Microsoft wants you to unlock your devices with your earbuds

andreasc
-
0
Microsoft wants you to unlock your devices with your earbuds
[ad_1]

Microsoft has gone all in on AI, but the company is, surprisingly, working on other types of technology. According to a new report, Microsoft is working on a new earbuds authentication method that could make logging into your devices and services easier.

Over the years, we’ve seen companies develop different methods of biometric authentication. Of course, there are fingerprint and facial recognition. Also, we’ve seen Samsung’s retina scanning technology. We can’t forget about LG’s palm scanning method. It seems that people are looking for more ways to verify your identity for some reason.

Microsoft filed a patent for earbud authentication

Right now, there’s no telling if this technology will make it to the real world. Microsoft only patented the technology. It’s basically securing the rights to the tech in the case that it wants to pursue it. So, you’ll want to take this news with a grain of salt.

Firstly, how the heck will you use your headphones to verify your identity? Well, the earbuds using this technology will emit an ultrasonic sound that will bounce off of your ear’s internals. Apparently, the internal structure of a person’s ear is unique to just them. So, the earbuds will, ostensibly, be able to identify you. It will listen back to the echos of the ultrasonic sound and tell who you are.

The earbuds will be able to ping nearby devices that require authentication. So when you need to log in to a service or a device, it will use the earbuds for authentication. Since the earbuds will be able to tell when they’re in your ear, they won’t be able to verify your identity when they’re not in your ear.

This seems like a pretty odd kind of technology, but it’s interesting. If Microsoft can develop it, then logging into your devices will be much easier. Rather than having to enter your password, you’ll be able to seamlessly authenticate yourself.


[ad_2]
Source link

Xperia 1 VII rumored to feature larger telephoto & ultrawide camera sensors

andreasc
-
0
Xperia 1 VII rumored to feature larger telephoto & ultrawide camera sensors
[ad_1]

It’s been just over a month since Sony officially launched the Xperia 1 VI and we are already starting to get rumors about its successor, the Xperia 1 VII. Recently, a Chinese tipster shared a few details and render of the Sony Xperia 1 VII cameras.

Per the tipster’s Weibo post, Sony plans to end the vertical camera alignment as seen in past Xperia 1 devices. The company plans to do so by separating the telephoto camera from the main and the ultra-wide camera.

The Sony Xperia 1 VII is rumored to feature larger camera sensors

The Sony Xperia 1 VII will reportedly feature a telephoto sensor of 1/3.5-inch larger than 1/2.3-inch on the Xperia 1 VI. Whereas, the focal range on the telephoto lens of the Xperia 1 VII is rumored to be between 70mm-200mm. Sony might include a 1/1.3-inch sensor for the main camera on the Xperia 1 VII, similar to the one in this year’s flagship.

Besides, the tipster claims that the 2025 flagship’s ultra-wide camera will get a 1/2.3-inch sensor which again will be larger than the one used in Xperia 1 VI. As you may know, using a large sensor helps capture more light and data through the lens. Therefore, you can expect better low-light photography with less noise on the Xperia 1 VII.

 

Xperia 1 VII camera render
Image credit: Weibo

Sony to stick with the dual-layer transistor pixel technology

The Weibo post also highlights that Sony will continue using dual-layer transistor pixel technology for all three cameras. It is a stacked CMOS image sensor technology where photodiodes and pixel transistors are placed on different substrate layers. Thanks to its wide dynamic range, this sensor allows you to capture high-quality images in all lighting conditions.

If all the claim turns out to be true, the Xperia 1 VII will be the Android flagship to watch out for its camera capabilities in 2025. The tipster also claims that no Xperia 5 VI will launch this year. And, that Sony may have discontinued the series altogether leaving the Xperia 1 VI as the high-end model in the Xperia’s 2024 lineup. However, the tipster’s track record hasn’t been impressive, so you’ll want to take this news with a grain of salt.


