sends alerts to users if their phone detects an unknown Bluetooth device travelling with them. This will not only help people identify potential stalking attempts or unauthorized surveillance but also empower them to take measures to safeguard their privacy. Additionally, users will have the option to make the accessory emit a sound, thus aiding in locating the device.

Furthermore, if a tracker raises suspicion, Google will provide clear instructions on how to deactivate it, ensuring that the owner will no longer receive updates from the device.

Manual scanning

In addition to automatic alerts, individuals can manually scan their surroundings for any nearby Bluetooth trackers if they suspect someone is following them. To do this, users need to go to the “Safety & Emergency” section in Android’s settings and select “Unknown tracker alerts.” From there, users can start a manual scan, and if an AirTag is nearby, Google will provide the necessary steps to deactivate it.

Google’s Find My Device network

To further assist users in locating their misplaced or stolen items, Google is bringing major updates to its Find My Device network, which would enable them to ring their devices or view their location on a map even when they are offline. However, the company has decided to delay the rollout of these updates until Apple implements its full unknown tracking protections into iOS.


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A couple did something horrific to buy the iPhone 14

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A couple from India did something truly horrific in order to buy the iPhone 14. Based on a report from DailyO, a couple from India’s West Bengal sold their 8-month-old baby in order to make it happen.

A couple from India did the most horrific things in order to buy the iPhone 14 & travel

Needless to say, that is truly horrific. To make things worse, they also attempted to sell their 7-year-old daughter, it is reported. They did that not only to get the iPhone 14, but also to travel and film Reels for Instagram.

Based on the report, the couple was first confronted by concerned neighbors, who noticed the absence of the baby. They also noticed the iPhone 14 was in their possession, despite the fact they had financial troubles.

The mother confessed already, but the father is still at large

The mother then confessed to selling the baby, and was arrested shortly after. The woman accused of buying the baby also got arrested, but the baby mother’s husband is still at large.

It remains to be seen how will this story unravel, but the act itself is unimaginable. The standard in India doesn’t allow most people to get ahold of Apple’s latest products, which is why we’re hearing truly odd stories from time to time.

In the past, people have been reported to sell their kidneys to get Apple’s products, and that’s only one example. That is bad enough, but selling your own child is inexcusable.

In case you’re wondering, the vanilla version of the iPhone 14 costs an equivalent of $975 in India. It’s considerably more expensive than in the US. We’re not sure what model the couple ended up getting, but that’s not really important here.

The Indian authorities are actively looking for the baby’s father, and will hopefully arrest him soon to answer for his crimes together with the baby’s mother.

 


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Discover the universe: NASA launches its own streaming platform and upgraded app

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When you think of NASA, thoughts of space rockets and out-of-earth missions often come to mind. However, this time the news is not about the next rocket launch.
As reported by Engadget, exciting space news is coming our way, with NASA announcing the launch of its own streaming platform called NASA+. Not only that, but the space agency is also upgrading its mobile app. Both will be available sometime in the next few months. Until then, you can help NASA by providing feedback on the current beta version of the agency’s new website.
The NASA+ streaming platform will be completely free and, on top of that, without any ads. You will have the opportunity to watch NASA’s Emmy Award-winning live coverage and get a peek into space missions through various original video series, including new ones that will be launched on the streaming service.
You will be able to access NASA+ through the NASA App, which works on iOS and Android mobile and tablet devices. Additionally, it will be available on streaming media players like Roku, Apple TV, and Fire TV, as well as on the web for both desktop and mobile devices.Apart from launching its own streaming service, NASA is revamping its entire digital presence. The space agency is working on a new web and app experience that will make it easier to find information about its missions, research projects, climate data, and updates on the Artemis program, among other things. The aim is to create a more cohesive and user-friendly platform for accessing NASA’s content and updates.

With this new digital mission, NASA will share science, research, exploration, and innovation worldwide through cohesive platforms. According to Nicky Fox, associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, the new websites and NASA+ videos will showcase various discovery programs, covering a wide range of topics, including exoplanet research, understanding Earth’s climate, the Sun’s impact on our planet, and exploration of the solar system.