[ad_2]
Source link

IntelBroker Claims Theft of Employee and Product Data

andreasc
-
0
IntelBroker Claims Theft of Employee and Product Data
[ad_1]

IntelBroker, a notorious hacker and moderator on the Breach Forums cybercrime platform, has announced the successful breach of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD – AMD.com). The alleged intrusion, which took place in June 2024, reportedly resulted in the theft of a significant amount of sensitive information, spanning across various categories.

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) is an American multinational semiconductor company that develops computer processors and related technologies for both consumer and enterprise markets. Founded on May 1, 1969, AMD has grown to become one of the leading companies in the semiconductor industry.

Details of the Breach

In a recent post on Breach Forums, IntelBroker detailed the extent of the compromised data. The hacker claims to have accessed information related to the following records:

  • ROMs
  • Firmware
  • Source code
  • Property files
  • Employee databases
  • Customer databases
  • Financial information
  • Future AMD product plans
  • Technical specification sheets

Employee Data Exposed

The alleged breach also includes the complete database of AMD employees, which contains sensitive personal information such as:

  • User IDs
  • Job functions
  • Email addresses
  • Employment status
  • First and last names
  • Business phone numbers

The hacker is selling the data exclusively for XMR (Monero) cryptocurrency, accepting a middleman for transactions. He advises interested buyers to message him with their offers.

AMD Data Breach: IntelBroker Claims Theft of Employee and Product Info
IntelBroker’s post on Breach Forums (Screenshot credit: Hackread.com)

IntelBroker’s Track Record

The reputation of IntelBroker in the cybersecurity community is one of significant concern, given the scale and sensitivity of the targeted entities in previous hacks. The hacker’s past exploits include breaches of:

Although the hacker’s origins and affiliates are unknown, according to the United States government, IntelBroker is alleged to be the perpetrator behind one of the T-Mobile data breaches.

As of now, AMD has not confirmed the breach publicly. However, Hackread.com has contacted AMD for comment. If verified, this article will be updated accordingly. Nevertheless, the implications of this alleged breach would be vast, potentially affecting AMD’s operations, partnerships, and market position. Sensitive product information and employee data in the wrong hands can lead to a series of issues, including identity theft, industrial espionage, and financial loss.

Cybersecurity Measures

This incident highlights the critical need for comprehensive cybersecurity protocols and constant monitoring. At the same time, companies must ensure their data is protected against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

For now, the cybersecurity community and AMD’s stakeholders await more information on the legitimacy and extent of IntelBroker’s claims. Stay tuned!

  1. Dell Discloses Data Breach As Hacker Sells 49 Million User Data
  2. Insurance Giant ‘Globe Life’ Data Breach Impacting Policyholders
  3. ShinyHunters Hacks Santander Bank: 30 Million Users Data for Sale
  4. Location Tracker Firm Tile Hit by Data Breach, Internal Tools Accessed
  5. Ticketmaster Hacked: 560 Million Users’ Info for Sale on Breach Forums

[ad_2]
Source link

43% of couples experience pressure to share logins and locations, Malwarebytes finds

andreasc
-
0
43% of couples experience pressure to share logins and locations, Malwarebytes finds
[ad_1]

All isn’t fair in love and romance today, as 43% of people in a committed relationship said they have felt pressured by their own partners to share logins, passcodes, and/or locations. A worrying 7% admitted that this type of pressure has included the threat of breaking up or the threat of physical or emotional harm.

These are latest findings from original research conducted by Malwarebytes to explore how romantic couples navigate shared digital access to one another’s devices, accounts, and location information.

In short, digital sharing is the norm in modern relationships, but it doesn’t come without its fears.

While everybody shares some type of device, account, or location access with their significant other (100% of respondents), and plenty grant their significant other access to at least one personal account (85%), a sizeable portion longs for something different—31% said they worry about “how easy it is for my partner to track what I’m doing and where I am all times because of how much we share,” and 40% worry that “telling my partner I don’t want to share logins, PINs, and/or locations would upset them.”

By surveying 500 people in committed relationships in the United States, Malwarebytes has captured a unique portrait of what it means to date, marry, and be in love in 2024—a part of life that is now inseparable from smart devices, apps, and the internet at large.

The complete findings can be found in the latest report, “What’s mine is yours: How couples share an all-access pass to their digital lives.” You can read the full report below.

Here are some of the key findings:

  • Partners share their personal login information for an average of 12 different types of accounts.
  • 48% of partners share the login information of their personal email accounts.
  • 30% of partners regret sharing location tracking.
  • 18% of partners regret sharing account access. The number is significantly higher for men (30%).
  • 29% of partners said an ex-partner used their accounts to track their location, impersonate them, access their financial accounts, and other harms.
  • Around one in three Gen Z and Millennial partners report an ex has used their accounts to stalk them.

But the data doesn’t only point to causes for concern. It also highlights an opportunity for learning. As Malwarebytes reveals in this latest research, people are looking for guidance, with seven in 10 people admitting they want help navigating digital co-habitation.

According to one Gen Z survey respondent:

“I feel like it might take some effort (to digitally disentangle) because we are more seriously involved. We have many other kinds of digital ties that we would have to undo in order to break free from one another.”

That is why, today, Malwarebytes is also launching its online resource hub: Modern Love in the Digital Age. At this new guidance portal, readers can learn about whether they should share their locations with their partners, why car location tracking presents a new problem for some couples, and how they can protect themselves from online harassment. Access the hub below.


[ad_2]
Source link

Gemini could get support for Google Assistant Routines

andreasc
-
0
Gemini could get support for Google Assistant Routines
[ad_1]
Google Assistant Routines have existed since 2017, and allow you to execute a series of tasks with one voice command. Basically, it lets you create a series of things to accomplish. Like, you can make it turn down your lights, turn on the TV, and set your phone into Do Not Disturb mode just with a command like “Hey Google, let’s watch a movie”.
Gemini, Google’s generative AI chatbot, is getting positioned to replace Google Assistant at some point. But it still doesn’t support Routines or a similar feature. Now, the folks at Android Authority have dug into the code of the latest beta version of the Google app for Android (15.24.28.29.arm64 beta) and found hints that the AI assistant may be getting support for such a feature.

It’s important to know that this feature is still in the works, and it’s always possible that it won’t make it to an official release if Google decides.

From the screenshot, we can see that you may be able to control Assistant Routines with Gemini. It doesn’t seem the most seamless though – you’d still probably have to create the routine with Assistant and triggering it would be done with Gemini.

Controlling Routines seems to be one of the major drawbacks of Gemini when compared to Google Assistant at the moment. It’s very nice to see that Google is actually working on this, and might implement a solution in the future.

It would be even better if Gemini could create Routines for you, but we have no info so far on whether the chatbot will be able to do that. Nevertheless, Routines is a great way to get simple tasks done without too much fiddling with your phone, and in my opinion, Gemini should be getting support for the feature sooner rather than later.

Izzy, a tech enthusiast and a key part of the PhoneArena team, specializes in delivering the latest mobile tech news and finding the best tech deals. Her interests extend to cybersecurity, phone design innovations, and camera capabilities. Outside her professional life, Izzy, a literature master’s degree holder, enjoys reading, painting, and learning languages. She’s also a personal growth advocate, believing in the power of experience and gratitude. Whether it’s walking her Chihuahua or singing her heart out, Izzy embraces life with passion and curiosity.


[ad_2]
Source link

Insurance Giant ‘Globe Life’ Data Breach Impacting Consumers and Policyholders

andreasc
-
0
Insurance Giant ‘Globe Life’ Data Breach Impacting Consumers and Policyholders
[ad_1]

McKinney, Texas-based insurance giant Globe Life Inc. is investigating a data breach that may have exposed the personal information of its consumers and policyholders. Globe Life is a holding company that offers life and supplemental health insurance to the middle-income market through various channels.