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Data Leak Exposes 572 GB of Student, Faculty Info from Accreditation Org

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IN SUMMARY

  • It was a database misconfiguration-related data leak.
  • The sensitive information spanned from 2012 to 2023.
  • The data leak contained 512 GB of data, with 682,438 records.
  • The database was open to public access without any password.

Cybersecurity researcher Jeremiah Fowler has revealed a significant data breach that has raised serious concerns about the security of sensitive information in the education sector. Fowler stumbled upon an unprotected database containing a staggering 682,438 records related to educational institutions.

The exposed data belonged to the Southern Association of Independent Schools, Inc (SAIS), a prominent non-profit organization providing support to schools and educators across the United States and several other countries.

The Scope of the Breach:

The data leak contained a vast array of sensitive information, spanning from 2012 to 2023, making it a treasure trove for potential cyber criminals. The compromised documents encompassed multiple categories, including student and teacher records, health information, social security numbers (SSN), active shooter and lockdown notifications, school maps, financial budgets, and more.

Of particular concern were confidential third-party security reports, assessing weaknesses in school security, camera locations, access points, and other vital information that could pose a real-world security risk to students and faculty.

Documents in the leaked data (Image: Jeremiah Fowler – Website Planet)

Sensitive Records Exposed:

The sheer volume of data in the breached database totalled an astounding 572.8 GB, comprising various file formats, such as PDF, Excel, PPTX, doc, docx, png, jpg, and pages.

According to Fowler’s blog post, among the exposed records, were personally identifiable information (PII) and private medical information of students, teacher background checks, salary details, and interview information. Moreover, the breach revealed budgets, financial reports, vehicle registrations, insurance policies, tax records, training documents, and numerous other miscellaneous files.

Potential Risks and Implications:

The exposed data presented a host of potential risks, ranging from straightforward extortion to more sophisticated identity theft and financial crimes. Criminals with access to such sensitive records could exploit the information for fraudulent activities, including obtaining loans or credit in the name of educational institutions.

Additionally, the leaked emergency response plans and school security details could be used by malicious actors to plan attacks on schools, endangering the safety of students and staff.

To mitigate future risks, schools, educational organizations, and accreditation bodies must prioritize implementing basic security protocols, such as firewalls, encryption, and multi-factor authentication.

Furthermore, conducting regular staff training on cybersecurity best practices and establishing comprehensive incident response plans can better address and manage data breaches, should they occur.

SAIS’s Response and Data Protection Compliance:

Upon receiving the responsible disclosure notification from Jeremiah Fowler, SAIS acted swiftly to secure the exposed database and expressed gratitude for the researcher’s timely warning. However, it remains unclear whether the potentially affected individuals or relevant authorities were promptly notified of the data exposure.

It is essential for educational institutions to adhere to data protection laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), to safeguard sensitive information and uphold the privacy of students, teachers, and parents.

  1. 100s of schools at risk after Magecart attack on Wisepay
  2. 13-year-old student arrested for hacking school computers
  3. School hackers steal data of half a million students and staff
  4. Malware found in UK Govt-funded laptops for homeschoolers
  5. Iranian APT group hits schools, universities in phishing attacks

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You can now pin up to five Google Messages conversations

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Beta testers are noticing that the Google Message pin feature is getting some improvements. This can be seen in the recent beta update that is rolling out to the app. With this update, beta testers can now pin up to five conversations, an improvement from the current limit the app gives users.

This pin feature will be available for usage on both RCS and regular text messages that users get. Google has kept the number of conversations users could pin down to three for a long time. The limit on three pinned conversations has been in place ever since Google launched RCS messaging.

Seeing this feature get an upgrade to allow users to pin a few more conversations is quite impressive. But how exactly will users benefit from this new upgrade, available to only beta testers? It’s time to have a closer look at this improvement to the Google Message pin feature.

Here is how you can put this improvement to the Google Message pin feature to use, once available

Pinning a conversation on Google Messages or any other messaging platform helps improve accessibility. This feature is great for those that receive tons of messages from various sources. To make finding a few conversations easy, such people can easily pin them.