The company disclosed the incident in a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last week, noting that it was contacted by a state insurance regulator regarding the breach.

According to the filing, on June 13, 2024, Globe Life Inc. discovered potential vulnerabilities in its web portal, potentially allowing unauthorized access to consumer and policyholder information. The company removed external access to the portal, believing the issue is specific to this portal and will not significantly impact its operations. 

Preliminary investigation revealed potential vulnerabilities related to access permissions and user identity management for a company web portal. These vulnerabilities are suspected to have allowed unauthorized access to consumer and policyholder information.

The company has activated its incident response plan and hired security experts to investigate and remediate potential issues. The full scope, nature, and impact of the incident are not yet known, but as of the report, it has not had a material impact on the company’s operations and the company has not determined whether this is a material cybersecurity incident required to be reported under Item 1.05 of Form 8-K, noted Globe Life Associated Counsel and Corporate Secretary Christopher Moore in the filing.

Moreover, the type of data compromised and the number of affected individuals remain unknown at this time. Globe Life has not commented on the specifics of the breach or whether a ransomware attack targeted them, a tactic increasingly used against insurance companies.

Globe Life has not yet announced if they will contact affected individuals directly. As the investigation continues, the firm must provide timely updates on the breach and future protection measures.

Globe Life faced challenges in 2024 due to reports accusing its subsidiary American Income Life (AIL) brokers of insurance fraud, including writing policies for dead and fictitious people. Research firm Fuzzy Panda uncovered a whistleblower and interviewed former executives, claiming that Globe Life and AIL executives engaged in a $65 million bribery and kickback scheme. Fuzzy Panda claimed a former executive sent over 200 emails to inform about fraud to senior execs.

Experts Comments

Jason Soroko, Senior Vice President of Product at Sectigo said that ”The details currently available are insufficient to determine whether there is more to know about further movements by the attacker. Lateral movements would require access to the underlying system and it is unclear whether the vulnerability allowed this.”

John Bambenek, President at Bambenek Consulting highlighted the threat of vulnerabilities that go unnoticed until exploited by malicious elements. ”Based on the disclosure, it seems an external entity was concerned about the security of their portal,” said John. ”The investigation will determine if, and what, confidential information was accessed. However, this incident demonstrates that organizations are still struggling to find their own vulnerabilities before an outsider does,” he added. 

  1. 13GB Data of Automobile Insurance Giant AA Exposed Online
  2. Data Breach Affects 66K in SIM-Swapping on US Insurance Giants
  3. US Auto Insurance Price Comparison Site RateForce Leaks PII Data
  4. Hackers steal sensitive client data in Israeli insurance firm data breach
  5. Multiple US Healthcare Insurance Database (655,000 Patients) for sale

[ad_2]
Source link

TikTok launches Whee, an Instagram-inspired social app for friends

andreasc
-
0
TikTok launches Whee, an Instagram-inspired social app for friends
[ad_1]

ByteDance, the creator of the wildly popular video-based social media app TikTok, has quietly launched a new app called Whee. It is a photo-sharing platform seemingly aimed to rival Instagram, Snapchat, BeReal, and the likes. The new app is available to download from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store in some markets outside the US.

TikTok maker launches Whee, an apparent Instagram clone

Whee debuted on the Play Store without any fanfare. ByteDance says the app will offer a more intimate and authentic photo-sharing experience between friends. “Whee is a new social app created to keep you connected with your close friends through life’s spontaneous moments,” the official description reads. “Capture and share real-life photos that only your friends can see, allowing you to be your most authentic self. Whee is the best place for close friends to share life moments.”

According to APKMirror founder Artem Russakovskii, Whee is currently available in over a dozen countries. While we couldn’t download the app, Android Authority could. However, the app didn’t work, showing an error when trying to log in (you can seemingly log in with your existing TikTok account). Using a VPN didn’t help. As such, we can’t tell you what makes Whee different from existing social media platforms. The screenshots provided by ByteDance give away a thing or two.

From what we can see, Whee is an intimate version of Instagram. It lets you share photos with your close friends. Perhaps it’s a standalone app equivalent of Instagram’s Close Friends filter. When enabled, your posts and stories are only visible to your selected friends. Whee may function similarly, letting friends share memories without allowing the whole world to see them. It’s slightly different from BeReal, which encourages users to share real-time photos without editing them.

TikTok already has an Instagrame clone

Interestingly, this is the second Instagram-inspired app ByteDance has launched in recent months. TikTok Notes debuted in April as a new platform to share photos with notes. The company describes it as “a lifestyle platform that offers informative photo-text content about people’s lives.” It aims to make TikTok Notes the ultimate destination for sharing travel tips, cooking recipes, and other forms of content that may require text notes alongside photos and videos.

While TikTok Notes is designed to let you share content with the public, Whee is a more intimate social media platform. It appears the TikTok maker took Instagram and separated it into two different apps for different use cases. Time will tell whether ByteDance plans to launch the new app in the US where TikTok is facing a nationwide ban. The company has until January 2025 to sell the app or exit the country, unless it gets a court order blocking the ban.


[ad_2]
Source link

Logitech launched Keys-To-Go 2 keyboard with scissor keys

andreasc
-
0
Logitech launched Keys-To-Go 2 keyboard with scissor keys
[ad_1]

Keyboard manufacturer Logitech recently launched the G Pro X 60 keyboard, which is a truly excellent gaming accessory. Logitech introduced its Logi AI Prompt Builder to help its users access ChatGPT faster.

Today the company has unveiled a brand new keyboard, the Keys-To-Go 2. This is an ultra-portable wireless keyboard designed for tablets and laptops. It comes with a built-in cover that protects it from water, dust, and physical impact.

Logitech Keys-To-Go 2 comes with a lightweight design and offers an improved typing experience

The slim and lightweight design of the Logitech Keys-To-Go 2 makes it a good fit for people who want to use it while traveling. The new keyboard isn’t as slim as its predecessor. However, it makes up for that with a comfortable, efficient, and more precise typing experience with real scissor keys.

The product measures 250mm in height, 105mm in width, 4.35-8.97 mm in thickness, and weighs only 222 g. A replaceable coin cell battery powers the Logitech Keys-To-Go 2. It can offer 3 years of battery life based on 2 hours of continuous typing per day.

The keyboard is also multi-OS compatible. It makes it easy for users to use the product with a variety of devices they have access to. “In today’s fast-paced world, staying productive while on the go is essential,” said Joseph Mingori, general manager of mobile solutions and partnerships at Logitech. “We understand the challenges that mobile professionals face and their desire to find solutions that allow them to carry less and do more from anywhere. Keys-To-Go 2 is a highly personal device that creates an ideal workspace, wherever your workspace may be.”

Logitech Keys-To-Go 2 comes in three different colors – Lilac, Pale Grey and Graphite. You can connect the keyboard with up to three of your devices via Bluetooth. It enables you to enjoy a seamless typing experience across your devices. The keyboard is available in both universal (Android, ChromeOS, Windows, iPadOS, iOS, and MacOS) and Apple layout (iPadOS, iOS, and macOS).

Logitech has designed this keyboard to be good for the environment. The Logitech Keys-To-Go 2 uses certified post-consumer recycled plastic. Reportedly, 36% of the Pale Grey and Graphite versions and 33% of the Lilac version is recycled material.

Pricing & availability

Speaking of the pricing, the keyboard will be available globally through the company’s official website and will reportedly be priced at $79.99. For reference, the Logitech Keys-To-Go is available for $69 and comes with four color options – Blush, Classic Blue, Stone, and Black.