By doing this, the conversation appears at the top of the chat list and newer messages appear under it. So, regardless of how many messages users of this feature get in a day, they can always easily find their pinned conversations. But at times, for some users, it’s quite a struggle to decide which messages to pin and which to leave out.

With the previous limitation to only three pinned conversations, some users had to leave out other important conversations. With this beta upgrade, users having a hard time picking which conversations to pin and which to leave out can have room for two more entries. Once this improvement rolls out globally, users will have the opportunity to pin up to five conversations for quick access.

Users can choose between family, friends, work, and even school-related conversations to pin. These can be either private messages or group chats, and all pinned conversations will pop up at the top of the app’s interface with a pin icon. There is no information as to when this feature will roll out globally, but once available it will reach end users via an app update.


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iPhone 15 & 15 Pro Max price hikes detailed in new report

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We’ve heard, several times by now, that Apple’s upcoming iPhone Pro models will be more expensive than their predecessors. Well, the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max price hikes just got detailed in a new report.

New report just detailed the iPhone 15 Pro series price hikes

According to Barclays analyst, Tim Long (via Apple Hub), the iPhone 15 Pro could see a price increase of $100. The iPhone 15 Pro Max, on the other hand, will be either $100 or $200 more expensive than its predecessor.

He also mentioned that the vanilla models, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, will cost the same. Now, this is different info than what we’ve seen earlier. A report from mid-June suggested a $200 price hike for both ‘Pro’ models. A report from the other day said that all iPhone 15 models will get a price bump.

So, obviously, one of these three reports is wrong. In any case, a price hike is expected. Apple obviously expects that the iPhone 15 series will have the same demand as the current-gen models. In other words, it expects ‘Pro’ models to outsell regular variants.

These are the probable price tags for all iPhone 15 units

If we count in the info from the latest report, the iPhone 15 could cost $799, while the ‘Plus’ model will set you back $899. The iPhone 15 Pro will start at $1,099, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max could cost either $1,199 or $1,299.

Do note that these are only US prices. All iPhones will cost more in Europe and India, as per usual. The price hike could also be more considerable in both of those regions.

It is worth noting that the iPhone 14 Pro is €300 more expensive in Europe, while the ‘Pro Max’ model costs €350 more. So get ready to pay premium if you live in either of those regions.


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Check out Samsung’s official promo videos for Galaxy Z Fold 5, Flip 5

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Samsung has released a plethora of short promo videos showcasing its newly announced foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5. The videos highlight the key features of the devices, both of which are available to pre-order now. General sales begin on August 11.

Samsung releases Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 promo videos

The series of promo videos includes official unboxing videos of both foldables. These clips begin with the unboxing experience and go into design. Samsung sees an opportunity here to remind potential buyers that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 are slimmer and lighter than the previous-gen models.

The company is presenting the Fold as a multi-tasker on the go, thanks to the S Pen support (sold separately). The Flip model, on the other hand, is more of a style statement, with its larger cover display now making it a lot more usable than before. The unboxing videos also show all the color variants of the two foldables, including those exclusive to Samsung.com.

Samsung has also made short “official film” videos about the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5. Once again, the Fold is all about multi-tasking while the Flip is about style and convenience. The Korean firm is pitching the two foldables to two different groups of users and focusing its promo videos on their strengths in those areas.

Additionally, Samsung has released a four-minute official introduction film for the new foldables. It’s the longest in a series of promo videos released over the past 24 hours or so. The rest of them are shorter than two minutes. This clip goes into detail about how the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 help enhance your everyday chores and give you a more convenient smartphone experience.

Other videos in this promo series released on YouTube include a couple about the Galaxy ecosystem. Samsung shows how you can use the Galaxy Z Flip 5/Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Tab S9, and Galaxy Watch 6 in a connected environment to unlock a whole new experience, be it in a professional or personal space.

Last but not least, Samsung has made a dedicated video about the Galaxy Z Flip 5’s bigger cover display. The company calls the 3.4-inch panel Flex Window. The video highlights support for a full keyboard, improved media controls, Samsung Wallet, Samsung Health, app widgets, and a full-fledged camera app, letting you take selfies with the rear cameras, without even unfolding the device.


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