[ad_2]
Source link

Google expands Gemini in Google Messages to more devices, launches app in India

andreasc
-
0
Google expands Gemini in Google Messages to more devices, launches app in India
[ad_1]

Google announced earlier today a bunch of improvements to Gemini, as well as the expansion of the app to one more country: India. The search giant emphasized the importance of this market where Gemini had a prolific first year as many people across the country have been using AI in diverse ways.

Besides the launch of the Gemini app in India, Google removed the device requirement for Gemini in Google Messages. Until recently, the ability to chat with Gemini in Google Messages was limited to certain Pixel and Samsung devices, such as the Pixel 6 (or later), Pixel Fold, Samsung Galaxy S22 (or later), as well as Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold series.

Google now says that it’s rolling out Gemini in Google Messages in English on select devices, which include all Android devices with 6GB RAM or higher. Obviously, your device must meet other criteria too, such as having the latest version of Google Messages installed, a personal Google Account, be 18 or over, and having RCS chats turned on.

Here is how you can start a chat with Gemini in Google Messages

  • On your Android phone, open Google Messages.
  • Tap the chat with Gemini, or tap Start chat Gemini.
  • For the first time, follow any on-screen instructions.
  • Enter your question or prompt.
  • The first time you chat with Gemini, you can explore different conversations. Just tap a suggestion above the message field.
  • Optionally, to add a photo to your prompt, tap Show attach media screen.
  • Tap Send message.

You can also delete your entire Gemini chat in Google Messages, or you can use “Your Gemini Apps Activity” to delete specific prompts from the Gemini chat.

In related news, Google announced that Gemini 1.5 Pro, its most advanced model, is being added to Gemini Advanced in nine Indian languages: Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.

The Gemini app is now available in India, supporting English and the same nine Indian languages listed above. Keep in mind that if you want to access Gemini on Android, you must download the app or opt-in through Google Assistant. Gemini access for iOS users is rolling out directly from the Google app over the next few weeks, the search giant says.

[ad_2]
Source link

Motorola Razr 50 series price tags appear a week early

andreasc
-
0
Motorola Razr 50 series price tags appear a week early
[ad_1]

The Motorola Razr 50 series price tags have just appeared, a week ahead of launch. Prices for both the Motorola Razr 50 and Razr 50 Ultra are included. This information seems to be coming straight from Motorola, as some European sites jumped the gun.

The Motorola Razr 50 & Razr 50 Ultra price tags have just surfaced

Based on the information shared by ytechb, the Motorola Razr 50 will cost €899 in Europe. That will be the price for the 8GB RAM model with 256GB of storage, other variants are also possible, of course.

Motorola Razr 50 price leak 1

In regards to the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra, it will cost €1,199 for the 12GB RAM model with 512GB of storage. That basically means that Motorola has no intention of increasing the price tags.

Motorola Razr 50 Ultra price leak 1

The Motorola Razr 40 and Razr 40 Ultra had the same price points when they launched last year. That probably means that the price tags will remain the same in the US too. In that case, you can expect the Motorola Razr 50 to cost $699, and the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra $999.

The two devices will have different names in the US

Do note that the two phones will have different names in the US, though. The Motorola Razr 50 will be called the Motorola Razr 2024. The Motorola Razr 50 Ultra, on the other hand, will have the Razr+ 2024 name.

Both phones will become official on June 25. Motorola is planning to announce them both in China and globally on that date, by the way. That much has been announced by the company.

The Motorola Razr 50 is coming in Gray, Orange, and Sand colors. The Motorola Razr 50 Ulra will arrive in Blue, Green, and Peach options, based on what we know thus far. The official names of those color options will be different, though.

The ‘Ultra’ model will be the more powerful of the two, of course. It will ship with the all-new Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, 12GB of RAM, and two 50-megapixel cameras. Its main display will measure 6.9 inches, while the cover display will measure 4 inches.


[ad_2]
Source link
1...131132133...1,480Page 132 of 1,480